"It's not all black and white. There's shades of grey inbetween."

Ah, the one line (or variants of) that appears so often in cop dramas and other moral issue films. Heard it once, never want to hear it again. Sticks out? Sure does. Why wouldn't it with a box of crayons over on the side just wanting to mix it in and play on that board. Won't play in Gotham City though. That's where Batman calls the shots. And if colour is out, colour is out.

Jim Lee's version of Batman, as seen in this photo, is sculpted by Eric Sosa as part of the "Batman Black & White" line of Batman statues from DC Direct.

Clear as yellow snow and with no colour in it, it's just like a movie about a cop with metal plate in his head and Billy Madison to blame. Or, like a black and white comic, with grey tones to mark out not so white and not so black areas.

Batman works in black and white. Crushing the hopes and hearts of criminals is all the colour he needs in his life. (And maybe a young teen bounching about alongside in brightly coloured clothes for good measure.)


 

What If...? 'Planet Hulk', This looks like it's going to be one hell of a what if? Written by Greg Pak (Hulk & Planet Hulk) and penciled by Lenard Kirk & Rafa Sandovarl. This issue contains three stories which are; What if the Hulk had landed on the peaceful planet? What if Banner had landed on Sakaar instead of Hulk? What if Cairea had come to Earth seeking revenge instead of the Hulk? If you are and have enjoyed the 'Planet Hulk' run and World War Hulk, check out the What if? Planet Hulk.

Last year, a group of Marvel heroes decided the Hulk was too dangerous for Earth, tricked him into a shuttle, and shot him into space. After the Hulk rose from slave to gladiator to conquering emperor on the savage planet of Sakaar, the shuttle exploded - destroying the Hulk's people and his pregnant queen. And the entire Marvel Universe knows what happened next as the Hulk returned to wreak his terrible vengeance in the pages of "World War Hulk." But what if the Hulk had landed on the peaceful planet the Marvel heroes originally intended? What if Banner had landed on Sakaar instead of the Hulk? And what if the Hulk's warrior bride Caiera the Oldstrong had come to Earth seeking vengeance instead of her husband? Get ready for three shocking tales of what could have been from the writer of the "Planet Hulk" and "World War Hulk" epics. The Hulk was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirkby in 1962 and first appeared in The Incredible Hulk #1.

Other Comics to Keep an Eye Out for this Week:

From the House of Ideas; Foolkiller #1, running through Marvel Max line. From best selling novelist Gregg Hurwitz and penciled by Lan Medina. In the same boat as Punisher, here comes Foolkiller a new vigilante. Recommended to mature readers.

DC Show cases; Gotham Underground #1 (of 8), Written by Frank Tieri (Weapon X); Art and Cover by J. Calafiore (formerly on Exiles). A Countdown tie-in! Follow Batman, Robin, Nightwing and Batwoman as they adventure to save Gotham.

From Wildstorm comics; Authority Prime #1 (of 6), mini-series. Written by Christos Gage (Stormwatch, WWHulk X-Men); Art and Cover by Darick Robertson (The Boys).

DVD of the Month

Superman Doomsday animated movie, from producer and director Bruce Timm (who brought Batman: 'The Animated Series' and Justice League Unlimited). Based off the comic series 'The Death of Superman', by Dan Jurgens.

'When Lexcorp accidentally unearths the intergalactic serial killer Doomsday, Superman battles the creature head-on in the fight of his life. The world collectively mourns its fallen hero; humanity realises it will never feel truly safe again. Superman's enemies rejoice - all but Lex Luthor, who grieves the loss of his own demented manner, setting off a chilling chain of events that even he couldn't have foreseen'.

Starring Adam Baldwin (Firefly) as the voice as Superman, James Marsters (Buffy) as Lex Luthor and Anne Heche as reporter Lois Lane.

Trade of the week - Serenity HC; Those Left Behind

Dark Horse's biggest hit of 2006 is now available in a special-edition hardcover! Joss Whedon, the pop-culture mastermind behind Buffy the Vampire Slayer, bridged the gap between his cult-hit Firefly TV series and his Serenity motion picture with this collected three-issue miniseries.

Penned by Whedon and Brett Matthews, a Firefly show writer, the ragtag crew takes on a scavenger mission with the promise of a big payoff. Only too late do they realize the gig is orchestrated by an old enemy eager to remake their acquaintance.

* Sporting a new cover by Adam Hughes, this oversized collection shows off the work of penciller Will Conrad and colorist Laura Martin, and the array of pinups by phenomenal guest artists. In addition, over a dozen backup pages delve into the work and art behind the scenes-original material assembled especially for this hardcover edition.

 

NIGHTWING is the newest addition to DC Direct's line of realistically proportioned, super-heroic 1:6 scale figures! This deluxe collector figure comes clothed in an authentically detailed fabric costume and includes two escrima sticks and a display stand. Packaged in a deluxe 4-color window box with a 5th panel. Includes alternate mask.

 

Take a close up conversation with one person who has no breath, one person with skank breath, another with fart breath. Which one smells like the back of the wall? Now, which house would that wall come from in the first place?

Get ready for an action-packed 2-part tale teaming up the Dark Knight with the interstellar madman, as only Sam Kieth can deliver!

Batman, transported to an alien vessel by a mysterious figure, is asked to help cure a plague that has infected its inhabitants. Lobo, who has also been shanghaied, finds himself in the same boat.

Now, Batman and Lobo, two incredibly unlikely companions, must somehow find a way to work together — and find out the real reason for their abductions — before they kill each other!

Batman/Lobo: Deadly Shadows #1 (of 2) from DC Comics

Trade of the week

Grab a nice piece of vamp stylings and throw it onto the stake for a bit of dust and puff. A whole range of creators are out on patrol with Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Tales of the Slayers. Very nice cover by Tim Sale. He being the one Isaac Mendes sells prints and paintings on HEROES.

 

Watch enough day time soaps and the time slip cracks aplenty with the wash of nothing clear. Turmoil, bickering, two hams fisting the air and it's all quite academic if not for the interplay which really proves the hook for the bait.

The greatest team-up title of all time is back! A proud DC tradition is restored as writer Mark Waid (52, SUPERGIRL AND THE LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES) and legendary artists George P?rez (THE NEW TEEN TITANS, CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS) and Bob Wiacek (ORION) put Batman and Green Lantern on the trail of what could be the greatest weapon in the DCU!

The trail leads to Ventura, the gambling planet--wanna bet what'll happen if they don't get their hands on the weapon?

This issue will feature two covers by George P?rez, Cover A spotlights Batman; Cover B spotlights Green Lantern!

The Brave and The Bold #1 from DC Comics

Sean McKeever and Terrell Bobbett flush the start of Spider-Man Family with the new part of the old cart. Reprints, thick count and a swag to swing the bimonthly of another Spider-Man title.

As Jim Carrey will tell you, Dr Pepper has not 19 flavours, but 23. And 23 is a number which can drive you crazy. This has no relation other than issue number to Powers #23 from Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming through ICON.

Collecting and colouring the series which appeared first in Japan, Witchblade Takeru Manga from Top Cow, Yasuko Kobayashi and Kazasa Sumita. A school girl in a monastery, the witchblade and colour. Like metal long enough and it starts to give a taste.

Image takes a swift kick into the ET nads as Invincible #39 from Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley shows up with an alien force looking to make the denizens of Earth their slaves. For when you want superheroes with a bit of joy about them.

Mike Carey, Skottie Young and Greg Land unleash the creep in Legion of Monsters: Werewolf By Night from Marvel Comics. First of a triad features the hairy one what runs around at full moons howling and a scratching at the door to be let in again.

 

Watch back on The Matrix Reloaded, the one with The Architect/Colonel Sanders in the reality room and with that battle between Neo on hundreds of Agent Smiths.

As Neo and the others of the resistance are going guns against the machines down in the belly of the real world, does it feel like in parts not unlike watching Superman battle hordes of Aliens?

It's the battle you've been waiting for in a thrilling 2-issue miniseries by Mark Schultz (Cadillacs and Dinosaurs) with computer-generated painted art by Ariel Olivetti (SPACE GHOST)!

They're back! The relentless killing machines known as Aliens and the unstoppable race of hunters called Predators have returned to Earth. But saying "they're back" isn't quite accurate - Batman discovers that the two races, sealed away from the human population, have been here all along!

Can he and Superman get them off our world before they threaten the planet's existence?

Superman And Batman Vs. Aliens And Predators #1 (Of 2) from DC Comics

Suit up in a block of heavy metal and jump out of a plane, surely another way toward Iron Man: Hypervelocity. New Iron Man armour is put to the test and really, when a bloke like that makes so many iterations of his battle suit, something bad's bound to bounce back. Adam Warren and Brian Denham are bolting this sixer up.

Marvel also present Squadron Supreme: Hyperion vs Nighthawk in the ring with Mark Guggenheim and Paul Gulacy. Quarter cut smack down between, well, the title just says it right there.

Aspen MLT said it themselves that Soulfire: Chaos Reign Beginnings won't be out there on shelves. And yet, here it appears on the shipping list. Poodle hat.

Short fills across the American comic reading world affected the release of Civil War #6 among other comics. Rest of the numbers are in this week. That annoying card for a music download site still comes attached. Can't help it. Have cutting implements for those who want to rid themselves of it though.

Notice a swag of re-orders this week in the DC section with a starter on Superman #654? From Kurt Busiek, Carlos Pacheco and Jesus Merino, it's the start of their run on the Man of Steel. Clark is trying to gum up the side stories and prove himself worthy of being an ace reporter for The Daily Planet. Is it an "again" moment?

There's Frew Publications for those who like their purple in black and white. For those who like their purple in colour, Phantom from Moonstone sates that desire. Pick up a copy and smell the pages. Now that's good sniffing. But don't nose it too close.

J.K. Vaughn, Mark L. Haynes and Jean Diaz run the mix in six but right now the third is out. So step it back some with IDW Publishing as they jump behind the tick-tick-ticking of that clock in 24: Nightfall #1 on re-order.

Warren Ellis and Mike Deodato prove that justice, like lightening, isn't always about redemption as Thunderbolts #110 heralds a new sort of team that really isn't a team.

 

 

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