thE rEAd PILE - 4/2/08

What a week.


#1 KICK ASS #2- I handed issue 1 to my brothers, and my cousin. Their question every time they see me is "when do you get Kick Ass 2?". I have to read this one first because they're going to want to borrow it ASAP.






#2 ACTION COMICS #863- This is probably going to go down as my favorite Legion of Superheroes story ever.

#3 TWELVE #4- The last issue slowed down the pace a little. This issue has the Laughing Mask on the cover. Is it just me or does Laughing Mask thus far, feel like The Comedian in Watchmen?

#4 YOUNG X-MEN #1- Like I've said before, this comic has been eagerly awaited as it will determine what's going on with my favorite New X-men. Expect a review and a New X-men history lesson in the coming week.

#5 TRIALS OF SHAZAM #12(OF 12)- This series has had its up and downs, on the whole I'd say it's pretty average. Although it plays with some interesting ideas. This last issue looks pretty good, and hopefully we will now understand Shazam and Captain Marvel's new place in the DC universe and tenth age of majic.

#6 SECRET INVASION #1(OF 8)- The spoilers from last week, have kind of deflated my anticipation of this book. Along with the not so good Secret Invasion crossover in New Avengers #39.

#7 LOGAN #2(OF 3)- Brian K. Vaughn is now tied with Geoff Johns as my favorite writer. For those interested, I've completed Volumes 4-7 of the Y-the last man TPB. I was going to wait for 10 to be released so I could order, 8-10 in one shipment. However, Volume 10 isn't released till June and I can't wait that long. So I'm going to order Volumes 8 and 9. I'll buy 10 when it comes out so my collection will be complete. If anyone would like to lend me issue #55-60(so I don't have to look around for the single issues as I'm not going to wait for June to have closure), it would be greatly appreciated and I would return them in the same condition as received. If interested in helping a brother out email EDIT:(I misspelled it the first time around) scud1104@mac.com

#8 ALL NEW ATOM #22- Last issue overall wasn't right, but there were moments of goodness. I am still optimistic about this run.

#9 MARVEL SPOTLIGHT IRON MAN MOVIE - I'm hyped for the Iron Man Movie, so I wonder what this book will offer.

#10 JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #44- Mirror Master vs. Justice League...I wonder who is going to win.

#11 JONAH HEX #30 - I can't believe I've been reading this for thirty issues, but I think i might have to re-evaluate how I purchase this book.

#12 COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS 4- Last issue brought Kamandi to the multiverse. I am bored.

#13 PROJECT SUPERPOWERS #2(OF6)- This series thus far is nowhere near as good as the Twelve. The writing thus far just feels wooden and doesn't flow well with the pictures.

#14 NEW DYNAMIX #2(OF 5)- First issue was a pretty good introduction to the characters, I'm going to stay on this on an issue by issue basis. The first sign of crappiness and I'm dropping it.

#15 NIGHT WING #143- Everyone has been praising Tomasi's run. I tried looking for the first couple of issues but couldn't get'em. I'm picking this issue up to determine if I'm going to grab the TPB when it comes out. I hope this is a good jumping on point.

#16 FRANK FRAZETTAS DARK KINGDOM ONE SHOT- Never been a big Frazetta Fan. I'm picking this up, simply because it's there and hopefully will be pleasantly surprised by the quality.

#17 ZORRO 2 - Didn't like the first issue as I've stated before. If this issue doesn't click I'm dropping it.

#18 COUNTDOWN SPECIAL KAMANDI 80 PAGE GIANT- I dig these countdown specials, but I doubt this can redeem the waste of time that was countdown #5 and 6.

Everyone check out Secret Wars on Infinite Earths. It's starting a the First Annual Infinite Wars Fantasy League. Should be a lot of fun. I'll let you guys know my squad once I recieve confirmation on it's roster.

Chorus of Comics part 2. I hear voices

For those of you that missed part 1. When I read comics, I like to distinguish characters voices. Some character's voices, are played by actors whose voices I've simply heard to much of.

For example, although it's not a terribly inspired choice Ian Mckellen is the voice of Magneto in my comics. Hundreds of hours of watching the Lord of the Rings have given me a pretty good Ian Mckellen impresion. So I'm proud to say he not only plays Magneto but

Sir Reginald Hargreeves AKA: The Monocle(from the Umbrella Academy),

The Wizard Mordru,

and The Wizard Shazam(Sorry but he is always going to sound like a wizard to me).

Similarly, thousands of hours of watching Star Trek have given me a superb Patrick Stewart impression. Which I use often for Captain Picard and Professor X, of course.

Along with Doctor Gotham(foe of the Shadowpact),

and The Phantom Stranger. Also both Mr. Stewart and McKellen make terrific

Guardians of the Universe.

Here are the pair chatting it up in X-men the movie.

Along with Stewart fellow Star Trek alums Avery Brooks, and Michael Dorn's voices are similarly blazed into my mind. Brooks voices

Black Lightning,

Black Panther,

Crispus Allen,

Steel,

The Falcon,

Bishop,

and Monarch.

Dorn plays Kalibak(like he did in Superman the animated series),

Michael Holt AKA Mr. Terrific,

Black Manta,

Black Mass,

Xorn,

and Brick,

Here's Dorn and Brooks in a great scene from DS9.

Do you have any actors voices programmed into you?

Links for Spoiled Brats

The Marvel PR machine has given the first ten pages of Secret Invasion to Entertainment Weekly. So if you want to read'em click here. It doesn't have any real spoilers.


They also have an interview with Bendis here. Proceed at your own risk, he says spoilery stuff on page 2 about Nick Fury.

Booster Gold is New Reader Friendly

Rich said this in his last blog post. 

"Booster Gold #7 - No real surprises this time round but nicely crafted stuff with lots of nods to continuity - although I do wonder if that very thing doesn't make it a bit of a niche book that basically appeals only to fanboys (and girls)."

Rokk also felt that Booster Gold #5 wasn't accessible to new readers. 

Which makes me wonder do you think Booster Gold is a niche book that only appeals to fanboys? 

I would argue, no. I feel quite the opposite. I think Booster Gold, has been a book that can introduce new readers to DC history. Johns and Katz are skilled in giving exposition and have all the tools necessary to explain it to the readers with out it feeling forced. They have often teamed up Booster with people not in the know of that is going on Jaime Reyes, Jonah Hex, and Dan Garrett to cite a few. They also have Skeets who usually explains everything to Booster anyway. 

 The following pages are key examples. 

 

Here we have Blue Beetle's condensed history. Written accurately and effectively setting up Booster's love and admiration for his best friend. Although the comic is enhanced by actually reading their history, it is not diminished or confusing if you haven't read any thing else with out them. 

I never knew that Guy Gardner wasn't picked as Green Lantern because he was farther away from the ring, Booster Gold #2 taught me that. I've never read Batman the Killing Joke (although I have some knowledge on the outcome of the story), Booster Gold #5 gave me a good feeling of the style and tone of the story, and perhaps explained for some readers how Batgirl lost her legs. I have never read Zero Hour and yet it did not diminish my enjoyment of the issue. Henchman 21 and Shelly also claim to have never read Zero Hour, and yet were not completely bewildered by the story line. Perhaps readers who haven't read Zero Hour will pick it up having been introduced to it by Booster Gold #0. Whether that is a good or bad thing is for you bloggers who have read Zero Hour to decide. 

What do you think? Does Booster gold only appeal to dedicated DC fanboys?

Would you recommend it to someone who has never read comics?

The Read Pile - 3/26/08

Ooh yeah, this read pile I found the opportunity to put up two pictures of Ravager...I know your jealous.





#1 BLUE BEETLE #25 - This is the best comic ever and the JLI is going to be here. Nerdgasms are sure to fill the blogosphere.







#2 TEEN TITANS #57 - Since my stack sucked last week I start rereading Teen Titans since one year later. It is better than I remember it. Especially the bits with Ravager who I have developed a nerd crush on. So I am very hyped about this Ravager focused issue. This is the cover on DC comics.com, which is actually from a page in Teen Titans #39.








This is the cover on McKeever's blog, probably the official one.











#3 NEW AVENGERS #39 - Echo, I still have no idea who the fuck she is. Can someone tell me. Does she have a power? I'm to lazy to wiki her.





#4 MIGHTY AVENGERS #11 - Not sure what to expect from this issue, but it has steadily improved.







#5 GREEN LANTERN #29 - If Geoff Johns says it's time to hear about Hal's origin, I believe him.







#6 X-MEN LEGACY #209 - I liked the first issue. This cover is cool simply because of the old school sentinel in the top right corner.



I hope the stack misunderstood the new direction in their preview.

#7 COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS 5 - Last issue was horrible. Please let this issue be decent.

#8 STAR TREK NEW FRONTIER #1 - I miss Star Trek, this is all I have left.

#9 COUNTDOWN TO ADVENTURE #8 (OF 8) - This story is finally wrapping up, which I'm very happy for. I want to see Buddy, Kory, and Adam Strange interact with the DCU again.

#10 JSA CLASSIFIED #36 - More Wildcat Goodness.

#11 SECRET HISTORY AUTHORITY JACH HAWKSMOOR #1(OF 6) - About a year ago my cousin gave me the Absolute Authority hardcover, which someone had left in a house he was selling as I am the only person he knows who reads comics. I enjoyed it although I was shocked by it. So I'll give Jack a chance.

#12 WOLVERINE FIRST CLASS #1 - I haven't read any of the x-men first class comics, but this cover is just to cool to pass up. I'm interested to see if i develop the fanboy crush every nerd seems to have with Kitty Pryde. As I haven't had that much exposure to her.

#13 COUNTDOWN SPECIAL ECLIPSO 80 PAGE GIANT - I really love the these special dc has been putting out. It gives me the chance to read old comics for cheap and really gives me a sense of a characters history. I hope they continue this trend for a long time.

Best of the B-list

Marvel's creators and editors are weighing in on there favorite b-listers. So I thought I'd weigh in since I once proclaimed my love for the b-list.

Marvel

• Luke Cage - My love for Luke comes from Bendis's treatment of him. He has a unique origin, wrongfully imprisoned than experimented on granting him unbreakable skin. His power makes him formidable against any one. He strikes me as the everyman of the Marvel Universe.

• Cyclops - Okay, Cyclops is the leader of the X-men and really isn't a b-lister. However he is treated like one outside of comics. He is always playing second fiddle to Wolverine currently. The new Wolverine and the X-men cartoon is the perfect example. Wolverine isn't a leader he's the wild card but because of his popularity the character that was created to lead the x-men gets relegated to the b-list. His treatment in the x-men movies is less than b-list, especially considering how pivotal he is to Jean Grey. Why is Cyclops's cool he is the big blue boy scout to Wolverine's dark knight. For a cool Wolverine Cyclops moment fast forward to 9:00.

Who are your favorite marvel B-listers?

Y the last reader

I got the first three Volumes of Y: The Last Man yesterday afternoon. I finished them at midnight. Holy crap is it good. I just ordered volumes 4-7 from amazon. Unfortunately I have to wait till mnday to read them. I am so glad I picked this book up. It is so well handled and all the dialogue is perfect. I enjoy this book at its base level to hear Yorick talk which is really impressive for a comic book. I think it was an episode of the stack that some one asked what would put reading comicbooks in the main stream, and someone responded let Oprah put a comic in her book club pick. Well this is the comic to hand to Oprah.

Is Ex-Machina this good? If it is I'm going to have to pick it up when I finish reading Y.

I've been reading abot New Line trying turn it into a movie and I really like Shia Lebeouf as Yorick but cinema is really the wrong medium for this. I'd much rather see this as an HBO series.

the read PILE - 3/19/08

I'm on spring break with plenty of time to read comics and this abysmal week should happen.

#1 BRAVE AND THE BOLD #11 - Ultraman and Superman teaming up!! Am I living in the second silver age?

#2 IMMORTAL IRON FIST #13 - A battle royale is promised in this issue. I am pretty hyped.

#3 COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS 6 - Karate Kid is dead. Damn those Cobra Kai.

#4 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #19 - I'm not all that excited for the actual content, but this is a bad ass cover.

#5 SHADOWPACT #23 - I'm pissed that Nightmaster isn't on the squad anymore. This issue sounds cool. The team is supposed to meet the future shadowpact. All I want from this book is a Bluedevil and Ragman spotlight. Is it just me?

#6 DEATH OF THE NEW GODS #7 (OF 8) - So the reveal of the badguy was pretty cool. Orion's death was also cool. Why does this book stink?

#7 TANGENT SUPERMAN'S REIGN #1 (OF 12) - I never read the original tangent books. I'm giving this a shot despite the fact that the JLA tie-in was weak. I might drop it if the first couple of issues blow.

#8 SUPER FRIENDS #1 -I'm pretty sure I'm going to hate this book. The art looks really shitty, the preview in Tiny Titans looked really dumb. Let me see howthese superfreinds fare against a villain.

Crazy Idea

I've been thinking about Shelly's post about females in the DCU. It got me thinking about females in comics in general. Then I thought about Kick Ass and the way heroes are handled in the first issue of that book. All of a sudden a chauvinistic thought popped into my head.

Would women even really be super heroes?

The way Kick Ass portrays people becoming super heroes it seems on par with serial killers. So let us for the sake of conversation assume that we can do hero profiling. To become a hero you would need a tragedy early in life, perhaps crime related. You would need a certain amount of psychosis and the need for adoration. If we go by the numbers on heroes in comics you would most likely be a white male between the ages of 16-40.

If we take this as fact than the female super heroes like female serial killers would obviously not be as prominent or as widespread.

I can't think of anything else. If anyone would like to elaborate on this feel free. Also this doesn't take into account the Super Villain or Sidekick mentality or the possibility of superpowers.

I Hath been Tagged!

My boy Nick over at Comic Overload hath tagged me. So here's my best shot.

"List 7 random things about yourself that people may not know.Link the person who sent this to you, and leave a comment on their blog so that their readers can visit yours. Post the rules on your blog."

1. One of my favorite movies is Con Air.

2. I hate Tom Brady. I once had a drem he punched my mom in the face.

3. I've realized I tend to like comics about people becoming couples. Like Teen Titans, New X-men, Green Arrow Black Canary, and X-statix

4. First comic I can remember was a Pirates of Dark Water comic.

5. When I was a kid I had every single TMNT action figure.

6. I love watching the world's strongest man competition on the ESPN's.

7. I want to learn how to throw ninja stars and knives.

I shall tag two guys who ain't blogged in a while. Get back to work Patrick and Ryan

the read pile - 3/12/08

#1 GREEN ARROW BLACK CANARY #6 - Connor's been abducted! My money is that the League of Assasins and Ra's al Ghul is behind it.

#2 BOOSTER GOLD #7 - Why can't they change the title of this book to "Blue and Gold" or "Booster Gold and Blue Beetle Team Up". I just want to sleep easy, that Ted Kord will never die again.

#3 MIGHTY AVENGERS #10 - I love time travel.  

#4 COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS 7 - I hope something happens this issue.

#5 GREEN LANTERN CORPS #22 - Second part of the Boodika story. I'm into it...mildly.

#6 LONE RANGER AND TONTO #1 - This issue is new reader friendly, so if you're not reading Lone Ranger give this a try.

#7 COUNTDOWN TO MYSTERY #6 (OF 8) - Wonder how this book is gonna play out since Steve Gerber has passed away, hope it goes well. 

#8 TINY TITANS #2 - I've moved this one up in the pile in case CONTDOWN TO MYSTERY is depressing and I need a laugh.

#9 LAST DEFENDERS #1(OF 6) - I've never actually read any issues of Defenders but I have been enjoying this and this. So I'll give the Last Defenders a shot.

#10 AVENGERS FAIRY TALES #1 (OF4) - I enjoyed the post siskoid did talking about Kitty Pryde's Fairy Tale, so maybe it'll be similar. This looks like it might suck but I'll give it a shot and hope I'm wrong.

#11 SALVATION RUN #5 (OF 7) - I didn't like last issue. It felt like pointless and stupid violence. It left me confused, I think it was the art's fault but I'm not sure. So this has gone from a 3 spot to basically last place.

#12 JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #43 - I started with Blue Beetle and Boster Gold. So I'll end with them. This oughta be my number 1.

I ordered Y- THE LAST MAN VOLUMES 1-3 from Amazon. I haven't followed the series at all. However this link over at Comic Overload will take you to the first issue online. Which I read and greatly enjoyed. So I'm getting on board this series a little late to say the least. 

Pulp Secret is doing three shows this week and wants people to know about it. So this is me letting you know. Pulp Secret is a funny weekly show that reviews comics. Take a look for yourself. 

X-men Theatre

The cancellation of New X-men and the announcement of Young X-men debuting in April has had me rereading the New X-men. As I'm going through my X-men immersion and gathering my thoughts on the franchises past and future, I have found a couple of X-men videos that slipped totally under my radar, until now.  

I suggest grabbing a bowl of pop corn and dimming the lights a little, for you are now, in my youtube theatre. First things first, the previews. The future of animated X-men. 

Wow! What an awesome trailer. The story and concept seem to be at the forefront of this story.  Which is a sign of good things. "Your son's a mutant" and the music blares.  The music is perfect and gives the video an unprecedented cool factor. I'm really looking forward to this cartoon. I assume it is coming out around the same time as Wolverine: Origins. So I await anxiously.  Before our feature presentation, may I remind everyone that this saturday the new Spectacular Spiderman show debuts.

  

My knowledge of the history of the X-men comes primarily from card collecting in the 90's and the X-men cartoon of that same age. I thought it was the X-men's only appearance on the small screen since the 60's but I was wrong there was a pilot in 1989. The title is pure genius "Pryde of the X-men"  so I submit it to you for your viewing pleasure.

Pros: 

1. The theme song is fun. "magneto's hordes are on the way to pillage, burn, and plunder" never a truer lyric sung.  
   
2. The introduction of the X-men showcasing their powers is cool. I love Colossus being all Indiana Jonesy
3. I love Colossus's voice.
4. Army men calling mutants "muties" filled with hate and fear. It seems very mature to me for a cartoon.   
5. The X-men go into space very matter of factly.
6. The lack of X's. In the X-men comics now the costume designs and locales of the X-men are just covered in X's. These mutants don't have shred of X on them i think it's pretty refreshing and lets everyone kind of stand out. 

Cons:

1. The story is weak. " protect the mutant circuit" WTF! 
2. The army guys voices are horrible.
3. Kitty Pryde's voice makes my ears bleed and she comes off as a total nitwit.
4. Wolverine is not scottish or irish or whatever. He is canadian. So his voice casting is also unbearable.
5. Toad's voice in unbearable as well.
6. The fight at the end is weak. With the gauntlet of the Brotherhood picking off the X-men one by one as they fight the X-men. 
7. Nightcrawler comes off as a pervert at the end, and Colossus comes off a little gay. 
8. Dazzler is on the team! There's no Jean Grey and they put Dazzler on the team, seriously.

All in all, I'm happy. This version of the X-men didn't get picked up. I hope Wolverine and the X-men does not meet a similar fate. 

the READ pile - 03/05/08

For some reason my comic shop isn't listing a shipment of Secret Invasion Saga, or New Frontier Special. So I'll add them to the read pile next week. Don't you dare spoil those for me internets.

#1 DYNAMO 5 #11- This is one of my favorite titles. It has a silver age feel and lots of action. Jay Faerber is a genius.

#2 TWELVE #3 (OF 12)- Awesome book. If you need someone to explain to you why it's great,  may i direct you here.

#3 ALL NEW ATOM #21- New writer for the series. I hope he can keep this title on track.

#4 GREEN LANTERN #28- A startling revelation about the blackest night is promised in the solicitation. 

#5 COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS 8- Jimmy and Darkseid are suppose to get into fisticuffs. I bet Mike is hyped.

#6 JONAH HEX #29- It looks like Jonah is going to fight a giant scorpion. So obviously I'm excited.

#7 COUNTDOWN TO ADVENTURE #7 (OF 8)- I forgot what happened last issue. 

#8 NEW DYNAMIX #1 (OF 5)- One of my favorite comics ever is X-Statix. This book has absolutely nothing to do with that, but they both end in X's. So maybe it'll be just as good. I know absolutely nothing about this book. Let's see what I learn.

#9 LOGAN #1 (OF 3)- I don't like the cover. The soliciatation said that there will be a shocking revalation about Loagn, I don't like that either. Brian k. Vaughn is writing it so i'll give it a shot. His mini Dr. Strange: The Oath was fantastic. So hopefully this book can deliver.

#10 DC SPECIAL RAVEN #1 (OF 5)- Marv Wolfman is writing this book so lets see if he can revitalize Raven in the DCU. DC is claiming this book is new reader friendly, so jump on it. 

Relevant Issues

In the past couple of weeks, I've come across quite a few first issues. So I thought now, would be a good time to let you all know what I think.

Dr. Who #1 - I have never seen an episode of Dr. Who and I still enjoyed this comic. It did a pretty good job of introducing me to the world and rules of the Doctor Who universe. I never felt lost a si was reading this. The story itself was self contained and pretty decent. Will I pick up issue 2? I don't think so. If it comes out on a light week, when I'm only picking six or sev

en comics, I might grab it. All in all I wasn't blown away by the Dr. Who concept and character. I'm an American. I'll read Star Trek 

Zorro #1- I picked this book up because I love Dynamite's take on the Lone Ranger. Everything that made that comic engaging, fun, and cool is not present here. Zorro is the complete antithesis of Lone Ranger in story style and execution. Lone Ranger is told in real time the origin unfolding naturally through the first arch of the series. Zorro's origin is given nonsequentially and sporadically. As news of Zorro's exploits reaches a platoon of mexican soldiers. My favorite thing about Lone Ranger is that the dialogue is witty and sparse the art is allowed to carry the story and events unfold in action. Zorro is filled with dialogue and captions. It takes a long time to read and never develops a good pace. In hindsight it was stupid of me to think that Matt Wagner was going to write a book like Brett Mathews. I'm going to pick up issue 2 of this book to see if the story improves. 

Kick Ass #1 - The caption on the cover says "THE GREATEST SUPERHERO BOOK OF ALL TIME IS FINALLY HERE" but it's not. I t wasn't the greatest superhero book of all time but it was a pretty damn god one. The story is told efficiantly and with a lot of humor. I did find to be very true to life. The main character of Dave was interesting and easy for any comic book nerd to identify with. The idea of the book is simple, and it's something I  have thought about before. Why doesn't some one just become a superhero? All they have to do is put on a mask and beat people up its not out of the realm of reality, it's doable. The art is really fantastic and there is so much humor in this book. I really don't want to spoil it for anyone. Just pick it up, read it, and you will enjoy it. You need to know absolutely nothing about comics to enjoy this book. I'm onboard.

Accidental Acquistions

Last wednesday I accidentally picked up these books. So i thought I'd talk about'em.

Black Panther Annual #1 - I have never picked up an issue of Black panther before, but the cover called me to it. This is a great comic book cover. First of all it stands out on the rack. I mean a huge Black Panther emblem surrounded by Black Power fists is pretty bad ass. The title of this story is "Black to the Future" once I read that and the last page to see if there a The End,  I was ready to buy It. It's a one and done story telling  a "what if" story about the Black Panther's future and the history of Wakanda. I recomend it. 

JLA Classified #53 - This book somehow slipped under my radar and was accidentally put on my hold list. I'm glad I don't read JLA Classified on a regular basis. This was part four of a five part arch. Surprisingly I wasn't all that lost while reading it. The story is a slugfest between the JLA and some god like alien named Titus. After fighting with the JLA Titus offer's them god hood and tells them they can rule the world and care for humanity. The Justice League turns down his offer and they go back to fighting. I didn't enjoy this, I felt some of the characterizations were wrong and that Titus's is character design is basically Kalibak wearing some of Cable's hand me downs. I won't be picking up the next issue.