Girls With Comics

The New DC Logo: I don’t care.

Girls with Comics — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:41:10 +0000

Last night I was at my local comic shop, and I was asked how I felt about the new DC logo. My reply is in the video below. If you don’t know, I’m the only girl in the video.

-Lauren

The New DC 52: Aquaman

Girls with Comics — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:10:04 +0000

Hell has frozen over. I read an Aquaman comic.

Let me tell you the events leading up to this glorious moment in history. I was at my friend’s house. He had a stack of comics on his bed. Most of them I had read, except for Aquaman. And everyone in the world has been going on about how great the new Aquaman series is, so whatever. I read the first issue.

In what can only be described as brilliant, Geoff Johns (one of the greatest comic book writers in my opinion) uses Aquaman’s unpopularity as a way to carry out issue one. The comic opens with some bad guys speeding away with the cops chasing him. Eventually they are stopped by Aquaman. The bad guys are as perplexed as anyone, and attempt to shoot him. Except Aquaman is apparently the ocean version of Superman and can deflect bullets. He’s also crazy strong and kind of bad ass. The cops are just as perplexed as the bad guys, and offer Aquaman a glass of water.

Later our pumpkin themed hero is sitting down to eat in a seafood restaurant. There he meets some dude who asks him “How does it feel to be nobody’s favorite superhero?” A question I would certainly ask if I were to meet a fictional character. This pisses him off, so he storms away. The humor is great in this book. Everyone is shitting on Aquaman, so he has to prove what a bad ass he really is. Does he? I can only assume so, but I can’t morally bring myself to read more Aquaman comics. It kind of goes against my religion.

That being said, yes. Read this comic. It’s funny, the art is superb, and it’s good. It even explains that he doesn’t really talk to fish. Dolphins, on the other hand…

-Lauren

Shit Comic Book Nerds Say

Girls with Comics — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:02:40 +0000

I’ve been busy! Life has been kicking my butt and I keep meaning to add stuff on here. And thankfully I just came across this gem and was like ‘MUST POST ON BLOG’. So check this out guys.

-Julie

MAGFest 2012

Girls with Comics — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:31:46 +0000

The convention season started off great for me this year. MAGFest, my first convention of 2012, was nothing short of awesome. I have never been to MAGFest before, and I’m kicking myself for not going sooner. Everything from registration, to layout, to even the guests was perfect. According to Nick Marinelli, the PR guy for MAGFest, attendance was 6100 this year, which doubled from last year. Attendance doubled due to the larger space at the Gaylord National Harbor Hotel, and because their guest of honor was Nobu Uematsu. Word of mouth, an aggressive street team, and just being at other conventions promoting, also helped this convention grow so much. MAGFest will be at the Gaylord for two more years, with next years event already being worked on. Nick see’s the convention to grow steadily because “… MAGFest will always be a giant gaming party that rocks hard.” Frankly I couldn’t put it better myself. This was a great convention. It was a giant party where everyone got along. The real bonus was the color coded wrist bands you got at registration which indicated your age. Since I was over 21, I had a green wrist band. At last years Katsucon, there was an incident where a male in his 30s was charged with sexually molesting a 13-year-old female. Perhaps wrist bands aren’t the answer we all need, but it would help with (possibly) preventing issues like this.

The main events hall for MAGFest was the perfect size. It was broken up into two “rooms”. The first room was split between artists/dealers and tabletop gaming, while the other room was one big arcade. There was also a big room for concerts, an area for Nintendo DS players, and a few more rooms for panels. The hotel has ample room for this convention, and I’m sure it will only grow bigger here. The only downside is the surrounding area of National Harbor. Simply put, it’s an expensive area. While many con goers can afford the area, there were many underage con goers who simply can’t. For example, myself, Pat, and a friend of ours ate at a local restaurant across the street from the hotel. Between the three of us we spent over $100. That is pretty steep for lunch, but we also acknowledge the fact that we are in D.C and therefore it will be more expensive. The cheapest places we saw were a Subway (or some sub shop) and a CVS. If you’re like me, you’re not a fan of lines. And places that are reasonably priced will run out of food. Maybe it didn’t happen this year, but you never know. All that aside National Harbor is simply beautiful. If you’re lucky to have a car on hand you can just drive ten minutes into Virginia and eat there (which is what we did for dinner).

MAGFest is a great convention. If you haven’t been, I urge you to visit next year for a day. 2013 dates are January 3-6.

I ran into Nobu Uematsu 4 times. While slightly buzzed I asked for a picture. He was kind of impressed I spoke Japanese. I'm kind of impressed I kept my Unicorn hat on.

Uematsu no doubts that Pat and I are crazy stalkers.

The above photos were by Pat. The below ones were taken with my camera.

Little kids are always better cosplayers.

-Lauren

Video Monday! A history on Tokusatsu.

Girls with Comics — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 16:07:22 +0000

While I finish up my convention review of MAGfest 10, here’s something to keep you occupied. My friend Byron did a pretty good video on the history of Tokusatsu (think Ultraman). So here you go dear readers, get your learn on.

A History On Tokusatsu

-Lauren

What The Hell is Bane Saying

Girls with Comics — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 19:38:33 +0000

Someone please tell me.

-Lauren

Life With Riley-”Criminal: The Last Of The Innocent’

Girls with Comics — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:34:30 +0000

After some months of having these comics sitting on my desk, I finally sat down and read them. I’m not sure what took me so long, but reading all four issues of this mini series in one sitting was a brilliant idea.

This series is best summed up as ‘what if the Archie comics universe was more realistic, and Archie decided to one day kill Veronica?’ because that’s what it is. Riley Richards is a broken man living in the big city with his heiress wife, Felix Doolittle. He has all but left behind his old life in his small town, until his mother calls him up telling him his father has stomach cancer. Riley leaves the city just in time to say goodbye to his father, and that’s when everything starts to spiral out of control. His best friend Freakout has been sober for one year, but with the “help” of Riley quickly goes back to his old ways. The girl next door, Lizzie Gordon, is suddenly back in the picture. As for Felix, she’s having an affair with Riley’s rival Teddy, and Riley knows it. Wanting an escape to get back to his old “perfect” life, Riley creates an imperfect plan to murder Felix, and frame Teddy while doing so.

The series is nothing short of brilliant. Riley is a piece of shit, Felix is a spoiled brat, and Lizzie doesn’t know any better. Freakout is a sad excuse for a human being, and the only one who really suffers here is Teddy. Perhaps this is the most realistic portrayal of Archie anyone will ever see. This is how Riverdale is, or should be, if Archie wasn’t a comic aimed at kids. The art switches from gritty to cartoony without warning. It works. The writing is fantastic, and really exploits all of the negative traits the Archie cast has. This is a comic you need to read, that’s all you really need to know.

‘Criminal: The Last Of The Innocent’ is by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips.

-Lauren

What I’m looking forward to in 2012.

Girls with Comics — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 06:10:39 +0000

I have a list of movies I’m looking forward seeing in 2012:

1.The Dark Knight Rises (Catwoman,Bane,Nolan’s last Batman film,God I can’t wait till 2012)

2.The Avengers (Captain America,Thor,Iron Man,Hulk,Black Widow,and Hawkeye in one movie.Plus I want to see Cap say “AVENGERS ASSEMBLE” on the big screen)

3.Amazing Spider-Man (While I like Raimi’s films,I’m liking what they’re doing for this reboot)

4.The Hobbit (I’m a fan of the LOTR movies,so I’m looking forward to this prequel)

I can’t think of any other movie I was to see in 2012.

-Sarah

The Best And Bad of 2011

Girls with Comics — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 17:16:07 +0000

2011 was a fantastic year for nerds, geeks, social nerds, and everyone in between. From movies, shows, comics, and more, this year was very much full of nerd goodness.

The Good:

The Green Hornet: Despite that most people didn’t like this movie, I did. Jay Chou literally stole the show as Kato. It’s easy to forget there were other characters because he was so good.

Thor: What a fantastic movie. Funny, solid, and to the point.

X-Men First Class: This reboot was AWESOME. We can finally forget that X3 and Wolverine ever happened. Here is the start of a terrific X-Men franchise.

Captain America: America, fuck yea!

Young Justice: If you haven’t been watching this show, you’re missing out. It’s a more of a serious show that appeals to both kids and adults. Cartoon Network did good with this one.

Brightest Day ending: This series was terrible and I’m glad it’s over.

The Bad:

Green Lantern: Oh man. I love GL, but this movie was pathetic. Lousy acting, characterization, and just over all not good. If only DC could make magical movies like Marvel does.

The Walking Dead season 2: NOTHING HAPPENS IN IT UNTIL THE END. Hope you enjoy prolonged episodes about doing nothing but hanging out at a barn. Some kid was missing, she was found, and then zombies were killed. This all happened during the last 10 minutes of the last episode of this year. Otherwise the show really let me down.

The New 52: Barbara Gordon can walk again and is now Batgirl, thus eliminating Stephanie Brown? Lame. Superman is kind of a dick and his uniform makes my eyes burn? Lame. Justice League issue 1 has nothing of real value and is a fluff issue? Double lame. While Catwoman shines in her solo issue, everything else is just sub par. Hopefully within a year everything will go back to normal.

Price decrease…then they went back up: How come three months ago I was paying $2.99, but now my comics have magically gone back up? Suck my nuts, comic companies.

Batman: Brave And The Bold ending: This show was campy and fun, but ultimately came to an end. I’ll miss it.

Green Lantern cartoon: While I like that it jumps right into the story, the four-year old I babysit summed it up best: “This is lame.”

Can’t wait for 2012!

-Lauren

The New 52: Catwoman

Girls with Comics — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 02:22:27 +0000

Out of all the “new” titles DC is pumping out, I only read two: Batgirl and Catwoman.

While hoards of people out there are shocked and dismayed by the rampant sex that is prancing through the pages of this comic series so far, I for one am not bothered by it. Traditionally Catwoman is a sexual character. In Batman Returns she was a deliciously sexy beast in a stitched up suit, and through the Batman history she’s always had a sexual thing with Batman. This comic just shoved it in your face.

Judd Winick has the character down better than anyone I’ve seen. She’s quick, witty, and you can’t help but to root for her. She is the perfect anti-hero in this comic. Above all else the art by Guillem March is amazing. I’ve been a fan of his since his work with Gotham City Sirens, and I’m thrilled he’s drawing the new Catwoman. He draws her with the dangerously sexy curves I’ve always fancied her to have. The duo have created a sexy and dangerous love interest (and foe) for Batman, and so far I love it.

The story so far is pretty basic. She pissed someone off, and is squatting from home to home. With the help of her pal Lola she seems to be good to go. That is untill a new villain–Bone–finds Lola and kills her. There’s much more to this story then that, and the comic is only 2 issues in.

Needless to say, so far so good.

-Lauren