Superman - The Man of Steel

Marvel Comics’ Troubling Origins Story

Superman — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:10:16 +0000

In 1961, Justice League of America (featuring Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman) was selling exceptionally well for DC, and Marvel decided it was time for another try with superheroes. Like many publishers, they had created a stable of heroes to fight the Nazis, but when the war ended reader interest in superheroes had waned. Lee turned to Jack Kirby, who was already working with him on various monster comics, and together they created The Fantastic Four (Mr. Fantastic! The Human Torch! The Invisible Girl! The Thing!). A Justice League get-together had the sterile feel of a Rotary club meeting, but the Fantastic Four was an actual family, and as in many families, there were deep-seated resentments and lots of screaming—the violent outbursts weren’t just reserved for the bad guys. Superhero comics would never be the same.

From: http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2012/02/the_avengers_why_i_m_boycotting_marvel_s_movie.html

Death & Return of Superman Short Film: It’s Funny Cuz It’s True (& Has Amazing …

Superman — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 22:31:42 +0000

we loled

by Jill Pantozzi | 5:44 pm, February 6th

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The Death and Return of Superman is “a somewhat-mostly-accurate educational parody film,” according to its creators. Those creators? Bryan Basham and Max Landis, the son of famed director John Landis. This is a video comic fans will get very excited over (whether positively or negatively) and that non-readers will get a kick out of because it’s so ridiculous it couldn’t possibly be true. Except it kinda is. It also includes cameos from Mandy Moore, Elijah Wood, Chris Hardwick, Simon Pegg (as John Landis) and one more extra special appearance I don’t want to spoil. Give it a watch.

Even though it sounds as if he’s completely trashing the genre, you could say the younger Landis has a keen interest in superheroes. He wrote the screenplay for the new film Chronicle, which revolves around a group of teenage boys who find themselves with superpowers.

“I’m not drunk in the video, I only get about three cups in,” writes Landis. “The original rant was 45 minutes long, so of course we had to cut a bunch of stuff out for time, and because it was just too stupid. Like for instance the part where Pa Kent dies of a heart attack and literally GOES TO HEAVEN. AND SEES SUPERMAN.” Yeah, that also happened. He also neglected to include the real impetus for the 1992 Death of Superman storyline. That was Lois Lane and Clark Kent’s marriage in the comic being put on hold to coincide with their marriage on the ABC television series, Lois Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and the creators needing another big event to take its place. Yes, true story.

(via Nerd Approved)

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I am now convinced that Mandy Moore should have been asked to play Lois Lane after watching this.
I was young enough when this came out that I didn’t see it for the cash grab that it was… and I loved it. Looking back, ok yeah it was awful. Doesn’t change how bad ass I thought it was. I thought Superboy was the coolest guy I’d ever seen (let me stress again that I was wee), and I wanted a leather jacket. Badly. So that happened. The others I could take or leave, but Superboy was awesome in the eyes of a wee Jinxy. Correct me if I’m wrong, but he was an early take on the Superhero as Celebrity, no? He showed up, was heroic for about a second, and assumed the world owed him a check. He also did what I think most of us would do given god-like powers… he moved to Hawaii and did as little work as possible to still be famous and get paid.

I loved the video’s take on this event breaking death in comics, it’s something we’ve all been seeing over the last few years, but it’s interesting to see “patient zero” laid out before us. Great video.
I remember an Entertainment Tonight story during the Death of Superman. (yeah, it was a big enough topic for Mary Hart and John Tesh to pay attention.) In the interview DC pretty much said: “Super heroes die and come back all the time.” In DC’s defense, they were pretty up front about his imminent return, much to the shagrin of everyone who bought a hundred issues they knew were going to be worth a billion dollars one day.
I watched this, completely unaware that there were celebrities in it, and then I had to go back and watch it again. Best half hour spent this week!
I thought it was enjoyable, but the bit about Superman being the instigator for dead heroes coming back and that the storyline was the reason that sales fell are both astoundingly untrue. I’m amazed that both are being taken at face value.
Superman’s return was definitly not the start of dead heroes being brought back. But I’d say it is the trope codifier.

From: http://www.themarysue.com/death-return-of-superman/

Comics: Justice League fights real-world hunger

Superman — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 22:02:32 +0000

While comic-book-industry news is usually all about characters, creators and circulation, sometimes the real world intrudes — for good or ill. Two weeks ago, DC Entertainment unleashed its superheroes on a real-world crisis: hunger in the Horn of Africa.

At a news conference, bigwigs at Warner Bros. (which owns DC Entertainment) announced the “We Can Be Heroes” campaign, which will support three aid groups working in Africa. Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and the rest of the Justice League will be used to raise awareness, not to mention millions of dollars.

Both of which are needful. According to DC, the Horn countries are suffering their worst drought in more than 60 years. Some 13 million Africans are in need of critical assistance and 250,000 are facing starvation in Somalia alone.

DC’s effort will extend across all of Time Warner’s properties, including the use of the Justice League members as spokespeople, and exposure through Warner Bros., Turner Broadcasting, Time Inc. and HBO. If I’m understanding properly how this works, DC’s goal is to raise a minimum of $2 million during the next two years through cash donations, employee matching funds and consumer matching funds, which will be split among Save the Children, International Rescue Committee and Mercy Corps.

I’m assuming the way this will work will be advertising on all the Warner Bros. platforms that will direct people to the campaign’s website, www.WeCanBeHeroes.org. When you arrive, there’s a professional video that begins with the seven founding Justice Leaguers in silhouette that segues into quick interviews with ordinary people who have contributed. The point seems to be that they have become an unstoppable force for good by banding together, like the Justice League. How’s that for a snappy metaphor?

At the website you can contribute directly to the We Can Be Heroes fund, which DC Entertainment will match 100 percent, up to $1 million in total donations (which accounts for the $2 million goal). But you can also buy specially branded merchandise — We Can Be Heroes T-shirts, coffee mugs, that sort of thing — that will be matched at 50 percent. You can also join an online community and sign up for updates and information on the situation in the Horn and steps the campaign is taking.

I should note that comics have been involved in public service plenty of times before. The number of giveaway comic books featuring superheroes fighting ills like tooth decay or littering is legion. In the 1970s, Stan Lee famously ignored the draconian Comics Code to publish three anti-drug issues of “Amazing Spider-Man”in answer to a request from the then-Department of Health, Education and Welfare. During World War II, you’d be hard-pressed to find a comic book that didn’t urge kids to recycle metal and paper, grow a victory garden or “Keep ‘Em Flying!”

But there’s never been anything on this scale, and we should all salute DC Entertainment for its compassion and commitment. Oh, and throw a few bucks at ‘em for a coffee mug, will ya? Tell ‘em Captain Comics sent you.

They’re Ba-ack!

A shudder ran through the comics industry and fandom Jan. 18 when reporter Sherri Ly of “Fox 5″ in Washington, D.C., raised the alarm over “plenty of blood, sex and violence” in DC’s superhero comics. The report on WTTG-TV Channel 5 begins with “most people think comics are for kids”and then concludes breathlessly that “psychologists point out the overexposure to sex and violence for young children can encourage aggression.”Then it quotes various people as saying the books are “scary”or “fictionalized Playboy for kids.”

This is all hooey, of course. Because most comics — like most movies, novels, magazines, video games and TV shows — are manifestly not for kids, and haven’t been for decades. The comics the report denounces are quite clearly marked for age 16 and above, so virtually all of Ly’s overheated rhetoric is simply irrelevant. There are comics for kids, which are also quite clearly marked, and those don’t contain a lick of what Ly finds so dangerous.

But comics people find this hard to laugh off, because we’ve been here before — specifically in 1954, when comic books were used as a scapegoat for every social ill in America. The resultant hysteria nearly destroyed the industry, a body blow from which comics are still recovering. We can only hope that this time around Ly’s trumped-up smear job finds fewer takers.

From: http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/books/2017413673_comics06.html?prmid=head_more

‘Chronicle’ Writer Max Landis Explains ‘The Death and Return of Superman’ [Video]

Superman — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 20:29:09 +0000

Feb 4th 2012 By: Caleb Goellner

From: http://www.comicsalliance.com/2012/02/04/death-and-return-of-superman-max-landis-video/

Superman, Batman Join Fight to Save Horn of Africa

Superman — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 18:13:45 +0000

Justice League fights hunger. (DC Entertainment)

As the months of drought and famine drag on in the impoverished Horn of Africa, some heroes are coming to the rescue: Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, along with the rest of DC Comics’ The Justice League, are the new face of a joint campaign called “We Can Be Heroes”.

A joint advertising campaign by corporate partners DC Entertainment and its parent company Time Warner, Inc, (which also includes Warner Bros.,Turner Broadcasting, Time Inc., HBO), and non-profits Save the Children, the International Rescue Committee, and Mercy Corps., seeks to use the famed comic book heroes to raise awareness and funds for the hunger crisis in severely affected regions of East Africa.

Time Warner Inc. has set a fundraising goal of $2 million over the next two years and will match any donations (up to $2 million). Each of the non-profit organizations will split evenly the funds donated by Time Warner.

The companies announced the campaign last week at a press conference in New York.

“We are a global company, and this is a global issue,” said Barry Meyer, chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. ”By marshaling our expertise in consumer and fan engagement and creating global awareness, we hope we’re able to inspire others to join us in becoming ‘heroes’ and make a difference in the Horn of Africa.”

Time Warner will run ads and public service announcements featuring the Justice League online and in comics, television programs and possibly in theaters. Special Justice League merchandise will also be available for sale.

Mohamed Abdiwahab/AFP/Getty Images

According to the World Bank’s latest comprehensive statistics, drought has put nearly 13.3 million people in urgent need of humanitarian aid across Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya and Djibouti, and aid agencies have not been able to help all of them. The U.S. State Department estimates that as many as 4 million people will remain at risk of starvation through August.

Drought, in addition to pervasive war in countries outside of the Horn like Sudan and Tanzania, has caused millions of refugees to flee to already resource-depleted areas of East Africa.

Carrie Welch, senior vice-president of external relations at the International Rescue Committee, thinks that the campaign will help turn public attention to the suffering in the region.

“It’s not on the front page, not the top of the news,” she said. “People will be affected by this for years to come, so any kind of creative, innovative thinking is good for us and very good for the people that we serve.”

Welch hopes that the advertising may attract the attention of children, who have the power to help influence where the charity dollars may go, though they are often forgotten by organizations seeking donations.

“Kids see this and they go home and begin to talk to their parents about the crisis in the horn of East Africa,” Welch said, adding that her 13-year-old daughter is excited about the campaign. “It adds a touch of coolness to what I do,” she said.

Click here to donate.

From: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2012/02/superman-batman-join-fight-to-save-horn-of-africa/

Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman urge fans to help Africa

Superman — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:33:32 +0000

On January 23, DC Comics announced a new campaign to support humanitarian work in the Horn of Africa, where a confluence of drought, famine, and Islamist militia rule have led some 13 million people to starvation.

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When Superman Learned To Fly; Last Day

Superman — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 15:27:05 +0000

Where do we begin? Are we in the past or in the present? It’s sort of both. With the Anti-Superman Army and bunch of Kryptonite, Superman might not be able to survive this issue.

The Good

It can be extremely frustrating seeing the characters we know so well undergo new stories and developments. Maybe it’s because Grant Morrison is involved but here it completely works. You never know what your going to get in an issue of ACTION COMICS and it feels like he keeps throwing curve balls our way.

Last issue we saw the Anti-Superman Army and the Legion of Superheroes show up. Throw in Kryptonite and time travel and you know things could get messy really fast. Seeing the present day Superman mixed in changes things up but at the same time, we delve even further back to see an even younger Superman/Clark Kent. We all know the story of how he grew up but because things are constantly being tweaked, it all has a new feel to it. You become glued to the pages to see what crazy things Grant might do with Superman’s history this time.

The location of the battle is a surprise and throughout the issue, there is plenty in the background that you’ll find yourself taking it all in trying to figure out what will come back later in a bigger role.

There is also a back up by Sholly Fisch and ChrisCross. This along with the other scenes from Clark’s youth really adds to his origin. Many questions are being answered as to what life was like for this Superman and how come he behaves so differently in the SUPERMAN comic.

The Bad

It’s an interesting ‘battle.’ At times you start wondering what’s really going on. Who are all these people? Why do they all hate Superman so much? The threat of Kryptonite can be a blessing and a curse for writers. If used too often, Superman loses some of his appeal. He becomes a hero that anyone can beat. There’s a slight abruptness to the story but there is plenty going on along with the back up that gives it all a nice feel.

The Verdict

ACTION COMICS continues to stand out as one of the more interesting “New 52″ titles. While many gripe about the changes happening and elements that are getting lost, with ACTION COMICS, it’s like taking part in an adventure. With Grant Morrison at the helm, there’s always a sense that anything goes. Each issue is full of surprises and twists that evolves the character into an almost new one. As a long time reader, I don’t want to see Superman go through change after change but I can’t help myself sitting back and enjoying the stories as they unfold. There is plenty going on here. With both the present day Superman and an even younger one than we’ve seen before, get ready to learn a lot more about who this Superman is. If you’ve been wanting more answers about Superman’s origin, be prepared to get a few.

From: http://www.comicvine.com/action-comics-when-superman-learned-to-fly-last-day/37-313619/staff-review/

Comics: Justice League fights real-world hunger

Superman — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:35:58 +0000

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While comic-book-industry news is usually all about characters, creators and circulation, sometimes the real world intrudes — for good or ill. This week we have an example of each.

Heroes Against Hunger

On Jan. 23, DC Entertainment unleashed its superheroes on a real-world crisis: hunger in the Horn of Africa.

At a press conference, bigwigs at Warner Bros. (which owns DC Entertainment) announced the “We Can Be Heroes” campaign, which will support three aid groups working in Africa. Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman and the rest of the Justice League will be used to raise awareness, not to mention millions of dollars.

I should note that comics have been involved in public service plenty of times before. The number of giveaway comic books featuring superheroes fighting ills like tooth decay or littering is legion. In the 1970s, Stan Lee famously ignored the draconian Comics Code to publish three anti-drug issues of “Amazing Spider-Man” in answer to a request from the then-Department of Health, Education and Welfare. During World War II, you’d be hard-pressed to find a comic book that didn’t urge kids to recycle metal and paper, grow a victory garden or “Keep ‘Em Flying!”

They’re Ba-ack!

A shudder ran through the comics industry and fandom Jan. 18 when reporter Sherri Ly of “Fox 5″ in Washington, D.C., raised the alarm over “plenty of blood, sex and violence” in DC’s superhero comics. The report on WTTG-TV Channel 5 begins with “most people think comics are for kids” and then concludes breathlessly that “psychologists point out the overexposure to sex and violence for young children can encourage aggression.” Then it quotes various people as saying the books are “scary” or “fictionalized Playboy for kids.”

(Contact Andrew A. Smith of The (Memphis) Commercial Appeal at capncomics(AT)aol.com or on his Web site, http://captaincomics.ning.com.)

CAPTAIN COMICS

From: http://www.scrippsnews.com/node/67077

Superman’s old briefs end up in Malaysia — as a male sexual aid

Superman — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:43:50 +0000

Man of Steel? heh

From: http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2012/01/supermans-old-briefs-end-up-in-malaysia-as-a-male-sexual-aid/

DC’s new logo: A fresh flag for company’s revolution

Superman — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 08:28:10 +0000

If you want to talk heroic history, no one can touch DC and its iconic troika of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, but these days, in the DC offices in Manhattan and Burbank, there’s never been less glowing talk about tradition — this is a company that believes its very survival depends on finding the future, finding it fast and taking the risks needed to do so.

The new logo will be hard to miss in the coming months. All the issues of DC Comics that hit shelves in March will have the publishing arm’s version of the new-look symbol and, that same month, DC Entertainment will unveil its massive new website, which one executive described as the “one-stop, be-all online location for everything DC Entertainment.” And, presumably, this is the logo that will flash on the screen this summer right before the biggest film of the year, “The Dark Knight Rises,” takes movie-goers back to Gotham City.

The logo was designed by Landor Associates, whose client list includes FedEx, Volkswagen, Old Spice, Juicy Couture and, believe it or not, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Nicolas Aparicio, the executive director at Landor’s San Francisco office, says “the new identity is built for the digital age, and can easily be animated and customized to take full advantage of the interactivity offered across all media platforms.” The logo is also a public manifestation of the internal churn at DC; it’s a fresh new flag following a internal revolution of corporate culture.

In early 2010, there was a a sense in the company that publishing trends, audience tastes and Hollywood momentum were all working against it. It was rival Marvel that had the aura of innovation in publishing (where it was No. 1 in market share) and in Hollywood (where nimble Marvel Studios showed a flair for getting a wider array of characters on the screen in bankable franchises that could interlock). Certainly, Christopher Nolan’s “The Dark Knight” was a colossal reminder of what DC properties could do in the right hands, but “The Losers” and ”Jonah Hex” were reminders that Warners couldn’t deliver a DC blockbuster without Nolan’s name on it.

DC Entertainment President Diane Nelson and Chief Creative Officer of DC Entertainment Geoff Johns at Warner Bros. in Burbank. ( Liz O. Baylen / Los Angeles Times )

Warner Bros., DC’s corporate parent, made a yearlong reorganization of DC Entertainment, putting a new team in charge of the brand’s Hollywood projects and making a shift toward the West Coast. Then came the boldest move of all with The New 52, a seismic jolt to the DC comic book line that restarted every title with a new No. 1. When the new logo was announced, John Rood, the executive vice president of sales, marketing and business development for DC Entertainment, connected some of the dots.

“It’s a new era at DC Entertainment and the new look reflects a dynamic, bold approach while at the same time celebrates the company’s rich heritage and robust portfolio of characters,” he said. “It was just a few months ago that Superman, Batman and many of our other superheroes were updated when we launched DC Comics – the New 52 — and now it’s time to do the same for the company’s identity while remaining true to the power of storytelling which is still at the heart of DC Entertainment.”

DC Comics co-publishers Dan DiDio, left, and Jim Lee. (Mariah Tauger/Los Angeles Times)

Symbols and identity have a lot of mojo in the world of superheroes — who could imagine Superman without his red “S” or his Clark Kent day job? — but DC has to also prove it has special powers.

In a revealing survey of comics retailers, Vaneta Rogers of Newsarama found that The New 52 created the obvious (and massive) two-month spike in sales but also seems to have earned a readership foothold for some of the top titles. For many observers, meanwhile, the jury is still out on digital comics and their future upside, but DC has high hopes in that arena. Trickiest of all, though, is Hollywood, where Nolan is leaving Batman behind. Despite all of Warner Bros.’ willpower (and their galaxy-class commitment to toy-shelf tie-ins and licensing), “Green Lantern” was a bitter disappointment for the new DC team. Now they are focusing on next year’s “Man of Steel” and a slate of television ventures.

And, yes, only time will tell if they can make it all fly…

– Geoff Boucher

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