Metallica - My Apocalypse

It's official, I'm creaming myself for this album now.

AWESOME!

So fucking awesome!

Holy fucking shit but this is awesome!

Jesus died on the cross for this kind of fucking awesome!

I know it's been available on Metallica.com for a while now but I'm just now hearing it and I'm PUMPED!

Final Crisis: Revelations #2 review

Tight.

Fucking tight.

I was kinda worried that, after reading the first issue, I would have no clue what was going on and it would be the low point of the Final Crisis spin-offs.

Totally wrong.

This issue is a strong, strong character issue as we see Renee Montoya and the Spectre Crispus Allen really meet for the first time since his murder and the more I read the more I wanted to see it keep going. Backed with Philip Tan's amazingly strong art, Rucka hits every emotional note in this issue right on the nose breaking down Allen and his role as the Spectre. The emotional intensity only ratchets up once they introduce the Spectre's opposite, the spirit of mercy, the Radiant. Allen just lashes out at this point wondering what kind of mercy God could possibly have when he was instructed to kill his own son.

Rucka's next great feat, pushing the story of Final Crisis forward. No shit! Another writer who should have been writing Final Crisis instead of Morrison. This time involving Vandal Savage, the Spear of Destiny from last issue and the Anti-Life Equation. By issue's end, the world is consumed by Anti-Life and Montoya is moments away from being consumed by it herself. Fucking win! I don't know why DC bothered assigning Final Crisis to Morrison when Rucka and Meltzer are the one's wanting to craft really interesting, character oriented books and Morrison just wants...well, anything not involving writing a coherent story.

Of all the Final Crisis books, it looks like this is the one to follow. Where Final Crisis itself goes, I'm really not much interested anymore. Where Revelations goes, I will follow it off the damn cliff. More please!

Green Lantern Corps #28 review

Eye of the Beholder part two

If there's anything bad to say about this issue, it's that the whole thing is wrapped up too quickly and cleanly. Picking up from last issue, we see Kyle, Guy and a bunch of other Lanterns standing around a giant vat of eyeballs waiting for Saarek to jump in and commune with them, which he does. What he reveals in each set of eyes is the face of the same killer from last issue. Seems that there's a group of five Sinstro Corps siblings in this thing. Which is cool. Unfortunately, after finding this out, they're all rounded up very quickly or killed and the threat is over. It's a good enough arc, but it just feels very clipped.

As much as I would have liked to have seen more of these Sinestro Corps killers, the whole point of the arc was to introduce Saarek and his power to commune with the dead. At the end of the issue, he meets with the scarred Guardian who sends him on a top secret mission which will lead into the Blackest Night arc. Kick ass. So even if the arc is short, we get promises of fuckwin.

It's a decent issue overall. Nothing hugely spectacular, but it serves its purpose fairly well. What the hell is up with Kyle? So he's the one drawing the morbid Green Lantern imagery? And...ICE! YEAH! Kyle and Ice, man, I've been looking forward to this. But considering how the issue ends, why are we going to be seeing the Star Sapphires next issue? Hmmmmmm.....

Deadpool #1

One of Us part 1 (Secret Invasion tie-in)

To be sure, I wasn't really intending on getting this book, but I did for shits and giggles anyway.

All told, not bad.

Here's what I loved most, Paco Medina's art. He's got the best Deadpool since...shit, McGuinness? He looks tight. I never liked that look most artists give him with that big flappy part on the back of his head that looks like he's got a giant condom on (or at least it's very very minimal). The action flows great, and there is plenty of action to be had as he fights a bunch of Skrulls and blows up their ship.

As for the writing, it's cool too. I'm curious as to what Daniel Way has in mind with this sort of split personality narrative thing he's got going in Deadpool's head. So far it's Deadpool speaking, Deadpool thinking (yellow field) and Deadpool thinking (white field). He also seems to be hallucinating most of the issue. On a couple of occasions we see things from his perspective like Skrulls as kids begging for his autograph or Skrulls as video game characters with points for every one killed. It's pretty funny.

Speaking of laughs, it's not a drop dead hysterical issue. It's humorous at points with clever action. Deadpool traps this giant Skrull ship under the retractable roof of a baseball stadium. He greets them wearing the home team's mascot uniform. That was cute. But mostly, I think Way has something else in mind for our merc with a mouth. I wish I could say what exactly, aside from the fact that after beating the shit out of some Skrulls he approaches them with an offer to fight for them. What is up, indeed.

But, sadly, I won't be there. It's a decent first issue and very enjoyable. Anyone expecting the laugh out loud moments that Kelly or Nicieza brought might be disappointed, but it's a solid read overall. I think I would recommend it.

Secret Invasion #6 review

The main Secret Invasion series has been really touch and go for me. First issue was okay, and everything has been nothing but bits and pieces of cool with lots of filler. Last issue felt like the story was going somewhere and this issue continues in that vein. Really, it's practically a trend now. Two issues to go, lets hope Bendis can keep it up!

But seriously, now that the Avengers are out of the Savage Land both sides are gearing up for a serious fight before they throw themselves at each other at issue's end. We get to see Thor and Captain Bucky meet for the first time as they help lead the charge of a unified Avengers team against the Skrulls. That, my friends, is cool shit. Thor calling down the thunder and lightning to signal a rallying point for the good guys as friends old and new and old rivals and enemies show up. You really feel this energy build by issue's end and it is awesome. Next issue I think is the climax while issue eight winds things down, so how things play out next issue are going to be interesting.

The Skrulls have a hidden trump card in the Avenger's midst. Spoiler alert...it's Janet Van Dyne. That fucking whore! And if Marvel's new ad campaign is any indicator, and I bet it is, the Skrulls are going to win. Or at least half win. Looking at Captain Britain and MI:13, the Skrulls are ejected from Britain so that wins there will be pockets of resistance, but I think the situation is that by and large the Skrulls manage to force some kind of settlement that allows them to colonize. This shit is gonna get good. Damn you, Bendis!

Speaking of the Skrulls, I know some folks like the AICN Assholes aren't particularly down on the Skrulls being religious fanatics. Personally, and I know this isn't universal among the Skrulls as the Empire is actually in tatters, but this sect is kick ass. When the sides are staring each other down and Jessica Drew is basically gloating about how easy it's all been, why they're doing what they're doing, it gave me chills. The dialogue is so spot on. It's arrogant and unapologetic...honestly, I woulda given up. I'da said, "Bitch, it's yours!"

But really, this is the tightest issue of this series since issue #1. It's kinda sad to say cause the series is an eight parter, but if you haven't been picking the book up since, this is the next issue to get.

New Comics Wednesday

Deadpool #1



Final Crisis: Revelations #2



Green Lantern Corps #28



Secret Invasion #6

A very small week yet some cool shit.

And with the exception of GLC, it was all $3.99 a pop. Jesus! Final Crisis and Secret Invasion I kinda understand cause of the covers, but Deadpool? It was a standard size issue with a bunch of filler in the back. Killer, man.

Speaking of killer, comic reviews from here on will be sporadic at best. After this Friday I'm out of a job. Yep, I'm outta here! A little sooner then I would have liked, I announced the 20th would be my last day and they announced Friday is. It wouldn't be so bad if my boss hadn't called to gloat. Fuck you too, buddy! But at least half my brain wasn't removed and I can still wipe my own ass. HA!

But I digress.

So that leaves me short on internet access save for two nights a week.

*Tear*

But I shall try hard to vent and vent I shall.

Like...now!

Justice Society of America #18 review

Warlords: Gog part three

Dale Eaglesham is back on art duties. Shit. While serviceable this issue, his action still doesn't flow nearly as well as Pasarin's the last two issues. I really, really wish that they'd have let Pasarin finish out the arc. Really, truly I do, if just for consistency's sake.

But anyway...

We learn more about Gog's character this issue. We see that while he loathes war and wishes to bring peace, he's not above killing per se. Stopping a militia from some murdering and pillaging, instead of killing them he...transmutes them! Into tree, specifically. Interesting from a god's point of view, this wouldn't be killing, but from a more rational point of view the it's the same. I mean unless he decided to transmute them into big walking talking trees with flaming swords attached to their arms.

But what we're really seeing is the unintended consequences of the "gifts" Gog has bestowed on our heroes. Shouldn't be a surprise since he launched Power Girl into Earth-2. Doctor Midnite, for example, has completely lost use of his powers. Unable to see in the dark, he's useless when using his smoke bombs. What will be interesting is to see how David Reid works out now. Killed by a grenade launcher, he's resurrected as the new Magog. Kick ass!

Overall, this issue is kind of.....well, so so. Some plot points are kinda rushed forward. We're really starting to see the schism between the JSA members occur, but it feels too quick. David Reid's death? Too sudden. Maybe it's cause I was spoiled by a solicitation in the latest previews, but the death didn't really feel all that dramatic to me. Gog is performing miracles left and right, but this lacked that miraclousness. More like, "Okay, time to make a new Magog! So kill that guy!"

I don't want to say I'm cold on this issue. It's good. It's just...lacking. Something. And I can't quite put my finger on it. I think it has to be Eaglesham's art, it's not really hitting those beats like it should. The script seems to be fairly solid, so I think Eaglesham deserves the brunt of the blame for any faults this issue.

Still, the story is interesting and I'm eager to see where it goes. Now that Reid is the new Magog, how will things play out?

Green Lantern #34 review

Secret Origin part six

Every time I read Sinestro's dialogue, I hear the Monarch in my head.

It really works, try it!

So we're nearing the end of Secret Origin and we get what I suppose is the climax. There's one part left and, honestly, I'm starting to get impatient. Blackest Night now, dammit!

The action wraps up in this issue, so what we're left with is Hal essentially coming to certain realizations. Arguing with Sinestro, and after being told to deal with his anger, he does. The first person he goes to see is Carl Ferris, and what he finds rather shocks him. Carl Ferris, in bed, dying. Can't really be pissed off at a dying man! So Hal leaves with a changed outlook on life and the past and the like. The seeds of a future romance are planted and perhaps a newfound respect for his place in the universe. That is until the Guardians call him and Sinestro back to OA to be reprimanded.

Strange creatures, those Guardians.

It's kind of unfair to call this arc a coming of age story for Hal Jordan, but that is essentially what it is. This is when he starts to jettison that overdeveloped ego of his and basically starts to have the outlook of a hero. Strange that Hal, who's in his late 20s by now, surely, would still need to grow up but he does, coming to terms with his father and the man he blamed for his death. Not a horribly deep story, but while the origin of so many heroes are grounded in tragedy, it's interesting to see at least one who's origin is grounded in...well, closure.

I can dig that.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer #18 review

Time of Your Life part three

I've been cold on this arc and that really hasn't changed. Still not interested in Fray or her supporting cast.

I will say there are some things worth noting. Fray is notably more straight forward in her job. She sees vampires, she kills vampires. "Driving" along they see a bunch of vampires attack some EMS guys and Buffy is more willing to let them do their thing for the "greater good." Tragedies versus statistics, but I never quite thought Buffy as a Stalinist. Though by issue's end it is Fray that is betraying Buffy. This might be interesting. Might be interesting, and this is what's kinda killing me about this arc. So many big things happening around what is basically a minor crossover event. It seems almost unfair. The arc in of itself isn't terribly interesting, just the subplots. I would have preferred Whedon to get to the nitty gritty with this story and save everything else for an issue that could properly launch the other stuff. Or even better, not have done the crossover at all.

Though there are some highlights.

There is a great scene between Xander and Dawn that has Xander...riding...Dawn...um, well, it's not quite what you might think, though it adds a great deal of sexual tension. Is this Xander's next big relationship? And isn't Dawn still a bit young? Still, that scene is hysterical when they encounter a bunch of mystical trees with flaming swords for arms. That one had me scratching my head. Trees. With flaming swords. For arms. Crazy.

One other thing, considering how much lesbian sex this book now contains in its short run, why doesn't Dark Horse just get it over with, slap a "mature readers" tag and allow them the option of going the full monty? Come on, everyone is going lezzo, why tease us? Just how pert are Willow's breasts? We must know!

Still for the diehards, but proving itself to be important to the overall series. Whedon isn't wowing me here, but I'm not the type of fan this story is written for.

Detective Comics #848 review

Heartstrings: Heart of Hush part three (Batman RIP tie-in)

It starts off sexily enough. Hush walking in on Selina Kyle putting on her shirt. Lovely back. So they fight and Selina loses. The rest of the issue is dominated by a fight between Batman and the kid that was abducted by the Scarecrow at the end of the last issue.

Because of that, the issue felt very fillery. Oh, some cool stuff does happen, and the ending is a shocker, but...Batman fighting a kid? Even if he is hopped up on venom and all Baned up, it's way too silly for me. There is, however, a decent flashback scene further showing Tommy Elliot's resentment of Bruce Wayne. It was interesting not so much for the fact that Elliot is/was a completely narcissitic prick, but that he runs into Peyton Riley, the current Ventriloquist. Iiiinnnnteresting!

I can tell Paul Dini loves women. He seems intent on making as many women as possibly be factors in Batman's life. Harley, Zatanna, Kyle, Riley.....come to think of it, the stuff with the ladies is probably the best stuff in Dini's run on this book. I guess that's one reason why the ending is such a shocker. It's not so much that it happens, it's that it happens to who it happens to. Spoiler? Catwoman's heart is removed.

Heart of Hush my ass! This is quickly becoming a story about the heart of everyone to some degree or another. The issue itself might be okay, but reflecting on what Dini has been doing, it takes on an importance all its own. I think I like it more now.

Nightwing #148 review

The Great Leap part two

If Dick Grayson becomes the new Batman for a while, please let it be on the basis that his relationship with Alfred is so cool. After getting Carol to safety, and bleeding heavily, Nightwing lands in the Batcave and is immediately tended to by Alfred. This whole scene made the book for me. It kinda threw into question where thing takes place in regards to RIP, but it was excellent. I was starting to think Tomasi wasn't capable of much more than high tension action and lots of blood and gore, but the Nightwing/Alfred sequence showed a bit of nuance that I greatly enjoyed. When Alfred throws the bloody rags aside, washes his hands and is just ready to collapse from teh emotiional exhaustion of witnessing his family crumble around him. And kudos to Rags Morales for capturing this so well. The look on Alfred's face is well worth contemplating on, noting the burden he shares. While Bruce, Dick and Tim all have their missions and goals, I don't Alfred's burden is given much thought. Simply cast aside as the loyal and patient butler and attendant of Bruce Wayne and Batman. How often do we, the readers, ever consider that maybe Alfred's purpose, his mission, is worth regarding?

I thought last month's issue of Nightwing was good, but this issue is better! I thought Chuck Dixon's run on Nightwing in the beginning was good but Tomasi's run is faaaaaaantastic! Tomasi is really nailing this character down for me. I was just probably gonna maybe pick up this arc. I think I might have to pick up this title. Gonna have to hunt down everything Tomasi has done on this book earlier. Great stuff.

Final Crisis: Superman Beyond #1 review

Morrison is an excellent writer. Years hence, he'll be lauded as one of the all time greats. Right now, I kinda want him to disappear into obscurity.

For Superman Beyond, I was hoping that maybe...maybe...he'd be able to put something together that would really tighten up Final Crisis, maybe make sense of what's going on. Nothing. Except for the fact that a subplot (if you wanna call it that) of Final Crisis is getting it's own two part treatment, I can't say that it really does anything for the series so far. What does it do for the story of our now half-dead Lois Lane? Very little. So Superman goes on an adventure that will possibly save Lois's life, but the story seriously diverges from that point on. We get backstory on the Monitors and some cool psuedo-sciencey mumbo jumbo, but nothing else that makes this issue feel really significant. There's mention of a Monitor (I think a Monitor) called Mandrakk (and the only reason I know he's a Monitor is cause of the Final Crisis #6 solicitation from the latest Previews...lame!).

Final Crisis is really starting to feel like it was foisted on Grant Morrison. Kind sorta the sequel to Seven Soldiers, but with a lot of other ideas thrown in for the sake of a massive DC event series. Morrison just feels like he's pumping out anything to keep the suits happy and packed with enough bullshit to divide the fans enough to keep anyone from noticing that maybe this whole thing is turning into an unmitigated disaster.

Really, the only reason to pick this book up is because of Doug Mahnke's art. Tight, tight stuff. The book is also in 3D, but honestly I wish it weren't. So gimmicky. Plus, being an old time collector, I'm loathe to remove the 3d glasses.

Supposedly, Superman Beyond is one of the few Final Crisis spinoffs that are necessary to the main story. Sure, if DC says so, but honestly it didn't feel like that at all. Maybe the next issue will end on a really kick ass note, but until then it just felt like a waste of $4.50. I can't really recommend this issue.

New Comics Thursday

Buffy The Vampire Slayer #18



Detective Comics #848



Final Crisis: Superman Beyond #1



Green Lantern #34



Justice Society of America #18



Nightwing #148

A good week!

Reviews shall be late. Sunday!

Spendy!

Jesus...

Spent a bit a little over $200 bucks today. Money sure likes being spent.

So, what did I get?

First...

A new weed-eater. It's a good one, I think, and I've been needing to get one forever. Advantage, it was on sale for Labor Day, which was cool. I spent a lot less on it then I thought I was going to, though I still bought a two year warranty, some line and air filters for my mower. That was $150 altogether right there.

So then, skipped on over to Waldenbooks.



Yep. I've loved this series and I've been looking forward to getting this volume all week. Scalzi does some good shit.




I've heard good things!

Got Mom another book as well, and that all came out to $30 some odd.

Then I took her to Chili's. We didn't need that, but it was cool. Our waiter was the nephew/adopted son of the proprietor of Gotham Comics. Cool! I forgot he worked their Sundays. Gave him a 50% tip. $30 bucks all told there.

Came home, became quickly annoyed with a new gas can purchased at Walmart that morning. And by annoyed, I mean infuriated. The spout on the stupid thing was designed to deter morons and arsonists or some shit. The spout has a little contraption that requires pulling back to release fluids. The fuck?!?!?! Spent $7 bucks to be treated like a potential felon, thanks. What a waste of a trip.

But, very happy with my new shit. Can't wait to use the new edger. It's a pain in the ass doing the lawn and rolling over shit that doesn't need rolling over. I can also prove to my neighbors that I do, in fact, have a curb. Yeah, it's ugly.