Comics: Batman Incorporated 2

The cover to the awesome "Batman Incorporated 2"

The origin of Talia al Ghul has never been touched upon directly in any Batman comic up to this point. It has only tried to shed light on few details over time. However for the first time, Batman Incorporated is the comic that reveals the past of the daughter of Ra’s al Ghul.

The issue begins at a concert where Ra’s al Ghul and Melisande, Talia’s mother, meet. They discuss the millions starving in Africa, and the imperial aristocracy of Africa. He tells her the whole system is corrupt, and the children of tomorrow need the two. This leads to Melisande going through child labor, and having Talia. The next part revolves between Ra’s in the mountains with baby Talia and Talia herself confronting her father. Ra’s shows the young child the mountains telling her the world will be her’s one day. Ra’s congratulates Talia on the Dark Knight never seeing her coming. She replies most underestimate her, and discusses where the imagery and symbolism her organization has comes from. Ra’s says he will not allow her war with Batman to continue, and then the comic moves to the young Talia growing up. She trains with ninjas, and suffers her first taste of what the Lazarus Fever can do to someone including her father. Talia makes clear Ra’s never gave her the things she actually wanted; only the things he perceived she wanted. She was a horse, education in chemistry, and a hot air balloon.

She eventually slips away one day, and goes to a fortuneteller. She explains the stars and astrology, and begins Talia’s education in the symbolism that would define her campaign against the Batman. She tells Talia of Medusa, and hints that she, herself, might be Talia. However, Ubu then strikes the woman down after she tells Talia that to survive in this world she must appear helpless. Talia then appears to be doing ballet as Ra’s and Ubu watch. Next, Talia is given her own secret headquarters underneath London. However, men threaten them in there, and the three fight back. One day, Talia gets angry at her father, and questions him greatly. However, he remarks that her mother has always been dead. Talia is next seen having been at a college in what seems to be Egypt, and she is walking with men who attempt to formally kidnap her. They are a part of the League of Assassins who has declared their independence. Talia and Dr. Daark (who kidnaps her) discuss herself and her father, and then he takes her with him. However, she is rescued by Batman, and then Talia moves back to her first meeting Batman. She reminisces about her testing him. After Ra’s and Bruce fight, Talia and Bruce have sex after he realizes she poisoned him. Damian is then shown training along with Talia’s alliance with different men in the International Super Crime Community. The flashback concludes with Batman: The Black Glove and Batman and Son being referenced. Talia leaves her father in suspense as she almost has her henchman hurt him. She also says before that Damian is just a pawn.

Grant Morrison writes one giant flashback throughout the story. He gives the reader a definitive version of whom and what Talia was, and how it all defined her up to the current day. Along with her relationship with Ra’s, Morrison remains one of the best writers of the Batman mythos ever. With his partner in crime Chris Burnham, things couldn’t be better. Burnham is giving us the best work of his career, and defines every character with nicely-detailed art. Hopefully, Morrison keeps the surprises in store…

Prose: Captain Action at Airship 27

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Press Release:

CAPTAIN ACTION – PULP HERO!

Airship 27 Productions, one of the premier publishers in the New Pulp movement, and Captain Action Enterprises, licensors of the popular Captain Action toy line, have joined forces to produce the first ever Captain Action pulp novel, “Riddle of the Glowing Men,” by Jim Beard.  The book debuts this Aug. at Pulp Fest in Columbus, Ohio.

“We are tremendously excited to be working with Joe Ahearn and Ed Catto of Captain Action Enterprises,” said Airship 27 Productions’ Managing Editor, Ron Fortier.  “This is the first time we’ve ever put together a title based on a highly popular and successful license.”

Captain Action is based on the action figure created in 1966 by Stan Weston for Ideal Toys. He came equipped with a wardrobe of costumes allowing him to become many different heroes such as Batman, The Lone Ranger, the Green Hornet and many more. In 1967, Captain Action proved so popular that the line was expanded to include a sidekick, Action Boy and a blue skinned alien foe with bug eyes, the nefarious Dr. Evil.  The following year, DC Comics licensed the character from Ideal and published five issues of Captain Action featuring industry luminaries such as Jim Shooter, Wally Wood and Gil Kane.

Since 2005, Captain Action Enterprises, has been producing an array of exciting new collectibles, including statues, toys, comics, trading cards, and apparel.  Still, the one remaining venue the enduring hero had yet to conquer was that of a prose novel.  Enter veteran writer Jim Beard, a life-long fan of the character.  “Jim approached us late last year with this idea for a Captain Action pulp novel,” recalls Catto. “We were immediately intrigued by the possibilities and began seriously exploring the idea.”

It was Beard who then brought Ahearn and Catto to Airship 27 Productions.  “At the time I’d just finished my first book for Airship 27,” Beard elaborates.  “Impressed with their industry leading quality and professionalism, I knew they were the right people to usher Captain Action into the fast-paced world of pulpdom.”

The challenge of doing a licensed property appealed to Fortier and his partner and Art Director, Rob Davis and they signed on.  Their first goal was to assemble the finest art team possible. This was achieved by recruiting the talented cover painter, Nick Runge. Runge’s work on such IDW titles as AngelTerminator –Salvation has spotlighted him as being one of the finest new artists in the graphic field today.  Davis himself took on the task of doing the nine interior illustrations while also designing the entire package.

Riddle of the Glowing Men,” is set in the sixties where secret agent, Miles Drake, aka, Captain Action, is attacked at A.C.T.I.O.N. headquarters by several assassins whose green skin glows as if radiated.  In the process of learning the identity of these killers and the reason behind their attack, Captain Action teams with a beautiful female Russian agent and their quest leads them to a hidden civilization under the frozen wasteland of Siberia. “Jim Beard has written a terrific, authentic Captain Action adventure,” applauds Fortier. “It perfectly captures the break-neck speed and thrills of the early pulps only with today’s modern sensibilities. This book is sure to appeal to both Captain Action fans and new pulp enthusiasts alike.”

Joe Ahearn and Ed Catto will be hosting a Captain Action panel at this year’s San Diego Comic Con with further details about other exciting plans for the classic hero.  Artist Nick Runge will also be present at his table in Artist Alley.  Fortier, Davis and Beard will be in attendance at Pulp Fest and will announce the book’s actual publication date.

About Captain Action Enterprises

As Retropreneurs, Captain Action Enterprises, LLC specializes in taking old properties and rejuvenating them for a new generation. Captain Action now appears in an on-going comic book series, lithographs, statues, action figures, T-shirts, model kits and an iPhone app. Additional properties include Lady Action, the Zeroids and Savage Beauty. For additional information, contact ed.catto@bonfireagency.com.

About Airship 27 Productions

Begun in 2004 to produce new novels and anthologies featuring classic, public domain pulp heroes of the 30s and 40s, Airship 27 Productions was one of the major factors behind the pulp renaissance which evolved into the New Pulp Movement.  Today they have over fifty titles in their ever expanding catalog, sell both hard copy and digital versions of their books and will soon be launching audio books of their titles. They can be found atairship27hangar.com.

Kickstart the Week: Halloween Eve and Trip Fantastic

I have followed Amy Reeder and her gorgeous art for years. So when she finally returned to creator-owned projects (after an abbreviated run on Batwoman, I take notice. Halloween Eve looks gorgeous and I can only hope that we will see more from her on the creator-owned front soon.

Trip Fantastic reminds me of Grant Morrison’s Zenith, a book as much about celebrity as it is about its actual subject matter. Whether Trip’s adventures will play out in the same glory as the classic British series remains to be seen, but it is a solid fun project worth giving a look.

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