- Steve Dillon, Comic Artist Who Helped Create ‘Preacher,’ Dies at 54

Steve Dillon, a comic-book artist best known for Preacher, a long-running series, recently adapted for television, about three companions who literally search for God, died over the weekend in Manhattan. He was 54.

His brother, Glyn, announced his death on Twitter on Saturday but did not say when he died. His friend and collaborator Garth Ennis, a comic book writer, said the cause was a ruptured appendix, which Mr. Dillon at first assumed was food poisoning.

Mr. Dillon, who lived in England, had been in New York to attend Comic Con.

Ugh, that's tragic.

Secret Wars on Infinite Earths really went to Hell in October:

- The Demon versus Solomon Grundy: Solomon Grundy #2
- Mr. Hyde versus Ghost Rider: All-New Ghost Rider #5
- Ghost Rider versus Ghost Rider: Ghost Rider #29
- Juggernaut versus Dr. Strange: What If...? #24

Pretty sure things are only gonna keep getting more Strange in November!

Sooo... Marvel killed off Cyclops again. Excited?

- Boon Asks: Should Watchmen Characters Be In Injustice 2?

It may not seem like a controversial question, but in his latest Twitter poll, Ed Boon has waded into an argument that's divided fans and scholars alike for a decade, or more.

The question: 'Do you want to see Watchmen characters in Injustice 2?' The answer: A somewhat unsurprising 74% in overwhelming favour from the 20,056 fans who voted.

The twist ending is that Alan Moore hates you.

Why not? Marvel hasn't known how to use the X-Men in what? 20 years?

Right now I think I'm enjoying DC's slow burning mea culpa more-so than Marvel's warless Civil War II.

I have been enjoying Infamous Iron Man, though I'll read anything Doom.

Morrison was closer to 15 years ago. That was probably the last really good X-time.


It ain't fixed until Superman starts wearing pants!! How's Iron Doom? Does it work?

I'm mostly meandering through unrelated back issues when I can. Captain Marvel #35 ('74) was a joy-filled high point. A lot of eighties X-Men lately, too.

November on Secret Wars on Infinite Earths was strange and time bending:

- Baron Mordo versus Doctor Strange: Strange Tales #114
- Doctor Strange versus Morbius: Doctor Strange, Sorcerer Supreme #10
- Juggernaut versus Doctor Strange & Hulk: Marvel Adventures #14
- Thor versus Champion of the Universe: Marvel Two-In-One Annual #7

- EXCLUSIVE PREVIEW: The Video Game Returns To Comics in Tekken #1



Tekken #1 (of 4)

Cavan Scott (w) • Andie Tong (a) • Alex Ronald (c)
Variant Covers: Andie Tong, Anton Kokarev & Jimbo Salgado
All New comic series based on the iconic fighting game franchise!
Written by Cavan Scott (Doctor Who, Vikings) and illustrated by Andie Tong!
This Sensational new comic series will tap into Tekken’s rich history, and will feature memorable characters from the celebrated video game canon including Heihachi Mishima, Yoshimitsu, Nina Williams and Paul Phoenix.
In Shops: May 3rd, 2017
SRP: $3.99

Interested to see how this goes. Only four issues, but hoping to see secondary characters.

If you love superheroes, fighting, ranking things, and dodgy novelizations, you're going to love these choice cuts from the meandering backlog of Secret Wars on Infinite Earths. Several DC entries might be useful for anybody looking to get more familiar with Injustice characters.

- Spider-man versus Juggernaut: Amazing Spider-man #230
- Vixen & Martian Manhunter versus Professor Ivo: Justice League of America #261
- X-Force versus Iron Man: Contest of Champions II #1
- Deadshot versus Batman: Detective Comics #474
- X-Men versus Deathstroke: Uncanny X-Men and New Teen Titans #1

- Taopaipai versus Tenshinhan: Dragon Ball Vol. 15
- Green Lantern versus Killer Frost & Effigy: Green Lantern #127
- Mary Marvel & Ibis versus Black Adam: The Power of Shazam #11
- Supergirl versus Reactron: The Daring New Adventures of Supergirl #9

- Preview: Hot dang! ‘Bug! The Adventures of Forager’ #1 comes your way this May!



BUG! THE ADVENTURES OF FORAGER #1
Written by Lee Allred.
Art by Michael Allred.
Colors by Laura Allred.
Letters by Nate Piekos.
Cover A by Michael and Laura Allred.
Cover B by James Harvey.
Cover C by Paul Pope and Paul Maybury.

It’s a match made in comics heaven: The Allreds (every dang one of ’em) luxuriating in the cosmic dazzle of Jack Kirby’s Fourth World, brought to you by DC’s Young Animal! Pinch me — I’m dreamin’!

From DC Comics and DC’s Young Animal imprint comes the snappy new adventures of our favorite Eternal of New Genesis, Forager! Bug! hits stores in May!

In the meantime, feast your eyes on this ginchy five-page preview of Bug! The Adventures of Forager #1, courtesy of DC’s Young Animal!

$3.99 | M | MAY 10

Who knew the guy from My Chemical Romance would actually be the savior DC Comics needed? Young Animals line is the hot shiz. Bug looks great!

I've been wayyyyy behind in my comics. I actually just spent $90 to catch myself up to April. Some may call it a waste of money but I actually got $95 free due to a bookstore error- I wound up getting 2 of the same textbook, and despite me clearly and repeatedly telling them I wasn't charged for the second one, they handed over $95.

I'm excited to dig back into Rebirth, not so much Secret Empire.

And to give a long overdue answer to you, Mick, Infamous Iron Man thus far is fair to good. It's been pretty slow, but it had an interesting twist when I left off.

Also, something to note, assuming things keep pace we should see Action Comics 1000 next spring.

Anything interesting to report? I'm still pretty bleh on most of what's going on.

I dug out some 80s Suicide Squad and Morrison New X-Men issues, so that's been fun.

Edit: I'd be so much more excited about Action Comics #1000 if there wasn't a big six year chunk of BS.

I'm super behind, so I'm not privy to everything yet. Rebirth has been good, thus far, but slow, or perhaps it feels slow because I'm actually eager to find out what happens next. Having original Wally West back was enough to sell me on Titans, and there's an issue where he and pre-52 Superman meet up for a chat. There's a lot of nostalgia there, and DC knows it, but they aren't overplaying it (as far as I've read). Foreshadowing has been done pretty well.

Pre-52 Superman taking the reins back in Action Comics actually got me to pick up the book and has sparked a genuine liking of Superman within me. At first it felt like I was at a party and Superman was the one acquaintance I knew, so I sort of gravitated to him for some semblance of familiarity after the New 52.


Marvel has done fuk'd up and they know it. I'm actually sort of a defender of Nick Spencer, the guy is not a bad writer. When he writes things that aren't political they're usually pretty witty and charming. The problem is that he's so politically motivated that he failed to process how fatigued people would get from the constant politicization in the books. Honestly, Spencer approaches Hellblazer levels of political commentary in mainline Marvel books. From what I hear after Secret Empire Marvel's aiming for a soft reset, and after everything that's occurred since AvX, I think that's a good idea.

Also Joe Books Darkwing Duck was really good and I'm beyond pissed at its cancelation.

- Marvel Legacy Reunites Human Torch & The Thing in New Series



Marvel Comics has debuted yet another Marvel Legacy cover image, this time teasing the return of founding Fantastic Four members Human Torch and Thing in a revived version of Marvel Two-In-One — an old Marvel title that saw Thing/Benjamin Grimm team-up with various Marvel heroes.

Marvel Two-In-One is coming back! Woo! (Still no FF, though. Aww.)

- SABRETOOTH Returns To His Original Foe - IRON FIST - In MARVEL LEGACY



IRON FIST #73
ED BRISSON (W) • MIKE PERKINS (A)
Cover by JEFF DEKAL
SABRETOOTH ROUND TWO Part 1
SABRETOOTH first slashed his way into the pages of Marvel comics back in IRON FIST #14 and never looked back. But now Danny Rand, the legendary Iron Fist, has a problem only Sabretooth can help him solve. Something is threatening the very existence of K’un-Lun, and the Iron Fist must do whatever he can to protect it, even if it means convincing his old enemy to fight by his side. Will mutant claws and crane kicks be enough to save K’un-Lun?

Iiiiiinteresting! (Check out article for more info).

- EXCL. PREVIEW: The Revenge Squad Wants One More Deadly Recruit in Action Comics #980



Action Comics #980

Dan Jurgens (w) • Patrick Zircher (a) • Clay Mann (c)
Variant Cover: Gary Frank
“REVENGE” part two! Both Superman and the Revenge Squad must traverse the deadly Black Vault in a race against time to reach General Zod! Amanda Waller’s secret Kryptonian weapon reveals himself to the world, but Cyborg Superman and Eradicator move in to recruit him. Tying directly into the events of this month’s Suicide Squad issues—and no matter who wins in this epic showdown, it spells certain doom for the Last Son of Krypton!
Rating: Teen
In Shops: May 24th, 2017
SRP: $2.99

A little LTTP, but I've gotta say - I like seeing real deal Cyborg Superman back in action!

- Phantom Girl Joins Plastic Man, Mr. Terrific on New Rebirth Team



News broke yesterday that Patrick O’Brian, the elastic crook-turned-superhero who goes by the moniker Plastic Man, is about to make his big return at DC Comics. Now, more information about Plastic Man and the superpowered group he’ll be teaming up with has been revealed at the Dark Nights: Metal panel at Comic-Con International in San Diego.

According to the panel, Plastic Man will be part of a new series named The Terrifics that will be helmed by Teen Titans: Earth One and Old Man Logan writer Jeff Lemire. The team will be led by Mr. Terrific and rounded out by Metamorpho, Phantom Girl and, of course, Plastic Man. Each character’s costume will get a slight update themed around Mr. Terrific’s.

Marvel stopped printing Fantastic Four. DC have apparently decided to make the most of it!

Really digging the look of the preview art. Hoping they can bring these great characters back to the fore, use the FF motiff as a base, and turn it into something fresh and fun. Fingers crossed!

February was a heavily delayed, heavy metal month of Wolverine on Secret Wars on Infinite Earths. Some pretty classic issues and battles:

- Wolverine & Nightcrawler versus Donald Pierce & Harry Leland: X-Men #132
- Wolverine versus Hellfire Club: X-Men #133
- Lady Deathstrike versus Wolverine & Vindicator: Alpha Flight #34
- Lady Deathstrike & The Reavers versus Wolverine: Uncanny X-Men #205

- Netflix Buys Comics Publisher Behind Kingsman, Kick-Ass

Netflix — in the first company acquisition in its history — has bought Millarworld, the comic-book publishing firm founded by Mark Millar, creator of characters and stories including Kick-Ass, Kingsman, and Old Man Logan.

Terms of the transaction weren’t disclosed. Netflix said it will develop films, TV shows and kids’ series based on Millarworld’s portfolio of character franchises to life through films, series and kids’ shows. Millarworld will also continue to create and publish new stories and character franchises under the Netflix label.

For Netflix, the move reflects its desire to own and develop intellectual property, rather than simply license it. Netflix chief content officer Ted Sarandos, in announcing the deal, said: “As creator and re-inventor of some of the most memorable stories and characters in recent history, ranging from Marvel’s The Avengers to Millarworld’s Kick-Ass, Kingsman, Wanted and Reborn franchises, Mark is as close as you can get to a modern-day Stan Lee.”

Added Millar: “This is only the third time in history a major comic book company has been purchased at this level,” after Warner Bros. bought DC Comics in 1968 and Disney bought Marvel in 2009.

“I’m so in love with what Netflix is doing and excited by their plans,” Millar said. “Netflix is the future, and Millarworld couldn’t have a better home.”

Pretty interesting. Not entirely surprising, given where everyone's at. Netflix now gets to divert resources to its own IPs. Millar is universally happy to compromise for deals, which usually leads to mixed results. With any luck it'll be more Kick-Ass than Wanted. Not expecting them to do better than the Marvel stuff, but fingers crossed.

- Len Wein, Legendary Comics Writer Who Co-Created Wolverine, Dies at 69

Len Wein, the influential comics writer who co-created characters including Wolverine and Swamp Thing, has died. He was 69.

DC Comics confirmed the news following an outpouring of tributes from the comics community overflowed online.

“Len Wein was one of the most welcoming people and legends in comics from the moment I joined DC eight years ago,” said Diane Nelson, president of DC Entertainment. “He wrote or edited almost every major DC character — there’s hardly a facet of DC’s world that Len didn’t touch. I, DC, and the industry will miss him and his talent very much. Our love and prayers go out to Christine, his family, and his fans.”

Wein was born in New York City and began freelancing with DC Comics around age 20. His career brought him to Marvel Comics, before returning to DC again. He is credited with reviving the X-Men with artist Dave Cockrum.

In 2008 he was inducted into the Will Eisner comic book hall of fame.

- The Search For FANTASTIC FOUR's RICHARDS Family Begins In MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE

"The Fate of the Four."

That story title should tell you just about everything you need to know about what's coming from Marvel Two-In-One #1 in December. But there's more to writer Chip Zdarsky and artist Jim Cheung's revival of the classic Ben Grimm-centric title than just the first step on the road to the Richards family - even though yes, that's in there too.

In the story, Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm will reunite to find the rest of the Fantastic Four - because Johnny just can't accept that they're really gone. Standing in the way, however, is Doctor Doom - who holds the secret to the Richards' return.

Would still like to see this be a Thing team-up book, but some old time Fantastic Four fun sounds like a good recipe. It's been too long!

Wolverine's alive again. Pfrrt.

- DC’s The Terrifics Enlists Tom Strong and His Family



Newly released art (below) for the upcoming series by Jeff Lemire, Ivan Reis and Evan Shaner depicts the established Terrifics — Mister Terrific, Plastic Man, Phantom Girl and Metamorpho — joined by Tom Strong and his family: wife Dhalua, daughter Tesla and their allies, the steam-powered robot Pneuman and the genius gorilla King Solomon.

No details were provided, but more information will undoubtedly be revealed this weekend during New York Comic Con.

Already a contender for most interesting superhero book of 2017. Very intriguing!

There was a martial arts month on Secret Wars on Infinite Earths some when, some way.

- Sabretooth versus Iron Fist: Iron Fist #14
- Man Mountain Marko & Eel versus Power Man & Iron Fist: Power Man & Iron Fist #92
- Tombstone versus Power Man & Iron Fist: Power Man & Iron Fist #1
- Bronze Tiger versus Ravan: Suicide Squad #2
- Name Withheld Upon Request versus Goku: Dragon Ball Vol. 15

- Doomsday Clock: Read The First 6 Pages of DC’s Watchmen/Superman Event



During the hour-long panel, writer Geoff Johns discussed what he and artist Gary Frank have planned when they finally introduce Superman and the rest of the DC Universe to the characters Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons brought to life over thirty years ago. He also shared the first look at fully scripted pages from the first issue, which bring readers up to date with what happened following the events of Moore and Gibbons’ classic. Ozymandias is on the run form the law, Silk Spectre is missing, and Rorschach, well... find out for yourself by reading the preview.

Doomsday Clock #1 arrives Wednesday, Nov. 22. Check out the first issue’s solicitation text and preview below.
DOOMSDAY CLOCK #1

Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by GARY FRANK
Variant cover by GARY FRANK
Lenticular cover
DC Comics presents to you a 12-issue maxiseries from the critically acclaimed team of writer Geoff Johns, artist Gary Frank and colorist Brad Anderson. You are not prepared for what lies ahead within these pages, good readers.
On sale NOVEMBER 22 • 40 pg, FC, 1 of 12, $4.99 US • RATED T+

Read at your own peril.