Growler on Superhero Fiction!

INDEX

Superhero fiction and superhero fantasy are two of the hottest storytelling genres out there. Here's where I comment on everything you need to know!

See also, Essential Comic Book Links and Growler on Superhero Comic Books.

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The amazing font of creativity that is Marvel Comics have unleashed their list of upcoming Marvel titles for September 2009.

Check them all out here!

The House of Ideas, Marvel Comics, cornerstone of superhero fiction goodness, have released information of their August 2009 shipping titles.

Get the full lowdown, here!

The summer heat continues!

A feast of creativity is unleashed upon us.

Yes folks, the July 2009 Marvels information have arrived!

See them all, here!

Just in time for summer!

The June 2009 details of upcoming Marvel Comics titles. Excelsior, true believers!

It's that time again.

Enjoy innovation at it's finest!

Right here!

Wow! Marvel Comics just brings forth the creative goodness!

See the latest quality from the House of Ideas for May 2009, here.

The fountain of creativity reigns supreme among the forthcoming Marvel Comics titles.

Here are the delights in store for April 2009!

Superheroes flourish at the House of Ideas!

Check out the upcoming Marvel Comics titles for March 2009.

They're all here!

The latest titles from Marvel Comics for February 2009 are now out.

Check them out, here!

Here is a list of the upcoming Marvel Comics titles out in January 2009.

See where creativity lives, here!

Marvel Comics have released information on their latest titles coming out in December 2008.

Check out all the goodness and immerse yourself in the quality writing and artwork produced by some of the most talented people in the industry!

It's all here!!

Comic book creator Robert Kirkman recently created a storm in the comic book industry with his manifesto for the future of comic book publishing.

This was followed up with a great debate with fellow comic book writer Brian Bendis.

He made many good points including the importance of creators to creator their own concepts that they can develop independently from the major publishers. The reason this is important is that there is no retirement plan in the comic book industry. Creators have to plan and save for their own retirement. Knowing this fact, this industry is better suited to a part time vocation supported by a regular job (full time or part time). Saving and Investing for retirement is vital in this day and age. Creating your own assets is an additional way of doing this while also doing what you enjoy and entertaining others. It's clear that only working full time in comics (unless you're a superstar creator) is not financially viable in the long term. Creator turnover is quite fast so having other means of making money is essential. One time big names can be forgotten in the space of five or ten years. Some of my long time favourite creators are no longer in the limelight as they once were. People like Roger Stern, John Byrne and Chris Claremont. Most people who are in comics do it for the love of it. To tell great stories about great characters and entertain people. Creator owned properties are the logical end result of this and, ideally, all creators should have at least one original idea that they can give birth to. I disagree that creators shouldn't also work on the established icons.

Working for the big two (Marvel and DC Comics) after independently creating and publishing your own characters and stories can gain exposure, further hone your craft and build a larger audience. These are factors that cannot be underestimated in their importance to the marketplace.

For fans like me my first exposure to independent (indie) creators is through their Marvel or DC work. I'll admit it. I love superheroes. I love Marvel and DC.

The indie work I'm most likely to read are variations of superheroes for example, Kirkman's own superhero title, Invincible. I'm just looking for that combination of great stories and great artwork.

This whole debate interested me because I've finally pushed myself to learn how to create short stories featuring superhero characters. In text and eventually in comic book form.

I know this alone will not immediately pay the bills but it will scratch an itch and over the long term (ten to fifteen years) I hope to become a better fiction writer.

I will publish them on this site and let the audience (number of hits) determine their quality.

So, to sum up. I'm glad this debate has been aired in the industry and I hope it will help to grow the comic book market in the long term.

Normally, I like to see superhero films immediately when they come out, but, for some reason, I left watching The Dark Knight until late.

The hype was everywhere and now, at the time of writing, it is the second most popular movie of all time. Could it possibly be that good? In a word, yes. It's predecessor, Batman Begins, was good but not perfect. The Dark Knight moved it up a notch. This was fantastic. This was how a comic book superhero of the stature of Batman needs to be portrayed. Creators of the next Superman movie please take note. This is how you do it. The character of Bruce Wayne, the man behind the mask, was again played to perfection by Christian Bale. The tarnsformation to Batman was believable and intense. His interactions with his butler Alfred (Michael Caine) and weapons provider Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman) had emotion and were quite touching as was his connection with childhood sweetheart Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal). Of course, every great superhero deserves a great supervillian. A worthy addition to their rogue's gallery. The late Heath Ledger did not disappoint. He reinvented the Joker with a mad, ruthless genuis that was breathtaking to watch. Just like Jack Nicholson's version before him he stole every scene he was in and therefore owned the movie.

Alan Eckhart played Harvey Dent/Two-Face in a tragic journey that hit me hard and I have to mention Gary Oldman's portrayal of Commissioner Gordon, the ally and friend of Batman was amazing.

The action scenes were stunning to watch and I have to say director Christopher Nolan has crafted a masterpiece. Plenty of clever twists and turns kept me on my toes to the very end.

It was so good that the only flaw I could identify was the actual voice of Batman. The sound effect they used for it made the voice sound to deep and muffled so I couldn't always understand every word said. But apart from that everything was perfect.

The overall story however, stopping the Joker causing chaos and carnage to Gotham City, was well executed and I have to give the movie 9 out of 10.

Definitely the best movie since the Lord of the Rings trilogy for me.

Go see it.

Here's a look at the comicbooks and graphic novels coming out in November 2008 from Marvel Comics.

It's creativity unleashed!!

An amazing event will soon be upon us.

Hulk versus Thor. The animated movie from Marvel Comics.

Check out this cool trailer!!

A little while ago I touched on diversity in superhero comics and followed up with a summary of the beauty of the Milestone superhero imprint published by DC Comics.

Well, at the San Diego Comic Con in America, something of a breakthrough occured. Also at San Diego, Marvel Comics announced a brand new hero, The Blue Marvel, in the Marvel Universe who has an amazing secret history. Written by Kevin Greivoux, learn more here. Additionally on the Marvel front, The Black Panther will debut as an animated series adapting Reginald Hudlin's quality take on the character and featuring the artwork of John Romita Jr. See the spectacular trailer for the series as well as interviews with Reginald Hudlin and Denys Cowan here! But the true surprise was the announcement that DC Comics are bringing back the Milestone superhero universe after almost 11 years. And it will be fully integrated in the DC superhero universe. Also, the original titles will be collected in trade paperback form for the enjoyment of all and I truly recommend them to lovers of great superhero fiction.

The remaining story arcs from the previous incarnation will be concluded under the helm of original founder Dwayne McDuffie.

This is truly fantastic news and has been long awaited since Milestone ceased publishing in 1997.

Look forward to initial guest appearances of Icon in the JLA and Static in the Teen Titans.

McDuffie is currently writing the JLA ongoing series. To be, no doubt, followed by miniseries and ongoing series featuring these amazing characters.

As someone who is discovering the joys of character creation for original superhero fiction, I see all this news as a great development.

Check out this chat with Dwayne McDuffie and this interview with DC Comics Dan Didio for more details.

The latest superhero graphic novels and comic books from Marvel Comics, that will hit in October 2008, have been announced!

See creativity, innovation and great storytelling at its finest!

This is a trailer for the new Hulk versus Wolverine animated film coming in January 2009.

Looks sweet!

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