The official trailer for Fear Itself. The only thing that would have been better would be if Marvel could have had Samuel L. Jackson narrate it. (They should have totally put it into his Nick Fury contract.)
- SJD
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Now they must face BPRD, a team that, while seeded at #2, has still managed to surprise many by annihilating nearly all of its competitors! Including the #1 seeded Planetary! Though that last match was admittedly a little closer, only being decided by six votes! But now they must face the legend that is the JLA. Voting for the second game of the Final Four ends on Saturday, April 2, at midnight! And remember, it’s a wide open question and you can choose your own criteria as to who the best comic book superhero team is: the strongest, smartest, the most important, your own personal favorite, whatever!
Loved the KICK-ASS 2 #2 cover. Warning: This book contains Greatness! Alas, it only contained goodness and does not make my nominations today. The framing sequence to AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #657 dealing with the death of Johnny Storm and Spidey joining the FF did contain greatness but only consisted of six pages as the rest was untold tales so it also doesn’t get nominated by me. And the best line of the week goes to the editors note on the first page of ACTION COMICS #899. Everyone in space is talking through the miracle of wireless, needless to say. DUH. Of course they are. Time for the Nominees. AGE OF X UNIVERSE #1 (OF 2) – Meet the Age of X Avengers! Iron Man. Captain America. Sue Richards. And the Hullk Spinoffs are scary. Never fear! It was excellent. And it’s not too late to get on the Age of X bandwagon. AMERICAN VAMPIRE #13 – Best issue of the series so far! And it’s been a good series. Ghost War Part One takes us to 1943 and World War II. Pearl’s husband, Henry Preston, is too old to serve in the regular army so he gets sent on a special assignment toTaipan. Seems it’s a hotbed for vampire activity. Love that the story keeps moving forward in time. Can’t wait for the ’70s! And it would be awesome if they sped past 2011 and we got American Vampire 2050 around issue #30! AVENGERS #11 – Squeaks into the nominations today. Very interesting comic. Plot is still the Hood collecting Infinity gems. Virtually all narrated by the Watcher which means it was narrated by Mr. Bendis himself. Hey, if everyone is talking in the same voice anyway… Comic was virtually all one panel pages. Very little dialogue. Thought it worked and the ending was highly appropriate. DEADPOOL TEAM-UP #883 – The last issue of the series goes out with a bang as Deadpool becomes a herald of Galactus. Absolutely hilarious. Deadpool is in debt. Only job he can find is as said Herald. And while Deadpool enjoys destroying worlds, Galactus quickly gets fed up with his antics which leads to a Cosmic Deadpool vs. the Silver Surfer confronation! Inside tweets all week! Enjoy! GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #21 – The Harley Quinn breaking into Arkham to reunite with the Joker storyline going on right now in Gotham City Sirens has been good. And this issue was great. Loved the art. Did some creative pages. Had some full page pinups. First page set the tone. And the issue ended on a happy note. JIMMY OLSEN #1 – In the battle of the now defunct back-up stories I will go with Jimmy Olsen over Jim Gordon in Detective Comics. Did include all the previously published issues from Action Comics and was the complete story. Seven days in the life of Jimmy Olsen. Plus Chloe and Maggy Mxyzptlk. Very enjoyable read. SCALPED #47 – Once again Scalped reintroduces a character we haven’t seen in a while. One-eyed Dino this time around. And once again by page three I was totally hooked into the story. Not sure what happened to the Red Crow mayoral challenge, doesn’t matter, plot is building and it’s simply Scalped! TERRY MOORES ECHO #29 – The gang is trying to stop the group from opening up a Black Hole and destroying the Earth and it looks like Annie will be doing it naked in the final issue of the series next month. ULTIMATE COMICS X #4 – Attempted to win the award for latest comic ever! Didn’t quite win. Ghost Rider #82 at 20 years delayed is very difficult to beat. And did someone say All Star Batman? Anyway. It was awesome. Actual Art Adams art. And I loved the story. Mom monologues. She hooked up with the Blob earlier in life and is now raising his kids. WALKING DEAD #83 – It is ALL RICK’S FAULT!!!! And I am not happy. Conversation on Sunday. Tell you all about it then. See ya! Rusty This animated film focuses on more than just Hal Jordan and comes out in June, just in time to compliment the actual Green Lantern live-action film. Nathan Fillion is voicing Hal Jordan, and oddly enough he was my personal top pick to play Hal in the non-animated version. I’ll take what I can get, but DC looks like they have another animated hit on their hands. Oh, and Henry Rollins is voicing Kilowog! - SJD
It might be unfair to say this early on, but I really hope I don’t get a case of Event Fatigue. I have been conditioned by Marvel and DC to distrust events and I cannot seem to shake these feelings. I say it is unfair because I liked Marvel’s last superhero event in Siege. Not only was it a good finale to the Dark Reign era of the Marvel U, but the ramifications of that short and fun series have echoed throughout the books ever since. This can specifically be seen in titles like Thor, Captain America, Secret Avengers and Iron Man. I am a little concerned about Fear Itself; though, so I thought I would write about what we know about the book and also cover the kinds of things I hope to see.
No matter. Now they have to take on the most powerful (not to mention popular) team in the entire tournament. Good luck, suckers! Voting for the first game of the Final Four ends on Friday, April 1, at midnight! Cast your votes after the jump and be sure to look for the other Final Four match tomorrow! And remember, it’s a wide open question and you can choose your own criteria as to who the best comic book superhero team is: the strongest, smartest, the most important, your own personal favorite, whatever!
Previously, as I’m sure you recall, there had been 90 people staffing this particular department (it’s a big operation, you have no idea), but now we’re down to a skeleton crew of just 3 1/2: myself, the copy boy, Ginger Nut, and the cat, who barely does any work at all, takes long lunches and comes in late every single day. (Typical.) But that doesn’t mean you’ll get less of a column! NO SIR! We are forging ahead and will continue to bring you the best comic book cover-related comedy anywhere on the tubes! (And of course the occasional foray into absolutely nonsensical introductions.) Now, on to the show. GODZILLA: KINGDOM OF MONSTERS #1 Cover by Alex Ross Funny, this is a fully painted cover, utilizing every weapon that the award-winning and consummate professional Alex Ross has in his arsenal. And yet it still somehow manages to look like just a guy in a rubber costume! Was that the original creator’s concept? "I want him to look tall… green… and rubbery. I WILL see this vision to come life!" Or perhaps this is just Ross’ take on Godzilla and the rubbery-ness is 100% intentional. If so, Ross has a great sense of humor.
To begin with, we have Terry Moore’s Echo #29, which gets top honors this week. This is the second-to-last issue of the best sci-fi comic currently coming out. Moore has effectively combined the brilliant characterizations and relationships that made Strangers In Paradise awesome with straight science fiction madness and delivered one of the best titles in recent memory. As I reported in a previous news column the creator is already hard at work on a new horror comic called Rachel Rising, but I still cannot wait to see how Echo comes to a close. If I didn’t already bite my nails, anticipation for the finale of Echo would probably cause me to start. We also have a double dose of Scott Snyder action with Detective Comics #875 and American Vampire #13! Jock is back on a new story arc in Detective, featuring a new villain for Dick Grayson. And over in American Vampire, Henry Preston, Pearl’s human hubby, joins a vampire hunting unit during WWII to fight a new breed of vampires on a remote Japanese island. Throw in Skinner Sweet for good measure and this new arc should be awesome. Snyder is the best new writer at DC, and his comics are worth it every time!
It was kind of a surprise when it first came out, as Rusty mentioned back then, and so we didn’t have many issues in stock. But this week we’re getting the fourth issue and we now have the first three in stock here at the store so you can read the whole thing! HALCYON #4 What caused crime, war and violence in the world to vanish? Who or what is responsible? All is revealed in this groundbreaking issue by Marc Guggenheim (No Ordinary Family), Tara Butters (Reaper), Ryan Bodenheim (Red Mass for Mars) and Alisa Tager (Serenity). Image Comics’ Halcyon #4 comes in on Wednesday!
At any rate, an issue of Kick-Ass is always an event! And look at the cover! This book contains greatness! KICK-ASS 2 #2 Written by Mark Millar The sequel to the New York Times best-selling comic–which spawned the hit movie–continues! When Dave Lizewski put on his mask and became Kick-Ass, he never imagined things would go this far. Now Dave comes face-to-face with a world he helped bring about, as his dreams of a world of superheroes come true… but will those dreams turn to nightmares? Don’t miss the comic book event of the year! Plus: Hit-Girl! Marvel Comics’ Kick-Ass 2 #2 comes in on Wednesday! This week Dark Horse is releasing the DOLLHOUSE: EPITAPHS one-shot, a continuation of the Fox television show of the same name and a precursor to the upcoming comics miniseries!
Epitaphs is a great introduction to a new world order created by technology gone awry and the destruction that ensues, with humanity’s salvation in the hands of a few brave survivors. DOLLHOUSE EPITAPHS ONE SHOT Written by Maurissa Tancharoen and Jed Whedon Having penned the show’s final, post-apocalyptic episode, show writers Maurissa Tancharoen and Jed Whedon continue the tale of three survivors in a world overcome by a devastating technological virus. The wealthy and powerful could buy any kind of companionship at the Dollhouses, where the Rossum Corporation paid young people to have their minds wiped clean and be imprinted with computer-enhanced personalities and skills-all according to a buyer’s request. Now the technology has gone viral, wiping the minds of everyone it reached, turning them into mindless butchers. Those who’ve avoided the call must try to survive their friends and families if they hope to destroy Rossum and save the world. Dark Horse Comics’ Dollhouse Epitaphs comes in on Wednesday!
Thanks again to all who’ve participated!
Looks like a lighter week over at DC, but we do get the next chapter in the War of the Green Lanterns with Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #8! Also, Detective Comics #875, Action Comics #899 and three solid Vertigo titles: Scalped #47, American Vampire #13 and Jack of Fables #50. Finally, hard not to be stoked for Walking Dead #83 and Halcyon #4 from Image! And of course we’re set to get Previews. The full list follows… Time for the April Trade Paperback Whiz Bang! I know. I know. It’s not quite April yet. The Cosmic Madness winner will be taking center stage in the Whiz Bang next week so we’re a tad bit early!
Talking comics after the break. It was a great week of books.
Thanks again to all who’ve participated!
We’ve long referred to Planetary as the greatest comic ever and the titular team was the favorite to take this region. At the same time, Hellboy’s employer, BPRD, has one heck of a following all its own… with good reason! The time has come to decide between them. Voting for the Everything Else regional championship ends on Wednesday, March 30, at midnight! And remember, it’s a wide open question and you can choose your own criteria as to who the best comic book superhero team is: the strongest, smartest, the most important, your own personal favorite, whatever!
In addition to The Iron Age, writer Rob Williams is working on Skaar: King of the Savage Land mini-series, will be soon taking over Daken: Dark Wolverine, and will also be writing the new Ghost Rider ongoing series that starts this summer. Looks like Marvel is wasting no time in getting him settled! In one of the worse kept secrets at DC Comics, Geoff Johns announced at Megacon that after Brightest Day his next series will be Aquaman. Aquaman #1 will be out later this year. Like you did not see that one coming. Right.
Buffy is a much more powerful force apparently, having taken out Scooby Doo, the Pet Avengers AND the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. While the Secret Society has beaten the Masters of Evil, the Incredibles and the Marvel Zombies. Now they face off for the Pop Culture title! Vote it up! The Pop Culture regional championship ends on Tuesday, March 29, at midnight! And remember, it’s a wide open question and you can choose your own criteria as to who the best comic book superhero team is: the strongest, smartest, the most important, your own personal favorite, whatever!
In Ultimate Spider-Man #156 we finally get Cap and Spidey meeting up, and it was awesome with each character acting exactly as they should. We also finally understand how the Ultimate vs. Avengers ties-in to the Death of Spidey. They’ll be busy fighting each other while Spidey deals with the Sinister Six. Thought the whole issue was great and set us up for two great issues of knock-down drag-out action going forward. I still have no clue why the past three issues were also labeled Death of Spider-Man. The actual story kicks off this issue and I cannot wait to see where it goes from here. Speaking of Cap, Captain America #615.1 brought us a great recap and nice jumping-on point going forward. I, and many others, have enjoyed Bucky’s trial but was annoyed by the wallowing in the past and Bucky’s incompetence. Here we get one of the oldest American stories, and one of the best. The old soldier whose time has passed and wants to hang it up, but realizes that duty and honor compel him to get back in the fight. An old story but really well-executed, and all planned by that dastardly Nick Fury. Looking forward to seeing where Cap goes from here, and I hope it’s not off to Russia with Bucky.
Thanks again to all who’ve participated! Look for the Everything Else regional championship to kick off tomorrow! |
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The Justice League of America. Arguably the DEFINITIVE superhero team, boasting names like Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern… heck, basically all the heavy hitters of the DCU. No surprise they took down the DC Comics region of Cosmic Madness.
A potentially huge occurrence in the comic book world yesterday. I would highly suggest reading your comics. Now on with the show…
FEAR ITSELF is nearly upon us. A week from today it will descend from the sky and engulf the Marvel Universe like Galactus at an all-you-can-eat buffet..jpg)
Prepare yourselves for a fantastic week of comics, since that is exactly what you are going to get!
A little while ago, the first issue of Image Comics’ HALCYON came out and we were very impressed. The series explored questions like: What happens when the superheroes win? What happens once there is no crime, no war? It’s a very cool premise and the execution has been outstanding.
It’s been a while since the first issue of Kick-Ass’s second series came out… five months to be exact! But this Wednesday we’re set to get KICK-ASS 2 #2, and it’s hard not to be stoked about that. Mark Millar and John Romita’s bloody superhero comedy has always had a special place in our hearts, and they renewed that place back in October when the first issue came out; it featured a .jpg)
Epitaphs resumes Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse television series following the spread of a technological virus that turns humans into mindless "butchers." The comic is set in a postapocalyptic landscape where we witness how the world changed and how people survived in the days following the demise of civilized society. This one-shot continues from where the show left off, just as the apocalypse reared its ugly head, and reintroduces characters from fan-favorite episodes—Epitaph One and Epitaph Two—that took place a decade after the initial spread of the virus.
A big week next week for Marvel’s Icon imprint, as we’re set to get Kick Ass 2 #2, Scarlet #5 and Incognito: Bad Influences #5! A solid line-up with stellar creative talent. Also from Marvel, the long-lost Ultimate Comics X #4! Plus, Age of X Universe #1, Amazing Spider-Man #657 and, following up on this week’s Point One issues, Captain America #616 and Thor #621.
Written by Mark Millar. Drawn by John Romita Jr. Who are also the creative team behind Kick-Ass. Which is highly appropriate cause the much delayed, much anticipated, and much asked about, Kick Ass #2 also comes out Wednesday!
There is a new project coming from Marvel called the Iron Age. The project finds the world being destroyed, but not before Iron Man escapes using the very time machine that caused the planet’s destruction to begin with. This all happens in The Iron Age: Alpha by writer Rob Williams and artist Rebekah Issacs. Following that, Iron Man will be traveling through time gathering heroes from past Marvel eras in the Marvel U to help fix things and save the world. These stories will be told in a series of six one-shots after Alpha. Williams is writing the two bookends of the series and two of the one-shots. Expect to see the Dark Pheonix, the Byrne era Cyclops, modern and classic Luke Cage and Iron Fist, and Johnny Storm (he may be dead but this is Time Travel after all).
Normally I don’t like to pick the same book month after month. Variety is the spice of life, after all, and I hate being redundant. But the best book I read this week was an oldie but a goodie: Batman Streets of Gotham #21. We finally got the end of "House of Hush" and it was worth the wait. All the little plot threads are tied together, and we get a cool villain, a new status quo for Hush, and all the old Wayne history finally seems to make sense. Just a great issue.
