Why the Spinner Rack?
Above all, when you do what you love it never really feels like work. Once a week I host the DC Comics News Spinner Rack. It’s my chance to talk about the storytelling medium that introduced me to new worlds of possibility. In this case I believe it changed my life.
The Spinner Rack Then
Before the days of comic book shops the only place to find comic books in small towns were the newsstand or a drugstore. Usually found at the end of a drugstore aisle of magazines and newspapers stood the spinner rack. In short a comic book display innovation.
New and old books from DC and Marvel spinning before the eyes of hopeful comic book fans. Only the budget from mowing lawns and delivering papers decided how many you would buy. In short the hardest part was making the choice.
And the Spinner Rack Now
In comparison the number of modern comics published each week can add up to more than an allowance. Even adults struggle to pick up all the books they want to read. As a result I pull five books from the Spinner Rack floating in inter-dimensional space-time — otherwise known as the imagination — from the multitudes published each week by DC Comics.
In addition to my favorite art and story moments, the spinner rack includes my final score for every issue. Without any further ado let’s give the spinner rack a twirl and pull our first book.
Martian Manhunter #4
I love Martian Manhunter. So, I’m willing to admit that this review may be biased. In the first place the layers of red and green and the fluid lines around the characters are captivating. Riley Rossmo is a master.
The style brings me back to the 90’s comic Green Lantern Mosaic and the art of Cully Hammer and the storytelling of Gerard Jones.
Maybe that’s why I love that J’onn J’onzz becomes so primitive in order to communicate with the only witness to a murder. In this case a child’s pet iguana.
Detective Comics #1000
A collection of short stories about The World’s Greatest Detective
Batman’s Longest Case
A case that reveals more clues. It all leads to the Guild of Detection.
“Because every answer, in the end, leads to another question. And that’s the real joy.” – Slam Bradley
Manufacture for Use
By Kevin Smith
This was a
Legend of Knute Brody
By Paul Dini
This a fun and lighthearted story about the worst henchman to ever be a criminal.
Warning… Spoiler
This was actually a disguise worn by members of the bat family as a ruse.
The Batman’s Design
By Warren Ellis
A nice story about the Dark Knight’s penchant for predicting and planning and his ability to make chess moves that outthink his opponents by ten steps.
Return to Crime Alley
By Denny O’Neil
An old caretaker from Bruce’s past confront’s the Batman about his violent ways and then defends 4 muggers who tried to attack them.
Heretic
The Heretic was a strange story about the death of
I Know
Penguin is an old man who says he knows that Bruce Wayne is Batman.
Why doesn’t he tell?
Because at the moment he could have destroyed Wayne and the manor, he realizes that if Wayne dies and Batman lives, that Batman would lose his only tether to his humanity and descend into madness.
The Last Crime in Gotham
By Geoff Johns
A final crime. 12 dead and all wearing holiday sweaters Joker is dead and his son is among the dead. And it’s Batman’s birthday.
The Precedent
I’ve seen what it has done for you. He could make you better. “A Hero forged in the light.”
Batman’s Greatest Case
By Tony S. Daniel & Joelle Jones
It’s all about a family photo.
Freedom Fighters #4
I love the art by Eddy Barrows, Ever Ferreira and Adriano Lucas. To begin with there is a great sense of history here. Starting with the destruction of Mount Rushmore.
Furthermore the strategy employs a really cool concept with the Human Bomb using his cells to make dermis charges. It represents a powerful example of the possibility that these characters possess. Likewise, I also love The Heartland in the Extra-dimensional Realm of Ideas.
About the Storyteller
Seth Singleton tells stories for one reason. Stories are the common thread that connect us all. In the end, everyone has a story to tell.
He is the author of This is a Language of Fists and the writing team editor at Blue Alchemy Studios and its upcoming digital strategy card game — Planet Rise.
To contact him about a writing or podcast project email sethsingleton@gmail.com
