For an event that has become the epicenter of humanity’s thoughts on comic books, San Diego Comic Con was strangely light in really interesting announcements this year. Part of that comes from a lot of comic publishers using the strategy of announcing on the build-up to SDCC rather than during the crowded weekend, but even the big guns in Hall H like Marvel and DC came up kind of light in terms of mind-bending announcements (although I hear the footage they showed was quite spectacular).
Another aspect that impacted all of the news is at this point there is such towering expectations for SDCC that even in places like Anchorage, Alaska advertising agencies there are eager discussions about what might come out of it. When that happens, what could possibly satisfy everyone? Very little, but that doesn’t mean there wasn’t anything cool that came out of the now five day weekend (including Preview Night).
This did start as a top ten, but as I looked through the news and reveals, it became apparent to me that there weren’t even ten things I was insanely buzzed about. Granted, I’m excluding news we already knew about – an “Escape from New York” series and a Cameron Stewart drawn “Fight Club” sequel are hot stuff and I’m all in on Corey Stoll being the villain in “Ant Man” – but it still felt light. That said, there were six highlight reel announcements and reveals at the con that I do want to talk about, and you can find those below. Also, share your favorites in the comments, and let me know if you think I’m off-base on SDCC being a bit of a let down this year at the same time.
6. Marvel Reveals First Wave of Star Wars Books
While I’m not universally a fan of the comic side of the “Star Wars” universe, I do have a lot of interest in the universe naturally, and if Marvel’s first wave of announced books are any indication, they’re going to do “Star Wars” right and do it big. A main, self-titled book from Jason Aaron and John Cassaday, a Darth Vader-centric book from Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larocca and a Princess Leia book from Mark Waid and Terry Dodson comprised the initial announcements, and those creators are all absolute A-Listers, so you know Marvel’s really throwing their weight behind it.
Odds are, with those teams I’ll try all three, although the reality of Cassaday being in and out after three issues (not announced but assumed) is a bit of a bummer. I’m very intrigued. Let’s do this, Star Wars.
5. ComiXology Announces DRM-Free Backups to Purchased Comics
While I don’t think this is necessarily the game changer some think it is, the announcement that on ComiXology you can now download DRM-free copies of comics from certain publishers like Image, Top Shelf and Monkeybrain to your device as a backup is a very cool one, and if it moves the needle even the slightest bit for potential digital users who are on the fence, it’s a worthwhile move. Anecdotally, the DRM-free option hasn’t changed user behavior hugely for those who have used it already, but it’s still a valuable addition to ComiXology’s product mix and a welcome change for many existing users.
It’s also a win for a company who definitely needed one in the wake of their purchase by Amazon.
In terms of sheer comic buzz, I don’t know if anything topped this map that was released at “The Multiversity Enrollment” panel at SDCC for Grant Morrison’s upcoming, highly anticipated series. Literally every comic fan and creator seemed to be talking about it, and it makes sense: this is the type of thing that, when done well, drives comic fans wild. Think about those “Final Crisis” teasers from yesteryear, and times that by a multiverse of possibilities. That’s what you get here, and this single image provides readers with enough fodder to dissect until the release of the comic itself in late August.
Continued belowPlus, it’s just cool, isn’t it? That Morrison guy sure knows what’s up.
3. The First Look at Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman
When Gal Gadot was cast as Wonder Woman, there were a lot of weird, very superficial complaints that came out about it. There wasn’t much of anything about her acting ability, just a whole lot of “she’s too skinny” comments from comment kings and queens around the world.
Skinny or not, Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman would kick your ass. There were a range of reactions even to that image, mostly associated with the rather dark, gloomy look the image has, but in terms of Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman, she looks the part and fills those boots quite well, thank you very much. Most of all, it makes the idea of Wonder Woman on film all the more real, and after seeing her, I honestly am excited to see “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” if only just to see her, and that was something I didn’t really feel before. A+ work Gal Gadot. You look like a badass. Now show us.
2. All of the Image Expo Announcements
Preview Night is normally a pretty calm night for announcements, but with Image taking the opportunity to run one of their incredibly popular Image Expos, it was anything but calm. Image – as per usual – dominated with one hell of a list of titles that are sure to be hits and, more importantly, damn fine comic books. My personal favorites were Warren Ellis and Declan Shalvey’s Injection, Kurt Busiek and Ben Dewey’s “Tooth & Claw“, Rick Remender and Sean Murphy’s “Tokyo Ghost“, John Arcudi and James Harren’s “Rumble” and Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen’s “Descender“, but there is a very good chance I’ll end up picking up the #1 of each and every book that was announced. That’s the kind of faith Image warrants out of me, at this point.
In terms of pure comic book news, nothing could have topped that for me, and sadly there weren’t really that many attempts to do that. SDCC really has become a TV/movie show, it seems.
1. Bill Mantlo Receives the 2014 Bill Finger Award for Excellence in Comic Book Writing at the Eisner Awards
I’m going to be totally honest, when this news was announced during the Eisner Awards, I got choked up big time. At the time, much of Multiversity’s staff was watching the Eisner Awards via Twitter together on Google Hangouts/Skype hoping for a win in “Best Comic Related Publication/Journalism” for Multiversity, and I was nervous as all hell. When this news came though, it all disappeared, and all that I had left inside me was the thought “you done good, Eisners.”
As you may know, Multiversity is running a month long art benefit month for Mantlo called “Guardians Month“, and given his story, any time I see great recognition of him it absolutely warms my heart. Mantlo was a great comic writer who was beset by an absolute tragedy, and I couldn’t be happier that they recognized him while he was still alive rather than the alternative. Congrats to Bill Mantlo for the well-deserved award, and hopefully you keep him in your thoughts during this stretch where one of his creations – Rocket Raccoon – becomes a gigantic star.
(Image provided by Matt Meylikhov)
