The Nerdy Dozen: Best of Captain America

I originally wanted to do one of these lists in honor of the return of Steve Rogers to the present day Marvel Universe. Obviously I did not get it posted to meet that sort of deadline, so instead we’ll honor the premiere weekend of his new movie. For me this list is a “best of” Cap’s greatest comic book moments or maybe better put, the moments that made a guy named Steve Rogers worthy of being called Captain America.

12) Ultimates #10 – This A don’t stand for France

“Surrender? SURRENDER? You think this letter on my head stands for France?!” I know this is a line meant to be an edgy joke for the supposedly edgier and hipper Ultimate line at Marvel. But even still is symbolizes that every version of Cap is a fighter to the end with no intention of ever quitting.

11) Captain America #445 – Cap escapes the Cosmic Cube

The Red Skull is quite the schemer. In the storyline this moment takes place in he is trying to gain full control over the Cosmic Cube and has both Captain America and Hitler (yes really) trapped inside it. His hope is that Cap will kill Hitler and then stay trapped inside the cube. But Cap eventually figures out what is going on, escapes the Cube and proceeds to lay the smackdown on the Skull (again).

10) Captain America #453 – Cap saves the day and Bill Clinton

So after all of that Red Skull/Cosmic Cub mess, Cap was in a lot of trouble with the US Government for things he’d done while caught up in that scheme. Never one to take that sort of thing lying down, Steve sets out to not only save the day but also clear his good name. For my money the big moment in this story isn’t Cap taking down Machinesmith, foiling his plan or saving the president in the process. The moment is actually the president acting like a fanboy towards Cap while returning his shield at the end of the story and how Cap takes everything that has happened in stride.

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FIVE Comic Titles I Want Back

There was a recent Dollar Bin episode on the cancellation of Thor, The Mighty Avenger and I remembered Heather saying how this was her first experience with a cancelled series.  This got me thinking about all of the series I have loved or have found over the years that were cancelled before their time.  I decided to try my hand at a top 5 list of comics that are no longer with us that need to be brought back.  See Heather, you’re not the only one to suffer the loss of a loved title. 

Adventures of Barry Ween: Boy Genius

Before he started working for the big boys churning out mostly mediocre stories and giving AIDS to characters for no particular reason; Judd Winick had some serious indy cred as the writer and artist on such titles as Pedro & Me, Frumpy the Clown, and his best creation, Barry Ween Boy Genius.  We’re not going to mention his stint on the Real World since that is pretty much unforgivable.

Barry Ween has best been described as Calvin and Hobbes meets South Park (with a pinch of Dexter’s Laboratory thrown in for good measure) and I can think of no better description.  This all-too-short series of only 12 issues follows Barry, your typical 10 year-old with a 350 IQ, and his best friend Jeremy Ramirez in a series of adventures which usually involve an experiment of Barry’s that goes wrong.

Make no mistake, this title is not for kids.  Barry and Jeremy use curse words with a frequency that Tarantino could appreciate, but it’s funny.  And when I say funny I mean laugh out loud until your sides hurt and you have to check to see if you wet yourself funny. 

There have been rumors of a new series being worked on and I can only hope that is true.  In the meantime I suggest everyone pick up a copy of The Big Book of Barry Ween and see what I am talking about.

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Heather’s Favorite Graphic Novels Read in 2010

1.  Red Moon: A story in which an adorable family dog sets out to save the world couldn’t fit more solidly in my comic reading zone.  This is a well-crafted story with beautiful black and white art save the red moon of the title.  The novel fully delivered on the promise of last year’s prequel comic. Dave McAdoo’s art completely engages me and he nails the emotions of both animals and humans in this book.    

2.  FCHS: 90210 meets Archie.  I love a good teen drama.  I typically satisfy this love with my Netflix queue or my DVR.  Rachel Freire’s art brings writer, Vito Delsante’s story to life.  Together they create relatable characters that I care about.  The best part, there are more to come.  I can’t wait to find out what happens next for the students at FCHS. 

3. Crogan’s March: Chris Schweizer’s second story in the Crogan family series was as good as the first.  This time we join Peter Crogan in the French Foreign Legion.  Not only does Peter face the Tuaregs, but incompetent leaders who do more damage to his unit than the raiders. 

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Heather’s Favorite Limited Series Read in 2010

1. Thor the Mighty Avenger: This wasn’t planned as a limited series however Marvel decided to cancel it, therefore we only got eight issues of this gem.   This is my first foray into the Thor story and I really enjoyed it.  Roger Langridge’s storytelling combined with Chris Samnee’s art is a team I want to see again.  Lucky for me, Marvel has reteamed them for a Thor-Capt FCBD issue. 

2.  Tiny Titans and Little Archie and his Gang: Aw, Yeah! Besides more penguins what could make Tiny Titans more adorable? The gang from Riverdale of course! A mix up at the dry cleaners brings us the best comics team up of 2010.  Who needs a big event crossover spanning more books that I can possibly keep up with? Not me! Give me the simplicity of this series any time.

3.  Cinderella: To Fabletown With Love: Cinderella’s a spy! Beautiful covers by Charlotte’s own Chrissie Zullo pulled me into this series, but a well written story kept me coming back.  Cinderella’s spy stories are well balanced with a B story of the sale of magic shoes gone wrong.  I am looking forward to the second run of this series with even more of Chrissie’s wonderful covers.  Click to read more…

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Comical Resolutions 2011

It’s still early January so it’s not too late for me to share my comic related resolutions for the coming year. 

1.  Step outside of my comic reading comfort zone.  I admit it.  I have a comic type.  It involves cute animals and chick characters.  Thor the Mighty Avenger was my toe in the water stepping out of my type and Marvel responded by cancelling it.  (Yes, Ted, I’m still complaining about that.  Damn it, people, put down the Deadpool and read TMA.)  Thanks to the lending library of Brandon (Big Dog), I have read more comics outside by type, the Walking Dead for example.  However my purchases for 2010 stayed clearly within my comfort zone.  In 2011, I will make an effort to add different comics to my personal library. 

2.  Write more reviews for the Dollar Bin.  I read a number of comics in 2010 that I really enjoyed and fully intended to review so I could share stories that I enjoyed.  Like Cragmore by Pat Lewis.  I will finish that review and post it along with others this year.

3.  Do more interviews.  I love talking to artists and writers.  Off the record, I have some truly ridiculous conversations with creative people.  I want to channel that into interviews.  Interviews get me interested in reading new comics which will be very helpful for resolution number one. 

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