Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Warning if you're small minded and set in your ways you won't like what I have to say.

I do not have comics to talk about, instead I need to talk about something important relating to comics. 

This is the cover that was pulled from Batgirl #41. There are many articles explaining the situation, but this is a post about how in many ways it is wrong to be forced to pull the cover. 
After some stupid feminist posted on tumblr how the cover was promoting "sexual violence." Now, to a REAL fan, we see that is based on the popular book, The Killing Joke. Now, that is the book where Barbara Gordon is shot, survives, but spends a great deal of time in a Wheel Chair. Now, where's the sexual violence part? Though it is never confirmed, people say it promotes sexual violence because it was a time period where Barbara was raped. That led to a string of angry Twitter goers to say "change the cover" even if it wasn't the official cover, but a variant that only a few people would actually get. 

What we do know FOR SURE was the fact that Joker took naked pictures of Barbara after she was shot and the Joker showed it to her father, who he also stripped naked. 
People are never satisfied it seems when it comes to Barbara. First, they are mad that the New 52 reboot didn't include Barbara's time as Oracle. And that's a no-no. I guess Babs can't get shot, survive, AND heal to continue being a hero. I understand that she was a figure for the handicapped community, but she had her time as Oracle before the New 52. 
On the other hand people also argued that the cover wasn't "kid friendly", for Batgirl is more light-hearted now and aiming towards a younger audience. And I would like to say again, it was a VARIANT cover. Not many kids buy variants. Collectors my age and older would. 


Now what do you see in this cover? This is the official cover for Batgirl: Endgame that comes out today. She is wiping away the blood or makeup that joker put on her. She is ready to kick ass and fight again just like she did so many times before! 

What I don't get is why people always want to point out the negative experience. That's like pointing to a woman out in open and saying, "Hey she got raped." Instead of going quietly up to her and saying, "I'm glad you survived, and I'm glad you're doing okay now." Why do we need to point out the negatives in life? Why can't we celebrate the fact that Batgirl is a badass hero that doesn't need saving from a group of feminist. If you put these two pictures in a story, you'll see what I respect Barbara for, and what she represents. 

After this incident, I now have a problem with feminist... If a woman drew the pulled cover it might have been a different story. But Albequrque, out of respect to the same people who THREATENED HIM, asked DC to pull the cover. You don't threaten a man for being allowed to exercise his right to expression, his freedom of speech. Have the feminist become communist? Have they become the same as terrorist? I thought feminist cared most about having the same rights as a man and not to abolish a mans rights while freely using there's. We've become a society where you are wrong if you are a man. I'm saying this as woman. Some feminist have lost their original cause, being equal to a man is no longer enough it seems. 
You threatened a man because of art, if that isn't wrong I don't know what is. 
But congrats feminist of Twitter and Tumblr. You got your wish, now I am happy with either cover. But I'm sure the slight change in expression will quiet you down. The truth about the actions behind this cover is suddenly it wasn't about feminism anymore, it wasn't about a sexual crime anymore, it became cyber bullying, it was rights that were stripped from a man, and how everyone is seen as a victim and not as a hero.
 I don't see my post about the issue changing anyone's minds, but I do see a problem. 




Wednesday, March 4, 2015

New Comic Wednesday: Thank god I'm not in boarding school.

Lots of things to do today, so let's get this done quickly! Grayson is becoming really interesting. I've said this last time, and this time I will say it again. There is no limit for Grayśon right now. He took down a monster-machine with the powers of the Justice League! Whoever said Richard Grayson isn't awesome is WRONG! But now we are faced with, the possible secrets being leaked. It's like if everything the CIA knew got leaked... It's that serious. At least in the comic book world. I love Grayson so far, and it's keeping me reading. I hope you guys feel the same way to about our former boy-wonder! 
Also, it's March, finally! Other than the month my birthday is in, it's also Movie Variant time! I'm so excited! I love the Grayson variant and the Detective Comics variant (it makes me want to watch the Matrix....) 
I wanted to talk about Princess Leia, but I need to go prepare for my flight next week! I'll be in Germany next week. I don't know if I will be able to do a review because I'm flying Tuesday and I am going to probably be in Germany on Wednesday. But enjoy this and next weeks new comic Wednesday! 

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

New Comic Wednesday: Spider Gwen, Spider Gwen... Does whatever Spider-Man can.

If anyone can get a group of people working together to unite against a chaotic evil, it's Batman... Batman has a plan to take down the Joker. It's unfortunate that I already know what's going to happen... The consequences of reading preview books... Sigh. Haha. Anyway, the Joker is just taking this city down one party at a time, it's getting insane! But Alfred, why were you there by yourself! The Batman title just gets darker and darker the more Joker is introduced. 
Good news is, I'm getting more used to Blue Bird (not a pic from the recent Batman issue) she's like a mixture of Njghtwing and Red Hood in style, but seems more like Red Hood and Damian in character. And I can only assume, by the lack of Damian Wayne that the time line is a little before Batman gets Robin. I kind of wish they would show the other members of the Batfamily with their reactions to Robin being back. Requiem was really upsetting for me. 

Then there is this girl... I love Spider-Gwen so far with her starting in the Spider-Verse and then her own comic because her issues are more real than most female superheroes. I also like Silk from last week! Spider-Gwen is an enemy of New York because she saved the city from Peter Parker who was going crazy. It's so tragic, but she mourns it, but he father knows her secret so at least she has her dad look after her. I wonder if her father will die in this universe as well. So she can be the hero of NYC, she is going to try to take down the Vulture! 

I hope this comic and Silk take on the path it's setting itself up for. I usually hate comics where the main character is the girl. I read both Catwoman and Batgirl for a while, but i soon stopped them because I had trouble keeping up... Haha. But with Silk and Spider-Gwen their issues aren't about race or gender and they don't highlight the fact that they are a girl. They are trying to deal with the hand they have been dealt. Unlike some girl characters in the Marvel universe where Ms. Marvel likes to highlight she is a Muslim often. 
Anyway, last week I couldn't post a review because the snow storm got in the way of me getting my comics... Grrrr. But now I have them early enough to post. Also, Silk was awesome last week. I loved her Pokemon reference even though she didn't know Dragon Claw was a move not a pokemon. Le sigh. 


Wednesday, February 11, 2015

New Comic Wednesday: Guess who's back... For now!

Looking for a new store for just a few weeks was difficult! Ugh, why is life for nerds so hard... 
The only thing we knew before this weeks anticipated comic is Darth Vader goes to Jabba the Hutts place of residence. But, like Darth Vader's therapist always says, "Why?"
I just realized something... If Anakin's life wasn't so unfortunate and he didn't fall in love... He'd be an independent Jedi that don't need no master. Yet, he joins the Dark Side to become someone's apprentice and is someone's bitch for the rest of his life... Yeah. Bad guys never make sense to me. Anyway, he's peicing together why Obi-Wan would train Luke. He thinks his kids don't exist at this point, but we see his encounter with Luke in the first two issues. Aren't family reunions nice? NOT IN THE STAR WARS UNIVERSE, and some times not in real life. 
Anyway, we get to see Boba Fett in this issue (exciting right?!) he's like the bounty hunter version of Han here. 
Oh, and don't forget Darth Vader has to wreck stuff the whole time. He messes up Darth Sidious plans by having the Death Star destroyed... And he has to kill people in Jabbas Palace, but he has to take it a step forward and just WRECK the Sand People's lives AGAIN. You think the Sand people would just go extinct at this point. 
Anyway, this comic is really detailed and beautiful. It looks like the movie. Though, it seemed really preachy in the middle. A lot of dialogue and no action. The only thing very exciting was the beginning and the end. Still, I just love that Darth Vader goes to meet Boba, and that is all he had to do. But what is traveling for business if you can't sneak a little pleasure? If your pleasure was killing Sand people... 



Wednesday, January 28, 2015

New Comic Wednesday: Just for a minute...

I don't really have time to talk, so really quick... Two important books are out! Multiversity Guide book and Batman 38! Definitely try to get them today because Batman is getting dangerously good and how else are you going to understand the Multiverse! 

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

New Comic Wednesday: Bittersweet

So, this is the SECOND time I have to write this. This probably won't be the same as the first time I wrote it, I can only hope it will be better and ACTUALLY SAVE! Get it together BLOGGER! I'm so mad right now, but I am going to pull through because I want to write this post! 
Ughhhhhhhhhhhhh! 
Okay, I am done... 
Star-Lord #(kids, don't confuse this with a hashtag, please) 8, is technically the beginning of the next Marvel Cross-over event, Black Vortex, but I guess it doesn't count since they can just recap all of this in the first page of the next issue. Since Star-lord has a bigger part in the Black Vortex, I don't know why it is impossible for them to just have a single-title big-event. It's just not their style, I guess. Insert dramatic sigh. 
Anyway, the cute/least-important part of the story is told mainly by the cover. Meaning, it just seems like in no time things can be great and go bad the next. Only if the photo-booth picture took two more pictures, the love life of Peter and Kitty would be told, but it is not. Because.... Bow chika wow wow. Yeah, I am that immature sometimes.
Basically, Kitty suddenly remembers that Star-lord is not only a former earthling, turned guardian of the Galaxy. She remembers that Peter is a Legendary Outlaw. So, she doesn't like that. Then, Peter pops the question of moving in! Cause the outlaw-guardian-of-the-Galaxy isn't going to stay on Earth. To put it into basic-earth terms... Assuming everyone just lived on earth like us... Peter asks Kitty to move in, but Kitty and Peter live in different countries and have spent most of their relationship there. Peter also doesn't really live in a house, he lives in his car and travels the country. If you put it in those terms, I see how it is... Not appealing. But this isn't boring real-life-earth, this is SPACE. Kitty Pryde, you fool! Just kidding, she hates space. Anyway, we know Peter, he's charming and he will probably charm her into anything. I wonder if they talk about his relationship in the X-men... 
Also, I just realized, this book seems to be appealing to a girl-audience. Doesn't seem so manly right now. 
Anywho, Black Vortex, Peter's daddy and Thanos' son and teaming up to get the Black Vortex. I don't know what it is, I know I will find out later, it if you don't know what it is, sorry I can't help you. With Peter taking Thane to do some dirty work, what nasty plot will happen? I don't know. But Peter and Kitty might just be able to stop them! 

The Dynamic Duo is back on the streets, but after Damien's hiatus from Gotham's sight, dying, coming back to life, and gaining superpowers, things need to change... Daddy Batman is here to help though! But, during the time Robin is grounded from not obeying the new rules, he reveals to have a little PTSD and needs to reflect on his life. Like I said, dying and coming back to life can do a lot of people. He also died because he was betrayed by his mom, so there's that too... Depressing in all ways. 
You think someone like Superman would come to show Damien how to use his powers, but that's like giving the uncle the reigns to your son... Unless the Justice League is pissed about this! I would imagine why. The bat-family plays by their own rules! 
This month is featuring Flash Variant covers because Flash is now 75!!!! Geez, right? Everyone is so old. You know who else turns 75? Robin! I like this cover a lot and I like last weeks Grayson Variant that I didn't know my boss saved for me. Awesome... It's like the first on-going series NIGHTWING Cover but with Flash running up the side of the building. Kind of cool. 

Anyway, this blog is also titled Bittersweet because my last day at All Star Comics and Games was Sunday because I am moving to Germany. It made me really reflect on how much I have learned from just working there for two years. It was a great experience because I want to open my own shop one day. I'm starting to get inventory... Slowly, so I can work on getting back issues so I can have both new and older issues. I might be taking a break from blogging for a week or two because I need to get settled and what not (meaning, finding another store for the mean time). 
I've met so many friends and All Star, and I learned so much from them just by talking to them every week. I probably would have never learned more about comics, collecting, and running a business without this experience and I am truly grateful I got this opportunity. I hate to go, but one day I'll have my own store. 




Tuesday, January 13, 2015

New Comic Wednesday: In a Galaxy far far away... There is only one...


I already talked about Star Wars last week since I got to flip through it. Now that I looked over Star Wars again, there were some pages (the first few) that were beautiful and very well done to make it realistic, but later I see art that's just okay.... Like when Luke goes to free the prisoners. I can understand that drawing consistently well is kind of difficult, but your name is in the front of the book. You should take pride in the pages you draw and try to make each page like the opening page. 

Other than that, I'm getting my hands on this beauty! Greg Horn did the above cover art. He does so well with his art. I have at least five of his prints in my living room right now. I need more of his newer Psylocke prints though! Anyway, this is a GameStop variant. I recently bought an Xbox One. Those points allowed me to get this bad boy! If you like Star Wars and games, this comic is only 8000 points! They also have a few All New Captain America variants and a few others, one of them is non-marvel/DC. I just can't remember it at this time. I feel like after this cover, I need to check out the GameStop rewards more often! 
The force is with you, my friends. 
But if Obi Wan tells you to run, you better freakin' run! 

Also, I got all three pins. So I have no care in the world! Yay! 


Grayson also came out this week (yay)! After this issue I would like reinforcements to aid my boy wonder. I'm still impatient on knowing what Spyral is. Though, after this comic it seems like there is something behind Spyral, something more Brother Eye sounding... Brother Spyder? No, just Spyder probably. Spyder is capable of doing some mind-boggling things. And Minos might just be a front as well. They gave me sympathy for this creepy mysterious person! Damnit Seely and King. 
Also, I can't believe we are only on issue six of Grayson. I guess I'm just getting used to the fact of a former caped crusader turned super spy. People ask me in the shop all the time, what I think of Nightwing going Grayson, and at first I was mad. I have always been in love with Nightwing, and it felt like my world was going crazy when I found out he won't be NIGHTWING anymore. I blame Dan Didio. But, I felt like this is something DC always wanted to do. They re-made Nightwing and he just gets beat by everything coming at him, then they reveal that he is supposed to be a Talon. Now, as a spy he has to be more careful with his life, and use all the skills that he learned from being in the circus, to being robin, and being Nightwing to take down a whole new kind of bad guy. 
It's also kind of refreshing, because he isn't in the same place all the time. It isn't Bludhaven or Gotham, he can be anywhere in the world, so they can do so much with him now! I just also like how he is trying to accept his new role in life, but he is still trying to stay himself. So, I love Grayson. 
 Also, Grayson's first issue made 62 of the top unit sales on Diamond Comics of 2014. Crazy! Star lord made 67! You know who made first? Amazing Spider-Man with his comeback issue! Kind of expected, most of the list was influenced by people who like the movie and show... Let's be real here. Batman's issues made the list multiple times. We can already guess what will be the top sales of 2015. I bet top three is Star Wars 1, Darth Vader 2, and Leia at number 3. Unless they make a boba feet comic, he might take the number 2 spot. I should make a raffle.... 


Last, but not least (three comic this week, CJ? Yeah!), I honestly haven't been keeping up with Injustice because it turned bi-monthly, but I read this one. It's kind of sad. It makes me think, this is what Superman thinks about all the time... If you don't read injustice, you need to pick up a graphic novel now or something. Injustice has yet to disappoint me. 
This comic basically is Superman's dream after he gets knocked out (by I don't know what because I didn't read the last issue... He dreams of a world where Lois somehow survives the WAILING and the "space adventure" with the baby being allowed to be born and live as a halfling. There's something your dream is missing Superman, reality! Lois wouldn't become president, and Wonder Woman and batman? I guess... Well I'm sure someone ships it. Kind of makes Wonder Woman like a poor replacement for Lois in the end. Also, Lex Luthor would try to use the daughters DNA to try to finally make another clone. 
Tis only a dream, and it makes Supermans life seem sad. Not only sad, like boo-how sad. Kind of sad that either way he thinks he can control the world, just, in the dream, through his wife. If that's not sad, I don't know what is.