WarnerMedia Lays Off Numerous DC Universe and DC Comics Employees As Part of Restructuring. What Could This Mean For The Earth-2 Huntress And The Justice Society?

There is no sure way to bring me out of my unannounced hiatus faster than another restructuring of DC Comics as part of an effort to streamline services to AT&T business goals. Given that AT&T acquired a massive debt from their acquisition of TimeWarner and HBO back in 2016, the telecommunications company has since been pressured by their shareholders at Elliot Management to quickly recover that cost. This has no doubt been the driving force of AT&T's corporate culture over the past three years, with a few shakeups during that timeframe. 

The Flash #750: The Future Of Earth-5G Is Up In the Air!

This week, The Flash #750 celebrated the Flash's 80th anniversary, and out of the entire collection of stories featured in the special, only three of them added new chapters to the upcoming Earth-5G initiative: the main Flash feature from Joshua Williamson's run, the Jay Garrick Flash story taking place in Keystone City in 1940, and the epilogue to the recently concluded Flash Forward miniseries, which is also functioning as the prelude to DC's upcoming FCBD 2020 offering: Generation Zero: Gods Among Us.

Earth-5G Starting Much Sooner This Month?

We knew going into the new year that a new official DC timeline would kickstart Earth-5G sometime later in 2020. However, DC co-publisher Dan DiDio announced yesterday that the new timeline will officially start in Wonder Woman #750 out later this month on 22 January—the same day that The Huntress: Origins will be released to comic book stores. The story debuting the new timeline will be written by DC superstar Scott Snyder with artwork by the equally talented Bryan Hitch. The story will also officially establish Wonder Woman as DC's first superhero on this new DC Earth.

Older Comics Are Outselling New Comics. What Needs To Be Done Differently?

San Diego Comic Con was last weekend, and admittedly, there was nothing to write home about since DC didn't reveal any new details on their upcoming projects that we didn't know about already. However, there is one thing DC co-publisher Dan DiDio said at the con last Thursday that really got my attention:

'We do these Facsimile Editions where we reprint older issues of comics including all the old ads and stuff…and in some cases these are selling more than the new comics with these characters. People are more interested in buying the stories from 30 or 40 years ago than the contemporary stories, and that’s a failure on us. We should be focused on moving things forward, always pushing the boundaries and finding new stories to tell. That’s how we’ll survive and grow this industry.' (Source)

Top 5 Times Helena Wayne Hinted She May Be Bisexual

June is Pride Month for the LGBTQA community, and for years I've been wanting to write about Helena Wayne's bisexual behaviour in the comics. Everything from pre-Crisis to post-Crisis to post-Flashpoint, there has been a treasure trove of evidence that seem to suggest Batman and Catwoman's canonical Earth-2 daughter may be attracted to more than one gender.

While Helena Wayne has historically only had one confirmed romantic partner—District Attorney Harry Sims—writers also couldn't resist teasing romantic attraction between herself and her father's ward, Dick Grayson, as well as writing her friendship with Power Girl in ways that play into romantic tropes. In the latter case, it's especially hard to overlook the queer subtext.

Despite neither DC Comics nor Huntress co-creator Paul Levitz ever explicitly confirming Helena Wayne's sexuality, there are plenty stories with the character for readers to examine and draw our own conclusions. Based on the way Helena Wayne has interacted with various characters as both the Huntress and as herself across three different continuities, I would argue that she is indeed bisexual.

From pre-Crisis to post-Crisis to post Flashpoint here are my Top 5 picks that—to some degree—support my conclusions.

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.

Earth-2 Power Girl Set To Return in Deathstroke? Could This Give Us Insight Into The Futures Of The Justice Society And The Earth-2 Huntress? Spoiler's Ahead!

It has been a slow two years for Justice Society fans. With Rebirth about to come to a close, there has been very little in the way of actual stories surrounding the Justice Society's mysterious disappearance since the start of the New 52 universe. There have been hints and teases sprinkled throughout the Rebirth era, but DC has done little to communicate what Justice Society fans can expect from their return. Well, it looks like we may not have to keep waiting that much longer as one major JSAer made a surprising comeback in this week's Deathstroke Annual #1: the Earth-2 Power Girl!

2017 End of the Year Reflection, 2018 New Year's Resolution

Ooff. 2017. To say this year was exhausting is understatement. From the continuously disastrous Brexit referendum in the United Kingdom to the political crisis between Catalonia and Spain, not to mention the ever cataclysmic farce that is Donald Trump in the US, to say I wanted so badly to be living on another planet this year is also an understatement. It's enough to say I completely understand why Watchmen's Dr. Manhattan went to Mars to find peace of mind, and why Valkyrie from this year's Thor: Ragnarok lived at the bottom of a bottle.

Helena Wayne 40th Anniversary: Justice Society of America Annual #1

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA ANNUAL #1
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art by JERRY ORDWAY
Cover by ALEX ROSS
With the arrival of Gog, many JSA members were granted their heart's desire—and now Power Girl's wish has come true as she's transported to her home reality on Earth-2 where the JSA were the only heroes and her best friend was Helena Wayne, the daughter of Batman!
JULY 30 | RATED T | $3.99 | PRINT | DIGITAL

Helena Wayne 40th Anniversary: Infinity Inc: The Generations Saga

INFINITY INC: THE GENERATIONS SAGA
Written by ROY THOMAS
Art by JERRY ORDWAY
Cover by JERRY ORDWAY
Shunned by their parents and mentors in the Justice Society of America, Infinity, Inc. is a team made up of the best and brightest new heroes from the next generation of DC Comics. Collected at last from INFINITY INC. #1-4, ALL-STAR SQUADRON #25-26 and ALL-STAR SQUADRON ANNUAL #2, INFINITY INC. follows the adventures of the Justice Society of America's sons and daughters as they pick up the role of crime-fighters from their parents. Denied membership by the JSA, the young cast of Infinity Inc. decides to train themselves – including heroes Power Girl, Huntress, Jade, Obsidian, Nuklon and more!
JULY 12 | RATED T | $39.99 | PRINT | DIGITAL

Helena Wayne 40th Anniversary: Justice Society Vol. 2

JUSTICE SOCIETY VOL. 2
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Art by JOE STATON
Cover by BRIAN BOLLAND
They were the world's first super-team: the Justice Society of America. Headlining the ALL STAR COMICS title in the 1940s, the JSA eventually faded into obscurity -- until their much-demanded revival in the '70s! Now you can thrill to the continuing adventures of Superman, The Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman, Dr. Fate, Wildcat, and younger heroes Robin, Power Girl, Star-Spangled Kid, and the Huntress!

This second of two volumes features the writing of talents Paul Levitz (JSA, LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES), with art by Joe Staton (GREEN LANTERN, THE HUNTRESS) and others!

This volume collects ALL-STAR COMICS #68-74 and ADVENTURE COMICS #461-466
FEBRUARY 07 | RATED T | $14.99 | PRINT

Helena Wayne 40th Anniversary: Looking Back on Worlds' Finest

WORLDS' FINEST
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Art by GEORGE PEREZ, KEVIN MAGUIRE
Cover by GEORGE PEREZ, KEVIN MAGUIRE
Legendary creators Paul Levitz and artists George Perez and Kevin Maguire launch a new series featuring Power Girl and Huntress, the WORLDS' FINEST! Stranded on our earth over five years ago, these two heroes from Earth 2 are forced to fight evil in strange new surroundings, all while trying to find their way home. In two separate tales, WORLDS' FINEST flashes back to how Huntress and Power Girl got to our earth and what they've been doing the past five years, and then back to the present where they fight for the fate of millions against the Irradiated Man.
APRIL 16 | RATED T | $14.99 | PRINT | DIGITAL

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!

Road to Justice Society Rebirth: What We Know So Far, Week 01 (Spoilers Ahead)

It's a really exciting time to be a DC Comics fan right now, and this year is proving to be a really exciting year for Rebirth. While we still don't know the status quo of the classic Justice Society (or that of many other pre-Crisis Earth-2 characters for that matter), we've already had at least five of them confirmed as returning, and we've even gotten teases of ones that we can potentially see in the future.

Huntress and Power Girl in Rebirth: What Ingredients are Needed to Make a New Worlds' Finest Series Successful?

It's Easter Sunday, and for those who celebrate, Happy Easter! For those who don't, Happy Sunday and I hope you're making the most of your weekend.

I've been thinking about this for a while, and like everyone else waiting to hear anything about Justice Society Rebirth other than "wait and see," I've been doing a lot of speculating on how to bring back the classic Helena Wayne Huntress with Justice Society Rebirth and who would be the character to do it.

Earth-2: Society #22 Preview

EARTH-2 SOCIETY #22
Written by DAN ABNETT
Art by VICENTE CIFUENTES
Cover by BRUNO REDONDO
In this series finale, a new dawn rises on Earth-2. After a terrible struggle, the Wonders have restored their world, better than ever. Can they become the new heroes and caretakers the reborn planet needs to protect it from future threats? And what of the price they paid for peace—what is the final fate of the Earth-2 Batman and his legacy?
MARCH 08 | RATED T | $2.99 | PRINT | DIGITAL

Earth-2: Society #21 Preview

EARTH-2 SOCIETY #21
Written by DAN ABNETT
Art by VICENTE CIFUENTES
Cover by BRUNO REDONDO
The Wonders battle the Sandmen army to free the new Earth 2 from a dystopian fate, but the new world Director has unleashed his terrifying secret weapon. Can Batman, Huntress and John, the weakest of the wonders, shut down the Director’s stronghold? It’s a dangerous, last-minute gamble...and the price may be too great to bear. Final issue.
FEBRUARY 08 | RATED T | $2.99 | PRINT | DIGITAL

Earth-2: Society #20 Preview

EARTH-2 SOCIETY #20
Written by DAN ABNETT
Art by VICENTE CIFUENTES
Cover by BRUNO REDONDO
On the streets of New Metropolis, the Wonders battle the army of Sandmen sent to destroy them. But on this reborn world, no one recognizes the heroes, and their presence sends the citizens into a panic. Behind the scenes, the identity of the world-ruling Director is revealed. And he has a secret weapon that’s equally shocking.
JANUARY 11 | RATED T | $2.99 | PRINT | DIGITAL

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?"