Who Is It? for 12/31

Make your guesses and say what clue gave it away!!

1. This creator drew the Perry Mason comic strip for King Features.










2. He drew Moonshine McJuggs for Playboy.







3. He worked for Dell in the 60s on a number of books.








4. He would dress up as a wizard for comic conventions.









5. He drew Red Sonja.

Who is it?

What books from the 12/29 Comic Week did you have no snark for?

What books from this comic week did you have absolutely zero snark for?

For me, it would have to be this week's Solo, with Teddy Kristiansen. WOAH! What a cool comic book, especially the Neil Gaiman story in the beginning of the book.

Also, I basically have no snark for Paris #2. I have some criticisms, but no snark. Simon Gane is just astonishingly awesome.

How about you folks?

Who's Yer Fav'rit...

Classic Challenger of the Unknown?

Ace



Prof



Red



or

Rocky?



(pictures courtesy of this awesome Challengers of the Unknown site)

Cover Theme Day for 12/28

Today's theme is CHESS!!!

1.



2.



3.



4.



5.



6.



7.



8.



Any covers that I'm missing?!?

9. Thanks to RAB



10. Thanks to Ken Robinson



11. Thanks to Orfeo Negro

Top Five Spider-Man Inspired Heroes!

Here are the top five heroes that are all, in their own way, trying to recapture the coolness of Spider-Man.

5. Darkhawk - Chris Powell had an amulet that transformed him into the armored Darkhawk. However, Chris also had the same teen problems that would always befall Peter Parker.

4. Gravity - Sean McKeever's new hero moved to New York City to try to make it as a hero, but found himself flunking out of college! Watching Gravity try to make a name for himself while keeping in college (and possibly having a lovelife) make him a cool Spider-Man character to watch.

3. Nova - Richard Rider even had the double RR monogram! Talk about COMMITMENT!! He also did the whole "young hero dealing with powers and his life" routine, and did it well.

2. Invincible - Robert Kirkman's hero is a mix of Spider-Man and Superman, but it really works well.

1. Static - I guess you could call him the "black Spider-Man," but whatever you call him, just call him "a good comic to read," because that is what Static was, a good comic to read.

I miss Static.

Am I missing any other heroes, in your opinion? Let me know!

Monday Challenge - Christmas Returns!

Who would be more likely to return a Christmas present? Lois Lane or Batman?

Hope You Have A Christmas Totally Free From Snark!

Enjoy it, folks, while you wonder if the High Evolutionary had anything to do with those flying reindeer!!!

Who Is It?

Remember, tell me who it is, and on what clue you got it!

1. This character is a powerful mutant.







2. This character met up with the X-Men on the night that Jean Grey had to land a shuttle by herself.







3. This character is a member of the Justice League.








4. This character can evade Apokalips security to go straight to Darkseid.








5. This character can read minds, like the Martian Manhunter, fit into people's homes like the Atom and disappear at will like Batman.

Who is it?

Snark Free Theme Day for 12/23

Today's theme is CHRISTMAS STRANGE HAPPENINGS!

1. Batman was fighting the bad guys when a star shone down to help him. But where did the star come from!?!?

2. ANOTHER time, Batman was fighting the bad guys when a star shone down to help him and show him where the bad guys were. But where did the star go?!

3. Once, Iceman gave his Champions team a White Christmas in Los Angeles with his powers, but then he stopped using his powers - and it was STILL snowing!!!

4. The Legion also was once caught up in finding a star that didn't truly exist. Where did this star come from!??!

5. Once, Impulse decided to help Santa Claus out by giving presents all over the world, but the problem was, he ended up giving away all of HIS presents, too! However, when they returned home, they found that he had NEW presents! Who left them!?!?

How about you folks?

Any that I missed?

What Books Did You Not Have Snark For This Comic Week?

What comics did you have no snark for this week?

For me, I had no snark for Ultimate Wolverine/Hulk, which, while mainly getting by on attitude, had enough attitude to make me like the book, even as very little actually progressed in the comic. And Yu's art is great.

So how about YOU folks?

Snark Free Cover Theme Game for 12/21

Okay, here's the covers. Remember, they all have something in common, whether it be a character, locale, creator, SOMEthing. And it isn't something obvious like "They all have prices!" "They all have logos!" "They all feature a man!" etc.

1.



2.



3.



Let's see some guesses!

Top Five Killed Off Spider-Man Supporting Characters

Being in Spider-Man's supporting cast is not the safest place to be in comics, as they tend to drop like flies.

Here are the top five Spider-Man supporting characters to have been killed off.

5. Ned Leeds

Ned, who married Peter's high school girlfriend, Betty Brant, really should have had a bigger impact upon Peter's life, but to be honest, I almost considered putting Lance Bannon in this spot. Poor Ned Leeds...no good plots.

4. Jean DeWolff

DeWolff is one of those rare supporting characters who probably really DID become more interesting when she died. Alive, she was fun enough, but basically a typical cop. Dead, she became a symbol. And the fact that she had a crush on Spider-Man? Perfect.

3. Captain Stacy

I really liked Captain Stacy.

He was a really great character. The only OTHER father figure for Peter now that Uncle Ben was dead.

2. Harry Osborn

I do not know if the Spidey books ever truly recoverd from Harry's death. It really changed the dynamics of Peter's interrelations with his friends.

1. Gwen Stacy

There are very few supporting characters that get a TPB named after their death.

THAT is how big Gwen was.

Am I missing anyone?

Monday Challenge - Maid To Order

If you were forced to be a cleaning person for a group, who would you prefer to be a cleaning person for?

The X-Men

or

The Inhuman Royal Family?

Nagging Thoughts for 12/18

We often see Mr. Fantastic with a beard or stubble, but my question is, how do you cut his hair? Isn't it just as durable as the rest of his body?

Is Johnny Storm's salivia also on fire? So could he SPIT fire? That's be kinda cool.

I know SOMEone must have explained this over the years, but how exactly does turning invisible translate into being able to project force fields?

Does the Thing have fingernails?

If he does, do they grow? How does he cut them?

Did they ever explain why Sue and Johnny were on the rocketship?

Who Is It?

Remember, tell me who it is and on what clue you figured it out on!

1. This character is a geneticist.










2. This character is over eight feel tall!









3. This character was compatriots with Miles Warren and Arnim Zola.








4. This character has a series of cloned bodies that he transfers his consciousness to.









5. This character recently fought the Great Lakes Avengers.

Who is it?

Snark Free Theme Day for 12/16

Today's theme is "Artificial Intelligence Help!"

1. In the recent, super-cool series Fear Agent, the hero flies around in a talking spaceship.

2. The Power Pack had their own talking spaceship named Friday.

3. For awhile, X-Factor hung out in a talking spaceship named, appropriately enough, Ship.

4. During the series Valor, Valor flew around in a talking spaceship.

5. Forcrw Works had a talking computer that interacted with them.

You folks think of more!

Tim Sale Chat - NOW!

Check it out, folks! Click here for details!

Snark Free Cover Theme Day for 12/14

Okay, here's the covers. Remember, they all have something in common, whether it be a character, locale, creator, SOMEthing. And it isn't something obvious like "They all have prices!" "They all have logos!" "They all feature a man!" etc.

1.



2.



3.



Let's see some guesses!!

New Thunderbolts

This is the kind of comic so wonderful that it inspires me to write bad poetry. (Though strangely, bad comics don't inspire me to write good poetry)

Once there was a comic about a man with a scheme
To pretend that villains were heroes when they were really awful mean
Turns out some members liked being good, liked the perks and all the free food
They foiled the scheme and the earth vowed to defend, but like all good things it came to an end.

Now they're back and they're a joy to behold
Abe, Eric and Melissa, and Blizzard who is cold
Speed Demon runs around very fast, Joystick is a flirt
Photon is a little crazy and Radioactive Man wears a skirt

There are mysteries and secrets, who could the Swordsman be?
A man with some father issues, I think it's plain to see.
Will Abe once more make Melissa's heart flutter?
Will Blizzard cure his nervous stutter?
And now Zemo's back, who knows what's to come?
Not me, i'm afraid, but I know it'll be fun!

Top Five Spider-Man Nicknames!

TOP FIVE NICKNAMES FOR SPIDER-MAN!

5. Arachnid

I think I have only seen this one once or twice, but I HAVE seen people refer to him as an arachnid. Usually something like, "That infernal arachnid!"

4. Webhead

See this earlier Top Five for more details.

TIE FOR SECOND!!

Wallcrawler and Webslinger

I really do not think that either of them is better than the other one. They are both equally good.

That being said, I happened to catch an episode of Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends the other day, and to actually HEAR someone call him "Hey, look! It's the Wallcrawler!"?

Sounds pretty dorky.

1. Spidey

This HAS to be #1!

This is THE nickname.

Anyone care to differ?

Monday Challenge - Tower of Babel Style

Who would win in a fight, Red Kryptonite affected Superman or Blind Green Lantern?

Nagging Thoughts for 12/11

Can Green Lantern create food with his ring?

Can Green Lantern create something with his ring that he cannot lift with his ring?

Don't you think that the name "Sinestro" would sort of give the Guardians a clue that maybe he is not the guy to give a ring to?

Are the ring constructs really light-based? Is that "light" that comes from the rings?

Why don't the Guardians ever give a ring to someone with superpowers?

Who Is It? for 12/10

Tell me who it is, and what number hint gave it away!!

1. This artist drew the comic book adaptation of the Captain America movie.






2. He drew a number of comics for Marvel during the 80s.





3. He illustrated the Emperor Doom Graphic Novel for Marvel Comics.









4. He worked for Valiant Comics as a writer and artist.










5. Be recently did I, Joker and Its Jokertime! for DC Comics.

Who is it?

Which 12/7 Books Do You Have No Snark For?

Which books that came out this Wednesday do you have absolutely zero snark for?

Me, I would have to say that the book that came out this week that I have absolutely zero snark for would have to be Hard Time Season Two #1.

I thought that it was a really good reintroduction to the main protagonist, and Brian Hurtt's art is always amazing, so that goes a long ways to making the snark disappear!!

How about you folks?

Hello out there

After discovering this blog I found it a really refreshing change of pace. A comics blog that doesn't bitch and moan about creators, continuity and costumes? I didn't know that was even allowed. So when I read Brian's call to arms I thought, 'this is something I'd like to be a part of.'

Because I just plain like comics.

I know, I know, it's not very deep and certainly not profound, but it's the truth. It all started when I was growing up in the 1980s and used to read all the Marvel UK titles (Transformers, Wildcat, Thundercats, The Complete Spider-man, Mask, etc.) In later years I moved onto American comics and after the initial fanboy move of buying everything X-related, moved on to a more diverse (though still mostly Marvel) range of comics. Today things are a little different. I've moved onto Trades for one thing, and I buy a few more DC (If Y the last man and backissues of the Giffen Justice League count as a few), but one thing is still the same.

I still like comics, and if you guys do too then I think we'll get along just fine.

Snark Free Cover Theme Day for 12/8

Okay, here's the covers. Remember, they all have something in common, whether it be a character, locale, creator, SOMEthing. And it isn't something obvious like "They all have prices!" "They all have logos!" "They all feature a man!" etc.

1.

2.

3.

Let's see some guesses!!

EDITED to change the third cover, because the "they all have wings on their costumes" answer was close. I don't think it applied, but to be safe, I put up a new image.

Favorite Moments and Lines (with Spoilers)

New Excalibur #2

Throughout the issue our heroes get their collective clock cleaned by brutally efficient, black-clad versions of the original X-Men. (A humanoid Beast; Angel, Iceman; Cyclops; and, finally, Jane Grey.)

(1) Nice first panel on page 17, with the Evil Jane Grey running up the stairs to make her appearance and join the fray. Her face isn't shown, and all we "hear" are her shoes making their "Klek Klek Klek Klek" sound as she hurries to the scene.

(2) Evil Charles Xavier: I killed all you hero-types in my universe. I intend to savor every delicious moment in this one. (A cheese-y line, no doubt about it. But that's some good cheese.)

Sea of Red #7:

(1) Matt: Hey Marco, isn't that Blackthroat's buddy's sword? You know, the guy you needlessly murdered? Man, the sword gets its own chair. That's a good sign ...

(2) Janine (upon being offered a person to feed upon): This is very hard for me to stomach. Before ... all of this, I'd always been a vegetarian.

(3) Matt: Yeah, the healing fast thing is pretty wicked--we're like Wolverine.

Spider-Girl #93:

Proof that Tom DeFalco reads this blog! Kristy Watson returns. (Thanks for the link, Adrian.)

Anticipatin'

I'm also a respondent to Brian's recent call to arms, and appreciate the opportunity to post here. (Num104, I'm with you.)

Here's a list of three comics that I look forward to reading this evening (in addition to big guns like JSA and Superman).

I was all geared up to snark about recent issues, but they've exceeded expectations:

New Excalibur #2. (I was there at the genesis of this title [man, do I feel old]; liked the first issue.)

Sea of Red #7. (Great start, though it hit a bit of a rough patch in the middle; nice previous issue.)

Spider-Girl #93. (After some grumbling about the title's quality, #92 grabbed me again; looking forward to the latest.)

Oh, and don't get me started on Marvel's Essential Spider-Woman!

A Snark Free Response To Arms

Many of you probably don't know me. I had a brief run doing The Comic Geek blog, but shut it down after a couple short months. My heart just wasn't in it at the time. However, when Brian put out his call to arms, it got me thinking.

I haven't been reading comics for very long. Many years ago, when I was in junior high, I started reading comics at the local comic shop in our town. With a lack of any real funds, the habit died out very quickly. It wasn't until earlier this year, around May or so, that a new comic shop opened in town and resparked my interest in the medium. Months later I have a growing stack of long boxes and a bookshelf that needs some desperate reorganizing to fit my trades and graphic novels. My knowledge of comics, their history, creators, characters, etcetera is growing, but it sure doesn't match many of the people who have been in the medium for far longer than I. And yet, I can't help but be amazed at how much I truly love these little books.

I love Wednesdays and the fact that I take off work early every week just so that I can get my books a little sooner. I love walking in my local comic shop and seeing all the comics lining the walls. I love staring at row upon row of covers. I love talking with the owner and the other customers about the world of comics.

I love the richness and history of the "Big Two" and their books. I love the massive amount of characters, personalities, powers, worlds, and stories. I love company wide crossovers, stand-alone issues, and multi-issue arcs. I love the deep and satisfying nature of continuity in a large context, and I love those stories that require no background to sit and enjoy.

I love that more and more genres are seeing a presence within comic books. I love super-heroes and tights. I love westerns. I love barbarians. I love that indy books are pushing the envelope of what comics do and say. I love that older comics are collected in cheap and easy to find collections so I don't miss out on the many years of comics before my time.

I love the dark and gritty nature of comics, and I love books that are fun and humorous. I love mature themed books, and I love comics that are aimed at all ages. I love the quirky, goofy stories that really don't make sense when you think about it, and I love stories grounded in reality.

I love that writing has become such a dominant part of comic books. I love that the art in comics continues to blow me away. I love that technology has helped to make this hobby look slicker and bolder than ever before. I love that I have the option of reading styles that range from Brian Michael Bendis to Warren Ellis to Eric Powell to Brian Wood (and on and on and on); not to mention the countless artistic styles present in the medium (I'm sure you can make a bigger list than me).

I love stepping into a theater and seeing my favorite characters on the big screen (even when the movie isn't all that great). I love that TV shows are taking different looks at the icons within comics. I love that more and more people are beginning to see the legitimacy of comics and their industry.

And I love (despite rising prices) that compared to most hobbies, comics are still a relatively cheap way to pass my time.

I know, I'm sure I've left out a lot of other stuff I love about comics. But, to be honest, that's the point. With so many things to love about this hobby, isn't it time we stop and just appreciate all the amazing things that we have? Sometimes, putting cynicism aside can really help put things into perspective. And hopefully, that's something that we can accomplish together. That way, we won't ever forget how much joy this hobby has brought to each of us. Are you with me?

More Swimmers in the Snark Free Waters

Well, now is the time for the folks that have answered the Snark Free Waters call to arms to let you folks know who they are.

Remember, just e-mail me at cronb01@aol.com, and I will add you, too!

Anyone who wants to talk about their love of comics is welcome here!! Anyone!

Top Five Comics By Fred Van Lente

Today, as you may know, is Fred Van Lante Day.

To celebrate, I am counting down the top five Fred Van Lente comic books.

5. Stuperpowers - A roleplaying comic book superhero adventure.

4. Tranqulity - A series about a woman and her talking gun.

3. Scorpion - Van Lente has done well here, introducing a character interesting enough that Peter David seems ready to use her.

2. The Silencers - This was a really good comic. However, it cannot compare with...

1. Action Philosophers - This fun, informative series is the best blend of different impulses (fun and learning) since Peanut Butter and Chocolate got mixed together, years ago!

Anyone disagree about the order?

Oh, and Happy Fred Van Lente Day, everyone!!!

A Snark Free Call to Arms

Back in early April, when I started this site, I said the following:

I have no problem with "snark," which basically is another term for negative comments towards a work of art.

I do not believe anyone is helped by pretending that something is not bad. However, at the same time, negative comments have a sort of strange effect where their gravity is concerned.

Negative comments take on extra gravity, so that if you have, say, a blog, and half of your entries are positive and half are negative, people will generally be sucked in by the higher gravity of the negative entries.

That is why I think it is worthwhile to have a place out there where there is a lack of the negative, just so that the positive has a chance to flourish. This is not to discount the negative, feel free to check out Comics Should Be Good, I will certainly continue to say negative things about things that I think are not good.

Here, though, is just for discussing the things we love about comic books. Whether it be great books, great creators or great moments, here is where you will find them discussed. In addition, part of the charm of comic books is also the often goofy aspects of the genre, like the period in the 70s when Popeye was (more or less) a recurring character in the Superman titles!! You can think something is corny, and still enjoy it (if not, then no one would enjoy Owly).

I will be here every day to tell you something that I love about comic books, and hopefully I will have some others join in.

In addition, if you want to share your thoughts about something you love about comics (or some goofy comic thing that makes you smile), feel free to e-mail me, as I will gladly post entries featuring other people's picks about what they love about comics.

Have fun!

Well, here is the thing.

No one ever sends in stuff.

Which is cool.

However, I really DO like the idea of letting many people contribute to this place, so here is my proposal.

E-mail me (cronb01@aol.com), and I will add you to the list of contributors under the following two conditions:

1. You do not post snark (DUH!, right?) (and if you think you have a clever way AROUND that rule, like Fanboy Skip, just run it by me first to see if I think it works)

and

2. If you want to join in on my shticks, feel free, but just do them on their requisite days (If you want to do a Top Five of your own, go ahead, just do it on Tuesday).

Beyond that, ANYone who wants to join up, just e-mail me, and I'll add you.

ANYone!

Really, anyone.

If you like to talk about comics, feel free to join up. Anyone.

I like the idea of a place where we can ALL share our thoughts about what we love about comics, not just me!

So start e-mailing!

Monday Challenge - The Shark vs. The Fisherman

If the Green Lantern foe, the Shark, were to fight the Aquaman foe, the Fisherman - Who would win out?

Nagging Thoughts for 12/4

Tower of Babel nagging thoughts...

Superman gave Batman Kryptonite to use in case Superman went bad...but then was going to vote Batman out of the Justice League because Batman kept protocols to use in case superheroes went bad?

Batman should probably think about using a tougher password for his secret files.

If Batman could hypnotize Green Lantern into being blind, couldn't he then also hypnotize him into, like, thinking he was a chicken?

If you could sneak up to Green Lantern to tamper with his ring, couldn't the League of Assasins also KILL him, too?

Who Is It? for 12/3

Tell me who it is, and what number hint gave it away!!

1. This character has changed his or her name in the past.








2. This character served with two very different incarnations of a superhero team (using the same team name both times, though).







3. This character is male.









4. This character had a sibling who was ALSO a superhero.












5. This character is a DC Comics character.

Who is it?

Snark Free Theme Day for 12/2

Today's theme is....hero and villain have to team-up to save the world

1. I think one of the most notable examples of this was Mark Waid's first storyline on Captain America, where Captain America has to team-up with the RED SKULL to fight Hitler, who has taken control of the Cosmic Cube.

2. There was recently a good JSA storyline where Icicle and Sand have to team-up to save the world from the Ultra-Humanite.

3. Final Night had Superman and Lex Luthor working together to restart the Sun, and there's even a great bit where Luthor is all, "What? You don't expect ME to sacrifice MYself, do you?!?!"

4. During the Punisher "European Tour" storyline, Punisher and Tarantula teamed up to face the bad guys. Wait...do either of them count as heroes?

5. During Titans Hunt, the Titans had to team up with their one-time foe, Deathstroke, to save their kidnapped teammates.

6. Captain Cold has teamed up with Flash a FEW different times.

7. Catwoman and Batman have had more than their fair share of team-ups.

8. Superman and Mongul II had to team-up to face off against Imperiex.

Feel free to supply some more examples!!

Sometimes I wonder...

Sometimes, I wonder just h0w many Christmases are in the Marvel Universe in a year. How many times has Spider-Man celebrated Christmas? And if he has multiple comics all with an issue one year that is Christmas day, do they take place in different years, or are they squeezed in between panels? Christmas in the Marvel U, such special times of the year.

Which 11/30 Books Do You Have No Snark For?

I love how I cannot even keep my shtick titles down. I do not know if that is the same title I used last time...hehe.

Okay, for me, first off, was Fear Agent #2. No snark for that book from me. It was one of those super fun sci-fi books with loads of charm and amazing Tony Moore art.

Fell #3 was snark free this week. Such a beautiful snapshot of a story.

No snark for me this week about X-Men/Power Pack #2. Fun comic, that was!

How about YOU folks?