Invincible Returns

Via Image: AT LONG LAST, INVINCIBLE RETURNS TO HIS ORIGINAL COSTUME! After the shocking events of the Invincible War and the cataclysmic battle with Conquest, Invincible is ready to turn the page to a bold new era: just in time for THE VILTRUMITE WAR, starting in next month's INVINCIBLE #71! This special self-contained issue will bring readers new and old up to speed on everyone's favorite superhero comic. If you've never read INVINCIBLE, now is the time to dive in! And if you've been reading since the beginning: You know it's all been leading up to this moment! Either way, hold onto your hats!

This issue will feature covers by David Finch, Erik Larsen (with Ryan Ottley), and Darwyn Cooke!

Let's All Go to the Lobby!

The Crazies

Another zombie-esque film, another George A. Romero remake. The Crazies hits all the beats of a suspenseful thriller with bleak overtones of government conspiracies and true love standing even the toughest tests. There's nothing overly engaging about the film and it doesn't possess anything you haven't seen before in zombie thrillers. I haven't seen the original version, but I should have rented it instead. Skip it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch#playnext=1&playnext_from=TL&videos=eyEMg0_X-tk&v=lEMZwQulT1Q

The Greatest Lantern of All

From DC's the Source: Variant covers to Green Lantern #52

What Shapes A Young Brian Spath?

The Great One

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdJKYPQaK5o&feature=player_embedded

Cool Covers

from the Covered blog

Burning Down the House

On Thursday, January 7, I had the hottest experience of my life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WOguAr7zljs

The house on fire is next door to my own home.

The fire started as the result of some sort of cooking accident. Given the location of the kitchen in proximity to my shower, the firefighters figured they'd be best served by coming through my house to fight the fire. The damage to the window pictured at the left was a result of the fire department combating the blaze from my bathroom. They busted out the window, drug their hoses through the house, and shot water across the three foot walkway in an attempt to control the flames.

The picture to the right shows how close the two houses are situated. Were it not for the quick arrival of the fire department and use of my bathroom as a base of operations, who knows what could have happened to my house? It could look like some of the pictures below...

The intensity of the blaze distorted this conditioner bottle:

Luckily, Moose and I were okay. Kara and her dad quickly arrived and we boarded up the window. Since the fire resulted from cooking negligence, we're covered under our neighbors insurance. We'll begin making repairs and updates in the coming weeks. It's the strangest way to decide to make renovations to your home.

Let's All Go to the Lobby!

Shutter Island

Martin Scorsese's new film finally hits theaters today after a five month delay. The film starts out clunky but eventually evens out over the course of 2 hours and 2o minutes. At times a war movie, police procedural, and psychological thriller, it seems that "Shutter Island" has a hard time deciding what exactly what it wants to be (which may help explain its delay).

As the film develops, however, you discover that the chaotic delivery plays right into the schizophrenia that Scorsese is trying to capture. The film is tense and exciting and delivers several twists, though some are not entirely unexpected. Leo DiCaprio delivers another engaging performance, but, like many of the portrayals in the film, it wavers at times. The cast is deep but seems to feature cameo after throwaway cameo.

Overall, the production is strong, especially for a genre film (war/cop/thriller - that's a genre, right?). The film gives insight into the transition of the clashing ideologies and practices for treating mental illness, as well as the effects of WWII on returning American soldiers. The film's resolution, however, enlightens the viewer to the film's complex structure. This clarification warrants repeat viewings so as to pick up details that at first seem out of place or mundane, but upon review fill in pieces of an elaborate puzzle. See it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch#playnext=1&playnext_from=TL&videos=e6XUaFBvahs&v=HYVrHkYoY80

What Shapes A Young Brian Spath?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kIq8jLj5TzU&feature=player_embedded

Cool Covers

VD

Brightest Day

The Return of Aquaman?

Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors

Beware their power

Let's All Go to the Lobby!

The Wolfman

Benicio Del Toro comes out of the jungle for the English countryside in the remake of the Lon Chaney Jr. classic "The Wolf Man."

The film boasts a talented cast (Del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt, and Hugo Weaving), smooth special effects, and great make up. That's where the excitement ends. This version of the Wolf Man is not as endearing or as enduring as the original (much akin to Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes). The storytelling is sloppy, the acting seems forced or rushed, and the relationships seem disenfranchised.

Del Toro plays an English actor who returns from America to solve the mystery of his brother's death (even though Del Toro is estranged from his family for many years). He is called back by his brother's fiance (Blunt) and the two develop romantic interest in each other for seemingly no reason at all (animal magnetism?).

Where the movie excels is in its action sequences. A number of thrilling scenes highlight the film, but barely keep it entertaining. The werewolf transformations are neat, but don't revolutionize the genre. Del Toro delivers in parts but wavers at times. I've never been a big fan of Blunt and Hopkins seems to be mailing it in. Weaving is as gravel-y as ever, but seems to retread his Mr. Smith character. The film essentially feels like From Hell with werewolves. Rent it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch#videos=x6WqwnHYPhs&v=PVKyeMQcUNY

Wednesday Filler

What Shapes A Young Brian Spath?

Cool Covers

Robot Bastard!

What is this?...and how can I see it?

Perhaps the Ultimate Evil...

Anti-Monitor...RISE!Sneak peek of Green Lantern Corps #46 (variant cover)

THE VILTRUMITE WAR IS COMING!

Off the Shelf

In a form of celebrating Black History Month, I'd like to take a look at some of the prominent African or African-American characters who have had a big impact on the medium (but more importantly, characters I actually like).

The Black Panther is Marvel's oldest and most prominent African figure. He was first introduced in Fantastic Four, actually appearing before the formal organization of the Black Panther Party. The Black Panther, otherwise known as T'Challa, hails from Wakanda and serves as that nation's king. Throughout the years, T'Challa has been a member of the Avengers and the FF, he's had several long running series, and he recently married Storm, one of Marvel's most popular mutants who is also of African origins.

The Black Panther interests me because he brings a different dynamic to palate of Marvel superheroes. While most heroes struggle with against their alter egos, T'Challa is the proud king of Wakanda, as well as its protector and a hero known world wide. He must balance his duties as king with those of a metahuman society who constantly call upon him. It's also great to read superhero stories that don't take place in New York or outer space: Africa serves as a splendid backdrop for most Panther stories. Elements of African culture weave throughout the narrative and give the Black Panther a depth that most characters lack. Basically, he's like Dr. Doom, just not a psycho nutcase hellbent on destroying Reed Richards.

If you'd like to broaden your scope in the realm of superheroes who reside outside of Manhattan, check out the Black Panther.

Recommended reading: Who is the Black Panther?, The Black Panther by Jack Kirby, Civil War Black Panther

Wednesday Filler

What Shapes A Young Brian Spath?

Cool Covers