Archive for the 'Ronnie’s Reviews' Category

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FREE COMIC BOOK DAY

Published on May 2, 2011 in Comics and Ronnie's Reviews. 2 Comments

Free Comic Book Day is nearly here.

 

PRE-PARTY on FRIDAY…

This year’s event is going to be so big we’ve decided it needed two days!

We are having a pre-party and signing on Friday night from 9:00pm to 12:30am.  The event is happening after regular hours and is designed to be a fun, very light atmosphere to hang out, draw, celebrate and BS about comics.  Also have a beer or two, yep that is right, FREE BEER!

At midnight, all the Free Comic Book Day Books will be laid out and you are welcome to take some home.  Thoughts behind this are that adults can come to the party the night before, leaving Saturday morning for the kids.  Kids are still welcome on Friday night and adults can still come on Saturday, but I think you get my idea.

Art and Comic Book Auction to benefit Animal Life Line…

We’ll have some amazing stuff that has been donated to us for a silent auction that will start on Friday late afternoon.  Among the items is original signed art by Doug Mahnke, Mike Grell and Art Baltzar.  Some signed comic related objects and a bunch of rare, variant and special comic books, art prints and… stuff.  The auction will be silent, so, bidding will be done on paper with increases of a certain amount on each.  It will go through 5:00 on Saturday afternoon, so, if you REALLY want something, you might want to stop back in then when I will stop all bids and make calls to the winners.  I can tell you, there are pieces in this auction I will be bidding on myself.  I dare you to out do me for a good cause.

Comic and Coffee Deals Too…

We will have a number of specials and deals on Friday night.  I’m not telling you what they are, you have to show up to get them, but they will be coffee and comic both.

Our special guests at the art fight are:

Phil Hester – currently writing Wonder Woman, Darkness, Green Hornet AND he’s drawing Godzilla.  This is all stuff coming out regularly each month!!  Also, he and friend Jason Caskey are working on finishing the fantastic Holy Terror, which will be out later this summer.

Tyler Walpole – currently doing covers on the main Dungeons and Dragons comic from IDW and working on a bunch of non comic mainstream related projects including the rumored second issue of Stronghold.

Ron Wagner – everyone knows Ron.  He has worked on Batman, Ghost Rider, GI Joe, Conan and, my personal favorite, The Nam among a plethora of others.  Ron’s latest work is due out next week in GI Joe: Real American Hero #166.

Adam Van Wyk – You may not recognize the name, but you’ve seen his contributions to the “comic” related medium.  Adam is one of the premier story board artists in the country.  His work has been in several dozen DC animated features and series including Superman: Doomsday, Justice League: New Frontier, Justice league: Crisis on Two Earths, Superboy and the Legion and many, many more

Brook Turner - Brook, not a regular active artist has serious talent, featured in Last year’s Golly (written by Phil Hester.)  The collection of the first arc is due out in trade this month.

I also hope to have a bunch of other local artists and writers too.  Tom Selgrade, Job Yemen and Carter Allen are all going to try and join the fight too.

 

Saturday Morning, Bright and Early

We open at 7:00am.  There are no guarantees on the books.  If there is something you really want, please, get here early.  In years past, there has been some grouchiness after the books have come and gone.  Please… These are free to you.  Think about that before you take what you don’t want or push a kid out of the way.

The books are not free to us, however.  We do have to pay for these.  Yes, they are drastically discounted, but when you order thousands of anything, the price does add up.  Over the years, I’ve gotten better at guessing what and how much to order, but I’m still not perfect (Oh, I can hear my wife after that sentence.)  Though we are telling you not to be Larafleze, the Orange Lantern, I am also saying… Hey, It’ll be Saturday morning, get a cup o’ joe too.  Coffee is good for you and we do sell it too.

 

The Community Side of Things

We are also combining forces with Mayhem this year to get as many comics to libraries and hospitals as possible.  In years past, we have each sort-of taken parts of the Des Moines metro area, but not all of it.  This year, we are blanketing the city.  I really hope this is the beginning of a good relationship and think it is.  We hope to work together in the future to perhaps bring artists and/or writers to the area as well as work on other community events.

 

So, what is coming out that day

There are two “levels” of Free Comic Book Day Sponsorship.

Gold Sponsors

Ape Entertainment

KUNG FU PANDA/RICHIE RICH FLIP BOOK

 

Archaia Entertainment

DARK CRYSTAL/MOUSE GUARD FLIP BOOK

 

Archie Comics

BETTY & VERONICA

 

BOOM! Studios

DARKWING DUCK/RESCUE RANGERS FLIP BOOK

 

Dark Horse Comics

AVATAR: LAST AIRBENDER/STAR WARS: CLONE WARS FLIP BOOK

 

DC Comics

GREEN LANTERN #30 and a PREVIEW of FLASHPOINT

 

Image Comics

SUPER DINOSAUR

 

IDW Publishing

LOCKE & KEY

 

Marvel Comics

SPIDER-MAN

(I think this is original material previewing upcoming story arcs in Amazing Spider-man.)

 

Papercutz

GERONIMO STILTON & THE SMURFS FLIP BOOK

 

Silver Sponsors

Bluewater Productions

The Misadventures of Adam West

The Man. The Myth. The Amulet?! Legendary star of the small and silver screen, Adam West, has his career youth-enized in this hip-whimsical, trans-dimensional epic of an adventure!

 

Bongo Comics

Take the plunge into a treasure trove of Bongo comics with a brand-new, exclusive, one day, one-shot collection of stories featuring The Simpsons and Futurama.

 

Boom! Studios

Elric: The Balance Lost

Meet the Pale Prince in an epic FCBD edition that heralds the new ongoing Elric series! Featuring a crisis across multiple worlds that will involve Michael Moorcock’s other famous fantasy franchise characters: Corum of the Scarlet Robe and Dorian Hawkmoon!

 

Dark Horse Comics

Baltimore/Criminal Macabre Flip-Book

Dark Horse pairs up two series with heroes who battle the mysterious evils of the world. Featuring Baltimore in war-torn Europe, circa 1920s, and Cal MacDonald of Criminal Macabre, in modern day Los Angeles, both FCBD stories are excellent entry points to these fantastically horrific and compelling comic series!

 

DC Comics

Young Justice/Batman: The Brave & The Bold Super Sampler

This super sampler is the perfect place to check out two sensational series from the DC Kids line, Young Justice and Batman: The Brave & The Bold, based on the popular animated series seen on Cartoon Network. It includes two exciting, all-new stories that readers of all ages will enjoy!

 

Fantagraphics Books

Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse

Today, everyone knows Mickey Mouse as the cheerful ambassador of all things Disney. But back in the 1930s, Mickey gained fame as a rough-and-tumble, two-fisted epic hero — an adventurous scrapper matching wits with mobsters, kidnappers, spies, and even (gulp!) city slickers! And Mickey’s greatest feats of derring-do took place in his daily comic strip, written and drawn by one of the greatest cartoonists of the 20th century, Floyd Gottfredson!

 

History Graphics Press

Civil War Adventure

Two-fisted, historically-accurate stories of the war that divided America, as written by industry vet, Chuck Dixon! Bloody Bill Anderson’s reign of terror in Missouri traps a reluctant soldier in the battle of his life in: “I Rode With The Devil”! Bloodstained axes, moonshine, murder, and revenge in the South Carolina swamps leads to a gun-runners’s worst fear: “Gator Bait”! Plus: A Battlefield amputation fact page!

 

Liquid Comics

The Silver Scorpion

Created by disabled students from America and Syria, experience the origin of a new disabled superhero, Silver Scorpion. “The comic book will help to establish trust and understanding between cultures, to empower young people with disabilities.”—President Bill Clinton, at the 2010 Clinton Global Initiative.

 

Marvel Comics

Thor & Captain America: The Mighty Avengers

A time-twisting tale of Camelot-craziness! When mischievous Loki’s machinations throw Thor and a WW II-era Steve Rogers into King Arthur’s court, it’s an adventure neither noble Avenger will ever forget!

 

New England Comics

The Tick FCBD

An all-new comic featuring a 7-page introductory story by the awesome creative team of the popular ongoing Tick New Series, Benito Cereno and Les McClaine! Plus: An original full-color preview from this year’s blockbuster project, The Tick’s Giant Circus Maximus, the all-new and updated official “encyclopedia” of The Tick Universe!

 

Rebellion/2000 AD

2000 AD

2000 AD is Britain’s cult sci-fi weekly comic which has been at the cutting edge of contemporary pop culture since 1977. It’s imaginative, hard-hitting stories and eye-popping art which have made this multi-award-winning sci-fi anthology essential reading- and now you can get a free copy!

 

Red 5 Comics

Atomic Robo and Friends FCBD 2011 Edition

When Atomic Robo agrees to guest-judge the national science fair, it draws a lot of attention… including the evil Helsingard! When the explosions fly, Robo forgets the most important rule of all — never work with children! Plus: Previews of the 2011 adventures of Red 5’s continuing favorites and all-new faces!

 

Top Shelf Productions

Top Shelf Kids’ Club

This FCBD edition presents three adventures from their established all-ages series: Owly by Andy Runton, Johnny Boo by James Kochalka, and Korgi by Christian Slade. It also features three all-new stories from brand new all-ages series coming in 2011: Okie Dokie Donuts by Chris Eliopoulos, Pirate Penguin vs. Ninja Chicken by Ray Friesen, and Upside Down by Jess Smart Smiley! Perfect for everyone in the family!

 

Viper Comics

Inspector Gadget

Go-Go-Gadget-Adventure! Inspector Gadget, Penny and Brain are back… but so is M.A.D.! On what should be a peaceful vacation aboard the Orient Express, Gadget must locate Professor Sagan-Heisenberg and escort him safely back to MetroCity.

 

Zenescope Entertainment

Discovery Channel’s Top 10 Deadliest Sharks/ANIMAL PLANET’s Prehistoric Predators

Sharks, Dinosaurs and Dangerous Animals! Catch a preview of Discovery Channel’s and Animal Planet’s first ever line of Graphic Novels, based on some of their most popular programming including Shark Week.

 

Wizkids/NECA

DC Heroclix: Green Lantern Figure

Get ready for the Green Lantern movie with this Free Comic Book Day exclusive HeroClix miniature of the classic DC Comics space hero!

 

Need more info or want to see pictures/previews of any of these books, go to www.freecomicbookday.com and you can get it all and then some.

(I am not going to get into the politics of this event, if you ask on Friday and I’ve had a few beers, I will certainly tell you my thoughts.  I will say this, I’ve already started an e-mail to Diamond in my head.  You are more than willing to help contribute if you would like.)

 

 

The rest of last week’s post:

Ronnie’s Quick Reviews:

Xombi #2 John Rozum/Fraizer Irving

This issue picks directly up where the last one left off, giving you no time to breath.

The scene is now set and the story pushes forward rapidly.  Last issue was used as an atlas, none of that here.  We get nothing but awesome sci-fi action, weird nuns, and the Rustling Husk, quite possibly the creepiest thing I have read this side of Mignola.

Then there is the art.  Frazier Irving may be one of the most interesting artists working in popular comics right now.  His pages are always exploding with color and texture.  Each scene appears to have a color that relates to the character’s emotions.  And no, this has nothing to do with rainbow rings.  I am just loving this stuff.  Some of it doesn’t sit right with me, which I think was the point.  More please.

I am pretty interested to see where this is going to go.  It may be the weirdest book on the DC roster, but it also seems to have some of the most promise.

4.5 Stars.

Turok Son of Stone #2 Jim Shooter/Endurado Francisco

We finally see the second issue to the current reboot of this very old character.  7 months late by my count.

This issue introduces the idea that many people from many different eras of time have become trapped in this prehistoric land.  Some have been here longer than others and have created mini civilizations here.

This issue’s plot advancement relies a little too heavily on coincidence, even for a comic book.  However, it does maintain a steady pace, and introduces a lot of characters and surprises.

Francisco’s pencils are excellent throughout, he shows a well rounded talent at drawing not only dinosaurs and plains style Indians, but laser toting future folk and Apocalypto-ish South American tribes.  Extra props to Raymond Swanland for the absolutely awesome covers.

In the end, Shooter is setting up the possibility of a fun ride with lots of players… BUT the series is gonna need a steady schedule to maintain momentum.  Maybe an OGN would have been a better idea?

3 Stars.

This was an unusually good comic week for me.  Most of my current favorites came out and delivered.  I don’t need to remind you again how damn good Scalped and Detective Comics are right now since you are already reading them.

What, you’re not?  Come on, drop a Deadpool book and try them.  ’Tective started a new arc this issue and Scalped is claiming the upcoming #50 will be a jumping on point.  Do it!  The fate of the literate public depends on you!

Also, American Vampire is offering you the chance to jump on the only good vampire story in years, and Batman Inc. is slowly revealing to us why Grant Morison’s name is on the cover and why that is a very good thing indeed.

Hope y’all had a Happy May Day and thought about the significance of the Haymarket affair and the now assumed gains that were fought and bleed for by the labor movement.  There are those who would like nothing more than to take those advances away from you and put them in their wallets.  For some crazed reason they are actually gaining political traction lately.  Our grandparents would be ashamed of us.

 

Action Comics #900, and the “Evil” of Superman…

A major moment in comic book history was reached last week.  Issue number 900 of Action Comics came out.  The longest running monthly comic book; 1938, the first of its kind and still running strong.  We sold really well on that issue and have been adding readers throughout the Paul Cornell run centered around Lex Luthor, which has been a very enjoyable read.

However, not all see the issue as a good thing.  Fox news ran an opinion piece (of $h!t) about one of the side stories in issue 900.  The comic story centers around the idea of the changing ideologies of Superman over the years and how he is and has been for many years a character recognized for certain values World Wide, not just here in America.  This Fox writer, who quite obviously did not even read the comic, missed the point of the story, the comic and the significance of the event – the first ever (I know it is debatable) superhero who is still around, still relevant and still important.

Superman has been many things in his existence.  He has been the focal point of very silly superhero stories, he has been a leader, a follower, a fighter and a scientist.  He has been and done many things… IN HIS COMICS over 900 issues.

What happened that would draw the ire of the far right?  In this story (written by Batman Begins and Batman Dark Knight script writer David Goyer), Superman says he will renounce his American citizenship and become a citizen of the world through the UN after his peaceful actions are questioned by the US Government.  (Superman is an American?  Does he pay taxes? Does he have a voter registration card or a birth certificate?  Think about these things and the argument surrounding the storywriter makes even less sense.)

Superman had landed in Tehran to stand between protesters and police.  The story, was short, but made a great point… Superman belongs to everyone and stands for so much more than just truth and justice and so very, very much more than the antiquated “American way.”

One last thing and I’ll post the links and you can make up your own mind… This piece of crap that was written by a close minded fool made his point of failure early on.  He says he remembers Superman on TV.  Never once talks about comics, never once talks about enjoying comic books, especially Superman comics.  He doesn’t talk about getting a superhero book as kid, one that now you read and looks so very unbelievable and unrealistic and so great.  He never talks about being a down and depressed teenager and how silly super-heroics can lift up your spirits  like nothing else.

No, he talks about his remembrance of a TV show.

He never talks about the point and importance of a comic reaching 900 issues, he wanted to talk about something he saw in a medium who’s story was inspired by something else, inspired by a superior product, something that far surpassed in number episodes or issues, something that has now done something no other monthly comic has ever done.

My rant and my irritation is not limited to Action Comics #900.  Remember, this summer, when you go to see one of a slew of films INSPIRED by comics.  Remember the medium that gave you that experience and why it is SO very much better.

Paul Cornell is quoted on Twitter by Bleeding Cool.com as saying: I joyfully await the day when comics fans would prefer to talk about the story rather than the controversy

Links:

Idiot from Fox propaganda: www.foxnews.com/opinion/2011/04/29/hijacked-superman-turned-loving-anti-american/#content

For some intelligent thought surrounding a stupid issue, head over to Bleedingcool.com

Week of April 18th

Published on April 17, 2011 in Reviews-comics and Ronnie's Reviews. 0 Comments

Lots of reviews this week, but first…

3XWrestling..

Wanted to remind everyone of 3XWresting’s return to All Play this Friday.  First bell is 7:30.  The main event will feature Marc Sterling against 3X Heavy Weight Champion Brian Ash.  We have tickets for sale through Friday morning.  I’ll see you there.

Coming this Week…

I am very excited about one book in specific this week, Dark Horse Presents #1.  If you know me, you know the immense support I have for the company Dark Horse.  The third largest publisher in the industry has been keeping their level of superior comic books coming out for over 20 some years now.  The first book they published, Dark Horse Presents.

This is THE anthology book.  It has had Hellboy, Aliens, (Art Adams drawn) Godzilla and Concrete among many, many other characters grace its pages and by some of the industries greatest creators.  The new incarnation will be no different.  Here is the solicitation for the book:

The legendary, premiere anthology is back! The 80-page spectacular, Dark Horse Presents returns with all-new stories by Neal Adams, Howard Chaykin, and Richard Corben; a new Concrete story by Paul Chadwick, a new Crimson Empire story from the Star Wars universe, and an exclusive sneak peek of Frank Miller’s highly-anticipated prequel to 300, Xerxes!

The celebration continues with a brand-new, all-color Finder story by Carla Speed McNeil, a prose piece from science fiction legend Harlan Ellison, the return of Michael T. Gilbert’s Mr. Monster, and much, much more!

There is one drawback, the price.  It is a $7.99 comic, however, that is for 80 pages with NO Ads.  So, I think it is more than fine.  I can tell you this is a great labor of love for the company and the publisher/owner, Mike Richardson.  He is personally editing the book.  I can’t wait for this one.

 

Ronnie and Matt’s Tag Team Reviewing…

Ronnie and I are going to review a bunch of books this week.  I have a trade and a Hardcover to review for you this week, but first Ronnie and I both wanted to mention one of the oddest books we’ve read in some time.

Hellboy: Buster Oakley gets his wish, was on one hand very funny, the other super strange and on one more proof positive that Kevin Nowlan is one of the best artists not actively working right now – and we wish he was.

Story-wise, what can I say, it was an alien abduction story staring Hellboy, yes, not what you expect from an occult investigator.  It was… strange, but great.  Like a typical one shot Hellboy story, there is some plot development, a fight and some weirdness at the end.  It isn’t brain surgery, but close to perfection.

The Art, man oh man, Kevin Nowlan’s work is so damn good.  He does everything in this book, but the story.  Pencils, Inks (which are fantastic), color (I thought it was Dave Stewart it was such a good job) the lettering and found time to do the cover too.  In the back of the book is a fantastic look at how he did the cover, with commentary.  A great extra.

Hellboy is going to be the main man over the next couple months.  The Mignola/Corben Hellish Hellboy team re-unites again for Being Human, which will see Roger the homunculus return… to Hellboy, sorry, this one is set in Hellboy’s past, Roger isn’t coming back from the dead.

In the next couple months we will see three issue arc The Fury released.  This is the final arc of the major saga that has seen Hellboy learn he is an heir of King Arthur, now wields Excalibur and readies for war.  This is what all Hellboy stories have been leading to and with The plotlines in BPRD and Hellboy getting ever closer to coming in alignment, could Hellboy be headed back to the BPRD?  Yes, I’m excited and you should be reading it.

Now for Ronnie’s thoughts:

Oh yeah, I love Hellboy one shots. Last year’s Hellboy en Mexico was one of the best single issues of the year. Sadly, I have been (slowly) catching up in trade, so I only get to read these one-and-dones as they come out. I wish I had the money to remedy that, this universe is awesome. Even my female partner in crime loves it.

This issue places Hellboy in the midwest investigating some cattle disappearances. While talking with the devastated farmer, he begins to piece together what has been going on. Then he gets abducted by the greys. I’m not sure how much of this issue takes from previous stories, or even adds to them at all, but it was alot of fun nonetheless.

This book was solicited as the weirdest Hellboy story of the year, but I think it was the weirdest I have read. The bulk of the issue is Hellboy and a teenage boy with a cow’s head beating up on aliens and robots. You can guess how that turns out, but the ending still has a tasty, yet disturbing, surprise.

The art by Nowlan is just frickin awesome. The creatures are creepy, the farmers are crying, and the cattle portraits are hilarious. This guy does his own inking, and has a similar style to Mignola. There is a heavy use of angular thick black, but adds more detail to his subjects and backgrounds. Fits right in to the Mignola-verse. He can draw my Hellboy anytime.

I love seeing Hellboy in the midwest. Hopefully next time we will see him battling ghost bison in Beaverdale.

5 Stars.

 

Ronnie also wanted to mention:

Superman 710 Straczynski/Roberson & Foreman/Barrows

Ah Superman, what has happened to you? I read the first handful of the ‘Grounded’ storyline, and then dropped off due to boredom. This issue I flipped through off the rack, and was surprised that some of the panels made me want to read it.  (COME ON RONNIE – it had Batman in it, that was why you picked it up?)

The premise of 710 is Bruce-Bats hunts down Superman during his Emo-Walk 2011 to tell him he is back, and that Clark is wasting everyone’s time. Before he can get to that, they begin to reminisce about their first meeting and team up. The 12th completely different incarnation of this by my count.

Then it happened, something missing in this whole storyline. Action! Big dumb, out of continuity action!

We get to witness Bruce and Clark, pre-spandex, protecting a temple in someplace called Bhutran from Vandal Savage and paid off Chinese soldiers. Tanks get thrown, swinging ropes take five guns out at once, swarms of bats and lazer eyes. Good times. Plus I am a sucker for folks in black masks beating up on soldiers. Gets me every time. Back in present time, we get a decent dialogue between the two friends. There is a heavy emphasis on friend here too. Bruce is honestly trying to help someone he cares about, and then buys a mountain. Really.

From my understanding, Chris Roberson (Cinderella mini’s, IZombie) is finishing Straczynski’s run from notes after he abandoned the title. Why he gets his name on the cover I don’t know. But if the end of this issue is any indication, maybe this trainwreck is about to change tracks and get on with a new direction? Hopefully.

3 Stars.

 

My second review today is the Vertigo Hardcover Aaron and Ahmed from Jay Cantor and James Romberger.

The story is about a psychologist, Aaron Goodman, who goes to work at Guantanamo Bay as a interrogator/torturer.  Though he wrestles with the methods being used to extract information, Aaron is driven by the loss of his wife, who was on a plane that hit one of the towers on September 11th, 2001.  Aaron tries to understand what would make men become suicide bombers.

Aaron develops a theory it is related to memes, a mental thought that can make people do things, more so than suggestion and hypnosis, something more in the realm of a virus.  As his commanders take interest, Aaron is allowed to experiment on Ahmed.  From there he will make his way to a jihadist camp and eventually to ground zero in New York.  Did I mention that this is a love story too?

I’ve read very little from Vertigo I have ever disliked, so, I was not surprised I liked this.  I’m still trying to wrap my head around why.  I have some strong feelings about “The War on Terror” and I think the clouded what I was reading.  Comic Legend Jim Steranko said “Aaron and Ahmed is no easy read, and even less easy to forget.”

I think the thought of Memes (defined as – A unit of cultural information, such as a cultural practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another) is very interesting.  The idea revolves around the thought that our cultural ideas, symbols and or practices are transmitted somehow, perhaps through our social rituals or practices.  The term was coined by Richard Dawkins, a man who I can say has had a lot of influence on my thinking in the last several years.

In the book, it is presented that the thought of god could be a meme.  Is a perceived system of directed violence a possible meme?

However, there is a lot more than that in this book too.  There are some really interesting ideas presented on post 9/11 “war on terror” thought too.  The interrogators and the sense of “experimentation” they were doing to these prisoners was not lost on me.  I think you could look at the overall political feelings are one against both sides, but supportive of the people on both sides (“I don’t support the war, I do support the soldiers who are fighting it.”)  You just don’t see this.  It is almost always one side or the other.

The art is not the driving force in this book, but is in no way disappointing.  James Romberger’s work reminds me of Guy Davis, and that isn’t a bad thing.

Overall, I really liked it and actually will probably re-read it.  I like being challenged when I read comics and when you finish something and immediately head to the net to do research on the theories presented in it, that is a good thing.  If there is any dislike, I would like to have read more about memes in the book.  Put even more science in my fiction.

 

And finally, Marvel’s trade paperback release of Steven King’s N by Marc Guggenheim and Alex Maleev.

This is, without a doubt not only one of the best horror stories, but one of the best reads last year.

Things you like in a horror story, you want that nervous feeling in your gut.  You want the shiver.  You want the hairs on the back of your neck to stand up.  You want to be scared.  N is scary.

The premise; there is a place, shockingly in Maine, where some great evil lurks.  It is marked by seven stones or is it eight?  When you see the stones, there are faces in them, or are there?  After you are not sure what you’ve seen, you will start to obsess with what is good and bad numbers that will push you to the brink of death.  Can you look and not be overcome?

The story is, in some ways, similar to that of Aaron and Ahmed.  Not necessarily a meme, but could you catch insanity?  Can you develop an obsessive compulsive disorder for simply seeing something?  Are memes, not similar to this.  Can or do memes, if they are real, move through our civilization by gestures and rituals… can evil move similarly?

This King story is very Lovecraftian, as his work is often compared to, with a evil… thing are work, but it is not the monster you are afraid of in this.  It is most certainly the numbers.  YOU will count how many stones there are in a panel.  YOU start to become obsessive compulsive while reading this.  It is scary when you start getting pulled in like that.

Now, the art… oh, man.  This some of, if not the best work Alex Maleev has ever done.  It is photo reference, but it is done pretty well.  The work that I like in N is the total creepiness of these stones.  Every time you see these seven (or eight) stones, you get creeped out.  He makes STONES scary.

I can’t make you enjoy this book… but if you read it, you will.

The Week of March 21st

Published on March 21, 2011 in Comics, Matt's stupid ramblings, Reviews-comics and Ronnie's Reviews. 0 Comments

Special Note:

Next week we are going to do a special sales donation for Japanese Emergency Relief.  Monday, March 28th, we will donate fifty cents of every dollar made to a Japanese Earthquake Relief.  We aren’t sure if it will be the Red Cross or something else yet, but will let you know.

This is one of the worst natural disasters in recent history, so, please stop in and buy something next Monday, it will be like making a donation yourself.  It is the very least we can do to help.

Chicago’s C2E2…

I was in Chicago this last weekend at the C2E2 convention and Diamond retailers summit.  A busy, but mostly enjoyable time.

One of the things I like about these summits is the chance to meet and speak with industry representatives face to face.  The phone is fine, but when you can ask a direct question to someone and see their response, well, you know if the answer is genuine.

There were a lot of questions I had for various companies, as no one is doing everything perfect (except maybe Terry Moore’s self publishing of Echo) and for the most part things went really well in getting answers.

One I wanted direct from the source, that also effects you the customer, was about lateness and holding to a publishing schedule.  I asked Marvel’s VP of Sales, David Gabriel, about what I see as a practice of dumping at the end of the month.  You know what I’m talking about, twelve X-men books in one week, three Avengers books, both Hulk books, so on and so on.  He said with the change of the Editor in Chief position and a restructuring of the editors as a whole at Marvel, they are instituting “editorial consequences” if books continue to not meet deadline.  I was shocked by this answer.  I did not expect the frankness and, frankly, it was great.

There was more of this about other issues facing retailers from Marvel.  I took away a sense that you will start to see changes that we all kind of expected after Disney bought them.  What is fine when you are run, by and large by a small group of people pretty much on their own, is not okay when one of the world’s largest entertainment conglomerates owns you.  I think this is just the beginning of the streamlining and it will be good for everyone.

But it isn’t just Marvel that has had problems of late with lateness.  DC has been atrocious about this.  Rich Johnston of Bleeding Cool asked Dan Diddio, one of the five people who run DC, about it and got this response, “It used to be a joke, as long as you keep buying late books, we’ll keep making them. What happened is, you stopped buying them. It’s not a joke anymore. We need to get our schedule under control.”

If Diddio knew anything about the direction Marvel is going, I don’t know, but as goes Marvel goes DC.  If Marvel is moving to get their schedule under control, DC will too.

And that is good for everyone.

Digital Comics…

Another subject that was talked about heavily was digital comics.  Diamond is creating a program that will allow us to sell digital comics direct to the customer.  We would be the only place to get this content for 30 days and there would be two price structures to get it.

First, if you wanted the physical copy AND the digital copy, you would be able to purchase a 99 cent digital add on to that comic.  The possibility of additional content exists much more heavily in this format.

Second, there is the standard digital copy, which would be $1.99.

The process would work where we would come into the shop, we would have the codes, you would buy a code from us and then you would download the comic from online at your leisure.

The industry is moving towards some kind of digital sales format and though I will NEVER, personally, EVER buy digital comics and feel they are a blasphemous horror birthed from the bowels of a Terminator-like hellish future, I do understand some people want them… and I would be willing to sell them.  They are, sort-of, still comic books.

The thing is, I and Diamond, want customer feedback.  Please, let me know what you think about this, positive and negative.  What would you spend, would you pay for it, would you ever get a digital comic?  Would you buy an “add on” if you got an audio commentary track or a bunch of additional art, sketches or script?

Please let me know and I will pass on your thought to my distributor.

Review Time…

Godzilla #1 written by Eric Powell and Tracy Marsh, Pencils by PHIL HESTER, Inks by Bruce McCorkindale

Had a chance to read Godzilla #1 from IDW early this weekend and I really liked it.  Now, I have to admit a bit of a bias as I do have a bit of a long love of Godzilla.  I read the Marvel comic when I was a young kid, probably because, well, it was a giant lizard destroying things, obviously not for story (have you ever re-read those old Marvel issues, they are terrible.)  I had a large Godzilla toy as a kid too and it was the bane of my Star Wars action figures existence.  So, like I said, I might be slightly biased here.

The first issue’s story is a little on the light side.  It is written by Eric Powell and Tracy Marsh.  It does not have poop potato jokes or Goon like craziness, but as you would expect, there is a ton of destruction.  Surprisingly though, there is little set up.  Bam, Godzilla is here and yes, he is destroying things.  There is your comic.  If that is what you want, you will be happy as a clam.  I will also say that minus the bleeped out swear words, it is kid appropriate too.  What kid doesn’t want to read about a big lizard destroying stuff?

There is one very, very bright spot, Phil Hester’s art.  One of the truly nice guys in this industry, Phil delivers some of his best work on one of the biggest books he’s worked on since he resurrected Green Arrow.  Seriously good work and the biggest reason to get it.

I know the project has been a trial, as it is a licensed juggernaut through Toho, but IDW has done well at getting top flight creators on this book and should be able to keep it out on schedule too.

Godzilla #1 is scheduled to arrive next week.

Ruse #1 by Mark Waid and Mirco Pierfederici

This was one of the best books released last week.

This revival Crossgen book is a detective comic in the vein of Sherlock Homes and is exactly like it’s original incarnation, but that is to be expected as Mark Waid created the original.  The story starts up quickly and never really pauses, however, for new readers to the character you needn’t worry, Waid tells you everything you need to know about our Simon Archard, world’s greatest detective, along the way.  He also uses a fantastic bridge to give you more info and insight on the time period you are visiting.

This was a short lived, but probably best, series Crossgen published back nearly a decade ago.  I am very happy to see it return even if it might only be for four issues.

Fear Itself, Book of the Skull One Shot by Ed Brubaker, with art by Scot Eaton and Mark Morales

The first chapter of Fear Itself is here and I’m still not sure what this crossover is going to be about.  However, that isn’t to say I didn’t enjoy this comic a lot.

Everyone knows I love Brubaker’s run on Captain America.  Still one of my favorite reads, this is merely a side bar to what the last two major villains have been up to since causing Bucky Cap trouble.

The storytelling is very similar to what Brubaker did many years ago in the sixty five year anniversary one shot.  Though it is set up for the Fear Itself story, much of this issue takes place during World War II.  You actually don’t need to make an investment in Fear Itself by getting this, as it is more of a Captain America story than anything else.  I really liked this issue.

Marvel has been very tightlipped as to WHAT will be going on in Fear Itself.  I don’t know if more was revealed in panels this weekend, but I do know it will be, shockingly, Captain America and Thor centric.  There are quality creators on it and it is my guess this will be much better than Siege/Dark Reign/Secret Invasion was.  This might be a little more editorially controlled and less Brian Bendis controlled.

Either way, I am a sucker and will read it.  If it is as good as this prologue, then we will all be happy.

Ronnie’s Reviews…

Xombi #1 John Rozum & Frazier Irving

This new series is a reboot or re-imaging of John Rozum’s Milestone series.  I didn’t read it in 90’s, but can say it won’t get in the way of enjoying this series.

It starts off with a bang with Irving’s art immediately letting you know you are in for some weirdness, and the text of the first page confirms it with blurbs of extremely weird happenings around the world.  The issue spends much of the time painting the background story to set the scene of a man who was experimentally infected with nanobots.  He now uses the consequential new powers to investigate all manner of surreal events in the world.

This series reeks of quirkiness and original ideas.  It may be the perfect home for Irving’s flat, over colored and completely awesome pages. As long as the next issue is less of an atlas to this world and more of a story, I am onboard for all of it.  One wonderful thing about the writing is how seriously it takes the humor.  You almost miss that it is full of jokes with how dire the tone is.  A bit like Alan Moore back when he was trying to entertain you, rather than prove his superiority.

4.5 Stars.

Batman #708 David Hine & Guillem March

This issue is part 2 to a story began in Azrael #15 and to be continued next month in Red Robin and Gotham City Sirens.  Azrael was cancelled as of that issue, because only 4 people in the state were buying it.  Everyone really missed out!

This issue takes a (much needed) break from Tony Daniels’ Sensei, Reaper, Catgirl mess and throws us into a globetrotting religious conspiracy war of Dan Brown or Preacher proportions.  Since you didn’t read Azrael #15, the opening will be confusing, but order yourself a copy to get the background.

I am really in to March’s art of late, here he shows himself of equal ability in drawing a great and terrifying scar-faced super-powered religious nut passing judgment on Gotham with fire and brimstone.  Hine’s writing here has as many elements as Daniels’ does in his story, but is able to keep you engaged enough to not only understand what is going on, but actually want to remember it… hopefully bringing you back for the next issue. (What is it with all these artist’s now getting writing duties on Batman books? It just ain’t working.)

This story ties tightly into what has been happening in the other Bat-books recently, and may show a judgment error in Bruce’s new Bat Inc. game plan.  Bruce making a bad call? Never!

In the end, the writing is tight and the art is great.  I am excited to see where this ends up.

4.5 Stars.

Week of March 14th

Published on March 14, 2011 in Comics and Ronnie's Reviews. 0 Comments

Fear Itself/Flash Point…

It may still be March, but the madness of Summer comic event crossovers starts this week with The Fear Itself Prelude, Book of the Skull one shot.  It is being written by Ed Brubaker and I know almost nothing about it.  That is how I feel about both of the summer events.  I just don’t know what to expect and as a fan and as a retailer, I’m a little nervous.

Let’s start with Flashpoint.

Here is the solicitation to the seven part series:

Not a dream, not an imaginary story, not an elseworld. This is Flash Fact: When Barry Allen wakes at his desk, he discovers the world has changed. Family is alive, loved ones are strangers, and close friends are different, gone or worse. It’s a world on the brink of a cataclysmic war – but where are Earth’s Greatest Heroes to stop it? It’s a place where America’s last hope is Cyborg, who hopes to gather the forces of The Outsider, The Secret 7, S!H!A!Z!A!M!, Citizen Cold and other new and familiar-yet-altered faces! It’s a world that could be running out of time, if The Flash can’t find the villain who altered the time line!  Welcome to FLASHPOINT!

I gather from that and all the other bits I’ve seen of the 15 three part mini-series and seven one shots (yes, fifteen and seven) is that this will be in addition to the regular monthly titles and NOT an Age of Apocalypse type event.  Alternate universe, yadda, yadda… I’m not so sure, yet, why we should care though.  Why should this be more than just a large event inside the Flash book?  Blackest Night made sense.  It was a large scale cosmic event happening on earth, with everyone involved.  Typical superhero stuff with the hot monster of the moment – Zombies!  It was successful, because you felt like it was important.  In the long run it really hasn’t been all that important, but hey, sales wise, I wish all crossovers were like it.

Now, Flashpoint is using a character with much less momentum (get it, momentum…) The Flash.  This is a character who has been stymied by lateness and a book that just can’t get out of the starting blocks (I am on fire.)  The regular book is not bad, but seems to be just sort-of there, not really going anywhere.  I just don’t understand.

Now, Fear Itself…

Here is the solicit to the first issue of that crossover:

DO YOU FEAR…TOMORROW?

In this time of global anxiety, of economic turmoil and mass hysteria, Sin, the new Red Skull, has made an awesome discovery…a shameful secret that will rock the foundations of the Marvel Universe! A revelation that will divide father and son, turn friend against friend, and herald the rise of Fear personified. HE IS RETURNING…and the world has nothing to fear but FEAR ITSELF. Matt Fraction and Stuart Immonen bring fans the biggest Marvel the biggest Marvel event since CIVIL WAR!

Far more vague then the DC book, but for whatever reason, I tend to think this will be a lot more standard than Flashpoint.  Marvel, for all the issues I have with them as a company, can be counted on for being pretty consistent in what they publish on a large scale.  They are the masters of the super-crossover.  They don’t always (usually) get it right, but you know what you are going to get when they do, do it.  That is why, as a retailer, though I expect sales to be down with this one, I know what I’m getting.

As a fan, I am expecting something better.  The last three major crossovers, helmed by Bendis, have not been good.  Siege was terrible.  Dark Reign, just sort of ran out of steam and Secret Invasion, oh, brother, not good either.  Marvel’s executives know this, are not stupid and can see that they need a someone to step up to the plate and hit one out – for you non-sports fans out of there, they need a decent well written event that doesn’t leave the reader wishing they hadn’t bought it.

I don’t know what the hell is going to happen in this crossover, but the prelude should help in giving us a bit of an explanation and that comes out on Wednesday.

As a retailer, I hope both are great fantastic reads and everyone everywhere wants them, but I’m not going to hold my breath on that dream.

Fifty Centers…

Wanted to let you all know we are working on getting ALL of the fifty centers alphabetized.  There are two new long boxes of stuff as well.  We know a lot of you really like the ability to come in and look for cheap old comics.  (I do too.)  We just want to make it easy for you to do and, frankly, apologize that it has taken us so long to get it done.

Ronnie’s Reviews…

Captain Swing and the Electrical Pirates of Cindery Island #3 by Warren Ellis & Raulo Caceres

We finally get our third issue of this well crafted series, one of the 152 that Warren Ellis is currently writing.  Much like Supergod, this is a four issue mini with big ideas, fancy art, and 9 months between issues.  However, Ellis does tend to deliver… if you can bear with his release schedule.

The first two issues threw us into the middle of an early 19th century Victorian electo-punk (slight variation on classic steampunk) alternate England where we meet Captain Swing and his sky pirates, and the two rival police forces hunting him down.  The captain and his mates, who use a magnificent flying ship, appear to be anti-authoritarians on a mission to dismantle state power.  They are also great (mad?) scientists wanting to make their discoveries accessible to all, not just the rich.

In this dialogue and action rich issue, the police catch up with the Captain, and through their discussions we learn much about the Pirates and motivations of the main characters.  There is a philosophical bent to the narrative that seems to be exploring our world as much as theirs.  The writing is very classic Ellis, creating a new world out of whole cloth that tends to magnify specific parts of ours.  The characters reveal themselves naturally and tend to be unique and have their own voices.  There is equal parts long dialogue and action.  And the action gets pretty intense, while the talking bits have a lot of weight to them.

The art is an odd one.  Very ‘Avatar Press-ish’ in the main panels.  Raulo Caceres has a way with backgrounds.  They are highly detailed and set a very dark tone to the whole story.  There is also and etching or woodcut feel to each page.  Each of the main players seems to have one or two defining feature that gets exaggerated, which makes keeping them straight easy.  Check out the Captain’s hair.  Then, interspersed throughout each issue almost as an intermission, there are beautifully rendered line drawings of various technologies from this world.  Accompanying them is a paragraph or two that sets the stage for the next part of the story with a diary like writing analyzing the last scene’s events.  Although a real hand writing, rather than a script font, would have been a nice touch.  I am not a big fan of really glossy art in comics (I say bring back the newsprint!).  With the very dark color palate used here, the shiny finish feels abrasive and out of place.  A much more muted print would have suited it better.

In the end, I really like this series and really want to see where it ends with the next issue.  With any luck we will see it before next March.  After the first issue, I suspected this series would be more style over substance, but this issue showed there is a lot of depth to the story.

4.5 Stars

Quickie..

Batman Inc. #3 Grant Morrison & Yanick Paquette

Bam! We get thrown right into the action with the first page, and it never really lets up.  I believe this is the first time I have read Batman in Latin America, and I would like to see more of it.  This issue starts to hint that Grant Morrison has a big plan for this series, and like his Batman & Robin run, you will be rewarded if you pay attention to details.  The lateness probably killed some of the momentum, but I suppose that is normal for comics now.  I was kind of hoping Catwoman would remain Bruce’s travel partner, but we do get to see Bruce kill it at the tango.

4 Stars.

I too loved this issue and I was not all that impressed with the first two.  The storytelling was much closer to a more classic Grant Morrison style.  It is also important to note, we may have been given a hint at the reason why Bruce is assembling his international bat group.  This is a good issue that I didn’t think I would like and we should see issue four on March 23rd, why so quick, have no idea, but I’m happy about it.  Now, let’s stay on that schedule.

Week of February 28th

Published on February 28, 2011 in art, Comics, Reviews-comics, Ronnie's Reviews and Wrestling. 0 Comments

Variants…

Wanted to let you know there will be a bunch of older odder variants in the shop, many at cover price, over the next week.

Also remember to check out our E-bay store for, not only variant covers, but also sets and lots that can sometimes go for absolute steals of prices.

At the bottom of the list is our variants and lots on sale this week.

Three that will be out this week, but are not up on E-bay (due to not having cover images) include:

BRIGHTEST DAY #21 VAR

FIRST WAVE #6 VAR

GREEN LANTERN #63 VAR

Let me know if you have interest.

Superman comes to Omaha, er, Nebraska…

Obviously, Superman #707 was a great success for us at the shop.  Probably could have been even better if the man of steel would have been in the city of Des Moines, or at least the state of Iowa for the entire issue and had the issue not been utterly uninteresting story wise.  We would have been able to really get behind it, not feel like we were selling a gimmick rather than something we wanted people to feel good about and read.  (That feels good to have finally gotten off my chest.)

However, like most things in life… it could have been worse.

Yes, at the Omaha shops it was.

Issue #708, originally solicited as taking place in there when it arrived in stores it was in… Lincoln!?!  Somewhere along the way the town got changed.

When I was in Omaha and swung by a couple of the shops I’m friends with over there, I heard stories of news crews coming to do interviews and one shop manager taking a second to flip through it only to find the wrong town in it.  Or the mayor coming to another shop and… no Superman.

I don’t want to declare the highest selling comic in our shops history a disaster, but I’m sure I’m not alone in the industry just wishing the damn thing was over and done so we can get on with Superman.  There have been so many breakdowns in this process and most coming from one person, the creator (JMS.)

Well, at least we didn’t have to have signs that said Superman in Omaha, with a sticker of “Nebraska” over the Omaha.  The shop manager was laughing with me.

Interview with Tyler…

Found an interview with Tyler Walpole on line and thought you all would like to have a gander at it too. Tyler has been working on role playing game art and has been rolling out some fantastic freak’n D&D covers lately.  I’ve seen him do his crazy style of digital art, actually watched him create it and I still don’t understand how he can make a digital piece look so real.

Find the interview here cinema6games.com/blog/?p=601

And speaking of art…

This weekend a high grade copy of Archie Comics #1 went for a crazy amount of $167,300!!  No Kidding.  At the same auction they sold original pages of X-Men #116, Dark Knight Returns #3 and Fantastic Four #40.  I thought I would pass the link along.  If you are into that sort of thing, just looking at these original pages and seeing what they went for is mind blowing.  Man I sometimes, like in this instance, wish I was rich.  No one would have out bid me for that Dark Knight page!!

You can find the article here on Bleeding Cool.com.

And Locally…

Did you know an Iowa State Representative was trying to force the board of regents to sell the University of Iowa’s Jackson Pollock mural, entitled – oddly enough – Mural?  The painting, considered by some one of the most important American paintings, is valued at over $150 million.

The thought of Rep. Scott Raecker’s (R-Urbandale) bill would be to force the sale and then use the money to help restore the flood damaged university’s art building and provide scholarships to future students.  Last week the legislation was dropped in committee.  Why, you ask?  Well, several national organizations threatened to cancel the museum’s accreditation and reconsider loan of future art to Iowa institutions.  There was also talk of a possible lawsuit from the original donators of the piece.

I am a huge fan of Pollock’s work and find it amazing that we in IOWA have such a fantastic piece of art.  I was lucky enough to see the world touring Pollock exhibit when I was in Venice, Italy.  (Yes, I was in Venice and spent three hours looking at American art… don’t judge, it was Pollock.)

“Why can’t we have nice things?”  I feel like a parent yelling at his spoiled children, who just so happen to be mindless conservative dimwits, but nonetheless.  This goes for all the cool and trendy stores, boutiques, clubs and restaurants too.  Just because the rest of the nation thinks we are boring Iowans, doesn’t mean it has to be the case; we just don’t have to tell anyone we actually have cool things here.  You don’t know how many people tell me how great of a shop Cup is, inevitably it comes out that they are from out of state and they say they wish they had something like this there.  This and the thoughts of such asinine proposals of selling our state’s true treasures drive me to drink, heavily.

Here is a link with a great picture of the piece.

A Des Moines Register article discussing the measure (pre-dropping.)

A Washington Post story about protest and eventual dropping of the bill.

The Metalocalypse…

Deathklok by Brendon Small, Jon Schnepp, Jeremy Barlow and Lucas Marangon

My review this week is on the funniest book I’ve read in some time, Dark Horse’s Metalocalypse.  If you have ever seen the Cartoon Network/Adult Swim show, you know what you are getting.  If you haven’t and are into heavy metal – or are just a fan of silly rock and or roll parody, you really need to check it out.

The comic is hilarious and continues the ridiculous exploits of the moronic band Deathklok, the most successful band in the world.  They are the be all end all of the world and are easily some of the stupidest people on the planet.

In this issue, they have saved the world’s economy by creating a super train to tour on and then doomed the world’s economy by allowing workers to exchange their paychecks back in for tickets to the concert.  The tour’s name, the Unstoppable Hell on Rails Old Timey Concert Explosion Tour.

Maybe it isn’t your thing, that is cool, but funny is good when every comic out right now is so damn serious – ack!! I sound like a Batman villain.  Where have all the funny books gone?  Boo, come back to us Eric Powell!!

Ronnie’s Reviews…

American Vampire #12 Scott Snyder & Danijel Zezelj

Skinner’s revenge! This month we get a short one-off that would be an excellent introduction to new readers.

This issue is another example of Snyder’s interesting approach to storytelling.  The setup is Skinner Sweet happening across a Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show style theater performing a story about himself from decades before.  Using this creative backdrop, instead of the common flashback, we learn much about Skinner’s personality.  Writer Snyder has proven to be one of the best in characterization in the medium these days, and he doubly proved it here.  In a few panels, we get to the very essence of one of Skinner’s old flames.  You know her when you finish the book.  Some comics can’t do that in 12 issues.

As for the art, dang. I love this guy. Danijel Zezelj (how would you pronounce that?) caught my attention last year in the incredible Scalped #35, and then Luna Park (Editor’s Note – and if you can find it an old Brain Azzerello Western from years back El Diablo.)  He has also done some DMZ, Loveless, and all sorts of OGNs I haven’t read, but now want to.  He has a stark style full of very thick black lines. He has this way of bringing out the important parts of a panel forcing your eyes there.  The way he renders Skinner’s old flame is just haunting.  After reading what she has to say and then looking at her face, you believe it.  He definitely stays true to regular artist Raphael Albuquerque’s character designs, but doesn’t shy away from making his own mark.  This guy needs a regular series to work on, I would buy it for the art alone.

American Vampire is an unusual series, and possibly one of the best in recent years.  Somehow we have a mash up of vampires, American old west, early 20th century flappers and jazz.  And it works well.  If you’re not reading it, try this issue… otherwise you are missing out. Even Kyle reads it, and there ain’t even no rainbow rings in it!

5 Stars.

Quickies

Speaking of Scott Snyder…

Detective Comics #874 Scott Snyder and Francesco Francavilla

Oh man, I am loving this series right now. This month is a full issue of what would have been The Commissioner Gordon backup. Instead of just scrapping it, now it will be finished in this and the next issue. I believe this will happen again in a few issues, after an arc with Jock. I am very pleased about that since those last 8 pages were just as good as the main story, and really deserved to be finished.

This issue is more of the same, which is to say more of the awesome. We learn a lot about Gordon’s terrifying son, and end in what seems to be a highly symbolic beautiful splash page. And then we get a short story with Dick-Bats and Red Robin working together while Dick is still recovering from the nasty gassing he took in the last arc. The art is great, and the story telling is excellent. You really need to be reading this.

5 Stars.

(Editor’s Note – this is really good stuff. Francavilla is a fantastic artist, one of the best working right now.  I want him on everything.  Storywise, there is a moment – and I’m not giving anything away – that will have you unsure until you turn the page what is going to happen, so very hard to do in comics – Suspense.)

Jennifer Blood #1 Garth Ennis & Adriano Batista

Garth’s latest offering of carnage stars a stay at home mom by day, murderous vigilante by night. This first issue is told through inner monologue and diary entries from Jennifer. This angle made the issue very wordy, which I tend to like. Not everything is spelled out to the reader though, and we end with an interesting cliffhanger. Definitely more Preacher than Crossed. The art by Batista fits the story well, detailing the flying eyeballs and gaping wounds with a tender, loving attention to detail. It was an interesting start to this tongue in cheek series, and I will be checking out the next issue to figure out who these “Uncles” are.

3 Stars.

Scalped #46 Jason Aaron & R.M. Guera

This series just continues to impress. We finally return to the Catcher/Officer Falls Down thread, and it is intense. I was wondering when we would learn more about this Catcher fellow, and I was surprised in the direction Jason is taking him. We also learn more about Lawrence Belcourt (a thinly veiled representation of Leonard Peltier, a truly tragic story), as he has a confrontation with Red Crow that will change his status in prison dramatically. Gurea’s art is still perfect for this series. Still the best comic being published.

5 Stars.

Damn it was a good week for comics. Toss in the above, plus The Sixth gun and you have a winner. Even this week’s Gotham City Sirens was really good. Seriously. I am also halfway through Bluesman by Rob Vollmar and Pablo Callejo, which is awesome too. I even kind of enjoyed some X-Men books (don’t tell anyone though). I wish every week could be like this.

AND DON’T FORGET…

3XW, Last on Locust, Friday March 4th

This is the last event at the Des Moines Social Club, but it should be a good one.  All the major titles are being defended.  There is one match though that I am eagerly anticipating, the grudge match between Sexy and Smooth.  These are the two “Canadian” egos, er, wrestlers who split do to their inability to get along.  Long a force in the tag team ranks, they have been feuding over the last couple months.  There has been a push to see Ryan Slade turn more face, but don’t believe it.  Once a Canadian heel, always a Canadian heel.  Pretty boys, yes, Canadians, maybe, bad ass wrestling superstars that the crowd hates… YES!  This is my pick of match of the month.  Be there, I will.

Also, we continue our gathering on Wednesdays before the event at the shop at 6:00.  It is our Pre-party and we’ll have half off drink specials between 6:00 and 6:30 for those who come out.  It is always a great time without a clue where the conversations will go.