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about_facesFor the first time in months, DC actually has Harvey-related items included in their upcoming solicitations! Three whole items, after months of no mentions whatsoever! Huzzah! But don't get too excited until you see the actual items themselves.
THE GOOD:
BATMAN: LONG SHADOWS TP
Written by JUDD WINICK
Art by ED BENES, MARK BAGLEY and ROB HUNTER
Cover by J.G. JONES
Can the new Batman maintain his grip on Gotham City’s criminal element?
With Bruce Wayne gone in the wake of BATMAN: R.I.P., Dick Grayson — formerly known as both Robin and Nightwing — becomes the new Batman in this new title collecting BATMAN #687-691. And it’s not long before the city’s criminals put him to the test!
With the Penguin intent on becoming Gotham’s new crime kingpin and Two-Face waging a war of his own, how can any hero, let alone one who’s just stepped into his role, stop them? It won’t be easy – especially since he also has to round up a posse of escaped Arkham Asylum inmates.
On sale MAY 4 • 128 pg, FC, $14.99 US
Finally, it's in trade paperback! Have I mentioned how much I hate DC for cranking out so many crappy, unnecessary hardcovers?
One of the best Two-Face stories I've ever read was mostly sniffed at or ignored by comic readers upon release, most of whom were too enamored of Grant Morrison's Batman and Robin. I've heard tell of people who found this story to be "same old, same old," while others consider it downright stupid. FOOLS FOOLS FOOLS!
Even putting the Two-Face stuff aside, I consider this to be the finest take on Dick Grayson assuming the mantle of Batman, far outdoing Morrison's work and the Prodigal storyline in terms of character depth and exploration of theme. Combine that with a refreshingly awesome take on Two-Face--the best he's been written in almost a decade!--and you have the finest Batman comic of the past three years. At least, the finest one to which no one paid any attention.
I posted the Two-Face stuff here, but I wholeheartedly urge you to pick up a copy of Long Shadows when it's released. I already own the issues, but I might snag the book anyway, because it's just that dear to my heart.
THE BAD:
BATMAN: HUSH UNWRAPPED DELUXE EDITION HC
Written by JEPH LOEB
Art and cover by JIM LEE
A new, unprecedented edition of the classic Batman epic featuring the art of comics superstar Jim Lee in pencil form for the first time ever, giving comics connoisseurs the chance to study a true master of the form at his best!
This amazing new hardcover presents Jim Lee’s artwork in pencil form, with lettering and in black and white.
Relive the thrilling mystery of the best-selling BATMAN: HUSH from BATMAN #608-619 as The Dark Knight sets out to discover the identity of a mysterious mastermind using The Joker, The Riddler, Ra’s al Ghul and the Dark Knight’s other enemies – and allies – as pawns in a plan to wreak havoc.
Retailers: This item is resolicited. All previous orders are cancelled.
RESOLICIT • On sale JUNE 22 • 320 pg, FC, 7.0625” x 10.875”, $39.99 US
Who needs this? Seriously, who the hell needs this?
I suppose there's something to be gained from studying the technical expertise of Lee's artwork, soulless though it is. Even still, it's Hush, and while I will be more thoughtful in my eventual post on the story itself and Harvey's role therein, all I can say for now is that Hush SUCKS.
So I'd say this is for the art snobs only, but I'm not sure how many truly discerning "connoisseurs" of comics art would opt for Jim Lee, probably the single most popular comic artist alive.
THE HALF-UGLY:
TWO-FACE 1:2 SCALE BUST
SCULPTED BY ANDY BERGHOLTZ
Expand your collection of Gotham City-related 1:2 scale busts with Two-Face!
The man once known as District Attorney Harvey Dent appears here in his classic comic-book style, dressed in his trademark dual-fabric suit, shirt and tie, which are finely tailored over his cold-cast porcelain body. Half of his face appears eerily charred, and both of his resin eyes are hauntingly realistic.
Mounted on a museum-style, pedestal display base, this mixed-media piece measures approximately 13” high x 11” wide x 6” deep, includes a 4-color Certificate of Authenticity and is packaged in a 4-color box.
Limited edition of 500 pieces.
* Quantities may be allocated.
Resolicited; on sale March 30, 2011 * Bust * $295 US
Wonder why this was delayed for so long? It was supposed to come out about six months ago, whereupon I was hoping to see better photos of the bust. Lord knows I'm never going to afford it!
There are slight alterations from the original solicited design, mainly in the suit itself:
The scarring is wonderfully done. I mean, if I had it my way, I would have preferred reddish-pink-black scarring, or even purple, rather than campy comics-green, but it actually works here. Looks almost gangrenous. Most importantly, it's not the dreaded clean division, but rather has gradation like real acid scarring would have. Plus, I love the look of the unscarred side, right down to the blue eyes and brown hair, along with the wavy white hair on the bad side. It's pretty much what I love to see in a basic, classic Two-Face.
Plus, while I dislike the split suit, here it's more tasteful that his usual half-a-used-car-salesman style. If I had my way, the only thing split on Harvey's costume would be his tie. Everything else would be a suit and maybe trenchcoat, with subtle plays on symmetry and asymmetry throughout. The idea is to take the emphasis away from the body and bring it right on the face where it belongs. He looks normal and average everywhere else, which makes the scars all the more jarring. The style on the bust is the next best thing: split, but not distractingly so.
More than anything else, I'm dying to see how it'll look in real life as an actual product, not just a model for solicits. For now, the only amateur photograph I've found is this, which is likely from a con, so lord knows if it'll bear any resemblance to the finished product:
Yeah, based on the four photos here, my least favorite by far is the one they used for the actual solicit. The scarred side texture is blander, the tie it too fat, and his neck makes him look like the Elongated Man. Again, we'll have to see how it actually looks in person.
THE GOOD:
BATMAN: LONG SHADOWS TP
Written by JUDD WINICK
Art by ED BENES, MARK BAGLEY and ROB HUNTER
Cover by J.G. JONES
Can the new Batman maintain his grip on Gotham City’s criminal element?
With Bruce Wayne gone in the wake of BATMAN: R.I.P., Dick Grayson — formerly known as both Robin and Nightwing — becomes the new Batman in this new title collecting BATMAN #687-691. And it’s not long before the city’s criminals put him to the test!
With the Penguin intent on becoming Gotham’s new crime kingpin and Two-Face waging a war of his own, how can any hero, let alone one who’s just stepped into his role, stop them? It won’t be easy – especially since he also has to round up a posse of escaped Arkham Asylum inmates.
On sale MAY 4 • 128 pg, FC, $14.99 US
Finally, it's in trade paperback! Have I mentioned how much I hate DC for cranking out so many crappy, unnecessary hardcovers?
One of the best Two-Face stories I've ever read was mostly sniffed at or ignored by comic readers upon release, most of whom were too enamored of Grant Morrison's Batman and Robin. I've heard tell of people who found this story to be "same old, same old," while others consider it downright stupid. FOOLS FOOLS FOOLS!
Even putting the Two-Face stuff aside, I consider this to be the finest take on Dick Grayson assuming the mantle of Batman, far outdoing Morrison's work and the Prodigal storyline in terms of character depth and exploration of theme. Combine that with a refreshingly awesome take on Two-Face--the best he's been written in almost a decade!--and you have the finest Batman comic of the past three years. At least, the finest one to which no one paid any attention.
I posted the Two-Face stuff here, but I wholeheartedly urge you to pick up a copy of Long Shadows when it's released. I already own the issues, but I might snag the book anyway, because it's just that dear to my heart.
THE BAD:
BATMAN: HUSH UNWRAPPED DELUXE EDITION HC
Written by JEPH LOEB
Art and cover by JIM LEE
A new, unprecedented edition of the classic Batman epic featuring the art of comics superstar Jim Lee in pencil form for the first time ever, giving comics connoisseurs the chance to study a true master of the form at his best!
This amazing new hardcover presents Jim Lee’s artwork in pencil form, with lettering and in black and white.
Relive the thrilling mystery of the best-selling BATMAN: HUSH from BATMAN #608-619 as The Dark Knight sets out to discover the identity of a mysterious mastermind using The Joker, The Riddler, Ra’s al Ghul and the Dark Knight’s other enemies – and allies – as pawns in a plan to wreak havoc.
Retailers: This item is resolicited. All previous orders are cancelled.
RESOLICIT • On sale JUNE 22 • 320 pg, FC, 7.0625” x 10.875”, $39.99 US
Who needs this? Seriously, who the hell needs this?
I suppose there's something to be gained from studying the technical expertise of Lee's artwork, soulless though it is. Even still, it's Hush, and while I will be more thoughtful in my eventual post on the story itself and Harvey's role therein, all I can say for now is that Hush SUCKS.
So I'd say this is for the art snobs only, but I'm not sure how many truly discerning "connoisseurs" of comics art would opt for Jim Lee, probably the single most popular comic artist alive.
THE HALF-UGLY:
TWO-FACE 1:2 SCALE BUST
SCULPTED BY ANDY BERGHOLTZ
Expand your collection of Gotham City-related 1:2 scale busts with Two-Face!
The man once known as District Attorney Harvey Dent appears here in his classic comic-book style, dressed in his trademark dual-fabric suit, shirt and tie, which are finely tailored over his cold-cast porcelain body. Half of his face appears eerily charred, and both of his resin eyes are hauntingly realistic.
Mounted on a museum-style, pedestal display base, this mixed-media piece measures approximately 13” high x 11” wide x 6” deep, includes a 4-color Certificate of Authenticity and is packaged in a 4-color box.
Limited edition of 500 pieces.
* Quantities may be allocated.
Resolicited; on sale March 30, 2011 * Bust * $295 US
Wonder why this was delayed for so long? It was supposed to come out about six months ago, whereupon I was hoping to see better photos of the bust. Lord knows I'm never going to afford it!
There are slight alterations from the original solicited design, mainly in the suit itself:
The scarring is wonderfully done. I mean, if I had it my way, I would have preferred reddish-pink-black scarring, or even purple, rather than campy comics-green, but it actually works here. Looks almost gangrenous. Most importantly, it's not the dreaded clean division, but rather has gradation like real acid scarring would have. Plus, I love the look of the unscarred side, right down to the blue eyes and brown hair, along with the wavy white hair on the bad side. It's pretty much what I love to see in a basic, classic Two-Face.
Plus, while I dislike the split suit, here it's more tasteful that his usual half-a-used-car-salesman style. If I had my way, the only thing split on Harvey's costume would be his tie. Everything else would be a suit and maybe trenchcoat, with subtle plays on symmetry and asymmetry throughout. The idea is to take the emphasis away from the body and bring it right on the face where it belongs. He looks normal and average everywhere else, which makes the scars all the more jarring. The style on the bust is the next best thing: split, but not distractingly so.
More than anything else, I'm dying to see how it'll look in real life as an actual product, not just a model for solicits. For now, the only amateur photograph I've found is this, which is likely from a con, so lord knows if it'll bear any resemblance to the finished product:
Yeah, based on the four photos here, my least favorite by far is the one they used for the actual solicit. The scarred side texture is blander, the tie it too fat, and his neck makes him look like the Elongated Man. Again, we'll have to see how it actually looks in person.
