DC Comics

Warner Bros. Consumer Products has announced a brand collaboration between DC Entertainment and Sanrio which will feature a new Hello Kitty line that sees the popular character dressed as a range of DC Comics Super Heroes including Wonder Woman, Superman and Batman. Set to debut in 2014, the dressed up Hello Kitty will appear on apparel, accessories and footwear, stationery, publishing, personal care, promotional products and food products.

In Man of Steel, director Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen) and producer Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight Trilogy) have delivered a stunning new vision of Superman that is both fresh and familiar. "Man of Steel: Inside the Legendary World of Superman" explores the remarkable creative process behind the movie and showcases the exceptional concept art that shaped its unique visual style. From the stark alien vistas of Krypton to the down-to-earth warmth of Smallville, this book uncovers the intensive world-building process that makes Superman's universe both thrilling and believable. Also featuring in-depth interviews with the cast and crew, and candid on-set photography, "Man of Steel: Inside the Legendary World of Superman" is the ultimate insider's look at one of the most electrifying movies in recent memory. "Man of Steel: Inside the Legendary World of Superman" features a foreword by Christopher Nolan and an intrduction by Zack Snyder. The book hits bookshelves today and retails for $45.00 (hardcover).

Today we’re looking at the very first piece of fan mail ever received by DC Comics about Firestorm! Comics reader Mitch Senft holds the distinction of having the first published letter about the Nuclear Man. Mitch’s letter was very honest and pointed out some highlights of the book and some concerns he had with the character. Check out the letter’s page below from Firestorm vol. I #2 (Apr. 1978). As noted in the letter column, the letter was received in October 1977, more than a month before the first issue hit the stands! Also worth noting, last week we published a promotional piece from Nov. 1977 hyping the upcoming release of Firestorm #1. In that article, Professor Martin Stein is referred to as “Charles” Stein. Well, turns out Martin wasn’t the only one back then with an Identity Crisis (yes, pun intended). Throughout the letter column below Ronnie Raymond is referred to as “Robby” Raymond. I can understand the fan letter misidentifying him as “Robby”, but editor Jack C. Harris too? Makes you wonder if this was simply an error, or if the character was actually named “Robby” at some point prior to the release of the first issue (a possibility Gerry Conway recently suggested). Check out the letters page below. Click to enlarge! Not sure how the mix-up occurred with Ronnie’s name, but certainly makes for an interesting time capsule. I recently contacted the letter writer above, Mitch Senft, and asked for any additional feedback on his encounter with the first issue prior to publication. He responded with: About all I remember was being at a small convention around Ithaca where Milgrom and Nasser/Netzer appeared. Milgrom had a B&W copy of Firestorm #1, and I was intrigued, intrigued enough to send off a LoC [letter of comment] — which is something I did few enough times to count on the fingers of one hand. The book came out, you might note, during the brief time Gerry Conway was editing at DC. Can’t remember if this was immediately before or after his eight minutes as Marvel EIC [Editor-in-Chief]. In any case, part of his job, I believe, was to create a bunch of books that were Marvel-like — of which Firestorm was very clearly one. My thanks to Mitch for responding to my request and providing feedback on a letter he wrote over 35 years ago! Thanks, Mitch! Also, my thanks to fellow blogger Anj for digging up this letter and sending me a scan! You can check out Anj’s fantastic Supergirl blog by clicking here! Support Firestorm! Fan the flame!

Every so often the Shrine is lucky enough to receive an email in a bottle from F.O.A.M.er Barry Fackler, who resides in Hawaii (which is why I hate him), and sends us pics of Aquaman in the wilds.This is the Sea King coming ashore at Barry's favorite diving spot Honaunau on Hawaii's big island. Apparently underwater photography has been difficult of late, due to something called "winter surf" (which is probably when the temperature dropping to a chilly 70 degrees). But things seem to be clearing up so Barry will once be under the sea accompanied by the King himself! Thanks Barry and I still hate you!Check out more Barry's Aquaman photography here:Aquaman Under The SeaMera Under The SeaAquaman and Mera On Vacation

meinarch: Flash vs The Top by ~kevinmellon Having an unhappy day, but this cheers me up a bit :)  Love this pic.

Now that everyone has had an opportunity to either see "Man of Steel" for themselves or read enough information and reviews about Zack Snyder's reboot of the Superman film franchise to feel as though they've seen it, I felt that it was time to chime in with my own review of the movie. I'll begin my review by saying that there are some spoilers, which I will reveal, so if you are among those who have not yet seen the movie, please stop reading here unless you don't mind learning more about the film itself.

Through Comic Book Resources, DC Comics has revealed plans for Justice League 3000 by Keith Giffen, JM DeMatteis and Kevin Maguire. The ongoing series, launching in fall, will feature (at least) future versions of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash and Green Lantern So far, all they’ve really released is the creative team and Howard Porter’s designs, including this one for the Flash. While the team is best known for the humorous “Bwahaha” Justice League International, they’ve written their share of serious stories as well. (You don’t get more serious than Giffen’s “Five Years Later” Legion.) No doubt this is what’s behind both the end of the current Legion of Super-Heroes and the Justice Legion rumors: Presumably the LSH has been shifted to another timeframe, since I imagine the two concepts wouldn’t coexist very well. Also, it’s worth noting: The Flash of JL3000 has red hair and green eyes. I’m not going to read too much into that. Other Wally West fans may be more optimistic, but I’ve been burned too many times to get my hopes up. The post A Future Flash Appears in Justice League 3000 appeared first on Speed Force.

DC Comics has announced that a new "Superman/Wonder Woman" ongoing title will soon debut on newsstands and in comic book stores nationwide. The news comes from IGN.com who report that the new series will release this October, hot on the heels of "Superman Unchained". The series' creative team will feature writer Charles Soule (Swamp Thing) and artist Tony Daniel (Action Comics, Detective Comics).

Despite the morning showers on Sunday June 9th, the annual Costume Contest was another hit for the Superman Celebration and featured a standing room only crowd under the Metro Tent. Judges for this year's event were actor/writer/voice-over artist, Jeffrey Breslauer and legendary comic book artists, Ron Frenz and Brett Breeding. Steven Kirk hosted the event once again (dressed as Ralph Hinkley, The Greatest American Hero) alongside Metropolis' own official Superman, Josh Boultinghouse.