Review For Young Romance DC's Valentine Special

There are spoilers so avoid if you don’t want know.

“Clark, you really know how to tug at the heartstrings.

This was well worth the $7.99 I spent on it. It has a lot of extra features and some really comical Valentine’s Day cards in the back. It’s pretty long; on my Nook it was 58 pages.

If your Valentine is not a true comic book fan, I’d suggest getting him or her something like candy or flowers. If they are a fan, then why not surprise them with this special edition comic book?”

“All I know is that when I’m with you, I don’t have to worry about any of that.I can just be…me.” Have you picked up your copy of Young Romance:The New 52 Special #1 yet? If not, what are you waiting for? The Superman/Wonder Woman story we think was just great! We trying not to spoil the ending so soon but …squee. It’ll warm your heart for Valentine’s Day. Pick it up.
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“All I know is that when I’m with you, I don’t have to worry about any of that.I can just be…me.”

Have you picked up your copy of Young Romance:The New 52 Special #1 yet? If not, what are you waiting for? The Superman/Wonder Woman story we think was just great! We trying not to spoil the ending so soon but …squee. It’ll warm your heart for Valentine’s Day. Pick it up.

Newsrama: What other DCU characters are you looking forward to working with?
Andy Diggle: I’ve been really impressed with Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang’s take on Wonder Woman, and her burgeoning relationship with Superman gives me the perfect opportunity to explore the characters’ different approaches to the world. They’re both outsiders, trying to find their place in the world, and that’s what brings them together.
Newsarama.com : ANDY DIGGLE To Sync ‘Bright & Optimistic’ ACTION with DCU

Source: newsarama.com

More thoughts on the New Status Quo as explored (revised) - in Superman #13 (& Superman #14 Preview)

(revisions in italics)

There are many unanswered questions. First I’d caution - the story isn’t finished yet. It maybe that Geoff Johns will tell us Diana and Clark - at least at this point in their lives - aren’t compatible. We’d - naturally - respectfully disagree, if that were to be the case, but that’s comic books. Things change. Equally Geoff might say yay they are compatible, and then we’ll Squee. What’s certain is that DC would be mad to tell us at this point which way this drama will play out!

When telling a story there has to be danger, and in romance that is uncertainty; will they won’t they? and we have that to some extent here in Superman #13. ( and now Superman #14 - even though Lois says “that not going to change ever.” or as Superman Editor Matt Idleson said, “not on my watch” )

We know Diana has a past - holding hands - with Steve Trevor. Clark has a past too. For me it’s realistic to recognise people have conflicting emotions and feelings. Not only is the future story untold, but the past history isn’t yet revealed. Although I’m confident the remaining issues of Action by Grant Morrison will fill in some of the gaps. Answering questions about the nature of Lois and Superman and Clark’s relationship. Morrison has shown Clark a possible outcome - a possible future where he and Lois are a couple in a world of super-people, but as a co-author of Hypertime as named by Mark Waid, Morrison is very much a disciple of the notion all stories are valid within and of themselves, and canon is just the narrative that the editors and writers elect to tell. DC have said Diana and Kal is the new Status Quo, it’s our preferred outcome, but we’re not selfish to pretend it’s the only one!

It maybe in this New 52 canon reality,  that Clark had a crush on an older successful colleague who he admired, - or-  it could be that Superman and Lois ”dated” as in the Bronze age,  and here as then, Lois decided that their relationship couldn’t work…

Actually it appears to be a combination of these things. ( They even accompanied each other to a wedding )

… As Clark clearly has tried to woo Lois, hence the bed quip. 

Lois however has not returned his affection - as we speculated, unrequited love on his part, and as in the Gold/Silver/Bronze ages Lois has decided that she and Clark wouldn’t work as a couple.

…and his pining is just part of one chapter of his life ending as he moves on. Anyone who has experienced unrequited love knows how emotionally crippling that can be.

And Clark has moved on - Lois sees it, she is after all a great reporter.

Moreover the Great Reporter Lois Lane has guessed because she can see how happy Clark has been because of that kiss! The image used implies Superman #14 ( this scene at least )  is happening before Diana and Clark’s Smallville date in Justice League #14 - otherwise it would be that super-wonder-kiss

You know the one - the one with the double foot pop - Yes Diana makes Clark foot pop & Superman makes Wonder Woman’s foot pop!

Of course we’re looking forward to Andy Diggle’s take on the Ultimate Power Couple

Look at all that foot popping Action for Valentines Day!

So again it comes to this…  the bottom line matters. If the people who actually go out and buy comics in print or digitally continue to enthusiastically embrace the idea of Superman and Wonder Woman, as early sales indicate they have, then WB/DC will ship books with our OTP front and centre.

So in conclusion support Diana and Kal in print, and by buying licensed merchandise - and the creators including @DCComics by shouting out the love for things that they get right. 

CBR News: ..which one is your favorite member of the Justice League? Or maybe it’s even someone else? Tony Daniel: That’s a tough question, because I love all the characters, but I’d say Wonder Woman is probably my favorite to draw. … After Wondy, I’d say Superman, for obvious reasons. CBR News: Did you try anything different with Wonder Woman in your two issues of “Justice League?” Tony Daniel: I really did enjoy drawing her, every panel she was in. I try not to marry myself to a style, necessarily, so my main concern was capturing her presence, the way she stands, the look on her face. Trying to balance a bit of her letting her guard down without her looking weak was a bit of fun, too. Same goes for Superman — showing his strength and presence, but also trying to get across the emotion the story needs. Trying to make these characters seem real on the page is something that drives my work.  Superman, for me, is the embodiment of what a superhero is. Stoic, powerful, larger than life, perfection personified. From an artistic standpoint, I’ll be doing my best to capture his super-ness to the best of my abilities. It’s really going to be fun drawing his face and getting into his eyes, where we can hopefully read his heart in the pictures. The part of the job I look forward to the most is Superman’s movements, the grace with which he flies, the majestic, almost regal way he composes himself in front of allies and foes alike. Then, of course, there’s Clark Kent, which is a whole different personification with very different character traits, the ‘human’ side of him that everyone can relate to. My ideas for Clark will be fun to work into the book. Drawing Clark will be as much fun for me as drawing Superman. The way he stands, his expressions, movements, it all adds up to the total package that really sells how awesome being Superman really is. CBR News: Over the years, Superman has been drawn by a wide range of top flight artists, including heavyweights like Curt Swan, Frank Quietly and Gary Frank. Which version do you consider the most iconic take and is there a particular one that you will look to for inspiration? Tony Daniel: There are so many who have made an impact on Superman over the years. I get inspiration from many people and places. The most iconic is hard to say, but I think Curt Swan probably deserves a big nod there. (above Curt Swan Superman expressions ) I love the big Frank Quietly look as well, and of course, Gary Frank is amongst the best that I’ve seen draw Superman. There are so many, honestly. I can only hope to contribute to the character in a way to draw mention the same way down the road.   Above Frank Quietly Sketch showing Clark & Superman “Justice League” #14, written by Geoff Johns and featuring art by Tony Daniel, goes on sale November 21. “Action Comics” #18, written by Andy Diggle and featuring art by Tony Daniel, is slated for release in March 2013. Full Article Here
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CBR News: ..which one is your favorite member of the Justice League? Or maybe it’s even someone else?

Tony Daniel: That’s a tough question, because I love all the characters, but I’d say Wonder Woman is probably my favorite to draw.

… After Wondy, I’d say Superman, for obvious reasons.

CBR News: Did you try anything different with Wonder Woman in your two issues of “Justice League?”

Tony Daniel: I really did enjoy drawing her, every panel she was in. I try not to marry myself to a style, necessarily, so my main concern was capturing her presence, the way she stands, the look on her face. Trying to balance a bit of her letting her guard down without her looking weak was a bit of fun, too. Same goes for Superman — showing his strength and presence, but also trying to get across the emotion the story needs. Trying to make these characters seem real on the page is something that drives my work. 

Superman, for me, is the embodiment of what a superhero is. Stoic, powerful, larger than life, perfection personified. From an artistic standpoint, I’ll be doing my best to capture his super-ness to the best of my abilities. It’s really going to be fun drawing his face and getting into his eyes, where we can hopefully read his heart in the pictures.

The part of the job I look forward to the most is Superman’s movements, the grace with which he flies, the majestic, almost regal way he composes himself in front of allies and foes alike. Then, of course, there’s Clark Kent, which is a whole different personification with very different character traits, the ‘human’ side of him that everyone can relate to. My ideas for Clark will be fun to work into the book.

Drawing Clark will be as much fun for me as drawing Superman. The way he stands, his expressions, movements, it all adds up to the total package that really sells how awesome being Superman really is.

CBR News: Over the years, Superman has been drawn by a wide range of top flight artists, including heavyweights like Curt Swan, Frank Quietly and Gary Frank. Which version do you consider the most iconic take and is there a particular one that you will look to for inspiration?

Tony Daniel: There are so many who have made an impact on Superman over the years. I get inspiration from many people and places. The most iconic is hard to say, but I think Curt Swan probably deserves a big nod there.

(above Curt Swan Superman expressions )

I love the big Frank Quietly look as well, and of course, Gary Frank is amongst the best that I’ve seen draw Superman. There are so many, honestly. I can only hope to contribute to the character in a way to draw mention the same way down the road.  

Above Frank Quietly Sketch showing Clark & Superman

“Justice League” #14, written by Geoff Johns and featuring art by Tony Daniel, goes on sale November 21. “Action Comics” #18, written by Andy Diggle and featuring art by Tony Daniel, is slated for release in March 2013.

Full Article Here

@ScottyLobdell @grantmorrison @geoffjohns @andydiggle : More thoughts on the New Status Quo as explored in Superman #13

There are many unanswered questions. First I’d caution - the story isn’t finished yet. It maybe that Geoff Johns will tell us Diana and Clark - at least at this point in their lives - aren’t compatible. We’d - naturally - respectfully disagree, if that were to be the case, but that’s comic books. Things change. Equally Geoff might say yay they are compatible, and then we’ll Squee. What’s certain is that DC would be mad to tell us at this point which way this drama will play out!

When telling a story there has to be danger, and in romance that is uncertainty; will they won’t they? and we have that to some extent here in Superman #13.

We know Diana has a past - holding hands - with Steve Trevor. Clark has a past too. For me it’s realistic to recognise people have conflicting emotions and feelings. Not only is the future story untold, but the past history isn’t yet revealed. Although I’m confident the remaining issues of Action by Grant Morrison will fill in some of the gaps. Answering questions about the nature of Lois and Superman and Clark’s relationship. Morrison has shown Clark a possible outcome - a possible future where he and Lois are a couple in a world of super-people, but as a co-author of Hypertime as named by Mark Waid, Morrison is very much a disciple of the notion all stories are valid within and of themselves, and canon is just the narrative that the editors and writers elect to tell. DC have said Diana and Kal is the new Status Quo, it’s our preferred outcome, but we’re not selfish to pretend it’s the only one!

It maybe in this New 52 canon reality, Superman and Lois ”dated” as in the Bronze age, and here as then, Lois decided that their relationship couldn’t work - or it could be Clark had a crush on an older successful colleague who he admired, and his pining is just part of one chapter of his life ending as he moves on. Anyone who has experienced unrequited love knows how emotionally crippling that can be.

Lastly the bottom line matters. If the people who actually go out and buy comics in print or digitally continue to enthusiastically embrace the idea of Superman and Wonder Woman, as early sales indicate they have, then WB/DC will ship books with our OTP front and centre.

So in conclusion support Diana and Kal in print, and by buying licensed merchandise - and the creators including @DCComics by shouting out the love for things that they get right.