graphic thoughts

I totally missed this announcement, but DC Comics’ CMX imprint — home of many of my favorite manga series including Emma, Land of the Blindfolded and Penguin Revolution was shut down by DC Comics. Though the end date is July 1st, they’ve already removed all signs of the imprint from their website.

At least all the series I was following had wrapped (Emma very recently), so I’m not left hanging, but this gives me a big ol’ sad. Their editors had excellent taste and published some really fantastic series in their short six years.

Moment of silence, y’all.

On Sale July 14, 2010 • 32pg, FC, $2.99 US
Written by GAIL SIMONE
Art by ED BENES
Cover by CLIFF CHIANG

The explosive first story arc of BIRDS OF PREY continues! Pursued by an unstoppable killer, the Birds are forced to run a gauntlet of insane gang members and corrupt cops out to kill them all while trying to stop a teammate from dying in front of their eyes! The meanest BoP villain yet is calling for blood and won’t stop ’til she gets it!

Black Canary was among the reimagined DC heroes featured on "Fringe"

We’ve seen tons of alternate Earths in DC Comics but how about alternate DC Comics existing on an alternate Earth?

Visit DC Comic’s awesome blog The Source for more info and cover images.

The excellent comic book-related art and design blog “Project Rooftop” recently featured the Black Canary as the target of one of their makeover contests. I love the results though have to say that their second place winner is my massive favorite. Gorgeous work from all participants and the judges’ notes are a lot of fun (though on the #2 winner, I have substantial disagreements over the low-voting judge’s take on Canary’s costume).

In any case, it’s great to see Canary getting attention. I recommend spending some time paging back through the site’s archives; they’ve featured one-off redesigns and full contests on many BoP related characters including Spoiler, Batman, and Robin. I’d love to see them take on Huntress.

• View Canary on the Catwalk at “Project Rooftop”