7:30 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:30:50 PM

Welcome once again to the second Live edition of the cX $40 Pull List!

7:31 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:31:06 PM

Coming at you live from the bowlesSPAM Corporate Annex in beautiful Nanuktuk California!

7:31 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:31:14 PM

I’m Craig, and this is Brandon. Say hello Brandon!

7:31 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:31:34 PM

Hello Brandon!

7:31 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:31:49 PM

Also? That was meant to be bowels. I’m a terrible person.

7:32 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:32:18 PM

Yes you are. You screwed up already. You ruined it.

7:32 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:32:27 PM

OK

7:32 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:32:59 PM

Let’s cut right to the chase and start with March’s titles! First up on the list is War of Kings #1.

7:33 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:33:03 PM

Hopefully you got the chance to see our last column, our War of Kings #1 Special, where we discussed that issue in great detail. If you missed it, you can read the transcript here – http://www.comixtreme.com/forums/showthread.php?t=46291 . If you want an incredibly brief recap, it is safe to say we enjoyed it.

7:33

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:33:22 PM LbTn7ZMGajWarofKings1.jpg

7:33 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:33:27 PM

Very much. If you didn’t read the thing before, then we hate you. Why are you here? Jerks.

7:34 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:34:25 PM

Posting as I type is a short poll – did you like the last War of Kings Special? Should we do one for issue #2? Vote now!

7:35 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:35:20 PM

Quickly, I should point out that you are welcome to comment. Periodically, we will post user comments and include you in the discussion.

7:36 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:36:00 PM

Definitely. I will make my best effort to approve them when I’m not supposed to, and incur the wrath of Craig. Which is fun to do.

7:36 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:36:13 PM

Next up, we have:

X-Men/Spider-Man #4, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 03/04/09 ON TIME

Written by Christos Gage, Art by Mario Alberti

7:36

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:36:19 PM FsuhbUMpdmXMSM4.jpg

7:36 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:36:29 PM

This issue jumps forward again to the events following M-Day. One of the few surviving mutant Morlocks has been killed by something that strongly resembles the deceased Kraven the Hunter, and the X-Men decide to call upon Spider-Man to figure out exactly who the killer really is.

7:37 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:37:07 PM

Well for starters, I just have to say this: the deceased Kraven clone? Calls himself Xravin. Because apparently, this is the 90s. And we all suck at anming things.

7:37 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:37:27 PM

That was the most retarded name ever, I really have to say.

7:37 Comment From Adam Chapman

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:37:28 PM What an odd ending to a series, X-Men/Spider-Man #4 was. Overall the series was enjoyable… but clone Kraven? huh? misfire!

7:38 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:38:00 PM

Seriously, even Kraven X is better. Not by much, but…

7:38 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:38:10 PM

I kind of found the ending to be severely anti-climactic. An epic spanning decades, to finally face… a weird hybrid Sinister Kraven clone? Seriously.

7:38 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:38:32 PM

Sure, it was better than issue #3, but as an ending, it was a real let down.

7:38 Comment From Adam Chapman

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:38:43 PM Series was still worth it just to see Ben Reilly. That’s the only reason I was originally interested in the series, sadly.

7:39 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:39:09 PM

Yeah, I only with the Ben Reilly issue was better. Oh well – this one was a novelty only.

7:39 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:39:40 PM

Suffice to say, this mini ends this month, so it is safely ushered off the list.

7:39 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:39:57 PM

Well, the art was phenominal. Alberti was a dynamo all through this book – even switching from era to era. But sadly, minis need to be judged on their ending – and this one… even though it started really strong… ended up being a fail.

7:40 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:40:06 PM

Agreed.

7:40 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:40:18 PM

Hellboy: The Wild Hunt #4 (of 8), $2.99, Dark Horse Comics. Due out 03/04/09 ON TIME

Written by Mike Mignola, Art by Duncan Fegredo and Guy Davis

7:40

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:40:21 PM Ltfa5XB6YGhtwh4.jpg

7:40 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:40:31 PM

This issue finds Hellboy being led to what he believes to be the army he is supposed to lead. As you might expect, their misgivings prove accurate as Hellboy is lead into a trap.

7:40 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:40:55 PM

A quick backtrack -

7:40 Comment From virtuadept

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:40:57 PM so would you say pass on the Xmen Spider-Man trade whenever it comes out?

7:41 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:41:23 PM

ABSOLUTELY. It isn’t worth $10. Read it in the library, but not buy. Now, back on topic…

7:42 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:42:02 PM

In regards to Hellboy: So, uh… what? I really need to school myself with some trades beforeI really do stuff.

7:43 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:43:09 PM

It was a little easier to understand – this issue made sense – save the giant-killing beginning. But still, I was underwhelmed on the whole. Maybe it will be better when it all shakes out, but the best I can say about this issue is that I followed it a lot easier than previous issues.

7:43 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:43:36 PM

Of course, I have a fair bit of anger over the upcoming hiatus.. but I will save that until later.

7:43 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:43:48 PM

There wasn’t as much attached to old events, I agree – but I still feel like I’m way behind the eight ball on this.

7:43 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:43:58 PM

Ooooohh… cliffhanger! Dun dun Dunnnnnnnnn!!!

7:44 Comment From virtuadept

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:44:02 PM Brandon I recommend the Hellboy trades in order and BPRD ones.

7:44 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:44:47 PM

I do so excel at those. But yes – I have read Hellboy before, and it has never taken me this long to really get into what is happening. Is there too much continuity here for an occasional reader? More regular Hellboy readers will have to answer that.

7:44 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:44:47 PM

Virtuadept: I definitely have them… I’m just… lazy? Lazy might be the word. Each and every one of them sit proudly on my shelf.

7:45 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:45:05 PM

Moving

7:45 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:45:09 PM

on!

7:45 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:45:14 PM

Jonah Hex #41, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 3/04/09 ON TIME

Written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti, Art by David Michael Beck.

7:45

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:45:17 PM FrNIL1QIwwjonah41.jpg

7:45 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:45:29 PM

The conclusion to the two part Sawbones story spends most of the time following Jonah Hex in his recovery from Doctor Zimmerman’s torture. We are treated to an interesting series of exchanges between Hex and Tallulah Black, a little consensual sex (a Jonah Hex rarity), and the eventual comeuppance for Zimmerman.

7:45 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:45:54 PM

This week: no rape. Wait, what? is this still Jonah Hex??

7:46 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:46:02 PM

Very

7:46 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:46:06 PM

much so!

7:46 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:46:12 PM

I mean, I guess there could’ve been some rape. Maybe Ms. Black had her way with old Hex… but still.

7:46 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:46:28 PM

He definitely asked for it though. Can’t rape the willing.

7:47 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:47:49 PM

Concent by unconciousness. My favourite kind.

7:47 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:47:59 PM

I’m kidding kids. Rape is bad.

7:48 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:48:02 PM

Overall – this issue was honestly a bit boring. The interplay and development betweenHex and Tallulah was nice, but it seemed like a lot of filler. This didn’t need to be a 2 parter. I was anxious to see a little more depth out of a Jonah Hex story – a nice change of pace from the done-in-one format, but this was just a one issue story stretched into two. A “love-play interlude” if you will.

7:48 Comment From virtuadept

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:48:15 PM I really hope DC doesn’t cancel Hex, it’s one of my favorites but i’m reading in trade.

7:48 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:48:38 PM

Well, with the movie coming out – what, next summer? It is safe to say this book isn’t going anywhere soon.

7:49 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:49:15 PM

Definitely. There’s a six parter coming up – and then a double sized issue 50 and beyond. So very, very safe.

7:49 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:49:37 PM

Also? Yeah, I was kinda bored too. But I’m getting that way with Hex.

7:49 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:49:38 PM

Hopefully the 6-parter isn’t as thin on content as this one was. Maybe this was just.. what, practice?

7:50 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:50:01 PM

OK

7:50 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:50:08 PM

Moving on!

7:50 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:50:15 PM

Ghost Rider #33, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 03/11/09 ON TIME

Written by Jason Aaron, Art by Tony Moore.

7:50

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:50:18 PM OrS4aeLaiXGhostRider33.jpg

7:50 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:50:27 PM

Having not read Ghost Rider in some time, but this seemed to be something of a transition issue, which made it a little easier to follow. We are basically treated to the rise of the new Caretaker, and an examination of the long history of the Spirit of Vengeance in America. I would imagine that this issue had more weight to those that read the previous issue, but that isn’t unexpected.

7:51 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:51:07 PM

Okay, seriously? This was an issue of Ghost Rider that had a World War I Ghost Lfyer calling out for Lufftewaffe blood – AND a Smokey and the Bandit Ghost Rider.

7:51 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:51:14 PM

Oh. And that Chuck Norris based Ghost Rider too.

7:51 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:51:20 PM

Seriously.

7:51 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:51:48 PM

I have one thing to say about this one – Kung-fu nuns with nunchucks. Awesome. I found a few of the old Ghost Rider incarnations a bit cheesy – maybe they went a bit too far with that, but I appreciated the parody.

7:52 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:52:20 PM

I just got a brief taste, but so far, everything you said about this book was right on. Pure simple fun – I am very much a fan. Can’t wait to see what happens next issue.

7:52 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:52:30 PM

The art by Tony Moore was fantastic – and the whole thing was like this beautiful Death Metal grindhouse of a read – and I can’t wait to find out what the hell is going to happen with this war in Heaven that’s already been lost.

7:52 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:52:53 PM

I can never get enough Tony Moore. Shame he never seems to last long on titles.

7:53 Comment From virtuadept

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:53:11 PM Cover art looks pretty good too, I may need to jump back in this title after dropping it during WWH

7:54 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:54:10 PM

You definitely need to. Try it with this issue – which is a great jumping on point. The next might prove to be too.

7:54 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:54:10 PM

For real. If it stays like this, I forsee a long stint on the list. We need more plain FUN comics, straight-up.

7:54 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:54:34 PM

With that, we move on!

7:54 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:54:45 PM

Invincible Iron Man #11, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 03/11/09 ON TIME

Written by Matt Fraction, Art by Salvador Larroca, Colors by Frank D’Armata.

7:54

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:54:49 PM r2xyexmzcEironman11.jpg

7:54 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:54:59 PM

We get a brief snippet of Pepper Potts familiarizing herself with the Iron Woman Armor (Mark 1616). Meanwhile, Tony has an encounter with Jon Rhodes, and forces War Machine into a fight in order to protect him from Osborne’s wrath.

7:56 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:56:32 PM

Talk about blow-em up awesome sauce. We have Rhodey going to take his old buddy down – more or less. And it’s really becoming evident here that Tony Stark is really losing everything. His brains and everything are kind’ve melting away. Dude is SO BONED.

7:57 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:57:08 PM

Overall, not a bad issue – more of the same. It was kind of nice seeing an UNDER-powered Iron Man for a change, but he still finds a way to achieve his goals. Tony does the JOB for Jim, but he still comes out on top. Well done.

7:57 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:57:36 PM

Does

7:58 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:58:03 PM

anyone have any idea what the “Mark 1616″ was referring to? It seemed like it was supposed to mean something, but I couldn’t figure out what.

7:58 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:58:23 PM

Seemed an odd thing to make a point of discussing, only to have no explaination in the end.

7:58 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:58:43 PM

Only real thing that stuck out for me that I found worrisome.

7:58 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:58:54 PM

Overall,

7:59 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:59:24 PM

the title is still freaking awesome. I can’t believe I am enjoying an Iron Man book, but I am

7:59 Comment From virtuadept

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:59:27 PM the 616 thing could be a ref to the 616 universe? beats me.

7:59 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 8:59:28 PM

There’s a chance that it might have something to do with the bible passage, Mark 16:16 “Anyone who believes and is baptised will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.”

8:00 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:00:06 PM

It might fit. Tony’s got the odd Jesus complex thing going. Ish. And he’s probably memorized it for funsies.

8:00 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:00:17 PM

That could apply – it seems like a stretch, but it is the best theory I have seen. I thought about the “616 Universe” thing too, but then, why “1616″ an not “Mark 616?”

8:00 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:00:57 PM

There is almost too much going on here… Pepper barely got any page time, and that bit with Maria Hill is developing way too slowly.

8:00 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:00:58 PM

But yeah – more of the same from this team and this book – which is always a good thing.

8:01 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:01:20 PM

How he managed to make Maria Hill an interesting character, though, is beyond me.

8:01 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:01:23 PM

True – apparently this is a 12 part story… and we’re just at part four now.

8:01 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:01:44 PM

Yeah, this one will read very well in trade.

8:01 Comment From virtuadept

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:01:56 PM 12 part?!! wow.

8:02 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:02:05 PM

Moving on!

8:02 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:02:15 PM

Green Lantern Corps #34, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 03/11/09 ON TIME

Written by Peter J. Tomasi, Art by Pat Gleason and Rebecca Buchman

8:02

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:02:18 PM oyCHzC777Cglc34.jpg

8:02 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:02:29 PM

We get a look at Mongul’s occupation of Daxam from two sides here – the first being the brawl between Mongul and Arkillo, and the other being Sodam Yat’s mother begging him to come and help his people. We also get another peak at the blossoming relationship between Kyle Rayner and Soranik Natu, and the reaction to the appearance of the first Blue Lantern. As usual, this title is quite packed.

8:03 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:03:01 PM

Things are still ramping up nicely – with a heftly dose of forboding. Oddly enough, it’s this book – and not the regular GL book that is pressing the start button on Blackest Night.

8:03 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:03:07 PM

Which I like.

8:03 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:03:30 PM

I found it funny that Arkillo’s tongue getting ripped out doesn’t make his character any less cool. It wasn’t like he ever had anything interesting to say. But I will say that how he lost was a bit of a confusing point to me. He WON, and then suddenly, he didn’t. And you really couldn’t see how that happened.

8:04 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:04:32 PM

Yes, I have found this title to be – in general  - the stronger of the two for a long time. I always chalked that up to the fact that I haven’t really cared for Hal Jordan – or about him – since his return. This is the “Alpha” Green Lantern book to me.

8:04 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:04:35 PM

Craig, your elderly eyes need to recognize a schooling when they see one. Mongul popped up and SCHOOLED Arkillo. Or something.

8:04 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:04:40 PM

By being AWESOME.

8:04 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:04:49 PM

Yeah,

8:04 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:04:50 PM

that

8:05 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:05:25 PM

would be the very definition of “jobber aura” if that is how he won – he didn’t even touch Arkillo. He just popped up and Arkillo fell over in shock, I guess.

8:06 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:06:23 PM

Overall, you really can’t say anything bad about this book – you are correct – it is ramping up to Darkest Night quite nicely. Now moving on…

8:06 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:06:31 PM

Nova #23, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 03/25/09 ON TIME

Written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning, Pencils by Wellington Alves, Inks by Scott Hanna, Colors by Guru

8:06

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:06:35 PM YTOh0Oxcjjnova23.jpg

8:06 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:06:46 PM

Not a lot of action in this issue – we do see Ego and the Nova Corps departing to try and intervene in the war between the Kree and Shi’ar, the new Nova Prime, and Richard Rider coming to grips with his impending death. We also learn something totally random and kind of surprising about Eve Necker, and the image on the cover of Richard Rider as Quasar is fully explained. So not a lot of action, but a lot sure happens.

8:06 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:06:59 PM

Man, what a spoilerific cover.

8:07 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:07:43 PM

Again, I really liked this issue – and the revelation of Hottie McSmokin’s character working for AIM. I really hope more is done with that, because… well, it kind’ve seems a shame to just drop something like that after a casual mention.

8:08 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:08:33 PM

Here is where I have to point out a problem in Marvel’s philosophy of constant “earth-shattering” events strategy. Characters never have a chance to settle into ANYTHING. I appreciate a little chaos, but sometimes you need a status quo to work off of. The bit with Neckler is a classic example – you got the feeling her AIM affiliation was something DnA wanted to work in a major story later, but with the constant shifting tides, they realized that they would never get to it, and just decided to work it in ther.

8:08 Comment From virtuadept

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:08:38 PM But awesome. great cover art.

8:09 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:09:17 PM

Knowning DnA, they’ll find a way to work it in. I’ve noticed that none of their errant plot points go unchecked for long.

8:10 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:10:00 PM

While this is true, it is sometimes a little frustrating to read constant editor-mandated changes. You stop caring about the loss when a character never has stability – you expect it to be gone two issues later.

8:10 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:10:40 PM

Don’t get me wrong – awesome book, and I am one happy Nova fanboy, but man, the reveal of her double life while still AT PEGASUS would have been awesome to read.

8:10 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:10:41 PM

I don’t know. I actually don’t feel like this is an “editor” project – especially since DnA are writing all four books that are taking part.

8:11 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:11:06 PM

Referencing War of Kings, there. Stupid internal thoughts.

8:11 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:11:33 PM

War of Kings still has a whiff of the editor in it – only because Quesada likes to get his grubby hands on everything really QUALITY in Marvel. The Planet Hulk to World War Hulk transition being a prime example.

8:12 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:12:56 PM

I am happy that Bill Rosemann is caretaking this, and DnA writing makes me feel a little more secure, but when his eye is on something, you have to be wary.

8:13 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:13:45 PM

Sure, sure. In the end – in THIS instance – I’ll take the editor’s hand. If this big event sparks more interest in the books, I don’t mind selling them. Avengers books on the other hand… well, that’s a discussion for elsewhere.

8:14 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:14:02 PM

Most certainly. And with that, we move on.

8:14 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:14:10 PM

Avengers: The Initiative Featuring Reptil #1, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 03/25/09 ON TIME

Written by Christos Gage, Art by Steve Uy

8:14

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:14:19 PM XLruYV1S5freptil1.jpg

8:14 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:14:31 PM

Stegron is on the loose with his dinosaur reanimates, and with the Initiative in shambles, Tigra is forced to do a little recruiting to form a team to track the villain down. Enter Reptil – a teenager with the ability to mimic the powers of any dinosaur.

8:15 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:15:04 PM

These little one offs are always a mixed bag. The LAST one was fantastic – and had the HUGE defection of Hardball to Hydra. This one? Intersting enough – but nothing of huge consequence for the overall book.

8:16 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:16:10 PM

Unless it is introducing a regular team. Honestly, I am not enjoying the way Prodigy is being represented here I liked the little nod to his wrestling background, but he is coming off as a spoiled brat, and a punk. That isn’t Prodgy. He was always kind of a dick, but a brooding, capable dick. Not a rebel.

8:17 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:17:00 PM

Still, this just felt like a regular issue that was hyped a bit to gain attention – almost a signal that the book isn’t going anywhere. Nothing special, but I wasn’t disappointed by it. It could have been way worse than it was.

8:17 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:17:28 PM

Definitely. Prodigy was always a jerk – but one that would always follow the rules… even if it meant screwing his “friends” over.

8:18 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:18:28 PM

I actually like the little specials. They give the regular artist a breather and Humberto Ramos needed one, after doing 6 issues of Runaways – and two issues of this book in the span of 7 months.

8:18 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:18:31 PM

Yeah, I really didn’t get the “rebels against authority” thing. He wanted to be the authority – a leader. But hell, another Slinger is appearing in a book on a regular basis, written by a fairly competant writer. I really have no cause for complaint.

8:19 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:19:13 PM

Now, if we could only have all the Slingers in one book… or at least have Cassie appear… and the not-really-dead Hornet.

8:19 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:19:18 PM

Who isn’t really dead.

8:19 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:19:42 PM

Hornet’s not dead – that was a Skrull. They just couldn’t tell because of the armor.

8:19 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:19:55 PM

Agreed. Onward, cracker!

8:20 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:20:10 PM

And that is why Electra wanted to behaead him – so no one would find out.

8:20 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:20:19 PM

Yes! Onward!

8:20 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:20:35 PM

Proof #18, $3.50, Image Comics. Due out 03/25/09 ON TIME

Written by Alex Grecian, Art by Riley Rossmo

8:20

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:20:38 PM ntPkhEi6vUproof18.jpg

8:20 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:20:50 PM

Proof runs into a young woman who is fleeing from a killer called Springheel Jack. Meanwhile a “Baboon Lady” named Julia is forced to undergo a humiliating strip-tease circus sideshow act.   Jack strikes again at the circus… and we are left with a bit of a cliffhanger. Was Julia his target?

8:21 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:21:54 PM

I liked this issue – after a couple of breaks, it looks like we’re really jumping into two mysteries – one taking place now – and one taking place back in the day.

8:22 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:22:52 PM

I kind of enjoy Proof, but I am still a bit lost. I need more to really get a feel for what is going on. The monkey-people all kind of look the same, so I was getting the feeling that they were all Bigfeet. That ended up being a major distraction for me.

8:23 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:23:29 PM

It is a lot for a new reader. Not terrible – mind you, but I am still a fair bit lost. Hopefully things shake out next issue for me. And hopefully, I am not saying that for very much longer!

8:23 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:23:38 PM

Yeah, monkey people and bigfoots (bigfeet?) should definitely not have the same kind of face. It’s scientific fact.

8:23 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:23:48 PM

Yeah.

8:24 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:24:13 PM

They really need their old recap page back – I thought it was much more servicable than this, as it gave you a brief run down of each character too, just in case.

8:24 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:24:52 PM

When I realized that Proof had this longish face with a big forehead, and the monkey-people didn’t – that was a clue, but then, that ruined the whole mindset I had when reading this. I was wondering about Proof’s attitude towards a stripper Bigfoot chick…

8:25 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:25:00 PM

YES. A recap page would rock.

8:25 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:25:32 PM

That

8:26 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:26:16 PM

concludes theMarch issues that actually came out – of course, we are left with a delayed Teen Titans.

Teen Titans #69, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 03/25/09 DELAYED 04/01/09

8:26

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:26:19 PM 2Ue3LbMV9gtt69.jpg

8:26 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:26:25 PM

The only late book this month was Teen Titans, pushed back one week. I’m not entirely sure why, but the future of this book does now seem to be in flux.

8:26 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:26:40 PM

Well, McKeever is off the main part of Teen Titans as of issue #71. He’ll be writing the Raveger back-up, starting in issue #72… but there’s something screwy going on between him and DC right now.

8:27 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:27:11 PM

Case in point – when this issue does hit – Sean’s credit in this issue reads “original story by”… indicating heavy rewrites.

8:27 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:27:26 PM

I do believe shenanigans are afoot.

8:27 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:27:35 PM

With that, I am going to transition right into the Chopping Block, since it is pertinant.    

8:27 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:27:46 PM

In general I am fairly happy with the list as is, but I must admit that I have some misgivings about Teen Titans. I have a lot of patience with titles at times, but this one has a perfect storm of things going against it. The late issue, McKeever’s departure, the upcoming crossover… I would suggest picking up #69 as planned, and dropping it after that. Your thoughts, B?

8:28 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:28:32 PM

HOT DAG! I agree entirely. Even though last issue was a bit of an uptick in quality – but it seems like a crap shoot is on the horizon.

8:29 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:29:05 PM

Too much uncertainty – you don’t destroy a team with the intent of creating something new, and then switch directions before the build. Bad things are afoot.

8:29 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:29:46 PM

So we are agreed – Teen Titans is DROPPED.

Hellboy is also something very much worth discussing. We have no idea when issue #5 is coming out – the letters page in #4 indicated “a few months,” but it hasn’t been solicited yet. This angers me, to be frank. It’s a limited series, and had I known that it was “planned” to take a few months off in the middle of the series, I wouldn’t have put it on this list. It has effectively cancelled itself – since there is no telling where we will be when it finally comes out. We are going to have to add things to the list to replace it, and I am not about to cancel an otherwise good book just to make a home for this when it returns.

8:30 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:30:34 PM

Sounds cool with me. If there’s space to add it back when it hits again, then cool. But if we forget, or don’t care by then… well, there’s our answer.

8:32 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:32:12 PM

Well, I won’t officially mark it dropped – you never know what we will have when it finally comes out, but I will consider our attitude towards it hostile at the moment.

8:32 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:32:24 PM

Done and done.

8:32 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:32:42 PM

On to New titles. We’ve got a bunch of stuff coming out in April – lots of events starting up, and interesting story starts to choose from. Marvel’s got Marvel Zombies 4 kicking off, a Jeff Parker penned Exiles series, Savage She-Hulk #1 by Fred Van Lente, the start of Deadpool: Suicide Kings, the Skrull Kill Krew, – heck, I even would put the Pride & Prejudice adaptation in the running this month. We seem to have a bit of room on the list – so we could potentially fit two books this month. Maybe you will go with one of these, but for my suggestion this month, I would like to offer two. The first looking at DC.

Now DC’s a tough nut to crack these days – I am not exactly very thrilled with the direction the company as a whole is taking, and I am certainly not thrilled with the genesis of this event in the slightest – but using history as a guide, it will likely be pretty good. The Flash: Rebirth #1 comes out this month ($3.99 cover price), which will feature the return of Barry Allen. Geoff Johns did Green Lantern: Rebirth, and while I didn’t like the idea of Hal Jordan coming back (still don’t, honestly), I can’t deny that it was a fantastic read. I feel the same way about Barry Allen – but Johns has a reputation of handling these things well.

8:33 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:33:23 PM

We’re a bit light on DC lately – not without cause, but I think Flash: Rebirth would be a good way to go.

8:34 Comment From virtuadept

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:34:34 PM i’m waiting on the trade for it hehe

8:34 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:34:56 PM

So our first addition is The Flash: Rebirth #1 (of 5), $3.99, DC Comics. Due out 04/01/09

The other title I would suggest this month is Dark Horse’s Star Wars: The Dark Times. Issue #13 is the start of the five part Blue Harvest arc which picks up from where the two part story presented in MySpace: Dark Horse Presents issues 18 and 19 (http://www.myspace.com/darkhorsepresents). That two-parter was an interesting prelude – enough to make me curious about where the story will progress. Plus, it’s a 40 page book with a $2.99 cover price – you can’t beat that.

8:34 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:34:57 PM

There is no trade waiting for the $40 Pull List!

8:35 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:35:39 PM

No,

8:35 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:35:45 PM

Well, I made you buy Ghost Rider – so I can take a chance on some Star Wars.

8:35 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:35:46 PM

no there isn’t!

8:35 Comment From virtuadept

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:35:53 PM Yes! Star Wars! Good choice

8:35 Comment From virtuadept

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:35:57 PM Flash Rebirth preview put me to sleep. 5 pages of hero-hero-worship.

8:36 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:36:23 PM

I don’t KNOW if it will be good, but I think it is worth taking a chance on.

8:36 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:36:53 PM

Well, here’s something that might help us decide: I have only seen episode 1 and 4 of Star Wars.

8:37 Comment From virtuadept

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:37:57 PM Turn in your geek card right now.

8:38 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:38:58 PM

WHAT? I can’t even write this column with you. Episodes 2-3? OK, whatever, miss them. But the original?

Seriously, I am this close to tossing you!

8:39 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:39:07 PM

Oh. I mean, I have seen all of the Star Wars.

Hey! Remember that time that they fought in that war? For the stars? That was… that was awesome.

8:39 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:39:26 PM

Okay – I promise – by next column, I will have seen the Star Wars.

8:39 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:39:50 PM

You shame me sir. Well, you are required to watch Empire and Jedi before the next column. In the meantime, we have added:

Star Wars: Dark Times #13, $2.99, Dark Horse Comics. Due out 04/22/09.

8:40 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:40:35 PM

I’ll definitely get on that, and give my report in the next column

8:41 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:41:16 PM

Looks

8:41 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:41:37 PM

Looks like we can fit another $2.99 book… suggestions?

8:43 Comment From virtuadept

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:43:11 PM How about a humor comic of some sort?

8:43 Comment From virtuadept

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:43:25 PM Deadpool?

8:43 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:43:58 PM

Now I am a major Deadpool fan, but that book is mid-crossover. Plus we are way Marvel heavy at the moment. Humor is not a bad idea though.

8:44 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:44:48 PM

Of course, I have a long list of good Marvel starts, but this is a consequence of the price-hike – they are all $3.99 starts, and might continue at that price. Of course, it will be interesting to see how the list fares as that price point becomes more and more common.

8:45 Comment From virtuadept

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:45:51 PM Yeah, true, Marvel is rocking it lately (except the $3.99 thing)

8:46 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:46:41 PM

Howsabout Secret Six #8? It’s a one-off, in between story arcs – and it’s the good book by Gail Simione.

8:47 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:47:26 PM

That sounds like a starter for me. So we shall add it.

Secret Six #8, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 04/08/09.

8:48 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:48:02 PM

Rockin’.

8:48 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:48:51 PM

So while Craig’s doing some math, let’s go over the list of things that make a comic better automatically.

8:48 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:48:57 PM

It’s a working list.

8:49 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:49:11 PM

Goes like this. Stove top hats. Abe Lincoln. Jet pack bears.

8:49 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:49:20 PM

John F. Kennedy.

8:49 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:49:27 PM

Kicks to the face.

8:49 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:49:40 PM

Hillbilly marraiges

8:49 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:49:51 PM

Stone age lawyers.

8:50 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:50:34 PM

Oh! Which reminds me. The cover to Proof? Totally had a stove pipe hat.

8:51 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:51:09 PM

(Suggestions are appreciated, and encouraged)

8:51 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:51:59 PM

Cross-dressing Hitler. Always golden.

8:52 Comment From virtuadept

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:52:19 PM Shark robots with laser beams

8:52 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:52:37 PM

Yes. Agreed. Very nice, Virtuadept.

8:54 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:54:22 PM

Touring rock bands who also go on fun adventures.

8:54 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:54:34 PM

Mystical mexican luchadors.

8:54 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:54:42 PM

OK! Back!

Here is the list for April. (crap, what did I miss here???)

Teen Titans #69, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 03/25/09 DELAYED 04/01/09

The Flash: Rebirth #1 (of 5), $3.99, DC Comics. Due out 04/01/09

War of Kings #2 $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 04/01/09
Invincible Iron Man #12, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 04/01/09

Jonah Hex #42, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 04/01/09

Secret Six #8, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 04/08/09
Green Lantern Corps #35, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 04/15/09

Sgt. Rock: The Lost Battalion #5 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 04/15/09 DELAYED 04/22/09

Star Wars: Dark Times #13, $2.99, Dark Horse Comics. Due out 04/22/09
Avengers: The Initiative #23, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 04/22/09

Ghost Rider #34, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 04/22/09

Nova #24, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 04/29/09
Proof #19, $3.50, Image. Due Out 04/29/09

8:55 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:55:19 PM

The Math:

$40.00 + $1.69 (Bank from March) + $3.22 (Teen Titans $69) = $44.91

$44.91 – $41.38 (April Issues) – $3.21 (tax) = $.32 (Banked for May)

A whole 32 cents!

8:55 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:55:25 PM

You missed nothing. And everything.

8:55 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:55:45 PM

Heck yeah. I promise not to spend it all in one place.

8:55 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:55:55 PM

Thankfully, the transcript is saved, so I can always go back and read that, or any portion of this lovely event once it concludes!

8:57 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:57:25 PM

Oh man, we’re still doing this? I was talking elsewhere, because I’m rediculous. Should we wrap this baby up?

8:57 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:57:35 PM

I believe we are starting to come to a conclusion here. As always, we would love to hear your comments in the thread once the event concludes.

8:58 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:58:10 PM

Posting both here and in the thread automatically makes you 67% more awesome than your peers. And that’s the truth.

8:58 Craig Reade

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:58:18 PM

Thanks kindly for reading, and we will see you next time!

8:58 B. Schatz

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:58:33 PM

Out!

8:58

Monday, March 30, 2009, 9:58:36 PM  

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