Category Archives: Comics

What I’m Reading Now – “Alias”

Posted on October 26, 2010 | 3 Comments

Yeah, I’m late in the game, duh. But I am LOVING this revisit to the 2002-2004 comic book series, Alias. A short but sweet run, this story of a bitter ex-superhero-chick-turned-detective has me on the third trade paperback (out of four) savoring each panel so it won’t have to end.

If you haven’t read this, go pick it up now (check your local shop first! If they don’t have it, find it on Amazon). It’s got private eyes, superheroes, mysteries, sex, booze; some brilliant David Mack covers; dark, beautiful art from Michael Gaydos, and that Bendis dialogue we all love.

Seasoned Marvel readers will be familiar with our protagonist, Jessica Jones (Luke Cage’s baby-mama!), and hot cameos by Jean Grey, the Avengers, Spidey, Daredevil and more, but you don’t have to know anything about that universe to get into this (though it will have helped a little to have read Daredevil: Out and others). In fact, I recommend Alias as a great starting point/gateway to those ladyfriends of mine who want to get more familiar with comics and the wide world of M.

And, no, this Alias has absolutely nothing to do with the TV series, so don’t be swayed by that – not saying you don’t kick ass, Jennifer Garner, but…well…yeah, Elektra sucked, too.

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Ummm…I bought some stuff at New England Comic Con.

Posted on October 20, 2010 | 5 Comments

Finally, major gaps in the Happy Blogtime library have been filled! This past weekend’s Wizard World New England Comic Con in Boston proved to be a major jackpot for me; if I told you the prices I got up in here – hooked up by Billy, who’s the BESTISH! – you would start foaming at the mouth. I swear I’ve had dreams like this (you know those dreams…where you’re walking around a comic shop and everything’s on sale? No?).

I also wrote a lil’ recap of the event for the Adams Media Daily Bender blog here, complete with a picture of a Wookiee. A very attractive Wookiee (we exchanged numbers).

Here’s what I scooped:

  • Alias, Issues 1-11
  • The Perhapanauts, Book 1
  • Chew, Book 1
  • Wormwood: Gentleman Corpse
  • Marvel Romance
  • Marvel Romance Redux: Another Kind of Love
  • Eternals
  • Wolverine Classic, Vol. 5
  • NYX: No Way Home
  • Criminal: Lawless
  • Criminal: Coward
  • Marvel 1602
  • Women of Marvel
  • Locke & Key: Welcome to Lovecraft, Vol. 1
  • John Constantine, Hellblazer: Original Sins
  • The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 1
  • Hellboy: Wake the Devil, Book 2
  • The Boys: The Name of the Game, Vol. 1
  • 30 Days of Night, Vol. 1
  • The Goon: Nothin’ But Misery, Vol. 1
  • Wizard X-Men Masterpiece Edition, Vol. 1
  • Comic Book Tattoo
  • Drawing Down the Moon: The Art of Charles Vess, Hardcover

Whoah. Nerdgasm, right? I can’t wait to sit down and read for hours – some of it for the first time, even! What books in my stash have YOU read, faithful minions? And what should I cop more of?

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Posted in Comics, Events and Parties

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Comics Blogger Heidi MacDonald’s BEAT Camera – stolen! Let’s help.

Posted on October 4, 2010 | Leave a comment

Illustration by Jen Vaughn - MermaidHostel.com

I have totally FAILED at blogging  all the stuff that’s been going on: loving my fabulous new job at Adams Media; speaking on the Webcomics + Social Media Panel at M.I.C.E. (Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo); finishing 100 Bullets fiiiinally.

I can cover all that other stuff later – but now I want to call attention to a post that my new friend and bombastic cartoonist, Jen Vaughn posted today on her website, Mermaid Hostel:

Heidi MacDonald of the comics blogsplosion, The Beat, is a might force of nature. She drops into conventions like a wall cloud touches down as a tornado. Her coverage of conventions, readings and comics news are a blessing to those of us who create and enjoy comics. As a fellow photo-junkie, I know that Heidi’s camera not only went missing at SPX in Bethesda this past September but it is so sorely missed. This cannot be!

So I’m reaching out to YOU, fair creators of comics, to donate a few dollars towards a new camera for Heidi. She has, no doubt, pointed in your direction and sent comics traffic your way. If you feel particularly indebted, like myself, you can donate $5 for every time she has mentioned you or put a photo up of you on The Beat.

So please donate a few dollars to a good cause –> the continuing great comics coverage and promotion of YOUR work via the lens of Heidi. For every $25 donated I’ll add another color to this camera illustration!

Money can be sent to Heidi via Paypal using the email heidi DOT macdonald AT gmail DOT com.

Heidi is such an important member of the comics community, and it is our duty to help each other out – just like you all did for me when my laptop was stolen out of my office in NYC a few months ago. So, spread the word if you can, or throw a couple bucks her way – your help is always amazingly appreciated!

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Posted in Comics, Rambles

What I’m Reading Now – ’100 Bullets Vol. 12: Dirty’; ‘American Vampire, Issue 4′; and ‘A Child Al Confino’

Posted on September 6, 2010 | Leave a comment

The next several “What I’m Reading Now” posts will be extra-special exciting because I’ll be making my way through the Fall title list for Adams Media (for my sweet new job!). I think it’s important to actually read the books you’re promoting, you know?

100 Bullets, Vol. 12: Dirty
Written by Brian Azzarello; Art by Eduardo Risso; Cover by Dave Johnson
Vertigo/DC
For those of you who have read the full 100 Bullets series, this one needs no explanation. I borrowed up to volume 10 from a friend and FINALLY scrounged up to buy the rest of the series. This has become one of my top three favorite graphic novel series of all time – I’ll be interested in seeing what happens with a TV show or film option. If you haven’t gotten your hands on this series yet, and you’re a fan of crime dramas, mafia stories, illuminati-type conspiracies and sex/drugs/violence type of shtick, you have no choice but to run out and buy this book NOW. Now, I say!

* * *

American Vampire, Issue 4
Story by Scott Snyder, Stephen King; Art by Rafael Albuquerque, Colors by Dave McCaig
Vertigo/DC
I know, I know, I haven’t been on my Wednesday game with the comics, but I’m in the process of catching up. One of my favorite weekly reads has been this delightful little vampire drama from the minds of Scott Snyder and, of course, Stephen King. The art is killer (har har) and the story seamless – enjoying this one.
* * *

A Child al Confino: The True Story of a Jewish Boy and His Mother in Mussolini’s Italy
by Eric Lamet, Foreword by Risa Sodi, PhD
Adams Media

This book’s great so far; it’s a memoir of a man who grew up in different parts of Europe during the Holocaust, ending up confined with his mother in a small Italian city with other outcasts, due to Mussolini’s alliance with Hitler. Though it’s written simply, it’s engaging, and laced with beautiful, bittersweet memories – as if you’re sitting with your grandfather asking him to tell you about the old days.

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Posted in Books, Comics

Maine Comics Arts Festival Maine-ia!

Posted on May 19, 2009 | 2 Comments



Though the true highlight of my weekend was, in fact, my awesome lil’ brother’s college graduation, the Maine Comics Arts Festival in Portland was next on the list. I met some amazingly talented artists, scooped some soda freebies, and copped some customized swag.

You can check out my short-but-sweet recap and photos of the Fest here at The Daily Cross Hatch.

Meanwhile, I had to share some of the goodies I grabbed/really wanted to grab (my budget was $20, peoples!)…

Continue reading →

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Posted in Comics, Events and Parties

I Just Read: "The Unwritten" #1

Posted on May 14, 2009 | 5 Comments

It’s the first issue of Vertigo’s The Unwritten by Mike Carey and Peter Gross – the same team behind Lucifer – and I’m hooked. The story of a Harry Potter-esque tale come-to-life in modern day UK is funny, entertaining and smart, and makes an interesting commentary on social/literary phenomenon. Can’t wait for the second installment!

What are YOUR thoughts?

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Posted in Comics

This Weekend: The Maine Comics Arts Festival

Posted on May 13, 2009 | Leave a comment

This Sunday, you can catch me in Portland, Maine at the Maine Comics Arts Festival, getting the scoop on over 70 comic artists and writers in attendance, including special guests: Kean Soo (Jellababy), Becky Cloonan (Demo), Chris Giarrusso (Mini Marvels), Gabrielle Bell (Cecil and Jordan New York Stories) and more.

I’ll have a full report for the folks at The Daily Cross Hatch, which I’ll of course link to when it’s up.

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Posted in Comics, Events and Parties