30,000 Page Hits! (And I Know One Was Higgins)

There have been, as of this post, over 30,000 page hits on Conspirator Brock.com. This is amazing, and all thanks to you, the reader for checking out my little blog corner of the internet, leaving comments, and liking the blog on your social network of choice. The sites popularity is growing (In part due to two Hooded Women; thank you Pandora and Michonne.), and I am going to keep at it to make your visits entertaining.

Quick Timeline:

04/06/11 - 1st post
08/05/11 - 5,000 page hits
10/16/11 - 10,000 page hits
03/14/12 - 20,000 page hits
05/31/12 - 30,000 page hits
The Future - Many More

Remember to keep listening to The Comic Conspiracy, and don't forget to tell your friends about us we want them hooked too.

DC, Geoff Johns, Daughtry, and the Avengers Connection

Geoff Johns tweeted this photo thanking artist Daughtry for his performance to help out the We Can be Heroes campaign. I don't know about you, but Daughtry is wearing the same Black Sabbath shirt that Tony Stark was wearing in the Avengers movie. Is it coencidence, a small jab at DC, or just stylish?

Anyway, did anyone else notice that Tony's chest arc reactor didn't always glow through his shirts in every scene? Just curious.

Conspirator Brock's Pull List for 5/30/12

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 5/30/12:

(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. America's Got Powers #2 Image
02. American Vampire #27 Vertigo
03. Animal Man Annual #1 DC
04. Batman Annual #1 DC
05. A Game of Thrones #8 Dynamite
06. Peter Panzerfaust #4 Image
07. The Ravagers #1 DC
08. Superman Family Adventures #1 DC

Graphic Novels
Fables: The Deluxe Edition - Vol. 5 (HC - collects #34-45) Vertigo

Another fifth week month, but this time around there are some great titles filling the sparse shelves: Batman Annual, Animal Man Annual, Peter Panzerfaust, American Vampire, Game of Thrones and America's Got Powers are the ones I'm really looking forward to.
I am going to give The Ravagers a try even though I'm not a big fan of the Teen Titan book or Superboy.
I also wanted to start reading to Brody more, and so I decided to pick up the Superman Family Adventures to see if it can be a good bed time read. Hope he likes it.
Small week, but still some great titles to pick up, and a fantastic hardcover to add to your Fables collection doesn't hurt either. Now get to digitally downloading (legally of course) or heading out to your local comic shop for your "New Comic Day" fix.

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.

My Letter to "To Be Continued..."

Brian K. Vaughan asked his readers to send in letters and so I did. Maybe one day I'll see this in print in the back of a Saga issue in the "To Be Continued..." pages. One can hope, but I decided to let everyone read it here. Enjoy:

Dear Brian,

Saga is a great book. I’m enjoying it for numerous reasons. The first being your cross between a world of science fiction and a world of fantasy; it is an interesting mix that makes me curious to see more with every issue.

Another reason why I enjoy Saga is the fact that I am a new father, and I feel that strong parenting bond with these characters. My son Brody turned a year old in May, and this first year with him and his mother (my wonderful girlfriend) has been an awesome adventure.

Saga is an amazing book; keep up the good work, and keep exposing us to the hybrid world you have created. It has a character of its own that I want to see so much more of.

You had a survey in issue two. Here are my answers.

2012 Saga Reader Survey:

01) 32

02) Santa Clara, CA

03) A lot. The average amount of issues on my pull list is about fifteen books. Mostly DC, but Image has started to make a dent. No Marvel titles, because I’m following the advice of Ed Brubaker. I’m voting with my money.

04) I get my books from Comics Conspiracy (www.comicsconspiracy.biz) in Sunnyvale, CA. I also work there, and we record two podcasts at the shop: The Comic Conspiracy which is about comics and relatable content, and The Geekbox which is a gaming podcast. (Both can be found at www.geekbox.net).

05) Hulk would SMASH Rorschach. I wonder what Rorschach pattern this would make on the ground? And would it change?

06) Sure, but I would have to run it by my girlfriend first.

07) Boredom + Stupidity x Any drug = Bad Idea

08) I have not seen Haywire so I cannot comment on this.

09) My second greatest regret is not traveling the world.

10) Twitch or Dust Particle or Worse

11) I haven’t spent enough time in New York to find out.

12) Nope. James Bond is the shit. If he likes his women shaken not stirred then that is his prerogative.

13) I’d give up chocolate. I love cheese burgers, cheese on salad, and tomatoes with sliced cheese to much.

14) Sesame Street Live! It was an early one year birthday present for my son from his mother. I used to do set construction in high school and college, so I’ve seen a fair amount of stage plays. You’ve reminded me to try to go to more. Batman Live might be the next one.

15) He works at Image right?

16) Michelangelo

17) No, but if you are ever in the Bay Area, and would like to have dinner with me and my family let me know.

18) I haven’t seen Lost yet, but it is on my list of TV shows to check out. But if I was stranded on an island I would have to say I would my father to be there, because we would have a better chance of surviving.

19) My last doctor’s appointment.

20) Nope.

21) Neither. I never really went to the library often enough to get to know the librarian, and I stopped playing baseball and soccer, because they didn’t interest me enough. Teachers had a bigger influence on me over the years.

22) I am writing a screenplay with a fellow creator, working on my blog, and I’m trying to capture inspiration to make it into a drug that I can mass produce for myself.

23) Haven’t abandoned any of them, just haven’t gotten a writing schedule down. Being a new father takes up a lot of my time.

24) I am working on it. My replies to your interesting survey will end up on my blog (www.conspiratorbrock.com).

25) A desk. Weary creators’ have to rest their heads on something.

I have some questions for you:

01) What B, C, or D list comic book character is your favorite?

02) What B, C, or D list comic book team is your favorite?

03) What form do you write your comic book scripts in, and is there a good book to read up on this?

04) What is your biggest vice?

05) What pisses you off to no end?

06) When you write what helps you keep focused?

07) Would you want a working bowel disruptor gun or the lasso of truth?

08) What was your first comic book, read or bought that got you hooked on comics?

09) Sandwich or salad?

10) Your alcoholic beverage of choice?

Writing a letter sucks, but I want to thank you for making me do it. Like I’ve already said, keep up the great work and I can’t wait to read more about Alana, Marko and Hazel’s journey, because in some small way I know my own is the same.

Sincerely,

Brock Sager

P.S. I had to type this letter because I have chicken scratch handwriting that is best left in the pages of my journals.

Earth 2 Alan Scott Is Coming "Out"

DC has not yet confirmed this officially, but Rich Johnston of Bleeding Cool has it from a reliable source out of Phoenix Comic Con that the DC character getting a sexuality "rejiggering" is Alan Scott of Earth 2. I am not surprised by this considering Alan Scott was on the top of my list of potential characters DC was looking at sexuality "rejiggering".
Some people have been up in arms about this change (AFewThousandGCBs excluded), and have pointed out the fact that if Alan Scott is gay then how did he father two other characters: Obsidian (Todd James Rice) and Jade (Jennifer-Lynn Hayden)? To those very narrow minded individuals I say shut up, and wait to see how this plays out. Obsidian and Jade are not currently in the "New 52" universe, and they have yet to make an appearance in any of the Earth 2 titles so they may not come into play in this "New 52".
Even if DC did decide to bring them into the "New 52" it is not unheard of that a gay man has fathered children. I'm interested to see how this will play out for the back story on Alan. We will just have to wait and see.
So, congrats to Alan Scott for his courage to come out of the closet, even though we already had a feeling; what with the green flame, and a weakness for wood.


Bleeding Cool Post: Yes, America Its Alan Scott

My Letter to DC and Marvel about the "Gay" Issue

OneMillionMoms.com is at it again with the boycotting train with the "gay" topics coming out of Marvel and DC. Really, AFewThousandGCBs don't have anything better to do than try and make sure that comic book issues sell out. I went to the OneMillionMoms.com website and found a pre-written letter (with numerous grammatical errors) which I have listed below. Read and laugh:

"As a parent and a member of OneMillionMoms.com, I am extremely disappointed that you would use a children's superhero character to help endorse same-sex marriage and glorify the homosexual lifestyle. It is disgusting that your company would participate in introducing sexual orientation to children when they are not equipped to understand what sexual preferences involve.

Unfortunately, children are now being exposed to same-sex marriage and the gay lifestyle choice in your comic books. Gay adults do not need superheroes as role models. Your company is damaging impressionable young minds by placing these gay characters on pedestals in a positive light. As a Christian, I know that homosexuality is a sin. The Bible states this clearly in Romans 1:26-27.

A comic book is the last place a parent would expect to be confronted with questions from their children on topics that are too complicated for them to understand. Issues of this nature are being introduced too early and too soon, which is extremely unnecessary.

Please do the right thing and reverse your decision to have sexual orientation displayed to young readers. My decision to support your company and parent company depends on it.

I look forward to hearing from you regarding my concern."

Here was the letter I wanted to send to DC and Marvel:

As a parent, and in no way a member of OneMillionMoms.com, I support your decision to help endorse same-sex marriage. It is encouraging to see that your company would participate in an equal representation of sexual orientation in your comics.

Now children and adults will be exposed to same-sex marriage, and the gay lifestyle to show that everyone has a choice. Gay or straight everyone needs to have good role models. Superheroes are excellent role models. Your company is not damaging impressionable young minds by placing these gay characters on pedestals in a positive light. Poor parents allow hate to fester in children, and force beliefs on impressionable minds (isn't that brain washing?), and this leads to the repression of rights. This needs to stop. As a Non-Christian, I know that homosexuality is not a sin. And most Christians will quote the Bible without actually quoting it. So, you'll have to look it up yourself. Which version of the Bible should you use? I never know.

A comic book isn't the last place a parent would expect to be confronted with questions from their children on topics that are too complicated for them to understand. Issues of this nature are being introduced too early and too soon, I agree, but parents need to be aware of what their children are viewing, and parent accordingly.

Please do the right thing and stick to your decision to have different sexual orientations displayed to readers. My decision to support your company and parent company doesn't depend on this issue, but a more complicated one which I don't want to go into now.

I look forward to hearing from you regarding my non-concern.

OneMillionMoms.com is a joke, and if you think so then make up a letter of your own to send to DC or Marvel in support of what they are doing. Or if you like you can contact OneMillionMoms.com and let them know how you feel about their ridiculous campaigns of hate.

Conspirator Brock's Pull List for 5/23/12

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 5/23/12:

(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 #9 DC
02. Aquaman #9 DC
03. Batman Incorporated #1 DC
04. Batman: The Dark Knight #9 DC
05. Fables #117 Vertigo
06. Flash #9 DC
07. Green Lantern: New Guardians #9 DC
08. Justice League Dark #9 DC
09. Superman #9 DC
10. Unwritten #37 Vertigo
11. Voodoo #9 DC

Reading List:

Amazing Spider-Man #686 Marvel
Captain America #12 Marvel
Teen Titans #9 DC

This week is a light one for me, which is a nice change of pace. All Star Western, Aquaman, Fables, and Justice League Dark are the titles I'm looking forward to this week. All Star Western and The Dark Knight are tied into Night of the Owls, and I'm really curious to see how Jonah Hex and the Court of Owls cross paths.
Jeff Lemire takes up writing Justice League Dark with this issue, and I'm excited to see where Lemire is going to take this title. New Members, and the start of something that most likely ties into Trinity War, Justice League Dark is building up steam, and you should check it out.
The Culling crossover concludes this week. We will see if the Lost Legion and the Teen Titans can defeat Harvest. No matter the outcome The Culling Aftermath will continue with Ravagers #1 out next week, which I will be picking up.
Voodoo is most likely on the chopping block. I haven't been overly impressed with the title, but I've been hopeful. So, we will see if Voodoo can impress me enough to stay on my pull list. Stay tuned to find out.
Marvel had a couple of titles make it onto my reading list this week, and I am looking forward to Captain America. The title has the real Ed Brubaker feel and I'm glad the art has returned to something that works with his writing style. As for Amazing Spider-Man, I wish the end of this story arch would come, and the end of Dan Slott's tenure on the title, but those things won't happen anytime soon. Amazing Spider-Man might be a title that finds its way off of my reading list. A shame.
It's time to get to it. Go get your fix, read some comics, and enjoy 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.

Random Comic Pick - Episode 58

My random comic picks on The Comic Conspiracy: Episode 58 were in response to @mrawdon's tweet "Best comic or graphic novel you've read published in the last year by someone other than DC, Marvel or Image?"
Here they are in alphabetical order.

First off I have been enjoying the Dynamite comic book adaptation of A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, Daniel Abraham with art from Tommy Patterson. Even though I recently read the novel, and watched the HBO series I am really excited to get a little dose of A Song of Ice and Fire on my pull list every month.
I would highly recommend this title to anyone who wanted to read a good cross media adaptation. Game of Thrones the comic book is another take on the world Martin created, and it does not disappoint.
If you have no clue as to what I am talking about with Game of Thrones then you need to come out from under a rock. This is an epic story that doesn't place nice and will leave you wanting more.



Sixth Gun keeps coming up as one of my picks, and for good reason; it is an amazing comic from Oni Press by Cullen Bunn with art by Brian Hurtt.
If you are still searching for something that isn't DC, Marvel or Image then you should really get to checking out Sixth Gun. It is a good old Americana story filled with supernatural things, Civil War ties, secret societies, and a rich sense of history.
When the last graphic novel came out I blew through it so fast and it was because it was a quick read, but because it is such a great title that I couldn't put it down. Check out Sixth Gun people you won't be disappointed.

Check these books out. They are worth it.

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.

Dan Didio "Love Letter to Watchmen" Translated

Dan Didio spoke with The Guardian in defense of the Before Watchmen titles. I would like to translate some of what Didio said:

"We're not going to shy away from the controversy on this – as a matter of fact we're embracing it because we have belief in the strength of the product and stand behind it."

What Didio is really saying here is even bad publicity can make you some money and DC Comics is going to run with the bad PR because Before Watchmen will make a shit load of money.

"Honestly, it dates back to when we started the 'New 52' line of books and relaunched the entire DC universe. The industry we saw was fading, for several reasons, whether the strength of the product or the fact there's been so many other distractions taking people away from buying comics. We saw our sales not just in DC but across the industry starting to flag a bit and we knew we had to do something about it, take some dramatic steps in order to reinvigorate our fan base and get people excited about comics again."

If you read all of the last quote I apologize. Didio is basically saying that DC Comics didn't make enough money, and that they needed to do something to increase the profits. So, get people interested in comics; meaning get people to spend money so the profits go up and some suit can get a new house or boat.

"Once we reintroduced our line it gave us the strength to say we should look at other things that we knew would excite the fans. When you have a product like Watchmen that is as worldwide known as it is, and the fact there are millions of copies in print, we wouldn't be doing our jobs if we didn't go out and say, 'is there other ways we can grow new material from this?' We went out and reached the original creators and they had passed, but we still believed this was the right choice to make. And in doing so we went out with the strongest creators possible, so while you may question the decision you can't question the quality of the product and the quality of the people behind the product."

Translation: Growing "New Material" basically means exploit content to make money, and when you say quality product from quality creators that means we know you will throw your money at a name.

This next quote is in response to Alan Moore's comments about Before Watchmen to the New York Times, "as a kind of eager confirmation that [DC] are still apparently dependent on ideas that I had 25 years ago", and "completely shameless".

"Honestly I can understand why he might feel the way he does because this is a personal project to him. He has such a long and illustrious career and he's been able to stand behind the body of work he's created. But quite honestly the idea of something shameless is a little silly, primarily because I let the material speak for itself and the quality of the material speak for itself."

Alan you are being silly, and we love it because it adds to the bad PR!

Expectations of Before Watchmen, "hopefully inspire other creators along the way. In the way he was inspired by the creators when he was younger, we're hoping these ideas and these books are inspiring new people, so that we continue to grow the comics business as a whole."

We hope that Before Watchmen brings in a shit load of money that will allow my bank account to grow.

The Guardian reporter Alison Flood then asked if there would be more Watchmen titles after this. To that Didio responded with, "At this point the audience will decide that."

If it makes enough money then hell yeah!

I hope this has been helpful in understanding the corporate speak that Dan Didio is slopping out to justify Before Watchmen. If it sells well (and it will) you will see more from the World of Watchmen, and the quality that Didio repeatedly insists is there will fade too nothing. Watchmen is well on its way to becoming an even bigger money making machine; that will keep profits up, creators down, and you, the fan, entertained in the dark.


Sources:
The Guardian Article By: Alison Flood
CBR: Robot 6 By: Kevin Melrose

Avengers Vs X-Men #0 - 4, and VS #1,2 Review

Avengers Vs X-Men is Marvel's big event this year, and if you haven't already heard it is going to be a slugfest of epic proportions that will rock the very foundations of the Marvel Universe. Should you care? Maybe. But I sure don't.

I have now read five issues of Avengers Vs X-Men and two issues of the fight book VS. In seven books AvX has delivered a big pile of disappointment. The main AvX title has given readers a solicitation to read other books, which for a couple of titles you seem to need to read the stories to figure out what the hell is going on. But for those of you who don't know the Phoenix Force is coming to possess Hope of the X-Men. In five issues Hope has shown signs of being empowered with the Phoenix Force, but the Phoenix Force hasn't yet come to Earth. I could go on, but I figure I should just give you a simple list of things that suck about AvX:

1) The art from John Romita Jr. is horrid.
2) The story doesn't give the reader any substance, the dialogue is retched, and I fear what comes with every issue. The sad part about this is that some of the top talent in the industry are writing it: Brian Michael Bendis, Jason Aaron, Jonathan Hickman, Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction.
3) Really...That's how you have Scarlet Witch and Vision interact?
4) What the fuck are those rods for?
5) Wolverine can be lead with cans of beer...seriously!
6) Emma Frost is that powerful?
7) Marvel AR is a complete pile of shit that gives you extras that are a waste of the creative effort put into them.

Marvel hasn't been hitting any high marks with their event books in the past few years with me. I want to like something like this event, but it is really bad.

When all he dust settles after AvX ends I think we will see something that will change the Marvel Universe in a way that will have dire consequences if it isn't done properly. Maybe this is the end of Marvel 616, but the true believers out there will just have to wait and suffer through AvX to see what becomes of Marvel. I can only guess how this AvX is going to end:

1) Scarlet Witch says "No More Phoenix Force."
2) Hope controls the Phoenix Force and all is happy in the Marvel Universe.
3) Jean Grey Returns and then dies again.
4) The Marvel Universe gets reset to a time before House of M.
5) The Skrulls make a come back and Annihilate everything.
6) Scarlet Witch says "No More Marvel," and we end up getting Disney Comics.

All of these might sound like ridiculous, but the fact that people are eating up this AvX stuff is even more ridiculous. Especially if you look at the VS title which has been completely ridiculous Magneto losing to Iron Man, Namor losing underwater, Gambit gets his ass handed to him because Captain America can't lose, and Spider-Man cops out which means Colossus wins by default. Predicable and lame are the two words I would use to describe the VS title, which was suppose to be just an all out fight book that readers could really enjoy.

Avengers Vs X-Men is going to sell well, but in the end it will be another crappy event book in a long line of crappy event books. I wish this wasn't the case. I would like to see a quality event book come from Marvel, but when the goal is to make a shit load of money in the short term, you lose the quality that would make a shit load of money over a long period of time. AvX will fade into the ether just like Fear Itself, Secret Invasion, Siege, and Chaos War (to name a few). Such a shame.

Conspirator Brock's Pull List for 5/16/12

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 5/16/12:

(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 #9 DC
02. Captain Atom #9 DC
03. Catwoman #9 DC
04. Danger Club #2 Image
05. DC Universe Presents: Savage #9 DC
06. Green Lantern Corps #9 DC
07. Justice League #9 DC
08. Legion of Super-Heroes #9 DC
09. The Manhattan Projects #3 Image
10. Nightwing #9 DC
11. Red Hood and the Outlaws #9 DC
12. Saga #3 Image
13. Saucer Country #3 Vertigo
14. The Shade #8 of 12 DC
15. Star Wars - Dawn of the Jedi: Force Storm #4 Dark Horse
16. Thief of Thieves #4 Image

Graphic Novels
Catwoman: Vol. 1 - The Game (TPB - collects #1-6) DC
Green Lantern: Vol. 1 - Sinestro (HC - collects #1-6) DC

Reading List:

Avengers Vs X-Men #4 Marvel
AvX: Vs #2 of 6 Marvel
Birds of Prey #9 DC
Daredevil #13 Marvel
Winter Soldier #5 Marvel


First off I would like to wish a Happy Birthday to my little brother, who turns twenty-seven today.
Now that that is out of the way let's get to my pull list. The titles I'm really looking forward to are Thief of Thieves, Saga, Justice League, and all the tie in issues surrounding Night of the Owls. These titles are so good, and I can't wait to dive in.
DC Universe Presents makes its return to my pull list with the Savage story arc. I'm hoping it is a good one because Dan Didio's Challengers of the Unknown was unbearable. Thankfully I only read the first part.
DC's New 52 trades are coming out regularly now. I may have to start selling blood to get all the ones I want.
Marvel dominates my reading list (like normal), but I haven't been overly impressed with Avengers Vs X-Men or the Vs title. Let's see if Marvel can deliver with these issues, but I highly doubt it.
Now that you have spent a few moments reading over my pull list get out to your local comic book store, because it is new comic book day people!


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 has been a year...

Today is my son's 1st birthday. I can't believe that I have been a father for a year now. He is growing so fast.

Brody likes to play with his food, flip through his picture books, and watch Elmo, Monsters INC, and Rango. He doesn't like having his diaper changed, baby food, or going down for the night. His recent achievement though has been to pull himself up to be standing in his crib.

This next year will hopefully be filled with more laughing, walking, and using utensils to eat. Also this year I will try and read to him more. He already enjoys books, and I want to keep him interested in reading. A father can hope.

Happy 1st Birthday Son!

Conspirator Brock's Pull List for 5/9/12

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 5/9/12:

(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. Batgirl #9 DC
02. Batman #9 DC
03. Batman and Robin #9 DC
04. Batman: Arkham Unhinged #2 DC
05. Demon Knights #9 DC
06. Fairest #3 Vertigo
07. Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E #9 DC
08. Green Lantern #9 DC
09. Legion Lost #9 DC
10. Resurrection Man #9 DC
11. Suicide Squad #9 DC


Graphic Novels
Batman: Vol. 1 - The Court Of Owls (HC - collects #1-7) DC


Reading List:

Captain America #11 Marvel
Deathstroke #9 DC
Grifter #9 DC
Higher Earth #1 Boom!
Superboy #9 DC


Interesting week this week. I am looking forward all of the titles on my pull list this week, but some are on the bottom of the pile (save the best for last): Batman, Green Lantern, Resurrection Man, and Suicide Squad. Legion Lost and Superboy continue The Culling cross-over, which will introduce The Ravengers coming out later this month. Lots of good stuff coming out from DC, but I had to move a couple of titles off my pull list, and onto my reading list: Deathstroke and Grifter. Rob Liefeld has taken over writing on both and art on Deathstroke, and I have a strong feeling that these books are going to get the axe soon. I'm reading them to see if I can stomach his art and writing. We will see if either of these books makes it back onto my pull list...doubtful.
I want to commend Marvel for finally doing the right thing and supporting local comic book shops through Comixology. Late to the party, but we are glad you are here.
The week also marks the first time all of the titles on my pull and reading lists are available on Comixology where you can support Comics Conspiracy when you buy your digital comics. Finally!
I am still a little bit behind in my reading , but hopefully I will catch up this week. Now get to your computer or local comic book shop to get your fix; it's 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.

I knew this would happen...

I called it after I watched Avengers; shawarma sales would increase way more than comic book sales.

"However, "The Avengers" isn't only selling movie tickets -- it's selling shawarma! According to TMZ, a scene in the film (no spoilers!) has led to a spike in demand for the meat wraps. In fact, the manager of Ro Ro's Chicken in Hollywood says that shawarma sales jumped 80 percent in the days after the movie's opening." --From CBR

Did sales of Avengers comics increase in Hollywood at Golden Apple comics after the movie came out? Maybe, but not 80%.

Marvel Comics Finally Does Something Right

Since the push to day and date digital Marvel Comics has bucked the system, and not gone the route of DC, Image, and other independents, which was to support local comic book stores with digital Comixology store fronts by giving them a piece of the digital money pie. After many gimmicks, wasted codes, and fan outrage Marvel comics has finally made the right decision to support local comic shops with a piece of the digital pie.
All I can say to this is, "FINALLY!

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.

Random Comic Pick - Episode 56

My random comic pick on The Comic Conspiracy: Episode 56 is the Marvel Comics title The Ultimates Collection written by Ryan Higgins arch nemesis Mark Millar with art by Bryan Hitch.
The Ultimates Collection collects the first and second volumes of The Ultiamtes. This series from Marvel's Ultimate Universe is an incarnation of the Avengers for a new generation of readers. The movie has some influence from these stories, and I enjoyed them when I read them despite the fact that they were written by Mark Millar.
If you watched The Avengers Movie and want to read some Avengers comics I would recommend The Ultimates Collection. You can stop reading after the first two volumes, because Ultimates 3 and beyond are just garbage.
Some of the other recommendations for Avengers reading from my fellow conspirators were: the Kurt Busiek run on Avengers called Avengers: Assemble, The West Coast Avengers, Operation: Galactic Storm, and The Kree / Skrull War.


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.

Conspirator Brock's Pull List for 5/02/12

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 5/2/12:

(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 #9 DC
02. Animal Man #9 DC
03. Batwing #9 DC
04. Detective Comics #9 DC
05. Dial H #1 DC
06. Earth 2 #1 DC
07. Justice League International #9 DC
08. Mind The Gap #1 Image
09. Red Lanterns #9 DC
10. Smallville: Season 11 #1 DC
11. Swamp Thing #9 DC
12. Worlds' Finest #1 DC


Graphic Novels
Animal Man: Vol. 1 - The Hunt (TPB - collects #1-6) DC
Justice League: Vol. 1 - Origin (HC - collects #1-6) DC
X-Men: X-tinction Agenda (HC) Marvel


Reading List:

Amazing Spider-Man #685 Marvel
Avengers Vs X-Men #3 Marvel
Daredevil #12 Marvel
Teen Titans Annual #1 DC
Wolverine and the X-Men: Alpha & Omega #5 of 5
X-O Manowar #1 Valiant

Lots of stuff happening this week, but I'll get to that. I have to let you know that I am really looking forward to Animal Man, Swamp Thing, Smallville: Season 11, and the beginning of the second wave of titles from the "New Rejiggered 52". Four books to be specific: Dial H, Earth 2, G.I. Combat, and Worlds' Finest. I'm getting most of them, but check them out for yourself. You might enjoy some of the new things DC is throwing readers with these books.

Another thing that is happening this week is the first parts of the Culling and Night of the Owls cross-overs, which from the prelude issues I must say that I am excited to check these little events out.

If you hadn't noticed you should take note of the two graphic novels I picked up today, because you should be picking them up too: Animal Man: Vol. 1 - The Hunt (TPB) and Justice League: Vol. 1 - Origin (HC). These are the first two graphic novels from the "New 52" and according to Ryan Higgins they are a step int he right direction for DC's trade department. I'll let you know my opinion when I read through them.

Valiant Comics makes its return to the publishing world with the release of X-O Manowar #1. I was never a big fan of Valiant before, but I'm going to give it a try this week.

As for Marvel this week they didn't really bring much to the table. I can honestly say that AvX isn't something I look forward to reading, and I'm afraid that it will get worse, and never get better. The last Daredevil book that concluded the Omega Effect story was horrid and I hope this new issue can redeem the series. Wolverine and the X-Men: Alpha and Omega concludes, but I don't care anymore. And as for the Amazing Spider-Man, well it isn't amazing.

Moving sucks, and I was only able to read two books from my lists last week. Lots to read this week. Well I am going to get to it and you should too.

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.

Random Comic Pick - Episode 55

My random comic pick on The Comic Conspiracy: Episode 55 is DC comics rejiggered series Suicide Squad written by Adam Glass with art by Federico Dallocchio. This book is amazing and I can't recommend it high enough. Suicide Squad is a violent and aggressive journey that keeps you wanting more every issue.
The premise is simple: meta-human criminals have a chance to reduce their prison sentences by going on suicide missions for the government. If you aren't intrigued then you might want to skip this one, but if you are foaming at the mouth to learn more about the Suicide Squad then you need to snatch up this book.
Each issue of this series has been an intense, action packed thrill ride that keeps delivering an entertaining comic that is well worth the $2.99 price point. The fist story arc or so will be collected in the trade titled Kicked in the Teeth, which will be available in early July.

The current story arc in Suicide Squad is crossing over with Resurrection Man, which is another great title, written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning with art by Fernando Dagnino, that you should be checking out. How can you go wrong with a super powered guy who when he dies he gets a new and different super power? You can't.
This series is a blast to read for many reasons, but the big one is the fact that at any moment Mitch Shelley (aka Resurrection Man) can die, and all you can do is wait and see what power he will have next. So much potential within these pages that one can only wonder why the original series was canceled, but like Resurrection Man himself this book found away to come back to life. The fist story arc or so will be collected in the trade titled Dead Again, which will be available in early September.

So, if you are at all interested in reading some great comics I would highly suggest snatching up both of these titles in either single issues which you can procure from your local comic book shop or you can download the digital versions at our Comics Conspiracy Digital Store both of these titles. They are just great comics, and I would love to see them continue tho thrive in this "New 52" world DC has given us. If you do snatch these up then you will enjoy them, and with the cross over you will get a double dose of both in one title, which how can you say no to that? Now get out there and read both of these books. Your mental stability doesn't depend on it, but I could make you think that it could.


Remember you can now find this title and more in digital format 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.