tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78463539457625560512024-03-14T00:35:11.194-07:00Geek ReadsCAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.comBlogger67125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-69040374764031079822018-10-14T18:00:00.000-07:002018-10-23T02:17:50.299-07:00Happy National Coming Out Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ilsbfb6SU2Y/W87in98IyII/AAAAAAAALls/mCG_FTV4QC8P1qlMFHSCiOPG4lx0CmnjwCLcBGAs/s1600/cod%2Bhd_1539264120375.jpg_58643948_ver1.0_640_360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="640" height="225" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ilsbfb6SU2Y/W87in98IyII/AAAAAAAALls/mCG_FTV4QC8P1qlMFHSCiOPG4lx0CmnjwCLcBGAs/s400/cod%2Bhd_1539264120375.jpg_58643948_ver1.0_640_360.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The whole world just recently celebrated #NationalComingOutDay, on October 11, 2018. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Whether you knew about this, in support of this or just plain indifferent to the whole thing, we all have to understand that the coming out process is not for everyone and that it all depends on the individual concerned and who they come out to.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
And it’s because of this, I did a little re-read on this graphic novel that was released in December 28, 2016 and it’s called, “Love is Love”.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tDvYQLEA1_Q/W87kGvORWqI/AAAAAAAALl4/L80R4aPq9I0eyAtJKizwdW57JmZOIRTAgCLcBGAs/s1600/LoveIsLove-Cv1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="651" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tDvYQLEA1_Q/W87kGvORWqI/AAAAAAAALl4/L80R4aPq9I0eyAtJKizwdW57JmZOIRTAgCLcBGAs/s320/LoveIsLove-Cv1.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">This is a comic book anthology compiled for the benefit of the survivors of the Orlando shooting on June 12, 2016. On that fateful night, a 29 year-old security guard named Omar Mateen, killed 49 people and left 53 wounded in a terrorist attack at a gay nightclub called Pulse. He was shot and killed after a 3-hour standoff.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">There are indeed no words for that act.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">But many artists, writers, inkers, directors and fellow Creatives had a lot to say about how this tragedy affected us all and how Love is truly Love, no matter how you look at it. No matter from whatever corner of the world we live in.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Director Patty Jenkins provided the Introduction and the entire anthology was the brainchild of Marc Andreyko and featured the works and words of who's who like actor Matt Bomer; Green Lantern artist, Ivan Reis; my favorite Buffy writer, Christopher Golden; X-men and current Justice League artist, Jim Lee; Marvel and Image Comics writer, Mark Millar; Wonder Woman writer, Gail Simone; Thriller novelist, Brad Meltzer and more.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K-mFPEfVfS0/W87kUvBYwtI/AAAAAAAALl8/2xlq41qU3hIq4cqpO7JlPBe5gzehcMviQCLcBGAs/s1600/d9975675a586e106218b1e88de571e8c.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="488" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K-mFPEfVfS0/W87kUvBYwtI/AAAAAAAALl8/2xlq41qU3hIq4cqpO7JlPBe5gzehcMviQCLcBGAs/s400/d9975675a586e106218b1e88de571e8c.png" width="260" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">With Wonder Woman herself on the cover and holding up the rainbow flag, the entries ranged from single paged stories to two-paged reflections on how the tragedy has affected everyone. One page showed Batman telling Nightwing how the victims were heroes and that they were not so different from the two of them, as some had to create identities to protect who they are and that those who hid their true selves actually found strength in what they had to conceal. It was simple but effectively written by Golden Globe and People’s Choice Award winning actor, Matt Bomer. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Marc Guggenheim (ARROW, LEGENDS of TOMORROW, GREEN LANTERN, PERCY JACKSON) also had a single page entry showing Batman at the scene of the crime and how the cops deduced that if the World’s Greatest Detective could not solve how the crime came about, then no one can.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LQStqhmyuf4/W87kzQ4zzjI/AAAAAAAALmE/kzA0opwnFfMp7YfHx_8pNvIMzLC4KSAWgCLcBGAs/s1600/yr7wba3y4i6y.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1041" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LQStqhmyuf4/W87kzQ4zzjI/AAAAAAAALmE/kzA0opwnFfMp7YfHx_8pNvIMzLC4KSAWgCLcBGAs/s320/yr7wba3y4i6y.png" width="208" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Ivan Reis’ panel was a single paged black and white sketch depicting the Earth members of the Green Lantern Corps standing proud and showing solidarity with the colors of the rainbow shining outward from behind them. Batwoman, who will be the major focus of this fall’s CW crossover between Flash, Arrow and Supergirl was also in a panel comforting a kid who lost his mother in the shooting. She told him that the best thing she did as a costumed hero was to be true to herself. She acknowledged the grieving kid’s pain and that his own mother was equally brave to live her life in truth. She added that because of that, she was a hero herself and that her bravery will live in him.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
These are the kinds of stories you will be reading in this 144-paged anthology, the proceeds of which will go to the victims, survivors and families of the affected tragedy through an organization called Equality Florida.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SPdqNpnvp_8/W87lJvwTvaI/AAAAAAAALmM/Yv4TglJweEA9tRQcwZnRQSVOu-G7WRjIwCLcBGAs/s1600/0cad8d0b573a69072e42733b06459045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SPdqNpnvp_8/W87lJvwTvaI/AAAAAAAALmM/Yv4TglJweEA9tRQcwZnRQSVOu-G7WRjIwCLcBGAs/s400/0cad8d0b573a69072e42733b06459045.jpg" width="262" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"></span></div>
Say what you want about being gay, about being in the closet, about how hard or easy it is to find that one person to connect with and eventually share you life with. You would soon come to realize that the process is the same for everyone. We all want the same thing. We want the same feeling of joy. We want the same thrill of being in love and free from the pain of heartbreak when we fall out of love.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jrraACKYkI4/W87iWJH7z_I/AAAAAAAALlk/mXgUoVqs570oDaAq1s79aAASyyKEugGagCLcBGAs/s1600/loveislove_banner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="1200" height="151" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jrraACKYkI4/W87iWJH7z_I/AAAAAAAALlk/mXgUoVqs570oDaAq1s79aAASyyKEugGagCLcBGAs/s400/loveislove_banner.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">We all want the same things. We just want different ways to package it.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">My love is not dependent on your approval. And yours doesn't require my vote either. All our journeys are different. We all just to accept that and allow everyone to live and accept their own reality.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">We all may not be engineers, physicists, teachers, Olympic athletes<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>or coaches but we all can at least agree on one thing when we see it.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">And that is, Love Is Love.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Period!</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Let’s make it so!</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-86327235531274757912018-10-09T16:00:00.000-07:002018-10-23T01:49:08.403-07:00Batman: Damned
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 14.0px Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000}
p.p2 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: justify; font: 14.0px Helvetica; -webkit-text-stroke: #000000; min-height: 17.0px}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zx4I5_4PHL8/W87cKod7o5I/AAAAAAAALkE/PMMN9uwjatcdMqzGca6ing41uGYLg4B8QCLcBGAs/s1600/batman-damned-preview-fb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="343" data-original-width="656" height="207" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Zx4I5_4PHL8/W87cKod7o5I/AAAAAAAALkE/PMMN9uwjatcdMqzGca6ing41uGYLg4B8QCLcBGAs/s400/batman-damned-preview-fb.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">
<br />
The road to darkness has been mapped and it is currently being engaged…</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">That may be the feel of late for the DCEU or the Worlds of DC as they would prefer to be called, but the tone of the different titles of the comics have kind of reflected that same grim theme in the films; from their current crisis, Heroes in Crisis, to the upcoming Witching Hour as a 5-part crossover between Wonder Woman and the current incarnation of Justice League Dark, and to the latest offering of the new label called, DC Black Label.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--26gsusr0zo/W87cbzNMV6I/AAAAAAAALkM/aPKdyX3u6K0wQFY72pMouB0FGNomIADBgCLcBGAs/s1600/DC-Black-label.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="750" height="170" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--26gsusr0zo/W87cbzNMV6I/AAAAAAAALkM/aPKdyX3u6K0wQFY72pMouB0FGNomIADBgCLcBGAs/s320/DC-Black-label.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The Black Label, as it certainly purports to everything less than cheery or Pollyanna-ish, is DC’s new publishing imprint that is dedicated to stories that are separate from the DC continuity and aimed at mature readers and those who are most open to the challenge of reading new stories that aim to deviate from the norm. One such title is the first offering called, Batman: Damned.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">It is just one of the stories being planned and this salvo of a title is written by Brian Azzarello, a veteran of Vertigo comics, another previous “mature” DC imprint and Lee Bermejo, who was responsible for drawing the popular title, Batman: Noel in 2011. As of this writing, this limited series of which three are planned, is a sequel of sorts to Bermejo’s own graphic novel of the Joker in 2008.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N77p0FYzc34/W87crIP5Q5I/AAAAAAAALkQ/bPFOxbEiXcEpjAnbJFpXL_VnRUYZ4HdMQCLcBGAs/s1600/batmandamnedpage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="512" data-original-width="405" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N77p0FYzc34/W87crIP5Q5I/AAAAAAAALkQ/bPFOxbEiXcEpjAnbJFpXL_VnRUYZ4HdMQCLcBGAs/s320/batmandamnedpage.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The story opens, bleakly, as it is in most Batman storylines, with our caped crusader in a daze, bloodied and wounded and escaping from an ambulance that is bringing him to a hospital. He collapses in the alley and<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>is shocked to find out two things as he awakes in a hotel room, that his rescuer is none other than the supernatural con-man himself, John Constantine, and that the Joker is dead! Yes, finally Dead!<br />
<br />
For the longest time, readers have always known and accepted that the Joker will always be the foil to the Bat, and no matter how cruel, twisted and maniacal the Joker’s schemes are, Batman will never resort to killing him. If this is his need for validation as the hero that Gotham needs, then keeping the Joker alive, no matter the toll is, fuels and cements that very same validation. For how can one be a hero, if there is no one who will serve to oppose that very same sense of heroism and thus perpetuate that same validation? Validation is validation whether it comes from the self or from others.<br />
<br />
Finding out the truth in this mystery is top priority. But if Batman’s head is clouded and is beset by visions of his childhood wherein the Enchantress, a evil and powerful sorceress who is known more for her association with the Suicide Squad, has appeared to him more than once, then can his own mental faculties even be counted on to solve the crime of a lifetime? Could he have done it and not remember? Or could a higher and more potent supernatural force have tricked him into performing the one act that will literally damn Bruce Wayne for the rest of his life?</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a05_zse1xCg/W87dPw7TCrI/AAAAAAAALkg/iWoJfKaU8dc18AIrEcpoBrUkKGtWd75WwCLcBGAs/s1600/ahr0cdovl3d3dy5uzxdzyxjhbweuy29tl2ltywdlcy9plzawmc8ymzivmzkzl29yawdpbmfsl0jhdg1hbl9eyw1uzwrfaw50ms5q.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="933" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a05_zse1xCg/W87dPw7TCrI/AAAAAAAALkg/iWoJfKaU8dc18AIrEcpoBrUkKGtWd75WwCLcBGAs/s320/ahr0cdovl3d3dy5uzxdzyxjhbweuy29tl2ltywdlcy9plzawmc8ymzivmzkzl29yawdpbmfsl0jhdg1hbl9eyw1uzwrfaw50ms5q.jpeg" width="248" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The issue brilliantly uses Constantine as a narrator and observer of the proceedings. It is his vantage point on things and of the supernatural that makes him the best person to drive the story forward and clue in the reader as to what Batman himself has been possibly missing. Batman, or as R’as Al Ghul calls him, The Detective, seems to always have had that “inhuman” quality of always being one step ahead of others, even against members of the Justice League. But what happens if his skills fail him because the supernatural is one mystery that he himself cannot prepare for and cannot comprehend? Just like Dante, he therefore would need his “Virgil”, his guide, into the gothic and paranormal underworld of Gotham City. Take this as the beginning of a journey, one that would both test the mettle of Bruce Wayne, both as the Caped Crusader and as a man dealing with his own past and re-examining his reasons for doing what he is doing and has done.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w17Rz53NRVk/W87dn4xMQUI/AAAAAAAALko/xDusE8KlMZkVx1EusR8KEp-qrlUeKNYAQCLcBGAs/s1600/34073750_491071744654264_7717435157166161920_n-600x600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="328" data-original-width="600" height="174" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w17Rz53NRVk/W87dn4xMQUI/AAAAAAAALko/xDusE8KlMZkVx1EusR8KEp-qrlUeKNYAQCLcBGAs/s320/34073750_491071744654264_7717435157166161920_n-600x600.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">The artwork by Lee is as real it gets. Gritty with vein-popping realism. The key to appreciating horror or at least understanding it, is to look at it head on, and not to turn away. And the art and penciling, not to mention the inking gives you more reasons to stay on the page, rather than away from it. Yes, dark reads! FTW!</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NtBfiT55wuw/W87ebDP7T4I/AAAAAAAALlI/rLkbzFHNp-cJL84mzGrRCoY5L1Sc0m3AQCEwYBhgL/s1600/Batman-Damned-678x381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="381" data-original-width="678" height="179" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NtBfiT55wuw/W87ebDP7T4I/AAAAAAAALlI/rLkbzFHNp-cJL84mzGrRCoY5L1Sc0m3AQCEwYBhgL/s320/Batman-Damned-678x381.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The maiden issue also has drawn flack for showing Batman undressing in his Batcave and not just showing his rear side, but a glimpse of his<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>manhood, flaccid and dangling. Honestly, there is more to the story than just getting incensed about Batman’s “Dark Knight”. The label is for mature readers. And if people can’t look at a male organ without blowing up the internet, then DC should just pack it up and go and admit that this new imprint is a sham and not worth your time. But alas the comic titan has succumbed to pressure and DC has openly acknowledged the backlash and has promised to censor future reprints of the issue. So while, there are still maiden issues being sold, it is advised to quickly grab hold of one or settle for the scaled down version in future reprints. The issue itself has also increased it’s retail price in the US and is being sold at $60!!! You do the math!<br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MWuuxu_y8gw/W87eKOQcA7I/AAAAAAAALk8/14D4S5QZW50UquxJDhM_aNE4wdcDVZlTgCEwYBhgL/s1600/Batman-Comic-Naked-Damned-Batcave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1076" data-original-width="1107" height="311" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MWuuxu_y8gw/W87eKOQcA7I/AAAAAAAALk8/14D4S5QZW50UquxJDhM_aNE4wdcDVZlTgCEwYBhgL/s320/Batman-Comic-Naked-Damned-Batcave.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">As the Chinese philosopher Lao-Tzu says, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step,” then what more for a man who is in doubt and at the risk of being damned. One step may not all be what is required of him. He is to rise above his doubt, his mortality and learn to accept the horrors of his past and the true horrors that happen alongside reality and live just outside the fringes, looking from the outside, hoping to find a way in.</span></div>
<div class="p2">
<span class="s1"></span><br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MPSUd8EKzmc/W87fS0bezxI/AAAAAAAALlQ/PPJanc4Js-4AOj5wq5ya6o5NA9vib1EiACLcBGAs/s1600/damned-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1231" data-original-width="1600" height="307" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MPSUd8EKzmc/W87fS0bezxI/AAAAAAAALlQ/PPJanc4Js-4AOj5wq5ya6o5NA9vib1EiACLcBGAs/s400/damned-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wSnS2FwHCss/W87fVg5l7RI/AAAAAAAALlU/YWOLP5GXWzUMeWxmHoEtFA_yO3Sc35OIQCLcBGAs/s1600/batman-damned-harley-quinn-header.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="1400" height="200" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wSnS2FwHCss/W87fVg5l7RI/AAAAAAAALlU/YWOLP5GXWzUMeWxmHoEtFA_yO3Sc35OIQCLcBGAs/s400/batman-damned-harley-quinn-header.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">I<span style="font-size: large;">ssue #2 of Batman: Damned is expected to drop on 11.21.18</span></span></div>
<br />CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-59413938619449276392018-10-04T15:00:00.000-07:002018-10-23T01:21:28.697-07:00Heroes in Crisis<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lthj_TYg0Ak/W87W72q2z4I/AAAAAAAALjU/wZNU1-5EezwZoB-lTV1rXkzVRv7nRPdWgCLcBGAs/s1600/Heroes-in-Crisis-teaser-house-ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1231" data-original-width="1600" height="306" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Lthj_TYg0Ak/W87W72q2z4I/AAAAAAAALjU/wZNU1-5EezwZoB-lTV1rXkzVRv7nRPdWgCLcBGAs/s400/Heroes-in-Crisis-teaser-house-ad.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /><br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Growing up we always felt that our childhood superheroes were extraordinary and perfect. All they needed to do was suit up, answer a call for help or fight injustice and go back to heroes headquarters after their work is done. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<em>Who cares about their private lives? They don't need one. </em></div>
<div class="p1">
<em><br /></em></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">In fact, we all thought that they never deserved one. Because they were heroes...our heroes who could fly, see through walls, punch a big hole in that same wall and perform feats that perpetuated our fantasy. That our heroes were gods and they were perfect.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">But as time wore on, we found out that they were far from the shining beacon of hope that we pegged them to be. In truth, they were just like us. Human. Able to feel pain and would need some consolation and “Me-time”, when circumstances dictated it to be necessary.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">That was the goal of Sanctuary; a place of healing and recovery for all heroes in the DC Universe. Created by the Trinity of Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman, it was the one place where our heroes can have their personal quality time to recuperate and recharge. </span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"> <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span> </div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>* S<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>P<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>O<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>I<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>L<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>E<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>R<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>S<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span>*</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">That is until Superman arrives to find all of them dead!!! From Hot Spot to Blue Jay to Arsenal and even to the Flash (Wally West), all murdered in cold blood!!!<br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Meanwhile in another part of Nebraska, at a diner we see Booster Gold having a moment with Harley Quinn before we see them duking it out after Harley stabs him with a steak knife. He claims that she killed the heroes in Sanctuary. But Harley maintains that it was he who is off his rocker and that it was, He, Booster Gold, the superhero from the future, who killed them all. Granted that Harley Quinn herself was a former paramour of the Joker no less, she may be off her rocker herself.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wp_lQEeXmqI/W87XIKkLcKI/AAAAAAAALjY/dMPGlapu8Dk2O4eI-LZXlo98WUYPUkaSgCLcBGAs/s1600/1E9B48F3-6F74-4B87-9754-A126B17BAFF9-696x382.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="382" data-original-width="696" height="175" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wp_lQEeXmqI/W87XIKkLcKI/AAAAAAAALjY/dMPGlapu8Dk2O4eI-LZXlo98WUYPUkaSgCLcBGAs/s320/1E9B48F3-6F74-4B87-9754-A126B17BAFF9-696x382.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">And thus the mystery begins.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Written by Tom King, who is an ex-CIA counter terrorism officer and who wrote storylines that centered on violence and war for different titles like THE OMEGA MAN, THE SHERIFF of BABYLON, MISTER MIRACLE, VISION and GRAYSON and Clay Mann who has both worked for both DC and MARVEL, this is the kind of a first issue that shows a lot and yet does not. The kind of issue that urges readers to ask more questions than they are given answers. But that's the whole point of this former 6-issue but now turned 9-issue mystery of a mini-series. We don't know much about the history of Sanctuary. We don't know who were the other heroes that were treated and primarily who went berzerk and decided to dispose of their comrade-in-arms as summarily as he, she, or they did. </span><span class="s1"><i>What was the motive?</i></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M8USARgiYwg/W87XOBN7JvI/AAAAAAAALjg/BojYpHR2tjE-mUzYEaALYgW0JF9-Qa0gwCLcBGAs/s1600/01b85dfe6ddc7defd7d0d776ec7f593378d057bc0e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1033" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-M8USARgiYwg/W87XOBN7JvI/AAAAAAAALjg/BojYpHR2tjE-mUzYEaALYgW0JF9-Qa0gwCLcBGAs/s320/01b85dfe6ddc7defd7d0d776ec7f593378d057bc0e.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">Compared to IDENTITY CRISIS by Brad Meltzer this first issue certainly angered fans who felt that some heroes needed to stay alive. But in a war for sanity and order, where casualties are bound to pile up and where post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) looms in every corner for every hero, every breakdown and case is a crisis in itself. And if our Heroes did not have someone else to turn to deal with their own issues, to a point where their inner demons take over their heroic persona, then we indeed have a crisis right here.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
Issue #1 of HEROES in CRISIS now available in all local comic book stores. </div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P2Wuhf1ysKY/W87Y320bvhI/AAAAAAAALj4/ScHLdiWlCzQ496JT8_1MRm7CVxEj7ulOwCLcBGAs/s1600/HeroesInCrisis2-600x400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="600" height="266" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P2Wuhf1ysKY/W87Y320bvhI/AAAAAAAALj4/ScHLdiWlCzQ496JT8_1MRm7CVxEj7ulOwCLcBGAs/s400/HeroesInCrisis2-600x400.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Issue #2 which features Harley on the cover using the Lasso of Truth on Batman will be available on October 24.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-7079643321363316332016-12-26T04:30:00.000-08:002017-04-11T12:34:19.801-07:00Goodbye Georgie. :(<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zKoAlpLduNg/WO0vQ_aOk_I/AAAAAAAAEkQ/pX1XJDznEYAw3clwNruUM7WgYCUne5kmgCLcB/s1600/Georgie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zKoAlpLduNg/WO0vQ_aOk_I/AAAAAAAAEkQ/pX1XJDznEYAw3clwNruUM7WgYCUne5kmgCLcB/s320/Georgie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.000000953674316px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14.000000953674316px;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">Can't believe you left us too soon, </span><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/georgemichael" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">#GeorgeMichael</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">. You were one of my earliest musical heroes and will continue to be one We will miss you. Go find the </span><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/freedom" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">#Freedom</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> that you deserve and although this was your </span><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/lastchristmas" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">#LastChristmas</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">, your songs will forever be with us, never a </span><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/carelesswhisper" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">#CarelessWhisper</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"> uttered in the night while most of us are </span><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/prayingfortime" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">#PrayingForTime</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">. You have touched many for </span><a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/youhavebeenloved" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: 'helvetica neue', helvetica, arial, sans-serif; text-decoration: none;">#YouHaveBeenLoved</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">. Your music ma</span><span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">y have been <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/toofunky" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">#TooFunky</a> for some but just right for those in search of the real thing or even just <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/fastlove" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">#Fastlove</a>. You've paved the way for a lot of artists so much so that the road for aspiring singers have become an <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/easieraffair" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">#EasierAffair</a>. And while you spoke to those who were on the <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/outside" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">#Outside</a> looking in, you brought us into your world as you were <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/spinningthewheel" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">#SpinningTheWheel</a> and proved to us how music was therapy and yours, George was simply <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/flawless" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">#Flawless</a> and <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/amazing" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">#Amazing</a>! We will forever keep the <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/faith" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">#Faith</a>. You are our mentor, brother, <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/fatherfigure" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">#FatherFigure</a>, inspiration and more. Keep making good music from the ethers and we will keep on playing, <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/as" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">#As</a> we all live our lives from <a class="_58cn" data-ft="{"tn":"*N","type":104}" href="https://www.facebook.com/hashtag/adifferentcorner" style="color: #365899; cursor: pointer; font-family: inherit; text-decoration: none;">#ADifferentCorner</a> and hope for the best in everything. </span><br />
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="text_exposed_show" style="color: #1d2129; display: inline; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif;">RIP George Michael!</span>CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-73170826416051095022016-04-03T18:48:00.001-07:002016-04-03T18:48:43.797-07:00Inferno - Another brilliant tome from Dan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YSNw45G4cpg/VwG2jeuk5TI/AAAAAAAAETI/3TlUJbYpM2YTudvB8zeQtz5IODPTWsTLg/s1600/danbrown1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YSNw45G4cpg/VwG2jeuk5TI/AAAAAAAAETI/3TlUJbYpM2YTudvB8zeQtz5IODPTWsTLg/s320/danbrown1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Just like the Da Vinci Code, the book is a fast paced read and replete with historical and factual data that makes it for me an alternative to sitting in history class. Like always Brown's prose delivers as much as his book nemesis does.<br />
<br />
For this installment, the situation that is being called for and tackled head on is not a hidden conspiracy involving another secret organization but the issue of over population, a situation when if you think about it, is certainly dire and immediate. This condition, while certainly an issue in third world countries, has certainly become a fact that the entire world must consider looking into. From drastic measures to curb the problem to learning about transhumanism, Brown once more has successfully blended the art of the thriller while making a statement about the world we live in. So far this installment is his most direct approach to pointing a finger at an issue that even world leaders have not come to a solution at. While certainly a solution to accommodate a problem of this magnitude covers a wide range of affected individuals, it certainly begins with the self.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f9jrnqF18ZQ/VwG2pCtUGwI/AAAAAAAAETM/Uwdp9jfNijABWeVXub9zE5Lsjfhd4TVyA/s1600/Inferno.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f9jrnqF18ZQ/VwG2pCtUGwI/AAAAAAAAETM/Uwdp9jfNijABWeVXub9zE5Lsjfhd4TVyA/s320/Inferno.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
Self discipline. Self awareness and knowledge that each and every action we do, big or small, has ramifications, equally proportional, on the entire world. My hopes for this book is that it reminds people and those in power about the need to conserve our resources in the light of more people being born and coming into the world. If we can't apportion or use our resources properly to maximize the most number of people, then its our need to have bigger families these days that must be put into question. Issues of birth control and family planning certainly comes into play with this thought. And if we don't start thinking about it, our children or even grandchildren and future generations to come, may not have an adequate world to live in.<br />
<br />
And that is the most frightening thought that dawned on me this morning as I finished my coffee.<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5rHL7H8WW2A" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<br />CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-67039793927003855172016-02-16T22:57:00.004-08:002016-02-16T23:07:22.550-08:00The Year of Magic. Time for Injustice Year 3- Vol 1<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #141923; font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.3px;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b3LR9GGxRC4/VsQVc1TNytI/AAAAAAAAEP8/9KG2DqrzSR4/s1600/Y3_Issue_1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-b3LR9GGxRC4/VsQVc1TNytI/AAAAAAAAEP8/9KG2DqrzSR4/s320/Y3_Issue_1.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I’ve always been attracted to magic; in all its forms and incarnations. Imagine my delight when its finally given the chance to stretch its muscle into the DC Injustice storyline.</span><br />
<div style="color: #141923; min-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #141923; font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Fresh from the onslaught of the sentient Green Lantern planet named Mogo and the rest of the Green Lantern Corps (Year 2, Vol 2), casualties are abounding and humanity is left to deal with the damage. Be they humans, metas or magical folk, someone has lost someone in the aftermath of the war against Superman, as waged by Batman who recognizes that the Man of Steel has become the opposite of what he stood for; a dictator who is willing to pay the price just to impose and enforce his "kind" of peace. Since the previous issue, a lot of things have happened. Superman broke Batman's back. Oliver Queen, aka. The Green Arrow has died as well as Black Canary; but not before filming her own demise and Superman's magical confession and broadcasting it out into the world for all to see. Along with that, Superman has received a Yellow Ring from the master of Fear, Sinestro, who has taken sides with Superman. I take it that he is living vicariously thru Kal-El as the events remind him of his own reign as sole ruler of his home planet of Korugar. Add to this list of changes, <span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;">Wonder Woman is also out of commission due to some magical maneuvering on the part of one man who orchestrated the battle at this stage of the game. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #141923; font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: initial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-61HygfBo0GI/VsQX9UWWipI/AAAAAAAAEQY/DVz7TNkH9GE/s1600/Hello%2BZ.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-61HygfBo0GI/VsQX9UWWipI/AAAAAAAAEQY/DVz7TNkH9GE/s320/Hello%2BZ.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #141923; font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #141923; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: helvetica; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One such person is John Constantine. Yes the radical Mage whose unorthodox methods border on the Machiavellian. He comes to aid Batman in his crusade to stop Superman while uncovering answers on his own. And since Superman has a weakness to magic, this was the perfect element to bring to the battle to ensure victory. And to do that certain things must come into play. First, Raven, needs to be taken out. Second, other magical users like Dr. Fate, Zatanna, Klarion, Jason Blood, Phantom Stranger needed also to be brought into the fold so that magic can have their day in the battle and tip the scales in Batmans favor. Third, Superman needs to be disabled with the use of magic.</span></div>
<div style="color: #141923; font-size: 13.3px; min-height: 16px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="-webkit-text-stroke-color: rgb(20, 25, 35); -webkit-text-stroke-width: initial; color: #141923; font-family: Helvetica; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-size: 13.3px; white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OW_sr5az9wU/VsQVwsWDITI/AAAAAAAAEQE/ALMnBfN-pRA/s1600/INJUSTY3_ch2_4b-Preview4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OW_sr5az9wU/VsQVwsWDITI/AAAAAAAAEQE/ALMnBfN-pRA/s320/INJUSTY3_ch2_4b-Preview4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Like in previous issues Tom Taylor has once again given us a fun and action filled read that collects the first 7 issues of Year 3. Constantine is his ever manipulative self and would go head to head with Batman as to who is calling the shots. (Yes, can’t have two manipulative folk in the same room) And a con man, pretty much like a leopard, never changes its spots so our charming but selfish mage, wields and deceives until he has quenched his thirst for revenge against Superman for brining the war to Earth, which claimed the life of Constantine’s wife.</span><br />
<div style="color: #141923; font-size: 13.3px; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W8sihAPptrs/VsQVocD-CDI/AAAAAAAAEQA/eDgZUeNpzSs/s1600/Rose-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W8sihAPptrs/VsQVocD-CDI/AAAAAAAAEQA/eDgZUeNpzSs/s320/Rose-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="color: #141923; text-align: justify;">
<div style="font-family: helvetica;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: x-small;">
</span><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="font-family: helvetica; font-size: 13.3px; white-space: pre;"> </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wait, what? John’s married? </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Okay, I give you permission to scratch your head. And he has a kid named Rose, who may or may not have some magical gifts herself. I sincerely hope that they explore this further. For now, I’m just gonna leave it here and because Constantine orchestrated this whole magical element into the fray, expect some twists and turns and no easy way to the the end goal. And any goal that is worth fighting for, is worth gunning for. Like this collected volume, its worth reading. Better yet, its worth keeping. I did.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4uZnLwQb1rA/VsQV4NvNMGI/AAAAAAAAEQI/LhqmuqEe3hg/s1600/detective-chimp-injustice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4uZnLwQb1rA/VsQV4NvNMGI/AAAAAAAAEQI/LhqmuqEe3hg/s400/detective-chimp-injustice.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-24618973364221694792014-12-26T21:46:00.001-08:002014-12-26T21:46:12.664-08:00Anne Rice and WesterosMy fave author, Anne Rice, referenced Game of Thrones in the recent LA talks with her son Christopher, during the promotion of her latest book in the Vampire Chronicles, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Prince-Lestat-The-Vampire-Chronicles/dp/0307962520/ref=tmm_hrd_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1419657757&sr=8-1">Prince Lestat</a>. In the talk, she replied to Christopher's question that generally books like Harry Potter, Vampire Chronicles, the Millennium Trilogy by Stieg Larssen, tap into some general struggle or journey and that without it, there is not much "meat" for the story to latch on to and thus not make it engaging for readers. Anne said that generally that is true but Game of Thrones broke the mold for having a singular hero undergoing a journey. She said that because the hero whom we thought to be in Book 1/Season 1 was apparently not. I wonder though, if Ned Stark, is George RR Martin's statement on idealism? That it's risky to be seeing life through rose colored glasses in this cynical and practical and at times, user-friendly world that we live in.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bHqcrxh-Aoo/VJ49MWMrVWI/AAAAAAAAEGk/6Jv_ONIIZcY/s1600/Ned%2BStark.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bHqcrxh-Aoo/VJ49MWMrVWI/AAAAAAAAEGk/6Jv_ONIIZcY/s320/Ned%2BStark.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Truly Ned for all his faults as a king, was honorable and perhaps even faultless in the eyes of his supporters. And that whatever information he withheld or altered to suit the need for secrecy concerning Jon Snow's true lineage is definitely something he needed to do. I wonder too if in this day and age, Idealism is dead. Has everyone started to become jaded about everything and everyone else. And anyone who holds that kind of thinking or viewpoint will ultimately be sacrificed and thrown into the fire, because for the sole reason that what the majority wants and deems right and proper, matter. That the majority always would rule. And anyone who is not conforming to that should be silenced or learn to keep their views to themselves. Anything else is fodder.</div>
<br />
<center>What do you think?<br /></center>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Sharing the video clip of that talk too here. Enjoy and keep writing.</div>
<br />
<center>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/UvSs1D72KBw" width="560"></iframe></center>
CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-66899029303123592192014-06-04T02:51:00.001-07:002014-06-04T02:51:29.545-07:00Catching up on Fury's Big Week - Avenger's Prelude<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pB5gXFSGbkk/U47pxBTd67I/AAAAAAAAD78/33xc5Ljx5ws/s1600/Fury's+Big+Week.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pB5gXFSGbkk/U47pxBTd67I/AAAAAAAAD78/33xc5Ljx5ws/s1600/Fury's+Big+Week.jpg" height="320" width="205" /></a></div>
I usually stay away from prequel stories leading into the cinematic versions but given that this copy was on sale, I figured why the heck not. Plus this is all about Fury and all the background scenario that happens from Iron Man 2 up to the beginning of the Avengers.<br />
<br />
All this is told from Fury's point of view, from monitoring the progress of Tony Stark following his offer about the Avengers Initiative at the end of Iron Man to Stark's drunken fit from his condo in Iron Man 2 to the recruitment of Clint Barton, aka. Hawkeye in Thor as well as Natasha Romanov's confrontation of Dr. Samuel Sterns in his lab in Hulk 2 after Banner storms thru the streets of New York battling the abomination General Ross has created.<br />
<br />
As not everything can be told or divulged in the movie versions or even in the bonus scenes, the comics are the best medium to provide additional material that will complement and enhance once's knowledge of the Marvel cinematic Universe and equally provide a little more character insight into our favorite heroes.<br />
<br />
Fury has got his hands full with keeping the peace in different situations that stem from one Marvel movie to another and he doesn't need a man like General Ross on his hands either who remarked the best line of this graphic novel for me.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rIK9ETzxJ_U/U47qANolaRI/AAAAAAAAD8M/C11CbnZom0g/s1600/5087.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rIK9ETzxJ_U/U47qANolaRI/AAAAAAAAD8M/C11CbnZom0g/s1600/5087.jpg" height="107" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Ross - "The World needs people like us Fury. I'm out on the battlefield killing our enemies and you're safe behind a wall protecting all the secrets that everyday citizens can't handle. You're the SHIELD and I'm the SWORD."<br />
<br />
Fury - "You're not sharp enough to be a SWORD, General."<br />
<br />
This may be an Avengers Prequel graphic novel but most of the solo films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe are a way of building up to the Avengers itself and so its only natural that the flow of 4-issue graphic novel be of the same vein.<br />
<br />
So is there Continuity in this graphic novel? YES<br />
<br />
Is there a fair amount of exposition for our characters? YES<br />
<br />
Do other secondary but equally important characters like Coulson, Sitwell, Selvig and others make an apperance? YES<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RG4ijDyN-ww/U47p7lZ5rqI/AAAAAAAAD8E/sFLMMJx0d8k/s1600/tumblr_m1luxpIeJo1rrol8vo1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RG4ijDyN-ww/U47p7lZ5rqI/AAAAAAAAD8E/sFLMMJx0d8k/s1600/tumblr_m1luxpIeJo1rrol8vo1_500.jpg" height="400" width="322" /></a></div>
<br />
Should you at least borrow or get a copy?...........(in full FURY mode) ....Hell YEAH!<br />
<br />
<iframe width="540" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hIR8Ar-Z4hw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-54922900219945138912014-03-27T10:00:00.000-07:002014-03-31T21:07:40.535-07:00Winter Soldier 4: The Electric Ghost<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KrceWl3aazE/UzoAx7qG4mI/AAAAAAAADmg/WFj4zLXrsNA/s1600/17277825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KrceWl3aazE/UzoAx7qG4mI/AAAAAAAADmg/WFj4zLXrsNA/s320/17277825.jpg" /></a></div>What a fortuitous event to have found this at Book Sale yesterday after coming out of the cinema following my first day viewing of Captain America 2: The Winter Soldier.</br>
</br>While the movie deserves more than a two thumbs up and certainly ups the ante for Marvel in terms of their Cinematic Universe, reading this volume as a part of a bigger and collective work pertaining to the ever unfolding events of the Winter Soldier himself, make me regard the book as something that is best read in its entirety along with the other volumes. This being Volume 4, after all and collects Issues 15-19. This then had me for a mad scramble to look for the first 3 volumes.</br>
</br>Hope other Book Sale branches would have them. Wish me luck. </br>
</br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O-o_ps1zPio/UzoEnfj2nuI/AAAAAAAADms/swVJFec_6Zw/s1600/background.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-O-o_ps1zPio/UzoEnfj2nuI/AAAAAAAADms/swVJFec_6Zw/s320/background.jpg" /></a></div>
</br>This 4th volume marks the departure of Ed Brubaker from the creative team and has Jason Latour at the helm. Reading this certainly makes me even more curious for the other compilations and henceforth with this volume, I will certainly be on the lookout for more.
Winter Soldier, or he who I will not name (don't want to spoil Muggles), has gone thru a lot and I wait for more compilations to turn up to further enhance my history of this tragic and broken character.</br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yLRy_HLWGSg/UzoJBuBPP3I/AAAAAAAADm4/gdz7z7QoMQY/s1600/winter-soldier-16-robards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yLRy_HLWGSg/UzoJBuBPP3I/AAAAAAAADm4/gdz7z7QoMQY/s320/winter-soldier-16-robards.jpg" /></a></div></br>
Redemption is indeed possible. That is is if one is aware on how to tread the road for it and if one is brave enough to get on it.</br>
</br>And while you are at it, go catch the Winter Soldier currently playing in local theaters now. Let's see if this whets your appetite for curiosity. :)</br>
</br><iframe width="535" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/_hVXI4cS7wo" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</br>
</br>If you're happy with that, here's the official first 4 minute preview. Then we talk. :)<br>
</br><iframe width="535" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/yNAmjl-pClw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com0Manila, Philippines14.264383087562662 121.2890625-15.580145412437338 79.9804685 44.108911587562659 162.5976565tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-3636085234314807212014-03-27T09:00:00.000-07:002014-03-31T03:05:46.580-07:00Welcome to the Diabolical <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vxb2mmdn8CY/Uzk3n4Wmo0I/AAAAAAAADlY/4GDiJAJQXJM/s1600/diabolical.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-vxb2mmdn8CY/Uzk3n4Wmo0I/AAAAAAAADlY/4GDiJAJQXJM/s320/diabolical.JPG" /></a></div>Another brilliant addition to my TRESE collection from the master, Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo. Filipino urban fantasy, dark noir at its best.</br>
</br> If you have not read any volumes of TRESE, this could be a good way to start as the original prequel of a story, "One Last Drink at the Diabolical" is included.
But if you already are familiar and love TRESE, the Kambal and those back stories what we never gotten around to read about, then this first compilation is for you; or rather for us.</br>
</br>My fave story in this Volume is "The Usual Spot". The senti and hopeless romantic in me is so touched by this story and makes me wonder if Master Budjette foresees a love angle for our beloved heroine in the near future? And since this is the first collection, I am hoping for more back stories involving <a href="http://cazgeekreader.blogspot.com/2011/10/trese-book-1-filipino-urban-fantasy.html">TRESE</a> and her sidekicks, the Kambal as supernatural protector of the city. </br>
</br>But for now, you gotta get this and add to your <a href="http://cazgeekreader.blogspot.com/2011/10/trese-book-2-unreported-murders.html">TRESE</a> collection. Or better yet. <a href="http://cazgeekreader.blogspot.com/2011/10/trese-book-3-mass-murders-philippine.html">Read</a> them all again. :)</br>
</br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pRQFAFJO1LQ/Uzk5B4EVeaI/AAAAAAAADlk/-eVJqQG8JYQ/s1600/treseLFS02+no+tears.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pRQFAFJO1LQ/Uzk5B4EVeaI/AAAAAAAADlk/-eVJqQG8JYQ/s320/treseLFS02+no+tears.jpg" /></a></div>CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com0Philippines14.264383087562635 122.34375-16.601481412437366 81.035156 45.130247587562636 163.652344tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-38384257245454613112014-03-10T09:30:00.000-07:002014-03-31T03:23:40.815-07:00ARROW- Year One<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BJgWFcyNF6g/Uzk-z1tNm6I/AAAAAAAADl0/_WFfo5uhPI0/s1600/Green+Arrow+year+one.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BJgWFcyNF6g/Uzk-z1tNm6I/AAAAAAAADl0/_WFfo5uhPI0/s320/Green+Arrow+year+one.jpg" /></a></div>Although I'm not a fan of the art but definitely great writing by Andy Diggle. I wonder if the Diggle character in the series Arrow is purposely named to pay homage to this writer, but nonetheless a little different from the origin story we've seen played out over the CW.</br>
</br>Oliver Queen still is the same spoiled rich kid who finds himself betrayed and left for dead after being thrown overboard his own ship. He washes up on an island and it is here where his mettle is tested and is faced with the hard truth about life, survival and friendship.
If you have not watched the tv series, I suggest you do ASAP after reading this or let the series supplement what you would discover about Ollie upon reading this reworked origin story.</br>
</br><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sR51Jgq-_x0/UzlBrkBTaDI/AAAAAAAADmQ/SZynCvlLCnQ/s1600/arrowscreen10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sR51Jgq-_x0/UzlBrkBTaDI/AAAAAAAADmQ/SZynCvlLCnQ/s320/arrowscreen10.jpg" /></a></div>
</br>He may be not my favorite DC character, but ya gotta admit, it does have heart. And that matters much when you wanna be pulled into reading something of value and substance.</br>
</br> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AulZ8uCJ5qw/Uzk_lAW9UgI/AAAAAAAADl8/CVuRMMqWLVQ/s1600/0babd03a69035af312afac1f204b5c9f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-AulZ8uCJ5qw/Uzk_lAW9UgI/AAAAAAAADl8/CVuRMMqWLVQ/s320/0babd03a69035af312afac1f204b5c9f.jpg" /></a></div>
</br>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mTgEWimgdsc/Uzk_1lI3jgI/AAAAAAAADmE/MsfYTR6iB2A/s1600/GreenArrow_YearOne001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mTgEWimgdsc/Uzk_1lI3jgI/AAAAAAAADmE/MsfYTR6iB2A/s320/GreenArrow_YearOne001.jpg" /></a></div> CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com0Manila, Philippines15.284185114076445 121.289062515.284185114076445 121.2890625 15.284185114076445 121.2890625tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-30563062562859156672013-03-27T03:04:00.001-07:002013-03-27T03:04:30.518-07:00Blood Oath - Here's Nathaniel Cade; the President's Vampire<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n8pHWbzGCgI/UVLDA8Z5ujI/AAAAAAAAC6o/Ec9KtjGelyI/s1600/Blood+Oath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-n8pHWbzGCgI/UVLDA8Z5ujI/AAAAAAAAC6o/Ec9KtjGelyI/s320/Blood+Oath.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
First of all, anyone and everyone who knows me know that when it comes to Vampires, I just gravitate towards them like a moth to a flame. It started with Anne Rice and went on further than that.<br />
<br />
Now seeing a book like this with the by-line and touted as the Vampire thriller that Dan Brown would have written, if in case he ever did, was enough to make me take notice. Although at first, I dismissed it quickly thinking of whatever angles would they think of next when it comes to our fanged brethren, as it it seemed like a desperate idea to forcefully graft an iconic creature such as this in our present world. Others have done so and have done wonders with it. While others, although lambasted for their efforts, were still met with the same form of success and scorn. While other throwaway Vampire novels, feel like they have not been well thought out.<br />
<br />
But a well thought out novel is what this book really is a product of.<br />
<br />
Enter Nathaniel Cade. He is a Vampire that has no time to deal with your crap and gets the job done when needed. Of course he should, for he is bound by duty to do whatever the US President asks of him. Unlike the brooding Vampires of late, he is decisive, quick, and very much the epitome of an efficient secret agent, except daylight can still incapacitate him to a degree.<br />
<br />
Enter Zack Barrows, a young whiny man that gets the promotion of a lifetime. But in this case, working for the White House under covert and unconventional terms.<br />
<br />
Put these two together and enmesh it with a new villain whom I won't be surprised if he surfaces again in future Cade titles, as well as a thought out streamlined plot, then you have for yourself a wonderful good read that is both light, fast-paced and hard to let go.<br />
<br />
The only reason that it is one star short of 5, is because I felt the author could have given us more of Cade as well as the surprise allegiances and twists that Dan Brown himself has seemingly made a trademark of his own writing with. But nonetheless, it is still a good read and a breakthrough effort of a debut novel.<br />
<br />
With that said, I sooo need to find my 2nd book, underneath the tons of books in my very own Book Box. :)<br />
<br />
<br />
ps. The Author responds to my tweets on Twitter...consider me star strucked. Wouldn't you be? :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f8rDRoYt9g4/UVLDsdDUTmI/AAAAAAAAC6w/cI0FG1weSJs/s1600/Christopher+Farnsworth.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f8rDRoYt9g4/UVLDsdDUTmI/AAAAAAAAC6w/cI0FG1weSJs/s400/Christopher+Farnsworth.jpeg" width="325" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-89368172562761277722012-12-26T01:30:00.001-08:002012-12-26T01:58:52.366-08:00Green Lantern Corps- New 52<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAPW0agqKtY/UNqyk51_n0I/AAAAAAAACs4/5tWPrZgjpFQ/s1600/GL+Corps+new+52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAPW0agqKtY/UNqyk51_n0I/AAAAAAAACs4/5tWPrZgjpFQ/s320/GL+Corps+new+52.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
All is new (to some degree) but not well in the GL Universe as this New 52 collection opens with the murder of two Lanterns in their own Sector House in Sector 3599 by seemingly invisible intruders that are immune to the Green Power Ring. With that the mystery is set and we move on to find our heroes, Lantern Gardner and John Stewart having issues with having to find a real day job as a coach and (with some red tape) an architect, respectively. It seems they are coming to accept and realize that they can do more good being a Lantern than having to balance a real and normal life in the process, as according to Gardner, “it’s not all that’s cracked up to be.”<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QWyJ8I-_1rE/UNq1QQ-AvhI/AAAAAAAACtU/R3KjI8kEopA/s1600/KeepersXabas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QWyJ8I-_1rE/UNq1QQ-AvhI/AAAAAAAACtU/R3KjI8kEopA/s320/KeepersXabas.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>
Returning to Oa, they respond to a crisis on Sector 3599; the water planet Nerro, only to find it drained completely of water with the inhabitants of the planet all piled up with the exception of the bodies of two Green Lanterns skewered for all to see, sending the message to our Corps that this new baddie means business.
The planet’s water, as revealed in the succeeding panels, has somehow been transported, or in this case, teleported to an unknown location ruled by a cloaked figure that has “missed the sound of the sea”. He responds to a report of a problem on the planet Xabas. And the problem is really more of Gardner and rest of the Corps trying to prevent the teleporting of another natural resource, this time the trees and forests. They are soon met by a force coming out of the warp hole dressed in black but wielding green energy blades that proves troublesome for our heroes as they are immune to the power of the Lantern ring.<br />
<br />
*spoiler begins....*<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1sX_4Yi-vb4/UNq0pPzRi0I/AAAAAAAACtM/z2NOEWY6yG8/s1600/2390352-greenlanterncorps2_4d_jonn_guy_first_meeting_super.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1sX_4Yi-vb4/UNq0pPzRi0I/AAAAAAAACtM/z2NOEWY6yG8/s320/2390352-greenlanterncorps2_4d_jonn_guy_first_meeting_super.jpg" width="201" /></a>Luckily for them, Lantern Porter from Oa with the capability of teleporting fellow Lanterns arrives just in the nick of time and proves to be the much needed reinforcement. But in spite of his best efforts, not all Lanterns were brought safely back to Oa. As it is, Lantern Vandor and Stewart were just some of the GL’s left behind for Lantern Porter was unable to teleport them all back.
But in spite of the defeat, Gardner was able to capture one of the new baddies for interrogation and when they couldn’t make any progress, Jonn Jonz aka. Martian Manhunter came in and with his empathic abilities extracted the much needed intel and revealing these new baddies to be called The Keepers. And that they are called such for they are the ones tending to all of the batteries of each and every Green Lantern!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IYO8cF0wAZ0/UNq966smLoI/AAAAAAAACuk/hIG4sAwjrxQ/s1600/KeepersHistory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-IYO8cF0wAZ0/UNq966smLoI/AAAAAAAACuk/hIG4sAwjrxQ/s400/KeepersHistory.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
If you’d recall, the Lanterns safekeep their personal batteries in an undisclosed pocket universe for easy and effortless access. Now it seems these Keepers want more and are after the Central Power Battery in OA. Their existence was only known to the Guardians after the “Smurfs” discovered the existence of the planet called Urak. Its atmospheric core allowed an instantaneous conduit that allowed unlimited retrieval of a battery for every Green Lantern. The inhabitants of the planet were thus provided for in perpetuity, in exchange for “keeping” the batteries safe. But it was only a short time ago that the Guardians, without warning whatsoever, came in and removed each and every battery from the Keeper’s custody and thus severing the connection that has already formed between all the Lantern batteries and the planet as it served as a “crop” and sustained the planet and its people and infused their DNA with an already potent resource of “Will”. Without the Lanterns, the planet began to die.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v2KKoSfCVBI/UNq2Bk6oioI/AAAAAAAACtg/QLrJp-YPlBY/s1600/glcorps5-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v2KKoSfCVBI/UNq2Bk6oioI/AAAAAAAACtg/QLrJp-YPlBY/s400/glcorps5-1.jpg" width="255" /></a></div>
This explains why the Keepers pillaged different planets for their different resources in order to stay alive.
Meanwhile back on Urak, Lantern Stewart, Vandor and Kirrt are being interrogated, or should I say, tortured by the leader of the Keepers in disclosing to them the Vibrational Matrix signature that will allow them to breach Oa’s orbital force field without alerting the Guardians to their “stargate”. The interrogation which consisted of electrocution on top of three days without food and water proved to be too much even for a stalwart Lantern. And at the last minute when Lantern Kirrt was about to disclose the code and give way, John Stewart does what we say is the unthinkable, which is dispose of a fellow Lantern by twisting his neck and hereby leaving his ring to look for a new recruit. That served as the much needed distraction Stewart needed to break free temporarily from the Keepers and fly out onto the barren field while running on reserved energy.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nyc_q9ZGUcI/UNq4l6AkE3I/AAAAAAAACt8/G_sAR12zVTI/s1600/MeanMachine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="318" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nyc_q9ZGUcI/UNq4l6AkE3I/AAAAAAAACt8/G_sAR12zVTI/s320/MeanMachine.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
And just when it’s back to square one for my favorite Lantern Stewart, Guy Gardner, armed with military weapons, along with the Mean Machine; a group of bad-ass Lanterns camping out below Gardner’s own bar called Warriors underneath Oa, comes to the rescue and engages the Keepers head on. And of course you could count on Gardner to think of a crazy idea and follow thru. He deduced that the only way to fight someone with that much willpower is to not engage it with the same element that fuels it but give it what it lacks, which is the element of FEAR. So he drops a “Fear Bomb” on the Keepers by way of two Sinestro Corps War prisoners kept in one of the science cells. The cells detonate on contact and imbue the Keepers with Fear and had them begging for mercy; which is pretty much the antithesis of how they were moments before.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--bFN1tOs25o/UNq-ZNMICAI/AAAAAAAACu0/oLqqFMVcTgE/s1600/greenlanterncorps6-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--bFN1tOs25o/UNq-ZNMICAI/AAAAAAAACu0/oLqqFMVcTgE/s400/greenlanterncorps6-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The situation is soon resolved and decided upon by the Guardians (of course) that the Keepers dig a grave of each and every one of their victims, which according to Gardner is a lifelong sentence.
The compilation ends with Lantern John Stewart bringing Lantern Kirrt’s body to his home planet of Lorror on Sector 2451, where not only was Kirrt regarded a hero by his family and also the recipient of a tombstone befitting a Lantern.
All in all Peter Tomasi again has done a whirlwind of a good ride with this First volume of the New 52 for Green Lantern Corps that collects Issues 1-7. While I was expecting a cliffhanger of an ending, it was rather an emotional one with John Stewart accepting his guilt at having to kill Kirrt in order to protect the Corps and leaving it out from his report. Lantern Vandorr doesn’t condemn what Stewart had to do but also reminds John that at times the Corps needs someone to act as their conscience and that he is it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E-LVUpwfMbk/UNq5x51F8XI/AAAAAAAACuQ/Kd_in4mnkXY/s1600/john-stewart-breaks-kirrts-neck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E-LVUpwfMbk/UNq5x51F8XI/AAAAAAAACuQ/Kd_in4mnkXY/s320/john-stewart-breaks-kirrts-neck.jpg" width="279" /></a></div>
Stewart for his most part may be racking up his list of high profile body counts by adding Kirrt to this list, as well as the decimation of the Planet Xanshi and most recently of Lantern Mogo, during the <a href="http://cazgeekreader.blogspot.com/2011/12/war-of-green-lanterns-gotta-love-it.html" target="_blank">War of the Green Lanterns</a>, who if in case you didn’t know was also a planet. But John Stewart, when you think about it, is the best person to handle radical life and death situations like these, for not only has he made difficult decisions and lived through them, his military background also allows him to focus on the task at hand, prevent his emotions from getting the best of him just to get the job done. Now does that make him the perfect emotionless Lantern that some may label him to be?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3BUGqhYpmjo/UNq-l8RcMwI/AAAAAAAACu8/LvqhSBOsCXA/s1600/greenlanterncorps7-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3BUGqhYpmjo/UNq-l8RcMwI/AAAAAAAACu8/LvqhSBOsCXA/s400/greenlanterncorps7-1.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>
On the contrary, he is the Lantern that has a lot of emotion and heart to go around, and is good at having to distill what amount of it needs to be shown, needs to be channelled in order to continue to be good at his job.
That’s why it was no surprise that prior to the New 52 and during the Brightest Day crisis, he was offered to become an Alpha Lantern; to which his quick thinking prevailed and allowed him to deny the post and think clearly at the consequences of being one. All in all it was good, for should that have happened, we probably would have one more emotionless sentry going about their duty and only seeing a situation in absolutes; the black or the white. But lucky for us, John still remains human and is willing to navigate the gray areas of being a Lantern. And that I think is a key ingredient why he has survived thus far and why the Universe is all the more better for it.
<br />
<br />
Can't wait for the next volume that pits our beloved Corps with a nemesis closer to home and more of the ramifications of John Stewart's decision to kill off a fellow Lantern.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-CFLTUlvZw/UNrB8ac_pgI/AAAAAAAACvQ/TYe4Qe3Ulds/s1600/Green_Lantern_Corps_Vol_3-8_Cover-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z-CFLTUlvZw/UNrB8ac_pgI/AAAAAAAACvQ/TYe4Qe3Ulds/s320/Green_Lantern_Corps_Vol_3-8_Cover-1.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qovAgYfqpxU/UNrDewEm8BI/AAAAAAAACvw/O7f2kUsmpmU/s1600/green_lantern_corp_010_vm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qovAgYfqpxU/UNrDewEm8BI/AAAAAAAACvw/O7f2kUsmpmU/s400/green_lantern_corp_010_vm.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eoUXXWWHgAg/UNrCugqwx7I/AAAAAAAACvc/0Cj5hG9y8xk/s1600/tomasi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eoUXXWWHgAg/UNrCugqwx7I/AAAAAAAACvc/0Cj5hG9y8xk/s1600/tomasi.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Thank you, Peter Tomasi. :) </div>
<br />CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-17397846042140928572012-10-23T04:19:00.000-07:002012-10-23T04:23:05.977-07:00Rise of the Third Army - Fascism on OA<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4waDAeaHqHA/UGwjzu4keUI/AAAAAAAACpc/sw4HsVezoxo/s1600/Rise+of+3rd+army+prologue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4waDAeaHqHA/UGwjzu4keUI/AAAAAAAACpc/sw4HsVezoxo/s320/Rise+of+3rd+army+prologue.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">The cover is rather
intriguing, not to mention enticing right? The Green Lantern symbol dripping
like blood or wet paint. What is the Third Army? And where do they fall into
the mythos of the Corps?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Most readers, as well as
me, found ourselves asking that basic question. But one other question that
perhaps needs to be asked is why the Guardians are doing what they’re doing?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Sure, they’re not perfect
and much-flawed in their character and decision making processes but in truth,
creating the Third Army is only a band-aid solution to the problem. And the
problem lies not in the lack of respect that they have started not to get from the
Green Lantern Corps after 3 successive crises like the Sinestro Corps War,
<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackest_Night" target="_blank">Blackest Night</a>-Brightest Day and the most recent, <a href="http://cazgeekreader.blogspot.com/2011/12/war-of-green-lanterns-gotta-love-it.html" target="_blank">War of the Green Lanterns</a> but
in the heart of the Guardians themselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9wi7r7jNRoU/UGwpkbjEWFI/AAAAAAAACp4/0-9EakTyxWE/s1600/manhunters-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9wi7r7jNRoU/UGwpkbjEWFI/AAAAAAAACp4/0-9EakTyxWE/s320/manhunters-2.jpg" width="218" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">History says that they are
peaceful lot and wishing only to be the safekeepers of peace and order in the
Universe. But the odd thing is, why should emotion be taken out of the
question? Should the presence of peace and maintenance of order be done so in
such an emotionless manner that there is no room to be happy at the absence of
turmoil and injustice? In previous panels as seen in the War of the Green
Lanterns prologue, the Guardians of Maltus, have been wearing the White Symbol
for Light and it is in this time frame that they banned Krona and sentenced him
to die at the hands of the robot Manhunters because he embraced emotion. And in
retaliation, Krona rigged the Manhunters programming and have them kill the
entire sector 666 on the planet Ryut, thus paving the way for the birth of
Atrocitus, the first Red Lantern and the formation of the GL Corps, just to
prove a point. That emotion cannot be taken out of the equation in creating the
order that one wants and one seeks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Of course had it gone the
other way, there would’ve been no conflict, no Manhunters reprogramming and
much less, no formation of the Green Lantern Corps to replace the “defective”
Manhunters.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m6BZau_nsJc/UGwuURqikFI/AAAAAAAACqg/OXI3nOjT7n4/s1600/Guardians+delibrate+free+will.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="141" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-m6BZau_nsJc/UGwuURqikFI/AAAAAAAACqg/OXI3nOjT7n4/s400/Guardians+delibrate+free+will.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">But getting back on track,
this GL annual which is preferred to be read before reading the Zero issue of
Green Lantern that introduces the new GL from Earth, Lantern Baz, begins with a
decision made by the Guardians and that is the root of all the problems that
they have had so far is Free Will. In the past it was emotion, which led to the
construction of Manhunters, then became Fear which led them to form the GL
Corps that had Willpower as their ally; which after that became the bane of
their existence and had to be curbed because they have started to think for
themselves. And so Free Will is now the present target for these pesky Smurfs
because according to the Guardians, “We know better than they do and
eradicating free will is the logical step in maintaining order.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Yes, from the emotionless
mini-Nietzche’s that they are, the Guardians have embraced their inner-Fascist
and deemed that no other order is worth following and enforcing other than
theirs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> ***SPOILERS***</span><br />
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Apart from this
revelation, the annual also follows the story arc of Black Hand’s revenge in
the current GL issues from 7-12 and shows our Hal Jordan trying to dig himself
out of a coffin in the Coast City cemetery after being buried alive by Black
Hand only to find Sinestro’s tombstone beside him. But Black Hand ain’t
finished, he offers Hal the chance to see his father again, for he can bring
him back with the use of his Black Ring (minus <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nekron" target="_blank">Nekron</a>) as long as Hal desists in digging up Sinestro
and agree to keep him buried underneath. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oXaSqRU2C-E/UGwo-PWFd9I/AAAAAAAACpw/gu8gcUSmY5w/s1600/did-the-manhunters-succeed.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oXaSqRU2C-E/UGwo-PWFd9I/AAAAAAAACpw/gu8gcUSmY5w/s320/did-the-manhunters-succeed.png" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">While this is going on,
the Guardians venture off to another sector to free the supposed “First
Lantern” from the Chamber of Shadows. Upon opening, it is revealed that a
number of fellow Guardians have equally entombed themselves within the prison
to guard the First Lantern. The elderly entombed Guardians stressed that them
being inside the tomb was an agreement that they have made eons ago and that
whoever comes to free the First Lantern must be destroyed. And thus a battle
ensues among the Guardians as the ruling smurfs have need of the First
Lantern’s power in order to create the 3<sup>rd</sup> Army.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oV10OoRBhas/UGwqBMtyX7I/AAAAAAAACqA/OOYAgTIXH4M/s1600/the-guardians-have-lost-perspective.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oV10OoRBhas/UGwqBMtyX7I/AAAAAAAACqA/OOYAgTIXH4M/s320/the-guardians-have-lost-perspective.png" width="208" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Naturally with more
experience, the ruling Guardians win and with the energy within one of the
slain entombed Guardian is used and directed at the energy shell it thus frees
the First Lantern who is taken out and whose essence is later distilled and
siphoned out in order to create the first member of the Third Army who is
physically in humanoid form but whose silvery limbs are far from human and
whose mind and intellect are bonded and only answer to the Guardians.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">By this time Sinestro has
already freed himself and upon Hal’s suggestion have managed to jointly summon
his own battery so that they both can recharge and eventually gain the upper
“hand” against Black Hand. But from a distance, the Guardians have sensed Black
Hand’s return and Hal’s connivance with Sinestro and thus aids Black Hand in
killing off Hal and Sinestro by sucking them into a Black vortex but not before
Hal and Sinestro manage to re-integrate their rings and send it scanning for a replacement. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hyQl2HX_cSQ/UGwsuvMWxvI/AAAAAAAACqQ/GNlPATitnmc/s1600/Hal+and+Sinestro+black+hole.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="237" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hyQl2HX_cSQ/UGwsuvMWxvI/AAAAAAAACqQ/GNlPATitnmc/s400/Hal+and+Sinestro+black+hole.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And with their aid, the Guardians teleport Black Hand into the Prison of
Shadows to await future use in their plan to "save" the Universe. Guy Gardner and
the GL Corps would be the next to be replaced along with the other Corps
bearing different colors of the emotional spectrum.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EXed9VDP6FY/UGwt6NSE8vI/AAAAAAAACqY/86nE2xZSr-o/s1600/Third+Army+being.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EXed9VDP6FY/UGwt6NSE8vI/AAAAAAAACqY/86nE2xZSr-o/s320/Third+Army+being.jpg" width="236" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And with that, the dices
are rolled and the Gauntlet is thrown for a 4-issue crossover in all major
Lantern titles; from New Guardians, Green Lantern, GL Corps and Red Lanterns <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vPAlVnO8y2g/UGwrnD0tFsI/AAAAAAAACqI/TbZ_GqkPqTQ/s1600/Third-Army.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vPAlVnO8y2g/UGwrnD0tFsI/AAAAAAAACqI/TbZ_GqkPqTQ/s400/Third-Army.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And like all other prologues, we are left to wonder whats next in store for the Lanterns of OA and who is the First Lantern and why is he being kept in secret. What damage could he possibly do if he were to get out?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-faK6WogwwDY/UGwvo1nRHlI/AAAAAAAACqo/xnGNaVMHuYg/s1600/the-first-lantern.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-faK6WogwwDY/UGwvo1nRHlI/AAAAAAAACqo/xnGNaVMHuYg/s320/the-first-lantern.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Bring on the Third Army! We are readers are ready and waiting! Go Poozer!</span></div>
CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-7233118734714287032012-08-16T05:28:00.002-07:002012-08-17T04:08:37.476-07:00Red Lanterns: All About Rage or...More....<br />
When I first heard about the New 52...my reaction? Why!???<br />
<br />
When I saw the line up for the New 52 and it included a separate storyline for the Red Lanterns; borne out of their "following" after the successful DC crisis, "Blackest Night", I made the same reaction (along with some head scratching)... Why!??<br />
<br />
And then when I read the recent Vol 1 compilation that collects the first 7 issues of their New 52 run...I had to stop, nod my head and say...Oh, that's why? :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TJPdYACu6Po/UCuKBeZplMI/AAAAAAAACl0/GojrqPYN9TA/s1600/Red+Lantern+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TJPdYACu6Po/UCuKBeZplMI/AAAAAAAACl0/GojrqPYN9TA/s400/Red+Lantern+cover.jpg" width="253" /></a></div>
<br />
In short, reading this compilation has surprised me and made me wonder what was the reason for choosing to highlight Atrocitus and his Rage-filled band of Red Wielding Lanterns instead of the others in the Lantern spectrum. As I figured, Rage would be the least important emotion of the spectrum, because aside from destruction and tearing down what you know and love all in the name of Rage, you're pretty much left with nothing save for the consequences of your actions. And if we equate the need to resolve and address consequences in the wake of any destructive streak, it definitely needs to be met head on. And who better than the master of rage, Atrocitus, himself.<br />
<br />
And while I don't want to be a Master at <b><span style="color: red;">SPOILERS</span></b>, better be warned now before reading further. :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dge_IFjUd98/UCuO2XiskuI/AAAAAAAACmQ/gIEE4bwSbrE/s1600/red-lanterns-1-relaunch-dc-comics-atrocitus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dge_IFjUd98/UCuO2XiskuI/AAAAAAAACmQ/gIEE4bwSbrE/s400/red-lanterns-1-relaunch-dc-comics-atrocitus.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
The compilation which collects the first 7 issues of the series,opens in Ryut, Space Sector 666, Atrocitus' own homeworld, with a hunter named Zuuq flaying a prisoner alive. He is interrupted by the arrival of our favorite Red Cat and later Atrocitus coming to his cats rescue and pondering a change that he has been feeling. Inspite of the carnage that he inflicts upon these hunters, he acknowledges that he seems to be merely going through the motions; that his Rage is not what is used to be. It is waning. And more than that, the effects have already begun to be felt by other members of the Red Lantern Corps, like Bleez, Ratchet and Skallox among others and like a singular organism body, they are restless and have begun to war with themselves.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o8DJ2tqYNYQ/UCuLknHkwUI/AAAAAAAACl8/8E2XXLOmhS0/s1600/Who+to+choose.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="279" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o8DJ2tqYNYQ/UCuLknHkwUI/AAAAAAAACl8/8E2XXLOmhS0/s320/Who+to+choose.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Atrocitus believes that this unrest can only be solved by making another blood prophecy and he does this by reaching into the corpse of the dead Guardian <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krona_(comics)" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;"><b>Krona</b></span></a>, killed during the <a href="http://cazgeekreader.blogspot.com/2011/12/war-of-green-lanterns-gotta-love-it.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: lime;"><b>War of the Green Lanterns</b></span></a> by Hal Jordan. By Krona's blood and with his own ways of necromancy, Atrocitus offers Krona's blood as payment for his desire to be shown the answer to his dilemna. Thus he is shown visions of his past. From being a father on the planet <a href="http://cazgeekreader.blogspot.com/2010/09/rage-of-red-lanterns.html" target="_blank">Ysmault</a> and suffering the brunt of the massacre of his people at the hands of the Robotic Manhunters before the Green Lantern Corps were formed, to other crimes of war and injustice on other planets. He thus accepts the visions as a sign to take on the rage and outcry of the Universe as his own. And is thus recharged and renewed for a new and higher purpose. And in line with this, he accepts the necessity of having a helper, and is left with his ruminations of which Red Lantern to "promote" and join him in his renewed quest. That is, if they really need him, at all.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, in another Sector, on Earth actually and better known as Sector 2814, and more specifally in the UK, another family is undergoing a crisis of its own as the grandfather of Jack and Raymond Moore was the casualty of a mugging. Bereft without a guardian who has become a surrogate father to them, brothers Jack and Raymond are each dealing with the crisis the best way they know how. One decides to punish the guilty by going after the mugger named Baxter, while the other decides to curtail his own anger and frustration and accepts the situation for what it is.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EGDrhCabhzw/UCuTwmerOmI/AAAAAAAACmk/BkLdJ6oui0k/s1600/2122065-rancorr.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EGDrhCabhzw/UCuTwmerOmI/AAAAAAAACmk/BkLdJ6oui0k/s320/2122065-rancorr.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
But when an attempt on their grandfather's killer, carried out by the outspoken Raymond and botched and intercepted made by the repressed Raymond which later results in his arrest and subsequent beating by the arresting cops for his refusal to cooperate, Raymond is left to deal with his guilt, his frustration, and his Rage at his situation, and so opens himself up just as a Red Ring flies and slips onto his fingers and thereby makes him the first Red Lantern of Earth; and named Rankorr. Following his insticts, he goes after his grandfathers killer only to be stopped further by Guy Gardner, who like us is surprised to find out that this Red Lantern is able to speak "normally" without spewing tons of napalm at the person they're talking to.<br />
<br />
Back on Ysmault, Atrocitus himself has his plate full with having to deal with drafting Bleez as his second-in-command and returning her "normal" state of mind by submerging her into the River of blood and making her re-live her trauma and rage until she rises from it fully aware of who she is. <i>(Note: When one becomes a Red Lantern, your heart stops beating and is replaced by the Red Ring. Along with that you become a blathering drone spewing Napalm from your mouth, as a Red Lantern doesn't have coherent speech, except Atrocitus)</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cDWmBrqZZb8/UCzGV2Rhl3I/AAAAAAAACm4/iWhD_NKGaUc/s1600/Abysmus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cDWmBrqZZb8/UCzGV2Rhl3I/AAAAAAAACm4/iWhD_NKGaUc/s400/Abysmus.jpg" width="303" /></a></div>
Bleez begins to question her existence and her life before being drafted and flies to exact revenge on her tormentors who sold her first to selected members of the Sinestro Corps. But Bleeze, as the story pans out, isn't the only one thrown into the river as Skallox and Ratchet followed suit and relived their own hellish life before equally questioning the morality of their cause. And it is this speaking and mentally capable band of Lanterns that Atrocitus brings with him on the search for the body of Krona after he returns to find it missing and not on the empty slab of stone where it has been since the events of <a href="http://cazgeekreader.blogspot.com/2011/09/seeing-green-and-redwith-guy-gardner.html" target="_blank"><span style="color: cyan;">Brightest Day</span> </a>.<br />
<br />
Ironically, Atrocitus blames Krona for the massacre of his people and yet Krona is the only confidant he has and it is only after a ritual involving Krona's blood does Atrocitus find his sense of purpose once more. For someone being the object of one's hate, Krona still has some use long after his death.<br />
<br />
The search takes Atrocitus back to the Abominable Zone, a ruined city built from the bone of marooned space travelers where he began his experiments with first Red Lanterns. And with that journey, he discovers that one of his failed experiments named Abysmus has stolen Krona' corpse, ate is and has absorbed his power. And if that were not enuf, the abomination named Abysmus, has breathed life into the other corpses of the dead Red Lanterns, re-animated and apty named them the Abysmorphs. Add to this surprise is the arrival of James Moore; aka Rankorr of Earth which gives Abysmus the perfect timing to skewer Atrocitus from behind and leaving Rankorr to face the onslaught of the "Zombie"Red Lanterns and we are left to wonder who will eventually get the upper hand and win.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BgEM5wFN0vs/UC4kINLmDKI/AAAAAAAACn0/q0r5Y1D9AkE/s1600/Atros.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BgEM5wFN0vs/UC4kINLmDKI/AAAAAAAACn0/q0r5Y1D9AkE/s400/Atros.jpg" width="307" /></a></div>
And win is what this first compilation of the Red Lanterns does for me as it certainly mirrors one's struggle in grappling with anger in real life. How long must one be angry? About a person who may have wronged us? About a situation that we feel powerless to change? Or even anger at ourselves for not being as driven as we feel we should be or even anger at how others can impose their expectations upon us. Truly there is much to be angry for and if you have a short attention span like Atrocitus, you may find yourself moving from one thing to another to focus on; from finding a helper only to realize that she will plan your downfall eventually because she shouldn't have been given that much credit, or the things you did in the past will bite you in the ass if you assume that it is dead and buried, or you are surprised to find that your anger is not only abating but equally moving into new territory. Anger can only be a primal source of power if it is focused and unrelenting. Something that Atrocitus should've learned and known all along. In short, no points for wanting too many things all and once and distracting oneself from the task at hand.<br />
<br />
But to give our Red napalm spewing Lantern some credit, he himself is focused, its just that the results of his focused planning is not living up to his expectation and hereby as a reader we are thrown in for that unexpected ride, and if you like a semi-rollercoaster ride, with the promise of more turbulence, then I suggest this one should get you started and don't be surprised if you crave for more.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIlTo1c1tIs/UCzcjUYCZvI/AAAAAAAACnM/Qs1-07GRrjw/s1600/Red+Lantern+8+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qIlTo1c1tIs/UCzcjUYCZvI/AAAAAAAACnM/Qs1-07GRrjw/s400/Red+Lantern+8+Cover.jpg" width="260" /></a><br />
How could you not? With a cliffhanger at the end of issue 7, I can only wait for the release of the next volume next year on my Bday, which is March 12. But in the meantime, let me treat you for the cover of Issue #8. And if that doesn't get your blood boiling for more? Then perhaps better check your Red battery, it may have been affected by a roving Blue Lantern. :)<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-62345910582495604602012-06-11T05:16:00.000-07:002012-06-11T05:16:05.804-07:00Me...by Ricky Martin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4yKNbAQa2B8/T9XhO816DzI/AAAAAAAACjQ/shCvO_j8iIs/s1600/ricky_martin_me_cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4yKNbAQa2B8/T9XhO816DzI/AAAAAAAACjQ/shCvO_j8iIs/s400/ricky_martin_me_cover.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">While I didn't think of the book as a stellar piece of work that broke down literary barriers or anything of the sort, I didn't think either that it was a piece of work that would lead to many readers doubting and go as far as claiming that Ricky hired to ghost writer to write his memoir. Let's give the man some credit. Perhaps he outlined the book and wrote it in his native Spanish tongue and the fault lies in the transcriber or translator?</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">But nonetheless, this book was an enjoyable read and prompted us a look (although not really complete) at the look of a very private celebrity who inspite of his popularity maintains that he is a private person who has to do the public thing of taking a stand and being vocal about it.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">His journey from reluctant celebrity to outspoken gay man may resonate with his gay readers but for one who is looking for pictures to accompany any memoir (Yes, initially I was disappointed that there was none), you will be disheartened to know and find out that there are no pictures but after getting over that and accepting the memoir for what it is and not what it should be, then you are rewarded with a good, insightful and in certain sections a profound chronicle about career, spirituality and the self.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Of course the part where Ricky talks extensively about his cause against human trafficking may unease or dissuade others from moving on with the read. But stick with it and at the very least, find out a little more about this reluctant Latin heart-throb. And if your heart still throbs the right way, from the things that's he's said, done and shared then you've transcended from being a fan to being a fellow citizen of the world out to do good in our own way and in our own corner of the world.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Then again, celebrity or not, isn't that what we should be doing? :)</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Pay it Forward Peeps! Go Ricky! </span>CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-26774827275549884572012-05-30T00:30:00.001-07:002012-05-30T00:30:20.827-07:00Love Has Found Me By Caz - MyMusicStore Philippines<a href="http://www.mymusicstore.com.ph/album/1009738/Love-Has-Found-Me.html#.T8XMfZjSzSk.blogger">Love Has Found Me By Caz - MyMusicStore Philippines</a>CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-83201927427699438412012-05-23T03:55:00.005-07:002012-05-23T04:45:10.721-07:00Catching up on Green Lantern -New 52<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JF6ENWJld7s/T7yv9cyJ14I/AAAAAAAACcw/JdXc-Ciwgik/s1600/GL+New+52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JF6ENWJld7s/T7yv9cyJ14I/AAAAAAAACcw/JdXc-Ciwgik/s320/GL+New+52.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: red; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">** spoiler alert **</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"> When I first heard of the New 52 retcon of DC last year, I feared for the worst.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">That is, most of us will have to bear with origin retelling of the stories that we have been glued to and following for the past 5 years, or in most cases for the past decade, including major DC events like Inifinite Crisis, Final Crisis, the earth shattering and successful crisis of Blackest Night and the subsequent Brightest Day and </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">not to mention the much polarized Flashpoint.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">But good thing for us Lantern readers, the New 52 GL not only takes on a surprising twist but mainly follows events after the most recent GL crisis which was <a href="http://cazgeekreader.blogspot.com/2011/12/war-of-green-lanterns-gotta-love-it.html" target="_blank">War of the Green Lanterns</a> and the subsequent sequel called <a href="http://cazgeekreader.blogspot.com/2012/02/war-of-green-lanterns-aftermath-1.html" target="_blank">Aftermath</a>.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">For most readers who have been following Geoff Johns’ (winning) writing streak and take on our Emerald crusader, Sinestro now seems to be the main torchbearer of the GL Corps after the Guardians disowned and fired Hal Jordan following his actions on War of the Green Lanterns, which I felt was rather harsh. But then again the Guardians will always have their way. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WF4k06QBXl4/T7y0ReJeguI/AAAAAAAACc8/5SeqBI3bd8o/s1600/Sinestro+part+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WF4k06QBXl4/T7y0ReJeguI/AAAAAAAACc8/5SeqBI3bd8o/s320/Sinestro+part+1.jpg" width="206" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Now, having gone back to Earth and in search of a normal life, Hal Jordan can’t seem to make ends meet and mend the relationship that he so wants to have with Carol Ferris, who at this time has shelved her Star Sapphire status and current Reign as Queen of the Corps of the planet Zamaron. Hal for the better part of the Compiled 6 issues of the New 52 GL, is a displaced and aimless Lantern wanting to relive his purpose as a member of the Corps and one who feels that he can effect change from that elevated status rather than an ordinary citizen of Earth.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Of course, this doesn’t stop him at an early point in the first issue, from jumping through the window of the next door building after witnessing a woman being attacked by a odd looking skinhead that had veins protruding thru his arms and weird tattoo shapes on his head. He simply does this in a beat only to find himself in the middle of a movie shoot and later had to be bailed out from jail by Carol herself. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Nothing seems right up until Sinestro arrives for a surprise visit and asks him to do everything he says if he wants to have his ring back. As proof, Sinestro wills and contructs an extension of his own ring which naturally finds its way to Hal’s fingers, and transforms him back to the Emerald Warrior we know. But true to his crafty nature, Sinestro has built specific failsafe precautions into the ring, so much so that Hal’s blast directed at Sinestro the moment he receives the ring is proved futile and inert as the Korugarian reveals that the ring cannot turn against its maker. And that Sinestro can easily take the ring and its power away as he easilly as he gives it. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">It seems that Sinestro has need of Jordan’s help to wipe out the members of the Sinestro Corp harnessing the Yellow Power of Fear on his home planet of Korugar. Naturally, Sinestro still feels that he is the sole savior of his home planet and thus proves to be an effective villain, as one other review said, for he is a bad guy who doesn’t seem to know he is the bad guy. Yup, talk about ultra righteous thinking.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5HhrpB9jQac/T7y0rL4TbpI/AAAAAAAACdM/rRn91w297i8/s1600/Hal+cant+fire+at+Sinestro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5HhrpB9jQac/T7y0rL4TbpI/AAAAAAAACdM/rRn91w297i8/s320/Hal+cant+fire+at+Sinestro.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Sinestro then gives Jordan a tempting offer that he can’t refuse. Help him get rid Of the Sinestro Corps on Korugar and he gets to keep the ring.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">At the same time this “deal” is being forged, another one is being re-written and wraught on OA, as Ganthet, the former Guardian and once leader of the Blue Lantern Corps that channels the emotion of Hope and later self-inducted Green Lantern of Sector Zero, has been taken by the remaining Guardians and stripped off his emotions.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Ironically, the once champion of conscience and emotion for our Emerald heroes now has become as closed minded as his brethren and is in agreement, that in spite of the Green Lantern Corps embodying the sentient emotion of Will, they are not without fault. Hal Jordan, they deem is the example of all drive and without foresight and Sinestro its extreme polarity of all drive but without a shred of altruism. And on top of the past debacle with the Manhunters and the recent </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Manipulation of Krona in the recent GL War, the Guardians surprised us all that it is time for the creation of the 3rd army and that the Green Lantern Corps needs to be replaced.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V3b22GltPeo/T7zBBhu8ebI/AAAAAAAACds/3LvDX6PVPYM/s1600/Guardians+plan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V3b22GltPeo/T7zBBhu8ebI/AAAAAAAACds/3LvDX6PVPYM/s400/Guardians+plan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">That line has just left me in awe and shaking my head in disgust with the Guardians and by the time I got to issue #6, another wave of change can be felt as the original drawings of Doug Mahnke have been taken over by guest artist Mike Choi who continues the task of softening the look of our favorite GL and aptly making him look younger in his drawings as Hal and Carol seem to have, this time around, officially dated again and are enjoying each others company when she brings him to the Aeronautical Museum of Coast City. This both serves as a good chance for the two star crossed lovers to bond once more as Sinestro flies off to the planet Ogoro in Sector 1417, following the defeat of the Yellow Sinestro Corps on Korugar. </span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CokT3YiZvOk/T7zKUjxxq9I/AAAAAAAACd8/GQZ_BpvLgP4/s1600/Lyssa+and+Sinestro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CokT3YiZvOk/T7zKUjxxq9I/AAAAAAAACd8/GQZ_BpvLgP4/s400/Lyssa+and+Sinestro.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">As it is, I’ve neglected to detail how this was accomplished and would hopefully serve as enough incentive to either read or better yet collect, the first volume of the new 52 GL which is aptly entitled Sinestro. On that planet, Sinestro finds the means of locating his once keeper of the Book of Parallax, Lyssa Drax, who now is enthralled by the Book of the Black. He manages to subdue her but not after ripping out a page of the “accursed” book and getting a glimpse of the future, with the Guardians being true to their word of bringing back the 1st Lantern to lead the Third Army against the Green lantern Corps. As part of that image gruelling visage, he also sees his own death along with Hal Jordan's.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">This thus brings more questions to the fore as to who the first Lantern is and who are the 3rd army that the Guardians speak of. With a Guardian holding up the White Ring on the panel depicting Sinestro's vision, could the White Lantern Corps be the Army they are referring to and how much of it as well will affect other members of the DC universe should this come to pass?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">The compilation ends once more with Thaal Sinestro coming back to Earth, powering up Hal’s ring and summoning him to another mission, just after Hal has finally accepted the state of normalcy that has to happen in his life in order to have that normal life with Carol.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1n3L7CpUwTs/T7y3rlEMgEI/AAAAAAAACdg/pBRTt0Y06i8/s1600/Bookof+the+black+revelations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1n3L7CpUwTs/T7y3rlEMgEI/AAAAAAAACdg/pBRTt0Y06i8/s400/Bookof+the+black+revelations.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">After reading another brilliant and layered compilation effectively brought to us by Geoff Johns, I am so half-tempted to pick up the loose issues that follow. As of this writing, the current issue is #9 and I would have to wait till next year to get on track with Vol 2 of this edition. But patience will always be the value to cultivate when collecting hardcover graphic novels and with Geoff Johns we know we are always taken cared of and will be very much rewarded.</span>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XlZlLXW_T9E/T7y3dtGHqBI/AAAAAAAACdY/4gbgUHIYR8U/s1600/GL+8+to+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XlZlLXW_T9E/T7y3dtGHqBI/AAAAAAAACdY/4gbgUHIYR8U/s320/GL+8+to+9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span>CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-83647876159602146342012-04-24T03:44:00.001-07:002012-04-24T04:47:42.567-07:00Caught up in The Shadow of the Wind<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-otukcxghwhA/T5Z-eymTTkI/AAAAAAAACRE/nVnhLuT2bH4/s1600/Shadow+of+the+Wind-+trade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-otukcxghwhA/T5Z-eymTTkI/AAAAAAAACRE/nVnhLuT2bH4/s320/Shadow+of+the+Wind-+trade.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">The first time I heard of this book was in 2004 when Powerbooks was touting it as the next book to watch out for. I knew immediately that I wanted to read it but having so much books on my reading plate (then and still now), felt that it could wait. So I ended up buying the hardcover as a gift instead for a fellow <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/146819947451/" target="_blank">Anne Rice Philippines</a> member and he in turn gave me the audiobook set for The Lives of the Mayfair Witches. I felt that was a good trade. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">J</span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">Years later, like Daniel Sempere, in the book, I would chance upon the trade paperback version of the book at a Book Sale branch and relish the treasure of a find I had. But like all readers who would want more time with ALL of their books, it became another casualty to other books that took precedence up until I found an unabridged version on audiobook Cd format for a steal at another Book Sale branch. This time I knew I had to get into this and not be left behind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">Throughout my drive to and from work, the haunting story of ten year old Daniel and his search for truth regarding the mystery surrounding the author of the book in question, who is equally is as elusive as his other copies of his books in the novel proved to be the enchanting tale that it is, and one that transported me out of the traffic laden streets of Manila and into a simpler and yet darker and dangerous streets of Post Spanish Civil War Barcelona of the 1930’s.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sYerKHjixs0/T5Z_L3vYmwI/AAAAAAAACRM/FM-Cno1qbTM/s1600/zafon_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sYerKHjixs0/T5Z_L3vYmwI/AAAAAAAACRM/FM-Cno1qbTM/s320/zafon_b.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">The book opens with Daniel Sempere, son of second hand book store owner, being brought to the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, a old haven of a library for books that have almost been forgotten but kept and preserved for all lovers of antique and obscure books. There he meets the caretaker of the establishment, Isaac Monfort and is told that whoever comes to the library the first time must choose a book, adopt it as his and makes sure that the book will be preserved and guaranteed an owner and a home. Somehow, the Shadow of the Wind by Julian Carax is the book that Daniel chooses and immediately he is transported into the tale brilliantly spun by Carax which leaves him wanting more of his works and equally more information about the author.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">He thus finds himself in a search for the threads of Carax’s life, while his own life and growing adolescence mirrors Carax’s own. On top of that, he also must deal with his obsession with Clara Barcelo, the blind daughter of Gustavo Barcelo, a friend of his father and in addition a new found friend in the form of a homeless man, whom he took in to help with the book shop. This man who goes by the name of Fermin Romero de Torres we find is a military man who is in pursuit by the main antagonist in the novel, the evil, vengeful and corrupt Inspector Javier Fumero.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">And as if Daniel’s plate wasn’t enough, there is also a mysterious lurking figure, who is horribly burnt and hides in the shadows and poses a threat to his own life and in want of the Carax book that he possesses.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">Newfound love, Tarnished love, Envy, Greed, Bitterness, Frustration and other elements of a varied human condition is one that a lover of the written word will find in reading this book. My interest in it was equally buoyed by the brilliant narrative and character voicing of the audiobook narrator, Jonathan Davis, who efforlessly shifts from one voice to another as the task of voicing different characters solely rests on him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">As one further gets into the story, more stories of other people that are just pieces of the puzzle of a tragic life lived by Julian Carax may overwhelm some readers in want of a more traditional and linear way of storytelling, but in the end, all the lives lived by every individual in the book, hastens Daniel’s maturity as he graples with life, with love, with loss and with the promise that if one is in search of the truth, the search will ultimately extract a price of its own for it, but if one is ready for the ride and for the result, then it is a journey worth taking.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 21px;">Read on and discover how other people’s lives and relationships may at times mirror facets of our own and in learning about others, we learn more about ourselves and the wisdom behind the choices that we make in our lives, everyday.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/iVdbWqQK4yI?fs=1" width="459"></iframe>CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com0Claro M. Recto Ave, Manila, Philippines14.604847155053898 120.9375-1.1905468449461019 100.722656 30.400241155053898 141.152344tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-78678376313072438822012-03-02T03:12:00.000-08:002012-03-02T03:14:50.552-08:00Dark Knight Vol 1- David FinchBecause I am returning this to the owner asap..I am making this short....if not Too short.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fkXCEkkMW3w/T1Cjqz7k6yI/AAAAAAAACBk/nXZcEp2Dzqc/s1600/Dark+Knight-Finch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fkXCEkkMW3w/T1Cjqz7k6yI/AAAAAAAACBk/nXZcEp2Dzqc/s320/Dark+Knight-Finch.JPG" width="208" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">The drawing from Finch is a stunning, brilliant & allows the Bat to be a winner in every panel that he is in. For the artwork alone, this deserves a 5. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">But for writing it didn't have the ending I was hoping for. It kinda left me with more questions than answers. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Still kudos to Finch on undertaking both drawing and writing duties. And for giving us another look at Bruce's childhood the people who have indelibly made a mark on his life. This time around it is socialite</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Dawn Golden and her recent disappearance has gotten our Caped Crusader all rampaging around Gotham in trying to find her.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P8-35HMXHu0/T1Cpge0mxiI/AAAAAAAACBs/S5oDEIqdgyA/s1600/1996205-the_dark_knight_5_page_4_super.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="245" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P8-35HMXHu0/T1Cpge0mxiI/AAAAAAAACBs/S5oDEIqdgyA/s320/1996205-the_dark_knight_5_page_4_super.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">As it is, the ending may not have given me the one I wanted but the drawing is superb as his drawing with purple demons closing in on Dawn and the Bats atop a building took my breath away. But alas the only sample of that drawing is the panel that follows it and not the one that I wanted to show you. But nonetheless, you so gotta read it to see it.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">So far Finch is here to stay as he is slated to helm more supernatural adventure arcs for our beloved Bat. But I hope next time, he doesn't put his characters through the ringer too much, only to let them go in the end.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Oh and by the way, he is coming to Manila on March 11.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">I will be with my family of <a href="https://www.facebook.com/justiceph" target="_blank">Justice PH</a>. See ya there.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ut1GlMJwEk/T1Cqv8RZtkI/AAAAAAAACB0/6NURmgXZRRI/s1600/David+Finch+on+FB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ut1GlMJwEk/T1Cqv8RZtkI/AAAAAAAACB0/6NURmgXZRRI/s320/David+Finch+on+FB.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: georgia, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></div>CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-75840505323957688412012-02-14T03:34:00.000-08:002012-02-14T03:34:38.217-08:00War of the Green Lanterns- Aftermath- 1<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ITZMjqDJaV8/TzopToG4MeI/AAAAAAAAB64/xiflDdeR1hE/s1600/War+of+Gl+aftermath+Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ITZMjqDJaV8/TzopToG4MeI/AAAAAAAAB64/xiflDdeR1hE/s320/War+of+Gl+aftermath+Cover.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">After having been left high and dry at the end of the GL cataclysmic
event of 2010 which was <a href="http://cazgeekreader.blogspot.com/2011/12/war-of-green-lanterns-gotta-love-it.html" target="_blank">War of the Green Lanterns</a>, our favorite Corps are left
to deal with the consequences of their actions & the task of rebuilding Oa
from the devestation of war. </span><span style="font-size: 14pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">But as they would learn in the course of the graphic novel that compiles
the 2 issues of Aftermath and Green Lantern Corps #61-63 plus Emerald Warriors
#11-13, their emotions also need to be taken care of and rebuilt. As this
graphic novel collects these 2 main issues and disparate ones that continue the
thread of the Aftermath storyline in other issues, this review will tackle the
first 2 Aftermath issues and the second review for the ones will follow after.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6YzLTB6B3is/Tzoz9qDpLJI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/H4Ty33-Xl08/s1600/Hal-War+aftermath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6YzLTB6B3is/Tzoz9qDpLJI/AAAAAAAAB7Y/H4Ty33-Xl08/s320/Hal-War+aftermath.jpg" width="290" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This “Aftermath”, opens with the "banishment" of Hal Jordan and the outrage of Green Lantern hothead and
Honor Guard, Guy Gardner expressing his frustration at the Guardians act of
banishing Hal Jordan and the ironic mourning of the Guardians over the loss of fellow Guardian and bad
guy Krono who almost took control of the Corps at the height of the War. Their supposed "mourning" is equaled by their amazement as to how a Lantern was able to inflict that much harm and kill a Guardian in spite of the safety measures they incorporated into the Ring making sure that it would never be used against
them, much less kill a Guardian with it. Fearing Guy may do something “rash”
Kilowog clarfies that Hal was most certainly sent back to Earth after being
fired from the Corps. Like an emotional epidemic, one Lantern after another
expresses their disappointment with the Guardians. Lantern Hannu drives his
point clearly enough, “Why does it take a human to always save you from your
mistakes.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3PzbXTwqQR0/TzoqRUcCuiI/AAAAAAAAB7A/9O_9t9J0zqo/s1600/greenlanternwaraftermath1a+lanterns+know+guardians+are+stupid+too.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3PzbXTwqQR0/TzoqRUcCuiI/AAAAAAAAB7A/9O_9t9J0zqo/s400/greenlanternwaraftermath1a+lanterns+know+guardians+are+stupid+too.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">But inspite of the post stress trauma, questions like these will still
be unanswered as the Guardians express their control of the situation and leave
to further question Sinestro about why at the height of the War, a Green
Lantern ring has chosen Sinestro to be part of the Green Lantern Corps again
when all his Yellow Ring along with the others, have all overridden their
connection with their respective owners and flew to Krona’s hand. Perhaps
without Mogo to guide the Rings, the selection process has been changed if not
muddled.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">And muddling with the rest of their emotions is basically what the
others find themselves doing, from Ganthet admitting his affections for fellow
Guardian Sayd who is now in the planet Okarra after having been promised to
Larfreeze in return for help during the Blackest Night crisis, to other
Lanterns condemning John Stewart for killing Mogo and as well as a handful of
them like Lantern Voz and Hannu all planning to execute Sinestro, to give him
the justice he needs and one that has been long denied him, this Aftermath
certainly brings the emotional issues to front as everyone in OA deals with
their pain in the best way they know how.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AmZftnRlZRM/TzpAqL9ejgI/AAAAAAAAB7g/O5LVdbTmQjI/s1600/wgl2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AmZftnRlZRM/TzpAqL9ejgI/AAAAAAAAB7g/O5LVdbTmQjI/s320/wgl2.jpg" width="241" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Lucky for some, others still have a leveled head on their shoulders as
Lantern Rayner senses Lantern Natu’s status of “Intraceability” and finds
himself on the opposing side of a group of Lanterns including Soranik Natu who
are hell bent to give Sinestro his due reward. Another brawl ensues with Kyle
getting the upper hand, only to stop midway then the blasted door behind him
finds a Sinestro tied up and not questioned but with the Guardians forcibly
removing his ring from his finger. <i>So
much for questioning eh? <o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">This break-in pushes the Guardians to the limit and announces that any
more outbreaks of anger, defiance and lack of discipline will not be tolerated.
They send everyone out back to their respective Sectors, activate once more the
placement of the Honor Guard and Alpha Lanterns in Oa in a final attempt to
both rein in and exact control.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YOHVanbAlyo/TzpC86wDEkI/AAAAAAAAB7o/k0samwzM0aY/s1600/Green+LAntern+corps058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YOHVanbAlyo/TzpC86wDEkI/AAAAAAAAB7o/k0samwzM0aY/s320/Green+LAntern+corps058.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">In all of this Ganthet is visited by Blue Lantern, Saint Walker who
heals Ganthet’s hand while Gardner as well as Kilowog and Kyle and crypt keeper
Lantern Morro, deal with the decision that the Guardians have allowed Krona to
be buried in the Lantern crypt and remembered for the good that he did as he
was also instrumental in the founding of the Lanterns. Needless to say this was
met with much opposition but as it is, duty and respect to the Guardians wishes
prevailed as Lantern Salaak reminded them all that any move from them to
counter his orders is tantamount to mutiny.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Lantern Mogo had a meaningful “burial” as his remains, which basically
is debris and fragments from an exploded planet, are brought to the Sun and cremated.
The result was a fitting tribute as the Sun incorporated the Lantern insignia
and burned for as long as it lasted. What didn’t last though was Krona’s stay
in the crypt as Ganthet secretly went down into the holding chamber, and sent
Krona’s body into the Planet Ysmault, thereby fulfilling a promise made to Red
Lantern leader, Atrocitus and preventing him from launching another War of the
Light. But alas, Ganthet’s actions were not wholly unnoticed as he nervously
defends his actions to the oncoming Guardians who wanted to speak to him. What
is it about this time? Well, we can only guess at the ominous gazes that the
remaining Lanterns had when they looked at him. For his sake, I hope the
writer’s keep Ganthet, as for one, the Blue Lantern Corps flailing as it is,
need a leader and that the Guardians needed someone like Ganthet to keep them
honest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sc0zZVY2y70/TzpEB0na-6I/AAAAAAAAB7w/7sSD-nT-3bA/s1600/tomasi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Sc0zZVY2y70/TzpEB0na-6I/AAAAAAAAB7w/7sSD-nT-3bA/s1600/tomasi.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So? Honestly, did I like it? Yes, I did as writers Tony Bedard and Peter
Tomasi were certainly up to the task of continuing what Geoff Johns did with
the War. Having previously wrote Revolt of the Alpha Lanterns, they were more than able to deal with the emotions and ramifications as well the
consequences of the war and showing equal attention to key note Lanterns and
how they deal with it. What I didn’t like with Issue #1 was the artwork by
Miguel Sepulveda and Tyler Kirkham. Call me a stickler for visual continuity,
they didn’t do justice to the great artwork that Doug Mahnke always does along
with excellent Geoff Johns writing in major crises compilations. But at least
it gets better as Issue #1 moves on with true comic book artwork in the latter
part and a new team consisting of Ransom Getty and Andy Smith for Issue #2. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RS_lnmAeYZY/Tzoxa1szwBI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/uEJLulR-onk/s1600/gl-31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RS_lnmAeYZY/Tzoxa1szwBI/AAAAAAAAB7Q/uEJLulR-onk/s400/gl-31.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">So if you want the entire Aftermath coverage and a true Lantern fan, I
need not tell you to get this but if only the first 2 issues interest you, that
would be okay too as Issue 2’s semi-cliffhanger with Ganthet and the Guardians
are not addressed in any way in the other issues included in this graphic novel
compilation and we all wonder what bungle of a secret do these Guardians still
have in their closet and threaten to disrupt the fine thread of progress that
they are attempting to make following 3 major crises one after the other.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial;">Till then I am keeping my fingers crossed and off to patrol different
areas of Sector 2814.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-36745883177301504912012-02-08T18:44:00.000-08:002012-02-09T03:55:02.302-08:00Justice League #5- The New 52<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xfQA2vzlzy0/TzD6X7ZrLJI/AAAAAAAAB5g/J3_rbKPzDsg/s1600/justice-league-5-cover_10002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xfQA2vzlzy0/TzD6X7ZrLJI/AAAAAAAAB5g/J3_rbKPzDsg/s320/justice-league-5-cover_10002.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify;"> If
you’ve been following my previous Justice League New 52 entries, then you know
the new Big Bad that has finally come to town, but should you not want to and
have yet to read it, then just go to the <a href="http://cazgeekreader.blogspot.com/2012/01/justice-league-1-new-52.html" target="_blank">first entry</a>. But if you don’t mind the
spoilage then I thank you for reading on.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So with the arrival of the Big Bad by way of
Darkseid in the last issue, our heroes, just by looking at the cover by Jim Lee
are all in readiness and awaiting the fray. As you can see it is, it’s a group
shot and Vic Stone, aka. Cyborg seems to be on the road to fully embrace his
new path as part of the “League”. The league as we know it has yet to be
officially formed as our fallen heroes have yet to deal with their initial
defeat and are reeling from the arrival of a foe that none of them have ever
encountered. I guess, Geoff Johns wanted a big event to be the catalyst that
would bring our heroes together. And you don’t get any better than Darkseid.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">But the issue opens with almost all our heroes all
down for the count save for Flash. In his recovery, he witnesses Darkseids
Omega beams (coming from his eyes), take down two government aircrafts. So, it’s
not a match.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PdBK1_qR8rc/TzEIX7T2o1I/AAAAAAAAB6A/PGIXnJbPKX8/s1600/JLA+Issue+5-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="184" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PdBK1_qR8rc/TzEIX7T2o1I/AAAAAAAAB6A/PGIXnJbPKX8/s320/JLA+Issue+5-.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aNHZ7FM1ocs/TzETZ0Q0-9I/AAAAAAAAB6I/KibgIPdvK44/s1600/Superman+gets+hit+with+Omega+Beams.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aNHZ7FM1ocs/TzETZ0Q0-9I/AAAAAAAAB6I/KibgIPdvK44/s320/Superman+gets+hit+with+Omega+Beams.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">By this time, the Man of Steel comes around and is
ready for some action but Flash, after seeing what Darkseid did, knew better
& scuttles him out just before Darkseid sends out two more beams to take
them out. Here the running pair, find </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">out for the first time what we already knew (</span><i style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">prior to the New 52</i><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 18px;">) which is, that Darkseid's eye beams can follow you around till it makes contact.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">Flash & Supes split up in the hopes of evading it, but only Flash got the idea of diverting the </span><span style="font-size: 16px; line-height: 18px;">beam to a group of Darkseid's creatures before Superman himself got hit by the beams and gets carried out by the winged creatures to the tower that rose up from the sea in </span><a href="http://cazgeekreader.blogspot.com/2012/01/justice-league-3-new-52.html" target="_blank">Issue 3</a>.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FaZ7tedbC40/TzD-HbGO_TI/AAAAAAAAB5w/ggDEMX3GdLA/s1600/Darkseid+breaks+Hal%2527s+arm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="234" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FaZ7tedbC40/TzD-HbGO_TI/AAAAAAAAB5w/ggDEMX3GdLA/s320/Darkseid+breaks+Hal%2527s+arm.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">By this time, Hal has taken upon himself to be
"the hero" by engaging Darkseid directly, hitting him with a “green
mace” and shielding himself with a green shield after Darkseid retaliates. To
Lantern’s surprise, and ours, he hardly flinches, as Hal’s constructs have no
effect on the huge and menacing interloper. In addition to that, Darkseid probably
regarding our Green Lantern as a pesky and troublesome gnat, grabs him and breaks
his arm! (<b><i>okay, Shock #2</i></b>) In just a few panels and with the damage that
he has wrought so far, Darkseid is proving to be much of the daunting villain of
this issue as he doesn’t talk much and simply lets his might do all the
talking. After dispensing with the “pesky” Lantern, he simply turns around and walks
away, pretty much the stance of a confident and all encompassing villain.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UoDuP0WWx4Y/TzOoTzn_8cI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/OWRnHFEPrn4/s1600/Bat+reveals+himself.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UoDuP0WWx4Y/TzOoTzn_8cI/AAAAAAAAB6Q/OWRnHFEPrn4/s320/Bat+reveals+himself.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">At this point the action tapers down and I find
myself surprised (</span><b style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;"><i>yes, again</i></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">), as Batman does something that is something
considered out of character, and that he reaches out to Hal, telling him that
charging this otherworldly foe is not doing the “bright” thing and he wonders
out loud what propels Hal to do what he does as he feels that they are similar.
In a gasp-worthy moment, Batman tells him who he is, how his parents were
murdered as he takes his mask & cape off. But instead of marveling out loud
at the revelation, and probably a result of him being too ensconced in his life
of a bubble in Coast City, Hal Jordan remarks that he doesn’t know who Bruce
Wayne is. </span><i style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: justify; text-indent: 0.5in;">Yes, the brag-mouth doesn’t
know the “enigma”.</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Bruce feels that they are alike & what is going
on is bigger than any one of them. He adds that its time for them to be a team
and then goes off.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="text-indent: 0.5in;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oNmKdKr9Fd8/TzOwwcVUs_I/AAAAAAAAB6w/SZ21_nv0JqY/s1600/Jla+5-We+Got+This.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-oNmKdKr9Fd8/TzOwwcVUs_I/AAAAAAAAB6w/SZ21_nv0JqY/s320/Jla+5-We+Got+This.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Lantern then
rounds up the rest of the heroes and decide to follow Darkseid into the city
while keeping out of sight. Of course, another banter-set, courtesy of Hal
& Barry ensues as the remaining heroes decide to distract Darkseid while
buying Bruce some time in his reconnaissance mission. The Lantern and Flash
exchange clearly follwing Hal's Battle cry of "We Got This" shows us readers the ease and the candor between these two friends,
as it has always been them two who have gotten along even prior to the New 52.
Batman, or in this case, Bruce Wayne for his part allowed himself to be taken
by the winged creatures and finds himself entering another portal and sees
another city, one that can be mistaken for a refinery of an oil plant, or a big
giant industrial furnace of a city, replete with pipes, smoke, burning pits of
fire, but, for a change, more winged creatures.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">So care to take a guess
where they are exactly? ;)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: .5in;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> Well,
like you I am equally guessing and getting antsy for Issue #6.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XC0oKkAjJ-Q/TzD_UP1UvcI/AAAAAAAAB54/68Onk89W4d0/s1600/JL+End+of+Issue+%235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XC0oKkAjJ-Q/TzD_UP1UvcI/AAAAAAAAB54/68Onk89W4d0/s400/JL+End+of+Issue+%235.jpg" width="251" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-43796880853141278722012-02-07T01:54:00.000-08:002012-02-07T01:54:58.934-08:00Justice League #4- The New 52<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 21px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Z1oJFiI9lw/TzDtdL5hVeI/AAAAAAAAB44/lslKwsP6OG4/s1600/JUSTICE-LEAGUE-4_cover_1000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2Z1oJFiI9lw/TzDtdL5hVeI/AAAAAAAAB44/lslKwsP6OG4/s320/JUSTICE-LEAGUE-4_cover_1000.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Throw
a King into the mix, via Aquaman certainly uppes the ante in anyone’s books and
thus leaves room for a little more focus on the remaining member of the group
who has yet to fully embrace his evolution and journey to become a new man.
That new man is Victor Stone whom we all know as Cyborg and who at the start of
this issue finds him deep in the Red Room at Star Labs undergoing a painful
transformation, or more aptly, the grafting and replacing of the metal
Prometheum with his damaged tissue from the previous issues.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And
just when the metallic winged hounds of Darkseid penetrates Star Labs does he
get first hand of his transformation as his hand automatically goes into
defense mode and blasts one creature away, blowing it to bits. But by the end
of the panel, we see that it is not only the monster that is blown away, but
also the traces of a bond between father and son as Dr. Stone can only call out
to his transformed cyborg of a son, Vic, as he breaks away in rage, and in
disappointment at what his father has done to him and at the monster that he
has become.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xpWynEZp2mc/TzDqTtMNGOI/AAAAAAAAB4o/bhJOnSHpoxk/s1600/justice-league-new-52-4-team.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xpWynEZp2mc/TzDqTtMNGOI/AAAAAAAAB4o/bhJOnSHpoxk/s320/justice-league-new-52-4-team.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Back
at Metropolis, the newly acquainted heroes are having mixed reactions at having
met a new super being in their midst and with the revelation at that, that
these creatures set some kind of device and tore open a hole in the water that
eventually ushered more creatures out from it. He assumes that the land-based
heroes before him have gathered to fight them but does not see a leader in
their midst.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">This
is where the lines get snappish and acerbic once more as each hero quips a line (or two)
that reveals further much of their persona; or like Hal Jordan who blurted out
that he thought Aquaman, was a sketch on Conan O Brien <b><i>(insert LOL #1)</i></b>, gives
them ample smart-aleck highlights under the klieg lights of a building
catastrophe. Batman, for his part, has his line of asserting leadership as he
alludes that Aquaman was not looking at him when he was looking for a leader.
Aquaman assumes leadership status as he is the rightful heir to the throne of
Atlantis.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iq1XqSofSMA/TzDqy8FbCPI/AAAAAAAAB4w/El9d6Fg8hM4/s1600/justice-league-4-panel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Iq1XqSofSMA/TzDqy8FbCPI/AAAAAAAAB4w/El9d6Fg8hM4/s320/justice-league-4-panel.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Of course, this doesn’t bode well with our Lantern, who apart from
having issues with taking orders, doesn’t appreciate Batman, another wananabe
super-hero giving out orders and bossing people around. With that said, he
goads the Sea King to prove his worth to which Aquaman does via his telepathic
connection with various aquatic lifeforms. Yes, it does shut Hal up. But I
don’t know about you but Hal is getting more cocky by the issue. Heck if he
keeps it up, he could give Guy Gardner a serious run for his money.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--wyzw9sxC40/TzDzpB4BIPI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/nAF1SAoMK58/s1600/justiceleague4a+cyborgs+cannon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--wyzw9sxC40/TzDzpB4BIPI/AAAAAAAAB5Q/nAF1SAoMK58/s320/justiceleague4a+cyborgs+cannon.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Vic
Stone, aka. Cyborg, unaware of the chaos around Chicago stumbles outside and
manages to help a woman who was being attacked by the winged creatures and
somehow assimilates information from them and showed him how Darkseid was
conquering one world after another by harvesting and processing organic
materials and turning them into the creatures that have just attacked Chicago,
Metropolis and other cities around the world. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-indent: 0.5in;">Lucky for him, and for us
readers, his self defending and pro-active armor traces the signal being
emanated by these creatures and transports him via a portal to Metropolis to
join our heroes in the fray against them; just in time to warn them of who is
behind the attacks and how he goes from world to world and is coming to Earth.
And on cue, the Big Bad of the issue makes a grand and disastrous entrance for
all the world to see.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-indent: .5in; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iK9KzVd_U0M/TzDwQMCOVsI/AAAAAAAAB5A/5dfShJUiKbc/s1600/Lantern+touching+Lasso.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iK9KzVd_U0M/TzDwQMCOVsI/AAAAAAAAB5A/5dfShJUiKbc/s320/Lantern+touching+Lasso.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> All in all, I am loving
the elements of the storyline so far and how each and every piece of the puzzle
is being fitted to complete the big picture. But like in the past issues, there
were still some room for unwarranted but much welcomed humor to dispel the
seriousness of the storyline like Batman laughing after Hal inadvertently
admits that what he does is solely to impress people especially, Wonder
Woman. But Hal doesn’t really readily
say it just for honesty’s sake, his hand was just absentmindedly touching
Wondy’s golden lasso, which makes one tell the truth. <b><i>(insert LOL #2)</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> Now to break off from the
funnies, one line that struck me in this issue was what Superman said to Flash
as he flew off to divert attacks being made by government choppers on them.
Supes said, “<i>You seem to be someone who wants to do the right thing, but the </i><b>same </b><i>can’t always be said for everyone
in positions of authority</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cku44xO9nSQ/TzD0QXE2OII/AAAAAAAAB5Y/eTTbjoXNH7Q/s1600/Darkseid+Spread+JL%234.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cku44xO9nSQ/TzD0QXE2OII/AAAAAAAAB5Y/eTTbjoXNH7Q/s400/Darkseid+Spread+JL%234.png" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"> This observation about
people in power holds much truth for me as we all know that too much of it
corrupts even those with the best intentions. Of course, unless you have the
heart of Mother Teresa or you’re a strong willed leader who knows what he wants
to accomplish and sticks by the means to doing so, then at least that alone
grants the exemption to this notion. But unless people in government, without
the need to say about ours, do certainly acknowledge and know their
responsibility and accountability are to the people, then, there will always be
a cycle of repeat offenders. There will be be some who think that they can go
above the law, much less rewrite it. Good thing there are heroes in their
world. How about ours? How many heroes have we got?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-PH" style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">And how many heroes will be left standing after Darkseid's arrival? Time to check out the next issue.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-79778726998700363762012-01-23T03:11:00.000-08:002012-01-23T03:11:05.616-08:00New Avengers Promo Pics on Red Envelopes<a href="http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/169295-new-avengers-promo-pics-on-red-envelopes#.Tx1AOnozTso.blogger">New Avengers Promo Pics on Red Envelopes</a>CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7846353945762556051.post-53019535129849976712012-01-22T04:05:00.000-08:002012-01-23T01:41:07.519-08:00Justice League #3- The New 52<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rxo7Og1caK8/TxvSOjNUXsI/AAAAAAAAB0g/eHPykQS6oe4/s1600/justiceleague3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Rxo7Og1caK8/TxvSOjNUXsI/AAAAAAAAB0g/eHPykQS6oe4/s320/justiceleague3.jpg" width="205" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Having gotten the first 3 issues first
of the new JLA, as part of the new 52 launch last year, I knew I had to
continue reading and discover for myself what new things lay behind this new
Wonder Woman. Now this change comes in the wake of J.Michael Strazynski's own
take of our beloved Amazon that ended in her 611th issue before
joining the new 52. With my own knowledge of Diana Prince, from the early TV
series, the animated Justice League series, past readings of Gail Simone and
George Perez as well as previous animated incarnations of her and the League, I
was pleasantly surprised that this was not the Wonder Woman I knew.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">For starters, issue 3 opens with our
Diana breaking out of the Pentagon office in pursuit of what she deems is a harpy after having seen on TV
that a winged monster has begun terrorizing downtown Dc. This time our Diana
dons silver wristbands and the gold that once adorned her now all red and
ribbed bustier is equally silver. Along with that she carries a sword that
could be mistaken for Frodo's Elvish sword, Sting, given to him by his Uncle
Bilbo. But once more I digress. The love of more than one fandom does have
cross-referencing advantages I must admit. </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">J</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-84KzGjOKGoI/Txv4VPBaaoI/AAAAAAAAB0o/UflxQVE72so/s1600/2087843-icecream1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-84KzGjOKGoI/Txv4VPBaaoI/AAAAAAAAB0o/UflxQVE72so/s320/2087843-icecream1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Ok, moving ward, Diana quickly
discovers & relates to Col Trevor that while this new world she’s in has
wonderful things like ice cream and rock and roll, there is also Darkness here.
As if on point, the Winged monster appears atop a building, sounds off a Ping
sound and opens a portal, thereby ushering more mechanical Winged Demons. At this
time the same terrifying scene is equally happening at Metropolis and most
recently at Detroit. Back at Star Labs Dr. Silas Stone is unable to leave his
injured son, Victor, and instead ushers him down to the Red Room and administers
the grafting of a metal called Prometheum as well as the injection of nanobyte tech into his son’s body, who at
this point looks more like the nuclear burned kids from Resident Evil. Oops,
sorry, I did it again. Cross fandom reference.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0_65Kug7yfs/Txv60Kl7sVI/AAAAAAAAB0w/gjkgXVk4Od0/s1600/Dibs+on+Wondy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0_65Kug7yfs/Txv60Kl7sVI/AAAAAAAAB0w/gjkgXVk4Od0/s320/Dibs+on+Wondy.jpg" width="204" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">The Metropolis carnage now being kept
at bay by the combined efforts of Supes, Flash and Gl has been made more effective
by the arrival of Diana, aka. Wonder Woman to which Flash is wowed and Lantern
calls dibs. And just when they think that they’ve scared the Darkseid-Chantng
creatures away, our heroes could only stare at their false conclusion as a
massive structure suddenly looms out of the sea before them. And in their
presence finally comes another formidable hero we know as Aquaman. But with a
Kingly demeanor to him, how well do we know the King of the Seas?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Like the
previous two issues, this next one is not without action or quips. Flash couldn’t
believe that Batman has no power and initially thought he was a Vampire. Superman acknowledges Diana's strength to which
she nonchalantly responds, I know. I don’t know about you but for me, I was
getting some subtext stares between Supes and Wondy. Can we expect a “pairing”
between the two inspite of the “couple” status insinuated between Batman and
Diana in the animated series?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2LTDKKI8LfA/Txv7SPrrP8I/AAAAAAAAB04/oUqHrbwAAvE/s1600/justice-league-3-cliffhanger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2LTDKKI8LfA/Txv7SPrrP8I/AAAAAAAAB04/oUqHrbwAAvE/s320/justice-league-3-cliffhanger.jpg" width="208" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">Anyway, all
this banter plays well with the addition of anther would be JL Member. So what
happens to a group of powerful indivduals when you bring a King into the mix?
Well, we’re gonna find out next in Issue 4, aren’t we? <o:p></o:p></span></div>CAZhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18204898791880070028noreply@blogger.com0