Hope you had a Merry X-Men, fellow nerds. This week's slew of new comics was light, typical of the holidays. DC and others released a few titles, but Origin II is this season's holiday blockbuster.
The first Origin brought light to Wolverine's mysterious past, revealing his real name, James Howlett, and the narrative of his childhood. This sequel series picks up right after the events of that story, with James living among the wolves for years.
Andy Kubert is the one creative leftover from Origin. Kieron Gillen has taken the writing reins from Paul Jenkins, and Frank Martin Jr. has taken over colors. As Gillen's X-Men runs have been highlights in the 2010s, many saw the scribe worthy of continuing Wolvie's story.
Taking Back Sunday frontman Adam Lazzara, a Charlotte resident, has released his first solo song, entitled "Because it Works." The song is a big departure for the emo-punk singer, though readers of Creative Loafing shouldn't be completely surprised.
In 2012, then CL editor Mark Kemp profiled Lazzara for a cover story in which Lazzara hinted at trying something different:
Lately, Lazzara has been thinking about doing a solo album. If anything, that's where the "emo" and "pop-punk" tags concern him the most. He doesn't listen to much music that would be considered emo or pop-punk anymore, he says. Nowadays, Lazzara likes the rootsy alternative country of fellow North Carolinian Ryan Adams. And he recently checked out the Of Montreal show at the Neighborhood Theatre. "I'm worried that whenever I get my shit together and actually make my album, it'll get dismissed," he says. "I'm afraid people will say, 'Oh, it's just that emo guy.' That's not exactly who I am, and I don't want to have to meet with that kind of immediate dismissal or opposition."
Judging by this first single, what he said last year is an appropriate description. "Because it Works" has a jangly Ryan Adams style with a bit of Dylan-esque harmonica and overall folk attitude. The song is part of a label compilation called I Surrender Records Presents: Our Voices.
There's no word if this is the first of many solo tunes to come for the singer.
Utah, the 10th least populated state in the nation, has used the No. 1 way of ending chronic homelessness to curb its rate by 78 percent over eight years. It's moved 2,000 people off the street not by imprisoning them or moving them to another state but by giving them apartments. Sound crazy? Consider the facts.
According to a blog from nationswell.com making its rounds on social media:
In 2005, Utah calculated the annual cost of E.R. visits and jail stays for an average homeless person was $16,670, while the cost of providing an apartment and social worker would be $11,000.
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Dec. 27, 2013 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
* The Book of Mormon at Belk Theater
* Bass Church at Neighborhood Theatre
* The Music of Lou Reed f. The Sammies, Dave & The Strange, Benji Hughes, Andy the Doorbum and more at Snug Harbor
* Belk Bowl Fan Central at EpiCentre
* Charlotte Bobcats vs. Oklahoma City Thunder at Time Warner Cable Arena
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Dec. 26, 2013 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
* Girl Code/Guy Code Comedy Show at The Comedy Zone
* UnDeck the Hall at NASCAR Hall of Fame
* Shiprocked at Snug Harbor
* Modernism in Changing Times: Works from 1968 exhibit at Bechtler Museum of Modern Art
* Touch One Thursdays at UpStage
47 Ronin - Keanu Reeves, Hiroyuki Sanada
Grudge Match - Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone
Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom - Idris Elba, Naomie Harris
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty - Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig
The Wolf of Wall Street - Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill
Each year, Free Comic Book Day grows in its reach, producing more promotions, tie-in merchandise and, of course, free comics. For 2014 (falling on May 3), the funnybook giveaways have reached a total of 60, marked in Gold (12) and Silver (48) categories. Diamond has now announced those titles, which you can check out below.
Before we get into the list, watch a video straight from the folks behind the event. Sound off in the comments section about what excited you this year.
As Yelitza Castro, an undocumented local housekeeper, and her children drove through Charlotte one cold, rainy day in 2010, they saw a man on the street holding a sign asking for help. Castro gave him $5 and drove off. When her children asked if they could take him out to dinner, Castro drove back, but the man had already left. That motivated the family to serve others.
Last week, the nationally syndicated NPR program "Morning Edition" picked up the StoryCorps piece about Castro who, with her children, has served countless meals to local homeless men since 2010.
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Dec. 23, 2013 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
* Knocturnal at Snug Harbor
* Find Your Muse Open Mic featuring Mutts at The Evening Muse
* Charlotte Bobcats vs. Milwaukee Bucks at Time Warner Cable Arena
* Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway
* Holidays at the Garden at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden
Here are the five best events going down in Charlotte and the surrounding area today, Dec. 22, 2013 as selected by the folks at Creative Loafing.
* A Tuna Christmas at Carolina Actors Studio Theatre
* Out of the Shadows: Undocumented and Unafraid exhibit at Levine Museum of the New South
* 40th Anniversary at Double Door Inn
* Charlotte Panthers vs. New Orleans Saints at Bank of America Stadium
* Nutcracker at Belk Theater