A Bunch of Rant-Reviews on Great, Good, and Terrible Comics--Breathe it in, Sucka

Been awhile...

I was looking over the site and realized it has been awhile since I did my smaller rant-reviews/capsule reviews/whatever you want to call them. When I do those I'm not always snarky or attempt to be funny, but for fun's sake let's try to return to form.

Avengers #3

I like Hickman when he does the big-idea stories full of grandiose concepts. This series started with that but this issue illustrated clearly the big flaw Hickman suffers from--namely, ending the story terribly. "The Nightly News," is an absolute joy until those last few pages with the supposed, "big reveal," being just plain stupid. His Fantastic Four mega-story-line kind of whimpered out when Hickman stayed on the book after what should have been the concluding issue (should have stopped with #604 and not gone to #611 or whatever it was), His time doing the, "Ultimate Comic's Ultimates," started with a wonderfully surreal concept of a bubble-world and an evil Reed Richards before it ended with Tony Stark's brain cancer forming a friendly psychic child....really. I still love Hickman's, "S.H.I.E.L.D." comic because he cleverly has never had the last issue come out, thereby preventing me from insulting him for it (seriously, that thing has got to be at least 18 months late). Therefore Hickman yet again starts strong and ends this arc with a resounding, "What the fuck?" Apparently the aliens on Mars who murdered countless earthlings with bio-bombs are going to be allowed to just chill on that planet and create stuff as long as they promise to leave Earth alone now. Um, since when have the Avenger's let mass-murder slide? Even if some super-being makes everyone chill-out and think things are cool...just...wow. This third issue doesn't just falter at trying to, "Stick the landing," this thing lands so abruptly and terribly it should give reader whip-lash. Hopefully the next arc won't do the same thing, but I doubt it. Oh, and Jerome Opena is one of the best artist's around so at least these 3 issues stayed stellar art-wise the whole way through.

2.5 out of 5 stars.

Saga #9

Brian K Vaughn is just so damn good. Even some of the best comic writers out there can only dream of getting to drink his bathwater in hopes that Vaughn's sweat contains a modicum of his writing ability. The man writes such good stories and Saga is shaping up to be an amazing tale from what we've seen so far. Even this issue which breaks away from our main characters to focus on some secondary ones is fascinating and advances some plot points I honestly didn't expect to be resolved as quickly as they were, but that's Vaughn for you, always surprising the reader. Fiona Staples delivers amazing artwork to go with this too and frankly if you aren't reading this comic you're missing out. Drop one of the sucky comics you buy only out of a feeling of responsibility to whatever character they feature and pick this up instead.

5 out of 5 stars.

Batman #16

I really hope it is revealed that it isn't actually the Joker wearing that Joker flesh-mask. I say this because Scott Snyder has pretty much gone too far with the idea of the Joker being evil in this issue. Snyder has taken the Joker from an intriguing foil of Batman to just a weird psycho-monster who makes living flesh-paintings in a comic that reads more like torture-porn than a Batman comic. By making the Joker too inhuman he just can't be as interesting. When there is that hint of a shred of humanity within the Joker he is more interesting. Even at what could have been his most evil in, "The Killing Joke," Alan Moore had that quiet moment of humanity right at the end where the Joker himself admits its far too late to change for the better, he has just been too ruined by life. This issue of, "Batman," however, it just makes the Joker over-the-top evil to a point of obnoxiousness. Please, please have that not be the Joker or have there be some twist that it was all a test, dream, or simulation. I normally hate those kind of story, "cheats," but I'll let it slide this one time, just to save everyone's enjoyment of the Joker.

1.5 out of 5 stars.

X-Factor #250

How can there be a God? Seriously, how? In what world with a deity who isn't a total dick does someone as talented and cool as Peter David suffer a stroke while meanwhile Rob Liefeld gets to swim in money and attempt to sell a shitty screenplay about the early days of Image comics (which Abhay Khosla hilariously thinks would go like this)? You probably now see my point about how God either doesn't exist or is a huge jerk, and this example of yet another stellar comic by David illustrates my argument even further. I just hope Peter David recovers as best he can and continues to make awesome comics.

4.5 out of 5 stars.

Team 7 #4

This comic is better than that time I was trapped in an elevator with a rambling hobo and had to listen to his ideas for a comic series set before, "Watchmen." I later realized the hobo was in fact Dan Didio, and if I hadn't thought such a stupid idea were impossible I maybe could have saved us all. With that hindsight I also would probably have told the hobo/Didio to axe, "Team 7," before it ever could have existed. The reason is that the whole thing just feels so unnecessary--yes, this series started with some promise, but it has just gone down the drains. It's dull, written with awkward dialogue, and fails to make me care about any of the characters on the team other than for the fact that a bunch of them in the future of the DC Universe have important roles ("Team 7," takes place earlier-on in the DC Universe's 5-ish-years-of-heroes-being-around history). This is just a completely underwhelming book, but at least isn't so stupid as to be insulting...it's just stupid enough to be annoying.

2 out of 5 stars.

Caligula #2

David Lapham has arguably the most disturbed mind in comics when it comes to the things he thinks up. Murder, Mutilation, Violent Sex, and demonic body-parts are all shown in such graphic detail that while reading this in public I felt a need to look around and over my shoulder for fear that someone would view what I bought and think me a deranged monster. Fear of being ostracized for reading this comic aside however, it is a pretty good story. Just don't give it to any children or you will be having to go door-to-door anytime you move to inform your neighbors you're on a registry...and I don't mean bridal one.

3.5 out of 5 stars.

Deadpool #4

The first issue of this didn't overly impress me. The second issue failed to get me really, "sold," on this new Deadpool series too. Then the amazing third issue came out with its hints of meta-awareness, clever historical jokes about our dead Presidents (who have come back as zombies), and otherwise awesomeness. Thankfully, that trend of great quality has continued with this fourth issue which moves at such a rapid pace in killing the lesser known zombie-Presidents that it is sheer mayhem, but good mayhem. Plus, Deadpool fights former President Lincoln in a mixed martial-arts cage-match. What else could you want?

4.5 out of 5 stars.

Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt #5

This comic at once does things that are really fun and neat while simultaneously sometimes being teeth-grindingly hokey. I did my huge post about Peter Cannon some time ago and much of my points still stand, with the plot only thickening in some interesting ways while also getting sillier in others. Then that last-page reveal this issue makes me think things could be getting even more strange...whether for better or worse will be seen soon. I still think this is one of the best super-hero comics people are, "sleeping on," though.

4 out of 5 stars.

All New X-Men #6

I'm waiting, just waiting. Waiting for what, you may ask? I'm waiting for that point where Bendis will mess up writing a team book. When Brian Michael Bendis does a solo-tale such as his run on Daredevil it can be great stuff, but if I've said it once I've said it multiple times: The man can not do team books. When he first started up on New Avengers (his first run) it was okay, then got pretty subpar. Then his other Avenger's works and event books were so bad I just dropped the titles until this new run by the already-discussed Hickman. That is why I'm so surprised to see this series actually so far be good. The characters' stories are well-balanced, things are interesting, and...I'm waiting for it all to go wrong. Maybe things will stay good, but at the first sign of trouble I'm off this.

3.5 out of 5 stars.

There we go

If you had been missing my little-reviews you should now find yourself sated yet also regretting what you've spent your time doing. Sort of the same way I feel anytime I watch reality television.

Interview Time: Cullen Bunn

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Cullen Bunn at Project Comic-Con in St. Louis over the summer. He is known for creating the popular comic, "The Sixth Gun," and doing extensive work for Marvel on such projects as, "Wolverine," and, "Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe," along with current comics such as his writing on, "Venom," and the upcoming, "Fearless Defenders." Back during last Summer he said he would be happy to do an interview, and we recently did just that! We talked about his aforementioned works along with other past, present, and future comics he will be doing. Now for the interview itself:

Hello Mr. Bunn, I would like to thank you again for taking the time to do an interview. How was your holiday season?

The holidays were great! I pretty much took it easy, but those few days of relaxation have put me a little behind when it comes to work!

Let’s start by discussing what has to be one of the most bizarre comics I've read in some time, “Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe.” It seemed people either loved it or hated it (with myself enjoying it), and it sold quite well. Did you know it would get as strong a positive and negative reaction that it did?

I knew that it would be a different book than what most people were accustomed to… and that often tends to rub folks the wrong way. Going into the story, I wanted to present a version of Deadpool who was unlike anything readers had seen before. Did I know it would bother some people? Sure. Did I care? Not a bit. I told a story I thought would be interesting and fun and horrific at the same time. I had a few people who hated it, but the response was overwhelmingly positive… enough so that it warranted a sequel in DEADPOOL KILLUSTRATED.

It seemed the message of the book was that the thing holding Deadpool back from being a complete murderous psychopath was his thin grip on reality and a ever-so-slight concept of ethics. Once that is gone he becomes an unstoppable being of destruction. Do you personally feel that Deadpool works better as the reluctant hero or the villain—as he clearly was in this book?

Was he the villain? I mean, yeah, he was butchering everyone who stood in his path. But as far as he was concerned, they were nothing more than fictional constructs created as the playthings of sadistic “gods.” He thought he was doing them a favor!

Okay. He was the villain of the piece, obviously.

As for how he works best, I think it depends on the story. For DEADPOOL KILLS, I think it only works with him playing the Freddy Krueger/Jason Vorhees slasher role.

The fourth wall isn't just broken in "Deadpool Kills The Marvel Universe, its shattered to pieces.

Throughout, “Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe,” the fourth wall gets increasingly broken, up to the point Deadpool apparently is planning to kill the writer of his own comic, you. His character has always been one to break through the fourth wall, but what made you want to take it as far as you did?

I think that was the natural progression of the story. Deadpool was trying to destroy “the continuity” of the universe, and I needed to end the series in a big way. I think the idea of Deadpool trying to destroy the creators of the book came to me around the time I decided he would be trying to breach the Nexus of All Realities.

Deadpool Killustrated is coming out soon, it features Deadpool going into various famous works of literature and wreaking havoc. Is this is a direct sequel to, “Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe,” with him now killing the literary universe, and if so how did "you" avoid being slaughtered so as to write it?

What you’ll learn is that the “progenitors” have created a number of shadow universes as decoys. So, the version of Cullen Bunn who dies at the end of DEADPOOL KILLS was just one of many alternate Cullens.

Deadpool Killustrated sounds like an idea so silly it will either be amazing or terrible. What can you say to assure me and other readers it will be the former instead of the latter?

I don’t know that I can convince someone of the concept. It is what it is. Deadpool decides to slaughter the icons of classic literature. But, just as with DEADPOOL KILLS, there’s more to the story. And even though the concept sounds ridiculous, the series isn’t really played for belly laughs. There are funny moments, sure, but this is a dark book, and there are some really twisted, disturbing revelations awaiting.

Speaking of violent anti-heroes, I enjoyed your run on Wolverine. My favorite part was seeing Dr. Rot again and the rest of his family being introduced. What made you want to further elaborate on his character who until your arc had only been seen in his first appearance within the pages of, “Wolverine: Weapon X”?

The Rot storyline was not my first pitch, but for various reasons it was the one we went with for my first arc. I think it made a nice transition from what Jason Aaron, who created Dr. Rot, did to what I wanted to do. I’m a huge horror movie nut, so I wanted to expand Rot’s family, a la TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE or HOUSE OF 1,000 CORPSES.

Your time on the Wolverine series seemed to be cut short by Marvel NOW, but you actually will still be writing a version of Wolverine in the upcoming Ultimate mini-series about him and his son. Having written the “normal Wolverine,” and now writing the, “Ultimate Wolverine,” which do you find more enjoyable to scribe tales about?

I like them both. I’m a classic Wolverine fan and always will be. But the chance to write a “different” Wolverine, a character who is a little more “fresh” was pretty exciting for me.

 As Wolverine is actually deceased in the Ultimate Universe I imagine we will only see him in flashbacks, with the present-day story focusing on his son, Jimmy Hudson. Hudson is a relatively newer character and this is his first solo-book; what do you have planned to make him someone readers want to follow the exploits of?

Yes, you’ll be seeing two stories—one Logan’s, one Jimmy’s—that will be running parallel. Jimmy will be learning quite a bit about his father… and his mother. He’ll also be facing some tough challenges. He’ll have to change his approach if he hopes to survive.  In the end, this story will serve as the moment when Jimmy really becomes Wolverine rather than just being the son of Wolverine.

Let’s switch the topic to your independent work for a minute. I’m embarrassed to admit that I myself have not read, “The Sixth Gun.” I hear great things about it, but all I know is that it’s a comic with western and supernatural themes. I've also read some people think it fits comfortably into the genre of horror. Can you explain it to someone such as me who maybe has heard of it, but has not read it?

THE SIXTH GUN is an epic fantasy set in the Old West. It is the story of six cursed revolvers, each possessing a different terrible power. The most powerful of the six pistols vanished at the end of the Civil War, but it has now resurfaced in the hands of an innocent girl. There are horror elements, yeah, but it’s more of a swashbuckling adventure. I hear so many people tell me that they don’t like Westerns but they love this series.

Speaking of, “The Sixth Gun,” that is a creator-owned project, which is to say you (and I assume your artist Brian Hurtt) own the rights to it. You also are doing a lot of, “work-for-hire,” currently with Marvel. Do you prefer doing work that you own the rights to, or get more enjoyment from doing work-for-hire?

They are such different beasts. I love writing work-for-hire stories because these are the characters I grew up loving. I enjoy the idea of adding to that mythology. But there is something intensely satisfying about bringing your own stories to life.

You are currently writing the exploits of Venom. The latest issue [at the time of the interview] had him arriving in Philadelphia. What made you decide to have him “move” to that city?

Flash Thompson needed a change of pace, and Venom needed a chance to get out from under the shadow 

of every other hero who called New York home. I think it’s a great idea to see the Marvel heroes branch out a little. Philly made a lot of sense because it is a big city with its own personality. It’s also close enough to New York that Flash can visit his friends and family there when he needs to.

You co-wrote Venom with Rick Remender before taking over it solo. Since then, you've had multiple stories ranging from Venom dealing with a demon-issue, to being emotionally scarred since going into the Micro-Verse with Scarlet Spider and Carnage. It seems that between Remender’s run on the book and yours Venom keeps constantly being put through the wringer. Will Philadelphia be a nice break for the character, or will things just get worse for Flash Thompson?

Things are only going to get worse. He’s not in Philly long before Toxin shows up, followed by a new threat called the Symbiote Slayers.

You have a Marvel NOW book coming out titled, “Fearless Defenders.” It features an all-female team of various heroes such as Misty Knight and Valkyrie. What can you tell us about it and its upcoming stories? Will people need to have read the maxi-series, “The Fearless,” which ties into this in order to understand it?

This new series stands on its own. Reading FEAR ITSELF: THE FEARLESS might be a good primer, but it won’t be necessary at all. This is the story of Valkyrie trying to rebuild the ranks of the Shield Maidens from the women of Earth. There will be a ton of guest stars and a lot of crazy superheroic action.

Myself and other people have noticed that with Venom dating Valkyrie (as started in Secret Avengers and which has most recently been reflected in Venom #28 ) and he having his own book and her being a part of the Fearless Defenders it makes sense there could at some point be a cross-over, or we at least might see Venom appear in Fearless Defenders. Any comment on this speculation?

Yes, I think it’s safe to say there will be some crossover.

It was revealed that Dani Moonstar will be joining the team as of the 2nd issue. Will there be more additions to the team over time, and if so can you say whom?

The team will be growing over time. In the end, there will 9 core members. I will not, however, be revealing them all at once. The entire team will take a while to come together.

I’ve noticed you haven’t done work with DC, the other company of the, “big two,” besides Marvel. Do you have any interest in doing something for them at some point?

I actually did a 4-issue arc of SUPERMAN/BATMAN that I enjoyed working on. I’d certainly love to work on more DC characters at some point, but I’m pretty pleased with where I am right now.

For a number of issues you did, “Captain America And ____” with the blank being various characters. The book ended, but in an imaginary world where it had kept going what other characters would have you liked to have team-up with Cap? I have heard and spoken with you about your affinity for Gambit and how you would have loved to have him appear, but who else?

I had a number of characters I wanted to team with Cap. The list included Union Jack, Thor, Blackwulf, Ghost Rider, Morbius, Gambit, and many others.

You also write straight-up prose, having published a book of short stories in the horror genre. What other text-works would you like to embark on? A science-fiction tale, a romance novel?

I think I’m pretty set in my ways with prose right now. My first novel was a middle reader horror novel—CROOKED HILLS. I enjoy writing horror and I enjoy writing for that age group.

Do you have any upcoming projects you can give some hints about?

In March, Oni Press will be releasing HELHEIM, a horror series that I’ve described as BEOWULF meets FRANKENSTEIN. It’s a violent horror tale full of witches, undead, and demonic beasties.

Thanks again to Cullen Bunn!

Scattered Thoughts on JLA: Earth 2

I picked up a re-release of, "JLA: Earth 2," written by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Frank Quietly. I don't have a true review to offer so much as various random thoughts, observations, and opinions.


A world full of villains with a single hero in the form of Alexander Luthor is both a sad-sounding place and a fascinating one.

To balance out the scales of reality or whatever the Crime Syndicate of Amerika gets to go to the Justice League's world and cause a ton of havoc that we see the after-effects and clean-up of. Considering how these people look quite a bit like the Justice League wouldn't people kind of be freaked out that their heroes had turned on them, sort of in the same way people in the opposite-world had immense trouble believing these apparently-new-but-looking-just-like-the-Crime-Syndicate-folk were there to help? I guess the Justice League just was able to say, "Those were other versions of us," and everyone was cool with it.

I cracked a smile at the "normal" DC Universe's earth being termed, "Earth 2," because the other-world's Luthor thinks of ours as the, "other Universe," which is a clever twist on how things are usually the opposite way around. That's a bit of a meta-fictional reversal, right there.

It's a Earth where a lot of stuff is opposite, but not everything...some things are just strangely changed. I wouldn't let this bother me but Morrison tries to say how everything is in reverse--such as people's hearts being on the other side of their body or the UK having tried to gain independence from America in a clever switch--but then does things such as having Lois Lane be Superwoman (the evil Wonder Woman), or have there be no evil Aquaman (the lack of Martian Manhunter is addressed though), or how Owlman (the evil Batman) and Superwoman are hooking up...although now that Superman and Wonder Woman have a thing going as of later in 2012 I guess that is kind of the reverse and predicted what would happen.


Frank Quietly's art is always a pleasure to look at.

Seeing the evil-version of The Flash with his drug problem cracked me up knowing about the whole story of Green Arrow's side-kick Speedy developing a drug problem all those years ago (although really, wouldn't a nickname like, "Speedy," tip you off there could be an issue?), that was clever.

I think Batman was right in saying the Justice League had no business going to Luthor's dimension. "We're not an inter-dimensional police force," is a wise way of putting it. Still, because the majority of Justice Leaguers think its a good idea to help Batman goes along anyway...and probably feels vindicated to see things go horribly wrong.

I liked the idea that both both the heroes and their villainous counterparts found a earth where they couldn't, "win," due to it being just the way the world is.

The story moves along at a pretty brisk pace. In this era of comics being super-decompressed this is actually a story that I think might have been even better with a bit more space to breathe--make it a third longer and the characters could have been fleshed out more, perhaps.

In the end, this was an above-average story which is made even greater by the top-notch art. I know I said this wasn't really a review but I'm still going to rate this, and it gets a comfortable...

4 out of 5 stars.

Film Friday: Django Unchained

The Prelude AKA Don't Dance Around The Word and its History

NOTE: I spoil parts of the movie so you should maybe see it first if you don't want to know some of what happens.

There has been much written about, "Django Unchained," around the internet. There has been a lot of talk about it on television, and if you ask someone if they've seen a good movie lately odds are they will say they've seen either, "Django Unchained, or, "Les Miz," if they prefer musicals (both films are doing quite well at the box office so I'm pretty secure in thinking your theoretical friend has seen at least one). I've been bugged a by a fair amount of the writing and talking about, "Django," as I will call it for short, however. The reason is people are discussing pointless things that don't matter a bit.

Django is a film about racism, slavery, and violence. People are choosing to discuss idiotic things such as if the movie is somehow anti-white, racist, or if Quentin Tarantino enjoys having the use of, "The N-Word," too much in this movie. Okay, first off there were white folk who didn't think black people were inferior back in the 1800s, but most thought a black person was a subhuman, not a someone but a something. I myself do not ever use, "The N-Word," in my life. It is a hateful term with a history of misery and pain, but that is how people talked back then, and if in our reviews we refuse to face that fact or even say the word, "nigger," we are trying to brush over history. 

Yes, I just said the word, because while I would never use it in life if I'm talking about history or the word itself you are just coming off as someone afraid to face how in the past one group of people used that terrible word against another group of people in order to put them down, make them slaves, and otherwise treat other humans as if they were inhuman. David Brother's puts it best when he says, "Basically, if you are utterly incapable of saying the word nigger, you shouldn't be talking about the word nigger...We're adults right? Adults use words, understand the history of those words, and understand that painful words can be used in certain contexts without offense." This movie is about slavery, violence towards ones fellow man, and the word, "nigger." The very people playing racist characters felt uncomfortable with the language in the film, but knew it was needed, so they used it. They used it because they knew it was disingenuous to do otherwise.

If there is any word that when used against a whole population says to someone, "I think, 'these people,' are less than human," that word is nigger. "Kike," is the closet to being another word to debase a whole group, but doesn't really come close because it is barely used. Seriously, in all 24 years of my life having met some people who hate Jews I've never been called that world because its mostly forgotten. Yes, I've gotten, "Christ-killer," or been told I'm going to hell, but I've not been called, "kike." I will bet you any black person can tell you of at least one time they've been called nigger, however--and not in the "nice" way we hear in Hip-Hop with people saying they are trying to take back the word. "Django," is about the titular hero who fights against racism, slavery, and anyone who would dare call him nigger. You can't do a movie about the word without using it, so if you're going to talk about this movie, or that word's historical context, please be an adult and just say it. Plus, if you can't get past the fact that word is used extensively in, "Django," you'll miss an amazing flick.

The Review Itself AKA Damn, That Was a Great Movie

Django is an incredible movie. If I had any complaint it would be that perhaps it goes a little long at 2 hours and 40-ish minutes. There were various bits that could have been cut to, "trim the fat," of the film as it were, but by having so much in there the movie truly is an epic, so maybe it should run as long as it does.

When you're talking about the quality of the movie the absolute first thing you have to do is discuss how incredible everyone is in their acting. Christoph Waltz played an absolutely terrible person in the form of a Nazi in, "Inglorious Basterds," and here he plays one of the most caring and nice people possible as Django's friend and partner in bounty-hunting--while of course having the violent edge he needs to murder the various criminals they go up against. Jaime Foxx is one of the most talented men in existence because his standup is delightful, his music albums are stellar, and he is one of the best actors you could ask for when you need a character to be both vulnerable and gentle, yet harsh and tough. His expert range and depth is a sight to see on the, "silver screen." Samuel L Jackson is a hoot as someone you just hate with his conniving and plotting. Kerry Washington is superb as Django's wife too. The man who often steals scenes though is Leonardo Dicaprio.

Leonardo Dicaprio is amazing as the disgusting Calvin Candie

I used to hate Dicaprio. I saw, "Titanic," and thought he barely emoted and at most showed a glimmer of acting talent. Little did I know that with time the glimmer would become a bright and gorgeous shine of expertise. While Foxx may show the most range in, "Django," with his character going from a sad and broken man to an incredible force of vengeance, Leo cranks his intensity up to 11 and never lets down. Dicaprio plays a man who is just a terrible person, a monster, plain and simple. Dicaprio is just so mesmerizing as Calvin Candie however that while you loathe Candie, you also love Leo for playing him so well. 

Calvin Candie thinks he is an intellectual and southern gentleman. He thinks he has everything figured out in life. He, "knows," white people are superior to black people," due to their very bodily make-up. He says Django is that, "1 in 10,000," of slaves and former slaves, an, "Exceptional nigger." He feels Django is just that, an exception, while the white man is superior with his mansions, cotton farms, and supposed smarts. Candie is an abomination of a person, and seeing someone so terrible portrayed so damn amazingly just startles you. One can't help but feel disbelief that this man is admired by so many people despite being awful, because back then someone who thought like Candie was just as common as the cold. It's amazing acting on Dicaprio's part, and between him and everyone else this flick never fails to impress when it comes to watching actors practice their craft. How is the story though? Just plain great!

At its heart, "Django," is a love story. It's about one man who will do whatever it takes to get back the woman he loves--in this case that man is Django and that woman is his wife. So yes, this is a love story...that also happens to be a western, tale of the evils of slavery, and an impressively-done and quite violent action movie. There is a lot of blood in this movie, but the gore isn't meant to be fun so much as it is to be alarming. Guns aren't fetished in this movie as much as they are shown to be the destructive tools they actually are. 

Often in movies bullet-wounds are shown as little holes with a hint of blood. In real life that isn't the case, bullets are horribly destructive, ripping through flesh, breaking bones, and otherwise making a huge mess. Tarantino shows this because the man has never shied away from violence for both the reasons he likes his movies bloody and that he isn't going to ignore the brutality of mankind. We feel disgusted when Candie has his dogs maul a slave to death because Tarantino doesn't pan away from it, he wants us to see how terrible it is--hell, the vicious nature of that scene sticks with Waltz's character throughout the movie as we see later on his reflecting on it.

The Klan, shown to be the fools they are.

One thing that I haven't yet mentioned is that, "Django," is quite funny. Its not a comedy, but Tarantino knows that with a topic such as this if you aren't careful to make sure the audience is entertained you'll just have a huge downer of a movie lecturing to the audience. Therefore, he uses humor to prove points. When the Klan that wants to attack Django is shown debating whether to wear their hoods or not it illustrates these men are huge dullards who couldn't even cut the eye-holes in their hoods correctly. Its hilarious and imparts the truth behind how those in the Klan are just morons. Candie calmly announcing how they'll be, "white cake," in the parlor after screaming violent threats about bashing in the brains of Django's wife illustrates this is a man who thinks killing a slave is as casual an occurrence as having dessert--that's how abhorrent a man he is. "Django," is often quite serious, but it knows when to make the audience laugh, and often we laugh because otherwise we would probably cry, that's how uncomfortable and painful it is to look back at this depressing part of American history when it was thought to be normal for a person to treat another as property based on something as simple as their skin color.

The Conclusion AKA What Else Can You Call This Movie Besides A Masterpiece?

Tarantino has made many great films, but this is probably his best yet. It has his love of action and fondness for clever dialogue, but also is full of history, reflections on the evil humans are capable of, and otherwise is one of the best movies ever, plain and simple. This is the kind of movie you see and then tell all your friends to view so they can marvel at it too. Tarantino has made a film that doesn't shy away for the horrors of slavery. However, it also doesn't just make the audience feel sad. We get to see people fight against the terrors of that time, rise up against the word, "nigger," and not let evil win. Indeed, we see how there were people back then who weren't going to stand for the nightmare of slavery, and we get to have a really good time seeing all of this.

You should feel proud, Quentin, you made something amazing.

"Django Unchained," is one of those movies that is an instant classic; this is a film to be discussed for years by scholars who examine all of its symbolism and cultural impact, as well as talked about by movie-watching folk who enjoy fantastic movies. Those rare times when something just plain amazing comes along need to be treasured, so don't miss this film. This movie makes you uncomfortable, it makes you angry, but it also makes you think and laugh. "Django Unchained," is a masterpiece, and if you disagree with me and claim it isn't, fine...but you're wrong. See, "Django," if for some reason you haven't (I apologize for spoiling some things, but I warned you). You'll be glad you did, I guarantee it.

5 out of 5 stars.

Links, Because You Know You Want Them

You know what you need? Some links to various thought-pieces, news articles, and whatever else works towards my goal to keep you informed as well as entertained.

DC Editorial is kind of a mess right now, it seems.

It is depressing that it has taken this long for aid to the victims of Hurricane Sandy to finally start coming from the Federal Government. I don't get how people can be terrified that big-government is going to take over and rule them with an iron-fist when currently it takes forever to have congress pass a simple bill that helps people. Yeah, I don't think you need to panic too much about facism taking-over in America.

Someone emailed me about this interesting timeline in comic-form that they made. It is about all the times the world was predicted to be ending and of course did not. It's cute. Why not give it a quick read?

Oh yeah, this is just what we need, a bill to, "Regulate," video-games. That makes sense in light of all the tragic shooting deaths. No, let's ignore the issue of guns, let's try to make stupid laws that will get shot down anyway because the Supreme Court ruled video-games were protected speech just as much as movies or books. Those don't have regulation (Yes, movies have ratings but it is a voluntary system and not a legal one), and our games already come with ratings. This is just idiotic.

Lance Armstrong admitted to doping. Really, no one wins from this. People who believed in him feel insulted, those whom he persecuted for accusing him of using performance-enhancing drugs were attacked for telling the truth, his charity organization that has done so much good has this cloud hanging over it. Yeah, its just sad all around.

Fun fact: Rand Paul is an idiot.

Platinum Studios, their story is just getting sad.

David Brother's is one of my favorite writers on the internet. He has written some amazing stuff about Django Unchained with this post by him being my favorite. He also had an interesting article on how uncomfortable the current happenings are with the Kickstarter-funded comic, "Sullivan's Sluggers," and that Mark Andrew Smith is being kind of a dick. I liked, "Gladstone's School For World Conquerors," but might pass on this because I'd feel dirty buying it.

Rob Liefeld may have one of his ideas become a film, a really crazy one. I guess that makes sense because when people take his ideas and make them less terrible you get something like Brandon Graham's current work on, "Prophet."

Woo, a comic-convention war out here in the Mid-West!

I've wanted to start reading Hellboy and the other comics that take place in his universe, but with all the various books I had no clue what order to read things in. Sean T. Collins has made that fear dissipate with his handy Hellboy/B.P.R.D. reading order list.

If I may engage in a shameless plug, I can also be found on Nine Panel where I most recently submitted this review of, "New Avengers #2." Always remember if you feel you don't get enough of me I can be found there too.

I don't follow sports too much. Therefore, I had never heard of Manti Te'o until this utterly bizarre news story came out saying he may have made up his whole heart-touching story about knowing a girl with cancer. He claims he was tricked too, we shall learn the truth about this hoax in due time I imagine.

Something random: I haven't read Penny Arcade as much lately, for various reasons. That said, I sometimes still go back to this comic and it makes me smile for some inexplicable reason.

I sometimes wonder at what point American Idol became less about the contestants and more about the judges. I also wonder, "who still cares about American Idol enough to watch it?"

An interesting video-game came out a bit ago that seemed like it would be a standard military shooter...but then instead turned out to be an extremely dark meditation on the idea of war, violence, and how we can lose our humanity. That game had the simple title, "Spec Ops: The Line," and while I haven't played it I have read enough articles on it to where it feels like I have. One great article that describes a ton about the game can be found here. This game is quite the nice shift from the, "Yeah, let's fight evil terrorists because America is the best and can do no wrong," tone of the, "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare," games (which are admittedly fun but couldn't be better propaganda pieces for the United States if our government actually tried to make something like that).

Anytime J. Caleb Mozzocco does his, "reviews," of various Previews sections I get a good laugh. Read this post and see if you giggle too.

That's an interesting batch of stuff, eh? I leave with you this link to a story about how TLC is at it again, this time with their show, "Gypsy Sisters." Truly, this is a miraculous age we live in.

Thunderbolts Mini-Run Review AKA Why is Everyone So Negative About This New Series?

Thunderbolts #1-#3 Mini-Run Review

As part of "Marvel NOW," we have had a new Thunderbolts comic written by Daniel Way with art by Steve Dillon. The first issue got a decent-enough response from reviewers. My friends over at Nine Panel gave the series' debut a respectable 6 out of 9 panels in their review. We are now on issue three, and wow, the negativity has been overwhelming.

I'm no ray of sunshine, I declare my hate for a wide variety of comics, their characters, companies, writers, artists, printers, and anyone who was ever involved in any way, shape, or form with a Bluewater Press publication. That said, I find it odd this good comic is getting lambasted by so many people. When it comes to reviews for the latest issue, CBR maybe was the most positive with its review of 3 out of 5 stars. However, Comic Vine didn't like this comic much, Major Spoilers absolutely hated it, and even IGN which normally loves everything because they have no editorial freedom beyond, "Let's adore everything so companies like us, declared Thunderbolts to, "suck." What is the deal?

A cure for negativity? Not when its comic-reviewers we are talking about.  Trust me, I'm one of them.

Some say the book is trying too hard to be grim and gritty. Others say the characters are either too dull except for Deadpool, or good except for Deadpool who is too annoying (either way you can't win). I've heard smart-ass remarks that Marvel made a team entirely of characters who are Wolverine, in the sense they are tough and not afraid to kill. Some people just don't care for Steve Dillon's art. Fair enough to all of this, these thoughts are reasonable-enough opinions. One thing that I recall reading somewhere that I just couldn't stand however was the idea that this was a bad comic because the characters are all impossible to like. Well, yeah, that's the goal.

This team of Thunderbolts is made up of people who do bad things; the only reason they aren't evil themselves is that they only do their bad things to other terrible people. Deadpool is a mercenary who despite trying to act like a hero sometimes is a killing machine. Elektra is one of the most dangerous assassins alive. Frank Castle has killed more people than most of us will ever meet. The Red Hulk is General, "Thunderbolt," Ross and if you know his history with the original Green Hulk it is clear he lacks most niceties too. Flash Thompson as Venom is maybe the only person who is the least bit likeable as he is simply a soldier feeling he is doing a soldier's work, but everyone else is just a wretched person--but on purpose.

You aren't supposed to like these people, the whole point is to see that there is the thinnest of lines separating them from the people they kill. When the Punisher has rebels use a primate for target practice its supposed to disgust us and make us uncomfortable. When General Ross reveals he is using an ex super-villain as a pawn before planning to kill him, that is meant to make us squirm. These are people you wouldn't want to go near in your normal life, but if you're dealing with something even worse than them, well, you want this team of Thunderbolts helping.

I understand people don't like this comic being all dark, but the point is to show the sad fact that there are monsters that go unattended to by the big-name heroes because those lot are busy fighting cosmic wars or having super-battles among themselves. Those lesser evils such as a dictator of a country or his corrupt army can't be dealt with by the Avengers or Fantastic Four, they are needed to save another dimension or such. In the Marvel Universe for the smaller and uglier jobs you need the black-ops team of people who know how to follow orders, work together, and get their mission done even if in the process of doing so they lose their humanity...or at least let the team think this is case, even if we are the reader question just how ethical everything is.

The Thunderbolts are not heroes, at least not in this incarnation. They are killers, terrible people, and this comic is going to follow them down the rabbit-hole of how far they'll go in their crusade of thinking the ends justify the means. I've found these first three issues to be of a great quality and look forward to seeing where this series goes next, even if many other reviewers don't seem to be as eager as I am to read future issues.

Give this version of the Thunderbolts a chance even if some of the negative reviews have put you off picking this up. Just remember you aren't reading about heroes, you're reading about people who keep pushing the question of how much bad you can do in the pursuit of good--and who may not like the answer when they "push" too far. Keep all that in mind and you should enjoy this just fine.
4 out of 5 stars (for all three comics).

I Got This Comic Via Kickstarter--Retrovirus

At various points I have bought things on Kickstarter. I've basically stopped for now as I was spending way too much money on all the various projects that would get posted and looked neat. As I am a fan of comics, I of course have given money to intriguing comic projects before. Some things are super-independent and the copies I got were the only ones that were ever made. Other things were done in a way where you could go out and buy the comic now as it got funding through Kickstarter but was published on the scale of at least being purchasable on Amazon. Retrovirus is one of those comics.

I like Jimmy Palmiotti, and he and Justin Gray wrote this. The art was provided by an individual named Noberto Fernandez, with Amanda Conner supplying the gross-yet-cool cover. Conner is a gifted illustrator and Palmiotti is lucky to have her as his wife as I assume that means he doesn't have to pay her for her great work (of course, if he illustrates anything she were to write and he drew, it would mean she doesn't have to pay him, so its a two-way street, I suppose).

The insides of the book aren't as amazing as Amanda Conner's stuff, but still pretty good. Fernandez has done work for adult comics and it shows with the way he seems to have a tendency to pose our title's heroine, Zoe Wallace, in a suggestive manner. Although, when violence breaks out--and there is plenty of it--Fernandez illustrates that well too.

As for what the story is about, I won't spoil too much but will give you an outline. Basically Zoe Wallace is a gifted scientist who specializes in retroviruses, or viruses that insert themselves into the body's very own DNA strand, wreaking havoc (HIV/AIDS is the best known example). She is offered a job working on something top-secret for a big pharmaceutical company and upon accepting it learns there is a perfectly preserved caveman who has an ancient infection.

This would be great news except the scientists have all been exposed to the virus as it is airborne and screws up reproduction due to birth defects and infertility. This upsets Zoe whom we learn is in fact pregnant.

Therefore much effort is spent trying to find an antidote, the company everyone is working for has dark intentions, and some Caveman have been made too and they aren't very nice. They breakout, trouble ensues, and while the ending is happy a lot of visceral bloodshed happens first. All-in-all its a good time.

As I stated, I got this on Kickstarter. The main benefit to doing so is I got a PDF that makes it so I can read the comic on my computer or an iPad if I so desire. Also, the inside of the book has a snazzy signature by Jimmy Palmiotti, and I received a cool limited edition print also signed by Palmiotti, observe:

Plus, the, "thank-you," note from the creators gave me a warm, fuzzy feeling knowing I was helping people do projects they may not have otherwise been able to embark on due to costs and such.

I enjoyed this book, and the extra perks of supporting it through Kickstarter were great too. You can currently buy this at a comic shop or via Amazon (if you don't have a shop nearby, which would be sad) and it is well worth a read-through.

4 out of 5 stars.

Let's Talk Seriously About Guns and Gun-Control

Guns in America, An Emotional Subject
We've had tragedy after tragedy related to gun violence, with the horrible events in Connecticut making the issue one that can't be ignored. The problem is that no matter how many people die or get hurt due to gun violence, trying to control guns to any degree is something that just can't be discussed, for some reason. Well, finally it seems the idea is being discussed more with Vice President Biden due to submit proposals to President Obama to curb gun violence as of Tuesday at the latest. Just the thought of gun control stirs emotions though, so I'm going to stir some of those emotions right now with this post.

Gun control seems to be a touchy topic. You have those who want all guns banned except for those used by our military and law enforcement, and then you have folk like the NRA who think that if everyone had a gun the world would be a safer place. I'm somewhere in the mind-space that it is indeed a 2nd amendment right for someone to have a gun, but no one needs a huge automatic rifle such as an AR-15 in order to hunt or protect his/herself. When the founding fathers made our constitution they created an amazing document full of the intelligence and forethought that basically nothing has these days. They were genius men who had suffered under the tyranny of another nation and realized despite making a new free land there would be the risk that those in power would try to simply make America another dictatorship. Therefore, it made sense for people to own guns and rifles. That was the late 1700s however.

Nowadays, I am doubtful our government is secretly hoping to take away everyone's guns in order to create a, "New World Order,"  start genocide, or something else amazingly dumb I've heard people rambling inanely about. All the militias out there seem to feel differently along with the idiots who signed online petitions to secede from the United States because Obama got re-elected (that was the most stupid fad for a couple weeks ever). I also don't think a gun capable of piercing body-armor and firing off a 30-bullet clip in a matter of seconds is something needed for hunting or self-defense.

Oh yeah, it makes PERFECT sense for a random civilian to own one of these.

However, I also feel that just doing away with the 2nd amendment and completely banning guns is a bad idea because like it or not guns are a part of American culture. We were a nation born in violence and guns--the Revolutionary War--and we enjoy our hunting and feeling of security from a lethal weapon, no matter how true or false that sense of safety is.

What really agitates me however is the idea that all this gun violence can be blamed on something like violent movies or video-games. Watching people fake-die on your movie or television screen is nothing like someone in real life pulling the trigger against another human being. Playing a game where you shoot at people is nothing like the feeling of actually holding a gun, dealing with its weight, the recoil when you fire it, and the incredibly loud sound that is so stark it makes your ears ring if you aren't wearing proper auditory protection. A movie or game is soooooooo far removed from actually using a gun its absurd to think that violent-media is the sole problem behind our nation's gun-violence.

The NRA had a press conference where the organization made a total ass of itself saying that guns aren't the problem, we need more guns because, "The only thing stopping a bad guy with a gun is a good guy with a gun." To that statement I respond, why not just make it harder for the quote un quote, "bad guy," to get a gun? Better background checks, having guns registered, closing the gun-show loop, these are all things that could make gun violence even a bit less likely to occur.

The NRA, or "Not Registering Actuality."

One big factor that seems to not be getting enough discussion is how our nation needs to seriously do more about mental illness. A large amount of those in prison have a mental illness, and there often are so few options for the treatment of mental illness the only place people can get such care is within a prison. We like to ignore mental illness as it is a topic that makes us uncomfortable, but there are people out there who need help. Medicine, counseling, stopping a person who poses a clear threat to society before they act-out, all of these are things that better treatment for mental illness can provide.

I'm not offering any concrete ideas; I can't say what the exact solution is to dealing with the terrible number of deaths that occur within America every year due to gun violence. Looking seriously at our nation's gun-culture, failure at treating mental illness, and yes, even examining violent media too--all of these are things that should be done, together, not just alone. Let's see if anything good comes from all the tragedy, I hope so.

Television Tuesday--Thoughts On, "Sister Wives," "Best Funeral Ever," "Honey Boo Boo," and TLC in General

I heard a joke about how TLC was named ironically  After all, they call themselves, "The Learning Channel," but in reality may very well be making us stupid. How else to explain some of their programs and specials which seem to all be reality shows?

The Reasonably Useful Programs.

Polygamy, those who practice it can be normal folk.

We've got the ones that actually maybe, just maybe are teaching us something. "Sister Wives," has shown people that just because someone is a polygamist it doesn't mean they are insane and part of one of those cult-compounds. They can be just regular folk who identify as Mormons even though their own Mormon church tries to sweep them under the rug with little-to-no-respect.

An older woman with a younger man, how...shocking?

"Extreme Cougar Wives," was basically silly and served no purpose other than to have the shock-value of, "Hey, look at these older women who dig younger men!" but in some of the cases you could really tell the people loved each other and that we shouldn't judge a couple just because one is much older than the other. "My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding," was 90% stupidity and fighting, but I learned a teeny-tiny amount about gypsy culture and slang so I can't totally hate on it. Even, "Abby and Britanny," was useful in that it disproved the idea that living as conjoined twins was easy--which it was made out as if everyone thought that. However, we've got the shows that really are just...wow.

What Exactly Do I "Learn" From These Shows?
When I first saw the promo for, "Best Funeral Ever," go by while watching an episode of the aforementioned, "Sister Wives," and fast-forwarding through commercials. I said, "Wait, what the hell did I just see?" and rewound the DVR. What my girlfriend and I then thought was how this could be possible?Then we watched the special itself, and I am partially convinced that TLC is running a secret contest where one of their shows or specials is fake and whomever can spot which wins a prize. How else to explain a show with a BBQ themed funeral that featured the deceased's family dipping ribs in a literal fountain of barbecue sauce while the dead guy's slow-cooker style coffin sat nearby. I'm not joking:

You can't un-see this show.

Then there was the Christmas-style funeral and the one that consisted of the family enjoying a day at the fair with the deceased's ashes sitting with them on the rides. That last one actually isn't too weird, the man had suffered from spina bifida and loved carnivals but never got to ride the attractions, so that is kind of sweet. Still, nothing can explain the horror I felt at seeing professional mourners practicing for the funerals by screaming, shaking, and rolling around on the pews--no, just no.

I should hire this lady to cry at my funeral, it'll liven things up.

Then there is the television program I am embarrassed to admit I love as some think it signals the entire collapse of civilization. Yes, I'm talking about, "Honey Boo Boo."

Let's Discuss Honey Boo Boo! Why? Um....
For those of you who don't know, "Honey Boo Boo," is the nickname of one Alana Thompson, a child pageant star who has quite the family of characters. First seen on an episode of, "Toddlers and Tiaras," they got their own show which followed their adventures at the Redneck Games, having Christmas in July, and going to the, "mall," which is the popular name for the city dump. I couldn't make this up if you paid me to.

The Boo Boo Crew. I just coined that phrase and own it, don't rip it off.

The show has returned as of the most recent Sunday with a number of holiday specials that were kicked off by Halloween. This new season isn't as enjoyable as the old one because I think the show is a bit more self-aware at its absurdity, whereas that first season was done with an entirely straight face this one has a hint of winking, "Yes, we know you think we're stupid," humor, and I hate that. I hate it because I liked how real the "unreality," of this family was. They were self-declared hicks and rednecks who ate roadkill and went shopping at the city dump, but also paradoxically loved their gay uncle and saw nothing wrong with his orientation, whilst also endorsing Obama during the election season. A bunch of white southerners who fit every stereotype except for being close-minded? That's kind of touching in an extremely-weird way.

Now they are well-known celebrities however so they can't be the nondescript family they once were. "Sketti" is a household name (it is where you take spaghetti and mix it with butter and ketchup), and on numerous occasions I have heard the expression of someone who is successful, "Making Honey Boo Boo Money," because yes, they are paid pretty well for the show and could leave their house which is literally feet away from busy train-tracks. They aren't going to leave the house though, because they are America's ironic treasure. People watch them to feel better about themselves not realizing they understand we're mocking them, they just don't care because they are raking in the dough. People in other countries watch this and wonder how America can even function, not understanding this family doesn't so much represent America as it does America's deep-seated and self-loathing nature. We don't want to admit these people are a part of our country, but also can't stop staring at them as if they were a marvelous car-crash. That's why I was sad when I realized the family wasn't as real as I thought.

These people are "us" just as much as they aren't, and that's why I love them, or did. They are nearly mythological in their absurdity and seeming stupidity that few realize is actually them being dumb like a fox. They started out being their slightly-silly selves, but once the money started coming in they cranked the absurdity up to 11 because they were master actors at not letting us see they were in on the joke of us loving and hating them. As of the Halloween episode they've done their "tell" though. Whether it was the silly "re-enactment," of Pumpkin getting hurt or the joke-bits with Mayo showing the family clearly knows we are laughing at them and not with them, I don't know, but somehow I could tell that the magic of Honey Boo Boo was gone. The magic faded as soon as the fantasy of these people possibly being this crazy was revealed to be a, "Nah, we're just hamming it up because you're paying us so much," type of situation.

This family has more money now than you will ever dream of.

Now Honey Boo Boo is essentially a piece of performance art that everyone is a part of. People are watching the show to make fun of the family with the family knowing full well that is what's happening and happily obliging because they enjoy making money. TLC gets more and more advertisers and anytime someone makes a comment or internet post about Honey Boo Boo it just helps them whether the press is negative or positive. Yes, I am aware that as I'm making a post on this I'm now part of the problem that is the hype-machine of Honey Boo Boo. Still, this program has been both the highest and lowest point for a network that bills itself as, "The Learning Channel".

In Conclusion...Yeah, I've Got Nothing.
"What has been the point of this post?" is something you may be asking. To that I respond to you with my own question of what exactly is the point of, "Sister Wives," "Best Funeral Ever," "Honey Boo Boo," and the rest of TLC's shows? The point is to entertain, and possibly inform. Just like TLC I may have done the former but failed terribly at the latter. I guess we all just need to keep in mind that reality television often reflects only the most amped-up, twisted, and otherwise deformed versions of what we call, "reality." We often say we realize reality shows are mostly fake, but then get incredibly invested in them until someone like Alana Thompson is appearing on every talk show and television program possible.

Perhaps its all about how we like to look at things we consider different or weird, be it polygamists, older women with younger men, gypsies, conjoined twins, extravagant funerals, or southerners. The sad thing is these shows don't really teach us about these groups as much as it often makes them seem even more alien (with the exception of "Sister Wives" which actually achieves it and its family's goal of normalizing views on polygamy). What was the point of this post? Basically just to share my thoughts on TLC and its programs while hopefully keeping you entertained just as the channel has. Can we ask for much more? Probably, but no matter how much people say they want smart and sophisticated shows, "Honey Boo Boo," will still draw countless more viewers than, "Downton Abbey," so let's just shut up and enjoy some T.V. no matter how real or fake it is. We can cry about our country's culture tomorrow in a hangover-esque bout of mourning; tonight is all about fun, and isn't living for today no matter how terrible the results of tomorrow will be the true American way? Yes, sadly.

Just One More Quick Thought On The Now Mostly-Forgotten Tony Harris Controversy

Not too long ago I asked why men in the so-called, "geek culture," sometimes held negative views of females who were into comics, video-games, or anything else that made them, "geek girls." The whole debate seemed to kick off when Tony Harris made some comments that I would say were in poor taste, but no reason to boycott him forever or try to get him blacklisted from doing any comic work. Therefore, imagine my surprise that such movements have been bubbling away quietly. He has the right to his opinion just as much as anyone else in comics. If you were going to not read the comics of anyone who said things you didn't like, well, here's a quick list off the top of my head:

Chuck Dixon--You can't read his stuff if you hate Republicans, or Bill Willingham too.

Grant Morrison--You can't read his stuff if you are against vegetarianism,  hate the idea of banning animal testing for even life-saving medicines, or think the creators of Superman (Siegel and Schuster) were screwed-over by DC.

Alan Moore--You can't read his stuff if you hate Occupy Wall Street or don't care about creators' rights and bought Before Watchmen. Which speaking of which...

DC--You can't read them if you are a big supporter of creators' rights because they have screwed many people over, with Before Watchmen being a recent example.

Marvel--Jack Kirby and how Marvel treated him, if you think it was wrong you can't read them, 'nuff said.

Frank Miller--Pretty much anyone who is Muslim doesn't agree with Miller, and therefore wouldn't be able to read his stuff, no matter when it was made.

Rob Liefeld--Okay, I will admit I've said I don't want to read anything else written or drawn by him again. This isn't because of his views, however. It is the fact he has become an utterly terrible and mean person who has an art and writing style I didn't care for much in the first place.

Clearly, if you didn't read the comics of anyone who held a view you didn't like, your options would be very limited, or you'd have zero choices. There are creators who have said things much more iffy than Tony Harris, so let's not go bonkers.