Moving

Due to the never-ending technical difficulties of Blogger, coupled with the fact that I am now writing semi-professionlly for Street Savvy, I will no longer be posting new content here.

You can still find all my usual reviews and insightful articles at Street Savvy, along with lots of other interesting content on films, television, music and pop culture in general.

Thanks for everything!

P.S. I might be back, you never know.

The Weekly Trade #25

Lotta re-reading this week. Some unexpected Thor though.

Thor: World Eaters (hardcover)
Written by Matt Fraction; art by Pasqual Ferry; published by Marvel Comics.
Here it is: Marvel "Architect" Matt Fraction's run on Thor, and earlier than I thought it was coming out.

Unexpected Thor is always good.

Where Do I Start With... Superman

Who?

C'mon. Everybody knows that mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent is secretly Superman, the Man of Steel, rocketed to Earth from the doomed planet Krypton and raised by Kansas farm couple Jonathan and Martha Kent, and that he can leap tall buildings in a single bound, is more powerful than a locomotive and faster than a speeding bullet!

Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster for Action Comics #1 in 1938, Superman was the first ever superhero, birthing an entire genre and character archetype in his mould, and setting the standard for decades to follow. Standing for the principles of Truth, Justice and the American Way, he remains the most well known superhero in the world, and has spawned countless media adaptations and talking points.

Okay, so where do I start?

Batman and Robin Must Die! (Review)

Writer: Grant Morrison

Artists: Frazer Irving, David Finch, Cameron Stewart, et al

Publisher: DC Comics

Collects: Batman & Robin #13-16; Batman: The Return #1

When Bruce Wayne "died" at the hands of Darkseid in 2009's Final Crisis, rather than die with him, the Bat-franchise exploded into so many ongoing series that I honestly lost count. But there was one that stood above all the others: Batman & Robin, starring former Boy Wonder Dick Grayson as Batman, and recently revealed offspring Damian Wayne as Robin. Fun, colourful and action-packed, fans and critics alike loved this series a lot more than anybody could have expected.

But now Bruce is back, and I couldn't shake the feeling that the kids would have to pack up their toys now that Daddy was home as I unknowingly dove into the ominously titled Batman and Robin Must Die!
And that is the greatest thing about Grant Morrison's time writing Batman: It feels like anything could happen and nothing is set in stone. It's like a rollercoaster in the dark, and I don't know when it's going to stop.

The Weekly Trade #24

(Due to some technical difficulties at Blogger, posts have been deleted and reposted as necessary.)

Trades are like buses...

Batman & Robin Must Die! (hardcover)
Written by Grant Morrison; art by Frazer Irving, et al; published by DC Comics.
This has been a damned fun series, but with both Bruce Wayne and the Joker returning in this exciting tale featuring the talented Frazer Irving on art, it feels disturbingly final. Especially with the title.

Birds of Prey: End Run (hardcover)
Written by Gail Simone; art by Ed Benes, et al; published by DC Comics.
I never read this series when it was out before, but Gail Simone is one of my favourite writers so I'll give it a shot. Plus, Ed Benes draws some purty ladies.

Irredeemable Volume 6
Written by Mark Waid; art by Peter Krause and Diego Barreto; published by BOOM! Studios.
Every time I read Irrdeemable I pray for an end to the horror. And every time I finish a volume, I'm hungry for more. One of the best series on the shelves right now.

...They're full of interesting characters?

Secret Six: The Reptile Brain (Review)

Writers: Gail Simone and Paul Cornell

Artists: J. Calafiore and Pete Woods

Publisher: DC Comics

Collects: Secret Six #25-29; Action Comics #896

Despite numerous brushes with the larger DC Universe, Secret Six has always felt like an indie book to me. Following a team of C-list villains (and Bane), it's violent, crude, sexy, and lots of other things that would make Superman blush. Being slightly off the rails has made it a thrill to read; with unpredictable storylines and captivating characters, it's one of the hottest mainstream series out there right now.

Which is why I was a teeny-tiny bit disappointed with The Reptile Brain.

With the team split in two, we get some fun new additions from the bottom of DC's collective rogues gallery. Every one of them gets the Gail Simone treatment; elevating them from "villain-of-the-weeks" into blank canvasses ripe for masterpiece. She makes King Shark disturbingly hilarious, and you just know something bad is gonna happen to Dwarfstar from his attitude.

Brightest Day Volume Two (Review)

Writers: Geoff Johns and Peter J. Tomasi

Artists: Ivan Reis, Patrick Gleason, Adrian Syaf, Scott Clark and Joe Prado

Publisher: DC Comics
Collects: Brightest Day #8-16

Previously on Brightest Day... Twelve dead characters (heroes and villains) were resurrected at the end of DC's last Event story, Blackest Night by an enigmatic white light. Now trying to put their lives back together, they discover that they may have been brought back for a purpose...

I felt that the first volume of this series was slow moving, and relied too much on dangling mysteries to string the reader along, rather than provide anything substantial in the present. Now that I have read Volume Two, I think I have a better idea of the overall story structure. We are now in the second act of this epic saga.

The Weekly Trade #23

Bright, shining hope and pitch-black humour this week.

Brightest Day, Volume Two (hardcover)
Written by Geoff Johns and Peter J. Tomasi; art by various; published by DC Comics.
The mystery/drama continues. Will secrets be revealed? And speaking of secrets...

Secret Six: The Reptile Brain (softcover)
Written by Gail Simone and Paul Cornell; art by J. Calafiore, Pete Woods, et al; published by DC Comics.
This series is always awesome and hilarious, and a crossover with Cornell's Action Comics storyline sets my excitement to 11!

After a Marvel rush, I'm starting to settle back into the DC Universe again...

Fantastic Four: Three (Review)

Writer: Jonathan Hickman

Artists: Steve Epting, Nick Dragotta, Mark Brooks

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Collects: Fantastic Four #583-588

It is so rare that a mainstream, in-continuity superhero story is worthy of such high praise as Fantastic Four: Three. Not that there aren't exceptional stories out there, but it is like saying a single episode of your favorite TV show is equal to a great movie. Free of context or prelude, one small piece of an on-going saga can feel a little hollow when compared to a complete, self-contained epic.

Yes, Three is the culmination of Jonathan Hickman's entire emotional run on this series, and previous knowledge is essential, but the skill poured into this story and the impact that it has on the reader elevates it onto a whole new level, and into comic book history.

We all knew going in that this was going to be the much-publicised storyline that saw the death of a Fantastic Four member, but anyone who half-heartedly jumped on board just so that they could say the comic book equivalent of "I was there" will not find it that easy. This isn't just the death of a superhero -- this is the loss of a family member.

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD!

A-Musing: The Worst of My Collection

As you might imagine, I have quite a lot of comic book trades. And, as with any large collection, some of it is crap.

We all experience buyer's remorse from time to time, and we are all lured in by shiny beads or what-have-you. There are comics I wish I could retcon from my shelves as easily as they do with Superman's origins.

Do not misunderstand me: I gotta lotta good stuff too. And a lot of it is not awful, but poor, and that's a different story. Nor am I trying to say that these trades are quantifiably terrible. There's no such thing. It's just that, in my humble opinion, I feel that the quality of the work does not justify my purchase.

Here are a few examples:

The Weekly Trade #22

Just had a Thorgasmic movie-going experience (can you guess what I saw?) and am in a comics mood!

Whadda I got?

Action Comics #900 (issue)
By various writers and artists; published by DC Comics.
I'm not an obsessive collector type, but America's longest running comic series, which birthed Superman -- and thus superheroes -- in its number one issue is a hell of a milestone that not even I resisted.

Fantastic Four: Three (hardcover)
Written by Jonathan Hickman; art by Steve Epting and Nick Dragotta; published by Marvel Comics.
This is probably my favourite Marvel series at the moment, and this collection features the death of an FF member (I won't spoil, just in case some of you haven't heard).

Jonah Hex: Tall Tales (softcover)
Written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti; art by various; published by DC Comics.
Always a great read, and it always feels like too long since the last one came out.

See you next week, people of Midgard!

Thor, Volume One (Classic Review)

Originally released in 2008.

Writer: J. Michael Straczynski

Artist: Olivier Coipel

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Collects: Thor #1-6

The first page of this collection tells you everything you need to know about the rest of it: Gorgeous artwork and lofty dialogue.

After Ragnarok, the battle to end all battles, Asgard and its residents have been wiped out. From the void of nothingness, Thor is resurrected by his former alter ego Dr. Don Blake, who is also restored to reality. And so Thor sets about rebuilding that which was lost; reconstructing Asgard in a field in Oklahoma, and seeking out his people in the bodies of mortals.

I fell in love with this story the first time I read it. Coipel's art is simply divine, with powerful designs, striking layouts, and realistic body language and facial expressions. I can recognise each unique character and feel as though I know them intimately. He works in conjunction with Straczynski to create a rich atmosphere whatever the tone, whether dark and grim or light and humorous. The famous Laura Martin on colours doesn't hurt either.

The Weekly Trade #21

My sister turned 21 yesterday. Just thought I'd point out the coincidence.

Didn't get anything new this week, despite temptation.

Nightwing: Freefall (softcover)
Written by Peter J. Tomasi; art by Rags Morales and Don Kramer; published by DC Comics.
The thing about Dick Grayson being Batman now is that it has made me truly appreciate him as more than just a right-hand man, even in past stories. With a great creative team on this title, I had to check it out. Because I just can't get enough Dick. Sorry.

Terra (softcover)
Written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti; art by Amanda Conner; published by DC Comics.
Set before the amazing new Power Girl series by the same amazing creative team, this tells the story of PG's plucky gal pal Terra. Who is also pretty amazing.

Shine on, you crazy diamonds! Shine on...

Where Do I Start With... Thor

Who?

Of course, as everyone knows, Thor is the ancient Norse God of Thunder, but he was adapted for Marvel Comics in 1962 by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber and Jack Kirby, making his first appearance in Journey into Mystery #83. Originally, he was bound to New York surgeon Dr. Donald Blake, and they would switch places at will. This has changed over the years, with Thor being attached to other mortals as well as going it alone, but Blake has recently returned to the series.

Possessing godlike strength and stamina, Thor also wields the mighty Mjölnir -- his legendary hammer; enabling him to fly, and command thunder and lightning.

Known for his headstrong attitude and Shakespearean speech, Thor has always taken part in fantastical adventures on both Earth and beyond, and is not limited to the laws and ethics of man. He is burdened by greater, more divine responsibilities.

Okay, so where do I start?

Justice League: Generation Lost, Volume One (Review)

Writer: Judd Winick

Artists: Keith Giffen (breakdowns), Aaron Lopresti, Joe Bennett, Fernando Dagnino

Publisher: DC Comics

Collects: Justice League: Generation Lost #1-12

Or, How to Write a Good Justice League Story could have been added on to the title of this nostalgic-yet-modern resurrection of Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis and Kevin Maguire's light-hearted Justice League International run, which lasted from 1987 to 1994 and remains critically acclaimed to this day.

Freshly returned from the dead at the end of Blackest Night, former 80s business guy turned mind-controlling supervillain Maxwell Lord is up to his old tricks. Using his advanced psychic powers, he makes the whole world forget about him and his past evil deeds, giving himself a fresh start. The only ones who remember him are some of his "ex-clients" from the JLI: Booster Gold, Captain Atom, Fire and Ice. With everyone on the planet thinking they're insane, they must find out what Max is up to and stop him before it's too late.

The Weekly Trade #20

Back to normal now, and what did I buy?

Avengers Prime (hardcover)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis; art by Alan Davis; published by Marvel Comics.
I'm not really into the Avengers, but a story focusing on Marvel's "Big Three" -- Captain America, Thor and Iron Man -- sounds pretty interesting.

Justice League: Generation Lost (hardcover)
Written by Keith Giffen and Judd Winick; art by various; published by DC Comics.
Reviving the classic JLI run from the 80s and 90s, I've heard very good things about this series.

Our Army at War (softcover)
By various writers and artists; published by DC Comics.
An anthology of war stories from multiple talented creators, working in a genre that's just as big in comics as superheroes are.

Time Masters: Vanishing Point (softcover)
Written by Dan Jurgens; art by Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund; published by DC Comics.
Time-travel mystery/adventure that ties in with The Return of Bruce Wayne? Count me in!

Warriors Three: Dog Day Afternoon (hardcover)
Written by Bill Willingham; art by Neil Edwards; published by Marvel Comics.
The Warriors Three are my favourite supporting characters in all comics, and I'm looking forward to their own little spin-off.

Business as usual, ladies and gents.

Kapow! Comic Con 2011

It always seemed somewhat odd to me that Britain has produced so many great comic book writers and artists yet we never really had our own big convention, like San Diego or WonderCon.

This is clearly the same thinking that led some clever souls to throw Kapow! Comic Con together. With the aim of making it into the UK's biggest comic book convention, it would open its doors for the first time in London on April 9th, 2011, and feature many talented guests, fun panels, and super-secret film footage, the likes of which our cousins across the Atlantic have enjoyed for years.

Needless to say, I was Londonbound from the second I heard about it.

Kapow!

Due to this weekend's festivities in London, which I will be attending, I shall be taking a little holiday from the site, in order to better prepare myself for enjoyment.

Normal service, which should include an in-depth report on the con, will no doubt resume after said con.

See ya!

Superman: The Black Ring, Volume One (Review)

Writer: Paul Cornell

Artist: Pete Woods, et al

Publisher: DC Comics
Collects: Action Comics #890-895

There was a time when it was a treat to see characters from different series together. When seeing Green Lantern fight the Joker, or Batman fight Sinestro would have thrilled and delighted in idea alone. But such things are taken for granted now. The bad guys team up every year, and nobody sticks to the confines of their own territory for long. We seek other thrills now.

It seemed like such simple wonders were behind us, and naught but shadows of a "less sophisticated" time.

And then a terribly entertaining Englishman called Paul Cornell swam the channel between Marvel and DC, and between past and present, to bring us The Black Ring.

The Weekly Trade #19

Just a tiny, little purchase this week. Incidently, this Saturday it'll be a week till Kapow! Comic Con in London. Yay!

Superman: The Black Ring, Volume One (hardcover)
Written by Paul Cornell; art by Pete Woods, et al; published by DC Comics.
Been waiting a while for this much-praised series from Cornell, focusing on Lex Luthor's latest power scheme.

You know the name, you know the URL.