2023 Christmas Goodies

Christmas is always fun and Santa Claus blessed me more than I deserve.  For maybe the first time ever, everything I received was on my list.  I was really excited to receive all these.  I've opened the random cards and watched the Justice Society: World War II animated movie while I've started reading volume 1 of Justice League.  Boba Fett's ship (Micro GalaxyZ) came from my grandsons and it'll be added to my modest Boba Fett collection once I receive the custom stand I ordered.  Shirts are always appreciated and Kawhi is my favorite NBA player.  Motley Crue is a favorite band of mine and the Dr. Feelgood album is my favorite of theirs.  Just lots of silly fun stuff .  It's more enjoyable watching everyone else open their gifts but also seeing the joy they get from giving.  Everyone have a fun New Year's Eve!

Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Omnibus Vol. 1

Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Omnibus Vol. 1: I'm a huge Green Lantern fan but when Geoff Johns took the helm of the comic for his historic run I was not at a point where I could buy comics.  Ever since I've wanted to read the Geoff Johns collection and was finally able to pick up the three Geoff Johns Green Lantern omnibuses.  I've finished volume 1 and I was not disappointed.  It includes 1200+ pages of excellence.  Johns does such a great job of taking the great characters from the Green Lantern universe and giving them the storyline they deserve.  I won't go in to any detail on the book as I can't do it justice.  Just know this is a great read.  

Star Wars: Darth Vader Vol. 2 — Shadows and Secrets

Darth Vader Vol 2 - Shadows and Secrets:  I read Vol 1 in December and finally picked up Vol 2.  This one again has Darth Vader at odds with his superiors as he has his own agenda.  Dr. Aphra is back and is helping him accomplish those goals even if they aren't always on the same page.  This book is as good as the first one does a good job moving the storytelling forward.  I like the characters and how they fall in line with the Star Wars universe. I'll keep this short but I like how this book is progressing and look forward to seeing what Vol 3 brings.  

Green Lantern New 52 Vol. 1: Sinestro

Green Lantern New 52 Vol. 1:  I'm so very slowly picking up some comics to read.  I read quite a bit until about 15 years ago when I had to stop due to priorities in life.  Green Lantern is my favorite comic book character so I needed to start somewhere and decided to do so with The New 52 Vol. 1.  The New 52 was a "soft reboot" of characters in DC?  That's my best description.  Volume 1 here sees the Green Lantern Corps as a whole in a lot different place than where I remember it.  Sinestro has been given his ring back and heads back to his home world to save it from The Sinestro Corps whom he left to "help" the planet.  That went awry and now Sinestro needs Hal Jordan's help to save the day.  Jordan is on the outs as a Green Lantern at this time so this is is way to get back in fight to some extent though teaming up with Sinestro is a good thing.  The Guardians of the Universe are a big part of the story and not all is good there either.  

This was a fun read.  Even though it has been a while for me I'm still down with telling stories that are different.  And this was definitely is.  There are other Green Lantern books in The New 52 including Green Lantern Corps, New Guardians, as well as some stand alone books.  I'll stick with Hal Jordan for now but I definitely want to get into some of the others as well when possible.  My ultimate goal is to go back and pick up the Green Lantern series that proceeded The New 52.  That arc included the very popular Blackest Night story arc.  There's a hug lot of those trade paperbacks on eBay that I've been eyeing.  Might just have to take the leap.  

Back Issue! - A Comic Magazine

Back Issue! Magazine:  Back Issue! is put out by TwoMorrows which also has other comic magazines.  I saw this Firestorm offering on a post and thought I need to check this out as I'm a big Firestorm fan. I bought this and two other magazines from the site.  Each was just under $6.  This is the only one I've read but I'm very impressed.  It focuses on comics of the past bringing together writers, artists and other contributors.  Each are interviewed which gives great insight into what helped shape these characters and books.  The Firestorm article was 23 pages long!  And this is standard magazine size and the font is not large by any account.  That gave the writer, who was very knowledgeable, plenty of time to dive in to the entire run.  I was blown away and it was a great trip down memory lane.  Bottom line is I wanted to share this for anyone who may be interested in this type of reading.    

You can see a preview of this issue here on the TwoMorrows website.  There are a ton of back issues available and newer issues run about $10.

I found out about Back Issue! from either the Fire and Water Network page or the Firestorm Fan page - might have even been on their Facebook offering - but I can't find the original post.  I think it is the former but either way big shout out to both. 

Chilling Adventures of Sabrina Comic Book Vol 1 by Archie Comics

While I love the Netflix series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina I just now finished Volume one of the comic Chilling Adventures of Sabrina.  And I'm so glad it worked out that way.  The comic is much darker than the Netflix series.  If I'd read this first I doubt I would have watched the series.  The comic really didn't do it for me.  The basic plot points are similar to the Netflix series but the characters here are just not as likable to me and again that goes to how they treat the story.  It is dark, maybe macrbe and definitely something that falls into the horror genre.  If they come out with volume 2 of this I won't read it.  I'm not saying this is bad I'm just saying it isn't for me.  I really like Netflix's take and I'm looking forward to season three next year.  If you are looking for a horror comic and would like a different take on the Sabrina story give this a look.  

Move Avengers Comics From My Collection

Just showing off more of my Avengers comic collection as Avengers: Endgame should be in full swing today.  The Falcon is my favorite Marvel character so it isn't any surprise I'd want to showcase this comic book.  

Avengers Vol 3 #64 (April, 2003)

Another cool cover for me.  I've always kind of had a thing for Wasp and this cover sticks out for me.

Avengers Vol 3 #71 (November, 2003)

Another nice looking team shot on the cover.  I was always partial to Iron Man, Scarlett Witch, Vision and Hawkeye.  Captain America didn't really do it for me when I read comics but I really enjoy his character in the movies.  

Avengers Vol 3 #80 (May, 2004)

I really like the art on this one especially that of the ladies.  

Avengers Vol 3 #502 (September, 2004)

I have a few annuals as well.  I also have quite a few West Coast Avengers and the highlights from that run will be up on the blog sometime as well. 

Avengers Annual #12 (September, 1983)

Wizard, the popular comic magazine at the time put out specials pertaining to particular titles from time to time which were fun.  I like the cover here except for Thor's face.  Something is off there.  I subscribed to Wizard for years and really liked that magazine.

Again all these will probably go at some time except for a select few.  I'll look at showcasing other comics in my collection over time.  Below is my Avengers collection detailed out.

Avengers
Volume 1		181-182, 230, 232-246, 248, 269, 271,360-369,371-375,400
Annual		12, 13,22
Volume 3		1 (Alternate Cover), 39,41, 50-84, 500 - 503
Finale		N/A
New Avengers		1-9, 12-17
Wizard		0
Wizard Special Edition		N/A

Avengers Comics Volume 1 Single Issues

Avengers: Endgame comes up out today in some theaters and and thanks to the suggestion of Colbey over at Cardboard Collections I've decided to share some of my comics.  Seems like showing off some of my Avengers comics would be appropriate so here goes.  These are actual scans of my comic books and all are from Volume 1.  Avengers 181 has the Avengers being told they have to pair down to seven members -  Iron Man, Vision, Scarlet Witch, Beast, Captain America, Wasp, and The Falcon.  It doesn't work out that way but I loved the large group cover art so I picked it up many years ago.  I haven't read these in decades so I won't be going into detail on these - just showing a few off.  

I picked up Avengers #182 at the same time.  Neither are great stories per se but I purchased these at a time when there was no internet and finding information on back issues wasn't exactly easy.  Still these were nice pickups.

Avengers #181-182 (March-April, 1979)  

I'm a big Rhino fan so that's why this one get's shown off.  It seems like the Avengers are a bit overkill to go after a guy whose power is brut strength.  Sill I like Rhino for no good reason and here he is.  

Avengers 237 (November, 1983)

I just liked the cover of this one with the Spider-Woman out of body experience thing going on and the characters besides the bed.  Random but it stands out to me.  Avengers 246 (August, 1984)

There were of course shiny comics back in the day as in this foil cover.  I also really like the Black Knight.  I can't say I'm an expert on him but I always loved his look. Avengers #363 (June, 1993) 

I really like the art on this Vision cover.  Another character I like and I really enjoy his character in the movies.  From the actor to how he is portrayed I just really enjoy him as well as Wanda.

Avengers #367 (October, 1993)

I'll show off more Avengers comics tomorrow.  Below is the breakdown of my Avengers collection.  I don't purchase single issues anymore, preferring to do the trade paperbacks.  I plan on selling off the majority of my singles in my collection.  But selling comics is tough especially when they've sat for 15 - 20 years.  You have to figure out if each issue is special or just average for pricing, shipping is expensive, scan them or take photos and it is all time consuming.  But it is time.  Hopefully I'll find an easier avenue for selling it all off.  I'll share more of my comic collection over time.   

Volume 1		181-182, 230, 232-246, 248, 269, 271,360-369,371-375,400
Annual		12, 13,22
Volume 3		1 (Alternate Cover), 39,41, 50-84, 500 - 503
Finale		N/A
New Avengers		1-9, 12-17
Wizard		0
Wizard Special Edition		N/A

Green Lantern: Rebirth & Green Lantern: No Fear

These two books were Christmas gifts which I've wanted for years.  Again I'm woefully behind in reading comics.  Green Lantern is my favorite superhero so this was a real treat.  There are probably spoilers here but these books have been out for quite a while now.  Author Geoff Johns does a great job bringing back Hal Jordan (Green lantern) to prominence in the DC Universe.  Without getting too long winded, the events prior to Rebirth had Hal Jordan basically being corrupted by Parallax, who was contained within the core battery on AO, destroying the Green Lantern Corps and ultimately being possessed by the Spectre and saving the universe.  In this book you see Hal Jordan returning to earth and trying to move on with his life.  With Parallax and Spectre still waging war inside him that's not happening.  With help from other Green Lanterns, friends, and the Justice League Hal finally rids himself of both Parallax and the Spectre.  We find out the man behind all of Hall's troubles?  Sinestro.  Should have known.  If you aren't familiar with the Green Lantern mythos this book is a good read and Johns does a good job in his preludes and in a summary after the last page to help ensure readers weren't lost.  I loved this book. It did a great job of bringing Hal Jordan back to where he should be - a prominent  hero in the DC Universe and on earth.  The story is a great read.  I've known about this book for years and I had heard nothing but outstanding reviews but still I was surprised how much I enjoyed.  The remaining Green Lanterns play a prominent part in this book as does the Justice League so there are also plenty of other characters that help round out the story.  

So now that Hal Jordan is back No Fear shows us what life will be like moving forward for Hal Jordan.  We see a new nemesis as well as some old foes who play big parts in this story.  This story is a fun first arc for Green Lantern.  We also see the beginnings of a new Green Lantern Corps.  I was again very impressed with the story Geoff Johns crafted.  I can't talk about these two books without mentioning the great art by Ethan Van Sciver.  I think he does a great job helping to tell the story visually.  As great as these books are, there are many more that follow.  The Green Lantern Corps get their own book, there will be the Sinestro Corps Wars, and the Blackest Night story arc which was felt across the DC Comics universe.  The latter is a highly regarded series and I can't wait to read it.  Geoff Johns guides Green Lantern throughout all these story arcs and they have all become the best run of Green Lantern.  I'm excited to pick up more of the books.  Here is the Green Lantern trade paperback reading order for anyone interested.   

Darth Vader Volume 1 from Marvel Comics

I finished the first volume of Darth Vader (2015, 166 pages) a day after receiving it for Christmas.  Once I started I didn't want to put it down.  It really is a good book that collects the first six comic books in the series.  The books picks up right after A New Hope and highlights Darth Vader and his relationship with the Emperor.  As they are both Sith it isn't surprising that there is conflict. Darth Vader, while loyal, has his own agenda as he tries to figure out all the Emperor's schemes.  That is basically what you'll get from this collection.  Dr. Aphra, who has a key part in the book, is introduced here.  She became such a fan favorite she won a contest and now has her own Star Wars Black Series 6" figure.   She is a good character and not what I expected.  There really isn't much to spoil in this book but I don't need to go into any greater detail.  This book is part of the new Star Wars canon and anyone who like Star Wars and/or reads comics would probably enjoy this book.

Green Lantern Gay?

I've read comics since I was a youngin.  I haven't read them regularly for a few years now but I stay up to date as possible through online sites and podcasts.  Priorities change but I definitely plan on catching up in the near future.  I can't wait.  One of my favorites from day one of reading comics is Green Lantern.  The Green Lantern I grew up with is Hal Jordan or the Silver Age Green Lantern introduced in 1959.  This is the Green Lantern the majority of the world is familiar with and was the Green Lantern featured in last year's Green Lantern movie.  Alan Scott is the original Green Lantern who debuted in 1940.  I have definitely become a fan of his character which was revitalized, as part of the Justice Society of America, in the early 90's.  

A few weeks back DC Comics announced one of their characters would come out as gay.  Of course the Robin jokes flew as people wondered who it would be.  Well low and behold it was Alan Scott.  As part of a recent "reboot" by DC Comics Alan Scott's history is out AND he is now gay.  Ugh.  This is pure selfishness on my part but I don't like it one bit.  While i don't have issues with gay characters this just doesn't work for me.  As part of the re-launch Alan Scott is now younger and gay but otherwise his character is sure to be what made him a great hero to begin with - strong, brave, moral, and he can kick butt.  That said he was elder statesman among Green Lantern "universe" and this just throws his character in an entirely new light.  In his past continuity he had children to include a gay son.  All gone now.  I don't like change and I'll be the first to admit that helps shape my thoughts.  Still I want to give this a chance but it isn't easy.  It is such a departure from what I've come to love in his character.  I guess I'll just have to see how DC will handle his story lines but I'm not liking it for now.  Sure Robin would have been looked at as an easy target but it would have made me much happier!  Again pure selfishness...