“[Genius] was something that had been sitting on the hard drive for a while, the idea of someone who had the brains and the motivation to galvanize untrained-but-battle-hardened troops into a fighting force. I caught a Discovery Channel doc one weekend a few years ago about those middle-of-the-country militias that are always hoarding guns and training in the nestle of nowhere. When asked why they’re training, one bloke said something like ‘You know what we’re afraid of? Those people out there, those gangsters in LA. They’ve been under fire. They know what it’s like to get shot at. And they know what it’s like to kill. They’re not afraid. When the big race war comes, we need to be not afraid, too.’ And I thought to myself, ‘What if you could marshal that power, direct its sharp edge? Who could do that, and why?’ And Destiny popped into my head, because she’s the last person you’d expect to be able to do that. So it made perfect sense.”

Marc Bernardin

Brandon Easton interviews the Star Trek novelist and comics writer on his podcasting website.

Nat Turner HC, SC
Kyle Baker website

The collected edition of the four-time Glyph Comics Award winner is released to the direct market this week (of course, you’ve probably seen it in the major bookstores by now).

Also this week:
Archie & Friends #121. Written by Simmons.
The Omen: Positive Issue. Story and art by Robert Walker.

Also notable:
Final Crisis: Requiem. The death of Martian Manhunter gets explored in more detail.
New York Four GN. Brian Wood’s new graphic novel.
Captain America: White #0. Loeb and Sale reunite for another new mini.
Secret Invasion #4 (of 8)

Despite mostly crappy reviews, Will Smith’s Hancock took home over $100 million over the holiday weekend. Here’s a review that draws parallels between Smith and Barack Obama. (Thanks to Fred for the link.)

Speaking of Obama, there’s a cartoon of him that has been misappropriated by certain unsavory elements of society.

There’s a new black comics magazine on the scene called Gritz ‘n’ Gravy.

Here’s an interview with the creator of a new book called Knight Seeker.

“It’s interesting to see the parallels reviewers are drawing to The Darker Mask and something like the new film Hancock or the show Heroes. Ordinary folks? Yeah. Disgruntled, alcoholic super-powered ex-crusaders? Sure. But that’s just the broadest possible cut. Slice it thinner and deeper you see people of color, you see people drained of hope—perhaps homeless, out of rehab…criminals or scumbags possibly in their own right. My story for example takes place in Darfur. Sleepers author (and screenplay collaborator with Barry Levinson) Lorenzo Carcaterra’s ‘hero’ is a ’strega’—think Italian female witchdoctor, malocchio and all—in a Mafia-controlled Manhattan slum, circa 1950. So yes, our stuff is more visceral, gritty. Not necessarily happy or heroic endings because our ‘heroes’—and you can see it in the artwork—are not happy or heroic people. More like real life!”

The Darker Mask

Also: Gary Phillips, who is one of the editors of Darker Mask, talks about his new comic High Rollers.

Turning Points: Little Rock Nine GN
Brown vs. Board of Education website w/a summary of the case
Wikipedia entry on the Little Rock Nine

A new graphic novel about desegration in the 1950s and the integration of the Arkansas school system, designed for younger readers.

Water Baby GN
10-page preview

A graphic novel about surfing, sharks, and ex-boyfriends.

The Complete K Chronicles TP
Keith Knight’s website

Dark Horse collects Keith Knight’s award-winning comic strip series in one volume.

Also this week:
Buffy TVS #16. Pencils by Jeanty.
DC Special: Raven #5 (of 5). Pencils by Scott.
Infinity Inc. #11
New Dynamix #4 (of 5)
Squadron Supreme 2 #1. Ultimate Nick Fury in the Squadron Supreme universe.
High Rollers #1 (of 4). Gary Phillips’ new crime comic.
Justice for Hire #4 (of 12)

Also notable:
Batman #678. “Batman RIP” continues.
Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam #1. Herobear and the Kid creator Mike Kunkel does an all-ages version of Captain Marvel.
Avengers/Invaders #3 (of 12)
Stephen Colbert’s Tek Jensen #2 (of 5)

More news from Wizard World Chicago: Chriscross is working on a new book.

An analysis of the film and graphic novel Wanted from a racial angle.

Jamal Igle talks about his upcomig stint on Supergirl.

Jim Rugg and Brian Maruca’s book Street Angel was a surprise hit, but now they’re having fun with a spin-off character from the book called Afrodisiac. Check out this webcomic with him.

Nichelle Nichols almost made it in the new Star Trek movie.

My buddy Ken Gale has been doing his radio show “Nuff Said” on New York’s WBAI-FM for many, many years, and he’s always been a supporter of comics by people of color. On his most recent broadcast he had three such creators on his show: Jemir Johnson, Jeff Caroll and Jorge Medina. You can listen to the program here. Scroll down to where it says “Two Arts Dept. Specials” and the date Monday, June 23.

Also: A full gallery of Hancock photos.

I know I know I know. Still adjusting to my new life here in Columbus. Bear with me.

Common talks about his role in Wanted.

Look at this promotional artwork for Hancock by Bill Sienkiewicz.

Method Man talks to Entertainment Weekly about his new graphic novel.

Marc Bernardin realizes he’s a black comic book writer.

The Incognegro writer talks to Tavis Smiley. (Click on the hour one link.)

Also: Algerian cartoonist Ali Dilem and his editors face hard time.

“With each story arc I expected to be burned at the stake… I assumed the numbers would drop. Instead we saw the opposite. I tried to make the character completely reprehensible, but readers liked it all the more. She kills babies and people laugh. Which is good, since it is a dead black satire. It simply means that Bomb Queen has found her audience. I never intended this for mass consumption so I never watered it down, and since the series has made it so long I’ve been able to build an entire universe with a wide cast of characters.”

Jimmie Robinson