October 20, 2022 – Well, I certainly enjoyed the movie! It had a different feel than the other DC movies. Still dark, but the tone was more fitting than the unnecessary dark tone of the DC Films universe we’ve gotten so far.
The story was pretty clear and not overly complex. There were some swerves that I enjoyed. A couple were foreseeable, others did take me by surprise a bit.
The main characters that weren’t super-powered individuals were good I thought, though I would have liked a little bit more character development in their introductions. But they were well-motivated.
The JSA was great to see even though this was more like an assembled team specifically for this mission, not like this was the team at the time. I assume there’s a rotating roster depending on the situation. Hawkman was certainly characterized accurately. Doctor Fate was well cast (I still hope we get Doctor Fate from the recent comics in the movies at some point too). And the magic did feel different that that of Doctor Strange, so that was nice. Atom Smasher was fun, very green, but still enjoyable. I’ll be excited to see him grow into a great hero. Cyclone was lovely. I liked her personality and her powers looked amazing.
And of course, Black Adam himself was fantastic. I will admit, like many, I was a bit worried that The Rock’s personality would peek through into the character, but it didn’t and I loved that. Teth had a commanding tone but subdued as he didn’t really want to be there. I would say he learned things and became a better version of himself, but let’s face it, he didn’t learn that much and is still himself, haha. But he learned enough to make a choice that changes everything. I certainly can’t wait for more from him.
And going by what I’ve seen, the sequel to this movie is already in development and they want to get it out there sooner than later. Also, Dwayne has said that he intends to have Black Adam interact with both Superman and Shazam eventually, as well as other DC characters. So, that will be fantastic.
I enjoyed it a lot and cant wait to see it again!
Mid-credit scene: Yes. It’s short but sets up things to come.
So many this week! (I think the next two week’s piles will also be massive because evidently October is 90’s variant covers month, and DC did one for almost every title they have, I was like oooo cool…wait, ah nuts.)
DC gave us a Halloween special. Diana will see what’s up with Cheetah. Batmen Incorporated started. Part 2 of Clark’s return dropped. And the second issue of the Batman vs Robin mini event did too. We got the next issue of the Flash movie tie-in comic. The High Republic started it’s second Phase based 150 years before the time period all the previous stories have taken place during. Star Wars Visions got a title focusing on the characters from The Duel. Namor got a solo miniseries. Punisher got another War Journal special. Wakanda got a new run, or I guess a first run since the last run with Wakanda in the title included more than just then name. ASM brings back one of the Hobgoblins. Things are going crazy in Venom. FINALLY, the late issues of Judgement Day arrived, so I can now catch up…and yet…one issue is delayed because the previous issues was delayed. So to be fully caught up, I will have to put 3 issues aside till I get X-Force 33 in two weeks. But yeah, 10 event issues in a week is great, haha!
Covers and posters below.
A movie in the next post!
This variant and the other BvR 2 variant I got were a bit of a surprise. I hadn’t added them to my list but Greg said the names and I couldn’t remember what the cover looked like so I just said yes. Though this one is one that I was debating getting anyway. So, that was good.
This Batgirls cover was nice because of the characters posing within the shape of the bat-symbol. I love designs like this.
This is the first of another variant set. The set is of course focusing on the glorious Jeff, the Land-shark! He is a joy and we all love him.
Visions got a bunch of variants, but most of them were exclusive. But this is the A cover and one of the variants my store was able to get. I loved them all though!! Hopefully I can get the others at some point.
Kate in another stunning Momoko variant.
The Wakanda A cover is gorgeous. That is all. And it’s always surprising when I see an Artgerm cover with a man on it, I’m just so used to the normal female-focused covers. Great art of Killmonger.
This is just fantastic. I have a cover by the same artist of s Sabretooth variant from a few weeks back. Had to get this.
Love covers like this. This is an homage cover simply to VHS’s, haha, brilliant!
And these are the posters for the month. The new Spidey run cover, the Wakanda cover and that Artgerm variant of Dazzler (which is a bit of a surprise since I don’t see variants as posters often).
Took the photos late again, gah! But here we are, and of course I’ve not started reading yet. So, the TMNT comic was just because it felt nostalgic and I always liked that 90’s cartoon. I Savage Avengers is in the second issue of the new arc. This Ant-Man miniseries is intriguing. Things are starting to get moving fast in Capt. Hulk is starting it’s new arc with this issue. Spidey has a new run starting with this title while ASM is still going. A new Spider-character debuted in this EotSV issue. And then we have a few Judgement Day issues. I think the Poison Ivy story is about to head off the rails with Floronic Man finally (presumably) showing up in this issue. We got another Black Adam tie-in issue (I think it’s the last one as the movie comes out on Thursday). And two Dark Crisis issues.
Covers below.
This is a Momoko cover! I check the Mando issues for covers since you never know who they’ll get for variant artists. This is very different from average Momoko covers as they use white space.
The debut of the new Spider-character, I like the costume and the cover making use f the shape of the page as a fashion show line is fun.
Of course I had to snag this action figure variant from Christopher, I don’t get many since I’d have to get them all if I did, but for subjects like new suits or favorite characters, I am drawn to them. Pun perhaps intended?
There are many connecting covers when it comes to Spider-events. I may have to stop getting them though since I always seem to get them! But I just like connecting covers with many characters.
Speaking of many characters, I also seem to get variants for Spider-events that have all the Spiders on them. That’s another I may have to slow down on since I do it a lot.
This Ivy variant is by the wonderful Stjepan Šejić. Always love seeing his covers.
This variant is an homage cover to the classic Identity Crisis event where the beloved wife of a hero was murdered and the mini event was a murder mystery. It’s quite a good read.
Last, but not least, this Joker variant by David Nakayama. I knew this design was coming but not that it would get a foil cover. I saw that he tweeted about it and I was like woah! So, I emailed my store and they got me a copy the week it dropped so I got it when I went in last week.
DWM from April of this year. This month’s SWI. The A cover for Vader #27 that didn’t arrived with the variants. And Spider-Punk #5, it’s the A cover but I just liked the cover with having alternate versions of Kamala and Riri.
So since for the first time in the past few years I’ve actually been able to get all the cover issues of certain sets of variants out together, I thought I’d take advantage and get a photo of each set. I have so many others but they’re in piles that it’s just too much to go through right now to sort through them all from the last 8 years. At some point I’ll will sort those all out, but that’s not today, haha.
I will try to continue this when I realize I’ve finished a set of variants. We’ll see how long this lasts, but hopefully I can’t remember to take photos of them once I realize I’ve finished a set. The ones here are from as far back as mid-May of this year up till this week, as the last covers of some of the sets came out and as I was putting them all together I thought I might as well take all the sets out I have that are easy to get out and take the photos.
I will list the artists for each set each time I do these.
These are the post card variants from this year that started on May 18 and finished on July 6th. the Savage Land one is from Peach Momoko. The Madripoor one is from Carmen Carnero with colors by Romulo Fajrado Jr. The Latveria one is from Natacha Bustos. And the Wakanda one is from R.B. Silva with colors by David Curiel. I would love to see this theme of variants continue. Landscape variants are always fun to see pop up.
These started on July 26th and finished on September 28th of this year. The first one really caught my eye and with that boarder and the colors. These are by Evan Cagle.
These are all the AAPI Heritage variants that started on May 11th and ended on June 22nd of this year. I certain have talked about what I liked about these when I posted the first one in May, but it’s just such a minimalist design for each of them. Another great use of the white space on the cover. Plus these are all great characters. These are all by Dike Ruan and Neeraj Menon.
These are all of the Marvel Voice’s Comunidades covers from this month. Ghost Rider 6 started it off on September 7th and the final issue of this Miles run brought it home on the 27th. These are all such wonderful characters, I’m glad that they got some amazing covers this month. They’re all by Leonardo Romero.
And of course Harley’s homage variants are saved for last. I’ve already said which issues each of these have been inspired by in each post of the piles they arrived in, so I won’t write all that out again, but I love homage covers and Ryan Sook did a fantastic job of integrating Harley into these iconic covers.
And now for this week. The number of variants (and doubles of A covers) I got this week basically collected into a pile the size of a normal single week of comics O_O.
Both runs of Mighty Morphin and Power Rangers culminated in this MMPR #100 issue. I have still yet to start the run before this one started and there’s a new run coming. So, who knows when I’ll catch up, haha. This year’s issue of Marvel Voice’s Comunidades came out, I’m always happy to read these specials. Damage Control got its second issue of this new run. This odd Ant-Man adventure continued. This is the first X-Men issue after Judgement Day, And I am very excited about this next arc because it involves The Vault again. But, since JD is late, I think I have to pause on at least this X-title for a couple weeks. Thunderbolts introduced its newest member, I was wondering where the final member was last issue. Thor got a visit from Venom (Dylan). Sam broke some rules and is now in trouble with T’Challa. Galactus’ mother is currently inhabited by the first iteration of the Phoenix Force in one of the previous cosmos’. Chewie looks to have some familiar faces as jail buddies. This run of Miles Morales: Spider-Man came to an end this week. I have really enjoyed this run. I wonder where we’ll go next. And of course more JD issues I can’t read yet.
In DC, we have Bruce dealing with a lot and this issues is the end of a three issue arc that’s I’m very curious about. The next issue of Young Justice: Targets dropped. This was the final issue for Task Force Z. The first issue of Time Drake’s title began. The Justice League vs The Legion of Superheroes had its final issue this week too! And Clark makes his return after the War World saga. And there’s a mystery about Harley to be solved. I’m excited for everything!!
Ok, SO many covers to follow. And a fun post coming next!
I got this Damage Control variant because I liked that it showed the characters that I remember from the original run of this title. The concept cover, I just liked the look of this character. I think she’s new? And With such a big moment for Peter because of the Progenitor, I had to get another of this A cover. And the variant for TFZ is another legacy design. I like seeing all these versions of Jason through the years as it’s been a crazy time for him.
These are together because Mirka Andolfo drew both of these. Funnily enough, I don’t read either of these. But I get the Gambit issues for my friend and I just liked that Mirka did this cover, though it is funny how the lightning connects almost perfectly in the center.
These two being on the cover of this variant makes sense story-wise and chromatically, haha. But also I just enjoy seeing Naomi on covers.
The last (ish) boarder cover since this arc ended. Though I saw that in 1046, the cover is in the same boarder style. It doesn’t really make sense, but eh.
I love the use of color on this cover. It’s always fun to see how they use white space with covers like these.
Another wonderful Momoko cover ^__^
This is the last Comunidades themed variant. They all look great together! You’ll see in the next post.
I messed up on these two Miles covers because I thought the A cover was a variant and vice-versa, so I had a photo with both the one above this and the A cover together and then each separate. Then I was on twitter catching up on the timeline and saw the issues being promoted and I noticed it was the A cover so I swapped the comics as I’d put the A cover away with the other variants of the week, and took the photo below to have it here. I love this cover because it shows all the important people in his life as of recently.
This variant is by the wonderful artist Stjepan Šejić. I follow him online and always enjoy his art.
This is the final homage cover for Harley’s anniversary. This one is is also by Ryan Sook, and is paying tribute to the infamous 1986 Dark Knight Returns cover.
I’ve said this before, I love America Chavez. So of course when I see two variants of her, I snag them.
America’s is explained above, but generally, I don’t tend to get trading card covers just because there are so many of them. I haven’t seen Forge solely on a cover in a while, plus this was a Dauterman cover!
I also realized I forgot to take a photo of both these covers together too. Whoops. But, yeah, I liked this choice for the hundredth issue. Having all the rangers from both titles on one cover is great.
When I saw this variant, well wait, firstly, there were so may variants to choose from, I had to only choose two. When I saw this one I was in awe. And I was even more in awe when I saw it in person! I really looks like Alex Ross-level realism and it’s amazing!! Bravo Miguel Mercado!!
I really wasn’t sure if I should end on this cover or the previous one but I decided on ending with Artgerm. Mainly because this was almost missed! I didn’t know he’d been doing the title so I never checked the variants for it. I can’t actually remember why I checked that time to find this. But I’m glad I did.
This week’s pile and next week’s have so many variants. Ooof. This past Thursday was certainly pricey. But that’s ok. And after these two posts I’ll be doing a new type of post for variant sets.
I’m excited for Carnage because he paid a visit to Malekith. Strange will be intriguing because of the big reveal from last issue. The first issue of X-Men Green was great so I’m happy it wasn’t a long wait till the next issue. Legion of X’s arc ended with this issue. New Mutants celebrated its 40th Anniversary in this issue, I didn’t catch that when looking at the cover when adding it to my list. We got a new X-Title, X-terminators, I like the team, so I feel like I’ll enjoy it. Avengers forever seemingly brought in a Carol Corps. The next issue of Edge of the Spider-verse dropped. And then then we got more of the Judgement Day issues that I can’t read for another couple weeks. The Vader issue, uhh, I can’t exactly remember what was happening at the end of the last issue. The next issue of Elle(s) and Duo dropped. Nightwing has been great and I’m excited to get into this issue. We got the next issues of DCeased and Dark Crisis tie-in’s. And finally, we got the Harley Quinn 30th Anniversary Special! Can’t wait to get to that!
Many covers to follow.
Here are the next Marvel Voices Comunidades covers. The last one is in the next post.
Another Momoko! I do really like the Classic look for Lady Sif.
The video game esthetic was a positive of course, but all the colors being as bold as they are stood out.
This cover of Destiny was just amazing to see on my screen when checking variant covers each week, but it’s even more brilliant in person!
Another Dauterman Legacy cover!
Another one of these Chose your Destiny variants of course, this one of Darth Bane. Its great to be able to see the details of his look.
The Nightwing A covers over the past few months have been just delightful! And there are some fun ones coming up too. I might actually do a post for them like I’m doing for the variant sets.
Here is the next Jim Lee homage connecting cover for DCeased! Can’t wait to see them all together.
I absolutely LOVE this Artgerm cover. Of course it depicts Harley, Ivy and Babs in their Seasons 1-3 looks from the 90’s Batman: The Animated Series. Just wonderful!
And certainly my favorite for last. Paul Dini’s art. One of the co-creators of Harley. Just a perfect cover! It’s crazy that it’s been 30 years.
The Frank Miller Presents issue was another gift from my store to me. I am intrigued by it! It’s tense times with Jonathan Kent. Cheetah is dropping by Wonder Woman again. The comic I wasn’t sure that would actually be released, Flash: The Fastest Man Alive tie-in issue with The Flash movie. Yup. Bruce and Damian are at odds again it seems. Another Dark Crisis issue focusing on Diana. I’m very interested in this issue of Obi-Wan. Savage Avengers continue to escape the Deathlok chasing them. Maybe Carol is back or the Binary entity is with her? Things are nuts in Venom, woo! Midnight Suns starts a new run! And Ms. Marvel has her next crossover comic, this one with Venom (I’m actually not sure is it’ll be Eddie or Dylan, it looks like Eddie). Edge of the Spider-Verse continues. And the weirdness of this Spider-man issue is that it’s like 2 months late! I didn’t even think there were any Hellfire Gala tie-ins since the Gala was only a single issue this year, instead of spanning all X-titles like last year. So this is very weird for me. I guess they wanted to keep us in suspense for how that issue ended regarding what Moira may or may have done. Just so unexpected. And Judgement Day continues…well unfortunately for me, this means I will have to pause on my Judgement Day even reading till mid-October since the issue before and after Judgement Day 4 are both delayed till that time. This is actually a bit surprising since Marvel hasn’t been late on event issues in a while. I suppose being on time can’t last forever, haha.
Variants next! Also Posters!
Of course, Celestial means I’ve got to get another copy of the A cover. But this variant was unexpected. Also, very well drawn and shaded! I’ve also seen some of the upcoming covers of this artist using this theme and I like this one the best. To be honest, I’d watch an animated series based on these designs!
This is the other Marvel’s Voice’s Comunidades themed cover. Also, I really enjoy Anya Corazon’s character.
Of course I had to get these. I do like how large Venom looks in the first variant. But I mean look at that Momoko variant!!
This is probably my favorite variant cover of the week. It’s connotes magic and the cosmos.
Poster time! This first one really pours salt in the wound since this is the cover of Wolverine 25, the issue that should have come out with the Judgement Day issue this week or last week.
I like this All-Out Avengers cover, its nice to have it as a poster.
And the poster for the cover by David Nakayama! Just tweeted him about it and he was excited to see it.
And this is the Marvel Voices Comunidades cover for this year’s issue. Always happy to see America Chavez on a cover.
Posting a bit late just because things fell behind.
Bruce has gone back into a particular mental phase from his past in Batman. I’ll be interested to see what Mary Marvel does about the news she got at the end of the previous issue. Ivy is still on her way. This is the final issue of Nubia’s limited series. Flashpoint Beyond is on it’s penultimate issue. Dark Crisis is also almost over. We got the next Black Adam tie-in issue. This was the final issue of Mirka Andolfo’s Sweet Paprika. Logan guests in Ghost Rider. Thing are quite tense in Punisher, Capt and Black Panther. The Avengers got a similar treatment to Non-stop Spider-Man with All-out Avengers. I’m not quite sure when this occurs in the timeline since there are events happening right now but eh. Moon Girl’s next team-up is here. And that Wolverine issue is apparently 2 weeks late since issue 25 should have come out this week but it got pushed to October, assuming because this issue got delayed. And Judgement Day continues…well, for this week anyway, see next week’s post for why I have to pause reading it.
Cool covers and variants to follow.
The Marauders cover I really just liked a lot, the shading and style of them all on there is epic. And then of course the Celestial. And obviously the next Jen Bartel cover for She-Hulk.
This was just another character design variant that I liked. But also, hey, Batman Beyond designs are great!
This variant is one of the Chose Your Destiny covers which are essentially character covers. I loved the flashback of Luke and Leia training from Episode IX. It’s nice to see the design for that look fleshed out.
As I’ve mentioned before, I enjoy collage covers, and this was a very well-done covers using the sweater as a canvas showing various characters and the word Shazam. Also the cartoon style of the background heads was fun.
This Ghost Rider cover is the first in the Marvel’s Voices Comunidades themed cover series. There’s another one in next week’s post. They are of course celebrating some of the various wonderful Latinx Marvel heroes.
This cover I HAD to get. Spider-Man has been having Beyond amazing themed Spidey covers for various comics and this one showing designs from the Spider-Man Animated series from the 90’s is just wonderful.
Of course another amazing Jenny Frison cover for Poison Ivy.
And finally, an MTG variant showing the King of the Fae.
This first is a variant from Devil’s Reign 1 from last year that one of the owners of my comic book store gifted to me that a friend gave him. the other is the DWM from March of this year.
The Phandom Bender 