Over at Newsarama is a just released teaser from DC. It has the catch phrase "Heroes Die. Legends Live Forever." and the title appears to be Final Crisis with a date of May 2008.
Pardon me for saying this, but it just feels like one big kick to the gut. After all the high drama of Identity Crisis, Infinite Crisis, 52, and now Countdown, I am all event-ed out. God forgive me, but it also feels very Marvel-esque in it's boast. Don't have change happen for change's sake- there is no progress in that.
Now, I know that change is good and all, but what strikes me about this is that DC is getting ready to reboot several major characters again. I am wondering why this time? Didn't we finally get it right? Does Superman have to go be single again? Does Wonder Woman have to go back to Paradise Island? Will there only be one Green Lantern? Is Barry Allen going to be the Flash? Who is that masked man- is it Carter Hall or Katar Hol? Is Batman going to be pissed off?
You get the drift.
As much of a DC fan as I am, I am really burned out on annual events again. I don't know if I am having a flashback to the yearly "big changes" event of every year for most of the '90s, but I just can't bear it! Hera help us. Heh.
Any one have a different take on things?
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
October's Must Read Book: The Brave and the Bold #7
After being a bit behind the last few days, I finally sat down and looked at DC's October solicitations. My jaw dropped when I saw The Brave and the Bold #7. Wonder Woman and Power Girl together! Drawn by George Perez! Written by Mark Waid!
YAY!!
Perez is one of my favorite artists of all time and I have been dying to see a team-up between these two dynamic ladies. This is like a dream come true! With Waid and Perez at the helm, I feel comfortable that Wonder Woman and Power Girl will get the best possible treatment. The cover just completely whets my appetite for this.
Here are the specifications, courtesy of Comic Book Resources:
"THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #7
Written by Mark Waid
Art by George Pérez & Bob Wiacek
Cover by Pérez
Wonder Woman and Power Girl fight side-by-side against a foe who may be more powerful than both of them combined!
On sale October 17 o 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US"
It is like an early birthday and Christmas present wrapped into one!
YAY!!
Perez is one of my favorite artists of all time and I have been dying to see a team-up between these two dynamic ladies. This is like a dream come true! With Waid and Perez at the helm, I feel comfortable that Wonder Woman and Power Girl will get the best possible treatment. The cover just completely whets my appetite for this.
Here are the specifications, courtesy of Comic Book Resources:
"THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #7
Written by Mark Waid
Art by George Pérez & Bob Wiacek
Cover by Pérez
Wonder Woman and Power Girl fight side-by-side against a foe who may be more powerful than both of them combined!
On sale October 17 o 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US"
It is like an early birthday and Christmas present wrapped into one!
Monday, July 16, 2007
Rock of Love Episode #1: Look What the Cat Dragged In!
As many of you know, I am a longtime metal fan, so I am sure it comes to no surprise to you that when Rock of Love premiered on VH-1 last night, I was there with my remote ready to crank up the volume and check things out.The premise of the show is that rocker Bret Michaels, the lead singer of Poison, is looking for a lady to love, ala Flavor of Love, but with a metal twist rather then a hip hop one. After years of either one night stands or long term relationships, it is apparent that Bret is rusty at dating, but up to the challenge.
In this first episode, Bret pulls up to his rockin' pad on a custom hog. The girls cheer and ogle him while he makes an introductory speech. That being done, his head of security Big John comes out and looks the ladies over. He immediately picks out five that are not "up to standards" and kicks them out before they even get in the door of the house. While four of the ladies go pretty quietly, Tiffany is just not having it. As the chosen ladies head in the house, Tiffany decides to bang on the door and plead for one last shot.
Big John is a big softie, and lets Tiffany in. While this drama has gone 
on, the other ladies have, in true rock and roll style, broken into the booze and started partying. Kristia and Brandi C. bond immediately, and proclaim "when we put our boobs together we can think better". Oh lord, I smell a threesome in Bret's future! As the ladies continue to get things going, Tiffany decides she has to catch up and gets really hammered. It is a combination of pity and a feeling in my belly watching her. But things are just getting warmed up!
on, the other ladies have, in true rock and roll style, broken into the booze and started partying. Kristia and Brandi C. bond immediately, and proclaim "when we put our boobs together we can think better". Oh lord, I smell a threesome in Bret's future! As the ladies continue to get things going, Tiffany decides she has to catch up and gets really hammered. It is a combination of pity and a feeling in my belly watching her. But things are just getting warmed up!Bret comes out, dressed to the metal nines and proceeds to take pictures for the backstage passes that the ladies will be receiving later. Several ladies make out with Bret, and Heather even shows her boobs while making the metal horns. It was enough to make any rocker steam up the lens. A couple of the girls freeze up, making for a bad start for them. Poor Lauren looks like a deer caught in the headlights.
After the picture taking, Bret engages the women in conversation. Brandi M. wins my vote by telling Bret that as Scorpio, she is ruled by her genitals. You go girl! Brandi C. tries to get Bret's attention in a high pitched voice that is a tad annoying. More on her later! My favorite moment is when Bret tries to engage Tamara, a smoking hot babe, in conversation. Either she is drunk, nervous, or not super smart, as she fails to make any sense at all. Luckily for her, Bret is a rocker dude, and he is into her bod.
Other girls of note include Samantha, who has several tattoos and a master's degree. She and Bret hit it off, but she worries he will not be interested in her for long because she doesn't drink or party. My opinion is that she will make the cut, because she is smart and interesting. Bret also has a "moment" with Rodeo, an older, but hot lady with a cut bod. They bond over their kids, and she feels very close to him. I quite like Rodeo, and hope she stays around for the duration. She is a bit older, and has had a fascinating life. Other ladies Bret seems fascinated with are Lacey, who is a rocker with bright red hair, and Jes, a tough girl with a shock of pink runing through her blonde hair. I was surprised to see how beautiful Jes was under the "punk" look she was sporting, and imagine she and Lacey will be aroud for a bit.
During all this interaction, poor Tiffany is stealing the show by getting as drunk as humanly possible. As the cameras roll, she tries to get into a fight with Brandi M. and Dallas. Big John has to remind her that she is there by the skin of her teeth. To see her stumble over her words and try to make sense of it all is insane. It reminds me of my rocker days, so I feel her pain.
Two girls, Faith and Magdelena, take the more lady like route. Both are wearing demure summer dresses and are drinking wine or champagne with manners. Bret keeps both of these women around, probably for their stunning good looks and hard to get mannerisms. I am interested to see how things fare for these ladies as the competition proceeds.
Before Bret makes his cuts, Brandi C. comes out wearing a hot pink bikini that is at least two sizes too small. She sits on his lap and cuddles, which pretty much saves her ass and guarantees that she and Kristia will survive to see a possible threesome with Bret.
Other survivors are Brandi M. my wild child favorite, Rodeo, Dallas, Heather of the boob showing, Jes, Lacey, the very vacant Tamara, Mia, Samantha, and by the skin of her teeth, Tiffany. Bret tells her that he has had nights like that, getting completely hammered, and that he is making an exception for her. It made me appreciate Bret, despite the fact that he had a fixation for hot chicks with big hooters. There are several blondes left, and a few wild hairstyles. Bret has his work cut out for him, if previews of the season are any indication.
I quite enjoyed Rock of Love. It is my new guilty pleasure. As much as I secretly watched Flavor of Love, I am going right out there and saying it publicly: I am going to watch this show to the bitter end. I have got to know who hottie rocker Bret is going to pick!
Did any of you check this out or are you cringing in horror that I was so into it? Heh heh.
New Comics for July 18
In exciting news here at Comics Fairplay, our friend installed a second ceiling fan so things can cool down better here at our home. On Saturday, he had put one in our bedroom and that was fantastic. Now we have one in the living room and it really helps circulate the air around. We have two more fans to put up in our second bedroom and dining room, which will make life even better.
It is another busy week in comics as there are several DC titles on my pull list. I wonder if I am starting to revert back to my DC heavy days of 10 years ago. Hmmm..
Here is my list for the week:
Samurai Heaven & Earth 1 #5 (of 5)
All Flash #1
Amazons Attack #4 (of 6)
Army @ Love #5
Birds of Prey #108
Black Canary #2 (of 4)
Brave and the Bold #5
Catwoman #69
Checkmate #16
Countdown #41
Justice League of America #11
Avengers Initiative #4 - pictured
Captain America #28
New X-Men #28
Ultimate Spider-Man #111
Wolverine Origins Annual #1
World War Hulk #2 (of 5)
World War Hulk X-Men #2 (of 3)
Lone Ranger #7
What a week! I am especially excited for Birds of Prey and Black Canary, to check in on my girls!
That is it for now, have a wonderful evening!
It is another busy week in comics as there are several DC titles on my pull list. I wonder if I am starting to revert back to my DC heavy days of 10 years ago. Hmmm..
Here is my list for the week:
Samurai Heaven & Earth 1 #5 (of 5)
All Flash #1
Amazons Attack #4 (of 6)
Army @ Love #5
Birds of Prey #108
Black Canary #2 (of 4)
Brave and the Bold #5
Catwoman #69
Checkmate #16
Countdown #41
Justice League of America #11
Avengers Initiative #4 - pictured
Captain America #28
New X-Men #28
Ultimate Spider-Man #111
Wolverine Origins Annual #1
World War Hulk #2 (of 5)
World War Hulk X-Men #2 (of 3)
Lone Ranger #7
What a week! I am especially excited for Birds of Prey and Black Canary, to check in on my girls!
That is it for now, have a wonderful evening!
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Showcase Presents: Batgirl Vol. 1: Absolute Perfection!
As a lifelong Batgirl fan, when I heard that there was a black and white collection of classic tales featuring the Dominoed Daredevil, I was there with a flash. Though I was pretty sure I had most of her classic tales in their original format, the chance to have them all together was irresistible. At $16.99, it is affordable and accessible to new readers.
The book features stories from 1967 to 1975 and includes her first appearance as well as noted guest appearances in Brave and the Bold and Superman Family. It gave me chills a few times as I was able to recall what I was doing when I first read a story, or what my life’s circumstances were. I truly grew up with Batgirl, even though her first appearances were when I was too young to actually get them on the newsstands.
Another treat about this book is the work done by talented writers and artists who are now legends. Listen to these names: Gardner Fox, Carmen Infantino, Gil Kane, Neil Adams, Cary Bates, Mike Friedrich, Bob Brown, Murphy Anderson, Irv Novick, Don Heck, Mike Sekowsky, Curt Swan, Vince Colletta, Frank Robbins, Denny O’Neil, Dick Giordano, and Sid Greene. It makes one thing crystal clear: many of the greats worked on Batgirl and it shows. The art is amazing, and the stories color the time period in which they are being told with perfection.
The downside? The book made me miss old school Batgirl. I love Barbara Gordon as Oracle, and think she has been handled by amazing creators today, but there is something about that classic Batgirl that makes me wistful. Barbara was completely human, trained to perfection, with guts to spare. Did I mention she was brilliant and beautiful as well? It is everything a young girl like me back in the day wanted to attain. Amazing.
The Showcase Presents: Batgirl collection is a perfect addition to any collection. If you catch it on your retailer’s shelf grab a copy. It is worth the price of admission to relive the glory days of one of the most daring heroines in DC’s annals.
The book features stories from 1967 to 1975 and includes her first appearance as well as noted guest appearances in Brave and the Bold and Superman Family. It gave me chills a few times as I was able to recall what I was doing when I first read a story, or what my life’s circumstances were. I truly grew up with Batgirl, even though her first appearances were when I was too young to actually get them on the newsstands.
Another treat about this book is the work done by talented writers and artists who are now legends. Listen to these names: Gardner Fox, Carmen Infantino, Gil Kane, Neil Adams, Cary Bates, Mike Friedrich, Bob Brown, Murphy Anderson, Irv Novick, Don Heck, Mike Sekowsky, Curt Swan, Vince Colletta, Frank Robbins, Denny O’Neil, Dick Giordano, and Sid Greene. It makes one thing crystal clear: many of the greats worked on Batgirl and it shows. The art is amazing, and the stories color the time period in which they are being told with perfection.
The downside? The book made me miss old school Batgirl. I love Barbara Gordon as Oracle, and think she has been handled by amazing creators today, but there is something about that classic Batgirl that makes me wistful. Barbara was completely human, trained to perfection, with guts to spare. Did I mention she was brilliant and beautiful as well? It is everything a young girl like me back in the day wanted to attain. Amazing.
The Showcase Presents: Batgirl collection is a perfect addition to any collection. If you catch it on your retailer’s shelf grab a copy. It is worth the price of admission to relive the glory days of one of the most daring heroines in DC’s annals.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Green Lantern Fans: Will the War Begin Anew?
With the advent of the Sinestro Corps special, and now Green Lantern #21, it is apparent that DC is planning to turn the men and women that wear the ring topsy turvy enroute to a new definition of “no fear”. While I am sure the ride will be interesting, I have a great deal of trepidation in my gut.
Why?
Because what is happening makes me worry that the bad days of HEAT versus Kyle fans will come back with a vengeance.
Did any of you live through the DC/AOL message board wars? I did. It was through my hubby and through my own experiences and perceptions that a great deal of my feelings about the Green Lantern character were built. Here’s the back story.
When I first started reading comic books in 1974, Hal Jordan was the Green Lantern of note. I would see Alan Scott during the JLA/JSA team ups, but it was mainly Hal that was featured in the books I read. John Stewart’s character was still in the process of evolution, so he didn’t register quite so much either.
My main perception of Hal was that he was a ladies man, and a bit of an egomaniac. I enjoyed his team ups with Green Arrow and Black Canary, but I was more enamored of them then Hal. When I would watch Hal interact with Carol, it irritated me, so as I continued my evolution into DC’s past, present, and future, he was never in the forefront.
Fast forward to the destruction of Coast City and the Emerald Twilight saga and once again Hal was pushed to the starring role. He was completely in shock with grief, and turned into Parallax. Under this guise, he decimated the corps and was declared bad guy number one. In the meantime, Kyle Rayner was given the ring and a new era began.
Interestingly, I had just started picking up the Green Lantern series with issue #45, so I was in the right place at the right time. It was 1994, and I was really heavy into DC books. Having a new Green Lantern in place gave me an opportunity to grow with the character. I was sad for Hal, but quite frankly, he wasn’t my favorite, so I didn’t experience the remorse that other fans did. I figured he would be back sooner or later, so it didn’t enter my mind that there would be a group that would rise from the ashes to be the most vocal fan group I have ever seen.
They were called HEAT, which stood originally for Hal’s Emerald Attack Team and was later changed to Hal’s Emerald Advancement Team, and they were not going to go away quietly.
I first went online in December 1996 and when I got there, I was shocked to see the amount of dissention between Hal and Kyle fans. The AOL DC Message boards were a hot bed of controversy, and sometimes the arguments would get so ugly that there was a definite sense of a gang fight rumbling under the surface. What fascinated me more then anything else was the fact that many of the Kyle fans were a bit like I was- they were either younger so they were not familiar with Hal, or they weren’t big fans back in the day. It wasn’t that the non-Heat guys hated Hal at first; in fact I think they just didn’t have an awareness of the impact of the rich history that the character carried.
The kicker that always bothered me was that the HEAT members did not or could not just leave the Kyle fans to their own devices. At one point, the Kyle fans fled to another message board, only to have the HEAT members show up and point out everything that was wrong with writer Ron Marz, Editor Kevin Dooley, and the character Kyle. It got to be such a mess that I actively began to feel a cold blooded hatred towards the Hal character that I haven’t fully recovered from.
I never had any personal rancor for the HEAT members despite the irritation they made me feel. I just didn’t understand why they couldn’t wait for the natural progression of the Green Lantern characters. As anyone who has read comic books for a long time knows, there is no bigger constant then change. As a big Wonder Woman fan, I had lived through a total reboot of her character, for God’s sake. Surely that was hard to deal with on its own merit! Steve Trevor was lost as her love interest, and DC treated her like she had never before existed, yet I managed to make it through the day! What was different about these fans? It was incredible to see them band together so tightly.
The biggest axe to grind that the HEAT members had was that Hal had been very unceremoniously turned into a villain. They felt that his history wasn’t treated with respect and that the wet-behind-the-ears Kyle Rayner could never begin to fill his boots. One noted HEAT member even called Ron Marz a misogynist. Marz and Dooley both received threats of bodily harm from some Hal Jordan fans, although none have ever been associated with a member of HEAT. It got really over the top to say the least.
The pinnacle of the HEAT attack was the full page ad they took in Wizard asking for Hal’s return. That was a proud day for the members, to be sure. Looking back on it, I have to give the members props. It was an idea ahead of it’s time. What I still don’t like about HEAT are the members who were extreme in their behavior. I would love to know what some of these fellas are up to now. Is all forgiven, or is the battle just over?
At any rate, when Hal returned to glory, it seems that HEAT went dormant. I am glad for them that they got their heart’s desire, as they really worked for it. I am greatly saddened that two members, Rich and Harry, never got to see their work come to fruition, and I hope that they are smiling in heaven now. This I mean sincerely.
What I worry about in the future is what happens now that Kyle has been infected with the Parralax entity. Does this mean that the Hal fans will come back to rub it in, or will they be gracious? Will Kyle fans take up the banner where HEAT left off and form their own organization? Will it be a replay of the hell that was HEAT versus KEWL? Am I going to have to declare a permanent embargo on visiting message boards? I am scared to even go to the DC boards today for fear of reprisals.
Kyle fans out there: where are your heads at? Do you think it is temporary? What would you do if Kyle died? Would you start your own organization?
Hal fans: what is your take on things? Do you feel like life has come full circle? Do you feel vindicated? What is the pulse?
Green Lantern fans in general: What is your take on the Sinestro Corps storyline? Who is your favorite GL and why?
After living through the original flame wars, I am curious if they are going to come back or if things will be different now. I went to the old HEAT website, and could only find the application page. Are members still active? I really am curious.
In interests of not starting a flame war here, let me just state that I am more curious to know “where are you now” and how you feel rather then starting a fight. If a fight starts, I am just going to delete the post, so I want to be upfront about this. I care about both sides and want to know how you feel, so don’t come in guns blazing!
Why?
Because what is happening makes me worry that the bad days of HEAT versus Kyle fans will come back with a vengeance.
Did any of you live through the DC/AOL message board wars? I did. It was through my hubby and through my own experiences and perceptions that a great deal of my feelings about the Green Lantern character were built. Here’s the back story.
When I first started reading comic books in 1974, Hal Jordan was the Green Lantern of note. I would see Alan Scott during the JLA/JSA team ups, but it was mainly Hal that was featured in the books I read. John Stewart’s character was still in the process of evolution, so he didn’t register quite so much either.
My main perception of Hal was that he was a ladies man, and a bit of an egomaniac. I enjoyed his team ups with Green Arrow and Black Canary, but I was more enamored of them then Hal. When I would watch Hal interact with Carol, it irritated me, so as I continued my evolution into DC’s past, present, and future, he was never in the forefront.
Fast forward to the destruction of Coast City and the Emerald Twilight saga and once again Hal was pushed to the starring role. He was completely in shock with grief, and turned into Parallax. Under this guise, he decimated the corps and was declared bad guy number one. In the meantime, Kyle Rayner was given the ring and a new era began.
Interestingly, I had just started picking up the Green Lantern series with issue #45, so I was in the right place at the right time. It was 1994, and I was really heavy into DC books. Having a new Green Lantern in place gave me an opportunity to grow with the character. I was sad for Hal, but quite frankly, he wasn’t my favorite, so I didn’t experience the remorse that other fans did. I figured he would be back sooner or later, so it didn’t enter my mind that there would be a group that would rise from the ashes to be the most vocal fan group I have ever seen.
They were called HEAT, which stood originally for Hal’s Emerald Attack Team and was later changed to Hal’s Emerald Advancement Team, and they were not going to go away quietly.
I first went online in December 1996 and when I got there, I was shocked to see the amount of dissention between Hal and Kyle fans. The AOL DC Message boards were a hot bed of controversy, and sometimes the arguments would get so ugly that there was a definite sense of a gang fight rumbling under the surface. What fascinated me more then anything else was the fact that many of the Kyle fans were a bit like I was- they were either younger so they were not familiar with Hal, or they weren’t big fans back in the day. It wasn’t that the non-Heat guys hated Hal at first; in fact I think they just didn’t have an awareness of the impact of the rich history that the character carried.
The kicker that always bothered me was that the HEAT members did not or could not just leave the Kyle fans to their own devices. At one point, the Kyle fans fled to another message board, only to have the HEAT members show up and point out everything that was wrong with writer Ron Marz, Editor Kevin Dooley, and the character Kyle. It got to be such a mess that I actively began to feel a cold blooded hatred towards the Hal character that I haven’t fully recovered from.
I never had any personal rancor for the HEAT members despite the irritation they made me feel. I just didn’t understand why they couldn’t wait for the natural progression of the Green Lantern characters. As anyone who has read comic books for a long time knows, there is no bigger constant then change. As a big Wonder Woman fan, I had lived through a total reboot of her character, for God’s sake. Surely that was hard to deal with on its own merit! Steve Trevor was lost as her love interest, and DC treated her like she had never before existed, yet I managed to make it through the day! What was different about these fans? It was incredible to see them band together so tightly.
The biggest axe to grind that the HEAT members had was that Hal had been very unceremoniously turned into a villain. They felt that his history wasn’t treated with respect and that the wet-behind-the-ears Kyle Rayner could never begin to fill his boots. One noted HEAT member even called Ron Marz a misogynist. Marz and Dooley both received threats of bodily harm from some Hal Jordan fans, although none have ever been associated with a member of HEAT. It got really over the top to say the least.
The pinnacle of the HEAT attack was the full page ad they took in Wizard asking for Hal’s return. That was a proud day for the members, to be sure. Looking back on it, I have to give the members props. It was an idea ahead of it’s time. What I still don’t like about HEAT are the members who were extreme in their behavior. I would love to know what some of these fellas are up to now. Is all forgiven, or is the battle just over?
At any rate, when Hal returned to glory, it seems that HEAT went dormant. I am glad for them that they got their heart’s desire, as they really worked for it. I am greatly saddened that two members, Rich and Harry, never got to see their work come to fruition, and I hope that they are smiling in heaven now. This I mean sincerely.
What I worry about in the future is what happens now that Kyle has been infected with the Parralax entity. Does this mean that the Hal fans will come back to rub it in, or will they be gracious? Will Kyle fans take up the banner where HEAT left off and form their own organization? Will it be a replay of the hell that was HEAT versus KEWL? Am I going to have to declare a permanent embargo on visiting message boards? I am scared to even go to the DC boards today for fear of reprisals.
Kyle fans out there: where are your heads at? Do you think it is temporary? What would you do if Kyle died? Would you start your own organization?
Hal fans: what is your take on things? Do you feel like life has come full circle? Do you feel vindicated? What is the pulse?
Green Lantern fans in general: What is your take on the Sinestro Corps storyline? Who is your favorite GL and why?
After living through the original flame wars, I am curious if they are going to come back or if things will be different now. I went to the old HEAT website, and could only find the application page. Are members still active? I really am curious.
In interests of not starting a flame war here, let me just state that I am more curious to know “where are you now” and how you feel rather then starting a fight. If a fight starts, I am just going to delete the post, so I want to be upfront about this. I care about both sides and want to know how you feel, so don’t come in guns blazing!
Friday, July 13, 2007
Totally Relaxed Beyond Recognition
Tonight after work I had an incredibly good massage and then did some cardio, so I feel about as relaxed as I have been in a long time. It is great for me, but it also means that I am way too calm to rant about anything. Yay! I am sure the hubby is good with that.
We are both sick of the hot weather, and have heard that it will start cooling down Sunday, so we are really pleased. Between this good news and the massage, it is definitely a happy Friday. To top it off, I am cooking a nice meal.
In the interests of sharing good cheer, I would like to wish you all a fabulous evening, filled with love and laughter. I will be back tomorrow to make comments and possible delve into ancient history! Should be a kick!
Have a wonderful night!
We are both sick of the hot weather, and have heard that it will start cooling down Sunday, so we are really pleased. Between this good news and the massage, it is definitely a happy Friday. To top it off, I am cooking a nice meal.
In the interests of sharing good cheer, I would like to wish you all a fabulous evening, filled with love and laughter. I will be back tomorrow to make comments and possible delve into ancient history! Should be a kick!
Have a wonderful night!
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Is This Gratuitous? Consumed #1 Cover
This week's candidate for gratuitous consideration is Consumed #1 from Image. The reason for it's nomination is not neccesarily the booty in the foreground of the pic, so much as it is the dude's eyes and where they are glancing. There are several variables here. At this point, I am really torn. As a big fan of Linsner's art, I appreciate the asthetic value, but from a strictly neutral point of view, I see where there could be problems.
Here are the specs on the issue:
"Written by Asa Shumskas-Tait, art by Dennis Budd and Joe Caramanga, colors by Stu Chaifetz, cover by Joseph Michael Linsner.
When nerdy Oliver falls in love with beautiful Casey, he has no idea that she's been marked by her ex-boyfriend Gavin to be possessed by Kavaleth, Lord of Kaos. A supernatural drama about the consumption of love, desire and power plays out in this demonic love triangle!"
Did anyone purchase this book? How did the cover match the story? What did you think?
Is this gratuitous?
Here are the specs on the issue:
"Written by Asa Shumskas-Tait, art by Dennis Budd and Joe Caramanga, colors by Stu Chaifetz, cover by Joseph Michael Linsner.
When nerdy Oliver falls in love with beautiful Casey, he has no idea that she's been marked by her ex-boyfriend Gavin to be possessed by Kavaleth, Lord of Kaos. A supernatural drama about the consumption of love, desire and power plays out in this demonic love triangle!"
Did anyone purchase this book? How did the cover match the story? What did you think?
Is this gratuitous?
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Jealousy Strikes Hard! Exclusive Ross book in San Diego
Via Newsarama:
"For the first time ever, artist Alex Ross will have sketchbooks for sale at the AlexRossArt.com booth (#2419) at the San Diego Comic-Con. This sketchbook will feature never-before-seen artwork from throughout his career, as well as a brand-new front and back cover.
This will be limited to a print run of 500 copies each signed by Alex Ross himself. These will only be available at the San Diego Comic-Con July 25-29th. They will be offered on a first come-first served basis directly from the AlexRossArt.com booth only at a price of $40 each."
Wow. I am really jealous of all of you who are going to San Diego that will have a shot at this book. I love the front cover of Red Sonja. She looks powerful and graceful rather then naughty and semi-naked. The pose is pure warrior. I would love to have a print of that on my wall. Knowing how much this would sell for on eBay, I know I will never have a chance at it, but it is nice to dream.
Are any of you planning to try and pick this up in San Diego?
"For the first time ever, artist Alex Ross will have sketchbooks for sale at the AlexRossArt.com booth (#2419) at the San Diego Comic-Con. This sketchbook will feature never-before-seen artwork from throughout his career, as well as a brand-new front and back cover.
This will be limited to a print run of 500 copies each signed by Alex Ross himself. These will only be available at the San Diego Comic-Con July 25-29th. They will be offered on a first come-first served basis directly from the AlexRossArt.com booth only at a price of $40 each."
Wow. I am really jealous of all of you who are going to San Diego that will have a shot at this book. I love the front cover of Red Sonja. She looks powerful and graceful rather then naughty and semi-naked. The pose is pure warrior. I would love to have a print of that on my wall. Knowing how much this would sell for on eBay, I know I will never have a chance at it, but it is nice to dream.
Are any of you planning to try and pick this up in San Diego?
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Meeting Lou Ferrigno
I was reading the lovely Mark Engblom's site Comic Coverage last week, basking in the joy that is "Eight Mindblowing Facts". As I enjoyed the post, I came upon fact #7 in which Mark met Lou Ferrigno. Not only did it inspire me, but it reminded me that I had also been fortunate and met the man as well.
Tonight I was regaling my workout partner Kerry with the tale and he thought that I should share my picture. Even though it isn't quite as awesome as Mark's, it is still pretty cool to have.
The funny thing is that my hubby and our good friend Brant had really wanted me to flex along with Lou because they thought I had pretty good guns. I was thinking about it pretty seriously until I saw Lou's and then I just absolutely deflated. No way in hell could I compare to that man.
Now I wish I would have done it. Sigh.
Maybe I will see Lou again some time and be brave enough to flex alongside him. It is a new goal! Thank you for the inspiration, Mark!
Any cool celeb stories to tell? I would love to hear 'em!
Tonight I was regaling my workout partner Kerry with the tale and he thought that I should share my picture. Even though it isn't quite as awesome as Mark's, it is still pretty cool to have.
The funny thing is that my hubby and our good friend Brant had really wanted me to flex along with Lou because they thought I had pretty good guns. I was thinking about it pretty seriously until I saw Lou's and then I just absolutely deflated. No way in hell could I compare to that man.
Now I wish I would have done it. Sigh.
Maybe I will see Lou again some time and be brave enough to flex alongside him. It is a new goal! Thank you for the inspiration, Mark!
Any cool celeb stories to tell? I would love to hear 'em!
Monday, July 09, 2007
New Comics for July 11
I am officially giddy- my favorite title 100 Bullets is coming out this week! If you are a mature reader and haven't been reading this title, you have got to check it out. My advice is to pick up the first trade and role that way rather then single issues.
Here is my lovely list of comics this week!
100 Bullets #84
Countdown #42
Fables #63
Gen 13 #10
Green Arrow Year One #1 (of 6)
Green Lantern #21 ??? (If Kyle is in it!)
Justice Society of America #7
Shadowpact #15
Stormwatch PHD #9
Witchblade #108
Anita Blake Vampire Hunter: First Death #1 (of 2)
Deadpool GLI Summer Fun Spectacular
New Avengers #32- if for no other reason then to find out who else is a skrull... hmmm.
Punisher War Journal #9
Ultimate X-Men #84
X-Factor #21
That is it for the week- pretty much all mainstream and pretty standard. Hopefully the books will come in on time!
Here is my lovely list of comics this week!
100 Bullets #84
Countdown #42
Fables #63
Gen 13 #10
Green Arrow Year One #1 (of 6)
Green Lantern #21 ??? (If Kyle is in it!)
Justice Society of America #7
Shadowpact #15
Stormwatch PHD #9
Witchblade #108
Anita Blake Vampire Hunter: First Death #1 (of 2)
Deadpool GLI Summer Fun Spectacular
New Avengers #32- if for no other reason then to find out who else is a skrull... hmmm.
Punisher War Journal #9
Ultimate X-Men #84
X-Factor #21
That is it for the week- pretty much all mainstream and pretty standard. Hopefully the books will come in on time!
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Anniversary Today
It is finally here- Jim and I have been married 7 years. Man, time has gone so fast, it doesn't feel like it! I took him to dinner last night and lunch today, so we were pretty low key.
Yay for comics, they are what brought us together, and continue to keep up having stuff to talk about. Hee hee! Jim and I lived through the hell that was Kyle versus Hal back in the day, so that is a pretty major achievement. I don't know how many times message board arguments with members of HEAT (Hal's Emerald Advancement/ Attack Team) versus the KEWL (Kyle's Enemies Will Lose) guys made me tense as hell and want to never read about Green Lantern again. The flame wars there were legendary!
But I digress.
It has been seven years filled with a lot of emotions and we are still here to tell the story.
I love you Honey.
Yay for comics, they are what brought us together, and continue to keep up having stuff to talk about. Hee hee! Jim and I lived through the hell that was Kyle versus Hal back in the day, so that is a pretty major achievement. I don't know how many times message board arguments with members of HEAT (Hal's Emerald Advancement/ Attack Team) versus the KEWL (Kyle's Enemies Will Lose) guys made me tense as hell and want to never read about Green Lantern again. The flame wars there were legendary!
But I digress.
It has been seven years filled with a lot of emotions and we are still here to tell the story.
I love you Honey.
Bloggers Poll on Linking: The Results!
Recently, I asked for feedback in my entry, Blogger Poll: How do you decide to link? I am in the process of updating my links and wanted to check with my fellow bloggers to see how they made their linking decision. Lucky for me, 17 respondents gave me great advice and pertinent information. I asked the following questions:
1. How do you decide who to link to? Do you have specific criteria?
2. Does the other person need to link you as well?
3. How frequently do you check the blogs you link to?
4. Would you link to someone you don't personally care for if their content was interesting?
5. Any suggestions for new links for me?
I received exceptional answers that ranged from the humorous and sarcastic to the heartfelt genuine. I like that there was a selection, and am thankful to all of you who answered the questions. I know it was time out of your day, so it is very valuable.
Question one was the mundane: “How do you decide to link to? Do you have specific criteria?” Answers were varied, and some examples include:
“It’s a bit idiosyncratic: sometimes my browsing brings me to a page that I have never seen before and I like, and I link to it. Other times if someone has linked to me, tracking back leads me to discover a page I might not have known about before, and that I’ll subsequently link to.”
“I don’t have any hard and fast rules. If I find myself checking someone’s blog frequently I will put them on my sidebar. I list other blogs that I think people who are into my site will also enjoy.”
“I list the ones I read and they’re usually the ones that update with some form of regularity.”
There were several other great comments that went along the same lines. We all want to link a site that we enjoy and visit with some frequency.
Question two: Does the other person need to link you as well? Eleven of the respondents said no that they don’t. The rest didn’t have a distinct opinion about this that was expressed. A great sentiment expressed was this:
“For a long time, there was a feeling, an unwritten rule if you will, that if someone linked you, then linking back was done as a common courtesy, if nothing else. However, I have found that there are many out there who don’t share this opinion.”
To put my two cents in, initially I always linked to whoever would link me. Then I would check back and notice that they haven’t updated for a long time, so I would want to drop them, but feel too bad to do so. Now I am faced with a blogroll that has inactive sites. I finally got brave and deleted a few, but have a few more I have held onto for sentimental reasons. The hardest was the first blogger that linked me. He didn’t blog for months, and then he re-did his blog. When it was updated I wasn’t on there anymore, so I finally felt it was okay to delete him back. Yikes. It is almost political at times.
Question 3: How frequently do you check the blogs you link to?
The answers here ranged from daily to periodically. I was astounded at the variation. It seems we all have our own schedules and adhere to them in a timely fashion of our own making.
One thing that is nagging me is this: there are about 15 blogs I check daily. The rest I check on weekends while I am playing catch up. Does this mean I should have a super blog section and a regular section? It is hard to determine this one.
Question 4: Would you link to someone you don’t personally care for if their content was interesting?
This was a humdinger. Here are some answers:
“Yes. For example, I don’t always agree with what you have to say, but you are a solid writer and, as the question alludes to, your content is interesting” (thank you, btw)
“No, because if I didn’t care for them, chances are I wouldn’t think their content was all that compelling either. It’s a real “nothing to see here” effect.”
“No. A blogger’s online personality and their content are nearly inseparable to me.”
“Yes. An interesting opinion is interesting none the less.”
“Yeah, there’s someone I don’t agree with 90% of the time but I keep them there because still find their points interesting.”
“I’ve yanked links because I no longer support the content or personality of the blogger.”
The answers to that question really made me think. I have linked and continue to link to a few people I don’t frequently agree with. The distinction I make is that I don’t have any personal feelings of ill will towards those people- we just don’t see eye-to-eye. Their content is interesting, and they make me think, so I continue to link them.
HOWEVER, there are two bloggers I will never link to for the strict reason that I find them to be distinctly unlikable human beings. It is embarrassing for me to admit this, but since I have a policy of full candor here, I figure I might as well fess up. One is a woman whose attitude is so self-serving and snarky that I would rather not have any links then link her. What is interesting about this is that when I check other people’s blogrolls, I find that if she is linked, 95% of the time I am not linked and vice versa, so evidently the feeling is mutual. Heh.
The other is a guy that is so sadistic about making mean spirited fun of other people that whenever I see any reference to him on another blog, I won’t go any further because I want nothing to do with his negativity or hating. If I ever met the person, I would have a hard time not giving him hell for his idiocy. He knows what he did, and I am sure he loves the fact that it pisses me off. I can do without that kind of hater.
That being said, I can find something positive in almost everything and everyone, so it pains me to admit that a few people have gotten my goat. It is true though. I am human and they angered me to the point of no return. Yikes. Also, sorry- didn't mean to rant!
The last question asked for suggestions for new links. Here is a list compiled from the answers of places to go check out:
http://viewsfromthelongbox.blogspot.com/
http://green-lantern-butts-forever.blogspot.com/
http://comicbycomic.blogspot.com/
http://mercurystudio.blogspot.com/
http://stumptowncomics.com/
It was also suggested for me to go check out the respondent’s side bars for new links, which I think is a fantastic idea. I really hope to find some new places to go, and I am very thankful for the input. If you think of anymore sites, let me know!
Thank you again for responding to my poll and all your help. For the responses in their entirety (that weren’t e-mailed to me) head over to my original link. So many of you had answers that made me think and helped me set my mind right. I appreciate it.
Now watch this page for updated links!
1. How do you decide who to link to? Do you have specific criteria?
2. Does the other person need to link you as well?
3. How frequently do you check the blogs you link to?
4. Would you link to someone you don't personally care for if their content was interesting?
5. Any suggestions for new links for me?
I received exceptional answers that ranged from the humorous and sarcastic to the heartfelt genuine. I like that there was a selection, and am thankful to all of you who answered the questions. I know it was time out of your day, so it is very valuable.
Question one was the mundane: “How do you decide to link to? Do you have specific criteria?” Answers were varied, and some examples include:
“It’s a bit idiosyncratic: sometimes my browsing brings me to a page that I have never seen before and I like, and I link to it. Other times if someone has linked to me, tracking back leads me to discover a page I might not have known about before, and that I’ll subsequently link to.”
“I don’t have any hard and fast rules. If I find myself checking someone’s blog frequently I will put them on my sidebar. I list other blogs that I think people who are into my site will also enjoy.”
“I list the ones I read and they’re usually the ones that update with some form of regularity.”
There were several other great comments that went along the same lines. We all want to link a site that we enjoy and visit with some frequency.
Question two: Does the other person need to link you as well? Eleven of the respondents said no that they don’t. The rest didn’t have a distinct opinion about this that was expressed. A great sentiment expressed was this:
“For a long time, there was a feeling, an unwritten rule if you will, that if someone linked you, then linking back was done as a common courtesy, if nothing else. However, I have found that there are many out there who don’t share this opinion.”
To put my two cents in, initially I always linked to whoever would link me. Then I would check back and notice that they haven’t updated for a long time, so I would want to drop them, but feel too bad to do so. Now I am faced with a blogroll that has inactive sites. I finally got brave and deleted a few, but have a few more I have held onto for sentimental reasons. The hardest was the first blogger that linked me. He didn’t blog for months, and then he re-did his blog. When it was updated I wasn’t on there anymore, so I finally felt it was okay to delete him back. Yikes. It is almost political at times.
Question 3: How frequently do you check the blogs you link to?
The answers here ranged from daily to periodically. I was astounded at the variation. It seems we all have our own schedules and adhere to them in a timely fashion of our own making.
One thing that is nagging me is this: there are about 15 blogs I check daily. The rest I check on weekends while I am playing catch up. Does this mean I should have a super blog section and a regular section? It is hard to determine this one.
Question 4: Would you link to someone you don’t personally care for if their content was interesting?
This was a humdinger. Here are some answers:
“Yes. For example, I don’t always agree with what you have to say, but you are a solid writer and, as the question alludes to, your content is interesting” (thank you, btw)
“No, because if I didn’t care for them, chances are I wouldn’t think their content was all that compelling either. It’s a real “nothing to see here” effect.”
“No. A blogger’s online personality and their content are nearly inseparable to me.”
“Yes. An interesting opinion is interesting none the less.”
“Yeah, there’s someone I don’t agree with 90% of the time but I keep them there because still find their points interesting.”
“I’ve yanked links because I no longer support the content or personality of the blogger.”
The answers to that question really made me think. I have linked and continue to link to a few people I don’t frequently agree with. The distinction I make is that I don’t have any personal feelings of ill will towards those people- we just don’t see eye-to-eye. Their content is interesting, and they make me think, so I continue to link them.
HOWEVER, there are two bloggers I will never link to for the strict reason that I find them to be distinctly unlikable human beings. It is embarrassing for me to admit this, but since I have a policy of full candor here, I figure I might as well fess up. One is a woman whose attitude is so self-serving and snarky that I would rather not have any links then link her. What is interesting about this is that when I check other people’s blogrolls, I find that if she is linked, 95% of the time I am not linked and vice versa, so evidently the feeling is mutual. Heh.
The other is a guy that is so sadistic about making mean spirited fun of other people that whenever I see any reference to him on another blog, I won’t go any further because I want nothing to do with his negativity or hating. If I ever met the person, I would have a hard time not giving him hell for his idiocy. He knows what he did, and I am sure he loves the fact that it pisses me off. I can do without that kind of hater.
That being said, I can find something positive in almost everything and everyone, so it pains me to admit that a few people have gotten my goat. It is true though. I am human and they angered me to the point of no return. Yikes. Also, sorry- didn't mean to rant!
The last question asked for suggestions for new links. Here is a list compiled from the answers of places to go check out:
http://viewsfromthelongbox.blogspot.com/
http://green-lantern-butts-forever.blogspot.com/
http://comicbycomic.blogspot.com/
http://mercurystudio.blogspot.com/
http://stumptowncomics.com/
It was also suggested for me to go check out the respondent’s side bars for new links, which I think is a fantastic idea. I really hope to find some new places to go, and I am very thankful for the input. If you think of anymore sites, let me know!
Thank you again for responding to my poll and all your help. For the responses in their entirety (that weren’t e-mailed to me) head over to my original link. So many of you had answers that made me think and helped me set my mind right. I appreciate it.
Now watch this page for updated links!
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Is This Gratuitous? Dust #1 Variant Cover
In looking for this weeks' gratuitous candidate, my hubby stumbled upon this interesting cover. I find that we are once again exploring the joys of hot chicks with guns, which is a popular theme in comics with an action slant.
The first thing I notice when looking at this cover is the expression on said woman's face as she lovingly toys with her weapon. Secondly, I am drawn to her impressive rack, which is quite perky and large at the same time. Then I notice the selling point of all selling points: nipples. Kids, Farrah Fawcett's 1970's poster didn't sell out for nothing!
This is a new book from Image Comics, and here is the information about it:
"FC JULY 5 * $3.99 It's THE DIRTY DOZEN versus robots, zombies and more! Jump into battle as the Allies and the Sino-Soviet Union join forces to fight the evil Axis; a powerful group (Germany, Japan and Africa) whose plans to dominate the world are bolstered by their amazing weapons - built using alien technology taken from a crashed space ship. Paolo Parente and mink have created a seamless blend of historical events and cutting edge Sci-Fi to bring you DUST - a groundbreaking World War II adventure! Writer mink is a feature film and MTV music video director who has worked with Snoop Dogg, Slum Village, Sheryl Crow and many more. Parente's art style was molded in the fashion world as Versace's lead illustrator, before turning his skills towards graphic novel covers, World of Warcraft art, Magic the Gathering trading cards & toy design. MTV VIDEO DIRECTOR, mink LOOKS TO CONQUER COMICS WITH THIS SURREALISTIC SCI-FI MASTERPIECE! This book will ship with a 1-for-10 variant cover by Paolo Parente. RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES"
Wow. Quite a resume this guy has! Are any of you planning to pick this book up? What have you heard about it?
Last but not least, is this gratuitous?
The first thing I notice when looking at this cover is the expression on said woman's face as she lovingly toys with her weapon. Secondly, I am drawn to her impressive rack, which is quite perky and large at the same time. Then I notice the selling point of all selling points: nipples. Kids, Farrah Fawcett's 1970's poster didn't sell out for nothing!
This is a new book from Image Comics, and here is the information about it:
"FC JULY 5 * $3.99 It's THE DIRTY DOZEN versus robots, zombies and more! Jump into battle as the Allies and the Sino-Soviet Union join forces to fight the evil Axis; a powerful group (Germany, Japan and Africa) whose plans to dominate the world are bolstered by their amazing weapons - built using alien technology taken from a crashed space ship. Paolo Parente and mink have created a seamless blend of historical events and cutting edge Sci-Fi to bring you DUST - a groundbreaking World War II adventure! Writer mink is a feature film and MTV music video director who has worked with Snoop Dogg, Slum Village, Sheryl Crow and many more. Parente's art style was molded in the fashion world as Versace's lead illustrator, before turning his skills towards graphic novel covers, World of Warcraft art, Magic the Gathering trading cards & toy design. MTV VIDEO DIRECTOR, mink LOOKS TO CONQUER COMICS WITH THIS SURREALISTIC SCI-FI MASTERPIECE! This book will ship with a 1-for-10 variant cover by Paolo Parente. RETAILER WARNING: MAY NOT BE SUITABLE FOR ALL AGES"
Wow. Quite a resume this guy has! Are any of you planning to pick this book up? What have you heard about it?
Last but not least, is this gratuitous?
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Random Thoughts and Musings
Good intentions have not given my ideas fruition this week. Between my neighbors shooting off fireworks half the night last night and (not bad) developments in my life, I am way behind on what I wanted to do here.
First off, a rant: in my city, fireworks are illegal without a specified permit. Does that stop anyone? Nope. My damn neighbors were out shooting off fireworks until after 2 a.m. this morning. Assholes!!! I have to get up before 6 a.m. to go to work. Jim tried to find out who was doing it so we could ask them to stop, but without success. As a result, I am flat worn out. I went and lifted weights for over two hours tonight and then had to go to the grocery store, so as a consequence, I have to delay the blogger poll results until Saturday.
Because of not bad reasons, I am going to be out of town tomorrow night and will get back Saturday afternoon. Regular scheduled blogging should resume then. There isn't an emergency- in fact it is an opportunity, so no biggie. It just means I have to leave the hubby home alone. (Sad face).
The topper is that it is in the triple digits temperature wise and all we have to keep us cool is a window air conditioner and a portable swamp cooler. As a result, it is WARM in the house. The weatherman says it isn't going to get cooler anytime soon, so we might as well get used to it.
In excellent news, the lovely Lisa at Sequentially Speaking, is putting her P.O.W.E.R. to good use. Go check out her blog for a fantastic list of "independent" books done by women creators. It is wonderful! I am deferring to her on this one as I couldn't do it better. Also, if you haven't joined P.O.W.E.R. in Comics, head over and do so! It is a great idea and Lisa is making things happen.
In good news, our comics were here on time! Yay! The bad news is that I haven't even looked at them and probably won't have a chance until I get back. Since Sunday is Jim and my 7th wedding anniversary, we will probably try and do something nice. Time flies!
Lastly, my "is this gratuitous" feature will happen, but it is delayed a few days as well. Thank you for humoring me, and take care! If you are experiencing the heatwave along with me, you have my sympathy!
First off, a rant: in my city, fireworks are illegal without a specified permit. Does that stop anyone? Nope. My damn neighbors were out shooting off fireworks until after 2 a.m. this morning. Assholes!!! I have to get up before 6 a.m. to go to work. Jim tried to find out who was doing it so we could ask them to stop, but without success. As a result, I am flat worn out. I went and lifted weights for over two hours tonight and then had to go to the grocery store, so as a consequence, I have to delay the blogger poll results until Saturday.
Because of not bad reasons, I am going to be out of town tomorrow night and will get back Saturday afternoon. Regular scheduled blogging should resume then. There isn't an emergency- in fact it is an opportunity, so no biggie. It just means I have to leave the hubby home alone. (Sad face).
The topper is that it is in the triple digits temperature wise and all we have to keep us cool is a window air conditioner and a portable swamp cooler. As a result, it is WARM in the house. The weatherman says it isn't going to get cooler anytime soon, so we might as well get used to it.
In excellent news, the lovely Lisa at Sequentially Speaking, is putting her P.O.W.E.R. to good use. Go check out her blog for a fantastic list of "independent" books done by women creators. It is wonderful! I am deferring to her on this one as I couldn't do it better. Also, if you haven't joined P.O.W.E.R. in Comics, head over and do so! It is a great idea and Lisa is making things happen.
In good news, our comics were here on time! Yay! The bad news is that I haven't even looked at them and probably won't have a chance until I get back. Since Sunday is Jim and my 7th wedding anniversary, we will probably try and do something nice. Time flies!
Lastly, my "is this gratuitous" feature will happen, but it is delayed a few days as well. Thank you for humoring me, and take care! If you are experiencing the heatwave along with me, you have my sympathy!
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Happy Fourth of July!
Hopefully today is a nice day for all of you, and there has been time to spend it with your loved ones. Here at Comics Fairplay we enjoyed the luxury of sleeping in and relaxing. We did do some work, but not a lot.
This afternoon we are hoping to go see Live Free or Die Hard, so hopefully that will be a go. I am pretty sure that Transformers will be the movie to see, so maybe we can slip under the radar there. We are going to wait to go see it until next week at the earliest.
Have a glorious day today. Reflect on the men and women that made this country what it is. Enjoy the freedoms we have gained. Say a prayer for our servicemen and women, as well.
Happy 4th of July to all of you Americans, and Happy Wednesday to the rest of you all! Hopefully it is a good one!
This afternoon we are hoping to go see Live Free or Die Hard, so hopefully that will be a go. I am pretty sure that Transformers will be the movie to see, so maybe we can slip under the radar there. We are going to wait to go see it until next week at the earliest.
Have a glorious day today. Reflect on the men and women that made this country what it is. Enjoy the freedoms we have gained. Say a prayer for our servicemen and women, as well.
Happy 4th of July to all of you Americans, and Happy Wednesday to the rest of you all! Hopefully it is a good one!
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Liberty and Justice... For None? The DC Teaser!
Over at Newsarama, the latest teaser for Countdown has been posted. Evidently now it is evil's turn to take center stage. With meticulously drawn art by Ethan Van Sciver, the picture has so much detail that it is hard to take it all in.
The first thing that catches my eye is the Kingdom Come Superman. What is that on his hand? Is it the symbol of the Atom? Is it Captain Atom's insignia? I am not sure.
I was also fascinated to see the Martian Manhunter and Catwoman in this picture. Having Joker whispering in her ear, it really makes me wonder what could happen to see him at her side.
What is Luthor so upset about? Is it because there are more Supermen then there are Luthors in the frame? Is it because someone ate his eggo? What do you think?
It is pretty official that Mary Marvel has gone bad. She is surrounded by Granny and has an ominous expression on her face. The last piece of the puzzle is Trickster, Penguin, and Desaad looking a bit amused and confused.
Lastly, what about the scraps around the ground and the Darkseid looking statue? It must mean that there is a hell of a fight in the works.
Now if it will only get here. Enough build up already. I am ready for a cohesive, fascinating story to come out of all this bland branding!
What is your take?
Monday, July 02, 2007
Forgot to Mention... Blogger Poll
Due to last weekend's hectic nature, I am extending my blogger poll by two more days! Please comment or send me an e-mail before Wednesday afternoon, and I will have the results then.
Check out my original post: Blogger Poll: How Do you Decide Who to Link? and help me out!
Thank you!!
Check out my original post: Blogger Poll: How Do you Decide Who to Link? and help me out!
Thank you!!
New Comics for July 5
Happy July! It is time for hot weather and lots of celebration at the Meeley house. Jim and I have our anniversary on Sunday, then his brother's birthday, several of my cousins and my aunt have birthdays, and then it is my birthday. Whew! We blow our budget on cards and gifts this month to be sure.
We are gearing up for July 4. More then likely we will bypass fireworks so we can go see either Transformers of Live Free or Die Hard. We will have to see how the lines look. Yummy- popcorn!
Comics-wise it is another hefty week. I don't know what my wallet is going to do, other then scream in pain. Bear with me as I try and list it all!
All Star Superman #8
American Virgin #16
Black Canary #1 (of 4)
Countdown #43
Detective Comics #834
Nightwing #134
Outsiders #49
Supergirl #19
Welcome to Tranquility #8
Y The Last Man #57
Dynamo 5 #5
Ms Marvel #17
New Warriors #2
Punisher #49- pictured
Punisher Presents Barracuda Max #5 (0f 5)
Uncanny X-Men #488
Devi #12
To add to the mix, the "Women of the DCU" Batgirl bust is coming out this week. I am fearful I ordered it and don't know what to do! Also, "Girls and Goddesses Pin Up Art of Joseph Michael Linsner" hits stores. Crap, what am I going to do?
At least I can be in denial for a couple of days and celebrate the 4th in style!
Have a wonderful week!
We are gearing up for July 4. More then likely we will bypass fireworks so we can go see either Transformers of Live Free or Die Hard. We will have to see how the lines look. Yummy- popcorn!
Comics-wise it is another hefty week. I don't know what my wallet is going to do, other then scream in pain. Bear with me as I try and list it all!
All Star Superman #8
American Virgin #16
Black Canary #1 (of 4)
Countdown #43
Detective Comics #834
Nightwing #134
Outsiders #49
Supergirl #19
Welcome to Tranquility #8
Y The Last Man #57
Dynamo 5 #5
Ms Marvel #17
New Warriors #2
Punisher #49- pictured
Punisher Presents Barracuda Max #5 (0f 5)
Uncanny X-Men #488
Devi #12
To add to the mix, the "Women of the DCU" Batgirl bust is coming out this week. I am fearful I ordered it and don't know what to do! Also, "Girls and Goddesses Pin Up Art of Joseph Michael Linsner" hits stores. Crap, what am I going to do?
At least I can be in denial for a couple of days and celebrate the 4th in style!
Have a wonderful week!
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Quick Take Reviews for July 1: The Females in Charge Edition
This week it is my distinct pleasure to present a group of quick take revews that are devoted to comics starring a female character. I tried to be as forthright as possible, and unfortunately, that has led to some not-very-flattering reviews along with some thumbs-up reviews. I wanted to be fair, so as I reviewed each book I tried to find both the negative and positive. I start out with my favorite character and end with a new star.
Let's get started, shall we?
Wonder Woman #10: I haven’t commented much on Jodi Picoult’s run on Wonder Woman because I wanted to wait until it was all in the can to make a decision. As a fan of Picoult’s books, I sit here today sorely disappointed with her work here. I can hardly stand it! Picoult is an amazing writer of depth and knowledge. To see her resort to buzzwords and contrived dialogue here kills me. Maybe part of the problem is the “Amazons Attack” aspect of things. If left to her plot devices, and not made to throw Diana into battle, maybe things would have been different. As it stands now, the book just didn’t work for me. As much as I had been anticipating Diana’s big moment with her mother, I just can’t get the over the bitter taste left in my mouth. The reason this book isn’t getting an “F” is because of the decent art. Grade: D.
Amazons Attack #3 (of 6): I am not too thrilled with Amazons Attack either. As the main book involved, it feels more cohesive, and I appreciate Will Pfeifer and Pete Wood’s synergy, but the story itself is so damn contrived. There’s that word again. Why is this event happening now and what is the big payoff? That is the question I am waiting to have answered. In for a penny, in for a pound, I will pick up the next issue and see where it takes me. Grade: C.
Teen Titans #48: Wonder Girl and Supergirl are pissed off super teen chicks with an axe to grind. Oh God, I can’t stand it! Cassie wants to get her mom out of a prison camp and Supergirl is along for the ride. Fighting fiercely against the Titans and the army, things get really out of hand. This leads to an ill fated meeting with Hyppolyta that doesn’t bode well for mankind. I am sure things are going to get much worse before they get better, and I am going to take this trip to see where it goes. I am still up in the air about writer Adam Beechen, but liked artist Al Barronuevo and inker Bit’s work. Grade: C.
Witchblade #107: After trying to absorb the entire Amazons Attack story, Witchblade felt like cool lemonade on a hot day. Part two of a two part story finds new bearer Dani taking the gauntlet in a more hostile, more precise direction. She is more aggressive and less thoughtful then Sara Pezzini, and that gives a fascinating twist to the weapon she wields. Also, a question that has been plaguing me is answered, setting things up nicely for the First Born saga. I appreciated Ron Marz’ story and artist Stjepan Sejic’s work very much. Grade: B.
She-Hulk Vol. 2 #19: Jen is back for some interaction with her law office, and it is about time. Making for a nice interlude in the World War Hulk saga, Jen finds herself running up against Mallory and having a sweet reunion with a friend. The fact that the Leader is in the mix just adds to the hijinks. I really enjoyed this issue, and am going to miss Dan Slott on the book. The only reason I am not inconsolable is because Peter David is taking over. Grade: B+.
Legion of Monsters: Satana #1: after putting the cover up in the “Is this gratuitous” section of my blog, I felt it only fair to check out the book underneath. As is typical of a cover like this, the art inside was completely different. Satana was still evil but she didn’t look like a Pam Anderson clone anymore, so I was appreciative of that. I quite enjoyed the story, which had a clever, evil twist. It was a nice surprise after not being too thrilled with her lack of ribcage on the cover. Grade: C+.
Fallen Angel #17: This was a book I usually love, but the flip book aspect of it turned me off. I am a fan of both Shi and Fallen Angel so I figured it would be awesome. Instead it was a bit confusing. I am really hoping that after all the set up here that next issue will be full of action and ass kicking. I trust ya, Peter. Grade: B-.
Snakewoman: Tales of the Snake Charmer #1: I am not quite sure why Snakewoman has been retitled and started over at number one, but at this point I am not going to question it. Snakewoman remains my favorite Virgin title, and I am mesmerized by the turn of events here. Jessica Peterson is in hiding, and as she races away from destiny, it catches up with her again. Also, a compelling new storyline and character are introduced, and I am eager to see where it takes her. I am really enjoying this book. Grade: A.
That's it for today. Do you agree? Any suggestions?
Let's get started, shall we?
Wonder Woman #10: I haven’t commented much on Jodi Picoult’s run on Wonder Woman because I wanted to wait until it was all in the can to make a decision. As a fan of Picoult’s books, I sit here today sorely disappointed with her work here. I can hardly stand it! Picoult is an amazing writer of depth and knowledge. To see her resort to buzzwords and contrived dialogue here kills me. Maybe part of the problem is the “Amazons Attack” aspect of things. If left to her plot devices, and not made to throw Diana into battle, maybe things would have been different. As it stands now, the book just didn’t work for me. As much as I had been anticipating Diana’s big moment with her mother, I just can’t get the over the bitter taste left in my mouth. The reason this book isn’t getting an “F” is because of the decent art. Grade: D.
Amazons Attack #3 (of 6): I am not too thrilled with Amazons Attack either. As the main book involved, it feels more cohesive, and I appreciate Will Pfeifer and Pete Wood’s synergy, but the story itself is so damn contrived. There’s that word again. Why is this event happening now and what is the big payoff? That is the question I am waiting to have answered. In for a penny, in for a pound, I will pick up the next issue and see where it takes me. Grade: C.
Teen Titans #48: Wonder Girl and Supergirl are pissed off super teen chicks with an axe to grind. Oh God, I can’t stand it! Cassie wants to get her mom out of a prison camp and Supergirl is along for the ride. Fighting fiercely against the Titans and the army, things get really out of hand. This leads to an ill fated meeting with Hyppolyta that doesn’t bode well for mankind. I am sure things are going to get much worse before they get better, and I am going to take this trip to see where it goes. I am still up in the air about writer Adam Beechen, but liked artist Al Barronuevo and inker Bit’s work. Grade: C.
Witchblade #107: After trying to absorb the entire Amazons Attack story, Witchblade felt like cool lemonade on a hot day. Part two of a two part story finds new bearer Dani taking the gauntlet in a more hostile, more precise direction. She is more aggressive and less thoughtful then Sara Pezzini, and that gives a fascinating twist to the weapon she wields. Also, a question that has been plaguing me is answered, setting things up nicely for the First Born saga. I appreciated Ron Marz’ story and artist Stjepan Sejic’s work very much. Grade: B.
She-Hulk Vol. 2 #19: Jen is back for some interaction with her law office, and it is about time. Making for a nice interlude in the World War Hulk saga, Jen finds herself running up against Mallory and having a sweet reunion with a friend. The fact that the Leader is in the mix just adds to the hijinks. I really enjoyed this issue, and am going to miss Dan Slott on the book. The only reason I am not inconsolable is because Peter David is taking over. Grade: B+.
Legion of Monsters: Satana #1: after putting the cover up in the “Is this gratuitous” section of my blog, I felt it only fair to check out the book underneath. As is typical of a cover like this, the art inside was completely different. Satana was still evil but she didn’t look like a Pam Anderson clone anymore, so I was appreciative of that. I quite enjoyed the story, which had a clever, evil twist. It was a nice surprise after not being too thrilled with her lack of ribcage on the cover. Grade: C+.
Fallen Angel #17: This was a book I usually love, but the flip book aspect of it turned me off. I am a fan of both Shi and Fallen Angel so I figured it would be awesome. Instead it was a bit confusing. I am really hoping that after all the set up here that next issue will be full of action and ass kicking. I trust ya, Peter. Grade: B-.
Snakewoman: Tales of the Snake Charmer #1: I am not quite sure why Snakewoman has been retitled and started over at number one, but at this point I am not going to question it. Snakewoman remains my favorite Virgin title, and I am mesmerized by the turn of events here. Jessica Peterson is in hiding, and as she races away from destiny, it catches up with her again. Also, a compelling new storyline and character are introduced, and I am eager to see where it takes her. I am really enjoying this book. Grade: A.
That's it for today. Do you agree? Any suggestions?
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