The pile was quite small for me this week, but I still managed to read the good, the bad and the Marvel. Betcha thought I was going to say Ugly, right?
In truth, all three books I'm about to talk about are from Marvel. I'll explain what I meant up top in a moment. But first...
The Good: Cable #3. This future story of an old soldier protecting a baby messiah regained the promise issue #1 showed and #2 made us forget about. Did that sentence make sense? You know what I mean. Anyway, this issue not only explains what has been going on to make this near-future New Jersey so screwed up, but it also introduces what seems to be a new central character to the story, Sophie, a 1950's looking blonde woman that seems right up Nathan's alley if you know what I mean.
And if that wasn't enough, the last page brings us an old familiar face -- one that not only spices up the story but also sparks so many different story possibilities I cannot even begin to say where this story is headed. Duane Swierczynski, you've written this week's "Good."
The Bad: Young X-Men #2. Either Marc Guggenheim has a MAJOR trick up his sleeve, or he REALLY does not know what he's doing writing Cyclops. And, for that matter, writing a story that makes any sense at all. Which, I know the later isn't true, so it gives me some hope.
Either way, the premise of this book -- Cyclops training young mutants to take down older young mutants he's fought alongside in the past -- is atrocious. The New Mutants have never shown this newfound "ruthlessness" Cyclops talks about here, and some of the members he targets are depowered anyway. And for that matter, I am getting sick of this whole "The stakes are changed, we're allowed to kill now" crap. Scott Summers has saved the world countless times without killing, there's no need to start now, except in extreme cases (which is why I will forgive "X-Force"), and going after former teammates is not an extreme case.
Which is why I am hoping/guessing that Cyclops isn't actually Cyclops. I'm hoping/guessing he's posing as Cyclops to either get the kids killed or just keep public opinion going against Mutants. But, until that logical explanation is applied to this crap, Marc Guggenheim, you've written this week's "Bad."
The Marvel: Secret Invasion #2. And, by "The Marvel" I mean, stereotypical, there's the Marvel I know. This second issue of the "Secret Invasion" mothership was not bad by any means. It had some good action, and keeps throwing curveballs at the reader effectively. It's obvious Brian Bendis' main goals is to make you as unsure of your own opinions as the characters are unsure of who each other is.
But, in typical Marvel fashion, not nearly enough happens here. After the first issue hits you hard and fast with plenty of story, this issue is entirely set in the Savage Land, with little going on other than the fighting. There is no look whatsoever at what's going on in the surrounding world, either. And, After reading Marvel's last few events, I can only guess that this is the way it's going to stay. If you want to read more about the Marvel Universe outside of the Savage Land, I guess we'll all have to buy the ancillary books.
And really, that's the reason I am not nuts about Marvel's work nowadays. Not enough happens, and not enough happens in too many books required to get the whole story. Until I've been proved different, the King of it, Brian Bendis, you've written this week's "Marvel."
That's all, folks! Tip your waitresses!
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Will Wiimote blend???
Follow THIS LINK to IGN.com, which has a YouTube video of the age-old question: If you put two Wiimotes into a blender, will they blend?
Yes, this is a video of Wiimotes in a blender. Boosh!
Yes, this is a video of Wiimotes in a blender. Boosh!
'GTA IV' breaks $500 Million in first-week sales
Selling more than 6 million games Worldwide, "Grand Theft Auto IV" wrangled over $500 million in first-week sales alone, according to Take-Two on Wednesday.
The early estimates were for an already whopping $400 million, but apparently "GTA IV" got into even more homes than anyone could have guessed.
This all just backs up what I said on Saturday in my column in the Journal (THIS LINK), Parents are not doing a good enough job of keeping graphic games out of their kids' hands.
The early estimates were for an already whopping $400 million, but apparently "GTA IV" got into even more homes than anyone could have guessed.
This all just backs up what I said on Saturday in my column in the Journal (THIS LINK), Parents are not doing a good enough job of keeping graphic games out of their kids' hands.
Font issues; big thanks to Upstate Comics
Wow, sorry about the font for that last post, I was very sick last night (still am, though I soldier into the office anyway), and didn't exactly stop to make sure the font looked right. And, I don't even know how to fix it now. It's pretty odd.
But hey, despite the sickness, I'm still here, and I just got back from Upstate Comics with my weekly buy pile. I also now have a Cliff Chiang-signed copy of Green Arrow/Black Canary #1, given to me by the store even though I couldn't make it to their Free Comic Book Day festivities. So, a big thanks there.
I would have loved to have been there to meet Brian Wood and Chiang (or any of the stores in the area, as many had special events), but I was out on the Hudson River covering Triangulars for the Journal. And, I have to admit, that was pretty cool too, as I was video taping the event from a motorboat following the competition.
I was told Chiang was more than generous in the amount of sketches and such he did, and apparently, many fans handed him copies of that blank "Secret Invasion #1" variant and he drew DC characters with Skrull chins. Helluva idea!
But hey, despite the sickness, I'm still here, and I just got back from Upstate Comics with my weekly buy pile. I also now have a Cliff Chiang-signed copy of Green Arrow/Black Canary #1, given to me by the store even though I couldn't make it to their Free Comic Book Day festivities. So, a big thanks there.
I would have loved to have been there to meet Brian Wood and Chiang (or any of the stores in the area, as many had special events), but I was out on the Hudson River covering Triangulars for the Journal. And, I have to admit, that was pretty cool too, as I was video taping the event from a motorboat following the competition.
I was told Chiang was more than generous in the amount of sketches and such he did, and apparently, many fans handed him copies of that blank "Secret Invasion #1" variant and he drew DC characters with Skrull chins. Helluva idea!
This week's comic book expectations
Among other titles this week, we have the debut of a new ongoing Iron Man
series, Invincible Iron Man #1. Because, we needed more Iron Man in the
Marvel Universe nowadays. You know, because it's not like the man is over
exposed with his ongoings and his spot as S.H.I.E.L.D. Director and his
mini-series (Iron Man: Viva Las Vegas #1 debuts Wednesday too). Honestly,
Shellhead is around as much as Wolverine nowadays.
And do you know this Invincible first issue had six different covers? SIX?
You would think there was some non-comic book stuff going on Marvel was
trying to promote or somethingŠ
On a more important note, though, Iron Man can also be seen this week in
Secret Invasion #2. When last we left our heroes, they were in the Savage
Land meeting their doppelgangers. Or, were the doppelgangers the real deal?
SPOOKY!
The solicit for this book promises some good heroes vs. heroes action, plus
a Captain America leading the troops. Since Brubaker has done such a great
job on the "Captain America" book, though, I doubt Steve Rogers is coming
back here. Just a hunch.
And speaking of "Secret Invasion," we get two tie-ins this week. Well, kind
of two. The first is legit, Mighty Avengers #13, continuing the story of
where Nick Fury has been (you know, other than hiding after the credits),
and who his new Howling Commandos are. Marvel promises this is an important
tie-in to pick up. (Aren¹t they all to Marvel?)
The other tie-in, which I am kind of jazzed about, Franklin Richards:
Not-so-Secret Invasion #1. Who doesn¹t love little Franklin and
H.E.R.B.I.E.? We're going to get to see the Invasion from their little point
of view, with five mini-stories within the book's pages. Also, I am pretty
sure we¹re getting a Mini-Marvels "Secret Invasion" backup here. I'm not
kidding, I love this goofy kiddie stuff sometimes, and this is one of them.
All this talk from Marvel, and I haven't even mentioned the biggest issue of
the week, Avengers/Invaders #1. If you haven't heard of it, Alex Ross and
Jim Krueger tell a tale of the WWII Invaders getting transported to our time
and dealing with the current situation in the Marvel Universe (sans
Skrulls). Personally, I think this story will likely be a masterpiece, the
type I would be wary of if not for the weight Ross and Krueger throw around.
I'd be even more enthusiastic if Ross were doing interiors. Still, with all
the other events going on in the next few months, between DC's and Marvel's
summer pushes, this is one series that might do well to be left as a
Collected Trade purchase.
On another side of the universe, DC is trying to convince us all that Hell
has frozen over. It must have, because this week we¹re finally getting the
conclusion to Superman's "Last Son" story arc in Action Comics Annual #11.
Does anyone out there even remember what has been going on with that story?
Well, with as many heavy hitters on the table here (Lex, Zod, Mettallo,
Bizaro, Parasite) and Geoff Johns penning this story (with Richard Donner,
of course) I'm confident this final issue will be somewhat satisfying. It
better to have taken so long!
War breaks out in space in Rann/Thanagar: Holy War #1, the first issue of
the next installment of the two planets' ongoing battle. Personally, I've
never cared too much for the galactic side of things in these big events -- especially because it seems like all DC can think of sometimes is throwing
Rann and Thanagar together again. Still, I've been digging Jim Starlin's
work of late, so this latest battle in the ongoing conflict may actually be
decent.
A cool little "Final Crisis" tie-in drops this week as well in DC Universe
Special -- Justice League of America. Really, this book should include Libra
in the title, since the entire 80-page book (for $5, a bit over priced) is
devoted to Libra¹s first appearances back in the JLA in the 1970¹s. It
should be a nice little history lesson for us, you know, before Grant
Morrison completely changes the character to fit his needs.
Other books worth noting this week: Cable #3, Countdown to Mystery #7, Dark
Tower: The Long Road Home #3, Nightwing #144, Nova #13, X-Factor: Quick and
the Dead #1 and Young X-Men #2.
series, Invincible Iron Man #1. Because, we needed more Iron Man in the
Marvel Universe nowadays. You know, because it's not like the man is over
exposed with his ongoings and his spot as S.H.I.E.L.D. Director and his
mini-series (Iron Man: Viva Las Vegas #1 debuts Wednesday too). Honestly,
Shellhead is around as much as Wolverine nowadays.
And do you know this Invincible first issue had six different covers? SIX?
You would think there was some non-comic book stuff going on Marvel was
trying to promote or somethingŠ
On a more important note, though, Iron Man can also be seen this week in
Secret Invasion #2. When last we left our heroes, they were in the Savage
Land meeting their doppelgangers. Or, were the doppelgangers the real deal?
SPOOKY!
The solicit for this book promises some good heroes vs. heroes action, plus
a Captain America leading the troops. Since Brubaker has done such a great
job on the "Captain America" book, though, I doubt Steve Rogers is coming
back here. Just a hunch.
And speaking of "Secret Invasion," we get two tie-ins this week. Well, kind
of two. The first is legit, Mighty Avengers #13, continuing the story of
where Nick Fury has been (you know, other than hiding after the credits),
and who his new Howling Commandos are. Marvel promises this is an important
tie-in to pick up. (Aren¹t they all to Marvel?)
The other tie-in, which I am kind of jazzed about, Franklin Richards:
Not-so-Secret Invasion #1. Who doesn¹t love little Franklin and
H.E.R.B.I.E.? We're going to get to see the Invasion from their little point
of view, with five mini-stories within the book's pages. Also, I am pretty
sure we¹re getting a Mini-Marvels "Secret Invasion" backup here. I'm not
kidding, I love this goofy kiddie stuff sometimes, and this is one of them.
All this talk from Marvel, and I haven't even mentioned the biggest issue of
the week, Avengers/Invaders #1. If you haven't heard of it, Alex Ross and
Jim Krueger tell a tale of the WWII Invaders getting transported to our time
and dealing with the current situation in the Marvel Universe (sans
Skrulls). Personally, I think this story will likely be a masterpiece, the
type I would be wary of if not for the weight Ross and Krueger throw around.
I'd be even more enthusiastic if Ross were doing interiors. Still, with all
the other events going on in the next few months, between DC's and Marvel's
summer pushes, this is one series that might do well to be left as a
Collected Trade purchase.
On another side of the universe, DC is trying to convince us all that Hell
has frozen over. It must have, because this week we¹re finally getting the
conclusion to Superman's "Last Son" story arc in Action Comics Annual #11.
Does anyone out there even remember what has been going on with that story?
Well, with as many heavy hitters on the table here (Lex, Zod, Mettallo,
Bizaro, Parasite) and Geoff Johns penning this story (with Richard Donner,
of course) I'm confident this final issue will be somewhat satisfying. It
better to have taken so long!
War breaks out in space in Rann/Thanagar: Holy War #1, the first issue of
the next installment of the two planets' ongoing battle. Personally, I've
never cared too much for the galactic side of things in these big events -- especially because it seems like all DC can think of sometimes is throwing
Rann and Thanagar together again. Still, I've been digging Jim Starlin's
work of late, so this latest battle in the ongoing conflict may actually be
decent.
A cool little "Final Crisis" tie-in drops this week as well in DC Universe
Special -- Justice League of America. Really, this book should include Libra
in the title, since the entire 80-page book (for $5, a bit over priced) is
devoted to Libra¹s first appearances back in the JLA in the 1970¹s. It
should be a nice little history lesson for us, you know, before Grant
Morrison completely changes the character to fit his needs.
Other books worth noting this week: Cable #3, Countdown to Mystery #7, Dark
Tower: The Long Road Home #3, Nightwing #144, Nova #13, X-Factor: Quick and
the Dead #1 and Young X-Men #2.
Wednesday's comic release list
I'm sick. I've no time for witty banter. Good thing I wrote up the Comic Expectations before leaving for Long Island this afternoon. Here's your LINK to the releases for this week.
Monday, May 5, 2008
Nick Fury in 'Iron Man' after credits
By the way, after that BIG announcement from Marvel today, I went and found this: VIDEO of the Nick Fury scene at the end of "Iron Man" after the credits rolled.
That's right, if you missed it, Samuel L. did show up as Nick Fury, and you can see the video of it at THIS LINK.
Surprisingly, it's AOL video, taken by a bootlegger. I'm kind of shocked AOL let this video stick on their site. Oh well, better for us!
That's right, if you missed it, Samuel L. did show up as Nick Fury, and you can see the video of it at THIS LINK.
Surprisingly, it's AOL video, taken by a bootlegger. I'm kind of shocked AOL let this video stick on their site. Oh well, better for us!
AVENGERS MOVIE IN 2011!
Thank you Marvel. Though your comic writers steal hundreds of dollars from me yearly on storylines that never pan out, you've made up for it with your movie announcement today.
Read the full story on the Journal's Web site HERE, Marvel announced a whole slew of movies today, all will be out in 2010 and 2011 (supposedly):
"Iron Man 2" on April 30, 2010 (duh, we knew it was coming, read my thoughts on the first Iron Man movie by scrolling down)
"Thor" on June 4, 2010 (wow, finally a Thor movie? But, that makes three Avengers with movies...)
"The First Avenger: Captain America" on May 6, 2011 (Whoa! We've been waiting for a Cap movie for how long? But if Cap's at the party then that must mean...)
"The Avengers" in July of 2011 (YES! We knew you'd do it, Marvel! We just knew it!)
BIG NEWS, eh? I do have some questions here, though. First off, the title of the Captain America movie — "First Avenger" — Does that mean we'll be seeing a 1940's period piece with Cap, showing him pre-freeze? Marvel Studios doesn't have the rights to Namor, if they wanted to include "The Invaders." And, if this is the plot, we would know the Avengers movie would likely center around Cap's excavation and subsequent problems adjusting to society. This title is definitely a clue as to what this movie will focus on, but there are quite a few different ways you can take a Captain America movie.
Also, I wonder how the shooting schedule would work for the actor playing Steve Rogers. In order for him to shoot the Cap movie and the Avengers movie back to back, I would think they would need to have that casting done and script done in a hurry. For that matter, Is Robert Downey, Jr. just going to be shooting Iron Man/Avengers movies for the next two years also?
And, speaking of Tony Stark, I cannot wait to see how Downey, Jr's Tony Stark interacts with the fish-out-of-water Steve Rogers on film. And speaking of big stars, is Edward Norton going to be involved here, too? And is S.H.I.E.L.D. just going to be showing up in every movie, developing that angle without even a "Nick Fury" movie of its own?
So many questions! Not enough answers! Damn You Marvel for laying so much knowledge on us at once! Am I the only one who wants 2010 to get here, pronto?
Read the full story on the Journal's Web site HERE, Marvel announced a whole slew of movies today, all will be out in 2010 and 2011 (supposedly):
"Iron Man 2" on April 30, 2010 (duh, we knew it was coming, read my thoughts on the first Iron Man movie by scrolling down)
"Thor" on June 4, 2010 (wow, finally a Thor movie? But, that makes three Avengers with movies...)
"The First Avenger: Captain America" on May 6, 2011 (Whoa! We've been waiting for a Cap movie for how long? But if Cap's at the party then that must mean...)
"The Avengers" in July of 2011 (YES! We knew you'd do it, Marvel! We just knew it!)
BIG NEWS, eh? I do have some questions here, though. First off, the title of the Captain America movie — "First Avenger" — Does that mean we'll be seeing a 1940's period piece with Cap, showing him pre-freeze? Marvel Studios doesn't have the rights to Namor, if they wanted to include "The Invaders." And, if this is the plot, we would know the Avengers movie would likely center around Cap's excavation and subsequent problems adjusting to society. This title is definitely a clue as to what this movie will focus on, but there are quite a few different ways you can take a Captain America movie.
Also, I wonder how the shooting schedule would work for the actor playing Steve Rogers. In order for him to shoot the Cap movie and the Avengers movie back to back, I would think they would need to have that casting done and script done in a hurry. For that matter, Is Robert Downey, Jr. just going to be shooting Iron Man/Avengers movies for the next two years also?
And, speaking of Tony Stark, I cannot wait to see how Downey, Jr's Tony Stark interacts with the fish-out-of-water Steve Rogers on film. And speaking of big stars, is Edward Norton going to be involved here, too? And is S.H.I.E.L.D. just going to be showing up in every movie, developing that angle without even a "Nick Fury" movie of its own?
So many questions! Not enough answers! Damn You Marvel for laying so much knowledge on us at once! Am I the only one who wants 2010 to get here, pronto?
'Prototype' pushed to 2009
Follow THIS LINK to the Gamespot story saying "Prototype," one of the coolest looking open-world action games we've seen yet, is getting pushed back to a 2009 release.
Personally, I am not too broken up about this, since we have SO MANY good games to play already slated to come out this year. As long as "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed" and "Too Human" don't get pushed back too, we're going to be just fine.
Personally, I am not too broken up about this, since we have SO MANY good games to play already slated to come out this year. As long as "Star Wars: The Force Unleashed" and "Too Human" don't get pushed back too, we're going to be just fine.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
This week's video game releases
After the midnight excitement(s) of last week, this week's video game releases are a major drag. Still, HERE'S THE LINK to the full list.
IRON MAN
I'm sure you heard by now just how good "Iron Man" is, so I will spare you a full review.
But, suffice it to say that I was thrilled by the 10 p.m. showing the GF and I attended on Friday night. That's not to say the movie doesn't have flaws — there are some, and I'm sure a bigger Iron Man fan has a couple more nitpicks than a casual Golden Avenger fan like myself has — but overall the movie was just flat-out fun.
Minor spoilers coming!
And I think that's what really has people loving this movie. There are just as many goofy comic book cliches in this movie as there was in a movie like "Daredevil," it's just that by the time we see that goofball junk, Robert Downey, Jr. has already won the audience over.
And I mean that — Iron Man himself doesn't win the crowd over, it's Tony Stark. We see a heck of a lot more of Stark here than Iron Man, anyway. And again, that's the difference between this movie setting records, and flopping like, well, again, let's use "Daredevil" as the example:
I, for one, really liked "Daredevil," but I have to admit that a good portion of that movie depends on how much you like Ben Affleck's Matt Murdock, an intentionally un-charismatic character. On the other end of the spectrum we have Tony Stark, who in the span of the first five minutes of the movie is drinking with the military, cracking jokes in Iraq, and bedding Leslie Bibb (something that only he and Ricky Bobby have managed, nice job Mr. Stark). Immediately we love this character, and immediately we're willing to love the movie, despite it's goofy conventions.
And, to that extent, that's just a great job from Jon Favreau (or, you can call him Happy, now — what a great cameo).
As for the flaws...
1) I thought things were taken one step too far when the flight attendants were pole dancing. That just made Tony into a cartoon cliche, and it's a darn good thing the movie quickly shifts to the cave setting helping us to forget it.
2) Tony Stark should still be an alcoholic playboy after becoming Iron Man, and yet the movie makes him suddenly seem like a saint. If he doesn't get some booze in him for the sequel, it will flop.
3) Jeff Bridges was the worst comic book villain since Nick Nolte in "Hulk." Everything was great until he wouldn't stop talking while inside that suit. Here's the bulk of the goofball junk, as far as I was concerned. A new take on the Mandarin would have been a much better final villain. (Sequel? Please?)
But, that was it as far as my concerns with the movie. Everything else was great. Really, if you can only find three flaws in a comic book movie nowadays, that's a success. There are three in the first three minutes of "X-Men: The Last Stand." And, again, there may have been more in there if my geek-radar was looking close enough, but the movie was so much fun I was just enjoying it, as I'm sure you all have or will.
Rest assured, I will be seeing it again some time soon.
P.S. How great was Stan Lee's cameo?
But, suffice it to say that I was thrilled by the 10 p.m. showing the GF and I attended on Friday night. That's not to say the movie doesn't have flaws — there are some, and I'm sure a bigger Iron Man fan has a couple more nitpicks than a casual Golden Avenger fan like myself has — but overall the movie was just flat-out fun.
Minor spoilers coming!
And I think that's what really has people loving this movie. There are just as many goofy comic book cliches in this movie as there was in a movie like "Daredevil," it's just that by the time we see that goofball junk, Robert Downey, Jr. has already won the audience over.
And I mean that — Iron Man himself doesn't win the crowd over, it's Tony Stark. We see a heck of a lot more of Stark here than Iron Man, anyway. And again, that's the difference between this movie setting records, and flopping like, well, again, let's use "Daredevil" as the example:
I, for one, really liked "Daredevil," but I have to admit that a good portion of that movie depends on how much you like Ben Affleck's Matt Murdock, an intentionally un-charismatic character. On the other end of the spectrum we have Tony Stark, who in the span of the first five minutes of the movie is drinking with the military, cracking jokes in Iraq, and bedding Leslie Bibb (something that only he and Ricky Bobby have managed, nice job Mr. Stark). Immediately we love this character, and immediately we're willing to love the movie, despite it's goofy conventions.
And, to that extent, that's just a great job from Jon Favreau (or, you can call him Happy, now — what a great cameo).
As for the flaws...
1) I thought things were taken one step too far when the flight attendants were pole dancing. That just made Tony into a cartoon cliche, and it's a darn good thing the movie quickly shifts to the cave setting helping us to forget it.
2) Tony Stark should still be an alcoholic playboy after becoming Iron Man, and yet the movie makes him suddenly seem like a saint. If he doesn't get some booze in him for the sequel, it will flop.
3) Jeff Bridges was the worst comic book villain since Nick Nolte in "Hulk." Everything was great until he wouldn't stop talking while inside that suit. Here's the bulk of the goofball junk, as far as I was concerned. A new take on the Mandarin would have been a much better final villain. (Sequel? Please?)
But, that was it as far as my concerns with the movie. Everything else was great. Really, if you can only find three flaws in a comic book movie nowadays, that's a success. There are three in the first three minutes of "X-Men: The Last Stand." And, again, there may have been more in there if my geek-radar was looking close enough, but the movie was so much fun I was just enjoying it, as I'm sure you all have or will.
Rest assured, I will be seeing it again some time soon.
P.S. How great was Stan Lee's cameo?
Friday, May 2, 2008
Saturday's Gaming in the Journal
Unless the plans have changed since I got out of the office to go and see IRON MAN, the Journal's Gaming page will be on PAGE 4C of Saturday's Poughkeepsie Journal.
And, YOU WANT to check out the Gaming page on PAGE 4C.
We have, a full review of my new obsession, "Mario Kart Wii."
(For more on the game, check my last post and a post soon to be posted).
We have a column, written by yours truly, on why "GTA IV" belongs in mature gamers' hands but AWAY FROM KIDS! (I'm talking to you, parents!)
And, we also have a story on how professional poker players are reacting to the World Series of Poker's Main Event Final Table getting pushed back to November.
This is possibly the best Gaming page (PAGE 4C) Ever. Or, at least the best since we switched to black and white colors.
Check out my stories, and let me know what you think of each. I'm happy with my "Kart" review (mostly because it is just fun to play), but I'm proud of my "GTA" column (hopefully I get through to some people).
And, by the way, last night on "Kart," I unlocked the final unlockable character, DRY BOWSER. Yes, I am done with unlocking characters, and I did it without downloading a cheat save. It was no easy task to get stars on every 150CC course, either, but I persevered because I am a little obsessed. Heck, I don't even like using the heavy weights on this game, but now that I have Dry Bowser I may use him online simply as a status symbol. Yes, I'm sick.
So yeah, check out PAGE 4C, the Gaming Page in Saturday's Poughkeepsie Journal.
And, YOU WANT to check out the Gaming page on PAGE 4C.
We have, a full review of my new obsession, "Mario Kart Wii."
(For more on the game, check my last post and a post soon to be posted).We have a column, written by yours truly, on why "GTA IV" belongs in mature gamers' hands but AWAY FROM KIDS! (I'm talking to you, parents!)
And, we also have a story on how professional poker players are reacting to the World Series of Poker's Main Event Final Table getting pushed back to November.
This is possibly the best Gaming page (PAGE 4C) Ever. Or, at least the best since we switched to black and white colors.
Check out my stories, and let me know what you think of each. I'm happy with my "Kart" review (mostly because it is just fun to play), but I'm proud of my "GTA" column (hopefully I get through to some people).
And, by the way, last night on "Kart," I unlocked the final unlockable character, DRY BOWSER. Yes, I am done with unlocking characters, and I did it without downloading a cheat save. It was no easy task to get stars on every 150CC course, either, but I persevered because I am a little obsessed. Heck, I don't even like using the heavy weights on this game, but now that I have Dry Bowser I may use him online simply as a status symbol. Yes, I'm sick.
So yeah, check out PAGE 4C, the Gaming Page in Saturday's Poughkeepsie Journal.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
'Mario Kart Wii' impressions
Hey, I've been promising to get on here and give my two cents on "Mario Kart Wii" for a week now, so here I am.
OK, well, I'm not going to do that quite yet. As it turns out, I am going to have the time this week to write out my own review of the game for Saturday's Gaming page in the Poughkeepsie Journal (the Associated Press one was a little weak for my tastes), so instead of giving you all my feelings about the game here, I'm giving them there.
What I will tell you, though, is I am ADDICTED. During the first 50 hours that it was on sale in North America, I played 23 of those hours -- and that includes coming in here for a full day of work.
I've unlocked every character except Dry Bowser at this point (I haven't really tried to, either, since I've been so sidetracked playing online), and have tried nearly every vehicle.
My favorite combination, the one that helped me win 14 of 15 matches online last night (YES, 14 of 15, I know, I'm a legend), is Dry Bones with the Magikruiser bike.
And while I am in love with this game, I am very disappointed in the battle mode.
You want more? Read Saturday's Journal! On that page, I will also have a column explaining why Parents need to start parenting and stop protesting over "Grand Theft Auto IV."
Buy Pile Report: DCU #0
I'm sure you've likely heard by now, thanks to the Daily News and their big traps, but here's your SPOILER WARNING any way.
Yes, In DC Universe #0 the Flash comes back from the dead. The Daily News reported Barry Allen was back from the dead, and issue writers Grant Morrison and Geoff Johns all but confirmed it.
The question I have, though, is why is nobody else other than me wondering if Barry is not the only Allen coming back?
To fill you in if you haven't shelled out the 50 Cents for the issue yet, a Flash (that metaphorically returns from the dead with a lightning bolt on the final page) is your narrator through this entire issue. This small spark traveling the cosmos on page one introduces himself simply as "This is Everything. This is Me." Clearly, the spark seems to be the speed force.
The comic is then divided into short, tight, informative segments, most of which will definitely whet your appetite for the next year of DC comics. First The idea of the multiverse is introduced, then, in ONE PAGE no less, the last two crisises are summed up. We get a tease to "Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds," followed by a chilling tease to "Batman: R.I.P" (that you can find online). Then, we get teased to the next year in Wonder Woman comics, in which apparently the cast of "300" will be making an appearance, followed by a great art collage of "Blackest Night." The last two teases are to how the Specter will be featured in "Final Crisis," followed by a look at our new villain, Libra.
It is A LOT of information in a short cheap package. And while, yes, there is very little revealed, it is a great advertisement that you will be entertained by.
So, Why do I think more than just Barry Allen will be returning? Well, during the Legion tease, Superman asks Brainy for a hand in the battle. Brainy, who is taking part what seems to ceremony involving that Wand from the "Lightning Saga" arc, says "I'm attempting to find more than one, Superman..."
Also, On the DC Nation page in every DC book this week, there is a Rip Hunter-esque white board in the photo, with plenty of teases. One of these reads "4 times the Red"... let's see, Jay Garrick, Wally West, Barry Allen, Bart Allen... that's 4, right?
And really, if Barry Allen was the only surprise in Johns and Morrison's backpocket, would they have shown their hands so quickly?
Of course, the question now is how long will these Scarlett Speedsters be back for?
Lastly, and not Flash related, I just found it hilarious today reading this issue that it has 100% NOTHING to do with "Countdown to Final Crisis." Some "bridge" this is. Not that I am complaining, but it's just horribly evident that DC is already doing their damnedest to erase that horrible year-long story from everyone's memory.
Did we see any Monitors here? Nope. Any Jimmy Olsen? Any Forager? Kyle Rayner or Ray Palmer? How about OMAC? Nope. We saw DC's A-List, from their A-List writers. I'll happily erase that story from continuity if everyone else is game.
Yes, In DC Universe #0 the Flash comes back from the dead. The Daily News reported Barry Allen was back from the dead, and issue writers Grant Morrison and Geoff Johns all but confirmed it.
The question I have, though, is why is nobody else other than me wondering if Barry is not the only Allen coming back?
To fill you in if you haven't shelled out the 50 Cents for the issue yet, a Flash (that metaphorically returns from the dead with a lightning bolt on the final page) is your narrator through this entire issue. This small spark traveling the cosmos on page one introduces himself simply as "This is Everything. This is Me." Clearly, the spark seems to be the speed force.
The comic is then divided into short, tight, informative segments, most of which will definitely whet your appetite for the next year of DC comics. First The idea of the multiverse is introduced, then, in ONE PAGE no less, the last two crisises are summed up. We get a tease to "Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds," followed by a chilling tease to "Batman: R.I.P" (that you can find online). Then, we get teased to the next year in Wonder Woman comics, in which apparently the cast of "300" will be making an appearance, followed by a great art collage of "Blackest Night." The last two teases are to how the Specter will be featured in "Final Crisis," followed by a look at our new villain, Libra.
It is A LOT of information in a short cheap package. And while, yes, there is very little revealed, it is a great advertisement that you will be entertained by.
So, Why do I think more than just Barry Allen will be returning? Well, during the Legion tease, Superman asks Brainy for a hand in the battle. Brainy, who is taking part what seems to ceremony involving that Wand from the "Lightning Saga" arc, says "I'm attempting to find more than one, Superman..."
Also, On the DC Nation page in every DC book this week, there is a Rip Hunter-esque white board in the photo, with plenty of teases. One of these reads "4 times the Red"... let's see, Jay Garrick, Wally West, Barry Allen, Bart Allen... that's 4, right?
And really, if Barry Allen was the only surprise in Johns and Morrison's backpocket, would they have shown their hands so quickly?
Of course, the question now is how long will these Scarlett Speedsters be back for?
Lastly, and not Flash related, I just found it hilarious today reading this issue that it has 100% NOTHING to do with "Countdown to Final Crisis." Some "bridge" this is. Not that I am complaining, but it's just horribly evident that DC is already doing their damnedest to erase that horrible year-long story from everyone's memory.
Did we see any Monitors here? Nope. Any Jimmy Olsen? Any Forager? Kyle Rayner or Ray Palmer? How about OMAC? Nope. We saw DC's A-List, from their A-List writers. I'll happily erase that story from continuity if everyone else is game.
Buy Pile Report: Everything but 'DCU #0'
I'm saving DC Universe #0 for it's own separate post, because it was just that HUGE.
But there was plenty of good stuff to read this week. X-Men Legacy #210 continues the young series' strong beginning, with Professor Xavier and Exodus doing battle on the psychic plane. While we again take a trip down memory lane, with Exodus showing Xavier all the many ways he has failed, the story again feels very fresh and exciting -- and I'm not even a fan of Xavier to begin with.
Plus, by the end of this issue, we are left with not only a clear understanding of how Xavier has changed since his "death," but also a clear view of where this story is going. I find myself shocked to say I cannot wait for issue #211, even if it seems Magneto won't be along for the ride like I thought he would be.
Green Lantern #30 was strong as well, as Geoff Johns continued to re-tell Hal Jordan's "Secret Origin." And while most of this is ground well covered in the past, its the small changes Johns has inserted to fit his storytelling needs that keep the story exciting. The prophecy of the "Blackest Night" is heavily alluded to, and we learn that it is actually a large reason why Hal became a GL in the first place.
While I understand why many of you out there would not want to bother buying the origin of a character we all know already, the story has been well-written enough so far to warrant a read.
Also from Johns, I loved Action Comics #864. Although, I apologize, last night I wrote this issue would be a one-shot featuring the Toy Man. That's actually next issue. This issue was an epilogue (and a major teaser) for the "Legion of Superheroes" arc.
The vast majority of the story is simply further fleshing out Clark's involvement with the Legion, this time with us readers hearing the story through the skeptical ears of Batman, while toward the end we learn a major villain is watching and waiting for his chance to strike (presumably during the Legion "Final Crisis" tie-in). We also get a FANTASTIC few pages with Starman (my favorite character in comics today), and he's as entertaining as ever.
The one thing about this issue though -- it's almost becoming funny how blatantly DC's better talent, like Johns and Grant Morrison, are COMPLETELY ignoring "Countdown to Final Crisis." It's almost as if they read the story, said "No, that's dumb, we're doing it our way and people will like it better." And you know what? They are right.
Lastly, I want to thank Robert Kirkman. For, in his final issue on the series, Ultimate X-Men #93, he ended it so bafflingly horrible and so incredulously neatly that I, a completist amidst completists, feel alright dropping this series. This issue was beyond bad. For several years now, this series has just been going farther and farther downhill, and with the conclusion of this "Apocalypse" story (which, unbelievably was also a Phoenix story and a Cable story), I feel content with knowing this series is never going to offer me anything worth reading in the near future.
Thank you for this trash, Robert Kirkman.
But there was plenty of good stuff to read this week. X-Men Legacy #210 continues the young series' strong beginning, with Professor Xavier and Exodus doing battle on the psychic plane. While we again take a trip down memory lane, with Exodus showing Xavier all the many ways he has failed, the story again feels very fresh and exciting -- and I'm not even a fan of Xavier to begin with.
Plus, by the end of this issue, we are left with not only a clear understanding of how Xavier has changed since his "death," but also a clear view of where this story is going. I find myself shocked to say I cannot wait for issue #211, even if it seems Magneto won't be along for the ride like I thought he would be.
Green Lantern #30 was strong as well, as Geoff Johns continued to re-tell Hal Jordan's "Secret Origin." And while most of this is ground well covered in the past, its the small changes Johns has inserted to fit his storytelling needs that keep the story exciting. The prophecy of the "Blackest Night" is heavily alluded to, and we learn that it is actually a large reason why Hal became a GL in the first place.
While I understand why many of you out there would not want to bother buying the origin of a character we all know already, the story has been well-written enough so far to warrant a read.
Also from Johns, I loved Action Comics #864. Although, I apologize, last night I wrote this issue would be a one-shot featuring the Toy Man. That's actually next issue. This issue was an epilogue (and a major teaser) for the "Legion of Superheroes" arc.
The vast majority of the story is simply further fleshing out Clark's involvement with the Legion, this time with us readers hearing the story through the skeptical ears of Batman, while toward the end we learn a major villain is watching and waiting for his chance to strike (presumably during the Legion "Final Crisis" tie-in). We also get a FANTASTIC few pages with Starman (my favorite character in comics today), and he's as entertaining as ever.
The one thing about this issue though -- it's almost becoming funny how blatantly DC's better talent, like Johns and Grant Morrison, are COMPLETELY ignoring "Countdown to Final Crisis." It's almost as if they read the story, said "No, that's dumb, we're doing it our way and people will like it better." And you know what? They are right.
Lastly, I want to thank Robert Kirkman. For, in his final issue on the series, Ultimate X-Men #93, he ended it so bafflingly horrible and so incredulously neatly that I, a completist amidst completists, feel alright dropping this series. This issue was beyond bad. For several years now, this series has just been going farther and farther downhill, and with the conclusion of this "Apocalypse" story (which, unbelievably was also a Phoenix story and a Cable story), I feel content with knowing this series is never going to offer me anything worth reading in the near future.
Thank you for this trash, Robert Kirkman.
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