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October 26, 2009

Goodbye Geocities

Filed under: News & Miscellaneous — Craig Reade @ 10:54 am

geocities-logo-aTalk about in the nick of time. I read an article  this morning talking about the end of Geocities – the service would be taken down today some time.

Like many people, once upon a time, I had my own Geocities site. With a strong dose of nostalgia, I checked – and was surprised to see that my site was still there… untouched since 2002!

So I figured – I might as well preserve this if Geocities won’t! So, even after all these years – still UNDER CONSTRUCTION, my Geocities site!

Post your comments in the Forum!


October 14, 2009

Marvel Ultimate Alliance 2 Review

Filed under: Reviews — Craig Reade @ 10:27 am

MUA2btReviewer: Craig Reade
Quick Rating: Average
Rating: T (Teen)
Official Site

In the middle of Marvel’s Civil War, an even bigger threat forces the heroes to overcome their differences to save the world

Platform: XBox 360, Playstation 3, Nintendo Wii, Playstation 2, Nintendo DS, PSP
Developer: Vicarious Visions, Savage Entertainment, n-Space
Publisher: Activision
Genre: Action/Adventure
# of Players: 1-4, Co-Op Multiplayer online
U.S. Release Date: September 15th, 2009
MSRP: $59.99 ($49.99 Wii, $39.99 PSP, $29.99 DS & PS2)

MUABoxtAbout 3 months ago I had the opportunity to sit down with this game for a brief period, and was fairly happy with what I saw. As a result, I was pretty eager to get my hands on the full version of the game.

A car accident, a trip out of town, and a broken TV later, I finally got a chance to sit down with this one and give it a full treatment. Honestly, I am not entirely sure it was worth the wait.

The story is a new take on the Marvel event series Civil War. After starting off with events from Secret War , the plot takes us through the familiar catalyst to Civil War – the Stamford Incident. Of course, this leads to the passing of the Superhuman Registration Act, which then requires you (in story) to choose sides. Will you follow Captain America’s anti-Registration Secret Avengers, or follow Iron Man in support of the act?

Your choice really only impacts about a third of the game (the second of three ‘Acts’) because in the final third of the game, Iron Man’s faction loses control of the nanites that are controlling the Supervillains. The nanites’ network has become complex enough to be self-aware – and the two factions must join forces before the entire world is assimilated by the nanites. A little Borgy, but overall, the story ended up being a lot better than its inspiration was, so that is a plus.

penance2tThe story does make the game a bit short for the price – the fact that you are supposed to play through it twice (once on each side) is supposed to make-up for that, but there really isn’t much more to be had the second time through. At $60… the length is a cause for concern, and might make the game better suited as a rental or a used purchase unfortunately.

Structurally, there isn’t much that separates this game from its predecessor, or even the previous X-Men Legends games. You still control a quartet of heroes as you make your way through the story, smashing opponents and your surroundings alike in an effort to save the day. There are some significant differences that expectedly come from this new console generation, specifically in graphics and the sheer number of opponents you can face at once. The sheer numbers of grunts you face at one time makes the game a lot more palatable than previous incarnations…. you are supposed to be super-powered characters after all, it really never did make sense that 4-8 normal humans would have a hope of beating your team of four, or even coming close.

That does bring me to something I didn’t expect to talk about – power levels. In previous games, the power-levels of all of the playable characters were somewhat homogenized. It made sense – you didn’t want one or two players to totally dominate the game. This formula worked well in both X-Men Legends games and in the previous Ultimate Alliance installment. Things are a bit different this time around – the more powereful characters in comics are quite literally the most powerful players in the game. Utilized correctly, some players end up being almost unstoppable in this game. Hulk and Thor can lay waste to entire boards of opponents in a single stroke. Their durability allows them to stand toe-to-toe with bosses that would flatten “street-level” characters like Daredevil. This doesn’t apply to just bricks – other abilities give certain characters a huge advantage. Wolverine and Deadpool) become nearly impossible to kill thanks to their healing factor. Granted, they can’t dish out the same kind of damage that Thor can, but with a little patience you can virtually solo any boss in the game with either of them.

MUA2ctOf course, this doesn’t mean that the other characters aren’t fun to play, but if you want an easy time beating the game, team selection isn’t that difficult.

The voice-acting is fun, and really helps the game’s feel. As you fight, every character has a series of lines, battle cries, or sarcastic comments they use throughout the battle. Sure, they aren’t infinite, and they do repeat occasionally, but they do a decent job with the characters and that little touch gives the game a good feel. They aren’t always totally on character if you consider the comic, but the game has a wider appeal than the funny-books, and if you are a little forgiving those few lapses aren’t bad. The ultimate in hilarity comes at the end of the game, when you uncover the Hulk-ku Audio Track. Of course, if you don’t like spoilers, don’t click this, but if you want a good laugh, you have to listen. Stan Lee also makes a cameo as Senator Lieber, and as usual his voice is unmistakable.

Sadly, those annoying HQ maps have made their return in this version – and while you aren’t sent on a series of missions where you have to find people to talk to this time around, you do need to have a certain number of “unique” conversations if you want to unlock achievements. As in previous games, the HQ portion of the game is tedious, and really breaks up the flow of the game. There is nothing about these boards that couldn’t be accomplished with menus outside the normal structure of the game.

There are also dialogue encounters in game, where you are given three choices in how you respond to the character – Aggressive, Diplomatic, and Defensive. Honestly, this system really didn’t add much to the game. You do eventually get some bonuses for sticking to one kind of response throughout the game (getting enough “points” in a certain category to achieve the reward), but the conversation plays out pretty well the same no matter how you reply. I could have done without this feature all together. It adds nothing to the game, and really does nothing beyond breaking up the action.

MUA2dtPower Fusions are the core attraction of Ultimate Alliance 2. They definitely added something to the game, but not in the way I expected. The marketing for this game promised unique Fusion combinations for each and every playable character combination, but that isn’t exactly what we got. There are some basic kinds of Fusions – and they are varied, but they are hardly different for every single combination. Two big bricks will invariably jump up and down in a clearing attack, where pairing a brick with Wolverine will almost always give you some variation of a Fastball Special. Yes, there are different animations for every character combination… but only because there are different characters in every one. But more often than not, Hulk is either jumping up and down or picking up a huge rock in his fusions.

While the pairings themselves don’t end up being as diverse as you might have expected, the combinations themselves lead to important tactical distinctions. There are three different types of Fusions – Clearing, Guided, and Targeted – and each has specific situations they are best used in. Each Fusion has a minimum number of “hits” you need to achieve to earn an health pack (which can be used to heal or revive a character), which result is almost as important as the damage you cause. Targeted Fusions require you to hit a boss or leader, where Clearing Fusions want you to hit a certain number of opponents. It does you no good to use a Targeted Fusion on a board full of grunts, just as a Clearing Fusion isn’t much good when it is just your team against a boss. If you don’t diversify your team, you might find yourself in a situation where you don’t have the right kind of Fusion available when you need it.

Of course the save spots from previous games have been eliminated in this version (a positive change), so swapping out a character is as easy as hitting pause, but there is a small element of strategy to be had when planning your team.

MUA2atGraphically, the game is a lot cleaner than previous incarnations, the powers look more impressive. But there were some definite glitches, to my dismay. I can remember one in particular when you are in Wakanda, and have to face-off against the Green Goblin, Venom, and a few waves of nanite-infected enemies. I remember Goblin disappearing at one point during the fight – I just assumed he was dead, and I missed the normal “boss-pause.” I defeated Venom, and then fought wave after wave of grunts. Eventually the waves ended up being trickles, and I started to wonder what was wrong. I couldn’t get out of the room, and there was nothing to activate.

Finally, changing my team to include a flier revealed the trouble – close to the top of the screen, the Green Goblin, trapped inside the elevator. He couldn’t move, and nothing I could do pulled him out. I couldn’t see his energy meter, so all I could do was find a flying character with an AoE attack and hope that did the trick. Thankfully it did – but I was at the point where it looked like I was going to ahve to redo the boss-fight, something that was most irritating.

That wasn’t the only example, but it was the most glaring. Another instance occurred during co-op play, when as Thing I picked up a train-car, and stuck it into the side of a cave wall, which blocked the board. Thankfully there weren’t any enemies, and the obstruction was quickly passed, but throughout my time with this game there were several similar instances that added some needless frustration to the game.

Speaking of co-op, I did get a chance to try out the co-op mode with our own Mark Blicharz. What did you think of the multiplayer mode Mark?

msmarvel3t 

Co-op play is virtually the same as single player mode. The big change is I was able to throw cars and buses at Craig, which was fun. Sure it didn’t hurt him at all, but having a bus landing on his head was amusing none the less. The game does become more fun with a friend.

I couldn’t agree more – co-op play does add a great deal to this game, for more than the fun-factor alone. The AI for the computer-controlled allies isn’t that bright… having an actual human playing along with you does make your team function that much better. Plus, difficult opponents always seem to target the character you are controlling in single player, whereas in multi-player they actually just target whichever one of you happened to be closest. That fact alone allowed for a lot more flexibility in tactics, and made things a little less stressful.

And I have to admit, I did enjoy setting off ammunition piles on Mark… who wouldn’t? 

 

Though if you do play online a headset is needed or you’ll end up saying to the TV “Why is he going the wrong ******* way?” often as I did with Craig.

This is a must. You don’t have to have the headset, but it is better to have one, simply so you can tell your ally what the heck is going on. In this game it can be easy to get turned around, but sometimes one of you will want to go for the main objective, while another will want to go towards an optional objective or a hidden Rune or something to that effect, and you end up with the inevitable tug-of-war.

If you plan on playing any game co-op, get a working headset. That’s just common sense! 

 

The biggest downside is if you have Juggernaut and the person playing with you doesn’t, he/she would have to download a patch first. Overall the co-op is much more fun than the single player and is the way I’d recommend this game. Solo the game gets repetitive very quickly.

Once again, I have to agree. This game is a lot more fun in co-op. If you have that option available to you, take advantage of it.

penance1tI am not sure if this is the case on PS3, but it is definitely true on X-Box. This does lead me to wonder if that will be the case when DLC characters like Carnage become more commonplace, will you need a patch for each of them? This problem does end up highlighting a problem I have with online content – you should get the entire game when you pay for it. The game cost $60, and was actually kind of short for the price. Instead of working on more content, the developers had to spend time prepping a DLC Pack that included more characters for later, on top of “Exclusives” like Juggernaut if you pre-ordered at Gamestop, or Blade and Cyclops on the Wii. The DS version of the game even has a playable She-Hulk! Exclusive characters and post-release downloadable content have hurt the gaming industry, and this game is a good example of that. We paid for the game, give us the whole game! But I digress.

Where this game is simple, it shines. In many respects, this is as close to a modern sidescroller as we will ever get, but for some reason Activision keeps wanting it to be more, to its detriment. You still have some control over how your character levels up if you so choose, but there is a default “Auto-upgrade” mode which is nice, but not quite enough. The RPG elements of the previous game and X-Men Legends were the biggest weak-points, yet they continue to plague the franchise. This game is a smash-em-up, outside maybe making the characters more powerful as they progress through the game, there is no reason at all to go into any detail with customizable stats and power levels. Pausing to level your character breaks the flow of the game and adds nothing to it in the long term. The same goes for the wide array of team-bonus levels you earn and can use in this game. They add next to nothing to the gameplay, and ultimately end up being a distraction that breaks the flow of the game. In almost every respect, this game would become worlds better if it embraced what it was, and stopped trying to be an RPG. Giving the characters a basic power-set that stayed uniform throughout the game, eliminating needless bonuses (pretty much everything except the perks you get for using the Fantastic Four together, for instance) and upgrading, and cutting out those obnoxious Headquarters maps all together would make this game miles better than it is.

Even with the flaws, this is a fun game – I’d even go so far as to say it is better than the predecessor. Ultimately, though, this game would be ranked much higher if the RPG elements, HQ maps, and Diplomacy Conversations were removed – essentially this is an outstanding game with a bunch of extra stuff added that isn’t so good. If you enjoyed the first Marvel: Ultimate Alliance game, you are sure to love this one. Heck, the Slingers fan in me is happy – at the very least Prodigy is in the game, and a boss to boot! If only we got Speedball instead of Penance

Rating:

Post your comments in the Forum!


October 5, 2009

The $40 Pull List – Live! October 2009 (Transcript)

Filed under: The $40 Pull List — Craig Reade @ 8:34 pm

7:33 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:33:27 PM
  Welcome to the October edition of the comiXtreme.com $40 Pull List!I am your less-than-distinguished host, Craig Reade, and this is Brandon, the resident plucky Canadian.

7:34 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:34:03 PM
  Woop woop! And as always, we’re coming at you live from the bowels of the Spam Corporate Annex in Nanuktuk Ca.

7:34 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:34:37 PM
  Mmmm…. SPAMAnyway, let’s get to last month’s books!

7:35

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:35:09 PM

7:35 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:35:17 PM
  Jonah Hex #47, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 09/02/09 ON TIME 

Written by Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti, Art by Cristiano Cucina, Colors by Rob Schwager

 

In Part 4 of the Six Gun War, Jonah Hex and company are on the move, but Turnbull sets a trap, and sends his assassins out to spring it at a tavern in a small town.

7:35 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:35:25 PM
  In this stunning installment of the stellar Six Gun War story arc, Bat Lash throws Rape a bone when he suggests that the bandits should ask for the horses, rather than Tallulah Black.

7:35 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:35:29 PM
  Which is funny, because it’s about doinking horses. Am I right?

7:36 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:36:21 PM
  Indeed it is. A surprisingly weak showing by Rape this month. Especially considering that, like all “ugly” comic women, Black’s face is only mildly scarred, and the rest of her is well worth looking at.

7:36 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:36:37 PM
  “Tragically ugly” in comic terms seems to equal a lights off girl.

7:37 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:37:09 PM
  Supposedly. There was something that scared Rape away a couple of issues ago. Man, here’s hoping for a comeback later in the arc. I miss Rape.

7:37 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:37:38 PM
  As for the quality of the book… still pretty good. Although for some reason I didnt quite catch the ending. Was it just me? How did all those people die?

7:37 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:37:47 PM
  Well, Tallulah Black did dish out a severe beating to Rape … it is no wonder he is a bit squeemish about facing her again.

7:38 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:38:23 PM
  As to the ending, I have a feeling it was those who set the trap who did the killing… I have a strong feeling we will see more at the start of the next issue.

This really gets more and more interesting with every single issue. We have gotten a bit of action, but these characters interact well, and the story is progressing logically and quickly, with no sign of the usual Jonah Hex formula. Quite well done all around.

7:38 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:38:58 PM
  Overall … the mega-arc is outstanding. Can’t wait for next month. Moving on..

7:39

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:39:00 PM

7:39 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:39:11 PM
  Ghost Riders: Heavens on Fire #2 (of 6), $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 09/02/09 ON TIME 

Written by Jason Aaron, Pencils by Roland Boschi, Colors by Dan Brown

 

Danny Ketch maked his first appearance, breaking Master Pandemoneum’s arms, and getting him to use the portal in his belly to contact Satan to make a deal.

 

Meanwhile Hellstorm attempts to kill the Anti-Christ, only to be stopped at the last minute by Jaine, and the two are forced to work together to fend off the attack by Zadkiel’s servants. The Anti-Christ tries to escape in the confusion, only to be caught by Danny Ketch, who finally reunites with Johnny Blaze, and reveals that in exchange for his help, Danny has traded his very soul.

7:39 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:39:40 PM
  Okay, there’s just something inherently awesome about saving the anti-Christ because it’s the only way the Ghost Riders are going to save heaven. Plus, the smattering of different places they end up looking for this antichrist… hilarious!

7:40 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:40:48 PM
  Indeed… that definitey qualifies as irony. And this title is nothing but pure fun. It isn’t artsy, it is just real quality popcorn fun.

7:41 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:41:32 PM
  Its almost impossible to classify this book, but it does it better than any other book even close to its genre on the market today.

7:42 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:42:06 PM
  Each issue, I’m laughing and cheering, and a little bit afraid. It’s like the best the grindhouse has to offer… if it had a budget, but kept slumming because it’s fun. Plus, the stakes here are getting huge… seemingly almost too big to handle, and I’m interested to see where Jason Aaron goes with this book.

7:43 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:43:13 PM
  No doubt. Pure fun here. With that, we shall move on.

Also, as a reminder – please feel free to post your comments! At the appropriate time, we will post some of them and respond to what you have to say.

7:43

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:43:19 PM

7:43 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:43:28 PM
  Invincible Iron Man #17, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 09/02/09 ON TIME 

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

 

Madam Masque apparently defeats Rescue and kills Pepper Potts. Meanwhile, Tony’s mental degradation worsens to extreme levels, and Natasha sets up the meeting with Captain America that Maria Hill wanted. Tony is shot down by an RPG while flying over the Middle East, HAMMER breaks up Hill and Natasha’s meeting with Captain America and both are captured.

 

Also, this one came out this month as well:

7:43

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:43:30 PM

7:43 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:43:43 PM
  Invincible Iron Man #18, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 09/16/09 ON TIME 

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

 

Tony abandons his wrecked armor and sets out across Afghanistan on foot, and makes his way back to “where it all began.” (Wait – wasn’t it in Vietnam? Unless the retcon in the movie is now supposed to be cannon) Tony brings the original Iron Man armor online. Pepper emerges – in disguise as Madame Masque, just as Masque herself is discovered locked inside an old Crimson Dynamo armor. Rescue downloads a virus into HAMMER’s systems, but not before the Iron Patriot is lead to Tony’s location.

7:43 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:43:57 PM
  So Tony is going all sorts of stupid, and starts forgetting to be super clever. Or rather, he was doing that before, but now, he’s gone straight up retarded, leading Norman Osborne to exactly where Tony is.

7:44 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:44:00 PM
  And hey, the other story, with Pepper Potts? That surprised me – as I did not see that final switch coming at all. Even though Tony looks like he’s screwed up but good, he’s still got someone he can count on in a pinch. As for Maria Hill… not sure where that storyline is quite going to end up, but once it collided with Pepper’s, things got highly decent. Now, for the slam bang fisticuff filled final issue of this storyarc!

7:45 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:45:00 PM
  You know, as obvious as the switch seemed to be in retrospect, I totally missed it. I knew she was alive – but I figured she was in the armor, or somehow escaped the building.

7:45 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:45:10 PM
  Things have finally picked up a little bit! With the end rapidly approaching, threads are starting to come together. I still think we could have gotten to this point in a few fewer issues, but the wait was kind of worth it. Looks like 2 issues in a month wasn’t a bad idea. The story is great, but the padding here is horrible!

7:46 Comment From Gabriel Sosa

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:46:22 PM
Thank you Craig and B. For enlightening us :)

7:46 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:46:42 PM
  Such is what we are here for! Thanks for being present to be enlightened!

7:47 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:47:06 PM
  Agreed, with the padding – but I’m excited for the next issue – seriously, it all really comes down to this, both for Tony, for Fraction, and pretty much for the fans, and this list. If it ends well, I think this book might be safe for some time, but if not… things might be shakey for the future.

7:47 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:47:12 PM
  I have a lot of faith though.

7:48 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:48:05 PM
  It started so strong… and this arc has been good on the whole, but a whole series of fairly weak issues has dampened my enthusiasm for this book. If the next arc progresses like this one, however, I will definitely be open to replacing it.I do not like excessive padding – no sir.

7:48

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:48:11 PM

7:48 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:48:23 PM
  Secret Six #13, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 09/09/09 ON TIME 

Written by Gail Simone, Pencils by Nicola Scott, Inks by Doug Hazlewood and Mark McKenna, Colors by Jason Wright

 

Artemis, Bane, Jeanette, and Scandal regroup and set off to save the Amazons, while the rest of the Six encounter Grendel, and learn a little more about Mr. Smyth’s prison. The prison-break begins in earnest, Catman switches sides. Just when things look to be going the right way, Grendel is freed, and we learn that the imprisoned Amazons were sent there by the United States government.

7:48 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:48:31 PM
  While we were teased with it, we did not see Ragdoll dressed up in full Wonder Woman regalia. Not that any of her stuff would’ve fit him really… but it would’ve been the best part of having Wonder Woman as a part of this storyline

7:48 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:48:38 PM
  Anyway, this issue felt a bit like Act Two Blues, which means it was more of a means-to-an-end issue as we wait for the big confrontation… but still, the book is decent.

7:48 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:48:45 PM
  Agreed – without a doubt.A little better – helped no doubt by the fact that Wonder Woman was unconscious for the entire issue, but the story is still a bit muddled. There are some nuggets there, but it feels like Simone crammed in too many things into this arc. The secret prison angle was good enough – the “Nine Circles” angle with a Devil at the middle seems like a little overkill, and those two items, combined with the needless bit of mystery at the beginning has really kept this story from taking off. Sometimes simplicy works better than complexity… this story is a perfect example of that fact.

7:49 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:49:57 PM
  Although… to be fair, the arc before this concerned a “get out of hell for free” card… which seems like it might come into play here really soon.

7:51 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:51:20 PM
  Which would indeed make all the Hell stuff make more sense. But still – too much at once. And as a newer reader – that connection wasn’t apparant at all!

Anyway… still safe in my eyes so far… unless the budget comes into question. Time to move on!

7:51

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:51:26 PM

7:51 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:51:31 PM
  Nomad: Girl Without a World #1, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 09/09/09 ON TIME

Written by Sean McKeever, Pencils by David Baldeon, Colors by Chris Sotomayor

 

The story begins with Rikki Barnes, the Heroes Reborn sidekick of Captain America, as she struggles to adapt to life in a new reality. She decides she needs to meet to current Captain America, and after finally getting close enough to do just that, she is stopped by the Black Widow. In school, a student running for President of the Student Council gets an unusual array of support. Rikki encounters a strange creature in the basement of her school, and she beats a hasty retreat back to her home, where she finds a package waiting for her.

7:51 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:51:40 PM
  It’s… it’s… it’s SEAN McKEEVER! And it’s good, Craig. Man!

 

For those of you who’ve been keeping track of the List, you know that we jumped onto Teen Titans with the start of Sean McKeever’s tenure as a writer – and boy howdy, was that a rocky run. As I suspected, this had a little bit to do with being “told” what to write in some instances – his first arc was a leftover from Geoff Johns, and he recently told people on the Facebook to pass on the info that he never initiated any character’s death inside Teen Titans, nor was the plot to Deathtrap his (or Marv Wolfman’s)

7:51 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:51:50 PM
   

And now that he’s back at Marvel… I dunno. It just feels like the magic is back. It might be the difference between the way the companies run their editorial, but either way… wow. If you take this book away from the list, Craig, I might have to punch you in the retina.

Hard.

7:52 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:52:24 PM
  Overall, not a terrible start. This book has a pretty serious Spider-Girl feel, but without the depth of supporting cast characterization. Hopefully McKeever doesn’t decide to do too much, too soon with those characters. They need a nice organic growth.

7:53 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:53:03 PM
  There is potential – that is for sure, but I am not totally sold on its greatness (your man-love for McKeever aside)I am willing to endure it for a while.

7:54 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:54:41 PM
  Overall – the weirdness with the students is what bugged me. That might be a good idea, but McKeever really needed an arc for Nomad to establish herself solo – and for her classmates to establish THEMSELVES before pulling the trigger on the weirdness. As it is – I don’t care one bit that they are acting strangely. And that hurts his story.

7:55 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:55:25 PM
  Also, a crack about Captain America’s flat chest would have been awesome.

7:55 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:55:52 PM
  I’d like to think that I’m fairly objective about McKeever’s work… even if I want to have his sexy word-babies. I agree that I’d care a bit more if I knew about the characters… but really, the fact that he got me to care at all for Rikki Barnes, let alone tell a coherent story is pretty good for me.

7:57 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:57:00 PM
  She was a character with some untapped potential – I am glad to see someone decided to do something with it. However – I can say right now that this character is destined for the same second-stringer Marvel hell now occupied by Gravity and his ilk.

7:57 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:57:06 PM
  Which is a shame.

7:57 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:57:27 PM
  Oh, definitely.

7:57

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:57:29 PM

7:57 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:57:33 PM
  Green Lantern Corps #40, $2.99, DC Comics Due Out 09/16/09 EARLY – RELEASED 09/09/09 

Written by Peter J. Tomasi, Pencils by Patrick Gleason, Inks by Rebecca Buckman, Tom Nguyen, and Prentis Rollins, Colors by Randy Mayor and Gabe Eltaeb 

 

Iolande retreats from Daxam and arrives on Oa to find it at war, and her parents alive. Kyle struggles with a suddenly resurrected Jade, Kryb tries to escape, and convinces her Star Sapphire captor to aid her in helping the babies. The Alpha Lanterns attempt to take control of the Corps in the absence of the Guardians but are foiled. The Black Lanterns press the attack – Black Lantern Jade and Kyle come to blows, as do Guy Gardner and Black Lantern Bzzd.

7:58 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:58:37 PM
  I’m actually already pretty tired of this whole “Blackest Night” thing – but working at the comic store pretty much requires me to keep on top of this event, what with it selling somewhere in the upper squiddly jillions. But I have to say… if I was just reading this book, I’d be cool with it. Keeping it at about this scale, with the characters tied the closest to its creation and fallout… it’d be good.

7:58 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:58:51 PM
  Definitely good enough to keep on with, but man, am I getting tired.

7:59 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 8:59:20 PM
  I’ve said it many times already – this arc is better than the Blackest Night event several times over. This is exactly what I wanted from that event – it’s a shame that DC felt that this story wasn’t the one worth telling on the main stage. It’s exciting, action packed, and I can’t wait to see what comes next. Blackest Night itself just makes me want to take a nap.

8:00 Comment From Gabriel Sosa

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:00:11 PM
wasn’t it Arysia who retreats from Daxam?

8:01 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:01:22 PM
  You are correct – it was Arisia. Excuse the lapse, I’ll blame the rush in which I wrote that recap.Yes – however, I will say this – Blackest Night is WAY, WAY more exciting if you consider this title alone.

8:01 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:01:41 PM
  Agreed. Onwards!

8:01

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:01:43 PM

8:01 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:01:47 PM
  Deadpool: Merc With a Mouth #3, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 09/16/09 ON TIME

Written by Victor Gishler, Art by Bong Dazo, Colors by Matt Milla, Inks by José Pimentel 

 

Deadpool fights back against HYDRA but ultimately loses, and HYDRA claims Zombie Deadpool’s head for themselves. Meanwhile, the Savage Land tribe and Ka-Zar attack HYDRA, Deadpool comes to and escapes with the head and Dr. Betty – only to run into a zombie-fied T-Rex and HYDRA about to engage their scorched Earth option.

8:01 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:01:58 PM
  While I’m entirely done with having two sets of Deadpool voices running around, I have to admit, the build to that crazy two page spread in the middle was pretty awesome. For the record, it featured a TON of cavemen, hydra agents, Ka-Zar and his kitty, and a giant friggen zombie t-rex.

8:02 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:02:03 PM
  Only in comics.

8:02 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:02:39 PM
  The splash page was awesome, though I was sad that Waldo was actually NOT in that scene. Rip-off.Pretty well the same as before – action, light, and fluffy. I am not 100% on Deadpool’s characterization here though… the split personality thing doesn’t work at all. Maybe Gishler just needs more time.

8:03 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:03:01 PM
  I really can’t decide if I like this book or not – and being the Deadpool nerd that I am, that is not a good thing.

8:04 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:04:12 PM
  I didn’t like the use of the split personality thing when it Daniel Way added another voice to Deadpool – and here, where there’s two Deadpool’s, essentially, it makes things even messier to slog through. Add to that the density of this story… there feels like there’s no breathing room, and like everything is far too constructed. I’m still enjoying the book despite itself almost, but it’s not a favorite.

8:05 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:05:12 PM
  The dual voice thing is horrible – I hate it, and it isn’t the Deadpool I have come to love. Deadpool did just fine talking to himself – you never needed an actual second voice to accomplish that.

8:05 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:05:25 PM
  This one is definitely on shakey ground.

8:05

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:05:29 PM

8:05 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:05:33 PM
  Batman and Robin #4, $2.99, DC Comics Due Out 09/16/09 ON TIME 

Written by Grant Morrison, Art by Philip Tan, Inks by Jonathan Glapion, Colors by Pete Pantazis

 

Lightning Bug flees from Batman, only to run into the Red Hood and his new sidekick Scarlet, who mete out justice of their own. Batman and Robin stake out a meeting of organized crime lords, and step in just as Red Hood makes his move.  

8:06 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:06:22 PM
  First Hornet, then Grasshopper a few times  - now Lightning Bug. What is it with insect-themed comic characters?

8:06 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:06:42 PM
  I know this won’t sit well witha bunch of our readers… but I think the art by Tan is a major step down, in terms of quality here. There’s an odd kind of alchemy that happens between Grant Morrison and Frank Quietly, and I don’t care what alla y’all say. His art on this book has been stellar.

8:07 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:07:09 PM
  TOTALLY disagree. I have to say that Tan’s art is a major step up for this title. From the first page things were clearer – the art was just better all around.    

Beyond that, the story is a little crisper here – I like the angle of using viral video to preach a message… it is so easy to manipulate the public on a large scale if you have the right message and presentation. Red Hood and Scarlet are thus-far an outstanding “first” major opponent for the new Batman and Robin… while I think the title could be better, it certainly isn’t terrible. 

8:07 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:07:43 PM
  Quietly sucked on this book – plain and simple. Tan wasn’t wonderful, but it was legible, and that inof itself was a step in the right direction.

8:07 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:07:50 PM
  It seems like writers are drawn to their deaths like moths to a flame. *cough cough*

8:08 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:08:04 PM
  Killer Moth better watch his ass I guess.

8:09 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:09:16 PM
  Bah. And you’re so very, very wrong about Quietly. I loved the way his scenes played out. The looser line he brought to this book seemed to put a bunch of people off, but really, it just fits Batman more to have the art be a little more kinetic than say… the stiffness of Superman.

8:10 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:10:28 PM
  If it’s any consolation, he’s definitely off the book until at LEAST issue 13 now, as Cameron Stewart is going to follow Tan, and Stewart will be then followed by Fraser Irving – all for three issue runs.

8:10 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:10:29 PM
  “Looser line” is to sloppy as “decompressed storytelling” is to “Telling a long ass bording story where nothing happens.”Batman’s mood is best captured with effective coloring – not drawing like you are an 8 year old with a box of crayons.

8:11 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:11:07 PM
  The longer Quietly stays away, the better for this book, as far as I am concerned.

8:11 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:11:37 PM
  Feh. I have no time for your well argued points. It requires thought to type back, and I will have NONE OF IT, you hear?

8:12 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:12:18 PM
  Indeed. Sloppy art has been discussed. Time to move on!

8:12

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:12:21 PM

8:12 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:12:26 PM
  Power Girl #5, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 09/23/09 ON TIME 

Written by Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray, Art by Amanda Conner, Colors by Paul Mounts

 

Power Girl investigates a strange alien ship that self destructs (by implosion) while she is inside of it. Later, the three alien women who owned the ship are attacked by another alien who was tracking them, and the four brawl, without care to those in the city around them.

8:12 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:12:45 PM
  This issue was… weird.

8:14 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:14:05 PM
  Entirely agreed. I can see that the team seem to be going for a straight up “fun” book… and like to throw lots of crazy science and space and animals and whatnot into the mix so that Power Girl can punch things. But it takes a delicate touch for a book like this to work well, and this issue didn’t feel like it gelled quite right.

8:15 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:15:35 PM
  You’ve got a trio of hot alien delinquents, a ship they destroym, for some reason, along with their super-hot sex bot, Rape makes an attempt at an appearance… then you get what seems to be a cop out to track the aliens down. But they don’t seem to be evil per se – that one showed a little panic over accidentally killing that theif.You know, I think it DID gel well… in a weird way, the presentation was perfect. The aliens arrive, and DIDN’T explain themselves off the bat. In a way, we kind of got to look at it in a way that Power Girl would see it. There is an element of “huh?” there, but it was agressive storytelling, and something almost experimental.

8:15 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:15:45 PM
  Maybe I am giving it too much credit, but it was weird, and it worked.

8:16 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:16:51 PM
  As fun books go, this one is definitely doing the job far better than Deadpool is.

8:17 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:17:12 PM
  For some reason, when you typed “Deliquints”, I read “Debutants”. For whatever reason, that would’ve made the book better for me. But man… I wouldn’t be able to tell oyu why.

8:17 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:17:26 PM
  What I’m trying to say is, I have nothing else helpful to say. :)

8:17 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:17:42 PM
  That would have been another layer of weird. And as odd as this story was, that would have worked as well.

8:17

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:17:46 PM

8:17 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:17:53 PM
  Avengers: The Initiative #28, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 09/23/09 ON TIME 

Written by Christos N. Gage, Pencils by Rafa Sandoval, Inks by Roger Bonet, Colors by Edgar Delgado.

 

Nova has to deal with a member of his team called “Nonstop” who decides to go AWOL after Outback is put on the team. They give chase, and catch her, but are confronted by reporters. Finally Prodigy decides enough is enough, speaks out against Norman Osborne, and pulls his team from the Initiative. The Avengers Resistance try to figure out if it is a trap, meanwhile Osborne scrambles to undo the damage. Komodo quits, and loses her legs and powers. The Force of Nature is sent in to deal with the rebel team. They do well at first, but then Osborne sends in the cavalry and overwhelm Prodigy and his team. But the tables are turned when the Avengers Resistance arrives to even the odds. Night Thrasher is shot and left for dead, and Prodigy refuses to retreat, and suffers a horrific beating, but that attack is caught on tape by telemetry, who posts it on the internet.  

8:18 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:18:10 PM
  All I can say is – Prodigy better not be dead! Though, if he is, at least he went out better than Hornet did.  

8:18 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:18:29 PM
  Way, way, way, way better. Especially if it isn’t forgotten. Which it will be.

8:19 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:19:53 PM
  Very, very true. Prodigy totally became a man in this issue, and not the jerkface that he’s been portayed as lately. After realizing the full scope of his actions, he gathers up his courage and tells Norman Osborn to go screw, and then he proceeds to be awesome, by getting his butt well and fully kicked. 

I know that sounds a little backwards, but trust me. It’s all true.

8:20 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:20:07 PM
   Plus, just as we’re all lead to believe that another character is biting the dust, things settle down in the form of an amazing cliffhanger, that totally excuses all perceived slights this death may have garnered. Hot damn!

And whoever is doing the covers to this book now? Is just ROCKING it.

8:21 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:21:18 PM
  Agreed. That was the manliest ass-whooping he’s ever gotten, and actually really in line with the character. He was always a swarmy prick, but he was a fighter. It came out when he went after Iron Man at the start of Civil War… he was right then, but too drunk to realize his actions made no difference.

8:22 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:22:53 PM
  True. But yeah, a great read for Slingers fans… even better if he survives and returns to be AWESOME.

8:22 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:22:55 PM
  If Prodigy IS dead, I will be disappointed… that will be 3/4 of the Slingers dead and 1/2 of them gone… but at least he went out with purpose. This would be a good death.

8:23 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:23:27 PM
  In comic terms, anyway. But heck – at least he was in a video game… even if he isn’t playable. That’s something.

8:23

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:23:33 PM

8:23 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:23:39 PM
  Nova #29, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 09/23/09 ON TIME 

Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, Pencils by Kevin Sharpe, Inks by Nelson Pereira, Colors by Bruno Hang.

 

The Upholder Class ship turns out to be the Resolute Duty, presumed missing some 35 years prior. Fraktur, Morrow, and Irani (now wearing the red Probationer uniforms and carrying the rank of Denarian) go with Nova Prime to investigate the ship, and see if any survivors could be found. Worldmind falls victim to a data attack, and the remaining Probationers on Nu-Xandar are left to cope with the resulting damage.

 

Nova meets another Centurian named Zan Philo, adrift for 35 years, and the group quickly encounters the source of the nano-tech attack – Monark Starstalker, a bounty hunter who has some history with Zan Philo.   His attack weakens Worldmind to the point where Ego can re-emerge, and at that moment, the “Black Hole Sons,” otherwise known as the Mindless Ones break out of their cells and attack.

8:23 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:23:49 PM
  A little history about Monark Starstalker – this character is an obscure one that was created by Howard Chaykin way back in 1976 for a one-shot story in Marvel Premiere #32, and he appears here pretty well exactly as he did back then. What plans Abnett & Lanning have for him here remain to be seen.

8:24 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:24:57 PM
  You know, the European writers tend to find the weird characters, and make them work completely in just slightly different contexts.

8:25 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:25:00 PM
  An interesting but appropriate character choice – he fits with the backstory here.

8:25 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:25:15 PM
  It was sad to see Andrea DiVito off this issue. Looks like it will be a short-term thing only to last this issue and the next. The art was passable, however – and I have no doubt DiVito deserved a little time off.

8:25 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:25:27 PM
  James Robinson, Grant Morrison, Warren Ellis… not Mark Millar, but still, you get the picture.

8:25 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:25:34 PM
  Indeed.

8:26 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:26:29 PM
  I think DiVito might be moving onto one of the Realm of Kings minis. Still keeping him in the family. And yeah… as always, this issue was great. But as usual with Nova, they all got weird names, and I can never remember who a person is… so I have very little to say about the book. :) Other than it continues to be pretty awesome.

8:27 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:27:05 PM
  DnA are putting out an awesome Nova book, I have to say. It keeps getting better. The Red Uniforms are pretty new, I think, but they are a great addition. The Nova Corps has always been about rank distinction, and Probationary seems a good status to add to the mix. They have also done an excellent job remaining true to the rank structure and insignias, and have done a similar job reintroducing old Nova Corps concepts and fitting them into the current universe.

8:27 Comment From Wolfwood

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:27:29 PM
I’m digging how A & L keep bringing back older cosmic characters. I hope they bring back Ganymede next.

8:28 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:28:02 PM
  They have done a brilliant job with Marvel’s cosmic universe – there is no argument there.

8:28 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:28:20 PM
  And if it makes sense to bring Ganymede back, you can bet they will.

8:28 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:28:31 PM
  Urm-um-eh… who? I suppose time will tell. Meanwhile, imma look that guy up.

8:29 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:29:27 PM
  Anyway – Nova is awesome, again, no shock. Moving on.

8:29 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:29:30 PM
  - The List So Far

 

Jonah Hex #48, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 10/07/09 

Ghost Riders: Heavens on Fire #3 (of 6), $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 10/07/09

Batman and Robin #5, $2.99, DC Comics Due Out 10/07/09 

Secret Six #14, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 10/14/09

Green Lantern Corps #41, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 10/14/09

Nomad: The Girl Without A World #2, $3.99, DC Comics. Due Out 10/14/09 

Deadpool: Merc With a Mouth #4, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 10/21/09  

Invincible Iron Man #19, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 10/21/09  

Power Girl #6, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 10/21/09 

Avengers: The Initiative #29, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 10/28/09 

Nova #30, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 10/28/09  

8:29 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:29:37 PM
  - The Chopping Block & New Titles

 

Well, as you can see, $2.89 is not enough for a new title, which means we have two choices. Either we can cut a title, and add a new book, or we can find a title that has a cover price of less than $2.68. Your ideas?

8:30 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:30:10 PM
  Less than $2.68 would either be an Archie book… oooorrr… Vampirella right now. So, it’s cuttin’ time, me thinks.

8:30 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:30:56 PM
  Well, the 100% vote for Jonah Hex aside (no way… not only is that book awesome, it is the last book left from the original list), I have a few candidates.

8:31 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:31:47 PM
  Nomad: The Girl Without a World

Deadpool: Merc With a Mouth

Nomad: The Girl Without a World

Secret Six

Batman and Robin, and

Nomad: The Girl Without a World

8:32 Comment From Wolfwood

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:32:06 PM
I think you should cut Batman and Robin or Deadpool: MwaM. Those two sound like the ones you like the least.

8:32 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:32:24 PM
  Well, I’m enjoying Batman and Robin and Nomad too much to let those go without a fight, so I’d knock those off.

8:32 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:32:46 PM
  Well, the Nomad thing WAS a joke.

8:32 Comment From Gabriel Sosa

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:32:58 PM
that is the reason it has to go, it is the only one left of the originals lol

8:33 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:33:12 PM
  I’m not so skinny that I won’t try and fight you Craigers J. Spindly fists, coming straight at you.

8:33 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:33:13 PM
  NO! Bad Gabriel Sosa. *spray spray spray*

8:33 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:33:42 PM
  Well, that leaves Secret Six and Deadpool. Of the two… I have to say Secret Six is the least enjoyable right now.

8:33 Comment From Gabriel Sosa

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:33:54 PM
Merc Witthout a mouth is the one that should go

8:34 Comment From Wolfwood

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:34:24 PM
If you dislike Secret Six more, that should be the one.

8:35 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:35:41 PM
  The tension!

8:35 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:35:56 PM
  Heh. You guys are breaking Craigs heart! I have to say, both started strong, but they’ve both fallen quite a bit from the beginning.Honestly, if this wasn’t such a strong month, I think we’d be keeping them both,. but… if *I* had to choose one to cut… I’d go with Secret Six. Deadpool only edges it out because of giant zombie t-rex. Slightly.

8:35 Comment From Gabriel Sosa

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:35:58 PM
but secret six is one issue away from finishing the arc

8:36 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:36:25 PM
  On that point, I have to agree. Zombie T-Rex does trump Ragdoll in drag.

8:36 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:36:33 PM
  Hmmmmmm…. gah! It’s like Sofie’s choice, if Sofie kind’ve felt indifferent about both of her children…

8:37 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:37:05 PM
  I think the difference here is – I am still enjoying Deadpool, but I think it could be better. Secret Six has been off this entire arc.

8:37 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:37:17 PM
  I blame Wonder Woman.

8:37 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:37:22 PM
  Secret Six it is.

8:37 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:37:37 PM
  As far as our new book, I was thinking of going with a reader suggestion from last month. As it happens, it looks like a new arc is kicking off in October. How about:

 

Wolverine: Weapon X #6, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 10/28/09 

8:38 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:38:46 PM
  Woop! Yeah, it’s been a while, so I don’t quite remember who helped suggest it… I know we got X-Factor suggested, and this book, and a few others… and you know… with Jason Aaron writing… I got faith.

8:38 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:38:54 PM
  Even if its Wolverine.

8:39 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:39:31 PM
  Indeed. If I recall correctly, this will be the third time a Wolverine book is on the list.

8:39 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:39:42 PM
  For the purposes of this list, I believe we are. Plus, it’s always good to have some diversity, character-wise. At least when we’re dealing with a scant $40 ‘merican.

8:39 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:39:50 PM
  Hopefully it fares better than the last couple times.

8:40 Comment From Wolfwood

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:40:18 PM
You’re skipping out on Deadpool # 900 (that’s this month, right)?

8:40 Comment From Gabriel Sosa

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:40:35 PM
well that is how much I am spending a month in comic books around $40

8:41 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:41:17 PM
  Yeah – for this list, we can’t afford a $5 book. That issue will be great, no doubt, but things like that don’t work on a budget. We’d have to cut another book just to pick it up.

8:41 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:41:27 PM
  Oh man… I kind’ve sort’ve end up spending about… $60 a week on comics… after a sizable discount.

8:42 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:42:21 PM
  Anyway – Deadpool #900 is a classic example of a book that people on a strict budget can’t get. And something we have to miss out on for the purposes of this column. But hey – hard choices like that is what the $40 Pull List is about.

8:42 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:42:24 PM
  Or aboot.

8:42 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:42:30 PM
  Craig’s here to be the $40 dollar dude. i am the dancing monkey. :)

8:42 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:42:57 PM
  Indeed, eh? Well, I have to be off and pick up a roommate in my magic igloo car. Best we wrap this puppy up.

8:43 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:43:02 PM
  Anyway – the final list and the Math! (Sweet, sexy math!)

8:43 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:43:04 PM
   

Jonah Hex #48, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 10/07/09 

Ghost Riders: Heavens on Fire #3 (of 6), $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 10/07/09

Batman and Robin #5, $2.99, DC Comics Due Out 10/07/09 

Green Lantern Corps #41, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 10/14/09

Nomad: The Girl Without A World #2, $3.99, DC Comics. Due Out 10/14/09 

Deadpool: Merc With a Mouth #4, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 10/21/09  

Invincible Iron Man #19, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 10/21/09  

Power Girl #6, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 10/21/09 

Avengers: The Initiative #29, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 10/28/09 

Nova #30, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 10/28/09

Wolverine: Weapon X #6, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 10/28/09 

 

 

The Math

 

$.48 (Bank from September) + $40 (October Budget) = $40.48

$40.48 – $34.89 (October  issues) – $2.70 (tax) = $2.89 Banked for October

8:43 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:43:30 PM
  Oooh, the sexy maths, yeah!

8:44 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:44:26 PM
  And with that, we bring our show to a close! Thanks for watching… and we will see you in Novembers, when we will play “Guess Who” using Brandon’s wacky sci-fi comic character names!

8:44 B. Schatz

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:44:39 PM
  Heck yeah! Stay frosty, hosers!

8:44 Craig Reade

Monday, October 05, 2009, 9:44:46 PM
  Goodnight!

Post your comments in the Forum!


September 2, 2009

Batman: Arkham Asylum Review

Filed under: Reviews — Craig Reade @ 12:01 am

BatarangtReviewer: Craig Reade
Quick Rating: Excellent
Rating: T (Teen)
Official Site

Joker takes control of Arkham Asylum, and sets an elaborate trap for the Dark Knight.

Platform: XBox 360, Playstation 3, PC (September release)
Developer: Rocksteady Studios
Publisher: Warner Brothers
Genre: Action/Adventure
# of Players: 1
U.S. Release Date: August 25th, 2009
MSRP: $59.99

BoxArttThe hype for this game has been something else. Sometime a few weeks ago, the buzz about this game went from something you might expect from a decent game, to something people couldn’t stop talking about. I even read a story about it on the Yahoo homepage as the feature story!

Now hype can be a dangerous thing. It has a strange way of inflating expectations, and making a fairly decent game seem like a let-down. So I did my best to ignore the hype, and sat down to play the game. Plenty of time to think about that after I was done.

Obviously, this game is a superhero game, which has its own unique set of challenges. Sometime back in the mid-90’s, game technology advanced to the point where it was no longer acceptable to simply create a basic game and insert a superhero into the lead role. Sure, that worked back in the early days, when you could make a punch-em-up side-scroller and just make the avatar Batman. When you got to the level of platforms like the Nintendo 64, suddenly that formula started to make for a bad game. Anyone else remember Superman 64?

These days, to have a successful superhero game, not only does the game have to be well made, but it has to allow you to in some sense live the comic book experience. Spider-Man 2 (2004) successfully captured the feel of webslinging through Manhattan. X-Men Legends recreated the team-combat dynamic that is so integral to the X-Men comics. In order for Batman: Arkham Asylum to be a real hit, it would have to capture some part of what it is to be Batman – meaning master martial artist, detective skills, gadgets, and shadow-stalking. I am pleased to say that on all counts, this game nailed it.

BatmanZiplinetCombat is fairly intuitive, and well designed. The system is simple – one button attacks, one button does a stun attack, one counters, and one dodges (with a double tap). The system is designed so that you can charge into a group of a dozen opponents, and take them all out without taking a hit. Early in the game, you quickly find yourself just chain attacking, but soon you discover that it is imperative that you not only master the timing of the attacks, but also that you incorporate counters and stun attacks at appropriate moments to keep the combo chain going. You are encouraged not only to win fights, but also to flow from opponent to opponent without taking a hit or missing a shot. The more consecutive attacks you can chain together, the higher your experience bonus is – experience points being the currency you use to purchase upgrades as the game progresses. Without a doubt, the game captures what it is like for Batman to combat multiple opponents that he far outclasses in skill. It really is only the numbers that give the sense of danger – as it would be for Batman. There isn’t a thug in the game that you can’t handle with ease 1 on 1, but in the flurry of combat, one lucky shot can turn the fight around.

Speaking of lucky shots, I can’t tell you how awesome it was to get hit in the head with a pipe in the middle of the fight. One moment you are in control, and then you miss that one counter, and CLANG – the pipe hits. The game actually blurs the screen, almost as if you were looking at something cross-eyed – you see double (maybe triple). You can still fight, and still move, but your vision is disrupted, and you just have to fight through it. An outstanding touch.

BatmanFightOf course, Batman is human, and despite the armor he wears, he is certainly not bulletproof. This game remembers that as well. You should not get shot – ever. Opponents with guns (with some exceptions) are better to take out with stealth – and this game allows for that as well. You can sneak up on opponents and silently take them out, stun them with a batarang or an explosion, or even drop down from a gargoyle and string them up. And yes, there are many occasions where you can drop down on top of a group from above, cape extended, gliding in for the surprise kick. Batman operates well from the shadows – and the variety of high ledges, low walls, and removable floor-crates allow you to find cover easily. So long as you remain aware of your surroundings.

The detective aspect is present as well – and the game wisely handles this in two ways. Of course Batman is a master detective – but how do you incorporate that into a game? Players would want to feel as if they were solving a puzzle the way Batman would, but you can’t translate keen intellect and a talent for observing small details into a series of button presses like you can with combat. Or can you?

Part of the way the game captures the feel of Batman the Detective is with the aptly named Detective Mode. With the push of a button, you engage Batman’s scanner. This will allow you to detect opponents, determine if they are armed or not, find passageways (like vents that can be removed), and even scan for DNA or other traceable elements that will allow you to track a target. If there is something you need to figure out in order to advance the plot, entering Detective Mode will eventually help you find the answer.

Some players might be looking for a little more though – and that’s where The Riddler comes in. Throughout the asylum are the answers to a series of Riddles that Edward Nigma have left for you, as well as some trophies and other bonus items. Solving the riddle requires you locate the solution and basically take a picture of it. For example, the Riddle “This room is the end of days for even the most celebrated killer.” requires that you take a picture of Calander Man’s cell – which you will recognize because it is covered in torn off calender pages.All of the items on the Riddler Grid will give you more experience points, which of course allow you to upgrade your gear. They aren’t required to advance the plot, but they definitely add another dimension to the game, a welcome one if you want

Batman Corner CoverAtmosphere is such a crucial part of this game. To me, the game is somewhat reminiscent of “D” in that respect. Of course, “D” had the misfortune of being released when technology (in particular graphics) were at something of a transitional phase, but one thing it definitely got right was atmosphere. Halo also did this well, particularly when you were first introduced to the Flood. In Batman: Arkham Asylum, atmosphere serves as the mortar that cements all of the great individual aspects of the game together. The sense of danger throughout the Asylum is palpable, and the Joker’s voice taunting you over an intercom as the game progresses really gives the game some meat. Graphics (particularly lighting) and music make you feel danger when it is there, urgency when it is required, and calm when it is time to think. Atmosphere in this sense is something of an intangible, but there is no denying that it was handled masterfully here.

A lot of credit for the quality of this game has to go to the writing and the voice acting. The names might seem familiar to you – Paul Dini writing, Kevin Conroy voiced Batman, Arleen Sorkin voiced Harley Quinn, and Mark Hamill voiced the Joker – a real reunion from Batman: The Animated Series. Of course, this isn’t a game based on that property, but Batman in general, so no worries about the look. Speaking of the look, the folks at Wildstorm were behind Batman’s design for the game – continuing a tradition of comic professionals contributing to the success of games like this. Mark Hamill’s work was key – his Joker has reached an iconic status, and if anyone else was voicing the Clown Prince, it would have been jarring.

Batman Restraining JokerThe graphics are gorgeous, but the cut scenes can be lacking, especially when you are watching a conversation. They basically use the same models you see in the game during these cut scenes – and that leads to moments of weird stiffness, unnatural eye-movement, and bad lip-syncing. The first instance of this you will notice right away on the opening screen (Press Start!) – you see Batman standing, his cape blowing in the breeze, a real feeling of action. Only his body doesn’t move at all. It is almost like they forgot to put a slight head and arm movement, and the result looks like an unnatural statue wearing a cape. Gotta be honest though – in today’s game industry, too often there is a focus on the quality of the cut scenes, and the game suffers as a result. Far be it from me to complain about a slightly sub-par movie, when the game play is so phenomenal. This game was slightly lacking in the one area where it is perfectly fine to be slightly lacking – there was a dip in quality there, but they deserve points for having their priorities right.

One other bit about the game that was a slightly bigger problem – the beginning. At this point, Batman has captured the Joker, and he is being processed for incarceration at Arkham Asylum. Batman is suspicious because Joker gave up too easily, and decides to accompany the Joker and his guards until he is satisfied that his nemesis is safely in custody. So you walk – and only walk – for at least 10-15 minutes, following the Joker until he makes his move. The voice-work during this time is outstanding of course, but it is long, and quickly becomes something you have to tough out.

Batman Escorting JokerOutside the game itself, there are several “challenges” that try your still at both group combat and stalking. I found these to be a blast – but also a great way of honing your skills for some of the more difficult encounters later in the game. The combat challenges were particularly valuable, as they help you get over just mashing X in combat, and actually timing your selected shots. Being able to fight mob after mob without having to die and watch a couple scenes again was a lot of help. Don’t skip these until you finish the main game – you will pick up skills there that will help you beat the game. Plus, its a fair bit of fun. Those challenges also keep track of your scores, which allows you to compete and compare with your friends, or with all online users. A nice couple of extras, and nothing forced.

Is this the “Greatest Comic Game of All Time” as some people are proclaiming it? I really can’t say – that kind of thing is whole lot of hype uttered by some pretty self-important folks.

But there are two things that are absolutely true about this game. One – its an outstanding comic game, that successfully captures what it is to be Batman.

Two – it is plain and simply an outstanding game. You owe it to yourself to check this one out.

Rating:

Buy your comics online from X-World and save!

Batmanand Commish. Gordon

Post your comments in the Forum!


August 31, 2009

The $40 Pull List Live! September 2009 (Transcript)

Filed under: The $40 Pull List — Craig Reade @ 7:30 pm

 

7:30
Craig Reade:  It is that time! Welcome once again to the comiXtreme.com $40 Pull List – LIVE for the month of September!
7:31
B. Schatz:  We’re coming to you live from the palatial Spam corporate annex in the beautful nub of Nanuktuk, Ca, and man oh man, am I ready to talk comics.
7:31
[Comment From Gabriel Sosa]
Thank you for doing this Craig
7:31
Craig Reade:  

Don’t forget the Canadian Kid

7:32
[Comment From Gabriel Sosa]
and B. Scjatz
7:32
Craig Reade:  This month was a fairly decent one – all of the books were on time again… I am not sure what to do with this regularity!
7:32
[Comment From Gabriel Sosa]
*Schatz
7:32
Which title should be dropped this month?
Blackest Night

 ( 33% )

Batman and Robin

 ( 33% )

Deadpool

 ( 17% )

Avengers: The Initiative

 ( 0% )

Secret Six

 ( 0% )

Power Girl

 ( 17% )

7:32
B. Schatz:  Nobody remembers Canada. Jerk-faces.
7:33
Craig Reade:  As always, we will have a couple poll questions – please answer them! I am not saying it will mean anything, but it is fun nonetheless!
7:33
Craig Reade:  Without further ado, let’s jam on last month’s issues! Starting off…
7:34
[Comment From Gabriel Sosa]
I love Canada my uncle lives there
7:34

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7:34
B. Schatz:  Steve? I love that dude.
7:34
Craig Reade:  

War of Kings #6 (of 6), $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 08/05/09 ON TIME

Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, Pencils by Paul Pelletier, Inks by Rick Maygar & Andrew Hennessy, Colors by Will Quintana.

 

In the event conclusion, Black Bolt and Emperor Vulcan meet head-to-head, while the rest of the Inhumans and Ronan debate about his course of action. Crystal and Lockjaw elect to try and save him, over the objections of Medusa, and Gladiator is proclaimed Majestor by a frightened populace. Finally, the War Ends with the apparent death of both Kings, and the Sh’iar suing for peace.

7:35
B. Schatz:  Hot damn, am I right? Okay, so going into this, I wasn’t really thinking about the whole situation. These dudes? Are out in space. If you blow crap up there, nobody really cares. And most of the characters? Are expendable. And man. That ending. Wow.
7:35
Craig Reade:  

I have to say that I loved how this ended up. No forced inclusion of the Guardians of the Galaxy, Nova, or any other Annihilation alums… the story was allowed to conclude on its own, and the net effect was the expansion of Marvel’s already detailed Cosmic Universe. Plus there was plenty left for upcoming stories… the already teased story of who will assume the respective thrones to start. I am also curious about the giant rip in space/time that sits right between the two empires (seen also in Nova), you know that will be a major story point.

7:35
Craig Reade:  Good stuff coming, and no unneccesary story interruptions. The perfect comic event.
7:36
B. Schatz:  Psh. I eat giant rips in space and time for BREAKFAST. In my Armageddios.
7:36
B. Schatz:  THey’re a delicious part of a complete breakfast (and zombie invasion).
7:37
Craig Reade:  

I think it is safe to say that this event was well worth the money, and I am sad it didn’t get its own cereal.

7:37
B. Schatz:  True enough.
7:37
Craig Reade:  It’s over!
7:37
Craig Reade:  Onward.
7:37

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7:37
Craig Reade:  

Jonah Hex #46, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 08/05/09 ON TIME

Written by Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti, Art by Cristiano Cucina, Colors by Rob Schwager

 

In Part 3 of the Six Gun War, Jonah Hex arrives with Lazarus Lane and the Comanche just in time to save Bat Lash and Tallulah Black from execution. El Papagayo is “interrogated” by El Diablo, to determine the location of Turnbull. Meanwhile, Turnbull hires a cadre of assassins to take out Jonah Hex and his friends. Finally, Hex begins the tale of his history with Quentin Turnbull’s son Jeb.

7:38
B. Schatz:  I’ve been reminded that there is no such thing as consentual rape. Therefor, I must conclude that Rape did NOT make an appearance in this issue.
7:38
Craig Reade:  Or it did, but it was soundly defeated by Consentual Sex, its nemesis.
7:38
Craig Reade:  

Halfway into the event, and things are shaping up quite well. This chapter not only started to give us the reasons for Turnbull’s hatred of Jonah Hex, but we are also seeing the set-up to a pretty spectacular conclusion. I have to admit that I feared this event would just be a drawn-out story that followed the usual Hex formula, only slower. Thus far, that has definitely not been the case.

7:39
B. Schatz:  So much is happening in the pages – and there’s STILL room for some good old fashioned silent western fight scenes. Seriously, the boys are hitting it out of the park with this arc. And to think, I was almost getting bored of this book.
7:40
Craig Reade:  Almost, but not quite. And things look like they are setting up for a pretty epic shootout down the road
7:40
Craig Reade:  Which will be awesome.
7:40
Craig Reade:  In the end, so far so good… safe to move on here.
7:41

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7:41
Craig Reade:  

Secret Six #12, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 08/05/09 ON TIME

Written by Gail Simone, Pencils by Nicola Scott, Inks by Doug Hazlewood and Mark McKenna, Colors by Jason Wright

 

Wonder Woman and the Six battle – with the fight eventually coming down to Jeannette and Diana, the Banshee surfacing and ultimately claiming victory. Artemis, of course, lives, and is “rescued” by three of the Six. As a reward for the loyalty of the remaining three (with Wonder Woman in tow), Mr. Smyth treats them to a tour of his “Nine Circles,” along with an introduction to his Devil.

7:42
Craig Reade:  

A step up from the last issue – though I still think Wonder Woman’s inclusion was forced. It still seemed like everything to do with her was a muddle of illogic. The core of the story itself is solid though, which made the issue readable. Still – I maintain that Gail Simone can’t write a good Wonder Woman at all (Her Wonder Woman has flashes of good moments, but little more) and is only getting rave reviews because people are still excited about the prospect of her writing Diana, and refuse to see reality. Ah, the loyalty of the comic fan.

7:42
B. Schatz:  So personally, my fears about this title were washed away with this issue. I was afraid the book would become this weird anti-hero thing – and not a straight up villain book… and really, these characters are still pretty reprehensible. I love ti.
7:44
Craig Reade:  I actually found it tough to tell the difference. A couple of the characters are still evil – but a few seem to have a disgusting morality creeping in. I think the only real flaw in this issue was the afforementioned inclusion of Wonder Woman – she could have gone with countless other things there and it would have turned out much better.
7:44
Craig Reade:  I would also think that Wonder Woman, with her abilities, would be able to tell the difference between a dead sister, and a mildly unconcious one.
7:44
Craig Reade:  The "Ooops, not dead, all better" moment was pretty sorry.
7:45
B. Schatz:  Also? I think Simone and Scott have found a nice ballance between male and female shirtless-bondage-fun-time. A title the whole family can enjoy! But yeah, I sort of agree with the Wonder Woman thing here. I think Wonder Woman is capable of being a great character… but she’s built in such a way that makes it hard to do. She’s very offputting.
7:45
B. Schatz:  Everyone knows that women can’t detect death properly. Or smell.
7:46
B. Schatz:  And that, my friends, was your Canadian Science Minute.
7:46
Craig Reade:  

So it would seem. To avoid talking about Wonder Woman any longer, I will comment that I find the nudity funny. If you have a problem with female nudity in comics, the solution isn’t to add male nudity – its to give them clothes. It doesn’t bother me, but the hypocricy is a little funny.

7:46
Craig Reade:  ANYWAY…

Onward!

7:46

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7:47
Craig Reade:  

Ghost Rider: Heaven’s Fire #1 (of 6), $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 08/05/09 ON TIME

Written by Jason Aaron, Pencils by Roland Boschi, Colors by Dan Brown

 

Picking up from the recently cancelled series, Hellstorm goes off in search of the potential Anti-Christ (nice Heroes pun in the title there) that escaped the slaughter of his Satanist “parents” at the hands of some angels. Meanwhile, Johnny Blaze and Caretaker set off to try and track down the angel Zadkiel. They learn that Zadkiel seeks to unmake prophecy by having the Anti-Christ killed, so that there can be no Armageddon. “Anton Satan” is almost killed by one of Zadkiel’s agents, only to be saved by Jane Cutter.

7:47
Craig Reade:  Or is it Hellstrom? I can never keep the name right. They should stick to one…
7:47
B. Schatz:  Okay, so seriously? Johnny Blaze just effed up some new age chakra wearing hippies. And it was freakin’ AWESOME.
7:48
Craig Reade:  I am always in favor of hippies getting effed up.
7:48
Craig Reade:  

As with the ongoing – solid. A nice cheesy action feel. Sad that we really haven’t gotten to see Danny Ketch yet, but I imagine he will be turning up sooner or later.

7:48
B. Schatz:  The trade I got here staring the dude says Hellstorm, but these things happen. Maybe.
7:48
B. Schatz:  Oh yeah. And Big Wheel, and the All New Orb, and a whole lot more cheese. Seriously, I’m pulling for a Highwayman cameo before all is said and done. So cheesy, so grindhouse, so awesome.
7:49
B. Schatz:  I would eat Jason Aaron’s entire family, if that meant I could keep him.
7:49
[Comment From Guest]
It’s hard when you get that old
7:49
Craig Reade:  

That’s what she said.

7:49
B. Schatz:  Zing!
7:49
[Comment From Guest]
That was to Craig forgetting the character’s name
7:49
Craig Reade:  

Ba rump bum bum

7:50
Craig Reade:  It isn’t forgetting – the kids name has been on many occasions Daimon Hellstrom. Look it up :)
7:50
B. Schatz:  I need to find that "The More You Know" sign, for when Craig says "Look it up". I know it doesn’t happen often, but I think it needs to be accompanied by that shooting star.
7:51
Craig Reade:  In any case- I am very glad this mini retained the feel of the ongoing. There are few ridiculous fun books on the market right now, and this one nails the genre.
7:51
Craig Reade:  Onward!
7:51
[Comment From Guest]
Yeah I know, but you’re still an old fart
7:51

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7:52
Craig Reade:  

Invincible Iron Man #16, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 08/05/09 ON TIME

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

 

Madam Masque becomes unhinged and tries to force Tony to choose her over Pepper. Meanwhile, Maria Hill struggles to cope with Control’s manipulation. Pepper helps Tony escape, and then she goes toe-to-toe with Madame Masque to cover his escape.

7:52
B. Schatz:  Oh Mark. To me, you’re BOTH incredibly old. :)
7:52
B. Schatz:  So anyway, was it just me, or was this book super boring this time around? I’m really waiting for it to get out of the second act and get to the part where butts are handed to various peoples.
7:53
Craig Reade:  

Still good, but boy is this story crawling! The Maria Hill subplot is way more interesting to me right now, and even that is slow.

7:53
Craig Reade:  Supposedly, there are what – 3 issues left in this one? The solicit for the second issue next month mentioned that there was only one more left.
7:53
Craig Reade:  Way too much padding in an otherwise outstanding series.
7:54
B. Schatz:  What I’m saying is, I require some solid hand/butt action. And yeah, the most progression was definitely there. In any case, the past few issues could’ve been condensed a bit more… let it be a 10 or 9 issue mini. Would’ve been a whole lot more awesome. But hey, it’s still better than most, I’d say.
7:54
B. Schatz:  Yup. Three more issues, and things are over. It’s confrontation time, crackers!
7:54
[Comment From Guest]
I hate you B. I’d go to Canada but you already lost just living there!
7:54
Craig Reade:  This whole story should have capped out at 6 issues, really.
7:54
Craig Reade:  

Still, I am willing to continue reading this one…

7:55
Craig Reade:  Onward to something a little more… well, something.
7:55

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7:55
Craig Reade:  

Deadpool: Merc With a Mouth #2 (of 6), $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 08/05/09 ON TIME

Written by Victor Gishler, Art by Bong Dazo, Colors by Matt Milla, Inks by José Pimentel

 

We get a flashback to the events of Marvel Zombies #4, explaining where the Zombie Deadpool head came from. Deadpool and Doctor Betty make their escape, only to end up in the crosshairs of some HYDRA agents.

7:55
B. Schatz:  Ack. My heart, she is wounded by an attack against Canada. I think I will get it fixed for free. (Damn, I should be focusing more… Blicharz!!!!!!)
7:56
Craig Reade:  

Still a bit light, but overall a wholly enjoyable over-the-top read. I didn’t expect any more from this title, so expectations met!

7:57
B. Schatz:  So, the problem here, me thinks was Gischler tried to put too much plot into the story. Each event seemed to require the next one to happen, and Deadpool seems to thrive on a more… jazz music style of foundation, with improvised zany options – and there was no room for that here.
7:57
B. Schatz:  Tears, sadness.
7:57
Craig Reade:  It could be terrible – like most minis like this tend to be. Though I have to admit – I was really eager for Zombie Deadpool to heal into 616 Deadpool stomach when he stuffed him down his pants, Quato-style.
7:57
Craig Reade:  Alas, it was not to be. As to the plot  - yeah, there seemed to be a fair bit of it, though it really didn’t bother me that much. I found it adequate.
7:58
B. Schatz:  That would have been awesome. Yet… sadly, it was not meant to be. And hey, this ain’t no mini. It’s the second of three Deadpool ongoings.
7:59
Craig Reade:  

Anywhich… next!

8:00

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8:00
Craig Reade:  

Green Lantern Corps #39, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 08/12/09 ON TIME

Written by Peter J. Tomasi, Pencils by Patrick Gleason, Inks by Rebecca Buchman   & Tom Nguyen, Colors by Randy Mayor & Gabe Eltaeb

 

Kyle and Guy run into Iolande and Soranik Natu on their way back to Oa, only to run into a cloud of Back Rings. Arisia is kicked off a newly free Daxam while Mongul establishes his Corps on Korugar. The Black Rings enter the Lantern Crypt and resurrect new members from the corpses and Kyle is confronted with a Black Lantern Jade.

8:01
B. Schatz:  So, still much better than the regular Green Lantern book – and still the hardest of the two t sell. I get that it’s looked at as a spin-off… but man. This is where it’s at. Explosions, deaths, consequences, soap opera… lots happens here, and the story always moves forward at an insane pace. I love this book.
8:01
Craig Reade:  

This was what Blackest Night #1 should have been. So much easier to explain what I was talking about when it is there on paper! While a Black Lantern Ralph and Sue has a little bit of a cool factor, it is way more impressive   to have Jade come back as a Black Lantern. And the return of Bzzt, only undead! Sure, at the time, I figured that was bound to happen, but there has been so much going on that I totally forgot about it. A great issue.

8:02
Craig Reade:  

Exactly what I wanted from this event, only in the title the fewest people care about. Gotta love the comic industry.

8:02
B. Schatz:  Agreed, entirely. It’s actually the one Blackest Night title I’m thinking of continuing with…
8:02
B. Schatz:  Speaking of…
8:02
Craig Reade:  Indeed.
8:02

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8:03
Craig Reade:  

Blackest Night #2 (of 8), $3.99, DC Comics. Due Out 08/12/09 ON TIME

Written by Geoff Johns, Pencils by Ivan Reis, Inks by Oclair Albert, Color by Alex Sinclair

 

A bunch more Black Lanterns pop up – including Deadman, Aquaman, and the Spectre… and that’s about it. Honestly, there was so little of real merit happening in this issue that I feel like a recap is a waste.

 

This event is horrible. The entire issue was “So and so is a Black Lantern! OMG!” We got one SINGLE panel showing what really mattered in this story – what is happening in Green Lantern Corps. Truthfully, the temptation to drop this part of the event is strong. It’s literally garbage in comic form – cheap sensational fluff designed to make comic geeks get excited, and absolutely nothing that has any real import or staying power. I got more out of a couple pages of Green Lantern Corps #39 than I have both Blackest Night issues put together.

8:03
Craig Reade:  This whole thing from this perspective is coming off like DC wanted to rip off Marvel Zombies. It’s not good at all.
8:04
B. Schatz:  So okay, who is tired of the whole "let’s kill people off to show how crazy the threat is" game? That would be me. I actually liked how things were handled in the first issue, but man… issue two, and it’s just more of the same: death for death’s sake.
8:05
B. Schatz:  I get that it’s more or less the point of the series… for there to be crispsy corpses around to poke and such, but feh. FEH, I say. It’s not special when it’s been happening for YEARS.
8:05
Craig Reade:  This entire issue seemed like a retread of issue #1. What happened? More people became dead. They didn’t advance a plot, reveal anything about the threat, or even actually combat the evil. It was Millar Moments over and over again.
8:05
Which title is doing a better job representing the Blackest Night story?
Blackest Night (the event mini)

 ( 17% )

Green Lantern Corps

 ( 83% )

8:06
B. Schatz:  Here’s the event I want: a dire event… where people FRIGGEN LIVE. These are heroes. Superheroes. They have fun adventures! They don’t complain about their jobs ALL THE TIME (I’m looking at you, Barry Allan and Hal Jordan).
8:06
[Comment From Gabriel Sosa]
LOL
8:07
Craig Reade:  The only people who seem to know how to do that anymore are Abnett & Lanning, sadly. Events across the board – from both companies – haven’t told good stories so much as just used the event to sell sensationalism.
8:07
Craig Reade:  

I really wish we’d go back to dead means dead frankly – that worked out so well for the couple of years it was tried.

8:07
B. Schatz:  And hey – with Abnett and Lanning, it seems that with every death, they expand and bring more people in. Seriously, they know how to do gooder fun times.
8:08
[Comment From Guest]
Barry hasn’t complained once though
8:08
B. Schatz:  Other than, you know, Flash Rebirth 1-3.
8:08
[Comment From Guest]
That’s not Blackest Night, B
8:08
Craig Reade:  

I was going to say – that is all Barry DID in Flash Rebirth was whine.

8:08
B. Schatz:  Oh sorry, and Blackest Night #0 and 1.
8:09
Craig Reade:  Anyway – back on track – onward to something more interesting.
8:09

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8:09
Craig Reade:  

Power Girl #4, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 08/19/09 ON TIME

Written by Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray, Art by Amanda Conner, Colors by Paul Mounts

 

Power Girl and Terra take in a movie, and round off the evening by taking on a giant lizard monster and Zoraida the Elf Queen. The next day, “Miss Starr” has to deal with some budget issues in the office, then finally finds a place to call home.

8:09
Craig Reade:  

OK… a quick aside –  why does Terra decide that just taking off her pants is a perfectly acceptable substitute when lacking a costume?

8:10
B. Schatz:  Speaking of fun comics…! I really, really, really enjoy this book. I’m over the whole Terra thing – using your own created character in a new book for funsies… because it looks like she’s going to add a whole lot to the book.
8:10
Craig Reade:  I didn’t know whether to laugh or actually find that offensive. Probably both, truth be told.
8:10
Craig Reade:  Terra was ok in this issue – last issue not-so-much, but if she is going to act the sidekick to Power Girl, I really am ok with that.
8:11
B. Schatz:  You’re seriously going to ask me if I think taking pants off is a bad thing? It’s like you don’t know me at all, Craig.
8:11
B. Schatz:  All your pants are belong to me.
8:11
Craig Reade:  Oiy, I should have remembered who I was talking to – the slacks-burgler.

And I totally agree – this title is very tongue-in-cheek fun. I was hoping for something way more serious when this title was first announced, so it was a bit of a shock, but I have grown used to it quickly.

8:12
B. Schatz:  It feels like we’re getting a better sense of the ensamble the team is trying to build for the book. More confort is being established. I’m very much in the mood for this.
8:12
Craig Reade:  Indeed – well done on the supporting cast as well – crucial to any book.
8:12

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8:12
Craig Reade:  

Avengers: The Initiative #27, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 08/26/09 ON TIME

Written by Christos N. Gage, Pencils by Rafa Sandoval, Inks by Roger Bonet, Colors by Edgar Delgado.

 

We start with a nice character story about Johnny Guitar, a brief overview of his history and what lead someone like him to become a part of the new Shadow Initiative. After his expected death, the story shifts to the rest of the team sent to recapture 42. After we Hardballs’ recruitment by Blastaar, we see him work to sabotage the defense of the 42 prison from within.

8:14
Craig Reade:  One of the most awesome things about this book ? I can honestly see some teams splitting both of these "chapters" into their own issues, and throwing in lots of splash pages (Iron Man anyone?) – both were the perfect length, and well executed.
8:14
B. Schatz:  Go Butterball! Seriously, this issue? Was fantastic. Between the moving Johnny Guitar and Dr. Sax story (you read right) and the Butterball adventure…. this book is really back on track. The stories were getting away from what made this book so great in the first place – focusing on the characters, and not the crazy stories and plot circumstances. A great, great return to form.
8:14
B. Schatz:  Despite Penance.
8:14
Craig Reade:  

An overall decent issue. It was nice to see Butterball in action – in a context that made sense. I do think Osborne’s overexposure remains a problem, but I really can’t complain too much all-in-all.

8:14
Craig Reade:  There was no Emo-kid in this issue, so that probably contributed to its awesomeness.
8:15
Craig Reade:  Or, none worth speaking of anyway.
8:16
B. Schatz:  Indeed. Easily ignored admist a sea of awesome. And to be fair, this was less of the Norman Osborn show too. Although stories seem to be building towards Norman’s time ending around November-ish… so I’m looking forward to that.
8:16
Craig Reade:  This title scares me a little to be honest – issues like this make me LOVE it. Then there are other issues that get bogged down in over-arching universe continuity, and I cringe. It would take so little to push this title either to greatness or birdcage-liner…
8:17
B. Schatz:  I agree. It’s shakey, but man, when it’s good… I’m just hoping the last story arc was jsut a means to an end, and we’ll be getting this from here on in.
8:17
[Comment From Wolfwood]
"All your pants are belong to me." You really should make that into a bumper sticker.
8:17
B. Schatz:  Imma get on it.
8:17
Craig Reade:  

Indeed indeed… seging into…

8:17

Expand
8:17
Craig Reade:  

Nova #28, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 08/26/09 ON TIME

Written by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning, Art by Andrea DiVito, Colors by Bruno Hang.

 

Nova and Xenith square off, and Richard comes to terms with King Blastaar, and returns home with Ravenous and his brother. After wrapping things up and setting the foundation for the new Corps, the group goes to investigate the spacial tear between Sh’iar and Kree, and discover an old Nova Corps Starship.

8:18
B. Schatz:  AN old Nova Corps Starship, or THE Nova Corps starship… what blew up at the start of Annihilation.
8:18
B. Schatz:  ?
8:19
Craig Reade:  No no – this is kind of a throwback for old-school Nova fans. Its like the Green Lantern Corps – they don’t really need ships, but then, a ship crashed on Earth and Hal ended up with a ring?
8:20
Craig Reade:  Its like that. Obviously the Nova Corps don’t need ships anymore. Hence "old."
8:20
Craig Reade:  Then I might be the only person that read and enjoyed Nova pre-Annihilation :)
8:20
Craig Reade:  

Oddly, this is the first time I feel like we have “caught up” since the series began. Things were moving so quickly, so many plots, two major events – and finally Richard is at peace with Worldmind, the new Corps is forming, Nova’s made peace with his brother joining the Corps, he’s not infected with the Transmode virus, and he isn’t going insane or about to die. It is a strange status-quo for this book to say the least!

8:20
B. Schatz:  That is probably a truth fact. I only knew Nova as the jerk from Spider-Girl… IN THE FU-TURRRRRE….
8:21
Craig Reade:  

We will not speak of him – though he was rad in his own way.

8:21
B. Schatz:  True – but I think the momentum the book has is necessary – it would be very easy for people to drop this book, what wit hit being on the outskirts of terra based Marvel.
8:22
Craig Reade:  True enough. But it still has direction – only a lot of old plot threads are finally knotted up. The book is strong – I have no reason at all to complain. Nor would I want to.
8:22
Craig Reade:  On to something slightly less awesome.
8:22

Expand
8:22
Craig Reade:  

Batman and Robin #3, $2.99, DC Comics Due Out 08/26/09 ON TIME

Written by Grant Morrison, Art by Frank Quietly, Colors by Alex Sinclair

 

Batman gets some answers, while Robin, a prisoner, is about to be operated on by Professor Pyg. Robin breaks free, and almost escapes – only Batman arrives in the nick of time to help him across the finish line. Pyg’s ring is broken up, but one of his “victims” is approached by the Red Hood.

8:23
B. Schatz:  I still like this book, but I was really hoping we’d remain firmly in All Star Superman territory, and do without the heavy Morrison crazy speak. And then, Professor Pyg went crazy-go-nuts.
8:24
Craig Reade:  

Was this book ever in All Star Superman territory? I can’t say it was. Tough to say if this issue was worse than the last – but I can say for certain that it isn’t any better. Things should improve next month when Philip Tan takes over the art chores – as acclaimed as this team was, Frank Quietly’s art was a major drag on this story.  

8:25
B. Schatz:  Gasp! You’re a liar and a charliton, Craigerton J. Reade. I’m one of those folk who really likes Farnk Quitely’s work – and I know that some people aren’t enjoying the way he’s changed it up a bit here, but I think the looser pencils lend itself to Batman, who is a looser character.
8:26
Craig Reade:  Quitely can be good – at times. I enjoyed him on All Star Superman, but here it is a mess. Not good at all – he seems almost as sloppy as JRJr I have to say.
8:26
Craig Reade:  scribble scribble scribble!
8:27
Craig Reade:  And the plot – well, it was a little better, but honestly I am not feeling it.
8:27
Craig Reade:  There is little to no character consistency.
8:28
B. Schatz:  You know, I’ve never been good at describing why exactly I like art, but I have to say, I’m not picking up on the JR Jr-ness of the work. And as for the story, I liked this issue less than the last, but really, you can’t top Robin beating a carnie to almost-death with a spoon and a bucket.
8:28
[Comment From Gabriel Sosa]
X-factor
8:29
B. Schatz:  It’s in the middle of a story arc…. maybe for 200???
8:29
Craig Reade:  I didn’t say there weren’t good moments in this book…
8:29
Craig Reade:  But on the whole – just not feeling it. not QUITE ready to give up on it, but it has a long way to go before it is great. Hopefully the art shift will help.
8:30
Craig Reade:  Anyway – people seem excited about the new book for next month, so let’s move on to that.
8:30
Craig Reade:  

- The List So Far

 

Jonah Hex #47, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 09/02/09

Ghost Riders: Heavens Fire #2 (of 6), $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 09/02/09

Invincible Iron Man #17, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 09/02/09

Secret Six #13, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 09/09/09

Green Lantern Corps #40, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 09/09/09

Batman and Robin #4, $2.99, DC Comics Due Out 09/16/09

Invincible Iron Man #18, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 09/16/09

Deadpool: Merc With a Mouth #3 (of 6), $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 09/16/09

Blackest Night #3 (of 8), $3.99, DC Comics. Due Out 09/16/09

Power Girl #5, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 09/23/09

Avengers: The Initiative #28, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 09/23/09

Nova #29, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 09/23/09

 

Preliminary Math

 

$1.30 (Bank from August) + $40 (September Budget) = $41.30

$41.30 – $37.88 (September  issues) – $2.94 (tax) = $.48 Banked for October

8:30
Craig Reade:  

- The Chopping Block

 

With War of Kings wrapping up, we do have room for our double helping of Invincible Iron Man next month. The problem is – we don’t have room for anything else! And as usual, a new title is required every month, which means we need to cancel something. Ideas?

8:31
B. Schatz:  My short list is Blackest Night and Deadpool, frankly.
8:31
Craig Reade:  On the poll we have a tie between Batman and Robin and Blackest Night – For me, I am ready to drop Blackest Night.
8:31
[Comment From Wolfwood]
Sounds like you really didn’t like Blackest Night. It’s four bucks too, so I’d suggest that.
8:31
[Comment From Gabriel Sosa]
Drop Blackest Night.
8:31
B. Schatz:  A consensus! Huzzah!
8:32
Craig Reade:  Seems fairly unanimous. Blackest Night is out!
8:32
Craig Reade:  

- New Titles

8:33
Craig Reade:  With Blackest Night gone, we have room for our one required book. We had a suggestion of X-Factor –
8:35
Craig Reade:  I tend to agree with Brandon … in the middle of an arc isn’t the best time for a new add.
8:35
Craig Reade:  You will have to suggest that one when they are going into a new arc. Though to be fair – my Peter David boycott is still in effect.
8:35
Craig Reade:  So odds aren’t terribly good I’ll go for it.
8:35
B. Schatz:  I’ll say this, I’m definitely putting it in to contention for November’s edition when #200 hits. Plus, it would ship twice next month… and we’re already cutting things pretty close with an add.
8:36
[Comment From Wolfwood]
Ultimate Comics Spiderman or Deadpool 900.
8:36
[Comment From Gabriel Sosa]
why are you boycotting him?
8:36
[Comment From Wolfwood]
Wolverine: Weapon X is also awesome.
8:36
Craig Reade:  Heh – LONG story for another time. Let’s just say once upon a time, he was rather abusive to some of the staff here, and made a fool of himself on the site.
8:37
Craig Reade:  Ask an old timer.
8:37
B. Schatz:  I agree, that Wolverine Weapon X is awesome – and a new story arc is starting in Rocktober, so a good suggestion for then. (Also, by Jason Aaron, of Ghost Rider fame)
8:37
B. Schatz:  I’ll post it in the thread later, Gabe.
8:37
Craig Reade:  Indeed! Keep that one on the short list for next month.
8:38
Craig Reade:  We will need to sample something in November too – no Power Girl that month, if memory serves. But we are looking too far ahead. Thoughts for this month B?
8:38
B. Schatz:  Well, I found a couple for the shortlist, of things with new #1’s or story arcs coming out. The first is Sweet Tooth from Vertigo – just a buck for a story by Jeff Lemiere, of Essex County and The Nobody fame. Don’t hold this against him, but he’s also Candian.
8:40
B. Schatz:  There’s also Nomad from Marvel – written by Sean McKeever. It’s $3.99. Strange Tales is the Marvel Indie anthology but it’s $4.99 a pop…
8:40
[Comment From Gabriel Sosa]
What about secret warriors?
8:40
Craig Reade:  That one is only a buck – not terrible, but that would still leave us room.
8:41
Craig Reade:  You know what? I am going to enable your McKeever gayness, just this once.
8:41
Craig Reade:  Nomad #1 it is.
8:41
Craig Reade:  The list is really light on titles in that niche as it is.
8:41
B. Schatz:  Man, I don’t want to seem like we’re swatting off reader suggestions, because we’re not… but the new story arc started last month… we’ll have to wait for December to look at that one. But Hey, I’m going to keep these on file, and bring them up then. Sound good?
8:41
B. Schatz:  Sounds good.
8:42
B. Schatz:  Gah. That makes it sound like I’m talking to myself. Daggit, not what I intended.
8:43
B. Schatz:  While Craig does some maths, I am going to do some interperative dance, set to gentle murmers.
8:43
Craig Reade:  Indeed man. None of the suggestions are bad at all, but we kind of do need them to be at a good jumping on point. $40PL is all about bang for the buck – and starting in the middle of a story can be difficult.
8:43
B. Schatz:  Ah-tum-tee-tum-tee-tum…
8:43
B. Schatz:  Pah-rum-pah-doodle-doo…
8:44
Craig Reade:  

- ThSeptember List!

 

Jonah Hex #47, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 09/02/09

Ghost Riders: Heavens Fire #2 (of 6), $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due out 09/02/09

Invincible Iron Man #17, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 09/02/09

Secret Six #13, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 09/09/09

Nomad: Girl Without a World #1, $3.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 09/09/09

Green Lantern Corps #40, $2.99, DC Comics. Due Out 09/09/09

Invincible Iron Man #18, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 09/16/09

Deadpool: Merc With a Mouth #3 (of 6), $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 09/16/09

Blackest Night #3 (of 8), $3.99, DC Comics. Due Out 09/16/09

Power Girl #5, $2.99, DC Comics. Due out 09/23/09

Avengers: The Initiative #28, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 09/23/09

Nova #29, $2.99, Marvel Comics. Due Out 09/23/09

8:44
B. Schatz:  A-tap-a-tap-a-tappe…
8:44
B. Schatz:  Oh thank God…
8:44
Craig Reade:  

$1.30 (Bank from August) + $40 (September Budget) = $41.30

$41.30 – $37.88 (September  issues) – $2.94 (tax) = $.48 Banked for October

8:44
Craig Reade:  It’s over!
8:44
[Comment From Gabriel Sosa]
ok, I thought the secret warriors arc started in september.
8:44
Craig Reade:  

With barely 50 cents to spare.

8:44
B. Schatz:  No worries. It happens to us all. Thanks for the suggestion, though, it’s an awesome book.
8:45
B. Schatz:  Ta-dah! We’ve done it again. Marvel at our awesome comic muscles. Grrrrrrrr
8:45
Craig Reade:  I think that concludes our broadcast day. Thanks to everyone for tuning in and commenting.
8:45
B. Schatz:  Stay thirsty, my friends.
8:45
Craig Reade:  Feel free to continue the conversation in the thread. You may also bash our horribly wrong opinions if you so choose.
8:45
Craig Reade:  See you next month!
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