Decision 2005

Okay.

We've strayed from the original purpose of this enterprise.

So I am challenging Dominic to catch himself up on the big events of the summer.

The Big Events?

'House of M' and the whole 'Countdown to Infinite Crisis' or whatever it is they're really calling it.

I am caught up. In order to really critique something, you have to read it. And for this debate 'Marvel Sucks' will not be a justifiable anything.

Inform yourselves and bring it.

If you don't know what you are critiquing, do not opine.

I will provide Dominic with the reading material he needs to make an informed decision.

I like to think he can turn off his inner Fanboy and be honest.

So let's get it on.

Dominic?

Not Ultimate at All

This is not good news.

One of my favorite comics is the Ultimates Vol. 2 published by our pals at Marvel.

Some really cool stories by Mark Millar and great art by Bryan Hitch. We all knew they were leaving someday. And that day is hanging over us all now.

The replacements have been named.

Jeph Loeb and Joe Mad.

That's right Joe has made his triumphant return to comics to piss in the pages of one of my favorite books. It would be one of your favorites if you read it.

But no more.

The big ideas are gone. Jeph Loeb is a good writer, but he excels at the smaller, personal super-hero stories. The Ultimates is no place for that. But that's not the worst part.

Joe Madureira. Ugh. Take a look at the painstakingly rendered page I have so thoughtfully provided.

Now...I haven't seen any of the artwork that Joe is doing on the book. Not one stroke of the pencil. But I don't want him anywhere near this book. I am sure that he has legions of fans out there. I am not one of them. In fact, I hate his artwork...I don't like the over exaggerated manga style he has. And it will be an extra special blight on the eyes after getting to see Bryan Hitch's version of them for the last three or so years.

Joe! Don't do it!

For the love of Jeff...stay away from this book.

Go draw something for DC. Like Superman.

I am calling a pre-emptive suck on this.

The Walking Dead

Who doesn't like zombies?

Well, if you don't you're a moron.

They're loads of fun. They're like ants in this book...They're everywhere.

I am admittedly late in jumping on this book. I have seen it but I never pulled the trigger. Until my LCS accidentally ordered a pile of the first trade. He didn't want them and couldn't return them. So he cut the price in half just to get rid of them.

So what idiot passes on a five dollar TPB. Certainly not this idiot.

The really cool thing about this book is that it takes it's time. It's showing what the world would be like in a world full of zombies.

There's none of the standard three act crap...
Act 1: The Trigger...how it all happened...you won't find any of that here. We still don't know. And I don't care. It isn't what the book is about. We may find out, we may not. It doesn't matter.
Act 2: Figuring out what the problem and how to fix it. In this book the problem is surviving...that's it. And it's not easy. Don't get attached to anybody because you could turn the page and that guy or gal will be dead. It's cool as hell.
Act 3: Fix the problem. There isn't a magic formula to set everything right. The survivors just have to deal with it.

None of the above crap is getting in the way of a really cool comic.

Do yourself a favor and check it out.

Glutton for punishment

Here is the cover for part two of the epic masterpiece, Teen Titans: Flaming Crapburger. Bill says our local comic shop sold out of part one. What the hell is wrong with people? I told him to let them keep the one they were holding for me. The Titans are off my list.

Here's what DC has to say about it-

"Written by Gail Simone; Art and cover by Rob Liefeld The thrilling
conclusion of the 2-part story by Gail Simone (VILLAINS UNITED) and Rob Liefeld (New Mutants)! Kestrel, the mad dog of the Chaos Realm, paralyzes the Titans in a bid to gain power like he's never had before! DC Universe 32pg. Color $2.50 US On Sale September 21, 2005 "

I just don't understand. Someone please explain to me how Liefeld continues to get work and who is buying it. God help me if they ever put him on a Superman book. I don't know what I'll do; cry, I suppose.

MY FAVORITE SUPERHERO MOVIE

I'm not trying to turn this into a DVD release site, but I just found out that my favorite superhero movie is finally being released on DVD. Hero at Large will be available in just five days. I CAN'T WAIT! I love this movie. I owned it on VHS once, but I loaned it to someone and never got it back. However, since most of my videos were stolen back in December, I'd need a new copy anyway.

If you've never seen it, buy or rent it as soon as possible. You won't regret it. Here's the description from Amazon.com-

He's a superhero - with the tights and cape to prove it! Steve (John Ritter), a struggling New York actor costumed for a job posing as Captain Avenger at a movie premiere, walks into a corner market...and into a holdup. One smash! boom pow! later and the Big Apple is hailing Steve. Not as a hero. As a superhero. Reel life turns real for Steve in this comic charmer celebrating the hero in all of us. One of the most likable stars ever to grace large or small screens, Ritter is hilarious and touching as a workaday guy who discovers righting wrongs is a whole lot of fun. So much that corrupt politicians want to cut in on the action and use Steve's fame to their own advantage. Will Steve cave to their scheme? This is a job for a superhero who knows right from wrong!

Seriously, I love this movie. I want to marry this movie.

Batman Begins DVD

The release date for Batman Begins on DVD isn't until October 18, but if you just can't wait you can pre-order it now.


Batman Begins is by far the best live action Batman yet. Of course the best version is still the animated series. But I'm looking forward to future installments in the series.

If you liked Christian Bale as Batman, I recommend renting Equilibrium (assuming you haven't seen it already.) It's a beautiful Orwellian gun ballet.

The Crawl

I see Bill finally figured out how to change the crawl at the bottom of the page without crashing the entire internet. Congratulations, Bill. You're finally becoming tech savy. Now to help you with you next project, here's a hint, try rubbing the sticks together.

All Star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder

I hate to do this, I really do, but today I've got to call suck on my own team for the second time this week.

I just finished reading All Star Batman & Robin the Boy Wonder. Three pages of issue one are devoted to Vicki Vale standing around in her underwear followed by two pages of her getting dressed. That's five pages or over a fifth of a twenty two page book. And what important plot points or character traits are revealed in these five pages? Vicki Vale doesn't like Batman but really likes Bruce Wane. Oh and Vicki Vale looks good in her underwear, that is if you think Jim Lee's art in general looks good. I'm not a fan. Well, I'm sure Vicki's underwear will be important later in the story so I'm sure it was important to establish that she looks good in it right away in the first issue.

Judas priest, who wrote this crap? Oh, it's Frank Miller. I forgot. He's a frelling genius. Nevermind what I said. This book is brilliant! Thank God for Frank Miller. He's the best we've got. Run right out and pick up a copy of All Star Vicki Vale. Sorry, I ment All Star Batman & Robin the Boy Wonder.

Sore Thumbs

I just discovered the above webcomic, Sore Thumbs. I highly recomend it.

HOLY FRELLING CRAP!!!!!!

Dear sweet God, say it isn't so! Do you see that? There to the left. I know your eyes are trying to reject the sight, but make yourself look. The worst has happened. Liefeld has returned to DC Comics. I wouldn't wish this on anyone, not even Marvel.

Click on it if you dare. It gets bigger.

Here's what DC has to say for themselves on their official site.

"Written by Gail Simone; Art and cover by Rob Liefeld

A can't-miss mind-blowing 2-part story by superstar creators Gail Simone (BIRDS OF PREY) and Rob Liefeld (X-Force)! An old foe of Hawk and Dove returns to create chaos on a cosmic scale! Can the Titans save the day?

DC Universe 32pg. Color $2.50 US

On Sale August 24, 2005"

That's right, Fanboys. There's going to be two issues of this outrage. By the way DC, "mind-blowing" isn't always a good thing. This goes straight in DC's suck side of the ledger.

Best Movie

Bill says that Sin City is the best comic book adaptaion ever. He may be right. I'll have to think about it. American Splendor and Ghost World are both pretty good. By all accounts Sin City is certainly the most accurate, which is a nice change. That makes it the best adaptation, but does that make it the best movie? I mean could a movie that is not true to it's source material still be a good movie (yes), and if so are any of them better than Sin City?

If Sin City is the best comic book movie, which is the best SUPERHERO movie, and which is your favorite? ('cause best and favorite aren't always the same thing.) The movie doesnt' have to be based on a comic as long as it's about a superhero or heroes, eg. Unbreakable or The Fantastics. You can also count movie length cartoons even if they were never in the theater such as Last Son of Krypton, The Batman/Superman Movie, or Return of the Joker.

Come to think of it, I haven't read American Splendor or Ghost World, so I don't know if Sin City is the most accurate adaptation.

Here's where I say something nice about Marvel. The Spider-man movies are better than the live action Batman movies. Except of course for Batman Begins. And if it weren't for those damn organic webshooters, they might have beat Batman Begins too.

A moment to clarify

For those who may not know, Bill and I are good friends. In this blog we are purposly being bull-headed and mean. It's all in good fun. Feel free to join in.



P.S. Marvel sucks.

Superman: The Animated Series

As I have gone about my Sunday business here at Castle Zombie, I have had the first season of Superman: TAS in my DVD Player.

It's a damn fine show.

The Play all button is highly recommended if you are puttering around the house or castle.

Just a real pleasure to look at and watch.

See, I can be nice.

TOP TEN MARVEL RIP-OFFS

10. Hawkeye (Green Arrow)
9. Fantastic Four (Challengers of the Unknown)
8. X-Men (Doom Patrol)
7. Dr. Strange (Dr. Fate)
6. Captain America (The Shield)
5. Avengers (JLA)
4. Mr. Fantastic (Elongated Man, et al.)
3. Man-Thing (The Heap)
2. Squadron Supreme(JLA)

And the Number One Marvel Comics Rip-Off is...




1. Captain Marvel (Captain Marvel)
Marvel comics will suck for all time because of this one. Shame, shame, Marvel.

OK, I’m aware that the X-Men one isn’t fair, so allow me to replace it with Ka-Zar. Do I even have to mention who he rips off? Ka-Zar by the way, was a rip off in the pulps before Marvel was called Marvel and before they published comics.

Purple Arrow

Here's a topic for you zombies to choke on. Hawkeye's recent resurrection is further proof that he's just a sad Green Arrow wannabe. LET THE FLAMING COMMENCE!

Digital Webring

Sin City

SIN CITY comes out on DVD this Tuesday, Buy it...It's the best comic adaptation ever.

I saw it in the theatre....With Dominic. He liked it as well. No matter what he may say here.

Frank Miller, in my mind, is this the best comics writer we have.
And he cut his teeth on Marvel characters which is why Dominic thinks he's not.

He thinks it's Alan Moore.

Another reason.....probably because Frank Miller has Batman routinely kick Superman's ass.

I have thoughts on this as well. But I'll give Dominic first chance to opine on that topic. Since his love affair with Superman began as soon as he landed here on earth.

Dominic, not Superman.

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First post

This is the first post just to make sure everything is working.