Blog #12: Comic Pull List Review

- New Avengers: Honestly I have given up on this series. Brian Micheal Bendis is apparently leaving the Avengers titles this summer or fall, maybe I'll check back in depending on who the new writer is. But as of right now this series is not doing anything for me.

- Ultimate Comics Ultimates: I love this book. Jonathan Hickman is doing great things with this title, and in my opinion this is what the 'Avengers' should be in the proper Marvel Universe. But sadly I have heard Hickman will be leaving this book, maybe he'll be taking over the 'Avengers'...

- FF: Again this is a great Jonathan Hickman book which is a perfect sister title to the 'Fantastic Four'. This is a must read title  for me, but again a little birdy told me Hickman is leaving this title too... I may not stick with FF depending on who the new writer is.  

- Daredevil: This is a great book with Mark Waid writing the new adventures of Matt Murdock. In the past 10 years or so Daredevil has become a very dark book, but Waid has brought Daredevil back into the light and made this book a fun and enjoyable read. This title no longer is dark and dreary, but is now a fun action adventure comic. The way Daredevil used to be. Waid is the go-to guy for retooling existing characters.

- Superbia: Haven't got this issue yet but I am looking forward to seeing 'the real housewives of super heroes'.

See you next time. Same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel!!

Blog #11: State Of Comic Book Sales

Comic book sales are at an all time low, and what seems to be the problem? There is a number of problems with the selling of comic books today.

 

 

 

1: Comic Books are no longer readily available.

 

I think the biggest hurdle for the comic industry is the availability of comics today. In the town where I live there is no comic or book store and the nearest ones are over an hours drive away. But when I was a kid comic book spinner racks were located in almost every grocery store, gas station and pharmacy. And they had a wide selection of comic books to choose from. But now most of those business's don't have spinner racks and most don't have any comics. And the ones that do have a small selection of titles to choose from. For example in my town the ONLY DC comics title available for purchase is 'Batman'. No other DC title is sold in my town. Comics are just not widely available as they used to be. From what I understand comic distributors will not take back unsold comic books from stores, like magazine distributors do. Meaning that a store who buys comic books cannot return them for a refund if they do not sell. Thus why would any store risk ordering something that may or may not sell, and if it doesn't they are out that money. And because they are not readily available for today's youth like they were when I was a youth the industry will not attract as many 'new' readers as they did when I was a kid.

 

2: Kids have so many other things that take up their time:

When I was a kid there was no Internet. I had a Nintendo, but the games were so expensive even back then that i only had a few games at any one time. For me comic books were a cheap alternative to occupy my mind as a youth. But now kids have incredible gaming consoles, Nintendo DS's, PSP, iPods, cell phones, the Internet, TV and movies at their fingertips... there is so much technology now that comics cannot compete for the attention of youth like it did back when I was a kid.

 

3: Superheroes and be found elsewhere like movies and television: 

 

It used to be that you would have to read the 'Spider-man' comic book to follow his adventures. Not now, 3 feature films are available for viewing with a new one on the way this summer. These movies are awesome for us comic book fans, but do they help to create new readership for the comic book on which they are based? I'd say maybe 50% of the time. My son for example loves the Spider-man movies, but he doesn't read the comic. The movies are enough Spider-man for him.

 

4: Not enough originality being used in todays creators and publishers:

 

After 40, 50, 60, 70, or 80 years of tales of the same characters how original can you be anymore? I find in a lot of ways comic book creators re-using old concepts and story lines and passing them off as something new. Is it realistic to have us readers believe that a pair of black framed glasses is enough for Superman to fool award winning investigative journalist Lois Lane into not seeing Superman in Clark Kent? No. Comics, especially those done by DC and Marvel tend to have their characters repeat cycles and never truly evolve. Characters change and die as a marketing ploy to boost sales, but then they always come back or go back to the way they were.  

Blog #10: New 'DC 52' Titles

There are a few new 'DC 52' titles debuting in May replacing some low selling titles. The ones that interest me, and that I intend to get are:

 

- Batman Incorporated: I liked Grant Morrison's first Batman Inc. series and I am looking forward to see what he has in store for this new Batman Inc. This will be the 5th 'Batman' title in the new 52, and I am cool with that. The new '52' has really renewed my love for Batman and anything that Grant Morrison writes is gold to me.

 

 

 

- Worlds Finest: From what I understand this is about Power girl and Huntress being trapped on our Earth, but they are from Earth2 and wanting to get back home. Not sure how i feel about this series but when I heard Power Girl would be in it I have to check out this series. I loved 'Power Girl' when Amanda Conner was drawing her, now that was a great run.  

 

 

- Earth Two: I like the idea of an alternate Earth where we will no doubt find the Justice Society. Honestly I was not much of a DC growing up so I wasn't reading these 'alternate Earths' pre-crisis, so I am very excited to read this series as a new reader.  

 

This 'soft re-boot' DC's New 52 has been in my mind a success. To be honest with you I have always been a Marvel Comics guy but now with all these new great titles out there I'm reading more DC now than Marvel. If anything the New 52 has soured me to Marvel Comics because they are doing such great things with the New 52. Granted not all of the New 52 are great and I feel they could have cancelled a few more series, but we'll just have to wait and see what DC has in store. I for one want a 'Captain Marvel' (Shazam) comic in the new DCU, and done right with the right creative team. Being a huge fan of Peter David I nominate him for the job of writing 'Captain Marvel'.

 

Anywho that's all for now folks! 

This & That: Road To The 'Nerd Lunch' Podcast

It was about a year and a half ago when I first discovered The Atomic Geeks Podcast, and at first listen I was hooked. This group of fun loving Canadian guys sounded a lot like myself and my friends when we have geeky discussions. It was while listening to their podcasts I was first introduced to CT, from the 'Nerd Lunch' blog. CT from time to time would guest appear on The Atomic Geeks (TAG) Podcast, and I really liked his appearances. CT fit right in with the other members of TAG, and last fall CT announced that he would be starting his own podcast called The Nerd Lunch (TNL) Podcast, and that it would be a part of the TAG Network. Immediately I was excited, and I know from his TAG appearances that he is a dedicated Star Trek fan like myself. TNL was a success right from the start as far as I was concerned and they had a fan/listener in me. The format of TNL is they have a different Nerd/Geek topic they cover every week with fellow bloggers Jeeg and Pax joining CT on the podcast. But they left a '4th chair' open for others to make guest appearances on the show. I had chatted previouslyon the TAG forum at www.theatomicgeeks.com with CT on several occasions, and after episode #6 of TNL I wrote CT an E-Mail asking if I could sit in the 4th chair for a future Star Trek episode. CT agreed to have me on board for a future Trek episode, we set up and had a Skype 'Test Call' in mid-January where CT and I had a conversation about geeky stuff for about 45 minutes. We were having such a good conversation I almost didn't want to end the call, but all was set and I would be making my podcasting debut in March.

As I continue this post it is Tuesday March 6th, and a few hours ago I finished recording my first appearance on the Nerd Lunch podcast. I'll admit I was a little nervous but the entire episode went well I think. CT, Jeeg and Pax were all great to talk with and were very kind to me during the recording. I was very nervous because I am not only a listener of the Nerd Lunch podcast but I am a fan of it, so being able to sit and chat with these guys was especially thrilling for me. It is episode 28 of the Nerd Lunch podcast and the concept for this particular episode is essentially some 'What If' scenarios regarding Star Trek. It breaks down as follows:

1. A Star Trek without Shatner. Jeffrey Hunter is not replaced when they make the second Star Trek pilot and Pike remains Captain instead of Kirk.

2. Star Trek: Phase II happens. In the mid/late 70s, a new Trek television series almost came to fruition called Star Trek: Phase II. This was to have most of the original cast except Spock and three new characters, Decker, Ilia, and Xon. Due to the failure of the new Paramount network, the show fell through and became Star Trek: The Motion Picture instead. However, in our scenario, the deal did not fall through and the show launched... what would have happened?

3. At the end of the third season of Star Trek: The Next Generation, Picard is assimilated by the Borg and Riker gives orders to fire a super weapon on the Borg ship. For months we had to wait to see what the resolution would be and it was made more tense because there were rumors that Patrick Stewart might be leaving the show. In this scenario, we discuss what would have happened if he had left the show.

4. Similarly, in the episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, "Second Chances," the crew meets a transporter duplicate of Riker who is a bit testier and surly. An original idea was floated around that the show would kill off Will Riker and the duplicate, Tom Riker, would take his place on the show. What would have happened to Trek had they made that decision.

Also the Lightning Round:
- Didn't resurrect Spock in Star Trek III
- Michelle Forbes agrees to join the cast of DS9 (This was my lightning round scenario)
- Genevieve Bujold does not walk off the set of the filming of the Star Trek: Voyager pilot "The Caretaker" and remains as 'Captain Janeway'? (Everyone contributed to this scenario)
- Denise Crosby does not leave the cast of Star Trek: The Next Generation?

All in all it was a great experience, my first attempt at podcasting. Hopefully I didn't sound too much like a fool. Can't believe I forgot 'Julie Benz' in my 'Nerd-To-Do' list... again I was a little nervous. But if you are reading this post I urge you to please give this episode a listen. It is episode #28 of the 'Nerd Lunch' podcast and is available for free downloading off of iTunes. If you liked the episode be sure to check out their other episodes as they are all great to listen to. Also it would be much appreciated by the Nerd Lunch crew if you could leave them a positive iTunes review. iTunes reviews help them out on iTunes so please leave a review. Also check out the following websites:

The Nerd Lunch Blog: http://nerdlunch.blogspot.com/

and

The Cavalcade Of Awesome Blog: http://blog.paxholley.net/

I would like to personally thank CT, Jeeg and Pax for including me in on episode 28 of the Nerd Lunch podcast, I really appreciate that. I had a blast and it was great exposure for me and my blogs. Thanks guys, I appreciate everything and keep up the great work you have been doing on the podcast!

Take care and see you next time!

Blog #9: Comic Pull List Review

Continuing my reviews of the comics on my pull list.

 

Defenders: I'm really liking this series so far from what I have read. Doctor Strange and Iron Fist are two of my favourite Marvel characters and it is great to see them together in a team book like this. I never read much 'Defenders' prior to this but so far i am enjoying the ride on this series.

 

Captain America: I really liked the Mark Waid series in the late 90's but this one is almost as good. Captain America is a great character when done right and he is being done right with this series. If only someone would reboot Captain Canuck...

 

Fantastic Four: Jonathan Hickman is a genius. These past 3 years of his run on the FF has probably been my personal favourite for this title. The Fantastic four have never been better. He did kill off Johnny Storm and bring him back, but he did it in such a cool way he is forgiven for giving into that comic book cliche. This is on my top 5 favourite current reads, along with their sister title 'FF'. having Spider-man on the team was an excellent choice, but I wish FF was his exclusive team to be on. Hickman has made these characters fun, interesting and relevant for the first time in many years. I'm hoping he stays with this series for many years to come.

 

Justice League: The flagship launch book for DC's 'New 52' has been an excellent ride thus far. Geoff Johns is an amazing writer and Jim Lee is still one of the greatest comic book artists working today, although some of his designs are very much 90's based. The story thus far has been slow building, but I'm cool with that. This is one of favourite DC titles and one of my must read titles every month.

 

Supergirl: I am behind on my reading of this title and I have only read the first 2 issues but from what I've read I am very impressed and I am looking forward to future issues.

 

Batman: This is my favourite DC title!!! I just read issue #5 and it was amazing!!! Snyder and Capullo are doing an amazing job with this series and this is easily the best of the 'New 52' by far. This new Batman villain group 'The Court Of Owls' and their hit man 'The Talon' are the best new villains I have seen in a long time. Definitely a worthy foe to the greatest Detective. If you have never checked out this series I highly suggest you seek out issue 5, it was truly an amazing issue.

 

Catwoman: Like Supergirl I have only read the first 2 issues and from what I have read I am liking this series. That Catwoman is all kinds of sexy!!

 

See you next time!! Same Bat Time, Same Bat Channel!!

Blog #8: Robert Kirkman's Work

Fall 2010 I was introduced to a new television series called 'The Walking Dead', which i had heard was based on a comic book about zombies. I'll admit that I had never heard of that comic series as I had taken a break from comic books from 2002-fall 2010. My Wife is a fan of the horror genre and this series gave us the perfect opportunity to watch a series together, and we were hooked after watching the first episode. After watching the first season and getting back into comic book reading full time I decided to check out the works of Robert Kirkman, and he has since become one of my favourite comic book writers of all time.

 

After to listening to an episode of the podcast 'Comic Geek Speak' on an episode about the comic series 'Invincible' which was created and written by Robert Kirkman. From what I heard I was convinced  to give this series a try and like the TV series 'The Walking Dead' I was hooked from the start. 'Invincible' has become my favourite comic to read right now. I liked it so much i went out and bought the 'Ultimate' hard cover editions just so I could proudly display them on my book shelf. Also the 'Ultimate' format is packed with extras and the paper and colours is amazing.

 

With the second part of 'The Walking Dead' season 2 having just premiered I decided to check out the first trade of the comic book series. And not to sound like a broken record but I was hooked once again, and I have ordered the Compendium of the first 48 issues so I can read a bulk of the series in one shot. What makes Kirkman such a great writer for me is that he speaks to me. I find his characters and method of storytelling engaging and a breath of fresh air in the comic book writing world.

 

However he does have some stuff that i am not a fan of. Last fall I decided to try 'Infinite', his newest Image title with Rob Liefeld as artist and Kirkman as Writer. I found the story interesting and I had no real issue with Kirkman's writing, it was Liefeld who ruined this series for me. Liefeld may have been an Image founder and a force in the early 90's, but he is a terrible artist in my opinion. Which is too bad for Kirkman because he seems to have great luck with working with great artists on his projects, but Liefeld's work on 'Infinite' was absolutely terrible.

 

But if you are looking for some good comic books to read I highly recommend reading 'Invincible' and 'The Walking Dead' by Writer Robert Kirkman. Also check out 'The Walking Dead' TV series on AMC, and the first season is available on Netflix.

 

 

Till next time!