Dread

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  1. Been absolute shit at watching movies lately. But I am on season 5 of Star Trek: Voyager... The Wind: I watched this on Youtube. It's the 1928 silent film that the modern film was based on (review forthcoming). Looking forward to talking about the compare/contrast of it all. The Burial: a pretty typical "true-story" underdog film. The real sell on this movie is the interplay between Jamie Foxx and Tommy Lee Jones. Fun, but forgettable. Fulci For Fake: going to talk about this on the podcast, but what a weird fucking movie. Do I count this as a documentary? I guess I will. Brainscan: review forthcoming. Features: 18 Shorts: Documentaries: 3 Rewatches:
  2. Avengers: War Across Time #1: OG Avengers (this takes place directly after the 60s Avengers #11) taking on ultra-future King drawn by Alan Davis. OK Gotham City: Year One #4: goddamn...still great. The art is fantastic. Top tier Hester. Batman: Journey Into Knight #1: nawww...I'm good. DC vs. Vampires #12: well, not the ending I expected. Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #3: this is nuts. Not a fan of the story. It's Silvestri that keeps me coming back. Ten Thousand Black Feathers #3, 4: this is awesome. Carnage #9: fucking nuts. Scarlet Witch #1: off. Not good. I'm out. Daredevil #7: so good. This art is great. Ghost Rider #10: this is weird and fun and pretty gritty. Lazarus Planet Alpha #1: hmmm...not sure I'll follow this one. Not the kind of story I'm interested in. Astronaut Down #5: wild stuff. Good ending. Children of the Black Sun #1: ok, this is VERY close to a WIP of mine. Damn. Miles Morales: Spider-Man #2: yeah, this isn't clicking with me. Monica Rambeau Photon #2: kind of fun. Moon Knight #19: good stuff. Fantastic Four #2: I have my issues with this story. I look forward to the team being together. Nemesis: Reloaded #1: quite violent and a little fun. I'll read another. Godzilla Rivals: Gigan #1: awful art and a silly story. Predator #6: man, that issue took like eight seconds to read. It's Only Teenage Wasteland #2: ehhh....I might be out on this one. Gold Goblin #3: another Dark Web tie-in that refuses to be bogged down in the muck. I dug it. Joe Fixit #1: excellent. Love the art and love to see Fixit vs. Kingpin. Something is Killing the Children #28: awesome. Specs #3: I have my ideas of how this will end, but I'm enjoying reading it regardless. Spawn Unwanted Violence #1: I'm a little confused...Al Simmons isn't Spawn anymore? I love the art so much I'll give it another. Spy Superb #1: nah...story is goofy (not terrible) but the art I can't stand. The Human Target #10: man, I never thought we'd get to G'Nort! Stargirl: The Lost Children #3: what a creepy-ass design on The Childminder. Hell of a cool-looking villain. Star Trek Klingons: a oneshot telling the story of Kahless. Pretty good. The Ones #3: man, I loved this issue. Titans United Bloodpact #5: solid issue. Star Trek #3: fucking rules. Vampirella Mind Warp #5: great ending. Star Trek: Trill: this is an interesting one. It sort of takes a plot from a DS9 episode and alters it to perhaps introduce a new Trill host/symbiont combo? Perhaps for an upcoming comic? It doesn't appear as though this character has every appeared before. Secret Invasion #3: this just got crazy. Trojan #1: holy shit, that's wild. I dig this. Even though there is a real theme of Red Rooms in comic books lately. Possibly something troubling bubbling up culturally, methinks. The Approach #3: this has kind of worn out its welcome. X-Men Legends #5: Portacio on a Bishop prequel? Yes please. 3 Keys #4: this is also pretty crazy. Art Brut #2: this is fucking nuts. I love this series. I'm reminded of Morrison's Doom Patrol run reading this. Batman: One Bad Day Bane #1: absolutely awful. Batman/Superman: World's Finest #11: interesting end to this story. Black Adam #7: still interested. Deadpool #3: crazy and still a little fun. GCPD The Blue Wall #4: wow...hell of a cliffhanger. Hulk #11: I'm ready for this volume to be done. The Invincible Iron Man #2: this was good. Nightfall Double Feature #2: cool. I don't dig this format, but I am enjoying the stories within it. Retroverse #2: this is pretty fucking crazy. Strange #10: crazy. Love it. Venom #15: ok, I don't know who this other kid is, but I dig what's going on. There's Something Wrong With Patrick Todd #4: fucking great. Wasp #1: ok, I'm in. Plush #3: so weird. Midnight Suns #5: ok, I have literally twenty pitches for this book that are better than this series was. Far better. But it was still...fine. Lovesick #4: deranged Lovecraft: Unknown Kadath #5: still excellent. Lord of the Jungle #3: good. Justice Society of America #2: this is excellent. I love the idea of a Justice Society Dark from the 40s which includes the original Mister Miracle. I dig it immensely. Batman: Catwoman: One Bad Day #1: ok, this one was excellent. Great art; great story. Creepshow #5: the first story was played out "fountain of youth bargain" bullshit. The second story was fun but didn't even take the time to get going before the reveal. Too rushed. Batman/Spawn: The Classic Collection: following the recent new release, I thought I'd dive in. While Miller/McFarlane's Batman isn't as deranged as the All-Star Miller/Lee Batman, he still calls Spawn "Stupid punk" like fifty times. Not an exaggeration. And I remembered correctly that that issue ENDS with a batarang sticking out of Spawn's face. He still has the wound in new Spawn times but doesn't recognize the guy that gave it to him. Question answered. I was right. Also, I remmebered correctly, the DC one (written by Chuck Dixon *blech!*) is seriously fucking awful. The best part about it is McFarlane's art on the Image book, but even that is fleeting. All-Out Avengers #5: ah, I guess this leads into Avengers Beyond. I will definitely have to read that now. What a cool premise for a series. Book of Shadows #3: I can't believe it took me three issues to realize the heroes converging on a singular powerful evil threat who is in love with Death was a pretty complete lift of a plot of Infinity Gauntlet. But here we are. I love a couple of these characters. Bulls of Beacon Hill #1: intriguing LGBTQ crime thing. I'll read another. Dead Seas #2: such a weird premise and well-done. I'm into it. Inferno Girl Red #1: man, these massiveverse series are really hit or miss. This is a miss. Junkyard Joe #4: fuck, this series is excellent. Sabretooth & The Exiles #3: this was...fine. Star Trek: Strange New Worlds: The Illyrian Enigma #2: great issue. The Human Target #11: great issue Sandman Universe: The Dead Boy Detectives #1, 2: great start. I don't see this as following from the last Sandman Universe series (which is what the ending of that series looked like to me), but I like it nonetheless. The Vineyard #3: this is good shit.But not a lot has happened in three issues. Very slowly paced. Small stakes. Thor #30: decent. Ziltoid the Omniscient #1: ok, this was goofy dumb fun. It won't change your life. I pre-ordered it because Ziltoid is the creation of Devin Townsend, musical genius and almost the producer of my band's record. I am very disheartened to not see his name mentioned in the pages of this comic book at all. Very weird. If I probably didn't have the next issue already pre-ordered I wouldn't bother. Savage Dragon #263-6: Larsen finally moves the series to a city he's lived in! Traveling to Mars #3: this is so good. Did not expect this from a somewhat crude comedy book. Profound. Almighty #1: interesting future sci fi thing. I'll do another. Ant #6: fun. Batman: Legends of Gotham #1: this was pretty fun. Black Tape #1: love this art. Dig the premise. Blood Tree #1: ok, I'm intrigued. Lots of #1 horror issues in this little bunch. All are good. Bloodline: Daughter of Blade #1: not the hugest fan of the art, but I really dug the story by the end. I'll do more. Breath of Shadows #1: another new horror/rock and roll combo. This one is fucking wild. So far the best of the two (black Tape is the other one). Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #8, 9: this has to be the best Cap series since Brubaker. Children of the Black Sun #2: this is excellent. Maniac of New York: Don't Call it a Comeback #1: ok, this is fucking wild. Minor Threats #4: half meh half pretty good. Very off-balance final issue. Moon Knight #20: Super serious story and then a fun backup story featuring Blade and the Moon Knight of the 70s. Rogue Sun #10: great issue. Radiant Black #21: great issue. This and the above is the strong corner of the Massiveverse foundation. Silver Surfer: Ghost Light #1: I was gonna dump this until the last page. I'll give it one more. Star Trek #4: this is crazy good. John Stewart: The Emerald Knight #1: hmmm...haven't made up my mind on this. Maybe another one. Venom #16: good. Where Monsters Lie #1: holy fuck. Another great first horror issue. Young Hellboy: Assault on Castle Death #1-4: this mini is a team-up with Lobster Johnson that is actually a fever dream. Fun, but inconsequential. Torpedo volume three: I can't remember if I count these as trades or GNs...but I guess trade as it's a collected edition of shorter strips that eppared elsewhere first. More Bernet greatness. The Ward: Welcome to the Madhouse: a trade for a mini about a hospital that serves supernatural patients. Very well done. Would love to read more. Wendigo Book Two: Sundog: the finale. Probably waited a little too long to read the second one after the first. Sentinels 3, 4: these are the last two GNs in the French comic series. It says to be continued in 5, but I don't think they ever got to do that one. WWI super-soldiers in a realistic and incredibly gritty tone. Good shit. Batman & The Joker The Deadly Duo #4: this is good shit. Gotham City: Year One #5: oh, I thought this was the end. One more to go. Avengers: War Across Time #2: fun Bishop: War College #1: pass. Daredevil #8: excellent. Ghost Rider #11: still good. Gold Goblin #4: the best part of Dark Web continues even after Dark Web is done. Harrower #1: another great first horror issue. I'm intrigued for more. Joe Fixit #2: ok, this is just pure fun. Koschei in Hell #2: this does NOT read like the second issue of four. Intrigued to see where the story goes. I don't remmeber the first series (Koschei the Deathless) being that interesting storywise. Red Goblin #1: oh shit. Ok. The Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #5: this is so much better than it has any right to be. This is really well-written, and it looks great too. DC Horror Presents: Sgt. Rock Vs. The Army of the Dead: a trade of Rock and Easy Company taking on nazi zombies written by Bruce Campbell. Ok, I'm in. The Eduardo Risso art makes it that much sweeter. Very much Ennis 90s vibes here. Penthouse Comics #1: ok, this is a perfect package. Amazingly beautiful comics, a perfect bound magazine sized presentation. Good stuff. I'm along for the ride. Fantastic Four: Full Circle: Even though this is incredibly beautiful (art by Alex Ross), I found myself never getting around to giving a shit about the story (written by Alex Ross). Le Manoir: silent Josh Simmons gn Dream of the Bat: a wild off the hook reimagining of Batman and Joker. Surprised legality hasn't come into it, frankly. Good stuff. Call this a trade as it's a collection of three GNs. X-Men Legends #6: this was an excellent 2-part Bishop story from Whilce Portacio whose art I have missed. Great little story. Monarch #1: an alien invasion in the hood story. I'm intrigued. Issues: 496 Trades: 9 Omnibus: 1 Graphic Novel: 10
  3. Curb Your Enthusiasm might be trying to pull a fast one on us, but I have a pretty strong feeling that Larry might end up in jail at the end, like the cast of Seinfeld.
  4. Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves: a little bit of harmless fun. We don't get much in the way of family-friendly fantasy these days (unless it's the Willow sequel series which is not only canceled but removed from streaming) and this one fit the bill. It's a bit of harmless fun. Barely any characterization at all. For that reason, I will never watch it again. I appreciate the universe it's set in, and perhaps they'll make better films in this universe. Voices Carry: feature for the festival Features: 15 Shorts: Documentaries: 2 Rewatches:
  5. The Snowtown Killers/The Dunwich Horror: reviews forthcoming Features: 13 Shorts: Documentaries: 2 Rewatches: I have now matched the number of movies I watched in January just halfway through February. Been in a depressive funk and haven't watched much more than Star Trek: Voyager. Going to really lay some movie numbers down in 2024 though.
  6. Haha! They are probably my favourite major superhero property and I find the Ben Grimm casting to be inspired. Everyone else I am either unsure of or have zero idea who they are.
  7. I Am Not a Serial Killer: This has been on my list for ages as the premise enticed me, but it's based on a novel by Dan Wells, so I was weary. I HATE the Writing Excuses podcast. But, this was a delightful surprise. Review forthcoming. Knife+Heart/The Wind: reviews forthcoming Features:11 Shorts: Documentaries: 2 Rewatches:
  8. Crazy. I actually think I did hear that at one point, but then completely forgot about it. haha! Man, one of the joys of the Chicago fan expo the year I was there was when they announced that Blagojevich was beginning to sign in section C or whatever, literally a quarter of a million people booed at the same time. Shook the walls of the conference centre. Good times. Funnily enough, I started Seven of Nine's run on the show last night.
  9. I think instead of replying to this question from a couple weeks ago, I maybe edited your comment to answer? I was probably quite drunk. hahaha! First episode of the final season of Curb Your Enthusiasm was perfectly hilarious.
  10. A Lizard in a Woman's Skin: review forthcoming The Greatest Night in Pop: a Netflix doc about the recording of We Are the World. I'd seen a lot of footage from this before but I don't think I knew that Lionel Richie hosted the AMAs (including three performances) that same day. That's insane. Paul Simon looking around and saying "If someone bombs this building, John Denver will be on top again" is sadly not represented in the footage. Though it is mentioned. Features: 8 Shorts: Documentaries: 2 Rewatches:
  11. Strange #6, 7: wow...ok. This is pretty damned good. Stuff of Nightmares #1: nahhh...I'm good. Super White Snake #1: uhm...picked this up, didn't know it was fumetti, gave it a shot anyway, realized about two pages in there's explicit nudity and then two pages later, hardcore porno. Wild ride. Sweetie Candy Vigilante #1: no thanks. Task Force Z #12: great ending to a weird series. That Texas Blood #18: still great. The Approach #1: good first issue. I'm down for more. The Human Target #7, 8: still great. The Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #1: I'm intrigued. The Nice House On The Lake #10: still excellent The Riddler Year One #1: when hollywood folk come over to write their first comic, it always comes out looking like mediocre superhero nonsense or Vertigo ripoff. This is the latter. But it isn't anywhere near as good as the stuff it's trying to rip off. Stick to movies. Don't comic book 'em, Dano. The Roadie #1, 2: I was prepared to hate on this, and while I don't love the art, the story is pretty great. The Sandman Universe Nightmare Country #6: much less than a final issue, it's more like an epilogue to the story and a prologue for where it will continue in Dead Boy Detectives. Not the biggest fan of this issue (feels kind of exploitative to the reader) but I'm glad I know that these TSU series are connected. The Silver Coin #14, 15: The end of the first run of the series. Brilliant. Looking forward to it picking up again. There's Something Wrong with Patrick Todd #3: still right up my alley. Thor #27, 28: fun. Thunderbolts #2, 3: ok, this is really fucking fun. Tim Drake: Robin #1: Tim is my Robin. I used to adore Rossmo's art. I can't do it here. The story is too cutesy and the art is not for me. Titans United: Bloodpact #1: cheap and easy way to do an alternate reality story. I dig it so far. Trve Kvlt #2, 3: I find this a little goofy and a little lame that it isn't heavy metal-themed (because the title is used to refer to original Black Metal bands), but I am at least a little invested. Unbreakable Red Sonja #1: ok, this was pretty damned good. Almost didn't bother to give it a shot. Interesting take. I'll read more. Vampirella Mind Warp #1, 2: well, lookee there. A good Vampirella book and a good Red Sonja book coming out at the same time? Mindblowing. Venom #10-12: fucking great. Wakanda #1: nope. I'm out. I just find Shuri to be the most obnoxious character. Wild Cards: Drawing of Cards #3, 4: fuck, this rules. So good. Such an amazing adaptation of that first book. X-Men Legends #2, 3: issue 2 as the second part of the Roy Thomas Dave Wachter story on Wolverine and Jack Diamond before Giant Size X-Men #1. Issue 3 is a Mojoworld thing and I have never really enjoyed that. Justice League International annual #5: from 1994...man what a fucked up year to be doing the Elseworlds annual event. Inferior Five: this trade collects the six issue series. I recall reading the first issue when it came out a couple years back. I was like "this is a wait for the trade thing" and it certainly is. Also weird is it was shortened from 12 issues to six on short notice. Saddens me to think we could have had a lot more Giffen/Lemire team-ups. Fascinating. Lots of obscure characters here. Tasmanian Devil is funny to see here because I just read that JLI annual and he's in it. Haven't seen him in a modern comic in thirty years and boom, he's in this. This was really good. I wish there was more, but I thought it was clever how they wrapped it up. 3Keys #2: this was fine. Will I read more? Maybe... Astronaut Down #4: this sci fi book is nuts. I dig it. Avengers Forever #8-10: this series is so fun. Batman Vs. Robin #3: I am not liking this. I prefer my Batman and Robin to not be involved with ancient chinese death gods. Behold, Behemoth #1: hmmm....I'll need one more before I decide whether to read more. Black Panther: Unconquered #1: this was pretty decent, but not enough for me to read more. Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty #6: this series is so fucking good. Dark Crisis #6: excellent. Dark Ride #3: I think I'm done with this one. Deadpool #1: Wasn't gonna, but might have to after the cliffhanger. Fantastic Four #1: just a tiny little Thing and Alicia story with a huge cliffhanger. Interesting way to kick off the new run. Ghost Rider #8: still really good. Gospel #1: I'm not interested. Gotham City Year One #2: jesus...so much story in two issues that don't feel bogged down. It's so breezy. Supreme lesson in comics writing. Hester's art is just gorgeous. Been a long time since I've seen him on something. This is career peak stuff. Brilliant. Heart Eyes #3: Fucking hell, this series is fucking crazy. Hulk #10: ok, I see where this is going. Lord of the Jungle #1: Dan Jurgens retells Tarzan's origin with the framing sequence leading into the story of this series. Great art from an Italian guy who is reminiscent of Moebius on his Blueberry work. Good stuff. Minor Threats #3: fun Moon Knight #17: badass Predator #4: also badass. I dig this series. Radiant Black #17-19: huge developments in this universe. Good stuff. 18 was a great issue. I've read comics that have three separate timelines before but few are done that well. Sabretooth & The Exiles #1: well, look at that. I dug this quite a bit. Crazy lineup of characters (2 of whom I have no idea who they are, and then a bunch of obscure weirdos. Right up my alley. Secret Invasion #1: I guess they published this when the TV show came out? Never bothered with the show, but this issue was pretty good. I'll read more. Skybound Presents Afterschool #4: fucking awesome issue. Specs #1: great first issue. I'm down for more. Spider-Man The Lost Hunt #1: snooooooze Star Trek: Ferengi: a oneshot that REALLY feels like a DS9 Quark/Rom episode. Good stuff. That Texas Blood #19: is that it? The series is done? Too bad. I would have read more arcs. The joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #2: oh, ok, I kind of get what's going on here. I might have missed that from the previous issue or from a previous Bat-comic. The New Golden Age #1: great reintroduction to the JSA. The Nice House on the Lake #11: second to last issue. Kind of ho hum if I'm being honest. The Ones #1: I really enjoyed this. Titans United Bloodpact #2: good issue. Traveling to Mars #1: intriguing sci fi concept. Two Graves #1: holy shit. Wild cosmic horror. Vampirella vs Red Sonja #1: more multiversal drek. Venom #13: great issue. X-Men Legends #4: the finale of the Longshot/Mojoworld story so, meh. Next issue is an early Bishop story with Portacio art, so I am stoked for that. Batman/Superman: World's Finest #9: this continues to be fun Batman One Bad Day: Mr. Freeze: this was excellent. Black Adam #5, 6: hmmm...I'm losing interest. Blade: Vampire Nation #1: excellent issue. I don't quite know where or when this new Vampire status quo happened in the Marvel universe, but I dug this. Book of Shadows #1, 2: cool Dark Crisis: Worlds Without a Justice League: Batman #1: this one was the best of the bunch. Admittedly, it wouldn't take much, but this one was cool. Captain America and the Winter Soldier Special #1: more background for what's going on in CA: Sentinel of Liberty and I am here for it. Canary #3: lost its magic for me. I'm out. Door to Door: Night by night #1: fun first issue. Frankenstein New World #2, 3: so fun. Love the frog dudes. Duo #6: excellent. Still weird they took the Xombi setup and made kind of a new character up. Gold Goblin #1: great GCPD The Blue Wall #2: this is still great. I have to reread Gotham Central. Junkyard Joe #2: lovely. Iron Man #25: excellent end to this run. Incredible run on this book. Kroma #1: didn't light me on fire. I might give it one more. Murderworld: Avengers #1: this is just Squid Game with Arcade in charge. Lame. I won't read anymore of these. New America #2, 3: this is fucking great. Something is Killing the Children #26: still so damned good. Stargirl The Lost Children #1: is the TV show in continuity? Confusing. Fun, nonetheless. The Deadliest Bouquet #4: I'm out. The Human Target #9: still awesome. Thunderbolts #4: ONLY ONE MORE ISSUE? Laaaaaaaame! I want more. This is fun stuff. Love having Persuasion around. Glad she isn't stuck in Krakoa like all my other favourite mutants. For now... Trve Kvlt #4: this issue was definitely too wordy. Especially for something with this comedic tone. Vampirella Mindwarp #3: still really good. All-Out Avengers #3: this is a very intriguing way to tell a story in an all-action comic book. There's no downtime, so the characters figure out the overarching story from apocalyptic battle to apocalyptic battle. Avengers Forever #11: kinda pissed we're going the whole series before revealing Avenger Prime. But at least it's been consistently good. Creepshow #3: still pretty good. Daredevil #5: this consistently rules. DC vs Vampires #11: looking forward to the finale. Avengers Assemble Alpha #1: so good. Avengers #63: this rules so much. Batman & The Joker: The Deadly Duo #1: I wouldn't be giving issue two a shot if this wasn't drawn by Marc Silvestri. Damn Them All #2: meh...I think I'm done here. Dead Mall #2: I think we're done here. Flawed #3: same. Couldn't explain the plot of this if I had a gun to my head. Justice Society of America #1: I think I've seen this storyline before...but I'm sticking around for a little bit. Koschei in Hell #1: pretty decent. Lovesick #2: fucking nuts. Intrigued. Plush #1: hahaha! Fucking deranged. I love it. Planet Hulk: Worldbreaker #1: decent. Rogue Sun #8: wrapping up an arc, establishing a new status quo and introducing a new villain all in one issue. Not bad. Avengers Forever #12-15, Avengers #64-66, Avengers Assemble Omega #1: this was just the end of this huge storyline. Jason Aaron has officially left his mark on the Avengers. Holy shit. What a story! Multiversal Avengers is such a cool idea and it was executed so well. You love to see it! Star Trek #2: fuck, this rules. They added another of my favourite Trek characters! WORF!!! Strange #8: cool. Did not see this coming. Superman Kal-El Returns Special #1: one and a half good stories. Pretty typical for this kind of shit. The Approach #2: good stuff. The Roadie #3: still good. Dark Crisis: The Dark Army #1: not a huge Damian Wayne fan, but this was a fun issue. The Unbreakable Red Sonja #2: nahhh...I'm good. Deadly Neighborhood Spider-Man #2: the art is fantastic, but the story is dogshit. Defenders Beyond #5: crazy. Doctor Strange Fall Sunrise #1: the art is absolutely wretched. Fear of a Red Planet #1: not for me. Eight Billion Genies #6: wild. Midnight Suns #3: this was some crazy fun. Lovecraft: Unknown Kadath #3: there are a hell of a lot of Lovecraftian comics (for the purposes of this statement: adapted from or heavily influenced by Lovecraft) available and there has been since the Fall of Cthulhu days. It is so rare to find one that actually pushes the boundaries of the medium. This is some solid storytelling. Once Upon a Time at the End of the World #1: ehhhhh....not sure if I'll read more. Post-apocalyptic kids is kind of a big thing right now and I think it's pretty dumb for the most part. 3Keys #3: this was...fine. All Against All #1: not for me. Art Brut #1: this was awesome. I'm down for more. Batman & The Joker: Deadly Duo #2: better than the first issue. Batman/Spawn #1: so...correct me if I'm wrong here, but doesn't Spawn have the split face tied up with shoelaces because he caught a batarang in the face the first (or second) time he met Batman? He still has that face, but appears to not know who Batman is. I'm confused. Capullo's art was great, but otherwise feels like this is a miss. Behold, Behemoth #2: This isn't clicking with me. Bloodshot Unleashed #3: this was pretty damned good. Captain America Sentinel of Liberty #7: so fucking good still. Castle Full of Blackbirds #3: I don't know if I'll read anymore. Daredevil #6: fucking excellent. Dark Crisis Big Bang #1: this was kind of a fun run through the multiverse. Dark Crisis War Zone #1: fun look at some newer characters and some paths leading forwards for them. Jack Kirby's Starr Warriors: I'll count this as a graphic novel. It's Tom Scioli's been a guy who's always kind of rubbed me the wrong way. But I thought I'd give him another shot with this, his reinterpretation of the first three Kirby Starr Warrior strips (before it was canceled). It's almost more of a storybook than anything else. I really did enjoy it though. WildC.A.T.s Better Living Through Violence: this is the most recent DC run by Matthew Rosenberg and Stephen Segovia and it kind of fcking rules. Re-imagines the CATs in the DC universe. I dig it. Looking forward to volume two this year. The Best of Simon & Kirby's Mainline Comics: Mainline was yet another publishing company Joe Simon and Jack Kirby started together. This was '54 and they published four titles for about five months before it was published by Charlton Comics and the two departed the company shortly thereafter. The books were Bullseye (a masked Western hero with almost supernatural aim and a target burned onto his chest by the rogue Native American that said he would come back to kill him). A lot of the action s so vibrant and really feels like early 60s Captain America by Kirby. Then there's Foxhole, a super intense war comic featuring short stories about Korea and WW2 with a real grim sensibility. It's really awesome, heady adult stuff. I'll link to the best cover of the lot by Kirby right here. Them Police Trap which is a really tame (especially in comparison Foxhole) crime comic. Really boring to be honest. And then, In Love wasn't the first romance comic the two created (they invented the genre) and this one feels more adult than teenybopper which is appreciated. Great selection of all the Simon&Kirby work for the comics. Fantastic Four #2: ok, I get what's happening here. Issue 1 was about Ben, this one is about Reed and Sue, the next one is about Johnny and in the 4th issue, the team comes together. Makes sense. This was an excellent story. Gargoyles #1: This was fine. I've always loved the character designs of these characters and the idea of a castle being relocated to the top of a skyscraper. But the show came around a little too late for me to be interested in it any more than that. Ghost Rider #9: fucking crazy Gotham City Year One #3: this is so fucking good. Heart Eyes #4: a real example of how to tell a story incrementally. Hellboy in Love #2: this was ok. Hexware #1: not for me. It's Only Teenage Wasteland #1: ok, I'm intrigued. Know Your Station #1: not for me Miles Morales Spider-Man #1: this was decent enough to give it another issue. Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur #1: definitely not for me. Predator #5: so fucking good. Radiant Pink #1: ugh...terrible. Rogue State #1: god, so many of these comics are the same. Secret Invasion #2: this is pretty damned good. Thanos: Death Notes #1: I'm interested to see where this goes. That Texas Blood #20: fun if inconsequential story. The Ones #2: still great. The Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #3: this is wild. Lots of fun. Thor #29: this is the continuation of that Thanos issue. All part of a convoluted plot about Thor's grandfather and Death and Valkyries and all sorts of shit. Still, it's interesting so far. Titans United: Bloodpact #3: good issue. X-Treme X-Men #1: woof! It's super hard to read Claremont's dialogue these days. Could barely get through this issue. Batman/ Superman World's Finest #10: this is a great issue. Deadpool #2: this was fun. Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7: excellent ending. Kind of teared up a bit. The Invincible Iron Man #1: this was pretty solid. Not really a new direction, but a continuation, which I appreciate. The last series was really good. I hope the same for this one. Dead Seas #1: did not know what this was going in. Kind of a strange horror series. I'll give it one more. Lord of the Jungle #2: pretty solid. Lovecraft Unkown Kadath #4: still great. Monica Rambeau: Photon #1: kind of fun. I'm not too partial to the MCU costume, but it looks really good in the comics. Again, this is my Captain Marvel. GI Joe #300: it's not often I buy a book because of the cover, but if you look at it and can name a Joe character that isn't on it, I'll give you a cookie. This is the last issue of Hama's IDW run. I read a massive chunk of that run years ago, but left it alone for a while. Then it goes to Image. I will follow it. GCPD The Blue Wall #3: I've sung the praises of Raffaele's art before (he is one of my favourites) but John Ridley's writing is also a career best here. Just nailing ever issue, these guys. Night Club #1: the newest Millar thing. I've defended his work in the past, but I don't think I need his take on vampires. Gold Goblin #2: oof. Dark Web. This crossover gives me the ick. Junkyard Joe #3: excellent. A robot with PTSD sees a man he served with in Vietnam being credited as his creator when in fact he only created a Sunday funnies strip of the top secret character, but Joe doesn't understand that and goes to him for help. So good. What an idea! Planet Hulk: Worldbreaker #2: I don't think I need to read more of this. Radiant Black #20: great issue. I enjoy Radiant Pink in this series because it isn't so wrapped up in "streaming" and shit. Retroverse #1: intriguing. I'll do one more. Mary Jane & Black Cat #1: I have problems beyond this being a Dark Web crossover. While I am enjoying the new Spider-Man status quo quite a bit, I honestly think the idea of Mary Jane having incredible superpowers to be asinine. Specs #2: pretty simple riff on the Monkey's Paw story but an interesting diversion. Rogue Sun #9: good issue Noir Burlesque #2: pretty decent ending. Stargirl: The Lost Children #2: ok...NOW the story can start. Two Graves #2: I really don't know what the hell's going on here. I'm out. Sabretooth and the Exiles #2: still pretty good. Titans United Bloodpact #4: solid Vampirella Mind Warp #4: great Star Trek Strange New Worlds: The Illyrian Agenda #1: I'm a little confused...is this supposed to have happened on the show after they arrested Una but before they tried to help her? I might have to rewatch that. Not the hugest fan of this art, but I'll stick around. All-Out Avengers #4: a hell of a lot of fun. Something is Killing the Children #27: not the most exciting issue of the run. Strange #9: cool. Action Comics #1050: this is sort of an: "establishing issue" for the Superman books. I'll check out the Superman series, but the others don't seem too interesting. Thunderbolts #5: fucking fantastic. The Roadie #4: great! Bloodshot Unleashed #4: a hell of an issue Traveling to Mars #2: great issue. Blue Beetle: Graduation Day #1: not my thing. Art is a turn off, and I'm not very into this character in a solo book. Book of Slaughter #1: this is in the SIKTC universe. Decent. Trve Kvlt #5: ridiculous ending to a ridiculous book. Fun ride. Carnage #8: great issue. Creepshow #4: decent issue Door to Door, Night By Night #2: there has been a shitload of story told in these first two issues. Unique premise for a "hunters of the supernatural" book. Frankenstein: New World #4: good issue Lovesick #3: absolutely deranged Midnight Suns #4: ehh...a little lame. Moon Knight #18: great issue Plush #2: Jesus...also a lot of story in two issues. Sulfer Wells #1: nahh...I'm good. King Conan: tpb collecting the Marvel mini. Excellently told story in three timelines. Does Robert Howard proud. Tales from Earth-6: A Celebration of Stan Lee: I'm going to refer to this as a graphic novel anthology. It's DC's tribute to the late Stan Lee, by publishing a book with a bunch of stories from the Just Imagine... event where Stan remade DC's most popular titles with his own takes. Some of the stories are excellent. Others are just there. Decent read overall. The Joker: The Man Who Stopped Laughing #4: this is a great series. The Nice House on the Lake #12: a pretty incredible finale. I did not, however, expect this to be the first part of the story. What a fucking tease! The Last Annihilation: this trade collects the recent cosmic crossover. Man, modern Marvel is a mess. Wakanda is an interplanetary empire? WTF? Anyway, Dormammu possessed Ego the Living Planet and that was enough to get me to read it. Venom #14: I can't believe Bryan Hitch is drawing Dark Web tie-ins, but this was good. Smart workaround to keep Venom out of the ridiculousness. Issues: 374 Trades: 4 Omnibus: 1 Graphic Novel: 5
  12. Lion-Girl: review forthcoming, but ai-yi-yi Features: 8 Shorts: Documentaries: 1 Rewatches:
  13. Yeah, Blood and Bone rules. Michael Jai White and Scott Adkins are keeping the classic action movie alive. Gundala: review forthcoming North of Normal: decent drama based on a memoir. Features: 7 Shorts: Documentaries: 1 Rewatches:
  14. True Detective: Night Country is only two episodes in and firing on every cylinder possible (even some cosmic ones we can't see). Jodie Foster is amazing in this, so is everyone else, but she is a fucking revelation here. I think I know the in-universe connection to season 1 beyond the one that is obvious. Anyway, this is already the second best season of the show and there's four more episodes to go. And I love all previous three seasons.
  15. Brimstone incorporated/Dark Harvest: reviews forthcoming Features: 5 Shorts: Documentaries: 1 Rewatches:
  16. Watched American Nightmare on Netflix. It's a three-part docuseries about the Denise Huskins story from a little over a decade ago. I remember how crazy the story was at the time and got furious watching this. It's the Gone Girl Case. Shortly after the movie came out this woman was kidnapped from her home in the night, her boyfriend drugged and tied up left behind. The police barely investigated and the FBI agent involved was dating the boyfriend's ex (who herself is apparently the intended kidnappee). Fucking nuts. Terribly generic title.
  17. After the first episode of ECHO, Davin quit and I don't feel very motivated to continue. The story doesn't even start for a half hour into the episode. Everything else before that was superfluous or should have been told in flashback throughout the series. Yes, even the Daredevil fight. Absolutely useless. A TV show (ESPECIALLY the first episode) shouldn't read like an OHOTMU entry. After episode 2, I'm out. I have a feeling there's no more Daredevil and Fisk only in the last two episodes. I can get the other actors I like on Reservation Dogs (and Graham Greene in damn near anything filmed in Canada over the last 50 years).
  18. I'm close to finished with season 2 of Voyager. I just finished "Death Wish" an episode that might be a top ten Trek episode. Yeah, I love the trial episodes, but this is a unique one. Tuvok represents a different Q than we've met before who demands to be granted mortality so he can kill himself while Q (the one we all know) is arguing to have him imprisoned for eternity so he can no longer damage the Continuum. Brilliantly written. Overall, this show has incredible characterization. Even in the first season, the character work is firing on all cylinders. Other than Chakotay and Kes, I kind of love them all. Kes is at least growing on me.
  19. 3Keys #1: haha! Same title as a WIP of mine, but still quite different. I was ready to hate this, but kind of liked it. I'll give it another. All-Out Avengers #2: this series wastes no time. Fantastic. Amazing Spider-Man #10-25: this series is great. From Tombstone to Vulture to TWO Hobgoblins, Spidey has had his ass handed to him several times in this run, but I find it weird that the Dark Web crossover had him fight Ben Reilly (now he's called Chasm I guess?) teamed up with Madelyne Pryor. So a senior citizen with no superpowers and a suit that flies can kick Spider-Man's ass, but a legion of demons is cool? Weird. Basilisk #12: GREAT ending. Probably could have been ten issues all said and done, but still a fun journey. Batman One Bad Day: The Penguin #1: this was fucking fun. It's basically the length of a three issue miniseries, but I could have easily read more of this story. Great art too. Batman/Superman World's Finest #7, 8: this was really fun. Batman: The Knight #9, 10: excellent. Batman Incorporated #1: eh...I'm out. Batman Vs. Robin #2: not super into this, but I'll read another. Black Adam #4: this rules. Bloodshot Unleahsed #1, 2: good start, but I don't know how well they're going to keep this going...aka the Valiant Curse Bone Orchard: Ten Thousand Black Feathers #1, 2: RIGHT up my alley! Briar #1: I'm not poo-pooing this, but I probably won't read any more. It's being done better elsewhere. Captain America Sentinel of Liberty #5: this is great. Carnage #5-7: I have to say, I'm not enjoying this run so much. I don't want to see Carnage in Niffleheim. Castle Full of Blackbirds #2: solid. Creepshow #1, 2: these were fun. Crypt of Shadows #1: man...how long has it been since Marvel gave a shit about their horror characters? Too long. It's still going on. Damage Control #1: ugh. Can't stand this art. Too bad, really. One of the best ideas in comics ever. Damn Them All #1: ok, Is Spurrier is obviously a Warren Ellis acolyte, because this reads like an Ellis book. It's good though. Daredevil #4: this rules. Dark Crisis: The Deadly Green #1: this is the only one shot tie-in to this great event series that I actually liked. That's because it's not one of those Worlds Without a Justice League oneshots... Dark Crisis Worlds Without a Justice League Green Lantern #1: speaking of... This was the best of all of those WWAJL tie-ins, but that's not saying much. Dark Crisis on infinite Earths #5: excellent Dark Ride #1: interesting first issue. I'll do another. DC Vs. Vampires #9, 10: this series holds up and is surprisingly good. Not much of a surprise, Tynion is killing it. Dead Mall #1: a little horror mini from author Adam Cesare. Pretty decent first issue. Deadly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1: I LOVE Juan Ferreyra's artwork, and it's the only thing that brought me to the end of the issue. I won't be reading more though. Defenders Beyond #1-4: not as good as the first series, but still kind of fun. One more to go. DUO #5: still good. Earthdivers #4-13: god this series is so fucking nuts. So damn good. Has an author ever done their first comic book series and had it come out this good? I contend: no. This is awesome. Eight Billion Genies #4, 5: this is great. Must have been a nightmare to plot this all out. Firepower #24: fuck, this series is so good. Flashpoint Beyond #6: this is fucking nuts. I can't believe there's another issue. Flawed #1, 2: I am not entirely sure what the fuck is happening here, but I'm down for the time being. Follow Me Down: A Reckless Book: I've mostly floated away from Brubaker and Phillips' epics since they lost the "Criminal" banner. Too hard to keep track of. This was excellent though. GCPD The Blue Wall #1: did not have the highest expectations here, having been a fan of Gotham Central and Montoya in general, but opening the book to discover the art is by Stefano Raffaele is a great start. Great first issue too. No one even mentioned Batman. Glorious. Ghost Rider #7: ok, this is cool. The image of Doctor Doom on a motorcycle still tickles me. Gotham City Year One #1: Tom King and Phil Hester? Hell yes. Slam Bradley is the main character? HELL yes. Heart Eyes #2: holy shit. This is good, but I had no idea where it was going from page to page and i love it. Hack/Slash: Hot Shorts: oneshot anthology of H/S stories. Decent. Halloween Party: another horror oneshot that turns out to be a bit of a mix of Predator and ET with a satirical eye. Not bad, but not great. Hell is a Squared Circle: I'll call this a graphic novel as it's a bit longer than the oneshots above. Wrestling Noir seems to be becoming a thing. Hellboy in Love #1: this was fun. Hulk #9: good issue. I Hate this Place #4, 5: this is done with Vol 2 coming soon I guess. I really enjoyed this. Weird sci fi horror. Iron Man #23, 24: fucking great ending to this great run. Junkyard Joe #1: great first issue. Kaya #1: not a fan. Lovecraft: Unknown Kadath #2: this is excellent. Lovesick #1: whoa! Very similar to Red Room, but with an Italian twist. The Man-Goat & The Bunnyman Green Eggs and BLAM! #2, 3: dumb fun. But I'm probably done with these guys going forward. Kinda same-same all the time. Midnight Suns #1, 2: pretty fun first couple issues. Not my favourite team of characters, but still decent. Minor Threats #1, 2: celebrity comics rarely stray from superhero pastiches and this is no different. Still fun. Moon Knight #16: great issue. Moon Knight Annual #1: good story. Namor: Conquered Shores #1: pass New Fantastic Four #5: great miniseries. I always wished there was more to the New FF from the 90s and this definitely scratches that itch. Nightfall: Double Feature #1: fucking awesome. BOTH stories start out very strong. Nyx #9: great! Old Dog #1: I get it, but I don't know if I'll read more. Ironically have a pitch for DC going back years called Old Dogs that features an old spy and his daughter (AS WELL as similar super soldier vibes as this one). Predator #2, 3: this is quite fun. Public Domain #3-5: brilliant. Loved it. Punisher #7-12: fucking excellent. Another amazing Punisher run for the ages. Some of Jason Aaron's best work. Punisher War Journal: Brother #1: this was a fine tie-in. Unnecessary. Revolvers #1: terrible. Cliched gruff detective stuff. Rogue Sun #7: awful first issue of the arc. If the whole arc (or even one more issue) is choose your own adventure, I'm out. Rogues #4: fucking great ending. Wild stuff. Sacrament #2: ok, this is not the kind of sci fi I can get into. I'm out. Savage Avengers #5-10: fucking great wrap-up. The rebooted series pales in comparison to the original, but this one's approach (going back in time rather than Conan coming forward) was used well and helped differentiate the series. Scarlet Sisters: a Dynamite oneshot that isn't very good. Sins of the Black Flamingo #3: nahhh...I can't keep going with this. I'm out. Skybound Presents Afterschool #3: Image's horror afterschool specials continue. This is a solid one. Star Trek #1: this is a direct sequel to DS9 and HOLY FUCK is that a good first issue? Yes, yes it is. Four of my all-time favourite Trek characters from three different shows are on one crew and I am down! Issues: 144 Trades: Omnibus: Graphic Novel: 2
  20. Lockdown Tower: french horror film set in a high rise apartment building, far better than Evil Dead Rise. Bronx Lore: feature for the fest. Nickel City Tinseltown: The History of Buffalo, NY Filmmaking: doc for the fest. Popcorn: review forthcoming Features: 3 Shorts: Documentaries: 1 Rewatches:
  21. Again, I'd only seen a handful of episodes
  22. Started a watch-through of Star Trek: Voyager the other day, and now I'm a few episodes from the end of season one. I have never watched it before. I probably saw 6-8 episodes while smoking pot at my buddy's place and couldn't stand it. Thought every character was stupid and really felt like the whole thing was a platform to have Jeri Ryan in THAT outfit. Having watched the first 11 episodes in two or three days, I have to say: as far as characterization is concerned, this is the best Trek for that other than TOS. I don't include new Trek in this because it isn't fair to do so. I think Janeway is working out her character throughout this season. Is she the stern matron or is she dancing on the fragile edge of breaking down, or is she the one who takes delight in her crew socializing? I'm not convinced it's supposed to be all three because the show doesn't balance it well. Regardless, Kate Mulgrew fucking rules. I love the characters of Tom Paris, Harry Kim, Tuvok and especially The Doctor. Other than Janeway (who only needs a little clarifying), the female characters need a shitload of development. I don't even know who B'elanna is even though she's been front and centre the whole time. Kes is very much a non-character at this point. I like her interactions with Neelix and the Doctor, but that seems to be all she is at this point. I really hope this changes. While I won't talk about placement in a favourites list yet, I'll say it's off to a better start than TNG and DS9 were. Though I doubt it will hit their heights, if it can maintain quality through its run to some extent, it just might be a pretty high placement on that list.
  23. It is Talented Mr. Ripley at a rich person's estate with several scenes that are supposed to be "oh so naughty" but come up with nothing but blech the entire time.