52

I was going to make a pretty significant post about the comics I read nowadays. But I realized I have to write something about a particular series before I can really get into that. So, without further ado, I'm going to talk about one of my favorite comic book series ever, 52.

A little backstory is needed. In 2005 to early 2006 DC Comics published a major line-wide event called Infinite Crisis. In January of '06, all of DC's titles jumped ahead One Year in continuity after Infinite Crisis, before we even knew the ending to it! Needless to say, there were a lot of changes to the status quo of these titles. When the ending to Infinite Crisis was published, Superman was left powerless (so he'd be Clark Kent exclusively for a year), Wonder Woman decided to reconnect with humanity (so she wouldn't be such a bitch), and Batman started to travel around the world re-learning how to be Batman (so he wouldn't be the gigantic prick he's been for years). But One Year Later, they all came back.

But what happened during that missing year? That's where 52 comes in. It was a comic series that was supposed to tell the story of the year without Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. But here's the catch. It was a weekly comic.


Publishing a weekly comic has been attempted before, but not successfully. In the 80s, Action Comics Weekly made it to 11 issues before it caught up to itself. In 2001, Marvel Comics tried it with a mature War Machine comic, but that too faltered. So comic fans, doing what comic fans do best, expected the worst. They didn't think it would succeed. In an industry filled with delays, 52 was destined to have at least one. There's bound to be an artist that will fall past the deadline! But the editors thought this one through. The publishing plan was drafted, the writers were gathered. Those writers were Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, and Mark Waid. Four top-notch writers. Four writers working together? There was bound to be some sort of conflict, right? They drew up a storyline, went over plot elements, and planned everything out. Several C-list heroes would basically serve as tour guides for the drastically changing DC Universe during this missing year.

Everything was set to go. They started writing it... Then they threw those plans out the window.
It was clear at around issue 3 that the story was becoming it's own beast. It was not going to be a "tour" of the DCU. It was going to be something much, much more.

The series follows the same planned C-list heroes, but each would have their own story, a lot of them intersecting with one another. Black Adam's efforts to police the world without mercy, but finds his life forever changed when he discovers love. Steel tries to connect with his rebellious niece, who is being drawn to Lex Luthor. The Question helps Detective Renee Montoya to find a purpose after being kicked out of the Gotham Police. Some of the world's smartest scientists, including the evil ones, start disappearing without a trace. Animal Man, Starfire, and Adam Strange needs to find a way home, being lost in space after Infinite Crisis. Elongated Man desperately seeks a way to resurrect his wife, who was murdered during Identity Crisis (I wrote about that here). Booster Gold, with his robotic buddy Skeets, seeks fame and fortune after his part in saving the world in Infinite Crisis, but finds that there's more to being a hero than a shiny costume and a cat in a tree.




Even though people expected it to fail, each issue came out on time. The artists chosen to illustrate the series were relative unknowns, with a few exceptions. They didn't use big name artists known for their delays too much. But I assume when they did, they were sure to have the pages ready to publish well enough in advance. Sure enough, every week a new issue came out. For a whole year. 52 weeks. It was like watching a new episode of your favorite TV series every week. There were issues where nothing much happened, especially in the middle issues, but they were by no means boring. As the weeks went by, each character became their own. These weren't big name heroes here. This wasn't Superman (though Clark Kent appeared a few times), Flash, or Green Lantern (he does make a couple appearances). But I still cared about them. I read about them every week. And by the end of the series, I thought these guys SHOULD be big name heroes.

52 was comics done right. It brought me into the story and didn't let go. When I get new comic books on Wednesday, I usually put the comic I'm most looking forward to on the bottom of the pile. Saving the best for last kinda stuff. As you can imagine, 52 was often at the bottom of the pile. The fact that it came out every week was even better. It also proved many comic readers wrong, coming out on time and being much more than just a gimmick. I also enjoy the fact that the original plan was scrapped so the writers could tell a great story.

The reason I made you read all this is because 52 spawned a few titles I read now, and I can't really talk about them without referencing the series. So hopefully I won't have to go into too much backstory. I really do miss this title, and I doubt there will be anything like it anytime soon.

It was also kinda funny. After the first week, I started noticing the number 52 in almost everything. I felt like Jim Carrey's character in that movie. Of course I'd shout "52!!!" every time, with odd glances in my direction immediately following. Hey I was excited. I still do it. Really.

"A year without Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. But not a year without heroes."

OhMyGodIt'saQuickPost!

I was drifting off to sleep at work today probably because I've been so busy I sometimes forget to sleep so I had to insist on a quick run to Starbucks to get my Cafe Latte $4.00 coffee and I was slowly sipping it but then when one of my customers came in I couldn't stop talking!!!

::deep breath::

MAN that's annoying to read back I'll try not to do it again I... ::pause:: I'll be posting a proper update soon. I have drill this weekend so it'll be before then so I have some presence with you guys while I'm off the radar.

Talk About Easy Targeting!

Over a decade ago a game was released for the computer that changed my life. No, not Doom. Not Duke Nukem 3D. Not Wolfenstein 3D. ...I guess there were a lot of games that changed my life.

The game I'm referring to is called Strike Commander and it's one of the greatest games I have ever played. Just check out this intro!



It's a flight simulator developed by the same guy who made the Wing Commander games. You're an F-16 pilot and a member of a mercenary squadron established in Turkey called the Wildcats. In the near future the world has changed dramatically. After a war in the middle east, oil resources are scarce and the world is fighting over what's left. Despite protests, the U.S. begins heavy drilling of Alaska. Then the stock market crashes and the Big One hits California. Interstate politics eventually leads to the succession of several states, including Alaska, which shut down the oil pipeline and declared its oil a natural resource. This provoked a war with Canada, who recognized Alaska's independence, which resulted in the destruction of most of the state's wilderness and oil fields. Bankruptcy leads to the loss of the status of superpower to both the U.S. and the Allied European nations, who are also reeling from terrorist attacks from rebellious citizens. South America erupts in civil war all across the continent. With Japan the only remaining superpower, mercenary squadrons begin forming in Turkey, accepting missions from any corporation or government willing to pay the fee. And that's the set up for Strike Commander. Phew!

The graphics were ahead of it's time, and was one of the first computer games to require a 486 processor. The music was top notch MIDI, and the game even had voice-work. Cutscenes move the story along between missions and there was even cockpit chatter to set the mood. Missions range from base attacks, to dogfights, to escorts, even an air show. Oh, and you don't just fly planes. You'll also have to manage your budget! It would behoove you to use the cheap weapons and your gun whenever possible. After all, money doesn't grow on trees, as your accountant Virgil would say.

The characters of the game all have personalities of their own, which adds to the character of the game itself. You get to choose your wingman, or wing-woman, for each mission. And the story is awesome. This is also the game which got me interested in fighter jets in the first place. I used to doodle them all the time in my school notes.

You may be wondering what got me all nostalgic about this game. I just so happened to find my copy of the game while cleaning the house today. I had to download DOSBox to install and run it because it's so old, but I want to play it a little...bring back the memories. But my joystick won't plug into this computer. That's old too.

Anyway, a great game. If you see it available for a free download somewhere give it a shot. It's totally worth it.

I Found a Stormtrooper

...too bad I didn't get a picture of it.

Yes, I saw one, at Baltimore Comic-Con. I didn't get to go last year so I was ecstatic to go this year. Sure, it wasn't where I was SUPPOSED to be (sorry!) and when my boss found out why I requested off of work that day, she wasn't too happy (sorry! again!), but it was worth it.

A stormtrooper wasn't the only thing I saw. Darth Vader was with him. I saw an Obi-wan, an Anakin, Captain America, Wolverine, a Skrull (although it was just a chick with a sign around her neck that said "skrull"), some pirates, a Blob (I'm not sure, he may have just been a fat guy) and yes, a Cyclops. But it was a shoddy Cyclops. My grandma could do better. C'mon, construction paper visor??

I don't go for the costumes, of course. I go for the ambiance. A bunch of people who love the same craft gathered together. Looking at and promoting new product. Looking for that one issue you could never get your hands on. Waiting in anticipation for meeting your favorite writer or artist. Trying to get noticed in an industry filled with talent. I wouldn't call it heaven, because things cost money, but it's up there.


The Baltimore Comic-con isn't really a big one. Not nearly as formidable as the San Diego Comic-con, or WizardWorld Chicago, or the one in New York. Not a lot of big names come out to Baltimore. I'm still waiting for Jeff Parker, my favorite of them all, to show. It's small by comparison, but still enjoyable. Manageable too. You won't be overwhelmed or find yourself pushing through crowds or anything. You'll still have to wait in a long line to see Jim Lee though. And it's cool that DC Comics' top editorial staff was there. DC is always good at bringing the big guns to the smaller conventions. Even got myself a Green Lantern ring. Damn thing doesn't work...but it looks positively geeky.

Every comic-com I go to I look for books I wouldn't normally find in a store. Independent books by people I've never heard of. Books not published by a major company. If something strikes my interest like, say, a character drama about a rock band with magical powers, I'd take the risk and shell out the money to buy the book. It's usually hit or miss, but I like to support the independents. It makes their day, and I realize I could find myself doing the same thing in the future.

I also look for cool original artwork. I asked one guy to draw me a Cyclops and it turned out great! I also found a cool drawing of Blue Beetle and Booster Gold, I want to hang it on my wall or something. I did buy one back issue: X-Factor #10 from 1986. Google it and you may find out why.

All in all, a good day. No problems getting there or coming back, got some cool product, saw some girls OH YEAH I forgot to mention the girls! Two young nubile chicks were handing out...I dunno coupons or something...and they were wearing...NOT MUCH! Like, two little triangles in the appropriate areas...I thought it was painted on at first. Nearly had a nerdgasm. I hope they were legal...Jesus...

Anyway, out.