This week we discuss Ian’s upcoming trip to San Diego Comic Con, DC cinematic and television universes and get into a heated debate over the plot of The Purge.
July 31, 2014
July 28, 2014
House Creeper of Creeperly Rock
As Game of Thrones sweeps the nation, the McSoss boys wager what their house sigils should be. The first two are fairly accurate, though Dominic's bearded clam may give the wrong impression.
San Diego Comic Con 2014 just ended and I gotta say, I really expected more HUGE news. Aside from seeing Batman v Superman's Wonder Woman, and Marvel announcing three Star Wars titles for 2015, there really wasn't much to get excited about. Where was the big Star Wars - Episode VII title announcement? Or even a brief clip? Or anything about Avengers 2? Everything I expected was insanely underwhelming.
We'll cover it all on next week's podcast, so stay tuned.
-Gint
July 27, 2014
Gint's 7-23-14 Pull-List Review
If Robin Rises continues on the path its currently on, it could be a hardback-worthy story.
Seventh Place:
Batman #33
Zero Year is over! Man, this was a long time coming. Feels like its been decades since Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo kicked things off. And honestly, I wrap this up with more relief than a bang.
Overall this was a really cool idea, it was just too decompressed. It dragged on way too long and there were stretches that were just uninteresting. By the time we get to this finale, my attitude was "just end it already." Compared to the Batman written by Peter Tomasi and the Batman written by Geoff Johns, this seemed almost like an Elseworlds tale.
And the most disappointing story beat was the epilogue when Bruce turns down a drink with a girl from his past to go be Batman. I know he's passionate about keeping the streets of Gotham clean, but when you let Bruce's passion for being Batman give him blinders about being human too, it makes the character less interesting.
Its been a (mostly) fun ride, but this may be the last issue of Batman on the Pull-List for a while.
Futures End #12
They're not all gonna be winner, folks. This month's Futures End takes a step back highlighting some characters we've seen very little of before. Like that guy Ethan that Rampage broke out of jail. Who the fuck are those two?
The most engaging parts of the issue were Frankenstein, Hawkman and Amethyst landing on an alien planet and being beaten down by a Brainiac-Brother Eye version of Stormwatch's Engineer. Overall the issue didn't provide much, but a look into 35 years into the future where the Joker has been kept in Arkham was a huge tease. At the end, he seemingly is being prepared to have his mind merged/swapped with a grey haired Bruce Wayne.
This issue sets up more questions that it answers, and avoids most of the plots I've been most interested in. Lots going on in Futures End, and a long way to go.
Superman #33
I almost forgot to pick this up this week. And when I did, I had to trade covers with Soss because I didn't want the phoned-in cover by Erik Larsen. Instead I opted for the regular John Romita Jr. and Klaus Janson cover.
Part 2 of Geoff Johns' The Men of Tomorrow storyline gets a little more intriguing. Its still about another Superman analog (this time Ulysses, the Superman from the 2nd dimension) but there's a certain humanity in Ulysses and Superman that was missing last issue. It gives me hope for this story.
As for the art, there were some subtle acting cues that were absolutely brilliant, and John Romita Jr. draws a hell of a Perry White. However, are Romita and inker Klaus Janson at the top of their games? As far as layout, and flow of the story goes, I couldn't have been happier. But some panels left me disappointed in the actual art contained within.
We could be getting the New 52 Superman story we've been waiting for, or are our expectations SO LOW right now, we'll take what we can get?
Fourth Place:
Saga #21
If the first eighteen issues were a wild, fun, Star Wars-style adventure through the galaxy (with boobies and sex and trouser snakes), this new arc is all about the saddest moments of The Empire Strikes Back (with drug use, and real world adult problems that don't have an easy fix).
For real. These last three issues have been sad. Since Hazel's narration in issue #19 of "this is the story of how my parents split up" (paraphrasing) its just been a sad march watching Alana and Marko drift farther apart. You get to see what they're up against and neither is the bad guy. But its situations we've all been through. Sad and unavoidable.
Fiona Staples art is just as amazing as ever. One of her biggest strength's is faces and facial expressions. She's amazing at drawing pretty girls. Each girl you're supposed to be attracted to, you are. Brian K. Vaughan throws everything and the kitchen sink at her and she draws it expertly.
Third Place:
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #15
Talk about underrated titles. Dan Abnett and Pop Mhan found a way to get past the rough exterior of my heart this month. They managed to invoke real emotion through a He-Man comic.
He-Man, Adora and Battle Cat enter one of Hordak's Fright Zones on Eternia. They're supposed to slip in, steal a boat, and get out. But when He-Man sees tons of Eternian people and creatures captured, waiting for death, he brings down the lightning. Literally. I don't know if this is a new power he has in this current run, but He-Man speaks the words we all know and love, and lightning rains down on the Fright Zone Shazam-style. It even puts Adora on her heels.
If Dreamwave's Transformers comics were the best reboot of that franchise, this run is that for He-Man. Its everything I want from this property as an adult, still tied to the toy and cartoon franchise I loved as a child.
Second Place:
Aquaman #33
Lots of grossness in this issue. Jeff Parker and Paul Pelletier set the bar high for making Chimera a pretty gross villain. He can change shape, back to his former human self, but its really fucking gross when it happens. And I like that. Parker and Pelletier aren't taking the soft easy road of storytelling.
Aquaman is a character that has a light rogues gallery. Pretty much Ocean Master and Black Manta. Parker and Pelletier are doing their best to add to the mythology with Chimera. A man-turned-monster made up of all kinds of sealife, with limited telepathy like Arthur. He has a really cool design, and given the right time, could really be a legitimate character.
I still get jeers when I say Aquaman is one of my favorite books, but it deserves to be at the top of the Pull List.
First Place:
Batman and Robin #33
Holy shit. Just when I think this book can't get any cooler, Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason up the ante and take it there. This is my favorite kind of issue – lots of discussion between the Justice League members.
Batman wants to fly off the handle and go to Apokolips to get Damian's body back. The Justice League won't let him. Aquaman and Wonder Woman are the voices of reason with the rest of the League backing them up. Tomasi inherently knows how to write DC characters about as well, if not better, than Geoff Johns. He should really get credit with the big guns at DC when their best writers get mentioned.
Patrick Gleason is at the top of his game. What stood out to me was his portrayal of Shazam. He's a rare character that actually has a face. Meaning he looks the same no matter who draws him. Even Batman and Superman's faces change from artist to artist, but no so much Billy Batson.
This is some of best storytelling happening in comics right now, let alone just DC.
Panel of the Week:
While I never fully approve of non-traditional Batman costumes, Patrick Gleason's depiction of Superman forging Batman's suit IN THE SUN is awesome.
-Gint
Saga #21
If the first eighteen issues were a wild, fun, Star Wars-style adventure through the galaxy (with boobies and sex and trouser snakes), this new arc is all about the saddest moments of The Empire Strikes Back (with drug use, and real world adult problems that don't have an easy fix).
For real. These last three issues have been sad. Since Hazel's narration in issue #19 of "this is the story of how my parents split up" (paraphrasing) its just been a sad march watching Alana and Marko drift farther apart. You get to see what they're up against and neither is the bad guy. But its situations we've all been through. Sad and unavoidable.
Fiona Staples art is just as amazing as ever. One of her biggest strength's is faces and facial expressions. She's amazing at drawing pretty girls. Each girl you're supposed to be attracted to, you are. Brian K. Vaughan throws everything and the kitchen sink at her and she draws it expertly.
He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #15
Talk about underrated titles. Dan Abnett and Pop Mhan found a way to get past the rough exterior of my heart this month. They managed to invoke real emotion through a He-Man comic.
He-Man, Adora and Battle Cat enter one of Hordak's Fright Zones on Eternia. They're supposed to slip in, steal a boat, and get out. But when He-Man sees tons of Eternian people and creatures captured, waiting for death, he brings down the lightning. Literally. I don't know if this is a new power he has in this current run, but He-Man speaks the words we all know and love, and lightning rains down on the Fright Zone Shazam-style. It even puts Adora on her heels.
If Dreamwave's Transformers comics were the best reboot of that franchise, this run is that for He-Man. Its everything I want from this property as an adult, still tied to the toy and cartoon franchise I loved as a child.
Aquaman #33
Lots of grossness in this issue. Jeff Parker and Paul Pelletier set the bar high for making Chimera a pretty gross villain. He can change shape, back to his former human self, but its really fucking gross when it happens. And I like that. Parker and Pelletier aren't taking the soft easy road of storytelling.
Aquaman is a character that has a light rogues gallery. Pretty much Ocean Master and Black Manta. Parker and Pelletier are doing their best to add to the mythology with Chimera. A man-turned-monster made up of all kinds of sealife, with limited telepathy like Arthur. He has a really cool design, and given the right time, could really be a legitimate character.
I still get jeers when I say Aquaman is one of my favorite books, but it deserves to be at the top of the Pull List.
Batman and Robin #33
Holy shit. Just when I think this book can't get any cooler, Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason up the ante and take it there. This is my favorite kind of issue – lots of discussion between the Justice League members.
Batman wants to fly off the handle and go to Apokolips to get Damian's body back. The Justice League won't let him. Aquaman and Wonder Woman are the voices of reason with the rest of the League backing them up. Tomasi inherently knows how to write DC characters about as well, if not better, than Geoff Johns. He should really get credit with the big guns at DC when their best writers get mentioned.
Patrick Gleason is at the top of his game. What stood out to me was his portrayal of Shazam. He's a rare character that actually has a face. Meaning he looks the same no matter who draws him. Even Batman and Superman's faces change from artist to artist, but no so much Billy Batson.
This is some of best storytelling happening in comics right now, let alone just DC.
Panel of the Week:
While I never fully approve of non-traditional Batman costumes, Patrick Gleason's depiction of Superman forging Batman's suit IN THE SUN is awesome.
-Gint
July 25, 2014
Cleanliness Is Next To Immortality
It was Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason's Batman and Robin that most recently made me think of Ra's al Ghul and the immortal Lazarus Pit. The lore is when you immerse someone at death's door into a Lazarus Pit, they will be healed. The side effect is you come back a little crazy. Ra's has been doing this to stay alive for centuries. After all this time, I would expect a genius like Ra's to find a better delivery system for the Pit's restorative waters. Hence, the Lazarus Shower.
-Gint
July 24, 2014
Soss' Suggestions 07-24-14
Batman: Odyssey #1
In honor of Batman's 75th Anniversary I decided to check out a book written and drawn by one of the most influential creators in Batman's storied history. Neal Adams is central in shaping the Dark Knight into the character we know today. In the 1970's his run provided comic fans with some of the most iconic moments associated with the character. Unfortunately Batman: Odyssey fails to provide more character defining moments. Weird moments, but not good moments.
Batman has come to the conclusion that his fearsome rouges gallery is merely a distraction, a roadblock to hide a more grand and sinister plan. So... he seeks the aid of Jamroth Bok and Primus, Batman and Robin styled heroes who have evolved from dinosaurs, and travels to a prehistoric world to do battle with cavemen. Yep, I was lost too.
To say that this is a confusing read is an understatement. The plot makes little sense and the strange world Batman finds himself in is completely out of place. I only read the first issue so maybe it gets better. Normally I'd be one and done but I'm feeling brave and plan on finishing all twelve issues of this potential dumpster fire. -Soss
Panel of the Week: Batman v Dino-Riders
July 23, 2014
McSoss Podcast Episode 65: Spacebook
McSoss.com
Itunes.com
Stitcher.com
McSoss Facebook Fan Page
July 21, 2014
Appropriate Response
So Thor is a chick now. Chances are in the near future (at least by the time Avengers 2 comes out) the male Thor will be back wielding Mjolnir. But for now his book is getting cancelled to make way for a brand new #1 featuring this female Thor. We don't know who the character IS or what her circumstances are, but good on Marvel for not only appeasing the current comic book climate that clamors for diversity, but also cashing in on what will undoubtedly be a first-issue cash cow.
I know Marvel is now a Disney property, who also owns ABC, but isn't it odd that Disney/Marvel keep introducing news like this on The View? Isn't there a better alternative than a show whose audience ISN'T comic book fans?
-Gint
July 20, 2014
Gint's 7-16-14 Pull-List Review
Futures End continues to impress and Nova reminds me I'm not crazy about the current Rocket Raccoon.
Nova #19
This issue guest stars the soon-to-be breakout hit character of the summer, Rocket Raccoon. Forgive me if I'm incorrect, but I don't remember Rocket being so obnoxious in the Dan Abnett/Andy Lanning run of Guardians of the Galaxy. Every time I see him show up in a current comic, I'm instantly turned off.
Sam Alexander recruits Rocket to help him find answers about his dad. His dad was apparently a Black Nova, and a corrupt one with a suped-up Nova helmet. The Black Nova helmets had the "throttles and safeties removed" to access more of the Nova power, unlike their gold-helmeted brethren. Its a neat little tweak to the Nova mythology, but not one I'm incredibly comfortable with yet.
Its another competent issue from Gerry Duggan and David Baldeon. It also sets up a second issue guest starring everyone's favorite cosmic trash-eater: Rocket Raccoon.
Third Place:
X-Men #16
The Future has captured Jubilee and its up to the X-Men to muster all they've got and go get her. The Future is a serious badass and I expect to see some X-Men get their asses handed to them in the near future.
Matteo Buffagni and Gerardo Sandoval tag team the artwork for this issue. While its a far stretch stylistically from Terry & Rachel Dodson who launched the book, it works well for a lot of different reasons. Colorist Paul Mounts should also get credit for setting the mood in a lot of panels.
I didn't think I'd still be getting this book 16 issues later, but its been really damn solid. This X-Men book has lived up to the hope I had for it, unlike the current Amazing Spider-Man.
Robin Rises: Omega #1
I should come out of the gate talking about Peter Tomasi's story, or Andy Kubert's expert pencils, but I can't get over the paper stock for this issue. This one-shot is 38 pages of artwork on a slightly thicker than usual, matte, textured paper stock. I really like it a lot. The paper gives colorist Brad Anderson's work a cool watercolor quality. Interesting choice, DC.
As for the story, its another step in Peter Tomasi and Patrick Gleason's mega-run on Batman and Robin. Gleason isn't on art, but I think Andy Kubert is a suitable replacement. There's a lot going on as this issue flashes back to the entire Damian Wayne lifetime, including the old Denny O'Neil/Neal Adams story featuring his conception. Tomasi and Kubert get you all caught up on recent Bat-history, including Grant Morrison's silly-ass Final Crisis BS. After that its an all-out fight between Batman, Ra's and the Justice League vs. parademons and foot soldiers from Apokolips.
I'm worried this story might be getting too big (looks like Batman is going to Apokolips next issue) but Pete Tomasi has done few things wrong since he took over Green Lantern Corps years and years ago. He has my complete trust.
First Place:
Futures End #11
This week Georges Jeanty becomes the fifth penciler to do an issue of Futures End. He draws a very competent book furthering along this week's events featuring douchebag Mr. Terrific calling out Terry McGinnis as an alien. I expect this story to dovetail with Grifter's hunting aliens business.
The most interesting pages for me were seeing the Justice League of five years in the future. Wonder Woman, the masked Superman, Aquaman, Cyborg and the Flash are still OG members, but they've been augmented by Roy Harper, Equinox (Jeff Lemire's creation from Justice League United), and Stormguard, who resembles Marvel's Patriot from Young Avengers. They're trying to reign in a volatile Ronnie Raymond who just wants to party with no responsibilities, and a reluctant Jason Rusch to be Firestorm again.
We have 41 issues to go, and there's lots of time for fumbling around and screwing up this book, but so far everything is coming up roses for the Futures End team.
Panel of the Week:
I wish I could get a physical paper sample into the internet so you can feel this stuff, but you'll have to settle for a little Andy Kubert Justice League.
-Gint
July 17, 2014
Dress To Impress
True, slamming Superman's costume NOW seems a bit late considering it debuted almost two years ago. But discussion on one of our recent podcasts has stoked my fires of hatred toward most things New 52 Superman.
While there's a cornucopia of bad ideas currently surrounding the character, his costume ranks pretty high. Instead of Clark wearing it under his clothes, its a nanotech suit that changes color and forms a cape at will. I guess he can make it a variety of colors if he wanted. It's also full of seams and piping like all the other DC costumes these days that just blend in with each other.
If you're trying to make Superman likable and more relateable to the general public, maybe don't give him a super scientific suit that readers can't relate to. Clark should be the every-man, even when he's being super. DC just doesn't seem to understand that.
-Gint
Ps Cheers to the new Batgirl costume which is, well, super indie influenced, but also something that stands out from anything else DC created during their initial relaunch. They got it right THIS time.
Soss' Suggestions 07-17-14
East of West: Volume #1
A dystopian future with a western flair. Sounds like this should be right up my alley. Did I forget to mention that Jonathan Hickman writes this book? Yeah... that changes everything.
The story begins in the Civil War but quickly moves to the year 2066 as we follow The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Death is on the path for revenge and appears to be manipulating a secret society that controls this version of Earth. By the end of this book we learn that his true quest is to be reunited with his wife. Wait, Death has a wife?
I don’t know why I keep trying to make myself like Hickman’s work. The general idea for his stories always intrigues me but five pages in and I am usually lost thanks to his confusing storytelling style. Nick Dragotta’s artwork is wonderful but I couldn’t really enjoy it since I was too busy figuring out what was going on. -Soss
Panel of the Week: A pool of dead folks.
The story begins in the Civil War but quickly moves to the year 2066 as we follow The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Death is on the path for revenge and appears to be manipulating a secret society that controls this version of Earth. By the end of this book we learn that his true quest is to be reunited with his wife. Wait, Death has a wife?
I don’t know why I keep trying to make myself like Hickman’s work. The general idea for his stories always intrigues me but five pages in and I am usually lost thanks to his confusing storytelling style. Nick Dragotta’s artwork is wonderful but I couldn’t really enjoy it since I was too busy figuring out what was going on. -Soss
Panel of the Week: A pool of dead folks.
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July 16, 2014
McSoss Podcast Episode 64: The McSoss Book Club
This week we give an update on our summer reading. We discuss B.P.R.D., Joyland, The Private Eye as well as a few others.
July 15, 2014
Dating Advice
Part of the fun of writing McSoss Universe Dominic is the choice to make him extremely different from his real world counterpart. The real Dom is a kind, thoughtful and sensitive young man. Somewhere along the way the comic strip version took a turn for the worse and slowly morphed into a womanizing dick bag. -Soss
July 14, 2014
Gint's 7-9-14 Pull-List Review
Coffin Hill is another big winner this week. World building is the theme and Caitlin Kittredge is doing it right.
Sixth Place:
Star Wars #19
Looks like I was premature in sending this title off into the twin sunset. According to the last page of this issue, #20 will be this series' finale... before Marvel kicks off their own Star Wars series of course.
What's disappointing is that this was a pretty good issue. Mainly because it focuses on Han, Luke, Leia and Chewbacca. The majority of the story up until this part had the core cast split apart and introduced a little too many characters that no one gives a shit about. You know what makes a Star Wars book work? Han, Luke and Leia. Together. This is a pretty small scale story about the core team going off to find an undercover Rebel agent. Easy peasy. And it allows the story to focus on the characters we care about.
All this might be too little too late for the series, which LOOKS to be wrapping up next issue. The final two may turn out being the best of all twenty.
Fifth Place:
Justice League United #3
If there's been a problem with this title so far is that its been TOO action packed. Since issue #0, its really been a quick-paced book having the impromptu team facing one thing after another through four issues. This first story, Justice League Canada, wraps next issue, so maybe we'll see some down time while our heroes recharge.
Writer Jeff Lemire and artist Mike McKone team-up to tell a couple really touching moments in this issue. Since the New 52 began, Lemire really brings back the old, true Martian Manhunter. He's able to be a leader of the team and also be the sensitive guy we know and love.
Lemire and McKone are tip-toeing around what I want the tone of this book to be. They're almost there but it seems just out of grasp so far. I'm enjoying it and hope it gets a chance to stay around a while.
Fourth Place:
Green Lantern Corps #33
Part Six of Uprising gives us the big twist. If you don't want to hear about it, don't read any further. Just when we think its all over, and the Durlans have been defeated, one more remains who has been undercover the entire time: Fatality.
Yep. John Stewart's love interest who he boinked among the stars has really been a Durlan this whole time, feeding Corps info to the bad guys. A twist that writer Van Jensen handled really well was the way John learns the REAL Fatality is still alive. The disappointment is that I wanted some earlier tip of the hat that Fatality was the real bad guy. Maybe I'm an idiot and just missed it. Her turn just seemed too out of nowhere.
Bernard Chang really hooks up the art in this book. He's perfect for drawing a Green Lantern title. And Jensen does an amazing job this issue utilizing all the tools of the GLs and someone with all the powers of Superman.
Third Place:
Futures End #10
I guess I'm burned by Countdown and Trinity, but every time I open up a Futures End, I expect to hate it. But so far I just keep liking it more and more.
Now not all of it. Lets not be silly. I'm over all the Grifter stuff. Why is he even in the DCU anyway? Oh yeah, he's DC co-publisher Jim Lee's creation. The CADMUS Island/Grifter plot isn't even that bad. Its just not as interesting as the other plot lines featured. So far Batman Beyond teaming up with some F-list villains to break into Terrifi-Tech has me most interested.
Aaron Lopresti on art this week. Shame he can't manage a weekly schedule all on his own.
Second Place:
Detective Comics #33
I wouldn't classify Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato's run on Detective as mind blowing just yet, but it IS awfully good. Its nice to just see a quiet, ground-level story about Batman being a detective and fighting normal crime.
Batman, and even Batman and Robin have been caught up in these massive arcs. Both books have been entertaining, but its nice to see this book keeping Batman at home. Just taking care of some business around Gotham City. A nice little addition to the run has been getting a closer look at Harvey Bullock and some of his history. In a couple issues, Manapul and Buccellato have given Bullock more depth than even The Animated Series did.
This is a really solid book from a really solid creative team.
First Place:
Coffin Hill #9
I'm really enjoying some non DC/Marvel books lately. Between Nailbiter from Image and Coffin Hill from Vertigo, those two books are scratching a particular itch. A horror itch if you will.
What I'm really enjoying about Coffin Hill isn't just the witch/ghost stories that Caitlin Kittredge and Inaki Miranda can tell about Coffin Hill and the creepy goings on there, but they use Eve Coffin as a really different kind of witch. One that has a day job (police officer), and doesn't like calling on her powers, but will if she has to.
They've set up a pretty cool murder mystery/detective story surrounding the greater horror themes. Kittredge seems to have a full plan for the mythology of this book, not just a one and done tale about Eve Coffin. She's building a world and I'm all in.
Panel of the Week:
Bernard Chang and Mike McKone have taking to using this one color trick in each of their books. This is from Chang's Green Lantern Corps this week.
-Gint
Justice League United #3
If there's been a problem with this title so far is that its been TOO action packed. Since issue #0, its really been a quick-paced book having the impromptu team facing one thing after another through four issues. This first story, Justice League Canada, wraps next issue, so maybe we'll see some down time while our heroes recharge.
Writer Jeff Lemire and artist Mike McKone team-up to tell a couple really touching moments in this issue. Since the New 52 began, Lemire really brings back the old, true Martian Manhunter. He's able to be a leader of the team and also be the sensitive guy we know and love.
Lemire and McKone are tip-toeing around what I want the tone of this book to be. They're almost there but it seems just out of grasp so far. I'm enjoying it and hope it gets a chance to stay around a while.
Green Lantern Corps #33
Part Six of Uprising gives us the big twist. If you don't want to hear about it, don't read any further. Just when we think its all over, and the Durlans have been defeated, one more remains who has been undercover the entire time: Fatality.
Yep. John Stewart's love interest who he boinked among the stars has really been a Durlan this whole time, feeding Corps info to the bad guys. A twist that writer Van Jensen handled really well was the way John learns the REAL Fatality is still alive. The disappointment is that I wanted some earlier tip of the hat that Fatality was the real bad guy. Maybe I'm an idiot and just missed it. Her turn just seemed too out of nowhere.
Bernard Chang really hooks up the art in this book. He's perfect for drawing a Green Lantern title. And Jensen does an amazing job this issue utilizing all the tools of the GLs and someone with all the powers of Superman.
Futures End #10
I guess I'm burned by Countdown and Trinity, but every time I open up a Futures End, I expect to hate it. But so far I just keep liking it more and more.
Now not all of it. Lets not be silly. I'm over all the Grifter stuff. Why is he even in the DCU anyway? Oh yeah, he's DC co-publisher Jim Lee's creation. The CADMUS Island/Grifter plot isn't even that bad. Its just not as interesting as the other plot lines featured. So far Batman Beyond teaming up with some F-list villains to break into Terrifi-Tech has me most interested.
Aaron Lopresti on art this week. Shame he can't manage a weekly schedule all on his own.
Detective Comics #33
I wouldn't classify Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato's run on Detective as mind blowing just yet, but it IS awfully good. Its nice to just see a quiet, ground-level story about Batman being a detective and fighting normal crime.
Batman, and even Batman and Robin have been caught up in these massive arcs. Both books have been entertaining, but its nice to see this book keeping Batman at home. Just taking care of some business around Gotham City. A nice little addition to the run has been getting a closer look at Harvey Bullock and some of his history. In a couple issues, Manapul and Buccellato have given Bullock more depth than even The Animated Series did.
This is a really solid book from a really solid creative team.
Coffin Hill #9
I'm really enjoying some non DC/Marvel books lately. Between Nailbiter from Image and Coffin Hill from Vertigo, those two books are scratching a particular itch. A horror itch if you will.
What I'm really enjoying about Coffin Hill isn't just the witch/ghost stories that Caitlin Kittredge and Inaki Miranda can tell about Coffin Hill and the creepy goings on there, but they use Eve Coffin as a really different kind of witch. One that has a day job (police officer), and doesn't like calling on her powers, but will if she has to.
They've set up a pretty cool murder mystery/detective story surrounding the greater horror themes. Kittredge seems to have a full plan for the mythology of this book, not just a one and done tale about Eve Coffin. She's building a world and I'm all in.
Panel of the Week:
Bernard Chang and Mike McKone have taking to using this one color trick in each of their books. This is from Chang's Green Lantern Corps this week.
-Gint
July 11, 2014
What Do You Find Sexy
One of my favorite things about writing this strip are the characters that inhabit the McSoss Universe. While they mostly are based on our group of friends their thoughts and actions can be wildly different from their real life counter parts. It's been a true pleasure to develop the personalities of not only the main characters but the role players as well. -Soss
July 10, 2014
Soss' Suggestions 07-10-14
The Private Eye #1-6
The team of Brian K. Vaughan and Marcos Martin are at it again. This time with the ambitious creator-owned, digital only offering The Private Eye. You can find the first six issues as well as a behind the scenes book at panelsyndicate.com. Much in the style of Radiohead’s “In Rainbows,” the reader can name their price for each advertisement-free issue. To show my appreciation I made sure to leave a $2.00 donation for each. I think I’d feel like a real slime ball not paying for something so high quality.
While there is no fancy Guided View feature, you do get a pdf that you are able to download. Martin did an excellent job of designing the panels so it reads in a logical progression as you scroll down. All of this fun innovation wouldn’t mean anything if the book wasn’t good. Thankful this title is fresh, fun and very rewarding.
In the future there is no internet thanks The Flood, a digital unmasking of everyone’s deepest, darkest online secrets. This results in a world where people look down on technology and literally wear masks and fake skin to disguise themselves. We follow “Patrick Immelman" (no, he won’t tell the reader his real name) as he navigates this strange world as a private investigator. Finding peoples secrets now is big money and P.I. is the best at what he does. He soon is wrapped up in the murder investigation of his most recent client and must find out not only who her killer is but what secrets she was hiding.
The real fun of this book is the world Vaughan creates. The police are now referred to as The Press. Electronic devices have given way to more analog tools. People walk around in costumes and masks as part of their daily dress to disguise who they really are. My favorite character is P.I.’s grandfather, a heavily tattooed, tech savvy old guy who is constantly trying to solve problems with ancient and frowned upon technology straight out of 2014.
I was completely wrapped up in this strange new/old world and blasted through the first six issues in one sitting. Break out your digital device and enjoy The Private Eye. -Soss
Panel of the Week: A glimpse at our future.
July 7, 2014
Smells Like Teen Asshole
From talking to a wide range of comic book fans, it always seems like there's a lapse in readership. Usually through the teen years when you grow out of such child's play and and get involved in different interests. It isn't until maybe the college years that most fans grow nostalgic and allow themselves to get back into reading comics, or back into whatever your childhood fandom revolved around.
For myself it was giving up the holy trinity of He-Man, Transformers and Star Wars as my taste in sports and girls started to develop. I was never a comic book reader back then, but my juvenile interests waned at what seems to be a common time.
Comic books are a different medium now. Written more for adults than kids. My comic brethren will admit its hard to go back and read some of those early 90s books that, back in the day, blew their minds wide open. Now, its muddling through awful writing even if the pictures are pretty.
I guess the point is, once comics, or He-Man or whatever have their hooks in you, mostly they don't let go. They just let you go far enough to find your way back.
-Gint
Ps: I was never a huge Nirvana fan and if I had caught my young self saying things like what he says in the comic, I'd knock everyone of my own teeth out. Candlebox 4 life!
July 6, 2014
Gint's 7-2-14 Pull-List Review
This week's theme is mediocrity. No book on the Pull-List this week really knocked me out of my chair. I guess you'll have that sometimes.
Fifth Place:
Futures End #9
This issue takes a few steps in the direction of advancing all the plots, but not a whole lot happens. I feel like the big moments should have had more impact, but the last couple issues were better overall.
When you cut off a dead Hawkman's arm, sew it onto Frankenstein and then Hawkman wakes up, it should be big and exciting. Or finding out CADMUS Island is keeping Earth 2 metahumans prisoner, like Mister Miracle? But neither event was particularly worthy of my investment.
43 issues to go, folks. Buckle up. There's going to be plenty of these reviews to come.
Fourth Place:
Aquaman and the Others #4
When last issue ended, Aquaman had gotten stabbed in his stomach with his own trident. This issue he spends 98% of the time lying unconscious on the ground. That leaves it up to the Others to carry the issue.
And they do a fine job. But that seems to be the theme of the week: fine. Not amazing, or exciting, or even really good. Just okay. We learn the history behind Legend, and how he works and why he's still alive, but other than that, not a whole lot happens. We're back at the same place we left off last issue, except now everyone's back inside the castle.
The most exciting thing about the issue is the last page, and that's really only for big Vostok fans. Any big Vostok fans out there? Didn't think so. Okay, that's harsh, it could be a pretty cool plot twist that pays off next issue.
Third Place:
Futures End #9
This issue takes a few steps in the direction of advancing all the plots, but not a whole lot happens. I feel like the big moments should have had more impact, but the last couple issues were better overall.
When you cut off a dead Hawkman's arm, sew it onto Frankenstein and then Hawkman wakes up, it should be big and exciting. Or finding out CADMUS Island is keeping Earth 2 metahumans prisoner, like Mister Miracle? But neither event was particularly worthy of my investment.
43 issues to go, folks. Buckle up. There's going to be plenty of these reviews to come.
Aquaman and the Others #4
When last issue ended, Aquaman had gotten stabbed in his stomach with his own trident. This issue he spends 98% of the time lying unconscious on the ground. That leaves it up to the Others to carry the issue.
And they do a fine job. But that seems to be the theme of the week: fine. Not amazing, or exciting, or even really good. Just okay. We learn the history behind Legend, and how he works and why he's still alive, but other than that, not a whole lot happens. We're back at the same place we left off last issue, except now everyone's back inside the castle.
The most exciting thing about the issue is the last page, and that's really only for big Vostok fans. Any big Vostok fans out there? Didn't think so. Okay, that's harsh, it could be a pretty cool plot twist that pays off next issue.
Green Lantern #33
The penultimate chapter of the Uprising crossover is here! And just like the rest of Robert Venditti's time on Green Lantern, was mediocre. Even Hal's big plan of defense, while logical, was less than exciting.
Venditti's strength writing Green Lantern is the way he gets the relationship between Hal and Kilowog. There are some genuinely funny moments between the two of them in this issue. But that doesn't stretch to the rest of the cast he's using who barely top out over ho-hum. I get the feeling if Venditti focued on character more that plot, I'd enjoy his run a lot more. But that's not the case.
Uprising ends in the next issue of Green Lantern Corps. Here's hoping there are brighter days and better GL stories on the other side.
Second Place:
Nailbiter #3
Joshua Williamson and Mike Henderson's horror/thriller rolls on. Each issue has been pretty good about advancing the story and giving each character a little highlight. Three issues in and their pacing is pretty tight.
There's a long sequence over a couple pages where they use a slower pacing and flickering lights to pretty nice effect. The only issue is I have no idea what it was all about when its done. I guess that's just the further mystery of what's going on in Buckaroo, Oregon.
This issue plays a big tease at the end. I have a feeling it'll be Pretty Little Liars-style, where they hint there my be supernatural forces at play, but all along its just serial killers. Regardless, Nailbiter is a very well done book.
Nailbiter #3
Joshua Williamson and Mike Henderson's horror/thriller rolls on. Each issue has been pretty good about advancing the story and giving each character a little highlight. Three issues in and their pacing is pretty tight.
There's a long sequence over a couple pages where they use a slower pacing and flickering lights to pretty nice effect. The only issue is I have no idea what it was all about when its done. I guess that's just the further mystery of what's going on in Buckaroo, Oregon.
This issue plays a big tease at the end. I have a feeling it'll be Pretty Little Liars-style, where they hint there my be supernatural forces at play, but all along its just serial killers. Regardless, Nailbiter is a very well done book.
Superman Unchained #7
Going into the shop today, I assumed this would be the last issue of this boring book. I was told it wasn't and that there are two more to come. Wonderful. As far as disappointments have gone, this was a biggie. When you put superstar talent (Scott Snyder and Jim Lee) on a book, you expect it to be well, superstar-ish.
This issue comes the closest to living up to its potential. The actual story is still a little too complicated to fully understand what's going on, but this issue makes it real simple: Superman is fighting Sam Lane and the US military, and Batman and Wonder Woman are fighting the military's superpowered hitman, Wraith. What it's lacked in excitement for six issues it makes up for with a couple classic moments and one-liners from Superman and Batman.
This issue has been an entertaining knock-down drag-out, but I can't believe IT, or the following two issues will be enough to save this mediocre series.
Page of the Week:
Jim Lee's giant Kryptonian suit of armor for Superman. I chose this page mostly because I hate everything happening on it.
-Gint
Page of the Week:
Jim Lee's giant Kryptonian suit of armor for Superman. I chose this page mostly because I hate everything happening on it.
-Gint
July 4, 2014
Follow The CMYK Brick Road
When you sit down to record a podcast, the subject matter can go any which way. Especially with Soss, Image Matt and myself. We'll start off talking about Godzilla and spend twenty minutes on the Fantastic Four. Or... wind up in the Comic Book Kingdom.
The Comic Book Kingdom is a magical place where, if you are pure of heart, you can own any comic books you like. Its ruled by the tough, but fair hand of the Comic Book King (seen above). It is also filled with something called turkey-wolves. We don't know what they are yet either.
This magical land and its magical inhabitants sprang from free-wheelin' on Episode 62 of our podcast. The episode titled The Comic Book Kingdom. It gave us a good foundation to build this land on. Expect to see more of the Kingdom and its King, and even the turkey-wolves eventually in more comic strips. Its fertile ground for silliness and Soss and I plan on mining it.
-Gint
July 3, 2014
McSoss Podcast Episode 63: Nut Ups
There are comic franchises out there that are in desperate need of a reboot. This week we wave the magical McSoss wand over a few properties that have lost their way and make suggestions on how we would get them back on the right track.
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