Characters Who Have Killed

I've got an idea for a little study, but I need your help. Yes, just like Meatloaf at the Special Olympics, I am asking for the mighty comics bloggers to lend a hand to this poor boy. Now that I've run that into the ground, here's what I'm talking about.I need to know about heroes who have killed, but have since sworn not to do so again. The death doesn't have to have occurred during their career...

That Message Was Jumbled, Please Repeat

For what is likely the first and last time, I want to talk about the Shining Knight. I was watching the episode of JLU "Patriot Acts" (because Cartoon Network in the U.S. is way the hell behind the rest of the world, apparently), and something just didn't add up. Run with me here, OK?So S.K. is criticizing Dirty Harry because...

Movies

I watched 2001:A Space Odyssey for the first time a few weekends ago. I kind of wish I hadn't wasted my time. It was a lot like Citizen Kane in that I can see why people gush over it from a cinematography standpoint, but I can't see anyone watching it because they find it enjoyable. I wound up being extremely bored (just like with Citizen Kane), which is funny, because I really enjoyed the book, as...

Free-for-all #2 - Comic thoughts

Just a few thoughts on the books I bought this week:I really want to know the circumstances between Wolverine (hereafter referred to as some form of James Howlett) and Bucky. Why would Bucky kill James' loved ones? Besides the obvious explanation that he's actually the Bucky from the Ultimate Universe, so his role model was the jerk that calls himself Captain America in that universe. Which means...

Free-for-all - Non-comic thoughts

First off, go check out Len's blog, Commanding Thoughts. You'll do it because I told you.Second, why does Nintendo keep pushing back the release of The Legend of Zelda:Twilight Princess? First it was to be released in November of 2005, then April of '06, and now it's June. Fantastic. Hopefully it's because they're trying to...

The Future of Cassandra Cain

Now that it's been a week since the release of the final issue of Batgirl I figure it's safe to discuss openly, without spoiler warnings. But mainly I want to talk about what's next for her.It seems pretty obvious she isn't Batgirl anymore. Even if I didn't have the impression she renounced the title, killing somone doesn't...

What I Bought 2/22/06

It's a little later than normal, but it's been a bit of a hectic day. So here we go, four books, spoiler warnings, yadda, yadda, etc.Wolverine #39 - And so we reach part 4 of 5 in this story. I got to admit I was stunned by the realization, mostly because I haven't felt like much was happening. And for the second month in a...

Things I Think About #20

Back when Straczynski first started on Amazing Spider-Man, I thought I knew how his first story was going to go. Ezekiel had been telling Peter all this stuff about how he was a totem, and Morlun was a predator that hunted totems, and there was no way that Peter could beat him. And I was sure I knew what would happen. Peter...

Things I Think About #19

You know what I would have liked to have seen in House of M? Instead of just widespread loss of mutants, a widespread loss of telepaths, primarily the more powerful ones.But, how would that work with the Scarlet Witch, you say? I say, why does it have to be her behind it at all? How about Jamie Braddock, Junior, the brother...

Things I Think About #18

Someday, I'll learn to trust my instincts. I mean, I should have figured that out by now. Back in high school they always told us that on a multiple-choice test, if you aren't sure, go with your first instinct, doubting yourself wouldn't get do you much good. So what does that have to do with today's post?Chuck Austen.There's an interview on the Comic Book Resources website with Mr. Austen. I've known...

Things I Think About #17

I keep hearing that one of the big things that's going to happen during Civil War is Peter Parker is going to realize he doesn't like being beholden to Tony Stark. Stark's given him so much: a home, a job, a new cos. . . cos. . . costume. Supposedly, Peter's going to feel the strings attached, and distance himself from Tony,...

I Canna Take Much More

Of my soul being eaten up by various pursuits. Still, I post today to ask you a most important question: How addictive is Heroclix?I've never played, but apparently Saturdays are Heroclix Days at Marvels & Legends. I've seen enough of the guys taking animatedly about the booster packs they bought that I'm becoming intrigued. So I'd like to know some things, and I likely won't see any of the guys...

Things I Think About #16

I found out from Len a couple of weeks ago, that Avi Arad, the head honcho at Marvel has three favorite characters. They are:CableNamorThorNow Cable's got an ongoing book, and had another one before this. Namor's been in a bunch of different titles and if they ever get around to that book they were going to do about that "Secret Scoiety" we saw in New Avengers, he'll be playing a role there as well.But...

What I Bought 2/15/06

Only two books this week. One of those is Batgirl #73, the final issue of the series. I will be spoiling parts of it. If that is a problem, skip down to my other review, and I'll do my best not to give anything away in any other posts until at least Sunday. OK?Batgirl #73 - Let's just pause a moment, give people time to scroll...

Wonderful, Fuzzy Feelings Day!

Question: Does buying Victoria's Secret lingerie for your significant other really count as a Valentine's Day gift for them? I mean, isn't it really for your benefit?But that's not the point today. This image, from Full Metal Panic, is:Isn't that sweet? No matter how much head trauma Sasuke has sustained from getting hit in...

Diskutieren Ueber die Videospielen

Hey, if kalinara and diamondrock can give us lessons in everyday Japanese, then I feel it's my duty to get a little German into your lives. So for the record, if you don't know how to put an umlaut (two dots, which can be used with "a", "o", or "u") over a letter, such as the "u" in "uber", you can follow it with an "e" and it's equivalent. Also, with German you can pretty much just jam together as...

Things I Think About #15

Is 'dwell' one of those words that can't be used in a positive manner? I saw a sign today, it said, "Dwell on the positive things", and it just seemed so wrong. I mean 'dwell' seems like the less gothic brother of 'brood', something you do over mistakes, or missed opportunities. I figure you 'reflect' on positive things, or...

On Comic Book Stores

Today I want to know what the stores you buy from are like. I guess that's somewhat reliant on you buying from a "traditional" comic book store, but really, wherever you get them from. Is it a large bookstore chain? Do you order online? Or, if it is a place that deasl primarily in comics: What is it about that place that you like? Why do you use them? Are they the only game in town, or is there another...

Dream Weaver

This isn't what I had planned initially, but it was weird, so I thought I'd run with it.I don't know how many of you remember your dreams. My ability seems to come and go. Last night, I had an odd one involving the JLA. They were in what I guess was a Siberian bar/dance hall/meeting place. Green Arrow was sitting on the bar with his legs crossed (?), and then he tried to hit one of the patrons with...

Comics and Gaming Expo

This'll just be a quick post. I'm giving a quick plug to my buddy Ken Murphy, who runs the store Marvels and Legends, from which this blog steals it's name. So, for anyone who reads this blog in the Cape Girardeau, Missouri area, Ken is arranging a nice little convention on the weekend of April 8th and 9th.The 8th is going to be a gaming day, the 9th for comics. There's more information at http://www.comicsexpo2006.greatnow.comTo...

What I Bought 2/8/06

A question. If I walk out of my apartment, see it's snowing, and my reaction is "Well that's just great! I really wanted snow to make my drive to school more difficult today!", does that mean I'm getting old, or am I just bitter college kids don't get snow days? Anyway, spoiler warnings as always.Teen Titans #32 - Todd Nauck...

Things I Think About #14

Wasn't it wonderful to find out that the reason Dr. Light was such a loser is because he was mindwiped for raping Sue Dibny? As grateful as I'm sure we all are to Mr. Meltzer, I'm not sure I can wait 20 years for him to tell us the real reason behind Max Lord's mind controlling of Superman. So I'm asking you to tell me. Obviously by then, rape will be passe, and the writers will have moved on to a...

Declaration of Bias?

When I was planning out Saturday's post, it occured to me I had a double standard. I completely accept that Ryoko was under someone else's influenece, and as such, I don't consider her responsible for those actions. But when Geoff Johns tried something similar with Hal Jordan, I screamed "Bullshit!" 'till everyone at the store looked at me like I was about to kill them. Why was that, I wondered? Here...

On Abuse

Man, enchiladas on Super Bowl Sunday. Plus, I was able to drop off all those comics I brought back to the apartment for my "Best of. . ." series, at my mother's house again. And, I was able to to start alphabetizing my comics. Now that I'm back, I can't figure how to start this post, so I'll just jump in. There's been a lot of specualtion amongst fans of the Tenchi Muyo series, as to whether Ryoko...

I Sit Here Typing, My Throat Cells Are Lysing. . . Character Archetypes #2

Sometimes, I really hate Blogger. I had this entire post typed out. But I couldn't post it, because Blogger's messed up so I can't add the images. So I save it, I even see it saved. Then I come back, and it's fucking gone! Damn it! Fine!The first archetype was the person I think I'd be if I had superheroes. More likely, it's...

Test to See If Blogger Fixed The Damn Thing

Well, the title pretty much says it all. I try to add images to the post I had planned, and I get this "we are sorry for the inconvenience" crap. How dare they be courteous!Anyway, this is fair warning for when Hellsing Volume 8 is released here in America. I love the Hellsing manga. I mean, Nazi vampire army against Catholics...

What I Bought 2/3/06

I know what you're saying. "But Calvin, you already did this on Wednesday. Ah, but these comics hadn't reached the store by then, and now they have, ha ha!"Finally, after long months of waiting I got the two Bloodrayne one-shots I was waiting for.I'll pause while most of you leave.Ok, here we go. I'm probably grading on a curve,...

Things I Think About #13 . . Romance edition

Two ideas. Read on at your own peril.Picture this, if you will. Benjamin Grimm, the ever-lovin', blue-eyed Thing, and Peter Rasputin, Colossus. A tough on the outside, kind on the inside guy made out of rock, and a sweet, Russian with the ability to turn his entire body into organic steel.Oh yeah, and Peter is an artist. So...

What I Bought 2/1/06

Four books this week, spoiler warnings as usual.Spider-Girl #95 - So we find out what's up with the caped guy (who Spider-Girl has always called Fred), who keeps screaming that Tony Stark killed Jim Rhodes. We find out what actually happened to Jim Rhodes. We watch as "Normie Osborn wearing the Venom symbiote" Man sprouts extra...