Monthly Archive for November, 2009

The Week of Geeky X-Mas

Published on November 30, 2009 in Chuck Grigsby, Comics and Shop Crap. 0 Comments

Quick note on the shipment this week, no delivery on Wednesday.  They are delayed due to UPS not picking up last Friday.  We’ll have them done by 11:00 Thursday.

Geeky X-Mas Is This Weekend…

Coming this weekend, the return of Geeky Christmas our annual charity event at the shop to benefit Animal Lifeline, Toys for Tots and Iowa Public TV.

When: This coming Saturday, December 5th from 11am to 4pm

Where: At the shop, Cup o’ Kryptonite 4521 Fleur Drive

Why: To benefit three fabulous charities; Animal Life Line, Toys for Tots and Iowa Public Television.

What: Events all day including appearances by

  • The Star Wars 501st and Rebel Alliance (All Day)
  • Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (Noon to 2)
  • Old Saint Nick, Santa Claus (2:30 to 4)
  • An Animal Lifeline Furry Friend (3-4)

Christmas Crafts all day.

Goody bags for the first 100 kids.

Donation Gift Wrapping for Animal Lifeline

Geek Boutique for IPTV

Door Prize drawings throughout the day

Drawings for special gift baskets

What is needed, donation wise:

These are some of the needs for Animal Lifeline, a no kill animal shelter here on the south side.  Here is some less expensive things they need all the time.  A full can be picked up at the shop.

  • General Supplies

Liquid laundry soap, bleach, dish soap

Clorox Anywhere Spray

Tall kitchen garbage bags

Zip Loc storage bags – gallon size

Paper Towels, toilet paper, Kleenex tissues

Endust Spry and air fresheners

Sponges

  • Dog Supplies

Milk bone dog biscuits

Dog toys from puppies to large dogs

Peanut Butter

  • Cat Supplies

Toys of all types and sizes

Scoopable cat litter

Canned cat food, Fancy Feast for finicky eaters

When considering a toy to donate to Toys for Tots remember they will take whatever, but a maximum value of $20 is usually preferred.  (It is tough giving one kid an I-pod and the next Candyland.)  Please, no stuffed animals unless they are still wrapped or boxed in original packaging.  Also, the toughest ages they have for donations are kids three and under and girls 14 and up.

Toys for Tots is a 501c3 not for profit and all donations are tax deductible.

Last Year’s event was an unexpected success with donations of over $800 and more than 200 toys collected.  We hope to have an even bigger day this year.

Though the day is designed for kids, adults will find something to do even if it is just coming out sitting, chatting and having a cup of coffee.  If you can please try and make time to attend.

But really why…

I was asked why we didn’t have Zombiefest this year?  To some I said, we didn’t have time, to others I said the genre is dead (no pun intended) and then to those close I said I just plain didn’t want to.  Why?  Seriously, what was the point?

This, Geeky Christmas, has a point.  This is what having a business is, or at one time, was what it was all about; giving something back to the community.  We are not an cooperate giant that has vaults of cash lying around that we get to throw around in an attempt to make us look better or get a bigger tax write off.  We get to work with groups we support and help people and animals here in Iowa.

The thing is I do very little with this event.  Nearly all the work is done by Kathy Scott.  She is the brain child behind this event.  She was also responsible for Children’s area out at the I-Con two years ago and the Sci-fi Saturday earlier this year.  Kathy has been a customer for seven years and is easily one of the very best people I know.

Grigsby Update…

Chuck is off to Russia, again, for the final leg of an international tournament (The M-1 Challenge Finals) he has been competing in over the last couple months.  Recently, The Reverend was in action in Council Bluffs defending his VFC title at the Mid-American Center.  I got a link to the fight from his lovely wife Sara.  You can check out the match here.  Good luck in Russia, Chuck.

ChuckGrigsby

Blackest Eye for Marvel…

I do think Marvel is wondering where the left hook came from.  DC’s Blackest Night is doing a number on their esteemed competition.  The estimated sales numbers were released yesterday and, wow, DC has to be pretty happy with what they have gotten out of the little crossover that could.  DC trails Marvel by a little more than two and a half percent in total market share registered in both Units and Dollars.

If you are an overall fan of DC, great news, your company can actually still bite, now don’t screw it up.  You are having a really successful event, when those things, events, had started to slip and used the motto, at least so far, less is more.

If you are a Marvel fan, have faith.  These are the kinds of things that get the House of “Ideas” to think over what they have been doing.  It will probably force Siege to be readable (I’ll bet the re-writes are taking place right now) by cutting out a good amount of the boring, never ending bouts of talking.  This should shake up some stagnate old school long standing books (Spider-man?) or it could teach them to just put their damn books out on time.  If you want to take a look at the numbers yourself, check ‘em out on Newsarama.com.

Some Light History Reading…

I’ve mentioned the course that is being taught at Michigan State University on the History of Comic Books before.  Well, I wanted to remind you of it, as they are talking about one of, in my opinion, one of the most important eras of comics, The Fredrick Wertham/Comic’s Code Authority.  A good read with a lot of good information.  You can find it on BleedingCool.com.

Blackest Eye for Marvel…

I do think Marvel is wondering where the left hook came from.  DC’s Blackest Night is doing a number on their esteemed competition.  The estimated sales numbers were released yesterday and, wow, DC has to be pretty happy with what they have gotten out of the little crossover that could.  DC trails Marvel by a little more than two and a half percent in total market share registered in both Units and Dollars.

If you are an overall fan of DC, great news, your company can actually still bite, now don’t screw it up.  You are having a really successful event, when those things, events, had started to slip and used the motto, at least so far, less is more.

If you are a Marvel fan, have faith.  These are the kinds of things that get the House of “Ideas” to think over what they have been doing.  It will probably force Siege to be readable (I’ll bet the re-writes are taking place right now) by cutting out a good amount of the boring, never ending bouts of talking.  This should shake up some stagnate old school long standing books (Spider-man?) or it could teach them to just put their damn books out on time.  If you want to take a look at the numbers yourself, check ‘em out on Newsarama.com.

The Week of November 23rd

Published on November 23, 2009 in Censorship, Comics, Movies and Shop Crap. 0 Comments

Oh, bloody hell.  I’m beat today and was beat yesterday in a shootout too.  My second game of the year in net in our developmental hockey league.  I went to the full hour and a half practice and then somewhat unexpectedly filled in at goal in the game that was next.  Now I’m tired, go figure?  Well, my friend Joe showed me the most awesome thing in the world (and it relates to comics.  Follow me people…)  I’m not even a fan of the character, but the goalie helmet of him is super-sweet.  spidermask

Sometimes, I wish Santa was real… and if you think he is and want to meet him… (What a segue way.)

Geeky X-Mas II…

Remember, The return of our yearly Christmas charity event is just around the corner, December 5th.  Some of the events at this year’s Geeky Christmas will include appearances by The 501st Central Garrison and Rebel Alliance, Spider-man and Santa Claus.  We will have door prizes, kids crafts, special Holiday Story Times and gift wrapping (for donation) all day.  The day’s events will run from 11am to 5pm.

If you don’t know last year’s event raised a considerable number of dollars for Animal Life Line, a no kill special needs animal shelter here on the south side, Public Television and a over five boxes of toys for Toys for Tots.  This year we are proud to continue our connection with all three charities.  Starting this weekend we will be a Toys for Tots drop off site and early collecting of inexpensive supplies for Animal Life Line.

If you need a list of the most needed supplies for ALL, ask for it the next time you are in the shop.  For Toys, remember the will except anything, but prefer unopened, unwrapped toys under or around $20.  Kids under three and girls over 14 are the toughest to find good toys for.  Just to keep in mind.

I’ll have a full schedule and all the details next week.

Thanksgiving shipment, shopping and… stuff.

This week’s shipment arrives as per usual on Wednesday this week, however, next week it is delayed a day till Thursday.  It is a big shipment and there are a crapload of good books to pick up, so, unless you want to actually pay attention to your in-laws this year, I suggest getting your butt into the shop sometime on Wednesday.

Or, come in on Friday when everyone else is out being a moron at the mall.  We will be a moron free zone that day.

Now, I hate to have to mention this, as I’m sure you all swear off the giant evil corporate shops this time of year… RIGHT?!?  But take a minute to consider where you shop for your X-Man day gifts.  If you can, try to ONLY shop local stores.  For example, if you need music of nearly any kind, why not try my friend Nate at ZZZ Records on Ingersoll.  Been in business for ten years and the only place I buy music in Des Moines.

You need to remember local business is the backbone of your community.  When you shop at a local store, the money stays local.  I’m not saying this just because corporate giants are evil soulless ghouls that would make the Red Skull look like a teddy bear… wait, no that is way I’m saying this.  Just consider where you shop this time of year.  Local businesses need your support now more than ever.  Don’t break the back of your community, shop local.

But I’m only just getting warmed up…

So, speaking of things I hate, did anyone else read the article on Bleeding Cool.com about the Kentucky Library (Yes, they do have libraries there) who’s community wants to ban some of its books, including The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: Black Dossier?  Oh, why yes they do want it gone and the quotes from some of the loons in it are fantastic.  The leading minister who is driving this movement decried that if the LOEG:BD “was not pornography then what was?”  There was staunch opposition, but the fact we are still dealing with this kind of stupidity in America is amazing…

Or scary, as the other article I found on Bleeding Cool.com hammered that fact home.  In Egypt, the countries first graphic novel has been banned, the art and script ceased and the artist and writer arrested and later fined.  I highly recommend this article after you read the above one about Kentucky.

We need to be ever vigilant about the forces of censorship.  Though one day you might think it is just a bunch of fundamentalist psychotics in Egypt, the next it could be wing-nut fundamentalists in your own backyard taking away your comic books.  It is hard to stop down the slippery slope once you start.

One last thing…

I’m tired and I’m heading off to bed.  Well, first to read more Judge Dredd, but soon thereafter to bed.  (On a side-note, I was reading the Dredd story Judgment Day last week, written in the early nineties and Garth Ennis.  In it Dredd refers to the zombies he is fending off as “The Walking Dead.”  I kid you not.  Makes you wonder if anything in Kirkman’s book is his own creation?)

Sorry, off on a tangent… I said I was tired.

But first one last thing about something I hate, Twilight.  There is one more link I’m posting about a look at the Twilight phenomenon that is going on right now and how potentially un-healthy it is.  Fantasticly well written about gender issues in two genres of film and what this new vampire crazy might mean to them.  Yep, you can find it on Bleeding Cool.com too.  That Rich Johnston has THE site for comics and pop culture on the net.

The Week of November 16th

Published on November 16, 2009 in Comics, Matt's stupid ramblings and Shop Crap. 0 Comments

Geeky X-Mas II…

Geeky Christmas is fast approaching and, yes, you are getting more info on what happened last year to entice you into stopping by, having fun and possibly donating a little hard earned money towards one of our great charities; Animal Life Line, Iowa Public Television and… Toys for Tots.

Last year the Marines with Toys for Tots collected over 60,000 toys in the state of Iowa and distributed them to some 30,000 kids.  Geeky Christmas was very happy to have helped with that total collecting five and half boxes (or around 200 toys.)

When considering a toy to donate to TforT remember they will take whatever, but a maximum value of $20 is usually preferred.  (It is tough giving one kid an I-pod and the next Candyland.)  Please, no stuffed animals unless they are still wrapped or boxed in original packaging.  Also, the toughest ages they have for donations are kids three and under and girls 14 and up.

Toys for Tots is a 501c3 not for profit and all donations are tax deductible.

Cup o’ Kryptonite will have a drop off box the week before Geeky Christmas, which will be December 5th, from 11:00am to 5:00pm and if you have toys and can’t make it, you can still drop them off with us and we’ll be sure they get to the Marines for delivery.

In addition to the Toys drop off box we will have a drop off box for needed Animal Life Line supplies too.  If you need a list of everything the shelter is looking for, please ask someone at the shop for the list or check the Cup website.

Happy Birthday Darwyn Cooke

It was Darwyn Cooke’s birthday Monday and it got me thinking who are my favorite artists currently working in the industry.  There are so many that are far and away better than others, but to be working on a monthly book, you have to have some kind of talent.

But who are my five favorites?

This is one of those nearly impossible to answer questions.  I am going to preface my answer by listing my favorite classic artists not currently doing active work.  I would put Joe Kubert, John Buscema and Carmine Infantino are three of my favorites.  Neal Adams and Shelly Moldoff can’t be left out, but of classic artists I would say one of, if not my favorite, is Katsuhiro Otomo.  And you are saying who the hell is that?  Otomo is responsible for Akira.  A massive undertaking that he started in a men’s magazine in Japan.  One of the father’s of modern Manga, we can’t hold him responsible for what came after, the Dark Horse black and white reprints show the amazing line work he had.  He considered his art work so important he personally oversaw the Americanizing of Akira in the Epic (Marvel) reprints.  As opposed to just reprinting it in English (but still back to front) Otomo changed each page to read smoothly in a front to back format.  An amazing creator, one I wish more people knew about.

But current creators… I know a way to put this.  I buy comics for story first.  So, who are the current artists I would buy for art alone?  Now, that narrows it down, but not by that much.

I would buy anything Walt Simonson worked on.  He would skin John Romita Jr. alive in a knife fight and you all know it.

Kevin Maguire, Tony Harris, Darick Robertson, Phil Hester (remember the Nightwing run, poor Phil), John Cassiday, Homberto Ramos (I even “read” Avengers Initiative), Kyle Baker, Amanda Connor, Doug Mahnke, Tony Moore, Gene Ha… all these guys and girl are tops of their field.

This leaves me with my honorable mentions even more so then that fine group.  Two artists from across the pond are D’Israeli and Carlos Ezquerra.  I’ve been reading a lot more old 2000AD stuff and these two got their starts with that fine publication.  D’Israeli shouldn’t really count as he doesn’t work real regular on a lot of American books.  Ezquerra is Garth Ennis’s favorite artist… or maybe second favorite artist as Steve Dillon does seem to work with him an awful lot.  I love Dillon’s work and though Jason Aaron doing the writing didn’t hurt, I would have read the new Max book simply because Dillon drew it.

Some people go back to the artists of their childhood and for too many that would be the nineties.  ICKY.  Can’t get down with that.  The nineties are like a black hole of quality.  I’ve already mentioned my love of Walt Simonson’s work, but Art Adams is my childhood favorite.  Yes, it is true, Longshot is one of my favorite characters.  Obviously, Art’s art is towards the top of my list.

longshot

Frank Cho is the modern day equivalent, in my opinion, of Art Adams.  I go to his website nearly every day.  His Liberty meadows shows just how diversified he is with both cartooning and more detailed comic art.  He draws the best female form in all of comic-dom.  What seems to be the case more of late it that both Art and Frank get coupled with some real horrible storytellers.  I guess that is one of the nice things about comics, you don’t have to read the balloons if you are just looking at the pictures… hey, Image got away with that for years!

Shehulkbutt

Now for my five favorites:

5. Richard Corben.  This Kansas City native has the creepiest of all art styles.  I’ve loved his stuff since I was a kid with his HP Lovecraft book for DC/Vertigo called House on the Borderland.  Scared the crap out of me.  Red glowing eyed pig monsters.  Recently, he drew up some new Lovecraft stuff for Marvel and though it was read with all the lights on and still give you the worst nightmares you’ve ever had, there was one drawing that bothered me the most.  It was a single picture of the Necronomican.  I swear it looked like the damned thing was moving on the page.  Oh, and if you haven’t read his stuff he did with Mike Mignola, amazing.

corben

4. Stan Sakai.  The creator of Usagi Yojimbo is still working regularly and monthly after 25 years.  This is the man I would most like to meet in comics.  His work is such fantastic storytelling with simple, yet still detailed black and white.  Oh, and he is always on time!  He writes, pencils, inks and letters all his own work and is still on time.  Sakai just released a water color painted Usagi hardcover book through Dark Horse to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the character.  Plain and simply PERFECT graphic storytelling.  Stan is a master of his craft.

Usagi

3. Frank Quietly.  Quite Frankly, Frank Quietly is the best COMIC BOOK artist there is.  Superheroes, not bodyguard rabbits or creepy scary evil books, just plain old superheroes, he is the best.  The first three issues of Batman and Robin, his work on All Star Superman, his JLA: Earth 2 and work on New X-Men, all examples of why his is the best.  He doesn’t need to draw people rail thin (another complement to extend to Frank Cho), but he does need to put in every single line on a suit or cape or leotard.  His eye on detail is un matched (except maybe by Jeff Darrow.)  He helped contribute to the best Batman, as well as the best Superman, stories ever done and that is some serious accolades.

batmanrobin

2. Birthday boy himself, Darwyn Cooke.  If you’ve read the blog, you know my love of his work on Richard Stark’s Parker: The Hunter novel he did.  This is one of the best things I’ve ever read in graphic storytelling form.  He is a master of every genre.  His DC New Frontier was some of the best superhero stuff ever done and if you’ve been to Jimmy (a hell of a good artist in his own right) Palmiotti’s website lately, you’ve seen some of his work in just inked over pencils for Jonah Hex #50.  One page, no words tells a whole comic’s worth of story.  He is AMAZING!!

HunterGS

1. Mike Mignola.  Is he the best artist working in comics, I don’t know, but he is my favorite.  The creator of my favorite character, Hellboy, his style is simple, yet complex.  He is slow as hell, but it is pure perfection when he is finished.  It will take me an hour to read a single issue he has done, because I re-read and re look over every page.  I have been known to pull my Hellboy trades off the wall and take “waste” an entire evening just flipping page after page of his art work.  He is the best there is.

mignola_batman_bw

One review, some happiness, light grumbling and a side order of a partial request…

Blackest Night, if you like it or are so, so on it and you are not reading Green Lantern or Green Lantern Corps you are doing yourself a disservice.  Last week’s GL Corps was a pretty big deal (I can say no more then you should buy this book) and personally, I think both GL books have been better then the main Blackest Night book in a pure fun-superhero-thrill-ride sense

Where they are going is anyone’s guess, though financially this is the biggest thing DC has had in decades.  Diamond released the numbers of the top selling comics.  DC had the top six books.  Five of them were Blackest Night related and also Batman and Robin.  Marvel can say whatever they want about Siege, but they haven’t told us why we should care.  Blackest Night came on the scene with far less fan fare, developed in a fairly decent selling side book and slowly built its audience.  Marvel expects you to buy their big crossover and now doesn’t even bother hyping it… oh, they can’t because they haven’t finished their last crossover.  I have heard nothing but complaints from customers about the direction and duration of the Marvel storyline (is a crossover a crossover when it just keeps going without change of name?)

I’m glad DC is getting more of the market share.  I’m glad Blackest Night is selling.  I’m not happy that Dan Dill-dio is going to try and take credit for it.  Had this flopped, he would have been out.  So far, it is on time and doing well.

Marvel could be well served to see what was done right in Blackest Night, remember crossovers past (Infinity Gauntlet) and do a little re-tooling, maybe even a little creator changing and move on.

The Week of November 9th

Published on November 9, 2009 in Comics, Movies, Reviews-comics and Shop Crap. 0 Comments

Some shipping info to pass along…

What, no opening salvo across the bow of decency in the name of righteousness and… whatever?  Eh, I’ll get there.  Just grab a hold of something we need to dive quick for the British destroyers are on to us and want to send us to the bottom after what we did to the convoy last week.

I’ve posted the Holiday Shipping Schedule under the tab SHIPPING QUESTIONS and listed our Holiday Hours under the INFORMATION tab on this website.  I’ll let you all know of upcoming changes as we get closer in the Weekly, but hey, thought you might give a crap as to when books are or are not going to ship this “joyous” season.

Oh, you don’t care?!?  You will when there’s no new shipment the week of December 28th.  Want to send a sternly worded e-mail telling them why they are a-holes for not doing their jobs and shipping comics the week after Christmas when so many people will NOT be going to work, but might be going to comic shops, send it here webmaster@diamondcomics.com and ask it to be forwarded.  Make sure to point out that this wouldn’t happen if there was competition in the comic distribution industry and that you, unlike our federal government, are not blind to their monopolistic practices and… you will be watching, ever watching.

That’ll creep ‘em out.

Geeky X-Mas Returns…

The holiday themed charity drive designed for kids is returning after a hugely successful event last year.  We raised nearly $800 for Animal Life line and Iowa Public Television and collected five overflowing boxes of toys or Toys for Tots.

This year’s event will be December 5th from 11 to 5.  I will be mentioning more in weeks to come.  This week I’m going to give some info and needs for Animal Life Line, a no kill animal shelter here on the south side.  Here is a list of stuff they need all the time.  Any donations are welcome and we’ll be a drop off for supplies the week before and week after the event.

General Supplies

Liquid laundry soap, bleach, dish soap

Clorox Anywhere Spray

Tall kitchen garbage bags

Zip Loc storage bags – gallon size

Paper Towels, toilet paper, Kleenex tissues

Endust Spry and air fresheners

Sponges

Dog Supplies

Milk bone dog biscuits

Dog toys from puppies to large dogs

Peanut Butter

Cat Supplies

Toys of all types and sizes

Scoopable cat litter

Canned cat food, Fancy Feast for finicky eaters

Like I said, I’ll have more info in weeks to come, but put the event on the calendar.  It’ll be a great time for kids and adults and all benefiting good causes.

New Best Site Ever…

Dave showed me a couple of awesome articles on Christwire.org this morning.  I am so glad he has shown me the error of my ways and is leading me out of my decadent and sin-tastic life of comics.  Dave is a good guy.  The article he showed me is More Proof Marvel and DC Comics Promote Homogay Agenda.  I’ve long wondered this myself.  Horrible how the non-believers and liberals are trying to bring literacy to our children… especially that den of sin and horror, Cup o’ Kryptonite.  Their delectable latte’s lure in adults and children like a modern day Hansel and Gretel’s only to be destroyed by their horrible filth ridden books of sin.  Go to Christwire.org, but stay away from Cup o’ Kryptonite.

‘Point,’ counter point…

Comics are good for Kids!!  Shock, surprise uttered!!…

There is a great new study from The University of Illinois that is saying comic books are as sophisticated as any other forms of literature for getting kids to read at an early age.  I found a link on one of the comic “news” sites and then read the actual news story here.  Professor Carol L. Tilley published her research in a library journal.  It is worth reading her thoughts on why the medium is not given the credit it deserves.  This research and more to come will only help legitimize our medium, or as Tilley calls it genre of literature.  We’ve come a long way, but with people like this helping us we can overcome the… sorry, nearly found myself at an Obama rally there.  Seriously, this needs help finding its way to all teachers and administrators you know.  Send them the link.

Now to the decadency of Hollywood…

Ah, Preacher.  Of all the comic books I’ve ever read, this is my favorite, actually.  If I was stranded on a desert Island and could only have one comic series to read (why I would get to choose, I don’t know,) I would pick Preacher.

The highest selling of all the trade “runs” we’ve ever had in the shop.  This is very near and dear to me.

It’s pretty much everything that would make middle America’s hair go white with horror is in there.  Profane, Blasphemous, chalk full of nudity, vampires, blood, guts and gore, a guy called Arse Face, a Saint of Killers and God is the villain… pretty much everything a growing boy needs.  What a great comic.

So, over the years of writing these stupid blog posts I’ve made a note of every new development in the making of a Preacher movie or TV series.  Sam Mendes (award winning director of American Beauty) was even connected to the project, at least at one time, to direct – this is after HBO decided to NOT make it into a series (think someone got scared after actually reading it??)  This gave me hope that it could maybe be good.

Then I read this conversation today:

Are there any [comic book movies] you’ve seen floating around in Hollywood that you’d like to see made?

Yeah, I can, there was one or two that I heard of that sounded really cool. One of them was about, I think… it’s a vampire and a killer, and they’re on the road, and it’s this really strange story. I thought that sounded pretty cool. Also some of the obscure ones, I don’t know if there are any more superheroes left.

That sounds a little bit like Preacher?

I think it might have been Preacher.

You should get involved with that!

I’m trying to. I heard about that one, I like that.

Who would you want to play?

I’d say either the vampire or the priest. One of those two guys.

The tool who answered those questions is John Cusack, out promoting his pile of film 2012, from an interview I read on the website Io9.com.  I can gain two things from this.  Cusack is a moron and this movie will be #@<%ing TERRIBLE!!  (but probably not as bad as 2012, which looks like it could be the worst film ever made – yes, even worse than Batman and Robin, the worst film ever made!  I Think I might need to get three different ways of messed up and go to it.  Have you seen footage or trailers?  Seriously, do yourself a favor and go watch some, it is horrific.  I wonder if I can get kicked out in the first half hour or if people will just move away from me in fear of the drunk’n fool?)

Four quick reviews…

We got a preview copy of Victorian Undead last week.  The book is written by Ian Edginton, who has done some great work on some 200AD stuff I’ve been fortunate to read, as well as the War of the Worlds alternate “history” take, Scarlett Traces, from Dark Horse.  International artist Davide Fabbri turns in the art chores.  Both deliver a fantastic job on the very overused zombie theme, but at least this has a quality twist.  The story is easily summed up as Sherlock Homes vs. Zombies.  Something is causing the dead to come back for the tasty living and it’s Sherlock Homes who is called in to investigate.  I very much enjoyed the first of six issues and recommend you give the first issue a try.

Another Fables Spin off, Cinderella; From Fabletown With Love, came out last week and I could take a dozen more spin off Fables titles if they are this good.  If you don’t know, the character of Cinderella is a total super spy bad ass in the series.  I’ve always thought it would be very cool to see more of her.  The rest of the Fables do not know she is a spy.  She is off on espionage missions most of the time in the book and is used infrequently.  This is the chance to see more.   Written and drawn well.  If you get Fables, you should be picking this one up too.

Captain America: Reborn #4 was so well written.  I just can’t say how much I love this book and the writing that is going into it.  However, I wish I could say the same for the art.  I’m still loving it and have always been a story over art comic book reader, but there were some Bryan Hitch drawn scenes in issue four that were downright terrible; almost Liefeld-esque.  You can tell the Butch Guice art and the Hitch art apart… and need I comment on the lateness.  I wonder who is at fault here, could it be the same guy who is late on EVERY project he works on?  Hmmm?  If Marvel is smart and has learned anything from the disaster that DC’s Flash Reborn is, maybe they’ll just can Hitch (DC is sticking with Van Shiver) and just let Guice finish it.  None the less, I’m more mad that this book isn’t coming out every week.  Love me some Cap!

And Lastly, Age of Reptiles from Dark Horse was probably the best and longest read I had last week and there were NO words in it.  It is the story of a heard of dinosaurs moving from one area of the world to another.  This is the latest in a line of work that dates back well over a decade (nearly two) for Ricardo Delgado.  No words, but more story then most of the cape and cowl books on the shelf.  The art is so good, I read it twice in a row.  This is the highest of recommendations I can give and if you have kids who are into Dinosaurs, this is a perfect book to “read” with them.  I guess some of us can never shake that love of giant dangerous reptiles.  I was so proud when I stopped in and Ronnie had it on the pile of  books he was taking home.  Nate, of course, had a copy too and today a very good customer picked it off the shelf with no prompting – pushing – from me.  I asked why and he said, “I’m going to give it a try.  Dark Horse puts out good stuff, so, why not.”  I wish I didn’t need to make money on this stuff, because I would seriously give away the good stuff and make people actually buy the crap.  I wish I could have just given him that copy.  I hope he, and if you try it, you enjoy it too.

The Week of November 2nd

Published on November 2, 2009 in Comics, Cons, Matt's stupid ramblings, Reviews-comics and Shop Crap. 0 Comments

I want to start this week with the words of my friend and neighbor, “eh, like your writing better when you are less positive.”  Thanks Jonah.  I like hearing that.  For me, I find it easier to be less positive, in general and especially when it comes to comics.  Yes, I love… like… tolerate (yeah, tolerate) most comics, but hate the horrible industry they were spawned from like some slim dripping demon.

Why do I own a comics shop then?  Well, duh, it’s still better then working for someone else no matter how poor I am.

Seriously though, I can’t make it as an NHL star or Baseball commentator or executive at this point in my life, so, I’ll take the life I have.  I am actually pretty happy doing what I do for a living.  I’ve got great, eh, good business partners and have made some lifelong friends from this endeavor, but man, there are weeks that test one’s ability to not go screaming stark raving mad into the darkness.  The last two to three weeks have been just that test.  I think I passed…

None the less… shut up and stop rambling, said the four people who were still reading at this point.  No, you shut up!  I have a point to make.  I’ll be abandoning the positivity again.  It was a nice experiment, but like Jonah pointed out, positivity and Matt don’t mix.  But don’t despair, if you need everything full of rainbows (great Dio fronted band from the 70’s), little ponies and flowers in your hair go talk to Kyle.  He is in nearly every day, still likes comics and will talk about them without the distain I have.  He is a better person then me anyway.

What was my point?  I don’t know…

I-Con this Weekend…

Need a positive comic experience?  Try the Comic Book I-Con this weekend out at the Adventureland Inn (3200 Adventureland drive in Altoona.)  The show starts at 9 and goes until 5, this Saturday the seventh.  This is the eighth annual convention for the Iowa Comic Book Club.  For a list of guests and other club and convention information head over to their website www.iowacomicbookclub.com.

City Council Election…

Yes, politics, you can’t escape it, even here.  If you are not going to vote Tuesday, do not ever say anything negative about the city you live in again.  Voting is your license to bitch.  Nearly every city has some kind of an election Tuesday.  There is little that is asked of you as a citizen of this country.  Voting is one, paying your taxes is the other.  The city council elections are your chance to enact direct change in the political power that has the most power over your everyday lives.  Please, do a little research and go vote.

If you live in Norwalk or know someone who does, I would ask you to vote for fellow comic lover Alex Grgurich in his attempt to become mayor of the fine suburb to our south.  He is a fine young man and I would trust him with my life, let alone the town I grew up in.

Kitties to adopt…

To continue with our community bulletin board theme this week, I have a couple cats I’m helping to find a homes for.  I am a HUGE animal lover, as animals are better than 90% of all people.  Nonetheless, I am helping to find a home for a mom and kitten that were abandoned in Grimes.  I put out this e-mail for a fellow lover of animals, the Porter brother’s mom.  She has a friend who found them and thinks she has a home for the mom, but as the two are very attached, she would like to see them adopted out together.  The mom is a long hair black cat, which has been spayed and vaccinated; both very good kitties.  I also have a customer who has a very beautiful and very friendly grey long hair cat she is trying to find a home for before it gets to cold out.  It is an adult cat, but knowing a veterinarian (yes, I know everyone) I can help with getting the initial visit to the vet a little cheaper.  If you or someone you know would like to adopt a cat, let me know and I’ll get you the information.

Would you like to play some Hockey…

I have been asked if I would put out word to see if there is any interested in joining a beginners hockey league?  The league is designed for people who have never played, skated or who haven’t skated or played in a long time.  Young and old play and it is a strict no contact league.  Games are played on Sunday afternoons.  I play goalie in this league for one of the teams and love it.  I also play in a somewhat advanced league as well and can easily say this is my drug of choice.  If I was given a choice I might choose hockey over comics… yeah, sick huh?  If you would like info, let me know and I’ll get you the info.

So what came out last week…

It was a HUGE shipment.  One of the biggest the shop has ever had.  And sales were not what we would have liked to see… What I’m saying is if you didn’t come get some comics last week, get in here and buy some damn comic books.  You don’t want people to think you hate comics like I do, do you?

Enough of that.  Did anything come out that was good last week?  Actually yes and two of them were from the Dark Reign List one shot series.  Punisher, The List was under ordered and I’m sorry.  This book has an ending that I’m not going to tell you about, I’ll have some second prints in, in a few weeks.  It was written by Rick Remender and the art was done by John Romita Jr.  It was good and I can say no more.

The Wolverine List book was written by Jason Aaron and was even better.  It is pure kinetic energy as It takes the ball and runs from the first word.  The three characters are Wolverine (duh), Fantomex from Grant Morrison’s New X-Men run and Marvel Boy from the Dark Avengers and Morrison’s mini-series.  The story revolves around Osborn trying to control of The World, also from New X-Men.  It has old school 1970’s team-up style.  Jason Aaron is the reincarnation of an old comic writer with his ability to write in a throwback style.  He does this as well on Ghost Riders.  There is a point to the book and I don’t think I’m ruining anything when I say it is somehow supposed to tie in with the new Deathlok series.  I didn’t see how that worked, but it doesn’t matter.  If you want a good action comic, this is it.

Oh, and Deathlok comes out this week…

Batman issue 692 brought back Tony Daniel to the writing AND art chores.  I was left with a case of the “Huh’s,” but I think it has a direction it’s headed.  There is a character reveal at the end of the issue that dates back to Detective Comics #29.  Kyle had to tell me that, I didn’t know.  I have faith in Daniel to tell a good story.  The Battle for the Cowl series was pretty good and that was all him.  The art is very good, so I recommend it.

There are three trades I got in last week I wanted to point out too.  Transmetropolitan has a fourth volume out.  If you have never read this series, you need to.  Warren Ellis is the scribe and Darick Robertson adds his exceedingly high end art talents.  The story is about a future version of Hunter S. Thompson and it is great.

Invincible Iron Man put out the first volume of the World’s Most Wanted storyline.  This is an Eisner winner, I need not say any more.  When regular mainstream mass market monthly comics win this award, it speaks for its self.

FINALLY, DC has decided to grace us with a new printing of The Killing Joke.  If you collect comics and do not own this, you have one of two choices, sell your collection or buy this.  It has some of the finest art work in comic history by Brian Bolland.  The story is debatable on how good of an Alan Moore story it is; one of the best or somewhere down that list. Either way, this is still better than most of the what any other writer is going to put out.  This is one of the best Batman stories, period.

And one last recommendation, The Marquis has finally been collected in one volume by Dark Horse.  This is a bunch of different stories that Guy Davis wrote and drew at Oni.  It is the story of an avenger led by a saint to rid his city of escaped demons from hell.  The story telling is a little slow and mildly wordy, but it starts to pick up as the stories progress.  This is the best work Davis has ever done art-wise.  Davis has been doing art chores on BPRD for years and this is even better then that work; I think this is because The Marquis is black and white.  I loved this book and can’t wait for more from Davis, now published from Dark Horse.