The List - 7/1/09

Another week, another wednesday and thusly another edition of The List. And if things looked sparse last week, well things are downright lonely for tomorrow.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Season 8 #28 - Team Buffy has become all about sneaky in a world where Slayers are now feared and hated, and vampires would rank at the top of a popularity poll. All hands are on deck as Scotland's brand-newest Slayer headquarters comes under attack; but, when things get more than a little fried, Buffy has to punt. There are yaks. - I love Buffy. I have since I caught the fourth episode of the first season of the show when it was on the WB network on monday nights. I have an abundance of Buffy statues. I like Buffy the comic. I'm worried about this issue though.

I hope you were paying attention to that bit earlier, you know the one, where I gushed over how much I adore Buffy in all it's forms. This issue is being written by Buffy-alumn Jane Espenson, and while that would normally be cause to do the Snoopy dance, she's written an issue of the comic before and it was, well as Buffy would say, "gahh". Hopefully this issue will make up for that as Jane, who wrote two of the best Buffy episodes (Earshot and Conversations With Dead People) gets back into Buffy-mode.

Which leads to a sidebar, while researching this article I came across this little fun bit:



I really wish this show had happened. But I'll probably write about that another time.

BATMAN AND ROBIN #2 - "Batman Reborn" continues with the reteaming of Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely (ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, WE3, New X-Men)! In a blazing Gotham City police department, the new Batman and Robin face the bizarre, fighting freakshow that is the Circus of Strange and find that they don't make as good a team as Batman had hoped! Meanwhile, the mysterious Sasha escapes from Professor Pyg and vows vengeance on the people who killed her father. - Hard to believe it's already been a month since the launch of Batman And Robin. The first issue was fantastic and I'm really looking forward to more. As long as Morrison stays in this mode and doesn't veer too far to the sides and kick into his crazy story mode, we're set.

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #38 - "Emerald Eclipse" hits its shocking conclusion leading directly into BLACKEST NIGHT. The sciencell riot causes a new law to be doctored into the Book of Oa as Kyle and Guy fight against it. What fate awaits the honor guards, and who will be left standing from the riot that shook Oa to its core? - Oh man, this is it. This is the final issue of GLC until the official start of DC's Blackest Night event and I'm beyond jazzed for this. GLC continues to knock it out of the park, and if it can keep at this pace Blackest Night is going to blow the Sinesto Corps war out of the water.

GREEN LANTERN: RAGE OF THE RED LANTERNS HC - The War of Light begins in this hardcover collection! First, a ruthless, by-the-books new task force of Green Lanterns known as the Alpha Lanterns is born, creating tension within the heroic ranks of the Green Lantern Corps. Then, Hal Jordan battles for his life when the Red Lantern Corps, a brutal brigade of monsters fueled by rage, attacks! But nothing could prepare the heroes for the arrival of even more colored Lanterns! - Green Lantern is one of four titles that I buy both monthly and by trade (the others being Green Lantern Corps, Fables and Jack of Fables). I'm really excited to go back and revisit these issues featuring the debut of the Red Lanterns, my favorite of the new Corps (second going to either the Blue or Orange depending on how I feel that day). With the exciting direction that Geoff Johns has taken the Green Lantern franchise in since he took over in 2005, I've gone back and reread the trades countless times, so some "new" material is greatly appreciated.

New Old Republic.

Play "Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic"

BioWare's first bought in the Star Wars universe set even a longer time ago in a galaxy far far away. The game was released for both the PC and original Xbox. If you don't own a copy I'd suggest purchasing the "Star Wars: Best of the PC" box, which can be found new on sites like Amazon for about $38. If you are looking to pick up "KOTOR" alone be ready to drop close to $90 on it new.

Pop "KOTOR" back in and familiarize yourself with the setting. The Mandalorian War has just ended but a new threat to Galactic peace has risen. "KOTOR" does start a little slow and the battle mechanic takes some getting use to. However, once you get your first lightsabre the game really picks up. Plus, the puzzles in the game are unique and fun. Overall "KOTOR" is a great Star Wars game buy it, barrow it, play it.


Build a Lightsabre.

Yes, build your very own lightsabre. I have so it can't be that hard. All it takes is a few trips to the plumbing section of your local hardware store, an L.E.D. and some tinkering. Maybe I will write another post on the step by steps, but for now here is what a few hours of work and $60 got me:

Check out http://www.thecustomsabershop.com to learn more about the process of constructing a new lightsabre and then your skills will be complete.

Read Star Wars Comics.

Dark Horse Comics is the home for Star Wars comics, and tomorrow (July 1) releases a new book: "Star Wars: Invasion #1". I'll be jumping on this book with the #1, all the reviews I have read about the Dark Horse Star Wars line have been glowing. Invasion joins the line along side "Legacy" (follows Cade Skywalker the last descendant of Luke Skywalker) "Clone Wars" (Anakin Skywalker pre Vader post puberty) and "Knights of the Old Republic" (yes, based on the game you should have played by now).

Hope that helps stoke your Star Wars love enough to hold you over, if not keep checking back.

The 2009 Harvey Award Nominees

Every year in Baltimore, they celebrate some of the years most innovative talent in honor of Harvey Kurtzman, the cartoonist behind the creation of Mad Magazine as well as his work on Playboy and EC Comics.

The awards are voted on by professional talent within the comics industry and the awards themselves are handed out at the annual Baltimore Comic Con. This is one of the comic mediums biggest awards, almost like the Golden Globes to what the Eisners are to the Oscars. This years nominees are:

BEST WRITER
Kyle Baker, NAT TURNER, Abrams books
Ed Brubaker, CAPTAIN AMERICA, Marvel Comics
John Gallagher, BUZZBOY, Sky Dog Comics
Jeff Kinney, DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, Amulet Books
Grant Morrison, ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, DC Comics

My pick: While some of his other works of the past year such as Batman and Final Crisis have been met with very mixed reviews from both critics and fans, I think everyone is in agreement that Grant Morrisons All-Star Superman is easilly one of the best Superman stories of all time.

BEST ARTIST
Gabriel Ba, UMBRELLA ACADEMY, Dark Horse Comics
Kyle Baker, NAT TURNER, Abrams Books
Jimmy Gownley, AMELIA RULES, Renaissance Press
Jason Kruse, WORLD OF QUEST, Yen Press
Frank Quitely, ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, DC Comics

My Pick: Again, I'm giving it to the All-Star Superman team. Quitely has a "love it or hate it" style of artwork, but his involvment in this title was key. Quitely did what he does best, he made the tale both over the top and human at the same time.

BEST CARTOONIST
Lar deSouza, LEAST I COULD DO
John Gallagher, BUZZBOY, Sky Dog Comics
Al Jaffee, TALL TALES, Abrams Books
Jeff Kinney, DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, Amulet Books
Thom Zahler, LOVE & CAPES, Maerkle Press

My Pick: Diary Of A Wimpy Kid, easy. This book is everywhere, as it rightfully should be. It's a lot of fun for all ages and should easily take this category if Love & Capes doesn't.

BEST LETTERER
Jimmy Gownley, AMELIA RULES, Renaissance Press
Rob Leigh, THE SPIRIT, DC Comics
Doug Sherwood, LOCAL, Oni Press
John Workman, MARVEL 1985, Marvel Comics
Thom Zahler, BUZZBOY, Sky Dog Comics

My Pick: Marvel: 1985 has a great look to it, and the lettering really evokes the time, and reminded me a lot of what was used in the seminal Marvel tale, Marvels.

BEST INKER
Rich Faber, BUZZBOY, Sky Dog Comics
Jamie Grant, ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, DC Comics
Jeff Kinney, DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, Amulet Books
Mark Morales, THOR, Marvel Comics
Ryan Winn, THE DARKNESS, Image Comics

My Pick: This was honestly a tough one. I really want to pick Rich Faber on this as I grew up reading his work on Green Lantern, and I've also been a fan of Mark Morales stuff with Steve McNiven, but I have to give it to Jamie Grant. The detail and steady hand necessary to ink Quitelys work is insane.

BEST COLORIST
Frank Cammuso, OTTO'S ORANGE DAY, Raw Junior, LLC
Jamie Grant, ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, DC Comics
Laura Martin, THOR, Marvel Comics
Wil Quintana, THE MICE TEMPLAR, Image Comics
Dave Stewart, UMBRELLA ACADEMY, Dark Horse Comics

My Pick: While I don't read it, I have to say Thor is a beautiful book. I think all the others have an almost too flat look to them.

BEST COVER ARTIST
Frank Cho, BUZZBOY: SIDEKICKS RULE!#3, Sky Dog Press
James Jean, FABLES, Vertigo Comics
Jay Lynch, MINDSHAFT #23, Mindshaft Publishing
Ken Rocafort, PILOT SEASON: CORE #1, Top Cow
Alex Ross, JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA, DC Comics

My Pick: As one of my favorite artists, let alone comic artists, I have to say James Jean hands down. His work is amazing and I miss his covers to Fables. I'm sorry Alex Ross, I'm over the photo referenced, static look of all your stuff.

BEST NEW SERIES
THE DREAMER
ECHO
HIGH MOON
NIGHT OWLS
SUPERTRON

My Pick: I'm shocked to see two Zuda titles on this list but I have to say High Moon. This is not only horror, best western done right.

BEST CONTINUING OR LIMITED SERIES
ALL-STAR SUPERMAN, DC Comics
CAPTAIN AMERICA, Marvel Comics
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, Amulet Books
MICE TEMPLAR, Image Comics
UMBRELLA ACADEMY, Dark Horse Comics

My Pick: Yeah, I'm going with All-Star Superman. It was an amazing book and well deserving of the award.

BEST BIOGRAPHICAL, HISTORICAL OR JOURNALISTIC PRESENTATION
DRAW!, edited by Mike Manley, Twomorrows Publishing
HOW TO MAKE WEBCOMICS, Brad Guigar, Dave Kellett,
Scott Kurtz, and Kris Straub, Image Comics
KIRBY: KING OF COMICS, Mark Evanier, Abrams Books
SCORCHY SMITH AND THE ART OF NOEL SICKLES,
edited by Dean Mullaney, IDW
WORDLESS BOOKS: THE ORIGINAL GRAPHIC NOVELS,
edited by David A. Berona, Abrams Books

My Pick: I haven't honestly read any of these, but on name recognition alone, Mark Evanier has done some really good stuff.

BEST SYNDICATED STRIP OR PANEL
BREWSTER ROCKIT: SPACE GUY!, Tim Rickard, Tribune Media Services
GET FUZZY, Darby Conley, United Features Syndicate
MUTTS, Patrick McDonnell, King Features Syndicate
THE NORM, Michael Jantze, Uclick Gocomics
PEARLS BEFORE SWINE, Stephan Pastis, United Features Syndicate

My Pick: Is it wrong to say that I really enjoy Mutts?

BEST ANTHOLOGY
COMIC BOOK TATTOO, edited by Rantz Hoseley, Image Comics
FLIGHT VOLUME 5, edited by Kazu Kibuishi, Villard
MOME VOLUME 10, edited by Eric Reynolds, Fantagraphics Books
PIXU #1, edited by Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon, Self-Published
POPGUN VOLUME 2, edited by Joe Keatinge and Mark Andrew Smith,
Image Comics

My Pick: Comic Book Tattoo, just because of the sheer amount of talent behind it.

BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM - ORIGINAL
BOTTOMLESS BELLY BUTTON, Fantagraphics Books
DIARY OF A WIMPY KID: RODRICK RULES, Amulet Books
ESSEX COUNTY: THE COUNTRY NURSE, Top Shelf
SKIM, Groundwood Books
TOO COOL TO BE FORGOTTEN, Top Shelf
WORLD OF QUEST: VOL. 2, Yen Press

My Pick: The sampler I read of Too Cool To Be Forgotten was good, but I'm going with Diary Of A Wimpy Kid still, too much fun.

BEST GRAPHIC ALBUM - PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED
AMELIA RULES!: FUNNY STORIES, Renaissance Press
M, Abrams Books
NAT TURNER, Abrams Books
THE MICE TEMPLAR: VOL. 1, Image Comics
QUEEN AND COUNTRY: VOLUME 3, Oni Press
SKYSCRAPERS OF THE MIDWEST (HARDCOVER), Adhouse Book

My Pick: Nat Turner. I'm shocked that Kyle Baker wasn't up for Best Cartoonist, but this works just as well.

BEST SINGLE ISSUE OR STORY
ACME NOVELTY LIBRARY #19, Self-Published
FIRST BORN: AFTERMATH #1, Top Cow
LOVE AND ROCKETS, VOL. 3 #1, Fantagraphics Books
M, Abrams Books
NASCAR HEROES #5, NASCAR Comics
NAT TURNER, Abrams Books
THE AMAZING REMARKABLE MONSIEUR LEOTARD, First Second
Y: THE LAST MAN #60, Vertigo Comics

My Pick: Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra made me cry with Y: The Last Man #60. You bastards.

BEST DOMESTIC REPRINT PROJECT
ASTOUNDING SPACE THRILLS, IDW
COMPLETE PEANUTS, Fantagraphics Books
COMPLETE TERRY AND THE PIRATES, IDW
SCORCHY SMITH AND THE ART OF NOEL SICKLES, IDW
WACKY PACKAGES, Abrams Books

My Pick: Just because of his contributions to the world of comic strips, Charles Schultz's Complete Peanuts. These are some really classy looking books too.

BEST AMERICAN EDITION OF FOREIGN MATERIAL
GUS AND HIS GANG, First Second
POCKET FULL OF RAIN, Fantagraphics Books
RED COLORED ELEGY, Drawn and Quarterly
SOLANIN, Viz
WITCHBLADE TAKERU MANGA #'s 11 & 12, Top Cow

My Pick: Im not too big on foreign comics, so just out of familiarity I'd have to say Witchblade, even though it's psudeo-tentacle porn. I think.

BEST ON-LINE COMICS WORK
BLACK CHERRY BOMBSHELLS, Tony Trovarello and
John Zito, www.zudacomics.com
HIGH MOON, Scott O. Brown, www.zudacomics.com
LEAST I COULD DO, Lar deSouza and Ryan Sohmer, www.leasticoulddo.com
NIGHT OWLS, Bobby & Peter Timony, www.zudacomics.com
PVP, Scott Kurtz, www.pvponline.com

My Pick: High Moon is fantastic, but I feel like Scott Kurtz might get this. He's a big name in the web comic world, the strips are being collected by Image Comics and he's the host of the awards ceremony, so it's possible he could walk away with this.

SPECIAL AWARD FOR HUMOR IN COMICS
Lar deSouza, LEAST I COULD DO, www.leasticoulddo.com
John Gallagher, BUZZBOY, Sky Dog Comics
Al Jaffee, TALL TALES, Abrams Books
Jeff Kinney, DIARY OF A WIMPY KID, Amulet Books
David Malki, WONDERMARK, www.wondermark.com

My Pick: Diary Of A Wimpy Kid. Yeah, same reasons as before.

SPECIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PRESENTATION
COMPLETE LOCAL: HARDCOVER EDITION, Ryan Kelly and
Brian Wood, Oni Press
KIRBY: KING OF COMICS, Mark Evanier, Abrams Books
QUEEN AND COUNTRY: VOLUME 3, Greg Rucka, Mike Norton,
Steve Rolston, and Chris Samnee, Oni Press
TALL TALES, Al Jaffee, Abrams Books
WONDERMARK, VOL. 1: BEARDS OF OUR FOREFATHERS,
David Malki, Dark Horse Comics

My Pick: I really hope Local gets this. I love Brian Wood and while I don't think this book was as strong as Demo or Couriers, it's a solid book.


BEST NEW TALENT
Matt Cassan, NASCAR: HEROES, nascar comics
Bryan J.L. Glass, THE MICE TEMPLAR, image books
Laura Innes, THE DREAMER, Idw
Tim Sievert, THAT SALTY AIR, top shelf
Bobby Timony, NIGHT OWLS, www.zudacomics.com

My Pick: I'm honestly not blown away by any of this talent, no offense. Maybe Bryan Glass for Mice Templar, even though the book doesn't have the same effect on me as say Mouse Guard does.

Does Busting Make Me Feel Good?

What is it about 80's nostalgia, that make me run to the theatre on an opening night or, in this case, to the store to buy the latest video game? I'm not completely sure but, I blame Ronald Reagan. From movie studio re-makes of 1980's horror movies, to new release of old Saturday morning cartoons, there seems to be a cash cow for anyone willing to push past the rubik's cubes and pet rocks to find gold. Though for a while it seemed, there was one major 1980's gem that would never see a new millennium make-over: "Ghostbusters".



Rumor has it that both Harold Ramis and Dan Aykroyd had plotted a third Ghostbusters film shortly after the release of the slime time sequel "Ghostbusters 2". For reasons unknown this plot has never seen the silver screen, but has now been released on video game systems world wide. "Ghostbusters: The Video Game" was released 25 years after the first film and over 2 years after the game's announcement. It wasn't an easy two years of development, Activision dropped the game a few months before its first scheduled release date of last holiday season, but even before that Bill Murray was not signed on to come back to provide the voice of Peter Venkman. Luckily for all, Bill Murray realized he had nothing better to do with his time and got to a recording studio and another star from the 80's stepped up to publish "Ghostbusters", Atari.

The promise of more ghostbusting is something I think few of us children of the 80's could pass. "Ghostbusters: The Video Game" takes place in 1991, one year after "Ghostbusters 2". You take on the role of a new buster, whom is referred to only as "kid" "rookie" and other assorted nicknames. As luck would have it, on your first day a strange paranormal wave sweeps through the Big Apple, making a ghostly mess only the Ghostbusters can clean.



I have to say this game falls below the 1984 classic film, but well above the horrid 1997 cartoon "Extreme Ghostbusters". Most of the voice acting comes across as a mailed-in effort at worst or a "Ghostbusters" the experience ride at Universal Studios at best. Adding to the feel of an amusement park ride verses a whole new movie, is the fact the first 3 levels are locations from the first film. The hotel we first saw "Slimmer", another fight with the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man, and lastly the public library where the ghostbusting trio failed to "Get her". Maybe I was looking for a gentle nod to the past instead of a full drag down memory lane, since I can pop in the DVD and see those scenes and places at anytime. The is no real death mechanic in this game, there is however, the doom of acting like a turtle flipped on its back (those proton packs are heavy mother pussers). When your teammates start shouting "Help I've fallen and I can't get up" the player has to go around and pick-up each other. If the whole party is knocked over then game over. Expect your teammates to get knocked over a bunch, leaving most boss battles to be running from one fallen friend to the next fallen man. That makes the game feel more like babysitting then ghostbusting.

On the plus side, the wrangling and trapping ghosts feels exactly like it should, like catching fish, a real big heavy ugly undead fish... It feels good. It feels good enough to keep me playing through one controller throwing aggravation filled boss battle to the next. The moments where I was along side some of my childhood heroes, zapping away at ghosts were awesome. Come on, I even got to try the fire pole. Isn't that what I was really looking for, that feeling of empowerment I once got when I strapped that Kenner toy plastic proton pack to my back and press the trigger to send a piece of yellow Styrofoam a spinning? Yes, yes it is.

My advice is if you are like me and you bought the game new, order some Chinese take out and chew slowly, cause you just spent a little too much of the petty cash. I'm not seeing all that much in replay value. The game also, does not work out well as a pass the controller party game, as it is a little too frustrating for a complete casual gamer to have fun playing. This game is a real strong rental or a wait for a price drop.

The List - 6/24/09

Another week, another List of books to grab from the comic shop. As with the past couple weeks this one sees the release of a couple new titles and some old favorites:

DETECTIVE COMICS #854 - "Elegy" part 1 of 4! A new era in the history of DETECTIVE COMICS begins as Batwoman is unleashed on Gotham City! Marked by the blood-red bat, Kate Kane is a soldier fighting her own private war – one that began years ago and haunts her every waking moment. With a script by Greg Rucka and breath-taking art by JH Williams III, you've never seen anything like this! Featuring the debut of a new co-feature starring The Question written by Rucka! Odds against you? Alone and nowhere to turn? Willing to fight, but you don't know how? When you're searching everywhere for an answer, sometimes all you need to do is ask the right Question. Renee Montoya again dons the faceless mask to help those in need, all the while searching for her own answers in this new adventure with art by Cully Hamner (BLUE BEETLE). - Batwoman finally makes her monthly debut years after her initial debut in the pages of DC's 52 and her appearance in last years Final Crisis: Revelations mini series. The books being handled by one of DC's best, Greg Rucka, who not only knows his way around strong female characters (see Whitout, Wonder Woman and Gotham Central) but also the character since he's almost exclusively written her since her inception. The books also being drawn by one of the industry's best and most underrated artists JH Williams, so it's going to be beautiful to boot. It'll be interesting to see how long this title, which has always been one of the flagship Batman books of the company, will flourish without the character that made it popular for the better part of 70 years.

This issue also features the first co-feature starring the Question, which is also being written by Rucka. The two characters, Batwoman and The Question, do have a shared history so it will be interesting to see if there are any carry-over threads from one feature to another.

GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #1 - This all-new series features the bad girls of Gotham City! Catwoman, Poison Ivy and Harley Quinn are tired of playing by other people's rules regardless of which side of the law they're on. These tough ladies have a new agenda that's all their own, and they'll use any means necessary to pursue it. But can they get along and work as a team? And who will get hurt along the way? DETECTIVE COMICS and STREETS OF GOTHAM writer Paul Dini kicks off this brand-new ongoing series with amazing artwork by Guillem March (JOKER'S ASYLUM: POISON IVY, GOTHAM GAZETTE). - The next of DC's new Batman-family titles (alongside Batman and Robin, Streets Of Gotham, and Red Robin), features a couple familiar faces handled by the writer who made them famous, Paul Dini. Also on the title is artist Guillem March, most known for his coverwork. As much as I'm looking forward to this book, I can't say it's something I see lasting for too long, although it is possible since Catwoman sustained a solo title for more than 50 issues. It'll be interesting to see how this one goes as well.

GREEN LANTERN #42 - The conclusion to "Agent Orange"! Hal battles the leader of the Orange Lanterns in a bizarre confrontation between will and avarice! But what is the true secret behind the power of the Orange Light? And what value does it hold for the other Corps? -While both Green Lantern titles have been exploring the various new Corps involved in the coming War of Light and next months looming Blackest Night event, the two titles have done so in different ways. While Green Lantern Corps has juggled various plotlines in each issue, Green Lantern has focused more on one solid storyline at a time. While both books handle their respective stories well, seeing how the threads from each come together in the near future is going to be really exciting.

THE LITERALS #3 - "The Great Fables Crossover" part 9 of 9! In this issue it's all over. No, we don't just mean that the big crossover event is over, we mean it's all over for the universe and everyone in it. Kevin Thorn, the Literal embodiment of storytelling, wants to rewrite the universe, beginning again with a new blank page. In this issue he gets his wish. What more is there to say? - Fables has continued to be a solid read since it's debut, and while it's spin-off title Jack of Fables has had it's own moments of greatness, the book has been just ok. Thankfully all the Fables books, including the three issue The Literals title that helped make the Great Fables Crossover an almost weekly event, have been fantastic.

TEEN TITANS #72 - Thirty pages of story content! In the first feature, Wonder Girl's leadership is put to the test as the team faces the all-new Fearsome Five! In the debut of the 10-page co-feature, Ravager goes solo for the first time, continuing her descent into darkness begun in TERROR TITANS. - Unfortunately Teen Titans has become a real hit or miss book ever since the departure of Geoff Johns. The book hit a good stride during the One Year Later jump following the Infinite Crisis event a few years ago. Between constant lineup changes with both the titular title team and the creative team involved, Teen Titans seems to still be looking for it's sweet spot. Hopefully it finds it soon or both this and the ancillary Titans book may find their way off of The List.

Not to sound like I'm going in with low expectations, because I am looking forward to this issue since it also boasts the begining of the Ravager cofeature in the back. The character of Ravager was one of Geoff John's best contributions to the Titan's world, and the character has always been a highpoint to the book in my opinion.

RUNAWAYS #11 - “Homeschooling” New creative team! Cataclysmic new direction! In this arc, one Runaway will die, and one Runaway will live! Rising star Kathryn Immonen (PATSY WALKER: HELLCAT) and Sarah Pichelli (NYX) take the reins of the Runaways. Making out? Check. Cliffhangers? Check. Silly hats? Check. This is the Runaways arc you CAN’T miss. - Oh Runaways, what to do with you. I was lucky enough to get in on the ground floor with this book when it was launched by the ever guiding and loving hand of Brian K. Vaughan as part of Marvel's Tsunami line of comics. Being the only title to survive the line, the book floundered during a Civil War meet up with Marvel's other teen characters the Young Avengers. Then Joss Whedon delivered an underwhelming (I can't believe I just had to type that) time-travel tale, then another, suprisingly ok this time though, meet up with the Young Avengers during the Secret Invasion event, and finally a "meh" run from Strangers In Paradise's Terry Moore. It was at that point I did something I never thought I'd have to do: Runaways fell from The List.

Then something surprising happened. An issue of Runaways I ordered before the decision to drop the book arrived in my pull box, and I found it to be quite entertaining. So Kathryn Immonen, you have my attention... for now.

The List - 6/17/09

After a stellar outing last week it seems like it's time to take a break, and while there's no lack of big titles hitting the stands this week, it's going to be pretty light on the wallet for me...

BATMAN: THE STREETS OF GOTHAM - An all-new Batman series by the DETECTIVE COMICS creative team of Paul Dini and Dustin Nguyen! As a new Batman rises on the streets of Gotham City, the heroes, villains and citizens take notice. How will the police feel about this new Batman, and can he control the crime in Gotham the way the old Batman did? This new series also features a regular ongoing co-feature starring Manhunter written by Marc Andreyko and illustrated by Georges Jeanty (Buffy Season 8)! Kate Spencer lost a friend during the chaos of BATTLE FOR THE COWL, and now she wants payback. As usual, she'll use any means necessary to get it - The first of two Batman books helmed by All-Star Bat-writer Paul Dini launches this week, with two names closely associated with Batman on board (both Dini and Nguyen have headed up Batman books before) the real reason to pick this one up is that it's the second of DC's titles to offer the new back up feature stories (with the first being last weeks Booster Gold #21). It's an interesting experiment on DC's part to see if these titles can hold, or in some cases, gain readership with a price tag $1 higher than most of the lines books, but 10 extra pages of story.

THE OUTSIDERS #19 - "The Deep" part 5 of 6! With half of the Outsiders captured and the remaining members on the run, things have reached a boiling point for Alfred's new squad! And to make matters worse, Deathstroke the Terminator discovers he may have found a way to increase his amazing powers. Meanwhile, the search for the mysterious meteorite – and its strange connection to the Insiders - continues! - One has to wonder how long this title will stay relevant to the current Bat-mythos. This Alfred Pennyworth led team was handpicked by Batman and assembled after his passing to act in his stead. So now that there's a new face under the cowl how long could this new incarnation of the team be around? Hopefully for a while, as under writer Pete Tomasi, The Outsiders has been knocking it out of the park since the books original re-relaunch in 2003 under the pen of Judd Winnick.

EXCHANGE RATE ON KRUEGERS

In 2010 New Line Cinema will be releasing A Nightmare on Elm Street, a remake of Wes Cravens' hit 1984 movie. I don’t know about you, but I don’t get why they are rebooting all the slasher franchises. These movies don’t need a rebooting, they need to be taken seriously. To have Toby Hooper make a big budget remake of his own movie The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, was unnecessary; just have him make a new installment. We know their histories- just give us good movies. Wes Craven who has given his blessing on three remakes of his early low budget movies (The Hills Have Eyes, The Hills Have Eyes 2 and Last House on the Left) is as displeased with the idea of A Nightmare on Elm Street remake as I am. Why restart something that has more than 20 years of history and such a colorful character brought to life by Robert Englund?


Englund who has reprised the Freddy Krueger role 9 times in movies and TV; his last being the 2003 highly anticipated Freddy VS. Jason, where he showed he still has the chops to play the sadistic dream demon.


Unlike Jason and Michael Myers who are monsters that show no emotion and have no dialogue, Freddy Krueger is all dialogue and emotion. Finding someone new to bring Freddy’s personality (which is what really makes the Nightmare On Elm Street series worth watching) to the big screen is really important. Thank God they didn’t hire Harland Williams to play the Dream Master, but instead the man who in 2009 showed what it takes to be a super hero in the movie Watchmen.

Jackie Earle Haley became the twisted hero Rorschach- let’s hope he can bring half of that intensity to Freddy Krueger


NERD4LIFE

Comic Book Alphabet Of Awesomeness - E

You know how many REALLY awesome comic book characters there are whose names start with the letter E?

One.

His name is Electro.

Max Dillon worked as a lineman for an electric company, and was all fine and dandy until one day he was working on a line when a freak lightning accident altered his nervous system., which turned him into a living energy capacitor.

Which is pretty bad ass when you consider it. Because who hasn't thought about how awesome it would be to throw around lightning bolts? You'd think this guy would be sitting on top of the world. He can generate and control mass amounts of electricity, theoretically putting him on par with Marvel's Thunder God, Thor:

Verily.

This ability also gives him control over machinery, the power to surf on power lines and wait for it, wait for it...

Yes. Electro can LITERALLY ride the lightning. It's like Lars Ulrich's wet dream come to life. He's also been shown to be able to ALTER THE BIOELECTRIC CURRENTS OF THE BRAIN IN SPIDER-MAN AND CABLE! Yeah, his archenemy and one of the MOST POWERFUL MUTANTS IN THE WORLD.

Oh my God, right? So why does nobody take Electro seriously? Let alone the fact that he constantly gets taken out easily whenever there happens to be water around as well as this little number:

How could you? What I love about most cosplay is that it shows you just how ridiculous most comic book costumes are. But don't worry Electro, I still think you're awesome.

Waiting to “Get a Life”...

Today we present an article by guest (and soon to be regular) columnist John. Scope it out:

As a boy that was raised by TV, I have been impacted by many a show. The strange and wonderness (a word I just made up) of Chris Elliot's show Get a Life have haunted me for the past 19 years.

This show was very popular in the Wetherwax household, (maybe nowhere else) as my father (Dad), sister (Sis) and I (Me) loved it. Get a Life ran from 1990-1992 and aired 35 hilarious episodes; My fav being the day the 30 year old paper boy (Chris Elliot) gets the submarine he ordered from the back of a comic book when he was 10. Then he and his father put the sub together only to get trapped inside. (A must see)... Oh yeah you can’t!

Because Fox only released 8 episodes on 4 video cassette tapes through Rhino Home Video. Then back in 2000 before DVD’s were the shit, they rereleased those 8 episodes on 2 DVD sets (that are now out of print). Why can’t I get this show on DVD when every store has bargain bins full of shitty DVD sets?

"Oh hey, I just bought the third season of Monk. You get anything John?"
"NO! Cause Get a Life ain’t for sale! And Monk fucking sucks Mom!"
"Oh John, you need to Get a Life!"

Yes I do.

Another Batgirl Tease

DC has posted the cover to Batgirl #2 by artist Phil Noto over at their blog, The Source. Still no hints as to who may be filling in the costume with the top believed and rumoured contenders are:

Cassandra Cain - The young mute daughter of assassin David Cain, who took over the role of Batgirl from the Huntress during the Batman crossover No Man's Land. Cassandra has had her ups and downs since taking the rol, but she's been in the cape ever since.

Stephanie Brown - The young daughter of Batman Z-list villain, The Cluemaster, Stephanie created an alter-ego for herself as The Spoiler, who worked alongside Robin, and after Tim Drake briefly left the Robin mantle, she functioned as the first in continuity Girl Wonder until she was fired from the role and was brought back once again as The Spoiler.

Barbara Gordon - The original Batgirl, who after a run in with the Joker was shot in the spine and left paralysed. Unable to fulfill the role of Batgirl anymore she sought to use her knowledge of computers to keep Earths various heroes in contact and informed as the Oracle.

Misfit - The young Charlotte Gage-Radcliffe, with the abilities of teleportation, superhuman strength was taken under the wing of Barbara Gordon who alongside her group the Birds of Prey act as a surrogate family to the orphaned girl.

Wendy Kuttler - Daughter of Oracle's villainous counterpart the Calculator, Wendy the caretaker of the Teen Titans headquarters was recently attacked and left paralysed from the waist down.

This teaser comes a month after DC's previous Batgirl cover reveal back on May 8th.

While the cover of the Batgirl #1 (which releases in August) seems to be the same costume worn by Cassandra Cain only with the patch covering the mouth removed, the most recent tease looks like a more updated version of the costume that Barbara wore during her tenure as Batgirl. Which fuels the rumours that Gordon will be once again taking over the role, although that still seems like a long shot since, well she can't move without a wheelchair.

The List - 6/10/09

Been a while since there's been any new article, let alone a new List, but here's hoping that things will be a little more frequent now.

Here's my picks from this week's new releases:

BATMAN #687 - In this special epilogue to BATTLE FOR THE COWL, new BATMAN writer Judd Winick rejoins the Bat Family! This 40-page issue explores the final moments of the Battle for the Cowl as the new Batman learns that winning the Cowl comes at a high price! Witness the new Batman taking to the streets of Gotham City for the first time! Putting a new man inside the Bat-suit was the easy part – now the fun begins! Guest-starring Superman and Wonder Woman, this issue is a must-read for any Batman fan. - This issue seems like it has a lot going for it, from Dick Grayson's first meeting with Wonder Woman and Superman wearing the Cowl, an additional 8 pages of story, an extra $1 on the price tag and the return of Judd Winnick as writer (which depending on your point of view that could be a good thing or a bad thing).

The Flash: Rebirth #3 - At last, the answer to the question that's plagued DC fans for decades: Who's faster, Superman or The Flash? Call your bookie and bet the farm, because you've never seen a run like this – and if speedsters keep dying at the pace they're going, you might never see another one again! - While it's been a decent story so far, I feel like a lot of the wind was taken out of this series' sails by having Barry Allen return in the pages of the love it or hate it Final Crisis event. While the mini has picked up the pace a bit (Flash puns are always the easiest to work in), it still lacks the punch that John's and Van Sciver's Green Lantern: Rebirth mini had a few years ago.

GREEN LANTERN CORPS #37 - The penultimate "Emerald Eclipse" chapter is upon us as the breakout on Oa leads to vast devastation and death across the planet. As the War of Light rages, do Kyle Rayner, Guy Gardner, Kilowog and the rest of the Corps have the willpower to quell the riot and overcome the napalm-spewing Red Lanterns and the fear-spreading Sinestro Corps? - Both Green Lantern titles have become the books to watch going into this summer and GLC has been firing on all cylinders as it juggles multiple plotlines like the riots on Oa, the Natu/Sinestro relationahip, as well as the assault on Daxam, all the while the racing towards DC's Blackest Night mini-event.

RED ROBIN #1 - Writer Chris Yost (New X-Men, X-Force) and artist by Ramon Bachs (Civil War: Front Line) kick off a brand-new ongoing series right here with "The Grail" part 1 of 4! Following the aftermath of BATTLE FOR THE COWL, a new Batman watches over Gotham City. But not everyone is ready to give up on the old one. Someone believes that Bruce Wayne may still be alive…and that someone is Red Robin. But who is wearing the Red Robin costume, and why is he traveling the globe looking for a dead man? Whoever he is, he's not alone in his search! - From solicitaion info and his general lack of appearing in any of the other Bat-Family titles it's safe to assume that previous Robin, Tim Drake, will be assuming a new mantle with this title now that Damian Wayne has taken on the roll of Robin. Tim has always been a fantastic character and this new direction looks to be interesting while still keeping within the tone of the character. Meanwhile Yost has become one of the strongest and possibly most overlooked writers in Marvel's stable, so hopefully his work at DC will continue to be as strong.

TITANS #14 - Starting this issue, we begin one-shot "Day in the Life" stories. And this issue stars Cyborg! In the grueling aftermath of the "Deathtrap" arc, Vic Stone must face the very teammates he feels he let down big-time. How he deals with it will shock you! - Cyborg has always been one of those characters that never really did anything for me, and so far the TitansFreshman has been alright, so this one may surprise me.

title has been rather hit or miss (mind you it was a Judd Winnick launch). Hugh Sterbakov writes this one and his work with other young characters in Top Cow's

COVER GIRLS OF THE DC UNIVERSE: WONDER WOMAN - My big collectible for the month, this statue sees the launch of a new collectible series designed by cheesecake or "Good Girl" artist Adam Hughes. Love his style or not, you've got to admit, the guy knows what he's doing.