Rebirth Second Year Anniversary and Helena Wayne's Future

Yesterday was the anniversary of DC Universe Rebirth #1, which marked the second year anniversary of the Rebirth initiative. Admittedly, I'm feeling a bit underwhelmed by the lack of progress on anything Justice Society related apart from certain members like Michael Holt, Kent Nelson, Carter Hall, and Kendra Saunders resurfacing within the last year.

Helena Wayne 40th Anniversary: Wonder Woman #293 Review

Title: Wonder Woman #293
Story: Book Three: Countdown to Chaos
Characters: Wonder Woman (Diana Prince), Huntress (Helena Wayne), Power Girl (Kara Zor-L), Wonder Girl (Donna Troy), Starfire (Princess Koriand'r), Raven
Creators: Paul Levitz (writer), Roy Thomas (writer), Gene Colan (artist)
Publication Date: 30 June 1982
Available In: Digital

Summary: Following the attacks of Famine, Plague, and War on Earths 1, 2, and X, Death is the last of the four Horsemen left to appear. On Earth-1, Raven is met with an inexplicable intense pain and it is up to Starfire and Wonder Girl to help her. On Paradise Island, Donna's mother, Queen Hippolyta, and Paul Von Gunther of Science Island attempt to heal her using the purple healing ray, but trace the source of her pain to an alternate Earth--a world of immortals known as Earth-I. The Amazonian Queen realises she must send her daughter and Starfire to that alternate Earth to combat the problem there. On arrival, Starfire and Wonder Girl are met with the final Horseman--Death--whom they successfully fight and defeat.

Following the defeat of Death on Earth-I, the Adjudicator develops a weird fascination with the heroines who successfully defeated his apocalyptic creations. He decides to capture each of the heroines as specimens for further study. Trapped in the Adjudicator's spaceship, it is up to all of the heroines to work together and learn as much about their new enemy as possible to plan their own escape. If they don't get out on time, the Adjudicator could make them history along with their respective Earths!

Helena Wayne 40th Anniversary: Wonder Woman #292 Review

Title: Wonder Woman #292
Story: Book Two: Seven Against Oblivion
Characters: Wonder Woman (Diana Prince), Huntress (Helena Wayne), Power Girl (Kara Zor-L), Black Canary (Dinah Lance), Supergirl (Kara Zor-El), Madame Xanadu, Lois Lane
Creators: Paul Levitz (writer), Roy Thomas (writer), Gene Colan (artist)
Publication Date: 31 May 1982
Available In: Digital

Summary: Following Wonder Woman and Zatanna's battle with Famine in Calcutta, India, the two women return to Washington DC where they meet with Pulitzer-winning journalist, Lois Lane, for a brief interview. Following the assault on Calcutta, Lois suspects the remaining three Horsemen of the Apocalypse won't be far behind and wants to know if Earth-1 should prepare for their arrival. Wonder Woman declines to comment further on the matter as a precaution against causing mass panic, which could potentially make the threat of the Adjudicator even worse.

On Earth-2, Black Canary solicits the help of Huntress and Power Girl of the Justice Society to fend off the remaining three Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Together they take on Plague who arrives in the Atlanta City of Earth-2's Georgia. The trio of women are able to stop Plague from causing further damage, but not without Power Girl getting sick in the process. Back on Earth-1, civilian Linda Danvers finds herself on the doorstep of Madame Xanadu at Wonder Woman's suggestion. The latter quickly deduces that the former is really Supergirl, and together they are transported to Earth-X where they assist the Phantom Lady in taking down the third Horseman known as War. Once again, the heroines are successful, but the danger isn't over yet. They still have Death--the last Horseman--to deal with!

Power Girl 40th Anniversary: JSA Classified #4 Review

Title: JSA Classified #4
Story: Power Trip
Characters: Power Girl (Kara Zor-L), Huntress (Helena Wayne), Robin (Dick Grayson), Mr. Terrific (Michael Holt), Psycho-Pirate (Roger Hayden)
Creators: Geoff Johns (writer), Amanda Conner (artist)
Publication Date: October 2005
Available In: Print | Digital

Summary: The Psycho-Pirate has Power Girl in his possession, and he's more than happy to have her. But for what purpose? Power Girl is all but excited to be in his presence, but he does have the answers she seeks: why does Power Girl feel like a loner? Why does she constantly feel like an outsider? Could it be, perhaps, that she does not originate on the world she currently calls "home?"

Power Girl 40th Anniversary: JSA Classified #3 Review

Title: JSA Classified #3
Story: Power Trip
Characters: Power Girl (Kara Zor-L), Huntress (Helena Bertinelli), Flash (Jay Garrick), Mr. Terrific (Michael Holt), Psycho-Pirate (Roger Hayden)
Creators: Geoff Johns (writer), Amanda Conner (artist)
Publication Date: September 2005
Available In: Print | Digital

Summary: Power Girl has been having a tough time. Between destroying half a city block in New York and nearly letting an aeroplane to crash in Metropolis, she's in desperate need of a friend. Specifically a friend who will listen to what she has to say and offer her the comfort she needs. She needs the Huntress!

Power Girl 40th Anniversary: JSA Classified #2 Review

Title: JSA Classified #2
Story: Power Trip
Characters: Power Girl (Kara Zor-L), Supergirl (Kara Zor-El), Superman (Clark Kent), Psycho-Pirate (Roger Hayden)
Creators: Geoff Johns (writer), Amanda Conner (artist)
Publication Date: August 2005
Available In: Print | Digital

Summary: Following the confusing events in New York, Power Girl decides to look for Superman in Metropolis to talk to him about her power fluctuation problem. She doesn't find him at the Daily Planet but is met by Jimmy Olsen who decides to have lunch with her on the roof of the Planet building. They converse for a bit before Power Girl catches sight of an aeroplane crashing into Metropolis. She takes off to stop the plane from crashing but is prevented from doing so with the arrival of the Legion of Superheroes.

Thoughts about Earth-2, Helena Wayne, and the Justice Society in Rebirth: An Open Letter to Geoff Johns

Dear Geoff Johns,

Happy Saturday! I hope all is well with you and that you are in good health. I'm writing to you today because I've been thinking a lot about Rebirth this past month, and especially where my favourite characters Helena Wayne, Kara Zor-L, and Hippolyta Trevor fit into a Prime Earth Justice Society. I must warn you though, this letter is very long because it is a lot to unpack. I didn't just address what happened in the last 5 years, but also in the last 30 (since the Crisis on Infinite Earths reboot), resulting in the problems with representation we still have today. I also couldn't address the problems I experienced with DC within this timeframe without addressing the larger real world context that influenced many of the problems I experienced. So bear with me. I don't blame you if you take breaks in between paragraphs, because as I said, it's a lot to talk about.

Supergirl Week: Revisiting The Earth-2 Power Girl

The much anticipated Supergirl television series made its smashing debut this week to sky-high ratings in both the United States and Canada. It also garnered a whopping 500K viewers in the United Kingdom when it debuted on the satellite/cable network Sky One this past Thursday.

This is tremendous success for one of DC Comics' iconic heroines that had everyone talking all week, including at my workplace and at various other public spaces that aren't typically fronted by comic book nerds like myself. The fact that Supergirl resulted in the highest rated show of the fall season led iTunes to offer the pilot episode for free download in the US, and a massive Supergirl digital comics sale on Comixology that ends on Monday.

Convergence Is Here! How And Where To Pre-Order Convergence Titles

Starting next week on April Fools Day (no joke), we'll get to revisit our old friends from the DC Universe of continuities past, starting with the pre-Flashpoint right down to the pre-Crisis on Infinite Earths timelines. While it's highly unlikely our favourite versions of our favourite characters will survive the event, the fact is we'll get to see them one more time until the next major DC event brings them back from the dead.

Since DC Entertainment--like any organisation--only understands the language of money, here's our chance to get our voices heard with our wallets! Below is a list of where you can pre-order the Earth-2 Convergence comics digitally, as well as how to acquire them in print.

DIGITAL DOWNLOAD

CONVERGENCE: ACTION COMICS #1
Written by JUSTIN GRAY
Art by CLAUDE ST-AUBIN
Cover by AMANDA CONNER
Variant cover designed by CHIP KIDD
On sale APRIL 29 • 32 pg, FC, 1 of 2, $3.99 US • RATED T
STARRING HEROES FROM CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS! Superman teams up with Power Girl, but can they stop a nuclear strike by Lex Luthor and Stalin of Red Son Moscow?
Pre-Order Links: DC Comics | Comixology | Amazon

CONVERGENCE: DETECTIVE COMICS #1
Written by LEN WEIN
Art by DENYS COWAN and BILL SIENKIEWICZ
Cover by BILL SIENKIEWICZ
Variant cover designed by CHIP KIDD
On sale APRIL 29 • 32 pg, FC, 1 of 2, $3.99 US • RATED T
STARRING HEROES FROM CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS! Helena Wayne and Dick Grayson fight side by side in memory of Bruce Wayne as they decide who will become the next Batman.

Pre-Order Links: DC Comics | Comixology | Amazon

CONVERGENCE: INFINITY INC. #1
Written by JERRY ORDWAY
Art and cover by BEN CALDWELL
Variant cover designed by CHIP KIDD
On sale APRIL 29 • 32 pg, FC, 1 of 2, $3.99 US • RATED T
STARRING HEROES FROM CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS! The young heroes of Infinity, Inc. must choose between the path set for them by their parents or the one they’ve set for themselves as they face postapocalyptic Jonah Hex.

Pre-Order Links: DC Comics | Comixology | Amazon

CONVERGENCE: JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #1
Written by DAN ABNETT
Art by TOM DERENICK and TREVOR SCOTT
Cover by DAN PANOSIAN
Variant cover designed by CHIP KIDD
On sale APRIL 29 • 32 pg, FC, 1 of 2, $3.99 US • RATED T
STARRING HEROES FROM CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS! Older and in full retirement under the dome, members of the Justice Society get the chance to regain their youth to stave off forces from the Qward Universe. But the promise of youth comes with a deadly price!

Pre-Order Links: DC Comics | Comixology | Amazon

CONVERGENCE: WORLD’S FINEST COMICS #1
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Art by JIM FERN, JOE RUBINSTEIN and SHANNON WHEELER
Cover by AARON LOPRESTI
Variant cover designed by CHIP KIDD
On sale APRIL 29 • 32 pg, FC, 1 of 2, $3.99 US • RATED T
STARRING HEROES FROM CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS! Read the most unusual tale in all of Convergence! The Seven Soldiers of Victory regroup to defend their city against the Qward invasion, while cartoonist Scribbly Jibbet transcribes their adventures.
Pre-Order Links: DC Comics | Comixology | Amazon

CONVERGENCE #0
Written by DAN JURGENS and JEFF KING
Art and cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
1:10 B&W Variant cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
1:25 Variant cover by DARWYN COOKE
1:50 Variant cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER
1:100 Variant cover by ADAM HUGHES
Advance solicit • On sale APRIL 1 • 40 pg, FC, $4.99 US RATED T
Retailers: This issue will ship with five covers. Please see the order form for more information.
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!

Pre-Order Links: DC Comics | Comixology | Amazon

PRINT VERSION

Sadly, unlike digital downloads which are easily available, print versions are a bit harder to come by due to the monopoly that Diamond has on the print comic market. As such, buyers--for the most part--have to pre-order them via comic book shops. Fortunately, the process is very simple since all it requires is entering a comic book store near you and telling the retailer (or whoever is at the register) which books you would like to pre-order. You then give them your name and they will reserve copies of the books you want for you. When you go to pick the books up, you just tell the retailer your name, and they will pull your comics from your file and hand them to you. That's it!

While you can also just walk into a store and pick up the books you want off the shelf, pre-ordering comics is more convenient for three reasons: first, it guarantees that you will still get a copy of the book you want in the event that the title actually sells out at the store. This does happen a lot with newer titles and especially event comics.

The second reason pre-ordering is more convenient is that it lets the retailer know how many copies of a title to buy, especially for shelf. The worst thing that can happen for a retailer is for them to buy more comics than they actually sell, effectively causing them to lose money. Pre-ordering a title gives the retailer an idea of which books are going to be in high demand, which will influence how many copies of that title to buy.

The third reason pre-ordering is more convenient is that it lets the larger comic industry know which books are in high demand, which will influence business decisions. So if you have a favourite character you want to keep reading about? Support them by buying the books they appear in. This will let the publisher--in this case DC Comics--know which characters (and comics) are highly sellable, and which ones to feature in more books. Or if they are already appearing in a book, this will let them know which ones to give solo titles to!

The bottom line here is this: if there is a comic or character you want to support, pre-order now! Dan DiDio already stated that DC will look at the Convergence sales in order to get an idea of which ones to give future titles to!

If you don't have access to a comic book store, not a problem. Fortunately print versions can still be acquired outside of a comic book store if you know where to look, especially online. For example, some comic retailers do have online stores via eBay or Amazon that will allow you to pre-order the comics you want, which is convenient. They still have to order through Diamond, so you're not actually buying Jane or Joe's copy of a comic they don't want anymore. Some stores even offer discounts, though you may still have to pay the shipping costs. Variant covers are also more easy to find online, but do be aware that they tend to cost more than the regular covers since they're often rare and sold as collectibles.

All that being said, what is motivating me to pimp the hell out of this event? I want an Earth-2 that actually feels like Earth-2 in concept, and not like DC's version of Marvel's Ultimate Universe, which is what I feel we got with the current Earth-2. The current Earth-2 and characters are very much blank slates starting in June, which means writer Daniel Wilson will develop these characters as he (or his editor) sees fit. He may have some good ideas for these characters, and he may not. I can safely say from having read the last five issues of Earth-2: World's End in their entirety that he's not very good at plotting complex narratives for a comic, and he especially doesn't write women well, often reducing their roles in the story to focus on the men instead. That for me is a major problem that will influence my future investment on Earth-2 despite being a huge fan of these characters and franchise.

It is possible that working on a monthly may allow Wilson to script his story better, but between his Earth-2: Futures End one-shot and Earth-2: World's End weekly series, I'm not feeling too confident or optimistic on that front. I feel even less confident that Wilson will be able to characterise these characters well (especially the women) with Mike Cotton as his editor, as this man clearly has no understanding of issues with diverse representation in comics. Problems with sexist storytelling were especially prevalent under Cotton's leadership, and something I found very off-putting across all three Earth-2 books that we got, including the one that was fronted by two women! All that into account, Earth-2: Society is very much a trade wait for me. If I hear positive things about it, I may check it out in trade. But if it turns out as bad as Wilson's Earth-2: World's End series, I'll leave it sitting on the shelf at the store. It really does need to 'wow' me for me to give it a chance.

Given what my options are right now, supporting the Pre-Crisis Earth-2 Convergence books (and any pre-Crisis Earth-2 Justice Society trades) are my best options for letting DC know what I actually want to read. In my honest opinion, the Justice Society characters are at their strongest when they are actually accompanied by the history and legacy that genuinely made them stand out from the Earth-0 Justice League. The Justice Society appearing decades earlier than the Justice League was one way that they were different. The fact that there were different generations of superheroes as members of the Justice Society gave it age diversity--something that is sorely lacking with the Justice League.

The fact that three women succeeded Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman as the second generation Trinity without actually using their predecessors' symbols was equally significant considering how very male and Trinity-centric the majority of DC franchises tend to be. This is especially true with the Batman franchise in particular. The fact that the majority of older Justice Society members were married and had children of their own that led to the formation of Infinity Inc was also special and not an idea that was prevalent on the primary DC universe. Considering how very rare these ideas are in superhero comics, you can pretty much guarantee I pre-ordered the Pre-Crisis Earth-2 Convergence books (and the America vs the Justice Society trade) both in digital and print! I'm very much looking at a very tight wallet in both April and May!