VILLIANS UNITED #1

**MattBrady** · 03-08-2005, 10:01 AM

DC Comics has provided Newsarama with a three page preview of Dale Eaglesham’s pencils for Villains United #1, shipping in May, and written by Gail Simone. Speaking of the words, here’s how the writer explained the big picture behind the miniseries that spins, thematically, out of DC Countdown:

“My take on this book is, this is what happens when super-villains stop being dumb,” Simone said. “When they stop working against their best interests. Past attempts to bring the villains of the DCU together have never been on this scale...we have everyone from Crazy Quilt to Gorilla Grodd. They come together for self-preservation - or through other forms of persuasion.

“But the fun part is, out of all the people asked to join the huge villain association, the Society, six refuse, and want nothing to do with it. These Six would rather take their chances than live under the Society’s rules. So, there’s friction.

“And with these guys, friction leads to bloodshed.

“And bloodshed leads to darn good entertainment.”

Click on the thumbnails for larger versions.

fedres · 03-08-2005, 10:10 AM

So are we to assume the six on that cover are the six who refuse to join the Society?
I grew up a Marvel Zombie, so other than Black Adam, Luthor, and Deathstroke, I can't ID the others.
Help anyone?

Lex · 03-08-2005, 10:16 AM

The Six on the cover? You mean Luthor, Black Adam, Dr. Psycho, etc? I assumed that those sex are the head of this Society.

EDIT: The others on the cover are Dr. Psycho (a Wonder Woman villain), Cheshire (super assassin) and Calculator (villain info-broker).

jediortiz · 03-08-2005, 10:16 AM

Interior art looks very nice, villains are well done! DC is putting out some rockin series as of late.
www.dragonskeep.com

jonnynyc · 03-08-2005, 10:17 AM

Talia (Ra's Al Ghul's Daughter), Black Adam, Lex Luther, Deathstroke, Dr. Psycho and The Calculator.

Gail Simone said elsewhere that Cheshire would figure prominently in this series and that the characters on the cover might not be the 6 in question

fedres · 03-08-2005, 10:25 AM

Well, at least DC guys don't know who is on that cover too.

Is it Talia or Cheshire? (Or is that her codename, see I said I needed help).

Is Ra's A Ghul (spelling, I know) still alive in continuity? Or is he in/awaiting a Lazarus Pit right now. (see I have just enough DC knowledge to be dangerous)

bob_at_york · 03-08-2005, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by fedres
Is it Talia or Cheshire? (Or is that her codename, see I said I needed help).

And that is the question. Most people believe it is Talia, looks like her, it would make sense if it was her (the group needs a villian with a tie to Batman) BUT the writer said Cheshire was going to have a role in this book (which leads some people to believe it is Cheshire on the cover). I believe Cheshire is going to be in the society while the Six are not (and Talia is one of the Six).

bcwflash · 03-08-2005, 10:33 AM

Its Talia not Cheshire.
Gail said Cheshire by mistake in an interview but later said it was Talia and Chesire was important but not the one on the cover.
Ra's is currently dead as per the Death and Maidens limited series.

Chesscub · 03-08-2005, 10:36 AM

On page 4:
1st row: Gentleman Ghost, Cicada, unknown, Shrapnel
2nd row: Knockout?, Phobia, unknown, Prometheus
3rd row: Clayface?, Body Doubles (geez, talk about a 90's flashback), Grodd, unknown

Some interesting villian choices.

Jeff

Paradiso · 03-08-2005, 10:38 AM

In the pages I recognize the following...

Page 1, panel 2 - Multiplex (only because he was in Firestorm)
Page 1, panel 3 - Cheetah
Page 1, panel 4 - Black Manta (who I think is going to be in this month's Aquaman, but don't quote me on that)
Page 2, panels 3 & 5 - looks like the Calculator to me
Page 3, panel 1 - Gentleman Ghost (I think that's his name, Hawkman's frequent opponent)
Page 3, panel 4 - Is that Shrapnel, one of Flash's rogues?
Page 3, panel 8 - Prometheus, which means Hush can't be far behind
Page 3, panel 10 - Looks like those two female assassins that were in Catwoman (the War Games crossover) recently, but not positive of that
Page 3, panel 11 - Gorilla Grodd
Page 3, panel 12 - Is that Satannus, from the Superman comics in the 90's?

LD18 · 03-08-2005, 10:40 AM

Book looks rad, gotta put it on the pull list. I don't really care for the idea of buying all of the Countdown offshoots. Hopefully we'll be able to pick up one or two of the titles ( like Villians or OMAC) and not get lost.

I am MODOK · 03-08-2005, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chesscub
On page 4:
1st row: Gentleman Ghost, Cicada, unknown, Shrapnel
2nd row: Knockout?, Phobia, unknown, Prometheus
3rd row: Clayface?, Body Doubles (geez, talk about a 90's flashback), Grodd, unknown

Some interesting villian choices.

Jeff

In row 1, I thought it was Cheshire.
In row 2, could that be Parasite?
In row 3: I thought Plasmus not Clayface, but who knows. And the devil guy is Sabbac from the new Outsiders.

Pretty freaking kick ass team.

The other pages have Black Manta, Cheetah, Shadow Thief, and some other cool folks, but I don't know the three dudes talking to Black Adam.

bob_at_york · 03-08-2005, 10:43 AM

Just judging from these three pages... it seems like the artist has good spots and bad spots. There are some panels I love and others i don't like... but who knows it might look a hell of a lot cooler once is it coloured and such.

the4thpip · 03-08-2005, 10:45 AM

Dale's pencils look SOOOOO fantastic... Can't wait for this book!

Spider-Bob · 03-08-2005, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chesscub
On page 4:
1st row: Gentleman Ghost, Cicada, unknown, Shrapnel
2nd row: Knockout?, Phobia, unknown, Prometheus
3rd row: Clayface?, Body Doubles (geez, talk about a 90's flashback), Grodd, unknown

Some interesting villian choices.

Jeff

The last one on the third row is Sabbac (Captain Marvel Jr. / Outsiders II villain).

Spider-Bob · 03-08-2005, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Chesscub
On page 4:
1st row: Gentleman Ghost, Cicada, unknown, Shrapnel
2nd row: Knockout?, Phobia, unknown, Prometheus
3rd row: Clayface?, Body Doubles (geez, talk about a 90's flashback), Grodd, unknown

Some interesting villian choices.

Jeff

I think the unknown woman on the first row is Green Lantern foe Fatality.

christosgage · 03-08-2005, 10:59 AM

The art is gorgeous. Gail has told me a few extra secrets about this mini and I can't wait...looks awesome!

And I'm pretty sure that's Plasmus...a personal favorite of mine.

Chris Gage
DEADSHOT writer

Chesscub · 03-08-2005, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by I am MODOK
In row 1, I thought it was Cheshire.
In row 2, could that be Parasite?
In row 3: I thought Plasmus not Clayface, but who knows. And the devil guy is Sabbac from the new Outsiders.

Pretty freaking kick ass team.

The other pages have Black Manta, Cheetah, Shadow Thief, and some other cool folks, but I don't know the three dudes talking to Black Adam.

If it is Plasmus in the third row instead of Clayface, then the gorilla may not be Grodd, but be Monsieur Mallah, since all three were in the Brotherhood of Evil.

Jeff

Alfonso · 03-08-2005, 11:05 AM

I've always liked Eaglesham's work. These pencils reaffirm that thought. Looking very cool. Props to DC to moving this guy onto a super-high profile book.

TCJohnson · 03-08-2005, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bcwflash
Its Talia not Cheshire.
Gail said Cheshire by mistake in an interview but later said it was Talia and Chesire was important but not the one on the cover.
Ra's is currently dead as per the Death and Maidens limited series.

Or more to the point, Gail Simone mentioned that Chesire was going to have a big part in the series and the person who wrote the article assumed that was her on the cover.

Isn't Black Manta dead?

Ian · 03-08-2005, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by christosgage
The art is gorgeous. Gail has told me a few extra secrets about this mini and I can't wait...looks awesome!

And I'm pretty sure that's Plasmus...a personal favorite of mine.

Chris Gage
DEADSHOT writer

You rock on Deadshot Christos.

Oh yeah, Villains United looks like the cat's ass. I'm there.

Ian · 03-08-2005, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by TCJohnson
Or more to the point, Gail Simone mentioned that Chesire was going to have a big part in the series and the person who wrote the article assumed that was her on the cover.

Isn't Black Manta dead?

Black Manta's showing up in Aquaman #30 in May.

Chesscub · 03-08-2005, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ian

Oh yeah, Villains United looks like the cat's ass. I'm there.

The cat's ass? That's a good thing?!

But it will rock and be the cat's meow and cat's pajamas.

Jeff

jclem3 · 03-08-2005, 11:50 AM

Boy, those are some sweet pages. Eaglesham's artwork has never been better and I think DC's really pulling out all the stops this year.

drumore · 03-08-2005, 11:56 AM

Is that Fadeaway Man talking to Calculator?

Not sure who is holding his hand out to Black Manta - I'd almost think it was Blockbuster (in his original look) but he's dead. Mammoth?

I don't think the 3rd panel page 3 looks quite like Cheshire - but maybe.
I'm thinking it's Grodd not Mallah - seems like the style he was drawn in FLASH, and Mallah often wears a cute little beret.