Blog Log # 2 (Quote of the Week)

(This conversation is fiction but I’m pretty sure it happened to me… in a dream.)

S- Student P- Professor

S- Hello Mr. Professor.
P- (clears throat) That’s Dr. Professor!
S- Sorry, Doc
P- What can I do for you?
S- Well, I had a few questions.
P- Shoot!
S- First I’m unclear about your attendance schedule. If I’m doing A quality work but miss 4 days I will receive the same grade I would If I came everyday and half assed it?
P- Yes
S- And that makes sense to you?
P- Sure
S- Okay… Then why is there a minimum word count on papers? I mean if I can make my point in 100 words do you really need 1100 more words to read? Am I learning about the information or how many different ways I can word it?
P- That’s 1200 words with no fluff.
S- So, that makes sense to you?
P- Sure
S- Okay… You say your class is my top priority but I have four other professors telling me the same thing. Who do I believe? Plus I have to work, just like you. Yep, my shit ain’t free. Is it necessary to believe I can only focus on your class?
P- My class is your top priority.
S- So, I should not focus on my classes in my major and focus on your gen. ed. class’s information that I will not use but in conversation?
P- My class is priority # 1.
S- That makes sense to you?
P- Sure
S- Okay… Aren’t I paying you? Which means you work for me, right? Then why the fuck am I working so goddamned hard for you while you work so goddamned hard to destroy me?
P- I don’t understand the question?
S- A twat says what?
P-What?
S-Exactly
P- Huh?
S- So when is all this work due?
P- Yesterday
S- So on top of everything else I have to invent a time machine?
P- Um… Yeah
S- And that makes sense to you?
P- Sure

As the student leaves he thinks... college rules. Guess, they got me by the short hairs on this one. I sure need that piece of paper, so that people will believe I can do a job well. And paying for this, for many years to come, makes it totally worth it. At least, I’m learning how to be pissed off all the time and how not to handle stress very well. Dylan was right. Someday you are gonna have to serve somebody. Tell me Dylan, when the hell am I spose to read comics and enjoy life?

What I'm Reading Now: Will the Real Darren Please Stand Up?

Gotham Central
Written By: Ed Brubaker & Greg Rucka
Art By: Michael Lark

Sorry for the late post y’all. Just spent the last 12 hours at an Obama rally but I got to shake his hand and get his autograph so I’ll make a check in the W column for the day. So now I guess it’s time for the true “What I’m Reading Now” post (there are some posers up in here). This week has been pretty hectic but I have been able to fit one great title in my very crazy schedule: Gotham Central. Written by Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka (can I just end the article there) and art by Michael Lark, Gotham Central is the story of Gotham’s finest. With a great cast of characters, Gotham Central is some of the best reading of crime fiction I have read in a long time. This story represents a vital importance in the current events of Final Crisis also. Crispus Allen (currently The Spectre) and Renee Montoya (Currently The Question) develop their relationship throughout these pages. This relationship is what makes Final Crisis: Revelations a true emotional roller coaster. With an all-star cast, Gotham Central has a lot to offer. Brubaker and Rucka together… who could ask for more. The pencils of Michael Lark also add to this story a great deal and the dark tones and heavy lines give a great sense of Gotham City. But perhaps the most fascinating part of this story is the view it takes. Everyone knows Gotham’s vigilante protector but what about the five-o? Readers get to see the rules and laws to igniting the bat-signal and also see the views of other cops about Batman, be it good or bad. With a great cast and story, Gotham Central will definitely leave you wanting more.

P.S. – I have no idea who that person in the flash costume is but it’s not me and yea cosmo does have great sex advice….GET OVER IT!

What I's Reading Now: Blog Log Style

Hey guys it's Dayron. How are you? Well I guess we should get on with this. I have been reading cosmo a lot, as of late. Great sex tips, if I do say so myself. And believe you me, I have learned a lot about how bad men really are. That's it for now. I Tivo'd Oprah and should would like to get to it. Smooches! -Dayron

p.s. This is me and my friends costumes for the Halloween party. That's me as the Flash and no I didn't stuff. The Roomate is Wonder Woman. Pretty good girl for him being a man.

Living Up To Expectations: The Start of the 2008 Television Season

Today is the day that we usually tell you about some of the comics that we anticipated from the most recent show ... foolishly I reviewed one of the books that I was anticipating in yesterday's Sneak Peek Reviews and foolishly forgot to read the other two today ... yeah ... my bad. So I thought I would spend some time, some effort, and some words telling you all about how much I have been enjoying the Fall Television Season. Back in late August I talked about some of the shows that I was looking forward to, so tonight I will tell you how some of them are living up to the expectation. Consider this the first part of a seven part series.

Monday Nights:
Prison Break 7pm Central FOX
Okay, so ... Wow. This season has been full of exciting moments and interesting characters but I have to say that any time I get a chance to see Michael Rapaport act in pretty much anything I am going to be excited. This has been perhaps the best season of the show so far and I think that if I could go back and tell myself that this was going to be more than a "Let's break out of prison" show.

Heroes 7pm central NBC
Alright, seriously ... why, oh why, oh why are people giving up on this show? Seriously I am having a ton of fun with the new characters and am thrillingly intrigued by the new story-arc. I am still convinced that too many people look down on this show because it didn't become a super-team show.

Chuck 7pm NBC
Sweet Zombie Jesus this show is one of the highlights of my week. Every actor is fantastic, every story is somehow more entertaining than the last. I think that if you are a comic fan or a geek of any kind that you should do yourself a favor and check out this totally awesome show.

Life 9pm NBC
Yet another example of a show that absolutely warranted a second season after the writers' strike. Damien Lewis is one hell of an actor and his portrayal of Detective Charlie Crews is one of the most engaging depictions of a complex human being on television today. He's a man after revenge as well as a karmic understanding of the world. It's really one of the most interesting shows that I hear far too few people talk about.

What Do You Mean They're Not Superheroes?: Sneak Peek Reviews 10/28/08

Final Crisis: Rage of the Red Lanterns
Written by: Geoff Johns
Art by: Shane Davis

Alright, so that was damn good. Back in October of 2004 Geoff Johns took the reigns of the Green Lantern with the miniseries that he and Ethan Van Sciver crafted: Green Lantern: Rebirth. Since then the Green Lantern book has been in good hands. Last year one of the big events that no one expected was Sinestro Corps War, which proved that you can have a really great event without an independent miniseries and while involving only one or two titles. To be honest I think that more people should be reading both Green Lantern and it's companion book Green Lantern Corps because they are probably the best sci-fi books currently being published in todays market. Add to that the storied history of the Green Lanterns, especially the concepts crafted by Alan Moore currently being explored by Geoff Johns in coordination with Pete Tomasi (the current Green Lantern Corps writer) and you've got some great superhero storytelling going on. Now starting with last year's Sinestro Corps War we have started to see the ground work for the creation of the lanterns of the different aspects of the emotional spectrum. Just prior to the official declaration of the war we saw the beginnings of the Violent Lanterns of Love who had long been known as The Star Sapphires. Since then we have seen the Yellow Lanterns of Fear, known to the universe as The Sinestro Corps. This issue in particular shows how intricate and how rewarding a story that Johns has planned for those who have been following his work on Green Lantern since the beginning. We see the first assault by the Red Lanterns of Hatred or Rage (how they get their rings and lanterns will leave your jaw on the floor). This is truly a fantastic issue and for all intents and purposes is a great jumping on point for anyone who is going to want to read the Blackest Night crossover that will start next year between the Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps books.

Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #3
Written by: Brian Michael Bendis
Art by: David Lafuente

I love this book. I've loved Ultimate Spider-Man since I first started reading it in 2002. I love it through it's ups and downs. I love it unconditionally. I love this book and yet I have never, in my life, regularly followed an in continuity Spider-Man book for longer than a story arc or two. I guess I am just a complex dude. There is something about the way that Bendis writes all of these characters that just sits ever so well with me. I mean I love many of Bendis' other books but I think that in a lot of ways Ultimate Spider-Man is the book he was meant to write. I think that if you are looking for the perfect superhero book to get a non-comic reader into comics that Ultimate Spider-Man might just be the answer (if they aren't into Marvel books then I would say that Invincible from Image is next best and Blue Beetle over at DC is a close third). This is a great issue of Ultimate Spider-Man. Bendis has come up with a great story, he has ultimized a long standing Spider-Man villain who has never appeared in USM before, it deals with some great Peter Parker/Mary Jane stuff, and it is drawn by the incredible new talent David Lafuente. One thing that cannot be overlooked about Ultimate Spider-Man is that it has the unique distinction of having never been drawn by a less than great artist (some people might disagree but I think that they are just letting bias get in their way or don't know good art when they see it). I really think that if you are trying to get a young kid into comics or really anyone who has expressed interest in getting into comics that Ultimate Spider-Man is the place to start.

Hellboy: In The Chapel of Moloch
Written and Drawn by: Mike Mignola

It's been a mighty long time since Mike Mignola has pencilled an entire issue of Hellboy. And while he may not have pencilled his characters in a mighty long time he certainly hasn't let any rust develop. His pages are still incredibly well laid out and his figures haven't suffered a single solitary iota. This is a really fun one shot story that anyone interested in Hellboy or BPRD should most certainly check out. It's probably not the best written of the recent Hellboy stories but it certainly isn't bad by any stretch of the imagination. It's a Hellboy adventure that takes place in 1992, before he left The BPRD, and it's a joy to read. Since it's a one shot and I wager that everyone who is interested in reading this will pummel me to death with shoes I will keep my mouth shut about the plot and just say that it was incredibly nice to see Mignola doing interior work again. A MUST BUY this week!

ComicDorksCast Episode 038

ComicDorkscastEp038.mp3
(Download Directly: Right Click and choose "Save As..." and save locally on your computer)

Running Time: 01:17:48

00:03:27 - Captain America #43 says it with three words: Batroc, The Leaper.
00:10:17 - Scott's Pick of the Week: Final Crisis: Submit.
00:15:33 - The "Bad Night" just keeps getting worse in Criminal #6.
00:19:44 - Rob's Pick of the Week: New Avengers #46.
00:24:25 - More pieces fall into place in Final Crisis #4.
00:33:55 - One damn big brawl in Secret Invasion #7.
00:43:29 - Darren's Pick of the Week: Superman: New Krypton Special.
01:00:02 - Scott couldn't let this week go by without talking about Blue Beetle #32
01:07:57 - Brief Mentions
01:12:51 - Anticipated Books

If you have any questions or comments drop us a line at: Comicdorkscast@gmail.com

Go to www.FantasyShopOnline.com and check out the growing community on the Message Boards.

Check out our website at ComicDorksCast.Blogspot.com.

The Music at the opening and closing of the show was: "Halloween" by The Misfits

The Best Books You Didn't Read this Week, Issue 13

Aetheric Mechanics
Written by: Warren Ellis
Art by: Gianluca Pagliarani

I certainly was not expecting the kind of story that I got from this "Graphic Novella" (that anywhere else would have been called a "Prestige Format One-Shot"). What I got was one of the most unique of Warren Ellis' Apparat Releases to date. For those of you who are unfamiliar with Warren Ellis' Apparat line an explanation is probably in order. It started back in 2004 when Ellis decided that too few of the comic publishers were taking advantage of the phenomenon known as "The 5th Wednesday". Basically comics are scheduled to come out monthly and for all intents and purposes comic publishers only plan for 4 Wednesday months. But occasionally (usually only 3 or 4 times a year) there will be a 5th Wednesday. What this often results in is one really weak week of releases. While companies have gotten a little bit better at anticipating events like this (I mean all you have to do is look at a calendar) no one has figured out quite such an interesting way of utilizing the 5th Wednesdays as Warren Ellis. To date he has released 6 projects under the Apparat banner. In 2004 he released: Angel Stomp Future, Frank Ironwine, Quit City, and Simon Spektor each of which was (ostensibly) a one shot story set in a genre that Ellis thought might have been more popular had Super-Heroic fiction not subsumed the entire industry. Then in 2007 he released (the highly overlooked and incredibly awesome) Crecy, a historic tale of the Battle of Crécy where a much smaller British force defeated a much larger French force thanks to the English Longbow. Now we have the kind of tale that only creators like Ellis, Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, and perhaps Grant Morrison could get away with telling. 1907 London is under attack from the Ruritarians. Technology has become much more evolved thanks to the practice of Aetheric Mechanics, allowing for much more controlled flight due to the bending of space and time. What might seem like a simple murder mystery in an alternate history becomes much more as Sax Raker (a man who seems to be very much like Sherlock Holmes) welcomes home his erstwhile companion, Doctor Richard Watcham (a man who seems to be very much like Dr. John H. Watson). Things become very complex in the mystery they title "The Case of The Man Who Wasn't There". Really a must read for all Ellis fans, especially those who are fans of Planetary or who loved Alan Moore's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

Brief Mentions: DMZ #35

DMZ #35
Written by: Brian Wood
Art by: Kristian Donaldson

We have talked a lot about the works of Brian Wood on this website not to mention the number of times we have talked about his works on the podcast (mostly Northlanders but also the recently released Local Hardcover). We have talked about DMZ a few times but I can honestly say that I don't give this book nearly enough credit. I have often heard reviewers, especially those who review comics, talk about books that are so good for so long that you start to take the quality for granted. DMZ is the first book where that has ever happened to me. I love this book. I love it so much that I forgot to tell people as often as I could to check it out. I should have been telling every customer who was looking for something new to check out DMZ. I should have been mentioning it on the podcast every single time that it came out. It is so damn good that I forgot how good it is. This issue is the beginning of a 2 issue story arc that takes place in one of the unvisited Boroughs of New York: Staten Island.

This is also the return of one of Brian Wood's previous collaborators: Kristian Donaldson. Having worked together on two previous issues of DMZ (issue 11 all about Zee, and issue 20, part 3 of the Friendly Fire story-arc) as well as the oft-overlooked mini-series Supermarket (published by IDW and available in Tradepaperback) these two creators have really found their rhythm. This is clearly the best of their collaborations so far. Donaldson has a knack for crafting really memorable page layouts and creating unique characters and both are on display in these pages.

Wood is also doing some of his best work on this book. Wood has a great sense for writing Matty Roth and it's clear that over the span of the nearly three years that this book has been coming out that Wood has really gotten inside the head of the character and is capable of pushing him in all sorts of fun directions. I think that if you are looking for one really great Vertigo book to start reading that you should read Fables ... if you are looking for two really great Vertigo books to start reading then you should read Fables and DMZ. You certainly won't be reading anything else quite like it.

From the Dork’s Soundtrack: (I Got Something To Say or Candy Apples and Razorblades– The Misfits)

Music from episode

# 38

Halloween performed by The Misfits

Are you into devilocks, skulls, and man make up? How about mother raping or baby killing? (please say no) Maybe a bit of brain eating and turning into a Martian is up your alley? Or maybe you are a teenager from mars? Either way The Misfits rock it so hard, you sing along with words about all this fucked up shit… and you love it.

The Misfits were born the same year we lost the king. Somebody must have warned Elvis about Glenn and he decided it would be best to split. Then again, The Misfits could have trapped Elvis on his pooper in a fashion so that Elvis was scared to death. Those who remained experienced this thing they call Horror Punk. It was so scary that between the years 1977 and 1983 they had 15 different band members. Only Glenn Danzing and Jerry Only were constant in these glorious years. The Misfits may have been born in Lodi, New Jersey but they belong to the world. (Both under and above)

You thinking maybe the Misfits aren’t the real deal? How about I tell you they got arrested for grave robbing. Yeah, that helps a bit I bet. These days a version of The Misfits are still doing shows. Lead by Jerry Only who after The Misfits he started a band called Kryst the Conqueror. Yep, you guessed it, a Christian metal band. I guess some where along the way he said fuck god, horror rock is so much more fun. It’s a good thing he invented the devilock or Misfit fans would poke fun at him. At the same time Danzing was busy doing things like Samhain, Danzing, and starring on adult swim. To think about The Misfits without Danzing seems heartbreaking to me. As well as, thinking about Danzing without the Misfits. At least, we have the cds right? So next time you are all like I want "hack the heads off of little girls and hang them on my wall," remember The Misfits all ready done that and go visit an old person or pet a dog. And stay away from the devil’s whorehouse; it’s just too damn hot. From one hate breeder to another, beware.

–Captain Clet

Blog Log # 2 (Quote of the Week)

Howdy folks! It’s that time again. You know, where I steal people’s words and use them in a way sose they wished the never would have used them in the first place? “The choice is simple. Because, here at the end, there’s no choice at all.” Except to drink the bottom out of a nice cold DP (yep, double penetration you sick bastards!) Now “To die on the job” means you work too hard or… you have an accident of sorts. Either way, it prolly sucks. “Okay… Well, you knew this morning would be complicated, but how the hell did it get this bad.” I always blame the waking up; it is the worst part of everyday. “Look… sometimes stuff… well, not just happens, because that’s bull, but… it doesn’t have to be so doom and gloom” but nobody likes a happy song… or a happy Murdock. “ I think it would be most interesting to have physical relations with a super-powered woman.” “I… I do not believe they would be cooperative. Knowing their type, they would sooner die.” “That would be acceptable. Even preferable. Less talking.” That quoted conversation speaks for itself. So before you guys start thinking “Thanks for nothin’ big guy.” I’m up. See you next week? Of course I will. “It’s like they say, innit? ‘Character is fate.’ Fuck all you can do about it.” Now you all should say, “You made your own bed. Fuckin lie in it” and I will say sure thing sirs and mams. I would love too and I will, real soon. There, I hope to slide into a coma... so, sweet dreams my babies. – Clet

What I’m Reading Now: Tale of an American Life

I love reading comics. I don’t think that’s a secret. I love them for many different reasons. Sometimes it’s a relaxing getaway; an escape from the stress that life can sometimes bring. Sometimes it’s an intense appreciation for the combination of word and art. And sometimes a book reminds you why you love comics in the first place. That time is now. That book is Local. From the creative team of Brian Wood (DMZ, Northlanders) and Ryan Kelly (New York Four, Lucifer), Local leaves me speechless. Which is an unfortunate side effect for a blogger but I will try my best. My first exposure to Brian Wood came from his first professional work, a five-issue miniseries known as Channel Zero. Both written and drawn by Brian Wood, Channel Zero was an excellent story depicting a future “Great Awakening” in America in which the voice of the citizen is silenced. I fell in love with this book and immediately became a fan of this young and talented writer. Since that first exposure, I have joined Brian Wood in the fight in the DMZ and sailed with Norsemen off Norwegian shores with Northlanders. But Local tops them all. It surprised myself at first. Local, as well as The New York Four, gives a look at another picture of Brian Wood’s story telling and shows how talented he really is. Brian Wood offers the most variety in works, possibly, then anyone else in the industry. In this book we follow the lives of Megan McKeenan, a young woman from Vermont, who travels North America to find her place in life, which ultimately leads back home. Never has a character felt so real and alive to me. I felt as if this could be a real person, that these were real events, that this could very well be someone’s life. And with every great writer, there is a great artist. Ryan Kelly does an absolutely fantastic job on this book. I love that this book was in black and white, such as Channel Zero and Demo, and that aspect made me think back to those stories as well. The series is 12 issues long and is enjoyable all the way through. Each issue is just a small glimpse, a short story, into the life of someone who could easily be a family member or a friend. If you set the last issue aside, and then shuffled the rest of the issues and read them at random, it would be just as an enjoyable experience. Not to say that the story lacks plot, in fact on the contrary, this story has a plot that seems so simple but is actually quite complex. This series is a great read for anyone who loves comics. Also go check out The New York Four (Minx), which is also a great series produced by this creative team. You can also check out episode #36 to see what Rob has to say on the matter. Local will make you fall in love with comics all over again and just as a key is close to Megan’s heart, Local is close to mine.

Living Up To Expectations: loneliness + alienation + fear + despair + self-worth ÷ mockery ÷ condemnation ÷ misunderstanding x guilt x shame x failure

Final Crisis #4
Written By: SUBMIT TO DARKSIDE (Grant Morrison)
Art By: SUBMIT TO DARKSIDE (J.G. Jones)

loneliness + alienation + fear + despair + self-worth ÷ mockery ÷ condemnation ÷ misunderstanding x guilt x shame x failure x judgment n=y where y=hope and n=folly, love=lies, life=death, self=dark side. loneliness + alienation + fear + despair + self-worth ÷ mockery ÷ condemnation ÷ misunderstanding x guilt x shame x failure x judgment n=y where y=hope and n=folly, love=lies, life=death, self=dark side loneliness + alienation + fear + despair + self-worth ÷ mockery ÷ condemnation ÷ misunderstanding x guilt x shame x failure x judgment n=y where y=hope and n=folly, love=lies, life=death, self=dark side loneliness + alienation + fear + despair + self-worth ÷ mockery ÷ condemnation ÷ misunderstanding x guilt x shame x failure x judgment n=y where y=hope and n=folly, love=lies, life=death, self=dark side. loneliness + alienation + fear + despair + self-worth ÷ mockery ÷ condemnation ÷ misunderstanding x guilt x shame x failure x judgment n=y where y=hope and n=folly, love=lies, life=death, self=dark side. loneliness + alienation + fear + despair + self-worth ÷ mockery ÷ condemnation ÷ misunderstanding x guilt x shame x failure x judgment n=y where y=hope and n=folly, love=lies, life=death, self=dark side. Listen to episode #38 for more!!!!!

Daredevil #112
Written By: Ed Brubaker
Art By: Michael Lark

Ah, yes the morning after is always a very awkward confusing morning...especially if you are getting put in a cop car. In issue #112, Ed Brubaker (Criminal, Sleeper) and Michael Lark (Gotham Central, Terminal City) continue to develop the relationship between Matt Murdock and Dakota North, which is a confusing one. I was very excited to see a little backstory into how Lady Bullseye had appeared in New York City and framing Murdock for murder. The best thing about this issue was the quest appearances of Daniel Rand (Immortal Iron Fist) and Carlos LaMuerto (Black Tarantula). Two different scenes are drawn where we see the amazing combative styles of both these characters. With this second issue, I really get a better for the feel of the character Lady Bullseye. As mentioned on a previous show, I had my doubts about a "Lady Bullseye" . I love the character Bullseye, but I didn't think another character with the same name and skill set was needed. Brubaker shows why he writes and I read. Lady Bullseye has fully earned respect from me as a great villain and I can't wait to see her plans unfold. With issue #112, I continue to believe that Brubaker and Lark are creating one of the greatest comics in the Marvel Universe. Daredevil continues to be one of the most depressing superheroes in all of comics but not the most depressing comic of the week. That's gotta go to my boys over at DC. Superman, I'm sorry for your loss.

What Do You Mean They're Not Superheroes?: Sneak Peek Reviews 10/21/08

Superman: New Krypton #1 (One-Shot)
Written by: Geoff Johns, James Robinson, and Sterling Gates
Art by: Pete Woods, Gary Frank, and Renato Guedes

In the wake of what happened in the most recent issue of Action Comics as well as last week's Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen the first big crossover story line in the Superman family of books since One Year Later's "Up, Up, and Away!". New Krypton has every indication of becoming one of the most exciting stories of the past few years. Between Geoff Johns, James Robinson, two of the most talented writers in the industry, and Sterling Gates, one of the brightest new names in the world of comics, it is evident that it is going to be an incredibly well written story. The artists on each of the books are incredible talents in their own right, Gary Frank's "Kevin Maguire"-like ability to have his characters act on the page, Renato Guedes' skill at crafting incredibly vivid action sequences and Supergirl's new artist Jamal Igle and his skill at crafting unique characters and ability to draw beautiful women without falling prey to turning it in to cheesecake. While I know that I haven't said much about this issue in particular I fear that anything I could say would lead to elements of one really damn great comic book being spoiled, so allow me to assure you that if you are a fan of Superman that you are in for a treat and if you have been looking for a reason to get into Superman that there has never been a better time.

Wolverine: Manifest Destiny #1 (of 4) Written by: Jason Aaron Art by: Stephen Segovia

I can't even begin to count the number of times that I have mentioned that Jason Aaron is the most exciting new writer to come into the comics industry in the last five years. I also can't count the number of times that I have said that I have never been the biggest fan of Wolverine. So when one of my favorite writers takes on one of my least favorite characters one has to wonder which of the most frequent adages will survive to be said again ... Jason Aaron just plain rocks. He brings to the table so many great concepts as well as a fantastic precision in executing the concepts. At once this is a story of Wolverine being a simple man, but a simple man who has just had one hell of a life. So when he goes to San Francisco's Chinatown it's only understandable that he has some enemies there, but these are enemies that have been stewing over what Logan did to them for 50 or so years. This is going to be one hell of a fun ride, I can assure you. Stephen Segovia is doing his best Lenil Francis Yu impersonation while still managing to come across as unique. Seriously this is going to be one damn fun story.



G.I. JOE: New Beginning #0 Written by: Chuck Dixon, Larry Hama, Christos Gage & Mike Costa Art by: Andrew Crossley, Tom Feister, Antonio Fuso

I, like every other red blooded American boy who was between the ages of 7 and 14 in the mid to late 80's, was a huge fan of the G.I. JOE cartoon. When the world of comics tried to mine my childhood starting in the beginning of this millennium I was resistant. I didn't buy back in to the new Transformers book, or the later launched G.I. Joe book (and I was able to resist the call of the Thundercats comic as well). So, after changing hands several times the license for G.I. JOE has now come to small press innovators IDW, which means that for the first time in a very long time both the G.I. JOE license and the Transformers license are now under the same roof. Also returning to the title is the man who created the characters behind the figures, Larry Hama. Coming along with him is Chuck Dixon, who owes his career in comics to Hama thanks to a gig working on back up stories in Savage Sword of Conan that that Hama hooked Dixon up with. Also coming on board are Christos Gage, who has been crafting a whole new Wildstorm Universe, and newcomer Mike Costa, who recently penned a really great Jack Hawksmoor miniseries. Now ... it might seem like there are a whole lot of writers for one book ... that's cause there are going to be three books. There are going to be three books? Isn't that a little fast? No, not once you hear about them. First there is going to be G.I. JOE written by Chuck Dixon with art by Robert Atkins, which will tell the tale the current JOE missions and encounters with Cobra. Second is G.I. JOE: Origins written by Larry Hama and with art by Tom Feister which will tell the tale of the formation of the team and the recruitment of the JOE's. And finally there will be G.I. JOE: Cobra written by Christos Gage and Mike Costa with art by Antonio Fuso which will tell the story of the JOE undercover inside the most frightening terrorist organization in the world ... and no one knows what Chuckles will find among Cobra. And if this preview of each is any indication about the quality that we can expect from the new series then this is going to be one hell of a relaunch. Yo JOE!

ComicDorksCast Episode 037

ComicDorkscastEp037.mp3
(Download Directly: Right Click and choose "Save As..." and save locally on your computer)

Running Time: 01:14:28

• 00:04:02 - Hilarity abounds in the review of Mighty Avengers #19.
• 00:18:30 - Scott's Pick of the Week: RASL #3.
• 00:24:17 - Always better late than not at all Secret Six #2.
• 00:34:03 - Rob's Pick of the Week: Justice Society of America #19.
• 00:41:31 - Probably the best book of the week: Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen Special.
• 00:51:39 - Darren's Pick of the Week: Final Crisis: Rogues' Revenge #3.
• 00:58:12 - E-MAIL & ANNOUNCEMENT TIME!
• 01:04:10 - Brief Mentions
• 01:07:07 - Anticipated Books

If you have any questions or comments drop us a line at: Comicdorkscast@gmail.com

Go to www.FantasyShopOnline.com and check out the growing community on the Message Boards.

Check out our website at ComicDorksCast.Blogspot.com.

The Music at the opening and closing of the show was: "Hospital Beds" by Cold War Kids

What Do You Mean They're Not Superheroes?: The Best Concerts You Missed Last Week

Usually on Mondays you guys hear from me about the books that I think you probably missed out on last week when you were at the comic store, but this week I decided to change things up a bit. I had the delightful opportunity to see three concerts this last week and I thought I would take a moment of your time to let you know what you missed out on.

Let's go back to last Wednesday. The night of the final presidential debate and while most were people found themselves glued to the television as Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain verbally sparred their way through the last of their shared sound-byte fest I found myself on the SLU campus at The Billiken Club waiting for a night of music. First to play was the surprisingly amazing Judgement Day. Three men, one drummer, one violinist, and one cellist. And they rocked all of our faces with their own brand of String Metal (think indie rock Apocalyptica). It was easily one of the most intruiging opening acts I had seen in a long time and while they may not have been for everyone I personally was held rapt. I highly recommend that you check them out because I think that they have something truly awesome going on. Next up was David Vandervelde and while I found him entertaining I don't think he was something really worth writing home about when sandwiched in between two stunning acts. The headliner and who I was there to see was Margot & The Nuclear So and So's. They piled onto the stage, all nine of them, and they played some of the most enjoyable music I have heard in a very long time for an hour and change. If you like bands like The Decemberists, Sufjan Stevens, The Arcade Fire or Broken Social Scene I think you're bound to love their sound. I came away from the show feeling light and care free and must admit that it was one of the more enjoyable nights of recent memory (when you end your night at Uncle Bill's Pancake & Dinner though ... it's gonna be a good night).

Next was a trek down Columbia way to The Blue Note to see Broken Social Scene. Land of Talk opened and they were fun but certainly just an appetizer to the main act. I am going to leave most of the talking about Broken Social Scene to Darren as he has already expressed interest in telling you all about the show but suffice to say that they played for just shy of 3 hours and I was completely ensorcelled by them the entire time they were onstage.

Finally tonight I headed out to The Bluebird to see Man Man. The opening act Tim Fite quickly took Judgement Day's place at the top of the Most Interesting Opening Act list. It's really hard to describe the experience of seeing Tim Fite live onstage, I think that my friend, and fellow concert goer, Mike Brodeur put it best "Two words describe that experience: Brave and Versatile. It's like he said 'Welcome to my brain, it is what it is.'". Think hip-hop ... but ... in an incredibly unique way. Then the men in white took the stage. Man Man is perhaps one of the most energetic and entertaining live shows I have ever had the pleasure of seeing. This was my third Man Man show and they are now the band I have seen live the most times. Man Man is like hearing the inner sound track to the life of Tim Burton ... like a dark crazy carnival that rolls into town and steals off into the night with your children. They played for a little over an hour and when you consider the amount of energy that they expend onstage it's miraculous that they didn't collapse when the set was done.

I think that if you aren't going out and experiencing music live then you are really missing out on one hell of a fun experience and with all the great venues here in the Saint Louis Metro Area and with Columbia's Blue Note not too far away that there is no reason not to head out and check out something live.

P.S. Because of the Man Man show and a work commitment this week's Episode 37 will not be available until Tuesday night.

Brief Mentions: Punisher Finds a Second Wind

Punisher #63
Written By: Gregg Hurwitz
Art By: Laurence Campbell

As I wipe away the tears caused by the end of Garth Ennis’ Punisher run, I can’t imagine how any writer could follow such a series. Several months ago, I discovered that with issue #61, Gregg Hurwitz (Foolkiller) would be taking the wheel. Unfamiliar with his work, both in comics and his best-selling crime novels, I was wary. I was on the fence whether I wanted to continue with the series or not. In the end, I decided to give issue #61 a chance. It was strange not seeing a Tim Bradstreet cover as I’ve been accustomed to seeing over the years, but Dave Johnson does a great job make it intriguing and complex. The first two issues of this series were good and kept me wanting more. Hurwitz has a good sense of the character and what makes the Frank Castle the character he is. This week, issue #63 (part three in the “Girls in White Dresses” story arc) hit the stores. This is the best issue yet. The setting is a small town in Mexico in which disappearances and kidnapping have ravaged the community and forced the residents to employ someone whom they heard takes the law into his own hands – The Punisher. We see the Punisher close to defeat in this issue and biting steel periodically throughout. What happens when you become your enemy? That’s the question that is raised in this issue. With a great story and the extreme violence that we’ve all have come to love from the MAX series. Laurence Campbell (2000 AD) adds a great look to this book. The use of dark, neutral colors makes the book feel like a Punisher story. I can continue to talk about how great this issue was but the true reason for writing this article is to get people to go pick up this book. Whether you don’t read Punisher at all or you stopped at issue sixty (…Rob…) let me assure you - The Punisher is still in full swing.

From The Dorks' Soundtrack: Cold War Kids

I kept thinking that since I saw Margot & The Nuclear So and So's on Wednesday night (great show), Broken Social Scene on Friday night (Amazing, by the way ... article to come on that), and am going to go see Man Man on Monday night that I should pick a song by one of the bands that I have seen live lately (going to go see) for the show this week. But I have been listening to so much of the new Cold War Kids album, Loyalty to Loyalty, lately that I thought that I would let you guys in on something that I was really grooving on lately. I first took notice of Cold War Kids (from Fullerton, CA) in late March of 2006, when Spin.com named them one of their “Artist of the Day” and with their brief review of this up and coming band they included the mp3 of “Hospital Beds” and after listening to it I knew I was really, really going to like a full album from this band. I certainly wasn't expecting to get what I got from it, nor was I expecting to wait as long as I did. The track that Spin.com posted was from their EP, curiously enough also called Robbers & Cowards, their full length debut, Robbers & Cowards, wouldn't hit the shelves until early October of 2006. The part of the album that I wasn't expecting was that the band would sound so diverse. Singer Nathan Willett (whom also plays piano and guitar for the band) can go from instantly accessible to incredible but aloof in the space of a heartbeat. The band reminds me an awful lot of other bands that I love, which is something that I couldn't help but notice after listening to Robbers & Cowards a couple dozen times. It's not that they model their sound off of any particular band or that any one track could be considered a direct lift from another artist, it's more that they wear their influences on their sleeves and they don't seem to shy away from letting you know that. So, if you are into soulful, blues-inflected indie rock then you might dig it. If you like bands that thrive in variety like Bob Dylan, Spoon, The Walkmen, The White Stripes, Devendra Banhart, Kings of Leon, Tom Waits, etc. then it might be time for you to check out Cold War Kids. So go check out their albums Robbers & Cowards and Loyalty to Loyalty.

Blog Log # 2 (Quote of the Week)

Dear The Roommate,

“Hullo” Mikey! I will start with a quote of a quote but it is a quote of a quote that should be quoted forever and you can quote me on that. “There is a more real pleasure to be gotten out of a malicious act, when your heart is in it, than out of thirty acts of a nobler sort.” Sorry buddy but “There’s no more rules in this universe to follow.” Listen Mike, “You better back up, though. This is gonna go off!” “We can make this easy if you just listen.” What did you say? Oh yeah, “your dead Rob.” I’m sure “you’ve got real class, kid” but I’m just not seeing it. Now, you are probably thinking to yourself “I’m gonna kill you” but “I’m not scared.” “Cause, dude, you are mine. You are mine all over.” “Heh. Better saddle up, then cowboy.” Because, “I do only what I know is right” and sometimes that means saying things like, I think Mike’s vagina is so big you could drive a car in it.” “Someday, one of us is going to kill the other, you know that, don’t you?” (kill… but softly, hopefully) “This isn’t a battle. This isn’t a contest between you and me… this is just me” making you look like a punk on the World Wide Web. “I take no joy in that. I take no pleasure in it.” That’s a lie. I’m having a pretty good time. “But do understand we were put in a war the day you were born.” Which, right now you seem to have been “born to run” like a scared lil’ girly man... man. Do me a favor and grow some “ornament-things!”(you know, balls) If you got something to say, let’s hear it big guy. “Don’t hold back” “Yell it out before it kills you now, let it all out!” “I suggest you do it quick” If you don’t then “Quit your whining. I hate whiners!” as much as you like wieners. I warn you don’t be surprised if this ends and I “then make love bathed in your blood.” (that’s a fetish thing) I know that now you are thinking, “are you joking grandpa?” That is something for me to know and you to find out. So in closing, I’d like to say a bad case of big mouth only makes you look like a “fecal freak.” Hope you enjoyed this letter, Mikey. “One down. Like a zillion to go.” Balls in your court, court here could mean your chin or your mouth. – Your Pal, Captain Clet

p.s. Can’t wait to meet you in like two weeks. I’m sure it will be very pleasant.

Living Up To Expectations: NYX: No Way Home # 3

Writer: Marjorie Liu

Pencils: Kalman Andrasofszky & Sara Pichelli

Cast: Kiden, Bobby, Lil’ Bro, Tatiana, and ex-teacher Cameron. Not to mention, a gang of punk ass bustas.

A few years back a couple of guys by the name of Joe Quesada and Josh Middleton created a little book called NYX. Today we got issue # 3 of the brand new miniseries and yes, my anticipation was satisfied. NYX: No Way Home is the story of a group of mutant kids living in New York. These mutants have no affiliation to X- teams such as, the X-men, Young X-men, X-force, or X-factor but rather a group of kids just trying to play the cards they were dealt. Keep in mind that each one is playing a different hand but they are all playing from the same deck.

Issue # 3 was told to us through the voice of Bobby Soul and packed with comic goodness. We pick up right after issue # 2. Cameron is still missing and a confrontation is being had. The very first page gave us gangstas, guns, and bloody knuckles. With Bobby narrating we get a glimpse of his past and it doesn’t take too much to realize he has not had the easiest go at things. We all know life tends to kick your ass from time to time. For, Bobby and his little brother, named Lil’ Bro (that’s clever), the can of whup ass is economy sized. This issue furthered my belief that these kids are working on being a team of their own design. And what a team they could be. If only they can survive.

The abilities these kids possess have great potential too be very effective in scuffle type situations. As far as the abilities, this issue opened all kinds of doors for the reader. By the time we leave this issue we still don’t know too much about the what’s, the where’s, and the why’s but the who’s better watch out cause trouble is coming for them. Walter said it best, “You are entering a world of pain!” NYX is very unique as far as Marvel mutant books are concerned. It feels much like a teen book but done in an adult fashion. (Yeah, a lot like Runaways but totally different. Know what I’m saying?) So if you like good writing, good art, and you know what’s good for you; you will check this book out!
-Rob

What Do You Mean They're Not Superheroes?: Sneak Peek Reviews 10/14/08

Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen Special #1
Written by: James Robinson
Art by: Jesus Merino, Leno Carvalho, & Steve Scott
If I am anything I am a hyperbolic individual. If I had a nickel for every time I have heard someone say “But Scott, you say everything is awesome.” I'd be a much richer man than I am today. I am a die hard fan of comics and the comic medium, I love superheroes and slice of life stories and comedies and will give pretty much anything produced in the comic format a day in court. So, understand that I realize all of these things when I say that I would be hard pressed to pick a better single issue in the last year than Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen Special #1. What James Robinson brings to a comic is an understanding that there is no such thing as a small character, just a character written for the background. Jimmy Olsen has been a virtually ignorable character for years. I can't remember the last time he was important prior to Countdown ... but even that did little to really solidify the character of Olsen as what he truly is. I understand that what I am about to say is perhaps a bit shocking for some: Jimmy Olsen is just as important as Lois Lane, Jonathan Kent, Martha Kent, Lex Luthor, and, yes, Superman. Jimmy Olsen first appeared as a character in the Superman Radio Show in 1940 (he appeared as a part of the Superman mythos before Dick Grayson ever graced a page of Detective Comics). And while he may not have appeared in the comics until the winter of 1941 he was already a known commodity and having Superman have “Pal” became part of what made Superman as popular as he was then, which lead to him being as popular as he is now. I could literally go on and on about this comic and how amazing it is but I think that it would be better for you to just make sure that you buy it when you get to the store tomorrow and read it as soon as is humanly possible. The only thing that I can compare this book to (not thematically or contextually, but impactfully) is to Countdown to Infinite Crisis, where we all realized the size of what was coming and we all realized how amazing a hero Ted Kord really was. By the time you finish reading this book you will understand that James “Jimmy” Olsen is an insanely awesome character and that what is coming in the pages of Superman, Action Comics, Supergirl, and the New Krypton specials is going to change the way we look at The Man of Tomorrow.

X-Men Worlds Apart #1
Written by: Chris Yost
Art by: Diogenes Neves
Alright, enough is enough ... actually ... let me start somewhat differently. This was a pretty interesting comic, Chris Yost tells an interesting story that involves primarily Storm but that dips back into the history of the character in an interesting way and ultimately I was satisfied with the telling. Also Diogenes Neves really did a rather good job on his first work for Marvel and without question there are some stunning pages in this book. But, back to what I was saying before: Enough is enough. X-Men: World's Apart #1 is the first part of a 4 issue miniseries. It has 22 pages just like any other comic and has the traditional cover stock and paper quality. SO WHY IS IT $3.99?!?!?! Seriously, from printing books that contain irrelevant reprints and slapping a $3.99 price tag on them to charging 4 bucks for a comic that is no longer or more significant than anything else currently being released? They've gone too far. This isn't the start of a new X-Men event ... it's just a miniseries. Moreso it's just a Storm miniseries ... so ... while it was good you are really going to have to figure out for yourself whether or not it is worth the price of admission. (Sidenote: Yes, the previously reviewed Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen Special #1 does have a $4.99 price-tag but it is connected with an ongoing event and is 54 pages long.)

Ghostbusters: The Other Side #1
Written by: Keith Champagne
Art by: Tom Nguyen
Allow me to assure you that I never thought I would say something like this: Damn that was a fun Ghostbusters comic. It's only been recently that I have re-watched the Ghostbusters movies (I always had this fear that they wouldn't live up to the quality that I remembered them being when I first saw them as a kid) and it seemed so weird that there had only ever been two of them. I mean sure Bill Murray went on to become a bigger star, but I think it's probably safe to say that Harold Ramis, Dan Akroyd and Ernie Hudson never really did anything that lived up to the promise of the Ghostbusters franchise. There were the incredibly disappointing cartoons and ever present rumors that there would be a third film but nothing ever really lived up to the quality of the originals. What we have here is something that is at once reverential to the source material and at the same time modern and incredibly fun. I think that anyone who loves the films will find themselves humming the theme song to themselves as they read this and despite having not played the characters in almost 20 years the voices of the original actors immediately spring to mind as you read the book. What is perhaps the greatest part is that is that the book contains ideas that are essential to the world of Chicago. So, I guess the only question left to ask is: Who're You Going To Call?

ComicDorksCast Episode 036

ComicDorkscastEp036.mp3
(Download Directly: Right Click and choose "Save As..." and save locally on your computer)

Running Time: 01:14:03

• 00:03:09 - The young are not always innocent in Invincible #53.
• 00:07:41 - Scott's Pick of the Week: I Kill Giants #4.
• 00:13:11 - Heartbreak and tragedy abound in Action Comics #870.
• 00:22:46 - Rob's Pick of the Week: Detective Comics #849.
• 00:30:12 - Only 4 shots remain in 100 Bullets #96.
• 00:37:52 - Darren's Pick of the Week: Deadpool #3.
• 00:42:41 - Best of Trade Paperback/Graphic Novel of Last Month:
• Rob: Local HC
  
• Darren: Scott Pilgrim Vol 4 Get's it Together
  
• Scott: The Alcoholic HC
  
• 01:03:28 - Brief Mentions
• 01:07:26 - Anticipated Books

If you have any questions or comments drop us a line at: Comicdorkscast@gmail.com

Go to www.FantasyShopOnline.com and check out the growing community on the Message Boards.

Check out our website at ComicDorksCast.Blogspot.com.

The Music at the opening and closing of the show was: "How We Breathe" by Pinback

Editing SNAFU

Due to complications that occurred during editing of this week's show Episode 36 will not be available until Tuesday Evening.

My Apologies,
Scott

P.S. As a consolation prize here is an episode of the funniest show on the internet!



Election from Amir on Vimeo.

The Best Books You Didn't Read this Week, Issue 12

Green Lantern Corps #29
Written by: Peter J. Tomasi
Art by: Pat Gleason

I know I have said it before but I think that one of the books that far too few people are reading is Green Lantern Corps. The problem is that so many people started checking it out during The Sinestro Corps War but few stuck with it afterward. What you are missing out on is the kind of sci-fi story telling that can be found in far too few comics in the industry these days. This is the beginning of the Sins of the Star Sapphire story-arc where we are going to find out quite a lot more about the Violet Lanterns of Love, and despite how positive they might sound I have to say that they are not by any stretch of the imagination the good guys out in the universe. Watch as the march toward The Blackest Night continues on and even more of the players are revealed. Watch as one of The Guardians of OA plots and plans against the rest of the Universe right under the noses of the Universe's greatest protectors. Seriously this is a criminally overlooked book.




Pulp Tales: Josh Medors Benefit One Shot
Written by: B. Clay Moore & Seth Peck, Josh Fialkov, Kody Champerlain, Tony Fleecs, and Steve Niles
Art by: Chris Samnee, Andy B, Kody Chamberlain, Tony Fleecs, and Sarah Wilkinson

There is something tragic about this country when we can, seemingly with little or no hesitation, offer the risk takers on Wall Street a $700,000,000,000 (and that's a conservative estimate) bailout but guys like Josh Medors can get diagnosed with cancer and be S.O.L. when it comes to being able to pay for treatment. Far too many artists and writers in the comics industry are without proper health coverage, it's a tragedy. Support the HERO Initiative and the CBLDF because the country certainly isn't going to help comic creators or the comics industry. But, more importantly if your Local Comic Store stocked Pulp Tales on it's shelves go in this week and make sure that you buy it, and if they didn't make them special order it for you. All the proceeds go to helping to pay for Josh Medors medical bills. A chance to really help someone by purchasing a comic comes along so infrequently so we must take it when it happens. It also doesn't hurt that it is full of great stories, and great art by great creators.



Lone Ranger #14
Written by: Brett Matthews
Art by: Sergio Cariello

Alright, so ... I love me some westerns. I think that has to have been made rather clear from the kinds of articles I have posted and some of the reviews that I have written. And what I have said in the past is that the first western that I ever experienced was Lone Ranger. When I was a very small child I would wake up at 5 in the morning to make sure that I could watch The Lone Ranger and Tonto and hear "Hi Ho Silver, Away!". Dynamite Entertainment's Lone Ranger has really been on the forefront of the modern western comic genre. For quite a while it was anything but timely, but recently the book has been much more punctual and that has made for incredibly rewarding reading. Brett Matthews has a great grasp on how to tell an engaging western tale and Sergio Carriello's art just gets better and better as the series goes along.

Brief Mentions: Avengers Invaders # 5

Plot –Alex Ross & Jim Krueger

Script –Jim Krueger

Pencils –Steve Sadowski & Patrick Berkenkotter

Color –inLight Studios


(Yep, another review. Standard spoiler rules apply. Of course, I’ll try to be as vague as possible.)


Well, this book finally returned to the shelf this week. Fortunately, so many great comics are constantly coming out; therefore, the wait wasn’t so bad. I have got to say I have been enjoying this book since issue #1.Then again, I am an Invaders fan. You saw the creative team that is putting this out, right? Despite some things I hear around the shop, I think any book that includes The New Avengers, The Mighty Avengers, and the Invaders is book worth checking out.

Imagine you are an Invader fighting Nazis in 1943 one second, then the next you are in present day New York. Present day, meaning our Steve Rogers is dead. So, here we are in New York where the registration act is still an issue (heroes hunting heroes) and BAM! Hello Invaders, Steve Rogers and all. Obviously, Steve Rogers of the past. Think of that, your dead friend shows up from the past. How do you react? Probably, with a meaningless fight.

Issue # 5 was packed with great panels, some of action and others of intense conversation. First of all, the Bucky we get in this book is a full-fledged grade A badass. Of course, we get pages of just about all your favorite Marvel characters fighting one another. We even see heroes fighting different eras of themselves, past and future. Talk about internal struggle personified. Then, we get to see Tony talking to Invader Steve Rogers. That scene was one of the best scenes I have seen in a while. Human Torch tugged at the old heartstrings in this issue, as well. All of this was followed by a last page that leaves you wondering, what is about to begin?

Marvel fans heed the call. Check this book out. I will say right now, at issue # 5, that this will be an incredible 12-issue story that will need to reside in your collection. Tell me, where else can you see Luke all puckered up like he has a thumb up his booty hole? Seriously, these books speak for themselves. So, go ahead don’t believe me. See if I care.
-Rob

From the Dorks’ Soundtrack: Playback for Pinback

If anything, I am the outcast of the ComicDorksCast. While my associates live in proximity of STL, I am in down a 100-mile stretch of road in Boone County. Though, Columbia is not quite as big as the city life of St. Louis, there is one venue that keeps me up-to-date with live shows – The Blue Note. The Blue Note is the best Columbia has to offer in terms of live music. I’ve seen bands such as Modest Mouse, Spoon, Man Man, Citizen Cope, Dr. Dog and Wilco at this small venue. Last night, I took my first trip to The Blue Note for the semester and went to see a band entitled Pinback. Pinback originates from San Diego California and was formed in 1998 by singers Armistead Burwell Smith IV (also known as Zach Smith) and Rob Crow. The band's name is a reference to a character in the film Dark Star, directed by John Carpenter. Audio samples from this film are used frequently in the band's early works. Pinback is still very much in the indie scene but can be most associated with early Modest Mouse/Pavement. At the beginning of the show, I knew I was going to like it. Zach Smith (who looks almost exactly like Scott) came out to begin the show clad in a Chronicles of Wormwood T-shirt. Periodically throughout the show I would yell Garth Ennis to see if I could get a reaction but to no success. The show was fantastic. Pinback displays a great indie style and mixes vocals and piano beautifully. Another great aspect of this band is that they have two singers, which provide for great harmonies and offer great variety, very reminiscent of Dr. Dog (though no ones throat was punched). The vocals also remind me a great deal of Sufjan Stevens but with a little more volume. Every member is also multi-instrumental. One song the singer could be playing the bass and then the next be playing the piano. The variety this band offers was definitely worth the price of $14. Also hoisted about the band was a huge screen that would display images and play video while they played. The video and images provided for a unique show experience and the intimacy that The Blue Note provides also added to the experience. Pinback currently has four albums, the last two gaining the most recognition. Autumn of the Seraphs, debuting in November of last year, is what contains our episode #36 song, “How We Breathe.” This song is the best taste of what Pinback has to offer and I hope you enjoy!

Blog Log # Awesome: (The True Story... I Promise!)

(What you are about to read is the first draft Dayron had for his Quote of The Week. This was recovered out of the trash by an anonymous source.)


Rob “You must atone for your crimes.” You are not as cool as you think you are. I guess, “There’s no learnin’ some people. You just gotta twist their heads around.” You hear me you chopped bastard? “I’ll rip yer head off, ya mutt!” Then, I will look at your girlfriend and say, “He’s already dead you loopy dame!” Seriously, do you think anybody wants to hear you say things like “I can fart and whistle at the same time.” I admit that’s not easy to do but still it doesn’t make you not suck. “You’re a bunch of godless rats! Your mother didn’t want you! You’re gonna burn in hell!” (we get a break at this point. I think some beer pong was to be played. I sense a bunch of wheeeeeews! Or maybe Dayron nodded off. When he returned to finish all he said was) “ Okay, sooooooo… honestly…how many drinks is too many drinks?” (I believe his roommate chimed in to finish this blog log and oh so eloquently he replied.) “It’s whatever you’re drinking plus the one you’re reaching for when you pass out.”
–Lil' Captain Dayron and his trusty sidekick,
The Roommate (who I picture to look like this)

Blog Log # Awesome: “Reading between the lines is easy… it’s the lines I have trouble with” – Wise Words from A Wise Man...

Oh! Hey all you comics fans out there. Time for another one of them great “Quote of the Week” columns that everyone enjoys. The voice of Rob will be portrayed (beautifully portrayed might I add) by none other than Darren…or as you have been accustomed to – Dayron. So many books. So many quotes. So little time. We got a Kirkman double feature this week (at least for people in the mid-west) containing both Invincible and Walking Dead. “It’s not the dead I’m afraid of anymore.” Uh-oh, looks like we got a Jerry Garcia fan on our hands. Now Dale you should never have feared “the dead”. Sure, Jerry may be a little hairy, like myself, but that’s no reason to be scared of us… we’re really just like big, huggable bears (that won’t maul you to death). Wait, I just had a thought, “Note to self: Danny’s orifices must be probed.” I know what your thinking… Who’s Danny? Well someone didn’t get there monthly dose of Lapham & Young Liars. Orifice probing has been put out of comics too long. I’m glad that David Lapham and his Spiders from Mars brought it back. Anyway, where were we… Ahh yes comics (sometimes I forget what I was saying because of my old and feeble mind, unlike some of my younger and more vital comrades *Darren*) But I digress, for years among years who has been the love of Bruce Wayne’s life? Some people say Zatanna, others say Jezebel Jet, but I believe it has always been Selina Kyle, Catwoman. I. LOVE. CATWOMAN. Last time we left Catwoman her heart was surgically removed and she survived soley by the hum of surrounding machines. “I don’t think there’s ever been another woman who has gotten so close to him.” So it turns out that Dr. Mid-Nite is not only a medical doctor but also a LoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoVe doctor. Man, this article is taking a while, “ Oh great, I’m missing Battlestar Galatica.” You said it Spiderman but I need to write Gilgamesh paper… bummer. I wish that I could be just like Dayron, who can write papers so excellently and is so cool. I never thought such a small kid be so infinitely awesome.. huh,
who knew?