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More happened this past week than the Sinestro Corps Special. In fact, I think that something with huge ramifications occured this week in Countdown. There were a lot of characters with a lot of stories, but the one that stands out is the tale of Forerunner... And her meeting of the Monarch.
For those of you out there who lack my nearly encyclopedic knowledge of the Post-Crisis DC Universe, I'll do a quick rundown of who the Monarch is (he is many) and why he is important.
Monarch's story begins in the early 90's with DC's Armageddon 2001 event. Running through DC's annuals in 1991, the core of the story was simple: by the year 2001 one of the heroes of the DCU will turned against the other heroes and made himself undisputed ruler of the world. He would become the Monarch.
The gimmick of the event was one of the most famous parts of Armageddon 2001. Throughout the story there were various clues left that were meant to help the reader guess for themselves which hero would become the Monarch. But when the identity of Monarch was leaked -- it was supposed to be Captain Atom -- DC presumably went into a panic.
Rather than simply continue the story as planned, DC decided to try and pull a fast one. Rather than have Captain Atom turn out to be the villainous Monarch, DC instead changed the ending so that it was Hank Hall -- Hawk of Hawk and Dove -- who would become the Monarch.
It could charitably be said that this was not a good idea. Largely because it made very little sense. For example, during the Hawk and Dove annual that was a part of the Armageddon 2001 crossover, Hawk and Dove were shown fighting the Monarch in the future. Additionally, one of the key clues to the Monarch's identity was the color of his eyes. Monarch's eyes were blue, like Captain Atom. Hawk's eyes were brown.
Nonetheless, Hawk became Monarch, killed dove, tried to take over the world, and then eventually became the time traveling Extant. As Extant, he played a role in another DC crossover, Zero Hour. He was later killed during a story arc in JSA. He's been safely dead ever since.
But the Monarch would not die. A version of Monarch claiming to be the real Nathanial Adam (Captain Atom's secret identity) made an appearance in Extreme Justice in 1995. This was likely a nod to the Armageddon 2001 controversy. But like everything else connected with Extreme Justice, that version of Monarch hasn't been seen or heard from since.
It would be a decade before the next appearance of the Monarch. The events leading up to his appearance begin with the curiously named Captain Atom: Armageddon miniseries. In that series, Captain Atom is transported to the Wildstorm Universe (now known to some as Earth-50). After a series of adventures, he is flung back into the DC Universe in the ruins of Bludhaven.
The unconscious Captain Atom -- whose containment suit has been ruptured and is leaking radiation -- is held captive by SHADE. He is then rescued by the Atomic Knights, who supply him with a suit of very familiar armor to contain his leaking radiation. No dressed in the Monarch armor, Captain Atom escapes from the Atomic Knights' facility, seemingly kills Major Force, and obliterates the city of Bludhaven.
Captain Atom -- as the Monarch -- is next seen in Ion. After doing battle with the Tangent Universe characters, Kyle Rayner is thrown into the Bleed, a space between dimensions. There he is rescued from ferocious monsters by a super-powered being in the Monarch armor. This Monarch reveals himself to be Captain Atom, and explains that he has been "traveling" (presumably the Multiverse) and avoiding the gaze of the Monitors.
Which brings us full circle to this week's Countdown, the first appearance of the Monarch since Ion. Monarch recruits Forerunner to his cause -- whatever it may be -- and ominously tells her that he will show her a war "the likes of which no god or man has ever seen." And then, with Forerunner at his side, the Monarch disappears into the darkness.
The mystery of this Monarch has just begun, but it it is clear that his goals -- whatever they are -- will play a big part of Countdown and whatever it leads to. All that we know is that Monarch (presumably Captain Atom, though not explicitly stated) is gathering an army. Forerunner's backups in the upcoming Countdown to Adventure feature her traveling the Multiverse recruiting beings for something. It is very likely she is doing this at the behest of the Monarch.
Monarch has made it clear that he is no friend of the Monitors. And it seems that he is now taking steps to strike out at them. His travels through the Multiverse seem to have made him aware of the nature of whatever is coming. And he wants to be prepared. The only question really remaining is this: is this Monarch virtuous like Captain Atom? Or is he a villain, like the original Monarch?
Time will tell...
Okay, so here we go. Fair warning: I finally got a copy of the Sinestro Corps Special and there are going to be big spoilers ahead. Big spoilers.
Still here? Good. Let me begin by saying that although my prediction as to the fronter for the Sinestro Corps was not completely correct, I was nonetheless right. The only entity who could possibly be behind it was indeed the Anti-Monitor. Were there fifty-two Anti-Monitors like I speculated? There don't seem to be. Though the pluralization of some of the "hints" leads me to believe that we may see more down the line...
Still, I was happy to see that one of my predictions has actually turned out to be correct. Of course, that was pretty much the only thing in the Sinestro Corps special that I saw coming. I didn't think they were going to make Kyle Parallax (though how cool is that costume?) and I didn't know they were going to break out Superboy Prime and the Cyborg Superman.
So now we have an army of monsters... 7,200 of them to be exact. Led by an entity (or entities) who may or may not be the same Anti-Monitor who set off the original Crisis. Alongside him are the Cyborg Superman and his army of Manhunters. Together with them, Superboy Prime, one of the most powerful beings in the universe. And they're all backed up by a Parallax possessed Kyle Rayner.
It's clear that this is all going to play into DC's bigger event. But the scary thing? This is just the beginning. There are dozens of issues of Countdown to go. It feels like we've hit an apex, but we haven't. This is all just the tip of the iceberg... And whatever happens, it's going to get worse.
Much worse.
Thursday Night Thinking returns!
Thinkers come in all shapes and sizes... Villain and hero alike. But remember as well that...
Even the gods must think!
How about you?
Johnny Bacardi proves that sometimes thinking takes you places you don't expect!
The Fortress Keeper shows us that real thinking makes a sound!
Kalinara lets us know that even Hal Jordan can think!
Filby reveals that in the jungle, thinking can save your life!
Cheetah Master once again proves that some of the best thinking is silent!
LurkerWithout proves that quality thinking can be a revelation!
Tom Bondurant reveals that thinking to hard can fry your brain!
Walking Through Destiny's Garden shows that sometimes thinking a single thought is enough!
Let me know if I missed you!
I'm far more excited about Wally West coming back into the DCU than I have any right to be. But then, it's not just Wally coming back that I'm happy about. Because with Wally's return, the DCU is going to get something that it hasn't really had much of in the past. And that's family.
Sure, teams like the JSA are like families. And there certainly are married heroes and heroes with kids. But I'm hard pressed to think of a married couple with kids where one of the parents his a superhero. And I'm almost positive that the DCU doesn't have a family with kids the age that Wally and Linda's kids are.
I know some people aren't happy about Wally coming back. And I know that they're even less happy that he came back with a wife and a couple of kids in tow. But for me, that just drives up my excitement. I want to see Wally and Linda be parents. And I want to see what kind of trouble their kids get into.
Plus, I like kids. You have to like kids if you're going to spend some time teaching them. And the kids I teach aren't much older than Wally and Linda's kids. (damn you, Meltzer, for not telling us their names!) Sure, kids that age can be annoying and infuriating... But they're also fun as hell.
So I look forward to what's to come in The Flash. Because I know that Wally and Linda are going to make great parents. And I have a feeling I'm going to love his kids. Whatever their names are...
Recently I was enjoying one of those phenomenal sunny days that we so often are blessed with here in southern California. I was strolling down the sidewalk, minding my own business, when suddenly I was stopped cold. A troupe of those most annoying of creatures was blocking my way. Slowly blocking my way. Of what do I speak? None other than the elderly.
Oh, how I despise senior citizens. They walk slowly (when they walk at all)! They crowd our public transportation! They demand respect from those of us blessed with youth, when we are their superiors in every way!
And what do they supply us with? Wisdom? Bah! I laugh at that. I mock the very idea. It is knowledge, not wisdom that makes a man supreme. And knowledge accumulated over the decades cannot compare to a doctorate from an accredited university!
Indeed, the elderly supply us nothing. They shamble about, desperate for attention. Demanding that we help them across the street and give up the good seats on the bus. But that is not the worst of what they take. For our healthcare system is being crushed under the weight of caring for these "elders."
As a licensed medical professional I suggest the following remedy: every man or woman over the age of sixty-five shall be summarily put to death. The money saved shall be used to supply able-bodied citizens with magnetism-related therapy.
It will be a glorious golden age!
So like a lot of people I've been thinking about the Flash lately. With all the things that happened in Justice League of America and The Flash: The Fastest Man Alive it's kind of hard not to think about the Flash.
There's been talk about what happened to Bart Allen and there's been talk about Wally and Barry as well. But the important thing -- to me anyway -- is that we've been talking about the Flash.
When people think about the DC Universe, they're usually Batman and Superman and Wonder Woman. All too often the Flash gets left out of the equation. It's all too easy to dismiss the Flash as a guy who just "runs fast." But that sells the Flash short.
I'm reminded of the often brilliant Justice League Unlimited. There's a great story in there titled "A Better World". It's about an alternate universe populated by evil versions of the Justice League. You know what set them off? It was the death of their Flash. The Flash of their world was their anchor. And without a Flash, everything fell apart.
I'm having a hard time really getting out how important the Flash is to the DC Universe -- and to me. The Justice League of America has felt a little off for me since it started. It's not because Brad Meltzer is writing or because Geo-Force is on the team. It's not even because they all call each other by their first names. It's because until issue #10, they didn't have a Flash.
That red blur is always there. That red blur must be there. Because if the Justice League holds the DCU together -- and it does -- then the Flash holds the League together. I can abide the League without Aquaman. I can handle it without the Martian Manhunter. But a Justice League without a Flash? That is truly inconceivable.
Luckily for us, the Flash is there. Whether he's giving his life for thousands -- or running to save a single life -- the Flash is always there. And we can be certain that whoever wears the suit will be someone of courage and honesty. Because the Flash runs for hope. The Flash runs for truth. The Flash runs for life.
So here's the the Flash, whoever he may be...
As Bahlactus demands: Friday Night Fights return! And since the hunt is on, let's recall why we need the little guy:
Because you demanded it! Thursday Night Thinking returns!
The plotter. The schemer. The super-genius. The man with the plan. They are all known for their great skills at thinking. But how about... Hal Jordan?!
How does your thinking compare to the slowly moving gears in Hal's head?
Kalinara knows that thinking without a shirt is thinking nonetheless!
Tom Bondurant shows us that a little thinking goes a long way!
Tom Foss proves that even immortal god-beings need to take time out for thinking!
The Fortress Keeper reveals that even the Man of Steel is at the mercy of quality thinking!
But those were simpler times. Despite my distaste for non-magnetism related events, it is the way that comics are. And will continue to be. And though I may complain, you are not allowed. You see, I do not actually pay for any comic books. Why would I deign to do so when it is simple enough to seize what I desire from weak willed fools? The staples in comics are metal, after all.
But you! Despite your constant wailing and gnashing of teeth you continue to shell out your hard-earned (or ill-gotten) cash for these events! Whether it be World War III or World War Hulk, you will buy it. Because you are a sniveling fanboy who cannot bear to have an empty space in your precious long box! (my apologies to the lovely ladies in the audience who are neither fanboys nor sniveling)
Fools! Show some spine, as I do! Demand not with your voice or poorly typed message board post! Demand with fists of iron and weapons of doom!
And your wallet.
I always kind of laugh when I see message board posts along these lines:
"If [comic book company] does that, I'll drop [comic title]!"
"Since [comic book company] did that to [favorite character] I'll never buy anything [comic book company] publishes ever again!"
"That's it. Because [comic book company] did [mildly irritating thing] I'm quitting comics. For good."
You know why I laugh? Because I don't really believe it. Not for a second.
People like me -- and probably you -- have an addiction. I don't say that to make light of people with actual serious diseases. I say it because it's really true. I don't think I could stop reading comic books even if I wanted to. And if I did, I'd go through some serious withdrawal.
So I find it suspect when people say, oh... "The Flash is my favorite character but I'm going to stop reading the comic because of this!" I mention this of course, because some people have been very upset about DC's little switcheroo. I admit, I found it kind of clever. Because either way, I'm buying Flash.
And like it or not, most of those people who say they'll give up on it when Flash #231 comes out are going to buy it too. Some are being being disingenuous. Others are merely deluding themselves. Because as much as we'd sometimes like to kick that weekly habit, most of us can't.
Thank God!
Some of the September solicits are up. And September is looking like a Green Lantern kind of month so far... I know the Sinestro Corps Special comes out this month. But a very interesting comic called Tales of the Sinestro Corps Presents Parallax #1 comes out that month.
Ragnell has already covered some of the important points regarding that solicitation. Go read what she has to say. if you're interested in the Kyle side of things. For me, it's more about what the special represents. The solicit says it focuses on "members of the Sinestro Corps." I'd say that's slightly misleading, as I sorely doubt that Parallax is actually a member of the corps.
No, it would probably be more accurate to say that this special -- and the ones to come -- deal with Sinestro's allies. Parallax, Cyborg Superman, and... Who else? Oh, you knew I was going to get to this, didn't you?
With the Monitors coming back, did the Anti-Monitor or Anti-Monitors come back as well? Van Sciver reiterated: "See Sinestro Corps Special #1."
I've been flogging this line of thought for a while, as regular readers know. It's been said that the Sinestro Corps Special will have huge repercussions in the DCU as a whole. The Anti-Monitors are in the anti-matter universe as we speak. No one else has the power to enslave the Weaponers of Qward. We know that an Anti-Monitor can do it. He did it once before.
There is no one and nothing else that makes sense. Sinestro couldn't have done it... When he was tossed back to the anti-matter universe at the end of Rebirth, his ring had been destroyed. Something raised him up. Granted him a new ring and gave him the power to raise a corps of monsters 7,200 strong.
I've said it before and I'll say it again: The Anti-Monitors are coming.
Everyone who knows me knows that it doesn't take much to make me get all giddy like a schoolboy. I'm easily excitable. I'm told some people find it charming...
That being said, can you imagine how I react when convention season rolls around? When I start seeing stuff like this? There is so much there that just makes me happy happy happy. Beautiful covers, wonderful teases... It's such fun! I think I'll talk about a few things that I really liked.
This cover really made me smile. When I heard that Dinah and Ollie were getting married, I had my doubts. "She's too good for him," I said. I still think that's true. Fortunately, Ollie seems to agree with that assessment. Which means it just might work. And if that cover is any indication, well... I hope they have a long, happy life together.
And this cover means more Freedom Fighters! Which means more Uncle Sam! Uncle Sam kicks ass. Don't let anyone tell you different.
As for this cover, well... It's just really nice. I mean, I'm not usually a fan of Churchill's art, but that turned out very nice. I love seeing all the villains together. But who's the blacked out guy on the right side of the image?
There's more than just cool covers, of course. There's the news that Mark Waid is returning to The Flash. And the hints that, yes, Barry Allen will be coming back. As a fan of pseudo-scientific crime scene investigation I'm okay with that.
And Cassandra Cain will be showing up soon! Though that's probably not such a good thing...
How could I not do this again when last week I had such a great response? Bahlactus can have his fighting and fisticuffs… Here we celebrate the schemer, the plotter, the super-genius, and the common man with the uncommon plan!
The Fortress Keeper knows that quality thinking can be done anywhere... At any time!
Johnny Bacardi makes it clear that thinking big doesn't require a cape!
Kalinara asks the question: how much thinking could the Thinker think if the Thinker could think thinks?
Tom Bondurant proves that in space, no one can hear think!
Tom Foss shows that a good thinker always prepares!
Ah, the humble meme. Helping lazy and burnt-out bloggers post since... Well, since meme's were invented. Tonight, Kalinara asks the questions and I supply the half-hearted answers!
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1. If you could go drinking with any one villain or hero, who would it be? (Your blogmates don't count. :-P)
Superman. If I only get to meet one, I'm going straight to the top.
2. Zod or Lex Luthor?
Luthor. No contest. Next question.
3. What's it REALLY like sharing a blog with Dr. Polaris?
Actually, it's more like he shares the blog with me...
4. What's the story you'd most give your right eye to see published?
The one about the angel. You know the one I'm talking about. That's all I'm going to say...
5. What villain would you LEAST like to know of your existance?
See number two. Luthor crushes ordinary people like me like bugs...
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Here's the meme. If you want to take part, please comment.
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1. Leave me a comment saying, "Interview me."
2. I will respond by asking you five questions. I get to pick the questions. (They probably won't be the same ones you see above!)
3. You will update your blog with the answers to the questions.
4. You will include this explanation and an offer to interview someone else in the same post.
5. When others comment asking to be interviewed, you will ask them five questions.
I feel like taking a little time off. Maybe just a day. Maybe two. I won't be gone long, though.
What do you think of that idea, Wild Dog?
His eyes glowed red as he pointed at me with a flourish. "Neal Emerson!" he shouted. "You are an anomaly! So declares the Monitor!" That, of course, immediately set me off. I haven't used that name in years. In fact, I sold Emerson's soul to the demon Neron for a fine price. But despite my anger, I kept my cool.
"In what way, pray tell, am I an anomaly?" I asked coolly as I sipped my wine. Despite -- or perhaps because of -- my calm demeanor the Monitor grew agitated.
"You are supposed to be dead!" he said, obviously somewhat flustered by the whole affair. I rolled my eyes. I'd been getting that a lot lately.
"I choose not to be dead," I explained as I gestured for another bottle of whine. The Monitor regained his composure, but seemed perplexed by my statement.
"You can't choose not to be dead," he said angrily. I shrugged. I was growing wearing with the conversation. And his hairstyle.
"I can do whatever I please," I said angrily, downing the last of my wine. There wasn't time to wait for the next bottle. I needed to take care of this pest. I rose ominously into the air, surrounded by a spinning circle of sharp, metallic cutlery. "I am Doctor Polaris," I roared. "And I am your doom!"
I won't bore you with the details of our epic battle. Suffice to say, that delightful little bistro is now a delightful little crater. But I'm still alive. Because I choose to be.
Okay, so. Who's the burly Monitor in the Anti-Monitor armor?
And more importantly, does this totally destroy all the theories I've had about where the DCU is heading?
So next week in Countdown we have the appearance of a new character. We don't know much about her beyond the fact that she's got blue skin, purple hair, and is called Forerunner. Well, that and she's getting a backup feature in Countdown to Adventure.
It's very clear to me that this Forerunner is going to be a very important character in the DC Universe. So I knew I had to do some research. And since the only thing I know about her is that she's called Forerunner, that's where I had to start. I began by looking up "forerunner" in the dictionary:
fore·run·ner [fawr-ruhn-er, fohr-, fawr-ruhn-er, fohr-] –noun
1. predecessor; ancestor; forebear; precursor.
2. an omen, sign, or indication of something to follow; portent: The warm evenings were a forerunner of summer.
3. a person who goes or is sent in advance to announce the coming of someone or something that follows; envoy, herald.
4. the Forerunner, John the Baptist.
Hmm... Very interesting. One who "is sent in advance to announce the coming of something that follows." I wonder... Let's see what we get when we put "forerunner" into a thesaurus:
Main Entry: forerunner
Part of Speech: noun
Definition: messenger
Synonyms: advertiser, ancestor, announcer, author, envoy, forebear, forefather, foregoer, harbinger, herald, initiator, originator, pioneer, precursor, progenitor, prognostic, prototype
Wait a second! I see many interesting possible meanings here. Envoy, herald, precursor... But how about harbinger? Remember what happened last time a Harbinger showed up?
Well, after the mind-bending awesomeness that was Thursday Night Thinking I think we may need to unwind. So it's time for another installment of Friday Night Fights! Bahlactus may be taking the week off, but there's one man who never does:
As much as I enjoy the two-fisted blast of action that Bahlactus demands each and every Friday, I got to thinking… Why should the brutes and ruffians have all the fun? So, one night only: Thursday Night Thinking!
That's right, it's time for the true warriors -- the thinkers and the plotters -- to get a chance to shine! Join me or not; I don't really care. I'll be too busy thinking! Just like... Lex Luthor!
Nobody thinks like Luthor!Nobody.
Still, the greatest criminal and scientific minds in history join him for this thinking!
Sleestak alerts us to the phenomenal mental power of the mighty Captain Comet!
The Fortress Keeper reminds us that only a great mind stands a chance against the Batman!
SallyP reinforces the idea that brilliant thinking doesn't have to make sense!
Steven knows that a man with a plan always wins!
Kalinara proves that some of the greatest schemers scheme out loud!
Tom Bondurant shows us that quality thinking is more important than anything!
I took a perverse satisfaction in the "announcement" of Marvel's new book, The Order. It's not because I necessarily think the book will fail, or because I bear the creators any ill will. No, I am satisfied because Marvel was going to call the book The Champions. But now they can't.
If you haven't heard, a small publisher of super-hero comics managed to snatch up the trademark for Champions when Marvel wasn't looking. In much the same way that Marvel snatched up the trademark for Captain Marvel.
DC can't title a book Captain Marvel. They can't use that name on a cover. Even though the Golden Age Captain Marvel predates the existence of Marvel as a comic book company by decades. And all Marvel has to do to keep it that way is have their "Captain Marvel" headline a mini-series every few years.
It's always annoyed me, that. So it pleases me to see that Marvel is getting a taste of its own medicine (even if, admittedly, the medicine in this case is pretty weak). It won't change anything of course... Captain Marvel books will continue to be titled Shazam!, much to the confusion of non-comic book geeks the world over.
But it did make me laugh maniacally for a moment. And that's really what matters, right?
We both enjoy the vigilantism with an extra dash of brutality (and in my case, fire). We are both looked upon scornfully by you-know-who, Nightwing, Robin, Oracle, and everybody else. We both have memorials in the Batca...
Well, we've got a lot in common, anyway. We could hang out and swap stories about what a domineering jerk you-know-who can be. We could beat up drug dealers, and then beat up guys who aren't drug dealers. Or both at the same time.
He could probably give me a few pointers when it comes to the ladies, as well. He seems to be getting along pretty well with Donna Troy. But then, she's dated Kyle Rayner. And she was married to that weirdo-beardo for a while. So maybe I shouldn't be going to Jason for relationship advice.
Regardless, I'm sure we could have some fun fleeing from the Monitors. I mean, I'm a Multiversal anomaly too. Right? Right?
Surprised that I'm a relative of a super-hero? True, Grant is not related to me by blood. But he was adopted and raised by my pathetic brother and his shrewish wife. I saw the boy often when he was just a lad. His family life was not ideal. It would be an understatement to say that my brother was not well-suited to being a father.
As such, I tried to do right by the boy as best I could. I would often try to interest Grant in the workings of magnetism and the phenomenal power inherent within! But at that time the boy was not exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer. I'm sad to say that that hasn't changed.
More recently -- after the unpleasantness of the most recent Crisis -- I tried to convince Grant to join the side of villainy. After all, he's become a broody loner. And he's been physically deformed. Those are traits usually found on my side of the aisle.
But the boy continues to hold on to his "conscience." Bah! If only he were as interested in physics as he is in being a super-hero! Stupid JSA. Always snatching up the kids before we can get to them...
As Bahlactus demands: Friday Night Fights! In classic fashion the real Master of Magnetism lays the smack down on newbie Kyle Rayner. Looks like you forgot the most important thing, Kyle: the doctor is in... insane!
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