Tracie's Pull List - Week of November 30, 2011

Ah, man... Gotta love 5th weeks, right?

DC (and occasionally Marvel) used to schedule mini-series events to take place during 5th weeks, as they create a gap in the typical 4-week release schedule. My favorite example of which followed the Marvel vs. DC crossover event in 1996 when, towards the end of that epic clash (your miles may vary), the two universes were combined into an Amalgam Comics universe and Marvel and DC co-produced a line of all new #1 issues of merged characters like Legends of the Dark Claw, Super Soldier, and JLX. This all happened before the cynicism of old age began to put its claws into me and having all of Marvel and DC's comics replaced with these new combinations for a week was terribly exciting for me and I was all over it, convincing my little brother to buy all the titles that I couldn't afford with my allowance as well as attempting to collect the Amalgam trading cards while both they and my DC vs. Marvel sets remain incomplete.

Le sigh.

THIS fifth week, however, brings us absolutely nothing. This is a light-ass week by Tracie standards so lord knows if the rest of CBXF even have a single book they're waiting on, this week. I think Monty will be pleased to learn there's a new Skullkickers out on Wednesday but gosh, that might just be it for him.

Due to the rigid structuring of The New 52, DC really only has two books out this week and that's because they exist outside of that publishing plan. Marvel's got a bit more thanks to some books double-shipping this month and Dark Horse slides one in just because those Whedon books seem like they're always fighting to stay on schedule.

It's no matter for me, as I've got a stack of Jason Aaron Wolverine trades I need to tear into, as well as the chance to finally read Morrison & McKean's Arkham Asylum, but if you're looking to try something new this extremely light week, maybe I can help you out.

OCW Obscure Character of the Week - Rip Roar

The four armed juggernaut whose rival was Kalibak from the New Gods. Opposing Darkseid, he stole a Super-Cycle and eventually ended up entombed in the side of an Earth mountain. Until freed accidentally by Young Justice. To learn more about this former New God, click here.

Where is Magneto?

Friendly Fire Episode 19

Tracie's Pull List - Week of November 23, 2011

I don't really have any miscellany to rant/rave about this week unless I wanted to stress how ABSOLUTELY FLIPPING EXCITED I am for The Muppets opening this week. I plan to drag my family to see it with me on Thanksgiving. You should do likewise. Fill your soul after you fill your stomach.

Please do have a wonderful Thanksgiving or whatever you find yourself doing this week and let's take a look at my pre-holiday comics load:

My Favorite Phone App for comics!

I've seen the ads, I tried the trial runs. And I'm here to tell you... This website/App is incredible.

What is it called? Collectorz.com.

I saw links to this program on DCComics, Newsarama, and SupermanHomepage.com. So I did the trial run and next thing I know, I'm paying the 30 bucks and downloading the full version. But there is more. An App to read your entire collection on your phone and a separate app to turn your phone into a barcode scanner to input your collection.

I had a nice set up using Excel, but it didn't come with Photos of the cover, a list of characters in the book, prices, a picture of the back cover, and a place to rate the book and write personal notes. It took me about a year and a half to enter my collection into Excel, it took a month to put it in Collectorz.  Ok, I've gushed enough about this program. If you'd like to learn more or try the trial version... check out this link. And here is another link about the scanner.

I highly recommend!

OCW - Obscure Character of the Week: Marvel's Piranha

Yup! Obscure... Look at the fishy villain here.

Its time to get things started...

Call me cheezy... but I know others at CBXF will have my back on this... I'm so pumped for the Muppets! I have watched many teasers and trailers and seen a handful of Interviews. Listened to Jason Segal gush over his role in bringing this newest movie to the big screen. It really takes me back!

Now The Muppets take Manhattan, Christmas Carol, Muppets in Space, Muppet Treasure Island and so on, were all great. But I think I grew out of the Muppets pretty quick. I discovered GI Joe, He-man and Star Wars and puppets seemed juvenile. But here is the key. I liked watching the Muppet show with my dad. We saw the first two movies in the theatre together and that silliness was a staple of my relationship with my father. I never had that connection to the Muppets in recent years. 

This new movie seems special. Not since the Great Muppet Caper or the Muppet Movie have I felt this connection and excitement to see goofy voiced puppets doing silly antics, having adult jokes, and throwing in huge Hollywood cameos. Maybe on my next visit to Kansas City, we can see the Kermit and company take on Hollywood again.

I can't wait!

DC Nation on Cartoon Network in 2012

You may have caught the promo for DC Nation during the Green Lantern premiere last week or all over the internets. If not, here:



This is a pretty exciting little thing because, not only does it feature and impressively varied array of DC Universe animated shorts, but it also ventures to put the comics out there a lot more publicly by featuring comic news and interviews with creators and the like. That's cool you guys.

And the shorts are already blowing me away. Aardman does a Creature Comforts-style Batman short? Doom Patrol gets animated, the Teen Titans return (in chibi form), some crazy dude puts a Batman sticker on his car, and--WAIT, WHAT? AMETHYST???


There is a freaking Amethyst short coming to DC Nation.

You can check out more at the animator's blog.

What I don't see a preview of is the Super Best Friends Forever shorts from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic creator Lauren Faust. (she's also co-creator of Foster's Home For Imaginary Friends, if that carries more weight with you)

I'm crazy excited for all of this. I love that they're willing to be weird and obscure with these. Well done, DC. Well done.

Now if only I felt like I could recommend more of their comics to the kids who'll be watching these.

Tracie's Pull List - Week of November 16, 2011

Comics that don't make money are being canceled!

Some guy might make a movie about a thing we love but we might hate it maybe!

Frank Miller said something crazy!

It's just another day on The Internet.

Let's talk about what I want to read tomorrow:

Robb's Grade Card for DC's Number 2s

I'm not going into as much depth... but since I got all the number 2... here is how they measured up. Don't worry... I won't be getting all the number 3s. Keep reading and see why.

OCW - Obscure Character of the Week: Kelex

Introduced during John Byrne's run on the revamped Superman. Kelex was a floating, E.T. shaped, assistant robot on the planet Krypton. I have always loved this design! I fear we will no longer see the Fortress' keeper in this new continuity... but if you'd like to learn more about Kelex. Check out this link.

Tracie's Pull List - Week of November 9, 2011

NOTHING ELSE MATTERS BECAUSE AVENGING SPIDER-MAN IS OUT TOMORROW.

WHY WONT OUR BLOG TEMPLATE ALLOW ME TO MAKE THIS AN ANNOYINGLY LARGE FONT SIZE???

OH WELL, LET'S JUST TALK ABOUT AVENGING SPIDER-MAN AND ALSO OTHER COMICS I GUESS.

OCW - Porcupine

This week's OCW idea was proposed by Comicbook Crossfire's friend, Shawn Drapal. He sent in this drawing... and I love it! I want to see more about this guy!  Shawn this totally rocks! I want to see more!

November's Cover of the Month

Each month is hard to choose what cover stood out the most. But as for eye catching and incredible art that made me want to read a crappy comic, Men of War #2 is absolutely beautiful. There were many other great covers to mention: Captain Atom #2, Suicide Squad #2, DC Universe Presents #2, Avengers 18, Batwoman #2... BUT the runners up are a tie between Wolverine & the Xmen #1 & Frankenstein Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.

OCW - Marvel's Dreaded Porcupine

This week's OCW is an idea from our buddy Shawn D! He had mentioned this guy a few times to me, but until he sent this link... I didn't realize just how truly crazy of an OCW he is. You have to check this guy out. To learn more about this pokey Marvel Villain, check out this link. And if you have any OCW ideas, please send emails to Comicbxf@gmail.com

I'll Post Shawn drawing of this OCW too. It looks great! Thanks, man!

CBXF Fantasy Comic Book League - November Update

November update to the fantasy comic book league. Well Tracie is kicking ass, but the huge surprise is Sean. Reed Richards is keeping Sean in this game. Monty and Matt are holding their own, but Robb... If not for Doctor Doom and Superman... Robb is the Iowa State of the CBXF league. If you like to learn more about our Fantasy league, check out this link here.

Tracie's Pull List - Week of November 2, 2011

I had myself a little double-feature of watching X-Men Origins: Wolverine and X-Men: First Class back-to-back. I haven't seen Wolverine since it was in theatres and I think I managed to enjoy it a little more having spent time away from it. (and having such a wonderful pallet cleanser in First Class) It's still problematic and a waste of time and talent but Jackman always manages to shine and there are still some nice touches in there. However, I saw the "Wolverine in Japan" alternate ending for the first time and I laughed out loud. Like, quite a bit. And then I had The Eagles stuck in my head.

I forgot that I liked Dominic Monaghan's little role in the film but I still wish we'd have seen him play Beak like he was supposed to. And watching it back-to-back with First Class just makes the Emma Frost thing too bewildering. And not just because I watched them in the wrong chronological order. (because at least this way she got older instead of younger... but then the reverse happens to Charles)

But hey, fun!

Mostly I just want to watch my Jurassic Park blu-ray forever.

But right now, we are talking comics: