Know Your Strengths

Zombie's aren't scary. Zombie's are about as threatening as the Mummy. They're slow, not incredibly bright and need to be in a group to be effective. Maybe that's why zombie culture is so prevalent these days: because everyone thinks they can survive the zombie apocalypse. You don't hear too much about the vampire apocalypse because that shit would be over in about an hour. Or even the werewolf apocalypse. Also, instant death. But zombies give even the dimmest bulb in the box a fighting chance.

That brings me to the comic above. Whenever I see a Zombie Apocalypse Response Unit logo on a truck (never on a sensible sedan), I'm pretty sure the driver is one of two people: 1. a horror aficionado that would be completely out of his safe zone when the zombie apocalypse came a knocking; and 2. meatheads with a cellar full of ordnance who would be just as scary as a hoard of the undead.

Getting a first-hand look at how these "experts" (that means you too, Zombie Survival Guide author) would fare during the end times would be just as exciting as seeing how I would fare. Chances are it wouldn't be long knowing my penchant for forgetting important details.

If you want to read a good zombie book, I highly recommend John L. Campbell's Omega Days. We met the man in Altoona and he was a great guy. I just finished it and loved it. I'm willing to bet John Campbell would do well in the zombie apocalypse.

Ultimately though, lets pray for the vampire apocalypse. There's at least a chance we get super powers out of that one.

-Gint

Gint's 6-24-15 Pull-List Review

Light week dipping into the post-Convergence DC waters...

Second Place:

Superman #41

Though Geoff Johns is off as writer, John Romita, Jr. remains as artist. When Romita, Jr. first joined Superman, I was very critical of his artwork. I'm less critical this issue, but I'm not sure whether its because the art is better, or because I have a new gauge for his talent.

In the post-Convergence DC Universe, Lois Lane has outed Clark as being Superman. That's right: no more secret identity. Books like Superman Wonder Woman jump right into that status quo. This issue, thankfully, gets into why this happened. And so far, I'm interested.

Gene Luen Yang is on writing duty and tells a story that's sort of refreshing, especially in light of all of DC's recent fumbles over Superman. To open the book you get Jimmy, Perry, Lois and Clark, all working at the Daily Planet. Nary a new character you don't give a shit about is seen. It feels like a Superman book.

Eventually, Superman will cut his hair and wear a t-shirt (with his torn cape wrapped around his fists?!?!) instead of the traditional costume, but I'm at least being open minded to it being an interesting ride getting there.

First Place:

Green Lantern: Lost Army #1

A brand new launch for the Green Lanterns. Brand new status quo. Hal Jordan is off being a douchebag with long hair in a hoodie out in space (thanks to Robert Venditti wrapping that car around a tree) and the rest of the Corps is lost in space. Literally.

The book centers around John Stewart and a handful of writer Cullen Bunn's favorite Lanterns lost in some other galaxy without a way to get back to their own, or to recharge their dwindling power rings. Its an interesting concept and one I'm willing to give a shot based on Cullen Bunn's writing. I've enjoyed his Sinestro book and this one is off to a good start. That start has a lot to do with resetting some characters (Guy is a combo Red and Green Lantern but at least he doesn't have that ridiculous long hair and Hulk Hogan mustache), and Stewart, Kilowog, et al. feel like the real characters. If you've been reading the Lantern books since the New 52 launch, you know this is important.

Its also off to a good start because Jesus Saiz is an amazing artist. He handles the pencils, inks and color and it all looks amazing. His linework is so clean you could eat off of it. Truth be told, if Saiz wasn't drawing this book I probably wouldn't have given it a shot. But he crushed it.

Panel of the Week:

I love that Jesus Saiz's Krona has a bit of Terrence Stamp in him. Kneel before Krona and all that.

-Gint

D'iamond In The R'ough

I'm not actually sure Soss would like the new Martian Manhunter book. His tastes have swayed a little farther away from classic superhero fare than mine have. But I would be thrilled if he did because I really liked it.

I've always been a J'onn J'onzz fan. That's Martian Manhunter's real name for you civilians. What really sealed the deal was Carl Lumbly's voice performance on the animated Justice League series. He gave him a quiet reverence. Made him thoughtful and introspective. Knowing this alien with the sensitive soul had all the powers of Superman and more made J'onn super interesting. But that's something that was never really captured in the comic book version.

J'onn has had a couple attempts at solo series, but none ever really panned out. The New 52 version was completely unlikable and had some history of being kicked out of the League. One issue into Rob Williams and Eddie Barrows' new series, and they may have cracked the code. So far, J'onn is quiet, sort of a loner and most important – likable.

It looks like the white martians will be the main bad guys... again... but J'onn's rogues gallery is pretty much just the white martians. I would love to see this book be a hit and give Williams' the time to explore J'onn's world. I'd even like to see his human identity – John Jones.

Martian Manhunter has always been a character that, like Superman, shouldn't be hard to write, but people just can't seem to do it. If you're at the comic shop, or on Amazon, I highly recommend giving Martian Manhunter a try. If you don't like it, well... you have terrible taste.

-Gint

Soss' Suggestions 06-25-15

Starve #1

In the near future, the world as we know it has crumbled under the weight of a worldwide famine. Hollywood movie stars and famous musicians have given way to reality cooking show stars as the high point in celebrity. The number one show in this bleak, post- apocalyptic land is Starve, which stars master chef Gavin Cruikshank. 

Following the collapse of society, Cruikshank placed himself in a self-imposed exile. During his absence Starve reruns have become a cultural phenomenon. The broadcasting network that owns the rights to the show blackmails Cruikshank in order to have him complete the final episodes of his contract. Things have changed quite a bit since Gavin last put on an apron and the types of cuisines that he is asked to prepare in an Iron Chef-style kitchen battle are less then appealing. 

Writer Brian Wood typically excels in character-driven stories but I can’t find any sort of connection with these characters or this world. Danijel Zezelj art, while skillfully drawn, was difficult for me to follow in this first issue. The world is a dark bleak place so I understand what he is going for. It just wasn't for me. I may give the second issue a try but this book paled in comparison to many of the other titles I’ve enjoyed this past month. -Soss

Panel of the Week: Oh the horror!!!

McSoss Podcast Episode 109: Rollercoaster Pitter-patter

This week we give our official review of Jurassic World, discuss Paul’s Star Wars yard sale, update the audience on Matt’s never ending war with Rob Liefeld and make our proposal for theater beheadings. 

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If You Want To Win The Lottery You've Got To Make The Money To Buy A Ticket

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed Nightcrawler. Jake Gyllenhaal’s performance as the well-spoken, yet wildly unsettling Louis Bloom is one of my favorites of this past year. It shares stylistic similarities with Drive so fans of that film will probably enjoy this one.

We're introduced to Bloom early in the story as he is trying to sell stolen copper to a junkyard. What jumped out at me was the manner in which he negotiated with the gruff foreman. He is a man seemingly with zero formal education. In place of college or other forms of higher learning Bloom has taught himself a variety of things via online courses. Every line he utters sounds as if it was ripped from an HR packet or inspirational poster. Once he stumbles upon the shady world of freelance video news reporting his warped business strategy kicks into high gear.

Armed with a questionable moral compass, a psychotic determination to succeed and a camera, Bloom begins his ascension to the top of Los Angeles' freelance news scene. He is relentless in the purist of his goals and does everything in his power to achieve them.

Gyllenhaal’s performance is chilling and captivating. I think this may be his finest work to date. -Soss

Gint's 6-17-15 Pull-List Review

After a DC-free week last week, the old distinguished competition pulled me right back in ringing me up for four books.

Fourth Place:

Superman Wonder Woman #18 

The current status quo of the DCU doesn’t impress me. Bruce Wayne is dead(?) and the world knows Clark Kent is Superman. He’s cut his hair short and has a healthy 5 o’clock shadow. He’s also taken to wearing a t-shirt and jeans again. I’m inclined to stay away from this current DC climate. However, I’m a sucker for Peter Tomasi and Doug Mahnke. They don’t make bad books.

And even now, I can’t say this book was bad. Lets be clear: it wasn’t great. But if anyone has a shot at getting me invested in this new Clark Kent, its these guys. This issue Clark gets a panicked call from Lana in the middle of the night. Clark and Diana fly (Wonder Woman flies them because Clark is still at half power [not sure why]) to Smallville to check it out. What they find are unexplained missing people and whole buildings vanished including the Kent farm. Its an interesting mystery, but the reason I’m here is for Tomasi to make me like this close-cropped Supes.

Tomasi has a knack for bringing the character and humanity out of characters in the middle of big action and crises. He makes you give a shit. I feel like Tomasi’s got his work cut out for him, but if anyone can do it, this is the team. 

Second Place:

Prez #1 

If you bought this book and expected a cute story about a teenage girl becoming the President of the United States, you’re going to be disappointed. This is not a story for tweens. Its a story for cynical adults. And it was awesome.

Written by Mark Russell and drawn by Ben Caldwell, Prez takes a satirical look at the future of the United States. It slams the direction of politics, social media and generally where society is going. Its also legitimately funny. A couple panels, and some of Caldwell’s artwork, made me chuckle out loud. The first issue centers around the presidential election. Using social media to vote (and some other circumstances) leaves a loophole open for a teenage girl to gain enough votes to win the election. Its a really clever book and something you wouldn’t expect from DC.

Caldwell’s art is beautiful. I loved his work on Wednesday Comics and he brings his A-game here. Mark Russell said Caldwell’s clever art really enhanced his story and he’s right. The care that’s put in to the backgrounds of panels are worth looking at for little in-jokes. 

Second Place:

Martian Manhunter #1

I totally picked this book up on a whim. I don’t do much of that. I’m the kind of guy that likes to research a book before I commit. I’m glad I took a chance on this one.

J’onn J’onzz has aways been a fan favorite of mine. I would replace Cyborg on the Justice League with J’onn so fast I’d go back in time. But for some reason, J’onn hasn’t been able to sustain a solo book. This time, writer Rob Williams seems to have gotten J’onn right (so far). When the New 52 kicked off, DC made J’onn a total dickhead that had been kicked out of the League. This issue, Williams has tapped into the Justice League Animated Series J’onn that’s more sensitive and introspective. He’s likable, and I like it.

Also impressive about this issue was Eddie Barrows’ art. Barrows has been around for a while and I’ve never been a huge fan. I didn’t even realize it was him until about half way through this issue. There are some panels that are absolutely stunning. If Barrows’ can keep the quality up over the run, he may have made a new fan.

First Place:

JLA #1

This may be the Justice League book I’ve always wanted. Geoff Johns’ current run on Justice League has been pretty good, but like most writers, Johns had to put his own stamp on it and change the members of the team. I don’t understand why writers can’t just use the Big 7 (and Cyborg). Fingers crossed we continue to get that from Bryan Hitch.

The story takes place somewhere in current DC continuity, but still outside it. Sort of a "Legends of the Justice League." And he’s using the Big 7, including Hal Jordan. Issue #1 sets up a greater mysterious threat to the League and also uses Parasite. Hitch’s fight with Parasite is one of the coolest I’ve seen regarding the League. His Justice Leaguers are still a little green, make some rookie mistakes and get a little schooled by Parasite. Its how most DC heroes should be written to combat the old “DC heroes are too powerful” horseshit.

So far so good with this book. The biggest concern will be timing. Hitch is writing AND drawing the book, and as we all know, he’s not the most speedy artist.

Panel of the Week:

I don't know what this is, but Eddie Barrows draws the shit out of it.

-Gint

Ballraiser

Freshman year in high school, a buddy and I sat on the roof of my house which, in the distance, overlooked a cemetery. We started talking about how creepy it would be if we saw Pinhead rise up out of the cemetery and silently point at us. We scared ourselves so bad, we were done hanging out on the roof. That was probably the last time Pinhead was scary.

I never saw Hellraiser in its entirety until at least my late teens or early 20s. My whole youth I was under the impression Pinhead was a solo killer like Jason or Freddy. This made him scarier. When I found out he was a demon that gets summoned from hell with his Cenobite buddies to inflict pain (or pleasure) when you fuck with the Puzzle Box, it took a lot of the scare out. Well, okay, I won't fuck with the Puzzle Box and I'll be fine. Much like Sinister wasn't scary – okay, I don't have kid. Nothing to worry about here.

The original Texas Chainsaw Massacre is fucking dumb, but the Jessica Biel remake is terrifying. I'd like to see a new take on Hellraiser, but the whole bit about the Puzzle Box opening a door to another dimension may be too silly for today's audiences. Its just not grounded enough. Maybe the days of sci-fi horror are over?

That said, Pinhead, Hellraiser and all those bad 80s horror movies like Phantasm and Puppetmaster will always hold a soft spot in my heart. Whether I saw them as a kid or just stared at the VHS boxes in the video store, they were undeniably a part of my childhood.

Thanks to my brother and our buddy Paul for doing the legwork brainstorming the idea for this comic. Drawing an outraged Pinhead was super fun. So much fun, this may not be the last time we see him.

-Gint

Soss' Suggestions 06-18-15

Airboy #1

Airboy... how fucking stupid does that character sound? Answer: pretty fucking stupid. It got even worse even I realized that this was a re-imagining of a public domain character from the 1940s. Fortunately for me and all of the comic book buying public, writer James Robinson and artist Greg Hinkle have something much more captivating in mind then an ordinary reboot. Airboy is actually an over-exaggerated take on Robinson and Hinkle’s struggle to create something interesting with this dull and forgotten hero.  

After being given the task of resurrecting the World War II era hero Airboy, James Robinson does what any creator stricken with writers block would do: he enlists the help of the reluctant Hinkle and proceeds to go on a booze and cocaine fueled bender. All in the name of art… of course.

Robinson’s meta look at his creative process is refreshing. While he is clearly being outrageous for the sake of the story, part of me hopes that all of the hi-jinx in the first issue are true. I found it interesting that Robinson references his unhappiness at DC and his fear of being typecast as a “Golden Age hack.” 

Greg Hinkle's cartoonish style is the perfect fit for this wild ride. The story itself is a caricature of the situation, so it only feels right to have caricature’s of Robinson and Hinkle running around in this world. 

If nothing else, I can say that there isn’t another book on the shelves like Airboy. While I can’t guarantee everyone will like this book, I can guarantee everyone will get a chuckle from Greg Hinkle’s self portrait of his... pencil. All the other contenders for Panel of the Week didn’t stand a chance. –Soss

Panel of the Week:  Is that Greg Hinkle or Peter North?

McSoss Podcast Episode 108: Cannon-Nickel

After a week of rest and relaxation the McSoss crew returns fresh and ready to podcast! We review Mad Max: Fury Road as well as the current state of Marvel’s Star Wars books

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The Next Peter Parker

It appears that Sony and Marvel Studios have narrowed down the search for the latest and greatest Peter Parker to three actors: Tom Holland, Charlie Plummer and Matthew Lintz. I honestly have never heard of any of these kids and I really don't care which one the studios pick. I trust the studio casting directors but I wish they would make up their minds.

My hope is that they make a selection soon so we can at least have a cameo in Captain America: Civil War. I'm excited to finally see my favorite hero connect with the rest of the MCU but I've been spoiled by this golden age of comic movie movies. I want what I want and I want it now! -Soss

Gint's 6-10-15 Pull-List Review

You'd think in this Game of Thrones climate I'd be somewhat desensitized to a character's sudden death. Well, Brian K. Vaughan and Saga tested that theory.

Third Place:

Coffin Hill #19

I would love to talk to Caitlin Kittredge and ask if she's had some of the events of this book planned out from the start. I would assume, yes. Especially when it comes to the Coffin Mansion that's been its own character in the background since issue #1.

This issue we learn a little more about the house and that it's actually a ghost trap and not just the creepy mansion on the hill. We also get a little more sympathy for Ellie Coffin who has been a total bitch since the book started. Now we understand a little bit of the "why."

Inaki Miranda does more of his stellar work this issue, particularly on the depiction of Coffin House behind the veil. We've seen it all series, but now we see it from the perspective of the ghost world. Miranda gives it a living tentacled look that H.P. Lovecraft would be proud of.

Second Place:

Saga #29

Just when you think Saga has found a handful of characters to keep around for a while, Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples go ahead and kill them. With absolutely no warning either. Well, maybe the slightest of warnings this issue. But that just makes it sting more.

Just when I'm all buckled into my love of The Brand, she gets bit in half by a giant space salamander. Gwendolyn may be dead too. That one's a little more up in the air. Oh yeah, Prince Robot IV also gets it pretty bad this issue. May be dead. Brutal. Just brutal. If you like Game of Thrones-style anyone-can-die then this is your book.

Fiona Staples, who has drawn every issue of this stellar book is also now working on Archie. It blows my mind that she'll be going between Saga (where she draws things like space salamander's blowing themselves) to wholesome Archie (which will assumingly have none of that).

First Place:

Descender #3

The big take away from this issue, much like this month's Coffin Hill, is that we learn more about the past of a bitchy character and develop a little emotion for them. This time its Telsa, the blue alien female with red hair that, in my estimation, is super hot.

She's the lead from the UGC (United Galactic Council... I think) to bring in the Tim-21 robot. She's cold and merciless and focused only on her mission. Then we find out a little about why she's that way and I like her all the more.

The first issue was a lot of setup, but now that we're passed all that, Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen can focus on some space adventure. And that's what we get this issue: a lot of Star Wars-style goodness.

Panel of the Week:

This exchange from Saga #29 cracked me up.

-Gint

A Is For Attak Trak

Its no secret I love He-Man. You know... in a totally hetero way. Its also no secret I love Pretty Little Liars. I watched the pilot when it premiered and have seen every episode since. It blew my mind last week when I realized this is the start of season 6. Its crazy that I've been hooked on this show for 5 seasons already. I suppose it helps when your main cast is undeniably breathtaking to look at.

When the show premiered it centered around a missing girl who was maybe back from the dead to enact revenge on her friends using the moniker "A." What I loved most about the first couple seasons was the possibility that PLL had a supernatural element. You didn't know if the killer was real or a ghost. They've since gotten farther and farther away from that. They tried the supernatural-based spinoff Ravenswood and that tanked. But I think that had more to do with casting (not Tyler Blackburn, he's flawless) than the concept. They've toed around the subject on PLL, but I'm DYING for them to really jump into it.

How absolutely crazy would it be if two of the girls got killed and the other two went off Winchester style hunting the undead?! FUCK YOU TAKE MY MONEY!

Until then its up to me to devise a way for He-Man to use a Boom Tube that opens in Rosewood to finally rid Spencer, Aria et al of the menace known as "A"... or as I'll write him, Skeletor.

-Gint

Soss' Suggestions 06-11-15

A-Force #1

A-Force is a book that inhabits the Battleworld of this year's Marvel event Secret Wars. You'll need to read Secret Wars #1 and #2 to have a full understanding of what is going on in A-Force. 

When a an ancient Megalodon shark attacks the protectors of Arcadia spring into action. The unimaginatively named A-Force is led by She-Hulk and made up of the Marvel Universe's most powerful and iconic female heroes. During the battle Miss America Chavez tosses the monster across the borders into Marvel Zombies land, damaging the wall separating kingdoms. This does not sit well with Doctor Doom who is the ruler/god of Battleworld. She is sentenced to guarding the wall for the rest of her days. What Doom says goes. 

As much as I bitched about the idea of Secret Wars I’ve enjoyed the few books that I’ve picked up. The idea and execution of Battleworld is solid. The characters are fleshed out and there is a history with this strange place. It doesn’t feel like everyone was dumped into a box and forced to fight. It feels organic and surprisingly authentic.-Soss

Panel of the Week: Shark Week comes early this year.

The Most Interesting Man With A Paintbrush

When I went to sleep the other night, I had no intention of dreaming about Bob Ross. I haven't given Bob Ross a thought in who knows how long. But there he was in subconscious technicolor braving treacherous oceans and exhibiting the mastery of a tattoo machine I've never seen – nor will ever see. He was the living embodiment of Chuck Norris and The Most Interesting Man In The World.

Usually my dreams don't provide comic fodder. Most of the time I'm in some kind of action-adventure-type peril. Strangely, there's usually fighting which involves me bludgeoning someone with my fists. I'm not a violent guy, so maybe that's my outlet. Maybe if I stop having violent dreams a good argument on the podcast about The Purge would end in a domestic assault. Neither Soss or I should want that since we're both pussies.

So... here's to Bob Ross, one of the most colorful public television personalities we're likely to ever see. May he forever paint those happy little clouds in the sky.

-Gint

Gint's 6-3-15 Pull-List Review

What was nice about Convergence month was that my Pull-List was down to about three books a week. Nice and easy to review, and nice and easy on my wallet. This week was the opposite of that.

Seventh Place:

Princess Leia #4

This issue wasn't bad. It was just kind of boring. I'm still enjoying it, but this one didn't tip the scales one way or the other. Leia sets herself up to be taken into custody by the Empire, but clearly has a plan to get out of it. Clever, Mark Waid. Clever.

What really stood out in the negative column was some of the art. Where Terry and Rachel Dodson's art is usually incredibly smooth and flowing, some panels were a bad, choppy Alex Maleev impression. Most jarring were the panels that included both styles at once.

Marvel's new Star Wars line has had a real ebb and flow. Some months one book is the best, others its another one. This month wasn't Princess Leia's month.

Sixth Place:

Batman Beyond #1

My first DC book coming out of Convergence is one heavily tied into Futures End. If you didn't read Futures End, I would assume you'd have some questions about what's going on in this book. The rundown is Terry McGinnis (the original Batman Beyond) came back to our timeline, died, and sent Tim Drake back in his place.

On the plus side, I really like seeing Tim Drake get his own book. On the minus, its not a Robin book. And I mean Robin, not that Red Robin bullshit. The writer/artist team of Dan Jurgens and Bernard Chang were enough to pull me in with the promise of a Tim Drake book I can enjoy as much as the old Robin series.

So far, the art is top notch as Bernard Chang usually is. I've talked him up here before, but I really love his clean style. The giant eyes on the Batsuit look ridiculous, but I'll let it slide. And Jurgens sets up an interesting story of Tim returning to McGinnis' future which has been taken over by robotic zombies. I'm interested.

Fifth Place:

Nailbiter #13

Man do I love the retro, Archie-style cover of this issue. The beat up distress and type treatment really work with Mike Henderson's art. I hope Henderson is getting the proper hype in artist circles because he's really killing it here. (No pun intended.)

Using flashbacks, we get a little glimpse of Warren and Crane's past relationship. Its actually pretty sweet and almost makes you hope they work it out in the present. Josh Williamson does a fantastic job writing Warren as a charming, likeable guy even though he chews people's fingers before he kills them. smh

I really do like this book and I like Mike Henderson's art more and more every time I see it. Keep up the good work, man.

Fourth Place:

Darth Vader #6

The main thrust of this issue wasn't all that impressive. I don't give a shit about no-name characters that have been cybernetically enhanced to one day replace Vader. They're not all that cool and none of them are Force sensitive. They also have dumb lightsaber colors. What really gripped me about this issue was the dialog between Vader and the Emperor.

There's a lot being said in the dialog that isn't necessarily being said in the words. In the original trilogy you don't get a lot of these two just talking to each other. Kieron Gillen gives us a glimpse of how these two act with each other while they're not in the middle of a movie.

What I thought was really cool was how this issue lined up with the end of this month's Star Wars. These issues are running chronologically concurrent, so you get to see the same scene from two slightly different points of view.

Third Place:

Secret Wars #3

Man, this book wound up a lot higher than I thought it would. It was really interesting though, so there you go. Unlike Convergence, you get to see some characters you give a shit about by issue #3.

Battleworld, run and created by Doom, and we find out this issue Dr. Strange, is a hodge podge of different Marvel Universe eras, timelines and stories. Maybe I shouldn't be comparing it so hard to Convergence, but in a way, this is way easier to digest.

Most interesting is seeing that some characters (Doom, Sue Storm, Mr. Sinister) have been living in this world for years and don't remember the way things were, while others (Spider-man, Star Lord, Captain Marvel) are brand new to whats going on and do.

Second Place:

Star Wars #6

When we left last issue, Luke was about to face down Boba Fett. You can imagine me rolling my eyes to this. Turned out it wasn't so bad. Luke gets his ass handed to him and barely escapes with some help from the Force.

I guess the big news this week coming from this issue was the cliffhanger where a woman shows up saying she's Han Solo's wife. This book is canon, remember, so this is supposed to be real. No one should be freaking out just yet. Could all be a big misunderstanding that isn't really consequential at all. But for what its worth, the Han Solo I know never settled down. #player He also was never an officer with the Empire, so what do I know?

This month Star Wars was the best book of the line. Cassaday's art was spot on and the issue really had a great flow to it. Nice work.

First Place:

Justice League #41

Whoo boy do Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok know how to tell a story. Fabok is falling in place as one of Johns best collaborators. His work is similar to Ivan Reis and I can't get enough of that. Every page is really fucking cool.

My only caveat to liking this issue is the use of the New Gods. Fuck do I hate the new gods. But this issue we don't see any of the dumb ones like Highfather or Lightstar or whatever that guys name is. We see a lot of Mister Miracle, Lashina and Kanto. And the new Apokolips/Amazon hybrid who comes out of Barry Allen's mouth (?!) and hands everyone their asses.

Really interesting stuff to get The Darkseid War rolling.

Panel of the Week:

This Dodson's panel from Princess Leia is the perfect example of the strange smooth/scratchy linework from this month's issue.

-Gint

I Dream of Robots

Ex Machina was a cinematic breath of fresh air. It's rare these days to get a sci-fi thriller that relies more on the strength of its characters and the intrigue of the story than flashy over the top computer graphics.

Wide-eyed optimist Caleb, played by Domhnall Gleeson is the perfect foil to Oscar Isaac's brilliant, eccentric and constantly drunk Nathan. Alicia Vikander delivers a performance that expertly straddles the line between adorable hipster and devious android.

What truly set this film apart from the pack is the visionary guidance of first time director Alex Garland. Garland has written other mainstream hits (28 Days Later, Dredd) but his directorial debut has truly been his finest hour. -Soss

McSoss Podcast Episode 107: Happy Ninjas

This week we update the fans on Matt’s ongoing dealings with Rob Liefeld, we talk about the Big Trouble in Little China remake and have some less than accurate Star Trek talk. 

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