Hoopla! - Episode 2: What looks good in March 2008? (A-J)

Hello and welcome to Hoopla!

It may seem like it's been a while since I've written a new column, but that's not entirely true... I've started writing a couple of columns, but neither of them is finished, yet, and so the end result has been that, to the untrained eye, it would appear that I have not been fulfilling my Hoopla! obligations...

But now you know the uncanny truth...

So, what looks good in March...? Well, I'll tell ya...

ACTION COMICS #863

I am totally enjoying the six-part Superman and the Legion of Super-Heroes! storyline and this is the concluding chapter. So, this is pretty much a no-brainer...

And, yes, Gary Frank's art does look very different than in his previous work, and I suppose that I do prefer the earlier stuff, but I have no problem with what he's doing here... Gary Frank's second-best is still pretty damn good...

ANGEL AFTER THE FALL #5

I hated the first issue, but the second one was better. Still not completely satisfying, but I think I'll give it a little bit longer to pull together...

If nothing else, I really enjoyed the Spike: Shadow Puppets limited series by the same writer and artist, so that suggests that this series may improve over time...

ANNIHILATION CONQUEST #5 (OF 6)

Enjoying this. 'Nuff said.

BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #5

Chuck Dixon.

It is not a great series, by any stretch of the imagination, but it is consistently enjoyable, I think...

BLUE BEETLE #25

A neat little series. I first got interested in this because of Mark Waid and George Perez's use of the character in their Brave and the Bold story. Again, this series isn't the pinnacle of comic-book genius, but it's a good time...

BRAVE AND THE BOLD #11

I am SO bummed out that George Perez is leaving this title.

So very, very bummed...

But, Jerry Ordway aint nothing to sneeze at, either, and I suspect this will continue to be great fun as long as Mark Waid is doing the writing...

BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #12

That Faith story by Brian K. Vaughan? That was damn good stuff...

Hopefully, they can maintain that level of quality...

CAPTAIN AMERICA #36

COMIC BOOK COMICS #1

Okay, so... what is Comic Book Comics, you may be wondering...

Well, I'll tell you...

Not so very long ago, Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey published a very quirky, funny and--yes--educational comic titled Action Philosophers. Essentially, Action Philosophers was a series of brief summaries of the world's most famous philosophers... a bit of biography, a bit about what they actually contributed to the wonderful world of philosophy, and a lot of good, snarky humor.

Action Philosophers recently ended, as they finally ran out of philosophers that they wanted to talk about, but Comic Book Comics is their new series, and it's all about the history of comic-books.

Here is a preview of the series and here's a great interview with Lente about Action Philosophers, M.O.D.O.K.'s 11, his Marvel Adventure stories, and Comic Book Comics.

Among other things, Lente says this about the new series...

Well, we were trying to come up with a follow-up series for “Action Philosophers!” and what I wanted to avoid was “Classics Illustrated.” I really didn't want to adapt the major works of novelists or the stories of films. It's one thing to “adapt” a work of philosophy, it's another thing to re-tell somebody else's story.

And I've done a lot of work for Museum of Comics and Cartoon Art (MoCCa). I now serve on the Board of Advisors there. So I've amassed a huge library about comics and it just sort of hit me one day: no one has ever tried a non-fiction comic about comics history before. And what's great about comics fandom is everyone is into their own corner of the history: this guy loves Will Eisner, this guy loves Marvel, this guy loves EC horror stuff, etc. But we're going to cover everything.

So, there you go.

Buy it. Love it. Polybag it.

CURSED PIRATE GIRL #1 (OF 6)

In my last column I showed some of the very beautiful preview pages... it's the one that looks like it was illustrated back in the 1800s.

It's gonna be mighty good, methinks...

FABLES #71

FANTASTIC FOUR #555

Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch.

GREEN LANTERN #29

INCREDIBLE HERCULES #115

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #43

Blue Beetle and Booster Gold.

Written by Keith Giffen.

Um... yes.

JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #14

Loving this series... loving the art, loving the "Kingdom Come" storyline, loving that ultra-tragic Superman from another world...

Really, really enjoying this series.

Well, that's only about half of the list of stuff I'm pre-ordering for March, but I need to get going... my bestest friend in the whole wide world, Meredith, and I are going to make some dinners at this place, Thyme Out, where you go and make dinners and then bring them home and eat them over the course of the rest of your life.

Get it...? It's called Thyme Out because... uh... because thyme is a seasoning that you use when you're... uh... cooking, and because "time out" is... er... the thing that you say when you... um... eat the thing. That you made.

Or something.

Anyway, I'll be posting What Looks Good in March 2008 (L-X) sometime this weekend, I hope...

Until then, I hope that you're THYME isn't... uh... out?

Hm.

- Paul

Hoopla! - Episode 19: In which the Hulk Smashes...

Hello and welcome to Hoopla! This week we're going to take a look at Marvel's solicitations for their July books and... not much else. I had some glorious plans for this week's Hoopla! but it looks like they're going to have to wait until next week, because time--as usual--is my enemy.

I do want to mention, however, that Newsarama just released a very brief interview with Sienkiewicz about the upcoming 30 Days of Night title I was telling y'all about a few weeks ago and the first issue has officially been scheduled for September. Yee-haw!

Well, July is the month when the sun is out shining its sunbeams of love at the world and a young man's heart naturally turns to... the Hulk. Marvel, anticipating that seasonal change, has cleverly scheduled a bazillion books featuring the Hulk for July.

Don't believe me? Well, just take a look...

And my personal favorite, from IRREDEEMABLE ANT-MAN #10...

Plus a couple of others that don't have covers posted yet.

The story behind all these Hulk crossovers/limited series is that about a year ago, Hulk was shot into outer space by a bunch of super-heroes (I forget who all was involved, but Iron Man, Reed Richards, etc.) because he'd become too much of a menace to remain on Earth. That led to a year's worth of stories about Hulk being on this faraway planet where he was a warrior-hero.

Now, the Hulk's coming back with his army and it's payback time.

And this time... it's personal.

So, be afraid... be very afraid.

Because you wouldn't like him when he's angry.

He's going to kick some ass and chew some gum. And he's all out of gum...

Etc.

So, essentially what you've got here is a big ol' "Hulk Smash!" kind of story. Which is fine, I suppose, but I can't help thinking this might be a few too many Hulk fights for one month (and it will be continuing throughout the summer). How much Hulk can one person reasonably be expected to take? And some of these crossovers and limited series sound pretty lame.

Exhibit A: World War Hulk: X-Men.

THE STORY: When the Illuminati voted to shoot the Hulk into space, Professor X wasn't there...but the Hulk just found out he was supposed to be. So he shows up at the Xavier Institute to ask a few pointed questions, Hulk style. With the other teams away, only Beast and the New X-Men stand between the massive rage of the Hulk and the Professor...not to mention the younger students who'd be caught in the crossfire. Can the X-Men-in-training survive the wrath of the Jade Giant until the other X-teams get back? Or will the young mutants become casualties of the World War Hulk?

So, this is a three issue series about the Hulk going to the institute so he can beat up Professor X, who wasn't even one of the people who shot him into space. C'mon, Hulk! Focus a little, here! Getting side-tracked into a three-issue battle with the Beast and the New X-Men is only going to slow you down. And what's the payoff?

I mean, assuming the Hulk does beat up the Beast and the New X-Men (and I should hope he'd be able to do that much), then what is he going to do? Beat up Professor X? That's going to be a pretty quick fight.

Silly Hulk. Silly Marvel Comics.

There's also a new Bendis/Maleev limited series coming out, which would normally be a must-buy for me, but...

HALO: UPRISING #1 (of 4)

Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS

Pencils and Cover by ALEX MALEEV

The Eisner Award-winning team of superscribe Brian Michael Bendis and artist extraordinaire Alex Maleev unleash an epic story of mankind's struggle against the alien threat of the Covenant. Picking up from the conclusion of blockbuster video game Halo 2, the must-read issue reveals how the Master Chief, while onboard a hostile ship headed towards Earth, is battling against Covenant forces! Intertwined with Master Chief's interstellar one-man-war is the saga of a great American city's rebellion and downfall, two disparate lives' collision and shared fate, and the Convenant's hunt for an ancient relic of untold power and value. With hope dwindling and the fate of humanity hanging by a thread, is there any chance for a future? Read this debut issue to start the journey into the Halo universe!

40 PGS./17 and Up ...$3.99

This comic book is based on a Mature-rated video game.Microsoft, Bungie, the Bungie logo, Halo, the Halo logos, the Microsoft Game Studios logo, Xbox 360, the Xbox logos are either registered trademarks or trademarks ofMicrosoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries and are used under license from owner. © 2007 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.

Um... it's based on a video game? That's rather... unexciting. [Although it's true that Death Jr. was also based on a video game and that was one of the best books to come out last year. But that was by Ted Naifeh. The normal rules don't apply.] Besides which, it's science fiction. When I think Bendis and Maleev, I think dark, gritty, urban stories. I think Daredevil. I do not think "epic story of mankind's struggle against the alien threat of the Covenant."

Of course, it's always possible that this will end up being great. It could happen. Bendis and Maleev... that's a heck of a team. But, I'm Mr. Dubious on this one.

Meanwhile, those of you who love Keith Giffen's writing are in for a treat in July. At first glance, ANNIHILATION: CONQUEST – STAR-LORD (4-issue series) doesn't look all that interesting. Too many words in the title, for one thing. And the cover is sort of a generic sci-fi comic-book-y thing.

But... the solicitation copy looks very promising...

Peter Quill is once again Star-Lord - - but what could possibly make him take on his former identity? And what brings together the motley crew that includes Bug, Captain Universe, Deathcry, Mantis, Groot and Rocket Raccoon? Grab your blaster and say your prayers as Keith Giffen (ANNIHILATION) and soon-to-be star Timothy Green (Rush City) deliver a sci-fi twist on Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos!32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

Keith Giffen writing a story that stars Bug, Rocket Racoon, and something called Groot? Ah, yes. Life is good.

And, in the two-great-tastes-that-taste-great-together category, we've got this...

Marvel Adventures: The Avengers by Jeff Parker is pure fun. Agents of Atlas (also written by Jeff Parker) was one of the best limited series of the past year. And what we've got here is a Giant-Size Marvel Adventures: The Avengers that guest-stars... the Agents of Atlas!!!

What's not to love?

Further evidence that Joe Quesada loves me... Dan Slott's Great Lake Avengers, who later changed their names to the Great Lakes X-Men, and who are now apparently going by the Great Lakes Initiative, have their own one-shot coming up in July. The Great Lakes Avengers limited series (about two years ago...?) was one of the best comic-book-y things I've ever read. Absurd, hilarious, tragic... it blew me away, quite frankly. And now there's this...

DEADPOOL/GLI - SUMMER FUN SPECTACULAR

Written by DAN SLOTT

Penciled by FABIAN NICEZA & VARIOUS MAGNIFICENT ARTISTS

Cover by PAUL PELLETIER

Wisconsin’s only greatest heroes team-up with the world’s most annoying deadliest merc in this slightly larger than average super sized special! Marvel as DEADPOOL and the newly--crowned GREAT LAKES INITIATIVE face off against hitmen, ninjas, and the POWER OF THE GODS! Swoon as the scintillating SQUIRREL GIRL is reunited with her first love, ROBBIE BALDWIN! And prepare yourself as DEADPOOL trains a GLI’er in one of the deadliest killing arts of all time!!! Ye gods, man! What are you waiting for? This thing’s got time travel, strange bodily functions, and NINJAS? Did we mention the ninjas? Sick of ninjas yet? We thought so. That’s so 80’s, right? Forget about the ninjas. (They are there, though.)48 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

And finally from Marvel, there's a new limited series, titled SUPER-VILLAIN TEAM-UP/M.O.D.O.K.'S 11. I'm not quite certain why Marvel is being so good to me this summer, but take a look at this...


SUPER-VILLAIN TEAM-UP/M.O.D.O.K.'S 11 #1 (OF 5)
Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Penciled by FRANCIS PORTELA
Cover by ERIC POWELL
While the heroes are away fighting World War Hulk, the villains can play...M.O.D.O.K., sick of being hunted and hounded by A.I.M., gathers together an eclectic team of Marvel's Most Wanted to pull off one last, big score. But news travels fast along the grapevine of villainy -- and pretty soon every bad guy in the Marvel Universe is gunning for the Big-Headed One's unspeakably powerful prize. Executing their heist may be the easy part, because getting away with their loot alive is going to be the real challenge for M.O.D.O.K.’s 11!32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

Sigh.

So, yes... July looks to be a damn fine month for comic-books.

Well, I was going to do an extra-special feature about The Shield, which I personally think is the single best TV series currently on the air. However, time does not permit, so I'm going to save that for next week's Hoopla!

This gives you time to prepare, though. So, quick rent all five seasons of The Shield so as to maximize your Hoopla! enjoyment next week. Otherwise, you're really just wasting your time and mine, no?

Next week is also my birthday, so be sure to send me lots of gifts, okay?

Until then, here's hoping you have a kick-ass week and that nobody tries to stomp on your continuity!

- Paul