Sequart Organization » Cody Walker

Julian Darius, Sequart’s Founder, on his Sci-Fi Comic Kickstarter

Cody Walker — Sun, 31 May 2015 11:00:34 +0000

Julian Darius, the founder of Sequart Organization, is also a comics writer. His heady sci-fi comic, Martian Comics, is currently on Kickstarter with a 52-page special. CODY WALKER: For the uninitiated, what is the story… [more]

Julian Darius on Martian Comics

Cody Walker — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 13:03:58 +0000

Martian Comics" title="Julian Darius on Martian Comics" style="float:left;" />Julian Darius, founder of Sequart Organization, has a Kickstarter up for a comics series called Martian Comics, to be published by his company Martian Lit. The first storyline was co-created by Sequart contributor Kevin Thurman.… [more]

Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #12

Cody Walker — Fri, 06 Sep 2013 11:00:28 +0000

Action Comics #12" title="Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #12" style="float:left;" />Captain Comet has invaded Superman’s mind and created a false history that secretly reveals Clark’s desires (and also what most fans would probably want from the hero). Ma and Pa Kent wave their son goodbye… [more]

Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #11

Cody Walker — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 11:00:19 +0000

Action Comics #11" title="Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #11" style="float:left;" />The construction motif returns on page one of this issue as Metalek attacks Metropolis and destroys a tenement building in the process. Metalek is an artificial intelligence that looks like construction equipment and was first… [more]

Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #10

Cody Walker — Fri, 09 Aug 2013 11:00:51 +0000

Action Comics #10" title="Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #10" style="float:left;" />After taking an issue off to visit Earth 23 and President Superman, Morrison returns the narrative back to Maxim Zarov (also known as Nimrod the Hunter) who was last seen killing a T-Rex at the… [more]

Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #9

Cody Walker — Fri, 26 Jul 2013 11:00:46 +0000

Action Comics #9" title="Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #9" style="float:left;" />After completing the first arc on Action Comics, Morrison spends one issue in the alternate universe of Earth-23 where Superman is not only black, but also the President of the United States. President Superman had… [more]

Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #8

Cody Walker — Fri, 12 Jul 2013 11:00:56 +0000

Action Comics #8" title="Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #8" style="float:left;" />The issue begins inside the bottle city of Metropolis as Lex Luthor explains that he has no desire to be rescued by Superman and then tries rationalizing his alliance with the Collector as a plan… [more]

Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #7

Cody Walker — Fri, 28 Jun 2013 11:00:45 +0000

Action Comics #7" title="Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #7" style="float:left;" />After a two issue break, Superman is back to battle the Collector of Worlds and save Metropolis. Strapping an oxygen tank to his back, Superman is going to leap into space to reach the Collector… [more]

Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #6

Cody Walker — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 11:00:04 +0000

Action Comics #6" title="Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #6" style="float:left;" />The Anti-Superman Army that was teased at the end of the previous issue appears at the beginning of this issue. It appears that the Dealmaker from the first issue (who has popped up a few… [more]

Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #5

Cody Walker — Fri, 31 May 2013 11:00:59 +0000

Action Comics #5" title="Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #5" style="float:left;" />Smack in the middle of the first story arc, the narrative shifts to the past for a tale about the rocket that brought baby Kal-El to Earth. Morrison promised in the supplemental material to issue… [more]

The NASA Symbol and Warren Ellis & Colleen Doran’s Orbiter

Cody Walker — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:00:12 +0000

Orbiter" title="The NASA Symbol and Warren Ellis & Colleen Doran’s Orbiter" style="float:left;" />Warren Ellis isn’t a prophet. Sure, 10 years ago, Ellis and Colleen Doran’s Orbiter was released and it begins with the horrific image of a shanty town built around the ruins of the Kennedy Space… [more]

On Star Trek: Countdown and Necessary Movie Tie-Ins

Cody Walker — Thu, 16 May 2013 11:00:53 +0000

Star Trek: Countdown and Necessary Movie Tie-Ins" title="On Star Trek: Countdown and Necessary Movie Tie-Ins" style="float:left;" />I’m not really one for movie tie-in comics because the whole idea just seems so superfluous to me. Artists on these comics are in an awkward position where they are either criticized for not making… [more]

Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #4

Cody Walker — Fri, 03 May 2013 11:00:34 +0000

Action Comics #4" title="Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #4" style="float:left;" />While the first three issues of Grant Morrison’s Action Comics could never match up to the perfection of All-Star Superman, the series had established a slow, methodical unveiling of Superman’s mythology in a way that… [more]

Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #3

Cody Walker — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 11:00:09 +0000

Action Comics #3" title="Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #3" style="float:left;" />Gene Ha takes over on art duties for the first seven pages of issue #3 in order to show what Krypton was like. The first page of issue #3 depicts Krypton as a colorful utopia… [more]

Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #2

Cody Walker — Fri, 05 Apr 2013 11:00:11 +0000

Action Comics #2" title="Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #2" style="float:left;" />In the supplemental material in the issue, Grant Morrison writes, “Superman is mankind at its best, and Lex Luthor is us at our worst . . . but they’re both us.” It’s a sentiment that… [more]

Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #1

Cody Walker — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 11:00:20 +0000

Action Comics #1" title="Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics #1" style="float:left;" />On page 1, panel 1, the first dialogue in the comic goes to real estate developer Glen Glenmorgan says, “and it’s a done deal! How about a drink to celebrate this turning point?” to a… [more]

Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics — Introduction

Cody Walker — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 11:00:15 +0000

Action Comics — Introduction" title="Humanity, Heroism, and Action: Grant Morrison’s Action Comics — Introduction" style="float:left;" />For years now, the problem that all Superman writers must face is how to show the heroism and humanity in the world’s most powerful and recognizable hero. Prior to the New 52, Geoff Johns and… [more]

The Marvelous Sci-Fi Villains of Jonathan Hickman

Cody Walker — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 12:00:39 +0000

When the Avengers are known as “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes,” they should face off against something so powerful that it takes the combined might of Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, the Hulk, and others to be… [more]

Archer and Armstrong Review

Cody Walker — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 12:00:06 +0000

Archer and Armstrong Review" title="Archer and Armstrong Review" style="float:left;" />While all of Valiant’s comics are wonderful and imaginative stories, within their central premise there is a small piece that seems like it came from somewhere else. X-O Manowar is similar in some ways to Iron… [more]

Interview with Sue from DC Women Kicking Ass

Cody Walker — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 11:00:47 +0000

DC Women Kicking Ass is a popular blog that addresses gender issues within the comic book industry or, to quote the site itself, it is a place for “Thoughts, pictures, reviews and other stuff about… [more]

Interview with Joshua Dysart, writer of Harbinger from Valiant Comics

Cody Walker — Sat, 29 Sep 2012 11:00:52 +0000

Harbinger from Valiant Comics" title="Interview with Joshua Dysart, writer of Harbinger from Valiant Comics" style="float:left;" />Valiant Comics has made a huge comeback this summer with the relaunch of X-O Manowar, Harbinger, Bloodshot, and Archer & Armstrong. Joshua Dysart is the writer on Harbinger and he has created an emotionally complex relationship… [more]

Interview with Jim Valentino of Shadowline Comics

Cody Walker — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 11:00:52 +0000

Jim Valentino is one of the seven founders of Image Comics. He is also the founder of his own imprint at Image known as Shadowline. SEQUART: Everyone has a story about what got them into… [more]

Interview with Rich Johnston from Bleeding Cool

Cody Walker — Sat, 15 Sep 2012 11:00:08 +0000

Rich Johnston is the most infamous man in comics. Since 1994, he has been reporting comic book news, rumors, and gossip. He currently runs the website Bleeding Cool, and has ventured into the print market… [more]

How I Learned the Truth About Comics Through Star Trek: The Next Generation / Doctor Who

Cody Walker — Wed, 12 Sep 2012 11:00:45 +0000

Star Trek: The Next Generation / Doctor Who" title="How I Learned the Truth About Comics Through Star Trek: The Next Generation / Doctor Who" style="float:left;" />IDW has recently made a name for themselves by crafting crossovers between the various licensed properties that they produce. Infestation was the first of these crossovers where an invasion of interdimensional zombies does battle with G.I.… [more]

Interview with Brian Miller from Hi-Fi Colour Design

Cody Walker — Sat, 08 Sep 2012 11:00:29 +0000

Brian Miller is the founder of Hi-Fi Colour Design and co-author on the books Hi-Fi Color for Comics, Master Digital Color, and How to Paint Comic Books with the iPad. Chances are that if you read… [more]

Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 7

Cody Walker — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:00:14 +0000

Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 7" title="Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 7" style="float:left;" />I’m sitting at a little coffee shop in Springfield, Missouri, called the Brown Egg with my comics spread out on the table. As the waitress delivers my pancakes, she remarks, “That looks really cool,” as… [more]

Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 6

Cody Walker — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:00:19 +0000

Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 6" title="Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 6" style="float:left;" />While R.I.P. could be argued to be a game of chess between Batman and Dr. Hurt, the game of dominoes is at the forefront of Batman & Robin. Oberon Sexton and El Penitente aren’t mentioned… [more]

Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 5

Cody Walker — Wed, 02 May 2012 11:00:48 +0000

Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 5" title="Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 5" style="float:left;" />In the footnotes for the first volume of Batman & Robin, Grant Morrison discusses the strange coincidence of the third issue’s cover resembling an image of the Joker that Brian Bolland had done years previous.… [more]

Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 4

Cody Walker — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:00:16 +0000

Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 4" title="Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 4" style="float:left;" />Once the transformation into the Batman of Zur-En-Arrh is complete, the comparisons to the Joker are apparent and numerous. First, Batman’s costume has gone from the traditional dark tones to a gaudy, ridiculous, and comical… [more]

Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 3

Cody Walker — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:00:04 +0000

Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 3" title="Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 3" style="float:left;" />The most controversial storyline in Morrison’s Batman run, R.I.P. is the psychological destruction of the Dark Knight. Cryptic, bizarre, and at times genuinely frightening, R.I.P. was the much-awaited confrontation between Batman and Dr. Hurt –… [more]

Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 2

Cody Walker — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 11:00:51 +0000

Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 2" title="Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 2" style="float:left;" />While the Black Glove doesn’t actually make an appearance until later in the series, the presence of Dr. Hurt can be felt in the very first issue as Batman throws the Joker into a dumpster… [more]

Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 1

Cody Walker — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:00:08 +0000

Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 1" title="Deconstructing Batman & Robin: A Game of Villainy, Part 1" style="float:left;" />While Dick Grayson and Damian Wayne were busy learning how to adjust to their new identities, a secret war was being waged between Dr. Thomas Hurt and the Joker. Reading Morrison’s run on Batman &… [more]

Has Sequart’s Resident Marxist Lost His Mind?

Cody Walker — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 12:00:09 +0000

I won’t name any names, but I once worked at a major retail chain where people would Stop to buy a video Game. It was at this job that I came to loathe a certain… [more]

Deconstructing Batman and Robin: Damian’s Transformation (Part 3)

Cody Walker — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 12:00:46 +0000

Batman and Robin: Damian’s Transformation (Part 3)" title="Deconstructing Batman and Robin: Damian’s Transformation (Part 3)" style="float:left;" />While Damian’s name can be interpreted as “to tame,” it can also be interpreted as “to conquer,” which seems to be Talia’s reasoning for his name when she says in issue #7, “Damian will stride… [more]

Deconstructing Batman and Robin: Damian’s Transformation (Part 2)

Cody Walker — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 12:00:51 +0000

Batman and Robin: Damian’s Transformation (Part 2)" title="Deconstructing Batman and Robin: Damian’s Transformation (Part 2)" style="float:left;" />While Dick Grayson’s growth as Batman is certainly one way of interpreting Batman and Robin, one shouldn’t forget the “Robin” part of the title. With this series, Morrison took on the seemingly impossible task of… [more]

Deconstructing Batman and Robin: Damian’s Transformation (Part 1)

Cody Walker — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:00:16 +0000

Batman and Robin: Damian’s Transformation (Part 1)" title="Deconstructing Batman and Robin: Damian’s Transformation (Part 1)" style="float:left;" />The very idea of Batman having a son was criticized before Damian ever made his first appearance. Technically, his first appearance was at the very end of Mike W. Barr’s Son of the Demon back… [more]

Deconstructing Batman and Robin: The Grayson Foils, Part 3

Cody Walker — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:00:23 +0000

Batman and Robin: The Grayson Foils, Part 3" title="Deconstructing Batman and Robin: The Grayson Foils, Part 3" style="float:left;" />The first six issues of Grant Morrison’s Batman and Robin expertly put Dick Grayson in a position that readers weren’t used to seeing him in – one of vulnerability. The normally confident Grayson approaches heroism… [more]

Deconstructing Batman and Robin : The Grayson Foils, Part 2

Cody Walker — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 12:00:47 +0000

Batman and Robin : The Grayson Foils, Part 2" title="Deconstructing Batman and Robin : The Grayson Foils, Part 2" style="float:left;" />There is no one who could make a better foil for Dick Grayson than Jason Todd. The second Robin, Jason Todd entered the partnership of Batman and Robin with a chip on his shoulder. He… [more]

Deconstructing Batman and Robin: The Grayson Foils, Part 1

Cody Walker — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:00:56 +0000

Batman and Robin: The Grayson Foils, Part 1" title="Deconstructing Batman and Robin: The Grayson Foils, Part 1" style="float:left;" />In all great works of literature, the hero must have a foil; that special character designed to enhance the inherent heroic qualities of the protagonist. Oftentimes, the foil is cut from similar cloth to show… [more]

Sequart Podcast #3: World-Building

Cody Walker — Sun, 15 Jan 2012 20:40:10 +0000

Host Cody Walker and guest Terry Bartley discuss world-building in corporate super-hero comics continuity. File: Sequart Podcast #3: World-Building Host: Cody Walker Runtime: 49:22 File size: 23.8 MB

Interview with China Mieville

Cody Walker — Sat, 14 Jan 2012 12:00:22 +0000

In November 2010, I interviewed China Mieville for my website, Popgun Chaos. This week, it was announced that Mieville would be writing the new DC series Dial H with Brian Bolland on art and Vertigo’s… [more]

Musings over Space Adventures #35

Cody Walker — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 12:00:18 +0000

Space Adventures #35" title="Musings over Space Adventures #35" style="float:left;" />When I was a kid, I remember asking my dad which superhero was his favorite. Of course, he said the Green Hornet, but I didn’t know who that was, so I asked him who his… [more]

Ultimate Thor: Continuity Offender

Cody Walker — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 12:00:47 +0000

Ultimate Thor: Continuity Offender" title="Ultimate Thor: Continuity Offender" style="float:left;" />Many mini-series set in the Ultimate Universe are known for being odd ducks indeed. Ultimate Adventures was created to be a parody of the Batman and Robin motif and was part of the very strange… [more]

Sequart Podcast #2: The Art of the Event

Cody Walker — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 03:00:51 +0000

Guests Julian Darius and Kevin Thurman discuss event comics, their pitfalls, and their possibilities. File: Sequart Podcast #2: The Art of the Event Host: Cody Walker Runtime: 78:18 File size: 37.7 MB

Continuity Conundrum

Cody Walker — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:00:44 +0000

Continuity can be a good thing. When stories build upon one another, they create a sense of importance and ground stories in a sense of reality. When references are made to past events, fans smile… [more]

Ultimate Captain America: A Meditation on American Identity

Cody Walker — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 12:00:12 +0000

Ultimate Captain America: A Meditation on American Identity" title="Ultimate Captain America: A Meditation on American Identity" style="float:left;" />While Mark Millar was experimenting with narrative during his return to the Ultimates, Jason Aaron was exploring the inner-workings of Captain America in his mini-series Ultimate Captain America.Initially, the series travels down familiar territory as… [more]

Mark Millar’s The Ultimates, Part 8: The Grand Exit

Cody Walker — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:00:10 +0000

The Ultimates, Part 8: The Grand Exit" title="Mark Millar’s The Ultimates, Part 8: The Grand Exit" style="float:left;" />A word of advice before going into this series: ignore the “Death of Spider-Man” banner at the top and you’ll be just fine. Mark Millar’s final story in the Ultimate Universe was marketed as a… [more]

Mark Millar’s The Ultimates, Part 7: The One About Vampires

Cody Walker — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:00:04 +0000

The Ultimates, Part 7: The One About Vampires" title="Mark Millar’s The Ultimates, Part 7: The One About Vampires" style="float:left;" />With the release of each new issue of Ultimate Comics Avengers 3, I would call up my friend Caleb (fellow contributor to Keeping the World Strange: A Planetary Guide) and we would laugh about how far… [more]

DCU Animated: Some Meditations on Adaptations

Cody Walker — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 11:00:54 +0000

Of all the comics I’ve read throughout the years, I think I’ve read Batman: Year One the most, so it’s sort of strange that it’s not a particularly memorable comic to me. Sure, there are… [more]

Whatever Happened to the Big Red Cheese, Part 5: Reboot

Cody Walker — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 11:00:39 +0000

As much as people have blown the DC Relaunch out of proportion, reboots and relaunches have been a part of comics for decades now.The number of reboots that Captain Marvel has gone through since his creation… [more]

Whatever Happened to the Big Red Cheese, Part 4: The Roy Thomas Defense

Cody Walker — Wed, 19 Oct 2011 11:00:22 +0000

The ’80s killed comic books. Watchmen and Dark Knight Returns are both wonderful books to come out of that era, but the philosophical messages of these two titles completely contradicted everything that Shazam and Captain… [more]

Whatever Happened to the Big Red Cheese, Part 3: The Name of Captain Marvel

Cody Walker — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:00:18 +0000

Everyone knows the origin of Freddie Freeman. Even if they don’t know the specifics of how Freddie became Captain Marvel Jr. in Whiz Comics #25, the basic framework for the character is imbedded in our… [more]

Whatever Happened to the Big Red Cheese, Part 2: The Name of Vlarem

Cody Walker — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 11:00:45 +0000

The motif of the power of names was established from the very beginning of Captain Marvel’s history, but it would take another 40 years for the Wizard Shazam to be developed beyond the all-knowing God… [more]

Whatever Happened to the Big Red Cheese, Part 1: The Naming Curse

Cody Walker — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 11:00:32 +0000

Night in the city. “Papers!” a boy calls out into the storm ravaged night. He takes shelter in the entrance of the subway station as the crowd rushes on to dryer destinations without so much… [more]

Female Leads in Comics: Don’t Shoot the Messenger

Cody Walker — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 13:44:46 +0000

There has been a lot of talk about comics being sexist or DC comics in particular not wanting to hire women and while it can be construed as a problem when DC’s titles went from… [more]

The Curious Case of Hyper-Criticism

Cody Walker — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 11:00:51 +0000

Let’s talk about who we are as fans for a moment, shall we? There was a time in my life when events that would “change everything” would upset me. When Superman transformed into a being… [more]

Rosebuds and Grim Reapers: Why Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is the Citizen Kane of Animated Films

Cody Walker — Sat, 17 Sep 2011 11:00:26 +0000

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is the Citizen Kane of Animated Films" title="Rosebuds and Grim Reapers: Why Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is the Citizen Kane of Animated Films" style="float:left;" />From the deputized FBI agent of the 1940’s movie serials to the gritty, realistic vigilante of Christopher Nolan’s films, Hollywood has portrayed Batman in a variety of ways, but none of the live-action films have… [more]

Whatever Happened to the Big Red Cheese?

Cody Walker — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 11:00:00 +0000

As I write this, Captain Marvel’s future at DC comics is uncertain. Before the relaunch, Freddy Freeman was Captain Marvel (or maybe he was going by the name “Shazam” to clear up all those pesky… [more]

Mark Millar’s The Ultimates, Part 6: And Now for Something Completely Different

Cody Walker — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 12:00:46 +0000

The Ultimates, Part 6: And Now for Something Completely Different" title="Mark Millar’s The Ultimates, Part 6: And Now for Something Completely Different" style="float:left;" />If Ultimate Comics Avengers was a departure from Millar’s previous Ultimates work, then its sequel goes completely off the rails. Gone are the themes of political allegory (ironic considering the villain of this volume is the… [more]

How to Launch a Universe in 52 Easy Steps: A Positive Review of Justice League #1

Cody Walker — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 14:08:26 +0000

Justice League #1" title="How to Launch a Universe in 52 Easy Steps: A Positive Review of Justice League #1" style="float:left;" />Though I typically skew toward hyperbole when I discuss anything, I will do my best to avoid such in this review. So let’s get this out of the way right now: is Justice League the best… [more]

Defending Identity Crisis

Cody Walker — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 12:00:45 +0000

Identity Crisis" title="Defending Identity Crisis" style="float:left;" />In the past week, not only has my hero Grant Morrison said some pretty strong opinions over Brad Meltzer’s Identity Crisis, but Newsarama has listed the crossover as being their number 1 moment worth forgetting… [more]

Mark Millar’s The Ultimates, Part 5: The Return

Cody Walker — Wed, 24 Aug 2011 12:00:28 +0000

The Ultimates, Part 5: The Return" title="Mark Millar’s The Ultimates, Part 5: The Return" style="float:left;" />After Ultimates 2, Millar stepped away from the Ultimate universe for a couple of years. During his absence, Jeph Loeb took over forUltimates 3 and while it was a more traditional super-hero story, it still had… [more]

Further Defending the DC Relaunch — Superman

Cody Walker — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 15:42:03 +0000

The air has been cleared a bit regarding Superman’s status in the DCnU, and (of course) it’s caused people to flip out a bit. Here is a quick rundown of the major changes: 1) A… [more]

Mark Millar’s The Ultimates, Part 4: More Betrayal

Cody Walker — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 12:00:53 +0000

The Ultimates, Part 4: More Betrayal" title="Mark Millar’s The Ultimates, Part 4: More Betrayal" style="float:left;" />After numerous issues of in-fighting and build up, all of the pieces are in place for Millar’s endgame and he takes the series to its only logical conclusion — America’s arms race backfires. It’s the… [more]

I Appreciate Lady Gaga on a Much Deeper Level than You Do

Cody Walker — Sun, 14 Aug 2011 12:00:44 +0000

I saw The Matrix long before I ever picked up my very first The Invisibles comic, so as I read the comic, I looked for all of the alleged idea theft that had occurred when… [more]

Mark Millar’s The Ultimates, Part 3: Saying Something

Cody Walker — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 12:00:48 +0000

The Ultimates, Part 3: Saying Something" title="Mark Millar’s The Ultimates, Part 3: Saying Something" style="float:left;" />Volume 2 of The Ultimates (sometimes referred to as Season 2) is not only vastly superior to the first, but I would argue that it is the best work of Millar’s career. It’s a fascinating… [more]

Mark Millar’s The Ultimates, Part 2: Something More Traditional

Cody Walker — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 12:00:32 +0000

The Ultimates, Part 2: Something More Traditional" title="Mark Millar’s The Ultimates, Part 2: Something More Traditional" style="float:left;" />After the first six issues of Millar’s The Ultimates had established the team as a group of celebrity soldiers with little ethical or moral backbone (except for Thor who is considered insane by the others),… [more]

Mark Millar’s The Ultimates, Part 1: The Anti-Comic

Cody Walker — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 12:00:39 +0000

The Ultimates, Part 1: The Anti-Comic" title="Mark Millar’s The Ultimates, Part 1: The Anti-Comic" style="float:left;" />With the ten-year anniversary of Mark Millar’s The Ultimates coming up next year, and with an all new line up of Ultimate books coming from Jonathan Hickman and Nick Spencer later this year, there’s no… [more]

Interview with Peter Laird

Cody Walker — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 12:00:54 +0000

Peter Laird is an indie comic sensation. Together with Kevin Eastman, the two created the most successful independent comic franchise of all time, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Laird also started the Xeric Award — a… [more]

The Future of Super-Hero Comics

Cody Walker — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 12:00:42 +0000

With comic sales on the decline and the DC Relaunch looming on the horizon, the question of “what does the future hold for super-hero comics?” is an incredibly important one to consider. Before we consider… [more]

Blame it on Hector: A Green Lantern Movie Review

Cody Walker — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 12:00:59 +0000

Green Lantern Movie Review" title="Blame it on Hector: A Green Lantern Movie Review" style="float:left;" />I’ve wanted to watch a live-action Green Lantern movie ever since I was ten years old, so to say that I was excited for this film is a gross understatement. When Ryan Reynolds was cast… [more]

Action Comics #1 and the Superman We Know and Love

Cody Walker — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 12:00:27 +0000

Action Comics #1 and the Superman We Know and Love" title="Action Comics #1 and the Superman We Know and Love" style="float:left;" />Action Comics #1 is the quintessential comic book. Beyond simply being Superman’s first appearance, the cover is iconic, and it holds the distinction of being the most expensive comic book of all time. If ever… [more]

Event Fatigue

Cody Walker — Tue, 31 May 2011 12:00:41 +0000

If you hate event comics, then you don’t really like comics. There. I said it. I don’t feel as if I need to go on, but you’re still here, so allow me to explain myself.… [more]

A Letter to the Prospective Comic Fan

Cody Walker — Tue, 10 May 2011 12:00:10 +0000

Hey prospective comic reader, I know you’re a little apprehensive about where to start when it comes to getting into reading comics, because there are tons of comics out there and you’ve got questions.Fortunately, you’ve… [more]

G.I. Joe: Resolute: The Real American Heroes

Cody Walker — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 12:00:14 +0000

G.I. Joe: Resolute: The Real American Heroes" title="G.I. Joe: Resolute: The Real American Heroes" style="float:left;" />The ’80s were, hands down, the best time for cartoons. Between Thundercats, Masters of the Universe, G.I. Joe, Transformers, and a plethora of other cartoons that are too numerous to mention here, the ’80s were the… [more]

Grant Morrison’s Wildstorm Universe, Part 2: The Authority

Cody Walker — Thu, 03 Mar 2011 13:00:19 +0000

The Authority" title="Grant Morrison’s Wildstorm Universe, Part 2: The Authority" style="float:left;" />While Grant Morrison reimagined the WildStorm Universe’s first team with his WildCats relaunch, the writer also tackled the most popular team with his run on The Authority. Both titles were launched at the same time, and they… [more]

Grant Morrison’s Wildstorm Universe, Part 1: Wildcats

Cody Walker — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 13:00:58 +0000

Wildcats" title="Grant Morrison’s Wildstorm Universe, Part 1: Wildcats" style="float:left;" />After Mark Millar left The Authority and Warren Ellis’s Planetary had gone to a more erratic schedule, the WildStorm Universe needed a big name to come in and turn the whole line of comics around. Enter Grant… [more]

David Mack’s Echo, the Blueprint for the 21st-Century Individual

Cody Walker — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 13:00:19 +0000

Allan Bloom’s The Closing of the American Mind is a “meditation on the state of our souls, particularly those of the young and their education” (Bloom 19). Bloom asserts that the central problem with the state… [more]

The Elements of Wonder Woman

Cody Walker — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 13:00:43 +0000

Wonder Woman may be recognizable and a positive female role-model, but ultimately, the average person knows nothing about her. David E. Kelley hopes to change that. Kelley is known mostly for legal comedy/dramas like Ally McBeal, The… [more]

Moms in Ovens: Why Comic Books Hate Parents

Cody Walker — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 13:00:07 +0000

You’ve witnessed this origin story a million times and across all mediums; protagonist seems to have potential, but it’s the death of a parental figure that spurs protagonist to becoming the hero that he /… [more]

The Magic Behind Batman, Inc.

Cody Walker — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 13:00:39 +0000

Batman, Inc." title="The Magic Behind Batman, Inc." style="float:left;" />When Grant Morrison announced his next major arc within the Batman universe, some readers were confused as to why Morrison would have Batman create a corporation of crime fighters. I had known about Batman, Inc.… [more]

On Digital Comics and the Need for Marketing

Cody Walker — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 13:00:44 +0000

Recently, Ron Marz started a bi-weekly column over at Comic Book Resources titled “Shelf Life,” and his December 30th column got people talking. The central argument in the Marz article is that publishers should branch away… [more]

From the Deck of the Black Freighter

Cody Walker — Sun, 02 Jan 2011 03:39:20 +0000

My wife outright refuses to read the Black Freighter portions of Watchmen. Every time I press her on the issue, she complains, “They’re boring! I don’t want to read about pirates!” I have a nearly perfect… [more]

Why the World Needs a Superman

Cody Walker — Thu, 30 Dec 2010 04:41:30 +0000

A professor at my school has started buying comics for his son, and he asked me to suggest some titles. He had purchased a few issues of Morrison’s Batman and a few of Levitz’s new Legion… [more]