WTF Wednesday: When strikes ... the Funny Bunny!

Spider-Man is not only a hero ...


Like lightning, the web-slinger is on the case!


Even when answers are hard to get, Spidey doesn't give up. Dammit, table lamp — talk!


Meanwhile, tonight's nightmare is revealed!


Oh man, this is getting to be too much for me — I think I'm ready to end this post right now. I know Spider-Man will be disappointed, but ... wait, what'd you say?


Thanks, Spidey!

Panels from Spidey Super Stories #9
Jean Thomas, writer (based on a script by Tom Whedon); Winslow Mortimer, penciller;
Mike Esposito and Tony Mortellaro, inkers

Friday Night Fights: Sibling rivalry!

What's the deadliest spice in the galaxy?

KORIAND'R!

(With apologies for the crappy scans and even crappier joke)

Panels from The New Teen Titans Annual #1
Marv Wolfman, writer; George Perez, artist

Fun fact: Gorillas are surprisingly litigious

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Are you an Amazonian princess wrestling with espionage and god-level intrigue?

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Panels from Wonder Woman #24
Gail Simone, writer; Bernard Chang, artist

Suddenly ... EL GORGO!!

I can't remember where I first saw it (I know Kevin also linked to it recently), but the first online issue of El Gorgo has been sitting on my desktop for about a week now, waiting to be read. And now that I have read it, my only question is — why did I wait so long?!

If you have any love for comics in your heart, you'll love El Gorgo. The comic crams a ton of awesome into a story in which Lovecraft's Dagon, Kirby-crackle and a super-intelligent gorilla luchador are only the beginning. And while it owes a definite debt to the Silver Age, the title avoids becoming a shallow imitation without sacrificing any of the fun; every time El Gorgo opens his mouth it's like listening to a happy-go-lucky Namor, and I can't wait to see more of a supporting cast that apparently includes a dog in a wrestler's mask.

A DOG IN A WRESTLER'S MASK.


The writing by Mike McGee is spot-on, and leads the reader breezily to a neat, classically convoluted and clever plot twist that makes me eager to see the next issue. The art by Tamas Jakab almost tips toward sloppy in places, but it still suits the story and the tone the creators are obviously going for, so it's a minor complaint. Honestly, I don't even know it I'd call it a complaint, because I actually like the sketchy, kinetic artwork. It feels as if the art is racing to keep up with the story, and together they work.

El Gorgo #1 had me grinning nearly from the first page straight through to the last, and it's free for God's sake. Go read it and see what you think.

UPDATE: Print copies of El Gorgo #1 are now available through the creators' Web site, and at $3.95 it's a bargain. Show your support and buy a copy of your very own!

Roll call (part 2): Fattening up for winter

One of the reasons I started this blog was because I enjoy the comic book fan community. Sure, there are some mouthbreathers out there, but I've been lucky enough to come across a lot of people who are able to discuss comics with intelligence, wit, humor and an honest passion for the medium.

Judging by the sites listed in my blogroll, you'd think those would be enough to keep me occupied. Oh, but you'd be wrong — dead wrong (also, you had me at hello and I'm getting too old for this shit). I'm always coming across comics blogs that bring a fresh take or different voice to things, and I'd like to highlight some of the ones that I'll be adding to the 'roll.

A lot of these have been active for awhile (and a few are actually really well known) and I'm just now getting around to adding them, but if any of these are new to you, swing by, give 'em a read and let them know Maxo sent you.

The Aquaman Shrine (Rob also does the Hey Kids, Comics! blog, among others)

Blah-g! De Wicked Juan

Bob Mitchell in the 21st Century

Brill Building (aka Ian Brill)

Comics 212 (aka Christopher Butcher)

Dave Ex Machina

Doomkopf

Good Comics for Kids

Hoosier Journal of Inanity (99 percent more about comics than you think!)

I Was Ben

Mindless Ones

Power Most Cosmic

Second Printing!

Sporadic Sequential

Warren Peace Sings the Blues

Hey, I've got some reading to catch up on!

Friday Night Fights: Please hold on to your tickets

Word has come down from on high, and it's the end! No Friday Night Fights! In the most bitter wallop of all, the mighty Bahlactus has denied his loyal heralds the honor of their weekly battle. Friday Night Fights is over! Done! Gone forever!

Well, until next week when it picks up again with Ladies Night: Round 6. Geez, settle down, Orion.

In the meantime you can check out the historical records for every bone-crackin', bowel-shatterin' blow from Great Caesar's Post!

I'm, uh ... I'm just gonna go do some stretches or something.

The Pull List (9-4-08): Aiiee! El Diablo!!

Aaaaaaaaand ... to the list!

El Diablo #1: This is probably a ridiculous, fanciful dream, but I'd like to see a return of DC heroes to that mythical place called "The West." Not necessarily the Old West (that Bat Lash mini? Blech.), but just the West as a concept, as the idea of a place of wild lawlessness but with an urban update. We've already got Blue Beetle patrolling the El Paso/Juarez borderland, and it would be nice to see other characters keeping an eye on something other than the Eastern Seaboard.

I don't know exactly where El Diablo #1 is set, but it sure doesn't look like Metropolis. I'm looking forward to this new version of the Haunted Horseman, particularly since the new Diablo is Hispanic; is joined by the original character acting as a mentor (I'm a sucker for the ol' Ancient Advisor bit); and it's written by Jai Nitz, who wrote that all-Spanish issue of Blue Beetle (I smell team-up!), with art by Phil Hester and Ande Parks.

I wouldn't mind if DC came up with some new characters instead of just new versions of old characters once in a while, but if they're going to do it they might as well make it fun — and this looks as if it has what it takes to hit the mark like a gunslinger at High Noon.


The rest ...

Army @ Love: The Art of War #2

Manhunter #34


Maybe ...

Fringe #1 (of 6): Investigators of the paranormal is usually the sort of thing that's right up my alley, but I just can't shake the feeling that this tie-in to an upcoming TV show of the same name isn't going to be much more than six issues of paper-thin advertising. And even though one of the writers is Dr. Horrible co-creator Zack Whedon (and seriously, this title takes three writers?), I don't think there's enough here to tempt me into buying it. Huh, what do you know — I just talked myself out of it.

Mixed Vegetables Vol. 1: I have a confession to make — I have a soft spot for silly manga about star-crossed lovers, and this one about a wannabe sushi chef and a wannabe pastry chef looks like fun. STOP LOOKING AT ME LIKE THAT.

Spooks Omega Team #1: I was about to disregard this as just another "elite, special-ops task force kicking ass" sorta thing until I realized it was an elite, special-ops task force kicking ass sorta thing written by Larry Hama. The guy who wrote all that G.I. Joe. I even like the art work. Well played, Devil's Due.

Sub-Mariner: Depths #1: The art looks OK, but I'm probably going to wait and see if the story goes beyond Namor shouting "Imperious Rex" and acting like a douchebag. Don't get me wrong, I love that, but I don't know if it can carry an entire mini-series. I'm assuming it's a mini — the solicitation doesn't say. If it's a regular series, consider me even more doubtful. (Also, a helpful hint to the guys and gals at Marvel online: If you're going to post a preview, make sure the first three pages are actually legible. Thanks!)


Recommended ...

Immortal Iron Fist Vol. 2: The Seven Capital Cities of Heaven: As close to a perfect kung-fu comic mixing modern sensibilities with 70s-style wah-taaah! as you can get.

Krazy & Ignatz 1925-1926: A Happy Lend Fur Away (trade paperback; new printing): George Herriman's Krazy Kat is considered one of the most important, groundbreaking comic strips in the history of the medium, and rightly so. Beautiful in its starkness, surreal in story and heartbreaking in its ever-present undercurrent of unrequited — and unconditional — love, the strip is also consistently funny and strangely real. Like a brick to the head, Krazy Kat hits you hard and leaves a lasting impression: Get it.

Someone will die!

I've been slacking a little with the updates, but when I see a beloved hero on the verge of being wiped out because of some arbitrary editorial edict — well, there's no time to waste. Consider this a call to action! A call to arms! We cannot, we will not, stand for this!

Oh. Well. At least we know this won't end up with some lame resurrection story or something.

Cover Up: World's Finest Comics #303

No artsy-fartsy analysis for the cover to World's Finest Comics #303 — I just think this is made out of pure awesome.

Click to Green Blizzard size!

Also awesome: This is my 300th post! I actually had a whole thing planned, but in the grand American tradition of celebrating Labor Day, I decided to phone it in instead. I would like to thank everyone who's taken the time to comment, added Great Caesar's Post to their readers and sidebars, or who just swing by on a regular basis — I appreciate it with the ferocity of a deadly plague.

Friday Night Fights: Mockingbird breaks a bad, bad habit

You know that old joke about how tough Catholic school nuns are?

Believe it.

OK, so Blackbird didn't say "bless you" after you sneezed, but shooting her in the back seems a little ... um, extreme. Couldn't she have dropped a couple of Hail Marys or ... hey, what're you doing now?! Why're you taking off your ...

HOLY MOSES! I think Mockingbird could use some help from the cross ... the double-cross!


Bahlactus likes to fight just for the hell of it.

Following a link? Read more Great Caesar's Post here!

Panel from Hawkeye #3 (of 4)
Mark Gruenwald, writer and artist; Danny Bulandi, inker; Christie Scheele

The Pull List (8-27-08): Plugging into the Family Dynamic

Let's pretend I said something here, and then let's pretend I said ... to the list!

(Oh, wait ...)

Family Dynamic #1: I had no intention of buying Family Dynamic #1.

For one thing, I think comics geared specifically toward younger readers is a great idea, but I'm not a regular visitor to the Marvel Adventures or Johnny DC side of the street myself. I enjoy them when I come across 'em, but I don't make a point of seeking them out.

Plus, I'd never even heard of it. That's probably my fault, but I don't think you can say DC has really been pushing Family Dynamic very hard, either. And once I did try to find out a little more, the cover art hit me as flat and really video gamey (not a pun! OK ... a little bit of a pun). I had pretty much decided I was going to pass on this one.

Sometimes I'm a dumb-ass.

After poking around a little more I found this preview on writer J. Torres' blog and, well ... I kinda dug it. The inside art is much different than the cover art, less stylized and more detailed, with a fluidity that lends itself well to bursts of action. Torres' writing, especially the dialogue, also trots along at a nice pace and does a good job of introducing what seem to be interesting, likeable characters. Not bad when you consider that preview's just four pages long.

It's too early to tell yet, but the concept seems to give off the vibe of a family-friendly Noble Causes or Dynamo 5, not to mention the super-powered fun of Blue Beetle. And I love me some Blue Beetle. Unfortunately, the title was supposed to be a six-issue mini series but was cut down to a measly three thanks to low pre-orders. That's too bad, because Family Dynamic looks like a title that deserves at least a decent shot at finding an audience — give it a try and see what you think.


The rest ...

Ambush Bug: Year None #2 (of 6)

Blue Beetle #30

Daredevil #110


Maybe ...

Guerillas #1 (of 9): Between Army @ Love and Special Forces, I've got all the war comics I need; I don't have a burning desire for another story set in the Vietnam War (unless it features crazy-ass R. Lee Ermey). But dammit — monkeys!

Immortal Iron Fist #18: I'm still on the fence about Iron Fist. The writing has been getting fair reviews, but I'm still spoiled by Fraction's work on this title. Also, the artwork in the last issue left me drowsy and slightly irritated for some reason. If I'm just being cranky and am missing out, let me know in the comments.

Reign in Hell #2: Trying to drum up enthusiasm for this so-far lackluster spook-story and it's slightly ridiculous Sam-Spade-as-a-sorcerer back-up story? Now that's hell! (Thank you, I'll be here all week.)


Trading up ...
(Titles I either am, or will be, picking up in trade)

The Brave and The Bold Vol. 2: The Book of Destiny (hard cover): Fun stuff in the classic B&B style, though forking out the dough for a hard cover should depend on how much you're a fan of either writer Mark Waid or legendary artist George Perez.

Foundation Vol. 1 (trade paperback): An interesting take on the Nostradamus/Illuminati-style conspiracy angle, with solid action sequences and a plot that gets you there without making you feel like you've just been on the blunt end of a movie pitch.

Haunt of Horror: Lovecraft #3 (of 3): Adaptations of H.P. Lovecraft drawn by Richard Corben is one of those things that should be considered natural and right, like breathing and monster truck shows. I'm tempted every time I see it on the shelf but I'm trying to hold out for a collected edition.


Recommended ...

All Star Superman Vol. 1: The best Superman stories I've read in years, all being tied together in that quirky Grant Morrison way and supported by self-assured art from Frank Quitely. Get it.

Arsenic Lullaby: Pulp Edition: I cannot, in good conscience, give a general recommendation for this book. It's often disgusting, morally repugnant, and an assault on what most people would consider basic good taste. It also makes me laugh my ass off like nothing else. So if that sounds like your sort of thing, you definitely need to get this. But ... y'know ... don't blame me.

Cover Up: Enigma #3

Duncan Fegredo's cover to Enigma #3 always catches me off-guard with the way it manages to be both pretty and ugly at the same time.

The "ugliness" is on purpose, combining a painted image with a stark and sketchy style that ties in directly to the characterization of Envelope Girl, the lovely psychotic featured in the smaller portrait. (Hey, we've all been there, right, guys? Amirite, huh? Huh?)

The smaller image also works as a nice contrast to the larger one of the Enigma himself, who seems particularly otherworldly compared to the almost violently physical derangement of Envelope Girl. The Enigma might be mysterious there in the shadowy background, but his nemesis is in your face and solidly anchoring the whole thing.

This theme of contrasts is carried through on all the covers, delivered by the picture-within-a-picture idea (and when I think about it, the theme of "difference" — along with identity — runs pretty strongly through this eight-issue mini-series). But while the design is consistent, it's also fluid enough to take on the tone of the overall story and that particular issue at the same time. And yeah, the postage stamp idea might seem a little obvious once you're familiar with the character, but I think the cover is still kinda clever.

Like I said, this cover — and the rest, to one degree or another — always grabs my attention with its ability to be both delicate and brutal, magical and grounded, and yeah, ugly and pretty all at the same time.

In this case, the cover reflects the story inside perfectly.