Convergence

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Comic Book News Marvel Star Wars

Top Ten Comic Books For April 2015

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The Force is strong with Star Wars, but not for the rest of Marvel comics for the month of April.

Only the Star Wars comics from Marvel managed to grace the top ten, with four of the ten being Star Wars related.

DC Comics took the rest of the six with their new Convergence event and Batman.

Things will more than likely shift Marvel’s way in May as Secret Wars just launched.

Marvel Comics still managed to take the top dollar and unit share for Apri, so it’s not like they have anything to complain about.

Below you can check out the charts via Diamond.

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Comic Book News

Review: Convergence #3 (of 8)

Up until now the core Convergence title book has been found wanting. Personally, I enjoyed the Earth 2 series and the World’s End series quite a lot, but I found it hard to get behind Jeff King’s band of misplaced heroes in the first two issues of DC’s “mega event.” The camaraderie seemed forced and even though most of the group have fought side by side before, the reader doesn’t have enough belief in these heroes, enough “history” with these particular heroes, to fully care about them. We are not given DC “core” characters to get behind. We don’t have THE Superman, THE Batman or even THE Dick Grayson to propel us on a nail-biting journey of lost hope for the universe that could lead to the possible demise of an icon. But that may be Jeff King’s purpose all along. The characters he uses DO have great stories attached to them, if you read the aforementioned books, and they can do something that DC would not allow their “icons” to do in this universe rebuilding crossover; they can DIE!

Of course DC has killed off plenty of “icons” before, but we all know how that always turns out. But in Convergence, Jeff King has the unique task of building a stunning story where he can create new icons, ones that may survive the course of eight issues and beyond, or, he can create magnificent, sacrificial deaths for these characters where they have served their purpose for the greater good and exile them into oblivion. 

I know that I keep referring to “death” in this review, but it is well warranted. Jeff King steps up the stakes in this issue, and our main band of heroes are not the only ones looking into the eyes of the reaper. Long time DC fans will be astonished with the choices Jeff King makes in this issue. There are things that happen that will set the message boards ablaze with debate! But this book doesn’t JUST revolve around shocking deaths, there is a tale of heroism and loss brewing throughout!

Jeff King has finally found the voice of his characters in this issue. There were moments from issue #2 that were done quite well, but here, King has found the rhythm to string those moments into one riveting story for the entire issue. He weaves in stunning new plot twists that excite and bewilder the reader, ones that can change the entire dynamic of the book through to its finale. But the part that takes this story to the next level is King’s inclusion of popular DC history and spinning it to involve these new characters. For longtime DC fans, it will make the story resonate even more with you as you smile in spite of yourself, and for new fans, well, you get to make some shocking new memories for the very first time! 

All in all, this is the best issue yet, and the three distinct cliffhanger pieces guarantee that issue four will be amazing!

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Comic Book News

New Convergence Batman Leaks Online From Batman #40

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Spoilers follow for the new Batman for Convergence, Batman #40 and “Batman Endgame.”

We’ve all seen the new Batman, with some comparing it to Chappie or even Big Hero 6.

Now, apparently, a page from Batman #40 has leaked online, with the issue not due out to April 29th.

The image reveals Commissioner Gordon in the new Batsuit.

I gotta say that this is rather surprising to have a big reveal from a DC book like this to leak online. Honestly, I wouldn’t be too surprised if it was leaked intentionally to quell the backlash against the new Batman suit. We even seen Gordon state, “This is the dumbest idea in the history of Gotham,” – which mirrors just about every Batman fan’s opinions, at least to date. Now that Gordon has seemingly become a Batman Robocop, it could actually be pretty cool story written by Snyder with art by Capullo.

Check it out.

Update: The page might actually be from DC’s Free Comic Book Day issue, Divergence, that is out Saturday, May 2nd, as users on reddit are reporting the entire issue leaked online. 

Update #2: We’ve been asked to take the image down.

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Comic Book News

Watch: Top 10 DC Characters Returning in Convergence

DC Comics latest event Convergnece, kicked off with the zero issue, which received mixed reviews online.

Not much really went down to justify the five dollar price tag, but we did get the villain reveal and the motivations behind the series.

Telos (or Braniaic) is bringing back dead worlds and characters and will somehow choose which ones survive. 

So I gathered from that: Say we have 10 versions Superman, only one will make it back to the “real” world. What happens to the other nine? No idea, but starting next week, we’ll begin to find out more.

DC released a video above with the “Top 10 DC Characters Returning In Convergence.”

Convergence is here! Next week, your favorite cities and characters from days past come back with a vengeance in a series of spectacular miniseries revealing what’s taken place in the years—or even decades—since you last saw them. In this exclusive DC All Access clip, we count down our top ten returning characters. So which heroic reunion are you most looking forward to?

Who are you looking forward to seeing?

You can check out the preview for Convergence #1, which hits next Wednesday, as well.

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Comic Book News

Review: Convergence #0

DC Comics latest event kicks off today with Convergence #0, which promises: “Everything matters. Every story matters.” 

The issue follows Superman as he is transported to a universe between universes by Brainiac where he finds himself lost among many alternate versions of Metropolis.

The issue is heavy on exposition and is rather drawn out with a few pointless “Pow” punches here and there. The dialogue is spotty, and at times the panels don’t flow all that well. It’s also not the best art I’ve seen from Sciver.

The book is extremely overpriced at $5.00 as the issue could easily be toned down to a five-page story and made as a free prequel giveaway or some sort. You easily get more from Dan DiDio’s Convergence trailer than anything this issue provides.

The problem with the issue is it does little to get the reader excited for the main event title. For one, it’s only a Superman story, which in itself isn’t a bad thing, but since this is a prequel, just how much “Convergence” story can be told? And that is probably the reason why the issue feels so drawn out – it’s because they can’t tell much about Convergence, and it only focuses on Superman, who really just goes on and on about trying to get home while the different versions of Brainiac attempt an explanation, which comes up rather lacking. It would have been a much better read to use numerous DC characters (i.e. Justice League characters) to give teases for what’s to come in the main Convergence series that starts next week.

While we don’t give official star-ratings here at Cosmic Book News, if I had to, Convergence #0 would get a 2 out of 5 stars as the issue is a rather lackluster attempt at kicking off a big event series and can be considered anything but a must read – or a must buy. 

This one really doesn’t matter all that much.

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Comic Book News

Watch: DC Comics Convergence Trailer With Dan DiDio

Are you lost in regards to what DC’s Convergence event is all about (or Marvel’s Secret War‘s for that matter)?

Well, DC co-publisher Dan DiDio has you covered in the above Convergence trailer.

DiDio goes over what Convergence is all about including teases for what’s to come.

Covergence kicks off next week with Convergence #0, and then the event officially starts with the first issue written by veteran television writer Jeff King on April 8th.

This is it! The entire DC Universe, from the dawn of time through The New 52, must fight to survive against a threat that bends the Multiverse to its will. Your favorite characters from every era and every forgotten series are all here! But are you going to say hello again just to say goodbye forever? The stakes have never been higher as the heroes of Crisis, Zero Hour, Elseworlds, and more are brought together for Convergence!

In the first issue of this weekly series, Brainiac has collected cities of doomed and forgotten worlds, who must battle each other – and the losers will be destroyed! But why is he forcing this conflict? Join the refugees from Earth-2 as they unlock the truth behind this world that exists outside time and space and is very much alive! Is Brainiac really in control – or is this planet named Telos an unparalleled force of evil?

This extra-sized issue is packed with twists and turns and appearances you NEVER thought you’d see – including the heroes from the hit series INJUSTICE!

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Comic Book News

Now Wonder Woman Gets A New Costume

Add Wonder Woman to the list of changes following Convergence, as a new costume for the Amazonian princess debuts.

Check out the cover and solicit below for June’s Wonder Woman #41.

Speaking of changes, DC is going with an all-new Batman, Superman gets a hair cut, the GLC get lost and Kyle Rayner gets murdered.

WONDER WOMAN #41
Written by MEREDITH FINCH
Art and cover by DAVID FINCH and 
JONATHAN GLAPION
THE JOKER Variant cover by BRIAN BOLLAND
On sale JUNE 17 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for details.
A daring new direction begins with the arrival of a brand-new villain! But while he may be new to us, he’s not new to the world he seeks to tame. And speaking of villains, Donna Troy’s quest to destroy Wonder Woman ratchets up another gear (if that’s even possible!), while the games of the Gods bring dark portents to the ultimate Amazon!

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(via Hit Fix)

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Comic Book News

DC Killing Off Kyle Rayner Post-Convergence?

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Superman gets a hair cut, The GLC are getting lost, Sinestro looks to rise, Batman is – what he is, and now it appears Kyle Rayner is getting killed off.

Say what you want about DC Comics following their upcoming Convergence event, but someone at DC obviously has a set of cajones to go with all these changes.

DC will be launching a new Omega Men series in June with the solicit for the first issue reading as follows:

The Omega Men are back in an all-new series! They’ve murdered White Lantern Kyle Rayner and now, the universe wants them to pay! Who are these intergalactic criminals – and is there more to their actions than meets the eye?

With the GLC missing along with John Stewart, and apparently Kyle Rayner dead, that only leaves Hal Jordan in the “regular” DCU.

However, Hal seems to be having issues of his own as he apparently drops the ring following Convergence.

DC also drops most of the GL titles as technically following Convergence there is only one with Green Lantern: The Lost Army (two if you count Sinestro).

Things don’t look good for the Corps.

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Comic Book News

New Details On Sinestro & Green Lantern Post-Convergence

DC Comics has released the covers and solicits for the two Green Lantern titles post-Convergence.

Cullen Bunn is writing Green Lantern: The Lost Army (art by Jesus Saiz and Javier Pina) and Sinestro (art by Brad Walker).

Bunn told Newsarama that 99% of the GLC goes missing in a different universe with Hal left behind, and now Sinestro thinks the time is right for the Sinestro Corps to shine.

Check out the solicits and covers:

GREEN LANTERN: THE LOST ARMY #1
Imagine waking up in a strange place where you didn’t recognize anything, and everyone you knew and loved was nowhere to be found. Now imagine that you are a Green Lantern. The rest of the Corps is missing, you don’t know where you are and there’s not a Power Battery to be found for as far as your ring can scan. Where are you? How did you get here? Those are just two of the many questions facing our heroes.

Starring John Stewart, Two-Six, Kilowog and Arisia, and featuring a surprise guest-star we promise you’ll never predict, LOST ARMY is an incredible journey of discovery, survival, morality and heartbreak. Never has the Corps been challenged in this way – and not everyone is going to make it home!”

SINESTRO #12
There’s a traitor in the Sinestro Corps who has set New Korugar on a path to certain destruction! The smart move would be to evacuate the Korugarian refugees from the planet, but Sinestro knows finding the identity of the traitor is more crucial, which leads to an unexpected betrayal from someone you would never expect, and a punishment from Sinestro that will alter someone’s life irrevocably!

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Comic Book News

Superman Gets A New Haircut Post-Convergence

If you guessed DC Comics would be going back to their pre-52 Universe following Convergence, you guessed wrong (maybe in September?).

Earlier saw the controversial all-new Batman, and now it’s learned following Convergence Superman will have a new haircut to go along with his new powers.

Superman’s new power – the Super Flare – when used strips him of all his super powers essentially leaving him as vulnerable as a plain ol‘ human for 24 hours.

DC released the cover and solicit for June’s Superman #41, which shows off the new super do as well as teases a big secret.

SUPERMAN #41
Written by Gene Luen Yang
Art and cover by John Romita Jr. and Klaus Janson
The Joker variant cover by Karl Kerschl
On sale June 24 • 32 pages, FC, $3.99 U.S. • Rated T
The epic new story line “TRUTH” continues with the debut of the amazing new creative team of new writer Gene Luen Yang (“American Born Chinese”) and continuing artists John Romita Jr. and Klaus Janson! What will happen when the big secret is revealed?

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Comic Book News

Major Changes In Batman #41

Batman is set to go through a major change following DC’s Convergence event which runs April through May.

The solicit and cover to Batman #41 has been released revealing a much different Batman.

Series writer Scott Snyder is well aware of the controversy the new Batman will be bringing.

“I’m not going to spoil it specifically, but I can tell you unequivocally, it is the boldest, weirdest, biggest thing we’ve ever tried on the book,” Snyder tod CBR. “I’m not being hyperbolic: You’ll see it, and you’ll be like, “I can’t believe they’re doing that.”

Snyder doesn’t offer much more, but does state he and series artist Greg Capullo will be on Batman through at least issue #52.

Update: Snyder added the following on Twitter.

Update #2: The Batgirl #41 solicit and cover mentions the new Batman (see below).

Here is the solicit and cover for Batman #41:

BATMAN #41
Written by SCOTT SNYDER Art by GREG CAPULLO and DANNY MIKI
Cover by GREG CAPULLO
THE JOKER Variant cover by SEAN MURPHY
On sale JUNE 10 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.
The all-new Batman makes his debut! Who is he, and what happens next? Find out here as a new era begins in Gotham City!

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BATGIRL #41
Written by CAMERON STEWART and BRENDEN FLETCHER
Art by BABS TARR
Cover by CAMERON STEWART
THE JOKER Variant cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE
On sale JUNE 24 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with two covers. Please see the order form for more information.
There’s a new Batman in town…and that spells bad news for Barbara Gordon! She’s already got enough upheaval in her life, with her roommate Frankie in on her biggest secret…and now she’s looking to get even more involved in Batgirl’s business!

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Comic Book News

Why Does Scott Snyder Hate Alfred?!

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He’s Mad I Tell You!

 

“A Penny For Your Thoughts”

By Chris “DOC” Bushley

Caution: Spoilers Dead Ahead!

 

We have all seen Scott Snyder’s DC All Access “Endgame” interview regarding the Joker and plans for what happens next in the Batman mythos. But there is one thing the soft spoken scribe failed to tell you — he is TWISTED! Don’t let his facade fool you, Mr. Snyder is riddled with horrific, inhumane thoughts that churn and bubble to the surface. Don’t believe me? Check out his Image comic Wytches! He’s twisted, man, TWISTED!

Not only is Mr. Snyder a possible Arkham escapee, he seems to have a penchant for letting his disturbing ideas torment a single character incessantly. No, not Batman, Alfred Pennyworth! Yes, Alfred! The beloved butler that helped a young Bruce Wayne evolve into the crime fighting machine he is today. Now, we all know that in order to hurt a hero the most, you must hurt their inner circle, their loved ones, it just makes for better storytelling. But the things Mr. Snyder has bestowed upon poor Alfred are, say it with me… TWISTED!

Let’s go down memory lane so we can see how far Scott Snyder has pushed Alfred to the brink.

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Snyder’s path of depravity began way back in the “Death Of The Family” story arc where poor Alfred was attacked by the Joker. Not only was he beaten with a ball-peen hammer, he was then tortured while the whole thing was being tape-recorded in order to send Batman a message. Was that enough for Mr. Snyder? NO! He then “Jokerized”  Alfred and made him fight the family he dearly loves!

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Then came Batman Eternal where Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV decided to destroy Gotham and Batman in the process. Bruce Wayne loses everything; bank accounts, weapons depots, even Wayne Manor itself! But he loses something even more dear to him, yep, Alfred! In issue #21, Alfred is attacked inside the Manor by Hush and is violently injected with Fear Toxin directly in the temple. This drives Alfred completely insane, and eventually, he is admitted into Arkham Asylum. If this isn’t bad enough, while still fighting the effects of the toxin, Arkham collapses, sending the inmates into deep chasms beneath the structure. Insane, beaten and buried, Alfred, eventually crawls out of the rubble and teams with Killer Croc in order to escape from certain death.

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After all of that, you would think Mr. Snyder would give ol‘ Alfred a break. Possibly a nice vacation, some quality time with, Julia, his daughter, but no! This week, Mr Snyder showed us what truly lies inside his maniacal mind. In Batman #39, the Joker makes his way inside the Batcave and descends upon the still recovering Alfred. Although he gets a shot off at the Joker, he is still weak and is brutally attacked. The Joker cleaves Alfred’s right hand clean off!

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Is there anything more that Scott Snyder could possibly due to Alfred Pennyworth besides ultimately killing him off? We all know that Mr. Snyder’s inner thoughts are just teeming with more sadistic things to unleash upon poor Alfred before destroying him completely, but will he keep Alfred alive through the finale of the “Endgame” storyline? That is the question on everyone’s lips, but I personally think the ol’chap will make it. Everyone, including me, thought Alfred was going to die in “Death Of The Family,” and Snyder kept him alive to do even more brutal things to him. 

This time I think Alfred should get a little payback. I think during DC’s upcoming “Convergence” storyline that ALL of the Alfreds on ALL of the alternate planets should form the ultimate revenge team — the Blitzkrieg Butlers! That’s right, an all butler squad that can finally get revenge for everything Mr. Snyder has put poor Alfred through!

What do you say Alfred, would you join a barrage of badass butlers to take revenge on the Joker, Hush and anyone else who has ever done you wrong?

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Comic Book News

DC Comics New Suicide Squad Revealed; Taking On ISIS

Following Convergence, DC Comics is launching 24 all-new titles and keeping 25.

Check out a first look at the new Suicide Squad members as of June’s issue #9.

The new team consists of Parasite, the Black Hand, Poison Ivy, the Reverse-Flash, Cheetah, and a Court of Owls Talon (via Newsarama). 

Convergence launches in April.

Details include Parasite will be the team’s secret weapon against ISIS in the new arc.

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Comic Book News

Jeff King Confirms Bruce & Thomas Wayne To Meet In Convergence (Video)

DC Comics’ big event, Convergence, kicks off in April.

In total, there will be 89 issues, with veteran writer Jeff King handling the main series.

The latest episode of DC All Access features an interview with King where the writer offers some teases about what’s to come.

Among the tidbits is mention that Bruce Wayne will meet his alternate universe father, Thomas Wayne.

Thomas Wayne is featured as the Batman in Earth 2 (and was the Batman in the Flashpoint event that led to the New 52).

“Convergence is an enormous story with a very small focus,” King offered. “There are heroes from World’s End and Future’s End who make the journey from the end of that series into the beginning of Convergence. From there it explodes out into a much bigger story. Brainiac has been collecting dead worlds and timelines from across the entire history of the DCU. He’s been experimenting and tinkering with them pitting heroes from timelines against each other in order to catalog their weaknesses.”

King continues with mention of why fans should hop onboard.

“I feel like it’s going to be a celebration of what you love. I feel like it’s going to shock you because there are a couple of turns of events that you will not expect will come out of it,” King said. “When was the last time you thought that Captain Carrot might be fighting Harley Quinn? When was the last time you saw every Flash from DC Continuity, from Wally to Barry to Jay to the kids? We are going to have generations of Batmen. We are going to see Bruce Wayne and Thomas Wayne meet each other for the first time.”

Jeff King finishes with another tease in that the number of issues for Convergence plays a factor.

“There are 89 issues for a reason because 89 is a prime number. It’s only divisible by one in itself and there is a reason because Convergence is that significant,” King explained. “I will say the Multiversity Guide Book is something they should maybe pay attention to because it’s going to have some direct implications for the future of the DC Universe post-Convergence.

“Convergence is going to be a game-changer.”

Convergence hits in April with #0; you can also check out a clip above for the WB animated movie LEGO Justice League vs. Bizarro Justice League.

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Comic Book News

First Look At DC Comics Convergence #0

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DC Comics released a first look at Convergence #0, which kicks off their big event that leads to the June soft relaunch.

(via EW)

CONVERGENCE #0

Writers: Jeff King, Dan Jurgens

Art: Ethan Van Sciver

Cover: Ethan Van Sciver

Variants: Adam Hughes, Patrick Zircher, Darwyn Cooke, Ethan Van Sciver

Price: 4.99

In Stores: Apr 1 2015

Description:

Where do worlds go when they die?

The Earthquakes felt round the Multiverse, Superman’s lost days after “Doomed,” the World’s End – all these points will converge as the history of the DCU is spun from a new perspective, the perspective of a mad god and his arrogant child. The biggest story in DC history ties into literally every DC story ever told – and it all begins here.

Kingdom Come, Red Son, Wild West Justice League, Captain Carrot and the Zoo Crew – all the worlds you remember can still be found on Telos. Everything matters. Every story matters.

Don’t miss the start of DC’s April/May 2015 event with this special issue!

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Comic Book News

DC Comics Teases No Green Lantern Ring For Hal Jordan

March sees the end of Green Lantern Corps, Green Lantern: New Guardians and Red Lanterns, but will it also see the end of the Green Lantern ring for Hal Jordan?

A promo featured in the back of this week’s DC comics features Green Lantern editor Matt Idelson offering up teases for what’s to come following Convergence.

For Green Lantern, Idelson teases, “Let’s just say for the moment, the ring will no longer be the thing!”

We get a possible further hint about what’s going on from the March solicit for Green Lantern #40 as Newsarama points out an “ultimate betrayal” is mentioned, with “what could make Hal Jordan turn on the Templar Guardians and the Corps?” questioned, in addition to “a status quo change that will impact all the Green Lantern titles!” stated.

Is it possible either Jordan will be stripped of his ring or that he won’t need his ring to access the Green Lantern power? Or even that Hal may be replaced?

Convergence runs April and May.

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