Shawn Says: Spotlight on New Releases March 16, 2011

In which Shawn looks at the New Releases and lets you know which books she is most excited about!

1) Avengers: The Children’s Crusade - Young Avengers #1

What a title! I won’t fault them for their slightly confusing title because this was actually an enjoyable read. I wasn’t sure if I was going to pick up this tie-in to Avengers: The Children’s Crusade until I saw that Allan Heinberg was writing it and Alan Davis was penciling it (along with the underrated Mark Farmer on inks). This delves deeper into the story of the Young Avengers, and Kang the Conqueror in particular, by showing them all grown up as Avengers. I don’t think this is going to be essential for the plot to Avengers: The Children’s Crusade but it is a really well-written and well-drawn story. I am very glad that I decided to pick it up!

2) The Guild: Tink One-Shot

All of The Guild comics have been really solid. I thoroughly enjoyed this issue that focused on the elusive Tink. You get some backstory on her real-life persona along with some fun dialogue between the characters. Felicia Day writes a very entertaining comic and I enjoyed the way she fleshed out Tink’s character. Plus, there is an awesome three-page backstory done by the wonderful Jeremy Bastian which alone is worth the admission price. I am a huge fan of his and am always willing to pick up anything he does! Also this issue was the first time I saw Dark Horse’s new kitty ad. That cat cracks me up every time I see it.

3) Xombie #1

David Kim’s life was saved using nanomachines but as a result he was turned into Xombi. Kim is basically immortal. The nanomachines have remarkable regenerative powers. This issue was my introduction to the character who was created by John Rozum and Denys Cowan back in 1994 for Milestone Comics. Rozum is once again writing Xombi for this relaunch. The main reason I picked this book up is because of Frazer Irving. I love his art. While the art is gorgeous and the concept is cool I thought this issue was a little muddled for me. Xombi’s nanotechnology seems to be able to do just about anything and I can see that as being a little deus ex machina at times. Plus the nuns were weird. I think I might be a little overly critical because I’m not familiar with Xombi and his world is so new and different to me. I am curious about the next issue though. Plus I am thrilled that Irving will be on a regular ongoing book.

Shawn Says: Spotlight on New Releases Catch-Up

In which Shawn has been sick so she is finally getting around to Spotlighting the comics that were released March 2 and March 9, 2011.

1) Joe the Barbarian #8

The eighth and final installment of Grant Morrison and Sean Murphy’s epic story about a boy battling to save a world from the dark actually sees the light of day. This issue was originally scheduled for a November 2011 release date but it kept getting delayed. I wonder if all the waiting skewed my expectations of the book. The art was fantastic. Murphy out did himself with this one. But I wasn’t entirely satisfied with the story and the way the book wrapped up. It felt rushed and choppy. That is just my personal opinion. If you disagree with me, please let me know in the comments section.

2) Green Lantern #63

I have seen the preview for this issue a million times in the back of the DC books I read so I felt compelled to purchase it. I stopped getting Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps after Blackest Night concluded. I thought it was a wonderful ending and I didn’t want to spoil it. Plus there were just too many books to keep up with. The War of the Green Lanterns storyline sounds great and once again Geoff Johns has pulled me into the Green Lantern world. I enjoyed this issue, though it was a little confusing at times. I will be sticking around for the next issue and can’t wait to see how Hal Jordan will get out of this one!

3) Love and Capes Ever After #2

Love and Capes is a breath of fresh air. It is a fun, light-hearted read. It reminds me of the British sitcom My Hero. A loveable superhero is married to a normal woman and mayhem ensues! In this issue Abby and Mark struggle over whether or not they are going to tell Abby’s parents that Mark is really the Crusader.

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Press Release: Grant Morrison Discusses Page to Screen on All-Star Superman

Click to view trailerRenowned comics writer Grant Morrison has found a lot to like in the transfer from page-to-screen of his Eisner Award-winning All-Star Superman, the critically-acclaimed, hot-selling new entry in the ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original Movies available now from Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Home Video.

In All-Star Superman, the Man of Steel rescues an ill-fated mission to the Sun (sabotaged by Lex Luthor) and, in the process, is oversaturated by radiation – which accelerates his cell degeneration. Sensing even he will be unable to cheat death, Superman ventures into new realms – finally revealing his secret to Lois, confronting Lex Luthor’s perspective of humanity, and attempting to ensure Earth’s safety before his own impending end with one final, selfless act.

All-Star Superman is now available from Warner Home Video as a Blu-Ray™ Combo Pack and 2-Disc Special Edition DVD, as well as single disc DVD. The film will is also available On Demand and for Download.

Morrison had a few moments to chat from his home in Scotland last week about the all-new film based on his landmark comics series, and the late Dwayne McDuffie’s impressive job in re-imagining Morrison’s words into animated glory. Here’s what Mr. Morrison had to say … Click here to read the interview.

Click here or the image to view the trailer.

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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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Preview: Green Lantern: Emerald Knights

Green Lantern: Emerald Knights is an all-new DC Universe Animated Original Movie that weaves six interlocking stories of the Green Lantern Corps’ rich mythology around preparations for an attack by an ancient enemy. As the battle approaches, Hal Jordan (voiced by Nathan Fillion, Castle) mentors new recruit  Arisia (Elisabeth Moss, Mad Men) in the history of the Green Lantern Corps, telling tales of Avra (the first Green Lantern) and several of Hal’s comrades – including Abin Sur, Kilowog, Laira and Mogo. In the end, Arisia must rise to the occasion to help Hal, Sinestro and the entire Green Lantern Corps save the universe from the destructive forces of Krona. Penned by comic book luminaries Geoff Johns, Dave Gibbons, Peter J. Tomasi, Eddie Berganza, Alan Burnett, Todd Casey and Michael Green & Marc Guggenheim, Green Lantern: Emerald Knights will be distributed June 7 by Warner Home Video as part of the build up to the release of the highly anticipated live action film, Green Lantern, in theatres June 17. Click here to view the trailer.

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