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More sex than story in comics…

September 22, 2011

Here’s my two cents. I am in NO WAY slut-shaming Starfire. If this was a book that was intended for women, then yes I’d be a bit less critical. But guys, DC even said it. Their demographic isn’t women. And even some men are not liking what’s going on in this.

Starfire has changed from a caring, passionate woman to this frigid, sex object. Yes, sex object. She isn’t being used as a character women could honestly identify with. She is basically there for the fanservice. Which we all know, caters to men.

Alot of people have been going on to say that the people who don’t like this are slut-shaming or saying we get up in arms about sex. I have no problem with sex in a story. But it has to be tastefully done. To me, this isn’t tastefully done. Maybe we will find out later what is going on. But as of right now, as this is the first issue and DC has said its trying to pull in NEW readers, I think this was a bad way.

Let me explain something to you, DC. Your medium is dying. For a new person, they aren’t going to understand why they should pay $3-$4 for one chapter of a story every month. That’s basically what it is. And alot of the issues from this new 52, you’re reading it and going ‘wow…that was it’. For us current comic fans, we’re used to this. We know how this system works. It’s a new storyline, meaning the first issue is going to be mostly set-up.  For a new fan, they won’t see the appeal of spending their money on a 30 page comic that comes out once a month.

Also, you need substance to sell a comic. Sex can only get you so far. People read stories so that they can identify with characters and so that they can have an escape from life. In other words, the story has to have A RELATABLE THEME. I just read Catwoman and I don’t know what the fuck is going on. All I remember is Catwoman being half naked most of the issue and then her and Bruce having sex at the end. That was a TERRIBLE first issue.

DC you used to be good. You used to have Cassandra Cain’s run on Batgirl as #11 on the sales charts. Within a couple years, she went down to the upper 70s on the sales chart. You also can’t get a successful movie franchise going unless it’s Batman. You at least still do cartoons really well. But that’s about it.

You need to put alot of money into research and marketing if you haven’t already. If you do, then you’re doing something wrong. Re-structure your research department.

-Julie

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Moon Prism Power Now At Hot Topic

September 16, 2011

Hey everyone! Look!

http://www.hottopic.com/hottopic/Apparel/Halloween/Sailor-Moon-Costume-885764.jsp

Do you see what I see? Why, I see a $60 Halloween Sailor Moon costume! Now, I’ve seen and heard many a Moonie rage over this costume, but let’s sit the fuck down and shut the fuck up for a second.

1- It’s a Halloween costume. Sure, it will be worn to anime conventions. But, I doubt the person buying this will be entering it into a cosplay contest.

2- It actually looks like the child version costume that was released 14 years ago. 14 years ago I was 11, so I didn’t buy that version. NOW I CAN. HAHAHA.

3- It’s $60. While that price point seems out of line, most Halloween costumes are in the $40-60 range. True story, unless you buy your costumes at Wal-Mart.

4- Again, it’s a Halloween costume. I don’t know of any Halloween costume that’s actually made well. No really, I don’t.

5- Look at it this way; Sailor Moon is back in the USA. With the manga release and all of the merch that is due out later this year, you should be thankful. I know I am, since I can finally get trashed dressed up as Sailor Moon without worrying about fucking up a $200+ costume I had made for me.

-Lauren

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DC 52 reviews

September 13, 2011

I may as well write my DC 52 review.

I’ll start with the title I was interested in reading-Swamp Thing #1

We see that Alec Holland and Swamp Thing are separate beings,(which I found very neat)
We also see cameos from the main heroes.
Story I thought was good for the first issue.
I’m starting to like Scott Snyder writing this series.

Overall this is a great first issue and for Swamp Thing fans.
I give it 5 out of 5

Next is Animal Man #1
I thought I was going to hate this book,but to my surprise I loved it.
We start off with Animal Man reading is an interview with his wife.
Then he has to go stop a crazed man in a children’s hospital.
I wouldn’t spoil the rest of the issue,but let’s just say I was a bit surprised by the ending.

Overall this is a another great first issue.
5 out of 5

Next is Batgirl #1
This is the book that’s gotten a lot of attention,mainly because Barbara Gordon is no longer paraplegic(I really don’t care,but that’s for another time)
The Story begins with a new foe who calls himself Mirror.
And he’s killing those are on his list.
We also see that the he’s now after Barbara Gordon.
Then we see that the events of The Killing Joke did happen and she was paraplegic.
But she can now walk(I want to know how she got to walk again??)
I like the writing from Gail Simone.
The art is good too.

Overall this a good issue and I think fans of Barbara Gordon will like this series too.

4 out of 5

Next is Action Comics #1
I don’t read nor do I like Superman,mainly because he’s too perfect.
But Grant Morrison is one of my favorite writers,so I picked up the book.
I must say this was a very good book.
I love the fact that Superman is not the perfect hero he was written of the years.
He’s more of a vigilante than a superhero.
He works for a rival newspaper.
Grant Morrison got me to read a really good book.

Overall this was a good read.
4 out of 5

Next is Detective Comics #1
I really can’t say much of this issue because it was boring at the beginning,but it got interesting at the end.

Book was ok,but it could have been better.
3 out of 5

Last book is Static Shock #1
I didn’t like the book all that much.
I would skip this book,unless you’re a fan of the character.
2 out of 5

Well,that’s the end of my DC 52 review.
Hopefully I’ll post more comic reviews in the future.

-Sarah

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Reasons not to read Cosmo: Article on Dating Geeks

September 12, 2011

This may be the most terrible article I’ve read in a very long time. I linked it to prove it exists, because I could not have come up with this crap on my own. I will copy’/paste Cosmo’s reasoning, followed by my comments on why Cosmo is a giant piece of crap wrapped in a magazine cover.

Also, let me preface this by stating that I have been dating an extremely geeky guy for seven and a half years. And I am good friends with many others. Pretty qualified here.

 

Ever since Michael Cera became hot leading guy material, we’ve been thinking about the dorky guys we often overlook. In our experience, nothing about our nerdy next-door-neighbor ever really inspired any naughty thoughts (except for you know…free homework help). But it turns out that this slightly geeky breed of men might make the best boyfriends. Here’s why.

1. He’s capable of memorizing every line of Star Wars and Lord of the Rings so he shouldn’t have trouble remembering your birthday and favorite kind of flowers.

‎It took my boyfriend about four years to remember my birthday and our anniversary. (March 1 and 3 respectively….not that difficult -___-)

2. Sure, he may secretly want to get it on with his super hot neighbor, but knowing that you’re the hottest girl he’s ever been with will probably keep him from cheating.

Load of crap, men will cheat if they want to cheat, the looks of their significant other notwithstanding.

3. Geeks tend to be tech-savvy. Which means not only will he be able to fix a computer problem and upgrade your software, but he’ll actually enjoy doing it.

Geeks find it insulting to be constantly asked by their friends and loved ones to fix their computers. They don’t actually enjoy it, and would rather teach you how to do it so they can be proud of their geeky girlfriend.

4. Although the dumb jock thing is a total cliche, you’re unlikely to meet a dorky guy who can’t string together a sentence and carry on an intelligent conversation.

I know plenty of geeky guys who can’t string together a coherent sentence or hold an intelligent conversation. It gets worse when around women.

5. Since he’s supersmart and probably already making a ton of money, he won’t think being a roadie for Vampire Weekend is a great “career opportunity.”

When the hell did geeky = super smart and rolling in it? And why is Cosmo trying to write an article about “looking past” the geekiness and turning it instead into an article on how to be a gold digger?

6. He was probably bullied during high school so he’ll be sympathetic when you vent about the office bitch…and help you plot a plan to bring her down.

He may have been bullied in high school, so your venting about the office bitch just makes YOU look like an office bitch who has nothing better to do on her hands besides criticize other people.

7. He’ll never hog the bathroom to manscape.

Yes, yes he will.
~H

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Rest of the New 52 for 9-7-11

September 9, 2011

Green Arrow:  I’ve become a fan of Krul’s writing for the past year and honestly, it’s pretty good.  As an old fan though, I just can’t get over this younger looking Ollie.  Ollie has never been young for me.  When I saw him in Smallville I was immediately going ‘HE’S TOO YOUNG AND WHERE IS HIS GOATEE?!’

Static Shock:  I was hoping to be pulled in with this title but I wasn’t.  But I think I’m the only one that wasn’t.  Vergil is a science geek in here and it is adorable.  Alot of other people liked this and I’m glad they were able to like it.

Batwing:  I had huge skepticism about this title.  But it was pretty good.  Winick captured the setting really well and it was very interesting.  Batwing (I forget his civilian name derp) reminds me alot of Dick.  I wish we saw more of him and Bruce’s relationship but I’m sure we will see it later.  I know we saw how it formed in Batman Inc. but for a new reader, they will probably wonder why Batman decided to expand.

Hawk & Dove:  It was written really well for me.  But I think very few people care about this book.  I’ve been wanting a book for them since Brightest Day.  Only downfall is the drawings because its Liefeld and anatomy doesn’t exist.  I was worried this was gonna fail (at least to me) but I really liked this issue.  Oh also, the person who did the colors for this had alot of inconsistencies.  I don’t know why though.  If Hank’s costume is gray, it should be gray.  In one panel it was like completely black with red.  What the fuck?

Batgirl:  I tried to go into this with an open mind and I have to say I do like this issue.  In the beginning though I was unsure of Babs’ inner monologue cause to me I was like ‘wow…that is a bit different from how I’ve known her for the past couple years’.  But the rest of the issue Babs felt very much like the character I knew.  Honestly, I liked it.  I look forward to the rest of it.

Even though this reboot raises A MILLION questions for me as an old fan, I try to keep these reviews based on the writing and sometimes the art.  I rarely point out art unless its so bad that it really bothers me.  And pretty much everyone on these books does good work.

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New 52

September 7, 2011

Okay, I’m not going into an in-depth review.  I am not reading Animal Man, Swamp Thing, Men of War or O.M.A.C.

 

Justice League 1:  As Lauren stated, its not worth it.  It is a set up issue and very anti-climatic after all this hype over the ~*NEW 52*~  And the fact that all these new number ones will be sold in a graphic novel later, you might as well save your money.

Action Comics 1:  Morrison has stated he is returning to a Golden Age Superman.  Golden Age Superman is more of a cocky jerk than he is in Modern Age.  I personally don’t like him like that so I did not like Action Comics 1.

Detective Comics 1:  I hate Tony Daniel’s writing.  Plot isn’t bad but I just do not like his writing style.  This issue was more interesting than JL1 though.

Justice League International:  EVEN THOUGH I HATE THAT PANEL WHERE IT WAS A SHOT AT THE FANS…AND EVEN THOUGH I’M SO UPSET THAT BOOSTER AND TED WERE NEVER FRIENDS…I can’t lie.  This issue was decent.  The second best out of the batch I just read.

Stormwatch:  The best new number 1 I’ve read so far.  This is the only one I could see me buying monthly.  But then again I’m really not wanting to support DC in anyway right now.

Tomorrow, I will try to review Batgirl, Hawk & Dove, Batwing, Static Shock, and Green Arrow.

 

I’ve been pretty light on updating here about my opinions of DC but there are alot of opinions I have.

-Julie

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Justice League #1

September 1, 2011

I’ve had this copy since midnight of new comic book day, and I just finished reading it. Much like Julie, I was slightly put off by the re-start of most of our beloved comics. I was also put off by Barbara Gordon becoming Batgirl again, when she was much better as Oracle, and Stephanie was a fantastic Batgirl.

But that’s neither here nor there.

The first issue introduces what we can only assume are new readers (or making the rest of us feel like idiots) to the world of the Justice League. Green Lantern is a dick, Batman is what Batman has always been, and Superman also comes off as a dick. He also lacks red underwear, which visually makes me want to rip my eyes out. They’re all meeting for the first time, and everything is not peaches and cream. Green Lantern can’t believe Batman is real, and Batman is rather indifferent to Green Lantern. Otherwise, that’s about it. There’s nothing else to this issue. You spent $3.99 on a comic that tells you who your favorite super heroes are. Again. Except me, I got my copy for free.

I don’t know what to tell you other than to not waste your money. Geoff Johns is a great writer, and I do believe once this series gets going it will be fantastic, but right now I’m really wondering why this was even published. Even if you don’t read comics, you probably know who Batman is. You probably know who the rest of the DC line up is as well since they’re pop culture staples. This whole 52 new line up crap seems like a big publicity stunt (it is) to get new readers, but I can’t imagine anyone wanting to spent $4 on a book that basically does nothing. If it was a giant size, cool, I understand. It’s not. Don’t waste your money folks, just wait for the graphic novel.

-Lauren

Posted in Comic collecting, General Geekery | 2 Comments »

Baltimore Comic Con 2011

August 22, 2011

If you happen to be here from the CGC message boards, bad news. This is the same thing I wrote on there…just copy and pasted to here. If you are not here from the CGC boards, mazel tov! Enjoy the post.

And it was ~*fantastic*~!

My convention weekend started Friday morning when I went down to the con center to check in on a booth I was working at. I always love seeing cons as they are setting up, it’s such an exciting atmosphere. After hanging around and basically did nothing but watch for no real good reason, I rolled out. Went to the Ravens game that night, and then a birthday party, and since I didn’t hear of any forum dinner, I managed to go home and sleep for roughly 2-3 hours.

I got back to the con center SUPER early on Saturday with a guy I was working with that weekend. We opened up, fixed a few things, and I aimlessly walked around. It was actually pretty boring until people started showing up, so thank goodness for iPads. Once the con started, it got crowded. Quick. There were points where I couldn’t move at all, but that’s not a bad thing. The line to get into the show seemed to move fast. I changed into my costume and walked around with my friend L.J handing out flyers for the shop. Since he was dressed up as Thor, we didn’t move quickly through the con center.

I saw lots of people I knew, from all over.  There were a lot of nice books, and I know a few people who got pretty amazing deals on some pretty amazing books. I did see Stan Lee walk around with security a few times, so now I can say that I’ve seen Stan Lee walking. Fantastic. The artist alley was where I spent all of my money. There were some quality artists selling some amazing pieces of art. I picked up a few things on Sunday, and I plan to frame a few of them. I did buy an Owly book, and got Andy Runton to sign it, and he drew a quick sketch of Owly on the inside cover! I also got sketches from Dan Parent and Steve Conley, which all look fantastic! I got to meet Adam Hughes, and watch my friend Andrea fangirl over him. It was really cute, and I love her dearly.

After stalking Han, I ended the day by loitering by the booth I was working for. Once we were all closed up, I left with my friend Andrea and Pat. We got dinner, he left, and her and I and about 20 people I know all went to see KMFDM in another part in Baltimore. The show was fantastic, thanks for asking. I got home at 4:30 and went to sleep at 5am, only to wake up at 9 to go back to the show.

Sunday was MUCH slower, and not as crowded. This pleased me greatly. The booth was doing fantastic, so I only stayed for a few hours. I met a *ton* of new people, and I got to talk to a few of the artists since it was a slower day.

The show was overall great. The booth I was in did amazing in sales, and I’m super proud of them. Hopefully the convention will continue to grow more, and if that’s the case, I hope it gets moved into one of the bigger halls inside the con center, so we can all have a little bit more room. I got a few more pictures before calling it a day in order to go home and sleep.

It was a fantastic weekend. I got to see and hang out with tons of people I normally don’t see, and even though I feel like complete butt today, it was worth it. I can’t wait for next year!

And now, some pictures.

 

And now, some pictures from the amazing and awesome Pat!

 

-Lauren

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True Blood – Tainted Love

August 9, 2011

Recently IDW finished the newest True Blood 6 issue mini series, Tainted Love. I gave it a shot since it focuses on Jessica, the young vampire who lives under Bill’s care. I find her to be the most appealing character out of the series. I found the first True Blood comic to be horribly boring after issue 2 or 3 so I stopped reading it. This one was much different, and I was actually compelled to finish it. My only gripe is how over exposed True Blood has become. The series is utterly stupid (although season 1 was pretty good) and I find the books to also be just as stupid. They’re still better than Twilight though.

The story is by Marc Andreyko and Michael McMillian, with art by Joe Corroney. If these three want to continue making True Blood comics, I would happily read whatever they put out. While they’ve captured each character perfectly from the show, they don’t over do it. Since Sookie and Bill are not together, you don’t get the endless “SOOKEH” and “BEEEEEL” crap, which the first comic series poked fun at. The plot is pretty interesting too; Someone at the True Blood plants has been messing with the True Blood formula, which causes vampires who drink the tainted True Blood to go crazy. After doing some detective work our cast of fairies, shape shifter, vampires, and everything else discover it was the man who created True Blood in the first place. The rest of the story is a race against time to save Jessica and to try and find a cure for her.

Wait for this to come out in a collected form. It’s worth a read if you’re a True Blood fan, even a casual one. If you’ve never seen or read a True Blood book you might want to stay clear of this, as you really don’t get a back story to Jessica until issue 5.

-Lauren

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Otakon becoming a downward spiral

August 3, 2011

I’ll agree with Lauren that this does bring in alot of money into Baltimore City. That is the only good thing about it. Even though I’m sure everyone in that area hates us…We bring you money. So you can’t really complain.

This year I actually stood in line for Johnny Yong Bosch’s autograph. It was a clusterfuck. I got there an hour and a half early. And I received a ticket and then told to come back at the time on my ticket. I come back for my time, thinking that oh hey, this will be real quick and we will be in and out. No. I was sitting there for another forty five minutes and then we were let into the room to line up for autographs. His bandmates were really nice and talked to people while in line. It looked like Bosch was probably really tired, he wasn’t that talkative. I heard his band at the Matsuri (the Matsuri itself was a joke), and they weren’t bad.

As Lauren said, crowd control was terrible. I went down to Artist Alley once and of course the escalators are off. I have no problem with that. What I had a problem with was this small, narrow staircase being the only way in. And they didn’t stop people from exiting the entrance and going up that narrow staircase. At this point I’m really irritated and I even said something to the staff person at the bottom that then didn’t seem to care. I know this is a volunteer position but still.

The Alley itself had a bunch of great artists this year. I saw alot of good stuff. Although alot of people say the organization of the Alley was a hot mess. Glad to see that hasn’t changed since I was last there.

This con used to be really great. I’ve been attending since 2002. And after it got so huge that it brings in 30K people, I have enjoyed my time less and less. Mainly because of the lack of organization and the crowds of people that don’t know to stop off on the side instead right in the way of everyone else.

Even though I’m not huge into anime/manga as I used to be, I didn’t find too much interesting except for Artist Alley.

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