The Westside Goth Show #45: Sounds of Mass Production

SMP + X-Men comics.

Westside Goth Show #31: Comic Adaptations

All New, All Different

Today my uncle went through and pulled a bunch of Cockrum's X-Mens out we talked about the classic team. Those old stories from the All new, All Different era are just so great. I've read most of them in Essentials but to hold the actual comic, in color, is a great experience. Don't get me wrong, I love Essentials and Showcases but seeing them in color is such a joy.

We both agree that Rogue was the last great X-Men character. She's one of my favs and while I've liked other X-Characters since her inclusion none have been anywhere near as cool. Its also interesting to hear my uncle go off about Gambit. I'm not a fan character either but he really dislikes him. Also disliked how the Forge/Storm relationship ended up. I agree, I liked that. We both also liked the mohawk storm and her costume before that.

Speaking of Rogue, I believe he told me about one particular issue with her on the cover he couldn't find at a comic shop when it first came out but on chance found it at a liquor store. Damn, don't I miss going to a little liquor store and finding some comics.

Old school classic X-Men is still the best even though Claremont eventually started to add too many characters and didn't follow up on certain subplots and ideas. Still... those were the best X-Stories ever.

About Magneto

Some Magneto Top Stories Countdown has gotten some back and forth over Morrisons Planet X story. Heres a couple of cool comments I liked.

I love the Magneto apologists.
He's been a genocidal maniac since his creation. Deal with it.

Planet X is an awesome Magneto story. The way it pisses the idiots off only adds to its awesomeness.

Saying that "Planet X" wasn't about Magneto is like saying the Dark Phoenix Saga wasn't about Jean Grey because the Phoenix had taken her place. Whether it's Magneto or Xorn in disguise, "Planet X" was all ABOUT Magneto. It's Grant Morrison exploring what the character means to him. In his words: "What people often forget, of course, is that Magneto, unlike the lovely Sir Ian McKellen, is a mad old terrorist twat. No matter how he justifies his stupid, brutal behaviour, or how anyone else tries to justify it, in the end he's just an old bastard with daft, old ideas based on violence and coercion."

I gave up on the X-Men when Psylocke turned Japanese. Reading these comments, I am more certain than ever that I made the right move.

Comic Book Favorite: Uncanny X-Men #160

Yo... it's your boy... and since the major solicits have dropped I've decided to take this time to pick out a fav comic of mine. Especially since its from a title going into another dumb sounding crossover.



Uncanny X-Men #160 is the first X-Men comic I remember reading. Well, actually i read a reprint of said issue but that's not much of a difference.

This excellent comic is an actual diversion from much of the drama of the X-book at the time. It involves Colossus' sister Illyana being lured a place of limbo controlled by the demonic Belasco. He has a plan in mind regarding an ancient, evil, talisman. The X-Men(Storm, Colossus, Wolverine, Nightcrawler, and Shadow Cat) are off to the rescue. There they encounter an evil, corrupted future Nightcrawler as well as the bodies of themselves laid decimated. Of course the team has the save the day and in the process, Illyana actually jumps a few years ahead.

The story was of course written by Chris Claremont and drawn by the talented Brent Anderson who in fact co-created Belasco back in Ka-Zars title.

I don't remember exactly when I read this baby but I just remember thinking it was cool that one of Belasco's henchman could snap Wolverines skeleton. It also had a very creepy atmosphere. Sadly, well-not sadly, I have the story in Essentials but I'd love to get a colored version Like I use to have. I enjoyed the hell out of this baby.

While it was my first real X-Men comics, I did have a familiarity with the team.

This Weeks Comix-7/17/08

Batman & the Outsiders #9-No one at the shop follows this comic so i don't no if this is the last Dixon issue. If it is, a shame. So much going on that the next writer has a lot to try and figure. Good issue but not the best in the series.

Tiny Titans #6-Best of the week. The stuff with Raven and Trigon was gold.

Trinity # 7-Good first part, skipped the back up. Still... I'm not exactly thrilled by the series yet.

Ultimate X-Men Vol. 18: Apocalypse-I disliked Kirkmans first few trades but then it picked up with Cable. That said, this one sucked. Salavador Larrocca does the worst artwork I've ever seen from him and the other artists who finished off didn't impress me. He crammed so much into these issues that Apocalypse, despite beating the crap out of everyone, doesn't really feel like an epic villain. He came off as being bad ass for the sake of being bad ass. The Sinister and Apocalypse relationship aren't explored and neither are the characters. I think Vaughan used Sinister best in his arc even if he gave him little back story. Overall, I hated it.

next week looks... eh. I've pretty much abandoned the X-titles so not picking up Uncanny #500. Trinity, Madame Xanadu, and Diana Prince vol. 2. Lame... maybe I'll try something new.

Astonishing X-Men Mixtape/Other Tidbits

Searchlights-Amphibious Assault
Social Enemies-Orgy
Judas Iscariot-Chris Randall
I'm Housin'-Rage Against the Machine
Hot Hole-PIG
Birth-The Faint
17 Year Locust-Rob Zombie
You Know I'm No Good-Amy Winehouse
Time After Time-Cyndi Lauper
Ballroom on Mars-T. Rex
Piggybank-KMFDM
Asphyxiate-Genitorturers
Seedling-Hate Dept.
The Beginning of the End-Nine Inch Nails
Revolution Man-Union Underground
Lamp Halo-ZeroMancer
Melt-Monster Magnet

For Joss Whedon/John Cassaday run. Not buying Ellis'. Maybe in trade.

Apparently Excel Saga volume 2o is out in Japan. Really. Wow. This might mean that in 2009 we'll get three volumes in the year. If another volume hits by the end of the year, maybe 4 volumes! Either way I still have to wait until December for volume 18.

Also, I'm part of the coolest club ever.

May Favorites 2008

Only nine for May despite being a pretty good month. Spot 10 probably would've been Robin but I dropped it and a few other books to make room. Now Dixon leaving means that was a good decision anyway. Mostly DC as I don't buy much marvel since nothing there right interests me and there was no now trulyManga I liked enough to list. Though the second volume of Harukaze Bitter Bop was pretty good. That said, I'm reading Great Teacher Onizuka and the original series starring Eikichi Onizuka, Shonan Junai Gumi right now and those are awesome.


9. Teen Titans #59:Clock King comes off as pretty damn cool here. The overall story of the Terror Titans beaten up and selling the Teen titans to the Dark Side Club is pretty cool. Though the teaser makes me worry for my fav Titan, Ravager. If she leaves I might as well.


8.Young Liars #3: The title of this chapter is "A Hard Knock Life" and it lives up to that. Picking up where issue one left off with a flashback set after the flashback issue number 2 this is big, loud and crazy. Good times.


7. Justice Society of America #15: I missed this/ Huge superhero battles. And I mean huge. Good looking and well written with a truly epic feeling.


6. Fables #73: The war is on and so far things are looking alright for the Fables. Until the cliffhanger at least.


5. Wonder Woman #20: The third arc on Gail's run begins and she's joined with new artist Aaron Lopretsi. Aaron brings more depth and substance than the previous artists with his line work. This issue has Beowulf, a character called Stalker, and all kinds of awesome.


4. Booster Gold #9: JLI geekasm! The bands back together and kicking ass! Just in time for some serious party crashers. Plus the Mister Miracle scene with the him as the only prisoner in a super deluxe booby trapped prison was a damn fine part.


3. Giant Sized Astonishing X-Men #1: Damn nice ending. Though the delays have forced certain comics to reveal spoilers, I was able to avoid most of them. This issue was a nice conclusion to an uneven run that had lots of highs, a few lows, and long breaks between. This was one of the high points.


2. All Star Superman #11: Superman's dead! The penultimate issue is here and makes me sad the series will soon be ending. (Pssst... Superman isn't really dead. At least not yet.)


1. Batman #676-677: RIP is kicking and so far it's been thrilling. We meet the Black Glove and get a twisted scene with the Joker in the first part. Plus a wonderful scene with Batman and Robin in that same issue. Things are taken to the next level in the second part with the Black Glove making its move and certain elements dividing fans. Oh, this is interesting. really interesting. Really, really good.

Top 10 for November 2006

#10: Pirates of Coney Island #2(of 8)
Rick Spears
Vasilis Lolos

Can't, for the best of me, figure out exactly what this comic is about other than a runaway in Coney Island and the people he's meeting. However the oddness and beautiful artwork by Lolos edged this into my top 10 another month in a row.(last months top 10 is on my Myspace so we'll ignore that.) This issue has our mystery runaway(unless I somehow missed his name), now one eyed, pick pocketing people until he's spotted by the cops. A motley group called the pirates pick him up for the save and recruit him into their group. They even give him a patch. Just a beautiful looking book with the same enticing storytelling Rick Spears used on Teenagers From Mars. Great stuff.



#9: Superman: Confidential #1
Darwyn Cooke
Tim Sale

Take the talents of one Darwyn Cooke and hook him up with an amazing artist in Tim Sale and what you have is gold. That's right, GOLD! The first issue in one of this new Superman title is set in the early days of Clark Kent's career as the protector of Metropolis. The story is set around Superman's first encounter with Kryptonite but in part one we get a slamming fight scene with the Royal Flush Gang all while Clark, Lois Lane, and Jimmy Olsen are looking to nail Casino owner Anthony Gallo who they believe is attributing to the rise of crime in Metropolis. This is my first time reading Cooke as only a writer but Tim Sale on art is a good match. These two produce an issue that makes one wonder-what is the best Superman title out right now. Makes it sad this tag team made in heavens only doing six issues.



#8: Batman/the Spirit
Jeph Loeb
Darwyn Cooke

From writer to artist, Darwyn Cooke takes to sequential storytelling in this first ever, and maybe even long awaited, team up between the Dark Knight and classic newspaper comic icon. Written by Jeph Loeb who I admittedly am not sure what to think about half the time, produces a very well done script about villains of both heroes luring certain officers of the law to a special getaway. A trap no doubt to take out both the Batman and the Spirit. The two run into each other and Spirit doesn't believe Batman's Batman because he's a myth the Gotham City police department made up. "Let me assure you-- I am very real." The book has tons of Batman's rogues and some familiar faces from the Spirit. For me, this is probably the best Loeb script I read in a while. I was not impressed with anything but the art on Superman/Batman and Supergirl was corny fun. The real star of course is Darwyn Cooke. The man is amazing with his cartoony, expressive, and very detailed art.



#7: Checkmate #8
Greg Rucka
Jesus Saiz

While OMAC Project wasn't my favorite Countdown mini, it certainly produced my favorite spin off in this espionage thriller set in the superhero world of DC Comics. Checkmate is an organization with checks and balances. A white side and a black side with agents corresponding to the pieces in chess. Featuring DC characters like Fire, Mr. Terrific and others. Greg Rucka is one of those writers who builds over time but unlike other writers of the decompression style he still knows when and where to put action sequences to keep the fans contempt to wiat for the break out moment. This series however has been off and running since issue #4 and #8 is the first part in an exciting new arc entitled Pawn 502 about a Checkmate agent trying to infiltrate the terrorist organization known as Kobra. The story has a nice twist ending that I didn't see coming as well as Ruckas great dialogue and handling of such a large cast. Jesus Saiz provides artwork. The regular artist returns after a hiatus to show off his artwork which feels at times like a cross between Neal Adams and Mike Lark. Definitely good stuff.



#6: DMZ #13
Brian Wood
Riccardo Burchielli

Matty goes undercover in Trustwell, a company reward with select rebuilding projects within Manhattan to expose the secrets from within. Part one of Public Works starts off strong with the main character getting an assignment from an independent news source to look into Trustwells operations. Once there he sees suicide bombers and workers sabotaging the site. not to mention the Trustwell security have a very hands on interrogation process. When he doesn't report his fellow workers, they offer him a way to make some money. DMZ is a dark, gritty, very realistic comic book about life in a city torn apart by war; in this case civil. These are the comics I tend to disregard but DMZ is strongly written with great art. How can you expect any less of Vertigo whose arguably putting out the best comics today. Even the books I don't care for are still better than most books published but DMZ I do like and is one of the titles I look forward to each and every month.



#5: Doctor Strange: The Oath #2(of 5)
Brian K. Vaughan
Marcos Martin

I never cared too much for Doc. Strange. I thought his portrayal in the last defenders mini was amusing but the only reason I picked this bad boy up was for the artwork of Marcos Martin who wowed me on the short lived Breach series. Paired up with BKV who writes the wonderful Runaways series they produce a fun, escapist, and thrilling fantasy/superhero comic. Doc. Strange is looking to relocate a vial of magic elixir stolen form him that could cure his servant Wong of his terminal illness. Assisted by the Night Nurse the three track down the crook who stole the elixir and almost killed Strange. Also, much like issue one, BKV gives those of us unfamiliar with Strange a look into his origin. Thanks BKV. Marcos Martin is one of the most underrated artists working today. If you like Tim Sale and Darwyn Cooke, who themselves are awesome, you should really take a look at Marcos Martins work. It has the same animated feel but still a look all unto it self. Do yourself a favor and check out this gem.



#4: Astonishing X-Men #4
Joss Whedon
John Cassaday

Scott Summers capping away at members of the Hellfire Club while the rest of his team are trying to come to their senses after the mental attacks which were orchestrated by the White Queen/Emma Frost. To add some more problems as My favorite X-Men book by a mile. I really don't know what to say about this title that hasn't already been said by lovers of this book. Great dialogue, wonderful handling of these characters, and amazing art. This issue wraps up the current arc which is more of a lead in to Whedon and Cassadays finale. This book opens with the newly biclops Ord and Danger hit the x-mansion each looking for a level of revenge. Then SWORD drops by to pick the entire gang up and head to the alien planet of Break World. Yeah, this is going to be fun.



#3: Runaways #22
Brian K. Vaughan
Adrain Alphona

books and soon it'll be none. Until then time to enjoy his last arc on Runaways. The book survived cancellation to get rebooted with better sales and now him and artist Adrian It's been awhile since I've bought two consecutive BKVAlphona are leaving with issue #24. The final story, Live Fast, has Chase still reeling after the death of his girlfriend Gertrude. So much so it worries his team mates. Victor even suggest him leaving the group. Chase however has alternate plans as he deals with the Gibborim, the force that the Runaways parents were working with. Chase is looking to resurrect his love but for that he needs to offer a pure soul. As per usual Alphona artwork is brilliant on this series. new artist Mike Ryan is going to have one hell of a time following up as will Alphona to find a title that best exemplifies his talent like this book does. I'm anxious to see where this is going and how Joss Whedon and Mike Ryan plan to follow such an amazing run.


#2: Justice League of America #3
Brad Meltzer
Ed Benes

I think a number of critics and fans are giving this book a hard time for no other reason then they didn't like Identity Crisis. I liked IDC but I also enjoyed Meltzer's green arrow arc as well as Benes Birds of Prey work and the little of his Superman I saw. This title is going slow but it's still has some great character moments and some nice action, especially this issue. The scene with Arsenal, Hal Jordan/Green Lantern, and Black Canary taking on dozens of Red Tornado clone-bots. The best stuff has been with Red Tornado himself. Now human, it adds an extra amount of tension with his wife and adopted daughter that if he dies this time he really dies, rather then being an elemental who can live on in robotic bodies. Yes, complex origin but Meltzer made me care for a hero I knew next to nothing about. the mystery villain and his plans add a good level of mystery to this series. Ed Benes art here is strong though I wish Alex Lei was doing his inking and Sno-Cone on colors but it's still a good looking superhero comic. Justice League is only three issues in and I am loving it.



#1: Birds of Prey #100
Gail Simone
Nicola Scott
Tony Bedard
Paulo Sequiera

Despite my joking around, Gail Simone is writ ting the one comic I've been buying for the longest time since making my way into comic as a hardcore collector and reader. Issue #100 is an amazing issue that marks another turning point in the series. Now, Black Canary has left the group and oracle has changed her way of operating. Zinda and Huntress are her top operatives with full access to her headquarters but she also employs other female operatives for specific missions. This issue has Huntress and Zinda teaming with Manhunter, Big Barda, and Judo Master to free a teenage girl from a Mexican prison and reunite her with her father. seems easy enough but with a twist in the end you know it's going to get seriously rocky. While new artist Nicola Scott is coming in after the amazing work of the likes of Ed Benes, Joe Bennett and Paulo Sequeria she does a sold job. Not blown away but she has chops and can no doubt get better in time. The back up story gives you background on the exiting Black Canary as she tells her adopted daughter Sin about her life as they plan on moving. Co-written by Tony Bedard and featuring art by outgoing artist Paulo Sequeria(DC better have something for him to do) this is a great origin recap that puts the Mark Waid/Howard Chaykin back up form 52 to shame. Though they did try it in two pages.

So there it is, my top 10 for November. My December one will probably be a tad late with holidays and shipping from Mail Order Comics.

RIP Dave Cockrum

On my birthday, yesterday, I swept online briefly and I read the sad news that one of the X-Men's biggest contributors, Dave Cockrum, passed away. Now, I love the X-Men but because of my relative youth I've only been able to really start with reading through older issues thanks in part to Marvels wonderful Essentials Collections. These black and white, phone book, cheap reprints allow simple Joe's like me to get a glimpse of how some of the masters worked.

Cockrum, in my eyes, is second only to Chris Claremont in terms of impact on X-Men. Cockrum created Nightcrawler, initially for Legion of Super-Heroes, as well as Mystique and the Starjammers. Not to mention having a hand in the creation of Storm and Colossus as I'm sure he's created many other characters in his career. Cockrum penciled the issue that would revitalize the X-Men, Giant Sized X-Men #1, which relaunched the book to success. He would work on the title for a few years around their period that John Byrne penciled.



I won't lie and say Cockrum was my favorite X-Men artist, but his work definitely grabbed me and dazzled me inside the pages of X-Men. I think his second stint on the title was his strongest. The first meeting between the "new" X-Men and Doctor Doom was a great story. The battle between Magneto on his island and the return of the Starjammers were to other stories I really enjoyed. I wish I could have seen more of his work and I hope that Marvel and DC do some reprints of this mans incredible work for the younger generation of comic readers can discover. I'd appreciate one of those Showcase volumes with his legion of Super-Heroes work. Make it happen DC!!!

I just want to give my condolences to all his family and friends. Cockrum was a great artist and its sad he had to go. But his work will live on to inspire future creators and fans like me.

Marvel Comics Unresolved/Altered Storylines

There's a great thread over at the Newsarama forums about unresolved threads lingering about in the Marvel Universe. Being an X-Men fan there are some that do raise my eyebrow. So let me just quote a big section of them some posters mentioned.

Magneto and Exodus's parting of views.

Magneto fighting the Shadow King.

Sebastian Shaw disbands the Hellfire Club because a mysterious shadowy person told him so and that the time has come. Next time we see Shaw, the Hellfire Club is still around hunting Machine Man. What happened?

Sabra's quest to capture Magneto.

What the hell connection Astra had to Nightcrawler.

Who the hell brought Fabian Cortez back to life?

Who was the voice talking to Magneto during Magneto: Dark Seduction?

Mr. Sinister being infected with the Legacy Virus?

What the plan that Genoshan magistrate had for Magneto?

Was Adam X a Summers?

How in the hell Holocaust was turned back into his human form then when back appearing in Exiles couldn't do so?

What happened to Bastion or the mysterious Trask who helped run Operation Zero Tolerance from the shadows?

Why the hell this said Trask was so damn interested in Magneto er.. Joseph?

Was it ever explain how Rogue got her powers back?

Where is Destines Diary's?

Why did Marrow live the X-Men?

Makes me wonder, being an X-Fan. But having jumped around so much and now back tracking old stories through Essentials I hope, or not, to read the stories where these plot lines were first introduced.

There's also some about Spider-Man and the opening to New Avengers.

Also, over at Comics Should Be Good Blog, there's some information on the original intent behind the characters of Mr. Sinister and Gambit. The bits about Sinister are very intriguing and I wish it would have happened like originally planned but as for Gambit, eh, I could care less about that character.