tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-324862652024-03-13T12:32:45.165-04:00Fanboys UnlimitedPeople Who Collect Comic Books Have IssuesSkotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10161660321763978482noreply@blogger.comBlogger156125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-4128088604434118052013-07-23T01:54:00.001-04:002013-07-23T01:54:00.450-04:00Young Justice: Abduction Episode 1<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/93WzS5xfqxE" width="480"></iframe><br />
It's been a VERY long time since I've posted here but this is something special!<br />
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#YoungJusticeAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-19353445859491579922012-06-27T13:47:00.001-04:002012-06-27T13:48:06.968-04:00Lobo Co-Creator In Hit And Run<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Friends and family of Roger Slifer, co-creator of DC's Lobo, are hoping that someone may be able to help them locate the person or persons responsible for hitting Roger early Saturday morning and leaving the scene.</div>
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Click the pic for some details.</div>
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<a href="http://www.comicbooked.com/lobo-co-creator-in-serious-condition-after-hit-and-run/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-x2WQxKcN_Pk/T-tGmKHSGfI/AAAAAAAAAQI/AG9TwnRFfSg/s320/loboiconic6.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-69580032527091005822012-02-24T00:18:00.000-05:002012-02-24T00:18:17.790-05:00Marvel Releases Another Spider-Man Teaser!<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.comicbooked.com/marvel-releases-another-spider-man-teaser/">Marvel Releases Another Spider-Man Teaser!</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l0Y1fCgw36Q/T0cdTxzaIgI/AAAAAAAAALY/kCG3ng5V7Ck/s1600/AmazingSpiderManEOTE3_02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l0Y1fCgw36Q/T0cdTxzaIgI/AAAAAAAAALY/kCG3ng5V7Ck/s320/AmazingSpiderManEOTE3_02.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Check out all the teasers that have been released promoting the upcoming epic Ends Of The Earth starting next month in Amazing Spider-Man!</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-10934419609262093762012-01-27T04:53:00.000-05:002012-01-27T04:53:27.016-05:00Infestation 2: Lovecraft Unleashed!<div style="text-align: left;">The first issue of IDW's event, Infestation 2 is out now! I've already got it and read it and had a hell of a time reviewing it without giving away to much. Needless to say, it's a fantastic beginning to an event, certainly shows Marvel how to do an event, only one issue out and it's already better than Marvel's snore-fest Fear Itself!<br />
Click the pic to go see my review!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.comicbooked.com/infestation-2-lovecraft-unleashed/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-TXmLTCH8xjc/TyJzLa61ILI/AAAAAAAAAIM/6kisUpEZVQ8/s1600/INFESTATION02-01_Garner.jpg" /></a></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-66965966868779065212012-01-17T21:23:00.000-05:002012-01-17T21:23:54.552-05:00Infestation 2 Is Coming!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S2-n9-xArVU/TxYs397SOKI/AAAAAAAAAHc/kBhcs9yzsPI/s1600/INFESTATION02-01_Garner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-S2-n9-xArVU/TxYs397SOKI/AAAAAAAAAHc/kBhcs9yzsPI/s320/INFESTATION02-01_Garner.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>Next week the IDW-verse is Infested again as the Elder Gods attack the different universes! Check out my coverage and reviews at <a href="http://comicbooked.com/">ComicBooked.Com</a> then jump over to our <a href="http://forums.comicbooked.com/showthread.php/761-Infestation-2!?p=1403#post1403" target="_blank">Forums</a> to join the conversation!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-19463611057690512482012-01-10T13:13:00.000-05:002012-01-10T13:13:04.904-05:00Bullet Reviews #43: Peanuts, Godzilla and a Special Preview!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kXCJpKMqSVo/Twx_AnwNs5I/AAAAAAAAAHU/8_CgevIdJWE/s1600/GodzillaLegends3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kXCJpKMqSVo/Twx_AnwNs5I/AAAAAAAAAHU/8_CgevIdJWE/s320/GodzillaLegends3.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.comicbooked.com/bullet-reviews-43-peanuts-godzilla-and-a-special-preview/">Bullet Reviews #43: Peanuts, Godzilla and a Special Preview!</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-90704080534879827762011-11-15T05:09:00.000-05:002011-11-15T05:09:21.194-05:00Ninjas Vs. Zombies #4 and 5 EXCLUSIVE Sneak Peak!<div style="text-align: center;">Check out this <a href="http://www.comicbooked.com/exclusive-preview-ninjas-vs-zombies-4-and-a-sneak-peak-at-5/" target="_blank">sneak peak</a> at one of comics most entertaining adaptations!</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iJUGq7qkR60/TsI6CL8qvuI/AAAAAAAAAE4/-l7zKcx6Ca4/s400/NVZ4sample.jpg" width="266" /></div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-22208466439459855392011-11-08T15:00:00.000-05:002011-11-08T15:00:59.702-05:00Bullet Reviews #36: Spider-Island Wraps! Farscape! Turtles and More!<div>Each and every week I put together a collection of quick reviews for ComicBooked.com. I calls these Bullet Reviews and I think it's time to start sharing them here!</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.comicbooked.com/bullet-reviews-36-spider-island-wraps-farscape-turtles-and-more/">Bullet Reviews #36: Spider-Island Wraps! Farscape! Turtles and More!</a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-48268720043107087892011-10-30T03:50:00.001-04:002011-10-30T03:51:45.387-04:00Spider-Island Concludes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dt3YFCmGn2s/Tq0B9b4CObI/AAAAAAAAAEE/Zt0KNBve4hE/s1600/ASM672.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dt3YFCmGn2s/Tq0B9b4CObI/AAAAAAAAAEE/Zt0KNBve4hE/s400/ASM672.jpg" width="262" /></a></div><br />
<a href="http://www.comicbooked.com/spider-island-concludes/">Spider-Island Concludes!</a><br />
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</div><div>Hey! I write for Comicbooked.com still and while doing that I total forgot (again) about this here blog! Here is my write up on the Spider-Island finale along with my thoughts on the story overall.</div><div>Also? This is post #200!</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-13268462184874306642011-08-28T00:30:00.004-04:002011-08-28T01:14:44.467-04:00Skott Rants on...
<br />
<br /><b>REBOOTS</b><div>
<br /><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Jh3-RI66z9k/TlnOESp5zlI/AAAAAAAAADk/mWQ5jP5pCTE/s320/dc-reboot.jpg" style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645770181008019026" /><div>Yeah, reboots are all the rage now. Basically, a reboot is taking everything that long time fans have known and loved, trashing it, offering something new that is usually lame and no one has any attachments to and offering that to the public in hopes of getting new fans while telling long time fans to basically screw off.</div><div>Hollywood does that with movies like Spider-Man and Star Trek and now comics are doing it.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>This past Wednesday was the last week for the DC Universe that we've known for decades. In a bid to get new readers, DC announced they will relaunch their universe with 52 new titles. This is designed to bring in new readers.</div>
<br /><div>Now, reboots in comics are nothing new, probably the best example in recent years is the Brand New Day reboot for Amazing Spider-Man which ended the marriage of Peter Parker and Mary Jane and reset some of Spider-Man's continuity. Many people had a problem with this and some have questioned how I can like that but be opposed to what DC is doing.</div><div>Well, the Spider-Man reboot only changed some things in that line and only, well, <i>mostly</i>, impacted the Spider-Man side of things, not the whole universe. So, there<i> is</i> a difference here.</div></div><div>
<br /></div><div>But now, because of the attention DC has been getting, some of Marvel's talent are beginning to weight in on rebooting the Marvel Universe. At Fan Expo, <i>Mighty Thor</i> writer Matt</div><div> Fraction said: "It someone saw the Iron Man movie, and looked at the comics and saw<i> Iron Man #489</i>, that will intimidate them." This is just plain stupid. It's also hypocritical. On one hand these people will claim new readers aren't able to break in to books with high issue numbers while on the other hand defending starting over with #1 by claiming the numbering doesn't matter. Which is it? Because if the numbering doesn't matter then leave them alone.<span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">
<br /></span></span></div><div>For me, the numbering does matter because a series with a higher issue number tells me that series is stable and, yes, has a</div><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pJLggDPCb9Y/TlnOj5_QoeI/AAAAAAAAADs/M1l9xA-wHOA/s320/1143330-spm_large.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645770724142522850" style="float: right; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 320px; " /><div> history. When a book starts over from #1 I simply lose interest in it because it's like building a house only to have someone tear it down when you are almost done and having to start from scratch. You lose interest and figure what's the point in even trying.
<br />And this myth that new readers won't jump into a series if it has high numbers? That's a load of crap, too. I started collecting <i>Fantastic Four</i> with #488 back in 2002. Hardly the first issue but it was a Jumping On issue. A new team was starting so to mark the occasion Marvel put a 9 cent price on it. I picked it up for that and also because I wanted a series that I figured had a very low chance of ever being cancelled. I only stopped reading <i>Fantastic Four</i> because of the way Marvel handled the Death Of Johnny Storm story then ended the series to launch a new #1 under the <i>FF</i> title.
<br />I started collecting <i>Amazing Spider-Man</i> with #529 because it was part of<i> Civil War</i>. I figured I would drop it shortly after because it was never a series I could stick with for some reason but the One More Day/Brand New Day story hooked me. I'm still collecting it.</div><div>
<br /></div><div>As for first issues, while they are fun to get they aren't as special as they used to be. I cherish <i>Fables #1 </i>but was even more excited to finally get <i><a href="http://www.comicbooked.com/skott-of-fables-pick-of-the-week-2/">Fables #100</a></i> marking the first series I ever collected from the first issue that made it to #100. If they ever rebooted that series, as much as I love it, I would drop it. I have no interest in a new #1 issue.</div><div>See, I don't see the problem with jumping into a series mid-stream. With books like Amazing Spider-Man and Thor I love buying the Essential volumes and reading the classic stories. The histories of these characters are pretty well known and it isn't like people can't hop online and actually look this stuff up. Plus, there are other comics fans, like me, who love talking about this and if someone is just getting into collecting and reading comics we love helping them out. At least the cool collectors do, the rest are elitist dicks who have to right collecting comics. </div><div>
<br /></div><div>So, why this talk about the need to reboot? well, it's simple: they have no idea how to publish comics anymore. I've been <a href="http://bagged-and-boarded.tumblr.com/">re-reading</a> books from the 90's, near the beginning of my collecting career and I noticed, right away, a difference in how comics from Marvel were. Those comics were made to be comics. These days it seems like every book Marvel puts out they are hoping to get Hollywood's attention so they can option the character for a movie or TV show. They have forgotten that comics exist in their own unique niche and while movies and TV are cool they have never helped improve the sales of comics like having a great creative team and awesome stories do. </div><div>Great comics, not stupid movies or unnecessary reboots will boost sales. That and stop paying attention to turds who keep saying the comicbook is dead and digital 'comics' are going to replace them. Those people are dumb.</div>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-56348083630857340882011-06-11T15:18:00.001-04:002011-06-11T15:57:00.727-04:00Reboot?I've got 196 posts here, done over a few years and a lot has changed. I'm nearing my 200th entry on this blog and now I have to wonder...should I reboot this blog and start over?<br />This blog started rather quietly...I would simply post a few thoughts about the comics I bought each week, I tried adding some news but it was more entertaining for me to just stick with small reviews.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WFW9a39cp1c/TfPITLO0IRI/AAAAAAAAAAg/rfLp1UhvXGk/s1600/jla_cv11.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WFW9a39cp1c/TfPITLO0IRI/AAAAAAAAAAg/rfLp1UhvXGk/s320/jla_cv11.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5617053392019136786" border="0" /></a><br />As time went on, I started to experiment with my reviews, trying to expand on them and streamline them.<br />That seemed to work.<br />I got noticed by the fine folks behind <a href="http://www.comicbooked.com/">Comicbooked.com</a> and was offered a shot as writing reviews and articles for them. For me this was the big time. I loved what I was doing here, it wasn't for anyone else but me, but to be able to share my opinions and get feedback from people who may actually read my stuff? Sounded like an adventure.<br /><br />A few <a href="http://www.comicbooked.com/author/skottoffables/">articles and reviews</a> down I started to broaden my base a bit more. New friends were made through the site, I work with some really cool people.<br />Then came the podcasts. I've always wanted to do a radio show, ever since Junior High. I never thought I'd be able to do it though but suddenly, I'm being recorded with a group of Comicbookers and it's being put out online.<br />Hell, I even got a <a href="http://twitter.com/#%21/SkottOfFables">Twitter</a> account<br /><br />Things change and move fast. If you don't pay attention you will lose track of yourself.<br /><br />So, after all these great things have all happened from what I've started here, the question now is, being so close to my 200th post and after being pretty actively posting here since July 2009...should I just toss it all out and reboot this blog?<br /><br />Of course, the main reason for this entry is the <a href="http://www.comicbooked.com/dc-relaunch-the-complete-list/">DC Reboot</a> and all the pointless stuff surrounding it. I've heard some try to rationalize it by saying it'll bring in new readers because comics with numbering in the 700's and 900's is intimidating and new readers won't look at them.<br />Really? When I started collecting comics in 1990 comics had been published for decades. My first issue of Fantastic Four was #489. I stayed with it until the series 'ended' and was replaced with 'FF' which I had no interest in reading on a monthly basis. Amazing Spider-Man I've tried twice. The first time I started at #358, the second time was with #529 and I'm still reading that series today.<br />Obviously, I wasn't able to start these books from #1 and it didn't intimidate me at all. They had a good or interesting story and a jumping on point. The stories continued to be interesting, for the most part, and I became fans of both series.<br />Would I like to check them out from #1? Sure, and I have. They are called Essentials and Marvel publishes them regularly to allow newer readers a chance to see where is all began. I have around 40 of these volumes in my collection and love them.<br /><br />DC claims this reboot will let new readers to jump on at the ground floor. Why? Why end everything in the hopes that new readers will come on board and risk losing established readers in the process? Would it make more sense to give your established readers something to talk and rave about? Wouldn't it make more sense to give us long time readers something that makes us so excited that we will share it with our friends who don't read comics?<br />It works.<br />I started more than a few of my friends on comics because of my excitement over Chaos! Comics. I loved those books and characters and wanted to share them. I let some of my friends read Lobo, another character I love.<br />Some of these friends are now DC guys. All of them now read comics as regularly as their time and finances allow. They have, in turn, introduced other people to comics. It's a great cycle.<br /><br />DC thinks #1 issues mean something. They don't. Titles that show longevity mean something. Action Comics recently reached #900, something no other American comic book had ever done. It was an accomplishment to be proud of and put it even closer to #1000. It was to be the first comic to have #1-1000, published on a regular basis, with new stories and no interruptions.<br />But, that's all over now. An historic run has been destroyed because of the myth that first issues created excitement.<br />A sad day indeed but one that makes me kind of happy that I'm not a big DC reader.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-83600668498925477832011-05-01T04:07:00.002-04:002011-05-01T04:08:45.147-04:00Guess What?I'm going to be posting here again really, really soon!<br />I'm just trying to figure out what I should do here...reviews? opinions/editorials? what?<br /><br />I know there are some folks who actually look at this, maybe pop off some suggestions and we'll see what I can do!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-36442771956629512682011-01-31T21:15:00.000-05:002011-01-31T21:16:10.329-05:00INFESTATION!This is from Comicbooked.com:<br /><br /><p>INFESTATION #1 (of 2)</p> <p>Written by: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning</p> <p>Art by: David Messina</p> <p>Published by: IDW</p> <p>Cover Price: $3.99</p> <p>While all the eyes of the world were on the Marvel Universe this week, IDW had some problems with death as well. Kind of...sort of...see, in IDW's Universe they have a slight zombie problem and it's been going on for quite some time. We've had <i>Zombies Vs. Robots</i> and <i>Zombies Vs. Robots Vs. Amazons</i>, we've seen military, scientists and even voodoo men and vampires take on the hordes of the undead and yet it all seems to never end.<br />The epic began in 2006 with the very first <i>Zombies Vs. Robots</i> 2-parter by Chris Ryall and art by the awesome Ashley Wood. It focused on the post-zombie apocalypse earth and a group of robots charged with protecting, and eventually cloning, the last human alive. Turns out the last human was a child and zombies LOVE gooey softness of a baby!<br /> Some great art, wonderful pacing and writing made this one of the best zombie comics in my collection to date, it's certainly up there with The Walking Dead.</p> <p><br /></p><div class="mceTemp"><dl id="attachment_11720" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 207px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><img class="size-medium wp-image-11720" src="http://www.comicbooked.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/InfestationCover-197x300.jpg" alt="" height="300" width="197" /></dt><dd class="wp-caption-dd">Infestation #1 Cover A</dd></dl></div><p><br /></p> <p>At the end of<i> Zombies Vs. Robots</i> (no, I'm not giving the entire ending away, just the fun part) a lone zombie made it's way to an island only to be speared in the head by an Amazon! This lead into the follow up: <i>Zombies Vs. Robots Vs. Amazons</i>! Same writer, same artist, same awesome!</p> <p>After that we got some very nice collections and a prelude story along with some teases of other stories that, sadly, never came to fruition.</p> <p>Moving ahead even more we get the 4-part <i>Zombies Vs. Robots Aventure</i> (spelling is correct there, folks) which, itself, was told as three separate stories. People who remember the format of Marvel Comics Presents back in the day will know what I'm talking about, three short parts to different stories each month. This introduced a few important characters such as Sgt. Davis Wade, a man protecting his family from the zombie plague along with stories featuring a janitor who ends up leading a group of robots against the zombies and a voodoo man in Haiti who tries to create an army of Zuvemies, voodoo based zombies, to fight the real zombies.</p> <p><br /></p><div class="mceTemp"><dl id="attachment_11719" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 207px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><img class="size-medium wp-image-11719" src="http://www.comicbooked.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/IDW-Infestation-1-01_1288465729-197x300.jpg" alt="" height="300" width="197" /></dt><dd class="wp-caption-dd">Infestation #1 Cover B</dd></dl></div><p><br /></p> <p>These stories take place before the events of the Zombies Vs. Robots (Vs. Amazons) series so I can only assume Infestation plays a part in the beginning of the end for this world.</p> <p><i>Infestation</i>, written by super team Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, known collectively as DnA and the guys who made Rocket Raccoon awesome in Marvel's <i>Guardians Of The Galaxy</i>, is an event spanning 5 realities including 4 franchises over 3 months with multiple 2-part stories making 1 massive event.<br /> Reality 1: IDW's soon to be Zombies Vs. Robots reality. The trans-dimensional gateway introduced in Aventures has opened a door to Dimension Z (guess what the 'Z' stands for) Sgt. Wade is explaining to some important people that this is an opportunity to basically plunder a new world of it's resources, it's tech, also a means of dealing with prison overpopulation. They just need to get the whole zombie thing under control. From there things go downhill. Fast.<br />Somehow the zombies are able to break through the gate and Wade is the first to learn that standing so close to something like that is a very bad idea. As the zombies swarm this new world , eating everyone it their path, a group called Covert Vampiric Operations (CVO) is called in to take care of the situation, apparently they handle stuff similar to this all the time.<br />This is where the writing of DnA comes in perfect. Even if you've never read CVO, like myself, you are given enough to fully understand who and what these people are and what they are about.<br /> The team shows up, quickly loses control and a few of it's members and discover something very scary about the zombie hordes. They aren't as mindless as they thought. These zombies actually work as sort of a hive, a collective mind under the control of something called the Undermind. It hungers for flesh and knowledge and uses the zombies to infest different realities, feeding on anything it finds and learning all it can in order to invade other realities.<br />The CVO are able to save their reality only by launching zombies and robots into four other realities.</p> <p><br /></p><div class="mceTemp"><dl id="attachment_11717" class="wp-caption alignleft" style="width: 205px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><img class="size-full wp-image-11717" src="http://www.comicbooked.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/27123149369.jpeg" alt="" height="300" width="195" /></dt><dd class="wp-caption-dd">Infestation Sketchbook</dd></dl></div><p><br /></p> <p>Reality 2: Transformers. Not Michael Bay's 'Formers, these are the original Generation One 'Formers. I know what you're asking: Why would the Transformers care about zombies? I wondered that myself. It's one of the things I didn't talk about in the first issue of Infestation...I can't give it all away, can I?</p> <p>Reality 3: Ghostbusters. If there's someone eating...on your old Grandma...who ya gonna call? Yup, the Ghostbusters are going to be taking on the living dead. This begs the question: How will the flesh of the undead react to those ever popular Proton Packs? My guess? Not very well.</p> <p>Reality 4: Star Trek. He's undead, Jim. Kirk and crew face off against the undead hordes and try to figure out how to stop them before they run out of Red Shirts.</p> <p>Reality 5: G.I. Joe. It's Joes and Cobra fighting zombies and robots. My guess is Cobra is going to try to figure out a way to make zombies into weapons. Or perhaps...you know Cobra Commander was killed recently. You think maybe...?</p> <p>So that's the set up and the road we're on for the next few months as Zombies and Robots Vs. Legendary Franchises. Who will survive and what will be left of them? (10 points if anyone guesses what that is from). The way IDW will be releasing these books are as follows:<br />Infestation #1 and 2 are book ends. #1 is out now, #2 is out on April 6.<br />Transformers: Infestation #1 and 2 will be released on February 2 and 16.<br />Star Trek: Infestation #1 and 2 will be released on February 9 and 23<br />G.I. Joe: Infestation #1 and 2 will be released on March 2 and 16<br />Ghostbusters: Infestation #1 and 2 will be released on March 9 and 23</p> <p>This first issue was great, well written, no surprise there really, and fairly well drawn. It sets up this event without being overbearing or beating it to undeath. I know a</p> <p><br /></p><div class="mceTemp"><dl id="attachment_11718" class="wp-caption alignright" style="width: 310px;"><dt class="wp-caption-dt"><img class="size-medium wp-image-11718" src="http://www.comicbooked.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/ST-Infestation-logo-300x265.jpg" alt="" height="265" width="300" /></dt><dd class="wp-caption-dd">Star Trek: Infestation Patch</dd></dl></div><p><br /></p> <p>lot of people are tired of zombie comics but this proves there is still...'life' in zombies and when you add Ghostbusters, Transformers and the others to the mix, you have one heck of a party! Also, don't forget, as a special "Hey, Kids!" deal, IDW is also giving away Infestation Patches with these comics. Each will feature the Infestation logo mixed with one of the franchise logos. The first one, the one I got anyway, was Star Trek.<br />Also, there are multiple covers for these issues. I got cover 'B' which hasn't been shown as much as the first cover. There is also a 16-page Sketch book featuring zombie versions of these popular characters by such artists as Kyle Hotz, JK Woodward, Karl Kesel, Don Figueroa and many others. I was able to get my hands on one of these as well and it's well worth the $10 (though my LCS, Nostalgia, Ink. was nice enough to let me have it for $5.)<br />But, even without all the extra stuff that I end up getting, Infestation #1 is a very unique and fun read. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good time, especially considering how very unique this event actually is. Also, the ending probably won't be spoiled by the AP (to soon?)</p> <p>BREAKING: IDW announced on Thursday that Infestation #1 has sold out and a second printing will be available in stores on February 16th! The first printing was release this week and copies may still be available at your Local Comics Shop!</p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-72422270447092729462010-12-31T18:20:00.000-05:002010-12-31T18:20:59.207-05:00Last post of 2010!I know, it's been a while since I've posted here but I wanted to give a quick run down of the last few books I picked up in 2010:<br />
<br />
Amazing Spider-Man #650<br />
Avengers #8<br />
Deadpool #30<br />
Fantastic Four #586<br />
Jack Of Fables #49<br />
Walking Dead #79<br />
<br />
No pictures, no quick reviews other than to say the next issue of Jack is the final issue, Deadpool is on the chopping block, if it doesn't get better I'm dropping it, Fantastic Four comes to an end for a while and I might drop that as well, The Walking Dead has become a regular title for me and Amazing Spider-Man is STILL amazing!<br />
<br />
Now we go onto 2011, I'm working with Comic Booked still and will be solidifying the plays between this blog and that site. I'll be posting reviews there first, the day AFTER comics come out, so that spoilers won't be as big of a problem. After I post my stuff there I will swing by here and post it here as well. I'll also be doing things that will be exclusive to either this blog or Comic Booked. I haven't figured that all out yet but I want to keep this blog going since it's what I've been doing longer and it's part of what got me into Comic Booked.<br />
<br />
Sorry for a rather bland final posting of 2010 but things have been crazy. Keep checking this blog out and PLEASE go to Comicbooked.com and check out the great articles we have there, as always feedback and comments are welcome and feel free to share anything you read there on Facebook, Twitter or whatever social site(s) you use!<br />
<br />
Happy New Year and we'll see you on the other side!<br />
<div style="text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Skotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10161660321763978482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-20203187222000766102010-12-13T23:20:00.000-05:002010-12-13T23:20:44.780-05:00Weekly Pulls (from Comic Booked)From here on I'll be posting my weekly quick shot reviews on<a href="http://comicbooked.com/"> Comicbooked.com</a> first then a day or two later I'll be posting them here. I invite everyone who reads these posts to check out <a href="http://comicbooked.com/">Comicbooked.com</a> because it's full of great articles on all things comic book related, as well as movies and video games. Also, I'm a part of the team, something I'm very shocked by and proud of and would love all the support I can get as well as all the support the Comic Booked team can get!<br />
Okay, so here is what I got last week and posted on Comic Booked:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TQbvuJgFR6I/AAAAAAAABFs/hsQIK4UfryY/s1600/NAF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TQbvuJgFR6I/AAAAAAAABFs/hsQIK4UfryY/s320/NAF.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><b>NIGHTMARES & FAIRYTALES: ANNABELLE'S STORY #1 of 4</b><br />
Words: <a href="http://bratty-princess.livejournal.com/">Serena Valentino</a><br />
Pictures: FSC<br />
Publisher: Slave Labor Graphics<br />
Price: $3.50<br />
Years ago there was a fun horror anthology series called <i>Nightmares & <a href="http://www.e4.com/game/twisted-fairytales-goldilocks/review.e4" target="_blank">Fairytales</a></i>. It was about a doll named Annabelle who would go from own to owner through the years, most of her owners meeting with violent ends all while Annabelle tried to help them. Yes, Annabelle could talk, in a way, but only certain people could hear her. She would try her best to warn her owners of their impending doom but many ignored her warnings.<br />
This was a wonderful series and fast became a personal favorite of mine, perhaps I will revisit it now and again and share with you some of my favorite stories such as the tale of a young first named Snow White, and I was very happy to see it's title on the new release shelf in my local comic shop this past Wednesday. I quickly snatched it up, not even know what the story was, and rushed home to quickly read it, right after I read <a href="http://www.comicbooked.com/skott-of-fables-pick-of-the-week-2/" target="_blank">Fables #100</a> and I was very pleased with what I read.<br />
We find that Annabelle is still in possession of Gwen, a little girl who was first introduced in issue 5 and, through a series of events, becomes the charge of her new neighbor known as Aunt Bea. In that story, Aunt Bea had <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nightmares_%26_Fairy_Tales#Annabelle" target="_blank">Annabelle</a> and gave her to young Gwen for protection against the monsters in her new home. Those monsters included her parents.<br />
This story has Gwen taking Annabelle to the town where two girls from the first issues of the former series lived in. Dominique and Morgan were lovers...ok, back story time: Yes, they were lovers, Dominique gave Morgan Annabelle during a date in a cemetery. This was also the night Dominique tells Morgan she's a vampire. Naturally Morgan didn't believe her and things quickly spiraled out of control for the girl as people started turning up murdered, in her mind by Dominique, people that were close to Morgan. Eventually, Morgan learns that, apparently, Dominique has been dead for some time and the murders may have been committed by Morgan herself. Eventually Morgan loses her mind and ends up in a mental health facility still haunted by Dominique who, posing as a doctor, takes Annabelle away from her.<br />
As interesting as that story is, and that was just the first issue, Dominique's story in the second issue is even more gruesome!<br />
So, Gwen is helping Annabelle learn the final fate of Morgan. They go to the town where the facility Morgan was placed in is. After learning everyone in the place is dead, same as the town apparently, Gwen begins to investigate what could have happened to poor Morgan only to learn that the spirits of the past are very much alive and, in one case, deadly in this town!<br />
It's been a few years since we've had a N&FT story and this doesn't lose a stop at all. <a href="http://bratty-princess.livejournal.com/" target="_blank">Serena Valentino's</a> writing is both lighthearted and very dark at the same time and easily pulls you into the world of this rather interesting doll. The art of Foo Swee Chin (FSc) can only be described as a cross between manga and <a href="http://www.spookyland.com/" target="_blank">Roman Dirge</a>. That's the best way to describe it but truth is it's very much it's own thing.<br />
The only real draw back to this is, while we get a very fast recap of what readers have seen before, the story is much more entertaining if you've read the first few issues, which are available in the trade Nightmares & Fairytales: Once Upon A Time... which collects the first 6 issues and also comes highly recommended.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TQbvw8ChK_I/AAAAAAAABF0/ptFP4QgUh3U/s1600/Thor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TQbvw8ChK_I/AAAAAAAABF0/ptFP4QgUh3U/s320/Thor.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><b>THOR #618</b><br />
Words: Matt Fraction<br />
Pictures: <a href="http://ferrypoli.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Pasqual Ferry</a><br />
Publisher: Marvel<br />
Price: $3.99<br />
World Eaters continues as the refugees of the Nine Worlds escape to our world as the World Eaters devastate everything in their path on their way to Earth.<br />
But, I have to admit, this series has lost a lot of it's punch in my opinion. <a href="http://mattfraction.com/" target="_blank">Fraction</a>, who I understand is a great writer, comes aboard and everyone in Asgard starts acting like, well, normal people. Thor is kind of a jerk one moment and noble the next, it makes no sense. This issue had <a href="http://marvel.com/universe/Volstagg" target="_blank">Volstagg</a> telling Balder "You are a terrible king!" to which all Balder says is "I know!" Asgardians don't act like this.<br />
My hope is this story arch, which really isn't easy to explain, another fault this book has lately, ends soon and is somewhat worth the $4 a month I'm throwing away just to have it.<br />
Let's talk about the art. I was not familiar with Ferry before he came on board and I've got to admit to not being very impressed. This series had some really good art before. Always something to look at but now...well, the word 'yawn' comes to mind. I don't think it helps that Ferry is seemingly drawing <a href="http://www.comicbooked.com/thor-trailer-officially-hits/" target="_blank">Thor</a> to look like the actor playing the character in next year's movie. It takes away from why we read comics because it forced the title to lose it's own identity and makes it feel like a lame advertisement for the movie instead of a great Thor comic.<br />
So, since I cannot actually recommend this series at this time, I'm still hooked on the character and will probably force myself to stick with it for the time being. Afterall, <i><a href="http://www.comicbooked.com/31-days-day-22-fantastic-four-281/" target="_blank">Fantastic Four</a></i> was painful to read during the Mark Millar/Bryan Hitch run a few years back so I'm hoping this phase will pass and things will start to get interesting again.<br />
On the plus side, we finally got <a href="http://www.comicbooked.com/marvel-slaps-all-of-us-in-the-face-with-the-infinity-gauntlet/" target="_blank">Odin</a> back...but now he just looks like some fat old drunk.<br />
Man, I really hate talking down a series that was one of my favorite books since it was restarted...this is kind of depressing. Let's move on to the next, and final, title for this week, shall we?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TQbvv_Hp5fI/AAAAAAAABFw/MMoejCZq_C4/s1600/ThorTMA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TQbvv_Hp5fI/AAAAAAAABFw/MMoejCZq_C4/s320/ThorTMA.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><b>THOR, THE MIGHTY AVENGER #7</b><br />
Words: Roger Langridge<br />
Pictures: Chris Samnee<br />
Publisher: Marvel<br />
Price: $2.99<br />
This is how a <a href="http://www.comicbooked.com/thor-threads-then-and-now/" target="_blank">Thor</a> comic should be done. It's fun and exciting and has everything going for it...well, except for being canceled and next month being the final issue.<br />
Okay, so this series is basically an update retelling of the early days of Thor on Earth. He's learning our ways and falling in love with Jane Foster. It all boils down to Thor had a fight with his dad, some bloke named Odin, and was banished to Earth for whatever it was he did.<br />
Honestly? There is really no amount of praise I can heap upon this book that would do it justice. But I'm going to try.<br />
Simply put: It's the best damn all-ages super hero comics being published today. It's what we need: a fun, lighthearted story of a hero in a world he never made (sorry Howard) and trying to find a way to go home. It has some of the best characterization I've seen in a while and that, combined with the fantastic art of <a href="http://www.chrissamnee.com/" target="_blank">Chris Samnee</a>, makes this one of the most exciting and fun filled comics I buy.<br />
Thor, in this series, has had run ins with Mr. Hyde and Giant/Ant-Man and Wasp, both were fantastic but the fight he and the Warriors Three had against Captain Britain was probably the most entertaining sequence I've read in a comic book all year. This issue he faces robots. He thinks they are men in big suits of armor but soon learns they are just robots.<br />
Someone has it in for the young Thunder God and hired two scientists who look a lot like characters from the Muppet Show (you'll know who when you buy this book which YOU BETTER BUY THIS BOOK!) and sets out to destroy all that he has. He releases the robots on the small town Thor now lives in and, as is tradition, the townsfolk who once loved Thor now accuse him of destroying their town. He soon sets out to clear his name and ends up in over head helmeted head!<br />
This book always has a few moments that make you smile. This one had two that I'd like to mention. The first is before <a href="http://www.comicbooked.com/agent-coulson-provides-thor-footage/" target="_blank">Thor</a> leaves to face the robots Jane gives him a cell phone. Thor's response is "I...These things confuse me, Jane..." which is funny on it's own but the expression on his face makes it a golden moment.<br />
The other moment is when the local police shoot at Thor then tell their boss they are out of ammo. He tells the officers to reload to which one replies "No. He means...we're REALLY out of ammo. That was it. Small-town budget...we never thought we'd NEED it."<br />
Great stuff and with just one issue to go in this highly praised and underrated series, I'm already missing it.<br />
<br />
Now, my pick of the week for last week was a book I've waited 20 years to get. The 100th consecutive issue of a series that I started from the first issue and stuck with the whole time.<br />
Check it out <a href="http://www.comicbooked.com/skott-of-fables-pick-of-the-week-2/"><b>HERE</b></a><br />
<span id="goog_1176158654"></span><span id="goog_1176158655"></span>Skotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10161660321763978482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-49505995648499280972010-12-04T13:31:00.001-05:002010-12-04T13:41:06.919-05:00Weekly Pulls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TPqFBxrCxaI/AAAAAAAABFk/EoC9ggdHDiI/s1600/16381_400x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TPqFBxrCxaI/AAAAAAAABFk/EoC9ggdHDiI/s320/16381_400x600.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><b>I,ZOMBIE #8</b><br />
Words: Chris Roberson<br />
Pictures: Michael Allred<br />
<br />
Alright, I've enjoyed this series, for the most part, since it began but it just doesn't seem to be doing much of anything.<br />
One thing I've always done was when I get a new issue of a series I try to remember what happened in the previous issue.<br />
If I have a hard time remembering then I seriously consider dropping the book.<br />
While things in this book are REALLY good, like the art, the overall story, I have to admit, is slow and I just can't see continuing with this book in the monthly format.<br />
What this means is this issue will be the final one I buy and I will be switching to the trades.<br />
It's a good series, a great concept, but on a monthly basis it just isn't enough to really keep my interest in it. I'm not saying don't check it out but maybe look into the trades instead of the monthly.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TPqFEhO6XgI/AAAAAAAABFo/9q01AEZHCDY/s1600/Raise-the-Dead-2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TPqFEhO6XgI/AAAAAAAABFo/9q01AEZHCDY/s320/Raise-the-Dead-2-1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><b>RAISE THE DEAD 2 #1 of 4</b><br />
Words: Mike Raicht based on a plot by Leah Moore & John Reppion<br />
Pictures: Guili Vilanova<br />
<br />
I looked forward to this book. I REALLY looked forward to it. I REALLY enjoyed the first one and recently reviewed is here and posted it on <a href="http://www.comicbooked.com/skott-of-fables-long-box/">Comicbooked.com</a>.<br />
Imaging my disappointment when I opened the first issue of the follow up and got stuck with a really bad continuation.<br />
I'm willing to accept that this is the first issue and things need to find their place but it shouldn't be this out of place right off the bat.<br />
So, what happens? Well, we are introduced to Alfredo Bay, another victim of the zombie assault. There is a woman, presumably the sole survivor who lives in the lighthouse off the coast and makes trips to town for supplies. Okay.<br />
Then we see the remains of the Federal Government. The President is missing and the Vice-President is a loon who seems to think if you think positive things will be better. It's kind of out of place but maybe something will come of it.<br />
So, we go back and forth between these two concepts for most of the book until we finally catch up with the survivors of the previous series who go from a truck to a boat (the boy goes from brown to blond hair...makes no sense to me) and they have been watching the woman in the lighthouse.<br />
Matt, the ex-con who lost an arm, goes to talk to her, he needs food and medicine for the kids, and while trying to talk to her he gets attacked and scratched by a seagull. I guess animals are infected now because the woman kills Matt.<br />
Not very exciting and the art isn't very interesting, almost like it's trying to find itself instead of just being interesting. I'll check out the next issue and I'm REALLY hoping it begins to do something interesting because this first issue was a major let down.Skotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10161660321763978482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-86300322705099362832010-11-25T20:30:00.001-05:002010-11-25T20:34:41.712-05:00Weekly PullsThis is the first of many posts that will be in conjunction with ComicBooked.com. From now on, each week I will be doing my usual reviews of new comics I get but one comic each week will be my Pick Of The Week which will be featured EXCLUSIVELY on ComicBooked.Com.<br />
Let's get started, shall we?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TO7BjKu9v8I/AAAAAAAABFU/k7PPYHp0MPk/s1600/prv7022_cov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TO7BjKu9v8I/AAAAAAAABFU/k7PPYHp0MPk/s320/prv7022_cov.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><b>AVENGERS & THE INFINITY GAUNTLET #4 of 4</b><br />
Words: Brian Clevinger & Lee Black<br />
Pictures: Brian Churilla<br />
<br />
The conclusion to the lighter retelling of Marvel's Legendary Event concludes!<br />
Will the heroes (and Doom) defeat Thanos and save the universe? If you don't know that answer to that then you haven't been paying attention.<br />
This issue contains the fight between Doom and Thanos over the Gauntlet, as Doom puts the Gauntlet on! But here's the twist, while normally that would be a tremendously bad thing we are saved by the fact that the Gauntlet doesn't work when Doom wears it. He gets attacked by Thanos who quickly rips his head off revealing Doom to be (another) Doombot!<br />
Before Thanos can put the Gauntlet back on Spider-Man snatches it away from him and as the heroes fight Thanos, Spidey puts the Gauntlet on and wish Thanos had "never got the Infinity Gems" which rewinds time, fixes everything and puts Spider-Man in the position of knowing what happened while everyone else forgot...or never knew since the event never took place. Well, nearly no one knows...Thanos remembers and he's not happy!<br />
Overall this was a very entertaining miniseries and has my approval. The art was fun, the characters were played off very entertainingly and the overall presentation was just plain fun. Marvel has already announced the trade which will be released in February 2011 and will include the first issue of the original <i>Infinity Gauntlet</i>. If you passed on these issues I would highly suggest the trade!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TO7BrCfdTXI/AAAAAAAABFg/bMhS5ej-Db8/s1600/prv7027_cov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TO7BrCfdTXI/AAAAAAAABFg/bMhS5ej-Db8/s320/prv7027_cov.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><b>DEADPOOL #29</b><br />
Words: Daniel Way<br />
Pictures: Carlo Barberi<br />
<br />
I'm Your Man concludes with lots of mayhem, loads of guns and fireworks.<br />
Deadpool displays his rather interesting version of intelligence as he tried to figure out which Steve Rogers is a Dr. Bong created clone and which is the real deal.<br />
He displays his version of a well thought out plan by way of total chaos and nothing making sense until the very end.<br />
Overall this was probably one of the best issues of the series since the whole "I'm Deadpool and I want to be a hero" thing isn't pounded into our heads. It isn't like we haven't gone down this road before so it's a little played out but this still remains entertaining.<br />
Also, seeing Steve Rogers actually letting Deadpool run the show is interesting.<br />
Other than that, we all find out, at the issues conclusion, that Dr. Bong is probably no longer a threat of any kind as Deadpool, shall we say, cuts him off from his sonic/bong abilities...<br />
The issue seemed to read really fast though, something I've noticed about most Deadpool books...wonder if I'm the only one who notices this...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TO7BprAcdwI/AAAAAAAABFc/t0gvZolS3gE/s1600/prv7016_cov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TO7BprAcdwI/AAAAAAAABFc/t0gvZolS3gE/s320/prv7016_cov.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><b>FANTASTIC FOUR #585</b><br />
Words: Jonathan Hickman<br />
Pictures: Steve Epting<br />
<br />
<i>3, Part Three</i>: Lots of things going on here so let me break them down:<br />
First we have Reed Richards having to explain to a very annoyed Galactus and Silver Surfer why there is a corpse of Galactus buried deep in the Earth. Reed explains why there is a body there and Galactus takes Reed to this Nu-Earth so he can get further explanations. Once back on Taa II, the home of Galactus, the Devourer tells Reed that there is another reason he wanted Reed to join him. He begins to tell Reed that Franklin's powers have returned.<br />
Second we have Sue trying to create a peace between New Atlantis and Old Atlantis. Namor, ruler of New Atlantis, seems to be going along with the meeting but refuses to give in to many of the demands of the Old. Finally, after explaining the only reason he agreed to the summit was to see the face of the Old, he kills the king of Old Atlantis and proclaims there is only ONE king of the sea: Him.<br />
Then we have two smaller but equally important stories: Johnny and Ben enjoying Ben's week as a full human begin to talk of the future and fatherhood.<br />
And we have the ominous return of Annihilus and the beginning of the 'Second Annihilation Wave'<br />
Lots going on here but it's all laid out and not jumbled. I love it. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TO7Bo1kZ5MI/AAAAAAAABFY/mgRHCIg-QFU/s1600/prv7041_cov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TO7Bo1kZ5MI/AAAAAAAABFY/mgRHCIg-QFU/s320/prv7041_cov.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><b>THOR, THE MIGHTY AVENGER #6</b><br />
Words: Roger Langridge<br />
Pictures: Chris Samnee<br />
<br />
The Adventures of Thor continues! Thor continues to take Jane Foster around the world, showing and learning of the beauty of Earth and what it has to offer.<br />
Langridge does a good job of showing the conflict inside Thor: on one hand he wants nothing more than to go home to Asgard yet on the other he's fallen in love, even if he doesn't realize it, with Jane Foster and would do anything for her.<br />
During a dream or flashback sequence we see Thor on the Rainbow Bridge talking with a different version of Heimdall. I say different for two reason: 1, he's black and tall. I never really saw him as being taller than anyone else and 2, he's able to change his form. Something else I never knew he could do. He changes to Fin Fang Foom which gives us our cover shot and also kind of let me down because I was hoping to have 3F in the book for real. Despite this, though, it was still good to see another Asgardian in the book. It also makes me curious as to how the others will look and act in this book.<br />
Which brings us to the bad news. <i>Thor, The Mighty Avenger</i>, one of Marvels best all ages books, has been canceled. January's issue 8 will be the final issue. Truely a sad time considering how truely awesome this series is.<br />
<br />
Now, jump over to <a href="http://comicbooked.com/">Comicbooked.com</a> to check out my <a href="http://www.comicbooked.com/skott-of-fables-pick-of-the-week/">Pick Of The Week</a>!Skotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10161660321763978482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-60194329955750594572010-11-18T17:45:00.000-05:002010-11-18T17:45:37.111-05:00Weekly Pulls and a Special Announcement!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TOWpSU0A3eI/AAAAAAAABFQ/KHDVlteNv8k/s1600/cover-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TOWpSU0A3eI/AAAAAAAABFQ/KHDVlteNv8k/s320/cover-large.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><b>AVENGERS #7</b><br />
Words: Brian Michael Bendis<br />
Pictures: John Romita, Jr<br />
<br />
New Story! New Member!<br />
First the new member: The Red hulk. I'm sure this excites some people but honestly I don't read Hulk and have no idea, really, what the deal is with the red one. If you're excited he's here though, good for you!<br />
The new story centers on the legendary Infinity Gems. Seems the former crime boss, The Hood, wants to have power and he's somehow learned of the existence and whereabouts of the Gems. The last time we saw them they were in the possession of the Illuminati: Reed Richards, Black Bolt, Dr. Strange, Prof. X, Tony Stark and Namor who all had one Gem and hid them away.<br />
How The Hood found this out I hope gets explained as well as how a common criminal would have the mental strenght to control the gems.<br />
Anyway, in this issue The Hood locates and claims the Reality Gem from the former home of Attilan and the Power Gem from Reed Richards. This could be very interesting especially if the Gems work in unison again.<br />
We also revisit a small story that was introduced in the first issue: Wonder Man's opposition to the reforming of The Avengers. He restates his opposition and then takes off. This could be bad news for the team very soon.<br />
<br />
And now, the big announcement:<br />
It's kind of ironic that I only got one book this week while I'm getting a lot next week. There will be a change in how I post on this blog because I was recently invited to join the website <a href="http://comicbooked.com/">comicbooked.com</a>. It's a website devoted to comics, video games and movies, all the things that makes life fun. I'll be posting there under the name Skott Of Fables.<br />
The way this effects my blog here is simple: From now on I'll be posting on both sites with some exclusivity to Comic Booked. What I'm going to do is every week I'll review most of my books here and I'll be picking one book to feature as my Pick Of The Week, that Pick will be reviewed on Comic Booked only. Also, I'll be continuing my Long Box reviews of older books in my collection but they will be posted on Comic Booked first then 3 to 5 days later I will post them here.<br />
I'll have links here and there so there will be as little confusion as possible. This is also only the beginning. The format of this and Comic Booked will be tweeked over time until I'm comfortable with what I'm doing. I don't want to completely neglect this blog, it's my baby, but I'm super excited about the chance to do something bigger for a wider audience as well as a chance to sharpen my skills so Comic Booked will get most of what I'm doing now.<br />
As always any and all feedback is appreciated and I look forward to hearing from you all as well as seeing you on <a href="http://comicbooked.com/">Comicbooked.com</a>!Skotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10161660321763978482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-13206812559736299122010-11-12T18:32:00.002-05:002010-11-12T18:42:20.610-05:00The Long Box #16: Raise The Dead<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TN3EDt69MSI/AAAAAAAABFI/xNrjAKcD_EM/s1600/RaisetheDeadSuydamCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TN3EDt69MSI/AAAAAAAABFI/xNrjAKcD_EM/s320/RaisetheDeadSuydamCover.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><b>RAISE THE DEAD #1-4</b><br />
Words: Leah Moore & John Reppion<br />
Pictures: Hugo Petrus<br />
April-July 2007<br />
<br />
Zombie comics. Seems like they are every where and despite how much people claim to be tired of them they never go away. Where this trend started I really can't say but I'm pretty sure <i><a href="http://fanboyunlimited.blogspot.com/2010/05/long-box-8.html">Marvel Zombies</a></i> had something to do with it.<br />
In 2007, Dynamite Entertainment decided to try their hand at a straight forward zombie comic with a bit of a twist on the way they are done.<br />
You get your zombies and your flesh eating, sure, but you also get realistic human characters. THAT'S the twist. Image's <i>The Walking Dead</i> is the only other zombie comic I can think of that is a zombie comic that focuses on the human characters more than this one did.<br />
Okay, so the story begins with a group of people, 5 adults and 2 children, taking refuge in a bus depot eatery, by trying I mean they are trying to get the doors shut and the security shutters dropped so they don't get eaten. So, we jump in with zombies already ruining everyone's day and no one knows what started it or how to stop it.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TN3EDTanPII/AAAAAAAABFE/wTr0QBxTzu8/s1600/RaisetheDeadPhillipsCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TN3EDTanPII/AAAAAAAABFE/wTr0QBxTzu8/s320/RaisetheDeadPhillipsCover.jpg" width="213" /></a>We also don't have a military or police presence here really, just a group of ordinary people trying to figure things out and survive. This is handled quite well after the shutters are dropped and the people start talking about what's going on. Everyone has a different opinion of what's going on.<br />
So, what helps this stick out, to me, is how they fill in who our cast members are. Interspersed throughout the story are small flash backs that tell you either how these characters first found out about the zombies or what their lives were like before it hit.<br />
For example, the kids, Maria and her little brother Joseph, are home alone when their mother returns home from work, I presume a hospital. Mom has a bite on her arm and not feeling well, goes to bed. The kids return to watching TV when reports start coming out about attacks. Then a zombie appears at the window and the kids panic, Maria tells Joseph to get their mom while she collects their father's gun for protection. Joseph screams from the other room and Maria gets there to see their mom trying to eat her little brother. This scene ends with the reader realizing this little girl had to shoot her mother in the head to save her little brother.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TN3ECCeSnkI/AAAAAAAABE8/fzNGigS63Q8/s1600/RaisetheDead2SuydamCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TN3ECCeSnkI/AAAAAAAABE8/fzNGigS63Q8/s320/RaisetheDead2SuydamCover.jpg" width="213" /></a>Other flash backs aren't as involved but seem to connect the characters and give what could be hints as to what started things. The bus driver, Clara, has a scene with meteors falling to earth in her on of her flash backs which ties in with what Luke tells the group. He watches the starts and witnessed the meteor show which hit a medical research facility where another character, Natalie, worked on some kind of research to extend life which, when tested on animals, made them strangely violent.<br />
This gives us two possible ways this could have started and also a great example of how well written this is.<br />
So what are our heroes/zombie bait trying to do? Well, get someplace safe, of course. Natalie tells them of the facility she worked at and of it's shelter with food and electricity that should keep them safe for possibly weeks. They journey there but it isn't without loss. While trying to get to Clara's bus, Natalie gets bit. She knows her time is short but thinks the work she and her boss Dr. Jones have been doing might hold the get to a cure. Unfortunately for her and Luke they don't make it.<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TN3EBe7tHkI/AAAAAAAABE4/IJMFcZykXOU/s1600/RaisetheDead2PhillipsCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TN3EBe7tHkI/AAAAAAAABE4/IJMFcZykXOU/s320/RaisetheDead2PhillipsCover.jpg" width="213" /></a>Dr. Jones, he's an interesting fellow. He was working on this project for a company (specifics aren't really important) and wasn't working fast enough so his funding gets cut off. Fearing the end of his career he experiments on himself and blacks out just as the facility he's working is is struck by a meteor. The project and experiment seemingly make him immune to zombies. They don't even try to eat him. As his part in this progresses it becomes clear why.<br />
So, with Dr. Jones showing the way, Clara and the kids head to the shelter while Charlie, who's been a jerk the whole time, and Matt, apparently a convict who just got out of prison, try to secure the place.<br />
It doesn't end well.<br />
So, what happens? Well, I really don't want to tell you. I will say this though: don't go around a bunch of dead lab animals or a room full of dead people when there is a zombie plague running wild. Chances are everyone you started with will not be with you once everything is said and done.<br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TN3ECpIbE7I/AAAAAAAABFA/aA2qYZidvQQ/s1600/RaiseTheDead3SuydamCover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TN3ECpIbE7I/AAAAAAAABFA/aA2qYZidvQQ/s320/RaiseTheDead3SuydamCover.jpg" width="213" /></a>Overall this series was very entertaining and the characters really engaging. Little details, such as things going on in the background during flash backs or just how the characters stories connect, make if even more interesting. While the zombies are the body that carries the story the engine is definitely the living characters. People from different backgrounds, ages whatever, being forced together and trying to survive. Some are self serving while others are concerned with as many people surviving as possible.<br />
It certainly feels like it could be a movie. A very entertaining one at that.<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TN3EECLa7II/AAAAAAAABFM/TVJ2DI7HUrE/s1600/RTD4-Suydam-Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TN3EECLa7II/AAAAAAAABFM/TVJ2DI7HUrE/s320/RTD4-Suydam-Cover.jpg" width="213" /></a><br />
Now, the art...I have no complaints about the art. It's consistent and more than does it's part in telling the story. It's dark and moody where it needs to be and fully of emotion where it's important. I really can't say a bad thing about the art.<br />
The covers were fantastic as well. I've posted the covers I have and you'll notice they are by people most associated with Marvel Zombies. The original cover artist, Arthur Suydam, did the main four covers keeping up with his ability to 'zombifie' popular pictures while variant covers were done my Sean Phillips who drew the interiors of the first Marvel Zombies books. <br />
Of course I've been wanting to re-read this for a while but the recent announcement of Raise The Dead 2 really got me off my duff and got me to read it again and I'm glad I did. This story is certainly good for multiple readings!Skotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10161660321763978482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-89446398967714244592010-11-10T23:53:00.000-05:002010-11-10T23:53:12.107-05:00(Spread) The Walking DeadThe series on AMC is BEYOND awesome! I was worried for a minute there, because it seems like everytime a character or series I like gets put on TV or in the movies they completely screw it up *cough*Ghost Rider*cough* but this is the exception!<br />
AMC is running a contest to spread the dead and spread the word about this series and I'm more than happy to help (plus the prize money is a bonus) so check out this link and help <a href="http://www.amcspreadthedead.com/share?ref=1012338870">Spread The Dead!</a>Skotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10161660321763978482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-51174009111804374672010-11-10T21:25:00.000-05:002010-11-10T21:25:20.168-05:00Weekly Pulls<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNtIG3zdzqI/AAAAAAAABEw/KbbBWe2uvbM/s1600/prv6875_cov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNtIG3zdzqI/AAAAAAAABEw/KbbBWe2uvbM/s320/prv6875_cov.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><b>AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #648</b><br />
Words: Dan Slott<br />
Pictures: Humberto Ramos<br />
<br />
<i>Big Time Begins!</i> After around 100 issues the Brand New Day Era ended and now we hit the Big Time!<br />
Here's the deal: Beginning with this issue we have a few changes. First, Spider-Man is no longer out three times a month, it's now basically a bi-weekly title as it's now out twice a month. We have a single creative team instead of the rotating teams we've had for the past few years. It's page count increases (this issue is at 56 pages) to 40 pages with a main feature then a small back up story that will actually have some impact or interest to the main story. Finally, the price gets the increase to $3.99 from $2.99.<br />
Honestly, if a $1 increase is the price to pay for this series, after all these additions, I'm good with it.<br />
So, Big Time begins..well, big. Spider-Man, along with his side-kicks the Avengers, move to save the city from giant spider (or octopuses or whatever, depending who you ask) which is apparently all part of a plan by (surprise) Doctor Octopus! While the Avengers fight to save the city, The Chameleon and Electro make their move to deliver something in a hanger for Doc Ock, that got me to thinking about the good old days of the Sinister Six until the next page where I see Sandman, Rhino and Mysterio along with the caption "Headquarters of the New Sinister Six" I love it!<br />
Anyway, Doc Ock has a plan, what it is, exactly, we don't know yet but the attack on New York City was a distraction. I'm eager to see where this leads.<br />
Also, we have someone, or something, stalking J.J.J. At least I think it's stalking him...<br />
Michelle, Peter's evil roommate, moves out and leave Peter without a home. He tries to find a place to crash with nearly everyone including his new girlfriend Carlie Cooper (happy to have her!) and, as always, ends up on Aunt May's doorstep. But he doesn't stay there because J.J.J.'s wife Marla takes him to meet some other scientists and BINGO! Peter Parker has a job and money coming in!<br />
So everything is going in a good direction for our favorite web-slinger for once.<br />
(Even the Daily Bugle is back!)<br />
Now, the Kingpin gets involved and is trying to get something that a fellow scientist the Peter now works with is developing. To get this he hires (dramatic pause) The Hobgoblin!<br />
Overall, this is a great kick off to what promises to be a very exciting new era for Spider-Man and I'm very excited for this! Dan Slott was one of my favorite Spidey writers and I LOVED him on She-Hulk. Humberto Ramos has always been one of my favorite artists and I love his Spider-man so this is a win/win for me!<br />
This issue's back-up featured Spider-Girl by Paul Tobin and Clayton Henry and took place during the opening battle of the main story. Not much to say about it, other than it was fun and I'm starting to get a little more interested in this new Spider-Girl.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNtIH9H1iNI/AAAAAAAABE0/laaOsF4cTXY/s1600/prv6891_cov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNtIH9H1iNI/AAAAAAAABE0/laaOsF4cTXY/s320/prv6891_cov.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><b>THANOS IMPERATIVE #6 of 6</b><br />
Words: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning<br />
Pictures: Miguel Sepulveda<br />
<br />
All good things must come to an end. That is more than true here. The block of stories, the journey that began in 2006 with <i>Annihilation</i> ends here.<br />
Thanos has seemingly betrayed the Marvel universe in order to be killed again and reunited with Death. But, with Thanos there is the plan then there is HIS plan.His plan was to allow Death to come back and be a part of the Cancerverse's reality again.<br />
It came just in time as in the Marvel Universe (the 616) the defenders were pretty much losing. Galactus needed help fighting the massive Galactus Engine, King Blastaar had fled thinking the fight was all but over and the Nova Corps was doing all it could to keep things together.<br />
Suddenly: Death.<br />
She appears and with her touch it all ends for the twisted versions of the 616's heroes. After getting the rest of the Guardians of the Galaxy out of the Cancerverse, Nova and Star-Lord decide that Thanos must be contained, after Death spurns him again he goes quite mad. They need to keep him there for a mere 60 seconds until the Cancerverse ceases to exist.<br />
They seemingly succeed but at a very high cost.<br />
The end of the story is the most touching and makes this feel like it's truely the end. Services are held for those lost in the fight: Adam Warlock, Drax, Phyla-Vel...Nova and Star-Lord. The last two are presumed dead because they cannot be contacted and they held their final battle in a collapsing reality against the Mad Titan Thanos.<br />
I really hope this isn't the end, it's hard to believe it's been 4 years since<i> Annihilation</i> but that hardly seems long enough.<br />
Also, was that an Infinity Gauntlet I saw at the beginning of the issue?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNtIFyqDvuI/AAAAAAAABEs/qu7KUV3bm7k/s1600/prv6873_cov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNtIFyqDvuI/AAAAAAAABEs/qu7KUV3bm7k/s320/prv6873_cov.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><b>THOR #617</b><br />
Words: Matt Fraction<br />
<span id="intelliTXT" name="intelliTxt">Pictures: Pasqual Ferry</span><br />
<br />
<span id="intelliTXT" name="intelliTxt">Okay, so get this: Asgard has been pretty much destroyed, the Asgardians basically understand that with Asgard on Earth it leave a vacuum that is being filled with something very not good and what is Thor worried about? Bringing his brother, Loki, back. Yeah, the Thunder God needs to get his priorities back in place.</span><br />
<span id="intelliTXT" name="intelliTxt">Asgard is being rebuilt while the World Eaters are tearing their way through the Nine Worlds heading towards Earth. We even see the first of the refugees of the Nine Worlds appear on Earth in hopes of finding Asgard and safety.</span><br />
<span id="intelliTXT" name="intelliTxt">Thor is in France chasing down a kid who is obviously Loki who seems to have lost his memories...a chase ensues and Loki gets his memories back but it still a child...or young man...whatever.</span><br />
<span id="intelliTXT" name="intelliTxt">This is certainly not the strongest issue of Thor that I've read since this run began but I'm not fickle, I don't plan to drop it because 1 issue failed to amuse me completely, this upcoming fight between the Asgardians and the World Eaters has my attention. </span><br />
<span id="intelliTXT" name="intelliTxt">I just wish we could get something solid to go with and the artist would stop trying to draw Thor to look like the guy in the upcoming movie.</span>Skotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10161660321763978482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-40144950783527487782010-11-08T11:05:00.000-05:002010-11-08T11:05:26.550-05:00The Long Box #15: Evil Ernie<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNgbS9adMsI/AAAAAAAABEo/CxR6pT-RgHs/s1600/9810171_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNgbS9adMsI/AAAAAAAABEo/CxR6pT-RgHs/s320/9810171_1.jpg" width="206" /></a></div><b>EVIL ERNIE VS. THE SUPER HEROES #1</b><br />
Words: Brian Pulido<br />
Pictures: Justiniano<br />
August 1995<br />
<br />
Chaos! Comics had a universe of titles that kept a fairly strong continuity. If something major happened in one title it was felt in another. Good times.<br />
This one-shot is in continuity and takes place after <i>Evil Ernie: Revenge </i>and centers on Dr. Leonard Price who is now in a coma and missing an arm.<br />
While in his coma he begins to dream, though we don't really know this until the end, and in his dream super heroes exist in the world. We see a retelling of Evil's origin but set in this new reality. His parents are heroes who fund the actions of the other heroes. The others know Ernest is abused but feel they can't do anything about it for fear of losing the funding of the Fairchilds. Ernest is telepathic and 'hears' the thoughts of the heroes and begins to hate heroes. They claim to be all about helping people but won't help him.<br />
The next part we go through the Dream Probe (2099) and then Neurotech (2099), Lady Death's intro and the demise of Ernest and birth of Evil Ernie told through the world of heroes.<br />
The main part of the story is the fight between Evil Ernie and 'alternate' versions of Marvel and DC heroes like Batman, Spider-man, Captain America, Wonder Woman, the X-Men and many more. Along the way we are treated to many in-jokes about comics, mostly super heroes stuff, including shots at the Spider-Man Clone Saga and Batman always having something useful on his belt.<br />
Loads of fun, especially if you like the idea of one unstoppable monster tearing through the universe of the Big Two.Skotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10161660321763978482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-37348977311193892862010-11-06T13:43:00.000-04:002010-11-06T13:43:52.848-04:00Weekly Pulls, Part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNWPJ2eYymI/AAAAAAAABEE/iZpujxuElFI/s1600/prv6812_cov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNWPJ2eYymI/AAAAAAAABEE/iZpujxuElFI/s320/prv6812_cov.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><b>AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #647</b><br />
Words: Pretty much everyone<br />
Pictures: Same thing<br />
<br />
<i>Final issue of the Brand New Day Era!</i> This issue ends up being something of a jam issue featuring stories by the various creators who have worked on the series since Brand New Day (BND) began.<br />
We get some resolutions: Vin Gonzalez, Peter's former roommate and cop, is released from Rykers Island. He gets to resolve a few things with Carlie Cooper, Peter's new love interest and the investigator that helped Vin end up in prison (Vin was innocent as it turns out and Carlie was able to help him get a reduced sentence).<br />
As for Carlie Cooper, she was finally able to get it through Parker's head that she does care for him. It also helped that Peter talked to MJ about it and was given some sage advice.<br />
One of the better panels of this issue was Peter finally kissing Carlie after asking her to be his girlfriend! I have to say I approve!<br />
Norman Osborn is felt here as well. It seems while in prison he became something of a god to Vin. Harry doesn't take it very well and promptly puts Vin on notice...as well as on his back in a pool of his own blood. Another good shot was of Harry's baby dressed as Doc Ock, priceless!<br />
So this is the 'end of an era' issue and it plays out very well. Everyone got their turn and the new characters we were introduced to during BND were put on their paths for the next big thing: Big Time!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNWQ4bbVx8I/AAAAAAAABEM/JTDDSURJxRA/s1600/16139_400x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNWQ4bbVx8I/AAAAAAAABEM/JTDDSURJxRA/s320/16139_400x600.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><b>I, ZOMBIE #7</b><br />
Words: Chris Roberson<br />
Pictures: Michael Allred<br />
<br />
<i>U, Vampire, Part 1:</i> Things are happening fast! The monster hunters are starting to close in on the gang of vampires but it turns out the vamps were also stalking the monster hunters!<br />
Horatio, one of the monster hunters, is still trying to get that date with Gwen who has been having a hard time finding a new brain to eat. It's that time of the month again and if she doesn't find one soon she goes all Romero on us.<br />
And Eleanor, our hipster ghost, is beginning to learn she may be able to explore more of the world than she previously though!<br />
Three different, yet connected, stories going all at once ad nothing suffers. This is one of the traits I've gotten to really like about this series.<br />
The ending of this issue is very interesting as all through it Gwen has been asking herself questions about her life before death, questions about her parents and such. Imagine the chock when she finally gets to eat the brains of a woman who died in a fire and, as she absorbs the dead woman's memories, she sees herself as a child and feels the love a mother has for her child!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNWQ3OjMKsI/AAAAAAAABEI/O-ZjBOVFeKk/s1600/prv6635_cov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNWQ3OjMKsI/AAAAAAAABEI/O-ZjBOVFeKk/s320/prv6635_cov.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><b>THOR, THE MIGHTY AVENGERS #5</b><br />
Words: Roger Langridge<br />
Pictures: Chris Samnee<br />
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<i>Thursday Morning</i>. The continuing adventures of Thor in a new world, Earth, continues! This time he decided to take Jane on a tour of the planet to explore the wonders Midgard has to offer.<br />
While traveling he flashes back to another recent encounter with his brother Loki who gives him a book of forbidden knowledge. Does Thor still have the book and will it answer the questions he has about his banishment and how he returns home? Time will tell.<br />
They land in Australia, mainly because Jane needs to be on solid ground, and they witness a man in the ocean on a great beast.<br />
Naturally, Thor rushes to the scene and is introduced to Namor, the Sub-Mariner.<br />
They have a very interesting interaction, Namor, it seems, can sense what Thor is in terms of his status and understand he is just as, if not more, powerful that the Mariner is. There is respect there and Namor tries to give the impetuous Thunder God some advice. Will Thor take it is the question.<br />
The interaction between the two men above men is interesting as you don't really see Namor show such respect for anyone in the main Marvel Universe, not right away like this though. I'd be interested in learning more about this version of Namor.Skotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10161660321763978482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-10155916457452064792010-11-05T15:59:00.000-04:002010-11-05T15:59:47.016-04:00Weekly Pulls, Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNRcuhC23sI/AAAAAAAABD4/L8jNRSJNqe4/s1600/avnv4006_dc11_lr_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNRcuhC23sI/AAAAAAAABD4/L8jNRSJNqe4/s320/avnv4006_dc11_lr_0001.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><b>AVENGERS #6</b><br />
Words: Brian Bendis<br />
Pictures John Romita, Jr.<br />
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The first story line concludes! The Avengers, along with some help from their future selves and the Next Avengers, fight to save the space-time continuum from being destroyed by a fight between Immortus and Ultron.<br />
The issue begins with the Avengers, mostly Iron Man, trying to convince Ultron that he needs to lose the fight against Immortus, it's the only way to prevent the timestream from being destroyed. It takes some convincing but Ultron is nothing if not a very logical creation. He realizes the Avengers are correct and when the fight occurs he doesn't defend himself and is 'defeated.'<br />
Seems like a quick wrap up to a bigger story but the fall out is interesting. Immortus kills the future versions of Hulk and Stark and sets out to win everything now that he knows how the Avengers defeat him. The Next Avengers, though, fight back and seemingly destroy him in a scene that takes up back to the first issue of the series. I good wrap up, some future storylines hinted at: the future Stark warns current Stark that Ultron will come and will destroy the human race and must be stopped as well as a hint to Bucky Barnes future and it isn't pretty.<br />
Next up: my first interaction with the Red Hulk!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNRehiY_z-I/AAAAAAAABD8/m40RtTB20-Y/s1600/ff584_dc11_lr_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNRehiY_z-I/AAAAAAAABD8/m40RtTB20-Y/s320/ff584_dc11_lr_0001.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><b>FANTASTIC FOUR #584</b><br />
Words: Jonathan Hickman<br />
Pictures: Steve Epting<br />
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<i>Three, Part 2:</i> The main storyline of the new Kingdoms kind of takes a back seat in this issue. The main thrust here is The Thing. Back in FF #580 the kids of the Future Foundation created a serum that would cure Ben of being the Thing but with a catch: It will only turn him human for one week a year.<br />
That was introduced and set aside until now. He takes the formula and it works.<br />
The reasons this take over from the main story is because we see things differently with Ben. After turning human and getting a bad prank played on him by Johnny, the two go out, at johnny's suggestion to do the things Ben can't normally do.<br />
It begins with being able to walk down the street without being stared at. They take in a baseball game and a poker game. Johnny is in top form helping his friend take in everything he can while he can.<br />
There is a run in with the new Yancy Street Gang, very funny, then Johnny shows how much love and respect he has for Ben. He takes Ben to see Alicia Masters so they can spend some quality time together while Ben is human.<br />
Aside from that we have Sue going to Utopia to accompany Namor to the talks between new and old Atlantis and Reed studies the Fault and has a rather interesting conversation with the Silver Surfer.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNRgnuQbzgI/AAAAAAAABEA/BiBu2MpGudg/s1600/cover-medium.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNRgnuQbzgI/AAAAAAAABEA/BiBu2MpGudg/s320/cover-medium.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><b>JACK OF FABLES #48</b><br />
Words: Bill Willingham & Matthew Sturges<br />
Pictures: Tony Akins<br />
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It all starts to come together. We begin by getting caught up with all the characters who have played a major part in this series.<br />
John still has Excalibur stuck inside him and has become a side show attraction known as The Impaled Wild Man.<br />
Raven and the Fables Jack freed from the Golden Boughs are put back on their original path as Raven gets a dream visit from his Spirit Animal reminding him of his purpose: Protect Jack Horner.<br />
This has Raven leading the others to Fabletown which will be interesting because A) Mister Dark is there and Fabletown is gone. Dark's influence on Fables will make this very interesting and B) Raven's Spirit Animal seems to know what its done.<br />
Also, we catch up with the Sisters and learn which one of them is the baby's mother.<br />
Jack Horner, still a dragon, tells Gary of visions he's having which tell us of a big fight that's coming and will bring the End to us.<br />
Yes, The End. It was recently announced that next year will see the release of <i>Jack Of Fables #50</i> which will be the final issue of this series.Skotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10161660321763978482noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32486265.post-5342628925212695152010-11-05T13:28:00.000-04:002010-11-05T13:28:24.610-04:00Weekly Pulls, Part 1Okay, so I have a lot of things going on right now, I'm working on moving my comics and book shelves around, but I have about 3 weeks worth of comics to read so I'll be reading a few a posting reviews as I do them. So, that's why I called this 'Part 1'<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNIhBYk17SI/AAAAAAAABDs/C2PW_s3ZbSM/s1600/cover-large1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNIhBYk17SI/AAAAAAAABDs/C2PW_s3ZbSM/s320/cover-large1.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><b>AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #646</b><br />
Words: Mark Waid<br />
Pictures: Paul Azaceta w/Matthew Southworth<br />
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<i>Origin Of The Species Concludes</i>!<br />
The Lizard 'out smarts' everyone and gets his claws on the Osborn baby! He decides it's a good thing and won't kill the kid because of Norman Osborn tries to hurt him again he will have an ace in the hole, so to speak.<br />
He does notice that the baby seems off and, using Conners' smarts (what he still retains that is) performs a blood test on the child.<br />
Meanwhile, Doc Ock is hot on the Lizard's trail. He 'teams up' with Spider-Man who explains that the Lizard is more reptile than man now. Ock agrees with tells Spidey when all is said and done he will kill the both of them.<br />
Okay, so the long and the short of it is The Lizard figures out the baby isn't what everyone though. He isn't a 'pure blood' Goblin. Spidey verifies it and takes the kid for more tests.<br />
The best part here is Spider-Man used Ock. The Lizard has this effect on people's brains now, the closer you get to him the more you give in to your baser instincts. This let's Spidey manipulate Ock and gives him an out as Ock turns on Lizard for getting into his brain.<br />
In the end, Spidey is cleared of kidnapping charges and the baby ends up with his REAL father: HARRY Osborn!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNImbcu3HiI/AAAAAAAABDw/unu41apmknY/s1600/avinf003_dc11_lr_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNImbcu3HiI/AAAAAAAABDw/unu41apmknY/s320/avinf003_dc11_lr_0001.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><b>AVENGERS & THE INFINITY GAUNTLET #3 of 4</b><br />
Words: Brian Clevinger & Lee Black<br />
Pictures: Brian Churilla<br />
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The fun version of Marvel's legendary event continues!<br />
See the Original Death's Head in a single panel cameo!<br />
Witness Wolverine fighting Astrocrows!<br />
Cringe as Doom makes...lunch?<br />
Alright, this issue had me laughing out loud, just like the previous 2 issues did. The story remains: The "new" Avengers are on a quest to the far corners of the galaxy to find out why half of the population of everything disappeared. They hit a few bumps on the road but eventually end up face to face with Thanos and the Infinity Gauntlet!<br />
A fight ensues and our heroes (and Doom) are defeated!<br />
Seriously, if you want a good fun take on a classic story this is where you want to be. Just imagine: Doom making sandwiches for the others! DOOM! SANDWICHES!! OTHERS!!!<br />
You simply cannot go wrong with that.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNIn13pgZGI/AAAAAAAABD0/U9EWQbk86wc/s1600/cover-large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_r8GXJN5dIbg/TNIn13pgZGI/AAAAAAAABD0/U9EWQbk86wc/s320/cover-large.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><b>THOR, THE MIGHTY AVENGER #4</b><br />
Words: Roger Langridge<br />
Pictures: Chris Samnee<br />
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This series continues to be the most entertaining superhero book I collect. A basic retelling of Thor's origin, of sorts, we know he was banished from Asgard to Midgard to learn humility. We don't know what the argument was about, Thor apparently did something so wrong that Odin forbids anyone from talking about it. We also learn that Thor seems to have lost all memory of the incident and the ensuing punishment.<br />
Good thing the Warriors Three show up! They fill in a few blanks then take Thor out of country to a pub for a good time and some drinks. They have a rather entertaining run in with Captain Britain which leads to one of the most entertaining hero fights I've ever seen!<br />
There isn't enough I can say about how fun this series is in general and this issue specifically. You really need to hunt it down and check it out.Skotthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10161660321763978482noreply@blogger.com0