Comic Genius

Only recently coming into comics, there are quite a few storylines out there that I’ve heard about, but have yet to read. And, of course, it has to be done over time because these things cost money and some of the stories I’m searching for aren’t even in print any more.

The New Frontier

This two-volume book, written and illustrated by Darwyn Cooke, has to be the first one on my list. The animated movie based on the series recently came out on DVD, and it was a very different image than what is seen in comics currently. It takes place in a Communist-fearing United States in the 1950s, with the superheroes that we know just getting their start and having to pledge their devotion to the United States in order not to be hunted down. Mostly though, it follows the story of Hal Jordan and how he goes from a Korean war pilot hell bent on not killing to the Green Lantern of Sector 2814.

Naturally, some of the scenes that are in the book were not able to be featured in the film. It is those scenes I am most eager to take in and get to experience Darwyn Cooke’s masterpiece in its entirety. I want to see more depth into the character of the Martian Manhunter, the story of John Henry Irons and the bigotry he had to endure during that era, and more about the relationship between Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman.

Superman: Secret Identity
This story, by recent Superman scribe Kurt Busiek, follows the story of Clark Kent, who constantly gets teased by his classmates for having such a famous name. Amazingly, he starts to show some of the same abilities as the fictional “Superman,” and begins to set off to help people with his newfound abilities. Along the way he actually meets a woman named Lois, works at a newspaper, and goes by the name Superman when fighting the baddies.

The irony of this story is overflowing, and even though I already know most of the plot points, I am even more interested to see how the story unfolds when actually reading it and form my own opinions about the story. The idea of a seemingly “real world” and the make believe world that exists within that “real world” makes it interesting for me to read about that world and the make believe that accompanies it.

Batman: The Killing Joke
I’m apprehensive about this one because the image of the Joker literally gives me the chills. But still, this is a pivotal storyline in which the Joker shoots and permanently paralyzes Barbara Gordon, the daughter of the police chief who also serves as Batgirl.

This book also finally gave the origin of the Joker, which is something that for many years was very smoky to say the least. The fact that he was going through so much just because he wanted to drive Commissioner Gordon insane says a lot about his state of mind and what makes him Batman’s biggest nemesis. And in shooting Barbara, he hopes to kill everyone’s spirit, but instead sets forth another series of events completely.

Gotham Central, Volumes 1-5
I already have Volume Two of this story, entitled Half A Life. Each of these volumes is self-contained, but all together, they tell the story of police corruption and the relationships that can be developed and destroyed due to said corruption. Add into the mix that they live in the same city as Batman, and life can get a little hectic.

These volumes are now being collected in hardcovers for the first time, and they make me want to read the series even more. Characters who were considered supporting characters at the time are going to soon be playing starring roles in the DC Universe, showing just how dynamic these characters are and what an awesome job Greg Rucka did of putting this tale together.

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