My Journey into Digital Comics

I know, I know, it’s been a long time since I posted a review to ESO. New, apathetic, and forgetful readers likely have no idea who I am. Allow me to reintroduce myself, I’m the author of the hugely popular (in my mind) and severely lapsed (in reality) Web Pick series. So why haven’t I been posting? I’ve been busy. It seems everytime I get near a computer I have the urge to delve into a new series or explore a new character…you see, my name is Grundy and I’m a digitalcomicsoholic.

It all started when I picked up a dead-tree issue with the the trojan horse of an included digital copy. Being unwilling or unable to turn down free stuff, I promptly downloaded said copy before reading its paper counterpart. I then had to run and left both my computer and comic behind. One greasy beef burrito later, I found myself on the john remembering that I had coveted reading material on my cell. I sat and I read. The experience wasn’t ideal. There will always be something missing when viewing frames one at a time on a small screen. I later reread the comic as God, or at least my comic shop, had intended–at home. By reread I should say that I skimmed. The story was consumed on the toliet, I really just came back to admire the art.

From then on I dabbled in digital comics. Full analog price for digital goods was never platable to me, especially when I could often get the paper comic and the digital comic at the same price or a dollar more than the digital comic by itself. At $3.99 I was faced with the iTunes opportunity cost of a comic that would provide entertainment for 10 to 20 minutes compared to a movie rental that would keep me occupied for at least a couple hours–not to mention the occasional four dollar game with daily replay value. I said to myself, “Self, I’ll only pay what digital comics are worth: $.99.”

TV review: The CW’s “Arrow” off to a promising start

By Ashley Bergner
Box Office Buzz

Oliver Queen is a very lucky man. He survives a shipwreck and five years of being marooned on a treacherous island. He is miraculously returned to his family and friends, who assumed he was dead and thought they’d never see him again. He’s given a second chance at life — one he doesn’t intend to take lightly — and he now has an opportunity to right some of the wrongs he and his family have committed.

Oliver Queen’s quest to redeem his family’s past is the subject of The CW’s new superhero TV series “Arrow,” based on the DC Comics character the “Green Arrow.” The show airs on Wednesday nights and stars Stephen Amell as the ex-playboy Oliver Queen who now moonlights as a hooded vigilante known as the “Green Arrow.”

The show has an intriguing premise, and I believe it has the potential to grow into a strong action/adventure drama. It’s a fun show, and I’d definitely encourage fans of superhero stories to give it a try. (Also, I’ve tried to be as spoiler-free as possible in this review, but if you haven’t seen the show yet, there may be some details that give away parts of the plot.)

Howdy Mike’s Cover Raves – DC Comics Presents #32

by Mike Gordon

This week, DC revealed (via Entertainment Weekly) that Superman’s new “leading lady” will be none other than his Justice League teammate, Wonder Woman. This caused a bit of a buzz online and offline. The news reminded me of one of my favorite DC Comics Presents covers. This monthly comic series was one of my favorites along with Brave & the Bold and Marvel Team-Up with fun mostly single issue stories that introduced me to cool characters through both superhero universes. I know both companies have attempted to bring these titles back for modern readers, but have not had much success. At least the originals are not difficult to find in back issue bins!

I’ve been raving about comic book covers almost as long as I’ve been collecting them (which is a long time). However, only recently did I start blogging about them! All the covers I write about are scanned from my collection. I’m happy to share my raves with y’all at ESO. If you’d like to see some of my past entries, visit my Step Up to the Mike blog.

Toy Review – DC Universe Classics: Classic Robin By Mattel

I had every intention of buying this Robin when it was first announced. I just wasn’t going to buy it for me – it was going to be for Lil’ Troublemaker. Robin is his absolute favorite superhero; no matter what he’s wearing. He loves Batman and all, but I think like a lot of kids he identifies with Robin more. And Robin is a whole lot cooler now than he was when I was a kid.

Toy Review – Batman Legacy: Batgirl By Mattel

Oops – been incredibly busy. Forgot to post yesterday.

Batgirl is one of my favorite comic book characters.

And when I say that, I’m talking about Barbara Gordon, Cassandra Cain and Stephanie Brown.

But today I’m talking about Barbara. I feel that she is one of the very best female characters in comics. Very few others have been given such strong characterization, important roles, and – until recently – strong follow-through. I don’t want to say bad things about Gail Simone, as I respect most of her work. But her New 52 Batgirl is terrible.

Toy Review – DC Universe Classics: Bane By Mattel

It took me a long time to build Bane, but I’m glad I did.

I’ve already got a perfectly good DC Direct figure of the Brazilian Bat-Breaker (not to mention the Arkham Asylum version I just bought); but I’ve never really felt that you can mix DC Direct with Mattel. They just don’t look right side-by-side in my opinion.

I’ve always been a big fan of Bane. This is mostly due to Knightfall and the ensuing Knight-prefixed storylines being some of my nostalgic favorites. They’re nowhere near consistent quality-wise, but it’s the biggest and most involving event of my comic collecting heydays. All people tend to think about is big, muscle-bound Bane breaking Bruce Wayne over his knee. Rarely does the amazing setup that led up to that point get mentioned. Well, until Nolan’s recent decision, anyway.

Chuck’n Comics Episode 101: Batgirl #1

Welcome to the first of hopefully many comic reviews here on the Earth Station One.  My name is Chuck Peters.  I’m a filmmaker, writer, blogger and all around comic loving guy who is here to talk the shop…comic-shop.   Looking at what’s hot, what’s been left in the oven a bit too long and what’s cold.  So let’s get to it.  First up:  Batgirl #1!

As most you may know, Barbara Gordon is back as Batgirl in the new 52, the reboot event so big DC comics old logo couldn’t survive it.  Before we get into the comic itself, how about a little background on Ms. Barbara Gordon aka Batgirl.

“A prodigy ahead of her time? Check. Fought toe-to-toe with Gotham’s most unsavory? Double-check. Bailed out the Dark Knight on countless occasions? Capital C check.

Batgirl is Barbara Gordon, a confident young woman as committed to justice as her father, Gotham City’s top cop Commissioner Gordon. But when her overprotective Dad forbids her from joining the force, her admiration of Batman leads her to rebel the way crime-fighting rebels do in Gotham City: by picking up the mantle of the Bat.

An exceptional fighter and detective, Batgirl is also unparalleled in her computer skills. With a Utility Belt filled with Batarangs and her own Batcycle to speed her across the city, she pursues justice regardless of whether others—including Batman—wish her to. But Gotham’s criminals are a ruthless and maniacal lot, and every moment she risks her neck means dancing closer to death.  (Taken from the DC Webpage)”

What is missing is the life before the 52 that you need to know:  How the Joker arrived at her doorstep.  How he shot her through the spinal cord and from that point forward, she became the Oracle, Batman’s eyes and ears over Gotham.

Since the birth of the new 52, Barbara Gordon is back in the cowl so let’s look at Batgirl #1.

SPOILERS

Barbara is back patrolling the night skies when her path converges with that of a new killer:  The Mirror.  Finding her way to the home of Ortegas, she encounters the Brisby Killers, a group of young people posing in cheap costumes who love to commit home invasions and murder.  A group who has also fallen onto the radar of The Mirror.

After her foiling of the Brisby killers at the Ortega house, Barbara finally gets out on her own and moved in with an actual roommate.  Things are going fairly well when her phone, tapped into her father’s emergency texts,  alerts her to a terrorist ordeal at the hospital, where the last surviving member of the Brisby Killers is being treated.  She grabs her Batcycle and races for the hospital.

The hospital is a shambles, one cop is dead and Batgirl comes face to face with the mirror.  The Mirror is after those that should have died and with a gun pointed at Batgirl’s spine, he kills the last member of the Brisby killers…and she’s next.

The first issue is very appealing in the sense that it almost feels like Spider-Man.  As Batgirl, she’s getting on her feet and getting used to what it’s like out on the city scape but as Barbara Gordon, she’s living with her father Jim and moving out on to her own.

So far I’m enthused about the book but I’m not overly impressed.   The beginning is very luke warm but thankfully, not cold.  When she’s Batgirl, I’m not feeling too much of a difference between her and Batman, a little more sarcasm but it

doesn’t feel…different.  I’m more interested in the story behind the cowl right now.  I like the concept of Barabara dealing with being the Batgirl but having a life and that is what the first book hints at.

I am intrigued enough to keep reading.

Tune in for the next episode when I take at look at  A VS X and reveal one of my favorite older issues from off the shelf.  In the meantime, I’m Chuck’N Comics.  Later.

Rumor of the day: The Rock’s big-screen superhero role revealed

By Trent Moore, Source: Blastr.com

Rumors have been swirling ever since Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson dropped a hint via Twitter that he could take up the mantle of a DC comics character sometime soon. Now we may know who it is.

According to Bleeding Cool, a tipster overheard the Rock at a party bragging about his new role as the DC antihero Lobo, an interstellar gun-for-hire that had a very popular run in the 1990s.

It follows up on the Rock’s recent Twitter post to a fan, where he responded “Funny U say that” when someone asked if he might ever play a DC hero.

Help Jonah Hex co-creator with massive post-stroke medical bills

By Trent Moore, Source: Blastr.com

Sad news, comic fans: Jonah Hex co-creator Tony DeZuniga is in bad health following a stroke, and he’s dealing with some mounting medical bills to boot. But you can help.

DeZuniga is currently in the Philippines after a stroke caused brain damage and swelling. A procedure to try and help the swelling seems to have exacerbated the problems, and his wife Tina says things are looking very critical.

“The stroke damaged the brain. It has bleeding inside and they need to open up the brain but with so much medication they were able to stop the bleeding but the brain was swollen so they need to take the pressure out so they need to insert a tube to release the pressure but since I don’t want them to open up it created an hernia,” she said in a post via Comic Art Community. “His condition is so unstable. He got infection that they need to treat, his pneumonia, need to be watched because he’s having problem breathing and blood pressure on top of the heart. With too much medications his stomach bleeds. One on top of the other.”

DC’s alien bounty hunter Lobo is finally getting the big-screen greenlight

By Marc Bernardin, Source: Blastr.com

It’s been a couple of years since we’ve heard any news about Warner Bros.’ attempt to bring intergalactic badass Lobo to the silver screen—and the last update, which involved then-director Guy Ritchie bailing so he could shoot the Sherlock Holmes sequel, wasn’t great. But with a new director, things are picking up steam.

Brad Peyton, who most recently directed Journey 2: The Mysterious Island, just got the nod from producer Joel Silver to rewrite and direct Lobo, based on the character created by Keith Giffen and Roger Slifer back in 1983.