Who?
C'mon. Everybody knows that mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent is secretly Superman, the Man of Steel, rocketed to Earth from the doomed planet Krypton and raised by Kansas farm couple Jonathan and Martha Kent, and that he can leap tall buildings in a single bound, is more powerful than a locomotive and faster than a speeding bullet!
Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster for Action Comics #1 in 1938, Superman was the first ever superhero, birthing an entire genre and character archetype in his mould, and setting the standard for decades to follow. Standing for the principles of Truth, Justice and the American Way, he remains the most well known superhero in the world, and has spawned countless media adaptations and talking points.
Okay, so where do I start?
Showing posts with label WDISW. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WDISW. Show all posts
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
Where Do I Start With... Thor
Who?
Of course, as everyone knows, Thor is the ancient Norse God of Thunder, but he was adapted for Marvel Comics in 1962 by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber and Jack Kirby, making his first appearance in Journey into Mystery #83. Originally, he was bound to New York surgeon Dr. Donald Blake, and they would switch places at will. This has changed over the years, with Thor being attached to other mortals as well as going it alone, but Blake has recently returned to the series.
Possessing godlike strength and stamina, Thor also wields the mighty Mjölnir -- his legendary hammer; enabling him to fly, and command thunder and lightning.
Known for his headstrong attitude and Shakespearean speech, Thor has always taken part in fantastical adventures on both Earth and beyond, and is not limited to the laws and ethics of man. He is burdened by greater, more divine responsibilities.
Okay, so where do I start?
Of course, as everyone knows, Thor is the ancient Norse God of Thunder, but he was adapted for Marvel Comics in 1962 by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber and Jack Kirby, making his first appearance in Journey into Mystery #83. Originally, he was bound to New York surgeon Dr. Donald Blake, and they would switch places at will. This has changed over the years, with Thor being attached to other mortals as well as going it alone, but Blake has recently returned to the series.
Possessing godlike strength and stamina, Thor also wields the mighty Mjölnir -- his legendary hammer; enabling him to fly, and command thunder and lightning.
Known for his headstrong attitude and Shakespearean speech, Thor has always taken part in fantastical adventures on both Earth and beyond, and is not limited to the laws and ethics of man. He is burdened by greater, more divine responsibilities.
Okay, so where do I start?
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Where Do I Start With... The Flash
Who?
One of DC's oldest characters, the Flash was first created back in 1940 by Gardner Fox and Harry Lampert. Jay Garrick was a college student who inhaled hard water vapours (we all experiment a little in college, man) and developed the ability to move at superhuman speeds as a result.
An excellent example of a legacy superhero, Garrick was replaced as Scarlet Speedster in 1956 by forensic scientist Barry Allen in the pages of Showcase #4. Usually considered the "main" Flash, Barry was replaced by his nephew and sidekick Wally in 1986, who also went on to have a very successful run. Barry's grandson Bart briefly assumed the mantle in 2006 as well, but in 2008 Barry returned to the role for good.
Always at the forefront of DC events and milestones, the Flash is a much-loved character, regardless of who is filling the well-worn boots, and is known for fun, light-hearted stories with plenty of action and drama too.
Okay, so where do I start?
One of DC's oldest characters, the Flash was first created back in 1940 by Gardner Fox and Harry Lampert. Jay Garrick was a college student who inhaled hard water vapours (we all experiment a little in college, man) and developed the ability to move at superhuman speeds as a result.
An excellent example of a legacy superhero, Garrick was replaced as Scarlet Speedster in 1956 by forensic scientist Barry Allen in the pages of Showcase #4. Usually considered the "main" Flash, Barry was replaced by his nephew and sidekick Wally in 1986, who also went on to have a very successful run. Barry's grandson Bart briefly assumed the mantle in 2006 as well, but in 2008 Barry returned to the role for good.
Always at the forefront of DC events and milestones, the Flash is a much-loved character, regardless of who is filling the well-worn boots, and is known for fun, light-hearted stories with plenty of action and drama too.
Okay, so where do I start?
Monday, 21 February 2011
Where Do I Start With... Westerns
Wh-- Huh?
Taking a break from the usual format to remind y'all that comic books aren't just about superheroes. Sometimes they're about ordinary men (and women, but mostly men) taking the law into their own hands with naught but their guns and their wits.
And westerns are just as classically American as superheroes are; set in the last years of the wild frontier when the world was getting smaller and the outlaws getting meaner. Westerns received something of a resurgence in late 60s/early 70s mainstream cinema, and comics jumped on the bandwagon too. Even today there seems to be yet another cultural love affair with the Wild West, proving that, like superheroes, they just won't go away.
Okay, so where do I start?
Taking a break from the usual format to remind y'all that comic books aren't just about superheroes. Sometimes they're about ordinary men (and women, but mostly men) taking the law into their own hands with naught but their guns and their wits.
And westerns are just as classically American as superheroes are; set in the last years of the wild frontier when the world was getting smaller and the outlaws getting meaner. Westerns received something of a resurgence in late 60s/early 70s mainstream cinema, and comics jumped on the bandwagon too. Even today there seems to be yet another cultural love affair with the Wild West, proving that, like superheroes, they just won't go away.
Okay, so where do I start?
Wednesday, 26 January 2011
Where Do I Start With... Catwoman
Who?
A Batman villain almost as old as the Joker, Selina Kyle first caught the Dark Knight's eye as Catwoman in 1940 (initially known as simply "The Cat"), and was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane.
Over the years, she eventually evolved into an on-again/off-again love interest and femme fatale type for the Batman, and is now something of an anti-villain, occasionally starring in her own spin-off series.
She remains one of the most famous Bat-villains and has appeared in various media adaptations, played by many different actresses, including: Julie Newmar, Lee Meriweather, Eartha Kitt, Michelle Pfeiffer, Adrienne Barbeau, Halle Berry, Gina Gershon, and (soon) Anne Hathaway.
Okay, so where do I start?
A Batman villain almost as old as the Joker, Selina Kyle first caught the Dark Knight's eye as Catwoman in 1940 (initially known as simply "The Cat"), and was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane.
Over the years, she eventually evolved into an on-again/off-again love interest and femme fatale type for the Batman, and is now something of an anti-villain, occasionally starring in her own spin-off series.
She remains one of the most famous Bat-villains and has appeared in various media adaptations, played by many different actresses, including: Julie Newmar, Lee Meriweather, Eartha Kitt, Michelle Pfeiffer, Adrienne Barbeau, Halle Berry, Gina Gershon, and (soon) Anne Hathaway.
Okay, so where do I start?
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Where Do I Start With... Daredevil
Who?
Created by Bill Everett and Marvel giant Stan Lee, The Man Without Fear debuted in his own eponymous series in 1964, as a blind lawyer granted superhuman senses by the very radioactive substance than cost him his sight.
Now defending the New York neighbourhood of Hell's Kitchen as Daredevil, Matt Murdock applies his unique sensory gifts and his uncanny fighting skills in his tireless quest against injustice.
Okay, so where do I start?
Created by Bill Everett and Marvel giant Stan Lee, The Man Without Fear debuted in his own eponymous series in 1964, as a blind lawyer granted superhuman senses by the very radioactive substance than cost him his sight.
Now defending the New York neighbourhood of Hell's Kitchen as Daredevil, Matt Murdock applies his unique sensory gifts and his uncanny fighting skills in his tireless quest against injustice.
Okay, so where do I start?
Sunday, 21 November 2010
Where Do I Start With... Batman
Who?
Debuting in Detective Comics #27 in May of 1939, Batman/Bruce Wayne/The Dark Knight/The Caped Crusader/Matches Malone/The World's Greatest Detective was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, and remains one of DC's (and the planet's) most recognisable superheroes.
Orphaned when his parents were killed by a mugger in front of him, Bruce Wayne dedicated his life to fighting crime. Travelling the world, he acquired the skills and knowledge necessary for this cause, and now he tirelessly wages a one-man war on crime in Gotham City. But you probably knew all this already. I mean, it's Batman!
Okay, so where do I start?
Debuting in Detective Comics #27 in May of 1939, Batman/Bruce Wayne/The Dark Knight/The Caped Crusader/Matches Malone/The World's Greatest Detective was created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger, and remains one of DC's (and the planet's) most recognisable superheroes.
Orphaned when his parents were killed by a mugger in front of him, Bruce Wayne dedicated his life to fighting crime. Travelling the world, he acquired the skills and knowledge necessary for this cause, and now he tirelessly wages a one-man war on crime in Gotham City. But you probably knew all this already. I mean, it's Batman!
Okay, so where do I start?
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