There will soon be new costumes and facelifts for Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman and many other superheroes.
Collectively known as the Justice League, these comic book superheroes have been battling evil for decades.
Justice League is produced by DC Comics, and the company is facing increasing pressure from its biggest competitor, Marvel Comics. That’s why they’re upgrading their best-loved comic heroes, starting Aug. 1.
Many of the heroes will take on a more youthful appearance, and about 50 will get new costumes.
DC Comics sells about 27 per cent of the comic books sold in comic-book stores, compared with about 40 per cent for Marvel.
As part of its “rebranding” of the superheroes, DC Comics will be release 52 comic books tagged as #1. The comics will also be released digitally so they can be read on e-readers.
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS
Writing/Discussion Prompt
Comic books are a really popular form of text. In fact, many comic book characters have become so well known, movies have been made about them. Why do you think people are so attracted to comic book characters? Do you have a favourite character? What is it about them that you like?
Reading Prompt
Based on the information in today’s article, draw a picture of one of DC’s characters in a new and exciting costume.
Primary
Make inferences about texts using stated and implied ideas from the texts as evidence(OME, Reading: 1.5).
Junior
Use stated and implied ideas in texts to make inferences and construct meaning (OME, Reading: 1.5).
Intermediate
Develop and explain interpretations of increasingly complex or difficult texts using stated and implied ideas from the texts to support their interpretations (OME, Reading: 1.5).
Grammar Feature: Compound Sentences
A compound sentence is a sentence that is made up of two or more parts that could each be their own sentence, but, instead, are joined by words like: “and,” “or,” “but,” and “so.” For example the sentence below could be split into two short sentences but, instead, is one compound sentence because it is joined by the word “and.”
“Justice League is produced by DC Comics, and the company is facing increasing pressure from its biggest competitor, Marvel Comics.”
Circle the compound sentences from the examples below. Remember, both parts of the sentence have to make sense on their own in order to be a compound sentence.
1. I want to go home and sleep.
2. Sophia always smiles and I like that!
3. My dad said I had to eat dinner, but I told him I wasn’t hungry.
4. The bunny likes everyone but my teacher.
5. I want to feel better, so I think I’ll take the medicine.
