Post-Convergence Thoughts

DC released their June solicits and lots of things are changing. We have new titles (Dr. Fate), returning on-goings (Grayson doesn’t seem to change much), “missing” characters or worse (Kyle Rayner!) and redesigned costumes for most of the iconic heroes (but they appear in their New52 costumes in the JL titles for some reason):

Clark, it's like you're not even trying.

Superman: Don’t like it. He looks more like Pre-52 Superboy than Superman (plus he got a new costume like five minutes ago). The New 52 Action Comics design was good because it was he starting out as a hero, he didn’t have the uniform yet but at least he looked like Supes. While I like the new S shield, the rest is weak (seriously, not even the red cape!).

Super Robot Wars here I come!

Batman (or BatLabor): Seriously, it looks like one of the mechs from the Patlabor anime series from the 80’s. This All New Batman may not be Bruce Wayne since it appears to be a cop or at least working closely with the police. It would be extra awesome if it were Alfred or Jean-Paul Valley. Looks like a good design for a one time Bat-Suit.

For Themyscira bub!

Wonder Woman: I like it! Could loose the Azrael-like blades but never the less it’s an awesome suit.

Pre-52 Wally would be proud!

Flash and Green Arrow: They seem to resemble their TV versions. Flash suit, while it looks a little busy, it's the best of the bunch. Green Arrow could change the gloves, baggy pants and boots.

The Emerald Lantern

Green Lantern: Hal goes renegade and wearing a cloak or a hoodie (Scarlet-Spider anyone?). I’m interested in the new direction for the character, but if he really wears a hoodie in space, then that would be laughable.









Not very interested in these changes and with the current economy, this will be a relief to my pocket since April and May will leave me broke with so many Convergence tie-ins (Speed-Force, New Teen Titans, Parallax and Shadow of the Bat!). Will pick up Grayson on print, while I might pick up others like Dr. Fate and Earth 2 Society (New Batman over there, might be Dick Grayson) on digital format once the price drops, to give them a chance.

20 years of "The Manga Nut with a Power Ring"

I know its kind of old new, but better late than never. It's been 2 decades since DC Comics introduced the graphic designer turned super-hero Kyle Rayner. After the third volume of Green Lantern sales were struggling, DC needed to shake up things to raise interest. They published a very polarizing story (Emerald Twilight) which saw the exit of longtime favorite character Hal Jordan and the rise of a younger, more inexperienced hero.

Even though he was created in the 90's, Kyle's character arc is impressive. He grows from inexperienced rookie to a formidable Corp member. His ring constructs are the most interesting (at least in my opinion) which include chibi characters, Patlabor Mechs and futuristic-looking weaponry. Also his training is not as military as the other lanterns, he learned by his own experiences and from other characters like Alan Scott (the original Green Lantern) and Batman himself.

Kyle can be found in the pages of Green Lantern New Guardians, as the only White Lantern. Here's to 20 more years!

The image was drawn by legendary artist Darryl Banks a colored by yours truly.