Comic Con from Afar: Third Annual Lamentation

I try to go to cons that are nearby me in Minneapolis. (Here's me with Lou Ferrigno and me in a TARDIS at the Wizard World con this year!) But I've never had the pleasure of attending the mommacon, the San Diego Comic Con. But I hang out on Tumblr a lot. So -

Welcome to the Third Annual Nerds-of-a-Feather Comic Con from Afar post, wherein one dorkly gal gathers up some cool stuff that makes her sit up and geek out from #SDCC14. This is a totally totally biased list of things I love.

ALL MARVEL, ALL THE TIME
I saw Guardians of the Galaxy last night, and it. was. freaking. fantastic. (though my sister-in-law disagreed: “Heroes in space? That’s just not believable”). So it was doubly awesome to hear that Guardians 2 is already a thing that's happening.

Some Avengers 2: Age of Ultron footage was shown, which I would give my left nut to see. Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver! They can’t call them mutants, since that would impinge on Fox’s licensing of the X-Men - even though both characters were in X-Men: Days of Future Past. You can catch a glimpse of them in this lovely retrospective from Marvel (but it's just the same brief moment from the end of Winter Soldier) :


Ant-Man too had a teaser shown, even though they haven’t even started filming.

The big panel ended with this delicious dish - Josh Brolin (Thanos) wearing the Infinity Gauntlet!!

LEGEND OF KORRA

Nick announced that Korra was moving off-air into digital-only the day before the Korra SDCC panel. Thankfully, show creators Konietzko and DiMartino helped me turn down my worry. We’ll still get all of Book Four.

WARCRAFT
The World of Warcraft movie still has more than a year of post-production, but they showed a bit of footage. Director Duncan Jones, said "We really want to make this an origin story. We want to show how the world of Azeroth falls into conflict between orcs and humans.” Well, I’ve only got one thing to say to that… For the Horde!

OTHER WONDERFUL THINGS

Of course there’s tons more stuff - Sam Raimi made more promises (this time an Evil Dead series!!), WarGames is getting remade, Firefly Online is still not here (but still using the Papyrus font), Jack Black is doing R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps movie, Mockingjay blah blah blah - but we gotta wrap up with the cosplay.

Thursday Morning Superhero

San Diego Comic Con is less than a month away, but the news that has me pumped up is that Locke and Key has been optioned by Universal!  Read all about it here.  So happy for Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez.  If the movies are made properly this has the possibility to be truly stunning.  In other news, Age of Ultron reached its conclusion, the Sixth Gun had two books out, and a new X-Files comic debuted (I unfortunately have not read it).

Pick of the Week:

Sixth Gun: Sons of the Gun #4 - I have been enjoying this spin-off from the Sixth Gun world.  These books shed more light on General Hume, his widow, and the four henchmen that accompany them.  I was fully on board when I heard that this was happening, but it hasn't been until this issue that I felt it truly shined.  This book focused on Silas Hedgepeth who wields the fourth gun and can call up the spirit of those it shoots down.  What made this issue stand out was how good intentioned Silas was and how, despite thinking he was doing a greater good, the gun was corrupting him and turning him into the villain we read about in the regular series.  I felt truly sorry for him and the what the gun was putting him through.  If you enjoy the Sixth Gun, or if you have never read it, this spin-off is accessible to all and a great way to gain entry into this world that Cullen Bunn has so thoughtfully crafted.

The Rest:

Sixth Gun #32 - I really want to spoil the last page of this issue as it had such impact, but I will refrain myself and let you know that this book begins to really bring things back full circle to the first trade.  Becky Montcrief bears witness to the six throughout time and even runs into a familiar face.  Really digging into the lore of the six has really rekindled my interest in rereading this series for the fifth time.  Can't say enough about how good this series is.

Age of Ultron #10 - For a Marvel event that I have enjoyed that is supposed to have major implications for the Marvel Universe, the finale leaves a lot to be desired.  Brian Michael Bendis does a nice job of wrapping everything up, but the level of excitement and consequences that seemed possible fall flat.  I am going to read this as a collection, but feel that it didn't achieve its intended results.  I also would have preferred more Ultron in an event with the title Age of Ultron.

Fables #130 - Bill Willingham delights us this week with a self-contained story that sets up the next arc of Fables.  My relationship with Fables has seen its high points and low points (although never really that low) and I remain hopeful that this next arc will continue the upward trajectory this series has enjoyed lately.  Seeing this cover reminds me that we need a follow-up to the Fables Covers book as this series has some of the most iconic covers in any run.

Thursday Morning Superhero

Despite over 12 hours of driving and over 750 miles on the road returning home from my Texas trip, Thursday Morning Superhero is delivered on time and loaded with quality titles.  I think it is unfair to the other comics that I read this week to be compared to Locke and Key.  I have never been so vested in a universe or a set of characters like the ones that Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez have created.  Time for the least shocking pick of the week!

Pick of the Week:
Locke and Key: Omega #5 - This is a difficult book to review without spoiling it.  Anyone who has frequented this blog should know of my love of Locke and Key.  We left the last issue with Kinsey and a group of the senior class trapped in the drowning cave with Dodge and the Omega door wide open.  Rufus was in pursuit, but lagging behind and Tyler just took a bullet to the gut.  Things don't improve much in book 5, but we are left with a chance for hope and redemption.  Not only for the Locke children and their mother, but their father and, I hope, Dodge.  It is easy to forget what a tragic figure he is and I don't think that Hill and Rodriguez have either.  It is going to be difficult to wait for book 6, but I have no doubt that it will be worth it.

The Rest:
Age of Ultron #9 - Still enjoying this series and found a good amount of humor in what I will call the "Plan B" issue.  Multiple Wolverines travel  through time, alternative future Tony Stark has a plan, and Hank Pym thinks he gets it.  Should set up an interesting conclusion to a very entertaining series.

Artful Daggers #4 - I will admit that this title is beginning to confuse me with all of the backstabbing and politicking that is taking place in four short issues.  I am intrigued by this universe and the backstory of the Tricksters and will reread the series later this week, which I take as a good sign.  Really solid title, stunning artwork, and a great bargain from MonkeyBrain Comics.  Really worth your time and spare change.

Fairest #16 - Maharaja Charming continues to try and woo Nalayani when they are attacked by the Dhole.  The two team up to hunt down the remaining wolves when they find themselves in another sticky situation.  This arc has been packed with action, fun, good looking women, and some mysterious characters who have yet to reveal their true purpose.  Good times.

All New Secret Skullkickers #1 - Jim Zub brings more humor, action and fun to part four (yes, part four) of the Eighty Eyes on an Evil Island arc.  In an issue featuring a handy dandy Island map complete with where to get the best melons, a dangerous dungeon exploration montage, and a magical sword that prefers proper manners, Zub is able to poke fun at the comics industry, craft an interesting tale, and blend humor and action in a way that is uncanny.

Ten Grand #2 - J. Michael Straczynski has a hit on his hand with Ten Grand.  Joe Fitzgerald continues his searching for Debbie's sister Sarag, who was last seen with the man who killed both him and his lover.  A man he put a bullet in his head a couple of years back.  After crossing paths with a fleshist, Fitzgerald learns that the Divine Will cult is one step ahead of him and has taken possession of Debbie. Straczynski has managed to develop quite a bit of depth in 2 issues and has me on board.

Thursday Morning Superhero

Thursday is upon us so it is time for the latest installment of Thursday Morning Superhero.  This week felt a little slow in terms of titles that caught my eye, but the books I purchased from my LCS were definitely above par.  The twists and turns of Age of Ultron have impressed me thus far.  I am not usually one for big comic events, but have enjoyed this ride and don't know how they are going to write themselves out of the situation Wolverine and the Invisible Woman are in.  Dynamite launched a new Battlestar Galactica title based on the 70's television show that was a good read, Helheim may be my favorite new title, and The Dream Merchant from Image Comics had one of the best #1 issues of recent memories.  On to the comics!

Pick of the Week:
Helheim #3 - For me Helheim secured itself as another runaway hit from Cullen Bunn this week.  While I thoroughly enjoyed issue 1 (which just sold out its second printing) and 2, the growth that the pieced together hero Rikard showed in this issue took it to another level.  Bera raised Rikard from the dead and turned him into a Draugr, a raised from the dead killing machine.  He was supposed to kill the other witch, Groa, and anyone who sides with her.  Rikard, however, has no desire to kill any women or children and believes he was raised to protect his people.  Throw in the fact that his father does not like the abomination his son has become and wants to give him a proper death and the unlikely partner, the orphaned Kadlin, that Rikard has found, and you have a series that should provide interesting twists and turns in the upcoming issues.  Bunn has a knack for the supernatural and is displaying it in full force with Helheim.

The Rest:
The Dream Merchant #1 - This is a book that you should keep your eye on. Winslow is currently in a mental ward due to his dream that has been recurring every night since he was a child.  He is flying through a different world with an alien landscape and does not know the meaning.  In the action packed debut, Winslow is pursued by wraith-like beings and learns that he is the last human carrying the memory of how the world once was.  Very enjoyable title that is well written and easy on the eyes.

Age of Ultron #8 - Wolverine and the Invisible Woman are further investigated by the Defends led by Tony Stark.  Things are disrupted when Morgan Le Fay and her alien force invades and brings total havoc to the Defenders, putting them in a situation that is eerily similar to the fate Ultron had brought to Earth.  Once again the superheros are in a situation that seems impossible to navigate away from.  Should be interesting to see what happens next.

Battlestar Galactica #1 - This new Battlestar Galactica title, based on the 70's television series, was easy to get into, a fun read, and provided a nice twist to bring readers back.  Nothing terribly original or fascinating happened in this one, but I may be back for more depending on what I read.  Best part about the issue was the stunning variant cover from Chris Eliopoulous. 

Thursday Morning Superhero

I feel bad that I haven't been able to name Age of Ultron pick of the week because I have truly been loving this series.  This week it is pitted against the third to the last issue of Locke and Key and is once again runner-up.  If you haven't checked out Age of Ultron by Brian Michael Bendis I highly recommend it.  That being said, Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez are wrapping up one of the best pieces of fiction that I have ever read.  Hard to compete with a title like this.  Time for the least shocking pick of the week ever!

Pick of the Week:
Locke and Key: Omega #4: The sheer amount of emotion that this series is currently evoking in me should be illegal.  Never have I been more concerned about a group of characters in a comic or have I felt tension that is this palpable.  Dodge's plan to unleash the demons from beyond the door is looking like a foregone conclusion and I know that I am going to shed some tears as this series reaches its conclusion.  Tyler's growth as a character may be my favorite thing about this series.  From the young man who bottled up his emotions to the leader he has become has been a pleasure to witness.  I am sad that there are only two issues left, but I can't wait to complete this journey that has been a true pleasure to be a part of.

The Rest:
Age of Ultron #4 - After the shocking reveal that Ultron was using Vision to manage his destruction, the remaining survivors have a plan that we will begin to see in the next issue.

Snapshot #3 - This fast-paced tale from Andy Diggle takes an unexpected twist in what has been a fun ride that will reach its conclusion next issue.

Miss Fury #1 - This pulp title from Dynamite Entertainment is fun and worth your time if you think you would enjoy a curvacious superhero, Nazis, time travel, and a daring heist.