Thursday, January 25, 2007

DC Teaser: World War III - The Aftermath??


DC teaser
Originally uploaded by Heidi Meeley.
Today this image was released by DC Comics as a teaser... for something. Comic Book Resources and Newsarama both posted the picture of an obviously shattered and weeping Superman being comforted by Wonder Woman while an interesting array of heroes surround them.

My guess from the looks of this is that it has to do with World War III and the aftermath. What intrigues me is the characters that were selected. Seeing Donna Troy and Kyle Rayner so close together, it makes me wonder if their romance might come back?? I also am fascinated by the "Red Robin" from Kingdom Come and the Elseworlds Batman. This leads me to believe that the "infinite earths" are bleeding into each other somehow and that there will be serious repercussions in future stories.

It also makes me wonder if this could be a shout out to the hotly rumored, upcoming new DC weekly. Supposedly it will be called Countdown and will be the heir apparent to the 52 series. Hmmm..

At any rate, I am really eager to see what comes of the characters pictured here. From the tattered remains of the statue of liberty and the murdered characters featured on the front of the image, it makes me look forward to spending this coming year checking out DC's books.

My final appreciation is that the art appears to be by Phil Jimenez, one of my favorite artists, and a very nice guy.

What do you all think?

16 comments:

Unknown said...

I have two thoughts about this picture...

1) I think it's absolutely beautiful (BIG Phil Jimenez fan here) and one that makes you want more

2) That said, it makes me want more diversity in that picture. It's sad because I felt DC, no matter the intention, was doing a good thing in diversifying its universe, yet, in this spread of several heroes -- not one person of color or LGBT person.

Nevertheless, I'm intrigued. I'm really interested to know what's happening with all the Elseworlds characters. Actually, my initial thought about Donna and Kyle being together was because they were, according to the Watchers, supposed to be dead as a result of the Crisis. So, I wonder if we're going to learn more about this.

I honestly hope DC continues to do a weekly. And, I hope they focus on characters that are well loved, but who's books have either been canceled -- ie Manhunter and Firestorm -- or those in danger of being canceled -- ie Blue Beetle.

Carl said...

Hmmmm, well, isn't the new Mr. Miracle black? Or did they dump the new guy and somehow Scott Free is back? And doesn't the story depend on who is there at the time or at the aftermath? I find that when I look at a comic, I'm picking it up to read a good story about superheroes. I have a dream, a dream that superheroes will be not be judged by the color of the skin, creed, religion or sexual preference but by the great deeds they perform and righting injustices and protecting the innocent and helpless. I have a dream. Paraphrasing and a bit tongue-in-cheek, thank you...

Anonymous said...

It comes off to me as something more symbollic than a literal scene from an upcoming story. It seems to encompass alot of stuff from the recent past, the distant past, and hints at the new interaction with alternate realities.

The thing I hate? The sobbing Superman! Yeah, yeah, yeah...guy's can cry and all of that stuff. But man...after so many years of Superman being a emo hand-wringer, and his recent return to something resembling stoic confidence, this is just too much of a step back for me.

Oh, and Broken-Neck Max? Chilling...yet funny (in a vaguely guilty way) at the same time.

Anonymous said...

I wonder what that device is laying on the ground between Dead Max and Dead Jade?

Carl said...

I was thinking it looked like when Cyborg changes his arm into that sonic blaster/cannon thingie. Honestly now, I am not sure...

Anonymous said...

Something I saw in the super hi-res version posted on Newsarama is the Atom's tiny arm sticking up through the dirt to the left of Black Canary's right foot.

It's actually pretty hilarious (though I doubt that was the intent).

"Help Meeeeeee!"

Heidi Meeley said...

Loren, I have to agree with you that it would have been nice to have a more diverse spread of characters. It makes me wonder what the intentions are there. Obviously, they want us to talk about it, so they have succeeded. :-)

I am extremely interested in Kyle and Donna as well. I really enjoyed their romance in Green Lantern and was sad when they broke up. Strangely they dated while my hubby and I did, so we saw some resonance in their relationship.

I agree that it would be fantastic to see DC focus on Manhunter and Firestorm during a weekly. I am crossing my fingers that we as readers can bring them back to series again.

You always make incredible sense, Loren!

Heidi Meeley said...

Carl, I was wondering about that as well. I really enjoyed the Seven Soldiers mini with the "new" Mister Miracle. I was hoping he would stay around. Seeing Barda and Scott was a bit jarring.

Heidi Meeley said...

Mark, the crying Superman always hits me a bit odd as well. To see him down to this level of despair is disconcerting to say the least. It must be something pretty awful, huh? :-)

The deceased characters were totally trashed. It was also a bit odd. I am wondering what the intent was there. Your observation about the Atom was interesting. I had totally missed it!

Anonymous said...

I wonder if the Kyle and Donna characters are actually from some kind of alternate reality. Her old Titans costume really throws me off track (as I'm sure DC intended).

John Holland said...

Since the latest crisis in DC I have found myself at a loss of interest in most of their books. I'm trying to think of one mainstream DC comic I pick up right now and I can't. Granted it's one in the morning so my mind isn't quite functioning so I might be forgetting something but I don't think so. Even more than Civil War has chased a lot of people from Marvel I really did not like the last DC cross over and just am not enjoying their post crisis universe.

Anonymous said...

Always late to the party.

Click here for image-accompanied commentary.

Heidi Meeley said...

Mark, you could likely be correct about Kyle and Donna. That would make sense. Great thought!

Heidi Meeley said...

John, I am sorry to hear you haven't been enjoying the DCU much since the last Crisis. It has been hot and cold for me as well, thought I have been mostly pleased. I just mostly want Wonder Woman back on a regular basis, and to get to the next stage of the mystery being told. 52 has been really fun in that respect.

Heidi Meeley said...

Mark, I loved your take! It is outstanding.

You all have got to click on Mark's link to see his take. It is fantastic!

Chris Arndt said...

Eh. I've never ever been of the opinion that "Different is good" or (diverse for that matter). Good is good.

and I've found the super-heroes' bedroom activities to be the least interesting parts of their ongoing adventures. Even when it produced fun illegitimate super-hero children like Conner Hawke.

and speaking of things not being different: "World War III" was the title used when Grant Morrison had earth being attacked by the Anto-Sun monster called Mageddon.

I have no idea how long ago that was. I refuse to do the math.

I agree with the comment on Emo Superman. "I'm turning my S-symbol black becaus of the people that died in the last crossover. oh I'm going to go see my therapist now."