Millar and Quitely Together Again on Forthcoming Project?

Mark Millar and Frank Quitely are thisclose to what is sure to be exciting news according to Millar and Bleeding Cool. The two were planning a Thanksgiving announcement, but according to a Twitter post we should only have to wait until Monday morning sometime.

The two worked famously together on their brilliant run on The Authority beginning in 2000 (after the equally but differently brilliant run by Warren Ellis and Bryan Hitch). While we get a lot from Millar these days (Kick-Ass 2, Superior, and Nemesis), we do not get enough of Quitely due to the quality of his work.

This pairing excites me to no end. It’s a safe bet that we will be hearing about a creator-owned book on Monday because Millar has had home run after home run with his own creations.

More to come!

Morrison Moves from 'Batman and Robin' to 'Batman: Incorporated'

Spoilers Abound!

I caught up quickly with Grant Morrison’s Batman and Robin series in trades and issues; today’s issue #16 served as an excellent segue into Morrison’s next Bat-project, Batman: Incorporated.

Morrison is one of those writers I have a difficult time reading on a monthly basis and find myself appreciating more once I’ve read the issues in a single sitting or in trade paperback form. His stories can often start in the middle of a scene that is resolved the following month (or at the end of the arc) which can make it difficult if you’re reading multiple titles or the books run late. I’ll give Morrison this, once an arc is finished, it becomes clear how structured the man’s storytelling is.

His run on Batman and Robin was strong. There was the introduction of Dick Grayson as Batman and all the struggles that came with it; his problems with wearing a cape again, a botched jail break, and his struggles with Damian all demonstrated that Batman had difficult boots to fill.

Speaking of Bruce’s son, Morrison seemed to have great fun writing and developing Damian Wayne, the fifth Robin. The series opened with Damian ready to take the cowl off Dick’s head because he thought himself ready to don it, then Damian’s fear that Bruce might return and forbid him from being Robin, and ultimately Damian’s defiance of his mother (and new sworn enemy) Talia al Ghul. Damian’s story and characterization is what kept me enthralled with this book.

Morrison kept the story arcs short (typically three issues apiece) and then tied them all together, in addition to resolving his entire Batman run with Batman and Robin #16. Bruce Wayne is back (I mentioned spoilers at the beginning) and is making Batman a franchise which he has made public (below).

The art on the book has been gorgeous. Specifically by Frank Quitely in the first arc (and all the covers) and the stunning work of Frazer Irving in the final arc. Irving has drawn the most creepy Joker (left) in recent memory.

Batman and Robin has been a fantastic run for Morrison who has already has some classic runs under his belt. I look forward to continuing to follow Batman’s adventures in Batman: Incorporated. I just can’t promise I’ll read it every month.

Teen Titans #90 - Two More Variant Covers by Quitely and Hughes

DC has four covers for Teen Titans #90.  A few days ago I posted an awesome cover of the Titan boys by Karl Kerschl.  Below, Adam Hughes provides his take on the girls of the team as only Hughes can do.  Above, and my personal favorite, Frank Quitely has Damian Robin standing atop the rest of the team.  They have no clue what they are in for!  If the book lives up to these cool variant covers, JT Krul and Nicola Scott's run on this book is goint to really be something.

DC's 75th Anniversary Homages

I love when artists reimagine classic comic book covers.  I was excited to see that Jim Lee is currently hard at work on his take of The Brave and the Bold #28 (the first appearance of the Justice League of America).  As ridiculous as the villain is, Starro the Conqueror, it has always been one of my favorite covers; Alex Ross's sweet as hell version is on the right.

DC has been commissioning some of their artists to take on other classic, and not so classic, covers as a part of their 75th Anniversary.  Below (right) is Frank Quitely's version of Green Lantern #52 which was originally drawn by longtime Green Lantern artist Gil Kane.  Keep 'em coming DC!