Superman: Secret Origin #1

Superman's origin and life in Smallville has been told and retold dozens of times.  Some have been good, some not so good.  All seem to concentrate more on Superman's escape from the exploding Krypton and less on his identity as Clark Kent and his formative years.

Writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank have collaborated to make (in my opinion) the best story about both Superman's and Clark Kent's early life.

The first issue of the DC Comics' six-part  mini-series sets in place all of the key players in Clark Kent's early life such as Ma and Pa Kent, Lana Lang, Lex Luthor and his best friend Pete Ross.

You'll witness young Clark's powers manifesting themselves such as flight, heat vision, x-ray vision, super strength and invulnerability.  You'll also be there when romance blossoms between Clark and Lana and the beginnings of Lex Luthor's hatred toward then Clark Kent/Superman.

Watch as the heroic nature of Superman emerges in young Clark and his first encounter with the spaceship that brought him to earth and his unsettling experience of discovering his true nature as revealed by his Kryptonian parent's holograms.  You'll even see Clark don his Superman costume.

The story has everything and brings years of continuity together in a neat, well-written, beautifully illustrated saga about the birth of a hero.

Even More Art

Marvel Wall Chart

Marvel Comics has Marvel fans against the wall-literally.  Thanks to Universe Publishing and author/researcher Mike Mallory, Marvel fans can enjoy the Marvel Universe in wall-to-wall comfort.

The Marvel: The Expanding Universe Wall Chart takes the history of the Marvel Universe (complete with vintage and current art) and using a clever accordion folding technique showcases the entire timeline of the Marvel Universe stretching over 10 feet!

What makes the Wall Chart so unique is that you don't have to unfold it to read all about the Marvel universe.  By flipping the folded pages you can view each phase of the popular comic book company's history along with color illustrations, informative text and clever fold-in flaps expand the chart even wider!

The reverse side traces key moments in the Marvel Universe, observations and much more.  The handsome padded, hard-cover, oversize book also boasts a raised illustration of Marvel characters on its cover and comes protected by a special clear plastic resealable slip cover.  It's Marvel'ous!  

Superman/Batman: Public Enemies

Ask yourself, "How could two of the most trusted heroes in the DC Universe suddenly become two of them most hunted and reviled enemies of the world?"

That's what you'll discover when you pick up a single or two-disc Superman/Batman: Public Enemies direct-to-video animated feature DVD(s) from Warner Bros.

Inspired by the ground-breaking story as originally presented in the Superman/Batman comic book from DC Comics, the story faithfully follows the original series with slight modifications.

Lex Luthor is President and is even more power mad and determined to destroy Superman.  Now he has the means by which to succeed.  When Superman and Batman stand against his regime it's all the excuse Luthor needs to brand the heroes traitors and vows to bring them in-dead or alive!

Executive Producer Bruce Timm, along with the original voice talent form previous DC animated series, brings the battle to the small screen in a non-stop action animated movie that will keep you glued to your seat.

Additional features include a behind-the-scenes look at Blackest Night and more!

Here's Some New Sketches

The Toons Treasury

Although comic books were originally created for kids to enjoy, they have evolved to suit a much more mature reader. Just look at DC's Vertigo line, Marvel's Ultimate Universe, Image's books, Dark Horse Comics and other publishers 'mature' titles.

Comics for kids had their heyday in the 1940's, 1950's and 1960's. Of course a few exceptions were published afterwards such as Bone, Harvey titles, Archie (that still churns out good wholesome stories) and several other publishers' titles.

Art Spielgelman and Francoise Mouly, along with publisher Abrams Comicarts, present The Toon Treasury Of Classic Children's Comics with an introduction by Jon Scieszka.

Along with a lengthy historical introduction the book breaks kid's comics down by genre and chooses the best-of-the-best books to represent each. Look for such unforgettable titles like Sugar And Spike, Little Archie, Little Lulu, Pogo, Droopy, Donald Duck, Fairy Tale Parade and dozens more.

Harvey Kurtzman, Sheldon Meyer, Walt Kelly, Carl Barks and C.C. Beck are just a few of the masters of cartooning whose work graces its pages.

Each story is reproduced from actual comic book pages and printed on heavy paper stock that emulates the cheap newsprint comics were printed on. Only these pages won't fade or flake and they're contained in an oversize hardback book!

It's a wonderful visual trek down memory lane that is sure to bring back fond memories.