Tag Archives: comic books

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The Emerald City Comicon is a wrap and below are some more updates and news coming out of the convention.  We’re also adding in a new section covering comic book reviews from other sites.  Hope you enjoy!

Around the Blogs:

Digital Spy – DC reveals future ‘Earth One’ plans –  I loved Superman: Earth One, so looking forward to see what DC has else in store for the line.

Bleeding Cool – ECCC: Nick Spencer Is Marvel Exclusive – Spencer is a hot property right now with a few pretty popular books with a few publishers, so Marvel grabbing him is a pretty big deal.

Bleeding Cool – The Emerald City Comic Con Sketches of Chris Samnee – Conventions are a great opportunity to get meet your favorite writers and artists as well as being able to get unique sketches.

Bleeding Cool – Garth Ennis to Return To Marvel? – I can only imagine this will be either a MAX or Icon book, but we’ll see.

Around the Tubes Reviews:

Buzzfocus – Daytippers Trade Paperback

Fangoria – I, Zombie: Vol. 1 Dead to the World

Shadowlocked – Hero: 9 to 5 Graphic Novel

Fangoria – Skullkickers: Vol. 1 1000 Opas and a Dead Body

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Comic Book Weekly Reviews – 3/2/11

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Another week of comics, and another thick stack of books.  What’s worth picking up for the first week of March?  What should you skip?  What shouldn’t of been printed?  Find out our thoughts below!

Monthly Comics

Annihilators #1 – Here we go again with another fantastic take on the cosmic side of the Marvel universe.  As ususal Abnett and Lanning are in the driver’s seat and I wouldn’t have it any other way.  There’s also a back up story featuring Rocket Raccoon and Groot which is awesome so far and adds some depth to both characters.  Loving this first issue.

Story: 10 Art: 9 Overall: 9.5

Avengers Academy #10 – The kids take some classes and gets all angsty but the elephant in the room that is Speedball and what happened in Stamford is addressed.  The issue is good, but there’s something that’s off that doesn’t make it as impressive as it’s predecessor Avengers: The Initiative.

Story: 7 Art: 7.5 Overall: 7.25

Brightest Day #21 – The heroes begin to pick up on the fact that the returned heroes are again being taken away from them as the end of Martian Manhunter’s tale is told.  The issue is ok, but the art isn’t consistent throughout especially at the beginning.

Story: 8 Art: 7 Overall: 7.5

Chew #17 – The series continues to be one of the most wacky and crazy ones on the market.  Where else would you find the FDA acting like the FBI by kicking in doors and kicking in heads.  Each issue is filled with action and laughs and shouldn’t be missed.

Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9

Daken: Dark Wolverine #8 – The series keeps growing on me, and I’ll keep claiming the character is under rated and under appreciated.  There’s a lot of chess moves to what Daken does and this arc in Madripoor has been top notch so far.  I can’t wait to see what else is in store.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25

Deadpool #33.1 – I’m completely confused as to the point of the whole Point One series of books.  They’re introductions to the characters but not necessarily an introduction to current story lines.  This one gives us the tone we’d expect in a Deadpool comic, but has no connection to the current arc.  It’s a waste and you might as well have called these annuals.  This issue is decent, but there’s no reason to buy it.

Story: 7 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7

5 Ronin #1 – Marvel characters set in a feudal Japan.  The first issue is ok, but didn’t blow me away enough that I’m psyched about picking up the next four issues.  The twist on Wolverine was nice though, and quite unexpected.  Overall though, nothing too impressive.

Story: 7.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 7.5

Green Lanterns #63 – It’s the lead up to the War of the Green Lanterns with some huge revelations as to what happened with the Manhunters and the beginning of the green power rings.  For as off the last few issues been, this one completely bounces back draped in awesomeness.

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5

Heroes for Hire #4 – The series keeps impressing me and getting better.  Misty knows there’s something wrong in her world and begins to fight the control of the Puppet Master.  It’s a great issue and I think there’s a lot more than we’re lead on (I think she’s still asleep at the end).  It’s a great single issue, but also a fantastic series.

Story: 9.5 Art: 7.5 Overall: 9.25

Incognito: Bad Influences #4 – Zack continues his journey into the underworld and struggles with his dual lives.  It’s a fascinating read, a bit reminiscent of Mark Waid’s Incorruptible.  A great read, but that’s what I’d expect with Ed Brubaker.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.75

Irredeemable #23 – The cover rocks and it fits the fantastic interior.  I had my doubts as to where Mark Waid was going with the series, but he’s been hitting it out of the park.  There’s some twists and turns here that are top notch.  This is a fantastic series and I only expect it to keep improving.

Story: 8.75 Art: 7.75 Overall: 8.5

Joe the Barbarian #8 – It’s been a wicked delay for this issue, and it wasn’t really worth it.  The series had so much potential but at times it fell into Grant Morrisons habit of being indecipherable.  The only reason I’d recommend it is if you’re dying to know how the limited series ends.

Story: 7 Art: 8.5 Overall: 7

Secret Six #31 – The series has bounced back to all of it’s dysfunctional fun.  But, it’s unfortunate the plot is taking them to Hell.  For some reason this is a popular plot lately, occurring in at least two Marvel books and now this one.  Oh well.

Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8

Secret Warriors #25 – I kind of feel like this issue’s whole point was to tie this series into Hickman’s other series S.H.I.E.L.D.  It’s an interesting story, but a bit out of the blue.

Story: 8 Art: 8.75 Overall: 8.5

Thunderbolts #154 – A self contained issue focusing on Man-Thing.  It’s a pretty solid read that adds a lot to the character and sets his role for the team.  It’s a really good read, and the fact it’s one issue makes it a good pick up for new readers.

Story: 8.75 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.5

Ultimate Captain America #3 – I thought the firs two issues of this series was solid but this third one blows them away in every way.  It’s damn near perfect with amazing art and writing that’s unbelievable.  I haven’t been a fan of the “Ultimate” line, but this series is a must read.

Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10

X-Factor #216 – The Mayor of New York shows up on the doorstep of X-Factor, but is it a good thing when J. Jonah Jameson needs something from you?  The series seems to be getting back in the right direction.  We’ll see how this story arc goes.

Story: 8 Art: 7.75 Overall: 8

Graphic Novel/Trade Paperback

Takio – Brian Michael Bendis’s all ages original graphic novel from Marvel and Icon.  The story is an all ages book focused on two super powered sisters.  We’ll have an expanded review this week.

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We couldn’t be at Emerald City Comic Con this weekend, but that doesn’t mean other blogs weren’t there to bring coverage.  We’re not giving you excerpts, cause the titles pretty much explain themselves.

Around the Blogs:

Bleeding Cool – Mike Mignola Regular Artist On Hellboy Again – The BPRD Panel At Emerald City Comic Con

Bleeding Cool – The DC Vertigo Panel At Emerald City Comic Con

Comics Alliance – Watch the Complete Emerald City Comicon ‘Ask ComicsAlliance’ Panel! [Video]

Bleeding Cool – Odin Is Not The All-Father… CB Cebulski’s Marvel Panel At Emerald City Comic Con

Bleeding Cool – Marvel Architects Panel At Emerald City Comic Con

Bleeding Cool – Top Cow Panel At The Emerald City Comic Con

Graphic Novelist to Aid Earthquake Victims

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bro'TownGraphic novelist Ant Sang will be aiding victims of Christchurch by donating artwork featuring a character from his new graphic novel Shaolin Burning.  Called the ‘Monk Who Doubts’, the 42cm by 48cm piece is on TradeMe and so far bidding is around the $100 mark.  Sand is also a designer for the animated show bro’Town and has offered to put pen to paper and draw a one-off drawing of the auction winner amongst the characters.

All proceeds from both TradeMe auctions will go to the Red Cross 2011 Christchurch Art Appeal.  According to Sang:

(I) just wanted to do something to help out down there seeing as I’m all the way up in Auckland and quite removed from it.

Review – Frenemy of the State #4

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Frenemy #4 Preview pg (1)Frenemy of the State has been a fun read and the fourth issue is no exception.  It’s not perfect, but it’s that key thing, fun and keeps on improving.  Frenemy of the State #4 which was written by Christina Weir, Nunzio DeFilippis and Rashida Jones and art by Jeff Wamester picks up with Ariana in hot pursuit of the nuke.

Ariana’s two worlds have now officially collided! Her life in shambles because of her cover story, Ari gets a surprise from her mother that may prevent her from taking part in her mission. Oh, and did we mention the nuclear bomb?

There’s great entertainment with Ariana having to balance her two lives.  It’s not like she can tell her family, which forces her to look unstable.  She also knows the people she has to deal with and uses that to her advantage.

And there’s a great sense of “girl power” here, which is nice to see.  Action, mixed with humor, the series has matured nicely, and hopefully we continue to see improvement as issues continue coming.

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Review – An Elegy for Amelia Johnson

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An Elegy for Amelia Johnson CoverAn Elegy for Amelia Johnson had me bawling by the end.  Over two metro rides I read this original graphic novel written by Andrew Rostan.  It’s a story about death and life, and as you’d expect with that, the comic can be depressing at times.  But damn is it good and worth being bummed.

In her 30 years on earth, Amelia Johnson has touched many lives with her compassion, intelligence and spirit. Now, at the end of a yearlong battle with cancer, she asks her two closest friends to take her final messages to the people who have touched her life the most. Henry Barrons is a cocky, Oscar Award-winning documentary filmmaker whose demeanor hides deep insecurities. Jillian Webb is an acclaimed magazine writer with an inability to make long-term commitments. They set out across the country to fulfill Amelia’s dying wish…and end up learning more about her—and themselves—than they ever imagined. Andrew Rostan, Dave Valeza and Kate Kasenow deliver a meditation on loving and forgiving those close to us in their moving graphic novel debut.

There’s just so much here.  It’s a great story about what you’ll do for friends and examining our lives and what we want to accomplish.  For a debut graphic novel, it’s even more impressive.  There’s just so much to love, the art is fitting, story touching, it’s just fantastic in so many ways.

I think this is an absolute buy, and deserves such and audience.  Many folks have talked about how you get women to read comics, and this is “chick lit” in graphic novel form, but don’t let that hold you back from checking it out.  I know I’m a sap at times, but even if you’re not, you’ll enjoy this.

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Review – Proof Endangered #2

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Proof Endangered #2A comic staring Bigfoot and an agent named Elvis, that right there sums up Proof Endangered #2.  I have no idea how the hell to describe the series.  It’s crazy, over the top, and most importantly, fun.

The plot as far as I can tell involves the gathering of fictitious beings, but they exist in this world, but I missed the first issue.  But, really there’s giant worms, and again Bigfoot in clothes kicking ass.

I don’t even know how to describe the rest of the series.  It’s just fun, over the top, the X-Files on crack really.  The art is solid as well with some great character designs.

The series third issue has just come out, so it’s a perfect time to grab a few issues and check out a solid series you’re probably missing out on.

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Review – Jack Hammer: Political Science #2

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Jack Hammer Political Science #2The second issue of Jack Hammer: Political Science continues much of what I’d expect. The series is an interesting mix of noir, detective and super hero comics, with a lot I like. There’s just something entertaining about it, and helps it’s an indie comic which I’m a fan of supporting.

Jack McGriskin has been many things: a juvenile delinquent, a soldier, a boxer…a superhero. Now he’s a private investigator who keeps finding that while he can ditch the spandex, he can’t leave behind the heroics!

In his first limited series, the ”Political Science” storyline, Jack is hired to find a missing business executive only to have him turn up dead under bizarre circumstances. When the company that hired him tells him to back off, he is even more determined to get to the bottom of the case and the leads he follows may lead him back to a world he thought he’d left behind.

The second issue starts to get more into that whole political end of things, giving hints as to who’s behind things.  There’s a lot that’s going on here with the usual detective novel traps.  And it works, even with the genre being flooded with choices.  The series continues to impress me, and hopefully you’ll give it a shot too.

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It’s the first major convention of the year as the comic industry descends this weekend on Seattle for the Emerald City Comicon.  We’re descending on our couch for…. well, sloth.

Around the Blogs:

The Chomichron – February 2011 comics orders slightly up in a more normal month – While we’d love to break down sales, Chomichron does an amazing job in doing it for us!

Marvel – Tune In To Year of the X-Men Live Blogs – Marvel sat down with the “X” team to go over it’s upcoming year of the X-Men.

Alternet – Braaaains: How Pop Culture’s Hunger For Zombies Reflects the Tea Party Nation – Sarah Jaffe takes a stab at how zombie tales may be the perfect political allegory for our times.

Bleeding Cool – Seven Things I Learned About Emerald City Comic Con – Some of this is pretty funny.

MTV Geek – Chris Eliopoulos Sells His Graphic Novel for $2 – And Has a Hit – A good look at digital sales and the collapse of the publisher and need of brick and mortar stores.

Newsarama – Bill Rosemann on Marvel’s Custom Comics Program (And More!) – I’ve always wanted to take advantage of this for a political organization.

Daily Trojan – World of comic books continues to expand – Nick Spencer and Jonathan Hickman talk to the Daily Trojan about how comics has expanded from tights and guns.

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Meth and Comics Don’t Mix

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Aaron CastroFor a bit it seemed like we were reading quite a few “crime” reports where drug dealers were laundering money through high priced comic books.  Well, one meth dealer is looking at losing his 18,753 issue collection to the government.  He was just a comic fan it seems, with an expensive habit funded by an illegal business.

On Wednesday Federal prosecutors filed a U.S. District Court complaint seeking ownership of the comic book holdings of Aaron Castro, who is facing a May trial in Colorado on narcotics distribution and weapons charges. The comics are valued in excess of $500,000.

The complaint cites a story of an interview which describes Castro’s issues with spending money on comic books.  Lonna Gwin told the government, she’d meet Castro at a comic book shop where she’d hand him drug money at which point Castro would purchase boxes of comics.

Another dealer said he helped Castro organize his comic book collection which Castro bought with drug money.  All the “druggie” fanboys we knew usually smoked pot, not meth.  Kids these days.

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