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Previously On #112: Missing Milestone Media Comics!

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Update Feburary 2021: Since posting, DC and Milestone have fortunately digitized and added more of the Milestone Universe comics to various platforms including Comixology and DC Universe Infinite. Better yet, the “Dakotaverse” is returning with all new comics, and I’ll be tracking and updating the reading order on this page below.

Today I’m looking at the history of Milestone Comics (the home of Static Shock), and particularly this big question: Why do Milestone comics remain so terribly inaccessible in 2020?

Milestone Comics was founded in 1993 by exclusively African-American creative voices, Dwayne McDuffie, Denys Cowan, Michael Davis, and Derek Dingle (Christopher Priest also had a very early role prior to launch). The creators built their own shared superhero universe (the “Dakotaverse”) with a focus on underrepresented minorities in their stories. Milestone was distributed via DC Comics, although technically Milestone retained editorial control. The company published in the vicinity of 250 comics across around 8 monthly series until closing comics publication in 1997 (Milestone Media remained, though, and went on to ensure a home for the animated Static Shock series – which notably crossed over with DC’s Batman Beyond – from 2000 to 2004). [Read more…] about Previously On #112: Missing Milestone Media Comics!

The 9 Best Batman Comics (Modern Era!)

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Every list discussing the greatest Batman stories ever told, is guaranteed to at least mention six specific stories: The Killing Joke, Arkham Asylum: A Serious House on Serious Earth, Dark Knight Returns, The Long Halloween, The Court of Owls and Batman: Year One. All of these are phenomenal stories that are more than worth their place in history, with Court of Owls being a fantastic re-introduction to the character in the New 52. You should read these if you have an interest in reading Batman comics. With that in mind, it’s perhaps best to carry out this list assuming you already know these stories, and therefore we’re disqualifying them from being mentioned here. 

The list compiled tries to cover a range of stories from Post-Crisis continuity, up to modern day. Whether you’re in for something a little darker, or hungering for some genuine detective work, there is hopefully something here for you. [Read more…] about The 9 Best Batman Comics (Modern Era!)

Krakin’ Krakoa #60: What Is The Anti-Krakoa? | X-Force #10 Review

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X-Force #10 finds the mutant covert ops team deep in the heart of Terra Verde, where their sentient plant techno life has captured complete control of the nation, and is threatening to expand. It’s a welcome return to form for Benjamin Percy, Joshua Cassara, Guru-eFX and the creative team, as X-Force continues a top tier run through the Dawn of X.

Today I’ll answer:

  • What is the Anti-Krakoa, and what does it mean for X-Force handling threats to Krakoa?
  • Can Beast be redeemed?
  • Should Jean Grey stay on X-Force?

Potential spoilers for discussed comics may follow!

[Read more…] about Krakin’ Krakoa #60: What Is The Anti-Krakoa? | X-Force #10 Review

The Nightmarish Tragedy of Kraven’s Last Hunt

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Writer J.M. DeMatteis, penciller Mike Zeck, and inker Bob McLeod crafted a nightmarish descent for Spider-Man and a harrowing journey into an insane mind with their six-part “Kraven’s Last Hunt” in 1987. From its shocking first issue to its unflinching portrait of fatal madness, this story of Spider-Man and Kraven’s dueling dark nights of the soul has stayed with fans for more than three decades, defining just how dark and psychologically tormented a story centered on your usually friendly neighborhood Spider-Man could become.

DeMatteis’ “Kraven’s Last Hunt” tracks long-time villain Sergei Kravenoff, also known as Kraven the Hunter, and his attempt to kill and replace Spider-Man to finally prove his own worth. But instead of being a long game of cat and mouse, Kraven shoots and buries the hero by the end of the first issue. What follows is, and spoilers from here on out, a feverish descent into Kraven’s disturbed mind and the nightmarish journey that one hero takes to return to the light. [Read more…] about The Nightmarish Tragedy of Kraven’s Last Hunt

Creannotators #7: “Killadelphia” With Writer Rodney Barnes!

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This week on Creannotators, I talked with writer Rodney Barnes about Killadelphia, the influence of “Hamilton,” bringing horror to vampire comics, and a lot more.

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/visual annotative guide to enjoying the intricacies and thinking in the art. Thanks for listening, and enjoy the comics!

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[Read more…] about Creannotators #7: “Killadelphia” With Writer Rodney Barnes!