Some of the top selling comics of late have been Cartoons. Regular Show, Adventure Time, My Little Pony and Bravest Warriors, the Adventure-Time-esque space adventure are all doing a great deal of business in surprising ways.
WHO is buying these books? Just Kids? Adults? Everybody? The last answer is the most accurate, as any top selling comic needs to appeal across broad audiences. The good news here is we’re getting more kid friendly titles, and more kid business. I guess I’ll have to stop making references to “Mugwumps.”
The bad news is…nothing. Comics are great, and more peeps are loving them! Sweet! My Little Pony Microseries #4 (of 6), Adventure Time #16and Regular Show #2 are on shelves this week, so make sure you get some! Awwwwww-Yeah!
KICKSTARTING
Oh, no wait! There is bad news. Kickstarter. More and more great books are being sold through Kickstarter, with bonuses and cool swag. WHY is that bad? Because without an internet connection and money to burn funding nifty titles, it is hard to get these books into your mitts…not to mention that the funding can be locked out before you get a chance to find out about it, or that the affordable goals are all taken by the time you do. There’s few outlets for information about all these books, and practically no way to find out about them if you don’t have access to the internet.
The biggest innovation to comic through the 80′s and 90′s was the amazing array of talent in the indie comic market…so much dang talent that the industry had to switch how it did business. The thing was, all these creators still had their product on the shelves, as it was the only game in town.
Now the shining stars are going to come from online…and we might never know about them.
TITLES AND HONORS
Spectrum is the top name in Fantasy and Sci-Fi artwork, and they just announced the latest batch of winners and honorees at their gala banquet somewhere out west. If you’ve never picked up a volume of Spectrum, you should. Every page features the top talents from comics, Hollywood and publishing drawing their hearts out to be the best. Illustrators is Spectrum are the shapers of geek culture to come.
Forbidden Planet has some past volumes of Spectrum available now, and let the staff know that you’re interested in picking up the latest volume when it ships.
GREAT TIMES
Let us take a moment to reflect. From art, to quality of paper, variety of titles and talents…we might be at the high water mark of comic book history. Even if you want to argue there were better stories, artists or titles a few years back, there has never been a better time for reprints! Gorgeous books come out every week, so many it’s hard to keep up!
Many folks, including myself from time to time, get freaked out over the ultimate fate of comics. Between the internet, mobile devices and e-readers, it is difficult to predict what the future of comics looks like…except for one fact.
Whatever shape it takes, style or format, the future of comics looks great!
Adjust Your Tracking NYC Premiere! Friday May 24 7:30PM @ 92Y Tribeca 200 Hudson St. Tons of Analog Amazement to go around including a VHS trailer pre-show, not to mention Directors Dan Kinem and Levi Peretic of VHShitfestwill be in attendance, along with Producers Matt Desiderio of Horror Boobsand Josh Schaferof Lunchmeat Magazine!Get your tickets here now!
May 22nd marks the public release of the first issue of a wild and fascinating comic collaboration. Occupy Comics #1 will be on shelves and we at Forbidden Planet recommend everyone get it. This is not only a comic that features the likes of Alan Moore, Art Spiegelman, David Lloyd, Charlie Adlard, Marc Andreyko, Kevin Colden, Molly Crabapple, J.M. DeMatteis, Joshua Dysart, Brea Grant, Joe Keatinge, George Krstic, Joseph Michael Linsner, B. Clay Moore, Steve Niles, Laurie Penny, Matt Pizzolo, Steve Rolston, Riley Rossmo, Douglas Rushkoff, Tim Seeley, Simon Spurrier, and Ben Templesmith. It’s not just a time capsule of radical ideas/stories for/about change. And, most importantly, its not just quick way for some people to make quick and easy money like some other comic publishers that shall remain nameless. DC. This is a book about one of the most culturally significant happenings in this country in a long time and whether you agree with its ideals or not makes it no less poignant. So in honor of this achievement in the choice of medium we have decided to peddle we will be having a signing with Dean Haspiel, Ron Wimberly, Ben Templesmith, Ales Kot, and Matt Pizzolo on May 22nd at 6:30pm. Come get your copy and get it signed by all these artists and writers who created something larger than themselves about a movement that was bigger than anyone anticipated.All proceeds from the book’s sales go to current Occupy initiates such as Occupy Sandy and Strike Debt. Read comics that matter.
NOTICE:
ATTENTION ATTENTION!
Ben Templesmith WILL NOT be in attendance on Wednesday’s Signing due to some unavoidable circumstances. Ben however WILL be stopping by to sign copies of Occupy Comics #1 and Ten Grand #1 so we WILL have SIGNED Ben Templesmith comics in abundance just not the person. Our’s and Ben’s sincerest apologies.
REAL TALK (note how real that is with the use of capitalization, caps-lock AND italics): Forbidden Planet NYC tends to get a lot of stuff in on a weekly basis. Some of this stuff isn’t even Batman-related. And some of it sells out before I take notice. Or I don’t notice it at all, as I usually just beeline to the new comics upon entering the store.
Case in point: Maybe you wanted a statue that wasn’t an anime take on a character you like. Maybe you wanted it to be just a head instead. A head that could double as pen cup as well. GOOD NEWS, WE HAVE THAT VAGUELY SPECIFIC REQUEST COVERED! Marvel and Gentle Giant have teamed up to make a series of desk accessories and have started with everyone’s favorite overexposed Merc-with-a-Mouth, Deadpool! The Deadpool Pen cup will definitely result in a trip to H.R., but will be totally worth it! IT LOOKS GREAT! IT, UM, HOLDS STUFF! YOU CAN USE THE NINJA STARS EMBEDDED IN HIS HEAD AS ERASERS ( No I’m serious, you can). AND THE ARROW IS A FLETCHING CAP TO MAKE IT LOOK LIKE YOUR PEN/PENCIL IS AN ARROW, HOW CRAZY IS THAT??! It retails for about $106, which for a polystone statue/conversation starters/co-worker keeper-awayer is well worth it.
Okay so maybe you don’t want a Deadpool pen cup because you’re crazy or something. But let’s say you do want to throw your money at something Marvel related that’s not a comic and still totally Canadian related, but not Deadpool or Wolverine. WHAT IS UP WITH YOUR WEIRD REQUESTS? Questionable tastes aside, Marvel and Art Asylum/Diamond Select has released 2 different Alpha Flight Minimate sets! Set 1 includes Guardian (dead!), Marrina (dead!), Puck (X-Force-d) and Northstar (happily married X-man). And set 3 includes Aurora (Alive), Shaman (dead!), Snowbird (Alive?…) and Sasquatch (????). Each sets retails for about $20 and is definitely the only time you’ll be able to buy a full Alpha Flight roster in plastic anytime soon.
And maybe you’re a jerk/tired of my crappy jokes and you’re trying to drive me insane by forcing me to talk about Batman toys again. Congrads, Square-Enix has you covered, because apparently Batman is their plastic Final Fantasy. The first line of their Dark Knight Trilogy Play Art Kai Black (:: takes a breath::) is out and it’s a doozey of a line up. There’s the DKT Batman, because yo, how are you not going to start off a new Batman toy line without the Bat, and Bane, because ::: mumbles something in a terrible Bane impersonation :::. And we all know the drill by now; top of the line sculpts, solid multiple points of articulation, variant hands, etc. In terms of specific accessories, Batman comes with a selection of militarized (THANKS NOLAN) toys and Bane comes with a broken Bat-cowl, WHICH YOU BETTER NOT THINK GIVES YOU POWER ( ::: high fives self :::) ! These suckers go for $75 a pop, and you’ll want them now before the Catwoman and Joker figures drop in a few months.
Oh, what’s that? You just wanted something Adventure Time related? Cool, the latest wave of Pop Vinyl figures is Adventure Time themed. At $12 a pop you can choose from Finn, Jake, Lumpy Space Princess, Marceline or the Ice King. I would say their “Mathematical” or some such, but I pretty much blew my reference wad on Batman.
I’ve noticed my favorite “II” mobile suits keep ending up as webshop exclusives, and I, in my infinite wisdom, have purchased all of them. The White Dingo GM Sniper II, the Tallgeese II, and I’ve already put the money down on the Crossbone Gundam X-2. Hopefully, spending lots of money on this stuff won’t be a problem soon *hint hint*. Anyway, I’m glad this came out when it did, otherwise I was going to restore my old 1/100 kit and well, that hasn’t stood the test of time. The new Master Grade Tallgeese may not be perfect, but it’s awesome nonetheless.
The new Tallgeese Master Grade, be it the I or the II, is beautiful in its Katoki-designed glory. Sure, the suit was always a Katoki design, but never before were we able to get a more faithful recreation of the lineart. Really, until the Master Grades became a thing, Katoki’s designs never really translated well into kit form.
First, let’s talk about the verniers. The two massive boosters are mounted onto the back of the torso, as opposed to the backs of the shoulders. Now, there are still some mobility issues however, and there has been some paint scraping, but overall, it’s not very noticeable. It does affect articulation, however.
The boosters are basically all linked together and open to reveal four smaller boosters. The same can even be done for the ones on the rear skirt.
I like how the shield and gun both connect to the shoulders via a connecting mechanism like on the old kit, but with a door to close when not in use this time. There are enough joints here to actually allow for the shield and rifle to be held.
Speaking of the rifle, it has this weird spring loaded gimmick that I’m not sure I understand. I think it’s to simulate what the rifle looks like while firing, but I can’t find any use for it outside of a diorama, so I’ll keep it in the extended position.
The Shield looks awesome, especially with the decals. It can easily be held in the left hand, and contains two beam sabers. Both of which use the slanted blade some of the other Wing suits come with.
Unfortunately, the very design of the Tallgeese results in some limited poseability in the legs. That’s overcome thanks to some creative use of joints, namely in the hip armor. The hip armor is attached to the hips at the skirt and the thighs to keep it stationary while the rest of it moves.
Oh, and if you’re doing the TGII, be prepared to paint the feet black. For whatever reason, these were left gray. I don’t quite understand it…
Also included is a piece for mounting it on an action base, but hey, everything uses those these days!
Oh, and another thing! Getting it into the trademark “hands on the gun” pose is not easy, and I have no clue how to properly do it…
Really, the Tallgeese kit is a lot of fun, regardless of whether or not you have the I or II. It comes highly recommended by me, and if you want one, you should make sure to look for the Tallgeese I at FPNYC!
Working a closing shift at Forbidden Planet, wandering the asiles, when I noticed on our shelves a fantastic new Yotsuba model kit from Kotobukiya I hadn’t seen before…
Dressed in her usual outfit for a day of adventure, she wears an orange and white long-sleeved shirt, olive shorts, and orange and white shoes. Yotsuba is comprised of 120 pre-colored plastic pieces eliminating the need for painting, and 15 points of articulation and multiple interchangeable face parts with a wide array of different expressions provide for an amazing number of display options! The energetic girl stands nearly 5 ½ inches tall and comes with some really fun accessories like a kazoo, camera, bubble wand, and stuffed teddy bear.
Once again, motivation hits me like a brick to the face. And that’s a good thing! Especially since in this case, I’m incredibly motivated by what I’m actually building, not by the fact that it isn’t something else. If that makes any sense. I’m a huge fan of the Tallgeese II, and have been ever since 2000. You can understand my disappointment when I first got the original 1/144 kit, which was literally just the Tallgeese I kit with a lighter shade of white and a new head. Things got better when I made the 1/100 Endless Waltz kit, but I just wanted more.
And after ten years of longing, I finally have it. Like always, we’re going to take a look at the upper body of the kit first, before going onto the full product. I feel this makes things a bit less overwhelming.
First, let’s talk about the decals. Here’s a fun fact: This is actually one of only two Gundam Wing kits in the Master Grade line, the other being Wing Gundam. Every other “Gundam Wing” Master Grade is actually an Endless Waltz kit, as far as branding goes, anyway. I guess Japan just likes Endless Waltz more.
Since this is just a Gundam Wing kit, and not an Endless Waltz one, the Tallgeese II is spared the decal hell of the other Wing Master Grades. That isn’t to say the decals here aren’t cool, however. I adore the “TALLGEESE II” and “OZ-00MS2” decals on the shoulders in particular. I wish there was a decal with Treize’s signature, or something. Aside from those decals, most of them are your standard warning decals.
The head is nice, with that awesome Gundam face under the good old centurion helmet. That’s what makes the Tallgeese for me. Unfortunately, there is no shape for the eyes, so you’re probably going to have to use the sticker.
But of course, there’s the Mohawk. I did mine in gold, because I do all of my “mid series upgrade” suits from Wing with it. The trim is a pain to do, but it can be done. It just takes a steady hand and a small brush.
One thing that always bugged me about the old Tallgeese kits was the arm. I never liked the way the fact that they couldn’t go flush on the old kit, and I guess it was just designed that way from the start. The joint is well done, and separates nice and evenly. The Tallgeese also has the standard hand set included with the other Wing suits and the new SEED kits.
One fantastic innovation on this kit is the location of the vernier packs. I don’t have them assembled yet, but for once, they AREN’T attached to the shoulders! This is going to make things a lot easier for poseability, and the old verniers (on both scales) were infamous for coming loose.
The Tallgeese II has been a joy to build so far, and I expect that to continue. Remember, the standard Tallgeese is all you’ll find at FPNYC, so make sure to take a look for
Elastic City, a non-profit arts organization that presents participatory walks by artists throughout and outside of New York and they’re having one of these “walks” next Thursday. Roz Chast who works as a cartoonist for The New Yorker will be there making live drawings. The event will feature heralded sound artist Maria Chavez on the turntables, sensory-based walks throughout the venue by Elastic City artists, lighting designed by Jon Torres and a special take-away from designer Riley Hooker. Throughout the evening expert bartenders from Brooklyn’s Clover Club, JakeWalk and Death & Company will call upon attendees’ collective senses of taste and smell to devise a signature Elastic City cocktail. There will be an open bar, a variety of hors d’oeuvres and desserts from local restaurants, a raffle and a silent auction. Below are a few important event details:
Date: Thursday May 23, 2013
Time: 7:30 PM – 10:30 PM
Location: Elizabeth Foundation for the Arts, EFA Project Space (323 West 39th St., 2nd Floor; Manhattan)
Tickets: $40 for admission to the event with open bar; $150 for admission to the event with open bar, a fantastic gift bag, a gift certificate for 2 spots on any Elastic City walk, and an 8×10 photo of your liking from our archives.
Going to start this article off with a quick round of the comparison game. The subject? Doing it right in terms of female statues.
As you all can see there’s 2 images of statues on the left. One is the Bishoujo Female Commander Shepard (Mass Effect 3) by Kotobukiya. On her right is the Ame Comi Arisia by DC Entertainment. One of these statues is very good. One of these are not. Care to take a guess as to which is which?
If you guesses Fem-Shep being the good one, correct your eyeballs are functioning correctly! I’ve stated I’m a fan of both ME and the Bishoujo line plenty of times in the past, and for good reasons. Look at that statue. Well sculpted, great detail (especially in the armor), it’s a fairly good representations of the property and something I wouldn’t be embarrassed to have on my shelf. And there’s also a slick variant out with black hair and an Omni-Blade instead of rifle. For $60, you could do a lot worse.
Which brings us to Arisia. I’m familiar with the character, and was kind of a fan of her when Peter Tomasi and Pat Gibbons was writing Green Lantern Corps. But this statue? Nope. If it wasn’t orange I would have sworn it was some terrible Devaint Art fan-art take on Captain Marvel. I don’t even understand why the Ame Comi line exists now that Kotobukiya does DC Bishoujos too? Are the sales that good? I dunno FP Faithful, aside from the green snot constructs, I’m really not feeling this figure. And for the price, you can do a lot better. Look as Shepard. $60 for something I consider lame fan-service, especially when compared to some of the past Ame Comi figures, ain’t worth it in my book.
Speaking of getting your money’s worth, let’s take a look at some new offerings from Square Enix. It’s know it’s been a long 5 months since we’ve gotten any Metal Gear Solid related Play Arts (sarcasm y’all), but Squenix has just dropped 2 news ones that certainly make up the lack of releases, especially since their a little more pricey than past MGS releases. That being said, it’s not like their skimping out on what comes packaged with them….
Both Soldius Snake (Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty) & Raiden (Metal Gear Rising)’s offerings definitely make up for the price mark-ups. The President (MGS2 was WEIRD y’all) comes with variant hands, twin swords, 2 machines guns and tendrils. Raiden’s packaged with a variant head, alternate hands, knives, swords, and VARIANT FEET! That’s definitely a 1st. If you got the $90 to drop on em, grab em, because I’m fairly certain they won’t be on shelves for too long, event on the higher end of the price spectrum.
Wrapping up this week’s new releases is definitely one of the more obscure Marvel 3-packs to come out from Hasbro since the Guardians of the Galaxy set.. The Inhumans are now in stock, featuring their king Black Bolt (one of my favorite Jack Kirby creations!), his wife Medusa, and master of hand to hand combat Karnak. It’s a $37 set that doesn’t really offer much in terms of accessories, but yo, chances are we ain’t seeing this figures get single-card releases anytime soon. Pick em up now, because I can’t see many completeionists let these figures sit on our shelves for too long.
Tyler wants me to turn in my new column so he can go home. I have to write it first but he doesn’t know that yet. I don’t really know what to write about though because I mostly wanted to write about myself but Forbidden Planet is less excited about that. So after much arguing and fighting the lovely heads of Forbidden Planet have convinced me not to just rerun last weeks column where I fiercely recommended my book, TWELVE REASONS TO DIE #1, which is (still) on shelves now! So I am not going to mention TWELVE REASONS TO DIE #1. I am going to talk about a bunch of other books. Books I didn’t write. Books I don’t like as much as TWELVE REASONS TO DIE #1.
Oooh. Here is one I can support wholeheartedly! REGULAR SHOW #1 is out this week. Not only is it the very funny comic based on the very funny TV show, but if you are reading this on Wednesday (or have the ability to go back in time) the great Allison Strejlau, artist on The Regular Show comic will be signing at FORBIDDEN PLANET, starting at 6:30. I may bring doughnuts for Allison and maybe she would share with you. I may end up forgetting to bring donuts so don’t make her feel bad if she doesn’t have any to share. Also, the staff at Forbidden Planet tends to get all Gollum-y when there are sweets around so the do-nuts don’t always make it to the signing. (Please don’t go back in time just for the doenuts. That’s not ok.) Anyway, even if you can’t come to the signing buy the book. It is crazy and fun and weird. You could probably use those things in your life.
Forbidden Planet is a New York City comic book store and that is a heavy burden to bare sometimes. The Spirit is from here. Part of Maus take place here. The Avengers are from here. Part of Sandman takes place here. Cecil & Jordan are here. Jacques Tardi called New York his love. DMZ, Ultimatum, Watchmen, and countless other books attacked our city but never destroyed it. Ex Machina is about our mayor. Adrian Tomine sketches people on our subways. Frank Miller accosts poor people on our streets. Steve Ditko monitors all comings and goings from his secret lair. The ghost of Will Eisner haunts every inch of gentrified New York. Marvel is from here. DC is from here. Raw is from here. Valiant is from here. Archie is from here. Abrams is from here. There is an issue of The Authority that takes place in our very store for #$&@ sake. When you talk about New York you better do it with the gravitas it deserves. Charles Soule (27, Swamp Thing) has decided to throw his hat in the ring of New York stories and, thankfully for all involved, he comes out the other side unscathed. STRANGE ATTRACTORS is a beautiful, complex, and amazingly fun book about the mystical, mathematical, and all powerful forces that make up a city and the people who control and channel those forces. Equal parts Ex Machina, Sandman, and Planetary, this is one of those books that people will still be rereading, discussing and trying to better understand 10 years from now. If you want smart love letters to New York you have an awful lot to choose from, but this should be at the top of the heap.
INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK vol. 1 is out this week. Leinil Yu draws the hulk smashing stuff. That’s all you need to know.
I talk a lot about how good the new Image books are. A lot of people are reading the obvious stuff by the big guys- Fatale, Manhattan Projects, Walking Dead, Saga, etc. Here’s the thing, there are a lot of brilliant books that are flying under your radars and you should be picking them up without a doubt. HOAX HUNTERS vol 2 is out this week. On premise alone this book should be everyone’s favorite. A team of paranormal investigators who use their “Mythbusters” type show to discredit these phenomena while secretly dealing with them off camera. So much fun and about as good an ensemble cast as a comic is likely to have, if you haven’t grabbed HOAX HUNTERS do yourself a favor and pick up both trades this week. It was also just optioned by the suits in Hollywood so, much like Chew, 100 Bullets, and all the other in development tv/movie comics, you should expect everyone to be talking about this one in a few months. Most importantly though Hoax Hunters doesn’t go where you expect it, which is the best praise I can give a book like this.
Image also has their 4th volume of the hilarious and tragic LIL’ DEPRESSED BOY this week. Indie rock, unrequited crushes, and ragdoll of a guy make this book the heir apparent to the Scott Pilgrim throne. LIL’ DEPRESSED BOY is one of those books that will mean the world to a few people and will be missed by most others. You should buy it and see if you are one of those people who it will mean the world to, because being the person who falls in love real hard is always the better person to be.
Completing the trilogy of great Image tpb’s by their up and commers is PETER PANZERFAUST vol. 2. The little book that could, this book looked like it wouldn’t make it past 12 issues when it started, couldn’t find an audience, couldn’t get attention, and then… Something! One of the most talked about books of 2013, this tale of Peter Pan and friends fighting Nazi’s in WWII is a clever idea done well. There is not much more you can ask for out of a book. Smart and good? That should be enough for you.
Lastly, if I can’t talk about my book TWELVE REASONS TO DIE #1 (on shelves now) I will talk about the reprint of FIVE GHOSTS #2. That’s right. I am recommending a reprint. Why? I will give you 5 reasons because I am not very clever and the number 5 appears in the name of this book.
One of the best books of the year, this is just classic pulp adventures, nastiness and all. There’s nothing like it on shelves now and that is sad for us but great for Five Ghosts.
It is definitely one of the hottest indie books of the last few years. Finding a copy of issue #1 or #2 is becoming a herculean task so get it while you can.
Issue #3 comes out next week and ups the ante in every way. What was one of the best books of the year is about to become one of the best books of the last 10 years. Get on board now.
The brand new S.M. Viduarri cover is amazing. It goes perfectly with Chris Mooneyham’s moody and period appropriate interior art and Frank Barbiere’s tense and creepy script.
I WROTE THE BACKUP STORY!!! Ha! I tricked you! I got you excited about a book I am in without you even knowing it. Buy it for FIVE GHOSTS, stay for my 2 page story that begins here. Or just buy it for my story. I don’t really care. Just buy it. Don’t be a square.
The comic book hits of tomorrow are written and drawn by the genius’ of today! I hope each and every one of you out there is creating your own amazing stories to thrill and entertain. Forbidden Planet has an excellent small press section, and there is no reason you books cannot be amongst them.
Until then, dear reader, maybe you’ll check out these other titels?
DREAM TEAM
Image has a brand new title out this week called The Dream Merchant #1, and Dark Horse has The Dream Thief #1 (of 5). Listen, we have GOT to get these two characters together! They might work out a plt for Inception 2.
Joking aside, both look like interesting sci/fi supernatural thrillers. In the Dream Merchant, a young boy has haunting dreams of an alternate timeline which has been erased by sinister forces. His dreams unlock the secrets to getting that reality back, but should he follow them or go back to sleep?
In the Dream Thief, an ancient mask worn by our hero once makes him the conduit for vengeful spirits while he slumbers. Think Poltergeist meets the Mask.
Here’s a helpful piece of advice: If you’re in a comic book and you should find a strange, creepy mask? JUST LEAVE IT ALONE! Same goes for drinking serums in laboratories, or flying in space or trying on any jewelry you find in a treasure chest or tomb.
Speaking of tombs,
MASTER OF HORROR
Edgar Allen Poe’s Fall of the House of Usher #1 (of 2) is a new horror comic out from Richard Corbin and Dark Horse. I don’t know much about the writer on this book…Edgar Allen Poe? What comics has he worked on before? Can anyone tell me if this guy has done any superhero stuff, I’d like to read more of his work. Still, Richard Corbin is one of the best in horror books. If you’ve seen Corbin’s work then you know he’s both cartoony and horrifying, grotesque and fun all at once!
Kinda’ like this next book; John K. Presents Spumco Comic Book HC (34.99) is my NUMBER ONE pick this week! IDW continues their fine work reprinting in large format print classic material from hard to find sources. Spumco Comics is a collection (plus new material!) of the comic works of John K., the animation super star behind Ren and Stimpy. John K. has a unique style, and humor so low-brow people will wonder if you have any brows at all.
THE BIG TWO
DC has the second issue of their He-Man relaunch title (He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #2) as well as Justice League #20, and the 30 page, final issue of Sword and Sorcery #8. DC is gearing up for their big summer specials, as well as a few surprises for our pal He-Man!
Marvel is swinging back with Age of Ultron #8, FF#7, and Wolverine and the X-Men #29 amongst others. Both Age of Ultron #8 and the latest Wolvie title are alternate future versions of the current Marvel Universe. Alternate titles are always fun! I suggest you read these now, so when you pick up the Return to the Age of Ultron Universe title Marvel will be publishing in 10 years, you’ll know what’s going on.
STILL DRAWING?
How’s your comic going…you know, the one you’r working on? WHAT? You haven’t started it yet, you’ve been reading my column?! DUDE/M’AME, drop this thing like your butt in a bouncy castle and get working on new comic books!
Don’t forget to clip all the pages of your comic book together with staples. Comics without staples is just a series of nonsensical leaflets which won’t stay together.
Our friends at Last Gasp have a nifty YouTube channel these days, and last week posted an interesting interview Jon Longhi conducted with Robert Crumb.
Good stuff. So’s the rest in this series, with more to come. View their other videos and/or subscribe here.
Collects Hawkeye (2012) 1-5, Young Avengers Presents 6
Published by: Marvel Comics, retail price $16.99
A great creative team can get me to read any book on the stand, despite what characters are involved. Case in point, I could have not given any less of a damn about the Young Avengers in the past, but then Marvel NOW tossed Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie on the title, and I haven’t missed an issue yet. Having a creative team you like work on a character you love however, is one of the best things you can ask for as a comics fan, and I’m a pretty big Hawkeye fan.
While the last time Fraction/Aja worked together on a book ( Immortal Iron Fist) was fantastic, both contributor’s have stepped up their game for the Marvel on-going “Hawkeye” series, which the first collected edition just dropped. The premise is simple: What does the most human Avenger do during his time off? Obviously get into a ton of trouble, because this is a comic book, and violence & drama sell. Clint ends up trading blows with his Landlord and his Bros (Bros), an evil version of Cirque De Soleil and eventually, a collection of Marvel’s nastiest gangsters, spies, and thugs for a mission of sorts for S.H.I.E.L.D.. Barton also has to deal with himself, and the series of poor life choices he makes. And when he’s not, he’s usually hanging around his neighbors in Brooklyn, allowing Fractions and friend to do some nice character building.
There’s also a dog who eats pizza named Lucky, that both I and Tumblr are very fond of.
And even though the book is called “Hawkeye”, Clint’s not the sole start of the title. Kate Bishop, also Hawkeye, is the straight man to Clint, despite being 11-12 years younger than him. Fraction does a great job making her a polar opposite to Clint, but every so often will drop a reminder that she’s 18, and all the baggage that goes with that age. Also props to the artists’ attached to the collection that do a fine job of drawing her at her proper age, and even giving her a cool new redesign. She’s a much of a main character as Clint is, only not as much of a mess. And if you’re not familiar with Kate was a character (a shame, Young Avengers volume 3 is great), Marvel did a solid and included a Fraction penned-one shot where both Hawkguys meet for the first time.
I’ve praised the writing a lot so far, but David Aja and Javier Pulido deserve a ton of props for the art in this book. Like Chris Samsee on Daredevil (also edited by Steve Whacker!), this book has a very European art book vibe to it, which works even as a street level Marvel title. Both artists do some amazing work, and 12-13 panels per page is something not uncommon in the series. The art does the script justice and it shows what kind of magic results from creators bringing their A game to a title .
I’ve given Hawkeye a ton of praise on this site before, and it’s deserved. And I’m not the only one. The book has gone through several reprintings for each issues, and it’s up for a number of Eisner’s this year. For $17, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be reading this book right now.
This Wednesday the 15th at Forbidden Planet, Allison Strejlau will be in store at 6:30 signing copies of Regular Show #1! Allison is the regular monthly artist on this new comic series based off the immensely popular TV show. And if that wasn’t enough, Allison, lovely person that she is, will even be doing sketches! So don’t miss the chance to get your brand new number one signed and drawn on by the artist of what is sure to be one of the hardest books to keep on shelves.
All of the Forbidden Planet crew had an excellent time this past weekend on Free Comic Books Day! I’m sorry I couldn’t make it out in person to see everybody, but I unfortunately don’t exist anymore since Wolverine and Sue Storm went back in time to “take care of some business” in Age of Ultron #6. That’s right, I’ve been retconned out of existence.
STILL LUCKY
I still consider myself lucky, really. I’m sure the Avengers or whoever will work the problem out. Reading the LA Times in Limbo, a crazy story caught my eye! Apparently a dangerous suspect was arrested by police after a foiled hit-and-run assault which culminated in the perp trying to muscle her way into a Free Comic Book Day event at a Los Angeles comic shop! Comic book fans, some in costume, gazed in amazement as the suspect forcibly tried to hide in the shop after smashing her get away vehicle through a nearby street sign, only to have the car coast into the wall where the fans had JUST been standing.
The arrest was made possible by the shop owner who held the doors fast when he realized something was amiss.
Comic book retailers working hand in sweaty hand with the LAPD to arrest criminals usually left to Spidey, Nightwing and other fictional (street level) do-gooders. This sort of activity reminds me who the REAL super-heroes are…you know who?
THAT’S RIGHT
YOU! You are the greatest, bravest heroes we have! On behalf of Forbidden Planet, I want to thank you, the readers, fans and supporters for giving us a reason to open our doors! Retail is tough, comic book retail is FREAKIN’ tough, but not half as tough as you folks and your unswerving loyalty to comics.
Thank you for choosing Forbidden Planet as your watering trough for refreshing comics! If there’s every anything more we could be doing, a book you’d like us to carry or material you’d like to see, please be sure you let us know. We exist to serve…well, the rest of the staff does. I don’t (currently) exist at all. Stupid Wolverine.
IF I DID
When I do come back, hopefully with an eyepatch and some crazy new powers, I’ll have to hunt down the back issues of this week’s hot books! The Walking Dead #110, Batman (and Batman and Robin ) #20, Bravest Warriors #8, and some new Richard Corbin horror material from Dark Horse and Creepy Comics #12all have to be mine!
The main Star Wars book has been a fun read, and Star Wars #5hits this week, too! Plenty of back issues to scoop up if you haven’t been following it yet. SPEAKING of “star” properties, Star Trek Into Darkness drops this week, and the latest issue of IDW’s Star Trek Ongoing #21 picks up RIGHT after the movie ends! I repeat: DO NOT read Star Trek Ongoing #21 on Wednesday, but do read it Friday after you’ve seen the movie! I can’t wait!
Deadpool #9,Thor #8and Avengers #11 round out a decent roster of Marvel Must Haves, and with that I lay another column to a close.
At the end of the day, the Forbidden Planet stays open because of you. We are gracious for your business and we hope you come back, soon. As long as you’re there to help, The Forbidden Planet will be there with all your comics, sci-fi, horror, Manga, and various plastic objet d’art you need.
