All the Single Issues! All the Single Issues!

Posted on January 23, 2011 | 2 Comments

In an attempt to start reading more weekly single issue comics (and not just sticking to trades – which usually make more sense financially, but whatevs!), I made a trip to my favorite Massachusetts comic shop, Salem-based Harrison’s Comics and Collectibles.

Embarrassingly, I think the last time I had been there was when I took comics pal (and comics genius) Steve Niles for a little tour of the witchy capital of the universe before his signing at Harrison’s on Halloween weekend – supremely fitting for the creator of some of today’s best new horror comics (see: 30 Days of Night). It’s an impressive shop, to say the least – great selection, super helpful staff, and I don’t get there often enough. I also make an attempt to hit up the tiny but lovely Jerry’s Comics & Collectibles in Beverly, MA – the shop of my childhood – when I’m not really looking for something specific; mostly because I love Jerry, and that shop is really struggling (so GO THERE locals – support!).

I’d been avoiding doing the single issues thing, if only because I’m a commitmentphobe, and also because I HATE picking up a series in the middle of a storyline, especially so many years out of the game. So, I enlisted Seth, the store manager, to make some recommendations for new storylines that I should delve into – specifically for Batman and X-Men.

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Posted in Comics

Happy Snow Day, East Coasters! And now, for some Star Wars Kid.

Posted on January 12, 2011 | 1 Comment

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Posted in Geeked Out

WAAANT! Custom Comic Book My Little Ponies

Posted on January 7, 2011 | 3 Comments

Since squees have been mildly overused among the internetosphere, I will create my own onomatopeia for the sound that came out of my mouth when I saw these delectable creatures: mhhhhhyryyyshhhhhhhhh! I want them. I want all of them. I want to build shelves specifically for these painstakingly hand-crafted beauties and take hours each evening to comb their silken manes. I would even dust them.

Jodi K. Moisan is an artist whose talents span quite a few mediums (toy-making, painting, etc.) – but these custom My Little Ponies, I believe, are her true masterpieces. From Darth Maul Pony to Storm to Dr. Strange, Moisan has captured these comic book characters in true, amazingly detailed equestrian form. Below, a few of my favorites – and see if you can name them all!

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Need more My Little Pony delight in your life? Check out Moisan’s website here: www.jodimoisan.com

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Posted in Waaant!

Graphic Novel Review: Vertigo’s “How to Understand Israel in 60 Days or Less” by Sarah Glidden

Posted on December 22, 2010 | Leave a comment

If you were Sarah Glidden a few years ago, you weren’t Israel’s biggest fan. You thought the country was a political bully and provocateur. You swore when you went there that you wouldn’t get emotional about this so-called religious “connection.” A few years ago, you didn’t know which of the two levers to push when you flushed Israeli toilets. And you certainly didn’t know the difference between a mentally challenged camel and an average one.

Years later, in her debut, 206-page autobiographical graphic novel, How to Understand Israel in 60 Days or Less, Sarah Glidden becomes a changed woman – and we lucky critters get to witness every step of it.

Originally launched as a self-published mini-comic series at the 2007 Small Press Expo (SPX), comic book giant Vertigo (DC Comics’ “edgy” graphic novel publishing leg) got their lucky publishing mitts on the 30-year-old, Newton, Massachusetts-bred artist’s work after only three chapters to then produce the full graphic novel. Touted as a glimpse at a young woman’s life-changing experiences on a ten-day Taglit-Birthright Israel tour, How to Understand Israel isn’t about the search for Glidden’s Jewish identity (you can relax now, skeptical goyim!), but as a manifest of a cultural pilgrimage – specifically, to a place of which she believed to be an expert, but learns she really doesn’t know much about.

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Posted in Comics, Reviews

Linky Linky: 12/21/10

Posted on December 21, 2010 | Leave a comment
  • Marvel’s Alias – a recent read for me that quickly launched itself to my Top 5 favorites of all time – is in development for a potential TV series on the CW, titled AKA Jessica Jones. *squirms with skeptical delight*
  • The Daily Cross Hatch posts its Best Damn Comics of 2010 Chosen by the Artists; among the choosers, industry influentials Ellen Abramowitz of MoCCA,  Brian Heater, Darryl Ayo Brathwaite, Box Brown, Jeffrey Brown, Dean Haspiel, Joe Keatinge, Josh Neufeld and Jeff Newelt and others.
  • Cartoonist Kyle Baker‘s young daughter loves puppies – and she wants the world to know it: the animated video.
  • Epic kung-fu adventure Kung-Fu LIVE (downloadable on the PlayStation Network) has today launched a YouTube campaign and video page on its website called “Show Us Your Moves.” Can’t WAIT to see the foolishness commence on this.
  • Funny or Die makes my life a better place with this 1982 Tron Holiday Special spoof (featuring an electronic confetti-throwing Rip Taylor!)

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Posted in Linky Linky

My Latest Project: “12 Days of Comic Book Christmas” on AOL’s ComicsAlliance!

Posted on December 16, 2010 | Leave a comment

Because you know I always have my hands in a million different black kettles (wait…that sounded wrong), I’m thrilled to share with my faithful Blogtimers my newest endeavor: a big ol’ feature for AOL’s ComicsAlliance (where I used to do the daily Link Ink). I’ve called it The 12 Days of Comic Book Christmas, and it’s been a total excuse to gather together some of my favorite comic industry people to give the world a daily dose of holiday cheer. Even though I’m a Jew (*sobs* NOW will you bring me something Santa???).

Here’s the official shpiel from the article:

Because we’re feeling the pull of the yuletide (whatever the heck that is), we decided to start a countdown to Christmas in the tradition of that old holiday standard, The 12 Days of Christmas. Except we shook it up, tossed it over to some of the craziest and most talented comics creators we know, and made our own version: The Twelve Days of Comic Book Christmas. Each day until December 24th, we’ll post an original piece of art from a creator telling a very different story about what their true love gave to them. So enjoy this gift to you, fair readers — and make sure to spread the good comics cheer!

So far, we’ve had Jim Rugg with Day One, Benjamin Marra with Day Two, Marjorie Liu and Mike Perkins with Day Three – and there are some equally amazing creators popping up in this feature as we get closer to the big Jesus-y day (it’s so hard for me to not tell you who!!!!).

Enjoy it folks, and check in to CA every day (it’s usually posted at 4PM) to check out what your fave comic creator’s true loves gave to them! Feel free to comment and Tweet it about, too. You know I loves that!

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Posted in Geeked Out

News! National Literacy Organization Teams with Comic Shops to Collect Comics for Kids

Posted on December 14, 2010 | Leave a comment

How could you deprive these little guys of their comics? Honestly.

December 14, 2010 - This month, Reading is Fundamental begins collecting old and used comic books for their National Literacy Project. Comic shops across North America are taking donations for their local RiF chapter throughout the holiday season.

This is a call to please donate your comics to the cause! Last year’s inaugural donation drive totaled 10,000 comic books and graphic novels. The comics were then distributed to after school programs all over the country. Efforts are being doubled now and hopes are that RiF can collect 20,000 comics this month – the goal is to get kids hooked on reading and clear your shelf space for more comics.

After the jump: a list of participating comic shop locations!

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Posted in Uncategorized