These Guys Don't Care About You

As was hinted at in my last comic, Suicide Squad director David Ayer released the image of what Jared Leto will look like as the Joker. Fans, like they do, freaked the fuck out. The amount of negative press the image got had to be expected by Ayer and Warner Bros.

Well, a day or so after the hullaballoo, word started getting around the internet that the tattoos on Leto's Joker were just CG, and he wouldn't really have them, or at least most of them. Of course, this was all rumor and not confirmed by anyone. This could be one of two things: disgruntled fans trying to reconcile a bad situation, OR Warner Bros. quietly saying "uh oh" from their evil mountain volcano base and balking after the fan reaction.

Either way, I hope its true. Pull back on the tattoos. At least the "damaged" tattoo on his forehead. What I'd love is to hear an insider at Warners say is, "we released that as a test, and since the fan reaction, we're changing it." But a major evil empire, er, movie studio would never let anyone know that the fans have that much power.

Since that last comic I've softened on the image myself. Besides the tattoos, its pretty much the Joker I want. Romero and Nicholson were too cartoony. Ledger was brilliant, but in a Chris Nolan-type way. Don't ask me to explain that. You either get it or you don't. Leto still looks like he could really bring the comic/Mark Hamill Joker to life.

As far as David Ayer, hanging with the big dogs of proper fan fucking like Michael Bay and George Lucas, he's got a ways to go. So far, I still have a lot of faith that Suicide Squad will be a really cool movie, Joker's tattoos or not.

-Gint

McSoss Podcast Episode 102: Sh*t Storm

This week we breakdown the Batman v Superman trailer and give our first impressions of Jared Leto’s Joker.

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Consequences

So. That Joker image, huh? Whooo boy. It literally left me speechless. After the two previous images of Jared Leto hinting at his Joker's look, this was NOT what I saw coming. I certainly wasn't expecting the meta nature of his tattoos – things that would normally be left for word balloons in the comics. Not to mention the most disconcerting part: the "damaged" tattoo on his head. Seems someone who is honestly deranged wouldn't be calling that out, right?

Its not out of the ordinary for his character to latch on to a clown motif and completely run with it, doing his body up to reflect that. What is out of the ordinary is it seems the traditional Joker character wouldn't really care about such a vain display. His psychopathic mind would be focused on other things... like just being crazy.

Now, Geoff Johns takes the brunt of the blame in the comic above, but I'm not really sure who should be saddled with it. Is it Suicide Squad writer/director David Ayer? Is it one of the producers? Or is it Johns, whose Chief Creative Officer title was introduced as an overseer of properly bringing DC's characters to multimedia? That sounds like its Johns who should have been pumping the brakes to land on a Joker a little more like the character we're used to seeing.

That said, if you remove all those silly tattoos and the crowned teeth, that's pretty damn close to the Joker Greg Capullo has been currently drawing in Batman. There's definitely a menace there, and Leto feels like the kind of actor that can make him truly terrifying. But is anyone going to be able to see past that "damaged" tattoo to notice?

-Gint

Gint's 4-22-15 Pull-List Review

A quiet week of the Pull-List front. Star Wars and Convergence. Let's see how things shook out.

Second Place:
Convergence #3

Probably the best of the four Convergence issues so far. That's not saying a whole lot since there's been a lot of disappointment up to this point. I would have liked to have been in on the DC meeting where they decided to use Earth 2 heroes for the story, and not the familiar characters we're used to. I just can't let this go.

Carlos Pagulayan is out and Stephen Segovia is in on pencils. Segovia doesn't quite have the polish of Pagulayan, but brings his own style. Segovia's art is much closer to Leniel Francis Yu. A lot of crosshatching around the faces to give that signature look.

The most exciting bit is the end where you find out the middle of the planet Telos is Skartaris. Skartaris is an old school world from the 1970s book The Warlord. I was never a huge The Warlord fan since it was mostly before my time, but its nice to see a bit of DC history that I recognize since most of this book has been unfamiliar.

First Place:

Star Wars #4

Jason Aaron and John Cassaday hit their first homerun. We get a little bit of downtime following up the destruction of a large Imperial weapons factory. Han and Chewie are working on the Falcon, Luke is training with the Force and Leia is planning the next Rebel move. Its basically what should have been happening the whole time between A New Hope and The Empire Strikes Back.

Meanwhile, Jabba the Hutt entertains Darth Vader while they work out a new deal between the Hutt empire and well... the Empire. Seeing Vader being forced to sit around with Jabba is pretty amusing. Aaron makes Vader's impatience to get out of Jabba's company palpable.

Cassaday does some pretty nice work. The only thing that bothers me is his constant use of still shots right from the movies. From what I can tell, the reference shots are easy to pick out because they're a million times more accurate than the others.

Panel of the Week:

Hard not to pick this Cassaday splash of Boba Fett. Fett always looks cool and Cassaday really cranks up the cool.

-Gint

 

The Force Awakens... The Dead

Its probably not wise to make assumptions about a movie or character based on a one minute, fifty second clip. But that's what I do, so here I go.

Before this clip, the thought of Han Solo dying was out of the question. I know Harrison Ford has been lobbying for this since The Empire Strikes Back, but there's never been any real reason to kill the character. As long as this charming rogue is part of the franchise, we're in good shape. But Harrison Ford's current age belies Han Solo's trademark vim and vigor.

With Ford looking every bit of his 72 years, I'm afraid the character's never-get-old attitude won't work with someone who, well... got old. So if there's a way to take what screen time Han Solo has left and make them count for every second, I'm finally okay giving him the hero's death. Let Han fly off into that binary sunset before there's too much old man acting like he's not an old man.

Now, Harrison Ford may give such a definitive Han Solo performance that his age turns quietly into a mere footnote. This is Harrison Ford after all. He's built quite an impressive resume. You'd think he's a better actor now than he was in 1976. If anyone's got the chops, its him.

Still, there's something I can't shake about seeing the once virile Han Solo sporting so much grey hair and wrinkles. I suppose the fear is based in the subconscious message it sends: someday you too will be old and will have to reconcile your own trip into that binary sunset.

So thanks for that, The Force Awakens. Excuse me while I get a (hopefully) head start on my will.

-Gint

McSoss Podcast Episode 101: Dooku’s A Great Guy

There was an avalanche of Star Wars news last week. Tune in and get updated on all the happenings in a galaxy far far away. We cover everything from the Lando comic book announcement to a full breakdown of the second teaser trailer. 

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Junk In The Trunk

Last week Frank Cho received some flack for his take on Milo Manara's Spider-Woman variant cover. To demonize something that was clearly satire proves that there are certain fans and websites that are actively just trying to be offended by everything and anything. 

If you are unfamiliar with with the cover in question or this story, I have provided a link below. Maybe Paul, Matt and myself are totally off base and what Frank Cho drew was totally reprehensible. Let us know what you think in the comments section here, on the Facebook Fan Page or click the new Forum link at the bottom of the screen and start a conversation. -Soss

Just Because You Can, Doesn’t Mean You Should

Gint's 4-15-15 Pull-List Review

It was a weird week for books. Out of the three, I really only enjoyed one them.

Third Place:

Convergence #2

This is technically the third issue if you count the #0. Its an 8-part series, so we've got SIX issues to right this ship and give me something I'm excited about. So far... not so much.

I think the problem is the main cast. I mentioned this last week, but the focus on the Earth 2 heroes is lost on me. If this book surrounded the Earth 1 characters that launched the New 52, or even put together past versions of the Justice League, I'd be a lot more invested. There's no real peril, because I don't care if these characters die. Actually, I hope they DO die so they can get replaced with characters I know.

The artwork is still fantastic. Carlo Pagulayan is doing Ivan Reis-Blackest Night-type work. It's beautiful. The artwork is the only saving grace so far with the story leaving me almost entirely disinterested.

Second Place:

Bloodshot Reborn #1

Well, I took a chance on Jeff Lemire. I guess its not really a "chance" because I already love so much of his previous work. I read the 4-part The Valiant story and loved every second of it, so it made sense that I should try out Lemire's Bloodshot. But the Bloodshot in this book is a little different.

The Bloodshot I was introduced to in The Valiant was a fully powered-up mercenary without much care for himself because he can regenerate at will. This Bloodshot is powerless and is coping with that. The tone is much darker and much more introspective than what I was expecting. I wanted a cares-to-the-wind shoot 'em up, but got psychological instability.

I'll stick with it for an arc. I expect arc one to be about Bloodshot find his way back to being THE Bloodshot. At least I hope so.

First Place:

Nova #29

Ahh... boy do I love an issue of Nova that isn't tied into a crossover. Its never better than when Gerry Duggan and David Baldeon can just tell their story.

School is out for the summer and Sam makes it his personal mission to go off to space and find his dad. Part of that plan involves Sam putting a bounty out on his father in order to get any information he can. That is clearly going to cause trouble and more than likely fold in some guest stars like Captain Marvel, Rocket Raccoon and Beta Ray Bill. Should continue to be a fun ride.

Baldeon is doing great work. It reminds me of Patrick Gleason's run on Green Lantern Corps. Like Gleason, Baldeon has a knack for being able to make the aliens and their ships and worlds all be very believable inside the tone of the book. I hope Baldeon and Duggan get along because I'd like to see this partnership continue.

Panel of the Week:

Mico Suayan really loves drawing fabric texture. So many wrinkles. Everything looks like its silk. Why isn't everything sliding all over the place?

-Gint

Tummy of Steel

A few weeks ago we here at McSoss were discussing superheros in horror movie scenarios. For instance – what would happen if you dumped Superman in Hostel. The consensus was he couldn't handle it, and maybe wasn't the best superhero to break up that kidnapping/torture/murder ring. Maybe leave that to Wolverine or the Secret Six. They'd properly rip though those Slovaks without thinking twice.

Often when I'm watching a horror movie my mind will turn to how a particular superhero would intervene. Like, how would Green Lantern handle the throwdown at the trailer in The Hills Have Eyes? Or what would Batman do in The Grudge? Well, Batman would probably have to call John Constantine, but you get the idea.

There's a good chance that's just how I process my own personal fear/discomfort while watching horror movies, a genre that I honestly love. In the meantime I'll continue to imagine the Flash quickly dismantling Jigsaw's deathtraps before capturing him/her the next time I see one of the Saws.

-Gint

Soss' Suggestions 04-014-15

Ant-Man #1

Writer Nick Spencer and artist Ramon Romana deliver their take on the Scott Lang version of Ant-Man and just in time for the movie! I’m not very familiar with this version of Ant-Man. He is a down on his luck ex-Avenger with a pissed off ex-wife, a dump of an apartment and a criminal past. The first issue sets the stage as he interviews for the  Stark Industries Head of Security position in order to provide for his daughter. 

The overall lighthearted tone reminds me of what Matt Fraction was doing on Hawkeye. I am getting a little worried that all the B and C list Marvel heroes are receiving the same “quirky” treatment. Is it still quirky if its mainstream?

If the tone of the upcoming movie is similar to this book I think I’ll be happy. Lang’s interaction with his daughter is heartwarming and Spencer does a great job of making this book funny but not overly goofy. -Soss

Panel of the Week: Who knew Stark was such a hater.

McSoss Podcast Episode 100: Matt Has Fish

Happy 100th episode to us!! This week we celebrate this milestone by playing the McSoss Champion of Knowledge game. We also discuss the controversy surrounding Frank Cho.

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Feeling Froggy

So... Convergence. For the uninitiated, Convergence is DC's big summer event where they make all the different timelines they've written over the decades come together in one place and fight to be the one true timeline. Issues #0 and #1 are currently in stores and both of them were more confusing than anything else.

Unless the writing team of Jeff King and Dan Jurgens really pull this together, I'm willing to say these kinds of events just don't work. Countdown Arena pitted the same characters from different timelines against each other and it was a disaster. Its fun to think about what your heroes would do if they fought each other, but there's never a way to do it that isn't contrived. Maybe this event should be called Contrivance (ba-dum ching).

So far the setup is way more complicated that it should be... but I guess you have to do some mental acrobatics in order to get two Supermen to fight each other. And the Earth 2 characters that lead you through the setup in issue #1 just aren't interesting. I want to care about these characters and so far... I don't. Kill them, I don't care.

Marvel is doing a similar "timelines fight each other" story (Secret Wars) this summer, and I expect the same sort of weighed down plot to get Captain America to fight Captain America.

Its times like these when I'm reminded of my old buddy Pat who worked at different comic shops most of his life. A few years older than me, he'd already been around the block a few times. In my comics infancy, my excitement would be met with, "ugh, not another one of these." Now, years later when I've been around those same blocks, I understand his resigned nature toward the Big Two's big events. And it bums me out.

I want to be excited about the characters I've loved for a long time. Knowing that that isn't going to happen takes some of the fun out of reading comics. Its a good thing we're in an age of the medium where there are more varying titles than ever. Something is sure to catch your interest. You may just have to start looking a little harder.

-Gint

Gint's 4-8-15 Pull-List Review

This was sort of an odd week. I'm not sure I had a clear cut favorite book as even Darth Vader gets a little weird.

Fourth Place:

Convergence #1

So... this book has got some work to do. The trigger for the event is so contrived its almost painful. I explained this last week, but here we go again: the planet (Telos) Brainiac has been using to store his bottled cities of different DC realities now has a mind of its own. It has decided, much like the Highlander, there can be only one true bottled DC reality. So... THEY MUST FIGHT!

Our entrance characters are the New 52's Earth 2 Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Flash, Avatar of the Red and Dick Grayson. None of these characters are particularly interesting. Maybe if I had been reading the Earth 2 book all this time I'd be more invested. So far, I'm not.

The art by penciler Carlo Pagulayan and inks by Jason Paz is fantastic. It takes me back to Ivan Reis/Joe Prado's old Green Lantern work. Hands down, the best part of this book is the art. If Pagulayan and Paz can keep up the high quality, that'll be a nice consolation prize if the story doesn't hook me.

Third Place:

Saga #27

A couple friends have agreed with me lately that this current fun of Saga hasn't been all that great. Its good, don't get me wrong. But the last six or so issues its been sad. Marko and Alana are split up and everything is a mess. Being an Empire Strikes Back fan this should have me excited. But it's TOO much of a bummer.

But the bigger issue with this current story is its pace. The first couple arcs, shit was going down. Everything was moving faster while being caught up in Alana and Marko fleeing the authorities and being pursued by Prince Robot IV. This current lull while our heroes deal with some internal, emotional struggles has left me wanting more.

Second Place:

Darth Vader #4

Last issue took a straaange turn when it introduced Triple Zero and BT-1: Darth Vader's own sadistic R2-D2 and C-3PO. Triple Zero is a black 3PO with red eyes that specializes in human torture. BT-1 is an astromech who is a specialized assassin droid that loves his job. These two characters are bizarre. They could be cool if not for their "He-Man has Battle Cat so we have to give Skeletor Panthor" vibe. The mirror effect is just too inorganic.

This story has been cool, but seeing Darth Vader interact with brand new characters in new environments (besides Geonosis) is off putting. We're so used to seeing him surrounded by Stormtroopers and other Imperials that seeing him cruise that galaxy on his own with random scoundrels doesn't feel natural.

Salvador Larroca is absolutely killing the art. Every panel looks amazing. John Cassaday could take some lessons from him about how to draw C-3PO. Or... Triple Zero as it is. Its still the best book of the three new Marvel Star Wars books but its clearly blazing its own trail.

First Place:

Coffin Hill #17

Caitlin Kittredge and Inaki Miranda are quietly putting together a nice run on a book. I say quietly because I never see anything about this book on the internet. Maybe I'm visiting the wrong places? But its a quality story with quality art every month. Probably the most unsung book I buy.

Emma Coffin has come back from the dead and has started possessing children to make them kill their families. The police working the case don't want to believe Eve's insistence that there's a witch at play. We learn there's a tie to someone's imaginary friend that may not be so imaginary. The setup for that is super creepy.

If iZombie finds success on the CW, and with current creepy mainstays The Vampire Diaries and Supernatural, I'd be all for Vertigo/DC pushing Coffin Hill for the series treatment. Its built a solid enough world in the story to more than hold its own.

Panel of the Week:

Salvador Larroca's Triple Zero: specializing in human/cyborg relations... and torture.

-Gint

Nerds Descend!

Comic Convention season is here. Some shows like WonderCon have already tore through Anaheim like a pack of wild wargs... okay that's probably overstating things a bit. Comicons are quite different than a Kenny Chesney concert that results in the city looking like a set piece from The Walking Dead. Nerds are more low key than your drunk summer concert goer.

Since childhood I have been a Voltron fan. Since my brother's childhood he's been a Power Rangers fan. Growing up (in a sense) with both properties, its surprising that the similarities never occurred to me until recently. I guess during high school was "too cool" to really give a shit. My outrage over Pacific Rim being a quasi-Voltron ripoff has been pretty intense. And that's not even close to being the near carbon copy that Power Rangers is. If I felt as strongly then as I do now, I may have gone and picketed where the Power Rangers were filming.

I suppose it could have been the live action nature of Power Rangers that threw me off. All the exaggerated body movements and big rubber suits must have camouflaged its Voltron-ness just enough to sneak past me.

All that said, I harbor no ill-will toward Power Rangers. At its core, I like the concept. Of course I do – its Voltron. And I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a small part of me that wanted to see a more mature version of the franchise on the big screen.

Though clearly, if that happens before a live action Voltron, I will fucking riot and I will turn downtown Hollywood into a legit nightmarish post-apocalyptic set piece.

-Gint

McSoss Podcast Episode 99: Cookie Talk

This week discuss our favorite cookies, the current and future state of DC television and Whatcha’ Been Readin’.


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Ink

I have always been a big sissy about getting tattoos. It’s not a fear of needles thing. I've given blood multiples times and received weekly allergy shots as a kid.  It’s the fear of being stuck with a piece of artwork for the rest of my life.

I have zero confidence that I would make a smart choice.  I have a bad feeling I would end up with some ink that illustrated my love for Clone High or Dynamite Hack. 

The tattoo artist in the second panel is none other than friend and brother of the podcast Matthew Kibert. He is a talented tattoo artist as well as an amazing podcast guest. Get in touch with him through his Facebook profile if you are looking to get some work done. -Soss

Gint's 4-1-15 Pull-List Review

Its almost all DC all the time this week, until Image's Nailbiter screws it all up.

Fourth Place:
Convergence #0

We are finally here. Its been months in the making and we finally get our first issue of DC's Convergence. And how was it, you ask? Well, pretty confusing. Lets see if I can distill this at all.

All the Brainiac's you've seen in DC's history up to this point haven't been the real Brainiac at all. They've all been part of this sentient planet that the real Brainiac made in his image. Its also the planet he uses to store all the worlds and timelines he's taken over the years. By the issue's end, all these false Brainiacs have decided they're just one man and there can only be one world and timeline. Which mean's this guy will be pitting all the worlds/timelines in fights with each other leading to Convergence.

So there you have it. If that doesn't make sense to you, its okay. Its some crazy high concept comics shit. I think I understand it, but if I wind up being wrong, I won't be surprised.

Third Place:

Futures End #48

So... I was under the impression #48 was the last issue of Futures End. If so, what a shitty fucking ending.

Tim Drake (as Batman Beyond) goes into the future Terry McGinnis came from to see if he fixed everything. He didn't. Brother Eye won and turned the entire world (and moon) into a nightmare run by a thinking machine. Like Terminator future.

Now, I am fairly certain next week we'll see an issue #49. DC has had the balls to do some stuff in the past, but ending Futures End the way this issue wrapped is a horrible idea. I also think this tangentially ties into Convergence... I'm just not sure how yet.

Second Place:
Superman Wonder Woman #17

That'll do it. Another book wrapping up to make way for Convergence and the New DC Universe afterwards. Peter Tomasi and Doug Mahnke will stay on the book when its relaunched, so I imagine they'll pick up lines from the story they've already told.

This issue ends unsatisfactorily. Mostly because Circe gets away. But I guess she can't come back in later issues to cause trouble if they completely wrap her story. Wonder Woman takes center stage this issue showing her smarts besides her brutal strength to stop Circe and Magog. Tomasi is one of the best writers working. The way he's capable of really tapping into who a character is is outstanding.

I'm not excited about DC's new direction post-Convergence, but I am looking forward to seeing what Tomasi and Mahnke will do with it. 

First Place:
Nailbiter #11

Nailbiter kicks off a brand new story arc, conveniently noted on the cover. Looks like Image is taking a page out of Marvel's playbook by trying to play on the #1 of a new story arc. If you got this book because of the #1 blurb, you won't be disappointed.

This is one of my favorite issues of Nailbiter. The story flips between Finch torturing Warren for info on why Buckaroo, OR is so fucked up, and Agent Barker being abducted and forced to watch a man get chopped to pieces. What really stood out was the artwork. Mike Henderson and the art team really stepped up their game. All the page layouts were really well done including a 2-page 20-panel spread that really builds a frenetic pace during the climax of the story.

Nailbiter has had some ups and downs but its mostly been ups. After this issue I'm more excited about this book than I have been in the past.

Panel of the Week:

Here's an example of some of the cool work Mike Henderson is doing in Nailbiter.

-Gint

Full Service Robot

These are the things you never thought about as a kid. When you were young, Keith and Co. hopping into those robot lions and forming Voltron was enough. The logistics of what was actually going on wasn't important. For instance, how each lion is probably equipped with a bathroom.

Keith, Sven, Lance, Pidge, Hunk and eventually Princess Allura were Space Explorers. They explored space. Most of the time they were cozy at home in the Castle of Lions, but when long trips were involved, those lions had to have amenities. Sleeping quarters, bathrooms, maybe even a kitchenette? And when they formed Voltron, could you travel from lion to lion? Did the Black Lion have a common area since it was larger? All the more reason to finally make a live action Voltron so we can get these questions answered.

In the meantime, I recommend Brandon Thomas' Voltron run from Dynamite. He did a run on the main book and he also wrote a Voltron: Year One which is tremendously good. Excellent art in Year One too. The biggest problem with the main book was he never got a good artist to really bring the story home. Thomas' vision for the Voltron team (which takes place years after the show ends) was brilliant. You can appreciate the thought he put into crafting each story. He doesn't however answer the bathroom issue.

I guess no book is perfect.

-Gint

Soss' Suggestions 04-02-15

The Uncanny Inhumans #0

Marvel’s plan to replace the X-Men franchise with The Inhumans is in full swing. Recently there have been many conspiracy theories about Marvel’s desire to bury all things X-Men in favor of a similar property that Marvel Studio’s owns, namely The Inhumans. It honestly makes me sick that the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is seemingly contributing to the exile of the X-Men, Fantastic Four and to a lesser degree Spider-Man. I understand the goal is to make money but it’s disgusting to watch a company devalue it’s own beloved characters in the quest for the all mighty dollar.

With all of that in mind I tried my best to have a non-biased look at Charles Soule and Steve McNiven’s take on the inhabitants of Attilan. King Black Bolt stars here as we follow him on a journey through space and time as he searches for his lost son.  

My main problem with this book and The Inhumans in general is their leader Black Bolt.  It’s tough to make a character that doesn't speak compelling. Soule makes a valiant effort but in the end this book is just a string of characters talking at Black Bolt. It’s a one sided conversation followed by another conversation followed by… you get the picture. Thank god for McNiven’s excellent facial expressions which give the reader some sense of what is on Mr. Bolt’s mind. 

If you are looking for the next stars of the MCU check out The Uncanny Inhumans #0. -Soss

Panel of the Week: Inside voices please.