Ready for Another Revamp of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman?

Reboots, relaunches and reimaginings are all the rage at Marvel and DC, each of which seems to change the origins, powers and even universes of its superheroes on a near-monthly basis. And now, DC Comics brings us something a little… different. Yes, it’s a reimagining of their core Trinity — Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman — but it’s going to be Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman as you’ve never seen them before.

Meet Milkman Man, Father Bruce and Wonder Wife, the Wholesome Trinity, courtesy of five one-shot issues from DC’s Young Animal imprint, beginning in January. In “Milk Wars,” DC’s regular Justice League and Doom Patrol take on strange doppelgangers created by RetCo, an interdimensional corporation that repackages reality by rewriting it as stories” for its clients.

Milkman Man is an even more upright, uptight version of Superman. Father Bruce has dedicated his life to orphans, while Wonder Wife is a Stepford Wives’ nightmare of a stereotypical 1950s housewife.

“Milk Wars,” which will last only about a month, kicks off with JLA/Doom Patrol Special #1, by Steve Orlando, Gerard Way, ACO, Magdalene Visaggio and Sonny Liew, which will be released on Jan. 31, 2018.

Another Set of DC Tarot Cards On Deck

DC Collectibles is releasing The DC Comics Justice League Tarot Cards tomorrow.

Designed by Sara Richard, this re-imagining of the cards feature heroes and villains from across the DC Universe in all-new artwork with almost completely new symbology.

The new artwork likely means the so-called Little White Book will have directions for interpreting the non-traditional images.

I have to confess that the art style is not to my liking… I would have difficulty reading with this deck because the symbology is pretty far off from the standard Rider-Waite decks.

DC previously dabbled in the world of tarot with two sold-out editions of The Vertigo Tarot, featuring stunningly beautiful artwork by Dave McKean that made both decks highly sought-after in collectors circles among comics fans and tarot enthusiasts alike.

The DC Comics Justice League Tarot Cards carry a list price of $24.95.

Behold This Disturbing Image of Cara Delevingne as Enchantress

After shocking us with a truly… um… unique image of Jared Leto‘s Joker earlier in the week, the good folks over at Empire magazine have come up with another stunning cover image — for better or worse — from next summer’s Suicide Squad movie.

Witness: Cara Delevingne‘s Enchantress!

So what, exactly, is this visual? It appears to be a photograph that has been digitally altered with software — what we in the publishing industry call a “photo illustration.” Yes, there has been enough digital surgery performed on this pic to actually attract attention away from Cara’s eyebrows!

So who, exactly, is Enchantress? Well, that’s a little more complicated.

In the comic books she’s June Moon, a freelance artist attending a costume party at an old castle who stumbles upon a secret chamber where the magical Dzamor empowers her to fight an evil presence in the castle. Reciting the words “The Enchantress” changes her from blonde June to raven-haired Enchantress, and allows her to defeat a minotaur. A few appearances later, she fights Supergirl, and June’s villainous side takes over for good. She mostly labored in obscurity with The Forgotten Villains (she was even whimsically nicknamed “The Switcheroo Witcheroo”), but her profile was raised significantly when DC launched its New 52 comic book line and Enchantress faced off against Justice League Dark.

‘Suicide Squad’ in Costume Is To Die For

Naturally I haven’t yet seen a movie that is still filming and I don’t read the current incarnation of the Suicide Squad comic book, but after seeing the cast in costume for DC’s upcoming Suicide Squad live-action movie — courtesy of director David Ayers — I’m glad this team’s mission is to commit suicide.

The roster includes (from left to right): Adam Beach as Slipknot, Jai Courtney as Boomerang, Karen Fukuhara as Katana, Cara Delevingne as Enchantress, Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flag, Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn, Will Smith as Deadshot, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje as Killer Croc and Jay Hernandez as El Diablo.

DC Screws Up Costume Changes — Again…

DC Comics simply cannot leave bad enough alone. The Powers That Be are simply compelled to keep making things worse.

Now, in a mind-boggling move, Superman has been given back the silly T-shirt and jeans he was forced to wear when the failed  “New 52” started, and Wonder Woman has… well, it’s hard to tell what’s new with her latest get-up, since her look has been changing so much lately. Let’s just settle for saying it’s as bad as the first time they put pants on her.

Not as bad as Superman’s crappy duds, but still.

And let’s not even start on the Man of Steel’s haircut.

Calista Flockhart Cast in SUPERGIRL Series

 Calista Flockhart has joined the cast of CBS’ forthcoming SUPERGIRL series as Cat Grant, a character who has roots in Superman comics.

Introduced in Adventures of Superman #424 by creators Marv Wolfman and Jerry Ordway, Cat Grant started out as a gossip columnist for the Daily Planet, however, Variety reports that this version of Cat will be “a self-made media magnate and founder of CatCo.”

Cat Grant has appeared on-screen before: In LOIS & CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN, she was played by Tracy Scoggins, and by Keri Lynn Pratt on SMALLVILLE.

SUPERGIRL is being planned for a fall debut.

SUPERGIRL Seeking a Superman — Sort of

That planned CBS SUPERGIRL series is looking for someone for portray the title character’s cousin, Superman.

Technically, the show is looking for a Kal-El “body double,” so Superman might only be seen from a distance or in silhouette, as opposed to actually having lines.

According to ProjectCasting.com, the production is looking for someone “5-foot-11 or taller” and “square-jawed,” with “a ripped physique” be portray the double of a “DC Comic Superhero.” How mysterious! But then again, interested parties are told to respond via e-mail with “Superman” in the subject line.

The cast already includes Melissa Benoist as Supergirl, Mehcad Brooks as Jimmy Olsen and Laura Benanti as Alura Zor-El.

Presenting His Royal Highness, Aquaman!

King of the Seven Seas Aquaman made his first official public appearance on the interwebs yesterday, courtesy of Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice director Zack Snyder, and I will say that while Jason Momoa does look pretty badass, he doesn’t look anything like Aquaman.

Which is not necessarily a bad thing, and certainly not unexpected — no one thought the orange-and-green color scheme from the comic books was going to be attempted onscreen, and everyone expected the director to toughen up the Atlantean royal’s look.

CONSTANTINE’s Next Stop Could Be on Syfy

With CONSTANTINE’s 13-episode first season wrapping up tonight — Friday the 13th… what could be sinister about that? —  thoughts naturally are turning to next season, and since NBC has not announced a decision about renewal, will there even be a second season for the DC Comics-based series?

When NBC decided not to shut down production rather than give CONSTANTINE a “back 9” renewal for a whole season, it was not exactly a vote of confidence. And when NBC recently announced a bunch of renewals, CONSTANTINE was nowhere to be seen.

However, according to CineLinx, the series may have more options for continued life than originally thought: NBC is apparently mulling moving CONSTANTINE to its Syfy sister network and renaming it HELLBLAZER (just like the comic book). Along with the move (and name change) would come lesser expectations — shows don’t need blockbuster ratings to survive on basic cable — and greater creative freedom.

DC Comics Will Put an End to the ‘New 52’ Line

DC Comics is contracting its universe. Again.

It’s not quite the DC Implosion of 1978, but the roster of titles is shrinking from 52 to 49, and the “New 52” moniker is going away — even as the company says continuity will remain the same and therefore this is not another reboot or relaunch.  And, in fact, DC is launching a whole slew of new titles — including a few mini-series — to replace the dead ones, and rebranding some existing comics with new titles.

Apparently, DC just wants to shed the “New 52” label — maybe Warner Bros. lawyers are big on truth in advertising now? And there is only a net loss of three titles, following the cancellation of a bunch of comics with the March solicitations.

As of June 3, DC’s post-New 52 comics line will be 24 titles and 25 ongoing comics that will retain their numbering (Yay, no new “collectors’ item” No. 1 issues!).