Drink and Draw
Our next Drink and Draw will be on June 13th at 8:00. Of course, it’ll be at Good Sons on Beaver. I’ll get Carter to pick the “ingredient” – what we are going to draw – and let you know next week.
Some shop news
So, a few weeks ago I let you know that we had been robbed. I can now tell you the police detective assigned to my case is pretty sure they have our man. It looks like the guy was associated with a LOT of robberies in the city lately. You can check here for a small news story (about the other robberies he has been arrested for) on the DM Register. I posted the news article on our Facebook page and the best comment for sure was from Jeff, “Judgment Rookie? Armed Robbery, Twenty years in an Iso-cube.”
Top Ten Lists
This week I’ve got some top ten lists for you. Hopefully these make you consider some books you have thought about reading and just haven’t picked up.
Customer Chris’s 10 Best Books that you should be reading (in no particular order):
1.) The Goon – in my opinion this is the best title currently being published. It has great/silly humor, violence, drinking, and full out debauchery. Thanks to the good people at Cup o’ Kryptonite for recommending this title to me as I would have never found it on my own.
2.) Chew – in my opinion this is the second best story being put out right now. If you haven’t heard of this book by now, then I…….really don’t know how that is possible. Anyway, you are missing out. John Layman’s writing and Rob Guillory’s art are amazing.
3.) Hellboy – I was first introduced to the Hellboy Universe by again the good people at Cup o’ Kryptonite. Hellboy in my opinion is pure magic, as it has some of the best original stories I have ever read. The other Hellboy Universe titles such as BPRD, Abe Sapien and Lobster Johnson are also top notch reads.
4.) Harbinger – I am proud to say that I am a VALIANT fan (past, present and definitely future). This series is a fresh reboot of the original series and is currently written by Josh Dysart. The story is about a super-powered teenager (Peter) trying to stay ahead of a government agency that is pursuing him. When the government agency finally catches up to him, Peter finds help from another super-powered individual, or is he actually an enemy? Cup o’ Kryptonite has the first issue of this series for $1 and the first TPB (collecting the first four issues) for $10. It’s a no brainer to check out this series.
5.) X-O Manowar – this is my second favorite title that is being put out by VEI right now. It is about a 5th century Visigoth (Aric) who is stolen from Earth by aliens and forced to be a slave. Aric’s only hope of escape is to band together with other slaves and steal the aliens’ ultimate weapon (the X-O Manowar armor). Like Harbinger, Cup o’ Kryptonite has the first issue of the series for $1 and the first TPB (collecting the first four issues) for $10.
6.) East of West – Another hit by Jonathon Hickman. Before I picked up this title I was starting to get into a comic funk and this title it pulled me back in. East of West is essentially a Sci-Fi Western set in a dystopian alternate timeline America where the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse are alive. Overall we are still not sure of what intentions the Horsemen have for the country/world. Pick it up.
7.) Luther Strode – Luther is a geek that found out he has a one of a kind ability that gives him full control of his body (the ability to heal himself, become stronger, faster, etc). Throughout history there have been other people with this type of ability, all of which became rulers, murders, and conquerors. As Luther’s abilities grow, a murder cult of people with his abilities is coming for him.
8.) Locke & Key – Since I fell in love with this title, I rarely find people who are reading it. As of right now the story is about to come to a close with 3 issues left, so it is a good time to get caught up. The story is about the Locke family who moves into their ancestral home called the Key House. The Key House is full of magical keys that allow the user(s) to impossible actions such as change gender, erase people’s minds, control shadows, become ghosts, etc. Like all great stories there is also an enemy (in this case a demon) who wants the Omega key to open to the black door to a demon realm.
9.) Rachel Rising – Terry Moore is writing and drawing a great modern horror with a female lead cast (yes, I said Terry Moore so there is no way the lead cast would be male). This story is great. Also, the series has just been opted for a TV show, which I am excited to see come to fruition. Other great stories by Terry Moore are Echo and Strangers in Paradise; all of which are good reads.
10.) Conan the Barbarian (written by Brian Wood) – First of all I must say that I hate Brian Wood’s writing, except when he is writing Conan the Barbarian. Wood takes a fresh look at Conan in his early years as he hooks up with a group of pirates and falls in love the Queen of the Black Coast. This is the best Conan book I have ever read.
Customer John’s Top Ten:
1. Justice League
2. Age of Ultron
3. Daredevil
4. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
5. Fantastic Four
6. Justice League America
7. Bloodshot
8. Superior Spider-Man
9. The Flash
10. Guardians of the Galaxy
Ronnie’s Top Ten List:
Of books currently being published
1. The Massive
2. Batman Incorporated
3. BPRD/Hellboy Universe
4. Tank Girl
5. Manhattan Projects
6. Mind MGMT
7. Harbinger
8. Fatale
9. The Sixth Gun
10. Rachel Rising
East of West and 12 Reasons To Die are both off to a strong start, if they keep it up they will be on the list soon.
Matt’s list
New Books I love and will make it on the list if they continue the greatness they have started with – Occupy Comics and East of West
Honorable Mentions:
Manhattan Projects – what started as reality is now an amazing puree of history, actual events and a heaping amount of crazy. I really wish there were more books like this on the market.
Fury Max – Speaking of history, this is Nick Fury wondering through it while working for the CIA. Under the radar book that is a great joy to read, but I fear is coming to an end soon.
Anything starting Judge Dredd – I am enjoying both of the IDW books immensely, which I really didn’t think I would. I’ve also started getting 2000AD to try and help my need for justice and have been loving that too. Seriously, why do we have to suffer with movies like Stuperman and more Avengers when the only one I’ve enjoyed is Dredd!
Legend of Luthor Strode – pure, crazy, unadulterated violence extreme with some great fluid art. This book doesn’t make any bones – only broken ones – about its self. Fun and violent, what every growing boy needs.
Thor and Indestructible Hulk – Hulk has been pretty good since being renumbered, but lately Thor has been in the book and drawn by the living legend Walt Simonson! With Waid’s writing on it as well, it makes it one of my favorite superhero books. And speaking of Thor, those of you reading Aaron’s amazing God Butcher storyline know just how good this book has been.
10. Hawkeye – Everything about this NOT-a-superhero book is great. The art (Daniel Aja) and writing (Matt Fraction) are almost a perfect mold for what should be a superhero I do not like. I guess if shows there are no bad characters, only bad writing. If you are not reading this book, seriously have your head examined. Or you can wait until the Eisner Awards tell you to read it. Either way, whatever Bro.
9. Conan – This book remains great and continues to show so much depth to a character historically lacking any. Oh, and it is written by Brian Wood.
7. The Massive – I have had several people say, “is this book going anywhere?” of late. ARGH!! It takes every fiber in my being not to scream at you!! Not every book needs to be written with a giant fight scene in it. Not every book needs to have flashy costumes. This is NOT a superhero book. It is a great developing read that will not have a full pay off for some time. That is what slow burn books do. If you do not know Brian Wood’s writing style – see DMZ – then maybe this book is NOT for you. Fine. But then please NEVER ask me for a recommendation again.
Seriously one of my favorite books being published.
8. Star Wars – This is the Star Wars comic I’ve been waiting for since I was 13. I have not read a SW comic that I’ve REALLY enjoyed (except maybe some of the early issues of John Ostrander’s Legacy) since I was an early teenager and reading the not really great Marvel-post Return of the Jedi book, but I’m not one to find any joy in that “expanded universe” crap. I want a Star Wars Comics; then I want Han, Chewie, Luke and Leia… and that is what I’m getting in this amazingly deep character driven book.
MUCH better than anything done in the Star Wars universe since… um… Empire Strikes Back?
Oh, and it is also written by Brian Wood. Kind of makes me want to read X-Men which starts this Wednesday and… is also written by Brian Wood. WOW, that guy is busy!
6. Rachel Rising – Terry Moore is a machine. There is no other explanation for his ability to write, draw, ink, letter AND SELF PUBLISH this amazing character driven horror book. Now into its third arch, this book continues to deliver creepy shivers and continues to develop its characters and story. Not even close to a step back, if anything the book is better than when it started. If you read The Walking Dead, you need to throw that horrible book away and pick up a real horror comic. 100% less talking tigers in this book too.
5. Harbinger – I have spoken often about my enjoyment of Valiant’s restart of publishing. By far their best book is Harbinger. A great superhero book (no really, it just doesn’t feel like one) this is what you want all your Marvel and DC books to be like. Chris and Ronnie both got me to start reading this book and am very thankful for their prodding.
4. BPRD Books – Still steady and strong after all these years. All three, the regular BPRD series, 1940’s era/Vampire book, Abe Sapien and the fourth if Hellboy comes out again are all some of the best comics being published right now. There is almost nothing I look forward to more than these books. Problem, you need some back story to really appreciate them, but I think over the last year they have made the books easier to get into now. Premise, it is the end of the world and the BPRD is trying to stop it. Lots of post apocalyptic comics are available none do it as well as Mike Mignola.
3. Chew – What hasn’t been a more consistently great issue month in and month out than this book over the last four years. If you are not reading this book get to that first trade and start. You will not be sorry.
2. 47 Ronin – there is only one more issue left of this fantastic journey though Japanese history. It started off slow, but that is what a good comic does. Issue four was one of my favorite of the year and sets for the big honor driven showdown in the finale. Of course this is near the top of my list, anything Stan Sakai touches is gold.
1. Daredevil – This is a near perfect book. Easily my favorite read – by a lot (with no Usagi Yojimbo coming out) – and with the simple writing of Mark Waid and fantastic art, every issue has an image I would like for a tattoo, by Chris Samnee.
What makes this superhero book SO much better than all the others being put out is simply the humanity that shines through in Matt Murdock and his supporting cast. Why I don’t like Batman? Read this book and find out. A lot of people harp on and on about how great Batman is, but what makes him so horrible to read is that his alter ego practically doesn’t exist and never does anything to further the characters development. This is the exact opposite when it comes to how Mark Waid is writing Daredevil. The book is all about the development of the character and he does it though very simple storytelling.
Waid has made this his mark on nearly every book he has ever written. “Keep it simple stupid.” A lot of writers could use this motto tattooed on their forehead. Waid makes you remember what you loved about superhero comics as a kid and writes (and has written) some of the best. By adding in one of the most under rated artists in the industry… oh, perfect.
Two great things I found on line
Stupid things politicians say…
A great article written about an insane idea floated by our Vice President to possibly tax violent media. Of course this at first might “sound great” -and is totally against the first amendment- but presents the idea, “what is taxable and what is not?” (Which is the problem with explicit material too… do you see where this is going and why it is a TERRIBLE idea?)
What is too violent not to tax and not violent enough too tax? Just pause for a second and think about comics that are violent enough to tax and after you put the top of your head back on your dome after it blew off (is that to violent to type… should I be taxed if I sold subscriptions to this blog post) think about how much of a waste of time proposed legislation like this is and remember this is the Vice President of the United States.. That should make you fear even more for our future. Want to read more, the CBLDF has a nice little legal write up.
And crappy Star Trek…
Want to read how I really feel about (without even seeing) the crappy new supposedly called Star Trek film… well, this very funny spoiler ridden “review.” As one friend said, after reading it, “I would have thought somebody had illegally accessed my computer, stole my review, and posted it for all to see.” It – not the film – is that awesome.