batgirl

This week we’re creating our dream cast for Gotham City Sirens, the planned Harley Quinn-centered spinoff of Suicide Squad from director David Ayer and artist Geneva Robertson-Dworet. Poison Ivy and Catwoman have been discussed as the other central characters, but we've filled out our cast with some of Gotham's female heroes.

What may go down as one of the worst years in recent memory is slowly crawling to a close, and while we wish it good riddance and hope against hope that 2017 will be an improvement, there is some small solace in looking back over the year that's passed and figuring out what stuff from it was the best. That's right, it's "Best of..." list time, and today we're taking a look at the Best DC Covers of 2016.

On this chilly December day, as we're sipping hot cocoa and listening to carols, we've got an exclusive look at the covers and solicitations for DC's Batman Family offerings in March --- including Batman taking on the Mad Hatter, and a Batgirl/Supergirl team-up that finds the two heroes breaking into Arkham Asylum! Check them out!

On this day in 1966, one of the greatest characters in the Batman Family appeared for the first time: Barbara Gordon. While many aspects of her identity are tied to the men in her life, including Commissioner Gordon, Batman, and the Joker, she’s at her best when she’s the star of her own stories, or saving the world with other women.

Lettering is an art form that doesn’t get enough recognition in comics, and when it’s done well you’ll often not notice it. However, Wonder Woman by Greg Rucka, Nicola Scott, Romulo Fajardo Jr, and Jodi Wynne incorporates the lettering in a few unique ways that add extra layers to the storytelling, and is emblematic of how a new approach to lettering is improving DC Comics on the whole.

This week there’s been a lot of talk and controversy surrounding J. Scott Campbell’s Midtown Comics variant for Invincible Iron Man #1, featuring the 15-year-old Riri Williams, AKA Ironheart. Fan response to the cover pointed out the highly sexualized depiction of Riri and the inappropriate decision to assign the cover to an artist known for his pin-up work, but things got worse when Campbell and other creators responded to the controversy. Campbell and his defenders’ rebuttals featured the typical lines about social justice warriors and censorship, and creators in this situation seem to always assume that they’re infallible when it comes to the art they create. Yet another week of controversy in comics has me asking; What’s so wrong about stopping to listen to what people have to say?

In January, DC Rebirth will have officially passed its six-month milestone, but it shows no sign of slowing down. Ahead of the full solicitation release next week, DC has provided us with a first look at the covers and solicitations for Joshua Williamson & Carmine Di Giadomenico's The Flash #14, Simon Oliver & Pia Guerra's The Hellblazer #6 and Hope Larson and Christian Wildgoose's Batgirl #7.

The Funko Pop craze shows no signs of slowing down, and yesterday the manufacturer announced perhaps its most inevitable line of Pop Vinyls yet, featuring the core cast of Batman: The Animated Series. It also announced a new line of Dorbz based around Green Lantern and the various Lantern Corps and, in a delightful surprise, a line of Mystery Minis based around DC Super Heroes & Pets.

Superhero comic books and shared universes are full of fantastical technology that enable people to fly in suits of armor or even walk down the street on hydraulic stilts. However, the superhero universes still struggle to reconcile the advanced technology of their worlds with the day to day reality of people living with disabilities.

A big comic convention like New York Comic Con is a fantastic time to pick up some exclusive goodies, and just like every year, Funko has outdone itself with this year's line-up. The collectibles juggernaut has unveiled a range of exclusives for this year's NYCC featuring awesome Batman, X-Men, and Suicide Squad toys and more.