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April Comic Picks:
First Down is Marvel

This time I decided I am not going to talk about the same things I have been getting but rather new books or starting points.

MOON KNIGHT #1 (32 PGS. ...$2.99)- This is definetly not a must have for me. Rather it is a chance to get to explore a character I have hardly seen written by novelist Charlie Huston. And drawn by the immensily talented Bryan Hitch... drooool does not even begin to describe. Then there is that discount (hate to keep being smug) that gets me this on the fence issue for 74 cents.

NEW AVENGERS ANNUAL #1 (48 PGS. ...$3.99)- I am tingly over this issue. Not only is this the only Avengers book I have continuously read. But this is the first book to get the revamp annual treatment. And rightly so. You could do alot worse than this... if it is made like Marvel has said they intend to, then this will be both a great jumping on point, and an addition to what has already been told.

DC Offerings to note:

SEVEN SOLDIERS #1 (On sale April 5 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99)- This is going to be more than just a comic. This is a one man event, and while alot of necessary story has already been told (in at least 4 mini-series). So I am crossing my fingers that Grant Morrison at least tries to leave something for those of us with limited budgets to catch up on.

EX MACHINA SPECIAL #1 (On sale April 19 • 1 of 2 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99)- I am very excited about this. For those who don't know Brian K. Vaughan scripts this comic, and I have heard nothing but good things. A fresh concept... constructed with a more mature reader in mind. I am hoping this is the great way to catch up that I want it to be.

BITE CLUB: VAMPIRE CRIME UNIT #1 (On sale April 19 • 32 pages, $2.99)- Well, this is Howard Chaykin... I know that much. I really wish I had saved the solicitation blurb. Because at this point I am left to simply tell the truth... I am purchasing this 99% because of the cover. (link above)


BOOM STUDIOS gives us:

TALENT #1- Okay, let me lay some plot out here. This will be a comic about the lone survivor of a plane crash, who gains the "talents" of everyone else on the plane. Now this is one of those concepts that could be deliciously good or horribly awful. But at the very least the art will knock your socks off. From the same great talent who was the artist for Grounded. This is a guy to follow... unique and raw. And really primed to go places.


DARK HORSE COMICS:

ARCHENEMIES #1 (32 pages, $2.99, in stores on April 5)- Your roommate is also your archenemy. What's a superhero to do? And it doesn't help that in your secret identities you are best friends... oh wait, no you aren't, not even close. Watch out Felix and Oscar, here comes the Good, the Bad, and the Roomies. Don't I make it sound fun? Well, it should be, anyway.

I already mentioned Family Guy, bit of a correction though. It's 48 pages instead of the solicited 64. I can't be the only one who thinks that is a big difference.

ONI PRESS:

MY INNER BIMBO #1 (32 pages, BW, $2.99)- Oni Press is known for its bizarre yet pleasant stories that are more about exploration of the creator's vision then making some corporate scratch. Anyway this one looked pretty neat. And I seem to remember hearing good things about Sam Keith... I want to say he was the artist and writer for Pitt. Can't be sure though.

Family Guy Comic: Big Deal?

This completely baffles me. Not that there is a Family Guy comic, which I have known about for some time, but rather that the lid seems to be blown off. And I can't figure out why this is the case. I suppose because a date has been decided... more information given. But not so much more to warrant all this coverage.

Maybe I won't complain if the upcoming Highlander comic gets as much coverage. People think I am nuts about that. And the thing of it is, I am not in the loop, no more than anyone else who reads comics and keeps an eye on things, but this just makes the sites seem a bit behind... and really repetitive. I suppose it is more than likely that Devil's Due Publishing sent this out, and thus it was passed on as if it were out of the blue, but it is hardly the case at all.

I suppose I should do an info dump, I planned on getting this for awhile. Glad it is new material and by a writer for the show.

DEVIL'S DUE PUBLISHING FOR APRIL

FAMILY GUY: VOLUME 1

By Matt Fleckenstein and Benjamin Phillips.
The Family Guy steps out of the TV screen and into a new bimonthly series from Devil's Due! Each of the three volumes in this series focuses on one of the star characters, and their views on life... however skewed they may be! Want advice from Peter or Stewie? Probably not, but they're going to give it to you anyway! In between these hilarious one- on-one segments are stories rivaled only by the TV show itself. Written by Matt Fleckenstein, staff writer for the animated series!

64 pages, $6.95.

Love the irony that I am essentially doing the same thing. ;^)

What Not To Do

Okay, so you know I mentioned not to long ago that I don't like to come right out and say someone is just riding the wave of another person's idea. But this April solicit for Aspen is obviously trying to snag some of the success of Fell. Now, normally I would be all for this, I would be behind this book just as I was Fell. But read on, and I think you will figure out exactly why I am not.

From Aspen in April










SHRUGGED: BEGINNINGS

Written by Michael Turner, pencils by Micah Gunnell, inks by Jason Gorder, colors by Beth Sotelo.

From the same creative mind that brought you Fathom and Soulfire , comes the next wondrous step in comic-book entertainment! For every right, there is a wrong. For every action, there is a reaction. For every up, there is a down. And for every decision Theo makes, there is someone making the decisions for himŠ.and all of us! Welcome to Perspecta, and the reason behind your wildest thoughts and darkest desires. If you thought you knew anything about our world, think again! It's about to be turned upside down, and that little voice inside your head is about to get much louder! Join artists Micah Gunnell, Jason Gorder, Beth Sotelo and creator Michael Turner as this 7-page introductory story (with added bonus sketch material and designs) opens your eyes to a whole new beginning!
16 pages, $1.99.

Thoughts?

Comics to Come (1-11-06)

This is actually comics from last week and comics coming this week.

Shipped Last Week: January 5, 2006

DC COMICS:

HARD TIME SEASON TWO #2 $2.50- It feels like I just expressed how much I enjoy this series. And in fact I did, a couple of blogs ago. This really is quite an inventive series. It is very different from my usual superhero series. It has a nice sardonic wit, ever wild and inventive plots, and a dark twisted setting that has me intrigued from page one.

MARVEL

MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #11 $2.50- This, at least by appearances, will be Sean McKeever's second to last issue. Which also makes it my second to last issue. It has been a fun ride, and I hope that McKeever makes his finale issue as exciting as all his other issues. I think all together he will have had a six issue run, which is plenty for me to keep and appreciate.

MARVEL TEAM-UP #16 $2.99- This title is very much a case of having an easy sell, to having surprisingly cult, but still strong enough audience to continue. To all the Geekspeak guys recommending it. When I started talking about this title I thought it was time wasted, I mean with a first and second issue with Wolverine and Spidey on the cover I thought it would at least have fanboy buzz and beyond that all the people that buy anything Wolverine or anything Spidey would keep it going. And then it became just the book I hoped it would, a who's who of the Marvel Universe, with strong and silly and inventive stories to boot. When all is said and done I hope this title stays around for a long time.

Shipping This Week: January 11, 2006

DC COMICS

DESOLATION JONES #5 (MR) $2.99- I have not talked about this book for awhile (mainly because of its shipping schedule) but the saying rings true, absence makes the heart grow fonder. This is the kind of series that one can forget that they like so much. It has a dirtbag likeable character surrounded by nicer looking yet equally corrupt souls. The plot is a mystery wrapped in an enigma... the only thing one can be sure of is that Jones will come out on top (it is his book after all).

MARVEL

CABLE DEADPOOL #24 $2.99- This book is guest-starring Spidey. Spider-Man Deadpool might have been a more fitting title. I have had a fondness for Deadpool since his appearances with Daredevil. A funny man to DD's serious persona. Well, with this newest pairing expect to be tripping over quips, and ducking the sharpness of cutting wit.

EXILES #75 $2.99- 2099. 2099! Nuff said.

SHE-HULK 2 #4 $2.99- This is going to be a doozy of an issue following the last one. Not only do Jen and the readers have to catch back up, but we will also be dealing with (at least a bit I hope) this role that Jen plays in a future war. Also who is the mystery Avenger that She-Hulk brought back from time limbo?

SON OF M #2 (OF 6) $2.99- Two David Hine books this week. After a strong first issue we get to see who else wants to find Quicksilver and give him his due. He is responsible for the reality altering House of M, of course now that his wife has found him, he might well be in the dog house.

X-MEN THE 198 #1 (OF 5) $2.99- This book follows the group of mutants sheltering themselves in Xaviers mansion, who have dubbed themsevelves The 198, which is the (estimated) number of mutants that they think is still on the planet Earth. This is also Hine's second book this week, so I have expectations of good characterisation, and a strong story.

http://media.libsyn.com/media/comicgeekspeak/cgs-episode101.mp3

2005 In Review

I really hate these focuses, and I don't just mean doing them over the year, I mean when anyone does them. Because some really good things get glossed over or forgotten entirely. It takes that mind for trivia or things of that nature to remember just exactly what happened two or three months ago, much less an entire year. So, I am not going to do that, mainly because I am too tired. And also even when feeling my best it would be a lousy attempt.

One trend I have enjoyed for 2005 was the stand-alone crossovers. While this is probably the world's biggest oxymoron. I think it has been successful, and should continue. I think the comics community has seen it could be done with Identity Crisis and gone on from there. Mini-series that are the event... you don't need anything else. Keep it up, and keep letting me know that I can go it solo. Test the waters as it were.

Bringing back the fun. I am sure this is on some people's lists as a horrible thing. But I cannot remember the last time I have had so much fun reading comics. 2005 was a good year. And I have to admit I am reading books I never thought I would read. Books like (to pimp out once again) She-Hulk, New Warriors, Ultimates, Runaways, Young Avengers, New Avengers, Daredevil (just kidding), GLA, Gravity, Mary Jane... the list could go on... and on.

Fell. This one got its own paragraph, by far one of the best series to come out 2005. And yet again added another writer to my radar who I probably would have always stayed away from, and now I have to fight off not buying, Warren Ellis is a prolific writer. If you are not buying this... there is just nothing else I can say. If you read one comic... let it be Fell. It's $1.99 and it is full of goodness. The most dense read of my month, and it also has the least pages... beautifully set-up. It is a bargain. I know it is recent... but I am hoping it starts a trend in 2006.

Creator over character. This is a trend I should have been following along time ago. Why it did not occur to me that if you like Mark Millar, or Dan Slott, Sean McKeever... buy their books (oops... Robert Kirkman too *wink*). You might get one or two series that you are not thrilled with. But it is alot better than my trend of: buy Daredevil... and suffer, until something better comes along.

Looking Forward. I don't think I said in 1995, that 1996 was going to be a great year. And it was, Kesel and Nord on DD *drool*. I don't think I said in 1998, that 1999 was going to be a great year. And it was, Kevin Smith on DD. But 2006, I can't wait! I am getting tired of events, but damn... when you got Mark Millar taking the helm... you can at least have the safe bet it will knock your socks off. Who's side are you on? 1985. If you don't know what I am talking about, keep your eyes on this blog... you will! And DC even got me, after much staring at my wallet, and looking at the amount of comics DC wanted you to get to "jump in" to Infinite Crisis! At least 200 and some dollars for the pre-show folks.

After all that, I am so freakin' psyched for 52! A comic put out every week for a year. The fabulous covers of J. H. Williams III, three very accomplished writers taking the helm, and one series for a (real time) year's worth of DC in one book. This is a very risky idea. But this is like the fanboy dream of "jumping on" title. Never read a DC book? This one book, a whole universe, an expertly plotted year. It's insane! I love it. This is one book that people can finally say, and with a great deal of credibility, "In 2006, 52 was pretty damn cool."

I might get to those further reviews (mentioned in the previous entry) but being this tired makes me a bitter reader, and taints my perception. Couldn't tell by this post though, eh?

2 Weeks in Review

This is Panel to Panel reviews in the order my comics were read. And actually right after reading. Let me warn you... this is a long one. So get ready hold on to your, well... whatever you have to grab. Oh and if you haven't read these, then you might want to, "Move along... this is not the blog entry your looking for."

First off, Daredevil #81- Wow! I mean that is all I can think to say. The suspense... the tension it was all magnified to the billionth degree. There was only one character in control, only one man knew the outcome. And he is a fat, smug and manipulative bastard, who I hope no one affectionately calls the Kingpin. Who would have thought what could happen to one man could turn so many peoples' world upside down. A fate worse than death. Okay, I got a lot of friends, so hopefully that one was nice and cryptic. I also, and damn me for saying this, but I think this is a great jumping on point for new readers... read the first page and just fly by the seat of your pants from there on out, that is what I did.

Amazing Spider-Man #527- Part 9 of 12 of the Other. I have to say, I am a little pissed. Not in the "oh the Goblin screwed Gwen Stacy pissed", but in the "oh sweet lord not again" pissed. For those of you unfamiliar with when J. Michael Strazynski first came on to Spider-Man. He had a pretty wild start. Basically taking Spidey's origin and turning it on its head. And all with one simple question... did the spider get blasted by radiation and that gave Peter Parker his powers, or did the spider already have powers and instinctively want to pass them on before death. Well, more recently, Peter has been forced to embrace the spider part of his powers... more importantly the effects he was unknowingly hiding. Since he got his powers as a teen it was explained that he got all the cool powers: Speed, Strength, Agility... Wall Climbing, and just... stopped there. For fear of what else might come along that would not be so cool. Well now, he has to face this part of him he has let lay dormant... and it may be that the spider has taken over entirely. So the question now becomes, "Is he a man embracing the Spider, or the spider embracing the Man." Basically. is even Peter Parker anymore? I know. it makes my head hurt too, and damn JMS... you had to drag this out from the beginning of your run, you better damn well answer this time.

Young Avengers Special #1- Well one thing I will say, way to start it off Marvel. First page... Boom... Gaydos art. I think Marvel knows they have talent with that guy, and I could not agree more. This book is another one that would make a fine jumping on point for the curious reader, and at this point, I don't think I will ever leave this book. It embraces the Marvel Universe, creating connections and bonds to the past with a passion that is always contagious. If you want to feel Marvel history in your finger tips. Pick this up, and enjoy. A fine cast of characters, of all kinds.

(Sorry this next one is so long but each story deserved a bit of a spotlight)
Lucky Bamboo Presents #0- This was quite a surprise, I have been waiting on this book for a long long time. And let me tell you, it is a nice package, just feeling the cover... made my hands shiver a bit. I don't think it is cardstock, it is the type of cover that when you run your fingers across it is soft, not slick like most of the expensive covers today. It just feels worthy of one's time even before it is opened. It was good to start with Hellfire as it seems to be the most pleasing on the eyes, I think it grabs attention quite nicely. And from a sense of story, it is the one that I think would most leave a new reader wanting more. A nice modern take on a very unique female character as well, and if there is one statement that can define all of these characters, it is unique.

The next story "The Way of the Sword" tells a nicely executed origin story, it combines quite a few fears... fear of being alone, feeling helpless... the sheer uncaring method of tragedy. And the triumph of fighting to make it out alive. If there is one thing that displeased me about this story, it was where the second part of it ended up. Already immersed in her adult life, and not knowing where she was, and only part of how and why... it left me wanting more, in that case mission accomplished.

The third story I knew months ago was going to be my favorite. It was about a private detective Sam Falcon, detective to mystical lands. The one factor that I was judging closely was the dialogue... as cliche and over-used as it may be, I love the narration of Philip Marlowe and Sam Spade. And Fiona Avery captures that with an amusing and yet again, more modern skill. I could not get into the art at first. Something about it just took me out of the story. I got used to it, but all the same something about it just did not sit well with me. I think I have been spoiled by that fantastic Amanda Conner image on the cover, and who wouldn't be? I am still a bit upset that Sam Falcon will be the last of these series published, but at least I know the others will also be good while I wait.
(Thus ends this review)

Hard Time: Season Two #1- This was a wonderfully written first issue choosing to launch the reader straight into a gruesome example of prison life. And telling the reader right off if they are ready to take the ride into something dark and brutal. Then things get decidely more relateable. as Ethan Harrow (our main character) is asked to tell a pair of workers for the Prisoners' Rights Foundation just exactly how, at sixteen, he found himself in prison. This was both a recap and an expansion of what has been told before. So even the faithful reader of the previous series gets enjoyment. And anyone can find a way to relate to Ethan's dismal high school experiences. It's not often I can decide to keep a series based on the premiere issue alone, but this one allowed me to do that easily.

Grounded #1 (second printing)- Now comes the part of the blog where I cry. (I know, again) But I am so mad I missed out on this. This has to be my favorite comic, ever. It just fits me so well, it is like the writer picked me out of a crowd, and wrote a comic for me (changing all the names, places, and events to protect the innocent). All the same though, this was so cool. I wish I would have seen it five or ten years ago. Hell, I wish I would have been able to get it months and months ago when it came out. I am not going to say anything else... seek ... find... if anything find more for me.

Runaways #11- Okay this would be alot easier if I just professed my love to all my comics. This is another great issue, but for those of you who regularly read this blog, then you know Runaways has always been a great read, and talk about cliffhangers... I can't think of a book that does them better. I am not going to say it needs your support, I suppose it might, but man this book kicks butt. One word... Wolverine... last page... trouble. Okay that is like four words... and Wolverine is everywhere anyway, but this is still worth checking out. Definetly.

Exiles #74- Do you see that... you see my font dancing? Ooooh Exiles is so good. And this month Nightmask (from New Universe) took the spotlight, and it was a thing of beauty. Sometimes the person with a seemingly less effective power can be the one to turn the tide. I hope that when Warren Ellis does his New Universal series that Nightmask remains. Oh and next... *drool* the honest to goodness original 2099! Good glory. I love me some Exiles!

Fallen Angel #1- What a strange and breath taking journey this book is. I am not sure if it is approachable as one review has said, but it does make one stop and take notice. Peter David tells his narrative through one of my favorite characters from Bete Noir. Only because he reminds me of the slimy character from Casablanca, the one who has Rick hide the tickets and then is murdered. Anyway, if you know who I am talking about picture his voice as you read the narrative. It was always one of my favorite things to do. I think I enjoy this book, it really should not even be questioned... I love to read Peter David, so I am really hoping Fallen Angel rises to the ocassion. Give it a try, let me know what you think.

More coming soon ... lots more.