Nick Davis's Blog, page 110

Reintroducing the Mobile Suit Gundam reference data website & a Gunpla gallery

When I first came to the USA I discovered the Gundam Anime via 08 MS Team and amassed a huge collection of Mobile Suits in Action toys, along with DVD's of most of the North American releases. After the demise of The Gundam Project I took the gift of the beautifully drawn Gundams/Mobile Suit of Mark Simmons and put together a Mobile Suit Gundam Reference Data website; determined to keep his work alive and give something to the community. I even had a little fun putting together a Gunpla gallery which you can check out after the jump (in full lo-res glory). 

This crazy Baltimore weather is straight out of the pages of the Tether Saga

The rain was driving thick and hard, instantly turning the blue sky grey, then pitch black as the unnatural cloud descended shrouding the top of the downtown office buildings. The inner harbor disappeared under a sheet of water as people scurried for cover, it was the beginning of the end of everything we would ever know and nothing would ever be the same again… 

This was the view from my window in downtown Baltimore on Tuesday. What you are looking at is the Legg Mason building as the weather went truly epic in proportions;  like a real life descriptive passage from the pages of The Tether Saga unfolding right before my eyes. The tops of the office buildings around us just disappeared into this enormous cloud that descended in moments from the heavens, as one of my co-workers said it was like a scene out of Independence day. To me it was direct inspiration for passage that will be appearing in the 3rd Tether Saga book – Nevermore… They say life is stranger than fiction and with all the crazy weather we are having you cannot help but be inspired…

Inside the Box DCnU52 Special – Batgirl, Action Comics Justice League International & Stormwatch

Welcome to my DCnU52 Inside the Box special as we peak inside the my comic box at my local comic store Chucks Comics. I only picked out a handful of titles from this weeks selection of 13 out of the gate DC#1′s; to be honest it was hard not to grab them all off the rack as this weeks release were more like the books I would pick up. Anyhow, here is my mini-rundown of my DCnU52 books in the order I read them in what will stay? What will go? Read on and find out…

Batgirl #1 – Gail Simone, Ardian Syaf & Vicente Cifuentes – I saw this book in preview form over on CBR, it was unlettered and the art looked gorgeous; I knew then I just had to get it even if the story sucked a first issue looking this nice is a must have. Luckily the story is written by Gail Simone, although I've never read anything she has wrote I was hearing good things about Secret Six. This book does not disappoint; a great introduction to the character, nicely paced action, a little something for the older reader who knows a little more about Barbara Gordon, and realistic (and at times fun) dialog/inner monolog. All round very, very good solo hero book and will be in my box for the next issue. 

Justice League International #1 – Jurgens, Lopresti, Ryan – My second DCnU52 team book, I had fond memories of the first JLI book I picked up back in the 90′s and this new 52 #1 carries on with the same style. There is superhero action, team banter, old faces, new faces. My favorite so far is Godiva who is positively drooling over Booster Gold, and gets the best line in the entire book (which I wont spoil for you). It is the spiritual descendant of the old JLI, there is enough here to make you want to come back for more which I will do. This is staying for now as I want to see if it holds together through the first arc and then my final judgement will be in.

Stormwatch #1 – Cornell, Sepulveda – This isn't the Wildstorm Universe Stormwatch even though a lot of the characters will look familiar. There is a darker element to this book even if it jumped around a lot; in what seemed to be just be an exercise in introducing the characters. I don't know about this book it wasn't what I was expecting; it was like it was trying to hard to be edgy, while trying not to scare away any new readers and ended up being a little flat instead. I don't know if there is a enough here to keep me coming back – I am going to pick up the next issue just so I can get an idea of direction but I'm not really that impressed by this book, more disappointed that it could of been so much more.

Action Comics #1 – Morrison, Morales, Bryant – Ermm… Ermm… Edgy young impetuous Superman who is more likely to leap into the action without thinking and this what this book is all about. This new Superman is manipulated into events as one action cascades into the next leading to an interesting finale. I found the writing confusing, it jumped around as a lot of story was crammed into these pages. I didn't enjoy the art that much either, don't get me wrong it was nice to look at, but like the writing it jumped around too. Sad to say this book will not be in my box next time around. I keep my impetuous Superman to my JL book instead. This one is a goner folks…

Static Shock #1 – McDaniel, Rozum, Glapion, Underwood – I got this book for nostalgia reasons only, and picked it off the rack. I remember the Icon imprint and the rather well done animated series of this character. I am happy to report that the art, the writing and the general style all nods back to its roots; if you are fan of this unlikely hero then you will love this book, new teenage readers will love it too, Static is very much the Spidey of the DC universe and that works. Static Shock for me though was never going to be in my box, this was the first and last issue I was going to pick up. Long though may it live

Men of War #1 – Brandon, Derenick, Vankin, Winslade – The direct descendant of Sergeant Rock is the lead character of this book and he is recruited into a US Special Forces team. This is told from a boots on the ground perspective and as we go on this teams first mission, we get to see how things can get really messed up with a Superpowered supposed Hero gets involved. For the team it means the mission very quickly goes south and what was a highly planned stealth op turns into a fight for their lives as they just try to find an exit. I am intrigued by this concept and I want to see more. This book was an impulse dark horse pick and will be staying for at least the first arc.

That's it for me, my budget only allowed for me to pick up six books from this weeks DCnU52 release of 13 – Batgirl was a winner on ever level, JLI is nice and there is enough there for me to stay for the first arc, Stormwatch was a disappointment, Action Comics well was a complete turn off for me, Static Shock was fun and Men of War was a complete surprise. Next week will see more team books, a few more impulse buys as I pick out what books will stay or go, and I will include all my Marvel books waiting to be read in next weeks Inside the Box (this week they are waiting for me still inside my box).

Quick fact – This was the first time in 17 years I picked up this many DC books at once so far I've only been really disappointed by one title and that is good going. Now lets see if they can keep it up, eh?

On a comic book rack near you the prose/comic mash-up graphic novel Fabula Exposition at Chucks Comics

Yet one more reason to visit Chucks Comics the best comic book shop in Baltimore, they now have my graphic novel mash-up of comic & prose storytelling Fabula Exposition on their rack along with all this weeks new releases! So while you browsing your picks from Marvel to the DCnU52 and everything in between – you can help an indie out by picking up Fabula Exposition, the most unique graphic novel you will ever read.

First Look – Marvel at more Avengers Film set pictures of Captain America, Black Widow & Stan Lee

Here we go, another set of on the set pictures from The Avengers movie. These images which you can see after the jump feature Captain America, Tony Stark, Black Widow, Thor, Loki, Hawkeye & Stan 'Da Man' Lee. 

Sigmartyr – Vol.3 of the Epic Stikfas action web comic continues with more Ninja action!

Volume Three of Sigmartyr the Stikfas Action Web Comic continues. Click here to view to read this epic story. The last of the Omegas are dispatched will the identity of the Ninja be revealed?

Following up on Fifty Too Covers – The first page of the Worlds Finest Batgirl/Supergirl team up by Mike Maihack

Remember the Fifty-Too covers I posted a while back? The small collaborations covers by Indie Artist to produce alternative covers based on the DCnU52 relaunch? You can check them out here. Well, Mark Maihack the creator of the amazing Worlds Finest Batgirl/Supergirl cover has put together a follow-up first page – you can check out the remaining two panels (and full page) by visiting Mark's website here. The problem is now I want to see more and would love to see this turn into a full blown book, who's with me?

The Baltimore Izod Indycars GrandPrix 2011 and the Kids reenactment at The Go-Kart Track

Today, despite the traffic snarl-ups over the week, today was a good day. I took the kids to watch the inaugural Baltimore Grandprix from the comfort of the WTC right in the center of Downtown, and the Inner Harbor. While the racing was more of a procession due to the lack of overtaking opportunities on the track, we were treated to Izod Indycars racing through our streets and had a good view of the hairpin leading from Pratt street; that was really the only place you could attempt to overtake by diving in on the inside.

The picture above was taken after the long 2nd Pace Car caution; the pack was grouped up as they set off back down Pratt street and is the best shot I got that afternoon. The lead car (white & black Verizon badged) from Team Penske, driven by Will Power, pulled out and held a very convincing 3-4 second lead over the 2nd placed car, and held it to the end. In the following gallery after the jump, my kids reenacted the Baltimore GP at The Baltimore Go-Kart Track.

 

Geek Girl Gallery – the Bellatrix Lestrange cosplay photoshoot with Rose from RetroScreamers.com

One of the fun things I get to do now and again is the occasional photoshoot with a Cosplayer who is looking for some good pictures and someone who can help them take a good photo. I've been working with RetroScreamers aka Rose for sometime getting pictures of her various outfits, the following galleries are a set we did while she was wearing Bellatrix Lestrange at Otakon, you can check out the image after the jump.

And now Bellatrix doing a little promotion for the Sweetsfairy Cupcakes Home Bakeshop….

Inside the Box – Captain America & Bucky, Justice League, Hellboy & Guarding the Globe

Yay completed on time! My biweekly Inside the Box column returns with a glimpse in my comic box at my local comic books store Chucks Comics; one of the best place ever to get your books from and now the first store to stock my ground breaking graphic novel Fabula Zero Exposition on its shelves.  For that reason alone you should check them out. Now on with my column, lets take a look at my pile of books this week in the order that I read them in.

Captain America & Bucky #621 – Brubaker, Andreyko, Samnee & Breitweiser – The origins of Cap & Bucky are further explored as the team goes on their first missions. We get the first hints of Bucky's darker nature and the opening reminded me a little of Death in the Family with Jason Todd. This is a good book, fun to read and I really like what they are doing exploring the origins of Bucky. A keeper until something really, really goes wrong. 

Justice League #1 – Johns, Lee & Williams – After all the hype the first book of the DCnU52 is here, you can read my full review here. I have the feeling the first 6 issues of this book are going to good, but after that it will fall off. Going to hang in there and see where it is going.

Secret Avengers #16 – Ellis, McKelvie, Wilson – This book has a great cover, so good I have to show it to you again here in landscape fashion. The story itself is kind of odd like it was sourced from a script from the Avengers TV show in the UK, I half expect John Steed to show up. Nice character interactions, cheesy guns and humorous exchange between MoonKnight and Beast. Fun romp, pick it up and read it today

Transformers #24 – Costa, Roberts & Ramondelli – This book blows hot and cold, last issue we have an amazing dialog issue between Prime and Megatron. This one came across all confused again and the muddy artwork, although atmospheric didn't help. I've heard a rumor that the current arc is last before IDW switch back to the Marvel continuity, I am kind of disappointed, but something needs to be done before this books really loses itself. Next issue we switch back to the Earth team and I'm holding out hope we see another good one.

Savage Dragon #173 – Larsen, Orzechowski, Koutus  & Toris – This one is no brainer, Savage Dragon is still one of the most solid Superhero books on the rack pick it up and keep it in your box.

Guarding the Globe #5 – Kirkman, Cereno & Getty – Did I miss something? I actually had to look at the last issue to see if the plot married up. It did, but still read as a confused mess and like something has been told that I have missed. Kind of iffy about this book that I initially picked up with high hopes to be a stonker. Next issue better pick up or its out the box.

Hellboy The Fury 2 of 3 – Mignola & Fegredo – The apocalypse is a coming, only Hellboy and the Once and Future King stand in its way. Sweeping action as the story races to its conclusion in the next issue. Huge slugfest between Hellboy and the Dragon that is leaving England devastated in its wake. I really should of picked up Hellboy a long time ago, there is some much here I've missed. Staying until the end.

Out of the box – this week saw the release of two Fear Itself mini-series that I had to remove from my box unseen. The Deep & Youth in Revolt are now gone. I'm done with spin off event books that go nowhere and Fear Itself has really broken the epic feel of events with me now. What is so wrong to have stand alone titles that tell good stories? I'm I so wrong just to want that?

That's the end of my column for this week, we are one week away from the launch of the first wave of DCnU52 titles which will be interesting to pick through, see you all next time around…