Fantastic Universes

Interview by Steve J. Ray Michael Moreci is the creator of numerous original comics series including  Roche Limit  (Image Comics) and  Burning Fields  (BOOM! Studios). The first issue of his most recent release  Wasted Space  (Vault Comics) sold out fast and is due for a third printing. Issue #2 looks set to follow it’s predecessor’s example. His debut novel,  Black Star Renegades , was released earlier this year to great reviews. The sequel is due in 2019. Recently Michael has contributed to  Wonder Woman annual #1 , and he wrote the terrific   Nightwing  #43 for DC Comics. June 2019 saw the release of his first Batman story in Detective Comics #982, which featured the return of Deacon Blackfire. This Legendary villain first appeared in the classic  “Batman: The Cult”  series, by Jim Starlin and Bernie Wrightson. As regular  Detective Comics  reviewer, and as a fan of both  Black Star Renegad...

Writer : Benjamin Percy Artists : Chris Mooneyham & Klaus Janson Colorist:  Nick Filardi Review by Steve J. Ray Summary “THE BLEEDING EDGE: PART TWO” Dick Grayson is suffering from a case of the morning after the night before blues.  Technology has been killing the citizens of Bludhaven , and suddenly Nightwing finds himself feeling that his life may be out of his control, or not even fully his own at all. Positives From the opening scenes in Nightwing’s apartment things don’t feel right. The situation is wrong, the setting is askew and, though the circumstance is not an unwelcome one, Dick Grayson knows that things are not as they seem, or as they’re meant to be. Ben Percy really lays on the sense of paranoia this issue. As a reader I was really thrown by the opening, and felt a sense of dread and foreboding throughout the whole book. Last month I had the minor niggle of the mystery villain’s ability to alter perceptions. This month I’m very happy to ...

“There Is No God” Writer: Geoff Johns Artists: Gary Frank & Brad Anderson Review by Steve J. Ray The wait for issue #5 of Doomsday Clock has been torture. Considering that this was a series that I was initially dead set against, this title has quickly become one of my top of the pile, must read comics. So, was the fifth chapter “There is no God” worth the wait? This is a comic that features Batman, Superman, Rorschach, Ozymandias, Lex Luthor and The Joker… what do  you  think? From the opening pages Geoff Johns and Gary Frank grab your attention. After the brilliant ending of  issue #4  we’re drawn straight back into the drama with dialogue and art that work together flawlessly. I had one small complaint about the previous chapter, where I said that I was on tenterhooks awaiting the arrival of The Man Of Steel. Once again, the wait  was  a long one, but  so  worth it. No, Superman doesn’t get into a cosmic punch up, nor does he...

“Deathstroke Vs. Batman” – Part Three – “The Seven Waynes” Writer: Priest Artists: Larry Hama, Carlo Pagulayan, Roberto Villacara & Jason Paz Review by Steve J. Ray We’re now halfway through the explosive  confrontation  between two of comics’ most notorious badasses. Both these characters  give as good as they get, making this story a thrill-ride of epic proportions. Chapter Three “The Seven Waynes” starts big, and the action doesn’t let up. Batman is slowly shutting down all of Deathstroke’s ops. Slade has re-ignited a relationship with Talia, and set in motion his own anti-Wayne industries contingency plan. Batman may have finally bitten off more than he can chew. Lucky Seven Priest is one heck of a writer. The one thing I get from every page of this story is his love and respect for both these characters. I really come away from every issue feeling that he would much rather have these two guys just get along, ...

Article by Steve J. Ray Tyler Hoechlin is an American actor who first gained prominence in the film  Road to Perdition . He then went on to gain a huge fan following playing Derek Hale on MTV’s  Teen Wolf  before taking on the iconic role of Superman/Clark Kent on The CW’s  Supergirl . Tyler was one of the many great stars appearing at the  Heroes And Villains Fan Fest  in London, where he had a lot to say about playing The Man Of Steel. Here are some highlights from this year’s   Supergirl   panel. Moderator:  Welcome. How’re you all doing? What’s it been like this weekend meeting all the fantastic  Supergirl  fans? Tyler Hoechlin:  This is my first Heroes & Villains, thank you guys for giving us so much love this weekend, and hopefully you guys had a good time! Mod:  Tyler, you came in on season 2. What has it meant to you to have  Supergirl  be part of your life? TH:  It can be ...