The Week In Geek 9/9/15

This Week in Fan Appreciation....Praise the comic gods. Bitch Planet returned at long last after a lot of delays and scheduling issues. Though the ending had some readers pretty fucked up in their feelings, the real attraction that deserves discussion is the letter column. In addition to a lengthy blog-type entry from Kelly Sue Deconnick, there was a pretty legit essay on victimhood from a GQ writer. Last week, Grant Morrison's series, 18 Days, included a letter column that included an essay from the Supergods author himself on the differences in the Eastern superhero myths and the post 9/11, militarized superhero films of the West. And, of course, there's Brian K. Vaughn's always engaging, charming "To Be Continued" section at the end of the Saga. It's probably the only time I've ever heard of a fan proposing to his girlfriend via an editorial section in the back of an indie comic before Saga came around. Guys, letter columns are starting to matter again. It was really just a matter of time, too. In the era of social media, readers like knowing the creators are accessible. It maintains the feeling that they're grounded. They also help to build the foundation, a watering hole for the fan base, if you will. And it's funny that the best letter columns seem to come from creator owned books. As much as I like Marvel and DC, the indie stuff seems to be vastly more adept at keeping an open line of communication with the fans. 

My comic reviews on Batman and Planet Hulk are up and available on Black Nerd Problems for your viewing pleasure. Like, comment and share at your discretion.

The Week In Geek 8/20/14

My comic reviews for the week are available on Black Nerd Problems for your viewing pleasure. As always, feel free to comment, share or fling feces at anything you like or don't like. This week, I took a look at.....

Batman Eternal: I loved this issue but after writing the review, I went back and read it again and it occurred to me that Batman has the weakest material of all the principal characters....in a Batman book. I'm sort of in the middle about because on one hand, structurally speaking, Batman shouldn't have the weakest material in a Bat-book. On the other hand, if the cost of downplaying Batman (I mean, let's face...dude has had 75 years of character development) is giving Jim Gordon The GAWD all of The Glory, so be it. Because holy shit....watching him give Carmine Falcone's goons the Ice Challenge was fucking epic.

All New Ghost Rider: Okay, it's official- I fucking love this book. But I sort of want them to get away from this Bane venom steroid pills plotline and get a little more supernatural with the threats. So far, we've only seen the Rider in regular old fist fights. I'm not exactly shitting on the new guy, but the Ghost Riders of old have gone up against people like the HULK. The "Worldbreaker" Hulk....the "OhMyGodTheHulkIsAboutToRainOldTestamentArmageddonOnUsAll" Hulk. I'm just saying....I need a fight that's going to set the neighborhood on fire. But it's early, so I'll be patient. For Now.

Can we PLEASE have
Self Destruction as their theme song?

Multiversity: This is a book that really only has problems depending on how you feel about Grant Morrison books. I mean, come on, let's face it. Most Morrison books are pretty much based on whatever he's smoking that week. I'm STILL trying to figure out what the fuck Final Crisis was about. But for all its psuedo scientology babble, I actually really enjoyed this book. How could you not? A black POTUS who is actually Superman? In what world is that not awesome? And the DC spoof version of the Hulk in a diaper? I cried laughing. There were enough easter eggs and Morrison trademark to keep me entertained in a bizarre way, so yeah....I'll be back for the next issue.