Wednesday, June 27, 2012

Conspirator Brock's Pull List for 6/27/12

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 6/27/12:

(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 Dark Horse books because you cannot support us currently by buying them through our site.)

01. All Star Western #10 DC
02. American Vampire #28 Vertigo
03. Aquaman #10 DC
04. Batman Incorporated #2 DC
05. Batman: The Dark Knight #10 DC
06. Flash #10 DC
07. Green Lantern: New Guardians #10 DC
08. The Hypernaturals #1 Boom!
09. Justice League #10 DC
10. Justice League Dark #10 DC
11. The Manhattan Projects #4 Image
12. Superman #10 DC
13. Superman Family Adventures #2 DC
14. Voodoo #10 DC

Graphic Novels
Morning Glories: Vol. 3 - P.E. Image
(collects #13-19)

Reading List:

Amazing Spider-Man #688 Marvel
Before Watchmen: Night Owl #1 of 4 DC
Idolized #0 Aspen

Another full pull list this week so lets dive in. I'm obviously looking forward to Justice League, Aquaman, All Star Western, Justice League Dark and American Vampire. There are however some interesting gems this week that I'm excited for as well.
The Hypernaturals from Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning looks to be an interesting read, and since it has been compared to Legion of Superheroes written by the Marvel space guys I'm really looking forward to this title. For the really curious I picked Cover B out of the four main covers available.
I wouldn't consider the Before Watchmen titles gems, but I am interested to see J. Michael Straczynski's take on Night Owl. I think out of all the characters in Watchmen I really enjoyed his story, because it felt real. So we will see if this continuation or prequel keeps my interest in the character.
Ryan Higgins is a sucker sometimes for issue zeros, and so I decided to grab a copy of Idolized #0 from Aspen to see what the book is all about. I'm going to see if it is interesting enough to pick up month to month or something Higgins should have never ordered.
Now that you've spent some time reading my musings about the new books you should really be getting your fix. Happy New Comic Book Day.

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.

Monday, June 25, 2012

Random Comic Pick - Episode 63

My random comic pick on The Comic Conspiracy: Episode 63 is "The New 52" title DC Universe Presents: Vandal Savage written by James Robinson with art by Bernard Chang. The story is intense, and in the vein of Silence of the Lambs, but with Vandal Savage as the homicidal killer that helps his own daughter find the copycat murderer who is out there somewhere reeking havoc in the Vandal Savage way. A must read.
I can understand why some people would shy away from a title like DC Universe Presents. It is an ongoing collection of mini's about random characters in the DC Universe, and this is also exactly why you should be picking up this title. Vandal Savage is the third story arc to come out of this series, and besides the Challengers of the Unknown three issue hiccup, I would say that it has been an amazing title. The first run in DC Universe Presents was about Deadman, and it is worth a read.
You can collect the whole series, but you don't need to. Just follow who is being presented, or the writer, or the artist, and if you can't stay on the stories are short enough that in a few months you can always jump back on with the next random character, writer or artist, and give something new a try.

Remember you can download digital comics at our Comics Conspiracy - Comixology Storefront or you can 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.

Saturday, June 23, 2012

My Step Brother is a Super Hero

Last week my step brother Shawn Ellis saved the life of a seventeen year old girl. I wanted to share this little fact, because the real heroes don't get enough credit.

Click on the link to read all about it. SF CBS Local Article

Their actions where recognized. (Shawn is the Bald one on the right)

Friday, June 22, 2012

Prometheus...Explained!

So, the hate that has turned up over the film Prometheus is still going on. Why? We may never know the answer to that question, but Prometheus has been explained. A Geekbox forum member trippingmartian posted this video review of the entire film from Chris Stuckmann where he goes over the whole story so consider the film spoiled if you watch it.



I really need to get back to the theater and watch Prometheus again!

Original forum post.

Thursday, June 21, 2012

DC Needs To Hire This Guy!

Ryan Higgins showed this to me the other day, and I just had to post it up here. A cartoonist from Washington named Calamity Jon Morris decided to redesign DC comics Archive editions. His designs look fantastic. They are so cool looking that I would be interested in getting some archive volumes if they looked like this (and weren't re-inked, edited or in general "fucked with" content wise).
If you want to see more of these amazing designs click here. I can just see a set of Legion of Super Heroes, Green Lantern, Batman, and my want list would go on and on.
Needless to say again, but I will, "DC NEEDS TO HIRE THIS GUY!"

"Just imagine how nice these spines would look on your book shelf."


For high res photos click here

Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Conspirator Brock's Pull List for 6/20/12

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 6/20/12:

(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 Dark Horse books because you cannot support us currently by buying them through our site.)

01. Batwoman #10 DC
02. Captain Atom #10 DC
03. Catwoman #10 DC
04. DC Universe Presents: Savage #10 DC
05. Fables #118 Vertigo
06. Green Lantern Corps #10 DC
07. Legion of Super-Heroes #10 DC
08. Red Hood and the Outlaws #10 DC
09. Saga #4 Image
10. Star Wars - Dawn of the Jedi: Force Storm #5 Dark Horse
11. Unwritten #38 Vertigo

Graphic Novels
Hellblazer, John Constantine: Vol. 3 - The Fear Machine Vertigo
(collects #14-22)


Reading List:

Astonishing X-Men #51 Marvel
Avengers Vs X-Men #6 Marvel
Before Watchmen: Comedian #1 of 6 DC
Daredevil #14 Marvel
Winter Soldier #7 Marvel

Fairly light week for me this week. I'm okay with that. It gives me some breathing room to pick up other things like toys, t-shirts, or in this week's case a very nice third volume of Hellblazer. I was hesitant at first to attempt to read through this still ongoing series in the previous trade format, because it was by name not volume number, but DC did something right and started to reissue this trade collection with volume numbers. Needless to say I started reading it with volume one, and now I'm hooked. Give it a try if you are so inclined.
Besides my graphic novel grab this week I'm looking forward to Saga, DC Universe Presents, Green Lantern Corps, Catwoman, and Fables. I would be listing Justice League, but it got pushed back to next week. Let's hope it doesn't become the first "New 52" title to ship a month late.
As for my reading list:
1) I threw Astonishing X-Men on there to see how Marvel does a gay marriage.
2) I'm actually excited about Avengers Vs X-Men because we finally don't have to look at John Romita Jr. art. I have one question though; why is Cyclops wearing Nightwing Armor?
3) Before Watchmen has yet to really wow me enough to buy single issues.
4) And to be honest, Daredevil hasn't been really holding my interest. It may get cut from the reading list. We will see.
Well thank you for stopping by. Now go out to your local comic shop or another browser window, and get your fix on this new comic book day.


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.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Prometheus...You Should Read This!

No random comic picks this week, but we do talk about the Prometheus movie after the credits on Episode 62 of The Comic Conspiracy. If you still haven't seen the movie skip the end because of some spoilers, go directly to your local movie theater, and watch Prometheus. After that listen to our wonderful Prometheus talk.
If you are at all interested in the blog post Ryan was directed to on Live Journal (which if you watched the movie you should read period) click here. It is a very insightful and interesting read on the creation myths that Prometheus has intertwined in it. I read the blog post, and now I want to go watch Prometheus again. I think Prometheus is going to be one of those movies that will continue to give us new insight into its inter-workings, and then blow us away again with a director's cut. Thank you Ridley Scott for your vision, and thank you Adrain Bott for your unbound views on Prometheus.

Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Conspirator Brock's Pull List for 6/13/12

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 6/13/12:

(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 Dark Horse books because you cannot support us currently by buying them through our site.)

01. American Vampire: Lord of Nightmares #1 Vertigo
02. Batgirl #10 DC
03. Batman #10 DC
04. Batman and Robin #10 DC
05. Batman: Arkham Unhinged #3 DC
06. Demon Knights #10 DC
07. Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E #10 DC
08. Green Lantern #10 DC
09. Legion Lost #10 DC
10. The Massive #1 Dark Horse
11. Mind The Gap #2 Image
12. Planetoid #1 Image
13. Resurrection Man #10 DC
14. Saucer Country #4 Vertigo
15. The Shade #9 of 12 DC
16. Suicide Squad #10 DC

Mind the Gap #2 was apparently shorted on physical copies so they delayed the digital release.

Reading List:

Amazing Spider-Man #687 Marvel
AvX: Vs #3 of 6 Marvel
Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre #1 of 4 DC
Captain America #13 Marvel
Grifter #10 DC

Better late than never. Sorry again for the delay in getting my pull list up. I have joined the Ryan Higgins club when it comes to dealing with fire. Monday night a fire started in the garage at my mother's house. When they say leave rags out to air out they mean it. Some rags my brother threw in the towel basket that he had used to lacquer the new fence spontaneously combusted, and started a small fire that was lucky caught in time. The damage could have been worse, but no one was hurt, and that is the most important thing.
I have had to spend my days this week over at my mom's dealing with the restoration people and cleaning up. A good portion of my toy collectibles, DVD's and books were in the garage, but lucky for me there was no fire or water damage to my stuff. Just the stank of smoke and chemicals from a fire. So, like Higgins I know have had a taste of what it is like to have my comics, toys and other items exposed to the lovely hazardous odor of smoke. Now it is late at night, and I am finally able to sit down and give you my standard weekly blurb on what I pulled this week in comics.

What can I say about the shit ton of books I have to read this week. Batman, Green Lantern, Suicide Squad and Resurrection Man are on the top of my reading list, and it is BULL SHIT that DC is canceling Resurrection Man.
New American Vampire mini series looks interesting, and how can you go wrong with Scott Snyder right now? You can't.
The new Image series Planetoid by Ken Garing looks interesting. Let's hope it is.
For the most part this week is a fairly solid week of books, and there is a lot to read.
My read only titles this week include the Before Watchmen title, AVX Vs., Captain America, Amazing Spider-man, and Grifter. Marvel books mostly, two DC titles are on the list, because I'm becoming more and more rigid with what gets put on my pull list, and to some extent some of the titles on my read list are getting the same treatment.
That being said Saucer Country is on the chopping block this week. It better wow me or it is gone.

Hopefully you got your fix today, but if you didn't then get out there, and get some comics. Thank you again for being patient with me today.


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.

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

It's Tuesday, Ryan Said What? 6/12/12

It has been a long time since I have had this type of post, but Ryan Higgins was in rare form today because of all of the controversy with the Catwoman #0 cover. He was distracted all day by stupid people on the internet raving that this cover is sexist and shouldn't be allowed to be used. For more on this epic discussion of a pointless nature check out Higgins twitter feed.

I for one think that when people make snap judgments about an image that is obviously stylized, and not really proportionate for a reason they secretly jizzed in their pants over it. There is no shame in jizzing in your pants, but when you lash out at something that doesn't warrant a debate you make the fact that you jizzed in your pants shameful. So, to all of the fucking idiots out there on the internet with nothing better to do today I hope you had enough time between typing out your nerd raging rant about Catwoman #0 to clean up the jizz in your pants. Anyway, enough with the jizz talk.


Ryan said this about what it feels like to talk to a non-responsive conversationalist.

Fucking talk mute!

I guess you just had to be there.

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

Random Comic Pick - Episode 61

My random comic picks on The Comic Conspiracy: Episode 61 were two magazines: Creator Owned Heroes and Bleeding Cool. One is a creator driven comic/magazine hybrid from Image and the other is an online comic news/gossip site in the physical form of a comic sized magazine. Both have different takes, and both are books you should check out.

Creator-Owned Heroes is a comic/magazine from Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, Phil Noto, Steve Niles, and Kevin Mellon, which includes (as the top of the cover advertises), "Two Great Comics * Interviews * Cosplay and More!" I will attest that is did have all these things, and they were very interesting and enjoyable. Issue one was a good start to this mash-up of Tales to Astonish, and the middle section of a magazine. Both comics, Trigger Girl 6 and American Muscle, were interesting, and grabbed my attention enough to make me want to see what else happens. The interviews, and other little opinion pieces were honest and a quick, but insightful read. Overall, I enjoyed reading through this book because it was nice to have something on my pull list that took me more than seven minutes to read. This format is a good one for this type of title from Image comics, and it may change to test the waters, but I hope it keeps going, because if you like trying something new or are tired of the crap the major publishers are pumping out then you should give Creator Owned Heroes a try.
After we recorded Episode 61: Charlie, Toby, Omar and our live studio audience Jim each grabbed a copy of Creator Owned Heroes off the shelf to give it a read. We are now out of the issue, but if you show some interest I think Higgins will try and restock the shelves and when issue two comes out he may bump his orders. Let him know by calling (408) 245-6275.


If you are into comics you have probably been to Bleeding Cool.com a time or two. Well now you can have Bleeding Cool at home in the magazine bin by your toilet. Bleeding Cool #0 came out last week and it was a soft release that was packed with interviews and features, a Walking Dead price guide, a retailer list (which we are on) and a few other things. Now there hasn't been a industry spanning magazine for comic books since Wizard Magazine was cancelled over a year ago. So, why try and release a comic book magazine when the market for those media types is dying? Why not? The comic book industry may not need a comic news magazine anymore, but it does need something for people to be able to go to for information. I have personally had people ask me in the store if we have Wizard Magazine, and they seem disappointed that there isn't a go to publication to gauge where comics are, and where they are going in the coming months. Well, Rich Johnston of Bleeding Cool.com thought that it was time to give you the comic fans a magazine that does more than just give you gossip, but gives you insight into the comic book industry itself.
In October you will get the first real taste of Bleeding Cool with issue number 1. It will be over 100 pages, and filled with opinions, interviews and information; everything a comic book reader could want. Hopefully it will be a success and continue. The plan is to have an issue every two months, and I for one am excited to see this type of risk being taken in a time when magazine print is dying, because the industry lost a piece of its core when Wizard Magazine died, and I think that Bleeding Cool has the potential to replace that missing piece. If you haven't picked up the zero issue of Bleeding Cool you should. It is only a buck fifty, and it will, like I said earlier, give you something to read while you drop the kids off at the pool.

Both of these titles are worth checking out, and I hope that you do.

Remember you can download digital comics at our Comics Conspiracy - Comixology Storefront or you can 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.

Monday, June 11, 2012

Prometheus...So Good!

Prometheus gave fire to man to level the playing field with the gods. He was punished with agony and suffering for all eternity. Since man received that first piece of technology he has always reached far and wide for more without realizing that the price may be to much to pay. Ridley Scott’s beautiful film Prometheus gives us a story about reaching to far to obtain the answers that have plagued man for centuries, and the consequences of looking to hard for our origin can sometimes be the thing that destroys us. The story presented in Prometheus is so simple that it catches like a fire; slow at first and then it quickly turns into a blaze that won’t be contained.

Their seemed to be two extreme views about this film that people got from the previews. One was that Prometheus was going to be this generations 2001: A Space Odyssey, and the other was that this was to be the Alien origin story audiences have wanted to see for years. Both of these groups were to be quickly disappointed. The film isn't one thing in particular. It is a film about asking questions, and from this curiousness Aliens are born. In addition, the film shows us that it isn’t necessarily the grand scheme that gives it all meaning. It is sometimes the small somethings that when allowed to grow have the potential to be so much more.

Prometheus is a spectacular movie filled with beautiful cinematic views, a memorable spacecraft, and CG that is more than just eye candy; it is like a visual shot of adrenaline. To say that this movie should not be missed on the big screen would be the truth.

As with previous Ridley Scott films there seemed to be something missing at points, and I wouldn't be surprised if this version of the film is not entirely Ridley Scott’s. If Prometheus gets a director's cut I hope it is on the same level of excellence as the director's cut of Kingdom of Heaven. Maybe that is the 10/11/12 announcement?

Go see Prometheus. It is a story about life, death, creation and our favorite species of alien. All the hype, and premature expectations aside it is a film that gives us a story that just "is", and it is left to the viewer to decide if that is enough.

Wednesday, June 6, 2012

Conspirator Brock's Pull List for 6/6/12

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 6/6/12:

(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 #10 DC
02. Animal Man #10 DC
03. Batwing #10 DC
04. Bleeding Cool #0
05. Creator-Owned Heroes #1 Image
06. Detective Comics #10 DC
07. Dial H #2 DC
08. Earth 2 #2 DC
09. Fairest #4 Vertigo
10. Harbinger #1 Valiant
11. Justice League International #10 DC
12. Red Lanterns #10 DC
13. Smallville: Season 11 #2 DC
14. Super Dinosaur #11 Image
15. Swamp Thing #10 DC
16. Thief of Thieves #5 Image
17. Worlds' Finest #2 DC
18. X-O Manowar #2 Valiant

Graphic Novels
Walking Dead: Vol. 16 - A Larger World (TPB - collects #91-96) Image

Reading List:
Avengers Vs X-Men #5 Marvel
Before Watchmen: Minute Men #1 of 6 DC
Winter Soldier #6 Marvel

This month my titles have grown, but I don't mind so much; there are some really great books to read this week. Animal Man, Swamp Thing, Earth 2, Dial H, and Thief of Thieves are on the top of my list of must reads for the week. I think the biggest news will be the coming out of Alan Scott in Earth 2, and the reactions to Before Watchmen. I am glad for the first, and indifferent towards the second. As for the rest of my pull list I can't wait to dive in, and read me some comics.

As for some of the other titles on my pull list I have added X-O Manowar to my pull list because I did enjoy the first issue ,and I'm curious to see where we go with the title. Since Valiant hooked me with X-O Manowar I decided to go ahead and pick up Harbinger #1 to check it out. I read a preview of this book, and it looked interesting. Let's hope it is.

Two odd additions to my pull list this week are magazines. The first is the comic/slash magazine Creator-Owned Heroes from Image comics. The title looks interesting enough to give it a try. It advertises two comics, an interview, some cosplay, and more across the top so for $3.99 it doesn't break my bank if I end up liking this title. The interview in this issue is with Neil Gaiman so I think there is a good enough reason to check out the first issue of this semi comic magazine.
The second magazine is Bleeding Cool.com's print version titled just Bleeding Cool. I'm actually really excited to check this bad boy out. There hasn't been a good comic book magazine like Wizard (before they went to the list format) for some time, and I personally miss having something that has the potential to spark some conversation with my non-comic book friends.
Rich Johnston is taking a huge risk in attempting to start a print magazine for comics, but I think with great risk will come some great pay off. The #0 issue which I picked up is only $1.49, and I already think it will be a nice little addition to my pull list. The magazine is slated to be on a bi-monthly schedule, 100 pages, and issue one is suppose to hit stores in October. I'm looking forward to it. I have to also mention that Comics Conspiracy is listed on the Retailer List which is on page 38. Easy to find: second column on the top. You should just pick up Bleeding Cool #0, because of that.

Well I've been rambling on for some time, but I wanted to say a few words about my reading list. Marvel titles are still off of my pull pile, and I don't see that changing anytime soon. As for Before Watchmen not making it onto my pull list I don't care enough to justify buying this book. With all the controversy surrounding DC and this title I figure I'll treat it the same way I treat Marvel. I'll read it, if I like it enough I'll buy the trade, but other wise I have other things I like that I could be spending my money on.

Enough of me ranting, and taking up you time on this "New Comic Book Day", which also happens to be the Transit of Venus. So, get down to your local shop for your weekly dose, and with protective eye wear check out Venus crossing in front of the sun.

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.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Random Anime Pick - Episode 60

My random "Anime" pick on The Comic Conspiracy: Episode 60 is a film called Princess Mononoke that was written, and directed by Hayao Miyazaki of Studio Ghibli. The movie at its core is a piece about the conflicts between nature and technology, which is shown in an amazing, and gripping way in the film.
It was released in Japan on July 12, 1997, and then in the United States on October 29, 1999. I became interested in the film because of the mass advertisements about the voice talent used in dubbing the film over for an American audience. Here is a list of the American voice actors who made the English Dub accessible (in my opinion) to a larger audience:

Billy Crudup - Ashitaka
Billy Bob Thornton - Jigo
Minnie Driver - Lady Eboshi
John Di Maggio - Gonza
Claire Danes - San
John DeMita - Kohroku
Jada Pinkett Smith - Toki
Gillian Anderson - Moro
Keith David - Okkoto
Corey Burton - Additional voices
Tara Strong - Additional voices (as Tara Charandoff)

The film is beautiful to watch and very engaging and I highly recommend it for anyone who has an interest in cartoons. A funny thing about this film I was not aware that Neil Gaiman had some adaption credits on this until recently and so now I like the film a little bit more. Go check it out for yourself though.

Remember you can download digital comics at our Comics Conspiracy - Comixology Storefront or you can 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.