comics and Stuff

It’s been a while since I had a chance to post anything, which has been mostly due to the arrival of my son born back on June 10^th. There seems to be quite a lot going on in the comic book world these days, and wanted to share a couple of quick thoughts.

600 issues of the Amazing Spider-Man: With story and art by a who’s who of Marvel Superstar talent, the 600^th issue of Amazing Spider-Man proves to be a great read. This comic comes with a five dollar price tag, but I fell you definitely get your monies worth. The achievement of a comic book reaching its 600^th issue is not something that should be taken lightly, and Marvel celebrates this milestone with both style and substance. All of that being said; I feel that several other titles renumbered at the 600 mark before this one steal a little bit of its thunder. Thor, Captain America and Dare Devil have all already been renumbered, which appeared more as marketing gimmicks than anything else. Let me note that as someone currently working in Marketing, I do not necessarily take issue with what Marvel had done, and as a fan the change in numbering doesn’t really bother me. Unlike those aforementioned titles, this actually feels like a special milestone. I hope that it receives the attention it deserves.

Punisher Reloaded: It was announced last week that Marvel will be re-launching its Punisher Max series with a new number one and critically acclaimed writer Jason Aaron. Joining Jason will be Fan favorite artist Steve Dillon, who helped Garth Ennis bring the titular vigilante back into the spotlight under the Marvel Knights imprint.

Garth Ennis, another favorite writer of mine, had a 60 issue run on a Punisher series under Marvels adult oriented MAX imprint. The series established Frank Castle in the real world without the absurdity of costumed crime fighters, and super heroes. The series remains one of my favorites about one of my favorite characters. After Ennis left the series it was retiled Frank Castle: Punisher and the creative chores were passed back and forth between various creative teams.

Now it seems that title is being cancelled and reloaded by Aaron and Dillon. Once again called Punisher Max, Jason Aaron doesn’t just set his sights on the Punisher, but on two of his biggest foes as well. The first story arc will pit the Punisher against the Kingpin and Bullseye. This introduction of established Marvel characters is new to the Punisher Max Universe with but a few exceptions.

I’m totally stoked for this series, but have to admit the announcement did not come as much of a surprise to me. In fact; I not only guessed that Jason Aaron would be taking over Punisher Max after Ennis’ run, but also stated publically that I’d love to see Aaron have the Punisher face off against a villain like the Kingpin. Either I’m psychic, or dreams really do come true.

As an aside, the Punisher has always been one of my favorite characters, and I have even plotted out some MAX stories of my own that I would one day love to tell. The stories have been outlined, and I was working on the pitches, which can be a chore. I’ll keep the details close to my chest at this time, but keep your eyes open in the future for a stint on a Punisher Max series written by yours truly!

Captain Britain: The End: I came into this series late. In fact I didn’t read any of it until after its cancellation had been announced. Matt, my friend and neighbor who owns Cup of Kryptonite loaned the first dozen issues to me to read. As a comic fan, I feel I have perpetrated a great injustice because this series was really good, and unfortunately its sales were not reflective of how good it was.

There are those that feel super hero books have become nothing more than story boards for future Hollywood movies, and that was not the case here. For example, this latest story arc pits our heroes against Dracula and his invasion of Britain by space vampires…Classic!

This was the type of superhero book I would want to write, and is the type of superhero book I should have been reading. The diverse cast of heroes may not be as well known as your Avengers, or X-men, but writer Paul Cornell has done a superb job getting the reader to know and care about them. This is primarily done through their relationships with one another and their personalities more so than their super powers.

In retrospect this run has been a solidly entertaining ride, and I am regretful I hadn’t gotten on board with this book sooner. I can’t wait for Marvel to release this title as an omnibus, or at least in a couple of trade paperbacks. Maybe the sales of the collected editions will lead to the chance for another ongoing. If that becomes the case I will be sure not to make the same mistake twice.

Epic Sci-Fi: I like Sci-Fi, and I like Super heroes, but it hasn’t been until the last few years that I have enjoyed those cosmic based, sci-fi superhero comics. DC has been hitting homeruns with its Green Lantern series, which is a character I used to detest until discovering his potential under Geoff Johns direction. Green Lantern has become one of my favorite characters, and last summers Sinestro Corps War was a true blockbuster event.

We are now kicking off this summer blockbuster event, Blackest Night. And while the premise behind the color spectrum of the rings, and the various factions involved in a “war of light” may seem silly to the uninitiated, the execution has been wonderfully exciting, and new pitch perfect.

The same can be said over at Marvels House of Ideas starting with its Annihilation event from a few years ago. Annihilation introduced me to a whole new Marvel world that I never knew existed filled with exciting characters I had never heard of or completely forgotten about like Star Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Groot, and of course Nova.

I first read Nova in the pages of Spider-Man, or possibly New Warriors, but he was a character I never had much affinity for. Then the Annihilation wave changed all of that, it changed him, it changed me.

Now Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy is a couple of my favorite Marvel series. I hope the creative teams can do with Dark Hawk what they had done with Nova, and in Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning’s (affectionately referred to online as DnA) capable hands I am more than confident. Nova is one of those series that more people should be buying, and I fear it may soon share the same fate as the aforementioned Captain Britain series, if its sales do not pick up soon.

Novas #27 is in stores today and I recommend you all go buy a copy and become just as hooked as I am.

Speaking of Sci-Fi: It was announced last week that Moon Knight writer Charlie Huston has written a seven issue Deathlok mini series under the Marvel Knights imprint; I’ve always had an affinity with Deathlok and enjoy Huston’s comic work and prose so far. I am totally stoked for this, though I wish it were an ongoing instead of a mini-series. Hopefully the sales will demand a Deathlok ongoing, but it’s too early to tell.

New New Warriors?: After reading the latest issue of Avengers: The Initiative (#26), I have come to the conclusion that Chris Gage needs to write a new New Warriors ongoing. The ragtag team of outlaws he has put together is great including Justice (Former New Warrior Marvel Boy), Slapstick, Gauntlet, and Night Thrasher.

I don’t know how much life The Initiative has left in it since it was an offshoot of the Civil War, which seemed like ages ago. Regardless the rest of the run will be fun under Gage’s expert abilities, and I would love to see him take this book to it’s next logical step of evolution, which is a new New Warriors ongoing.

San Diego: This last week Comic Con International was held in sunny San Diego. I have never been, so I do not know what I’m missing. I know several people who were going, and wish I were able to join them in the festivities. I am hopefully going to be able to attend next year, but may do so as a guest as opposed to a vendor/artist alley inhabitant. I have heard that a show of that size and caliber would swallow my miniscule publishing venture anyway, and no-one would even realize I was there. I find that we fare better financially at smaller shows like KC’s Planet ComicCon, and MN’s Fallcon.

Hopefully next year it will be more fiscally viable to attend in the capacity as a retailer/artist, and maybe someday we could compete with the bog dogs, or maybe even attend in the capacity of working for the big dogs. Either way, I look forward to checking it out someday, and in the meantime will follow the news sites, and message boards for all the gory details.

A "non-review" of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen

Since I feel I lack the objectivity of being able to review this movie, this is less of a review of the Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Movie and more of some random thoughts on what I like and didn't like.

Some Spoilers Below, so consider yourself warned!!

Anyone who goes into Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen expecting it to be the next Citizen Kane is going to be sorely disappointed. However, if you are looking for big alien robots and even bigger action I’ve got your ticket right here. Despite scathing critical reviews the film has gone on to gross $201.2 million dollars in a mere five days, which should definitely ensure a sequel. I usually don’t agree with the up-tight, pretentious film critics anyway, and based on those stunning box office figures it appears the majority of film goers agree. Transformers: ROTF is the epitome of summer popcorn flick filled with two and half hours of in-your-face action, provocative eye-candy, and mind blowing special effects. I loved almost every minute…almost!

You may recall last time I posted a note that I was anxiously anticipating the films released and may have overhyped the film in my head, fearing it would not live up to my expectations. Well I am glad to inform you that it did in fact live up to those expectations, and in some ways exceeded them as well. There are just a few facets of the film I want to mention that are worthy of criticism.

The first is the inclusion of some superfluous scenes and characters. I hold the same criticism of the first film regarding Anthony Anderson’s character and the hot Australian chick whose name is not important. Those characters and their scenes seemed entirely unnecessary, and should have been left on the editing room floor. The same could be said in this installment of Sam’s (played by Shia Laboufe) college roommate. The character was totally unnecessary and though he may have been intended to serve as some type of comic relief he was nothing more than an annoyance. Ever since his introduction I was holding my breath for a Decepticon to step on his head.

I enjoyed the addition of Jet Fire who has always been one of my favorite characters. The take on him in this film is not what I expected, or would have preferred, but in the end he served his purpose. There was one expository filled scene however involving Jet Fire that could have easily been cut in half. A little time would have been saved, and the same points could have been made. The scene did serve as a break in the action, but actually pulled me out of the film a little bit.

People not intimately familiar with Transformers continuity may assume that the Fallen refers to Megatron (which it sort of does), as opposed to an actual character known as the Fallen. I would have much rather seen Megatron as the main villain this time around to; though the film does a good job building on Megatron and Starscream as individual characters as well as their relationship it could have gone further, and I hope to see that continue in the third installment. That being said it does not mean that the Fallen does not work as a villain because he certainly does. He also helps expand the legacy of the Transformers by building its history.

A welcome addition to the Decepticon Ranks was another of my childhood favorites, Soundwave. I am looking forward to seeing this character again in the next installment, and hopefully he will take on a more prominent role. We were also treated to an awesome Ravage, and Devastator who totally lives up to his name.

The Decepticon’s were not the only ones with some great additions to their ranks. The Autobots were joined by Sideswipe, and Arcee; both of whom I hope to see more of in the future.

Other than some unnecessary scenes, my one other criticism isn’t of the movie itself but rather in its marketing, which is no fault of the Director, or the cast, but of the studio. The movie is rated PG-13, and it earns its rating with intense action, over the top sexuality, coarse humor and foul language. All of these items are the typical ingredients in a movie I would love, but are not appropriate for a child still watching Sponge Bob Square Pants. This movie has been promoted heavily on channels like Nickelodeon, but it’s not a kid’s movie. Many will argue that it should be a kid’s movie because it’s based on a kid’s toy, but Transformers are not necessarily kid’s toys. I can prove this by giving any child a transformer toy and watching them dismember it while attempting to transform it. I did not feel that advertising it every commercial break on Nickelodeon was not appropriate, and in poor taste by the ad guys at the studio.

All in all I loved this movie for exactly what it was, and that it embraced what it was as opposed to masquerading as something it wasn't (does that sentence make sense?), and will definitely be seeing it again before it leaves theaters. It is long in some parts, and not appropriate for younger audiences, but it has none-the-less lived up to my own hype!