[Disclaimer:  Obviously I've been working on this post long before I heard about the demise of the Minx line.  Although the following is about publishing variety within the DCU line, just on general principles I'm sorry to see Minx go.]

Dan DiDio, from a few weeks back:

When I first started reading DC comics many years ago…, one of the things I loved best was the different types of comics you could buy. There were … horror, western, war and barbarian comics as well [as superheroes]. And with DC, for me, it was those books that I gravitated to first. Don’t get me wrong–I LOVE (notice all the capitals) super-hero comics–but there was something really cool about the way DC did the other genres. They always felt special, and always made me stop and take notice.

Since I also remember those days (big shocker there), I read that column with great interest. Back in the 1980s, before DC developed many of its present imprints, one of its taglines was “More than superheroes (but we’ve got them too)!” Dumb line, maybe, but it made the point.

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In the sense that it doesn’t promise significant lasting changes to our heroes or their universe, I suppose that Trinity could be described as “inconsequential.”  To me, however, that’s a rather narrow measure of its success.  I found this issue to be fairly exciting, even though I knew what the outcome had to be simply by virtue of the amount of story left to tell.

Naturally, we’re getting into the meat of the issue, so …

SPOILERS FOLLOW

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The December DC solicitations are 40 pages lighter than they should be, what with Final Crisis #7 being pushed apparently into 2009. However, there’s plenty of other holiday cheer to discuss.  Join me, won’t you, and let’s ring out 2008!

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In the words of a great leader of men, “I love it when a plan comes together.” We’re barely into Trinity’s second quarter, but I get the feeling we’re about to wrap up the first act, and specifically the Tarot/Troika subplot. However, that still leaves Krona, Konvikt and Graak, and the possibility that the Troika could succeed….

SPOILERS FOLLOW

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The new Secret Six ongoing series follows a Secret Six miniseries which was a sequel to the Villains United miniseries which tied into Infinite Crisis.  Furthermore, it picks up on plot elements introduced when the Six guest-starred in Birds Of Prey.  Therefore, its publishing history is chock-full of a lot of what I’ve come to dislike about the constant crossover manipulations of DC’s superhero line …

… so why did I enjoy it so much?

[SPOILERS for last week's Secret Six #1, and probably for previous parts of the Sixer saga, after the jump.]

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This week, it’s quality (I hope) over quantity, as we explore a surprising number of Barracudas, suggest a possible explanation for John Stewart’s “skin condition,” and judge bad puns from … Hawkman?

SPOILERS FOLLOW

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LEAD STORY

“So What Now?” was written by Kurt Busiek, pencilled by Mark Bagley, inked by Art Thibert, colored by Pete Pantazis, and lettered by Pat Brosseau; Rachel Gluckstern, assistant editor; Mike Carlin, editor.

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Clouseau: I thought you said your dog did not bite!

Desk Clerk: That is not my dog.

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For the second time, I’m ready to drop Teen Titans.

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I’m sure that one page of Trinity #13 — you know the one I mean — was plotted and probably drawn before I even thought about annotating this series … but still, fellas, come on!  You couldn’t have published it before I had a newborn to take care of?

(sigh) At least a good bit of fighting balanced things out.

SPOILERS FOLLOW

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LEAD STORY

“That Was A Sonic Boom” was written by Kurt Busiek, pencilled by Mark Bagley, inked by Art Thibert, colored by Pete Pantazis, and lettered by Pat Brosseau; Rachel Gluckstern, assistant editor; Mike Carlin, editor.

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I’ve written previously about the role of “plot” in corporate superhero serials.  I’ve also written about the need to honor forms of creative expression.  Last week, reporting on the long-promised, finally-announced Marvels sequel, Tom Spurgeon mentioned both:

Marvels was also kind of an odd book in that — as more than a few critics have noted — it’s best remembered for a kind of wistful re-imagining of superheroes from the vantage point of people on the ground when both the witness-to-history metaphor that it represented, as well as the criticism of loving superheroes too much that was obvious on a close reading, are now almost completely forgotten.

I think [the sequel] will underline how much the mainstream comic book business has changed in the last 12-15 years:  the big publishers cultivate and manage premeditated blockbusters based on plot progressions and positioning now, they tend not to wake up and realize they have hits in their midst based on folks’ reaction to a creative approach.

While that’s still true generally, I do think DC is changing, or at least moving away from the large-scale event.

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Before we get started this week, let’s have a huge round of nerd applause for everyone annotating Legion Of Three Worlds! Having annotated the DC side of JLA/Avengers in my days on the TrekBBS, I know how daunting (but well-organized!) all those George Perez Easter eggs can be. My hat’s off, fellas.

SPOILERS FOLLOW, both for this title and this week’s JLA.

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Last week, Funnybook Babylon had a good post about solicitations’ spoilerrific nature. It inspired me greatly, but I still have some thinkin’ to do before sharing any more.

In the meantime, pull up a link to DC’s November solicitations — which, yes, contain spoilers — and read on!

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Coming in late this week, but this installment was kind of light on the references, and a good thing too. I was going to post a gratuitous photo of Olivia “reading” issue #11, but right now it’s hard to get her to stay awake, even for the Trinitarians.

SPOILERS FOLLOW

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Hey there, folks! Just popping in from New-Fatherhood-ville long enough to share a few things.

First, thanks so much for all the good wishes. We’re all doing pretty well, settling into various new roles. I won’t gush too much, although I am toying with the idea of posting another “OMG KYOOT” photo.

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First off, great thanks to Kurt Busiek for his praise of these here annotations in his weekly sit-down with Troy Brownfield. They’re a labor of love, fellas — glad you like ‘em!

This was another enjoyable issue, advancing Trinity’s Tarot-centric plot as well as setting up what should be an entertaining encounter with the Crime Syndicate. I’ve been spending some quality time with JLA/Avengers and Mr. Busiek’s JLA issues, so I’m good and ready for the Anti-Matter Earth.

Onward!

SPOILERS FOLLOW

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“In the beginning the Universe was created.

“This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move.”

– Douglas Adams

[I should tell you up front that this is going to be another one of those posts involving the history of the Multiverses. Hypertime shows up too, although just for a second. If your immediate reaction is along the lines of Arg! this is why I can't read DC comics, or What's that little pain in the back of my skull?, maybe you should come back later. I won't mind.]

At first, last week’s Justice Society of America Annual #1 (written by Geoff Johns, pencilled by Jerry Ordway, inked by Bob Wiacek) seemed, well, mostly harmless. Then I started thinking about it.

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With this issue we’re getting into what looks like the next big story arc, involving a group of very familiar (and very appropriate) villains. It’s another good blend of plotting and action.

By the way, if you were missing Troy Brownfield’s sit-down with Kurt Busiek for the last couple of issues, they’ve played catchup right here. As for the identity of the woman Bagley’s sketched, I say she’s Ms. Marvel.

SPOILERS FOLLOW

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As the vendors’ booths go back into storage, and the sights, sounds, and smells of a hundred-thousand conventioneers fade into memory, let’s consider some of DC’s announcements from this year’s Comic-Con. Obviously these aren’t presented in any particular order, nor do they represent all of DC’s Big News over the weekend.

Anyhoodle:

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With Trinity #8, our heroes can indulge in a bit more introspection before the action starts up again. So far, I like the rhythm this series has established. It’s a good mix of action and theme-building, with neither part dominating for too long. While Trinity has the freedom to move at its own pace, it hasn’t taken undue advantage of that freedom to get stuck on any one subject.

In this regard I wonder how much it resembles the old World’s Greatest Superheroes newspaper strip, which (from what I understand) had a tour-of-DC aspect similar to the “Justice League” animated series. I get the feeling that those works, like Trinity, wanted to capture the feeling that anything could happen at any time, so that you should expect to get your 22 pages/20 minutes/3-4 panels’ worth from any given installment.

Speaking of which, time’s a-wastin’ — let’s get on with this issue!

SPOILERS FOLLOW

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Late July, and thoughts turn to roving bands of the costumed damned.

Yeah, it’s another cheap shot at Comic-Con, but it’s still funny how the show syncs up with the October solicitations. There’s not that much in this set of solicits, since the big news is waiting to be broken out west. Still, we’ll soldier on here.

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[Yeah, I know the title of this post has almost nothing to do with the movie, but I couldn't resist.]

The Dark Knight is the best Batman film ever made.

That’s not really saying much, mind you — each of the others, including Batman Begins and the animated Batman: Mask of the Phantasm, has its own set of flaws. However, The Dark Knight is also among the best superhero films ever made. The only others in its class are Superman* and Spider-Man 2 – and Peter Parker, if not Steve Ditko himself, would recognize the choices made by the principals at movie’s end. Next to the sprawling urban crime drama skillfully executed by director/co-writer Christopher Nolan and a fine ensemble cast, Iron Man (no slouch itself) looks like a toy commercial.

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