Tag Archives: comics

The Fearless Defenders: Gone Too Soon

Marvel Comics, My Rants and Tantrums, , , ,

Over the past few days, Twitter has been the virtual host to a pre-memorial for The Fearless Defenders, one of my favorite comics that has been sent to the chopping block by Marvel. I say “pre” because there are two issues left. The month of December is going to be bittersweet. My birthday is the 22nd (feel free to email, tweet or Facebook birthday wishes) but also during that month I will be reading issue #12, the final issue of this astounding series.

I can only imagine how this series will end. A new character was introduced in the last issue. Is Marvel really ending Fearless Defenders in the middle of a story arc? Will they let the creators give its’ fans a proper goodbye to characters we have come to know and love, but may never see again?

I know the sales were low on this title, but exactly why is what I don’t know. There is always someone out there complaining about something, so who knows. The power of persuasion takes over a lot of people. If a notable blog or website gives a negative preview or review, then a lot, if not most, of its’ readers will march in that direction instead of reading the comic for themselves.

You can’t always tell by the first issue whether you will like a comic or not. Since I got back into reading comics about three years ago, I have read a few titles where I immediately knew I wouldn’t continue reading beyond its’ debut issue. But there have been a few titles where I needed to read the second issue to see if my indecisiveness had changed. And most of those second issues became the reason for those titles getting on my pulls.

I loved Fearless Defenders debut issue. But I didn’t like Annabelle Riggs, the lesbian archaeologist. After reading it, I thought, “Oh no. Another story that’s giving in to the not enough gays and lesbians in comics.” But that’s not why she was placed in the series. That’s just who Annabelle is. She became a person of great importance and I grew more fond of her with each issue. Actually, I would have kept reading the series even if my speculation was correct. A book with Valkyrie, Misty Knight, and Hippolyta written by Cullen Bunn. I knew this title would be in good hands.

Not only am I sad and disappointed, but I am ANGRY that Fearless Defenders was canceled. And right now I am in sista mode. Not sister, but SISTA. One hand on my hip, the other waving in the air with the index finger sticking out, head swinging side-to-side, and mouth running like a leaky faucet.

DISCLAIMER: I don’t blog just to be blogging. My blog consists of HONEST reviews and HONEST tantrums.

I don’t know all the reasons for the low sales of this title, so I decided to compile (or make up) my own list.

WOMEN FOCUSED

feardefend3final

MALE WRITER

nomensign

BLACK FEMALE LEAD

feardefend2final

LESBIAN CHARACTER WITH A SIGNIFICANT ROLE

feardefend1final

JEALOUS BECAUSE MARK BROOKS IS THE COVER ARTIST (I mentioned in my issue #10 review that you need therapy if you’re not reeled in by his covers)

feardefend2

SONGBIRD AND DIAMONDBACK’S CAMEO APPEARANCE IN ISSUE 6. (S/D on Twitter is the most vocal fan about the book. I started following S/D a couple months ago because of all the engaging tweets about the book. This reward was well deserved (I just learned of it a few days ago). If that was me, I’d brag everyday for the rest of my life, especially to my comic bashing co-workers who “think it’s funny” that I read comics, and that, “You don’t look like you read comics.” Pre-orders for that issue would have been shockingly high because I would have bought each and every last one of them a copy.

feardefend4final

CULLEN BUNN HATED ON FOR NO APPARENT REASON

cbunn

WHINING JUST TO BE WHINING

babyhuey

The condolences were pouring in so heavily on Twitter, that I had to hold an umbrella over my head whenever I read the feeds of Bunn, Will Sliney and Fearless Defenders hastag.

But there’s always people who have to go and mess with the mood. Twitter, blogs, websites. I read so many apologies and job well done to the creative team. But to say that you’re happy the series is ending is harsh. Everyone has feelings, and to trash talk like that is low. If I am upset over the book’s cancellation, then I can imagine how deeply saddened the creative team is right now. Every book has its’ own fan base, so what you don’t like, someone else love.

There were complaints the book should have been written by a woman. Well just because a book is all-female doesn’t mean it has to be written by one. Bunn gave the characters strong, distinctive personalities and writing styles. And VC’s Clayton Cowles brought the dialogue to life with his lettering. Valkyrie’s font was set apart from the other characters. When she speaks, I feel nothing but serenity. When Hippolyta speaks, I can hear an arrogant, but strong and powerful voice that would cause me to tremble if I was to meet her face-to-face. Cowles proved to be a great asset to this book.

I read there should have been a different creative team. Cullen Bunn, Will Sliney, Veronica Gandini, Mark Brooks, and Clayton Cowles. I didn’t even have to look in the book for their names. Enough said.

Of course I couldn’t leave the above sentence hanging. This team is truly amazing. Excellent scripts and visual storytelling at its’ finest.

Now it’s time for me to preach about one of my pet peeves in comics. I read a few comments where people said they were waiting for a trade. STOP WAITING FOR TRADES. BUY SINGLE ISSUES. THERE WON’T BE A COMIC IF YOU CONTINUE TO SIT BACK AND WAIT FOR A TRADE. Sales are determined by pre-ordered singles, not trades.

I know everyone don’t always have the money to buy comics every week. I read comics in the two digits on a monthly basis, and this number does not include comics for my husband and kids. About 15-17 books are purchased on our heaviest week. I rush to the comic shop every Wednesday before going to work, sometimes before checking to see if I have enough money. If I fall short, or don’t want to spend over a certain amount, the store owners/employees will let me buy whatever I want and put the rest back into the pulls for the next week.

So again, STOP WAITING FOR TRADES. HOW IN THE WORLD CAN A COMIC CONTINUE IF YOU BUY TRADES AND NOT THE SINGLES?

The Fearless Defenders. I wonder what sales would have been like if the first word in the title was replaced with X-Men.

Fearless Defenders #10 Review

Marvel Comics, ,

feardefend10

Yeah boy!  Annabelle is clockin’.  But don’t let the cover fool you.  These women are FAR from hip-hop, although I’m sure Misty Knight can bust a rhyme just as well as she bust a move on the villains in this series.

Each and every kind of hell has broken loose in New York City and people are turning into cocoons.  Thanos army is out to destroy the cocoons, while Caroline Le Fay, that villainess I love to hate, has her own agenda.  And she’s not even afraid of Thanos’ goons.  That’s probably because she has her newly assembled team of female badasses at her command.  I love how Caroline motioned for Thanos’ army to look upward, only for them to get pounced on by the powerful and dangerous, Scorpia, Titania, Shriek and Mindblast.  What’s even better is the villainess’ face-off against Valkyrie, Misty Knight and Hippolyta.

This issue introduces Ren Kimura, a character created by Cullen Bunn, the writer of this phenomenal series.  Ren is a 21 year-old female dancer that was raised in a strict home environment.  Her wants and needs in life has always been disregarded, as her parents sought to shape her as they saw fit.  Well all that may not matter anymore, because Ren broke out of her cocoon with a superhuman ability, razor-sharp fingers.  Of course Caroline Lefay has her evil eyes set on Ren and the rest of the cocoons.

The Fearless Defenders is a series that is full of surprises.  You never know what Bunn is up to, whether it’s a new defender or a new costume.  By the way, I like Misty Knight’s new ‘do.  Dialogue is always full of energy and laughter, fun and easy to follow.  Characterizations are at its’ finest, and I especially like Hippolyta, the strong and powerful, but arrogant Queen of the Amazon (well late queen, remember she was raised from the dead).  Annabelle is always funny.  She got on my nerves in the first issue, but I’ve grown fond of her over the past few months.  This is how you know that a story is good.  If emotions are triggered, then it’s a good story.

Will Sliney and Veronica Gandini never cease to amaze me with their awesome art and colors.  And you seriously need therapy if Mark Brooks’ covers don’t reel you in.

The Fearless Defenders is definitely one title I am hoping will stick around for a very long time.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I highly recommend this title.

Hoax Hunters #11 Review

Image Comics, ,

hoax11

TITLE:  Hoax Hunters #11
WRITER:  Michael Moreci
WRITER:  Steve Seeley
ARTIST:  T-Rex Jones
RELEASE DATE:  October 9, 2013

I jumped at the opportunity for a review copy of this title. Besides the fact that I’m able to read one of my favorite comic titles before its’ release date, I can also persuade (or at least attempt it) readers to grab a copy at their local comic shop.

Jack and the rest of the team, except Regan, are investigating thunderbird sightings that have been reported across three states. These larger-than-life creatures are wreaking a massive amount of havoc, not to mention the Hoax Hunters don’t have what may be their most powerful weapon with them on this mission, Regan. The team gets attacked by these huge, demonic-looking creatures and of course, Jack is not buying it. When a team member gets snatched up by a thunderbird, her childhood friend comes to her aid.

Meanwhile, Donovan and Regan are in South America searching for the Book of All Futures, and the demon that’s tied to the book’s curse. The Book of All Futures is a powerful but dangerous relic that could prove catastrophic if it falls into the wrong hands. Regan sensed Donovan was holding back from her (I’ve always said he’s not to be trusted), so he tells her what may be his darkest secret, the truth about himself. But is Donovan really telling Regan the truth? And will she fall for it?

Moreci and Seeley continues to produce mind-blowing, adrenaline-inducing, horror stories that will leave you a feind for the next issue. Character interactions are eerie and Murder and Ken Cadaver creeps me out even more than Donovan.

I laughed to myself after reading this issue because I had forgotten all about thunderbirds, large legendary creatures. Up until a few days ago, I only remembered mixing my Thunderbird with lemonade kool-aid back in the day!

This dark, fun-to-read story was brought to life by T-Rex. His ghastly art with dark shadows and tones adds to that adrenaline rush from Moreci and Seeley.

In my first and second reviews of Hoax Hunters, I lectured about buying single issues instead of waiting for the trade. Well, those lectures remain unchanged.

It is more than obvious that I will continue to read Hoax Hunters. If not, then go back and re-read the first paragraph where I said that it’s one of my favorite comic titles.

By the way, I hashtagged thunderbirds on Twitter! You’ll know what I’m talking about when you read issue #11 on Wednesday.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I highly recommend this title to all fans and readers of dark, horror and sci-fy.

Mighty Avengers #1 Review

Marvel Comics, , , , ,

mightavenge1

The Avengers are somewhere in outer space on an unknown mission, so Thanos decides to use their absence as an opportunity to overthrow New York City. But he and his crew will soon learn that another team of Avengers has stepped up to the plate.

The story begins with Luke Cage leading Power Man and White Tiger on a “Heroes for Hire” job at Horizon Labs. As they are fighting Plunder and his henchmen, Superior Spider-Man drops in and captures Plunder. He calls out the Heroes for Hire as being mercenaries, thugs. White Tiger agrees with Spider-Man and call it quits.

Meanwhile Blue Streak is on the run from the police, racing all over the city like a maniac holding a large sack and wielding a gun. But Monica Rambeau, aka Spectrum, quickly put a stop to that madness. Spectrum was actually testing out her new costume when she ran into Blue Streak. When she returned to the costume shop, she was informed that a man stopped by to see her. The man was still in the shop but his name and identity remained hidden. He tells Monica that he can’t be seen in-country so she dons him in a knock-off Spider-Man costume!

Proxima Midnight and her minions arrives in New York and immediately began their plan of destruction. As Cage, Spider-Man and Spectrum fight the gang of marauders, Spectrum mentions that a guy may be on the way to help. Just as Spider-Man begins to brag that he can have back-up in a matter of seconds, Spectrum’s friend with the knock-off Spider-Man costume shows up with a pair of nunchucks.

I enjoyed this debut issue and I definitely plan to read the next one to see where the story is headed. The predominately black superhero team is not the sole reason that I bought this title. I also bought it because some of my favorite Marvel characters are in this comic, such as Monica Rambeau, She-Hulk and Superior Spider-Man.

Written by Al Ewing, the story is full of fun and easy-to-follow dialogue. I like the distinctive personality of each character. Cage is re-evaluating his life and trying to figure out what’s best for him and his family. Monica is re-branding herself which includes a new attitude, hairstyle and costume. Her new alias, Spectrum, didn’t grab me at first but then I realized the name is just a reflection of her powers. I like Power Man’s attitude and how he likes to challenge authority. I am a huge fan of Superior Spider-Man and I’m hoping that Ewing keeps him “Superior” in this series…arrogant, attitude and always demanding respect.

The art team consists of Greg Land (pencils), Jay Leisten (inks) and Frank D’Armata (colors). I have no complaints at all in this area, probably because most of my focus was on Luke Cage (sorry Tony Stark and Starlord). Land drew Cage as handsome as handsome can get, especially those muscles. I like Monica’s new look, especially her new hairstyle. If I’m reading a good story, then I expect the same with the art and this team has delivered just that.

MARVEL HAS SET THIS TITLE UP FOR FAILURE.

Mighty Avengers is a predominately black superhero team, includes Superior Spider-Man and is drawn by Greg Land. It’s a conspiracy to make sure the sales go nowhere but down. I don’t see this title lasting more than a year, if that long.

A superhero team dominated by blacks and led by a black man. That alone is enough for low sales. Was this title put together to appeal to the “there’s not enough blacks…” hype?

Marvel added Superior Spider-Man to the team’s lineup knowing damn well that he constantly gets hated on. I follow Dan Slott on Twitter and his hate tweets had gotten so bad and in abundance that he had to start blocking those followers. There is a lot of hate about Superior Spider-Man circulating on the internet. So of course this should tell you that Spidey haters most likely won’t even glance at this title.

A lot, if not most, people look at the creative team of a comic to help them decide if they want to give it a try or not. So when I learned that Greg Land, porn face as some call him on the internet, would be the artist, I mentally prepared myself for the negativity on blogs, forums, Twitter, Facebook and wherever else people go to complain on the internet. I heard and read about Land before Mighty Avengers was announced. I also read a few articles and comments about him a few days before this title was released and they were ALL NEGATIVE. There were people already saying they wasn’t going to buy the book because his name is attached. I don’t read reviews of comics that I plan to blog about until after I have published mine. This is that one exception, because I knew what to expect. The reviews, blogs and comments all had negatives that greatly outnumbered the positives.

A lot of the comments were from people who didn’t even buy the book. They’re stuck on the artist, saying things like if only it wasn’t Greg Land or if only it had a different artist. I also read several comments from people who claim they don’t like the new Monica. These are not only post review comments, but from previews as well, so the comic was judged before it was read in its’ entirety.

There is never-ending hate for Land so let me talk about Monica Rambeau. Monica is a beautiful African-American woman who is getting hated on for her new costume and hairstyle. I am well aware of the trench coat, afro and braids. People change, even in comics. So what that Land has given Monica a new look. She’s re-branding herself, a fresh start. There’s nothing wrong with that. And there’s not a damn thing wrong with her hair. I got most of my hair cut off a few months ago. I have always worn my hair medium-long length. Why cut it so short? Because I am also rebranding myself. My hairstyle is similar to Monica’s and it appears that we are both sporting a hair color from the cinnamon family. Black women change hairstyles all the time. I have worn my hair long, short and I even wore braids at one time. We’re not trying to make a statement, we are just trying something DIFFERENT.

I read a few positives on Twitter and A LOT of negatives. People claiming they would read it if there was a different artist, or if Monica still wore the trench coat and braids. Or there’s already too many Avengers titles. Really? Have you complained about all those X-Men titles? Retailers tweeting the low sales, but none of them said anything about if they read the comic or not. They’re claiming low sales due to people hating the art. Blaming low sales due to the artist and Monica’s new look is nothing but pure bullsh-t.

Retailers ordered extremely low amounts of this comic because they knew a black-dominated story wouldn’t sell well. But….sales wouldn’t be that bad if they helped promote the title, or better yet, read it and then Tweet, Facebook, blog or whatever it takes to help this comic sell. But that’s far from reality. Too much like doing the right thing. Don’t want to be seen or heard pushing a team led by a black man.

If the creative team consisted of the big guns, then all hell would’ve broken loose. Imagine If Bendis, David, Fraction, Yost, Ramos and Stegman were on the this title, and there was a rare variant by Quesada.

  • Comic Book Resources and Bleeding Cool would have neverending threads of people giving praises.
  • eBay would be loaded with hundreds, if not thousands, of not only the book but those rare variants. And don’t forget about Young’s baby variants.
  • Comixolgy would have crashed on the release date like it did for Marvel 700+ free digital issues.
  • The lines of Yost and Stegman would wrap around the building at Detroit Fanfare next month. Stegman would have to turn fans away because of his overwhelming sketch load, and they wouldn’t even complain about the $150 that he charges for commission sketches (I’m not one of those complainers. I proudly gave him my $150 for my Superior Spider-Man sketch a few months ago).
  • CGC would get a shipload of Mighty Avengers #1, some of the owners of these comics would have already created a listing on eBay, having already guessed its’ grade. CGC would be totally exhausted from witnessing and processing Signature Series at conventions.
  • The crowd and lines at comic shops would be record-breaking. I’m sure that belligerent guy at the comic shop last week that I blogged about (I now call him Flint the Flipper) would have put on a much longer show.

I have read comics with either crappy stories, so-so art or both. Some of them I didn’t read past the first issue. But when I read the reviews, nothing but praise was given. That’s because popular names were attached.

What if Marvel had put a black creative team on this comic? Retailers would have sliced their numbers in half, and many of them wouldn’t have ordered at all.

My employer started a mandatory sensitivity training for all employees. There’s a lot of people out in this world that needs this training as well.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I highly recommend this title.

DC Comics Villains Month Becomes Reality

My Rants and Tantrums, , ,

Last week’s launch of Forever Evil and Villains Month caused nothing short of pandemonium at my local comic shop.

When I arrived at the store last Wednesday, the parking lot was packed.  I didn’t think much of it because the shop shares a parking lot with other businesses.  But this time was different.  I walked inside and there were people everywhere either holding stacks of comics or grabbing them off the shelves.  I go every week at the same time so I saw several familiar faces.  Others I had never seen before.  I got what I needed and immediately left.  I didn’t even hang around and socialize like I usually do because it was extremely busy.

I usually arrive at the shop around 10 a.m. or a few minutes after.  When I arrived this morning, the parking lot was packed.  I approached two men standing outside the shop’s door and they informed me the store had not yet opened.  As I turned to return to my truck, one of the employee’s unlocked the door.  The two men walked in behind me and seconds later, several customers barged in.

Knowing that this is the time when the owners and their employees are finishing up pulling titles for their regular customers, I began my routine of grabbing books off the shelf first and then head to the counter to collect my books from my pull box, taking caution as to not get in their way.  Well it was difficult to stick to my routine today.  People were grabbing books off the shelves and was in the way of the staff and myself.  It wasn’t the regular customers that was creating the chaos, there were a couple of people I had never seen before.  And of course the only books they were pulling were the 3-D motion covers.

One of the employee’s came over and yelled out that he was still pulling titles for customers and to give him a moment so he could finish.  Everything came to a complete halt as he and the owner finished pulling for the regulars.  The guy standing next to me began to fidget so I knew right away to keep my eyes on him.  If a book wasn’t on the shelf, then whoever had the book would return it.  This went on for a couple of minutes and most of us chuckled as we yelled out, “Not me” or “I don’t have that one” while looking through the stacks in our arms.  I was really enjoying myself at that time.  But there’s always one bad apple.

A title was called out and the guy that was fidgeting (he was also standing outside the door before the store opened) held up the book and loudly, but rudely, said that he got it off the shelf and that he should be able to have it.  The staff told him the books go to the regulars first and that it wouldn’t be fair if they didn’t get their books.

The guy immediately became loud and irate, but the staff held their ground.  As he was handing over the book, he stopped and told the staff they could have all the books and to eff it and that it was a bunch of bullsh-t.  He continued to yell as he stormed out the door, giving it a hard push.  He turned, caught the door in his hand and yelled, “I got a stack in my car from (competitor) do you want those too?”  He continued to storm off to his vehicle and sped off.

I had a feeling he was going to act out from the moment I saw him fidgeting.  So I moved to the other side of the store.  While he was clowning I sat my books on the counter, preparing myself in case he got physical with anyone.  I could feel the man standing behind me doing the same.  A few customers told me they were ready to take him down if needed.

One of the regular customers I speak to every week walked in as the guy sped out the parking lot.  He told me he could sense chaos as he walked through the door, and that he felt as if he missed something.  I told him everything that happened and he was not happy at all.  I’m glad he missed it, he probably would’ve clobbered the guy just for his aggressive behavior towards the owners and their employees.

I learned this scumbag is not a regular at the shop.  He drives around to all the local shops looking for books.  He looks for “hot” books in high-grade condition so he can buy them and put them up for sale later on that day.

I could not believe he behaved that way and the owner said that has never happened before in the shop.  There is no doubt this man already know that most, if not all, comic shops take care of their regular customers first.

The owners and staff takes care of all their customers, no matter how needy or last-minute we are.  They are always friendly and they don’t seem to mind that my never ending talkative self hangs out for at least an hour when it’s my Wednesday off from work.  Also, the shop doesn’t officially open until 11 a.m.  They always let their regular customers in early.  The non-regulars slipped in (forcefully) today.  So it came as no surprise that I, along with the other customers, were ready and willing to take him down if he would have even thought of getting physical with any of the staff.

So yeah, Villains Month became reality at Amazing Book-Store in Flint, Michigan today.  The difference?  Our Justice League (staff, customers) is not dead.  We defeated the villain, Flint The Flipper (I know it’s not a villainous name, but that’s all I could come up with)!

Thanks a lot DC Comics.  You probably didn’t know your comics would come to life huh?!

Morning Glories #30 Review

Image Comics, ,

mornglories30

What? You have got to be kidding. Let me get this straight. Irina and Ms. Daramount are sisters? Those are the reactions I yelled out loud to myself while reading this dark, supernatural and mysterious story.

This issue of Morning Glories is focused solely on Irina, the beautiful but extremely dangerous rifle-toting leader of the Truants. She was taught aggression and assassin skills at an early age by her mother, a woman who appeared to be mentally unstable. Irina’s childhood training included the killing of five men, hired by her mother to rape and kill Irina, without her weapons because her mother removed them prior to the attack.

The story also introduces Mr. N., a teacher at Morning Glory Academy. Mr. N. told Irina that his name is difficult for most tongues to pronounce. At the moment I don’t know what he means by that, but my mind is already set to not trust him. Mr. N. mostly works off-campus as he helps those students that require a direct focus curriculum. In other words, he works with gifted students. He cooks Irina a hearty breakfast, and as they begin to eat he tells her that he’s surprised she didn’t try to kill him. “First I eat, then I kill you” was her response. Of course I laughed out loud at those two panels. I especially like the scenes after Irina finished eating. I’m not giving spoilers, you have to buy and read the story for yourself.

For those that don’t already know, Morning Glories is a dark, horror, supernatural and mysterious series published by Image. All of the students that attend Morning Glory Academy, a prestigious boarding school, share the same birthday. Parents are instructed to cease ALL communication with their child once they leave for the school. Those that don’t heed the school’s warning suffer deadly consequences. The school harbors dark secrets, staff tortures the students, and there is a ghost named David that lurks the hallways.

I am still enjoying this title. Nick Spencer is the writer of this dark, confusing and mysterious series. Dialogue is always at its’ best and leaves you craving for more.

The creative art team includes Joe Eisma (art), Rodin Esquejo (cover), Paul Little (colors), Johnny Lowe (letters) and Tim Daniel (design). I have nothing but high praises for this team and they all deserve a round of applause. This may be Eisma’s best issue yet. The characters are lifelike with an enormous amount of attention to detail, especially facial expressions and body posturing. You can even see the lines on Irina’s cheeks while she is chewing her food. The fight scenes are awesome. Remember this is Irina we’re dealing with in this issue, so you know the majority of the story would involve violence. Of course I loved every minute of it as Irina is one of my favorite characters in this series.

At the end of the story you will find a condensed version of Study Hall by Matthew Meylikhov. Also at the back of the book is Morning Glory Babies strip by Meylikhov and Eisma. Speaking of Study Hall, don’t forget to head over to Multiversity Comics for the detailed study session of this issue.

There is no doubt that I am going to continue to read this title. If I had to reduce the number of comics I read every month, Morning Glories would definitely be far away from the chopping block.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I highly recommend this title.