James Gunn took to Threads recently and shared that principle photography was starting on his Superman film, and even shared a first look at the Superman symbol that will be used. As you can see below, the new symbol takes inspiration from the classic story Kingdom Come, but instead of red and black, it’s red and yellow.

Gunn wrote, “Overjoyed to be announcing the start of principal photography on SUPERMAN today, February 29, which just so happens to be – coincidentally and unplanned – Superman’s birthday.”

 

Post by @jamesgunn

View on Threads

 

After that post, he also commented that while the original name of the film was Superman: Legacy, that has actually changed, and the film will now simply be titled SUPERMAN.

“When I finished the first draft of the script, I called the film ‘Superman: Legacy.’ By the time I locked the final draft, it was clear the title was SUPERMAN. Making our way to you July 2025.”

 

Post by @jamesgunn

View on Threads

 

This works out since the Richard Donner film from 1978 was actually titled Superman: The Movie, and it makes for a much cleaner beginning to this brand new universe at DC Studios.

Superman will star David Corenswet as the titular superhero, along with Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane. Nicholas Hoult as Lex Luthor, Skyler Gisondo as Jimmy Olsen, Anthony Carrigan as Metamorpho, Edi Gathegi as Mister Terrific, Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, Isabela Merced as Hawkgirl, Sean Gunn as Maxwell Lord, Maria Gabriela de Faria as The Engineer, Sara Sampaio as Eve Teschmacher, and Milly Alcock as Supergirl.

Superman is set to hit theaters on July 11, 2025.

The post SUPERMAN: LEGACY Gets Title Change, James Gunn Reveals First Look appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Publisher: Image Comics

Writer: Christian Ward

Artists: Patric Reynolds

Letters: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

Colors:   Heather Moore

Reviewed by: Carl Bryan

Summary

“You’re out of luck because Atticus Stone is out of business!” – Mr. Tooth 

Blood Stained Teeth #2– CHRISTIAN WARD, the Eisner Award-winning co-creator of ODY-C, Invisible Kingdom, and Machine Gun Wizards, returns to Image with red-hot artist PATRIC REYNOLDS (The Mask) for an all-new ONGOING SERIES—a fast-paced 100 Bullets-style crime saga with fangs!

Atticus Sloane—misanthrope, criminal, asshole, and vampire-for-hire is in trouble.  Now, he’ll have to use all his guile to stay ahead of the First Born Council and the murderous Mr. Tooth. Unfortunately, that also means going head to head with vicious cage-fighting vampire Duke Ellis.

Positives

In three paragraphs, Christian Ward provides the context to the conflict we are witnessing in the pages of this comic.

For decades, Atticus Sloane has been turning humans into Vampires.  Referred to by the First Council as ‘Sips’.  Now, he has a month to find all those that he turned or face deadly consequences. Kill all that he has turned or the First Born Council will kill him.”

Ward hooks us in two ways…the setup from last issue was that we see Mr. Tooth shutting down Atticus’ endeavors to turn humans into ‘Sips’ and we know see the ramifications of what Atticus has to do to satisfy the Council’s edict.

The strategy is brilliant and bloody and so “Rockyesque”.  Picture Mickey from Rocky giving Atticus strategy on how to take down a boxing vampire….this story gets more brilliant with each turn of the page!

Positives 2.0

Patric Reynolds, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, and Heather Moore – I don’t think this type of story telling could work with any other comic as this team is playing with colors like no other!  One frame is vibrant and one is dark…it’s violent, graphic and perfect!  It’s messy and sharp at the same time.  

That type of frenetic art lends itself well for this story!  

Negatives

You get what you get with Atticus…and this is a veer from the typical vampire tale.  It’s awesome…no negatives here unless you are looking at what blood type is bleeding off the page!

Verdict

Buy this book!  Go back and get issue #1.  You regret now not having Walking Dead #1.  You’ll regret even more not having Blood Stained Teeth!  

The post Image Comics Review: Blood Stained Teeth #2 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Publisher: Image Comics

Writer: Todd McFarlane

Artists:  Brett Booth

Letters: Tom Orzechowski

Colors:   Ivan Nunes

Reviewed by: Carl Bryan

Summary

“Amy?… Something changed in you when he (Silverton) said that name.  Who is she? – She-Spawn to Gunslinger Spawn   Gunslinger

Spawn #8- As Gunslinger comes to terms with his new life in the present day, a revelation from his past will threaten to destroy his future.  Who is Silverton?

All this and She-Spawn makes an offer…

Positives

Brett Booth – you know why we love Brett Booth?  Because he takes care of Todd McFarlane’s characters like his own.

Booth draws this book and Adelso Corona and Ivan Nunes color and ink it so much like McFarlane that you don’t know where Todd’s pencils ended and where Booth begins. He’s not a copycat, but geesh…his accuracy and richness is something to behold. 

Last issue it was a new creature.  This issue is Silverton which is akin to Two Face, Riddler, and Joker all at the same time. But his attention to detail in drawing She-Spawn and Gunslinger Spawn chatting in a secluded field…priceless!

Positives 2.0

McFarlane takes us back in time a bit as we see when Javi and She-Spawn join forces.  It’s a jump back for the story but necessary to see how Gunslinger became part of The Scorched.

He also shows his hand by introducing a new villain, and making Gunslinger his hottest book byplacing both She-Spawn and Javi in the issue. 

His writing is superlative in this book which makes me think he knows that Gunslinger is outpacing Spawn in story line and art. But isn’t it great we have four books to compare in the Spawn Universe rather than just one?  Negatives

That power meter is at 1:1:1:3.  javi is building up which means a battle is coming!  No negatives here as we have another Spawn title coming next week!

Verdict

Read the First Issue of Gunslinger Spawn Online   Issue #8 sharpens the storyline between The Scorched and Gunslinger Spawn.  It also provides us some context as to Javi’s past and his motivation. 

McFarlane is trickling out this story and why not…this has to be one of the best selling books out there right now.  Booth’s pencils are on fire…can he draw more comics please?

The post Image Comics Review: Gunslinger Spawn #8 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: James Tynion IV

Artist: Jorge Fornes

Colors: Jordie Bellaire

Letters: Aditya Bidikar

Publisher: Image Comics

Reviewed By: Derek McNeil

Summary

The Department of Truth #17: The third arc of Eisner-nominated The Department of Truth concludes here, as breakout star Jorge Fornes (Rorschach) joins the team to reveal the long-awaited secrets behind one of the biggest conspiracy theories of all time. Strap in, folks: Richard Nixon has a moon landing to fake.

Positives

The Department of Truth #17, like the previous three issues, presents us with an interlude from the Department’s history. Tynion has been using these issues to fill readers in on the Department’s backstory. And typical of this series, this issue has yet another conspiracy theory at the centre of the story. This time, it’s the theory that the moon landing in 1969 was faked.

However, it’s not quite accurate to say it was “faked” here. In Tynion’s world, truth is shaped by belief. So, in this story, the event was faked, but convincingly enough to actual bring into reality. So, in a strange way the Apollo 11 mission was both faked and real at the same time.

The story opens at the White House, shortly after Richard Nixon has become President of the United States. And Tynion makes good use of the situation to inject some exposition into the story. After all, it makes sense that a new President would have questions upon learning about the Department of Truth.

We also learn the identity of Lee Harvey Oswald’s predecessor at the Department. I found it somewhat surprising at first. But upon reflection it makes perfect sense for the Department of Truth to be headed up by Frank Capra. Who would be more adept at manufacturing stories to manipulate what the general public believes than a talented film director?

Positives Cont.

I also found it interesting that Capra does seem somewhat torn at how they accomplish this important achievement. He does have some regret that the mission isn’t achieved honestly through ingenuity and hard work. It seems like cheating to bend reality in this manner. On the other hand, he also wants to give himself over to the fictions they are creating. He tells Lee, “But I suppose I’m an old man now, Lee. I believe in my little fairytales… I wrote fictions and I want to live in them”.

Lee agrees with this: “I want to live in them too, boss. That’s what’s this is all about”. However, given what Tynion has hinted about Lee’s own fictional nature, Lee’s assent holds much deeper significance than Capra likely realizes. Lee has his own vision for reshaping the world. But would this vision be in humanity’s best interest? Or is it a much darker vision? Tynion again has us wondering whether the Department are the heroes or the villains of his story.

The issue is drawn by guest artist Jorge Fornes, aided by colors from Jordie Bellaire. Like previous interlude stories, the guest artist’s style makes an interesting contrast to that of the series’ regular artist Martin Simmonds. Like other guest artists, the style is purposely more defined and detailed than Simmonds’ art. Simmonds’ style seems rather dreamlike with an abstract edge.

Positives Cont.

There is a subtle vagueness that’s appropriate to a present where reality is in flux. However, in these past vignettes, we are seeing a reality that has already shifted and is now settled. So, it makes sense for it to be more clear and definite.

And like the other guest artists, Fornes is the perfect choice for the particular story Tynion is telling in this issue. The atmosphere in this cold war tale has a very similar feel to the atmosphere Fornes conveyed in Rorschach. It’s not the same story, but there is a similar feeling to both stories that Fornes captures perfectly.

Negatives

I am in utter awe at how perfect this series is. There isn’t anything I have seen yet that I would classify as a mistake or misstep. Tynion has clearly put an extreme amount of thought and effort into designing this amazing story.

Verdict

I keep wondering how long Tynion can keep this story going before running out of conspiracy theories and urban legends to work with, but he somehow keeps revealing newer and deeper layers to his epic. This story is like nothing else I have read before and Tynion has me utterly hooked.

The post Indie Comics Review: The Department Of Truth #17 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Publisher: Image Comics

Writer: Donny Cates

Artist: Geoff Shaw

Colors: Dee Cunniffe

Letters: John J. Hill

Reviewed by: Seth Singleton

Summary

In Crossover #9 Ryan is in a bad place and not just emotionally. He and Ellie are in a prison for superpowered beings. Ryan’s dad, Father Lowe, is also there and so is a writer named Donny Cates. Wait…what?

Positives

Ryan’s back and forth with Pendleton, the guy running the prison, is priceless. This is the same guy who gave Ryan a gun back in issue #7. Now he admits that the idea came from the writer who “thinks he is a prophet” and has since been deemed unreliable. But that’s not why Ryan is there. Instead, Father Lowe claims to know who is killing all of the comic book writers who have been dying since the first issue.

According to Father Lowe, the killer is someone who wanted to meet his maker. Father Lowe knows who the killer is and he can take Ryan to him. There’s some talk about Saga and a quote from Winston Churchill and a lot of loaded tension between father and son.

Meanwhile, Ellie is in an interrogation room with the detective duo from Powers. Ellie states that she knows all about their clever banter and that she wants no part of it. However, Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim have no idea what Ellie is talking about. They continue doing exactly what they always do, and eventually, Ellie accepts that the banter is happening whether she likes it or not.

Then Ellie adds a twist. What if the being hunting comic book writers is not concerned with just killing the writers? What if the writers are only the first step to achieving something greater? Walker and Pilgrim put out an APB and then they called to an alley just outside a theater that was screening the Mask of Zorro. That’s when they discover the body of another comic book writer. And they also find a themed murder weapon.

Negatives

There are no negatives to mention in this issue.

Verdict

There is the possibility that Cates is a deluded “prophet” and this entire project is an act of vanity. Which is the easiest way to ignore the subtext, let alone the content of Crossover. Cates is drawing on his experience to tell a story about the here and now. It might even be the story about how a story gets away and must be recaptured. Or it’s the chance to propose an unlikely — if not impossible — scenario and follow it all the way through the mirror and back to the other side.

However, before deciding on anything. Consider the possibility that the art and act of misdirection is a tool in a writer’s arsenal. It is not something used lightly or even with malice. Like so many occasions that preceded it and will follow it, it is rarely the only tool in use. Where then is the story going? Perhaps it is found in the brilliant art of Geoff Shaw or Dee Cunniffe’s salacious colors. Look over John J. Hill’s subtle letters and then take it all in one more time. The answer is everything you see and everything you are waiting to see. See it?

The post Indie Comics Review: Crossover #9 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Kurt Busiek

Artists: Brent Eric Anderson, Alex Ross

Colors: Alex Sinclair

Letters: Comicraft’s Tyler Smith, Jimmy Betancourt

Publisher: Image Comics

Reviewed By: Derek McNeil

Summary

Astro City: That Was Then… Special: Astro City returns with an all-new special! Who were the Jayhawks? How did they inspire five teen sidekicks looking for answers to hit the road in a rickety crime mobile in 1969? How will this affect Astro City in the present? This one-shot special features new and existing heroes and launches a mystery that will drive the forthcoming Astro City series.

Positives

In June of 2018, the final issue of the most recent run of Astro City was released by DC’s Vertigo Comics imprint. The plan was for Astro City to shift from a monthly ongoing title to a series of original graphic novels. Unfortunately, those books never materialized, So we haven’t had a new issue of Astro City in nearly four years. Now it’s back and has returned to its original publisher, Image Comics.

The Astro City: That Was Then… Special is presented as a prelude to a new ongoing Astro City, and it does a wonderful job of whetting the audience’s appetite for the full series. It also clearly shows that Busiek, Anderson, and Ross haven’t lost their feel for the series in the interim.

Four years can be a long time, and these particular four years seem like a lifetime, considering all that’s happened during that time. So, it’s great to see the creative team pick up with no drop in quality. Sometimes when a comic title or TV show goes on an extended hiatus, the creators are unable to recapture the magic. But that’s not the case here.

It’s sometimes said that Astro City is a superhero universe written more realistically than most others. While there is some truth to that, it is not an entirely accurate statement. The Astro City universe is every bit as fantastical and amazing as those of DC or Marvel, but there are also heaping amounts of high-concept supernatural and science fiction. The world is liberally populated by superheroes, ghosts, aliens, deities, and extra-dimensional entities.

Positives Cont.

Of course, this is only the backdrop for the real stories. Busiek excels at telling very real, relatable human tales and this is the sense in which Astro City is “realistic”. For example, the story here involves a group of young superhero sidekicks setting out on a road trip in a flying car. However, at its core, it’s more about a group of teens spending one final summer together before adulthood, and all going on their separate ways.

There’s barely any superhero action in this book at all, it’s just a down-to-earth human story.  The superhero angle is present but isn’t the focus of the issue. The focus is, as Busiek says in his afterword, “telling a story about the humanity in the superhuman”, and Busiek is a master at telling this type of story.

The teen heroes take their trip in the light of the deaths of four members of a team called the Jayhawks, a group that has a similar vibe to the original iteration of the Teen Titans, as both were teams comprised of teenage sidekicks. Having the story set in the late 60s also adds to the vibe.

Then we get an epilogue, showing the ghosts of the fallen observing the present-day hero, Samaritan, who’s worried that things seem to be getting darker and more dangerous. He wonders if they’re all actually accomplishing anything in the long run and muses:

It’s always the same cycle. Fighting. Saving lives. Decade after decade. But what are we winning? We need a plan. We need a new way. I just… I don’t know how to find it.

The watching specters hint that maybe they can do something to help.

Positives Cont.

This gives us a great setup to launch a new series with, as it offers a great springboard to show us what’s changed in Astro City and what has remained the same. It should also serve as a great entry point for new readers, although it would be definitely worth anyone’s time to catch up reading previous runs of the series. Not coincidentally, Image is offering the first volume of their large Astro City Metrobook, reprint collections. I highly recommend picking it up if you don’t already own the back issues.

The Astro City: That Was Then… Special also includes an afterword by writer Kurt Busiek, aptly titled “Astro City… This is Now”. In it, he answers a number of questions, including a brief rundown of why the title left DC and how it made its way back to Image. I was quite relieved to learn that there was no falling out with DC. He also gives a rough idea of what’s going on with the rumored TV show. It’s still happening but isn’t yet at the point where he can share specifics.

There are some enticing hints at stories to come, but they’re vague enough to avoid giving away spoilers. Busiel also makes sure to remind us that he hasn’t forgotten about some of the mysteries that are still waiting to be explored:

Whether it’s the question of what happened to the Silver Agent, who the Broken Man is, what’s up with the Oubor, and more.

It all sounds fascinating, and I can hardly wait.

Negatives

Negatives? We’re freakin’ getting more Astro City after what seems like forever!!! What the hell negative could I find about that?

Verdict

The Astro City: That Was Then… Special is a fantastic declaration that Astro City’s back, and it’s as great as it always was. I can hardly wait for the new ongoing series to arrive.

The post Indie Comics Review: Astro City: That Was Then… Special appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: James Tynion IV

Artist: Alison Sampson

Colors: Jordie Bellaire

Letters: Aditya Bidikar

Publisher: Image Comics

Reviewed By: Derek McNeil

Summary

The Department of Truth #16: Turn on, tune in, and drop out as Alison Sampson (Hit-Girl in India) enlists with the Department of Truth for a mind-altering dive into designer hallucinogens, MKUltra, and Lee Harvey Oswald’s true motivations behind unlocking the hidden power of the human mind. The Eisner-nominated series continues its history-shattering guest arc here!

Positives

In The Department of Truth #16, Tynion presents us with another interlude delving into the mystery surrounding Lee Harvey Oswald. The last issue ended with an ominous mention of Oswald having disappeared in 1966. In this issue, we catch up to Oswald in 1968 to witness an encounter that brings him back to the Department.

We find that Oswald has immersed himself in the hippy culture of the 1960s, especially drugs and free love. The story opens with him in bed with an unnamed woman, and the psychedelic imagery heavily implies that he is high.

Possibly due to the drugs, Oswald opens up to this woman, giving us some further insight into the mystery surrounding him. He tells her:

I’m scared of who I am. Really, I’m scared of what that means… I’m scared that I’m not real.

This seems to fit with Tynion’s hints that Oswald himself is a wild fiction – or something akin to one. And that raises the question of whether he truly exists, or if he’s ultimately a figment of America’s collective imagination.

He also reveals more detail about his encounter with Indrid Cold. While Doc Hynes witnessed the encounter, he was not privy to the telepathic communication between Cold and Oswald. Oswald tells the woman:

He said… that I was a dream this country is having. That I belong to them, just like he belongs to them. He said that I needed to walk softly, or the world would break in half.

Positives Cont.

And we find out that this woman is the Lady in Red who has been one of the central mysteries of Tynion’s story from the start and she gives Oswald a message that he takes to heart:

Nothing about this… place is real. It’s all just people. How real something is doesn’t change the impact it has on the world. How people feel changes the world… you want to feel real? Then…do something that makes you feel real… make your own real and live in it.

After contemplating this, Lee calls the Department, telling them that he’s “ready to come home”. It seems he’s decided on a course of action. It’s not clear yet what that is, but it starts with his return to the Department of Truth. Also, the Nixon campaign button left behind by the Lady in Red offers an intriguing hint at Oswald’s plans.

The Department of Truth has a great record for choosing the exactly right artist for the story. And Alison Sampson’s art fits this interlude perfectly. Her artwork, assisted by Jordie Bellaire’s colors, does a fantastic job of conveying the psychedelic atmosphere of the issue. As always, the art is a perfect fit for the story.

Negatives

As usual, The Department of Truth #16 is an amazing issue and I can find no flaws in either the storytelling or artwork. Tynion and Sampson have done a fantastic job with this issue.

Verdict

In every issue of The Department of Truth, Tynion peels away another layer of the onion only to reveal a more intriguing and mysterious layer underneath. I’m beginning to wonder how many layers are left. Are we nearing the innermost layer or barely scratching the surface? This is one of the most fascinating and addictive titles I have ever had the pleasure to read.

The post Indie Comics Review: The Department Of Truth #16 appeared first on DC Comics News.

Writers: Geoff Johns, Peter J. Tomasi, Sterling Gates, Leon Hendrix III, Pornsak Pichetshote, Janet Harvey Nevala, and Jay Faerber
Artists: Bryan Hitch, Gary Frank, Paul Pelletier, Tony Kordos, Peter Snejberg, Kelley Jones, Staz Johnson, Sean Galloway, Megan Levens, and Joe Prado with timeline design by Steve Blackwell and aging effects by Kurt Volk
Color Artists: Brad Anderson, Hi-Fi, Peter Snejberg, John Kalisz, Anderson Cabral, Sean Galloway, Charlie Kirchoff, and Dijjo Lima
Letterer: Rob Leigh

Review by Steve J. Ray

Summary

I really do love a big, meaty anthology, and the Geiger 80-Page Giant is an absolute winner, from cover to cover. In fact, this could be the best issue of the series thus far!

The first volume of Geiger (issues #1-#6) told the story of Tariq Geiger; husband, father, and scientist. After a limited nuclear exchange ravages America, our hero develops extraordinary powers and defends innocents in the irradiated wastelands of the Nevada desert.

Now, if all this sounds like the plot of a Silver-Age sci-fi comic, please don’t be put off. Yes, this is a premise almost as old as the medium, but what Geoff Johns, Gary Frank, and Brad Anderson created in those six issues is an homage to the comics of old, as well as a world… nay, universe-building tour de force, the likes we haven’t seen since Saga, or The Walking Dead.

Positives

Where to begin?!? This book is a fantastic read and looks stunning. The origin of Redcoat, like that of his predecessors, feels familiar and is also brand new. The new universe being built here is fascinating, but more importantly, is one that everyone can jump in on the ground floor with.

The Vegas casinos are fascinating, and terrifying at the same time, as are the characters that populate them. If you thought the King and his lair were bonkers, you ain’t seen nothing yet! We get sci-fi, horror, mutilation, and mayhem aplenty in these pages… so, be warned!

Plus, and this my favorite part; we get to finally see how Geiger met Barney! I love that fuzzy, two-headed future pooch sooooo much!

One of my favorite aspects of the Geiger 80-Page Giant is the great mix of industry giants like Geoff Johns, Gary Frank, Brad Anderson, Peter J. Tomasi, Bryan Hitch, Paul Pelletier, Kelley Jones, Staz Johnson, John Kalisz, and Hi-Fi, being joined by an army of red-hot new stars on the rise. I feel that the Mad Ghost Universe is just going to get better and better.

Oh, and the incomparable Rob Leigh lettered every page of this titanic tome himself. What a legend!

Negatives

I think perhaps that some of the writers should’ve spoken to each other a little more, as a few of the tales are similar in tone and content. Thankfully they each end very differently and deliver a promise of even more action, horror, and intrigue to come. Oh… and they all look fantastic!

Verdict

This bumper 80-page piece of loveliness gives us the third character in an ever-growing pantheon (after Junkyard Joe, and Tariq Geiger himself) and also delivers an in-depth look at the Las Vegas of this beautifully imagined dystopian future. We get terrific teases for the Junkyard Joe and Redcoat series, and the opening tale sets up a future conflict between at least two of them.

One gets the feeling that the best is yet to come.

Artwork Courtesy of Image Comics/Mad Ghost

The post Review: Geiger 80-Page Giant #1 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: James Tynion IV

Artist: David Romero

Colours: David Romero

Letters: Aditya Bidikar

Publisher: Image Comics

Reviewed By: Derek McNeil

Summary

The Department of Truth #15: Back in 1967, the Department of Truth went out to West Virginia and tried to create a tulpa of its own. Forty-six people died in the aftermath. Fan-favorite illustrator David Romero (Razorblades: The Horror Magazine) joins Eisner Award-winning writer James Tynion IV to reveal the true origin…of Mothman.

Positives

In The Department of Truth #15, James Tynion IV presents us with another flashback story. In earlier issues, we learned that the Department attempted to create their own tulpa in the 60s, leading to several deaths Now, Tynion reveals the details of that disastrous mission.

This issue, Tynion tries something different with the story’s format. Instead of presenting it as a straight-forward prose narrative, he presents it as if it was a confidential dossier. Given that Tynion’s series is about a secret government agency, this is a rather fitting choice.

The core of the secret file is an interrogation of Doc Hynes, who assisted agent Lee Harvey Oswald in his attempt to create and capture a wild fiction in the form of an alien UFO. This rather effectively conveys the story, aided by accounts of third party encounters, and some stunning visuals by guest artist, David Romero.

Romero’s art is fantastic, and a stark contrast to Martin Simmonds. I’ve noted in past reviews that Martin Simmonds style is well-suited to a series set in a world where reality is malleable. However, Romero’s style, on the other hand, is extremely well defined. At times, it’s even bordering on photorealistic. And this is perfect for this issue’s format. The events are presented as cold, hard facts and Romero’s art reflects that.

The downfall of Oswald’s and Hynes’ plan is that they were not specific enough in seeding the rumours of “strange flying objects”. This allowed the believers to add their own interpretations, and instead of an alien spacecraft, the idea morphed into a Mothman creature.

Positives Cont.

I also like that Tynion points out that Mothman idea was shaped in part by the character Batman. This is a nice nod to both his previous work for DC, and to the 1966 TV show that was popular in the era when the story is set.

There is also some nice irony in the fact that in an attempt to shape the narrative, Hynes himself becomes part of the narrative. With ufologists becoming suspicious of him, believing him to be a Man in Black. And this is even more ironic, considering Hynes’ past encounters with the real Men in Black. As his unknown interrogater notes, “You became one of your own Men in Black”.

And then there is the appearance of a being known as Indrid Cold. This is a strange man with his own spacecraft. When Oswald and Lee finally capture the Mothman, they also have an encounter with Cold. Hynes describes that there was some sort of mental exhange between Oswald and this being, but that he wasn’t privy to it.

In earlier issues, Tynion has raised the idea that something is wrong with Lee Harvey Oswald. Hawk Harrison implied that Oswald himself might be a tulpa, and believes him to be a danger. And Hynes’ words add to this. He states, “I think… I think there’s something WRONG with Lee”, and “I was thinking that I was looking at two of the strangest monsters of the decade. Two American Monsters, just alike each other. Things made of secrets that the world just speculates on, trying to make sense of their little lives”. Hynes’ observations eerily echo Hawk Harrison’s.

And then, we are told that Lee Harvey Oswald disappeared soon after this. At some point, he reappeared and became the Director of the Department of Truth. But what happened in that interval. This raises some fascinating questions that I’m sure Tynion will be exploring in future issues.

Negatives

his story is quite fascinating for readers who have been following the story from the beginning. However, The Department of Truth #15 would make a poor starting point for new readers. If you want to convince your friends to get into The Department of Truth, I strongly suggest you have them start from the beginning of the series with back issues or the trade paperback editions. Giving them this issue would be throwing them in the deep end, leaving them to wonder what the hell is going on.

Verdict

The Department of truth is another amazing issue of Tynion’s masterpiece series, filling in some important backstory. It also features some absolutely gorgeous artwork by guest artist David Romero. Each issue of this series adds deeper levels to Tynion’s story as he takes us further down the rabbit hole.

The post Indie Comics Review: The Department Of Truth #15 appeared first on DC Comics News.

[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: JamesTynion IV

Artist: John J. Pearson

Colours: John J. Pearson

Letters: Aditya Bidikar

Publisher: Image Comics

Reviewed By: Derek McNeil

Summary

The Department of Truth #14: In 1946, Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard and eccentric rocket scientist Jack Parsons performed a series of rituals to summon a divine feminine being. Her name was Babalon. She was dressed all in…red.

Positives

In The Department of Truth #14, James Tynion IV presents another flashback story. Agents Lee Harvey and Doc Hynes embark on an unofficial mission to learn the truth about the Babalon Working. This summoning was intended to summon “the divine feminine” and apparently succeeded. L. Ron Hubbard and Jack Parsons apparently unleashed Babalon upon the world.

It is implied that Babalon is the mysterious woman in Red with the X-ed out eyes that has continually popped up in the series so far. And Tynion is now starting to draw back the curtain on her, hinting at her nature. Her exact nature still isn’t clear, but according to the engineer Lee and Doc are questioning, she is a major threat to the United States and the world.

He states, “The door is open This is Babalon’s country now. This is the Aeon of Horus… We’re going to eat ourselves ALIVE. And that’s what she wants… This is the END OF THE F–ING WORLD. The LAKE OF FIRE is going to SWALLOW US ALL UP. And we DESERVE IT“. This all sounds very apocalyptic. But is right, or could it be that there is more to Babalon? Is she ultimately a threat, or will she prove to be benign.

And Babalon’s not the only character whose background is expanded upon in this issue. Lee and Doc meet the son of the man they question. The boy appears angry and irreverent, demanding that they take him away from father. Lee gives the child some advice: “Your dad’s nuts, but he knows things. Get him to teach you without making you nuts too And maybe we’ll have another conversation when you’re older, okay?”. And we know that they did have that talk, as the kid’s name is Harrison Hawk, future agent for the Department.

Positives Cont.

I liked the humour that Tynion adds to his story. Given the nature of the series, it’s appropriate that Lee and Doc dress as “men in black” while on their unsanctioned mission. And it was amusing to see Lee had shaved off his eyebrows off along with his hair to avoid being recognized. But instead this gives him an especially conspicuous appearance. Or as Lee puts it, “I look like a f–ing mutant from one of your magazines”.

This interlude story is drawn and coloured by guest artist John J. Pearson. Pearson’s style has some similarity to regular series artist Martin Simmonds. But Pearson’s art seems to have a bit more of a realistic edge. Details are a bit more defined. I have to wonder if this is deliberate. Maybe it’s meant to show that the present day is more unclear as shifting belief alters the world. Perhaps the further you go back in the past, the more defined the details become.

Lettering is often something I don’t notice much in comics, but there’s something I did notice here. Where most comic dialogue is in all-caps, the lettering here is in sentence case. This does subtly, but noticeably give reading the dialogue a different feel – as if it has more depth or meaning behind it. Also, all-caps lettering in comics usually relies on boldface for emphasis, but Aditya Bidikar skillfully uses boldface along with putting select words or phrases in all-caps and italics. This allows for added layers of emphasis.

Negatives

The only negative with this story is that, being an interlude, it means we have to wait that much longer to get back to the main story and find out what happens next with Cole Turner in the present. However, I find these flashback stories utterly fascinating, so I don’t mind Tynion taking time away from the main storyline for these diversions.

Verdict

The Department of Truth #14 is another great issue in Tynion’s addicting saga. I just love how his story continues to lead us further and further down the rabbit hole. And Tynion’s story about conspiracy theories changing reality is chillingly timely considering the current political climate in the United States. The Department of Truth is a truly unique kind of story, and I’m loving every page of it.

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