Joseph Mallozzi's Blog, page 518

December 6, 2011: The Big Comic Round-up!

Catching up on my bid to check out the many, many comic book titles out there…

GRIFTER #1-3

This series hits the ground running and maintains its quick pace through the opening three issues, following con man Cole Cash as he attempts to evade pursuing aliens and, oh yeah, the military.  It's never explained why the aliens have designs on him and, while I'm sure we'll eventually get there, I was hoping for at least some insight amidst all the action.  Another thing that isn't really explained is why Cole dons a mask to hide his face given that the aliens seem to track him by scent. I like the dynamic between Cole and his handler, less so the coincidence that one of the soldiers leading the hunt for him just happens to be his brother.  The revenge motif established in the closing pages of the third issue feels like its gilding the lily.

Verdict: A fun read but, ultimately, too many questions left unanswered.  Alas, won't be continuing with this one.

IRON MAN 2.0 #7.1-10

THIS is the one I've been looking for – a series that has it all: action, humor, engaging characters, and smart writing.  I was initially disappointed when I found out it was a War Machine book (and not an Iron Man title as I'd originally assumed), but those early misgivings were immediately dispelled by a terrific story with plenty of twists, turns and SF elements.

Verdict: One of my favorite titles to date.  I'm along for the ride!

WONDER WOMAN #1-3

Writer Brian Azzarello is an interesting match for this title given his work on books like 100 Bullets and Batman. I like his darker take, his exploration of the uneasy relationship between Diana and her fellow Amazons and the revelation concerning Wonder Woman's origins.  Still, at the end of the day, Wonder Woman has always been a character I've had a hard time mustering much interest in for the same reason Thor has never appealed: the trials and tribulations of gods seem so lofty, their capabilities and backstories so disconnected from the life of us mere mortals that their stories fail to engage me on that basic human level.

Verdict: An interesting take on the character but even that isn't enough to win me over.  My anti-deity bias keeps me from jumping aboard.

S.H.I.E.L.D. #1-3

Hmmmm.  A clever alternate history tale pits the immortal Sir Isaac Newton, ruler of The High Council of Shield, against his rival, Leonardo Da Vinci.   Philosophies and followers clash as the likes of Michelangelo Buonarotti, Nostradamus, and Nikola Tesla figure into a narrative involving non-linear time, parallel universes, and something called Quiet Math.  Heady and ambitious but, ultimately, I'm not quit sure what the hell is going on.

Verdict: Sharp and unique storytelling but a little too esoteric for me.

BATMAN – DETECTIVE COMICS #1-3

Writer/artist Tony S. Daniel offers up a Batman book reminiscent of the tales I grew up with – creepy, at times deeply unsettling, yet altogether fascinating.  The Joker is at his scary-best here (we're a long, loooong way from Jack Nicholson's silly-ass dancing clown prince of crime), challenging our hero in his bid to unravel a grisly mystery.

Not for the faint of heart!

Verdict: Subarashii! as the Japanese would say.  Love it!  Really looking forward to checking out more.

FEAR ITSELF – THE FEARLESS #1-3

The follow-up to a big crossover event involving Asgard deities (see above) and eight mythical war hammers.  This series sees Earth's heroes picking up the pieces, gathering up these powerful weapons left behind in a quest reminiscent of a video game.  It all feels a little after-the-fact.

Verdict: I'm sure it'll all get worked out.  Again, not for me.

AQUAMAN #1-3

Aquaman has always been the laughing stock of comicdom, the butt of many a joke with his orange scale armor and oceanic powers.  Past attempts to darken the character met with middling success. Here, writer Geoff Johns embraces the original version of Arthur Curry in a story that tackles Aquaman's perceived superheroic inadequacies while spotlighting his undervalued strengths.  The narrative is fairly straightforward but a lot of fun, a perfect reintroduction of a character who gets so little respect.

Verdict: Like I said – a lot of fun.  I'm on board.

UNCANNY X-FORCE #12-17

And here is the X-title I've been looking for!  Writer Rick Remender weaves a tale calculated and complex without being confusing – a tall order given the number of characters and backstory elements at work here.  He offers up plenty of action and character development, building one of the most intriguing and effective of narratives in a series of well-orchestrated set-ups and pay-offs.

Verdict: Unarguably one of the coolest books out there.  Keep 'em coming.

MISTER TERRIFIC #1-3

In crafting Mister Terrific's origin, it feels like the creators' reached into the bag of pre-established identities for not one, not two, but three chestnuts.  Not only is Michael Holt a super athlete, but he's a brilliant scientist AND a billionaire.  It all feels a little young-skewing, from our hero's motto ("Fair Play") to the on-the-nose disillusionment that caps the third issue.

Verdict: Not my cup of tea.

NEW AVENGERS #16-18

Norman Osborn puts together a team of alternate Avengers, enlisting villains to fill the roster.  Yep, just like he did in Dark Avengers.  Bendis is a terrific writer and I love his stuff, but this storyline feels a little been-there, done-that.  I think part of the problem I have with these versions of the Avengers is the fact that they crossover with other teams (ie. Wolverine and the Thing).  I mean, seriously, who has time to be a member of two, much less one super team?   It stretches credulity which comes at a premium when dealing with the world of superheroes.

Verdict: I may revisit at a later date but for now it stays on the shelf.

ANIMAL MAN #1-3

Environmentalist and animal activist Buddy Baker (aka Animal Man) returns following a self-imposed exile from superhero life.  We're given an interesting character in Buddy, a guy struggling to balance family life with the demands of his "job", but the opening three issues felt very dream sequence heavy.  The dreams themselves, while teeming with all sorts of cool visuals, didn't really offer significant insight into our hero.

Verdict: Close but doesn't make the cut.

DAREDEVIL #1-5

I loved Mark Waid's run on The Flash, am very much enjoying Irredeemable and, as such, was really looking forward to his take on Daredevil.  As always, I got a kick out of Matt's relationship with Foggy and Waid does a terrific job offering backstory to Daredevil's abilities and present-day status (the fact that he's been outed and everyone seems to know his secret identity) without bogging down the narrative. As much as I liked these elements, I wasn't enamored of the main story – a courtroom case that ultimately ends up involving the villainous Klaw (or, more to the point, echoes of the original Klaw). Fortunately, the next story that kicks off in issue #3 is much more promising, focusing on the criminal (underworld) elements I've come to know and enjoy in past incarnations of Daredevil's world.

Verdict: I was on the fence after the first three issues but firmly on board after issue #5

STORMWATCH #1-3

The Authority was always a title I respected, liked enough, but never really got into.  It was ultra-cool but there was always that emotional detachment to the stories and the characters.  It obviously all comes down to personal taste because the title has plenty of ardent fans, most of whom will no doubt be thrilled to have the wonderful Paul Cornell onboard as the series writer.

Verdict: Love Cornell's work but may have to wait for another title.

December 5, 2011: Trufflepalooza!

White truffles, a.k.a. white diamonds, are one of the most highly prized and expensive of foods.  Rare, only available a few months of the year, and limited to parts of Italy and Croatia, the Alba Madonna are notoriously difficult to locate.  Experienced truffle hunters use dogs to sniff out these rare gems hidden underground, near the roots of certain trees.  Pigs are also used because the scent of the mushroom apparently resembles that of the porcine sex hormone.  It seems like a lot of trouble to go through but, at up to $2000 a pound, sourcing them can prove quite lucrative.  And delicious.   They're admittedly an acquired taste.  Some adore their heady, earthy aroma.  Others don't (like my girlfriend, Akemi, who likens it to "old man's pillow").  I'm a big fan, but the white truffle is something I enjoy on only the rarest of occasions, usually shaved over a nice risotto.  I had the opportunity to do a white truffle-themed dinner several years ago at Chateau Joel Robuchon in Tokyo but, at about $650/person, it was a little rich for my blood given that I was on the tail-end of my annual two-week Japanese culinary excursion.

A couple of weeks ago, I received a text from my fellow foodie and occasional dining companion, Denise, wondering whether any local restaurants were offering up truffle-themed menu items.  An online search turned up nothing but, refusing to be discouraged, I picked up the phone and contacted the one person I knew could get us that white truffle fix: Tom Doughtery, owner of Refuel, Campagnolo, and Campagnolo Roma.  Sure enough, he got back to me right away.  He needed to know the number of diners in my party, the number of courses on my dream truffle menu and, of course, my budget. According to Chef Ted, who would be doing the honors designing the special menu, it would change my life.

And so, Saturday night, Denise and I went to Roma for our life-altering truffle dinner:

Chef Ted, the culinary mastermind behind Trufflepalooza.

Plate #1: Vermouth-poached oyster with white truffle Hollondaise and white truffle shavings.

Despite the presence of truffles, the meaty oyster, redolent of the sea, was the spotlight flavor.

Plate #2: Raw goose and goose fat with daikon, chives, and shaved truffle in goose brodo.

Another surprisingly delicate dish.  The heat of the brodo cooked the goose to a nice rare.

Plate #3: Risotto with shaved truffles finished with goat butter.

Simple but nothing quite brings out the flavors of the truffle like the subtleness of a creamy risotto.

Risotto #2

Ted shaved two different white truffles onto the risotto.  Denise and I both preferred the lighter version for its more pronounced flavor.

Truffle shaver. For the man who has everything.

Plate #4: Nova Scotia lobster poached in truffle butter with fingerling potato chips and lobster-braised leeks with beurre monté.

A luxuriously rich dish with some lovely textural contrasts.  The crunchy fingerling chips were a nice touch.

Chef Ted stops by to check up on us. I assumed he was there to take my plate and made sure to hold on with both hands.

Plate #5: Veal rack with onions in a red wine reduction, spinach, Hunter Sauce and shaved white truffles.

Damn.  Was this not the best preparation of veal you've ever had?  Oh.  You weren't there.  Well, yes.  It was!

Plate #6: Parmigiano-Regganio with Boreale Honey and shaved white truffles.

A surprisingly nice combination, but a little Parmigiano-Reggiano goes a long way.  I was done after my third piece.

Plate #7: Chocolate custard atop a layer of white truffles with crumbled amaretti and house made maple syrup sorbet and caccierre.

A very subtle use of truffles – and thankfully so as I'm not at all sure I would have enjoyed it as much had the flavor been any stronger.  A terrific dessert.  That maple syrup sorbet on its own should have a place on the menu.

Chef Ted bids us a fond farewell.

What a meal!  A huge thanks to Chef Ted, Chef Rob, and Tom for making it happen.

Today's entry is dedicated to Tom Dougherty.

Tagged: Campagnolo Roma, truffles, white truffles

December 4, 2011: Sweet, sweet, ice-cream flavored victory!

Yeeeaaaaaaah!

Snow Monkeys win!  Snow Monkeys win!  And in impressive fashion no less, snagging the sixth and final playoff spot in the R.I.P. Stargate fantasy football league.  Ivon, Rob, and Mike Dopud were on hand to celebrate the victory with schnitzel sandwiches (pork and veal), three types of ice cream (chocolate, vanilla, and festive eggnog), and Akemi's chocolate chip cookies!

This week, Akemi made western chocolate chip cookies. Next week, she's going to make Japanese-style cookies. And what are Japanese style cookies? Akemi: "Dry. Nobody eats."

The chocolate ice cream - dark, of course.

Good times!  Looks like for our first post-season match-up, we'll be playing the one red hot I Have No Imagination minus Matt Forte (who looks to be out 2-4 week with a knee injury).  I'm feeling confident.

Let's go!  All aboard the Snow Monkey bandwagon!

All aboard!

Whoa!  I thought I went all out for Alexander and Sarah's visit a couple of weeks ago, but Carl and Karen evidently put me to shame last week.  And here are the pics to prove it:

Alex and Sarah drop by (announced of course) to hang with Mr. and Mrs. Binder. And stock up on toilet paper.

Delicious appetizers!

At one of Carl's favorite fine dining restaurants. Chili's, I think.

Nachos and burgers.

Then back home for dessert bought from the finest local supermarket...

How could I possibly compete with that?

Dinner of another sort last night, but I'll have to save my write-up (and thoughts on Grifter, Iron Man 2.0, Wonder Woman, Shield, Detective Comics, Fear Itself, Aquaman, and Uncanny X-Force) for tomorrow's entry.  Right now, I've got to get to work on responding to that question for SFSignal's upcoming MindMeld feature.

December 3, 2011: Snow Monkeys' last shot! Mailbag!

Come on, come on, come on. Puleeeeeeze. I really need this win.

Well, this is it.  My fantasy football season comes down to one game – tomorrow – Snow Monkeys vs. Reagan's Raiders.  A win allows me to snag the sixth and final playoff spot in our R.I.P. Stargate League.  A loss and I my efforts were all for naught and everyone I've invited over tomorrow to watch the games will be asked to leave before I serve the schnitzel sandwiches (pork and/or veal) and ice cream sandwiches (vanilla/chocolate/eggnog ice cream on chocolate chip cookies) Akemi and I are planning to serve.  I'm rolling with Romo tomorrow and my three top WR's (Dez Bryant, Roddy White, and Hakeem Nicks in the flex).  I've got the recently acquired Rashad Mendenhall in the RB1 position and the Packers' Crosby handling kicking duties.  The Pats are my defense against the much-bullied Colts.  My only question mark is the RB2 position.  Who am I going with – Helu, Spiller, or Hillis who are all facing tough match-ups, or do I roll the dice on the injured Kevin Smith or take an even bigger gamble on Miami's Thomas? [Praying snow monkey pic available as an oil on canvas here: http://www.robertbissell.com/robert-bissell-originals/index.html].

Off to a super-special dinner with my friend Denise tonight.  Will tell you all about it tomorrow.  In the meantime, let's hit the mailbag:

Debra writes: "I want Akemi's soup recipe. Does that count as a question?"

Answer: Sure.  Roast a kabocha squash in the oven with a little butter, water and maple syrup until tender.  While it's cooking, sweat some shallots and garlic in a pan until translucent.  Put the squash (sans skin of course) and shallots and garlic in a pot with some 2% milk and bring to a boil over low heat, then transfer to a blender and puree.  If you feel it's too thick (which I never do), simply add a little more milk.  Top with a little curry oil to give it an extra rich flavor.  As Akemi says, she doesn't really have a recipe, "It's more about", so she doesn't really have any measurements to relay.  She promises to pay closer attention next time.

cherluvya writes: "I have pretty much given up on films and really am enjoying series TV."

Answer: I'm with ya.  I stopped going to movies after I got my home theater, then pretty much stopped buying dvd's when Blu-ray came out (And, yes, I blame Blu-ray for the collapse of the dvd market).

Michelle writes: "

I've been watching Breaking Bad for a few weeks now (on Netflix streaming), after all the buzz I'd seen on line for the most recent season. I'm toward the end of Season 2.  Honestly, it's one of the most finely crafted shows I've ever watched, and I'm completely hooked. Everything about it is so carefully constructed, so internally consistent, and so very brave. When they go dark, they go humanity dark, not Hollywood dark. Every consequence plays out in tragic glory for as long as it takes."

Answer: Your thoughts echo those of whoever it was that recommended the show to me just recently (either Lawren or Patrick Gilmore).  Every set-up has a pay-off, every action a consequence – a rarity in series televison.

Michelle also writes: "On such an epically tragic path, too. I didn't watch The Shield because the main character was such an a-hole from day 1…"

Answer: That's what hooked me, that final moment in The Shield's first episode, a huge twist that serves as the launchpoint – and inevitable descent – of our protagonist despite his attempts at redemption.  Your point is well-taken.  It's one of the reasons my writing partner, Paul, had such a hard time getting into the show.  When he eventually did, I asked him about his change of heart and his response was that he felt the character of Vic Mackie we got to know in the series was a completely different guy from the one we were introduced to in that first episode.

Ponytail writes: "Why is it when you ask for questions I can't think of any?"

Answer: Dunno.

daubermaus writes: "What is your favorite food blog?"

Answer: I don't really do food blogs.  Do I, however, occasionally check out the chowhound boards, especially if I'm looking for good restaurant recommendations while traveling.

for the love of Beckett writes: "1. Is the Stargate Christmas Reunion for a project? Will you be officially filming anything? Will principal actors of SGU, Atlantis, or SG-1 be there?"

Answer: No, it's just a casual get-together of former Stargate personnel.  I have no idea who'll be attending.

"2. Is this the same project in the works that Stargate actors have referred to? We'd rather hear it from you than Twitter!"

Answer: Haven't heard anything about a Stargate-related project in the works.  Sorry.

"3. Still have birthday Christmas prezzies for you and Akemi. May we use the address for your agent in Vancouver?"

Answer: I don't have an agent in Vancouver.  The thought is much appreciated but your regular participation here is all I could ask for this Christmas.  And a series greenlight for Dark Matter.  Both would be nice.

iom666 writes: "I still hope to have the opportunity to shake your hand in person if you come around Montreal for Xmas. It would be like meeting Roddenberry or Asimov"

Answer: I think it would be more like meeting the guy who shops at your local comic book store who also read Asimov and watched Roddenberry.

Thornyrose writes: " As for questions, well, how about your ultimate favorite Christmas and/or New Year's dinner menu snacks, and beverages, perhaps with recipes?"

Answer: Presently working on an eggnog ice cream for the eggnog ice cream chocolate chip sandwiches Akemi and I are making for tomorrow's football afternoon.

antisocialbutterflie writes: "I can deal with angst but it has to be counterpointed with a fair dose of humor (though it can be the dark variety)."

Answer: Breaking Bad has plenty of dark humor to counterpoint the show's bleaker elements.  The scene in which the DEA uncle takes his bewildered nephew to witness the consequences of drug abuse is one of the finest sequences I've seen on television this year.

gforce writes: "Santa Joe, my sincere wish for my Christmas present is a third season of SGU to finish off the story. Can you make that happen?"

Answer: Alas, I can't.  The ball is in MGM's court.

SiSi writes: "I see that you are currently reading a Patricia Highsmith book, and I don't remember seeing mysteries on your reading list before. Do you like mysteries as a genre? What mystery authors or books do you like?"

Answer: Although most of my reading is of the genre variety (SF, horror, and fantasy), I do like the occasional change of pace.  I recently read The Secret History (a gift from Rob Cooper's wife) and, yes, Patricia Highsmith's Deep Water.  In fact, I enjoyed the latter so much that I picked up Strangers on a Train.  As a kid, I grew up on mystery books: Agatha Christie and Ellery Queen.  No kidding.

 

December 2, 2011: Getting into the Christmas spirit! My new favorite show! Joe's language school! News of note!

Hey!  It's snowing!!!  Not outside but right here on this blog!  I am officially in the Christmas spirit.  Post your questions and I'll answer them in tomorrow's holiday mailbag.

From the "How did I miss this?" file comes my favorite new show I just happened to discover on DVD last week:

Actually, friends have been recommending this series for a while now but I only got around to checking it out recently because, well, I finally made the time for it.  And, boy, am I glad I did.  It's brilliant and easily ranks up there with the likes of The Sopranos and The Shield.  Who else is watching?  And if you aren't, why not?

Hey, you know what's even more frustrating than learning a foreign language?  Educating someone on the fickle nature of English grammar.  I'm the last guy you should be asking about the intricacies of non-continuous verbs and dangling modifiers.  Apparently, while  "Because that's the way it is." may have worked for Walter Cronkite, it aint working for this guy, proving a rather unpopular response to the various questions Akemi has thrown my way.  Equally unpopular answers have have included: "It just sounds right/doesn't sound right.",  "It's hard to explain…" and mumbling something incomprehensible before trailing off and feigning distraction by some mystery phone text.  I liked it better when my contribution to Akemi's ongoing English-learning program consisted of reading and explaining old Far Side strips.

Some news of note:

7 Most Inappropriate Restaurant Names.  I'll see your Mother Clucker's and raise you a Chocolate Log: 

Hey, conspiracy theorists.  Check these out: 19 Famous Photographs Before The CIA Edited Them

Wait.  What?  You mean I shouldn't have already blown all my savings on that fallout shelter and canned food?  

Since we've been talking comics of late, TopTenz.net offers up: Top Ten Worst Moments in Marvel Comics.  And, for you DC fans - Top 10 Worst Moments in DC Comics | Top 10 Lists | TopTenz.net.  Agree?  Disagree?

One of the many reasons celebrities shouldn't be allowed to have children: 

December 1, 2011: Help me out with this upcoming Mind Meld! The comic book report!

Help me out here.  Every once in a while, the fine people at SFSignal (SF Signal – A Speculative Fiction Blog) ask me to participate in their MindMeld feature, an ongoing series in which a ragtag group (writers, rum-runners, bureaucrats in alien ministries, etc.) is asked a genre-related question.  Past topics have included: MIND MELD: What Cultures Are Neglected in Science Fiction and Fantasy?, MIND MELD: The Best Women Writers in SF/F and, just in time for the holidays - MIND MELD: Great Gift Ideas For Geeks and Science Fiction and Fantasy Fans.  [Check out the archive here: Mind Meld).  Anyway, for their next MindMeld, they're asking: "What were the best genre-related books, movies and/or shows you consumed in 2011?  Not necessarily new in 2011, but new to 'you' in 2011."

Hmmm.  That's a tough one.  Unfortunately, I didn't get the opportunity to check out as much genre-related fiction as I would have liked this year.  In retrospect, it was time that would have been better spent checking out a few of my favorite authors or screening some SF, Fantasy, or Horror films.  Ah, well.  Live and learn.  Anyway, I'm trying to put together a list and, frankly, having a difficult time.  Looking back over my book list, I have one genre-related work I really, REALLY enjoyed.  Plenty of comic books (thanks to this late reading spurt), a single t.v. series, but no movies.  Did I miss something?  Of course, I would know better than you but seeing as how I'm having a tough time remembering, maybe you could all help jog my memory.  Help me prep!  What were the best genre-related books, movies and/or shows I consumed in 2011?

I'm, of course, helping my cause by testing the comic book waters – and by "waters", I mean a veritable "sea of comic books" – practically every ongoing series out there.  Here the deal: I pick up at least 3 issues of each title, read 'em, and if I like 'em, I'll continue following the series.  If I don't like 'em, I move on.  So far, I've checked out 20 books and am sitting on a record of 11 likes and 9 not-for-me's.  A little over 500.  That isn't that surprising.  What IS surprising is the titles have impressed and those which have failed to grab my interest. This long-time reader of the Avengers and X-Men has yet to find an Avengers or X-book to follow.  On the other hand, titles I simply checked out for form's sake, assuming they wouldn't capture my interest, have impressed (Green Lantern Corps and Red Lanterns anyone?)  But, as they say: "That's why you play the game".

Continuing the game play…

THE FLASH #1-3

Hmmm.  So here's the thing: I was a huge fan of Mark Waid's run on the Flash, so any subsequent take on the character is probably going to pale in comparison.  Like this version.  With all due respect to Barry Allen, I miss Wally and Linda and, while I found the book's premise interesting, it didn't really grab me.  There were too many confusing moments in the narrative, either moments I assumed were flashbacks that actually weren't, or strange reactions on the part of the characters. After thwarting a terrorist attack and discovering that one of the terrorists killed in said attack was an old friend, Barry is paid a surprise visit by the formerly deceased friend.  Suddenly, they are on the run, being chased by a group of men.  Rather than ask what the hell is going on, Barry says: "At least tell me it's not over a woman." and, later: "Seriously.  How many angry husbands are chasing us?!".  He's either incredibly naive or trying to lighten the mood.  If it's the latter, however, I don't know why he'd waste time joking around when the obvious thing to do would be to ask his newly-undeceased buddy what the hell is going on?  In issue #2, there's a moment when he reveals he is able to see everything before it happens, weigh every possible outcome, and make the right choice.  In the supporting visuals, it's pretty clear that he is able to glimpse the future.  If so, this is HUGE and makes one wonder how he could possibly ever make a wrong decision.  A tricky development that risks undermining the tension of the series if he's as powerful as we're led to believe.

Verdict: Despite the nifty shock ending to issue #3, it's not a series I'll be continuing.

AVENGERS ORIGINS: VISION, LUKE CAGE, ANT-MAN & THE WASP, SCARLET WITCH & QUICKSILVER

I think these stories would appeal more to new readers who could use a primer on the origins of these various Avengers.  For my part, I already know their backstories (with the possible exception of Luke Cage which, I suppose, is why I found his dedicated issue the most interesting of the bunch) so I found it hard to emotionally invest in the narrative. Having said that, I think that some of these one-shots (Vision) work better than others (Scarlet Witch & Quicksilver) in delivering a engaging and nuanced narratives.

Verdict: Covers familiar ground for me.  As such, not a series I'll continue reading.

ACTION COMICS #1-3

My thoughts about the Flash's newfound abilities (see above) remind me of the problems I (and many others) have with the Superman. He's just too gosh darn powerful.  Outside of some handy kryptonite, how are you going to stop the guy?  Well, as it turns out, this latest version of the Man of Steel is a little more vulnerable, a little more human, and a lot more interesting.  Still, I had mixed feelings about Action Comics. I liked this new scaled-down Superman, the younger/goofier Clark, his budding friendship with Jimmy Olsen, the annoyingly petulant Lex Luthor, and the art by Rags Morales (whose work I enjoyed immensely on Hourman).  I didn't like the elements involving Lois's father, General Lane.  Yes, I know it's not new, that this version of the character was introduced back in the late 80′s, but it feels like ground already trodden by Marvel with The Incredible Hulk.  Also, not a fan of Big Blue's short-sleeved look.

Verdict: There's enough here to keep me onboard for the time being.

X-MEN #17-21

I join the X-Men's adventure already in progress as they are trapped on a hostile world in another dimension.  Again, some of the characters feel slightly different here than they do in other X-titles.  Emma Frost, for instance, feels more haughty and erudite than other versions, a true ice queen while Magneto comes across as – well – dreamy.  I preferred the ensuing story involving an oppressed nation's attempts to secure an army of sentinels for their national defense but still experienced a few bumps with certain developments, chiefly the ones involving Domino.  Why would the bad guys assume she's dead?  Not only do they not bother checking her vitals (which surely would have revealed she was very much alive), but they fast-track her to the autopsy room from where she makes her escape.  Felt like a bit of a cheat.

Verdict: Still looking for an X-book to follow.

Overall record: 12-12

November 30, 2011: Another Dark Matter interview! Adopting a healthier lifestyle! Culinary Triumphs!

Check out the latest interview I did for my upcoming comic book series, Dark Matter, this one with my buddy Shaun Manning over at Comic Book Resources: http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=35481.  It offers a little more insight into the series and characters as well as a two-page sneak peek of what's to come.

Yes, it's true.  I've adopted a healthier life.  Note I use the word "healthier" rather than "healthy" because I have no intention of giving up my dessert habit.  Chocolate, ice cream, and cake are as important a part of my life as…hell, I honestly can't think of anything more important.  Which is why the other 25% of the time when I'm not indulging, I'm either working out or eating right.  I schedule two work-outs a day, cardio in the morning and weights at night, so that even if happen to miss one, I'm still covered for the deay.  I'm also eating a lot fish lately – this, in no small part due to the fact that my girlfriend is Japanese and she is all about the fish: salmon, snapper, tuna usually baked, roasted or served as sushi.  Personally, I'm partial to rainbow trout either butterfield and pan-fried with a little thyme, butter, and garlic or roasted with tarragon, lemon, shallots, and a splash of sake.  I do a great slow-baked salmon that never fails to come out fork tender, a seabass (lately sablefish) that's seared then finished in the oven with a hoisin and green onion glaze, a roasted mackerel with tomatoes, sweet onions, and meyer lemon, and salmon collars slathered in sesame oil, sea salt and garlic before being grilled to a crispy on the outside, succulent on the inside finish.  And, of course, no meal would be complete without those delectable sides.  I recently discovered the joys of cooking the Jerusalem Artichoke (aka sunchoke).  I scrub them down, half them, then toss them, unpeeled, with a little olive oil, sea salt, minced garlic, rosemary, thyme, and serrano pepper powder before popping them in the oven for half an hour.  Fantastic.

Recent culinary triumphs:

Oven-roasted herring with tomato, lemon, sweet onions and sake.

Akemi's luxurious squash soup.

Akemi's Chinese rice. Addictive!

Those Jerusalem Artichokes I was talking about. A great alternative to potatoes.

So, how are you all doing?  Exercising?  Eating right?  Let's hear about your recent culinary triumphs.

Ironically enough, my latest culinary triumph came on a night I should have been out enjoying Refuel's annual and awesome Whole Hog Dinner.  I've been so overwhelmed lately that I completely forgot my booking.  And this is the second time it's happened.  A month ago, I missed a special foie gras dinner.  Missing foie gras AND pork cheeks? I must be losing my mind.

November 29, 2011: Not dead yet! Let the Christmas rush begin! More comic perusals!

Wha-?! You're kidding!

I assumed my Snow Monkeys were dead in the water following their fourth straight loss but, as it turns out, they have one more shot at making the playoffs in the last week of our R.I.P. Stargate fantasy football league regular season.  Three teams are deadlocked at 6-6, fighting for those last two playoff spots and two of those other teams play each other.  All the Snow Monkeys have to do is win and they move on to post-season play.  A loss and they're eliminated on the tie-breaker.  On the surface, it looks like an easy enough task since we'll be up against the 1-11 Reagan's Raiders but, unfortunately for us, his wide receivers and running backs are looking at some terrific match-ups against the NFL's bottom-ranked pass and run defenses.  If we win, it's going to be a hard fought victory.

Show your support for the team by purchasing official R.I.P. Stargate League Snow Monkeywear and proudly displaying the Snow Monkey logo!

GO SNOW MONKEYS!!!

I officially started my Christmas shopping today and, when all was said and done, wound up purchasing more stuff for myself than anyone else.  I picked up some books, dvd's, desserts, and one of those little gadgets that froths up milk.  I was tempted to get a waffle-maker as well until Akemi pointed out I'd have to source pearl sugar to make a proper liege waffle (according to waffle expert Rob Cooper, it doesn't melt like regular sugar, caramelizing the outside of the waffle but also remaining a half-melted whole inside), but apparently the stuff is harder to track down than D.B. Cooper.  I head back downtown tomorrow for round #2 as I have yet to cross mom and sis off the list. As for Akemi – well, it looks like she may need to go visit her family soon so I think I'll use my points to get us a couple of flights to Tokyo. Better late than never.

On the comic book front, I checked out another three titles last night…

BATWOMAN #1-3

I had heard a lot of very good things about this series going in and it lived up to the hype.  Really interesting, varied artwork – shifting in style and palette – compliments an unsettling little mystery involving the disappearance of some local children.  I know nothing about this new Batwoman (outside of the fact that she is very, very pale), but she's an interesting character and the civilian elements in this book are as fascinating as the superhero throughline.  I'm not a huge fan of stories with a supernatural angle, particularly in the Bat universe, and even though it looks like this one is headed that way, I'm reserving judgment until all is revealed.

Verdict: Great.  Definitely on my pick-up list.

ASTONISHING X-MEN #41-44

Wow.  What a difference 30 years make.  When I first started collecting comics, I couldn't get enough of the X-Men.  Today, I'm having trouble finding an X-title that really appeals to me.  Chalk it up to personal taste and my unfamiliarity with the copious backstory.  Granted, part of the problem is that, unlike DC's New 52 that make it easier for new readers to get in on the ground floor, much of the Marvel titles I've been checking out are ongoing.  The first issue of Astonishing X-Men I read for instance, issue #41, is the conclusion to a pre-existing story.  I was able to follow well enough but the thing that struck me as strange was how different the characters of Wolverine and Emma Frost were in comparison to their depiction in other, equally recent X-titles.  Very quippy and surprisingly light.  The next issue I read, #42, was for some strange reason the conclusion to another storyline.  The ensuing issue offers a standalone story involving a character I do remember from Whedon's run, after which we commence a brand new story in issue #44 – and I was back to being confused.

Verdict: My quest for an X-title continues.

RED LANTERNS #1-3

Given the book's premise and coming off Green Lantern New Guardians, I really wasn't expecting to be all that impressed with Red Lanterns, yet impress me it did.  Writer Peter Milligan crafts a smart and involving narrative that packs a surprising emotional punch in its depiction of the human costs of war and the consequences of allowing our passions to get the better of us.

Verdict: Thumbs up.  I'm very much looking forward to the next issue.

For those keeping track, that's 20 titles read (at least 3 issues of each) – 11 of which I'll be continuing to read for the time being and 9 of which I've dropped.

November 28, 2011: I've finally got my Amazing Race partner! High Tea! Thoughts on comics!

Exciting news!  I've finally got a partner for The Amazing Race.  It's none other than my old former Transporter nemesis and current rival blogger Tara Yelland (http://tarayelland.wordpress.com/ – Check out today's entry for her most shocking grocery line confrontation yet.  You won't believe the last five minutes!).  Earlier today, she sent me an email cryptically titled "So?".  Normally, I redirect her missives to my spam folder but this one intrigued enough for me to check it out.  The message: "Should we team up for amazing race? ".  I told her of course.  We both have complimentary skill sets to bring to the table. She could handle all the navigating, manual driving, puzzles, and heights while I handled all the eating challenges.

Now that I have a partner, Step #1 of my dream to compete in The Amazing Race is complete.  Step #2 is a little trickier and involves one of you guys adopting Tara and me since we, as non-American citizens, aren't technically allowed to compete on the show.  Kindly post your reasons for why you think you would be a good parent to Tara and me. We will consider all candidates and make a decision and official announcement before Christmas.

Did High Tea today with my friend and former Stargate publicist Kim Cowan.  I hadn't really planned on doing High Tea but we met up too late for lunch so I had to settle for tiny sandwiches and desserts fit for an elderly Lilliuptian socialite.

The ideal lunch portions for diners with tiny little hands. Please ignore the patron seemingly being sick in the background.

Continuing my perusal of almost every ongoing comic book series out there…

SECRET AVENGERS #16-19

Back when I was first reading comic books, I collected both the Avengers and X-Men.  Today, there are so many variations of both teams that it's difficult to keep up with all the titles and the various roster moves.  The Secret Avengers are made up of Black Widow, the Beast, Moon Knight, Sharon Carter, War Machine, Valkyrie, and Shang-Chi under the command of Steve Rogers (formerly Captain America). Their mission: "Locate hidden high-level threats to population safety. End threat by any means necessary.  Get out without being identified." Each of the issues I read was a self-contained story and while, on the one hand, they were very clever and offered the satisfaction of a beginning, middle, and end, on the other hand, it felt like they wrapped up a little too quickly and conveniently at times.  22 pages doesn't offer a lot of space to deliver a complete tale yet Warren Ellis avails himself nicely.  Still, the necessity to focus on story doesn't leave much room for character development and ongoing arcs, and these were elements I missed.

Verdict: Well-written but, ultimately, the standalone nature of the stories makes it a tough series to get into.  The line-up raises a couple of questions as well: Is Beast splitting his time between the Secret Avengers and one of the numerous X-Men off-shoots?  And what's with Moon Knight?  I was never a fan of the character because he always felt like a light-weight Batman but suddenly he's psychotic?  I recall that his secret identity was Marc Spector and, in fact, at one point somebody calls him "Marc"  - and yet in issue #19, he's Steven Grant. What gives?  Finally, I have to make mention of those two gorgeous covers by John Cassady and Paul Mounts.  Beautiful.

BATGIRL #1-3

Barbara Gordon is wearing the cape once again.  And walking!  What the what?  I'm a big fan of Gail Simone's work (especially her run on Secret Six), so I'm interested to see where she takes the character. The villain, Mirror, struck me as conspicuously old school and felt a little out of place in an otherwise sharp narrative.

Verdict: Looking forward to seeing what Gail Simone does with the character.  On we go…

CAPTAIN AMERICA (& BUCKY) #622-624

Tales from WWII featuring Bucky, Captain America's sidekick.  I'm a huge fan of Brubaker's work but didn't love these Bucky stories.  He does a nice job of capturing that old-timey comic feel but, at times, it all feels a little hokey.  Coincidence and convenience seems to be the linchpin of our hero's successes and, after a while, it really stretches credulity.

Verdict: I'd probably move on if not for the fact that the title changes direction next issue with a new creative team and arc.  A fresh start. It'll have another three issues to win me over.

GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS #1-3

Hmmm.  In past installments, I've voiced my concerns about Green Lantern's potential for silliness.  The two previous titles I read, Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps, surprised me by eschewing the sillier elements in favor of darker, more mature narratives.  New Guardians, however, is the flip side of the coin.  It's over the top and, at times, clearly feels like its geared toward a much younger audience.

Verdict: Two for three for the GL titles.  Pass.

X-FACTOR #223-237

X-Factor was one of the last titles I followed before life got in the way of comic book reading.  I very much enjoyed Peter David's writing, the detective agency backdrop, and our oft-put upon protagonist, Jamie Madrox.  Unfortunately, I didn't find the other characters quite as engaging.  At times, Rictor and Shatterstar feel like they'd be better suited to 90′s title.

Verdict: A good book but, unfortunately, most of the characters don't appeal.

SWAMP THING #1-3

Outside of Alan Moore's take on the character, I'm not that familiar with Swamp Thing so I was all sorts of curious to check out this updated version, especially given that Scott Snyder is at the writing reins.  The three issues do a nice job of laying out the backstory while still advancing an interesting narrative.  Surprisingly dark and downright creepy at times.  While not exactly hooked, I am intrigued.

Verdict: Pretty good.  I'm on board for now.

November 27, 2011: Yeeaaaaargh!!!

Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo!

My Snow Monkeys are going down to their fourth straight defeat and about to fall out of playoff contention.  Now I must rely on good fortune AND a do-or-die win next weekend to sneak in and secure a post-season spot.  Ivon and Lawren came by today to watch the disaster unfold.  On his way over, Ivon called to say he wanted to pick up a healthy alternative to the typically heavy football feasting we'd been doing.  He decided to get wraps.  I went with the Thanksgiving Turkey which included mashed potatoes, cranberries, and stuffing.  Healthy – no sot sure.  But delicious.  As was half of Akemi's veggie wrap.  And that half bagel and nutella I had for dessert (only realizing two bites in that it was an onion and poppyseed bagel.  Nutella DOES go with anything!).

I'm feeling bummed.  And a little queasy.

Enjoy some miscellaneous pics…

Akemi's Turkey Sausage and Salami – Octopus Style:

Sun dogs:

My recent chocolate haul:

Ivon and Lulu – True Love: