tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58966743820992035412024-03-13T00:11:49.542-07:00Read Comics Every Dayeamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-47975500543260481352020-04-18T14:24:00.000-07:002020-04-18T14:29:10.636-07:00Zëiram 2: Thoughts Wow. I haven't posted on this blog in years! To top it all off, I am not even writing about a comic book, rather a movie I watched during the COVID-19 pandemic, where in Philadelphia I am forced to remain indoors. It gives me enough time to catch up on movies, books, and comics, anyway.<br />
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Zëiram 2, released in 1994, is the sequel to 1991's Zëiram, both directed by <span class="LrzXr kno-fv"><a class="fl" data-ved="2ahUKEwj_hdW56PLoAhV1lnIEHT_-AuYQmxMoATAlegQIDxAD" href="https://www.google.com/search?safe=off&client=firefox-b-1-d&channel=tus2&q=Keita+Amemiya&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAOPgE-LWT9c3NDIsMEtPN1Ti1M_VN0hLic821xLLTrbST8vMyQUTVimZRanJJflFi1h5vVMzSxIVHHNTczMrE3ewMgIAjpRcmkUAAAA&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj_hdW56PLoAhV1lnIEHT_-AuYQmxMoATAlegQIDxAD">Keita Amemiya</a>. </span>The movies are about an unstoppable space monster with a Ridley Scott Alien-like Noh Maskface head that pokes out and bites its prey, and the efforts of intergalactic space bounty hunter Iria, played with beauty and charm by Yuko Moriyama, to destroy the beast. I first came across the world of Zeiram via the Sci-Fi Channel's Saturday anime block of programming, where they showcased the anime series Iria, a spin-off of the Zëiram films in anime form. It wasn't until years later with the internet that I discovered Iria was based off of a series of live action films, and even longer until I was able to watch them. I bought the two-disc "Zëiram Duology" for more money than I would care to admit off of eBay, released from Tokyo Shock.<br />
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The plot of Zëiram 2 isn't exactly Shakespeare, and I don't want to spend time summarizing it. The item I want to focus on is the film's brilliant production design. From the design of Iria's costumes (by legendary artist Katsua Terada!), her weapons, the monster and technology designs, and even the film's opening sequence, I am completely engrossed and enamored. It is like the best of Blade Runner and Alien combined with Japanese folklore and mythology, and some Power Rangers thrown into the mix.<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YjqPCWhdGHo" target="_blank">A peek at the opening credits.</a><br />
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I love being transported to this world, seeing the technology, aliens and monsters that inhabit it. The film does take place on earth, which I assume is a budgetary restraint, part of me wishes the entire film was off world, but alas, these exciting creatures and characters all travel to earth for their adventure, and Iria enlists the help of two ordinary Japanese electricians.<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/tokugifs/status/1244275117649063938?s=20" target="_blank">Sweet!</a><br />
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While the action is a little goofy at times, the costumes on occasion rubbery, the humor at times overly broad, I find this movie to be better than the sum of its parts, and find the designs and the world created to be satisfying on a level that a lot of big budget movies fail for me. I wanted to write about this movie because I am sad that it is not more available on streaming and physical release, I am not really one to pirate movies or torrent, but for fans of Sci-Fi and the like I think this is a gem that many people would find enjoyable. <br />
<br />eamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-26958094035414303062013-02-02T15:26:00.000-08:002013-02-02T16:49:24.544-08:00Stand Alone Complex: The Silver Surfer versus The Flying DutchmanHey Gang!<br />
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I am back, with a box of new comics gifted to me by a friend (thanks Ben!). Inside, I found an issue of The Silver Surfer by Stan Lee, John Buscema, Dan Adkins and Sam Rosen. I stayed away from this 'Surfer series for a while, after reading 'Kirby: King of Comics' by Mark Evanier. If I remember correctly, Lee went forward on a Surfer series without consulting Kirby, who had his own plans for the character. When a free comic with art by the great John Buscema is presented to me, however, I can't help but take a gander.<br />
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The artwork in this issue is beautiful. I want to pick up more of these issues just for the Buscema. His figures are elegant and his Surfer displays a great range of expression (mostly sad in this issue). I dig the coloring as well, and the yellowing of the paper. There just isn't anything like reading old comics.<br />
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The story itself is ridiculous, as is to be expected. The comic opens with Mephisto, Marvel's answer to the devil (I think), proclaiming that the Silver Surfer is one of the only men to have ever defeated him but The Surfer's soul will belong to Mephisto! Meanwhile, The Surfer's ears are burning! He starts a mopey soliloquy, with beautifully realized panels by Buscema and company, about how he knows Mephisto is thinking about him.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These panels are spectacular. Particularly the right two.</td></tr>
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Mephisto is worried he will destroy The Surfer before he gets his soul, which needs to be volunteered willingly by The Surfer. Mephisto decides he will summon an occult minion to help him. He needs a human to bridge the supernatural world and reality, and picks an occultist who is right in the middle of trying to summon a demon. The summoner is taken aback, saying he wasn't trying to summon Mephisto, and apologizes. Mephisto reacts like a child, telling the summoner he couldn't summon him if he tried, and Mephisto meant to appear before him all along. Yeah, sure dude. Whatever you say.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dude, relax!</td></tr>
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The powerful foe that Mephisto ends up summoning is...the Flying Dutchman. Yeah. Mephisto uses his powers turn The Dutchman into a weird Fu Manchu looking robot with claws for hands. Definitely a big letdown. Meanwhile, The Surfer is still worrying over Mephisto, and starts pining for his lost love, Shalla Bal, in some really pretty panels. Then we are back to Mephisto, who conjurs up a boat for the Dutchman to terrorize the city with. There are some really corny panels where some innocent bystanders react to seeing the floating ship. Oy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLC-RUk_IsXn0LXUNxEmRhyphenhyphenghYcPeYvgdBUARQqUfgWBdZCpQDR1w42ErlFf33SkmsV4EUScZBGCtJpOTXQZUoWCvYwnyzM3Tu9PDHFgKzxgPguEMbUKmwzKkh6RJn06Wk530WtTGhKc/s1600/dutchman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJLC-RUk_IsXn0LXUNxEmRhyphenhyphenghYcPeYvgdBUARQqUfgWBdZCpQDR1w42ErlFf33SkmsV4EUScZBGCtJpOTXQZUoWCvYwnyzM3Tu9PDHFgKzxgPguEMbUKmwzKkh6RJn06Wk530WtTGhKc/s320/dutchman.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Really?! This guy?!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFRdEVJhtJU3o776iUUhhkSE26nHZCkNmVZgkKXo9MccFz0qcqPDO1OWjFroeeNeexQ5Ndzc8-xxOYwk24alxo4T9yC-uaAgrgPcuIFfOI8fxyIlpbjMgKk2fvantD9DElKs8Dekk6AI/s1600/Surferspace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcFRdEVJhtJU3o776iUUhhkSE26nHZCkNmVZgkKXo9MccFz0qcqPDO1OWjFroeeNeexQ5Ndzc8-xxOYwk24alxo4T9yC-uaAgrgPcuIFfOI8fxyIlpbjMgKk2fvantD9DElKs8Dekk6AI/s320/Surferspace.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I thought these were pretttty.</td></tr>
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A silly comic with some beautiful artwork, and some real stand-out panels. Not much more you can ask of a 'classic' superhero comic. Until we meet again!<br />
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-Eamon<br />
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<br />eamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-63187095730020276422012-11-29T18:33:00.001-08:002012-11-29T23:35:52.912-08:00Anime Double FeechWhile it isn't exactly comics, I recently had a chance to re-watch some anime DVDs in my collection. Since they are based on Japanese comics (Manga) I decided that it wouldn't be too off topic to write about 'em here.<br />
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TOKYO BABYLON<br />
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Directed by: Koichi Chigira<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47Bm9v3bcYA1JrulCz1XNh3rH4qCfCbGTvylOvBxuNuZYBdeEKfSEM0xN-EXKQ_nT47InSqCk1L3xFpjtwOTv2q6YLp5by4WZr5M55z8YEeaCXDq5uKL6h8ROwW-XcVUuHJ3WBoAMHaQ/s1600/TokyoBabs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh47Bm9v3bcYA1JrulCz1XNh3rH4qCfCbGTvylOvBxuNuZYBdeEKfSEM0xN-EXKQ_nT47InSqCk1L3xFpjtwOTv2q6YLp5by4WZr5M55z8YEeaCXDq5uKL6h8ROwW-XcVUuHJ3WBoAMHaQ/s320/TokyoBabs.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLj-M5g59q9aFlx4xLDXlAgZg29ltTU2ANtJnjJ8qswIC7PVFgI1EmM3tHFhayaWZ_qe6fDToaZn7X5txrVGSlGmPMDfTnNgxQBh9a0Alst4pvJdo0LJnoyE5ACiKMwKXc0ptWi0YtXE4/s1600/tokyobabylon2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLj-M5g59q9aFlx4xLDXlAgZg29ltTU2ANtJnjJ8qswIC7PVFgI1EmM3tHFhayaWZ_qe6fDToaZn7X5txrVGSlGmPMDfTnNgxQBh9a0Alst4pvJdo0LJnoyE5ACiKMwKXc0ptWi0YtXE4/s320/tokyobabylon2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some of the awesome moody shots from the beginning of episode 2.</td></tr>
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Tokyo Babylon is a 2 episode OVA series based on the manga created by super team Clamp. Each episode focuses on a case of the supernatural, investigated by Medium Subaru Sumeragi, his sister Hokuto, and their mysterious friend Seishirou.<br />
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The atmosphere these OVAs convey is plenty creepy and intriguing. The animation is outstanding in both installments, but I am particularly impressed by the second episode. It opens with eerie shots of Tokyo set to ominous music, the story concerns a serial killer preying on commuting passengers on trains. Subaru is a witness, and works with police and another medium who can see the past by touching objects with her bare hands. Together they track down the killer, and also meet another medium who also has the ability to see the past by touch. What happens when these two tactile mediums touch hands? I think the setting really contributes to why I enjoy this animation, there are many exciting scenes in the dark subterranean tunnels of Tokyo.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYSOraH1sgpJNBFXmFq6LBWM0936yfyUah2EZNMXIlgwrXH7QrBb81m-bfrW3wdt5Qjs_ke7B4F1ic7wLfUhQpPqc6iymfBueNhU-_8hSyb9I0rh_DNdg9iWRa6DHDo-HL-J8mEO1A4s/s1600/nagumo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpYSOraH1sgpJNBFXmFq6LBWM0936yfyUah2EZNMXIlgwrXH7QrBb81m-bfrW3wdt5Qjs_ke7B4F1ic7wLfUhQpPqc6iymfBueNhU-_8hSyb9I0rh_DNdg9iWRa6DHDo-HL-J8mEO1A4s/s320/nagumo.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nagumo, the villain from episode 1. I love the black and back lighting in the background.</td></tr>
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The first installment is fine, but is more of a slow boil. It takes place on a construction site, where executives are dying under mysterious accidental circumstances on the site of their future headquarters, always in the company of Nagumo, a young business man who always seems to escape the accidents unscathed. There are a lot of excellent lighting effects in this episode, and an exciting, fluid action sequence to close it out, with some on point effects animation. As a warning, there is an awful song sung in bizarre English in the first volume, be warned. The English dub is also poor.<br />
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DARKSIDE BLUES<br />
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Directed by Yoshimichi Furukawa<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8DX6J7JvLKkgl4kdnhHubUHms9fG9ysq6aq7jRdfUp_xBnFKIG3dJAViRUKx8RUZeyDCFctORL4J5D_rMut4fkZgVp4iE2eO5OpsftnkerfeYNVkLeFR_wtZI5vEByqJxj1A0BCHj0E/s1600/darkside.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs8DX6J7JvLKkgl4kdnhHubUHms9fG9ysq6aq7jRdfUp_xBnFKIG3dJAViRUKx8RUZeyDCFctORL4J5D_rMut4fkZgVp4iE2eO5OpsftnkerfeYNVkLeFR_wtZI5vEByqJxj1A0BCHj0E/s320/darkside.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Darkside Blues is a problematic little movie based on a comic written by Hideyuki Kikuchi, creator of Vampire Hunter D. It is a weird mix of the gothic and science fiction...much like Vampire Hunter D is. The title character, Darkside, is a magical being of few words and seemingly limitless power, who is dressed like Barnabus Collins. Darkside emerges from a Black Mirror in a horse drawn carriage. He settles in Kabuki Cho, and befriends a group of freedom fighters in their efforts against Persona Century, an evil corporation that owns much of the world.<br />
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The movie doesn't really focus on any one character, and I found my interest wane pretty quickly. I thought the animation was inconsistent. The most consistently well animated character seems to be Darkside. Darkside definitely has coolness potential, but really he's just boring. Nothing seems to be a challenge to him, and his personality isn't particularly compelling. Supporting characters and new villains appear and dissapear, no one was really focused on enough for me to develop an emotional attachment to. I think my favorite character is Mai, a resident of Kabuki Cho and leader of a small rebel group, along with her companions. They are the most likable characters, and get a good deal of action sequences. The movie doesn't really have a 'pay off' as far as I'm concerned. The characters are all barely sketches, at the end of the movie none of their arcs really seem complete. As far as action sequences go, the best is a showdown between Darkside and an assassin named Enji in a crowd of bystanders who are turned to stone, and a scene on a rooftop where one character deflects a missile with some knives.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjNc8s1HcqLxMLdLXsQvwYc_TogNZaTe0pHm0_dj_v-cl4LEdVYJLOWxQesgNCC2r583m8FquaisPnN1M4Rb1v9e8on8zmDUW4prOntXhiIOs1dXLpPHgWzZfI49kRX0R_R9vOi6F01A/s1600/darkside2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjNc8s1HcqLxMLdLXsQvwYc_TogNZaTe0pHm0_dj_v-cl4LEdVYJLOWxQesgNCC2r583m8FquaisPnN1M4Rb1v9e8on8zmDUW4prOntXhiIOs1dXLpPHgWzZfI49kRX0R_R9vOi6F01A/s320/darkside2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is an excellent sequence in the film. </td></tr>
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Overall I would say this movie is too uneven to warrant watching. I would stick with other movies based off of Kikuchi's works, like Vampire Hunter D, Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust, Demon City Shinjuku and Wicked City.<br />
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Until next time!</div>
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-Eamon<br />
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eamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-91556895724209929872012-11-19T08:26:00.000-08:002020-03-31T10:12:34.431-07:00"My Boyfriend's A Crackhead...BRRRRR!"<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Punisher is a character I really started to appreciate after reading Garth Ennis's take, after binge-reading volumes of Hellblazer and Preacher. I've since read all of the Ennis Punisher material, and now and again buy random issues of the various Punisher comics I think could be fun to read. One such random issue was The Punisher War Journal # 28, from March 1991, written by Mike Baron with art by 'Tex', lettering by Jim Novak and colors by Greg Wright. I found the cover and interior art to be up to snuff, so I added it in my 15 comics for $10 pile. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfKyPnTClAIZCuB7uqFZsHi3czPBlnqqeqKbPCdRNFCy5L3O7Cz1GRm_KkDmoU2frJYH9PW0oh2wtcWbxnW_AXUTP6usYg_33rvqQM5RXm_24Ae71UpLNxqN-nW9hJ1kW1zlkR_mEP5A/s1600/deadmeat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEfKyPnTClAIZCuB7uqFZsHi3czPBlnqqeqKbPCdRNFCy5L3O7Cz1GRm_KkDmoU2frJYH9PW0oh2wtcWbxnW_AXUTP6usYg_33rvqQM5RXm_24Ae71UpLNxqN-nW9hJ1kW1zlkR_mEP5A/s320/deadmeat.jpg" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cover, by Michael Golden</td></tr>
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This issue threw me for a loop about a half dozen times. Is it a comment on over zealous protesters, who frown upon people that eat meat? Or perhaps a creed against the meat industry, where The Punisher starts out a meat eater but ends up on the side of the animals? Read on, dear reader, to find out!<br />
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The story begins outside of Bruno's Steakhouse, where protesters are gathered behind a police cordon, protesting...people that eat meat. Our hero, The Punisher (a.k.a Frank Castle) is meeting an ex girlfriend, Joy, for dinner. Even though The Punisher doesn't wear a mask, I guess in this series it isn't yet common knowledge that Frank Castle is indeed the mass murdering Punisher, who I am sure has been all over national news. When Joy asks Frank what he's been doing with himself, he replies "You don't want to know, it isn't pretty." Which is a completely normal response to that question and, of course, would not prompt ANY follow up questions. Joy cackles and manically tells Frank that she is seeing Cole Grist, the 'Biggest Meat Packer in the state', and tells Frank she hopes he can meet him. </div>
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Once outside after a dinner that "hit the spot," with Joy in her fur coat, they are confronted by the extreme anti-meat protesters. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did they not notice the protesters when they went INTO the restaurant?</td></tr>
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After dousing Joy's coat with red paint, Frank decks a protester with a mighty PTHMM! (actual sound effect they used) and guides Joy through the crowd, while a stander-by congratulates Frank for giving the self-righteous prigs a 'poke'. Frank thanks him for his support, with a Grinch-like grin. It's here that the book throws me for the first loop. Joy gets a call from Cole, her meat packing beau, and we find that an extremist animal rights group, The Animal Liberation Army, rigged his mailbox to explode, and sadly (although fortunately for Cole) the mailman was killed instead, and I expect the Punisher will be facing off against militant vegans. But is that the whole story?</div>
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Cole hires Frank to be his bodyguard, per Joy's suggestion. Frank goes with the happy couple to a social club, where they eat every Saturday night, complete with protesters, again. Seems Cole's country club only allows whites. (Why is Frank guarding this man again? And why is Joy ok with going to a place like that?) Cole asks the cops not to coddle the protesters and proclaims that he would like to "Rip their lungs out"...what is that sniffle Cole lets out? Does he have a cold? At the club, Cole runs into a "slimy union official" and makes a meeting with him later, at his meat packing plant. Cole also keeps getting up to use the bathroom, which prompts Frank to wonder if Cole has a coke problem.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2XZ4NmV2aye0uDrNWsg7C7aIOvN7Q5SN_ybUk7BYOrP6mj9tfb_32ou71mxEsc7WdJbD1Nh_RhyZcoxXcW_FJqCMfHaDfFcogKO__yhqRzZ24Q-DU3URtqFWRIYYGUGJXwB03dDSgt4/s1600/coke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="72" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB2XZ4NmV2aye0uDrNWsg7C7aIOvN7Q5SN_ybUk7BYOrP6mj9tfb_32ou71mxEsc7WdJbD1Nh_RhyZcoxXcW_FJqCMfHaDfFcogKO__yhqRzZ24Q-DU3URtqFWRIYYGUGJXwB03dDSgt4/s320/coke.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmm I wonder if this development will come up later?</td></tr>
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After dinner, Cole goes to his meet with the slimy union guy, at the meat packing plant, and tells Frank and Joy to wait in the car. Needless to say, Frank and Joy don't wait in the car, and follow Cole. They come across some of the Animal Liberation Army folks, who happen to carry membership cards.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMA51CYHUWMgonpEIFMlvyeCkOSZn-Wm9Cu2dOnhahSGu1YY8FybgFB7mkmhVjkx0CH75ovUrW-LBmbeVhmNye1WMllMBlIX3Kwjm5BDDaPR0C37durrEj57YNdjRdRwArVtl8dt5hX3w/s1600/ala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMA51CYHUWMgonpEIFMlvyeCkOSZn-Wm9Cu2dOnhahSGu1YY8FybgFB7mkmhVjkx0CH75ovUrW-LBmbeVhmNye1WMllMBlIX3Kwjm5BDDaPR0C37durrEj57YNdjRdRwArVtl8dt5hX3w/s320/ala.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do they get decoder rings too?</td></tr>
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Frank dispatches one ALA member, only to come across another, with a gun, trying to get into the plant. Frank and Joy get the drop on him, and he explains he was only trying to save the animals, and a few panels show some of the inhumane conditions the animals undergo at Cole Grist's plant. So maybe the bad guys aren't the Animal Liberation Army? Is Frank Castle going to side with them? It seems that way after it comes out that Cole Grist is also connected to the mob...but before the ALA goon can elaborate, Cole appears out of nowhere with a machine gun and mows the animal rights guy down.</div>
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It seems the union rep Cole came to meet tried to kill him, and now Cole has gone off the deep end, and suspects that Frank and Joy are having a little fling. Turns out Cole IS on drugs, as Joy so eloquently states while hiding in a freezer...</div>
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Frank leaves Joy hiding in the freezer and goes after Cole, and finds the union guy dead. Turns out he and Cole were freebasing, and got into an argument over drug money. Nothing more about the Plant, or the Animal Liberation front, is brought up for the rest of this comic. Suddenly its about a drug problem gone haywire. Cole captures Joy, and lures Frank out for a showdown. Frank, unarmed, confronts Cole, but Joy pushes a button and a meat hook grabs Cole from behind. At this point, Cole is subdued and unarmed, but The Punisher decides he needs to stab Cole in the stomach with a nearby knife, for good measure, and quips "I guess this means I'm out of a job." Yeah, I guess so, Frank.<br />
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-Eamon</div>
eamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-9972171541309062732012-11-14T04:39:00.000-08:002013-02-02T16:49:52.925-08:00Stand Alone Complex: All Star Batman & Robin The Boy Wonder # 9Hello Internet!<br />
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Eamon here, it has been a while since I have written about my one true love, comics, so I thought I would try to get back into the swing of things. For 'Stand Alone Complex' entries I'm going to write about a single issue of a comic that I like or find notable in some way. For the first entry, I thought I would tackle issue number 9 of the much maligned All Star Batman & Robin the Boy Wonder, written by Frank Miller with Art by Jim Lee, inks by Scott Williams, colors by Alex Sinclair and letters by Jared K. Fletcher.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIHiE9aArEjsGOtfqcIKvNlb80_83HJLA-OA_zY2BTg_FdKIq7AGZI9c8g6fylXh_eA_3jXYsR6aiCY81AfVLddQ4BXnG4w6iNTip0rfWA01d5pvvSCaE8ARUnS_ZUULX6hn41yFXf10/s1600/BatsRob.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIHiE9aArEjsGOtfqcIKvNlb80_83HJLA-OA_zY2BTg_FdKIq7AGZI9c8g6fylXh_eA_3jXYsR6aiCY81AfVLddQ4BXnG4w6iNTip0rfWA01d5pvvSCaE8ARUnS_ZUULX6hn41yFXf10/s320/BatsRob.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
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As far as I am aware, the All Star comics line was started to give creators carte blanche to do whatever they wanted with DC characters without being held hostage by decades of continuity...and who better to tackle Batman than Frank Miller, one of the most important Batman scribes living! I never checked it out back in 2008, and have recently been picking up random issues.<br />
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Page one of issue 9 makes it immediately apparent that this Bats isn't the one we're used to...from the pen of Frank Miller or anybody else. Batman is in Green Lantern's face, and, as conveyed by his narration in the captions, brags about how rich he is, relishes an opportunity to potentially beat the snot out of a fellow hero, proceeds to insult and belittle that same hero along with Superman, and describes how he would use Lantern's power ring...by sending some tidal waves to "Knock out a few enemy fleets" and bring "some real firepower to a nasty ground war or two." So yeah...not the Bats we are used to.<br />
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Oh, I forgot to mention, Batman is also painted yellow on the opening page. For those of you who don't know, the Green Lantern's only weakness is the color yellow. His power ring doesn't work against it. Comics, right?<br />
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The whole Batman painted yellow thing is really why I wanted to write about this issue, and share it with the 'net. I never expected any part of this series, which is pretty unanimously ridiculed, to be so funny. Batman has to meet with Green Lantern, who on behalf of the Justice League wants Batman to tone it down. To be on the safe side Batman has the meeting in one of his safe houses, and has Robin paint everything yellow. Everything. For well over half of this issue Batman and Robin are yellow, in a yellow room with yellow floors, walls, pipes and furniture.<br />
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Batman even has lemonade to drink, and Robin has some yellow ice cream. Batman smirks, sneers and leers as he drinks his Lemonade, "Refreshing" he says as he takes a sip. Green Lantern declines a glass.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjabp3YX3hC8eFLmPdYeXO57HosPzmXj80Il9Nj1jOZ4Oc3_veEUoEdbq2arR_l9hxUotmGnjHyQJKJActbMpS6JS4xedk7Z1lEQWYxYWPdbTL_FD-Qg8YB93E6pqpzY43DiHZ4_gk5uI/s1600/offers+lemonade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjabp3YX3hC8eFLmPdYeXO57HosPzmXj80Il9Nj1jOZ4Oc3_veEUoEdbq2arR_l9hxUotmGnjHyQJKJActbMpS6JS4xedk7Z1lEQWYxYWPdbTL_FD-Qg8YB93E6pqpzY43DiHZ4_gk5uI/s1600/offers+lemonade.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't be a rude guest, Lantern!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCwABQkvQkCatqWbPoGPFxUR4srmOs00ZA-9mn-nCrGsOMMBiMYHKnpL7vxnDs9qCs3MO0xK_EBVltONMKbCuNFWxMJyPWCf-Wo65oPvE1n7vRAuPA5LEoDE3w6PW2k8TEkPT2QygtAI/s1600/glug.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBCwABQkvQkCatqWbPoGPFxUR4srmOs00ZA-9mn-nCrGsOMMBiMYHKnpL7vxnDs9qCs3MO0xK_EBVltONMKbCuNFWxMJyPWCf-Wo65oPvE1n7vRAuPA5LEoDE3w6PW2k8TEkPT2QygtAI/s320/glug.jpg" width="112" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In this panel both Green Lantern and the reader must wait for Batman to finish his lemonade.</td></tr>
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Robin is also very entertaining in this scene, in the background eating his ice cream, ready to catch a falling glass of lemonade when Green Lantern decides that Batman needs a punch in the face, pouring Batman another glass for when he is ready for another sip. He is also reading The Yellow Kid comics, for you comics history buffs out there.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSmKpzI6HIKHMFD2Gm1HDKCKDpvGuq0fFk9rXaR-A64f-aRvRRYgAeDJssN7E2_3taEr_eQWAPaxQZxatAVITE6HMhxuoeke_hBzgtnWnS0hWpKjlS3PVmrpniIRd6KS1hY7ruvAX4fo/s1600/catch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsSmKpzI6HIKHMFD2Gm1HDKCKDpvGuq0fFk9rXaR-A64f-aRvRRYgAeDJssN7E2_3taEr_eQWAPaxQZxatAVITE6HMhxuoeke_hBzgtnWnS0hWpKjlS3PVmrpniIRd6KS1hY7ruvAX4fo/s320/catch.jpg" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Please pay particular attention to Robin on this page. Spectacular storytelling. Very funny.</td></tr>
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The focus on the Lemonade is bizarre and distracting. I also find it hilarious. I don't know if Robin's antics were called for in the script, or if Jim Lee decided to do that stuff on his own, but its a real hoot. Green Lantern is a real lunkhead in this series, who can't figure out that Robin is really Dick Grayson, a boy Batman kidnapped in an earlier issue, and seems to have a real temper problem...as does every character in this issue. After taking Lantern's ring, Robin does some flip kicks and karate chops Lantern's neck, almost killing him. This causes Batman to flip out and punch Robin, who is probably ten years old, really hard in the face, twice.<br />
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The rest of the book is moping, gloom and doom, but darn if the yellow Batman and Robin pages weren't fun. Definitely something I was not expecting. I would highly recommend checking this issue out. If there are any readers out there, are there any other issues this funny from this title? Let me know in the comments!<br />
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-Eamoneamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-54083967914812767522011-12-12T18:54:00.000-08:002011-12-12T18:54:41.703-08:00IN DEPTH review of Spider-Man and his Amazing friends episode"The Fantastic Mr. Frump" over at my Tumblr.<br />
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<a href="http://thebluefedora.tumblr.com/post/13535221098/spider-man-and-his-amazing-friends-the-fantastic-mr" target="_blank">Check it out! </a><br />
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Some sample pics....<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwc6wpSJhs6M2MtwpeC3MmzBqrW_RmgT5wC8JV5nk2VZd6ceDwKDYfbx3UGobtmGh85RrzXseCoGpvJAHeSVRHudOWA9VurhskTePBdk4UCZMGTDrmhp6prRXlafqmFV1E2ZLita_n0Y4/s1600/mable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwc6wpSJhs6M2MtwpeC3MmzBqrW_RmgT5wC8JV5nk2VZd6ceDwKDYfbx3UGobtmGh85RrzXseCoGpvJAHeSVRHudOWA9VurhskTePBdk4UCZMGTDrmhp6prRXlafqmFV1E2ZLita_n0Y4/s320/mable.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr.Frump and Mable</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0i2jt0UzikG-4h6RZB38__p96w8zk3JGk05vqre3EWkfv7jXHV_L-DnzuSi5HxcsmKGpusMxBTqQYZZ5mZC-j4_hyphenhyphen4TL_9cth-L6Jg_YVuR1G1wvg6GKE5Etgnkq7Z633Uhz9rBbRMpQ/s1600/chalklines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0i2jt0UzikG-4h6RZB38__p96w8zk3JGk05vqre3EWkfv7jXHV_L-DnzuSi5HxcsmKGpusMxBTqQYZZ5mZC-j4_hyphenhyphen4TL_9cth-L6Jg_YVuR1G1wvg6GKE5Etgnkq7Z633Uhz9rBbRMpQ/s320/chalklines.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doom on his hands and knees</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7krPfmi25J6Lu04wQgaZan2auCQjiuegiU0xjhlntsJ0VjLrMCHYZg8mzWN0T4t7IQ5onxsCNfx3OHcqxvRjhnqsVHLFxv0ayhAZCE7OVtPkM5zQpWCgkjGkyfXh1SvT7S1hf8SZ_hLI/s1600/Frump2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7krPfmi25J6Lu04wQgaZan2auCQjiuegiU0xjhlntsJ0VjLrMCHYZg8mzWN0T4t7IQ5onxsCNfx3OHcqxvRjhnqsVHLFxv0ayhAZCE7OVtPkM5zQpWCgkjGkyfXh1SvT7S1hf8SZ_hLI/s320/Frump2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Heroes</td></tr>
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<br />eamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-25529937854628254762011-11-19T13:36:00.001-08:002011-11-19T13:50:26.422-08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluWOgcb80MShyMgY49fQukBULdWqqk6hnGJjA9Wcy8141XKwCllaAeuQyCK1i5kDuAsmJpzltNQ6KUmZ9arLqCFCV_lz9txcnji7uPlQRmbFmwA9r2Vo7AF2zmFAQgbq34woXi0AEep0/s1600/upskirt+DOOM.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjluWOgcb80MShyMgY49fQukBULdWqqk6hnGJjA9Wcy8141XKwCllaAeuQyCK1i5kDuAsmJpzltNQ6KUmZ9arLqCFCV_lz9txcnji7uPlQRmbFmwA9r2Vo7AF2zmFAQgbq34woXi0AEep0/s320/upskirt+DOOM.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Hey Gang,<br />
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I have recently been watching some awesome cartoons, based on comic books, on Netflix Streaming, and my next post will expand on some of these, but this one is a little more involved than the other posts I have done, please bear with me while I put this post together, and enjoy the above sneek peek!<br />
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Also, if you want to read some awesome new comics this week, I would strongly urge you to check out Mudman number one by Paul Grist. Grist has wowed me with his Jack Staff series and Kane, he mixes superhero fun with classic style cartooning, below is a link to a preview:<br />
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<a href="http://ifanboy.com/articles/preview-mudman-1-by-paul-grist/">http://ifanboy.com/articles/preview-mudman-1-by-paul-grist/</a><br />
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<a href="http://cdn.ifanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/mudman01_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://cdn.ifanboy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/mudman01_cover.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
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The Avengers number 19 was another one I really enjoyed this week. Daniel Acuna turns out a fantastic looking book, and I really enjoy the camaraderie that Bendis writes so well between these characters. I also really like the flirty banter that is happening with Hawkeye and Spider-Woman. Also the new line up of the Avengers is revealed! Below is a link to a preview:<br />
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<a href="http://comicbookrealm.com/previews/3663/marvel-the-avengers-issue-19">http://comicbookrealm.com/previews/3663/marvel-the-avengers-issue-19</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.badhaven.com/wp-content/gallery/norman-osborn-and-h-a-m-m-e-r-return/avn2010019_cov.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://www.badhaven.com/wp-content/gallery/norman-osborn-and-h-a-m-m-e-r-return/avn2010019_cov.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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There you have it, more coming soon!<br />
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-Eamoneamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-28023495983959853032011-11-09T22:47:00.000-08:002011-11-10T19:43:03.257-08:00Secret Avengers #18 Mixes Superheroes, Inception and Kung Fu!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnT5t1zz3c9REO3Yu1MYNBDhgKVDfarUAyAzVVTBeEWb6zTmXfDs1Ql8qwVjRfWEuy8sFX4EuMw5jZRhUidesw01oGZSLwXsamRWFlFTn4jYq7dkyijB2CJ_DhnKCCciugq92PrpR608/s1600/sneak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="33" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnT5t1zz3c9REO3Yu1MYNBDhgKVDfarUAyAzVVTBeEWb6zTmXfDs1Ql8qwVjRfWEuy8sFX4EuMw5jZRhUidesw01oGZSLwXsamRWFlFTn4jYq7dkyijB2CJ_DhnKCCciugq92PrpR608/s320/sneak.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cue the Scooby Doo sneaking music!</td></tr>
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On a whim I decided to pick up issue number 18 of Secret Avengers (written by Warren Ellis, with art by David Aja and Raul Allen) and my friend prompted me to pick up the variant cover, which is an amazing image! (Thanks Brian!That is good customer service!) The explosive action continues into the pages past the cover.<br />
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So the basic concept of Secret Avengers as I gather, is that there is a group of Avengers that take on deadly missions that no one can know about, foiling plots too terrible to imagine (kind of like Uncanny X-Force?). The mission in number 18 involves Steve Rogers (formerly Captain America) Sharon Carter, and Shang-Chi, the Master of Kung Fu, invading an enemy base in the Multiverse, to prevent them from bringing a chemical from the Multiverse to Earth that will transform it into a sun.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7N5yFsdQhvRpTmVyhFoP_GhpxN1509bIuYTmi-Pzk22apaeXKRnGP4dMOTCeagklE3L4TqjZrckfpgT6OFTK74qP80qSD3fni3T3Q_UieOqJGrRoHpsKrn_rROkpJwbbR4Ab7kEYrcnc/s1600/3heroes+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7N5yFsdQhvRpTmVyhFoP_GhpxN1509bIuYTmi-Pzk22apaeXKRnGP4dMOTCeagklE3L4TqjZrckfpgT6OFTK74qP80qSD3fni3T3Q_UieOqJGrRoHpsKrn_rROkpJwbbR4Ab7kEYrcnc/s320/3heroes+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Heroes</td></tr>
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The entire mission takes place inside of an enemy base in another dimension, that has it's own physics. For one thing, the station floating in the Multiverse has a hull too thin for gun use, and has the dimensions of an M.C. Escher drawing. Think Inception, but with ninja bad guys and superheroes. Steve Rogers and Sharon Carter bring Shang-Chi in to 'Incapacitate all comers', and incapacitate he does. The action here is paced amazingly, is clear, and uses every possible angle you could to show just how unstoppable these three are when it comes to a bear knuckle brawl. Action depicted this cleanly, clearly and pulse-poundingly is more rare than it should be in superhero books, Aja uses the crazy physics of the setting for all it is worth.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPvUTj54Yl0CwtypGf6j0uq-MOH-7KVTEvsqBBMiJEpLNp8aIgv5TUQ6mRlN4Iu_5gFaIh74uT4Ebm_pSYhJ0GqCyQ9wQ14YeBJfF0okEor5WwELBlm4pTl8Fw7bKlguFSU5zpe4g5MI/s1600/shang+chi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizPvUTj54Yl0CwtypGf6j0uq-MOH-7KVTEvsqBBMiJEpLNp8aIgv5TUQ6mRlN4Iu_5gFaIh74uT4Ebm_pSYhJ0GqCyQ9wQ14YeBJfF0okEor5WwELBlm4pTl8Fw7bKlguFSU5zpe4g5MI/s320/shang+chi.jpg" width="209" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love the use of color and space here.<br />
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Ellis writes a done-in-one story here, he introduces about a dozen awesome concepts, and writes likable, capable characters and fun dialogue.One of my favorite bits was Beast's explanation of the Multiverse, more specifically 'Bad Continuum' which are broken offshoots of the Multiverse:<br />
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<b>" They are notable for flaws in the laws of physics. A bad continuum might have gravity, for instance, but water will boil there at ten degrees, or frozen water will turn into music instead of ice."</b></div>
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If that ain't an awesome piece of science fiction style goodness, I don't know what is. The enemy the three come up against is Arnim Zola 4.2.3., who is a man who can broadcast his mind into robot bodies, but apparently 4.2.3. is a <b>broken</b> copy trapped inside a robot body...who plans to kill Steve Rogers and become Arnim Zola OS X! </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you don't like villains like this comics are not for you.</td></tr>
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All in all, this single issue of Secret Avengers has everything I look for in a superhero comic. Cool action, interesting/far out settings and concepts, kooky bad guys, fun banter and awesome artwork. I am going to be checking out issues in the future, thanks a lot Marvel....yeesh (my poor wallet). Oh and I thought that the page below was aweeesome.<br />
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-Eamon</div>eamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-47146282992495282802011-11-01T19:26:00.000-07:002011-11-01T19:34:44.932-07:00Drawing the line at 2.99? How 'bout a buck?<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">In the past two weeks I've picked up two great comics, not for $3.99, or even $2.99...but one dollar. A buck!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXoEef0gt3tGj194EemtLN12Fa1iZ1USy4iWRwUq8s1E9AldgniJnRgPCcdX2LIhePzdimrnzzuJ7qvTqWz2Ge8jvDCsLyVIlxwJG2e77-jgkk7FS0agjqP-V0s0W41SjQuTRWOPepIU/s1600/drac+laugh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXoEef0gt3tGj194EemtLN12Fa1iZ1USy4iWRwUq8s1E9AldgniJnRgPCcdX2LIhePzdimrnzzuJ7qvTqWz2Ge8jvDCsLyVIlxwJG2e77-jgkk7FS0agjqP-V0s0W41SjQuTRWOPepIU/s320/drac+laugh.jpg" width="290" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> The first I will write about here is my first ever digital comics purchase, which I bought yesterday on Halloween, entitled <b>Dracula The Unconquered, </b>number one! Written by Chris Sims, with art by Steve Downer and letters by Josh Krach, Dracula is a fun for everyone adventure romp. The first thing you will notice, or at least the first thing I noticed, was that this comic is absolutely gorgeous. Goodness knows how long it took Downer to to draw AND color all of this awesomeness, but he does a stellar job. The action is clear and energetic, the characters are lively and fun, I love the design of Dracula (and the entire cast) but I think one of my favorite things in particular here is how he integrates the sound effects into the panels. Too often have mainstream comics been resorting to digital fonts for their sound effects, plopped all hurly burly over the artwork. In Drac, the sound effects are etched in stone, engulfed in flames, and sliced through the air. It is something only comics do, and it is outstanding. The backgrounds, colors, lettering, everything here in fact, is top notch.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"> Sims writes a confident and ready-for-anything Dracula, who isn't quite at his peak right now, but will not let momentary weakness stand in his way. The story opens with Dracula emerging from a coffin, a young woman standing over him with a stake, booming "WHO DARES RAISE DRACULA FROM THE DEAD?" An old acquaintance and rival it seems, who seeks to use Dracula as a tool to unite the world of the vampire. Dracula of course will have no part in this, but it seems those that resurrected him will not take 'no' for an answer. But why was Dracula locked away? What lead to his downfall? I really can't wait to find out. For a first issue, this baby moves, too! We have Dracula using spells, swinging chains, and battling giant magic spirits. This is well worth my one dollar payment! Sims, Downer and Krach should be very pleased with this first issue, and I will most definitely be back for issue number two.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Here is a six page preview! <a href="http://www.draculatheunconquered.com/news/">http://www.draculatheunconquered.com/news/</a> The website also has a lot of great process stuff!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">The second book for a buck I got was <b>Spaceman</b>, by Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso. I have not read their most famous work, <b>100 Bullets</b>, but I really enjoyed their mini series <b>Batman: Knight of Vengeance</b> in the Flashpoint crossover event...in fact it was the ONLY Flashpoint tie in book I really liked! Keeping that in mind I decided to try out Spaceman, and there is something very interesting cooking here.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">Our hero in Spaceman is an ape-like creature named Orson who was created in a lab to explore Mars, but seems to have never gotten there...or perhaps he was there and is back? Orson is experiencing a nightmare at the opening of the story, on a dangerous mission to fix a breach in the Greenhouse at the base on Mars. He awakens, on Earth, in a seemingly post-apocalyptic landscape. This comic reminds me a bit of the book <em style="background-color: white; font-style: normal; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16px;">Riddley Walker </em><span style="background-color: white;"><i style="font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;">by Russell Hoban, which also takes place in a less than ideal future where everyone speaks a strange hodgepodge of </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">English.</span><i style="font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;"> An example from Spaceman:</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i style="font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;"><b>"This Batch,..I came across some primo CHEM--</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i style="font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;"><b>tweaked the playlist. Strong like bull, so go eez. </b></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i style="font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;"><b>LITTLE tastes, or your HEAD'LL come off"</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit;"><i style="font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;">The whole comic is filled with </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">dialogue</span><i style="font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;"> like this, and makes for a more attentive read. The plot has some hints of the film </i><b style="font-style: italic; line-height: 16px;">Children of Men</b><i style="font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;"> mixed in, it seems like this is a future that got away from humanity a little bit, and is just trying to catch up with the </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 16px;">train-wreck</span><i style="font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;"> it has become. </i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i style="font-style: normal; line-height: 16px;">I am a big fan of Eduaro Risso's artwork, to me he is a modern day practitioner of Herge's </i></span><b style="background-color: white; line-height: 19px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ligne_claire">Ligne claire</a> </b><span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">style, with a dash of Frank Quitely, especially in his use of negative space on the page. This is a Vertigo book, and as such is basically the exact opposite of Dracula the Unconquered, which is more of an all ages book. Spaceman features, among other things, weird future phone/skype sex (with diodes and suction cups) drug use, cursing and murder...but that is to be expected with a Vertigo book. I am very interested to see more of the world that Azzarello and Risso are building here.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">So there ya have it chumps, two great comics for a dollar each (Spaceman has sales tax in PA though so it is a little more that that) what could be better?!</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 19px;">-Eamon</span></span></div>eamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-17469470731486645212011-10-31T19:21:00.000-07:002011-10-31T19:22:39.252-07:00Spooky Halloween DragonBall post! (NSFW)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just in time for Halloween! I wanted to do a ghoulish post before the Holiday passes us by completely, and a few options rooooose from the grave...or..my brain, when I was deciding. I was considering covering the recent Xombi series, or the Phantom of the Opera-esque arc in Jack Kirby's original The Demon series, or even the issue of Jimmy Olsen (also by Jack Kirby) where he runs into the universal monsters. One manga (Japanese comic for those who do not know) came to mind immediately though, and I decided to go with it...a particularly spooky arc from the classic manga by Akira Toriyama, DRAGONBALL!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our heroes, ladies and gents.</td></tr>
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The basic plot of Dragonball centers around Son Goku, a young boy who lives alone in the woods, who has a monkey tail, and is as strong as an ox. He goes on a quest around the world for 7 magic balls, the Dragon balls, which when gathered together summon the mighty dragon Shenlong who can grant any wish. While the most popular form of Dragonball (at least in the United States) is Dragonball Z, an animated fighting series adapted from the latter half of the Dragonball manga, it may come as a surprise for some the Dragonball started out as a really jokey, raunchy and silly martial arts comic.<br />
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The chillllling arc in question sees our heroes Son Goku, with his friends Kruririn (the monk) Yamucha (the tall young desert bandit) Upa (the little Native American boy) and Puar (the floating cat) entering a tournament held by a fortune telling witch who will tell them the location of the last Dragonball they need. Their opponents: SPOOKY MONSTERS!</div>
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First up is this Dracula with boxing gloves (I like calling vampires Draculas, sue me) who does battle with Kuririn. He keeps on turning into a bat and fluttering around, which is pretty cheap, and Kuririn can't catch him. He eventually re-dracs and chomps, or glomps, Kuririn's enormous bald head. </div>
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The results of this are hilarious, but the action is still lively and satisfying. The brilliant thing about the early Dragonball comics is that Toriyama perfectly blends exciting and intense action with humor. It seems effortless, and perfectly illustrates why Toriyama is a master of comics. Oh and the hilarious results of Kuririn's wound:</div>
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Kuririn loses his match, and 'Count Dracula' is dispatched by Upa and Puar with some fast thinking...Yamucha takes up the next battle and his opponent:</div>
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The Invisible man! Yamucha can't see his opponent, obviously, and is getting the tar beaten out of him...that is, until Kuririn has a brilliant idea from the sidelines! A brief aside here, Dragonball is a very raunchy comic, which frequently features pretty low brow jokes and nudity that American audiences would be surprised by. Many of those instances of raunch are perpetrated by Master Muten Roshi, Son Goku's martial arts teacher.Very often when Master Roshi sees a pretty girl his nose bleeds, Kuririn knows this and fetches Roshi and their friend Bulma, for this eyebrow raising strategy for exposing the Invisible Man (possibly NSFW):</div>
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Yamcha attacks and makes short work of his opponent, thanks to Roshi's nosebleed, which brings the tournament to the next level. This is possibly the best setting I have ever seen in a comic:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVXdznRafg4K5GCPnYzySTaIovLhmSp9HmZZM0Z1x53belYuwvcuw97PRrWgr1JoXK_PWrxajDMONj52YDlb_glS_7x2CTQC9T25HCB8DBqirmgIMOJaIH_DnYn-f1H0_69BzL__YEgI/s1600/arena.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUVXdznRafg4K5GCPnYzySTaIovLhmSp9HmZZM0Z1x53belYuwvcuw97PRrWgr1JoXK_PWrxajDMONj52YDlb_glS_7x2CTQC9T25HCB8DBqirmgIMOJaIH_DnYn-f1H0_69BzL__YEgI/s320/arena.jpg" width="310" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, there is a toilet paper dispenser.<br />
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Why yes, that IS an arena made from two giant statues of demons on toilets touching tongues. Here, Yamucha must do battle with his next spooky foe,<br />
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a Mu-Mu-Mu Mummy! The battles from here on out become a little more serious, Yamucha is dispensed with fairly brutally and quickly, leaving the challenge up to Son Goku. Son takes out the Mummy, to everyone's surprise, with ease, as well as his next opponent, the Devil!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPMTO7ram4GloZCCpuIBjyI1zmMUHBn5nPI-5klnKSE6NYfVMQzOAy7HVKRs9KMaTXO_OKBpEVDH2Lvk8YXqLN1yGFf-kDTEXbMuJ2Ev-V6sJFQE-YocNhJq96gm486TGBDM0pfz3Ocw/s1600/devilman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPMTO7ram4GloZCCpuIBjyI1zmMUHBn5nPI-5klnKSE6NYfVMQzOAy7HVKRs9KMaTXO_OKBpEVDH2Lvk8YXqLN1yGFf-kDTEXbMuJ2Ev-V6sJFQE-YocNhJq96gm486TGBDM0pfz3Ocw/s320/devilman.jpg" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What an awesome panel.<br />
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The panel above is the Devil using his evil beam, which brings the evil in his opponent's heart out and kills them...too bad for him that Son Goku has no evil in his heart! </div>
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The tournament goes on for one more match but that section, but that section is not as SPOOKY as the ones I decided to share. Dragonball gets a bad rap in America, I think, because of the cartoon show Dragonball Z (which I personally still love). If you have an opportunity, check out the volumes out by Viz comics!</div>
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Oh and on a digital comics aside, for more spooky comics fun check out Dracula the Unconquered, by Chris Sims, Josh Krach and Steve Downer. The story is really fun, the art is spectacular, and it is ONE DOLLAR. Check it out:</div>
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<a href="http://www.draculatheunconquered.com/">http://www.draculatheunconquered.com/</a></div>
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-Eamon</div>
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</div>eamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-78962453233483185252011-10-27T20:46:00.000-07:002011-11-01T19:58:11.961-07:00Last Week Of October in Superhero ComicsThis week I picked up some pretty awesome books, why don't we share them together? EH?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNZANHaZoPEHjmn5Fx3nsT6hBXKWswzLlSG8xlPKbQcb2o5aOY2frlWuDhkJqQD-Hz2YWfmAH0aH-lbpf0MOITWeIw4lrplUG8l2Wu6pFnc0JHuwd_qAPbeohnukB2eunAm7SESg_860/s1600/wolviespread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSNZANHaZoPEHjmn5Fx3nsT6hBXKWswzLlSG8xlPKbQcb2o5aOY2frlWuDhkJqQD-Hz2YWfmAH0aH-lbpf0MOITWeIw4lrplUG8l2Wu6pFnc0JHuwd_qAPbeohnukB2eunAm7SESg_860/s320/wolviespread.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bachalo really takes his spreads to the next level. </td></tr>
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So the only new 'X' book I have been reading lately is the awesomely epic, always purty to look at Uncanny X-Force, written by Rick Remender (I especially like the ones where Jerome Opena does the art). The recent Schism story by Jason Aaron got a lot of praise, and there was a LOT of hype on the ol web for this title, as well as good word of mouth from a few trusted friends, so I decided to give it a try. The basic premise, is that Wolverine, after his falling out with Cyclops, reopens <i>Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters</i> as <i>The Jean Grey School For Higher Learning</i>. Wolverine is the headmaster, and Kitty Pride is the headmistress, with Professors including Beast, Gambit, Rogue and Iceman (Toad is the janitor!). Wolverine's school is in utter chaos on it's first day, and will probably remain chaotic for some time. Jason Aaron is mixing X-Men with Hogwarts here, and I think its an amazing idea (and fun!Fun is good for comics!). The art by Chris Bachalo is just perfect for the book, fun, chaotic and full of energy and busy cartooning. I also really like the fact that he colors his own pencils. It looks like I will have 2 X books on my plate from here on out. Also,a selection of some funny classes offered at <i>The Jean Grey School</i> :<br />
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<b> World History (1880-1950): An Eyewitness Account, with Headmaster Logan</b></div>
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<b>Sex Ed, with Professor Remy LeBeau (funny cuz it's Gambit)</b></div>
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<b>Ethics 101: Forgetting Everything You Ever Learned From Emma Frost, with Headmistress Pryde</b></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_GdW4Oh9QClZSHGcBBUjqpGfqzs5ShZfCed2POdiu8npCA0F9OnOX8Kq7b7FTqIB-FM-udpGPdXT50nbdaX7GG_75W7tllinBYnlIBaXzTBVc6hN16pmsM9F2GNbDR_tBvIUeDID1aQ/s1600/Venom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC_GdW4Oh9QClZSHGcBBUjqpGfqzs5ShZfCed2POdiu8npCA0F9OnOX8Kq7b7FTqIB-FM-udpGPdXT50nbdaX7GG_75W7tllinBYnlIBaXzTBVc6hN16pmsM9F2GNbDR_tBvIUeDID1aQ/s320/Venom.jpg" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You can REALLY feel that punch.</td></tr>
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I mentioned Rick Remender above, who in addition to Uncanny X-Force is also writing Venom. I never in a million years thought I would buy a Venom comic, but Rick Remender and Tony Moore made me do it! Remender is still on writing duties come issue number 8, Tom Fowler does the art now, and he has a meaty inking cartooning style that has really grown on me (see above panel). I really like Fowler's art, and Remender makes venom a compelling and tragic figure, much like Spider-Man<b>, </b>but<b> </b>this Venom has a much less rosy personality than ol' Pete Parker. He is forced to rely on the venom symbiote, he lost his legs while in the military, and he is a recovering alcoholic...AND his Dad just died. This issue is a tie in with the Spider Island event, and Venom is facing off against the Spider Queen. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7S_mOefduxl53tpuZZzM8pwwn5bjHCSFYx0L5UjWiKVpRlRl94kax7sO-fou3VOKZv5a-OAUjoeLGVUMoufj7hwYFTsYZ302rxljqo5PivlkSoJ4MyjJjWST6KgZWzGoRYjbUi4Adfmo/s1600/spider+queen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7S_mOefduxl53tpuZZzM8pwwn5bjHCSFYx0L5UjWiKVpRlRl94kax7sO-fou3VOKZv5a-OAUjoeLGVUMoufj7hwYFTsYZ302rxljqo5PivlkSoJ4MyjJjWST6KgZWzGoRYjbUi4Adfmo/s320/spider+queen.jpg" width="210" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I really like her posture and facial expressions.</td></tr>
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I love how Fowler draws this character...definitely has a Bettie Page
thing going on, sexy but not...trashy. I really enjoy this book.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RWSArIk_pjYfrtzn2xMmY39QbHeL8T-h1f6Te7TPMP6VhEA7yLbbm25ipSKvt-wVmLG-GYYl0ud1WuPIghXdHmcGEbZIpgKP80uaDXlIKGxljHITjnVx8kzr6PDPUaIKfXYOckSI4hc/s1600/bucky.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RWSArIk_pjYfrtzn2xMmY39QbHeL8T-h1f6Te7TPMP6VhEA7yLbbm25ipSKvt-wVmLG-GYYl0ud1WuPIghXdHmcGEbZIpgKP80uaDXlIKGxljHITjnVx8kzr6PDPUaIKfXYOckSI4hc/s320/bucky.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(This is a dream sequence) Look at Buck's face! Outstanding.</td></tr>
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As I have blogged before, Captain America and Bucky is an amazing looking book (and the story ain't half bad, neither!) that I personally don't think is getting enough praise on the ol' internet. Chris Samnee and Bettie Breitweiser are a comics one-two punch, like Cap and Bucky socking the Red Skull in the face! This issue has Bucky and the sidekick to the original Human Torch, Toro, rescuing a spy from an enemy Nazi camp. The problem is that he is being held in a concentration camp, and the horrors Bucky sees there drives him into a frenzy. I really like the characterization going on here for Buck, it is really evident that while he has just as high a moral code as Cap, he is a lot more bloodthirsty. I am no Captain America expert, but I do not really remember the Holocaust subject being tackled much in the comics, so I find this path an interesting one.<br />
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I DO think the cover is a little tasteless though...it features Bucky is featured behind some barbed wire with other concentration camp captives all beat up and haggard as if he was a prisoner there. That definitely does not happen in the issue! The cover is on the internet, go find it I don't want to post it here. To be honest I found the covers to be the only weak point of Cap and Buck so far. <br />
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Onward for the Marvel books this week! We have Daredevil number 5 from Mark Waid and Marcos Martin, who I have gushed about in previous posts. This book delivers AGAIN. Waid writes some really compelling and ENJOYABLE comics, that can switch from fun to solemn or poignant at the turn of a page. I think it is very impressive. Read some of the word bubbles in the panel below, hilarious stuff:<br />
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Marcos Martin is one of he saviors of superhero comic art, I imagine he and Waid are like two smooth jazz guys who have mastered their craft and are just mad experimenting now, taking the rules and bending them to their whims, like the below panel... <br />
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Only comics. Only comics. BUY DAREDEVIL if you like good superhero comics and want to support them at their best.<br />
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That about does it for the Marvel books this week, let's check in with DC comics, shall we? This week I picked up two DC comics, both #2s, The Flash and Aquaman. Lets take the Flash first...<br />
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In this issue the Flash learns to think as fast as he can run by tapping his brain into the 'Speed Force'. Above he is seeing all the possible solutions he could take to foil some robbers and save some innocent bystanders. This sequence is a really interesting few pages. Like Mark Waid and Marcos Martin, I think Franics Manapul and Brian Buccellato are furthering the greatness of superhero comics, keeping what makes them great safe and furthering the form. I also can't help but think Manapul read Daredevil number one by Waid and Rivera and thought 'Hey I can do that too dammit! (which I think is a great thing for comics). He has a lot of fun with the logos and mastheads as well, which is always fun:<br />
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I also bought Aquaman number 2...not much to say about this one. The art but Ivan Reis is outstanding, and the story and characters aren't too bad...but nothing really compels me to share in this space...not sure if I am going to keep up with that one.<br />
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-Eamon<br />
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<br />eamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-88421776183879369692011-10-19T18:54:00.000-07:002011-10-19T21:14:15.858-07:00To Drop or Not to Drop...I pick up a lot of comics every month. Currently, just from Marvel and DC, I am reading Animal Man, Action Comics, Batman, Batman and Robin, Batwing, O.M.A.C, Punisher Max, Punisher, Moon Knight, Uncanny X-Force, Venom, Batwoman, Swamp Thing, Captain America and Bucky, Daredevil...and probably a few more. I am also reading the Avengers every month, written by Brian Michael Bendis, with art usually by John Romita Junior. I really enjoyed the book initially, although lately the Fear itself ties ins were losing me, as I don't usually read crossovers. At times the lack of central characters bothered me. I was beginning to feel like the book was too unfocused, and that too many characters were sharing the spotlight in every issue, almost like 20-some pages of cameos every month. I was prepared to drop the book this month.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEian_jDa4Gp2TH_8vgZhgmEKecuUiZRdfRQdjWYeuBW3fQofAr5xZGwlkO5RKi3TLGcj8vtTrfcl581J4p6YnzZAlv_uidhkHhQd2qr4UxXBJScnl8xEOdSuJGHW_-PohcOMyU0XCqzPH8/s1600/avengerscover.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEian_jDa4Gp2TH_8vgZhgmEKecuUiZRdfRQdjWYeuBW3fQofAr5xZGwlkO5RKi3TLGcj8vtTrfcl581J4p6YnzZAlv_uidhkHhQd2qr4UxXBJScnl8xEOdSuJGHW_-PohcOMyU0XCqzPH8/s400/avengerscover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665407989932413170" border="0" /></a><br />Then, I saw the cover, which I think is just a great image. I think it captures,visually, what Bendis has been doing with the scripts on The Avengers. Bendis is fleshing out the personalities of the Avengers, with small conversational sections and text interview style pieces, with the team members talking about each other, what was currently happening in the book, and what it meant to each character to be an Avenger. I think these sections are really interesting, and do give the readers a bit more of a connection with some of the characters. Seeing Cap's hands rummaging through a pile of potential Avenger's pictures with his cup of coffee immediately (for me anyway) brings him down to earth and also still conveys him as the leader of The Avengers. I also love the selection of characters on the table (how awesome would it be to have Ghost Rider on the Avengers?!).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3Umf01Wf4cGiaelk3zPuHGAi_-6C-FQWGRnJwFAEpGJDe0vL5sJZQX8nVuvNjx-fZo74Shiuqd8LYCtNEH2uIgszMDG1YUqzRtPC_iJOJ4W1fCkz5B-O-35mvsgq-PRa69GNBOSH3BE/s1600/avengers.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 261px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT3Umf01Wf4cGiaelk3zPuHGAi_-6C-FQWGRnJwFAEpGJDe0vL5sJZQX8nVuvNjx-fZo74Shiuqd8LYCtNEH2uIgszMDG1YUqzRtPC_iJOJ4W1fCkz5B-O-35mvsgq-PRa69GNBOSH3BE/s400/avengers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665408347319549794" border="0" /></a><br />The artwork, by Daniel Acuna, sealed the deal for me. This is one awesome/beautiful looking super hero book. I loved every page of this comic, but the page above stood out to me. For the past few issues a romance has been budding between Hawkeye and Spider-Woman, and ex wife of Hawkeye Mockingbird has noticed...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRUl_6O9hpZGQwhg3RpJVauHWDhG00BkqdX7eLWUA-CMRDef2CjFH9WcpunvcipWCzYy5_VXHq_Knw8FsAPrMeZpbkAkZ2adQRp8vijbRg_jNrzsd_7tUh2J6yODxGNUMhUtYhzJIu_E/s1600/hawkeye.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRUl_6O9hpZGQwhg3RpJVauHWDhG00BkqdX7eLWUA-CMRDef2CjFH9WcpunvcipWCzYy5_VXHq_Knw8FsAPrMeZpbkAkZ2adQRp8vijbRg_jNrzsd_7tUh2J6yODxGNUMhUtYhzJIu_E/s400/hawkeye.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665410180706740690" border="0" /></a><br />Those three panels of Hawkeye giving Spider-Woman that rouge's smile, then getting caught, is just outstanding. It made me laugh out loud. The issue also sets up a pretty interesting future plot point, utilizing many of the major events that have taken place the last few years in the Marvel universe. This issue has made me decide to keep up with Avengers...I hope it stays this good.<br /><br />-Eamoneamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-52871254980561919672011-10-17T20:15:00.000-07:002011-10-18T17:44:29.307-07:00Awesome Art from Recent Comics I Bought<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQ4pbCTD1sc76q6hzd1v41nFMyOD1prSvawSuvMXuOZO-H18W-NYAF8ozIyIgfCVLwS26HnIGiu29K0Ncu_ePkdTLNJ-dA-Aldkgkw-10Zn-cjqALe9V-G382CafmAC-oKBa-tFu-5Yc/s1600/frankencover.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQ4pbCTD1sc76q6hzd1v41nFMyOD1prSvawSuvMXuOZO-H18W-NYAF8ozIyIgfCVLwS26HnIGiu29K0Ncu_ePkdTLNJ-dA-Aldkgkw-10Zn-cjqALe9V-G382CafmAC-oKBa-tFu-5Yc/s400/frankencover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664667622556058178" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQ4pbCTD1sc76q6hzd1v41nFMyOD1prSvawSuvMXuOZO-H18W-NYAF8ozIyIgfCVLwS26HnIGiu29K0Ncu_ePkdTLNJ-dA-Aldkgkw-10Zn-cjqALe9V-G382CafmAC-oKBa-tFu-5Yc/s1600/frankencover.jpg"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><u><br /></u></span></div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>So every now and then I like to share some art I think is awesome from the comics I am buying, this past week there is a lot of New 52 stuff, with some Marvel and a non big two entry. I have a Tumblr mostly for this purpose also, <a href="http://thebluefedora.tumblr.com/">her</a><a href="http://thebluefedora.tumblr.com/">e</a>. Frankenstein Agent of S.H.A.D.E, written by Jeff Lemire with art by Alberto Ponticelli, is a title I was not 100% sure about, but I couldn't NOT not buy the above cover, I think that image is superbly done and really funny. The below splash page was also very appealing. I very much enjoy the wonky way Frankenstein's face is drawn in the book.</div><div><div><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFsdne8glx9sL5OaeWuUIOWzq6hx78VXinnhdXgrR84C0nlWOrRQKT3rR0YgRPB1KHiVRvBMGXbUtSnMpG0gXlLI4KeOeBhrxd-3PiAXkmC5ux18V8d8Oof5G6YJZB-5Q4dVhuEzzOfK0/s400/frankenjump.jpg" style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 258px; height: 400px;" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664667627433167586" border="0" /></div></div><div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Animal Man, also written by Jeff Lemire with art by Travel Foreman, is a superbly written book, but the artwork seems a little hit or miss to me. The below spread is definitely not a miss, and will have me back at the shop for issue number three next month...</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihiznrvNaz4Zlavlye2waY4c0QLeE2DBVUPdZyIfZkXNForI2cZK3dIsQSHlNWKkyaX0y_aDA6Duk0J5vpJR01usSTze0k4v8VzH-OtHrz4CpG9mohrn63joSwfnhn2BjagTFUaWYXDY0/s400/animalmanspread.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664670081510081938" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 318px; " border="0" /><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Batwoman by J.H.Williams III and W. Haden Blackman is another beautiful book, and the art is always top notch and probably the best super hero comics has to offer, but I particularly enjoy the below spread because it takes the viewer through a crime scene in a way only a comic book could do. Bravo.</div><div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKBNtYHJvDRc_pLLlPOm_J_Nj8Zf4UKV1Ruyy0XaZAtG3fD9VXXR6OALEcJ5rMPijejb-yhiHhaNOePbT_0KHU3P7IP_WNJ0Oic_jWalsq82UfhPa576z2Cie2dIhz9QdeBGBJEvRZZJU/s400/batwomanspread.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664671400083727074" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 316px; " border="0" /><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>Speaking of the Bat-verse, the new Batman and Robin book is, in my humblest of opinions, extremely under rated. Pairing Bruce and Damian together makes for compelling comics. Bruce has a long way to go as a father, and this story does not shy away from that. He is cold to Damian sometimes, but you really can tell Batman is trying to be a good Father. Damian is at once sympathetic and chilling, a child torn between the expectations of his Father and his savage upbringing as a killer. There is a gut-wrenching spread I don't want to spoil with Damian in the Bat-cave that was at once very sad and frightening. I am really looking forward to the next issue. Also check out how Patrick Gleason draws Damian...perfect!</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><br /></div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDdoEFoa7NteyKJFhq-49Y0K6D3Dw805L3SvR2TBFFlJOX7m3VrIaSD7tF_s7OpZxVNIX9_1TPQYkpSEnMgiA0iJhWKIzp-Zj4vRtTz_dO84K4pZ_fm4ES_w3HLw_KEW3yaG5_eQume0/s400/intense+damian.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664673494630842690" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 400px; " border="0" /> </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;">I love how intense Damian's face is in the above page...</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQ4pbCTD1sc76q6hzd1v41nFMyOD1prSvawSuvMXuOZO-H18W-NYAF8ozIyIgfCVLwS26HnIGiu29K0Ncu_ePkdTLNJ-dA-Aldkgkw-10Zn-cjqALe9V-G382CafmAC-oKBa-tFu-5Yc/s1600/frankencover.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtVmgebwww6Bi6MncFWnl1ddB2Zx9D6ecNqJWsstsCHcjUhGEpghjx6LsPx0tKBaOz8LfEYjTMVsn-eUNl7lNT30DJnBgHMpOaPLQAid0wv26j254U7rGccWEBl_80WzA1Gr23BWRg7z4/s400/damian.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664673959975635522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 226px; " border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQ4pbCTD1sc76q6hzd1v41nFMyOD1prSvawSuvMXuOZO-H18W-NYAF8ozIyIgfCVLwS26HnIGiu29K0Ncu_ePkdTLNJ-dA-Aldkgkw-10Zn-cjqALe9V-G382CafmAC-oKBa-tFu-5Yc/s1600/frankencover.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div></div></span></a><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0y8gyCddEjcZc0tQ3_7DPbYU6-odkN_MivlCcksrihWUp6sbMxhyphenhyphene4ecuHDhD2kqB66ppeWxo4d7ydsNS0Wfn9LUu1Oxr5hpGZIlcwpBNLKyFR2kjcUxSnuFl9oJbittsR2SLXoshmSI/s400/damian2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664673966687490402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 290px; " border="0" /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQ4pbCTD1sc76q6hzd1v41nFMyOD1prSvawSuvMXuOZO-H18W-NYAF8ozIyIgfCVLwS26HnIGiu29K0Ncu_ePkdTLNJ-dA-Aldkgkw-10Zn-cjqALe9V-G382CafmAC-oKBa-tFu-5Yc/s1600/frankencover.jpg"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "> </span></span></a> <div><div><div><br /></div></div></div><div><div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div>...perfect. I also picked up the new Shade by James Robinson and Cully Hamner, which was a great book, but none of the panels jumped out at me as ones I needed to share, same with the new Swamp Thing by Scott Snyder and Yanick Paquette. </div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I still wish I enjoyed Grant Morrison and Rags Morales on Action comics a little more, but I trust Morrison so I'll keep with it, I really liked the below panel, especially the thin ink lines.</div><div><br /></div><div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></div></div></span></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ06ScHoczYBtPKGixMO_Y9CdzIAVBtdRUMK6Q-Xw-zE-WmKFK6guYrrD92uJ4oUdCCLKvbl0sQtEjaTK2kXh3nw32yp38bV8rC2qcBd5___Zv6jomcWWj6l6GjYvU9V28JlMUnsPmMSU/s1600/cape.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKXy5Yz98hkIw5FKRTZ6Yw3RCVt8fHyZ0Qn643uOKzrwnUzKk0wdUr32Y2GcT6GoSxXfSUnWSTJ2PceuQDBa5KuEIHEmf06NBnpQsljQG_PR9Wufm7cTMUb4APqgjkuFUU5QjWF1TCIk/s400/action.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664676392254490306" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 358px; " border="0" /></a></span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ06ScHoczYBtPKGixMO_Y9CdzIAVBtdRUMK6Q-Xw-zE-WmKFK6guYrrD92uJ4oUdCCLKvbl0sQtEjaTK2kXh3nw32yp38bV8rC2qcBd5___Zv6jomcWWj6l6GjYvU9V28JlMUnsPmMSU/s1600/cape.jpg"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "> </span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><div><div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: center; "><div><div><div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: center; "><div><div><div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: center; "><div><div><div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><div style="text-align: center; "><div><div><div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ06ScHoczYBtPKGixMO_Y9CdzIAVBtdRUMK6Q-Xw-zE-WmKFK6guYrrD92uJ4oUdCCLKvbl0sQtEjaTK2kXh3nw32yp38bV8rC2qcBd5___Zv6jomcWWj6l6GjYvU9V28JlMUnsPmMSU/s1600/cape.jpg"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "> </span></span></a><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span><span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ06ScHoczYBtPKGixMO_Y9CdzIAVBtdRUMK6Q-Xw-zE-WmKFK6guYrrD92uJ4oUdCCLKvbl0sQtEjaTK2kXh3nw32yp38bV8rC2qcBd5___Zv6jomcWWj6l6GjYvU9V28JlMUnsPmMSU/s1600/cape.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ06ScHoczYBtPKGixMO_Y9CdzIAVBtdRUMK6Q-Xw-zE-WmKFK6guYrrD92uJ4oUdCCLKvbl0sQtEjaTK2kXh3nw32yp38bV8rC2qcBd5___Zv6jomcWWj6l6GjYvU9V28JlMUnsPmMSU/s400/cape.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664995581684869106" border="0" /></span></span></a></span></span></div></div></div> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQ4pbCTD1sc76q6hzd1v41nFMyOD1prSvawSuvMXuOZO-H18W-NYAF8ozIyIgfCVLwS26HnIGiu29K0Ncu_ePkdTLNJ-dA-Aldkgkw-10Zn-cjqALe9V-G382CafmAC-oKBa-tFu-5Yc/s1600/frankencover.jpg"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "> </span></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><div><div><div><div>Also the cape panel is outstanding. Really fun/hilarious stuff here.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div><br /></div><div>As for Marvel I picked up Uncanny X-Force number 16, Venom number 7, and the Newest Punisher Max by Jason Aaron and Steve Dillion. I LOVE Punisher Max, but this week's issue had so many surprises and twists, that it is risky posting a pic here...so I will make due with this over the top scene of carnage:<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQ4pbCTD1sc76q6hzd1v41nFMyOD1prSvawSuvMXuOZO-H18W-NYAF8ozIyIgfCVLwS26HnIGiu29K0Ncu_ePkdTLNJ-dA-Aldkgkw-10Zn-cjqALe9V-G382CafmAC-oKBa-tFu-5Yc/s1600/frankencover.jpg"><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "> </span></span></a> </div><div><span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktgXicgBCcauen3Jzn1XVKId0aeKwuzySuyyLqOrMlivMPXj-IWsfX7wvc-IpUcK-7GLGOwqQtRFW1qWMeZi5ylMf7gO5Qh-CRdpuEjSAvcEXhmvucpW3YHJLo_VQFOmSm4wvuTWO964/s1600/punisher.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiktgXicgBCcauen3Jzn1XVKId0aeKwuzySuyyLqOrMlivMPXj-IWsfX7wvc-IpUcK-7GLGOwqQtRFW1qWMeZi5ylMf7gO5Qh-CRdpuEjSAvcEXhmvucpW3YHJLo_VQFOmSm4wvuTWO964/s400/punisher.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664994624135035890" border="0" /></span></a></span></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: center; "><div><div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQ4pbCTD1sc76q6hzd1v41nFMyOD1prSvawSuvMXuOZO-H18W-NYAF8ozIyIgfCVLwS26HnIGiu29K0Ncu_ePkdTLNJ-dA-Aldkgkw-10Zn-cjqALe9V-G382CafmAC-oKBa-tFu-5Yc/s1600/frankencover.jpg"><br /></a></div><div><div><div><div><div><br /></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space:pre"> </span>I also had the chance to pick up The Death Ray by Dan Clowes, and boy is it a sharp looking book...too big to scan though...<br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div><div><div><div><div><div style="text-align: left;"> <div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyqXKBmj8B8ttrrXPA673uHVH2-cwcZVTPZQkk9Owdf1pB-_Y2L-irjxCKpG0HHbquYSmajOIMwQqLRQxhrbDyAKXSo3PnfSBFt1fJE2myqcy2IDHPY7_2pGlL6xqyKv4cWUqo_5MhBE/s1600/2011-10-17+23.49.21+%25281%2529.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKyqXKBmj8B8ttrrXPA673uHVH2-cwcZVTPZQkk9Owdf1pB-_Y2L-irjxCKpG0HHbquYSmajOIMwQqLRQxhrbDyAKXSo3PnfSBFt1fJE2myqcy2IDHPY7_2pGlL6xqyKv4cWUqo_5MhBE/s400/2011-10-17+23.49.21+%25281%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664996955361911442" border="0" /></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQ4pbCTD1sc76q6hzd1v41nFMyOD1prSvawSuvMXuOZO-H18W-NYAF8ozIyIgfCVLwS26HnIGiu29K0Ncu_ePkdTLNJ-dA-Aldkgkw-10Zn-cjqALe9V-G382CafmAC-oKBa-tFu-5Yc/s1600/frankencover.jpg"><br /></a><span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQ4pbCTD1sc76q6hzd1v41nFMyOD1prSvawSuvMXuOZO-H18W-NYAF8ozIyIgfCVLwS26HnIGiu29K0Ncu_ePkdTLNJ-dA-Aldkgkw-10Zn-cjqALe9V-G382CafmAC-oKBa-tFu-5Yc/s1600/frankencover.jpg"><br /></a></span></span></div></div></div> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> <div style="text-align: left;"> </div> </div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">And that is that! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">-Eamon</div><div></div><div></div></div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQ4pbCTD1sc76q6hzd1v41nFMyOD1prSvawSuvMXuOZO-H18W-NYAF8ozIyIgfCVLwS26HnIGiu29K0Ncu_ePkdTLNJ-dA-Aldkgkw-10Zn-cjqALe9V-G382CafmAC-oKBa-tFu-5Yc/s1600/frankencover.jpg"></a></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span><div></div></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQ4pbCTD1sc76q6hzd1v41nFMyOD1prSvawSuvMXuOZO-H18W-NYAF8ozIyIgfCVLwS26HnIGiu29K0Ncu_ePkdTLNJ-dA-Aldkgkw-10Zn-cjqALe9V-G382CafmAC-oKBa-tFu-5Yc/s1600/frankencover.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><div></div></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQ4pbCTD1sc76q6hzd1v41nFMyOD1prSvawSuvMXuOZO-H18W-NYAF8ozIyIgfCVLwS26HnIGiu29K0Ncu_ePkdTLNJ-dA-Aldkgkw-10Zn-cjqALe9V-G382CafmAC-oKBa-tFu-5Yc/s1600/frankencover.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><div></div></span></div><div></div></div></div><div></div><div></div></div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQ4pbCTD1sc76q6hzd1v41nFMyOD1prSvawSuvMXuOZO-H18W-NYAF8ozIyIgfCVLwS26HnIGiu29K0Ncu_ePkdTLNJ-dA-Aldkgkw-10Zn-cjqALe9V-G382CafmAC-oKBa-tFu-5Yc/s1600/frankencover.jpg"></a></div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><div></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQ4pbCTD1sc76q6hzd1v41nFMyOD1prSvawSuvMXuOZO-H18W-NYAF8ozIyIgfCVLwS26HnIGiu29K0Ncu_ePkdTLNJ-dA-Aldkgkw-10Zn-cjqALe9V-G382CafmAC-oKBa-tFu-5Yc/s1600/frankencover.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQ4pbCTD1sc76q6hzd1v41nFMyOD1prSvawSuvMXuOZO-H18W-NYAF8ozIyIgfCVLwS26HnIGiu29K0Ncu_ePkdTLNJ-dA-Aldkgkw-10Zn-cjqALe9V-G382CafmAC-oKBa-tFu-5Yc/s1600/frankencover.jpg"></a></div><div></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "><div></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQ4pbCTD1sc76q6hzd1v41nFMyOD1prSvawSuvMXuOZO-H18W-NYAF8ozIyIgfCVLwS26HnIGiu29K0Ncu_ePkdTLNJ-dA-Aldkgkw-10Zn-cjqALe9V-G382CafmAC-oKBa-tFu-5Yc/s1600/frankencover.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; "></span></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQ4pbCTD1sc76q6hzd1v41nFMyOD1prSvawSuvMXuOZO-H18W-NYAF8ozIyIgfCVLwS26HnIGiu29K0Ncu_ePkdTLNJ-dA-Aldkgkw-10Zn-cjqALe9V-G382CafmAC-oKBa-tFu-5Yc/s1600/frankencover.jpg"></a></div></div><div><div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrQ4pbCTD1sc76q6hzd1v41nFMyOD1prSvawSuvMXuOZO-H18W-NYAF8ozIyIgfCVLwS26HnIGiu29K0Ncu_ePkdTLNJ-dA-Aldkgkw-10Zn-cjqALe9V-G382CafmAC-oKBa-tFu-5Yc/s1600/frankencover.jpg"></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>eamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-4772292071778268922011-10-10T17:52:00.000-07:002011-10-10T19:03:50.526-07:00Manapul and Martin: Keepin' it Real in Superhero comics<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3rWNBSyAr3KVjtEnr-D1kPSq5zudA5CAsnU65xqS8KVB9lI2W1ZokyoRpdLXbjSSUtdbozsqXBBuGPas8EFdOxMCinwd8gnHojfoJY0pWZpt-k4E0HktZSFEeIIwp0wI5Zou-KqI6fA/s1600/transform%2521.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3rWNBSyAr3KVjtEnr-D1kPSq5zudA5CAsnU65xqS8KVB9lI2W1ZokyoRpdLXbjSSUtdbozsqXBBuGPas8EFdOxMCinwd8gnHojfoJY0pWZpt-k4E0HktZSFEeIIwp0wI5Zou-KqI6fA/s400/transform%2521.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662037435781663842" border="0" /></a><br />Of the glut of DC new fiddy twos, another book I really enjoyed was the new Flash, with art by Francis Manapul (full credits above). I've never read a Flash comic before, and what Manapul is doing with the page layouts here is spectacular. I love this title page spread, using the letter shapes to introduce us to The Flash, and continues telling the story!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo97VfSgUg_7Pjf4xTE3ftAPpwMMcO-cnsENWnuDanJYwwqlLQAPONWfYlZC_7tRYLyzbGU9mSKlJw0kvzIWPBSl-Edr9W6LWldVdEqPeVICUsXX8FU1oL4Aoe3kPAuquW4PPDXwwb3mI/s1600/flashsplash.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 315px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo97VfSgUg_7Pjf4xTE3ftAPpwMMcO-cnsENWnuDanJYwwqlLQAPONWfYlZC_7tRYLyzbGU9mSKlJw0kvzIWPBSl-Edr9W6LWldVdEqPeVICUsXX8FU1oL4Aoe3kPAuquW4PPDXwwb3mI/s400/flashsplash.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662038360016500786" border="0" /></a><br />I love that page, it is probably my favorite opening spread I've seen in the New 52. Also for superhero comics I think that the blurb in the upper right corner explaining the Flash's origin is just perfect, and wish more comics and comic book movies would skip the lengthy origin and just jump right into the story! The artwork and page layouts are definitely the best part of this new issue of Flash, the story is enjoyable to read and develops some interesting starting conflicts, but these layouts are what is going to get me back to the comic shop to get the next issue. Pages like these are exhibiting storytelling techniques that only comics can do, and I love it. The below page is also a pretty sweet one,<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5r8RBbahbXZIhI23Ay9pJ56YT2W5vVgQGY-CoE_NNMIa6oNc-8Dsl9GoaNExV_g5ZU-rCDKXdcEURIS1EYDlb3lAledR57UKb2A8TktjFFQOzFcxS2YbXsL6mE5AZNbSX4yMrZJ_eBKw/s1600/flash+room+layout.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5r8RBbahbXZIhI23Ay9pJ56YT2W5vVgQGY-CoE_NNMIa6oNc-8Dsl9GoaNExV_g5ZU-rCDKXdcEURIS1EYDlb3lAledR57UKb2A8TktjFFQOzFcxS2YbXsL6mE5AZNbSX4yMrZJ_eBKw/s400/flash+room+layout.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662041918428275682" border="0" /></a>and reminded me of another similar page in the recently collected 'The Amazing Spider Man Spidey Sunday Spectacular' by Marcos Martin and Stan Lee, which was one of my favorite comics purchases in quite some time. The 1st story is comprised of 2 page chapters that use the format extremely well.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXi09cu2KuC6oUgAF_eyVshD_dPLI-TeWbNQCDK6OoAY2L1WDiYc4-AhT9GjcmSIzRw-y1GQAWUr2S5R7Gn_j7x1lHJKTd06SgEwKkIN_DJMWG7dgur8Oo8Vfw9HZ-P6kSRUvcIn2CDVc/s1600/rommlayout.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXi09cu2KuC6oUgAF_eyVshD_dPLI-TeWbNQCDK6OoAY2L1WDiYc4-AhT9GjcmSIzRw-y1GQAWUr2S5R7Gn_j7x1lHJKTd06SgEwKkIN_DJMWG7dgur8Oo8Vfw9HZ-P6kSRUvcIn2CDVc/s400/rommlayout.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662043503015075474" border="0" /></a>Marcos Martin is a powerhouse, his is a world of classic superheroes transported to the here and now. There is a lightness and joy to how he draws superheroes and their world, his is a perfect blend of illustration and cartooning, and the story by Stan Lee here is really snappy and funny, I had a blast reading these. Lee is doing what he does best, that wiseacre banter, corny humor, and interesting, perfect word choice (Stan Lee's thesaurus must be pretty damn dog eared, if he even needs it anymore). There are so many funny moments and details in these Spidey stories, and the number of Marvel characters that appear is staggering, and it all works! One of my favorite examples is when Spidey visits Reed Richards (or Mr. Fantastic) for advice on a project. This could have been just a few panels of talking heads, but look what Martin puts in the background to spice up the story (also this could have been a direction in Lee's script):<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi948zff7ol-KsbRLrvPPjlt0LPGj7W11D3sOgHsYFDIYnYRC6zel1YGeh1kCLmnCRUv5a1Ze1QPVfFi0C5JLjlSZTGSizFhD6Z0E6zCie7Yu2TOExOWxm3uhev5tPNo2eXxOtgWEeiTfI/s1600/spideyf4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 255px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi948zff7ol-KsbRLrvPPjlt0LPGj7W11D3sOgHsYFDIYnYRC6zel1YGeh1kCLmnCRUv5a1Ze1QPVfFi0C5JLjlSZTGSizFhD6Z0E6zCie7Yu2TOExOWxm3uhev5tPNo2eXxOtgWEeiTfI/s400/spideyf4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662046750120945666" border="0" /></a><br />I love little touches like these. Artists like Manapul and Martin are Pushing the envelope, and using actual cartooning to help their comics move, and keep lively, not be too bogged down by photo reference, filters and too many word bubbles. The recent Daredevil also yields a spectacular spread. Enjoy:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjftB3_OrUdAXwjnH-MmhODRkX43j61W7zDkxN7dwiSWx2t6W8v_puzH92NookAFqqBR9L-fx9LOrAXf0nVG40e6lKFoHWWTuiU5oBS_CkhwV0d60RrqVf_73N0P-oMslkfsquZhDhXI/s1600/ddsplash.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 313px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnjftB3_OrUdAXwjnH-MmhODRkX43j61W7zDkxN7dwiSWx2t6W8v_puzH92NookAFqqBR9L-fx9LOrAXf0nVG40e6lKFoHWWTuiU5oBS_CkhwV0d60RrqVf_73N0P-oMslkfsquZhDhXI/s400/ddsplash.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5662048438434828354" border="0" /></a>We need artists like these to continue to push the envelope, mixing old with new, to create some dope comics.<br /><br />-Eamoneamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-87842675777437336412011-10-09T19:46:00.000-07:002011-10-09T20:56:33.225-07:00Obligatory New 52 post: Office Management Amidst Chaos!!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVN6poqjS8_20BwcZVYTc_OV-j-omnxIbSsQSG86Z-37KOiqX006vK0260j8QlKb3xEWnUl3CCyIgv7gqS2LUf_s9qIpAR3zAaRIyRLahIcSuIYBqdDGmZjtXotXSIJVLR1u4Issebu9s/s1600/omacxray.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 379px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVN6poqjS8_20BwcZVYTc_OV-j-omnxIbSsQSG86Z-37KOiqX006vK0260j8QlKb3xEWnUl3CCyIgv7gqS2LUf_s9qIpAR3zAaRIyRLahIcSuIYBqdDGmZjtXotXSIJVLR1u4Issebu9s/s400/omacxray.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661689914451185074" border="0" /></a><br />So DC comics did this line wide re-launch, 52 new issue number ones...if you are even a casual comics fan you know about this, and I don't really feel I need to go into THAT whole thing in this space. Now, I don't have the kind of money to actually buy 52 new comics so I have not read them all, but amongst my favorite titles are the new Batman, Animal Man (which seems to be everyone's fave), Batwoman (which I don't think should really count as a NEW #1) and The Flash. I like a few others, like Action comics (which I wish I liked it a little more) Batwing, Frankenstein and Aquaman, but head and shoulders above all of these, the title I cannot help but enjoy the most happens to be...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUGU2aOrypUw8Lt8zrhRuqsTqv0nMS-NQk5H5ouhS0XvJXf11HPRadRAgkMAhYCnghmvutYDRHNSnBn4u6LU2Na3bmHbiyN11wmFCoVhKb8YNR2M1iYiFiid6z8QsdNemRbzOnyRxoao/s1600/Officemanagementamidstchaos.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUGU2aOrypUw8Lt8zrhRuqsTqv0nMS-NQk5H5ouhS0XvJXf11HPRadRAgkMAhYCnghmvutYDRHNSnBn4u6LU2Na3bmHbiyN11wmFCoVhKb8YNR2M1iYiFiid6z8QsdNemRbzOnyRxoao/s400/Officemanagementamidstchaos.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661692519832308418" border="0" /></a> O.M.A.C! Created by Jack Kirby, with story and art by Dan Didio and Keith Giffen, inks by Scott Koblish, colors by Hi-Fi, letters by Travis Lanham and edited by Harvey Richards. As I understand it, O.M.A.C was Jack Kirby's update of Captain America for the future, where a scrawny loser named Buddy Blank (the new Steve Rogers) with a strong will gets transformed into an unstoppable super soldier. The original Omac stood for One Man Army Corps, he took orders from a giant eye shaped satellite in the sky known as Brother Eye. This new Omac (which now stands for One Machine Attack Construct) is Kevin Kho, who is transformed into Omac through his smart phone by the omniscient Brother Eye. What Kevin's ties to Brother Eye are at this point still remain mysterious, other than the fact that he works in an office building above a secret base Brother Eye needs to infiltrate. The plotlines of issue number one the new O.M.A.C and the old are relatively similar, Omac busts into an office, and Omac destroys it. I must segue, for a moment, to the original Omac for some inspired Jack Kirby predictions of office work in the future, however...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrLQ1yptlbPYYmIWtFumNzBbpxxtQBbHiHsyWkPntIBeFMw7b7aC1co2KNtw7c1p90HLA71K5wvzCaYSpFkMz0jLhzQqc0I8pugAmsCEBLMkU8PtBFlPOPJrEP9EADXfsrwzvKvMjT4E/s1600/superv.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 311px; height: 298px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPrLQ1yptlbPYYmIWtFumNzBbpxxtQBbHiHsyWkPntIBeFMw7b7aC1co2KNtw7c1p90HLA71K5wvzCaYSpFkMz0jLhzQqc0I8pugAmsCEBLMkU8PtBFlPOPJrEP9EADXfsrwzvKvMjT4E/s400/superv.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661696111196846450" border="0" /></a> Buddy Blank is being picked on by people in his office, and his Supervisor (note the SUPER-V name tag, which is amazing) blames Buddy for having a persecution complex after his coworker literally PUNCHES HIM IN THE FACE. I mean look at him! Buddy is sent to the psychology section of the office to lose his frustration. The psychology section is a room with a few different doors, labeled 'silent room' and 'destruct room' and 'crying room'. Buddy picks the 'Destruct Room', where he sees this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuqAoVYbui4F6echIXBJ-_91JH7Nhr_TE5PJLYv5l-qJfAxlUd1jDidGTx0aVR6cApMZcyTC2NB6BTtK4qcn0ggBTIVdX6w_-zCxBPDFRfjDvc8nrrcMpa6we4QlRvYah0tl63Of4kc0/s1600/officeinsanity.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 399px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGuqAoVYbui4F6echIXBJ-_91JH7Nhr_TE5PJLYv5l-qJfAxlUd1jDidGTx0aVR6cApMZcyTC2NB6BTtK4qcn0ggBTIVdX6w_-zCxBPDFRfjDvc8nrrcMpa6we4QlRvYah0tl63Of4kc0/s400/officeinsanity.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661698594655944498" border="0" /></a><br />If modern day offices had rooms like this, I think everyone would be a lot less wound up. I like that one office worker is STABBING some UNSEEN dummy or piece of office technology. I also love the word bubble<br /><br /> "AAAAARRRR! DESTROYING THIS BOOK IS JUST WHAT I NEED!"<br /><br />...another example of Jack Kirby's prophetic storytelling, just look at all of the recent bookstore closings. How could Kirby have foreseen this in 1974? The 'psuedo people' are my favorite feature about Kirby's vision of the future rat race. They are lifelike dummies that are bent over ass backwards so you can kick them down a rail into a granite wall. Absolutely spectacular. The thing about the original Omac series is that in every issue Jack Kirby included at least half a dozen awesome ideas that literally had me saying "wow!" or grinning ear to ear. The new Omac isn't as inventive, and that might be a little unfair because I am comparing the new creators to The King of comics himself. The toned down insanity also could be attributed to this O.M.A.C being a part of the shared DC universe, co-existing with characters like Animal Man and Batman. Nevertheless it is still a really fun read, and has scenes like this:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIsxrNaKh80Z3wHsVWuJ6IRKGvzkr-tdczu8ArPWg1mVAksMq9CnehosQVsU-03z47SQ6zyDDeZJ5P4ZiqkkZfqE7nDNdpZEePSQ2u6GJwd4IOaScMAE12Rzkn3f61qKJ43-nSUewI-Y/s1600/suplex.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 305px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDIsxrNaKh80Z3wHsVWuJ6IRKGvzkr-tdczu8ArPWg1mVAksMq9CnehosQVsU-03z47SQ6zyDDeZJ5P4ZiqkkZfqE7nDNdpZEePSQ2u6GJwd4IOaScMAE12Rzkn3f61qKJ43-nSUewI-Y/s400/suplex.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661701910661953074" border="0" /></a> I really like that the new Omac's Mohawk is like an electric eel fin, that sparkles with raw energy. I think the book looks spectacular, and really appreciate all of the silliness. I think all of the issues are going to be titled with some variation on O.M.A.C (like issue number one's Office Management Amidst Chaos or issue number two's Odd Meals Assure Confrontation). I like how Brother Eye always replaces 'I' with 'eye' (for example 'Eye brought you here for a reason') and one of my favorite pieces of writing in the issue...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EP4SAIXT0z5wV9WJ3M_XEs9QGmy_xPz7s5ThCJhXc4BPsfAk9l529EY7qID5vZgLTPrOsZ8SkSmfSTgRA4O96GPYV2-Xb5VxirUg-jcMSLUOXI_YBXvaNfLD9BOWldzuTvLupTuR6j4/s1600/omactivate.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 316px; height: 332px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8EP4SAIXT0z5wV9WJ3M_XEs9QGmy_xPz7s5ThCJhXc4BPsfAk9l529EY7qID5vZgLTPrOsZ8SkSmfSTgRA4O96GPYV2-Xb5VxirUg-jcMSLUOXI_YBXvaNfLD9BOWldzuTvLupTuR6j4/s400/omactivate.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5661704475116784546" border="0" /></a> OMACTIVATE!<br /><br />... is priceless. They inject a lot of Kirby and DC universe nods in here, and I love every second of it. This book doesn't take itself too seriously, it isn't grim n gritty, it doesn't offend any of my sensibilities. So far it is just good clean comics fun, and that is in startlingly low supply in superhero comics these days. I have no idea if anyone is reading this book, but I hope you are, dear reader, and that it continues for a good long run.<br /><br />-Eamoneamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-20966140309873910372011-10-03T11:24:00.000-07:002011-10-03T12:40:31.729-07:00Captain America and Bucky is the best looking superhero comic on the shelf.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDyEFKigc3b27-gXPBN1a26E7_qFCUw9WkFGg0tt7EC5cyrbVJrxFLAVhJYRSC7xX6egmiXQv327rsfYA2ZJygPxLqrcIJCHvekqTrtNzvcpT3PXqpr9tXKn0pxAoiqtGBY7N3gsnVkg/s1600/capandbucky.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 254px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUDyEFKigc3b27-gXPBN1a26E7_qFCUw9WkFGg0tt7EC5cyrbVJrxFLAVhJYRSC7xX6egmiXQv327rsfYA2ZJygPxLqrcIJCHvekqTrtNzvcpT3PXqpr9tXKn0pxAoiqtGBY7N3gsnVkg/s400/capandbucky.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659337207354991234" border="0" /></a><br />Dc New 52 blah blah blahs aside, the one comic I think EVERYONE should be talking about (and it is a Marvel book) is Captain America and Bucky, with Ed Brubaker and Marc Andreyko on writing, Chris Samnee on art, Bettie Breitweiser on colors and Joe Caramagna on letters. Most of the buzz I have been reading on a Marvel book has been for Daredevil, by Mark Waid, Marcos Martin and Paolo Rivera, and don't get me wrong, that praise is extremely well deserved. The new Daredevil is one of the best comics out there now, and certainly a cut above most superhero books being released.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJkSt8ZzRY5nhY0m-whIuq_qi_4w63hTl9KLz2yRvCQ611Pz-m7Xjw6-EqdQzPgBrlzTQieYcITILnQK0c2ABRJuYUkz0sGyo6eHKYE35u3-8ENl6WrK2mJDL4MS1ngjZKfcz8e2jX34/s1600/cappunch.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKJkSt8ZzRY5nhY0m-whIuq_qi_4w63hTl9KLz2yRvCQ611Pz-m7Xjw6-EqdQzPgBrlzTQieYcITILnQK0c2ABRJuYUkz0sGyo6eHKYE35u3-8ENl6WrK2mJDL4MS1ngjZKfcz8e2jX34/s400/cappunch.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659349693872327698" border="0" /></a><br />...But hot DAMN Chris Samnee is on fire, as is colorist Bettie Breitweiser. I'm not sure whose work on this book I like more, Samnee's or Breitweiser's. Samnee's art is the PERFECT combination of superhero style comics illustration, mixed with pure cartooning and a splash of Norman Rockwell. His inks are milky pools of black, they are like dessert, so satisfying and thick.<br />It's obvious he uses a lot of reference, but he draws every last bit of it, he doesn't just scan a photo and use posteredges to make it look like a drawing. Almost every panel has a background, and if it doesn't, there is a visual reason or excellent coloring choices that make it ok. Everything looks right, nothing is confusing, and it all looks damn good. If there are characters in the background, they are all individuals, and they are interesting to look at. Every panel tells a story. Some specific examples of what I'm talking about below...look at those clowns! Look at that train!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-gNBpJAty8cAvbCJQ353oMnrXzXwnXe7eStL-eahpYl9b_dYJXFoQ6xuOgILLHdawXGXm0HW1uFx7KxlnwiC5z7SC2w_P8LSpW6HER45E_EPsDIoNw4muqe-QmpsgrCl5-eAOlbzC8w/s1600/bucky3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 333px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV-gNBpJAty8cAvbCJQ353oMnrXzXwnXe7eStL-eahpYl9b_dYJXFoQ6xuOgILLHdawXGXm0HW1uFx7KxlnwiC5z7SC2w_P8LSpW6HER45E_EPsDIoNw4muqe-QmpsgrCl5-eAOlbzC8w/s400/bucky3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659341067582820610" border="0" /></a><br />The action is exciting, and it's pure WWII pulp style storytelling, played a little less over the top than the Simon and Kirby Cap stuff, but the art is just spot on. I enjoy the story so far, which mainly focuses on the exploits of Cap and Bucky from Bucky's perspective, but the artwork is just so astounding that it is all I want to talk about. To be honest, the two mesh together perfectly, I can't really separate one from the other, which is PERFECT AND WHAT ALL COMICS SHOULD DO. Sometimes you might read a comic, and go "Hey, that was a great story, but the art just wasn't doing it for me" or vice-versa (I think a perfect example of the vice versa would be Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale's Catwoman: When in Rome story, fan-freaking-tastic visuals, but definitely one of the worst written comics I own).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTbOrvsl_7O7EDpiIaFDpUaFdMnIUAMfGFQf_IwGY-YiqRes2Sxce2bFQC04m-Ip9GFltCsXlBUp6_BH-Iu_uN71mLPJXN73kWVQrLcaWVwkP2l9BuTrPI2LPNk3lj0ZdhReXgGvWCsM/s1600/buckythrowdown.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 257px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTbOrvsl_7O7EDpiIaFDpUaFdMnIUAMfGFQf_IwGY-YiqRes2Sxce2bFQC04m-Ip9GFltCsXlBUp6_BH-Iu_uN71mLPJXN73kWVQrLcaWVwkP2l9BuTrPI2LPNk3lj0ZdhReXgGvWCsM/s400/buckythrowdown.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659352578442029906" border="0" /></a><br />It is interesting to see the transformation of Bucky from a troubled but well meaning kid into a killer. It is also a little bizarre that the younger Bucky seems almost more bloodthirsty than the older Captain America, but he is still a kid, the three panels below show ways that the artists convey those sides of Bucky... the cold blooded killer and the young soldier looking to impress, still unsure of himself.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY99C6E8wz2NqVKqc8rJUXmJC52nJWEVRoS1pkbHpCtZHa91szTI8SSHE2idFiYlXGr5mMt5hOTKvvKAa2xvldU8MiV-1fXKJ2QwO4M-5QJgxsjpPp4AtlnpQu2BU397fECCdfgqtYxZs/s1600/bucky.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 309px; height: 329px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY99C6E8wz2NqVKqc8rJUXmJC52nJWEVRoS1pkbHpCtZHa91szTI8SSHE2idFiYlXGr5mMt5hOTKvvKAa2xvldU8MiV-1fXKJ2QwO4M-5QJgxsjpPp4AtlnpQu2BU397fECCdfgqtYxZs/s400/bucky.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659343657458548450" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8itZj7u_z-GrAYLf-_-2zmRNHInKR1HUGyZVCqVGBx2EMDhBy2J4LdbCYNliS6Up1cj1z-dVEeW77AnewASGqy08XtyqDe9RQ30Aox9kPse0mWgt0rDrK3pzauMf603Cqo7qksAiFyw/s1600/sadbucky.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 294px; height: 350px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo8itZj7u_z-GrAYLf-_-2zmRNHInKR1HUGyZVCqVGBx2EMDhBy2J4LdbCYNliS6Up1cj1z-dVEeW77AnewASGqy08XtyqDe9RQ30Aox9kPse0mWgt0rDrK3pzauMf603Cqo7qksAiFyw/s400/sadbucky.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659346722159700770" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1rr_hyphenhyphenlzexRrfP3Gyhs_J8Qm59_yqIe2hIV_rcuB6MqyHyzj3exL-0AUfTwvRH5RAKYxAfUbu_ofcWVyAj2mV8VoCaX3vIeb8m7-vy-IqmPiEbVKKlRAeasqPWg6nXt-UcdQMVyZlAU/s1600/bucky2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 352px; height: 319px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs1rr_hyphenhyphenlzexRrfP3Gyhs_J8Qm59_yqIe2hIV_rcuB6MqyHyzj3exL-0AUfTwvRH5RAKYxAfUbu_ofcWVyAj2mV8VoCaX3vIeb8m7-vy-IqmPiEbVKKlRAeasqPWg6nXt-UcdQMVyZlAU/s400/bucky2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5659346715638839634" border="0" /></a><br />The colors are digital, but they don't advertise it. The textures almost make the colors look painted, and they don't just serve the inked artwork, they enhance them, they make them look even better. I'm convinced that if this book was colored by someone else it would not look nearly as good. This book is a feast of comics storytelling, I feel like I get my $2.99 value with each and every issue. My only real qualm with this book is why Samnee isn't doing the covers. This is a perfect example of "don't judge a book by it's cover" because I think as cover images these issues have pretty unremarkable ones.<br /><br />I would expect this book to be all over the web, pages and panels being tumbled, 5 star reviews on comics websites...maybe I'm just not looking in the right spots, but if you see this book BUY IT NOW. Let's not have another Thor The Mighty Avenger here people.<br /><br />-Eamoneamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-6318786335593879182011-09-27T17:46:00.000-07:002011-09-27T20:48:10.928-07:00The World's Greatest Detectives<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfpa62EIPBorvUwDJQnFWoxcHhcNN46-lGfEQhQBPycd0FOmc7UXTdRGQUfhaMLj-6D_V1d2LnJ6HRe4H1kHFI15XG684SFXEZ96-m_1Lx4DD0YjuAK474k3aS01y1EGX3twQG2VWMjU/s1600/batmanandholmes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 260px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfpa62EIPBorvUwDJQnFWoxcHhcNN46-lGfEQhQBPycd0FOmc7UXTdRGQUfhaMLj-6D_V1d2LnJ6HRe4H1kHFI15XG684SFXEZ96-m_1Lx4DD0YjuAK474k3aS01y1EGX3twQG2VWMjU/s400/batmanandholmes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657214110481322978" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I recently picked up a comic that featured The Batman and Sherlock Holmes, arguably the two most famous fictional detectives of all time. The story is an extra long Anniversary issue (Detective's fiftieth!) which was written by Mike W. Barr, with Art by Alan Davis, Terry Beatty and Dick Giordano, Carmine Infantino and Al Vey, E.D.Cruz (and a Pinup by Dick Sprang!). Colors by Adrienne Roy and Carl Gafford, and letters by John Workman, Romeo Francisco and Todd Klein. It was a team up that was too good to pass up, and this cover is definitely what prompted me to buy it, without looking at the interiors.<br /><br />Aside from Holmes and The Dynamic Duo, we also get other DC detectives Slam Bradly and the ductile detective himself The Elongated man.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25mYlGpeQKuoPc1seOqoXBYVXJCaHQxsDFHey4ItHMGiGNxs2UUW_P9-5fHYuHjBmmt5HVXUS0FAeFB71GBcnjcHdkzRSL72da0sm0pqKFFS6XyKD_nNZ3sb1jlS6p8aqucH7T_ztbGI/s1600/groupshot.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj25mYlGpeQKuoPc1seOqoXBYVXJCaHQxsDFHey4ItHMGiGNxs2UUW_P9-5fHYuHjBmmt5HVXUS0FAeFB71GBcnjcHdkzRSL72da0sm0pqKFFS6XyKD_nNZ3sb1jlS6p8aqucH7T_ztbGI/s400/groupshot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657213712068985170" border="0" /></a><br />The story opens Philip Marlowe style, (or more appropriately Sam Spade style?) with Slam Bradley mourning his recently deceased partner in his lonely office, whereupon two sets of visitors, one a dapper Londoner looking for his missing fiancee, the other a set of gun wielding crooks, find their way into Slam's office. Slam and his new client escape into the alleyway, and are cornered, but are rescued by the dynamic duo Batman and Robin!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCqihRe_qYOwcOn_GgvjJ9yMk4VaoIWW00-OqdgUOsIpe64xW4YwFKiWAdg7LAlDwT-UwHmKBxiNLiPytatSxdDY0tRXFKjXWJcRND75feByDIZHAsNh-LSTRwoq3aFtu5z6jULnrg9c/s1600/batmanand+robin+to+the+rescue%2521.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 263px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCqihRe_qYOwcOn_GgvjJ9yMk4VaoIWW00-OqdgUOsIpe64xW4YwFKiWAdg7LAlDwT-UwHmKBxiNLiPytatSxdDY0tRXFKjXWJcRND75feByDIZHAsNh-LSTRwoq3aFtu5z6jULnrg9c/s400/batmanand+robin+to+the+rescue%2521.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657218342950525362" border="0" /></a><br />Batman does something here that immediately made me freeze in my tracks, however. A crook fires an automatic weapon at The Dark Knight, who quickly shields himself with the body of a thug he was walloping in the face. That crook HAS to be dead and as we all know, The Batman does not kill! (The panel of Batman just cold-cocking the thug over and over is amazing though.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEWwXytV4i4JTCqJ_12BflEfU-ZtzMz2dZhZQzQXRx-XJ6VnEeVXEWb6_3tOsQ1iRfd6wcUGxFtwMFmfMI3lNl8IWHFe97NzBkydNDO7LjpvZ8WRWnBGU38TwS0I0LtpdQ5aZKT-_eqA/s1600/batmankills.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 254px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwEWwXytV4i4JTCqJ_12BflEfU-ZtzMz2dZhZQzQXRx-XJ6VnEeVXEWb6_3tOsQ1iRfd6wcUGxFtwMFmfMI3lNl8IWHFe97NzBkydNDO7LjpvZ8WRWnBGU38TwS0I0LtpdQ5aZKT-_eqA/s400/batmankills.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657220217604181250" border="0" /></a><br />The other thing I noticed, not surprisingly, is what an amazing artist Alan Davis is. I am particularly taken with the way he draws the boy wonder himself, Robin! His expressions fit the character, and his grace and fluid movement in disabling crooks is amazingly depicted by Davis. Look at the joy as he effortlessly takes down all those thugs. These drawings of Robin might be my favorite iteration of the character in how he is depicted visually, at the very least it is one of my favorite aspects of this comic.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYzUBluWbfXRsEUK6LTaiymX5osPsnmjqYNBQPUfOKInAzQrwoGTJu5Uk2a00j3TZXxzcWLGwNS4hGM_cuGOaIBF0uXYy7hSmYUVtyN8hkCKp_OGsedHTrIGNV0SKxCBXIXD_vgiXcUY/s1600/robin1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 242px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixYzUBluWbfXRsEUK6LTaiymX5osPsnmjqYNBQPUfOKInAzQrwoGTJu5Uk2a00j3TZXxzcWLGwNS4hGM_cuGOaIBF0uXYy7hSmYUVtyN8hkCKp_OGsedHTrIGNV0SKxCBXIXD_vgiXcUY/s400/robin1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657222058648021202" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerVLCiOlbH-IFxR9eKrVRFfg_WH5fowFL2TPvsCANzM5Ey_oXlLwGPdP4watKF6rIkJlsICwf-RMQzKC2bkEkqTrhVjuyi26_HuZ5kdNTF4S8fTfoMFfpA6gvFfJex-xqnxK8DkVQuXg/s1600/robin2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 207px; height: 268px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgerVLCiOlbH-IFxR9eKrVRFfg_WH5fowFL2TPvsCANzM5Ey_oXlLwGPdP4watKF6rIkJlsICwf-RMQzKC2bkEkqTrhVjuyi26_HuZ5kdNTF4S8fTfoMFfpA6gvFfJex-xqnxK8DkVQuXg/s400/robin2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657222692476729938" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yADOOdTSf3eck1z2nR7Rb4fsyrUORChB98gBMvEJdEvCs4RVpSTXe5C2ercSqOfVxLXMo3Jspbetq_INed8KLbfhaN3XF4etqFdT9pxtGy4CR5OwOPLnF_auK9I8EzZh23XJHeI9EPk/s1600/robin4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 201px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yADOOdTSf3eck1z2nR7Rb4fsyrUORChB98gBMvEJdEvCs4RVpSTXe5C2ercSqOfVxLXMo3Jspbetq_INed8KLbfhaN3XF4etqFdT9pxtGy4CR5OwOPLnF_auK9I8EzZh23XJHeI9EPk/s400/robin4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657223366536719314" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-aX4aZHIBID66s0usjhUjK9npO8AQrkDU0tuPIyqzVwSj-P2f619bU0Zt6K-9rtc7oal3g7Q9ml3H4QK5i4vFU5tA0fFF7Bspzoc_Y8sg2stC6E-cC7LHtm4mSZVZDmUGS8E2v3qy90/s1600/robin5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-aX4aZHIBID66s0usjhUjK9npO8AQrkDU0tuPIyqzVwSj-P2f619bU0Zt6K-9rtc7oal3g7Q9ml3H4QK5i4vFU5tA0fFF7Bspzoc_Y8sg2stC6E-cC7LHtm4mSZVZDmUGS8E2v3qy90/s400/robin5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657225207895688802" border="0" /></a><br />The comic is book-ended by the Alan Davis drawn sections with Batman and Robin, in the middle we get stories featuring Slam Bradley, The Elongated Man, and Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson. The Slam Bradley section opens with another direct reference to The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett (the first being Slam's dead partner in the beginning).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVyGyjCX0gBfl7PKd_rA2i2Act9_JOnZEm7keNTnUaCoxE6Wqp4AVF-DACs10c-qjZD-HA8b1MSdMFBI5ZJyitLrKdFiIZInEo5cSfxOJKTGnKGjCV67VCR7sfwaxkmokE5lS5UbPIqM/s1600/spade.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 211px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVyGyjCX0gBfl7PKd_rA2i2Act9_JOnZEm7keNTnUaCoxE6Wqp4AVF-DACs10c-qjZD-HA8b1MSdMFBI5ZJyitLrKdFiIZInEo5cSfxOJKTGnKGjCV67VCR7sfwaxkmokE5lS5UbPIqM/s400/spade.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657227929967409490" border="0" /></a><br />Slam does some fairly action-movie/comic booky detective stuff, including throwing a gasoline can at some approaching armed crooks and shooting it from afar to make it explode, distracting the thugs so he can run up and punch them out (if he was that good of a shot couldn't he have just shot them all? He shoots someone at the start of the comic...). Slam also discovers that his client is a descendant of the evil Dr. Moriarty, and the kidnapped fiancee was actually a descendant of Dr. Watson! This leads to a story with The Elongated Man, who just happens to be in London. He is walking by 221b Baker street, when Sherlock Holmes' former lodgings are assaulted by Moriarty's other descendant, this one following the family tradition more closely, who is looking for a lost manuscript of one of Sherlock Holmes' unpublished cases that could ruin his CURRENT plan to blow up the Queen and launch some missiles. I wish I enjoyed the middle section as much as the Batman start and finish, and there are plenty of references to the classic Conan-Doyle Holmes stories to clue the reader in that Barr knows his Holmes, but for me the Holmes story in this just falls flat and makes me see how great Sir Arthur C0nan Doyle's original stories really are.<br /><br />An insane SPOILER ALERT to a comic published in 1986, the final baddie is apprehended by none other than the ORIGINAL Sherlock Holmes with some Baritsu (this is a reference to the martial art Holmes used to defeat Moriarty when they were locked in mortal combat over Reichenbach<b id="yui_3_3_0_1_1317178584798189"> </b>Falls in the original stories). Holmes sustained his long life "thanks to a proper diet, a certain distillation of Royal Jelly developed, in my beekeeping days, and the rarefied atmosphere of Tibet,where I keep my primary residence". This is pretty nuts, but in a way, totally appropriate. as Batman has said "Batman and Robin will never die" the same can be said for Sherlock Holmes, a multi media phenomenon of a character who is still having movies and television series made depicting his adventures today. It reminded me of the ending to Paul Pope's Batman Year 100 (MORE SPOILERS), where it is heavily implied that the Batman featured in Pope's story is still Bruce Wayne, even though he would be unbelievably ancient or dead in the time period that tale takes place.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDi01jF4ffs98nWE_TCGwxAisAZhqWcY9RQjA8Wg0y5zT7DXnRhtdV2tYqgBx_6FnXUuMlHpZXstcXN2Pqv3ciz8AQ4KGLaYDDC2zSIYQJlkI9bYeX48s6KwHGMokvHb61svj7lRvY3n4/s1600/batmanandholmes.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 369px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDi01jF4ffs98nWE_TCGwxAisAZhqWcY9RQjA8Wg0y5zT7DXnRhtdV2tYqgBx_6FnXUuMlHpZXstcXN2Pqv3ciz8AQ4KGLaYDDC2zSIYQJlkI9bYeX48s6KwHGMokvHb61svj7lRvY3n4/s400/batmanandholmes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657243120985858370" border="0" /></a> The sense of fun, the art work and bevvy of classic Sherlock Holmes references are all here, I just wish I liked the comic a little more, and that the mystery made a little more sense. Anytime I get to see Sherlock Holmes and Batman depicted by Alan Davis, however, is an opportunity I would never want to miss.<br /><br />-Eamon<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewL6yblhmA8qZBQhLkkczrQBLaXxRenJ5_e3qu_Sbbo_VG8WCNv0Hk3_D17dANiBqS_uVOIG8ci0H4TBxfcqPoFMRo3B4M4FzADItlUJBmsZQ_8pOrdVsCzPQOnQZlytqKFANGKDXOTU/s1600/end.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 264px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjewL6yblhmA8qZBQhLkkczrQBLaXxRenJ5_e3qu_Sbbo_VG8WCNv0Hk3_D17dANiBqS_uVOIG8ci0H4TBxfcqPoFMRo3B4M4FzADItlUJBmsZQ_8pOrdVsCzPQOnQZlytqKFANGKDXOTU/s400/end.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5657245506882726274" border="0" /></a>eamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-84170559828458447172011-08-04T18:13:00.000-07:002011-10-03T20:50:41.517-07:00The Best Page in The Avengers Marvel Masterworks edition<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNunmvTpEJ_Ejk76w68nrsr2WWxGP2HY6CAOkBBVHHWmAUQ51E_JSQ2gZb2v7aAcllH89yE_U2UBoil_IVklDk35lGUDV62jQQ5NMmCZiczWLnJXgon5QSjtP7U4y43sMFWZqyyjGKFo/s1600/cap.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKNunmvTpEJ_Ejk76w68nrsr2WWxGP2HY6CAOkBBVHHWmAUQ51E_JSQ2gZb2v7aAcllH89yE_U2UBoil_IVklDk35lGUDV62jQQ5NMmCZiczWLnJXgon5QSjtP7U4y43sMFWZqyyjGKFo/s400/cap.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637176953605424658" border="0" /></a><br />I was flipping through my edition of the Avengers Marvel Masterworks edition recently and came across what may be my favorite page of avengers comics ever. Captain America is moping after working out with a bunch of big bruiser type wrasslers,<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> "all my training--all my skill--and STILL I was unable to save Bucky years ago!"<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">...and in walks the Avengers intern Rick Jones DRESSED LIKE CAP'S DEAD PARTNER. The expression on Cap's face is spectacular.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyW5TdPK1AGOVX4tbW5jNml8Di4W08__GAD_ZjPyTxkThS5ZbmVuID86eg4I6isHBIVWVS7ZsGLvBOZB8pO9Dl9H0TrjywCkKFgBb3LGS6GPPlOUoHucuYa8nwIcqRAdUwNXr2fPLYGM/s1600/cap+faces.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 205px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjyW5TdPK1AGOVX4tbW5jNml8Di4W08__GAD_ZjPyTxkThS5ZbmVuID86eg4I6isHBIVWVS7ZsGLvBOZB8pO9Dl9H0TrjywCkKFgBb3LGS6GPPlOUoHucuYa8nwIcqRAdUwNXr2fPLYGM/s400/cap+faces.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637182006590642450" border="0" /></a><br />An aside...This page is just as fun and exciting as any action sequence, a testament to Mr. Jack Kirby... Seeing Rick Jones as Bucky makes Cap FLIP THE FUCK OUT, and screams at Rick to take off the costume, and snatches the domino mask off of Rick's face. I like to imagine, after that, Cap begins sobbing while pointing at Rick-Bucky to get out of his room, but he probably just has his head buried in his hands. Please read these three panels...they are amazing.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOflCRjPA1M6mlJO0ONKi922dpWfCj1TkWPFr6bGBYQwZCIFVBRGZdiO1v2eodC-lHkKPx8qpu-E0G92wy4ciF-Xhic3SHGu6OekFDpZKJ7nLrKefG15J1w7AMOCJg8egQ9zr8WPURNk/s1600/flip+out.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 185px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGOflCRjPA1M6mlJO0ONKi922dpWfCj1TkWPFr6bGBYQwZCIFVBRGZdiO1v2eodC-lHkKPx8qpu-E0G92wy4ciF-Xhic3SHGu6OekFDpZKJ7nLrKefG15J1w7AMOCJg8egQ9zr8WPURNk/s400/flip+out.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637184613714293778" border="0" /></a><br />Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did folks! Or else...<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqVrFl6tLPX6EN-geKmjisGsUhInQZ5L7_gOCg3a-Jqn4MOTDFAmsrYwAnpgXpNQjYJas3erfAiiNbCxBKP8yz3pomjLwOe-9krAo4mpf510l_sWCyetkx8Nv-c9xNomAnPaFZhc-o8Y/s1600/angry+cap.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbqVrFl6tLPX6EN-geKmjisGsUhInQZ5L7_gOCg3a-Jqn4MOTDFAmsrYwAnpgXpNQjYJas3erfAiiNbCxBKP8yz3pomjLwOe-9krAo4mpf510l_sWCyetkx8Nv-c9xNomAnPaFZhc-o8Y/s400/angry+cap.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5637185382829774610" border="0" /></a><br />-Eamon<br /><br /></div></div>eamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-69817457012415068572011-07-27T19:02:00.000-07:002011-07-27T20:48:51.843-07:00The Deaths of Mys-Tech Wars<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUfiPtUTh2tv6e03hqwtCc6MoB2p1VrGGC7D7t29OVpMFqzVlIqPVJOU7RSBajMOZc7A0psmjgnLYD_RzS9VnqISWDh7fcH45Y2Nw-0tDR7feQeC1jr2M_MxE02LZAF0wOzs5NAPbJZU/s1600/mystech4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIUfiPtUTh2tv6e03hqwtCc6MoB2p1VrGGC7D7t29OVpMFqzVlIqPVJOU7RSBajMOZc7A0psmjgnLYD_RzS9VnqISWDh7fcH45Y2Nw-0tDR7feQeC1jr2M_MxE02LZAF0wOzs5NAPbJZU/s400/mystech4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634242165386836498" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Back in my comics-buying youth, one could buy comics in more places than just your local comic shop. Department stores, drug stores and dollar stores used to have discounted packs of assorted comics, organized in no way I could discern, in packs of three, four, and sometimes even 5 or ten! On one such occasion I found issue number three of a limited series called Mys-Tech Wars ( written by Dan Abnett with art by Bryan Hitch, with Caroline Steeden on Letters and Helen Nally and Helen Stone on colors), a Marvel Comics 'UK' series in one of these assorted packs, and what I saw inside immediately appalled me, and appealed to me ALL AT ONCE! (Huzzah!)<br /><br />The opening double page spread (Bryan Hitch is pretty damn great at drawing a double page orgy of death) features a grouping of X-Men, Avengers and other Marvel characters battling it out with an army of Psycho-Warriors, who were unleashed by the evil Mys-Tech board to destroy earth or something. The Psycho-Warriors look like a cross between the borg and the gimp from Pulp fiction, and have the power to kill a whole boatload of Marvel super-heroes. OH, also in this two page spread: Cyclops getting a giant hole blasted through his chest and dying. No one is safe in Mys-Tech wars. This was back in 1993, the X-men cartoon was still going strong on TV, and the younger me was just getting into super hero comics full steam. To see one of my favorite characters die right there on the page was...kinda effed up.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YCNGVdowkGk4W9ymYstnHlx1wZKq2LzsHLg9Bt02yDAxQETSp4oLa_F6GossOWLpQ26VZCT1M1yk7b7D1LfTfIoiRKHVM2_PzbjdzXDuZI9lGL6U0rjd0zSf6C7aaspyAJQkmEFaJAU/s1600/cyclops.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 139px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9YCNGVdowkGk4W9ymYstnHlx1wZKq2LzsHLg9Bt02yDAxQETSp4oLa_F6GossOWLpQ26VZCT1M1yk7b7D1LfTfIoiRKHVM2_PzbjdzXDuZI9lGL6U0rjd0zSf6C7aaspyAJQkmEFaJAU/s400/cyclops.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634228341731099714" border="0" /></a><br />The other thing about Mys-Tech wars are the reactions to the character's deaths. They are fairly realistic, or at the least how I imagine a reaction to a loved one's death would be. Upon seeing Cyclops gunned down in front of her, Jean becomes irrational and becomes hysterical, begging Jubilee to help her drag Cyclops' laser-hole ridden corpse to safety, further risking her own life and that of a fellow X-Man. This is the first instance of my repulsion/attraction to this series. I do not think that Jean would react in that fashion to Cyclops being killed, she has plenty of training in battle, and was the wielder of the Phoenix force for goodness sake, one of the mightiest powers in the entire universe, capable of destroying suns and flying clear across the galaxy. Here, she is reduced to nothing, a blubbering inconsolable wreck, who ends up killing herself when the world, and her mentor and friend Professor X need her the most...it just does not ring true to the character for me, which basically encapsulates my general feeling on Mys-Tech Wars as a whole. At the same time however, it is kind of cool to see a book where no character is safe..but there aren't enough hero moments, the good guys can never seem to catch a break.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUBr67nMnamMc1_thu91PpJCupAQguMc3Td4sMweFqZiWmPvHeUe-00HDgXGsNe8osKg5SzscgVgdyHBx43Yxwo2_3oH7zvPswRqf6SjvB5MAAt3Y4ZrdNFrAy4UOv48TryMG6E0Mklo/s1600/jean.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 220px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAUBr67nMnamMc1_thu91PpJCupAQguMc3Td4sMweFqZiWmPvHeUe-00HDgXGsNe8osKg5SzscgVgdyHBx43Yxwo2_3oH7zvPswRqf6SjvB5MAAt3Y4ZrdNFrAy4UOv48TryMG6E0Mklo/s400/jean.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634228346241480578" border="0" /></a><br />The whole thing begins with Nick Fury, who invades the secret lair of the Mys-Tech board, some group of evil old people including an enemy of Nick's during his Howling Commando days. Here's what happens to Nick :<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNEHVfl0GcJZhkmwIycrzdAeMEc7Ia8uO4k8vs3tdxay6-UXHwmzNgSMZmlidXJCpyP3l4Pw2inxSbjKtT8gOi0eoxUDC-5yNebZBIIP3yyIOUO0hBeEP4UtEqvLsa4YUQ2eGk1xyOBM/s1600/nickfury.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 182px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNEHVfl0GcJZhkmwIycrzdAeMEc7Ia8uO4k8vs3tdxay6-UXHwmzNgSMZmlidXJCpyP3l4Pw2inxSbjKtT8gOi0eoxUDC-5yNebZBIIP3yyIOUO0hBeEP4UtEqvLsa4YUQ2eGk1xyOBM/s400/nickfury.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634229463524560770" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mys-Tech then unleashes a hoard of Monster Lizard things which swarm the earth, killing many notable heroes. Spider Man and super-team Excalibur die on the same page, followed by a whole bunch more...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5GyeAGBHwkuziuTDq6K9gi6rDyPFmWyHSqgsRvkdeLIdy1FJtI6qMoeLjPMKlK9EQZTOkEmGgKvBdOi_eNyl6eGfySqYCvUtVZpEn5kF3ZMkxK9Myylsit8n1vpz00c_VDEPZsDIg1Y/s1600/spiderman+excalibur.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 278px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv5GyeAGBHwkuziuTDq6K9gi6rDyPFmWyHSqgsRvkdeLIdy1FJtI6qMoeLjPMKlK9EQZTOkEmGgKvBdOi_eNyl6eGfySqYCvUtVZpEn5kF3ZMkxK9Myylsit8n1vpz00c_VDEPZsDIg1Y/s400/spiderman+excalibur.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634230009231088306" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiL_ElfAurHrdmJ7w0MSXfpBIDV3-WofrKtTXlO9GG-VY-0kSOj5k1oobU9y-V4Ot5r395JYoMHFTNzGuYDMr6zTvEs25njTrplpeRSJXI_8GWR7XrwxLQTuYfyRhVzdPMbYURVbQFgeA/s1600/ghostrider.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 311px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiL_ElfAurHrdmJ7w0MSXfpBIDV3-WofrKtTXlO9GG-VY-0kSOj5k1oobU9y-V4Ot5r395JYoMHFTNzGuYDMr6zTvEs25njTrplpeRSJXI_8GWR7XrwxLQTuYfyRhVzdPMbYURVbQFgeA/s400/ghostrider.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634231184542920850" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAlL5vUoDs51XfmhLWit8M_RbEWYfu1NyVRlkjVXeisKGvzUcpOJpiG55Cy2pIgCzHSHFAV1MtKI0c1u71K4OOGvBmAjDrFXVsC34CMAvXcuCD2eiBLVOfEYFcOsE4OKxsw23FYA0Mus/s1600/thor.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 233px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdAlL5vUoDs51XfmhLWit8M_RbEWYfu1NyVRlkjVXeisKGvzUcpOJpiG55Cy2pIgCzHSHFAV1MtKI0c1u71K4OOGvBmAjDrFXVsC34CMAvXcuCD2eiBLVOfEYFcOsE4OKxsw23FYA0Mus/s400/thor.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634232552947195922" border="0" /></a><br /><br />As it turns out, the baddies are altering reality, and the heroes that are dying were never meant to die in this fashion, and one of the main characters in the series, I think an original Marvel 'UK' character, Dark Angel, leads the fight to set things right. I think it seems like an excuse to shock and kill off a bunch of popular super hero characters...but there isn't anything really wrong with it...although sometimes things get a little too dark for my tastes in this type of super hero book, for example:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabpJtnW_Pv87NJ96n2bHocGI4tsxORdrqJH_W8JZm1baZhxc20e4GZjqTLW7VLYrgxlwzavQ8k5u97Lb0Tq05SbhfZ4ymmE9rR6w3o1gU1oShk7NGOo3GIIoolpN2pJo42b2pwms8cO0/s1600/psylocke.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 339px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgabpJtnW_Pv87NJ96n2bHocGI4tsxORdrqJH_W8JZm1baZhxc20e4GZjqTLW7VLYrgxlwzavQ8k5u97Lb0Tq05SbhfZ4ymmE9rR6w3o1gU1oShk7NGOo3GIIoolpN2pJo42b2pwms8cO0/s400/psylocke.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634233681336221074" border="0" /></a><br />Pretty brutal, right?<br /><br />The series also features a bunch of Marvel UK characters, like Dark Angel and Death's Head II. Outside of Death's Head II, I have never seen any of these characters used anywhere else, and in additon, none of them die in this series, only the established Marvel characters bite the dust.<br /><br />At the end of the day, a select few living heroes alter reality and erase the damage done, and sabotage Mys-Tech's operation. Captain America and Logan stop Nick Fury from infiltrating the enemy base to get a beer instead, which is my favorite moment of the whole comic.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuxz5yflbs8fKx_bD8IUf8D48jx1c8OPgcYlBjlUGjGxqso4LhxG_lzeYNzlzNPDWzplmtdI38mSw10IS2puBaMkeToEIDaSQKtLZBhNGBAsioHlw_4NjkC1Y-T-eg9sEVz3LrT4zAsvs/s1600/end.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 248px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuxz5yflbs8fKx_bD8IUf8D48jx1c8OPgcYlBjlUGjGxqso4LhxG_lzeYNzlzNPDWzplmtdI38mSw10IS2puBaMkeToEIDaSQKtLZBhNGBAsioHlw_4NjkC1Y-T-eg9sEVz3LrT4zAsvs/s400/end.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634242906843610418" border="0" /></a><br />All in all Mys-Tech Wars was an interesting journey, that filled me with conflicting nerd feelings about the nature of superhero comics as a young fan. I had to seek out the back issues at local Philly comic shop Fat Jacks, and all of the intense battle sequences by Bryan Hitch are impressive to behold. An intense oddity if nothing else.<br /><br />-Eamoneamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-54059731260367211602011-07-25T20:08:00.001-07:002011-07-25T20:16:16.398-07:00Mys-Tech Wars<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-P3KL9YOuNAW3kKn25gxeRRhm4Fs_bUzuztCgUcEFUUc9wYNwXamy-7LFxX1XXbixG8uxY__Y7G1DNr91M0upOupECJRcgyoieStDYueSYWJS0rMV0dTXkKFFyhdBqmn0FUQ9p_npdu4/s1600/Mys-Tech+Wars.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-P3KL9YOuNAW3kKn25gxeRRhm4Fs_bUzuztCgUcEFUUc9wYNwXamy-7LFxX1XXbixG8uxY__Y7G1DNr91M0upOupECJRcgyoieStDYueSYWJS0rMV0dTXkKFFyhdBqmn0FUQ9p_npdu4/s400/Mys-Tech+Wars.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633493757568536466" border="0" /></a><br />An insane cover by Bryan Hitch, to the Marvel UK (never heard of it!) 4 part miniseries Mys-Tech Wars. It's basically a story in which almost all of the marvel characters are killed by some weird Orc/Borg soldiers and lizard monsters, with some new and most-likely-never-seen again-after-this-series Marvel UK characters. There will be more on this later, but I had to share this cover.<br /><br />-Eamoneamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-37903187852084156882011-07-24T19:34:00.000-07:002011-07-24T23:04:23.327-07:00The Punisher Holiday Special!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SukZv7o8ZPUrlJcnSakmuBz9HR-jkDgKN1ImIkhGIP6BPY41sNW8zofm1qtaHjREEhbwz59paIAM762OMvR-AKIhLyhCcut7HaIgBceRrevyM5mjkjDT2hFSi-58_2Lbvcg4tPPZl80/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 84px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SukZv7o8ZPUrlJcnSakmuBz9HR-jkDgKN1ImIkhGIP6BPY41sNW8zofm1qtaHjREEhbwz59paIAM762OMvR-AKIhLyhCcut7HaIgBceRrevyM5mjkjDT2hFSi-58_2Lbvcg4tPPZl80/s400/Untitled-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633126726728157394" border="0" /></a><br />I was gifted the Punisher holiday special #1 by a friend at a recent gathering, and it is another grand example of the insanity that is 90's Punisher comics.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNM7XPcLJZi8ppEsP8Khy7IOW5YNMLJKz-sZlj8DLlRNwc2g08Sx0xuvCKd74p6QtK4RNzr5loydqzEHTy8FcfySuC7Th0U51k2nEOPmijsd05Hd_qz7tpBGOza0Lh9ywYFOgPaguFt5Y/s1600/cover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 258px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNM7XPcLJZi8ppEsP8Khy7IOW5YNMLJKz-sZlj8DLlRNwc2g08Sx0xuvCKd74p6QtK4RNzr5loydqzEHTy8FcfySuC7Th0U51k2nEOPmijsd05Hd_qz7tpBGOza0Lh9ywYFOgPaguFt5Y/s400/cover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633130210167329074" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The tale begins in the ritzy dining room of 'Little' Tony Caruso, who is demanding his henchmen bring him the head of Frank Castle, The Punisher, because the Punisher killed his father 'Big' Tony Caruso, and Little Tony doesn't get what he wants for Christmas anymore.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNj5Yj73p0OvZqbm0qRD7J4dRhnU7JHvAJ0Klx82777FEsBVo2_VT-B3H2cJfoIFCqn5mduse0IwHnUWo5b_7xbL2dLOL-M7YBVW0ZU1cz9uV0o2fH_3WlGelofWZn6UbbJUv2npLxmZs/s1600/punisherbust.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNj5Yj73p0OvZqbm0qRD7J4dRhnU7JHvAJ0Klx82777FEsBVo2_VT-B3H2cJfoIFCqn5mduse0IwHnUWo5b_7xbL2dLOL-M7YBVW0ZU1cz9uV0o2fH_3WlGelofWZn6UbbJUv2npLxmZs/s400/punisherbust.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633131130579309314" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Little Tony explains this while holding a <span style="font-weight: bold;">Bust of the Pun</span><span style="font-weight: bold;">isher</span>. Little Tony had a bust of the Punisher made (or perhaps he is a sculptor in his spare time?) and proceeds to destroy it while getting worked up about not getting presents at Christmas.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNxCXitmnQm2rpnWcvH4Aac8-roZlt2h34JmABr9Vat7ugzRWIE9tgD73Pbp0tH_bB7FGYc0aFUp_CKqVk37qQckuVrlQwDWDVs3ViRgunUOQAzw1jgbeHQyCpErOJ3pew9i7ykHlSVM/s1600/Redxmas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 268px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZNxCXitmnQm2rpnWcvH4Aac8-roZlt2h34JmABr9Vat7ugzRWIE9tgD73Pbp0tH_bB7FGYc0aFUp_CKqVk37qQckuVrlQwDWDVs3ViRgunUOQAzw1jgbeHQyCpErOJ3pew9i7ykHlSVM/s400/Redxmas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633133926589973106" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So Little Tony's people spread a rumor that they are going to hit a mall on Christmas Eve, bait that the Punisher is all but guaranteed to take...and their plan works! The Punisher is fed the rumor by a hippie drug dealer who is being thrown off a roof by some ne'er do-wells.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMRKSx9Iu-FEEjPNM9L1AxBRv1cfvK_3kcT1e6iccjI1bceTrcT_z5CNeX2YBoDSYxy4tlE7W0ZM6J1Ys6WBDoqvvBf-WVJ8m_N8Xe31g0Zd8fQGJJc4D4nNSYe4cdhxOM_OUI1F6rDA/s1600/hippie.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 160px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizMRKSx9Iu-FEEjPNM9L1AxBRv1cfvK_3kcT1e6iccjI1bceTrcT_z5CNeX2YBoDSYxy4tlE7W0ZM6J1Ys6WBDoqvvBf-WVJ8m_N8Xe31g0Zd8fQGJJc4D4nNSYe4cdhxOM_OUI1F6rDA/s400/hippie.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633132269880989858" border="0" /></a><br />The Punisher goes to the mall and hides under a car until the mall closes, then realizes it was all a trap! He punctures the gas tank he is laying directly under for no reason (he later blows the car up) and proceeds to go up against the mall cops, who are also gangsters and have real guns?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RIy2uPu-xHIOxAOFFUlILjRxa0eI9UsO8kc8J-xJxI61SNWCmeSBn7jT1pssEqsMbHoZeut8srGwwhN0SR55WqVuEz7gx87aDRLaoFH5nf63uw7MyaC3IKCqizjOBWHMzNKhS6tmdJc/s1600/trap.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 340px; height: 342px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5RIy2uPu-xHIOxAOFFUlILjRxa0eI9UsO8kc8J-xJxI61SNWCmeSBn7jT1pssEqsMbHoZeut8srGwwhN0SR55WqVuEz7gx87aDRLaoFH5nf63uw7MyaC3IKCqizjOBWHMzNKhS6tmdJc/s400/trap.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633136321798806466" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8vOUBJfVdEvNw0RvJNgUVtTIsRoWvqnG2kwDu6f_ten1a7A177Q0_xbLH-jBOs4au8b5hgYrC9oIBtNH69FpyR2V_vQYfMeEJzMYEuogD7PqqRAQej6jwMZgt0kpaL2qHSLlK6pLb2Q/s1600/gas.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 354px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8vOUBJfVdEvNw0RvJNgUVtTIsRoWvqnG2kwDu6f_ten1a7A177Q0_xbLH-jBOs4au8b5hgYrC9oIBtNH69FpyR2V_vQYfMeEJzMYEuogD7PqqRAQej6jwMZgt0kpaL2qHSLlK6pLb2Q/s400/gas.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633136541131931458" border="0" /></a><br />As it turns out, Frank isn't alone in the mall. A young girl is hiding there, because of something her dad did...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyV1NFZR4kI8E0BZRERjhpGnUYKGjzbEPUwdbXoCygcRqCJ_9MQvyP0uo4z1EqmqZs1ttVm1X9eGKoHzHfPbyhZaVMbeo02tmMiNDvlLdSBViK8QkRLuwaLzoRfNtVNETrKaPEoxUlO-U/s1600/girl.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 373px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyV1NFZR4kI8E0BZRERjhpGnUYKGjzbEPUwdbXoCygcRqCJ_9MQvyP0uo4z1EqmqZs1ttVm1X9eGKoHzHfPbyhZaVMbeo02tmMiNDvlLdSBViK8QkRLuwaLzoRfNtVNETrKaPEoxUlO-U/s400/girl.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633137979361296722" border="0" /></a><br /><br />but then she turns around and says her dad "bought it" in Vietnam, which pretty much means her dad died in Vietnam, unless my understanding of slang is grossly outdated or misinformed. I suppose her step dad is the threat to her returning home, but things like this ain't important or the reason anyone reads a Punisher comic. Also the Punisher lets her know that her current lifestyle would probably lead her to further crimes, and he would hate to have to have to kill her. Classic Frank.<br /><br />The bad guys have The Punisher's weapons, so Frank uses the only items at his disposal, <span style="font-weight: bold;">mall Christmas ornaments</span>! He showers one enemy with Christmas balls, and impales another with a model of Santa and his sleigh (slay?) complete with spear-like reindeer antlers. He also pole vaults off of the top of a Christmas tree!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZP7dDEDr4mVZPRy5nY2iqN3Ok_odOc_lpsKgwnNIclaB3ZZmU5h5t2cQXR-O-rTJjHXEstIqEc4KNXiRKn48MpiSX8dz-kzvWXDFguIbp6ICZUf0Zstd40CViaj5ucZ90NBZuAnIcxCo/s1600/ornament.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 138px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZP7dDEDr4mVZPRy5nY2iqN3Ok_odOc_lpsKgwnNIclaB3ZZmU5h5t2cQXR-O-rTJjHXEstIqEc4KNXiRKn48MpiSX8dz-kzvWXDFguIbp6ICZUf0Zstd40CViaj5ucZ90NBZuAnIcxCo/s400/ornament.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633139295998832626" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMcdKgi_vkvZr519kavZChCaH0PmFeBbT2m1JMbsHacWkKa1WbgMsEEJ3yFTRw_wjvh9CZ2X_FoNOl9yz0rG7mg1xGlmHFuFbyQpKgGkuE-oci6vcUbw7nF_UbBlQ5eZTTjHDTStZja0/s1600/antlers.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 371px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMcdKgi_vkvZr519kavZChCaH0PmFeBbT2m1JMbsHacWkKa1WbgMsEEJ3yFTRw_wjvh9CZ2X_FoNOl9yz0rG7mg1xGlmHFuFbyQpKgGkuE-oci6vcUbw7nF_UbBlQ5eZTTjHDTStZja0/s400/antlers.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633140804971240466" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The Punisher ends up killing the bad guys and saving the girl, who ends up going home for Christmas, and for some reason that Dad she was worried about gets arrested ( I can only assume it was for child abuse, but it would have been nice if this story angle was a little more clear) and the Punisher lets us know that he is so focused on his mission that he forgot who jesus is...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4RuPqUxOe9OXFyVZQnCxhRrFb2lT9sNJJ-gLC0qTQO3Zxssq7d1IEhXjM-q0ZxpTf8xYkpOd4OExRWtNqhQxKbYPrgT9GlRr_KrTxbXRyZhcRu4AVpNYRBj-Y1grSVnunwERFw-fPb8/s1600/arrest.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 186px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu4RuPqUxOe9OXFyVZQnCxhRrFb2lT9sNJJ-gLC0qTQO3Zxssq7d1IEhXjM-q0ZxpTf8xYkpOd4OExRWtNqhQxKbYPrgT9GlRr_KrTxbXRyZhcRu4AVpNYRBj-Y1grSVnunwERFw-fPb8/s400/arrest.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633142336664373474" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzunaYSY8e1OJT8bpy-KmRKt0ttSA_xy8SbSs0ialCQYzhQ-AZbN7kutkyS8-XY6uzKgeRU4VTQhHo6nQxKlEEeJcF07eNlnH-NSoIesGrzCaKzsQI5ml3438mbVVcYmp_CpjFx92M8Qg/s1600/jesus.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 203px; height: 119px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzunaYSY8e1OJT8bpy-KmRKt0ttSA_xy8SbSs0ialCQYzhQ-AZbN7kutkyS8-XY6uzKgeRU4VTQhHo6nQxKlEEeJcF07eNlnH-NSoIesGrzCaKzsQI5ml3438mbVVcYmp_CpjFx92M8Qg/s400/jesus.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5633145081874553234" border="0" /></a><br />There is a backup story in this volume as well, but I really wanted to just comment on the main story in this special.<br /><br />-Eamoneamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-47686401629649852362011-07-18T17:39:00.000-07:002011-07-24T18:37:24.409-07:00The Punisher: G Force<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4v-A-Ea5zDBRtUPSVGvXfQdENEcbEnZmMULig8kd7yU8RYKAxusbPLSJztJ4tgtUNo2HbtR_8R1p03WGviavf09Ysew0IX7lludTvts3hNsL85GQODYYq_7QSAXF8kIwAJJDeGcBxwM/s1600/panel+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 315px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih4v-A-Ea5zDBRtUPSVGvXfQdENEcbEnZmMULig8kd7yU8RYKAxusbPLSJztJ4tgtUNo2HbtR_8R1p03WGviavf09Ysew0IX7lludTvts3hNsL85GQODYYq_7QSAXF8kIwAJJDeGcBxwM/s400/panel+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630885520868439810" border="0" /></a><br />Upon reading <a href="http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/07/08/ask-chris-64-how-to-read-everything/">an article</a> on the <a href="http://www.comicsalliance.com/">Comics Alliance</a> blog, I came across a recommendation from writer Chris Sims of a Punisher one-shot, titled <span style="font-style: italic;">The Punisher : G Force</span>. I count myself a Punisher fan, mostly of the Garth Ennis Marvel Knights/Max material, and the current Punisher Max Jason Aaron run, but I have been looking to expand my Punisher palette. Upon finding a copy of that very same volume Mr. Sims recommended at Fat Jack's Comic Crypt in Philadelphia, I had to buy it...I mean look at this cover!<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCHS34p1DcD9CAtHTbu_VUAF80RX9E5zCMp2EOiWEnNF1QD-7FwP2ZGfXybmaLPYZfCr_gBpC8FzGHK6NO-AAtasw_83DFVn4ycjtCd8gu_B0v9tsXstbodsZISpXOx0E_xfWKpsiy4g/s1600/G-Force.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWCHS34p1DcD9CAtHTbu_VUAF80RX9E5zCMp2EOiWEnNF1QD-7FwP2ZGfXybmaLPYZfCr_gBpC8FzGHK6NO-AAtasw_83DFVn4ycjtCd8gu_B0v9tsXstbodsZISpXOx0E_xfWKpsiy4g/s400/G-Force.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630872409397004306" border="0" /></a><br />In true comic book fashion the scene pictured on the cover (painted by a man known only as NELSON) never actually happens in the book itself, but what DOES happen in this volume is a lot more...well, insane. I would also like to say I really miss traditionally painted covers for comic books/graphic novels and one shots, most especially when they are of this caliber. Including the fancy cover, this volume also has some pretty awesome endpapers, I genuinely miss this format from Marvel ( the Wolverine/Punisher/Ghost Rider team up with a great John Romita Junior fold out cover and Wolverine: The Jungle Adventure with art by Mike Mignola are both prime examples of classy one shots put out by Marvel.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbX8JzFZBT4NtW54qalPJxt7zI5x_IUyPEMdLjuLO5vERnHpK4QP4uFhyphenhyphenyQfluzyZVK-pOe2DxlABirn2o8-q66E2poqgnVAB3mlZl5AZ98SlZ6QSpIdzQZpomxr5ULagtHKdlQfsEVhU/s1600/endpaper.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 265px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbX8JzFZBT4NtW54qalPJxt7zI5x_IUyPEMdLjuLO5vERnHpK4QP4uFhyphenhyphenyQfluzyZVK-pOe2DxlABirn2o8-q66E2poqgnVAB3mlZl5AZ98SlZ6QSpIdzQZpomxr5ULagtHKdlQfsEVhU/s400/endpaper.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630877148406016882" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So our story begins atop a high rise building, where a scuzzy french astronaut offers a woman he fancies some coke, and they scuttle off to make whoppee...meanwhile below, the Punisher is trying to kill 'Uncle Snake' who is luring a hooker into his car with Wontons.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUrAQ7AE9-IsUk82sFXR3yLoTljuBnH1O-PZkMPnVNXeKZ5NT6RbwqcsdK-h9Fk2p421uK49jNpQXThXs-fKBF21FHyPJ45ceYIo4m6eENBI1nzAJrJW-a6RqwuOfSGQ3CMflKIwdMDI/s1600/wonton.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 336px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUrAQ7AE9-IsUk82sFXR3yLoTljuBnH1O-PZkMPnVNXeKZ5NT6RbwqcsdK-h9Fk2p421uK49jNpQXThXs-fKBF21FHyPJ45ceYIo4m6eENBI1nzAJrJW-a6RqwuOfSGQ3CMflKIwdMDI/s400/wonton.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630881348670748194" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBQpZxwBweYeQCFztGgJw7H3CCCzrA-9uFY58ZkChfPUkMUVlqD7Jflu-Bl1206DOTvS_Rtcm8bca73XSchoB0BZK04m9NfE5Pxd2RlTGIIhrimsky11muAgxxuGmjPkfoycMQ8OtNQw/s1600/wonton2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 396px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidBQpZxwBweYeQCFztGgJw7H3CCCzrA-9uFY58ZkChfPUkMUVlqD7Jflu-Bl1206DOTvS_Rtcm8bca73XSchoB0BZK04m9NfE5Pxd2RlTGIIhrimsky11muAgxxuGmjPkfoycMQ8OtNQw/s400/wonton2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630881353444120306" border="0" /></a><br />The Punisher is already in Uncle Snake's car somehow, and tries to slit Uncle Snake's throat, but Uncle is wearing too many gold chains, so the Punisher's blade cannot find it's purchase on that sweet sweet neck. This enables Uncle to draw a gun on the Punisher, who is having some trouble with his prey. Fortunately, the woman on the high rise building that was with the French astronaut plummets to her death right onto Uncle Snake's car, crushing Uncle Snake in the process, and saving the Punisher's life. It turns out she has drugs in her system, although it is never explained why she was thrown off the high rise or if she just fell. It gets the Punisher looking into the affairs of this French spaceman , and it turns out he is using his diplomatic standing to smuggle drugs...in addition to using a giant space laser to destroy rival Colombian drug factories...from space.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqKOUej-Cq2UMcUlzXydiuO3cZHvY8MqyxFBNCIdz6pNzkWjss1BkXayWg-S4dwXw8DU_6WZJCqzdeb51_ZDFsNz1p3EOJ09ELiZ0WiCXjRk6jaD3Dcz5sWCa8Xk2sHSpKdKIYLgrYt8/s1600/flames.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 194px; height: 179px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimqKOUej-Cq2UMcUlzXydiuO3cZHvY8MqyxFBNCIdz6pNzkWjss1BkXayWg-S4dwXw8DU_6WZJCqzdeb51_ZDFsNz1p3EOJ09ELiZ0WiCXjRk6jaD3Dcz5sWCa8Xk2sHSpKdKIYLgrYt8/s400/flames.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630883616848991122" border="0" /></a> The Punisher goes undercover, is forced to shoot coke, and makes lots of funny faces...<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirelkttFemfayWPnlOZPgmqcxqKbSnTXgEn6tELLozn-5ExptuxUNuu_mmTe2I41ixTOLQlseeoizK26fQbIvnpAeE-G65JtrAMunmpaieizSGiSSKYLODyS935Whjag4y1nxUNE9wzZM/s1600/panel+3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 375px; height: 385px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirelkttFemfayWPnlOZPgmqcxqKbSnTXgEn6tELLozn-5ExptuxUNuu_mmTe2I41ixTOLQlseeoizK26fQbIvnpAeE-G65JtrAMunmpaieizSGiSSKYLODyS935Whjag4y1nxUNE9wzZM/s400/panel+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630885526576321186" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzP1O8wqpBChGegqDdKZi61ZB4yDvQ2h3DP9j6LZ5qOu0I1zP5_IT1kBVem66oraSvuk3rp-bJxnQ4aFVI1t6rV1kecZzWoDV6KiXVCxQEVMCDpvgCkBrQ26CLiLBpx_sxYzJS8IdDLUU/s1600/panel6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 209px; height: 283px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzP1O8wqpBChGegqDdKZi61ZB4yDvQ2h3DP9j6LZ5qOu0I1zP5_IT1kBVem66oraSvuk3rp-bJxnQ4aFVI1t6rV1kecZzWoDV6KiXVCxQEVMCDpvgCkBrQ26CLiLBpx_sxYzJS8IdDLUU/s400/panel6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630885517088875810" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlleTjQIfP4RNLuKV60ApBNkXUx4qZ9XVUJu5UcKlzzczEkLVuLGoZKQxISwhA6U_EvqXdmyDLa-P96N7KfQ4whH3PGNzZCT-bMVyA7jI2cP_WsNSJXzrXmfnCjNyCiZ6EMHNQ-tvmFM/s1600/panel+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 136px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqlleTjQIfP4RNLuKV60ApBNkXUx4qZ9XVUJu5UcKlzzczEkLVuLGoZKQxISwhA6U_EvqXdmyDLa-P96N7KfQ4whH3PGNzZCT-bMVyA7jI2cP_WsNSJXzrXmfnCjNyCiZ6EMHNQ-tvmFM/s400/panel+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630885518633989970" border="0" /></a> To track down the evil French astronaut, the Punisher even space-suits up, and travels to outer space, with no astronaut training, and blows up the space station that has a laser that blows up drug labs from space (wouldn't the Punisher love that space station...or commandeer it for himself?!) then hijacks a space shuttle back to earth and lands it in the desert.<br /><br />Obviously this comic is ridiculous, the coloring is not my favorite...and some of the figure work I could take or leave. This was the era where the Punisher wore a Rambo-nian headband somewhat frequently. I must say that the drawings of all of the space machinery and vehicles is fairly impressive, and looks convincing. The most ridiculous aspect is the dialogue, and the introspective panels of Frank Castle, the Punisher. Some examples:<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqO-e4Yr_4TkdLMgthWH6IdDT9jT5z_LasjnoseTE5F0tYLZdme2YKt04x8gFKLFmk9EqmOamL9I82uY_GM9EDdXW04c-QlKF9P5_nJkhquyefzN6tRBRaesb6Dtb6kBEJsjWdgXdKpKo/s1600/panel2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 218px; height: 172px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqO-e4Yr_4TkdLMgthWH6IdDT9jT5z_LasjnoseTE5F0tYLZdme2YKt04x8gFKLFmk9EqmOamL9I82uY_GM9EDdXW04c-QlKF9P5_nJkhquyefzN6tRBRaesb6Dtb6kBEJsjWdgXdKpKo/s400/panel2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630889542594732322" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQR-0BVnSq__8RRFYsoMKvVgF3XqOTHnUsWMpk1irF4s7Ccs7VDVIcQwfQ4ju71WztLG06Bpj1ieAd0qDj1dyKwihmV4rfT_dfj0M2Olqj5EOX36jrFD7KpCTuDy-LXvFAiVJa3su0CEc/s1600/maria.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 295px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQR-0BVnSq__8RRFYsoMKvVgF3XqOTHnUsWMpk1irF4s7Ccs7VDVIcQwfQ4ju71WztLG06Bpj1ieAd0qDj1dyKwihmV4rfT_dfj0M2Olqj5EOX36jrFD7KpCTuDy-LXvFAiVJa3su0CEc/s400/maria.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630892016049882786" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIHQsSCHW8qNgJ8Y7r1udvY5SBYo7Tl8Wzt-L4r1caTnN1iLF8GSmZD1Gbm8CnC1Vi2FCeFSsmxbKaRp6pn2W5xf0GF3Rnzi0U0zMi2ctY9TZWMDBNGbb1DVEToJmuXWRM0i6Uf4IiY0/s1600/maria2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 165px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuIHQsSCHW8qNgJ8Y7r1udvY5SBYo7Tl8Wzt-L4r1caTnN1iLF8GSmZD1Gbm8CnC1Vi2FCeFSsmxbKaRp6pn2W5xf0GF3Rnzi0U0zMi2ctY9TZWMDBNGbb1DVEToJmuXWRM0i6Uf4IiY0/s400/maria2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630891741211174386" border="0" /></a>Also this interaction...WHO IS THIS JULIUS?!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrgFhh7RKxEzuL5ATyR9TKxsGr6DdaUyIG-YRY2If9sx4wRtppP1pjWi_XAm1Os642h181ASJyCDd0p4Yot0AuwJIxvPZYODe9BRPiJvXluN_eq7bvfmvHRctkSwlXbuXbTm5dlSa1-w/s1600/panel+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 347px; height: 396px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrgFhh7RKxEzuL5ATyR9TKxsGr6DdaUyIG-YRY2If9sx4wRtppP1pjWi_XAm1Os642h181ASJyCDd0p4Yot0AuwJIxvPZYODe9BRPiJvXluN_eq7bvfmvHRctkSwlXbuXbTm5dlSa1-w/s400/panel+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630892478207285794" border="0" /></a> He is bathed in shadow, and I do not trust him one bit...<br /><br />-Eamoneamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-43007913136524476332011-04-18T19:51:00.000-07:002011-04-18T21:33:40.610-07:00Batman's Night Business: Prey<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoAxFOpxQSkt3W1OrKBe3UP8bFL-V4av-0nEK4pSZDeM6KyUeyfQTXrhymCc3221WeDNHV32zEb-2ICrgQAbJF4Sy2KKz_EQb4RKCiTV4-B6QIHj6l4Gf9sdAQeMjJhiySRJ7Wnr-cZI/s1600/preypanels6.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 122px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHoAxFOpxQSkt3W1OrKBe3UP8bFL-V4av-0nEK4pSZDeM6KyUeyfQTXrhymCc3221WeDNHV32zEb-2ICrgQAbJF4Sy2KKz_EQb4RKCiTV4-B6QIHj6l4Gf9sdAQeMjJhiySRJ7Wnr-cZI/s400/preypanels6.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597125911470025378" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeNds3Vry_53t8zbng0UVVTWOKyuYuqyG2pYxUxo8cwuCOMeZ95FAlq3CY3FXn5vOzISPl5C91X3EXnN77Dgxnb0UhQ89EnFGeV6WorfqGXe5WlE95rtf7IvxEV0uHWfU_4Kgzhgr42Q/s1600/night+business.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 235px; height: 237px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoeNds3Vry_53t8zbng0UVVTWOKyuYuqyG2pYxUxo8cwuCOMeZ95FAlq3CY3FXn5vOzISPl5C91X3EXnN77Dgxnb0UhQ89EnFGeV6WorfqGXe5WlE95rtf7IvxEV0uHWfU_4Kgzhgr42Q/s400/night+business.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597127741836248674" border="0" /></a><br />Recently I got cut loose from work a few hours early, and was able to take up my usual role when I'm not on the clock as a comics vagabond/hobo. Upon visiting the comics shop at the King Of Prussia Mall and grabbing the new titles I was seeking that week, I decided to tempt fate and possibly deplete my wallet even more by browsing the back issue bin. I came across two items of interest, issue numbers 11 and 15 of Batman Legends of the Dark Knight: Prey parts 1 and 5 by Doug Moench Paul Gulacy and Terry Austin . Prey is of interest, because lately it has been getting some press. It was rumored that the newest and final Chris Nolan Batman film would be based heavily on this storyline. Upon hearing the news I took a mosey on over to amazon, where copies of the trade are currently selling for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Batman-Prey-DC-Comics/dp/0446395218/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1303182249&sr=8-1">$140.00 used!!!</a> So it goes with out saying that I would pick up these issues for a measly $6.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBr4x9nWAGCUEJsasFZpb30H5NqN8BkVJ2SSLRJfAPV_OAmt43elOFAXXzjrzmF_gAmAV5Ccx4SkNbrzqy_G8ueqHk52gJ5ls0jEh1Y3un4cgtRZXLDsdn82qNOYzbRu1DaXNLyU1jN8g/s1600/Prey+issue+1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBr4x9nWAGCUEJsasFZpb30H5NqN8BkVJ2SSLRJfAPV_OAmt43elOFAXXzjrzmF_gAmAV5Ccx4SkNbrzqy_G8ueqHk52gJ5ls0jEh1Y3un4cgtRZXLDsdn82qNOYzbRu1DaXNLyU1jN8g/s400/Prey+issue+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597129305655013378" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCzWn3-ZiPELiN20-R54TnXfz_5vSZEX144xijDJaLIEqvadN9CuHlVcH02ts78XgqFIPgHivYtwDwaqOMJFR2NF_vtVyl2qhCtSxEa0uMI2axsLsSr3SooqNXLFR8JSrlWKViAa0qsk/s1600/prey+5.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 261px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOCzWn3-ZiPELiN20-R54TnXfz_5vSZEX144xijDJaLIEqvadN9CuHlVcH02ts78XgqFIPgHivYtwDwaqOMJFR2NF_vtVyl2qhCtSxEa0uMI2axsLsSr3SooqNXLFR8JSrlWKViAa0qsk/s400/prey+5.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597130414908457122" border="0" /></a><br />Upon opening the pages and leafing through, I could not help but get a sense of art deja vu...like perhaps I had seen something similar before. And then it hit me like a ton of bricks! For some reason Prey reminded me a lot of Night Business by Benjamin Marra! I don't know why, but the style used by Gulacy and Marra are very similar. The colors used on Marra's covers also are very similar to the interior colors of Prey.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvby2nduTZP8nv_v3WQSEe0_ZygnGAxGjrMVXlHAf2N0FejdG7DLPdpsuV6VQ1KPRr1Drji0BwSie-jNTauxNlKVf6ssst5uYpWZjjq0Ftue6drj1Zj37TAfc2buk2s5MQbphttiZ3x7Y/s1600/preypanels2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvby2nduTZP8nv_v3WQSEe0_ZygnGAxGjrMVXlHAf2N0FejdG7DLPdpsuV6VQ1KPRr1Drji0BwSie-jNTauxNlKVf6ssst5uYpWZjjq0Ftue6drj1Zj37TAfc2buk2s5MQbphttiZ3x7Y/s400/preypanels2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597135453339075746" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjcyBRLcPfwXtWIIepcLkXNlK8tCvbzewYxZ1lhSBFKEakY8V30yCmJpyDNMEHPNW5RFgLjG8AnDHSqbFe0-LbRQs0ApqaL6gthreYYEWwimJ7uzvG3yEgYH6hEorA_XN-Tw6XlMwT38/s1600/nightbusiness.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 262px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkjcyBRLcPfwXtWIIepcLkXNlK8tCvbzewYxZ1lhSBFKEakY8V30yCmJpyDNMEHPNW5RFgLjG8AnDHSqbFe0-LbRQs0ApqaL6gthreYYEWwimJ7uzvG3yEgYH6hEorA_XN-Tw6XlMwT38/s400/nightbusiness.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597135453337093650" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx47W1QIzbNZmjn4fd1oDnBr1Pzr7PzHuxuAxdyFuluF3u3ubwUxFJAsXJY9Wr5av6Yo_HfxCqI3v3ITM1gSmnY3iq9GufK0_iniUBaXtcTATRejvg6NqgUlIh88gAUS4T01DabJDsxhk/s1600/preypanels3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 259px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx47W1QIzbNZmjn4fd1oDnBr1Pzr7PzHuxuAxdyFuluF3u3ubwUxFJAsXJY9Wr5av6Yo_HfxCqI3v3ITM1gSmnY3iq9GufK0_iniUBaXtcTATRejvg6NqgUlIh88gAUS4T01DabJDsxhk/s400/preypanels3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597138465460848802" border="0" /></a><br />Marra's drawings are certainly a bit more crude than Gulacy's, but there is a similarity in the approach of the figures and handling of the subject matter that I cannot help but notice. Prey was produced in the early nineties, when the 80's still had a heavy presense in pop culture. Batman: Prey seems to be a product of the time it was created. Perhaps that's why Prey does not have a greater presence today like Batman:Year One or The Dark Knight Returns does, it lacks that timeless quality. Night Business is set in 1983, and I can only assume is intended to emulate the type of comic Prey is (sans the superheroes).<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkp-_pBK0zNipY7e4MPXUiTeeHX9sYJ9GC6Q6Xmm7HQ53w1rf8d5dliJ-44lFipBgDDpG3W5lvSxVnzRHNpfiiMH4bZcKbLTobr_ak_ATQv0F13NDhoxAwiPfw-QqA3TQv4HzRD_lHYaA/s1600/nightbusiness3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 397px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkp-_pBK0zNipY7e4MPXUiTeeHX9sYJ9GC6Q6Xmm7HQ53w1rf8d5dliJ-44lFipBgDDpG3W5lvSxVnzRHNpfiiMH4bZcKbLTobr_ak_ATQv0F13NDhoxAwiPfw-QqA3TQv4HzRD_lHYaA/s400/nightbusiness3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597140750479614914" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE25z6N-b93JXwBnt1IonnOa7OhWhMTavtmJT1wrlO0XY2jXhj7sJUiFDbMPr3upvPJFP_JPmsLTRskLg69I9p5WMoZOJOlB9O0_diClgcXWn8Hy-tGDMu1CQY6JqUzeCYKEg3Gnw94TU/s1600/preypanels.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 388px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE25z6N-b93JXwBnt1IonnOa7OhWhMTavtmJT1wrlO0XY2jXhj7sJUiFDbMPr3upvPJFP_JPmsLTRskLg69I9p5WMoZOJOlB9O0_diClgcXWn8Hy-tGDMu1CQY6JqUzeCYKEg3Gnw94TU/s400/preypanels.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597140742152738706" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdSma4_NmuIzU4JrUzi6NIxxhjbgc8CECEmzMHqDmB3RatmrpbfaCksgnj-KJDq3cFvvi_pTWXJ4iuN6Jv9NmR4foPimenSVhVlJAnzdh88nqBVnBLfyjxUEZ-YX_0o7zk22JGawekfg/s1600/nightbusinnesspanel2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIdSma4_NmuIzU4JrUzi6NIxxhjbgc8CECEmzMHqDmB3RatmrpbfaCksgnj-KJDq3cFvvi_pTWXJ4iuN6Jv9NmR4foPimenSVhVlJAnzdh88nqBVnBLfyjxUEZ-YX_0o7zk22JGawekfg/s400/nightbusinnesspanel2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597140740789682610" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGU3Mign6pKCXlHxkit2ZL-v_kkBYbo6w4Xy9PgFWDjMdBqhdegTvXQO86R68ueoP9_vjqsYuy8d47-WBGxrS05IeiFYgIUiGoMIMw4Kr33peskDsqELSvf7m8KNlBga1zbo56H3xd4d0/s1600/preypanels+4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 255px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGU3Mign6pKCXlHxkit2ZL-v_kkBYbo6w4Xy9PgFWDjMdBqhdegTvXQO86R68ueoP9_vjqsYuy8d47-WBGxrS05IeiFYgIUiGoMIMw4Kr33peskDsqELSvf7m8KNlBga1zbo56H3xd4d0/s400/preypanels+4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5597140746784637266" border="0" /></a><br />I would argue that Marra's action sequences are a little more fluid, more kinetic than Gulacy's which seem a little stuff at times. Marra recently drew a short in Marvel's Strange Tales II. Perhaps this could lead to more mainstream comics work? I would love to see his take on the caped crusader.<br /><br />-Eamoneamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-458094250337328542011-04-04T12:59:00.000-07:002011-04-04T13:41:29.669-07:00The Many Gravestones of the WaynesBatman's appearance, and his world around him, changes drastically depending on what artist draws him. With characters like Batman or Superman I think the feel is generally more important than continuity, but it is interesting how different artists depict the gravestone/stones of the Wayne parents. Sometimes there are two, sometimes the stone is one shared monolithic memorial.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPd87G1zZ_7QoPavHfnoXmZ6GbG7Uwiwd9GK8ieO1Vs8n5mWYscHGonoO0IC5KsEfnrI03Fhuu5QVnMAtysjlPGXWH1CbiAfNnqOyk3hzOYKLT7Z2pZkVsZRt0yGnyROuD1frNQtWBQI/s1600/batmanyear1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 128px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPd87G1zZ_7QoPavHfnoXmZ6GbG7Uwiwd9GK8ieO1Vs8n5mWYscHGonoO0IC5KsEfnrI03Fhuu5QVnMAtysjlPGXWH1CbiAfNnqOyk3hzOYKLT7Z2pZkVsZRt0yGnyROuD1frNQtWBQI/s400/batmanyear1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591821818564954018" border="0" /></a><br />The above panel appears in Batman year one, and is very powerful, especially in the context of the page/issue. Art By David Mazzucchelli and colors by Richmond Lewis.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVc2dxWCfW87tLgU4_JpKnpTE5LwZGBgxlCooZ9cTUat28HzBtmLYf8imzWStTNpteu5dZLjd51Rdr6Bbc9NCy1nUNvLe-LSb1cDxRBfrBZS9M8tA2wwTqsCkomU1saWBvAZ4E7ie0qi0/s1600/batgirl+year+one.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 390px; height: 265px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVc2dxWCfW87tLgU4_JpKnpTE5LwZGBgxlCooZ9cTUat28HzBtmLYf8imzWStTNpteu5dZLjd51Rdr6Bbc9NCy1nUNvLe-LSb1cDxRBfrBZS9M8tA2wwTqsCkomU1saWBvAZ4E7ie0qi0/s400/batgirl+year+one.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591822441515723234" border="0" /></a> Here we have a panel from the final issue of Batgirl year two, Batman finally and formally welcomes Batgirl to the fold, and she finds the reason for the crusade. These tombstones definitely reference the ones in Batman: Year One I'd suspect. Art: Marcos Martin on pencils, Alvaro Lopez on inks and Javier Ridriguez on colors.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx16fDDim4mZy9iOWhZxs5WeY07NASqzcyOLHU1GU_wjR4TFe-UtfmRhgEiVvXFYkqmuS4mzcm45yoBZFaMtVCJsCRSfZ4feLw4PRUBNXb3u4c__brEl6u0EJrCw2zB_-fxV6crAiMKBI/s1600/batman+year+two.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 228px; height: 312px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx16fDDim4mZy9iOWhZxs5WeY07NASqzcyOLHU1GU_wjR4TFe-UtfmRhgEiVvXFYkqmuS4mzcm45yoBZFaMtVCJsCRSfZ4feLw4PRUBNXb3u4c__brEl6u0EJrCw2zB_-fxV6crAiMKBI/s400/batman+year+two.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591823765543331106" border="0" /></a> In the seemingly completely forgotten Batman: Year Two (written by Mike W.Barr with art by Alan Davis and Todd McFarlane) the Wayne family plot undergoes a transformation, both sharing one marker. Certainly easier for Bruce to drape himself over. Above art: Todd Mcfarlane on pencils, Alfredo Alcala on inks and Steve Oliff/Gloria Vasquez on colors.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXX4vrO63o3dyzjzNbPOqEZDrj72bpPSv2kB6qzJJ22ckYmP_esre8gNTZs6HUn3cfhrSgwsHtwgT71x3hZxQIysicYy0iFBAgwOp-IIItO-UZW1a18lKbAipMe_8sAp8IZLH1G4lSq4Y/s1600/longhalloween+copy.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 332px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXX4vrO63o3dyzjzNbPOqEZDrj72bpPSv2kB6qzJJ22ckYmP_esre8gNTZs6HUn3cfhrSgwsHtwgT71x3hZxQIysicYy0iFBAgwOp-IIItO-UZW1a18lKbAipMe_8sAp8IZLH1G4lSq4Y/s400/longhalloween+copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591829783298628114" border="0" /></a><br />Here we have the Wayne plot as seen in the Tim Sale-illustrated, Jeph Loeb written Batman : The Long Halloween. Martha seems to have gotten a much more impressive tomb than Thomas, perhaps an indication of which parent Bruce loved more? Gregory Wright on colors here. (in the context of the comic, Bruce is under the influence of the Scarecrow's fear toxin, and being chased by the police for suspicion of the holiday murders.)<br /><br /><br /><br />Below is an image from Gotham by Gaslight, once again the Waynes share a tombstone. Pencils by Mike Mignola, inks by P. Craig Russell, David Horning on colors and John Workan doing the letters.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8SkmieV3HMEShCOPL2IaS7XxpbtDbG7S9nCv2mqVbxfrMXraewxhg6aR77Y_9lGzJ_eQLVEzckC9XzC1QbF2CIygY4aWaVFqWDf30wCuqR5HO5yi3nyJYHH6Son-XPMJCuIrA90cpwU/s1600/gotham+by+gasight.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 343px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ8SkmieV3HMEShCOPL2IaS7XxpbtDbG7S9nCv2mqVbxfrMXraewxhg6aR77Y_9lGzJ_eQLVEzckC9XzC1QbF2CIygY4aWaVFqWDf30wCuqR5HO5yi3nyJYHH6Son-XPMJCuIrA90cpwU/s400/gotham+by+gasight.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5591827248687456482" border="0" /></a><br />And there we have it! Not an all encompassing collection, but a smattering of examples from my collection. Hope it was interesting!<br /><br />-Eamoneamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5896674382099203541.post-77957548084734917092011-03-24T18:34:00.000-07:002011-07-24T23:11:41.850-07:00Comics I bought on 3.23.2011This Wednesday I purchased my wares at <a href="http://bravenewworldscomics.com/">Brave New Worlds</a> in Old city! Let's Begin shall we?<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtS3CEjaBG_iEm1t3t1v6nptAmD4gDT4x256GABF5trHiRR_8_eqdno-_xKUzhlm1J1soEeF2PO2bTuDnXohzTPRqgcZTYqzOZKkBYyE3HMcF6IDQroxLmMqVkln10BuOHTC6xKLjNe74/s1600/batmaninc4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtS3CEjaBG_iEm1t3t1v6nptAmD4gDT4x256GABF5trHiRR_8_eqdno-_xKUzhlm1J1soEeF2PO2bTuDnXohzTPRqgcZTYqzOZKkBYyE3HMcF6IDQroxLmMqVkln10BuOHTC6xKLjNe74/s400/batmaninc4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587839291490495234" border="0" /></a><br />First on the list is Batman Inc. number 4, by bat-scribe extraordinaire Grant Morrison on writing duties and Chris Burnham on art chores. The issues opens with the new Batwoman (of Batwoman Elegy fame) tracking a crook named Johnny Valentine through the original Batwoman's (Kathy Kane) circus (apparently the original Batwoman ran a circus!). We get a flashback to Kathy Kane's first exposure to Batman and Robin. In the present, Batman and El Gaucho, the Argentinian superhero, are forced to duel with electric brass-knuckles... to the death, or three orphans will drown at the hands of villains El Sombrero and Scorpiana. The issue is filled with flashbacks of the dynamic duo coming into contact with the original Batwoman, and Batman's love affair with the Batwoman, and the forming of a 'bat-family'. Ace the Bat-Hound and Batgirl even make an appearance! But there is more than meets the eye behind Batwoman, and why she is getting so close to the Batman.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnlGXNbTxmZ6HNfKzBpTi5HDi5ECX7lML79GdKMOhE1_vyEhC3E1kTq5ur_nK7DIfDsRXtzkz8cW6pyFeSJa4FEct0IqROngvLUSsOGBDSbu7UohY7qOT2aKPXKs76aJsyECB3Fs-Jog/s1600/sadbatman.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 78px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnlGXNbTxmZ6HNfKzBpTi5HDi5ECX7lML79GdKMOhE1_vyEhC3E1kTq5ur_nK7DIfDsRXtzkz8cW6pyFeSJa4FEct0IqROngvLUSsOGBDSbu7UohY7qOT2aKPXKs76aJsyECB3Fs-Jog/s400/sadbatman.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587839699193178450" border="0" /></a><br />The interesting thing about this issue, or at the very least the most interesting thing to me, are the flashbacks to days of the original dynamic duo and the Bat family. I find it thrilling that Morrison is continuing his trend started in the Black Glove and Batman R.I.P of including all aspects of the character's history. The flashback scenes have a very animated and fun quality to them, and we see some expressions of happiness on The Batman's face, something you don't see very often with the modern version of the character. I also love love love how he draws Robin. Chris Burnham does amazing work in this issue, the characters all have distinct and fun facial features, and the action is conveyed extremely dynamically, no static panels or figures that look as if they have been frozen in their poses by some kind of freeze ray. The introduction of the new Batwoman did seem a tad abrupt to me, and I am wondering how she will fit into the current storyline, and at a certain point it feels like Batman turns on El Gaucho fairly quickly on the word of the villains currently making them punch each other to death...with electric brass knuckles. But nonetheless this was an exciting issue that will once again have me return to Batman Inc. Next issue.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUtDBm2MIBdtEThhLztcbiP0od7dQN03119PStVAJeuiFQMcsiEBPl8QQQ3MkircsZ1RS-Gy5H0wL2l65BNOJkkzpIU5bZl5Ht9iyjnDS_MZ1PIzRMrDpnypmiTJ48o9ZeKg5M5ikqxQ/s1600/batmanrobin.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 266px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQUtDBm2MIBdtEThhLztcbiP0od7dQN03119PStVAJeuiFQMcsiEBPl8QQQ3MkircsZ1RS-Gy5H0wL2l65BNOJkkzpIU5bZl5Ht9iyjnDS_MZ1PIzRMrDpnypmiTJ48o9ZeKg5M5ikqxQ/s400/batmanrobin.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587840531295234514" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I also Picked up FF #1, The Uncanny X-Force #6 and an interesting Captain America one Shot, Captain America and Batroc the Leaper. As an added bonus this one shot has a classic Lee/Kirby Cap story in the back, I found this page to be especially awesome:<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wTMdGVglxj3v5SUFdtYS3pNB_WaDEZCPhz3Za1fucVLYxfD1WI8EhqjbfA1H8VFmgjbrbMTAJbJ3pk0Y0pPWcZLtr5c6SwdPOCJcGan4JdL4IZ54XHTomhVjyFrKkku5Lsu4NvPFtZ0/s1600/capvbatroc.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 272px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3wTMdGVglxj3v5SUFdtYS3pNB_WaDEZCPhz3Za1fucVLYxfD1WI8EhqjbfA1H8VFmgjbrbMTAJbJ3pk0Y0pPWcZLtr5c6SwdPOCJcGan4JdL4IZ54XHTomhVjyFrKkku5Lsu4NvPFtZ0/s400/capvbatroc.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5587841368694216898" border="0" /></a> I really like how Cap is crouched and circling his enemy in that last panel.<br /><br />-Eamoneamonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09968460314852750976noreply@blogger.com1