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DAREDEVIL: The Elektra Saga – Exploring A Ninja-Noir Tragedy

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If Frank Miller’s time on Daredevil is defined by one storyline, it’s likely “The Elektra Saga,” a running plot thread that laced through his entire run as writer on the title, dipping in and out of Matt Murdock’s life and interlocking with other running storylines.

As we’ve previously discussed, Miller’s Daredevil run from 1981 through 1983 completely reshaped the character of Daredevil and is largely composed of two narratives – The rise of The Kingpin and the arrival of Elektra. Miller and collaborator Klaus Janson slowly interweave these two elements, expanding Daredevil mythology and smashing it against a darker, grittier urban crime element until they ignite in tragedy. [Read more…] about DAREDEVIL: The Elektra Saga – Exploring A Ninja-Noir Tragedy

Creannotators #27: “Black Hammer – Barbalien: Red Planet” Interview With Writer Tate Brombal!

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This week on Creannotators, I talked with comics writer Tate Brombal about Barbalien: Red Planet, a five issue miniseries in the world of Black Hammer, centered around Black Hammer’s queer Martian hero Barbalien, both on Mars and on Earth during the 80’s AIDS Crisis. We talk about what it’s like working in the Black Hammer universe, researching the AIDS Crisis, and delivering the many layers of Mark Markz identity.

On Comic Book Herald’s ‘Creannotators’ I’ll be interviewing some of my favorite creators in comics about specific runs, graphic novels or series, looking for their insights on the inspirations behind the work and ideas or hidden material readers may have missed. Creannotators is an audio annotative guide to enjoying the intricacies and thinking in the art. Thanks for listening, and enjoy the comics!

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My Marvelous Year: Episode #100 – An Interview W/ Ann Nocenti!

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We interview longtime Marvel editor and writer of titles like Uncanny X-Men and Daredevil Ann Nocenti! Ann talks to us about her time at Marvel in the 80’s, what it was like editing Chris Claremont on X-Men, the tricky things about memory, as well as her recent comics work like The Seeds and Ruby Falls.

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Krakin’ Krakoa #121: Omega Level Retcon: Dan Slott’s Franklin Richards Isn’t a Mutant?

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Despite three chapters in X-Men X of Swords as the all hands on deck event hurls towards a conclusion, the biggest X-Men news this week likely came in the pages of Fantastic Four, over the course of only a few panels featuring Franklin Richards and Professor X.

Today I’ll answer:

+ Why would Marvel make it so Franklin Richards is no longer a mutant?

+ Is this development real or is it a fakeout? + Why accusing Franklin of *faking* his mutant nature is a much bigger deal than some think?

+ Should creators outside Hickman’s X-Office be playing with mutants?

+ Theories and predictions for what’s to come in X-Men!

Spoilers for discussed comics may follow!

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“I live, I burn with life” | Reviewing Conan the Barbarian by Kurt Busiek & Cary Nord Omnibus

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This omnibus collects a series that claims to be a fresh retelling of classic Conan the Barbarian tales. A concept I was a little apprehensive about at first. I think my recollection of Conan was like anyone else’s: muscles, blood, swords, chainmail bikinis, evil sorcerers, more muscles, and maybe a bloody ax if it happens to be nearby.

Do we need more of this? I wondered as I lifted the cinderblock of a book. Are there no lawyers left in the world?

But on the other hand, if you cleaned up Conan, what would be left? What if gratuity is all that made it fun? The truth is, we’ll never know these answers, because “cleaning up” was not their approach here. And neither was making the thing I remembered. [Read more…] about “I live, I burn with life” | Reviewing Conan the Barbarian by Kurt Busiek & Cary Nord Omnibus