SPOILERS: On Why Aquaman Was Absent in Justice League War

Justice League: War has already been released (a tad early too) and people are loving it. I for one love it but there seems to be a little beef with to the roster change for the League. I mean come on, Aquaman is and will always be a founding member so why is he absent from this animated flick?

 There's actually a specific reason for the absence and that it also ties into whatever's coming next for DC's animated movie. Here's the description from Newsarama...

"After the devastation to Earth due to the attack by the forces of Apokolips, a shot of the ocean is shown. In the water lay swathes of dead fish and other sealife – and then waves start from the middle of the water. A vessel rises, and with what sure seems to be the helmet of Orm, Ocean Master (Aquaman’s brother). In his arms lie a dead old man. Ocean Master says, “The Surface Dwellers have killed our king. This is an act of war. And they will pay.”"

Ocean Master carrying the body of what appears to be the elderly king of Atlanti? Waitaminute...

Are we really going full Throne of Atlantis here? That'd be awesome. I liked that storyline written by Geoff Johns.

Credit Screenrant

New Photos for Justice League: War

DC and Warner has released several stills from thier upcoming animated release JUSTICE LEAGUE: WAR and they certainly hypes up the release of this direct-to-DVD film.

Here's the official press release for the animated film:

“When the powerful Darkseid and his massive, relentless forces invade Earth, a group of previously unaligned super heroes – misunderstood and, in some cases, hunted by the authorities – discover the only way to fend off the attack will be to work together as a cohesive unit. Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash, Shazam and, in his origin story, Cyborg combine their respective talents in an all-out battle to save the planet. Based on the 2012 graphic novel, “Justice League: Origin,” by Geoff Johns & Jim Lee, Justice League: War provides a glance into the world before the Justice League was created, and offers the initial animated incarnation of DC Entertainment’s “The New 52.”

The celebrity laden cast features primetime television stars Jason O’Mara (Terra Nova, Vegas, Life on Mars) as Batman, Christopher Gorham (Covert Affairs) as Flash, Justin Kirk (Weeds) as Green Lantern, Shemar Moore (Criminal Minds) as Cyborg, Michelle Monaghan (Mission Impossible III, Gone Baby Gone) as Wonder Woman, Alan Tudyk (Suburgatory, 42, Serenity) as Superman, Sean Astin (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy) as Shazam, and Rocky Carroll (NCIS) as Silas Stone. On the villainous side, popular voice actor Steve Blum (Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox) provides the voice of Darkseid, and Bruce Thomas (Legally Blonde, Army of Darkness) gives voice to Desaad.

Steve Blum as Darkseid

Bruce Thomas as Desaad

Produced by Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, Justice League: War will be distributed by Warner Bros. Home Entertainment on February 4, 2014.”

Superman/Batman # 4 Review

Reviewing Superman/ Batman # 4 by Greg Pak and Jae Lee

I was surprised that I actually liked this issue given that my Jae Lee taste went down for the past few issues. 

Not going to beat around the bush here, so the strongest part of this issue falls around the end. In some weird way we get to understand the motivations behind Darkseid's attack on Justice League's first story arc plus the start of "Earth 2" and goes down further to what's currently happening to that book. 

Pak scores a home run with an OK ending for the two pairs of Supermen and Batmen. In some way, it's like a fitting start to the careers of the New 52 version of the World's Finest and at the same time, a way for us to peer into the world of the 'Wonders' from Earth 2 which we were seriously deprived in Earth 2.

I like the tease for the ending and the possible return of the villain too. Plus that scene revisiting the kid from issue # 1 was a good call. A really good bookended story arc. 

I'd say this issue's one of the strongest issues that's been produced for the title. Can't wait for what Greg Pak, Jae Lee and the rest of the creative team will be revealing next. 

Verdict: B+

First Look at Darkseid for Justice League: War

Here's our very first look at the main villain for the next DC Animated feature "Justice League: War" - Darkseid.

This baddie will be voiced by Steve Blum which I hope will do justice for the character. I wonder when we'll see the cover art. Hopefully they get to churn out a cover done by artist Alex Garner.

Here's the synopsis: The world is under attack by alien species led by Darkseid. Batman and Green Lantern must gather a group of superheroes and form the Justice League to defend Earth.

Justice League: War is a follow – up to the previous DC Entertainment offering, Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox, and based on the first New 52 Justice League story arc.

Justice League: War will be released in 2014

DC Collectibles New 52 Swamp Thing Preview

TNI released three new photos for upcoming SWAMP THING action figure from DC Collectibles.

DC is kicking Marvel's ass when it comes to the sheer size of the figures they're coming up with at the moment. There's the Darkseid figure, plus there's that upcoming Solomon Grundy figure from Batman: Arkham City and then this one; Alan Moore should be proud.

More photos plus video detail after the cut...

A Closer Look at the Man of Steel Emblems

I'm always fascinated by coat-of-arms and so here's me analyzing or failing at analyzing the 'coat-of-arms' which will be seen in Warner Bros.' "Man of Steel" starring Henry Cavill as Superman/ Clark Kent.

So let's see is really just a skewered version of the "S" shield logo from "Superman Returns". Rather than sticking to the classic look, the creative team for the movie added some nice touches such as the intertwining lines. They've also managed to fatten up the middle part of the logo. Love what they did to the upper "S", they made it look sleeker like somehow getting inspiration from a car logo or something.

DC and Mattel to Dish Out Injustice: Gods Among Men Action Figures

Mattel recently shared a photo of their upcoming wave of DC Comics related figures (DCU) which includes the New 52 Darkseid and the Injustice: Gods Among Men Superman.

I have to admit that the Superman looks rather unique and is definitely doing its job of teasing us regarding the upcoming fighting game. 

The New 52 version of the Jack Kirby creation looks horrible on the other hand. It's legs are not proportioned and those huge looking shoulder pads are a terrible throwback to the 90s. Also it doesn't help that the same shoulder pads looks like leather or something weird. 

Oh and let's not even go to Aquaman. :(

Wonder Woman # 12 Spoilers - Wonder Woman Goes Anime on Artemis

Continuity freaks can check out what happens in DC Comics' New 52 title Wonder Woman (Wonder Woman # 12) by Brian Azarello and Cliff Chiang.

DC Collectibles New 52 Darkseid Action Figure

The dark lord of Apokolips Darkseid gets a new face lift and an action figure to boot with this cool release from DC Collectibles (formerly DC Direct).

So if you've been sleeping under a rock for like a year now this is what Darkseid looks like now following the DC Comics relaunch. He appeared on the first arc of Justice League which was written by Geoff Johns with art by Jim Lee. 

The figure is going to be hitting stores on November 2012.

BOOM! Straight from the pages of DC Comics - The New 52 comes a brand new take on one of the Justice League's most powerful villains -- Darkseid! This Apokaliptic conqueror will crush all who oppose him -- so start building your defenses today!

Action Figure
$89.95 US
On Sale November 28, 2012
Allocations May Occur

Via [Toymania]

Justice League # 6 Spoilers

Spoilers up for all the cool moments from DC Comics' Justice League # 6 by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee. 

Preview: Justice League # 6

The final battle between the newly formed Justice League and Darkseid comes in the form of Justice League # 6 by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee.

 

So without much further ado, here's the preview for Justice League # 6...

Interestingly enough, the guys actually manage to slow down Darkseid even if Superman and Batman are obviously absent.

Wonder Woman alone was a total bad-ass using the lasso of truth to fish out information about Darkseid's plans and motives for invading Earth. Pretty cool application of Cyborg's "powers" as well, letting him connect to the mother boxes that are scattered all around the world.

 

I remember reading an issue of Grant Morrison wherein Steel and a few other leaguers gets transported to Adam Strange's Rann and Steel gets close to a mother box and connects with it. Pretty much, this is going to be the main reason why Cyborg is here in this team rather than Martian Manhunter.

 

This issue is also pretty important since this is going to be the last issue for Jim Lee for a little while as the artist extraordinaire will be taking a break from penciling duties and pave the way for artists like Gene Ha and Carlos D'Anda who will be doing Justice League # 7 and  #8 respectively.

Spoilers for Justice League # 5

The still unofficially formed Justice League in Justice League # 5 features a few shocks and a lot of great moments for the New 52 comic book written by Geoff Johns and art by Jim Lee.

 

Oh and you will not believe what Batman does in this particular issue.

Easter Eggs and Stuff You Might Have Missed in Justice League # 4

Here are some of the things that you might not have seen or missed out when you read "Justice League" by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee.

Oh and since I'm tired of posting the Jim Lee cover, here's the variant cover done by Andy Kubert...