Vertigo - First Issues Free!

Oh, the stressful life of a comics reader. There are so many titles out, and so little time to read everything. Once things start to come out in trade, you feel like you can't catch up! And its often difficult to figure out where to start. You hear about how great 100 Bullets is, or how Preacher blew your best friend away... but how do you tackle the daunting task of figuring out which series you want to buy?

Vertigo has made things a little easier. First issues of "classic" Vertigo titles, From Sandman to Fables to DMZ, are now available in PDF form at their website ( vertigocomics.com ). Head on over and check them out if you're looking to start a new series, but just can't decide which one.

-Elizabeth

First Glance Review

I came in early today to get a quick look at the new stuff before work. Thought I'd ass on a superquick review for anyone who might be sitting at work and bored enough to check the blog coming in.

American Virgin #6...I'm digging this series. I don't know where the hell its headed, but its unique premise has kept me interested. The new issue has Adam back in the states and speaking at a religious convention.

Battlestar Galactica #1...who cares? Love the show.

Hulk Mythos #1...another retelling of the Hulk origins. But with really gorgeous painted art by Paola Rivera

Snakes on a Plane #1...Nick Fury vs Snakes on a plane!

Ultimate Fantastic Four #33...Pasqual Ferry takes over the art with a new story arc about stranded aliens. Fantastic art.

All-Star Superman #5...the only comic I had to read cover to cover. Luthor gives Clark Kent a grand tour of Stryker's Island prison. Morrison packs more goods into an issue than most writers can a mini series.

And on the book rack,

The 9/11 Comission report...uhh...check it out for yourself. If you don't buy it, you're not an American.

Whacha Mean Whatsa Zine?...anthology about the whole zine making process from some of the biggest zinesters, includes Dan Zetwoch's tips for a successful trip to the post office.

Captain Amazing...superhero farce from the PVP creators. Dan likes.

And finally, Stan Lee's Amazing Marvel Tales...ohhh, Stan Lee. This walk through Marvel memory lane features audio clips (yep) of Stan Lee tellin it like it is. or was. or whatever. You can even try it out before you buy. Which means if someone doesn't buy them all in the next few days, we'll all go insane.

-nick

Dan's Recommended Buys Part 2

JLA Classified - So this series is usually touch and go for me, being set in all different time periods, there are bound to be some I don't really care about. Such as the last arc, about the Detroit League. I mean, I'm sure they're good stories, but it's not MY League, you know? However, the new arc, written by Howard Chaykin, with art by Kirby Plunkett and Dustin Nguyen, is my League. More accurately it's Morrison's League, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Green Lantern, Flash, and the Martian Manhunter. Set sometime just after The Obsidian Age two tiny neighboring South American countries have each just crushed independent revolutions with super-humans. Barred by a UN resolution from interfering the League has to go in undercover, while making the rest of the world believe they're quite busy elsewhere. Highly recommended.

-Dan

Dan's Recommended Buys This Week Part I

I wanted to give everyone a heads up on a few of books coming out this week that I particularly recommend. No big surprise, they're each from DC.

All Star Superman - Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. What more needs to be said about this really? If the number of times you reread something is a good indicator of how much you like something, then I must really love this book. Every time I read it I find something new that I hadn't picked up on before. Like in the last issue, when Superman is exposed to the new black kryptonite, did anyone else notice how his cape stopped fluttering around him and was pressed up against his body? Like his body had started to exert a gravitational pull after being exposed. It's all about the little things.

Trials of Shazam - Now I wasn't planning on picking this book up actually. Even though it's being written by one of my favorites, Judd Winick, and illustrated by JLA legend Howard Porter, I've never really had much interest in the character. We got a preview copy in this last week so I gave it a quick read Wednesday after I got off work. Porter's art is just amazing this time, it almost looks like a very clean version of Dan Breretons art. And Winick makes it very easy to get into the characters head and understand what he's going through. Better way to put it would be he put's a human face on a very inhuman, godlike character. Nicely done.

Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters - This is also kind of Grant Morrison. At least the characters were designed by him. The follow-up to this summer's Battle for Blüdhaven, Freedom Fighters is the story of the new Uncle Sam after he was killed by the Society in Infinite Crisis #1. Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray (Jonah Hex, Crisis Aftermath: Battle For Blüdhaven) and featuring the art of superstar Daniel Acuña (JLA and Outsiders covers)! Acuña's art is just amazing! The first issue was good, but by the second issue his art just jumps another level altogether. Looking like it's going to be more about the politics of the DC Universe, this is a book that should also appeal to readers of EX MACHINA and SUPREME POWER. I included here a couple pages from the first issue so you can get a look at the amazing art as well. Enjoy!

-Dan

Wonder Woman Everywhere!

It seems like Wonder Woman is getting an awful lot of attention as a character lately; and it's about time, I say. As one of the early pioneers for female superheroes, Wonder Woman was never afraid to step up to the plate and fight just as hard as the guys. But too often her name is passed over when talking about major heroes. I mean, jeez, the lady was a founding member of the JLA! What more do you people want?

As you may know, this week saw the release of the 2nd issue of the new Wonder Woman. With Donna Troy (formerly Wonder Girl) having taken the reigns for Diana after all these years, it will be interesting to see where this series is headed.

And, because you all know I like to keep up with the comic book movies, lets talk about the upcoming Wonder Woman adaptation. This is actually a movie I can get behind; mostly because it's being directed by Joss Whedon, who has proven himself in film (Serenity) and comics (Astonishing X-Men). Kate Beckinsale is supposedly playing Wonder Woman, but it doesn't appear to be totally confirmed yet. There was talk of everyone from Lucy Lawless (aka Xena Warrior Princess) to Charisma Carpenter (Buffy's and later Angel's Cordelia) playing the role.

Next year will be a big year for Wonder Woman fans. Not only will the movie (hopefully) be released, but DC has announced All-Star Wonder Woman will debut summer 2007. I mean, this seems like to obvious next step after Batman and Superman's All-Star series, but rumor has it this all came about when a fan asked Dan DiDio if DC was planning on an All-Star Wonder Woman series. Another demonstration of the ultimate power of the readership. The series will be written and penciled by Adam Hughes.

So let's all rally behind our favorite super-lady, because Wonder Woman just hasn't gotten the credit she deserves until now.

-Elizabeth

A Little Less Ultimate

I just learned that as of issue #110, Mark Bagley is leaving Ultimate Spider-man. This is a sad, sad day.

While I know that Bagley and Bendis, who is staying, have had one of the longest runs as a creative team in comics history (with #103 it *will* be the longest run) this just kills me. Bagley's art is just so much a part of the Ultimate universe that when he worked on The Pulse the only way I could tell it wasn't his Ultimate stuff was how Ben Urich looked.

But seriously, I just want to take a minute here and thank Bagley and Bendis both for the tremendous work that they have put into this book. For years now I have looked forward to this book every month, and unlike so many others this one has never dropped the ball. The quality of work they put in has never wavered, even when they were putting out 18 issues a year. Think about that for minute, 18 issues a year. Hell, lot's of books have a problem getting 12 out in a year. So thank you, thank you very much. And I wish you luck in whatever you do next, which I'm sure I'll be reading.

-Dan

The History of Ramune

"According to some sources, marble playing in Japan began when children started removing the marbles from the Ramune bottles in order to play marble games shortly after the introduction of the bottles in 1876."

The history of Ramune.

...but how do you get it out of the bottle?

Music is Magic

"Music is magic?" That hippy mumbo jumbo malarkey has somehow turned
into an awesome comic in Phonogram. Its like Nick Hornsby writing
Books of Magic. But wait, no. Take the wimpy Harry Potter kid out. Now its starring Warren Ellis. There you go.

Phonogram follows David Kohl. He's a "phonomancer", a magician that gets his power from music. But its not like he walks around with a guitar strapped to his back that emits lightning when he strikes it. That'd work fine, but this is more subtle than that. Much more realistic. Kohl is just kind of a dick hipster who uses the power that music has in it, and in people's experience of it, to manipulate people and...I don't know what else - it was just the first issue.

But check it out. Its got some great art and well crafted dialogue. The writer, Kieron Gillen, proudly infuses his knowledge of pop music into the main character's snobbery, without turning the book itself into a vanity ton ten list. My one complaint is that the plotting was a little sketchy. As I was reading it, I wasn't entirely clear about when and where it was jumping to. But I am a bit slow, so maybe a second read will clear it up.

Fear Agent

Hey all! Just got finished reading this great new book called Fear Agent. It's on it's seventh issue right now, but the trade just came out a couple of weeks ago and I been meaning to read it for a bit now. It's written by Rick Remender, the same guy who wrote Sea of Red and Strange Girl, and the first trade is illustrated by The Walking Dead's Tony Moore. The main character, Heath Huston, is the last Fear Agent, which if Heath is any example, were a bunch of hard drinking foul-mouthed Texan bounty hunters. Reminds me a bit of Lazarus Long crossed with Lobo. Add in retro-spaceships, giant brains, ape-men, giant tentacled monsters, time travel, intelligent yeti, intelligent yetis in robot bodies, cloning, more giant brains, big wars, more time travel, city destroying spaceships, time cops, and, well, what more do you need really? At times the inner monologue can just keep going and going with out saying a thing about anything, so that's a bit of drawback. Actually, it reminds me a bit of my own writing in that regard. I guess that means there's hope after all! So, it might not be the best book on the shelf, but it's a hell of a lot fun.

Oh, yeah - you can read the first issue online for free!

-Dan

Knitted Zombies

You read Walking Dead. You've seen Dawn of the Dead, like, 50 times.
But you can't say you really love zombies unless you've knitted
zombies.

-Nick

New Elseworlds!

Well, not quite. While not being new Elseworld books, they are new Elseworld figures. And what figures they are! From my favorite, a Mike Mignola inspired Batman from Gotham by Gaslight, to an Alex Ross Spectre. The Spectre figure is actually a two pack that also comes with Alex Ross's father. Okay, it's actually Norman McKay from Kingdom Come, but Ross even said the character was his father, visually at least. Also from the Kingdom Come series will be Jade, daughter of Green Lantern Alan Scott. From the smash hit Superman: Red Son we get two new figures, President Superman(very cool!), and the Russian Batman. He even comes with the detonator for the bomb in his heart! That's hardcore! I'll probably have to pick up the Mignola Batman for myself at least, if not both of them. DC's Elseworlds Series 2 ships August 23.

-Dan

Garth Ennis: Busiest Man in Comics

Garth Ennis has been very busy lately. The man who brought us Preacher has three new titles out, all of which are very different, but also very recognizably Ennis. My question is, can he keep up with everything he's writing? If so, he's quickly becoming one of the most prolific writers in comics today.

The most recent of the three new series is The Boys, the first issue of which was just relesed this past Wednesday. Ennis and illustrator Darick Roberrtson (Transmetropolitan) seem like some sort of super-team of dark humor and cynicism. Issue one demonstrates a ruthlessly cruel sense of humor, and has so much adult content packed into those few pages (gore, violence, partial nudity and very very bad language) that we begin to glimpse what Ennis meant when he promised this series will "out-Preacher Preacher". The plot seems to be a mixture of superheroes gone bad, government conspiracy, and what could shape up to be a genuine brute squad, so needless to say I'm excited to see where this goes.

The other series I've been reading by Ennis is A Man Called Kev, which is more or less a spin-off of The Authority. The art is by Carlos Ezquerra. It takes the Kevin Hawkins character from the Kev storylines from The Authority, and gives him his own series. Issues one and two were pretty fun, and you don't really have to be that familiar with the character to enjoy them, though it would probably help you appreciate some of the dialouge.

The third new title is 5 issue mini-series Battler Britton, which I confess I didn't even get through the first issue of. This isn't any reflection on Ennis; it seemed well-written. I just don't get that into war comics, and the story takes place during WWII, among British and American air force pilots. The original Battler Britton series was published by Thriller Picture Library in the 1950s. If you liked War Stories, this is probably more up your alley than Kev or The Boys.

-Elizabeth

The Phantom

I just got some good news. After two or three months of courting the gents at Moonstone Comics, I've been asked to be the regular colorist on The Phantom, written by Mike Bullock with art by Carlos Magno. If you've read the blog before, you might know I've done a little bit of work assisting with colors, but this will be the first time I'm taking on the full job, myself.

Of course, since I just found it, its going to be a few months before it hits the stands, but my first issue will be #13. So buy it. I promise mind blowing colors that haven't been invented yet. I'm talking plaid and argile, MIXED.

Did you know the Phantom is credited as being the first costumed comic character? Yep. Zorro wore a mask, but Phantom did the full-body purple undies long before it was 'cool'. And another interesting fact is that he wasn't supposed to be purple. The writer envisioned him as gray, but some punk colorist decided purple would be better. The more you know...

-Nick

Where is the War

Okay, so a lot of people have been asking when the next issue of Civil War is coming out. Well, as I am sure many of you have already heard, there is going to be a sizable delay for not only Civil War, but many of the associated tie-ins. Because Marvel is trying to make their universe more coherant, which I highly applaud, many of their other titles can not come out till Civil War #4 comes, and then again until #5 comes out.

According to an interview Mark Millar gave to Newsarama the main delay has been with artist Steve McNiven. This is not to say that McNiven is slacking, but that the amount of work involved on a book with so many characters is more then was expected. While in the past Marvel has tried to have projects completed before they start printing them, because of things like Daredevil Father and the whole Spider-Man/Black Cat mess, McNiven apparently had very little lead-time on the series. Millar and McNiven both expected that Marvel would bring in someone else to do an issue or two, but Marvel, crediting McNiven with a large part of Civil Wars success, has decided to wait.

I am hugely surprised by this turn of events actually. This is another case of Marvel putting the integrity of the project over the cost of business. As someone introduced to Marvel comics in the early 90's this is just amazing, I can't imagine them doing anything like this even five years ago. So while I am ticked that I won't be seeing some of my favorite books, FF and Amazing, for a month or more I really have to hand it to them. Good looking out Marvel, keep it up!

Below is a list of the delayed books and their new ship dates.


CIVIL WAR 4 moves to 9/20
FANTASTIC FOUR 540 moves to 9/20
CIVIL WAR FRONT LINE 6 moves to 9/27
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 535 moves to 9/27
CIVIL WAR FRONT LINE 7 moves to 10/11

CIVIL WAR 5 moves to 11/15
CIVIL WAR FRONT LINE 8 moves to 11/22
PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL 1 moves to 11/22
FANTASTIC FOUR 541 moves to 11/22
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 536 moves to 11/22

CIVIL WAR 6 moves to 12/20
CIVIL WAR FRONT LINE 9) moves to 12/20
PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL 2 moves to 12/28
CIVIL WAR FRONT LINE 10 moves to 1/4/07
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN 537 moves to 1/4/07
FANTASTIC FOUR 542 moves to 1/4/07

Rorschach Goes to the Movies

If Alan Moore were dead, he'd be rolling in his grave right now. But he's not dead, so he's probably just really angry. Elizabeth, you ask, what are you going on about? Well, gentle readers, it is my great displeasure to tell you I have learned today of a movie adaptation in the works of Moore's masterpiece Watchmen. IMDb (IMDb.com) lists the director as Zack Snyder (who also directed the Dawn of the Dead re-make and the recently completed adaptation of Frank Miller's 300-- what is it with this guy?), and credits the screenplay to Alex Tse and David Hayter.

I can't even begin to imagine the ways in which Hollywood will ruin Watchmen, which is one of the greatest books I've ever read, mostly because of it's intricate plot and character development. Which, sorry, but no WAY can that translate into a two hour film. After what Hollywood did to League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, V for Vendetta, and From Hell (ask me about what I thought about these movies someday if you have half an hour or so), I have absolutely no hope for Watchmen the movie being worth 8 bucks. Sure, with John Cusack rumoured as Night Owl, and Sigourney Weaver as a possible Silver Spectre, it will have the star power to draw in crowds. But the story will no doubt be ripped to shreds, the characters flattened to one dimension, and all the subtleties of Moore's writing completely defiled.

If you haven't read Watchmen, I strongly suggest you remedy that as soon as you can get down to Star Clipper and pick it up. It is the closest thing I have ever read to a perfectly crafted novel. Watchmen is not simply a story about superheroes, it is a story about people, and about the world. And in that it is a story about superheroes, it's a heck of a great one. And if you must see the movie, make sure to give the book a chance, and let Alan Moore tell the story the way it should be told.

-Elizabeth

Wolverine

The things that Warren Ellis can lead you to. I found this off his website last night. I just don't know what to say about this. It's just... I don't have the words. Enjoy.

PS. Apparently they are just temporary. Oh, wait, I did think of something to say. "AHEM" - I guess he didn't get the memo about all the Wolverine clones only getting two claws. Ba-bump!

Hey, you try and knock one out the park every time.

300 is Coming!

So I've been doing some poking around, and it seems hardly anyone knows that Frank Miller's 300 is being made into a movie. WTF guys? I still can't get people to stop talking about Sin City, but no one seems to be paying any attention to this. They even had a big panel at the San Diego comic con. And I refuse to call it Comic-con, other then right there, as it makes it seem as it's the only one. Hell, from everything I hear they're only about a third comics now. It's the San Diego Comic Convention, end of story.

ANYWHO, I found this really neat pic on the 300 website and thought you all might be interested. They say the first trailer will be released sometime in the next month.

And if you haven't read the book yet(shame on you), you're in luck! After much hemming and hawing Dark Horse decided not to try and publish a smaller soft cover, and brought back the oversized hardcover. As wide as two comics the format allows the original double page spreads from the comic to placed on a single page. It's so nice! So if you don't have one come on down and pick one up, we got a whole bunch in last week! Now Be-yotch!

-Dan

Sandman? Absolutely!

OK, raise your hand if you love Sandman. This is the Neil Gaiman series, co-created by the always brilliant Sam Kieth, that changed comics, contemporary literature, and arguably the world. It has served for many as a jumping-off point into the wonderful world of comics (myself included). You see, Sandman transcends the bounds of what we once thought of as a "comic book". The story is brilliant, beautifully written, witty and sometimes heartbreaking. Not to mention the beautiful artwork by such artists as Colleen Doran, Jill Thompson, and Marc Hempel. Sandman opened the doors for countless series written for grown-ups that weren't about guys in tights that didn't have a place in the comics world before it was published.

Of course, not everyone is a fan of the series (hi, Dan), but love it or hate it, Sandman is one of the most important series in recent comics history. Which is why DC is publishing the Absolute Sandman. This will be a very nice set for anyone's bookshelf, and will ultimately consist of four volumes that will be released "over a couple of years", according to Gaiman's blog. The first is slated for release in November, and of course we will have lots of copies.

A few interesting notes about Absolute Sandman:

According to Gaiman, none of the story or text will be changed, but there will be some color fixes, and possibly re-lettering by Todd Klein. There will also be some cool never-released special extras.

The books will publish the comics chronologically by publication, rather than following the order in which the trades were published. The biggest change for those readers used to the current order of the books will be that the issues from Fables and Reflections will not be all lumped together.

Volume one will contain issues 1-20 of the series, currently published as the first three trades, Preludes and Nocturnes, A Doll's House, and Dream Country.

Uh, can you tell I'm totally psyched?

-Elizabeth

Girls Girls Girls

The other day I sat down and read the series 'Girls' for the first time. It's a series I've been curious about for several reasons. 1. Its full of naked girls 2. I recently found out that the creators, The Luna Brothers, went to school with me in Savannah and 3. Its got some of the best last page cliffhangers on the shelf.

See, working at the store, we don't have much time to actually read comics, but I've flipped through just about every book in here. And even though I'm adamantly against skipping to the end, I do it all the time. Never in stuff I plan to read, but sometimes, like this, I end up reading it anyway and I've already spoiled surprises. So, without spoiling anything for you, I'll just say that it has a lot of "what the F---?" moments.

Anyway, its a good read. The Luna Brothers share credits on it, with Jonathan leaning towards the art and Joshua, writing, and they've developed a unique style with a simple and cinematic look. It's hard to place its genre at this point. Its mostly a mystery suspense, but I kept expecting it to break into a more sci-fi/horror feel. Honestly, the book relies heavily on its mystery, so there's still time for it to fall apart at the seams when they tie it up, but based on the acclaim the creators have received for their previous effort, Ultra, I hope they've got something planned.

-Nick

Posters

As some of you may know, the spot that we are now used to be a poster store. When we first moved in here we talked about using one of the old displays they had left to do posters. But the display was gigantic, and we really didn't want to use anything that took up that much space. But apparently they just won't die. At least not without haunting the place. We've carried Japanese wall scrolls since before I started at the old store, but lately we have been trying to branch out a little more. This past week we got new Superman and Batman posters, just their logos on fields of blue and black respectively. Very nice. Classic even. But you wouldn't know this, because we've got no where to put them on display. Now this got me thinking about getting a poster display. Obviously, if we did, we would be carrying a lot more posters, of all kinds, not just super-heroes. We even have some very nice Gary Panter posters that I could finally put out for sale. We just never had anywhere for them before. But what do you think? I want to hear from you guys, our customers, on this. Would you like to see some James Jean Fables posters? Or a DMZ poster by Brian Wood? How about an Ashley Wood Halo poster? Actually, that's another trick, we have those already. We also have a Nancy poster from Sin City, but of course, you knew that, didn't you?

Chicago Comic Con

I went up to Chicago for the big comic convention this weekend. It was my first Wizard con and, actually, the first con I've been to in ten years. Good times, good times. I hope its another ten years before I go back. Its just exhausting. So much to see. So many people. I can't even imagine how the Sand Diego con is these days.

It was also the first time I went for business. I was showing my coloring portfolio around, handing out my mini-comics (I made an exclusive comic con story for the
Miniest Mini-comic. I still have a few left, so ask me if you're interested), and talking to creators about coming down to the store for signings.

My highlights for the weekend were meeting Jeffrey Brown and getting a robot sketch from him, watching a shirts and skins soccer game with several drunken creators(and an inflatable pokeball) in the hotel lobby, and maybe possibly landing a regular gig coloring a book. But I don't want to give out an details till its set in stone.

-Nick

Plushies to the Rescue!

Man, have you guys seen some of our new plush toys? We really have some great ones right now. There are, of course, the ever-popular Ugly Dolls in four cuddly sizes, including the ginormous Ox and Tray you've probably seen in the window. Everyone should have an Ugly Doll; just looking at their blank but strangely loving expression cheers you right up on a rainy day.

We've also gotten several toys from Friends With You, which are both cute and slightly disturbing. Take for example, "Shoebaca", a hairy yeti-like creature with romoveable kidneys. Also by Friends With You are the Malfi toys: 50% bowling pin, 50% penguin, and 100% adorable. We only have a few left, so come on down!

My personal favorite of our plushies is the brand new 16" Gloomy Bears. A Gloomy Bear is an unassuming looking panda bear, until you notice his giant, razor sharp claws. My co-worker Jon says they're "cute-rocious".

So, in conclusion, come check out our plushies! I bet someone you know deserves a present-- or maybe you do!

-Elizabeth

Life Drawing

This Thursday, the 10th, we'll be having another Life Drawing Session at the store. Our model this month, will be my lovely girlfriend, Stephanie. For those of you whom I told we'd be having a barbarian model this month, this is (argueably) no longer the case. Apparently, some other barbarian got fired and he has to fill in for him. However, Stephanie will be representing The Arch Rival Roller Girls in full gear with skates and pads.

The Roller Derby is gearing up for their first public bouts this September. And if anyone is interested in joining, they're currently recruiting. Must be a woman 18+, living in or around the STL, be dedicated, and wanna kick some serious ass! Contact recruit@archrivalrollergirls.com for more info.

And our barbarian should be in next month, Sept 7th.

-Nick

Paper Dolls

Look what you did to me. I was so lonely in the store on Sat. morning none of you came to visit me. I had to do something to keep me going. I ultimately blame dan. Its was his fault that there was a little metal spear on the table that morning. I thought what about the made who used that spear. But what did he use the spear for? War, Hunting. This is what came of it. Talk about being productive at work. I'm sure Ben & Aj love the fact that I did this. I mean who wouldn't want there employee/future adopted son to be making paper figurings at work. Oh well I thought i should share my master piece with the world. Behold its glory.

Japanese Festival

Hey folks, the Japanese festival is less than a month away. Get ready for Sumo, taiko drumming, tea ceremonies, anime screening, the classic candyman and much more. As usual Star Clipper will be in attendance to supply your ramune and pocky needs. If you have never attended then you should at least come to check it out and if you have come than you already know why you should come again. This event is the 2nd - 4th at the missouri botanical gardens from 10am-10pm on fri and sat and 10am- 5pm on Sunday the 4th. As I look at schedule It looks like there is going to be stuff happening all the time so don't worry about having nothing to do. be sure to check out the candyman, hes been around longer than i can remember i have been going for quite a few years. So clear you weekend and come on down. We been there to greet you.

Lost Girls at Star Clipper

Some of you may already know the debate we had at Star Clipper regarding whether or not we would carry shelf copies of Alan Moore's Lost Girls. We were quoted extensively on CBR when the issue really started heating up for retailers.

For those of you who don't know what the heck it is, here's part of Top Shelf's description of the title:

"Drawing on the rich heritage of erotica, Lost Girls is the rediscovery of the power of ecstatic writing and art in a sublime union that only the medium of comics can achieve. Exquisite, thoughtful, and human, Lost Girls is a work of breathtaking scope that challenges the very notion of art fettered by convention. This is erotic fiction at its finest. "

Alan Moore calls it pornography, and as most of you probably know, we shy away from those types of titles except by special order. We do this because of local anti-pornography ordinances and because we cater to a lot of young folks, and don't think they need to mix.

Anyway, after a lot of hand wringing and internal discussions, we have decided to carry shelf copies of Lost Girls. So there you go, we'll support this particular foray into deeply questionable material (in a shrink-wrapped sort of way). Lost Girls ships soon, and we should have plenty of copies. It goes for $75.00.

-Ben

Warren Ellis Does More TV

Okay, so Ellis put out this bit about his new TV project on his Bad Signal e-mailer:

DEAD CHANNEL got mentioned in
Variety this morning, as part of
AMC's development slate. This
STILL doesn't mean it's going to
get picked up, remember. I'm
working my way through the first
draft of the pilot -- currently trying
to save an image I liked in the teaser
despite it not quite fitting now,
cursed by the old admonishment
that writers must kill their darlings.


He also talked about how he wants to enroll himself and his daughter in an archery course. God, that's a really scary thought, Warren Ellis is somebody's dad.

-Dan

Ninjas! Samurai!

Read Lone Wolf and Cub much? Many of you did. The great series by Kazuo Koike and Goseki Kojima has long been a favorite of many Star Clipper customers and its employees. Did you know they also had another series out? Samurai Executioner. The lone wolf crowd may know this character as Decapitator Asaemon. It is based on his life before the lone wolf series starts. Its so far been another great story line. If your looking to get in on a series from the beginning i suggest you take a look at Path of the Assassin. This is the newest series to be release by the duo in America. This story is about Hattori Hanzo, "the fabled master ninja whose duty was to protect Tokugawas Ieyasu. Ieyasu was the shogun who would unite Japan into one great nation." So i suggeest everyone pick it up to check it out. With 2 stories in the bag how can you go wrong with a ninja. Ninja vs Pirate who would win?

-James

52 #12

OK so I read 52 and i didn't notice it in week 12 but take a closer look. I was informed by another employee that there had been a mistake in week 12. Now I know its hard to put out a comic once a week for a year so it was bound to happen eventually. On the 6th page there is a repeat in a quote bubble. Now it isn't a huge deal I just find that interesting. I don't expect things like this to happen with this series I'm leaning towards it happening at least 4 or 5 times over the year. Who know i though I could be totally wrong on this subject.

-James

New Shipping Lists - Not Here Anymore

Just a little note to all you kind people who rely on the blog for a list of what's shipping this week: unfortunately, I won't be posting that information here anymore. The good news is, you can find a much more comprehensive listing, with images and all, on the store website at http://www.starclipper.com. So much the better, right!

-Ben

A New Era part Deux

Hey all! I'm back with another installment of my gigantic X-men review. Last time we barely scratched the surface with Astonishing and Uncanny, so today we will really be getting to it. Without further ado, which I do so well, here are some more:

X-Men: Two issues in and I just don't know. Mike Carey is one of my favorite writers (LUCIFER), and I always like Chris Bachalo's art. But it just hasn't grabbed me yet. Again, I like how they are using Cannonball, and using him well, he's not the newbie hick in this. But equally I don't like the recent inclusion of Sabretooth and Mystique. I'm not sure where the story is going as it seems to be tying up lots of lose ends from the previous story arcs. Which could be a good thing, close those off so you can move ahead with out the readers wondering "what ever happened to....", or some similar thoughts.

Exiles: The only X book currently out that I have read every issue as it came out. I really like the early Judd Winick stories, and the original idea was aces! The best part? All the characters are from alternate universes, so any one can be killed at any time! Tony Bedard has kept up the high quality of the book, but in doing so has killed my two favorite characters, Morph and Mimic. Now I know nobody is safe in this book, but dammit, along with Blink they are the core of this book. I would like to see Nocturnal back, the alternate universe daughter of Nightcrawler makes much more sense in a book filled with alternate reality characters. Not a lot to say really, one the consistently good books on the market. Be sure to pick up the early Winick trades if nothing else.

Cable / Deadpool: I like seeing Fabian write these two characters again, it's like Abbot and Costello for comics. Realizing that they don't get a lot of attention from the general comic reading populace they really try and build up the absurdity factor. Even when they are dealing with big cultural issues, the relationship between Cable and Deadpool, analogous to the kindly monk and the idiot student, makes for some of the funniest reading this side of Marvel Team-Up. Again, I do recommend picking up the first couple of trades, the fourth, Bosom Buddies, being my favorite.

X-Factor: The original Peter David X-Factor is one of my all time favorite comics. It was the first time I had read irreverent, funny, and insane super-heroes. Oh I know they were around before that, but I was locked into X comics and nothing else at the time. I like the stories and the art very much, but it seems the whole concept is based around X-Factor trying to find out what happened to all the mutants on M Day. What happens then? I am also a little worried that David seems to just recreating the team that he wrote in the original X-Factor. I heard they had to write Wolfsbane out of Academy X so that David could have her for this, which is a shame really. So, lots of potential in this book, but it just might be too hard to live up to. The first hardcover is coming out this Wednesday, and they have also started collecting David's original run under the Visionaries cap.


Whew! Okay, enough of that! Check back next time for the big finish!

-Dan

TMNT

OK folks. They released a teaser trailer for the new cg Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movie. Actually, i was worried when i heard that this film was going to be done in cg. I'm used to it being the live action film with people stuffed into foam costumes. It brings back the childhood memories. When ralph hit someone it was actually ralph hitting a foot-soldier. Who didn't love when shredder had to sit in real trash in the second movie. When i saw the teaser i was very shocked, It was actually well done cg. The turtles themselves look alright nothing spectacular but pretty good. There movement in the teaser seemed a little frogish at times but then some good old turtle ninja action came in and wiped that from my mind. Then end of the film did bring in the comedy that made the turtles so love-able. Spring next year is a long time to wait but its 4 months sooner than transformer so i can live with that.

-James