Shazam!, Spider-MEN, and our Fri Con Sched’, man.

DC Comics has done a wonderful job in the past 10 months keeping pace with their web-tastic friends over in New York. Certainly, what a difference a year makes.

One immediate glaring difference are the few books that cost $3.99.

All of DC’s extra-cost floppies include a back-up story. Action Comics, Batman, All-Star Western, and Justice League all pack additional pages worth that extra buck. The latest best of this bunch has had fans shouting “Shazam!” all over the place. Writer Geoff Johns and his Superman: Secret Origin and upcoming Batman: Earth One artist, Gary Frank, also do their origin-thing with the former Captain Marvel, Shazam, in the back of Justice League every month. And it’s awesome. And now it’s going to feature another fav’ who has yet to return to DC’s “New 52”: Black Adam.

This particular return makes the anticipated come-up of Billy Batson’s alter-ego even more intriguing. Thus far, Billy’s new family situation is far more compelling than before, and it’ll be a wonder how the punk kid’ll react when his far-more-gullible foster siblings get involved, or kidnapped, or.. led to read the featured story in Justice League.

No, I’m kidding.

I actually see a marked improvement in Johns’ and comic superstar Jim Lee’s reimagining of the Justice League. Finally, the grim reaperesque Graves is a villain that doesn’t just appear from out of space to eff shit up; he’s a fella with a reasonable bone to pick with these so-called Gods Among Men. And while it’s true fans are a lot more fickle with DC’s biggest book than they have been with Marvel’s (The Avengers comic has been far from perfect, yo) and some of the other titles offered within the DCU, the church can’t sneer away from the criticism of the League’s lack of comraderie. It’s also just as puerile to think these Super men (and Wonder woman) have no clue how to work as a team, especially with all the resources in the world and the 5-years they’ve had since first testing wits.

Either way, Justice League #10 has art from Jim “Effin'” Lee, and — thankfully — that’s all you damn need. Even when the DC Co-Publisher is rushed or inked by 36 other people, his shizzle is still top of the line. And his portrayal of Graves will goosebump anyone who still fiends for the disturbing days of Blackest Night.

With Shazam by its side, Justice League might just pack the finest deal in the ‘stands.

How some other comics faired this week:

• Spider-Men #2 is even more impressive than the stellar debut, with Brian Michael Bendis sporting plenty of Amazing Spider-Man Peter Parker and Ultimate Comics Spider-ManMiles Morales banter. Just the fact that time/zone travel is now considered a widely accepted practice (ala excuse) for such trivial matters, the mini-series should only get tastefully webbier. We love it when Miles’ shocks the old hand with his own venom sting and phasing ability, and when “616” Parker meets the “other” Nick Fury for the first time ever, cartoon version withstanding. An absolute dream title for fans of Spider-Man in both Marvel universes.

  

 

• There’s no secret GHG adores Batman Incorporated, and #2 served no different. Even though the comic primarily focuses on Talia al Ghul (and somewhat serves as a recap of why and how she got herself back in the Bat-Vill saddle once again), it’s still Morrison at his best. Talia sports classic reactions to her daddy Ra’as’ “gifts,” and sends off a wondrously acidic, cartoony feel from Chris Burnham’s pencils. Batman Inc.#2 just beat out The Flash #10 this week for our last Parish Pick, but don’t sleep on Francis Manupal’s re-take on the speed demon with a surprisingly superb debut from artist Marcus To.

 

• While it’s hard to imagine picking up from the greatness that has been Jonathan Hickman’s Ultimates this week, it’s even harder to imagine an evil Reed Richards bowing out with one mere panel (or deus ex machina) after tormenting the entire universe with his Children of Tomorrow. While Sam Humphries’ Stark-centered script still reads well, and appears decent enough despite using three disparate artists not named Esad Ribic, we couldn’t help but feel a little discouraged by the previously epic run’s swift fallout. Can you say, “drrrrrooopp”??

 

Oh, yeah, that’s right. Here’s our outlook on San Diego Comic Con‘s Furious Friday (movie/video game stuff still pending):

10:15-11:15 Go Green! With the Lean, Mean, Ninja Team – The TMNT are back and thankfully not in Michael Bay’s disgusting alien form. Jason Biggs and Sean Astin lend their vocal talents to Nickelodeon’s new animated Ninja Turtles and an early viewing of the pilot would surely be sweet.

1:25-2:25 The Walking Dead – Well, it looks like we have a decision to make (and typically it’s deciding among 4-5 different panels!), and “Talking Dead” with Chris Hardwick might deem the obvious choice. And since that butt-numbing from last year’s atrocious lines and hours of sitting through shlock I didn’t care for (remember.. uhh.. “Ringer”?) still exhist, Moody may opt out of doing so in favor of…

2-3 Gears of War: Past, Present & Future – With Judgment on the gaming god’s horizon for 2013, there’s a very good reason to join G4’s Morgan Webb and the Epic Games’ directors for a lil’ Q&A. Hell, even Baird’s vocal man Fred Tatasciore will be there. But will the urge to witness a trailer for …Dead‘s season 3 overcome the GOW prequel? Probably.

3:15-4:15 Marvel’s Cup O’ Joe – They always place Marvel’s “most anticipated” panel during the worst timeslot. Maybe I can hire a kid to cover Joe Quesada’s power-hour for me in exchange for a skin-tight Splinter Cell t-shirt from E3.

2:45-3:45 Game of Thrones – OK, nevermind. Walking Dead it has to be, because Game of Thrones immediately follows! Looks like GHG will have to flex its Mary Magdeline muscle to get into Hall H once again this July 13, as it will surely be worth witnessing George R.R. Martin moderate all of us dancing trolls once again.

6:45-7:45 Breaking Bad – Holy shit this Friday is packed! Three of the greatest dramas in the history of television on the same day. And since we’re promised the Season 5 premiere in its entirety — though not exactly that early considering it airs nationally on AMC that Sunday — this hour will be hard to top.

8:15-(whenever someone passes out) Comics Bulletin Dinner – Thanks @jasonsacks! I’ll have no problem squeezing out some “up” whiskey sodas.

I keed, I keed.