Superman: Birthright, the origin of the Man of Steel

Writer: Mark Waid

Penciller: Leinil Francis Yu

Inker: Gerry Alanguilan

Colorist: Dave McCaig

Letterer: Comicraft

Publisher: DC Comics

What's it about?

This is an origin story for Superman.  I won't say 'the' origin story, because there have been lots.  This one is particularly good and it resonates with a lot of readers.

Valentines reviews - Superman: Unconventional Warfare

Writer: Greg Rucka

Penciller: Matthew Clark, Renato Guedes, Paul Pelletier
Inker: Nelson, Edde Wagner, Andy Lanning, Rick Magyar
Colours: The Hories
Letters: Comicraft, Rob Leigh, Jared K Fletcher, Nick J. Napolitano

Publisher: DC 

What’s it about?

This book really focuses on Lois and Clark/Superman’s careers and the way in which their careers impact on their relationship.  It’s a love story between people who have the deepest respect for and devotion to each other, but who also have lives outside of each other.

Tales of the Vampires

Writers: Joss Whedon, Jane Espenson, Brett Matthews, Sam Loeb, Drew Goddard, Ben Edlund
Artists: Scott Morse, Jeff Parker, Vatchie Mavlian, Cameron Stewart, Tim Sale, Paul Lee, Sean Philips, Ben Stenbeck, Cliff Richards
Pencils: Alex Sanchez, J. Alexander, Ben Edlund
Colours: Michelle Madsen, Chip Zdarsky, David Nestelle
Inks: Derek Fridolfs
Letters: Annie Parkhouse, Richard Starkings, Comicraft
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

Note: Credits are shown as listed in the book.  Some people describe themselves as artists, some describe themselves as pencillers, hence the variety of titles.
This book is made up of ten different stories.  Each story has one writer and an art team, i.e., there are not three different writers for one story and three different pencillers, although some artists and writers worked on more than one story.

What's it about?
Vampires, and vampires are scary. They are more powerful than us, more violent than us and more singleminded than us.  They can kill us slowly and painfully or quickly and stealthily.  Vampires are scary.  These ones are no different.

Daredevil/Echo: Parts of a Hole

Writer: David Mack, Joe Quesada, Jimmy Palmiotti
Pencils: Joe Quesada, David Ross, Rob Haynes
Inker: Jimmy Palmiotti and Mark Morales
Colours: Richard Isanove and David Self
Letters: Comicraft's Liz Agraphiotis, Troy Peteri and Oscar Goongora
Publisher: Marvel 

What's it about?
Meet the cast.
Daredevil, aka Matt Murdock

He's a lawyer by day and a vigilante by night.  As a small child he had an accident which left him blind, this same accident heightened his other senses, beyond that of regular humans.







Echo, aka Maya Lopez

A Native American woman who is Deaf.  She has the ability to accurately mimic any physical action she sees and as such is an accomplished performer.  Her (now deceased) father was called Crazy Horse, and he worked for...

Wolverine: Origin

One book, released with 3 different covers.  I believe only the top right image is still in print.

Script: Paul Jenkins

Pencils: Andy Kubert

Digital Painting: Richard Isanove

Lettering: John Roshell, Comicraft, Wes Abbott, Oscar Gongorra, Saida Temofonte

Publisher: Marvel

What's it about?

It's Wolverine's origin story.  Wolverine is a mutant, that is, like many other people in the Marvel universe he has evolved from homo sapien to homo superior.  Individuals who evolve gain abilities or superpowers and can do things the rest of humanity can't.  In Wolverine's case, he has retractable bone claws on each hand, an enhanced sense of smell and a healing factor that makes him very, very difficult to kill, or hurt.  In the Marvel Universe he is part of the X-Men - a group of mutants put together by telepath Charles Xavier, who fight against evil, for humanity and for mutantkind.

Supergirl: Many Happy Returns

Writer: Peter David
Pencils: Ed Benes
Inks: Alex Lei
Colours: Brad Anderson
Letters: Comicraft 
Publisher: DC Comics


What's it about?
In short, two Supergirls collide, potentially causing the end of all existence.
In long, it's a bit more complicated.

We have one Supergirl, Linda Danvers (in the white top).  She is not Kryptonian, or Superman's cousin or anything like that.  She does have invulnerability, super strength, the ability to fly and a form of psychic telekinesis.  Linda is brash, has a dirty mind, is straight talking and cynical.  She got her powers through some sort of miracle and earned the right to wear the Superman colours.

Conan: The Frost-Giant's Daughter and other stories

Writer: Kurt Busiek
Artists: Cary Nord and Thomas Yeates
Colours: Dave Stewart
Letterers: Richard Starkings and Comicraft
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

What's it about?
Conan of Cimmeria is a barbarian, in the traditional sense of the term.  Fur covered, sword in hand, he sets out from his southern homeland to journey to the fabled lands of Hyperborea, to discover it's riches, wonders and women for himself.  On the way he gets caught up in a feud between the Aesir and the Vanir and his travels take an unexpected turn.

These stories are based on Robert E Howards original writings and follow the plots fairly closely.  It's your classic swords and sorcery adventure, filled with warriors, magic and mythological beings.

Young Justice - A League of Their Own

Writers: Peter David and D Curtis Johnson

Pencillers: Todd Nauck and Ale Garza

Inkers: Lary Stucker and Cabin Boy

Colours: Jason Wright and Tom McGraw

Letterers: Ken Lopez and Comicraft

Publisher: DC Comics

What's it about?

A new team of teenage superheroes - named Young Justice - similar in concept to the Teen Titans, but from the next generation.  The line up is as follows:

Robin - Batman's third protege to bear the name.  No powers.

Superboy - Young clone of Superman with variant powers.

Impulse - A speedster from the Flash family.

Wonder Girl - Granted powers by the Greek God Zeus, her mentor is Wonder Woman.

Arrowette - Ace female archer.

Secret - A girl made out of mist.

Red Tornado - An android who acts as babysitter to the team.