Wednesday, April 26, 2006
how could this ever backfire?
The Republicans are running scared, now that the Democrats have a slam-dunk issue to run behind this fall. The GOP knows that the Democrats' policy of waging war against humanity is a sure-fire winner at the polls, and thus have already resorted to spreading lies and aspersions about this unbeatable platform. Disgraceful.
The Republicans are running scared, now that the Democrats have a slam-dunk issue to run behind this fall. The GOP knows that the Democrats' policy of waging war against humanity is a sure-fire winner at the polls, and thus have already resorted to spreading lies and aspersions about this unbeatable platform. Disgraceful.
Monday, April 24, 2006
I Read Comics
Don't ever call 'em graphic novels, unless that's how they're published, okay? Simple primer: self-contained story that's longer than a single issue of a regular comic, published for the first time in hardback or softcover trade paperback format? That's a graphic novel. Multiple issues of a regular comic book compiled into a single bound volume? That's a trade paperback. Examples of graphic novels: DEATH OF CAPTAIN MARVEL, EMPEROR DOOM, BLANKETS, DAVID BORING, that shitty computer-generated IRON MAN book with the boobies, etc. Examples of trade paperbacks: WATCHMEN, V FOR VENDETTA, THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN, THE INVISIBLES, THE AVENGERS: THE KREE-SKRULL WAR, etc. Don't get it twisted, young friend.
SINGLE ISSUES:
ANNIHILATION NOVA #1: I'm new to the idea of interlocking miniseries. They're doing it pretty well with Annihilation, as four issues in we're still dealing with the immediate shock and ramifications of the "Annihilation Day" event. If you like the cosmic side of Marvel, and/or ponderously large armadas of bug-shaped aliens, you might like Annihilation. I'm mostly ignorant of the characters involved, and I'm still enjoying it thus far.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #17: Generally the word "realistic", when used in relation to a superhero comic, is a synonym for "shitty". Ed Brubaker's CAP has been anything but awful, though. Cap and Sharon Carter head to Iowa to see if Bucky if responsible for some building getting destroyed, and run into a hidden AIM enclave, an AIM splinter group, and the old Red Skull henchman / psychotic nihilist Crossbones, who just recently finished deprogramming the Skull's even more psychotically nihilist daughter Sinthia. Everybody fights. Not a highlight of the run thus far, but a necessary progression of the Crossbones subplot. The main interest remains the return of Bucky; I'm glad that Bucky's return, which is of truly fundamental importance to the central character of Captain America, has been allowed to unfold gradually over a matter years and not rushed through in a four or six issue story arc.
NEW AVENGERS #18: I wanted to hate this book so much. One reason I loved the Avengers as a kid was because it was different from the X-Men and Spider-Man; despite its relative lack of fame or success, it represented the mainstream of the Marvel universe more than any other single book. Tearing the team apart, and rebuilding them with guys like Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Daredevil, remains nothing more than a blatant stab at cash and attention. Still, I wanted to at least give the book a shot, so I picked up the first trade a couple months back. I surprisingly liked it. Wolverine is still entirely out of place, as Daredevil would be had he become a regular, but the rest of the newcomers don't bother me. Luke Cage and Spider-Woman are exactly the type of third-string characters who'd back up the major Avengers for a year or so, and thus fit in fine. And even though Spider-Man has never fit in a group setting, and has repeatedly refused core Avengers membership, it's hard to argue with his presence in those first six issues. I haven't read the second trade yet, or any of the issues between that and number 17, which was where I jumped on as a monthly reader. 17 was an okay stand-alone story, and I like the idea of each member getting time to basically lead the team. 18, though, is a boring, aimless mess. Basically it's one long fight, with a supposedly shocking reveal at the end that means little to those who don't really care about the mutant books. And Wolverine is still entirely out of place. Seriously, get him the hell away from the Avengers, bring back Thor and some form of Hank Pym, and have Spidey become a reserve / occasional member, and this book would be moving in the right direction.
NEXTWAVE AGENTS OF HATE #4: Slightly funny superhero goof from Warren Ellis. Been reading about how awesome Ellis is for a decade now, but this is the first thing I've read from him. The first two issues were intermittently hilarious, but it's levelled off since then. Still, a nice assortment of fifth-rate heroes and also-rans.
X-MEN #185: Peter Milligan's probably my third favorite writer; SHADE THE CHANGING MAN was my sentimental favorite as a 16-year-old, and X-STATIX single-handedly got me back into comics for five months back in 2003. His X-Men is awful, though. The first couple issues of this Apocalypse story-line had some nice moments, like the origin of Gazer and the back-up story with Sunfire. All momentum consistently dies, though, as soon as the story turns to the X-Men. First off, I hate how they've turned Mystique and Emma Frost into heroes (I'm starting Morrison's New X-Men this week; I hear that should make me accept and appreciate Frost, so we'll see). I don't give a shit about Pulse, or Rogue and Gambit's romance, or the eternal discontent of Havoc and Polaris. The whole power-loss issue, while handled well in X-FACTOR, is really fuckin' annoying with Polaris. And who are the hell are the 198? I simply have no idea what's going on with the X-Men right now, outside of ASTONISHING, and even Milligan can't make me care or understand.
X-STATIX PRESENTS DEAD GIRL #4 (of 5): Okay, a return to form, for both Milligan and DEAD GIRL. I loved the first two issues, and although 3 was pretty good, there were at least two depressingly bad jokes that hampered my good mood. The Piano Player's still around, but the character itself is fine as a joke as long as it's not being blatantly spelled out, as it was in 3. There's a really nice moment between Guy and Edie, and the burgeoning love between Dead Girl and Dr. Strange is making me really happy. Too bad there's only one issue left, as this mini is only too painfully reminding me of why X-STATIX is probably the most purely enjoyable superhero comic since the old Giffen/DeMatteis Justice League.
TRADE PAPERBACKS:
OWLY: JUST A LITTLE BLUE: Unbearably cute and wordless, OWLY is going to make a great gift for my nieces. We gets to enjoy it first, thankfully. Owly is a small owl that wishes to make a nice birdhouse to help make up for the loss of trees. His little worm and butterfly friends help out. In the process Owly learns about self-sacrifice and cries about 18 times. Made by a dude from Lilburn and published by a company from our home-town of Marietta, OWLY's like the fourth best thing to ever come from the suburbs of Atlanta.
WE3: I'm blitzing through Grant Morrison's work, making up for lost time. He was my favorite writer when I was a teenager, due to his work on Doom Patrol, and since I got back into comics in January I've been reading as much of his stuff as possible. I've made it through the first three Invisibles trades and Seaguy, all of which are awesome (to varying degrees). This weekend it was time for We3, the odd little miniseries he did with Frank Quitely about three housepets turned into cybernetic war machines by the US government. It's kinda heart-breaking in spots, and the layouts are frequently inventive, but at the end I'm left slightly confused by what Morrison's trying to say. Obviously it brings to mind animal testing, and obviously in a negative light, but having the animals slaughter countless humans, even if in self-defense, kinda muddles the pro-animal rights message. Still, a beautiful and fascinating comic.
Don't ever call 'em graphic novels, unless that's how they're published, okay? Simple primer: self-contained story that's longer than a single issue of a regular comic, published for the first time in hardback or softcover trade paperback format? That's a graphic novel. Multiple issues of a regular comic book compiled into a single bound volume? That's a trade paperback. Examples of graphic novels: DEATH OF CAPTAIN MARVEL, EMPEROR DOOM, BLANKETS, DAVID BORING, that shitty computer-generated IRON MAN book with the boobies, etc. Examples of trade paperbacks: WATCHMEN, V FOR VENDETTA, THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN, THE INVISIBLES, THE AVENGERS: THE KREE-SKRULL WAR, etc. Don't get it twisted, young friend.
SINGLE ISSUES:
ANNIHILATION NOVA #1: I'm new to the idea of interlocking miniseries. They're doing it pretty well with Annihilation, as four issues in we're still dealing with the immediate shock and ramifications of the "Annihilation Day" event. If you like the cosmic side of Marvel, and/or ponderously large armadas of bug-shaped aliens, you might like Annihilation. I'm mostly ignorant of the characters involved, and I'm still enjoying it thus far.
CAPTAIN AMERICA #17: Generally the word "realistic", when used in relation to a superhero comic, is a synonym for "shitty". Ed Brubaker's CAP has been anything but awful, though. Cap and Sharon Carter head to Iowa to see if Bucky if responsible for some building getting destroyed, and run into a hidden AIM enclave, an AIM splinter group, and the old Red Skull henchman / psychotic nihilist Crossbones, who just recently finished deprogramming the Skull's even more psychotically nihilist daughter Sinthia. Everybody fights. Not a highlight of the run thus far, but a necessary progression of the Crossbones subplot. The main interest remains the return of Bucky; I'm glad that Bucky's return, which is of truly fundamental importance to the central character of Captain America, has been allowed to unfold gradually over a matter years and not rushed through in a four or six issue story arc.
NEW AVENGERS #18: I wanted to hate this book so much. One reason I loved the Avengers as a kid was because it was different from the X-Men and Spider-Man; despite its relative lack of fame or success, it represented the mainstream of the Marvel universe more than any other single book. Tearing the team apart, and rebuilding them with guys like Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Daredevil, remains nothing more than a blatant stab at cash and attention. Still, I wanted to at least give the book a shot, so I picked up the first trade a couple months back. I surprisingly liked it. Wolverine is still entirely out of place, as Daredevil would be had he become a regular, but the rest of the newcomers don't bother me. Luke Cage and Spider-Woman are exactly the type of third-string characters who'd back up the major Avengers for a year or so, and thus fit in fine. And even though Spider-Man has never fit in a group setting, and has repeatedly refused core Avengers membership, it's hard to argue with his presence in those first six issues. I haven't read the second trade yet, or any of the issues between that and number 17, which was where I jumped on as a monthly reader. 17 was an okay stand-alone story, and I like the idea of each member getting time to basically lead the team. 18, though, is a boring, aimless mess. Basically it's one long fight, with a supposedly shocking reveal at the end that means little to those who don't really care about the mutant books. And Wolverine is still entirely out of place. Seriously, get him the hell away from the Avengers, bring back Thor and some form of Hank Pym, and have Spidey become a reserve / occasional member, and this book would be moving in the right direction.
NEXTWAVE AGENTS OF HATE #4: Slightly funny superhero goof from Warren Ellis. Been reading about how awesome Ellis is for a decade now, but this is the first thing I've read from him. The first two issues were intermittently hilarious, but it's levelled off since then. Still, a nice assortment of fifth-rate heroes and also-rans.
X-MEN #185: Peter Milligan's probably my third favorite writer; SHADE THE CHANGING MAN was my sentimental favorite as a 16-year-old, and X-STATIX single-handedly got me back into comics for five months back in 2003. His X-Men is awful, though. The first couple issues of this Apocalypse story-line had some nice moments, like the origin of Gazer and the back-up story with Sunfire. All momentum consistently dies, though, as soon as the story turns to the X-Men. First off, I hate how they've turned Mystique and Emma Frost into heroes (I'm starting Morrison's New X-Men this week; I hear that should make me accept and appreciate Frost, so we'll see). I don't give a shit about Pulse, or Rogue and Gambit's romance, or the eternal discontent of Havoc and Polaris. The whole power-loss issue, while handled well in X-FACTOR, is really fuckin' annoying with Polaris. And who are the hell are the 198? I simply have no idea what's going on with the X-Men right now, outside of ASTONISHING, and even Milligan can't make me care or understand.
X-STATIX PRESENTS DEAD GIRL #4 (of 5): Okay, a return to form, for both Milligan and DEAD GIRL. I loved the first two issues, and although 3 was pretty good, there were at least two depressingly bad jokes that hampered my good mood. The Piano Player's still around, but the character itself is fine as a joke as long as it's not being blatantly spelled out, as it was in 3. There's a really nice moment between Guy and Edie, and the burgeoning love between Dead Girl and Dr. Strange is making me really happy. Too bad there's only one issue left, as this mini is only too painfully reminding me of why X-STATIX is probably the most purely enjoyable superhero comic since the old Giffen/DeMatteis Justice League.
TRADE PAPERBACKS:
OWLY: JUST A LITTLE BLUE: Unbearably cute and wordless, OWLY is going to make a great gift for my nieces. We gets to enjoy it first, thankfully. Owly is a small owl that wishes to make a nice birdhouse to help make up for the loss of trees. His little worm and butterfly friends help out. In the process Owly learns about self-sacrifice and cries about 18 times. Made by a dude from Lilburn and published by a company from our home-town of Marietta, OWLY's like the fourth best thing to ever come from the suburbs of Atlanta.
WE3: I'm blitzing through Grant Morrison's work, making up for lost time. He was my favorite writer when I was a teenager, due to his work on Doom Patrol, and since I got back into comics in January I've been reading as much of his stuff as possible. I've made it through the first three Invisibles trades and Seaguy, all of which are awesome (to varying degrees). This weekend it was time for We3, the odd little miniseries he did with Frank Quitely about three housepets turned into cybernetic war machines by the US government. It's kinda heart-breaking in spots, and the layouts are frequently inventive, but at the end I'm left slightly confused by what Morrison's trying to say. Obviously it brings to mind animal testing, and obviously in a negative light, but having the animals slaughter countless humans, even if in self-defense, kinda muddles the pro-animal rights message. Still, a beautiful and fascinating comic.
Friday, April 21, 2006
Derek Bell is a crack-head
Which sucks, 'cuz I always liked the way the guy looked. He always reminded me of Goofy, for some reason. Too bad he's not just a dick, but a crack-head, too.
Which sucks, 'cuz I always liked the way the guy looked. He always reminded me of Goofy, for some reason. Too bad he's not just a dick, but a crack-head, too.
wellness
Sorry for the lack of post action lately; been too busy vomiting all over myself on subway trains to type anything up.
So I was in bed all day yesterday, and watched seven of the ten hours of "I Love the 90's" on VH-1. Here are some thoughts!
1. Michael Ian Black is probably the most consistently funny guy on those shows. And he's really not that funny.
2. Mo Rocca is awful.
3. Godfrey is worse.
4. Rachael Harris is really cute.
5. Liz Phair excels at finding new ways to embarrass herself.
6. The sheer randomness of topics discussed in these shows has always baffled me. Like, why do they call "Party of Five" "our favorite show of 1995"? Just 'cuz it's really easy to make fun of?
oh my achin' head... I can't really keep this thought going. Sorry.
Sorry for the lack of post action lately; been too busy vomiting all over myself on subway trains to type anything up.
So I was in bed all day yesterday, and watched seven of the ten hours of "I Love the 90's" on VH-1. Here are some thoughts!
1. Michael Ian Black is probably the most consistently funny guy on those shows. And he's really not that funny.
2. Mo Rocca is awful.
3. Godfrey is worse.
4. Rachael Harris is really cute.
5. Liz Phair excels at finding new ways to embarrass herself.
6. The sheer randomness of topics discussed in these shows has always baffled me. Like, why do they call "Party of Five" "our favorite show of 1995"? Just 'cuz it's really easy to make fun of?
oh my achin' head... I can't really keep this thought going. Sorry.
Wednesday, April 19, 2006
Eat A Dang SA!
Braves take 2 out of 3 from the Mets in Shea...Hudson and Davies 2 amazing one run complete game performances and Andruw acts the Chipper...blizam bitches!
Braves take 2 out of 3 from the Mets in Shea...Hudson and Davies 2 amazing one run complete game performances and Andruw acts the Chipper...blizam bitches!
Friday, April 14, 2006
Thursday, April 13, 2006
Wednesday, April 12, 2006
never too late to relive the weekend
Friday night I watched Trainspotting for the first time in almost a decade. The best part of seeing this in the theater back in the day was getting the stink-eye from an Area 51-playing Disco Inferno in the lobby beforehand. I had forgotten that this movie was actually pretty good. What's weird is that there's an entire hour or so at the end that I completely forgot about. All the stuff after Obi-Wan straightened out might as well have been new to me, like his moving to London and eventually double-crossing his friends, etc. The movie's full of memorable scenes and moments, but, other than Tommy's death, almost every single one of them comes in the first half of the film. I don't know if I fell asleep in the theater, or what.
Saturday night I went to the Oakley Hall / Awesome Color show at Great Scott. Awesome Color were completely rad, a noisier, less long-winded Dead Meadow. You know how back in the '70's there were a lot of boy actors that had long, shaggy hair, and kind of looked like girls, like Tanner in Bad News Bears? Awesome Color's drummer is totally one of those kids, but grown up, and actually a girl. And a girl who's one hellacious bad-ass on the drums.
Oakley Hall, meanwhile, put on one of the finest shows I've seen in Boston. They're like a Bossless E Street Band that eschews good ol' rock'n'roll in favor of psychedelic country rock. Their records are good, and their live show is even better. I think they got squeezed for time by the absolutely awful second band, as their set felt kind of short, but they totally maximized the time they had. I think they only way they could get better is if they added a second drummer, or at least a washboard player.
Sunday I sat around reading comic books and listening to records. I picked up my guitar from my friend / bandmate's house around three and tried in vain to record something worthwhile. I then watched The Man With Two Brains for the very first time. Well not entirely the first, but it was the only time I've ever sat down and watched it from start to finish. When I was ten I went to England with my family, and I happened to luck across this film on tv right when some breasts appeared. So I've always looked fondly upon this movie, for sure. Anyway, I've got no idea why its reputation isn't better, as it's pretty fuckin' great. Not at The Jerk's level, for sure, but still a damn funny movie, and further testament to the man's genius.
A year ago this week I was shirtless, drunk, and in Mexico.
Friday night I watched Trainspotting for the first time in almost a decade. The best part of seeing this in the theater back in the day was getting the stink-eye from an Area 51-playing Disco Inferno in the lobby beforehand. I had forgotten that this movie was actually pretty good. What's weird is that there's an entire hour or so at the end that I completely forgot about. All the stuff after Obi-Wan straightened out might as well have been new to me, like his moving to London and eventually double-crossing his friends, etc. The movie's full of memorable scenes and moments, but, other than Tommy's death, almost every single one of them comes in the first half of the film. I don't know if I fell asleep in the theater, or what.
Saturday night I went to the Oakley Hall / Awesome Color show at Great Scott. Awesome Color were completely rad, a noisier, less long-winded Dead Meadow. You know how back in the '70's there were a lot of boy actors that had long, shaggy hair, and kind of looked like girls, like Tanner in Bad News Bears? Awesome Color's drummer is totally one of those kids, but grown up, and actually a girl. And a girl who's one hellacious bad-ass on the drums.
Oakley Hall, meanwhile, put on one of the finest shows I've seen in Boston. They're like a Bossless E Street Band that eschews good ol' rock'n'roll in favor of psychedelic country rock. Their records are good, and their live show is even better. I think they got squeezed for time by the absolutely awful second band, as their set felt kind of short, but they totally maximized the time they had. I think they only way they could get better is if they added a second drummer, or at least a washboard player.
Sunday I sat around reading comic books and listening to records. I picked up my guitar from my friend / bandmate's house around three and tried in vain to record something worthwhile. I then watched The Man With Two Brains for the very first time. Well not entirely the first, but it was the only time I've ever sat down and watched it from start to finish. When I was ten I went to England with my family, and I happened to luck across this film on tv right when some breasts appeared. So I've always looked fondly upon this movie, for sure. Anyway, I've got no idea why its reputation isn't better, as it's pretty fuckin' great. Not at The Jerk's level, for sure, but still a damn funny movie, and further testament to the man's genius.
A year ago this week I was shirtless, drunk, and in Mexico.
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Friday, April 07, 2006
no radio today
I gotta take the wife to the airport.
This is bad timing, too, as there are two good shows tomorrow night that I had hoped to plug. If you're in Boston, take your pick: Oakley Hall and Awesome Color at Great Scott, or Steve McKay and the Radon Group, the Skaters, Eloe Omoe, and Sunburned Hand of the Man at Nom D'Artiste in Chinatown. Both should be pretty great. There are two other bands on that Great Scott bill, but I have no idea who they are.
I gotta take the wife to the airport.
This is bad timing, too, as there are two good shows tomorrow night that I had hoped to plug. If you're in Boston, take your pick: Oakley Hall and Awesome Color at Great Scott, or Steve McKay and the Radon Group, the Skaters, Eloe Omoe, and Sunburned Hand of the Man at Nom D'Artiste in Chinatown. Both should be pretty great. There are two other bands on that Great Scott bill, but I have no idea who they are.
Tuesday, April 04, 2006
the mp3 plan
I'm gonna shoot for mp3 updates every Tuesday and Thursday. The other dudes will pop in every now and again with their thoughts on whatever very special tune is making them cry and/or randy that week. Hopefully there'll be enough nonsense going on to keep y'all appeased.
New post up now.
I'm gonna shoot for mp3 updates every Tuesday and Thursday. The other dudes will pop in every now and again with their thoughts on whatever very special tune is making them cry and/or randy that week. Hopefully there'll be enough nonsense going on to keep y'all appeased.
New post up now.
bleh
Here's the "Bush Was Right" video. It's appropriately amateurish, and no longer even remotely funny.
Here's the "Bush Was Right" video. It's appropriately amateurish, and no longer even remotely funny.
Monday, April 03, 2006
the one true predictions
AL EAST
1. NYY
2. BOS (wc)
3. TOR
4. BAL
5. TB
AL CENTRAL
1. CHW
2. CLE
3. MIN
4. DET
5. KC
AL WEST
1. OAK
2. ANA
3. TEX
4. SEA
NL EAST
1. ATL
2. PHI
3. NYM
4. FLA
5. WAS
NL CENTRAL
1. STL
2. CHC (wc)
3. MIL
4. HOU
5. CIN
6. PIT
NL WEST
1. LA
2. SD
3. SF
4. ARI
5. COL
ATL over CHC
STL over LA
OAK over BOS
CWS over NYY
ATL over STL
OAK over CWS
ATL over OAK
AL EAST
1. NYY
2. BOS (wc)
3. TOR
4. BAL
5. TB
AL CENTRAL
1. CHW
2. CLE
3. MIN
4. DET
5. KC
AL WEST
1. OAK
2. ANA
3. TEX
4. SEA
NL EAST
1. ATL
2. PHI
3. NYM
4. FLA
5. WAS
NL CENTRAL
1. STL
2. CHC (wc)
3. MIL
4. HOU
5. CIN
6. PIT
NL WEST
1. LA
2. SD
3. SF
4. ARI
5. COL
ATL over CHC
STL over LA
OAK over BOS
CWS over NYY
ATL over STL
OAK over CWS
ATL over OAK
Stream of Consciousness Prediction Time
AL EAST
1. NYY
2. BOS
3. TOR
4. BAL
5. TB
AL CENTRAL
1. CLE
2. CHW
3. MIN
4. DET
5. KC
AL WEST
1. ANA
2. OAK (wc)
3. TEX
4. SEA
NL EAST
1. NYM
2. ATL (wc)
3. PHI
4. WAS
5. FLA
NL CENTRAL
1. STL
2. CHC
3. HOU
4. MIL
5. PIT
6. CIN
NL WEST
1. LA
2. SD
3. ARI
4. SF
5. COL
PLAYOFFS- OAK over NYY
CLE over ANA
STL over ATL
NYM over LA
CLE over OAK
STL over NYM
CLE over STL
Hmm. I am surprised that I ended with that result. The mets ended up doing good though.
AL EAST
1. NYY
2. BOS
3. TOR
4. BAL
5. TB
AL CENTRAL
1. CLE
2. CHW
3. MIN
4. DET
5. KC
AL WEST
1. ANA
2. OAK (wc)
3. TEX
4. SEA
NL EAST
1. NYM
2. ATL (wc)
3. PHI
4. WAS
5. FLA
NL CENTRAL
1. STL
2. CHC
3. HOU
4. MIL
5. PIT
6. CIN
NL WEST
1. LA
2. SD
3. ARI
4. SF
5. COL
PLAYOFFS- OAK over NYY
CLE over ANA
STL over ATL
NYM over LA
CLE over OAK
STL over NYM
CLE over STL
Hmm. I am surprised that I ended with that result. The mets ended up doing good though.
