Comix Portal: Ranking The Comics
Written by Wayne Hall on September 8, 2010 – 12:01 pm -
How do you read your comics?
My brother has a weekly practice of ranking the top five comics each week. “It’s tough when Geoff Johns has two comics out in a week,” he likes to point out. “How do I choose between them?”
I can relate. Honestly, I have trouble picking out my favorites in a week. I mean, I only buy the books I think I’ll like. So how do I choose the top five among them?
Usually, I have no trouble finding the comic that has “hit a home run,” as one friend of mine likes to put it. There is often at least one comic that surpasses my expectations so much that I can’t help but smile about it once I’ve read it. And yes, Mr. Johns’ stories do that to me a lot. That’s why I’m such a big fan of his.
But picking five? And in some order that makes sense? Every week?
Tags: Comics, Comix Portal, distributors, Geoff Johns
Posted in Comic Book Corner, SF-TV & Movie News | No Comments »
Comix Portal: DC Comics And Beyond
Written by Wayne Hall on September 2, 2010 – 2:33 pm -Another classic group gets a new chance, and the tales of courageous mice keep a’coming!
1. Freedom Fighters #1. During my review of this comic, I’m going to get to ride one of my favorite hobby horses, so please bear with me.
Here’s the synopsis of this series: “A new call to arms begins as Uncle Sam and the Freedom Fighters return in an all-new, action-packed ongoing series helmed by the writing team of Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti with art by Travis Moore and Trevor Scott.”
Right off the bat, let me say that I liked the book. The art is great, the pacing is good, and the basic storyline is enjoyable. But I have a big concern that has haunted this team for me in the past.
I think the political discussion that we have had for some time now, turning people we disagree with into villains and bad guys, is something we need to reconsider. Now, let me clarify that—I have no problem at all with discussing issues, including racism, health care, Social Security and the environment, for example. I get into real problems when one side sets itself up as heroic and then denigrates the other as villainous. I’m not interested in calling Democrats “brainless” and Republicans “heartless,” for instance. When one drops down into the level of personal or group attacks, that leaves me totally cold. Sadly, this book does that this time.
Tags: Comix Portal, DC Comics And Beyond, freedom fighters
Posted in SF-TV & Movie News | No Comments »
Comix Portal: A REAL Comic-Con
Written by Wayne Hall on August 31, 2010 – 11:55 am -
As mentioned previously, I had the privilege of attending the 11th Annual Baltimore Comic-Con this past weekend. And I had a ball.
I have to thank site Head Honcho Ian Cullen, who helped me attend as a member of the press, the first time I’d attended this con in that capacity. It was something new to have more access to the writers and artists, and I really found that something special.
I went with a goal of conducting interviews with comics creators to use primarily in the weekly SciFiPulse podcast, but also in this column if I couldn’t record a voice interview. I talked with several people I wanted to talk with, but let’s face it–an event like this is a way to help creative people keep doing what they do best–creating. And they do that by selling their art, their stories, their time. I found that it was tough to get in the way of that kind of support, so I contented myself with getting contact information and seeing if people would be up for a phone conversation later.
Tags: Baltimore Comic Con, Comix Portal, Ian Cullen
Posted in Comic Book Corner, DC Comics And Beyond | 1 Comment »
