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July 31, 2013
McSoss Podcast Episode 20: Bazzle Razzle
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July 30, 2013
Rock 'n' Roll All Night 'n' McSoss Everyday
We had a discussion the other night about which members of Kiss each of us would be. I thought this would be a perfect opportunity to bring that conversation to life. -Soss
July 28, 2013
Gint's 7-24-13 Pull-List Review
A really good four books this week. Its funny seeing Flash at #4, but the competition this week was pretty strong.
Fourth Place:
The Flash #22
Not the most exciting issue of the Flash, but a necessary one in moving the story forward. A brief exchange between Iris and Patty was the highlight of the issue.
The lowlight is where Barry got the perfectly-fitting speed suit for Iris. Its never explained and its not a suspension of disbelief I can accept. I also don't think Iris should get superpowers. She hasn't exhibited any yet, but thats where Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato are leaning.
The mystery of who is the new Reverse Flash continues. I have no guesses at this point, so the reveal in the next couple issues will surprise me as much as anyone.
Third Place:
Justice League Dark #22
Holy crap am I relieved they didn't kill Madame Xanadu. Mikel Janin draws her way too hot to be taken out of that book. The book opens with her being taken captive by the Secret Society.
I guess the main bad guy, and leader of the Secret Society is The Outsider. According to his history, he's a dead Alfred Pennyworth who's been reanimated with pasty white skin and superpowers?! But in the New 52, that can't be possible. Hopefully we'll find out who this guy is along with the other mysteries set up in the story.
This is Mikel Janin's first issue of Trinity War and its great seeing him do characters unfamiliar to the title like the entire Justice League. Its great seeing him flex his artistic muscles on some characters I'm not used to seeing him draw.
Second Place:
Aquaman #22
Paul Pelletier's run of great artwork on this book continues. A great heads up move by DC pulling on an artist that can really live up to the high standard set when Ivan Reis launched the book.
This issue really advances all the current plot lines gathering steam for the finale. Arthur and the Dead King throw down, Scavenger overtakes Atlantis, Tula and Murk prepare to break Orm out of Belle Reve and Mera's people turn on her. Writer Geoff Johns is doing a great job introducing some twists and turns to really keep Aquaman and us on our toes.
I almost wish this book sucked so I could have something more to say each month other than how much I love it.
First Place:
Batman Superman #2
After last issue left me wondering what the sweet fuck was happening, issue 2 really pulled it all together and made it coherent again.
When DC announced their Earth 2 books, I really didn't give a shit. I still don't. But the way Greg Pak and Jae Lee introduce this alternate Earth makes me really enjoy it in this book. The brief throwdowns between 2 Supermans and 2 Batmans thankfully doesn't last long and they come quickly to their senses as heroes should do.
Jae Lee draws some killer panels this issue and Pak deepens the mystery of who this Trickster is playing tricks on DC's biggest heroes.
Panel of the Week:
Jae Lee's Earth 2 Superman is pretty imposing.
-Gint
The Flash #22
Not the most exciting issue of the Flash, but a necessary one in moving the story forward. A brief exchange between Iris and Patty was the highlight of the issue.
The lowlight is where Barry got the perfectly-fitting speed suit for Iris. Its never explained and its not a suspension of disbelief I can accept. I also don't think Iris should get superpowers. She hasn't exhibited any yet, but thats where Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato are leaning.
The mystery of who is the new Reverse Flash continues. I have no guesses at this point, so the reveal in the next couple issues will surprise me as much as anyone.
Justice League Dark #22
Holy crap am I relieved they didn't kill Madame Xanadu. Mikel Janin draws her way too hot to be taken out of that book. The book opens with her being taken captive by the Secret Society.
I guess the main bad guy, and leader of the Secret Society is The Outsider. According to his history, he's a dead Alfred Pennyworth who's been reanimated with pasty white skin and superpowers?! But in the New 52, that can't be possible. Hopefully we'll find out who this guy is along with the other mysteries set up in the story.
This is Mikel Janin's first issue of Trinity War and its great seeing him do characters unfamiliar to the title like the entire Justice League. Its great seeing him flex his artistic muscles on some characters I'm not used to seeing him draw.
Aquaman #22
Paul Pelletier's run of great artwork on this book continues. A great heads up move by DC pulling on an artist that can really live up to the high standard set when Ivan Reis launched the book.
This issue really advances all the current plot lines gathering steam for the finale. Arthur and the Dead King throw down, Scavenger overtakes Atlantis, Tula and Murk prepare to break Orm out of Belle Reve and Mera's people turn on her. Writer Geoff Johns is doing a great job introducing some twists and turns to really keep Aquaman and us on our toes.
I almost wish this book sucked so I could have something more to say each month other than how much I love it.
Batman Superman #2
After last issue left me wondering what the sweet fuck was happening, issue 2 really pulled it all together and made it coherent again.
When DC announced their Earth 2 books, I really didn't give a shit. I still don't. But the way Greg Pak and Jae Lee introduce this alternate Earth makes me really enjoy it in this book. The brief throwdowns between 2 Supermans and 2 Batmans thankfully doesn't last long and they come quickly to their senses as heroes should do.
Jae Lee draws some killer panels this issue and Pak deepens the mystery of who this Trickster is playing tricks on DC's biggest heroes.
Panel of the Week:
Jae Lee's Earth 2 Superman is pretty imposing.
-Gint
July 26, 2013
Breakfast League Dark
One of my favorite things to draw comic strips about is Doctor Strange and his passion for making the world a better place for cereal lovers. Of course he's going to run into competition at some point. Either way, we ALL win, right?
So... Batman will be in Man of Steel 2, huh? I'm faced with mixed emotions. If it was going to be the buddy cop team up like in the Animated Series' World's Finest, I'd be all for it. Unfortunately, it sounds like Batman and Superman will be fighting the entire time. I know the prospect of seeing the two biggest hitters of the DC Universe trade blows on the big screen seems exciting, but that fight would be over in half a second. Superman would atomize him. They're a better match up when they have to work together; the light and the dark, good cop-bad cop. But that's still a long way off, so we'll see how things play out in the not-so-distant future.
Also, I fully endorse the rumor of Zac Efron as the son of Luke Skywalker in Episode VII. Don't let his otherworldly handsomeness detract from the fact that he's a damn good actor.
-Gint
July 25, 2013
Soss' Pull-List 7/24/13
As the title suggests, Batman '66 is written and drawn in the style of the Adam West Batman TV series . Packed with silly dialogue and even goofier villains this is not a book to be taken too serious. I think that's why I had so much fun reading it.
Jeff Parker and Jonathan Case add their own twist to the TV Batman lore. There are addition of elements that make sense in that world but could never have been done on a television budget.
I would highly recommend that if you are going to get this book buy it digitally. The Guided View really enhances the experience The art team really took advantage of the medium by slightly changing the art from panel to panel giving the pages more movement than a traditional book. I love to see more books do this with their digital offerings.
If you are looking for a simple and fun book I would highly recommend Batman '66.-Soss
Panel of the Week: Holy Comixology Batman!
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July 24, 2013
McSoss Podcast Episode 19: Spinning Plates
This week we discuss the news from San Diego Comic Con. We
have an extended conversation about the upcoming season of The Walking Dead, speculate
about the Superman/Batman film and debate who among us is the more novice
podcaster.
Subscribe in the iTunes store, listen thru Stitcher Radio or stream via Podomatic:
mcsoss.podomatic.com
The visual guide so you can follow along during the show or check out after you have listened to it.
For the second week in a row Lea Thompson: Then and Then
The visual guide so you can follow along during the show or check out after you have listened to it.
For the second week in a row Lea Thompson: Then and Then
Howard the Duck and Destroyer Duck
Sandman #1
Amanda Conner's Harley Quinn
Superman/Wonder Woman #1
Batman '66 #1
Mikel Janin's Justice League Dark
Beware the Batman's kissable lips
Avengers Age of Ultron
Hank Pym's old school and new school wife beating
X-Men: Days of Future Past
The Walking Dead Season 4 Preview
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSi2fJALDyQ
Superman Batman movie logo
July 23, 2013
Eternal Youth
If you are a fan of the McSoss Comic Book Podcast you would know that I just celebrated my 33rd birthday. Getting older is pretty humorous. While my age changes the gifts my friends and family give me stay the same. One glance at the stack of gifts from my loved ones and you would think that they were for a very spoiled 7 year old. -Soss
July 21, 2013
Gint's 7-17-13 Pull-List Review
A good run of books this week. Its satisfying when there's nothing on the Pull-List you're considering dropping.
Seventh Place:
Batman and Catwoman #22
This book has been a struggle since they killed Damian. The Damian/Bruce dynamic was a lot more interesting and effective than I expected it to be. Since then it hasn't felt like Bruce going through the five stages of grief, its felt like a handful of fill-in, one shots.
This was the best issue of the grief run. Mainly because we get some semblance of normal Batman back. Not the insane psycho that's been hard to read the last few months. Catwoman needs his help saving a little girl and Batman obliges. Its a pretty solid one and done Batman story despite all the weird, forced Carrie Kelly stuff that I'd rather ignore.
Batman and Robin, er Catwoman, er... Red Robin... whatever this book is doing it needs to get back on track cause its losing me. That's a shame because Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason are a great creative team.
Sixth Place:
Justice League of America #6
Easily the best issue of the title since its start. Probably because very few of the JLA are actually in it. Its pretty much a straight up Justice League issue.
Superman seemingly killed the fuck out of Dr. Light in the last issue. This issue is all fallout from that while Wonder Woman takes center stage and tries to find who made Pandora's Box and how to stop it. This issue stopped the fight between both Justice Leagues pretty abruptly. It takes the story in a different direction than I expected which I appreciate.
Gone is David Finch and in is Doug Mahnke. Mahnke is a vet who's not going to miss a beat. Its a move I'm pretty happy seeing made. For as much as Finch may get superstar status in some circles, I could just never see it. There's a depth to Mahnke's work that will give this story more than Finch would have.
The second issue of Trinity War puts this story on the right track.
Fifth Place:
Animal Man #22
One thing this book has never lost is its horror side. This issue basks in it. The Splinterfolk, people who have replaced parts of themselves with animal parts to become closer to the Red are seriously fucked up. Nice work by Jeff Lemire to think them up and by Steve Pugh to bring them to life.
At the end of the book we get a glimpse of the New 52s Brother Blood. I suppose it makes sense that he's brought in as an Animal Man villain. In the meantime Maxine is able to move between the real world and the Red and this issue shows just what she's capable of being the Avatar of the Red.
Great stuff by Lemire and Pugh this month.
Fourth Place:
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #4
This is a damn enjoyable book. Keith Giffen and Pop Mhan are telling a really cool He-Man story for the 10 year old in all of us thirty year olds.
Teela has been captured by Hordak's forces, Castle Grayskull is under siege and He-Man has been taken to the depths of Grayskull to REALLY harness its power. That's not a homosexual euphemism. The good of this issue is that Keith Giffen takes a page out of Geoff Johns Aquaman book and makes fun of Mekaneck for us. But he also gives him some depth and made, me at least, appreciate the guy with the shitty power.
The bad is that he's already taken He-Man out of his usual costume and gave him something more beefed up, including a new sword, that more resembles a Final Fantasy sword than an actual weapon. Aren't Glamdring and Anduril pretty awesome swords? Can't He-Man's sword of power be modeled after them?
Aside from such a small gripe, this may be the He-Man ongoing I've been waiting for since I was a kid.
Third Place:
Nova #6
Being from the DC side of the tracks, I'm not too familiar with Paco Medina's work. But holy crap do I wanna be. I was initially put off when I saw the regular team of Jeff Loeb and Ed McGuinness wasn't on this issue, but new writer Zeb Wells and new artist Paco Medina gave just as amazing an issue.
Medina's work is styled like McGuinness, so there isn't a shock when you open the book and wonder if you picked up the wrong one. And I think I might like Medina's work better. Its super sharp, and super clean and makes me wish he'd do some DC stuff.
As for the issue? It was pretty solid. Wells does a nice job catching up with what happened to Sam Alexander in other books, before returning him to his regular life in his own title. I would have preferred to see his fight with the Phoenix Force and his meet up with Thor in this book, but that's comics for you.
The new creative team doesn't miss a beat in making Nova a must read.
Second Place:
Wonder Woman #22
I want to see more New Gods by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang. Never in a million years did I ever think I'd say those words. This was a cool fucking issue and I can't wait to see more.
Orion has taken Wonder Woman and Co. to New Genesis to escape the First Born. Highfather, in a more badass version than I've ever seen before, isn't happy about it. Wonder Woman gets patched up, gets a quick tour, then gets sent home. Azzarello makes New Genesis more legit. He and Chiang eliminate any weird, quirky 1960s-ness originally conceived by Jack Kirby.
Sometimes this book leaves me wanting more. Other times it really delivers. This issue delivered.
First Place:
Green Lantern: New Guardians #22
Justin Jordan and Brad Walker have turned New Guardians into one of my favorite books. They've made Kyle Rayner more likeable than he was under the previous regime.
Kyle and the also more likeable Templar Guardians have come across the mystery that is the giant alien named Relic. We don't yet know what his deal is, but its clearly bad for our heroes as he's capable of sucking the power from power rings. They also set up, what I think is a potential awkward 2/3 of a love triangle with Kyle and Carol Ferris. If Kyle steals my man's lady, I will fuck him up.
I can't help recommending this book. Jordan and Walker have hit the ground running.
Spread of the Week:
Brad Walker's really bringing his A-game in New Guardians.
-Gint
Batman and Catwoman #22
This book has been a struggle since they killed Damian. The Damian/Bruce dynamic was a lot more interesting and effective than I expected it to be. Since then it hasn't felt like Bruce going through the five stages of grief, its felt like a handful of fill-in, one shots.
This was the best issue of the grief run. Mainly because we get some semblance of normal Batman back. Not the insane psycho that's been hard to read the last few months. Catwoman needs his help saving a little girl and Batman obliges. Its a pretty solid one and done Batman story despite all the weird, forced Carrie Kelly stuff that I'd rather ignore.
Batman and Robin, er Catwoman, er... Red Robin... whatever this book is doing it needs to get back on track cause its losing me. That's a shame because Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason are a great creative team.
Justice League of America #6
Easily the best issue of the title since its start. Probably because very few of the JLA are actually in it. Its pretty much a straight up Justice League issue.
Superman seemingly killed the fuck out of Dr. Light in the last issue. This issue is all fallout from that while Wonder Woman takes center stage and tries to find who made Pandora's Box and how to stop it. This issue stopped the fight between both Justice Leagues pretty abruptly. It takes the story in a different direction than I expected which I appreciate.
Gone is David Finch and in is Doug Mahnke. Mahnke is a vet who's not going to miss a beat. Its a move I'm pretty happy seeing made. For as much as Finch may get superstar status in some circles, I could just never see it. There's a depth to Mahnke's work that will give this story more than Finch would have.
The second issue of Trinity War puts this story on the right track.
Animal Man #22
One thing this book has never lost is its horror side. This issue basks in it. The Splinterfolk, people who have replaced parts of themselves with animal parts to become closer to the Red are seriously fucked up. Nice work by Jeff Lemire to think them up and by Steve Pugh to bring them to life.
At the end of the book we get a glimpse of the New 52s Brother Blood. I suppose it makes sense that he's brought in as an Animal Man villain. In the meantime Maxine is able to move between the real world and the Red and this issue shows just what she's capable of being the Avatar of the Red.
Great stuff by Lemire and Pugh this month.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #4
This is a damn enjoyable book. Keith Giffen and Pop Mhan are telling a really cool He-Man story for the 10 year old in all of us thirty year olds.
Teela has been captured by Hordak's forces, Castle Grayskull is under siege and He-Man has been taken to the depths of Grayskull to REALLY harness its power. That's not a homosexual euphemism. The good of this issue is that Keith Giffen takes a page out of Geoff Johns Aquaman book and makes fun of Mekaneck for us. But he also gives him some depth and made, me at least, appreciate the guy with the shitty power.
The bad is that he's already taken He-Man out of his usual costume and gave him something more beefed up, including a new sword, that more resembles a Final Fantasy sword than an actual weapon. Aren't Glamdring and Anduril pretty awesome swords? Can't He-Man's sword of power be modeled after them?
Aside from such a small gripe, this may be the He-Man ongoing I've been waiting for since I was a kid.
Nova #6
Being from the DC side of the tracks, I'm not too familiar with Paco Medina's work. But holy crap do I wanna be. I was initially put off when I saw the regular team of Jeff Loeb and Ed McGuinness wasn't on this issue, but new writer Zeb Wells and new artist Paco Medina gave just as amazing an issue.
Medina's work is styled like McGuinness, so there isn't a shock when you open the book and wonder if you picked up the wrong one. And I think I might like Medina's work better. Its super sharp, and super clean and makes me wish he'd do some DC stuff.
As for the issue? It was pretty solid. Wells does a nice job catching up with what happened to Sam Alexander in other books, before returning him to his regular life in his own title. I would have preferred to see his fight with the Phoenix Force and his meet up with Thor in this book, but that's comics for you.
The new creative team doesn't miss a beat in making Nova a must read.
Wonder Woman #22
I want to see more New Gods by Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang. Never in a million years did I ever think I'd say those words. This was a cool fucking issue and I can't wait to see more.
Orion has taken Wonder Woman and Co. to New Genesis to escape the First Born. Highfather, in a more badass version than I've ever seen before, isn't happy about it. Wonder Woman gets patched up, gets a quick tour, then gets sent home. Azzarello makes New Genesis more legit. He and Chiang eliminate any weird, quirky 1960s-ness originally conceived by Jack Kirby.
Sometimes this book leaves me wanting more. Other times it really delivers. This issue delivered.
Green Lantern: New Guardians #22
Justin Jordan and Brad Walker have turned New Guardians into one of my favorite books. They've made Kyle Rayner more likeable than he was under the previous regime.
Kyle and the also more likeable Templar Guardians have come across the mystery that is the giant alien named Relic. We don't yet know what his deal is, but its clearly bad for our heroes as he's capable of sucking the power from power rings. They also set up, what I think is a potential awkward 2/3 of a love triangle with Kyle and Carol Ferris. If Kyle steals my man's lady, I will fuck him up.
I can't help recommending this book. Jordan and Walker have hit the ground running.
Spread of the Week:
Brad Walker's really bringing his A-game in New Guardians.
-Gint
July 19, 2013
Our Heart of Hearts
For those of you that listen to the world famous McSoss Comic Book Podcast (found on Podomatic, Stitcher Radio and iTunes) you're probably well aware that "Image" Matt is the most sincere of the three of us. Soss and myself tend to lean more toward ridicule and general tomfoolery. The above illustrates this point.
In real news, the San Diego Comic Con is this weekend. We won't be going, but when the dust settles we'll be covering all the big announcements on next week's podcast. As of this writing, nothing much has been released other than this very brief clip of Electro from The Amazing Spider-Man 2. I'm pretty hopeful this movie lives up to my expectations as I really liked the first one. So far so good I guess. But my biggest hope is that all the publishers and announcements give us a good dose of fodder for the coming week's comics. So go ahead, publishers and filmmakers. Make bad decisions so we can make fun of them. Thanks in advance!
-Gint
July 18, 2013
Soss' Pull-List 7/18/13
Guardians of the Galaxy: Tomorrow's Avengers #1
This book features the solo adventures of the Guardians packaged together in a one shot. I wish this would have been released a few months ago, I think it would have given readers unfamiliar with the GotG universe a better grasp on each character while reading the main title.
My favorite section was the Gamora story. Not much in the way of dialogue just an all out fun fist fight. If you like Bendis' new take on Guardians of the Galaxy this book is a great companion piece. -Soss
Panel of the Week: Gamora laying the smack down.
July 17, 2013
McSoss Podcast Episode 18: High Fives All Around
In this contentious episode, we discuss which superheroes make the grade from A-list to B-list or lower. We break down where heroes "on the bubble" stand, like Storm, Green Lantern and Aquaman. We even had to call in reinforcements in our very special guest, Dom Yosi, a regular on the McSoss weekly comic strips!
Subscribe in the iTunes store, listen thru Stitcher Radio or stream via Podomatic:
mcsoss.podomatic.com
The visual guide so you can follow along during the show or check out after you have listened to it.
Lea Thompson: Then and Now
The visual guide so you can follow along during the show or check out after you have listened to it.
Lea Thompson: Then and Now
Moore Than You Can Chew: http://morethanyoucanchew.podomatic.com/
DC's Trinity
Hellblazer: Fear and Loathing
Marvel's SuperPro
Amazing Spider-Man #554
Aquaman
Who are these characters?
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