the read pile - 5/29/08

Final Crisis is here!!! And due to memorial day doesn't come out till Thursday.

#1 FINAL CRISIS #1(OF 7) - I am so hyped for this it's not even funny. Every bit of advertisement and previews have been perfect.

#2 BLUE BEETLE #27 - Jaime and Traci sitting in tree K-I-S-S-I-N-G!

#3 GREEN LANTERN #31 - Everyone should be reading this.

#4 NEW AVENGERS #41 - I like what happened last week in Mighty Avengers talking about the Sentry. Hopefully we'll see some New Avengers and not just more stupid skrulls.

#5 TEEN TITANS #59 - This arch isn't bad but it feels like it's moving so slowly.

#6 SHADOWPACT #25 - Usually Shadowpact covers suck. This one however is the best the book has ever produced. Why is Blue Devil there? He lost his powers? I think I'm the only blogger that reads this book.

#7 IMMORTAL IRON FIST #15 - Let's get to know an old school Iron fist. I want to see a cowboy Iron Fist. I wish marvel would take requests.

#8 BATMAN #677 R.I.P. - I liked the first issue even though it left me confused.

#9 MARVEL 1985 #1 (OF 6) - This looks like it might be totally horrible, but the cover is pretty sweet.

#10 HUNTRESS YEAR ONE #2(OF 6) - The first issue totally knocked me on my ass how good it was. I like the religious angle hopefully they can keep it up.

#11 WOLVERINE FIRST CLASS #3 - This book is solid.

#12 STAR TREK YEAR FOUR ENTERPRISE EXPERIMENT #2 - When will I have trek on Tv again?

#13 MS. MARVEL #27 - I like this tie-in but Ms. Marvel as a character seems so totally bland.

#14 SECRET HISTORY THE AUTHORITY JACK HAWKSMOOR #3(OF6) - This is okay but i forgot what happened last issue.

#15 ACTION COMICS #865 - Toyman + battle royale = I'm there.

#16 X-MEN LEGACY #212 - Why is this book called legacy?

#17 JSA CLASSIFIED #38 - I don't want to read another Wildcat story. Can i get a Cyclone story, or lightning, or any of the 20 other JSAers stories.

MOMENT OF WEAKNESS

I have begat another blogger go on and say hi to him. Over at comicbookish

erislaughs and stephen watches: chapter 1

I'ma big fan of erislaughs over on the youtube. If you are not familiar with her than here is erislaughs introduction of herself.

Why do I like erislaughs?

Because she likes comics, duh. Plus, she ends every vlog with a kiss. She is that elusive unicorn all nerds have heard the myth of, the beautiful girl that actually likes and reads comics (no offense is meant to my fellow female bloggers shelly, sallyp, redheadfangirl, Heidi Meeeley, and brainfreeze. I treasure your viewpoints but it's rare to find girl nerds in my age range). She's a marvel fan, so I can't go totally head over heals for her. None the less I watch all of her youtube vids when they're released. So I've decided to put my erislaughs fandom on display for the entire internets to see. When ever she posts a new vid so shall I encapsulate it in my blog and dissect her reviews alittle. So let us enjoy the wonder of the nerd unicorn herself, erislaughs, gentlemen our feature presentation.

My thoughts.

Captain Britain - Didn't read it sorry.

X-men Legacy - Haven't read it yet.

Huntress Year 1 - I like the religious angle alot on her. 

I am proud you like a DC book.

Giant size Hulk - Won't read it.

The Goon - I don't read it I think I'm going to start.

Batman R.I.P.- Read it.

CTHULU Tales - I like to pronounce the comics I like. 

Indian Jones Flick - You liked it more than me but my review is coming soon fellas.

Oh and erislaughs you should totally check out Booster Gold it's the best DC book out there.

All New Atom #23: Remender's got Nards

If you don't understand the title then you've never seen the cult classic The Monster Squad. Click the vid and get caught up.

So no one has talked about the All New Atom from a couple of weeks ago or Remender. Am I the only person who is still on this title? It's a pretty wild issue and I think he might've finally won me over but he has to tread carefully. He won me over not for character work like Gail did it's for a zany plot. It's a little dark for this Atom than were used to but it's zany. Spoilers ahoy mates! If you haven't read it and plan on reading it turn back now.

All New Atom #23

So Ryan has been sucked into the giant monster which is actually an organism or parasite or something that has infected his body. There's alot of techno babble I don't really understand. Eitherway he's stuck in some type of microverse that is all trippy and weird and filled with giant monsters.

Ryan is in  a pretty cool bio-suit and is going all John Woo on the monsters.

When he stumbles upon an interesting bit of forshadowing. 

There is going to be some chick Chronos and the Atom is going to kill her inside of this microplace. Before Ryan can process his own demise he is ambushed by some castaway type badass who turns out to be...Panda. That's right Ryan's fat, funny, sidekick is now a ripped bearded man of action.

Not only is he ripped but the chick that Ryan has been crushing on for two issues who is dressed like a sexy Wilma from the Flintstones is now Panda's girlfriend eat that Ryan. 

Rest of the issue goes on with the standards stranded in a harsh environment plot, running from monsters, fighting monstaers, and red shirts being eaten to give a little sense of danger.

Ryan interacts with Ivy Town's citizens but one a-hole citizen is very pissed at Ryan for getting him stuck there and letting his girlfriend die. 

So he shoots Ryan in the face with his own ray-gun. 

Remender even promises next issue will feature Booster Gold.

Words of caution to Remender:

By the end of your arch Panda better be fat, loveable, and totally un-badass or else I will be pissed. As far as Ryan getting shot in the face, he better not die and as for using Booster Gold next issue DON'T MESS HIM UP! Also take it easy with the technobabble and give me more floating head. Other than that keep up the good work, wild plot twists, and hot chick Chronos.      

Hell's Yeah!!!!!

OMFG! This is the most supercool news like ever. I have never been so hyped just from a strange quirky concept idea. I mean Ollie Queen, who if I had a time machine would be played by a young Kurt Russell, in jail with DC supervillains is bad ass in a million ways.

SUPERMAX!!!

Who will play the Joker, Ledger's dead?

Could I see James Franco

or Sam Rockwell?

Also can the main villain be Captain Nazi played by Daniel Craig or Neil Patrick Harris

or even better Deathstroke aka Slade Wilson played by Ron Perlman or Clint Eastwood

and Luthor played by Clancy Brown or Micheal Rosenbaum?

Could this be the greatest movie ever. As good as Con-Air!!!

the read pile -5/21/08

Good sized week, little bit of the usual and some new stuff.

#1 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #21 - I am very hyped about Final Crisis the sketchbook was really cool and I love all the design work so far.

#2 JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #15 - There's supposed to be a big throw down in this issue. So it's time to to see what Alan Scott has up his sleeve.

#3 DYNAMO 5 #13 - This might be the most consistently good comic I read I have to turn this comic onto other people.

#4 X-MEN DIVIDED WE STAND #2 (OF 2) - A chance to see what Noriko is doing, i'm excited.

#5 DC WILDSTORM DREAMWAR #2(OF 6) - Last issue was a bit of, meh. This issue better have some plot developing.

#6 BRAVE AND THE BOLD #13 - Batman and Jay Garrick teaming up doesn't light the world on fire for me.

#7 MIGHTY AVENGERS #14 - I don't like these skrull covers anymore. I want the cover of a comic to reflect the story inside.

#8 COUNTDOWN TO MYSTERY #8(OF 8) - This series is the best thing that has come out of countdown but eight issues is to long. This would've worked in six.

#9 STAR TREK ASSIGNMENT EARTH #1 - Give me Trek. Trek is life.

#10 DC SPECIAL SYBORG #1(OF5) - I'd love to see Cyborg on his own kicking ass, Ithink this is my only opportunity.

#11 TANGENT SUPERMAN'S REIGN #3(OF12) - Ooh, tangent Batman.

#12 INDIAN JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL #1 - Time to start preparing for Indy's return. Gonna watch the movies this week also.

MOMENT OF WEAKNESS

This movie has me giddy and the new posters are straight up bad ass! Don't wake the BABY!

Is anyone else humming the Indy theme right now?

Best Incarnations part 1 Avengers

I was thinking about all the different actors and actresses that have played/voiced super heroes and Ithought what would be the definitive best performance of acharacter by an actor. This is a little similar to Chorus of Comics but different. Chorus of Comics is the voice I hear when reading comics. Best Incarnations will be who is the single best actor/actress who has played the role.

Since their has been a lot of love for Iron Man and interest in the Avnegers, I'll stay on that and keep this blog about Avengers.

BEST IRON MAN/TONY STARK

Easy, Robert Downey Jr. their isn't much competition as far as incarnations. The 90's cartoon is almost unwatchable, his guest spot on Spiderman and his Amazing Friends never set the world ablaze, the Ultimate Avengers movie kept Tony and Ironman rather stale, and I don't even remeber his performance in the short lived Avengers show. So Robert Downey Jr. is the champ but he really has no competition.

BEST CAPTAIN AMERICA/STEVE RODGERS

Finding a note worthy Captain America appearance is difficult, most of his apearances are either guestspots or horrible. I'm tempted to give this non-award to the 1966 Marvel super heroes cartoon of which I own a vhs I picked up at goodwill. However, that would be only servicing my own interests and as I'm trying to not be to bias I'm going to go with his appearance on X-men Evolution. The voice work is solid and not t0 cheesy by David Hayter.

BEST THOR

Thor ain't got many performances to choose from. I'm tempted to give it to John-Rhys Davies on name alone. His voice is pitch perfect for a gruff and headstrong Thor but I've never actually seen them. So I'm going to go with Ultimate Avengers Thor as voiced by Dave Boat. This version of Thor simply has great jokes and isn't to annoying although he is cheesy. (Adventure's in baby sitting don't count, that's basically a cameo)

BEST HANK PYM

Hank Pym the man of Many names really gets the most entertaining treatment in the Ultimate Avengers. He's played as a bit of an a-hole but it works. Kudos to you Nolan North.

BEST WASP

So it's either Ultimate Avengers or Avengers United They Stand. Nothing good to choose from so I'll flip a coin and...Grey Deslile Ultimate Avengers you win.

BEST HULK

Finally some one with an actual resume of appearances. Best Hulk as of today is hands down the Roller Coaster? 

NOT! 

John Belushi?

 NOT! 

Lou Ferrigno?

 

YES! Ferrigno really captures the imagination as the Hulk, for some reason he comes across so completely inhuman. I actually believe Ferrigno is really a monster.

BEST BRUCE BANNER

I'm pretty sure Ed Norton is going to take this non-award once his movie hits. The place holder for now will be Mr. Eric Bana. I am one of the few people who think that Ang Lee's Hulk was not total garbage. Bana played a very imposing Banner who is far more heroic than any other incarnation. Bana's Banner felt like a true descendant of the Jekyll spirit.

BEST VISION

Winner by default...Ron Rubin for Avengers: United They Stand TV

BEST HAWKEYE

Winner by default...Tony Daniels for Avengers: United They Stand TV

Am I wrong? Am I right? Any performances or appearances I've missed?

Next Best Incarnations we will look at some DC characters.

Link to the Skies

So the pope says "the extra terrestrial is my brother" according to yahoo news.

So he'll accept these guys.

But not these guys.

So this means that when the Martian Manhinter dies in Final Crisis they can bury him Catholic. Oh wait he's going to be cremated we Catholics frown upon that. Sorry, J'onn no Irish wake for you at Warriors.

By the by, Scipio has a nifty post about the cause of the Martian's death and it's not fire.

Am I the only one Reading Newsarama Lately?

I've recently started following Newsarama. I didn't have time before but now I do.

So Newsarama has a great Speed Racer review that is as complimentary as mine.

It also has the news that Meltzer is returning to the DCU. I figured someone else would have talked abut this by now but in case you haven't heard. You've just been served! It's interesting that he's going to work with Adam Kubert. Hopefully their projects get in on time and won't be as delayed as Kubert's Superman work. By the way I absolutely loved the Action Comics anual it was big and epic. Donner definitely brought a cinematic element to the story. It would make the perfect Superman movie, especially if you could have Bizzaro, Metallo, and Parasite in it.

In other news, I was sure that the internets would be ablaze by the news that JMS is going to take over the Brave and the Bold. First off, I'm a little sad that he wants to do short archs and not one epic one that strings through characters the way Waid did. Other than that though, I like his ideas Batman and the Haunted Tank is always welcome, Legion of Substitute Heroes and the Inferior Five team up sounds like a loser fest up epic proportions...I love it, and the Two-Face, Hawk, and Dove story sounds interesting. It seems like JMS has the right idea take similar characters or totally dissimilar characters put them together and see what happens.

Finally, my boy Geoff Johns dropped a bomb that the falling burning guy in DC Universe 0. I don't want to spoil it if you don't want to be spoiled but its a big name. He also talks about his Green Lantern plans, and Legion of three worlds. I want to talk about it so bad, but I'll practice some self control for now.

GO TEAM VENTURE!

I don't know how many of you are into the Venture Bros. but I am so deal with it. This blog will start talking Venture Bros. soon so prepare yourselves.

Here's some footage the Astrobase Go! team put out for NY comic con which is now on Quickstop enetertainment dot com.

If you're not familiar with the Venture family then let me know and I might turn this into a sort Venture Bros. 101 spot.

Interpreting Y-the Last Man through the Modern Mythological Story

STAR WARS! That's right modern mythology is basically Star Wars. I can write and entire essay about how our generation basically interprets films through the context of the Star Wars films, but I won't. I think the point has been done to death and you really need to look no further than the constant references in Lost, or films like Kevin Smith's which play off of the story beats and philosophy of Star Wars. Also I'm not certain if there were references of Star wars in Y-the Last Man I'm sure their was but for the entire time I read it couldn't stop thinking about it.

Y is the first run that I've read in trades. As such it was a bit difficult for me to digest in that form. I would find myself reading it in a matter of hours which left me exhausted and a little sad that I didn't have a community to break down issues with, on an issue by issue basis . The only thing I've ever read in one sitting before was elseworlds stories like Kingdom Come, The Nail, Superman Red Son, and Watchmen. I find my self digressing though.

Back tot the point. If we look at Y through the context of Star Wars we find ourselves a bit let down. Yorrick is Luke Skywalker. He is the idealized youth on a journey to become a man and control his feelings of fear and inadequacy. If Yorrick is Luke then Agent 355 is Han Solo/ Chewbacca. She is the specialist who is used to doing her job and going off on her own. It's business for her. That thrusts Dr. Mann into the Leia role being the first mission Yorrick and 355 go on is to save her, and although the series does the right thing for a while and let's 335 and Doc Mann hook up they never go all the way story wise. So Leia is off nailing the Australian spy who I guess could be Lando. The problem is Leia can't stay with Lando she has to be with Han. Vaugh not only kills Han making their love unattainable but hooks Han up with some secret love for Luke. So Luke whose story is about communion with the force (in the story of Y this force is love and represented by Beth #1) never comes to fruition. Instead Luke is left with the force and the only connection he makes with it in his relationship with 355 is lost with her death. Leaving the rest of his life and humanities fate not the stuff of happy endings with joyous ewoks singing and dancing but remains bleak and sad. The ending is more reminiscent of the somberness of Revenge of the Sith than Jedi. Meawhile the person who discover's the force is the Anakin Skywalker/Boba Fett character of Hero who ends up with Fett. So the happy ending is for her. Boba Fett can't truly wield the force though he's to evil Vaughn has it all wrong.

I'm not sure who Beth #2 is Amdiral Ackbar maybe. I'm confused this made a whole lot more sense in my head does anyone get what I am saying. Basically, it does not meet the proper beats and as such makes the end difficult to identify with. I think I need to write more on the subject, part 2 will be coming soon.