Mobile
Friday, July 31, 2009
Comic Book Reviews Comic obituary: Captain Britain and MI13
Posted By Carlton Hargro on Fri, Jul 31, 2009 at 1:21 PM
I wrote sort of a post-mortem regarding the recently canceled Marvel Comics series Captain Britain and MI13 for the Heroes Aren't Hard to Find blog.
Check it out — right here — and tell me what you think:
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Comic Book Reviews Comic of the Week (last week): Dethklok Versus The Goon
Posted By Carlton Hargro on Thu, Jul 30, 2009 at 8:42 AM
I was busy working on Creative Loafing's "Best of Charlotte" issue last week, so I wasn't able to tell you about this comic when I picked it up — but I REALLY want to recommend it.
The headline says "Comic of the Week," but in the case of this particular title, I should name this post: "Funniest Comic Ever Published." Because this damned book made me laugh my ass off.
And now I have no ass.
Anyway, for folks who don't know, The Goon is the horror/humor title written and drawn by the talented Eric Powell, and Dethklok is that band of mildly retarded rock musicians from the bizarre Adult Swim/Cartoon Network show Metalocalypse.
To be honest, I never watched a ton of Metalocalypse (Yeah, yeah, I'm an idiot. I know.), but this comic turned me into an instant fan.
So what's the story behind this one-shot (which was published by Dark Horse Comics)? Well ... who gives a shit? All you need to know is that the totally convoluted — in a good way — plot leads to The Goon battling Dethlok (well for a few panels). The selling point of the book is the stream of gross situations and profanity-laden dialogue that seems to skeet from every page. Here's a sample of some of the best lines in the book:
"My head feels like balls if balls were on my head and had been kicked really hard."
"I'm Franky! And I do cocaine!"
"Little did you know that the ink used in this comic book was mixed with our own blood ... after we mixed our blood with poison!! Lick the ink from your fingers and embrace death!"
"[Referring to Dethklok's music] It's like Satan was in my head with a chainsaw-powered tuba that was fueled by the cries of the innocent!"
"[Referring again to Dethklok's music] What's that sound?! It tells me my skin is alive and it hates me!"
Good stuff, eh? I've gotta imagine that the creators behind this comic — Powell and Brendon Small — were smoking a weed-filled apple bong when they put this thing together.
If you only have $3.50 left in your bank account, skip eating and buy Dethklok Versus The Goon instead.
Reviewed materials provided by Heroes Aren’t Hard to Find: www.heroesonline.com.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Comic Movie News / Videos Planet Hulk trailer
Posted By Carlton Hargro on Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 9:49 AM
I like the DC direct-to-DVD animated movies better than Marvel's stuff, but this trailer looks good:
Monday, July 27, 2009
Comic Movie News Iron Man 2 photos
Posted By Carlton Hargro on Mon, Jul 27, 2009 at 11:54 AM
Check out the latest shots from the upcoming sequel on our news & culture blog. Cool shit.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Four-Color Commentary Top 6 things to do for comic fans NOT going to Comic-Con 2009
Posted By Carlton Hargro on Fri, Jul 24, 2009 at 12:03 PM
OK, so every comic book reader on earth knows that Comic-Con International — the biggest comic convention in the country and one of the biggest in the world — is going down NOW in San Diego.
Yeah everbody knows it's happening but, due to various different factors (like being broke and stuff), not everybody is going. So what's a San Diego-less comic fan to do this weekend? I've got a few ideas:
Get on the Internet: Obviously, if you're reading this, you're already online. And you probably know about the various news sites to keep you informed about all the cool stuff that's bound to be announced over the next few days. Still, I'd like to suggest you follow the Beat blog. It's written and such by Heidi McDonald and she's been obsessed over Comic-Con for the last few months it seems. She's bound to have some cool stories from the Con.
Live vicariously through Twitter: Get on Twitter and follow some folks who are at the Con. Heroes Aren't Hard to Find owner Shelton Drum is supposed to go I heard.
Go mobile: If you're not by a computer and you have a phone the supports Apps (like, you know, the iPhone), you can download the Comic-Con App. It promises to keep you up to date with all the poppin' things poppin' in Cali. I plan to download it later. I'll tell you what I think when I do.
Read free comics: Here's your chance to finally read that stack of Free Comic Book Day comics you haven't got around to yet. Might I recommend Owly?
Even more free comics: As you probably know, the library is filled with great graphic novels. This weekend, visit a local branch and check out some good stuff — like the Wonder Woman collections from the 1960s where Princess Diana has no powers and uses kung fu. Cool stuff. If you live in Charlotte, the best library for graphic novels is the Checkit Outlet Uptown near the Green. It's not open on the weekend, but you have a few hours before it closes today. Hurry!
Raid the quarter bins: Now's the time to go longbox diving in search of off-the-wall comics from back in the day. I'm still building my collection of Defenders comics. Gotta get that story arc with the Mandrill! Talking monkeys rock.
Aaaaaand ... that's all I can think of. If you're stuck in Charlotte or wherever, don't fret. Jut follow my tips and you probably won't slit your wrists. Anyway, check back Monday for a roundup of all the big announcements from Comic-Con.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Four-Color Commentary DC — not so sucky anymore
Posted By Carlton Hargro on Tue, Jul 21, 2009 at 2:41 PM
It seems like it wasn't so long ago that I was bitchin' and moanin' about the comic books being published by DC Comics. I mean, I really was not digging a lot of what the company was doing.
It's not that I hated everything, but if you read any of my weekly "Comic Proportions" columns, you may remember my discontent with a slew of DC books. I complained about Judd Winick's aimless run on Green Arrow and Black Canary, hated on the ambiguous and slow Final Crisis, and talked shit about the confusing weekly series Trinity ... among other comics.
But these days, I've really gotta admit that DC is putting out some stellar stuff. I would even go so far as to say that I think DC is publishing some of the most exciting mainstream comics on the stands.
"Like what?" you may ask. Well, I'm loving:
Wednesday Comics: The newest weekly series after Trinity, Wednesday Comics is DC's tribute to old, full-page comic strips. The giant-size publication features work by the best in the business. Seriously. I'm talking Neil Gaiman, Paul Pope, Joe Kubert, Mike Allred, Kyle Baker and the list goes on.
Blackest Night: Where Final Crisis slipped, Blackest Night goes all the way for the touchdown. An "event" comic in every sense of the word, this comic takes place across the cosmos and pits DC's greatest heroes — led by Green lantern — against truly deadly (and dead) foes. And big action starts from the first issue. This ain't no talkin' head book. This is a true summer blockbuster.
Batman and Robin: Grant Morrison and Frank Quitley — fresh off All-Star Superman — team again for a brand-new incarnation of the Dynamic Duo. This time around, Batman is really the original Robin, Dick Grayson, and Robin is the homicidal illegitimate son of Bruce Wayne. Seriously. The art is amazing and the dialogue is insane. Cool shit.
And there's more — like Wonder Woman, Superman: World of New Krypton, Jonah Hex, JSA vs. Kobra, Detective Comics, Madame Xanadu. I also must mention that I love the company's "second feature" program, which places back-up stories in several regular monthly titles that star second-tier characters like the Question, Blue Beetle and Manhunter.
Yeah, it's safe to say the DC s on a roll. One day we may be remembering this time as another "Golden Age" for the company. Time will tell. For now, I'll read and enjoy.
Oh ... one last thing: Teen Titans still sucks. Can we fix it please? Soon?
Comic Book Reviews Comic review: Marvel Divas No. 1
Posted By Carlton Hargro on Tue, Jul 21, 2009 at 10:28 AM
I liked this comic ... and I disliked it. Check out the full review on the Heroes Aren't Hard to Find blog.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Comic News Comic headlines: Geoff Johns makes Flash film and more
Posted By Carlton Hargro on Mon, Jul 20, 2009 at 12:04 PM
: WOW. Cool shit!
Perhapanauts update: Writer Todd Dezago talks about why this book seems to go M.I.A. a few months at a time.
A Justice Society preview: A look at what the new creative team has in store for us readers. I was a big fan of Geoff Johns' run on the book (well, except for that "Kingdom" story arc), so we'll see how the new guys do.
What's up with Dwayne McDuffie?: He got fired from the JLA, and I didn't think that was cool. But here's what he's got planned next.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Comic News Comic headlines: Iron Man 2 photos, Tom Baker returns to Dr. Who
Posted By Carlton Hargro on Fri, Jul 17, 2009 at 9:37 AM
: Am I the only person reading this book? I admit the first story arc since the reboot started out pretty lame, but now it's picking up.
RIP Ellie Frazetta: The famed artist's life/business partner succumbs to cancer. Our condolences.
Iron Man 2 photos: In case you missed it, here's an early look at the new movie — featuring Scarlett Johansson in tight leather.
My favorite Dr. Who returns: Tom Baker reprises his role as the Doctor for a new project.
Peter David talks X-Factor: And it's a pretty good interview. Check it out.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Comic Book Reviews Comic review: Blackest Night No. 1
Posted By Carlton Hargro on Wed, Jul 15, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Published by DC Comics. Written by Geoff Johns. Pencils by Ivan Reis. Inks by Oclair Albert.
The Deal: It's the first issue of DC's long-awaited, Green Lantern-centric, mega crossover Blackest Night. And when I say "long-awaited," I mean "long-awaited." Writer Geoff Johns has been setting up this story — which introduces a new group of "Black" Lanterns and raises a ton of dead characters from the dead — for years. And now the tale, in the form of an eight-issue limited series, is finally here.
The Good: Say what you want about Johns, but it's evident when reading this first issue that he knows how to craft a big story. Several other recent mega comic yarns have made the mistake of starting things out in a sedate way. But Johns sets the story up and then gets to the action. I've been so underwhelmed by other "event" comics over the last few years that I was pretty much thinking nothing would happen in this issue aside from a lot of talk. Lucky for us readers, Johns decided not to tease us and delivered a number of shocking developments out the gate. Thanks Johns. On the art-side of things, Ivan Reis brings the goods as well with a style that seems to blend the best parts of Carlos Pacheo with the best parts of Rags Morales.
The Bad: There were a few strange story points that seemed to contradict continuity a bit, but anything I say will spoil the story ... so I'll keep it to myself this week.
The Verdict: This is what Secret Invasion and Final Crisis should have been. Yeah, I said it! Buy Blackest Night.
