News for the Week of April 29, 2009
Rick’s Writin’s
Well gang, we're off to a great start on the BBBBS, or Business Blowout
Booty Bodies School we talked about last week. Investors were extremely
generous. We picked up a couple first born male children, a few "My
complete life savings", and even a "Cold Day in Hell".
I can barely even imagine what that could be worth. Ka'Ching!. There was
also a can't miss idea that would enable us to both take poor, drug addicted
street walking souls off the streets AND go green at the same time by
cleaning up the overly abundant ant population and putting them to good
use in said street walkers pants, without killing them or using harmful
chemicals (applies to both), producing our usual high quality Arteest
Booty Shakers, helping the community, and get paid for doing it. Mo'Money,
Mo'Money!! Please, don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity while
it's still available. You don't want this to be the "Big One"
that got away. Just sayin'.
I also said I would tell what was going to be on sale during FREE COMIC BOOK DAY, this coming Saturday, May 2nd. Here's a hint...just about everything. There will be a few exceptions, like gaming cards (Magic packs). New comics WON"T be, of course, but trades and back issues will. We try to make the sale worth coming out for, even for our regulars, so for real, don’t miss out. There's some excellent FCBD comics this year and everyone will get a bag of those while supplies last, so I hope to see you all there this coming Saturday. We open at 11:00am, but maybe, just maybe, I'll open a bit earlier. Not too much earlier though, as I need my beauty sleep. Probably a bit though. AND, there's some great comics coming out this week too. Let's get to that...
If I remember correctly, last years comic week leading into FCBD was pretty pathetic. I wondered why the publishers would squander the week when so many new faces would be in comic shops. Not so this year. We'll have a new Previews and Wizard Magazine and DC, aside from have the first piece of Green Lantern's "Blackest Night" as a FCBD book, also has the new Green Lantern issue (#40) starring the Orange Lanterns in a Blackest Night prelude, "Agent Orange". Legion fans get the long awaited Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds (#4 of 5) mini. I hope part five isn't too long in arriving. In Gotham City, the "Battle for the Cowl" is still raging and this week's "Battle”: Underground includes all your favorite Bat villains, with Catwoman, The Riddler, Harley Quinn, Two-Face, The Penguin and more working to control the Batless Gotham City. I thought the Riddler had gone straight and was now a detective for hire. Maybe not. Justice Society (#26) has a special story that ties to the previous Black Adam story, but this issue has three different Alex Ross covers that form a large picture featuring all the members of the JSA. Very Nice! Lastly, on the DC side we have the first issue of The Literals, the new vertigo title that is also part of the Fables/Jack of Fables big crossover story (This week's Literals (#1) is part 3 of 9 total) I'm guessing Paula will talk more on this one.
Marvel has some goods this week too, most of it involving the Dark Reign, starting with the Dark Avengers (#4). Norman Osborn has made his assessments of the New Dark Avengers team, and now, there's some changes on the horizon and not everybody is happy, including the newly re-united Cabal. What's this Cabal you ask? How convenient that we also have the one-shot Dark Reign: Cabal this week to answer your question. Marvel baddies Doctor Doom, Emma Frost, Loki, and more form this cabal of evil under the guidance of Mr. Osborn. I'd say "Nuff Said" but it's been used before. The Thunderbolts (#131) tie up their Deadpool crossover story Magnum Opus with the last/part four of that one. Carol Danvers' Ms. Marvel might have been killed in last issue (#37), because this week's issue of Ms. Marvel (#38 'natch) and Dark Reign tie-in has Moonstone taking over as the Ms. of Marvel. I'd guess then Dark Reign must mean bad is good. NOT part of the Dark Reign is the Ultimate Hulk/ Wolverine battle (#5 of 6). Looks like Marvel may actually finish this one eventually. Uncanny X-Men (#509) has babes galore as The Sisterhood continues to be a thorn in the X-Men's side. Normally, I wouldn't note about babes galore as I don't want to be seen as a sexist boob (not seen is key). In this case though, I want to point out the art of Uncanny's penciler and cover artist Greg Land. I think he draws some of the prettiest women being drawn by ANY comic artist. He's top tier as far as I'm concerned. Go back and look at his work on Crossgen's Sojourn, Marvel's Ultimate Power, and this recent Uncanny run and you'll see what I mean. Oh, we're also getting in President Obama Bobble Heads!! AND, Easter Island desk displays!! Woo Hoo!
I've not written about the
Mariners lately on purpose. I wanted to see how things would work out
and didn't want to seem all giddy based on the first few games. Well,
they've got almost twenty games in now, and I'll say it...I think we have
a shot at the division title. The guys are playing well, the pitching
and defense is very much improved, and will have to stay that way. I'm
worried some about the overall hitting, but the M's have been running
and playing scrappy and they have early momentum in our own division.
It won't be easy. Oakland is going to be pesky, and the Angels seem snake
bit but probably won't totally fold either. Texas doesn't have the pitching
to hang in long term. We'll have to play well against good teams, not
just teams down on their luck. The Detroit series wasn't that great for
us. A little more bat power would be nice to see. Russell Branyan looks
pretty good. I like Endy Chavez too. And Junior just being here has been
great, even though playing wise he's started a bit slow. This is a different
team than the last couple years. The new staff has changed the players’
attitude and how they go about their business. It's noticeably different
and better. I like it. This team is much more interesting and entertaining
than the previous few years. A great rebuilding start, and maybe even
an unexpected huge one year turnaround into contenders. It should be a
fun baseball summer. And I like the guy Aaron Curry the Seahawks took
yesterday. Can't have too many good linebackers, and this guy is supposed
to be the best one coming out of college in the last five years. That
works for me. See you on FCBD this Saturday!!
Paula’s Picks
I saw one of Rick’s BBBBS dancers yesterday. This guy was wearing
a nice suit with a bright blue tie, scarf, handkerchief and hat band.
He was looking good and dancing well. I’ve already gotten a flying
pig from my investment in his program! *
*actor portraying real testimonial written by real writers
We’re getting the newest Atomic Robo mini-series. This series has done really well for a small indy book. We’ve got the first two trade paperbacks in stock if you’d like to catch up and start reading this one. Also from Red5, we’re getting the Neozoic trade paperback. In this series, dinosaurs did not die off and humans share the same world. Can you imagine always running away from dinosaurs? I bet there are no couch potatoes in that world. I've been waiting for the collection to come out to read it, so now's my chance!
I got to finish the first Freakangels (Warren Ellis) collection the other day. It was very good. The art was nice and the story is intriguing. He gives you just enough information to keep you wondering what happened in the past.
Like Rick said, The Literals #1 comes out this week. This is part of the Great Fables Crossover with Fables and Jack of Fables. The story has been great! I can’t really talk about it without giving anything away except that Babe the Blue Ox is my favorite!
Just in time for the X-Men
Origins Wolverine movie (really, it’s just Wolverine) is X-Men Origins
Wolverine #1 comic. Will it cover the movie? Does it cover more than the
movie? Does it cover anything at all? You’ll just have to read it
to find out!
I hope to see everyone on Free Comic Book Day! It’s always a fun
day and I hope the weather is nice for it!