Thursday, December 17, 2009

WWBN Gamer Hat!

New Zazzle item for sale. The Which Way Back North video game hat. Buy it now!

Iron Man 2 Trailer!



Here you go folks!

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Murderer #1



The premise revolves around a twenty-something man named Jason. Jason has a superpower in which he can hear the thoughts of others. However, he is unable to control his power. He can't even turn it off. The only relief Jason gets is when he kills someone. Only then will his ability to hear thoughts shut itself off for a few hours. Though it is a terrible burden, Jason uses this power to catch evil men. He goes out each day screening the people that pass him by, until he finds irredeemable individuals. Then he murders them.

The title of this book is what caught my eye. Then the cover. Then I was drawn to the story. This is something I have never seen done before, and it's a bit refreshing to get away from superhero stories every once in a while. For a murderer, Jason is a very sympathetic character with many redeeming qualities. He only goes after truly evil people. Since his power to read thoughts lets him know everything, he even goes out of his way to help people down on their luck. This book is one of the four Pilot Season books. Hopefully it will be here to stay.

You might want to check this out Tony.

Sequel to Batman: Arkham Asylum Announced!



Warner Bros: Interactive Entertainment has announced the sequel to their successful Batman: Arkham Asylum. More details can be found here at SuperHeroHype.

UPDATE: Here is the newly release trailer!

Tuesday, December 08, 2009

Archie #603



In in the alternate universe that takes place in "Archie Marries..." We get a glimpse into what would happen if Archie were to finally choose either Betty or Veronica. The first few issues of the storyline revolved around Archie marrying Veronica Lodge and inheriting the Lodge dynasty. With it, Archie is a stressed businessman who still retains his heart of gold. Even so much as to make salary cutbacks in order to hire his friend Reggie. (The newspaper Reggie worked at went under.) Betty has chosen a life on the other side of the country, and is unable to retain a boyfriend. Archie and Veronica have twins.

This issue starts the story of what would happen if Archie proposed to Betty Cooper. Fresh out of college, Archie finally chooses Betty. However, this time around, he has no goals, no job, and is making a lot of compromises. That's love for you.

I have been an avid fan of Archie since I was a kid, but really, the series hasn't been funny in a long time. It's actually been pretty REAL. Recession, layoffs, and unemployment has hit the town of Riverdale as with the rest of the world. Hopefully by the next issue the story will pick up somewhere happy. I've always been rooting for the Archie/Betty pair. Now if only Jughead would settle down...

Monday, December 07, 2009

DC: Earth One Announcement

Alex Segura from the DC Universe Blog has announced that DC Comics will be producing a new series entitled Earth One.



Starting next year, DC Comics will unveil SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE and BATMAN: EARTH ONE, two graphic novels spotlighting the most powerful heroes of the DC Universe, with their first years and earliest moments retold in a standalone, original graphic novel format, on a new earth with an all-new continuity.

Return to Smallville and experience the journey of Earth’s greatest adopted son, as he grows from boy to Superman in SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE by J. Michael Straczynski and artist Shane Davis.




Watch from the darkest corners of Crime Alley as a young boy is struck by unbelievable tragedy that will forge the greatest crime-fighter to ever stalk the rooftops of Gotham City in BATMAN: EARTH ONE, by writer Geoff Johns and artist Gary Frank.



“It is monumental for us as comic readers to see Superman birthed for the first time,” Davis said. “It’s a privilege to realize that you’re the artist that gets to draw it, better yet having the luxury to do it in an original graphic novel. This is going to be epic!”

What about Geoff Johns? Well, we happen to have a bit from his first interview as well:
“BATMAN: EARTH ONE allows Gary and I to break the restraints of any continuity and focus on two things: character and story.”

Batman: Earth One is what I am really excited most for. After All-Star Batman and Robin, I have been left disappointed with Elseworld Batman titles. As for Superman: Earth One, I am still enjoying Superman: Secret Origin very much but I will still be curious as to how the new format will look. Hopefully this new series will be a success and there will be announcements of new titles. I'd love a Plasticman: Earth One.

Supergirl artist Jamal Igle on Facebook: "Now that DC: Earth one has been announced all I can think about is ...The Flash: Earth One. No it's not scheduled and i don't know if there's going to be one but I'd kill you and your mother to draw it."

I love this guy.

Spotlight: Sinestro



I am quite glad about what DC has done with the character Sinestro over the last few years. Since his return in Green Lantern: Rebirth, Sinestro has evolved greatly as a character.

First appearing in Green Lantern (vol. 2) #7 back in 1961, Sinestro was the primary antagonist of title character Hal Jordan. Introduced as a former member of the Green Lantern Corps, Sinestro was considered the greatest Green Lantern there ever was. However, his lust for power grew out of control and was stripped of his title as a Green Lantern and banished. Sinestro manages to get his hands on a Yellow Qwardian power ring and throughout the years clashes with Hal Jordan and the rest of the Green Lantern Corps.

In the controversial Emerald Twilight storyline, a greif stricken Hal Jordan murders many of his fellow Crops members. As a last ditch attempt to stop his rampage, The Guardians of the Universe revive Sinestro and his status as a Green Lantern in order to stop Jordan. Sinestro was killed.

A decade later, in the Green Lantern: Rebirth series, Sinestro was revived along with Hal Jordan. It was revealed that he in fact did not die, but rather, orchestrated the entire chain of events that lead to Hal Jordan becoming Parallax.



In 2007, DC Comics launched the much anticipated Sinestro Corps War. After the events in Rebirth, Sinestro has been biding his time creating Yellow power rings and recruiting some of the most savage criminals in the universe for his army. With that, he launched a full on assault on the Green Lanterns as well as Earth. Though there were hundreds of casualties on both sides, Sinestro was once again defeated.

With the recent events of the Blackest Night crossover, Sinestro finds himself working along his rivals in preventing the Black Lanterns from taking over the universe.

Though always been characterized as an egotistical dictator, Sinestro has grown much in the last few years as a character with many layers. Once a loyal officer of the Corps, he followed orders without question, carrying out the Guardians' will. In his mind, Sinestro only wants peace and order and is not afraid in taking drastic measures to make sure this happens.



With Geoff Johns on the helm of the roller coaster ride that is Green Lantern, Sinestro has made a sick comeback. He is characterized as a man who wanted more for his people that the fear that had been plaguing them for years. Sinestro was a man who was in love, faced tragedy in that love, and was changed by it. Johns even gives him a daughter!

In my opinion, Blackest Night is so far an over hyped glorified zombie storyline. But if it has given us anything, it is an in depth look into the character of Sinestro. He has quickly become #1 on my favorite villains of all time, and in the top 5 of my favorite comic book characters of all time.

On a somewhat related note. I'm ready for Comic Con. Green or Blue?


Photoshop Final



My final project for my PhotoShop class.

Thursday, December 03, 2009

We Kill Monsters #3



Three issues into the series and I have not found anything that would make me want to stay on this title. The two protagonists, brothers Andy and Jake Basher, are two auto mechanics who own a garage in a small town. When said town is infected by monsters, the two brothers manage to kill one accidentally. The blood from the monster infects Jake's arm, giving him superhuman strength in his new "monster arm." When the father of Andy's former lover is captured by one of the monsters, the brothers team up with her to help find him.

Written by Christopher Leone with pencils by Brian Churilla, this independent comic is in the vein of the Supernatural television series. The only difference is that there appears to be no good quailities in these two characters. Andy is a stale one dimensional character who isn't happy with his situation in life. Jake is a simple minded brute who doesn't really think for himself. Then there are monsters.
I will give this series until the end of the first story arc. If it lasts that long. Hopefully they'll be able to turn it around. 

Wednesday, December 02, 2009

Ninja Assassin (and new cartoon)

I saw Ninja Assassin today with my friend Tony. I must say, going in with little expectation I was ready to see some mindless violence. Totally satisfied. I haven't seen a movie with that much action since Ong Bak. It's funny how the only scene in the entire movie that I felt squeamish in didn't even involve ninjas. It was in the very beginning when a gang member was getting a tatoo.

Korean pop sensation Rain delivers the performance of his career as the protagonist ninja assassin, Raizo. That's not saying much though as his last American movie was Speed Racer and he had the sum total of three lines. With cheesy dialogue, sub par acting, and ridiculously awesome special effects fighting scenes, I am reminded of a movie from my youth:

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones.



Also, here is my new cartoon for the paper. It is about class cutbacks during the Winter intercession.