A Shot of Reviews from My Weekly Haul

Edge of Spider-Verse #2

Gwen Stacy Spider-Woman

All in all I am looking forward to this Spider-Verse, and if I wasn't a completist I would have passed. This issue is nothing that couldn't have fit in four pages of the Superior Spider-Man. The art is wanting and the story is lacking.

2 out of 5 stars, or save your money.

The Superior Spider-Man #33

The series has lost steam since it isn't being written by Dan Slott, but we find out more about who and/or what is hunting the Spider "totems".

3 out of 5 stars

Avengers World #13

I'm getting disappointed. The series started off with a great new idea and now I feel like I got on a roller coaster and afterward was transported to the merry go round. With all the Avengers books going around I'm getting lost and confused, maybe they should start at a new number one.

1 out of 5 stars. 

All New X-Men #32

Cover Swipe of the week.

When the Ultimate universe first came into existence, I was away from the comic book scene. As I later read them myself I was hooked, until it seemed they ran out of ideas. All new X-Men has been a book I've been looking forward to. Even at a slower pace and an introduction of the time-misplaced X-Men to the ultimate universe, Brian Michael Bendis is pacing himself with this issue.

3 out of 5 stars. 

The Wicked + The Devine #4

I liked issues 1-3, and this one is no exception. It is a change from the super hero universe I normally visit. This book is a murder mystery that I'm stuck with unravelling at the month to month pace. I know the murdered, but not the murderer.

3.5 out if 5 stars.

Daredevil #8

This is my favorite character. I pride myself on having every Daredevil book from #1 to now. The Purple Man has returned and he played the long game. Mark Waid has turned Matt Murdock's life upside down and does something even more graphic to Mr. Killgrave.

3.5 out of 5 stars. 

Avengers #35

Jonathan Hickman has picked up the pace in East of West, and has as equally slowed things down here in the Avengers. I'm lost and confused. I missed the days when Marvel added the editorial notes on where to check out what. I find out that Roberto DaCosta purchased A.I.M. and Thor has an Ax. The latter having an answer in Original Sin, but if I only read this title, I'd be lost. Frankly I'm disappointed. Great art, but as far as being my favorite Avengers title, I'm a bit frustrated with it.

3 out of 5 stars.

Uncanny X-Men #26

Brian Michael Bendis merged this title with the All New X-Men and had been doing a great job. This issue spear heads forward with the unveiling of Professor Xavier's will, bringing to the Marvel universe the strongest mutant ever. How this will effect everything else, no one knows. 

3.5 out of 5 stars. 

Uncanny Avengers #24

I'm done with this series. How does the Red Skull steal the mutant powers from Charles Xavier's brain. I like the premise of uniting two teams to show the American population that mutants and humans can coexist, but since this title seems to not need any other title to exist, I don't need this title.

1 out of 5 stars. 

Thanks for Reading

Iron Man 3: A Roundabout Review

Read Away, and know that I will not spoil the movie for you.

The Long of it:

As I begin typing, the midnight showing has begun of Iron Man 3. I have already seen it. The movie theatre of choice had a nine o’clock showing. I and my companion arrived early to an already filling auditorium. The center seats were already filled; it was just a matter of every other seat filling around it. I couldn't wait for this movie. I caught the first preview and refused to watch any other. I was already upset at seeing an army of iron come to the rescue.

The Mandarin was my first Iron Man villain. I started to collect with issue #181 with Jim Rhodes donning the armor with the help of Morley Erwin while Tony Stark was living as a homeless drunk. Finally in issue two hundred the prodigal son returned to battle Obadiah Stane, who donned the War Monger armor portrayed in the first Iron Man movie. I hopped that the third movie in the franchise would portray this villain in a shining light, after all Whiplash was a character I knew about before I collected comic books from Tales to Astonish #97, a book given to me before I was ten.

I watched Iron Man 2 and although I enjoyed it and will probably watch it again after I finish writing this, it wasn't as good as the first. It had after all suffered the sequel curse of not being good as the first. So what could Shane Black do with the third that wasn't done before? How could he make sure that the Mandarin was every bit as the villain he should be portrayed as? Could Sir Ben Kinglsey, a renown British actor portray a “set in stone” Marvel comic book Chinese character. They tried and failed with the late Michael Clarke Duncan in Daredevil as Wilson Fisk.

Can an actor transgress against what people have known for decades? Let’s be honest Samuel L. Jackson made a much better Nick Fury then David Hasselhoff ever did. In fact Marvel Comics changed their whole universe and created a way for Nick Fury to be identical to the character in the movies. I did my best not to read anything, or watch anything to give away what surely could possibly be a flop.  My Junior Mints in hand with a beverage in the cup holder  I sat in the theatre with a few who dared to dress as Tony Stark complete with glowing chest and then the lights dimmed, the previews played, and Action…

The Short of it:

If I knew I would enjoy the movie it that much I would have pre-purchased tickets for the midnight showing too.

Thanks for Reading

oh and about that secret ending...SHHHHH

My Weekly Haul: A Roundabout Review

My Weekly Haul: A Roundabout Review.

Every week I go to the comic book shop. This week was no exception even after attending my first Convention of the year in Seattle, ECCC. At this con I met Fiona Staples. I heard about her comic book Saga but passed on it month after month. Even after looking at the book on my best friend’s kitchen table, I still passed. It wasn't until I had her autograph my first autograph book that I decided to pick one up, and that is what I did when I got my new releases for the week. It might not be a first edition, but it was enough to make me decide to get the trade, I encourage you to do the same.

The other books are heavily Marvel. I didn't get any DC books, and only one Valiant title, which introduced the first appearance of Doctor Mirage, albeit much different from her 90’s counterpart. Valiant is constantly growing and I am happy that I am collecting every book. However I am beginning to fear their mass explosion might implode only for the fact that Hard C.O.R.P.s is coming out and that is what I remember the beginning of the end of Valiant, for me anyway. Valiant, if you are reading this, please keep a tight controlled universe.

Then there is Marvel, my favorite Universe to play in. After choosing to read Superior Spider-Man, Avengers, and even Daredevil (a title I tend to leave for last), it was the “Age of Ultron” that had me anticipating the next big Marvel event, that doesn't seem to be hyped that way. When Secret wars came out I only knew what came out when it was on the stands. As I got older I figured out about Marvel Age, DC Currents, and Comic Shop News. These were my treasure maps, even overriding the great Previews magazine. My favorite though happens to be Comixology and that is how I found out about this new Story line by none other than Brian Michael Bendis.

I picked up two issues, because to be honest I want to see if I can send these books into CGC for grading. Can I pick a 9.8, or only a 9.6 and will my LCS Fat Jack’s tell me to step away from the shelves. Age of Ultron starts…

SPOILERS AHEAD

Age of Ultron Starts in an already desolate world, The Island of Manhattan seems to be a cesspool of poverty, grime, and corruption. In other words, only the evil and the strong survive.  The first panel shows New York behind a decapitated Statue of Liberty and a mammoth ship towering above.  The first words aren't even until the middle of page six giving an unnerving feeling that those that aren't quite are dead.  In the very beginning Hawkeye is tracking someone, and his aim is unnerving. I wonder what Dr. Fredric Wertham would have thought about it. And the building he enters is trafficking M.G.H. The girl wants nothing to do but sleep but here benefactors have something else on their mind.  Luckily for her, so does Clint, and he disposes of the jackals. This is where I question the book, and my only sense of fallacy on the writer’s part. If the girl only wanted to sleep, and wanted nothing to do with the hoodlums that were peddling their drugs, not to mentions the favors they wanted, why does she pick up a gun and threaten Hawkeye?

At this point the house is on alert, and they feel that it is Thor arriving, they might not understand the threat and subtlety of Hawkeye is just as a reason to be wary as the hammer of Thor. I didn’t expect Hammerhead but the Owl was foreshadowed by the use of the Mutant Growth Hormone. The incendiary panel on page 12 is colored so well that I applaud Paul Mounts, that’s not to say that Bryan Hitch and Paul Neary didn't do their part as well. The following page is where you see the prize Hawkeye has been seeking. Spider-man is tied to a chair, and more than wondering why is he tied to a chair, because his proportionate strength should free him, but is it Otto or Peter?

As “Owlsey” and Hammerhead get the drop on our heroes, all hell breaks loose, Ultron has arrived. These next few pages are blurry, more from the effects of the artwork than too much to drink. The book slows at this point allowing us to try to decipher what happened. Why did the story come to fruition in the middle rather than the beginning, and why is Hank Pym absent from the rest of the survivors? Even Tony Stark’s Tron like costume screams where’s his armor? I like how recently Hawkeye has been becoming a major player, one who is willing to speak his mind and go after the bad guy with wild abandon, and even question the man in charge. On the last page you find the one person who you never thought would look like he just gave up.

Although I spent a nice amount at the ECCC, mostly on grading, I am glad I had enough money to buy my books this week around. As far as traded go, please check out Saga, but as far as first issues go and a new release, get Ultron before Ultron gets you…that was so cheesy I had to use it.

Thanks for reading.

PS, try the AP features on this issue... and tell me if this next cover doesn't make you salivate?

Reading Books Last: A Roundabout Review

My reviews have been mostly about Marvel, it might be because I am biased on the company that helped ease me into collecting comic books the same way my sister taught me how to swim. They pulled me into the water and then when I was comfortable, let go. My sister of course would grab hold of me again, it never occurred to me she could have drown in the pool as well as I could, if not easier, she had no water wings on her arms to hold her afloat, I did. Marvel would do the same by introducing characters in various comics and then put them in an explosive environment that would have me riveted and waiting for the next month so I could find out what happened in the very next issue, this time I had no water wings, I was at the dreaded mercy of the writer.

As my weekly allotment grew and grew I would set aside my favorites to read last. It’s almost 30 years later and I still do the same thing. I remember reading in a “forward” from a trade paperback that they too saved the favorite for last until they were older. Now, as they are older, much like I am, they read their favorites first because they don’t have time for the crap. I might partially agree, but there has to be something last, there has to be something to make you wish it was the following month already and the latest issues of comic books are in your hands begging to be read. Which, once again, is why I read my favorites last, once in a while there are a few. This week I have to compete with Marvel’s Daredevil by Mark Waid and IDW’s Locke & Key by Joe Hill, not to mention DC’s Justice League by Geoff Johns.

Nine books made their way home from me from Jack’s Comic Crypt in Center City Philadelphia, Nine bags and boards accompanied them as I took the first one out on the elevated train. It wasn’t the worst but I started to read Justice League of America #1. It was new and also by Geoff Johns. By the end, I am willing to give #2 a try. I normally will read a second comic before I get to my stop, but today I was tired from working a night shift and wanted to be as alert as possible to enjoy the rest of my haul. Once home I thought I would sleep but both Harbinger and X-O Manowar begged to be read. I obliged. This company continues to impress.  My Fourth book for the week was Justice League, the conclusion to “Throne of Atlantis”. This book has been my last to read from time to time, and this book is good, so why do I still have five more to go.

Avenger’s #5 by Jonathon Hickman has me on the fence. It could be great, rather than just good. The last four I have yet to read. Of the remaining four, three are from Marvel and one is from IDW. Dan Slott’s Superior Spider-Man is, well, Superior. Joe Hill’s Locke & Key is coming to a close and Indestructible Hulk by Mark Waid is my surprise hit of the year competing against Daredevil, also by Mark Waid. So Instead of deciding what to read next I finally slept and woke up refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready to read… to read, well to read the next book, whatever comic book that is.

 Thanks for Reading

Amazing Spider-Man #700: A Roundabout Review

I have been collecting Amazing Spider-Man since issue #251,titled “Endings”. I do have a few other books before that one, but it was thegloved hand coming through the water holding up Hobgoblin’s mask that enticedme.  I followed Peter Parker when he wastransported with hero and villain alike to participate in the Beyonder’sexperiment throughout the 12 issue Maxi-Series, Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars.His own series with issue #252 was sold out before I got out of school topurchase it. I didn't even realize I missed its release. Remembering back, itall started with a very well read copy of Issue #181, the origin of Spider-Man.I have an idea how I got that issue, but that's a story for another time.

Over the years I collected the adventures of Peter Parker. Ifollowed as he asked Mary Jane to marry him. I watched as he took on newvillains and old ones alike, each time reciting what he believed in "WithGreat Power Comes Great Responsibility". At times he was beaten, but hefought back. He never gave up, he never quit, a real life lesson.

SPOILERS AHEAD

I am a huge Star Wars fan and ever since Vector Prime by R.A.Salvatore killed offa vital character to “its” universe, I was shocked. I understood the reasoning,how could you fear for the characters you love if they would always survive in the end. A line from The Never EndingStory rings truer than anything else at the moment when the old man in thebook store told Sebastian "You're books are safe". Spider-Man issue#700 was not safe.

The comic book is packed, but after reading the first portionof the book, the important portion consisting of the first fifty pages wasenough to destroy any thought of being safe again. The Ultimate Universe wasfun to be part of and when they started to kill off major characters likeSpider-Man, I’m considering if it was just a test run. I mean seriously, howwould the media and the fans actually accept the death of Peter Parker, theAmazing Spider-Man?

Dan Slott has kept fans riveted with his story telling prose.As other artists joined Peter on his journey none I felt were as strong asDitko and Romita Sr and Jr. Many characters were slain, most by villains, andmaybe none as well known as Gwen Stacey by either the hands of the Green Goblinor Spider-Man himself in an effort to save her, by the superior skill of GerryConway, nothing against the legend and creator himself, Stan “The Man” Lee. 

Marvel is trying to capture the magic that DC initiated withthe New 52. Their attempt of rebooting their universe reminds me of a band aidbeing pulled of wounded skin. The only Marvel Now book that I thought wasworthy was Indestructible Hulk, a book I was hesitant to collect. Both Avengers#1 and Cable and X-Force #1 I found lacking. Thor I have heard good thingsabout but I think it's going to be The Superior Spider-Man that is goingto be pivotal in my monthly rotation of comic books. Mark Waid, you have beenwarned, please keep Daredevil my favorite title.

R.I.P. Peter Parker, you deserve it.

Thanks for Reading

Indestructible Hulk #2: A Roundabout Review

Indestructible

 Hulk

 #2

 A 

Roundabout 

Review

As a child, everyFriday I looked forward to watching the Hulk. There was something about the wayBill Bixby turned into Lou Ferrigno that appeased my young mind.  It amazed me this destructive force of naturewas always on the run, from all people, a reporter. The show was scheduledsurrounding my mid-hour bedtime, but for some reason I was allowed to watch ituntil the end.  Although, I had alreadyreceived my first comic book, I had yet to start collecting them.

I picked up theIncredible Hulk from time to time, but it was never a title that made it on mymust have list. Quite honestly the Hulk always felt like a strong B-listcharacter.  As atrocious as that soundsit is a compliment. Every time I collected the Hulk, a few issues later Istopped. But, if you threw the Hulk as a character into another book, I lovedthe madness that ensued.

There were some goodruns, like Todd McFarlane’s Joe Fix-It, Peter David & Dale Keown's convergenceof Banner and The Hulk, especially the start of it in issue 377, and myfavorite is the Hulk from the Secret Wars contributing to one of my favoritecovers, issue #4. Then of course Planet Hulk led into World War Hulk which enrapturedme. The combined skills of John Romita Jr. and Greg Pak encroached on my beliefthat the Hulk could seriously gain my respect... And yet, I stopped again. 

The whole Red Hulkfailed to impress me in a financially burdened market. I can only afford somuch. Once again the Hulk fell to the wayside. When it was announced that"Indestructible Hulk" would be hitting the stands, I opted to pass. Iwas wrong to do so.

I picked up issue #1 aweek before issue #2 was due out. After reading it, I finally felt I wasreading a comic book worthy of a new beginning. I have mentioned, loudly, thatI am against the number one craze. Both my Roundabout Reviews were "Marvel Now" #1's. I found them confusing. They threw me into a story I knewnothing about. Indestructible Hulk gave me no such illusions. Mark Waid, also currentlywriting my favorite title, Daredevil, continued to impress me. But wouldissue two of “Indestructible Hulk” be any good by comparison? Can Lenil Yu keepetching personalities on each face? Are his dark shadowed eyes his tribute toRob Liefeld’s white orbs?

I am still trying to figure out a format for myRoundabout Reviews. Do I spoil the book for you, do I hint to entice you to buyit, do I do one single review or multiples, and will I review anything elsebesides Marvel? The truth is after heading to the comic book shop, a day late,I was ready to read and review the latest Locke & Key but with four morebooks to read, Indestructible Hulk #2 was exceptionally good enough I proceededto write leaving the last four books to read until later.

I will retain the right to add spoilers in myRoundabouts but for this one I’ll keep it spoiler free. All pictures are takenfrom issue #1, or from previous incarnations  buy them both and I think you'll be like me and feelcompelled to not only pick up issue #3 but look forward to it.

Thanks for Reading

Getting Confirmation

Yesterday I picked up a copy of The New Ultimate Spider-Man and I heard that they were bagged because inside was a random chance of a signed variant by none other than Stan “The Man” Lee himself. I would like to tell you that after cutting the bag open carefully with scissors I discovered, that’s right, you read it here first I discovered an unsigned copy of the book. It wasn't like any other book either it was good, signed or not signed. This is the way a number one should start off, not mentioning any other comic book companies…cough cough.

After some people read my entry through comicbooked.com word came back after a day that they received a signed copy. If my internet wasn’t working so sporadically I would add the link to the picture on twitter. Congratulations to that guy. I can’t say that I am upset about not getting a signed copy especially since that is not the reason I got the book in the first place. Nope, I got it because I hope it would be a good read and I wasn’t let down. I really cannot wait till issue #2.

I don’t want to spoil anything but the ending was a classic ending of why I like comic books. I want to know what happens next. I might have to wait a month but I for one plan on rereading it just like my Locke & Key issues. Comics are becoming fun again. I have a few more to read including Fear Itself and Daredevil before going to bed this Thursday morning, late morning anyway. But I wonder with one more bagged number one coming out soon, will I be lucky enough to look in awe one of those coveted golden tickets, oops…sorry Willy Wonka just popped in my head.

Thanks for reading

It always seems that when I am hurt I try to do more. Waiting tables with a broken toe is no exception. I did this for a couple hours with horrendous results. If I succeeded I would finally be where I was hoping to be with paying off what I owe my Father. All in all I will at least be able to pay off half of it. I was hoping to get the whole lump sum completed so this way I could borrow yet more money to get some books graded, about fifty of them.

September 18^th is the next comic convention in Philadelphia. It is a small con which happens about ten times a year but I get to find some good deals. I will also buy some bags there so I can bag and board the books I plan to send into get graded. If I am lucky I will be able to sell off what I don’t want and keep the ones I do. The funds from this mini venture should pay off what I borrowed from my father and give me an amount to use for a second grouping of fifty. Not to mention being able to add to my Daredevil collection starting with issue #180.

I don’t want to make a living off this but I do want to be able to purchase larger ticketed items, like a Daredevil #168 in a 9.8, this book averages around $700. I won’t pay above five. But the other numbers surrounding that will cost an average of $100 a piece. I can’t afford that at $2.83 an hour no matter how many extra hours I work, of course I just have to make sure I have no more broken toes.

Thanks for Reading

Back on my Computer

For the past few days I have been stuck entering my blogs by my phone. Even though I was fortunate to be able to do so, I started to miss a lot of stuff i took for granted. For instance as I am writing this I am following an eBay item that will be ending in over thirty minutes. Of course this will be for a comic book graded by CGC. a comic book I technically don't even collect anymore since Daredevil went on his own. Either way I plan on bidding on it and if I am lucky will win.

The other item I have been having withdrawal symptoms form is being able to write on Comicbooked. com It has been far too long that i was able to post anything. I plan on getting some sleep first but one i wake up I will persevere through the amount of writing I have to get done. Writing for fun is great, writing with a cause in mind is a bit more difficult. I actually want to continue to write now...but my eyes are getting heave and even now I am hoping I can stay up to bid.

I also miss interacting with the registry members and notice a great many journals have been added over the past five days. I look forward to mentioning on the journals I can and of course adding my own. I think I currently have 169 and hope to grow to 200 by my two year anniversary date. Well I am off to go check out the auctions I missed in the hopes that I might find a book I need, a rare find, or a very cheap deal.

Thanks for reading

What Happens when you Finish?

I am stuck. Out of the current set I am working to finish I only need five more. One is an upgrade and the others I do not have at all. Out of those remaining four, two of them do not currently exist. This might give me a moment to regroup my finances and start something new. I’d say I would give DC a chance but as I did in the past I just stopped collecting. It is nothing against DC, I just think that Marvel has captured childhood memories and I am trying to recapture those. He again I might collect them like I did with the Blackest Night story and get them in trade.

Daredevil is another character that has held solid for me….does that make sense? I only need three more out of the series. Tree more out of a series that went over 500 issues is not bad. Of course they did the unthinkable and started over with a number one…. again. I have wanted to get the Daredevil Miller years starting at issue #158 and ending at #191 in a 9.8. That will definitely add up, but I need a goal and that seems to be as good as any.

At times I have wondered why I collect. I never answered myself. In fact a friend I know hates that I collect, but I think that is only because she doesn’t understand. Have you ever had that, a friend that hates your collection and even more comic books themselves for no reason? This doesn’t bother me. I am old enough now to know comic books are cool, just like bow ties. One day I might find that woman who understands my craving for Wednesdays, and maybe she’ll have that craving too.

Thanks for reading.