NB of the Week

-Just call me The Rock cuz you're getting the Rundown!-
(yes, I know how bad that one was but I couldn't find anything better. Sue me)

Inhuman #1
After the events of Infinity (last year), the Terrigen mists have been released upon the world. What that does is change anybody with an Inhuman gene into an Inhuman. If they're lucky. But not all societies of the Inhuman culture are happy with it. Charles Soule does a pretty decent job of taking over from the brilliant Matt Fraction as writer. Not much past set-up but a solid start.

Starlight #2
Duke McQueen is not 40 years older and out of shape since he save Tantalus and now some kid wants him back because they're in even bigger trouble now. Hero epics don't get any more basic than this and Millar's pulling it off wonderfully. Now we just hope Duke survives this time around.

Artifacts #36
Apparently Ron Marz is done writing this book and every issue gets worse and worse. I think it's time to drop this one. Oh, and Tilly comes across an equation that is making people kill. Yay.

Earth 2 #22
Alan Scott is back and more pissed off than ever. Too bad those first pages telling us that are all wee see of him. Meanwhile, Superman attacks Batman and the others. As he goes for the new, young Kryptonian (a Zod...), Lois reveals herself to him to his big surprise. End of Issue. Again, not much progress but a good issue.

Guardians of the Galaxy: Prelude #1
Turns out Nebula is a big ol' failure. Gamora, Korath and herself are agents of Thanos and after an Orb that he really, really wants. Only she fails to get it. I assume this is what we see Quill take in the trailer and if these guys all want it, Thanos can't be too far behind.

Ultimate Spider-Man #200
As a lead into the new Miles Morales: Spider-Man series, we get what would be the 200th issue is Ult Spidey (with some mini series trickery I don't agree with). Bendis uses it beautifully as all the characters join to remember the like of Peter Parker and what he meant to them. Only (AND SPOILS BE FOLLOWING) it looks like he may be back as on the last page of the issue, we see what looks likes the back of Pete as he watches everybody leave his Aunt's home. Guess dead isn't so dead in the Ultimate-verse.

Captain America #19
Not much here but still really awesome as Cap attacks Mindbubble and Iron Nail. He gets the upper hand of Nail but by the end, falls prey to Mindbubble's mind bubbles. Hopefully Cap can get back to basics and start kicking ass again. My bet's on that happening.

Trailer Watch: The Drop

James Gandolfini, Tom Hardy. I'm in.

Karma Is A Fickle Mistress

I recently became Facebook pals with a guy I went to school with. Cool cat. Was one of the popular kids but never treated me like most the other popular kids did. However, he still at least semi keeps in touch with them through the Book of Face which struck against me the other day.
As I was looking through a list of the many likes he had on a post (still popular after all these years), I came across the name of one of my many bullies from the day. Now, many years ago I decided I was done caring about this people and what they had to say about me and with that came the honesty of saying that I was bullied. Not always an easy thing to say. I never said it through school and if my family reads this, it's probably the first they're hearing it. School was awful. I had friends literally tell me I wasn't cool enough to be friends with them anymore. I was called every name under the book for no apparent reason. I would fake sick at times just so I wouldn't have to face these people if only for a day. The worst part, though,m was likely basketball. I made the team all three years in junior high and made the JV team in high school. I was the very obvious, odd man out. I wasn't cool, just tall and loved the sport and the others couldn't get that. Every practice was filled with ridicule and torment. I was told by teammates and others alike that I didn't deserve to be there. Thankfully it was mostly all verbal throughout the years. There were some physical things as well but never anything to the degree of getting beat-up, just small hits and shoves and the likes.
So this name I came across on Book, he was there in jr high as part of all this and even after going to separate high schools, he and his friends were still throwing the word jabs when our schools played. For many years, I was just hoping that the myth called Karma would catch up to them all, especially him. So I clicked over to his page hoping to find a fat, balding man who was working on his third marriage. Instead I find a handsome, muscular, seemingly successful and happy man with an above average wife.
Of course.
I know it may make me look cruel, but I was a little hurt to see him doing so much better than myself. In one moment, I was sixteen again and wanting to curl up in bed, pretending to be sick. But I hope he is finally deserving of it all, I really do. As hard as it may be and as much as I still carry around all that hell I went through, I forgive him. I forgive them all. Whether they were products of other environments themselves or if they came to grow as people and changed their ways or if it's just that they don't deserve my attention in any capacity (this post kinds contradicts that though), I won't hold any hatred towards them. Their names may still cause me to shiver and they may be living better lives than I am but I won't regress myself to those levels.
I will, however, not be liking anything I see from them on Facebook.

NB of the Week

-THINK A SPOILS IN THE HEAD MIGHT INTERFERE WITH THEM MORE-

Comics arrived a day late but never a dollar short...

All-New X-Factor #5
Written by Peter David
Drawn by Carmine Di Giandomenico

After saving Danger from the clutches of Nil (of Thief Guild fame), the team brings her aboard as the newest member and just in time. A new face in the billionaire league, Lemar Smaug (no relation to the dragon and yes, that connection was made in the comic), wants to meet with Serval CEO Harrison Snow. Snow believes this to be a meeting of him buying out Smaug but Smaug has the opposite in mind. As Snow brings in Factor to introduce, Danger throws a wrench into things as she informs everbody that she is not the only one who isn't human: Smaug has no readings of a human. Turns out that is because Smaug is really the Magus (of Technarchy fame). As the team begins to fight (and it was a pretty awesome fight), Magus is able to escape after bringing out his secret weapon: his son, Warlock (of New Mutants fame). Which distracts well enough because Technarchy ruling is based on father/son killing each other. Magus hates his son and wants him dead. Or does he? There's only one person to go to when you need absolute knowledge of Warlock: Doug Ramsey (of Douglock fame).
As it was with the old X-Factor, Davis has made this X-Factor one of Marvel's best reads in it's short lifespan. I mean, he makes me excited for Warlock and Ramsey. Who the hell could pull that off?! Peter David, that's who. All-New X-Factor will likely never be one of Marvel's best selling titles but it's worthy of it. Far more than many other titles that outsell it.
(Also, David is about to launch an all new Spider-Man 2099 series so at least Marvel realizes how dedicated his fanbase is)

Child of the 80s

And they still make me believe it every time I hear it (1986)

NB of the Week

-AS I EXPECTED, I CAN'T SPOIL ALONG WITH ANYONE TODAY EITHER-

Wonder Woman #29 - King of Ashes
Written by Brian Azzarello
Drawn by Cliff Chiang

I know that I end up harping my favorites a lot here but that's what happens when dealing with favorites: you tend to like them the best.
Last issue saw everybody (sans Hera), in one way or another, making their way to Olympus where we also saw First Born break free of his chains and go after Apollo. The issue ended with Apollo seemingly sacrificing himself in order to stop First Born from claiming the throne. This issue starts with two pages of Hera being struck by a green meteor (yes, just like in Meteor Man). We quickly leave to find Hermes and Moon finding the scent of Zeke and taking off. From them, we head to Wonder Woman and Cassandra as they crash their... giant plane craft is what I guess it is... on Olympus where they find themselves meeting up with Hermes and Moon. All are shocked to see it in ruins and First Born standing proud, fleshless. All try to stop him from taking the throne but it seems futile. Until Hera returns. Apollo's sacrifice also gave Hera back her Godhood and powers. She zaps them all out of there, returning them to Paradise Island. Being human and still protected by Wonder Woman has humbled her immensely and to try and apologize, she has changed all her sisters back from snakes (her mother's fate is not yet revealed). Wonder Woman has her army.
"Olympus lies in ruins, claimed by a mad god. Warriors, I ask you to join me in a fight to reclaim heaven. Follow me... Not as your princess... But as the God of War!"
Azzarello has said that his run is coming to an end with this war for Olympus that has been building the whole time and as sad as I am to see him go, I'm certainly excited to see his ending to it. Two and a half years later, he has continued to make Wonder Woman the best book DC is publishing. It's taking chances and reaching for new stories and giving it a voice that makes it stand over all the others. I can only hope that DC is smart enough to put Azzarello on another book after this run because this is a talent that is too damn good to not utilize.

Boobs of the Day

Elizabeth Olsen
Ever wonder what the Olsen Twins would look like if they stayed sober and were hot? Well no need to because we have their little sister, Elizabeth Olsen. After watching the American remake of Oldboy (much better than I was lead to believe but nowhere near as good as the original) and getting some good shots of her skin-bubbles, I am even more excited to see her as Scarlet Witch in Avengers 2.

NB of the Week

I should probably see a doctor for how often I get these RUNS.....

All-New X-Factor #4
Nil's secret weapon has been released and she/it is pretty pissed at him. Danger is let loose as she tries to kill Nil and anyone in her way. As Factor does it's best to slow her down, it's difficult when she can just load herself into any machine. Thankfully, a well placed kiss from Gambit opens up a few memories and she stops just in time to join the new X-Factor (and it's Gambit so a kiss makes sense in this instance).

All-New X-Men #24 ("All-New" is the new, hip thing)
Part 5 of the Trial of Jean Grey finally gives us some action to join Brian Bendis' dialogue. After J'Son stops the trial of Young Jean long enough for her to escape, Gladiator and the Shi'ar warriors square of with the Guardians and the X-Men, thinking they're behind it. Before too long, Young Jean shows back up, claiming that she is, in fact, guilty for the crimes of the Phoenix that she hasn't actually committed yet.

Witchblade #173

Sara Pazzini has been suspended from work after the last debacle and isn't taking it sitting down but before she go the verbal rounds with her ass of a boss, the Angelus lands down and she wants the other part of the Witchblade that Sara has. Not much actually happened in this issue but with Marz back on the book, it's been a good read so far.

Hawkeye #17
What a load of crap this was. We have a filler issue that is nothing more than a tv episode from an older issue that Clint was watching. It had nothing to do with either Hawkeyes or their stories and was nothing more that an attempt to let David Aja catch up on his art. Good or bad issue, I feel cheated with this one.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #32
Fighting abound as the Turtles are finally all back together and taking on Koya and the Foot's assassins. This issue was pretty much just awesome fighting. After Mikey flies in on a motorcycle and nailing Koya, Leo approaches. Instead of taking the killing strike, he pulls out a star and says within an hour, Koya will die. He can continue fighting or live. He chooses wisely. The whole gang leaves Northhampton, with Splinter saying it "time to stop running". I can't tell you just how great it is to have such an amazing TMNT book again.

Justice League of America #13
DC makes me hate them more and more. We think Stargirl has rescued everybody and it turns out that nothing from the last five issues happened and she's been in her own mind prison the whole time. Only she was able to escape because she realized it. The League is still trapped and she did nothing but retain some personal growth. Horse-shit. $24 worth of horse-shit.

(Late) NB of the Week

-I ONCE FIXED A SPOILS THAT WASN'T EVEN BROKEN YET-
Rundown Edition!

Starlight #1

Mark Millar is getting back to his MillarWorld titles (Again. For now) with what I describe as Gran Torino meets John Carter. Duke McQueen has lived a long life. His wife just died, his two sons are trying to avoid him and the inter-dimensional adventures he had many years ago have found him once more. Not much happens in this issue but it's a great, solid start to what should hopefully be another amazing Millar series.

Earth 2 #21
Tom Taylor hits his first speed bump as new writer in an issue that does extremely little to progress the story. Evil Superman lasers an arm off Atom and them knocks him out with it. Everybody yells at Batman for wanting the new Kryptonian to stop Superman and Superman finds out about the Kryptonian. That's about it.

Forever Evil #6
The Fate of Nightwing! Only not really. As Batman and the Badguys find Nightwing, they find that he has a bomb attached that can only be disarmed if his heart stops. Luthor obliges and "kills" him by covering his airways. As Batan begins to beat him for it, Luthor tries to plead that it's not over. Over with the Crime Syndicate, their hooded prisoner is finally revealed to be Alexander Luthor (I assume from their Earth 3) and we find that he isn't so nice either as he kills Johnny Quick and steals his powers after calling "MAZAHS!" and gaining the power of the Dark Lightning. He claims he'll be the only hero this place needs.

Jupiter's Legacy #4
We get a little more history as to how the first group got their powers. Mostly, though, we get modern times as we see "heroes in hiding" and their son as they lat low in Australia. Honestly, there's been such time gaps that I'm not sure who these people are anymore. Another I'll have to reread once it's good and caught up instead of trying every four months to remember.

Captain America #18

Cap and Falcon have to fight SHIELD Agents that have been taken over by Mindbubble's mind bubbles. As they try to reach a secret SHIELD location (Cap's getting tired of their secrets, kinda like a certain movie that's coming up) and is brought up by Jet on MB's origin. Ex-SHIELD who has Cap's serum and lots of LSD. Worse over is that once you get in his bubbles, you either die in 'em or you kill yourself to not die in 'em cuz you're his forever. As Cap reaches the location, it turns out to be a Helicarrier the size of a cityand he now has to wonder what SHIELD is willing to do in order to make sure it doesn't fall into the hands of a crazy like Mindbubble.

NB of the Week

-I NEVER SPOIL FASTER THAN I CAN SEE. BESIDES THAT, IT'S ALL IN THE REFLEXES-

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #31
Written by Tom Waltz
Drawn by Ross Campbell

The Turtles just can't catch a break. Most recently, Shredder kidnapped Leonardo and brainwashed him into leading his foot. This led Splinter and the other three to do some shady deals (with the likes of Old Hob and Slash) and an eventual fight with their lost family member. Though they were able to mostly break the control and get Leo back, the group is very uneasy and trying to mend. Leo hates himself and doesn't trust his own action (even though the spirit of his mother talks to him and tells him otherwise), they all hiding out in the forests at April's parents place (hid from them as well) and Alopex has followed them, wanting to turn over a new leaf after she found out that Shredder used her and was the one who killed her family before he mutated her.
That's kinda the catch-up and what happens here. Don may have found how to destroy the Technodrome that Krang is building. April cut her hair short like all women in Hollywood are doing. Raph is starting to let Alopex in a little without wanting to kill her. Mostly though, this is Leo's issue. As he sulks alone in the forest,Splinter comes up and begins to tell him that much like a sword that is drawn, Leo was just a tool used by Shredder. He was able to fight it before blood was drawn and he shouldn't hold that against himself. He then reveals that Leo is not alone is talking to his mother. Splinter also speaks with her and he tells Leo that for her sake, he won't let him give up on himself or their family. He then returns Leo's blue mask and walks away. Later that day, as they all (sans Leo, April and Casey) sit and eat, they are attacked by a new mutant, an eagle of sorts who was flashed last issue to us, and a few Foot Assassins ("Killers of the highest order!"). As the five of them try to fight and are quickly taken down, the bird stands over Splinter and says "You are beaten, rodent. There is no Escape. Are you prepared for the slaughter?". But then, from behind him comes "That's funny, bird..." and in a gigantic, TMNT boner moment

we get a final page of Leo standing with his katanas and Blue mask.
"... I was gonna ask you the same thing."

This title has been damn awesome from it's very start. With the exception of one story, everything has been great, old Turtles fun. These guys get what makes them so awesome and it's the gimmicks or toys or cartoons. It's the characters. This is a family that will fight each other but more often fight for each other and you get that. The stories have flowed together very nicely and overall, it's just great to be a Turtles fan again. If you have ever been one, this is the title you've been waiting for since the original Laird and Eastman days.

(Sorta Late)NB of the Week

A smaller week leaves larger runs yet again.

Savage Wolverine #15
It's 1933 and Wolverine is pissed off that some gangsters have taken his friends (children and all). This issue, while doing a lot, doesn't progress the story very much. He gets the kids out but not before one of them gets back into trouble causing Wolverine to trade himself for the boy. I don;t mind the lack of movement because the writing is awesome and the art is damn amazing.

Justice League #28
Pulling from the Book of Bendis, Geoff Johns does a great job of making a good read while doing nothing to further the already existing arc. We get the story behind Magnus's Metal Men, the how and why of their creation and ultimately their demise. However, they're not quite as dead as he thought and he's ready to bring them back into battle against the Crime Syndicate.

He-Man and the Masters of the Universe #10
Still willing to die fighting in the Realm of Dreams in the Underworld, He-Man, King Randor and Battle Cat wage war but are surprised when Teela, Stratos and Moss Man come to their rescue, The latter three have found out that the Sky Realm is a pathway through all the Circles of the Underworld and can easily leave now. As Randor takes over flying their ship, he guides them directly into the Realm of Death where the Snake Men live. Turns out it wasn't Randor at all as we geeks get the introduction of King Hiss.

Captain America #17
Or Dr. Mindbubble, what a weird, great character you are. After Cap fights some stereotype Asians, he finds out it was just a distraction from what was really happening. Nuke is dead and it was to release Weapon Minus (Mindbubble) who takes control with his mind bubbles (literally bubbles that come from a pipe in his forehead) and has Fury Jr attacking his own people without even knowing it.

Daredevil #36 (MAJOR SPOILS IN THIS ONE)
Murdock has revealed himself to be Daredevil in court! Not a hoax or ruse or dream! He does it to make sure the Serpents can't, thus taking their leverage away. By the end, he defeats them (as was expected) but in doing such, he and Foggy (still dying from cancer) have been disbarred from legal practice in New York (apparently being a costumed hero and a lawyer cause ethical problems). And since it's very unlikely he'll get any state to issue another, he has to go to where he already has a license: California. Here comes the new series.

Wonder Woman #28
Another amazing issue from Azzarello that seemingly does nothing yet leaves me wanting more. Wonder Woman and Hermes find their way back to Zola and Zeke and find that their "guide" Dionysus has been taken and is being used to get into Olympus. Up on Olympus, First Born escapes his chains and surprises Apollo with how little he is willing to die. As First grabs Apollo and claims he is but the first God he shall kill, Apollo tells him it will be over his dead body and the last page is everything exploding. Great cliffhanger from what is still DC's best book.

Boobs of the Day

Gamora
In honor of the release of the first trailer for Guardians of the Galaxy, we have the scantily clad Gamora. Granted, she doesn't wear this costume anymore and this particular Gamora is actually a Skrull but who cares. She's a hot green chick.

NB of the Week

-THAT SPOILS REALLY TIED THE ROOM TOGETHER-

Winter Soldier: The Bitter March #1 (of 5)

Written by Rick Remender
Drawn by Roland Boschi

Remember in the current Captain America, we have the Iron Nail, who used to be a SHIELD agent and now wants to take down the western government? Of course you do. Turns out that years ago, he and Fury had a run in with the "urban myth" that is the Winter Soldier. After Hydra kidnapped a brother and sister scientist team (is that a team? I guess it's a team), Shen has been sent to rescue them. Turns out they have cracked the Alchemy Formula and SHIELD can't have Hydra having that. After a run in with Fury (the white one, not the black son who hasn't been born yet), the two set to infiltrate Castle Hydra. After Shen thinks he has a woman spilling all the beans, it turns out she has had him the whole time and Madame Worm has worked her tiny.. um, worms into Shen. After Fury helps kill (presumably) Worm, they find the two siblings and head to the roof to leave. But in a "blur of shadow", they are quickly taken. Turns out somebody else wants the formula. With convenient winged suits, Shen and Fury take off after the would be kidnapper. As Shen distracts, Fury swoops in with a blow that knocks the scientists out of villain's arms. Shen is able to fly in and save the two from certain deaths but now all five are stranded in the snow covered forest. Worse over, Shen caught a glimpse of the new kidnapper and the red star on his metal looking arm. The mark of the soviet assassin that no living man has ever confirmed.
"Part man. Part machine. You better hope he's myth. Better hope that wasn't him. Better pray to God you're not stranded in this forest with the Winter Soldier."
It's almost a given that with Remender writing Captain America and this mini, things will carry over and tie in but with this first issue, nothing is needed except the general knowledge of Bucky and his Winter Soldier history. Remender writes with intelligence and a great flare for espionage. Those final words, even though we know everything works out for Fury and Bucky (kinda), are terrifying. You feel how scared these guys should be, even trained SHIELD agents, by the notion of The Winter Soldier. Great first issue and I can't wait to see where this story takes us.

BONUS NB!!!
Check out this amazing cover from All-New X-Factor #3. The story was great and the cats have nothing to do with anything other than we find out Gambit has three pet cats but who cares? It's a damn awesome cover.

(Late)(er)NB of the Week

Late once again so here's the rundown of the few books I read.

All-New Invaders #2

Jim Hammond is under attack by Tanalth the Pursuer (Kree badass chick) as she looks for the missing pieces of the God's Whisper (a machine that can control Gods). As Cap and Bucky come to his rescue, Tanalth gets word that they've recovered all the pieces and she heads. Now it's up to the three to find Namor and kick Kree ass.

New Avengers #14
Another Earth is taken out by another Incursion and Doctor Strange tells the dark lords that he wants all the power possible and he's willing to sell all his soul for it... I love Hickman but this issue seemed lacking and could been told in the last issue.

Earth 2 #20
After the revelation that the new Batman if Poppa Wayne (not dead in this universe), we get back to the action as he and his rag-tag group run from Parademons and try to get the new Kryptonian kid to realize how strong he can be and how much good he can do. Meanwhile, Superman destroys all places of holy worship as he declares Darkseid to be the only true God.

Captain America #16.NOW/#1
Jet Black runs around New York as she comes to realize that people of this dimension are soft and weak. She is then approached by Red Skull and is told that she should join him (out of respect to her father, whom was combined with Skull for a while). She turns him down but we're left with the forsehadowing that she may not be the hero we're hoping she becomes.

Forever Evil #5

Sinestro Joins up with Luthor's "Injustice" team and so does Deathstroke after being convinced that his business will die once the Syndicate takes over... And that's really it. Very slow issue.

Artifacts #34
The second issue by Top Cow's Talent Hunt winners gives us a story of Ian Nottingham really wanting his swords and killing a lot to get 'em. Not much here but it was a fun story.

If Only...

I woulda loved to see this commercial but it's probably funnier now through two different ones.