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. 

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. 

New Comic Wednesday: A day where I don't have any comics from DC... A sad day it is.

Happy New Year everyone! The start of 2015 is here and my resolution is... nothing. I have an X-box One now, so what am I going to do now besides go to work and read comics. I hope everyone enjoyed "skip-week" for both comic book retailers and myself.  I found out that tunderstood no kip week so comic book store ownersScarl least have that one week off since they aren't going to be making money with the small amount of books they have.
Anyway, no DC today for once! Ugh. Life is sad. I did get Futures End, but I don't want to talk about that all the time. Oh, and I have Lobo encountering goody-two-shoe Superman. Luckily, Marvel always has a boat-load of books out for you to choose from. Imagine collecting all the Marvel titles, except I don't have to imagine it. I see it at the shop. It get's insane collecting all those titles. The only thing good about having a few issues to worry about this week is that it is good for my wallet. Yay me.

 At least I got the LEGENDARY Star-Lord to keep me company this week. So what we know between last issue and this issue is Kitty wrecks an Avenger's Space jet. Is that a woman joke? You know, cause women can't drive. This coming from a fellow woman... yeah, some of you can't drive. I'm not sorry, just stating facts. Anyway, at least we got Star-Lord's trusty new spaceship friend to help Kitty drive through space. Gotta admit, I don't really like Kitty Pryde, but she made a pretty cool rescue. But, they are slowly making a cute couple. Not that it will work out that much if she hates space and Star-lord just loves it!
I love Star-lord's character, but I want to know where this is all going. Like, I know his big conflict right now is that his dad is hunting him down and trying to ruin his life as revenge. I just, want a crazy battle scene. Like I want something like End-Game to be in other smaller titles. Instead of having stuff like Original Sin and other cross-over stories that force some people to get OTHER books just so they can understand the whole story. Like, I understand that no one can really live up to the masterpiece of most of the Batman stories so far, but can't some comic book characters stand alone as something great? Even if Marvel characters were meant to work as a team, it just would be nice to see something REALLY significant in one single character by themselves.

Before I move on to talking about the other comic, I had this crazy theory about Star Wars! I don't know if some people have seen the preview variant for Star-Wars #1 (which looks like the above comic, but half of it is black and white), but I got a chance to flip through it. I gotta say, I am not disappointed. I was scared that Marvel might mess it up with horrible art or something. But, you gotta figure they are going CRAZY with promoting the Star Wars comic book. Because they know that Star Wars is money. Any keeping us nerds happy means more money for them. Which, in turn, makes them happy as well. Besides that, I think I know the reason that they pushed making Guardians of the Galaxy. Anyone who loves Star Wars and has watched Guardians of the Galaxy knows that GOTG was basically a sillier Star Wars... AND everyone was worried that Disney would make a horrible Star Wars movie, even though most of the work is still going to be done by Lucas Film. Now, they are getting fans excited for Star Wars RIGHT AFTER GOTG came out and did so well. I am not crazy. I think it is true since GOTG was supposed to be introduced to go along with Avengers 3, not the upcoming Avengers 2 with Ultron.
It makes sense. Tell me I am not crazy. Cause I'm not. Really.

I don't know much about the character, but with the upcoming movie coming out... why not right? That's how sales work anyway. I don't usually read comics that I am not too familiar with, but reading this kept me thinking about The Atom. I think it's because they can both shrink down to a tiny size, and are divorced.  Hopefully. Lang's ex-wife is crazy.. at least not Identity Crisis crazy. I did some further research to put my mind at ease. The Atom does come first, appearing in 1940 while Ant-Man first appears in the 60's, but Scott Lang comes way before Ray Palmer. I just don't want to go into further research in who was divorced longer. That just takes too much effort.

What I like about this comic, is that it goes into the hardships of trying to be better for someone important, getting a job, and having life being thrown at you with no way in stopping it. It's real, it's not the luxurious Bruce Wayne story or Tony Stark story. Though, does he already ruin his chance at trying to fix his life before actually fixing his life?

With the comic coming out, of course they are going to have to psyche you up for the movie now! Above, you see the tiny ant-sized ant man... it looks like a variant cover right? Not 100% sure if the movie poster is a joke or not.

Then we have the first look of Paul Rudd as Ant-Man. And yeah, he does Scott Lang some justice. Also, I'm sure you can find the teaser trailer out on the interwebs. I'll still see it, but not to the point where I HAVE TO SEE IT. I'm more like, yeah... sure. i just never understood why ant-man needs his own movie! Give Scarlet witch more than a end credit scene before avengers, but they probably can't because she is a Mutant! But it is Paul Rudd, and he is pretty awesome. Side note, Gwyneth Paltrow said she could be REPLACED as Pepper Potts by a younger actress? Ugh, no! Tony Stark can get any young bitch to be his side hoe, but Pepper Potts is Pepper Potts who is Gwyneth Paltrow. Don't play games with my heart!

New Comic Wednesday: To know me is to love me

Merry Christmas Eve everyone! I know it is hard to go get your comics on Christmas Eve, so hopefully the comic shop you get your comics at let you do a hold. If not, I'm sure you can get away for a few minutes... not that I am telling you to.

Also, I am thinking of trying to make this blog into a site that I can start showing off my work. I just need to try to see if I can get a digital software going so I can color on the computer (I suck at coloring) and  probably a scanner. Any suggestions, please let me know. 

First, I need to look at the Secret Origins more closely because I almost did not pick this up. Besides knowing who Helena is, we kinda needed to know how Grayson got into the Spyral spy gig! And this is what we needed to know! I mean, you just don't go and ask, "Hey, can I be a spyral spy?" 

It was quite interesting, of course I only read the Dick Grayson part. The other two Secret Origin files are Animal Man and Katana. 

To know Grayson is to love him! 

So, for all of you people who like to read Grayson to see his beautiful self! Well, we already know Grayson and love him, now we need to know Helena. But now that I have read it, I wonder if the whole thing was real. It's just like reading the Killing Joke. Stop mind blocking me! I just want to know the truth! Though, at least I know that they didn't shoot Grayson! 

Unless, between the times Rock went off from the group in the bar and came back... there was a switch from the real Rock to Grayson disguised as Rock (not to be confused with Dwayne "the Rock" Johnson).  So, the information we learned from this bald-headed, scar-wielding man could be true. I don't want to spoil it... but it isn't really different from original Helena Bertinelli. Though, I don't really care if they make a different Helena Bertinelli... I like the Helena Wayne Huntress. They just weren't that creative. I'm sure it is better to keep it simple so they don't lose track of the stories. I thought they had someone to make sure everything is straight with the facts. 

Now that the boy wonder is back, Robin Alpha comes out with it's smooth feeling pages. I love it. Why don't they print all their comics in this material. And I am sorry, but the best picture is the fourth page (or fifth if you don't count the title page) with Alfred getting armed. Slick back your hair and get your guns out. No one can be classy as Alfred. Admit it... 

Even though the first few pages of the comic is just an expansion of the couple last pages of Batman and Robin 37. But I love the double page spread of Batman right when he puts the shard in Damien so he can live again. Just the grief with possibly getting back his parents instead of Damien. You chose well, Batman. 

Though, I thought they were gonna elaborate on Batman fainting, but no. He just faints out of exhaustion, but there are no lasting effects. What is that? Whatever, I thought there was gonna be some dramatic thing where Damien realizes how much Bruce went through to bring him back. Though, will Batman be over shadowed by Robin now? He don't need no man to help him fight crime. 

Though, I do love the art better than the last few issues of Batman and Robin. I am a fan of comic art. On the other hand, sometimes annuals aren't done as well as the actual issues... it is annoying. I swear. 

Until next time, we will see what happens to the dynamic duo!

Now next week, I saw what is on the list to pick up... I am debating on just taking a break until NEXT YEAR! That is crazyyyyy. 

Anyway, Merry Christmas everyone and Happy New Year!  

New Comic Wednesday: Batman and Shazam... everywhere

I am sure, if you follow any comic book or Star Wars page you probably have seen the many variant covers Marvel has been putting out since they are releasing Star Wars again. You know that they are going to take full advantage of Star Wars, one of the biggest merchandisers. Disney is making me poor... My favorite is this Spiderman cover spin-off. Leia can save herself... to a point.

Probably my favorite variant announcements are the DC Movie Poster variants. Anyone attracted to men knows they love the Magic Mike Justice League variant. It's the greatest, you have to admit it! My second favorite is the Wonder Woman 300 poster. I wish they chose a different character to have the Jailhouse Rock cover. Elvis is my favorite, but as some of you know Harley isn't my favorite. 

While the previous week results in not having any comics to read, the week after just comes with too many comics. It's a curse, isn't? Anyway, are we coming closer to what is the cause of the end of the multiversity. It always seems like we go to another issue, and just come out with more questions. At least the guide comes out soon!

What have we learned in this issue, besides Sivana has contacted his multiverse selves and came out with one good self? Never trust a man... no that's not it. Don't give out your last name on the first date...? Let's stick with important things. We have learned that Shazam is pretty cool, I like Tiger Shazam, but that is only because I love tigers. Still, I hope the guide helps. I'm still lost. I don't know much about the multiverse. I'm reading Infinite Crisis: Fight for the multiverse, and they are more straightforward with their evil. 

The moment we have been waiting for! Or at least I have been waiting for it... the Batfamily is out of danger... for now... and into the batcave. Might want Alfred to prepare some revitalizing food because I'm sure Darkseid and his son wants to go wreak havoc. I kind of wish this comic was a little more popular because DC releasing both Batman and Batman and Robin 37 out on the same week kills me. And I don't know if I can be revived with a chaos shard... but it would be cool wouldn't? I probably would get super powers! 

I can also say that my prediction for how Robin comes back was WRONG. Not that it is a big deal being wrong. Find out how he really comes back in Batman and Robin 37... that's not a spoiler because we knew it was coming. Don't you love happy endings... sort of...? I wonder how Damien would react to Dick Grayson beint dead... sort of. This is assuming this story-line is different from the regular Batman story line. Batman has 99 problems but Talia ain't one. 

Lastly, the masterpiece of comics. Batman. Truly, with every major event Batman get's crazy good. With the whole city going after Batman like the Justice League, Batman is still trying to save the city and the friends that are trying to hurt him. And laugh while doing so. It's crazy how laughs can carry viruses. Hopefully no one picks up this comic and gets any crazy ideas. Don't be a Sivana. That is the real lesson today on this comic Wednesday. I don't want to say too much because I do not even know how to explain it in words how crazy Batman is. The joker really whipped up his own masterpiece while Snyder whips up a comic masterpiece. I swear, people need to realize the grandness of comic books. Not just the collecting side of it, the actual stories that come out with these infinite possibilities.

Like in every event-related issue the art is always fantastic, and creepy (as it should be in this comic). Can Batman find a cure to save his city? Is Joker just some crazy mad scientist? 

As always I root for the good guy! Team Batman!

There wasn't a lot of books that I follow enough to cover this week. And, I stopped following Batgirl. I was too far behind in her story anyway.  So, I think it is time to catch up on my favorite weekly title,  Futures End. I kind of regret stopping Batman Eternal since I have heard from so many people that the title is getting better. Kind of sad that I don't follow it.

I just kind of want to know about this new masked vigilante I saw in the preview book a while ago. Her sketches went across the internet saying she might be a new Nightwing... but thankfully she has her own name. I believe her name is Blue bird or something. Correct me if I am wrong. 

Anyway, lets get this show on the road.
Futures end starts off really strong, first coming out as a Free comic book day issue with number 0. I've loved it since.  There are five or so different stories running along together. We have Firestorm's issue with not wanting to be a hero anymore because one wants something different from the other, and Batman has to come into town just to play daddy for all the superheroes. Thats right... Batman ia the dad of the DC universe. Though, Kyle or Tim's girlfriend or ex-girlfriend gets kidnapped, crossing the paths of Firestorm, the former Red Robin, and Terry McGinnes Batman who believes that only Red Robin can help him. Though, Firestorm is now a woman using Red Robin's girlfriend as the main host, and Ronnie the original host is dead. Even though she is the new Firestorm she can't seem to get out of being Firestorm and splitting from Jason. Since Madison, Red Robin's girlfriend, can't split from Firestorm, she is assumed dead since the lab accident.
Deathstroke is dead now. He was just going to try to kill Oliver again after he already faked his death by Deathstroke originally. But he is not dead. Lois Lane meets Earth 2 Lois Lane long enough to see her die.

With Deathstroke dead Fifty Sue has gone... CRAZY. Mini-Deathstroke? In this issue, it is as if she is talking to Brother Eye. Since it was revealed that Deathstroke was doing work on his own to try to get off the island and get rid of his companions, she wanted revenge. Now she has gone off the deep end. Creepy. The next issue has Fifty Sue in a new costume, wearing Deathstroke's mask. How does she even fit that mask?

Superman goes from the middle of nowhere to the middle of nowhere... in the cold, Siberia. He finds Brother Eye trapped in a bear... at least we want to think it's a bear. With this encounter, this might bring Superman home. All thanks to Constantine. 

Now, Futures End leaves you with a new villain that also hates the Justice League and is equally crazy... probably very radioactive too. Then, S.H.A.D.E. releasing Godzilla-like creatures. 

With Fifty Sue going off the deep end, and Lang and Grifter finally getting off the island. Fifty Sue and companies' story can FINALLY MOVE ON. Her story was so boring... I'm sure people agree with me. It seemed like it was going somewhere important at first, then it stayed in the same place forever... It was Fifty Sue communicating with brother Eye and Gilligan's Island staring Deathstroke, Grifter, and Lana Lang. Though, what now? Is she going to try to kill people? 

Terry McGinnis needs to get a move on with trying to save the Future. Stop eating pizza and get some work done! Yeah, it's cute that you have a thing for a girl in the past, but she is gonna end up trying to kill you as some Brother Eye cyborg thing if you don't do anything. 

Also, I don't like the whole Hawkman with Engineer kind of thing. I love the original origin of Hawkman and Hawkgirl being reincarnated lovers. Just let Engineer help save the world. 

Also, Geoff Johns announced on Twitter that the new Teen Titans TV show will have it's pilot filmed NEXT YEAR. Yay. It is also announced that the show will be centered around Dick Grayson... YES. Anyone who knows me knows how EXCITED THAT IT IS NOT TIM DRAKE. Love it!

New Comic Wednesday: Holo-Awkward

Happy be-lated Thanksgiving, comic collectors! Did everyone catch the new Star Wars Trailer? Did anyone else think you were getting pranked in the first few seconds. I did. It's not racist... I just saw a meme before I watched the trailer. So I thought it was fake. Thankfully it wasn't. Anyone who hates the lightsaber needs to watch the Colbert Report. Also, the Millennium Falcon is as beautiful as ever. 

Time for another installment of CJ's fave comic hotties! That's a long title... anyway, if you don't know what that means it is the week with both Grayson and Legendary Star-Lord! Grayson has been doing his job as a spyral spy and we know that Grayson's face is basically altered, so no one can tell the former boy wonder and dark heir is alive. Convenient isn't it? I wonder if the bat family could even see him. Maybe I see that in Grayson's future? 

In this issue Grayson goes through the desert holding a baby. For days with limited food and water, Grayson carries a baby with an important body part the organization is after. But Grayson won't let them hurt the baby, will he? He will save the baby from the desert and spyral. The lady was wrong... Grayson is not just a man!

I want an explanation for the organs. Are organs transferable through birth? There are so many things I do not understand. Also, I can't wait till the annual comes out because I am dying to know who Helena is. 

Now, time for Star-Lord's date. Kinda... I think it's kind of awkward how Kitty is on a holo-date... she even wore skates even when she wasn't really skating... and how do you go to second base with a hologram? Weird. Anyway, I love the suit. I mean who doesn't... it's very Dumb and Dumber. But even with the efforts of Star-Lord trying to keep the Holo-date work free, but not awkward free, he still gets captured by the Slaughter Squad. Le sigh. Now, its Kitty to the rescue... my least favorite X-men. 

Now, who didn't see the identity of Mister Knife coming? I saw it. It's depressing really... when things seem obvious. 

Also out this week, Angela: Asgard's Assassin. Now, I will admit that I didn't read the last part of Original Sin: Thor and Loki, so I might be a little lost at first, but I'm sure I will catch up. Stay tuned for more stuff.