Every Sunday in July, new players who show up at 1:00 PM to learn to play HeroClix get a free movie pass to Mayfaire Cinemas and a HeroClix booster. Don't worry, HeroClix veterans, we haven't ignored you. If you bring in a new player, you also get some of that sweet swag we're offering to the newbies. So let's do this.
I don't know why we won't be closed the day after Fourth of July, but, hey, whatever. Anyway, don't come to get the comics until Thursday next week! Okay!
Well, X-fans, your big X-Men crossover has arrived, and it starts here. The Endangered Species back-up stories will begin with X-Men #200 and run through all the X-Titles every month. There are under two hundred mutants left on Earth, and no new mutants are being born. Only Henry McCoy, the Beast, can find a solution to save what has, in essence, become a species on the verge of extinction. After the first chapter in X-Men #200, be sure to catch the rest of them in the following issues:
Chapter 2 - Uncanny X-Men #488
Chapter 3 - X-Factor #21
Chapter 4 - New X-Men #40
Chapter 5 - X-Men #201
Chapter 6 - Uncanny X-Men #489
Chapter 7 - X-Factor #22
Chapter 8 - New X-Men #41
Chapter 9 - X-Men #202
Chapter 10 - Uncanny X-Men #490
Chapter 11 - X-Factor #23
Chapter 12 - New X-Men #42
Chapter 13 - X-Men #203
Chapter 14 - Uncanny X-Men #491
Chapter 15 - X-Factor #24
Chapter 16 - New X-Men #43
Chapter 17 - X-Men #204
World War Hulk: X-Men #1 and World War Hulk: Front Line #1
World War Hulk kicks it up a notch (BAM) when the Hulk descends on Xavier's mansion with a few questions about his role in the Illuminati. Standing in his way? The New X-Men. Odds are, the life expectancy for mutants is about to lose a few years just from the results of this fight. Oh, and there's a little someone who shows up at the end of an issue who's had a run-in or two with the Hulk before. In fact, his first appearance happened in the Hulk's book. If you're looking for a knock-down, drag-out, bare-knuckled fight, then this is the book for you. Well, this and World War Hulk. World War Hulk: Front Line takes the two main characters from the previous Front Line series--Ben Urich and that drunk newspaper woman--and gives you a street-level account of the Hulk's invasion of Earth. Oh, and there's a mysterious benefactor. For my money, nothing gets my blood pumping like mysterious benefactors. What could their goals be?
The Boys #8
So, do you know about the Boys? It's becoming more and more obvious why DC decided to cut the series loose, as more and more of their archetypes are re-imagined as amoral, sex-crazed, murderous sociopaths. Now, while there isn't really any sort of problem with that from a creative standpoint, you don't really want to release a comic that features a thinly-veiled version of your most iconic character, uh, doing something bad to Mary Marvel and have your company's name on it. Fortunately, the split was amicable, so now we get more issues from Dynamite. My train of thought is pretty much barreling out of control at this point, so I'll stop typing.
Fanboy Comics is ready for the Transformers movie. Are you?
There is an advanced showing of the new Transformers movie at Mayfaire Cinemas on Monday, July 2nd, with normal showings beginning on Tuesday, June 3rd. Fanboy will be at Mayfaire on July 2nd from 6:30-8:00 PM, and we'll be around on Tuesday, July 3rd. We haven't yet completely solidified the time for that second event, but we will be giving away 2 different limited edition Transformers comics, and you can register to win this collection of Transformers Graphic Novels:
That's Transformers: Infiltration and the sequel, Transformers: Escalation, Transformers: Optimus Prime and Megatron's Greatest Battles, Transformers: Generations and Transformers: The Animated Movie Adaptation. Here's a coupon that you can use to buy these trades if you don't win the collection, so that way we can all be winners! HOORAY!
Both events were awesome! We had a ton of people who took home a lot of issues at great savings in the Dollar Box sale, and no Quarterbacks came to beat up the people playing the Roleplaying Games, thereby qualifying both events as successes. We owe a ton to the volunteer GMs, Erich "Rapmasta Blasta" Vereen, Game "Game Dave" Dave and Thomas "The Divine Mr. T" Devine, who all ran fun and exciting sessions! We're hoping to have another Dollar Box sale at the end of the year, and Free RPG Day should be the same time next year. In the meantime, here are some pictures from both events:
Ha ha, what a great time had by all! As opposed to the terrible time I had figureing out how to conjugate that sentence!
Now that I've got your attention by increasing your desire to punch me in the stomach, check out these tournaments we'll be having soon:
Definitely be sure to check out that D&D Minis tournament next weekend! And take advantage of this coupon to save a bunch of money on this stuff:
$24.95
The definitive comics collection of all things Buffy starts here. This first massive volume begins at the beginning-The Origin, a faithful
adaptation of creator Joss Whedon's original screenplay for the film
that started it all. The newly chosen Slayer's road to Sunnydale
continues in Viva Las Buffy and Slayer, Interrupted. Next, Sunnydale, the Scoobies, and an English librarian lead the way into Season One continuity. Plus, The Goon creator Eric Powell provides pencils to "All's Fair," featuring Spike and Drusilla at the 1933 World's Fair.
$31.99
The higher truths of the Supernal World are constantly broadcast down into the Fallen World, distorted into a thousand different forms - such as the occult beliefs of Sleepers throughout the world. A mage versed in these traditions can see past the Sleeper's occult trappings to the Supernal truth, like a faint light that is invisible to the blind. Privy to such culture-bound magical secrets, these mages wield power unknown to others.
People who didn't like the new Atlantean crap in Mage (I am not one of them) would like this book!
$19.99
Sure, Dynamite is all about reviving classic cult licenses and then making comic book with a hundred different covers, but in this case it was actually incredible. It's a new, grittier take on the popular Lone Ranger story, but very reverent to the original material. The introduction of Tonto is sheer brilliance, and the main character is instantly recognizable yet altogether original. Usually I don't bother with Dynamite books, but this one is definitely a keeper. If you like Westerns, this is the comic for you.
$19.99
Well, all you folks who waited for the trade paperback collection of Ultimates 2, I guess your patience has paid off! Unless you are dead from old age, in which case you missed out on an awesome comic book! Although, if you can read the internet from the afterlife, then I guess you can probably read a comic. My somewhat confused belief system aside, this really is a good book. I know people love ragging on Mark Millar, but he knows what makes a fun, blockbuster comic book, and that really shows here. Also, Bryan Hitch is a spectacular artist, which is handy.
$29.99
Here it is, the conclusion to the best big event Marvel had last year. No, not Civil War--Annihilation. Outside of one somewhat cheesy plot device, this is an excellent end to an excellent series. Best of all, the first two hardcovers aren't necessary to follow the story! It just so happens that they're awesome, and you should read them, but this final chapter stands up pretty well on its own.
If you're one of these people, yes!
Dave DiMuro won the
Fantastic Four Trade Paperback Collection
Christopher Cully won the
Fantastic Four Omnibus
Jon Messina won the
Silver Surfer T-Shirt and The Marvel HeroClix Starter
Owen Alphin won the
Silver Surfer Omnibus
Here's a rundown of the main stuff we buy:
...but we do.
If you produce a comic, or have some art you'd like to submit, or have written a review or anything else that you'd like to see in the newsletter, we're totally cool with that! Just email editor@fanboycomics.biz, and we'll put your submission in the newsletter if it's appropriate! Heck, you can even send in plain old comments about the newsletter, the store, or one of our events and we might publish them! We're really accommodating, it would seem. Seriously, write some reviews. We'll hook you up with free review copies of comics. How cool is that?
Here are just a few of the many great items we have available on E-bay! We start new auctions every Monday at 6:00 PM that last through Saturday at 6:00 PM. Local customers can bid and pick up their purchase at the store to save on shipping! We also add new items to our E-bay Store every Wednesday and Thursday. We currently have over 1000 items, including pulps, vintage paperbacks, handbills, comics, and more!
This auction contains the vintage music 4 track reel to reel Tchaikowsky's 1812 Overture and Capriccio Italian with Wilhelm Rohr conducting the Nord Deutches Symphony Orchestra. It's a bel canto tape recording, ST 79. (7.5 IPS) The box is in nice shape and the tape appears to be in nice shape. I don't have a player so I can't be sure how it sounds. I don't think it's even ever been played before.
This auction contains the vintage paperback Lambda I and other Stories edited by John Carnell. This rare book was published by Berkley (F883) in 1964. This paperback is in (VG) with very lite edge and corner wear. There's also a small white wear mark on front cover top right corner. Interior is in great shape!
Stories Include:
We really like it when people play games in the back room. We're hoping to find more GMs and players for events in the back room--Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays are great days to play. We had some great sessions run during free RPG day, and we're hoping to see some new faces. Let us know if you want to GM, or play, or even just watch, and we'll try to get gamers in contact with each other. Also, be sure to register in our gaming directory to help facilitate regular gaming meet-ups!
Every Sunday at 8:00 PM come by and join me at Lula's pub. It's free to play; first prize is a $25.00 gift certificate, 2nd prize $15.00 gift certificate, and 3rd prize is a $10.00 gift certificate. My team came in first this weekend, so we need a challenge. The event is hosted by Friend of the Store Bryan Jacobs. Check out Lula's MySpace at www.myspace.com/lulaspub. They also have the coldest, cheapest beer in town.
...of adventure and fantasy! Oh, and zombies. That's what Thomas Devine wants to bring you this June, when he runs his "Dungeons and Zombies" roleplaying campaign, using Eden Studios' All Flesh Must Be Eaten roleplaying game. Players are encouraged to pick up the All Flesh Must Be Eaten Core Book and the Dungeons and Zombies Supplement, (both of which we can order her at Fanboy Comics if they aren't in stock) but it's not required. There will be pre-made characters available for new players, but if you're familiar with All Flesh Must Be Eaten, you're welcome to make your own character. The allowed classes are Survivor, Inspired, Adept Heroes, and Talented Heroes.
The game begins on Thursday, June 14th, and continues every Thursday afterwards.
Writer: Mike Carey
Pencils: Scot Eaton
Inks: John Dell
Colors: Frank D' Armata
Publisher: Marvel
"No more mutants." I like the way that sounds. As bad as this might make me look, having the entire Mutant population cut down to a few hundred is very exciting. It goes against everything that Marvel has banked on for decades. The X books make a ridiculous amount of money, and since Marvel has shook up the universe with Civil War, the mutant community has also been given a revamp, or an un-vamp rather. With books like X-Factor focusing on the decimation, mutants dying off and new mutants not being born, the concept of a mutantless universe is a very interesting approach to a Marvel mainstay.
X-men: Endangered Species tackles a lot of these issues in this very tasteful one-shot. I call it tasteful because not a lot of action happens. Actually, no action happens, which is fine. Fighting gets old. It is set at a funeral, mind you. A young mutant has died, but he died getting hit by a car. With the mutant population down to a handful, many high-profile mutants come to the funeral to pay their respects. In reality, they are simply mourning themselves and what their community has gone through. It seems that a lot of the mutants left with their powers are depressed by the idea of a future where people can't shot heat rays out of their eyes. Jamie Madrox offers to have sex with a lot of mutant girls to kick start the society again, but once a species hits a certain mark, no amount of sex can save it. And then there is Henry McCoy, the Beast, who could be the key to saving his people, but at what price?
Part of me doesn't care one way or the other. The X-men have always been a bit whiny for me. A bit "emo". They are the kids who sat outside during lunch, wearing all black and complaining how bad the world is. Ok. Whatever. Get over it. But the X-men never get over it. They just keep crying about being mutants and being different. And how many funerals can they go to? A mutant has been killed! Again! So what? There are tons of them, even during this decimation. There are supposed to be maybe 200 mutants with their powers left. But has anyone wondered why most of the "cool" mutants still have their powers? I'm sure I am missing some sort of logic here. Like, the Scarlett Witch wanted some mutants to keep their abilities and blah, blah, blah. But, I would love for the Decimation story line to be a little more risky. How about a few issues where every mutant losses their powers? That would be cool and risky and extremely interesting to me. Instead, we get this pseudo-status quo. I'm ranting, aren't I? Ok, I'll stop.
The other part of me likes this book because of its sincerity and honesty about the idea of extinction. If every black person were dying off, I would be depressed about it too. Plus, I'm sure a ton of humans are really stoked about the decimation, so it is even more of a world that "hates and fears them" than ever before. This intensity hasn't been lost on me. And with Mike Carey writing this book, you get a wide birth of opinions from different characters about the situation and the possible solution. My favorite scene is at the end, with Cyclops and Wolverine sitting together in the grave yard, just talking and watching the sunset. Some situations are just priceless.
The art by Scott Eaton is obviously helped and improved by John Dell's inks. And the coloring makes the panels seem shiny. A bit TOO shiny maybe. Like the characters have been sprayed with gloss or something. But the art matches the over all somber theme of the book. The ending is self contained, and doesn't point the reader to any other story lines, which is good. The book is for X-men fans and for people curious about the Decimation and what it is all about. Will the mutants return to the world? I'm more for the grim situation getting worse than better. The mutants always read better when they are underdogs.
RATING: 4/5
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Juan Jose Ryp
Publisher: Avatar
Here are a few facts. One, Warren Ellis is awesome. Two, if there were superheroes in the real world, they would always get a power trip and take over the world, a-la the Watchmen and the Authority and Squadron Supreme and etc. Three, no one likes the current President of the United States. Four, I don't know how to swim. Only three of these facts are related to this comic, however.
Black Summer begins with the murder of a certain Head of State. You can guess which one. The murderer, assassin or savior is John Horus, the last hero standing from the "Seven Guns" group. The rest have retired or been killed. And John Horus, sick of the horrible lies and deception by the President and his administration, decides to kill him and take over the governmental responsibilities until the people vote for a new, even better president. He has a bunch of eyes floating around him. It's weird. And to top it all off, his ex-partner might have to come out of retirement. To help him? To stop him? Well, that's why you'll have to keep reading, huh?
Warren Ellis has always been a very political writer. His stuff has always either attacked or criticized the people in power. This is not a bad thing. Warren Ellis probably sleeps very well at night, knowing that he has educated comic readings in the questioning of powerful people. Some things in the world are not right, and subtly and skillfully, Warren Ellis has used his profession to take stock of certain situations. It is obvious that he dislikes the President and the Iraq War. And it is obvious what he would do if he had super powers. But, is it too obvious? Warren Ellis wrote in his letter at the end of the book that he wants to write something completely different when it comes to super heroes. I don't see this being different. I see it being the obvious extension of his previous ideas, like the Authority. He takes a jab at Marvel's "Civil War" but Black Summer and the Civil War story line are like big brothers and little sisters. Of course Marvel can't tell a story like Black Summer. That's not going to happen. Marvel has millions of readers and I'm sure some of them voted for Bushy. Black Summer is published by a smaller press and only Ellis fans will even find it, so he can be risky. There really aren't any new concepts or ideas in Black Summer, but the penmanship of Mr. Ellis makes it worth buying and amazingly entertaining. I feel for Ellis if he thinks and wants to write the next new Comic idea. He's barking up the wrong tree. Superheroes will always try to take over the world and do things better. We all would. And, of course, you can't. The world can't get any better. By its very nature, the world strives for the middle. Am I ranting again? Damn it.
The writing is, of course, an absolute joy. The art, by Juan Jose Ryp, looks suspiciously like Frank Quietly's work. The people look sexual and disgusting and the gore seems overly gorey. Is that much blood even in a human body? Like Quietly, I think Ryp's art will have that disturbing look of "nasty" to it. Like, at any moment the character will pull his or her pants down and something disturbing will come out of a certain cavity. This matches the tone of the book, so this will work. And, judging from some of the future covers, Jose Ryp could be a heavyweight comic contender.
Buy this book. It's a damn buck and it is Warren Ellis. I really shouldn't try to pitch it any more than that. It will try to seem cutting edge, but its not. But is it great, edgy comic reading. I'm not sure why you haven't bought it already.
RATING: 5/5
Writer: Fred Van Lente
Art: Scott Koblish
Color: Paul Mounts
Publisher: Platinum Studios
Here is a piece of dialogue straight from the first issue of The Weapon:
"The monks of the Shan-Tao order taught you the way of the weapon?" The rich young, blonde chick says to the Asian martial artist/quantum physicist.
"Hah! I wish! NO, I was raised by my grandfather after my parents were killed in a car wreck."
Oh god.
Monks. Ninjas. Evil Empires. Secret societies. Chicks wearing almost nothing with bladed weapons. And during a fight on a free-way, the Weapon threw a sword at one of them and she caught it with her hands! Wow! I've never seen that! And the blonde girl is a billionaire who "likes a little risk" and these evil cops killed his uncle and now the Weapon has to protect this secret scroll. Oh, and the Weapon generates hard-light weapons with this cool bands on his wrists. True innovation here, people.
The complete lack of creativity in this book is an embarrassment. How can a writer hack this out and think that no one is going to make fun of it? That I wouldn't make fun of it? Its like two guys were sitting in a room drunk and they were like, "Hey, I want a hero that has some cool Asian roots and can create weapons out of nothing!" I was bored after the first panel. There is no way you can incorporate ninjas and fighting and science and stupid scrolls in a comic any more. It's an impossibility. And doing it anyway, even though they know that it has been told a billion times before is irresponsible and just plain mean.
The art isn't horrible. But it's not great, either. Some of the action sequences seem fluid, or at least have the illusion of fluidity. Like, Scott Koblish knows pacing and he knows character models and movements, but I've seen action like this before, better. If you've never read the first twenty five issues of Nightwing, you should, because Scott McDaniel mastered the whole ninja fighting thing years ago. The action in the Weapon is reminiscent of early Nightwing and Robin under Chuck Dixon's watch, but I'm not emotionally invested in the fighting or the hero's fate or whether he wins or losses because the guy sucks and its boring.
I could write and bash the hell out of this abortion, but I don't see the point. And it's not completely horrible. Fans of, uh, ninjas and hard light-generating wrist bands should go and grab this. He forms a bo-staff during the fight on top of a tractor-trailer! That has to count for something.
RATING: 3/5
In honor of my 33rd birthday, we will have a Super Tuesday Special! Lot's of items will be 33% off. You will have to come by to see exactly what. Or sign up as a MySpace friend and get the sneak peek sent to you on Monday Night.
Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture
