Another Weekly Webcomic Report for the week of 2/14/11 – 2/20/11.

(via ifanboy by austin)

It’s that time of year again. In what’s become an annual tradition here at iFanboy we have our version of Shark Week on Discovery.

It’s the start of the week and Austin plans his attack on the menacing stack that stares him down. See how he plans to fight back in Part 2 of the 2011 Stack Week!

(via iFanboy by Austin)

The 10 Best Drinking Buddies In Comics. via iFANBOY

Normally my highlights of the week are driven by new and various titles that I picked up. And I have to say, that after three weeks of working so very hard, I was able to pick up a large stack of comics. Whew – it was great! However, this week’s picks weren’t chosen by their titles, but by the authors.

There were two authors this week that stole the show, my imagination and love for comics with their works that came out and/or debuted.

The first is an author who I’ve written about before, met, interviewed and have been a long time fan of his work: JEFF LEMIRE. This week Mr. Lemire had two titles out, his current monthly Sweet Tooth #15 and the debut of Superboy #1.
Having loved and read Essex County and The Nobody, I’ve found a familiarity with Lemire’s emotion filled writing style. With that said, the actions developed in Sweet Tooth #15 and the emotions that it stirred within me as a reader, I can tell this story is coming to a point wherein I will be emotionally devastated and wishing for more than 34 pages of the single issue. In the fifteen issues of Sweet Tooth currently out, I have created an emotional bond with Gus, and a hope for Jeppard. It’s that building of emotional ties to his characters that makes Jeff Lemire such a strong force in comics today. Lemire also, through the reading of a note written by Gus’ father long ago, creates a montage that collaborates images of the story and a dream that Gus and Jeppard share which is beautiful to read, along with including a new illusory element to the narrative. Confusing the reader of the narrative’s problems between science and fantasy.

Next is Superboy #1 which is written by Jeff Lemire and illustrated by Pier Gallo. I’m not going to lie, I know/knew very little about Superboy. I know, in brief, his origin and his role in Blackest Day/Brightest Night. This first issue though, tastefully introduces his origin and his current situation as a nerdy high-school student living in Smallville. Similar to his moniker-sharing man-of-steel, Smallville offers Connor a similar youth. Which, knowing Lemire’s great ability to write small-town narratives, it would only make sense that he was picked to pen this revamp title. Within this first issue we saw some cameos from a number of characters including one of my favorite Vertigo men of magic, The Phantom Stranger. And while this is no complaint, it is weird to read a book written by Lemire and not see his art go along with it. Pier Gallo’s art is amazing. ‘Nuff said.

The second author that makes the pick list is Sarah Glidden with her debut graphic novel, published by Vertigo/DC, How to Understand Israel in 60 Days or Less. Living now in Brooklyn, I am happy to find myself, alone and nervously drinking the free beer, at a number of book release parties. And it was at Desert Island Comic Shop in Williamsburg that I attended and purchased this autobiography written and illustrated by Ms. Glidden.

This story follows her and her friends, new and old, on their birthright trip to Israel. Once I picked this book up Wednesday evening, I couldn’t put it down and here is why:
This is a book, that as an autobiography, mentally engages the reader and asks them to think through the experiences, questions and political situations being outlined and address in the book. With scenes that run through the emotional spectrum over the narrative, it follows an excited but skeptical (in regards to the ‘conflict’) woman on her trip to Israel. Being a, now somewhat, politically aware individual I know and am aware of the conflicts between Israel and Palestine, and have had similar questions about the situation which Glidden takes on in the book through her own voice, and executes magically.
All in all, this narrative had me deeply engaged, the art is very well done and written with a touch of sincere emotionality.

Go pick ‘em up, readers!

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This article was originally posted in the newest edition of The Greenpoint Gazette (and you can read the original here). Some material has been added to this article that were, because of GG readership and their general relationship to the material, edited out.
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Superman, giant robots, the Predator and Michael Jackson seem like an unlikely list of characters you might see gathered in one room, but for those in attendance at the New York Comic Con, it was just another (awesome) day. This past weekend NYCC took place at the Javits Center, which was an amazing and festive celebration of all things nerdy! Not only was this the location of NYCC, but the event also went hand in hand with New York Anime Festival (NYAF. Both were, for lack of a better word – ‘nerd-gasmic’. lived up to the hype and excitement: the two proved to be perfect outlets for festival-goers to interact with varying appendages of geek culture.

Sadly, for those who attended the con from Brooklyn, especially in the Greenpoint, Williamsburg and Bushwick areas, a obstacle was tossed in our paths: the L train was out of service from 8th Ave in Manhattan to the Myrtle-Wyckoff stop in Brooklyn. Nonetheless, thousands of Brooklynites crowded into the con as they do each year come hell, high water or screwy subway service.

Despite the brilliant weather, thousands chose instead to spend the day indoors, indulging in a wide array of activities, attending panels and meeting some of the most popular icons of the Sci Fi universe. The center was divided into several zones. The first was designated for small press, artists’ alley and new video game demonstrations.

The second was the main floor, where big-name companies strutted their stuff with exclusive news, demonstrations, sneak peaks and signings as eager souls, often dressed in extravagant costumes or nerd cloth, flooded the isles trying to get a piece of the action. And downstairs, along with the expensive food court, were the panel rooms. Sticking to my own advice, I had scheduled my day around two panels then planned to spend the remainder of the afternoon walking the two exhibiting floors meeting up with old, and visiting new, friends at their booths. The two aforementioned panels were the Marvel/X-Men panel that featured the current pens of the X-U and the plans for the future, along with Adult Swim’s Children’s Hospital panel – which was gut busting funny.

J.D. Arnold and I.

While Friday was the kick-off, Saturday proved to be the real money-maker, as the major companies like DC and Marvel comics made many anxiously-awaited announcements regarding the future related film titles for the next year. As other companies revealed the release dates and demonstrations of new video games like the Michael Jackson Wii dance challenge or the Red Dead Redemption zombie expansion, all had fans waiting in long and motionless lines. Personally, the longest and most feared line I found at NYCC was the ATM line, where it took me forty-five minutes to withdraw the remaining money in my bank account to purchase original artwork from a friend’s comic, BB Wolf & The Three LPs by J.D. Arnold and Rick Koslowski

Paul Duffield & Kate Brown

With the constant inundation of ocular wonders ranging from large and detailed costumes or expensive booth displays to fan-made replicas—the best of which was a functioning life-size R2-D2; my jaw actually dropped—one could have easily become overwhelmed and exhausted by the endless eye-pulling oddities that inhabited the main floor.

One of the more fantastical elements of larger conventions such as the New York Comic Con is the opportunities it affords fans to interact with contributors (artists, writers, editor and actors) of the various media featured. I elated as I hopped the floor meeting and interviewing industry stars, one of whom was writer Jeff Lemire who authored the famous comics Essex County, The Nobody and the forthcoming Sweet Tooth. Or artist Paul Duffield and inker Katie Brown who worked with writer Warren Ellis on the Avatar title FreakAngels.

[note: these interviews will be posted shortly - still transcribing the interviews off my recorder.]

I find that these experiences strengthen the community by bringing the purveyors of the industries closer to the fans that keep them afloat. I also got to meet-up with Brooklyn’s very own Travis Nichols, the author/ illustrator of Punk Rock Etiquette and the forthcoming The Monster Doodle Book; Colleen AF Venable, the author of the Graphic Universe’s Guinea Pig graphic novel series for kids; and the art and design editor for First Second Books, to get their thoughts on the Con.

Greenpoint Gazette (me): You both go to cons all over the country every year. How is it different to have NYCC in your own backyard?

Colleen: When you’re out of town for a convention your whole world is the convention. When it’s at home, you have to balance the convention with your normal life: work, non-comics friends—I’m supposed to have those, right?

Travis: I forget to go to parties when cons are local. Instead of “I’m tired… but, yeah, let’s go to the hotel bar,” it’s “I’m tired. Let’s go home. We can see these jerks in the morning.”

GG: What are your thoughts on this year’s con, from the crowd and attendance to its overall execution?

C: The crowd smelled better than in 2006, and no fire marshals were needed. Woo-hoo! In all seriousness (though I’m quite serious about 2006—it was like 90 degrees in here!), the show is so well run this year. Programs are more packed than ever, books are selling great, and while Saturday’s crazy crowds meant I got smacked in the face by not one but TWO giant fake axes, the energy was hard to deny.

T: This is my first NYCC. I went to San Diego Comic Con in 2002, and it seemed about the same size. Madness. I mostly go to more indie-ish cons: SPX, MoCCA, APE, STAPLE! But both extremes are super fun.

GG: Highlight of the con for you?

T: Live action D&D was awesome! Yeah, we totally vanquished the Mad King! Rollin’ on 20’s.

C: It should have been when a Muppeteer told me that his niece is a fan of my books, but really, it was watching a person dressed as Gumby dance Badly (capital B intended) in that slightly-terrifying Michael Jackson dance game booth.

But even without the element of industry stars wowing the crowds, what I love about conventions is the camaraderie of the con-goers. At the end of the day, no matter what borough, city or state you are from, this is an event that allows all the nerds in the world to congregate, un-judged, with others and freely express who you are and what you love.

Another highlight that happened outside of the convention was on Saturday night, the 9th, at Bergen St. Comics located in Brooklyn and was hosted by comics blog iFanboy that had an open beer/wine bar, the contributors of the site and special appearances by Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul.

Geoff Johns & I cheers the beers

Even though I was extremely exhausted after Saturday, the thought of missing this party seemed like an impossibility. For one, it was my journalistic duty to attend these after hour events. Secondly, the words ‘open’ and ‘bar’, when put together, make magic. Not to mention, one of the coolest guys working and writing in comics was going to be there. The shop was packed and a frenzy of fans swarmed around Johns. To eliminate waiting in the drink line again I double fisted two beers and started in on Geoff. A really nice and laid back guy, we chatted for a few, created a cheers with out beers and took a picture. It was a nice little highlight and I would like to say thank you to Bergen St. Comics and iFanboy for putting the event on.

At the end of the day(s) my mind and body may feel a bit overwhelmed and exhausted, but it was such an exciting and fun event through every minute and will be missed dearly until next year.

I love all things geeky and nerdy – no matter what the medium (just about). Along with being a life long nerd, I am also a male that is now in his early twenties. Thusly, it would be a fair assumption that I also have a taste for ‘adult material’. Sadly, in my years of experience, I’ve found that I prefer to keep the artifacts and iconic characters of my geeky interests separate from my illicit indulgences. Listed below are examples of what could be the worst nerdy parody pornos. I will note that I have not seen all of these films, but am judging them solely on posters or DVD covers.

10. World of Whorecraft:
I think by the time they were done filming this movie they were over budget and couldn’t put together a more creative poster. I am curious to whether or not they even bothered with a make-up department to make the actresses look more like Night Elves or Orcs… Nonetheless, that combo does not sound appealing whatsoever.

9. Whore of the Rings:
This film is a poor knock-off of a preceding porn parody. A sad, sad knock-off. But nonetheless, the film does appear to be more like a parody of the Broadway theatrical play Wicked (which is a title I am having trouble creating a parody-type name for).

8. Lord of the G-String:
Being honest, I have seen this. It was late, it was on one of the movie channels late one evening and I was interested to see what they were going to do with it – and, I was amused to say the least. With the characters names ‘Dildo Baggins’ and ‘Schmirnoff – the Wizard’ (who was drunk the whole time) that resulted as an interesting experience that lacked any real form of eroticism.

7. Deep Space 69:
My word, this sci-fi series lends itself quite well to a porn parody. I haven’t seen it, nor do I have interest – UNLESS there is a cameo, in the form of a flashback, of Sisko’s wife and family interacting with Borg Picard. That would be horrifying. Like I said, the only way I would watch this.

6. Penetrator:
Well done with this poster, porn folk. Well done. Another thing that could possibly work for this film, and its actors, is that porn stars often have an acting range the same as Arnold Schwarzenegger. But, if they keep with the character of the Terminator I foresee some very awkward sex scenes.

5. 2069: A Space Odyssey:
This movie was made in 1974, and it’s cover looks like a paperback sci-fi pulp novel. What I’m guessing you should expect from this porn: lots of bush, bad effects and very boring sex – regardless who it is between. But I would like to watch it to see how they incorporate any of the themes from the films source material, 2001: A Space Odyssey. Is HAL some artificial intelligence programmed for sex and revelry?

4. Batman XXX:
This is the Dark Knight. This is the Dark Knight on porn. A modern day porn that seemed to have a bigger budget then most, so they spent it all on sets and sultry costumes. Here is the trailer:

BATFXXX trailer

3. The Big Lebowski XXX:
What I appreciate about this parody nerd porn is that they didn’t even bother adjusting the name to give it a porny-pun. They simply took the clout of this cult hit and added boobs and screwing. But, judging the poster I guess even Jesus and Donny might get some action. I would also anticipate several sexual innuendos regarding bowling balls – like a lot of them.

2. Buffy the Vampire Layer:
So… umm… if Buffy has sex with a vampire they die? Or is she the chosen one that is destined to have sex with vampires because no one else will? Oh wait, she did have sex with multiple vampires in the original series. I guess it makes more sense now…

1. Final F%*K X:
I have not seen this… but I am not going to lie, I would. And, don’t lie – you would too. ‘Nough said.

The Greenpoint Gazette Guide to Attending New York Comic Con

“New York City Comic Con, the second largest comic convention is rapidly approaching and, if you are attending the convention, October 8th-10th at the Javits Center (655 West 34th St, Manhattan), your should be prepared to manage your way through the masses and chaos of the con…”

(read more at The Greenpoint Gazette)

‘ENDINGS, CLOSURE & COMFORT’
Greetings again! Welcome to the second addition of ‘What were they thinking?’ (WWTT?) where I discuss the best, the worst and the ‘why did they do that?’ of the new comics released this week and read by me.
[*This review contains spoilers*]

THE GOOD:
This week’s theme for comics was last issues and variant covers. With Marvel and DC having both released a series of oddly expensive variant covers and reprints, all eyes were affixed of three series enders. First was G. Willow Wilson & M. K. Perker’s AIR (DC/Vertigo), as well as John Ostrander & Jan Duursema’s Star Wars Legacy (Dark Horse) and lastly Brian K. Vaughn & Tony Harris’ Ex Machina (DC/Wildstorm). While I did not read Air or SWL because I am unfamiliar with those stories I did dig deep into the final pages of Ex Machina. With any good narrative, it’s always hard to see it come to an end. The sensation of turning the last page and knowing nothing more is to come of these characters, or the fear of disappointment that it will end in shite (*cough* The Sopranos *cough*). But reading the last issue of Ex Machina was amazing. With a brilliant start and finish to the issue, I felt satisfied with the closure – even after the dark path it had you walk. Brian K. Vaughn created, with the characters, the most appropriate and necessary resolutions for the characters in order for Mitchell Hundred to move on and find his own closure and the closure of the book.

THE BAD/WWTT?:
It may come as a bit of a shocker, but I was not a huge fan of this weeks comic: Brightest Day #8 (DC) that is penned by Geoff Johns & Peter Tomasi and an amazing team of artists. While I loved the Blackest Night arc, Brightest Day has done very little to keep my eyes glued to the pages the same way its predecessor had. Finding the most redeeming and interesting aspect of the arc being Deadman, with Aquaman in a close second, I was saddened to see a lack of his story and our fishy friend not appearing at all. Furthermore, (spoiler alert) I was already on the snore and bore with the Hawkman/Hawkgirl story, but this weeks issue increased my dislike for it even more with the big reveal that the Queen of Nth City is Hawkgirl’s mother? What were they thinking?

THE PICK OF THE WEEK!!!:
This read was, in my opinion, the best read of the week. Personally still affected by the events of The X-Men: Second Coming arc, and the loss of so many characters that I held close to my nerdy heart, Jason Aaron & Davide Gianfelice’s Wolverine: Weapon X #16 provided a one-shot that x-readers needed. It’s old news now, but in the Second Coming arc Kurt Wagner aka Nightcrawler died, along with many others, while protecting Hope – the mutant messiah. Having been brought to tears by his death, and later the eulogy/funeral issue, I couldn’t help but read on that Wagner’s best friend (Wolverine) was having the most difficult and emotional time with this loss. This special issue took Logan on task to deliver by hand a piano to a mountain top church in Venezuela via Nightcrawler’s last will and testimony. While on this long and rugged journey Wolverine thought back onto the history the two had shared in an attempt to find closure and comfort that his friend is in a better place. In the end, Logan finds his peace with Kurt’s death, and most importantly – so does the reader.

This is a new weekly column where I take a look at the weird, the bad and the oddly cool in comics this week. While this is the first of many to come, it is rather light. While I don’t review all the new single issues that I read, these are the highlights of that stood out as graphic oddities. Keep in mind I am one man with a small budget and buy what I can. I don’t read everything that comes out each week. Going off of what I got –

VAMPIRES!?! Are we really still so obsessed with vampires? And even the Twilight lore?

First off, we have X-MEN issue #2. Have just finished up one of the most culminating and devastating story arcs ever, vampires arrive in the wake of their tragedy. My biggest problem with this is, well, vampires… I like vampires, but to have their newest foe being the follow up to Bastion in the ‘Second Coming’ arc seem so weak and – irrelevant. While I understand Marvel’s use of a less threatening group of villains of giving the readers a break from the week-to-week emotional draining intensity of each chapter, I’m still looking for more answers and resolution to SC. Regardless, I shall remain, always, a reader of the X-Men – but really, what were they thinking?

Next, is Archie & Friends #146 as the gang have a two-part Twilight-esq special. While it might be a bit of a parody… really? What were they thinking?

[*SPOILERS AHEAD*]
Lastly, for the first post of WWTT?, is X-Force: Sex & Violence #2. And WOW. This is not a negative critique, by any means, but a ‘what they thinking’ by not making this happen sooner? In this issue we learn why the guild of assassins are after Domino and why! Aside from the development of this fun miniseries, we finally get to see Domino and Wolverine give into the sexual tension that has been building between the two since she joined the mutant black-ops crew. Yeah, for one full page of this -ish, we see hot, steamy and rough sexy-time between two of the most dangerous mutants alive. Not to mention the witty banter, violence and a lot of really bad assassins…

THIS WEEKS MUST READS:
Walking Dead #76
Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #1
Unwritten vol. 2 TPB

Until next week, keep on reading!