This Week's Comics - 30/11/11

As November this year is the odd one out with five Wednesdays instead of the regular four there isn't as many comics as usual out this week so the amount I'm picking up is also limited. With DC's New 52 comics running very regularly with one issue per month, there isn't any out this week so I only have 2 Marvel titles. These are X-Men Legacy #259 and Avengers Origins: Thor #1. Out of these I can't really choose one out of the two which I'm most looking forward to. I've never read X-Men Legacy before but I decided to jump on after Regenesis and give it a try. I've always liked the characters of Rogue, Gambit and Magneto so I can see myself liking this series a fair amount, and although Magneto is leaving the new characters joining, like Iceman or Marvel Girl, are definitely as appealing to read. The story itself or this issue, the three characters tying up loose ends before they part ways, is a little weak but a nice introduction for first time readers like me. Avengers Origins: Thor is an issue I decided to pick up quite randomly. I've always enjoyed reading Thor comics, him being an interesting character and the proper fantasy element of Asgard and magic is right up my street, and a chance to see a new take on his origins was appealing. I'm interested in seeing how they convey his origins again, especially after the film having come out with their own take,

T.V. Show of the Week 6

Another late post fro this regular because this week I hacen't matched many T.V shows, which is surprising for me, because I've had a lot of work and not much in the T.V. area has interested me. I have, however, began to re-watch a show that I enjoy a lot, so this week this show gets the honour. The show being The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes:

An animated version of The Avengers comics, which is meant to be for children, but is very enjoyable. Although it does stick to the cartoon idea being set for children, it does seem to me to appeal to all ages, if you like The Avengers. It sticks to the some of the main storylines, with Ultron and set up for a Skrull invasion, and the members of the team are perfectly in character. As well as this however, the show also presents a lively, fun atmosphere around every stroy, even the more serious ones, that keeps you interested and enjoying each epsiode all the way through. Some aspects, that in any other show would seem improbable, in this show because of the atmosphere presented seem to work, like Hulk being able to take out the rest of the team and then Captain America being able to do the same the very next epsiode. An attractive aspect of this show is also the simplicity of it with well known characters and stories and clear progression make it an easy and fun show to watch while your also getting work done.

'Preperation' for The Avengers

With The Avengers coming out relatively soon - May 4th 2012 so only 6 months - yes this seems like a lot now I've written it but compared to how long the film has been built up, it seems like nothing. Due to this I have decided to 'prepare' myself for going to see it. How do I do this? Well, how else? Read and watch anything related to The Avengers I can get my desperate, little hands on. The new Hulk comic, which I am actually beginning to enjoy, is part of this, along with back issues of The Avengers, Captain America, Iron Man and Thor, anything that contains an Avenger like Young Avengers, all previous Marvel films that have built up to this and The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes series, that although childish is actually quite enjoyable. I will try and spread out the 'preperation' so it lasts most of the 6 months but I'll probably get too excited and do it all in 2 or 3 months, leaving me desperate for 3 months waiting for the film. This does mean, however, I will probably be left with even higher expectations than I have now, if that's possible, so if the film doesn't deliver I will be so disappointed.

This Week's Comics - 23/11/11

This week I'm acquiring four comics, a little too less for me but at least it won't cost that much. This Week, the comics I'm getting are Teen Titans #3, Superman #3, Wolverine and the X-Men #2 and Alpha Flight #6. A nice rounded selection with two from DC and two from Marvel. The comic I'm most looking forward to this week is Wolverine and the X-Men because of how much I enjoyed the first issue. Normally I see first issues, even concerning characters I already love, as introductions so I don't enjoy them that much, but this first issue I really did. Partly due to the two main characters being Wolverine and Shadowcat, who I have loved for a long time, and partly due to it being on the side of the schism without Cyclops that has returned to the school setting and teaching new young mutants, an aspect to X-Men stories I always enjoy. Teen Titans Has so far interested me as much as the rest of the DC comics I read have as its a new take on how the team is brought together but is just a bit more because of some characters I enjoy, Red Robin and Superboy, and the fact that it is a team, especially a younger team. In the last two issues the direction of the story seems to be quite positive so I'm interested in seeing what happens next and how Superboy goes from enemy to ally, if he actually does in this series, which I hope he does. Alpha Flight I originally picked up when it began again on a bit of a whim, never having read any of the older stuff I thought I'd give it a go and see what I thought. The first issue didn't catch my attention that much but Aurora's mental illness was a enough to bring me back for another issue and then I was hooked, so I definitely want to read this issue as it focuses greatly on her mental illness. The one I'm least looking forward to this week is Superman. I am enjoying the series so far and anything containing an iconic superhero like him will be good on my list but compared to the other comics I'm getting this week the story just isn't enough.

Comic of the Week 6

This weeks comics isn't a new one from last week but it is fairly new, only having come out two months ago. This weeks Comic of the Week is Red Hood and the Outlaws #1:

As far as I can tell, not many people have taken to this series, but I am actually really enjoying it. Just the concept of having a much smaller team immediately grabbed me. I prefer team titles over individuals so I was partial to this title anyway but the fact that it is only three rather than the very much larger amount in other teams makes it much more interesting and allows a lot more character development. With the characters themselves, I only had any real previous reading experience with Starfire who I had always enjoyed, so I was open to the other two and found myself really enjoying these two as well. There's been a lot of stick against this title for the way it presented Starfire as being promiscuous and disassociated with humans but I just can't agree with it. I actually found these aspects her character more compelling that the rest of the issue, if males are allowed to be shown as promiscuous then why can't females? Similarly, what's wrong with being a bit promiscuous, naturally were not meant to monogamous its just society pressuring us to think that is the right thing to do, and she never lied, so as far as I'm concerned anything goes. Regarding the disassociation, she's an alien so what can you expect? After reading just this issue I was a bit lost over the story, and actually still am, but it did enough to interest me, although I didn't pay too much attention because the characters were interesting me a lot more. Overall, this issue was a very good first issue and I enjoyed reading it a lot more than I did some other DC first issues.

T.V. Show of the Week 5

Although I only did the last post for this regular a few days ago, i want to try get back in my routine so I'm doing this one now. T.V. Show of the Week this week is How I Met Your Mother:

 

How I Met Your Mother - A fun, fast paced T.V. series with sophisticated jokes timed and delivered brilliantly and intense drama. Originally, this show didn't really catch my eye. I saw trailers for it and heard people talking about it but nothing about ever really appealed to me. However, this obviously changed since it's now a T.V. Show of the Week. I was bored one day and thought screw the bad trailers and wierd plot lines I had heard, I'll just watch the show, and that's what I did. And I loved it. I now say the same thing to anyone who has doubts over watching this show, don't think about the railers or the feedback, just try watching it, because to me its a show that reaches everyone personally. To me, this is one of the best comedy sitcoms around, comparable with the likes of Friends and Scrubs as the show can have you laughing so hard you nearly pee yourself one minute and then the next crying so much your head hurts. There's a big online debate I've picked up on - 'is this show better or worse than friends?' or 'how well is it copying friends?' - but I avoid this. To me bith How I Met Your Mother and Friends are completely seperate shows; although there are similarities, each show has its own tone and its own atmosphere, with which there are clear distictions, especially due to Friends being 10 years older than How I Met Your Mother. The basic premise - old Ted telling his kids the story of how he met their mother - doesn't really grab me that much, its the writing and the characters that do. Each of the five main characters have a lot depth, which is explored brilliantly through out the show, especially concerning the relationships within the group, and the writing makes it so each epsiode has its own story as well as being part of an underlinig story arc, more so than many other shows today. Plus, thsi series stars Neil Patrick Harris and Barney, and who doesn't love Neil Patrick Harris, especially when he has his top off.

Random Comic Thoughts

Apparently, wishful thinking does work because 4 of my late comics arrived today so I was finally able to get my fix. Although I wasn't looking forward to Demon Knights and Batman and Robin that much, I was pleasantly surprised by them, which is good but also sucks as I now can't imagine dropping them so it's an extra £4 a month. I've decided I'm definately dropping at least two titles as soon as possible, which yes doesn't sound like much but it's too hard to say I'll drop more. Right now the titles in the firing line are Uncanny X-Men, Mew Mutants, Incredible Hulk, X-Men Legacy, Uncanny X-Force, Teen Titans and House of Night, and there's a few of these that need to seriously impress me. Not really comics but comic relevant, I really, really want the Marvel version of Monopoly. I have around 20 copies of the Forbidden Planet newpaper, they send me one with every comic delivery, that I haven't got rid of yet and it's there on the front page so I see it everytime I look at one. Hopefully I'll have enough money after Christmas to get it.
Now I'm cheerful again, I'll share part of my cheering up method; Longshot and Shatterstar in X-Factor:

Blog Update

I'm actually quite proud of myself so far with this blog. I've not given up or got bored and hardly posted, I'm still doing my original three weekly posts. I'm getting a fair amount of views and I even have a follower so I am very, very happy. I am, however, going to try spend more time blogging. I'm going to keep my current three weekly posts - Comic of the Week, T.V. Show of the Week and This Week's Comics - but try post a bit more spontaneously and randomly as well as maybe introduce some more regular posts, although they probably won't be weekly ones. I'm in a bit of a sour mood today, none of my comics from last Wednesday have arrived yet and I'm getting very angsty to read them, especially with a new lot of comics coming out tomorrow, so the T.V. Show of the Week post I was planning to do today will now be tomorrow as I just can't properly appreciate anything. Wish me luck that my comics come tomorrow or I might just go a little bit crazy.

This Week's Comics - 16/11/11

This week I am getting a more acceptable amount of comics, 6; not too many that it's a big dip in my bank balance and enough to keep me more than satisfied until next week. The comics for this week are Red Hood and the Outlaws #3, New Mutants #34, Uncanny X-Men #2, X-Factor #227, Batman #3 and Incredible Hulk #2. The comic I'm most looking forward to this week is, without a doubt, X-Factor. This series is written by one of my favourite writers, Peter David, contains some of my favourite characters, Shatterstar, Layla, Monet and Longshot, and one of my favourite couples, Rictor and Shatterstar. However, there's even more as to why I'm so looking forward to this issue; it's in the middle of a very interesting storyline with a lot of questions still in the air, there is high tension between a lot of characters, especially Rictor and Shatterstar, and the one line of hint we've got for this issue, 'a member of X-Factor dies', is self explanatory as to why I'm looking forward to reading this comic. The one I'm least looking forward to is New Mutants #34 because although I've just began picking up the series, some of the characters I was looking forward to reading left in the last issue and the last issue didn't really impress me at all. However, a three issue story arc where they are tracking down Blink begins with this issue so I am willing to keep with this title at least for that until I make my decision whether to drop it or not. Uncanny X-Men and Incredible Hulk are in similar positions but the first issues did more to grab my attention and the two titles contain more character I like so I'm more looking forward to reading them but they are still on the edge. Red Hood and the Outlaws is one of the DC titles I'm really enjoying, mainly because of the characters and the team dynamics, so I'm looking forward to reading this next issue, specially as this appears to be the issue where the series properly establishes itself. Batman, I feel, properly established itself last issue so I'm looking forward to having another series not in an introduction stage even though this title is middle ground for me right now.

Comic of the Week 5

This week I was at a bit of a loss over what to choose for this post. My comics for last Wednesday still haven't been delivered so i have gone through ever comic issue and graphis novel I have, which is a fair amount, to choose one. So, this week's comic of the week is The Authority, Vol 1 #29:

The fact that this the second comic of the week to feature an issue of The Authority, third if you count Stormwatch witht the similar characters and themes, definately shows how much I do love this series, escpecially this first volume, which is when I feel it was at its best. I choose this issue because I'm in the mood where I want something soppy and romantic and the wedding of Apollo and Midnighter at the end fits in that category. Being one of my favourite couples, any interaction between the two of them makes a comic good for me so the wedding and Apollo going after Seth, the villain, for vengence over practically killing Midnighter made this issue stand out as I was going through the lot. I also enjoyed Jenny Q coming into her powers properly in this issue, using them to defeat Seth and finally showing The Authority and us what she can do. I prefer her in her toddler stage before she got older and, in my opinion, not as enjoyable to read, probably due to the change in wirter cause it's not the age thing that bothers me but how she changed as she suddenly jumped to an older age. I also tend to prefer issues thta finish story arcs to others if there are no specific stand out elements becuase it ties together all the story lines, themes and ideas and leaves you feel more satisfied when you're finished.

T.V. Show of the Week 4

I realise this edition of T.V. show of the week is quite late but it's taken me a while to get round to doing it and choosing the right show. This past week/2 weeks I've really just been watching one show from start to finish so I haven't got many options to choose from. However, this week's T.V. show of the week is Merlin:

As I've mentioned before I love shows or books or films set in either a realistic or fantasy historical time, especially medieval or classical. So the T.V. show Merlin is an obvious choice for me with its historical setting, fantasy elements and it being set around the traditional Arthurian legend. The new take on the legend is interesting and fascinating and is definately paying off as the show is currently in it's fourth series. The only issue I do have with this show is the slow and sometimes total lack off progress. So far only two other people are aware of Merlin's magic, which is understandable as the majority of the chracters are against the ise of magic, but there have been a fair few who would have accepted Merlin's abilities and kept his secret. In this latest series, some progress was made with Arthur becoming king and Morgana falling into her traditional villanous role but each episode still follows the same basic structure as the episodes in the first series, limiting how far this show can progress. The most recent episodes, compared to the series and half of epsiodes before them, have been somewhat of a relief. Instead of cooming up with even more complex ideas and twists, the whriters have gone back to the basic themes and elemnts of the show and the lagend itself; Merlin risking his own life for Arthur's, the battle between good magic and bad magic, Merlin and Arthur's destiny and the strong friendship between the two.

This Week's Comics - 9/11/11

This week I'm getting three comics, including one new title. I am getting Demon Knights #3, Batman and Robin #3 and House of Night #1, the new title. Out of these four I am most excited about batman and Robin, given that I've really enjoyed the first 2 issues. Batman comics have always gone down well with me, especially ones with a Robin in, so I'm excited about reading this one. I'm really liking the dynamic between Bruce Wayne as Batman and Damien as Robin as its different to the other Robins since he has so much underlining contempt for his father even though he's trying to change and work with him. This issue again focuses on Damien trying to fight the instincts Talia al Ghul raised him with so I'm definately looking forward to it. So far, the first two issues of Demon Knights have done enough to keep me interested and looking forward to this issue but not really enough to make it stand out that much in mind when I think of what issues are to come. I love medieval settings and magic themes so I'm sure Demon Knights will get even better for me so I'm looking forward to the next few to see how it goes. I have read the majority of the House of Night books and although I am utterly appaled at the lack of suitable writing skills and terrible characterisation, I do think the main story is an interesting idea and some of the characters I did like. So I thought I'd give the comic a try, hoping the new medium and difference in the story will improve it so I am looking forward to seeing what it's like.

Comic of the Week 4

This week I have chosen a comic that came out this last Wednesday. I had already decided this was the one I was most looking forward to this week and it definately met my expectations. For this week, for comic of the week I have chosen Stormwatch #3:

 

Although there have only been three issues, this series has quickly become one of my favourite. As I hoped, this issue moved away from introducing the series and gave lots of action and more substantial characterisation. I already loved a fair amount of the chracters in this series from the Authority - Midnighter, Apollo, Jack, Engineer, Jenny Q - so am excited to see them in a new series with new stories, especially the new exploration of Midnighter and Apollo's relationship that Cornell has set out. The other chracters are fairly interesting, although aren't interesting me as much as the one I already know, and make sure this series different from the old Stormwatch or the Authority so kust as exciting to read. Out of the new chracters, Harry Tanner is my favourtie so far, mainly because he has been by himself so has had more chracterisation, especially with the revelation of his relationship with Engineer in this issue and the fact he uses a swrod to fight, which is classic and effective. In this issue, I really enjoyed the physical representation of the cities as Jack talked to them, which brought an extra dimension to the story and jack, and the presentation of Midnighter's tactical skills, which resulted in him having to face a monster with the powers of the members of Stormwatch next issue. I was a little disappointed when Midnighter stopped in the middle of a battle to ask about Jenny Q's powers, not very tactical or in character but a good way to establish a relationship between the two. Being only three issues in,  this series is one of my favourites and I find myself almost desperately anticipating the next issue, and further issues to see what happens with the characters.

This Week's Comics - 2/11/11

This week I'm picking up one more comic than last week, a whole 4 amazing comics - I do really love comics, don't let this fool you, I'm just very picky and short on cash. The 4 I'm getting tomorrow are Stormwatch #3, Action Comics #3, Uncanny X-Men #1 and New Muntants #33. The same as last week, I am very excited about all of these comics since two are part of X-Men: Regenesis and the other two are so far the best DC re-boot titles out of the ones I'm picking up. However, the one I'm most looking forward to is Stormwatch. I'm looking forward to this issue the most as, like I've stated before in this blog, I love the old Authority and since this a lot of the same characters I'm finding it really hard not to love this one as well. Although the story is kind of week, it doesn't grab as much as the similar one in Authority Vol.1 did, it is still presented very well by Cornell, whose work I love, just the inclusion of characters like Midnighter and Apollo make it the one I'm most looking forward too. I'm also hoping we're going to finally move on from the two issue introduction and hope they don't make it a third, otherwise even I will have to admit it's dragging on a bit. Action Comics comes in at a close second, again hopefully past the introduction issues but even if it isn't a young Clark Kent/Superman and Lex Luther is more than enough to keep me fully hooked. Uncanny X-Men and New Muntants are the two I'm least looking forward to. Although both being starting points for their series in X-Men regenesis, both fall on Cyclops' side and contain characters I'm not as fond of as the X titles on Wolverine's side so I'm not expecting as much as was for Wolverine and the X-Men and am expecting for the rest of the Gold Team's titles.

T.V. Show of the Week 3

This week I'm moving away from my last two picks to something completely different. This week's T.V. Show of the Week is Russell Howard's Good News:

This is a show I've watched for a long time, I like my comedy shows, and found very enjoyable. Russell Howard is one of my favourite comedians, being the only one I've been to see live, due to his abstract comedy. This type of comedy is shown perfectly in Good News with a mixture of stand-up, clips and interviews about the news over the past week that appeals to many ages, although is definately not suitable for young children. Howard's comedy works so well because he engages the audience, both physically by talking to members of his studio audience and mentally as he deals with hot topics and doesn't shy away from controversial issues. Each epsiode is formulated perfectly but flows naturally with Howard's improvisation and canny personality. Good News began its 5th series on BBC Three last week and I am again hooked and waiting for the next episode.

Comic of the Week 3

Again, my comics were delivered late, so this weekI decided to put off this post for a few days and give them chance to arrive, which two of them did. So to avoid getting too furious I'm just going to choose a week old comic that I really enjoyed but came too later for me to have last week, X-Factor #226:

This is my definately my current favourite comic book series, and arguably of all time given its consistency compared to other series excellent parts but then terrible parts. So I always enjoy every issue and am sure I will continue to do so, unless Peter David does something to completely change the series, which I highly doubt he wil, so it should be obvious that I really enjoyed this issue as well. I could of chosen almost any issue from this series for comic of the week, so why this one? Well it's partly due to the story arc this issue falls into. The great thing about this story arc is it shows off the basics of the X-Factor team, an investigation team that deals with mutant cases, and it completely unpredictable; the appearance of Hangman in this issue was a surprising, but welcome, twist. As well as the story arc, this issue also brilliantrly shows of David's amazing manipulation of the characters and the relationships within the team. Each character was covered effectively, luckily for me with extra consideration given to Shatterstar and Layla over their mysterious intamacy, as these two are my favourite characters. I even found myself enjoying the interactions with Guido and Rahne, who although I do like, don't reach me as much as the others do, again showing David's amazing ability. Like I've mentioned before in this blog, as well, this issue left me completely satisfied, due it covering a suitable amount of story and a lot of character exploration, but also almost desperate to read the next issue and find out who Bloodbath is. Plus with the small teaser given by Marvel for next #227, 'a member of X-Factor dies', not reading on is not an option.