Comic Book Conventions and The Lack Thereof

So its convention season and all the podcasts are reporting from the cons and although its cool to hear the interviews it kinda sucks for me because we don't get any cons in Louisiana...maybe some small local stuff but nothing major. We had 1 good one here that I know of (ever) it was called The Big Easy Comic Con (It was owned by Mid-Ohio Comic Con) and it was awesome. I just wish we could get something down here Big Easy never came back due to the hotel selling their space for the next year (which they had already paid for). I got to meet Brian Michael Bendis when he was doing Sam and Twitch and got to talk to him for at least 30 minutes with just me and my friend. There are some funny stories to go along with this show but that's another blog. Anyway I felt like there was a lot of support in New Orleans for a Convention and I have always wondered why there are never any shows around here??? So if you have conventions around you or can afford to travel to them enjoy them to the fullest.


-Kevin P. Johnson
Copyright © 2008 Kevin P. Johnson

Justice Society Of America #12 - 13

These images are copyright © 2008 DC Comics and is used as Fair Use Review images only. Image will be removed upon request of DC Comics.

Justice Society of America #12 & 13

Cover Price: $2.99 each

Publisher: DC Comics

Major Characters: Green Lantern (Alan Scott), The Flash (Jay Garrick), Hawkman, Powergirl, Superman (Kal El - Kingdom Come), Mr. Terriffic, Dr. Mid-Nite, Liberty Belle, Hourman, Stargirl, Cyclone, Wildcat (Ted Grant), Wildcat (Tommy Bronson), Damage, Starman, Citizen Steel, Judomaster, Jakeem Thunder, Amazing Man, Superman (Clark Kent) and a few others

So the Justice Society keeps getting bigger and bigger and I'm still ok with that but lets get some action soon. I'm getting new characters every issue it seems and even though I've heard that this book is for old school DC Fanboys I still like it and have enjoyed every issue so far.

One part I have personal feelings about is the Amazing Man segment in issue #12. A character from New Orleans that I never knew about before makes me happy. They dabbled into the aftermath of hurricane Katrina and there was a barge that needed to be removed...this is based on a real story and to see Power Girl and the Kingdom Come Superman remove it made me feel good that DC treated my home with respect. I hope that they do more with this story.

The Kingdom Come element is fine with me. I read it a few years back and it was a great story. A lot of comic book fans don't want this in DC continuity but I'm good with it if they have alternate universes they can cross over and its just fine with me. I like the two Supermen and how they interact with each other its not quite normal for either of them as I see it but they know that they are both on the same side.

The one thing I find kinda weird and maybe even stupid is the fact that we have two Wildcats. Why do they both have to be named Wildcat and why doesn't this bother anyone? I understand the father and son thing but come on two people on the same team at the same time with the same name...its just weird to me. I know DC has a lot of this going on with other characters and I just wanted it to be known that it bothers me.

The cover to JSA #13 is simply beautiful. My preview here is something I found on the internet because the actual issue has a barcode on it and it takes away from the Alex Ross awesomeness. Its just a great image and all the heads around it (mostly looking in) work really well. I'd buy a poster of this one for sure.

- Kevin P. Johnson
Copyright © 2008 Kevin P. Johnson

I'm Now Part of The Comic Blog Legion

So in trying to find a bigger readership and more comic bloggers I came across Redhead Fangirl whom I had heard do a podcast a while ago but I think she only had one or two episodes. Anyway I was looking over her blog ( http://redlibcomic.blogspot.com/ ) and I came across the Comic Blog Legion that she started. I asked to join and was granted membership (I don't think she'd refuse someone with a comic blog) and I hope to find friends and maybe gain some readership through the Comic Blog Legion. ( http://www.midjerseycomicon.com/bloglegion )

Thanks Redhead Fangirl!!!!

- Kevin Johnson
Copyright © 2008 Kevin P. Johnson

Terry Moore's ECHO #1 and #2

This image is copyright © 2008 Terry Moore in association with Abstract Studio and is used as a Fair Use Review image only. Image will be removed upon request of Terry Moore or Abstract Studio.

ECHO #1 & #2

Artist & Writer: Terry Moore

Cover Price: $3.50

Publisher: Abstract Studio

So I wasn't going to pick this comic up. I knew Terry Moore and Jeff Smith both had new comics coming out and I was interested in getting both Echo and Smith's RASL but I just didn't want to add anything to my pull list right now.

So I walked into BSI Comics in Metairie, Louisiana looking for that $4.99 Witchblade trade that came out and of course it was sold out but I looked on the shelves and saw ECHO #1 & #2 they had 1 copy of each left and as soon as I saw the covers I had to get these at least to tryout. Ok so I have an instant attraction to the girl on the cover she has the look that I like in women (man is that fanboy or what?). They had RASL too but sorry Jeff Smith I just didn't like what I saw and Terry Moore's covers blew me away.

So I go home and not knowing anything about what the story would be I dove right in. Instantly I was hooked. The story is about a mysterious material being experimented on by the government and a girl who happens to get herself in the way of the fallout of this experiment. The name ECHO is still a mystery as far as I can tell but I predict that it may have something to do with the name of the project that the government is working on (I'll have to read it again). I am also intrigued as to where this story will go because it has all the makings of a super hero type comic as well as a government conspiracy title.

Terry Moore's art is nice, I think he's best when he does a drawing with minimal background because his characters seem be natural figures and they often have wonderful facial expressions that leaves you not needing any more.

I expect issue #3 to start the figuring out of just what the main character Julie has stumbled upon as well as solidify the supporting cast. I just hope I can find a copy of #3 and #4 being that I don't have them on my pull list until #5 comes out.
-Kevin P. Johnson

Copyright © 2008 Kevin P. Johnson

300 by Frank Miller (Hardcover)

This image is copyright © 2006 Frank Miller in association with Dark Horse Comics and is used as a Fair Use Review image only. Image will be removed upon request of Frank Miller or Dark Horse Comics.

300
Frank Miller: Story and Art
Lynn Varley: Colors
Cover Price: $30.00
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

300 is the story of three hundred Spartans sworn to defend Sparta against the threat of the massive army of Persia lead by Xerxes the self proclaimed God king. Xerxes goal is to expand his kingdom beyond the borders of Greece and forcing the inhabitants to serve under him as their God and king.

The artwork and colors are beautiful and brutal at the same time. Battle scenes are filled with chaos and a style that only Frank Miller could bring to a comic. The hardcover edition of this book is oversized and worth every inch if you are looking to buy a copy of this book.

300 Spartans set out to stop an army so large that it shakes the earth under its feet, 300 Spartans who move and fight as one entity, 300 Spartans for all of Greece.

I enjoyed this book a great deal. I've wanted to read it for several years and the hype did not ruin it for me. I had already seen the movie (the day it came out) and for once I find that the movie actually made this book even better. The scenes of the movie are directly from Frank Miller's artwork as was done in Sin City but the movie added even more to the story that alloewed for more understanding of what was going on back in Sparta.

I highly recommend this book and the movie as a special after reading treat.

- Kevin P. Johnson

Copyright © 2008 Kevin P. Johnson

Frank Miller's 300...I Got It Free WHOOOOO HOOOOO!!!

I've been wanting to buy Frank Miller's 300 for like 2 years now and I always put it back because it's $30 and I just seem to always have two other $15.99 books I want to get at the same time. So I'm at work today and I work for a book publisher and we sometimes get returns that are not from our company and they go into a little box that employees can just take...well to my surprise the guy who handles the returns has a stack of books he's bringing in and 2 copies of Frank Miller's 300 and 5 copies of 300 The Art Of The Film were in his hands. I said "what are you doing with those?" and he said "putting them in the free book box!" I said "Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!

I finally can read the book, hooray!!! And I have a copy of the Movie Art too. I gave away the other 300 book and 1 of the art books to a girl that works here and is slightly into comics. I'll probably give away the other three Art books too.

Ahhhhh FREE FRANK MILLER GOODNESS!!!!

- Kevin P. Johnson

Copyright © 2008 Kevin P. Johnson

Oops forgot to metion the best of the week???

So I forgot the best stuff of the week...Thats to be expected I guess...but don't tell anyone.New Avengers #38-39 and Secret Invasion #1. In New Avengers the Invasion is starting to begin and Wolverine gets to do some good old killin' and Skrull is the best kind of killin' if ya ask me! New Avengers has been on of my favorite comic books since it came out and I hope none of these guys turn out to be a Skrull. I think Echo would be most likely if anyone but I'm afraid that Luke Cage or Jessica Jones could be a Skrull just to make me mad and then their baby would be some sort of Skrumanbieng or something. Secret Invasion #1 is a whole lot to take in and leaves you with quite a few oh crap moments and FOUR SKRULLS revealed I don't want to be a spoiler this early so I won't say who the Skrulls are but I'd feel it ok to say that Mr. Fantastic Reed Richards has a very small chance of being a Skrull being that he gets dealt with by a Skrull and all. I can't wait for number two!!!!

- Kevin P. Johnson
Copyright ©2008 Kevin P. Johnson

Ahhhh Comics Satisfaction - I've been reading a lot this week

Is it me or are comics really good right now?

I've been reading a lot this last week or so and have been totally satisified on almost everything I've read. Comics arejust fun and good these days. I did some catching up on DC's 52 (I'm so far behind) finishing issues 34-39 I really like this series becauise it gives me a chance to read many DC characters that I don't know about and it gives me a little better knowledge of the DCU. One of my favorite comics is Justice League of America for the same reason as 52 there are so many characters running around and although Batman, Wonderwoman and Superman are there there is a great cast that steals the show. In JLA I've heard people complain about Red Tornado and to be honest I had never heard of him until issue #1 and he is now one of my favorite DC characters and after issue #18 & 19 I'm looking forward to what happens in the next year with Red Tornado. Lastly in DC I caught up on Wonder Woman issues #12-18 and Annual #1. I like this title which I never thought I would when it came out. The question is often asked what should a girl read if she is new to comics and wants to try superheroes? I'd definitely suggest Wonder Woman especially since Gail Simone is writing it now.

I also read DMZ book 4 Friendly Fire from Vertigo. I love the art of Riccardo Burchielli on this book and and Brian Wood continues to make this story feel like this could actually happen someday.

Well remember my review of the Pat Lewis comic Abominable well I found the hardcover of The Claws Come Out which includes Abominable, Bad Date, Prowl, Zombie Trouble, & some Bonus Material all hosted by Lily St. Evil a voluptuous "Elvira" type horror hostess that make The Claws Come out a solid dose of Pat Lewis goodness! And its only $19.99 for 152 pages!

The last indie book of this round was Usagi Yojimbo #110 which was just a fun little story that makes me wonder why I ever stopped reading this comic? I gotta go find issues #1 - 104. I love Stan Saki...yes I said it.

Marvel maddness was goodness too. Thor #6-7 wow Thor is becoming what he always needed to be the heir to Odin's throne. This comic makes me happy that I read comics everytime I read a new issue. Mighty Avengers #9-11 are finally making me feel like this book is getting its legs but then a villian like Dr. Doom will do that. I don't like all of these Avengers but I'm sticking with the book for a while. Hulk #2 was interesting but I want to do a post on Hulk so I won't say more on that. Amazing Spider-Man #549-554. Spidey is really good these days even if I don't agree with how we got here its just really good. New villians, old friends and I know that Mary Jane and Pete are going to find their way back together so I'll go for the ride Joe Quesada has decided to put me on. Ms. Marvel #24-25. Carol Danvers has become my favorite female character in the last three years and this book has been fun for me. I don't know all about her past but this book is fun and now that there is a Skrull doppleganger in the mix we might have a chance to see Ms. Marvel beat herself. Ok so Captain America #35-36 are pretty good (I know they are awesome but I have missed most of this series). I like that Bucky is now Cap and that he's learning. I have to do some learning myself and pick up some of the trades so I can truly appreciate this title.

So all that goodness can't go without some bad right? Moon Knight! I read #15-16 and I just have to say Charlie Huston needs to be completely gone from this book. I love the Moon Knight character and I love the way he looks but I really dread reading this comic. I like most of the artwork and would say its all been great with the exception of so many panels of the faceless Bushman...its getting old, really, really old...I think everyone knows that Moon Knight is quite crazy but if this book doesn't get a Bendis makeover or something soon I'm gonna go as crazy as old Marc Spector. I read Moon Knight and I put the book down and I have no idea what I just read...with acception of the Annual #1 I gotta say this series is terrible. I don't want it to be cancelled and I am going to keep on buying it but if anyone can get Moon Knight on the streets fighting crime, fighting a good villian, talking to Khonshu instead of Bushman I would appreciate it.

- Kevin P. Johnson

Copyright ©2008 Kevin P. Johnson

My Current DCBS Order April 2008

Well I thought I'd start posting the comics that I order from DCBS so that any of you that are interested in one of these comics I can talk about it because I'll have it. I don't get Previews anymore so I can only assume that these are from the current Previews which is April this month and the comics should be out in two months. I'll do this each month and there will be a log of at least the definite comics I have that I can talk about.

Here's the list for April 2008:

Action Comics #866

Amazing Spider-Man #561, 562, & 563

Batman #678

Captain America #39

Detective Comics #845

Green Arrow & Black Canary #9

Justice League of America #22

Justice Society of America #17

Mighty Avengers #15

Moon Knight #19

Ms. Marvel #28

New Avengers #42

Uncanny X-Men #499

Wonder Woman #21

X-Factor #32

X-Men Legacy #213

Femme Noir: Dark City Diaries #1 (of 4)

Final Crisis #2 (of 7)

Secret Invasion #3 (of 8)

Mouse Guard: Winter 1152 #5 (of 6)

Comics Now Magazine #3

Breakdown:

Marvel - 12

DC - 8

Ape Entertainment - 1

Archaia Studios Press - 1

Marvel has the edge this month and this will probably be a regular occurence being Marvel is my favorite. The indie titles will probably also remain small until I can afford to increase my spending.

- Kevin P. Johnson

Copyright © 2008 Kevin P. Johnson