Rant Reviews--5 Fear Itself Tie-Ins AKA Get Your Snark On

Fear Itself hasn't been very great, and most comics that tie-in with it are dragged down in quality, so of course I want to engage in the ever-so-fun activity of reviewing comics that directly relate to the event. Yes, I'm going to be a smart-alec in my reviews of these.

Daredevil, Gene Colan, and Comics Screwing Creators Over.

Reading the new Daredevil #1 made me think about Gene Colan and his time spent with the series in the past, and the issue also have a little tribute to Gene Colan. I've been a big fan of Colan (my favorite stuff by him has to be his work with Marv Wolfman on "Tomb of Dracula") and his death was quite sad. I also knew how he had often been screwed over by the comics industry, but this article I'm linking to sums it up expertly. Colan was due a lot more respect than he and many other creators have been given.

Uniquely Entertaining--From Dust (Xbox 360 Version)

From Dust (Xbox 360)
There's a new game that you can't buy in a store. No, you have to go to Xbox Live and use 1200 points (around 15 dollars) and purchase this aforementioned game. It's name? From Dust. Is it worth 15 dollars? Yes, with its surreal, fascinating world, and interesting game-play it is definitely worth the cost. Let's break down why.

Podcast Episode 11--Even Captain America Can't Stop Me From Kinda-Sorta Breaking Marvel's Heart

In this episode I am prone to digressions. I briefly touch upon the Comic-Con that occurred in San Diego, mourn the death of Borders, review the Captain America, and read Marvel a kinda-sorta break-up letter even though I'm still buying a few of their books. To close things out I review Vengeance #1(expertly written by Joe Casey) and Daken: Dark Wolverine #11 (also written superbly, by Rob Williams). What are the digressions? Well, how about rambling talk of all the Marvel movies and a discussion of gay and bisexual super-heroes? Enjoy the episode, there should be another in maybe 2 weeks and then a bit of a gap what with my moving to St Louis.

Listen Here:

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Or Download for later listening on your computer or the multi-media device of your choice:
Download this episode (right click and save)

Plus, you could always subscribe to me via iTunes, if you use it.

Flashback Friday--Batman: The Dark Knight Returns

Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
I may not be too big on Frank Miller's new stuff, but when it comes to his past work, he was an utter God. This is one of the top Batman stories you'll ever read. Let's discuss it in-depth. I spoil a ton, but this thing has been out forever, so the fact I hadn't read it was kind of embarrassing--you ought to know everything too or be cool with spoilers.

What The Future Holds For The Blog AKA Changes In August

Alright, so a status update on the blog. I'm going to be moving to St Louis in late August for graduate school and that process of moving and adjusting to a new place will probably result in a period of time where posting gets sporadic or nonexistent. I will try and build up some posts to fill in the time but as I said August might be a light month for posts. Once classes start who knows how much time I will have so that could affect posting too as currently I do Americorps here in NY and that is a very different schedule than when I start up classes at my new location. I hope to still post pretty regularly, but if I could get some more writers for the site (always looking for more!) that would be great so I don't have to worry about big gaps in posting periods when I get busier during the year.

Also, I'm thinking of adjusting the design slightly to make the page load a bit quicker for slower connections, or just faster in general. Cutting out some of the images, moving things around, etc. Any thoughts or suggestions?

This Series Is Getting Kind Of Awesome--Daken: Dark Wolverine #11

Daken: Dark Wolverine #11
Rob Williams came on board to a series that was decent and over the course of just a few issues has turned it into something I look forward to more than any other Wolverine-related comic as of late. Now that's a quite a feat!

Waste Of a Good Concept--A Zombie Flip-Comic

Rotten Flips Out/Zombies VS Cheerleaders Flips Out
Shortest review ever, I don't even a need a cut: I like the Rotten series by Moonstone, but this was a mediocre story from that series. The Cheerleaders one was even worse, trying to be funny with only one good joke an terrible art. There was a thematic link of zombies and a character and his relative, so that was kind of clever...barely, and that's the smartest thing in the books. I wasted $2.99.
1.5 out of 5 stars (and only that high because the Rotten story isn't outright terrible).

Funny With Some Introspection--Deadpool #40

Deadpool #40
This issue of Deadpool is funny, has some hyper-violence, and peers a bit into the mind of the character, so all around we get a pretty solid issue.

Marvel Press Announcement About Flashpoint Makes Them Look Like Huge Jerks.

Look, Marvel, it was slightly funny the first time you did it with Blackest Night tie-in comics, but repeating the same stunt where you will now take issues of Flashpoint tie-ins with their covers torn-off and for 50 of them you give people an alternate cover to Fear Itself....you're just kind of being a dick now. Plus, last time you had a slightly funny cover with Deadpool, this just looks like a quickly thrown together one that doesn't have anything special to it:

Also, in the article you act like you're doing retailers a favor, "In these tough economic times (as shown in the above link)," for real? Wouldn't retailers possibly make more just selling the comics cheap instead of trying to pass of that ugly variant cover for a bunch of money? Better yet couldn't those comics with the covers they have to rip-off be donated to a library or something instead of being pulped? Tacky, Marvel, just tacky.

Andy Samberg Asks Justin Timberlake The Question I've Been Wondering

I'm lazy today, so I just have a post with a really short skit where Andy Samberg asks Justin Timberlake the same question I have:



I've been wondering it too, when is he going to make more music? I really wish he would, "Futuresex/Lovesounds," was the bomb.

Wait, Captain America DIDN'T Make More Than Thor After All Opening Weekend

Captain America still made plenty of money, but apparently didn't quite beat Thor at the box office. Eh, it's all good.

The Only Issue I'm Buying AKA X Men Schism #1 Was Good, But Why Does it Cost $4.99?

X Men Schism #1
This was a pretty enjoyable comic. It had action, humor, and interesting plot development. One big problem stands out though, and to give you a hint I mention it in the title of this post.

The Last Of The Comic-Con News Which I Have Many Opinions On

Let's wrap up the news from Comic-Con, now that it is early the day after it ended, shall we? Click after the cut for updates and my opinions attached to them.

Film Friday--Captain America (Yes, I Know It's Actually Sunday)

Captain America
It may be Sunday, but I was originally planning on seeing Captain America on Friday and making it my Film Friday segment. The laws of time and space aren't going to stop me from labeling it as such even though it is clearly late in the evening on Sunday! Anyways, what did I think of the movie? I really enjoyed it!

Rant Reviews--Marvel's Various Mutants, Mystery Men, Dark Horses, and Superman Hallucinates

I've got two books with mutants in the Marvel Universe--one is Wolverine and the other is New Mutants even though everyone in it has been around for at least 20 years I think. Then Mystery Men switches its focus to some newer characters, Dark Horse keeps presenting stories, and DC Universe Online Legends has Superman utterly freak out. In a slightly unrelated story I had Bananas Foster French Toast for brunch today and would give it 4 out of 5 stars. That means I found it more satisfying than 3 out of the 5 comics. That's either sad or a testament to the quality of French Toast made with challah bread and bananas.

It Took Forever To Find The Words To Review This--Vengeance #1

Vengeance #1
It took me forever to review this, because I couldn't find the words to describe such an odd comic as this. I can say at least that I loved it. Also, it shows that writer Joe Casey is crazy.

Film Friday Will Be On Saturday...Yeah

I am going to have a review of Captain America: The First Avenger, up tomorrow as my Film Friday segment. On Saturday. Yup.


UPDATE: Or I will actually not see the movie until Sunday and instead will post something else as my Film or Flashback segment. Indeed.

The One Reason I Wish I Were At The Big Comic-Con AKA Grant Morrison Panel

You probably would have to pay me to go to the Comic-Con in San Diego. I would not spend my own money to go to such a huge event that isn't even usually about comics that much. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind the other stuff being featured there like television shows and movies, but if I go to a comic convention it is for comics; hence I would go to one that is still more comic-related and wouldn't cost me an arm and a leg. However, if I could have attended the Grant Morrision panel at Comic-Con International I would have been quite happy. He didn't have a moderator or anything lame, it was just the man talking with fans in a relaxed atmosphere and having a good time. Superman and his upcoming work on Action Comics was discussed, his  time spent doing Batman and the upcoming big final arc, his new book (which I just bought and am excited to start reading), and just random stuff. It sounds like it was a great time. Unfortunately, to get there I would have had to pay thousands of dollars for Comic-Con, a hotel with jacked-up prices for the event, and waded through a convention that maybe has grown a bit too big for its own good. Yeah, I'm happy here at home even if a freak heat wave is making us have 99 degree (Fahrenheit) days.

A Bunch of Comic News From The Convention's First Official Day AKA The Twelve Is Actually Back?

Time for some big news resulting from Comic-Con or which happens to sync up with it. The top story in my opinion is shocking news about long-delayed Marvel comic, The Twelve. What is that news, click the cut for that and more!

Comic News From Today, Movie Trailers, Plus A Diatribe About Marvel Comics

Things have been announced as Comic-Con sorta-kind starts (officially beginning tomorrow).

• Guillermo Del Toro is invovled with the adaptation of a comic involving vampires. I would be completely uninterested, but it has the twist of the vampires being a virus and I always love stuff like that in fiction.
• A Dead Rising-related comic? Hm, zombies are mostly played out for me, but I did love the first game.
• War, Politics, And Superheroes. Could this book be any more up my alley?
• DC Comics is going to be using the same PR company as the currently in deep trouble Rupert Murdoch? Huh, odd.
• Did you know there was a Dark Knight Rising trailer? You didn't? Odd.
• There is also one for the Spider Man movie. I'm more interested in Dark Knight Rising.
• I don't get this whole Marvel Season One idea. I'm seriously getting burned out on Marvel and more pumped up on DC. I could be DC's wet dream of the fan who drops most Marvel stuff and picks up the DC titles as I am cutting back drastically on comics and the new #1 issues in the kinda-sorta new Universe make a great jumping-on point. I was a huge Marvel reader for so long, but very little books are appealing to me outside of a few key characters and titles. I should discuss this in-depth in a podcast.

The Big Comic-Con Cometh

The Comic Convention in San Diego, which has grown to be pretty much the biggest of them all, starts up today (UPDATE--I should have clarified and said how it was the preview night, most folk know what I mean, but yeah). There will probably be news and announcements from comic companies. I hope to post stuff along with my thoughts at either various points in the day or as a few posts towards the end of all the madness on Day 1 (technically tomorrow). One could go on about how this convention has grown so big it is now more about movies and television shows that have nothing to do with comics, but I won't go there as there still is plenty of comic stuff apparently if you just go looking for it, I have seen people write--so I ain't hating.

Rant-Reviews--When You Combine All My Comics Into One Title You Get "Detective Iron-Butcher Rasl-Flight: The Children's Crusade" I'd Read That

For this rant-reviews let's look at six, count'em six, comics because so much stuff seems to be coming out and piling up.

We Waited So Long For THIS?--Batman: The Dark Knight #3

Batman: The Dark Knight #3
This was so horribly delayed, and for what, a miserable story with decent art by David Finch? I suppose so.

RIP Borders

Annnnnd there go the last of the Borders bookstores. Seriously though, I was sad when the ones in my area closed during their first round of trying to stave off complete destruction, but it seems in the end liquidation awaited the company when various business deals fell through and no other bidders for the company could be found. 399 or so remaining stores will be shuttered and 10,700 employees approximately will now be unemployed in an already troubled economy. Barnes and Noble is still doing okay I think (if they didn't have the Nook who knows what trouble they would be in) and independent bookstores might see an uptick in sales, but I will miss having Borders around. It is sad, and I wish the best to everyone who is being negatively affected by the closing economically or in terms of no longer having a job--may you find employment again soon.

Red Skull Incarnate #1 AKA How Evil Is Born

Red Skull: Incarnate #1
The sequel of sorts to Magneto: Testament, which told the story of how a young Max Eisenhardt went from a young Jewish boy who suffered under the Nazis to the character of Magneto, this series tells the opposite side of the coin--how Johann Schmidt goes from a seemingly kind boy to the monster known as the Red Skull. Magneto: Testament had Greg Pak writing it and it only makes sense he writes this story. Is it good though?

Meh--Green Arrow #13

Green Arrow #13
After 12 issues marginally trying in to Brightest Day, and with normal writer J.T. Krul gone to get ready for writing this series when it re-launched in September, we get this and two more issues for what is a fill-in arc. The sad thing is this comic slightly improves without Krul writing Green Arrow as it is a character I just don't like him on, but the even more sad thing is that the comic still is quite average.

Random Songs I've Been Listening To.

Because I felt like sharing, let's discuss the random music I've been listening to lately. Note that not much is super-new, because I hate a lot of today's new music.

Both Are Terrible, But One's Intriguingly Terrible--Fear Itself: Deadpool #1 AND Fear Itself: Fearsome Four #1

Fear Itself: Deadpool #1 AND Fear Itself: Fearsome Four #1
We've got two really bad comics here, but one is just dull and sucks, and other is fascinating while also being awful and just so odd. Deadpool is the dull one, Fearsome Four is the one that is weird. Let's discuss them.

Flashback Friday--Astonishing X-Men Omnibus

Astonishing X-Men Omnibus
Collecting issues #1-24 (which had a break between issues 12 and 13 as new arcs started and such) and a the extra-big special that topped off the run, this Omnibus collects the entirety of Joss Whedon's writing for the Astonishing X-Men book that kinda-sorta picked up where Grant Morrison's New X-Men left off by bringing back certain plot points but also stood well on its own. This was a run that had some utterly amazing moments, but as a solid whole is really, really good, but I can't quite say great. Oh, spoilers, but most of this stuff is being dealt with in current X-Men comics so whatever.

Crazy-Dark--Flashpoint: Batman, Knight of Vengeance #2

Flashpoint: Batman, Knight of Vengeance #2
This issue takes the story into overdrive and takes full advantage of this alternate-universe setting in ways that allow Brian Azzarello to write some incredibly dark comics, and Eduardo Risso to provide some beautiful illustrations. The clever way Azzarello twists the Batman mythos around is mystifying. Spoilers abound after the cut.

Remember Borders? Yeah, They're Screwed

It's been awhile since I've talked about bookstore chain Borders. I suppose when the two in my general area shut down during the shuttering of a bunch of their stores a sort of, "Out of sight, out of mind," thing occurred. Well, the remaining Borders may be following suit and going down the drain as what looked like a promising deal to save the company has pretty much gone down the tubes (if I may use the same metaphor twice in a row). Seriously though, things are looking incredibly grim.

Did I Mention I'm On Hooded Utilitarian AKA I Write About No Hero

Did I think to mention that I had an article published on The Hooded Utilitarian, a website full of smart-people articles that I somehow managed to something put up on? Seriously, I can try and write at a level beyond my usual gibberish and did so for an article discussing Warren Ellis' "No Hero". I talk about super-violence and sexual dysfunction as represented through that comic. It's a fun read. Many thanks to Hooded U for liking my piece enough to post it!

Rant Reviews--2 Mentally Unstable Heroes, Venom, Supreme Power, and Green Lantern Corps Kills Time

In this reviews batch I've got Moon Knight #3 and Irredeemable #27 for heroes who either aren't quite "all there" or are just completely psychotic,Venom #4, the re-launched Supreme Power #2, and  Green Lantern Corps #61 accomplishing nothing in particular.

I Did Not Expect That--Green Lantern #67

Green Lantern #67
I'm going to spoil everything, so don't read this review if you want to be free of that--although DC's solicitations for the Green Lantern books in October has kind of ruined things too.

Ominous--Marvel Universe VS Wolverine #1

Marvel Universe VS Wolverine #1
I finally picked up a copy of this despite it being out for a bit, and enjoyed it a fair amount.

Podcast Episode 10--Flashpoint #3, Fear Itself #4, and DC's Avalanche of Books

This episode I discuss which of the new DC books in the relaunch look good despite DC going insane by having so many books, compare and contrast Flashpoint #3 with Fear Itself #4, and do some reviews of Marvel Universe VS Wolverine #1, Irredeemable #27, and Moon Knight #3.

Listen Via This Player:

Podcast Powered By Podbean

Or just download it for playing on your computer or portable music device:

Download this episode (right click and save)

Suddenly, I Am Interested In X-Men Schism AKA Quentin Quire Rocks

X-Men Schism, a book I was lukewarm on, and which had a four-issue mini-series prelude that accomplished nothing (I should get my review of that up) suddenly looks interesting to me. Why? Well, the preview pages I viewed via Bleeding Cool showed a neat political angle and what seems to be the return of a character Grant Morrison created who I've always had a soft-spot for, Quentin Quire, or Kid Omega! Observe:

Oh yeah, I suddenly really want this book something serious mainly due to that single page. Thank you for using the not-often-utilized-enough Quentin Quire, Jason Aaron. Now just use him well as anyone who isn't Morrison seems  to screw the pooch trying to put him in a story.

News & Links To Start Your Day.

For breakfast I thought I would serve you up some news and links about comics and a bunch of other stuff too.

• An official, "The Dark Knight Rises" teaser poster has been released.
• Mark Waid's famously edited Red Skull story will appear unaltered in a new hardcover collection.
• Only the NRA would think responsible reporting of gun sales is a bad idea and sue to stop it.
• Roger Clemens gets to be remembered along with the other steroid-takers of Baseball, regardless of how his trial goes. It's sad that we as a society somewhat encouraged it with our desire to see higher scores and harder hits.
• A written tribute piece to Dwayne Mcduffie Comic-Con International thought too harsh to print, I think it's an insightful and touching short piece.
• Joshua Mocle and David Harper of Multiversity sit down to discuss their thoughts on Flashpoint and Fear Itself. I pretty much agree with their conclusions about Flashpoint just being more fun and Fear Itself being a big disappointment.
• Gestational Diabetes resulted in a 16-pound baby being born. For reference, that baby is essentially the size of two newborns.
• Rest In Peace, Betty Ford. I admired how she was outspoken on substance abuse.
• A list of which comics are shipping this Wednesday, what are you thinking of picking up?

There we go, enjoy your day!

New Thoughts On The DC 52 In September--No, Just No

There are the DC books that scream, "We really needed 52 books to fill this month," and these are those. Be they bad ideas, bad creative teams, or just plain...bad, this are the books I would avoid like a dog that had just rolled in dead animal.

New Thoughts On The DC 52 In September--Not Interested

There are those DC books coming out this September that aren't necessarily bad, I just have no interest in reading them for some reason or another. Let's look at that big and odd assortment.

New Thoughts On The DC 52 In September--Will Try The First Issue

There are the DC books that you may not be sure are worth getting an arc of, but you're willing to try the first issue. These are the ones I'll give a shot for various reasons.

New Thoughts On The DC 52 In September--Must Buy

What are those books DC has coming out in September that you've just got to purchase? I dunno, it depends on your taste. I'll tell you what ones I've gotta have though!

New Thoughts On The DC 52 In September--Prologue

I've been thinking, and I have some new thoughts on the 52 books coming out this September. I did my list of what I wanted an why, but have reevaluated and now want certain things and don't want others. Therefore, I'm going to do a series of posts breaking down each book (I didn't discuss all of them in the first post) in my new sections of :

Must Buy
Will Try The First Issue
No Interest
No, Just No.

Look for these four posts throughout today in that order.

Rant-Reviews--2 Marvel Books About Mutants, 2 DC Books With Annoying Subway-Comic Ads, and Screamland

Wolverine: The Best There Is #7 is actually good, Ultimate X #5 finishes setting up the plot only to end with this issue, DC Universe Online Legends #11 had art that didn't make my eyes bleed, Batman and Robin #25 wrapped up things with the Red Hood decently enough, and Screamland #2 seemed to lack the magic of the original mini-series.

Math Equation: Flashpoint #3 > Fear Itself #4 =One Comic Worth Buying

Flashpoint #3 AND Fear Itself #4
 We have Flashpoint #3 and Fear Itself #4, which has a nice continuity to it, and speaking of continuity we have one comic playing with it in an alternate universe in neat ways, and another that references a famous element of Tony Stark's character in one of the few things that weren't bad in the comic. I think you can already tell which series I like more.

Flashback Friday--Bomb Queen Omnibust (First Trade It Collects)

Bomb Queen Omnibust (Just Volume 1: Woman of Mass Destruction)
I bought the Bomb Queen Omnibus(t) on sale but thought I would just review the first trade it contains as many folk might just want to pick that up to see if they like the series in general. As for what Bomb Queen is: Well, it's sort of a parody of super-hero comics, a commentary on politics, and a spoof of cheesecake comics while also fully embracing being one (kind of like "Empowered"). Is it any good? Read the darn post and find out...

It Ended The Series Beautifully-Ex Machina: Term Limits

Ex Machina: Term Limits
Collecting issues #45-50 of Ex Machina AKA the last ones, this 10th trade in the series (I read it in trades as I didn't start till the series was already in the fifth book) wraps up the complex political-super-hero-sci-fi-thriller-comic up wonderfully.

My New Breakfast/Snack/It's Awesome--Lucky Charms Marshmallow Treats.

I like Lucky Charms, but don't feel like/lack the time to be pouring a big bowl of milk. Now I have the perfect solution, Lucky Charms Marshmallow Treats!

It's like a granola bar, but instead of granola you get the cereal in Lucky Charms and the best part too, the marshmallows! I have a link to another non-biased review of it I pretty much agree with and here is the video on the site embedded below:



I would say this is pretty tasty and you should go to your grocery store and buy a box of it or a gas station/convenience store where they will probably have individual bars for sale. It's my new breakfast for when I don't have time for anything else, and it also is my new snack for when I have a craving for something tasty but don't want to do something as unhealthy as a candy bar.
4 out of 5 stars (because that white sugar-part is a bit too sweet as they say in the video).

Trippy, Beautiful, And Definitely Just For Grown-Ups--Celluloid

CelluloidI really enjoy the artwork of Dave McKean. He and Grant Morrison did a great job on Arkham Asylum (even though some people hate that story), Cages is snazzy, etc. I heard he had a new book coming out called Celluloid and figured it was about movies, that was all I knew. Then, I learn it has some controversy because it is an adults-only book that is arguably pornographic with its graphic depictions of sexuality. Well, this is definitely no-holds-barred in that sense, but I don't think I would say it is pornography because that would mean it has no artistic merit, and this is quite assuredly art. It's just really, really, explicit art that is  appropriate for grown-ups only most likely. Oh, and as it is McKean I was expecting it to be beautiful art-wise and it is that too. Let's discuss.

The Casey Anthony Trial And All I Have To Say About The Verdict (Because Every Other Ninny Wants To Discuss It)

For those living under a rock, there was a case that for some reason got a lot of national attention even though other little girls go missing all the time and turn up dead who have bad mothers. It was the Casey Anthony case. In news that shocked a bunch of folk, she was found not guilty of any of the violent crimes she was accused of against her baby daughter, Kaylee. Look, do I really need to re-state any of this? You all know it. Anyways, everyone has an opinion so why don't I offer mine. After the cut see everything I have to say on the topic, because if we're honest I'm just as qualified as some of the talking-heads you've seen on the news--i.e. not at all.

Rant Reviews--Gotham Gates, Agents with T.H.U.N.D.E.R., Suicide Girls, Superman Takes Action, and a Black Panther.

Today we look at Batman: Gates of Gotham #2, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #8, Suicide Girls #3, Action Comics #902, and Black Panther: The Man Without Fear #520. Talk about jumping around thematically.

July 2011 Previews--Solicits So Bad I Lost My Faith In Humanity

You heard me right, the solicits this month were so bad I no longer believe in humankind. Okay, maybe I do a little bit, but my faith was soundly shaken for awhile.

July 2011 Previews--What Looks Promising

Time to say what is looking like it might be pretty snazzy in the latest edition of Previews that came out recently. Oh, you know my spiel about how I mention new things and not all the good things that have been coming out forever, etc. etc. As always the popular "what looks awful" will be posted soon too. Look for it tomorrow morning around 10:30 AM.

Decent Enough--CLiNT #8

CLiNT #8
Mark Millar's comic-magazine with the title that comes this close to looking like an offensive word has a new issue out (although I think some copies have a slightly different bottom ad as the one I have mentions "Who is Jake Ellis" maybe its a US-UK thing). There are comics in it, but are they good? There is editorial content, but we already know that is going to be horrible. Anyways, like an old wooden shed, lets break it down...

The Worst Video-Game Save-System Ever?

The new video-game, "Resident Evil: The Mercenaries 3D" has a method of game-saving so bad the company behind it has apologized. You see, for this game on the Nintendo 3DS you only get one save-slot, and you can not erase it or start-over, meaning once you start up the game and get going, you've got to keep going. This also pretty much ruins re-sale value meaning you can't be trading this game in. There is an easy way to fix this though according to video-game website Joystiq, throw the game in a fire. Ouch, harsh.

Movie Time--Transformers: Dark of The Moon

Transformers: Dark of The Moon
I saw the new Transformers movie in theaters. I have opinions.

Nicely Crafted--Detective Comics #878

Detective Comics #878
We have here a well-designed issue that wraps up the "Hungry City" story business whist keeping the over-arching plot of James Gordon going. Does this continue a trend of excellence on the comic? Let's find out...

Mark Trail, Certified Peeping Tom.

I was doing my usual wandering around the internet when unable to sleep one night and found this:

 
Mark Trail is hiding in the bushes, while a barely-dressed women (whose outfit changes from yellow to red, inexplicably) yells out the window at him--not to get away, but to politely inquire what he is doing. Were I a lady and some man were watching me through my window I would probably react the way the man in the 3rd panel does, screaming at him. That's just me, though.

Yeah, I'll try and do more posts and actually get reviews and thoughts up soon. I'm slacking today.

Epilogue To A Story That Isn't Finished--Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #11

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #11
Well, this is awkward. We have an issue taking place after "War Of The Green Lanterns" when the last issue of that hasn't come out yet due to delays. On the positive side this doesn't spoil anything because its sort of a generic story about Guy Gardner going home to earth for some, "R&R" and things of course not going as planned. It's still a bit uncomfortable to have the letters page open by asking if I'm, "exhaused after the epic," War of the Green Lanterns and then saying how, "Of course you're not!" Well, I can't say either way because it hasn't ended yet. I won't judge this comic based on that scheduling snafu though, I'm just going to rate this as its own thing....in which case it is barely above-average.

Film Friday Double Feature--Super 8 & Bad Teacher

Super 8 AND Bad Teacher
Over the past number of days I've seen two movies that have been out for awhile. One is an homage to Speilberg-styled films full of shocks, special effects, humor, action, and a bit of romance. The other is a foul-mouthed comedy that tries too hard. Guess which one I liked more based on those descriptions alone?

"Alpha Flight Soars" Or Some Other Terrible Pun To Indicate I Enjoyed #0.1 and #1

Alpha Flight #0.1 & #1
Wow, this was quite entertaining and I am glad I picked it up due to having heard good things even though I don't normally read Alpha Flight because only two of the characters interest me at all (I've always thought Sasquatch is cool, and I have a soft spot for Northstar when he is written well and not just as the token-homosexual character but instead the snarky wise-ass I enjoy. Maybe because I'm a snarky wise-ass). This was really good though, even more surprising considering this ties in to Fear Itself somewhat and that actually helps it make a good story instead of having it suck all the air out of the room.