Tag Archives: Justice League

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Tuesday Night Comics Podcast Episode 21

The final issue of Forever Evil is here and Dave has caught up to the series just in time. Listen to Dave and Billy compare Forever Evil to the Justice League Forever Evil tie-in issues, as well as other recently released comic books, including Spider-Man #2 by Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos and Original Sin #2 by Jason Aaron and Mike Deodato. Billy and Dave also preview this Wednesday’s (5/28/14) new comics. What Image comic is Billy’s absolute top pick of the week? Listen to the podcast and find out!

amazingspider-man2

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Tuesday Night Comics Podcast Episode 19

Billy and Dave preview and give their picks for new comic books coming out on Wednesday, 5/14/14. Dave has reached Forever Evil in his Justice League reread. Will he catch up before Forever Evil ends? Billy talks about his marathon Superior Spider-Man session on a transatlantic flight. The guys discuss their thoughts on the new Comixology app following Comixology’s buyout by Amazon.

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JLA: Trapped in Time – Review

jla trapped in time box art

Tuesday, January 21 was a big day for the Justice League. That day saw the world premiere of Justice League: War at the Paley Center in New York City and the release of JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time exclusively at Target stores nationwide.

The release of JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time may have caught you unaware. The first I heard of it was less than two weeks ago. Needless to say, I was intrigued, so intrigued that I ventured out in a blizzard during lunch to my nearest Target to secure a copy.

A sticker on Trapped in Time says it’s a limited time Target exclusive. I’m not sure if this means it will see wide release into other stores after a few months, or if once Target sells out of their stock, that’s it.

JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time is a very different movie than Justice League: War. While War’s art direction is based on Jim Lee’s New 52 costumes, Crisis in Time draws its inspiration from many places. Superman is basically in his New 52 outfit with a more stylized S-symbol on his chest. Wonder Woman is wearing her caped costume from Infinite Crisis. Batman’s costume is a mix of New 52 and the recent Brave and the Bold cartoon. It’s not clear which Robin we’re seeing, but he’s in Tim’s original costume with a mop of hair.

jla trapped in time trinity

The lineup is straight out of the Super Powers years of Super Friends. The JLA consists of Superman, Batman, Robin, Wonder Woman, Cyborg, The Flash and Aquaman, and the villains are their Super Friends era Legion of Doom counterparts. Even Wendy, Marvin and Wonder Dog make a very quick blink and you’ll miss them cameo.

jla trapped in time wendy and marvin

Diedrich Bader, aka the best thing about The Drew Carey show, voices Batman here. This isn’t his first time voicing the dark knight. He also voiced Batman on Batman: The Brave and the Bold. The voice of the narrator in Trapped in Time is also Diedrich Bader, which made me think for a second that he was doing every voice in the movie early in my viewing of it.

Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back Premiere

The story of Trapped in Timeis a fun one, involving Lex Luthor being thawed out of an ice block in the future ala Demolition Man. While in the future, Lex learns Superman is really Clark Kent and acquires the means to time travel, which leads to exactly what you think Lex Luthor would do if he knew Superman’s secret identity and could travel in time. He’s pursued by Dawnstar and Karate Kid of The Legion of Superheroes. Dawnstar is one of my favorite LoSH members, so I was happy to see her represented here.

jla trapped in time lex

Overall, I enjoyed the movie. I would have liked it better if we saw the ramifications of a world where Superman didn’t exist. But the same fight that causes Superman to blink out of existence Back to the Future style is resolved in a way that the viewer never gets to see what the world would be like if the Legion of Doom could run amok without having to worry about the Justice League. One of my favorite movies is Back to the Future II, so of course I’m be disappointed by not being able to see the Legion of Doom controlled alternate timeline. The movie does end with a twist that sets up what I’m guessing will be the next Target exclusive original JLA DVD. The twist ending was good enough that I would venture out into another blizzard to acquire the sequel.

Comparing JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time and Justice League: War, Trapped in Time is definitely the more family friendly movie. War contains a hero uttering a curse word in the climatic final battle, something that played well to the 20-and-30-somethings at the premiere, but might not fly as well in the living room of a family with a small child. The storytelling in JLA Adventures: Trapped in Time is perfect for pre-schoolers to 6th graders. I’d recommend Justice League: War to teens on up.

secret origins of the super friends

As per comicbook.com, Trapped in Time is a retelling of the Super Friends episode Secret Origins of the Super Friends, with the story updated to focus on Lex Luthor travelling back in time to eliminate Superman from ever existing. This is a streamline of the  original, which focused on the villains trying to eliminate Superman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern from history. Oddly enough, Secret Origins of the Super Friends is not one of the two Super Friends episodes included in the DVD’s bonus features.

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NYCC 2013: Saturday Panel & Screening Highlights

Say hello the busiest day of New York Comic Con. There are some very cool panels and screenings today. Companies know today is the busy day, and most of the stellar programming is scheduled for today. That said, it might even be worth going to a panel you’re only mildly interested in just to take a break from the crowds. Ah, seating, glorious seating…

11:00 – 12:00 – Archer: Discussion and Q&A – Main Stage 1-D
Pretty much everyone on the show will be here. What a great way to start Saturday. Can’t make it to Javits in time? You can watch it on the internet live here: www.newyorkcomiccon.com/nycclive.

11:15 – 12:15 – 50 Years of Doctor Who – 1A23
Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like any of the actors associated with Doctor Who will be here. But creators of the comics and TV series will be here to talk about the long lasting endurance of Doctor Who during the past 50 years.

11:15 – 12:15 – IDW: The Ultimate Panel – 1A10
Well, this is an interesting one. Has IDW had a presence at New York Comic Con over the past few years? I want to say no. I’m glad they’re appearing here this year. I only wish the special edition of the Jeff Smith Artist Edition was debuting here as well. But good news: Darwyn Cooke will be on this panel. Hello, Parker news.

12:15 – 1:15 – Marvel Video Games – Empire Stage 1-E
Remember when licensed video games sucked? I guess in some cases they still do. But Marvel’s games have been good lately. I’m definitely looking forward to Marvel: Lego. Or is it Lego: Marvel. Either way, I’m in.

12:15 – 1:15 – Diamond Select Toys: Best of All Worlds – 1A01
Do you love Diamond Select Toys? You want to be here.

12:15 – 1:15 – Superman 75th Celebration – Main Stage 1-D
Superman is 75! Mike Carlin, the group editor behind the Death of Superman and Dan Didio, the head honcho of DC responsible for the death of any decent stories in the Superman comics (sorry, couldn’t resist) will be on hand to talk about comic’s most iconic character.

12:30 – 2:30 – Yaya Han – Celebrity Cosplayer Autographing – Booth 2537
Celebrity cosplayer? This is a thing? Really?

1:00 – 1:30 – Stan Lee Photo Op-Saturday – Photo Op, Autographing Area
Quite possibly the best 60 bucks you’ll spend this weekend.

1:15 – 2:15 – Marvel: Inhumanity & All-New Marvel Now – 1A06
Interested in the future of the Marvel Universe? This is the panel you need to be at. Inhumanity is Marvel’s follow-up to Infinity and many titles will be launching under the All-New Marvel Now banner. Be there!

1:30 – 2:30 – Justice League: Forever Evil! – 1A22
I find it weird that Geoff Johns isn’t listed as an attendee for this panel. I would find it even weirder if he doesn’t show up for it.

2:00 – 2:15 – Andrew McCarthy Photo-Op – Booth #2142
Only if we can recreate the poster to Weekend at Bernies.

2:00 – 3:00 – Scott C. Signing The Great Showdowns The Return – Booth #2142
Scott C.’s The Great Showdowns is one of the best purchases I made at New York Comic Con in 2012. Go to this signing. Scott is super nice and last year he drew characters in everyone’s books.

2:30 – 4:00 – IFC’s Back to Back Comedy Event Comedy Bang! Bang! & The Birthday Boys – 1A06
This should be a very funny panel. If your energy is running low at this point in the day, and you need to rest your dogs, this might be the perfect place to sit, relax and laugh.

2:45 – 3:45 – Star Wars Rebels: The Might of the Empire – Empire Stage 1-E
Of course this would be on the Empire Stage. New Star Wars TV show! It takes place during the classic trilogy! Eeeeeeeee!!!!!

2:45 – 3:45 – The Thrilling Adventure Hour World Domination Tour – 1A14
Fresh from their two sold out shows Friday night at The Bell House in Brooklyn, the writers and cast of The Thrilling Adventure Hour will be at this panel moderated by Greg Rucka. Sorry, IFC, but this might be the funniest panel of Saturday.

3:00 – 4:00 – Archie Comics: Zombies, Heroes, Cartoons, Movies and More!
No lie, Afterlife With Archie is the comic I’m most excited for this fall.

3:40 – 4:00 – Gillian Anderson and David Duchovney Photo Op – Photo Op Booth, Autographing Area
Look, if you’re going to spend $220 on this, wear a black suit, white shirt and black tie. Don’t wear your stained I WANT TO BELIEVE t-shirt from 1996. Do it right!

4:00 – 5:00 – Marvel: Cup o’ Joe – Empire Stage 1-E
Expect a lot of those one word press releases to have their secrets revealed here!

4:00 – 5:00 – Valiant Comics: Must Read Valiant – 1A01
Valiant controls less than 2% of the comics market, but it’s a very loyal, energetic and vocal audience. They’re still starting up their new shared universe. Now might be a good time to jump in.

4:00 – 5:00 – Neil deGrasse Tyson Autographing – Autographing Table 7
Neil deGrasse Tyson is the coolest scientist since Bill Nye. It’s a free autograph AND you get to talk to Neil deGrasse Tyson! Bring you copy of Action Comics 14!

4:15 – 5:15 – Robert Kirkman’s Skybound – 1A08
Here’s your go to spot for all Robert Kirkman news non-The Walking Dead related!

4:30 – 5:30 – Roberto Acquirre-Sacasa and Francesco Francavilla Autographing – Booth #1936
I previously mentioned how excited I am for Afterlife With Archie. The creative team of that comic will be signing it here. Expect me there.

5:00 – 6:00 – Marvel’s Agents of SHIELD – Main Stage 1-D
Tuesday Night Movies is reviewing every episode of this series. I’m loving the series so far and am very much looking forward to this panel.

5:15 – 6:15 – DC Comics: The New 52 – Empire Stage 1-E
This panel happening at the same time as the Agents of SHIELD panel might explain the nice, enjoyable lull in show floor traffic around 5:30 on Saturday.

5:30 – 6:30 – Hanna-Barbera and the Designs of Alex Toth -1A03
Alex Toth is cool.

5:30 – 6:30 PM – Abrams Presents the Adventure Time Encyclopedia Panel with the Lord of Evil and Marceline the Vampire Queen – 1A08
6:45 – 7:45 – Adventure Time Encyclopedia Autographing – Autographing Table 21
If you are a fan of Adventure Time, here is the panel for you. There will be a reading from this book from the cast. If you can’t make tonight’s signing at NYCC, there are other signings scheduled at Forbidden Planet and Bergen St Comics this week.

6:30 – 7:30 – AMC’s The Walking Dead – Main Stage 1-D
If you want to attend this panel, get here early. There will undoubtedly be a long line to get in, and I’m guessing more people interested than there are seats. The cast will be here and they will be showing footage from the upcoming fourth season.

6:30 – 7:30 – John Barrowman Q&A – Empire Stage 1-E
Depending on the quality of the questions, this could be one of the coolest panels of NYCC. I hope John Barrowman does a song.

7:45 – 8:45 – Batman: Arkham Origins – Empire Stage 1-E
Is there an upcoming video game more anticipated than Batman: Arkham Origins? Not in my house, there isn’t.

8:00 – 10:00 – NYCC Charity Auction – 1A17
I’ve been following Mike Negin on Twitter. He runs the NYCC Charity Auction and has been posting pictures of the art that has been donated. All I can say is wow! You need to go to this auction. The money raised goes to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, a very worthwhile cause. Check out @MightyMikeNegin on Twitter for a peek at the art. You’ll be glad you did.

Written by Nicholas Doyle.

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NYCC 2013: Friday Panel & Screening Highlights

Welcome to the first full day of New York Comic Con! Lots of cool panels today. Let’s get right to it!

11:00 – 12:00 – Marvel: Amazing X-Men & The Marvel Universe – Empire Stage 1-E
If you’ve been following along with any comics news sites recently, then you’ve no doubt seen Marvel’s very vague, one-word teaser ads. The mystery behind those ads will be revealed at NYCC. Most of the X-book writers not named Brian Michael Bendis will be here for this one: Marjorie Liu, Dennis Hopeless, Peter David, Gerry Duggan, Brian Wood and more. I’m most curious to hear what Peter David has planned now that X-Factor has ended. Could X-Factor be morphing into X-Corp?

11:00 – 12:00 – Mattypolooza – 1A01
If you’re a Masters of the Universe Club Eternia subscriber, you’ll definitely want to go to this panel, as you’ll be able to vote which upcoming figure gets made: Darius or Mara.

11:15 – 12:15 – DC Collectibles – 1A10
DC Collectibles has been steadily producing high quality tchotchkes of your favorite DC characters for a decade now. You’ll be able to preview their 2014 product line here.

12:15 – 1:15 – He’s Back! Celebrate Chucky’s 25th Anniversary with the Creators & Cast – Main Stage 1-D
If you are a fan of the Child’s Play series of movies, this panel is for you. Creator Don Mancini will be here, as will cast members Brad Dourif, Fiona Dourif, Danielle Bisutti and Jennifer Tilly. Friends to the end!

12:15 – 1:15 – Marvel Television Presents – 1A06
Jeph Loeb, the head of Marvel Television, will be talking all things Marvel TV. He will show previews of Hulk and the Agents of SMASH, Avengers Assemble and Ultimate Spider-Man. I don’t know if any Agents of SHIELD stuff will be shown here, as they have their own panel later.

12:15 – 1:15 – Felicia Day and Geek & Sundry Presents! – 1A22
Geek & Sundry, Felicia Day’s internet television network looks very cool. I’ve never watched Spellslingers, but after reading that it’s celebrities playing Magic: The Gathering, I very much want to watch it.

12:15 – 1:15 – Image Comics: Behind the Creations – 1A14
Some of the coolest comics being published right now are coming from Image. If you’ve found yourself bored with recent releases from the big 2, check this panel out. Kieren Gillen, one of my favorite current writers, will be there to talk about his new book Three, which is launching the same week as NYCC.

12:15 -1:15 – Adam Berry Q&A – 1A01
Adam Berry ain’t afraid of no ghost. Bustin’ makes him feel good!

12:30 – 1:30 – Game of Thrones with Jerome Flynn – 1A23
Bronn talks all things Game of Thrones TV show related. I suddenly know where I’ll be at 12:30.

12:30 – 1:30 – Straczynski Writing Workshop – 1A03
Calling this a writing workshop seems a little misleading, as you won’t be doing any writing in this room, or get critiqued on writing you’ve brought with you. But it is a lecture on writing from a very successful writer of TV and comics.

12:45 – 2:00 – Editiors on Editing – 1A08
If you’re interested in breaking into the comic book field, the head honchos of IDW, Valiant and Dark Horse are on this panel.

1:30 – 2:30 – DC Entertainment All Access – Empire Stage 1-E
Scott Snyder will be on hand. I wonder if he has a new book launching soon.

1:30 – 2:30 – BJ Novak’s One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories – 1A22
BJ Novak was one of the best parts of The Office. He now has a book of stories, one of which he might perform at this panel. Oh hey, and he’s being interviewed by Lev Grossman.

1:45 – 2:45 – I Have No Sewing Machine, But I Must Cosplay – 1A03
There’s no question that cosplay has grown steadily in popularity over the past few years. If you’re interested in dipping your toe into the cosplay water, here’s the panel for you. Personally, I think the 11th Doctor is the best costume for first time cosplayers. Bowtie, sport coat, sonic screwdriver and you’re set!

2:15 -3:45 – Inside the Creators Studio with Jimmy Palmiotti – 1A08
I hope interviewer Buddy Scalera does his best James Lipton. “What is your favorite curse word?”

2:45 – 3:45 – First Look – Justice League: War – Main Stage 1-D
2:45 – 3:45 – The Walking Dead 10th Anniversary Panel – Empire Stage 1-E
What?! These two are at the same time?! What the hell, New York Comic Con?! Both of these panels are going to have broad appeal. The only reason I think of to hold them both at this time is so that neither is overcrowded, because I would definitely go to both if I could.

2:45 – 3:45 – A Look at The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds with Eiji Aonuma – 1A06
Man, with this panel and the two panels above, expect Friday around 3 PM to be a nice time to walk around the show floor. If you have a Nintendo 3DS, then chances are you are getting this game. Check out an early preview of it here.

2:45 – 3:45 – Marvel: Breaking Into Comics the Marvel Way – 1A22
If you’re a writer, their advice will be “Get published somewhere else first,” so feel free to skip this panel and check out one of the three excellent panels happening at the same time. If you’re an artist, you’ll find out how to get your work in the hands of editors, so you may want to check this out.

4:00 – 4:45 – [adult swim] Presents: The Venture Bros – Main Stage 1-D
The [adult swim]  are always some of the best panels at NYCC. Doc Hammer and Jackson Publick will both be here. What more do you need?

4:00 – 5:00 – Marvel: Avengers – Empire Stage 1-E
The Avengers is Marvel’s current flagship line, and the franchise that is the center of the currently running Infinity event. Jonathan Hickman will be here. I’d expect a good Q&A session, as long as people can avoid “asking” “I love your writing so much.” Come one, people! Here is a Q&A that is asking for questions that dig deep into Hickman’s writing!

4:00 – 5:00 – David S. Goyer – Autographing – Autographing Table 7
It’s a free autograph session! Bring your Starman Omnibus Volume 5 and The Dark Knight Blu-ray!

4:15 – 5:15 – Max Brooks Zombie Survival & Extinction Parade Highlights – 1A23
I haven’t seen the movie adaptation yet, but the book World War Z is amazing. Max Brooks wrote it. I may sneak into this panel after I get my The Dark Knight Blu-ray autographed by David S. Goyer.

4:15 – 5:15 – Eat, Read, Love: Chew’s Ascendance – 1A10
Both Rob Guillory and John Layman will be here. Plus, Image will be selling a very limited edition slipcased red variant of the Chew Omnibus. Buy the omnibus at the Image booth. Bring it with you here.

4:15 – 5:15 – Rich Johnston’s Bleeding Cool Magazine Forum – 1A03
I love Bleeding Cool, and not just because it picked up our Who is the Outsider? story. Rich Johnston’s site is a rumor site, but it seems to get the news right more often than news sites.

5:00 – 5:45 – [adult swim] Presents: Robot Chicken – Main Stage 1-D
The Robot Chicken panel is MUST ATTEND panel. Seriously, consider it mandatory. You will laugh harder here than at any other event at NYCC! (Sorry Thursday night comedians…)

5:00 – 6:00 – Ewok Autographing – Booth #101
There’s not much detail listed here. Are the actors who played the Ewoks in Star Wars doing a signing? Is there a new Ewok book out? Has an actual Ewok been discovered?! I like that the speaker is listed as “Ewok.”

5:15 – 6:15 – DC Comics – Batman – Empire Stage 1-E
Batman by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo has been consistently one of the best selling and most acclaimed books in the New 52. The other Bat-titles are pretty hit and miss. Some are good, and some are…Catwoman. Snyder and Capullo should both be here.

5:15 – 6:15 – Beautiful Books: Graphic Design in Comics and Graphic Novels – 1A01
What a great idea for a panel. Have Jonathan Hickman talk about visual design. Why does this panel not happen at NYCC every year? It should.

5:30 – 6:30 – CBLDF: The Secret Origins of Comics Censorship! – 1A03
The CBLDF is a worthwhile cause. Even if you don’t attend this panel, I think you should buy some of its very cool merch at its table. You’ll be helping out the charity and taking some fun stuff for your collection.

6:00 – 7:00 – Oldboy – Main Stage 1-D
The thriller Oldboy is the latest Spike Lee joint. While Spike isn’t listed as one of the attendees, I really hope he’ll show up.

6:30 – 7:30 – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Empire Stage 1-E
Forget the upcoming travesty from Michael Bay. The current TMNT show on Nickelodeon is where it’s at!

6:30 – 7:30 – Spotlight on the Fifth Beatle: The Story of Brian Epstein – 1A01
Artist Andrew Robinson was at NYCC last year, drumming up interest for this project in Artist’s Alley. It looks like a very cool graphic novel. This panel is definitely worth your time if you’re a fan of the Fab Four.

6:45 – 7:45 – Beer and Comics: NYCC Edition – 1A08
Ever consider the similarities between making beer and making comics? Well, here you go. Note: There will likely be no beer at this panel.

6:45 – 7:45 – Morning Glories Study Hall Live – 1A03
Do you understand Morning Glories? Really, you do? Liar! Come to this panel, ask questions, probably receive less than helpful answers.

7:45 – 8:45 – CollegeHumor Live! At New York Comic Con Starring Kumail Nanjiani – 1A22
Free Kumail Nanjiani show? And there might be other comedians? This might end up beating out Thursday’s comedy night! This panel might win the award for most underrated panel. If you free, hit it up.

8:00 – 9:00 – Bleeding Cool: The Sex, Drugs and Rock ‘n’ Roll of Comics, Revealed – 1A03
Hearing comics gossip from Rich Johnston in person? This might be the most fun panel of NYCC.

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The Outsider Revealed! – Justice League #23 Review

5/5 – Perfection from Johns, Reis & Prado
First off, I would like to welcome all the new readers who discovered our site from Bleeding Cool and New Earth 2 linking to our Who Is The Outsider? post.
I woke up early like a kid on Christmas morning and rushed to my iPad to buy Justice League #23. After putting out my Outsider/Alfred post, the suspense of waiting to have my suspicions confirmed was killing me. I had the feeling we’d be getting answers this issue and did we!
Ivan Reis, Joe Prado and Rod Reis knock the art in this issue out of the park. I think this is best I’ve ever seen out of this art team. Every panel on every page is expertly rendered. If there’s any complaint about the art here, it’s that not enough comics from Marvel and DC look this good.
I’d like to warn you all that I am going SPOILER CRAZY from here on out, so if you haven’t read Justice League #23 yet, perhaps now would be a good time to close this window and come back when you have. Cool?
The Spoiler is giving you a warning!
Justice League #23 reveals The Outsider’s identity as the Alfred Pennyworth of Earth-3. I had the feeling that we would get that reveal either in this issue or in Forever Evil #1. Needless to say, I was very excited to read confirmation for my theory on The Outsider’s identity.
Alfred works for Owlman, the evil Batman counterpart from Earth-3. Some people have speculated that Earth-3 Owlman and the Owlman that appeared in Scott Snyder’s Court of Owls are one and the same, but that does not appear to be the case. While they do have costumes very similar to each other, going by how he addresses Alfred, it sounds like the Earth-3 Owlman has been trapped on Earth-3 alongside the rest of the Crime Syndicate all this time.
Geoff Johns is a writer who loves the Silver Age. He’s the man who made Hal Jordan and Barry Allen relevant again. Because of that, I am insanely excited to see his take on the Crime Syndicate of America. I’ve had a thing for the Crime Syndicate since I first encountered them the first time I read Crisis on Infinite Earths. I have always loved evil versions of heroes. It’s a concept that doesn’t get old to me. Grant Morrison perfected the Crime Syndicate in his Earth-2 graphic novel, and I’m looking forward to Geoff Johns taking them to the next level. The amount of thought that Johns has already put into these new versions of these characters is great. Power Ring being a coward is so clever, yet I’m surprised no one ever thought of that before. Superwoman’s golden lasso being made out of barbed wire makes her appear like even more of a sadist that when Grant Morrison wrote her.
Power Ring is no Hal Jordan.
Has Cyborg ever been treated as brutally as he was in his takeover by The Grid? This panel makes Magneto ripping Wolverine’s adamantium out look like a spa exfoliation treatment. I’m really hoping that Vic having his cyborg half ripped from him means we’re going to get a slimmed down redesign of Cyborg in the near future.
My other favorite scene in the book is when Atomica reveals herself as the traitor. The way that Reis and Prado draw the expression on her face when she’s revealing the truth to Vic is just classic.
Everything you need to know about the character is revealed right there in that panel. She’s not the guilt-ridden wet blanket that she’s been portraying herself as in the previous parts of Trinity War. She played both leagues. Somehow she even managed to hide it from J’onn. I really like that Johns hid her duplicity as The Outsider’s inside woman in the league by having her cover being she was a secret agent spying on the Justice League for the Justice League of America. Looking back on it though, it makes so much sense. The Outsider bragged about having a mole in the Justice League of America and the Justice League. It should have been obvious that the mole would be the one person who has access to both leagues.
I wonder if the outing of Atomica means we’ll see the return of Ray Palmer to the DCU. I certainly hope so.
It’s funny, Justice League #23 had much bigger reveals than Marvel’s Age of Ultron #10, but DC didn’t feel the need to wrap Justice League #23 in a black polybag. The end of the Trinity War succeeded where Age of Ultron failed. Age of Ultron’s lackluster tenth issue made me less excited for the Marvel events that immediately followed. But after reading Justice League #23, I am psyched for Forever Evil and Villains Month! Bring on the bad guys!

 

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Who Is The Outsider?

Since his first appearance leading The Secret Society of Super-Villains, fans have guessed at the identity of The Outsider. I have my own theory about The Outsider’s true identity, which I will reveal now.

the outsider
I believe that The Outsider is the Alfred Pennyworth from The Crime Syndicate of America’s Earth-3.

Here are my reasons for believing this is so.

The original Silver Age Outsider was Alfred Pennyworth.
 
The character The Outsider goes back to the 1960s. In 1964’s Detective Comics #328, Batman’s butler Alfred is killed when a boulder crushes him. Shortly thereafter, a mysterious criminal mastermind named The Outsider begins working in Gotham. In Detective Comics #356, it is revealed that a mad scientist brought Alfred back to life using a machine that also made Alfred evil and gave me the worst case of eczema ever.
Side effects of regeneration machine include skin irritation and insanity.
At the end of the issue, Batman punches The Outsider onto the machine, activating it. This restores Alfred back to his usual happy, not-dead, not-evil self.
The New 52 Outsider looks like Alfred Pennyworth.
 
More than any other DC character, The Outsider looks like Alfred Pennyworth. Remove the color from the panel below and you’d be hard pressed to say if this was Alfred or The Outsider.
The Outsider knows where Batman lives.
 
Justice League of America #5 gives us many clues to the Outsider’s identity, as you’ll see in the panels below. After The Outsider kills Catwoman, he announces he’s going to drop her body at Batman’s doorstep. Signalman asks, “You have Batman’s home address?” The Outsider responds, “Yes. Ha. I do.”

 

 
The Outsider knows The Joker.

 

“If The Joker could see me now.” It almost sounds like a throwaway line, so I wouldn’t be surprised if most readers glossed over that panel as they read Justice League of America #5. But Geoff Johns is too good a writer to put that line in for no reason.
I think that line gives us a glimpse to the origin of both The Outsider’s stark white skin and his tic where he says “Ha.” in between lines of dialogue. Perhaps at some point on Earth 3, Alfred fell into a vat of the same acid that made The Joker.

The Outsider has a deep knowledge of all-things Batman.

He calls Catwoman Selina.

He has a map of the Batcave.
He knows everything there is to know about The Scarecrow.
The Outsider watched his world die.

 

This has been the clue most cited by people who think the New 52 Outsider and The Outsider from Flashpoint are one and the same. The Flashpoint universe in no more, perhaps The Outsider is the only survivor of it. But The Outsider from the Flashpoint universe looked nothing like Alfred. He was an Indian man named Michael Desai. Michael Desai and the current Outsider share little in common other than a love of well-tailored suits.
Michael Desai, The Outsider of Flashpoint

I think the world that the New 52 version of The Outsider watched die was not the world of Flashpoint, but rather the Earth that is home to the Crime Syndicate of America. In Earth 2 #1, it is revealed that Apokolips attacked Earth 2 and the main New 52 Earth at the same time. The main New 52 Earth’s heroes fought off Darkseid and his hordes before they could do much damage. Earth 2 didn’t get off as lucky, losing both Gotham, Metropolis and other cities, as well as Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman before the might of Apokolips. There’s a chance Earth 3 fared even worse.

On Earth 3, characters who are heroes on the main Earth are villains. The Justice League is the Crime Syndicate. Perhaps self-interest got in the way of the villains of Earth 3 being able to work with one another to fight back the hordes of Apokolips. I think this Outsider made his way through a boom tube from Earth 3 to the New 52 Earth, and has been plotting for a way to bring the Crime Syndicate of America over to the New 52 Earth since then. I strongly believe that Pandora’s Box, the focus of the Trinity War crossover, will be the key to bringing the Crime Syndicate of America to the main Earth.What if this scene that Madame Xanadu sees in her vision in Justice League #22 isn’t a vision of the future, but a glimpse into Earth 3’s past or present? Instead of Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman, what if that’s Ultraman, Superwoman and Owlman?

The Crime Syndicate of America plays a huge role in Forever Evil.
 
Right after Trinity War concludes, the DC Universe will be thrust into Forever Evil. It is revealed in the promotional image below that the Crime Syndicate of America will be major players in this event. This makes me more firmly believe that the evil Alfred Pennyworth of Earth-3 is their herald on the main Earth, setting things up for the Crime Syndicate to take over. By settings things into motion for the Justice League to square off against the Justice League of America in Trinity War works in the Crime Syndicate’s favor. Divide, conquer, and pick up the pieces.
“Forever Evil” is also the translation of the Latin phrase “Aeternus Malum” from the Secret Society’s communicator coins, the face of which looks a lot like Death Storm from the Crime Syndicate of America.
With only one week to go before Trinity War concludes in Justice League #23 and two weeks before Forever Evil #1, I believe The Outsider true identity will be revealed very shortly, and that he will be revealed as the Alfred Pennyworth of Earth 3!
UPDATE! Two pages from the Justice League: Trinity War Director’s Cut #1 give more credence to my theory that The Outsider is the Alfred from The Crime Syndicate’s Earth!
Justice League: Trinity War Director’s Cut #1 is a reprint of Justice League #22, but featuring Ivan Reis’s artwork in penciled form. In the back of the issue is Geoff Johns’s full script for Justice League #22.
During Madame Xanadu’s horrific vision, Johns specifically calls for Reis to draw Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman in sillouette, and then refers to them as SUPERMAN-LIKE FIGURE, BATMAN-LIKE FIGURE and WONDER WOMAN-LIKE FIGURE. If these were the actual Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman, there would be no need for him to refer to them in that way.
But it’s later in the script that he get the closest thing to definitive confirmation I feel like we’re going to get until it’s revealed in-story. Geoff Johns refers to The Outsider as Leader/Alfred. That’s right. It’s right there in the script. The leader of the Secret Society is Alfred. 
I’m surprised DC would let that LEADER/ALFRED line go to print. I can only speculate that the inclusion of this was an oversight by the team who put this script book together, as it is a HUGE reveal!
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Saturday at NYCC 2012 Planning Guide

Saturday is the most popular day at New York Comic Con. You will find yourself in the middle of some slow moving crowds. But you will be rewarded with the best programming of the weekend.

8:00 AM Robot Chicken Autographing Ticket Giveaway
8:00 AM AMC’s The Walking Dead Autographing Ticket Giveaway
NYCC doesn’t start until 10 AM on Saturday, but if you want to get in on either of these autographing sessions, plan for an early morning. The lines for these officially start forming at 7:00 AM, but I wouldn’t be surprised if people show up even earlier. Assuming you can only get tickets to one, do you line up for Robot Chicken or The Walking Dead? And what do you do between 8:01 AM and 9:59 AM?

10:00 AM – 7:00 PM Celebrity Autographing and Photo-Ops
Miss getting your picture taken or your DVD signed by your favorite Hobbit/evil wizard/brother-kissing Rebel leader on Friday? You’re in luck! They’ll happily take your money today too!

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM The Image Comics Experience
Come here and hear announcements for what may be the best new series coming to your LCS in the months to come!

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM Kill Shakespeare: The Live Stage Reading
Are you fan of this IDW series? Then maybe you’d like to see the story performed by live actors. The costumes are almost guaranteed to be better than the Green Goblin’s from Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark.

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM Batman: The Dark Knight Returns, Part 2
See exclusive footage of the second half of the animated Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Movie. DC Animation Legend Bruce Timm will be on hand for this one.

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM Mattypalooza
If you’ve got one (or more!) of mattycollector.com’s subscriptions, I’m guessing you are really going to want to be here to find out what is coming down the pipe for Masters of the Universe, DC Universe, Watchmen and Ghostbusters.

12:15 PM – 1:15 PM The Big Quiz Thing
Do you always get the comic book question right whenever there’s one at your local pub quiz? In that case, you might want to show up for this and clean house!

1:30 PM – 2:30 PM DC Comics – The New 52
I wonder if they’ll be making a New 52 Wave 4 announcement. I also wonder at what point we’ll stop calling it the “New” 52. It’s been over a year now!

2:45 PM – 3:45 PM Marvel NOW!: The Avengers
It’s hard to remember when Brian Michael Bendis wasn’t writing The Avengers. Now that he’s decided to move on to other projects, Marvel is putting two of their biggest writers on The Avengers: Rick Remender and Jonathan Hickman, who will both be on hand for this panel.

3:00 PM – 3:45 PM From Fight Club to Hell and Back
Chuck Palahniuk, the author of Fight Club, will discuss his latest novel, The Damned, which has the tag line “Welcome to the Inferno by way of The Breakfast Club. I am intrigued.

4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Vertigo – Fables: 10th Anniversary!
Fables is 10 years old? Wow. Time flies when you’re one of the best comic book series on the stands every month. You read Fables, right? The collections are all in print. Start now and get a head start on 2022’s 20th anniversary.

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM AMC’s “The Walking Dead” Panel Event
Practically the entire cast of The Walking Dead are being interviewed by Talking Dead host Chris Hardwick. I’m not sure how you could make this more enticing. This is must-see for me.

5:15 PM – 6:15 PM DC Comics: Justice League
When the New 52 was announced, Geoff Johns and Jim Lee’s Justice League was my most anticipated series. Unfortunately  it hasn’t lived up to the admittedly very lofty expectations I had for it, but with Lee leaving and longtime Johns collaborator Ivan Reis coming on for art duties, maybe we’ll see a turnaround in the New 52’s flagship title? I’m interested to hear what will be coming up for Justice League in 2013.

6:15 PM – 7:15 PM Firefly 10th Anniversary Special Event – First Look
On 11/11/12, the Science Channel will be airing a Firefly 10th Anniversary Special Event. They will be showing an exclusive preview of it at NYCC. There will also be “special surprise guests” at this panel. Maybe an appearance by Nathan Fillion? That would be awesome.

6:45 PM – 7:45 PM Saga: Sex, Drugs and Rock N’ Roll
Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples are going to take about their new series Saga. Why does this have to overlap with the Firefly panel?!?

7:45 PM – 8:45 PM Bleeding Cool Panel With Rich Johnston
Are you constantly hitting f5 on comics news and rumors sites? Then you will definitely want to be here, as Rich Johnston is promising to break some secrets about 2013’s major events that no one has reported before.

8:00 PM – 10:00 PM NYCC Charity Art Auction
The art that’s already up on the New York Comic Con website for this auction looks amazing. I can’t wait to see everything that makes its way into this event. The money raised goes to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, so don’t feel bad about bidding high.

Written by David Henehan