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by Mikespins, Chewy Sun and Jim Dandy.
1 Oakland: JaMarcus Russell QB, LSU
By CS
With the first pick, the Oakland Raiders select JaMarcus Russell. The need is just too great for QB to ignore, especially with the fact that WR is not a position of dire need. I'm hoping the football gods will make this year's 1-2 QB be more like Bledsoe/Mirer rather than Manning/Leaf, because Russell is the physical specimen vs. the brain of Quinn. QB Stability at last, lord Almighty, QB Stability at last!
2 Detroit: Brady Quinn QB, Notre Dame
By MS
Despite comments suggesting they don't want Quinn Detroit knows they need a young QB. Quinn is the safer choice at QB.
3 Cleveland: Adrian Peterson RB, Oklahoma
By CS
The Cleveland Browns showed their hand early. If they would have kept Ruben Droughns and signed Jamal Lewis, I could have been convinced that they were set at running back, but trading Droughns away to the Giants pretty much sealed the deal for me. Adrian Peterson is much like Jamal Lewis...... before his knee surgery in college, big powerful game-breaking back that is everything you look for in a run based offense. He wasn't asked to receive much in college, but chances are, he won't need the skill for his first year.
Romeo Crennell is under fire, and he would probably have liked a defensive playmaker here, but GM Phil Savage is probably with the franchise until the next coach, and Peterson is the best value/need combination at the 3rd pick.
4 Tampa Bay: Calvin Johnson WR, Georgia Tech
By JD
Next off the board is Calvin Johnson, WR from Georgia Tech. His combination of size and speed makes John Gruden stab thirty or forty toy store employees in glee, and the fact that he didn't have to trade up to get him causes Gruden cackle in delight.
5 Arizona: Joe Thomas, OT Wisconsin
By MS
Arizona jumps at the chance to draft Matt Leinart's personal bodyguard for the next ten years in massive tackle Joe Thomas.
6 Washington: Gaines Adams, DE Clemson
By CS
It was a battle between Gaines Adams and Amobi Okeye, because the Redskins desperately need defensive linemen that are under 30 and effective. Most people expected Gaines Adams to be taken by now, because elite pass rushers are rare, and they play to Dan Snyder's lust for stat producing big names, the Redskins go DE.
7 Minnesota: Leon Hall, CB Michigan
By JD
With Quinn and Adams, their two top choices, off the board, the Minnesota Vikings grab a corner who, like any other respectable NFL player, limits his propositioning and lewd gestures to nightclubs and strip joints instead of doing them on a family lake.
8 Atlanta (from Houston): LaRon Landry, Safety LSU
By MS
Atlanta needs help in the defensive secondary and the best safety falls into their laps.
9 Miami: Amobi Okeye, DT Louisville
By CS
Oooooo, Atlanta pick screws with Miami!
In light of that...... quick! Name a defensive tackle on the Dolphins. No Jason Taylor is a 250lb DE, and on a good day he's 250, but really he's 230. Anyhow, since Tim Bowens retired 3 years ago, they've had no one there, and Keith Traylor is 37, so he SHOULD HAVE retired 3 years ago. So with the 9th overall pick, the Dolphins overcompensate by choosing 19 year old Amobi Okoye of Louisville.
10 Houston: Ted Ginn Jr. WR, Ohio State
Trying too hard to overcompensate for their failure last year, Houston selects Ted Ginn, Jr. to pair with Andre Johnson, though instead of reaching for a WR, they could end up reaching for a corner.
11 San Francisco: Adam Carriker, DE Nebraska
By MS
San Francisco is building for a 3-4 defense. No outside linebackers are worth this pick so they take a true 3-4 defensive end in Carriker.
12 Buffalo: Aaron Ross, CB Texas
By CS
The Vikings selection of Leon Hall really screwed up Buffalo's plans. The two positions of most need is linebacker (London Fletcher and Takeo Spikes were both lost) and corner (Nate Clements) and possibly running back. Anthony A-Train Thomas will let Buffalo skip RB in the 1st round, and Angelo Crowell showed enough last year to possibly fill the void Fletcher left. That leaves them with Aaron Ross, who is big, fast and the lack of dominant WR in the AFC east will allow him time to grow.
13 St. Louis: Alan Branch, DT Michigan
By JD
St. Louis grabs a "potential" pick, ignoring Branch's expanding ass and questionable desire. Be on the lookout, though: the Rams might take a DE, just in case Leonard Little kills someone else's mom.
14 Carolina: Patrick Willis, MLB Ole Miss
By MS
Things get interesting. Carolina could go any number of ways here. Do they take a WR like Robert Meachem or Jarrett? Do they take a RB like Marshawn Lynch or maybe even a pass catching TE like Miami's Greg Olsen?
Nope.
With Dan Morgan's career in jeopardy the Panther's select stud middle linebacker Patrick Willis who is considered by most the only surefire MLB in the draft.
15 Pittsburgh: Darelle Revis, CB Pitt
By CS
If you look at the draft history of the Steelers, you'll know that they won't pick up linebackers in the 1st round. All of their stud linebackers (Greg Lloyd, Joey Porter, and Kendrell Bell) came to them in the later rounds. So the Steelers were looking at a DT to employ a 4-3 defense this year, but Alan Branch got taken. They were also checking on a big play WR still to replace Plexico Burris's departure 2 years ago, but Ted Ginn Jr. was the only WR worthy of the 15th pick. With that in mind, they pick up the hometown hero, Revis, to help shore up their no-name CB corp.
16 Green Bay: Marshawn Lynch, RB California
By JD
With Robert Ferguson, Donald Driver and Greg Jennings, WR might be the only position the Packers are set at, so they go with Lynch, who strikes me as a workout warrior, but hey, what do I know.
17 Jacksonville: Jamal Anderson, DE Arkansas
By MS
The Jaguars waste no time and listen to no offers. They didn't expect Anderson to be there in the latter half of the first round. Yes they have a need for a defensive back and a safety was tempting, but with the massive defensive tackles they have in Henderson and Stroud it's time to get a QB killer.
18 Cincinnati: Paul Poslunzny, OLB Penn State
By CS
With the loss of Brian Simmons (FA) and David Pollock (BROKEN NECK), and the fact that the top DTs and CBs have already been chosen, the Bengals came into this draft looking for the top prospect with no character issues. Unfortunately for them, there are no prospects from BYU, Utah or Weber State worthy of the first round, so they go with the next best thing, a Joe Paterno player, Paul Posluszny, who's going to be the weirdest looking name on a jersey (because Penn State don't have names on jerseys) since the XFL.
19 Tennessee: Robert Meachem, WR Tennessee
By JD
The Titans need someone for Vince Young to throw to in the 3 or 4 games he plays before he gets hurt. Meachem's got size and wheels, and he's about as seasoned as everyone said Young was.
20 NY Giants: Michael Griffin, Safety, Texas
By MS
The Giants have an aging and ineffective secondary. They take Griffin to help shore up the defensive backfield.
21 Denver: Jarvis Moss, OLB/DE Florida
By CS
As it stands right now, there is a TON of quality offensive lineman available, and Denver needs more O-lineman. That said, the kind of O-Lineman Denver employs in their zone-block scheme is very easily acquired in the later rounds, and the only time Mike "Rat Face" Shanahann has picked an o-lineman in the first round was George Foster, who was recently traded away to Detroit. Also in the news, Al Wilson, their former all pro middle linebacker was released, most likely due to long term wear and tear, so instead of wasting another pick, trying to get a quality D-lineman, Rat-Face will chose Jarvis Moss to add a little pass rush, next time he faces Peyton Manning, instead of just letting Peyton sit back and pick off their defense like Manning did kids in his SNL united way commercial.
22 Dallas: Brandon Merriweather, S Miami
By JD
Two head cases in the same locker room? You heard it here, folks. Jerry Jones' rawhide face has always had a soft spot for "character issues from The U," so taking the ringleader in the FIU-Miami "stomping" incident is right up his alley. Added bonus: the kid plays like a corner, and now Roy Williams can go hit something.
23 Kansas City: Dwayne Bowe, WR LSU
By MS
The Chiefs don't have a true #1 WR. That changes with the selection of the big, fast Bowe.
24 New England (from Seattle): Reggie Nelson, S Florida
By JD
Bill Belichick does love those Florida players, and with Rodney Harrison picking up a big injury every year now, the Pats could use some help at safety. Of course, they're just as likely to take Greg Olsen here, but who the hell do you think you are questioning the genius of Belichick?
25 NY Jets: Greg Olsen, TE Miami
By CS
GM Mike Tannenbaum and the Jets needed a CB in a bad way, but all the top prospects at CB have been taken. The Jets needed a TE, but not as badly as CB, however for Greg Olsen to drop this far down, the Jets take 2 minutes to fill out the card, stiff arms Scott Pioli on the way to the podium and get out of Radio City Hall before the Jet fans turn rabid on them.
26 Philadelphia: Brian Leonard, H-Back/FB Rutgers
By MS
Having seen both of their first round targets in Jarvis Moss and Greg Olsen go shortly before their pick the Eagles take a slight reach on Leonard. He fits into the Eagles offense as a pass catching FB or motion H-Back. Drafting this close to the end of the first round the Eagles take a player not rated this high knowing he will be gone before their next pick similar to what they did with Mike Patterson.
27 New Orleans: Lawrence Timmons, OLB Florida St.
By CS
Like the Jets, New Orleans needed some luck to get a CB, and like the Jets (and Mike); Buffalo's pick of Aaron Ross royally cock-blocked their plans. Getting no help by any of the impact free agents, the Saints could take pretty much anything that isn't defensive end on the D side...... so they take the best available talent in Lawrence Timmons. On a side note, they tell the Texans to keep a 7th round pick in mind. The Saints will use one of those to pay back the Texans for skipping Reggie Bush.
28 New England: Levi Brown, OT Penn State
By JD
The Patriots keep rereading their draft board to make sure that they're not hallucinating, then mosey on up with their card and take the second best tackle in the draft.
29 Baltimore: Anthony Spencer, DE Purdue
By MS
Having lost Adalius Thomas to the Patriots in free agency, the Ravens select DE/OLB Spencer to fill the hole. Spence was a college end but is on the small side and projects as an OLB in a 3-4.
30 San Diego: Dwayne Jarrett, WR USC
By CS
After sitting all day, sweating his ass off, pretending to be on the cell phone for hours at a time, Dwayne Jarrett can finally save some face and call himself a first round pick, because the Chargers, desperate for a playmaker at WR, reaches for the wide receiver that's slower as molasses.
31 Chicago: Justin Harrell, DT Tennessee
By JD
Da Bears need someone who can keep offensive linemen off of Brian Urlacher, and while Harrell has some durability issues (coming off a torn biceps from his senior year), incumbent Tank Johnson has jail issues.
32 Indianapolis: Jon Beason, OLB Miami
By MS
The Colts have seen some defensive departures this off-season. There aren't any defensive tackles on the board worth the final first round pick so they go linebacker. Beason is a tackling machine and big time hitter. He can play the run as well as cover the pass. In Beason they are getting a better tackling Cato June.
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Posted by YourMomsBasement at 12:30 PM
Posted by YourMomsBasement at 12:00 PM
Hellboy is back! Igor Bromhead is back! Hecate is back! Hellboy's cousin Harry is back!
*ahem*
Darkness Calls" brings Hellboy back to his roots after he went off to fiwander the Earth in "The Third Wish" and "The Island". Igor Bromhead (the pain in the ass from "Box Full of Evil") returns and this time he's managed to conjure and gain control of one of Hellboy's most powerful enemies. In a very, very clever way it must be said. Other enemies have recovered one of the horns Hellboy broke off at the end of the Giurescu affair and carved it onto an effigy of Hellboy. Again, very clever and smart writing. It seems Hellboy's been sloppy in his past adventures, leaving many loose ends that seem to be coming together quite quickly in a noose.
As he recovers at his cousin's from the events of "The Island", he takes a walk and meets three travellers on the road. They tell him tales of the long dead witch hunter Henry Hood. But, this being Hellboy, Hood might not be quite dead and the three travelers have other plans, as Hellboy finds himself bound as they raise the witches Henry Hood hung for "a gathering of witches like none before in the history of the world."
Duncan Fegredo does a great job on the art. It's different, to be sure, but familiar enough, particularly in the architecture. There's a lot of great stuff being set up and it's great seeing all these elements of Hellboy's past coming back into play. There so many wonderful little moments, but going over them would ruin the book, so I won't. But the gift Harry gives Hellboy, the way Bromhead gains control, and the reveal about the travellers is all great, great stuff. I wasn't sure where Hellboy was going to go after his last adventures took him out of the his (and the audience's) comfort zone. It's good to see him back in the thick of it again, cursing at the evil as only he can.
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Posted by YourMomsBasement at 09:00 AM
"Big Lizard in my Backyard"
by Fred Chao
Publisher: ADHouse
What It Will Set You Back: $2.95
Johnny Hiro. Have you heard of him? Me neither. It's not really his occupation... it's just his name. But don't tell his girlfriend Mayumi, she believes that Johnny is something out of this world. And it just so happens that Johnny would become a hero just so he can have one more moment with Mayumi. His opportunity comes to pass as an enemy of Mayumi's mother comes to the the Tokyo of North America: New York City.
Johnny loves Mayumi. Remember that. That is the key to this entire issue. Johnny loves Mayumi. Loves her so much that he has flashbacks, not of their life together, but of every time he has had great bodily harm inflicted upon himself due to a course of carelessness. We learn that Johnny isn't the most cautious of person. That, or he loves being placed in slings that hold his broken body up while his bones heal themselves.
For his one act of courage, he is paid back by being tossed into the air about the great city of New York. Falling, falling to earth: David Bowie sits in awe at home wondering what death will happen. Lucky for our hero, Hiro's fall is broken by a car.
The absurdity of this comic will provide a great deal of joy for most readers. It's refreshing. It follows a basic logic. Love. Anything else, including all the laws that we have built around science, is hearsay and can't be proven. There is no logic except for love. Scott Pilgrim has a lot of logic, it's all video game logic and some pop culture logic, the same can't be said for Johnny Hiro. Johnny is all love.
Johnny and Mayumi in a Brooklyn apartment,
S-L-E-E-P-I-N-G in their bed.
First comes Gozadilla from Japan,
Then comes a kidnapping,
Then comes Johnny running into a pole.
We get a recap as to why Gozadilla has come all the way from Japan to seek out the daughter of the one who had defeated him many years ago. When you're a monster that has wreaked havoc on a city for ages, once your ass gets taken out, that's it. You become a parody. Even worse than that, you know you've become a parody and now have to prove yourself again as a threat.
Off to New York he heads in search of the daughter of the woman who had stopped him years before. I won't even ask how he got her address. If I say anything else, I'll ruin how Gozadilla is stopped. Or how the entire affair is wiped from the city's memory.
I'll leave you with this sample of the closing dialog:
Hiro: We're not gonna get our security deposit back, are we?
Mayumi: I love you, Hiro.
Hiro: I love you, too.
I love this book.
Posted by YourMomsBasement at 08:00 AM
Essex County Vol. 1
Tales From the Farm
by Jeff Lemire
Superheroes, hockey, and separation. That's Tales From the Farm, in a nut shell. Don't get me wrong, that's an over-simplification of the entire story. It's like saying World War II was just a skirmish where some people died. Tales From the Farm is a story told in four parts. It's one whole year in the life of a few people in Essex County in Canada. It's touching, haunting, and there are moments when the world seems better because this book was written.
Lester just lost his mom to cancer. His mom was a single mother, Lester never knew his father and, once she is gone, he is made to live with his uncle. His uncle, a single man with no children of his own, takes in the son of his beloved sister to live on a farm in Canada that's very far removed from children and the childhood that we are brought up to believe in as the "perfect childhood." It's far from everything in the world.
Jeff Lemire's line work is thick and chunky. It's a teenage girl crying after the prom after her date leaves her for the girl that screwed the entire football team because she was bored. That's how chunky Lemire's art work is in Tales From the Farm. The line work is as chunky as it is expressive. So expressive that you want to try and remember your own childhood being that expressive. Instead... you get left with stick figures and blocks.
And yet this story is perfect.
A year out of the life of Lester. Lester lives with an uncle that he's afraid of and becomes fast friends with the gas station attendant. There is already a strain on the relationship between uncle and nephew. It grows over time. And once you stretch something, it tends to either snap or come back together.
Tales from the Farm has emotional weight for all children who never knew their parents, that same emotional weight that Blankets had for the emo/love struck crowd. My parents are both alive and kicking, but I never knew them. I knew the motions that they repeated. I knew the parts that they played for me and my siblings. Tales From the Farm is a book that speaks to me. It was the moments in my entire childhood that happened to me compressed into a year.
Growing up.
To most kids (I'm lumping in people over the age of 18 here as well), growing up is a verboten word. To a hard-core Christian it's saying premarital sex. To a Hasidic Jew and Muslim, it's offering a pork sandwich. To kids, growing up is a something that happens to someone else, never you. Some will grow up and do so for the better and retain the same wonder that they had as children. Others just get older and lose their wonder but remain children.
Lemire crafts a wonderful story about a child growing up. That not the best part, it gets better… but if I told you that, I'd ruin the entire story.
Posted by YourMomsBasement at 07:45 AM
Feeble Attempts
Jeffrey Brown
Top Shelf, five dollars AMERICAN!
My drug dealer gave me my first Jeffrey Brown comic. Actually, being a good drug dealer, he sold it to me, promising that if I didn't like it he'd give me back my money. Being a good junkie, I purchased what in my mind looked to be nothing more than a crudely drawn comic.
Before I go any further, I should mention that by "drug dealer", I mean the guy who sells me my comics. They, the comic shop owners, function just like a dealer, getting me to "sample" new things so I'd be forced to purchase more and more shit. I don't do drugs nor condone their use, but there are a few people out there that do need a joint to calm the heck down. Marijuana can be a gateway drug, but some people just smoke joints. That's it. Never touch crack, meth or any of that other goofy shit, they just smoke pot. X-Men comics are the same way. I'm a good junkie and I love to sample around. My dealer gets me all the good exotic stuff.
So, back to the review (a late review might I add), of Jeffrey Brown's Feeble Attempts. Anyone who has picked up a Jeffrey Brown comic knows that the autobiographic items are always drawn slightly sketchy. It's a huge contrast to the complexities of what is happening in the stories: Modern (born after 1970 and before 1983) American Guy Stories of breaking up and just strange relationships in general. The fear you end up feeling about all the strange shit that goes on in your head, that no matter how unique you think it is, there are 4,329 people as we speak, going through the exact same thing. The stories that Brown writes are a nice contrast for art the he brings to the table.
These really aren't those stories. Not really, ok maybe two, or three if you want to stretch it. But these aren't like Brown's other stories that Top Shelf has published, or AdHouse for that matter. Feeble Attempts is a different animal from the same genus than Brown's other works.
These stories at times are a bit rougher in terms of Brown's artwork than what I'm use to seeing. All of these stories are collected from a various amount of sources that had picked up the stories to run their various publications. These happen to be Brown's favorite.
I can see why. They are nonsensical in some places and completely, slightly, pretty damn funny OK, mind altering in other. Stories about religion, super-heroes™, love (2, 3 tops, I swear), shit jobs and the fucked up things you do by accident as a child.
Yeah those things. WithaBBgunnonetheless!
Jeffrey Brown's Feeble Attempts are best done in a "pick up, read story, and then put down again" fashion. All the stories are fairly disconnected from each other and some are different beats from another, so putting the book down (letting your memory of the last story fade from short term, getting squished into long term while you do whatever) allows you to enjoy the next story that much more. Doing it all in one sitting is too much. It's too much Brown for anyone to handle, even Artie: the Strongest Man in the World.
I made this mistake, trying to read four stories in one sitting. I couldn't. I switched what I was doing. Drawing for a little. Read another story. Watched a little of a movie. Read another story. Ate some food. Pooped and read another story.
It made the stories seem easier to digest that way. These aren't the long form stories that Brown generally creates. These are short Brown, stories for us to read between getting on and off the bus.
For five dollars, you get enough Brown that (if you weren't doing a review), could almost last a week if you stretched it (keeping it on your person like a manifesto for some strange cult of slackers that will some day, y'know, not today or anything, maybe next year when we have a better idea of what we want to do and stuff, will rise and take over the world). A day if you love the craft: this was the second re-read (spread out over time) one story at a time is a lot better than several stories all at once. 50 minutes if you are doing a review: first re-read of the entire book (I really did everything above in 50 minutes, except for the pooping). 20 minutes if you're completely insane: yeah, this one, doesn't allow you to really take everything in and enjoy the story, instead you get a jumbled mess of stories in your head, take your time with this book enjoy it. It's a small price for a good quantity of quality stories (the best one is on page 17... I only say this because this still happens to me).
I encourage you to get Feeble Attempts. If I owned a shop and was your dealer, I'd even give you a money back guarantee. C'mon, you know you can't resist that, there's nothing to lose. Just try it.
Posted by YourMomsBasement at 07:30 AM
by EdContradictory
You know the deal. You're hanging out with friends, maybe you're all over at someone's house. Maybe you're at Friendly's splitting some quesadillas. But, inevitably, after the talk about jobs and politics and the weather runs out... you're left staring at each other, unwilling to discuss the issue hanging over everyone's head. Like the Sword of Damocles.
Namely: Was Pulp Fiction such a great and importantly fantastic movie that merely being in it gives John Travolta a free pass for all the dreck he's been in since?
In other words, is Pulp Fiction more gooder than Battlefield Earth is more bad?
So let's get the simple part of this equation over with first. Battlefield Earth is an awful movie. How bad is it? It was so bad that I re-watched it for this article and as I watched it, my brain erased the very memory of watching it in order to protect my fragile psyche. All I know is that Travolta is in platform shoes, some dudes learn how to pilot planes, and Forest Whittaker is in it.
But there are many other Travolta films that are also bad. There's Phenomenon, wherein Travolta gains the powers of a Thetan Level 7, but then we find out it was just a brain tumor. There's Michael, where he played an angel with Andie MacDowell, who, it is important to mention, cannot act. And White Man's Burden, the one with Harry Belafonte where Travolta's a minority. And there's... that other movie where he played that guy... who did that stuff.
So, there's a lot of bad. But, on the other side of the equation, there's Pulp Fiction. And Pulp Fiction is so fucking amazing, none of those shitty films matter.
I remember the first time I saw Pulp Fiction. I remember sitting in the theater stunned at the end. My friends and I just staring at the screen and slowly acknowledging the outside world again. And when we finally had the wherewithal to notice each other again, we just smiled. We knew, we knew, we had just seen something amazing. So amazing that in years past I wish I could remove the memory of the film from my mind so I could watch it new, all over again. How cool would that be?
Yeah, yeah, yeah, you're going to say it was derivative. That the narrative structure was gimmicky. That the characters were over the top. You know what I say to that? Fuck you. Fuck you, you Forrest Gump loving son of a bitch. Sam Jackson was robbed and you fucking know it!
Glowing briefcase? Cool. Marvin shot in the face? Cool. Adrenaline shot to the heart? Cool. The Wolf? Cool. The scene with Butch in the cab? Not completely awful. "Bring out the gimp"? Cool. Jules' wallet? Cool.
The feeling and mood of Pulp Fiction might have been copied to the point of being tiresome since then, but in 1994 it was still new and unfamiliar and unique. In fact, without Pulp Fiction, the 90s would have sucked. It would have been all John Hughes baby movies. The nineties were Pulp Fiction and Pulp Fiction was the nineties. It doesn't matter that a bunch of crappy directors came after that and copied Pulp Fiction and married Madonna. Pulp Fiction is a diamond, brilliantly gleaming, and their shit can't stick to it.
Look at it this way: Pulp Fiction is so amazingly amazing that without it, Battlefield Earth wouldn't even exist. Travolta used the clout he had from being in the most important film of the nineties and used it to make the worst.
Years from now, decades from now, which will be remembered? Will we even remember Travolta was in a film called Battlefield Earth? Does anyone remember that Jimmy Stewart was in The Magic of Lassie? Hell, no. People don't even rememebr that he was in Fievel Goes West. You remember Mr. Smith Goes to Washington and It's a Wonderful Life.
So, in closing, even if you don't currently believe that Pulp Fiction's awesomeness outweighs Battlefield Earth's badness, know this: Ultimately you're wrong and twenty years from now when you try to spread your dirty lies, people will laugh at you. Just as I laugh at you now.
Read the same author rant about Wolverine, Spider-Man, and bone claws.
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Posted by YourMomsBasement at 09:00 AM
interview by Mikespins
For people not familiar with The Loners can you give us a little recap on who they are?
The Loners actually used to be called Excelsior and debuted in Runaways Vol.2 issues 1-6. They're a superhero self-help group who are trying their best to put their pasts as teenage heroes behind them and live normal lives out in L.A. But once you have their powers, can you ever truly give up the lifestyle?! The current members as we start the series are Darkhawk, Ricochet, Turbo, Green Goblin, Julie Power and Spider-Woman. There will also be a few surprise guests along the way as well.
Who came up with the idea behind those Jason Pearson covers? Was that all Pearson, or do the retro-John Hughes themes tie in with the comics themselves?
As an admitted John Hughes nut, I had the original idea which I suggest to editors Molly Lazer and Bill Rosemann. They shot it over to Jason who we knew was going to be doing the covers, and he batted it around for a bit and mulled over the posters. He finally decided he could make them truly unique by adding his own style and textures and he really changed them from simple homages to amazingly original pieces of art. He added things like the wonderful L.A. map background and text on issue one, and then the incredible chair imagery above Ricochet's head on issue two! No one does it like Jason!!
The Loners are really a support group for heroes trying to get away from the super hero gig. How hard is it to pitch a book about a cast who no longer want to be heroes, at least on the surface?
It wasn't easy, let me tell you that. I pitched it in May two years ago after I quit Marvel and it is finally seeing the light of day this week. Phew! It originally started out with them as an actual team again picking up where they left off in Runaways, but Tom Brevoort encouraged me to explore the self-help angle more. A couple conversations with Brian Vaughan about how he handled the characters helped me get my head around them more. Ultimately, everyone has habits and vices that we try to shake and quit, but can't, so we've all been there. This book is about the emotional attachment we all have to certain things we love but want to give up. While no one really knows what it's like to be a superhero, everyone can relate to the core emotions and feelings these kids are going through in making the decision to try and cast away one of the things they love most.
The support group idea is an interesting one. In the Marvel Universe mutants are standins for the disenfranchised and marginalized. Metaphorically who are The Loners?
I think each of the Loners is in the group for a different reason. One might be compared to an alcoholic, who knows he's addicted to his power and is afraid he might get out of control if he doesn't stop. Another might be the outsider, who's uncomfortable in the super hero clique and is trying to put their costume behind them to fit in with the "normal" crowd. Each character ends up being a different metaphor.
How much fun has it been to take a cast of "forgotten" characters and try to bring them back front and center? Are there any new members coming up we haven't seen yet?
Will Rick Jones continue to play a role in The Loners?
No, while Rick financed the Loners first mission as Excelsior, he's going to be kept busy with the impending return of the Incredible Hulk from space.
What role do you see the Loners occupying in the post-Civil War Marvel Universe?
They're taking registering to the extreme. They decided to sign up, but it's simply a gesture as they're trying to get out of the game entirely. They want no part of the post-war antics that are going on in New York. But that said, L.A. is their turf now, and when some of the Civil War fallout spills over to the West Coast, what will they do?
The first issue features a few characters falling off the wagon so to speak. Is this going to be a continuing theme in the book?
Do you have longterm plans for the group? What's coming up?
While we're only scheduled for six issues for now, if sales are up and we get to continue, I have the next two arcs, up to issue 18, planned out. There are a few other "blasts from the past" that I have slated to show up that I'm sure people will get a kick out of!
For people who might not know about The Loners what would you say to get them to give the book a try?
I look at the series as more of an ensemble cast teen drama than a superhero comic, which I hope many readers will find as a breath of fresh air. Even if you're not a fan of capes and tights, you might dig Loners as the main characters in the book don't really want to be there anyway. :)
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Posted by YourMomsBasement at 09:30 AM
review by EdContradictory
The Loners! Ben Urich (the Green Goblin)! Michiko Musashi (Turbo)! Chris Powell (Darkhawk)! Julie Power (Lightspeed)! Johnny Gallo (Ricochet)! Brought together by fate and circumstance to help each other... give up being superheroes?
The Loners are a superhero support group/twelve-step program to help former teen heroes "kick the habit" and stop putting themselves and their loved ones at risk. Support groups for superheroes is an idea that has popped up a couple of times in the last few years. Zatanna was in such a group during her Seven Soldiers miniseries and even Superman was seeing a psychiatrist at one point. This is the first time I've seen the concept applied to the Marvel Universe and it really is something that lends itself very well to Marvel's angsty teen heroes. That is what the Loners are all, or were, for the most part, nineties teen heroes, many from the "what were they thinking?" part of the nineties. Their status as "relics" from the nineties gives their plight to give it all up a little extra pathos.
The break-out character from the first issue would seem to be Julie Power. Unlike the rest of the former teen heroes, Julie has had her powers since childhood and thus has had a harder time separating who she is from who her powers make her. As a long time Power Pack fan, it's great seeing one of the Power kids getting a higher profile in the Marvel Universe.
The problem for group leaders Ben and Michiko is that not everyone in the group seems ready to give it all up. But are they still putting on the tights because there's still good they can do, or is it just because they haven't hit rock bottom yet with their particular kind of "addiction"? Apparently the pull of the superhero-ing is so strong that quite a few characters don't even make it through the meeting before they're back on the street "one last time" taking down some M.G.H. dealers.
Loners is really good. Karl Moline's art is excellent as usual. He draws great, distinct characters, fantastic background details and perspective, and his action scenes are clear, dynamic, and fun. He and C.B. Cebulski work well together and the opening scene is particularly strong. I'm definitely on board to see where this series is going. And to see who else "falls off the wagon."
Interview with C.B. Cebulski
Discuss this article in our forum.
Posted by YourMomsBasement at 09:00 AM
interview by the YMB Staff
Annihilation's success seemed to surprise many, being set completely away from Earth and the recent Civil War event. Why bring Nova back to Earth in the very first issue?
DnA: Rich is an Earthman, and his career in the New Warriors links him inextricably to the tragedy that kicked off Civil War, so it would be remiss, we felt, not to deal with those issues at the start of the new series. Bringing him back to Earth also grounds Nova in reality, despite his cosmic hero status, and it also gives us the opportunity to show how much he has matured and changed. He's not the second rate kid hero from the teen team any more. He's one of the most powerful heroes in the Marvel Universe. Rich may be shocked by the way Earth has changed since he last visited, but Earth (and its heroes) is going to be just as shocked by the changes in Nova.
That said, the first issue is very much cosmic based.
Returning to Earth, one might think Richard Rider's going to be in a position similar to many returning veterans of foreign wars, where the people he's returning to really don't and can't understand what he's seen and been through. How will Rider cope with the events of Annihilation when he's back on Earth?
DnA: That's exactly what we're shooting for. Rich finds he doesn't fit any more. No one really understands - or is that interested - in a cosmic war far, far away. They've had Civil War to contend with. Rich doesn't really recognise or like the new world he finds himself in.
We see from the solicits that Nova's going to be going at it with the pro-registration side of the Civil War within the first couple issues of the new series. Having not been involved in the Civil War conflict and just returning to its aftermath, how does he perceive what happened to Earth's heroes and the New Warriors specifically?
DnA: He's shocked, and unhappy. He also sees himself as a cosmic peace keeping agent, a sanctioned officer, rather than a "costumed superhero", so he finds it quite an imposition to be dragged into the registration debate. He doesn't need to sign a piece of paper to prove he's trained, responsible and accountable. That all came with the job when he joined the Nova Corps.
We've also seen in the solicits that Nova will be going toe-to-toe with his former teammate Robbie Baldwin, now known as Penance. Will Nova's past as a New Warrior play heavily into his new adventures on Earth?
DnA: Like we said, we couldn't not go there. A couple of the NW members will show up in issues two and three, Penance (Speedball) being the most dramatic.
Will future Nova adventures take place in outer space, tying in with the new Annihilation series, or will he be staying on Earth for the foreseeable future? Now that there seems to be a resurgence of interest in Marvel's cosmic side, any chance of Nova crossing over into the Shi'ar Empire? We're wondering how the new and improved Nova might match up against the Imperial Guard, Vulcan, the Starjammers, etc.
DnA: We don't want to give too much away. A key theme in the opening arc is whether Nova wants to stay on Earth or return to the stars. It's a tough choice. Where is he needed the most? Where do his allegiances lie? You'll have to read the book to find out what he decides.
However, it's no secret that issues 4 through 7 of Nova tie in with the Annihilation: Conquest event, so whether he chooses Earth or the stars as his long term focus, we'll be seeing some high speed, heavy duty cosmic action for the next story arc at least, as Nova gets called up for another tour of duty.
Discuss this article in our forum.
Posted by YourMomsBasement at 08:30 AM
interview by Mikespins
Spinning out of Marvel Comics' Civil War event is the new title Avengers: The Initiative written by Dan Slott and drawn by Stefano Casselli. Dan Slott makes a quick stop into the Basement to tell you why you should be reading his new book.
For anyone who hasn't followed Civil War can you give a quick recap of where things stand now and how your new book ties into the overall story?
Well, the Civil War is over and Iron Man's side, the pro-registration side, won. And now what you're going to find out in The Initiative is that everyone who registered as part of Tony Stark's 50 States Initiative program has to go through superhero training since that was the promise of the whole registration act: from now on our heroes will be responsible, they'll be trained as perfect first responders and that's what the Initiative is about.
It's about the boot camp, Camp Hammond, which is actually set up at Stamford, Connecticut, the city the New Warriors blew up, as a hub for all the super hero training. It's a way for Tony Stark and the people of the Initiative to say to the people of Stamford, "From now on, from this day forward this will never happen again." All our heroes are going to be responsible, everyone is going to be held accountable. There will be oversight, and since so many heroes are going to be flying in and out of the Initiative, this is now superhero central. It's going to be the safest spot on Earth.
In the first issue one of the recruits asks the question "What happens if we don't pass?" How long will readers have to wait for an answer to that question?
Very Soooooooooooooon!
Take us through the process the recruits face...
There's going to be a whole measure of things... This isn't the Xavier Institute. This isn't about just learning to use your powers. This is about being a first responder. If someone in the real world, if you suddenly got into a car accident, you'd want a trained paramedic. The last thing you'd want is a stranger showing up in a mask. If someone just ran up to you in a Nixon mask and said "I can pull you out of this car," you'd be like "no, I don't think you should move me yet."
What the Initiative is about is you're going to learn everything and some of that will happen on camera, but there's all kinds of different elements. There is the kind of element that you're in a school almost like the X-Men and Harry Potter and you're learning all these skills but it's also a military operation. And it's very much like the Grrrrr red meat Larry Hama G.I. Joe stuff going on where we're going to have to fight the forces of Hydra and we're going to have to hunt down rogue heroes and we're going to be sent on dangerous missions. It's bizarre, it's this weird mix of all these different things.
It's going to be very strict military training, there's going to be training in other skills too, from CPR to superhero ethics, to you name it. Anything you would need to be a superheroic first responder, whether it's a fireman, a paramedic, a policeman, the whole gamut. They're here to serve the people of the Marvel Universe now and they're going to be accountable for all of their actions. That said, there's also going to be a lot of learning on the fly as you go to dangerous situations and dangerous missions.
Aside from the Avengers training the new recruits, it's mostly new characters right?
Well, there is going to be a strong supporting cast which is the people running the base and these are heroes and characters we've seen before in the Marvel Universe and some new ones too. The staff on the base includes War Machine, pretty much running the whole shebang, Yellowjacket, who is doing a lot of stuff in the lab because it's kind of hard to fill a 50 State Initiative and, like we've seen with The Champions, some heroes are going to have to be made.
Working with them in the lab is an ex-Nazi supervillian, you get Henry Peter Gyrich, who is kind of like your liaison to the armed forces, he's the Secretary of Superhero Armed Forces. And Justice from the New Warriors, who's been through it all. He's been a prisoner in the Vault, he's been a member of the New Warriors. He's been an Avenger. He's really seen the superhero world, especially as a young hero, from so many different angles, being best friend of the Thing, an admirer/protoge of Captain America. This is a character with a really rich history, especially for teen heroes, and he's going to serve as the teen counselor on the base. And we have a new character, The Gauntlet, who people have seen glimpses of, tiny glimpses of, in the She Hulk book, and he is your drill sergeant. So, right there you have a really rich supporting cast of characters and they are also going to be fairly main characters too.
And for the new characters that come in, if they make it through the process then they get assigned to one of the fifty states, so who knows how long we'll see these characters or whether fate will be kind to them.
You will see new characters and old characters and classic characters and there's going to be a lot of characters coming in to be guest instructors and characters who might need a refresher course in certain things. Like maybe you need to relearn lifeguard procedures and how to save a drowning victim or maybe you'd like to learn how to properly enter a burning building and deal with things that a fireman would have to know. So, at any point, even long-established characters could be trainees for certain areas.
Who would you out of the new characters think readers are going to take to?
You know I thought it was going to be a certain character, I don't know. I think fans will make up their own minds. I really can't predict this time around. I really thought it was going to be Trauma, there's stuff going on with Trauma that I really like, but I was just working on a script today and, boy, Hardball, once you get to know him and who he is, he's really fun to write. And so is Komodo and there's a lot of new characters running around.
For anyone sitting on the fence about the book what would you say to sway them to give The Initiative a try?
All the people who were arguing about Civil War and who enjoyed arguing about Civil War are really going to like this book. Even if you think you hate the 50 States Initiative you're going to like this book. One of the things I think Civil War did really well, was it brought up tricky issues. The thing sold like gangbusters. Everybody read it. Even people who claimed they weren't reading it were reading it and you would see on internet boards and on message boards everybody going at it. Arguing over different points and talking about the story.
If you liked that debate, if you liked taking part in that, you're going to like this book because it really isn't a pass on the 50 States Initiative and nor is it a condemnation of it. Everyone is going to have different points of view in this book. And you're going to look at this book and at times think that the Initiative is a positive force in the world and other times you're going to look at it and go "Ohhh that makes me feel weird. I don't know how I feel about that."
This is a book for people who like exploring the Marvel Universe and arguing about it.
Posted by YourMomsBasement at 03:00 PM
Transformers: The Movie Adaptation #1
Kris Oprisko (w); Alex Milne (a)
Kicking off a month-long spectacular event to celebrate the July 4 opening of the big-screen TRANSFORMERS movie! The official adaptation of Transformers: The Movie picks up directly where the Movie Prequel leaves off—the TRANSFORMERS’ brutal war has come to Earth and perhaps our only chance for survival may be with the young boy who just might hold the key to ending the war forever. Each issue of the adaptation will offer 32 ad-free pages and include concept art, interviews, and additional never-before-seen material. Subsequent issues of the official adaptation of Transformers: The Movie will be released on a weekly schedule throughout the month of June. Issue 1 features a special wraparound cover by interior artist Alex Milne (The Transformers: Megatron Origin)! Issue 1 will be in stores on June 6.
*Retailers: See your order form for special incentives
FC • $3.99 • 32 pages
Transformers: The Movie Adaptation #2
Kris Oprisko (w); Alex Milne (a)
The special movie adaptation continues with issue 2 in stores on June 13!
FC • $3.99 • 32 pages
Transformers: The Movie Adaptation #3
Kris Oprisko (w); Alex Milne (a)
The special movie adaptation continues with issue 3 in stores on June 20!
FC • $3.99 • 32 pages
Transformers: The Movie Adaptation #4
Kris Oprisko (w); Alex Milne (a)
The special movie adaptation concludes with issue 4 in stores on June 27!
FC • $3.99 • 32 pages
Transformers: The Movie Prequel TPB
Simon Furman, Chris Ryall (w); Don Figueroa (a)
The live-action Transformers movie is finally upon us! But the spectacle unfolding on the big screen isn’t the whole story. Read the beginning of the story right here! In this four-part prequel to the film, travel from CYBERTRON to Earth as we see for the first time what momentous events led to the TRANSFORMERS bringing their war to our world.
TPB • FC • 120 pages • $19.99 • ISBN: 978-1-60010-066-6
Transformers: The Best of Simon Furman HC
Simon Furman (w); Don Figueroa, Geoff Senior, more (a); Don Figueroa (c)
This career-spanning hardcover looks at legendary Transformers writer Simon Furman’s amazing output throughout the two decades he’s worked on the ROBOTS IN DISGUISE, from his earliest beginnings through his current work. This collection compiles his U.K. work from 1985 through his G2 and War Within comics to his present IDW comics work and beyond! The premiere presentation of Simon’s immense body of work.
HC w/ Dustjacket • FC • 272 pages • 12.5” x 8.125” • $50.00 • ISBN: 978-1-60010-058-1
The Transformers Magazine #1
Furman, Budiansky, Mick (w); Don Figueroa, Jose Delbo (a) Robby Musso (c)
Hearkening back to the great b&w comic book magazines of yesteryear, this debut magazine offers three classic tales from three different eras—spanning THE TRANSFORMERS’ amazing run of over twenty years. This special 8-1/2” x 11” magazine format contains stories from the early Marvel days (issue #42, “People Power”), days to the Dreamwave (Generation 1, Vol. 3, #1) adventures to the all-new chapters of TRANSFORMERS lore from IDW (Stormbringer #1), all underneath a brand-new cover from artist Robby Musso (Transformers Spotlight: Ultra Magnus). This collection is a true treasury for long time fans as well as an excellent introduction for new fans.
*Retailers: See your order form for a special incentive
$7.99 • B&W • 8-1/2 x 11 • 72 pages
The Transformers: Target 2006 #3 (of 6)
Simon Furman (w); Jeff Anderson, Will Simpson (a); Nick Roche, retro art (c)
The special reprint of this beloved U.K. TRANSFORMERS tale continues here with two new chapters in one comic! On CYBERTON, the WRECKERS continue to train for Operation Volcano. STARSCREAM is shocked with the discovery of MEGATRON’s new and unlikely alliance with the AUTOBOTS. And GALVATRON reveals a secret to JAZZ. Writer Simon Furman and artists Jeff Anderson and Will Simpson continue this epic tale. Nick Roche once again provides an all-new cover re-creating a classic scene from the issue!
*2 Regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio.
*Retailers: See your order form for special incentives
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
The Transformers: Escalation TPB
Simon Furman (w); E.J. Su (a)
The saga of the Transformers' secret war on Earth—begun in The Transformers: Infiltration—continues with Phase Two: Escalation. With the monumental menaces of MEGATRON and Ore-13 looming, the AUTOBOTS could be forgiven for thinking things couldn't get much worse. But, as OPTIMUS PRIME musters his response to the mounting threat, the Machination strikes—with shocking and tragic consequences! Simon Furman and E.J. Su present the next chapter of their masterful TRANSFORMERS tale.
TPB • FC • 152 pages • $19.99 • ISBN: 978-1-60010-084-0
The Transformers Spotlight TPB
Simon Furman (w); Robby Musso, Nick Roche, M.D. Bright, Rob Ruffolo (a)
Collecting a series of five one-shots focusing on some of the best-loved (or loathed) characters from the TRANSFORMERS Universe–HOT ROD, SIXSHOT, SHOCKWAVE, NIGHTBEAT, and ULTRA MAGNUS. Each Spotlight is written by long-time Transformers scribe Simon Furman, whose words accompany artwork by the likes of Nick Roche, M.D. Bright, Rob Ruffolo and Robby Musso.
TPB • FC • 136 pages • $19.99 • ISBN: 978-1-60010-068-0
Spike: Shadow Puppets #1
Brian Lynch (w); Franco Urru (a); Urru, David Messina (c)
Angel once put a stop to an evil children’s show, but not before being turned into a puppet during his fight. Now, fresh out of the Asylum, it’s Spike’s turn! Writer Brian Lynch and artist Franco Urru (Spike: Asylum) reunite for a miniseries that sees Spike and Lorne heading off to Japan to stop the latest Japanese kids’ show… Smile Time! Will they become “puppetized” themselves? And along the way, find themselves in a fight with hundreds of ninja-puppets, reuniting with fellow Asylum inmates, and be at extreme odds with one other? We’re not telling (but, um, yes)! Fellow Angel-ofile David Messina (Angel: Auld Lang Syne) provides a cover of puppety variance, too!
*2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio.
*Retailers: See your order form for a special incentive
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Spike: Premiere Edition HC
Peter David, Brian Lynch, Scott Tipton (w); Joe Corroney, Franco Urru, Fernando Goni (a)
Wisecracking, skull-smashing Spike is out on his own in this oversize Premiere hardcover collection from IDW. Whether he’s chasing Dracula through the ages (Spike vs. Dracula), investigating an unusual “treatment” center (Spike: Asylum) or just mixing it up with his old enemies (Spike: Old Times, Spike: Old Wounds, Spike: Lost & Found), Spike keeps his cool—and it shows. Presented in a special oversized format for the first time, this collector’s edition is sure to make the Spike fans in your life “vamp out” all over again.
HC w/ Dustjacket • FC • 384 pages • 12.5” x 8.125”• $75.00 • ISBN: 978-1-60010-083-3
Angel: Auld Lang Syne TPB
Scott Tipton (w), David Messina (a & c)
While tracking a mysterious cult in Los Angeles in hopes of solving a kidnapping, Angel
Finds himself face to face with some familiar faces—faces he shouldn’t be seeing! As if that isn’t confusing enough to our embattled vampire with a soul, what is Spike doing lurking around in the shadows? Find out for yourself in this collection featuring the greatest head-to-head Angel/Spike battle ever! From writer Scott Tipton and David Messina, the creative team on Star Trek Klingons: Blood Will Tell!
TPB • FC • 128 pages • $19.99 • ISBN: 978-1-60010-063-5
Fallen Angel #17
Peter David (w); Joe Corroney (a); Corroney, Billy Tucci (c)
Presenting the first chapter of a special two-part tale guest-starring Billy Tucci’s popular character, Shi! To make this book even more special, the comic will be presented as a flip-book, with the story presented from Fallen Angel’s perspective on one side, and Shi’s on the other. And wait, there’s more—illustrating Shi, the Sohei Warrior’s chapter is Shi creator Tucci himself! Handling art duties on Angel’s chapter is special guest-artist Joe Corroney (Spike vs. Dracula). And it’s all wrangled together by writer Peter David, with full input from Tucci. When Shi comes to Bete Noire looking for vengeance, you can bet her appearance isn’t going to go unnoticed by Fallen Angel…
*Retailers: See your order form for a special incentive
FC • $3.99 • 32 pages
Star Trek: Klingons: Blood Will Tell #3
Scott Tipton, David Tipton (w) David Messina (a); Messina, Joe Corroney (c)
They say history is written by the victors: Blood Will Tell continues its look at the other side of the coin in the battle between Starfleet and the Klingons! Still struggling against the treaty with the Federation, the Klingon Empire looks for a new way to conquer: behind the scenes, one planet at a time. Can a single Klingon tame a world? Commander Krell aims to try! From the creative team that brought you Angel: Auld Lang Syne.
*2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio.
*Retailers: see your order form for special incentives
FC • $3.99 • 32 pages
Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Space Between #6
David Tischman (w); Casey Malone (a) Joe Corroney, Photo (c)
Jean-Luc Picard has always been an explorer, traveling the galaxy to seek out new life and new civilizations, but after seven years as captain of the Enterprise, he makes a startling discovery—scientific information from the Enterprise's mission logs has been used to develop deadly weapons systems. Is Starfleet involved? And if so, how high does the conspiracy go? Ignoring direct orders from his superiors, Picard launches an all-out offensive on the secret base where these weapons are stored. Picard is not about to see his mission perverted for military use and strategic control. Five single-issue stories come together in the explosive, action-filled conclusion of "The Space Between," IDW's hit Star Trek: The Next Generation mini-series.
*2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1-to-1 ratio.
*Retailers: See your order form for a special incentive
FC • $3.99 • 32 pages
Tank Girl: The Gifting #2
Alan C. Martin (w); Ashley Wood (a & c)
As the spring of 2007 rolls softly into the summer of 2007, I hear you asking, "How can this year get any better?" But it can, my friend, with one simple purchase—Tank Girl: The Gifting # 2. A perfect blend of the sublime and the ridiculous, brought to you by Tank Girl writer and Co-creator Alan C. Martin and the format-smashing, antipodean wunderkind artist Ashley Wood. Featuring the first part of the epic "The Innocent Die First,” the concluding installment of the cryptic Booga tale, "The XZ-38,” and a cracking pin-up of bonkers beauty Barney, too.
*2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio.
*Retailers: See your order form for a special incentive
FC • $3.99 • 32 pages
Tank Girl © 2007 Hewlett and Martin. All Rights Reserved.
Ashley Wood’s 48 Nude Girls
Ashley Wood (a & c)
Ashley Wood is proud to present 48 all-new drawings… or should we say “all-nude” drawings? That’s right, this title ain’t just hyperbole, folks. So if you prefer your art to be clothing-free, this one’s for you! Soft-bound in an attractive 11” x 11” format, you can finally add some more Wood to your collection.
FC • 48 pages • 11” x 11” • $11.99 • ISBN: 978-1-60010-098-7
Metal Gear Solid: Sons of Liberty #9
Alex Garner (w) Rufus Dayglo & Ashley Wood (a); Ashley Wood (c)
Sometimes, even a worst-case-scenario can deteriorate—and that's exactly what happens to Raiden in the ninth installment of Metal Gear Solid: Sons of Liberty. Being betrayed by his idol Solid Snake is bad enough, but then he falls into the clutches of Solidus and later learns the terrible truth behind Colonel Campbell and Foxhound. Is there any hope of Raiden salvaging his mission?
*2 regular covers will be shipped in a 1-to-1 ratio.
*Retailers: See your order form for a special incentive
FC • $3.99 • 32 pages
30 Days of Night: Eben and Stella #2
Steve Niles, Kelly Sue DeConnick (w); Justin Randall (a & c)
As we get closer to October’s release of the 30 Days of Night film, Eben and Stella have returned. Stella thought she was just boosting a car from some punk vampire and now she finds herself in an untenable parental role. But to who, or what? Even worse, Eben is being used to create a whole new breed of modern bloodsuckers. Featuring art by Aussie newcomer Justin Randall, hand-picked for the gig by Ben Templesmith himself!
*Retailers: See your order form for a special incentive
FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Richard Matheson’s I Am Legend
Steve Niles (w); Elman Brown (a)
Richard Matheson's classic novel of fear and vampirism—the tale of the last human on an Earth overrun by the undead—is going to be a major motion picture starring Will Smith this Winter. But if you want to see an illustrated version of Matheson’s story as he originally wrote it, writer Steve Niles and artist Elman Brown deliver a faithful and terrifying adaptation. This special new printing comes complete with a new cover, too.
TPB • B&W • 244 pages • $19.99 • ISBN: 978-1-60010-086-4
The Complete Jon Sable Freelance, Vol. 7
Mike Grell (w & a)
Continuing the re-presentation of the entire saga of Mike Grell’s classic character, Jon Sable, Freelance. This seventh collection delves deeper in creator Mike Grell’s First Comics run, featuring issues 34-39, where Sable encounters white slavers, travels back to Africa, and more.
TPB • FC • 168 pages • $24.99 • ISBN: 978-1-60010-045-1
Super Bad James Dynomite TPB
Marlon Wayans, Shawn Wayans, Keenen Ivory Wayans, Xavier Cook, Mitchell Marchand (w), Robert Reed, Darren Huang, Ming Chi Cheng (a)
Take a trip into the imagination of Marlon Wayans—the comedic giant behind White Chicks, the Scary Movie franchise and more—with Super Bad Jame Dynomite! Part Shaft, Black Belt Jones and Superfly all rolled into one… minus the cool and the black belt, Dynomite is the hapless hero who finds himself locked in an ongoing struggle against a nasty, one-handed pimp named Kane who has kidnapped his girl, gotten him locked up, and has a real flair for the dramatic. Will Dynomite ever rescue his lady, or at least get some much-needed sexual healing? Find out in this collection presented by IDW Publishing and 5-D Comics including bonus materials straight from the Wayans Bros.!
TPB • FC • 136 pages • $19.99 • ISBN: 978-1-60010-062-8
Posted by YourMomsBasement at 11:00 AM
We have the combined solictations for both AiT/PlanetLar and ADHouse for the month of June.
AiT/PlanetLar
June is SHOW LARRY SOME LOVE month at AiT/PlanetLar. With their latest offering of Black Diamond and re-solicitations of of some of Larry Young's greatest hits.
Black Diamond #1 (of 6)
Larry Young, Jon Proctor
Fifty years from now, an elevated highway spans the nation. Initially a
response to international terrorism, the US government grounds commercial
airline flights and builds THE BLACK DIAMOND, a dangerous road full of
gearheads and misfits, drug runners and grey-market tech heads, all
driving illegal 1970s muscle cars in a nomadic, breakneck existence. But
when the government decides to clean up THE BLACK DIAMOND heading east and
when his wife is kidnapped to be used as a hostage by forces loyal to the
road, Dr. Don McLaughlin, DDS, has to borrow his brother-in-law's illegal
1973 Mercury Cougar to get on the highway and rescue his wife... 150 feet
above and 100 miles an hour faster than anything he's ever known.
Black Diamond #2 (of 6)
Larry Young, Jon Proctor
Kate Maddox has a problem: she's been kidnapped by a couple of guys and
held against her will in a seedy apartment. That's not the problem,
though; her kidnappers just aren't that bright, and when you've been
shanghai'ed, the least you could expect is some snappy conversation. The
Big-Man Conversation, though, is being had by Army General Cooper and oil
baron Dixie Johnson about the state of the world, while Doctor Don is
headed Kate's way on the elevated highway of the future, as he picks up an
unwitting passenger...
Planet of the Capes
Larry Young, Brandon McKinney
A strange visitor from another planet, a dark and brooding super-patriot, a rampaging monster of destruction, and an interdimensional princess cross over from their world to ours. It's what happens when they find themselves in need of the sort of help that only superheroes can provide; it’s a stab at the presently-ingrained superhero archetypes without any of the intrigue of corporate intercession. Each one of the main characters represents one of the familiar superhero archetypes, but they also represent certain factions of the comic book industry, too. It's allegory and adventure from the writer of ASTRONAUTS IN TROUBLE and the artist of SWITCHBLADE HONEY.
Proof of Concept
Larry Young, Damian Couceiro, John Flynn, Steven Sanders, Jeff Johns, Paul Tucker, John Heebink, Kieron Dwyer
A collection of short adventure stories by the writer of ASTRONAUTS IN TROUBLE and PLANET OF THE CAPES! A young clone of Abraham Lincoln discovers the secrets of his past in EMANCIPATING LINCOLN! A reluctant vampire flees mobilized vanhelsing units in a future he never thought he’d see. This time, they’re out for his blood, in HEMOGOBLIN! A rag-tag group of time-travellers chase their insane captain through every moment of eternity in FOR THE TIME BEING! Soldiers versus undead monsters in ZOMBIE DINOSAUR! A Hollywood starlet gets even more famous once she turns invisible, in THE BOD!
Astronauts in Trouble: Collection
Larry Young, Charlie Adlard, Matt Smith
They're astronauts and they're in trouble...
This is the collection of the three best-selling graphic novels and is available as hardcover or softcover.
If you're interested in The Making of Astronauts in Trouble, this book's got behind-the-scenes secrets and even the original scripts, just as the artists first saw them.
ADHouse's May and June releases.
Johnny Hiro #1
by Fred Chao. Published by AdHouse Books
This FANTASTIC FIRST ISSUE finds Johnny Hiro dating the daughter of a 1970's Tokyo Action-Girl. Unfortunately, Gozadilla is out for revenge! The excitement never ends, even though Johnny Hiro really wants it to...
The Aviary
by Jamie Tanner. Published by AdHouse Books
Enter the strange world of the Quiet Bird-Man; a world of mysterious corporations, foul-mouthed robots, drunken ghosts, amputee comedians, wealthy simian pornographers and canine scientists; a world of disasters, murders and masquerade balls. Jamie Tanner has been slowly weaving this dreamlike and darkly funny tale in various anthologies and mini-comics for the past several years. Now the whole scope that is THE AVIARY is available in a lush 312-page collection.
Superior Showcase #2
by Various. Published by AdHouse Books
A year in the making... This THRILLING SECOND ISSUE of the comic that is all about heroes that are super (SUPERIOR SHOWCASE!) returns with the uber-talents of Maris Wicks, Farel Dalrymple and Joey Weiser! Hot-young-star Wicks shows you what superbeings are inside us all! AdHouse-Alumn Dalrymple gives us an episode from the adventures of Hollis! New-comer Weiser shows us the powers of the Tree Frog! Smack! Bam! Pow!
Posted by YourMomsBasement at 09:30 AM
by Jim Dandy
The one constant through all the years, Ray, has been baseball. America has rolled by like an army of steamrollers. Its been erased like a blackboard, rebuilt, and erased again. But, baseball has marked the time. This field, this game, is a part of our past, Ray. It reminds us of all that once was good, and could be again.
Darth Vader, Star Wars: A New Hope
Do you hear that? The zippers, the cracking sound of wood on leather, the footfalls in the dirt, the yelling, the cheering, the oohs and aahs? Those are the sounds of ATF agents raiding Gary Matthews, Jr.'s home. That means that yet another baseball season is upon us, and thus, I am required to write another article full of incorrect predictions and Boston homerism. AND SO IT BEGINS...
TIER 1: Probably in the playoffs
BOSTON
This team was hammered by injuries last year, depriving them of stability in the rotation, lineup and outfield defense (highlighted by The Adventures of Wily Mo in Right last year), and Beckett made plenty of stupid pitches (36 HR allowed, a career high). Coming into this year, they traded the fragile Trot Nixon for the slightly less fragile JD Drew and picked up about 100 points in career OPS, found a shortstop who wasn't going to hit under .200 for months at a time in Julio Lugo, and grabbed what many consider to be the best pitcher on the market in Dice-K. Barring injury, I expect the Sawx to be the team to beat in the AL East.
DETROIT
Good Lord is their rotation fantastic. Take Guitar Hero out of the mix, and maybe we're looking at the defending World Series champions here. Nate Robinson is said to have picked up a third pitch in the offseason, and you throw him in the mix with Justin Verlander, Jeremy Bonderman and Mike Maroth and even without Kenny Rogers (who played an important role teaching this team how to win last year), they'll do very well. And Sheffield is a nice addition to a lineup that occasionally lacked power last year.
You wail on that fake axe, hoss.
MINNESOTA
A team that has the best pitcher in the game (Johan Santana) and probably three of the top 25 players (Mauer, Morneau and Hunter), but with Liriano down, I don't think their rotation quite has what it takes to win the division. I do think they'll be the wild card this year, and keep an eye on Michael Cuddyer to vault up to the same level as his teammates. Also, when is Joe Nathan finally going to have his praises sung like he deserves? He's consistently been one of, if not the best closer in the game, and he never gets more than a passing nod from people looking at this team. "Joe Nathan's automatic." Damn straight he is.
OAKLAND
I don't like the AL West. Oakland has no trustworthy front end starter or closer (sorry, but Harden, Blanton and Street have burned me plenty in fantasy, and they've burned the A's plenty, too). The Angels have a weak lineup around Vlad and Gary "Suddenly Hits for Power" Matthews, the Rangers have no bullpen and a mediocre rotation, and the Mariners signed Jose Vidro, Jeff Weaver and Jarrod Washburn as their big pickups in the offseason. I guess Oakland wins by default, since Piazza will probably give them a little more pop in the order, but the Angels have more pitching.
PHILADELPHIA
All due respect to Mets fans, but Jimmy Rollins might be right here. Ryan Howard is one of the best sluggers in the game, and he's got solid protection in the order from Chase Utley and Pat Burrell, and the Phillies' rotation of Cole Hamels, Freddy Garcia, Jon Lieber and Brett Myers is superior to anyone else in the NL East, and possibly than anyone in the National League. And no, no Brett Myers jokes.
ATLANTA
Smoltz: An average year for him is still better than a good year for 90% of the pitchers out there.
Tim Hudson: comeback year.
Andruw Jones: contract year.
Brian McCann and Jeff Francoeur: breakout years.
Too many years here. And their bullpen is great.
SAN DIEGO
Nobody in the NL West has a whole hell of a lot of offense, but Adrian Gonzalez and Khalil Green, I'm feeling huge years out of them, and the Brothers Giles will provide adequate offense. But their staff is awesome--Peavy and Maddux bringing up the front, The Gout bringing up the rear, with Hoffman closing. This is where they have their edge.
TIER 2: Could play themselves into the post season
YANKEES
Every year I think this is the year they get too old, too hurt. Every year I'm wrong. Whatever. Eventually I'll be right.
TORONTO
Gustavo Chacin isn't hitting his spots this spring, and BJ Ryan is great against everybody but the Red Sox and Yankees. They've got some exciting young players, especially in the outfield, but without anyone consistently good behind Doc Halladay, it won't happen yet.
CLEVELAND
STAT NERD ALERT: Bill James' Pythagorean Theorem says that the Indians should have won 11 more games than they actually did last year. They didn't because their bullpen was absolutely abominable. So they added Joe Borowski. I'm not convinced he's the answer. See: sucking for the Cubs.
ANGELS
Got a good staff, but the only person other than Vlad Guerrero they have hitting for STEROIDS them is STEROIDS Gary Matthews STEROIDS, Jr. STEROIDS. He had STEROIDS a good year STEROIDS last STEROIDS year, but STEROIDS will it STEROIDS last? I'm not STEROIDS so convinced STEROIDS INVESTIGATION IN WHICH HE WAS NAMED AS A CLIENT.
METS
Sweet Jesus can they hit the hell out of the ball, but I firmly believe their postseason hopes ride on Oliver Perez, Mike Pelfrey and John Maine. Until Pedro comes back, and then again shortly after he goes back on the DL, those are the three pitchers behind El Douche...Duque and Glavine. If Maine and Perez pitch as well as they did last postseason, they'll make the playoffs and me and Jimmy Rollins will look stupid. I'm used to it, but I'm not so sure Rollins is.
No way, baby.
HOUSTON
I'm so iffy on the NL Central that I'm not even bothering to fake it. Roy Oswalt and Jason Jennings (recently liberated from Colorado) give them a good one-two punch at the front of the rotation, and their back end is decent. Lidge is ready to come back to form any time now, and Lance Berkman will have a huge year with a healthy Morgan Ensberg and Carlos Lee hitting around him. But that park is a damn bandbox, and the NL Central will be almost as wild as the AL Central this year.
CINCINNATI
Yeah, I said it. But think about it--moderately good pitching, led by Bronson Pinchot and Aaron Harang (who has the best name in baseball--it sounds like the sound a knife makes just after it was thrown into a tree. HARANG!), a solid lineup led by Adam Dunn and some crackhead, and a decent enough bullpen that, if it gets better, might propel them into the postseason.
I smoke rocks, man.
MILWAUKEE
Prince Fielder's like his dad if he didn't swing at everything. So he's good. They're a young team and if Ben Sheets can stay healthy, he'll take pressure off Jeff Suppan and Dave Bush, and they've got an excellent closer in Francisco Cordero. So we'll see.
ST. LOUIS
Same story as the Yankees. They're a little bit older, a little bit more hurt, and for some reason, they keep winning. Tony LaRussa got a DWI.
DODGERS
They need a breakout year from a young bat to win the division this year. Great rotation, sure. And they're a trendy World Series pick, but I think it's just nostalgia from a bunch of crusty old reporters, who see a gaggle of guys in the starting lineup that are pretty much their age (Luis Gonzalez, Jeff Kent, Nomah). Little do they know, Juan Pierre pretty much sucks ass.
TIER 3: Need everything to fall into place to make the playoffs
TAMPA BAY
Once again, you all think I'm insane, but I really like Kazmir, Crawford, Upton, Delmon Young, Baldelli and Edwin Jackson. They're not there yet, but they seem to be finally moving in the right direction.
BALTIMORE
This might be a little high for them, but they're too mediocre to be cruel to. Bedard and Cabrera are going to be stars, and Chris Ray might be too, but their offense is sluggish and elderly.
WHITE SOX
Completely unimpressive offseason. They offloaded an innings eater in Freddy Garcia for no particularly good reason, and they're hitting Darren Erstad leadoff. He doesn't get on base a whole ton. On an unrelated note, I want an openly gay umpire in the league, so Ozzie Guillen has an excuse to continue being a complete psychopath.
TEXAS
They've got a good lineup, but a weak rotation (Kevin Millwood is their ace. Tells you all you need to know) and a weaker bullpen. But they're getting better.
FLORIDA
Not...quite...there yet. This is an absurdly young team, but they've got a ton of potential. Dontrelle Willis also got a DWI.
CUBS
Outside of Carlos Zambrano, their pitching is pretty craptacular. Ted Lilly could be better this year just from the switch, but I'm not buying it, and it sounds like Soriano is finally becoming the outfield liability everyone predicted he would.
ARIZONA
Again with the NL West team that needs a good year from a young bat, only the difference here is they're ALL young bats, so they're pretty much all unknowns. The NL West has four of the best staffs in the majors (Schmidt, Penny, Randy Wolf on the Dodgers, Brandon Webb, The Mullet, and Livan Hernandez on the Diamondbacks and Matt Cain, Barry Zito, Matt Morris and Noah Lowry in San Francisco), and four of the least inspiring offenses in the majors.
SAN FRANCISCO
This is another team that needs a good year from a young bat. Only problem is, they don't have one. The Giants' locker room probably smells like Ben Gay and mothballs.
Thanks to Life Alert, you can live alone without ever being alone.
COLORADO
This is the only NL West team that has a decent offense, but they have no pitching. Case and point: Byung-Hyun Kim is in their starting rotation.
TIER 4: It's probably better not to say too much about these poor people.
KANSAS CITY
They signed Gil Meche to a 4-year, $55 million contract in the offseason. They probably would have been better served signing [Editor's note: Jim, I don't think anybody knows who Gil De Ferran is.]
[Jim's note: Dennis Miller can talk about the Peloponnesian Wars on Monday Night Football and I can't make a reference to a mid-90s Indy Car driver?]
[Editor's note: Dennis Miller was fired from Monday Night Football.]
[Jim's note: Fine, then find me a famous Gil so I can finish the joke.]
[Editor's note: Dennis Miller was fired from Monday Night Football.]
[Jim's note:...point well taken.]
Gil De Ferran.
SEATTLE
Big offseason signings: Jose Vidro, Jarrod Washburn and Jeff Weaver. Their stadium is purdy.
WASHINGTON
We could be looking at historically bad. Their ace, John Patterson, won 1 game last year. ONE. Brutal.
PITTSBURGH
Jason Bay or Freddy Sanchez should be an All Star! This is the one team in this section of the list that has an inkling of hope--decent young pitching, decent young hitting, but I doubt they put it together this year.
PLAYOFF PICKS:
Twins over the Red Sox
Tigers over the A's
Phillies over the Astros
Padres over the Braves
Tigers over the Twins
Phillies over the Padres
Tigers over the Phillies for the world title.
Posted by YourMomsBasement at 12:00 PM
