Precinct1313 Recommends: The Other History Of The DC Universe

DC Comics’ new limited series The Other History Of The DC Universe is phenomenal, a must read and an important milestone in comic book diversity. Now, I could, in all honesty end the post with just that minor amount of information on this fantastic debut issue and just urge you all to go out and purchase this landmark comic-book, but, this John Ridley penned epic series is so deserving of praise that I shall continue to heap on as many superlatives as I can manage to muster up.

John Ridley is a screenwriter, novelist and producer of American Crime and the superlative biographical period drama 12 Years A Slave, and with this new mini-series turns his formidable literary talents towards traditionally marginalised characters such as Thunder, Mal and Karen Duncan, Renee Montoya and Katana, with this inaugural issue focusing on Jefferson Pierce, also known as the electricity infused meta-human – Black Lightning.

The series doesn’t conform to the atypical comic-book format, but reads like a visual novel, a pictorial prose if you prefer, with the flow of the story presented in a diary/memoir style from the perspective of Jefferson. Taking place between 1972 and 1995, we follow Jefferson’s maturation from young man to eventual athlete, teacher and finally superhero in his subsequent Black Lightning form.

Through Jefferson’s perspective we witness the consequent escalation of DC’s heroes including the trinity of Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman, with Jefferson struggling to comprehend why beings of such power can’t seem to tackle widely prevalent social injustices, poverty and discrimination, when they are so readily able to stop alien invasions, marauding gods and overtly powerful SuperVillains. It is here that Jefferson marks what makes a real hero, utilising both his ability as a teacher to enlighten and shape his pupils to help fight back against intolerance and iniquity, and his heroic Black Lightning persona to take that fight to the oppressors themselves.

John Ridley’s phenomenal prose is accompanied by some wonderful visuals courtesy of Giuseppe Camuncoli and Andrea Cucchi, and perfectly encapsulate the differing visual styles of each era of DC and Black Lightning’s lengthy comic history.

Ridley’s “Other History Of The DC Universe” is absolutely an astounding chronicle, a beautifully written and adaptive work of visual prose that deals in highlighting the Superhero perspective from marginalised and disenfranchised minorities, the unusual approach to the comic book itself both verbally and visually is refreshing and I for one cannot wait to indulge in the next four issues of this wonderful series. Highly, highly recommended!

The Week In Geek… With Precinct1313: San Diego Comic-Con Special

Welcome fellow agents of Precinct1313 to another episode of – ‘The Week In Geek’ where we love to share our favourite – Comic Book, Video-Game, and Cult Movie news for your perusal and pleasure. And so once more unto the geek dear agents, once more…

Batgirl Movie Swings Into Production In 2018…

Finally stepping out of the shadow of her mentor, Warner Bros has confirmed at this years San Diego Comic Con that fan favourite director Joss Whedon will start production on the Batgirl movie in 2018.

As I write this my hands are trembling slightly at the thought of one of my very favourite comic book icons being unleashed unto the silver screen for her very first solo escapade, triumphantly following in the footsteps of the recent smash hit Wonder Woman movie… and directed by Joss Whedon no less!

Babs Gordon has been prowling the mean streets of Gotham City since 1967, and since that time has become one of the most prominent and well loved female Superheroes, a resolute, highly intelligent character that can easily match wits with her mentor, The Batman. Though a core member of the titular “Bat-Family” Babs doesn’t share Bruce’s angst ridden, morose ideals, but is very much her own person, a brighter more optimistic member of the sullen crime-fighting team, who actually relishes her alter ego, and also enjoys a lifestyle outside of the cape and cowl. Babs is less scowling pessimist and more sassy optimist, with a penchant for quips and selfies in the heat of her frequent justice seeking ventures.

Here’s hoping Joss Whedon can do the character proud, and Babs can hit the giddy heights set by this years stunning Wonder Woman flick.

New Justice League Trailer Steals The Show At San Diego Comic-Con…

You want more live action Wonder Woman? well you’ve got it, along with the substantial added bonus of Batman, Cyborg, The Flash, and Aquaman… that’s right the new Justice League trailer was revealed at SDCC today and it’s AWESOME! Showcasing not just the World’s Greatest Superheroes, but also big bad, Steppenwolf. Prepare for minds to be blown…

 

Black Lightning Strikes At SDCC…

The CW have dropped the first trailer for their new upcoming Superhero saga – Black Lightning. Starring Cress Williams, Black Lightning was one of DC’s first African/American Superheroes. Jefferson Pierce’s initial debut in the DC Universe was in 1977, his powerful electricity based powers have helped him secure a place amongst some of DC’s finest Meta-Human teams including the Justice League, and the Batman created Outsiders. Enjoy…

Why not join us next time friends, for more ‘Week In Geek’

The Week In Geek… With Precinct1313

Welcome fellow agents of Precinct1313 to another episode of  ‘The Week In Geek’  where we love to share our favourite, Comic Book, Video-Game, and Cult Movie news for your perusal and pleasure. And so once more unto the geek dear agents, once more…

Big Trouble Is Heading To Your Tabletop…

We are huge fans of director John Carpenter here in the Precinct, which will be obvious to most considering the name of our website is a riff on one of his greatest movies. After Halloween and The Thing our third favourite Carpenter classic is the fantastically funny “Big Trouble In Little China”  the Kurt Russell starring martial arts/comedy combo is an absolute gem of a film, and now you can recreate the quintessential classic at home thanks to a new board game based upon the cult movie.

The game itself is currently still in development, but designers Chris Batarlis and Boris Polonsky have revealed the workings of the game itself and images of the fantastically recreated board and pieces, which look remarkably like their cinematic counterparts.

The Board Recreates Scenes From The Classic Movie In Fantastic Detail

“It’s a thematic, co-operative, strategy, miniatures adventure game that allows 1-4 players to experience the events they remember from the film as well as create new adventures of their own. The game plays in two acts – Act One uses the front side of the game board: Chinatown, whilst Act Two takes place on the back: Lo Pan’s Lair”

Intricate Game Pieces Evoke The Original Movie Beautifully

Batgirl Joins DCEU Courtesy Of Joss Whedon…

That’s right Bat-fans, everyone’s second favourite bat eared, cape wearing vigilante, Batgirl will be starring in her very own movie… directed by Joss Whedon no less! It has been confirmed by entertainment magazine, Variety, that Babs Gordon’s red haired costumed crime-fighter will follow Wonder Woman into the annals of female led Superhero movies… great news indeed, the diversity will surely help balance out the overabundance of male driven comic-book films and pave the way for more classic female heroes and villains (Come on Batwoman!!)

Variety also confirmed that the Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Avengers director is currently in talks with Warner Bros to write and direct the comic-book spin off, which should help the prospective film to gain traction amongst fans and critics alike… exciting news indeed.

Black Lightning Strikes: First Look At Cress Williams In Costume…

Our first glimpse at actor Cress Williams in the iconic Black Lightning costume was revealed this week, the upcoming CW show is being produced by Greg Berlanti and is currently still in production.

Black Lightning (real name Jefferson Pierce) was created by Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden, and made his debut appearance in ‘Black Lightning #1′ in April 1977. Jefferson is one of the first major African-American Superheroes to appear in comics, he has been an on/off member of the Justice League and a regular in the Batman created team ‘The Outsiders’. Jefferson’s power set includes – the generation and manipulation of electricity, flight, and the ability to conjure force fields.

Why Not Join Us Again Next Time Friends, For More ‘Week In Geek’

The Week In Geek With… Precinct1313

DEATHSTROKE JOINS THE DC CINEMATIC UNIVERSE…

Finally… It’s the news all DC Comics’ fanatics have been waiting for, Slade Wilson better known by his alter ego ‘Deathstroke the Terminator’ has been revealed to be joining DC’s burgeoning cinematic universe after ‘The Batman’ himself, Ben Affleck shared a mysterious clip of the world’s most dangerous mercenary.

It is increasingly looking like he will be the main antagonist in Batman’s solo film, but in the footage he appears to walking through the cargo bay of the Flying Fox, the large aircraft which will be used as a mobile base of operations for the Justice League, so could we be getting a cameo appearance from the mercenary with the most in the currently filming Justice League flick? We certainly hope so. Check out the footage below fellow fans of fantastic fiction… 

BLACK LIGHTNING WILL STRIKE THE SMALL SCREEN…

Film and television writer/director Greg Berlanti has confirmed that he is in the process of pitching a series based upon DC’s popular Superhero ‘Black Lightning’. Berlanti is the brains behind such televisual hits as Supergirl, Arrow, The Flash and Legends of Tomorrow.

Black Lightning, (real name Jefferson Pierce) was created by Tony Isabella and Trevor Von Eeden, and made his first appearance in ‘Black Lightning #1’ in April 1977. Jefferson is one of the first major African-American Superheroes to appear in comics, he has been an on/off member of The Justice League, and a regular in the Batman created team ‘The Outsiders’. Jefferson’s powers include – the generation and manipulation of electricity, flight, and the ability to conjure force fields. He is also a gold medal winning decathlete and master of various martial arts.

WONDER WOMAN TEAMS UP WITH BIONIC WOMAN FOR THE ULTIMATE 70’s NOSTALGIA FEST…

Cover courtesy of the awesome Alex Ross

Iconic seventies TV superstars – Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman and Lindsay Wagner’s Bionic Woman will return in a spectacular team up comic! The joint project between DC Comics and Dynamite Entertainment titled ‘Wonder Woman ’77 Meets The Bionic Woman’ see’s our sterling Superheroines collaborating to take down the sinister sect known as ‘CASTRA’.

DC Comics’ series ‘Wonder Woman ’77’ has been a fantastic homage to the original 70’s TV show, a fun and camp comic with astounding art that has superbly encapsulated the nostalgia and atmosphere of the original show. The idea of Diana Prince and Jamie Sommers teaming up is awesome, and we are very much looking forward to this historic collaboration, consider our breath very much bated!

Why not join us again next time friends for more ‘Week In Geek’