HULK SMASH! The Incredible Hulk Movie

This image is copyright © 2008 Marvel Comics and is used as Fair Use Review images only. Image will be removed upon request of Marvel Comics.



So I went in to this movie with no expectations. I had been more interested in seeing the Iron Man connection and how for the first time the Marvel Universe was actually related on the movie screen. I saw it opening weekend at my new favorite even the Saturday Matenee.


This movie was awesome from the start, I decided to go in and forget that I felt the Hulk and Abomination looked like big rubber monsters. (I didn't see the first Hulk movie because of this)

Ed Norton to me looks like Bruce Banner and I'm glad he got the part and I hope he sticks around for another movie even though he's been upset that his preferred cut of the movie was not released.


This movie was action packed and great fun for all the fanboys out there with plenty of Easter Egg moments to enjoy. The best moments, THUNDERCLAP, "Hulk Smash!", Stan Lee, and the fighting.


This is one of the better comic book movies yet it wasn't the best but its a good quality movie that sits well alongside of Spider-Man 1 & 2, Batman Returns, Iron Man, X-Men 2, & Sin City.


4.75 Stars out of 5


- Kevin Johnson
Copyright © 2008 Kevin P. Johnson

Goodbye Michael Turner You Will Be Missed

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

Today I learned that artist Michael Turner passed away. Although I never met him I feel like I lost a friend. I enjoyed Michael's art even if some people criticized it I always loved looking at his covers. Rest in peace Michael you've left us with your art and you will be remembered always.

- Kevin Johnson
Copyright © 2008 Kevin P. Johnson

Final Crisis # 1 & 2

So I just read number 2 and all I can say is What The Fuck? (Yep its in need of the dirty word.) I have no idea what I just read and I gotta say I've totally lost interest...I'll buy the series until the end though and pray it gets better...pray it gets to something I understand. The first two issue have had no effect on my knowledge of the DC universe which is not a whole lot but this should be the series that brings me in...at this point it is not bringing me anywhere.

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

Why I Buy What I Buy

Boy I'm behind on blogging but I still have things to write about one being the question of why do you buy the comics that you buy?

So everyone out there has reasons for why they started collecting comics and why they collect what they collect I'd love to hear responses from people out there on why they do what they do but for now I'll tell you about my comics buying process.

1st and foremost the characters are the main thing for me and I will rarely drop a title because I don't like the writing or artwork. The worst Moon Knight comic is better than no moon Knight at all (this could cause the title to keep being bad though). Spider-Man, Hawkeye, X-Men, Batman, Wolverine (on a team) are longtime favorites and comics featuring them get huge runs.

2nd is title loyalty. I am loyal to certain titles for pretty much the long hall and will always buy it no matter what is going on or who the creative team is. Amazing Spider-Man & Uncanny X-Men are the biggest comics in my collection but not the only comics I will never drop unless the comic is cancelled. Currently these are the comics I have no intention of ever dropping even if I'm years behind in reading some of them The Amazing Spider-Man, The Uncanny X-Men, Batman, Detective Comics, New Avengers, X-Factor, New X-Men/X-Men Legacy, Ms. Marvel, Justice League of America, Justice Society of America, Terry Moore's Echo & Thor. These titles are my favorites and will stay with them as long as I can pay for them. Some of these are titles that I just started collecting with the current series but I have so much interest in the character that I am committed for the long haul these are JLA, JSA, Ms. Marvel, Thor, and Echo.

3rd would be art and artist. The art is very important to me I love comic book art from every era and every style. I will often try a title because of the artist or even the cover art. If the art grabs me I will buy it almost evrytime (I avoid looking at stuff in the store because of this sometimes) I have a list of favorites that isn't yet on this blog but really its incomplete because sometimes I don't remember the name of the artist and even though I absolutely love their artwork I'll be posting that at some point so you all can see who I like (for the most part).

4th writer...to be honest up until Brian Michael Bendis started on Sam and Twitch I really didn't buy comics based on who wrote them and often didn't even know or care as long as I got my favorite heroes. This has changed a lot and I often spend time at the bookstore or comic shop looking for writer's in trade paperbacks (especially indie comics). I should come up with a list for these guys as well.

Lastly what have I heard was good. Many reviews on podcast or magazines put ideas in my head and when I'm at the bookstore I often sit there for an hour or two mulling over the titles trying to find a trade paperback that is new to me or I just have been dying to read. This has started a trade only titles for me too. Some I have a few trades some I just have the first one with the intention to get the rest. Titles include DMZ, Invinceable, The Walking Dead (hardcovers), The Exterminators, Fables, Strangers In Paradise and Ex Machina.

So Thats about it for this blog,

Kevin P. Johnson

Copyright © 2008 Kevin P. Johnson

My Current DCBS Order June 2008

These are the comics I have on order with DCBS for the month of June 2008, feel free to discuss what you are excited about.

ACTION COMICS #868
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #567
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #568
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #569
BATMAN #680
CAPTAIN AMERICA #41
DETECTIVE COMICS #847
FEMME NOIR DARK CITY DIARIES #3 (OF 4)
GREEN ARROW BLACK CANARY #11
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #24
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #18
MIGHTY AVENGERS #17
MOON KNIGHT #21
MOUSE GUARD WINTER 1152 #6 (OF 6)
MS MARVEL #30
NEW AVENGERS #44
SECRET INVASION #5 (OF 8)
UNCANNY X-MEN #501
WONDER WOMAN #23
X-FACTOR #34
X-MEN LEGACY #215

Breakdown:
Marvel - 12
DC - 7
Ape Entertainment - 1
Archaia Studio Press - 1

Marvel has the edge again this month even with a few titles not coming out this month and taking over the number 1 spot overall. DC stays close in the totals but slips back to second overall. A few Amendments to last months order Terry Moore's ECHO #3 & #4 were added from Abstract Studio as well as Justice Society Of America Annual #1 from DC. These comics are added to the overall totals.

Breakdown as of April 2008:
Marvel Comics - 211
DC Comics - 207
Dark Horse - 4
Archaia Studios Press - 3
Ape Entertainment - 3
Abstract Studio - 3
Boom! Studios - 1
Evil Twin Comics - 1
Super Real Graphics - 1

Marvel Comics now leads with 48.6% of the comics ordered and DC is a close second with 47.7% all other indie's combining for 3.7%.

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

MACH GO! GO! GO! - Speed Racer The Movie

This image is copyright © 2008 Warner Brothers Pictures and is used as Fair Use Review images only. Image will be removed upon request of Warner Brothers Pictures.


So I had heard that this wasn't a good movie, I heard it wasn't making any money at the box office, and I heard it was not worth seeing. All that negativity made me want to see it more and I really wanted to see it on the big screen. I had not been able to get to the theatre until today and after tomorrow I think it will be out of theatres or at least by the middle of the week when new movies are released. So I had to go now and I've got to tell you matinee is the way to go $4.75 for a movie is kinda like doing something illegal these days.

I went in knowing that this movie was a cartoon made into a live action movie and it would be aimed at kids. That sounds great to me!!! So at the beginning there is a shot of young Speed Racer's shoe and it has drawings on it and the word GO for me that was all I needed to know I was going like this movie.

Its been a long time since I have watched the cartoon of Speed Racer but I do remember loving it as a child in the 1970's. This movie quickly let you know that it was still a cartoon and it was going to be ridiculous and wonderful and I think a lot of people will not allow themselves to get that. I get it. The movie was filmed using the brightest colors and fast action and there were constant flash backs and split screens and overlaying screens and a lot of stuff going on...I loved it. Crazy races and fight scene's, did I mention NINJAS?, and really cool cars and drivers. It really was a fun movie. The colors are really what got me wanting to see this on the big screen because I am known in my own art to use brilliant colors and I just had to see this.

The actors all really fit the characters well and maintained the look and feel of the cartoon. Spritle and Chim Chim really stole the show with their crazy antics and provided a great deal of funny moments. When I think back of the characters they all look in this movie like they did in the cartoon. Trixie, Speed, Pops and Racer X were dead on as far as I remember with Mom Racer, Spritle, Chim Chim, Sparky, Inspector Detector & the rest all looking like they were if not perfect close enough for me. The only thing I found odd was the Mach 5 - Mach 6 thing? They used the Mach 5 some but Speed mostly used a car that had a 6 on the side. I'm not sure why they had to do this there was a part where Speed said that the Mach 5 was his brother Rex Racer's car but he still used the Mach 5 and I don't know why he didn't use it when he raced...I'll probably have to go back to the cartoon to figure this one out.

Anyway I enjoyed it. I think if grownups would allow themselves to be kids again for a few hours that they would enjoy this too and hopefully it will do well on DVD and rentals and maybe we can get a part 2.

MACH GO! GO! GO!

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

The Walking Dead Book One - Hardcover - Sorta Reviewed

This image is copyright © 2007 Image Comics and is used as Fair Use Review images only. Image will be removed upon request of Image Comics.
The Walking Dead - Book One
Cover Price: $29.99
Publisher: Image Comics
Creator, Writer, Letterer: Robert Kirkman
Penciler, Inker, Gray Tones: Tony Moore

Penciler, Inker: Charlie Adlard
Gray Tones: Cliff Rathburn

AWESOME

So I got this gift card for $25.00 to Borders and I went an had hoped to find two Graphic Novels and maybe only have to pay five bucks or so but the stuff they had was either way too expensive or just wasn't what I wanted to read right now. So I kept looking at the thing I've wanted for a long time now The Walking Dead in hardcover. For some reason I have refused to buy this series unless I get the hardcovers...I think its because I love the design of the cover that repeats on book two and three with different images. Finally I decide I gotta get it it $29.99 and I have $25.00 on the card so it'll be cheap and I'll finally have it. So I get to the register and the lady ask's if I have a Borders card and I say yes (It's free and you all need to get one - they always send great coupons) and she says oh great you get to use this coupon I have sitting here and I perk up and am like wha? Coupon? Sweet! So the coupon is 40% off and now the book is $19.56 so that means I got the Walking Dead for FREEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!

I didn't get to read this yet but I have read the first six trade paperbacks because my co-worker and friend Heather Green loaned them to me we have this thing I buy the DMZ trades she gets The Walking Dead and we swaop for a few days.

Anyway The Walking Dead is a Zombie book that is really about the people who survive and the relationships they build with each other and has become one of my favorite comic book series of all time and is definitely among if not the best non-superhero comic I have ever read. Book One reprints issues number one thru twelve and I can hardly wait to read them again.

What is so cool about the hardcover? Well the previously mentioned cover for one great thing but the bonus section includes a six page story featuring Morgan and Duane the father and son from issue number one, a sketchbook section featuring cover ideas, a few random new drawings, head sketches, and fourteen full color, full bleed pages of cover art for issues one thru twelve and the cover for the first two trade paperbacks.

A most excellent book that I can hardly wait to read again.

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

FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2008 - The Holdays are among us

So Free Comic Book Day was good this year again. We don't have conventions around here but we sure do have generous comic book stores. I went to three comic shops on Free Comic Book Day and got a boat load of stuff. In Metairie, Louisiana BSI Comics offered 10 free comics, & Media Underground Comics offered anything you wanted (they had a lot and some leftovers from previous years) both also had guest and heroclix and posters and stuff. Magic Comics and Hobbies in Slidell, Louisiana had all the big name books and some of the indie stuff, hero clix, Star Wars minatures figures and they were also giving away some Planet Hulk issues that they had overstock of. In years past I'd have gone to more stores but this year I was kina sick and had gotten most of the books so I called it a day and it was a good day.

Free Comic Book Days is my favorite holiday because to be honest I'm the only one in my family that is into comics and I don't have to worry about pleasing anyone or being at anyones house or whatever the other holidays bring.

So what did I get:

Lets start with the extras: I got three Iron Man Heroclix figures (not sure what series these are for) and one Iron Man (Supernova Series) Heroclix figure, one Wonder Woman (DC Heroclix Origin) Heroclix figure, three Batman (DC Heroclix Origin) Heroclix figures and 1 each of the Star Wars miniature figures Quarren and a clone trooper.

I got an autographed poster from the creators of Welcome To Border City the webcomic located at www.welcometobordercity.com and got to see some of the original artwork. NICE STUFF guys!!!

Now for the comis I got:
2 copies of the EC Sampler
1 copy of Nascar Heroes
1 copy of Comics Go Hollywood
3 copies of Owly and Friends
1 copy of Ignatz
1 copy of Maintenance
1 copy of Wizard's How To Draw
1 copy of Kid Houdini and The Silver Dollar Misfits
1 copy of Shin Chan (Ashcan sized comic)
1 copy of The Moth
1 copy of Hero By Night/Gunplay
1 copy of Gumby
1 copy of Hellboy: The Golden Army
2 copies of Hellboy: The Mole
2 copies of Cartoona Palooza (1 autographed by Tim Lattie artist of White Picket Fences)
2 copies of Broken Trinity
1 copy of Impact University Volume 4
1 copy of Shonen Jump Special
1 copy Transformers Animated
1 copy of Sonic The Hedgehog
1 copy of Archies Pal Jughead
1 copy Walt Disney's Gyro Gearloose
1 copy od The Incredible Hulk/Iron Man
2 copies of Marvel Adventures Iron Man & Hulk & Spider-Man
3 copies of All Star Superman
2 copies of Bongo Comics Free-For-All 2008
1 copy of Graphic Classics
2 copies of Tiny Titans
1 copy of Worlds Of Aspen #3
1 copy of Love And Capes #7
1 copy of Del Rey & Dabel Brothers 2008 Preview
2 copies of Avengers/Invaders Sketchbook
1 copy of Owly: Helping Hands
3 copies of X-Men
2 copies of Project Superpowers: The Death-Defying Devil
1 copy of Arcana Presents
2 copies of Dan Dare/TheStranded
1 copy of Atomic Robo/Neozoic
1 copy of Neotopia: The Enlightened Age Book 1 (full manga book in color)

yes it was a good day!

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