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

What I'm Reading - My Pull List

What I’m Reading – My Pull List

Almost everyone out there in comic book land has their monthly pull-list of comics that they collect or just have to have out of some sort of weird obsessive compulsive pattern of behavior that they just can’t help but satisfy. For me I tend to buy a comics series for a very long timer even if I am years behind on reading them for example I am probably 2 years or so on Green Arrow and I have not even started to read the new Green Arrow and Black Canary series because I just have to catch up yet on other occasions I just jump back in on a series and do the catching up later I had let Spider-Man titles lag for a while and when I heard that they were doing one title three times monthly I jumped into the One More Day story arc and have kept up to date on Amazing Spider-Man.

Most comic book stores allow customers to create a pull list and is the thing to do if you collect more than five titles a month (if your shop offers this). Having a pull list is often a great idea because in my experience the shop will get to know you better and they can suggest new titles and if there is something missing from your folder (a fancy name for pull list) they will often go out of their way to get you your comic. In my case I have a cash issue and I have gone to an Internet service so that I can get a discount and get most of the comics that I want to read the indies lose out these days and Marvel and DC dominate my pull list but I love independent comics too and try to read as many as I can.

If you are in the New Orleans, Louisiana area I suggest going over to BSI Comics in Metairie and talking to manager Jason Grazulis and he can set you up. The shop is well stocked and they even have a girl working there “WOOO HOOO” so check them out at

http://www.bsicomics.com/ or stop in and impulse buy like I do. Also in the New Orleans are on the northshore of Lake Pontchartrain stop in at Slidell’s best Magic Comics and Hobbies. Owner David Strecker is an awesome guy he even got me a copy of Captain America #25 on the day it came out when I didn’t even have it on my pull list. The shop is nice and they carry a wide variety of comics, toys, games and just about everything you can think of. Get on David’s good side and tell him you like Thor and ask him where he got that awesome book shelf that weighs about a million pounds. Check out http://www.magic-comics.com/index.html and find links to their online store. Since I’m on a budget I shop online at DCBS http://www.dcbservice.com/ they give great discount usually a minimum of 35% but sometimes 75% off on hot new # 1’s. I love this service and although they are an online service they treat you like they are their best friends. They go the extra mile for you and even find issues that they thought we out of stock for you. (Thanks Zack Ms. Marvel #25 is happy to be at my house I promise) Cameron Merkler is in charge over there (I think) and they do a great job of getting comics shipped quickly and in excellent 9.8 condition. Shipping is only $5.95 too for whatever you order.

So anyway here’s my current pull-list

Comics:

Action Comics
Amazing Spider-Man
Batman
Captain America
Detective Comics
Final Crisis
Green Arrow and Black Canary
Hulk
Justice League Of America
Justice Society Of America
Mighty Avengers
Moon Knight
Mouse Guard Winter 1152
Ms. Marvel
New Avengers
Secret Invasion
Thor
Uncanny X-Men
Usagi Yojimbo
Wonder Woman
X-Factor
X-Men Legacy

Magazines:

Comics Now
Wizard

That's it for now talk to you soon!!!

-Kevin P. Johnson

Copyright © 2008 Kevin P. Johnson

Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 by David Peterson

This image is copyright 2007 David Peterson in association with Archaia Studios Press and is used as a Fair Use Review image only. Image will be removed upon request of David Peterson or Archaia Studios Press.

Mouse Guard: Fall 1152
ISBN-10: 1932386572
192 pages
Published: May 2006
Story Titles: Chapter 1: Belly Of The Beast, Chapter 2: Shadows Within, Chapter 3, Rise Of The Axe, Chapter 4: The Dark Ghost, Chapter 5: Midnight's Dawn, Chapter 6: A Return To Honor
Cover Price: $24.95
Author & Illustrator: David Peterson

Major Characters: Kenzie, Saxon, Lieam, A Big Snake, Big Crabs, Gwendolyn, Conrad, Celanwe/The Black Axe, Sadie, Conrad

If you love comic books you already own this.

Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 was a six issue comic book presented in a format often reserved for children's paperback books (8" x 8' squarebound) and then was collected into a hardcover book and later a paperback book.

Mouse Guard is the creation of David Peterson featuring the adventures of three guardsmice Lieam, Saxon and Kenzie who are sworn to protect the mice in their territory. These three guardsmice find themselves in the middle of a mystery that leads from the disappearance of a local mouse to the return of someone calling himself The Black Axe. Without spoiling the story for you this story quickly goes from a few sweet looking mice into a fast paced romp with interestingly dark and dangerous characters. The guardsmice are your heroes and they prove themselves as protectors, warriors, and detectives.

Mouse Guard has often been compaired to Redwall by Brian Jacques but I find the world's similar but very different each standing on its own in a very enjoyable way. I've heard people say that they have read Mouse Guard to their young children ages three and four years old and the kids loved it. I don't think I could recommend Mouse Guard to children that young because there are some areas that are a bit dark and violent but I think at about eight or nine years old this would be great although at thirty-six its pretty great too.

In Mouse Guard you have two hooks that keep you wanting more. First there is the story. Loaded with fun, adventure and mystery it quickly brings a whole new world alive full of danger and leaving you wanting more and wondering what happens next. The story is enough to keep you interested and coming back but the art is what will make you fall in love. David Peterson is a master of taking a simple image often not very detailed and filling it with the most beautiful and delightful colors that make the images pop off the page in a way that just makes you feel good and has a warmth about it that you rarely find in comic books. Peterson knows the details too and for every simple image that there is it they are followed by complex towns and architecture that make this book a complete masterpiece.

The book is made complete with several pages bonus features and artwork. Beautiful maps of the Mouse Territories: 1150 appear on the endsheets. A wonderful dustjacket featuring artwork that is not part of the original series. The cover features a full color detail of the dustjacket image and the Archaia Studios Press Logo on the back. For a preview of the book go on over to http://www.davidpetersen.net/mouseguard/fall1152/index.htm where you can see seven pages from each of the original six issues of Mouse Guard: Fall 1152. Also visit www.aspcomics.com for more great comics.

Go Out, Buy This Book, You Will Be Happier For It!

- Kevin P. Johnson

Copyright © 2008 Kevin P. Johnson

Buy Art Cure Cancer

Hey gang saw this in an email from Blue line Pro. Please go and check out all the great art and bid to help cure cancer.

http://stores.ebay.com/Comics-2-Games_W0QQ_trksidZp284Q2em158QQtZkm


This is text from one of the auctions that they all seem to have.


Comics for Cure / Comics2Games have come together to create a relay for life team called Comics for Cure for the American Cancer Society Relay for Life program. All proceeds form the auctions for the Comics for Cure relay for life team will be giving to the Northern Kentucky Kenton County American Cancer Society Relay for Life program. To find out more information on the Comics for Cure relay for life team check out these links here.

http://www.comics2cars.com/sketchcardshow.htm

http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR/RelayForLife/RelayForLifeMid-SouthDivision?pg=entry&fr_id=10127

Sketch cards are an easy and inexpensive way to collect original art. Plus by bidding on this card, you can be making someone’s struggle with cancer easier, and helping to find a cure.

Check It Out,
Kevin P. Johnson

So sorry I've been distracted

Hey there all in blogland if you've been reading along I just wanted to let you know that I'll be back shortly. I've been distracted the last two weeks but I have finsihed reading Mouse Guard Fall 1152 and I'm about to start reading Identity Crisis for a review. I'm also going to give some opinions on Hulk #1-2 of the new ongoing series and try to get on a regular schedule of blogging.

Thanks For Reading,

Kevin P. Johnson

Get your official I Read Comic Books Merchandise at

http://www.cafepress.com/cp/members/products/index.aspx?s=4560492 and

http://www.cafepress.com/cp/members/products/index.aspx?s=4908750

Hank Ketchum's Complete Dennis The Menace 1951-1952

This image is copyright © 2005 Fantagraphics Books and Hank Ketchum Enterprises, Inc. and is used as a Fair Use Review image only. Image will be removed upon request of Fantagraphics Books or Hank Ketchum Enterprises, Inc.


Hank Ketchum's Complete Dennis The Menace 1951-1952
Cover Price: $24.95
Writer & Artist: Hank Ketchum (March 14, 1920 - June 1, 2001)


Characters: Dennis, Dennis' Mom & Dad, Ruff, Mr. & Mrs. Wilson, Henry and Alice Mitchell, Joey and Margret and a cast of others.


So I had seen this book around along with all the other Fantagraphics Books reprints and I had always thought it was a wonderful idea for the classic strips to finally be reprinted. I had bought the first four Peanuts collections and had my eye on the Dick Tracy and Dennis The Menace collections. Of course money is always a factor and I'd never gotten around to getting them until about two weeks ago I walked into the Barnes And Noble in Gretna, Louisiana and I found the first volume of Dennis The Menace for $6.99 and so I now have it and am glad that I do.

Sometimes the things we see all the time are taken for granted that it will always be there and always has been but this shows that there was a beginning and a funny one at that. The very first strip in March 1951 shows Dennis sticking his head out of the backseat window looking toward a motorcycle cop with a smug look on his face. The caption reads "You didn't catch us! We ran out gas!"


The cartoons are all really well drawn, very stylized and sharp with great inking. I love that almost every cartoon has a nice solid black section that just pops the cartoon off the page. You can see that the art was different back in the 1950's and as this book ends you can see a big difference in what two years of drawing the same characters will do. If you visit the official website( http://www.dennisthemenace.com/index.html ) you can really see the differences.


The gags are really pretty funny and most stand up to today's standards, some are dated but fun nonetheless. Dennis is a character that says all the wrong things at exactly the right time, he causes trouble wherever he goes and he says what we are all thinking. This kid defines what it is to be a little kid and I think most of us can relate to the innocence of taking your shoes off and then splashing in a mud puddle so your Mom wouldn't be mad because you got your shoes muddy.

This is a wonderful collection and can stand alone but it makes me happy to know that this isn't the end of the line there are over 60 years worth of these comic strips.


- Kevin P. Johnson

Copyright © 2008 Kevin P. Johnson