Something new...

I've made no secret of the fact that I'm a Starman fan of the highest order. One of the things I've been doing at SDCC over the last few years is working a Starman sketchbook. It's a lot of fun and has sort of re-energized my enjoyment of the Con. So over the next several weeks (leading up to my trip to WonderCon, if I've figured my dates correctly), I'll be posting some of those sketches here. Mostly because I need to motivate myself to get my sketches scanned. So let's get this party started!


This one's a sketch of Jack Knight, the main character, by co-creator Tony Harris. It's from SDCC 2004, and was the first sketch in the book. Tony was VERY cool, and he's also one of the guests of honor at WonderCon this year (one of my motivating factors for going). Tony has said before that he modeled Jack's physical appearance on his own, and after meeting him in "real life", I have to concur with that assessment. It's almost scary how much they look alike. Anyway, here's the sketch. Enjoy!

But Wait! There's More!

...And We're Back!

Yes, I know it's been just over 2 months. And no, I'm not going to bore you with excuses. If you're one of the 2 or 3 people who read this blog regularly, then you already know me and you already know what's been occupying my time lately. So we're going to cut right to the chase and talk about some comic stuff. Meet me after the jump?


I knew you would. So a lot has happened in the time I've been gone, and there's plenty to talk about. I'll cover some of it here, and some of it in subsequent posts, since I'm back on a regular posting schedule again.

1. Excellent books I've read lately (in no particular order):
This really is a great time to be a comic fan. Between all the great stuff being produced today and the superlative classic stuff being collected there's enough to satisfy virtually any taste. Case in point (and by no means an exhaustive list):
The Immortal Iron Fist #1: This is probably the most promising debut issue I've read in 10 years. In fact, it reminds me of Starman. It seems like Marvel (or at least co-writers Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction) are finally taking the notion of a heroic legacy and applying it to one of their own. If subsequent issues are this good, I'm on board for the long haul.
52: I know I've talked about this a lot over the course of the series, but I'm still digging the hell out of it. The various storylines are in full swing, and I'm anxiously looking forward to the payoffs.
Detective Comics: Paul Dini truly is a genius. He writes the best Batman I've read in years. In fact, Dini's run on Detective is the first Batman title I've gotten regularly in since the run-up to "Our Worlds at War." I could try and get all analytical about it, but the bottom line is that Dini writes good Batman. And I'm glad to have "my" Batman back--you know, the one that's not an a-hole?
Jonah Hex: I've raved about this before, and it's still a top-notch read every single month. So read it!
Justice Society of America: I know only one issue has come out, but having this title out again, and with Geoff Johns back on writing, is like running into an old friend and rekindling the friendship. Seriously.

2. JLU figures:
You know, I was really unhappy when the animated series ended, but I'm glad the figures are still being made. They're slowly making the 7 Soldiers of Victory (and btw, I have no idea why I'm so crazy about those guys. I just am), and dipping into the deep end of obscurity with figures of Etrigan and Doctor Light (the non-rapist one). And the Doomsday figure? Man, it's impressive. And they're finally addressing the fact that the female figures just do not stand by themselves by including stands with them. Now if only they'd make stands for the dudes. Of course, with no holes in the feet, they'd have to be like ankle clips or something...

3. Comic Drawer Boxes:
I can't remember if I've talked about these before, but they rock the house. They're comic boxes, but instead of top-loading, they're front-and-top-loading. Instead of taking off the lid, the box pulls out of the frame, like a drawer (duh) and loads that way. Seriously, it's revolutionized how I deal with my comics. Hopefully, buy the time X-mas break is over, I'll be all transitioned into the drawers and have my ComicBase updated.

I think that's where I'm stopping for today, since it's late and I've got to finish writing a final for class tomorrow. But fear not. I'll be back.

But Wait! There's More!