Saturday, May 29

Ice Hockey preview, beards required.

Game one of the Stanley cup finals starts tonight at 8 on NBC and i can't think of a better way to spend an evening then watching large men crash into one another on ice while trying to knock a puck into a net with what amounts to a spear. But hockey is more then just violence, believe it or not goals are often scored in hockey game and these finals feature two of the best offensive teams in the league.


The blackhawks offense is loaded with young superstar talent like Jonathan Toews, buffalo native Patrick Kane, and Dustin Byfuglien. Toews and Kane are small, fast, exceptionally skilled players while Byfuglien is a 6 foot 4, 257 pound juggernaut who is impossible to move in front of the net. Lucky for Philadelphia they possess the one Defenseman in the league who can move Byfuglien, Chris Pronger. Pronger is one of the best Defenseman to ever play the game and his skill, size and penchant for punishing hits might be just the thing to shut down the Blackhawks potent offense.

Philly's foreword group is more experienced but still features great young talent in Captain Mike Richards, sniper Jeff Carter, and playmaker Claude Giroux. Coupled with French Canadian phenoms Daniel Briere and Simon Gagne, Philadelphia should not have a problem keeping up with Chicago offensively.

Defensively Philly's top two defensemen, Chris Pronger and Kimmo Timmonen boast a wealth of experience and skill but the Flyers defense drops off from there whereas the Blackhawks come loaded to bare with Duncan "sans teeth" Keith, Brent Seabrook, Brent Sopel, and noted ginger, Brian Campbell. Philly can match up well at the top but the Blackhawks depth trumps Philly's experiences.

In goal neither team can claim an all world talent. The Flyers lean on mid-season pick up Micheal Leighton to man the crease and the Blackhawks current starter is rookie Antti Niemi. both have played well but neither have much experience or started the season as the primary goaltender for their respective teams. Look for both to play well but the offensive firepower in the series will surely put more then a few pucks past them. Slight edge to Chicago based on the rookies potential and the presence of a veteran backup in Cristobal Huet.

I think these team match up well and it looks to be an awesome series but I will be pulling for the Blackhawks because I am a Rangers fan and if the Flyers win the cup the year after the Penguins do I might have a stroke.

Wednesday, May 26

Review: Astonishing X-Men Xenogenesis 1

















Astonishing X-Men: Xenogenesis #1 (of 5)
Writer: Warren Ellis
Artist: Kaare Andrews

The moment of truth has arrived. After the release of jarring promotional art for the new (but not really improved) Astonishing X-Men mini-series, the first issue finally hit stands two weeks ago and I now feel as though I can reveal my informed opinion after reading Ellis and Andrews' take on all things Astonishing.

You may recall my original post in which I critiqued (quite negatively) the first promotional image (this issue's cover) for the series. I could deal with most of the characters' new looks, but Emma looked horrendous and - having read the first issue - that opinion still holds true. Most of the characters actually look better in the interiors. The covers that have been released suggest a style that leans toward caricature, which thankfully is barely present once the book is opened. Cyclops, Wolverine, and Beast are pretty much perfect. I must commend Andrews on bringing back Storm's mohawk (I was orginally one of its biggest detractors, but it really fits his style) and Armor is acceptable, although I wish she looked more like a teenager and less like an eight year old girl. The one week link, just like on the cover art, is Emma. I cannot get over the exaggerated breasts and buttox, the ridiculous hair, the ugly (yes, ugly) face, and the beyond stupid costume. There are approximately two panels in which she looks somewhat acceptable, one of which is pictured above. I must commend Andrews however, on his unique style that - minus Emma - proves to be, if nothing else, an interesting deviation for the X-universe. If only we could (and I think Jared will agree) remove Emma, we would have an undoubtedly flawed, but generally stylish and fun-looking book on our hands.

What the art is lacking, Warren Ellis makes up for in the script department. His writing is fast, witty, and sometimes...

If you're interested, continue reading here.

Ice Hockey?



Due to the high temperatures this week, I think some ice hockey is in order. The Stanley Cup finals begin this Saturday at 8:00pm on NBC, featuring the Chicago Blackhawks(owners of the best jersey in hockey) and the Philadelphia Flyers( don't ask me what that logo is suppose to be). This promises to be a very good series, both teams are loaded with scoring talent and have goal tending issues so the goals should flow. Full preview coming later, but for now enjoy an interview after the Blackhawks victory over the San Jose Sharks, Featuring Duncan Keith and not featuring 7 of his teeth.

Maybe the greatest music video... EVER?!

Sunday, May 23

Lost Conclusion

Wow... that ending was kinda bad....

P.S. Red Dead Redemption review coming.

Edit: After thinking about the finale all day. It has grown on me, but I am still disappointed.

Friday, May 21

'7 psychopaths' from Sean Phillips



From CRIMINAL co-conspirator Sean Phillips!
7 men, 1 impossible mission - assassinate Hitler! With World War II in full swing, there's only one-way to draw the war to a quick end: kill Hitler. But who would be insane enough to try? Joshua Goldschmidt knows just the men to do it. Insane? Psychotic? Mad? Call them what you will, but the SEVEN PSYCHOPATHS are now the only hope the world has.



http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=5276&disp=table

Cornbread's Favorite Comic of the Week - 5/19

Well, since this week was a really small week I didn't really have a comic that was my least favorite. So I decided that I would just write a review of what I thought was the best of the week.

Favorite Comic: Joe the Barbarian #5

Joe the Barbarian has been a really solid series for the last 5 months, each issue bringing more to the table and leaving me eager to read for the release of the next issue. Although I really enjoy the series, I am extremely glad that it is just an 8 issue maxi series, because although the series is so interesting, I feel as though it would lose a lot of its luster and interest if it tried to stretch it out anymore.

There was not doubt in my mind that Grant Morrisson was a great writer, but after reading this and having it not be about super heroes and such it makes me enjoy his writing even more; I cant wait for Devin to read this and then start suggesting stuff. I am really enjoying Sean Murphy and his style of art, its spectacular and I think it is the main reason why this comic is so great. His style fits this fantasy world perfectly, and the way he depicts not only the characters, but their surroundings. Especially his splash pages.

Like I said before, every issue has been spectacular, but issue 5 really takes the cake, even beating issue one and all its amazingness. In this issue, Morrisson kicks that action up a notch, really pushes the storyline, and is finally developing what exactly is going on in the real world in addition to whats going on in Joe's head. He also has made it so the main characters are now split up, leaving it open for there to be two storylines for the next three issues which could be interesting. There is an extremely good action scene at the end of the book, which leaves the reader with a very interesting cliff hanger that will really drive the next three issue, depending on what happens.
If you haven't been reading this series, you really are missing out. But since its only three months till the end of the series then it should only be about 6 for the trade, so keep your chin up! Regardless, I am eagerly awaiting what is going to happen in the rest of this series, and if these next issues are as good as this one, I really cannot wait.

9.5 out of 10



Now, I was going to write a negative review about Avengers #1 but I feel I couldn't really justify doing so, since the storyline really isn't that bad, I mean its not great and it could become really bad, but its not bad yet. My only problem is JRJR's art, it is awful, characters don't look like themselves, women look awful. I mean some of the art is pretty good, but 1 or two panels are not redeeming for a 40 page comic. But yeah, Im not gonna give it a series review because really, Bendis's writing is great.


......5.5 out of 10

Tuesday, May 18

The one time Chris got it right

First,  I want to thank Chris for his earlier post on the book 'Gun Monkeys'

Chris' post on blogsout.net

Second, I want you to know that there are fewer ways to enjoy five hours. 
Wow. You will be thankful you gave the book a try.
I was a little surprised how fun it was.

A couple of things not mentioned in Chris' post was the fact that 'Gun Monkeys' was Gischler's first book, and was nominated for a Edgar Award.  Which is like the Oscar for Detective novels.  Kind of a big deal.

Question: Is there a way to create an interesting movie trailer with out revealing major plot twist?

Yes.
I'm looking at you Iron Man 2 trailer.

Good ideas vs. Bad ideas

Good Idea: clicking on the "next bog" button at the top of any blogger site.

Bad Idea: Having a "family blog" with videos like this on it.



I think this is a bad idea.

Cornbread's Favorite and Least Favorite Comics of the Week - 5/5

Favorite Comic: The New Avengers Finale

I was pretty skeptical about buying this book because of its 5 dollar price tag, but after giving it a read I was pretty satisfied with the amount of money I spent. I knew that this would be a conclusion of the New Avengers series, but after opening the first page I quickly learned that this was the finale of Siege as well; as I read the book it tied up all of the loose ends of Siege and brought it to a pretty good conclusion.

Brian Michael Bendis is probably one of the best conversation writers in comics, and this issue really showed that. The things that the Avengers said to each other during most of the big battles were pretty entertaining and witty. Im usually pretty satisfied with Hitch's art work and it was no different with this issue.

I was really happy that Ms. Marvel played a large role in this books story. She is a great character and I was pretty unhappy with the fact that her book got canceled. The main battle against Count Nefaria was really exciting especially because it exhibited the full extent of Ms. Marvel's powers and it was pretty impressive and drawn well.

There was never a low point of this book if you ask me, which is the main reason why I didnt mind the fact that I paid 5 dollars for the book. Bendis did a great job wrapping up the story line with this set of New Avengers, and I am excited to see what he is going to do with the next set.

8 out of 10

Indy music video of the day



"Good Morning (the future)" by Rogue Wave.
A popy fuzzy post apocalypse song. 
I don't know if you will like it or not.

Tuesday, May 11

Frank Frazetta Passes Away


It is with great sadness that we report the comic industry has lost one of its most prolific creators. Legendary fantasy illustrator Frank Frazetta has died from a stroke at a hospital near his home in Boca Grande, Florida. Frazetta was 82. The man who gave us so much has now moved on to a better place, and we honor his life's work and passion.
*read more of the press release

Monday, May 10

Hector Hammond Revealed and More GL Movie News

Today a British website leaked a behind the scenes shot snapped of Peter Sarsgaard in Hector Hammond makeup, and boy does he look creepy..er, great!  I don't think Sarsgaard is in costume yet, so I'm guessing he's making his way from the makeup trailer to costuming.

I've done some photoshop work to show a blowup of Hector's head and it looks like he does indeed have a mustache although it is a little hard to see.  There's also no telling if this is the final evolution of Hammond or merely a stage in the growth of his head.

Another Tongue, a voice over agency that Mark Strong uses, reported that Strong has taken a break from his John Carter project to fly to New Orleans for makeup testing.  According to ComicBookMovie Stong's Sinestro will sport special contact lenses and a mustache.  Sinestro will maintain a British accent since it "suits his character" and his costume, like Hal's, will be CGI.  

They Came From Inner Space...

A New Take on Cornbreads Favorite and Least Favorite Comic of the Week 5/5

What a great week in comics this past week! It was so great that instead of talking about my favorite and least favorite comics, I am going to review my top three favorite comics, in no particular order.

Favorite Comic #1: Amazing Spiderman #630

This is the first installment in the Spiderman's newest arc: Shed. The issue marks the return of Kurt Connors aka The Lizard. I have been excited for this arc to start for quite some time. The Lizard has to be one of my favorite Spidey Villains and to see him back in action is pretty exciting. I think what the Spiderman brain trust is doing with the character is great; Connors is transforming more and more into a lizard as the years go on and just makes his character even more interesting. Its kind of like he has schizophrenia, and his subconscious Lizard personality is constantly beckoning him. Its pretty awesome if you ask me.

I was pretty excited when I saw that Zeb Wells was writing this arc, he is the second best Spidey writer next to Joe Kelley in my opinion and him teaming up with Bachalo on the art was also a good decision, I feel like he has the power to give the comic a real life feeling but also can keep in more on the cartoony/comic side as well with his art.

Wednesday, May 5

Cornbread's Favorite and Least Favorite Comics of the Week - 4/28

Sorry it has taken me so long to get around to writing this post, I've just been busy and didn't actually get to read all of my comics this week until Saturday anyways. But here it is!

Favorite Comic: X-Force # 26 (X-Men Second Coming Chapter 5)
*MAJOR SPOILER ALERT*

This boom was in the running for best book of the week wayyy before I got a chance to read it. First off, this cover by Adi Granov is by far one of his best yet, there is no getting around it. Secondly, it is the return of Mike Choi and Sonja Oback on interior art; the last issue they did for X-Force was issue 20. When the book finally came out last week, as soon as I got a free second I read this issue, way before I actually read anything else, and let me tell you, I am very happy I did. The interior art on this book is beautiful! It really proves that Choi is the best artist in comics today.

Aside from the art, everyone knew that this book was very important for this huge cross over event. Marvel had been talking about how a character was going to be killed since before Second Coming started and everyone knew it was happening in this book.

Kyle and Yost did a great job with this issue, it kept my attention the whole time, the dialogue was beautiful and they way they executed the death was just spectacular. It was exciting and packed with action, but heart wrenching at the same time. I wont reveal who actually died, but seriously they went out with a BAMF.

10 out of 10

Monday, May 3

iPhone Cant Display Flash

3 for $12 DVDs at Hollywood Video.

The Hollywood Video in the Tops plaza is closing and they are selling off their entire inventory. Yesterday I saw some titles that may be of interest to some of you. I don't know if they're still there, but it would probably be worth checking out if you're interested. If you go, I hid these discs behind six copies of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and put them in the horror section, so check there first.




I didn't have a lot of time, so I couldn't find a third to hide, but they're only $5 individually, so it's still a deal either way, though I think I did spot a copy of Getting Even with Dad, so that might be worth looking into.

Saturday, May 1



Today is FREE COMIC BOOK DAY! Stop by Heroes Your Mom Threw Out Comic Shop between 10:30 and 5:30 to pick up your free books! Hope to see you all there!