Days of Future Past: Part 13

Soss and Gint's adventure in our own dystopian future continues as Future Dom's comes to an end. We hope you're enjoying reading it it as much as we're enjoying creating it. When we first stumbled on this concept, I had no idea it would get to a Part 13 and beyond.

Pittsburgh Comicon 2013 was this past weekend and the McSoss crew had a blast. Myself, Soss, Dommy and Matt put in some long hours meeting, greeting, oogling and creeping for 3 days. We got to meet some awesome folks and had a lot of fun.

For myself, a highlight was participating in a "Charity Quick Sketch" where a panel of artists (and myself) gathered in a convention hall and drew sketches for an hour. You could do as many as you wanted in the hour. I banged out 5 in the 60 minute timeframe. The audience would participate and yell requests which made for some interesting sketches. My favorite of my own was a Kermit the Frog as Han Solo. There's a chance I'll work on a more refined version of that at some point. Our session on Sunday garnered $1,100 for bone marrow replacements.

As I mentioned in our last podcast post we met some excellent people and saw some old friends. So if you get a chance please check out...

Darcy & Dylan Mahaffey at sordidfairytales.com

George Frei at georgefreidesigns.com

and Deanna Urban and goglittergirlgo.com

You can also listen to our Con recap episode here.

-Gint

McSoss Podcast - Episode 27: Team Fortress? Team Fortress.

What's this? A new podcast on a Monday morning? You bet your sweet ass it is. And as an added bonus, we'll have our All Walking Dead All the Time episode posted later this week. A twofer? We take care of you.

This past weekend the McSoss crew spent the weekend at the Pittsburgh Comicon. We review the highs (more of Matt's awkward run-ins with celebrity) and lows (murdering your family and then having sex with mannequins). Yeah, it was a crazy weekend.

We'd like to give a couple shout-outs to our boothmates George Frei (georgefreidesign.com) and Deanna Urban (goglittergirlgo.com) who both helped make the weekend more enjoyable.

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Gint's 9-25-13 Pull-List Review

We've got four books that should be great and one that will no doubt be boring.

Fifth Place:
Green Lantern #23.4

Yeah, this is the boring one. Dale Eaglesham draws a beautiful book and Matt Kindt does his best to make the story of Sinestro new and exciting... but I've been there before. Being a Green Lantern fan I know all this stuff forward and backward. Just another pointless villain origin story that REALLY doesn't tie into the Villains Month schtick.

The very end is kind of a cliffhanger, but I don't know what that means. Technically Sinestro should have nothing to do with Earth's problems with the Crime Syndicate. But I keep seeing him on promo materials. Please DC, leave the guy alone.

This was it. The last Villains Month tie-in I was going to get. Here's to October and being excited about DC books again.

Fourth Place:
Guardians of the Galaxy #6

Man, Marvel really isn't interested in one artist on a book are they? First we had Steve McNiven on Guardians. Then we had McNiven and Sara Pichelli. Now we have Pichelli and Olivier Coipel. All in 6 issues. They're all phenominal artists, so I shouldn't complain too much, but c'mon, Marvel. Get it together.

Angela (of Neil Gaiman fame) shows up and I guess that's a big deal. She's really tough and it takes all of the Guardians to subdue her. The Watcher also shows up and does his, "I'm sworn not to interfere until I interfere" bit. The Watcher is probably the most useless character in any comic book universe.

So yeah, it was an entertaining issue.

Third Place:
Nova #8

I'm not really sure why this issue warranted the Infinity header... I mean, I guess Thanos was in it, but it wound up being a pretty straight forward, well told Nova issue.

There was some real concern when I saw the Infinity header that this would be another issue that dumped me right in the middle of a Marvel event I knew nothing about. Turns out Zeb Wells can tell a great story with or without being shoehorned into bigger corporate business. And lets not forget Paco Medina, who's art I've really grown to love even though he draws Sam Alexander a little too old.

Thanos sends some hot, crazy bitch named Kaldera (sounds like a He-Man character) to kill Sam and extinguish the Nova Corps. Sam meanwhile is being recruited for a new superhero team by Speedball and Vance Astrovik. Also, Wells drops a TON of hits about Richard Rider. JUST SAY WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM SO FAR!!! FUCK!

Again. Good issue.

Second Place:
The Wake #4

When I think of The Wake, I think of the story of Lee Archer being trapped underwater with all those mer-creatures. So I'm always surprised when I open an issue and all the flashbacks/flashforwards show up. I'm really curious how Scott Snyder is going to tie all that stuff into the main story.

Sean Murphy's art continues to impress. The way he lets you see the backside of the characters' viewscreens when you're looking at them is a small little touch that makes for some really interesting visuals.

Next issue marks the halfway point of the series. I'm already sad to see it end.

First Place:
Saga #14

Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples, man. They're making magic. Even making me give a shit about Gwendolyn, and I fucking hate her.

This book is emotional. The whole thing so far is really about love. And that might sound kind of lame, but its really well fucking done. The emotional cores that anchor each character are so natural. Each character's voice is unmistakable for another. That has to do with not only Vaughan's dialog, but Staples "acting" of the characters.

This book has one of the single most touching pages in all of comic books. I'd like to know if when Vaughan and Staples wrote it they said, "gold."

Page of the Week:

Sean Murphy's work on The Wake. And boobies.

-Gint
 

Days of Future Past: Part 12

I'm a simple guy. I don't ask for much. Porn-droids ALMOST exist if you look at the Real Doll industry, but the guys responsible for not only hoverboards (I'm looking at you Michael J. Fox) but hovercars are really dropping the ball.

Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. premiered this week to some great numbers. That's to be expected because Marvel and ABC promoted the living fuck out of it. And on the heels of The Avengers, a strong premiere isn't a big surprise. The real sign of how this show is going to do will be the week 2 numbers. I'll be watching because I like comics and Chloe Bennet, but I think we're going to see a serious drop in viewership.

The pilot was passable. ABC threw some serious special effects money at it, but can they keep that going each episode? Pilots are generally rough and shows need a few episodes to grow into themselves. Its going to be a few weeks before we see what S.H.I.E.L.D. is really capable of. So far we have a decent show with a lot of potential.

-Gint
 

Soss' Pull-list Reviews 9/26/2013

Savage Wolverine #8

Zeb Wells and Joe Madureira put a bow on their run on this title. Kingpin faces his undead wife while Logan faces his inner demons. If you are a fan of  berserker rage, this is the issue for you.

Madureira was a great choice for this story arc. His exaggerated style perfectly fits the larger than life Kingpin. 

I'm sad to see this team leave the book but intend to follow them to whatever their next project maybe. -Soss

Panel of the Week: Wolverine as only Madureira can draw him.

McSoss will be at Pittsburgh Comic Con 2013

 

Sorry kids, we don't have a new podcast for you this week. However, there still is a way for you to get your weekly dose of the McSoss crew. Come see us at Pittsburgh Comic Con 2013 at the Monroeville Convention Center Friday (1pm-7pm), Saturday (10am-6pm) & Sunday (10am-5pm). Come talk to us about life, love and the pursuit of comic books. We will even give you a free postcard and business card for your trouble. 

For additional details contact us thru Twitter, Facebook or leave a post on this site. I have the links listed below. See you there! -Soss

Pittsburgh Comic Con 2013 Official Site

www.pittsburghcomicon.com

Twitter

Paul

Ian

Matt

Dom

Facebook

McSoss Fanpage

Days of Future Past: Part 11

When I thought of the one thing an older, wiser version of myself would want to go back in time to change it was a no brainer. World peace is for sissy, I'd need to change something on a larger scale. 

A world without boy wizards would be nice but the most important thing would be never to have to discuss said series with anyone ever again. I feel like no matter what I'm talking about the Harry Potter series makes it's way into my conversations. 

Maybe Obi-Soss Kenobi has the right idea.-Soss

Gint's 9-18-13 Pull-List Review

Villains Month continues at DC and I got rooked into buying another issue.

Second Place:
Green Lantern #23.3

When I saw the Black Hand issue in my pull, I tried really hard to put it back. Chip, my official comic book barista if you will, convinced me to pick it up. The review? Well, it wasn't awful.

Written by Charles Soule and drawn by Alberto Ponticelli, we get an update on where Black Hand is in the New 52. He's been reborn from a Black Ring and spends the issue showing off his powers and telling us what his plan is. I guess he can make zombies now as well as kill living things with a touch. Part of me is all, "ew that's really creepy and awesome," and the other part is all, "sigh... I'm over zombies." But if you're going to have a character named Black Hand that controls death, what else is he gonna do?

The art works well for this book. Its very dark, shadowy and scribbly and it really plays up the dismal setting and theme of death. Ponticelli probably shouldn't draw a Superman book. Aside from that its pretty much a throwaway issue. You can learn his powers and modus operandi in a couple panels of any book he appears in. But I'm the sucker that bought it so, there you go.

First Place:
The Flash 23.3

For once, some meaningful shit actually happens in a Villains Month title. Mostly these are meaningless stories that don't have bearing on the bigger stories that these books have interrupted. But writer Brian Buccellato and artist Patrick Zircher bring a little depth to the Flash mythos.

Besides learning the backstory of the Rogues, Buccellato makes some seemingly lasting changes to the Rogues lineup. Some key story beats happen this issue that are fairly important if you've been following the Flash. Credit to Buccellato for not writing a throwaway issue.

Zircher's art is, like most of the villains books - passable. I keep expecting one of these books to blow me away, but I think I ought to give that up. I can't wait for October.

Panel of the Week:

Alberto Ponticelli's Black Hand because, well, none of the panels this week were particularly breathtaking or interesting.

-Gint
 

Days of Future Past: Part 10

I feel like I'd be an excellent lightsaber reseller.-Soss

Soss' Pull-List Reviews 9/19/13

Iron Man# 15

451 and Tony go toe to toe in this issue long slugfest. Tony pulls out all the stops using a bunch of different Iron suits as backup. It felt like a scene pulled right from Iron Man. 

Carlo Pagulyan is spot on as the fill-in. I didn't even notice it wasn't Greg Land until I started writing this review. That's what I'm looking for from my fill-in artist, to fit in seamlessly. Great job Marvel editorial. -Soss

Panel of the Week: Which suit should I wear tonight?

McSoss Podcast Episode 26: Teeny Tiny Kingpin

This week the McSoss crew provides audio commentary to the 2003 feature film Daredevil. We debate the pros and cons of a digital Kingpin, cringe at the playground fight scene and once again discuss Ian's favorite movie franchise, Harry Potter. 

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Days of Future Past: Part 9

DC's Villains Month is underway. Pretty soon we'll meet the villain of the McSoss future. But we won't be offering any 3D comics. Sorry, faithful readers.

As far as comic book news, things have been pretty quiet. Even the Pull-List has been pretty standard lately. But what I'd like to mention if you haven't read it is David Petersen's Mouse Guard. Petersen writes and draws the book starring fairly realistically illustrated mice who live in a Lord of the Rings-style world. They fight owls and snakes and have a very shaky truce with the weasels. It sounds silly, but its a very well done, well written book.

Though I'm not ready to compare Petersen to Tolkien, he does an amazing job building this world under our feet, complete with it's own histories and geographies. He builds an amazing mythology that feels like its centuries old.

If you get a chance, pick up a Mouse Guard book. It'll be worth your time.

-Gint

Gint's 9-11-13 Pull-List Review

Solid week of books this time out where even a fifth place finish is pretty solid.

Fifth Place:
The Flash #23.2

I don't think The Flash has ever fallen to fifth place on the Pull-List before. While it was still an entertaining read, it just wasn't the sweetness I've come to expect from Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato. Mainly because Manapul doesn't draw the issue.

They still write it, and Buccellato still does the colors, but Scott Hepburn does the pencils. Its close enough to Manapul's style with Buccellato's colors, but there's something off sometimes that clues you in that its just slightly inferior artwork.

As for the story, that was pretty solid if not inspiring. The Reverse-Flash of the New 52 is Daniel West. Iris' brother and maybe Wally's (if he existed) uncle? There's the idea that being a family member of a main Flash character makes him more compelling, but there was something about the old totally disconnected, totally insane Professor Zoom that had more impact. When you're introduced to Daniel West, you don't ever get the sense that he has super-villainy in him. They try giving him a hard backstory as a kid, but they've done such a good job with this guy so far that I just don't buy him as a maniacal villain.

So that's that. What was nice is that this issue has nothing to do with Villains Month and does tie directly into the main Flash story.

Fourth Place:
Aquaman #23.1

Through my tenure as a comic fan I've had a fondness for Black Manta. Since Episode 20 of our podcast, I'm ready to admit this fondness has developed into genuine affection for the obscure Aquaman villain. Thus, I was suckered into getting his Villains Month issue.

This was a WAY more effective issue, actually having things to do with Forever Evil, than the Green Lantern Relic issue did. Which was a giant ZERO. This Manta issue takes you through Forever Evil #1, but from Manta's point of view. Written by Geoff Johns and Tony Bedard, they really bring a subtle emotion to the stoic Black Manta.

Drawn by Claude St. Aubin, the issue takes us through how Black Manta gets out of Belle Reve Supermax Prison, learns of the Crime Syndicate and Aquaman's death, and why he'll be against them in the Forever Evil series. Its not a MUST read, but it adds a nice depth to the series as a whole.

Place:
Star Wars #9

It feels like its taken more than nine issues to get to this point, but there's finally some big action that moves the story forward. The way Brian Wood and Ryan Kelly blend the four different stories is the best they've done so far.

Luke and Wedge have infiltrated the Star Destroyer Devastator. Next issue looks like they dress up as Stormtroopers. Since Han and Luke already did this in A New Hope, I find this really played out. What are the chances of being able to pull this off again? Maybe Wood will have a twist in store to surprise me.

I'm curious how long this book will run. Seems like Wood and Kelly have a lot of story to tell still. After all, we haven't even heard of Hoth yet.

Place:
The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys #4

Now we're getting somewhere. We're getting past a lot of the introductions and weirdness and settling into this crazy world Gerard Way, Shaun Simon and Becky Cloonan have created.

Lots of forward momentum this issue as the porno android Blue escapes Battery City, Korse's lover gets killed by the people he works for and the spy in the desert turns out to be an implant in the Girl's cat. Not all the characters are likeable, but I think I like the ones that are supposed to be.

It took a while, but I'm officially all in on this book.

Place:
X-Men #5

Brian Wood and Olivier Coipel better get on a regular schedule with this book or its getting dropped. I was promised Coipel art when it started, then got a fill-in for #4 and David López on #5. No to mention this issue dumps you right in the middle of Battle of the Atom (admittedly a cool title). The catch-up page in the beginning isn't enough to make up for this.

So what's the actual review of the issue? I really liked it. If I could be promised that every Battle of the Atom issue was as cool and expertly drawn as this one, I'd pick up the rest.

If you like time-travelley stuff, this book is for you. Three teams of X-Men (past, present and future) are all in the present, well, to stop something bad. Since this issue is Part 3 of however many, I'm not really sure what the problem is. Wonky time continuum stuff I'm sure.

I really gave this book a go. And the Wood/Coipel stuff was really good. But if the fill-in issues and creators continue, I'm out.

Panel of the Week:

The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys' Val Velocity by Becky Cloonan.

-Gint

Days of Future Past: Part 8

While I'm not sure how great of a war time general Brizzle is I do know that he is a heck of a fantasy football general manager. Those skills are transferable if you ask me -Soss

Soss' Pull-List Reviews

All-New X-Men # 14

Bendis ends this first arc with a bang. His talent for juggling the various characters in a team book is very clear here. While the majority of the book is a fight scene you still have  enough quality dialogue to move the story along. 

Stuart Immonen really understands the importance of youth for the younger X-Men. Another artist might have just put these characters in their old uniforms and called it a day. Immonen brings youthful energy to the physique's as well as the expressions on their faces. Especially Iceman.-Soss

Panel of the Week: Bobby Drake takes things too far

McSoss Podcast Episode 25: Thrustfully

Dominic Yosi stops by this week as we discuss our trip to Baltimore Comic Con. We play Star Wars Mad Libs as well as do a little Whatcha Been Readin?

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Days of Future Past: Part 7

Big thanks to Darcy Mahaffey of Sordid Fairytales and The Dark Museum for giving me an assist on inks this week. This past weekend was Baltimore Comicon, so time was at a premium.

Speaking of Baltimore Comicon, Soss and I had a blast. We got to talk to creators like Keith Giffen, Van Jensen and Charles Soule and even the legendary Neal Adams. We got to see some old friends from the area and hang with our good buddies Tom Lynch and Anissa. Lots of nerd stuff, lots of beers and learning that I don't like Old Fashioneds.

We have a quick turn around in a couple weeks as we and Sordid Fairytales will have tables the Pittsburgh Comicon coming up in 2 weeks (September 27, 28, 29) at the Monroeville Convention Center. If you're around I highly recommend coming to see us.

-Gint

Gint's 9-4-13 Pull-List Review

Though it breaks my heart to say, Green Lantern was the big loser this week. To the reviews! 

Third Place:
Green Lantern #23.1: Relic

If I took $4, wiped my ass with it and then lit it on fire, it would essentially be the same as buying this book. I know that's quite a harsh criticism, but this book really offered nothing but a pretty neat cover for its $3.99 price.

The story in this issue, the story of new Green Lantern villain Relic, could have been wrapped up in half a page in a regular issue. Robert Venditti and the whole writing crew have been doing a great job on the post-Geoff Johns line of Green Lantern books so this was really a let down to get such a boring, meaningless issue.

Rags Morales is on art and normally that's a good thing, but when he's drawing a different world with a ton of unknown characters... it doesn't really matter. The best part of the book was the 3D cover that all the Villains Month books will have.

This issue was not essential GL reading. I recommend taking a pass on this one.

Second Place:
DC Universe vs. Masters of the Universe #1

This was quite the anticipated book on my part. I understand it's sheer brand-crossover silliness, but that's part of the attraction. Just a cool story that doesn't offer empty promises like, "lasting ramifications" and "the status-quo will never be the same!" Just He-Man fighting Superman. Pure comic nerdness.

Now, it didn't quite deliver on all of that just yet. This #1 was a lot of set up. After all, we need SOME backstory as to why and how the He-Man characters get to the DC Universe. And Keith Giffen does a pretty nice job tying in the magic from both universes to make a pretty legit why/how as to getting the Masters to Earth.

Dexter Soy is on art and some of the faces are a little too anime for me. I'm not crazy about his style, but he does a nice job with the page layout and storytelling. For all of Giffen's dialog, it was a really smooth read. I guess its too much to get Ivan Reis on the DC/Masters crossover, huh?

First Place:
Forever Evil #1

Two things stood out to me after reading this issue. 1. I REALLY liked this story. 2. David Finch's art is really underwhelming.

The story is really strong. Geoff Johns writes the book from the perspective of Lex Luthor and some other DC villain mainstays. Seeing their reactions to this evil Justice League taking over gives you a great feel for the atmosphere in the DCU. Like DC Universe vs. Masters of the Universe #1, this book was a lot of setup, but you have a pretty good idea where some of the characters are going.

David Finch gets billed as a superstar artist at times. I just don't see it. Maybe its just not my style, but aside from that some panels and faces really felt rushed.

The highlight were the last two word balloons spoken by Lex. In context, they're funny and kind of scary at the same time. What really made them for me was how easily it was to hear Clancy Brown, who played Lex on the Animated Series deliver these lines.

Really good stuff from a book I was pretty luke-warm about going in.

Panel of the Week:

I don't like Dexter Soy's Skeletor design. The classic has been around since the 80s. If it ain't broke, Dexter...

-Gint

Days Future Past: Part 6

When we were coming up with the outline of this story there was one character  that I wanted to make sure was heavily involved in the action. No, not Alan Grant from Jurassic Park....Matthew!  -Soss

Soss' Pull-List Review 9/5/13

Star Wars #8 

Eight issues in and we get our first appearance of a light saber! The restraint is a good thing. Under another writer we could have light saber fatigue by this point but Brian Wood has been very careful not to overuse any of the toys at his disposal. 

I'm digging Ryan Kelly on pencils. He meshes his own style while pulling from the features of the actors nicely. It fits the story like a glove.

I'm also enjoying the added depth Wood has brought to Leia's story. It's not surprising that he has made her the focus of this first arc. -Soss

Panel of the Week: Light em up!

McSoss Podcast Episode 24: Blood Creamer

This week we discuss digital and paper comics, audio books and have an extended Whatcha Been Readin’.

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Days of Future Past: Part 5

What's my ideal future? No world hunger? Peace in the Middle East? Flying cars? Probably not so much any of those as much as running the fucking show. Much like the Flash's Rogues, I'm not someone who has "world domination" on my Bucket List. All want is blow, girls and money. Not necessarily in that order. And all the comics I could ever read. I'm on the fence on the whole, "eliminating indie books" bit.

This strip was a lot of fun to do. Its not often that we break from our standard 3 panel layout and do something a little more ambitious. "Ambition" is not synonymous with McSoss.

-Gint

Gint's 8-28-13 Pull-List Review

Who likes a quick four-book week? This guy does.

Fourth Place:
Batman Superman #3

Allow me to say I really like Jae Lee's art. I do. Under the right circumstances. After the first issue, I thought, "this could really work." After three issues, I disagree. I like the art, but the lack of backgrounds is disturbing. This just isn't my kind of art/writing combo. Yildiray Cinar draws some flashback scenes in the middle of the book that feel a lot more at home with Greg Pak's writing.

The story of the Supermen and Batmen of two Earth's having to thwart the specter of Darkseid is interesting enough, but more classic comic art would to wonders for this story.

Something about this story isn't clicking. Maybe its the art, maybe its the story. I'm just not sold.

Third Place:
Justice League #23

On the last podcast we were talking about the way Marvel runs one crossover into the next. One is just a setup for another that turns into one big continuous story. Well, that's what Trinity War is. It may as well be called Forever Evil: Prologue.

Overall it was a good enough story. Entertaining with some twists and turns to keep it interesting. But the fact that you don't get an ending is a serious bummer. Its enough to to end the whole story on an "huh" instead of a "WOW!"

So it looks like I'll be getting Forever Evil. Not that I wasn't going to, but Trinity War will really roll right into it pretty smoothly.

Second Place:
The Flash #23

Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato really take you for a ride. Much like Saga, this is a hard book to find anything bad to say about.

The identity of the Reverse-Flash is revealed. And its kind of surprising if only because there's been no clear story of WHY this guy would be the Reverse Flash. But that's for next month's Villain's Month tie it. This issue also touches on the softer side of this book with some love-triangly stuff between Iris and Patty.

Good from front to back, two years later The Flash is still a tough book to beat.

First Place:
Aquaman #23

Now that was a good book. High under-the-seas action! This was a fast-paced book. But all the beats were in the right places. If you want to tell an issue that's just fighting, this is the way to do it.

Aquaman and Mera escape Xebel only to find Atlantis under attack. They seem to thwart Scavenger just as the Dead Sea King shows up. The entire issue is expertly drawn by Paul Pelletier and he really bleeds all kinds of emotion out of each characters performance.

The issue ends of just as good a cliffhanger as Justice League #23, but unlike that book, Aquaman won't sucker you into buying something else.

Spread of the Week:

Paul Pelletier really throws down on the majesty of the ocean and what exactly Aquaman is capable of summoning.

-Gint