DC Universe

Blue and Gold Finally

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This is a book I have been waiting for for somewhere between 10 and 700 years. Anyone who knows me knows that Booster Gold and Ted Kord are two of my favorite heroes in all of comics. And I say Ted Kord So no one gets confused with the other versions of the Blue Beetle(Even though for me there are no other versions).

I have been reading about Booster Gold’s adventures since Dan Jurgens first introduced him to us in the 80s. The fact that he is going to be writing this limited series just makes it all the more special.

But for me Booster and Ted really became Blue and Gold under the watchful eye of Keith Giffen and JM Dematteis. They gave us the goofballs we all know and love. Yes Booster is a self-centered, wannabe celebrity hero but the end of that line is important part. He is a hero and his heart is always in the right place even if he does screw things up. And Ted, both headed his best friend who gets dragged along in his crazy capers mainly because he would do anything for his friend.

It would not have mattered what they said the plot behind this limited series was. I was down from the word go. How they could have just told us that Ted and Booster were going to open up a superhero bar… Oh wait didn’t DC do that before. The point is these are characters that are worthy of some time in the spotlight.

Everything doesn’t have to be Batman. Everything doesn’t have to be serious. Sometimes you just need hears that you want to have some fun. And after the last year of the real world we could use that.

Blue & Gold #1 (of 8) by Dan Jurgens and Ryan Sook arrives on July 20 with a cover by Sook ($3.99) and a card stock variant cover by Dave Johnson ($4.99).

Not Your Father’s Legion

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6 years. It’s been over six years since we had a Legion series.

It’s been five years since they guest starred in Justice League United.

A long time for a book that has been more or less a constant since the 70s. There had been a couple of pieces of it coming back with appearances Justice League United and Saturn Girl showing up in Doomsday Clock. Truthfully I thought we were going to have to wait until the often delayed Doomsday Clock finished. Things change.

Brian Michael Bendis and Ryan Sook changed all that. On November sixth we saw the first of a new series of the Legion of Superheroes written by Bendis with art by Sook and colors by the fantastic Jordie Bellaire. As far as a creative team you could not ask for much more.

It is early but promising. The Legion is a tough nut to crack. So many characters, so much history. It is hard to know where to start. A chase through the remains of old Gotham is nice. Leading off with Ultra Boy is even better. Some things change, some stay the same.

We got to see some nice throwbacks to Legion history: A reimagined Mordru, a changed Earth(calling back to the destruction of Earth in the five years later era), a new Superboy and a new connection to modern day DC Comics with Aquaman’s trident.

There are several new threads to pull here. Possibilities abound.

Are there concerns as a long time Legion fan?

Of course. We have been burned so many times that we have grown cynical. But there is light in the darkness. Hope.

And at least for me that is what the Legion has always been about.

DC Universe Presents: The Titans

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The first day of San Diego Comic-Con and DC Comics has hit the ground running with the first trailer for the new live-action Titans series. This is just the first of a slate of brand new programming for the DC Universe streaming service which it was announced will cost approximately $75 a year.

I thought they did I good job. Raven seeking out Dick Grayson is a nice callback to Marv Wolfman and George Perez’s run on the New Teen Titans in the 80s. That run is still considered one of the all time greats (not just for Titans but for comics period).

Brenton Thwaites makes a believable Dick Grayson-his anger at Batman may have been a little over the top. Raven as portrayed by Teagan Croft seems to have combined several of her previous versions into one. It works for me.

You only see glimpses of the other main characters but at the least they look the part.

It was just enough of a tease to leave me wanting more.