Panel Discussion - Scans from The Great Ten, Secret Six, Psylocke, and More

Best Historical Revisionism - The Great Ten #1


The 2008 Beijing Olympic Opening Ceremonies were already one of the most mind-blowing spectacles I've ever seen. How much more awesome would it have been with actual Superheroes involved? We'll never know cause all we get to see is the Great Ten standing in the center of the Bird's Nest, or whatever that mega-stadium was called. What a rip.




Fearful Symmetry - Psylocke #1

Do not wan. We get a lot of these split-screen Psylocke shots, and I suppose they serve a thematic purpose, but I don't see a reason to expose us all to this ugly smooshfest.

Oedipal Issues - Secret Six #15

Is it really necessary to show us via flashback that Floyd's mom once dressed up EXACTLY like Floyd's future sex partner, the inimitable Jeanette?

Movie Moment - Dark Reign - The List: Wolverine

This issue is actually from last week, but I couldn't let a There Will Be Blood reference go unmentioned. Especially one that doesn't go for the easy milkshake meme. Great body language from Normie here.

The Magic of Comics - Age of Reptiles: The Journey #1
I can't begin to tell you how excited I was this week when, while scanning the new books, I came across this title. As a kid, Delgado's previous Age Of Reptiles series were 2 of my absolute favorite books. The middle school me nearly died inside when I saw this. If you want near flawless visual storytelling, pick up any of the Age of Reptiles books-the entire story is told sans text, and without the conveniently recognizable expressions of the human face. Plus Delgado's always good for a clever, and unique visual cue to get a story point across. Take, for example, the middle divider with the dinosaur eyes-it took me a moment to understand what I was looking at, but it's a brilliant little moment. The first panel is the T-Rex, with the angry mama Triceratops reflected, the second is the round eyed, terrified baby dino with nothing but a full view of terrifying teeth. And the last is the determined mother, with the T-Rex and baby reflected. A great, and efficient, way to quickly get across 3 very different points of view.

Another example of great visual storytelling-we have the adorable little baby Triceratops shouting at the threatening T-Rex, the classic "is-this-kid-serious?" look on the T-Rex, followed by a quick barked out threat that sends the cute little guy shaking behind the legs of the grownups. Nearly every page of this book has a little gem like this.

In-Joke Alert - Assault on New Olumpus #1

Wheatcakes! Cause that's something Aunt May talks about...in the past. Sorry folks, slow week.

More Dangerous Real Life Superpowers

In the tradition of homemade Wolverine claws, here is an even more dangerous DIY superpower.

Don't try this at home, kids! Unless you really want to, in which case detailed instructions can be found here.

Please use these powers for good, or at least lawful neutral. What I want to know is who would win in a fight between this guy and the Wolverine claws guy. I think Wolvie is more likely to inflict harm without burning his own arm off in the process, but I'm willing to hear other theories.

Via Gizmodo

Save Some Money, Watch Wolverine in 30 Seconds

Because we've been on a serious youtube-tribute-to-geek-franchises-currently-in-the-theaters kick, I submit to you this video from Shyaporn. To be fair, I haven't seen the movie, but I can only assume this is a pretty faithful recreation. And this is the last youtube video, I promise! (or at least until I find another Youtube video that I find funny...)

Homemade Wolverine Claws! The Scourge of Cardboard Boxes!

This guy obviously really enjoyed X-Men Origins: Wolverine. I guess someone was bound to. Either way, this ingenious geek was not content to sit around and wonder what it would be like to slice up cardboard boxes with kickass retractable wolverine claws... he went out and did something about it! Something that could probably get him arrested if he shows them in public, but something indeed! He is an inspiration to us all. Empty cardboard boxes beware!

*Editor's note: for the record, I don't mean to impugn upon this geek's reputation-he probably didn't like X-Men Origins: Wolverine

Conspiracy Theory Theater: The Wolverine Leak

So we all know that the Wolverine workprint was leaked on the internet more than a month before it's upcoming May release date. Fox Studios has been in a major huff over the leak, waging war on pirates, yanking the print from torrent sites, and swearing revenge on the perpetrators once the FBI catches up with them.

But in this case of big Hollywood business and internet piracy, are things really as they seem? Geekanerd's resident conspiracy theorist has his own ideas about the people responsible, and their motives for the leak.

We've dramatized this theory for your edification and enjoyment. Spread it around. Trust no one.

X-Men Origins: Wolverine Trailer!

While we're on the subject of geek movie franchises, here's the new X-Men Origins: Wolverine trailer! Luckily, unlike the Eddie Murphy thing, there's no chance this is a hoax. I wasn't expecting much from this movie... but the trailer actually makes it look pretty cool. What do you guys think?
X-MEN ORIGINS: WOLVERINE HD

Panel Discussion: Scans from X-Men: Noir and Dark Reign

Celebrity Casting Corner - X-Men: Noir #1On the couch today are Tom Halloway and Remy Le Beau, played by The 39 Steps' Richard Hannay (Broadway version pictured) and Adrien Brody.

Computers have a bad influence on comic art, plus ugly Namor and Norman Osborn going insane, after the jump! (There may even be a bit of Darth Vader for those that stick around.)

(Mis)Adventures in Computer Coloring - X-Men: Noir #1 How do you ruin some decent linework? Why, by throwing some blurry uprezzed computer art and too-crisp Photoshop text behind it! (You may have to click that second one to see just how blurry that book cover is). Am I the only one that can. not. stand the use of computer text in comics for stuff like signs and books? The world of the comic is already being filtered through the pen of the artist, why make an exception for the text? It NEVER looks like it belongs.

Best Actor - Norman Osborn, Dark Reign #1
Oh hell yeah.

The Beer Goggles Are Off - Dark Reign #1
Eww, I thought Namor was supposed to be a hot, exotic Atlantean prince, not a slimy booky from the Bronx. Or some undesireable part of Europe. Or Hell. I mean, hot as fire Sue Storm has a mad crush on this guy! I like to think that every FF book he's in, we see him as Sue sees him, and since she's not in this book we see him as he really is. OR Atlanteans have the ability to cast a charm spell like a vampire's thrall, and he's been projecting how he'd like to be seen into everyone's mind, but since he just walked into a room with superpsyche Emma Frost and magically-enhanced Dr. Doom, all that bullshit has gone out the window. What do we think?

Look Familiar? - Dark Reign #1
It's not just me, right? There are certain images that are as part of the geek consciousness as the Last Supper is to all those other schlubs. Totally Doom Vader.

Snap Judgments: Quickie Comic Reviews for 4/16/08

Short comic reviews based on initial, lizard-brain opinions. There are probably some spoilers herein. Arranged from BEST to WORST.

The Damned: Prodigal Sons #1: A
The ignorant S.O.B that I am, I didn't realize this issue was a continuation of previous material when I picked it up. That being said, I had no trouble hopping on and getting into the demonic noir world of The Damned. Honest to goodness solid cartooning spiked with a story I actually haven't read before makes this my fave of the week. -Albo

X-Men: Divided We Stand #1: A
I heart emo superheroes! Abadonment is the theme du jour, or more specifically the sense of betrayal and loss that the x-kids feel after coming back from Iraq, er, I mean whatever went on in Messiah Complex. I didn't read that, but like many a great superhero comic, these stories work out of context as tales of the (meta)human experience writ large. -AHR

Cthulhu Tales #1, Pigeons From Hell #1, Powers Annual 2008 and Captain America #37 all after the jump!

Cthulhu Tales #1: A
As you'll see, this was a week of experimentation for me. I know jack diddly about the Cthulhu mythos, so why I picked up this anthology book from Boom! Studios is a mystery. Actually, it's pretty simple: I like Steve Niles' work on Simon Dark and his name was on the cover. But enough about me. Every one of these stories was a great little nugget of horror goodness, especially Niles'. Their only fault is that at the end of each I wanted more more more. Except maybe the last one that was about a bunch of fat sports fans. -Albo

Pigeons From Hell #1: B
If you can believe it, this book also has a backstory that I was unaware of before I picked it up. Apparently the story was originally told by Conan creator Robert E. Howard, and this is just a "modernization" of his tale. The story is pretty contrived and the dialogue is way hokey, but the energetic art by Nathan Fox and superstar colorist Dave Stewart is enough to make me not regret the purchase. -Albo

Powers Annual 2008: C
You know, there may be something great about this ish (primarily written by artist Mike Oeming) but I'm really not sure what it is. It's a story about cavemen fighting. Maybe it's an allegory? Maybe it's just boring. -Albo

Captain America #37: D
If you have friends who think all comics are about smarmy, laconic, self-righteous manly men in tights, DO NOT give them this book. Cause there's a lot of that crap, and it's boring. All posturing and intense stares, zero drama. -AHR

Geekanerd Spotter: We Love Magneto

Out and about in NYC tonight and spotted this sticker proclaiming: We Love Magneto. I really wish there was a counter-culture of young adults who were ideologically allying themselves with the mutant terrorist idol Magneto without considering the ramifications. Oh, to live in a perfect world.

Weekanerd: Weekend Edition - Midnight Madness, Free Beverages, and Cosplay Cleverly Disguised as an Art Class

FRIDAY, JUNE 29, 2007

• Sunshine at Midnight Presents: Serpico
• Midnight, Landmark's Sunshine Cinema, 143 E.Houston, NYC

Fans of 1970s Grit Flicks will want to get in on this midnight movie goodness. Enjoy the classic film perhaps best known for being immortalied on stage by the inimitable Max Fisher Players. Tickets are $10.75.

SATURDAY, JUNE 30, 2007

• Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School: Life Drawing with Wolverine and Mystique!
  
• 3-6pm, Lucky Cat Lounge, 245 Grand St, Williamsburg

Good. Lord. Gorgeous cabaret performers dressed up as X-Men characters for your sketching pleasure. Even if you think you can't draw, this is your chance for some very enjoyable practice. $10 at the door, or $15 if you want to book your table in advance here.

• The Aviary Graphic Novel Release Party
• 8pm at Rocketship, 208 Smith Street, Brooklyn

Featuring a live set by the Ne'er Do Evers, "free beverages" and of course, writer/artist Jamie Tanner. The comic looks interesting, the main character resembles a cross between Drinky Crow and Mo Willems' bus-driving Pidgeon. Read excerpts here.

SUNDAY, JUNE 31, 2007

• Stan Lee: A Retrospective at The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art
• Hours: 12-5pm Friday through Monday. 593 Broadway, NYC

This exhibition closes on July 3rd, so now's the time to check it out and brush up on your essential Marvel history and also see what Stan The Man is up to these days. $5 to get in, and well worth it.