Archive for November, 2009

Not often does hype live up to the expectations of those that are cheering from the side lines. And more often than not that we make ourselves believe that something is going to be great when we really have no clue what to expect. Today all that I’d hope for and longed to see fulfilled has come to fruition.

Robert Jordan passed away leaving the greatest fantasy series ever written unfinished. A stand in was chosen to collect all of the notes that Jordan left behind and finish the series. Who on this planet would be capable to take what Robert Jordan created an weave in to the tapestry to end the awesome work that we all thought would remain undone.

A fellow by the name of Brandon Sanderson was selected. By none other the Harriet, Jordan’s wife. Any fan would immediately look at this with pure skepticism. Who is this guy? Where did he come from? What makes him so special? I myself was surprised that such a young writer had been picked. But, hey he was chosen by Jordan’s wife. How bad could he be? Right?! Well I for one needed some proof.  I read the first two books of the Mistborn Trilogy. Which is written by Brandon Sanderson. These books were pure gold. A well crafted world, with compelling characters and a form of magic that I have never seen done, ever. Surly this was the right man for the job. But we remained a bit hesitant. Until we read the prologue. There seems to be none of Sanderson in the pages I’ve read. It was flawless.

Now that I’ve finished the book. I can see that Brandon Sanderson knows the Wheel of Time quite well. I don’t know how he did it. I don’t care. Just let it be known that he did succeed. As the Wheel turns this book did exactly what it was meant to do. Keep that Wheel turning.

The Gathering Storm is the first book of A Memory of Light. Which was intended to be the last book of the Wheel of Time. It happened to be the size of 3 novels. And thus broken down into 3 parts.

Taking all of the main characters and showing quite a bit from all sides of this amazing world. Sanderson was able to give us Mat Cauthon in his hunt to save Moraine. This character I love the best. He reminds me of Gambit from the X-Men. Just so much more cooler. With a Scarf tied around his neck to hide the scare from the hangman’s noose. To his hat and One Power forge spear. Sanderson made us think he sat next to Jordan and wrote as he dictated. Perrin Aybara, the Golden eyed Wolf King is moving to a place that will define him as exactly what he must become to fight in the Last Battle. Ever tormented that he will lose himself to beast that dwells inside him.

Two of the Forsaken are killed. And that was very surprising. Especially how swiftly it was done. Not going to say exactly who bit the dust. But Rand Al’Thor is a wreaking ball. The peace that The Dragon Reborn seeks with Seanchan is shattered. And the battle that comes from that is one to shake the fabric of the series.  Egwene, the captured Amyrlin Seat becomes a legend among the Aes Sedai and reforges the White Tower.No one can do anything to help or stop Rand Al’Thor the Dragon Reborn from falling deeper into darkness. The icy emotionless state he has put himself in will destroy the world he struggles to save.

Sanderson brings Jordan’s book to life with such a wonder and a vast amount of emotion. This book is like a child that you hold in your arms after it’s first born. It’s enough to make you cry. I know Harriet is happy. Nothing can really explain what Brandon Sanderson has done for this series. Love and Hope stood out among everything. All the despair and anger all the characters feel. These two great and powerful emotion were able break through it all. Chapter 50 made me cry. You can feel what the characters are going through. You know the inevitable is at hand. We just don’t know how dark it will get before the end. But Light shown in a dark place. Truly, at one point I could see nothing but a downward slope the Dragon Reborn. A savior that really didn’t want to care. Duty was all that mattered. And Brandon Sanderson surprised me. That taste and feeling of Hope is too big to really put into words. Now I know why this is called a Memory of Light. Everything doesn’t have to remain in Darkness. This was a very engaging and wonderful read.

10/10: *****

I can’t wait for the next two books. And now matter how dark the story gets. Because at many points it will. I know a Light will shine in a Dark place. Towers of Midnight, book 2 of  Memory of Light will be out in 2010. No exact release date has been given.

In Memory Of James Rigney Jr./Robert Jordan.

Marvel’s Thor feature film is swelling with one of the biggest cast I’ve seen in any comic book movie. With Anthony Hopkins jumping on board to play the All Father Odin, you would have thought that the end of it. Now we have three more added to the mix. Asgards famous Warriors Three have been cast. And all 3 are quite the pick. Kenneth Branagh knows ow to pick them. His casting director must be the highest paid in Hollywood.

Fandral will be plasyed by Stuard Townsend. Hogun will be played by Tadanobu Asano. And Ray Stevenson returns to the Marvel homestead to play Volstagg. Thor will be released in theatyers May 20, 2011.

Townsend/Fandral

Asano/Hogan

Stevenson/Volstagg

This can become very overwhelming. In cases such Final Fantasy XIII, the continuing flow of pics and information just don’t stop coming. This is the most pics I have posted in one article. And that’s alot. Here are more pics of Hope with his summon Alexander. Plus some more battle screen shots. A few pics of some of the areas you will visit in the game. And for the first time screens of the grid used to enhance your characters.  Beautiful as any game you’ll ever see.

Truthfully I think this game will surprise alot of people. It may become one of those games that are over looked because of the sheer amount of titles released around the same time. Many gamers are a bit bias in the way they purchase video games. But ti anyone that has read X-Men , Deadpool, or Battle Chasers you know Joe Mad. And everything he puts his hands is golden. His art is just amazing. And he has an extreme fondness for video games. DarkSiders is part Zelda and part God of War. If your looking for a fix of Zelda pick it up. And it comes out 2 months before GOW3. Check  out these awesome video’s.

Wow I really think I’m growing tired of these Super Extra Special Must Have Editions. As I’ve said before the New Year is going to be bannana’s. This is just anotheredition thrown into the mix. Now all we have to wait for is the Dante’s Inferno Hell Bound Edition, and whatever Limited Edition will be released for Final Fantasy XIII.

The Special Edition will come in 13″x13” premium packaging with special art on both the slipcase and the box cover. Inside, you will find three posters featuring vintage ads from Rapture (rolled), a vinyl 180g LP featuring the orchestral score from the original BioShock, a CD containing the BioShock 2 orchestral score, a 164 page 8″x11″ hardbound artbook chock full of developer commentary and, of course, a copy of BioShock 2.

Bioshock 2 will be released on February 9th, 2010. And the special edition will cost, yea you guessed it $99.99. Have fun with that.

Another update that really only gives us more bragging rights. We can always use more of that. It is the hope of every PS3 owner that one of these days we’ll get an update that will be truly worth being called an update. How about updating the Divx player to play mkv files. or a program to rip your PS1 and PS2 games to your hard drive.That would be crazy. Being able to have your entire PlayStation library on your PS3. Now that would be revolutionary.

The upcoming film adaptation of the DC comic series features an all-new soundtrack from the (Progressive/Metal/Hardcore) Atlanta quartet. In an interview with Paste, bassist Troy Sanders talked about the new musical venture. “Some of it was heavy, some of it was very moody,” Sanders said. “A lot of it was spacey, Melvins B-sides, Pink Floyd-like, surreal outer space like Neil Young’s Dead Man. Swirling, nausea music.” Sanders also added about the project: “Since day one, we’ve always written albums thinking the music was the score of a movie. Then we’ll create the lyrics or story line on top of that, as if we’re writing the dialogue to match the movie’s cinematography.” The score is comprised of an hour-long instrumental, including five full songs and numerous smaller themes. The different parts were added to scenes in the film by John Powell (composer of Shrek and The Bourne Identity). Others will be adapted for the London Orchestra to compliment moments that are epic in scale. “We wrote variations on themes for each character, different variables for a bunch of riffs: faster, slower, heavier, lighter,” Sanders explained. “It’s the Darth Vader approach.” Jonah Hex — directed by Jimmy Hayward, and starring Josh Brolin, Megan Fox, Will Arnett, Michael Shannon and John Malkovich — is slated to hit theaters in June 2010. For those who aren’t familiar with the character, Jonah Woodson Hex is a Western comic book antihero created by writer John Albano and artist Tony DeZuniga. He was an officer for the Confederacy, turned bounty hunter, who was disfigured on one side of his face when indians burned him with a hot tomahawk . Hex is surly, cynical, and deadly with a six shooter, but bound by a personal code of honor to protect and avenge the innocent. It is still being published by DC, and currently written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti, with interior art by Luke Ross.

–ExSleepyInk

Live by the Creed. Die by the Creed.

Well all we have is good news. Final Fantasy XIII will be officially released in the United States and Europe on March 9, 2010. Xbox 360 owners will be blessed with a special downloadable item. this was announced via Microsoft twitter. Personally this may be the only way they will get people to purchase FF XIII on the Xbox 360. Hit twitter for the message. Leona Lewis will be singing the theme song for FF XIII. Entitled “My Hands”.

For me this is wonderful. Sony will dominate March. God of War 3,  GT 5,  and now Final Fantasy. Better get that money together. it’s gonna be fun,fun fun. Also Square Enix has started the “Lucky 13 Campaign”. This will deliver to us on the 13th of every month new information about FF XIII until the release date. Stay Tuned. Check out this video about the release details.

Unless you’re well-off, everyone knows that a great Wednesday at the comic shop is both a blessing and a curse (More awesome books out=more cash out of your back pocket). Luckily for me, this week, it was somewhere in between. I’ll be sticking mostly to DC in this, but there will be some other choice picks as well.
Has anyone else noticed that Batbooks have been on overload lately? It seems that almost every week or so, not monthly, the main titles rear their heads. Rucka has stuck to Detective, featuring Batwoman, but the Batman title has been alternating writers a little. I suppose that, and the timing of the annuals, is what made the sudden surge of books possible–some good, some not so much. At any rate, this makes it as good of a place as any to start. I will proceed to give you DC’s description and my take on it.

–BATMAN#693:  Written by Tony Daniel ; Art by Tony Daniel and Sandu Florea; Cover by Tony Daniel. “Pandemonium breaks out at the inaugural ceremony of the new Arkham Asylum. Will the combined forces of Oracle, Huntress and Catwoman be enough help for Batman? Plus, the debuts of both the Gotham Shield Committee and Black Mask’s Ministry of Death!”

Ok.  First off, I don’t remember Catwoman at all.  Secondly, there was so much going on in this comic that my brain hurt a little–cluttered would be the word I’m looking for.  What I gathered is that Black Mask is planning something big in Devil’s Square involving Hugo Strange, Dr.Death, Fright, and the resurrection of The Reaper.  Also, for all you Long Halloween fans, the Falcones are back with a venge’.  Now, am I mistaken or didn’t Selina supposedly kill Roman Sionis?  Anyone else notice his red eyes since his triumphant comeback?  With all these false facers out there it leads me to wonder; is this the real Black Mask?  I guess Daniel is just getting acclimated as a writer; it isn’t terrible, and had some decent parts, but left me unsatisfied.  Let’s not forget that he is doubling up duty as the artist as well, and it did have a nice dark feel to it. You be the judge, I’m jaded and up in the air about it.

–BATMAN AND ROBIN#6:  Written by Grant Morrison; Art by Philip Tan and Jonathan Glapion ; Cover by Frank Quitely; Variant cover by Philip Tan.  “In the startling conclusion to “The Revenge of the Red Hood,” Gotham’s new “protector” reveals his identity to Batman – and surprisingly poses a heart-stopping question to Dick Grayson about the future of Bruce Wayne! Plus, Robin at the mercy of Scarlet!”

Jason Todd is the Red Hood?!  Gasp!  Like we didn’t see that coming, since he hasn’t already donned that moniker or anything (sarcasm).  Or, maybe the fact that Dick knew this to be true one or two issues ago?  Although the run has begun to get a little cluttered, as well, it is extremely entertaining.  After the taste RIP and Final Crisis left in my mouth, Morrison has begun to make up for it.  He is tying a few years of random crap into the little bows I’ve been desperately waiting for.  To top it off, Flamingo (the flamboyant eater of faces) has finally come a courting in Gotham.  Todd must have really pissed him off.  The guy dresses like a matador from the village, but he surely @#&%*$ everyone up.  At the end, Red Hood was gushing blood, in cuffs, insulting Dick, Damien was shot in the spine a few times, Scarlett was on the run, and Flamingo lay at the bottom of a construction site under rubble.  Yes, all in one comic.  I wonder how, after all these disturbing villians Grant has conjured up, Joker will make his shocking return?  I suppose he’ll have to brutally kill every last one of them, climb to the top of the hill of their dead bodies, and claim his crown.  Do yourself a favor and pick up BATMAN AND ROBIN.  P.S.   I’ll catch flack from Nolan for this, but I sorely miss Quietly’s art

–RED ROBIN#6:  Written by Christopher Yost; Art by Marcus To; Cover by Marcus To and Ray McCarthy.  “All across Europe, the hunt is on as Red Robin and the League of Assassins go after the Council of Spiders. But why is Tim Drake working with Ra’s al Ghul? It’s Red Robin versus the assassin-killer known as Recluse, while Tam Fox finds herself the prisoner of the White Ghost. Back in Gotham City, trouble by the name of Vicki Vale threatens everything Bruce Wayne built as Batman. Rising star Marcus To debuts as new regular artist as “Council of Spiders” continues!”

Up until now, the idea was pretty sturdy.  Tim feels in his heart that Bruce isn’t truly dead.  Come on, we all know he’s right, and it is based on a cool theory.  Ra’s helped him track down an ancient artifact that proves Batman is lost in time (We all remember Bruce shooting Darkseid near the end of Final Crisis and the rays from the alien-god’s body burning up the vigilante’s.  Well…apparently that also duplicated it, sending a copy back into the past).   Ok, so he’s dead, but he’s not; hence, the cave drawing of a flying rodent (See the end of Final Crisis as well).  Noone said this stuff wasn’t confusing.  So, where the heck was I?  Damn you, DC, you make it near impossible to give a review!!! Oh, yeah, like I said, the idea was great in the beginning, it’s just this Council of Spiders business that gets a little muddy.  Eh, I guess we’ll just have to see how this plays out. Seeing Tim in the suit is awesome, though.  The notion that he will have to do some things that blur the line between right and wrong, and can’t be seen as ”Robin” in the meantime, is pretty cool.  I just hope they make this better, it lives up to it’s potential, and merits the extra $2.99 a week.  Hey, at least it’s not the OUTSIDERS!

–BATGIRL#4:  Written by Bryan Q. Miller; Art by Lee Garbett and Trevor Scott; Cover by Phil Noto.  “It’s Batgirl’s first night on the job, and as she’ll soon learn, it takes a lot more to wear the mantle of the Bat than she originally thought – especially when she has to juggle patrol, the police and a frat party!”

I’m fairly certain that they have this confused with several issues ago, but it IS true that this was her first time out in the new and improved suit.  In case you haven’t picked this title up yet, get ready for a SPOILER!  Stephanie Brown is the new Batgirl!  Ok, ok, I know, bad comic-geek humor, I apologize.  If you don’t know already, Oracle, Albeit slightly jealous at first, gave Stephanie her blessing and is acting as her extra eyes and ears.  Shocker.  This issue centers around field testing the new duds.  I like how she’s starting to embody the younger Barbara Gordon persona.  She had some sassy lines, and was trying to balance schoolwork, and her mother, with the new night job.  Sound familiar?  Speaking of which, the artist really has the Commissioner pegged.  It reminded me of Bruce Timm’s Gordon from The Animated Series.  Who doesn’t love a rugged, jutting chin on their police officials?  Batgirl even gets a little Villain battle at the end when LiveWire shows up from Metropolis to suck some power from the city.  Stephanie ends up giving HER the blackout.  It wasn’t a bad issue, I just wish they’d find a cure for Barbara so we could get the real deal back.  You know after all this she wouldn’t pull her punches.

 –BATMAN/DOC SAVAGE SPECIAL:  Written by Brian Azzarello; Art by Phil Noto; Sketchbook material and variant cover by Rags Morales; Cover by JG Jones.  “Doc Savage returns to DC Comics…and comes face-to-fist with the Batman! Superstar scribe Brian Azzarello (100 BULLETS, JOKER) and the breathtaking art of Phil Noto combine to shine the first light on a shadowy new version of the DC Universe, where the thugs run rampant, corruption runs deep, and even heroes can’t be trusted!  Doc Savage, the Man of Bronze, hates what he’s heard about the connections between a grisly murder and Gotham City’s violent new vigilante. But the Batman can’t abide do-gooders getting in his way…and his .45 just won’t stay in its holster!  Be here for this vital prologue to an upcoming 6-issue miniseries by Azzarello and Rags Morales (IDENTITY CRISIS), which will pull back the curtain to reveal the full width and breadth of DC’s new pulp-influenced universe. This special issue also features sketchbook material by Rags Morales that will show you just what you’re in for! You might think you’re ready – but you’re very, very wrong…” 

I guess they pretty much covered it.  Phew.  Well, it wasn’t bad at all.  It was interesting to see these characters back where they started, before all the evolution and changing times.  I look forward to the miniseries.  It’s nice to take a break from superpowers every once and again, and harken back to a time when fists and bullets were the flavor of the day.  I Can’t wait for The Spirit to show up!  Admittedly, I’m kind of bummed that The Shadow won’t be adding his eastern ways into the mix.  Maybe next time?  Throw on your fedora, get to the newstand, and pick yerself up this funny-paper…yeah, that’s the ticket!

Since I don’t get free books(yet?…laughs), and I can’t possibly read everything, there is only so much I can discuss with you. That being the case, I want you to be in the know on what’s out there. Here is everything DC put out this week, in case you are interested.

ABSOLUTE JUSTICE
ACTION COMICS #883
BATGIRL #4
BATMAN #693
BATMAN AND ROBIN #6
BATMAN/DOC SAVAGE SPECIAL
BATMAN: PRIVATE CASEBOOK
BOOSTER GOLD #26
CARTOON NETWORK ACTION PACK #43
GREEN ARROW AND BLACK CANARY #26
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #42
GREEN LANTERN: AGENT ORANGE
JSA VS. KOBRA #6 (OF 6)
OUTSIDERS: THE DEEP
R.E.B.E.L.S. #10
RED ROBIN #6
SCOOBY-DOO #150
THE SHIELD #3
SUPERGIRL: WHO IS SUPERWOMAN?
SUPERMAN: RED SON DELUXE EDITION
TITANS #19

Also be on the lookout for anything BLACKEST NIGHT, including a STARMAN one-shot written by James Robinson. I cannot say enough about his series in the 90′s; it REALLY deserves its own article.

     Now I’d like to branch away from the DCU and tread into darker waters–Darker Horses to be exact.   If you aren’t reading anything and everything Hellboy, you should be! Forget “The Golden Army” and it’s hokey portrayals, and see what you’re missing, for ElderGod-sakes(More geek humor). In my mind Mignola’s has been some of the most consistently awesome, and intricately woven writing for over a decade. He masterfully combines history with legend, myth, and the supernatural.  All of this is done very intelligently and with astounding gusto. Although we rarely see any solo work from him anymore, the people he chooses to collaborate with are all top notch at complimenting his lush world of amazingly complex characters. Now would be a perfect time to get into his work, being that many of the books seem to be paralleling and coming to a pinnacle. You might feel a little lost at first, but that’s what TPBs are for, right? Anyway, here is some insight into the latest installments.

Hellboy: The Wild Hunt #8
Writer: Mike Mignola
Artist: Duncan Fegredo
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Cover Artist: Mike Mignola. ”Hellboy finally confronts the truth about his heritage — a moment that the mysterious Osiris Club has been anticipating for over a century, and believes heralds the final days of man!  The conclusion to Wild Hunt!”  This issue went super fast.  You probably won’t fully understand it if you hadn’t read much beforehand, because there is a lot going on.  Long story short, Hellboy finally lets go of his longtime fear and accepts his possible fate–the right hand of doom.  Destiny calls, he pulls the sword from the stone, and saves a friend in the process.  The big news is that he is the rightful heir to the throne of England.  Never saw that coming.  I want you to find out why for yourself!  It’s something only Mignola could pull off right.  After wandering for so long (since the end of Conquerer Worm), will this finally root him?  Will the end of times be the thing that ultimately brings HB and his old friends at the B.P.R.D. back together?  I can’t wait to see!  Be on the lookout for the one-shot Hellboy:The Bride of Hell, and the continuation of the series in Hellboy:The Storm within the next couple of months.

B.P.R.D.: 1947 #5:
Writer: Mike Mignola, Josh Dysart
Artist: Fábio Moon, Gabriel Bá
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Cover Artist: Mike Mignola.  “With lots of casualties on both sides, the battle with the vampires is over. Now Broom has to enlist an old friend in a bizarre exorcism to save the soul of one of the soldiers. But the exorcist himself isn’t happy about the little demon Broom has adopted and has a lesson to teach Broom about battling the forces of darkness.”  This issue ends the current arc.  It was a cool look back, with quite a few revelations, but I grew nostalgic for Guy Davis’s art (who will be back with Mignola and Arcudi for BPRD:King of Fear).  If you haven’t read BPRD you are missing some exciting stuff.  Don’t cheat yourself!  Make sure to also check out the Abe Sapien, Lobster Johnson, and WitchFinder titles to figure out how everything interconnects, and check DarkHorse.com for the previous Books and continuity.

Thanks for reading!  Until next time—ExSleepyInk