Fanboys Unlimited

Infestation 2: Lovecraft Unleashed!

2012-01-27T04:53:00.000-05:00

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!
Click the pic to go see my review!

Infestation 2 Is Coming!

2012-01-17T21:23:00.000-05:00

Next week the IDW-verse is Infested again as the Elder Gods attack the different universes! Check out my coverage and reviews at ComicBooked.Com then jump over to our Forums to join the conversation!

Bullet Reviews #43: Peanuts, Godzilla and a Special Preview!

2012-01-10T13:13:00.000-05:00

Bullet Reviews #43: Peanuts, Godzilla and a Special Preview!

Ninjas Vs. Zombies #4 and 5 EXCLUSIVE Sneak Peak!

2011-11-15T05:09:00.000-05:00

Check out this sneak peak at one of comics most entertaining adaptations!

Bullet Reviews #36: Spider-Island Wraps! Farscape! Turtles and More!

2011-11-08T15:00:00.000-05:00

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!

Bullet Reviews #36: Spider-Island Wraps! Farscape! Turtles and More!

Spider-Island Concludes!

2011-10-30T03:50:00.001-04:00

Spider-Island Concludes!

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.

Also? This is post #200!

Skott Rants on...

2011-08-28T00:30:00.004-04:00

REBOOTS

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.

Hollywood does that with movies like Spider-Man and Star Trek and now comics are doing it.

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.

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.

Well, the Spider-Man reboot only changed some things in that line and only, well, mostly, impacted the Spider-Man side of things, not the whole universe. So, there is a difference here.

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, Mighty Thor writer Matt

Fraction said: "It someone saw the Iron Man movie, and looked at the comics and saw Iron Man #489, 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.

For me, the numbering does matter because a series with a higher issue number tells me that series is stable and, yes, has a

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.
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 Fantastic Four 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 Fantastic Four because of the way Marvel handled the Death Of Johnny Storm story then ended the series to launch a new #1 under the FF title.
I started collecting Amazing Spider-Man with #529 because it was part of Civil War. 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.

As for first issues, while they are fun to get they aren't as special as they used to be. I cherish Fables #1 but was even more excited to finally get Fables #100 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.

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.

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 re-reading 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.

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.

Reboot?

2011-06-11T15:18:00.001-04:00

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?
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.
As time went on, I started to experiment with my reviews, trying to expand on them and streamline them.
That seemed to work.
I got noticed by the fine folks behind Comicbooked.com 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.

A few articles and reviews down I started to broaden my base a bit more. New friends were made through the site, I work with some really cool people.
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.
Hell, I even got a Twitter account

Things change and move fast. If you don't pay attention you will lose track of yourself.

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?

Of course, the main reason for this entry is the DC Reboot 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.
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.
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.
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.

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?
It works.
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.
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.

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.
But, that's all over now. An historic run has been destroyed because of the myth that first issues created excitement.
A sad day indeed but one that makes me kind of happy that I'm not a big DC reader.

Guess What?

2011-05-01T04:07:00.002-04:00

I'm going to be posting here again really, really soon!
I'm just trying to figure out what I should do here...reviews? opinions/editorials? what?

I know there are some folks who actually look at this, maybe pop off some suggestions and we'll see what I can do!

INFESTATION!

2011-01-31T21:15:00.000-05:00

This is from Comicbooked.com:

INFESTATION #1 (of 2)

Written by: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning

Art by: David Messina

Published by: IDW

Cover Price: $3.99

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 Zombies Vs. Robots and Zombies Vs. Robots Vs. Amazons, 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.
The epic began in 2006 with the very first Zombies Vs. Robots 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!
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.

: Infestation #1 Cover A

At the end of Zombies Vs. Robots (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: Zombies Vs. Robots Vs. Amazons! Same writer, same artist, same awesome!

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.

Moving ahead even more we get the 4-part Zombies Vs. Robots Aventure (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.

: Infestation #1 Cover B

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.

Infestation, written by super team Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, known collectively as DnA and the guys who made Rocket Raccoon awesome in Marvel's Guardians Of The Galaxy, is an event spanning 5 realities including 4 franchises over 3 months with multiple 2-part stories making 1 massive event.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The CVO are able to save their reality only by launching zombies and robots into four other realities.

: Infestation Sketchbook

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?

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.

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.

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...?

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:
Infestation #1 and 2 are book ends. #1 is out now, #2 is out on April 6.
Transformers: Infestation #1 and 2 will be released on February 2 and 16.
Star Trek: Infestation #1 and 2 will be released on February 9 and 23
G.I. Joe: Infestation #1 and 2 will be released on March 2 and 16
Ghostbusters: Infestation #1 and 2 will be released on March 9 and 23

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

: Star Trek: Infestation Patch

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.
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.)
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?)

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!

Last post of 2010!

2010-12-31T18:20:00.000-05:00

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:

Amazing Spider-Man #650
Avengers #8
Deadpool #30
Fantastic Four #586
Jack Of Fables #49
Walking Dead #79

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!

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.

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!

Happy New Year and we'll see you on the other side!

Weekly Pulls (from Comic Booked)

2010-12-13T23:20:00.000-05:00

From here on I'll be posting my weekly quick shot reviews on Comicbooked.com first then a day or two later I'll be posting them here. I invite everyone who reads these posts to check out Comicbooked.com 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!
Okay, so here is what I got last week and posted on Comic Booked:

NIGHTMARES & FAIRYTALES: ANNABELLE'S STORY #1 of 4
Words: Serena Valentino
Pictures: FSC
Publisher: Slave Labor Graphics
Price: $3.50
Years ago there was a fun horror anthology series called Nightmares & Fairytales. 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.
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 Fables #100 and I was very pleased with what I read.
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 Annabelle and gave her to young Gwen for protection against the monsters in her new home. Those monsters included her parents.
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.
As interesting as that story is, and that was just the first issue, Dominique's story in the second issue is even more gruesome!
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!
It's been a few years since we've had a N&FT story and this doesn't lose a stop at all. Serena Valentino's 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 Roman Dirge. That's the best way to describe it but truth is it's very much it's own thing.
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.

THOR #618
Words: Matt Fraction
Pictures: Pasqual Ferry
Publisher: Marvel
Price: $3.99
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.
But, I have to admit, this series has lost a lot of it's punch in my opinion. Fraction, 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 Volstagg telling Balder "You are a terrible king!" to which all Balder says is "I know!" Asgardians don't act like this.
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.
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 Thor 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.
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, Fantastic Four 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.
On the plus side, we finally got Odin back...but now he just looks like some fat old drunk.
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?

THOR, THE MIGHTY AVENGER #7
Words: Roger Langridge
Pictures: Chris Samnee
Publisher: Marvel
Price: $2.99
This is how a Thor 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.
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.
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.
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 Chris Samnee, makes this one of the most exciting and fun filled comics I buy.
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.
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!
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 Thor 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.
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."
Great stuff and with just one issue to go in this highly praised and underrated series, I'm already missing it.

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.
Check it out HERE

Weekly Pulls

2010-12-04T13:31:00.001-05:00

I,ZOMBIE #8
Words: Chris Roberson
Pictures: Michael Allred

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.
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.
If I have a hard time remembering then I seriously consider dropping the book.
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.
What this means is this issue will be the final one I buy and I will be switching to the trades.
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.

RAISE THE DEAD 2 #1 of 4
Words: Mike Raicht based on a plot by Leah Moore & John Reppion
Pictures: Guili Vilanova

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 Comicbooked.com.
Imaging my disappointment when I opened the first issue of the follow up and got stuck with a really bad continuation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

Weekly Pulls

2010-11-25T20:30:00.001-05:00

This 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.
Let's get started, shall we?

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

The conclusion to the lighter retelling of Marvel's Legendary Event concludes!
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.
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!
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!
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 Infinity Gauntlet. If you passed on these issues I would highly suggest the trade!

DEADPOOL #29
Words: Daniel Way
Pictures: Carlo Barberi

I'm Your Man concludes with lots of mayhem, loads of guns and fireworks.
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.
He displays his version of a well thought out plan by way of total chaos and nothing making sense until the very end.
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.
Also, seeing Steve Rogers actually letting Deadpool run the show is interesting.
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...
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...

FANTASTIC FOUR #585
Words: Jonathan Hickman
Pictures: Steve Epting

3, Part Three: Lots of things going on here so let me break them down:
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.
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.
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.
And we have the ominous return of Annihilus and the beginning of the 'Second Annihilation Wave'
Lots going on here but it's all laid out and not jumbled. I love it.

THOR, THE MIGHTY AVENGER #6
Words: Roger Langridge
Pictures: Chris Samnee

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.
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.
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.
Which brings us to the bad news. Thor, The Mighty Avenger, 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.

Now, jump over to Comicbooked.com to check out my Pick Of The Week!

Weekly Pulls and a Special Announcement!

2010-11-18T17:45:00.000-05:00

AVENGERS #7
Words: Brian Michael Bendis
Pictures: John Romita, Jr

New Story! New Member!
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.

And now, the big announcement:
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 comicbooked.com. 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.
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.
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.
As always any and all feedback is appreciated and I look forward to hearing from you all as well as seeing you on Comicbooked.com!

The Long Box #16: Raise The Dead

2010-11-12T18:32:00.002-05:00

RAISE THE DEAD #1-4
Words: Leah Moore & John Reppion
Pictures: Hugo Petrus
April-July 2007

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 Marvel Zombies had something to do with it.
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.
You get your zombies and your flesh eating, sure, but you also get realistic human characters. THAT'S the twist. Image's The Walking Dead 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
This gives us two possible ways this could have started and also a great example of how well written this is.
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.
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.
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.
It doesn't end well.
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.
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.
It certainly feels like it could be a movie. A very entertaining one at that.

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.
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.
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!

(Spread) The Walking Dead

2010-11-10T23:53:00.000-05:00

The 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!
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 Spread The Dead!

Weekly Pulls

2010-11-10T21:25:00.000-05:00

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #648
Words: Dan Slott
Pictures: Humberto Ramos

Big Time Begins! After around 100 issues the Brand New Day Era ended and now we hit the Big Time!
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.
Honestly, if a $1 increase is the price to pay for this series, after all these additions, I'm good with it.
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!
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.
Also, we have someone, or something, stalking J.J.J. At least I think it's stalking him...
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!
So everything is going in a good direction for our favorite web-slinger for once.
(Even the Daily Bugle is back!)
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!
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!
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.

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

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 Annihilation ends here.
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.
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.
Suddenly: Death.
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.
They seemingly succeed but at a very high cost.
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.
I really hope this isn't the end, it's hard to believe it's been 4 years since Annihilation but that hardly seems long enough.
Also, was that an Infinity Gauntlet I saw at the beginning of the issue?

THOR #617
Words: Matt Fraction
Pictures: Pasqual Ferry

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

The Long Box #15: Evil Ernie

2010-11-08T11:05:00.000-05:00

EVIL ERNIE VS. THE SUPER HEROES #1
Words: Brian Pulido
Pictures: Justiniano
August 1995

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.
This one-shot is in continuity and takes place after Evil Ernie: Revenge and centers on Dr. Leonard Price who is now in a coma and missing an arm.
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.
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.
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.
Loads of fun, especially if you like the idea of one unstoppable monster tearing through the universe of the Big Two.

Weekly Pulls, Part 3

2010-11-06T13:43:00.000-04:00

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #647
Words: Pretty much everyone
Pictures: Same thing

Final issue of the Brand New Day Era! 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.
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).
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.
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!
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!
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!

I, ZOMBIE #7
Words: Chris Roberson
Pictures: Michael Allred

U, Vampire, Part 1: 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!
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.
And Eleanor, our hipster ghost, is beginning to learn she may be able to explore more of the world than she previously though!
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.
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!

THOR, THE MIGHTY AVENGERS #5
Words: Roger Langridge
Pictures: Chris Samnee

Thursday Morning. 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.
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.
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.
Naturally, Thor rushes to the scene and is introduced to Namor, the Sub-Mariner.
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.
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.

Weekly Pulls, Part 2

2010-11-05T15:59:00.000-04:00

AVENGERS #6
Words: Brian Bendis
Pictures John Romita, Jr.

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.
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.'
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.
Next up: my first interaction with the Red Hulk!

FANTASTIC FOUR #584
Words: Jonathan Hickman
Pictures: Steve Epting

Three, Part 2: 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.
That was introduced and set aside until now. He takes the formula and it works.
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.
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.
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.
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.

JACK OF FABLES #48
Words: Bill Willingham & Matthew Sturges
Pictures: Tony Akins

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.
John still has Excalibur stuck inside him and has become a side show attraction known as The Impaled Wild Man.
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.
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.
Also, we catch up with the Sisters and learn which one of them is the baby's mother.
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.
Yes, The End. It was recently announced that next year will see the release of Jack Of Fables #50 which will be the final issue of this series.

Weekly Pulls, Part 1

2010-11-05T13:28:00.000-04:00

Okay, 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'

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #646
Words: Mark Waid
Pictures: Paul Azaceta w/Matthew Southworth

Origin Of The Species Concludes!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
In the end, Spidey is cleared of kidnapping charges and the baby ends up with his REAL father: HARRY Osborn!

AVENGERS & THE INFINITY GAUNTLET #3 of 4
Words: Brian Clevinger & Lee Black
Pictures: Brian Churilla

The fun version of Marvel's legendary event continues!
See the Original Death's Head in a single panel cameo!
Witness Wolverine fighting Astrocrows!
Cringe as Doom makes...lunch?
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!
A fight ensues and our heroes (and Doom) are defeated!
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!!!
You simply cannot go wrong with that.

THOR, THE MIGHTY AVENGER #4
Words: Roger Langridge
Pictures: Chris Samnee

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.
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!
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.

Detroit Fanfare 2010

2010-11-01T12:42:00.000-04:00

Alright, this weekend was Halloween for many people but for myself, and my good friends Matt, Libby and Arnie we had the first annual Detroit Fanfare Comic Book Convention!
While the show was small it was still bigger than the Motor City Comic Convention we attend in May...or rather USED to attend. See, Fanfare was a COMICBOOK convention, not a Pop Culture Convention. It was focused more on Comics than anything else.
So...what happened?

Well, first and foremost: I MET STAN LEE! Yeah, the guest of honor this year was none other than the legend himself: Stan "The Man" Lee.
Arnie and I went the full nine yards and purchased the $125 VIP tickets which allowed us full access to first a Q & A session with The Man where we got to hear him speak of his life and times. The funniest story he told was of a party he attended with James Cameron. He said there was a picture taken of them and he wanted to put a caption on the picture, a word balloon, coming from Cameron saying "3-D? That's an excellent idea, Stan!" Very funny stuff.
After the Q & A Arnie and I rushed to get out VIP tickets turned in and got the lanyard that said we ruled over all, then got in line for out photo with Stan. Let me tell you, there was a feeling I've never felt before as I neared the front of the line. The fact that, even for a few moments, I would be standing next to the man who wrote many of the stories that I read nightly, the man who co-created some of the characters I hold in high regard...just to stand next to this man for a few moments...I didn't really know what to say.

Stan Lee Exclusives

After the photo we entered another line...this line was to get something signed by The Man himself. I thought long and hard about what I wanted to get signed and had originally settled on a Silver Surfer book he wrote that was drawn by Moebus but Matt then told me a local Halloween store had a Captain America shield and that clinched it. Why get yet another comicbook signed that will be in a box where no one can see when I can get something I can actually display on the wall signed, something I didn't have before? So I ran out, got the shield and proudly offered it for him to sign, right on the star in the center.

It seemed like it when by far to fast. I have pictures and video of Stan and I will watch them over and over again. It was truely a once in a lifetime moment that I'm glad I took advantage of. Stan Lee is truely The Man.

Before I go any further, I should mention the Stan Lee swag we got: A limited print of Stan featuring him and his co-creations, a Stan VIP card, a lanyard and a Detroit Fanfare Carnage #1 Variant (which I later got signed by the cover artist!)

So, beyond meeting the Idol of Millions, which I'm still jazzed about, the show itself was actually pretty good. It was comicbook focused and not 'pop culture' focused. Comics were everywhere and not a single washed up former TV actor in sight!
After walking through the door I noticed it was a fairly small show, but they managed to set it up in a way that it felt bigger. The energy in the room helped with that as well.
The very first table I stopped at was the Arsenic Lullaby table! I've met the series creator, Douglas Paszkiewicz about 4 times before and I've always gotten a sketch and a new book from him. This time I was able to get both of those PLUS the all-new DVD featuring the animated Arsenic! I do recommend it.

This is all I got

After talking with Doug P. and getting my all-new sketch we wondered around for a while, it was hard to gauge time because there was just so much to look at. Rows of comics and more comics. There were t-shirts and toys of course but it was about the comics this time.
The people were very friendly and everyone was having such a good time that the place in general had a great vibe to it!
So, the show was good, it had a good vibe, it was loads of fun and closing time came WAY to soon. If I had to find a bad thing to say about it it would be....let's see...well, how about there wasn't enough time to look around? I mean some might say there wasn't a lot of vendors or something but this is the FIRST show for this promotion and they pulled in STAN LEE along with 70's icon Jim Starlin (which rocked! I got my Infinity Gauntlet #1 signed buy him to go along with the Perez one I got a few years ago!), and the confusion during the Stan Lee event could have been worked out with a bit more planning but even that still went smoothly.
I'm very much looking forward to next year's show and will probably pass on May's Motor City Comic Con because it's just not as exciting anymore.
Good job to everyone who put this together and I cannot wait until the SECOND annual show!

New Comics...not so fast

2010-10-29T14:06:00.000-04:00

Well, I am getting new comics but they will be picked up and reviewed starting next Wednesday. I'm not picking up new comics this week because Saturday is Detroit Fanfare where I will be meeting and hopefully getting an autograph and picture with Stan "The Man" Lee!
I'll be posting my swag and pictures here and on my Facebook page.

Weekly Pulls

2010-10-21T17:32:00.000-04:00

FABLES #99
Words: Bill Willingham
Pictures: Inaki Miranda

The titles of this issue is Dark City and it focuses on Mister Dark, the new villain introduced after the Great War and the Fall of Fabletown. He's taken over the spot of Fabletown and is slowly building his own kingdom in it's place.
We learn a little more about him such as he personifies fear. A very interesting concept. He's able to induce anyone's fear upon them regardless what it is.
We also learn more about his teeth deal. What happens it when he eats the teeth of someone they become little more than zombie slaves to him. He calls them 'witherlings' and while they appear mindless and rotting he apparently hears their thoughts and holds conversations with them as a master would with his slaves.
He chooses some very interesting victims. They are all people that have come into some kind of contact with the Fables. An example it Molly Greenbaum who had a one night stand with Prince Charming that was shown briefly in the very first few issues of the series! The question is why is he picking these specific people?
Another part of this issue involves Bigby's father, the North Wind and his attempt at talking Mister Dark into leaving the mundy world for good. He tells Mister Dark of the duel with Bellflower (formerly Totenkinder) which seems to excite Mister Dark. The most interesting bit here is North Wind using Mister Dark's real name: Dullahan.
Finally, the kids of Snow and Bigby are given some screen time. They are being taught to embrace their North Wind heritage and North Wind himself learns of the existence of Ghost.
Overall, a very well done issue and a perfect representation of 'the calm before the storm' that well will see next month in FABLES #100!

DEADPOOL #28
Words: Daniel Way
Pictures: Carlo Barberi

Deadpool continues his quest to be a hero. He teams up with who he thinks is Moon Knight, Black Widow and Steve Rogers, who loves to beat him up.
It turns out these are simply clones created by Doctor Bong who wants to have Deadpool on his team of clones, presumably to rule the world (Doctor Bong is a little out of touch and kind of weird)
Anyway, the REAL Steve Rogers shows up and fun ensues.
I'm getting the feeling Way doesn't know what he's doing with this title anymore. This "Deadpool wants to be a hero" things has been done for a long time out and he's failed at it so many times you'd think he's just give up on it. Or, at least, i wish he would.
Perhaps with all the other Deadpool books running currently Way doesn't have much room to play in...no matter the reason this series is beginning to suffer from lack of direction and plain fun
I still like the art though!

LADY DEATH PREMIER
Words: Brian Pulido & Mike Wolfer
Pictures: Marcelo Mueller

This begins the all-new ongoing series starring the legendary Lady Death who made her first appearance way back in 1991's Evil Ernie: Youth Gone Wild miniseries which I recently reviewed here.
She is no longer with the Chaos! Cosmos and Evil Ernie and after more than a few failed or less than exciting runs with CrossGen and Avatar Comics she lands at Boundless and begins anew.
The story begins with Lady Death's kingdom under siege by someone calling herself Death Queen. She seems hellbent on killing everyone in Lady Death's realm and even wears a mask of Death's face in an evil grin.
After destroying Lady Death's kingdom, killing much of her army she confronts the Diva of Death herself and seemingly defeats her!
It's an interesting take on Lady Death but I have to admit, I miss the good old days when Lady Death could take on all of Heaven and Hell and come out on top. But, after reading this free preview I have to admit...I'm more than a little interested in where this is going to go. I have to figure out if I want to grab it monthly or pick up the trades. But anyone interested in Lady Death should run to their local comics shop and pick up this free issue!

THOR, THE MIGHTY AVENGER #3
Words: Roger Landgridge
Pictures: Chris Samnee

More old school Marvel style action continues! This issue things begin to settle down after the last two issues of Thor Vs. Mister Hyde. We begin with Thor having a dream about his arrival on Earth. We begin to learn more about why he's there, Odin wishes to teach him a lesson of some sort. Thanks to Loki's involvement he is granted a hasty vision before Jane walks in.
The next day Jane is suspended from her job at the museum and to put her mind at ease she decides to take Thor shopping to get him more...normal clothing.
While all this is going on we meet Hank Pym, Ant-Man/Giant Man, and his wife Janet, The Wasp, as Pym learns of the death of his long time friend at the hands of Hyde. He decides to try to bring his friends killer to justice.
At the worst possible moment, Thor begins to see Loki's vision but it blurs his perspective and he begins to see Asgardian concepts on earth. He sees Giant Man as a Frost Giant and a fun little fight ensues.
This series continues to be a highly entertaining series that should be read by everyone. It's nice, back to basics, story telling and light hearted art that LOOKS like comic book art. I can't recommend this enough!

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 18

2010-10-17T13:41:00.000-04:00

#70: Carnage

Weekly Pulls 100th POST THIS YEAR!

2010-10-14T18:11:00.002-04:00

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #645
Words: Mark Waid
Pictures: Paul Azaceta & Matthew Southworth

Origin Of The Species, Part 4! Spider-Man, thinking the baby he tried so hard to save is dead, goes on a rampage through New York City looking for the person or persons responsible for it. All the third and forth string villains are running for their lives as Sidey takes out The Spot, El Diablo, Screwball, Electro, The Enforcers and more!
Meanwhile we have a shot of Harry holding some vials of the Green Goblin formula and looking at it as if thinking about taking it!
Mary Jane, Carlie Cooper and Lily Hollister try to keep things together while being stalked by Tombstone!
And Doc Ock gets VERY close to getting the baby, and finally revealing that he hopes the baby's blood will be enough to heal his beaten and withered body, only to have the baby taken from his man the Chameleon by none other than...The Lizard!
All out action continues in this installment of one of Brand New Day's more exciting stories! If there is one complaint it's some of the art. While I like it in general, there are some panels where Spider-Man look kind of chunky and it does tend to distract from the flow of it, as a long time reader would tell you a fat Spider-Man generally means a fake Spider-Man. It's tradition. Not saying that's the case here it's just how Spidey is being drawn.

THE THANOS IMPERATIVE #5 of 6
Words: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Pictures: Miguel Sepulveda

It really begins to hit the fan in this issue! We have betrayals, not the bad kind though!
The Cancerverse version of Scarlet Witch turns on her compatriots to help stop the evil Captain Marvel from destroying our Marvel Universe. She is destroyed for doing so but not before she transports Thanos and the Guardians to the place where the Cancerverse began.
Nova tries to convince the remaining defenders to help aid the Guardians but they would rather stay on the front line and help the Abstracts (Galactus and the Celestials for example) fight off the massive Galactus Engine, Medusa remarks that she feels there is something more powerful and BIGGER behind the Galactus Engine...I fear what that can be!
The other betrayal is Thanos. He knows the Cancerverse creatures want him dead and Thanos wants nothing more than to be dead so he offers his life up in exchange for that very same death. Knowing Thanos there is more going on here than we are seeing. In the Cancerverse Death has been destroyed. If Thanos is killed there will it also reset the concept of Death and destroy the Cancer?
So what's this all leading up to? Well, next month is the sixth and final issue of this series that Marvel claims will change the face of the Cosmic branch of the Marvel Universe and from what we're seeing here they aren't kidding!
On the art side, it flows very nicely perhaps the only fall back is Thanos being drawn as a freaking huge Hulk sized guy. But it's easy to follow and very exciting...I almost don't want it to end!

THOR #616
Words: Matt Fraction
Pictures: Pasqual Ferry

The set up continues concerning the after effects of Thor bringing Asgard to Earth. The beings that are seemingly going from realm to realm destroying everything continue their crusade as Thor begins to regret the death of his half brother Loki.
It's a set up issue so not much happens, just a story progressing and that's NOT a bad thing.
What is kind of a bad thing is the way Ferry is drawing Thor himself. I noticed it a little bit last month but it's really obvious this month. Ferry is drawing Thor to match the no-name actor who's playing him in the upcoming live action movie.
I can't say I really like that, it's distracting and takes me out of the story. BUT I really like Thor and I've been reading this series for a few years now so I'm not really willing to drop a good book because the artist wants to ruin the look. But it isn't easy.

THOR THE MIGHTY AVENGER #2
Words: Roger Langridge
Pictures: Chris Samnee

Yeah, I wasn't going to buy this on a monthly basis, I loved the first issue but couldn't rationalize having a second ongoing Thor comic. Until I found out the first trade collection will be a smaller than standard size and will only collect the first four issues along with reprints of books I'll have in Essential Thor, Volume 1, overall it didn't make sense.
So, for the next few weeks I'll be picking up a new issue of this until I'm caught up.
The story is basically out of continuity and kind of resets the Thor story in modern times. It's fun and light hearted and innocent. Fun is what I'm trying to say.
Thor is on Midgard and has to learn how our world works while trying to figure out why he's there and how to return to Asgard. It's an all ages book that I still recommend for anyone.
With next week's Issue 3 I'll begin to get more into the actual story. For now, just know it's good and fun.

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 17

2010-10-11T16:39:00.001-04:00

#7: Silver Surfer

The Long Box #14: Lobo/Deadman

2010-10-11T16:34:00.000-04:00

LOBO/DEADMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BALD
Words: Alan Grant
Pictures: Martin Emond
February 1995

The story begins with Lobo on his way to Earth, a place he really hates. After dealing with an annoying hitchhiker, we find out the reason he's coming to Earth is because he's been hired to arrest someone...that someone turns out to be Deadman.
Lobo has the thinking that Deadman is a really hard dude, someone that might give him a good fight.
Deadman, in the meanwhile, is going on vacation on the suggestion of his therapist. He decides to head to California. Thing it, in order to really enjoy his time there he needs a body. So, we get some body jumping on the part of Deadman, which he enjoys especially when he lands on Bizmo Beach and is set upon by hot chicks.
Then Lobo shows up.
After a quick reference to the Lobo Convention Special he proceeds to search for Deadman and ends up killing 2 people before finding the body Deadman inhabits. Of course this leads to a fight with three steroid freaks with muscles in places most people don't have places. This increases the body county by 3 more.
To stop Lobo's reign of violence, Deadman tries to take him over only to realize Lobo is unlike anyone he's dealt with before. To the point where Deadman starts talking and thinking like Lobo.

We then find out that the person who hired Lobo is Darkseid, ruler of Apokolips. He wants to study Deadman in hopes of figuring out the secret to Anti-Life. After arriving on Apokolips and, by habit, capturing Deadman, Lobo take a Mother Box and is given another offer: Kill himself. Why? Well, another hobby of Darkseid is wanting to become God. Not just A God but THE God. In order to do that he needs to learn all the secrets of Heaven. This is where Lobo comes in having been killed once and ended up in Heaven due to a mistake in paperwork. So Lobo and Deadman hold the secret to Anti-Life AND become a God. Fun times.
With the aid of Lobo's bike they escape and mayhem ensues the way only Lobo can do it!
Eventually, they both end up confronting Darkseid who concedes failure and let's Deadman and Lobo go...but not before he takes the Mother Box away from Lobo who mentions he gave it the 'once over' which turns out to be bad news for Darkseid.

Overall, this was a very entertaining Lobo one shot. It's always best when he's just violent and vulgar, which always betrays the fact he's a very smart man. The art is top notch and very expressive. Fans of Deadman should enjoy this just as much as fans of Lobo. It's also nice to know that Darkseid knows of Lobo and even he treads carefully around him.

And there is your really quick review of a Lobo one shot!

New York ComiCon 2010

2010-10-11T01:37:00.000-04:00

I didn't go but MAN were there some killer announcements!
In no specific order, the things that I'M looking forward to:

IDW announced a new ongoing GODZILLA series in February 2010!

Marvel announced a few cool thing...first, some new titles coming out in January will be priced at $2.99 and they will be condensing some of their lines to go along with that.

They announce in January there will be a new one shot from DnA featuring the cosmic fall out from this year's Thanos Imperative!

We're getting a new Hobgoblin, which was already announced, AND possibly a new Venom, which has been hinted at, in Amazing Spider-Man!

Apparently Onslaught has been trapped in the Negative Zone all this time. He comes back in February and he isn't happy.

Vertigo announced a second Cinderella miniseres: Fables Are Forever!

And they hyped next month's release of Fables #100!

WOW! some really nice things coming very soon!

The Long Box #13: Spider-Man

2010-10-09T17:35:00.001-04:00

Spider-Man #1-5
Words and pictures: Todd McFarlane
August 1990-December 1990

Torment: In 1990 Marvel decided 3 Spider-Man titles weren't enough. We have Amazing, Spectacular and Web of Spider-Man. Marvel decided we needed a series simply called Spider-Man. So, in 1990 Spider-Man #1 was released with one of the most iconic covers to come from the 1990's. The series was written and drawn by Todd McFarlane at first and the premier issue, including all the variations of the cover image, sold over 3 million copies and for a time was the highest selling comic book of all time (that record would be broken the following year when the Chris Claremont/Jim Lee X-Men #1 was released, the combined sales of it's many covers topped 8 million copies. This title is in the Guinness Book of World Records).

But enough about that, what was the first story about? Well, it was called 'Torment' and it was probably one of the darkest Spider-Man stories told at that time, second to maybe Kraven's Last Hunt.
The story begins with Spider-Man doing his thing (wonderfully drawn by Todd McFarlane, when he used to draw comics). He saves a lady, stops a criminal then goes home to Mary Jane (this was before they fixed the whole marriage thing), all seems good in Spidey's life.
Then we cut to the darkness. Inside that darkness is The Lizard, one of Spider-Man's oldest enemies and friends. Only he seems less human, he kills without remorse, starting with rats then quickly moving to humans. During all of this there is a 'Doom, Doom' sound of a drum.
As the story moves forward we learn that The Lizard isn't in control of himself. There is a mysterious Voodoo Witch who has taken control of him and wants to use him to destroy The Spider. Apparently she has something of a Kraven obsession. She feels she can succeed where he failed not really knowing that Kraven, on some level, actually did succeed in what he wanted to do.
We also have a small sub-plot with Mary Jane as she tries to keep her mind occupied while Peter is out web slinging by going to party after party and at one point nearly crossing paths with the feral Lizard!
The story is very dark and very atmospheric. Spider-Man trying desperately to understand why his friend, Dr. Connors, has become the Lizard again and why the beast is mindlessly killing anyone around it, and trying to kill him. The Voodoo Witch is an interesting character, she has control over The Lizard and her origin is given but while she's an important part of the story she really doesn't get the development she should have gotten. I say she's interesting because she is given a pivotal role in this story but she isn't funny formed.
This is typical Todd McFarlane in these days. While his art was very vibrant and the motions of Spider-Man as he swings through the city are magnificent. His facial expressions though, seemed to have some problems here, in many cases people, like Peter Parker and Mary Jane, looks almost anime-esque in that their eyes were huge and their expressions were not always in the right place. But the action scenes were awesome.

However, on the writing side of it McFarlane isn't as solid. The dialogue is shaky in some spots and, as I said before, the Voodoo Witch isn't a fully formed character, just enough to make her interesting and not completely stick out but not enough to make this story truely great. The story still reads easily enough some 20 years later. I found I had little trouble getting into it again.
Then there are the covers. This is where McFarlane excels like few others. Every cover for this story is awesome. The first issue has become an iconic cover and has been homaged many times (including Marvel Zombies) but ever cover is fun to look at. One of the things that he did on these covers is hide a spider somewhere on the cover. Yeah, I know "it's a Spider-Man comic, of course there's a spider!" Whatever, what I mean is each cover had a unique spider on it hidden somewhere in the image. I think some were covered by the UPC code box because there are a few covers that seemingly don't have the spider on it.

Well, that's about it, Spider-Man: Torment is still a fun read, even with the somewhat weak story. I didn't have a hard time getting back into it and still enjoyed it even with that small drawback.

Weekly Pulls

2010-10-07T13:33:00.000-04:00

I, ZOMBIE #6
Words: Chris Roberson
Pictures: Michael Allred

I, Were-Terrier! This is it! The Secret Origin of Spot, the Were-Terrier! Learn his mysterious past! His parents killed in a car accident when he was young, he was taken in by his grandfather who was a cartoon voice actor, he voiced a cartoon monkey called Mr. Chimps, as young Scott grew up he became a fan of fantasy, comics, movies anything, much to his grandfather's dismay.
This put a strain on their relationship and shortly after graduation, Scott moved from Portland, OR to Eugene, OR. One night, while walking home, he came across a dog, a terrier, lying dying on the sidewalk, he went to touch it to see if it was dead when a strange feeling came over him.
Later that night, things started getting really hairy.
Yeah, that's his origin, and it actually goes really well with what we learned last month we know about upper and lower spirits and this ties in very nicely with the whole were-anything aspect of this world. It also makes the ending, with his grandfather, pretty funny.
So, yeah, this was a simple origin issue, getting us ready for the upcoming fight with the vampires starting next month. And we see Scott's first meeting with Gwen. Just a nice, relaxing issue.

R.E.B.E.L.S. #21
Words: Tony Bedard
Pictures: Claude St. Aubin

To Be A R.E.B.E.L., Part 1: Seems the Green Lantern Corps doesn't much care for Vril Dox and his L.E.G.I.O.N. They want to shut him down. Unfortunately, for the Corps, Dox has Lobo on his side.
Ever since Lobo gained a Red Lantern Ring (Green Lantern #55) he's been having to deal with the whole Green Lantern world to some extent.
This time he's fighting a Lantern who's whole world is a warrior world, they even look up to Lobo as the perfect fighter. Which makes for an interesting fight, especially once Lobo actually lands a punch (followed by countless more)
We're also learning more about Lobo's interaction with the power of the Rings. His will power seems to be very strong allowing him to destroy nearly anything the Lanterns can construct with their Rings.
Honestly, Lobo is the ONLY reason I'm reason this, I don't know many of the other characters but this book is still fairly new and is written in a way that makes it easy to get into.
The only thing I wonder about is why Lobo didn't have his boots on in this issue?

(Not my) Weekly Pull...

2010-09-30T21:08:00.000-04:00

SCOTT PILGRIM, VOLUME 1: SCOTT PILGRIM'S PRECIOUS LITTLE LIFE
Words and Pictures: Bryan Lee O'Malley

I got this mostly out of curiosity. the movie made some waves and this series of digest sized graphic novels has had a lot of attention for a long time. So I wanted to see what this was all about.
I'm a bit surprised Scott Pilgrim is considered a hero, he's something of a loser. He has no job, owns very little and contributes next to nothing in his personal life.
He's also dating a high school girl but seems to have little interest in being little more than just a friend.
You don't get the whole 'evil ex' thing until a little more than half way through although he does get and email then a letter talking about a fight that he simply ignores because he has something of a short attention span.
I'm sure there isn't much I can say about this that everyone doesn't already know but I will say this: the ONLY thing I didn't like was the digest size format. The art is fun and interesting and suffers from such a small format. The characters are, in terms of this mythical land of Canada, realistic in the way they interact and talk.
It's almost like a slacker version of Strangers in Paradise (I bet THAT comparison has never been made!)
I will be getting the second volume to see how the story goes.

The Long Box #12: Evil Ernie

2010-09-30T20:55:00.001-04:00

EVIL ERNIE: YOUTH GONE WILD #1-5
Words: Brian Pulido
Pictures: Steven Hughes
December 1991-April 1992

Nearing the second year of collecting comics I was still also reading Fangoria Magazine. One issue had a cover blurb about a black and white horror comic book called Evil Ernie from publisher Eternity Comics. I wasn't much for comics outside of Marvel but had something for black and white comics even in those early days so I had to check this out.

This story introduced "Evil" Ernest Fairchild who has issues. His parents beat him horribly yet wonder why he's withdrawn. To cure this 'imbalance' they take him to Dr. Leonard Price head guy at the Clearview Mental Institution. He tries this machine called the Dream Probe in hopes of being able to work out the issues Ernest has. While under the influence of the probe, young Ernest 'meets' Lady Death, who sees in him the potential to be the biggest mass killer of all time. She tells the boy she loves him and by killing dream versions of his parents she explains to him that he can show his love for her by using the rage inside him to kill others.
After the treatment, Price pays a house call and find Ernest has killed his parents. As Price explains it, Ernest killed them at breakfast then went down his block and killed 35 more people. He was finally caught but killed 12 more people AFTER he was caught.
Since then, Price has done everything he could to keep Ernest locked away and has tried to kill him to cure him permanently on a few occasions.

Then along comes Mary Young. She has a NEW Dream Probe called Neurotech which simply removes the urge to kill. She wants to test it on Ernest.
Along with Mary we're introduced to her family, she's the elder sister and watches over her younger sibling the youngest being Billy then Heather and Rick. While they support her efforts Heather has a series of dreams in which 'Evil' Ernie kills everyone including the Young family. She just passes them off as simple dreams.
Mary's efforts are back by the rather sleazy Commissioner Stone who is hoping the success of Neurotech will make him right and famous.

The first issue is told using flashbacks showing Price's failure at curing Ernest and his obvious guilt over it, Evil Ernie's growing relationship with Lady Death and Mary Young's hopes of curing him. It all comes together very well and gives the reader all he or she needs to know to understand the concept of Evil Ernie.

In the second issue the attempt is made and, of course, it fails and gives way to the birth of Evil Ernie, harbinger of mega death. He's charged with one simple task: Kill everyone. The reason? It's the only way he and Lady Death can be together on Earth. We also get the first appearance of Smiley The Psychotic Button and learn that Evil can control the people he kills, zombies he calls his 'Friendz.'

The remaining issues of the first 5-parter cover the attempts to stop Evil's dark reign or terror forever. The body count sky rockets and things get very out of control very fast.
Finally, Evil is stopped, having reached the then current levels of power he controls and the world seems like a safer place.
For now.

So, having re-read this story for the first time in about 10 years I have to say it stands up fairly well. In some places it moves to fast and doesn't seem to have a lot of smooth flow to it but this was the first attempt at a comic book by Brian Pulido and artist Steven Hughes so I give them some space there. And speaking of the art, this is one thing that starts excellently right off the bat. Hughes art is tight and all the characters are fully formed from the first appearance of them all. It's different than the usual way of seeing a character's look evolving as the issues come out.

Overall, this is a story that stands the test of time, especially considering it started out as a small, black and white, independent comic book with a fairly small print count. It's amazing that this simple, 5 part comic book series was the foundation of one of the greatest independent publishers of the 1990's, Chaos! Comics. It introduces concepts that continued to run until the companies end: all villains and no heroes. There are no 'good guys' that will come in and save the people by stopping the monsters. No, the humans are there because we need a body count. But while the story, on the surface, is just about violence there is more. Evil Ernie is doing this because he love Lady Death. What man wouldn't offer the whole world for the woman he loves?

This Just In!

2010-09-30T16:17:00.000-04:00

DC COMICS PRESENTS #47
Words: Paul Kupperberg
Pictures: Curt Swan

Obviously we have Superman fighting He-Man in this issue. THAT alone makes this a cool find. But add to that the fact that this was the first comic book appearance of He-Man and the Masters of the Universe and you have a very nice find in the back issue bin of Nostalgia, Ink, my local comic shop.

Weekly Pull...?

2010-09-30T16:09:00.000-04:00

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #644
Words: Mark Waid
Pictures: Paul Azaceta

Origin of the Species, Part 3! The all out action continues! Spidey is still trying to find a safe place for the baby of Menace and Green Goblin (scary...) and is on the run from Freak, Vulture, Tombestone, Shocker, Mysterio, and one surprise villain!
During this issue we also see the original Rhino show up who has no interest in the kid but is pissed at Spidey over the death of his wife (Amazing Spider-Man #625) and it takes Spidey literally screaming at him to make him see there is something larger going on here.
Another noticeable thing it the strain on Spider-Man, it's really beginning to show here especially when he is told the baby is dead. He just wants ONE thing to go his way, you know? (by the way, the baby isn't dead it was a ruse told to him by 'Harry' to get the baby away from him)

One nice mystery here is who is the man in the shadows talking to Doc Ock?

This is a great story, from the fast paced writing to the art, everything here is coming together very nicely.

This Just In!

2010-09-23T21:04:00.001-04:00

THOR #337
Words and Pictures: Walter Simonson
November 1983

I've never read this book but ever since the character Beta Ray Bill was really brought to my attention by a friend and former co-worker, Dan, I had to admit something...this has ALWAYS been a favorite cover of mine.
So, this week my local comic book store, Nostalgia Ink, is having a Back To School Sale and since back issues are on sale (and I needed to have more than a $10 sale because I was using my card) I decided to look through his recent acquisitions and I came across this for $15.
I figured it's time I owned it and it was one sale but helped me reach the $10 minimum.
Yeah, I was just looking for reasons to buy it, I admit, but come on, look at this cover! It rocks!

Weekly Pulls

2010-09-23T20:49:00.000-04:00

AVENGERS #5
Words: Brian Bendis
Pictures: John Romita, Jr.

A good title for this issue would be 'All Hell Breaks Loose!' Because, well, it kind of does.
You have some Avengers in the present fighting all kinds of odd things from Dinosaurs to WWI era fighter planes to Galactus while another group of Avengers goes into the future at the 'request' of Kang to prevent the Next Avengers from destroying everything.
Only...the Next Avengers AREN'T destroying anything, it was just a ruse to get the Avengers to go into the future.
So, the long and the short of it is Kang's mucking about in the time stream has finally destroyed it. Everything is every where it shouldn't be and Ultron is the main reason for it. The Ultron War is what Kang was fighting all this time by taking heroes from different times in an attempt at winning the war. Each time he did, he lost and went and got other heroes. Now all time is screwed and the Avengers have to figure out a way to fix it. Now, we're getting to the meat of this story which is good, I was considering dropping this title.
Also, the Marvel Universe Timeline in this issue was VERY interesting. Especially the part that reads "Galactus Seed"

FANTASTIC FOUR #583
Words: Jonathan Hickman
Pictures: Steve Epting

Three, Part 1: Okay, so all the stuff that's been happening that didn't seem to make much sense is starting to come together. The new civilizations and the line from #581 "All hope lies in Doom" are all coming together.
This issue serves as a recap of sorts in which Valeria finds Reeds rebuilt bridge which brought him into contact with the Council of Reeds who tasked themselves with solving...Everything but failed when the Celestials showed up and began to kill them all.
Meanwhile the FF are fighting in the High Evolutionary's city in an attempt at preventing their engine from exploding and de-evolving everyone withing a 100 mile radius.

But this all seems to take a backseat to Valeria and her 'quest' to correct her father's mistakes by seeking out the one person who may help her: Her Uncle Doom. Yeah, probably some of the most interesting pages in comics this year: Doom talking to a child that may be smarter than he is and striking a deal to help her father is she restores his brain to its pre-damaged version. Valeria is certainly becoming one of the more interesting characters in this book.
I just wish we had a different artist. Epting is a good artist he just doesn't seem to work well with this book.

DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #889
Words: Jeff Parker
Pictures: Steve Sanders

Guest Starring Gorilla-Man!
Right, I have no idea who the hell Gorilla-Man is and I really don't care. One thing is for sure, this was the wrong way to follow up the Machine Man issue!
There really isn't much to say here, we have another one shot issue, which this series has been since it began, but while some issues are fun this one just falls flat for the most part.
It's probably because I really have no interest in a talking gorilla.
The only other thing here is this is the final issue I'm picking up for this series. I'm going to switch to getting it in trades which means I can wait a while, volume 3 picks up with #888 which is out next month so I won't be reading this series for another 5 or 6 months.
Now the only thing that bothers me is should I pick up another book to replace it or just keep the 8 ongoing books I currently have...

FABLES #98
Words: Bill Willingham
Pictures: Mark Buckingham

Rose Red, Part 5: She's back! That's right, Rose Red is back and she's taking charge of The Farm! She decides that since SHE runs things then all the garbage Geppetto had been doing, with being 'elected' Mayor of The Farm, among other things, is not valid and not happening.
She puts her foot down there and then picks a new order for things. THIS is the Rose Red I miss, take charge but take no crap.
On the Mister Dark front, Totenkinder has learned there might be one thing to stop him, possibly kill him and end his threat forever. But it won't be easy, good thing she's repowered and even takes on a younger form and older name: Bellflower. She says she's going to fight Mister Dark in a duel, one on one. VERY interesting.
This issue shows that while some may have thought Fables has lost it's punch that it hasn't. While reading this I was reminded why I love this series so much, the dialogue is very strong and the characters are rediscovering themselves after the chaos caused by the Great Fables Crossover.
Oh, and only two issues to go!!

THOR #615
Words: Matt Fraction
Pictures: Pasqual Ferry

With this issue we welcome a new creative team. Fraction has made a name for himself writing Invincible Iron Man and I was eager to see him write something I actually read. Here it is.
Picking up after Siege and the run in with Mephisto we find King Balder questioning his ability to lead the Asgardians, good thing he has Thor for a brother. The Thunderer explains to Balder that recent events are to big for him to take the blame and that he just needs to be a strong King. Wisdom comes from experience is the impression I got from his talk.
While this is going on we see the first attacks on the Nine Worlds. There is a void that must be filled. When Asgard appeared on Midgard (Earth for you DC fans) it left a void in the place where Asgard SHOULD be. This seems to have allowed a race presumably from another realm to start taking over the other 9, by killing everyone and destroying everything. This set up is great because it looks as though Thor and his fellow Asgardians will have to find a way to place Asgard in it's proper place AND defend it, along with Midgard, from these invaders.
I was hoping Fraction would being a new level of excitement to this series and he seems to have delivered!

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 16

2010-09-19T14:19:00.000-04:00

Mega Special: Galactus

Weekly Pulls

2010-09-16T14:05:00.000-04:00

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #643
Words: Mark Waid
Pictures: Paul Azaceta

Origin Of The Species, Part 2! This could be considered an 'all out action issue.' We have Spider-Man trying to save/protect the baby of Norman Osborn and Lilly Hollister aka Menace, a baby that has pure Goblin blood. That makes this baby very important to one Doctor Octopus who claims the baby can make anything he wants come true. So, to get the kid he 'hires' just about every Spider-Man villain, old and new, to get this kid and that's where the fun starts!
Spidey is able to get the baby away from Doc Ock and tries to take him someplace safe. Only problems are the other villains, like Electro and Sandman trying to get the baby and Spidey not being able to hide anywhere because everyone and their dad has a camera of sorts and no matter where Spidey tries to go he's being filmed which allows the Doc to know where he is. Great story and some very nice action!
Also, I have to say I really enjoy the art for this story.

AVENGERS AND THE INFINITY GAUNTLET #2 or 4
Words: Brian Clevinger & Lee Black
Pictures: Brian Churilla

The lighter retelling of the legendary Infinity Gauntlet story continues!
With the aid of U.S. Ace, our team of Ms. Marvel, Spider-Man, hulk, Wolverine and Dr. Doom travel to the center of the Milky Way to find out what cased the disappearances of half of the people on earth and punch it. (I have to say this is almost like What If..? Nextwave had fought during the Infinity Gauntlet.
Now, I'm sure some people will STILL be crying about how these characters are acting out of character, for instance when the heroes leave earth there is a 'debate' over should should get shotgun. Doom says "As the only ruler of a sovereign nation to embark upon this journey, DOOM shall take the coveted "shotgun" seat."
Hulk: "HULK WANT SHOTGUN!"
Doom: "Doom...will allow this breach of protocol."
Good stuff. If you're familiar with the original story you should really be checking this out. It's the basic story without all the heavy continuity and crossovers, good for introducing your kids to the event, and the art is very light and fun.

DEADPOOL #27
Words: Daniel Way
Pictures: Carlo Barberi

You know...I'm really not sure what to say about this issue. It really doesn't make much sense, even for a Deadpool comic.
It starts with him in a gas station/party store trying to buy a microwave burrito with gold (he doesn't have cash) while the Middle Eastern man in a turban says no, he only takes American dollars.
From there we have the man denying he's a terrorist while a group of people show up with the same regenerative powers of DP who want the man, or what he has stored beneath his store: weapons.
After denying he's a terrorist a few more times he admits he is, but only after Steve Rogers shows up with his Secret Avengers, knocks out DP (giving us another pointless flashback).
After the guy admits he was a terrorist, DP shoots him in the head and gets offered a place in the Secret Avengers.
I'm not sure what's going on with this series but there have been to many issues like this lately. Issues that have no real purpose and offer nothing of an overall storyline.
But, at least it was funnier than some recent issues of this series have been.

The Long Box #11: The Craptacular B-Sides

2010-09-14T12:55:00.001-04:00

THE CRAPTACULAR B-SIDES #1-3
Words: Brian David-Marshall
Pictures: Brett Weldele
November 2002-January 2003

New Jersey is home to very few heroes. The Toxic Avenger comes to mind but that's about it.
This series seeks to correct a wrong by suggesting heroes can come from all over the place.
The B-Sides consists of Laura Broadbahr AKA Fateball who has a Magic Eight Ball that tells her the answer to any question she asks.
Stuart Welles AKA Mize (it's apparently short for 'demise' which helps in pronouncing it) and he has the ability to speed up the decay of any item and even can effect people. The problem is he doesn't always have control over his powers.
Jesse Metuchen AKA Jughandle who has the ability to leave the time stream which helps him see what others are doing even though they cannot see him.
They are all brought together to be the 'hottest new super team since the New Warriors' by Charley Huckle, he's basically a con man who thinks he can make it rich quick if he managed a super hero team in a city and state that doesn't have many.
Their costumes are bowling shirts and their first meeting is in a bowling alley.

They decide to be heroes for hire...I know that sounds familiar...and their first case leads them to a man who calls himself Doctor Dark, he can solidify light...or shadow...it really isn't that clear but shadow makes more sense, right? Anyway, they try to take this drunk out and he's to much for them to handle. Fortunately (for them) the Fantastic Four shows up to help but also Reed is concerned about Jughandle's powers, his concern is if he uses them to many times he could end up destroying the fabric of time/space. Of course, kids being kids, they don't like 'the man' telling them what to do but Sue offers Jughandle something to drink which we later find out is something meant to help control his powers and not to damage to the time/space fabric.

After all this the B-Sides get involved in a small part of the Kree/Skrull War...right in new Jersey? Yeah...
So, apparently a Kree living in NJ is mad that his daughter is 'in love' with a Skrull. He goes on a tear and ends up in a diner with two cats in the microwave. Don't worry though, the cats are fine, Skrull are known for taking odd shapes.
So, we end up with the B-Sides actually taking some charge and stopping this from getting out of hand...MORE out of hand and while the FF are figuring things out.

The art is very 90's era independent comics style. Not bad, it's energetic. The covers, though...done my the great Sam Keith, creator of The Maxx. I still remember the first time I saw his art, it was on the cover of the series Marvel Comics Presents when Ghost Rider and Cable were teaming up in that series. I HATED his art on first sight but warmed up to it rather quickly.

This was another series I hadn't read since I finally located the third issue, it took a few years to locate though, and it's an enjoyable series to read. I can defiantly recommend it!

Weekly Pulls

2010-09-10T16:09:00.000-04:00

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #641
Words: Joe Quesada
Pictures: Paolo Rivera, Joe Quesada, Danny Miki & Richard Isanove

One Moment in Time Concludes! I have to admit, this was a very good conclusion to a very interesting story.
Dr. Strange, Reed Richards and Tony Stark all work together to make the world forget Peter Park is Spider-Man, like they did with the Sentry.
Stark seems to think it's time for the Illuminati to stop messing around with other heroes lives though but agrees to help.
A deal is made and a spell is cast but Peter can't allow MJ to live a lie so he makes it so she is the only person who remembers Parker's secret.
This takes us to One More Day and the fallout of Peter's actions. MJ isn't happy with it, it seems, as she wanted to forget but seems willing to live with it.
Flash to the present and MJ tells Peter that basically they will always be friends but he needs to move on. Find someone else. Personally, this makes me VERY happy because I really didn't like MJ being his 'better half' Loved this story and this issue was actually worth $3.99!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #642
Words: Mark Waid
Pictures: Paul Azaceta

Origin Of The Species, Part 1! Now, with OMIT behind us we can move on!
With the relationship of Peter Parker and Mary Jane set we can move on to, well, a major blow out it seems.
On the Life of Peter Parker Front: He's out of money, living with the room mate from Hell and needs to find a job but after JJJ blackballed him making it impossible for Parker to make money taking pictures. He also has a date with Carlie (who, by the way, I like better than MJ) which is good, he's trying to move forward.
The date becomes 'hanging out' with friends because when Peter shows up we see Carlie talking to Harry and MJ.
Meanwhile...Doctor Octopus has hired virtually all of Spider-Man's enemies to locate and bring to him a certain item with will make their dreams come true, according to the Good Doctor.
The shocker is what the prize is: Some time ago Harry was dating a hot chick who was also the villain Menace. She had taken some of Norman Osborn's goblin potion and became a maniac. After Harry found out, and still professed his love for her, she admitted she was pregnant...with NORMAN'S child! She was captured by Norman's people and hasn't been seen in some time. Now, after the Norman's fall she has escaped and is seeking Harry's help because she's in labor! And it seems the child is what Doc Ock is looking for! Why? Who knows...maybe it has something to do with the kids parents both being Goblins...

THE THANOS IMPERATIVE #4 of 6
Words: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Pictures: Miguel Sepulveda

In a word: DAMN! This is the best event Marvel has had since Annihilation: Conquest!
Last issue, Drax attacked and killed Thanos. Seemed like a very bad thing to do and it was, but not because Thanos was seemingly destroyed, no, he can no longer die, the problem came from Thanos killing Drax, who it turns out is an Avatar of life because of the reasons behind his creation. That death made their location known to the Revengers and their leader Captain Marvel.
On the battle front, Nova leads Beta Ray Bill, Gladiator, The Silver Surfer, Quasar and Ronan on an attack on the main ship of the Revengers and an all out battle ensues.
Surfer cracks and joke, Captain marvel takes out Nova and learns the reason he sought out Namorita. Power levels are discovered when the Cancerverse version of Mar-Vell attacks the Silver Surfer and destroys his surfboard!
This story just keeps getting bigger and better and it tops everything Marvel is putting out right now. If you aren't reading Marvel Cosmic books you need to!

THOR #614
Words: Kieron Gillen
Pictures: Doug Braithwaite

Wow! Thor taking on the Disir and fighting for the realm of Hela while in the realm of Mephisto!
When the smoke cleared and Thor wins, I won't say how, we find out Loki had his hand in more of this than we first knew.
But now, even after all of this is done, where is Loki? Hela says he isn't in her realm and Thor want sot learn more about his current whereabouts.
He learns what he doesn't want to know...
I know I'm being very vague about this but this issue has some very nice twists and turns that I can't say to much about without giving away important points in the story.
Sorry...all I can say is this is a great issue and I cannot wait to see how the upcoming creative team does starting with the next issue!

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 15

2010-09-05T00:53:00.000-04:00

#18: Human Torch

The Long Box #10: Bloodstone

2010-09-04T01:21:00.001-04:00

BLOODSTONE #1-4
Words: Andy Lanning & Dan Abnett
Pictures: Michael Lopez
December 2001-March 2002

Before Nextwave, Else Bloodstone had to learn who she was. Her father, Ulysses Bloodstone, was the premier Monster Hunter of the Marvel Universe. He made his first appearance in Marvel Presents #1 in October 1975.
The story here begins with Elsa and her pregnant mother arriving in America to attend to the now deceased Ulysses Bloodstone. The plan was to sell off his property and return home to England, and do it all without Elsa learning her father's secret.
Else is not happy with being there and expresses it very well. Her mother simply wants to wrap things up but once in the Bloodstone home she begins to remember the plans she and Ulysses had after he planned to retire from monster hunting.

In the first issue we get these elements as well as Elsa discovering some of the secrets of her late father, secrets that her mother doesn't want her to know about. We are also introduced to Mr. Barnabas who seems to like Elsa's mother and Adam, a Frankenstein Monster type guy who knows about Ulysses and what he did. He's the one who begins to explain to Elsa what her father was about and gives her the Bloodstone which gives her some interesting powers.
She also has her first monster fight. With Dracula.

The series progresses with Elsa fighting along with The Living Mummy and, later, Dracula himself. It ends as all good miniseries do, with a cliffhanger where we know more is going to happen we just won't be able to see it.

Naturally, it's very well written. After all, Abnett and Lanning were the guys who made Rocket Raccoon and the talking tree Groot great characters again. The pacing is nice and it never gets boring. Upon a long overdue second reading I can say this series has lost none of it's charm and has actually got me wanting more Bloodstone. Perhaps something like the Lost Adventures of Bloodstone oneshot or miniseries, something to fill in the gap between this and when she first joined H.A.T.E and the Nextwave Squad.

On the art end, no complaints there either. For a book that is nearly 10 years old the look hasn't faded at all. This series could have easily been put out today and looked just as good. I found I had no problem getting back into it.
Even the covers are fun to look at.

A few things that I noticed though...it appears as though Elsa isn't really British as she was depicted to be in Nextwave. I got the impression she was an American who was raised in England. she was there long enough to pick up the slang and probably the accent, she mentions this in the first issue. Also, Elsa is blond here whereas in the Nextwave she is a red head.

Overall though...Bloodstone has great re-read value to it. Sometimes you go back and re-read something you loved years ago and find you have to force yourself to read it and you end up questioning yourself as to what the hell you liked about it in the first place. Not true for this mini. I actually think I will re-read this again in a year or so.
It's just a four parter and has never, to my knowledge, been collected in a trade. If you're interested in it you should be able to find them fairly cheap and the character was never a top tier one. Sad to, because something like this should take off.

Weekly Pulls (The Pull List)

2010-09-02T23:57:00.000-04:00

I, ZOMBIE #5
Words: Chris Roberson
Pictures: Michael Allred

Five issues in and the story is still very compelling and getting better.
A new mystery character is introduced, we know she digs things because she has a shovel. That's all we know.
Gwen is coming to terms with the things she learned last issue and some hint that she may not have to eat brains once a month come to light...question is will she be willing to test the theory?
She also learns that the man she has a crush on is a monster hunter and would likely kill her if he knew she was a zombie.
On the vampire front, seems you can kill them to the point where they can't come back. But you should never leave your the key to your hotel room at the scene because vampire chicks are very mean when they are pissed.
A very good issue all told but the best part of this issue is the cover. Look at that gorgeous cover! In a way is reminds me of one of my favorite Tales From The Crypt covers (Feb-March 1952).
I'm sure it has nothing to do with the TFTC cover but as a fan of I, Zombie and a HUGE fan of the legendary EC Comics I would like to think that this is something of an homage to this great line of comics.
Nothing makes me happier than to find some kind of connection, even one as slim as this, between an all time favorite and a new favorite!

JACK OF FABLES #47
Words: Bill Willingham & Matthew Sturgis
Pictures: Tony Akins

The great dragon hunt begins!
This is going to be great, we have the Three Sisters looking for the book with the Original Stories in them and all they know is a Dragon has them.
Jack Frost has been hired to kill a dragon and has decided to do just that before he retires.
The only thing they don't know is they are all after the same Dragon: Jack Horner!
Also in this issue...we finally find out who the father of the mystery baby is. the good news is it doesn't seem to be Mr. Revise reborn but I would have never thought it was Sam's kid! Although after looking closer at last issue's cover I noticed the baby wasn't of the Caucasian persuasion. And Sam did come to mind because he was the only black character I recall who was of any importance to the Fables Universe. Plus, I couldn't think of a cooler character to have a kid!

R.E.B.E.L.S. #20
Words: Tony Bedard
Pictures: Claude St.Aubin

This is the third part of a story I didn't start in a series I don't read. So why did I buy it? Look at the cover, Clyde, The Main Man is in it!
It's more of the original Lobo with his complete lack of understanding that there are some things he just should not be able to fight. In this case, it's a giant star looking computer that is just as confused as to why lobo doesn't die.
At one point the star thing asks "What ARE you? Why are you not reduced to ASHES?" Lobo replies' "YER the computer--look up the word 'Czarnian.'"
The computer's only response is "oh, no."
Then Lobo proceeds to kick it's computerized ass.
There are other things going on but they don't involve Lobo so I don't care.
I also like the carry over from the recent Green Lantern issue where Lobo gets his hands on a Red Lantern Ring. He wears it on a chain around his neck and plans to sell it to the highest bidder. Here's hoping we have something of an ongoing story centering on Lobo!

Favorite Covers #11

2010-08-30T15:38:00.000-04:00

Hellraiser Book 1
Cover Date 1989

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

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

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

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

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 14

2010-08-28T18:17:00.002-04:00

#119: Jocasta

The Pull List!

2010-08-26T12:57:00.002-04:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

THOR #613
Words: Kieron Gillen
Pictures: Richard Elson

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

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

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

The Pull List

2010-08-19T14:29:00.000-04:00

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

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

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

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

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

DEADPOOL #26
Words: Daniel Way
Pictures: Carlos Barberi

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

FABLES #97
Words: Bill Willingham
Pictures: Mark Buckingham

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

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

The Pull List

2010-08-15T01:48:00.001-04:00

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

DEADPOOL #1000
Words: Various
Pictures: Various

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

DC COMICS SUPER HERO COLLECTION SPECIAL: LOBO

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

DC Comics Super Hero Collection

2010-08-11T15:52:00.001-04:00

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

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

The Long Box #9

2010-08-06T02:26:00.000-04:00

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

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

The Pull List

2010-08-05T14:32:00.000-04:00

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

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

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

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

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

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

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 13

2010-07-29T20:13:00.001-04:00

#19: The Punisher

The Pull List

2010-07-28T21:07:00.000-04:00

DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #891
Words: Frank Tieri
Pictures: Chris Staggs

X Marks The Spot! This one starts in a unique way: a job fair. Seems Deadpool is trying to convince people that being an assassin is a great job: "Exotic locales, guns, lots of money...and the chicks... Well, let's just say you can't spell assassin without a whole lot of "sin"- and twice the "ass"!"
To illustrate how great it is, Deadpool tells the tale of his fight with X, a character who...well, I guess he's what the Karate Kid would be if he were a man. He apparently has learned every martial art ever known and forgotten and has the ability to read the minds of his opponents.
This last part is why Deadpool was hired. Since DP is insane the thought is X wouldn't be able to read his thoughts. Works to a point but DP still loses both arms and rats on his employer.
In the end the people he was trying to talk into becoming an assassin all run away except for a girl who likes the idea. But Deadpool isn't one for competition.

FANTASTIC FOUR #581
Words: Jonathan Hickman
Pictures: Neil Edwards

Time travel. It's fun. If you don't do it too much.
Here we have the future versions of Franklin and Val, now grown up and running errands for their grandfather, Nathaniel Richards.
Seems something bad happened and all the different versions of Nathaniel ended up in the same time/place. This isn't good, apparently, because Immortus, a being who is tasked with policing the time stream, decides they must be destroyed.
But not all of them. He decides that only ONE Nathaniel Richards can be allowed to live but the different versions of him must decide which version it is. So, as is the way of man, they try to kill each other (and in some cases themselves) in hopes of being the one who survives.
In this story we are down to two and one of them enlists the aid of Reed Richards, Ben Grimm and Victor Von Doom, all before they become who we know them to be today!
It's always fun seeing Doom belittle people, no matter what time he's in. I also like the cover, how the shadows of Richards and Doom reflect who they are today. Not a bad read. I'm curious to see where this one goes.

JACK OF FABLES #46
Words: Matthew Sturges & Bill Willingham
Pictures: Tony Akins

Wow, I can't believe how #45 came out April 29th! It's been 3 months since I got an issue of Jack!
Apparently time has still been moving though because all these stories take place 'in the future'
First up the Page Sisters continue their quest to rebuild the Great Library with the original books and stories of the Fables. Naturally a shootout in a public library with a baby in tow happens. Naturally.
Next up, Jack Frost decides he's been at this hero thing long enough and retires. But gets called BACK into active duty when offered a chance to kill a real life dragon!
Finally...Jack Dragon, formerly Jack Horner, and Gary try to live together Gary doesn't much like the situation. Jack keeps eating the women he loves.
Some interesting things here: The Page Sisters are looking for the Original Books. What they don't know is Jack Dragon has them. Jack Frost has been hired to kill a dragon. Jack Dragon, his father, is, well, a dragon. And who is this baby being carried around? Jack Dragon, when he was Jack Horner did have...relations...with all three Page Sisters (it was BEFORE he found out they were his half sisters) and it might be his, I think that'd be freakin' funny!
Great to have another Jack Of Fables to read finally!

THOR #612
Words: Kieron Gillen
Pictures: Doug Braithwaite

These are the stories that make Thor a great book!
Hela and he realm, Hel, are in Mephisto's Hell. She needed a place for the Fallen of Asgard to go and Loki made it possible. Loki also made it possible for the Disir, hellish female Asgardian spirits curse with the hunger of Asgardian flesh in death as they were in life, on Hel.
Thor has to try to save Hela and the Fallen from the maws of the Disir, not an easy task when the only weapon that can kill them, a sword called Eir-Grim, is deep in the realm of Mephisto.
Thor begins his quest through Hell.
This was great, the conversation between Mephisto and Thor was what I would expect: Mephisto tries to tempt the Thunder God only to be answered with a very determine glare.
I really can't say enough about this book, great art and story.
Also, the second Thor series has been dropped. I like it, but I'm going to grab the trades.

November 24th, 2010

2010-07-25T20:51:00.000-04:00

This is the days FABLES #100 will be released!

My Pull List

2010-07-23T00:15:00.000-04:00

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #638
Words: Joe Quesada
Pictures: Paolo Rivera, Joe Quesada, Danny Miki & Richard Isanove

One Moment In Time Begins! A few years ago Marvel decided to reboot Spider-Man's mythos. During Civil War, Spider-Man outed himself and as a result Aunt May was shot, the bullet was meant for Peter.

Peter was desperate to help his dying Aunt and made a deal with the devil. Mephisto, to be exact, who gave Peter a choice: Save Aunt May and lose Mary Jane or keep Mary Jane and lose Aunt May.
Personally, I think the right choice was made because I never really cared for Mary Jane as a main character. The series since then has been fresh and fun, much like it was in it's early days.
But there were still lingering questions like what happened on the day Mary Jane and Peter Parker were supposed to be married? That is the purpose of this story.
It's told in flashback and in an interesting way. At the beginning of this issue we have Peter and MJ talking about what happened. We then flash back to those days and the art style changes to the way it was done back in the 1970's/80's all the way down to the panels and dialogue. It's really neat. So we find out that Peter was having doubts about marrying MJ because he still held a torch for the late Gwen Stacy. He confided in his friends, Harry Osborn and Flash Thompson, at his bachelor party about this.
MJ was at her party being told her life of parties and hot men was coming to an end but she didn't seem to mind, yet.
As Spider-Man, Peter fights a crook (long story short) and ends up unconscious, on the wedding day, in an alley. No one knows where he is and Harry and Flash think he really had cold feet, a conversation with MJ overhears and things go downhill from there.
Great story, awesome art concept but I really, REALLY hope they don't end this era of Amazing, I would probably drop the series if they bring back the marriage..

AVENGERS #3
Words: Brian Michael Bendis
Pictures: John Romita, Jr.

The Avengers are still trying to figure out how to save the future from their children...if they actually believe what Kang tells them.
Before they can do anything though they have to face off against Apocalypse and his Four Horsemen, twisted versions of Scarlet Witch, Red hulk, Wolverine and Spider-Man.
This is where they realize that something is indeed wrong with the timestream as Apocalypse is out of his element. He's used to traveling through time but he's used to having control over it.
This time he doesn't.
After he and his Horsemen disappear the Avengers split up: 1 group goes to make a new time machine and the other goes to see what is going on in the city and end up face-to face with Devil Dinosaur?
Art is still top notch and the story, while moving slower than I expected, still has some great moment, especially with Spider-Man.
Only complaint I have is how much I hate covers that have nothing to do with the story inside. They are just lucky it's a great looking cover.

DEADPOOL #25
Words: Daniel Way
Pictures: Carlo Barberi

...and so, Deadpool's adventures in Las Vega come to a close. He's able to get away with ruining Weasel's life, re-capture Grizzly and ... um...
You know, reviewing these Deadpool books is kinda difficult sometimes because, well, Deadpool doesn't always follow the rules of comics.
Let's just keep this short and sweet: Explosions, guns, bullets flying and smoke. That's all you need to have a goof time with Deadpool.
It also doesn't hurt to have a good old fashioned gimmick cover for the 25th issue!
That's right, since 3-D is the over rated craze at the moment, Deadpool #25 comes with a 3-D cover and on the BACK cover are your 3-D glasses which allow you to view the 3-D cover in "High Definition 4-D!"
Hey, it's Deadpool, what did you expect? A gimmick that made sense? What are you, retarded?

DEADPOOL: MERC WITH A MOUTH #13 of 13
Words: Victor Gischler
Pictures: Bong Dazo, Kyle Baker & Matteo Scalera

FINAL ISSUE! Deadpool, Headpool, and those other people, find their way, eventually, to the swamp where the Nexus of All Realities rests. It's their only chance of getting back to our universe!
Along the way they fight Zombie Brother Voodoo, Zombie Wrecking Crew and Zombie Deadpool (before he came to our universe in Marvel Zombies 4 and lost his body...time travel, go figure)
Do, zombies, AIM Agents and gators all die but Headpool gets his body back when Zombie Deadpool loses his head but then when the no-longer body-less Zombie Deadpool jumps back to our universe to eat everyone he ends up in the beginning of Marvel Zombies 4 and loses his body again and ends up in the boat where he was found in the beginning of Prelude to Deadpool Corps.
Time travel.
Overall, I'm actually sad to see this book go, it was more fun than it should have been but it'll be nice to be down to just 2 Deadpool books and month!

MARVEL ZOMBIES 5 #5 of 5 Variant Cover
Words: Fred Van Lente
Pictures: Fernando Blanco and Frank Brunner (Marvel Team-Up #151 cover on page 3)

Machine Man, Howard the Duck and that indian chick end up in the worst universe of all: the REAL one! That's right, our universe. No powers, no mutants and no fun.
They are tracking down the final version of the zombie plague and this is where the path leads.
On our earth a kid, who loves...I mean LOVES Marvel Comics, becomes infected with a version of the zombie plague and after going through some heavy soul searching decides to take advantage of his ability to not die and becomes the Zombie Marvel!
Just in time for rigor mortis to set in, preventing him from moving. Machine Man and crew show up, take their sample and burn him.
I laughed at the ending of this one. Very Machine Man and Very Marvel Zombies. I can't wait to see where the next story takes us! I can't wait for Marvel Zombies 6!

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 12

2010-07-19T16:25:00.000-04:00

#60: Super Skrull

Gimmick Covers #2

2010-07-18T02:51:00.000-04:00

Ghost Rider, Volume 2 #15

Cover Date: July 1991

In the 1990's, when I started collecting comics, gimmick covers were all the rage. It started with embossed covers, foil covers and die-cut covers then things got interesting. Ghost Rider was one of Marvel's most popular characters at this time and it seemed like a great idea to do something interesting with him. This cover, drawn by the great Mark "Tex" Texiera, featured a close up of Ghost Rider where his flames were glow in the dark. To my knowledge this was the very first time this was done on a comic book cover. If anyone knows of a glow in the dark cover that predates this one, please, let me know!

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection #11

2010-07-18T02:43:00.000-04:00

#110: Machine Man

The Pull List

2010-07-14T19:23:00.000-04:00

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #637
Words: Joe Kelly
Pictures: Michael Lark, Marco Checchetto, Stefano Guadiano and Matt Southworth

The Grim Hunt Concludes! I should probably add 'finally' to that. Let me just say while I really enjoyed The Gauntlet, this Grim Hunt as a big let down.
Really, I don't have much to say about it. Kraven had a great ending in Kraven's Last Hunt and this story completely negated it.
I also have to ask 'why bring Kraven back?' I mean, there hasn't been a big call for his return has there been?
No, there hasn't.
Okay, this issue the story seems to go everywhere and doesn't seem to focus on anything. Spider-Man gets pushed to the edge and apparently no longer has a problem with killing Kraven's family. Don't worry though, some last minute words from the Spider-Chicks help Spidey see the error of his ways and...he walks away.
No, this story was pointless and to toss in equally pointless back-up stories just so you can hike the price from $3 to $4 just seems pathetic.

THANOS IMPERATIVE #2 of 6
Words: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Pictures: Miguel Sepulveda

We have 4 more issues to go... 4. Issues. To go.
After reading this issue I have to ask: How much more are we going to get?! This story is beyond awesome! It's good cosmic fun that reminds me of Annihilation and Annihilation: Conquest. This start off big and get bigger.
So far we have the Magus and Adam Warlock seemingly dead, the evil versions of our heroes have managed to open the Fault all the way and the 'Cancerverse' is oozing into our reality in an attempt to destroy all death and take it over.
Just when Nova, the Shi'Ar and the Guardians seem to be falling the Silver Surfer shows up and tells the defenders he isn't really there to join them...rather, he's just a herald.
This means Galactus has entered the fight! Along with him are Aegis and Tenebrous, two beings who were sword to destroy him and all he created and... The Celestials! All are referred to as The Abstracts, which I do like.
And, as mentioned in the story, the involvement of these beings shows exactly how bad this situation is and on the last page it gets MUCH MUCH worse!

The Pull List

2010-07-10T15:13:00.000-04:00

First week in July, wow, it's hard to believe we are more than half way through 2010!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #636
Words: Joe Kelly w/Zeb Wells
Pictures: Marco Checchetto and Michael Lark & Stefano Gaudiano

The Grim Hunt, Part 3: I have to admit this story isn't living up to the expectations I had for it. Kraven The Hunter is a character who had a great ending and should have been left alone.
But...there are some things about this story that are nice. The swerve from last issue about the Death of Spider-Man, for example. We are down another clone of Peter Parker as Kaine took his place and died in the originals place. Very nice.
Kraven doesn't seem to be very pleased with being brought back. After reading Kraven's Last Hunt I can understand why he would be annoyed with coming back. He did what he wanted to do in Last Hunt and died by his own hand. He was, in his mind, at peace.
So, in this story we have his wife, brother, son and daughter trying to bring him back without consideration for if he wanted to come back or not.
Okay, so where we are now is Kraven is back and not happy about it, his return was messed up in some manner because it wasn't the Original Spider-Man who died for his return and now Kraven wants Spider-Man to hunt him down again and, to add a touch of nostalgia, he offers Spider-Man a black version of his costume. Which was what he was wearing during the Last Hunt.
There are also a few back-up stories in these Grim Hunt issues but I don't care for them. And again, Marvel, stop doing this. Amazing comes out 3 times a month. It doesn't need pointless back-ups in order to give a reason to increase the price to $4. Drop the back-ups and leave it a $3 or I will have to drop the series.

FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #32
Words: Joe Ahearne
Pictures: Bryan Hitch

I remember when annuals were something special. So far this year I've gotten two, including this one, and they are not special anymore. I knew I should have passed on this one when I saw Bryan Hitch on the art. The story is kind of pointless, unless there are plans for some of the concepts introduced here like Psycho-Woman or Johnny's child, but chances are nothing will come of these.
Okay, so the story goes like this: Johnny was at a club and apparently, for some reason, Psycho-Woman, daughter of Psycho-Man, decided to make some girl pregnant with Johnny's child... I think... Honestly, this whole thing made very little sense at all. Had I known what a mess this was going to be I would have passed on it. But, my collector habit made me buy this and, yes, I regret it.
Not good, so far this week we have two books and both were less than impressive.
What's next...

I, ZOMBIE #3
Words: Chris Roberson
Pictures: Michael Allred

FINALLY! A book with good art and a good story. Continuing from last month, Gwen is trying to unravel the mystery of John Amon and the man who's brain she ate in the first issue.
He seems to be a rather mundane person, good man, father, worker...until what appears to be a car accident. After the accident he lost control of his emotions and ended up dead.
Supposedly.
By the end of the issue, Gwen and Ellie, her mod ghost friend, are at Amon's house in hopes of figuring out his connection to the man in Gwen's head. A few things about this: first, the man in Gwen's head seems to have been pretty messed up and second he looks a LOT like John Amon.
Also, John can see Ellie which is very weird and knows who Gwen is which is even weirder. I love a good mystery.
Then there are is the mean vampire chick...it's nice to see a vampire who is out for blood and not some pathetic emo wimp.

THANOS SOURCEBOOK
Words: Mike O'Sullivan
Pictures: Various

This is a mix between a Saga book and an Official Handbook.
Told as entries by Nova, the Saga part is first. It covers the live and times of Thanos, as we know them, from his birth through the Cosmic Cube and Infinity Gauntlet affairs and continues through Annihilation and Realm Of Kings where Thanos makes his return.
It also covers the State of the Universe. This part serves as a primer for people who may not have been paying much attention to the cosmic parts of the Marvel universe. Covering mainly recent items such as the Annihilation War and Conquest through Realm of Kings (mostly because the Infinity Saga was covered under Thanos) this brings everyone to where they need to be and also serves as a refresher for those who have been reading it all. Like me.
The Handbook part is next. A series of small entries concerning all the major players in Marvel's Cosmic drama.
Though I don't think $4 was a good cover price considering there are no ads this book is a good idea for everyone who is interested in Marvel's Cosmic part.

THOR, THE MIGHTY AVENGER #1
Words: Roger Langridge
Pictures: Chris Samnee

This one is interesting. We get sort of an out-of-continuity retelling or reboot for Thor. He first appears on earth in this issue and is looking for his hammer.
Jane Foster is here as well but instead of being a doctor she works in a museum in the Norse Mythology Department.
So, a few changes here and there but this isn't the classic Thor that appears in his book and in The Avengers. This is a book to introduce new readers to Thor and give regular readers something fun to read that isn't attached to a lot of history. It's like Ultimate Thor only not stupid.
It's also an All Ages book which means you can buy this for your kids and feel good knowing the stories, art and characters are not mature. It's good for all people.
Will I actually continue this series? Who knows. I did enjoy it more than I though but this might be something to get in trade for me. Problem is, Marvel tends to put these All Ages books in digest sized trades. That, I don't like. I'll decide with Issue #2 since I'm losing 3 books next month.

The Pull List

2010-06-30T21:49:00.002-04:00

Okay, the final post for June...Good thing it's a Wednesday!

AMAZING SPIDER-HAM 25th ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL
Words: The Swinester Six & Crayfin's Last Bunt: Tom DeFalco, Why Not Have Spider-Man Be A Human?: Tom Preyer
Pictures: The Swinester Six: Jacob Chabot, Crayfin's Last Bunt: Adam DeKraker, Why Not Have Spider-Ham Be A Human?: Agnes Garbowska

Why don't we have more books like this? Spider-Ham has been an under the radar favorite of mine for years. I look forward to the day I see a solicit for Essential Spider-Ham, Volume 1. There should be enough to fill at least ONE volume..right?
Anyway, this one-shot features three stories and are actually pretty funny.
First up is The Swinester Six where Spider-Ham's 6 deadliest foes team up to take down the porker. Also in this story is a recap of Spider-Ham's origin, which I never actually knew: Aunt May Porker was a wanna-be scientist and was trying to invent an atomic powered hairdryer. Something went wrong and she was irradiated and for some reason bit a spider. That spider became Peter Porker, a pig with the powers of a spider...or maybe he's a spider with the powers of a pig...I dunno which but it's funnny!
The second story is a take on another classic tale: Kraven's Last Hunt. Only instead of Spider-Ham fighting on his own, he actually has to team up with Swiney-Girl, his daughter.
Finally the short Why Not? tale in which The Assistant Watcher has to watch a tale in which Spider-Ham becomes Spider-Human. Ducktor Doom changes him but the end result, while very tasty, isn't what the Ducktor expected.
It doesn't matter if you've ever read a Spider-Ham comic or not, if you're looking for something different you need to try this!

DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #892
Words: David Lapham
Pictures: Shawn Crystal

Guest-Starring Satana!
DPT-U is a great idea and one of my favorite hero books every month. Great covers and interior art I think this book has the most potential of any of the current Deadpool books. Certainly more than Deadpool Corps.Seems the daughter of the Devil got herself in a bad situation. While in Vegas she was swindled out of her soul by a group of dorks. Doctor Strange was not available but apparently Deadpool is listed in the same book as the good doctor so he gets the call.
The shocker in this issue isn't so much the fact Deadpool has sort of a soul but rather he has a plan that actually makes sense: Since it's a soul these dorks want and it's her soul Satana wants back...why not MARRY Deadpool! That way her soul is his and once the dust clears she will get it back. Okay, maybe not the best plan especially when you consider the dorks are actually some of the biggest demons in the Marvel Universe, including Dormammu and Mephisto!
Defiantly an issue that remembers the fun that is Deadpool!

DOOMWAR #5 of 6
Words: Jonathan Maberry
Pictures: Scot Eaton

More of the same. Good thing this issue gives something interesting with the arrivals of Deadpool AND War Machine!
Doom is waging war against everyone and everyone has decided it's time to deal with Doom once and for all.
This issue moves the story a nudge as Reed and T'Challa find out where Doom is keep the stolen Vibranium and Doom becomes a...humanitarian?! Yeah, things get a little wacky which is par for the course when Deadpool shows up...and promptly gets his neck broken by Doom!
Artwise..it's not bad but those covers by John Romita, JR ROCK!!!

FABLES #6: SPECIAL EDITION
Words: Bill Willingham
Pictures: Mark Buckingham

This special reprint offers readers a chance to enjoy the first chapter of the long running series' second storyarch: Animal Farm. It was the first time we'd been introduced to The Farm, a place where the Fables who can't pass for human live.
But while it's for the best it seems the inhabitants aren't to happy with it. There is something of a revolution starting that will eventually claim the lives of one of the Three Little Pigs and involve the shooting of Snow White!
Re-reading this issue only reminded me, like I needed to be, why I love this series which is soon to hit it's 100th Issue later this year!
This reprint issue is only $1 and anyone interested in checking this series out shouldn't pass this chance up!

GREEN LANTERN #55
Words: Geoff Johns
Pictures: Doug Mahnke

Guest-Starring Lobo!
Yeah, pretty much that's all I needed to buy this issue. Any chance to see The Main Man in action I'll take it. Add to that a fight with Atrocitus, holder of the Red Ring of Rage, and you have double the reason to buy it!
Needless to say it's a knock down drag out between FOUR Lanterns and Lobo. And needless to say even the four of them together can do little to stop the Last Czarnian. When the fight is over Sinestro thinks he knows why but he couldn't be more wrong. For all that he is, Lobo is a very smart man. He never does anything unless there is a reason and the reason for hunting down Atrocitus is very interesting indeed, especially when the person who put the hit out is revealed and even more awesome is what Lobo's fee for the job was!
There is also a variant cover for this issue that I will be hunting down!

MARVEL ZOMBIES 5 #4 of 5
Words: Fred Van Lente
Pictures: Fernando Blanco & Felix Cruz

Zombies by way of computer virus. This is by far my favorite issue of this series.
Howard, Aaron and Jackie end up in a world where robots pretty much run things. Even the people are mostly robot.
Aaron's ex Jocasta is everywhere and it seems she's the source of this strain of Zombism.
Seems with humans trading in wetware for hardware the robots are becoming little more than spare parts for them. Jocasta has figured out a way to introduce a virus which makes humans eat not only each other but even themselves! And it isn't just flesh that mutates as we learn when Aaron defeats this realities Arno Stark aka Iron Man 2020...when Arno's armor cracks open Aaron finds the armor was actually eating him from the inside out...very squishy.
I don't know if any fall out from this will be made known but I'd sure like to see how these events effect Aaron, especially the whole having to kill your ex thing.

THOR #611
Words: Kieron Gillen
Pictures: Rich Elson

Fall out from Siege continues!
The Asgardians are still picking up the pieces of Siege. The fallen have been tended to, Loki's sacrifice was not ignored.
But before Thor and the others can begin their next quest, rebuilding Asgard, they but first aid Hela who is under siege herself.
Before things went south, Loki made a deal with Mephisto in order to get a place where Hela could take in the souls of the fallen Asgardians. In exchange for this 'land deal' Loki turned over the Disir, ancient Asgardian women who had the taste for the flesh of their fellow Gods and who were cursed to never find piece in death and to never eat anything else but the souls of fallen Asgardians IF they wandered from Asgard, Valhalla or Hel. Places they NEVER wander from. These demon ladies are hungry and now they share the same realm with Hel where the fallen Asgardians from Siege now reside and they want to feast! Now, Thor and his fellow warriors need to fight for the souls of their fallen brethren!

Congratulations to Matt & Libby!

2010-06-28T01:57:00.001-04:00

My very good friends, Matt and Libby, tied the knot this weekend, Saturday, June 26 to be exact, so I'd like to take a moment and Congratulate them. Matt is a dear friend of mine, one of the few I consider more of a brother than a friend. His now lovely Bride Libby has become just as important to me in the short time I've known her, she's more a sister than friend.
I wish them nothing but the best and hope they have a long and happy life together.
These pictures were taken by a mutual friend of ours in front of our town's best comic book shop: Nostalgia, Ink.

Good luck you two.
I love you both.

Now hurry back from your Honeymoon. I'm getting bored over here!

Minor Changes...

2010-06-24T23:55:00.001-04:00

While looking through the options of Blogger I noticed a few new things I can add to my posts. So, at the bottom of every post from now on you will find buttons to share posts that you like on, for example, Facebook. Also there are 3 'ratings' things, I guess...? Anyway, I put them up as well. I doubt they will get used but what the heck, you never know until you try, right?

As always, I thank the people, few though they may be, who read this comic book blog. As always, any suggestions or ideas feel free to contact me.

Thanks for reading!

The Pull List X2

2010-06-23T22:30:00.000-04:00

Yeah, last week was a bit nuts for me...So, I'm going to cover last and this week's pulls right now:

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #633
Words: Zeb Wells
Pictures: Chris Bachalo & Emma Rios

Shed, Part 4 of 4: The Lizard has freed the lizard part of people's brains allowing them to act on their basest of instincts. Man fights man, the dominant male gets the female, that sort of thing.
Spider-Man, being one the most underrated brains in the Marvel universe, figures out using Dr. Connors' serum, which he used to suppress The Lizard for some time, will help him fight off The Lizard's influence.

He also hopes that injecting some of it into the Lizard itself will help Connors come back. It almost works. The Lizard gets his first taste of humanity, even helps Spidey, but takes off because it's to much for him to deal with.

Later, we see Peter trying to make sense of everything that's bee going on. He goes to the one person he's usually been able to talk to: Aunt May. She's still under the influence of Mister Negative though but seems to be fighting it off.
Overall, this Shed story was great. I would recommend it to anyone when it comes out in trade!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #634 & 635
Words: Joe Kelly
Pictures: Michael Lark & Stefano Gaudiano

Grim Hunt, Parts 1 & 2: The Gauntlet has ended and the family of Kraven the Hunter have finally played their big hand.
The writing fits this as does the artwork, which is dark and moody, much like the legendary story, Kraven's Last Hunt.

It's apparent not everyone is going to survive this story. We'll be down a few Spider-Characters after this. But, it will be worth it. Kraven's family is NUTS. They kidnapped Madame Web and forced her to tell them how to locate the other member's of the Spider-Family.
They forced Spidey to go through the Gauntlet in order to weaken him and make him easier to kill.
They almost killed Kaine, a clone of Peter Parker.
They actually DID kill Spider-Woman III (Mattie Franklin) in an attempt to bring back Kraven's son, I believe...who came back as a half man/half wolf thing that ends up eating corpse.

That was part one.
Part two, things get worse as Spider-Girl, now called Arana, is hunted. Spider-Man and Spider-Woman II try, and fail to save her as Ezekiel, the presumed back from the grave to help spirit is revealed to be Chameleon who has lead Spidey straight into the hands of the Kraven family. By this point he is to weak to continue and is overtaken quite viciously.
When the story ends, we see Spidey on an alter with a knife in his chest and Kraven The Hunter crawling out of his grave.
Can it get any worse? I don't know how but this story is very dark and almost miserable to read. You get a feeling of total helplessness as you watch Spidey go through this hell. And I have a feeling it WILL be getting worse.

Also in these issues are two back up features, an attempt to make the price increase from $2.99 to $3.99. It really doesn't as the Kain Vs. Kraven story could easily be a one-shot and the two page Stan Lee story, while fun, is pretty pointless.

AVENGERS #2
Words: Brian Bendis
Pictures: John Romita, Jr.

Continuing from last issue's revelation that the Next Avengers, the children of some of today's Avengers, will take over the world and eventually destroy the universe, our Avengers try to figure out a way to get to the future.
They seek the aid of the former Marvel Boy, who now apparently wants to be called The Protector, who has knowledge of time and has access to the tech of the Kree Empire.
Time travel stories can be a pain but sometimes they can be fun. Like this issue's double page spread showing possible futures of Marvel, which included MC2 and 2099 as well as Guardians Of The Galaxy, Death's Head II (don't really know why) and some others.
Before the Avengers can rally themselves they are attacked by, of all people, Wonder Man who is keeping his promise to never again allow the Avengers from forming. He's bitter.
The most surprising part, though, was the appearance of... Well, if I told you it wouldn't be a surprise and I wouldn't want to face any of his Horsemen.
Overall, this is how the Avengers should be. They are fast and exciting. For $3.99 a month they better be. I also have to admit, not the Marvel reads this, but if your books weren't so expensive I would be getting The New Avengers as well.

DEADPOOL #24
Words: Daniel Way
Pictures: Carlos Barberi

DP is still in Vegas and is still trying to do the hero thing. He's been reunited with his old sidekick The Weasel and now dons the armor of Wildcard (it's Vegas, remember?)
Thing is, what side is Deadpool REALLY on? He fights some b-grade villain called the Grizzly and causes a lot of damage which makes the city hate him...so, he trades armor with Weas and make it seem as it Weasel has turned and is helping Grizzly and takes off with a lot of money

Personally, I think Deadpool is on HIS side, as usual.
I have to also say, Deadpool fatigue is setting in. This series is beginning to suffer from all the other books and I've already dropped Deadpool Corps. Merc With A Mouth ends next month and Marvel has announced a Lady Deadpool book. I'm passing on that and plan to just stick with this book and Deadpool Team-Up.

DEADPOOL: MERC WITH A MOUTH #12 of 13
Words: Victor Gischler
Pictures: Bong Dazo

The penultimate issue shows DP and Co. still trying to escape the Zombieverse.
Right now, of the recent Deadpool books, this is the funniest and also has the best covers. I'll be sad to see it go but you have to set a limit on how much Deadpool you really need.

Not much more to say about this issue, good jokes, fun art and the adventure continues as Marvel spews out so much Deadpool it even eclipses Marvel Zombies...even though they are in this book as well!

FABLES #96
Words: Bill Willingham
Pictures: Mark Buckingham

Rose Red continues to learn more of her past as we find the first of many run in's her and her sister, Snow White, have had with Princes.
Years ago the sisters helped a Prince end a curse and the Prince in turn promised to marry Snow White.
The King, as well as Snow's mother, didn't want this. The King wanted Snow to die, instead her mother sent her away in the middle of the night to stay with her Aunt, the Queen of a far away land and who loved being the "fairest of all."
Rose was told Snow walked to a river in the dead of night and drowned, killing all desire to live within the young Rose.
Snow would eventually live the events we know as Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, though we've not been told the full story, and ends up in the arms of Prince Charming.
They marry and when Snow's mother hears of this she finally tells Rose the truth. Rose then travels to be with her sister but not to be happy, to get some measure of revenge for the lie she felt she had been living all these years.
As much as I love the standard Fables stories, I love these origin stories even more. It's great to see how all the characters are connected.
4 for issues until Fables #100 is out!

FANTASTIC FOUR #580
Words: Jonathan Hickman
Pictures: Neil Edwards

The main story in this issue is Franklin, Leech and Johnny Storm going to Arcade's toy store and getting into a good old fashioned fight with the villain, while teaming up, sort of, with the impossible Man.
The sub-story, which I think is far more interesting, is the grouping of smart kids and Dragon Man, put together by Reed Richards.
He gave them an assignment, something they can do to prove themselves and what they pick is a doozy!
Curing Ben Grimm is something Reed has been trying to do since the first issue. These kids think they might have both failed and succeeded in curing him. Confusing? Yeah, I thought so too until it was explained. Reed had been trying to cure Ben but the cosmic changes in Ben's DNA prevent it. These kids have figured out a way to turn those powers off for a short time.
So, what this means is, if this experiment works, Ben Grimm will be human again! The failure part? It will only be for one week every year. Naturally, Ben jumps at the idea and I begin to think this could make for some very interesting stories in the future!

Total number of comics: 5157

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection #10

2010-06-15T13:32:00.000-04:00

#10: Doctor Doom

Favorite Covers #10

2010-06-15T13:30:00.000-04:00

Ghost Rider, Volume 2, Number 1

Cover Date: May 1990

I've said it many times here: This is where my comic book collection began. This was the very first comic book I collected and the last 20 years and 5100+ comics I've collected all come from this book.

Even beyond that, I've always loved this cover. It's what caught my eye when I decided to look at these comics at my local shop, Nostalgia, Ink, where at that time I was only buying GoreZone and Fangoria Magazines. I was really into horror movies in those days (back before everything was a lame ass remake of the good stuff) and the flaming skull, chain and spikes caught my eye. I had no idea where it would lead but these last two decades of collecting comics is something I wouldn't trade for anything.

So, Ghost Rider is my favorite character, this is my all time favorite comic and it's Comic Book #1 in my collection.

Gimmick Covers 1

2010-06-12T13:36:00.000-04:00

After talking with a friend on Facebook I've decided to start posting all the various 'gimmick covers' I have in my collection. These I will be doing in order and will ONLY be gimmicks. Variant covers or second printings with changes made to the covers will not be included here. I'm talking holograms, foil, embossed, etc.
Starting with 'A' we have:

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #365

Cover Date: August 1992

In 1992 Marvel Comics had quite a few Spider-Man comics. At least three were going at this time. This year they celebrated Spidey's first appearance in AMAZING FANTASY #15 in 1962. They did this with 'hologram covers.' This issue's hologram was made from that first appearance cover.

The Pull List

2010-06-09T22:28:00.000-04:00

Sorry. Nothing new came out for me this week. I had to fall back on a variant cover:

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #603

70th Anniversary Variant

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 9

2010-06-07T17:47:00.000-04:00

#15: Thor

The Pull List

2010-06-06T16:31:00.001-04:00

I, Zombie #2
Words: Chris Roberson
Pictures: Michael Allred

The first issue was the set-up. This issue we learn a little more about this new world from Roberson and Allred.
Gwen, our zombie, needs to eat brains once a month in order to retain her humanity. She works as a grave digger which gives her access to the freshest possible brains, and it also prevents her from having to kill living people, which generally leads tot he mess of making another zombie. She eats the brains of the recently dead.
The downside is she also gains the memories of the owners of said brains.
The introduction story centers on such memories. She's eaten the brains of a man who was murdered. The memories drive her to try to find out who murdered the man and bring that killer to justice.
We also have a group of vampire chicks, like a blood sucking sorority, who have night time paint ball contests. They use this to lure guys into the woods and drain them of their blood. For the most part they only take enough to sustain themselves without killing their victims or turning them into vampires as well. This works pretty well, apparently, until one of the chicks goes off on her own and starts to kill.
We also have the wolfman...sort of. He's in love with Gwen and two of his friends are about to be killed by the rogue vampire.
Good fun, good art and a real nice take on the Vampire, werewolf, zombie groupings. I can't say how much I enjoy this series, other than I was planning to wait until the trades started coming out but the cover of the second issue plus the pure fun of the first drove me to dropping Deadpool Corps and replacing it with I, Zombie. A good decision I think.

Changes: Dropping and Picking up titles

2010-06-04T12:08:00.000-04:00

I've decided to drop Deadpool Corps and start getting iZombie from Vertigo.

This was something I was considering for a while now. Why? Because Deadpool Corps is the weakest of the Deadpool books. The story is not really that interesting, including the portrayal of The Elders, and the art by Rob Liefeld is just plain bad. I'm not really going to miss it. Will I get the trade? Maybe. If I can find it cheap at a convention. But this series will not be missed.

However, Vertigo's newest title, iZombie is highly entertaining and well worth collecting. I was originally planning to get it in trade but after taking it to Matt's and after he read it and we talked about it I decided to collect it. The art by Mike Allred is top shelf as always and the story is fun and very entertaining.

The Pull List

2010-06-03T20:52:00.001-04:00

What? TWO in one week? Well, as I said before I wasn't able to get all the books I had from last week so that became YESTERDAY'S post. Today, I have a whopping ONE title to talk about. But what a book it is:

THE THANOS IMPERATIVE #1 of 6
Words:Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Pictures: Miguel Sepulveda

This is it. The return (again) of THANOS! The Mad Titan! Hell yeah! This guy is bad ass!
Okay, geek crap out of the way let's look at the book...

This is an event book in the Cosmic corner of the Marvel Universe. Let's break this down:
The story starts with Annihilation. Annihilus from the Negative Zone decides the 'positive' universe is growing and taking over his 'negative' universe. At the end of that, Drax, a character from the 1970's fulfilled his whole reason for being by finally killing Thanos. A fist through the back and the Mad Titan comes face to face with his heart.
After many decades of trying to be with his beloved Mistress Death, Thanos finally gets what he wants. He gets to die. No one knew at the time how big a deal that really was.
The next event was Annihilation: Conquest. Here we see the return of Adam Warlock, long time enemy and sometime associate to Thanos and the being who eventually became the tyrant Magus in a timeline that was erased years ago when Warlock went to his then future to kill himself thus preventing the Magus from coming to be and creating the Universal Church of Truth which would have gone on to enslave countless planets in the universe.
But was Adam really cured of the Magus? His first costume in this series was similar to that which the Magus wore.
This was followed by the War of Kings in which the Inhumans, leaving earth after the crap they went through during the Secret Invasion, took over the Kree, their creators, and made war with the Shi'ar.
This ended badly when the Inhumans king Black Bolt unleashed his power in an attempt to kill the Shi'ar leader, Vulcan. The result was a rip in time/space, the very fabric of our universe.

During Realm of Kings, the Guardians of the Galaxy discovered the Fault, as it became known, was a gateway of sorts to another reality where Death was destroyed and life runs rampant. It becomes known as the Cancerverse and there are evil doubles, doppelgangers if you will, of our universes finest heroes.
This universe is infested with these Cthulu looking things, tendrils and slime and all kinds of gross. In the Infinity War, the Magus made evil doubles of Earth heroes and villains. They showed him in another reality looking down at tendril and all kinds of slime, much like the ones here. It makes me wonder if this is the same thing. It would be nice to have something to connect to The Infinity War. Infinity Gauntlet has been referenced all over the place.

Anyway, in Guardians and Nova we learn that these things in this Cancerverse are wanting a new universe to continue to grow in. Our universe. But first Death must be destroyed. This is the problem. It seems the Universal Church of Truth was created anyway, who knows how, and they found a cocoon floating in space. Now, anyone with a passing knowledge of these things knows that Adam Warlock goes into such things when he needs to repaid his mind and body. The Church thought this was him and figured if they captured it they would have control over Warlock and would be able to re-create The Magus.
The problem was Adam Warlock had already come back during Annihilation: Conquest but before he was found in the event he was traveling through space and happened upon the lifeless body of Thanos, murdered by Drax. Warlock, understanding the need for Thanos in the grand scheme of things, placed him in a cocoon in hopes of fixing the death.
Warlock would go into his own cocoon after Galactus unleashed a wave of cosmic energy which would destroy the Annihilation Wave and countless innocents as well. The sudden death of so many beings was more than Warlock could handle so he retreated into his cocoon.

Warlock would succumb to the Magus and would join forces with the things of the Cancerverse. He was charged with killing the Avatar of Death: Thanos. He failed and in the Thanos Imperative: Ignition one shot he was seemingly destroyed by the Cancerverse version of Mar-Vel.
So the stage is set: Beings from another reality are here to take over but first they must destroy death. Thanos is living death. He loves it, worships it and delivers it to anyone he wishes. As long as he's around, death is around. In this first issue everything begins to come to a head: They are here and they want to kill death and take over. The Guardians and Nova have to rely on Thanos to defend this universe. Thanos, meanwhile, is having a lot of problems. It seems such a large influx of life in the universe is causing him pain.
In another part of the story, the Inhumans, the Kree and the Shi'ar are running for their lives. Before he was destroyed, the Magus transported entire planets of Church believers and ignited them, this ripped the Fault open completely and created the door the Cancerverse needed to come over.
There is a question as to whether or not the Inhumans and the others survived...but their possible destruction drew the attention to a certain Silver skinned Surfer. Rumor has it he and his boss will be involved.

this has the makings of a massive events on the level of Annihilation and The Infinity Gauntlet. Issue one shows how you set it up, the writers know what they are doing, they actually know how to construct this kind of story and while the War of Kings/Realm of Kings was lacking in my opinion, this more than makes up for it!

Favorite Covers #9

2010-06-03T00:40:00.000-04:00

The Haunt Of Fear #14

August 1952

My friends know how much I love EC Comics, publisher of this series and the ever popular Tales From The Crypt. EC is the only publisher I love more than Marvel Comics and Chaos! Comics.
each comic featured 4 different stories and featured some of the best art of all time, and the best are of the 1950's.
The horror titles, The Haunt Of Fear, The Vault Of Horror and Tales From The Crypt (formerly The Crypt Of Terror) featured story tellers known as the GhouLunitics: The Crypt-Keeper, The Vault-Keeper and The Old Witch.
This EC is the very first original EC I ever owned and even though it isn't in the best condition it is still one of my most prized comics.

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 8

2010-06-03T00:15:00.000-04:00

#22: Ghost Rider

The Pull List

2010-06-02T19:38:00.000-04:00

Here are the rest of the books from last week:

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #37
Words: The Spider and The Shield: Karl Kesel, Make Mine Marvel: Kurt Busiek
Pictures: The Spider and The Shield: Paulo Siqueria, Make Mine Marvel: Pat Olliffe

If done right, Annuals can be fun. Sometimes they are part of events other times the tell untold stories of our favorite heroes.
This one is the later. It not only has two stories from Spidey's past and both are fun in their own way, but the book itself is 'set' in the past.
First up, "The Spider and The Shield", telling the tale of Spidey's first meeting with Captain America. It's a little out of whack with the references to computers and the internet but if you look at this as sort of a 'what if?' or even consider Marvel Time vs. real time it is still fun. I'm sure some nit pickers will trash this story but it is pretty much out of continuity and doesn't impact anything so just take it as a fun story.
And, it's always fun seeing Spidey play the part of fanboy.
So, you have the two heroes teaming up to save Sandman from a group of Rogue Scientists who are trying to kill Sandman because, they claim, he will kill 27% of the world's population. Naturally, Cap and Spidey don't agree and try to stop them. In the end it was the interference of the Rogues what gave Sandman the power to do the deed but he was still stopped, thanks to Spidey's quick thinking, and the whole thing was set up to...impress a girl? Only in a Marvel Comic.
"Make Mine Marvel" is billed as a story from the series Until Tales of Spider-Man a series from the 1990's that told stories from the early days of Spider-Man's career. the original team was brought back for this one and it did give it a feel of the '90's style' of Marvel. we have Spidey trying to stop the human Top, who is looking for a new name while trying to steal a device of some sort. What is the device? We really don't know, the joys of these stories set back in the early days is things don't always need to be spelled out. All we know is if the Human Top wants it then it can't be good.
Spidey ends up saving a few lives, one of which is Stan Lee, and ends up getting into a deal with Marvel Comics to get a series based on him. This draws the venom of JJJ who uses Wertham-style tactics to attack Marvel and eventually the Human Top attacks Spidey in Marvel's studio. All this leads to Spidey backing out of the deal in hopes of not endangering the health of Lee and his staff as well as the business he runs. Lee, ever the thinker, then decides to STILL tell Spidey's stories but by using new reports as source material. So, now we know how the Spider-Man comics got started.

DEADPOOL: MERC WITH A MOUTH #11 of 13
Words: Victor Gishler
Pictures: Bong Dazo

Deadpool's adventures in the Zombieverse continues! It's time to go home, that's the thought of our 'hero' as he tries to evade the Zombie Amazing Friends, minus Zombie Spider-Man that is.
Things go from bad to worse as Deadpool has to race to save Betty and AIM Bill from becoming a frozen dinner for Zombie Iceman. How does he do it? Simple; Blow up a blimp and find a motorcycle. Anyone can do that, right?
While all this is going on, Professor Veronica (Betty? Veronica? How come I just got that?) and her survivors try to fight off Zombie Absorbing Man. Only thing is, they apparently didn't try hard enough. It's going to break Deadpool's heart to find out his hot babe is now a cold Zombie.
But, with this series coming to an end soon, I'm sure he'll get over it.

DOOMWAR #4 of 6
Words: Jonathan Maberry
Pictures: Scot Eaton

I'm not really sure what to say about this. Maybe I'm missing something but this series seems to be going nowhere fast. Out of four issues things have progressed at a snail's pace and for what? I can't figure it out. This series was supposed to be all out war against Doctor Doom and it's turned into a war against boredom.
But then I got this issue and from the cover I felt I was in for some fun.
Boy, you know how much I hate it when a cover have nearly NOTHING to do with an issue? I mean, yeah, Deadpool IS in this issue and I'm eager to see how Doom deals with someone like him...but Deadpool doesn't show up until the last two or three pages. Why put him on the cover?
For the rest of the issue we have the Fantastic Four and Wakanda's Warriors fighting robots they knew they could never beat...then Doom puts a new mask on and any progress the heroes had made was...ended? It doesn't make much sense but I'm willing to finish this out just the same.

FANTASTIC FOUR #579
Words: Jonathan Hickman
Pictures: Neil Edwards

Alright, so the last few issues may not have made much sense at the time, what with all the jumping from place to place and introducing new cultures and re-introducing the Negative Zone's Annihilus to the Marvelverse, but I think things are coming together now.
Reed founded a group, a think tank of sorts, called Singularity. It was supposed to be for smart, forward thinking people. Lately it's become stupid...to put of bluntly. Reed has realized this and he resigns.
Meanwhile, apparently Sue has been talking to one of the new cultures, Old Atlantis about something interesting while Reed welcomes a boy to the Baxter Building to be part of something special.
The smart Moloids now living in the Baxter building are learning things fast and one even finds a connection between the locations of the new cultures and the frequency that opens the portal to the Negative Zone.
This all comes to a head when Reed talks to the now insane Wizard and let's him, and us, in on who the boy from the beginning of the issue was: A young clone of the Wizard himself! We also find out that Reed has been gathering some of the smartest kids from the new cultures and has formed a new group: The Future Foundation.
So...what's next and what does Nu-Earth have to do with any of this?

MARVEL ZOMBIES 5 #3 of 5
Words: Fred Van Lente
Pictures: M.W. Kaluta, Kano and Tom Palmer & Felix Ruiz

Reality hopping, zombie fighting adventures with Arron Stack, aka Machine Man, Howard The Duck and the Indian girl who's name I'm to lazy to look up at this moment, continues!
Now we are in the land of King Arthur. It seems a certain Black Knight has found a book which has unleashed an evil upon the land, an Army of the Undead of Darkness and it's up the the three Chosen Ones to fight them and win.
I know, it sounds familiar but the book in question is the Darkhold and the Army of Darkness has little to do with the movie of the same title....although according to Howard these zombies are 'Possessed Type-834... a "Raimi"' which I thought was funny because I was thinking these things were acting like the demons/zombies in Sam raimi's Evil Dead trilogy.
So, you have the crusades, which is where the Black Knight fits into this, and you have the holy rollers thinking everything not Christian is evil and must be destroyed. These people target those who worship Thor and Odin. The murdered innocents come back as part of the Army of Darkness.
Cut to the end: the trio end the siege of the undead and prepare for their next mission: a world with a version of Machine Man AND Jocasta. As they leave the leader of the Crusades is confronted by Thor...if only we could see that beat down!
While not the best of the series, this was still a fun read.

Also from last week I picked up:

MARVEL'S GREATEST COMICS: MARVEL ZOMBIES #1
Yeah, another reprint of the legendary first issue that began a great franchise! This time offered as part of the Marvel's Greatest Comics line which let's readers try the first or important issues of comics for just $1!There have been others but this is the first I managed to snag.

ESSENTIAL FANTASTIC FOUR, VOLUME 8:
This volume reprints Fantastic Four #160-183, Fantastic Four Annual #11, Marvel Two-In-One Annual #1 and Marvel Two-In-One #20.
I love the Essential line. It's a great way to see the books of Marvel's past without having to shell out hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of dollars to own them.

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 7

2010-05-31T02:21:00.000-04:00

#46: Captain Marvel (Kree Uniform Variant)

The Pull List

2010-05-27T21:16:00.000-04:00

Due to lack of funds I could only grab three comics of the 9 I was wanting. I think I made the right choices:

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #632
Words: Zeb Wells
Pictures: Chris Bachalo

Shed, Part 3 of 4: Without a doubt another fine example of how this Gauntlet story is making fresh starts out of Spider-Man's classic villains.
Okay, so the Lizard has completely taken of the mind of Curt Conners, to the point where the Lizard was able to kill Conners' young son Billy, very gruesome.
So, Spider-man tries to catch up to the Lizard in an attempt to reason with/stop him and finds the remains of the child as well as what appeared to be a dead Lizard.
Only he wasn't dead. He's still growing and changing so he was shedding.
They have a fight and Spidey is surprised to see the Lizard talking in complete sentences and actually thinking. Lizard tells him he has all the knowledge that Conners had, which means he has all the word usage the man had, which makes Lizard all the more dangerous.
Add to that the fact Lizard can now control the 'reptile' part of the human brain and you have the makings of a wide scope disaster on your hands!
Both the art and story work very well here. Bachalo's art works so well you can almost feel the Lizard's skin on the page. There could not have been a better choice for artist for this story!

THE THANOS IMPERATIVE: IGNITION
Words Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Pictures: Brad Walker

For months now the Cosmic heroes of the Marvel Universe have been dealing with The Fault, a crack of sorts in the fabric of our reality that connects to an alternate universe where there is no death and life has become of kind of cancer. Nova has been trying to learn more about it in hopes of being able to figure out how to close it while the Guardians of the Galaxy have been dealing with the Magus and his universal Church of Truth and trying to stop them from making it worse.
They all failed.
Nova finds out there are 'evil' versions of Marvel's heroes in this alternate universe. They are trying to come here and destroy all death and take over our universe.
As bad as that is, what the Guardians find is much worse: Thanos. The Mad Titan, lover of Death.
In this one shot which begins the event The Thanos Imperative, we see things coming together. The Universal Church has made a major move, involving the destruction of several planets, and has made the Fault bigger.
Thanos is slowly getting his mind together and regaining his strength which is generally bad for everyone.
The Magus learns first hand that failure is NOT an option.
In the end we know that the Other universe wants to destroy Death. But in order to do this they must destroy Death's Avatar: Thanos. History has proven this is a very difficult thing to do.

THOR #610
Words: Kieron Gillen
Pictures: Doug Braithwaite

Siege: Epilogue- Asgard in ruins. Gods fallen. A King shaken. These are things that destroy a man, but an Asgardian sees these as something to simply overcome and grow from.
This issue deals with the fall out of Siege #4. Balder no longer feels he is fit to be King, in his mind he should have moved Asgard from Earth a long time ago. After ending Thor's banishment he tries to turn the throne over to the Thunder God but is denied. Thor will be an advisor but Balder must remain King.
As the Asgardians try to find the bodies of their fellowGods they come across Ragnorok, the clone of Thor. In a knock down drag out, Thor makes his dominance known and puts the clone in it's place...well, in a few places, actually.
This is a great winding down issue and sets the stage for the next chapter in the saga of Thor. Where does Asgard go from here? What of Loki? Can a God be killed on earth and still return? Where did his spirit go if there is no more afterlife for the Asgardians? Does the deal he made with Mephisto and Hela in Siege: Loki play into this? Many questions and many more issues to come!

Favorite Covers #8

2010-05-24T14:54:00.000-04:00

Evil Ernie #1 of 5

December 1991

Before there was Lady Death over at Avatar, there was Evil Ernie. This character was the foundation for what was to become one of the most prolific publishers in the 1990's: Chaos! Comics.
This one features the origin and first appearance of both Evil Ernie and Lady Death...and of course who could forget Smiley, the Psychotic Button!
For the cover here...I just love the set up. Evil standing in front of a city in flames. Also, near the bottom are the signatures of creator/writer Brian Pulido and Artist Steven Hughes!
With the recent announcement of Dynamite Entertainment picking up the rights to the Chaos! Cast I wouldn't be surprised if I re-read this series.

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 6

2010-05-24T14:47:00.000-04:00

Special: Thanos

The Long Box #8

2010-05-20T18:55:00.001-04:00

MARVEL ZOMBIES #1-5 of 5
Words: Robert Kirkman
Pictures: Sean Phillips
February 2006-June 2006

Marvel Zombies. It's almost it's own family of books like X-Men and Avengers.
Marvel Zombies began in Ultimate Fantastic Four #21 when Marvel was teasing the meeting of Ultimate Reed Richards and 'another version' of him. The tease was Marvel allowed us to think they were finally going to cross the Ultimate Universe with the 616-Universe.
Instead we got the Zombieverse.
The story starts simple enough: "It began with a flash in the sky..." We don't really get to much of an origin for the Zombie Plague in this one, it comes later and I'll cover it when I get to that story, but we do get to see how things ended up.

The story continues from Ultimate Fantastic Four #23 which has that version of the Fantastic Four escaping the Zombieverse with the few human survivors with Magneto staying behind to destroy the machine which allows people to travel to other universes.
So, machine is destroyed and the Zombies are trapped in their universe... with Magneto.
The story continues and it doesn't end well for Magneto who's death is the most gruesome page I'd ever seen in a Marvel Comic. It was more like an E.C. page than Marvel.
Skipping to through the story we learn that this form of 'zombism' doesn't make the heroes and villains mindless zombies. They retain their memories and powers but the hunger drives them. After they feed they are able to think like their old selves and some have attempted to find a cure for their problem.
At one point the Silver Surfer turns up and leads Galactus to this earth. But he doesn't survive the Zombies as Zombie Hulk ends up biting the guys head off and the rest feast on his body. After eating the Surfer they realize they have absorbed some of the Surfer's power cosmic. They use this to fight and destroy many of the other Zombies.
Finally, Galactus shows up and is attacked by the Zombies who overtake him.
We then get a repeat of the Magneto feast scene only with Galactus. Gruesome.
So, after eating Galactus the Marvel Zombies take his place in the grand scheme of things and become the Galacti.

One thing helps this stand out, besides the whole 'heroes eating people' thing. First the covers. Painter Arthur Suydam does the covers which are all homages to some of the greatest covers in Marvel history. It helped that this series sold so well and went into multiple printings, the first issue had five(!), to get more homage covers out for us to enjoy.

This has become a fun and rather long living, no pun intended, launching many sequels and even a crossover with Army Of Darkness!

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 5

2010-05-20T13:52:00.000-04:00

#9: Captain America

The Pull List

2010-05-19T16:30:00.000-04:00

I have two books held over from last week due to the Motor City Convention.

AVENGERS #1
Words: Brian Michael Bendis
Pictures: John Romita, Jr.

The Heroic Age Begins! I have to admit, I was very annoyed when I heard New Avengers was ending only to make room for this title AND a new New Avengers book. That is, I was annoyed until I read this book.
The main thing I always liked about the New Avengers title was the grim and street level stories and characters. It was nice, as well as WAY past time, for characters like Luke Cage to get some spotlight and that title did a great job of it.
This book, like New Avengers before it, reflects the are in which it's set in. The Dark Reign and the Siege are over and The Heroic Age has begun!
This means things will be a little lighter. What I love about this change is we finally get to see Heroes be Heroes and fight Villains!
So, with are by John Romita, Jr. there really isn't much I can say. The guy is awesome and continues to be so here. Story-wise...well, the story if by Brian Bendis, a real nice guy, and the guy who got me into the Avengers through the New Avengers series. It picks up right after Siege #4, the heroes are rebuilding and collecting themselves while Steve Rogers, the former Captain America, is out recruiting for a new Avengers team.
It's a who's who including: Spider-Man, Thor, Iron Man, Luke Cage, Vision, Dr. Strange, Beast, Tigra, Hawkeye and many others. The sticky wicket here is Simon Williams, Wonder Man. He doesn't think it's a good idea to have an Avengers team because he feels all the things from Civil Wars to Secret Invasions and even Osborn were because of the Avengers. He makes it sound as if he's going to try to keep a new team from forming.
On the other side we have Kang. He's traveled back in time to warn the Avengers of the impeding doom of the future universe at the hands of the children of the Avengers who we were first introduced to in the Marvel Animated Feature: Next Avengers! Kang wants the Avengers to travel to the future and stop the Next Avengers from destroying everything. Simple enough, all you need is a time machine.
Overall, this is old school fun and it's way overdue! I can't wait for Avengers #2!

DEADPOOL #23
Words: Daniel Way
Pictures: Carlo Barberi

Deadpool enters the Heroic Age!
Traveling to Las Vegas to track down a party host who insulted Deadpool on national television, Deadpool bring his brand of chaos to the city.
He destroys part of a casino the stays to gamble...winning every time he plays but it all comes crashing to an end when he faces Vegas' new hero: The House.
Get it? Because The house always wins? It's a play on words using Vegas-speak.... nevermind, it is kind of lame...
Anyway, they have a back and forth and we learn that The house is actually...Weasel! Yeah, Wade's old partner from his 1990's series. Apparently they didn't part on good terms but fortunately Weasel isn't very smart and he allows Deadpool to wear a similar suit of armor and become his "sidekick" Wildcard.
Fun, explosions and other Deadpool-type stuff ensues. This is probably one of the better issues. Perhaps with the heroes actually being heroes again we can get a better handle on Deadpools place in the grand scheme of things. We hope.

DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #893
Words: Rob Williams
Pictures: Matteo Scalera

Guest Starring Captain Britain!
I have to admit, when I saw who was in this issue I had no real interest in reading it. Boy, I love it when I'm surprised! This is probably one of the funnier issues this series has had in a long time!
Deadpool making like a brit, mocking the accent and making an ass of himself, getting destroyed twice...it's good fun all around.
Even Captain Britain, a character I have no interest in, was entertaining. It's always nice to see how a guy like Cap tries to handle someone like Deadpool while maintaining their dignity.
Seems someone wants to take up the mantle of Slaymaster (yeah, he isn't familiar to me, either) and Cap thinks, of course, it's Deadpool. They fight and then team up, you know the drill.
The fun is the dialogue. With 86 titles on the market it's difficult to have some truely good Deadpool dialogue. This one manages to have it. The art works perfect for the story as well.
This is how this series should be done.

ZOMBIES VS. ROBOTS AVENTURE #4
Words: Chris Ryall
Art: "Kampf": Menton Matthews III
"Masques": Paul McCaffrey
"Zuvembies Vs. Robots": Gabriel Hernandez

This is listed as the final issue of the series.
The stories wrap up with little hangers to make way for another possible book.
As of this posting I haven't read it all yet but when I have I will work a full review of it.

Favorite Covers #7

2010-05-17T19:12:00.000-04:00

ALIENS VS. PREDATOR #1 of 4

Cover Date June 1990

Before the movies there were the comic books. Published by Dark Horse Comics, this was the very first time we see the universes greatest hunters take on the universes greatest bugs.

The story takes place on a different planet. It's one the Predators use to train it's younger hunters. They infest an area with the Alien then, after a hive has been established, they go in a hunt them all down.

Its a plan that apparently worked for a very long time...until...humans settled on the planet and they get in the way.

The one thing in this story that has always stuck out in my mind is the scene which shows a Predator, invisible, being mobbed by Aliens with a caption reading "Invisibility means nothing to a creature with no eyes." or something to that effect. It's really to bad they couldn't have made the movies like this.

Motor City Comic Convention 2010

2010-05-16T21:45:00.000-04:00

The Motor City Comic Book Convention in Novi, Michigan. Or, as my friends and I call it: Novi.
This year I went with Matt and Libby, we spent quite a bit of money, probably over $400 among all of us, and spend the better part of Saturday there.
First of all let me say the place was PACKED. I've had to wait in line there before but NEVER was the line this long. I swear we were in Canada for a few minutes. The good thing about it was the line moved very fast.
This only happens at a comic convention.
So we paid our fees and got in easy as anything.
With the crowds it was kind of hard to move around but, as is the norm at these things, people were pretty polite about it and there really wasn't much bitching going on. Another REALLY good thing I noticed is the near total lack of body odor. Normally I end up looking through some boxes next to someone who apparently allergic to soap and water but that really didn't happen this year.
People were out in droves and many wore costumes. I wish I had taken more pictures of the costumes but it wasn't easy keeping together with Matt and Libby, so much to look at and really so little time

For me, personally, I was thrilled to meet, again, E.C. Legend: Al Feldstein. He worked on such books as Tales From The Crypt and was an early editor of MAD Magazine.
In hindsight it was probably not a good idea to wear the Comics Code Authority (CCA) t-shirt to meet a man whose career was badly damaged by the stupid thing but what better way to show the overall stupidity of the CCA than to slap it on a shirt and take a picture with it and a man who outlived it.
I also got my EC ARCHIVES: TALES FROM THE CRYPT, VOLUME 1 signed by Mr. Feldstein and a printed signed as well. He was a nice man but seemed a bit bitter over all the jerks who get him to sign something and then toss it on eBay to make money off it. I can promise that will NOT happen to MY items.
Also, this year, I got World War Z and The Zombie Survival Guide signed by Max Brooks. The only thing about that that sucked was he was at a panel and I missed it. Ah, well, I still got to meet him.
I told him the Survival guide, while I LOVED it, has pretty much ruined all my favorite zombie movies...he was proud of that. I love a guy who isn't afraid of his work and it's impact.

I didn't do the meet and greet with former WWF Diva Lita though. She was charging $20 for a picture with MY camera. What the hell is THAT about? Lillian Garcia was doing the same thing. Kind of sucked because I was really hoping to meet them.
Another let down was, and this was because of all the people there, the lines for that artists were insane! I would have spent most of my time waiting to get sketches from some of these guys and would have gotten very few and it wasn't worth it so while I had my sketch book I didn't get any sketches this year. This means NEXT year I gotta double the amount of sketches I have.

Beyond the large number of people and something of a let down with the celebs I wanted to meet, Matt and I tried our damnedest to find the lead figures we collect. Not a single one was to be found in the entire show. Guess we'll just have to keep getting them from Nostalgia, Ink. It's worked out pretty good for us so far at least.
Matt DID happen to notice a really cool sword while we were waiting for Al Feldstein. The Sword of Omens from Thundercats. Naturally, Matt had to have his picture taken with it but I was to easily distracted to get my picture taken with it and by the time I realized this it had been sold. But at least ONE of us was able to hold it. And it was very cool.

So, after a long day and a LOT of walking we realized we were running out of money and decided to call it a day with just an hour to spare. But before we went, I just had to make a final purchase. A few years ago there was a Motor City Comic Con Lady Death Exclusive cover and, being the old school Lady Death fan I am (I go back to the Chaos! Comics days) I had to have it. So, since they had another Exclusive this year I decided to grab it as well. IRON MAN #25 was this years book and it's kind of an Exclusive Variant of a variant...really interesting but sadly I was on my way out and didn't get it signed by the cover artist. Ah, well, I got the book at least, right?

So, the day came to an end, we learned it is much easier AND cheaper to bring food, it was nice to sit outside, chat, share are take and relax a bit between runs up and down the isles. I was also very surprised as to how easy it was to get there and back. Tradition holds that we get lost one way or the other. It didn't happen this year. Kind of cool.
Also, I continued by new tradition of getting nothing but trades again this year, with the exception of the Iron Man comic, though next year I think I'm finally going to grab those Marvel Zombies variant covers I need.

So, here are the books I grabbed this year. the Annihilation trades were ALL $5 each! So were the Infinity trades! So much money saved!

Annihilation Books 1-3
Annihilation Classics
Annihilation: Conquest Books 1 & 2
Arsenic Lullaby: The Donut Cometh
Essential Doctor Strange, Volume 2
Essential Marvel Two-In-One, Volumes 1 & 2
Essential Nova, Volume 1
Essential Spider-Man, Volume 9 $5
Essential Thor, Volume 2
Infinity Crusade, Volumes 1 & 2
Infinity War
Iron Man Vs. Doctor Doom
Spider-Man 2099, Volume 1
Spider-Man: Kraven's Last Hunt

The Pull List

2010-05-13T16:28:00.000-04:00

This weekend is the motor City Comic Convention. Because of this I only picked up a few things this week. I plan to have a good sized posting or maybe a series of posts about the convention I'm going to this Saturday along with pictures and video (if I can post video here)

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #631: Shed, Part Two: The Lizard returns in a BIG way. With art by Chris Bachalo this is probably the best Lizard story I've read since SPIDER-MAN #1-5 by Todd McFalane.
Kurt Conners had suppressed the Lizard for a long time but stress and his boss going for the girl he liked allowed the lizard part of his brain to take over.
After killing six people Spider-Man is now on the case. He manages to track The Lizard down to the foster home Conners' sin Billy was staying at.
At first he thought he was to late after finding out the people inside were pretty much dead and Billy was missing.
It turns out that Kraven's psycho-kid took the boy and used him as bait for The Lizard. In what has to be one of the most grisly scenes in a Marvel Comics since Magneto's death in MARVEL ZOMBIES #1, The Lizard decides to prove he is the dominant male by eating the young of Curt Conners.
Overall this is still part of The Gauntlet. This is probably the darkest part of it and is seems all the players are almost in place. What role The Lizard will play remains to be seen.

FABLES #95: Rose Red, Part Two: This issue feels like a great 'set up' issue. We learn about the childhood of Snow White and her sister, Rose Red.
They were very close as children and had some grand adventures including sharing a warm fire with a talking bear and repeatedly saving the life of an old dwarf who has the meanest personality.
Through the story the closeness of the girls is touched on over and over making me wonder what could have possibly come between the two?
I do hope that whatever the outcome of this story is, that Rose will return to her old self again. She's been through a lot and deserves some happiness.
We also get some interesting foreshadowing in reference to Snow White and the future of dwarfs in her life as well as her fist Prince husband.
Still a great series and only 5 more issues until #100!

NEW AVENGERS: FINALE: This takes place after SIEGE #4 (below) and is a taste of what the Heroic Age holds for us: Good guys beating the tar out of the bad guys.
Overall this was a good issue, thought I really didn't care for some of Bryan Hitch's are in some panels and the cover. This wraps up a few more plots points including who was behind the breakout that brought the New Avengers together in the first place.
It also serves as the book end of all the stories that have happened in the last eight years. Not a bad issue but this really could have been the last issue of the regular series instead of being a stand alone thing.

SIEGE #4 of 4: This is it! End ending of a story that has been going for eight years! Through Civil Wars, Secret Invasions and Dark Reigns this is the end of the dark era of Marvel!
It's all out war between The Void, formerly The Sentry, and the Avengers.
Loki tries to make amends for his role in this and pays the ultimate price for it. I have to wonder how long it will be until we see Loki again.
Thor takes on The Void and fails...everyone takes on the void and manages to suppress it for a little while but ultimately, Thor decides what needs to be done and The Void is destroyed.
Now, the Siege is over and new roles are chosen for our heroes. Steve Rogers is no longer Captain America. He's now the new head of S.H.I.E.L.D., basically the New Nick Fury. Iron Man begins the long road to redeem himself, Thor begins his search for a new home for Asgard and the remaining heroes are given the best news of all: The Superhuman Registration Act is REPEALED!
They are no longer fugitives!
The villains turn on The Hood and sell him out for leaving them to burn at the end of the battle.
Overall, very fun and I can't believe how much I missed heroes fighting villains!

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 4

2010-05-10T14:29:00.000-04:00

#1: Spider-Man

Favorite Covers #7

2010-05-08T20:12:00.000-04:00

The Atomics #1
Cover Date: January 2000

I got into The Atomics by way of another book called MADMAN also by writer/artist Mike Allred.
Madman is another story altogether but this series drew me in because of Allred's art, it's very 1960's Marvel Pop style and I love it!
This is sort of an old school team book, you have a group of characters, including the stretchy Mr. Gum, who gain powers then, reluctantly at first, join forces to fight bad guys.
The series only ran for 15 issues and had Madman and Erik Larson's Savage Dragon for guest stars.
Fans of old school comics would enjoy this, I'm actually going to be re-reading the entire run again as soon as I can!

Classic Marvel Figuine Collection 3

2010-05-08T19:57:00.000-04:00

#58: Yellowjacket and (a tiny) Wasp!

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 2

2010-05-07T17:56:00.000-04:00

#46: Captain Marvel

Free Comic Book Day 2010

2010-05-07T17:49:00.000-04:00

Ahhh, free comic book day and all the joys it brings.
Of course, it would bring MORE joy if the people who only showed up for the FREE comics actually stuck around and got into them. But I know of those people some are actually curious about them and others are stupid and think "Gosh! This will be worth something someday!"

Okay, so before I get to my stash of Free Comic Book Day Comics, I want to recap what I did.
Naturally, I went to Nostalgia, Ink. to begin the day. It's my local comic book store and any reason to go there is a good reason. The place was pretty busy, which is nice because it usually isn't. I like seeing people there.
I REALLY like seeing kids in there, even if they have no idea what's going on and have no idea how you handle a comic book you haven't bought yet.
I was there for a few hours talking with other comics fans about the big events in DC and Marvel like Blackest Night and Siege as well as the then upcoming Brightest Day and Thanos Imperative events. One thing I always love is talking about comics with people who know what's going on. Not to sound like a snob or anything but it annoys me when someone tries to impress us by announcing they actually own SPAWN #1 like that's supposed to be impressive. How Spawn became the spokescharacter for the industry like that is beyond me.
Then, after a quick break for food, around 3:30, I headed to my work, Family Video to set up a table there because we were also participating in Free Comic Book Day! It was kind of my idea but it made sense since we have many movies based on comics like Spider-Man and Batman but also many movies were getting comics like Toy Story and Shrek.
I spent 3 hours at the store talking comics, promoting the event, handing out coupons for our store and giving away many free comics.
There was a lot of positive energy there, a lot of fun and I've already got ideas for NEXT years Free Comic Book Day at the store!

So, that was my day, which was capped off by watching a few comic book based animated movies on DVD and here is what I got:

ARCHIE'S SUMMER SPLASH #1: For some reason Archie is one book I look for every year. But I think this is the first time I read one all the way through. I have to admit, it's actually very funny stuff. Not the 'squeaky clean' jokes I expected and the art was fun and simple.
Archie has a long history in comics so gets respect for that even if I don't plan on buying it.

For more information on Archie Comics, which includes such titles as SONIC THE HEDGEHOG, check out their website at archiecomics.com

BONGO COMICS FREE-FOR-ALL 2010: This is another one I seem to grab every year. Each one has a comic book theme to it and seems to be a stand alone issue. Not bad stuff.
At this time there doesn't seem to be a website for Bongo Comics. Shame.

DOCTOR SOLAR: MAN OF THE ATOM/MAGNUS ROBOT FIGHTER: Can't say much about this one, I haven't read it yet and basically picked it up because I liked the cover.
This is basically a promotion for the upcoming releases of the two characters later this year from publisher Dark Horse Comics.
They have a full issue preview of these on their website:
darkhorse.com

G.I. JOE: A REAL AMERICAN HERO #155 1/2: From IDW comes the continuation of the classic G.I. Joe series started by Marvel Comics in the 1980's. All the classics are here and the stories are told in the classic style. I've never been one for the G.I. Joe comics but this was actually a fun read.
IDW also does Transformers and A-Team comics.
Their website

GREEN HORNET: A preview issue featuring all FIVE of the different titles from publisher Dynamite Comics including: Green Hornet, Green Hornet: Year One, Green Hornet Strikes!, Kato and Kato Origins.
The odd thing is I got a different cover than this one.

Marvel Comics released two Iron Man themed books this year with IRON MAN/THOR and IRON MAN/NOVA: SUPERNOVA. Of the two I really enjoyed the Iron Man and Thor issue. It's one of the first times these two have interacted with each other since the end of Civil War and the return of Thor.
But the best part: words by Matt Fraction and pictures by John Romita, Jr.!
The Iron Man and Nova issue is basically an introduction to the Marvel Adventures line of all ages comics and a back up feature featuring the Marvel Super Hero Squad characters from the Cartoon Network show of the same name.

THE TICK #1: What can you say? It's the first comics book featuring the Big Blue Bug of Justice: The Tick. I was laughing out loud reading this, as I always do, and had to get THE TICK OMNIBUS, VOLUME 1 off my shelf. Even let a friend borrow it who had never know the joys of a Tick comic book!

YOW! From Drawn & Quarterly comes this collection of comics from years gone by. It's history which is why I picked it up. It's also on paper, not glossy stock stuff, and the pages were made to look aged! How cool is that!

Finally, FRACTURED FABLES from Image Comics. I know, it's out of order, but I picked this one up AFTER Free Comic Book Day when I listed to a podcast of Collected Comics Library. This was mentioned, it sounded fun and it was.

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection

2010-05-05T21:52:00.000-04:00

I've been collecting these Eaglemoss Classic Marvel Figurines for a few years now and I get a few new ones every month, finances permitting. I have pictures of them all on my facebook page but I'm redoing the pictures and will post them here as I do them.
These will be posted in no particular order.

#90: Adam Warlock

The Pull List

2010-05-05T16:48:00.001-04:00

Now, before I get into this week's stack, which is pretty small, I just want to say I'm still reading through my Free Comic Book Day 2010 stack and will be posting thoughts on them in the next day or two.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #630: Shed, Part 1: Not only does Spider-Man have to deal with the return of his worst (best?) villains, but now he has to contend with dating, 'Nega-Aunt May' and the return of The Lizard!
This issue is fun, from the start of it with Spider-Man and Black Cat having something of a heart to heart where Cat has to break it to Spidey that they aren't dating...just "having fun" to Peter actually trying to smooth things over with and date Carly (who I love much more than Mary Jane) this one covers all the bases in Peter's world.
In Spider-Man's world, however, things are much darker. The Kraven's are still holding Madame Web prisoner and using her powers to control where the villains appear. The question is can they control the newly returned Lizard?
Now, the writing is light and fun, as this series should be, tempered with just the right amount of foreboding. The art...Chris Bachalo is handling the chores for this arc and I've ALWAYS loved his stuff. His Spider-Man is probably one of my favorites and I always get excited with I see his name attached to a comic I read!

DEADPOOL CORPS #2: Seriously, this series has a LOT going against it. Starting with the art. Who's idea was it to put Rob Liefeld on this book? IT'S HORRIBLE!
Now, beyond the art the writing isn't much better. There are maybe two or three good gags in this book but I have to wonder if writer Victor Gischler even knows who and what the Elders of the Universe are. He doesn't seem to because they are written very erratic. Not like the way they've been portrayed in the past, from writers who knew them.
Bottom line is of the 4, soon to be 3, Deadpool books this is my least favorite and is the only one I wouldn't be sad to see get canceled. Unless I drop it first.

iZOMBIE #1: Now, when it comes to a new series there are 2 things that will get me to look at it: Zombies and a $1 cover price. Add to that art by the always awesome Mike (Madman) Allred and the fact it's a Vertigo title then chances are you have a winner.
This story focuses on Gwen Dylan, a grave digger with a secret...well, a few..
First, she has a friend who's been dead for 40 odd years and is, of course, a ghost. Second, the boy, Scott, who pines for her is a weredog or something...
Then you come to her. She's dead. But she's not. She's a zombie. But not your "uhhurrrr...braaaaiiiinnnssss.." zombie, no, she's a cool chick but she does have to eat brains once a month to keep from going all Night Of The Living Dead.
Now, this was a fun read and defiantly worth checking out. You really can't go wrong with the $1 cover price and at the very least you will know it's an awesome book and perhaps, like me, you'll at least pick up the trades as they are released.
I'd love to get it monthly but I can't afford a new ongoing book...I just hope the covers aren't as cool as the ones on FABLES.

The Pull List

2010-04-29T16:46:00.000-04:00

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #629: First of all I would like to say this is something of a personal milestone for me. This is the 100th consecutive issue of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN I've collected since I started reading this series again. Granted since the series is put out three times a month it isn't a major milestone but it's the longest I've been able to keep up with this series.
Okay, so this month we learn who Captain Universe is and why he has such a hate-on for Juggernaut. Apparently, he was employed in an office when Spidey and Juggy fought their way through it effectively ruining the man's life. So, it's a 'you hurt me I'm going to hurt you' thing.
Another layer was added to Juggy's character here as we see him as a person with a soul rather than a maniac who just destroys everything. After he saves the day, shock to me too, he realizes what he's done to the young man and...apologizes. Very nicely done!
The art is very well done and, well, not really part of The Gauntlet but still a nice story.
We got a special back-up story, at no extra cost(!), featuring Dr. Curt Conners who is better known as The Lizard. Art by Chris Bachalo which I've always enjoyed, and a very nice set up for the Lizard's return in the next issue!

DEADPOOL #22: As DP continues his quest to be a hero he ends up being on a bus in Georgia and the bus gets robbed. Deadpool ends up on the short of of the fight but quickly figures out what's going on and sets out to dish out some justice.
Seems the cops are behind the robberies and have pretty much set things up where they break the law and get away with it.
In the end we had a fairly entertaining issue where Deadpool cracks some decent jokes and, well, it's a pretty typical issue for the character.
Art is alright, a bit boxy but it flows nicely and that's all that matters.
Overall, this felt like a filler issue. Nothing was really accomplished and there isn't a real ongoing story here.
This is something I hope changes very soon with the onset of the Heroic Age.

I really do like the cover though.

FANTASTIC FOUR #578: Alright, things are starting to come together now. A few issues ago an older Franklin Richards showed up to warn Valeria of a war between 4 cities. Over the last few months we've been slowly introduced to 3 of them. This issue introduces the fourth: An all-new Annihilation Wave.
Seems that the wave has taken over the prison that Reed Richards built in the Negative Zone and made it into a city of sorts. That makes this the fourth and final city to be introduced before this war starts.
The series continues to be entertaining and the art is fun and fits the series very well.
It's also nice to have a story that takes a few issues to set things up. I miss that.
And the cover...

How can you not like this cover? It's sweet!

JACK OF FABLES #45: Things come to a head for Jack Frost in this world terrorized by a monster.
First, he isn't terrorizing anything. He just hangs out in his floating station thing and leaves everyone alone.
Second, the witch of the woods who is guiding Jack wants this monster killed because the monster, apparently, dumper her.
Third, the King who wanted Jack to stop the beast set the whole thing up to get money.

This was a fun story, I'm starting to warm up to Jack Frost. It's odd having an actual good guy in this series instead of the asshole that Jack Horner was.
But I miss Jack Horner.

MARVEL ZOMBIES 5 #2 of 5: Machine Man and Howard The Duck end up in the War of the Worlds universe.
This was a fun issue, had a few cool moments and the art is good but this issue seemed like another filler issue.
Maybe it's because I never read the Killraven books and really have no idea who he is and what his deal is but this one just didn't do much for me.
Love the cover though and Machine Man's cracks are top shelf as always!

NEW AVENGERS #64-Final Issue! and THOR #609: Siege! I'm going to do these together since they are both part of the Siege event and neither really had much happen in it. These are filler issues for certain. but I expected it to some extent because SIEGE #4 is coming out soon so these last few Avengers releases will do nothing more than put all the characters in the places they need to be when Siege ends.
In NEW AVENGERS we see that The Hood doesn't have all the control he thinks he has. He loses his powers when Asgard falls and takes off which is what a smart man would do. Where did his powers go? Apparently Captain America, Iron Man and Thor got it. Means they can kick all kinds of ass.
THOR finishes off the Volstagg story and shows the reactions to the fall of Asgard by the Asgardians. It's all coming to a head and these lead in stories to SIEGE #4 have me very excited!

Fanboys Unlimited

Infestation 2: Lovecraft Unleashed!

Infestation 2 Is Coming!

Bullet Reviews #43: Peanuts, Godzilla and a Special Preview!

Ninjas Vs. Zombies #4 and 5 EXCLUSIVE Sneak Peak!

Bullet Reviews #36: Spider-Island Wraps! Farscape! Turtles and More!

Spider-Island Concludes!

Skott Rants on...

Reboot?

Guess What?

INFESTATION!

Last post of 2010!

Weekly Pulls (from Comic Booked)

Weekly Pulls

Weekly Pulls

Weekly Pulls and a Special Announcement!

The Long Box #16: Raise The Dead

(Spread) The Walking Dead

Weekly Pulls

The Long Box #15: Evil Ernie

Weekly Pulls, Part 3

Weekly Pulls, Part 2

Weekly Pulls, Part 1

Detroit Fanfare 2010

New Comics...not so fast

Weekly Pulls

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 18

Weekly Pulls **100th POST THIS YEAR!**

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 17

The Long Box #14: Lobo/Deadman

New York ComiCon 2010

The Long Box #13: Spider-Man

Weekly Pulls

(Not my) Weekly Pull...

The Long Box #12: Evil Ernie

This Just In!

Weekly Pull...?

This Just In!

Weekly Pulls

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 16

Weekly Pulls

The Long Box #11: The Craptacular B-Sides

Weekly Pulls

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 15

The Long Box #10: Bloodstone

Weekly Pulls (The Pull List)

Favorite Covers #11

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 14

The Pull List!

The Pull List

The Pull List

DC Comics Super Hero Collection

The Long Box #9

The Pull List

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 13

The Pull List

November 24th, 2010

My Pull List

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 12

Gimmick Covers #2

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection #11

The Pull List

The Pull List

The Pull List

Congratulations to Matt & Libby!

Minor Changes...

The Pull List X2

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection #10

Favorite Covers #10

Gimmick Covers 1

The Pull List

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 9

The Pull List

Changes: Dropping and Picking up titles

The Pull List

Favorite Covers #9

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 8

The Pull List

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection 7

The Pull List

Weekly Pulls 100th POST THIS YEAR!