tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67371740344498192832024-03-06T00:09:39.972-08:00Argo CityRandom thoughts about Comic Books old and newMathiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822128225710090093noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737174034449819283.post-16096656214818082132011-05-24T17:17:00.000-07:002011-05-24T17:19:05.235-07:00Well it's official;<br /><br />I'm retiring this blog. Blogspot has been good to me, but I'm moving over to Wordpress for better search optimization and themes. You can still find me over at <a href="http://violentblue.thecomicseries.com/">Violent Blue</a> and at the new <a href="http://argocitycomics.wordpress.com/">Argo City blog</a> at Wordpress!Mathias42http://www.blogger.com/profile/10453588422989855311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737174034449819283.post-49413789492010170382011-05-02T10:22:00.001-07:002011-05-02T10:22:31.013-07:00I picked up Action Comics 900 last weekend. In it there's a short story (not even the main feature for Christ's sake!) where Superman goes to Iran to participate in a peacful protest. He just lands and stands with the crowd for 24 hours then leaves. I thought that was just so cool to see. Great story. Sure the Iranian government got pissed and complained, then the US goverment felt the need to talk to Superman. Same as usual. I've seen this before, "Secret Identity" handled it really well. We saw some of that in "Salvation Run" too. Then Superman stated to the government agent that he was going to the UN to renounce his citizenship.<br />I felt like someone had just punched me in the face.<br />Those of you who know me - really know me, know how big a deal Superman is to me. It's fairly visible, The floor mats in my car, the stickers and the steering wheel cover. The constant parades of shirts. The Money clip my Wife found for me. The stacks and stacks of comics, not to mention the drawings of my own. But it's the character that fascinates me. The character that uplifts and gives us something to aspire to. This isn't it. <br />Don't get me wrong. You can have a global worldview, but that doesn't mean sacrificing your personal culture, and Superman's cultural heritage is far more American that alien. Who he is fundamentally is grounded in Pa Kent - and that's nothing but American. "Superman : Peace on Earth" tackled these issues of mistrust as well, and what is notable was the realization that Clark Kent (in this case helping people reclaim farmland and plant crops) can sometimes be more effective than Superman. Clark the human, Clark the American. That's at the core of my profound disappointment here. The action of renouncing his citizenship is antithetical to the character. <br />I have to question the motives at DC on this. I mean, it smacks of cosmopolitan Intellectualism, of people with such open minds that their brains have leaked out. This isn't revolutionary, it's not creative, this decision is cowardly. It says, "Lets try to appease the rest of the world by showing how ashamed we are of our homeland." . America isn't perfect. But it is a special place, a remarkable place. This is an experiment in liberty that most people 200 years ago never expected to succeed, and certainly never expected the US to become as influential as it has been. It deserves better than this.<br />You know what? So do I. Perhaps it's time for me to renounce my citizenship in the DC Universe and immigrate over to Marvel.Mathias42http://www.blogger.com/profile/10453588422989855311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737174034449819283.post-5596923720274608612011-02-09T06:21:00.001-08:002011-02-09T06:21:41.976-08:00The Sandman and companionI've been reading through The Sandman again. I came across a copy of the Sandman Companion at Half Price books and it's been a fascinating excuse to revisit the series. However, I remember why I kind of trailed off it. I really loved the series before it became popular. Even though the quality didn't drop off when the series got hot, the fact that everyone else now liked it just sucked some of the fun out of it.<br />THe COmpanion really sheds some light on the source material. I though I was well read, but this is uncovering homages and sources that I've enver noticed before. It's also really fun to hear about how much Neil Gaimen loved Roger Zelazny...also one of my favorite authors.Mathias42http://www.blogger.com/profile/10453588422989855311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737174034449819283.post-81556259262398732412011-01-15T08:06:00.000-08:002011-01-15T08:08:17.166-08:00The Green Hornet<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwZTMN2HKoWAZ7tIuAX03Xfzdel2CTyhEXuLxByjTKwvGQZWjP3et7U5E69gk8JNwv2h3XVoQc2KgcjTJ6tCfAWpHQAuSSPM8KdJzRqKC0yea3aItnTjCYGp8H4_cp4yy68HCtpuQgVM/s1600/the-green-hornet-movie-poster1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlwZTMN2HKoWAZ7tIuAX03Xfzdel2CTyhEXuLxByjTKwvGQZWjP3et7U5E69gk8JNwv2h3XVoQc2KgcjTJ6tCfAWpHQAuSSPM8KdJzRqKC0yea3aItnTjCYGp8H4_cp4yy68HCtpuQgVM/s320/the-green-hornet-movie-poster1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5562445146895971474" /></a><br /><br /><br />I didn't hate the Green Hornet. This means something considering I'm a lifelong fan of the character. You can find pictures of the characters in my sketchbooks all the way back to 7th grade.There's a good story somewhere in this movie, however, it's buried under Seth rogan acting like a jerk and trying to be funny during parts of the movie where it really isn't appropriate.A bit more character development and a bit less humor (You don't need to throw out all of it. Justtrim by about 15-20%)and this could have been a really great adaption. I'd like that beacasue it could have brought much greater exposure to a character I really love.<br /><br />The problem really is that there isn't a really good vesion on screen. The TV show introduced a lot of what we take for granted in the character...the gadgets in the car, Kato being a martial artist... even the very look. The serials are fun, but a bit too campy...like a bad gangster movie from the 40's. Kevin Smiths comics really didn't GET the character, though that series has gotten a bit better with each issue, especially now that Smith's off the book. Matt Wagner's classic Green Hornet (being published right now by the same company) however is really good. I was a big fan of the 90's series published by NOW comics too. <br /><br />It's a pity this movie won't make enough to justify a sequal. I'd like to see another go at this with the actors settled in thier roles, and the characters beginning to mature.Mathias42http://www.blogger.com/profile/10453588422989855311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737174034449819283.post-85700886166859230192010-12-10T20:49:00.000-08:002010-12-10T21:02:58.272-08:00Christmas nicenessLet's face it. If you know me you know I don't cast any illusions about my feelings towards Christmas. If I didn't have a family I'd probably sit it out altogether in outright protest.<br /><br />Dispite my disdain, a couple of things have happened this week to keep me in a good enough mood to keep from going out and begining a christmassacre.<br /><br />I got a Christmas card today from Magician Lance Burton! Seriously, that's a nice surprise. It was fun last year to get a letter from him responding to my own, and a Christmas card around the same time. I figured That would be it, but apparentl I'm on his Christmas card list. I think that's kind of nice.<br /><br />It also seems that some people have noticed me listing to my normal Christmas fare - "A Santa Cause - a Punk Rock Christmas" Reliant K "Let it snow, let it reindeer" and "Punk Goes Jolly" because I was recently handed "Twisted Christmas". I didn't know Twisted Sister ever did a Christmas album....<br /><br />Oh my GOD it's so good. <br /><br />Seriously. I don't usually listen to Twisted Sister - It's not really a like or dislike issue, It just never occurred to me to seek out any of their music. I threw this on the iPod just for a lark. I figured there would be some intentional comedy in it...but man, this is REALLY good. I can't believe how much I like this album. Hearing Dee Snyder do "Oh Come All Ye Faithful" gives me flashes of listening to Michael Sweet do "Oh Holy Night". Seriously, why do we feel like we HAVE to listen to christmas carols as sung by Pat Boone? I don't listen to Neil Diamond during the rest of the year and I resent being told I have to listen to him all December and most of freaking November just because <span style="font-style:italic;">it's Christmas music</span>. I live in the 2010 and I'd really prefer to listen to 21st century music!<br /><br />And also some Twisted Sister now.....Mathias42http://www.blogger.com/profile/10453588422989855311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737174034449819283.post-14657490491587210552010-11-24T11:00:00.000-08:002010-11-24T11:01:00.766-08:00WrongSometimes I'm wrong. <br />Usually when I look at something and think "I have no intrest in this" I'm dead on. Months, years later, I'll be with some one else and end up watching the movie or reading the comic and I'm usually right. <br />I felt like this about "The Walking Dead". I don't get why the rest of the world currently thinks zombies are the coolest thing ever, but they don't really intrest me. I like them, but I wouldn't go out of my way to watch a zombie movie over a vampire movie. For this reason I've been giving "The Walking Dead" a pass. I've gotten other horror comics, freddy, jason, Army of Darkness, but Walking dead just seemed like another zombie title. Even despite the really rave reviews, I just chalked it up to the current zombie fad.<br />Recently someone dumped a stack of about 20 issues in my lap and I decided to give it a shot. 10-20 minuets out of my life to confirm what I already believed.<br />I'm surprised. i was wrong. <br />It's not just t hat Walking Dead is good, it's REALLY good. The human drama is surprisingly well done. I'd underestimated it because of the subject matter, but there are moments that really make you feel, and strong insghts that are conveyed, not preachy, not gory...you could have told this same story a hundred other ways. That perhaps is why it's better than I expected. In any event, I'll probably be going through this series on Thanksgiving. Who needs turky when you have BRAINS......Mathias42http://www.blogger.com/profile/10453588422989855311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737174034449819283.post-15066457525591521332010-11-22T06:39:00.000-08:002010-11-22T06:42:24.866-08:00Ghostbusters musingsIf you didn't get around to picking up Ghosbusters "What in Samhain just happened?" I highly suggest you run down to the comic shop right now. I imagine it's still on hte shelves buried behind some trash like "Batman inc".<br />I used to really like Peter David. I'm not sure why I dropped off him, except that after Imzadi, his novels seemed to decline in quality, and increase in unnessary sex (Plot device, fine. I object when it's just gratutious). His name was on the cover though so I definately wanted to read it.<br />The Ghostbuster comics have really been hit or miss. I kinda like the faux manga, and I did enjoy the Gangster / hell one . Displaced agression however went a little too far ove rthe line in to cartoony territory....cartoonier than the cartoon used to be! The latest issue is a nice return to form. Peter is once again the money grubbing opprutunist we see in the movies, and Janine has a nice chance to shine.<br />In other news, Toys R us is probably sold out of the Ghostbuster 4 pack exclusive they got. i saw ONE left when we visited the store for Lydia's birthday and I was bumming we couldn't afford the $50 price tag. It's actually cheap considering the cost to get them off of Matty collector.com ....assuming you can even do so. Things sell out witin minuets up there and that's if you don't have any technical issues with teh website...which most people do! So far I haven't been able to buy a single thing off there and it makes me livid that I have to go to the scalpers ot get my He-Man figures.<br />Sorry. I promised myself I wouldn't rant about the suck that is matty collector.com. Anyhow, Ghostbusters : good. Go find the comicMathias42http://www.blogger.com/profile/10453588422989855311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737174034449819283.post-16381003981324596602010-11-05T07:25:00.000-07:002010-11-05T07:39:15.198-07:00The JLA ?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbL12oEKmgDj5jz7zFqY_TwO2SbcpGLNKE09jBYETJld7GdRDtDBOJyzIPIhsHF7gwMk2MaluOlzxXq-KIrr8LQijIyUlTaNs_XqkScFmTODJoSqG3nxyeo-herxKGc42zB0XC9vTXdcQ/s1600/jlav2_cv501-300x230.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 230px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5536072531781466018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbL12oEKmgDj5jz7zFqY_TwO2SbcpGLNKE09jBYETJld7GdRDtDBOJyzIPIhsHF7gwMk2MaluOlzxXq-KIrr8LQijIyUlTaNs_XqkScFmTODJoSqG3nxyeo-herxKGc42zB0XC9vTXdcQ/s320/jlav2_cv501-300x230.jpg" /></a><br />Seriously, what is with the JLA? From this image alone I see Batman, but not BatmaT - rather the Dick Grayson batman so it's really Nightwing. I see Donna Troy (Wonder Girl) and Supergirl. I also see Jade.<br /><br />This isn't the JLA, it's the Teen Titans.<br /><br />I mean it. Dick and Donna were charter members. Jade was a contemorary on a comperint team (infinity Inc) back in the 80's, but joined the Titans later. Supergirl fits right in with these second generation heroes. <br /><br />Now don't get me wrong, I enjoy the idea of second generation heroes. I followed Nightwing religiously (there's a joke in there but I don't think most of you will get it) in his own title. I really loved both Donna and Jade when they were characters in Green lantern (Don't get me started on the foolish editorial mandate to get rid of both of these characters from that title) and I think Wally west is a better Flash than Barry ever was.<br /><br />The problem is they arn't the Justice league.<br /><br />Nowher is this clearer than here, where they are fighting the Crime Syndicate - supposedly the JLA's evil counterparts. Where are analogs? there's no Superman to battle Ultraman. No Wonder Woman to fight SuperWoman. Not even a Green lantern to face Power Ring!<br /><br />Gran Morrison got it. People want to see teh Worlds greatest heroes in the JLA. That means the big three, not to mention the second stingers like the Flash and Green lantern. Heck, even Brian Michael Bendis got this and resturctured the Avengers to include Spiderman and Wolverine (An unprecidented move. Never in 40 years had Spidey been a part of the Avengers...and yet, what an obvoious descision!)<br /><br />I want to like DC again. but it's stuff like this that just makes me wonder why they simply don't get it.Mathias42http://www.blogger.com/profile/10453588422989855311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737174034449819283.post-40796533763846133352010-11-03T07:37:00.000-07:002010-11-04T10:58:34.917-07:00<div class="blogcontent"><br /><p>Now that Halloween is over, I'm catching up on comics. Green Lantern Corps 53 was REALLY good. I've been enjoying this title a great deal whenever it's not caught up in some company wide event like Sinstro war, blackest night, or some other crisis....<br />I'm glad Kyle is still around. He really deserves to be. I grew up with Hal Jordan, and I enjoyed him in the silver age, I even liked the brooding, gray haired version of the dark age. I don't care for this Hla Jordan that's come back from the dead thoguh. I don't recognize him, I don't like his personality. It's something a littel intangable, but he's lost something and the current hal is just hollow. He's not right. You know, they never wrote him like this when he would occassionally show up in Kyle's Green Lantern run, I don't get why it's happening now.</p><br />Anyhow, GLC really can be a fun book and this month's a great start to what promises to be an interesting storyline. If that's not enoguh for you, Kyle punches out Sinestro on the last page. The coing attraction blurb consists simply of the words "Next issue, Sinestro hits back." </div>Mathias42http://www.blogger.com/profile/10453588422989855311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737174034449819283.post-2652028614965269542010-11-02T13:38:00.001-07:002010-11-02T13:41:17.574-07:00Holy crap. This site is still here!No serieously, I would have bet the blog was deleted by now.<br /><br />These days, you'll find me over at my webcomic <a href="http://www.violentblue.thecomicseries.com/">Violent Blue</a><br />but as it happens, I find I still have something to say about comics, especially running a comic oriented web comic.<br /><br />So here's try three at blogging. We all know I don't have anyting important to say, but when I'm saying it there I'm going to link here too. It's prettier here anyhow!Mathias42http://www.blogger.com/profile/10453588422989855311noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737174034449819283.post-2213769656460698432008-06-22T07:05:00.000-07:002008-06-22T19:04:41.822-07:00<p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >What the &^@# is going on with "The Dark Side Club"?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" >Okay, I read Birds of Prey, and let me just tell you, I was delighted when I saw the writer from Mary Jane was on it. He's not responsible for this month's issue though....a story which features a bunch of gangsters in an undergroud fight club who all have names of various Fourth Worlders. Didn't we just finished Death of the New Gods? DC...what are you doing?<o:p></o:p></span></p>Mathiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822128225710090093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737174034449819283.post-69341830279708113392008-06-19T07:02:00.000-07:002008-06-19T07:07:34.941-07:00Father's Day<span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Father's Day in my home goes like this;<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Step One : I say don't do anything, we can't afford it, it's not that big a deal.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >Step Two : My family ignores my advice and does something anyhow.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >My wife was with our two daughters at Wal-Mart gettign diapers. She qswung by the Men's section to get a Shirt form me, something with a clever phrase on it. She found one she liked, and was showing my two year old Maddie. Maddie had other ideas. She marched over to the shelf and pointed.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV24016ptsLu__KvlNW40jQHenO6hUxTlSc1S4EBcuTv5QulBmA8O9ItAeNj-OdYL1XFvTUiZN5A9BxPOJ_99m1DVIZWCqkWfRUGcLjxv_rd-7b0Dzyx2FOwcMjl5nvbdf2kEU33AG4-07/s1600-h/V2016MS3~Spider-Man-Red-Wraith-Foil-Logo-Posters.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 241px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV24016ptsLu__KvlNW40jQHenO6hUxTlSc1S4EBcuTv5QulBmA8O9ItAeNj-OdYL1XFvTUiZN5A9BxPOJ_99m1DVIZWCqkWfRUGcLjxv_rd-7b0Dzyx2FOwcMjl5nvbdf2kEU33AG4-07/s320/V2016MS3~Spider-Man-Red-Wraith-Foil-Logo-Posters.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213593288810141842" border="0" /></a><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >"Spidey shirt!"<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >"No honey," My wife said, remembering I have a moratorium on getting superhero shirts. (I have enough to go a month wearing a different one each day and you'd never see the same one twice) "I don't think Daddy wants another Spider-Man shirt. How about this one?"<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >"No. Spidey shirt!</span><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >"</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >"Really honey, how about we look over here?"<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >"No Mommy! SPIDEY SHIRT!"<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >So I got a Spider-Man shirt for Father''s day, and Maddie dressed in a little Spidey shirt of her own when we went to Church on Sunday (So we would match).<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" ><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style=""><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:10;" ><span style="font-size:100%;">Now let's see what happens on my birthday.....</span><o:p></o:p></span></p>Mathiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822128225710090093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737174034449819283.post-88289587181813009962008-05-27T10:33:00.000-07:002008-05-27T10:34:37.395-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQf5Ws3rzM3XadOXZHTH_4xf7MtmFS59v-kvG15sfVpPK0vKO_V5oPGgkA-WAbCDgh7sZDHmyKM8d3GvGERfG8vm7f3Csl-Z7AOpElAuCsrf4ItGvtGPpAkyhvIF04ScQ70tsBeYmuqh6M/s1600-h/SR.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQf5Ws3rzM3XadOXZHTH_4xf7MtmFS59v-kvG15sfVpPK0vKO_V5oPGgkA-WAbCDgh7sZDHmyKM8d3GvGERfG8vm7f3Csl-Z7AOpElAuCsrf4ItGvtGPpAkyhvIF04ScQ70tsBeYmuqh6M/s320/SR.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205112371737761746" border="0" /></a><br />Okay, let me just say, I wasn't a big fan of the Salvation Run concept. I fugured this was just DC's event de jour and I have attempted to avoide as many of these as I can. I actually only took a look after JLA refrenced it...yes I know that was the trap and I willingly walked in.<br /><br />I loved it.<br /><br />It reminded me of the old Suicide Squad stories, the dynamics were thre and teh characterizations were wonderful. I was especialy pleased with the way Luthor was portrayed. This was a really well done series and surprisingly tehre are very few tie ins.<br /><br />So why can't they coordinate it correctly??? Catwoman is WAY out of synch with SR, and the JLA sub-plot was completely useless, especially being seperate as it was(add another issue to SR or something. It could have been a good sub-plot if it had been contained within the series). The Suicide Squad mini had nothing to do with SR, but it ran concurrrently to the series (even though it takes place some time before SR - confusing anyone?). Now, the last issue dosen't even come out this month! No SR For May! June is the release date! In the mean time, Grodd shows back up in Flash, Catwoman shows Selenia back on Earth...so does JLA....<br /><br />DC, you guys are the big boys. This isn't Rob Liefield's Image or Post-Shooter Valient. You need to do better. The Superman titles have shown (at least in the past) incredibly tight continuity. The Bat titles (with as vast a selection as there are) have given it a good shot. This series shouldn't have been too hard. It was small, and it had genuinely good ideas behind it. I know you will probably collect it in a trade paperback, but if you keep buchering the serial titles you'll soon find that you have no more stories to collect in trades.<br /><br />Better luck next time.Mathiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822128225710090093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737174034449819283.post-24690898731792056972008-05-22T06:36:00.001-07:002008-05-22T06:48:43.780-07:00Spidy 560 and JLA 21I'm ashamed to be a DC fan.<br /><br />Can I just admit it? I've been a DC fan all my life. If you want flashy art, you go to Marvel. If you want great storytelling and innovation, you go to DC. <br /><br />No so anymore.<br /><br />JLA is just getting DUMB. The secret room floating in space that you teleport to from the front of the Hall of Justice...okay, I felt my IQ drop six points just writing that sentence.<br /><br />At least we got to see some of Superman Wonder Woman and Batman...since the seriese OBVIOUSLY isn't about them...no this is really about the second stringers...of course that's not why most folks buy it. They buy it because Superman is usually on the cover. And what's with Lex Luthor being back in the green armor? I know it's been going that way for a while, but honestly; are the writers so lazy that they can't find a compelling way to tell a story with him unless he can hit someone? John Byrne managed to do it. Heck, Salvation Run managed to do some pretty amazing things with him (even though it still devolved into hitting)<br /><br />Perhaps they need to take a hint from the guys over at SpiderMan.<br /><br />Now I'll be the first to say the whole getting rid of the marriage thing was a mistake, but<br /><br />A. Come on. We know it's not forever<br /><br />B. They did it right.<br /><br />Seriously. The devil wants to dissolve their marriage because it is "pure, and made holy in the eyes of he who I hate most". Dude, I almost fainted. In a society that constantly attacks marriage on a philisophical level for the sake of cheap laughs, this is GOLD.<br /><br />Shake ups at the Bugle, Pete snapping paparazzi pics and....let's just call her the "Mystery Lady" ( How did i not see that coming?) and everything fits together perfectly in a compelling story. I've been hooked on Spidey's "Brand New Day" since the first issue. I haven't missed one.<br /><br />Oh well. It's time to head over to the comics sho wit my list of mostly Marvel titles. I better get my dark glasses so no one will recognize me.Mathiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822128225710090093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737174034449819283.post-78503395084116238802008-05-15T08:03:00.001-07:002008-05-15T08:17:04.511-07:00New layout and IRON MAN!I used to be able to do the daily thing with updating, I'm not so sure I can nowadays.<br /><br />So! New Layout. I will post when I really have something to say!<br /><br /><br />And today, I have something to post about.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/hc.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 82px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/hc.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Has any one been playing with the Iron Man from Free Comic book Day?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/HMMU_200.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 138px; height: 193px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/HMMU_200.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Seriously, how good is this figure? I played him against an old Iron Man from one of the earlier series and it was a surprisingly even match...except the older one costs 160 points to play, and the FCBD one cost 100. They both pack a real punch dealing 3 clicks of damage a pop, but with the lower cost, FCBD Iron Man is a WAY better piece.<br /><br />The other thing worth mentioning is the paint job. The sculpts on both my Iron Men are nice, but the FCBD fig has a nice and dark paint job, muting the bright primary colors. it's a more realistic looking piece and I just love it. it's strong resemblance (though not identical) to teh movie version dosen't hurt either.<br /><br />Definately worth the hassle it took to get him (We went to Kieth's Comics in Elyria and they wouldn't give me one! The clerk said he was saving it for the kids. Thanks to <a href="http://www.recess.net/beast/index.php">Recess Games</a> in Great norther for my Iron Man!)Mathiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822128225710090093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737174034449819283.post-9135230983458651192008-01-29T14:18:00.000-08:002008-01-29T14:30:23.701-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/p12908copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/p12908copy.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/12908.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 100px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/12908.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Okay, we'll start off with a Bat block. Since I rarely ever get Bat titles anymore this was a weird month with the impulse buying.<br />Superman Batman has been a regular pull for me, but that's because of the Superman part of the title and not the Batman part. It manages to be excellent as always, with more than a little JLA creeping in. Funny how they show up more in here this month that they do in their own title.<br /><br />Batman : The Man who laughs is yet another Dark Knight spin off, specifically a spin off of Year One (which was a spin off of Dark Knight). It's better than most. Certainly better than Year Three. Still it lacks the essential grittiness that Miller's series had. Interesting enough to pick up though.<br /><br />I almost passed on Detective this month because of the goofy cover. I'm not sure why I picked it up but I'm glad I did. The story with Ras Al Gul is so well handled I may go back and look at the rest of it. Ras is a character that when handled well, can be a huge global level threat. When handled badly...he's just silly...and for the most part he's been handled badly in recent years. Nice to see this is the exception. Robin and Nightwing both appear, something I'm always glad to see. We need more Robin in Batman comics. There has been such a drive to develop the character in his own right that we are now beginning to forget that he still IS the latter part of "Batman and...." His own title is still going strong, though just a little too similar to stories past. The current arc reminds me too much of when he first met the Spoiler; coincidental (but I'm pretty certain not intentional) since I suspect she's about to make a return to the series. Oh and the scene with Robin balancing on top of the huge ball is GREAT. "Believe it or not, I've trained for this; and I made fun of Bruce for this part of my training...."<br /><br />I'm still pleased with Spidey, and I saw something interesting in the eyes of Harry Osborne this month. I'm really wondering where they are going to go here. It's a relatively slow start, but not so slow that I'm bored. Oh well. Two weeks till the next issue.<br /><br />I'm an idiot. I didn't figure out who the Baby's mother was until this issue...<br />The Punisher is a hard series to follow. I don't know if it's the violence or the quality of violence. It's not as comic booky here. Still , I can't put this series down.. it has a terrible beauty to it. Frank's description of fatherhood gives me something to think about as I cope with my own three month old.<br /><br />I did go back and search out all of the issues of Salvation Run after it began to intrude on JLA. I'm glad I did. This series is GOOD. Still brighter than the old Suicide Squad, it has a very similar feel, not surprising when you throw a bunch of Supervillians together. Get this for the characterization of Lex Luthor if nothing else. The writer has it dead on. His Lex is quite derivative of Smallville, and that’s no bad thing. Charming, intelligent and a brilliant tactician, he's going to build his own army out here in the wilds, I just know it. More on this later.<br /><br />Freddy Vs Jason vs Ash, and Finally Freddy has a chance to shine! It's still WAY to focused on Jason but with the Necronomicon giving Freddy the ability to hit the dream world and the real world, watch out. I can see now this wouldn’t have really worked as a movie. It’s way to silly.<br /><br />Finally, What If : the Civil War version. I don’t like the whole Civil War series, anymore than I like the various sundry Crisis going on in the DCU. This is a nice encapsulation of what could have happened though. I think I could have enjoyed the whole thing if It had been done like this. What if Cap was the one Superhumans registered too, he’d be the only one knowing the identities and training them. A brilliant divergence. On the other hand what if it had been completely a government op, with Shield at the helm. A terrifying divergence... This may be the best title I read this week.<br /><br />One last note, Doctor Who Classics. Pass. This is a reprint of…well, how do I explain this? The stories originally were printed in the Doctor Who magazine, t hen reprinted by Marvel for the Doctor Who comic in the US. Reprinted again in England as Doctor Who color classics, then recently (last year or two) collected and reprinted again in trade from.<br />How many times can you reprint these stories?? Especially when they are so bad? They’ve been recolored to bring them up to modern standards but these are still terrible stories, and they don’t get better for a while. At least not until the end of the 4th Doctor’s run. I’m not even posting a pic here.Mathiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822128225710090093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737174034449819283.post-37607920832336149352008-01-28T07:14:00.000-08:002008-01-28T07:15:48.051-08:00The Wife stopped at the store to get a few things for dinner. We had Sloppy Joes with macaroni and cheese.<br /><br />Spider-Man mac and cheese that is.....Mathiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822128225710090093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737174034449819283.post-46444848606582218272008-01-25T09:56:00.000-08:002008-01-25T04:48:08.234-08:00Sci-Friday<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/SciFriday.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 403px; height: 137px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/SciFriday.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">So IDW is doing Star Trek. Does anyone realize that this is the first time the same company has held the licenses to both Star Trek AND Doctor Who at the same time? I find this really exciting as these were the two most influential SF shows in my youth. (Never was a big Star Wars fan, sorry. I like it…just not in that way….)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/TNGex2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 389px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/TNGex2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/TNGex1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 253px; height: 372px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/TNGex1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Whenever reading Star Trek in the comics, it is inevitable that I will compare it to DC’s run during the 80’s and 90’s. To me that is the pinnacle of Trek lore (but we’ll explore that another time)</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This is not a bad job. I skipped on some early IDW offerings because they were too predictable. In fact I was probably deliberately avoiding them because it's irritating when we get a new publisher every five minuets. I’m not into kilingon stories. I think the year four series is unnecessary (it’s been covered to extremes in the books). Aren’t there enough alien spotlight kind of stories? Assignment Earth is an okay idea but it wasn’t good enough for a spin off back then and it still isn’t. New frontier is a good idea, I’m just not into that series.<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/ST_yf_main.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 176px; height: 269px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/ST_yf_main.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/ST_mu_main.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 181px; height: 260px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/ST_mu_main.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/ST_nf_main.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 201px; height: 279px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/ST_nf_main.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/TNG1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 178px; height: 258px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/TNG1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/vulcan_coversm.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 169px; height: 255px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/vulcan_coversm.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/ST_ae_main.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 191px; height: 299px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/ST_ae_main.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">Does that about cover it? On to the “Intelligence Gathering” story. <span style=""> </span>I love that it focuses on the Romulins (on of the more underrated villains in the Trek universe. Why is everyone so obsessed by Klingons?) and the memory core Riker and Data travel into is beautiful (24<sup>th</sup> century equivalent of a RAID array). It reminds me a bit of the showroom in the HitchHiker’s Guide to the Galaxy film. I also love the revelation (and a practical one at that) that not every vehicle in the federation has weapons attached. It also is a good stopping point. If you want to get off the ride here and now you can, and still feel like you read a complete story. I do like that, so much in fact, that I plan to pick up the next issue!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">A note about the art on Commander Riker. I have no doubt that some folks will complain that he dosen’t really look like that. I think this is the best example of drawing a character that looks like the character rather than the actor playing them. Riker looks a lot better than Jonathan Frakes. This is one of the advantages of the medium. I’m pleased to see them taking advantage of it. I do wish the bridge was made to look a little bigger though. I would even go as far as to say it’d be nice to see the bridge and uniform scheme from Generations. Again, it’s the ability of the medium to make things better.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/TNGINT.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/TNGINT.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">One last note, the way the title of the story was displayed in one frame at the top of the first page. Perfect. Perfect idea, now if you can just learn how to draw the ship, it would be flawless.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"> </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">I’m off now to get a copy of Doctor Who.</p>Mathiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822128225710090093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737174034449819283.post-2823717769621167772008-01-24T09:53:00.000-08:002008-01-24T04:58:25.984-08:00Blue and Gold?<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I saw it in the Christmas wish list back in the December issue of either Green Lantern or JLA. Booster Gold’s wish was for the return of the Blue and Gold team. Specifically, the return of Ted Korrd; Blue Beetle.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Here’s the thing about Booster Gold. He’s impossible to like. He’s designed that way, to be the worst elements of the Yuppies, Liberals, Conservatives, jocks and gigolo. He didn’t work back when his own title first came out in the 80’s, and I don’t see how he could possibly work now.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Keith Giffen figured out how though, He saw the character was about to be banished into limbo and came up with the solution . Pair him up with another character that is floundering. In this case it was Blue Beetle.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Blue Beetle was a Charlston charactered aquired by DC when they bought the catalogue. Originally slated to be in Alan Moore’s Watchmen, they decided not to go that route in favor of trying him out in his own series. The problem is that while Beetle works in the context of Charlton Comics (really well actually) you put hi min a world with Superman and Batman and he seems just a little bit…silly. Mabey it’s the goggles…or the flying bug….I don’t know.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Pairing Blue Beetle and Booster Gold was a stroke of comedy genius. They embodied the whole “Buddy Cop” stereotype, and played off each other perfectly. Quite often, they were the only reason to read Giffen’s Justice League.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">There’s a new Blue Beetle<span style=""> </span>in the DCU. I tried him out a couple of times, but he just doesn’t interest me. This storyline in Booster Gold though…<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/BG7.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/BG7.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/BG6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/BG6.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br />I remember when similar stuff was happening in Green Lantern. The writers would find a way to sneak Hal <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Jordan</st1:place></st1:country-region> into the series along side of Kyle. The Hal fans would hope beyond hope that this was it, they were bringing <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">Jordan</st1:place></st1:country-region> back. Sales would go up. Finally I would laugh in their faces and point out I knew all along Hal wasn’t coming back. You fell for it! </p><p class="MsoNormal">Suddenly I know how they felt. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Booster Gold Just dosen’t work without his little buddy. I see on the DC site that this arc will be going on for a couple of months, but I cn’t see how they could make this come back permanent, yet I hope they do.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">So sorry to all of those Hal Jordan fans I unfairly teased, but you got your boy back…isn’t it my turn now?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Mathiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822128225710090093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737174034449819283.post-7961189984672300922008-01-23T09:42:00.000-08:002008-01-24T04:54:33.426-08:00Wednesday Alternative.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/alternitives.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 416px; height: 114px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/alternitives.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Deadshot</span><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/deadshot2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 139px; height: 185px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/deadshot2.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>I first encountered Deadshot in the pages of DC’s Who’s Who, which I used to read cover to cover (probably not that healthy for a child to do….). When John Ostrander rolled out Suicide Squad for DC in the late 80’s I was delighted to find that I recognized quite a number of the rotating cast as well as a few regulars. Deadshot was one of them.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I know Deadshot looks like a superhero, but if you read through the series you’ll come away with a wholly different perspective. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Back when John Ostrander was writing the Suicide Squad he found he had WAY too much material he wanted to explore with Deadshot so he convinced the powers that be at DC to do a mini series. This series is a little dated. You can feel the 80’s in it here and there, but the story stays riveting. The fascinating this is that Deadshot is not entirely the main character here. The story is told more from the perspective of his thearipist, who is tracking him down, than it is from his own. It’s a story about relationships with Deadshot’s estranged family, and the rescue of his son.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">****************SPOILER ALERT********************</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The rescue fails. The child dies at the hand of a pedophile.<span style=""> </span>Deadshot goes beserk and kills everyone involved. Everyone except the person who ordered it all; his mother. No, he dosen’t kill her, he cripples her.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Still think this is your usuall Superhero fare?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">***************SPOILER ENDS**********************</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">One of my friends has mentioned that standards in the 80’s were slipping. The comics code was letting a <st1:place st="on">LOT</st1:place> slip by. I’d like to mention this was a general release comic. It had the comic code seal on it, I was buying it in the drugstore down the street from my house.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/SV12Deadshot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 399px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/SV12Deadshot.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/deadshot_882.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 248px; height: 384px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/deadshot_882.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/deadshot_883.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 357px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/deadshot_883.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/deadshot_884.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 348px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/deadshot_884.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">It’s been a few years but a second mini-series was run in 2004. I think you really have to know the first series to understand the second. It’s not bad, a fun return to the character, but it dosen’t have nearly the depth the first one does. It dosen’t disturb the way that one does.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I finally got my Deadshot figure a couple of years ago. I’ve wanted this figure since I was 12, mostly because of that first mini-series. He’s a fascinating character, and despite the super hero trappings, a wonderful comic alternative.</p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">The original series may be purchased <a href="http://www.milehighcomics.com/cgi-bin/backissue.cgi?action=list&title=23069047696&snumber=1">here</a></p><p class="MsoNormal">The followup series from 2004 may be purchased<a href="http://www.milehighcomics.com/cgi-bin/backissue.cgi?action=list&title=23069047696&snumber=1"> here<br /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p>Mathiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822128225710090093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737174034449819283.post-3496528071136278162008-01-22T09:21:00.000-08:002008-01-24T04:52:47.761-08:00This Week's Pulls<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/pulls.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 417px; height: 133px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/pulls.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />The Amazing Spider Man #547 <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Grimm Fairy Tales : Return to Wonderland #5</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Friday the Thirteenth :<span style=""> </span><st1:place st="on"><st1:placename st="on">Bad</st1:placename> <st1:placetype st="on">Land</st1:placetype></st1:place> #1 0f 2</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">JLA #17</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">The Messiah Complex parts 9-12</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Superman #672</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Suicide Squad #5 of 8</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Star Trek TNG : Intelligence Gathering #1</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCKvYzAQu7fxMHv3FCQw8nMvVCX6jjF6sUjirTeRrkeknHw7tZXFcOe1DDl74wi_dDXltdIxhsdoj5Ho2EeDVz-kGwC8kLdeVwRox1S5mU8eUhTBNXHgbQvDFN-ItAcYUixqIjzAnBO08/s1600-h/ASM547.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 135px; height: 195px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKCKvYzAQu7fxMHv3FCQw8nMvVCX6jjF6sUjirTeRrkeknHw7tZXFcOe1DDl74wi_dDXltdIxhsdoj5Ho2EeDVz-kGwC8kLdeVwRox1S5mU8eUhTBNXHgbQvDFN-ItAcYUixqIjzAnBO08/s320/ASM547.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5158352777509264610" border="0" /></a>If you aren’t reading Spidey right now you need to start. He’s been one of those titles that I’ve been skipping over for years now, mabey grabbing this months copy at the supermarket if it looks good but not following very consistently. The “One More Day” arc changed all of that. Now that we are into the follow up “Brand New Day”, I can’t get enough. It’s actually a GOOD thing they are publishing this weekly right now because I’d go nuts if they weren’t. Marvel hasn’t put everything right from Civil War yet, but they have taken Spidey in an interesting direction and I have no complaints so far. Waiting to see what’s going to happen with Harry Osborne alone is killing me.<span style=""> </span>Here’s hoping they don’t go shark jumping.</p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><b style=""> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/GRIM5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 107px; height: 151px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/GRIM5.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>Grimm Fairy Tales</b> is a pass. I keep hoping this series will pull itself together and become more than a T and A title. Reminds me a lot of Image when it began. Once in a while they have a good take on a classic fairy story, but it’s all just buried amongst these poor women who are going to end up with back problems in the near future.</p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/JASON1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 107px; height: 151px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/JASON1.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a> Now can someone explain to me why Wild Storm keeps putting out Friday the 13<sup>th</sup> stories but not Nightmare on Elm Street ones?? I mean, I’m enjoying adding to my horror collection, but I’d really rather seem more Freddy than Jason. At least there’s <i style="">Freddy vs. Jason vs. Ash </i>this month (I need to track down last months too). Pass on this. It’s a quick 2 parter, and if you are a fan of Jason you might like it, but the writer is trying to parallel another story here, Jason’s actions mirroring a jealous indian husband of a hundred years ago. It’s perhaps a little to high concept for the subject matter, and it’s not treated well.</p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/JLA17.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 107px; height: 151px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/JLA17.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a>This Month’s <b style="">JLA</b> is actually a nice read. The title has never been all that good since the relaunch. There seems to be little action and even less story about the JLA itself. This issue though, this is the best issue of <i style="">Suicide Squad</i> I have read in a long time…oh wait; this is JLA…</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Seriously, why is the Squad better written in JLA than it is in it’s own title? Especially when John Ostrander (the creator and original writer of SS) is back on it? That aside, this is really more of a set up issue (I hope. I thought that about the last issue and it turned out to be just a wasted filler space). I think this can springboard us into a really good story arc. It’s already made me want to go hunt down <i style="">Salvation Run</i>. One suggestion guys, can we PLEASE see more of the big three? I lost interest in JLA before the reboot because it was not longer about Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, but rather it was the Green Arrow show guest starring Hawkman and Black Canary. The whole point of Grant Morrisons’s JLA was to change it back from being a group of second stringers to being the powerhouses of the DCU. Since the reboot I’ve still mostly been seeing second stringers featured.</p>Still that IS a great picture of Black Lightning on the cover.<br /><p class="MsoNormal"></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/XFT27.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 162px; height: 228px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/XFT27.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/X206.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 227px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/X206.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/UX494.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 227px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/UX494.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/NX46.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 227px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/NX46.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"> I’m not going to list off all the X-Men titles involved in the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Messiah complex</span>, since they all seem to mesh together anyhow. I’m using the covers that are on sale at the Grocery Store (where I buy most of my comics) and I think these move the chapters along nicely.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I came into this story late, but it’s not hard to figure out what’s going on. Cable is done well in this along with surprising and strong characterization on Gambit. We’re near the end of this arc so if you haven’t been already following, you may want to wait and pick up the trade paperback (you KNOW this storyline is going to get collected).<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/SM672.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 107px; height: 151px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/SM672.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Superman</span> is another one of those titles I occasionally pick up at the market. It’s been so uneven across all the titles that I can’t bear to read it often. This looks like a decent story. The action is good and the art is spectacular. I’m not going to announce a turning point yet, but I’ll stick around for the next issue.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></p><br /><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/SS5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 107px; height: 151px;" src="http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/gg306/argocitycomics/SS5.jpg" alt="" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Suicide Squad</span> finally seems to have found a direction. The excitement I felt when this title was first announced has all but vanished after four issues that were practically nothing but set-up.<span style=""> </span>Finally we are seeing a story develop. Admitted I don’t really like Rick Flag and the fact that much of this series has focused on him bores me. The intrigue is beginning to pick up though and it’s almost feeling like the old days. It’s a pity though that Ostrander didn’t at least keep a few elements from Keith Giffen’s run.<span style=""> </span>There were some good points there. The banter between Deadshot and Killer Frost weas fun and I really liked the idea of Sgt. Rock being one of the field commanders. Still it’s a nice line up with some familiar faces and a few new ones that make sense. The Squad seems very active in other parts of the DCU so we’ll see if there’s more to be had after the mini series ends. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <span style="">There’s a TNG book on the list but I think we’ll save that for Sci-Friday</span>Mathiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822128225710090093noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6737174034449819283.post-23193934726389566632008-01-21T09:20:00.000-08:002008-01-22T10:12:18.987-08:00Batman and Smallville<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I was a big fan of Smallville when it first aired. I was a fan through the second season. The third season I began to drop off a bit. I stopped watching during the middle of it.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I should have stayed with it. Borrowing DVDs from the Library I began to catch up recently.<span style=""> </span>Smallville didn’t jump the shark until the fourth season, but jump it did. When a series is waning and about to jump, you do one of a few things, kill off a main character, bring in a new cast member, throw in a cliffhanger, briefly and radically alter the main character amongst others. Smallville season four opener did ALL of these things. Killed Chloe, made Clark Kryptonian, cliffhanger, and introduces Lois Lane.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">I dislike the fourth season for this and other reasons. I was dreading the “very special episode of Smallville” which I was certain would come eventually. It came in season four. If you stretch things you might be able to convince yourself that <st1:place st="on">Clark</st1:place> didn’t lose his virginity but it’s a real stretch. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">As we go on the appearance of other superheroes and even the creation of costumes (for a JLA???) just grates. Those of us with any continuity mind were driven crazy. I gave up about halfway into the DVD set and caught the rest of the way up with Wikipedia. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The saddest thing is that it didn’t have to jump. If this series had a predetermined lifespan of say, four or five years, we could have had a beautiful arch and a well done storyline. Moreover, the cast would have been ready for movies, just about the time Superman Returns went into production (perhaps a year later). Don’t get me wrong, I like Brandon Routh, but Tom Welling is just SO much more perfect for the role (not to mention Michael Rosembaum’s Luthor; the BEST Lex Luthor to EVER grace any screen – sorry Mr. Hackman), and it would have been the payoff for the series. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">There is a perfect replacement waiting in the wings if someone would just revive it. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">The original pitch was not for a young Superman series, but a young BATMAN series. It was nixed because Warner Brothers didn’t want any competition for their new batman Begins movie, also an origin story. I’m not sure that it would have been competition but nevertheless, that factor doesn’t exist any more. Imagine a series about Bruce Wayne at boarding school. The excitement of batman with some of the charm of Harry Potter. Take half of the season or even a third of it and show summer break, go to exotic locations in the Orient and <st1:country-region st="on"><st1:place st="on">India</st1:place></st1:country-region> and others. We get an almost young Indiana Jones feel here.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">How many villains have they tried to shoehorn into Smallville? It would be so much easier to fit pre-origin Batman villains in a series like this. Not all of his foes are contemporaries. We could have teachers like Victor Freiss and Jonathan Crane. Rubbing shoulders with businessman Oswald Cobblepot.<span style=""> </span>Going to school with Pamela Isley and Floyd Lawton. Perhaps working with Detective (or lawyer) Harvey Dent?</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Again, a set lifespan of five years or so would be good, and could make this series superior to Smallville and this is coming form a Superman fan, not a Batman fan. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Mathiashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02822128225710090093noreply@blogger.com0