Batman: Black & White # 4 Special 3D Edition

Writers: Brian Bolland, Jan Stanad, Archie Goodwin, Dennis O'Neil, Katsuhiao Otomo
Artists: Brian Bolland, Kevin Nowlan, Gary Gianni, Brian Steelfreeze, Alex Toth
Publisher: DC
Published: September 1996

If you're a someone, than you know or gots Batman Black & White. This is a Batman series that is exactly what it is called: Batman in black and white. Creators were given the chance to write/draw a 8 page self-contained story of the Dark Knight. Issue # 4 has got the infamous "An Innocent Guy" by Brian Bolland, which alone, makes this issue a hot number. What makes my particular copy extra special is that this is only 1 of only a 1000 issues printed that were in eye popping 3D!

Check some scans from the 5 stories contained in this issue:





An Innocent Guy
Monsters in the Closet
Heroes
Leavetaking
The Third Mask
Back Cover
Jealous?

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Fantastic Four

Hellblazer #250

Heavy Metal September 2008

Writers/Artists: Felix Vega, Matt Wilson, Nathan Fox, Various
Publisher: Heavy Metal
Published: September 2008

Heavy Metal. Did you know Heavy Metal is owned and edited by Kevin Eastman? If you're wondering who Kevin Eastman is, think walking talking ninja turtles. Anyhoo, Heavy Metal is a collection of different stories aimed at a mature audience, ie. the stories often have graphic violence and nudity.

2008 September's issue has an artist I have been keeping my eye on: Nathan Fox. His run on Pigeons from Hell was pretty cool, so I picked up this issue. His tale is called Fluorescent Black and is written by Matt Wilson. The story is a bio-sci-fi-punk story where genetics rule the day. Check the vid as Fox explains it better than me.


Another story inside the issue involves Vincent. The Vincent. Van Gogh. It's bit of bizarre tale that explores an alternate view of why he lost his ear. Written and drawn by Felix Vega, it's a pretty cool ride.


If your not sure what he is holding, head to your local library (or Wikipedia) and read up on this remarkable artist!


Ok, that's it, I'm done with tentacles in comics (for now). I had planned to integrate some pics of tentacles in film, but I can't be bothered now, so I'll just post 'em.

Futurama: The Beast with a Billion Backs
Oldboy

Mnemovore # 4

Writer: Hans Rodionoff, Ray Fawkes
Artists: Mike Huddleston, Jeremy Cox
Publisher: Vertigo
Published: September 2005

According to Rue Morgue, this is "the must read horror comic of 2005." After reading this issue, I can see why Morgue thinks this to be true. It's a freaky read. Just to give a glimpse into the world of Mnemovore, there is this weird tentacle thingy going around killing things, or at least warping peoples sense of reality. Check some scans. This is some freak shit! Just goes to show that of monsters, the tentacle monster is still the scariest...that and spiders...which isn't too far off...

Daredevil # 186

Writer: Frank Miller
Artist: Klaus Janson
Publisher: Marvel
Published: September 1982

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY!!!

Today it's a comic on everyone's favorite blind defender of justice (who just so happens to be Irish). Issue # 186 is a perfect issue to celebrate a day more often or not responsible for the first quarter of the years stupidities because it has one of the stupidest villains I've ever seen: The Stilt Man!!


Who is easily defeated by Daredevil by fiddling with the balance do-hicky. (I personally would have swept the leg.)

Crash!!


Who? Daredevil or Stilt Man?

The Uncanny X-Men # 268

Writer: Chris Claremont
Artist/Inker/Colorist: Jim Lee/Scott Williams/Glynis Oliver
Publisher: Marvel
Published: September 1990

This is Claremont and Lee at the top of their game - 90's style! Lee's art is busy action packed, with each panel looking just awesome. Added to that is Claremont's heavy dialogue, which makes this comic an actual read and not just a series of one liners over drawings (ie. anything produced these days). This is one of the comics where the $1.25 I paid was worth every cent.

The story is set in Madripoor and cuts between 1941 and 1990. In 1941 Cap and Logan are handing out some punishment to the Hand. In 1990, the same deal is underway, but now it's Wolverine, Jubilee, Psylocke, and the Black Widow handing out the just desserts.

Without going into too much detail, the two narratives overlap, and because it's a Claremont tale, you really need to read it to get just how great this comic is. They just don't make 'em like this anymore. Well, that being said, they didn't make a lot of them like this back then as well. Anyhoo, check some scans.


BAM! CAP 'N WOLVIE HAVE AT THE HAND!


Wolvies Angels - KICKIN' HAND ASS!


POW! TAKE THAT NAZI SCUM!


Stare into the Wolverine, the Wolverine will stare into you.


Potential Sidekick.




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Dr. Strange & Dr. Doom

Gumby's Winter Fun Special

Usagi Yojimbo Color Special # 3

Writer/Artist: Stan Sakai
Colorist: Tom Luth
Publisher: Fantagraphics
Published: September 1992

This issue has Usagi being deceived by a sly fox and Tomoe forced to hand out some samurai justice. The second tale has Usagi in space, kicking ass.

I used to have a Usagi toy as a kid and it rocked I would load up weapons on him and he made the ninja turtles jealous, as only a hare can do to a turtle. Too bad for him there are four of them to the one of him.

Hey I'm kinda liking these 90 second reviews. Gets shit done!

American Splendor # 4

Writer: Harvey Pekar
Artists: Darick Robertson, Ty Templeton, Dean Haspiel, Rick Geary, Gary Dumm, Greg Budgett
Publisher: Vertigo
Published: September 2008

I'm going to cut to the chase - I'm home sick with a cold like pestilence that derives me off all will to conquer my ability to exit the bed/couch let alone tackle the task I have laid out before me on this blog.

I've been giving this task quite the thought lately. In my enthusiasm to blog about comics, I ignored the cold hard reality of the work this thing would entail. First, I have to get/read a comic everyday. Second, I have scan images from it. Thirdly format the photos and add credits, and finally I have to write about it. All of this is difficult to do everyday, but the real hard part is keeping myself motivated, and when I'm sick, this is the last thing I want to do...

So, long story short, I'm going to stick true to my goal, even if I have to 'fudge the numbers'. But, to keep myself motivated and interested, it's time to let my blog reflect the reality of me and my life, even if it means I don't blog at all...

But not today!

American Splendor by Harvey Pekar was first turned on to me by the movie of the same name. A great movie that I would highly recommend to anyone. Harvey specializes in creating and delivering stories of 'real life.' He doesn't go for the capes and speedos, or the big bang explosions that most comics opt for. Instead he talks about his day, his cat, or the impending crisis of not filing his taxes early.

Issue # 4 has Harvey up to his same old shenanigans: having a dead car battery, thinking about writing stories, filing taxes, buying a gift, and writing about writing a comic. Good 'real life' stuff.

Patsy Walker Hellcat # 1 of 5

Writer: Kathryn Immonen
Artist: David Lafuente
Publisher: Marvel
Published: September 2008

It's not common that I come across a writer that I like and also just happens to be female. It's not that I don't like female writers, but it's that there seems to be so few female writers, especially in the superhero genre. Its a shame that there are so few female comic writers...but thankfully Kathryn has entered the scene. She has a unique voice that she is a able to channel into Patsy Walker the HELLCAT!

Patsy Walker is a runway model by profession and a superhero by choice. The new mini series has Patsy charged by Tony Stark to be the superhero representative for Alaska. Once in Alaska, she immediately chances into mystical adventure.

Ok, so now you know what's happening, but what makes this story tick is Patsy's snappy script and heartfelt superficiality. She kinda reminds me of Alicia Silverstone from Clueless, but with kick ass super-strength. Also, the artwork by Lafuente is awesome, but don't take my word for it...

Spider-Man Fairy Tales # 3

Writer: C.B. Cebulski
Artist: Kei Kobayashi
Colorist: Christina Strain
Publisher: Marvel
Published: September 2007

I really dig these fairy tale spins on the Marvel universe. So far I've got all the Avengers Fairy tales, Spider-Man fairy tales, and some of the X-Men fairy tales. What I dig most is that Marvel is not just placing their characters into the traditional tales, but actually merging the original character into the fairy tale. Take for instance issue 3 of the Spider-Man run.

Peter Parker is Izumi and he is in the care of his grandparents, Aunt Satsuki and Uncle Masaru. His parents were killed by the Yokai, the evil spirits, and they live outside the village. The leader spirit is a Venom inspired monster. Izumi takes it upon himself to avenge his parents, but finds his efforts thwarted as the evil spirits invade his home, capture Aunt Satsuki, and kill his uncle. These themes sound familiar?

Izumi ends up getting infected by the spirits venom, and morphs into a demon spider spirit, but the only difference is that Izumi still has his heart to give him guidance, and he defies his "brother" spirits to save his aunt. He defeats the poison in his heart, and with the assistance of his Aunt, finds the ability to live with his curse. The End.

World's Finest Comics Starring Superman and Batman # 295

Writers: L.B. Kellog, David Anthony Kraft
Artists: Jerome Moore, Frank McLaughlin
Publisher: DC
Published: September 1983

I haven't read too many Batman or Superman tales from the 80s, but I'm beginning to think I missed a special time in their friendship. This issue opens with Batman on his deathbed after a gas poisoning by the Moon Dancers. Superman is at his side, and the two are sharing a silent moment.

I wish I knew how to quit you!
Turns out that the Moon Dancers, which include Harvest Moon, Crescent Moon, and New Moon, are working for a scientist hellbent on dismantling all nuclear weapons. Crescent Moon is responsible for gassing Batman, but she is unaware of her masters ultimate plan, to poison Batman with an unknown virus, forcing Superman to search space for a rare energy source to cure the virus. Of, course Superman is able to find the energy source, cure Batman, and then have it fall into the evil scientists hands. The issue ends with Batman and Superman teaming up to topple the mad scientist and his plans of using this rare energy to destroy all nuclear weapons.

I picked up this issue solely because of the Moon Dancers. I mean, come on, does that not sound awesome? Crescent Moon rides a crescent shaped hovercraft and looks remarkably like Dagger from Marvel, Harvest Moon looks like Neil Young, but real hot like...kidding! She's the red head of the crew and has the power to alter her size, and New Moon is the hippie looking lady who fires freeze rays. So, yeah, pretty cool right?

After reading the comic though, besides the Moon Dancers, awesomeness, I couldn't help but feel bad for Batsy. I mean, he ends up being beaten and manipulated by the baddies, which isn't a big deal, but when he's out cold, Gotham criminals, hearing that he is on the way out, end up starting a massive crime wave. However, after Batman has been cured and is resting, Superman flies into Gotham, and in a day's work ends up stopping and capturing all the criminals. If I were Batman, I'd feel a bit, oh I don't know, useless. Realistically, it would take Batman at least a couple of weeks to accomplist that feat! No wonder the two of them got a whole brokeback/hate thing going.