Comic book author Harvey Pekar, whose autobiographical series “American Splendor” was made into the 2003 film, has died. Pekar, a cancer survivor, was found by his wife, Joyce Brabner, early Monday morning at their Cleveland area home; he was 70 years old.
July 12, 2010 Tags: American Splendor, harvey Pekar
Category: I Have Issues 1 Comment 
Sunday is normally a restful day of reflection for some. For others it’s a PR fistfight about whether the latest star to bring The Hulk to screen should be in the next Avengers movie. Sunday morning I read the following from statement by Marvel Studios President, Kevin Feige:
We have made the decision to not bring Ed Norton back to portray the title role of Bruce Banner in the Avengers. Our decision is definitely not one based on monetary factors, but instead rooted in the need for an actor who embodies the creativity and collaborative spirit of our other talented cast members. The Avengers demands players who thrive working as part of an ensemble, as evidenced by Robert, Chris H, Chris E, Sam, Scarlett, and all of our talented casts. We are looking to announce a name actor who fulfills these requirements, and is passionate about the iconic role in the coming weeks.
Later, Norton’s representation at William Morris had this to comment:
We know a lot of fans have voiced their public disappointment with this result, but this is no excuse for Feige’s mean spirited, accusatory comments. Counter to what Kevin implies here, Edward was looking forward to the opportunity to work with Joss and the other actors in the Avengers cast, many of whom are personal friends of his. Feige’s statement is unprofessional, disingenuous and clearly defamatory. Mr. Norton talent, tireless work ethic and professional integrity deserve more respect, and so do Marvel’s fans.
The next incarnation of Bruce Banner will most likely be announced at San Diego’s Comic-Con July 24th. Until then, stay tuned.
Peter Schmeiser – Giggaheim Director
July 12, 2010 Tags: avengers, bruce banner, comic-con, Edward Norton, hulk, Marvel Comics
Category: Comic News, I Have Issues, Movie News 1 Comment
I Have Issues is a comic book review on the previous week’s new releases. SPOILER WARNING: if you haven’t read your books yet, read no further. These reviews will be posted a few days after comic book release day to give you time to read them so that you can throw your two cents in about what you thought of these books. The picks are currently limited, due to the small selection available in my local comic book shops, but hopefully that will change in a the future. Visit the Giggaheim.com Forums and start your non-censored, no-holds-barred thread on your favorite books.
This week was a short one with the country’s jubilee and putting the shipping schedule off. Many of the comic books I was after did not make it to my LCS, but I was able to track a few down to make a more educated pick of the week. This was a great week for diversity. There were good books from Boom! Studios, Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and Dark Horse Comics. In the end my pic was
Irredeemable #15
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Diego Barreto
Cover: Paul Azaceta and Dan Panosian
For a year and half Mark Waid has been crafting a story of a fallen hero and the atrocities that follow. The books consist of a thickly layered storylines that all stem from one difficult decision to the next. No story thread is untouched by tragedy, and no story is an easy one. Mark Waid charges into the difficult paths of the story, ignoring easy answers and creating a drama that is just as exhausting to read as Kirkman’s Walking Dead.
Issue 15 is the destination for all of these storylines, and in a super-charged series of panels the “damned” consequences begin to come forward. Quibit has to measure which “bad guy” he feels he can defeat, all while sacrificing the group that would help help him do so. He have another team member killed and despite this book beginning with the mad tantrums of a wayward “superman”, the true puppet-masters and evil begin to come to light.
I’ve said this on the podcast before, but I cannot escape the regret of Barreto’s pencils. I feel they just don’t capture the height of the drama and action that happen in the pages. Some panels are completely empty, while others are an inking nightmare. While I could think of a few artists that might have captured all these moments better, none of them would embody an Irredeemable story. None of them would have captured Tony or Quibit or the powers the way Barreto has. When I look at these pages I thin Irredeemable. So, from now on I will stop griping about the art, although I think that someone should be inking this book besides Barreto, that might help.
This has been a great book, and if you have been on the fence about it, or are unsure of it, read the first trade. I’m sure you will be captured by the extraordinary storytelling, and the path that this book is blazing.
Hit-Monkey #1
Written by Daniel Way
Art by Dalibor Talajic
Sell Comics books Rule #1: Put a monkey on the cover. And seriously, can you blame me for picking this up? Look at it!!! The Dude is awesome!
Alright to the story, we have a monkey who seeks revenge for the deforestation of his forest and killing of his tribe. He grabs a few pistols and goes to work on the parties responsible. Since he can’t talk, we have a ghost who interfaces with the monkey to egg him on to more homicide. The last page we see Bullseye foreshadowing what should be a big encounter at the end. I think I’d enjoy this book a bit more if I could get the following questions answered:
1) Why can’t he talk? He’s a gun-wielding monkey! We’ve already taken he leap that a monkey can expertly use firearms, why not give him some cheeky dialogue?
2) Where’s his cool Tarantino Suit? Um, Marvel? I was given the impression we had a cool-assed hit-monkey from the cover of your book. Are you F#$@ing with me? Are you just doing the regular Marvel Comics cover thing? You know, where you put Spider-man fighting a dinosaur on the cover, but inside you have him having tea with aunt may for 22 dialogue –driven pages?
Those are the only real questions I had. Silly I now, but they were repeating in my head, and I couldn’t think straight. Anyways, this is a fun book. Embrace the fun. Watch a monkey shoot the pace up. It’s good stuff.
Batman: Odyssey #1
Written by NEAL ADAMS
Art and cover by NEAL ADAMS
Sketch variant cover by NEAL ADAMS
Speaking of monkeys, check out the fist page of this book, and then get back to me. Moving on, Neal Adams creates a story about the earlier days of Batman, and it begins with Bruce reminiscing about his early days as the Batman. Neal expertly explains how Batman used to have guns, but then abandoned them. He has a great scene with Robin and Man-Bat, and then the Two-Face caper begins.
As a regular non-Batman reader, I must confessed that I liked this book. It didn’t blow me away, but it did give me a fun comic book reading experience that I remember in the 1980s. Even though it felt nostalgic, Neal Adams crafts a story using more modern techniques to weave a mystery of different threads, and still treat the reader to a good time.
The last 10 pages of book did feel dragged out a bit, and even though this book gave me a feeling of a 1980’s Done-In-One, he seemed to drag out the fact that Batman was headed to the pier instead of the bank much farther than necessary. Still, the artwork was brilliant, and I might even pick this up to se how it all ends. What can I say? I’m enjoying it.
Brightest Day #5
Written by GEOFF JOHNS & PETER J. TOMASI
Art by IVAN REIS, PATRICK GLEASON, ARDIAN SYAF, SCOTT CLARK & JOE PRADO
Cover by DAVID FINCH & SCOTT WILLIAMS
Variant cover by IVAN REIS
Issue #5 has cemented this book as a permanent fixture on my pull list. Perhaps I am nostalgic for 52, but I am loving this odyssey of lesser-known characters who are handling world-shattering events without calling in the big guns. I’m also enjoying the quick publishing pace.
But, as a Florida resident, I must say that the Aquaman storyline this week was fantastic. The oil should be hitting our beaches any day now, and in a world without Aquaman, it was nice to escape to a place where BP’s royal fuck-up would be dealt with by the Eco-avenging King of the Seas.
I’m still not into this whole Hawkworld thing, but the White Lantern portions of the book were great. Another good installment, and I’m happy this will be in my box two weeks from now.
Side-Shot Reviews
Sorry guys, I don’t have too much time to review everything, but I wanted to just touch on these books:
Avengers Origin #4
WRITER: JOE CASEY
PENCILS: PHILIP J. NOTO
INKS: PHILIP J. NOTO
COLORED BY: PHILIP J. NOTO
LETTERED BY: RICHARD STARKINGS
COVER BY: PHILIP J. NOTO
This is still a great book, and Philip Noto’s pencils are defiantly the star of the show. It felt like this book was catching its breath before the climactic ending in next month’s issue, which I am looking forward to.
Hellboy: The Storm #1
Writer: Mike Mignola
Artist: Duncan Fegredo
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Cover Artist: Mike Mignola
I haven’t been a Hellboy reader, but between the films and Hellboy In Mexico, I have become entranced by this book. Mike Mignola apparently has been writing a story based in England with the twist that Hellboy is apparently an heir of legendary King Arthur. Due to that development, many of the Knights of the realm are leaving their graves. With a bit of comics.wikia catch-up, I am on track with this story, and I’m digging this occult action book. Good stuff.
iZombie#3
Written by CHRIS ROBERSON
Art and cover by MICHAEL ALLRED
At risk of sounding like a critic who hasn’t published anything: this issue was treading water a bit. Sure there were a few developments, but I had to pick this issue up a few times to get through it all. I got bored every 4 pages. The art style is still a fun collection of nostalgic printing techniques, and wild colors, but the story seems like it’s grinding to a halt.
X-Men#1
WRITER: Victor Gischler
PENCILS: Paco Medina
COVER BY: Adi Granov
I’m going to try something new here:
Positive: You don’t need to read 50 years of X-men continuity to jump into this
Negative: It has vampires
Positive: A vampire acts like a suicide bomber and infects a park full of people by exploding in the sunlight
Negative: It has vampires
Positive: Wolverine gets to seriously shred some people in this, and look useful. A rare occasion.
Negative: It has vampires
Positive: the art was good, and the story wasn’t al that bad.
Negative: It has vampires
Well, that could have gone smoother. I’ll work on that for next week.
Did you have a contrasting opinion? Wanna give your two-cents on these books? Comment below, or start a thread on our forums.
Peter Schmeiser – Giggaheim DirectorJuly 12, 2010 Tags: aquaman, avengers, Batman, boom studios, BP, brightest day, comic book, Dark Horse Comics, DC Comics, hellboy, hit monkey, i have issues, irredeemable, iZombie, Mark Waid, Marvel Comics, reviews, Wolverine, x-men
Category: I Have Issues No Comments
Alrighty…this isn’t me. Marvel apparently put together an music video for their latest event. Official Marvel PR is as follows:
It’s the battle for the soul of NY in SHADOWLAND #1. Superstars Andy Diggle & Billy Tan present the birth of the Marvel Universe’s greatest villain as the Avengers, Thunderbolts, Moon Knight and more must join forces to stop this deadly foe!
July 9, 2010 Tags: event comics, Marvel Comics, music video, shadowland
Category: I Have Issues No Comments
The exclusive materials are showing up now for the upcoming big show in San Diego, and Mattel has entered the fray first with these awesome toys:
Inspired by Robot Chicken: Mo-Larr vs Skeletor
Plastic Man with extra limbs and wearable sunglasses
Wonder Woman's Invisible Jet
July 8, 2010 Tags: comicon, he-man, hot wheels, invisible jet, mattel, mo-lar, plastic man, robot chicken, san diego, skeletor, wonder Woman
Category: I Have Issues No Comments
Here is a story that appears to be straight out of Mark Millar’s Kick-Ass story. A guy on a green jump-suit, wielding two batons, and fighting crime.
July 8, 2010 Tags: columbia, Hero, kick-ass, mark millar, vigilanti, viper
Category: I Have Issues, Useless Crap No Comments
I Have Issues is a comic book review on the previous week’s new releases. SPOILER WARNING: if you haven’t read your books yet, read no further. These reviews will be posted a few days after comic book release day to give you time to read them so that you can throw your two cents in about what you thought of these books. The picks are currently limited, due to the small selection available in my local comic book shops, but hopefully that will change in a the future. Visit the Giggaheim.com Forums and start your non-censored, no-holds-barred thread on your favorite books.
Well the end of June brought another reassuring week with a fat stack of books to go home with. This was yet another week with a DC Comics milestone (Wonder Woman issue #600) and most of my favorite heroes all came out to play this week. So let’s see who came out to play….
Wonder Woman #600Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI, GEOFF JOHNS, GAIL SIMONE, AMANDA CONNER & LOUISE SIMONSON
Art by GEORGE PÉREZ, DON KRAMER, SCOTT KOLINS, AMANDA CONNER, EDUARDO PANSICA, PHIL JIMENEZ, ADAM HUGHES, SHANE DAVIS, GREG HORN, JOCK, FRANCIS MANAPUL, GUILLLEM MARCH, IVAN REIS & NICOLA SCOTT
Cover by GEORGE PÉREZ
“DC 75th Anniversary” Variant cover by ADAM HUGHES
The solicit boasted: “gala celebration”: and they were not kidding. Hell, check out the credits above. Now Batman #700 was a fun hop, skip and jump through time to see how certain characters at as the Batman. Superman issue #700 got us caught up with current events, gave a glimpse of the “good ol’ days” and sent us on our merry way into the future. Wonder Woman #600 was truly an odyssey through the character that some view as the weaker of the holy DC Comics trinity. I disagree with the “lesser” commentary many throw around.
Do I read Wonder Woman comics on a monthly basis? Nope.
Do I read Batman comics on a monthly basis? Nope.
Do I read Superman comics on a monthly basis? Nope.
I attempted to read Wonder Woman when the title re-launched after Infinite Crisis. The beginning of the story seemed great, the art was gorgeous, and I was hooked. Well, many of us know how the rest panned out. But, I have never gotten into these books. It’s not the complaint I have on Superman or Batman, I just never found a good point to jump in, and Wonder Woman never had much of an appeal for me.
Until Now.
The book starts with Gail Simone and Georg Perez giving us a female heavy battle, and leaving off with a poignant ending that dove tales to the next story. Amanda Connor writes and pencils the next chapter of this gala with a clever short story with Wonder Woman and Power Girl. Louise Simonson and Eduardo Pansica give us the next adventure with Wonder Woman and Superman. Geoff Johns and Scott Kolins use 6 pages to introduce the next aspect of Wonder Woman written by J. Michael Stracznski and penciled by Don Kramer. Here we get Wonder Woman’s new getup,Wonder Woman whooping up on some henchmen, and then an oracle to tell us of things to come. With the exhibition of great artwork displaying Wonder Woman between the chapters, this was a gala event indeed.
Green Lantern #55Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by DOUG MAHNKE & CHRISTIAN ALAMY
This cover reminds me of comic books of the 1990s. Lobo featured on a cover was the same as foil, or embossing, but that time has passed. After such a large event book like Wonder Woman, 32 pages seems like a scant amount, but Johns puts the space he has to good use. Lobo is after Atrocitus, and most of the issue is Lobo dukeing it out with Hal, Sinestro, Atrocitus, and Carroll Ferris. The issue was a great display of the different rings’ powers, and the way the wielders use them, and Lobo’s meta commentary during the fight certainly made it all entertaining. Johns peppers in several plot point amongst the tinsel decorations of battle, to keep the uninitiated entertained, and the veterans interested. My favorite part of the issue was actually the back-up story of Dex-Starr, the Red Lantern Kitty-cat. Anyone else get a whiff of WE3? It was a story of a rage-filled being born into rage through tragedy, and the notion that a blue cat is the Red Lantern of sector 2814 was a surprise to me.
Thor #611WRITER: Kieron Gillen
PENCILS: Richard Elson
INKS: Pasqual Ferry
LETTERED BY: VC – Joe Sabino
COVER BY: Mico Suayan
This book has been scaring the hell out of me (ha!). But seriously, if you read the column you have been treated to a sliding commentary ranging from happy at first, to fitful bitching. I have not been looking forward to this issue since JMS’ departure from the book. After the dust settled on Siege and Thor has to stand on its own; issue #611 would not be able to make the grade, and I would be forced to drop it from my pull list. I am happy to report that Kieron Gillen’s story so far is intriguing, within character, and deals with the past event well. Richard Elson’s artwork also helps matters immensely. Anytime you get a creative change, sometimes the wildly different art-style can kill interest in a book.
Asgard mourns it’s dead, while down in Hel, Loki’s plans continue to create mischief along after his departure. Brilliance. If you read the Loki tie-in for siege, this issue was set-up perfectly. (I could comment on that crap all day, but I’ll move on.) Eventually the Disir get permission to trespass into Asgardian realms, and our next adventure is kick-started. Frankly I’m digging this, and I’m on board. Between the great artwork, and the deeply mystical story, I am getting the fix I need from a Thor book. Whew!
The Flash #3Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
Variant cover by GREG HORN
Damn it, damn it, damnit! This book was late, but what I’m pissed at is it took freaking 3 minutes to read! So the big development in this book is that the newly resurrected Captain Boomerang can will boomerangs from the power of being a black lantern. The Renegades have some nifty futuristic powers, and it was cool to see Barry take them on. The best part of this book, like Green Lantern, was the back-up material. The Flash facts about how a boomerang works, and how he has these new powers were the type of pages that made me fall in love with this book when I was a kid.
Invincible #73story ROBERT KIRKMAN
Art & cover RYAN OTTLEY & FCO PLASCENCIA
This book read exactly like the solicit promised. When last we left Invincible, he had killed Conquest, and his guts were all over the place. Nolan and Oliver stayed behind on the planet to watch over Invincible, while the rest of the united planets fight against the Viltrumites. Nolan and Oliver bond and Nolan trains Oliver while we are treated to scenes of the federation fighting a war that seems to be in stalemate without any real heroes or heavy hitters like our three main characters in the mix. I’m sure once Mark heals up, the book will have a fast and bloody pace next month.
Heads – Justice Society of America #40Written by BILL WILLINGHAM
Art by JESUS MERINO & JESSE DELPERDANG
Cover by JESUS MERINO
Issue 40 wrapped the really great opening arch of the Nazi-future up in about 3 pages and much like his award-winning book Fables Bill Willingham wastes no time moving on to the next story. Jesus Merino knocks the art out of the park again, and using Mr. Terrific’s visions of the future, the JSA easily hands the Fourth Reich their collective asses. Of all the books this week, JSA had the most outstanding panels with the humorous page I posted yesterday, and a panel where Flash says “I’ve got your noses”. Classic stuff.
Tales – Justice League of America #46Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by MARK BAGLEY & ROB HUNTER
Cover by MARK BAGLEY & JESUS MERINO
I want to like this book so badly, but the minute Jade starts filling in everyone on the Star Heart I found myself flipping through the pages and picking out things I wanted to read. Despite the cross over with JSA, I just can’t get into this group. I was hoping he new mix would be motivating like the strange cast in Secret Avengers, but instead I found myself skipping to the cliff hanger at the end where we see Alan Scott from Kingdom Come. Back to this well already? I think I’ll sit this one out.
Batman Beyond #1 Written by JAMES ROBINSON
Art by MARK BAGLEY & ROB HUNTER
Cover by MARK BAGLEY & JESUS MERINO
I must say I am genuinely shock how much I liked this book. I was in Orlando when Dan Didio announced the Batman Beyond Series at Megacon. I honestly couldn’t have cared. I watched season one, but then I went to college, and never really looked back. It was a cool idea, but by that point I was burned out on futuristic takes on my favorite characters, and just wanted a break from it all.
This book has a few things going for it though:
1) Good starting point. Its easy to jump into if you never watched the series, and not too boring to read if you watched every episode.
2) Intriguing character design. The new suit looks god in still shots. I was thinking that it might be dependant on movement to look cool, but it looks just as good in frozen panel shots
3) Good mystery. The plot jumps right into the mix, and begins a mystery that has a veteran reader wondering who from Bruce’s past will be coming to haunt him, and the last couple of pages pay off.
Star Trek: Burden of Knowledge #1Writers: Scott Tipton and David Tipton
Art: Federica Manfredi
I’ll get the cliché’ part of this review out of the way: If you liked the original Star Trek series, you’ll love this. Now that is out of the way, I must say IDW Comics is doing a bang-up job with their licensed properties, and Star Trek hasn’t disappointed yet. My LCS manager puts these books in my pull, and every week I shrug my shoulders waiting to be disappointed, but so far, every book that has come to bat has either knocked it out of the park, or got on base.
This book reads like an episode of the classic show. I blame/congratulate the letterer since they must have spent some time to meticulously bold the best words to create that William Shatner rhythm we all know. Also the dialogue by Scott Tipton felt like an organic flow from the old series, and I was transported to my old living room on Sunday afternoons. Apparently this is actually going to be an ongoing series by IDW, so congrats to them cause is this joyfully put in my pull.
Death of Dracula #1WRITER: VICTOR GISCHLER
PENCILS: GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI
COVER BY: GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI & Marko Djurdjevic
This seems to be Marvel Comics latest event that will dominate story lines, and permeate our 4-color senses.
Meh.
So, in the spirit of leaving the reviews on a high note I did enjoy the ads for this cross-over. Enjoy!
July 2, 2010 Tags: Batman Beyond, comic book erviews, DC Comics, Death of Dracula, Flash, Geoff Johns, green lantern, i have issues, IDW Comics, Image Comics, invincible, JLA, JSA, Marvel Comics, Shatner, siege, star trek, Superman, thor, Woner Woman
Category: I Have Issues No Comments
The
next Spider-man has been cast. Meet Andrew Garfield. According to IMDB he has recently been in Air, and The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus.
Producer Avi Arad is quoted saying: “I’m incredibly excited about Andrew Garfield. In the Spider-Man tradition, we were looking for a smart, sensitive, and cool new Peter Parker who can inspire us and make us laugh, cry, and cheer. We believe we have found the perfect choice to take on this role and lead us into the future.”
Producer Laura Ziskin: “We are thrilled to have Andrew Garfield for this new incarnation of Spider-Man under Marc Webb’s direction. We were fortunate enough to meet with a group of fantastically talented young men. In the end, we all agreed that in addition to being an extraordinary actor, Andrew had the right mix of humor, youth, and pathos, along with an underlying sense of strength and power necessary to bring Peter Parker and Spider-Man to life on screen.”
What do you think? Right choice? Wrong Choice? Don;t care? Comment below, or start a thread on our forums.
July 1, 2010 Tags: air, Andrew Garfield, casting, imaginarium, imdb, Marvel Comics, movies, peter parker, spider-man
Category: I Have Issues, Movie News No Comments
So I’m reading the exciting conclusion to the story arch I have been raving about on the Giggaheim Podcast in JSA #40 when I happen across this page:
I personally thought it was funny, but this article from The Onion also sprang to mind. Now I thougt this page was great, and it was comical to see the “old guard” react to the joke. I’m curious to see how the comic book community reactis, if at all.
What do YOU think? Comment below or start a new thread on our forums.
July 1, 2010 Tags: akward moments, Comic Books, DC Comics, gay, JSA, obsidian, the onoin
Category: I Have Issues No Comments
One of the most popular Wolverine stories might get a sequel. Mark Millar, Author of the original Old Man Logan, Civil War, and Kick-Ass, announced on his MillarWorld website that he is pitching a sequel to the futuristic elseworlds tale about everyone’s favorite adamantium-filled mutant, Logan. Having read the first book that was illustrated by Steve McNiven, I’d say “bring it on”. Since sales numbers were high (est. 120,000 copies per book) I’m sure Marvel will use this license to make money and put it to good use. Why snkt a golden goose?
July 1, 2010 Tags: Comic Books, elseworlds, mark millar, Marvel Comics, old man logan, steve mcniven, Wolverine
Category: I Have Issues No Comments
