JLA/Avengers – ALWR

Posted on December 30, 2011 by ubalstecha

[ Amused Mood: Amused ]
[ Listening to CBC Radio - that clearly has replacement techs working Currently: Listening to CBC Radio – that clearly has replacement techs working ]
I finally got to the big cross over that has been rumoured for years.

The cross over between the JLA and Avengers has been in the works for years. An earlier version even got as far as pencilling (ironically enough by George Perez) before it was cancelled. This one finally brings together two of the biggest teams of comics. Both have been charged to find twelve items that can be used to prevent the destruction of their respective universes.

And because it’s superhero comics, there has to be fighting, so we get to see Thor and Superman duke it out, as well as Wonder Woman and She-Hulk. The best of these is Green Arrow and Hawkeye, although Green Arrow comes out the worst of that excahnge. Initially, they teams work against each other trying to gather the essential items of the quest, but when they realize they are being used, they unite to fight the cosmic big bad.

The biggest issue with this book is the plotting. In order to give the heroes something to fight, Busiek has a new created cosmic big bad, Krona, to fight against. The problem is that Krona has to be so powerful that only the united teams can bring him down. (And for some reason, Krona looks human and dresses like supervillains. Why can’t cosmic big bads look non-human? That is more plausible.)

The story telling is disjointed and jumps all over the place in time, mostly to allow the swapping in and out of historic JLA/Avengers teams and members. Because of the temporal story line, costumes, incarnations and even relationships kept shifting. Other characters in the universes also get cameos, but there is a noticeable lack of X-Men. Busiek justifies this with our supervillain’s attempt to force the two universes together causing temporal rifts. But perhaps the worse thing is the deus ex machina ending.

This book got three stars for the subtle Green Arrow/Hawkeye rivalry story line that permeates the book. It is really the only thing that feels like there is a joy of storytelling, and a knowledge and care for the characters. The rest of the book feels earnest, as if Busiek wants us to know he has important work to do.

One of the saving graces is Perez’s art. It is very good, almost brilliant at times. You can see where he laid out panels with his trademark multi-panel action and/or symetry. Which works in a story about teams from mirror universes fighting each other. His ability to draw hundreds of people fighting is at its peak. You can forgive his tendency to draw the women as D-cupped weight lifters.

This is an OK outing, and this group of heroes deserves more than just OK.

Justice League International: A New Beginning

Posted on December 29, 2011 by ubalstecha

[ Mood: Distorted ]
[ Currently: Drinking some tea ]
I am not going to lie. I love the Justice League. I have read it in many of its incarnations. And in the 80s, we got the below:

This is a collection of the first few issues of the 80s problem filled reboot of the Justice League. So you get the gathering/origin story that is earnest in a way that only the 80s can be. And a guest spot for President Reagan.

This most valuable part of the collection is the introduction. In this we learn two things. First, that this reboot was meant to be a reaction to the Alan Moore darkening of comics. The spit takes and running gags were done on purpose. Which, I will admit I loved in the 80s. But now, I look at it and think cringeorama.

Second, this was a reboot because the previous incarnation with Gypsy, Vibe and Vixen, was pretty much a disaster. That is the reason why DC wanted a reboot. The problem was, that Superman and Wonder Woman were undergoing reboots themselves, and were not available for permanent membership. So once again, this lead to a group of second stringers and unknowns. But there was a desperate attempt to make it hipper and more appealing than what had come before.

And can I say 80s? Hal Jordan makes a cameo, with a sweater draped around his chest that makes him look like Ken. We have superheroes from another dimension destroying our nuclear capabilities in a storyline so heavy-handed, it deserved to be in a very special episode of Blossom. And don’t get me started on Flashdance Canary.

Good for the completionist, but it will serve to remind most readers of the flaws of this run of the series.

Although it might be worthwhile to pick up just to watch Batman slug Guy Gardener.

DC: New Frontier Part 2 – AQR

Posted on December 29, 2011 by ubalstecha

[ Happy Mood: Happy ]
[ Currently: Eating Dessert ]

The thrilling conclusion to the New Frontier saga that is actually better than the first instalment. Here our heroes gather to fight the menace that is looking to cleanse the world of humans. We also see character development of people like Superman and Batman, in a way that is clever and a wink at the overarching history of these two characters.

I personally like the inclusion of Black Canary in the teen titans/sidekick generation, given that this is Black Canary II. And Arrow has a role beyond shooting Arrows, rare. This series possibly also has the best representation of Hal Jordan ever.

So good. A satisfying way to finish the series.

Justice – AQR and bit of a Rant

Posted on December 24, 2011 by ubalstecha

[ Sleepy Mood: Sleepy ]
[ Currently: Taking a break from cleaning. ]
Just recently finished this book, and I made some observations I thought I would share.

The villains of the DC Universe have been having nightmares about the end of the world and how the heroes can’t stop it. So they band together for two purposes, 1) to save mankind by performing acts of good and 2) stop the apocalypse by stopping all the heroes.

In this first volume we see hero after hero fall to the onslaught of villains. It is a bit depressing watching the icons of my childhood fall so easily to the onslaught of the badguys. If it had been this easy, wouldn’t it have happened before? Still there is enough here to make me want to read the next instalment.

I also have a problem with Alex Ross’s artwork. I know that a collective gasp just broke out, like the voices of a thousand Geeks could not believe that I said that. But Ross is all about the strong chin and defiant stance, which is awesome when you have male heroes wearing masks. The results with the females of the DC Universe are not so pretty. Black Canary and Wonder Woman end up looking quite manish, almost transvestite like, especially in the covers. Gone are any suggestions of delicate beauty. I get that they will be muscled, but Canary was designed after femme fatales of Hollywood, she should not look like she has a chin you can cut cheese on.

And so that one thing puts me off much of Ross’s work. I don’t doubt he’s one of those artists who takes pictures of models posing to achieve his photorealistic art, but it’s just slightly creepy.

Stuff received 12/18/11

Posted on December 18, 2011 by

Let’s take a quick look to see what’s arrived at the Geek Compound.

Chew Volume 4: Flambe
Written by John Layman
Art by Rob Guillory

Promo copy:

These are strange times for Tony Chu, the cibopathic federal agent with the ability to get psychic impressions from the things he eats. Strange writing in extraterrestrial script has appeared in the skies of Planet Earth – and stayed there! People don”t know if the end days are upon them or not, but they don”t seem terribly concerned about the laws of the FDA, and what was once the most powerful law enforcement agency is rapidly descending into irrelevancy. So where does that leave the FDA best agent, Tony Chu?

I’ve been a fan of this extraordinary series almost from the beginning. The Chew Omnivore Edition, Volume 1 even ranked among my top ten graphic novels of 2010.

Quote:

Layman and Guillory create an alternate present where, due to avian flu fears, the American government has criminalized the possession, sale, and consumption of all poultry! Tony Chu, investigator for the Special Crimes Division of the powerful FDA, employs his abilities as a cibopathic — he gets psychic impressions from whatever he eats — to solve crimes. Guillory’s over-the-top humorous illustrations and Layman’s clever script expertly mix to spawn an enjoyable concoction of cannibalism, conspiracy, and murder. This luscious hardcover collects issues 1-10 (Volumes 1 and 2 of the trade paperback collections), complete with character design and sketches.

On the Ground: An Illustrated Anecdotal History of the Sixties Underground Press in the U.S.
Edited by Sean Stewart
Cover by Simon Benjamin

Promo copy:

Forthright anecdotes and interviews fill this eye-opening account of the birth of the underground newspaper movement. Stemming from frustration with the lack of any mainstream media criticism of the Vietnam War, the creation of the papers was emboldened by the victories of the Civil Rights–era, anticolonial movements in the Third World and the use of LSD. In the four short years from 1965–1969, the subversive press grew from five small newspapers in five cities in the United States to more than 500 newspapers—with millions of readers—all over the world. Stories by the people involved with the production and distribution of the papers, such as Bill Ayers, Paul Buhle, Paul Krassner, and Trina Robbins, bring the history of the movement to life. Full-color scans taken from a broad range of publications, from the Berkeley Barb and the Los Angeles Free Press to Chicago Seed and Screw: The Sex Review, are also included, showing the incredible energy that fueled the counterculture of the 1960s.

Tanner Hall

Promo copy:

As Fernanda (Rooney Mara) enters her senior year at Tanner Hall–a sheltered boarding school in New England–she’s faced with unexpected changes in her group of friends when a childhood acquaintance, the charismatic yet manipulative trouble-maker Victoria (Georgia King), appears. Shy and studious, Fernanda is usually the voice of reason among her friends–adventurous and sexy Kate (Brie Larson) and tomboy Lucasta (Amy Ferguson)–but when she begins a complicated friendship with Gio (Tom Everett Scott), an older family friend, she decides it’s finally time to take some risks. Jealous of Fernanda’s exciting relationship, Victoria begins to sabotage Fernanda’s plans and plots to publicly humiliate her. Meanwhile, Lucasta struggles with her newfound feelings towards another classmate, and mischievous Kate is too preoccupied with making her teachers nervous to pay much attention to her actual classes. However, as each of the girls flirt with adulthood, they realize they still need each other to help get through their first grown-up decisions–and the consequences they bring.

Directed by Tatiana von Furstenberg and Francesca Gregorini, Tanner Hall also stars Amy Sedaris and Chris Kattan. Featuring designs by Diane von Furstenberg Studios. Produced by Julia R. Snyder, Tatiana von Furstenberg and Francesca Gregorini. Executive producer by Richard L. Bready.

Robin Hood: People’s Outlaw and Forest Hero
by Paul Buhle

Promo copy:

Using a unique blend of text, collage, and comic art, this social commentary written in graphic novel format analyzes the continuity between the myth of Robin Hood and the occurrence of social uprisings among peasants. In addition, the book explores the mysteries, factual evidence, and trajectory that led to centuries of village festivals, songs, films, and cult television shows about the mythical hero who robbed from the rich and gave to the poor. Featuring a collage of various artistic renderings of Robin Hood over the past seven centuries, the comic portion presents a distinct perspective of the folk hero. Furthermore, the book reveals a largely unknown and unconsidered environmental side of Robin Hood, and touches on ecological wholeness that, for the most part, is absent in the mythos.

Back Issue No. 53
Edited by Michael Eury
Cover by Walter Simonson

Promo copy:

BACK ISSUE #53 (84 pages with FULL-COLOR, $8.95) takes an in-depth look at WALTER SIMONSON’s Thor in this “Gods” issue! And there’s more Thor: the Thunder God in the Bronze Age and a TOM DeFALCO/RON FRENZ “Pro2Pro” interview. Plus: Hercules: Prince of Power, Moondragon, Three Ways to End the New Gods Saga, and an exclusive interview with fantasy writer MICHAEL MOORCOCK. Featuring art and/or commentary by GERRY CONWAY, JACK KIRBY, BOB LAYTON, and more, with a hammer-swinging Thor cover by Simonson. Now in FULL COLOR!

The excellent Moorcock interview by RevSF’s own Alan J. Porter focuses on the SF master’s comic book career.

Stuff received 12/18/11 was originally published on The Geek Curmudgeon

DC: New Frontier – AQR

Posted on December 17, 2011 by ubalstecha

[ Angelic Mood: Angelic ]
[ Currently: Listening to CBC Radio ]
I have been doing a lot of reading recently and feel the need to share some observations with you.

Imagine a world where superheroes have been outlawed, with the exception of those who are willing to reveal their identities and work for the government? Those that haven’t are considered outlaws and need to be captured.

This is the world of New Frontier. We have the classic DC Silver Age heroes, before most of them were heroes, learning to control their powers and to act to help the ones they loved.

Heavily influenced by the Watchmen (but what isn’t in modern superhero comics), the beauty of this work is the art, which looks like the art of the 50s and 60s. Also of note is the reimagining of Wonder Woman into a strong female character who is still constrained by the social norms of the time. Her giving the liberated sex slaves the guns and turning them loose on their captors is one of my favourite scenes in comics period.

Can’t wait for the second volume.

The Other Half of the Best

Posted on December 16, 2011 by

For the latest Nexus Graphica, Mark London Williams and I revealed our top 5 selections for the best graphic novels of the year.

Swing over to SF Site to read the reasons behind our selections.

The Other Half of the Best was originally published on The Geek Curmudgeon

Bags, Bacteria, TV, and Me

Posted on December 3, 2011 by

Due to the Thanksgiving holiday and a particularly hectic schedule at the Geek Compound (more on that in future posts), I’m just getting around to telling y’all about my recent 20 second brush with fame.

Unbeknownst to most of you, I like to shop for groceries. At first blush, that would seem pretty weird unless you factor in that I like to eat (a lot!) and that my first job was sacking groceries for Randall’s in Houston. For over four years, I worked at the Dairy Ashford & Memorial location. Because of all this (and that Brandy hates to grocery shop), I handle all the food shopping for the Geek Compound.

In mid-October during my weekly sojourn, I was approached by a familiar-looking woman. I searched my mind for who the hell she was. This isn’t that uncommon for me. After living in Austin for 24 years, I’ve met a lot of people. Problem is that even though I have a great memory for faces, names often elude me. (So if you run into me and I look dumbfounded, it’s because I’m trying to recall your name)

Turns out the well-dressed woman was the local NBC affiliate KXAN evening anchor Leslie Rhode. She stopped me because I was the only guy she could find in the grocery store who was using re-usable bags. They were doing a story on the cleanliness (or not) of the bags. She asked if she could take two of my bags to test for bacteria levels. They’d give me two brand new bags right then and return my bags after the piece ran.

Leslie Rhode

Seemed like a dumb idea for a news report but what the hell. We exchanged the bags and I continued my shopping.

Soon after, Leslie and a cameraman advanced on me. “I’ve been looking for you. We’d like to interview you on camera.” While the cameraman prepped, Leslie told me how impressed she was that I did all the grocery shopping. Apparently her husband can’t be trusted to do it right. They interviewed me for a few minutes.

The piece finally ran on November 21. I appear on camera for all of about 20 seconds, saying something snarky. A transcript and video are available on the KXAN site.

Our bags to be tested are on the far right.

Bags, Bacteria, TV, and Me was originally published on The Geek Curmudgeon

Half of the Best

Posted on December 1, 2011 by

For the latest Nexus Graphica, Mark London Williams and I revealed our bottom half (10-6) selections of the best graphic novels of the year.

Swing over to SF Site to read the reasons behind our selections.

Half of the Best was originally published on The Geek Curmudgeon

Impending Geekgasm on Netflix Instant Watch- Dec. edition

Posted on November 30, 2011 by

Very light month of new titles. Highlights include the classics The Ghost and Mrs. Muir and Jaws, the underrated Matinee, the finale of Rescue Me, and the acclaimed Portlandia. Beginning with this month’s Geekgasm, I’m including a list of soon to be expiring titles. Sadly, I can only get titles scheduled to end two weeks out. Still better than nothing.

* streaming for the first time via Netflix.
* streaming in HD
* close captioning is available

Premiering December 1:
Death Rides a Horse
Friday the 13th: Part 7: The New Blood
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
Jaws
*Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius
Matinee A must see for fans of 1950s monster movies!
*Samourais