By: Jacob Elyachar
As the final weeks of 2012 approach us, I will be doing my Best of series where I highlight the best in movies, music, T.V. and comics.
The first article in my multi-part series focuses on the Best of DC Comics.
DC Comics has had one incredible 2012 that featured several significant highlights:
Batman may have survived the Court of Owls’ assault but the Joker’s deadly comeback might send him over the edge. (Cover by Greg Capullo and Jonathan Glapion; property of DC Comics)
Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo soar on Batman
One of the hottest creative teams in the current line-up of DC Comics is Batman’s Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo. This duo has put the Dark Knight in two of his most testing adventures yet. The first half of the year dealt with the Court of Owls during the terrific Night of the Owls crossover and so far has delivered an incredible story in Death of the Family where the Batman Family battle a nightmarish Joker.
Aquaman=No More Laughing Stock
Under the penmanship of DC Comics’ super writer and Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns, the King of the Seas has evolved from his jokeable Super Friends days to a formidable superhero as he rediscovered his roots while facing off against his arch-rival Black Manta that will lead directly into the Aquaman/Justice League crossover event: Throne of Atlantis.
The Man of Steel and the Amazon Princess’ romance made headlines in countless forms of media. (Artwork by Jim Lee, Scott Williams & Sandra Hope; Property of DC Comics)
Wonder Woman + Superman= DC’s Power Couple
Longtime comic book fans were given the shock of a lifetime in Justice League #12 where the Man of Steel and the Amazon Princess hooked up on the cover and in the final pages of that special issue. While hardcore fans were outraged with this new twist, this might be the first act that puts next year’s The Trinity War events into motion.
Pandora’s origin is revealed
At the end of 2011’s Flashpoint, fans were introduced to a mysterious red-cloaked figure named Pandora. During this year’s Free Comic Book Day one-shot, we learned that she part of group called the Trinity of Sin that were deemed the most sinful human beings on the planet by the Mythical Gods of DC Comics. Pandora’s crimes were releasing the terrors of man upon the world. The red-cloaked woman will be at the center of The Trinity War crossover that will be out next year.
The Guardians of the Universe’s plans to wipe out emotions make them contenders for the Villains of the Year award. (Cover by Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Albert Oclair, and Rod Reis and property of DC Comics)
Don’t trust the Guardians of the Universe
If there was an award for Villains of the Year, it should go to the Guardians of the Universe. Once these beings were the protectors of the Universe but no more…. The Guardians of the Universe are now ready to wipe out the entire emotional spectrum with their deadly Third Army. Hopefully, karma will catch up with them in a huge way in 2013 when Rise of the Third Army ends in 2013.
The early adventures of Watchmen
One of the biggest announcements of the year was that DC Comics was releasing brand new stories featuring the beloved characters of Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons’ classic Watchmen. Several of the strong mini-series included Darwyn Cooke’s Minutemen, Len Wein & Jae Lee’s Ozymandias, J. Michael Straczynski & Adam Hughes’ Doctor Manhattan and Darwyn Cooke & Amanda Conner’s Silk Spectre.
Catwoman (Anne Hathaway) and Batman (Christian Bale) saved Gotham City in “The Dark Knight Rises.” (Poster property of Warner Bros., DC Entertainment and Legendary Pictures).
The Dark Knight Rises
Christopher Nolan ended his involvement with the Batman franchise with a bang as Batman (Christian Bale) came out of retirement to save Gotham City from the menace of Bane (Tom Hardy) and Talia Al Ghul (Marion Cotillard). Actors Joseph Gordon-Levitt (John Blake) and Anne Hathaway (Selina Kyle) were standouts in this $1,000,000,000 finale.
To watch an official trailer of The Dark Knight Rises, click here: http://youtu.be/g8evyE9TuYk
For more information about DC Comics, click here: http://www.dccomics.com/
