7:18 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:18:28 PM

Welcome once again to the comiXtreme.com $40 Pull List – LIVE! I am your host, Craig Reade. My esteemed colleague Brandon Schatz has yet to arrive at the cX Building at the SPAM Corperate complex in sunny Nanuktuk, California… I suspect some irate Star Wars fanboys finally got to him.

7:18 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:18:42 PM Oh wait, there he is, just slightly bloodied.

7:19 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:19:29 PM While we are waiting for Mr. Schatz to hobble in, we will start with the first poll question!

7:20 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:20:14 PM As usual, you are free to comment – during specific points in tonight’s program, we will post comments and discuss them.

7:20 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:20:23 PM I made it! I swear to God I’m here. And stuff.

7:21 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:21:01 PM Welcome back, B. Hopefully those guys dressed as Storm Troopers and bikini Princess Leia didn’t hurt you too badly.

7:22 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:22:11 PM No, not this time. Jeeze. Man. Breathe. Next time, I’m going to eff Boba Fett inthe face.

7:22 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:22:30 PM Now that you have caught your breath, we will move right into last month’s books!

7:22

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:22:32 PM phpaKYhDyFlashRebirth2.jpg

7:22 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:22:38 PM

The Flash: The Rebirth #2 (of 5), $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 05/06/09 ON TIME

Barry Allen mopes a little more about his return, but is forced to come to grips and investigate the death of Savitar and seizures suffered by various speedsters. Only to discover that he is the new Black Flash!

7:22 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:22:58 PM Oh snap, that ending! I’m… I… okay, I don’t know who any of the Flash related characters really are… I haven’t really read Flash before – DC never seemed to be able to get collections of Geoff John’s (first?) Flash run together in any kind of order – and then there was that terrible “let’s make Bart the Flash” run which was flawed from the get-go. While I can see the shape of why this story is important to the speedsters, I just can’t really grab the whole… why I’m caring thing.

7:24 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:24:16 PM Eh, I never thought too highly of the whole Black Flash concept, so I was unimpressed. Actually, I found the sequence fitting, considering one of the guys behind the creation of The Black Flash (if I am not mistaken) has “sensational moments” to thank for his entire career and fanbase. That last moment was about the only thing worth talking about this issue.

7:25 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:25:08 PM Well, basically what I’m saying is… this needs more monkeys. BRING ME GORILLA CITY!

7:25 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:25:32 PM Or, at least more of it.

7:25 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:25:34 PM Slightly better than issue #1, but I have no idea why this book is getting any praise. Well, I do understand why – same reason titles like All Star Batman and Robin get high marks really. Yes – needs more gorillas.

7:25 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:25:45 PM I am getting bored just talking about this book. Time to move on…

7:25 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:25:54 PM Ha. Mmkay.

7:25 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:25:57 PM

War of Kings #3, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/06/09 ON TIME

7:26

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:26:00 PM phpBEyEIqWarofKings3.jpg

7:26 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:26:08 PM

Vulcan is convinced not to kill Lilandra, meanwhile Crystal discovers that the Uplift Program has hit a snag. Later, the Starjammers and the Guardians of the Galaxy attempt rescue Lilandra, and Gladiator makes his true loyalties known.

7:26 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:26:22 PM Remember the last time a big important event realized that wasn’t afraid to be funny?! Yeah, neither do I. But here, you’ve got a raccoon with a mop and his giant-tree sidekick being all kinds of awesome – which is just inherently funny.

7:27 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:27:13 PM Also, I really enjoyed this book. If you’re not reading the other DnA produced cosmic books (like… let’s say Nova) you’re still getting a complete story. But if you do happen to be reading those other books, events in each dovetail into each other nicely, without getting in the way of each other too much. How they’re writing the four cosmic books, plus The Authority for Wildstorm, and Fusion for Top Cow while maintaining the integrity and timing of what’s going on out in space is beyond me – but I’m super glad they’re doing it.

7:27 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:27:20 PM

That is what makes the Guardians of the Galaxy so fun – Groot and Rocket. I was glad to see them. In all, this event is going off quite well. Much better than that Flash book.

7:27 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:27:51 PM DnA are indeed two of the best things happening in comics today, and a big reason why Marvel is better than they have been of late.

7:28 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:28:39 PM Agreed. And I gotta’ say – I don’t really care for the Inhumans, and didn’t care about ANY of the space characters before DnA arrived   – and now, I can’t stay away. Awesome job and wot.

7:28 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:28:49 PM (That’s British)

7:29 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:29:00 PM (Ya, dirty yank.)

7:29 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:29:16 PM Indeedy. Looking forward to more Crystal and Ronan too. Anywhich, onward and upward.

7:29 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:29:20 PM

Invincible Iron Man #13, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/06/09 ON TIME

7:29

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7:29 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:29:31 PM

Tony plans for the inevitable by trying to dumb down the Iron Man tech, while on the run from HAMMER. Maria Hill escapes from the Controller and gets away with Drive X, while Pepper stymies Osborn’s attempts to pressure her, gains her freedom, and sets off in search of Tony.

7:29 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:29:51 PM And with that, we’re halfway through the arc. Normally, I balk at the big “twelve part storyline” – but man… this thing is humming along nicely. You get to see Tony’s mind start to abandon him as things become increasingly dire – and yet still hold on to a little bit of charm. Meanwhile, Maria Hill gets a little more development, and we learn a little about her mission – while it looks like Pepper’s might be grinding to a stop.

7:30 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:30:32 PM Shoot. Well, her time as a “legitimate” hero, anyway…

7:30 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:30:46 PM Overall, I think this issue was a real step up over the last couple… it seemed like there was too much going on, and it has finally started to shake out a bit. Seriously dumb on Pepper’s part though – you know they tagged her somehow, and she is going to lead them right to Tony. Not bas story-wise mind you, but I did peg her as smarter.

7:31 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:31:09 PM And yes – I continue to be amazed that Maria Hill is suddenly a sympathetic character. High praise on that count.

7:31 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:31:36 PM Well, she’s kind’ve a novice at superheroing… but yeah – she DID run The Order – and she’s pretty good with tactical stuff. Oh well. Still makes fora   wicked story..

7:31 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:31:47 PM No doubt.

7:31 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:31:49 PM

Power Girl #1, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 05/06/09 ON TIME

7:31

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:31:50 PM phpExrLOrPowerGirl1A.jpg

7:31

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7:32 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:32:02 PM

New York City is under attack by the Ultrahumanite. His target? Power Girl’s body!

7:32 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:32:14 PM The beginning of this book reminded me about the fantastic way Grant Morrison and Frank Quietly “explained” Superman with four panels, and eight words. Instead of going that route, Gray and Palmiotti went for the gold star by listing almost everything they could to “explain” Power Girl. While it’s commendable to show your audience that you know and respect everything that’s been happening with the character – that’s not what you want to do on the first two pages of your new series.

7:32 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:32:42 PM Devoted readers will already know all that information – and new readers might be a little overwhelmed by it. Using something as simple as “super powered being sent here from another reality” works nicely. If you want to go deeper into more details, stealth it in later in the story – but selling a story with “I have the same origin as Superman, only I’m a girl, and from a parallel earth and eventually became a part of the JSA, but then went back to my old reality where I found out I had been replaced, and that’s why I’m here” won’t sell a comic.

7:32 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:32:44 PM [/rant]

7:33 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:33:47 PM I thought it was a decent issue – but was shocked at how light it was. I suppose I shouldn’t expect much more out of an action packed issue – I just didn’t think I would read it that fast. The setup was great, we got decent action, a good look at PG’s powers and abilities… and a cliffhanger. It was text-book … the flashbacks were very cumbersome though, and the issue may have suffered a bit for them. Even still – I was happy with it… this might be a case of expectations being too high.

7:35 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:35:51 PM Well, other than the begininng, I actually enjoed the book. A different kind of punch ‘em up, or whatever. Plus, the prerequisite boob jokes were told with a bit of a wink, and a dash of “you’re a terrible person at laughing at that”. Which I thought as classy. Ish.

7:37 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:37:08 PM There was some good set-up though – I have to give it high marks. There are clear parallels to the guy PG threw out of her office for wanting to remake the human race via genetic re-engineering… there are some definite parallels to Ultrahumanite, and I would not be surprised to see that he was the man behind the attacking machines.

7:37 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:37:35 PM And you can’t have a Power Girl comic without boob jokes. It’s the law.

7:38 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:38:06 PM Heck yeah.

7:38 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:38:10 PM

Jonah Hex #43, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 05/06/09 ON TIME

7:38

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:38:12 PM phprsaLHlJonahHex43.jpg

7:38 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:38:20 PM

Jonah rescues the kidnapped daughter of a hotel owner, but there appears to be a problem with the ransom on the back end. However – the rescued daughter proves to be most resourceful.

7:38 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:38:44 PM This issue featured the return of rape – this time, played off in a “think of England” kind of way. I’ll give kudos to the creative teams for getting away from the device for a while – but I don’t think it was really needed in this book.

7:38 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:38:57 PM You know, other than to feature a naked girl running out of a burning building. (Plot!)

7:39 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:39:17 PM It’s always good when a popular supporting character returns to any title, I was pleased to see Rape make its long-awaited comeback.

7:39 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:39:47 PM Let’s hope it stays away from the livestock…

7:39 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:39:49 PM Though, going into the big 6 parter, maybe Rape wasn’t going to be a part of it, and they thought a cameo was in order.

7:40 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:40:18 PM In all, I thought it a decent stock Jonah Hex story… last one for the road, I suppose. Not a bad issue, but I can’t rave about it.

7:40 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:40:32 PM Well, except for the art. Decent art for a change – usually this book is a mess.

7:40 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:40:56 PM It’d be odd to have a character feature so prominently, and then drop it during the big “event” arc. Methinks this is where Jonah Hex and rape finally have it out. It’ll be a rapetacular.

7:41 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:41:23 PM I think we beat that one to death. No need to rape a dead horse.

7:41 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:41:28 PM Moving on…

7:41 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:41:33 PM

Secret Six #9, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 05/13/09 ON TIME

7:41 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:41:33 PM Again.

7:41

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:41:35 PM phpzvqhuVSecretSix9.jpg

7:41 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:41:42 PM

Catman and Ragdoll lend Bane a hand in Gotham ending a plot to kidnap the children of Gothamite millionaires – the topic of Batman’s heir ever-present.

7:41 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:41:52 PM Bat! Man! Nana nana nana nana nana nana nana nana, Bat! Man!

So two super-lame bat villains take to the streets after Batman disappears and meter out paid justice. Their methods definitely don’t lend themselves to the “heroic” role – made all the more obvious by their sidekick – a Robin-dressed Ragdoll.

7:42 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:42:49 PM A decent filler – and a nic Battle for the Cowl tie-in. The “I don’t wanna be Batman, I could be Batman – no you couldn’t” was a little much at times, but it played well.

7:43 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:43:08 PM Which basically takes all the weird sexual undertones of dressing up a boy as your ward, and having it switch rolls with the more prevelant “sidekick” nonsense.

7:43 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:43:13 PM and yes, Ragdoll was precious. Why would he even dress up as Robin? Who knows…

7:43 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:43:27 PM

Sexual perversion run wild.

7:43 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:43:28 PM On the serious, you have to hand it to Gail Simone for taking crappy villains and doing this with them – and you have to give it to Nicola Scott – who has been killing this book, ever since she started. Seriously, she’s one of the best out there right now

7:43 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:43:42 PM Who knew women could do things other than cook or clean?

(See… if Andrea were here right now, she’d probably kill me. But she isn’t…)

(Right???)

7:44 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:44:05 PM Can’t complain really – I am not ready to sing Simone’s praises (her horrible Wonder Woman work still ever present on the mind), but she may redeem herself yet.

7:44 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:44:15 PM Man, I could go for a sandwhich…

7:44 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:44:35 PM Who COULDN’T use a sammy?

7:44 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:44:37 PM

The Unwritten #1, $1, DC Comics. Due out 05/13/09 ON TIME

7:44

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:44:41 PM phpzkQRk5UnWritten1.jpg

7:44 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:44:49 PM

During a signing, Tom Taylor is exposed as something of a fraud when he learns that he is indeed not the son of the popular children’s novelist. While trying to weather the storm, he starts to encounter characters from the novels in a real-life setting.

7:45 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:45:13 PM Rant time deux!

7:45 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:45:25 PM Well, that was something. In a time where companies are looking to increase prices – with this series (and all other ongoings to come, it seems) are going the route of giving readers a huge bang for their buck. Will it catch on? Well… that depends on a couple of things.

See, while those of us on this site are fairly informed in terms of upcoming books, and price points and whatnot – we are the minority. The people coming into the comic shop – by and large – are coming in, looking for the books that they are already getting – and other new superhero books that catch their eye. Not many are willing to go out on a limb for a new Vertigo book – and most of them don’t even know when those books come out.

For example – I made sure to order quite a few copies of this book for the stands, thinking “people will know its in and grab it from the shelf”. Nobody did.

We didn’t sell a single copy of The Unwritten from the shelf. Luckily, I had a healthy stock by the till. All it took was a quick, “Would you like to try a book for a dollar?” and most were sold. Those that weren’t wanted to know a bit about the plot before taking the plunge. Only a handful declined to try the book (until we ran out of copies… a lesson to learn from for the upcoming Greek Street) – and only one hissed at me for trying to sell him a book published by DC (NOT A LIE).

7:45 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:45:25 PM Go for it

7:45 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:45:58 PM Anyway. The book! For a dollar, it was more than worth a read. Heck, for $3.99, this would’ve been worth the read. This Mike Carey fellow, and this Peter Gross chap got a future in this business, lemme tell ya’.

7:46 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:46:53 PM well, I had mixed feelings about the book. Was it good? Absolutely. But when it was over… it really felt like it was over. There was nothing in that issue to make me want to pick up issue #2. Everything seemed so… predictible. This was a fantastic “one-shot…”

7:47 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:47:19 PM I don’t know. I am still willing to read issue #2. And I enjoyed #1. But if #2 never came out, I can’t say I would be sad.

7:48 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:48:07 PM True enough. There *was* too much a of a conclusion, and very little to go forward on – but I like the whole… ambiguity of his being a ficiotnal character or whatnot. And how that happened exactly.

7:48 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:48:40 PM Yeah, but that has been done to death in other books, really. The lack of a real novel concept put a kibosk on me caring how it came about.

7:48 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:48:52 PM Kibosh, rather.

7:49 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:49:23 PM Like Abadazad, and what’s going on in Fables now… and… man, I’m sure I’m missing one… I swear there’s another one out like this RIGHT NOW too…

7:50 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:50:09 PM I’ll have to dig around. Or let someone remind me what it is in the comments, or what-have-you.

7:50 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:50:19 PM I wouldn’t stress the brain too much, it is all over fiction. Nonetheless… moving on…

7:50 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:50:26 PM

Green Lantern Corps #36, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 05/13/09 ON TIME

7:50

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:50:28 PM phproRhmHGreenLanternCorps36.jpg

7:50 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:50:37 PM

Soranik and Sinestro have a “father/daughter chat,” while the Sciencell breakout continues, and Sodam Yat is forced to try and unleash the Ion Power to confront Mongul.

7:50 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:50:48 PM HOLY CRAP!

Okay, by now, you should know the score. We read the books on the $40 Pull List, and we (sometimes) spoil the crap out of them. This is going to be one of those times – because I can’t – I just can’t do another boring “this book is good, and you should be reading it” post. Okay? You’ve been warned.

7:51 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:51:01 PM …

THEY JUST KILLED SODAM YAT.

7:51 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:51:04 PM Okay, probably not.

7:51 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:51:12 PM From all accounts of the future, his character is alive and well – but man… if he really is dead – that is the way to go out – exploding into a sun to radically change the course of a battle. Damn.

7:51 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:51:41 PM Not terribly sad – I never did care about that character much, frankly. At least he went out well though.

7:52 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:52:38 PM I say he survives. If Geof Johns has him in the wack-a-doo future of his, then he’s got “plans”. And Geoff Johns is pretty much the only guy who has the cache to actually tell the stires he *wants* at DC right now, it seems…

7:52 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:52:45 PM Without interference, anyway…

7:52 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:52:57 PM He said… making a huge generalization…

7:53 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:53:14 PM I have to say – I love this book, but it’s a freaking mess. Way too much going on at once. Unless all these plotlines somehow come together in a meaningful way, I am going to say that they should have probably been broken up into different arcs.

As far as Johns goes – that is apparent, but of late, I am starting to think that control is a bad idea. DC isn’t exactly getting much better.

7:53 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:53:58 PM Nope. They just put things on hold until Geoff gets around to him. Not a very solid game plan. BUT.

7:54 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:54:17 PM I gotta say – I much prefer this to Green Lantern proper – because stuff IS ACTUALLY HAPPENING in it.

7:55 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:55:31 PM Indeed. The main title has been pretty.. well… there since it came back. Comparing GLC to Green Lantern proper really shows that Hal’s return was far from needed.

7:55 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:55:53 PM Because he’s lame, and a jerk.

7:56 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:56:07 PM

Somethign like that.

Moving on!

7:56 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:56:09 PM

Avengers: The Initiative #24, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/27/09 ON TIME

7:56

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7:56 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:56:20 PM

The Shadow Initiative is trapped behind enemy lines somehow manage to complete their mission, but not without Typhoid Mary going a little crazy.

7:56 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:56:37 PM This book seems to be really suffering from two things:

7:56 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:56:47 PM One: the art doesn’t QUITE match the tone… and two…

7:57 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:57:20 PM It’s taking too long to get to the place where other Marvel books were four to five months ago. I know decompressed storytelling is the way to go, but this arc has felt… too long.

7:57 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:57:47 PM One issue for the desolution of the old initiative, one issue for the mission, another issue for the aftermath. Bing-bang-boom.

7:57 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:57:50 PM Shoulda’ been how it went.

7:58 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:58:27 PM The art? I can deal with. It may not be perfect for the tone, but it is passable. It could be way worse. So I am happy.

Yeah – they should be past the post-Secret Invasion fallout at this point – but I can see why they aren’t. Then again – I am not generally a fan of a rigid company-wide timeline, so I don’t take as much issue with that. I would just assume every title not tie in together all the time.

7:58 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:58:54 PM Ignoring the rest of Marvel all together, and the story makes sense. So I am happy.

7:59 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:59:32 PM Eh. I’m willing to stick through to the after-arc. Should be neat once we get there.

7:59 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:59:37 PM No doubt.

7:59

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:59:41 PM phpf7finnGhostRider35.jpg

7:59 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:59:51 PM

Ghost Rider #35, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/27/09 ON TIME

7:59 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 8:59:53 PM

When fighting off demons, Johnny Blaze once again becomes Ghost Rider, and sets off to reclaim heaven. The end?

8:00 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:00:12 PM Well, this definitely didn’t match the sheer joy that was a Ghost Rider vs. a trucker from hell, this was still a pretty good read. Jason Aaron and Tony Moore both dig their heels into some Japan-style horror, and we get one of the creepiest looking villainess’ that I’ve seen for quite some time.

8:00 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:00:22 PM And keeping in the tradition of both Japanese manga and American comics – she has quite the rack. But… ew. Just… all kinds of ew.

*Shudders*

8:01 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:01:10 PM The weird sex demon was interesting, but it definitely felt like a rushed ending. Still, the prospect of an upcoming mini (?) seems appealing. Yes – Sailor Moon nasty demon? Very shudder.

8:01 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:01:56 PM Marvel’s making sure all of Jason Aaron’s stuff is collected before the mini hits oin August – so that’s good marketing. I can’t wait!

8:02 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:02:27 PM Indeed! Hopefully it is as strong as the last few issues of this have been.

8:02 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:02:47 PM So goodbye Ghost Rider, and hello another issue of

8:02 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:02:49 PM

Nova #25, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 05/27/09 ON TIME

8:02

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:02:51 PM phpBFaLExNova25.jpg

8:03 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:03:00 PM

Richard Rider engages Ego to save Worldmind. Victorious, he once again takes control of the Nova Force. Worldmind is forced to expunge his damaged personality and install a new one. Meanwhile, the last Nova Prime is rescued – by the former Super Nova!

8:03 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:03:01 PM Nova is definitely an example of change being done right. While the earthbound books struggle with changing course after two or three stories to conform to the new status quo – this book morphs and moulds into something new without feeling like the old has been discarded like an after thought.

8:03 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:03:35 PM Also… uh… explain to me what a Supernova is…

8:03 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:03:54 PM Personally, I love how War of Kings is just a side-plot here. The Nova Corps were involved – but because it made sense, but the real story was Richard Rider’s.

8:05 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:05:07 PM Ah – Supernova. A “Cliff’s Notes” version? Super Nova was Garthan Saal – a member of the Corps that hosted the full Nova Force, and went totally insane as a result. Hence all the worry abotu Richard Rider’s sanity this entire time.

8:05 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:05:37 PM If I recall, he ended up being like 30′ tall and kicked all kinds of butt.

8:05 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:05:37 PM Ooooooh. So *he’s* the guy everyone keeps warning him about. Nice. Nice touch.

8:06 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:06:16 PM Yes, yes indeed. It isn’t quite Diamondhead, but a nice blast from Nova’s past. I am a fan.

8:06 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:06:42 PM What’s a Diamondhead?

8:06 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:06:49 PM (Heh. Craig’sa nerd.)

8:06 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:06:59 PM Google. Diamondhead is one of Nova’s very old rogues.

8:07 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:07:14 PM Anyway, that’s the end of the current books – We had one delayed book…

8:07

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:07:17 PM phpgLliGDProof20.jpg

8:07 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:07:29 PM Apparently, the printer screwed the run up, and it’s been pushed back two weeks. I’m afraid that the mishap might doom this book – as we got two books returning next month, and most of the other books on are list are ridiculously stellar. Hurm

8:07 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:07:33 PM

Proof #20, $3.50, Image. Due Out 05/27/09 DELAYED: DUE 06/03/09

Maybe the week after this one? Not sure…

8:07 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:07:47 PM Oop.

8:07 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:07:53 PM

Proof #20, $3.50, Image. Due Out 05/27/09 DELAYED: DUE 06/03/09

8:08 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:08:25 PM So that brings us to…

8:08 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:08:41 PM The Chopping Block!

8:08 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:08:45 PM

Well, Ghost Rider is finished, so it is safe to remove that from the list. However, we are still in a bit of a pickle. We are over budget with the issues that are due out in June, and we are still required to pick up another issue.

So we are going to have to cut at least 2 more issues. As it stands, in order to make room for a single $2.99 issue, we need to cut $4.22 cents (cover price) from the budget – $5.30 if we want to add a $3.99 book.

My first choice to dump would be The Flash: The Rebirth. I have to be honest – that title is a waste of time. Issue #2 was marginally better, but only a little. There are tons of other books I would rather see on the list.

8:10 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:10:18 PM That is a truth fact, sir. I’m not sure what else I’d cut, though…

8:10 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:10:30 PM Proof? Only by omission?

8:10 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:10:31 PM So Flash is toast. Thank goodness.

8:11 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:11:11 PM Generally, I have a hard time cutting books on a month they don’t come out unless they are horrible.

8:11 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:11:33 PM A thought – The Unwritten. It seemed like a good ending…

8:12 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:12:13 PM Hurm. Bah. Sure. Bye bye, Unwritten. A victim of having too much good on the list…

8:12 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:12:34 PM Indeed. The 300% price increase was TOO MUCH TO BEAR!

8:13 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:13:01 PM So, the List So Far…

8:13 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:13:05 PM

Proof #20, $3.50, Image. Due Out 05/27/09 DELAYED: DUE 06/03/09

War of Kings #4, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 06/03/09

Jonah Hex #44, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/03/09

Secret Six #10, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/03/09

Star Wars: Dark Times #14, $2.99, Dark Horse Comics. Due out 06/10/09

Green Lantern Corps #37, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/10/09

Invincible Iron Man #14, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 06/17/09

Power Girl #2, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 06/17/09

Avengers: The Initiative #25, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 06/27/09

Proof #21, $3.50, Image. Due Out 06/24/09

Nova #26, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 06/24/09

Sgt. Rock: The Lost Battalion #6 (of 6), $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 06/24/09

8:13 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:13:27 PM Which means we need to come up with out new book. Any thoughts?

8:14 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:14:24 PM Batman & Robin? Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely? The All-Star Superman team, returning to be awesome?

8:15 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:15:09 PM Oh damn… I have to read Sgt. Rock again next month, *don’t* I… booooo….

8:15 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:15:17 PM

Sounds good to me. I am a little worried about Grant Morrison on the book, but I am willing to give it a chance. All Star Superman was outstanding, but those two couldn’t put a book out on time if their life depended on it it seemed. If we start having to wait months between issues, then it is gone.

8:15 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:15:26 PM And yes – you have to read the last issue. Muahahaha!

8:16 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:16:00 PM Waves of unending hatrid, Craig Reade. Undulating in your general vacinity.

8:16 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:16:10 PM Batman and Robin #1, $2.99, DC Comics Due Out 06/03/09

On the list!

8:16 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:16:40 PM Oh come now, it isn’t that bad – Just because your Canadian schools have brainwashed you about our role in WWII doesn’t mean you have to hate on Easy!

8:17 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:17:25 PM Easy Company… just like your *mom*…

…sorry about that… I think I regressed…

8:17 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:17:43 PM

Seriously regressed… lol

I guess that means it is time for some math. Which will follow….

8:18 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:18:03 PM

$2.18 (Bank from May) + $40 (June Budget) = $42.18

$42.18  - $37.39 (June issues) – $2.90 (tax) = $1.89 banked for July

8:18 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:18:20 PM Under budget with minimal pain! Always good.

8:18 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:18:47 PM I’m not used to this whole “cutting good books” thing, man. That was painful.

8:19 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:19:00 PM I’m WOUNDED Craig. WOUNDED.

8:19 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:19:06 PM

You get used to it after time.

8:20 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:20:05 PM With that, we conclude this month’s $40 Pull List. The next LIVE installment will ne Monday, June 29th, so mark your calendar’s now.

8:20 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:20:26 PM Thanks for reading, the dozens and dozens of you, and we will see you in 28 days!

8:20 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:20:35 PM Please. And thank you. This is far too easy to get through without people bugging us.

8:20 B. Schatz

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:20:40 PM Thugs and kisses! Bye!

8:20 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:20:47 PM This much is true.

8:21 Craig Reade

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:21:01 PM

Goodnight

8:21

Monday, June 01, 2009, 9:21:08 PM  

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