what wasn't apparent even to me until I was about to sign my last copy of Superman 676 yesterday (right after redstapler)...

was that Supes 676 is my first ever full length comic.

Everything I've done up until yesterday was a back up or a short story. This is the first time ever that i've been given the opportunity to write a story from beginning to end.

THAT gave me chills yesterday.

TODAY, May 14, marks my first work on a major title (a true franchise title). SUPERMAN #676 is in stores NOW!

Over on zee Facebook, I started a group called "Help Sell Out SUPERMAN #676." The point of it is to create awareness among the comic book buying/reading public and also, to send a statement to DC and, you know, maybe help me get some more work up there :). If you're on Facebook, please join the group and add me to your friends. This is a true grass roots movement, and I need everyone's help. If you're already in the group, thanks! To get to the group, just click the cover image above.

I really appreciate the help. If we all mobilize, we can make a real difference in this industry. Let's show them what we can do.

Titans Together!

Tonight in NYC, I'm doing a signing at Jim Hanley's Universe with Joe Kubert, among others. I hope you'll stop by!

it's here.

Next WEDNESDAY, May 14, this beauty of a cover by Alex Ross will sport a story written by me between two glossy pieces of paper. I'm freaking out a little, as this may be the biggest thing I ever do (or, hopefully, it's the biggest thing in my career right now).

Over on zee Facebook, I started a group called "Help Sell Out SUPERMAN #676." The point of it is to create awareness among the comic book buying/reading public and also, to send a statement to DC and, you know, maybe help me get some more work up there :). If you're on Facebook, please join the group and add me to your friends. This is a true grass roots movement, and I need everyone's help. If you're already in the group, thanks! I hope you'll earmark 2.99 for next week (although, you should also pick up Dan Slott's new Spider-Man, too, so save $5.98). To get to the group, just click the cover image above.

I really appreciate the help. If we all mobilize, we can make a real difference in this industry. Let's show them what we can do.

Titans Together!

Just got my comps. Looks really good. And it's the lead story!

First up, next week, my first of two SAVAGE TALES (#7) issues comes out. It's a two part Red Sonja story with artist Lui Antonio and I'm really quite happy with it. I hope you'll all check it out.

A week after, however, I have something even bigger...

SUPERMAN #676.

You read that correctly. SUPERMAN. Not SUPERMAN CONFIDENTIAL.

I'm reminded of Ambrose Bierce's definition of patience in the Devil's Dictionary:

"Patience, n. A minor form of dispair, disguised as a virtue."

If you read my journal with any regularity, you may remember my despair when my Superman story got canned from CONFIDENTIAL. I got a call a few weeks ago that this would be happening and I almost passed out. This is, with no ounce of hyperbole, a very exciting development. We even tweeked the story around just a little (you would never notice it if you read the original script) and again, I'm very happy with the finished product. So, it's up to me to sell you on the book.

1. New Alex Ross cover. If you pay attention to solicits and stuff like that, you will remember that this issue was originally solicited with a story by Keith Champagne. While I don't know why his issue was pulled (there is plenty of speculation online), as a result, the cover was shelved too. Now, I haven't seen the new cover, but from what I was told, it is a cover that is taken from one of the scenes in the story. That's right; Alex Ross PAINTED a cover based on my story!

2. Julian Lopez's art. Have you been reading BATMAN & THE OUTSIDERS? Julian Lopez is one of the best new artists in the DC Roster, hands down. This Superman story? This is the FIRST story he ever drew for DC. Chronologically, that is (His first published story was a Wonder Woman issue before Gail's run started). With inker Bit and colors by Marta Martinez, this is a GORGEOUS looking book that has everything you could ask for from a comic book in regards to art.

3. Special Guest stars. Alan Scott, the original Green Lantern. And, if you remember the original CONFIDENTIAL cover, you'll remember that Pete Woods drew the villain as well (Solomon Grundy).

4. Deep historical context. When you finish reading this issue, you will see a connection between two DCU Villains that has never been revealed. That's right; This issue has RELEVANCE.

5. Another revelation. Superman's favorite member of the JSA.

Action, Story and everything you expect from a Superman story.

I would like to ask the comic reading public and all of my friends to pick this book up...not just because you have a full run of SUPERMAN comics or because you know me, but because I really want to send a message to DC. What's the message? I don't know for sure. But being sandwiched between a Kurt Busiek run and and James Robinson's return to monthly comics?

Feels pretty good.

what'd i miss?

Sometime after the Superfriends met the Legion of Doom, they changed the name (see the subject line) and added Darkseid and the Apokalyptian villains (Kalibak, Parademon, Desaad) to reflect the Super Powers action figure line. They also added a two heroes; Cyborg and Firestorm.



I just watched two episodes (one of which had Felix Faust...something I didn't think happened until JLU) and here's three observations I made:

1. To my memory, and in the couple of episodes I've seen since getting cable again, Cyborg and Robin are never on screen together (except, strangely, in the opening credits). This is weird because that seems like a natural, since the two were Teen Titans characters, TT was at the height of its popularity at the time of the cartoon, and Robin was still considered a teen member. Instead, they always paired Cyborg with Firestorm, making the same leap that the two were teens, so probably would hang together (which leads me to another gripe in these cartoons...Robin never got his due. Batman could hang with the JL without Robin, but Robin was never there without Bats...so where was he? Again, putting him in an episode with Cyborg would have made sense and given us all fanboy douche chills).

2. Firestorm didn't have a flame head. To wit:



Firestorm's head wasn't comprised of fire, but of fire-colored hair. I can only imagine that this falls under the category of Human Torch in the original FF cartoon syndrome (you know...kids lighting themselves on fire and dying of idiocy).

3. In the episode I just watched, Brainiac is the villain of the first cartoon (there were two cartoons an episode). Brainiac, a robot, had lips.

Not this Brainiac:

Not this Brainiac:

Not even this Brainiac:

THIS Brainiac:

As Orson Welles would say, "Impossible! Meaningless!"

Almost missed this one, but here's another kid's comic for all you kids out there:



Written by Robbie Busch, Vito Delsante, and Scott Cunningham ; Art by Robert Pope, Christopher Cook, Dan Davis, Mike DeCarlo and Jeff Albrecht; Cover by Stephanie Gladden

A new dance craze is shaking up Camp Kidney! But the prizes may be more trouble than they're worth. Plus, the Powerpuff Girls and Johnny Bravo (JB helps Suzy build a go-cart, laughs ensue).

On Sale February 27, 2008 (THIS WEDNESDAY!)

There are two ways to read:

1. Go to the main page EVERY Saturday, and read them as they're published.
2. If you want a seamless experience, go to the FCHS Catch-Up Page.

Please read, please comment, and please come back for more! Click on the image above to go straight to the latest page.

this has been giving me a good chuckle over the past few days:

Sitting at the wi-fi spot at the Jet Blue Terminal at JFK. I am, without any hyperbole or exaggeration, exhausted. I got to sleep late last night so I could put the finishing touches on my second S&S GN, and I was at the store until 1:45 am. I'm heading to Pittsburgh to see Michelle, meet her folks again (for the first time in 20 years) and move her to NYC. Long weekend, and it starts here, so if I'm out of reach it's because the lady is keeping me entertained. Get your heads out of the gutter. Apparently, she's arranging an impromptu reunion of friends I haven't seen since graduation.

That's why I'm marrying her, folks.

SAVAGE TALES #7

PRICE: $4.99
DIAMOND ORDER CODE: JAN083513
Covers: STJEPAN SEJIC (50%) and FABIANO NEVES (50%)
Publication Date: March, 2008
Format: Comic Book
Dynamite continues to present the most the most savage stories that comic creators have ever told! Each issue of the bi-monthly Savage Tales will feature a rotating cast of characters and creators featuring the savage and brutal worlds of Red Sonja, Thulsa Doom and more!
Issue #7 Features:
* Red Sonja By Vito Delsante and Lui Antonio: an all-new Red Sony short by regular series writer Brian Reed!
* Hercules: The Unnamed Task (Part 2) By Doug Murray and Fabiano Neves; History tells us of the 12 Tasks of Hercules, but writer Doug Murray and artist Fabiano Neves continue to tell us of the very first, untold task of the legendary demi-god!
* Thulsa Doom: Age of Doom (Part 3) By Luke Lieberman and Noah Salonga; concluding the explosive origin of Red Sonja villain Thulsa Doom!
* Quartermain (Part 1) -- A new adventure featuring the dynamite tales of the legendary adventurer! Written by Entourage writer Matt Wolpert!

All the action and excitement (and sex and violence) under two "savage" covers, one by Stjepan Sejic and the other from artist Fabiano Neves

*NOTE - There's no sex in my story. Sorry?

Go to your local comic store today and pick up the new issue of Scooby Doo which has a lead story written by yours truly and my good friend, Nick Purpura. But this is just the beginning! In a few weeks, we'll be recording the actual music for the story and even have the music transcribed for you to download! And, we might even be performing this at the New York Comic Con! Get it now so you can sing along!

Mysteries, mayhem and music abound at the house that Scooby built...the opera house, that is! Plus, there's something strange happening in a little town called Vladsburg!

To find a comic store near you, call 1-800-Comic-Book

Everyone knows I hate memes for the most part, but I'm being a team player since budgie_uk and _tonylee_ did this one.

( Read more )

So, today John aka thepopa posted his Marvel Comics Dream Teams. It reminded me of a time when I did the same (almost two years ago, no less)*. It got me thinking and thinking some more...not only of how those teams would change, but also how they would change due to the landscape of Marvel Comics post-Civil War (I know...uber geek speak, so if you're not up on this stuff, turn away, but slowly so you don't hurt yourself). How do my teams change? Check it out:

The Avengers - THEN: Grant Morrison/Alan Davis & Paul Neary

NOW: I still think this team would work, but I think an artist like Olivier Coipel might be a fresher pick...but we want a monthly artist that wont miss a deadline or be too slow (not that he is or he has) so I'm going with the current Captain America team of Mike Perkins and Steve Epting.

Captain America - THEN: Greg Rucka/Steve Rude

NOW: After seeing how his former Gotham Central co-writer Brubes is doing on Cap, I keep Greg as the artist, but I pair him with Cameron Stewart...OTHER SIDE was the clincher.

Daredevil - THEN: Frank Miller/Michael Lark (and I'm talking Born Again Frank Miller...dream team, dig?)

NOW: Yeah, Frank Miller wouldn't happen in a million years, but Lark is perfect for that book, so who do we get to write it? Why not Garth Ennis?

The Defenders - THEN: Robert Kirkman/Ryan Ottley

NOW: What I was looking for here was a perfect blend of humor and action/adventure. They are both perfect for this story, but I want to switch out "Uncle Wya" and replace him with the Exterminators team of Tony Moore and John Lucas.

Fantastic Four - THEN: Dan Slott/Walt Simonson

NOW: Absolutely no change. This book would never be the seller that Uncanny is, but this book would have everything a comic fan would and could ever want.

Iron Man - THEN: Brian K. Vaughan/Mike Allred

NOW: The only thing I'm changing is the art. Allred would be a little too Ditko-esque for the book, and while that's not a bad thing, I want Don Heck...or at least Kirby. So I'm teaming BKV with Chris Batista (based on his Kirby-esque Superman Confidential run).

SHIELD - THEN: Jay Faerber/Tony Moore

NOW: I got a lot of flack for picking Jay and while I love Jay's writing, maybe he's not the guy for SHIELD (Runaways?). So, I'm overhauling this one and going with Darwyn Cooke (on words and pics) with J. Bone on inks.

The Punisher - THEN: Garth Ennis/Steve Dillon/Jimmy Palmiotti (they really were the most perfect team)

NOW: Hard to mess with this one because Garth is so closely associated with Punisher. But he's leaving soon, so we'll have to say goodbye anyway. So, who fills his shoes? Ed Brubaker. The guy who writes Criminal can do the Punisher (no disrespect to Fraction). On art, I'd want Sean Phillips or Mike Oeming.

Amazing Spider-Man - THEN: Brian Michael Bendis/John Romita, Jr. (or Senior!)

NOW: I'd keep Bendis, but maybe someone fresher on art like Jimmy Cheung.

Thor - THEN: Alan Moore OR Neil Gaiman/Mike Kaluta

NOW: My wishful thinking has led to something a little more down to Earth. On scripts, Brian Wood (Northlanders anyone?). And on art, Chris Bachalo.

Uncanny X-Men - THEN: Joss Whedon/John Cassaday (same thinking as Punisher)

NOW: Can't have it perfect forever, so instead of going backwards, we'll go forward. Scripts by Andy Diggle and art by Jock, the team from The Losers. This would probably go over like a lead balloon (as they aren't the highest profile team) but good Lord, I'd read this every week!

Wolverine - THEN: Ed Brubaker/Mike Zeck (didn't want too many spin offs, but in my Marvel, he wouldn't be an X-Man any more)

NOW: Keeping Brubes would be tough since I want him on Punisher, so this is where I turn to Matt Fraction. Casanova as Wolverine? I'm feelin' it! Artwork should be Eduardo Risso...he's doing a Wolvie mini with BKV (I think) and he is absolutely perfect!

Incredible Hulk - THEN: Steve Niles/Jose Ladronn

NOW: I keep Niles...Simon Dark isn't that far off base for what I'd want the Hulk to be, but artwork...Ladronn could be too Kirby-esque, so I'm going with a frequent Niles contributor, Kyle Hotz. I can't get Hotz? I'm going for Dino. And now that I think of it, a Niles/Haspiel collab could be the biggest thing ever.

Dr. Strange - THEN: Steven King (plot)/Nick Bertozzi (script)/Mike Fiffe (art)

NOW: I'd love to keep this team on it...can I?

Ms. Marvel - THEN: Gilbert Hernandez/Frank Cho OR Amanda Conner

NOW: The thinking behind this was 1) getting a high profile Marvel Comic based around a heroine and 2) seeing monthly Frank Cho art. Now, since this was originally posted, Marvel has done both things (launched not only a lead heroine comic, but Ms. Marvel at that AND had Frank Cho on a monthly) and only one of them worked. It'd be too too too easy to have Gail Simone come over and write this, so no. So, I'm going to go with someone just as good at writing women: Joss Whedon. On art, I switch Amanda to covers and have Christine Norrie draw it.





*For the record, there is a DC List too. If enough folks ask to see my new DC list, I'll do it this week.

I chatted with one of the best comic book journalists in the entire industry, Tom Spurgeon, about retailing, writing, and the future. Really really excellent. I didn't get a chance to copy edit the interview (because the site went down) but this is, honestly, a great interview. Please read:

http://www.comicsreporter.com/index.php/cr_holiday_interview_9_vito_delsante/

thanks to jbacardi (incidentally, happy belated!)

ruckawriter posted this the other day and it struck a chord with me. So much so, that I had to copy and paste it and send it to two writer friends (one of whom is my fiancee; yeah, she's a writer too). And it hit me just now that I too am afflicted with the same disease.

How it starts for me is really quite backwards since the "flare-ups" occur when I look at a blank piece of paper, especially yellow legal pads. One might call it a fetish, but I prefer to think of it as a symptom. If I sit in front of a computer, I can't just go; it only happens with paper. I'm in the market for a typewriter just to see if it happens with that too, but yeah...paper. There are at least 5 within reach right now, and I'm seriously twitching. But I had to post this because Greg just might be my patron saint. His words cause me to think about writing in different ways...more so than Robert McKee ever did.

Now to find the right pen with which to deflower that legal pad.*





*yeah, I'm that ritualistic when it comes to these things and I use certain pens...sometimes a different pen for different projects