"In August moon's surrender"

"The wild boys are calling
On their way back from the fire
In august moon's surrender to
A dust cloud on the rise
Wild boys fallen far from glory
Reckless and so hungered
On the razors edge you trail
Because there's murder by the roadside
In a sore afraid new world

They tried to break us,
Looks like they'll try again

Wild boys never lose it
Wild boys never chose this way
Wild boys never close your eyes
Wild boys always shine"
-Wild boys by Duran Duran

Hey People,

Thought I'd squeeze one last post in for this month, and what a month it's been huh?
This month of August has been very crazy! Hurricane Irene, my 30th birthday, The Government almost defaulting in their loans, Beyonce getting knocked up, turning 30, the major earthquake on the East Coast, the violent riots in Britain, did I mention I turned 30?, and lots of other crazy shit all occurred during this month alone. Oh, and Ed O' Neil(Al Bundy) got a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. See not all bad I guess.

Here's the link to a funny video I recently saw over at Bleedingcool.com. This video is made as a tongue-in-cheek response to all those comic book fans who are disshartened over the whole DCU reboot thing. It's actually not that bad, and as for the the attitude of the girl in the made up video, that's extactly the type of reaction I'd get from my wife if I tried to explain the whole thing. Love how the chick asks "What about Batman?" "Oh he's staying the same." See, women just love Batman!

Anyway, here's the link:
http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/08/30/is-this-the-best-dc-new-52-ad-ever/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BleedingCool+%28Bleeding+Cool+Comic+News+%26+Rumors%29

 Now bear in mind, today is the actual, official day that Flashpoint#5 and the new Justice League#1 ship. Of course that means that there's already spoilers/people who've already read the damn thing, so how did they do?
*Spoiler Alert*

The whole Flashpoint event is revealed to be all Barry Allen(The Flash)'s fault. What!?
It seems in a genuine moment of weakness, he attempted to go back in time to keep his mother from being killed by Prof. Zoom, the reverse flash.  He uses the Speed Force and his trusty Time Treadmill to do this, but messes up when he uses the full power of the Speed Force to go back in time. This causes time to go haywire, and thus, Barry inadvertently created the FP world, thus Barry, not Zoom was the real villain of the story. Crazy I know. And if you don't believe me, chech this out:

In the end Barry attempts to fix the world one more time, but finds out the universe was split into 3. Huh? He merges the 3 as per the advice of a mysterious cloaked woman, and that's how we have the new DCU. Yeah, that's what basically happened. I'm glad I didn't buy any of the issues though.

The only nice thing I read to have happened at the end, was when Barry gives Batman a letter from his father from the FP world. It basically says that he'll always love him, and this makes Batman cry. Awwwww.

As for JL#1, it's mostly 20 or so pages of a Batman/Green Lantern team-up, as they search for evil aliens. No WW, Aquaman, or Flash appearances, but Cyborg(pre-Cyborg I guess) shows up. Superman appears at the very end after pwning Hal, and prepares to face off w/Batman. Again. Remember this is a new world though, and all of these guys haven't met yet. Oh and the big evil threat the JL are created to fight? It's Darkseid.
Yeah I know, "but he's dead." I guess reboots really freshen up a guy.

So there, if you didn't already know, now you know.

And that's me, I'm outta' here.......

"Here comes the story of the Hurricane...."

"Here comes the story of the Hurricane
The man the authorities came to blame
For something that he never done
Put him in a prison cell but one time he could-a been
The champion of the world."
-Bob Dylan

So, even as I speak Hurricane Irene is headed straight for the outer coast of NC and further up north to NJ, NY, and any other state unfortunate enough to be in it's way.
I believe I'll(SC) be alright, but you never know; Irene could be a cruel bitch and make a sharp right turn, and then we're fucked. But I think we'll be okay, so save your prayers for NC and everyone else north of the Mason-Dixon Line.

Oddly enough, this isn't the 1st time a devastating hurricane named Irene rolled into town.
Back around Oct. 15, 1999, there was another hurricane named Irene that hit South Florida. Ask them, they probably still remember. The storm produced 10 to 20 inches of rain and caused severe widespread flooding, while more than 700,000 homes and businesses lost power.
Not to mention that eight people were killed. Five were electrocuted and three drove vehicles into canals. Additionally, tornadoes injured three people in Broward County.
Irene came as a surprise to many residents because they weren't expecting a hurricane, even though they knew a storm was approaching. Crazy.

Finally, since I am Mr. Morbid, here's your not-so moment of the day, in a little ditty I like to call "Aquaman's Revenge."
Enjoy!

"Why's everybody always picking on me?"

Hey guys,

Well with the threat of Hurricane Irene looming on the East coast, at least for the poor bastards in NC, I figured I'd post another blog.

As a continuation from my last post, we saw Catman and Deadshot break out of prison. They were on the run, and looking to recruit more guys to rebuild the Secret Six. Let's see what they've been up to since.

Oh, and why do they call themselves the Secret Six if everybody knows who they are? Yeah I know technically they can't and probably won't use the Suicide Squad name, but still.....

Those crazy guys! What'll they do next?

"Down with the sickness"

Well folks, thanks to a virus or bunch of viruses I had a hand in inadvertently setting free to reign havoc on my computer, I'll more than likely have to cancel the internet. This means I won't be posting regularly for awhile, if not even longer. Don't worry though, as I plan on hitting up my local library for internet access time. This means I'll still be making the rounds, commenting on other blogs, like Googum, Dan, and David H's.

This seems to come at a time when I've been gradually losing interest in this blog thing anyway. I've felt the need to constantly post a new blog every day wane, and so this all comes at about the right time I guess.

I'll leave this blog up so the rest of you people out there can see it, and continue to be fascinated by the Hump Day post. Seriously, I read the stats, and you guys are blowing this blog up on just that post alone! Get a life you guys! HA!

"Tonight's there gonna' be a jailbreak...."

Just a quick one today folks.
Recently visited Wal-mart and was surprised to see DCUC Wave 18's Samurai figure amidst some Wave 14 peg-warmers like Zatanna, Kamandi, and Tyr. I was really deadset against him, but up close, he looks pretty damn good!
Then I went to K-Mart and saw Sodom Yat. I was really surprised, and would have gotten him, but then I saw Catman from the new Batman Legacy line. I was truly surprised that my local K- Mart would even think about carrying this line. Well, I got him, so know the Secret Six has 2 full members, well 2 and half if you count having Bane's right arm.

So with that in mind, here's my new humble sketch:

Free shout-out and plug for David H's site, Subject: The Suicide Squad. It's got all the info you'd want and more, so feel free to check it out.

When is enough, enough?

If by some chance you've decided to read this edition of my almost daily blog posts, I feel I should warn you. This is a serious post concerning the most recent in a relentless and continous stream of child deaths.
So if you're looking for something comic or wrestling, or even amusing-related, feel free to skip this one.

I just learned this morning that the little 3 year-old Mexican girl, that has been missing since Aug 6th was found. Well, her body at least. In yet another case of a cruel and pointless killing, young Breeann Rodriguez's body was found in a trash bag floating in a river near her home in Senath, MO. According to the police, her neighbor, a man named Shawn Morgan confessed to suffocating her with a pillow. The kicker of it all is he's a father of 3 who helped the community look for little Breeann. I don't know what kind of a sick fuck kills a little defenseless little kid, but they deserve to die in the most harshest and extreme possible way imaginable.
I feel very much so for her parents, and will definitely say a prayer for them.

As I said earlier, this is just the latest in a long line of child deaths by homicide this year.

Who can forget poor 8 year-old Leiby Kletzky, who was killed and dismembered by Levi Aron, a fellow Jew who all lived in the mostly all-Jewish community in Brooklyn, NY? Leiby's only crime was walking alone to his home from summer camp, when he got lost and stopped for directions from Aron. Aron then took him and after 2 days, drugged and strangled him, and then cut up his body. I can't even imagine how that community feels knowing that one of their own did such a disgusting and vile thing. I feel even worse for the parents, who must surely be wracked with guilt and regret over allowing him to walk home by himself.

Of course who can't forget little Caylee Anthony? What did she do that was so wrong that she deserved to be killed and dumped in a swamp not too far from her home? Sure her mom(and universally hated) Casey Anthony was cleared of her death, but we all know she did it. She simply drugged her poor child one too many times so she could go out and party, and accidentally killed her. Case closed.

Police still haven't found Brittanee Drexel, who went missing from Myrtle Beach, SC around April of '09.
 

Or what about Kyron Horman? He's been missing since June of last year. I have a hunch his step-mother and her friend killed him and buried/hid his body somewhere good since there was at least 30-45 minutes that both of them couldn't account for which would've given them plenty of time to bury him.


There's more, but you see my point. The world we live in is a very scary and unsafe place for children. Sure it's just as rough for us adults, but kids, what do kids do to deserve being killed off like has been happening lately?
I believe in God, but I still sit and wonder why the hell he would ever allow for innocent kids to be abducted and killed.  Church goers would tell you God has a plan for everything in life. Well what's his plan say about this? Where does such injustice like this fit in his grand plan? I don't know, and I highly doubt they could tell you also.


Enough is enough. I don't know how to change what's already happening or already happened, other than for parents to drill into their children's heads like mine did, not to go with strangers and never walk home or anywhere alone.
Maybe Stacy Duggard wouldn't have been picked up if she was with a group of kids that day. What if Leiby Klutzky had a friend or 2 with on his way home? Would he not have been killed?


And then there's the deaths we don't know about. The countless attrocities that don't make it on the daily news. We may not know about them, but that doesn't make them any less tragic.


Idk, but I do know I wish this would all stop. These senseless killings are too damn much!
I know there's no such thing as real superheroes w/ super-powers, and if they were, sure maybe we'd all have to live in a reality where the universe is doomed to be destroyed every week, and time undone on a constant basis. But I dare say maybe that world would be just a little safer for our children than this one is.

"When I get mad and I get pissed, I grab my pen And I write out a list "

"When I get mad
And I get pissed
I grab my pen
And I write out a list
Of all the people
That won't be missed
You've made my shitlist

For all the ones
Who bum me out
Shitlist
For all the ones
Who fill my head with doubt
Shitlist
For all the squares who get me pissed
Shitlist
You've made my shitlist

Shitlist
Shitlist

When I get mad
And I get pissed
Shitlist
I grab my pen
And write out a list
Shitlist
Of all you assholes
Who won't be missed
Shitlist
You've made my shitlist

Shitlist
Shitlist"
L7


And on that note, here's my definitive list of the Top 10 things that are my fav. Yeah I you didn't ask, but I'm going to give them to you anyways.


This particular list has always been hard for me to pin down, simply due to the sheer amount of bands to choose from. The last half of the list might change daily depending on what kind of mood I'm in, but here's the cut for know.

Top Ten Favorite Classic Rock Bands:

1. The Beatles


2.  Led Zepplin


3. The Rolling Stones


4. The Doors


5. Pink Floyd


6. Black Sabbath


7. The Allman Brothers


8. The Who


9. Cream


10. Aerosmith/Queen

 -I'd put Van Halen in here, but they lose major points for turning into VanHagar in 1985.


In no particular order;

Top Ten Favorite 90's Rock Bands:

1.  Pearl Jam


2. Alice In Chains


3. Nirvania


4. Stone Temple Pilots


5. Soundgarden


6. Silverchair


7.  Nine Inch Nails


8. White Zombie


9.  Oasis


10.  Guns N' Roses(They squeeze on here even though they debuted in the 80's)

 -I do feel I have to make a quick note here. While I love Blur, The Cranberries, Travis, and Radiohead, they're mostly pop, not rock. I could be wrong here, but that's how I see it.

Top Ten Favorite DC Superheroes:

1. Batman


2. Green Lantern(Hal Jordan of course, although I like Alan Scott too)


3. The Flash


4. Superman


5. Hawkman


6. Aquaman(OMG he actually made someone's top ten!)


7. Martian Manhunter


8. The Atom


9. Green Arrow


10. Dr.Fate

Top Ten Marvel Superheroes:

1. Spider-Man


2. Wolverine


3. Iron Man


4. Captain America


5. The Hulk


6. Thor


7. Phoenix(Jean Grey)


8. Captain Marvel(Mar-vel)


9. Ghost Rider


10. Dr.Strange

Okay, I think that's enough for one day don't you think?

Who's in the mood for a quickie?

Another weekend survived, so I can't complain.

Here's some random bits of info that caught my attention:

WWE pro-wrestler CM Punk is not a big fan of Grant Morrison.
Here's what he had to say in relation to who his favorite superhero is, and why  he doesn't read his monthly adventures:
“I’m a huge Batman fan. Unfortunately I can’t read a lot of the Batman comics that come out because they’re written by Grant Morrison and I’m not a huge Grant Morrison guy, I read comics based on who’s writing,  I know that’s not really a populist view but it’s the only thing I can tolerate right now, my favourite comic book writer… nobody asked but I’m going to tell you anyway… is Ed Brubaker.”

I find this very interesting since CM Punk is very intelligent and articulate person, who's straight edge and seems well-read. I would have figured since Grant Morrison is the type of writer who makes the reader think, he would have been up Punk's alley, but no go.
Instead he prefers the stylings of Ed Brubaker, who really isn't too shabby himself.
Thanks to Bleedingcool.com for breaking this story.

Speaking of Morrison, DC Comic's online blog reported that over the weekend, NPR had a sit-down interview w/ Grant. Here's what the synopsis had to say about that:
"If you missed it over the weekend, Grant Morrison had a great interview with NPR’s show, All Things Considered.
Head on over to NPR to listen to the full interview and hear Grant talk about how he got into the industry, what inspires him as a writer, the fundamental differences between Batman and Superman, and the cultural relevancy of comic books. While there, also be sure to check out an exclusive image from ACTION COMICS #1, in stores September 7th."

Speaking of wrestling, I recently found out that Adam Jones, guitarist of Tool,(yes Tool) performed the national anthem during last night's WWE Summerslam PPV. I didn't even know he had even been considered to sing the national anthem much less actually do it. I'd like to know whether or not if the band wanted to do this or just have a band member represent them. It would have been fucking sick if the entire band performed the anthem, as I have a hard time visualizing how that would sound. I'd imagine it'd be as mind-blowing as when Jimi Hendrix performed the "Star Spangled Banner" at Woodstock, with the people in attendance wondering WTF just happened.

And finally,

It appears that over 700 people have petitioned the popular kid's show,  Sesame Street, to allow Bert and Ernie to marry....as in a gay marriage. What!?
Listen people it's like this: Officially they're just good friends, and for the benefit of our kids and future generations yet to discover the show, let them stay that way.
Unofficially, sure they might be gay, but what's the rush into having them get married? Haven't they just enjoyed living together for what, over 40 years. Why make 'em get married?

I just don't get the fascination of certain people/peoples to have to label everything; we're all created different, but with with same rights as everyone else. Why do always have to label things? Are we as a society that threatened by uncertainty?

While they're nothing wrong with gays wanting to get married, let's just leave puppets and animals alone okay? No need to complicate their lives like we do our own.
I hope the people behind Sesame Street don't bow to this ridiculous petition, and just leave well enough alone.

I'm going Batty

If you've been following the news online, you'd discover that there now has been the 1st ever case of a person dying from a Vampire Bat's bite. Yeah, freaky huh?
According to the news, a 19 year-old migrant worker from Mexico was bitten and later died from the bite.

Yeah I know it's not entirely funny, especially considering someone actually died. But damn man!

Damn nature, you scary!

I wonder if they have the bat in custody?
if not, how are the police going to find it?

I imagine the suspect list looks a little something like this:

I'd hate to have their job; all that paperwork and long hours. That would just suck.

Oddly enough, I myself have had some run-ins with bats. I've had on at least 4 separate occasions, encountered a single bat in my house. I'm just glad I or Heather weren't bite. I don't know what's scarier: Being bite or having to get the multiple series of rabies shots. Yeah rabies shots!

Also, yesterday on the local news, there was a story about a family that had 100 bats living in the attic. 100!
What's this world coming to?

Going out on a Lim

I was just re-reading the Infinity Gauntlet#6, which by the way is a very good mini-series, and it reminded me how much I loved Ron Lim's artwork back in the day. Back in the 90's, Ron Lim was everywhere; He was on Silver Surfer, Captain America, Spider-Man, X-Men 2099, and even What If? for an issue or 2. He was everywhere, yet deserved all the work he got simply because he's a solid artist on who's on time. You can't beat those qualities in an artist, thus Lim was Marvel's golden boy for awhile.

My 1st exposure to Lim was his beautiful work on Silver Surfer and Captain America. Idk why I was initially attracted to his work other then that I found his art to be so clean and shiny, plus he could really draw.
I didn't have a lot of previous exposure to other artists' rendition of the Silver Surfer, but Lim's interpretation made a big impact on me, and was most likely the main reason for following the title for so long like I did.(And hey, Ron Marz stories were pretty darn good too!)
I know it's probably sacrilege to say, but I prefer Lim's Surfer to past artists like John Buscema and yes, even Jack Kirby. Yes, I know that'll piss a lot of Kirby fans off, but I really stand by Lim's interpretation.

Likewise, I really liked the way Lim drew Cap. Again, he was clean and very well drawn. If you haven't already, I highly suggest checking out Lim's run on Captain America. Runs like "Streets of Poison", and the 380's issues are truly works of art. So come for the Ron Lim art and stay for the Mark Gruenwald stories.












After Surfer, Lim did other work, like Spider-Man Unlimited(remember that experiment?) and X-Men 2099. I checked this one out mainly for the art, and while the stories were good, I just couldn't get into them like I could their current Namesakes.

Around that period of time, Lim did the artwork on the whole Infinity Trilogy; namely Infinity Gauntlet, Infinity War, and finally the Infinity Crusade. I liked the 1st two, but just could not get into Crusade. Yes the pictures were all pretty, but I just couldn't get into the Goddess. I preferred Magnus as the only legitimate evil side of Adam Warlock.

And while Lim did do some work for DC, like Green Lantern and The Rann/Thanagar War, I feel his best work was done at Marvel. If you don't believe me, just check out his artwork on Iron Man: Legacy of Doom and Anita Blake and tell me he still doesn't have it.

Overall, while I'm not sure where Ron Lim ranks amongst the best and brightest of comic book artists, but to me he's as underrated as Alice Cooper was. And that my friends is a crime!