One Month of Comics (Part One)

No excuses. Just comics. Let's get started.

Stormwatch PHD #13: First of all, I was glad this series had originally ended. I had been on the verge of removing it from my pull list anyhow. So, I was surprised to find this in my box. Didn't even know the series was coming back. I have not followed what has happened with Wildstorm stuff recently. So, I have no idea what they are referring to with this issue. In fact, I am completely lost. From reading this, I gather the supers caused the end of the world. Except the supers who didn't. And now there are people in space saving people on earth, but not all of them. And some of these people are supers. Who are good. Or something. Bah, this isn't even close to what the original series was doing, so why even use the same name? Why not just make a new series and go from there? Dropped, for real this time.

Madman Atomic Comics #10: What can I say about this? I have no effing idea what is going on, but I am enjoying every minute of it. Allred still succeeds in impressing me with his art and storytelling every time. I am also a hug fan of the first page recap showing the entire previous issue in thumbnail size. I had forgotten how brilliant the last issue was for the layout alone. The man is a genius.

The Walking Dead #51: Holy fuck, that was one of the creepier issues. Ever since the prison attack, this has been really a different comic. Which is exactly what was promised. I didn't know how this thing would go after such a major change, but wow. This one was great. A slice of life after the recent turmoil. I do have to admit, i was wondering why the person was calling this house. I figured it may have been their old home or a friends house or something. The real answer was even better. Poor Rick, and poor Carl. I think Carl is going to have to really grow up a lot, and fast.

Fables #75: I must admit, I was not expecting this at all. I was shocked back when they first revealed who the Adversary really was. I was even more shocked when the war was announced. Now, it's over, and successfully. I never in a million years would have expected that to happen. I mean, without the Adversary to keep the fables out of the Homelands, what is there left to the series? I am intrigued as to how this will continue on now.

Jack of the Fables #25: As usual, Babe is the real star of this book. I am very interested i how this series has progressed. From a simple "retirement village" for fables to a story dealing with beings more powerful than fables. Literals are quite possibly one of the most nifty ideas I have seen in a comic in ages.

House of Mystery #5: So far, this has been the modern successor to the Sandman series. Lots of creepy, and literary, and strange, and awesome all thrown together. This issue continued that trend. The first story arc is done with, but it leaves many unanswered questions. QUestions that had better be resolved at some point, because I am tired of too many questions and no answers (I mean, I do watch Lost). The midpoint story in this issue was the second best to date (best is still the girl who married the fly, amazing). This one had the most boring narration one could imagine, talking about almost being late to work. What sells it, though, is that everything that is left out of the story is pure excitement. Giant spiders, elder gods, dragons, vampire cats, homeless zombies. The narrator leaves these out, as they are just a part of his everydya world. But, they are the best part of the story. Perfection.

Fallen Angel #29: Bought but not read. Need to reread this series since the last issue I read was #15, and I don't remember much of anything about it.

Red Star: Sword of Lies #3: Another bought but not read, mainly because there is such a delay between issues I can't keep track of what is going on. I just know it is a great series with amazing art. Will read some day when I can get a hold of the rest of the Red Star books.

It's Almost...

Sims-ian.

Or maybe Campbell-ian.

Bitch Slap. So offensively awesome I must see it. On DVD, since there is no way I am paying to see that in a theater.

A Confession

As a guy, who is also quite geeky, I have a horrible confession to make.

I am painfully addicted to So You Think You Can Dance. I mean, really addicted. To the point where I had an opportunity to see Dark Knight at the Imax last night, and almost didn't go because it meant missing the last 30 minutes of the show. I did end up going, and it was worth it. But, it was a tough choice.

So, why do I like this show so much?

I have no idea. I'm not a dancer, in the slightest. So much a non-dancer that I have turned down girls who wanted to dance with me. Which, really, no so much something I should be doing. I don't even really do the dancing around in your apartment listening to music. I just don't dance.

Likewise, I am not much for the music. I listen to music sometimes. Just not a really big thing for me. I mean, hell, I have an ipod that is only maybe 1/3 full, and I keep forgetting to take it with me when I go anywhere. I don't think I have actively listened to music in months, possibly since last year. I like music videos, and will Youtube those like crazy. But, it's not usually for the music as much as the video.

So, why this obsession with a show about dancing? Who knows.

Gotta go, results for this week's elimination are about to come on.

The Dark Knight

So, as any self respecting comic geek has done by now, I have seen The Dark Knight. I have loved the Dark Knight. I want one more (and probably only one more) movie to go with this. I say round out the trilogy with a Riddler/Catwoman movie. Maybe another Scarecrow appearance. While I think this movie ends in a way where they could possibly leave it as is, I think they almost need another movie the redeem Batman.

As everyone else has been saying, Heath Ledger is amazing. Enough so that I actually forgot he was in the movie. His Joker was so real, and so engaging, that I forgot who was playing him.

Two Face was also a great addition to this. The movie really was Harvey Dent/Two Face's story. Batman and Joker were there, making big appearances and whatnot, but the movie wasn't about them. They were there to help Harvey's story to happen. This is how it should have been.

I don't even know what I can say that hasn't already been said. Except, Watchmen.

That Watchmen trailer has me sold. Still do not like the costumes too much, but I can accept them. The big things for me are they got Dr. Manhattan right. They got Rorschach's mask right. The scenes look awesome. I must reread the trade now, and drool over the eventual awesome this movie will be.

I Return...But For How Long?

Nearly a month since the last post. No excuses. I have been lazy. But, here's a new post. Hopefully I will have more soon.

Joker's Asylum: Penguin- Ok, so I read the first issue of this series and liked it. Actually, with the Joker issue, I first disliked it, then by the end I loved it. This one started out much better, had a great middle, and a somewhat sad end. I actually felt bad for the Penguin in this one. I do love how he got mad at the chef in the restaurant, and instead of killing the man he just made the guy so miserable that the guy offed himself. That's a true villain there.

Trinity #6- I am liking this series so far. Not a lot of anything happening, yet I think it will lead somewhere good. I love Busiek as a writer and love Bagley as an artist. I'm going to keep reading for a bit longer. Backup stories are a little meh.

Booster Gold 1,000,000- What a great issue, and a great run for this team. This was such a fun concept for the entire series, with a Zero Hour tie in earlier and this issue here. Booster gets the boost he needs to his self image when Batman confronts him with photos from his run-in with the Joker (Killing Joke era). I love the idea of Booster having a guy in the future who looks at him as a sort of icon to emulate. Peter Platinum. Great stuff. Also, the big reveal at the end was so fantastic, i can't even describe how happy it made me.

Batman Detective Comics #846- Meh. Hush was a fun story, and a villain I don't hate. This, though, is nothing fantastic yet. I dunno how this will play out. I have hope since it is a Paul Dini story, and I like him.

Marvel Adventures: Hulk #13- This series is so fun. Peter David knows how to tell a good story, and is a master of Hulk stories. This is just goofy fun. Living Pharaoh/Monolith. Who ever expected to see that character ever again?

Captain America: White #0- Nice preview of what should be a good series. I wasn't going to but this, but my comic shop had it in my box. Good thing about the place I shop, they do that. You have one series on your pull list, they will place other related stuff in there assuming you may like it. So, even though I wasn't planning on getting it, I bought it...and loved it. Will likely get the rest.

Eternals #2- As much as I hate to admit it, I didn't like the mini that lead into this. However, I do like this so far. I love Acuna's art. I find that it is really suiting this comic a lot. This is looking to be a decent series.

Nova #15- Oh man, this is not good for poor Nova. His actions on the planet, trying to stop Harrow and save that last people on the planet means he may have lost the Worldmind. This is very possibly a bad bad thing. Next issue, Secret Invasion. Looking forward to seeing how this works.

Guardians of the Galaxy #3- Wow, more ties to the original Guardians team with an appearance by Starhawk, who kicks Vance Astro's ass. This, of course, causes problems for the new team who are already suffering from issues of their own. There are currently at least 3 ongoing plotlines I have been able to see so far. We have the mystery with the Church. We have the Mystery of the future Guardians. We have the threat of the Fissures. Got to say, I am loving this so far.

Captain Britain and MI13 #3- The only Secret Invasion tie-in that I really care about buying. Not counting my regular monthlies that happen to be part of the event. This one, while it isn't great, has me interested enough to keep reading. I love Pete Wisdom, for no reason I can explain. I love the concept of Captain Britain. I am really loving Faziza, and want to see more of her. So, I dunno why, but I keep wanting to read.

Secret Invasion #4- Half way through, and I am still quite liking this. Nick Fury coming back, and kicking ass as only Nick Fury can is awesome. His new Howling Commandos are pretty cool, and I want to see more of them (even a separate mini or ongoing). This issue was the weakest of he bunch so far, with a decent end but nothing as drastic as before. I still do not think Stark is a Skrull. Just doesn't work for me. I do wonder what will happen next and how it will all end.

Ultimate Origin #2- Ok, wow. This is a fun series. The last issue was better, but this one wasn't bad at all. Introduction of Wendell Vaughn to the Ultimate universe. Wonder if he will become Quasar at some point, or just using the name. Introduction of Project: Pegasus. Introduction of Dum-Dum Dugan. Origin of Steve Rogers/Captain America. The origin takes the whole issue, which was a slight disappointment, as we have already seen it. So...you know...more coolness next time. Still good, though.

Also, this week I finally dropped Teen Titans and Titans. Never cared about Titans anyhow, that was added since i had Teen Titans. I am keeping the Teen Titans: Year One and Tiny Titans comics on my list, though.

It is a miracle from heaven

I'm posting again so soon. But, you know, I have good reason to.

I just watched The Middleman on the ABC website.

Everyone should watch this show. It's one of the most stupidly campy shows I have seen in ages, and awesome on so many levels I can't even find words to describe how awesome it is.

Really, watch this show.

The Happening and The Incredible Hulk

So, I went to a couple movies today. Saw one that was awesome and one that was a let down.

First up was The Happening. Now, I will admit that I have a general love/hate of M. Night Shyamalan's movies. What I mean is that, other than the Sixth Sense, they have all been mild disappointments to me. I have enjoyed them all, but have never really felt they lived up to the standard set by the first. I know he can do better. With this movie, he just got lazy. For a movie titled The Happening, nothing actually happens. I mean, nothing. This movie is literally just a bunch of people running away from something that nobody understands, and then it ends. The "twist" of the cause of this event is given away before the movie is even half way over. Even more stupid, nothing is learned by anyone. Life goes on and the same shit happens again. I also had some serious issues with the dialog and acting being stilted and weak. Some of what was said and done happened so randomly it was like they wanted to get a specific idea in, had no idea how, so just kind of tossed it in without trying. My sister and her boyfriend told me that the best parts of the movie are shown in the trailer, and this is completely true. I never do this, but I almost walked out of this one. I was that unhappy with it.

The Incredible Hulk, on the other hand, was amazing. Or Incredible. I have to admit, I was a little wary with this one. On the one hand, Marvel has done a great job with most of its movies in the last few years. I even liked the last Hulk movie. On the other hand, it looked like it was going to be another origin movie. I feel the biggest problem with the last Hulk was that there was too much origin, not enough smash. I figured, don't reboot with this one. Sequel, not reset. You know?

Well, I was wrong. They tackle the origin during the opening credits. Then, move on to a bit of exposition to show the details of what Banner has been up to since. Then lots of fun smash. This was a great mix of HULK SMASH and talk. I loved the introduction of Emil Burbank, though would have liked him a bit more...human maybe? Regardless, it was a great origin for Abomination. During the ads for the movie, I was not a fan of the look, but watching it in action, it actually worked well for me.

Best part, though, was the little bits tossed in. Purple pants jokes. Stan Lee. Lou Ferrigno. Doc Samson. Hulk using a car as makeshift boxing gloves. HULK SMASH. The introduction of the Leader. SHIELD. Super Soldier Formula (and in action no less...wow). Tony Stark. Also saw Nick Fury's name on a report in the credits. Even better, while there was no explicit reference to the last movie in this one, there was no direct information to deny its existence either.

Should be fun to see a sequel.