Comic Book Icon – George Perez – Passes Away At 67

The legendary artist/writer George Perez sadly passed away on May 6 with complications arising from pancreatic cancer. This devastating news actually hit me quite hard as it was George’s Wonder Woman comics run in the eighties that first introduced me to the Themysciran Titan, and ultimately made me fall in love with the character. 

George Perez is one of the most popular and acclaimed artists of the past half century, with his extensive run on Wonder Woman in the 1980’s being a defining moment not just in his own artistic career but also for the character herself. His reboot of Diana began with the 1987 issued – Wonder Woman #1, George was the main artist and plotted the series for its first two year run, then went on to write it for a further three, with his take on Wondy and her pantheon of allies and villains hailed as the greatest and most significant version of the characters since the original creation team of William Marston and Harry Peter in the 1940’s.

In 1980, George alongside fellow comic-book legend, Marv Wolfman, launched – The New Teen Titans, rebooting the classic sixties series and creating new characters to add to the roster of the team of teen sidekicks – Starfire, Raven and Cyborg, and also anti-hero mercenary – Deathstroke. It was also during this run that Dick Grayson finally stepped out of The Batman’s shadow and shed his Robin persona to become the peerlessly popular Nightwing.

George was born in New York City in June 1954, and was always destined to be an artist and started drawing from the tender age of five years old. At the age of twenty he took a job as a studio assistant at Marvel Comics, with his first published work appearing in Astonishing Tales #25 in 1974. George continued to work for Marvel until 1980 when he moved over to DC Comics, with his first artistic endeavour drawing the Flash back up tale – Firestorm. In 1985 after close to five years working on The New Teen Titans, he started work on DC’s massive crossover event – Crisis On Infinite Earths, the criss-crossing maxi-series that would end up altering the DC Universe dramatically for years to come, when this came to an end George went on to his career defining run On Wonder Woman and cemented his place in Comic-Book history.

Thank you George for all the joy and wonderment you have brought to me personally throughout your astonishing career, without you I may never have fallen in love with the many characters I hold dear today, most especially Wonder Woman, it was your iconic run that endeared Diana to me more than any character previous to her and for this reason alone, you will always be my most beloved comic creator of all time, rest in peace good sir.

Our Thoughts Go Out To George’s Family And Friends At This Sad Time.

Wonder Woman #750: Celebrating An Icon

Iconic is absolutely an apt terminology for William Moulton Marston’s legendary creation – Wonder Woman. Icon comes to us from the original ancient Hellenic word – Eika, and with Diana’s entire narrative background tied up (sometimes literally – the Amazons were famous for bondage games!) in Greek mythology, I could not think of a phrase that encapsulates the Amazon Princess any more effectively.

Diana first leapt onto the pages of comic-books in the 1941 issue of All Star Comics #8, and from that point began her legendary odyssey through the annals of comic history with close to eight decades of epic storylines of emancipation, liberation and love.  Diana’s rich heritage is tied to her ability to empathise and forgive, traits not necessarily intrinsic to the majority of Superheroes, who tend to rely on fists, brute force and their overtly herculean super-powers to right any wrongs that present themselves.

Wonder Woman was always cut from a different cloth, preferring to extend a hand in friendship rather than raise a fist in anger. Diana’s real life creation from her genius architect, the aforementioned William Marston is key to the character’s enduring legacy of liberation and amnesty. Marston’s ideal for the character came from his groundbreaking (especially for the era) work in the feminist and suffragette movements of the 1930’s and 40’s, with birth control pioneer Margaret Sanger, in particular her work – Woman and the New Race becoming a catalyst for Diana’s eventual fictional birth in 1941.

An astonishing seventy nine years later, Wonder Woman is actually more popular now than she has probably ever been, with a whole new audience outside of her fervent comic-book fandom brought into her Amazonian ranks thanks to her recent and magnificent celluloid outing in Gal Gadot and Patty Jenkins’ 2017 movie. She has been in continuous print since her iconic inception, is the original blueprint for virtually every female Superhero that has been created since her dazzling debut and is still THE fictional front woman for feminism and emancipation in the world today. I am sure Dr William Marston is looking down from his well deserved place on Mount Olympus and smiling, watching as his monumental creation continues to spread her message of hope and love to all the masses both fictional, and real.

To celebrate Wondy’s 750th issue DC Comics have brought together some of the Themysciran Titans’ most revered story tellers and artists – George Perez, Gail Simone, Nicola Scott, Greg Rucka, Jenny Frison and Brian Bolland to name just a few are onboard for this 96 page prestige format tome. 

Nine exhilarating tales of the astonishing Amazon regale the reader with fabulous fables that represent her past, present and future, each allegorical piece fits, jigsaw like, into a whole that fundamentally represents everything we love about Wonder Woman, with our personal favourite from the selection being Gail Simone’s fabulous – ‘From Small Things, Mama’  though we are happy to report that not one of the other eight exceptional epics on offer are anything less than deserving of Diana’s halcyon heritage.

 

Wonder Woman #750 is available from your local comic-book emporium right now! Make sure to show your love for the most important fictional female in history by buying this landmark issue, my astonishingly adroit amazonian associates.

 

Our dynamic duo of WW #750 variant covers were purchased from our absolute favourite comic-book emporium: Final Frontier.

The Week In Geek… With Precinct1313

Welcome fellow agents of Precinct1313 to another exhilarating 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…

And ‘hoo boy’ do we have a wondrous line up of fantastical female fiction courtesy of our beloved DC Comics and their two biggest selling and widely renowned female characters – The Themysciran Titan – Wonder Woman and the Hellacious Hellcat – Harley Quinn. So grab your lariat of Hestia and comically oversized mallet ’cause the girls are back in town to spread love, joy and also kick arse (there ain’t no gum!) and spout incredulously funny one liners…

We Can ‘Harley’ Wait For The New Birds Of Prey Movie, But Whilst We Do, Let Us Indulge In The Newest Quinn-tastic Trailer…

I mean, how awesome does that look? honestly this film seems to be beautifully capturing everything we love not just about Harley, but also Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti’s stunning and character defining recent run on her monthly comics… and that friends, is a wonderful thing (and Bernie’s in it, I mean you can never have too many stuffed Beavers, right!?)

Also of note are the fantastic posters that Warner and DC have been releasing in the run up to the highly anticipated movie. Of particular note are the influences behind the promotional images – including Italian renaissance paintings such as Sandro Botticelli’s – ‘The Birth Of Venus’ amongst others. Astounding!

“Great Hera!” Wonder Woman #750 Covers And Interior Art Released For Incoming Iconic Issue…

By the golden grace of Gaea, Princess Diana of Themyscira is just two short years away from celebrating eight decades since her illuminating inception, but we don’t have to wait that long to celebrate THE greatest fictional female of all time, ’cause in just six weeks time DC will be releasing the 750th issue of the astonishing Amazon’s eternal adventures!

That’s right my astounding Amazonian associates, Diana has been fighting emancipation, gods of war and anthropomorphic super-villains in her own comic since June of 1942 (though her first ever appearance was in 1941, courtesy of Sensation Comics) and in celebration of 750 illustrious issues, DC are bringing together some of her finest ever creators for a 96 page Amazonian anthology of awesome!

Writers and artists of such inspirational ilk as – Gail Simone, Nicola Scott, Kami Garcia, Jose Luis Garcia, George Perez, Greg Rucka, Jim Lee, Brian Bolland and Stanley Lau to name just a few will be creating a cavalcade of classic and compelling comic covers and stunning storylines commemorating our absolute favourite comic-book creation. “Suffering Sappho!” January 22, 2020 can’t come soon enough for this WW fanatic!

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

 

Wonder Woman, Harley Quinn, The Huntress, Black Canary, and yes, Bernie the Beaver are Copyright: DC Comics.

Birds Of Prey Trailer Courtesy Of Rapid Trailer.

V-Log1313: Delightfully Dazzling And Distinctly Decorative Donna Troy Statue Unboxing

Hey there fellow agents of Precinct1313, and a warm welcome to another episode of – V-Log1313. You may remember a few months back we posted a vid of a stunning Starfire statue based upon glorious George Perez’s dynamic design which ultimately formed part of a multi statue set comprising the Teen Titans from a Perez classic 1980’s cover, well, our Wonder Girl companion piece has finally arrived in the Precinct… so let’s set about unboxing everyone’s second favourite Amazon warrior – Donna Troy!

And here are the two statues together at last, and aren’t they just astonishingly adorable!

Plus a look at just a part of the Precinct’s superlative shelf of superhero statues…

Thanks for watching fellow fans of fantastic fiction, our next unboxing video will star the bombastic bombshells variant of Batwoman! same Bat-time, same Bat-channel…

And why not follow the Precinct at it’s official Facebook page right here: Precinct1313

V-Log1313: Stunning Starfire Statue Sizzles Salient Satisfaction…

Hey there fellow Agents of Precinct1313 and welcome to another episode of V-Log1313. Now, you may remember in a previous vid we unboxed the astonishingly adorable Amanda Conner variant of our favourite fiery alien Princess- Starfire, well this episode we shall be delving into the world of one of her legendary co-creators, glorious George Perez, with a sterling statue based upon his astounding artwork from a classic comic cover of the consummate 80’s title – The New Teen Titans. And so, without further ado, let the unboxing commence…

Thanks for watching fellow fans of fantastic fiction, our next unboxing vid will star the one, and only – Donna Troy, also known as Wonder Girl! so stay tuned for in one short month Donna will be Golden Lassoing her way into the Precinct’s vicarious video vaults in readiness for her placement on the fabled Superlative Shelf of Superhero Statues!

Ancient Amazon Archives Revisited – Act VI

Our effervescent expedition through the ancient Amazon archives continues apace as we descend yet another level into what is a seemingly infinite array of chambers and corridors, with each and every recess literally crammed with untold millennia of encyclopedic knowledge pertaining to the deific Amazon race.

This new tier though appears more majestic than the three previous floors we negotiated, the palatial surroundings are bathed under an ethereal light that transcends even the anterior archives in elegance. Diaphanous silks drape across the walls, and each turn of the interminable passageways present us with an exquisite effigy of one of the founding Gods of Olympus, layered in gold and precious stones that denotes their importance to the noble race of warriors and artisans.

The hellenic architecture of the passages give way to an extraordinarily large Propylae gate that forms the entrance to an elegant repository that house the largest collection of tomes and parchments we have yet seen in our ongoing odyssey. One wall though contains a single volume, bound in leather and embossed in gold leaf this intricate book shimmers under the luminescent glow of the nearby torches. Carefully opening the tome, our eyes alight upon the magnificence of the interior narrative, an elaborate exposition that can only be translated through… ‘Classic Wonder Woman’  Precinct1313’s comic cover countdown to the 75th anniversary of Diana Prince.

A scintillating six hundred issues into the astonishing adventures of the amazing Amazon, and DC merge the previous three volumes and return Diana’s foray into man’s world to its original numbering. This oversized anniversary special brings together a legion of tantalising talent to create a commemorative comic of epic proportion.

The cadre of comic-book composers gathered together for this illustrious issue include – George Perez, Amanda Conner, Gail Simone, Phil Jimenez, Jock, Adam Hughes, J. Michael Strazczynski, Nicola Scott and many, many more. Plus, an incomparable introduction by stunning seventies superstar of the original Wonder Woman TV series, the lovely Lynda Carter!

The anniversary issue comprises five different tales of the Themysciran Titan, with the highlight for this fevered fan being the short tale written and drawn by the amazing Amanda Conner. We find Wonder Woman teaming up with Power Girl and one time Batgirl Cassandra Cain to battle the inexplicable Egg-Fu! It also touches upon a power we rarely see used by Diana, her innate ability to empathise and to some extent converse with animals, as she gives Power Girl a look into why her pet cat is out of sorts in a heartfelt and amusing tale.

Join us again next time for more ‘Classic Wonder Woman’ my adventurous Amazonian associates!

Classic Wonder Woman: Wonder Woman #600

Our effervescent expedition through the ancient Amazon archives continues apace as we descend yet another level into what is a seemingly infinite array of chambers and corridors, with each and every recess literally crammed with untold millennia of encyclopedic knowledge pertaining to the deific Amazon race.

This new tier though appears more majestic than the three previous floors we negotiated, the palatial surroundings are bathed under an ethereal light that transcends even the anterior archives in elegance. Diaphanous silks drape across the walls, and each turn of the interminable passageways present us with an exquisite effigy of one of the founding Gods of Olympus, layered in gold and precious stones that denotes their importance to the noble race of warriors and artisans.

The hellenic architecture of the passages give way to an extraordinarily large Propylae gate that forms the entrance to an elegant repository that house the largest collection of tomes and parchments we have yet seen in our ongoing odyssey. One wall though contains a single volume, bound in leather and embossed in gold leaf this intricate book shimmers under the luminescent glow of the nearby torches. Carefully opening the tome, our eyes alight upon the magnificence of the interior narrative, an elaborate exposition that can only be translated through… ‘Classic Wonder Woman’  Precinct1313’s comic cover countdown to the 75th anniversary of Diana Prince.

A scintillating six hundred issues into the astonishing adventures of the amazing Amazon, and DC merge the previous three volumes and return Diana’s foray into man’s world to its original numbering. This oversized anniversary special brings together a legion of tantalising talent to create a commemorative comic of epic proportion.

The cadre of comic-book composers gathered together for this illustrious issue include – George Perez, Amanda Conner, Gail Simone, Phil Jimenez, Jock, Adam Hughes, J. Michael Strazczynski, Nicola Scott and many, many more. Plus, an incomparable introduction by stunning seventies superstar of the original Wonder Woman TV series, the lovely Lynda Carter!

A Gilded Gallery Of Awesome Art By Some Of The World’s Most Prolific Illustrators Forms Part Of The Anniversary Issue

The anniversary issue comprises five different tales of the Themysciran Titan, with the highlight for this fevered fan being the short tale written and drawn by the amazing Amanda Conner. We find Wonder Woman teaming up with Power Girl and one time Batgirl Cassandra Cain to battle the inexplicable Egg-Fu! It also touches upon a power we rarely see used by Diana, her innate ability to empathise and to some extent converse with animals, as she gives Power Girl a look into why her pet cat is out of sorts in a heartfelt and amusing tale.

Join us again next time for more ‘Classic Wonder Woman’ my adventurous Amazonian associates!

Classic Wonder Woman: Wonder Woman (Volume 2) #50

(Copyright-DC Comics)

Welcome back to another instalment of Classic Wonder Woman, Precinct1313’s weekly comic-cover countdown to the 75th anniversary of the world’s foremost female Superhero. This week we delve into the Amazon archive to bring you; Wonder Woman (vol-2) #50. Written by George Perez, with cover art by George Perez, and interior art by various artists including Brian Bolland and Adam Hughes. Released in January 1991.

This weeks titanic tale is titled “Embrace The Dawn”  and follows Queen Hippolyta and the Amazons as they make preparations to journey to Man’s world for the first time. Queen Hippolyta prays to the Gods as Menalippe performs a ceremony to bless the Amazons who are about to reveal themselves to the world outside of Themyscira. In New York, Hermes opens a portal for the Amazons to traverse, led by Hippolyta the Amazons step unto Man’s world for the first time and stop in their tracks to remove their bracelets of submission, no longer feeling the need to be chained to the memories of their past subjugation by Heracles.

This oversized anniversary issue brings together some of the greatest comic artists of all time, with each providing their own unique variation on the amazing Amazon. Artists include the likes of, George Perez, Brian Bolland, Adam Hughes, Matt Wagner and Sergio Aragones.

Join us again next week for another classic WW cover, my admirable Amazonian associates!

Classic Wonder Woman: Wonder Woman (Volume 2) #29

Copyright-DC Comics

Welcome back, to another instalment of; Classic Wonder Woman, Precinct1313’s weekly comic-cover countdown to the 75th anniversary of the amazing Amazon. This week we present you with Wonder Woman #29, written by George Perez, with cover and interior art by Chris Marrinan and George Perez. Released in April 1989.

This titanic tale is titled “Bloodvine” and finds Diana seemingly poisoned by Cheetah’s loyal man-servant Chuma. As she lays paralysed at his feet, Chuma regales Wonder Woman with the tale of his mistress’s origin. As Chuma comes to the end of his story Wonder Woman leaps forward, she had faked the symptoms of being poisoned in order to bide her time. With Chuma secured, Diana flies off in search of Cheetah. Arriving at a location in Egypt, Diana is suddenly surrounded by several female warriors who shockingly appear to be of Amazon origin!

Amazons Of Bana Mighdall

The fabled Amazons of Bana-Mighdall are a splinter group of dissenting Amazons that broke away from their Themysciran sisters over three thousand years ago. Led by Antiope, long lost sister of Hippolyta, these wayward Amazon warriors renounced the Gods of Olympus so that they could seek revenge on Heracles and the men who had attempted to subjugate and vanquish their race.

After the unfortunate death of their Queen Antiope, the tribe of Amazons settled in the deserts of Egypt, where they founded the city of “Bana-Mighdall”. Here they remained, secreted for thousands of years, becoming an increasingly intemperate and brutal race of violent mercenaries. Eventually they were transported to Themyscira by Witch-Goddess Circe, where they at first waged a brutal war against their once close kin, but were finally intergrated back into Themysciran society through the will of Zeus himself.

Join us again next week for another classic WW cover, my astounding Amazonian associates!

Classic Wonder Woman: Wonder Woman (Volume 2) #6

(Copyright_DC Comics)

Welcome back once more, fellow fans of the amazing Amazon to; Classic Wonder Woman, Precinct1313’s weekly comic cover countdown to the 75th anniversary of Diana of Themyscira. This week we delve into the Amazon archives to bring you: Wonder Woman (Vol 2) #6, written by Len Wein, with cover and interior art by George Perez. Released in July 1987.

The titanic tale secreted behind this amazing Perez cover is titled “Powerplay”. Diana and Ares face off in a bitter duel, in her bid to thwart the Greek God of War from his maniacal scheme to bring a final conflict that will end mankind.

Olympian and son of Zeus, Ares, has long been a thorn in the side of Wonder Woman and her sister Amazons. His first appearance was in Wonder Woman #1 in 1942, introduced as a protagonist, with his ultimate goal of eternal war and conflict in the world of man, he is predominantly opposed by Aphrodite, who wishes a harmonious civilisation amongst the humans. Whilst the followers who worshipped Ares fought amongst themselves, killing off their weaker brothers, Aphrodite enacted her plan to create a race of superior warrior women, to guide the world into a more peaceful existence, and thus the Amazons were born. Ares, despite being the son of Zeus never conformed with his godly brothers and sisters, leaving Olympus to form his own realm, Areopagus  (Ares’ Rock.)

In the recent “New 52” reboot of the DC Universe, Ares, who is now regularly referred to as “War” appears as an aged man with his legs and feet permanently stained with the blood of generations of conflict. With the revelation that Diana is actually the demi-god daughter of Zeus, their dynamic changed, Ares is revealed to be one of Diana’s former mentors, training her in the ways of martial combat and this early meeting of their relationship takes on a father/daughter bond. However when Diana is tasked by Ares to slay the Minotaur, she is unable to do so, and this showing of kindness and compassion made her a failure in the eyes of Ares. More recently, Diana herself has inherited the title of God Of War, after regretfully killing her Olympian brother whilst attempting to stop the insidious plans of the First Born. In his dying breath, Ares forgives and commends Diana before being taken to the afterlife by Hades. 

Join us again next week for another classic WW cover, my amazing Amazonian associates!

Classic Wonder Woman: Wonder Woman (Volume 2) #1

(Copyright-DC Comics)

Welcome back once more friends of Themyscira, to another instalment of  Classic Wonder Woman, Precinct1313’s weekly comic cover countdown to the 75th anniversary of the amazing Amazon. The tantalising tale hidden behind this weeks captivating cover is titled “The Princess And The Power” released in February 1987, written by George Perez and Greg Potter, with cover and interior art by George Perez and Bruce Patterson.

It’s been a year since the last publication of a Wonder Woman solo comic, ending her titanic run on volume one and following on from the major reboot of the DC Universe in the “Crisis On Infinite Earths” saga, Diana returns once more in volume two. 

This classic comic sports an awesome George Perez wraparound cover that depicts the defeat and subjugation of the Amazon warrior race by Zeus’ son Heracles, who is aided and abetted by God of War, Ares.

With a brand new first issue comes a reworking of Wonder Woman and her sister Amazon’s backstory. A convocation of Greek Gods form in Zeus’ palace on Mount Olympus, where Artemis, Goddess of the hunt petitions Zeus to create a race of warrior women to lead mankind back once again, to the faithful worship of the Greek Gods. Zeus rejects the idea, and Artemis approaches Zeus’ wife Hera in private to get her blessing for the venture. With Hera’s support, Artemis gathers together Gods who are sensitive to her cause which include, Hermes, Demeter, Aphrodite, Athena and Hestia.

Together these gregarious Greek Gods cross the famed River Styx and enter the Cavern of Souls (also known as the Womb of Gaea, the Earth Mother) and extract the souls of women who have died at the hands of man throughout the generations, and reincarnate them as Amazon warriors. One soul however is left in the cavern, and Athena professes that this one has a special destiny, but her time is yet to come. This soul will eventually become Diana, moulded out of clay on the shores of Themyscira by her mother Queen Hippolyta, and given life, once more by the pantheon of Greek Gods.

Join us again next week for another classic WW cover, my astute Amazonian associates!

Classic Wonder Woman: Wonder Woman #329

(Copyright-DC Comics)

‘Hola’ once more my Themysciran sisters and brothers, and welcome back to Classic Wonder Woman, Precinct1313’s weekly comic cover countdown to the 75th anniversary of Diana Prince. This week we present you with; Wonder Woman #329, written by Gerry Conway, with cover and interior art by Jose Garcia Lopez and Don Heck. Released in February 1986.

Issue #329 marks the end of volume 1 of Wonder Woman’s amazing adventures, but the beginning of a whole new chapter for both the awesome Amazon and the DC Universe as a whole. The titanic tale secreted behind this classic cover is titled “Of Gods And Men”, and this special anniversary issue not only honours 50 years of DC Comics, but also forms part of the reboot of the DC Universe, through the Crisis On Infinite Earths storyline. 

The Crisis On Infinite Earths saga was created to be part of DC’s celebration of 50 years of comic book publishing, but DC stalwarts Marv Wolfman, Len Wein and George Perez  also saw it as a great opportunity to help bring continuity back into a comic universe that had become very convoluted and at times inconsistent with its own characters backstories. The series stood 12 issues in length and crossed over into every monthly comic that DC published, to make for an epic narrative that would have far reaching and dramatic influences on the heroes and villains of the DC Universe.

But fear not fellow fans of the astounding Amazon, for Diana will return in volume 2 and a brand new first issue, which will follow post-crisis Wonder Woman on all new adventures throughout the rebooted DC Universe. A new day dawns on the shores of Themyscira, and Precinct1313 will be there to help guide you through it!

Join us again next week for another classic WW cover, my adroit Amazonian associates!