Tag: Kenneth Rocafort

Superman #13: Quitting The Daily Planet And The Misuse Of Clark Kent

by Molly Mahan

Earlier last week, when I read that Clark Kent was going to quit his job at The Daily Planet, I was pretty excited. I caught the panel of the deed on Wednesday from a little forum known as Scans_Daily, and immediately I was pumped. Mild mannered reporter Clark Kent was taking a stand, and it was going to be awesome. Not to mention the newspaper industry is a dying beast, so it had the possibility of being a relevant and interesting update.

Then I picked up and read the rest of the comic. Immediately, I was disappointed and heartbroken because it became very clear to me that writer Scott Lobdell and DC editorial had made a huge mistake, and one that did not lack in irony (be it intentional or by happenstance).

In the book—Superman #13—Kent says that he reports on the news, he does not “make it”. However, as Superman, all he does is make news. Additionally, the method in which he quits—that is, a sudden decision with little to no build up—makes it look like all DC wanted to do was make a headline, rather than tell a story. This isn’t too surprising given DC’s media whoring the last couple of years (a few choice examples: Batwoman’s back and a lesbian, but it’ll take half a decade before they finally utilize her! Rebooting the universe left and right! Not to mention that Wonder Woman and Superman are now a “power couple”, etc.).

Stop bitching and write an editorial, Kent!

It’d be far more interesting if Clark actually used his position as a reporter to supplement his heroics, and not just maintain it as a lame-duck identity. If he’s only working for a paycheck, then why not be a waiter or a mechanic, something a little less public? There’s a reason he was a reporter and DC seems to have lost track of why and hence ignored that aspect of his character for some time. Even a mild-mannered reporter can rattle cages and investigate! If Superman really does stand for Truth and Justice, then he should be out there on the streets seeking those things, even when not battling aliens and evil geniuses with his fists. He would have a better and more effective time at it as a reporter than a fireman or accountant. Perhaps finally reveal Lex Luthor as an evil genius to world, rather than keeping it a secret. Remember when Lex became President? Yeah, probably wouldn’t have happened so easily if Kal El had utilized his position more effectively at The Daily Planet (you know, done his job). Granted, that part of DC’s history is no longer continuity, yet it still speaks to the illness that is present in a lot of superhero comics. And that is, not supplementing the alter-ego to aide in the character’s main goal (i.e., saving the world).

But, maybe, that’s the American Way aspect? All this information and hording it for himself as a 1%er of knowledge (though doesn’t Batman already have that kind of douchebaggery covered?). After all, he doesn’t owe us anything, and neither does DC. It’s completely selfish of me as a reader to suspect otherwise. Nevertheless, as a former, zealous reader of DC Comics, it is disappointing that they went after it from this angle. It feels like a cop out and not one with any real merit.

It may very well be interesting to see where Lobdell goes with this. How will he justify the transition; can he? Or will we see Clark back at The Planet or some other news-based gig in a couple months (after all, that’s all his resume is built for). Whatever the next step for Clark Kent is, I urge creative and editorial that his identity will supplement the character and his mission, rather than just be an ad hoc identity that serves no real purpose. After all, unless the secret identity has a purpose, why bother with it? The X-Men certainly don’t (no one in the Marvel Universe really seems to, aside from Spider-Man). The Fortress of Solitude is always available for living quarters, and surely someone would be willing to pay Superman copious amounts of money to be a part-time body guard, motivational speaker, etc.

Though maybe he meant the speech he gave, and the future of Clark Kent as investigative blogger for The Metropolitan Post (or whatever) could potentially be worth reading. We’ll see. After all, I’m not against change, I just hope it means something. Adds something. But in the past year, there doesn’t seem to be enough Blue Lanterns in the New 52 to justify my hopes.

One last thing: Lois Lane had always been the character Lobdell is trying to make Kent into in this issue. She was the tough-as-nails reporter who cared about the news and getting the information out to the people. In this issue, she cares about sales, credibility be damned. That’s a ‘fridging of character if I ever saw one. But another article for another time.

Superman#13 is written by Scott Lobdell, with art by Kenneth Rocafort. It is on sale NOW.

Geekscape Comics: Shawn Maddens “Five Titles You Should Be Reading”

by Shawn Madden

So, not too long ago Scott Alminiana did a list of books you should be reading. With it being such a slow news day I thought i’d take it upon myself to do my own list of five titles I think you should be reading.

UNCANNY X-FORCE

This book is a no-brainer. With a team consisting of Deadpool, Psylocke, Wolverine, Fantomex and Archangel (currently replaced by AoA Nightcrawler) and the creative team of Rick Remender and Jerome Opena this is one of the best X-books out there right now.

‘The Dark Angel Saga’ was critically acclaimed and even won IGN’s Best Story Arc Of 2011.

Currently we see the team going head to head with The Omega Clan and the new Brotherhood Of Evil Mutants in ‘The Final Execution’. While everyone was praising this weeks Batman…i’m sorry but this weeks Uncanny X-Force excelled. The art and writing were flawless and back on track for this book after the somewhat weak last story arc. This book has improved over time unlike a number of titles.

I think one of the most interesting aspects of this book is the conflicting personalities amongst the team. The particular highlights of characters in this book are Fantomex (especially his relationship with Psylocke) and Deadpool who can seem to make light of any situation and make you crack a smile in the darkest of books even. I’m not ranking these five but this title is definitely at the top of my list.

SUPER CROOKS

It’s Millar. It’s Yu. It’s like ‘Oceans Eleven’ with a bunch of supervillains if Steven Soderbergh made that movie a bloody violent mess. At first I was quite skeptical of this book but chose to pick it up just to check out Lenil Yus artwork. But man…am I glad I started reading this. This book is fun while violent and *&^%$’ed up at the same time.

Now…i’ll say this right off the bat. If you do NOT like Mark Millar…this book may not be for you. But if you like, love or just kinda-sorta like his work here and there. Check this title out. For $2.99 it’s well worth it.

RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS

DC somehow managed to take a character that no one liked and turned him into one of the coolest characters in their universe. If you haven’t been reading comics for awhile…Red Hood equals Jason Todd. Remember Jason Todd? The Robin that fans voted to die at the hands of The Joker with a crowbar? Yeah. Its him. Throw in the sexually promiscuous Starfire, ex-addict Roy Harper aka Arsenal and toss in some mystic elements with the beautiful artwork of Kenneth Rocafort and writing by Scott Lobdell and you have one great DC title.

There really is nothing I dislike about this title. I’m not the biggest DC fan but I make sure and read this book the day it’s released. Even though i’m not sure if Kenneth Rocafort and Scott Lobdell will be staying on after they take over Superman but i’m really hoping so because i’ve loved this book so far and gotten quite a few people hooked.

ULTIMATE COMICS: X-MEN

“What? An Ultimate title?! Why would I read that?” says die-hard Marvel fan. And i’m going to tell you why. It is good. No, it’s not just good. It is fantastic. “But there is no Wolverine or Cyclops in this book!” Good point. Too bad the writers of this book make you not even care that the house hold X-names are not present. I actually came into this title late out of curiosity around issue six. Lets just say the comic shop saw me return the next day to pick up issues one through five.

I think what I like most about this book is its a 180 of the current status of mutants in the Marvel U. In the Ultimate U they’re on the run. They’re labeled as terrorists. They’re put into containment camps. And in recent issues they’ve been pushed and now they’re pushing back. All of the Ultimate books are about engage in something big with ‘Divided We Fall’ which is starting soon and a big part of that can be seen in Ultimate Comics: X-Men. The team of writer and Nick Spencer and artist Paco Medina  really delivered with this title. With the most recent issue Brian Wood has taken over writing duties and not dropped the ball one bit. This book is a “top of the stack” title for sure.

X-Factor

Yup…it’s another X-book! Holy $#!+ Peter David is writing a GREAT book here. You have Neil Edwards pencilling. And you have a book with Havok, Polaris, Siryn, Longshot, Shatterstar, Madrox, M, Strong Guy, Rictor and Rahne. Those should be selling points alone.

I’m not going to get too deep into why you should be reading this book but if you haven’t reaqd this title in awhile…come back. If you’ve never read this title…check it out. This is another one i’ve told people to check out and it has ended up on their pull lists.

Feel free to comment in the box below!

Geekscape Comics: ‘Superman’ Gets New Creative Team. ‘Green Lantern’…Gets A Gun?

by Shawn Madden

Over the past week a flood of the covers of DC’s “zero issues” have hit the web. Some good. Some bad. Well here we have an example of both.

The good.

The Huffington Post is reporting that ‘Superman’ will be getting a new creative team in the form of writer Scott Lobdell (‘Teen Titans’) and artist Kenneth Rocafort (‘Red Hood And The Outlaws’). While I don’t read ‘Superman’ myself.. this is definite good news for this book. However bad news for my love of ‘Red Hood And The Outlaws’. Once again DC…you’ve done me wrong.

The bad.

Well, now I don’t even know what to say here. Why would a character that can create anything from his imagination (including a gun) be carrying a gun? This ‘Green Lantern’ number zero cover features a new GL rocking some form of s&m/ ‘Kick Ass’/wrestler fusion type outfit and holding…well, a gun.

He also has a very noticable tattoo on his forearm. Bleeding Cool has translated the tattoo. It reads: “Courage, Bravery, Valor, Guts, Prowess and Spunk”.

Uh…what? Okay DC. You have me lost on this one even.