After Houdini #1: Magic + Espionage

Every Wednesday morning, I head to my LCS, pick up my comics, read them, and either I want my money back or I’m just happy I wasn't ripped off. Once a month, there is that one comic book that inspires me. For the month of June, that book is After Houdini #1, written by Jeremy Holt, art by Kevin Ziegler, lettering and design by Ryan Ferrier. 

After Houdini #1 is part one of five issues being published by Challenger Comics. The title is perfect because it represents the actual story, and brings in non-comic book readers/Harry Houdini fans. So applaud Jeremy for helping the comic medium. If you love black, and white art along with alternate history, and mystery, this is the book for you.  As of the first issue, the mystery involves an American President, Harry Houdini’s son, Josef, and magic in the use of espionage.  All these ingredients are put together to create one of most original indie books in quite some time.

In certain books, the story is great but the pacing is not steady, and the book reads too fast. That is not the case here because After Houdini has been brilliantly crafted.  Each scene is steadily paced, builds the perfect amount of mystery just to leave the reader with enough questions, and excitement to pick up the next issue.  On the art front, Ziegler’s art is fun, and works well in parallel to the story. His use of space, character movements/facial expression puts the reader right in the middle of each and every panel.  One element that reviewers always leave out is the lettering. In this case it is too important not to get a mention. Ferrier’s lettering is in sync with the story, and art. Every time Ferrier uses SFX like “klup,” “pok,” and “shink,” it jumps out of the page and hits the reader right in the face. To be honest, the SFX is so valuable, it reminds me of the 60s Batman show and nothing beats nostalgia.

Expect great strides from Holt in 2013. Now buy After Houdini #1, and other Challenger Comics by clicking here. 

Occupy Comics #2: Signing at Carmine Street Comics w/ Matt Miner and Sean Von Gorman

Occupy Comics #2

By: Alan Moore, Ronald Wimberly, Riley Rossmo
Genres: Anthology
Series: Occupy Comics
Publisher: Black Mask Studios
Pub. Date: June 19, 2013

Cover Price: $3.50

"Synopsis: This star-studded political anthology features Alan Moore (Watchmen, V For Vendetta), David Lloyd (V For Vendetta, Aces Weekly), Charlie Adlard (The Walking Dead), Art Spiegelman (Pulitzer-winning Maus), Molly Crabapple (Shell Game), Matt Bors (Pulitzer-nominated political cartoonist), Mike Allred (Madman), Ben Templesmith (30 Days of Night), J.M. DeMatteis (Justice League, Spider-Man), Tyler Crook (Petrograd),Joshua Hale Fialkov (I, Vampire), Joe Infurnari (Mush!), Ales Kot(Wild Children), Dean Haspiel (American Splendor), Douglas Rushkoff (media theorist), Joshua Dysart (Unknown Soldier, Swamp Thing), Matt Miner (Liberator), & the project’s organizational spearhead Matt Pizzolo (Godkiller)."

If you're a comic fan and a member of twitter, two creators that you need to watch out for are the creator of Liberator, Matt Miner and co-creator of The Secret Adventures of Houdini, Sean Von Gorman. In Occupy Comics #2, Matt and Sean are teaming up to tell Matt's "riveting new piece about how Occupy Sandy rescued his Rockaway, NY community after Hurricane Sandy." 

Every Friday night  (5pm-8pm), New York's new comic shop, Carmine Street Comics does its installment of Don't Feed the Artist with Sean Von Gorman. However, this Friday is a very special installment because it includes Sean's co-collaborator of Occupy Comics #2, Matt Miner. 

Here's the information from the event page on Facebook (Created by Sean Von Gorman). 

"June 21st my special guest will be Matt Miner of the brand new comics series Liberator. We will be signing copies of Occupy Comics #2 which features a story we molded out of pain, anguish, and paper.

This issue also features work from several other awesome people. Who you may ask? Ever heard of a guy named Alan Moore? You never know he might show up too! (probably not but we can hope)

I'll be there starting at 2 but they official signing will begin at 5pm.

Don't Feed The Artist w/ Sean Von Gorman & Matt Miner

Carmine Street Comics
34 Carmine Street
btwn Bleecker & 7th Ave
2pm-11pm"

If you're unable to attend the event and do not reside in NYC, here's where you can buy Occupy Comics #2. This information is from Black Mask Studios. 

CALIFORNIA

BEACH BALL COMICS
3024 W Ball Rd Anaheim, CA 92804
(714) 826-6127
http://www.cornerstorecomics.com

BLUE MOON COMICS
1560 4th St. Ste B.
San Rafael, Ca 94901
http://www.bluemooncomics.com

BLACK CAT COMICS
73 N Milpitas Blvd
Milpitas, CA 95035
(408) 942-6903
http://www.blackcatcomics.biz

BRAVE NEW WORLD
22722 Lyons Ave #6
Newhall, CA 91321
(661) 259-4745
http://www.bravenewworldcomics.com

EARTH 2 COMICS
15017 Ventura Blvd
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
(818) 386-9590
http://www.earth2comics.net

HOODOO!
56778 29 Palms Hwy
Suite B
Yucca Valley, CA 92284
https://www.facebook.com/ShopHoodoo

HOUSE OF SECRETS
1930 W Olive Ave
Burbank, CA 91506
(818) 562-1900
http://www.artoffiction.com/HouseOfSecrets
http://www.facebook.com/HouseOfSecretsBurbank

MELTDOWN COMICS & COLLECTIBLES
7522 Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 851-7223
http://www.meltcomics.com

MISSION: COMICS & ART
3520 20th St, Suite B
San Francisco, CA 94110
http://www.missioncomicsandart.com/

RED SKY COMICS
617 W Main Street
Merced, CA 95340
(209) 726-0667
http://www.redskycomics.com

THE SECRET HEADQUARTERS
3817 W Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
(323) 666-2228
http://thesecretheadquarters.com

CONNECTICUT

CAVE COMICS
57 Church Hill Rd
Newtown, CT 06470
(203) 426-4346
http://www.cavecomics.com

DELAWARE

THE COMIC BOOK SHOP
1855 Marsh Rd
Wilmington, DE 19810
www.thecomicbookshop.com

FLORIDA

SECRET HEADQUARTERS
2218 N. Monroe St.
Tallahassee, FL 32303
www.shqcomicsandgames.com

IOWA

CUP O’ KRYPTONITE
2608 Beaver Avenue
Des Moines, Iowa 50310
(515) 974-0515
http://www.cupokryptonite.com

LOUISIANA

BSI COMICS
3030 Severn Ave Suite F
Metairie, LA 70002-4845
http://www.bsicomics.com

MARYLAND

THIRD EYE COMICS
2027 West St
Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 897-0322
http://www.thirdeyecomics.com

MASSACHUSETTS

LARRY’S COMICS
66 Lakeview Ave Lowell, MA 01850
(978) 459-5323
http://www.larryscomics.net

MICHIGAN

COMIC CITY – CANTON
42727 Ford Rd
Canton MI 48187
734-981-3561
http://www.comiccity.com

COMIC CITY – WEST BLOOMFIELD
7366 Haggerty Rd
West Bloomfield Twp MI 48322
248-592-3049
http://www.comiccity.com

COMIC CITY – PONTIAC
466 N Telegraph Rd
Pontiac MI 48341
248-334-4139
http://www.comiccity.com

COMIC CITY – TRENTON
3410 West Rd
Trenton MI 48183
734-692-7060
http://www.comiccity.com

FANFARE SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT
4415 S.Westnedge Ave.
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
Phone: (269) 349-8866
http://www.fanfare-se.com/
http://www.facebook.com/fanfare.store
http://twitter.com/Tom_Fanfare

MINNESOTA

BIG BRAIN COMICS
1027 Washington Ave S
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55415
http://www.bigbraincomics.com

MISSOURI

THE FANTASY SHOP – SAINT CHARLES
2426 West Clay
St. Charles, MO 63301
(636) 947-8330
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FantasyShopStCharles

THE FANTASY SHOP – SOUTH COUNTY
10560 Baptist Church Road
St. Louis, MO 63128
(314) 842-8228
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheFantasyShopSoCo
Twitter: http://twitter.com/fantasyshopsoco

THE FANTASY SHOP – FLORISSANT
8232 N Lindbergh Blvd
Florissant, MO 63031-7107
(314) 831-5211
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/fantasyshopflorissant

THE FANTASY SHOP – MAPLEWOOD
7238 Manchester Road
St. Louis, MO 63143
(314) 644-3070
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/FantasyShopMaplewood

NEW HAMPSHIRE

JETPACK COMICS
37 N Main St Rochester, NH 03867
(603) 330-9636
http://www.jetpackcomics.com

NEW JERSEY

THE COMIC BOOK MARKET
28 Washington St
Bloomfield, NJ 07003
http://www.thecomicbookmarket.com

NEW YORK

BERGEN STREET COMICS
470 Bergen St
Brooklyn, NY 11217
(718) 230-5600
http://bergenstreetcomics.com

FORBIDDEN PLANET
832 Broadway
NYC NY 10003
http://www.fpnyc.com

JIM HANLEY’S UNIVERSE – MANHATTAN
4 West 33rd St.,
New York, New York
(opposite The Empire State Building)
(212) 268-7088
http://jhuniverse.blogspot.com

JIM HANLEY’S UNIVERSE – STATEN ISLAND
299B New Dorp Lane,
Staten Island, NY
(718) 351-6299
http://jhuniverse.blogspot.com

TWO KINGS COMICS
171 West Main Street
Victor, NY 14564
http://www.twokingscomics.com

NORTH CAROLINA

ACME COMICS
2150 Lawndale Dr
Greensboro, North Carolina 27408
(336) 574-2263
http://www.acmecomics.com

CHAPEL HILL COMICS
316 W Franklin St
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
http://www.chapelhillcomics.com

SSALEFISH COMICS
3242 Silas Creek Pkwy
Winston-Salem, NC 27103
(336) 499-3910
http://www.ssalefish.com

PENNSYLVANIA

PLANET X COMICS & COLLECTIBLES
2085 Springwood Road
York, PA 17403
717.747.1092
www.welcometoplanetx.com
www.facebook.com/planetxcomics

TEXAS

BEDROCK CITY – WESTHEIMER
6517 WESTHEIMER
Houston, TEXAS 77057
(713) 780-0675
bedrock@bedrockcity.com
http://www.bedrockcity.com

BEDROCK CITY – CLEAR LAKE
106 W. BAY AREA BLVD.
Webster, TEXAS 77598
(281) 557-2748
bedrock4@bedrockcity.com
http://www.bedrockcity.com

BEDROCK CITY – 1960
4683 FM 1960 W.
Houston, TEXAS 77069
(281) 444-9763
bedrock2@bedrockcity.com
http://www.bedrockcity.com

BEDROCK CITY – WASHINGTON
4602 Washington, Suite A
Houston, TEXAS 77007
(713) 862-0100
bedrock5@bedrockcity.com
http://www.bedrockcity.com

WASHINGTON

THE DREAMING
5226 University Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
(206) 525-9394
http://www.thedreamingcomicsandgames.com

CANADA – ALBERTA

WIZARD’S COMICS AND COLLECTIBLES
6819 109th St NW
Edmonton, Alberta T6G 1E7
Canada
http://www.wizards-comics.com

CANADA – CALGARY

ALPHA COMICS
#9, 7005 – 18th St. SE
Calgary – Alberta
T2C 1Y1 Canada
http://alphacomics.ca/

CANADA – TORONTO

THE BEGUILING
601 Markham St.
Toronto, ON
M6G 2L7
Canada
416-533-9168
http://www.beguilingbooksandart.com

UNITED KINGDOM – ONLINE

CMJ COMICS
[Online Store Only]
Birmingham, West Midlands B32 3RL
United Kingdom
http://www.cmjcomics.co.uk

Superman's Secret History: Behind the Shield

In less than a week, everyone including their mother's mother will be seeing Man of Steel on the big screen. For years, Superman has been seen as a boring character that can easily be killed by a green rock and who wore his red underwear on the outside. Starting next Thursday, everyone will forget about that because Superman will be COOL again.

In preparation for Man of Steel, I've decided to help fanboys and non-comic readers get excited for the new movie. Part 1 consists of showing the evolution of Superman's shield. (No, I did not make these. I googled Superman's shield and these two images showed up.) Part 2 will  focus on the evolution of Superman's costume and Part 3 will be Superman's greatest moments via movies, TV shows, cartoons and comic books.

Nerdi News

Too many Trailers: For the first time since the 80s, the entire world is pumped for Superman. Man of Steel is everything we want. It has no Lex Luthor, Superman is cool again, and we finally get to watch Superman punch someone and something. For years, that is everything we have asked for and we've finally been rewarded with it. However, WB needs to stop throwing it in our faces. So far, we've watched 10 trailers (including tv spots) and one featurette. I get it, Man of Steel is going to be bad ass. Haven't we seen a little too much? In one of the trailers, we are shown a quick glimpse of Superman conversing with Jor-el. I saw that and I'm thinking, "#@%@#%@, please just surprise me." Prior to these trailers, I was complaining that we've seen zero trailers since the movie was two months away. In the end, I was half wrong. The world is pumped for Man of Steel, but I think 10 trailers is excessive and possibly showing too much of the film.

I actually haven't seen a trailer yet where Supes punches someone, so I don't know if I agree with that part of it. Then again, I stop watching trailers after the second one I see because I hate having shit ruined for me. Have you seen the Star Trek Into Darkness trailers that are premiering now? I don't know if it's just because it came out several weeks ago now, but they give soooooo much away. It's so clear that "John Harrison" is.... spoiler alert?, that guy we all thought he might be. Maybe this is just my opinion since I've already seen the movie and can now say "oh god, that gives everything away!" 

Saying Goodbye: If you have not heard already, Matt Smith, the 12th Doctor is leaving Doctor Who. In my opinion, he's really good, but he's no David Tennant. I'm actually surprised that he is leaving because I read two weeks ago that he said he was staying. Anyways, the role is open and I suggest Richard Madden (Robb Stark, Game of Thrones). Actually.....hmmm. Now that I think about it, he's a brooder and Doctor Who is too witty to be a brooder.

I'm okay with this. I love David Tennant as Dr. Who and wasn't quite as into Matt Smith. Don't get me wrong, he's really effin' good, but ya can't top Tennant. My suggestion would be Domhnall Gleeson (Bill Weasley from Harry Potter, and the seriously awesome Black Mirror), who's just unappreciated enough and has the acting ability to do it.  This casting would be doubly good because the Doctor can finally be a ginger, as he's so often wished. 


R.I.P: What is the #1 comic book rule? No body, no death. This week, that was not the case. In Justice League of America #4, Catwoman got a bullet to the face. Now, fanboys can no longer say that Geoff Johns has never killed a main character. Even though Catwoman is laying in a puddle of her own blood, I see one MAJOR problem. For the past few years, all the major news outlets have reported major comic book deaths. The list includes Captain America, Peter Parker (twice), Johnny Storm, and Robin #5. However, DC did not jump on this breaking news opportunity and no one really reported it. That makes me wonder if there is a reason behind that. Now, people are coming out of the woodwork with their theories. One theory is that someone stole Selina Kyle's identity which means there were two versions of Catwoman that Batman was screwing. He needs to get tested ASAP.

Is that an STD joke? I'm surprised how little people made of this. How many times have we known well in advance these huge deaths and such? Peter Parker, Damien Wayne, hell, people voted on the Jason Todd death, Bane breaking Bat's back was on the damn cover of the issue. How did this not get out? I guess something is probably up with this too. Selina Kyle dying would be a pretty big deal, no? 

Red Wedding: Holy Shit. Definitely the most exciting episode since Ned Stark was decapitated. Unlike Brian, I don't watch it every week. I enjoy the show much more when I watch the the episodes in bunches. Lucky for me, yesterday was that day. After Sunday's episode, so many thoughts and emotions are running through me. What the hell will happen next? Who the hell should I root for when the good guys are all dead???? Others might be rioting, but I am ok with Robb Stark's death. With Robb's death, I'm expecting to see more Jon Snow and more Dragons. Oh yeah, one more thing. I know The Hound is a piece of shit, but in the end, he knows how to be a hero. I wouldn't be surprised if The Hound, Arya, Gendry, and Tryion form some kind of union and defeat both the Lannisters and White Walkers.

Okay, I might rant just a little bit here. Warning, I don't read the books, so this was a complete shocker to me. I am very serious about not having things spoiled for me with this show and I almost feel that reading the books would do that. I know that is completely backwards but I got into the show first and it's just so goddamn good I want to see how the show does it more than I want to see how Martin did it. First and foremost, Walder Frey: total douchebag, let's get that out of the way. Roose Bolton, even douchebaggier, since he was the Stark's bannerman and trusted confidant. I'm just a bit concerned here because this eliminates any threat the Lannisters have at all. Let's run through the houses real quick: Baratheon: Stannis is "licking his wounds" back at Dragonstone, anyone else of consequence is pretty much gone (as Joffrey is not really a Baratehon, and I guess the same could be said for Gendry). Greyjoy: they don't give a shit about what happens in the south and their prodigal son has just has his penis lopped off (probably). Tully: Catelyn, dead, Lysa, raising a moron that should have stopped breast feeding 10 years ago, Edmure, got a hot wife, probably doesn't care much what happened to the rest of his house, Blackfish, probably still kicking ass and taking names. Targaryen: 100% of their house is still across the Narrow Sea and, despite Dany's badassery, still a long way from posing a threat. Tyrell: we're not quite sure where their allegiances lie, but I think Lady Olenna has something in store. And of course, House Stark: Robb, dead. Catelyn, dead (once again). Arya has probably seen enough and is going to take the Hound's advice and abandon any honor that makes House Stark what it is. Jon Snow, abandoned his woman (though that'll probably be remedied) and has finally decided to take Jeor Mormont's sword out and do some damage with it. Bran may be a warg unlike any the Seven Kingdoms has ever seen before, but I think he's a long way away from doing any real damage. Rickon... well, at least he got to speak in this episode. And Sansa is about as useful as Rickon. So, the Lannisters are sitting pretty right now. And I think the only threat the Lannisters face (besides Lady Olenna who is wayy too smart for her own good) are in fact, the Lannisters themselves. Cersei certainly ain't marrying Loras, Tyrion has obviously had his problems with his father and siblings (but I think it's about time he actually DID something about it) and Jaime will probably receive no respect or sympathy from Lucius Malf- sorry, Tywin Lannister, and may have had enough. I really need Jorah (please don't kill Jorah, kay?), Davos, and/or Gendry to come up big and be the characters I can root for. Okay, sorry, that's all I have to say. Promise. 

Green Lantern meets Blade Runner 2: This week it was announced that Michael Green, one of the screenwriters for Green Lantern, was signed to help rewrite the script for Blade Runner 2. I think some people are asking the question: WHY. For those who don't know Green, he did a stint on the NBC's quickly canceled Kings and did a pretty good job on DC's New 52 Supergirl. Now, lets get back to Green Lantern. Honestly, there was nothing good about that movie. The pacing was awful, way too many subplots and Hector Hammond was useless. To make you feel better, I believe I have solved the problem with my suggestion on who should be hired. I know some fans were disappointed with Prometheus, but I suggest Damon Lindelof. You can't deny that he fits the perfect bill of a writer for Blade Runner 2.

Phil, you share my thoughts exactly here.Yeah, I think the Prometheus thing might have hurt his chances at Blade Runner 2. I loved Prometheus by the way, but that's probably because it was perfect for me; Lost-ian. And by that I mean it asked too many questions and didn't answer enough of them (god, I miss Lost). But I'm gonna hope that the problems with Green Lantern weren't Michael Green's fault (I mean, there were four screenwriters) and hope he does a better job with the much more important property (showing my sci-fi/non-comic nerd side of me) of Blade Runner 2.