Sweet

Footage of Deathstroke the Terminator in action in Injustice: Gods Among Us, a DC Comics video game due in April.

Comic Book Pulls: 11282012

Tomorrow is New Comic Book Wednesday. It will also be Day 8 of a 12-day vacation. And it will also be the first day of my 41st year in existence. Giddy beyond belief...

So I'm really excited about the releases tomorrow. Both of the Big 2 have some issues that have my interest. However, Dynamite is the big winner here in terms of any nerdgasm I may experience. Yeah. See that picture? That's Kato, Green Hornet, The Shadow, The Spider, and Zorro in an 8-issue miniseries called Masks. Issue #1 is out tomorrow. I'd previously told myself I would get this as a digital issue. But that won't be the case. All these pulp heroes in one series? I'm sold! This is a book that I must experience the old-fashioned way. 

And here are my pulls for tomorrow:


A PLUS X #2 NOW
ALL NEW X-MEN #2 NOW
AQUAMAN #14
BATMAN THE DARK KNIGHT #14
BEFORE WATCHMEN OZYMANDIAS #4 (MR)
BEFORE WATCHMEN SILK SPECTRE #4 (MR)
CAPTAIN AMERICA AND BLACK WIDOW #639
FF #1 NOW
FLASH #14
GAMBIT #6
I VAMPIRE #14
JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #14
MARVEL UNIVERSE ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #8
MASKS #1
NEW AVENGERS #34
SAVAGE HAWKMAN #14
SECRET AVENGERS #34
SUPERMAN #14
TALON #2
THOR GOD OF THUNDER #2 NOW
ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN #19
UNCANNY AVENGERS #2 NOW
VENOM #27.1
X-MEN LEGACY #2 NOW
X-TREME X-MEN #7

LAW: 11252012

This week's artist is the artist formerly known as Terence Trent D'Arby: Sananda Maitreya. Everytime I hear this man sing, I hear parts of Sam Cooke, Prince, Michael Jackson, and James Brown. But it's always ALL Sanada. Such a magnificent voice. Gritty, soulful, and smooth. This particular song always gets me in a good mood. I have a playlist of songs that will without fail get rid of the blues. This song is the first on that list. Sananda Maitreya is the artist of the week with "O Divina."




O Divina
Fundamentally sound
My karma 's coming round
And I'm not worried

Fundamentally blue
Except when I'm with you
My soul 's excited

O she comes in flavours
Like the kiss of a tangerine
And she comes in graceful
Animation like fantasy

Right there,right there,right there
Right there,right there right
O Divina perhaps you' ve seen her
Or been her or are her

O she comes in waves of
Satisfaction that sing to me
And she understands that
Forgiveness is charity

Right there,right there,right there
Right there,right there right
O Divina perhaps you' ve seen her
Or been her or are her

O she comes in lovely affirmations
Like " yes you can ! "
And her love is unconditional
And says " you're the man "

Right there,right there,right there
Right there right there,right
O Divina perhaps you've seen her
Or been her or are her.

Comic Of The Week: 11252012

This week's pick was definitely slated to go to Amazing Spider-Man #698. The last few pages alone were enough to make it pick of the MONTH!!! (Yes, I'm an exclamation point whore.) 

I have been trying my best to avoid spoilers for the impending end of this title at #700. I've done pretty good so far, but this issue left the cliffhanger of cliffhangers. It made it very difficult to not search for spoilers. Very good issue. 

However, this week's pick is something I picked up on a whim on ComiXology during their Black Friday sale. I picked up Valiant Comics' Archer & Armstrong, issues 1 - 4. And now, I am hooked. This comic is fun to read and beautifully drawn. I cannot recommend it enough. I will be adding this title to my pull list.

All I can say about this title is this: ninja nuns, Nazi monks, teenage assassins, alcoholic immortals, a little Da Vinci Code, and a lot of National Treasure (without the annoyance of Nicolas Cage). That's just the first four issues. I'm hooked. 

I've been trying to sample a little of the lesser known comic companies lately. I tried some IDW, BOOM!, Dynamite, and Valiant. And so far, Valiant is kicking much booty with their relaunch. I will be checking out some X-O Manowar and Harbinger today. I really wish I had taken advantage of that sale Friday. I could have picked them up on the cheapo. Maybe I'll check and see if my local comic shop has them.

Anywhosis, at the end of the day, I suppose this week's pick is almost a tie between Amazing Spider-Man #698 and the Archer & Armstrong series, with A&A winning out. 

Oh yeah, Indestructible Hulk #1 was a good read, too!!! 

Thankful

Just as I am super everyday, I am thankful everyday. Two words cover all for which I am thankful: Love & Life.

Be safe out there today, and doubly so if you choose to partake in the Black Friday festivities.

Vampiracation

The best part about a vacation is staying up late, playing video games, and / or reading. It has been a long time since I've attempted to pull an all-nighter, but I think I succeeded last night. I am pretty sure I fell asleep around 2:30 this morning watching a Richard Pryor comedy special. Yeah. I know it is blasphemous to fall asleep during one of the all-time greats of comedy. But I think I did pretty well staying up as late as I did.

And now I am up at 7 a.m. ready to play video games or read comics. Not a lot of sleep, but that's how it works. I'll get a nap a little later in the day, and I'll be up all night tonight. The vampiric vacay is underway. 

Have a safe holiday, folks!

Funk

You're welcome.

Comic Book Pulls: 11212012

Not only is today New Comic Wednesday, it is also the first day of my 12-day vacation. Woo and flippin' hoo! I am really looking forward to the time off to spend with friends, family, and myself. But, of course, I brought my work computer home with me to keep up with the chaos. I really do not want to walk into any major fires to be put out come December 3rd. 

Anywhosis, these are my pulls for this week. On the DC side, I'm interested to read more of the team-up between Batwoman and Wonder Woman in Batwoman #14. And on Marvel's end, Indestructible Hulk #1 has my attention with Bruce Banner reportedly being an agent of SHEILD? I can dig that. 

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #698
AVENGERS #34
BATWOMAN #14
CAPTAIN AMERICA #1
CAPTAIN MARVEL #7
DAREDEVIL #20
DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #14
DEADPOOL #2
HAWKEYE #4
INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK #1
IRON MAN #2
JUSTICE LEAGUE #14
MINIMUM CARNAGE OMEGA #1
NIGHTWING #14
PETER CANNON THUNDERBOLT #3
ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #17
ULTIMATE COMICS X-MEN #18.1
UNCANNY X-FORCE #34
WOLVERINE #316
WOLVERINE AND X-MEN #21
WONDER WOMAN #14

Kryptonitis

It must be that time of year again. Yeah. Vacation time! How do I know? Because I'm getting sick. It never fails. Each year when I take my vacation, I wind up staying home sick all hopped up on Nyquil and TheraFlu. 

I began to feel the stirrings of a sore throat Thursday night. I was hoping it would go away overnight, but nope. So I bought some throat lozenges yesterday and took a BC Powder. So far, so good. I still feel a little icky, but it's not as bad as it usually is this time of year. 

I am hoping I can knock this out over the next couple of days. My vacay starts on Wednesday, and I don't have to go back until December 3rd. So even if I suffer through Thanksgiving with a cold, there's still the possibility that the next week I will be able to enjoy my vacay snot-free. 

"It's the most wonderful tiiiiiime.. of the yeeeear..."

Comic Of The Week: 11182012

You can always tell when I haven't had time to read this week's comic releases. The pick of the week will be an old back issue or trade paperback. And that's where we are this week, folks. 

This week's pick is Wildstorm's The American Way by John Ridley and Georges Jeanty. The comic tells a story of the Civil Defense Corps, a superhero group created by the American government in the early 40s to fight Communism and all threats to the American way of life. Or at least to give that appearance. 

What would life have been like for those with super powers in America? How would they defend American values? What would be their political affiliations during the socially chaotic times of the 50s and 60s? How would they deal with the civil rights movement, race riots, and other political issues of the day? 

This 8-issue miniseries is amazing. I am rereading it for the third time, and I still love it. It is my favorite mini behind Kingdom Come and Watchmen. Great work. Pick up The American Way at your local comic shop (probably in trade paperback) or on www.comixology.com. 

LAW: 11182012

When it comes to finding new music, I have to admit, I'm not as adventurous as I used to be. In fact, I'm kind of lazy. Some of my favorite music I've found just by sitting in front of the boob tube. For instance, I found Josh Kelley by watching Smallville. I heard Norah Jones' "Waiting" on an episode of Law & Order: SVU. And I found this week's artist on one of my favorite shows, Sons Of Anarchy: Shooter Jennings. 

This piece is an emotionally haunting and dark song from his concept album, "Black Ribbons." Of course, I had to listen to the rest of the album, and I loved it. Few bits of trivia: He is the son of country great, Waylon Jennings. And he is also married to Drea de Matteo, an actress from the show Sons Of Anarchy. 

The artist of the week is Shooter Jennings with "All Of This Could Have Been Yours." Enjoy, folks.

All Of This Could Have Been Yours
I had a cure, for your disease
but you threw it away
and you made it clear I was not welcome on these seas
and you threw it away

so I sailed and I sailed for so long
my hair grew long and my heart grew cold
I face certain death without you near

and I felt the storm and swam until the skies were clear
and I found a home along this crooked road

and all of this would have been 
all of this could have been yours

all of this should have been 
all of this could have been yours

black clouds roll, right over red doors
as the waves were high
so was i
and the moon never looked so angry
as when your walls came crumbling down. 

It was so beautiful
It was so peaceful

All the destruction, it was quiet

all of this would have been 
all of this could have been yours

all that you love, will be carried away
oh all that you love, will be carried away

all of my pain, that you put on my name
all of my doubt, and all of my shame

all of my guilt, my denial and fear
all of my hatred and all of my tears

all of the time that I couldnt go home
all of the times that I froze all alone

all of the sadness all of the lies
all of the shadows that blackened my eyes

all of the servants, who cheated, who stole
all of the colors from the depths of my soul

all of the wounded, that you left for dead
now creep in the corner, they're all in my head

all of the dreams that you made nightmares
all of the silence, deafening stares

all of the ships who can't carry loads
you wrecked in anger, along distant shores

all of this would have been 
all of this could have been yours

all of this should have been 
all of this could have been yours.

Dexter

http://marvel.com/news/story/19708/all-new_dexter_comic_book_series

This has been a long time coming. Dexter is the perfect fit for the comic book medium. It'll be interesting to see if they go with the version from the novels or the one in the Showtime series.

Either way, I can't wait until February!

Comic Book Pulls: 11142012

‘Tis new comic book Wednesday, folks! ‘Tis also Humpday! And for those of you who actually give an airborne rodent’s behind, two weeks till my birthday. Woo and hoo!

Here are the pulls for this week. On the Marvel side, I’m looking forward to the Marvel NOW! launch of All New X-Men. I normally don’t care too much for time travel, but transporting the original X-Men from the 60s into today’s era is too much of a storyline to pass up. A pre-Phoenix Jean Gray in a post-Phoenix society. I’m sold.

Also, on DC’s side (Vertigo), I’m really enjoying Punk Rock Jesus. This is a miniseries I highly recommend. A commentary on religion, society, and reality television. Very well-done!

ALL NEW X-MEN #1 NOW	$3.99
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #697	$3.99
BATGIRL #14 (DOTF)	$2.99
BATMAN #14 (DOTF)	$3.99
BATMAN AND ROBIN #14	$2.99
DEATHSTROKE #14	$2.99
FANTASTIC FOUR #1 NOW	$2.99
FIRST X-MEN #4	$3.99
GAMBIT #5	$2.99
MICHAEL AVON OEMINGS THE VICTORIES #4 (MR)	$3.99
NEW AVENGERS #33	$3.99
PHANTOM STRANGER #2	$2.99
PUNK ROCK JESUS #5 (MR)	$2.99
RED SHE-HULK #59 NOW	$2.99
SUICIDE SQUAD #14 (DOTF)	$2.99
TEAM 7 #2	$2.99
THOR GOD OF THUNDER #1 NOW	$3.99
ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #18	$3.99
VENOM #27	$2.99
WOLVERINE AND X-MEN #20	$3.99
X-MEN LEGACY #1 NOW	$2.99
X-TREME X-MEN #6	$2.99

Comic Of The Week: 11112012

The comic of the week is Action Comics Annual #1 from DC Comics New52. 

This issue pulls a minor plot mention from Action Comics #1 and establishes a deadly villain for Superman. The Kryptonite Man's origin may not be the most flamboyant, but it's still a good one. They don't all have to be bent on world domination. As a matter of fact, this guy is just pissed because Superman stopped this man's years of domestic abuse on his wife. That's it. A brief flashback of a mention from the first issue of this title establishes this character's motive, and you learn more as you read. Simple. And I love it. 

Also, John Henry Irons plays a major role in this issue. I really hope the Steel persona is developed further. And with his character landing in Africa to help the underdeveloped countries with his tech, I am hoping that this will lead into some kind of alliance with Africa's own superhero, Batwing? Please? Africa's World's Finest? You're welcome, DC.

Pick up a copy of the Action Comics Annual #1 in your local comic shop or digitally at www.comixology.com. 

LAW: 11112012

The pick this week is Soundgarden. Chris Cornell's voice always gets to me. One of three from the grunge / alternative era: Cornell (Soundgarden), Vedder (Pearl Jam), & Staley (Alice In Chains). Sorry, I've never been a Nirvana fan. Cobain was not my cup of tea.

Anyway, this song from the movie of the year, The Avengers, is a nice welcome back from these guys. So really, this song is a win-win for me. Superheroes and good music. You can't go wrong.

The artist of the week is Soundgarden with Live To Rise. Enjoy!

Superfan

5.2 Reasons it's a Great Time to be a Superman Fan | DC Comics
Pretty nifty article on the state of Big Blue these days. I like some of the changes that provide a different take on the origin story. But MY Kal-El will always have red trunks outside the tights. Don't mess with a classic, yo.

Shadowman

Deadline.com » Blog Archive'Shadowman' -- J. Michael Straczynski To Write Film Based On Valiant Comic
Wow. Not sure how I missed this bit of news. But this is awesome news for Valiant Comics and the Shadowman character. JMS is groovalicious. Even better, Shadowman is being relaunched next week. Woo and flippin' hoo!