Monday, January 30, 2012

Random Comic Pick - Episode 43

My random comic pick on The Comic Conspiracy: Episode 42 is the Dynamite Entertainment comic Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin and Daniel Abraham with art from Tommy Patterson. This comic is a great adaptation of the novel and fun to read. I hope they keep doing these for the rest of the books in the series.


Remember Comics Conspiracy is a great place to order comics and you can also download comics at the Comics Conspiracy - Comixology Storefront for your computer, tablet or phone.

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Asking The Hard Questions (1-26-12)


What would it take for you to read and actually buy Marvel books again?

I asked Ryan Higgins this question and his answer was brutally honest and very true. He said, "It would take a lot for me to actually buy Marvel books again. Like Grant Morrison, Geoff Johns, Jim Lee, and other creators I love would have to move over to Marvel for me to even really start picking up Marvel books."
I've been having that same feeling for a few years now. The Marvel books I actually buy and take home for my collection have dwindled down to nothing, and part of me feels bad for this, but then the rational part of me remembers that Marvel books haven't been worth spending money on and then I don't feel so bad.
But why am I cutting Marvel titles from my pull list at such a aggressive rate? Higgins had said that part of his reasoning for taking a book home was a combination of writer, enjoyment of character and art, and if 75% of these things weren't met then it wasn't worth it to him to take something home.
Of course certain things weighed heavier than others, but the example he gave was the current Nova series that is set to come out. He likes Nova, he doesn't care for the writer, the Marvel Point.1 Nova story was shit, and he really likes Nova; so he will at least read it, but take it home, no chance unless it blows him away.
I would have to agree with his thought process, but for me Marvel books have been such a disappointment over the past few years that I would have to add the fact that the book needed to be worth the money I spent on it. If it was a $2.99 book I better get $2.99 worth of pages and if it is $3.99 then I better get $3.99 worth of pages, but over the years it seems Marvel's price per page count has gone up and doesn't seem to be going down.
Marvel is banking on people loving the characters so much that they will buy anything with that character in it; i.e. Spider-man or Wolverine have numerous titles under their belts and then appearing in other titles on a frequent basis. I'm past this. I want quality writing, art work and a quality character when it comes to my comic book reading. Marvel, for me, has not delivered these goods in a long time, and my current and future pull lists (stuff I take home) will reflect this unless a lot changes.

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Conspirator Brock's Pull List for 1/25/12

For all of the curious people out there wondering what I like to read week to week here is a list of the titles I am going to be picking up for the week of 1/25/12:

(Note: I have included deep links for some titles if you wish to support Comics Conspiracy when you buy digital comics. I have not included links to Marvel or Dark Horse books because you cannot support us currently by buying them through our digital Comixology site.)

01. All Star Western #5 DC
02. American Vampire #23 Vertigo
03. Aquaman #5 DC
04. Batman: The Dark Knight #5 DC
05. Captain America & Bucky #626 Marvel
06. DC Universe Online: Legends #22 DC
07. Flash #5 DC
08. A Game of Thrones #5 Dynamite
09. Green Lantern: New Guardians #5 DC
10. Justice League #5 DC
11. Justice League Dark #5 DC
12. Superman #5 DC
13. Voodoo #5 DC

Graphic Novel
Resurrection Man - Vol. 1 DC
(Resurrection Man #1 - 14)

What can I say about this final week of number fives...I really want to know what happens in Justice League! Now that I have that out of the way I think it is safe to say that I am also looking forward to most of the titles released this week: All Star Western, Aquaman, Game of Thrones, Green Lantern: New Guardians and Justice League: Dark to name a few. I have heard people say that the last week of DC titles isn't that great, but I find it a solid week of good books.
Captain America and Bucky is still on my list, but it seems that with Ed Brubaker leaving the book I will be dropping this title with the end of this story arc or the next one. Marvel titles are becoming a whisper on my pull list and I am fine with that.
If you haven't been reading Game of Thrones from Dynamite you should be, because it is a great adaptation of the novel. I haven't seen the HBO TV series yet, but I did pre-order the blu-ray which is due out March 6th, 2012. Can't wait!
If you haven't been reading the new Resurrection Man series you should and everyone should go out and pick up the Resurrection Man - Vol. 1 trade paperback. This is the first time the 1997-1999 series has been collected and I'm stoked. Check them out.

(We were shorted our copies of Blackhawks #5 and The Unwritten #33.5 so I will have to wait to read those. Oh well, I think I have enough to tide me over for the next week.)

Remember you can now find these titles and more in digital format at our Comics Conspiracy - Comixology Storefront.
You can still order comics from us directly by visiting the shop or giving us a call (408) 245-6275, or dropping Ryan an email at ryan@comicsconspiracy.biz.

As usual I'll be talking comics on The Comic Conspiracy, and on the Geekbox Forums. Now get out there and enjoy some good old fashioned comic book reading.

Monday, January 23, 2012

Random Comic Pick - Episode 42

My random comic pick on The Comic Conspiracy: Episode 42 is Justice League: Generation Lost by Judd Winick with art by Aaron Lopresti, Joe Bennett and others. In the aftermath of Blackest Night Maxwell Lord has returned from the dead and he has used his powers to mind wipe the world from remembering he eve existed. The only ones not affected by this are the members of the Justice League International. Lead by Booster Gold they must stop Maxwell Lord from succeeding in his plans whatever they are. You'll have to read it to find out.
Justice League: Generation Lost was a twenty-four issue series that has been collected into two hard cover trades. From what I understood the series wasn't going to get the softcover treatment, but according to DC's website the soft cover of Vol. 1 is due to come out February 1st, 2012, so we will have to wait and see.

Remember Comics Conspiracy is a great place to order comics and you can also download comics at the Comics Conspiracy - Comixology Storefront for your computer, tablet or phone.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Comics Are Bad! More Proof Fox News Is Not Real Journalism

Today I stumbled across this ridiculous article posted on BleedingCool.com. It seems that the new 52 from DC is said to be "fictionalized playboy for kids." This is new to me. The article was about an ad that was being aired to plug a special report from Washington DC TV Station Fox 5 that stated "relaunched comics using sex and violence to sell." It sounded like a gag news report from The Onion, but to my bewilderment it wasn't.

I actually watched the news segment and was shown yet another reason why Fox News is not capable of giving people truthful journalism. Even worse this was from the news station based out of our nation's capital.
Here are some of the examples of shit journalism in the news segment:

- DC is the only comic book company attacked in the piece.
- Not once is the fact that Archie comics now has a gay character.
- The "new rejiggered 52" is only talked about as a sexed up, extremely violent take on the books and not what it actually was...a rejiggering.
- Starfire is brought up yet again as a misleading character for young girls. Starfire started in the comic books as the Teen Titans sex symbol, and she was "kiddiefied" for Cartoon Network.
- I didn't know that Catwoman was being aimed at kids since it has a T+ rating. Wait did that lady who gave her seven year old daughter Red Hood and the Outlaws #1 figure Catwoman would be good for her daughter too?
- Some quotes from people who seem to have a negative opinion, a professional who is spouting flashy quotes like "fictionalized playboy" to grab your attention and make you think he has something of merit to say, and throw in the a comic shop owner who is a Marvel lover and so saying crap about DC won't be a stretch for him.
- But the biggest piece of crap journalism comes from reporter Sherri Ly (#SherriLyFox5) who actually takes these "fictionalized playboys," I mean comic books which are rated T for teen and T+ to a middle school to get a reaction from kids and parents!

Seriously this is journalism today? The best part of the report came when the news anchor said that DC declined to comment. Why would they comment on your news segment? It was just cannon fodder for ratings and based on nothing factual.

Here are some facts:

- DC rejiggered the universe to hopefully improve sales
- Kids don't read comics.
- Adults read comics.
- There is a gap in comic books when it comes to reading; the "All Ages" rating jumps to the Teen rating with nothing in between. It's like there is no PG for comic readers.
- Sex and violence in comics isn't a new topic.
- TV rots your brain. Read comics.
- Fox News is not a credible news source.
- I showed the news segment to Calli and she laughed. She also said my room was full of "fictionalized porn" and she was going to tell my mother.

I could go on, but I need to go read some of my "fictionalized porn" before I go to bed.

Conspirator Brock's Pull List for 1/18/12

For all of the curious people out there wondering what I like to read week to week here is a list of the titles I am going to be picking up for the week of 1/18/12:

(Note: I have included deep links for some titles if you wish to support Comics Conspiracy when you buy digital comics. I have not included links to Marvel or Dark Horse books because you cannot support us currently by buying them through our digital Comixology site.)

01. Amazing Spider-Man #678 Marvel
02. Batman #5 DC
03. Captain Atom #5 DC
04. Catwoman #5 DC
05. Danger Girl: Revolver #1 IDW
06. Daredevil #8 Marvel
07. DC Universe Presents: Deadman #5 DC
08. Fables #113 Vertigo
09. Green Lantern Corps #5 DC
10. Legion of Super-Heroes #5 DC
11. Red Hood and the Outlaws #5 DC
12. Supergirl #5 DC
13. T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #3 of 6 DC

Where oh where is my Justice League #5? It was pushed back until next week and that means it still shipped in the right month so all the DC haters can suck it. Anyway, another week of titles and I'm looking forward to Batman, Catwoman, Green Lantern Corps, Red Hood and the Outlaws, and DC Universe Presents. A good amount of books this week and I'm actually giving the new Danger Girl: Revolver title from IDW a try because I have a soft spot for the J. Scott Campbell creation, and I'm also going to give the self published titled Sacrifice by Sam Humphries with art by Dalton Rose a try. Humphries is best known recently for his word of mouth hit "Our Love Is Real" which I haven't read, but Higgins did suggest (because he is in love with Joy Division) this title and so I'm going to give it a read.
As for Marvel titles, I did pick up Daredevil #8 to finish the Mark Waid two part crossover story with Spider-Man and Black Cat which has been good, and Amazing Spider-Man #678, but with the return of the creative team of Slott and Ramos I'm skeptical yet again. It appears that New York is to be destroyed again and Spider-Man is to blame, unless he can stop it from happening. Another New York is in peril story...great. Couldn't you wait a couple of story arcs before trying to destroy New York again? According to the editorial board at Marvel that would be a no. Amazing Spider-Man has now been on my chopping block for a while now and since it has become a consistent $3.99 title I'm game to drop it real quick and pick up something else.

Remember you can now find these titles and more in digital format at our Comics Conspiracy - Comixology Storefront.

As usual I'll be talking comics on The Comic Conspiracy, and on the Geekbox Forums. Now get out there and enjoy some good old fashioned comic book reading.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

About Batman #5...

If you happen to pick up Batman #5 by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo this week you may notice that the pages turn and you have to rotate the issue to read it. At first it is jarring, but you get used to it and it works for what happens in the issue. Grab a copy this week and see for yourself. To make sure people understand that this isn't a misprint we posted this at the shop:

It's Tuesday, Ryan Said What? 1/17/12

Tuesday rolls around again and today Ryan wanted to know how I felt about him growing a beard and working out? I told him to go for growing some facial pubes, but the working out might prove to be to much of a challenge for someone with no upper body strength. He decided to do neither, but from this conversation there were these two quotable highlights:

"Its like a fucking Sasquatch convention in here."

"I wanna be buff like Carrot Top."
(Ryan showed me pictures...scary)

Ryan Higgins becomes a different person on Tuesdays and yes he does swear like a sailor once the doors close at 6.

Monday, January 16, 2012

Random Comic Pick - Episode 41

My random comic pick on The Comic Conspiracy: Episode 41 is the Image Comics series Invincible by Robert Kirkman and drawn by Ryan Ottley. Invincible is the story of Mark Grayson a typical teenager except that his father is a super hero from another planet. Mark is going to get powers soon and he can't wait, but having super abilities isn't all its cracked up to be. Invincible is a great series about the good and the bad that comes with becoming a super hero (with a very intense amount of blood and gore to it). I have really enjoyed this series since I got into it a few years ago, and I recommend it highly. Here is a list of the collected Invincible soft covers (with deep links to the digital versions):

01) Family Matters
02) Eight is Enough
03) Perfect Strangers
04) Head of the Class
05) The Facts of Life
06) A Different World
07) Three's Company
08) My Favorite Martian
09) Out of This World
10) Who's the Boss?
11) Happy Days
12) Still Standing
13) Growing Pains
14) The Viltrumite War
15) Get Smart

Remember Comics Conspiracy is a great place to order comics and you can also download comics at the Comics Conspiracy - Comixology Storefront for your computer, tablet or phone.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

My Girlfriend Wants To Read More Comics...Awesome!

The other night my beautiful girlfriend Calli told me that she would like to read more comics, and I thought it might benefit her to read them digitally. I set her up with a Comixology account, purchased Catwoman #1 (2002 - 2008) and downloaded some free comics to get her started. She is going to give digital comics a try, but she still wants to get the current books she reads physically and the Fables hardcovers as they come out. So, I don't think she will add to the complete demise of the local comic book shop anytime soon.

Conspirator Brock's Pull List for 1/11/12

For all of the curious people out there wondering what I like to read week to week here is a list of the titles I am going to be picking up for the week of 1/11/12:

(Note: I have included deep links for some titles if you wish to support Comics Conspiracy when you buy digital comics. I have not included links to Marvel or Dark Horse books because you cannot support us currently by buying them through our site.)

01. Amazing Spider-Man #677 Marvel
02. Batgirl #5 DC
03. Batman and Robin #5 DC
04. Batwoman #5 DC
05. DC Universe Online: Legends #21 DC
06. Deathstroke #5 DC
07. Demon Knights #5 DC
08. Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E #5 DC
09. Green Lantern #5 DC
10. Grifter #5 DC
11. Legion Lost #5 DC
12. Resurrection Man #5 DC
13. Severed #6 Image
14. The Shade #4 of 12 DC
15. The Stand: The Night Has Come #6 of 6 Marvel
16. Star Wars: Agent of the Empire #2 of 5 Dark Horse
17. Suicide Squad #5 DC
18. The Unwritten #33 Vertigo

Graphic Novel
Invincible (Vol. 15) - Get Smart Image
Preacher - Book 6 (Hardcover) Vertigo

Week two of the fifth month in the "New Rejiggered 52" and it has come to my attention that the second week is my largest pull week every month now; with almost 20 titles and a trade or two. Although for me there are some great books out this week that I look forward to reading: Resurrection Man, Green Lantern, Suicide Squad, Batgirl and Severed to name a few. I'm also looking forward to reading Star Wars: Agent of the Empire and Amazing Spider-Man. Star Wars has been an interesting story and it is nice to have a non-DC / non-Marvel title on my pull list. As for Amazing Spider-Man this issue starts the two part crossover with Daredevil and Black Cat. I'm actually really interested in reading this to get a feel for Mark Waid's current Daredevil; which I have heard many say is Marvel's top book right now. Now I can give it a try with this little crossover. Overall, I am in for a lot of reading this week. Can't wait.

Remember you can now find these titles and more in digital format at our Comics Conspiracy - Comixology Storefront or you can still order comics from us directly by visiting the shop, giving us a call (408) 245-6275, or dropping Ryan an email at ryan@comicsconspiracy.biz.

As usual I'll be talking comics on The Comic Conspiracy, and on the Geekbox Forums. Now get out there and enjoy some good old fashioned comic book reading.

It's Tuesday, Ryan Said What? 1/11/12

Ryan doesn't always have the energy in him to grace my ears with his wacky quotes, but today he was a virtual fountain of random sayings. Here are some of the highlights:

"It's got a little of that Christmas Juice on em'. Oh yeah!"

"I'm a Venus Butt Trap."

"Squash that shit with my dick."

"Its going on the blog, its going on the blog, its going on the blog."

"She's a brick journal. Letting it all hang out."

"Shit better have a hole in it for him."

"Lips like sugary Penises."

"More than meets my thighs."

Sometimes I wish I was really making this stuff up, but Ryan was in true form on Tuesday. And I have no idea why the song "Brick House" keeps getting reworded by Mr. Higgins.

Ryan Higgins becomes a different person on Tuesdays and yes he does swear like a sailor once the doors close at 6.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Random Comic Pick - Episode 40

I didn't have a random comic pick on The Comic Conspiracy: Episode 40, because Ryan Higgins hates the Random Comic Pick and wants it to go away forever. This is only partially true. The Random Comic Pick will be back next episode.

Remember Comics Conspiracy is a great place to order comics and you can also download comics at the Comics Conspiracy - Comixology Storefront for your computer, tablet or phone.

Friday, January 6, 2012

What Do You Think?



We got a new wave of the poorly designed Walking Dead figures from McFarlane Toys this week and I noticed that the Zombie Biter figure looked a little bit like my co-host Ryan Higgins. What do you think?

Click "Like for Yes" and "Dislike for No".

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Conspirator Brock's Pull List for 1/4/12

For all of the curious people out there wondering what I like to read week to week here is a list of the titles I am going to be picking up for the week of 1/4/12:

(Note: I have included deep links for some titles if you wish to support Comics Conspiracy when you buy digital comics. I have not included links to Marvel or Dark Horse books because you cannot buy them through our site.)

01. Action Comics #5 DC
02. Animal Man #5 DC
03. Batwing #5 DC
04. Detective Comics #5 DC
05. Green Arrow #5 DC
06. Huntress #4 of 6 DC
07. Justice League International #5 DC
08. Red Lanterns #5 DC
09. Star Trek / Legion of Super-Heroes #4 IDW
10. Super Dinosaur #7 Image
11. Swamp Thing #5 DC

It is a new year and my first pull list of 2012 is jumping with a certain number. "Number 5 is alive!" Gotta love Short Circuit. DC rolls out their number 5's this month and I can't wait to see what is happens in Animal Man, Swamp Thing, Detective Comics, and Action Comics, because these titles are must reads...period. Another interesting thing about my first pull list of 2012 i the fact that there are NO MARVEL TITLES!!! Ryan says I've been drinking to much "hater-aide" when it comes to Marvel, but I don't see it.
Even though I didn't pull any Marvel titles this week I will be reading two Marvel books: Avengers: X-Sanction #2 and Wolverine and the X-Men: Alpha and Omega #1 of 5. I'm going to stay informed about the Avengers / X-Men Crossover like I stayed informed with the horror that was Fear Itself, and I am curious to see if I can actually enjoy a X-Men book in this new split world of Cyclops vs. Wolverine. Don't let me down Brian Wood.

Remember you can now find these titles and more in digital format at our Comics Conspiracy - Comixology Storefront.

As usual I'll be talking comics on The Comic Conspiracy, and on the Geekbox Forums. Now get out there and enjoy some good old fashioned comic book reading.

DC Reveals the Hooded Girl's Name

Yesterday on DC's The Source Bob Harras posted the inked version of Jim Lee's sketch of the Hooded Girl with the quote “Her name is Pandora.”
Another tease about who this mysterious character is, but way more than we have known prior. The last time we heard anything about Pandora was back in October 2011 when Harras posted Jim Lee's Hooded Girl image, and told the fans that we would be seeing more of the Hooded Girl in the year to come (mainly in the pages of Justice League) and her involvement will have the ripple effect across the "New Rejiggered" DC Universe.
On an unlikely site MTV: Geek they mention two Vertigo references to Pandora before yesterday's reveal:

"Pandora #1: She’s the former lover of Shade The Changing Man, from his self titled series… In that, she was a statue made flesh, who disintegrated once Shade’s curious friends opened the box at the base of her pedestal. A few plot points that lend credence to this: Shade is back in the DCU after a long break, first turning up in a Flashpoint mini, then in the currently running Justice League Dark. Additionally, Shade was outside the Universe while the Flashpoint event was happening. We haven’t seen if that had any effect on him (cause he’s a nutbag), but it certainly would explain why the quirky cult character is so front and center in the New 52.

Pandora #2: This option peaks our curiosity, actually, as Pandora was the alias of none other than Eve, the first woman, in Neil Gaiman’s Sandman and all other “Dreaming” related books. In fact, Eve is the first inhabitant of The Dreaming, and potentially a strong candidate to bring that part of the Vertigo Universe back to DC, big time. And what’s a bigger threat to all inhabitants of all worlds than something that threatens the fabric of our minds? Certainly, Eve would want to protect us against that, right? By the way, saying that Eve being Pandora peaks our curiosity was a very funny joke. Didn’t want you to miss that one.
"

Both of these points are valid, but we can only guess as to this Pandora's history and overall intent in this "New Rejiggered 52." So, for now we must wait and see what is going to happen with this mysterious character in 2012. Personally...I'm excited to see what happens!

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Random Comic Pick - Episode 39

My random comic pick on The Comic Conspiracy: Episode 39 is not one title but four. Here are my top four books of 2011:

Justice League by Geoff Johns and drawn by Jim Lee because this title combines two of my favorite creators on one book. Not to mention the fact that this book has been a fan boy's wet dream for many years. I have really enjoyed the four issues we got this year; they have been amazing reads and fantastic to look at. I know there was a lot of hype behind this title, and I do believe it delivered; backing up the hype. It even took the top spot on our top seller list for single issues at Comics Conspiracy. So, if you like great creative collaborations, good comics and you are human you should be reading Justice League.




Detective Comics (#871 - 881) by Scott Snyder and drawn by Jock and Francesco Francavilla was some of the best comic book writing I read all year. I enjoyed reading every issue month to month and I was blown away when I read the collection "The Black Mirror" just before the end of the year. I can understand why this hard cover collection has been sold out and hard to come by; it is amazing. I have recommended this book on the podcast before and I think I will have to officially make it my random comic pick on the next episode. Again all I can say is read this book.




Swamp Thing by Scott Snyder and drawn by Yanick Paquette has been am awesome read from the "New Re-jiggered 52". Much like Ryan's recommendation of Animal Man; Swamp Thing is another great Vertigo title that has been brought over into the DC universe and it still works as an intellectual title that deals with everything . I was blown away when Swamp Thing and Alec Holland came back in the pages of Brightest Day and this series by Scott Snyder (again with this guy) hasn't wasted those events. Give Swamp Thing a try because it is a great book and I know you will like it.




And finally DMZ by Brian Wood and drawn by Riccardo Burchielli is on my list of of favorite titles of 2011 because it had its final issue come out the last Wednesday of the year and this title has been a great read during its entire run. It is sad to see this title go. I have said it before that DMZ is a must read, and I still believe that it is. I actually sent in a fan letter that was published in issue #65 and this was before I knew it was going to finish with issue #72. Give DMZ a try and see for yourself how good this series is.





Remember Comics Conspiracy is a great place to order comics and you can also download comics at the Comics Conspiracy - Comixology Storefront for your computer, tablet or phone.