FCBD 2010 On Point with Booster Gold and Blue Beetle pt. 2

17 Hulks and 1 Spider-Man

This is from the Simpsons episode "Surveil, With Love". Kent Brockman describes a plutonium fueled explosion on the news as having "enough plutonium to make seventeen Hulks and one Spider-Man". This is an artists rendition of what that would look like.

I like the idea of using Hulks and Spider-Man as a unit of measurement.

Quickies 5/12/10

Daredevil: Cage Match

This one shot takes a trip back in time to the late 70's or early 80's. I'm guessing that's the era, because the writer says it took place "some time ago". Obviously, that's not a number I can work with. Luke Cage is wearing his silver headband and has some fierce sideburns...so I'm going with late 70's.

In the midst of knocking some bad guys around, Daredevil and Luke Cage (Cage match! get it?!) get into an argument about who could beat who up in a fair fight. Egos flair, and it is decided that they will duke it out at Daredevil's gym! Place your bets now folks, this one is sure to be a barn burner!

The rest of the issue features some fun dialogue between supporting cast members, each saying why the two fighters are crazy for doing it. I won't spoil who wins the fight, but I'll say it's a satisfying ending. I would pick it up, if you're looking for a fun story that's set in a simpler time. Or if you're looking to see Luke Cage rockin' the sideburns, either way...I won't judge you.


Justice League: Generation Lost #1

First off, Booster Gold looks like Michael Keaton on this cover. It's kind of creepy looking, and I'm not into it.

However, I enjoyed this book despite it's Keaton-esque cover. Maxwell Lord is back from the dead (it happened in Brightest Day, which is also great!) and he's already up to no good. Last time he was around he almost killed Batman by mind controlling Superman. Wonder Woman ended up snapping his neck, because all options were exhausted. This guy is seriously bad news. Now that he's back, what could he be up to? Well, Booster Gold and the rest of the former Justice League International would rather not find out. The hunt for Maxwell Lord begins here.

It seems to be a thing with DC for them to have far more interesting stories with their "C List" superheroes, than their top tier characters (gazes at the copy of Return of Bruce Wayne sitting on the counter). This book continues that trend, I really enjoyed it.


Amazing Spider-Man #631

I try not to review Spider-Man comics here, because I feel that my insane love of all things Spider-Man would lead me to be bias...BUT! I reallllly liked this issue.

This is the second part of the "Shed" storyline, which features the return of The Lizard. After the Lizard's grizzly re-emergence in the first part, which resulted in several victims being eaten, the Lizard is on the prowl for his estranged son. Spider-Man hits the scene, hoping to detain his old foe before anything terrible happens. The results of their battle are grizzly at best.

Chris Bachalo's interpretation of The Lizard is awesome. It's easily more lizard like than ever before, which actually plays into the story. The overall layout of the book is excellent. Watching Curt Connors try to break free of the Lizards grip through text boxes was very well done. This is just a great Spider-Man story. If you're into super heroics, tragedy, and science gone awry...then buy this book.


Hulk #22

They reveal who the Red Hulk and Red She-Hulk are! It's stupid!

Don't buy this issue. I wouldn't want anyone to be assaulted by all the hulked out versions of other Marvel Super Heroes. It's painful to look at, and reading it is even worse.

You can come into the store and just flip to the end if you want. I won't yell at you for doing so.

Panels!

This first one deals with Pete trying to think under pressure with a bag of money.

Haha, oh Pete, you are a character!

This next one will lead you to think something that is out of context.



She later calls him Thorse. That's a combination of Thor and Horse. Thor and the Warriors Four is very cute.

FCBD 2010 On Point with Booster Gold and Blue Beetle Part 1

Red Bore-nado

I drank a whole bottle of hater-ade today and I'm ready to unleash it on the Red Tornado!

I've been reading up on this character, so I can give him a proper assessment. According to his history, his fellow super heroes (Superman, Batman, JSA) have a tendency to do the following...

1. Not listen to him
2. hate him
3. destroy him

That's funny to me because...

1. I don't read anything he says
2. I hate him
3. Would destroy him if I could

It's nice to know that me and Superman are on the same page about this clown.

I'm dead serious about his history though. It's littered with the JLA and JSA ignoring him whenever danger is around. He's like the red headed stepchild (that spins) of the DC universe. That's funny to me because that's exactly how I have always felt about this character.

I can only imagine that when Superman and Batman are beating down on some bad guys, the last thing they want to see is this stupid robot spinning towards them to help. They must think "Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhh....not THIS guy". If they really wanted to spin a bad guy into submission, I'm sure they would just lock them in a tilt-a-whirl at an amusement park or something. I'm sure Batman has some Batspineroonie gadget or some crap. Superman can spin pretty fast too, I'm assuming. What I'm getting at is that they don't need him. Maybe if they ever have an opening in the JLA for "smoothie maker" or "annoying thing that spins", they should give him a call.

The only time I have liked him, is in James Robinson's recent JLA run. That's only because he's a disembodied head that sits around being bored in a room. A fitting place for this sorry excuse of a super hero. If they stuck with that gimmick, he may grow on me. They have to make him more depressing though. They need to have multiple scenes an issue where he tries to talk to people that walk by, and they ignore him. That's good readin'!

Basically, the Red Tornado is a glorified blender that nobody likes.

Deal with that.

-Action Chad
chad@coastcitycomics.net

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY!!!

Oh my word guys! Free Comic Book day was bananas! I knew the lure of comic books that were free was great, but you people were like ravenous animals fighting over the last scraps of meat from a fresh kill! Well over 1,000 comic books disappeared from our store within the first three hours of the event. That's pretty incredible!

Is this really a surprise though? Not to this guy, and I'll tell you why. First rule of the universe, Coast City brings the goods. We hooked you guys up with free comics, food, sales, and costumed super heroes. We also had music rocking, pinball, and general craziness. The energy was electric, it was an awesome experience. If you missed it this year, you better make it next year.

Let me tell you what's so special about this photo. The guy in the Booster Gold costume, that's me. That's right, I got dressed up for you guys. You want to know why, because you guys are the best comic shop patrons a guy could ask for. I would gladly pose for pictures in that getup all day, it was great. I even walked around downtown with Blue Beetle (Christopher Morey) spreading the comic book joy to the average Portland street walker. While on our journey, we stopped by the Real World casting call line that was outside the Stadium. We chatted it up with the young hopefuls, took some photos, and then warned them not to do anything too embarrassing in front of a national viewing audience. You may never see anything like it again in this city.

I wish I had taken a ton of photos of the event. However, you may notice that my costume has no pockets. This made the picture taking a little difficult. Also, spandex is not so great for touch screen phones like mine. If you guys have any photos from the event that you wouldn't mind sharing, then please send them over to me at chad@coastcitycomics.net. I know we'll have a bunch of video from the event within a few weeks. Once that's available, I'll be posting it all over this bad boy.

Until more media becomes available, just know that Free Comic Book Day was pure fun. We appreciate everyone who came in on Saturday. You guys are the greatest customers in the world.

-Action Chad
chad@coastcitycomics.net