Sunday 31 October 2010

What I Got And Why 29/10/2010

VALHALLAHAN
Well... it's a belated What I Got from me as I've spent the last few days attending and recovering from two monumentally awesome Rock n Roll Halloween Spectaculars, not to mention the Con or "Day of Cosplay, Booze and Queues" as I like to call it, but more on that later, the order of the day is this weeks new books.

Incognito: Bad Influences #1 - I loved the first series of this, so I'm extremely happy to see Brubaker and Phillips' fantastic series back on the shelves. In case you don't know, it's about a (sort of) reformed Pulp Supervillain in a witness protection scheme failing miserably to stay out of the dangerous world of Supervillainy. It’s a damned fine series, mixing the fantastic with the mundane with considerable aplomb.

The Weird World of Jack Staff #5 - This fantastically bonkers indie British Superhero series continues to thrill and puzzle in equal measures. As a reader who jumped aboard with #1 of this run, I'm not sure who's who beyond the intro pages each character gets, which could mean I'm missing out on bits but it's more than entertaining enough and bloomin' lovely to look at. I’m digging this series wholeheartedly.

Scalped #42 - This week in Scalped: All Misery, All The Time!!! Yep, this series continues to do what it does best, Gina and Dashiel finally meet up and a decision is made! Great stuff, but not a good jumping on point for new readers, and not even slightly for the easily offended.

I failed to find a copy of Hellblazer: City of Demons #2. Which was annoying because after you get over the awkward, over-egged slang in the first half (I actually had to check online to see if the writer was British) and the fact that Essex Road is actually quite gentrified (go to the New Rose if you find yourself in the area) not the scumzone suggested in the book. I really recommend issue one, it's classic Constantine, there's gorgeous art from Sean Murphy and it's very new reader friendly. Well worth the price of admission.

The kind folk at Limited Edition Comix [Sic] held onto their sole copy of The Bulletproof Coffin #5 for me which was nice. It's been a real bitch trying to get copies of this series but I am really loving it. Highest recommendation from me, it's trippy as fuck and clever as a dentist. Top marks!

And that is it for the (Pre-Con) What I got and Why. It was a quality week. Bad for wallet but good for the soul. On an unrelated note, it seems like ages since the last issue of Sweet Tooth came out. I’m Jonesing.

Friday 29 October 2010

What I got and Why.

Action Ash
There was not much out this week that I wanted to spend my creds on, which is fine by me because it was merciful to my wallet. However here's what I DID get, and Why..

Incognito: Bad Influence #1 - My fellow bad guy and I have been waiting for this. The first series was everything a crime/pulp/superhero comic should be and this new issue looks sure not to disappoint.

Soldier Zero #1 -
Didn't manage to get a copy last week. Got one now and, after reading it on the bus back home, I am underwhelmed.

Superman Earth One - Never really been a fan of the blue clad boy scout, but this caught my eye. I'd seen the hype that was floating around, and after a flick through in the shop, thought I'd give it the benefit of the doubt. I intend to see for myself if this is actually a new look at Superman, or just Superman with a hipster haircut.

Monday 25 October 2010

What I Got And Why 23/10/2010

Valhallahan

Vertigo: Resurrected #1 - This is an extremely fucking good collection of books from those lovely people at Vertigo, and I can tell you this with some degree of conviction because I've read 90% of the fucking thing before! It's an expensive package, but full of gems, I'm just peeved that I have so much of it already. YOU should definitelly buy it though. I'll do a full review in a bit.

Hellblazer #272 - The lead up to John's possible upcoming nuptuals continues! We have Epiphany stuck in the past with seedy young John and Bisley art and Our John in the present with Camuncoli and a Succubus WAG. It's like 'Life on Mars' but with more bastards and more sex. Also this issue ties in to the House of Secrets Annual which was a nice touch.

DV8: Gods and Monsters #7 - Stuff does seem to be happening in this series now, but I must say a lot of the sheen has worn off. One more issue to go and I'll be glad when it finishes to be honest, it seems like I've been reading the introduction to a story for over half a year now. It doesn't help that Brian Wood seems to have missed the mark completely on a couple of characters.

The Walking Dead #78 - It's all kicking off now! After what seems like (but actually isn't when you think about it) a fairly calm stretch, Kirkman's about to blow things out of the water again as the series leads up to "No Way Out".

Chaos War #2 - Buy this. It's flipping awesome. In this issue The All New, All Different God Squad is formed as all hell literally breaks loose! Some have said this is similar to DC's recent Blackest Night crossover, but I didn't read that, so some people can shut their holes. Go Herc!

I also got Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, so expect a movie review soon.

Sunday 24 October 2010

Accidental Cosplay!

Valhallahan
Ash's post on Don of the Dead made me realise that I'd seen that chap before, at my birthday shenanigans this summer...



The Don of the Dead

Friday 22 October 2010

Carnage


Carnage #1

Written by Zeb Wells
Art by Clayton Crain

Action Ash
Plot: After witnessing a strange chase, involving an armoured car and Doppelganger, Tony Stark changes to Iron Man and calls fellow Avenger Spider-man to the scene. However, this is just the beginning of something much larger...

Although making reference to the famously shit Maximum Carnage storyline this seems promising. My interest was kept and my curiosity piqued with the addition of the new characters (as far as I'm aware) Royal Blue and Firebrick.

Script and plot wise, this is an alright story, fairy average but not bad by any means. Except, maybe, for the rushed explanation of the events of Maximum Carnage. It was an enjoyable read and I'm curious to see where it goes.

The best thing about this title is clearly the art. I'm a bit of a Crain fan from his run on the recent X-Force incarnation, and he does not disappoint. He seems particularly adept at drawing the otherworldly symbiote that is Carnage and the ghastly Doppelganger, adding his usual element of horror to the superhero genre. His usual flaw of not being able to draw more than one face, doesn't seem noticeable so far, as all the characters look different when mask-less.

Definitely worth reading if you're a Marvel fan, especially if you're a Spider-man fan.

3 monstrous Spidey lookalikes out of 5

What I got and Why.

Action Ash
I braved the cold weather today for one reason. Wrapped in a hoody and my leather and armed with creds, I made my way to St Albans and the shop known as Chaos City comics to purchase this weeks hot titles.

Conan the Cimmerian #24 - I love Conan! I love the Cary Nord covers that currently grace this book each month. The creative team is changing soon, so that will be something for the 2 bad guys to talk about.

Carnage #1 - Clayton Crain is probably the perfect artist to draw the psychopathic alien symbiote. Should be good.

Shadowland: Powerman #3 - You all know what I think of this series, so I will bore you no longer. It's good though!

Morning Glories #3 - Issue two did not disappoint so I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next and how they resolve last issue's cliffhanger ending.

Chaos War #2 - I missed number one, and couldn't find a back issue, but I'm hoping to be able to hop on here. Looking god from what I've seen.

I also bought some DVD's, a new hoody and some Adidas Star Wars trainers!!! But they aint comics, so this post ends here =P

Wednesday 20 October 2010

Character of the now: The Don of the Dead


Action Ash
Taskmaster has been a great ride so far, largely due to the antagonists. We here at 2 bad guys love a good gad guy, and my favourite that I have come across this month has to be...

The Don of the Dead.

This skull faced Mariachi positively made my week after reading this issue. Possibly the coolest thing about this guy is that him and his henchmen are also a band that play songs about his exploits to win over the local peasants.

Utter Brilliance!

Don of the Dead we salute you. Hail! \m/

Tuesday 19 October 2010

what I Got And Why 16/10/10

Valhallahan
Once again dressed in day-old, slept-in clothes and reeking of yesterdays booze, I dragged my sorry arse off my mate's sofa and met up with the esteemed Action Ash to get some 4-colour hangover cures (via a delightful jaunt round the Tate Britain's Turner Prize nominees exhibition with chum and 8 ball ink artist Oliver. Verdict: Poor). Here’s what I got (and why).

Jonah Hex #60 - This is a match made in heaven for me, Brian Stellfreeze drawing a Jonah Hex story! Stelfreeze is a massively underrated artist whose action sequences are second to none, his fight coreography in the Wilstorm Mini series Matador was superb, and his Domino mini series from Marvel many moons ago is also worth noting. We really don't see enough of this chap. Fahkin' Lahverly Mate! The chump who drew Return of Bruce Wayne #4 should hang their head in shame.

Taskmaster #2 - The shop I went to was out of this last week, so I picked it up at the wonderfully stocked Orbital this week. I bloody well loved #1 and with the introduction of characters like the Don of the Dead it looks like it's keeping it's levels of awsome set to high. I am loving this series, and as it's one of only two Marvel Universe books I'm picking up right now, it should feel honoured. So there.

Strange Tales II #1 -Marvel have returned with a new anthology mini series giving popular indie creators a pop at the Marvel character library to create one heck of a curio. While the quality of the last run of these was hugely varied, variation remains its biggest selling point. I enjoyed the madness of the last run, and like last time, most of the stories err on the side of comedy, there are some more thoughtful pieces too, and some that are just plain trippy, daddy-o.

Hellblazer: City of Demons #1 - I like John Constantine and I love Sean Murphy’s artwork. This is the chap who drew Joe the Barbarian for Mark Morrison last year and the su-fucking-perb Wolverine alphabet. He really is one to watch, and he has form on Hellblazer with the excellent Jason Aaron-penned two-parter "Newcastle Calling" in 2008 (#245-246) one of the rare occasions where a yank writer gets JC right. If you’ve ever wanted to try Hellblazer but didn't know where to start, get this new mini series and be schooled, you won’t be disappointed.

House of Secrets Annual #2 - I'm not a reader of House of Mystery, it seems like a whole bucket of fairy elf bullshit to be honest, but this Halloween special is essentially the Vertigo Annual. As it’s both Vertigo, and an anthology I’m sure you can see I’m in there like swimwear. At first glance it looks great, there’s a Hellblazer story by Milligan and Camuncoli, an iZombie tale by Robertson and Allred and rather a lot of other cool looking bits and bobs. It’s a bit like the Winter’s Edge books they used to put out actually, which is a good thing indeed.

The Amazing Spider-Man #577 - I've never been a regular Spider-Man reader, or much of an irregular reader for that matter, but this was in Orbital’s slightly water damaged, 50p each section (which is well worth a look), and it seemed to be a one-off Punisher story. The art is by Paulo Riverra, whose work I’ve appreciated for a while, but haven’t actually read much of. It looks rather good and well worth my half pound!

Multiverse #0 - Free sample issue of a new comic books magazine which will be out in November and it is apparently "Voted the best comics related magazine on Earth 616". Who am I to argue? It looks like it'll be quite good.


What I Didn't Got And Why

Knight and Squire #1 - I didn't get this because I an a massive fool who doesn't notice when something is in front of my eyes. Either that or it was sold out. As an English Comic Book Geek and an inveterate drunk, I apologise.**

Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #5 - I realised I really don't give a fuck. I really dig Ryan Sook's art (he doesn't do the whole issue), I like 30s/40s pulp detectives, I like Batman, but I really can't bring myself to give a shit about this series anymore. Adieu Brucie!


And Finally...

Love and Rockets: The New Stories Vol. 3 - As Ash pointed out in the shop when I excitedly told him that this book had finally hit British shelves; "You know you're the only person who cares about that, right?". Anyway, I don't care that it looks like half of Gilbert's contribution is cat people fucking, it's going to be great. Also one of Xaime's stories deals with the very real, very depressing subject matter so I should really enjoy it, miserable c*nt that I am.


**
Thankfully the kind folks at Limited Edition Comix, let me have their last copy, a variant cover no less, and at cover price, which was nice (I don’t really agree with variant covers, but that's a post for another day). This looks like jolly good fun, what? After a skim through, Double Entendre and the Back and White Minstrels are my favourites, What are yours?

In your face Action Ash!

Monday 18 October 2010

What I got and Why: My comic book weekend.

Action Ash
My new university timetable means that I am busy all day on Thursdays, so I now have to wait that extra day to get my grubby little hands on the week's funny books. This displeases me. Anyway, on Friday I dropped by Chaos City Comics (St Albans) and picked up a bunch of cool stuff:


Knight and Squire #1 - I just want to take the time to rub it in because Valhallahan did not get a copy (Sucker!). This book is quite simply brilliant in it's British-ness.

Superior #1 - The new creator owned project from Mark Millar and Leinel Yu. Looks great!

Shadowland #4 - Penultimate Issue! Glad it's coming to an end soon tbh.

Tomb of Terror - This one shot from Marvel is a nod to their awesome horror titles of the 70's, with all the classics, Werewolf by Night, Daimon Hellstrom Son of Satan, Man-Thing and N'Kantu the living Mummy.

Thor #616 - The new creative team are looking good. Can't wait to see where Fraction takes this title.

Magnus, Robot Fighter #2 - Loved the first one, this one looks just as good, with even better action sequences.

New Avengers #5 - I like this book but I hope not all the story arcs are going to be 3 issue stories stretched beyond their natural length for the convenience of trade conversion.



I also picked up this delightfully fiendish collection of horror comics from the 50's, entitled Four Colour Fear. There are some great tales in this book, and a glossy section in the middle displaying some amazing covers. If you're a fan of bizarre old comics then pick this up without hesitation.

My comic book weekend didn't stop there folks.

My fellow bad guy and I graced the streets of this great nation's capital, in search of thrills and spills. Instead we found comics and Chilango's. I picked up...

Morning Glories #2 (Second printing) - Almost forgot I missed this, so I was glad to get hold of it. This issue is looking just as promising as the first.

Vault of Evil #10 - A 70's horror comic from Marvel. I love this shit!

A fat pulled pork burrito - The absolute antidote to hunger!


Saturday 9 October 2010

What I Got and Why 08/10/10

Valhallahan
CBLBF Liberty Annual - This is the Annual fund raiser for the Comic Book Legal Defence Fund, and as ever it's a big parcel of freedom of speech-themed shorts and pin ups from big industry names and characters. Here we have Conan by Darick Robertson, Dave Gibbons on Martha Washington, Frank Miller's Sin City, Fabio Moon and Gabriel Ba give us a 4 page short, Paul Pope a 2 page spread, a Milk and Cheese 2 pager, and many more... we do get a 2 page shit-smear by Rob Liefeld too though, so it's not all fun and games.


Scalped #41 - This months issue begins with an attempted abortion-by-coat-hanger, so cheery as usual then. In all seriousness though, this series is really, really fucking good. This storyline is dealing, not for the first time, in issues of parenthood and familial responsibility, among hardasses on the 'Rez. And because this is Scalped, we've also got a murder investigation, a man hunt and a struggle with heroin addiction to round things out. Buy Vol. 1 now if you haven't already (Which you should have).

American Vampire #7 - Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque's excellent off beat retro vamp story continues apace. It's 1936 and we're still in Vegas with Chief McCogan who unfortunately for him has just run into our old friend Skinner Sweet... Oh Crumbs!

iZombie #6 - Y'know what? I'm actually really digging this, I was picking it up for the super freaking duper artistic endeavors of Mormon Maestro Mike Allred, but I've found myself hooked on the story now too. Who'd a thunk? This issue is sub-titled "I, Were-Terrier: Who He Is And How He Came To Be" and appears to be an Origin story (duh). Also, does it make me a massive thicko that I've only just seen the Gwen/Dead Girl connection?

The Spirit #6 - This is the first time I've picked up The Spirit, despite it's reputation, Peripheral things like the Godawful Frank Miller movie and the classic Spirit's sidekick "Ebony White", I bit the bullet here because the back up strip is by the 100 Bullets team of Brian Azzarrello and Eduardo Risso.

Fanastic Four in... iAtaque Del M.O.D.O.K.! - I'm by no means a Fantastic Four fan, but I'm always curious about books that take characters in a different direction, and I'm a sucker for pretty artwork. Here we have incredibly eye catching visuals from Juan Doe and to my knowledge the first appearance of Puerto Rican hero iEl Vejigante! And AIM monkeys.

What I Didn't Got Coz It Woz Sold Out
Taskmaster #2 - Bugger.

Friday 8 October 2010

Thanks DC!

Valhallahan

"For the long term health of the industry, we are willing to take a financial risk so that readers who love our medium do not abandon the art form."

DC Comics apparently prove they're the bigger man by putting their cover prices back down to $2.99. Good show, chaps. I hate to say it, having been raised a True Believer, but the Distinguished Competitor is getting much more of Valhallahan’s sterling these days.

*I read this on Bleeding Cool News, Innit.

Wednesday 6 October 2010

Mega City's Most Wanted?

Valhallahan



Did these even come out? I can't tell if I think half of these look cool, or just that they look better than the other half. Found in the back of a comic from 1993.

Tuesday 5 October 2010

Bye Bye Bucky: Captain America #610

Valhallahan

Well that was... Ok, I guess. Perhaps I’m being unduly harsh, but after that drawn out story that lead to exactly nothing, I’m out. Adieu James Buchannan Barnes, I hardly knew ye. Actually that’s a lie. It’s a testament to Ed Brubaker’s skill as an author that I feel like I do know Barnes inside and out. It really is impressive how much Bru got out of what initially sounds like the worst, most clichéd 90s-esque character since Cable "It’s Bucky, like from the 40s, but he’s not really dead, and he’s all dark now and used to be a secret government assassin and now he’s got a robot arm and grunge hair and he’s got like, a bunch of guns and he’s got a mysterious past with Nick Fury, Wolverine and the Black Widow and did I mention he’s Dark?" See what I mean? This could have ended up like an X-treme Captain America, like Captain Mother Freaking America Liefeld Yeah! Thankfully it didn’t. Brubaker’s Captain America run has been superhero comics at their best, but aside from the Two Captains America story, it’s been treading water for a little while now, so I’m going to quit while I’m level.

Of course it could just be that I’ve read too much of it now after 60-odd issues, and when the next trade paperback release comes around I might have has a sufficient break and be singing a different tune but I don’t think so. I give Zemo storyline three and a bit star-spangled shields out of five, it was the last thing they had to do with the character, make him face the son of the man that ruined his life in the first place but now that’s over with I just feel that the story has run its course.

I can’t actually remember what happened in the back up strip, but I’ve not been impressed by that since day one, so I really won’t be missing it. Nomad scores two mopey hoodies out of a possible gang of happy slappers.

Saturday 2 October 2010

What I Got and Why 01/10/10

Valhallahan
Howdy Folks! I must apologise for my state as I am bringing you this What I Got and Why from planet drunk! I made my way to that haven of comicdom that is Orbital on Friday eve and bought myself a real bag o' tricks; a fine haul indeed. Let me tell you all about it... I may even add pictures when I'm sober, but please enjoy my impeccably spelt drunken ramblings.

Atlas #5 - With this issue we (super hero comic book fans with taste) bid adieu to Marvel's finest super team. I must say that if you don't want to read about a Gorilla Man, an Atlantean Warrior Princess, a Roman Love Goddess, a Uranian Ubermensch named Bob and a killer Human Robot fighting crime alongside kick ass FBI agent, Jimmy Woo and his timeless untrustworthy Dragon advisor Mr Lao, then you really need to think about whether comic books are for you. Buy the first Agents of Atlas collection or I will hit you.

Captain America #610 - Here we have the resolution of new(ish) Captain America, Bucky's showdown with the son of the man who ruined his life so many years ago. I truly hold writer Ed Brubaker's run on Captain America as some of the finest super hero comic book writing this side of the new millennium, but I'm pretty sure I'm going to drop this title. I thoroughly recommend people pick up Volume One of this series in trade, but I think with this issue I'm bailing out. Don't hold me to it, but I think Brubaker's said all he has to say with the characters and has been treading water for the past 6 months or so. Adieu mon capitan!


Wetworks: Mutations #1 - After my empassioned eulogy of the Wildstorm Universe this week, I was heartened to find this title on the shipping list. I missed a Wetworks reboot a few years back, but I really loved the initial incaration of this team so I thought I'd give this one shot a go. Interestingly, it's written by the man mountain Kevin Grevioux, chief werewolf and writer of the Underworld movies, which one could argue nicked their back story wholesale from Wetworks original incarnation.


Vertigo Back Issues
Because I can't help myself, I picked up issues 2 and 3 of Millennium Fever, a romantic story written by Nick Abadzis and drawn by the inimitable genius that is Duncan Fegredo. Published in 1995.





I also picked up Elvis Must Die from the second hand section; a story with a premise so good I'll dedicate a post to it. More soon.

Magazines?
CLiNt #2 - The magazine bits of #1 were fucking awful, but there is still an abundance of comic book funtimes to be had from this periodical. A wonderful use for the money that, let's face it was burning a hole in your pocket anyway.


Dodgem Logic #5 - 2Badguys reader Nightwatchman inspired me to pick up Dodgem Logic, Alan Moore's very own glossy magazine, as a contrast to Mark Millar's CLiNT, and from flicking through, I am very pleased with this product. It looks like a great read. I do warn readers not to open pages willy nilly on public transport as fairly early on there's a graphic cock-shot which I'm sure alarmed the chap reading over my shoulder on the Piccadilly Line. Nothing to do with comics, but looks like a great magazine.

Addendum
Apparently no one has Love and Rockets: The New Stories Volume 3. This is annoying.