Andrew A. Smith

Scripps Howard News Service

What do sea-going superheroes, mysterious murders and curious cats and have in common? They all make for great comics.

Let’s start with Aquaman, a character almost everyone’s heard of – and made fun of at one time or another.

Conceptually, it’s deserved. Aquaman debuted in 1941,…

By Andrew A. Smith

Scripps Howard News Service

There’s a new Superman in town, and he’s … OK.

When DC Comics re-launched the titles comprising its superhero universe last year, they took the opportunity to re-tool the Man of Steel a little bit. Action Comics started over with a new first issue, showing Superman in his earliest days – which, in this new universe, is five years ago. (Superman began again, too,…

Andrew A. Smith

Scripps Howard News Service

The comics world is in mourning this week as a giant has passed. Joe Kubert died Aug. 12 at age 85.

Kubert isn’t a household name, but if you’ve ever read a Sgt. Rock comic book, you’ve probably seen his work. In addition to decades on DC’s war titles, Kubert…

How obsessed is too obsessed?

Psychoanalyzing Batman

Part 1

Andrew A. Smith

Contributing Editor

If you’ve ever wondered if Batman was certifiable in any way, you’re in luck: A clinical psychologist has written…

Andrew A. Smith

Scripps Howard News Service

Comics characters often return from the dead – but sometimes publishers do, too. Such is the case with Valiant Comics, which has burst back on the scene in an explosion of high-quality books.

First, the history:

Valiant first launched in 1989…

Andrew A. Smith

Scripps Howard News Service

If Dark Knight Rises gives you a hankering for some more terrific Bat-stories, you’re in luck.

The much-anticipated Batman: Earth One is out ($25.99), and it lives up to the hype. Written by DC’s Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns, it re-imagines the Dark Knight’s origin in the modern day, just as Superman: Earth One did for the Man of Steel last year. And…

Andrew A. Smith

Scripps Howard News Service

Clinical psychologist 'examines' Bruce Wayne in new book

Is Batman crazy?

That’s the central issue in a new book by clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, textbook writer, book author, lecturer…