Wednesday, August 31, 2011

Transition Between Universes

As three separate timelines merge into a new one, we get a glimpse of Barbara Gordon as Batgirl along with other characters.  Starting September 1st, the DCnU takes over the redheads blog!

Flashpoint #5
Art by Andy Kubert

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

The End

Today is the last day of a whole universe.  In just a few hours everything we knew will be gone.  It will be known as the Pre-Flashpoint Universe, or the DCoU, or simply the Old Universe.  Whatever we will call it starting tomorrow, it is time to say good bye to it.

This is not only the beginning of a new era for DC, but also a huge attempt to revitalize the comic book industry; and even those who are still going through those denial, anger, or contempt phases, have to at least admit that it is a necessary move. As the industry is walking in brittle ice, most of the eggs are being put in this DCnU basket, so we must support it if we don't want to see comics die. There will be time later for complaints, recriminations, and I told you so's, but for now, give this new universe a chance and get your favorite hero's comic(s).

Today, this blog also gives Shayera Thal a.k.a. The Silver Age Hawkwoman a farewell. Let's really, really hope that it is not a permanent good bye, but just a see you soon. She might come back in the pages of "Savage Hawkman" or even in Earth-2 as a member of the "Justice Society"; after all, no news is good news, and no one in DC has said there will be no thanagarian Hawkwoman

The Redheads Blog or "Chicas de Rojo" will come back on Thursday September 1st when a new era begins for Batgirl, Mera, and some other redhead you might know.  For now, it is good bye Old Universe, and Welcome DCnU!

Monday, August 29, 2011

Before The End :: Batgirl

Oracle: The Defender of Internet 3.0
Art by Scott Cark

Batgirl's Final Appearance Before "The New 52"
Batman Inc. # 8

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Before The End :: Mera

The Queen of the Amazons was inspecting her troops when the Queen of Atlantis found her.  Her personal guard surfaced first, drawing fire from the Amazons, leaving Diana for Mera alone.  But for all the noble intent behind Mera's attack, the best that can be said is that it was over quickly.  The Sea King would never learn what became of her head; her helmet was another story...

Mera's Final Appearance Before "The New 52"
Emperor Aquaman # 3
Art by Vicente Cifuentes

Saturday, August 27, 2011

Batgirl and Mera go water skiing

I ran this post about three years ago featuring Sea World's "Salute to the DC Super Heroes!"  Since then, many pictures have surfaced (no pun intended) of the now legendary aquatic show.  Today we can see three pics featuring Batgirl and Mera performing some entertaining and dangerous feats along with all their Super Friends from the Justice League.  Enjoy!

Batman, Robin, and Batgirl

Aquaman and Mera

The Justice League of America
Photos courtesy of Noblemania

Friday, August 26, 2011

1001 Deaths of the Redheads

"I'm dying... there's no going back for me... but I know that we shall surely meet again... in a future life, my love..."  Shayera's last words to Carter Hall as she thinks she is talking to her dead husband Katar.

Rann-Thanagar War #5
Art by Ivan Reis

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Farewell Hawkwoman!

One day people will ask "where were you when Hawkwoman got the axe?", so remember where you are as you read this.  The unthinkable is happening, but after much pondering, it seems the right thing to do.  I am dropping Shayera from the redheads blog and this will be her last week in it.  It all goes back to the prelude to Infinite Crisis mini "The Rann-Thanagar War", which was supposed to be the series that marked the return of Hawkwoman to the DC Universe; but ended up being the place of her demise.

Then, came "Blackest Night", and along with it, speculation of Shayera's possible return.  But sadly, it did not happen; twelve heroes and villains were given back their life... one of them a hawk-lady... not Kendra Saunders... a redhead... Shiera Hall!  So there went another chance of seeing the Thanagarian officer again.  Finally, at the end of "Brightest Day" Shiera vanished, and later DC announced the soft-reboot.  In it, there is a new, modern, "savage" version of Hawkman, but no indication of Shayera, or a Hawk-lady for that matter.

So a new universe looms in the horizon, and no solid evidence that she will be a part of it.  It is time to move on and accept she is gone.  Shayera Thal, the Silver Age Thanagarian Hawkwoman is my definite, all-time favorite female character in the DC Universe, and it pains me to let her go, but as I mentioned in yesterday's post, it is about moving forward and supporting this new initiative.  Of course, I still have hope that she will come back one day, and if she does, there is no doubt she will return to this blog as well.

While that happens (fingers crossed) the focus of this blog will shift starting next week to those other three redheads we all know and love! "Wait... what do you mean those other three?!?"  Hmmm...

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

The end of an era is near!

It's been almost three months since DC made what is probably the biggest comics-related announcement in recent years: the semi-reset button is being pushed, and a new universe will replace the old.  Familiar faces, new situations; new beginnings for some, course correction for others; some returns, some departures; and this time -for real- nothing will ever be the same.

It is certainly the end of an era.  Times change, the DC Universe is changing too, and after A LOT of thinking, it feels right for the redheads blog to change as well.  We are only one week away from day zero, which also means we are one week away from a new beginning for this blog.  Huge changes are coming, and just like with the DCnU, some will like them and others will certainly not; but it is about moving forward, and supporting the characters we love.  Stay tuned!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

The Short-Lived Adventures of BatgOracle


We knew it was coming.  After Bruce Wayne returned from his travels through time, he had plans for Barbara Gordon, which coincided with the "Death of Oracle".  Here is the result:

Batman Inc. #8
"Nightmares in Numberland"
Art by Scott Clark

Oracle becomes the defender of Internet 3.0
Interesting concept; not sure about the execution

An intriguing compromise for Batgirl lovers and Oracle lovers
What about Barbara Gordon lovers?
Would either side have been happy with this as a permanent change?
Will we see the Batgirl-Oracle hybrid in the DCnU?

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Under the Sea


Art by Chris Sprouse and Karl Story

Saturday, August 20, 2011

The Thanagarian


Justice League of America
"The Nail" #3
Art by Alan Davis

Friday, August 19, 2011

Legendary

Legends of the DCU #10 (1998)
"Folie a Deux" Part 1
Cover Art by Kevin Nowlan

Legends of the DCU #11 (1998)
"Folie a Deux" Part 2
Cover Art by Kevin Nowlan

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Mera's Quest Ends Here

Part IThe Choice
Part IVMera vs. Leron

"The Edge of Nowhere II"
Written by Paul Kupperberg
Art by Juan Ortiz & Vince Colletta


END