The Four Color Media Monitor

The Penn. Express-Times fawns over both Marvel and DC's efforts, both current and upcoming, and at the same time tells that nothing new is to be expected:

With the end of "Secret Invasion," the villains of the Marvel Universe came out on top.

And that's exactly the problem. The heroes are forcibly not allowed to be triumphant, not because it makes sense but because the editors and writers dictate it artificially.

With the new status quo come a few new books, the first of which is "The Dark Avengers" by writer Brian Michael Bendis.

"The Dark Avengers" is Norman Osborn's new team of Avengers. While the identity of the team hasn't been officially released, the team will most likely be made up of the former Thunderbolts: Moonstone, Bullseye and Venom.

The rest of the team being filled out by Wolverine's son Dakon and Osborn himself as the Iron Patriot.

Iron Patriot is a cross between Iron Man and Captain America.

Other books to look for are the re-launch of "Black Panther" from writer Reginald Hudlin with a new female Panther, and "Warmachine" returns in a new ongoing series from writer Greg Pak.

Let's see, Norman's now the "goodie"? Is his new role as Iron Patriot supposed to be an indirect insult to both Shellhead and Cap? And more darkness around the corner? Is this ludicrious or what? I get the feeling the new take on War Machine won't be worth anticipating either. As for T'Challa being thrown out of his role as Black Panther for the sake of diversity, I spoke about that earlier, and don't expect much of the new direction they're taking there either.

"Batman RIP" may have temporarily killed off Bruce Wayne and left some fans confused. But it did leave a question as to who would step into the role as a new Batman.

And the only answer I can provide is - who cares?

In March fans will find out who the new Batman will be when "Battle for the Cowl #1" hits stores.

The miniseries features nearly every one who has been influenced by Batman in a fight to claim the title of Batman.

The series also will mark the first appearance of a new Azrael to the DC universe.

Also coming in 2009 is a spin off Justice League featuring Green Lantern and Green Arrow, leading a new team of darker, grittier heroes by writer James Robinson.

Joining Green Lantern and Green Arrow will be Batwoman, Captain Marvel, Congorilla, Supergirl and a new Starman.

A new Azrael and Starman? What was wrong with the old ones? The now cliched talk of darker and grittier heroes also doesn't sound encouraging. It certainly does tell that writer Robinson is beginning to falter.

Labels: dc comics, marvel comics, msm propaganda