Monthly Archive for December, 2010

Week of Dec. 27 – The 2010 Cuppies (part 1)

Published on December 27, 2010 in Reviews-comics and Wrestling. 0 Comments

The Weekly E-mail from Cup o’ Kryptonite.

Open this New Year’s…

Special hours this week with New Year’s Day looming.

December 31st – 6:30am to 6:00pm

January 1st – 9:00am to 4:00pm

No Delays…

However, there will be no delays in delivery of comics this week or next.

Next week I will address some changes that are coming with some new comic delivery issues.  Nothing too bad, but we have to make a few little changes with comics coming to us on Tuesdays starting the second week in January.

3X Wrestling, January 7th, 2011…

Quick note about the next event at the Des Moines Social Club.  One of the biggest grudge matches in the history of the federation will go down next month, Sterling vs. Wyatt, in a one hour Iron Man Match.  You will not want to miss this.  Pre-sale tickets are available now at the shop.

Also, on January 5th, we will have our 3X pre-event party at 6:00.  Great way to sit and talk wrestling.  Last time Jimmy “Rockstar” Rockwell and I geeked out over wrestling books we’ve read.  (It is nice to know there are others out there with the same sicknesses.)  Good time for all.

A Quick Review…

Black Panther: Man Without Fear! written by David Liss, art by Francesco Francavilla

I had no plans to read this.  I wasn’t that big a fan of Shadowland.  Daredevil is the Man Without Fear, not Black Panther.  Meh, why?

However, one of the truly good African American characters created in superhero comics is Black Panther.  I’ve always liked him in the Avengers and have wanted to read his regular series, but… man, Hudlin’s run was really bad.

So, after Ronnie tried it and recommended it, I gave it a shot.  And it was really good.

The book is a new direction for Black Panther, but not for the “man without fear.”  The book looks like it will be a replacement for Daredevil while he’s dealing with… whatever, is going on with him.  The book has the feel of what Daredevil was back in the 80’s, that man of the people feel.  I can’t say I’ve hated the Andy Diggle run, I’ve liked it, but Daredevil really shouldn’t be a big event crossover thing.  It should be the street level book with street level problems being dealt with.  That is what you have now.

This takes place after T’Challa, former King of the African nation Wakanda, abdicated his thrown and fought Dr. Doom.  T’Challa has a new life and job in Hell’s Kitchen, New York and it a much more compelling character then any of the stuff Marvel ahs tried to do with him in the last decade.

It will be a challenge to keep this book going, but I applaud Marvel for keeping a comic running with a regular African American character as the main character.

On the Ronnie sale, I would give it a 4 out of 5.

The Cuppies…

Started this a few years ago.  The 2010 Cuppies, our “awards” for best books of the year.  This year’s “panel” is the shop’s staff plus one guy (Will) who is always here on Tuesday afternoon while Kyle and I do order adjustments, so, he is kind of like staff too and another (Jim) with a slightly different perspective.  I’m going to chop it into two weeks (otherwise the thing would be insanely long.)  The first be a true “awards.”  Next week we will get into everyone’s five best reads of 2010 and the worst read of the year as well.

Best Collection of the Year

Absolute All-Star Superman by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely  – Okay, first things first, this series may be the best comic book series of the decade and the best Superman story ever told. That being said, I’m not that huge of a Superman fan. Batman > Superman, sorry Matt. However, this new absolute edition is beautifully packaged (with new Quitely cover art!) and makes you fall in love with this book all over again. Grant Morrison puts Superman is sort of a Jesus-esque portrayal that sees Superman preaching philosophy and ultimately living by it, becoming the ideal superhero, a messiah, and something we can all confide in. As usual, the gem of the Absolute edition is the sketches by Quitely and the notes by Mr. Morrison. Just getting the attempt to deconstruct Morrison’s mind and put the pieces together makes this book worth ANY price tag. (Will Gedler)

Rasl – was another book that was pushed upon me by my oh-so-loving bosses…and AGAIN, I’m really glad it happened. I burned through this trade in a couple hours and was completely engaged the whole time. Why I picked this for Best Collection of the Year is because I suspect that starting at the beginning and reading single issues would leave me really confused and uncomfortable, but being able to enjoy it all at once, as one cohesive story afforded me the opportunity to learn a LOT, re-read confusing stuff (if necessary), and get involved with the characters better. I’m enjoying the recent single issues, but I definitely think that Rasl is best read as a collection. (Tia)

Weekly Comics Hard Cover Collection – Hands down, the Wednesday Comics hardcover. Both my kids and I come back to it over and over again. Some highlights are the reintroduction of Kamandi as he should always be, and the great stuff from Paul Pope on Strange Adventures. (Ronnie)

Absolute All-Star Superman – let’s see… Superman check, Morrison check, Quitely check. Yep, that pretty much explains it. (Curt and Kyle)

Weekly Comics Hard Cover Collection – There was a lot of questions as to how the series would be collected.  Would it be chopped up in issues (one page of story per issue) or would the stories all be together?  Would it be collected in full newspaper size?  Would it be on news print or would the color be re-done with fine archive level paper?  They got it right and created one of the finest collected editions I have in my comic collection. (Matt)

Best Comic Movie/ T.V. Adaptation of the Year

The Walking Dead – The pilot episode on AMC rocked, and it seemed the series was blowing full steam ahead through four episodes. However, by the fifth episode, it began to cool down and take a weird (but interesting?) turn. I’m not entirely in love with this series, and I’ve got my list of problems, but it’s still fun to watch and the acting is pretty decent. Congrats on the Golden Globe nod.  Also see Talking With Gods: Grant Morrison, a terrific documentary that enters the mind of the Great One! (Will)

The Walking Dead – While Matt seems to think it’s impossible to adapt comics properly into TV or Movies, I really think that The Walking Dead has done a helluva job.  Nope. I haven’t read the comics. And no, I don’t care if you want to beat the crap out of me for it. I generally stay away from the zombie genre because, frankly, it all scares me. And The Walking Dead is no exception…but, it does it in an extremely engaging way, that I hardly noticed that I peed my pants until the episode is over. There’s a lot of hooplah surrounding it, and fanboys everywhere are simply worshiping it…and honestly, it’s well deserved. The show is really, really, really good. Giving zombies some humanity seems like something that’s been needed in the genre.  (Tia)

Under the Red Hood – I don’t like to watch moving pictures too much, so I am probably unaware of most of this year’s output. However I did really like Under The Red Hood. The dreaded media change ret-con was actually much better than the original. I would go so far as to say they fixed the story. Walking Dead gets runner-up, but if it would have kept the pace and tone of the first episode it would have been a shoe-in.  (Ronnie)

Movies??  TV??  What are these things you speak of?  We READ comics!  On to the next award.  (Kyle and Matt)

Best Company of 2010

Dark Horse Comics — These guys are so consistent is scares me! If anyone ever asks for a book they should be reading, I automatically send them to the Church of Dark Horse. B.P.R.D., Hellboy, Beasts of Burden, Baltimore: The Plague Ships, the list goes on and on. Great artwork, great horror stories, hardly any delays, Dark Horse seems to have it figured out. I’ve also heard from one of Cup’s owners that they’re pretty damn easy to work with. Ultimately, Dark Horse is why I stay sane, considering all the crap I have to read weekly.  (Will)

Vertigo/DC – only because a good portion of what I buy and love is from them. I don’t give much loyalty to corporate entities. Did someone say Batman? Shut up!  (Ronnie)

DC Comics – but for business reasons, not necessarily because they have better stories or characters, which they do. (Kyle)

DC Comics – I echo Kyle’s statement and want to expand on it.  They make it easier to be a retailer.  They communicate with us and want to know what we are thinking.  I’ve actually been asked, “what are your customers talking about?”  They don’t always do as I wish, but they have the most consistent business model of the companies we deal with.  There is a lot of behind the scenes stuff you just don’t see and is NEVER reported on in the comic “press.”  DC is the best of the comic publishers, followed closely by Dark Horse, but not closely in amount of product and that is what separates them in my eyes.  Also a special shout out to my DC Rep Pat who is a fantastic help and someone in the industry I talk to on near weekly basis.  (Matt)

Marvel? – Tia failed to answer this question.  I think it is because she values and enjoys her job too much to answer honestly…

Best Writer

Scott Snyder - I know Snyder hasn’t put out THAT much material in 2010, but he’s a breath of fresh air. As I’m writing this, I just finished reading his first issue in Batman Detective Comics #871 last night. This issue alone was easily one of the best reads of the year for me. I couldn’t recommend it more. Also, let’s not forget that Snyder also managed to tackle the fifteen foot monster that is vampires, and do it right. I think he deserves this award not only because of the material he’s written, but for the material that he still has yet to write. Scott Snyder’s comic career has just begun and look for his name to become household in the next few years. Good job on a great year, Scott Snyder.  I still love you Grant..  (Will)

Jason Aaron – If you don’t agree, you didn’t read him. This jerk even got me reading a few Marvel titles.  (Ronnie)

Grant Morrison – Duh? (Kyle)

Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning – Surprise!  Didn’t see that one coming did you?  Yep, these guys are doing some of the best team superhero stuff I’ve read… well, since their run on Legion, which is some of the best team superhero stuff I’ve ever read.  I mean come on, when was the last time you cared about what really happened to Nova?  Rocket Raccoon?  Groot?  Moon Dragon?  What, never, Yeah, I think my point is made.  No, space opera is hard to write well and DnA are maybe the best at this of all time.  They are also showing how to do a big event book.  Their Thanos Imperative has been a fun, yes fun comics are still made, ride with big somewhat silly characters, great dialogue and fantastical sequences all wrapped up in what you EXPECT from a Marvel big event, but unfortunately you seem to only be getting in the deepest reaches of Marvel Space.  (Matt)

Best Artist

Frank Quitely, Jock, Steve McNiven, Riccardo Burchielli, R.M. Guera, Rafael Albuquerque — I hate most artwork in comics, I don’t know why. However, these guys listed all serve huge purpose in the books they draw for. (Mood, storytelling, etc.) If you see a book in the shop with any of these names on it, it’s in your best interest to grab it before I do.  (Will)

Jerome Opeña – This one has been really tough for me to narrow down….Gabriele Del’Otto did some of the most gorgeous interiors I’ve ever seen in X-Men: Sex and Violence, Kyle Baker is just killing it on Deadpool Max, and I’ve been going nuts for Jae Lee’s covers on Namor and Wolverine….but I’m really going to give my Best Artist nod to Jerome Opeña. His artwork is just way too perfectly capturing the mood of Uncanny X-Force. Not only is it completely gorgeous, but it’s clear and easy to follow the action in every panel…something that Clayton Crain didn’t seem to get on previous incarnation of X-Force… (Tia)

Sean Murphy Frazier Irving – This is a sad one. I wanna give it to Sean Murphy for Joe the Barbarian, but it has been so late. That would make me an enabler, and we don’t want that. Sooo, I will reluctantly give it to Frazier Irving for his Batman work. Possibly the creepiest Joker yet.  (Ronnie)

Frank Quitely – if Quitely counts then him, if not… well, then… I don’t have to answer this one do I??? (Kyle)

Richard Corben –  how can this guy still do it?  His art is so damn good and so damn scary.  He could draw a brick wall and it would be the creepiest thing you’ve ever seen.  This year he did two one shots with Mike Mignola, Hellboy in Mexico and Double Feature of Evil.  Both are great mild horror stories with very, very creepy elements added by Richard Corben’s amazing art.  In Hellboy in Mexico he makes a turkey look far more terrifying then any werewolf you’ve ever seen in a comic and in Double Feature of Evil, Corben gives the house Hellboy is investigating a living essence of pure dirty terror.  Mignola is a pretty simple story teller and leaves his artist’s (himself more often in years past) work to tell the true story.  If you are telling a horror story, Richard Corben is still THE man.  (Matt)

Best Character

Moses/The Unknown Soldier — The main character from the ‘limited series’ Unknown Soldier. I’ve never quite understood why the most relevant comics continue to be cancelled, I suppose that’s a conversation for another time though. Why is Moses great? Because he’s the ultimate badass, and he’s fighting for something, a hero we can all relate to. He was originally a peace activist doctor, but when he sees a young kid brutally murdered, something inside him turns on, thus is born The Unknown Soldier.

I really like how Joshua Dysart managed to get this character developed in a short 25 issues. Throughout this period, we see him constantly battling himself and struggling to cope with the idea that he’ll never be with his wife again. Moses was in a constant battle, not only with himself, but for the things he believed in. Really, this series should require multiple reads, as I personally don’t quite understand the full complexity of Moses yet after only one read. If only Joshua was allowed to write Moses for his FULL run..  (Will)

Gus/Sweet Tooth – This was a pretty tough one as well. I think I’m going to choose Gus from Sweet Tooth. What a sweet, innocent and tragic little deer-boy! He completely captured my heart, and I constantly feel this pull of needing help him in some way. I’ve really never found myself rooting for a character in the way that I do for Gus.  (Tia)

Batman - This was the year of The Bat. Batman(s) starred in any number of excellent stories this year. Between Grant Morrison, Scott Snyder, Paul Dini, Fabian Nicieza and now Paul Cornell you were guaranteed at least one or two awesome bat-tales a month.  (Ronnie)

Dick Grayson/Batman – It is pretty obvious THE character in comics in 2010 was Batman, but not Bruce Wayne, it was Dick Grayson.  This is a really good thing.  People read Batman and it didn’t have to be the same old same old same old same old same.. oh, sorry I was getting redundant, much like many of these tired old superhero icons are.  What Grant Morrison (primarily) has done with his Batman stories is change the character, his surroundings and his stories enough to get you interested and keep you reading, by making that character new, different and above all good.  (Matt and Kyle)

Best New Series of 2010

American Vampire by Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque - Scott Snyder has come out of the gates swinging. This book is off to an EXCELLENT start! So, you say, “this book is about vampires, really?” Damn right it’s about vampires, and let me tell you, in a time of cliche properties, this book has originality written all over it. Vampires are extremely hard to do. However, Snyder’s telling a story not just about vampires, but the United States itself.  A perfect hybrid of the two results in one damn good comic book. Let’s talk about Albuquerque for a minute, he could tell this story with his pencils alone.  He’s amazing.  Since issue #1, he and Snyder have created something special and moody in this new American Vampire. Don’t hate this book simply because it’s about vampires, it’s an entire collected piece of the history of the old West with a few blood thirsty vampires thrown in! (Will)

Uncanny X-Force - Everything I needed to say about this series I put down in the first category. It’s just really amazing, and you should be reading it.  (Tia)

Scarlet - For a mini, it should have been Joe the Barbarian, hands down. We lose because they lose. So I will have to go with Chimichanga/Daytripper. I enjoyed both immensely for very different reasons. I really can’t choose one over the other.
Fowever, for a continuing series, with only three issues in and I am pretty impressed with Scarlet. It’s got an intense premise, experimental storytelling, and the art is beautiful.  (Ronnie)

I, Zombie – just can’t think of a lot of really good series that “started” in 2010.  (Kyle)

Legion of Superheroes – I am an OLD Legion fan that dates back 20 years, but have read nearly everything ever printed with the Legion in it.  I had given up on the characters after Mark Waid rebooted the series back some six or seven years ago with his now cancelled and hopefully forgotten run.  It was terrible, unreadable that just got worse and further buried my college comic reading years… and then came Paul Levitz to unearth them like a grave digger.  Stepping down from his position of president of DC, I didn’t have a lot of faith he would be able to pick up where he had left off with the characters, but he did and has.  From trepidation to an excited anticipation, this is the BEST team book on the racks, not just the newest.  (Matt)

Best Continuing Series

Grant Morrison’s Batman mythos — It’s entirely possible that I’m in love with Grant Morrison. I don’t know, I’m not a love doctor. Either way, I’m not going to write twenty pages on why Grant Morrison’s Batman mythos is excellent, because chances are you’ve already heard me ranting about it in the shop with that loser Kyle.  Basically, Grant Morrison is writing a story that is so fresh and innovative that nothing else out there right now really touches it.  (Will)

Sweet Tooth. Again, all my praises have already been sung (and will be sung by Ronnie) for this series. (Tia)

Batman and Robin – I’ll give Fantastic Four and Echo honorable mentions.  (Kyle – note, Time magazine agrees with Kyle.)

Sweet Tooth/Chew Tie – This is a tough one, I really liked a lot of series this year. I think I will have to hand it to Sweet Tooth and Chew, only because they were never late and always great.   (Ronnie)

Echo – This might be the best superhero book out there.  Probably because there isn’t anyone doing superhero things in it.  Or maybe it is the best character driven dialogue centric book out there.  Probably because it isn’t written by someone who feels he needs to keep with-in the tired old used up plot devices of superhero story telling.  Or maybe it is the fine crisp (Black and White) line work in the art that details out every character so perfectly.  Or maybe it is the fact that the creator self publishes.  Or maybe it is the fact it centers around legitimate science that makes its fiction so good.  Whatever it is, This Is The Best Book On The Market.  Period.  I give Chew, Usagi Yojimbo and the personal favorite of BPRD as the honorable mentions.  (Matt)

Geeky X-Mas and Boxing Day Sales

Published on December 24, 2010 in Uncategorized. 0 Comments

Southsider Studios were here with us for Geeky Christmas and put together a montage (’cause everyone needs a montage) of the days events.

You can find it here: www.youtube.com/user/SouthSiderStudios

And stop in Sunday for some special Boxing Day Sales (that is Canadian for day after x-mas sales.)

Week of December 20

Published on December 20, 2010 in Comics and Ronnie's Reviews. 0 Comments

We have some different hours this week and next.

December 24th

Open 6:30am to 5:00pm

December 25th

Open 9am to 9:30 ONLY

This is a special thank you for our die hard coffee addicts

December 31st

Open 6:30am to 6:00pm

January 1st

Open 9:00am to 4:00pm

Urgh, This time of Year…

Can’t seem to get motivated.  Can’t seem to “like” anything (no, that is different than most times of the year.)  Just, bleegh right now.

So, I apologize in advance if the next couple posts are a little like a shot gun blast.

Maybe I need more coffee.

Mark Bagley back to Marvel…

I read Mark Bagley is headed back to Marvel and will start up on the Ultimate Death of Spider-man.  This ends another of the great exclusive signings by DC over the last couple years.

Maybe you like him, and that is great, but I have never been a huge fan of his art style.  I take nothing away from his quickness.  Very, very few people can stay on a schedule like he can.   He actually put out 18 issues of Ultimate Spider-man in a twelve month period.  Pretty impressive.  What wasn’t impressive was his work on Justice League.

No granted, this is mostly because everything was bad on that book.  James Robinson’s writing, Bagley’s art, the team that was put on it… no much to like and our sales have shown your irritation on this book too.

Nonetheless, I think this move is good for everyone.  Ultimate Spider-man has suffered in sales as well and it all started when Bagley left.  Maybe this helps everyone.

Rumored Changes in Contracts at Vertigo…

There is an article by Rich Johnston on Bleeding Cool.com that scared the heck out of me.  It talks about a change in how creator owned books will be dealt with in regards to royalties payments.  Sounds like a bunch of crazy corporate gobbledy-gook, it isn’t.  If you think of some of the really good books to come out over the last few years, this presents a question of how many might not have if this new system had been in place.

I don’t understand the new system entirely, but it looks to me like a system of DC/Vertigo attempting to assume more control over series and simply not having creator owned series.  I suppose it come from the thought that they can turn them into movies or TV series and keep all the profits if they own them.  Another example of that huge restructuring DC went through a year and a half ago.

Now that would have made a great X-man day present!!…

I also read that Amazing Spider-man #50’s famous splash page of “Spider-man No More!” sold last week for $88,500!!!  WOW, in so many ways.  Wow, that is a lot of money.  Wow, that would be SO freak’n cool to own.  Wow, that someone would actually sell it.

All of this has me thinking about what I own and wondering what you all have.  There is something Ronnie has shown me called Shelf Porn.  Pictures about what their boxes and bookshelves look like.  If you have a great looking “Man” cave (woman don’t be offended, it is just a saying.  I’ll gladly take woman cave pics too.)

I’ll get a few pics of some of my art and submit them to you all in a few weeks.

This Blog is the Law!!…

My brother in law sent me a fantastic blog about Superhuman law.  No, not Judge Dredd, real law practices and how they would apply to Superhumans.  Very interesting hypothetical reading. You can find it here: lawandthemultiverse.com/

Ronnie’s Reviews…

Mystery Society TPB Steve Niles & Fiona Staples

This volume collect the recent 5 issue mini-series from IDW. The main premise of the story is that a couple of ridiculously attractive occult book sellers, Nick Mystery and Anastasia Collins, win the lottery and decide to use that money to find out the truth behind myths like Bigfoot, Area 51 and the magical powers of the missing skull of Edgar Allan Poe.

The story by Steve Niles, who is known for his horror comics, is very engaging. It has a campy espionage feel, kind of a tongue in cheek BPRD. The tale begins as Nick holds a press conference outside of a prison where he is about to serve a sentence. He uses this spotlight to tell the history of The Mystery Society through flashback. Luckily, the story doesn’t jump back and forth through time throughout. I think I’ve had my share of that this year. We get great scenes like Nick breaking into secret government compounds while flirting with Anastasia over headsets and making dinner plans while fighting humongous exo-suits. The relationship between these two may be the “star” of the story, it invades every scene with their amusing head over heels lustiness. For only five issues, you walk away knowing all the main characters very well, their personalities are very fleshed out. Even the brain of Jules Verne in a tin can robot suit.

I only know of the series artist Fiona Staples from the covers of the recent Brian Wood penned DV8 mini-series (which I surprisingly loved). Those covers were all iconic and beautiful. In this series, she gives each and every character a definite look. She draws in this unique lanky style with thin long lines. Anastasia in particular stands out. She was masterfully designed to be very feminine, but also has the look of an ass-kicker. This doesn’t mean huge boobs and steroid man-arms. Think eastern European master assassin. And Nick’s breaking and entering gear has a perfect design. I am pretty impressed, especially that she can make me believe that the Jules Verne brain robot would have a butt-rocket. Of course he would. Let me know what I have missed from this artist, I am now a big fan.

The coloring is very muted and has a vintage photograph feel. Which really works with this story’s post-modern James Bond homage vibe. There seems to be a rash of well-done updated vintage pop art styles in mainstream comics lately. Amazingly, it hasn’t gotten old yet, check out iZombie’s Mike Allred and Francesco Francavilla’s work in Detective Comics and the better than expected Black Panther, Man Without Fear. I certainly prefer it to all this re-coloring of old work nonsense.

There is one major downside. There is mention of Bigfoot hunting, but it never happens in-story. What an effing ripoff! Nothing makes a story like some Sasquatch sightings. Besides that huge disappointment, I had a ton of fun with this volume. I would love to see a well-made movie from it. I don’t know if there is plans for any more Mystery Society stories, the ending certainly left it open to more, but I will certainly pick them up if they happen. Thanks Dave for letting me borrow this!

For fans of BPRD, what you wish Black Widow was, and people that like good comics.  4 ½ Stars.

Editor’s Note – I don’t have this in stock right now.  I will get it back in next week.  Ronnie said he had to review it this week… he hasn’t liked anything even close to this over the last couple weeks.

Dungeons & Dragons #2 John Rogers & Andrea Di Vito | Cover A by Tyler Walpole

I want to point out that this series is featuring covers by Des Moines own prodigal son and close friend of the shop, Tyler Wapole. He is doing the regular (A) covers for this new ongoing. It’s pretty good and the cover of issue 2 features a couple of fierce Krishna mullets in deadly combat! Sold!

Rant-

So, Time Masters: Vanishing Point #5 of 6 came out this week. This mini is supposed to be a tie-in to the Return of Bruce Wayne summer blockbuster. Now, it has an interesting premise. Superman, Rip Hunter, Hal Jordan and Booster Gold are traveling the time stream tracking down Bruce. And it features Dan Jurgens scripts and art. So far, so good.

Now the problem is that the first issue claimed that if they allow Bruce to make it back to the present on his own, the world will end. Well, Bruce has been back for a while, 2012 never happened, and now these characters look like fools.

This is just one of a huge list of late titles in recent years. There is now zero reason to read this book if you tried to keep up on the Batman stuff. Everything is out of order, we know the ending before we read the middle, and this companion title now just feels like another meaningless event spin-off. Reading it now almost feels like a ret-con. I suppose I could just wait until all the issues of these crossovers are out, find a reading list, and read them then. Or wait for the trade. But, I buy comics every week to read them that week, usually that night. If everyone waits for the trade, then the title get cancelled because no one bought the singles. Is it too much to ask that the editors and creators put out work as it was solicited, in a order that make sense? Do we, the readers, demand that we have advanced previews so far in advance that we can plan our reading for the next decade? What would happen if titles were solicited only after they were turned in, finished? Doesn’t that seem logical?

Joe The Barbarian had a lock on being Mini-Series of the Year, but now it is all but ruined by it’s incredible lateness. If it had come out monthly as advertised, we should probably be seeing the hardcover on the shelves by now.

I don’t have any real answers to this, I don’t work in the creative or corporate side of this medium. But, something is obviously broken in the monthly issue process. It makes these big companies appear like they bit off more than they can chew. How can we expect new readers to get into the monthly game with this crap happening constantly? Heck, this issue of Time Masters even has a three week old page of my beloved DC Nation printed in the back. (I hope he is joking about that beloved comment.)  What the hell!?!

I swear if they do this to me 763 more times, I am quitting comics. Except for Scalped. And all the Batman stuff. Well, maybe Sweet Tooth, Tank Girl, DMZ and Scarlet too. Dammit.

Week of December 13th

Published on December 13, 2010 in Comics and Reviews-comics. 0 Comments

Quick reminder about the upcoming Gift Wrapping to benefit Animal Life Line of Iowa:

Gift Wrapping…

If you are anything like me, you can’t wrap a X-Man Day present to save your life.  It is horrible what my pathetic attempts look like.  However, Cup can help.  This Saturday, December 18th, starting at 10:00 a.m. and going until 4:00 p.m. we will have free will donation Gift Wrapping to benefit Animal Life Line of Iowa.  If you have anything left to drop off from the needs list for the shelter you can do that anytime this week or on Saturday too.

Again, thank you all for your generosity.  Animal Life Line is unofficially the shop’s charity of choice and anything we and you can do to make it easier on those who work and help there and the animals being helped is good.

Batman Prey on E-Bay…

So… we all know E-bay is a silly place (think of Camelot from Monty Python’s Holy Grail.)  However, I can’t help but watch and see what the actual market says something is worth.

See, when someone comes in and says (and this is a mostly real conversation we’ve had:)

“Hey, I’ve got some of them thar Death o Superman comics I’d like to sell.  What would yah gives me for ‘em?”

“Well fine sir, we would probably not be able to give you much.  They and much from that era, just aren’t worth anything.  We are so sorry.”

“What in tar nation?!!?  But this here price guide I bought from the honorable reputable company Wiz-ard says just one of ‘em is worth more than 20 full dollars, US currency!!”

“well, sir… that doesn’t really reflect the market all that accurately.  We would just properly put them genteelly into our prized fifty cent bins and barely make a profit on that… if we ever sold them.  Sorry.  Have a good day.”

Or it might go something like that…

No the real market, right or wrong, is kept pretty well by E-Bay, the flea market and dirt mall of the world!!  Case in point, last week Ronnie, the small helpful elf like lad with dreadlocks that “works” in our store, brought in his copy of The Batman Prey trade paperback he had bought for around 50 cents a few months and had Kyle, the strapping young gent with a Led Zeppelin fetish, put it up for sale on E-Bay.  Thing sold for over $50!!  NO KIDDING.

Why the hell did it sell for that?  Well, there is a rumor circulating that it will be that Doug Moench, Paul Gulacy, Terry Austin story including villain Hugo Strange that will make up the majority of the next big budget Batman movie.  YEP.  50 cents or $50… the true indicator of the industry, the silly world of E-Bay.

Future Marvel Crossover?…

I’m mildly entertained when Rich Johnston of Bleeding Cool.com tries to out scoop the bigger more elaborate and MUCH CRAPPIER comic “news” sites.  Lately, Rich has taken to trying to trying to figure out what the next big, company-wide crossover will be from Marvel.  Because we know they just can’t stay away from them.  They resemble a heroin junkie.  Heck, Shadowland and Chaos War (not actually considered company-wide crossovers – really?? – are out at the same time.

Now, we can talk about how these last few have not been very good creatively and sales-wise.  We can talk about how, in the days of yore, the six or seven issue company-wide crossover would have been done in a three issue arc of Avengers.  We can talk about how these company-wide crossovers don’t really help to do, what comics need to do, advance the characters or develop story.  Nah.  We can, we could… but I’m going to send you to the speculation instead. Go to Bleedingcool.com for a full look at what Rich thinks plus some art that helps “prove” his theories.

If I don’t really care, why do I even look at the stuff?… well, A. I’m a sucker for Marvel big events.  I have to admit, they all sound so good… until they actually start coming out and B. I know you all care and that makes me want to care too.  OH, I’m hurt you don’t believe me.  I really do.  I love you all.  Now, drink your cool-aid.

This totally leads me to my review this week.  No, it doesn’t have to do with taking a trip on a space ship or wearing nike shoes or mass suicides.  It has, slightly, more to do with comics.

Ronnie says he is too busy.  So, sorry, you get one from me.  (I think this proves he is an actual elf.  He is never too busy the rest of the year… hmmm.)

Review time, Matty J style…

New Avngers #7 by Brian Bendis and Stuart Immonen

Echo #26 by Tony Moore (ONLY, he needs no help.)

So, what came out last week?  Chaos War Book – what the heck is this?  Shadowland thingy – Isn’t this, hey this isn’t half bad issue.  Crossed Family Values – How the hell do people read this book and not barf?  Another DC Annual – They still make these?  Eighteen GI Joe books – really, I thought that movie would have killed off that franchise?  OH, New Avengers #7 and Echo #26 both shipped.

Friend and customer Chad was in last week and he has been a little underwhelmed by some of the Avenger titles of late.. until New Avengers #7. He made a point to e-mail me and tell me how much he enjoyed this latest issue.  He made sure to point out that this would most likely anger me (OH, we’ll get to that), but that he LOVED it.  Chad said the banter and interaction in the issue made him laugh out loud several times and loved the use of Wolverine as comic relief.  He’s not alone.  I read a review of this issue on Bleeding Cool where Rich Johnston pretty much says the same thing.

I… didn’t quite see it that way.  I hated Hated HATED it.  I’m so sick of Bendis’s superhero writing, but can’t not read it.  I feel like he has control over me and MAKES ME read his super hero books.  Marvel, stop controlling my mind.  That is the type of stuff MODOK does.  It is bad.  Stop!

Bendis, buddy, PLEASE, write more books like Scarlet and drop a couple (all?) of your superhero books, PLEASE!?!

Immonen’s art was good though… and, Dr. Strange is in it.  I like Iron Fist. Urr, something something… stretch this review out… hmmm.

No, I appreciate Chad’s opinion.  He goes on to say that the sitting and talking was the reason he dropped the book in the first place, but if Bendis could just do it every seven or so issues and have a big character driven action sequence the rest of the time, it would probably make it a lot better.  And in this, Chad is very much right.  I think he gets what Bendis is trying to do (I don’t, but I’m a jerk.)  He wants to make the characters more human, bring them to our level, make them like us and make us relate better to them.  Maybe he succeeds… or…

Then there is Echo #26.  This is such a great character driven book… AND those main characters are women!  No, really!  Tony Moore, creator of Strangers in Paradise, somehow writes better women in comic form then EVERYONE else, even women.  He has blended an amazing story of science, sci-fi, mild bits of superhero and some of the best damn characters I’ve ever read.  Unfortunately, you don’t read it, so you don’t know this.

The main plot is about a young woman who is out photographing the desert and is showered by some kind of metal.  Then the government/shadowy corporate guys start hunting her down.  From this simple start the science is introduced and the plot grows.  I don’t want you to think it is a superhero book though, it does not have huge elements of that, just enough to get those who do like that sort of thing interested.

Moore adds in a developing story that even now, near the end, is still not 100% fully revealed.  Why do I recommend this book if it is near the end, because if you are looking for a new and different read, I recommend the trades, which I hope to keep in stock until it is finished.

This is one of my favorite (top five) reads every month, but don’t take my word for it.  Kyle finally, after much badgering, took the first trade and gave it a read, a day later he is caught up and says the same – it is one of the best books on the rack!

Two quick art points…

I want to point out two quick things on the rack this last week.  THOR has been really, really good lately after Fraction and Ferry took over.  I highly recommend this book, for the pencil (and digital color behind with no inks) work alone.

Also, Paul Pelltier is back on Incredible Hulk.  Man, this guy is SO under rated.  He is a great superhero artist and needs to be on a regular book, monthly.  You get a chance, check him out.  Reminds me of the good stuff from my childhood.  Simple, but detailed.  Couldn’t tell you about the story, I think The Abomination is coming back, didn’t read it, just looked at the pretty pictures.  Tyler would be so proud of me.

Week of December 6th

Published on December 6, 2010 in Ronnie's Reviews, Shop Crap and Uncategorized. 1 Comment

Thank you all who came out to Geeky X-Mas…

We had a great turnout on Saturday for our annual charity drive.  I want to thank Kathy Scott for all her work in getting this event going, promoted and off without a hitch.  She deserves all the credit for the event being successful.  Thanks is extended to Dawn and Jen for volunteering and Ronnie and Tia for the extra hours and work put in on Saturday.

Overall, numbers were down, but there were a lot of reasons for that, not the least being the really crappy economy.  Thing is, the numbers weren’t down all that much from last year.  There were more kids and the looks happy faces when the Storm Troopers, Darth Vader and Boba Fetts came in was priceless.  There was even a little one who was, though terrified of the Storm Troopers (aren’t we all kid, aren’t we all), was not terrified of the pathetic Santa that showed up (maybe because he was so pathetic.)  She was able to give Santa a list for Mom, Dad, her sister and herself, something her Dad said she would NOT do with a Mall Santa.  That alone makes the event a good time.

Still want to help…

  • We are going to have the Toys for Tots and needs drop off for Animal Lifeline of Iowa boxes in the shop through next weekend.
  • We are also having our big day of free will donation gift wrapping on Saturday, December 18th.  All proceeds will go towards ALI.

Shop Locally…

It is that time of year and time for the annual shopping locally sermon.  If you don’t want to be yelled at, skip to the next section, if you want a full blown Rant from Hell, continue… you have been warned.

…and now that Geeky Christmas is out of the way I can be the Grinch b*stard I prefer to be this time of year.  And why is that?  Because, though a small business owner I may be, I hate the “free” market and capitalism and all that crap.  I hate materialism and can’t stand what this holiday REALLY is (don’t try and give me all that junk about love of your fellow man, the spirit of the holiday and what have you, it isn’t true.)

“Oh, I’m sad for Matt and his little tiny heart that is three sizes too small.  He can’t feel the love and joy of Christmas.”  Weep, weep. Crying and sobbing ensue, I’m sure.

Don’t cry for me, Argentina.  If you really want to help me, then do this… BUY LOCAL!!

All joking aside – and yes it is true I am a Grinch of the highest order, we have meeting on how to ruin your X-Man day – think of your local businesses this holiday shopping season.  Need a book or novel (these are the ones WITHOUT pictures) try The Book Store down town on Locust or Beaverdale Books in, duh, the Beaverdale area.  Need a record or CD, ZZZ Records is open and willing to help find that hard to find copy of whatever it is.

What I’m getting at is in an economic recession, it is more important to support the people who ALREADY live in your town and operate small businesses.  Guess where that money you waste at Walmart goes?  Out of state.  Boarders, to some fascist out of state.  Best Buy, out of state.  Target, Minnesota… seriously, you want to give them anything, let alone your money?  And I don’t even what to talk about where you eat.  This all adds up and the piles are much higher going out then staying in.

I’m not saying you have to change completely overnight, but if you consider one purchase at a local business rather than one purchase at a big box store, you are starting a big change that would make a huge impact on our city and our state.

Thank you.

The Real S.H.I.E.L.D.?…

Did you hear…. Senator Joe Leiberman (total tool from Connecticut) is actually trying to get S.H.E.I.L.D. started in the U.S. government, no really, but not exactly as we comic fans would think of.  So, Joe is pissed off because of the WikiLeaks, which released a bunch of high security documents and showed the total failure in Afghanistan and he wants to make it a federal crime to print, publish such leaks (he also wants you to not play violent video games, read violent books or comics or listen to metal music… but that isn’t part of this bill… yet.)

Thing is his Securing Human Intelligence and Enforcing Lawful Dissemination isn’t nearly as cool as Nick Fury’s.  Some would argue this is the US Government trying to lay down the hammer, no not that H.A.M.M.E.R., on some press and foreign interests.

For the full read, and an awesome picture of our world’s Joe Leiberman (patch included) go to BleedingCool.com (additional links there.)  Rich also says the bill, still in committee, is sure to have “a series of attachments to the bill, that cover cars with wheels that flip up to fly, and a trillion dollar budget diversion for a helicarrier.”

I think I’m going to go join A.I.M. tomorrow… is it a crime to even joke about joining a fictitious evil scientist group?  Hey, who are those jump suited dudes outside my door?

Ronnie’s Reviews…

Sweet Tooth #16 Animal Armies pt. 4 – Jeff Lemire

Quite possibly the best issue yet of this great series.

Jeff Lemire may very well be a master storyteller.  His method of scripting this series seems to be a slow boil.  Character building is the main point of most issues, as well creating a constantly deepening mystery.  Slow describes it, in the best sense of the word.

But, with this issue,  the plot moves forward at a fevered pace, about 3 times as fast as any other, slapping you hard at the end with a George Laraque (Matt says this guy was a bad ass) sized upper-cut cliff hanger of an ending.  To say the least, the action was huge and explosive, and many plot points jumped ahead.

Jepperd and the ominous animal army have joined forces and are staging an attack on The Reserve to free Gus and the other hybrid kids.  The action is intense, and we learn much about Jepperd’s shattered psyche.  We spent a few issues digging in his heart, head and past, and now we know why he makes the choices that he does.  Him talking about the memories of his late wife is an example of this writers ability to express drama that is so often overdone with a huge side of cheese.  (Check out Lemire’s incredible Essex County to see this in even more amazing detail.)  We also witness Gus discover his own power and agency, and leave behind his childhood and naivety.  Last issue we saw him discover the necessity for brutality, this issue he has begun to draw lines in the sand.

The art, also by Lemire, is very unique.  There is a caricature factor, but nothing is silly or takes from the serious tone of the story.  The exaggeration in the landscapes and characters tell much of the story.  In fact, I believe a different artist would make this a completely different book.  There is something to be said about the singular, tight vision when there is only one creator.  I would like to see what he could do with a book of just sequential pictures and no text.

There are a lot of similar themes here to the “immortal” Walking Dead, but this issue was everything Walking Dead wished it could be.  Everything is better here in Sweet Tooth.

I highly, highly suggest this series to all those that are literate (even moderately) in English.

5 Stars.

(Editor’s Note – I can’t remember an issue making me more mad (at coming to the last page) and more in love with the medium of graphic storytelling.  I got to the end of the book and actually looked for more pages.  Then re-read the comic.  This is the best issue yet and the series is one of the ten best being published right now.  I have recommended it, I have pushed it on you, I have nearly forced it into your bag (and charged you for the privilege) and still you read Avengers instead.  I’m done with you all.  I mean Seriously the main protagonist was an enforcer on a pro-hockey team, the writer, Jeff Lemire, is from the north –the fabled land of milk and honey and health care, Canada (it is a better place then here,) he wrote one of the best books I’ve ever or ever will read, Essex County and Geoff Johns describes the book as Mad Max with antlers.  COME ON PEOPLE!!!)

Ronnie’s Ten Reasons NOT To Read Scalped:

  • No action figures, t-shirts, licensed underwear or heroclix.
  • Issue 35 may be one of the best comics ever written.  If you have already read the best, it’s much harder to enjoy the medium.
  • There were a couple of issues with gay people in it.  Icky.
  • Being a well researched, incredibly engaging story about important, ignored aspects of our world means that it is not an escape into fantasy.  There is very little in this story that would make you long to be in their world, let alone want to be one of the characters themselves.  That’s why Unknown Soldier was canceled.
  • The tale is not defined by jingoism or chest thumping macho domination.  Also, no boob busted spandex or thinly veiled rape fantasies.
  • Less white people than probably any comic from a major company.
  • The Lakota cultural backdrop is not so much an “interesting angle selling gimmick” as it is an incidental setting and interesting unexplored territory.  Not much in the way of stereotypes, cultural worship/fetishism, or a vehicle for political commentary.
  • No black and white definition on who is the good guy or the bad guy.  That doesn’t mean the gray tones of ethics and reality are defined by hyper violent anti-heroes or misunderstood vengeance obsessed thrill seekers.
  • Jason Aaron’s beard is a lot bigger than yours.
  • Scalped makes the other 3 weeks of the comic month suck.