I agree with Datajunkie, we do need more jumpsuit-wearing, karate-chopping action girls in the mediascape. To wit...
----------------------
Good news: The fire that raged through director Nick Park's warehouse last fall destroying hundreds of character models doesn't spell the end of Wallace & Gromit, Park says.
----------------------
Endless Mike shares three disks of bossa nova bliss.
----------------------
From Dial B for Blog: The Fantastic Four in Italian.
----------------------
Xtabay shares ultra-rare space-age pop.
----------------------
TV Guide gets in the inside dope from Dominic Monaghen of "Lost."
----------------------
Sugartown justly celebrates the sublime Blossom Dearie.
----------------------
More "Lost," Sci Fi Wire chats with Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (thank God this isn't a podcast, cuz I can't say that name).
----------------------
Review: All-Star Superman 2
After a promising but somewhat underwhelming first issue (not much action, stiff but pretty artwork), this series is starting to look like it'll be a lot of fun.
This second issue is much stronger than the first. It looks as if writer Grant Morrison may be successful in his mission to inject some offbeat fun back into the Superman mythos.
This time out we get to see Superman flying Lois Lane (in her car) to the Fortress of Solitude, which is replete with trophies, including the original Titanic, plus a whole platoon of Superman robots.
Nutty ideas are to the fore. For example, we see that Superman has replaced the giant key to the Fortress with a normal-sized one. The catch is that the new one is made of "super-dense dwarf star material" weighing half a million tons and only he can lift it.
The Man of Steel's purpose for inviting Lois to his secret hideout isn't immediately clear but, by issue's end, we understand that this incarnation of Superman is a big, dopey, lovestruck kid at heart--a true innocent. Lois is Lois, just how you'd want her: Pretty, smart, suspicious and resourceful (even in an evening gown).
What we're getting is something that seems impossible: a 1950s-era Superman--complete with all the goofy, sci-fi trimmings--placed in a modern, but refreshingly unironic, context. The result is a fun comic, plain and simple.
So far, Morrison hasn't seen need to darken things up or twist them around in effort to poke fun at what makes Superman the iconic character he's supposed to be. It's a refreshing approach.
The art, by Frank Quitely, is much improved over the first issue. There's better flow of action and some genuinely funny scenes. His faces and figures are fantastic and the computer-rendered art by Jamie Grant manages to be impressively vivid without destroying the line work.
Still, the visuals sometimes seem a little stiff and quiet. It's a pity sound effects in comics seem verboten these days. The action scene up above is nice, but it'd be even better with a big "zap!" or "pow!" over it. Some motion lines would make it clear that Lois is jumping or being thrown up into the air from the recoil of the raygun. Instead, it looks as if she's floating gently in space. Are creators these days embarassed by such storytelling conventions? It's a pity if that's the case, because the comics are suffering for it.
In terms of story content, not a ton happens, but the issue doesn't really seem padded. I'll keep buying the monthlies instead of waiting for a trade. It looks as if things may heat up action-wise next issue. I'm looking forward to it.
See the Best Superman Sites on the Web.
"Lost" preview Jan. 25, 2006: Season 2, episode 12
Read ABC's teaser copy for tonight's show.
Listen to the most recent offical "Lost" podcast.
Watch a preview for tonight's show.
See promo pictures from the episode.
See the Best "Lost" Sites on the Web.
New comics Jan. 25, 2006
Available now at yer local comics shop or via This is Pop!-supporting links:
Batman Ras Al Ghul Year One TP
Bone Vol 3 Eyes Of The Storm Color Ed HC
Bone Vol 3 Eyes Of The Storm Color Ed SC
Captain Universe Universal Heroes TP
Dawn Vol 1 Lucifers Halo Supplemental Book TP
Fantastic Art Of Arthur Suydam HC
GI Joe Vol 8 Rise Of The Red Shadows TP
Godland Vol 1 Hello Cosmic TP
Golden Age Flash Archives Vol 2 HC
JLA Vol 18 Crisis Of Conscience TP
Marvel Masterworks Atlas Era Tales to Astonish Vol 1 Ltd Ed HC (#57)
Marvel Masterworks Atlas Era Tales to Astonish Vol 1 New Ed HC
Marvel Milestones Death Of Phoenix Statue
Marvel Universe Thor Bust
New Avengers Vol 2 Sentry Premiere HC
Powers Vol 1 HC
Premiere Coll She Hulk Statue
Star Wars Tales Vol 6 TP
Uncle Scrooge #350
X-Men Black Panther TP
X-Men Dark Phoenix Saga Colossus Med Statue
ACTION FIGURES
Secret Files: Unmasked
Martian Manhunter (Order from CmdStore)
Batman (Order from CmdStore)
Batgirl (Order from CmdStore)
Superman (Order from CmdStore)
Red Hood (Order from CmdStore)
See a Complete List of New Comics Shipping This Week.
Doctor Who action figures unveiled
Action Figure.com has details and pics on this British line of action figures based on the revived sci-fi series. Perhaps we'll see them on this side of the Atlantic if the series becomes a hit on the Sci Fi Channel later this year.
Pop Culture Roundup Jan. 24, 2006
Bedazzled points to a couple of blogs dedicated to Best DJ Ever John Peel. If you're interested in Peel, be sure also to check out the Perfumed Garden and the great man's posthumously published autobiography.
-----------------------
Via Boing Boing: Here's a PDF link for the 8-page comic cartoonist Joe Sacco did for the UK Guardian about two Iraqis accusing US troops of torture.
-----------------------
NPR reports on a new CD box set featuring Miles Davis' late 1960s sessions at the Cellar Door.
-----------------------
Xtabay continues to share his Top 10 Exotic albums.
-----------------------
Rumor afoot: Neal Adams may followup Jim Lee as penciler for the All-Star Batman series. Now all they need to do is a get a good writer.
-----------------------
Nice: Dial B for Blog presents some black-and-white DC Comics house ads.
-----------------------
Comics writer Steve Englehart and artist Marshall Rogers who teamed up on last year's great Dark Detective Batman mini-series are joining forces again, this time for a one-shot featuring Marvel Comics' western hero the Black Rider. According to Comics Continuum there will be a second Batman project this year from Englehardt and Rogers, plus two JLA Classified arcs written by Englehart.
-----------------------
"Superman: Brainiac Attacks" is a direct-to-DVD animated film due out later this year.
-----------------------
-----------------------
Via Boing Boing: Here's a PDF link for the 8-page comic cartoonist Joe Sacco did for the UK Guardian about two Iraqis accusing US troops of torture.
-----------------------
NPR reports on a new CD box set featuring Miles Davis' late 1960s sessions at the Cellar Door.
-----------------------
Xtabay continues to share his Top 10 Exotic albums.
-----------------------
Rumor afoot: Neal Adams may followup Jim Lee as penciler for the All-Star Batman series. Now all they need to do is a get a good writer.
-----------------------
Nice: Dial B for Blog presents some black-and-white DC Comics house ads.
-----------------------
Comics writer Steve Englehart and artist Marshall Rogers who teamed up on last year's great Dark Detective Batman mini-series are joining forces again, this time for a one-shot featuring Marvel Comics' western hero the Black Rider. According to Comics Continuum there will be a second Batman project this year from Englehardt and Rogers, plus two JLA Classified arcs written by Englehart.
-----------------------
"Superman: Brainiac Attacks" is a direct-to-DVD animated film due out later this year.
-----------------------
CD new releases Jan. 24, 2006
Rosanne Cash Black Cadillac
Cat Power The Greatest
Herb Ellis Ellis in Wonderland
Jenny Lewis Rabbit Fur Coat
Paul Motian Band Garden of Eden
Robert Pollard From a Compound Eye
Elvis Presley #1 Singles
Tortoise and Bonnie "Prince" Billie The Brave and the Bold
T. Rex Futuristic Dragon, Tanx, Work in Progress and Zip Gun
Jah Wobble Mu
Cat Power The Greatest
Herb Ellis Ellis in Wonderland
Jenny Lewis Rabbit Fur Coat
Paul Motian Band Garden of Eden
Robert Pollard From a Compound Eye
Elvis Presley #1 Singles
Tortoise and Bonnie "Prince" Billie The Brave and the Bold
T. Rex Futuristic Dragon, Tanx, Work in Progress and Zip Gun
Jah Wobble Mu
Pop Culture Roundup Jan. 23, 2006
Top 10 Graphic Novels, DVDs, CDs and Action Figures Jan. 20, 2006
At Amazon:
Graphic Novels
1. Serenity
2. V for Vendetta
3. Watchmen
4. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
5. Fables Vol. 6: Homelands
6. Astonishing X-Men Vol. 2: Dangerous
7. The Walking Dead Vol. 4: The Heart's Desire
8. Villains United
9. Batman: Year One Deluxe Edition
10. When They Were Brothers (Star Wars: Clone Wars, Vol. 7)
DVDs
1. Wedding Crashers - Uncorked (Unrated Widescreen Edition)
2. Serenity (Widescreen Edition)
3. The Constant Gardener (Widescreen Edition)
4. Enron - The Smartest Guys in the Room
5. Firefly - The Complete Series
6. Lost - The Complete First Season
7. Battlestar Galactica - Season 2.0
8. March of the Penguins (Widescreen Edition)
9. Lord of War (2-Disc Special Edition)
10. Pride & Prejudice (Widescreen Edition)
CDs
1. Illinois ~ Sufjan Stevens
2. First Impressions of Earth ~ The Strokes
3. Extraordinary Machine ~ Fiona Apple
4. Get Behind Me Satan ~ The White Stripes
5. The Greatest ~ Cat Power
6. Demon Days ~ Gorillaz
7. At San Quentin (The Complete 1969 Concert) ~ Johnny Cash
8. Funeral ~ Arcade Fire
9. Rabbit Fur Coat ~ Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins
10. Comfort of Strangers ~ Beth Orton
Action Figures
1. Marvel Legends Legendary Riders Figure: Iron Man Hulk Buster
2. Krypto the SuperDog - Krypto's Rocket
3. Marvel Legends Legendary Riders Figure: Task Master
4. Kevin and Krypto Figure Pack with Bonus DVD
5. Marvel Legends Sentinel Series Figure: 1st Appearance Spider-Man
6. Marvel Legends Legendary Riders Figure: ULTRON
7. Marvel Legends-Sentinel Series-Angel Red
8. Marvel Legends Sentinel Series Figure: Black Panther
9. Marvel Legends Sentinel Series Figure: Cyclops
10. Marvel Legends Sentinel Series Figure: Mr. Sinister
Graphic Novels
1. Serenity
2. V for Vendetta
3. Watchmen
4. Batman: The Dark Knight Returns
5. Fables Vol. 6: Homelands
6. Astonishing X-Men Vol. 2: Dangerous
7. The Walking Dead Vol. 4: The Heart's Desire
8. Villains United
9. Batman: Year One Deluxe Edition
10. When They Were Brothers (Star Wars: Clone Wars, Vol. 7)
DVDs
1. Wedding Crashers - Uncorked (Unrated Widescreen Edition)
2. Serenity (Widescreen Edition)
3. The Constant Gardener (Widescreen Edition)
4. Enron - The Smartest Guys in the Room
5. Firefly - The Complete Series
6. Lost - The Complete First Season
7. Battlestar Galactica - Season 2.0
8. March of the Penguins (Widescreen Edition)
9. Lord of War (2-Disc Special Edition)
10. Pride & Prejudice (Widescreen Edition)
CDs
1. Illinois ~ Sufjan Stevens
2. First Impressions of Earth ~ The Strokes
3. Extraordinary Machine ~ Fiona Apple
4. Get Behind Me Satan ~ The White Stripes
5. The Greatest ~ Cat Power
6. Demon Days ~ Gorillaz
7. At San Quentin (The Complete 1969 Concert) ~ Johnny Cash
8. Funeral ~ Arcade Fire
9. Rabbit Fur Coat ~ Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins
10. Comfort of Strangers ~ Beth Orton
Action Figures
1. Marvel Legends Legendary Riders Figure: Iron Man Hulk Buster
2. Krypto the SuperDog - Krypto's Rocket
3. Marvel Legends Legendary Riders Figure: Task Master
4. Kevin and Krypto Figure Pack with Bonus DVD
5. Marvel Legends Sentinel Series Figure: 1st Appearance Spider-Man
6. Marvel Legends Legendary Riders Figure: ULTRON
7. Marvel Legends-Sentinel Series-Angel Red
8. Marvel Legends Sentinel Series Figure: Black Panther
9. Marvel Legends Sentinel Series Figure: Cyclops
10. Marvel Legends Sentinel Series Figure: Mr. Sinister
Pop Culture Roundup Jan. 20, 2006
The BBC remembers Wilson Pickett, one of my all-time favorite soul singers.
----------------
Via Bedazzled: The BBC reports Universal Music is making more than 10,000 deleted albums available for download, including work by the likes of Eddie & the Hot Rods, Fairport Convention, Chris DeBurgh, Jacques Brel, Nana Mouskouri and Brigitte Bardot.
-----------------
Down in the Groove shares an out-of-print John Lennon interview album, live Paul McCartney and rare Neil Innes (Bonzos, Rutles, Pythons).
-----------------
Some exotica sharity from Xtabay: Don Tiare - The Music of Les Baxter.
----------------
Dial B for Blog hilariously reviews another issue of DC's "Infinite Mid-life Crisis" so I don't have to. Like I would've anyway.
Still, it's fun to see Robby get his jabs in, although he says the series holds some promise. I don't know. The scans presented in his review look awful I'm very much lost on what the point of this is all supposed to be.
Early on, we'd heard we'd be left with a more accessible, less dark DC Universe when the whole thing's over. But it certainly looks like the reader has to persevere through a lot of ugly, dark muck to get there.
I guess, though, if the series does what it's supposed to do, though, I don't have to read it because, when it's over, I'll be able to pick up any DC book of interest to me and happily enjoy it without all the tedious continuity getting in the way. Right?
-----------------
Joss Whedon talks about his second year plans for "Astonishing X-Men."
-----------------
Check out a groovy online exhibit of 1950s raygun toys. The twist is, these are the patent drawings for said toys, not photos.
-----------------
Via the Great Curve: Jewish World Review has an article about Joe Kubert's new "Sgt. Rock" mini-series.
-----------------
----------------
Via Bedazzled: The BBC reports Universal Music is making more than 10,000 deleted albums available for download, including work by the likes of Eddie & the Hot Rods, Fairport Convention, Chris DeBurgh, Jacques Brel, Nana Mouskouri and Brigitte Bardot.
-----------------
Down in the Groove shares an out-of-print John Lennon interview album, live Paul McCartney and rare Neil Innes (Bonzos, Rutles, Pythons).
-----------------
Some exotica sharity from Xtabay: Don Tiare - The Music of Les Baxter.
----------------
Dial B for Blog hilariously reviews another issue of DC's "Infinite Mid-life Crisis" so I don't have to. Like I would've anyway.
Still, it's fun to see Robby get his jabs in, although he says the series holds some promise. I don't know. The scans presented in his review look awful I'm very much lost on what the point of this is all supposed to be.
Early on, we'd heard we'd be left with a more accessible, less dark DC Universe when the whole thing's over. But it certainly looks like the reader has to persevere through a lot of ugly, dark muck to get there.
I guess, though, if the series does what it's supposed to do, though, I don't have to read it because, when it's over, I'll be able to pick up any DC book of interest to me and happily enjoy it without all the tedious continuity getting in the way. Right?
-----------------
Joss Whedon talks about his second year plans for "Astonishing X-Men."
-----------------
Check out a groovy online exhibit of 1950s raygun toys. The twist is, these are the patent drawings for said toys, not photos.
-----------------
Via the Great Curve: Jewish World Review has an article about Joe Kubert's new "Sgt. Rock" mini-series.
-----------------
33 1/3 Library Complete List of Books
Read your favorite album: The 33 1/3 Library is cool little series of books, each featuring an essay on a noteworthy rock'n'roll LP.
While I raise my eyebrows at a few choices (Aqualung?!), you probably raise yours at others. Still, it's a neat idea.
The Band's Music from Big Pink
The Beach Boys' Pet Sounds
The Beatles' Let It Be
David Bowie's Low
James Brown's Live at the Apollo
Jeff Buckley's Grace
The Byrd's Notorious Byrd Brothers
Clash's London Calling
Elvis Costello's Armed Forces
DJ Shadow's Endtroducing...
Jethro Tull's Aqualung
Led Zeppelin
The MC5's Kick Out the Jams
My Bloody Valentine's Loveless
Neutral Milk Hotel's In the Aeroplane Over the Sea
The Ramones' Ramones
R.E.M.'s Murmur
The Replacements' Let It Be
The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main St.
Bruce Springsteen's Born in the U.S.A.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)