SWSX (South by Southwest)

I’m probably just jealous that other people are there. But it does seem like the whole thing is run off of "smug."

Secret Invasion

I barely have interest in company-wide crossovers when I give a crap about the characters, much less with Marvel characters. "He/She’s a Skrull" is this year’s "Superboy punch."

Iron Man and The Dark Knight movies

Just can’t manage to work up much enthusiasm for either.

There’s probably much more, but I don’t care enough to write about them.

Rise of the Silver Surfer manages to make the first Fantastic Four movie look good, a fantastic feat in itself. The plot is simple: the Silver Surfer comes to Earth to prepare it for eventual destruction by Galactus. Meanwhile, Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) and Sue Storm (Invisible Woman) are trying to get married. Hilarity ensues.

Okay, let’s quickly run down the things the movie gets right:

• Johnny and Ben are fun for the scant time they get together.
• The special effects are good, mostly.

And now, the bad stuff:

• Jessica Alba looks like someone scooped her brains out. Half the time, they put her in glasses, so that we think she’s smart. And she’s peroxided to the point of distraction.
• Galactus is a cloud. Really. And his big plan appears to be to have the Silver Surfer dig potholes all over the Earth.
• One of the big set pieces is saving a ferris wheel.
• No Ultimate Nullifier
• The special effects for Mr. Fantastic were, indeed, special. In the bad way.

There’s just so much bad in this movie. The comedy falls flat, the action is perfunctory, and the acting is mediocre. Avoid this.

• The Death of Captain America: He’ll be back, and it seems like if it was that easy to kill him, why didn’t the Red Skull do it back in World War II?
• 300: Do I really need to see a long, loud action movie based on a graphic novel I’ve got no desire to read? Probably not.
• American Idol: Why is this show so popular?

The first Patron Saint of Spandex is coming February 1st!

Technorati Tags: patron saint

September 13th Comics

52: Week Nineteen

Even more mysteries are set up, with precious little being explained. Still, Starfire wearing Animal Man’s shirt was both cute and a little disturbing. Please don’t kill Starfire.

Firestorm The Nuclear Man #29

Eh. This comic is slowly annoying me. Too many superheroes around, yet none of them seem especially competent. It feels like the plot should be more majestic and awe-inspiring, but it isn’t.

Green Lantern #13

I picked up the last issue, since I hear a lot of Green Lanterns get undeaded. Which does indeed happen. Another gets undeaded this issue, and has her history retconned. But it’s Arisia, so that’s okay (I always liked her and am glad she’s back). And I can always hope that this is the last appearance of the Cyborg Superman, though I doubt it.

Green Lantern Corps #4

Good rollicking fun: Guy Gardner goes on vacation and gets into trouble. Meanwhile, we see Natu performing a solemn duty, while Isamot must decide what’s more important: procreation or vocation. I think this comic is getting better.

Martian Manhunter #2

J’onn saves a multitude of Martians from a secret government facility. I liked that while some of the Martians seemed slightly grateful, most are a little suspicious. It’s interesting that these Martians didn’t all arrive at once. I wonder if Dr. Erdel’s technology is still around?

September 6th Comics

Nightwing #124

The last of Bruce Jones’ run, and it ends with a whimper. Nightwing apparently needs help from Arsenal to avoid a few cops (then end up doing a lot of damage and breaking a ton of laws). I find it amusing that a guy currently named "Arsenal" and formerly named "Speedy" finds time to make a joke about Nightwing not having wings. Let’s see, Roy, your name is Arsenal and all you seem to be using is a bow and back when you were Speedy, I think it referred to the amount of time it took for Donna to blow off your passes (or your proficiency with a needle, whatever). Anyhow, pointless cameo, stupid plot.

52: Week Eighteen

This is weird. It hasn’t been that long, but I can’t really remember what happened in this issue. Anyhow, please don’t kill Starfire.

Mystery In Space #1

Talky, but good. I like Captain Comet and a vaguely recall The Weird, so I’m in for the long haul on this. It’s hard to tell where things are going with it, but I’m willing to see.

Agents Of Atlas #2

More good stuff. I like comics with odd premises and strange characters and this one has both. Plus, I’m pretty sure it isn’t going to have a Civil War crossover.

Atom #3

Still slowly working up to the plot, but I trust Gail Simone to keep me interested along the way, and she does.

Detective Comics #823

Good, if unspectacular. Bit of a Deus Ex Machina at the end, though. I like how Poison Ivy was portrayed: I hate it when the Asylum patients are basically normal, I think Paul Dini does a better job of showing that Ivy’s problems aren’t just her powers. She’d be in Arkham regardless.

Technorati Tags: 52, Green Lantern, Batman, Atom, Captain Comet, The Weird, Nightwing, Martian Manhunter, Firestorm

A quick note. I’m tossing in my initial rankings, but I’ll likely not get to actually reading my comics until next week: going out of town on Thursday and won’t be back for a few days. So you’ll all have to suffer.

6. Nightwing #124

Has it really been a month already? Last issue ended up being better than expected, but only because other comics were really bad. Sorta like how a polished turn looks better than unpolished turds. But even that implies that Nightwing is polished, which it isn’t.

5. 52: Week Eighteen

Is there some sort of withdrawal program for 52? I mean, it’s consistently just "eh" and I really shouldn’t be buying it, yet I am. Oh, and please don’t kill Starfire.

4. Mystery In Space #1

I love space adventures and I love Captain Comet.

3. Agents Of Atlas #2

The first issue was pretty good, but I hope we don’t get too wrapped up in S.H.I.E.L.D.

2. Atom #3

This title’s been a little slow out of the starting gate, but there’s enough propelling it that it should start to hit a nice stride.

1. Detective Comics #823

I love this comic, but, man, the covers are really hideous. Drawing Batman like the movie version just makes him look constipated and it looks like he’s packing a utility belt full of disposable cameras.

A surprising week! I almost feel, that with one exception, this was a week of all good comics. Red means a comic that was worse than I expected, green means that it was better.

6. American Way #7

I think this series is overly long, and could have been wrapped up in four issues, easily. This issue really doesn’t do anything new or interesting, but I guess it at least advances the plot. Yay, only one more issue to go.

Movement: -1 (was #5)

5. 52: Week Seventeen

Sigh. They treat Starfire nicely in this issue, with a nice discussion with Animal Man and some interesting interactions between her and Lobo. Please don’t kill her. Please please please. Anyhow, I like Animal Man, Starfire and Red Tornado, so I liked this issue.

Movement: +1 (was #6)

4. Uncle Sam And The Freedom Fighters #2

I think Uncle Sam convinces the others to join him a little too easily, and I’m sorry to see Bigfoot go, too, but this comic is a lot better than it really has any right to be.

Movement: -

3. X-Factor #10

First part of a new arc, and it’s interesting. Unfortunately, there’s a betrayal, which is clearly getting to be very cliche these days. But the Madrox double problem (ha, I made a funny) is going to be extremely fascinating, and Layla continues to be amusing, too. A solid issue and I’m glad the Civil War stuff is out of the picture for now.

Movement: -

2. All-Star Superman #5

Another great issue, with a Clark Kent that saves the day while never even becoming Superman. Of course, it was somewhat Superman’s fault to begin with…. I loved the arrogant Lex Luthor, who is happy to die, since he’s done what he thinks he had to do.

Movement: -1 (was #1)

1. Teen Titans #38

Wow, lots going on this issue, with a big reveal of who was in the Titans in the past year. Including, of course, Miss Martian and Flamebird, among others. I’m hoping that Flamebird is actually the Batgirl being seen over in Birds of Prey: sort of a return to her roots. Some interesting new characters, too, like Talon (a Batwoman sidekick?), Little Barda and the Joker’s Daughter and the Riddler’s Daughter. This keeps me onboard for a long, long time.

Movement: +1 (was #2)

I’m a little surprised. Don’t get me wrong, All-Star Superman was a great comic and, by all rights, should have won this week. But Teen Titans actually made me giddy. It made me want the next issue now: and that’s a good feeling to have. That’s why it’s the Last Comic in the Pile for this week.

Technorati Tags: Superman, 52, Teen Titans, X-Factor, American Way, Freedom Fighters

Ah, some Titans and Superman, among others. Yay! As usual, from what I think will be worst to best.

6. 52: Week Seventeen

Another week of torture. I’m really not sure why I keep buying this.

5. American Way #7

I also seem to have a weakness for finishing bad mini-series, too.

4. Uncle Sam And The Freedom Fighters #2

First issue was interesting, hope the second builds on that.

3. X-Factor #10

With Civil War behind it (I hope), this comic should return to being really good, as opposed to just good.

2. Teen Titans #38

I’m really enjoying the "One Year Later" Titans. Needs more Miss Martian, though.

1. All Star Superman #5

Not a big surprise: this comic is normally excellent, and there’s no reason to think it won’t be any different this month.

Technorati Tags: Superman, 52, Teen Titans, X-Factor, American Way, Freedom Fighters

Wow, what a surprising week. Though Nightwing is usually a strong contender for "worst" every month, it actually ends up being better than a couple of comics. This week also brings the Worst Comic Ever award for The Boys: it is attempting some sort of ironic statement about superheroes? Or is it just shit? I’m thinking shit.

This week, we say goodbye to The Boys, we hardly much time together, but it was all bad, and sayonara to Checkmate which can’t manage to make me care about the characters or, apparently, remember what chess piece they represent. 52 is also close to the chopping block, but I’ll give it another week.

Anyhow, red means that the comic was worse than I had predicted, green means it was better, and grey means that it was just as I expected.

9. The Boys #1

I’m not even going to bother reviewing this comic, it’s that bad. Instead, I’m going to look at the ads. Beerfest movie ad, stupid, not seeing that movie until I’m drunk and it’s on Starz one late night. Oooh, Gojira on DVD, that’s on my buy list. Absolute Dark Knight looks good, but I’m still paying off the Watchmen one. Grant Morrison/Andy Kubert Batman: eh, hasn’t impressed me yet. Mountain Dew, Infinite Crisis, Vans, bleh. Alex Ross’ Justice: I’m really over the Fred MacMurray as Captain Marvel thing. Ah, Matt Wagner’s Batman and the Mad Monk, a definite buy. Let’s see, WSVG ad, whatever that is. Brave New World comics, V for Vendetta DVD, and a dumb Dodge ad. Hey, DC, how about next month you just publish a comic full of advertisements instead of crap like this comic?

Movement: -2 (was #7)

8. 52 Week Fifteen

I dislike stories that attempt to build up a hero by tearing another down. In this issue, it’s Booster Gold getting ripped apart and Supernova getting the praise. Then Booster makes the supreme sacrifice (and, it appears, spreads the remains of a nuclear submarine across Metropolis). Anyhow, that’s pretty much the whole issue (Renee and the Question have a few pages). Eh. I don’t believe that Booster is gone, and if he is, then this was a piss-poor way to go. And Supernova’s an ass.

Movement: -

7. Nightwing #123

Okay, new month, new story, new artist. This artist really likes drawing ropes. When Nightwing is swinging about the city, his rope seems to wrap all around him. Looks stupid, like he hit a clothesline. Dick’s landlord appears to hang out in his place. That’s weird for a landlord. Anyhow, some pyro-powered villain torches Cheyenne’s office building at the Pierce brothers’ command. Yep, same set of lame characters. We do get some explanation of the Dick/Barbara breakup as Nightwing visits Clancy for more psychoanalysis. Strangely, this issue wasn’t nearly as bad as the previous ones, but it feels like a one-issue story that’s being stretched out.

Movement: +2 (was #9)

6. Checkmate #5

Two panels in, and it starts already: "White King’s Knight — Thomas Jagger. Black Queen’s Bishop — Jessica Midnight." Bye, bye, Checkmate. Five issues in, and you still don’t have confidence in your readers to know who is who. Sorry, Greg Rucka. Mr. Terrific’s "mask" does look like blackface. And it looks stupid and doesn’t appear to offer any advantage like hiding his identity. Anyhow, Alan Scott, sorry, "White King (Former) — Alan Scott" offers the White King job to Mr. Terrific: he’s going back to the JSA. Amanda Waller has some dirt on Fire, which is why she’s working for Checkmate: that does make sense. Otherwise, it’s a typical issue of intrigue, deceit and introductions on characters we should already know without captions.

Movement: -

5. Green Lantern Corps #3

Cool, nothing like Lanterns kicking butt to get you going. Natu (not dead, of course) gets in on the fighting, too. And apparently, there’s also diplomatic immunity from the GLC. Justice is still served, though, and a new Lantern is chosen. Another solid issue. I’m definitely getting a good cop show vibe from the comic, and it’s moving story lines along quite quickly (I’m looking at you, 52).

Movement: -1 (was #4)

4. Shadowpact #4

So, while other humans seem to run in fear of the Martian Manhunter, every one just loves Blue Devil. I like that Willingham remembers that Dan Cassidy is a Catholic: normally, stuff like that gets missed. Anyhow, the Demonic Retrieval Corps have sent Mr. Green and Mr. Grey to bring Blue Devil down below for judgement. I really enjoyed this issue: the end alone prompted many laughs. After a lackluster first arc, I really liked this somewhat stand-alone issue.

Movement: -1 (was #3)

3. Nextwave #7

Hahahaha. The Secret Origin of the Captain’s Name. Funny stuff. Huge Walking Monster Things With Death-Ray Faces on Skateboards! Exploding things. This was the perfect antidote to The Boys. This one just gets extra points for making me laugh.

Movement: +2 (was #5)

2. Manhunter #25

Have I mentioned my love of supporting casts? While the supporting cast in Nightwing seems rather bland and lacking in character, the ones in Manhunter seem real. There’s a sense that these people have actual lives.

Movement: -1 (was #1)

1. Robin #153

Robin teams up with Captain Boomerang, searching for a nuke that Joker’s been saving for a rainy day. Suddenly, in the middle of things, Danny Chase shows up. Okay, so it isn’t Danny Chase: it’s Dodge, another annoying tussled haired kid with teleporting powers. I know, Danny didn’t have teleporting powers, but damn, that’s all this new kid reminds me of. Anyhow, this is one of those stories that could have been stretched out for many issues, but works much better as one. Excellent issue.

Movement: +1 (was #2)

Technorati Tags: 52, Nightwing, Robin, Checkmate, Green Lantern, Manhunter, Shadowpact, Nextwave

9. Nightwing #123

Ah, the typical spot for the former Boy Wonder, worst of the week. I was considering getting Deadman #1, then I noted the writer. I don’t think I can take two Bruce Jones comics in one week. Once a month is bad enough.

8. 52 Week Fifteen

I expect we’ll get random bits about Booster Gold, Adam Strange, Animal Man, Starfire, etc. I’m not excited.

7. The Boys #1

Against my better judgement, I’m going to try this. But the ultra-violent gore and retread storyline makes me wary. But it is likely to be better than the above two comics.

6. Checkmate #5

If this issue has the same dumb captions to remind me who the characters are and what chess piece they represent, then it will be the last issue I buy.

5. Nextwave #7

Another dose of cotton candy. I don’t even recall what happened last issue. I’m sure there was something funny in it, but this comic needs to go somewhere quickly. But as long as it isn’t a Civil War crossover, I’m happy.

4. Green Lantern Corps #3

Some more gritty space alien cop drama. I want to see their court system one of these days, though.

3. Shadowpact #4

I thought #3 was a letdown (Nightshade takes out everyone!), but I like the concept and the competition this week is pretty weak.

2. Robin #153

Oops. Almost missed one. Robin has been a reliably good comic since One Year Later. I expect that it’ll continue being an excellent read.

1. Manhunter #25

I enjoy the supporting cast of this comic more than the main character at times. That’s not a bad thing. I still need to hunt down back issues. But I feel pretty good in making this the last comic in the pile.

Technorati Tags: 52, Nightwing, Robin, Checkmate, Green Lantern, Manhunter, Shadowpact, Nextwave