DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week! October 19, 2011

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TEH COMIX

We’ll gladly pay you Wednesday for a comic book today! Bela Lugosi’s Tales From The Grave #2 compilation features the story of a pop-eyed sailor released from a sunken ship after 70 years. This one is strong to the finish because he sucks out your soul! … Do you have a problem with the saucers? Addicted to abductions? Can’t make it through the day without an evasive space probe? Join the 12-step program in Xenoholics #1. Families and friends do not understand the truth about aliens, so XA offers support. Check out the hilarious preview here. … Who needs another Deadpool book, right? We do. Especially if the writers get to put Wade under the Marvel MAX 16+ explicit banner! Deadpool and his sidekick Bob, Agent of Hydra are accused of killing a quarter of a million people. Uh-Oh. Better call Saul! It’s Deadpool Max 2 #1! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com!

DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week! September 28, 2011

COMICS!

“Parker!” J. Jonah Jameson’s smitten by the same blasted affliction of his rival, The Amazing Spider-Man in this chapter of #SpiderIsland! Who’s the menace, now? The erstwhile editor of The Daily Bugle swings in to action as your friendly neighborhood Spider-Mayor in ish #670! ‘Nuff Said! …Do you experience feelings of dread in your basement or attic? When we yelled “Parker!”, did your mind’s eye picture Ray Parker, Jr.? I think you better tap your bluetooth and call on Ghostbusters #1 from IDW! All new, ongoing, and slimey! Alright, who brought the dog? …Eric Shanower and illustrious illustrator illuminati Skottie Young bring you back to the land of OZ after the 1906 San Francisco earthquake swallows Dorothy and her kitten Eureka in our all ages pick of the week, Dorothy And Wizard In Oz #1! Picks from LeaguePodcast.

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Read more comics: Funny Books For Jerks - from PTSOTL

I wrote this guest blog post for Luke over at Put That Shit On The List!
Check it out!
Batfap
Did you know there are still people out there in the world who don’t read comic books? That’s weird. I asked my main comic nerd Clay N Ferno, who does a weekly comics podcast, to share some ideas of jumping off points for people who are sick of reading books without pictures.


Luke and I are taking turns buying and ‘trading’ trade paperbacks of The Walking DeadAMC hit, Season 2 premieres October 16). That swap came to a halt as Luke prepares for legal battles with The Daily Show because of his current obsession with A Song of Ice and Fire fantasy novels by George R.R. Martin (aka HBO’s Game of Thrones). He asked me to suggest some comics to this jaded blog audience and he promised I didn’t have to be funny about it or talk about masturbatory shame related to our girl Kreayshawn. “Bonus points for that, though,” he said. 


First, a bit about our podcast. Not everyone in town has a comic book podcast, and believe me, our egos can take the blows of any criticism you might drop on us for that. Three of us have known each other from high school.  ‘Awesome’ John Hunt was the older brother and Executive Producer of the VHS masterpiece ‘Dursin the Firestarter’ films circa 1990s Abington, MA. Like minds meld together. Jaush Lingel bonded with Dursin about comics over some beers at an ‘adult’ party, or so the legend was told to me, at the 2009 New York Comic Con. We’re not too old, too young, too nerdy, too humble, or too ridiculous for putting out a weekly podcast about comic books. John, for example, is a comic book colorist and letterer who’s worked on Star Trek books, One Piece and most recently at Marvel Comics.

For everyone that skipped to this bulleted list, here’s some comic book suggestions for you. Go visit a comic book store. They usually have candy this time of year. It’s a good time because DC Comics did a marketing stunt in September…and it worked. How they pulled it off was pretty awesome.
  • Catwoman #1 - There’s more bra and panty fetish drawings in this book than all get out.
  • Sandman, Vol. #1 - Preludes and Nocturnes - Amanda Palmer’s husband did this. He invented girls getting Ankh tattoos.
  • Captain America by Jack Kirby, Vol. 1: Madbomb - Jack Kirby is the guy that made Stan Lee famous. To say anything bad about King Kirby damns you to an eternal damnation of Bronies dressing you up for pretty costume contest that you always lose. He invented Marvel Comics and got like 1% of the money and credit.
  • Tiny Titans Vol. 01: Welcome to the Treehouse [Paperback] (or just any old issue of Tiny Titans) - This is cute, younger versions of the World’s Finest Comic Heroes. Robin heads the team, but Alfred makes them take baths! I always ‘buy this one for my niece’ when I go to the store. Always some meta comic book in-jokes about continuity and costumes in here. Darkseid is the substitute principal! Aww Yeah, Titans!
  • Phonogram Vols. 1 & 2 - Kieron Gillen (now on X-Men!) and artist Jamie McKelvie (Cable, X-Men & More!) wrote this unbelievable tribute to new wave, magic, The Pill (Causeway Above the Penalty Box years), The Ting Tings, girl singers, love, betrayal, murder, and record collections. Set in 2006 London and referencing ‘bands I never cared about’ like The Auteurs, The Libertines, and Ocean Colour Scene, this well indexed tome is better than a Saturday night at The Common Ground (RIP). Just remember the rules - no boy singers, you must dance, and NO MAGIC on the dance floor.

OK, that’s it. Don’t be such a pussy when you go into the store, either. Just pick up some books, ask for one of these, and be a (wo)man about it. There’s no secret sauce, but the artists, writers, and John need you to spend a couple bucks at the store. I write the comic picks of the week for DigBoston’s Wednesday email. Check that out or see them on our page, LeaguePodcast.com where we make fun of girls, talk about working out, what’s wrong with Hollywood, and the REAL losers we went to high school with. Maybe you don’t like comics, but you DO like wasting time at work, so listen to our Odd-io Comics. These are audiobooks for comics. Here’s my favorites: SUPERMAN in POWERSTONE, and yours truly as SPIDER-MAN in BETRAYED.

Clay N. Ferno, Assistant Manager, LeaguePodcast.com

@DigBoston and @LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for August 31 , 2011

COMICS

OK, the big comic book news gets broken in USA Today, nowadays. Not that we’re complaining. Today marks the re-launch and fanboy-cringing renumbering of the DC Comics universe. The ‘New 52’ starts out with Justice League #1 from Geoff Johns (Flash, Green Lantern) and Jim Lee (X-Men, All Star Batman and Robin, DC Co-Publisher). Come and get it! … The Godfather of the graphic novel format, Will Eisner believed in the teaching power of comics. In WWII, the U.S. Army commissioned him to draw maintenance drawings, step-by-step instructions, and pin-ups for G.I.s abroad. The Best of PS Magazine - Preventive Maintence Monthly comes out today. … Aww Yeah, monkeys! Why let the Justice League and the grunts have all the fun? Beppo the Super Monkey faces Gorilla Grodd in Super-pets Midway Monkey Madness. Don’t slip on any banana peels! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

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DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week! August 10, 2011

COMICS


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Morning Glory Academy recruits brilliantly troubled youngsters to the school, only to reveal the murderous age-old plans of the institution itself. Learn more about the Andrew McCarthy-esque Ike in Nick Spencer’s Morning Glories #11. … U MAD? Detention is less than a month away! Get the September issue of Mad Magazine to stuff into your delinquent kid’s lunch, when she’s asked to stay after for talking smack to the teacher in class. … Bow ties are cool, as are fezzes and sonic screwdrivers. That’s right, it’s been over a year that we’ve had the youthful Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor, boarding the TARDIS with the red hot Amy Pond and her loyal fiance Rory. Check out Doctor Who Annual 2011 which includes a preview of a new ongoing series from Tony Lee and Ben Templesmith! … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

 

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LeaguePodcast #90 up today! Dursin's Favorite Dish and Batman Karaoke

Download | Duration: 01:22:02

John, Clay and Dursin convene for a discord on Rachel Rising #1, The Infinite #1, Batman Karaoke and Dursin’s favorite dish, which is not pot brownies, although those are brought up, too.



Discussed in this Episode:


DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week! August 3, 2011

COMICS

Adult comic book collectors will remember a magical time long ago where covers were wrapped in bags and holograms. This era was known as the 1990s. Relive the magic of inordinate amounts of pouches, gigantic guns and pursed lips from the polarizing Rob Liefeld and Walking Dead writer Robert Kirkman in The Infinite #1. … Speaking of big guns, Marvel is returning Frank Castle to clean up the scum of New York. With The Punisher #1, Greg Rucka (Batwoman, Queen and Country) returns to the comic book industry with a vengeance! … Tank Tankuro is the first robot to appear in Japanese comics! This pre-World War II manga was the progenitor for Astro-Boy and many more. Read a preview of the first English translation here. … Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com.

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LeaguePodcast #89 up today!

League of Ordinary Gentlemen Podcast Episode #89 - Hobo-beards & Pocket Meat

Download | Duration: 01:17:12


The gents get into Cowboys and Aliens, Harry Potter 7 (or whatever number it is), Comic-Con fashion, Thundercats, crusty Harrison Ford and Clay’s future aspirations:


Discussed in this Episode:
Rubber

DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week! July 13, 2011

COMIX


 

My father dressed me up as The Bat once…Once! Make your own Johnny Dangerously references after reading Batman Gotham Noir #1 from eager beavers Brubaker and Philips (Criminal/Incongnito), they ain’t no slouches! … The Red Wing limited series from Jonathan Hickman is the fantastic saga of space-time fighter pilots battling over the fourth dimension! … B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Monsters #1, torn from the pages of Hellboy, chronicles hot hands Liz Sherman taking on the Real Hillbillies of Sugar Hill Trailer Park, yee-haw! Picks this week from LeaguePodcast.com. - Clay N. Ferno

 

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EDIT: Dursin’s Druthers! - “Terry Moore: How To Draw Women”

Seriously consider buying “Terry Moore: How To Draw Women” out today. I’m not even an artist & I think this is awesome” 


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@DigBoston and @LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week!

COMICS

Every comic is someone’s first, and we say start ‘em early! The Skrumps are animated Muppets in the Henson-verse making their full length comic book debut in Skrumps One Shot from Archaia. Mooch adopts an unusual pet that may make his life difficult in Skrumpland! … G.I. Joe Vol.2 #3 also makes for a great first comic for any young or old men out there! Come down from your star-spangled cupcake high as Zartan and Storm Shadow invade the Pit. … We’ve all got the friend that claims she could ‘kill a grizzly bear with just a knife if she timed the attack right’. Animal Planet Worlds Most Dangerous Animals is the book for her! Survival stories of animal attacks from bears, crocs, and lions will have you rabidly frothing at the mouth for the next issue! … Comic book picks from LeaguePodcast.com.

 

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BOOK REVIEW! Identity Crisis [Paperback] Brad Meltzer (Author), Rags Morales (Illustrator), Joss Whedon (Introduction), Michael Bair (Colorist)

Identity CrisisIdentity Crisis by Brad Meltzer My rating: 5 of 5 stars Brad Meltzer along with Rags Morales and Michael Bair have created a brilliant Justice League mystery for the ages. Art is a solid 5 out of 5 stars. No question. Morales has the sensibility of another DC heavyweight, Brian Bolland, and the storytelling ability of a Neal Adams or John Byrne. Clean Bolland lines on the inks, solid blacks, great expressions and characterizations. Spoiler-free story review. Meltzer ties the Justice League and Justice Society into a long form mystery involving the murder of the Elongated Man’s wife. Third act climax and twist rivals Conan Doyle or Christie. This is frequently on the top ten lists of the last decade and I would concur. Knowledge of the DC universe is not required, some basic knowledge of the League is helpful. Tim Drake is Robin under Batman at this time, and Wally West is the current Flash. Recommended if you like: Watchmen, Jack & Bobby (TV), Blackest Night, V for Vendetta, Murder She Wrote, V for Vendetta, Sin City, Animal Man, Arkham Asylum. View all my reviews

2-Bit Comics - Howlin' Jack Kirby!

Hello Leaguers! Here is a column I will now dub ‘2-Bit Comics’! I find some great comics hiding in the 25 cent to $1 bins and highly recommend you do the same! Also, here is where I may share some cheap TPB deals that I have discovered. Of course the other leaguers are free to participate as well. A light bulb popped over my head this morning as I awoke to share with you two books that I picked up yesterday.

Frank Frazetta’s Dracula Meets the Wolfman One-Shot, Cover B, August 2008, Image Comics What I paid: 50 cents. WOW! This was a great book. Art by Francesco Francavilla. Story by Steve Niles. This sepia toned book takes us back to Moldavia circa 1849. Nicolae Bulinski is professing his love for his dear Marta as she heads into the house. Nicolae then realizes he is out too late and transforms into the Wolf-Man! Wolf-Man bolts into the woods, eventually to be captured by his caring father and brother, as he chases down a horse for food. Pa and Bro net him and lock him up for the night. The family is used to his unfortunate curse, and take care of him until he transforms back to Nicolae. Marta, meanwhile, is preparing for a night dining with the Count! Though she is fearful, she accepts the invitation. The Count’s driver picks her up in a carriage and brings her to the castle. Dracula wastes no time and makes his intention clear…he wants to feast on her (“In Transylvania, dinner host eats YOU!”). Well, this is where I stop describing the plot — I want you to track down this book if you like classic Universal Monster Team-Ups! This comic reads like an old movie. It’s comfortable, beautiful, and has a classic illustration style.

Countdown Special : The New Gods - Featuting Mister Miracle, Orion, and The Forever People DC Comics, March 2008. Cover by Ryan Sook What I paid: 50 cents. First things First: This is Jack Kirby! 80 delicious pages of story and art from the King himself.

Reprinted from the pages of Forever People, Mister Miracle and New Gods, here is an introduction to some of Kirby’s most lauded Cosmic characters in the Mighty 1970s DC style. Let’s talk art. Vince Colletta inks the first two stories, and Mike Royer inks the third story. I understand Jack and a lot of fans weren’t that crazy about Vince’s work, but I thought his inks complemented the pencils well and maintain the classic Kirby look. No complaints from me. Mike Royer inks the Orion origin, the third story in the book that takes place mostly on Apokolips. Kirby dots are everywhere and the New Gods look noble and dynamic. There are weirdo contraptions, Dragon Tanks, and action on every panel. This is a great looking story. If I were to compare the two, I would say That Mike Royer’s inks lean a bit more toward the bold ink lines and swooshy brushwork of Kirby himself. Both inkers, in my opinion, are great. I believe that because Vince does not seem to have the same style as Jack, some fans cast aspersions on his art but I think that is unfair. As far as the story, we get the first appearance of some great characters — The New Gods. Being a Marvel kid, I was in the dark of this era of the King’s career up until recently. Boy, am I glad to get into this now! Every panel moves the story along, each word in the captions and word balloons are relevant. Inner dialogue is kept to a minimum and not abstract. There are complex familial relationships in the New Gods, similar to Greek mythology. Each time I open a book and it says “Written, Drawn, and Edited by Jack Kirby”, I laugh a little bit. But then after the second reading I think to myself “How could anyone ELSE edit this book? Jack’s got all this stuff floating around in his head! He’s establishing the continuity!” I really enjoy what little I have read of Jim Starlin’s versions of the characters, but this certainly is the real deal! This review is not just an endorsement for this book, but a strong recommendation for you to find old Kirby comics and read them and enjoy your art until your eyes bleed. Seriously, it is so worth the trip!

Well that does it folks! You can expect some upcoming reviews of Jack Kirby’s Black Panther, and Justice League Europe.