I got to Whatever a bit early today and they weren’t done opening all the boxes, so my list is a bit short. I’ll have more later in the week. I knew I was going to REALLY like some of the titles this week. Others I looked forward to and really WANTED to like, but in fact, not so much.

The Mighty Avengers 14: Some GREAT Secret Invasion stuff this issue as we see “Jarvis” (who we see shapeshift so he’s not just brainwashed - he’s been replaced), meeting with a group of fellow infiltrators.

WHO CAN IDENTIFY all the Skrulls he’s meeting with? Talk to me! I see “Spider Woman”, “Hank Pym”. But not sure who else we have there. Click link to see pics of the skrull meet. And tell me who the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents are if you know.

One more thing… The VOID to the rescue, brilliant, terrifying, but brilliant.

More short reviews and a few spoiler (verbal and visual) after the jump…
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I found these videos from TheJollyReprobate and thought you might like… his description lists a few of his photographic sources… Jake Campione as Superman, Marco Dapper as Captain Marvel, Chris Austad as The Green Arrow, and erstwhile YouTuber Tyler Southwick as Batman

2 more videos with photoshopped Legion of Super Heroes characters after the jump…

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CBR has solicits for Marvels X-Men titles being released in August. A few that look ESPECIALLY interesting to me are… X-FACTOR SPECIAL: LAYLA MILLER ONE-SHOT, X-MEN ORIGINS: JEAN GREY, X-FACTOR #34, UNCANNY X-MEN #501 (looks like Pixie is part of the team, albeit in distress already) and SECRET INVASION: X-MEN #1 (of 4)

DC describes JSA 15 (written by Geoff Johns and Alex Ross, with art by Dale Eaglesham and Ruy Jose and a cover by Ross) with the following hype…

Thy Kingdom Come’ continues! The cracks begin to show within the Justice Society as the ‘Heartbreak Slayer’ stands revealed. Now, the Justice Society are face-to-face with an ancient being whose mission to help the world surpasses even their own.

The Human Flame and Libra have been touted as 2 of the big villains of the upcoming Final Crisis and in this issue of the JLA we supposedly get to know a bit about them… Due 051521

OK I wanted to like this book. I’ve loved Carlos Pacheco’s artwork since his Bishop miniseries, and I’m REALLY trying to get excited for the Final Crisis. But I just couldn’t manage this issue.

There was just too much not to like. I have NO idea when this takes place. It seems to be Pre Countdown #1 (the Trinity doesn’t know Ray Palmer is back), but post Firestorm’s induction. The Trinity mention’s Martian Manhunter is on a “secret mission” but remain utterly unconcerned that #1 he’s not back yet, and #2 that the planet the Salvation Run baddies were supposed to be is NOT where they (and the Martain Manhunter) ended up. JLA figured this out 2 issues ago and Batman just says “when J’onn’s completed his work I’m sure he’ll be open to rejoining the team.” If it wasn’t the wrong universe I’d say Batman is a Skrull.

All this and Firestorm practically saying “well I won’t make a gay joke, but…” really added up to one pretty (Pacheco’s art is the only saving grace) but craptastically bad issue.

comicscontinuum

Class Comics has announced a number of upcoming releases, including July’s Tug Harder written and illustrated by Bruce McLogic. Class’s description follows the preview images.

An undercover photojournalist prepared to do whatever it takes to get the hottest unauthorized pictures he can, doesn’t realize how far his story will take him.

Secretly photographing his exploits, he screws his way through a farmyard of hard working men; drunks, ex-cons and college dropouts alike. But Hell hath no fury like a redneck scorned!

When the entire farm works out what is really happening the mob decides to take full advantage of what Tug is offering… until something unexpected happens.

Be sure to check out the official Tug Harder minisite

I may date myself, but i was a big Ambush Bug fan. he was funy waaaaay before JLI. Did they ever try to recruit him? He’d have fit right in with Booster Beetle and the gang. But I digress.

DC has recruited the original Ambush Bug team (AB creator Keith Giffen providing plot and pencils with dialog by Robert Loren Fleming) to bring some of the silly back to their pages this summer. To keep the seriousness of the impending Final Cirisis at bay for at least 1 issue, DC is releasing Ambush Bug: Year None in July.

Newsarama has a great interview with Keith Giffen and he touches on plans to spoof the upcoming and past Crisis. During the 6 issue Miniseries, we see the DCU’s most recent epics (Identity Crisis, Countdown to Infinite Crisis, Infinite Crisis, 52, Countdown to Final Crisis, and Final Crisis) from the point of view of Irwin Schwaab.

His origin is disputed, although the most commonly accepted origin is that Brum-El (a historical allusion to Beau Brummel, as well as a reference to Superman’s father Jor-El) of the planet Schwab sent his clothes from his supposedly doomed planet, hoping that his wardrobe would survive, only to have it intercepted by a giant radioactive space spider. In the resulting crash, only two articles of clothing survived: the Ambush Bug suit, which was subsequently found by Irwin Schwab, and Argh!Yle!, an argyle sock with a Dr. Doom-like complex, complete with metal mask.

from his wikipedia page… if you aren’t familiar its a good read

It should be fun and it looks ike the whole gang is there as I see Cheeks the Toy Wonder on the second page and Argh!Yle! on the last. I couldn’t ask for any more.

via Newsarama

I was pleasantly surprised when i walked into Whatever yesterday and saw the New Teen Titans Judas Contract figures hanging there. Or at least I saw a few Terminators and 1 Robin. Everything else was spoken for or sold already. luckily I reserved my Terra and Jericho weeks ago.

Below is an image I photoshopped from 2 awesome pics posted by someone named elmeaux on DC Direct’s discussion forum.

His lineups are more accurate, but I wanted Terra and Jericho in the same photo. I’ll post some pics of my own DCD Titans and JLU soon. My Marvel Legends X-Men, Avengers and Fantastic Four as well!

DC Direct’s George Perez Inspired New Teen Titans Action Figures, wave 2 has been on shelves for 192 days

Short reviews and spoiler pics after the jump so READ YOUR BOOKS FIRST! I’m uploading them one by one so if you don’t see reviews for all 15 books, check back more to come.

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In case you hadn’t heard, the apocalypse is well underway in the Wildstorm Universe. Number of the Beast is a biweekly miniseries that started in April. I’ve been reading ABOUT it but need to pick up the actual issues for the full story. All I know is that we are talking end of days, horsemen of the apocalypse and “a nightmarish future of Biblical proportions.” 4 Wildstorm ONGOING titles spinning out of this event (Wildcats, The Authority, Gen 13, and Stormwatch PHD) will deal with the heroes failure to save the world in a “post apocalyptic environment”.

I think aside from the DCU’s recent alternate reality “Great Disaster” I don’t really remember a story about heroes NOT being able to stop the world killing event they sought to defend it from. After seeing so many tales of Earth coming back from the brink of disaster in so many cosmic Crisis, Zero Hours, Secret Wars, Kree/Skrull Wars, Infinity Gauntlet epics etc., its almost refreshing to see everything go to shit.

On the fence about picking up the 3 back issues or waiting for the inevitable trade. Anyone reading this?

The idea that Booster Gold, the most fame hungry hero of all time (literally - he IS from the future) has the let the world think he is an utter buffoon in order to keep anyone from messing with his past is a great twist on the character.

I was happy to have the Blue and the Gold together again, but fear the only way to fix their current predicament is to go back in time and let Ted die. Or just go back in time and fake Blue Beetle’s murder at the hands of Max Lord. Anyway next issue we get to see the Blue and Gold running with their old posse, the JLI. Should be fun.

Six out of Six gems on the Infinity Scale. If this movie was any better I’d have to hunt down the mysterious 7th gem, Ego to make it 7 out of 7)

Marvel has done it again. And even better this time. I’ll admit I’m not as up on the minutia of the Iron Man mythos as I am on X-Men and Avengers, but I know more than enough to say that the writers and director have gone out of their way to make the fanboys happy.

I loved the X-Men and the Fantastic Four movies, but had problems with them taking out essential parts of the story (Shiar, Hellfire Club, Phoenix as the Black Queen, a billion Asparagus people biting the dust, and Galactus as a cosmic cloud? C’Mon!

I had none of those problems with Iron Man (but if you are an Iron Man freak and saw a billion discrepancies I want to hear them all!). I was completely entranced as it unfolded before my eyes and kicked with glee more than once at especially cool geektastic moments. Gwyneth was perfect as Pepper. I give it my highest rating.

THERE IS A DENUMONT AFTER THE CREDITS!!!!!!! Do not leave until after the last credits roll!!!!! I mean it!

Marvel seems to know how to cash in on having a big hit, while all eyes are on them, they’ve released the new trailer to Wolverine and the X-Men. I don’t see why Wolvie get top billing. He’s cool and all that but there is no I in team.

This looks fantastic! I love the artistic style. We have all the classic elements for a goos X-tale… anit-mutant sentiment, bigoted politicians, a brotherhood of evil mutants, Sentinals, Cerebro, time travel, and a cast of many mutants…

They appear to have fully embraced the entire X-universe. Spoted by Newsarama:Polaris, Gambit, Maverick, Dust, Cannonball, Kitty Pryde, Emma Frost, Storm, Cyclops, Spiral, Mojo, the Beast, Angel, Iceman, the Brotherhood, Mystique, Rogue, Senator Kelly and…the Hulk(?).

The article didn’t mention seeing Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, Domino, Wolfsbane, Vertigo, or Rusty. Some readers spotted most of them, but noone mentioned the mob of Madroxes! I’m officially psyched! And not as sad to lose Legion, this looks waaaaay better.

I do think it’s weird that Wolverine has been handed the lead role by Xavier. Scott is gonna have one helluva sulk over that.

Besides the X-Men Pixie issue, the only thing I REALLY enjoyed immensely from the Free Comic Book Day swag pile was Love and Capes #7, written and drawn by Thomas F. Zahler. I hadn’t read any of this title before, though I think one of the customers at Whatever may have recommended it.

Its a charming and humorous tale of a romance between The Crusader and his girlfriend Abby. This issue was all about him popping the question. It is a perfect jumping on point as it smoothly introduces the supporting cast and their personalities and relationships.

Dialog and characterization felt very natural and although the usual heroic fare was relegated to a panel or two as we focus on the characters lives and interactions. The free issue was well timed as there is a trade paperback due in November, and I doubt I’m the only person who picked it up on a whim and liked it enough to watch for the trade. The smart, endearing and authentic dialog is a pleasure to read and Zahler’s stylized art is perfect for the tone of his story without getting cute.

Love and Capes Official Website
Preorder the trade paperback at amazon

Michael Rosenbaum from one of Alex Ross’ TV Guide Covers Dec. 2-9 2001

In Smallville news, Kryptonsite has announced that everyone’s favorite teenage bald archvillain in training, Lex Luthor will NOT be deviling Clark in season 8. Michael Rosenbaum will be leaving after season 7. Can’t blame the guy, he just wants to grow a head of hair. This revelation comes barely a month after we learned that show creators and chief creative force, Al Gough and Miles Millar are leaving after seven seasons, and will not be part of season 8.

It is reported that although Kristen Kreuk (who has played a significant role in the series as Clark’s high school sweetheart, Lana Lang) has also been rumored to be out for season 8, but outgoing exec Gough says she will be back for an “undetermined but small number of episodes.”

To make sure that Clark has something to do for a final season, new villains are being cast as you read this…

Doomsday: In season eight, Clark will face his ultimate challenge with the appearance of the legendary, unstoppable destroyer Doomsday, who appears on “Smallville” for the first time. As comic book fans know, Doomsday is notorious for being the only character in the DC Comics universe to have killed Superman.

The level of CG we’ve seen thus far on the series makes me believe it won’t be Doomsday as we remember him from Death of Superman, but a very different reimagining.

Female villain: Doomsday won’t be Clark’s only nemesis in the upcoming season. The executive producers are tight-lipped about a new female villain they will be introducing, but they can say she will be familiar to many fans and will set her sights on Clark in ways Lex never could. Intelligent, brilliantly manipulative, and dangerously sinister, our gorgeous new villain has one more weapon in her arsenal: Her mutual attraction with Clark may prove to be as deadly as kryptonite for him.

Speculation on who she may be includes: Blaze? Maxima? Ursa? Silver Banshee? Thorn? Matrix? Livewire? Superwoman? Any other suggestions?

Kryptonsite has a letter from Rosenbaum to his fans

I happened upon this online copy of the unaired pilot for the cancelled Aquaman series starring Smallville’s Oliver Queen Justin Hartley. I like Hartley, but liked the way Alan Ritchson fills Arthur Curry’s speedos. You may have seen the pilot when they put it out on iTunes, but I missed it and only saw the trailer, so here it is.

Full pilot video wouldn’t embed but a link is below this trailer…

link to full unaired pilot

THANKS MARVEL COMICS FOR A GREAT FREEBIE!!!

OK, I loved “New X-Men” once it became the students book, despite the semi- cute mangish style of the artwork which for me somewhat disconnects from the seriousness of the events. I found Pixie interesting even BEFORE soulless Illyanna made her a soul knife and taught her some spells (she seems to know enough magic to teleport the whole team without warning).

I’ve scanned a few pages from the story that show off Pixie’s strength of character. Pixie kinda reminds me of a combination of Kitty Pryde and Illyanna Rasputin. The X-Men have a history of spunky young female sidekickesque characters (Shadowcat, Jubilee) and I think pixie should be next. She proves this issue that she has X-Men potential, and I for one can’t wait to see her grow into it.

SPOILERS: Don’t blow up the pics until you read your copy… (if you have one)

Writer: Mike Carey, Pencils: Greg Land, Inks: Jay Leisten, Colors: Justin Ponsor

Discussion after the jump…
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Don’t forget to stop by your comic shop. Sorry I didn’t post this earlier… late night last night. Planned to get to the shop earlier. But alas t’was not meant to be. I got there this afternoon and snagged the following…

I’ll let you know what i think of everything after I’ve read them, so find some way to entertain yourselves for a few hours…