Death of a Dragon

A self-portrait by Akira Toriyama from Dragonball volume 1

Akira Toriyama passed away on March 1st, 2024 at the age of 68. 

Like the rest of the world, I learned about Toriyama's passing when it was announced on March 7th. 

Reading that shit hurt. I'm sure there's more eloquent ways to express that but I won't be able to find those words for a while. 

I have been a Toriyama obessive since I was 7 years old and stumbled across a channel playing Dragonball episodes in spanish at 5am. I didn't understand why that kid had a tail, why that guy was green, or what the hell anybody was saying but I wanted to climb into my television and live in that world. A few years later I would find his manga and that would be a wrap - my fandom was cemented.

Read This If You Like Invincible

I recently had a work trip to New York City so I decided to kill some time on my train ride by reading a trade that's been collecting dust in my collection:
 

I remember being really excited for this comic when it was announced - and equally curious and hyped as it spun off into the horribly titled Massive-verse. I was a big fan of Higgins' tenure on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers and was excited to see him both launch his own toku inspired book and guide a line of similar comics
 

With my reading of Radiant Black volume 1, I've seen enough to know that the Massive-verse is not for me.
 

The Enduring Siren Song of "Ultimate DC"

 

Wizard Magazine's infamous Ultimate Justice League

For the last few days rumors of an "Ultimate DC" project have been circulating in fan circles. Rob Liefield lit the fire by mentioning it on his podcast. DC filing a trademark for something called "Metal Force" added more fuel to the idea that Scott Snyder would return to DC. Mark Waid and Dan Mora departing SHAZAM caused more speculation, and Scott Snyder himself seemingly confirmed it on twitter:

Now if you've paid any attention to DC Comics over say, the last 20 years, the idea of an Ultimate DC certainly wouldn't be a new one to you. Its something fan circles constantly crowed about in the wake of Ultimate Marvel's astounding popularity. And DC fundamentally agreed, because they've already tried it: