Growler on Superhero Fiction!

Superhero fiction is one 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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Check out the latest Marvel Comics titles that will hit in October 2007.

And here are the latest DC Comics titles that will land that same month.

This is it!

The comic book that helped to cement my love for the genre back in the mid 1980s.

Written by J M DeMatteis and drawn by Don Perlin this was a quality ride! The superhero team known as the Defenders up against the Squadron Supreme! And when that was finished, the Over-Mind and Null, the Living Darkness had to be defeated! I've always been a fan of team books so my geekasm was in overload at this mighty match up. This trilogy really captured the spirit of Marvel Comics by combining drama, action and delicate character moments. The Squadron Supreme were blatantly Marvel's version of DC Comics Justice League. This storyline showed the link and it was plain to see that Hyperion was meant to be Superman, Nighthawk was Batman and Power Princess was Wonder Woman.

The Whizzer was the Flash and Doctor Spectrum was the Green Lantern. The Defenders roster was centred around The Hulk, Silver Surfer, Dr Strange and the Sub-Mariner.

This quality arc is not yet available in trade form but I highly recommend it for a great story.

These back issues were originally released in 1982 but I first read them in 1985, the year it all began for me.

The Defenders volume 1 issue numbers 112, 113 and 114.

Quality!

Jim Shooter was the Editor in Chief of Marvel and he was presiding over the previous golden age of superhero storytelling.

I believe we are currently in a new golden age today with Joe Quesada at the helm.

After a long wait I've finally seen the foursome's sequel. Very, very good.

The Silver Surfer was handled with grace and displayed the supreme confidence of a being who possesses the power cosmic. Voiced by Laurence Fishbourne (Morpheus from The Matrix) and coupled with amazing special effects this was a joy to behold! I loved the fact that his real name, Norrin Radd, was acknowledged and the tragic nature of the loss of his true love, Shalla Bal was alluded to. The team dynamics were spot on from the banter between the Human Torch and the Thing to the lovers ups and downs of Mister Fantastic and the Invisible Woman. Doctor Doom rounded off the cast and spiced up the whole piece. We were even treated to a cameo role by the Super Skrull! Kind of. You'll see. This film had the right mix of drama and mind bending action and was very entertaining.

The current awareness of climate change and global warming gave the storyline a certain relevance and grounding.

I give it 7 out of 10 and urge you to see as soon as you can!

Enjoy.

Meanwhile, Dwayne McDuffie, writer of the new Fantastic Four comic book details his upcoming plans for the title in this amazing interview!

By the way, the picture I've used above is from the first ever Silver Surfer Annual published in 1988 by Marvel Comics. The image features Silver Surfer, the Super Skrull and Ikaris of the Eternals.

Ok, so there have been a number of massive events throughout the superhero comic book universes of Marvel Comics and DC.

Personally, I have been following Marvel's Civil War storyline which has been excellent across the board. The level of quality throughout has been outstanding and there are lasting implications that affect its whole line of titles. The basic idea is what if all superheroes were forced to become civil servants by law. Given the amount of independent, viligante type heroes in that universe this causes a lot of concern and an understandable backlash. The writing and characterisation has been top notch and its the first event I've followed through all the spin offs. Written by Mark Millar and illustrated by Steve McNiven this has helped to re-energised the Marvel Universe and I'm looking forward to what's to come.

I have to admit I'm what's called a 'Marvel Zombie' (a massive fan of Marvel) and therefore majority of what I'm enjoying nowadays is published by them. The brand loyalty is strong.

The next two events are World War Hulk and Endangered Species/Messiah Complex featuring the X-Men. Both look good.

DC Comics had a great deal of momentum following from their events, Identity Crisis and Infinite Crisis. The general consensus is that, since then, a lot of this has slowed and, honestly speaking, I'm just not as excited about a lot of their current output.

The weekly series 52 was widely acknowledged as a success and has been followed by Countdown, another weekly.

Only these and the revamped Justice League of America currently written by Brad Meltzer, to be followed by Dwayne McDuffie and drawn by Ed Benes and upcoming Wonder Woman by Gail Simone are pulling me to read them.

It's important for DC to continually raise its game to challenge Marvel for the top spot as this will make for a healthy superhero fiction industry overall.

I'm looking forward to great things in the future as I've learnt over time to never write off either of these two superhero producing titans.

I just cannot wait for the new Fantastic Four film!

I saw a new trailer for it at the cinema while waiting for Pirates of the Caribbean to start and was amazed. It's just so damn cool!! No trailer has got me feeling like this for a long time. The Silver Surfer looks fantastic (excuse the pun) and just how he should whilst wielding the power cosmic. The brief scenes of him surfing on his board and all the while displaying a majesty and infinite confidence bordering on arrogance really hit the spot. I just hope he utters those immortal lines "To me, my board!" like he did in the comics, as he and it are one.

But even if he doesn't, just the mere fact of him being in the film and the full realisation and birth of the Marvel Universe on the big screen will be enough to make me love this movie.

Bring it on! Now!

http://www.fantasticfourmovie.com/

And check out this extensive history of the Silver Surfer!

Ok, everyone seems to have a view on the latest Spider-Man movie installment so here's my rundown of the good and the bad.

Spoilers ahead so if you haven't seen it, turn away now!

First the good. Sandman. This is the first time the character has been brought to life on screen and thank goodness the CGI special effects are advanced enough to carry it out. Absolutely fantastic! He was fleshed out in a believable way and even drew a certain amount of sympathy. The origin sequence was one of the best in superhero movies to date and was almost delicate in its execution. The supporting cast all did their bit and were superb. This was a worthy addition to the franchise and I certainly enjoyed a good deal of the film.

However, the jury is still out on Venom. The character is basically an evil version of the hero in a black Spidey suit. I quite liked how the character's alter ego, Eddie Brock, was introduced but the problem was Venom had too little screen time before the final showdown.

I believe the film should have been at least half an hour longer to flesh out his character and make the audience care more.

And also I wasn't a fan of that whole 'sand-monster' thing. They should have kept Sandman as is to continue the emotional connection. It's hard to feel for a huge blob of sand.

Better still, this movie should have focused on Sandman as the villian with Venom featuring in the next film.

The beauty of Spider-Man 2 was the luxury of dealing with Doctor Octopus in a full and wholesome way leaving you incredibly satisfied.

Spider-Man 3 however, lacked a little edge due to all the villians needing a bit more time in the spotlight but, thank goodness, these factors weren't enough to prevent it from being a good film.

Director Sam Raimi did good!

And the Venom special effects were gorgeous to see on the big screen.

So, all in all, I quite liked it and I give it a solid 7 out of 10.

Definitely worth seeing!

http://spiderman3.sonypictures.com/

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