PODCAST OF THE MONTH! COMIC GEEK SPEAK!

Podcast of the Month for November 2012 is:

Comic Geek Speak!

I've been listening to Comic Geek Speak for over a year now and they are without a doubt the most informative and industrious podcast about comic books. They regularly produce three to five podcasts a week and every one of them is well worth listening to.

Once a month they go over the Previews magazine and each podcaster picks out comics, trades and other items that they think will be worth buying. I find it is helpful in finding out a few months in advance what may or may not be worth buying at the comics shop that month.

Another monthly feature is Off the Racks, in which they pick one DC, one Marvel and one or more Independent Comics to review as a group. This past month they reviewed Joe Kubert Presents #1 from DC, Uncanny Avengers #1 from Marvel, Multiple Warheads #1 from Image and Cyberforce #1 from Top Cow. Their rating system is fun and unique: They rate them BUY, BORROW or PANTS: Buy being great, Borrow being good and Pants being not so good. Pants was used to substitute Pass at some point; possibly as a joke or mispronunciation involving the moderator Brian "Pants" Christman.

Yet another regular feature is Comic Talk, which is a comics news-based episode. They discuss the latest comic book-centric news and how they think it will affect the industry. In the November 14^th episode of Comic Talk they discussed Disney's purchase of Lucasfilm and how it might affect the Star Wars movies, comics and toys; DC's upcoming Katana, Vibe and Justice League of America books; and some spoiler-filled TV talk on The Walking Dead and Arrow.

They also do regular features on important events in comics. They recently reviewed every single issue of Marvel X-men Vs. Avengers 12-issue event series; even going so far as to live stream a special podcast on the twelfth and final issue. They are currently doing a series on Marvel Now, with the latest podcast, Round Three, discussing All-New X-Men #1, Fantastic Four #1, Thor: God of Thunder #1, X-Men Legacy #1 and Avengers Assemble #9.

There is too much for me to tell about these hard working podcasters, so I’ll let them describe their podcast and themselves to you in their own words:

Comic Geek Speak (CGS) was started in March, 2005 when Bryan and Peter decided to try their hand at the then-new world of podcasting. They quickly invited their friends to join them and then the show was complete. CGS initially released one or two episodes a week, but before long they were cranking out three. Nowadays, the CGS crew produces daily episodes (Monday through Friday) ranging from regular episodes to more focused episodes, such as Footnotes, World of Toys or Exploring Bede.

CGS is far more than just a few friends in a room with microphones. CGS is now a worldwide community of comic fans that helps to foster and grow the love of comics that is vital to the industry's success. Produced by a group of life-long friends, Comic Geek Speak is a daily look at comic book history, current comic news, and a general look at the industry. Experience all the joys of a Wednesday afternoon at the comic shop, from the comfort of your own headphones.

Here are some of the fine gentlemen that regularly speak on Comics Geek Speak:

Brian Deemer

Bryan is the guy that decided to do this crazy podcast. After reading an article about podcasting in Wired magazine in February, 2005, Bryan recruited Peter to start CGS. Bryan started reading comics in 1985 after getting a copy of Groo from his friend. It wasn't long before he was reading everything in sight. He worked at his local comic shop, Golden Eagle, for a few years in college, which is where he met and befriended most of the other geeks. He's a man of many ideas, and never really knows when to quit. That's probably a good thing for CGS.

Shane Kelly

Shane Kelly is a comic book, toy-loving, Sci-Fi fanatic! Whose earliest memories are watching re-runs of the Batman 60's TV show, Star Trek and Superfriends cartoons on Saturday mornings in the late 1970s. For 25 years Shane has been reading and collecting comics starting in 1984 with GI JOE: A Real American Hero issue 21, quickly expanding to DC Comics with titles like Batman and Justice League in 1987 and Marvel with The Amazing Spider-Man. Shane has been friends with the rest of the Geeks for twelve years. When Bryan and Peter asked if he would like to join them for some comic book and toy talk on a new venture they were trying called a podcast, he jumped at the chance. Anything to hang out with friends, talk toys and comics. It has been four years of fun, opening up to new new comics that he would have never read and meeting tons of new people Shane is proud to consider friends. All through Comic Geek Speak! There is even a spin off show called World of Toys which Shane co-hosts with fellow CGS member Brian (Pants) Christman.

Jamie D

Having read comics for over 30 of his 43 years on this earth, Jamie is the elder statesman of the group. He is a Marvel boy at heart but hasn't met a comic or comic company he wouldn't try at least once. He wears his love of comics on his sleeve and champions the artform wherever and whenever possible.

Matt

Confused with 24601, Number 6, or even being associated with Comic Geek Speak at all, he's got the wit of a Web-Head and the skills, cunning, and social skills of a Dark Knight. Matt has worn several hats since he started on the show: A-Hole to some (though refreshingly honest to others), Object of focus for the Church of Mattitude, Roast Master General, and Host of alternate universe CGS (see episode 666). He's the first to add fuel to any fire and the last to back down. Prefers the Dark Knight Detective (as opposed to the Caped Crusader), the Shadow, and a feisty Black Cat. Blunt. Unapologetic. Old School (power of Pulp Comics). Carries his backbone with him at all times. Respects strength, privacy, and blunt honesty and abhors coddling. Love him...hate him...have no idea who even is: Matt will be the one giving you a back-handed compliment one minute, then watching your 6 o'clock the next. When you have a problem, and no one else can help, and you realize you're screwed either way, Matt's the guy to have at your side. Lock and load, fanboy, wimps need not apply!!

Adam "Murd" Murdough

Adam is perhaps the least talkative of the Geeks. He has been reading comics since 1991, beginning with Marvel's Infinity War, but he only recently became aware (thanks to CGS) of the benefits of discussing them with groups of friends. He has a Master's degree in Popular Culture Studies (yes, really), as part of which he wrote a thesis about Crisis on Infinite Earths; he's proficient enough in comics trivia to keep up with the Rios; and, as a distant cousin of Matt's, he can make with the witty comments sometimes. Mostly, though, he prefers to sit quietly (especially during interviews) until one of the other guys prods him to spit out some obscure fact or say something intelligent. Turn-ons include parallel universe stories, Kitty Pryde, and long walks on square planets; turn-offs include rude people and continuity violations.

Brian "Pants" Christman

Brian Christman, perhaps better known as "Pants", joined CGS in the fall of 2006. He is known for his obsession with collecting - both comics (over 17,000 books - mostly DC - going back as far as the 1950s) and comic book art (sketches of the original Batwoman and original art pages from a certain weekly book). He's also a frequent convention attendee, once going to two different shows in one day.

Comic Geek Speak’s motto is "We Are Uniting the World's Mightiest Heroes One Listener at a Time", which they end every podcast with. This speaks volumes for the energy and the positive focus they put into each and every one of their podcasts. If you are a fan of comic books or even just a casual fan of comic book based movies, you should definitely give Comic Geek Speak a listen.

To learn more about Comic Geek Speak go to their website at: http://www.comicgeekspeak.com/index.php

Or to listen to one of nearly 1400 (!) podcasts go directly to: http://www.comicgeekspeak.com/episodes.php

TRAILER TUESDAY! DREDD 3D – 2012 – NOT A DREADED REMAKE!

 

Dredd is not a remake of the 1995 Judge Dredd starring Sylvester Stallone, but a new beginning for a projected series of films based on the comic stories from the UK's 2000 A.D. I read the Eagle Comics reprints of the early Judge Dredd comics stories from the late-70’s/early-80’s and thought that the 1995 film didn’t do the comics justice. Reading some of the early  reviews, it seems as if Dredd will be truer to the comics.

According to ScienceFiction.com:

Judge Dredd is the law and proved it with the film ‘Dredd 3D’ topping the box office in the UK last weekend. According to THR, the Peter Travis reboot film took the #1 spot beating ‘Anna Karenina’, ‘Lawless’, and ‘That’s My Boy’.

This marks the first time an 18 certificate (which is equivalent to an ‘R’ rating across the pond) has taken the top box office spot in British theaters since 2010, the year ‘Saw 3D’ was released. While no exact figures have been released, estimates have the film taking in more than £1 million ($1.65 million) on its opening weekend ahead of the Kira Knightley and Jude Law film ‘Anna Karenina’ which brought in £980,000 ($1.60 million).

With such a strong debut in England, that tells me that Dredd pleased the fans who are more familier with that character and its source material than anywhere. That makes me hopeful that Dredd should be more than worth the effort to see in the theater.

 

Dredd opens in the United States on September 21. Watch the “red band” trailer for Dredd and see for yourself if Dredd is worth your time and money. If nothing else, this trailer proves that it deserves its R rating.
 

PODCAST OF THE MONTH! THE COMIC BOOK PODCAST|TALKING COMICS!

Podcast of the Month for August 2012 is:

The Comic Book Podcast|Talking Comics!

I listen to several different comic book podcasts every week. I enjoy listening to these – for the most part – comic book fans discuss the latest comic book news and  - more importantly – their latest favorite comic books from that week. The Comic Book Podcast posted weekly by the folks at Talking Comics is not the oldest of comic book podcasts. In fact, they have only been podcasting since October 12^th of 2011. However, they very quickly found their format, their niche, and most importantly their personality and for me that makes them one of the best comic book podcasts.

The podcast is made up of four comic book fans:

Bobby Shortle is the Editor-In-Chief of the Talking Comics website and is the Podcast Host. Bobby describes himself as having “had plenty of podcasting experience and one might even consider him a podcast guru (like the rest of the Talking Comics podcast crew).” In addition to founding and contributing to the Talking Comics web site and podcast, Bobby works on Fanboy Remix, Doctor Whocast and The Man Cave Podcast.

Stephanie Cooke is the Associate Editor/Community Manager of the Talking Comics website and is a Podcast Co-Host. Stephanie describes herself as “a lover of video games armed with a PS3, Xbox360, Nintendo Wii, PSP, and a DS as my weapons of choice. Additionally, she is an avid reader and lover of all things relating to comic books and books in general. While being a fan of so many of the platforms within the geek culture, she also loves to kick it old school with her rad collection of board games. You can always find her rocking out to her favorite music or devouring movies by the handful. Should you be lucky enough, you can also choose to marvel at her epic collections of comic book figures, movie memorabilia and more.”

Steve Seigh is the Executive Editor and is a Podcast Co-Host. Steve describes himself as “a master of video games and an avid concertgoer. He is quite possibly the male equivalent to a crazy cat lady and lives in a magical world called New York. Steve also enjoys long walks on the beach (with his cat, Moo Moo), cooking exotic pancakes and watching movies. When he’s not writing for Talking Comics, you can find him over at JoBlo.com where Steve writes a bi-weekly column all about animation called Ink & Pixel.

Bob Ryer is the resident Comic Book Historian and a Podcast Co-Host. Bob may not contribute to the web site, or participate in the other social media sites for Talking Comics. However, his comic book reading experiences go back to the early days of Marvel and DC and his ready knowledge of the history of comics is a valuable asset to the podcast.

The format for The Comic Book Podcast|Talking Comics is simple: They begin each cast with each podcaster giving their Comic Book Pick of the Week. Most times these picks consist of the latest superhero releases from Marvel or DC, but they do occasionally delve into comics published by Image, Dark Horse, IDW and comic book companies that publish non-superhero comics. Stephanie Cooke is the most ardent supporter of the “Independent” publishers and also recommends web comics from time to time.

Most often they follow this with Comic Book News, where they discus what the latest comic book stories could mean to their fellow comic book fans. In their latest podcast “Issue #43: Marvel Movie News, Marvel Now Teams and July Sales” they spent over forty-five minutes discussing the writer and artists teams that were announced for the forthcoming Marvel Now books!

They then spend time on the podcast by answering questions from listeners who send in various comics related queries via email, Facebook or Twitter. This often reveals more about the tastes of the podcasters than any other segment on the podcast.

Every podcast ends with Bobby reading all the comic book titles released during that week and his fellow podcasters are encouraged to join in with a  yeah or nay!

They also occasionally veer from their weekly format and do entire shows dedicated to specific topics or feature shows dedicated to interviews with comic book creators. On a special podcast titled “Women in Comics Podcast: Trina Robbins” from July 20, they did both. In fact, during the week of July 16 through July 20, they did four separate podcasts featuring Women in Comics and did interviews with Kelly Sue DeConnick, Fiona Staples, as well as the afore mentioned Trina Robbins.

I like this podcast because like my other favorite podcasts it feels like you are getting together with your fellow comic book fans and discussing what your latest favorite comic books are. They definitely focus on the positive side of the hobby and don’t tend to hate on things they don’t like for too long. If you are a comic book reader like me, you should definitely try The Comic Book Podcast|Talking Comics!

For more information on their podcast: http://talkingcomicbooks.com/

ZOMBZANY AND MAJOR MANIAC'S SCI-FI MARATHON - PART EIGHT

In Part Eight of Zombzany and Major Maniac's Sci-Fi Marathon, Zombzany is stalking through his graveyard, using the light of his necromancy-charged staff to find his way through the smoke enshrouded night. Zombzany has sent his slow and dimwitted zombie servant Sebastian ahead to the underdeveloped region of Zombzany’s cemetery to investigate the cause of the crash, but as usual the zombie appears to have gotten lost. Zombzany is forced to explore the area himself, when he is taken by surprise and attacked by an unknown creature. Zombzany seems to be held captive by the creature, so he calls for help from all his zombie slaves.

In the meantime, Bill E. Bones has returned to the safety of Zombzany’s tomb and has actually taken a seat on Zombzany’s “throne”. Bill hears Zombzany’s summons for assistance, but still upset at being bashed and banished by his Master, he chooses to ignore it. Instead, Bill E. Bones introduces the next sci-fi film of the Sci-Fi Marathon.

Enjoy Part Eight of Zombzany and Major Maniac's Sci-Fi Marathon!

COMIC BOOK DAY!

Every six weeks I take the long drive in my rickety Freakenstein monster-mobile to my favorite comic book specialty shop: New England Comics. I have frequented the Quincy store for over 25 years and I have remained a loyal customer all this time. Because of the nasty New England snow storms we’ve been having this winter; it has been eight weeks since I picked up the comics on my subscription – or pull list as you young punks like to call it. I’ve mentioned in this blog that I read a lot of comics, but I thought I’d list all the comics that I bought in this eight week period to give you an idea of what genre and type of wicked cool comics that I’m currently reading.

DECEMBER 8TH

B.P.R.D.: Hell on Earth: New World #5 - This is the last issue of this story arc of the Hellboy spin off series.

Mystery Society #5 – This is the last issue of the first series of stories about the occult group written by Steve Niles with cool anime-style artwork by Fiona Staples.

Spike #3 – Spike finally got his own regular spin off series from Angel and it’s a good one!

DECEMBER 15TH

Angel #40 – IDW’s Angel has gone downhill even further with deplorable art by Jason Armstrong.

Conan: The Road of Kings #1 – This latest new start to the Conan monthly by Dark Horse has the triumphant return of Roy Thomas to the scripting chores!

Doc Macabre #1 – A crank spin off of the Niles-Wrightson IDW title The Ghoul!

The Occultist one shot – An interesting and more realistic look at what happens when an ordinary joe becomes possessed by a powerful book of spells.

Time Bomb #3 – The final issue of the time travel sci-fi spy comic from the writing team of Palmiotti-Gray and the masterful artwork of Paul Gulacy.

DECEMBER 29TH

Hellboy: Sleeping & Dead #1 – A new Hellboy miniseries written by creator Mike Mignola and first time Hellboy artist Scott Hampton.

JANUARY 5TH

Edge of Doom #3 – Another horror story in this horror anthology comic by Steve Niles and Kelly Jones.

I, Zombie #9 – The continuing story of the zombie Gwen Dylan and her weird friends.

Doc Macabre #2

JANUARY 12TH

BPRD: Hell on Earth: Gods #1 – A new series with the same great writer-artist team of Mignola-Arcudi and Davis.

Spike #4

JANUARY 19TH

Buffy The Vampire Slayer #40 – The final issue of “season eight” of Buffy, written by creator Joss Whedon with (unfortunately) artwork by George Jeanty. For fans of the TV show like myself, this comic has been very inconsistent. But when it has been good, it has compared favorably with the TV series.

JANUARY 26TH

Angel #41

Conan: The Road of Kings #2

Angel Illyria #3 – Another Angel spin off and a fair look at the daemon Illyria.

As you can see I read numerous horror comics, with a sprinkling of sf and fantasy comics. I would read more sf comics, but there are not as many published currently as horror comics. I’d read even more fantasy comics, but they don’t seem to publish the type of sword and sorcery or urban fantasy that I prefer. I’ll try to keep up to date on my comics purchases and point out my favorites when they come out. Do yourself a favor and take a trip to your own local comics shop and tell them “Doc” Freakenstein sent ya!

I, ZOMBIE - A NEW TAKE ON ZOMBIE COMICS

I’ve been reading lots of wicked cool horror comics lately, but a new comic that has a unique feel to it is I, Zombie published by DC’s Vertigo line of comics. I was drawn (no pun intended) to this title by Mike Allred’s art, as I’ve been a long-time fan of his Madman comics for years. However, once I read the first issue of I, Zombie - a bargain at the introductory price of just $1.00 – I was even more impressed by the subtle writing style of Chris Roberson. Roberson gradually introduces you to the setting (Eugene, Oregon), the main character (Gwen Dylan) her occupation (gravedigger) and her unusual friends (Ellie – a ghost - and Scott: aka: Spot – a were-terrier). Not until the end of the first issue is it confirmed that our P.O.V. character Gwen is a zombie and that she needs to eat a fresh human brain at least once-a-month or she will go all “Night of the Living Dead”. Unfortunately, eating recently deceased human brains has a nasty side effect for Gwen – other than their foul taste: She is overcome by the dead person’s recent memories. In the case of her most recent meal, those thoughts include his murder and she finds herself compelled to find his murderer. I, Zombie is a unique blend of horror, mystery and humor that I recommend to fans of any of these genres. Check it out freaks!

Check out a short preview story introducing Gwen and her friends from I, Zombie, that was originally published in The House of Mystery Halloween Annual last October.

HELLBOY IN MEXICO!

Hola, mis amigos! It’s been a long time since I’ve updated you cool ghouls on the wicked pissa shiznit that I’ve been down with lately, but you’ll have to trust this freak when he tells you I have been keeping busy! I’ve read mucho comic books over the years, but one of my hands-down favorites has been Mike Mignola’s Hellboy comics. I have been a fan of big red since his first mini-series Seed of Destruction was first published in 1994! Most horror fans probably are only familiar with Hellboy, and its spin-off comic series B.P.R.D., from the Guillerom del Toro directed films. So you noobs will have to take my word for it that the Mignola written comic books are way bitchin’ better!

A malos buena introduction to Hellboy just came to a comic book store near you! It’s Hellboy in Mexico - a one-shot comic written by Mike Mignola and drawn by Richard Corben! It tells the story of Hellboy’s “lost weekend” in Mexico back in 1956, when he was still a young demon in the employ of The Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense. He is sent there to investigate stink holes from Hell that are spewing up monsters that wipe out whole towns in Mexico. Soon, he runs into three brothers who are masked wrestlers, or luchadores, who were sent by the virgin Mary to fight monsters! For a month, Hellboy joins los tres luchadores: kills monsters by day and parties hardy by night. Tragedy strikes one of the masked brothers one night and it is up to Hellboy to put things right. I am only a casual fan of Mexico’s masked wrestlers, but I have watched several El Santo films (El Santo is considered the most famous and iconic of all Mexican luchadores – the Hulk Hogan of Mexican wrestling isn’t even a fair comparison). I was jazzed when I first read that Dark Horse comics was finally going to publish a story about this undocumented adventure of Hellboy! Although only 26 pages long, Hellboy in Mexico packs a lot of action, humor, horror and pathos into this story! Please do yourself a favor horror fans and buy this comic!

Here is an excerpt of an interview with Hellboy creator Mike Mignola on writing Hellboy in Mexico:

EDITOR: So what brings Hellboy south of the border?


MIGNOLA: Something really bad was going on down in Mexico, so the B.P.R.D. sent Hellboy. The story takes place back in 1957, and back then HB just went where the Bureau sent him, that was his job.


EDITOR: Mexico has such rich folklore, especially in regard to the supernatural. How much research did you do for Hellboy in Mexico?


MIGNOLA: Almost none. This isn't one of those stories that's heavily folklore based. I did find out that down in Mexico vampires sometimes take the form of turkeys. It was a challenge working that in.


EDITOR: Hellboy in Mexico reunites you with artist Richard Corben, whom you've worked with on previous Hellboy series. Are you excited to be working with Richard again? What is it about Richard's distinct style that seems such a logical fit for Hellboy?


MIGNOLA: Hard to say. Stylistically he's not much like me, but he's just great. He can draw anything and is especially great (I think) at stuff that is crumbling at the edges, stuff that's dented, banged up, dirty, and overgrown. That was a feel that was very important to have here as it was in The Crooked Man.


EDITOR: Hellboy has been to a lot of different places in his travels. Russia, England, even the backwoods of the American south. Where else in the world would you like Hellboy to visit? Australia? Cleveland?


MIGNOLA: In my mind Hellboy has been every place at least once, it's just a matter of doing my homework about some of those more exotic locales (like Cleveland). Just about every place has some legend about a monster that needs fighting.


EDITOR: You've got several ongoing titles with Dark Horse (Ape Sapien, B.P.R.D., Witchfinder), but you'll always be best known for Hellboy. Is writing for Hellboy a more personal process for you than when you're working on other titles?


MIGNOLA: Hellboy is the most personal. He was the first, and I know his story better than I know all the others. Most of the other titles I just cowrite, which usually means just a few notes or phone calls from me. John Arcudi is doing all the serious heavy lifting on B.P.R.D. That book is great because of John and Guy Davis.


EDITOR: You've mentioned in prior interviews that you got into comics because you love drawing monsters. Do you write based on which monsters would be interesting to see in your books?

MIGNOLA: A few of the stories I drew myself were simply excuses to draw a particular monster. When I'm writing a story but not drawing it, I need a bit more of a story. And the beauty of that is that I can ask the artist to draw things I can't (or just don't want) to draw. That's the good thing about working with guys like Corben and Fegredo. They can draw anything

ROB ZOMBIE ROCKS COMICS WITH BARON VON SHOCK!

by FRITZ "DOC" FREAKENSTIEN

Rob Zombie is returning to comic books with a wicked new comic for Image Comics entitled WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BARON VON SHOCK?. Image calls the book "a delightfully depressing tale about the seduction of celebrity culture and its pitfalls". BARON VON SHOCK follows a local television horror host that finds his sudden rise to celebrity has unexpected results. The first issue will be drawn by Donny Hadiwidjaja and Val Staples. "This comic venture is very, very different in tone for me. Instead of a crazy over-the-top monster-fest like THE HAUNTED WORLD OF EL SUPERBEASTO, I wanted to create something that works more on a slice of life human level." said Rob Zombie, "After EL SUPERBEASTO became a movie, I felt I had taken that style as far as I could. So, I really needed BARON VON SHOCK to be something fresh in writing and in art." Image Comics Publisher Eric Stephenson said "After publishing THE HAUNTED WORLD OF EL SUPERBEASTO, we jumped at the chance to work with Rob again on BARON VON SHOCK. BARON VON SHOCK is darkly humorous, thrilling and uncompromising - everything fans expect a Rob Zombie story to be." WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BARON VON SHOCK? comes out on May 26, and is a full color, 32 page comic book priced at $3.99.

Anyone who’s read this blog knows that I’m a wicked ginormous Rob Zombie fan! Many may know Rob by his multiple movies, or others by his many muscial cds. Most may not know that Rob published 9 issues of ROB ZOMBIE'S SPOOK SHOW INTERNATIONAL from CrossGen Comics from November 2003 through July 2004. It was a horror-comedy anthology comic, featuring three or four stories per issue. Rob wrote all the stories, with artwork by such comics greats as Gene Colan, Kieron Dwyer, Will Conrad and Dan Brereton. Every issue starred the masked wrestler, turned super-spy, El Superbeasto! A six issue story-line showed El Superbeasto fighting to get his girlfriend back from the evil clutches of Dr. Satan! Rob Zombie went on to make a feature length animated film in 2009 THE HAUNTED WORLD OF EL SUPERBEASTO, based on the comic stories. I liked the comics better than the movie, but both were still wicked zombie cool! Needless to say, this Rob Zombie freak will be buying WHATEVER HAPPENED TO BARON VON SHOCK? when it comes out in just a few short months. After all… It combines three of my favorite things: Rob Zombie, comics and a horror host! A wicked winning formula! Thanks Rob!