TFAW & dcbservice team up for CBLDF‏

From the Press Release:

Discount Comic Book Service and Things From Another World are proud to announce that they are joining the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund as corporate members--the first comic book retailers to do so since the CBLDF's inception in 1986. In addition to this landmark show of support, these retail powerhouses will be launching ongoing fundraising efforts by offering a series of exclusive variants, with a portion of the proceeds going to the CBLDF.

About Discount Comic Book Service:

Founded in 1999, Discount Comic Book Service is a premier retailer of all comic and comic related items, offering incredible discounts along with amazing customer service. The brick and mortar store is located in Fort Wayne, Indiana and online at www.DCBService.com. In addition, DCBS’ sister sites offer discounted trade paperbacks and hardcovers at www.InStockTrades.com and digital content at www.MyDigitalComics.com.

About the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund:

Comic Book Legal Defense Fund is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection of the First Amendment rights of the comics art form and its community of retailers, creators, publishers, librarians, and readers. The CBLDF provides legal referrals, representation, advice, assistance, and education in furtherance of these goals. http://www.cbldf.org.

I’m a regular customer of dcbservice online, putting an order in every month since 2002 and I’m excited that they’ll have exclusive covers and that, as a customer, I’ll also be helping the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. They do good work and, in addition to getting their limited covers, you should become a card carrying member 

Ben Affleck as Batman

“Affleck'll crush it. He's got the chops, he's got the chin -- just needs the material. Affleck & Cavill toe to toe -- I'm in.” – Joss Whedon via Twitter 8/23/2013

The internet almost shattered in half last week with the news that Ben Affleck was cast as the new Batman for the upcoming Superman / Batman film. There was even a petition filed on the White House website asking the Obama administration to ban the casting (which is clever and borderline illegal – the White House has taken it down because it violates their terms of participation.

I’m excited that Ben Affleck has been cast for two reasons:

1) I’m a huge fan

2) Kevin Smith, his good friend, has a blog that I listen to, “Fat Man on Batman” and there’s no doubt Ben Affleck will be a guest on it.

As for whether or not the movie will be good – if it isn’t, I guarantee it won’t be because Ben Affleck is in it.

Star Wars Black 6” Figures: How Do They Stack Up?

I don’t get many Star Wars figures. I started getting them with the Vintage ones came out to celebrate the anniversary of The Empire Strikes back (triggered by my purchase of the Vintage AT-AT). I have at least one version of all the main cast but I’m not what anyone would consider a collector - unless we’re talking about R2-D2.

I’ve been collecting R2-D2 figures for over 20 years and Star Wars Black’s first Wave has R2-D2 in a size I don’t have! I don’t know if it was that R2-D2 or the fact that the 6” figures looked hyper-detailed but I ordered the first wave.

I love the new 6” figures - I might be collecting these from now on (I've already preordered Wave 2). I’ve take a few pix of the new R2-D2 and Sandtrooper figures with their 3.75” counterparts.

Kevin Maguire fired off the upcoming Justice League 3000 #1

At the end of July, I identified Justice League 3000 #1 as a book I was really looking forward to getting in October. I already ordered it from dcbservice.com. Then I found out from the good folks at thegothamrogue that Kevin Maguire was replaced by Howard Porter.

While Howard Porter is a great artist, I was looking forward to the legacy team of Keith Giffen, Kevin Maguire, and J.M. DeMatteis. They brought the action and the funny to Justice League and Formerly Known as the Justice League. I’m a huge fan of the team and would have purchased a phonebook they’d all collaborated on.

It’s reported that Justice League 3000 #1 is going for a darker tone which makes the creative team puzzling. Believe me, DC Comics, you put the best team on the book and it would have paid dividends. I’m still going to get it with Howard Porter on it (as I mentioned, it’s already ordered) but I’m only going to give it 2 issues to make an impression before I cut it from the subscription list. The industry could use a lighthearted, fun book, not another grim and gritty snoozefest.

The good news is that as soon as Maguire got on twitter to let people know he was fired, Brian Michael Bendis offered him Guardians of the Galaxy. Brian Michael Bendis is writing it, they’ve added Angela to the mix, and now I have Kevin Maguire’s art to look forward to? Guardians of the Galaxy is quickly becoming an event-title. DC’s loss is Marvel’s gain. With Guardians of the Galaxy set to explode into theatres, Guardians of the Galaxy could be a top ten book soon.

Lee Thompson Young RIP

Although I don’t go all the way back to The Famous Jett Jackson, I’m a fan of Lee Thompson Young’s. While I’m not a "Rizzoli & Isles" watcher, it’s on the list of TV shows I want to try. So I haven’t seen the first or last thing he did but I felt his impact on two of my favorite shows: Smallville and Scrubs.

On Scrubs, he played Derek Hill, the honest intern who, when pushed, tells everyone exactly what he thinks of them. Although he only appears three times, his appearances were memorable and welcome. And, thanks to the magic of reruns, I’ve probably seen his episodes at least 5 times.

On Smallville, he was Victor Stone, a.k.a. Cyborg. When I’d fled the Smallville show (every episode ended with Clark and Lana in the barn while she talked about how he was keeping secrets and they couldn’t be together), it was the introduction of heroes like Cyborg that brought me back. Justice continues to be my favorite episode where Cyborg teams with the rest of the Justice League (though they’re never called that in the episode).

I don’t know why he committed suicide and I can’t know what he was feeling. I wish he’d reached out and gotten help. I’m going to miss him whenever I see the things he’s done. Rest in peace, Lee Thompson Young.

Avengers Grab Zags Surprise

Today I spotted full boxes of Avengers Grab Zags at Toys ‘R Us. They’re blowing them out for $20 a box. It says on the box that there are 100+ toys and that the box contains 24 blind packs inside. I decided to take a chance and purchased a box.

When I got them home and opened them up, I was shocked to not only find that the checklist only had 24 toys on it but that I had all 24 of the toys. Sure, I didn’t find the ultra-rare Captain America, but I have a complete set of the Avengers Grab Zags. I don’t know if this is typical but it seems unlikely that I found the only complete set in the store.

What's awesome in the August 2013 issue of Previews

There are a lot of great things to order this month and I’m going to give you a run down of my favorites.

Nightwing Annual #1

By: Kyle Higgins, Jason Masters, Tony S. Daniel

DESCRIPTION: Robin and Batgirl grew up fighting side by side...but with Dick Grayson about to embark on a new crimefighting quest and Barbara Gordon no longer fighting under the Bat, is there anything left between them? Following the 'Batgirl: Wanted' epic, this is the story of a twosome with nothing left to lose, fighting for the only thing they can: each other!

What is the story with the New 52’s Dick Grayson and Barbara Gordon? Did they have a relationship like they did in the original universe? I like Dick and Barbara stories and this promises to give a look back two of DC’s most popular Bat Family members.

Justice League 3000 #1

By: Keith Giffen, Kevin Maguire, J.M. DeMatteis

DESCRIPTION: Don't miss the debut of the new series starring the heroes of today-tomorrow! But what are they doing in the year 3000? And who (or what) brought them there? Get ready for a double dose of wonder as only the stellar creative team of Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis and Kevin Maguire can deliver!

I’m not big on the future stories (except for Legion of Superheroes stories) but this has the same creative team as the Justice League of America title from the 80’s and they’re a fantastic team. With the team they have, this title promises not to be another ‘the future is so dark, what went wrong’ kind of titles.

Superman Wonder Woman #1

By: Charles Soule, Tony S. Daniel

DESCRIPTION: Beginning a bold new series that details the relationship between The Man of Steel and the Warrior Princess as rising star writer Charles Soule is joined by fan favorite artist Tony S. Daniel to tell the tale of a romance that will shake the stars themselves. These two super-beings love each other, but not everyone shares their joy. Some fear it, some test it-and some will try to kill for it. Some say love is a battlefield, but where Superman and Wonder Woman are concerned it spells Doomsday! This issue features an amazing wraparound gatefold cover that opens up to a triptych with Superman and Wonder Woman in the center!

One of the best things about the New 52 is the Superman/Wonder Woman relationship. It’s never been explored and I’m excited to see where it goes. It’s a historic relationship and one that fans will be talking about 10 years down the road.

Savage Dragon #193

By: Erik Larsen

DESCRIPTION: A NEW BEGINNING! It's the ultimate jumping on point for new readers and a bold new beginning as Malcolm Dragon takes over the title role from his famous father. Malcolm Dragon is not your typical teenager. He lives in an apartment by himself in downtown Chicago, he's a junior who's just transferred to a new high school, and he's trying his best to fill the shoes of his father, the Savage Dragon, fighting the forces of evil in the Windy City! New dangers! New adventures! Get in on the ground level of a whole new SAVAGE DRAGON!

Erik Larsen has been writing Savage Dragon since the early 90’s and last month’s #192 was solicited as the death of the Savage Dragon. Now, with the son taking over, it’ll be interesting to sample a title that I haven’t read regularly in at least a decade. Who knows? Maybe I’ll start getting the title again.

Superior Spider-Man #20

By: Dan Slott, Ryan Stegman

DESCRIPTION: From the fallout of NECESSARY EVIL, comes new beginnings and new twists that will be felt in the pages of Spider-Man for years to come! SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #20 is where it all starts! Do NOT miss this one! It's the first ever adventure for the Superior Spider-Man and the Black Cat. Felicia Hardy always cared for the Spider more than the man. But what happens when that man is Otto Octavius? Plus: A day Otto has been waiting for is finally here. Is the world ready for 'Dr. Peter Parker'... and what he plans to do next?

I remember hating the idea of Doc Ock being in Peter Parker’s body but look what he’s done: 1) created surveillance robots to seek out crime – no more patrolling, 2) ended the Mary Jane merry-go-round, and 3) Peter Parker, PHD. Black Cat’s always like a bad boy and they don’t come any badder than the current Peter Parker.

X-Men TPB Vol. 01 Primer

By: Brian Wood, Olivier Coipel

DESCRIPTION: Because you demanded it! The X-Women get their own book, from critically acclaimed superstars Brian Wood (X-MEN, ULTIMATE X-MEN, DMZ, The Massive) and Olivier Coipel (AVX, HOUSE OF M, THOR)! An old enemy shows up at the X-Men's door, seeking asylum from an ancient evil. John Sublime is back, but he's not who we should be afraid of! Who or what is Arkea? Meanwhile, Jubilee returns home - with an orphaned baby who might hold the key to Earth's survival - or its destruction! Against a backdrop of what seems like an alien invasion and an eons-spanning war between brother and sister, Storm puts together a team to protect the child and stop a new threat that could destroy all life on the planet! Plus: Jubilee's classic first appearance! Collecting X-MEN (2013) #1-4 and UNCANNY X-MEN (1963) #244.

What’s up with Jubilee and the baby? The first two issues of the all-female series were really good and I’m looking forward to reading the first collected volume. 

Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection TPB Cosmic Adventures

By: David Michelinie, Gerry Conway, Stan Lee, Colleen Doran, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Sal Buscema, Alex Saviuk, Gil Kane, Steve Ditko, and more

DESCRIPTION: With great power comes great responsibility, but what happens with unlimited cosmic power? When a science experiment goes wrong, Peter Parker's spider-powers are enhanced to an unbelievable degree! And the timing can't be beat - because with a cabal of deadly villains unleashing unpredictable attacks on Marvel's heroes, Spider-Man will need all his newfound might just to survive! But who or what is the real force behind Spidey's cosmic empowerment? And what battle is he destined to fight? Plus: Spider-Man teams up with the Punisher, deals with the return of Venom and battles the shrunken Psycho-Man in a totally tiny adventure! Guest-starring the Hulk, Magneto, Dr. Doom, the Frightful Four and more! Collecting AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1963) #326-333 and ANNUAL #24, SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN (1976) #158-160 and ANNUAL #10, and WEB OF SPIDER-MAN (1985) #59-61 and ANNUAL #6.

One of my favorites from back in the day, Spidey gained cosmic powers during the Marvel-wide Acts of Vengeance in which villains went after heroes who never usually faced them. The different villains who came after Spidey included Magneto, a Tri-Sentinel, and the Hulk but he was equipped with cosmic powers so the result was often hilarious.

Super! #2

By: Zack Dolan, Justin Piatt

DESCRIPTION: You'll be blinded by science, swoon over the complete roster of the People's Champions, and be swept away by Baron Blizzard and his evil hockey warriors! Hold onto your butts!

This is one I’m sentimental about. I supported Super!’s Kickstarter campaign and the first issue was really good. I’m looking forward to seeing where and how far this title goes.