How the Justice League Celebrates Christmas – With or Without Batman

 

I revisit the honest Christmas special this year -- the DCAU Justice League episode "Comfort and Joy." And there's a fun tie-in issue that works as a sequel, as well.

The Odd Link Between Batman: The Animated Series and a Forgotten ‘80s Ad Campaign

 

Batman: The Animated Series is a pop culture mainstay today, but this week at CBR I revisit had a series of department store ads from 1988 that played a role in getting the show on the air.

Image Comics' Masters of the Universe Reboot Was No Cartoon

 

At CBR this week, I revisit the second Masters of the Universe miniseries from the Image era of '80s cartoon reboots (and Mattel's first relaunch of the toyline). If you have any suggestions of other '80s reboots of the era, let me know...

The One Issue That Changed X-Men Stories Forever

 

At CBR this week, I look back at  how a last-minute story change inadvertently altered how readers perceived the most important X-Man forever...

Superman Reborn: Christopher Reeve's Cancelled Return to Superman

 

Superman IV may have been a critical flop, but Christopher Reeve nearly made a big return as the Man of Steel on film. I examine the leaked script today at CBR.

The Saturday Evening Post Presents That '90s X-Men Guy

 

This would happen to be the big news I mentioned earlier...the illustrious Saturday Evening Post is running my piece "The Family-Friendly Radio Edit" as a part of its New Fiction Friday series. Check it out at this link and please pass it along...and of course let me know what you think!

When Doomsday Hit Justice League Unlimited

 

At CBR this week, I'm revisiting Doomsday's memorable role in the Justice League Unlimited "Cadmus" arc...and that time Mike Parobeck rendered him in an oft-overlooked DC publication.

TEMPTATION - A Free Short Story from Gene Kendall

 

Let's see if this works...I have a decent amount of new projects scheduled in coming months (and one big announcement in just a few days.) My mailing list is where I'll keep everyone updated, and give away freebies to thank you for signing up. So, click on this link to join the mailing list and receive a free short story that's appropriate for this Halloween season.

The Retro-Cool '00s Fan Service of G. I. Joe vs. the Transformers

 

Hasbro's G. I. Joe and Transformers properties were destined to crossover, but could the story match fan expectations? I look at the first of these (many, many) 2000s crossovers today at CBR.

The Nixed Anime-Influenced Revamp of X-Men: the Animated Series

 

This week at CBR, I look at what that final-season revamp of  X-Men: the Animated Series could've looked like...and why early word of a Joe Mad influence wasn't just a rumor.

The Many Lost (And One NSFW) Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures

I revisit Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Adventures for the first time at CBR...sort of. It's a look at the various lost comics from the book, including an (ahem) adults-only version produced in-house at Mirage. 

How the Atom Penetrated the 'Dark Heart' of Justice League Unlimited

 

At CBR this week I look at both the Atom episode from Justice League Unlimited's Cadmus arc and a one-shot Atom story from the tie-ins. Radically different tones, but both are pretty fun. 

The G .I. Joe Revival That Was Very '80s And Very Y2K

 

A small studio revived Hasbro's G .I. Joe series in the new millennium while never forgetting what made it one of the greatest hits of the '80s. I revisit at CBR this week...

The Surprising Link Between Dark Knight Returns and...Kids TV?

 

Frank Miller's Dark Knight Returns changed comics, but this week at CBR I'm looking at its links to everything from Tiny Toons to 1986's Transformers: The Movie.

Fox's Iron Man Could've Launched a 1990s MCU

 

This week at CBR, I revisit the days when Fox felt they had too many of those superhero movies in the works. It's the Tom Cruise Iron Man that could've been -- and it's good!

How Justice League Unlimited Gave the Question a Rorschach Makeover

 

This week at CBR, I revisit how Justice League Unlimited paid homage to a bean-loving Watchmen character while also expanding the scope of the DC Animated Universe.

War is Over, Cybertron (If You Want It)

This week at CBR, I continue my retrospective on Dreamwave's Transformers reboot from the 2000s. Is this possibly fan service done right? 

The Marvel & Archie Stars Cut From Tim Burton's Batman

 

This week at CBR, I examine Sam Hamm's history with 1989's BATMAN, including the two homages to Marvel and Archie cut from the script. 

Marvel’s Homage to Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends Was Long Overdue

 

I'm covering a comic I didn't know existed until recently at CBR this week...the first "canonical" meeting of Spider-Man and his Amazing Friends!

Dreamwave's Ultra Magnus Reveal was the Ultimate Transformers Fan Service

 

This week at CBR, I revisit the second Dreamwave Transformers miniseries, which made your playroom fan theories canon.

Who is the Hidden Villain in the Batman: Arkham Asylum Graphic Novel?

 

Grant Morrison & Dave McKean's classic Arkham Asylum graphic novel introduced a new villain, but readers will have difficulty finding them. I examine this obscurity this week at CBR.

Why MTV Had To Cheat The Maxx’s Ending

MTV's cult adaptation of Sam Kieth's comic The Maxx had to wrap up its story long before the comic reached its end, resulting in an odd ending. I revisit the final episode this week at CBR.

Did Spider-Man Lose His Virginity In Stan Lee's Film Pitch?

 

I'm revisiting Stan Lee's 1990 attempt to pitch a Spider-Man movie at CBR this week, which does indeed feature the deflowering of one Peter Benjamin Parker. And I feel vindicated now, guessing all those years ago, that the Stan Lee/Peter David story in the Ultimate Spider-Man anthology was in fact an adaptation of this treatment.

What Happened to Dreamwave's TMNT Reboot?

 

Transformers publisher Dreamwave hired a fan-favorite writer to reintroduce the Turtles…and there was one odd caveat. I continue my look at these early 2000s revivals of the 1980s this week at CBR.

How Batman Beyond Paved the Way for an Animated Justice League

 

Superman's legendary first team-up with Batman Beyond was a landmark moment for the show and character, but not so much in the tie-in comic. I look at both this week at CBR.

The Lost Scenes in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man Trilogy

 

I revisit twenty years of Sam Raimi's Spider-Man trilogy this week, specifically the number of scenes that remain on the cutting room floor (including a 2002 appearance from Eddie Brock and Kirsten Dunst dancing in her underwear).

BLIND CERULEAN - It's FREE (for the next few days...)

My genre-bending 80s inspired thriller BLIND CERULEAN is FREE at this link for the next few days! Check it out and let me know what you think (Amazon reviews are always a help...).

Chris Claremont's Shocking Choice in a Classic X-Men Love Triangle

 

The love triangle is now established lore, but when did Chris Claremont decide Wolverine and Jean Grey were a match made in heaven? I cover Claremont's views this week at CBR.

Iconic Animator Peter Chung Unveils Classic Ninja Turtles & Transformers Art

 

This week at CBR, I chronicle some of the valuable art Peter Chung is releasing from his lengthy animation career. Everything from April O'Neil's yellow jumpsuit to Optimus Prime's death to the Rugrats' design...even before Aeon Flux, Chung was a part of your youth.

Frank Miller's Early (And Raw) Attempt At Robocop 2

 

My CBR feature Page One Rewrite returns this week, looking at Frank Miller's earliest attempts at Robocop 2 (and here's come clickbait...I also reveal the comics legend who producers approached before Miller.)

X-Men: The Animated Series Season 2 and its Surprising Influence on the Comics

 

This week at CBR, I look back at the Scott and Jean nuptials from X-Men: The Animated Series...and why exactly Bob Harras did indeed object to that union.

Top Cow's Battle of the Planets Ended With a Ridiculous Cliffhanger

 

Alex Ross and Top Cow united in 2003 to revive Battle of the Planets for the new millennium, but this week I examine why the story remains incomplete. And if you guys know of anyone else interested in these '80s revival comics of the early aughts, it never hurts to spread the links around...

Why an 'Adult' Take on Batman: The Animated Series Fell Flat

 

I'm not dead. This week mark's the 150th installment of Adventure(s) Time, and I'm looking at the Batman and Harley Quinn movie that didn't even exist when I started the series.

Before Zack Snyder, Before HBO...Sam Hamm's Watchmen

 

This week I look back at Sam Hamm's 1988 draft of a Watchmen film (even Alan Moore seemed...somewhat excited for it...)

ThunderCats: The Return Was Anything But Kids' Stuff

WildStorm's second ThunderCats miniseries went into rather adult territory, but as I detail this week in Nostalgia Snake, not every fan was happy.