Well this can’t be good if it is true. Newsarama is reporting Robin, Nightwing, and Birds of Prey will all be ending their series in February 2009.  Is this because of the Morrison RIP Batman title, or something else?  It can’t be sales, because Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, and many other titles sell a lot fewer issues than these big supporting Batman tie-ins titles.

If the rumors of Robin being somehow behind R.I.P., that could explain why Chuck Dixon left the series in a very bizarre fashion, and why the Robin series may be coming to an end.  Nightwing ended up on the operating table in Batman #680, awaiting a lobotomy, so that could point to an end there.  Joker makes a return appearance in Birds of Prey, but I doubt DC would be foolish enough to carry the current storyline out for another three months just to see the torture of Barbara Gordon.  Of course if Batman #666 is any clue, Barbara does eventually become commissioner of Gotham City, so that could be an out for this series as well.

The three series – coincidentally all originally written by Chuck Dixon, fleshed out the world of Batman in the comics, showcasing the original Robin, Dick Grayson, as Nightwing, Tim Drake as Robin and Barbra Gordon in Birds of Prey.

Sounds like DC may be lashing out at Dixon on this one…

Is everything Morrison’s doing?  Will fans react in favor or opposition to these changes if DC has really drunk the Morrison Kool-aid?

Is this the end of all good things Batman, or will we see these series relaunch with new number ones in a few months?

It’s so bizarre…

Robin #183, Nightwing #153, and Birds of Prey #127 will end the Batman-related titles era, leaving only Batman and Detective Comics carrying on DC (and Warner Bros.) top selling property.

Sigh, it’s times like these that make me glad I’m reading more and more indie titles, and why I like what Frank Miller is doing in All-Star Batman and Robin.  Don’t let this ruin your day completely, as we all now reboots are just around the corner following the Battle for the Cowl storyline.

via Newsarama

Zuda has really surprised me. For over a year now the web comic offshoot of DC Comics has been running a monthly contest to promote new web comics and their creators.  Instead of closing down, the site is going strong, and has kicked off its November challenge.  Take the jump for the complete rundown of challengers, and visit Zuda Comics to check out the entrants and to vote.

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With blood and rage of crimson red…

DC’s Sinestro Corps was the dark horse hit that got me, and many other comic readers, back into the Green Lantern titles.  Geoff Johns followed this up with a retelling of Hal Jordan’s origin, that skewed everything those of us old enough to remember Emerald Dawn attempted to do 15 plus years ago.  The main reason for retelling the origin?  To add in the character of Atrocitus and set up his hatred for Sinestro, who left him nailed to a crucifix of sorts in sector 666.  Someone with that much rage and hate is probably not someone who is going to do great things.

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Hi!  We’re your new neighbors! I’m sure we’re going to be the best of friends

I reviewed the first installment of New Krypton yesterday, just in time to get to the second chapter of the title-spanning series.  New Krypton #1 was really an anthology of plot setups, written by the key writers in the Superman titles.  In Superman #681, James Robinson is alone behind the wheel, and focuses on the next big moment for the New Kryptonians - meeting their neighbors.

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You are a product of your surroundings

Forget that Last Son of Krypton stuff.  Following the events of Action Comics #870, a portion of Krypton is back, making for strange days ahead for the Man of Steel.  We’ve seen what happened when Zod, Non, and Ursa discovered the power Earth’s Sun gave them, what’s going to happen when the inhabitants of Kandor discover their own super powers?

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It’s the most wonderful time, of the year…

This has got to be one of the best weeks of the year.  The spooky decorations are out, the little tykes are trying on their costumes for a night for mischief, and the dental industry is primed to make a killing over the next couple of months as kid’s teeth start falling out from candy rot.  DC is getting into the act too, with an all new seasonal special that should spook us all.

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Many readers have been wondering what’s up with the story behind the Mortal Kombat vs. DC Universe game.  Well today you have your answer as Midway Games has released the first story trailer for the game.  Learn how Superman can get his butt handed to him, and just how the two universes are connected.

DC Comics has announced Aaron Lopresti has created a variant cover to Wonder Woman #26, by Gail Simone.

Following months of speculation over a new, male Wonder Woman and his fellow Manazons, WONDER WOMAN #26 puts the rumors to rest. In this issue, learn what horrific new threat Special Agent Diana Prince is unknowingly leading her team of agents against. And, at long last, the fate of the Amazons is revealed.

The issue is scheduled to be in stores on November 26, 2008.

DC has also announced it is publishing new editions of the Transmetropolitan trade paperbacks to meet demands of retailers.  All the information about the new trades can be found after the jump.

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Pretty wicked cool.

Or - “Number Two Has To Try Harder…”

It’s absolutely amazing to me to think that we’ve been doing these Hero Histories now for over a year and a half.  I’ve had relationships that didn’t last that long!  When we started out, the list of Legionnaires seemed endless, stretching out into infinity.  Now, it would seem we’re in the home stretch, having come to the point where there are fewer than half a dozen LSHer’s yet unprofiled.  When I initially started this project, I knew where it had to begin, and I knew where it had to end, with a stretch of indecision in the middle.  But today’s Hero History entrant absolutely had to be placed where he is: alongside the founding members of the Legion of Super-Heroes.  His devotion to the Legion was always second to none, and his impact on the team as a whole was eclipsed by very few heroes.  It can honestly be said that a large part of the Legion’s appeal was directly due to HIS actions and heroism as much as those of Cos and company.  It may have taken him longer than others to make the team, but once there, he made an indelible mark on Legion history.  This, then, is your Major Spoilers Hero History of Brek Bannin of Tharr…  Polar Boy!

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Secret origins are fun

I miss the days when comic books would spend an issue telling the back story of how the latest villain of the week became the villain of the week.  It was fun to discover how that person was wronged or what led him down the path to evil, and best of all it was all revealed in a single issue.  After reading Blue Beetle #32, those good ol’ days are back again.

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This YouTube video is making the rounds on the Intrawebs, and while I likes me some fan films, I only like those that are really well done, and approach the subject as that - a film by fans who understand film making.  This Flash trailer has cheesy effects, and the graphic logo is sub-par at best.  In short, if you believe this is the real deal, then I have a Shazam! movie, I’d like you to watch.

Defamer has the best wrap up.

Until then, why not leave the filmmaking to the professionals and quit trying to set off the Web with dorm-room exercises masquerading as official teasers? Your mastery of Windows MovieMaker is impressive, but seriously, enough.

via Defamer

Parallel world’s are not always a good thing

I find it ironic that I sat down to read Tangent: Superman’s Reign #8, and then less than an hour later found myself watching the latest episode of Nova talking about Hugh Everett and his parallel theory of quantum physics.  I would hate to think the events were a coincidence, but it does make you wonder what would happen if someone were given the powers of Superman and decided to end all the world’s problems.

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If you are a long time reader of comic books, you’ve seen Wally West grow from kid sidekick to a member of the Teen Titans to taking over the role of The Flash (and yet Batman is still the same age…) With a character that has some involvement in many of the DCU’s greatest stories, it is interesting to see those tales from his perspective.  And when your powers are suddenly fading, it’s a time to reflect on those friends around you. Yes Wally West, this is your life.

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Or - “And We Still Have Almost NO Idea What’s Going On…”

I’ll say this for DC…  When they said “They Day Evil Won,” they weren’t kidding.

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