These two story arcs probably contain my largest ever fictional body count.

DC Universe Online Legends #17

Hal Jordan is seriously conflicted as he and the Green Lantern Corps arrive at Korugar to “contain” the war between Sinestro’s Yellow Lanterns and Brainiac–but can they save the planet of innocents caught in the crossfire? And how desperate could things possibly get that would see Hal team up with Sinestro for one final battle?!

Star Wars: Invasion—Revelations #5

Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Colin Wilson
Colorist: Wes Dzioba
Cover Artist: Chris Scalf
Release: November 16, 2011
32 pages, issue 5 of 5

Queen Nina and Princess Kaye have successfully rescued the refugees from the Battle of Shramar, but the Yuuzhan Vong invaders may still have another win for their tally. Or is there another revelation in store? Meanwhile, on Coruscant, Jedi-in-training Finn Galfridian finds that in trying to prevent an assassination, he may be complicit in one! The next revelation may be about Finn’s new mentor!

I’ve just seen this is up over on DC’s site, so I figure I can now share it here. Gaze at it!

And the good reviews for issue #16 are coming in.

“Writer Tom Taylor – a playwright from Australia who’s been doing some Star Wars comics for Dark Horse and took a turn at The Authority – does excellent work with the main Green Lantern characters, particularly Guy Gardner, who is positively gleeful at the idea of watching Sinestro and Brainiac stomp the **** out of each other. The dialogue is generally excellent, particularly Guy’s. Taylor takes what should be work-for-hire on a loss-leading marketing ploy and infuses it with moral questions. About the nature of only following orders. The morality of taking no stand in the face of genocide. The law of unintended circumstances.”

And Bruno Redondo, who I chatted to this morning (I love Skype) is also coming in for much deserved love…

“I was also pleasantly surprised by Bruno Redondo’s art… It’s fairly straight-ahead comic pencils – clean lines, nothing too stylized to scare off any videogame nerd who might be buying their first comic – but he does pretty dynamic action and good facial expressions, which are key to a character like Guy Gardner and to the emotional beats Taylor builds into the story.” - Crisis on Infinite Midlives

“The reader is subjected to a brutal scene of violence as Sinestro gets his face smashed in. Tom Taylor underlines the scene with witty prose. He also puts us in the driver’s seat for the victim. For that moment, the audience sees things from Sinestro’s point of view. A war in space unfolds with ships, hulking skull faced warriors, and dozens of black and gold suited aliens blasting away at each other. The forces of Brainiac and the Sinestro are at war. I really liked this issue overall. It had beautiful artwork and an engaging story that provoked emotion, thought, and plain enjoyment. I give it five out of five metal bikinis and looked forward to the second part of The Brainiac-Sinestro Corps War.” - Roqoo Depot

A big thanks to everyone who has taken the time to tweet, message and email their reaction to this first issue.  I had a great time creating these two issues with Bruno and Ben Abernathy and it always means a lot to read some kind words. Cheers!

Tweet

And so begins DC Universe Online #16, the first of my two-part ‘Brainiac/Sinestro Corps War’ story available this week in print and digital download. Despite writing The Authority for almost a year, which should also be available for digital download soon, this is my first work in the actual DC universe, and starting out with Green Lantern was a bit of a dream gig. The next character I’ve written (not announced yet) is also a dream gig.

I really hope everyone checks out this book this week. Bruno Redondo absolutely blew me away with his art and he managed to capture the moments of action, humour, violence and pain perfectly. This is a Green Lantern sample piece from Bruno’s blog.  Thanks to Ben Abernathy for bringing me on board for this one. Looking forward to much more!

IGN has also posted the exclusive news of the next issue right here.  Will share Doug Mahnke’s cover art for #17 when I can – it’s all kinds of awesome.

I’m writing a two-part stand-alone story in this series called  ‘The Brainiac – Sinestro Corps War’ with art by Bruno Redondo. Bruno is going to be huge. The guy’s storytelling is fantastic, he gets the epic, the action and, probably most importantly for me, the characterization. I especially loved getting to write Hal Jordan and Guy Gardner and Bruno brings these guys to life perfectly. I can’t wait for people to see this book next month. Writing this book also meant working with one of my favourite editors in Ben Abernathy. Hope everyone picks it up, especially anyone who misses these guys after the reboot (this is basically an elseworlds tale set pre-boot).

IGN has also posted the exclusive news of the next issue right here.

Also, some massive news will be going up here tomorrow…

I’m not allowed to divulge anything specific yet, but I am allowed to say I’m working on a little something set in the DCU… good times.

This con is looking a lot busier than the last one.  I will be signing for The Authority at the DC booth every day.  I will also be signing with Colin at the Dark Horse Booth on ‘Star Wars Day’ (Friday) and, on the Saturday, I will be part of the Wildstorm: Stormfront Panel with some great talent. I will also be signing at booth 4500 for Gestalt Publishing and generally hanging around that area as Colin Wilson has his own table at this year’s SDCC with Dave Dorman (which I’m apparently sitting at too).  If you’re around, come say hi.

THURSDAY, JULY 22

12-1pm: SIGNING @ DC booth (#1915)

FRIDAY, JULY 23

12:00-1:00: SIGNING @ Dark Horse booth

2-3pm: SIGNING @ DC booth

SATURDAY, JULY 24

1-2pm: SIGNING @ DC booth

6:30 to 7:30 p.m. WildStorm: Storm Front Panel

What’s new in the WildStorm Universe? VP/general manager Hank Kanalz  and senior editor Ben Abernathy bring you up to speed with this inside look into DC’s wildest imprint. Joining Hank and Ben will be Adam Beechen (WildCats), Kurt Busiek  (Astro City), Darick Robertson (Fringe: Tales From the Fringe), Tom Taylor (The Authority), Tim Seeley  (WildCats), Adam Archer (Ratchet and Clank), Cruddie Torian (Gen13) and others. Room 4

SUNDAY, JULY 25

2:30-3:30pm: SIGNING @ DC booth

MONDAY, JULY 26

Sleeping… hard.

Grab your copy of #24 to see Al’s return, the two-pronged, multi-scaled battle against Mondregon and The Aegean, The High being The High and, finally, an answer to… what’s in the box?

I know I wrote it and all, but I really like this issue.  You will too… maybe.

THE AUTHORITY #23

Written by TOM TAYLOR • Art by MIKE S. MILLER • Cover by PHILIP TAN

With the onboard rebellions subdued and attacks from the stowaways repelled, The Authority can once again focus on the nature of their voyage. Is the Carrier leading them to its home – or does it have some other, more sinister agenda? While passing through a vast graveyard of discarded spacecraft, the latest Century Baby detects a faint sign of life. The High goes off on a rescue mission, but what he brings back on board eclipses any danger they’ve faced so far.

THE AUTHORITY #25
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art by AL BARRIONUEVO
Cover by HOWARD PORTER, ALLEN MARTINEZ & WES HARTMAN
In the aftermath of the twin battles with the Aegean and Mondregon, the team assesses the damage and Hawksmoor is forced to explain the origin of his strange, secret weapon. Deathblow is down for the count, and Swift is unconscious with no one able to figure out why she can’t be revived. But there’s not much time to lick their wounds or ease over internal tensions as The Carrier appears to finally be approaching its ultimate destination. Who or what they are about to meet could alter the course of the Wildstorm Universe forever.
On sale AUGUST 4 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US

August will be a huge month.  The Authority, Blood Ties and Will of Darth Vader are all coming out and it’s possible more may still be announced for the month… no wonder I’m falling asleep on the couch as I write this.

Acclaimed writer Tom Taylor (Star Wars: Invasion) takes the helm for a 4-issue arc. The Authority’s journey through space on The Carrier’s unknown mission continues. Their mysterious voyage takes an even more terrifying twist than anything they’ve experienced so far when they discover stowaways of the worst possible kind. Facing a hideous mutiny by overwhelming odds, only one person can possibly save them. But will this reluctant hero break his own vow and return to action?

Note: It isn’t just a four issue arc… and, apparently, I’m ‘acclaimed’.

Here is a preview of the first page by Mike S Miller, featuring Flint, Deathblow and Grifter… and vampires… in space.

I’ve read it.  It’s good, seriously.  Buy it.  you won’t be disappointed.