Thursday, June 12, 2008
Nasty Campaign
The assault on Barack and Michelle Obama continues. Yesterday on Fox News, Michelle was referred to as Obama’s baby mama. There are two things really wrong with that statement: (1) the term baby mama is used when the mother and father are not married, so the term does not apply; (2) why is the term used on so-called “news” station.
Comic Reviews-06/11/08
Captain Britain and MI13 #2 (Marvel)
This issue continues with the Skrull Invasion of Britain. The Skrulls strategic goal is to capture and/or eliminate magic, and in the Marvel Universe magic is centered in England. Faiza has developed a rather interesting power. She can control the physical structure of a body. She accidentally makes the Black Knight look like an exploded diagram. It is a creepy but well drawn image. The rest of the team gathers with the fairy folk to take on the Skrulls. The end of the book contains the address of Paul Cornell's blog. A good issue and I intend to stay with the book at least until the end of this first arc.
Invincible #50 (Image)
The long delayed issue is here. The art is great, the story is really good, and the origin of Cecil Stedman is at long last revealed. The stage is set for Mark to become independent from the government, and he finally declares his true feelings for Eve. This is a consistently excellent book, a bit late at times, but worth your effort to get caught up using the released trades.
Angel: After the fall #8 (IDW)
I am going to drop this book. I am a fan of the Buffy and Angel. The set up for this book is the aftermath of the end of Season 5 of the television show. The premise is great, however the artwork is murky and the narrative structure is a bit too confusing. I can deal with a convoluted story line, but murky art is a deal breaker.
This issue continues with the Skrull Invasion of Britain. The Skrulls strategic goal is to capture and/or eliminate magic, and in the Marvel Universe magic is centered in England. Faiza has developed a rather interesting power. She can control the physical structure of a body. She accidentally makes the Black Knight look like an exploded diagram. It is a creepy but well drawn image. The rest of the team gathers with the fairy folk to take on the Skrulls. The end of the book contains the address of Paul Cornell's blog. A good issue and I intend to stay with the book at least until the end of this first arc.
Invincible #50 (Image)
The long delayed issue is here. The art is great, the story is really good, and the origin of Cecil Stedman is at long last revealed. The stage is set for Mark to become independent from the government, and he finally declares his true feelings for Eve. This is a consistently excellent book, a bit late at times, but worth your effort to get caught up using the released trades.
Angel: After the fall #8 (IDW)
I am going to drop this book. I am a fan of the Buffy and Angel. The set up for this book is the aftermath of the end of Season 5 of the television show. The premise is great, however the artwork is murky and the narrative structure is a bit too confusing. I can deal with a convoluted story line, but murky art is a deal breaker.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Comic Reviews-06/04/08
Buffy the Vampire Slayer 15 (Dark Horse Comics)
This current arc ends on a sad note. Xander deals with personal loss, and Dracula shows why he was a bad ass even before becoming a vampire. With all the heavy stuff going on, there’s a funny bit with Dawn dealing with a robot doppelganger.
Criminal 3 (Icon)
Once again Ed Brubaker, and Sean Phillips bring us a depressing, but excellent noir tale. When I say depressing, I don’t mean that as a knock on the story, it’s the just the nature of noir tales. Not a lot of happy people to be found. If you dig Double Indemnity, Out of the Past, or other classic or modern noir tales you should check out this book. This month’s back-up feature is a review of the classic Robert Mitchum film The Yakuza.
Secret Invasion 3 (Marvel)
I am enjoying this series and the accompanying tie-ins. Unlike other mega crossovers, the series and its crossovers seem to fit together rather well. For example, in the two Avengers titles we have seen Nicky Fury gather a new commando squad, and Skrull Queen assume the appearance and powers of Spiderwoman. Both plot threads are introduced at pivotal moments in the story. As for Tony Stark, all I will say is that he appeared to be green-eyed and I don’t think it was because of jealousy. The artwork of Leinil Yu (pencils), Mark Morales (inker), and Laura Martin (colorist) is really good.
This current arc ends on a sad note. Xander deals with personal loss, and Dracula shows why he was a bad ass even before becoming a vampire. With all the heavy stuff going on, there’s a funny bit with Dawn dealing with a robot doppelganger.
Criminal 3 (Icon)
Once again Ed Brubaker, and Sean Phillips bring us a depressing, but excellent noir tale. When I say depressing, I don’t mean that as a knock on the story, it’s the just the nature of noir tales. Not a lot of happy people to be found. If you dig Double Indemnity, Out of the Past, or other classic or modern noir tales you should check out this book. This month’s back-up feature is a review of the classic Robert Mitchum film The Yakuza.
Secret Invasion 3 (Marvel)
I am enjoying this series and the accompanying tie-ins. Unlike other mega crossovers, the series and its crossovers seem to fit together rather well. For example, in the two Avengers titles we have seen Nicky Fury gather a new commando squad, and Skrull Queen assume the appearance and powers of Spiderwoman. Both plot threads are introduced at pivotal moments in the story. As for Tony Stark, all I will say is that he appeared to be green-eyed and I don’t think it was because of jealousy. The artwork of Leinil Yu (pencils), Mark Morales (inker), and Laura Martin (colorist) is really good.
Rebel Yelling
The Sons of Confederate Veterans are flying a 50-by-30 foot flag near a major interstate in the Tampa, Florida area. Oh boy. I am a fan of military history. I don’t find a problem with people studying, or collecting relics of notorious groups from history. I also realize that many people can trace their ancestry to folks that fought for the Confederate side in the Civil War. I understand that studying, and honoring your family history, does not mean you are racist or supported slavery. But I wish this group would realize two fundamental issues. First, their ancestors tried to dissolve the United States. They took up arms to destroy this country. Because if it had been split, the country as we know it would have been destroyed. Two, while not every Southern owned slaves, slavery was a fundamental part of the economy of the South. The main reason for the war was the issue of slavery. Yes there were some other issues. But that’s a bit like asking Mrs. Lincoln what she thought about the play. The Confederate flag is the symbol of an enemy that tried to destroy the United States. And the best part, the damn flag was made in China.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Chicago's folly
Chicago made the short list for the 2016 Olympics. I hope we don’t get it. Why you may next. Well, my main reason is that it will be cost the taxpayers too much money. The Mayor says public funds won’t be needed, and local media just seems to nod their heads and agree. However, given the way Chicago works, it’s a good bet the rich and connected will make it out like bandits, while the public treasury gets the bill.
Fitzgerald Does it Again
Tony Rezko was convicted on 16 of 24 corruption counts in Federal Court. This conviction may cause some flap for Obama, but I think it will be limited. From what has been revealed so far, and I am sure Hillary and the Republicans have been digging, Rezko was a fundraiser for Obama, and gave a good deal on some land. Which is minor stuff on the political scratch my back scale.
No the person with real worry will be Governor Blagojevich. There appears to be a much tighter connection between Rezko, Blagojevich and assorted pals. With a guilty verdict on 16 counts, Rezko’s memory may start to have amazing recall of goings on involving the Governor and others. The next few months could become very interesting.
No the person with real worry will be Governor Blagojevich. There appears to be a much tighter connection between Rezko, Blagojevich and assorted pals. With a guilty verdict on 16 counts, Rezko’s memory may start to have amazing recall of goings on involving the Governor and others. The next few months could become very interesting.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Yes He Can
Well at long last, the primaries are over. Obama’s speech was good. He touched upon a lot themes that I am sure will be the focal point of his campaign. I did not hear all of Hillary's speech, but did she even congratulate Obama? I did catch her line about not making any decisions tonight. Senator Clinton, please concede the darn thing and start helping Obama to win in the fall.
Beyond Senator Clinton’s tenacity, I think the other reason she has been trying so hard is because this was her last best chance to occupy the White House. If Obama wins in the fall, he has an excellent chance, than Senator Clinton won’t be able to try again until 2016. That’s a long time in political years. And if Obama loses, she will just have to face either Obama again, another veteran politician, or perhaps another rising star. In either situation, time and unknown opponents will make things much more difficult for her. So, her best bet has been to stay in and fight as long as she could. At this point, I really wish she would just step aside. She’s fought hard, and dirty (at times), but it’s time to go.
Beyond Senator Clinton’s tenacity, I think the other reason she has been trying so hard is because this was her last best chance to occupy the White House. If Obama wins in the fall, he has an excellent chance, than Senator Clinton won’t be able to try again until 2016. That’s a long time in political years. And if Obama loses, she will just have to face either Obama again, another veteran politician, or perhaps another rising star. In either situation, time and unknown opponents will make things much more difficult for her. So, her best bet has been to stay in and fight as long as she could. At this point, I really wish she would just step aside. She’s fought hard, and dirty (at times), but it’s time to go.
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