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The Week in Gay Geek: NYCC news, "Caprica" rules, Batman's finishing move and more!
- Global Viz:
As expected, there were a good number of announcements at the New York Comic Con last weekend, but the ones that floored me involved manga publisher Viz working with western creators. First off, Stan Lee will be writing a series for Jump SQ magazine (a Japanese manga magazine published by Viz’ parent company) with Shaman King creator Hiroyuki Takei, Ultimo. With that team, it sounds like a sure bet Ultimo will make a quick hop to our side of the pond.
However, the bigger news to me is the announcement that Viz is planning on publishing original graphic novels. I’m feeling pretty hopeful about this initiative, when Viz’ competitor Toykopop started publishing their “global manga”, we got some great gay-inclusive titles like OffBeat, Steady Beat and the incredible 12 Days. Then again, Tokyopop was publishing titles like Fake and Gravitation long before they started accepting submissions. (And I’m having trouble of thinking of any Viz titles with gay characters, aside from The Gentlemen’s Alliance Cross.)
- Hughes Vogues:
Easily, the most buzzed-about piece of swag from the NYCC was this promotional fashion magazine-inspired poster featuring the Women of the DC Universe by Adam Hughes. I am just in awe of this piece, especially how you can identify most of these characters through the personality they display on paper and with subtle clues to their trademark costumes in the different gowns. Can you identify who’s who without checking the caption?
From left to right: Catwoman, Oracle, Zatanna, Black Canary, Power Girl, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Batwoman, Vixen, Poison Ivy, and Harley Quinn
I’m pretty pleased to see Batwoman is a part of the group. Considering how many times her solo series has been put off, I’m happy to see some acknowledgment of Ms. Kane.
The poster has inspired Johanna Draper Carlson to announce a contest (timing and prizes TBA) for someone to do a version featuring the men of the DCU. Do you have a feel for how Dick Grayson or Kyle Rayner would wear a suit differently?
- Time for a catnap:
In other news of lesbians in the DC Universe, DC announced at the NY Comic Con that the GLAAD award-winning title, Catwoman would be ending. Considering how this has been one of DC’s most mainstream queer-inclusive titles since it began, that’s disappointing to hear (though isn’t Holly off being a goddess – literally – these days?). On the other hand, another lesbian-inclusive series, The Secret Six, will be making a return with Gail Simone continuing to handle the concept. Under Simone’s pen, we got a Secret Six that was run by Scandal Savage and a newly hunkified Catman, I hope that continues:
Which brings this bulletpoint full circle.
- Spending your gay geek dollars:
You might have noticed a story in the news about GLAAD pulling out of a San Diego Pride event at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in your news reading this week but I thought it would be worth bringing up to gay geeks that the Manchester Grand Hyatt is a popular option for those attending ComicCon. I know a hotel room for ComicCon is harder to get nowadays than a copy of the Star Wars Holiday Special, but would knowing about Manchester’s stances make you pause about getting a room at his hotel?
After the break, find out which classic BBC sci-fi series might be getting a revamp, check out the trailer for Mortal Kombat vs. the DC Universe and more!
- Hulkling + Wiccan + Fury = Satisfaction:
Normally, I’m not one to get excited about big crossover events anymore (no, not even if you called it “Day of Amethyst, Lilith and The Enchantress taking over the DC Universe”) but the cover to Marvel’s Secret Invasion #4 is too cool not to share:
- So... ‘Imagine Baltimore but with robots’?
When I first heard about the proposed Battlestar Galactica prequel/spin-off Caprica, I felt pretty wary about the concept, but the more I heard about the new series the more potential I saw in it. Now, a review of the Caprica script has me really excited. The review likens Caprica to HBO’s The Wire, a comparison I’d expect not to be made lightly. Is The Sci-Fi Channel ready to have another series so complex and nuanced? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
- Back to Blake’s:
One sci-fi series I’ve long meant to watch (but have never gotten around to watching) is the BBC space opera Blake’s 7. Now it’s sounding like I won’t have to wait for the series to get a DVD release as British network Sky One might remake the series. This attempt is inspired by the successful revival of Doctor Who. Any Blake’s 7 fans out there? Do you think there’s potential to revisit the concept?
- Hey, if it’s a good fighting game with DC Universe characters, that’s plenty of progress:
Last week, I told you about the upcoming Mortal Kombat vs DC Universe game and wondered how the two concepts could be combined without diluting the identity of the other. More information has come out on the game and the traditional Mortal Kombat fatalities will be replaced with a less violent version, though producer Ed Boon promises the combination of the two universes will make sense once the game comes out. Meanwhile, here’s a trailer for the game:
I have to admit, the gameplay looks solid enough I could forget about the missing MK trademarks, if it means a good DC game.
- The week in well-earned scorn:
A couple weeks ago, I mentioned that a poll at the parents’ video game site What They Play had respondents saying that they found a “graphically severed head” in a video game less offensive than two men kissing. This week, I was happy to see that the snark-wielders at Get Off the Internet aimed a razor-sharp pen at those people who say they have nothing against gay people (don’t they always?) but find murder far more acceptable than queer affection. Sometimes, it's nice to be able to laugh instead of the usual screaming in anger.
Submitted by on Fri, 2008-04-25 13:03.
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Put AfterElton.com headlines on your site/blog:
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I love that Women of the
I love that Women of the DCU something fierce.They all look GORGEOUS, the costumes make sense (I mean, how much more of a "greek princess vibe could Diana have??), they all look REALLY ellegant...All in all, a classy job!
HOWEVER, putting Batwoman in pants and in such a posture that only a cigar in her hand would make her seem more manly in comparison to the other characters was really a bit of a let-down.
"I walk with dignity. I step with pride."
Looking forward to Caprica!
As a Battlestar Galactica fan, I'll be looking forward to Caprica! When is it slated to be broadcast? It's too bad that Battlestar is ending so soon.
btw, I think you meant to say that the respondents found a graphically severed head LESS offensive than two men kissing, not more.
So am I !!!
The Fact that I noticed that the spelling was wrong makes me sad
Sorry just a nitpick
Dick Grayson and Kyle Rayner
Thanks! Got it fixed!