Favourite 5 #1: The First 50 Covers of X-Men
Dec 30, 2008 Favourite 5
Comic Book Covers are supposed to entice and excite you. They should compel you to pick up the story they are representing or at least give you enough of a reason to open the comic up and flip through the pages. I woke up this morning and was thinking about what to write today as usual and as I was brushing my teeth, I started thinking about comics I read when I was younger. Almost immediately, the re-launch of the X-Men book in the early 90’s jumped into my head. What I remember most were the covers from the initial Jim Lee run and then into the Andy Kubert days. For whatever reason, these covers still stick with me today and I decided to run through my 5 favourites from the first 50 issues.Check them out and let me know what you think. Are there any favourites of yours that didn’t make my list?
Tags: andy kubert, comic covers, cyclops, gambit, jean grey, jim lee, jubilee, marvel, wolverine, x-men, xmen
Let’s Talk Artists #2: Humberto Ramos
Dec 29, 2008 Let's Talk Artists
Today I am shinning the spotlight on Mexican born artist Humberto Ramos. I am a HUGE fan of Humberto and have been ever since my kid brother picked up some issues of Impulse with Ramos interiors in the mid to late 90’s. I still remember seeing the art in the comic my brother was holding in the “middle seat” of our family folkswagon during the drive to church one Sunday and completely loving what I saw. Since that time, I have picked up nearly everything that Humberto has produced. This includes his larger profile projects like X-Men and Spider-man and his creator owned books like Out There and Revelations.
This entry is going to look into Humberto’s run on Wolverine during the time of Civil War in the Marvel Universe back in 2006. Humberto seems to have the type of style that polarizes people and that was very apparent on his Wolverine work. Humberto’s style is extremely dynamic with an anime influence (big feet, big hair, big everything…) This approach seems to be more accepted on his creator owned work as there is nothing to compare his vision to in those cases. Where as with a character like Wolverine, many artist have left their mark on the Canadian mutant over the years so the yard stick is ever present.
Continue reading for more Humberto/Wolverine action.
Tags: Avengers, civil war, Crimson, humberto, Impulse, marvel, Out There, ramos, Revelations, spider-man, spiderman, wolverine
Comic Book Buyer’s Guide Introduction: Collectors and Readers
Dec 28, 2008 Comic Book Buyer's Guide
One of the main questions that comic fans are constantly asking themselves is “Where can I find the comics I want?” That question could originate from a “Collector” trying to fill the remaining holes in their near complete run of Vigilante or simply a “Reader” looking for that next great story. Be it single comic or trade paperback, all comic fans want to know the best place to find what they are searching for. If you speak to any comic fan, you can bet that they have a ”Want List” of items they are trying to track down. Of course, every comic fan is different and what they are looking for always varies in theme, quality and price range.
Typically, comic fans can be divided into 2 groups; Nerds and Extreme Nerds… I’m only kidding… kind of. Everyone has some “Extreme Nerd” in them about something and that’s what makes everyone who they are. It could be cars, movies, learning, pickles or ANYTHING. I’ve got news for you; if you are passionate about something, you are an Extreme Nerd when it comes to that “something”. Embrace it. Anyway, that is a whole other potential entry. Getting back to the 2 groups I mentioned; they are Collectors and Readers. While these 2 groups are not mutually exclusive, most comic fans can place themselves closer to one end of the spectrum than the other. That being said, a Reader can obviously have Collector tendencies and vice versa.
Please continue on to read more including the differences between a Collector and a Reader.
Tags: buyer guide, buyer's guide, collector, Comic Book Buyer's Guide, Comics, reader
A Great Read #1: Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Dec 27, 2008 A Great Read
Yes, this book is primarily written for kids and you will need to look for it in the “Children’s” section of your local Chapters or Borders. And yes, I read this book in one sitting as I could not put it down even though I am nearly 30 years old… It is truthfully one of the funnier books I have read in a long time. Author Jeff Kinney has struck a familiar note with all reader’s as he has taken a unique approach to writing. An approach that gives the kids what they want (humour and familiarity of locations and situations) while also re-capturing the feelings of growing up for anyone who remembers what it was like to be a kid, wimpy or otherwise.
Similar to the new breed of “kid movies” that have become so popular over the last few years, Diary of a Wimpy Kid has a story with a heart and humour that kids can understand and relate to, but there is also entertainment value beyond the popcorn and soda for the parent that has to accompany the child to the theatre. Additionally, with Wimpy Kid, since it is a story about a kid growing up, it brings back all the memories everyone has of childhood themselves and trying to survive school and all that comes with it. “Cheese Touch” as all. PLEASE read this book to understand that reference as most everyone had a “Cheese Touch” or the equivalent at their respective school.
Here’s the rest of my thoughts on this book… Check it out or you’ll get the “Cheese Touch”!!!
Tags: best seller, bestseller, diary, diary of a wimpy kid, greg heffley, jeff kinney, new york times, rodrick, wimpy kid
Twas the Night before Christmas and only Wolverine was Stirring
Dec 24, 2008 Comics
MERRY CHRISTMAS everyone!
Since today is Christmas Eve, I decided to try and put a different spin on “The Night Before Christmas” written by Clement Clarke Moore or Henry Livingston (depending on who you ask. Wikipedia actually has an interesting write up regarding the Author Controversy HERE for anyone interested)
Continue on to see what Christmas Eve might be like for Marvel’s Merry Mutants.
Tags: Christmas, christmas eve, clement clarke moore, henry livingston, twas the night before christmas, wolverine, x-men, xmen
Comic Book Gift Ideas for the Comic Book Novice
Dec 23, 2008 Comics
Yes, the holidays are here. Christmas is only a couple of days away and I need to head into town this afternoon to finish off my holiday shopping. Thankfully, I don’t need to spend much time in the mall, fighting my way through the crowds of people who just like me, left things nearly to the last minute. Hey, at least I’m not waiting until Christmas Eve… unless I can’t find everything today…
Anyway, the bulk of the items remaining on my Christmas list (and there are only a few) are comic book related and can be picked up at my local comic shop. My plan is to cruise in and pick up what is needed (as long as it is in stock… Otherwise, I know someone who will be receiving an I.O.U. in their stocking while Santa fires up the old printing press at the North Pole…).
But, bypassing the mall only solves half my problem. While it is true I will be avoiding the masses of Christmas shoppers at the local mall, thus keeping my sanity well intact, I still need to select the correct comic for the last person on my list. That person (who has imminent comic goodness in their need future) is a female that I know has a moderate interest in some types of comics (I will be steering clear of superhero books). That might not sound like much, but that is more than enough to work with. There are SO many trade paperbacks and graphic novels within so many genres to choose from out there, it just takes a little thought to decide on the perfect selection.
Keep reading to see the comic book gift choices.
Let’s Talk Artists #1: Leinil Francis Yu
Dec 22, 2008 Let's Talk Artists
I am a huge fan of comic book art! There’s just something special about someone taking what they can see in their head and letting their pencil interpret that. The interpretation is the key. If you ask any professional comic book artist, or anyone at all really, to draw Spider-man and give them no other direction, they will hand you their specific vision of the character. That is what is so amazing! There are so many artists out there producing mind bending work that I want to spotlight them whenever I can.
Today I have chosen to focus on Leinil Francis Yu. Artist on such books as Superman: Birthright, Wolverine, X-Men, Ultimate Hulk vs. Wolverine, New Avengers and the recent smash, Secret Invasion.
What I have found myself doing over the years is developing an interest in a certain artist and then hitting the comic shops and online resources to find as much of their past and present creations as I can. As many comic fans know, artists rarely “pop” overnight so there are usually older gems that can be dug out of the quarter bins with a little effort. Not only that, but with the internet rising as it has been (it’s gonna stick around, kids. Tell your grandparents) you can find creations by your favourite artist(s) that you won’t find anywhere else by simply “treasure hunting” using a search engine as your map. Google quite literally ”marks the spot”. This is how you will find rare images of original commissions or comic con sketches that would normally have only been seen by the lucky recipient or anyone they happened to invite over for dinner.
Please continue on for more about Leinil and to see some videos of Leinil at work:
Tags: leinil, leinil francis yu, leinil yu, new avengers, secret invasion, superman, wolverine, x-men, xmen
Revisiting the Watchmen TPB: The Watchmen Trailer Sparks Interest
I remember picking up the Watchmen trade paperback a while back after years of meaning to do exactly that. Of course I had heard that it was the best example of graphic storytelling available and decided to check out what Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons had created back in 1986.
Typically, when a list of “greatest comics ever” is stated, either in print or in a discussion, The Watchmen is inevitably near the top of that list, if not occupying the coveted number one spot. Just do a Google search for “greatest comics” and you’ll see what I’m talking about. People love this book.
So my question is this; why can’t I get into it? I read it and could not stay interested. It was as simple as that. My interest just was not held. Who knows, maybe the reason I didn’t enjoy the story had to do with the mood I was in the day I read it. Or maybe Watchmen just simply isn’t for me. For instance, I don’t like turnips and that has nothing to do with if I’m feeling blue that day…
Continue on for more including the option to Watch the Watchmen trailer.
Tags: alan moore, comedian, dave gibbons, dr. manhatten, night owl, Ozymandias, Rorschach, Silk Spectre, trailer, watchmen
X-Men Origins: Wolverine Trailer Now Online
The theatrical trailer for X-Men Origins: Wolverine hit the web recently and it has some very good things going for it. I stumbled across the Wolvie goodness on Newsarama.com and have watched the trailer a few times since then. If you haven’t see it yet, you can check it out below.
NOTE: Wearing a Wolverine costume while viewing is completely optional, but is highly recommended. SNIKT!
Keep reading for a full break down on the trailer and a surprise Wolverine video clip!
Tags: marvel, origins, sabretooth, trailer, wolverine, x-men, xmen
