24-12-23 | Winter has come and Christmas is just around the corner! Despite it having been an eventful autumn, Peter Pan Comics has been taking it a bit slower these days. We’ve focussed more on comic book news and might very well continue to do so from now on. Continue reading to rediscover the news highlights of late 2023!
BATMEN OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES
It’s been an incredible Autumn for the greatest among superheroes: Batman. The Dark Knight owes his legacy to his talent for infinite reinterpretation. And late 2023 has shown just how many different Batmen DC Comics has to offer. Batman has faced H.P. Lovecraft’s cosmic menace C’thulu in City of Madness, travelled to outer space in Off-World and has teamed-up with Santa Claus (!) to rid the world of evil in Silent Knight. Three recipes for camp. And yet every one of them tastefully adhered to Batman’s gothic tradition. Speaking of which, Michael Keaton’s Batman returned in Echoes, another gothic masterpiece in the Tim Burton tradition.
X-MEN CELEBRATE 60TH ANNIVERSARY
Meanwhile Marvel Comics reintroduced readers to the original line-up of mutant mega-stars within the pages of The Original X-Men. The one-shot features Cyclops, Beast, Angel, Iceman and Marvel Girl, who launched the X-Men in 1963. This nostalgic look at Marvel’s squad of mutants is a welcome change from the bloated overpopulated Fall of X storyline, which rages on within the Marvel Universe. And while the comics are rebooting their X-Men universe, the Marvel Cinematic Universe is gearing up for big changes too. Kevin Feige has indicated seriously considering rebooting the series after the upcoming Marvel Secret Wars, expected to premiere in 2027.
HASBRO CREATES ITS OWN MULTIVERSE
While DC and Marvel continue to battle for dominion over the comic book world, Hasbro Toys is entering the match. Their Transformers range has recently merged with G.I. Joe, which in itself is nothing unique. Though the characters have met before, Image Comics’ Transformers signals the beginning of a formal shared universe. One spearheaded by Walking Dead creator and Image Comics partner Robert Kirkman no-less! Which signifies Hasbro’s commitment to quality rather than quantity. Though few Hasbro brands have obvious narrative connections to each other, the potential of adding M.A.S.K. and Dungeon & Dragons to the mix is intriguing to say the least.
CLASSIC EURO-COMICS RETURN
While American publishers are struggling to deal with dwindling sales figures, their European counterparts continue to thrive. Plucky freedom fighter Asterix has returned recently in The White Iris, following the controversial leaking of artistic material. The adventure quickly became an international bestseller, as did Tintin Magazine. This seminal anthology launched many of Europe’s greatest characters and artists in the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. To celebrate its 77th anniversary the magazine returned for one issue only, featuring many vintage stars like Blake & Mortimer, Michel Valliant, Suske & Wiske and Thorgal. Read the article to find out why Tintin celebrates its 77th rather than its upcoming 80th anniversary.
GOTHIC WEBCOMICS AND COOL COSPLAY GIRLS
We at Peter Pan Comics haven’t been sitting still, either. We’ve added a gothic horror series to our line-up at last! Dr. John Seward follows the adventures of Bram Stoker’s classic monster hunter, as he tangles with vampires, werewolves and killer cults. An unmissable series due to the incredible artwork of top-artist Kokin Kokambar. Also returning was Cosplay Girl artist Ticiana Luna, who took over Bolt-Man & Volt-Girl, a dynamic duo in the style of Adam West’s Batman show. And have you checked out our Comic Con cosplay girls yet? This series of photosets chronicles the incredible talented young women we’ve met at Comic Con Holland this year. They’ll be appearing alongside Kitty Cosplay on a biweekly basis.
A few months from now Peter Pan Comics will celebrate its first anniversary! Allow us to tease that there are quite a few changes on the horizon. But don’t worry: Peter Pan Comics will remain the home of free webcomics, fun news stories and great cosplay models. And incidentally … a Merry Christmas to all of you at home!
READ THE FULL ARTICLES:
NEWS : LOVECRAFTIAN BATMAN BATTLES CTHULHU
NEWS : BATMAN GOES TO SPACE!
NEWS : BATMAN TEAMS UP WITH … SANTA CLAUS?
NEWS : MICHAEL KEATON RETURNS IN SECOND BATMAN SERIES
NEWS : CLASSIC X-MEN RETURN FOR 60TH ANNIVERSARY
NEWS : THE FALL OF THE X-MEN
NEWS : MARVEL TEASES CINEMATIC REBOOT
NEWS : TRANSFORMERS AND G.I. JOE JOIN FORCES
NEWS : LEAKED ASTRIX LAUNCHES NEXT WEEK
NEWS : FIRST NEW TINTIN COMIC SINCE 1993!
COMIC : DR. JOHN SEWARD AND THE VAMPIRE VIXENS
COMIC : BOLT-MAN & VOLT-GIRL AND THE MASKED MYSTERY
COSPLAY : COMIC CON HOLLAND