2 in 1 Showcase Episode 258: Movie Night and More

Blake and Erin get together this week to talk about movies. They give their thoughts on the recent film Chronicle and the newest DCU animated film Justice League: Doom, plus a few other films that have crossed their Netflix queues lately, and look forward to John Carter and The Hunger Games. Moving on to other talk, we say farewell to Sheldon Moldoff and Ralph McQuarrie, celebrate the return of Community, talk about the pre-orders for Avengers Vs. X-Men and the Earth Two costume designs and more! In the picks, we talk about Hack/Slash #13 and The Shade #5. Contact us with comments, suggestions, or anything else at Showcase@CXPulp.com!

Music provided by Music Alley from Mevio.

Episode 258: Movie Night and More

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2 in 1 Showcase Episode 167: Iron Man-The Commentary

In just a few weeks, fanboys will be swarming the movie theatres to see the second adventure of Robert Downey, Jr. as the armored Avenger. Before Iron Man 2 hits, though, the guys sit down and re-watch the first Iron Man film. Listen in as Blake and Kenny discuss the first movie, talk about their hopes for the sequel, chat a bit about the character’s history and current state in the comics, and even discuss the movie tie-in toys from Hasbro! In the picks, Kenny goes with perennial favorite Power Girl #1, and Blake cheats a little, doubling up with The Muppet Show #4 and Thor and the Warriors Four #1. Contact us with comments, suggestions, or anything else at Showcase@comixtreme.com.

2 in 1 Showcase Episode 167: Iron Man-The Commentary
Inside This Episode:

Everything But Imaginary #337: Bargains at the Front Line of Fandom

When Free Comic Book Day rolls around in May, not all of the bargains will be on the free table. If you look around the shop, there are quite likely going to be other steals just waiting to be had.

Everything But Imaginary #337: Bargains at the Front Line of Fandom
Inside This Column:

Everything But Imaginary #306: A Family Affair

There aren’t a whole lot of superhero comics that are based on a family dynamic. Parents die, children die, brothers and sisters go evil — why can’t anyone in comics just have a stable family? Let’s look at that one this week, shall we?

Everything But Imaginary #306: A Family Affair
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Everything But Imaginary #289: I Want MY CTV

You may have heard that Fables is in the works as a TV show. Is this a good thing? A bad thing? And what are some other comics that may work on the small screen?

Everything But Imaginary #289: I Want My CTV
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Christmas Eve on Sesame Street

A day with no Christmas content? No way, buddy! I’ve got just enough time before I dart off to rehearsal for Don’t Drink the Water to tell you about this awesome special from 1978. Oscar the Grouch makes Big Bird question how Santa can fit down little chimneys, Bert and Ernie struggle with Christmas gifts for one another, and Cookie Monster has disastrous luck with his letter to Santa Claus. This special also features a heartwarming performance by the late Will Lee, who played Mr. Hooper. Steve Swanson, host of The Muppetcast, devoted an entire episode to this classic lost special last week, and the best thing about the show? I found out the whole episode is available on YouTube in seven parts. So if you haven’t seen this show in two decades — or ever — here’s your chance. It’s really amazing.

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

Green Lantern: In Brightest Day

People who are reading the current crop of Green Lantern comics are getting some of the best stories we’ve ever seen with the franchise, and that’s in no small part due to the amazing work of Geoff Johns. What I love about Johns is his ability to take bits and pieces of classic stories, put them through a modern prism, and turn them into something totally new, fresh, and exciting. He’s currently working that same magic on Action Comics and Justice Society of America, and damn if I’m not excited for next year’s Flash: Rebirth. The Green Lantern stuff, meanwhile, is all leading into a storyline called The Blackest Night, which will fall across the DC Universe sometime next year.

Many of the elements that are making up the GL stories today are based on bits and pieces of stories from the past five decades of Hal Jordan’s existence. Since a lot of younger readers may not be familiar with these stories, DC Comics recently had Johns select several of the stories that inspired him to include in a collection of stories, Green Lantern: In Brightest Day. This is a really fun book, with stories from all over the place, including the first appearances of GLs like Guy Gardner, Kyle Rayner, Laira and Mogo, important stories for John Stewart and the Guardians of the Universe, the origins of the villains Sinestro and Krona, and the Alan Moore story that directly influenced Blackest Night. I wrote up a full review of the book over at Comixtreme.com — if you’re on the fence about whether you want to get the book or not, take a look.

And while we’re on the subject, how about a few other reviews I’ve pounded out on the ol’ computer over the last few weeks?

• Adventure Comics Special #1: New Krypton part three!
• Secret Six #3: Unhinged part three!
• Superman #681: New Krypton part two!
• Superman/Batman #53: Super/Bat part one!
• Trinity #22: The universe tries to fill the void of the lost Trinity!
• Uncle Scrooge #381: Donald Duck-daredevil spokesman!
• Done-In-One Reviews for Nov. 1, 2008: In which I review Archie #590, Jack of Fables #27, Legion of Super-Heroes #47, Star Wars: Legacy #29 & Wolverine: First Class #8
• Done-in-One Reviews for Nov. 8, 2008: In which I review The Darkling #1; Franklin Richards: Sons of Geniuses #1; Gemini #3, House of Mystery #7, Jonah Hex #37, Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #696; Wolverine and Power Pack #1 & X-Men: First Class Giant-Sized Special #1
• And also, the new movie Zack and Miri Make a Porno

Everything But Imaginary #284: One Last Ghoulish Gasp

One last Wednesday before Halloween friends, and this week I talk about a couple of creepy comics that have just recently come to my attention. Take a look!

Everything But Imaginary #284: One Last Ghoulish Gasp
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It’s been a while since I’ve gotten to update you guys on the reviews I’ve been writing over at Comixtreme.com. Partly because, what with the play and all, my review output has been slowed down considerably. Still, there have been several reviews up there, so here’s the ones I’ve done since last we updated. Oh — and comics with Halloween or creepy content will be in orange, just for you. Because I care.

• Cable #7: Very Good
• DC Universe Halloween Special 2008: Good
• Eternals #5: Average
• Fables #77: Very Good
• Final Crisis #4: Great
• Secret Six #2: Very Good
• Superman: New Krypton Special #1: Great
• Trinity #16: Good
• Trinity #18: Great
• Trinity #20: Very Good
• Venom: Dark Origin #3: Below Average
• Done-In-Ones For September 20, 2008: In which I review Air #2; Atomic Robo: Dogs of War #2; DC/Wildstorm: Dreamwar #6; The Family Dynamic #2; Skrulls Vs. Power Pack #3 &Tangent: Superman’s Reign #6.
• Done-In-Ones For September 27, 2008: In which I review Archie #589; Chuck #4; Jack of Fables #26; Legion of Super-Heroes #46; Perhapanauts #4; Star Wars: Legacy #28 & Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #694.
• Done-In-Ones For October 4, 2008: In which I review House of Mystery #6; Jonah Hex #36; PS238 #34; PVP #40; Simpsons Treehouse of Horror #14 & Wolverine: Origins #28
• Done-In-Ones For October 11, 2008: In which I review Betty #176; Ender’s Game: Battle School #1; Futurama Comics #39; Legion of Super-Heroes in the 31st Century #19; The Lone Ranger #14; Marvel Adventures Spider-Man #44; My Name is Bruce #1; The Stand: Captain Trips #2; Walt Disney’s Comics and Stories #695; Wild Cards: The Hard Call #4; X-Men: Original Sin #1 & Zorro #7
• Done-In-Ones For October 18, 2008: In which I review Air #3; Atomic Robo: Dogs of War #3; Doctor Who: The Forgotten #1; Dynamo 5 #17; Halloween: The First Death of Laurie Strode #1; Madman Atomic Comics #11; The Phantom #25; PVP #41; Skrulls vs. Power Pack #4; Superfriends #8 & Zorro #8
• Done-In-Ones For October 25, 2008: In which I review The Family Dynamic #3, Noble Causes #37 & Tangent: Superman’s Reign #8

2 in 1 Showcase Episode 82: Marvel Cosmic

The Showcase boys love to argue with each other, but even they have to admit that the Cosmic Corner of the Marvel Universe is currently the place to be. The guys talk about their all-time favorite cosmic Marvel stories, how Annihilation laid the groundwork for Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy to be two of Marvel’s best comics, and the upcoming War of Kings crossover event! In the picks this week, Blake stays cosmic with the Skrulls Vs. Power Pack mini-series, while Chase cheers for Captain America #40. E-mail us with your comments, “Ask Chase Anything” questions, or anything else at Showcase@comixtreme.com!

Episode 82: Marvel Cosmic
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Everything But Imaginary #274: Summer at the Cinema (GMR5)

Some months ago, I embarked upon a mad quest to review every comic book-based movie ever made. It’s a long task, one that will probably never be complete, but that won’t stop me from trying. In today’s installment, I’m going to go through all of the comic book movies I saw this summer — including both the blockbusters that came out in the cineplex, and a bunch of turkeys on DVD voted on by the EBI readers themselves. At any rate, it’s still a lot of fun!

Everything But Imaginary #274: Summer at the Cinema (GMR5)