San Diego Comic Con 2011

As you all must know by now, San Diego Comic Con was this past weekend and my sister and I went on Saturday. As usual the place was packed with people, there were a lot of great costumes and more importantly, we got to meet up with some of our favorite creators!

Things were in full swing for the upcoming Arkham City game (though nothing on The Dark Knight Rises)

Transformers had a major presence as well, but there was nothing quite like the Lego sculptures spread out throughout the hall.

Marvel had some pretty cool things strewn about, though I can't help but think Odin's throne last year was much cooler than the SHIELD stage.

There were a group of cosplayers that dressed up as heroes, but the opposite gender. Unfortunately, I only got pictures of these two. 

And bunches more!

Here's me with writer's Jonathan Hickman (FF, S.H.I.EL.D., Red Wing) and writer Nick Spencer (Morning Glories, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents)

Here are Rafael Albuquerque (American Vampire), Scott Snyder (American Vampire, Detective Comics), Francesco Francavilla (Detective Comics), Tony Daniel (Batman), and Jim Lee

We got these sketches from Francavilla and Albuquerque

And we bought these prints from Tomm Coker and Daniel Freedman (Undying Love), and Albuquerque

Comic Con is pretty much the best place in the world for comic fans!
If you can, make sure you get there some time.

They brought arms...to an arms control conference

Hello all. My sincerest apologies for being absent for a couple of weeks. I was at the Grand Canyon lat week and well, I was distracted. In an attempt to keep things fresh, I've decided to change things up when it comes to reviews starting next week. From now on, I will be choosing my favorite books of the week and reviewing those only. 

American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest #2 ****1/2
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Sean Murphy
Cover Artist: Sean Murphy
Publisher: Vertigo

Sometimes a spin-off story comes out of a book and you're left questioning whether that was a good idea. In this particular case, it was an amazing idea. Not only has Snyder kept the original series fantastic, this spin-off is absolutely brilliant stuff as well. The story is great. A search for a cure, sounds simple right? Believe me, it's anything but simple. And the art is gorgeous, really gorgeous. Murphy does an amazing job of enhancing Snyder's story.

Writer's Pull List 07/06/11

Hey everyone! In case you were wondering, comic books DO come out today. So go pick some up!

Arnab's Note: I have no notes for you guys this week. Have fun reading!

Matt's Note: Last week's post was so late because of me. Sorry team.

Arnab's List:
DC
Batman and Robin #25
Flashpoint #3
Flashpoint: Batman Knight of Vengeance #2
Superboy #9
Marvel
Fear Itself #4
Uncanny X-Men #540
X-23 #12
X-Men #14
Image
Chew #27

Matt's List:
DC
Batman and Robin #25
Batman Beyond #7
Flashpoint #3
Flashpoint: Batman Knight of Vengeance #2
Marvel
Fear Itself #4
Uncanny X-Men #540
X-Men #14
Image
Chew #27

Writers' Pull List 06/29/11

Hello readers! How's it goin? This here is our weekly pull list. It's our way of giving you guys a heads up on all the great books we'll be reading and reviewing!

Arnab's Note: There are a lot of books this week. It's as if all the books that rarely come out, decided, why don't we all just come out on the same day. And then they did.

Matt's Note: Children's Crusade Children's Crusade Children's Crusade


Arnab's List:
DC
Batman Incorporated #7
Detective Comics #878
Flashpoint: Green Arrow Industries #1
Gotham City Sirens #24
Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #11
T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #8
Marvel
Avenger's Children's Crusade #6
FF #5
Uncanny X-Men #539
X-Men: Prelude to Schism #4
Vertigo
American Vampire #16
Image
Last Mortal #2
Walking Dead #86
Top Cow
Artifacts #8

Matt's List:
DC
Batman Incorporated #7
Flashpoint: Green Arrow Industries #1
Flashpoint: Project Superman #1
Gotham City Sirens #24
Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #11
Wonder Woman #612
Marvel
Avenger's Children's Crusade #6
Uncanny X-Men #539
X-Men: Prelude to Schism #4
Vertigo
American Vampire #16

He's one of us. That's all that matters.

New Mutants #26 ***
Writers: Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning
Artists: Leandro Fernandez and Andres Mossa
Cover Artist: Marko Djurdejevic
Publisher: Marvel

My review for this book is quite simple. The story is great. This group of junior X-Men are on a mission to locate and rescue Nathaniel Grey. It's an interesting concept and while there hasn't been much action, that looks like it will pick up next issue. The art is not great. The figures are often distorted and warped and at times is a distraction. However, the alien freak and the graffiti did end up looking good, but it wasn't good enough to save the art.

Writer's Pull List: 6-22-2011

Hey everyone! Today is new comic book today. Which means you need to go out and buy some books, and this here list will let you know what books you should be buying.

Arnab's Note:The unfortunate news of the Green Lantern movie's well, unsuccessful nature has deterred me from watching it, which is a shame, because I had wanted it to succeed.

Matt's Note:  I do not agree with the existence of a "Wolverine & The X-Men" book.

Arnab's list:
DC
Batman: Gates of Gotham #2
Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost #1
Green Arrow #13
Marvel
New Mutants #26
X-Men Legacy #251

Matt's List:
DC
Brightest Day Aftermath: The Search for Swamp Thing #1
Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost starring Bart Allen #1
Flashpoint: Reverse Flash
Superman #712
Marvel
New Mutants #26
Secret Avengers #14
X-Men Legacy #251

That means Storm has had enough

 Gladstones School for World Conquerors #2 ****1/2
Writer: Mark Andrew Smith
Artists: Armand Villavert Jr. and Carlos Carrasco
Cover Artists: Armand Villavert Jr. and Carlos Carrasco
Publisher: Image

If you love a quirky, fun book, than this one is for you. This school of villains in training is great fun, because the characters are terribly amusing. The major plot twist is that the villains of the world and the superheroes of the world have made a pact, a peace pact. Every now and then they'll put on a show for the world, but for the most part they're acquaintances of sorts. The kicker, is that these kids training to be supervillains have no idea. This is just an overall terribly amusing and light-hearted book. Great characters, interesting story, and terrific art means excellent read.

Writer's Pull List 06-15-11

Hey everyone! Today is new comic book today. Which means you need to go out and buy some books, and this here list will let you know what books you should be buying.

Arnab's Note: All 52 DC books have now been announced and I can't tell you how disappointed I am in all of this.

Matt's Note:  Here's hoping Green Lantern isn't as big a pile of shite as the reviews are claiming it is.


Arnab's list:
DC
Batman #711
Flashpoint: Deadman and the Flying Graysons #1
Teen Titans #96
Marvel
Generation Hope #8
Uncanny X-Men #538
X-Factor #221
X-Men #13
X-Men Prelude to Schism #3
Image
Gladstones School for World Conquerors #2
Undying Love #3

Matt's List:
DC
Batman #711
Flashpoint: Wonder Woman and the Furies #1
Marvel
Generation Hope #8
Uncanny X-Men #538
X-Factor #221
X-Men #13
X-Men Prelude to Schism #3
Invincible Iron Man #505
Avengers #14

There is a world behind the one we know

I figured that since I was late enough as it was, I would just combine last week's books with this week's.

American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest #1 *****
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Sean Murphy
Cover Artist: Sean Murphy
Publisher: Vertigo

At this  point in time, I think it's perfectly safe to say that Scott Snyder can do no wrong. From the American Vampire series, to Detective Comics, and now to the American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest, this man is a literary genius. This mini-series follows Jim Book's daughter, Felicia, who is struggling with being an enhanced, but not vampire, human. At the same time, Cash, (remember him?), is having to deal with a monstrous child. What appears to be the driving plot for this story is a cure for vampirism. We get to see things from the point of view of the vampire hunters, those that have dedicated their lives to eradicating the creatures. When you start reading the book you get reintroduced to characters that have been gone for a while, but it's so well written it's almost as if they never left to begin with;  it's like catching up with an old friend. And that's a major testament to how well this book is written. Sean Murphy is handling the art for this and his work is fantastic. The linework, the gritty feel, everything about the art is fantastic and it really enhances the story.

Writer's Pull List 06/08/11

What up folks! This is our pull list. It's pretty self explanatory, it's what we will be reading and reviewing. It's pretty consistent, but with a whole new batch of DC books coming your way, things are bound to shake up soon.


Arnab's note: I absolutely hate what DC has done with Dick and Barbara. Hate.

Matt's note: This DC Reboot news makes even less sense than it initially did. It's reached the point of absurdity.

Arnab's list:
DC
Batman and Robin #24
Birds of Prey #13
Red Robin #24
Marvel
X-Men Legacy #250
Vertigo
American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest #1

Matt's List: 
DC
Batman and Robin #24
Birds of Prey #13
Red Robin #24
Booster Gold #45
Marvel
X-Men Legacy #250
Vertigo
American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest #1

Writer's Pull List 06/01/11

Hello good people of the world. This is our pull list. That means it's a list of books that we will be reading and reviewing. It also means it is the time for you to freshen up your own lists as well as recommend some great books to us.

Arnab's Note: How many of you heard DC's big news? If you haven't, well it's a big one.

Matt's Note: X-Men First Class this week! I cannot wait.


Arnab's List:
DC
Flashpoint #2
Flashpoint: Batman Knight of Vengeance #1
Superboy #8
Marvel
Fear Itself #3
S.H.I.E.L.D. vol. 2 #1
Uncanny X-Force #11
X-23 #11
X-Factor #220
X-Men #12

Matt's List:
DC
Flashpoint #2
Flashpoint: Batman Knight of Vengeance #1
Flashpoint: Abin Sur Green Lantern
Superboy #8
Batman Beyond #6
Wonder Woman #611
Marvel
S.H.I.E.L.D. vol. 2 #1
Uncanny X-Force #11
X-Factor #220
X-Men #12

Let's cut all the babies in half!

American Vampire #15 *****
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Rafael Albuquerque
Cover Artist: Rafael Albuquerque
Publisher: Vertigo

Holy shit on a shish kebab. If you want lessons on how to create a brilliant book, you read this one. This arc has taken this series to a whole new level in so many ways. For the first part, this story has been absolutely fantastic. There's a new breed of vampire, or rather a very old breed that has gone unnoticed, and apparently they can wound Skinner. How sweet of a plot twist is that? (No pun intended) Pearl, sweet Pearl, is on her way to save her beloved Henry, but after that reveal I can only imagine she's being led into a trap. Speaking of Henry, he and his army pals have all been herded into some type of torture building. This whole story is so flipping amazing. And the art is absolutely gorgeous. Albuquerque has stepped it up a whole mess of notches for this arc and this issue. There are a whole mess of vampire stories out right now, across all mediums, but by far this story stands out as brilliant. Snyder and Albuquerque, issue after issue, redefine everything you know about vampires and not only that, but the vampires are then integrated into world history. Absolutely riveting stuff here.

I think you're probably too young and too stupid to be scared.

Generation Hope #7 ***
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Salvador Espin
Cover Artist: Salvador Espin and Morry Hollowell
Publisher: Marvel

I can't exactly put into words what it is about this series that isn't grabbing onto me. I think a large part is that I find these characters to be tremendously boring. The lights, who I still find to be highly unoriginal, are just so cutoff from the rest of the X-Men, both emotionally and physically. Normally I wouldn't really have a problem with a team that works independently, but let's get one thing straight, this gang is a team of kids. I don't understand what direction the writers are trying to go with this series, but I'm still hoping that we get an inkling of that sometime soon.

Writer's Pull List 05-25-11

Hey guys! It's time for the pull list. Our chance to let you know what we read and your chance to let us know if we should be reading something else.

Arnab's Note: You may have noticed my reviews haven't gone up yet. It's because I've been a tad busy graduating. Fear not, they will be posted soon.

Matt's Note:  First, congrats to Arnab! Second, I hope to be getting a new job soon, which should hopefully make me hate life less and thus blog more.


Arnab's List: 
DC
Detective Comics #877
Gotham City Sirens #23
Green Arrow #12
Green Lantern #66
Green Lantern Corps #60
Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #10
Marvel
FF#4
Uncanny X-Men #537
X-Men Legacy #249
Vertigo
American Vampire #15
Image
Walking Dead #85


Matt's List:
DC

Gotham City Sirens #23

Green Lantern #66
Green Lantern Corps #60
Green Lantern Emerald Warriors #10
IDW
Dungeons and Dragons #7
Marvel
Secret Avengers #13
Uncanny X-Men #537
X-Men Legacy #249
Vertigo
American Vampire #15

Writer's Pull List 05-18-11

Hey folks! It's that time again, the time for us to let you all know what we will be reading and reviewing. It's also the time for any of you to recommend anything you think we should be reading.

Arnab's Note: It feels like I'm reading more and more books every month.

Matt's Note: This is a week late all because of me. Sorry folks. The proper one for this week will also be up momentarily.

Arnab's List:
DC
Batman #710
Batman and Robin #23
Batman: Gates of Gotham #1
Teen Titans #95
Thunder Agents #7
Marvel 
Generation Hope #7
Namor First Mutant Annual #1
Uncanny X-Force #10
X-23 #10
X-Factor #219
X-Men Giant-Size #1
X-Men Prelude to Schism #2
TopCow
Last Mortal #1

Matt's List:
DC
Batman #710
Batman and Robin #23
Booster Gold #44

Marvel 
Generation Hope #7
Uncanny X-Force #10
X-Factor #219
X-Men Giant-Size #1
X-Men Prelude to Schism #2
Avengers #13
Invincible Iron Man #504

Bring him home

Chew #27 ****
Writer: John Layman
Artist: Rob Guillory
Cover Artist: Rob Guillory
Publisher: Image

One of the best things about this series, in my opinion, is that even after two years the creative team has the ability to surprise use readers at every turn. With this issue we get a bit of a flash forward preview of what is in store for us and it is all exciting stuff. I think, if done properly, a flash forward is a great way of setting up the upcoming story lines. It gives readers an idea of what's to come, but it also builds up a whole bunch of tension and anticipation, all good things in my opinion. Issue after issue, this series kills it every single time, in both the writing and the art.

Writer's Pull List 5-11-2011

Hey everyone!  Did you make it to free comic book day?

Here it is, our weekly list of the things we're reading. Let us know if we are crazy for our choices, or if there's some gem out there we're both missing.

Arnab's Note: I am pretty excited about this week's batch of books.

Matt's Note: Thor was great fun for the comic geek. Stay until after the credits for a teaser for Avengers that I thought was awesome.

Arnab's List:
DC
Batman Incorporated #6
Birds of Prey #12
Flash #12
Flashpoint #1
Red Robin #23
Marvel
FF #3
New Mutants #25
X-Men #11
X-Men Legacy #248
Image
Chew #27
Undying Love #2

Matt's List
DC
Batman Incorporated #6
Birds of Prey #12
The Flash #12
Flashpoint #1
Red Robin #23
Superman #711
Marvel
New Mutants #25
X-Men #11
X-Men Legacy #248

You have become a greater man than I

Undying Love #2 ****1/2
Writers: Tomm Coker and Daniel Freedman
Artists: Tomm Coker and Daniel Freedman
Cover Artists: Tomm Coker and Daniel Freedman
Publisher: Image

I know by now a great deal of you no longer want anything to do with vampires, but if you're not reading this, then you're truly missing out. Now, technically this issue is set to be released this Wed. but because I had the great opportunity of meeting these guys at FCBD, I also got an early copy. And because I've read it already, I know what I'm talking about when I say you should pick this book up. Issue #1 is already in it's third printing, so that should mean something.
As I was saying. Not only is this a great, and different, take on vampires but what sells this book is the storytelling ability, in both the writing and the art (which, by the way, the same two guys do both.) There is a significant amount of violence, which is to be expected, but it just works with the story. The underlying story though, is a love story, and it is apparent, even amidst the severed body parts and gushing blood.

Free Comic Book Day

So as most of you know by now, Saturday was Free Comic Book Day.  My local comic book store, Collector's Paradise, has a fantastic event every year. They recently opened a second store, so this month they had two major events. Unfortunately, I could only get to one store. Check out some pictures after the jump!

Writer's Pull List 5-4-11

Hey everyone! And a happy Star Wars day to you all! You've found yourself in a galaxy far far away, wait no, this is just our pull list. Our way of letting you know what you should be reading, what we're reading, and what we'll be reviewing.

Arnab's Note: No note, wait no. Saturday is free comic book day, so find a participating Local Comic Book store and have fun!

Matt's Note: Brightest Day and Age of X are over, so let's gear up for Schism and Flashpoint.



Arnab's List: 
DC
Superboy #7
Marvel
Fear Itself #2
Uncanny X-Force #9
X-Men Prelude to Schism #1
Top Cow
Artifacts #7

Matt's List:
DC
Superboy #7
Batman Beyond #5
Marvel
Uncanny X-Force #9
X-Men Prelude to Schism #1