2 in 1 Showcase Episode 272: The Ultimate Top Ten Time Travel Stories

In the newest Showcase Top Ten, Blake and Kenny go through the greatest time travel stories of all time. The guys present their lists, read comments from you, and announce the final winners! In the picks, Kenny goes with Green Lantern Corps #0 and Blake takes Archer and Armstrong #2 Contact us with comments, suggestions, or anything else at Showcase@CXPulp.com!

Music provided by Music Alley from Mevio.

Episode 272: The Ultimate Top Ten Time Travel Stories

Everything But Imaginary #444: Take Off the Spandex

Not every comic book is about superheroes… and not all superheroes wear tights and capes. Today’s EBI looks at some of the alternatives.

Everything But Imaginary #444: Take Off the Spandex

2 in 1 Showcase Episode 261: Avengers Vs. X-Men Pre-Game Show

With Avengers Vs. X-Men starting this week, Blake and Erin talk about the run-up to it, including the launch event, Marvel AR, and Infinite Comics, with a critique of Mark Waid‘s Luther. Plus, they get into all the news from WonderCon and Emerald City, including the new Valiant Comics, Womanthology, the Rocketeer, and more! Plus — April Fool’s gags are irritating, Draw Something is cool, and cats are adorable. In the picks, Erin is enjoying Anne Rice‘s The Wolf Gift and Blake doubles up with Superman #7 and Atomic Robo Presents Real Science Adventures #1! Contact us with comments, suggestions, or anything else at Showcase@CXPulp.com!

Music provided by Music Alley from Mevio.

Episode 261: Avengers Vs. X-Men Pre-Game Show

What I’m Reading: 2009 Edition

In the past, I’ve always compiled a year-end list of the books I’ve read during the past year. However, I’ve noticed that my good pal Walt Kneeland, on his awesome Comic Reviews By Walt blog, keeps a running list on his website throughout the year. It’s something that never occurred to me before, but I like it. So therefore, I’m going to keep this post updated frequently, whenever I’ve got something to add to the list. I’ve also added the links to the right-hand column of the page, right beneath my Twitter Feed, so you’ll be able to access it easily if that sort of thing floats your boat. I’ll do the same with my movie lists. And y’know what? If it’s a book I’ve reviewed, I’ll even link to the review. I’m all about service, friends.

So without further ado, here’s what I’ve read so far in 2009:

1. Speaker For the Dead; Orson Scott Card, 1987-A
2. Look at My Striped Shirt; Phat Phree, 2006-B-
3. You’ll All Be Sorry; Gail Simone, 2008-B+
4. Tales of Beedle the Bard; J.K. Rowling, 2008-B
5. Street Gang: The Complete History of Sesame Street; Michael Davis, 2008-A
6. Tales From Outer Suburbia; Shaun Tan, 2008-B+*
7. Kingdom Come; Mark Waid &; Alex Ross, 1996-A+*
8. Infected; Scott Sigler, 2008-B+
9. Archer & Armstrong: First Impressions; Jim Shooter, Barry Windsor-Smith, 2008-A-*
10. Sheldon: Nerds on Parade; Dave Kellett, 2008-A-*
11. Mini-Marvels: Secret Invasion; Chris Giarrusso, 2009-A*
12. Tiny Titans: Welcome to the Treehouse; Art Baltazar, Franco, 2008-A-*
13. Fool; Christopher Moore, 2009-B-
14. A Slobbering Love Affair; Bernard Goldberg, 2009-B-
15. It’s Not Easy Being Green; Jim Henson, 2005-B
16. Love and Capes Vol. 1: Do You Want to Know a Secret?; Thom Zahler, 2008-A+*
17. Starman Omnibus Vol. 2; James Robinson & Tony Harris, 2009-A*
18. Before You Leap; Jim Lewis, (as Kermit the Frog), 2004-B
19. The Graveyard Book; Neil Gaiman, 2008-A
20. Transmetropolitan Vol. 1: Back on the Street; Warren Ellis &; Darick Robertson, 1998-B*
21. Tales of the Green Lantern Corps; Len Wein and others, 2009-A*
22. JLA/Avengers; Kurt Busiek & George Perez, 2003-B+*
23. Enemies and Allies; Kevin J. Anderson, 2009-B+
24. Breathers: A Zombie’s Lament; S.G. Browne, 2009-B
25. Shade’s Children; Garth Nix, 1997-B+
26. Superman: Panic in the Sky; Dan Jurgens, Jerry Ordway, Louise Simonson & Roger Stern, 1993-A*
27. JLA: Salvation Run; Matthew Sturges & Bill Willingham, 2008-B*
28. Contagious; Scott Sigler, 2008-A-
29. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy; Douglas Adams, 1979-A
30. The Complete Peanuts: 1969 to 1970; Charles M. Schulz, 2008-A*
31. The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet; William Shakespeare (probably), 1597(ish)-B+
32. 3 Geeks: Going to the Con; Rich Koslowski, 1997-B+*
33. 3 Geeks: An Eclectic Potpourri of Reading Pleasure; Rich Koslowski, 1999-B*
34. The Restaurant at the End of the Universe; Douglas Adams, 1980-B+
35. Nice Girls Don’t Have Fangs; Molly Harper, 2009-B+
36. The Complete Peanuts: 1971 to 1972; Charles M. Schulz, 2009-A*
37. Star Trek: Countdown; Mike Johnson & Tim Jones, 2009-B+*
38. Life, the Universe, and Everything; Douglas Adams, 1982-B
39. So Long and Thanks For All the Fish; Douglas Adams, 1984-B
40. “Young Zaphod Plays it Safe”; Douglas Adams, 1986-C
41. Sheldon: Pure Ducky Goodness; Dave Kellett, 2006, B+*
42. Dust and Shadow; Lyndsay Faye, 2009-B+
43. The Lightning Thief; Rick Riordan, 2005-A-
44. Nina Kimberly the Merciless; Christiana Ellis, 2009-B+
45. The Sea of Monsters; Rick Riordan, 2006, B+
46. The Big Book of Barry Ween, Boy Genius; Judd Winnick, 2009, B+*
47. The Titan’s Curse; Rick Riordan, 2007, A-
48. The Battle of the Labyrinth; Rick Riordan, 2008, A-
49. Sheldon: The Good, the Bad, and the Pugly; Dave Kellett, 2007, B+*
50. The Last Olympian; Rick Riordan, 2009, A+
51. Personal Effects: Dark Art; J.C. Hutchins & Jordan Weisman, 2009, A-
52. Was Superman a Spy?; Brian Cronin, 2009, A-
53. “All You Zombies”; Robert A. Heinlein, 1958, A
54. The Strain; Guillermo Del Toro & Chuck Hogan, 2009, B+
55. Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Demigod Files; Rick Riordan, 2009, B
56. G.I. Joe; Chuck Dixon, 2009, A-*
57. The Dark Half; Stephen King, 1989, B
58. The Long Walk; Stephen King (as Richard Bachman), 1979, B-
59. Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow? (Deluxe Edition); Alan Moore, 2009, A*
60. Franklin Richards: Not-So-Secret Invasion; Marc Sumerak & Chris Eliopoulos, 2009, B+*
61. Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader? (Deluxe Edition); Neil Gaiman, 2009, A*
62. Starman Omnibus Volume 3; James Robinson, 2009, A*
63. ABC Warriors: The Meknificent Seven; Pat Mills, 1978, B*
64. Judge Dredd: Dredd Vs. Death; John Wagner & Alan Grant, 2005, B*
65. Preacher: Gone to Texas; Garth Ennis, 1996, B*
66. Preacher: Until the End of the World; Garth Ennis, 1997, A*
67. Preacher: Proud Americans; Garth Ennis, 1998, B+*
68. Earthcore; Scott Sigler, 2005, B+@
69. Personal Effects: Sword of Blood; J.C. Hutchins, 2009, B@
70. Dark Entries; Ian Rankin, 2009, B*
71. G-Man: Learning to Fly; Chris Giarrusso, 2009, A*
72. Drood; Dan Simmons, 2009, A-
73. FlashForward; Rober J. Sawyer, 1999, B+
74. Danse Macabre; Stephen King, 1980, B+
75. Peter and Max: A Fables Novel; Bill Willingham, 2009, A
76. Kabumpo in Oz; Ruth Plumly Thompson, 1922, B-
77. UR; Stephen King, 2009, B+
78. It’s Hard Out Here For a Shrimp; Pepe the King Prawn, 2008, B
79. Kronos; Jeremy Robinson, 2008, B+@
80. “The Red-Headed League;” Arthur Conan Doyle, 1891, A
81. 7th Son: Descent; J.C. Hutchins, 2009, B+
82. Cakewrecks; Jen Yates, 2009, B+
83. The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks; Max Brooks, 2009, B*
84. Batman: The Long Halloween; Jeph Loeb, 1997, A*
85. The Monstrumologist; Rick Yancy, 2009, B
86. Half-Minute Horrors; Susan Rich (ed.), 2009, B
87. Nice Girls Don’t Date Dead Men; Molly Harper, 2009, B
88. Animal Farm; George Orwell, 1945, A
89. The Colour of Magic; Terry Pratchett, 1983, B
90. Living Dangerously With Saturated Fats; Dave Kellett, 2009, A
91. Just After Sunset; Stephen King, 2008, B+
92. Abducted to Oz; 2003, Bob Evans & Chris Dulabone, F
93. The Dude Abides; 2009, Cathleen Falsami, B+
94. Nocturnal; 2007, Scott Sigler, A-@
95. Title Fight; 2009, Scott Sigler & Matt Wallace, B+@
96. Lost; 2001, Gregory Maguire, D
97. The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus; 1902, L. Frank Baum, A
98. “A Kidnapped Santa Claus;” 1904, L. Frank Baum, A
99. A Kidnapped Santa Claus; 2009, Alex Robinson (based on the story by L. Frank Baum), A*
100. The Gift of the Magi; 2009, Joel Priddy (based on the story by O. Henry), B+*
101. The Fir-Tree; 2009, Lilli Carré (based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen), B-*
102. Haunted Christmas; 2009, Mary Beth Crain, B
103. “Scrooge & Cratchit;” 2002, Matt McHugh, B+
104. More Holmes For the Holidays; 1999, Martin H. Greenberg (ed.), B
105. North Pole Lost and Other Holiday Stories; 2007, William H. Cooke, D
106. The True Gift; 2009, Patricia MacLachlan, B
107. The Night Before the Christmas Before I Was Married; 2009, Adam Maxwell, B-
108. Purgatory; 2009, Tim Dodge, B@
109. Archie New Look Series Vol. 3: Moose and Midge in Break-Up Blues; 2009, Melanie J. Morgan, B*
110. Mini-Marvels Ultimate Collection; 2009, Chris Giarrusso and others, A*

*-Graphic novel or comic strip collection
“”-Short Story
@-Audiobook

Last updated on December 31, 2009

2 in 1 Showcase Episode 97: The Spirit of Will Eisner

On Christmas day, movie theaters will burst open with Frank Miller‘s big-screen adaptation of The Spirit. This week, Blake and Chase talk about the character’s history in comics, his current status in DC comics, and how the legendary Will Eisner turned a guy in a blue three-piece suit into one of the most innovative superheroes ever created. In the picks this week, Blake recommends Archer and Armstrong: First Impressions, and Chase is still loving the new Flash Gordon series. Don’t forget to send us your votes for our Best of 2008 episode! You can find the categories and nominees in Episode 95! E-mail us with your votes, as well as comments, “Ask Chase Anything” questions, or anything else at Showcase@comixtreme.com!

Episode 97: The Spirit of Will Eisner
Inside This Episode:

PLUS: In Week in Geek #3, Blake picks up the microphone to discuss the recently-announced Fables TV show. How does he feel about his favorite comic book being made into a weekly TV series? And then, he gives a quick review of the new DVD release of a childhood favorite, Jim Henson’s The Christmas Toy.

Week In Geek #3: Fables TV and The Christmas Toy

New Reviews:

Just so you guys don’t have to go through this day with no new Christmas content from me, why not check out my review of this year’s edition of Walt Disney’s Christmas Parade? Gemstone Comics has upheld the classic tradition of Disney Christmas comics, and this year’s book is a fine one.

And while we’re at it, here are a few more comics I’ve reviewed lately:

• Ambush Bug Year None #5 — Meet the New Boss
• Final Crisis #5 — Into Oblivion
• Hack/Slash #18 — Closer Part One
• Secret Six #4 — Unhinged Part Four
• Supergirl: Cosmic Adventures in the Eighth Grade #1 — Brand-new all-ages comic
• Superman #682 — New Krypton Part Six
• Superman/Batman #54 — Super/Bat Part Two
• Trinity #28 — Those We Have Lost
• Uncle Scrooge #383 — Guardians of the Lost Library! Highly recommended!
• Done-In-One Reviews for Dec. 6, 2008 — In which I review Doctor Who: The Forgotten #4, Ender’s Shadow: Battle School #1, Futurama Comics #40, I Hate Gallant Girl #2; Jingle Belle: Santa Claus vs. Frankenstein #1, Noble Causes #38, Simpsons Winter Wingding #3, The Spirit #23, The Spirit Special #1, Star Wars: Legacy #30, Wolverine: First Class #9
• Done-In-One Reviews for Dec. 13, 2008 — In which I review House of Mystery #8, Jack of Fables #28, Jonah Hex #38, PS 238 #36, Superman/Supergirl: Maelstrom #3, Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #698, Wolverine and Power Pack #2

2 in 1 Showcase Episode 73: Valiant Comics Reborn

It’s the episode Blake and Chase have been hoping to record for over ten years now! (That’s right. Even before podcasting existed.) The Valiant Universe — home of heroes such as Harbinger, X-O Manowar, Archer and Armstrong and Rai and the Future Force — is slowly making a return with new hardcover editions, and the promise of new comics to come. This week, the guys tell you their favorite Valiant stories, cross their fingers for the return for Magnus: Robot Fighter and Solar: Man of the Atom to the line, and explain how they would resurrect Valiant as a line of ongoing comics. In the picks this week, Blake cheers for the return of Firebreather and Chase is still in love with Green Lantern: Secret Origin. In the next two weeks we’re going to talk Wanted and Mark Millar, then an episode focusing on our favorite Webcomics, so e-mail us with your comments, “Ask Chase Anything” questions, or anything else at Showcase@comixtreme.com! And if you’ve got a Webcomic suggestion, be sure to include the URL!

Music provided by the Podshow Podsafe Music Network

Episode 73: Valiant Comics Reborn

(left-click to listen, right-click to download)
Inside This Episode:

Everything But Imaginary #267: My Collected Edition Wish List

Seems like every time you turn around a new collected edition of some comic book or another is announced: hardcovers, paperbacks, omnibus editions, Essential volumes, Showcase Presents, digests… With so many formats, more comics are being given the permanent book treatment than ever before. But there are still a few comics out there that haven’t been collected yet, and I’m waiting for them.

Everything But Imaginary #267: My Collected Edition Wish List