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AICN COMICS REVIEWS: AVENGING SPIDER-MAN! ROAD TO PERDITION! SILVER STAR! LUNA: ORDER OF THE WEREWOLF! MONSTERVERSE'S FLESH & BLOOD! & MORE! Plus another AICN Podcast!
|Issue #32
|Release Date: 11/2/11
(Click title to go directly to the review)
Advance Review: FAMOUS MONSTERS PRESENTS LUNA: ORDER OF THE WEREWOLF #1
Advance Review: AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #1
Advance Review: SILVER STAR #1
Advance Review: RETURN TO PERDITION OGN
STARGAZER Vol. 1-2
AICN COMICS Podcast #2!
Advance Review: In stores today!
FAMOUS MONSTERS PRESENTS LUNA: ORDER OF THE WEREWOLF #1Writer: Mark L. Miller & Martin Fisher
Artist: Tim Rees
Publisher: Famous Monsters
Reviewer: Optimous Douche
Beyond certainty Mark L. Miller knows two things: comic books and horror. For years Miller has served tirelessly in the seemingly thankless position of editor of Ain't It Cool News Comics. I say seemingly thankless because eventually Miller was able to use this coveted pulpit to not only write even more articles for Ain't it Cool on the subject of horror in geek culture, but was also able to parlay his passion into the emcee role for horror panels at cons across America. The first bit of advice given to budding young writers is always "read, read, read." Miller has read and watched enough comic and horror material in his life to fill two brains, perhaps even three. So, when Miller takes off his review hat to conjure up his own comic creations, I always take notice. This life long experience ensures two outputs when you read a Miller comic: It will be structured in the purest fashion and to avoid boring himself to tears, his books always take fresh approach to some of comics (and horrors) most stalwart staples.
Miller's last title NANNY & HANK about two octogenarian vampires got my nether regions lukewarm. The only thing that stopped this tepid burning from turning into a four alarm fire was my utter loathing of the artistic style. LUNA however made me blaze all over from nether regions to top of head. LUNA takes the blood thirsty concept of werewolves and adds dashes of temperance, religion, devotion and the thing we all seek in life – redemption.
As an introductory issue, Miller and his co-writer Martin Fisher hit all bases. We learn the plight of werewolves through the eyes of their leader, Andres Sangre. As Sangre states, who he was before becoming a werewolf doesn't matter, what matters is the story of the furry abbey he and his brethren created to escape persecution from humans. Together they praise God and harvest fields to keep their minds from the slaughtering blood lust that consumes their very nature. This is what I mean when I say the writers are able to recreate the wheel. Traditionally violence begets more violence in these stories. To have a pack of bloodthirsty creatures not only turn their eye from wolf nature, but human nature as well was a twist that actually made me care about these creatures as characters rather than their traditional role as furry fodder for some do-gooding monster hunter.
There are actually no hunters at all in this first issue, wolf or man. Of course the lives about a bunch of God fearing werewolves could remain self-contained if Miller and Fisher were writing for the Christian Science Monitor, but LUNA is a story…a comic book… damn it. Without conflict all we would have had is a Davey and Goliath Sunday cartoon message about turning the other cheek.
To test the mettle of the wolf's vow to deny their nature, the book shifts focus to an expeditionary party looking to scale the summit of the mountain where the abbey has hid from humanity. I'm not sure which characters I liked more, the wolves or the expedition. The expedition is led by a man with more money than brains and as these types often tend to do; he continues to push the party higher up the mountain despite the creepy fucking abbey filled with werewolves at the top. The relationships between Richie Rich and his party are strange to say the least, but not out of place, the rich often tend to be weird. There are trysts and deceptions abound within the party, and again I applaud the writers on using scant page space to create fully realized characters.
What happens next is a non-stop action free-for-all. Blood spews as some wolves from the abbey deny their promise to Sangre's mission, but the real excitement comes when the party takes their bleeding members directly to the abbey's front door. This door kicking scene is also where the book ends, leaving an action based start for issue 2.
Again, Miller and Fisher put enough different twists in place to make care about a horror staple that I for one thought ruined by Hollywood over the past few years. Teaming up with artist Tim Rees was also a good choice on Miller's part. Rees has a good eye for action and a clear eye for human and wolf form. Did I see an area for improvement, well of course I did. I would caution Rees to make more of the wolves look like Beast from X-men and less like upright dogs, or if some must look like dogs for the sake of caste or pecking order in the abbey, I would ask that Rees not be afraid to take liberty with the actual musculature of a wolf's face. There were too many scenes where the wolves' emotions were shown with just an open mouth. This doesn't work for me, sure my Golden retriever can only go between happy and sad with his face, but I realize he has a brain capacity that is never going to be bogged down by complex emotion. If you are going to put animals through an anamorphic transformation, go all out. Friction only needs to mirror reality to be successful.
Optimous has successfully blackmailed fellow @$$Hole BottleImp into being his artist on Average Joe. Look for Imp's forced labor on Optimous brain child in mid-2011 from COM.X. Friend Optimous on FaceBook to get Average Joe updates and because ceiling cat says it's the right thing to do.
SWAMP THING #3Writer: Scott Snyder
Artists: Yanick Paquette & Victor Ibanez
Publisher: DC Comics
Reviewed by Humphrey Lee
It really is one of those cliché things to say about a writer but Scott Snyder, whomever he may really be, has come out of nowhere to be a guy who I'm finding to be one of the most consistent scribes in the business right now. Between taking a genre I was pretty sure I was done with – Vampires – and showing me I could stand some more (ala how THE WALKING DEAD showed me I could come to love zombie stuff again) and then just writing a wide array of material that is all of a good to great level of quality, the man has the goods. SWAMP THING, I'm going to say, is probably his best work though (but I'm biased in that regard) and one of the easy standouts of the DC New 52.
When it comes to Snyder horror seems to be the name of the game and horror is what you (should) get when you enter DC's bayou to visit Doctor Holland. Anyone that thinks of the character and his mossy counterpart should be bringing to mind Alan Moore's pretty much epic run on the character and the pretty bloody and revolting tales within. And Snyder is doing his damned best to channel that essence, with it's own license of course as now the man has been removed from the beast, a big retrograde but an understandable one. Though that plot line takes mostly a back seat to the big plot thread to be brought to a head here in this issue, one that oozes that dread and revulsion that set the tone of that storied Moore run.
This issues is all about the Arcanes, more specifically, an unknown Arcane that (surprise) may be the doom of humanity. As Alec Holland comes to be introduced to the Swamp Thing's former love, Abigail, at the business end of a shotgun, her forgotten half-brother, William, rears his head to show he may be as disgustingly powerful/evil as their father. And it all comes down in that tradition set forth by more, with a child put in extreme circumstances, which is eventually slowly corrupted by demented forces. Those forces then compel him to, y'know, horrifically abuse some pretty abusive children that were set on doing some even more nasty things to him after talking to some dead things and realizing it was all a good idea. Now he's set to do all that and then some to the world and sis and the spiritual tether of her former, uh, swamp-toy have to stop him.
Right now everything here is fantastic, as far as I'm concerned. The first two issues may have taken a little time to warm up to this point, but it was worth the wait. Tone is key with this subject matter and Snyder has really brought it with "The Rot" and how it has been slowly and ravenously unleashed on the world, waiting to be channeled by William. And the Alec/Abigail setup, inevitable as one would imagine it had to be, should be an interesting dynamic considering the history there and the circumstances around Alec's revival and what that means for the Swamp Thing. All of this and it's packaged with artistic styling's to match, with some gory cutaways and panel flow that incorporates some gruesome imagery, from both ends of the art duties as they are split this time around.
Overall it's a great package that is both reverent to one of my favorite (and in opinion best) runs of all time but is still pretty accessible to the uninitiated. At the end of the day, it's just good comics, and good horror comics at that, perfectly fitting Snyder's strengths. It's rare that I go straight to fluffing up the writer like I did to open this but, like I said, the man's got the goods and is shaping up to be a "household name" (whatever that means when it comes to comic books) for good reason. Hopefully so is this title as it proudly represents his strengths and is a heralded throwback to some of the best times in all of comics history.
Humphrey Lee has been an avid comic book reader going on fifteen years now and a contributor to Ain't It Cool comics for quite a few as well. In fact, reading comics is about all he does in his free time and where all the money from his day job wages goes to - funding his comic book habit so he can talk about them to you, our loyal readers (lucky you). He's a bit of a social networking whore, so you can find him all over the Interwebs on sites like Twitter, The MySpaces, Facebookand a blog where he also mostly talks about comics with his free time because he hasn't the slightest semblance of a life. Sad but true, and he gladly encourages you to add, read, and comment as you will.
Advance Review: In stores today!
AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #1Writer: Zeb Wells
Artist: Joe Madureira
Colorist: Ferran Daniel
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Reviewer: Johnny Destructo
I hate extraneous titles that are there simply to grab the cash out of my hands. Conversely, I love Spider-Man, a character they put in titles that he doesn't need to be in simply to grab the cash out of my hands. He's in ASM every month. He's in FF. He's in ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN, he's in NEW AVENGERS, and now, he's in yet another title: AVENGING SPIDER-MAN. I really, really, really wanted to hate this book solely on principle. "Another Spidey title? And now's he's…AVENGING? Really?" Yes, I know he's an AVENGer, but still, it just sounds more like a 90's PUNISHER title then a happy-go-lucky Spidey book. And Joe Mad? Sure, he's wicked talented and shone bright over a decade ago, but his glorious return to comics back in Ultimates 3 was a muddy mess. Oh, and it also stars The Rulk. Yay. Nothing about this interested me. Until I read it.
Andsweetholyhell Ican'twaitforissue2! Yes, despite my lame preconceived notions, this issue really pulled me in. It's action-packed, it's funny and charming like a Spidey book should be, and is exquisitely illustrated by Joe Mad. Seriously, it's ridiculous how beautiful this book is. It gave me an eye-rection. Whatever coloring issues bogged down the ULTIMATES 3 series…they are no longer a concern. This is a vibrant book filled with bright, eye-slapping colors. It's a joy to look at. Even my usual distaste for inkless pencils doesn't apply here. Mad's pencils are sketchy, yes, but only when it's appropriate. His outlines are so crisp, it almost looks inked.
Granted, this appears to be a MARVEL TEAM-UP type book, which, if more recent attempts are any indication, means it probably won't last long, but hot-diggity-damn it's off to a great start. This issue has the Arachnerd teaming up with the Red Hulk (why? simply because Spidey needed a lift back to NYC) only to find that the city is being over-run by panicked, yellow Moloids. What are the 'Loids there for? I don't want to spoil anything, but it's not exactly what you think. (I was actually sort of wondering how much this series ties into other recent Marvel books, since Green Hulk - Grulk? has been hanging with some Moloids over in his title, but thankfully, it appears to exist on it's own).
If you like Spidey but are hesitant to buy yet another Spidey title, give this a shot. You won't be disappointed.
JD can be found hosting the PopTards Podcast, drawing a weekly webcomic, discussing movies, comics and other flimflam over at www.poptardsgo.com, graphically designing/illustrating for a living, and Booking his Face off over here. Follow his twitter @poptardsgo. His talkback name is PopTard_JD.
OUR LOVE IS REAL OGNWriter: Sam Humphries
Artist: Steven Sanders
Publisher: Image Comics
Reviewer: KletusCasady
This comic book is…fucking weird, I mean really weird. I mean that in a good way. Not much can really prepare you for what happens in this comic. Your brain isn't going to exit your skull through the rear after reading this but you will be left with that "What the fuck…did I just read," look on your face. I don't even know where to start…I'm…really at a loss of words…maybe I shouldn't have chosen this to review but here goes.
This book follows what appears to be some sort of cop in the near future trying to stop vegisexual rioters (yep I said it) by beating their jaws off then he meets someone who flips his life upside down. I had no idea what to think about this comic when it came in but on the back it had a glowing review from the awesome Jason Aaron and a description on the back that read, "FILE UNDER: SCI FI/ OMG/ WTF." I'd say that's pretty damn accurate. I can't really go into any more details without spoiling the fun but this comic is great and I love when I come across something like this that is so fucking left field that I'm just left smiling from sheer 'what the fuckness'. The page that starts with "Something was bothering me," with Jok and his companion is awesomely funny. The art is great and looks a lot like Ryan Bodenhiem who did the art for the IMAGE comic HALCYON. It's not quite as good but the people look very similar, plus the main character looks like Glen Danzig…and who doesn't like Danzig? Commies that's who! This comic is interesting because within this ultra bizarre story, it touches upon issues that are very prevalent in our society without beating you in the face with it. There are elements of what's going on in Wall Street, gay marriage, prejudice, love and it's all melted down into one of the most entertaining weirdest stories I've read this year and possibly ever.
This comic is a lot of fun, I found myself grinning through the whole thing, and then I found myself wondering…how the hell did he think of this?!? A fever dream?!?! Drug induced hallucination?!?! What ever it is Mr. Humphries keep at and I will be picking up your future works. If you're looking for a great mind fuck comic with good art, this is it.
Advance Review: In stores today!
SILVER STAR #1Writers: Jai Nitz (story & script) & Alex Ross (story & art direction)
Art: Johnny Desjardins
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Reviewer: Ambush Bug
This is my first leap into Dynamite's new KIRBY: GENESIS characters that Alex Ross dusted off and put a new sheen to. Writer Jai Nitz is along for the ride with what I imagine is most of the scripting here and as far as introductory issues, this is one that is really well done.
Nitz chooses an interesting structure to hang this story to by peppering in letters from various former Presidents through the ages in between explosive battles and depictions of Silver Star's array of powers. Each of these vignettes carry a lot of sardonic wit as well as potent power in true Kirby style with cosmic crackle and oozing through every panel. The story follows this all powerful walking nuclear bomb as he fights the US's enemies through the ages (reminiscent of the Captain Atom character in DC, but does so with a fresh narrative sense and a humanity the current version of the character doesn't possess). Silver Star is called in for an assignment and seems to finally have had enough of being a government weapon. Though this isn't a totally original moral dilemma, it's handled with a mature and talented hand here.
Some folks would think that's enough action for one book, but Nitz adds another battle with a giant octopus just in case you didn't get enough action in the first half of the book. This fight scene and all of the pages prior are done with wide-eyed glee by artist Johnny Desjardins. Though Desjardins shines in the scenes with plenty of 'splosions, his quieter moments seem a bit over inked. Still, Desjardins offers up a feast for the eyes for living up to the stamp of Kirby Kwality on the Kover…I mean, cover.
It's refreshing to see a comic like this. It's reminiscent of Kirby's hayday when imaginations ran wild and the limits were only found when you ran out of ink in your pen. SILVER STAR captures the wonder of an old school Kirby comic and honors the creators' characters.
Ambush Bug is Mark L. Miller, original @$$Hole / wordslinger / reviewer / co-editor of AICN Comics for over nine years. Mark is also a regular writer for FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND and will be releasing FAMOUS MONSTERS first ever comic book miniseries LUNA in October (co-written by Martin Fisher with art by Tim Rees) You can pre-order it here! Support a Bug by checking out his comics (click on the covers to purchase)!
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AVENGERS #18Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Art: Daniel Acuna
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Reviewer: Henry Higgins is My Homeboy
FEAR ITSELF is done, and as is tradition with events, there is a reconstruction issue , dealing with the Avengers post "insert random event here". It goes the traditional route of rounding out the new team, while also establishing the general mood of the upcoming stories. A fairly well done effort, it establishes a good future threat while playing to the differing Avengers rapports.
Writing: (3/5) The interplay between the various Avengers is fun and fast, never dwelling too long on any specific Avenger. The jumps between Tony/Cap, Ben, and Ms. Marvel/Spider-Woman are fun, and quickly lay out the relationships that a number of the team will play up later. On the other hand, some of the characization is inconsistent with past portrayals (I'm looking at Wong), which isn't unheard of in Bendis stories.
Bendis continues the trend of connecting the various events in surprising ways, this time utilizing a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent who decides to hold onto various DNA samples of heroes from the stories. It's a familiar story beat, but it remains to be seen whether Bendis can portray it. His take on some of the villains presented have, in the past, been well done. This could easily fall through though. It's a beat setting up a tired story, and I'm anxious to see if Bendis can do give a unique take on it. But he has surprised with worse ideas before.
The book really only stands out in it's role in connecting the past stories further, and doesn't feature much. It's mostly a filler issue, and it shows.
Art: (4/5) The art this issue is at it's best when working with Bendis's set up. Acuna is tremendous when showing off the past events. He gives a fantastic air to the general events of the past, and offers a surprisingly epic look at them. Goliath's corpse, circa Civil War, gives the reader a real sense of just how massive these events can be. It's something quite a few of the main event books can lack, but Acuna is perfect when showing off a stand by POV.
His more inconsistent field are the smaller character moments. While sometimes (namely the comical Carol/Jessica conversation) is great looking. But other faces seem bland and interchangeable. It's a bit odd, and detracts from the general feel of the issue.
Best Moment: Bendis is consistently entertaining with his favorite characters, and as such, we get a fun scene between Jessica and Carol.
Worst Moment: I miss real Wong.
Overall: (4/5) A solid (if forgettable) filler issue.
Advance Review: In stores today!
RETURN TO PERDITION HC OGNWriter: Max Allan Collins
Artist: Terry Beatty
Publisher: DC Vertigo
Reviewer: Optimous Douche
Each year when the cold snap plagues the east coast I dig into my DVD archives to settle in for the long winter ahead. I start off my hibernation by watching my very favorite Mafia movies of yore. Nothing eclectic just the standards like "Godfather," "Goodfellas," "Casino," and "Sopranos." This year as I was beginning my nesting procedures I was granted a diversion from sameness by the Mafia Fairy with a new treat — RETURN TO PERDITION the graphic novel, the latest and apparently final chapter in the saga of the O'Sullivan family.
I consider myself one of the unwashed troglodytes when it comes to PERDITION. Just like your neighbor who doesn't read comics, my only exposure to the PERDITION saga before now was the movie that made Tom Hanks and Paul Newman household names (/sarcasm). While I enjoyed the depression era crime drama about a mafia hit-man trying to protect his son from his masters, I'm not such a comic purist that I had to imbibe the story in pulp once I knew the plot. This is a mistake I plan to rectify after reading Collins' tantalizing closing chapter set in 1970's Hollywood (and of course Perdition, Kansas). Collins effectively gave me the Mafioso fix I was looking for, as the Grandson of the original O'Sullivan proves that Harry Chapin knew his shit when he wrote "Cat in the Cradle."
As the name implies, PERDITION is about inescapable damnation no matter how many mea culpas you throw towards J.C. And there are HUGE religious undertones throughout RETURN TO PERDITION, the biggest of which I really don't want to mention since it's one of the best surprises of the book. Just know that no matter how many times the O' Sullivan clan (who become the Satariano's after the events of ROAD TO PERDITION) try to redeem themselves they can never become clean of the past.
Revenge is a dish best served cold. But really it should be a dish never served if one wants to truly end a conflict. After the events of ROAD TO PERDITION, Michael O'Sullivan Jr. gets a new name and a new lease on life as a WWII war hero during the prose novels ROAD TO PURGATORY and ROAD TO PARADISE. Revenge and pride mix into a Santorum froth and rain shit storms on Satariano's life as he goes after the gangsters that hunted him and his Father so many years ago.
Even though the brunt of RETURN TO PERDITION belongs to Michael Satariano Jr., the son of Michael O'Sullivan Jr, this is really the father's story and how his sins have now cascaded like a waterfall to drown any chance his son might have at happiness. Even though Satariano Jr. becomes a POW Vietnam hero, even though he was never exposed to his Grandfather's gang of Midwestern goons, even though Michael has aspirations of a quite life, forces and powers beyond his control get him caught in his Father's web. Michael is truly a puppet throughout this story. Sure the God strings of fate send him towards perdition, but he is also the literal marionette of the US Government, where graft and corruption run rampant in the witness protection program that gave his family their new name.
His family is told he was killed in action and Michael is told that his family was killed during his time as a POW. With no family or friends, he willingly becomes Uncle Sam's sniper taking out one Mafioso or another in the name of a better America. These hits culminate to one "last" assignment, unfortunately this one can't be done at a distance and Michael must become close to the mark to avoid any civilian casualties. During his time with his mark, M.A.C. takes us on a real behind the scenes tour of Hollywood and gangsters in the 70s. As the mark tries to get a film produced about the glory days of the mob, we learn why the government really wants this man snuffed out. Here is where M.A.C. deftly combines fact and fiction to give a palpable taste to the conspiracy theories about a mafia run government that spans from the Bay of Pigs to the killing of the Kennedy brothers. It's made of the same conspiracy theory goodness that gets me to watch JFK every damn time it airs on AMC. Also during this time Michael falls in love with the mark's niece. Like all mafia love interests, the dame is the least interesting part. Especially in this case! While every mafia story needs some sex and to show how the evil deeds of men affect those they love, all I got from this character was sex. Michael wanted to leave the US hit squad before he met the girl; she was merely the icing on the cake. It was a love story that didn't need to be, but it did give artist Beatty the chance to draw some tasteful love scenes to show her talents beyond splats and bludgeoning.
Michael kills the Mafioso movie producer, but not how you would see it coming. Actually the whole end of the book is a cacophony of unexpected moments that lead him quite logically back to the town of Perdition. While Michael is sent to Perdition by his government handler for one last kill, here is where the strings that have tugged at Michael's life become expose.
Again, I'm not going to ruin the ending, it's a surprise that even a man that calls himself Douche can't bear to spoil.
RETURN TO PERDITION was the finest end to a crime saga I have ever witnessed. Leagues above Goodfellas' absolution of Henry Hill and since Godfather III was about as entertaining as watching a monkey shit on my face, I won't even sully this fine work with the comparison.
As I said, I never read PERDITION, but by the end of this closing chapter the emotional weight delivered by M.A.C. made me feel as though I had been on the entire journey.
LOOSE ENDS #3Writer: Jason Latour
Artist: Chris Brunner
Publisher: 12 Gauge Comics
Reviewer: Lyzard
Do you know what the advantage of reading bad comics is? When you do come across comics of quality, they seem even better. It has been awhile between my reading of LOOSE ENDS #2 and this newest book. I decided I'd try to read the third issue without referring back to the old, just to see how well the series has been sticking with me. I was happy to find that I did not need much reminding to follow the story and characters.
In LOOSE ENDS #3, Sonny and Cheri Sanchez have finally arrived in Miami to rendezvous with Sonny's buddy, Rej. However, Sonny plans on meeting up with Rej without knowing his friends involvement with Flynn. While Sonny and Cheri go deeper down the rabbit hole, we get a flashback to Rej and Sonny's days in the Middle East, where their wheeling and dealing takes a heavy toll.
Where LOOSE ENDS #2 increased the violence, issue #3 gives us much more drug use. The artwork shows off a drug trip well… not that I would know what that looks like. What I mean by that is that the drawings and coloring make it clear just how out of control Sonny and Cheri get when under the influence. Also, though this issue doesn't increase the violence from the previous book, there is plenty of it come the climax of issue #3.
Another aspect of the comic I really enjoyed was the references to the previous books. Writer Jason Latour is tying in previous elements quite well, with some revelations that illuminate past events while others reveal how the past still haunts our characters. But this is not done just by Latour. Artist Chris Brunner also creates visual references to previous events, which are much more subtle than the expositional dialogue a lazier team of comic book creators would have gone for.
Usually at this point within a series, nearing the conclusion, I worry that the story can't be tied together neatly enough. However, we have all our eggs in one basket, with every character we have met (who is still alive) together in South Beach. This, along with how much story so far has been fit in each 28-page issue, leaves me with a sense of trust that this won't be a hurried or rushed conclusion.
LOOSE ENDS has always been gritty, about showing the underbelly of life. I expect no less from the finale of the series. This isn't a comic I plan on walking away from feeling good about life. In an odd way, I hope that I finish reading LOOSE ENDS #4 and desire to take a shower.
Lyzard is actually Lyz Reblin, a senior screenwriting major with an English minor at Chapman University. Along with writing for AICN, she has been published twice on the subject of vampire films.
MONSTERVERSE: FLESH & BLOOD #1Writer: Robert Tinnell
Art: Neil D. Vokes (back-up by Bob Hall)
Publisher: Monsterverse
Reviewer: Ambush Bug
Monsterverse is at it again. First they dazzle with an anthology which give a deep low hug to all things classical horror with BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE, and now they offer classic horror fans another treat with FLESH & BLOOD #1. Anyone familiar with Hammer films should put this book on your "Must buy and devour list."
Utilizing some of Hammer Horror's most famous and infamous characters, FLESH & BLOOD #1 tells the story of a young Dr. Van Helsing who is smitten with Laura Horst. This would be hunkey dorey if not for the villainous vamp Carnilla who has her beady eyes set on the fair damsel herself. Toss in Count Dracula and Victor Frankenstein and Laura's uncle who happens to be a werewolf and you have a regular Monster Mash that fills that classical monster jones in this horror freak.
Writer Robert Tinnell never lets things become too convoluted and campy. The characters all have rich histories in both literature and cinema and he mixes them all together like a literary alchemist resulting in pure gold. Characters bounce off of one another in a sensible and fun way. This first book seems to be just the tip of the iceberg of an epic confrontation between these characters. I especially love the way this story is set in between the story of Frankenstein and Dracula's classic literary tales with Victor being locked in a young Van Helsing's asylum. Though a young Van Helsing may not have been the stuff of great storytelling in Hugh Jackman's turn with the character, here it feels much more natural with Van Helsing just developing his hatred for all things vampy. It's a cool little untold origin tale for this character.
It took me a bit to get used to Neil Vokes art. Not because it is bad in any way. In fact, Vokes seems to be able to draw just about anything. It's just that his cartoony style isn't the first thing I'd think of when I'd think of an illustrated untold tale echoing from the Halls of Hammer. But as the story went on, Vokes craftsmanship shines through.
No self respecting horror fan should miss FLESH AND BLOOD. It's got vampires, lesbians, werewolves, bats, wolves, monster hunters, monks, and oozes every inch of the panel with gothic atmosphere. Once again, Monsterverse has whittled together something special. Don't miss FLESH & BLOOD #1 in stores now!
FEAR ITSELF 7.1: CAPTAIN AMERICAWriter: Ed Brubaker
Artist: Butch Guice
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Reviewer: KletusCasady
This comic is another great example of MARVEL being to follow up a somewhat 'meh' event with something awesome. SECRET INVASION I consider 'meh' but what came after specifically DARK AVENGERS and the developments that spun out of that were in my opinion pretty cool. CIVIL WAR wasn't a big fan of but some of the things it lead to DEATH OF CAPTAIN AMERICA being the first to come to mind (even though Bru was killin' it all the way through) but what I'm saying is I love you Ed Brubaker...no well yes…y'know…but MARVEL has good follow ups and this is one of 'em.
I've said my peace a few times about how Bucky got the shit end of the 'hero must die in an event' stick, and how he deserved better blah blah blah… SPOILERSPOILERSPOILER. I think he might be getting what he deserves. This series captured that missing emotion from the scene in FEAR ITSELF #6 or whatever it was way back in what August. This issue picks up from the moment Bucky is taken out and from there it's just great fuckin' espionage style development. Exactly the way something should go if Nick Fury is involved. This issue's got great fights and great emotional moments. And a damn good set up for…weeeellll, I don't want spoil it too bad but I guess you probably know or will know soon.
FUCK! Just when I thought I had my comic budget under control (I'm now buying twice a week to pretend I'm not buying as much) there comes something I feel like I have to have. Now as much as I love Brubaker…this story could have easily been told in issue #1 of that thing that I'm not telling what it is. But maybe if someone was just reading the FEAR ITSELF stuff and the tie-ins, having this with the FEAR ITSELF banner may entice them to check out this new thing. The story is good and I love it that there this thing that the main characters know that the rest of them don't …hah how's that…the story is tense and I look forward to see where this goes.
The art here is great and Brubaker seems like only works with artists who operate in a certain tone and it works great here. If you're not familiar with Butch Guice (he's been around for a while) his art is similar to Doug Brathwaite but the inks seem a little heavier here. He also did the run of CAPTAIN AMERICA (Bucky) with Zemo, most recently.
I'm on board with what Bru and Butch are doing here and I think the new turn is going to be cool. Think secret agent/ revenge/ Nick Fury/ retribution/ intelligence agency/ running from the law running from everyone/ double cross/ yatta yatta and you'll be close.
STARGAZER VOLUMES 1-2Writer & Artist: Von Allan
Publisher: Von Allan Studio
Reviewer: Optimous Douche
"Oh very young what will you leave us this time" – Cat Stevens
Innocence…something we can't buy and once lost never regain (outside of head wounds and memory loss of course). It's also treasure and trash - coveted by adults and discarded by children as they thrust themselves headfirst into adulthood.
I jump at reviewing children's graphic novels for two reasons: One, I think it's important that people keep producing comics for kids. Two, I selfishly want to regain my own innocence lost even if it's only for a short time.
STARGAZER gave me the same cathartic release from my from my jaded cynicism as my yearly rereads that take me back to Hogwarts, or through a wardrobe, or across a bridge to Tarabithia. While all of these are journeys to strange realms, the true meaning of the books, the thing that makes them classics and let's them appeal to both children and adults is the central theme of crossing over from make-believe into the harsh cruelty that is adulthood.
I had grave concerns when Allan first approached me about covering STARGAZER. Could a middle-age man write not only in the authentic voice of children, but also children of the opposite gender? The answer is yes, but with a caveat. Marnie, Sophie and Elora, seem to have a bit more soul and depth than the kids I see running around like maniacs in front of my house. Now, part of this is because they are girls and as we all know girls always mature faster than boys. The other half of this soulfulness though, is that Allan chose to give these girls hefty totes of emotional baggage. Read any psychological study and you will learn that kids that have to shoulder great tragedy at a young age grow up infinitely faster than their emotionally cloistered counterparts. So it makes perfect sense that our central character Marnie would be ahead of the emotional curve with a Mother battling depression and a nut less wonder of a Father who buries his head in the sand about his wife's affliction. It also makes perfect sense that Marnie wouldn't associate with just anyone in school. There are major trust issues that come from living in emotionally strained households and the bonds of friendship seem to be forged from much stronger material than the kids that grow-up in fantasy lands.
Now if Marnie's cloud wasn't dark enough, the central catalyst for STARGAZER'S story is the loss of Marnie's Grandmother. Actually this is exactly how the book opens…within a few short pages we understand that Marnie is now truly alone. Allan conveys this sadness with simple, yet effective pictures and words. Honestly, these pages were all I needed to dub STARGAZER an emotional success. Not a successful story, but certainly an impactful short vignette.
Marnie is left a magical device by her Grandmother. Don't ask me what the hell it is, I can't tell you. Not that I won't tell you, I mean I literally can't tell you. No one, not Marnie, her Grandmother (when she was alive) or Marnie's friends can identify this "artifact." Marnie and her Grandmother would use their fantastic imaginations to turn the device into an assortment of objects as they played make-believe, but at the end of the day it was simply a back packing looking thing with four holes in it.
Please keep in mind I'm truncating events of the book. All in all the two volumes of STARGAZER clock in at a hefty 200 + pages. What I describe as mere moments are truly emotionally wrought scenes when read inside the book. My lame description of the mystical backpack is so much more vivid within the pages of STARGAZER as Marnie takes her friends through old photo albums of her and her Grandmother playing with the object together.
Ultimately this object serves as a transportation device to whisk Marnie and her friends away from their mundane suburban existence to a world unlike any other. A world comprised of a skyline with multiple moons, a world where the seasons change overnight, a world of pure imagination.
I won't do Allan a disservice by describing this world; suffice to say he always kept the characters true to form. If boys were faced with a mute robot I have no doubt that the first instinct would be to beat it with a stick until it talked. The gentler sex though, chooses the strange approach of treating the creature with love and trying to truly understand it. Likewise when faced with a monster that reminded me of a Mad-Ball, boys would posture and try to one-up one another. Girls actually work together and emotionally support one another in times of turmoil. Together the girls go on a physical journey through this world, but the emotional journey as they leave childhood behind is what's most engaging.
Allan is an accomplished writer; he captures the essence of coming-of-age without ever blatantly slapping the reader across the face with it. One place I would like to see him grow though is in his artistic style. He portrays images very well with his simplistic style, not once did I ever go "what the fuck was that?" However, with the deep emotions he tried to convey with the three girls their faces did not always match up. I know the human form, especially the subtlety of facial expression is an artist's greatest challenge, but in a book with such emotional levels as STARGAZER there were moments when the facial expressions Allan has perfected just didn't quite gel. This is something an adult focuses on though; it's a subtlety children would give a lick about. And at the end of the day STARGAZER was written for children and I can't recommend it enough for the most overlooked demographic out there.
Looks for more of the Holes rambling about comics on Poptards in future AICN COMICS columns!
Proofs, co-edits & common sense provided by Sleazy G
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Readers Talkbackcomments powered by Disqus
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Nov. 9, 2011, 9:14 a.m. CST
Fear Itself 7.1
by NightArrows
While I think Fear Itself as a whole, was a failure, I liked this issue quite a bit. I'm not a huge fan of Bucky, I did think his "death" in Fear Itself was handled sloppily. This issue was full of the emotion those events lacked, and I really liked seeing Steve beat the shit out of Fury, only to have Fury retort with a couple of great lines. I'm still annoyed that I'm actually READING the "point" issues after the big ball of bullshit that was the finale to Fear...
Nov. 9, 2011, 9:15 a.m. CST
You would post this now...
by 3774
....when I'm leaving the country for 2 days, and won't be able to post. I'll try to take a break from Skyrim friday to take issue with something. Don't worry!
Nov. 9, 2011, 9:19 a.m. CST
by 3774
Nov. 9, 2011, 9:43 a.m. CST
ugh that 7.1 review...
by KLETUS_CASSIDY
damn i sent the complete wring file in for that 7.1 review...ugh...i'm an idiot. i swear the finished product wasn't that bad. dammit!!!!
Nov. 9, 2011, 9:54 a.m. CST
You should've reviewed Shame Itself
by rev_skarekroe
It was pretty funny.
Nov. 9, 2011, 10:07 a.m. CST
Um, Cap
by CreamCheeseAlchemist
You do realize you're posing outside Anarky's HQ, right?
Nov. 9, 2011, 10:25 a.m. CST
Actually, we thought about reviewing SHAME ITSELF
by Poptard_JD
But only two of us read it, I think...Me and Douche, and I thought it was lacking the funny. Glad you liked it though, I just expected to laugh at least once since it was written by The Daily Show writers. Instead of actual laughs I did a lot of "oh, that's cute. I get it."
Nov. 9, 2011, 10:26 a.m. CST
@Pink: I have to wait 2 whole days for you to call me a misogynist???
by Poptard_JD
Can't you just do it right now, really quick before you leave??? The waiting is going to kill me! >(o)< (obligatory trademarked JohnnyDestructo "nipple-pinch" emoticon)
Nov. 9, 2011, 10:34 a.m. CST
Well, some of it was funnier than other bits
by rev_skarekroe
Hunan Torch was lame. But the crossover/event guide was excellent.
Nov. 9, 2011, 10:58 a.m. CST
Shame Itself
by optimous_douche
Chuckled - no big guffaws but quite a few titters.
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:12 a.m. CST
by Joenathan
I love the fact that he draws Cap with the old flip of hair. That's awesome.
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:13 a.m. CST
Point One
by Laserhead
Ugh. Nova now looks like Mega-Man; a big-head anime-style character with the body of a 12 year old. Also... OMG... the phoenix is back! Yawn, snort.
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:13 a.m. CST
Shame Itself...
by maxwell's hammer
...wasn't super-amazing or anything, but it was worth the cover price for the Explanation of How to Build a Comic Event. I thought that was pretty damned funny, and I can't believe Marvel let them include it...
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:18 a.m. CST
Shame Itself
by Joenathan
That's because comic parodies ala Scary Movie are never actually funny. It's either that Mad Magazine "Here's ALUMINUM MAN! BWAHA!" type of shit or the "hey, remember this?" type where they just re-do famous, only stupid, or the age-old, worn out, beat to death type of jokes that outsiders love because they think they're the first to ever make it. Kind of like Garth Ennis and his Batman is gay fetish. Thumbs down
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:19 a.m. CST
Shame Itself - Marvel's Balls
by optimous_douche
Are humungous in my opinion for publishing this. Whether you think it's funny or not, you have to give Marvel props for recognizing when an event flops.
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:23 a.m. CST
Walking Dead
by Joenathan
I think my dislike for the boring TV show is affecting my reading of the book. It all feels like wheel-spinning, go-nowhere, bombastic hearfelt speeches over and over again and nothing else. Andrea and Rick make out... big deal.
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:25 a.m. CST
Agreed joen on Walking Dead
by optimous_douche
We are entering prison territory. So what lesson does this teach us? There's a reason this is called the Walking Dead and not the Domesticated Dead.
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:25 a.m. CST
by Rustle
You're podcast is auto playing in chrome with no way to disable it. Super annoying. As I recall this was a problem last week too. Please no more podcasts till you fix this. Or make it a link to another page.
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:26 a.m. CST
hear you on walking dead...
by Laserhead
I'm kind of off Kirkman. The guy has like three story tropes he just seems to repeat over and over.
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:29 a.m. CST
The prison
by Joenathan
I bet they end Season 2 with the first sight of the prison, which means, what? THREE more episodes of them all kind of slowly walking in circles making speeches about God and forgiveness and standing together... ugh. Is the book this bland and somehow it doesn't seem that way because it's a comic? Kind of like how Frank Miller's dialogue reads fine, but when you hear it in a movie it sounds retarded.
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:32 a.m. CST
by Poptard_JD
You only have one web browser on your computer? Did you try googling it? http://www.google.com/support/forum/p/Chrome/thread?tid=31c76ac321f6a72e&hl=en And sorry, but we are definitely going to keep doing the podcasts despite the one or two people who are having problems with the one browser. Let us know if you are still having problems after googling it, or using another web browser.
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:33 a.m. CST
Walking Dead
by optimous_douche
No, the next three should heat up as they piss off the farm owner and he tries to get rid of the Domesticated Dead. You're probably right on though about season three.
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:35 a.m. CST
Rustle again:
by Poptard_JD
haha, sorry but telling us to stop creating free content just because you are having browser trouble is like someone saying "Hey television stations, I only have a black and white television, so stop making your shows in color!" >(o)<
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:36 a.m. CST
Walking Dead
by Poptard_JD
I'm about 2 episodes behind, but I love that show! Are the last 2 episodes that bad?
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:36 a.m. CST
I stopped reading Invincible again
by Joenathan
Right after the Conquest story. Not because it was bad, more because I trade wait, but then I'm never in a hurry for more trades, so that kind of tells me something. It used to be that I thought Invincible and Walking Dead were great and didn't like the rest of Kirkman's stuff and now... I'm beginning to wonder if I'm done with him too. He's just so ham-fisted and melodramatic. I don't know. Plus, I've noticed no one on here has talked about either book in what? Months, right? A year, even maybe? Right? How's Invincible been lately?
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:37 a.m. CST
Ultimate Spidey #4 Review
by Poptard_JD
I didn't review it in time for this article last night, but I reviewed it today, in case anyone is interested: http://www.poptardsgo.com/?p=2852
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:37 a.m. CST
My Invincible Malaise
by optimous_douche
I can't abide chubby chasers....
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:38 a.m. CST
I still consistantly LOVE Invincible.
by Poptard_JD
Though I certainly understand waiting for the trade. Some shit just went down in the last issue..Invincible seems to be making some changes to how he's going about things and people are NOT pleased.
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:39 a.m. CST
Walking Dead - JD
by optimous_douche
It's not bad, but it is heavy heavy on monologing. Personally I like that stuff, but I fully understand those that would be bored by it.
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:40 a.m. CST
by Joenathan
I find the show terrible. I mean, the pilot was great, but the rest of the season got worse each episode and season two... it's had moments, but mostly it's boring or goes nowhere and some of the characters might as well not even exist. There's so much wasted screen time. I find it funny that the two best characters (Shane and Daryl) aren't even supposed to be there. And Lori? Ugh. She's the worst.
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:41 a.m. CST
Douche - Invincible
by Joenathan
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:41 a.m. CST
Meh, to each our own, JoeNathan
by Poptard_JD
I have no problem with a slow build, as long as I'm interested. On another note, I've been blowing through the entire 4 seasons of BREAKING BAD. Now THAT is a fun show!
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:44 a.m. CST
by Joenathan
That's 100% Kirkman, I was actually prepared for that. He does that all the time. The last issue was almost all monologues, but in the show? Oh my God! And is it me, or does every conversation happen twice? That's not what gets me, what gets me is how long they do something. They're STILL looking for Sophia! FOUR EPISODES and that's STILL the main thing! I'm a fan of decompression and story arc development, but come on, let's have some forward motion.
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:47 a.m. CST
Breaking Bad
by Joenathan
I think the Walking Dead's writers are trying to understand how to make complex characters by watching that show (which is great). Walter's blue meth had a brief appearance in the second episode? I think it was... And of course, Shane shaved his head after making that one decision, signifying his "badness", just like Walter too. So, be on the lookout for more Breaking Bad-isms. Although, in this last episode, with his head shaved and wearing those coveralls? Shane looked like a mentally handicap giant. PRetty funny
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:48 a.m. CST
They're STILL looking for Sophia? Oi.
by Poptard_JD
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:51 a.m. CST
I can! If you don't act like a pig wallowing in shit.
by 3774
Buh-zing. And keep your nipple-pinchy fingers to yourself. One shudders at the idea of where they may have been. See ya in 2 days.
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:52 a.m. CST
by Joenathan
She got lost right next to a highway! How far could she have ran! She's ten!
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:52 a.m. CST
Hey Glen Also Popped His Cherry
by optimous_douche
Just sayin'...there was some dickin' to break up the talkin'
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:53 a.m. CST
Oh, and one last thing.
by 3774
The Walking Dead is a fantastic show. Whenever someone talks about how 'awful' they think it is, I instantly hear the Charlie Brown parent sound of Wah wah, wah wah-wah-wah wah and walk away.
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:54 a.m. CST
Wonder Woman
by Joenathan
Hey, I finally read the first two issues and they were pretty good. Great art. Engaging storyline, so far. I'm interested. Color me shocked. So, I am now picking up Batman, Action, Wonder Woman, and maybe Red Hood and JLA.
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:55 a.m. CST
by Joenathan
And a generous bit of side boob, too. The TV Maggie is pretty cute
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:56 a.m. CST
Skip JLA
by optimous_douche
And go with JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK.
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:56 a.m. CST
The Walking Dead TV show is terrible
by Joenathan
Terrible. Terrible. Terrible. Has she walked away yet?
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:59 a.m. CST
Justice League Dark
by Joenathan
I tried the first issue and it didn't grab me like I was kind of hoping it would. I'll thumb issue #2, but it's pretty unlikely. I'll probably pick up Fraction's Defenders though...
Nov. 9, 2011, 12:02 p.m. CST
Marvel vs. DC
by Joenathan
Here's something I like about Marvel. Whenever DC creates or recreates a team, like Teen Titans for instance, at least half of the team is taken up by these brand new, really stupid, horriblly designed nonsense characters, where as the new teams at marvel will just use already established characters, maybe a few that aren't in as much circulation, but all characters you know, so there isn't this clutter of bad ideas all over. I like new creations, but I think it should feel more inspired, not just add-on, fill-in ideas.
Nov. 9, 2011, 12:11 p.m. CST
by KLETUS_CASSIDY
agreed. i think MARVEL works with what is has good or bad & DC is always trying to reinvent shit, a lot of times when it doesn't need to.
Nov. 9, 2011, 12:25 p.m. CST
What The?
by Hedgehog000
Anyone remember this parody comic series from Marvel. A lot of it was junk but some of it was inspired, especially when John Byrne parodied his own version of Superman/Lex Luthor. Lex explaining to Loki why Clark Kent can't possibly be Superman in spite of a mountain of evidence - "If that were true, it would mean that Superman is nicer than us." Loki - "Egad, you're right." Walks off abandoning villanous plot.
Nov. 9, 2011, 12:27 p.m. CST
by Hedgehog000
I think they've hit upon something in this version. I especially liked that we may finally eliminate the clay baby origin. Giving WW a bunch of dysfunctional relatives would go along way toward humanizing her even if the relatives are hardly human.
Nov. 9, 2011, 12:29 p.m. CST
by Hedgehog000
Hey, I haven't watched the latest on demand so stop talking about it. I agree that it's been circling a bit but I still find it interesting.
Nov. 9, 2011, 12:36 p.m. CST
Walking Dead
by Joenathan
I don't hate it, I just think it's lucky it's the only zombie show on TV, because it's just so... meh and it doesn't have to be. So, I'm starting to wonder, is the comic the same and it's just not as noticeable in comic format?
Nov. 9, 2011, 12:37 p.m. CST
I think you're right on WW
by Joenathan
I think the girl, if she sticks around, is going to help alot with that too.
Nov. 9, 2011, 12:45 p.m. CST
Cool podcast, guys. Pretty incisive stuff. American Vampire just keeps getting better and better. Good luck with the Bondage Fairies, JD...
by scrote
Nov. 9, 2011, 1:32 p.m. CST
did the autoplaying podcast
by mynamesdan
scare the shit out of anyone else?
Nov. 9, 2011, 1:35 p.m. CST
walking dead is just as navel-gazing on paper
by mynamesdan
but you forgive it because you set the pace when you're reading. On TV i wish they could mimic that slow burning pace, but they're shit at it, so you just end up wishing they'd hurry up and get to the zombies. and the zombies are also shit. I just couldn't care less about walking dead if it wasn't for the fact that it's probably finally proven why PREACHER will never be serialised on film. dammit.
Nov. 9, 2011, 1:39 p.m. CST
by Joenathan
I always thought it was: Ma-TAL(like "pal")-O
Nov. 9, 2011, 1:41 p.m. CST
yeah, Ma-TAL-O is how I say it..!
by Poptard_JD
these guys don't know how to pronounce!
Nov. 9, 2011, 1:44 p.m. CST
by Joenathan
Nov. 9, 2011, 1:47 p.m. CST
by optimous_douche
Again, how you say it reminds me of some kind of foreign spread for bread. Met-alo forevah!
Nov. 9, 2011, 1:52 p.m. CST
by Joenathan
Like Cheerios? No way.
Nov. 9, 2011, 1:53 p.m. CST
so much agreeing with JoeNathan
by Homer Sexual
Yes, the new WW is good. I have liked her on and off, and JMS was the worst on her (had to drop that run). Red Hood is also good, and Action rocks. Though I do think Batman is boring and JLA is awful. I recommend Animal Man and Swamp Thing. Love them both. BTW, Nancy Collins had an excellent run on Swampy as well as Moore. Batwoman is good, and Suicide Squad is getting better. Also, I agree that Walking Dead is a horrible, horrible show. So tedious. So poorly cast (except for Rick and Shane) so mediocrely acted (by everyone). Nothing ever happens. Compare it to American Horror Story, where so much happens every episode, one episode is like a season of Walking Dead. The book has its ups and downs but what makes the book work is that it moves so fast. The collections take like half an hour to read the whole collection, and since so much happens, I can get past the dumb stuff. But even the book, as trade 15 approaches, is getting old. And the comment about Andrea and Rick making out makes me think the book has also run out of ideas. Maybe its time to wrap it up? Oh, another book I love, to my surprise: X-23.
Nov. 9, 2011, 1:53 p.m. CST
Anybody else think that in 2012, the Marvel Universe--
by Laserhead
--will see the Phoenix force wipe-out and recreate all existence, giving Marvel a reboot of sixty or so #1 issues?
Nov. 9, 2011, 2:15 p.m. CST
Red hood being so friggin entertaining
by gooseud
Is one of the biggest upsets in comics history. Also, I agree, jl dark falls squarely under the "This should be really good....yet actually, it isn't good at all" catagory
Nov. 9, 2011, 2:16 p.m. CST
Distinctly possible
by Joenathan
since DC has such a success with it, but more likely: Just Jean Grey will come back...
Nov. 9, 2011, 2:16 p.m. CST
New 52 biggest missed opportunity
by gooseud
Is not giving Morrison a book writing the character he was born to write, the most underrated and underutilized character in comics history......I speak of course of Captain Marvel
Nov. 9, 2011, 2:19 p.m. CST
Nah, it'll be more--
by Laserhead
Action, reaction... Even if the DC sales taper off steadily, it's been so wildly successful as a sales tool, corporate strategy demands they replicate it. It'll be more than Jean Grey coming back, I think. Maybe all current new series will get six issues for one trade collection, then reboot or cancel with the Marvel 'New 66' or whatever.
Nov. 9, 2011, 2:20 p.m. CST
There was a Shazam reference somewhere...
by Joenathan
The back of Justice League #2, maybe? A mention of reports that people are claiming they're being kidnapped by a wizard or something like that, so... keep hoping. I love him on Young Justice the TV show
Nov. 9, 2011, 2:22 p.m. CST
Red Hood
by Joenathan
I thought the first issue was a little clunky and a little too nerd-fantasy gross, but I liked the art. And issue #2? It was much more interesting and fun, so I'm gonna get #3
Nov. 9, 2011, 2:25 p.m. CST
You're not wrong
by Joenathan
There is definitely a possibility that Marvel will do it because DC scored so big. The only thing that might get in the way (or might make it more possible) is the movies.
Nov. 9, 2011, 2:59 p.m. CST
My favorite What The...? comic:
by rev_skarekroe
Thor decides he needs a haircut for some reason. So he goes to the barbershop and they give him the Marvel cut where it's pointy on either side and he's like "What did you do to me!?" and the barber is Space Phantom and he says "None of my other customers complain!" and the other customers are Wolverine, Starfox, Quicksilver, and The Owl. So he goes to another barber shop and it's all bald characters inside. Anyway, it's funnier when you see the actual strip.
Nov. 9, 2011, 3:31 p.m. CST
by David Cloverfield
The modern man can get really upset over nothing, because this makes me feel true murderous rage. God save me from real problems.
Nov. 9, 2011, 6:40 p.m. CST
Chrome Podcast Butthurt
by optimous_douche
Think I identified the autoplay issue for next week's podcast so no one will have to sprain their index fingers anymore hitting pause.
Nov. 9, 2011, 7:47 p.m. CST
Bill Keane R.I.P.
by deelzbub
Nov. 9, 2011, 8:32 p.m. CST
Avenging Spiderman
by NightArrows
Holy SHIT what a great read! I've been away from Spiderman for many, many years. I've dodged all the horrible clone bullshit, the Spiderlegs stuff, Aunt May as Peter's mom, all of it. THIS issue had everything I loved about Spiderman. Joe Madureira's art is fucking incredible, it's beautiful, it's exciting, it's simply awesome. And having perused Liefeld's latest piece of shit on the shelf tonight at the comic shop, and having now just finished Avenging...I'm gobsmacked at the fact that Liefeld still gets work. The book was funny as hell, action packed and drew me right in. And goddamn J. Jonah was pitch perfect, especially the bit about the real bullets for the starter pistol. Consider me in for the long haul on this one if this keeps up.
Nov. 9, 2011, 8:41 p.m. CST
Oh and
by NightArrows
I loved Wolverine and the X-Men. Much more so than Scott the douche and his over-rated X-Men (that line about the Avengers stuck in my craw. Thor could mop the floor with the X-Team almost by his lonesome). I'll stick with that one because I'm interested in seeing where Sinister takes things. Wolverine and the X-Men had great art, was funny and pretty damn cool to see a new start to everything. I hope it continues as well as it's started.
Nov. 9, 2011, 9:57 p.m. CST
Auto-play podcast
by JonQuixote
That's a pretty shitty customer response from poptard - "don't like this super loud and impossible to shut-off podcast that auto-opens when you click our link? Use a different browser for this one single page that you visit once or twice a week." Can't pause it, can't mute it, can't shut it off in Chrome settings. It's really annoying, and if the response really is "fuck you, I don't care and I can't be arsed to try to figure it out"... well, damn.
Nov. 9, 2011, 10:19 p.m. CST
Wolvy Xmen blew Cyke Xmen off the page
by gooseud
You cant even compare those 2 books in quality, Cyclops Xmen was the same old pretentious, blowhard, taking itself way way wayyyyyyy too seriously Xmen I've grown to dislike over the years. Wolverine Xmen actually seemed like something kind of new, different, and fun.
Nov. 9, 2011, 10:21 p.m. CST
Oh, and by the way, about Xforce
by gooseud
I really didnt like that book at first until something clicked........its a parody. Its a joke. Once I realized that its supposed to be a parody of the over the top, self serious, self conscious, pretentious patented Claremont Xmen style, then I started loving it. You just have to get the joke.
Nov. 9, 2011, 10:28 p.m. CST
Nice job on the podcast a**holes
by KCViking
Wish it ran on Tuesdays so I wouldn't have to make a second trip to the LCS AGAIN!! Good to know that I don't have to wait for trades to catch up on American Vampire and can jump right in with the last couple issues.Enjoyed the hell out of trade #1.
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:02 p.m. CST
by Joenathan
Bitches will bitch, huh? Bitches will bitch...
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:48 p.m. CST
jonquixote : That's what you got from my response?
by Poptard_JD
Did you miss the part where I linked him to a way to fix his problem? Did you also miss the part where he requested that we STOP doing the podcast because he can't be "arsed" to make one click to open a new browser? Also: "customer response?" Doesn't that imply payment? Shit, I didn't know I was getting paid to do all this, I thought I was doing it for free for you to complain about. ;)
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:52 p.m. CST
Also: "can't mute"
by Poptard_JD
Is my computer the only one with volume settings? ;) ;) For you two single-browser, no-volume-setting-computer users who are having problems, it's being looked into, like was said earlier. Realize that I'm just poking fun here, but it does get tired that every non-issue is an issue with certain people. We REALLY do appreciate all the very positive feedback otherwise though, guys! It makes all the hours worthwhile!! :)
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:53 p.m. CST
joenathan: yes they will, sir. sadly.
by Poptard_JD
Nov. 9, 2011, 11:55 p.m. CST
kcviking: posting the podcast earlier
by Poptard_JD
Just so you know, we record the shows on sunday nights and I generally post the show either on Monday or Tues over at poptardsgo.com, depending on how much editing is needed for our ramblings!
Nov. 10, 2011, 12:12 a.m. CST
Lynx users...
by MattAdler
Sorry for the pictures.
Nov. 10, 2011, 12:14 a.m. CST
Joenathan: Red Hood!
by Poptard_JD
What did I tell you, son? SOO good. I'm surprised that I can't wait till number 3. #1 sucked. #2 was awesome. will number three break the tie?
Nov. 10, 2011, 6:34 a.m. CST
You know the reason I loved Red Hood?
by gooseud
Granted, its 65% because it was a good book (I'm going to be honest, I read almost nothing about comics on the net anywhere but here and I didnt even realize there WAS a controversy til the LCS guy mentioned it, I thought issue #1 was just big dumb guilty pleasure fun, it didnt even cross my mind that it was controversial). However, I must admit, its 35% because I love the thought of the prudes and woman hating, basement dwelling, Cheeto-eating comic nerds of the world getting all furious looking at the sales numbers. I mean, SHES AN ALIEN, BRO!! Shes considered one of the hottest chicks on the planet. Shes surrounded by really athletic, good looking dudes. Given the fact that SHES A FREAKIN ALIEN, stds and pregnancy is a non factor. Plus, she comes from a culture where its pretty established that they are bangin people out 2 at a time over there. And yet, people were offended. Come on, the handprints on Speedy's chest? I thought that was hilarious! Look at the big splash page of Starfire coming out of the water on the beach, did you think they were really serious and not at all tongue-in-cheek? Of course, this is the same comics culture has had Batman, Superman, and Cap having had relations with, what, maybe 5 women TOTAL between the 3 of them in their entire existence?
Nov. 10, 2011, 7:07 a.m. CST
by optimous_douche
This was the spark that lit the powder keg on Starfire http://io9.com/5844355/a-7+year+old-girl-responds-to-dc-comics-sexed+up-reboot-of-starfire
Nov. 10, 2011, 7:40 a.m. CST
I find the Starfire debate fascinating
by gooseud
Here's the thing.....I get it. I have a 4 year old daughter myself. However, if we followed that template, would we have ever gotten Killing Joke? Or Dark Knight Returns? After all, we wouldnt want to alienate the people who came to watching Batman from the Adam West show, right? However, no one ever says that. Why? Because a dramatic shift to violence is ok in our society, but a dramatic shift to sexuality isnt. I am in NO WAY comparing freakin Red Hood to those seminal stories LOL but I simply dont agree with limiting the stories you can tell so as not to offend a 6 year old, if for no other reason that there barely ARE any 6 year olds reading comics anymore. Besides, its all much ado about nothing, since issue #2 was nothing like issue #1 in any way, and a quantum leap forward in quality.
Nov. 10, 2011, 7:48 a.m. CST
Nipples vs. Severed heads
by NightArrows
It's the same old bullshit argument from the prudes that populate North America. I remember the Family Coalition complaining to the FCC about the airing of Saving Private Ryan on Veterans Day. They said the amount of foul language within the film was offensive and that they shouldn't air it. So if Grandad stomps in a Nazi skull and we all get to see it, that's fine, but if he says "motherfucker" while doing it, that's offensive? People are so incredibly stupid and the whole Janet Jackson debacle was a bright and shinning example of that. It's a NIPPLE. I don't see this as any different. Parents should probably be more careful with what they let their kids see or read. Or at least take the time to explain to them what it is. If it's too much for them, don't let them read it.
Nov. 10, 2011, 7:58 a.m. CST
Here's Why I Get @$$ed up About Starfire
by optimous_douche
One: They are using the tiny toon cartoons as an example for all iterations of the character. Any comic fan worth their salt knows that DC diversified their brand over twenty years ago to appeal to a broad spectrum of demographics. There is no "one" iteration of a character anymore. Two: Starfire has always put out. Three: These are all women that are @$$ed up about the portrayal. 90% of men are A-OK with it. The 10% that aren't? 8% of them are lying because they are afraid of their wives. But since political correctness has suffocated our country, male urges are now supposed to be snuffed out in the name of a more civil society. BLECH!!!!!
Nov. 10, 2011, 8:53 a.m. CST
Red Hood
by Joenathan
Like I said, I thought the first issue was poorly written and kind of stupid and nerd fantasy gross and I blame that solely on Lobdell, who I consider so automatically hacky, I don't even bother putting him on my "do not buy" list, because... duh... But I really liked that Rockford? Is that his name? I liked his art, so I bought it, kind of like I bought Batmite, but was too dumb to realize they were by Winnick and Lobdell, at the time (it's like I had a stroke of something...) anyway, the first issue was meh... and the Starfire thing... it's lame in that "never had sex, but seen plenty of porn" nerd kind of way, but what makes it gross is the memory thing, really gross. It is rapey and it's creepy and the worst part is, creepizoids like Lobdell don't even understand why. And so, I really don't believe Lobdell's whole after-the-fact "she was faking, wait and see" bullshit. I think the controversy blew up in their faces and DC scrambled and there were some big time editorial meetings and so, I think issue number two was adjusted quickly... Which turned out to be a better issue. I didn't poop my pants over it, like JD, but it maybe has more potentia nowl, so while Batwing didn't survive my anti-Winnick stance, Red Hood will, for at least another issue. And here's my thoughts on the seven year old thing that burned up the internet so brightly. Fuck you, lady. Fuck you. I wish I could punch that stupid woman. That book was very obviously not for kids, and you're either too stupid to recognize that, which makes you a bad parent, or you purposely showed it to your daughter in order to make your own point, manipulating your daughter for your own end. Which is bullshit. Some things are for adults, some things are for kids. How fucking stupid can you be? I hate stupid Internet shit like that, just idiots feeding idiots which end up eclipsing what might be a valid point and that is... Scoot Lobdell is a creepy hack. So, we'll see. #3 is the big test for me.
Nov. 10, 2011, 9:10 a.m. CST
Starfire-- oh come the fuck on...
by Laserhead
I think it's rather sad watching basement-dwelling nerds pretend to defend Starfire on some kind of 'evolved' grounds, bullshitting that she's some embodiment of empowerment and casting those who disagree as prudes. Nobody cares if Starfire gets double-teamed, okay? It's the fact that in #1 she is basically cast as being mentally retarded. Jason says, "She's got no life, bro." Because she can't remember anything. So it's basically like a retarded girl getting double-teamed by two guys who think it's hilarious that she can't remember stuff. That's what's fucked up. Period. Anybody who 'loves' this controversy really needs to get out more.
Nov. 10, 2011, 9:13 a.m. CST
So, you think Red Hood represents typical male urges?
by Laserhead
You guys frequently have the urge to fuck your buddy's sloppy seconds, huh? And it's a turn-on to you that a girl can't remember anything? And you put off any alleged creepiness about that as P.C., Puritanical crap? I dunno. It sounds like someone's being pretty delusional. I live in Hollywood, and there's no prudes around here. That shit was just icky.
Nov. 10, 2011, 9:21 a.m. CST
by Joenathan
The retarded girl who can't remember anything was noticeablly missing from issue 2. You know Lobdell meant that to be her "character" going forward, at least until the shit hit and then they scrambled like a mother fucker to remove any of it that may have appeared as quickly and quietly as possible. Something like that could have sunk their whole relaunch. The thing is: I don't get the memory thing. Why does she have to not remember the Titans? I mean, they could just say it never happened, right? This is the reboot... it's like Lobdell never got the memo or something.
Nov. 10, 2011, 9:23 a.m. CST
Thanks poptard.
by KCViking
Nov. 10, 2011, 9:31 a.m. CST
Right, Joen
by Laserhead
Lobdell immediately began to back-peddle, and her character was largely rewritten for issue 2. And the art IS good. What I don't get is why so many of these 'evolved' nerds want to cast it as a sex issue, when it's a 'rapey' issue. I don't care if she gang-bangs The Newsboy Legion, just don't make her retarded and the literal embodiment of a chick who just got slipped a rohypnol.
Nov. 10, 2011, 9:33 a.m. CST
still on the Starfire thing?
by coz
sheesh, move on guys If some whiny, bitchy, irresponsible, narcissistic douchebag cunt parents who don't even read comics want to get their panties in a twist, who cares? They're just generating publicity for the thing and probably doubled that book's sales. The PC comments are dead-on though. I had (I think) a good comment regarding such in the Superman bitchfest the other day (something about McCarthyism and PC ruining society), but that tb died and it's destined to go unread. Oh well, at least I got last word. ;)
Nov. 10, 2011, 9:35 a.m. CST
by MattAdler
Likewise, I have no problem with sexuality... I only have a problem that female characters in comics are so often portrayed ONLY in that dimension, as though there were nothing else to them. That's just the mark of a lousy writer. For example, I really didn't have a problem with Jessica Jones taking it up the butt, because she wasn't portrayed as some bubble-head who lived only for the pleasure of Luke Cage's diamond hard skin. She was a complex character. Same with a book we discussed this week... Starlight in The Boys. It's not about political correctness... it's about expecting more depth from my reading experience. And anyway, if you're looking for porn, why not go for the real thing? Why look to poorly-drawn caricatures to get your rocks off?
Nov. 10, 2011, 9:53 a.m. CST
It was DOGGY STYLE!
by Joenathan
It wasn't in the butt! God... Hilarious. Anyway, yeah, it was the memory thing that really crossed the creepy line. In fact, without the "no memory" thing, you could probably have made the arguement for her just owning her sexuality, (except for the fact that Lobdell isn't that sophisticated a writer) but without full cognitive possession, it becomes rape of the mentally handicap. Now, it looks like in issue two, that Jason Todd may have been lying about being with her at all, but who knows, that could be a hindsite, damage control thing.
Nov. 10, 2011, 10:07 a.m. CST
ok fellow comic nerds, looking for tips...
by coz
Are there currently any ongoing, original sci-fi-type (space-y or future-y) titles of an epic nature that are any good? I know the Big 2 don't have any and my exposure to other lines is limited. I've been jonesin' since Annihilation et al. faded out.
Nov. 10, 2011, 10:17 a.m. CST
by Grinning White Skull
FLESH AND BLOOD was ever bit as amazing as Ambush Bug said in his review. I couldn't get it at my local shop (they didn't order it) but found it at Amazon (they have a Monsterverse store there with F&B and both versions of the BELA LUGOSI'S TALES FROM THE GRAVE comic, one with the Gogos cover and one with the variant by John Cassaday). Get. This. Book. Prediction. It's going to be made into a movie or cable TV series. The writing with its rich characterizations and twists and turns is terrific and Neil Vokes's art is sublime with how he makes it seem like you are watching a film! It's the best horror story I've read in decades.
Nov. 10, 2011, 10:49 a.m. CST
I don't remember "pooping my pants" about Starfire...
by Poptard_JD
but I DID wake up with poop IN my pants. I blame the republicans. They put it in there.
Nov. 10, 2011, 11 a.m. CST
What a load of crap!
by Joenathan
Just saying
Nov. 10, 2011, 11:18 a.m. CST
joe- re: jessica jones
by KLETUS_CASSIDY
i'm pretty sure it was in the butt. i read it a long time ago because the guy who used to run the store before me pointed it out to me with a creepy shit eating grin on his face. i believe she says something to the effect of "you can put IT somewhere else," or something like that, then the next scene is the one showing doggy style. not that it's something that needs to be intensely debated but i'm pretty sure it happened that way...
Nov. 10, 2011, 11:19 a.m. CST
yeah I remember all the hoopla about the Jess Jones butthurt.
by Poptard_JD
Nov. 10, 2011, 11:27 a.m. CST
butthurt, lol
by coz
I bet
Nov. 10, 2011, 11:33 a.m. CST
The quote is...
by Joenathan
"And I let him do whatever he wanted" And Bendis has said it wasn't a reference to butt sex.
Nov. 10, 2011, 11:34 a.m. CST
Will Fear Itself ever end???
by Laserhead
Each month seems to see a new deluge of fucking Fear Itself books. Who's buying this shit?
Nov. 10, 2011, 11:42 a.m. CST
In all seriousness, have you people ever actually had any interaction with a real live girl?
by gooseud
So, your at the bar and you see this smokin hot chick. Shes talking to some tall guy in a red flannel shirt. Eventually, you see them leave together. The next Friday, you are at the bar, and what do ya know, you end up talking to the smoking hot chick. You guys have flirty conversation for an hour or so, and eventually, you ask "So, I have to ask, what about the guy I saw you with last week? Is he your boyfriend?" She responds with "I dont know who you are talking about. I dont remember that."..."No really, I saw you just last week......tall guy?"...."Nope, that never happened, dont remember."...."Are you sure? Red flannel shirt?"....she responds with "Do you want to talk about some guy in a shirt, or do you want to make out?".....now, at this point, the 99% of us out there who DONT live in Mom's basement would assume "Hmmmm, I saw what I saw, but clearly this chick has her reasons for not wanting to talk about this guy, or her past, sooooo I could continue to pursue it, or I could make out with her......hmmmm lets make out"......UNLESS of course you are an Official Comic Nerd in which case you grab her by the shoulders and say "Oh my god.......he roofied you, didnt he??? We need to get you to a hospital ASAP!! Wait.....I need to ask....are you mentally retarded? Is that why you dont remember being with that guy? Your retarded, arent you? Poor thing, cmere, gimme a hug!! Dont worry, they have programs for people like you, it'll be ok!" At this point, Comic Nerd Guy's one friend in the world pulls him aside and says "Dude.....maybe she just doesnt want to talk about him". "To which Comic Nerd responds indignantly "WHAAAA??? Women dont do that, dont be ridiculous!! She needs medical attention ASAP, shes retarded!" (shakes head) Comic Nerd Guy, how you amuse me.
Nov. 10, 2011, 11:43 a.m. CST
ROFL Joe, I have to ask, how in Gods name did you know that?
by gooseud
Off the top of your head, you just knew that quote from like 7 years ago? DOUCHE CHILL!!!
Nov. 10, 2011, 11:51 a.m. CST
by KLETUS_CASSIDY
i doubt if he was confronted about something like that, especially if it had become an issue, he'd be like "yeah dude that was totally about anal sex!" but hey maybe it wasn't, i'm not claiming to know 100% but why was it even an issue if it was that vague. i think it was more direct than that. googling.....now.... wait i'm at work...better wait till later...
Nov. 10, 2011, 1:22 p.m. CST
Retardation is Different than Amnesia
by optimous_douche
Just sayin.....
Nov. 10, 2011, 2:09 p.m. CST
Don't see it that way, goose
by Laserhead
And AGAIN, it's not about free-love. It's that the attitude toward her from the book's first issue is, as Jason says, "Dude, she has no life." She's portrayed as a brain-damaged sex toy, not some empowered hot chick who just loves to fuck lots of guys. And okay, if she's not 'retarded', she displays what would anywhere be considered brain damage. That's her character. A brain-damaged set of holes. I think it's the exact opposite on the nerd scale. I think it's the basement dwellers who were cool with that scene, because their only sexual encounters consist of lots of internet porn.
Nov. 10, 2011, 2:15 p.m. CST
To continue Goose's 'real world' analogy:
by Laserhead
In your example does the girl live and work and spend all her time with this guy she can't remember? No, of course not, because then she'd be brain-damaged and retarded, and you should probably think twice before fucking her.
Nov. 10, 2011, 2:51 p.m. CST
You completely missed the whole point
by gooseud
Have you considered she remembers all of those things she claims she doesn't , but maybe doesn't want to talk about it with Speedy? Hate to break it to you , bro, but women do that stuff sll the time. And that Jason Todd, notorious douchbag who can't have known her more then 3 months given chronology, maybe his opinion doesn't really mean much and actually just makes him look bad?
Nov. 10, 2011, 3:03 p.m. CST
Eh, no, 'bro'
by Laserhead
This was not the same thing. At all. In the first issue, it's established that they have a long history and that the Titans have existed before. Everyone seems in total agreement in issue #1 that Starfire is a brain-damaged fuck toy. The 'real life' situation you're describing doesn't fit in any way to what the comic portrayed. And I dunno, bro, if you're associating 'all the time' with women who pretend not to remember guys they live with and fuck, you don't seem to be attracting too high a caliber of female. Keep on rockin', Tucker Max.
Nov. 10, 2011, 3:11 p.m. CST
How did I know it, Goose
by Joenathan
That's just the tiniest aspect of my power... the power of awesomeness!!!
Nov. 10, 2011, 3:12 p.m. CST
i keep getting pulled back in
by Homer Sexual
I am embarrassed to continue this, but at least its keeping the TB alive. I preferred Red Hood 1 to Red Hood 2. It was more fun, and yes Starfire was sexualized, but so what? And I am actually pc, plus homo, and I don't get the hoopla. She didnt seem retarded, or getting raped, more like the whole thing was beneath her and her alien, non earthly morals. I am actually concerned now that the book is gonna go all pc, for lack of a better term, and lose the edge that made me like it. Its already happening in issue 2. Jason also became way too respectable in issue 2. He even dressed like Bruce Wayne, geez! One thing I loved about Red Hood by the oft-hated Winick, as well as Arsenal in the Titans (IDK who wrote it) was that the characters kept their hard edge and were complex characters with a lot of flaws and issues. If Red Hood and the Outlaws becomes "typical" I will drop it. That's kinda my concern overall, a lot of same old stuff, wont result in a continued upsurge. While I like quite a bit of the reboot (bought 7 DC yesterday), I think the long-term effectiveness is still iffy. But I only bought 1 Marvel yesterday. Suicide Squad is getting better every issue. Also, how could Starfire possibly remember the Titans? How could they possibly have even existed? The rebooted continuity is really messed up so the references just point it out. Yes, I know I sound geeky and am not super continuity focused, but pointing out holes in their own continuity isnt the best idea.
Nov. 10, 2011, 3:15 p.m. CST
by Joenathan
Are you kidding? After that issue, the internet broke. He was asked about Jessica buttsex for months. I mean, why not? It had been a year or two since the money fucking issue of Powers, so...
Nov. 10, 2011, 3:18 p.m. CST
by Joenathan
It doesn't matter either way, DC has obviously backpedaled because it was a poor choice and was generally poorly received. And it still doesn't change the fact that Lobdell is not good. Also, did you see the "dressed up" outfit they had Starfire in on the plane in the second issue? Holy fucking '80s!
Nov. 10, 2011, 3:23 p.m. CST
by Joenathan
I think they can keep the sex, that's fine. I thought the idea that she had somekind of brain damage was creepy. She can fuck both of them each issue for all I care, as long as sh is portrayed as "knowing" that she has made that decision. It's a small thing, but an important thing, I think. That said, if the third issue is all Lobdell D-list 90's image... I'm out.
Nov. 10, 2011, 3:27 p.m. CST
by gooseud
By "everyone", as far as believing she's a retarded fucktoy, do you mean "you"? Because Homer doesn't seem to agree, Optimus doesn't really seem to think that, and neither do I. So it seems kinda, in this talkback, 50/50. So I'm not sure "everyone" really means what you think it means. It seems like your own personal interpretation, and you seem really angry that not everyone agrees wholeheartedly. It doesn't matter anyway, because the writer has already supported the non-retard theory and she wasn't depicted that way in #2, so I guess your own your own with your whole nerd rage thing.....bro.
Nov. 10, 2011, 3:38 p.m. CST
can we just go back to arguing about Superman?
by coz
christ on a cock...
Nov. 10, 2011, 3:41 p.m. CST
Action Superman is the best Superman
by Joenathan
Ever. Way better than old Superman. He's dead. Superman is dead. Long live Superman!
Nov. 10, 2011, 3:56 p.m. CST
thanks joe
by coz
knew I could count on you
Nov. 10, 2011, 6:29 p.m. CST
Action Superman is starting to lose me
by OutsideChance
It's well written but it is ultimately just yet another "Superman Year One" story. After "Man of Steel," "All Seasons," "Birthright" and "Secret Origin" (and a few I'm sure I've forgetten), not to mention movies, TV shows and other retellings of the origin/early years I'm ready for something different. I really wish Morrie had gone for more of an "All Star" vibe again.
Nov. 10, 2011, 8:26 p.m. CST
Starting to lose me, too.
by Homer Sexual
I loved Action 1 and 2! But #3 did start to seem too familiar. God, Lex Luthor. Um, starting to hit the snooze. And I don't like the "new" outfit (apart from losing the red underwear, that was good). I was saying that my favorite new DC was Animal Man, Swamp Thing and Action. But now it's Animal Man, Swamp Thing, and IDK what else, the rest (Suicide Squad, Batwoman, Resurrection Man) that I like are good but not super awesome. Some of the first issues I liked are slipping already (RH, B&R, All Star Western).
Nov. 10, 2011, 9:03 p.m. CST
Who is the retarded fucktoy being discussed?
by Jaka
This talkback is too damn long to figure it out. Starfire?
Nov. 10, 2011, 10:59 p.m. CST
Batman is getting laid in the new 52 more than his entire publication history
by DOGSOUP
Also, Suicide Squad kicks ass. Nobody talks about it though.
Nov. 10, 2011, 11:41 p.m. CST
I don't necessarily see that as a positive with Batman, though
by Jaka
He keeps himself distant and separated from most people for a reason (or reasons, like, a file cabinet full of them). Playa, playa, Bats feels kind of weird to me.
Nov. 11, 2011, 1:10 a.m. CST
Yeah the whole Catwoman thing...It seemed like fanfic
by DOGSOUP
I think the DCnU is just obsessed with fucking. Harley and Deadshot just fucked in Suicide Squad exactly to "Get my rocks off". When is it Deathstroke's turn to get some of that obligatory nU booty?
Nov. 11, 2011, 5:40 a.m. CST
If you look at books like Moon Knight, Daredevil,
by Dingbatty
and the Iron Age books this summer, it seems like Marvel is stealth doing a soft reboot.
Nov. 11, 2011, 7:08 a.m. CST
LOL Dogsoup
by gooseud
Of all the people to ask when they are going to get some ass......you pick Deathstroke! Awesome!
Nov. 11, 2011, 7:42 a.m. CST
by Poptard_JD
but then in other areas of Marvel, they are surprisingly revisiting complicated continuity that may or may not have been best left alone: the Clone Saga in Amazing Spider-Man. Kaine is up and running around again and assuming the mantle of the Scarlet Spider. What a strange move for Marvel to make.
Nov. 11, 2011, 12:36 p.m. CST
Where's Dennis_Moore when I need him?
by Poptard_JD
There's a new episode of my "narcissistic web-comic that's collecting dust" up for him to make fun of! sigh. i miss him.
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Ensure Safe Delivery of Perishable Food
Transportation Managers in the refrigerated and frozen food industry face daily concerns regarding the safety of their perishable food products. From warehouse, to truck, to the final destination, the supply chain has numerous links that can fail to keep perishable food safe. Many end users now require documentation that certifies the product was kept at the temperature required to meet food compliance policy.
Cadec's TempTrackerTM feature provides the ability to easily track up to three separate trailer temperatures wirelessly. Cadec's PowerVue solution ensure that your drivers and managers are continually aware of refrigeration unit performance and are warned when temperatures do not meet corporate standards.
Easy to View Temperature Data
TempTracker monitors and records the temperature from multiple locations within a trailer. Each sensor has a clearly visible icon on the onboard computer (OBC) display. The icons display the last temperature reading recorded for each sensor. The driver simply chooses which sensors are active at Login when a new trailer is hooked or when a new trip is started.
Multiple Warnings
TempTracker and the Series 100 or Series 200 OBC warn the driver in multiple ways when temperatures do not meet corporate standards or when an active sensor cannot be read. First, the temperature icons will change in an easily identifiable manner. Then, a warning, set up as an audible to.ne or a message on the display, will alert the driver that there is a problem allowing for timely intervention.
ETOG for Temp Tracking
The Events Tab in the ETOG Report offers an option to display Temperature Tracking on a second-by-second basis. Up to three temperature sensors can be shown in a separate graph on the report.
Temperature Discrepancy
Identify temperature discrepancies by Date range, Vehicle, Trailer, and Driver
Route Stop Temperature
Temperature readings for each sensor are reported at every Delivery, Pickup, Account delay, Drive starts, and Hook
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LONDON -- American screenwriter, producer and former Focus Features chief James Schamus will serve as prexy of the international jury at the Berlin Film Festival.
The other members of the jury, which will pick the winners of the Golden Bear and Silver Bears, will be Austrian actor Christoph Waltz, 007 producer Barbara Broccoli, Danish actress Trine Dyrholm, Iranian filmmaker Mitra Faharani, American thesp-scribe Greta Gerwig, French filmmaker Michel Gondry and Hong Kong-born thesp Tony Leung Chiu-wai.
As head of Focus Features, he backed such pics as "Far from Heaven," "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," "Lost in Translation," "Milk," "Dallas Buyers Club" and "The Kids Are All Right," which won Berlin's Teddy Award.
Waltz's credits include "Inglourious Basterds," "Carnage" and "Django Unchained." He can next be seen in Terry Gilliam's "The Zero Theorem" and Tim Burton's "Big Eyes."
Leung is one of the most popular actors in Chinese cinema. He has appeared in several films helmed by Wong Kar Wai, most recently "The Grandmaster," which was the opening film of the 2013 Berlinale.
Gerwig has become a figurehead of American indie filmmaking through roles in pics like Noah Baumbach's "Greenberg," which played in competition at the Berlinale. Last year, the two of them returned to Berlin with the comedy "Frances Ha," which was a favorite of Panorama audiences.
Gondry's credits include "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind" and "Mood Indigo."
Broccoli, together with Michael G. Wilson, has produced all the James Bond pics since "GoldenEye."
Dyrholm most recently starred in Susanne Bier's films "In a Better World" and "Love Is All You Need."
Farahani, who lives in Paris, won the Teddy Award at the 2001 Berlinale with documentary short film "Just a Woman." Her feature docus "Tabous -- Zohre & Manouchehr" and "Fifi Howls from Happiness" both premiered in Berlin's Panorama section.
Schamus to Head Jury at Berlin Film Festival
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text:
He does so much, it's almost unbelievable.
Riley senior Andrew Wiand literally does it all. He is Riley's top athlete, student and musician.
Wiand is a 3-sport star (football, swimming, baseball), the senior class president, Riley's valedictorian, a national merit scholar and he's also a cellist.
Talk about impressive.
Wiand's hard work has paid off in winning the Lilly Scholarship, an award that grants him a full ride to any Indiana college. Wiand has chosen Notre Dame and he plans to walk onto the baseball team.
Wiand is Riley's top baseball star and its captain. With 3 coaches in the last four years, he's also the person players turn to the most when they have questions.
"Sometimes it's kind of fun to see someone succeed after you've given them advise," Wiand explained. "Because that ultimately helps the team succeed."
"He's just like a coach," long-time friend and teammate Walter Ballard says. "You can always go to him. He's always there for you. A great leader."
On Wednesday night, Wiand participated in the Celebration of Excellence, honoring the top scholars in the South Bend School Corporation.
He was one of two students to perform a musical selection on the night. Wiand, a cellist since 4th grade, performed "Concerto for Cello-1st Movement" by Sir Edward Elgar.
It was riveting. Wiand is so talented, he has performed for the South Bend Symphony. Even more impressive---because of his dedication currently to his studies and baseball---he barely touched the cello in the days leading to the performance.
Wiand's science teacher of three years, Rick Horvath, has been going to Andrew's performances for a few years. He enjoys every second of them. He is amazed that a high school student that has so much on his plate can put on a professional concert.
In class, Wiand is just as gifted. Horvath says Andrew is as talented and special as any student he's had in class in 35 years of teaching.
"He's one of those kids that just gets it," Horvath says. "He's that smart. "He makes the teacher's job a lot easier. You don't have to explain things a lot of different ways. He just gets it."
So how does he get it all done? He goes 100% on one thing at a time.
"In order to budget your time, you need to pick things to work on and focus totally on them," Wiand explained. "That way you can get it in your brain and get things done as quickly and efficiently as possible."
"If your encouraged and enthusiastic about something for a while, then later switch to something else, you can get it done a lot easier than just trying to jumble a bunch of things at once," Wiand says.
By the way, Wiand did the cello concert and is currently practicing baseball with a broken left finger.