Your Pre-C2E2 Support Your Local Comic Shop Moment of Zen

Heads up - event rescheduled for Monday. I'll repost this on Monday.

An Embarrassingly Gushy Open Note to Gail Simone

Dear Ms. Simone,

First, I apologize for not being around on my blog - my cousin and his daughter flew in from Virginia to visit, and boy are their arms tired.

But anyway, between that and some other stuff, I've been negligent in my comics reading duties. I wanted to congratulate you on becoming the new Wonder Woman writer - let's face it, if anyone can make that book turn around, it's you. Your writing is so many levels of awesome, I don't think I have the vocabulary to express it.

However, it means - sadly - that you're not on Birds of Prey anymore. Of course, I'll always have the trades, but it's not quite the same.

However, Birds of Prey # 108 is - appropriately - a really cool sign-off. If the book were canceled after this issue, it would be an appropriate send-off.

I mean, let's face it, Huntress referring to Catman as "Meatball"? The Spy Smasher/Oracle throwdown? The multipage spread which I want as a poster, like, yesterday? A halfway decent rationale for Green Arrow/Black Canary's impending nuptials? Black Canary being more badass than Batman? And that ending?

Priceless. Simply priceless.

Hopefully, Nicola Scott is staying on as artist - she absolutely rocks. Maybe I'll develop a major crush on her artwork.

But anyway, thanks for the wild ride, and remember: if you need anyone to be "roughed up", or need some professional "enforcers", please let me know, and I'll arrange it. I live in Chicago, now, you know.

However, if the person to be roughed up is Dan DiDio, I'll handle him myself.
Thanks again, and best of luck.

Your pal,
Gordon

5 Best Lines from Birds of Prey 106

bofp106
Originally uploaded by Gordon D

This has been one hell of a weekend - some unnecessary family drama (which is now ended), getting some rest (meaning I only sound minimally like Froggy from the Little Rascals), and a very promising job interview have me rather renewed.

So today's blog entry - keeping it simple: Birds of Prey 106 totally frickin' rocked. (Ms. Simone, thank you for helping bring a smile to my face, and for making a comic so freaking cool - you are totally Osama Bin Awesome) So much so, that I'm choosing my favorite five lines from the issue, in no particular order.

1. "Fight, what fight?...there are only six of them"
   
2. "I know, I know, smart guy...turn around anyway
3. "Chow's better freelance"
4. "Do you know what they call this on Apokolips, harridan? Foreplay"
5. "And I like nice boys. Sorry."
   

The only thing that kinda sorta didn't hang was the end-of-issue reference to this 80s mini-series.

P.S. Happy blogiversary to the Redhead Fangirl!

5 Reasons I'm Glad I Bought Comics This Week

Since I'm straining to think of something substantial to write, here are five reasons why I'm glad I bought comics this week:

1. Shazam: The Monster Society of Evil - I was never really a big Captain Marvel fan; however, Jeff Smith has convinced me. It's nice, angst-free, and quite frankly...I think Jeff Smith should be doing a regular Shazam book. Some clever touches, and it's nice to know that the Big Red Cheese enjoys hot dogs. Plus, it has secret messages that you can decode here.
2. This Post By Mike Sterling - all I can say in response, using a secret code, is ZOO SZRO GSV XOLHVG KZHGIB
3. Justice Society: Volume 2 - Completing the 70's All-Star/Adventure run, I have to admit, this appeals to the Golden Age fanboy in me. However, the touches I really liked were not only a burgeoning Power Girl/Huntress friendship, but that unlike modern portrays, the Huntress doesn't seem to be as...er, "top heavy". (I'm trying to keep this PG), folks. Plus, the writing seems to be a mixture of old fashioned 30s melodrama (as pointed out by the I Read Comics podcast) and 70's burgeoning feminism. Both volumes are well worth your time.
   
4. All-New Atom # 8 - I have to admit, I had my doubts, but this is one of the few Brave New World reboots that actually exceeds the hype. Personally, I know Gail Simone intends to do a "hunt for Ray Palmer" around issue 12...but please, Ms. Simone, take your time. I like Ryan Choi- he has a great sense of humor, and is a relief from the usual angst-ridden heroes, and has done what very few characters have: make me want to learn more about him. In an age where some fans have temper tantrums over the return of old favorites (Hal Jordan, anyone?), I would like for Ryan to stay awhile. (Plus, this issue has Supermobiles versus Batplanes, with a Krypto-driven dogsled. How cool is that?)
5. Billy Hazelnuts - Mix a little Windsor McKay, Jules Verne, give the story a wonderful, almost dreamlike quality, and unconventional protagonists (a young girl who's a whiz at science; a young boy who wants to woo her, and an imp made from suet and waste with hazelnuts for eyes), and you have a very enjoyable read. If you're looking for a little something out-of-the-blue, why not pick this up and give it a try? You'll thank me for it later.
   

And as an added bonus, this belated Christmas video: