GUARDIANS OF THE UNIVERSE

REAL NAME: Guardians of the Universe

OCCUPATION: Founders of the Green Lantern Corps / Protectors of the Galaxy

BASE OF OPERATIONS: Sector 0 / Oa

HOMEWORLD: Maltus

HEIGHT: 3′ 5″

WEIGHT: 62 lbs

EYES: Green

HAIR: White

FIRST APPEARANCE: Green Lantern vol. 2 #1 (July/August, 1960)

AKA: Guardians

BACKGROUND from the comic books:
The Guardians of the Universe are an immortal race from the planet Maltus of the Vega System. They are as ancient as life itself and were the first intelligent creatures to come into existence. These blue-skinned eternals may be small in stature, but they are among the most powerful beings in the universe. The Guardians possess the power of flight, unprecedented knowledge and the ability to generate incredible DNA blasts that can incapacitate any creature.

Seeking to protect the cosmos, the Guardians journeyed to the planet Oa due to its prime location at the center of the universe. There they founded the Green Lantern Corps with the mission of creating intergalactic order. Convinced that willpower is the most stable component of the emotional spectrum, they harnessed it as the power of their Corps.

From the Planetary Citadel on Oa, the creators of the Green Lantern Corps are able to administer their police force. From meticulously monitoring events throughout the galaxy to quickly dispatching Lanterns wherever needed, the Guardians ensure peace and justice will prevail. Though their presence transcends across the universe, it is near impossible to schedule a meeting with the Guardians as their liaison, Lantern Salaak distributes most of their missions and decrees.

The Guardians for millennia were unanimous in their decision making but in recent years have become more divergent, occasionally debating how different scenarios should be resolved. A possible factor of influence are the years of interaction with their diverse Corpsmen who display such dynamic personalities and emotions.

ATTRIBUTES:

• Immortal
• Superhuman Intelligence
• Flight
• Devastating DNA blasts
• Emotionless beings that believe everything they do is correct.

One of the exciting Batman stories being told right now is the global proliferation of superheroes in BATMAN INCORPORATED. Bruce Wayne’s enlisted the help of costumed crime fighters from around the world to enforce his brand of justice and prepare for a mysterious new enemy only known as Leviathan.

Comics Alliance takes a look at the newest Batman Incorporated member, Batwing, in an in-depth story – which features character designs by Chris Burnham. Check it out here!

Deadman played a pivotal role in BRIGHTEST DAY. Up next? A starring role in FLASHPOINT: DEADMAN AND THE FLYING GRAYSONS. But before he jumps into that ring, catch up on his original adventures with DEADMAN, VOL. 1. Collecting his first appearance and storyline from STRANGE ADVENTURES #205-213, this volume features Boston Brand’s very first mission: seek vengeance on his own murderer.

DEADMAN, VOL. 1 comes from the classic creative teams of Neal Adams, Jack Miller, Carmine Infantino, and Arnold Drake. This trade paperback is available in comic book shops now and will be in bookstores across the nationwide next Tuesday.

Below, read series creator Arnold Drake’s introduction to the book:

Fittingly, it began with a death. In 1967 DC Comics editor Larry Nadel had a fatal heart attack. His replacement was freelancer Jack Miller, a warm man who loved good books, fine cologne, and classy (if ultra-conservative) clothing. One title Jack inherited was STRANGE ADVENTURES, an anthology book (any book without a running character was an “anthology”). At that time, all anthologies were in trouble. Jack asked me to create a new character that might save the book. I said I liked challenges.

The challenge wasn’t new to me. In ’63, Murray Boltinoff was trying to save MY GREATEST ADVENTURE and asked me for a new series. With an assist from good friend and fine comics writer Bob Haney, I created the Doom Patrol. Writing the 42 original DP stories was an unalloyed joy. Murray gave me infinite freedom. He also gave me superb Italian artist Bruno Premiani. Without that freedom and Bruno’s magnificent pen, the DP would not have become a cult classic.

Jack asked how I intended to find a new series. I said I had no road map. But I knew whatever I invented would be pretty radical for DC. In the mid-‘60s, most of DC’s books still reflected the ‘40s and ‘50s. So I said I’d start by listening to the answer that was “blowin’ in the wind.” Jack’s very pink cheeks became even pinker; he was excited at breaking new ground but worried about the conservative views of DC management and the Comics Code Authority. I felt that the more we shook them up, the more we’d know were on the right track.

One wind blowing in the ‘60s was from the East: the search for enlightenment via Eastern mysticism. So I wanted a supernatural theme. A hero who was a dead man? Okay. But he must look like Death. And who’d look that way in life? Someone courting death for a living – with clothes to match: a circus aerialist in a skull-and-bones costume, billed as “Deadman!” Some Eastern diety empowers his spirit to search the Earth for his murderer…with that discovery everything fell into line.

Carmine Infantino, who shared Jack’s office, was at his easel when I began my pitch. I took out a rough sketch of the character and opened with a cover blurb: “The man who has just been murdered is our hero. His story begins one minute later!”

Jack was visibly shaken. Carmine whispered, “Wow!” The rest was easy – until I said, “We’ll call him Deadman!” Jack said, “Not a chance!” I was intransigent. So was he. Then I must have seemed to weaken because, behind Jack’s back, Carmine raised a fist in the air. That fist said, “Don’t let him blow your title!” So I fought for it until Miller became determined to do the same.

At a career point where he could name his own assignments, Carmine’s decision to draw Deadman’s first appearance was crucial. He humanized the death’s-head I’d created, added a dramatic cowl and designed the “D” logo on his chest. Deadman was near perfect. But out of costume, Boston Brand was too handsome. I said, “Carmine, this guy’s been on his own since he was 12! By 14 he’d done every nasty, dangerous job in the circus. He was even a semi-pro boxer. You’ve gotta bust his nose!” Carmine smiled as his eraser and pencil broke Boston’s nose. Now it was truly perfect.

After that, Deadman’s life was extraordinary, particularly the spectacular explorations of Neal Adams. But for me his essence was in that first meeting when I pitched the wind from the East, and Carmine raise his fist, and Miller got the courage to fight for the idea. Long live Deadman!

Spinning out of the fan favorite BATMAN BEYOND series come the adventures of The Man of Tomorrow in the DC Universe of the future! An aging Kal-El is called back into action to stop a villain more powerful than he’s ever faced – all while his own super powers are starting to fade.

SUPERMAN BEYOND #0 will be written by Tom DeFalco and illustrated by Ron Frenz and Sal Buscema. Check out the cover by Dustin Nguyen below!

The one-shot will be available in August.

The first issue of FLASHPOINT, the epic series nearly two years in the making by Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert, has hit stores. The FLASHPOINT teaser (released yesterday at midnight ET just hours before the release of issue one) was picked up by the LA TIMES’ HERO COMPLEX, Gawker’s iO9, IGN, MTV GEEK, WASHINGTON POST COMIC RIFFS, CBR, NEWSARAMA, AOL/COMICS ALLIANCE, WIRED’s GEEKDAD, AIN’T IT COOL NEWS, COMICSBEAT, iFANBOY, COMIC VINE, and other outlets.

And now the fun begins, as coverage and reaction begin to roll in.

“Flash is about speed and time and altering perceptions,” creator Geoff Johns told CNN’s GEEK OUT! in an exclusive interview. “I wanted to explore that on a DC-wide scale.”

Over at IGN, Executive Editor Eddie Berganza has compiled a list of eleven top “heroes” to look out for during FLASHPOINT. You might be surprised at who’s sharing the top spot with the Flash…

OA

REAL NAME: Oa

OCCUPATION: Headquarters for Green Lantern Corps

BASE OF OPERATIONS: Sector 0

HOMEWORLD: N/A

HEIGHT: N/A

WEIGHT: N/A

EYES: N/A

HAIR: N/A

FIRST APPEARANCE: Green Lantern vol. 2 #1 (July/August, 1960)

AKA: Center of the Universe

BACKGROUND from the comic books:
The barren, lifeless world of Oa is one of the oldest planets in existence. The immortal Guardians of the Universe migrated from Maltus to Oa to facilitate in bringing order to the universe. Its location at the center of the cosmos made it an ideal choice for the headquarters of the Green Lantern Corps.

The sacred Book of Oa is located in the Hall of Great Service and is considered the law book of the Green Lantern Corps. It catalogues the history of the universe as well as prophesies of the future. Due to the amount of classified information inside, many sections are only accessible by the Guardians.

The Guardians of the Universe can be found within the Planetary Citadel. From this location, they track events occurring throughout the galaxy and dispatch a Lantern wherever necessary. Positioned north of the Citadel lies the Hazard Simulation Facility where Lanterns brush up on new tactics and train with drill sergeant Kilowog. The city is also home to The Crypts, a memorial honoring all fallen Lanterns that is overseen by Green Lantern Morro. Heavily guarded beneath Oa are the Sciencells, the highest secured prison facility in the galaxy, run by warden Lantern Voz.

ATTRIBUTES:

• Center of the universe.
• Base of operations for the Guardians of the Universe and the Green Lantern Corps.
• Desert-like planet.

Superman heads to Las Vegas to stop Livewire’s plot to score big! Livewire’s gotten a lot more powerful since they last met, and the Man of Steel may be responsible – with Jimmy Olsen’s help, Superman must save Vegas and find a way to stop Livewire once and for all.

SUPERMAN #711 is on sale today.

CAROL FERRIS

REAL NAME: Carol Ferris

OCCUPATION: Pilot / Administrator

BASE OF OPERATIONS: Sector 2814

HOMEWORLD: Earth

HEIGHT: 5’ 7”

WEIGHT: 123 lbs

EYES: Brown

HAIR: Black

FIRST APPEARANCE: Showcase vol. 1 #22 (September/October, 1959)

AKA: Sapphire

BACKGROUND from the comic books:
Carol Ferris grew up on the runway of Ferris Air, an airbase owned by her father Carl Ferris. She would often watch test flights from her Dad’s office, along with her friend Hal Jordan, the son of pilot Martin H. Jordan. During a test run flown by Martin, Hal and Carol witnessed the plane malfunction and explode killing his father. Undeterred by this tragedy, the determined Carol still dreamt of becoming a pilot herself.

Carol went on to become a skilled pilot for Ferris Air answering to the codename Sapphire. Although she is slated to inherit her father’s aviation company, her love of flying is too great to fathom one day removing her helmet and running the business stuck behind a desk.

When Hal was hired by Ferris Air, Carol and her childhood friend became reacquainted. Her outspoken attitude quickly drew Hal’s attention and the attraction was mutual. Despite how she feels about him, Carol is hardheaded about never mixing business and pleasure. It is hard to say if this strong-willed woman of authority and the cocky test pilot will ever be together.

ATTRIBUTES:

• Expert pilot.
• Authoritative and outspoken.
• Meticulous hard worker.

After his teammates’ betrayal and the loss of another eye, Deathstroke must reunite the splintered group if they’re to have any hope of escaping Drago’s island. But first, he has to escape Drago’s prison…

Meanwhile, the Tattooed Man makes his return to Liberty Hill to find it a place entirely different than the one he left several months ago.

Eric Wallace and Fabrizio Fiorentino’s TITANS #35 is in stores tomorrow.