Go Go Power Pillows

I'm not a Power Rangers fan. Never have been and probably never will be. I think it's a generational thing. Every time I see the Power Rangers all I can think of is that they are cheap knockoff’s of Voltron. Maybe it's just my general disdain for the franchise that has me thinking that the new designs look like something from Joel Schumacher's unused Batman and Robin designs.

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers is always held up as an example of the best the '90's had to offer as far as fantasy/cartoon properties. In my opinion it's simply a reminder that the '80's was a far superior time to be a kid. Even third tier properties like Mighty Orbots or Dinosaucers could kick the shit out of the stupid Megazoid. -Soss

Strawberry Witch

I liked what Marvel Studios did with the Scarlet Witch in Captain America: Civil War. While her screen time was limited the writers made the most of it, fleshing out her character and building the foundation for her relationship with the Vision. Elizabeth Olsen is a decent actress but I wish she would drop the failed attempt at an Eastern European accent. It's not working.

If I did have one complaint, it's her costume. I didn't mind her grungy 90s look in Age of Ultron, but Marvel had a golden opportunity to outfit her in a more classic look this time around. -Soss

Guys

I've been watching HBO's Girls since it premiered. Its a smart show that's filled with unapologetic characters. I've always been a person that needs to like the characters in a show I'm watching. Girls seems to buck that trend since I hate about half of them (I'm looking at you Marnie). But over the last five seasons its forced me to come around on some (I still hate you, Marnie).

Oddly enough, in a show called Girls, about girls, my favorite characters are the guys. Adam Driver's Adam steals every scene he's in. Alex Karpovsky's Ray is really the every-man that everyone can relate to. He's definitely the most balanced character on the show. And while Elijah (Andrew Rannels) was over-the-top and slightly irritating when he was introduced, Rannels and the writing team have given him more depth than you'd expect. Each of their unique personalities allows the female characters to bring out aspects of each other you may not expect.

Its such a well-written show that really marches to the beat of its own drum. I'm sure HBO will put some stipulations down, but creator Lena Dunham and writer Jenni Konner seem to have a very clear direction of where they want the show to go, and don't care how they get there.

Check Girls out if you haven't yet.

-Gint

Ps - I understand this has NOTHING to do with comics, but I don't give a shit.

Gint's 5-4-16 Pull-List Review

When DC finally releases Rebirth, its going to send my wallet into shock. The last year or so I've been used to buying two or three books a week, or like this week – one.

First (and only) Place:

Poe Dameron #2

Hands down, the most interesting and fun part of this issue is the introduction of the First Order's Agent Terex. He's a guy that was around during the Empire days, and while he's not a huge fan of how the First Order works, he can see the potential to be another Empire. What's great is he's fun and charismatic and not at all like the stuffed-shirt Imperial agents that we're used to.

Charles Soule really taps into a different kind of bad guy here. Traditional Star Wars villains tend to be one-note characters that are just bad guys. Its part of the charm of the series. But with those villains, you know you're not supposed to like them. Terex, for sure is a BAD guy, but Soule brings out an enjoyment in Terex liking what he does that makes you want to read more.

This is the first bit of post-Return of the Jedi Star Wars universe I'm reading, so its still taking a bit to get used to the status quo. Seeing the First Order ships and troopers and Captain Phasma is pretty neat since all of this is still so fresh.

And I would be remiss to extol the virtues of Phil Noto's art. Dude is a fucking talent. Great looking book.

Panels of the Week:

Noto uses his expertise to channel a little Vincent Price for Agent Terex.

-Gint

A Quick Buck

I read this week that the volume of printed materials in the United States is up for the first time in years. The article attributed this to the rise in popularity of adult coloring books. I think that anything that keeps the printing presses rolling is a good thing. I spend each week in a comic book store purchasing printed material and it would be a shame to see the medium go away completely in favor of digital. I love the ease and convenience of purchasing things online but you can never replace the experience of walking into a comic shop and browsing through all the wonderful titles on the shelves.

Tomorrow is Free Comic Book Day. The comic shop that I've called home since I was 11 years old is the Phantom of the Attic in Monroeville, PA. Their doors open at 8am and they will have free comic books as well as great deals on comics, graphic novels and other items. 

If you've never been to a comic book store tomorrow is a great day to stop by and get some free goodies! If you happen to stop in to the Phantom tell the great guys there that Paul, Dom and Ian sent you.
 -Soss

McSoss Podcast Episode 150: Jamaican Brogue

This week we mix Gold Key Alliance #1 and Wonder Woman: Earth One #1 into our conversation.

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It's Snot A Bad Idea

Snot Girl is an upcoming Image Comics title by creators Bryan Lee O'Malley and Leslie Hung. When I saw this comic advertised I couldn't help but be reminded of my own strange creation from the 90s, Secretion. Instead of explaining who or what this character was check out previous strips Poorly Thought-Out Superpowers and  Under The Influence. where Secretion has been referenced. - Soss

Gint's 4-27-16 Pull-List Review

There isn't a whole lot that ties all three of these books together, so lets just get to it.

Third Place:

Star Wars #18

I assume its a color palette thing, or maybe just a creative decision by Leinil Yu and Sunny Gho, but the decision to constantly keep giving Luke reddish-brown hair drives me nuts. Even under the different lighting's used, Luke's hair would still be blonde. What the fuck, guys?

What Jason Aaron and Yu DO get right this issue is the fun, back-and-forth banter between Luke and Han. Besides A New Hope, we never really get to see these two have a whole lot of fun together. The last couple issues have been giving us a glimpse into their relationship. I like it so much that when the story cuts back to Leia, I'm disappointed.

The Leia story is entertaining enough – her and a couple other characters trying to find a murderer let loose in a Rebel prison – but there's something about the Han and Luke bits that really make this feel like a Star Wars story. The Leia beats could be any sci-fi space book.

Second Place:

Justice League #49

This story has been big and epic. And maybe a little TOO big and epic. There's so much going on that I couldn't give you a concise synopsis of the story. And all the while the reason I get this book in the first place (the Justice League) have been relegated to the background. Sure, Superman and Batman are IN the book, but center stage isn't for them.

It seems like everything is starting to wind down. Darkseid is dead, Mobius is being handled, but now we have to deal with Grail and whatever she's done to Steve Trevor. Not to mention all the weirdness about the Crime Syndicate and Superwoman's baby that's going to be some kind of weapon. Next issue is supposed to be the last, but I have no idea how they wrap this up in 20 pages.

Despite all the convolutedness (no, that's not a word) of the plot, Jason Fabok is just killing this artwork. Matt thinks its too dense and there's too much going on, but I think its expertly detailed and really provides a sense of depth to the story. This still may be the best looking book on the shelves.

First Place:

Saga #36

Well, this latest arc has been a chore. Its been kind of weird and disappointing, and the fun times have been few and far between. Seeing The Will get fat and crazy, and having a lot of the story revolve around Hazel's prison-mates (who aren't that interesting) hasn't given me a lot to look forward too in this book.

BUT, Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples have pulled it all together for this final issue of this latest story arc. All the weirdness dovetails together and in the end, we finally get the reunion of child and parents that we've all been waiting for. And its told expertly. Not just the Marko/Hazel moments, but the Marko/Klara moments too. Tugs at the old heartstrings.

Now that the family is all back together (and Alana's pregnant again [wear a condom guys]) I have high hopes for this next arc. Here's too more upbeat storytelling like the first couple arcs of this book going forward.

Page of the Week:

Lienil Yu and Sonny Gho's Luke Skywalker: Firebush Edition.

-Gint