Be A Skilled Locksmith
With the price of gas and the state of the economy I present you a possible solution from 1978:
This comic book ad deals with issues that are still relevant today:
- 1978: What if I am laid off?
2008: “Employment continued to fall in construction, manufacturing, and employment services” (THE EMPLOYMENT SITUATION: JUNE 2008). - 1978: Will automation take my job?
2008: Will outsourcing take my job? - 1978: Can I learn a new skill? and Will my job ever pay more?
2008: Will an online degree be taken seriously for employment?
The fact that this 1978 ad reminds me of a pop up ad for The University of Phoenix, but I can easily read between the lines and do the math:
I Wonder What Exactly They Were Looking For?
Today this site was visited by the Israel Local Authorities Data Processing Center who are apparently looking for Giant Boogers from Outer Space.
VISITOR ANALYSIS Referring Link http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=giant boogers from outer space Host Name xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx IP Address xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Country Israel Region Tel Aviv City Tel Aviv ISP Israel Local Authorities Data Processing Center Ltd
LWIC: Eyeball Jelly
Last Week In Comics: giving a fresh take on 5-day-old comics.
Amazing Spider-Man #566
I took a small sabbatical from Spider-Man after barely surviving the “Clone Saga” and did not return until “One More Day.” Now, I may not have been buying Spidey’s book but I did keep up on his continuing adventures by reading reviews and forum posts. I may be wrong about this, and I am too lazy to google it, but isn’t there already a “new” Kraven the Hunter and if so what happened to him?
This issue is titled Kraven’s First Hunt: Part Two and feature’s the title hero dressed up like Daredevil… talk about a confusing cover. I enjoyed last week’s First Hunt part one, but this cover has nothing to do with the title. Bad design. The inside content involving both Kraven’s first hunt and why Peter Parker is wearing Daredevil’s costume is one of much better design.
This may not be an original storyline with Peter’s roommate being accused, captured, endangered, and miss identified as Spider-Man but the characterizations and dialog of how each person (including Matt Murdock) deals with the odd situation makes this bland story entertaining.
Batgirl #1
My first introduction to Cassandra Cain was in Greg Rucka’s “No Man’s Land” novel. In that novel Rucka wrote such an interesting and compelling character that made it impossible for me to pass up her previous solo series.
The mute assassin that read body language angle was just what the sometimes too whiny characters in the Bat-Family needed - more ass kicking less brooding. Even after Barbara Gordon taught Cassandra to talk lessening her ability to K.O. an opponent from a quarter of a second to half a second was still enjoyable to read and I enjoyed watching her grow as a character.
After Infinite Crisis many were upset that Cassandra Cain came back to the DCU as a villain, as an Assassin. I was one of the minority. I was originally drawn to her as Batgirl because she was a ruthless killer first and a hero second, so her reverting back to an assassin was cool with me.
This issue brought the Cassandra Cain Batgirl I loved back. In this issue we see her contemplate murder yet thankful and mindful of her “family’s” rules - assassin first hero second. Since Cassandra’s recent back story is slightly on the confusing side this first issue spent a lot of text on making sure the readers, and Nightwing, are updated on how Cassandra is a good guy again. I look forward to the next issue when 3 pages are not dedicated to a back story and some ass-kicking then heroic, in that order, can continue.
Batman and the Outsiders #9
I really thought I was not going to buy any more of this series…
… but I am a sucker for a Looker.
Ok, that was corny… but there are two reasons I bought this issue and one of them is not because the story interests me.
I bought this issue:
- Because Jack Purcell, who I worked on my Masters Degree with, will be inking the covers to some upcoming issues.
- Because I loved the original Batman and the Outsiders and I hoped having Looker in this issue some of the magic would return.
I do have to admit that the Metamorpho escape donning the “Where’s Waldo” outfit was quite comical though.
Birds of Prey #120
After a couple slow issues the Birds of Prey have my full attention again.
Right before reading this issue I showed my wife the video preview for “Mortal Kombat VS The DC Universe” and she commented on how low cut Catwoman’s costume was in the game. This led us into a discussion on how Catwoman’s costume in the comics may be the most reasonable design in the whole DCU. She finished her rant with “Jut look at the Black Canary. Her costume makes no sense. She fights in high heels and fishnets. Do you know how easily fishnet stockings rip?” I know that I am supposed to be reviewing this particular issue, but this rant by my wife is as relevant as the Black Canary/Manhunter fight scene that took up the first couple pages.
*update: to go along with that non related to BOP #120 rant check out this link about the new Black Canary Barbie.
So three pages featured an seemingly unnecessary fight we see more behind the evil corporate companies of Silicone Flats. I find the parody of our own Silicone Valley and its corporations entertaining, but I was thinking that they were trying too hard for a pun and not hard enough on a story. This issue proved me wrong. I’m glad that the “villains” are more than parodies and seeing the Joker want in on the action, whether he understands what the action is or not, is tying everything together nicely.
Joker’s Asylum: Poison Ivy
The third book in the Joker’s Asylum series has by far been the weakest. With the previous two issues focusing on the complex working, or not working, of the villain’s psyche this issue was disappointing.
This issue make Ivy seem like an Eco-Terrorist not a psychopath.
Bonus: Joker’s Asylum: The Penguin
This is what an issue that has the name “Asylum” in it should be like. The first issue, which I will review a couple lines below, seemed like a tie in for a new movie that you may have heard of - The Dark Knight, where as this issue dealt with the sick mind of one Oswald Cobblepot.
This issue has it all from showing a tormented youth who takes revenge on those who laugh at him to the redemption of the grown man only to revert back to the ruthless killer of those who mock him. The scene where the Penguin is telling Batman how he has found “the one” and explaining how much he loves her and she loves him while the Dark Knight is kicking the snot out of his henchmen is great. And even better was the flashback at the end of the issue highlighting how messed up the Penguin really is. if this comic wasn’t from two weeks ago it would have easily been the Best Comic of Last Week.
Bonus: Joker’s Asylum: The Joker
I read this comic and thought it was great. I saw the Dark Knight and now as I review this comic I feel ripped off. If you enjoyed the Dark Knight you will enjoy this comic.
Heath Ledger’s version of the Joker is getting praised from every faucet of the media. Ledger pulls off the character of the Joker perfectly and the writing behind his acting skills was also perfect. The same type of “question society and see the humor in the way in which humans interact and value each others lives” Joker that was in The Dark Knight is featured in this comic book. The story is well written and the scene in the movie where the Joker pits the two ferries against each other reminded me of this comic, and I guess that is not a bad thing because almost everybody has said great things about the movie.
Trinity #7
This is the first time that Gangbuster’s costume did not look laughable. Mark Bagley’s art has not impressed me, instead it looks as if the DCU was crossing over into a Spider-Man comic but I can tell you that the man can draw. Not only can he draw, but there is one panel where Gangbuster is standing with the Justice Leage and instead of looking like a tool, he looks kinda cool.
Story wise I have no idea where this is going here is my take thus far:
- A giant space entity gives the Trinity nightmares.
- A fight against an alien creature reminiscent of Doomsday occurs.
- A tarot card reader is attacked by werewolves.
- Wonder Woman gets branded on her shoulder.
- Items found on tarot cards have been stolen from museums all over the world.
- and, There is an evil trinity forming and diligently watching the heroes.
Ok, if you can make sense of all that please share it with me. If not I guess I will have to wait to see the big picture. For the first time in a while I am almost tempted in waiting to read the trade, because I think it would make sense to read it all in one sitting.
and…
THE BEST COMIC OF LAST WEEK:
FINAL CRISIS: ROGUE’S REVENGE #1
Here is a comic that ties into a montly title that I can not get into, do not buy, and do not read: The Flash. Now I did read, and enjoy, the Flash while Bart Allen was the main character and am up to date with the premise of this comic. The fact that this comic does tie in with the death of Bart Allen or Final Crisis is not what makes this comic the BEST COMIC OF LAST WEEK. Instead it is the story, the stand alone story, that makes this comic a fun read.
In comics we love to see heroes overcome obstacles and as humans we love to see other humans redeme themselves from their mistakes. Look at the story of last week’s home run derby - the main story was not about the person who won it but instead about Josh Hamilton’s return to baseball after overcoming drug addiction to hit 28 home runs in the first round. There is something compelling about a redemption story and that is what this comic is - a redemption story.
In this comic the Rogues explain how they took the beating of Bart Allen too far, that it was just suposed to be a “beating” not a killing. They place the blame on Inertia, but still take responsiblity for their actions and this issue is about thier revenge on him for pushing them over the edge. Final Crisis: Rogue’s Revenge #1 should be called Final Crisis: Rogue’s Redemption #1 because that is why this comic was THE BEST COMIC OF LAST WEEK.
Friday “Dark Knight” Fights
The Flash Wins - Fatality!
I am not sure how I feel about the upcoming Mortal Kombat vs The DC Universe, and this trailer did not help me come to a decision.
I do have to say the fight scenes featuring the Flash look quite fun and mabye that will be the game’s selling point for me.
The All New Atom
It may not be that far of a Throwback but Ryan Choi’s solo comic carear has come to an end. This week’s Throwback is 25 images, one image from each of the 25 issues, of The All New Atom starting back in August 2006.
If you still need to catch up on Professor Choi’s adventures check out the trades of The All New Atom.
Webcomic: Server Issues
If you were here last Thursday you would have read “Throwback Thursday: The All New Atom” Part One, but don’t look for it today because it has disappeared into cyberspace.
Sometime early Friday morning all of my sites were down. Since my webhosting company’s tech support offers a live chat with an outsourced tech support person. I logged onto chat and was informed that they could not help me get my sites back. This caught me by surprise because usualy I log onto chat and its “oh your sites are down, one minute hold please… your sites are being up now.” Now before you think that I am just making fun of the tech support for the fun of it, I am not and the fact that they are outsourced plays a role in this story.
Since tech support chat was unsuccessful I opened a trouble ticket explaining the problem, or trouble, that I was experiencing. Since the tech support is on the other side of the Earth it was not until early Saturday when the support responded. I woke up Saturday morning to find a response to my trouble ticket explaining that the server witch holds my sites crashed and all the data has been moved to another server and the sites should be working again. I was excited and ready to post my late edition of Friday Night Fights.
If you notice there is no Friday Night Fights posted this weekend and that is because the files for this site was restored, but the database that holds all the content and data were not restored. So Saturday morning I posted another trouble ticket asking them to restore my databases. Remember that tech support is on the other side of the Earth, so it was not until Early Sunday I would get a response.
Sunday morning I awoke to no response to my trouble ticket. The only difference from the previous day was that the ticket was no longer labeled “open” it was now labeled “on hold.” I was livid. It was not until Monday evening that the site’s databases were restored… again too late for me to publish Last Week In Comics. Hell, to be honest I was so unmotivated and discouraged by the site’s data possibly being lost forever that I did not even take notes when I read last week’s comics for the article.
Well this long post explains the motivation behind this week’s Webcomic that can be found here:
http://www.spacebooger.com/index.php?comicID=61
Scapegoat Wax
SCAPEGOAT WAX
Scapegoat Wax - Aisle 10 (Hello Alison)
Scapegoat Wax was a hip-hop/rap/breakbeat act from Northern California, USA that was started by Marty James and Johnny Z (AKA J.DeVille). Johnny Z was in the band for a relatively brief time, but was active in Scapegoat Wax’s earliest tracks, primarily those on “Luxurious,” and was mentioned in each recorded version of the song “Almost Fine.” The band was best known for their single Aisle 10 (Hello Allison), which reached moderate success in the US and was part of the Xbox video game Jet Set Radio Future as well as being on the soundtrack for Project Gotham Racing.
I am a fan of the mid nineties underground bay area hip-hop movement, and in 2000 while working for another website I interviewed the then California based music producer Johnny Z (www.jdeville.com). After the interview he sent me a copy of his album “The Huck Off.” Easily the best track of the album was “We’ve Got Somethin’” featuring Scapegoat Wax (avaliable here).
Not only was Scapegoat Wax featured on Johnny Z’s album but he was also working with the group on their own solo album titled “Okeeblow.” Okeeblow was released nationally on the Beastie Boys’ music label “Grand Royal,” which was an accomplishment for any underground artist. With the purchase of Okeeblow, Johnny Z’s recommendation, and watching the video for Aisle 10 (Hello Allison), I became a fan.
Soon after Okeeblow’s release the record label, Grand Royal, closed down due to financial reasons. This left Scapegoat Wax without a label to back up the album.
One Block Radius - Loud and Clear
Scapegoat Wax did not give up, in 2002 the group was reformed with a live band and a new record label. Hollywood Records released the groups second album SWAX. This album featured some of the songs from Okeeblow and some new more pop sounding songs… The album did not sell that well, the change to more of a pop sound is probably the reason, and in 2003 Scapegoat Wax joined forces with rapper Z-Man to form the group One Block Radius.
Throwback Thursdays are meant to revisit the past with the intent of rekindling interest… I was a Scapegoat Wax fan, but I did not know about One Block Radius, so I downloaded their debut album from iTunes this afternoon. I have to admit, even though the album is not as hip-hop influenced as Okeeblow, I like the album and am looking forward to the next album stated for release in 2008/2009.
Take a step and throw yourself back with Scapegoat Wax:
Okeeblow
SWAX
Long Story Short
Jet Set Radio Future (XBOX)
WebComic: Comb
I really don’t know the exact motivation for this week’s comic… I just find it funny.
The idea was funny in my head, and I think the sight gag worked making the idea funny on screen.
Let me know what you think and leave a comment.
Check out the comic strip here: http://www.spacebooger.com/index.php?comicID=59
LWICK: A Final Crisis to Live Up to the Hype
Last Week In Comics, giving a fresh take on 5-day-old comics.
Green Lantern #32
I still don’t know how I feel with a new or updated origin for Hal Jordan. I have a sweet spot for Hal’s second origin - Emerald Dawn was my first trade paperback in the DCU other than “Batman: A Death In the Family.”
I am enjoying this new origin… but it all is seeming to tie too easily into the new Green Lantern mythos born from Hal’s resurrection in Rebirth. I never had a grasp on Hector Hammond before and I like the setup to make him a major player again in the Green Lantern comics, since this seems to be an origin story for him as well.
As long as I can distance myself from the fond memories of Hal Jordan the drunk driver, I will continue to enjoy this newest origin of Hal Jordan.
Superman #677
I love almost all of Jack Kirby’s work. I admire his art and it’s awesome ability to tell a story. I even like most of Jack Kirby’s stories. Jack Kirby’s costume design… well sometimes I wonder…
I was all about to make fun of Atlas, yeah the guy who in mythological stories held up the planet, and even question his toughness seeing how he is wearing only a skirt and a scarf on his head. After surfing the net, I learned that this version of Atlas was a Jack Kirby design and character. Upon learning that I moved on and put the costume design into the Darksied category of a badass in a miniskirt.
Once able to read the story without laughing at Atlas, I came to the conclusion that the parts involving Atlas still sucked.
If you have this issue and were waiting five days from it’s purchase for my review before reading it here is my advice: Just read the part where Superman, Hal Jordan, and Krypto are playing fetch in outer space. Yes and Krypto has dialog that is deeper and more fun to read than that of the Science Police and Atlas who also appear in this issue.
Teen Titans #60
I hope now that this issue is over there will be no more _____ Titans (fill in the blank with an evil sounding word) now that the Teen Titans defeated the Clock King’s Terror Titans.
What you mean there is a Terror Titans #1 solicited… damn!
Here is my take on this issue: “If the Blue Beetle was not in this issue I would not have purchased it and this title would be dropped a.s.a.p.”
There are only three characters on the current roster of the Teen Titans that I enjoy reading about: Blue Beetle, Ravager, and Robin. Now that Ravager is gone I am expecting Wendy and Marvin to pick up the slack in this series or I may not continue to read it.
Trinity #4
I am still trying to figure out where this is going… for the last three issues the Trinity (Supes, Bats, and Wonder Woman) and the Justice League have been fighting a losing battle against a Doomsday-like creature. Here is a recap of the last three issues: 1. Creature takes out JLA. 2. Creature KO’s Superman. 3. Creature gets stronger (armor) and continues to kick butt.
When this series started I liked that aspect of a cosmic duo studying the Trinity, but that has slowed down. I know that this is a 52 week story, but the pace needs to pick up soon because as of now I am more interested in the secondary story.
I was never a fan of Gangbuster in the early 90s. Maybe it was the fact that Metropolis had so many other Superheroes that I wasn’t a fan of a man in riot gear single-handedly crusading against all gang activity. In this comic seeing the Gangbuster as a concerned citizen in a town without super-villains seems works better and right now that is the most enjoyable part of this comic.
and…
THE BEST COMIC OF LAST WEEK:
FINAL CRISIS #2
I read Final Crisis #2 as soon as I sat down with it in my possession and my first reaction (that I posted on Twitter) was “Final Crisis #2 - WTF? I have to read through it again, but right now my head hurts.”
So I read it again, slower. I payed attention to the pretty pictures a little more before going to CBR’s Final Crisis Forums.
Discussing and dissecting a comic with peers can easily enhance “good book” to the “great book” status it deserves. This is where I am jealous of those who work in comic shops, because I have to rely on forums for my discussion since my comics come from a stand in a local indoor flea market.
The reason this comic is easily THE BEST COMIC OF LAST WEEK is not because of the story alone it’s because of the story telling found in this comic. The clues, or details, leading the readers to believe that Dan Turpin is the new host of Darksied, the imprint of Jon Stewart’s ring on Kraken’s hand, the exiled Monitor’s sketches, a time traveling bullet with what seems to be the Morticoccus virus inside of it, and the mysterious Libra are making Final Crisis one hell of a ride.
Oh, and any series that is prompting me to purchase Jack Kirby’s Fourth World Omnibus and Morrision’s Seven Soldiers of Victory so that I better understand it must make DC Comics one happy publisher.
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