While tie-in comics usually aren't my bag (despite my recent defense of the indefensible Angel: After the Fall #1) I'm afraid to say I'm kind of looking forward to this.


(source)

Maybe I just have a fetish for anything beginning with "New Frontier", but as Trek geek at heart (and a reader of the books since as long as I can remember), but the news that Peter David not only approves, but will be writing? That and the prospect of a mirror-universe set NF short story? Fuck it, I'm excited.

(I'm just wondering if Mirror-Universe Mac will be a space-hippie pacifist. Also, will there be the usual galaxy-wide shortage of shirts? I'd be into that.)

Hey, I made some extra dough freelancing (*whoring myself*) at my old comic shop job while visiting the folks in Ventura. Surely this week was plentiful in comics. This was one of those weeks that, even though I'm a full grown adult who makes his own money, I had to hide just how many comics I bought from my parents so they didn't say "Now Christopher Ray Cyrus Velasquez, don't spend all your money on those kids things." Lets take a look a what I got in no particular order, shall we?

Marvel Zombies 2 #3- Now I know I've been one aggressive commenter on how much I hate this whole zombie lover phase American nerds seem to be going through, but I've actually found myself enjoying this series greatly. Some of the hero zombies are coming to term with their hunger, while others are actually thinking farther than "let's devour all humans." It's fun watching the two battling sides of zombies and zombies/survivors thought processes as they try to devise ways to one up each other. It's not all about smashing and flesh eating in this one... but there is plenty of it.

Brave and the Bold #9- One of the best all around DC titles on the market right now hands down. Warlocks, Manbots, Mummies*, and the Boy Commandos. Just go get it and you'll see.

Giant Size Avengers #1- Another surprisingly fun to read book. It's an anthology issue with several stories being told by bikini clad Ms Marvel, Black Widow and the Wasp (what's not to like). Set in the time period between House of M and Civil War, all the New Avengers still seem to be buddy buddy with one another. Two stories stood out in particular, one called "Good Housekeeping" about Jarvis and his daily duties and "Emperor None and the Sky Full of Moons" which emphasized the importance of watch duty. The only story I didn't really like was called "Memorial Day" where Captain America and Iron Man guilt trip Spidey into being a better team member. It kinda left a bad nine-eleveny taste in my mouth if that makes sense; but it did have a good sight gag in the beginning when it shows Wolverine sleeping with his eyes open and claws out. Bonus: Some old school reprints in the back including the aptly titled "Even an Android Can Cry".

Hellblazer #239- This is a series that is quickly becoming my favorite again. I have always been an avid Hellblazer fan, even as a child, but the last few years have had such boring story lines, including the famous Emo-Constantine Arc. This issue barely has the chain smoking magician, as he makes a one panel cameo appearance in his own book, but it appears to be setting up a helluva storyline as demonic voodoo mercenaries are out for Constantine's head and their willing to destroy whole villages just to find him.



JLA CLASSIFIED #49- A solid issue. The JLA fights crab people from the darkest reaches of space as their friends and loved ones worry about the heros safety, their own safety, and the safety of the whole world. Most of the action takes place off panel, with several humorous snippets of things like Martian Manhunter battling what appears to be a King Crab. Also after reading this issue I whole heartedly believe John Waters should have played Alfred Pennyworth in the new Batman movies:


I'll put up the panel I'm talking about as soon as I buy a scanner.

Conan #47- Conan bashes some things, smashes others. Pretty standard Conan formula... the Cimmerian bests someone who initially thinks they are a better warrior than Conan, Conan joins their ranks, battles ensue. It's pretty tho.

Batman #672- Grant Morrison + Batman = Fun for adults and children alike. I really don't want to spoil the twist in this book, so let's just say if your a golden age BATman fan, you MIGHT like like the ending in the book. Too subtle?

The Picture of Dorian Grey #1- Sometimes classic literature and comics don't mix. Sometimes they do. This definitely doesn't. I enjoyed reading the actual novel. I enjoy comic books. Somehow this just doesn't come together.

I also bought this Month's Wizard and Previews which is chock full of goodies.

Oh yeah, I did happen to pick up ACME Novelty Library #18 by Chris Ware, which never fails to excite, impress and then depress. This story pulls on your heart strings in particular. When I told my girlfriend that I bought the ACME Novelty Library she responded "That sounds fun." No, no it's not. It's a great read with amazing artwork, but it's definitely not fun.


*While I am no Zombie addict, I am always down for a good mummy story.

...really buff.


(more @ source)

An apparently about to shoot up.

It's okay baby, I live in LA, I'm into jittery drug addicts with hearts of gold.

***

In other news, I'm currently in Japan and gearing up to go to Comiket with my arty-farty friend. I'm on a mission to find inappropriately amusing porn involving American creative properties. Some samples from this year's magazine of what to look forward to:












If you have any requests for a particular fandom you'd like me to be horrified by @ Comiket, please, drop your requests here. I'm more than happy to oblige being mentally scarred for your benefit.

For Kid-Chris:



Merry Christmas, Mr. Kid Chris.

I want to thank you, as a proxy for the entire Christian religion: Egg Nog fucking roooooooooocks.

To Dafna,


Give the Jew girl toys.
And a Merry Christmas to all.

It's December 22nd and you know what that means. Sure we're 3 days away from Christmas, but even more importantly, today was the release day of Star Trek: Of Gods and Men. Directed by Tim Russ, better known as Tuvok from Vayager, this fan film, starring many actual actors from the show (mostly TNG and Voyager), is actually not terrible.

Strarring Walter Koenig and Nichelle Nicholos as Chekov and Uhura, respectively, this 3 part mini-series is set 12 years after Captain Kirk's (apparent) death while aboard the Enterprise. It's too bad George Takie couldn't make an appearance but I suppose he's earning that sweet, sweet Heroes dollr now. But basically, f your a trekker like myself I definitely reccomend you take 26 minutes out of your day to watch this. The special effects are not bad for their obvious shoe-string budget, the acting is pretty much what you should expect from any Star Trek production (e.i. ham-fisted at times *cough Walter Koenig Cough*, but overall enjoyable to watch), the sets are pretty cool (especially the Enterprise bridge and the suface of Vulcan), and the costumes and makeup are the best part of the production. While never a huge fan of ST:TOG I always liked the bright uniforms and awesome creature feature costumes that the other series attempted to make more "believable", but this mini does it right. The plot is a little incoherent at times, as it would seem that ST:OGAM is trying to tell too much story, and sneak in too much fandom, in a limited amount of time. But it's worth it enough just for the cameos alone.

Alan Ruck who plays Capt. John Harriman, the captain who was piloting to USS Enterprise-B when Kirk died, in Generations returns as the acting captain of the Enterprise. Tim Russ as Tuvok makes an appearance as Uhura's friend on the planet Vulcan, sorta remniscent of the Voyager episode "Flashback" and his interactions with Sulu. Ethan Phillips (Neelix) makes a short cameo in the begining as an engineer of a space station and fellow Voyager alum Garret Wang (Harry Kim) shows up as a space pirate. All I have to say is that Garret Wang has really buffed up since his Voyager days, he is all man now.

But the greatest cameo of all: THE GUARDIAN OF FOREVER

Of course, from the infamous "Harlen Ellsion written" episode, City on the Edge of Forever.

Anyway, take my word, it ain't half bad. Hopefully episode 2 and 3 will clear up a bit of the confusion tho.

(thanks blog@newsarama)

Don't even bother to act surprised, guys. It's just the way I cope with the longing.

» Read More

I remember reading Persepolis 1 two-to-three years ago and really enjoying it. It was cute, moving, and heart warming. It told a story that, while many Americans could probably not understand the foriegn lifestyle, nearly anyone could understand the sentiment and especially the awkwardness of growing up in any environment. Anyway, it was a book that i very much enjoyed and would whole-heartedly recomend to people who also enjoyed Maus.

If you're reading this you probably already know that the film is due out in America on Christmas; personally, I know I'll probably treat myself to a nice Yule Tide movie. I really think this is the type of movie that breaks my rule about box office reciepts not equating to book sales. While most people who will be excited to see it will have already read the book, I feel that people who enjoy the film will be likely candidates to seek out the book. Don't ask me why, it just seems like that time of film. Probably because it's in such limited release that it's practically catering to it's pre-existing fan base.



On a side not it's opening against AvP Requiem, and both should be great cinema.

And now, for the bong rattling conclusion of the Dinosaur Planet.



Hehehe... golden river.

There seems to be a technical issue with our newest podcast entitled "The Bispecticult is what's wrong with the Comic Indusry". You see, my inferior, 3 year old iBook's Garage Band is not compatable with Dafna's new, top of the line iMac's software. Silly me for thinking a mac would actually be compatable with anything, even other macs. The podcast should be up Monday night at the latest, and I ensure you it's good. Bonus: No Dave!

I recall a running joke between Dorian, Mike and I that involved Macintosh computers. If you recall the final act from the blockbuster Independence Day, Will Smiff and Jeth Goldblum send a virus to the alien mothership's computer via OS. The Punchline: It would only make sense that a computer incompatable with 95% of the computers on earth would be compatable with alien computers.

Here's some nerds who argue if sending a virus to an alien via an iPhone is possible.

File this under: JOY!



Thanks to Beaucoup Kevin, my Friday just got a whole lot brighter:

The special will be a special in that old school way. It will have a small connecting story and the conceit is that these are untold events that the government classified back in the early sixties. There are three stories in the special. The main story is something I call Chapter X, and it is the story behind the big Batman/Superman fight hoax referred to in New Frontier. In the book we only deal with that event as a squib in a magazine article along with on shot of them brawling. This 22 page story will tell about what leads up to the two fighting, and how they choose to resolve it. A host of our Frontier cast are in this story, from King Faraday and the Suicide Squad through to Wonder Woman and Hourman. We also get to meet the New Frontier Alfred.
(more @ newsarama)

Unlike Kevin, I don't think I'll be able to criticize a single thing when this comes out. I know I should, but I'm too in love with the material, the era, and the sheer joy of seeing my basic, platonic ideal of these characters on the page. I know I talk at length about New Frontier in the podcast, but can I be blamed? The episode coming up (Kid Chris is editing it this time, bless his giving heart) we discuss at length about the inherent problem of cross-medium adaptations -comics to movies, vice-versa- and the fact that it's very hard to reconcile the moment we fell in love/actually understand a character, and the proceeding versions appearing in other books, under another writer's pen, a different inker's brush. Each fan can probably attest to this -no character is ever "perfect" than the first time you fell in love with them. It's an inherent problem in a medium and genre that allows characters to exist outside of their originator's work and it's something that comic fans have sort of accepted.

That's why New Frontier was such a revelation to me, that a piece of work was able to recapture every little ill-defined detail that I loved about these characters, every single moment across different issues, writers and artists that made me fall in love with the DC pantheon in the first place. It manages to do what no comic has done for me before, and ring 100% true.

You don't get that often in comics, and when you do, as comic fans are wont, it's damn hard to let go.

So yeah, maybe I'll be blindly praising this when the whole shebang comes out, but that's why I'm a comic fan in the first place, what other medium lets you be so comfortably prone to hyperbole?

(that's why I like the medium/genre, by the way, I got my fill of literary snobs in college.)

Wow. I wrote an essay, I should probably fully wake up now.

I haven't even finished watching it yet, but here you go:



Thoughts?

PS:

New Dark Knight international poster:



...so I kind of like it. I know, I know, I feel like a tool too.

For those of you too lazy to actually read comics for yourself.


Thanks to our friends at Secret Caverns.



The menacing Pteridactyl sound effect is worth it just by itself, not to mention the Steve Miller Band sound from Jungle Love.
Also, Mr. Spock is sure chatty in the comic books.

I want to elaborate a little more on what I said the other day.

After suggesting that box office receipts rarely equal interest in the core material it really got me thinking. Why should a movie cause interest in a comic book? Just because you liked watching V for Vendetta doesn't mean you'll enjoy reading the comic book it came from. Just because 300 was "the shit" doesn't mean the book is any better.

It's just different.

You shouldn't have to be an avid Resident Evil player because you saw the movie. For that matter, there is no science to prove that just because you saw a movie about Polar Bears fighting God you're gonna become an atheist, you might be just as likely to want to be a polar bear. But to be honest, if people are stupid enough to think a Nicole Kidman movie will turn into people atheist, there's bound to be people out there stupid enough to turn atheist because of a movie. Frankly, this all reminds me of the 'does violent music/movies/video games make kids violent?' argument.

Short answer: yes, it introduces new ideas to people that they are not typically aware of. Long Answer: No, people are inclined to act upon a variety of reasons and no amount of Movies, or hours of video games, or listening to violent music will be the sole contributor to these actions. I don't know what was going through the head of that kid who shot up that mall in Omaha last week. Yes he was disturbed, yes what he did was an intolerable evil, but i don't believe that music/movies/games made him do that.

Belief is a strong thing. Whether your a Christian, a jew, an atheist or one of the many other numerous beliefs out there, it is a personal decision on how and what you believe. If your so naive that a movie about witches in the north pole can change your core beliefs you have problems to begin with. But also i can't help but think these protesting Christians and Catholics have a problem. I doubt the majority of the outraged have actually read the books, and if they can be shaken up by one person's fictional tale of witches fighting a church they must really have a weak hold in the strength of their beliefs.

Is a movie turning our kids into faithless heavens? NO. Are the way many members of a particular organized religion acting, forcing their beliefs and way of lives on others, believing they are right about all subjects because of an infallible and uncompromising deity that ultimately contradicts with many of the freedoms we are afforded in this country off putting people and causing an increased distrust of organized religion? Who knows? And for that matter, who cares? Some people are so set in their ways they can find sin in a Pat Boone concert.

The point remains: it better be a damn good movie if it makes you do anything out of your status-quo, whether that be buying a comic book, shooting innocent people, or changing your whole perspective on life... and the truth is they just don't make movies that good anymore.

When I was a child I use to believe that I was the only person in this world who actually and truly existed. This is to say, when I was completely alone I believed that other people did nothing but await for me to return, in my imagination they still existed in a material sense but were devoid of thoughts and emotion... this is something i even believed up until probably middle school. Years later while attending a liberal, west coast college I would learn that this was called Solipsism. While not a bad idea in theory, there are more holes in this philosophy than a Michael Bay film. I will admit, from time to time I still wonder if I'm the only person who truly exists (then again why would I have a blog {yet the vacant comment section only bolsters my delusion }), but if that were true:

Why would I cancel Enterprise just when I was making it good?
Why would I make a Watchman movie when I fear its going to cause other people (me) to respect the book less?
Why would I make others (who don't really exist) hate All Star Batman and Robin?
Why would I not pay Jaime Hernandez for the art he did for all those Nardcore bands?
-Why would I create Nardcore?
Why would I make a 30 Days of Night Movie and then charge myself $10.50 to see it?
Why would I make Battlestar Galactica go on a year hiatus?
Why would I make Episode 1,2 and 3 when I was satisfied with the earlier films I made?
Why would I make Black Dossier have such a small print run that I, it's creator, could not get one?
Why would I make the comic code when the precode books are so cool?*

Sometimes when i evaluate everything I feel like an anti-solipsist. That is to say that everyone else exists and I am but a non-existent (albiet sexy) entity. For more information on anti-solipsists read one of my favorite entries of Dinosaur Comics.

And now, for absolutely no reason at all: my favorite comic cover of all time. But because you don't really exist i guess you already knew that.

*Which brings up another philosophical debate: If there was no comics code would there be pre-code books? Think about it.

(sauce)


Capes? Motorcycle? Seriously? For a movie franchise that aims to re-contextualize ol' Bats in a modern, realistic frame, something like the simple physics of flapping cloth and wheels that spin really, really fast is completely ignored?

Oh Jesus. I'm nit-picking the physics of a super-hero movie. I've become exactly what my mother warned me about.

Still wondering why people are mad at the Golden Compass for teaching our children atheist ideals and why no one cares that The Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe is blatantly shoving Christian allegories down our throats. I know that the movie has been toned down from the overtly anti-secular-Catholic Church sentiments in the book, but many still feel that the movie will be a "gateway drug" to the actual books. The truth is, if people loved the books that movies are spawned from as much as the movies themselves the comic book business wouldn't be as distressed as it is today. Box Office receipts rarely, if ever, equal increased sales at the book store. Harry Potter was the exception that proved the rule, and while I am no fan of that series I was glad that there was a book series that could actually make kids excited to read. While I'm on the subject, I have yet to read any studies that show an increase of witchcraft practising that corresponds to the popularity of the Harry Potter books.

We are no longer a nation of readers (not that I'm sure we ever were)... we would much rather watch than do, play than act, and when we do read it is usually involving celebrities and their various shenanigans. While there is a generous part of the population who do indeed take pleasure out of a well written book, the fact remains that most people would rather just wait for the movie. And even after we hear that the "book was much better" by our pretentious friend, we can take comfort in the knowledge that we only spent 2 hours watching the movie, instead of a week reading that we could have been watching TMZ.

So it's another lonely Friday night, finally giving me some damn time to watch my Superman II: Richard Donner Cut complete with audio commentary. Donner and creative consultant Tom Mankowitz go through great lengths to ensure they point out the obvious differences between this new cut and the previous Richard Lester version of the film. And while I do believe that the Donner Cut is the superior of the two films (Supes reversing time again notwithstanding), Donner seems like he may have been a tad overambitious with the title. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, it just seemed like Richard had a lot of grand ideas that only "he" could execute properly. I'm just happy that the Donner Cut seemed to have a lot more of Otis. But while I'm on the topic of Richard Donner and his grand ideas I remembered something that I heard about a couple of years ago.

I think I read it in a old issue of Starlog, while I "supposed" to be filing back issues of Starlog, that Richard Donner originally had a place in the first Superman Movie for everyone's favorite chain smoking, bald, sweaty, character actor. That's right, Telly Savalas. The scene would basically involve Superman scanning for an on-the-lam Lex Luthor, and upon seeing a bald head he would swoop down to detain his arch-nemesis only to find that he actually picked up tv's Kojak, Telly Savalas, who then hits Superman with his trademark catchphrase, "Who Loves Ya, Baby?" On a side note, this scene bares striking parallels to the death of another sweaty, well known Greek, Aeschylus, who, upon being mistaken for a smooth rock on account of his bald head, promptly gets a turtle dropped on his noggin and dies thereof. But I'm pretty sure that's just a kids tale.

How sweet would this of been? Sure a lot of people would have said that it is a completely out of context cameo that had little to do with furthering the plot or ensuring the film as a legitimate, serious movie. But it's Telly Fuck Your Mother Savals, the baddest-ass badass on either side of the Mississippi. Savalas was a comic book fan so there is no doubt in my mind he would have accepted this walk on role, and he was by no means above dropping his infamous Kojak one liner at any opportunity he could (I'm pretty sure he even said it when he was on the Commish, but I have been known to be wrong). This would have been cinema gold. Not only that, it would have been Fan Fic gold. At least for me.

Imagine Superman and Kojack teaming up to stop Lex Luthor at another hair brained real estate plot. This also would have opened the door tons of other team up opportunities. Batman and Joe Friday grudgingly pair up to stop a ring of Dog Snatchers. Dr. Quincy, M.E. and the Question both realize that foul play may have been involved with the death of the new manager of Gotham's First Bank, plus you got that double Q aspect there that could easily be worked into a catchphrase. Kolchak meets Constantine. Hawaii 5-0 and The Legion of Super Heroes. Weapon X vs Adam-12. EMERGENCY!, The Thing, Spiderman Three-in-One.

Well, I still think Telly would have been cool.




EDIT: While searching for actual EMERGENCY! and Adam-12 Fan Fic, I inevitably came upon tons and tons of slash.

(source, meltdown)

Dave? Kid-Chris? We're going. I don't want to hear nothin':

Chip said the whole BOOM! crew, will be there, including Editor-in-Chief Mark Waid, Eureka creator Andy Cosby, Eureka writer Johanna Stokes and many others. Ought to be fun; if you’re in L.A., check it out.

C'moooooooon guys. Beeeeeer. Boooooooom. Beeeeeeer.

» Read More

I know this particular sound must have been used about 30 times in each of the original star wars flicks, I would have to say my favorite being when Han throws the charges at an Imperial officer (actually a custom made Wilhelm Scream by the actor). But overall I also would have to say my absolute favorite Wilhelm scream (not featured above) would have to have been from the recent Superman Returns movie. I must have seen it two or three times before i realized it was slipped into the scene where Lex destroys his model train set with a chunk o' kryptonite. I think I like it so much because it's not even someone dying or receiving egregious bodily harm, it's a model conductor being blown up.

Does anybody out there have a particular favorite Wilhelm Scream?

(source)

...I'm kind of excited for the Star Trek MMO, I'm not going to lie. The idea of traipsing around the galaxy in constricting spandex peacefully discussing intergalactic peace with various warring races gets my blood moving. I loooooove superimposing my stringent moral code onto species without the technical capacity to resist. Also, did I mention the bitchin' spandex outfits and nondescript weaponry?

(no, seriously people, I'm genuinely excited, even AFTER the news of Perpetual's sudden dissolution and subsequent acquisition by a questionable, unknown company.)

Now this is a scary joker, destroying a priceless table... oh, the villainy.



And is it too much ask if we'll ever have another hispanic Joker ever again?

When I think about why Namor is my favorite superhero his recent comics are not the first things that come to mind. In fact, anything after the Tales to Astonish by Everret and Kirby are kind of a drab portrayal of the Crowned Prince of Atlantis. I mean even the super powerful, insane Ultimate Submariner was just kind of lame.

I think I first fell in love with Namor after watching a beat-up VHS of the old 1960's cartoon. My dad had found the old Marvel cartoons all at a swap meet or something, the Spider-man and iron man series included. Most importantly they were all in Spanish. There was something mesmerizing about the Namor show in Spanish, almost like you didn't even need to understand the show to understand how much of a prick Namor is... his refusal to take anyone's advice, his ignorance to studying an enemy, his blatant disregard for the safety of others. Being an asshole is a universal language. But even though he was a serious douchbag he always seemed to come out on top (except if he was fighting the Fantastic Four, which is a completely different matter). I really think Namor gave me a positive message as a kid, as long as you're rich, powerful, and have reasonable upper body strength people will fear you and, on rare occasions, consider leaving their super intelligent, stretchable scientist husbands for you. And that's why Namor was the first realistic super hero role model for kids... he wasn't a momma's boy, do-gooder like Superman, he wasn't a jingoistic, flag waver like Captain America, or dark-brooding billioner who like to spend his time with young boys a la Michael Jackson or Batman. He was an heir, he was a douche, he was born with these powers that he didn't have to earn, and no matter what bad thing happened to him things would always come up roses. He was an early day Paris Hilton, except Namor usually wears more clothes.

In honor of my childhood, watch this


I have no idea what's going on here, but I do know that Namor doesn't lift a damn finger to help the world in peril... he even goes as far to steal a giant rotating stone head alongside Dr. Doom. Also there was a Captain America cameo, but if you blinked you missed it.

Ok, so we’ve got some new promo pics for Dark Knight.



I think I figured it out. I think I figured out why I don’t like the direction the Joker is going. Follow me here for a minute, ok?

In college, I took a class on the Holocaust, and toward the end of the semester we had a holocaust survivor come in and speak to us. (This is going somewhere, I promise) When we were able to ask questions, I was the first to raise my hand and I asked what Nazis were REALLY like, because all I have is the completely over the top EVIL incarnations I see in movies and TV. He said they were “clean”. He said that was what was the scariest thing about them. That they were “clean”. He said that it boggled the mind that they could commit such atrocities and still care about a pressed suit. It made sense, because how do you carry out something so terrible unless you are organized, unless you command attention with your care and delicacy?

And it hit me that I have the same opinion of the Joker. Sure, he’s bat shit crazy (pun completely intended), but part of the terror is the fact that he looks like he combed his hair for an hour and shined his shoes (sorry Daf, the dusty shoes don't jump out at me anymore) before he decided to go out and kill. It’s never spoken about, I don’t think. Joker doesn’t dwell on the niceties, but they are there. My favorite Joker has posture, poise, comfort, and is almost stoic. That way he has a place to GO when he wants to flip out.

Right now Heath Ledger looks like a celebrity mug shot. His hair, his makeup... it’s just chaotic. Not a fan. If all these shots reflect what he's going to look like after getting a fistfull of Batman at the end of the movie, fine, but if my introduction to Joker is THIS, I'm going to probably have a furrowed brow for most the film.

Look, I'm doing this for your own good.

Go here.

Proceed to lose your shit.

I've been sending this out to my entire buddy list all night and then I realized that this is what the Bispectacult was for in the first place.

(courtesy of the amazing kali921)