The Creator of Ghost Rider needs your HELP!!!

Remember that semi-ok Marvel movie called Ghost Rider? Don't deny it, you saw it. Well, we have news for you. The creator of Ghost Rider, Gary Friedrich, is being bullied by Marvel. As comic book fans, we need to help put a stop to that.

Here is a timeline of Gary Friedrich's battle against Marvel.

1972: Marvel forgets to register the character, Ghost Rider, with the U.S. Copyright Office. Ghost Rider first appeared in "Marvel Spotlight #5".

2007: Ghost Rider opens in theaters nationwide on February 16, 2007.

           Friedrich sues Marvel, Columbia Pictures and Hasbro because he owns the characters in Ghost Rider because of Marvel's mistake in 1972.

2010: Marvel countered Friedrich's lawsuit with one of their own. They sought damages for his unauthorized sale of Ghost Rider's memorabilia. Most of the memorabilia were sold at Artists' Alley.

Almost two years later, an agreement was made between the parties. Marvel has insisted that they will drop the lawsuit if Fredrich agrees to pay $17,000 for all the memorabilia at Artists' Alley.

Steve Niles, author of 30 Days of Night, is asking for everyone's help. Out of kindness, he has created a paypal account that will be donated to Gary Friedrich.

Here's the link: Help Gary Friedrich

We thank you all for your support.

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Darkseid Arrives. Logan's a Decent Teacher. Starfire is now Human?

Justice League #4: Written by Geoff Johns, Art by Jim Lee

This issue was the best one yet. The story is moving along and the dialogue is fantastic. The scene where the team is debating on who should lead them was classic. Johns' writes each character perfectly and its fun watching Hal be the "class clown". The back and forth banter between Batman, Green Lantern and Aquaman was quite enjoyable. Watching these characters quarrel, reminds me how much I missed these characters in JLA pre52. I have one problem with the issue, the art seemed sloppy. Did anyone else notice that?  Did you notice page eight? Wonder Woman and Aquaman both looked odd. However, I do applaud Lee, when he has the sharks jump out of the ocean to eat the Parademons. That was a cool scene. By the way, the introduction of Darkseid sent chills down my spine. I love the new costume design. In the final scene, he raises his hands, the ground shakes and all the heroes fell to their knees.  That was a lot of fun to read.

Rate 8/10

Wolverine and the X-Men #3: Written by Jason Aaron and Art by Chris Bachalo

After reading this issue, I have decided that I am Team Wolverine. I'll say it now, I am not a fan of the art but I think it fits this story arc. Jason Aaron's first arc is a lot of fun. I'm still not happy with the New Hellfire Club. Jason Aaron hasn't done enough to convince the reader why they exist.  I LOVE Quentin Quire. He's this annoying punk who is trying too hard to be "cool".  I'm really excited to watch him become an omega level character. My favorite part of the comic is the supporting cast. The Brod Kid, Idie and Kid Gladiator are so much fun to read. The best scene was the back and forth banter between those three and Quire. Quire was devastated that none of these new students knew about his juvenile record when he attended Xavier’s school. The focus on the characters is something missing in Uncanny X-men and in this series, it helps the story grow.

Rate 8.5/10

Red Hood and the Outlaws #4: Written by Scott Lodbell and Kenneth Rocafort.

I'm going to be honest with you, I wasn't a fan of the art at first but it's really grown on me. First, Rocafort does a tremendous with the face expressions. Take a glance at the bar scene, everyone has a different expression. You know what that means? The artist isn't lazy and works hard to give each character a personality. The first Starfire seen was artistically beautiful. Last issue ended with an emotional bang and this issue started slow but it improved along the way. In the first three issues, Lodbell slowly introduces the mindset of each character. In this issue, he gave us a lot. For example, Starfire and Roy explain why they are teaming up with the Red Hood in the first place. It’s fun to watch these characters become actual good friends. Finally, we get the first appearance of the villain. Oh but wait....the villain isn’t the villain. It seems as if Red Hood's detective skills failed and he's been tricked. By the way, I think Starfire lost her powers and is now human...maybe???

Rate 7/10

Our Pull List for 12/21/11

10. D.C Universe Presents #4
9. Xenoholics #3

8. Red Hood and the Outlaws #4

7. Invincible #86
6. Ultimate Spider-Man #5
5. Fables #112
4. Uncanny X-Force #19
3. Justice League #4
2. Incredible Hulk #3
1. Batman #4

A New Ray! A traitor among the X-Men?

The Ray  #1 (DC Comics, Written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti, Art by Rich Perrotta)

A majority of the first issues of 52 have been decent. Others have been awesome, even some were meh. However, The Ray #1 was fun, exciting and different. Right away, I fell in love with all the characters. Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiott’s The Ray was well-written for an origin story. If you ever see them on the street, I think you need to give them a high-five or buy them a round of drinks. My problem with origins stories is this: Hero gets powers, hides them from their family and questions whether or not they can be a hero. Within the first few pages, Lucien’s parents, best friend and girlfriend learn of his powers. My only problem, they all seemed too cool about it. None of them really freaked out.  The Ray’s supporting case brings in an element that not a lot comic books have now a days. Support casts are usually small and useless. That is not the case with this book. His parents are hippies and Lucien has himself a sugar mama.  Unlike many heroes in the beginning, Lucien is excited about all the possibilities that his powers will bring him. By the way, the final scene was unexpected. As a reader, you will be worried for Lucien.

Rate 10/10

Ultimate X-Men #1 (Marvel, Written by Nick Spencer, Art by Paco Medina

When I was in high school, one of my favorite comic books was Ultimate X-Men. Everything in the Ultimate Universe was unique and I loved it. However, my love for the U.U ended after Ultimatum. I’ve been a fan of Jeph Loeb’s work over the years but I think Ultimatum failed miserably. Post-Ultimatum stories were stale and boring. When I learned that Nick Spencer, writer of Morning Glories, would be writing Ultimate X-men, my prayers were answered. I couldn’t wait to see what he was going to produce. Four issues in and I’m disappointed. The conversation between Quicksilver, the President and Ms. Cooper needs to done already. It’s been going on since issue 1 and the reader wants the story to move. Is anyone else annoyed with Kitty? She is annoying, super emo and blah. My favorite scene in this issue was when Johnny Storm confronted Kitty. She keeps giving lectures to Bobby and Drake. Unlike those two, she wasn’t fighting along aside Peter Parker as he was dying. The biggest surprise so far, Rogue being a possible traitor.

Rate 6/10

Our Pull List: 12/14/11

1. Green Lantern #4
2. Avengers X-Sanction #1
3. Witchblade #150
4. Severed #5
5. The Shade #3
6. American Vampire #21                                                
7. Batman and Robin #4
8. Witch Doctor Volume 1. Under the Knife
9. Magneto: Not a Hero # 2
10. Avengers Academy #23

Must buy comic books for this week

Cover for Morning Glories #14

1. Morning Glories #14
2. Justice League #3
3. Incredible Hulk #2
4. Red Hood and the Outlaws #3
5. Walking Dead #91
6. Fear Itself # 7.3
7. Avengers Academy #22
8. Amazing Spider-Man #674
9. Ultimate X-Men #3
10. Batman #3

What are you buying this week that isn't on the list?