DC Nation #1

The second issue of DC Nation, the company-made fan magazine, came out this week and I have to say as a fan of DC, I was impressed.

First off, the price. Free!

Second, it is 48 pages of high gloss, gorgeous art and news. It isn't just 'Direct Currents', although the latest solicits are in there. There are interviews. There are small pieces where you get to 'meet' the creators and staff. There are process pages. There is concept art.

For someone who loves comics, loves seeing the creative process, loves hearing from the creators, this is a perfect vehicle for all things DC.

I wonder how long they can keep up something of this quality or size. I can imagine it eventually being 20 pages or $1 or both.

But until then, I am going to drink it all in. Especially when I learn a little more about my favorite characters and upcoming books.

For example,

In the middle of a Scott Snyder/Brian Michael Bendis co-interview, we get this inset blurb about the upcoming Supergirl book.

I don't know if I am sold on the concept yet. But I'm going in with an open mind. And this 'classic' new costume is growing on me. Something about that wide gold belt that brings a bit of panache.

But the big thing in this is how Kevin Maguire is described as the artist on 'the first arc'.

Remember when Maguire and Perez flip-flopped pages/issues in  Worlds' Finest? Maybe he is doing every other arc to give him the time he needs? Hope it isn't a done in one thing with Maguire.

 Bendis does a more pointed brief interview about upcoming stuff in Man of Steel. While there isn't much news, at least we learn that the Lois mystery is revealed in Man of Steel #6 (even if it is still ongoing).

And I do find it interesting that low-tech crime like arson would be vexing to Superman. But it makes sense in a way.

 We get some process pieces about Jim Lee designing Rogol Zaar. I like that stuff, like character sheets explaining the look of someone.

Again, Bendis gives vague statements about Zaar. I still hope that he didn't trigger Krypton's doom. Maybe he was planning on it but they did it all on their own.

But it did grab my attention when Bendis hinted that Zaar might be more embedded in DC history than we know. Maybe he got revenge to that Galactic Circle? Foment the Rann/Thanagar conflict? Send the Psions/Citadel to Tamaran? Drove Apsa Ali Appa mad?

And then the add for the next issue/ Don't forget that  DC Nation 2  promised some news on Supergirl's mission.

Yes, it is DC propaganda. But as a DC customer, how can I not like this.

Posted in: Reviews