What Books Should I Be Reading in DC's New 52?

DC's New 52 initiative is in its sixth month now, and even amid the news of cancellations, replacement series, and changes to some creative teams, there is no reason you shouldn't be breaking down your local comic shop's door down every Wednesday to get your filthy mitts all over that week's new books. Well, besides the obvious legal ramifications.

Your honor, he was just listening to that crappy blogger!

So far, I'm digging all of the books that I'm reading. The only one I'm really iffy about still is Green Arrow. I don't know what it is, but I'm just not digging that particular book. I'm also still unsure about Teen Titans. It was actually one of the books that I picked up when I first started to re-reading comics, and I stuck by it, through lineup & creative changes, sometimes for the good, sometimes the bad. The DCnU version's been okay, so far, but I haven't seen anything special from it. Yet. I'll stick with it for a bit longer, but I hope it gets better.

A resounding..."meh."

But enough about the negatives. Here's a list of the books you definitely should be reading in the New 52 (in no particular order):

Aquaman

The Flash

Green Lantern

Justice League

Batman

Action Comics

Nightwing

All-Star Western

Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E.

The last two are, in my sometimes humble opinion, DC's shining, unsung gems. I would most certainly consider both books "fringe" stories. Yeah, I said it. Keep your Barry Allen. Your Arthur Curry. Your Hal Jordan & Bruce Wayne. Well, don't really. I'd be sad. But that's not what I'm talking about. The DCnU's best books are a western and a monster book.

This book is aces.

The first, All-Star Western, is based on the exploits of the bounty hunter Jonah Hex (plus a revolving back-up story). One part of the book's genius is that the writers have basically thrown the conventions of a normal "western" out the window. While it has a distinctive western feel, so far, the story hasn't gone further west than Gotham City (long before the Batman). Might I remind you, Gotham is mostly agreed upon to be in New Jersey. Represent. But I digress. Anyway, besides solid storytelling, All-Star Western takes everything good about westerns & the Batman mythos, and marries them into a near perfect book.

Dope.

But, somehow, there is one book better than ASW, and that is Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. Frankenstein first premiered in DC books in 1948, though he's gone through many changes since then. While his background isn't much different than Mary Shelley's version, there are, obviously, changes; the biggest being that he didn't die after freezing in the Arctic. Nah, man. That badass swam to America.

Suck it, Phelps.

Now, I've previously stated that I thought Frankenstein & the Creatures of the Unknown was the best part of the Flashpoint mini-series (the guy/monster/thing personally killed zee fuhrer, for crying out loud), so it shouldn't be a surprise that I like this book. But what's awesome is that you have this undead, unkillable, centuries old, uncorruptable monster acting (almost) like a secret agent. Granted, instead of spying on enemy agents, he's off fighting God knows what in God knows where, but he is working for a covert agency, saving the world from unspeakable evil. Plus, he has Ray Palmer as his "Q." The book just doesn't feel like any of the other DCnU books I've read, which is one of the reasons that it's superior to the 51 others.

I mean...look at that madness.

Music You Should Be Listening To: 2/6-2/12

Vampire Weekend:

I freaking love Vampire Weekend. Now, that's not something that I would ever have thought I'd say before I listened to them. Honestly, I thought they were going to be a lame pop band using Twilight-inspired verbage to cash in. I was wrong though...they're an awesome indie rock group of hipsters. "Hipsters!? How dare you?" you are probably not saying to yourself right now. But let me explain, regardless. They are indie rock with "Baroque pop" stylings. What the Hell does that even mean, other than "Hipster douche?" Except they aren't Hipster douches. They're awesome.

Cousins

I picked their song "Cousins" off of their second album, Contra, because of the pure manic energy of the song. The song is all over the place, but you can't help but get into it. Plus the video is wicked.

Bonus jam - Giving Up the Gun

It was too tough to choose just one, so you get this song, also. It's a fantastic tune, but the video itself is classic. Can you spot all of the cameos?

The Spitvalves:

If you like ska, you've probably heard of the Spitvalves. If you don't like ska, at least a little, you may be dead inside. Listening to their music brings me back to high school, when I didn't have a care in the world & Still's Disease wasn't even a thought in my head. I can vividly remember going to see them at Birch Hill. Hell, it was my first "show." Even though I've grown further away from the ska scene in my musical preferences, the Spitvalves will always hold a place in my heart.

Worn Out Welcome

Just a Reminder

I

Love

Christina Hendricks.

On Religion, or Haters Gonna Hate

I was born & raised Irish(-American)-Catholic. The church I went to was modern & quite liberal compared to the Draconian teachings & rituals of many other churches in the area. As a youth, I went to Sunday School or Catechism Class or CCD or however you know it.

Fun Fact: CCD stands for Confraternity of Christian Doctrine. That sounds legit.

I (begrudgingly) attended church services. Begrudgingly because what child would rather go to church than sleep in & watch cartoons? But I went. I earned (is that the right term? Earned? Received? Earned the reception of?) the sacraments of Penance/confession, the Eucharist/Holy Communion, and, finally, Confirmation.

I guess I made Confirmation around 15ish or so. And that was it. That was my exit from the Catholic Church. In the ensuing decade+ since, other than weddings & funerals, I don't think that I've been at a church ceremony more than a dozen times.

But why? Well, science for one thing. It is impossible for much of the creations stories to have taken place. If you agree, that's cool. Disagree? Also cool. I'm not going to hate on another person's religious beliefs. Except for those..."fringe"...or..."culty" religions. You know the ones I'm talking about. They make a great story, but it's for the birds.

When the subject of religion is brought up, I align myself as an open-minded Agnostic. I am open to the concept of religion. I'm open to the concept of an all-powerful/knowing/loving creator. I'm open to the concept of Heaven. All I ask is that I'm shown some proof. I mean, hey, Thomas was a doubter, too. At least that cat got some proof. If I am shown concrete evidence that proves all the science ever is wrong, and that there is a great & powerful being watching over us, I will repent. Until that day, I must remain skeptic.

But even then, I'm reminded of a quote by the great American author and humorist Samuel Clemens, or Mark Twain, as he's better known:

"If one truly believes in an all-powerful Deity,

and one looks around at the condition of the universe,

one is led inescapably to the conclusion that

God is a malign thug."

And more than anything, I must agree. Look around: The hate. The hunger. All the bad happening to good people. Proper villains thriving. Science and facts come secondary, THIS is why I have no religion to call my own.

Music You Should Be Listening To: Supporting a Friend

The NJ music scene is a pretty damn active one, and we can claim a great many acts as Jersey alumni: Springsteen, Bon Jovi, The Smithereens, the Bouncing Souls, Gaslight Anthem, Streetlight Manifesto, Thursday, Midtown, Sinatra, Frankie Valli & the 4 Seasons, Whitney Houston, Fugees, My Chemical Romance, Count Basie, The Sugarhill Gang. And that's the tip of the iceberg.

On top of that, Nj is full of great venues to see shows at, few more well known than the Starland Ballroom. It's a place where both up & comers and A-Listers perform. And I'm proud to say that two of my buddies will be playing there on February 11. But that's not the best part. They're opening for funk legend (and Jersey native) George Clinton. Mr. P-Funk himself. The guy that you played as in NBA Jam on your SEGA Genesis, but didn't know where he was from. That George Clinton. So, this week, I'm dedicating my "Music You Should Be Listening To" to my buddies' show and, really, making this a commercial. I never said I'd never sell out if given the opportunity.

Milan:

I've known Milan for years, growing up on the mean streets of North Plainfield. He's become a bit of a local celebrity, even having a sandwich named for his band at a local eatery. He's the lead singer/guitarist for Milan & the Sour Goat, and to say that his musical stylings are roots, rock, reggae is an understatement. And, as far as I know, he'll be performing solo.

Garden State Line:

GSL is one of the bands that my close friend Tam is a part of, the other being Becoming the Ghost, on top of which he also has his solo work. GSL is a mainstay on Rukus Radio, and their audience has been steadily growing in the New Brunswick music scene. In fact, they've also been making a beachhead in small NYC venues. GSL has a funky-blues-rock sound, and I must say, I'm very proud of my broski. And his luxurious mane.

George Clinton:

What can I say about George Clinton that you can't already tell by this picture?

Nothing. I've got nothing to say.

Once again: George Clinton featuring Garden State Line and Milan will be performing at the Starland Ballroom on Saturday, February 11. Ticket, as of this writing, are still on sale & can be purchased for the low price of $20. If you happen to know Milan or a member of GSL, there's a chance that they still have tickets. If not, you can get them online. If you're in the area, hope to see you at the show.

BONUS:

I royally screwed up last week with my cover song post & omitted a great song (and a decent cover by a great artist). Mea culpa and please forgive me.

Mr. Blue Sky:

Imagine, if you will, a rainy day. Maybe you have a cold. Maybe you can't find your favorite hoodie. Whatever the case, some minor, yet persistent tragedy has befallen you. You just can't shake the doldrums out. Whatever shall you do? You put on the radio (okay, iTunes/iPod/3rd party mp3 player), of course, and what do you hear? Happiness. Happiness is what you hear emanating from your speakers. And why is that, you ask? Because Mr. Blue Sky by the British symphonic rock band Electric Light Orchestra is playing. And if that doesn't put a smile the size of the Ol' 96er on your face, you must already be dead inside. Also, Lily Allen did a cover of it.

The Original:

The Cover:

Lily Allen's was good, but sorry, luv, you cannot top ELO. Nine times out of ten, you can't top ELO.

To Fear or Embrace: Before Watchmen

A classic if there ever was one.

Today marks the day that comic book fans (graphic novel enthusiasts, for the douchey) have held in fear & loathing since grumbles of rumors have been swirling the past few months.

Alternatively, today marks the day that comic book fans (graphic novel enthusiasts, for the douchey) have been waiting for with baited breath since they read the last panel of the book all those days/weeks/months/years/decades ago.

Long story short: "Watchmen" lives.

Witty comment!

"Before Watchmen" is the all-encompassing title for the prequels to the seminal graphic novel that deconstructed the superhero, and reconstructed a medium that was falling into disrepair. As the whole of comic fanboy/girl-dom is one of the more outspoken groups, I'd be remiss to not say that, after the announcement was official, there was a giant (and I say this to tone down the obscenity-laced verbal diarrhea) "Are you serious, bro?!?" Yet, there is a want for these stories. "Watchmen" was a 12-issue miniseries, that has been self-contained (save for minor, possibly non-canon cameos) for the quarter century since it's been published.

Well, that isn't NOT creepy.

But, and I'm just playing devil's advocate here, when you finish a great piece of writing, be it comic book/graphic novel or prose, don't you want more? In fact, it doesn't have to be writing. A great dinner. A great movie. Even with closure, anything great leaves you wanting more. And now, after 25 years, DC is giving the world more "Watchmen."

I get it...he's kind of like Batman.

The talent pool they're drawing upon for these prequels is tremendous: Brian Azzarello & Lee Bermejo will be collaborating on the Rorschach mini, while Azzarello will be teaming with JG Jones for Comedian. Darwyn Cooke (a personal favorite) will be pulling double duty on Minutemen. Cooke will also be writing Silk Spectre, with art by Amanda Conner. Sci-Fi mainstay & comic writer extraordinaire J. Michael Straczynski is penning both the Dr. Manhattan & Nite Owl (II, for those of you who are wondering) books, with Adam Hughes and Andy & Joe Kubert doing the art, respectively. Finally, DC has Len Wein, the original "Watchmen" editor, writing the Ozymandias mini, with Jae Lee providing the visuals. Almost more interesting, though, is the Curse of the Crimson Corsair, a two page backup story that will appear at the end of each issue of the minis. It will play, more or less, the same role as Tales of the Black Freighter did in the original. It will also be penned by Wein, while the art is being produced by the original series's colorist, John Higgins.

I have nothing to say about this, other than this is the one I want to read the most.

For those who say that there shouldn't be anymore "Watchmen" unless it's done by series creators Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons, and that is a huge percentage, methinks, I have a question for you: should they have stopped making Superman once Siegel & Shuster left the book? Should Batman (nee Bat-Man) have been put to rest once Bob Kane (and the truly shafted Bill Finger) stopped working on it? Why is it that "Watchmen" is held to a different standard than any other book?

Clever use of Silk Spectre as a [male anatomy] shield.

It isn't like (the extremely talented & innovative) Alan Moore hasn't taken other creators characters and continued their stories. Besides "Watchmen" & "V for Vendetta," what is Moore known best for? Swamp Thing (created by...Len Wein, of all people!). "The Killing Joke," a Batman story. One of the best known Superman tales, "Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?" And, it'd be shameful if I didn't bring up Moore's "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen," in which he he puts together a team of adventures using some of literature's best known heroes, anti-heroes, and sometimes downright villains: Allan Quartermain, Mina Murray, Captain Nemo, Hawley Griffin, Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde, Prof. Moriarty, Fu Manchu, John Carter, & Babar the Elephant King, just to name a few. How is that any different?

This looks like the video for 311's "Down."

In fact,  I feel as though it should be pointed out that "Watchmen" wasn't originally planned on featuring original characters. In the original plans, "Watchmen" was to feature a rebranding of many Charleston Comics. DC eventually changed their minds, not wanting to relegate their acquisitions to a single, dystopian tale, and, thusly, the heroes became thinly-veiled stand-ins for the Charleston characters. The Comedian was originally supposed to be Peacemaker. Dr. Manhattan is an expanded-on version of Charleston/DC's Captain Marvel. Blue Beetle (Ted Kord) was the inspiration for what became Nite Owl II. Ozymandias's inspiration was from Peter Cannon, Thunderbolt. The hardline detective/vigilante Rorschach is an amalgamation of two Steve Ditko-created characters, (the somewhat obscure) Mr. A & the Question (Charleston/DC-owned). And, finally, while Silk Spectre II has more in common with DC's Black Canary and Phantom Lady, her relationship with Dr. Manhattan resembles that of Charleston's Nightshade & Captain Atom. That being said, is it truly fair to say that the characters of "Watchmen" are solely of Moore & Gibbons's creation? I don't know. I'm no judge.

Kind of hoping Tarantino gets credit for his "Gimp" character.

The whole concept of "Before Watchmen" will be hotly debated until it comes to press, and, most likely, for a good while after. You can never please everybody every time, that's a fact. So here's a few pieces of advice I have for those decrying the prequels: a) not every prequel is crap like Star Wars & 2) if you don't like the concept, don't buy it. It's that simple. But at the same time, if you don't read the new books, you can't say anything of their substance. Only time will tell if these hold up to the original.

Johnny Depp's got nothing.

And as for Alan Moore? I appreciate his body of work. There is nothing he does that is garbage, in my mind, at least. But has there ever been somebody that seems to feast on big bowls of lemons & sour grapes more? DC even offered him the rights to "Watchmen" back if he would pen a few prequels or spinoffs, but he turned them down. Now, I get it: he's [angry] at DC & Warner Bros. for what he feels is a bastardization of his work & ideas. And sure, he has a point there. Compared to the novels, "From Hell," "V for Vendetta," & "League of Extraordinary Gentlemen" all fall short when transferred to the screen. Especially "LXG," which turned a great story into mindless (though mostly entertaining) action-y drivel. Personally, I thought "Watchmen" was a solid translation, so besides the fact that he's just sick of the property, I don't know what Moore's big problem was with that. But I hope that someday, DC & Moore can put aside their animosity. Not that I see that happening, and I'm sure "Before Watchmen" won't help.

But as a comic fan, and a huge "Watchman" fan, I'm not asking for these prequels to surpass the original, I am just hoping that they'll do the source material justice, along with being entertaining reads. And, if nothing else, at least Dave Gibbons gave a nod of approval. So that's something.