Going Nuts At DC Comics

by Armand Vaquer


DC Comics has gone nuts!

It has been reported that the comic book company is totally revamping its entire super-hero line of comic books.

According to National Post.com:

DC, the comic-book arm of Warner Bros., is rebooting its entire line of comics this fall, and is restarting all their series with a new issue No. 1.

Going forward, all new issues of DC comics will be released the same day in digital form via apps (on devices such as the iPad) and on the DC website.

The DC Universe includes characters such as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and The Green Lantern among others.

The new issues will attempt to update the heroes for the 21st century, and will notably play with their ages in several cases.

According to the Toronto Star:

DC’s revamped collection will start with “Justice League” No. 1, which will reunite the classic (albeit freshly minted) lineup of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman and Green Lantern. It will be written by DC's chief creative officer Geoff Johns and illustrated by co-publisher Jim Lee, the first time the acclaimed comic book duo have collaborated together.

I've never been a fan of Jim Lee's artwork. His 2006 Wonder Woman costume design is horrible (see picture at top). Looking at his artwork over the years gives me the impression that he flunked anatomy art classes or just skipped them altogether.

Accompanying the article is a picture of Superman with a caption stating that Superman may become younger or get a whole new costume. From the picture above by Jim Lee and Scott Williams, Superman does look younger (looks like SuperBOY) and his costume has changed. He still has his red cape, but he appears to have a collar(!) and lost his red trunks (will they show up in a new Anthony Weiner photo?). This is crazy! The costume is iconic and is embedded in American folklore. Looks like Jim Lee messed that up big time! To put it bluntly, Superman's new costume looks like crap!

All this is complicated, especially in the case of Superman. The heirs of Superman creators Jerry Siegel and Jerome Shuster have regained some ownership of the Superman character, but a recent article in Variety indicates that Superman may be legally split in two. Certain aspects may be owned by the heirs, while others would be retained by DC Comics if this comes to pass. It would be tragic if it came to this (two Supermen). Why can't DC and the heirs sit down and hammer out an agreement/partnership? This is getting weirder and weirder!

Some have speculated that these changes were made with their litigation involving the Siegel/Shuster heirs in mind.

Thank goodness I've given up reading comic books long ago. But these changes seem unnecessary and radical.

A thumb's down from here!

Superman: Tampering With An AMERICAN Icon

by Armand Vaquer


When Jerome Siegel and Joseph Shuster created Superman, they created a quintessential American icon.

The term "Truth, Justice and The American Way" is synonymous with the character.

Rocketed to Earth as an infant by his parents, Jor-El and Lara, to escape the planet Krypton's destruction, the child's rocket landed in middle America and was raised by Jonathan and Martha Kent. The baby, Kal-El, was raised as Clark Kent with wholesome middle American values and became the champion of justice and the defender of the weak and oppressed.

When Clark Kent reached manhood, he moved to the city of Metropolis to begin his career as a Daily Planet news reporter and as Superman. Thus began an American icon, recognized throughout the world.

DC Comics, co-owner of the Superman character with the heirs of Siegel and Shuster, is publishing Action Comics #900. In this anniversary issue, the story has Superman fed up after a clash with the federal government.

Says Superman, “I am tired of having my actions construed as instruments of US policy.” He plans to make his announcement before the United Nations: "I intend to speak before the United Nations tomorrow and inform them that I am renouncing my U.S. citizenship."

Messing with an icon is tricky business. And this has become a controversy already. It is like having George Reeves standing in front of the United Nations flag, not the American flag, to many people.


According to Fox News:

"Besides being riddled with a blatant lack of patriotism, and respect for our country, Superman's current creators are belittling the United States as a whole. By denouncing his citizenship, Superman becomes an eerie metaphor for the current economic and power status the country holds worldwide," Hollywood publicist and GOP activist Angie Meyer told FOX411's Pop Tarts column.

In the same article, Superman's publishers defended the storyline:

"Superman is a visitor from a distant planet who has long embraced American values. As a character and an icon, he embodies the best of the American Way," DC's co-publishers, Jim Lee and Dan DiDio said in a statement to FOX411.com. "In a short story in ACTION COMICS 900, Superman announces his intention to put a global focus on his never ending battle, but he remains, as always, committed to his adopted home and his roots as a Kansas farm boy from Smallville."

Still, would Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster approve of this?

Before people get upset over this, one thing to remember: in comics, nothing is ever permanent. A character may get killed off, but quite often is brought back to life in another storyline. Sooner or later, Superman will reclaim his American citizenship.

Also, while everyone is aghast over this tampering with Superman's iconic American image, keep in mind that Clark Kent is still an American citizen.

UPDATE: A friend emailed this message (don't know if he read this blog post yet):

George Reeves never would have renounced his citizenship!

Sgt. George Reeves
U.S. Army Air Corps.1943

The email was titled, "George Reeves...Patriot!"

Joanne Siegel's Plea To Time-Warner

by Armand Vaquer

Above, former DC Comics President Paul Levitz and Joanne Siegel in 2001. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The fight over the rights to the Superman character has been ongoing for years. Joanne Siegel, the widow of Superman co-creator Jerome Siegel, died of heart failure in a Los Angeles hospital at age 93 on February 12.

Last December 10, Mrs. Siegel wrote a letter to Jeffrey L. Bewkes, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Time Warner Inc. It is unclear if she actually sent it (the article says she "prepared" it).



It is a very touching letter and it expressed hope that a resolution for all parties could be reached without further enriching the attorneys.

To read Joanne Siegel's letter, go here.

Right, an early-1960s issue of Superman.

Joanne Siegel, Widow of Superman Co-Creator, Dies At 93

by Armand Vaquer

Above, a group photo from the Superman Week ceremony with Joanne Siegel and her daughter Laura at far right. Photo courtesy of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

Sad news today in the world of Superman.

Joanne Siegel, the widow of Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel and the model for Lois Lane (drawn by Joe Shuster) died today in California at the age of 93.

Daughter Laura Siegel Larson is currently making funeral arrangements.

It was my honor and privilege to meet Mrs. Siegel in July 2001 at the Superman Week ceremony at the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. At that ceremony, Mrs. Siegel met actress Noel Neill for the first time. Neill played Lois Lane in to Sam Katzman Columbia serials and replaced Phyllis Coates in the role on the Adventures of Superman television show in 1953.

Mrs. Siegel later joined us for a luncheon at Cafe Pinot following the ceremony.

My condolences to the Siegel family.