Panel Vision - Mnemovore

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Let’s talk about Vertigo Comics.  Established in 1993, Vertigo was intended to be a mature readers imprint for DC Comics as a way to capitalize on the growing adult comic reading marketing.  It’s had ups and downs in its history but, by in large, it has been an enormous success spawning numerous best-sellers and massively popular works that have been adapted into several mediums such as Hellblazer, Fables, Preacher, Lucifer, V for Vendetta, and iZombie.  One of the imprint’s major focuses has turned out to be horror, mainly because that was the easiest genre to turn into R-rated comics back during the ‘90s. 

Since then they’ve consistently put out of some of the most frightening and well-considered horror comics in the medium.  One such miniseries has stuck with me since I read it and now that Channel Zero: No-End House has started hitting on a lot of similar plot points it’s the perfect time to dust off this old chestnut: let’s talk about Mnemovore. 

Cover Story - Top 10 Son of Satan Covers

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Another season of Lucifer is upon us, which means I’ve another excuse to dive deep into the well of comic book devils.  Last year I took a look at the original comic Lucifer is allegedly based on so this year let’s travel across the isle to Marvel in the 1970s for that was the last time Satan was really big in pop culture, or rather bigger than being a near globally recognized shorthand for evil would imply.  Son of Satan was one of many cheeky little comics published by Marvel in the mid-'70s as part of a break with the comics code, a self-imposed industry standard of what was considered suitable to be featured in publishing.  

At the time Marvel was still very much the scrappy new kid on the comics block so loudly declaring the comics code unnecessary were part of how they were cementing their cool image of “not your dad’s superhero company,” even if their books weren’t meant to appeal to slightly older children.  So, with all that said let’s dive into the shallow end and the get cover story on the son of Satan. 

Comics Rainbow - Satan

Let’s talk about Satan.  Currently, Satan is enjoying his slow crawl into the hearts and minds of the public thanks to Fox’s fairly successful Lucifer show, the TV series reboot of The Omen entitled Damien, and the upcoming TV reboot of The Exorcist.  That’s a lot of Satan to go around and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see more given the fantasy genre’s current fascination with seminal works of fantastical literature that we’ve all been aware from an incredibly early age.  I mean if King David is getting a TV show and Noah got a blockbuster movie I can see Satan getting more screen time.  As such, I’ve decided to dive into the world of Satan in comics because believe me it is one twisted hell of weirdness and nonsense.

Cover Story - Top 10 Lucifer Covers

In case you hadn’t heard, Fox is premiering a new show entitled Lucifer, allegedly based on the Vertigo comics of the same name.  I say “allegedly” because by all evidence Lucifer the show is about Satan coming to Earth so that he can help the police solve mysteries whereas Lucifer the comic was an exploration of mysticism, cosmology, faith, and identity.  

I get that for a lot of folks Vertigo’s Lucifer was hardly required reading but it stands tall alongside works such as Hellblazer, Fables, and Neil Gaiman’s Sandman as some of the comics that put Vertigo on the comic book map.  Understandably, I’m pretty disappointed the TV adaptation has settled on the most generic stock plot to fill things out, however that doesn’t mean we can’t celebrate the original comics.  That’s what I’m here to do today, bringing you the top 10 Lucifer comic covers.  So, let’s dive into the shallow end and get the cover story on Lucifer.

Marvel's Damage Control Show Coming to ABC

Edited by Robert Beach 

Marvel television is a spotty enterprise to be sure. As much as I loved Daredevil and enjoyed Agent Carter, there’s no getting around the many problems that seem to plague Marvel’s television projects. Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. is the least interesting and least ambitious superhero show on the air right now. It's completely dwarfed by the conceptual craziness and continuity of Flash and Arrow while simultaneously being completely outclassed by Gotham’s stylistic affectations. That’s not even touching the excellent indie comic shows like iZombie or the long running and beloved Walking Dead. 

Add in upcoming challengers like Lucifer, Preacher, and Legends of Tomorrow, it’s obvious the TV game is rife with far more challengers than Marvel is really equipped to handle just yet. As such, it makes some sense that they’re actually working to expand their market share with a new kind of show. While Daredevil was a gritty crime series, Agent Carter a period piece and Agents of SHIELD a blatant marketing tool, Marvel’s latest TV venture will be a comedy based off the obscure comic series Damage Control.

Zack Snyder Bringing Watchmen to HBO?

One of the great struggles of the modern geek age has been DC Comics continued quest for mainstream interest and relevance.  This battle has been raging more or less continuously since 1986 when The Dark Knight Returns and Watchmen hit stands and transformed the comics landscape forever.  Since then DC has been desperately working to claim permanent cultural dominance through movies, TV, games, and all manner of other methods. 

This has come with obvious ups and downs but recently they’ve hit something of a major snag.  While Marvel launches themselves forward with hip new comics that showcase diversity and accessibility DC has floundered in numerous reboots and branding initiatives along with some fairly bad film failures like Green Lantern and Man of Steel. 

The only place DC seems to be winning its cultural battle is on TV as Arrow and Flash have cemented themselves as major superhero hits alongside blossoming success like Gotham and Supergirl and upcoming shows like Lucifer, Preacher, and Legends of Tomorrow.  Even though Marvel has its own successful TV shows and Image has tested the television waters a number of times this is where DC has really planted its flag.  So, I guess it then makes sense that they would try and wed their new success to their old success, by which I mean of course a Watchmen TV show.