This week's comic book expectations

I know I say this a lot, but this is a HUGE week for comic book releases.

The good news for me is, most of them are self-explanatory for why you want to buy and read them.

Obviously, first on this list is DC Universe #0. This book not only serves as a bridge between "Countdown to Final Crisis" and "Final Crisis," but it also will tease to everything DC is doing in the next year. And did I mention is costs 50 CENTS? No Brainer!

Other good choices from DC this week include Action Comics #864 (a one-shot story featuring Toyman), Green Lantern #30 (continuing the "Secret Origin" story for Hal Jordan) and Teen Titans #58 (Miss Martian is continuing to go nuts, while the "Terror Titans" story also progresses).

Self-explanatory, right? Good, let's move on to Marvel:

First off, Avengers: The Initiative #12 is not a "Secret Invasion" tie-in, but it should be strong. The first year of The Initiative concludes with Iron Man paying a visit and plenty of heroes in-line to get their hero's license.

New Avengers #40, however, is not only an "SI" tie-in, but promises to reveal exactly how the Skrull invasion was first concocted and how they began it. Sounds pretty interesting, even to a Marvel-event skeptic like myself.

Other strong Marvel choices include X-Men: Legacy #210 (Xavier and Magneto are back together, and seem determined to re-evaluate their respective "dreams"), Ultimate X-Men #93 (Robert Kirkman's final issue on the book brings the end of his "Apocalypse" arc), and The Immortal Iron Fist #14 (with the current magnificent "The Seven Capital Cities of Heaven" arc concluding).

In the words of Champ Kind, WHAMMY!

Wednesday's comic release list

It's late, and I know I am late with my impressions on "Mario Kart Wii" that I promised you on Sunday (most of the reason I haven't gotten those up yet is because I've been playing so much, which should give you an idea of what I think of the game), but I wanted to get the link up to this week's comic book releases.

So HERE IT IS!

I will tell you all about "Mario Kart" (and how I convinced Wal-Mart's employees to get me the game late Saturday night) on Wednesday. I promise. Really.

This week's video game releases

So, we've already received "Mario Kart Wii," my new favorite game (and I'll expand on that on Monday). Now we're getting ready for the Monday night at midnight release of "Grand Theft Auto IV."

Has there ever been a bigger three-day stretch in gaming history? ... You know, other than last year's PS3/Wii console releases on Nov. 17/19...

HERE'S the rest of the releases for the week.

MARIO KART TONIGHT!

Is everyone in as good a pre-Mario Kart mood as I am today? I don't think I've ever come into the office on a Saturday in such a good mood.

In fact, I feel like singing about it... here's a couple of ditties I have in my head:

"Tonight, Tonight," from West Side Story:
Tonight, Tonight
We're playing Kart tonight
Tonight we will not sleep , not at all
Tonight, Tonight
We'll throw Red Shells tonight
Tonight we'll finish before you all!

"Tearing up my Kart," by NSYNC
You're tearing up my Kart
with Shells of Blue
I led right from the start
now I trail you
And though I should still beat you
I feel the pain
With your Shells of Blue

I know, I'm a geek. And I get bored while driving to work. Happy Karting at Midnight!

Saturday's Gaming in the Journal

BIG BIG BIG Gaming page this week (PAGE 4C) in Saturday's Poughkeepsie Journal.

We have a Great in-depth look at "Cal Ripken's Real Baseball," a new MMO that allows you to become a singular baseball player and improve over time. Is it good? Does it suck? Journal intern Steve Schult will tell you.

We also have a preview of "Deca Sports" for Wii, as Hudson Entertainment provided me with an early build of the game to explore. This is one game you casual gamers want to know about.

We also have a fantasy baseball column and news on Brett Favre (see post below).

BIG BIG BIG Gaming page! Pickup Saturday's Journal and turn to page 4C.

VIDEO: Madden NFL through the years

Yes, EA Sports has announced Brett Favre as their cover boy for "Madden NFL 09." They've also provided the Poughkeepsie Journal with a GREAT video showing off clips from every "Madden" game through the last 20 years. Of course, the video stars the cover boys himself. ENJOY!

Mario: Plummer in the City

I love the Associated Press for getting a photographer down to NYC today to watch Super Mario give away free cab rides.

Of course, Nintendo was promoting "Mario Kart Wii" which comes out in roughly 54 hours, five minutes and 24 seconds... not that I'm counting.

Personally, at this point I would buy cab rides for the Nintendo guys if it put this game in my hands faster.

Buy Pile Report

It's .... it's over. It's over. IT'S OVER!

"Countdown," and all its siblings, is OVER!!!

And boy, did this final week of "Countdown" suck.

I wouldn't say Death of the New Gods #8 ruins a formerly very good mini-series, but the fact is that, in order to make last week's "Countdown to Final Crisis" synch up with this series, there was no true finale to this series. Yes, they temporarily bring Orion back from the dead (which is why he was seen last week), and yes, the son fights his father, Darkseid. But then the two transport away from the fray before a victor is decided. It had a very anti-climatic feeling.

And the explanation in this issue did NOT make up for the horrible scheduling error of last week.

And then, the mothership. How did Countdown to Final Crisis #1 wrap up the series, you ask? Well, after a year's worth of failed storylines and horrible writing -- random characterizations, atrocious art and a universe-murdering disease that just sort of went away -- two things resulted: 1) For no good reason, Mary Marvel is now evil; 2) Ray Palmer, Donna Troy, Kyle Rayner and Forager are now a four-person team that polices Monitors.

Yes, I'm going to repeat that, because it bears repeating. This final issue ends with Ray Palmer, Donna Troy, Kyle Rayner and Forager forming a four-person team that polices Monitors. WHAT THE HELL, GUYS? Monitors are supposed to be akin to the God of each universe. All-knowing, all-seeing, heavy-duty fighters. Now, it's bad enough that "Countdown" has turned these monitors into a squabbling group of impotent whiners, but now we're supposed to believe that these four heroes would really be this fearsome threat to the Monitors?!? That's not only ridiculous, it further ruins a formerly great historical footnote in the DC Universe, dating back 23 years.

UGH!

At least "Countdown" is now OVER!

And, at least Justice League of America #20 was decent -- the first decent issue written by Dwayne McDuffie, in my opinion. Sure, it's basically just a two-character one-shot featuring Flash and Wonder Woman, but the two work well together here, and Flash's narration wasn't even too cheesy.

Now, as far as I'm concerned, Ultimate Fantastic Four #53 was the best issue of the week. I know, I know, I've performed this song and dance before. Hopefully I got through to all of you doubters in time for you to read this storyline, because it ended as strongly as it began, with Reed Richards solving everyone's problems (just like we all knew he would) in a way that I would have never guessed.

This series really has the opportunity to get back on the right track thanks to this arc (and thanks to the fact that the proper FF series has stunk badly lately). Now, what I am really hoping for is a little more character interaction and interpersonal development in the next issue or two, so Mike Carey can pave the way to the next author's turn on the book.

Lastly, X-Force #3. Apparently, Kyle & Yost decided to go the Geoff Johns/"Sinestro Corps. War" route and pile in as many villains into one story as they can. Only, they're really not doing it nearly as well. If you can think of a 1980's mutant hater, they are now part of the purifiers -- and that includes the dead ones! Honestly, Bastion and the Purifiers are digging up old friends and recruiting them. The idea is just too ludicrous to work right now, especially in such a dark realism book. Oh well, we can always hope for things to get better right?

After all, we all thought "Countdown" could never get better... but it did. Since it is now OVER!

This week's comic book expectations

Man oh man oh man, where to begin?

I think I have to start with DC, because I have an ax to grind.

The final two "Countdown" related books (ever!!!) are coming out this week: Countdown to Final Crisis #1 and Death of the New Gods #1. And after last week's debacle in "Countdown" (see last week's buy pile report for the details), I don't think there is a way in hell for DC to redeem themselves for it in these two issues.

I read "Countdown" editor Mike Carlin this week say that last week's Countdown to Final Crisis #2 occurred after the final issue of the "Death of the New Gods" mini-series. That makes me think that DC is going to ruin a fantastic mini-series with a horrific final issue that (apparently) will see Orion come back from the dead and Darkseid survive (only to die in last week's "Countdown," which we already saw).

Frankly, trying to figure out how any of that could make sense hurts my noggin. And the fact is that it is impossible for DC to make it makes sense, because the damage is done. By releasing "Death of the New Gods #8" this week instead of last week, DC completely ruined what shred of storytelling credibility it had left. Oh, and did I mention that Forager is still alive and kicking it in "Countdown to Final Crisis #1" this week? Which (apparently) occurs after the "Death" mini? Which means that FORAGER, of all people, is the final New God left living?

The only upside here is that we'll be able to officially run up the complete laundry list of problems with "Countdown" after this week.

Also of major note from DC this week is Justice League of America #20 (Flash's official league status is resolved in an issue drawn by Ethan Van Sciver) and Batman #575 (Looks like the perfect jumping on point for those looking to read the "Batman R.I.P" story beginning in issue #576).

Now then, from Marvel, the biggest issue of the week is Mighty Avengers #12 -- the first of the main tie-in books to "Secret Invasion." This issue will finally reveal exactly what Nick Fury has been up to all this time since "Secret War." I've been dying for the old eye patch to return in a big way to the Marvel Universe, so hopefully Fury's story in this invasion will be worth the wait.

An ancillary tie-in to "Secret Invasion" this week is Ms. Marvel #26, which continues the whole "Carol Danvers might be a Skrull" story. What interests me about this issue (and one of the biggest things that interest me about this Invasion as a whole) is the fact that some skrulls have been sent so deep undercover that they don't even realize they aren't who they claim they are -- and in this issue, Danvers is going to have to face that self doubt.

If you've been reading the storyline, Ultimate Fantastic Four #53 is also an A-list title this week. Hopefully you all have been listening to my encouragement to pick this arc with "Ultimate Thanos" up, because it really has been the BEST Fantastic Four story of ANY SORT since Mark Waid was writing the main FF book. I know, some of you cannot stand the Ultimate Universe -- but Ultimate Thanos is a real badass, and has been a great adversary for the all-too intelligent Ultimate Reed Richards. Honestly, this may be the first book I read this week.

Other top titles from Marvel this week are Uncanny X-Men #497 (a campy 1960's timeshift in San Francisco should make for a fun little story), and X-Force #3 (who hasn't been loving this dark book so far?).

Oh, and don't forget to pick up your FREE Avengers/Invaders sketchbook. It's FREE.

Wednesday's comic release list

HERE is your weekly list of releases...

And what a big week it is! Our first "Secret Invasion" tie-in and our LAST LAST LAST "Countdown" book! No More "Countdown"!!!

This week's video game releases

Check out the list of releases at THIS LINK.

Unfortunately, I kind of feel like a GREAT-looking new DS title. "The World Ends with You," is going to really take a backseat to the impending arrival of not only "Mario Kart Wii" but also "Grand Theft Auto IV."

Still, if you need a new portable game to play, or if you just need something to do before Sunday's "Kart" release, pick this one up.

Gaming for Hope

Hopefully all you enjoyed Gaming for Hope yesterday at Marist. I heard there was a great turnout — but, unfortunately due to schedule issues I was not able to make it over there (if you can tell from my previous post too, I'm one big bummer this weekend).

What I did get to see, though, were some great photos taken by our own Journal photographer Kathy McLaughlin. HERE IS A LINK to the photo gallery she put together. Although, that guy we had taking photos last year was pretty good too (me).

In next week's Gaming page, I'll hopefully have some news on how the event finished out, especially in terms of how much scratch was raised for the very worthy charity, Child's Play.

Come to think of it, next week's page is going to be BURSTING with stories (which is good, since I need to make up for the fact that Gaming was bumped at the last minute this week, right?)

New York Comic Con News Updates

So, due to staffing the scheduling reasons, I was not able to make the two hour trip down to the city for Comic Con. (Bummer, right?)

Anyway, since I am not there to bring you as close to the action as possible, I'm going to do the next best thing: As I read all the reports online from each panel, I'm going to get on here and point out what I think are the most interesting tidbits said.

This is going to be a running updated post, so check back here often.

1) Mondo Marvel Panel: THIS LINK. Not too much here other than Joey Q's same old song and dance. But, they did say that Mark Waid is joining the rotating cast of "Amazing Spider-man" writers. And now I wonder, how many other A-List writers are going to jump on board now to tell a Spider-man tale or two, now that there is so little long-term commitment involved?

More from Waid on the move is available HERE.

2) "Secret Invasion: Thor" was announced HERE. I've got to say, of all the "Secret Invasion" tie-ins, this one does look like one of the more appealing, if only because we're only two events removed from the last time Thor was impersonated ("Clor"), and I'm sure the Odinson won't be too thrilled about more impersonators coming a callin'.

More on "Secret Invasion"... they're starting to suck me in again... go HERE for more on the event, including news that I didn't know yet, there is going to be a "Secret Invasion: Inhumans" mini. The mini will supposedly account for Black Bolt's status, one of the bigger questions on my mind. There goes my wallet again...

By the way, fellow Journal Blogger Michael Woyton just pointed out something to me... The Pope just happens to be in town when Comic Con is... Coincidence?!?

3) DC Nation Panel: THIS LINK. The biggest news out of this one (or at least, what I think will turn into the biggest news, once the book is released since I'm optimistic) is an ongoing Power Girl series. She really could be a top-flight female character, in a DC Universe with too few, especially given the amount of depth and maturity Geoff Johns has given her of late. Unfortunately Johns won't be writing the series, but I am still optimistic.

4) Bryan Hitch Panel: THIS LINK. For the life of me, I don't know what the point of this was. I really wish I could have been in attendance to just ask Bryan "All you've done is tell us what a bad mood most of your projects have put you in, and how you have no idea what you're doing after "Fantastic Four." Soooo... what was the point, Hitchy?"

5) Make Mine Marvel Panel: THIS LINK. Dwayne Swierczynski talks a little about his upcoming plans in "Cable," and mentions the kid will grow up a bit, making specific mention of a "temperamental four year old." And while this is really the only way the series can go, I want to know just how old is Cable going to become? I mean, when he first hit the scene from the future, he was already (being very generous) in his late 40's with all that white hair and the scars. If this kid is going to grow up, are we eventually going to have Cable in his 60's still kicking rear?

6) DC Final Crisis Panel: THIS LINK. No revelations here on "Final Crisis," sadly. Just the same old listing of what's coming up, and the same old "It's only 50 cents!" when talking "DC Universe #0" ...

But one interesting tid-bit you can read more about HERE is that Gail Simone will be writing a new "Secret Six" comic. Whatever the woman touches turns to gold, so even if you don't know much about the group yet, you still may want to keep an eye out for it.

Meanwhile, at THIS LINK Dan Didio explains exactly what he means by keeping the "Final Crisis" tie-ins to a minimum. While only the few minis and one-shots will carry the "Final Crisis" banner, there will be other books taking place in the "Final Crisis" time frame without the banner. Further, there will be a "Final Crisis: Sightings" banner to show how the less important characters are functioning during the "Final Crisis" time frame. (I did my best to explain that, you can go to the link yourself if you need clarifying). Personally, I can see what DC is trying to accomplish by doing this, but I'll hold off on judging whether this idea will meet their goals of helping us consumers out.

7) Stan on Stan Panel: THIS LINK. It's official. Virgin has hired Stan Lee to create a superhero comic universe for them. Stan the Man will created 10 superheroes, complete with powers and backstories, to inhabit this budding Virgin Universe.

Not to sound sac religious or anything... but I don't know that Stan has 10 certifiable superhero hits to his credit, let alone the ability to create 10 brand new ones in the twilight of his career. OK, I love the guy, but past the twilight of his career. I mean, again, I give him plenty of credit for his heroes, especially Hulk and Spidey, but I also give Jack Kirby a heck of a lot of credit for some of Stan's creations and even more credit to other writers for filling out the personalities and real-world themes of the X-Men.

I think, if Virgin hired a guy like Geoff Johns or (even though I'm no fan of his) a Brian Bendis, they could accomplish what they are looking for. Stan isn't quite going to cut it anymore. Which is a true shame.

Buy Pile Report

You know, say what you will about Marvel in the post "One More Day" age -- and I've said plenty.

But nothing "The House of Ideas" has produced to my memory has been as worthless as Countdown to Final Crisis #2.

This issue was so bad that it's the reason I am posting this report so late at night. It's true. Countdown was the first comic I read tonight, and after completing it I was so confused and annoyed that I had take time and jump online to find OTHER reviews just because I thought there must have been something I missed that makes it all make sense. But it doesn't. It really really doesn't.

For starters, I was one of those in need of an explanation for why Darkseid was suddenly able to grow and fight enormous Jimmy Olsen. Well, we get an explanation on page 3: "He's Freaking Darkseid!" Donna Troy said.

I don't know what's worse about that -- that we're supposed to just buy that crap or that a writer, and the editor that gave it the OK, thought Donna Troy would spout off that dribble in such a way.

But it got worse. After finding the device in Jimmy's head that was storing all those souls, he removes it, grows to his normal size, and then crushes it in his hand.

Yes, a normal human was able to crush a cosmic device that collects souls. And what I want to know is, if killing Jimmy would give all those souls to Darkseid, then why would crushing the device simply make the souls dissipate? Shouldn't it have the same effect as killing Jimmy? And wouldn't smart guy Ray Palmer not want to do something so reckless?

But it got worse. Orion showed up to stop Darkseid. Yeah, Orion. You know, even though he died a few months ago in a book titled "Death of the New Gods." Maybe DC has heard of that mini-series? I mean, it was a pretty well written series, so I would think DC would have read it. You know, especially since THEY PRINTED IT!

And Countdown offers no explanation for how he is here, not even a contrived answer to any of us who read Orion's gallant demise MONTHS ago. Nope, it is completely ignored. Even by Superman, who Watched Orion Die in that series.

Speaking of Superman, while Orion and Darkseid battle, further tearing apart Metropolis, Superman stops his super-powered chums from helping Orion win faster, thus sparing the destruction. Why, you ask? "This is between a father and his son, Kyle. This is between Gods."

Oh, that explains it. Thanks, Supes!

But it got worse. Orion (you know, the guy who died) tears out Darkseid's heart, causing him to burst into flames and die. Which wouldn't be a problem, except for the fact that Grant Morrison has not shut up talking on and on and on about how Darkseid is the big villain in his upcoming epic "Final Crisis." I mean, Damn guys, you have ads for "Final Crisis" in this very issue -- ads that include Darkseid! Also, in that mini-series you guys haven't read (it was called "Death of the New Gods" if you forgot), Darkseid is the narrator! He survives, we know this! So why is his "death" the big shocking moment in the penultimate issue of your huge year-long series?!?

The only solace here is that Countdown is one issue away from being a bad memory.

Ugh, but I did read other things this week, and unfortunately it wasn't that spectacular. Especially since I started off with such a bad appetizer.

X-Men: Divided We Stand #1 is NOT the must read I predicted it to be. Though it's not a bad read, featuring five standalone stories showing what some heroes have been up to during their time separated from Xavier's Institute, I can sum up each in one sentence per.

Ready? Here we go: 1) Cannonball feels he doesn't belong at home anymore. 2) Nehzno doesn't feel he belongs anywhere (though this was the best of the stories. 3) Anole doesn't fit in at home anymore. 4) Julian feels abandoned by the X-Men and has no home. 5) Nightcrawler is religious.

I just saved you four bucks. I'll expect a check in the mail.

Sadly, Captain America #37 was also not quite up to the standard Ed Brubaker has set for himself either. After the big shocker at the end of last issue, with Sharon finding "Steve Rogers' " body, there was absolutely no plot development in this story. Sure, we saw a couple of interesting scenes -- one featuring Hawkeye confronting Captain Bucky and another showing Bucky's dreams -- but nothing happens until the last page, and I don't even know what exactly happened there.

Salvation Run #6 was much of the same. I've loved this series, but nothing happens here to advance the plot until the Parademons arrive toward the end.

Yes, they arrive, so next issue's finale should be GREAT, but for now, the long-awaited showdown between Lex Luthor and the Joker was nothing more than space filler. I would have liked some resolution there. It's almost as if DC decided both had to look like 'the man,' but neither was allowed to score even a marginal victory, just so people could go on arguing who would win in a fight.

UGH, looking back on it, this week really stunk. I'm going to go watch some Justice League Unlimited cartoons. Those may pander to children, but at least they don't insult my intelligence like SOME DC offerings.

This week's comic expectations

OK, it's been a LONG day and I'm a little cranky, but this week of comics is too damn big for me not to at least get a lightning round of previews up.

Brave and the Bold #12: The conclusion of Mark Waid's first major story will see all those heroes team up to take on the long-awaited MEGISTUS. Bam.

Captain America #37: Captain Bucky just found what appears to be Steve Rogers' body in Red Skull's possession. Do I really need to say more?

Captain Marvel #5: The final issue of the story promises to give us all those answers we've been waiting for since Mar-Vell's unexpected (and, frankly, unnecessary) re-appearance at the end of "Civil War."

Salvation Run #6: A GREAT mini's penultimate issue. Vandal Savage is off procreating, Joke and Lex are at each other's throats (see cover image) and the para demons are about to invade. This is a must-read "Final Crisis" lead-in, if there is such a thing.

Superman #675: Kurt Busiek's last issue on the book, you know, before taking back Superman in the "Trinity" series, and he's going out with an over-sized bang, concluding Supes' battle with Paragon.

X-Men: Divided We Stand Book 1: Helping to reset the X-Men's path in the Marvel Universe, this first of two books will tell the story of what many favorite characters have been up to since Cyke disbanded the team — heroes like Cannonball, Husk, Storm, Nightcrawler and others. Must read for Mutant fans.