Review: SUPERCROOKS Issue One

It’s hard not to like the characters portrayed in SUPERCROOKS.  In fact, you almost want to feel sorry for the bad guys in Mark Millar's latest title. Featuring fantastic artwork by Leinil Yu, the series focuses the lives and struggles of everyday criminals - with superpowers, that is. If you can picture the Ocean’s 11 gang powered with telekinesis, invincibility, then you have a general grasp of what parts of the book is all about. Of course, Millar’s story goes beyond that and offers something truly original and engaging for readers to delve into. 

REVIEW: Batman #8

Last month, Batman barely escaped the clutches of the Court of the Owls. Just when we all thought everything had finally calmed down in Gotham City, a gang of Talon assassins invades Wayne Manor...and the Bat Cave. The Night of the Owls begins!

Review: NIKE Air Max 2011

Despite the captivating design of the crosshatch pattern and bold colorways of the Nike Air Max 2011, the shoe is relatively simple in style, with its own unique and sleek look.

Coachella 2012 Playlist

The giant music festival known as Coachella may be over but the music lives on! Here’s a small playlist of some of the artists who performed at this year’s gathering in the California desert. Sample these tracks and purchase them directly via iTunes.

STAR WARS: Blood Ties - Boba Fett is Dead

Here's a look at the David Palumbo variant cover and interior pages for the upcoming STAR WARS: Blood Ties - Boba Fett is Dead miniseries debuting April 25. Written by Tom Taylor with art by Chris Scalf.

The Secret Service: Issue 1 Review

If the gigantic superhero slugfest that’s going on right now (Avengers vs X-Men) doesn't interest you at all, then please pick up Mark Millar and Dave Gibbon’s The Secret Service.  It’s a fantastic story of human drama captured so brilliantly well, by these two industry legends.  Moreover, it’s an engaging and touching story of two drastically different lives and the circumstances that will bring them together. 

The debut issue features a fantastic opening subplot of the kidnapping of Mark Hamill, yes that Mark Hamill!  The rescue attempt by the British Secret Service doesn't exactly end well, thanks in part to budget cuts.  This opening sequence, which is partly dark comedy, was enough to get me hooked on the series for good.  Furthermore our main storyline brings us to Jack London, an agent who rose above his impoverished upbringing to become part of the organization.  It’s those same childhood roots that pull him into a new chapter as a family member needs a favor with her troubled son.  Millar and Gibbons captures the striking differences between London’s life and that of the nephew he attempts to help out. The rest of the saga begins from there.

Secret Service Agent Jack London

Secret Service is not your average superhero fare and despite Gibbons involvement, don’t expect anything reminiscent of his Martha Washington days just yet.  If you enjoy Hellblazer, Saga and Preacher then this series is definitely for you.  Look for a movie adaptation down the road as well.

Final Verdict: A


You might also like:

• American Vampire - The Black List Part 1 - Issue 28 
• Earth 2 - Issue 5 - Here Comes The Atom!
• Nightwing Issue 0 - The Origin of Dick Grayson
  

The New 52: Wonder Woman Issue 8 Review

Wonder Woman finally makes her descent into Hell to find the missing Zola. Aided by Hephaestus and the weapons he has provided for her, are these enough for whatever she encounters down in Hades’ realm? 

Winter Soldier # 4: Avengers Art Appreciation Variant

Of all the Avengers Art Appreciation variant covers, this one for Winter Soldier issue 4 stands as our current favorite for now. The simple cover by John Tyler Christopher captures the essence of the Black Widow perfectly. We'll have a gallery of all the variant covers on our Facebook page soon.

via Marvel Comics

WOLVERINE: Sabretooth Reborn

Jeph Loeb and Simone Bianchi reunite to bring Victor Creed back to life in the upcoming "Sabretooth Reborn", beginning in Wolverine #310.  Look for an "in-depth exploration of the character" by Loeb and the return of Romulus.  The saga also features guest stars Cloak and Dagger and more intrigue and eye-popping artwork.  Pictured above are the covers for Wolverine #310 and #311

Images via Marvel Comics

The New 52: Animal Man Issue 8 Review

The Rot creatures are closing in on Buddy Baker and his family. Will Animal Man and daughter Maxine protect their family in time before they all become victims of the terrifying menace that has upturned their lives?

Animal Man issue 8 continues The Rot storyline from the start of the series. Jeff Lemire is still on board as writer while new artist Steve Pugh brings his own terrifying renditions of the Rot.  Lemire continues to keep readers on edge with the series' monthly offerings of suspense and terror. Issue 8 is no different along with Pugh's masterful return to the series. The original Animal Man first series artist's depictions of the Rot are as terrifying since artist Travel Foreman's run on the title.

Star Wars: Draw Ahsoka Tano

If you've longed to draw your own Star Wars characters and vehicles, then take a look at illustrator Grant Gould's tutorial as a guide. It's amazing how simple shapes can lead to the detailed final product.

Via Star Wars

Marvel AR

After reading our paper copy of Avengers vs. X-Men, we noticed the red AR icon on some of the pages. It's actually the new augmented reality technology feature/app utilized by Marvel Comics, to showcase additional content within non-digital comic-books. With this feature, readers can use their mobile phone cameras (iPhones and Android devices for now) to experience the additional content. It literally brings your comic-book to life with motion-style animations and slideshows, voice and video content. However, it can be cumbersome holding your device in such a manner and it would seem that tablet devices are better suited to view these features.

In Captain America issue 1, Rick Remender talks about his new series

In AvX issue 7, writer Matt Fraction discusses the Namor/Emma Frost kiss!

In Fantastic Four issue 1, writer Matt Fraction discusses his new series

Along with it's Marvel NOW! initiative, Marvel is easily bringing a whole new dimension to comics with this technology. If done right, it can truly engage readers even further by allowing them to discover content that delves deeper into the stories and characters. Expect to see it utilized in other notable titles as well.

Download the app for your iPhone:

Facebook Instagram

What should Facebook users expect with the company’s recent acquisition of photo-sharing company Instagram? As we noted a while back, Facebook did make an attempt to purchase the company previously and was unsuccessful at that time.

National Comics

Starting this July 2012, DC Comics will release a new print series featuring stand alone stories. The new National Comics series focuses on characters who haven't exactly been quite popular with general audiences but have certainly had their own series in the past.

Infernal Man-Thing

I've always been intrigued by the Man-Thing creature. My first glimpse of the character was way back during the Uncanny X-Men series of the 1980s. The creature becomes involved in a solo storyline featuring Cyclops (during his departure from the team) and ends up helping the mutant escape an adversary.

Now, the creature returns in June 2012 for a three issue limited series in a previously unreleased story written by the late Steve Gerber and featuring artwork by Kevin Nowlan. There are two variant covers (pictured above) drawn by the legendary Gil Kane (left) and Nowlan himself.

Images courtesy Marvel Comics.

X-Men: Storm

It's amazing how many changes costume-wise and especially appearances, a character goes through over the years. While there may be some fan backlash on social networking sites for fan favorites such as Power Girl in her Earth-2 series outfit, the same hasn't been said for Storm, the revered member and former leader of the X-Men.

Alexandra Shipp as young Storm

On the big screen, fans finally got to see her rock her famous mohawk look, in the X-Men: Age of Apocalypse film. Generations have been used to Halle Berry's portrayal of the mutant but we were definitely treated to Alexandra Shipp's portrayal of young Ororo Munroe. It should be noted that only Kitty Pryde gave her disapproval of Storm's drastic new look when Storm revealed it, to the entire team.

Halle Berry as Storm

Marvel Comics' TJ Dietsch highlights some of her spectacular costumes during the past few decades. In fact, her biggest change came during the 1980s right after initial appearance. Capitalizing on the waning punk rock and new wave movement at the time, Storm sported a mohawk! Here's a look at the weather wonder woman over the years and to her style in the Marvel NOW X-Men series:

 

Original appearance (left) and later drastic change (right)

 

Her Marvel NOW look (on the right)

Images copyright Marvel Comics

You might also like:

• Netflix: Daredevil vs. The Punisher!
• Earth 2 - Issue 5 - Here Comes The Atom!
• Nightwing Issue 0 - The Origin of Dick Grayson
  

Review: Avengers v. X-Men Issue 1

The most anticipated saga of the year is finally here! Avengers vs. X-Men does not disappoint at all despite the lackluster buildup in AvX issue 0. In terms of plot and despite it's simplistic storyline, the story presentation is quite good and plausible. Is it ultimately Cyclops' fault, through his selfishness and personal ties to the Phoenix Force, that escalates the conflict that otherwise, could have been easily prevented?

Beware The Batman

A new animated Batman series, "Beware The Batman", has been announced by Cartoon Network in conjunction with Warner Bros. Animation, and is scheduled to premiere in July 2013.  The new CG-based series features the Dark Knight in bold new adventures consisting of villains that haven’t made their appearances for the general viewing public. For instance, episodes will feature villains such as Anarky, Professor Pyg and much more, from Batman’s rogue’s gallery.  A new take on Alfred Pennyworth as former secret agent lending his experience to the Dark Knight, along with Katanna (from the Outsiders series), are some of the new elements for the series.

Spider-Men

Marvel Comics has unveiled the second image promotion for the upcoming "Spider-Men" limited series event by Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli in June 2012. Will two different Spider-Men from separate universes finally meet? It's definitely turning out to be Spider-Man's year as well. Stay tuned.

Images courtesy Marvel Comics