FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2013

This is one of my favorite days of the year. I was able to take all the kids (except Dennis, who was in Grand Rapids) and my daughter in law and my grandson, Gavin. We got there early, about an hour and a half early, and everyone mocked me.
Until the line began to grow.
And grow and grow and grow.

Here are the books I got.

2000 AD

I grew up with all of the 2000 AD family. Judge Dredd was always my favorite, but there were others that captured my attention. This huge magazine sized comic book was probably the best thing there.

MOUSE GUARD/RUST

Two very different, very sweet stories. I have never heard of RUST and might have to try that again. MOUSEGUARD is alwasy good, but I prefer MICE TEMPLAR.

THE SMURFS

Reprints with ANNOYING ORANGE and ARIOL. I liked ARIOL the most.

SUPERMAN;LAST SON OF KRYPTON

Good stuff. Interesting and I like how the non super hero side of things are handled.

THE STEAM ENGINES OF OZ

Interesting concept and I like the art, but I can't see buying more of this one.

THE TICK

THE TICK is always good. end of review.

INFINITY

Marvel Comics Summer event. I'm still playing catch up on AGE OF ULTRON so, pass. Didn't like this introduction to it at all.

BLEEDING COOL

I have never read this magazine. This was a nice little introduction to it. I might have to look at the actual publication in the near future.

JUDGE DREDD CLASSICS

Reprints the ultra cool Judge Death story. I could have done without all the Walter The Robot stories

FUBAR

FUBAR is zombies attacking during wartime in different time periods. From Valley Forge to Afghanistan and beyond. This was a unique concept and has that old black and white newsprint feel going

 for it. I might have to read more of these.

So, all in all everyone had a great time. we all got comic books. I was sad that the new issue of Captain America wasn't out, but picked up some new books as well. I am way behind on the comics column so I promise it will be out this week.
Start planning next year's FREE COMIC BOOK DAY if you haven't yet. It is always the first Saturday of May and always so much fun.

COMIC BOOK ROUND UP 3/23/13

My apologies dear readers. I completely forgot to do the last bi weekly of this column. I have no idea why, but I apologize. This one is going to be very, very long. To make it worse, in two weeks I will be attending Cinema Wasteland with the lovely Martha Waltz so, I won't be in town to hit up the comic book store. Unless I find a comic book store in Strongsville.
Hang on, because this one is going to be Uber long!

Captain America #4

As if it wasn't bad enough in the first issue where there was a page that read; 'One Year Later', this issue starts with a similar page only it's been eleven years.
Eleven years!
Steve Rogers has stolen Zola's son, Ian and raised him as his own. He has a Zola face grafted to his chest and fights against it every waking moment. Zola's daughter who looks so much like a Kirby creation that it hurts is on the hunt for Captain America to avenger her brother. See, Zola and her think Ian is dead.
They couldn't be more wrong.
As this epic continues to unfold I keep waiting for the other shoe to drop. I'm curious how this amount of time is passing without affecting the rest of the Marvel Universe. I am really interested to see how they resolve this one.

Captain America #5

Zola and his daughter catch up with Captain America and Ian and are shocked that Ian still lives. Zola is ready to just call it quits with Captain America. Now he has to try and undo the conditioning of twelve years that Cap has left on Ian.
It won't be very easy.
This was another consistent issue of goodness. I think part of me is just curious to see how it plays out and it does remind me of old Kirby stuff so, kind of a win-win situation.

Uncanny Avengers #4

Thor is under the power of the new and improved Red Skull. Can Scarlet Witch and Havok take him out before he does something he'll regret. Wolverine is down for the count and something has to give.
For a four issue run to start a series, this was a good way to go. We see the beginnings of a team that will show people what true heroes are, mutant or otherwise.
I'm glad I got this book and will stick with it. Of all the Avengers books out there, this is my favorite.

Dial H (So far)

I considered going through these one at a time, but there are so many of them. I am doing the bi weekly catch up so eventually it will be single issue reviews, but for now we do it this way.
First off, I can't find issue #2 so that will have to wait. What we do get is the washed up boxer, Nelson Jent, teaming up with little old lady hero Roxie Hodder who has been dialing up for quite some time now.
But, there is a secret little group that wants the dial for their own and they summon a huge creature known as Abyss who may just take out the world if they can't get their act together.
Especially since the dials are broken.
Now for the hero list;
Issue three has Roxie turning into something with firehoses for hands and feet that let her fly and do other cool stuff. A little like Mr. Fantastic at times as well.
Baroness Resin is Nelson's form in this issue and he's a little thrown off by being a woman. Roxie keeps her standard costume on and is huge and muscular.
Issue four has a villain with one of the dials who becomes Tap Out. She has a sink knob on her head and hot and cold faucets for arms.
Nelson becomes Rescue Jack. Not a dial character, just something he threw together to save Roxie.
Issue Five gives us one new hero and it might be the best. Cock A Hoop is part super rooster and a hula hoop. Such a great look and my favorite in the series so far.
I feel like they are slighting us on heroes in a series that is known for a lot of different heroes. Hopefully this will improve over the series.

Doctor Who Classics #1

IDW is giving us some classic adventures in this series. Sylvester McCoy is The Doctor in the two bizarre tales in this issue. In the first one he lands on a planet of monsters waiting for their doom and the second one has a very cartoony feel as Dr. Who meets The Sleeze Brothers. Such a fun read. CAn not wait for the next issue.

Justice League of America #2

 Issue one gave us the beginnings of the team and now they are together on their first mission against a secret society of super villains  (Hey! Wasn't that a comic book?). Only everything is not what it seems. Stargirl is sent out to talk to the world and Catwoman is told to keep a low profile. She finds she has more in common with Steve Trevor than she knew.
Major complaints on this issue is the Martian Manhunter back up story makes for a short main story read. And Green Arrow's mask is stupid looking.

Age of Ultron Book One/Book Two

Marvel says that this takes place in the current continuity. I'm not buying it. The basic premise is that Ultron has taken over the world. We can only verify New York, but it seems more global than we thought. First issue was focused on Hawkeye and Spider Man while the second book is a lot of Black Widow and Moon Knight. So, they are taking an Avenger from the movie and adding another character from the Marvel Universe for each issue? Okay. I still don't see how they are going to pull this off, but I'll stick around for the run. Why not? I haven't participated in a comic book event in forever. It'll be fun, right?

COMIC BOOK ROUNDUP 2/26/13

Okay, I recently made the decision to re enter the world of buying comic books. Not a lot, but things that genuinely interested me. I've got a few of each of the issues so this column will be kind of an overview and then every two weeks, because that is when I go to the comic book store, I will be covering the issues I buy. Sound good? Okay, let's go!

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #1

I was sad that my local shop didn't have the State of Michigan flag so I went with the traditional stars and stripes cover.
Here is your team; Martian Manhunter, Hawkman, Star Girl, Katana, Green Arrow, A Green Lantern, Vibe, Catwoman.
This is the intro issue and it's really about finding powers to counteract the heavy hitters in Justice League. It seems that the government saw Superman kissing Wonder Woman and now they are worried they will make super babies and take over the world. This is such a quirky team and I like what they have accomplished in a single issue. Upfront I am not a fan of the new DC 52. They cancelled the OMAC book and the Frankenstein book and the Hawkman book. Pretty much if I liked it they cancelled it. I'm going to stick around for this one to see how it plays out. David Finch's art works for this book. His Catwoman is exquisite.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #'S 1,2,3

Captain America is my favorite super hero. No one is better than Captain America as long as it's Steve Rogers. No one else can do the job in my opinion and it has been tried. With the fantastic art of Klaus Janson and John Romita Jr. we get such a Kirbyesque feel to the book and that is what it needs with this storyline. Captain America has been kidnapped by Arnim Zola and whisked away to the lethal Dimension Z. Insane beasts and humanoids roam the countryside and Captain America has to survive. And he's not alone. when he made his break from Arnim Zola's stronghold he took a baby with him. He has to watch someone else's back now and he has sworn to the child they will both return to Earth.
This reminds me of when Kirby was doing Captain America. The art screams it at you and that is good. I thought it was a ballsy move to have issue two start with the phrase, 'one year later'. This is a Captain America out of his element and still remembering what it is that makes him Captain America. I see this being a great book for a very long time and will stick with it for as long as this team manages to keep up this level of story telling.

DIAL H #s 1 & 2

I know the book has been out for a while and I get that I will have to play catch up. I will get two issues at a time or more if cash allows it. This has always been one of my favorite things that has come from DC and I like that they are taking us back to the origins of the dial. Not everything is laid out for us, but we get little nibbles of the mystery that is Dial H. I thought it would also be a good idea to run down the heroes in each issue.
Issue one had six of them even though only one went past the one panel mark; Dead Hood, Arrowmaid, The Needler, Power Squirrel (I would have liked to see more of this one), Nuclear Punch and Bumper Carla who with her awesome bumper car manages to put the kibosh on some seriously mean monsters.
Issue 2 had Boy Chimney who was pretty cool with his smoke powers and body made of brick and Captain Lachrymose (Look it up, makes it funnier) who made me laugh out loud.
This is so in the vein of the original with better storylines that I can't wait to get caught up on each and every issue.

THE UNCANNY AVENGERS  #'s 1,2,3

I went to get an Avengers book and was overwhelmed. There were so many different ones on the rack. How would I choose? I decided on Uncanny Avengers because I liked the word 'uncanny' and I saw Captain America on the cover.
Here's your team; Captain America, Thor, Scarlet Witch, Rogue, Havok and Wolverine.
Apparently there was some weird stuff going on with that whole Avengers VS X-Men thing that I skipped. Charles Xavier is dead...again. And Cyclops is a bad guy?!?
Captain America realizes the need for a mutant/human get along and asks Havok to lead the team. Sure, it's because he looks normal out of costume, but you do need good PR for a team that will be half mutants.
And who are they fighting?
Red Skull.
Perfect.
He has decided to cleanse New York City of all mutants. How? Simple, he stole Charles Xavier's body and bonded his brain to Xavier's. Now he can bend the masses to his will. In three issues he has managed to wreak havoc (No pun intended) and lobotomize and kill Avalanche in the initial attack. Now he will use his powers to bring the Eternal Reich to the world. His weapon? Thor.
This is a really good comic and the artwork by John Cassaday is awesome. It is not lost on me that the writer is Rick Remender who is doing such a great job on my Captain America comic book.
Out of all the Avengers comics on the rack today I do believe that I have chosen the best.
Hurray!

See everyone in two weeks with whatever else I buy. I'm pretty sure Captain America #4 will be out as well as more catching up with Dial H. we shall see.

ARGO

A little something behind the scenes in anticipation of the release.

DC COmics 52: Yet another step into retardessness.

I can't even say how bad this is. Just go here;

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/shining-knight-intersex-superhero.html

I weep for the future of comics.

CARTOON CAVALCADE!!

A lot of people equate Warner Archives as a handy way to get those hard to find films, but did you know they also have some pretty cool cartoons available. Here's a sample;

The Flintstones Prime Time Specials Volume 1

The Flintstones are a cartoon institution and many forget that it was a prime time show in it's heyday. After that they were delegated to Saturday Mornings, but it wasn't always that way. This double feature gives us two, prime time specials. First up is The Flintstones Meet Rockula and Frankenstone. When the gang wins a game show and winds up in Rocksylvania it isn't long before the guys awaken Frankenstone who, in turn, awakens his vampiric master, Rockula. Rockula develops a case of the hots for Wilma and the hijinks ensue. Then it's the world of kids baseball with Flintstones Little Big League and Fred and Barney are coaches on opposing teams and Mr. Slate wants Fred to win the series no matter what.
And one of the coolest parts of this? It's just Volume 1! More to come.

Snorks: Complete First Season

Most people will remember the annoying third season opening theme song and cringe. Others will consider it to be nothing more than an underwater version of The Smurfs. A lot of people don't realize that this show actually ran for five years and the first season was probably one of the best. Anchored in reality by it's opening it gave the show more depth than you got from a lot of Saturday Morning fare. Here, check out the opening;



See! Not as stupid as you remember, was it? And for all you Snork completists out there you know you will get them all.

Heathcliff and Dingbat

The cartoon cat who predates Garfield by 5 years got his own show. Well, half of his own show. The other half deals with monster animals who have their own brand of misadventures. While this only ran for 13 episodes, hopefully Warner Archives will run the second half that has Heathcliff sharing his air time with Marmaduke, the great Dane.

This is a wonderful way to introduce kids to cartoons that weren't there to just sell you toys and whatnot. Just some good old Saturday Morning fun and, with The Flintstones, proof that prime time cartoons aren't just the offensive stuff we see today.

WTF?!?

This might be the stupidest thing I have ever seen. Bad enough that we have Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury because of the Ultimates line, but Captain America as the President?!? There are times that I am glad that I am poor and this is one of them. If I had a huge expendable income I might be curious. Luckily, my sting ass bastard mode prevents me from buying this at all. So, so much bad here.