Still alive!

Yes, I'm still alive. I've been sitting back reading other weblogs, but have not really taken the time to update my own. It's been well over a month and a lot has been going on. So much so I'll do what Kalinara does every one and a while and post things as bullet points.

Comics:

• Supergirl may finally be enjoayble for the quality rather than horidity. She is not fat. We are not being punished. Say hello to anatomy.
• Sinestro Corps is very enjoyable, much more so than Countdown is right now. I wish this to be the actual story of Kyle Rayner when it comes to continuity.
• I hope Countdown picks up speed soon.
• I am starting to really dislike Jimmy Olsen.
• I could care less right now about Donna Troy, Kyle Rayner, Jason Todd, and the Atom.
• I think the Atom is just tagging along for the ride, since he's only there to shrink the group.
• Monitors can't monitor every Monitor?
• Guess that's good and bad, since he's the one Monitor actually doing something. Sadly since they can't watch him none of the others can be inspired to leave the recap at the end of Countdown to act as well.
• Where are the rest of the Anti-Monitors?
• I do however get a kick out of the Trickster and Piper storyline. It's the only one I look forward to.
• Grant Morrison writes good Batman.
• Paul Dini writes great Detective.
• Filler writers are no where near either's quality.
• I'm sad that Conan is ending at 50.
• I'm happy it isn't cancelled. (just a name change/reboot)
• I am envious of Kalinara (and Ragnell) for attending Wizards in Chicago. I almost made it but had to pull out.

Life:

• Greatest Story Ever Told is not dead as was previously stated.
• I had a moment of genius, reworked it, and it does finally work.
• I have nearly 5 pages inked. Takes a while, but I feel good about it.
• My novels are sitting at about 140 pages, I think, splashed across 3 books.
• They are on hold, obviously, but will be finished eventually.
• Book 1 is nearly halfway finished.
• I have yet to hear back on job applications.
• I'm starting to shop around again for employment options.
• I'm not sure who to send my resume to when trying to apply for "Batman"

Tick-Tock.

Not so Green

This current arch of Green Lantern has yet to really pull me in like previous stories have. It may still be a bit early in this arch, but after two installments you would think it would at least have a thread to pull you into the story. I have my theories, of course, as to why I'm not enjoying this as much as I probably should.

1) The art.
Being an artist I think I can hold this reason as important. Sure there are artists out there that use one face or one body, changing clothes and hair to make a new person. Afterall, the Earths based Green Lanterns themselves have different masks - Zorro style (hal), ink blot style (kyle), red head (guy), and African American (john). Yes, I know it's not nice to break them down like that, but it appears true to form. There is a lot more diversity in the Corps, but this isn't the Corps title. This is Hal's title, and aside from hair color you wouldn't be able to tell either girl apart.

The other thing I'm not enjoying a whole lot about the art is the painted aspect. Now, I can't be overly harsh since I did like some of the scenes in the previous issue (like inside the jet with the switched land and sky background). This issue, however, didn't have the same feel.

2) I don't care about Star Sapphire.
I've never had any interest in her as a character/villain. This is probably partly due to not knowing the character that well, but after learning the origin of the entity I still don't care much about her. I think this is because she appears one-dimensional. She'll do anything to mate with Hal Jordan. I know plenty of fan girls lust over Hal's rear, but come on. She doesn't need a quick fix by throwing a touch of trajedy or angst, but I think for me to have any interest there needs to be something for me to grasp onto.

Also, and this relates to the art portion of my dislikes, is the fact that the other blue people who appear to be related to the Guardians are far larger than the Guardians. These Oan Amazons, as aluded to in the issue, just don't fit visually. This also leads me to my next reason.

3) Oan Amazons?
Seriously, this is a tie-in to the Amazon Attacks mini if I have ever seen one - and I see a lot that doesn't connect. This likely won't tie in directly, mind you, but isn't it a little obviously timed well with its referencing? Also, isn't the build up very similar in concept? Even the clothing is similar.

On one hand you could probably argue that ideas get repeated through time, or have a tendency to ripple into repitition. It's an easy explination, but it still leaves a bit of creativity to wish for.

In the end, however, I'm still going to finish reading this arch. Geoff Johns is a bit of a trade writer, so you can predict that twists will occur in another issue or two. Maybe then I'll find a chunk of the excitement in this story that I had in the previous arches. Even if I don't I still have the Sinestro Corps to look forward to after this bit.

Review: Brave and the Bold #1

Of the majority of my pull this week, this was the biggest surprise. Given how painfully average comics have been for the past month or so, to pick up something like Brave and the Bold with low expectations was a real reward.

The issue felt and appeared old school. The good kind of old school, like something fell from a lost time when comics were awesome into a space warp, to land into a distant present where it could be picked up like a long lost treasure. Maybe that will sound a bit too glowing, but I felt like being wordy.

Honestly, I would have like higher paper quality. The cover was high quality, why not the pages? Still, the art inside matched well with the writing. I may not be the best judge of writing, but I really liked the art. I think that was the point of who was chosen for the interior and such, and to bring back that whole old school feeling.

I'm a big fan of Batman, and Kalinara made me a fan of Green Lantern a long time ago, so the issue was all around a fun read. Here's hoping when they switch out Bats for Supergirl the writing stays just as consistant - and Supergirl is acceptable outside her own title.

It's been a month now...

...since I've posted here. What's new? Well, I've been sick this week - on top of fatigue and exhaustion from work. I haven't been getting much done lately, and have barely written 2 pages on my novel.

Yes, I have been reading comics, and wondering if DC has noticed a slip in the quality of their print. The main titles barely stick to schedules, and the side titles are very average at best. I'm put off from Batman thanks to that Grotesk storyline and confedential fels very cookie-cutter and I dislike the art in it. Manhunter's been recanceled, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman might come out in a month. Where's Action Comics? Is Legends of the Dark Knight really ending?

Spawn wasn't too great this past week either, retconning in a craptastic reason why Al can't go home after remaking the world at his command.

Don't even get me started on Marvel...

Maybe I'm just in a bad mood, but seriously, things are not looking too bright this year. There's possible hope for Cassandra Cain, but with some of the choices DC's made recently have not reflected too well.

Still Alive

Been a while since I've posted anything here. I had a bit of a crisis on my hands, and that has preoccupied my free time - free time which I had very little of thanks to crunch time at work. I'm fatigued both mentally and physically, but things are on the upswing.

I've slowly picked up work on my novel again, but it is rough right now. Still haven't recovered files from old computer to new computer.

As far as comics go, I'm still having fun reading 52. I'm really liking Lobo, especially because I have little exposure to him. Green Lantern was also very very good after finally being released. IDW also released a comic focusing on Shockwave and the Dinobots, which gets much love from me (Shockwave is an old favorite of mine). Otherwise this month has actually been pretty slow for what I read. This coming week looks to be fough though...

Big bit of news is that I am currently in the planning stages of a D&D campaign at the local comic shop. Not totally sure when it will begin, but it is at least two weeks out.

That's all for now...blah...

Comics!

Transformers: Infiltration #6 - The grand finale to this arch was just as I great as I thought it was going to be, and I'm glad I stayed through till the end. The Autobots appear absolutely helpless, and the Decepticons are at the brink of internal war. Two things to note are Megatron looks to be a tank, and Optimus Prime shows up right on que. There's going to be a break before the next arch begins, called "Escalation" - so you can figure out what will potentially happen. I still wish they'd only have like two different covers, like their other Transformer titles. 8.5/10

Street Fighter II #4 - Holy crap issue four is finally out. It has only taken since the begining of the year for another issue to appear. So was the wait worth it? I have a solid SF bias, so I'd say yes. Gen is featured heavily, as is "Akuma" (I really wish they'd use Gouki), which makes the issue interesting. Gen doesn't get a lot of background outside this comic, so everything helps. The story focuses almost entirely on the background of Gen and Akuma, about their original battle and their rematch. Main: 8.5/10

The backup story deals with Cammy and the rest of Delta Red, mainly about trust issues and such. It is simple and straight forward, and doesn't do anything to advance the main plot. It is interesting, however, and I like the style. Backup: 7.5/10

Green Lantern #12 - It's been a long time since Cyborg Superman had a little action, and it was fun. He even has apparently been taught by the Borg and can use nanobots to control biologicals. Also, figures that Guy gets stuck into a giant Manhunter with all the fun of a parasitic metaphor. 8.5/10

Quickies

Green Lantern Corps #2 - Royal intrigue, galactic lantern fanboy prince, and Mogo. I'm really interested in where this is going. Also, no way in hell Soranik is dead. 8/10

52: Week Ten - Ten weeks and still on schedule. Clark Kent is awesome, and "Supernova" reminds me of Dr. Light. 7.5/10

Green Arrow #64 - Surprise ending! Also, lots of witty banter and Deathstroke has a killer plan in the works. 7.5/10

Tomorrow I'll have more thoughts and numbers...

Comics!

Comics were a bit of a disapointment this week, but I'll touch on a few that were decent.

52 going on 4 weeks on schedule, and more Question & Montoya action. Space crew returns from the R/T war with Alan missing his eye and a huge Hawkgirl. Also, Mr. Irons is freaking out. I really wish these issues were longer, but hey, they come out every week so I have no room to make requests. So far the history of the DC universe segments are interesting (I know very little of it), however, I'm not fond of Donna Troy so her focus makes it a rough read for me. 7/10

Ion #2 - Starting to make a little sense, but Kyle Rayner is having identity issues. Bit of a fun issue, but I fail to see the logic of leaving the assassin that want you dead alone on Earth. I'll just figure Rayner couldn't think clearly, as he seemed to be nable to last issue as well. It should be noted, that Rayner really is something special becuase the Guardians are actually going outside telling the other Lanterns to leave him alone. 7/10

The Spectre #1 - This was the highlight of this week from what I read. I really liked Gotham Central, and this really feels like an extension of that series, and it is a smooth read. It doesn't really make much sense that god's vengence was put on hold worldwide for a year simply becuase Allen turned the offer down initially, but maybe the Spectre is getting his own chance to punish him for that year by forcing him to witness the craziness that the Spectre's wrath manifests as. Who knows, but comparing to the other Crisis Aftermath title this is such a better read. Two characters to keep up with, and a simple exploration of possibilities. 8/10

Transformers: Infiltration #5 - I initially had resurvations about this title becuase it started off slowly. I'm glad I stuck with it. The arrival of Megatron, and his jerking the Decepticons back in line really shows the reader how serious the character is. Everything is falling into a massive climax due for the next issue and the Autobots appear mostly helpless on the sidlines. 7.5/10

Back!

Long time since I posted. I blame allergies and work. Work saps my energy through the day, so I feel lathargic in the evening. Allergies have really kicked in, so I don't feel at all well during the day.

So, here's a little bit of what I thought about the comics that came out, nothing fancy or anything this time, just a few comics and my thoughts. Hopefully now I can type freely without much worry about spoilers.

Blue Beetle #1
Now, so make a few things straight so what I say will makes a little sense contextually. I consider myself a gamer. I'm not hardcore, but I know people who are. I understand that they are making Jaime out to at least appear as a geek/gamer. I like that in theory, but reading the 'gamer talk' they toss around felt very forced to me. I knew what they were talking about, but the gamers I know don't quite talk the way they did.

Maybe I'm being too hard on the writing, or maybe I lump all gamers into one group. It's an easy sterotype to write with a little knowledge of the online world. The gamers I tend to associate with are mainly MMORPG and pen&paper junkies, not FPS like they refer to in the issue. Like I said, I'm glad they are trying to introduce a somewhat unique persona.

Guy was an easy way out for a hothead to have battle Jaime, but his reactions are leading into a bigger mystery. I also liked the creepy girl with no eyes, and hope she is developed into a very interesting and complex character.

Green Lantern #10
So, countries got together to ban cross-nation pursual of heros due to events in Infinite Crisis and 52? That really has my curiosity working over time at the possibilities, not unlike in part two of Batman: Year 100 where they reflect back to this age and call it simpler times.

What really has me excited can be summed up with "Sinestro Corps." Yellow rings given to those who can cause great fear. No doubt Parallax is envolved somehow (yellow battery?). The really interesting thing, is that the Green Lantern Corp look like the newbie green lanterns overcame their lack of ability to touch yellow. The physical ability to cause fear will add a whole new layer to the yellow problem, such as a sudden inability to touch yellow mid-combat. That should really scare the new recruits.

Also, I am really into the mystery they are spinning out in Green Lantern as well, with the dead Lanters of the past returning. And yes, it is also good to note that Hal is accepting and dealing with his past. Finally, for Kal, I'll say this: Highball.

Superman/Batman #24
What the heck is going on? It is both hilarious and confusing to me at the same time. Need more Batzarro, so shouldn't end like that! One issue left in this arch so I hope there is a revelation of Saw proportions in store.

---
In my opinion, the OYL stories are really shaping up to well spun out mysteries. Superman, Batman, and all the others are really getting into really well concieved mysteries in my opinion. I am really looking forward to next issues of each series.

Weekly Comic Run

This week has been crazy. Was sick for a couple of days, and the good days were heavy with work (almost every day we were past production goals - very good thing). I did make it to the comic shop for the weekly pull, and am thinking of going about reviewing the comics a bit differently...

Best of the Week - Adventure of Superman #649
The conclusion to the Superman/Superman tie in to Infinite Crisis was really impressive, more so than Infinite Crisis #5 in many ways. It had far more of an epic feel than anything else that came out this week.

Second Best - Green Lantern Corps: Recharge #5
Everyone with a ring standing together to blast a sun as feedback to destroy the hive? I think that's pretty awe inspriring - and that is what the Green Lanterns are about, am I not right? With all that has happened in this miniseries, I have high hopes for the ongoing Corps series.

Surprisingly good - Batman: Secrets #1
I'm a fan of The Maxx, and this has a very similar vibe. The art is gritty and the style is surreal, and it works in my mind. The plot is a bit all over the place, but based on what I know of The Maxx it will wrap up in the end very well.

Quick reviews of the rest of the pull...

Infinite Crisis #5
Still good, but seeing as how there wasn't as much action it felt a bit slow. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy plot advancement, but this issue is more than likely the calm before the story. Loved the Red Son glimpse and the return of Htrae.

Batman Annual #25
I understand what they were trying to explain as the return of Jason Todd, but it still feels very forced to me. I really liked the extreme circumstances Jason had to go through, especially the zombie style they used. It really drove home the resurection he went through and the unnaturalness of it.

Detective Comics #817
One year later already? Well, it was basically a giant teaser for the Batman side of the DCU for the events that will happen during 52. Felt like nothing really happened, a lot of past tense references for the future. Also, Robin has a new outfit and I'm not sure I like it. Still there are really interesting events to look forward to.


I also picked up Spawn #153 to check out the comic. Really impressed with the art, but I think that's what one of the main draws of the comic. I have no idea what's going on, or who half the characters are, but I am really intrigued as to what is happening. Looking into collected volumes of previous issues, but my comic fund is getting stretched thin as it is.

Superhero teenage angst and their success

Superman has Smallville, and now they are putting together a teenage Aquaman show. Now, I write this without watching a single episode of Smallville, so try not to get too angry at me if I slip and bash it accidently. I've never watched it becuase it has no draw for me. I like Superman as a character, but angsty teenage drama doesn't appeal to me - I experienced enough in high school and college.

Aquaman, as random as it sounds, makes a bit of sense to be used as a basis for another show of this type. The big three - Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are the prime choices. Superman is taken already and has been a hit, and there's no rational reason to try to repeat the success of it by copying it with other people.

Wonder Woman is too focused of a story on her island as a kid. As far as I know, she didn't enounter any men until at least after her teenage years. There wouldn't be much potential for emotional stress of pains of heartbreak. Sure, a few episodes may be good at the start, but it would never last past a season.

Personally, I would have liked a show about Bruce Wayne. There is much potential there. Bruce is mortal, and we know he traveled around the world in his later teenage years. There is also a lot of angst and anger managment issues to play with, multiplied by his growing reputation as a ladies man. I know that a pilot was written and submitted, but eventually not produced - WB wanted to focus on Batman Begins, and I likes that they put so much work into that movie. However, I don't really agree that they should have chosen one in place of the other, becuase Batman Begins still didn't show his teenage years.

With Batman and Wonder Woman out of the picture, its up to the next popular ones on the slate - Green Lantern, Aquaman, and Flash. There are others with lesser over all popularity, but from what I know those three are basically the next set in popularity.

Green Lantern isn't a single hero, and the Green Lanterns didn't get their powers until they got the rings - meaning they can't have internal power struggles until they are older, so no teenage angst. That's not to say they don't have issues, just that they didn't get really important until they had their rings to bring them into important plot issues.

Originally the Flash didn't come into his powers until a science experament messed up and gave Barry Allen his super speed, as far as I know (forgive me if I have it wrong, I don't follow flash very well). Being an adult at that point, there is once again no teenage drama. Wally West is in the same boat I think. Kid Flash doesn't really have a reason to exist if the others are not already established, pretty much eliminating his chances. Besides, the Flash already had his shining moment as the short lived TV series (with Mark Hamill as the Trickster).

Leaving Aquaman, who aside from being the center of so many jokes, has the best chances. He's always had his powers, and more than likely felt ackward as a teenager becuase of them.

Now, I don't really have a feeling either way about the Aquaman show, just as I don't have an opinion about Smallville. I just felt like working through an observation. If the show is a success, more power to the execs at WB, but they shouldn't screw with continuity should they run into the chance to hit important plot points - or at least make sure its known it isn't canon.

Comic run 2-22-2006

Green Lantern #9
Wow...this was probably the best issue of this run I have read. I am a bit biased though, becuase I am a Batman fan. Batman talked a lot more than usual, but it seemed like he was trying to reach out to Hal. I personally felt that despite talking a lot, he was in character.

The dialogue between Hal and Bruce was great, as it showed the different outlooks to fighting crime and tactics. The moment when Batman used the ring was amazing, and the aftermath was pretty powerful. Very much a "Batman is so hardcore" moment for us Batman fans.

Also fun to note: Hal didn't trap the demoness tattoo when he was onslaughted by all the tattoos. That made me grin, just as Rayner butt-shots make fangirls grin.

Supergirl #5
As annoying as the title has been, this issue has probably been the least offensive to my brain. Finally Supergirl beat up Supergirl, instead of making the Justice League fight like fools.

The whole physical split thing didn't make a whole lot of sense, but it did serve as a plot device to give Supergirl a unified mind and knoweldge of what her place may be now. Also, as Kal point out in chat, Superman verbally smacked her down with why he is more powerful than her.

I'm still not sure if I like the title, mainly due to not really accepting Supergirl, yet. I'll still read it though, since Powergirl will begin appearing in it (I like her a lot better, so it will at least still be somewhat enjoyable).

Batman #650
I don't think it can get much more twisted than this issue. Finally Jason's motives make sense, kind of. Everything has boiled down to a very worst-case-senario type situation. Joker makes a great hostage, and the outcome is very much something Joker would manage to do.

Bruce will get even more nutty after this issue, I'm positive.

Catwoman #52
Selina is slipping off the deep end, and now there's no going back for her. Don't want to spoil the issue so I'm not going to talk much more about it since it is a pivitol issue.

Costumes and Insignia

Its funny how comic book characters are usually designed with something specific refering to their name built into their costume. Superman has a big S on his chest, Batman has a bat on his chest. If I remember right Wonder Woman has a double W arching across the top of her "armor". From what I can tell, Marvel is just as bad as DC in the designs. Spiderman has a spider on his chest and the X-Men wear Xs. Even Galactus had a big G on his chest at one point, but I digress.

As much of a fan of iconic symbolism for heros, aside from marketablity, I can't help but wish more characters were designed as a reaction to function. Batman has his utility belt, and wears black. I like batman, but he is human and needs these things to be able to do his things. He can stand on his own in a fight, but he can't survive the fall off a skyscraper very easily.

Superman can wear whatever he wants, it doesn't matter so much as he can do nearly anything. However, to hide among the rest of the world he needs a "normal" costume - a suit and glasses. A disguise for his normal life.

Green Lantern is a different story considering that they try to keep a secret identity, but not very well. From what I can tell John Stewert does it best, but that's not the point. The outfits they wear are basically police uniforms of their own design. Basically, green and black with a lanternish figure as a member of the corps.

Now I arrive at the point I was trying to get to. Ion, mask aside, could have gone with a radical new look considering his potential power. Instead he chose to stick with basically the same look, except for one thing - he knocked off the top part of the glowing lantern on his chest.

It seems even Kyle Rayner with his newfound abilities can't escape conventional costume design. Clever, since this creates a lowercase i which clearly strands for Ion.

Newest Green Lantern Opinions

I have to admit, so far I have been very impressed with the Green Lantern title so far. I know some of you out there will be saying "duh" - remember I have just begun reading the series, and have been a heavy Bat-centric reader for a long time. What impresses me so far has been the cohesion in the story. I know last issue I had a bit of confusion with the shift in the story (thanks, IC, for forcing all titles to comply with the metaplot). This issue brought the arch back around to what I had been used to.

Spinning from that is Rann-Thanagar War Special. A lot has been said about it already from more "informed" sources, so I'll just point out a few things I noticed. First, I still don't feel that interested in this area of the IC story, but the forensics on Superboy I enjoyed. Ion will be interesting, I'm sure, hopefully more than this miniseries.

I like the mask with the stars, because I see it as more or less like a visual metaphor for something vanishing from Kyle. He lost his face and is now missing what made him unique. At least that's how I read it, and maybe that's what the Ion miniseries will focus on...or not. I also think DC is using the star pattern a bit much, afterall Donna Troy's outfit is nearly all that pattern.

Also, kudos to Ragnell for predicting Jade's death. I only know about her through Kalinara, which means I don't have a balanced opinion at all from her. It also doesn't help that she died off basically right as I was introduced to her, so I really felt nothing for her death. I thought it was fairly well pulled off since those who cared for her were near.

Weekly Comic Review: DC edition

Yesterday seemed to...vanish...and so here I am talking and commenting a day later than I planned.

I'll get the big ones out of the way first...

Infinite Crisis #4
Howleeeee Crap. Way to much happening to even beging to summerize it, so I'll only touch on a few points. I like that the Specter got "reassined" to the gunned down cop from Gotham Central, it's fitting and will hopefully lead into a very nice revenge arch.

The massive pile-on with Superboy Prime was a blast to see, and I loved how childish he was - again, the way it came off was very fitting. I'm a fan of watching characters fall from grace, so to say, so seeing him destroy what he stood for really appealed to me. It was also a nice was to get rid of a lot of little used characters. The bit with Sandy and Terra was a nice touch, though something like what they did should have been a few more panels. Still, the bits with all the Flashes going full speed was a more important (and more awe-inspiring, I'll admit). I doubt Superboy is gone for good, but wow was that an impressive exit

The splitting of the Earths was handled well. I liked the way they used the blue outline as the timeline split between the two Earths. The split also gave a good wrap to the issue, and gives me an idea on how this major arch will progress...

Green Lantern #7
I don't think this is One Year Later, but I may be wrong - the story really picked up like that though. I felt like I jumped into the middle of a story arch, but I have read previous issues of this run. I have read where the background of the story occurs, partly, so I had an idea of what was happening. Average read, and I like the twist at the end, which will be interesting how Lantern and Arrow recover for the next issue.

Birds of Prey #90
All I can really say about this issue is that it was "cute" - which can be good or bad, depending. I usually use the word cute is a bad descriptive, becuase...well...I'm a guy...I have to have some stereotypes apply to me. In this issue's case, it's used in a good way. Being more a fan of Batman, I was a little ticked off at Oracle standing up to him, even if she was right. I would have been just as happy with the outcome if Oracle would have simply provided a random, yet rational, excuse to send Batman back on his way - it's not like Batman has lied to his sidekicks to distract them when he knew what was really happening and in control...

Despite that, watching Deathstroke get a temporary defeat/victory was fun. Also, Batman getting humbled by Huntress's undercover work was just as fun. The sneak kiss on Batman was also a little cheezy, but the comments afterwards were priceless.

Gotham Knights #73
Not a whole lot happened in this issue, in fact Joker and Hush didn't even come in contact with each other. However, I really enjoyed the Joker explaining what he had been up to. Usually when the Joker is involved, the story is a fun ride, and this issue is no different. I'm curious if the Penguin will get word of what the Joker's been up to, and how he'll react - or, that may be all part of the joke knowing Joker. I love his chaos theory.

Nightwing #116
Jeez, the world is just falling apart for Dick. Excellent tie-in with Infinite Crisis #4. Like Gotham Knights, not a whole lot seemed to happen. It was generally Nightwing working his way through the aftermath of his city, surveying the destruction, and doing what little he can in the face of such odds - it really speaks for his character.

All-Star Superman #2
There is almost nothing I can say in the negative about this title so far, except that each issue is too freaking short. If only All-Star Batman & Robin had someone other than Frank Miller writing it. I'm really liking this title. I also liked the giant Joker penny, mirroring the giant penny Batman has down in the Batcave (though I don't remember seeing it recently, maybe it's the same coin?).

That's it for what I've read that's come out this week. I have Batgirl #73, but haven't read it yet on account that I have a lot of stuff going on. I'll get around to it this weekend, as well as posting on other things.

Mishaps and Motivation

Well, this week at work has been...interesting. Aside from a minor mishap earlier in the work in which I smashed my hand in a cable assembly, today held a majority of the craziness (minor, becuase it only bruised a little). I'd go into more detail about why it was crazy, but I really can't talk about the products we work on, especially on a public forum. Most at work chalked it up to it being Friday the 13th, which I laughed at a little. Nothing like a supposed outside force to place the blame on your own shortcomings, instead of taking responsibility. However, it wasn't out fault for the biggest incident, and for that I laugh maniaclly as all of my work this week was for naught.

Still going strong on World of Warcraft. Pushing hard for level 20, and as of tonight when I logged off I was only a little bit away from getting there. After that I "plan" to relax a bit and merge other things back into my off time from work.

Crazy thing is, a friend of mine is building a D&D campaign. I offered to play when he gets it ready, which will probably take up my weekends. More on that as it develops.

So the real question remains, when do I get to read my comics? Answer: Usual times. In fact WoW had messed me up for normally posting about this week's cashing in.

So, what was good?

Batman: Legends of the Dark Knight #199
I really liked how this story ended. I have to say, I was a little worried how it would end. At first I was planning for the story to just fizzle out when Batman stopped him. The way it ended, the way it unfolded, was pulled off in such a way I almost didn't want to read anything afterwards to keep from that feeling of satisfaction from getting spoiled.

That's all I had subscription wise, which surprised me.

I thought Green lantern was supposed to come out this week, but I saw it nowhere - guess it's off schedule a bit. I also picked up Batman: Detective 27, the new batman Elseworld book. I'll review it when I get around to reading it (hopefully this weekend, since I love Elseworld).

Infinite Crisis #4 comes out nextweek, and I'm excited...

Lost topics

Well, Lost has been postponed for some football match. I'm not too happy about that, becuase I had hoped to respond about the episode afterwards. Instead I'll talk about comics.

Comic delivery was postponed again this week until tomorrow, which is also a factor in my unhappy mood - that and a loss of sleep (not a very interesting topic, so I won't talk about it unless someone pressures it). Instead I picked up a number of back issues from last week and the week before. I'm actually starting to spread my tendriles out to pick up other titles (aside from the core Batman titles). First it started with Green Lantern, thanks to Kalinara, and now I'm bleeding into Wonder Woman and Catwoman while picking up odd issues of Robin and Superman.

Overall I have been happy with what I've picked up and read. I'm sort of jumping on the bandwagon as Wonder Woman heads to a conclusion (was able to get 223 and 224). I'm curious about what will happen, and I enjoy the extra background into what is going on in Infinite Crisis.

Robin 145 was a fun read, especially with the many small time villains getting in each others' way. best quote: "Behold, I am the wicker man!" - "Behold, I have a woking lighter!" - "I surrender."

Picked up Catwoman 49 and 50 as well. 49 was the end of a multiparter, so I was a little lost as to motives, but otherwise it wasn't half bad. 50 was, to say the least, a little disturbing. I have to admit I really don't want Selina to become chaotic enough to go back to her old self, or become as psychotic as Bruce is right now. I know Zatanna meant well, and is trying to make amends with her mistakes, but she should really just stop before she unravels other things. I did like an actual explination as to why Selina became a 'good guy' - but I would have liked it more if she was able to turn herself around under her own willpower (gives her more credit, and a stronger character).

Tomorrow should be a more interesting day, since I will actually get to read 'new' comics...

New Years, Circle of Fire, and more

Well, it is now 2006 and we still have no flying cars on the market. In fact, little has really changed in the last few years visibly, except everyone has an ipod now. I may sound a little pessimistic, but who really believes that the world will make a massive revolution in culture over the course of 24 hours - unless a UFO crashed into London (or Tokyo)?

Finished reading Circle of Fire, provided by Kalinara of course. I'm starting to think she has a mission to make me like Rayner, and I think it's working. The whole plot comes off as totally contrived, and was a little hard for me to stick with it till the end. I have to admit I skimmed some of the filler atories in the middle, mainly dealing with the kids and the Atom. I just didn't find them as interesting as the other contrived lanterns.

Rayner is a little more scary in my book considering the events in the arch, but I still like him. I could say he's my favorite of the lanterns, but then again almost all of the Green Lantern stories I've read has had him as a main character (or at least a major part of the story).

Other little notes to mention:
-House is starting on USA on the 6th (fri) at 11:00 est, also new episodes of Monk begin the 13th (I like Monk, but rarely get to watch it, and I usually catch new epiosdes of House on Fox on Tuesdays, USA is just picking it up)
-New episodes of Battlestar Galactica, Stargate Atlantis, and Stargate SG-1 begin airing Jan 6th finally.
-Lost will hopefully start back up with new episodes soon, since the reruns have nearly caught up finally.

Green Lantern: Rebirth

Finally finished reading Rebirth after much distraction from reality. I have to say it was pretty decent - solid story telling at least. Overall it was a fun read, but I did have a few problems with it.

First I have to say they could have easily spread the story over several more issues, prolonging to miniseries, by having the rest of the justice league get corrupted by Parallax as it jumped from body to body to provide distractions via possesion for the lanterns. I'm glad they didn't, becuase it would have really dented into the flow of the story. It felt like they were almost about to do it starting with Batman, who is a logical starting place since he benifits and uses fear as a major weapon.

Speaking of Batman, boy was he out of character the whole time. I can understand he can often be the pessimistic side of any discussion, but he wasn't just that in the story. He was the counter argument to everything the Green Lanterns did, and served only as a plot device. Much of the time Batman was only a black shape, helping the image of only an object to furthor a point. A shade like Batman can work well if the atmosphere is right, but usually the atmosphere wasn't set right - Batman was a black shape standing in a lit room. But I digress, this was a Green Lantern book and not a Batman book.

The different lanterns were personified very well, and their personalities and ring powers really helped bring themselves into individuals that were interesting. I haven't seen much of John, and now I have a little better understanding of him. Guy was just Guy, just more of him and still a good distraction from the seriousness of whatever he's in. Hal is finally starting to make sense to me (thanks to the whole arch being devoted to him). Kyle is also slowly become a favorite (no thanks to Kalinara, but that's a different story), since he was ever bit as important to the story since he pulled all the pieces together to set the story off).

I also am starting to like Kyle out of similarities in personality, at least as presented in the arch. Something along the lines of being an artist, constantly sketching and revising, and never satisfied with the end result. I can relate to that easily, being an artist as well with touches of perfectionism and some obsessive behaviors.

Christmas and fires

Yesterday had dinner with father, and built a bonfire out of an old building he tore down on his property. Was fun, except not those clothes now smell powerfully of smoke and I tracked some ash back home. Also got a little sickly feeling, probably garlic in the seasonings at dinner.

Turns out comics are a day offset thanks to the holiday, something I didn't even think about. Tomorrow I'll check again if I can, but today I spent some of my christmas money on back issues and another large box for storage.

Still reading Green Lantern: Rebirth, and I'll stick up a little review when finished.

Comics and thoughts

Ok, here are my thoughts and comments about what came out last week. No particular order, except as how they were pulled from my folder...

Justice #3
The first two issues were really building an interesting premise, and this issue seems to be on the same track. I really like how most of the dialogue is still internal, and obviously I still love artwork. I'm not big on spoiling, but I'll say there are major events happening. It's annoying that Justice is bimonthly, but I guess that's the price of the realism in the art.

Infinite Crisis #3
Wow. The buildup is over and the real fireworks are begining. As frustrated I have become with the Batman side of the DCU, I love what he's doing in this line. Also, crazy stuff going on in the rest of the universe - I can almost hear people saying "I told you so" in one particular instance.

Batman: Journey into Knight #5
Originally I thought they were simply recycling the Contagion plot from way back, as more issues have come out it really feels like they are churning out a half-way original story. Batman in this series is one of the most human versions I've read in a long time - he talks a normal amount and gets in real harm's way to escape halfway by a knowledge of physics (even if they are a little skewed). Also, this miniseries seems well written, or at least a good amount of time has been spent on it. I'm really enjoying this series, thanks in part to the main titles feeling shoddy.

Batman: Gotham Knights #72
Finally a decent story in the main Batman titles. It's a single shot story that barely has an appearence of the caped crusader, mostly flashback and character drama. I enjoyed how it came across, though I do have a fondness for Batman - I don't know if everyone would enjoy it since the most action was Bruce getting slapped by an old woman.

I'm still new to the Green Lantern side of the DCU, so you can take these opinions with as little weight as you want. Much of what I know has been told by Kalinara, so you can imagine how that could be a little slanted. Still, I'm sure at least she is a little curious.

Green Lantern: Recharge #3
About time this showed up, could use a better cover too - Guy's face looks like a tomato and Kyle has huge teeth. Aside from those petty details the story is shaping up well. You can tell who are going to be the major players, and who will be teamed with who, and I think they are good match ups for now.

Green Lantern #3
Great how the gremlins are really aliens, and that German is an alien tongue (and Egyption). Didn't feel like a whole lot happened aside from the fight, though if anything important occured in the flashbacks I didn't catch it. Next issue may be more interesting, since this one flowed as more of an inbetween chunk of story. Also found it funny how everyone seemed to know who Hal was.

Okay, that's it for the DC chunk. I also pick up Darkhorse titles from time to time, and I regularly read Conan. I'm a sucker for sword and scorcery when it is well written and well illustrated - so here's my review of Conan #23...

Looks like Nord took a break from this issue, but the sketched art is still there with Ruth's own style - I don't know if Nord will return though. The afterward also said that Busiek will be leaving as script writer, who has given the series a strong narritive. I hope the comic doesn't suffer.

Essencially the entire issue is a massive flashback, with a flashback inside the flashback. Part of the story of Conan as a child, and is pretty straight forward in content. What really drives the story, and why I love the title, is the art. The comic is absolutely raw in its portrayal and energy.

The next issue's cover was previewed in Demons of Khitai #3 by accident, and I'll quickly touch on it simply becuase it is in my mind at the time. The cover featured full frontal nudity, which I hope is kept simply beucase it was a good work of art (and yes I consider it art, thanks to the context) - but I am afraid and sure it will no doubt be censored but cloth of some type. It will be sad to see if it is, but if they didn't I'm pretty sure comic shops and the publishers will get yelled at if it is put on the shelves that way.

Also worth noting, the Green Lantern: Rebirth graphic novel came out in hardback. That's it for (last) week's comics, in another few days I'll repeat this all over again...and maybe something of other interest will come around.