Blog #7: AMC's 'Comic Book Men'

Just watched the new AMC series 'Comic Book Men' which is a reality series shot in New Jersey at Kevin Smith's 'Secret Stash' comic store. I really love this show!! I am not a fan of reality shows but this one is fantastic. I love going to comic book stores and this series is all about a comic store and those people who work and hang out there. I am definitely going to be following this series. I recently watched episode 2 and I really am digging this show. I am a huge Kevin Smith fan to begin with but aside from him I'm liking everyone else on this reality series. I know it's a staged reality show, but at this point which reality show isn't staged anymore? It is a real comic book store and these are the real guys who run it, granted some of the 'guest stars' are no doubt being payed to show up but still it is a interesting show to watch. You can tell it's produced by AMC because that store seems littered with 'The Walking Dead' comics and toys. This is a fun series and a perfect companion to 'The Walking Dead' TV show.

 

Also there is a podcast you can listen to which ties in with this series. The podcast I'm referring to is yet another podcast from Kevin Smith's 'Smodcast' network and it is called 'I Sell Comics'. It is a podcast recorded in New Jersey at Kevin Smith's 'Secret Stash' comic book store. It's a great concept to have a podcast about comics recorded at an actual comic book store during business hours. A very fun listen and the hosts are Mike and Ming from 'Comic Book Men'. The guest stars of this show so far have been customers who join in on the conversation, and people who work on the TV series. I'm hoping that Kevin Smith will stop in on the podcast as he has not yet This show is very much a companion piece to the AMC reality series being filmed there.

 

Anywho again this is a great show! Check it out Sunday Nights on AMC after 'The Walking Dead'.

 

 

Blog #6: Peter David's 'Hulk'

Growing up I was a huge fan of comic books and my absolute favorite comic book was the 'Incredible Hulk' written by Peter David. I never missed an issue from March 1993 till January 1999. Peter David is an New York Times best selling author who is probably best known for his 'Star Trek' novels. David wrote the Hulk for 12 years from 1986 to 1998. Much to my disappointment he left the book over creative differences and wrote the best Hulk comic ever in his final issue. The Hulk character was created in 1962 by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby but it was writer Peter David that really defined the character and made him more than just a dumb green savage beast. Did you know that originally the Hulk was grey and not green. His skin color was changed to green because green was a cheaper color to print than grey. Peter David created a fascinating back story to the Hulk. And I am going to get my chance to meet him this year at the Calgary Comic & Entertainment Expo. I am very excited to meet him, and I am hoping to get a photo taken with this legend of Comic Writing. I'm hoping to get a chance to ask him about comic writing as this is a field I am very interested in trying to get into. 

Anyway this is what every one should know about the Hulk- A Very Brief History: 

Robert 'Bruce' Banner is a brilliant scientist. As a kid he was a victim of child abuse at the hands of his father, Brian Banner. After witnessing his father murder his mother in a fit of rage, young Bruce testified against his father at his trial sending him to prison. After growing up and getting a job with the military to develop a 'gamma bomb' Bruce's father Brian Banner received parole. Bruce allowed his father to live with him, hoping that he changed. Brian Banner was still very much upset with his son for having testified against him and sending him to prison, Brian attempted to kill Bruce but Bruce managed to kill Brian in self defense. This was just prior to Bruce becoming the 'Hulk'. 

As a Military scientist, Bruce Banner was developing a 'gamma bomb' for the US military. On a dare teenager Rick Jones drove out to the gamma bomb to prove to his friends that he was not chicken. As the gamma bomb was ticking down to it's test detention Bruce Banner noticed the rebel teenager by his bomb facing (unknown to him) certain death. Doctor Banner raced out to the test field and grabbed the clueless Jones and they ran to the safety of a bomb trench. Banner managed to push Jones into the trench and to safety but he himself didn't fall into the trench in time and was blasted with gamma rays. After that when ever Banner became angry he was transformed into a savage giant monster known as the 'Hulk'. 

Realizing the threat and potential that Banner/Hulk represented, military General 'Thunderbolt' Ross lead a team of military officers to capture the Hulk. The Hulk spent most of his time on the run from the military and from time to time fighting super villains or super heroes, his sidekick during many of his adventures was Rick Jones. Jones felt he owed Banner is companionship because it was he who helped to create the Hulk in a way. His greatest super powered nemesis is the gamma being who calls himself 'The Leader'. The Leader was a janitor who became exposed to gamma radiation and became green skinned, his head grew in size to accommodate his giant brain. The Leader was pure evil and used his super powered intelligence for his evil deeds. The Hulk often battled The Leader and despite his greater brain power the Leader was always beaten. Eventually Banner was separated from the Green savage Hulk. Free from the Hulk Banner married his girlfriend Betty Ross, who is the daughter of the military General who hunted him. But then Banner when it turned night time, he would transform into the Grey Hulk. The Grey Hulk was not as strong as the Green one, but he was a lot smarter. Banner and the Grey Hulk eventually relocated to Las Vegas where the Grey Hulk became an enforcer for the Vegas mob and became known as 'Joe Fixit'. Eventually the green Savage Hulk and the grey wise cracking Hulk merged with Bruce Banner creating a third Hulk, a larger green skinned version known as the Banner Hulk. The Banner Hulk had the savage Hulks strength, the Grey Hulk's wise cracking attitude and the brains of Banner. The Banner Hulk joined a secret super hero group known as 'The Pantheon' and eventually became their leader. Shortly after the Banner Hulk was visited by Janis Jones, the grand daughter of his sidekick Rick Jones from over 100 years in the future. She was sent to the past by way of Dr. Doom's time machine and her mission was to bring the Hulk with her to the future to help her and her friends defeat a super powered tyrant. The Hulk agreed but unknown to him the super powered tyrant was his future self. Apparently after nuclear devastation destroyed most of the world, the future Hulk became evil and more powerful and eventually made himself ruler of the kingdom of 'Dystopia', which was built over the ruins of old New York City. The future evil Hulk called himself 'Maestro' and the Hulk was almost killed by his future evil self, but the young good Hulk managed to send the Maestro back in time with Doom's time machine. He sent him directly beside the gamma bomb that created the Hulk at it's moment of detonation. The very gamma bomb that created the Hulk, also destroyed the future Hulk too. The Banner Hulk returned to the present but was forever changed by the events of the future, and he vowed never to become the Maestro. Banner Hulk and his wife relocated to the Pantheons secret headquarters, but eventually the Pantheon was torn apart by civil war and Banner and Betty fled. The Leader had been killed, but his spirit lived on through his apprentice who also had a large head with higher intelligence, he was known as 'Omnibus'. Omnibus through the Leader spirits direction tried to create a world war and turn the world's nations against one another. Seemingly the very war that destroyed the human race and created the 'Maestro' was unfolding. The Banner Hulk realized this and was able to stop Omnibus's plans and prevented the war that created his dark future. Thus he would not become the evil Maestro after all. Eventually Banner was once again separated from being the Hulk when he was pulled into a pocket universe created by Franklin Richards, son of the Fantastic Fours Reed & Sue Richards. Separated from Banner the Hulk was a new hulk yet again. He was green and had the savage Hulk's strength, but he was on the same intelligence level of the grey Hulk, but didn't say much. I'll call him Quiet Hulk. Eventually Quiet Hulk and Banner were merged back together. Banner was normal Banner, but the Quiet Hulk would emerge when Quiet Hulk wanted to. Betty Banner died from gamma radiation poisoning and Bruce Banner/hulk blamed himself. Betty's father, General Ross too blamed Banner and Banner/Hulk was once again a wanted man and General Ross once again started the hunt for the Hulk. 

(It was at this point when Peter David stopped writing the book and I stopped reading it soon after. Peter David did return for a one shot Hulk special story called 'The End' which takes place almost 200 years in the future) 

Despite stopping the war that would have changed him into the 'Maestro' the human race still went to war with themselves. Nuclear devastation occurred, killing almost all humans and all other super heroes. The Hulk fled in disgust and hid from the world by sealing himself (and Banner) in a cave. Decades and decades went by, Banner was able to survive because there was a small creek that ran into the cave. He didn't need food because the Hulk's regenerative powers prevented him from withering away to nothing. Banner was a prisoner of the Hulks disgust of the world. Banner when in his normal form was not strong enough to escape the sealed cave, and the Quiet Hulk wasn't going to let him out either. After decades of being sealed a alien android freed Banner from the cave and informed Banner that he was the last human alive. The android bid him farewell and left. Banner travelled all over North and South America for the next hundred years or so looking for survivors, but the android was correct. Despite his extreme old age Banner was unable to die due to the Hulks regenerative power. Banner tried to commit suicide several times but the Hulk always took over to stop him. Eventually Banner did die from natural causes, seemingly reunited in heaven with his Wife and all his friends and family. Banner's death was the final separation from the Hulk. The Hulk continues to live, the last survivor of Earth...all alone. 

Blog #5: Fantastic Four Reboot?

Talks are apparently in place to reboot the 'Fantastic Four' movie franchise. Here are my thoughts on it:

Use Jonathan Hickman, the current scribe for both 'Fantastic Four' and 'FF' comic series as a writer for the film. The lovely Amber Heard (Playboy Club) as Sue Storm. She is both beautiful and I think she could do some serious acting if given a chance.  Charlie Hunnam (Sons Of Anarchy) as Johnny Storm. Hunnam plays a awesome biker dude on 'Sons' and would make for a great Johnny. He could even keep his beard to bring a new level of coolness to the Johnny Storm character. Micheal Chiklis (The Shield) again as The Thing. Chiklis was the best thing about the original 2005, 2007 FF films. I would hope that he would show a little more 'Vic Mackey' in his portrayal of 'Ben Grimm'. Matt Smith (Dr Who) as Reed Richards. This guy is the BEST 'Doctor' in my opinion and he can also play a clueless genius better than anyone. I think him and Amber Heard would be great together.  Alexander Skarsgard (True Blood) as Victor Von Doom, he can play a cool and calculating Vampire and that kind of acting chops is what is need to play Victor Von Doom. And Toby Jones (Captain America/Dr Who) to play the Mole Man. He's a short little dude who in my opinion would make for the best choice to play the 'Mole Man'. He can act too!

If they do re-boot this series having Hickman as writer would be the best choice. The first 2 films were too goofy and not serious enough in my opinion. Also I didn't like that they included Victor Von Doom in the origin story of the FF. I wouldn't mind if they even started this reboot a few years into the FF world, meaning that this new film would not be an origin story but rather a continuation of their lives. With re-boots I feel it is not always necessary to have a re-telling of the origin story. With the new 'Amazing Spider-man' movie coming out this summer I am very skeptical of the retelling of the origin. Also this reboot of the FF needs a serious Director who will not cut corners and do what is necessary to make this movie the way it needs to be made. Perhaps Jon Favreau?

It's going to interesting to see how this plays out. A FF movie could be as great as 'The Avengers' will be, if done right.

 

Amber Heard to play 'Sue Storm'

 

Postcards from me to you!

Hey there friend this is Chris with something to give you, and something you can give back to me. Sounds mysterious but it isn't. Last fall my fellow blogger CT from the 'Nerd Lunch' blog did something awesome for his readers, and I liked it so much I'm doing it for you. It goes like this: I have a book of 'Bone' postcards, 'Bone' being the comic book character created by Jeff Smith. If you would like me to send you a free 'Bone' post card I would be happy to do that. The only thing I ask for in exchange is that after you receive the postcard in the mail take a picture of yourself holding the postcard and e-mail that picture to me so I can post it on my blogs. It's a neat idea for me to connect to my readers, and for them to connect to the blogs. 

So if you are interested send me an e-mail with your name and full mailing address to: chrisloc1701@gmail.com

and after you receive the postcard send me your pic with the card to the same e-mail address, and please specify which of my blogs you prefer to read and I'll post your pic to that blog.  

I'm hoping to have at least 24 people respond to this, because that is all the 'Bone' postcards I have. If this little experiment is a success I'll be doing more of these postcard exchanges in the future. 

Hope to hear from you!

- Chris

Blog #4 : About The Author

As I write these blogs it occurs to me that you the reader may not know too much about me. So I've decided to do a segment called 'About The Author' where I have taken some questions off the internet, and I will will answer them honestly and to the best of my ability. 

 

- WERE YOU NAMED AFTER ANYONE?

'Christopher' I think was just a name my Mom liked. Apparently other names considered for me was 'Christian' and 'Amanda', if i had been a girl.

-. WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU CRIED? 

A few nights ago I watched a news story about soldiers returning from over seas after being gone for almost a year and surprising their kids at school. Talk about heartbreaking and I'll admit a tear came to my eye while watching that story. I am a softy and do cry during sad movies or TV shows, and my Wife laughs at me for being such a suck.

- DO YOU LIKE YOUR HANDWRITING?

I don't. I hated hand writing in school so I learned how to print really fast. I'm like Data from 'Star Trek: TNG' when it comes to the hand printing. But my hands do ache when I print for too long, now i worry about carpal tunnel syndrome in my hands. I do more typing these days.

 

- WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE LUNCH MEAT?

Sun dried tomato turkey breast is the best!

 

-. DO YOU HAVE KIDS? 

3 wonderful kids. My step-son Bailey is 11, my step-daughter Kayde is 9 and my daughter Shelby is 5. I couldn't imagine my world without them.

- IF YOU WERE ANOTHER PERSON, WOULD YOU BE FRIENDS WITH YOU? 

Absolutely.

 

- DO YOU USE SARCASM A LOT? 

When needed. Especially for laughs.

-  DO YOU STILL HAVE YOUR TONSILS? 

I assume so unless the aliens took them out while I was sleeping.

-  WOULD YOU BUNGEE JUMP?

Never. I've seen the videos of chords breaking. NEVER!!!!


- WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE CEREAL?

Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

- DO YOU UNTIE YOUR SHOES WHEN YOU TAKE THEM OFF?

Sometimes.

 

- DO YOU THINK YOU ARE STRONG?

I'm like the Hulk. Don't make me angry, you wouldn't like it when I'm angry.

 

- WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE ICE CREAM? 

Cookies & Cream

 

- WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT PEOPLE? 

Their face.

-  RED OR PINK?

Emerald Green

 

- WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOURSELF? 

My acid reflux.

-  WHO DO YOU MISS THE MOST? 

Star Trek on television. GOOD Star Trek on television. No return of 'Voyager' please!

 

- WHAT IS THE PAUL MCKENNA TECHNIQUE THAT YOU NEED TO WORK ON THE MOST?

Is Paul McKenna a porn star?

 

- WHAT COLOR SHOES ARE YOU WEARING?

Brown

 

- WHAT WAS THE LAST THING YOU ATE?

Peaches & Cream porridge, an apple and an orange. Honest.

 

- WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO RIGHT NOW?

Offspring

 

-  IF YOU WERE A CRAYON, WHAT COLOR WOULD YOU BE?

Cool emerald green

- FAVOURITE SMELLS?

Fresh baked bread. Popcorn in a movie theatre. fresh made Cinnamon buns.

 

- WHO WAS THE LAST PERSON YOU TALKED TO ON THE PHONE?

My Dad.

- MOUNTAIN HIDEAWAY OR BEACH HOUSE?

I hate cold and snow so it would most definitely be a beach house.

 

 

 

Anywho that is all for this 'About The Author'. More to come. Check out my other blogs for more questions that get answered by yours truly. And as always let me thank you for taking time out of your day to read this blog. Please leave a comment below. Have a great day!

Blog #3: The Ultimates

Ultimate Comics 'The Ultimates' by Marvel comics. Confused by the title? Me too. Despite the title this is a great series written by Jonathan Hickman. Hickman is probably my favourite comic book writer right now. This comic book takes place in the 'Ultimate' universe within Marvel comics and this group of individuals is basically that Universe's version of 'The Avengers', although there had been an Ultimate Avengers previously. 'Ultimate Spider man' has been getting a lot of attention lately but in my humble opinion this 'Ultimates' series is the best in the ultimate line of comics. I've recently dropped reading the 'Avengers' in the regular Marvel universe because I didn't like what is being done and I feel The Avengers are being over exploited in the MU, but 'Ultimates' is the best alternative. Hickman has a great solid grasp of the characters, and because this takes place outside of the 'proper' Marvel universe Hickman is free to let his creative flag fly as high as he wants. I don't want to spoil too much but I've just finished the first 5 issues and they were fantastic. This book is as good as Hickman's work on FF and Fantastic Four. Check this book out!!