Favorite Covers #11

Hellraiser Book 1
Cover Date 1989

Comics based on movies used to be a big thing. Back in the day nearly every movie that came out would have a comics adaptation for it: Independence Day, Terminator 2.. even the Adventures Of Ford Fairlane (look it up). On rare occasions these adaptations would end up turning into an ongoing thing, what would happen more often was a series using the concepts introduced in the movies.

(Clive Barker's) Hellraiser is one of the earliest ones I can think of. This was an anthology series where each issue featured 4 stories based in the Hellraiser Universe. 

This was interesting because it allowed for an expansion to this reality. You learn there is a hierarchy in Hell and what it's function is. You also meet new Cenobites and learn their functions as well. 

This became a favorite of mine for a while and I really need to sit down and re-read the run.

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 14

#119: Jocasta

The Pull List!

AVENGERS #4
Words: Brian Michael Bendis
Pictures: John Romita, Jr.

The time stream is royally messed up. Kang was sent back in time by the Maestro to warn the newly re-formed Avengers that their children, the Next Avengers, have destroyed Ultron and have taken things over.

Apparently that may or may not be what actually happened.
Something happened in the time stream that allowed Killrave from War Of The Worlds and Devil Dinosaur to show up in New York City in 2010 along with a Red Baron style bi-plane, space ships, Avengers Tower (complete with Sentry's addition) and even Galactus!

But here's the thing, we're 4 issue into this series and it still feels like things aren't gelling very well. I'm hoping this opening arch, which ends soon, will solidify things before the book starts to lose it's charm.

DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #890
Words: James Asmus
Pictures: Micah Gunnell

Guest-Starring Machine Man!
Arguably the single most hilarious book I've read since Nextwave! Any book that begins with Deadpool trying to stuff a hamster he made rabid into a shotgun on the very first page of the story it top shelf funny in my book.
This is what Deadpool should be about. Add in Aaron Stack (Machine Man) who has a natural hate for 'Fleshy Ones' and you have the perfect funny book.
The jist: Stack is in the employ of the Delmar Insurance Company which feels that over the years Deadpool has racked up quite a lot of claims due to the damage he's caused to people and places they insure. They feel he owes them roughly $77,341,308.62 and they are willing to forgive it IF Deadpool does one little job for them.
Problem is, Aaron has to go with him and they do NOT get along! Add in the Puppet Master and you have a great book!

FANTASTIC FOUR #582
Words: Jonathan Hickman
Pictures: Neil Edwards

Why is Hickman allowed to write this book...EVER? Every time he writes the FF I lose a little interest.
He's a great writer, don't get me wrong, but he just isn't a Fantastic Four writer. I just seems like his stories are disjointed and make very little sense. Granted they tend to pay off in the end but getting to the end is so difficult...but at least he's not Mark Millar!
So, this issue concludes a story about something...I'm not entirely sure what but the main thing is it's over.
Next issue begins the story '3' in which one of the team, seemingly, dies and the remaining members have to carry on without this person (or Thing)
Marvel is even running ads where some members of the FF are wearing new costumes with a '3' on it instead of a '4'
Very interesting and I hope better than the last few issues.

THOR #613
Words: Kieron Gillen
Pictures: Richard Elson

Thor continues his quest to save Hela and her new realm , within Mephisto's realm while Tyr tries his best to find his warrior self and protect Hela from the demonic Disir.
It's an intersting quest if not a little drawn out for no apparent reason other than to have another issue in Mephisto's Hell.

Next issue should have a nice battle in it as after failing to pick up the only weapon that can kill the Disir, Thor calls them out in the middle of Mephisto's realm. I'm going to guess that the fight gets pretty bad and Mephisto stops it because it begins to cause damage to his underworld kingdom. He tends to not like that sort of thing.


Kind of a flat week. One really great book, Deadpool Team-Up, a pretty bad one, Fantastic Four, and the others were at least decent reads.

The Pull List

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #640
Words: Joe Quesada
Pictures: Paolo Rivera, Joe Quesada, Danny Miki & Richard Isanove

One Moment In Time continues! In this reworking of One More Day, Aunt May lives AND Peter and MJ are still together.
The Kingpin still wants to punish Spider-Man by killing those he loves and Peter understands the danger his loved ones are in and seeks out the aid of Dr. Strange.

While the story seemed to have a slow start, it's really starting to kick into gear and is a very interesting reworking of the events that occurred at the beginning of Brand New Day. What is really interesting is this fits in place and is filling in the gaps we've been thinking about for the last few years.
The way this story is going things will be just how I like them once Brand New Day ends in October. As I've said before, as long as MJ is NOT a main character I'm happy.

AVENGERS & THE INFINITY GAUNTLET #1 of 4
Words: Brian Clevinger & Lee Black
Pictures: Brian Churilla

This is little more than a lighter retelling of the classic Marvel event The Infinity Gauntlet.
The story is basically the same: Thanos has collected the Six Infinity Gems essentially making him God.
It differs in the sense that he doesn't seem to be doing this for Mistress Death, rather he simply wants the universe to work the way he wants it to. The scene where Scarlet Witch says "Reality. It's...rewriting itself around us." let's you in on how things are somewhat different.
Also, there is more humor in this version, something that makes it more appropriate for a younger crowd. The best two examples are when Sue Richards is putting together a team to head into space to find the source of the Great Disappearance she says "Lastly, Wolverine. Because he's on every super hero team." which Spider-Man follows up with "Sounds exhausting. No wonder you're always so cranky." The second example was when Doom shows up and Hulk charges at him. Instead of blasting the Green Goof, Doom simply moves aside and puts out a foot, tripping Hulk. So simple and very funny.
A fun retelling of a classic story with a dash of Super Hero Squad tossed in. The only thing I worry about is the humor overpowering the whole story. But a great way to introduce one of the best events in the comics industry to a whole new generation.

DEADPOOL #26
Words: Daniel Way
Pictures: Carlos Barberi

Deadpool is no longer working for the Vega casinos. It's funny how a gun and physical violence can help with the resignation.
That part was fun but then it takes a turn for the worst. Ghost Rider shows up.
Now I never thought I would ever say this but can ANYONE tell me what the hell is going on with Ghost Rider? The character seems like a pathetic mess and needs to either be done away with or fixed. It's John Blaze again, which makes no sense, and he refers to Ghost Rider as a separate entity yet he talks like Blaze. Makes no sense. The Rider should be a separate entity but not like this.
So, he gives Deadpool the Penance Stare, something else Blaze never could do, it was a different demon who had that power, and Deadpool relives his early years. Pretty much a yawner but I'm hoping it's going somewhere. Just leave Ghost Rider out of it.

FABLES #97
Words: Bill Willingham
Pictures: Mark Buckingham

The origin of Rose Red concludes! We see how she allowed herself to become the 'evil sister' because of her belief that Snow White abandoned her. Her path of destruction included injured and killed knights, a treaty with a dragon destroyed and marriages ended.
Through her reliving of these times she realizes she was wrong. Snow never left her, she left but it was to protect her and Rose.
So, Rose is back to her old self again, I hope, and finds out who or what the being was that took the form of her mother. WE don't know but I'm looking at the panels and seeing if there's a clue or two.

Meanwhile... Geppetto continues his schemes with Ozma and Stinky Badger to take over the Farm and set thing right in their minds.
Beast and Biggby both begin to feel the pull of Mister Dark in the remains of Fabletown. Bigby and Snow agree to send their children away to protect them...from both Dark AND Bigby.
Things are starting to come to a head and all the players are moving into place for something BIG coming: FABLES #100!

The Pull List

Alright, it's a few days late but at least I'm doing it, right?

DEADPOOL #1000
Words: Various
Pictures: Various

All I can say is this is basically a 'jam issue' with all kinds of writers and artists doing all kinds of Deadpool stories.
Let me tell you, after reading crap Annuals featuring the Fantastic Four and Spider-Man this year I think this should have been the 2010 Deadpool Annual. That what it read like. It was fun and different.
Seeing Deadpool done by so many different artists and written by so many people was fun.
The only thing is I don't really know which one was my favorite...although DP punching a cat and ending up with his fist coming out of the thing's mouth was a riot!
Also in this volume was a gallery featuring the Deadpool variant covers Marvel did earlier this year for their various books. There were a few I wanted to get but could never find so this is good enough...for now.

THANOS IMPERATIVE #3 of 6
Words: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Pictures: Miguel Sepulveda

This is what could be considered the 'breather issue.' After last months massive confrontation, which included the Celestials and Galactus, this one starts running then slows to a nice jog as the impact of this invasion from the Cancer-verse starts to really impact people.
Nova takes command, something that is coming natural to him after leading the fight against the Annihilation Wave and the Phalanx Conquest of the Kree and people are willing to follow his lead now. I really like that.
So, we know now that in the Cancer-verse Death has been destroyed and life has grown without limit much like a cancer. What apparently happened is their version of Thanos was destroyed and since he was the Avatar of Death is weakened the concept of Death and it was destroyed.
We still have a Thanos and he's the only thing standing in the way of these things taking over. To bad Drax did what he did but I have a feeling Thanos isn't that easy to kill anymore, especially now.
With three issues to go I can't believe how massive this story is!

THOR: THE RAGE OF THOR
Words: Peter Milligan
Pictures: Mico Suayan

I have to say I have enjoyed most of these Thor one-shots. Again, these are interesting stories that should be done for Annuals but with this guy Marvel seems to like doing a series of one-shots. Also, with the movie coming out next year (lame), Marvel is really doing what it can to get recognition for the Asgardian but putting almost as many books out as Deadpool has.
I'm only getting his regular ongoing but I have been collecting these one-shots so I figured I'd grab this one as well.
This takes place in the past and after Thor was apparently accused of killing his fellow Asgardians. He was banished to Midgard (Earth for you non-geeks) and took up the role of a farmer and husband. He helped to defend his new home and found a way to bury his rage with Asgard and his father in particular.
The story flows nicely and really hits home that during his time away from Asgard, Thor really begins to resent the way of life there...drinking, womanizing and such. It's great. I love these one-shots because they really do go a long way in adding more dimensions to Thor's character.

THE WALKING DEAD, VOLUME 12: LIFE AMONG THEM
Words: Robert Kirkman
Pictures: Charlie Adlard

I've been collecting this series in the trade format for some time now. It's both fun and hell.
It's fun when a new volume comes out and I get to read more but it's hell because the book is so well written that it goes by way to fast and then it takes another 6 or so months before another volume comes out.

The premise is simple: Zombies. Basically this book STARTS where most zombie movies end. We see what happens to the survivors AFTER the movie ends and they are still trying to survive.
I'm not going to say much more than that because I plan to re-read this whole set and will do a review for each volume. And maybe by time I get close to finishing I'll be getting Volume 13!

DC COMICS SUPER HERO COLLECTION SPECIAL: LOBO

This finally arrived and I got it! Granted it was a week after it officially arrived but my friend Matt got his so I was able to enjoy the Main Man's greatness for a week before I finally got mine!
I already posted pictures of the figure, the post should be directly below this one.

DC Comics Super Hero Collection

These are the DC version of the Classic Marvel Figurine Collection I've been posting here. I don't have many but just picked up LOBO!
I have to post the front and back pictures because he's wearing his "Bit Me, Fanboy" jacket!

Harley Quinn is the only other one from this line I have. She's pretty good looking to!

The Long Box #9

DEADLY FOES OF SPIDER-MAN #1 of 4
Words: Danny Fingeroth
Pictures: Al Milgrom & Kerry Gammill
May 1991

Probably one of the first Spider-Man comics I picked up this one deals with one of Spidey's villains, The Beetle, as he makes a deal with the Kingpin, Wilson Fisk, in hopes of being let out of prison early.
Fisk comes through and the Beetle is freed. But now he has to repay the Kingpin for his part of the deal. Thing is, while being in prison he begins to doubt that the life of crime is the life for him.
But you don't promise the Kingpin something and not deliver. So, after getting a new and improved suit courtesy of The Tinkerer, the Beetle begins to put his plan into motion. Part of the plan is gathering a group of villains who need money like Rhino, who wants to get the rhino skin removed from his body and go straight. The rest, Hydro-Man, Electro, Boomerang and Speed Demon are just in it for the money.
The big plan is part of the charm of this book and reminds me of a simpler time when comics could just be fun. They plan to rob the federal reserve of all it's money and gold. Naturally the succeed despite the efforts of Spider-Man who is surprised to be faced with six of his greatest enemies but the money is taken by the Kingpin who made a deal with Beetle to only take 10% of future hauls, but it means this group called the Sinister Syndicate now works for him.
After the first haul, Boomerang is captured by the police and put in jail. Spider-Man decides to call on him to get information on what's going on and is attacked by Beetle who has another toy from the Tinkerer: a Sonic Cannon!
The issue ends with Spidey at the mercy of Beetle's cannon in a cliff hanger ending that actually makes me want to re-read the next issue!
Overall, this is a great old school read. From the dialogue and costumes to even the art, this was before everything went to Image crap in the mid-90's, this book takes me back to the time when comics were still very new to me. But I do wonder why this was never collected in a trade.
Ah, well, next week: Issue #2!

The Pull List

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #639
Words: Joe Quesada
Art: Paolo Rivera, Joe Quesada, Danny Miki & Richard Isanove

One Moment In Time continues!The answers begin with this issue! What happened on the day Peter Mark and Mary Jane were supposed to be married?
Last issue we learned Peter missed the wedding because he was knocked out while fighting a criminal trying to defend a cop and his family. Everyone thinks he got cold feet and abandoned MJ at the alter.
MJ realizes she cannot marry Peter and live as Spider-Man's wife. She leaves. This leads to her realizing that she loves Peter but while he's Spider-Man she cannot, in good faith, have the one thing she wants: kids. In a conversation with Peter she basically says she wants to be with him but the only reason to be married was to have kids. Without that as an option they simply have no reason to really be married. They make up.
This leads us through the events of Civil War where Peter unmasks and Aunt May gets shot and Peter trying to find help for her as shown in the SPIDER-MAN: ONE MORE DAY story (available in trade). Where this story changes is when Mephisto shows up. No offer and no choice is made. But then Aunt May flatlines in the hospital forcing Peter to act directly to save her.
Now, the big question that remains is how did the world forget Peter Part is Spider-Man??

DOOMWAR #6 of 6
Words: Jonathan Maberry
Pictures: Scot Eaton

I'm not going to say much about this, other than IT'S FINALLY OVER! Seriously, this was a total waste of time! Nothing was really done that was impactful, at least not to the point where it warranted this having it's own miniseries. this could have been part of a Black Panther series or the Fantastic Four series.
It had a great cast and an interesting concept but the way the story unfolded...well, it could have had more lead in and build up, which is why having it in a regular series would have helped, but the execution fell flat.
Very disappointing.

I, ZOMBIE #4
Words: Chris Roberson
Pictures Michael Allred

Things are coming together fast now! Gwen meets the man she thinks killed Frederick Harris, the man whos brains Gwen ate in the first issue, turns out...he did.
But he seems to be like Gwen, a zombie with a mind and ability to make decisions like a living person.
The best part of this issue is the explanation of the different of the different kind of monsters we will have in this series. It's very interesting how things like zombies, ghosts, werewolves and such are explained using the concept of a higher and lower spirit in all humans.
So Gwen's 'condition' is being explored and I like it.
We also learn in a round about way, who the two men hunting the vampires are. They are part of a sect who hunts monsters. Gwen will have to face off against them but one of the guys seems to have a thing for our favorite zombie!