The Mast Blogs: The iPad Cometh, New Fans & Geek Chic's Non-Existence.

Ha, ha, haaa! Loins...

Greetings chaps and chaps who are women. Welcome to this blog, it's called Welcome to the Mast. I am The Mast and I have made this thing where I can talk comics.

I've been thinking about how to tackle this post, because it's liable to become an essay of heft-meister proportions. I've had many discussions about both topics and thus I wanted one source I could just direct people to. Ultimately, I put a lot of effort into having to make no effort.

With the invention of the iPad, many people have been wondering what this means for regular, physical reading material. The debate and concerns about whether or not the iPad will be to books and comics what the iPod is to CDs has raged like a horse's erect spermhammer, with no signs of pleasant resolution in sight. To continue the metaphor; things only get more sticky the longer it goes on.



Yes, the iPad is a revolutionary tool that will change the way people enjoy certain luxury items. I, however, see no reason to start engraving the gravestone of written, physical literature just yet.

You listen to music wherever you are, whatever you're doing, and this is the difference between a book and a CD. You could be strolling along the street and feel the sudden urge to listen to The Smiths, or if you have less desireable taste and are an idiot, Miley Cyrus or somethin, and an iPod allows you to instantly do so. You can change and choose from multiple hundreds of albums at your own desire.

By that same hand, I don't see anyone strolling along the street and suddenly getting the urge to crack out Pride and Prejudice, War and Peace or À La Recherche du Temps Perdu. Typically, reading while travelling or out in the world is done on trains or in coffee shops. I can understand the functionality of the iPad in this sense. Despite everything, I will always believe that when people take time to sit down and enjoy a book, it will make no difference if it's digital or physical. You still have to hold it and you still own it.

People, I think, will still buy books and comics. Reading is a much more engrossing and demanding experience than listening to music is. Even reading something so much as a tabloid newspaper, reading is something people do specifically because they enjoy it. I don't think the advent of the iPad is really changing enough about the act of reading that will do damage, significant or otherwise, to the way we've always done it. More and more people out of necessity and convenience may want to just digitally buy books, but I don't think there'll be any danger of losing bookstores.



How will comics suffer OR benefit specifically? The worst case scenario, for comics, is that single issue will no longer be made. That would be greatly saddening to me, I have to say. However, I do not think this means comics will die. To echo the sentiments of my friend Andrew, I think comic companies may just end up serialising their issues online and putting them all in a physical trade paperback every few months. It's not what I love most, but it's better than having to settle for looking at comics on a screen.

If anything, the reverse could happen. People could slowly gain greater interest in comics and comic stores, this ensuring the lifespan of the physical medium. That's the beauty of the way things are going now, really. The comic stores in London are all a stone's throw away from each other, but I still have to get three trains to get there. It takes me 30 mins on a good day, and I love the journey/experience. Some do not and some CANNOT make the journey, though. This is a really good way for people to not only get INTO comics, but to STAY into comics.

I really don't think it's doom and gloom. I think the medium is changing, undoubtedly, and it COULD spell distress for certain comic fans and some areas of the medium...but all in all, I really don't think there's anything to worry about.

MP3s are exactly the same as what you get on CD, sometimes even better quality. I am a big supporter of owning an actual item, but that's the truth of it regarding CDs. Comics are NOT the same on a screen as they are in person. It is more of an experience. When you rip music from a CD, the CD effectively becomes useless. You can read a comic, but then you can read it again and again. You don't always feel like sitting at your computer and clicking through pages, you want to relax with the book or comic.

There is way too much going for the medium and for physical literature for it to be killed off by anything digital.

Saying that, comics thrive on the idea of being a collector. If you don't care about owning them physically, then the game changes in terms of how a physical item will survive.

That's what I think, anyway. What do YOU think? The comment link is below, use that bitch.



That's the Marvel iPad app, I believe. DC have one too, but I'm not sure of others. It looks very impressive and IS very impressive. It's not a comic, though.

So! From one area of discussion to another. One that has had people either cheering for me or cursing me out, so I wanted to open up my blog to comments or replies regarding this topic.

New Fans: Wot's de Big Oidear? *End Irish Accent*

Let me clarify, right away. I have NO problem with people getting into comics. Why on Earth would I? I have this blog and we all had to start somewhere, right? So, what is the problem I have?

My problem is NOT with new fans of ANYTHING. It's with new people PRETENDING to be fans or being rather disrespectful about their new found interests. Allow me to elaborate that point and explode it out like Britney Spears' waistline.

I know readers of this blog who have become more aware of comics or comic characters due to movies or hearing me talk about them, and have asked me for recommendation. I'm flattered when this happens and, to those who have asked, I hope I helped. My issue (HAW!) is with those who pose.

When I was a kid, long story short, I was made fun of and picked on for liking comic books. I was teased for having a Spider-Man keychain hanging from my Arsenal F.C. backpack in Secondary School. Sometimes it was just silly comments, but sometimes people were unspeakably rude. What, in Christ's name, does this have to do with anything? I'll tell you.

I do not like the fact that the people who gave me so much shit for an interest I love are now going on dates with their girls, or boys, to see the likes of Iron Man and Iron Man 2. I hate that, "Why so serious?", became a catchphrase for every boy or girl who never knew that people in comics were actually the shit. I hate that, far from being realised as an extremely intricate character, Rorschach is known as that badass dude who threw hot oil into that guy's face in Watchmen.

People never did, and still don't in many cases, get why I love comics. So it DOES piss me off that they suddenly try to, and still fail. Rorschach is not "cool", he's a murderous, borderline fascist psychopath.

I hear tales of people saying that certain people in comic book stores act like assholes when you ask for help and you're a new fan. I've never experienced that, but I'm certainly not gonna jump out and condemn it. There's no excuse for bad manners, but I AM of the mentality, "Oh, so we're cool enough for you now?" sometimes. I can't help it.

Let me give examples. I have seen so many newer fans TELLING ME that Iron Man is better than characters I like, based on the movies. Firstly, any self-respecting geek knows that only sources are canon. Secondly, how do you get to do that? Don't sit there and tell me that a character I've been following since I was about eight is awesome. I am aware. I've been aware. This sort of thing reminds me of The Great Muse Bandwagonning of '04, as it's now known. Everyone suddenly discovered Muse existed, and thus began hoardes of Americans telling us they're a great band, despite the fact that Brits had heard them on the Steve Lamacq show before they even had an album.

That's what I hate the most. With the exception of the fashionably iconic Batman and Superman logos, don't go around wearing a shirt with The Avengers on if you aren't a fan. It's not cool. This brings me to my third and final point...

It's actually just something I want to say to any males or, specifically, females who may read this (HAHAH!). There is no such thing as Geek Chic. Lemme pop that bubble. I'm gonna do a Bill Hicks and talk to the women here. You do not find nerds or geeks sexy, do you? Let's find the chase, grab some scissors and cut right to that motherfucker. You do not find geeks sexy, you find fashionable people wearing specs and chequered sweaters to be sexy. Those are not geeks.

The key word is Geek, right? To be a geek, you must do more than wear an Argyle sweater, spectacles and carry a back-pack. You are not a geek because you do these things, so please stop it.

I'm not even saying I am or am not one, I'm not saying there's a list of rules. I just know what absolutely is NOT a geek. To anyone this applies to:

Stop trying to put yourselves into a group of people that your kind probably would've beaten up at school. If you must, don't do so and then have the bold-faced nerve to try and make it a fashion trend. Dane Cook will do stand-up in my house, with Russell fucking Peters as a support act, before that kind of behaviour becomes acceptable. Speaking of unacceptable, here's a story...

During the end of Iron Man 2, the credits were rolling and I was talking with my Dad about the franchise and how everything fits. Some guy noticed my Captain America shirt and asked if I was excited to have seen the shield, and we chatted for a bit. He insisted he was a fan of the comics and loved The Avengers etc, so I didn't press the matter.

Upon the end of the EPIC post-credits scene where Mjolnir, Thor's hammer, is revealed, I went crazy. The guy said how awesome it was, too. Fast-forward and I'm waiting outside for my Dad when the guy walks by. He doesn't see me, but I overheard him say, "I waited all that time to see a fucking hammer? What's that supposed to be?"

That, ladies and gents, is how NOT to live your life.

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I've had this in me for a while now, so excuse the long post. Feel free to comment on any of the issues or opinions contained herein, you're always welcome to.

Thanks for reading!

Until tomorrow, peace.

-The Mast

The Mast Blogs/Reviews: Upcoming Goodness/Thursday's Comics (24/6/2010).

BANG!

Today has been a sensationally packed week, but I haven't forgotten about you people. I have a number of scripted ideas for posts, it's just a matter of when and why.

I'm planning to give you guys the heads-up on some trades you can pick up, and what I'm reading lately. Most noteworthy of all is Scalped, the F.B.I./Native American crime thriller by Jason Aaron. It's fucking brilliant.

There are seven volumes and I don't have all of them yet. I don't know if I wanna do an in-depth review of the story so far when I HAVE caught up, or if I want to just go by what I've read and give a spoiler-less article for you to read. We shall see!

On top of that, I have a post coming up regarding something a lot of people have asked me, which will be coming this weekend.

I actually only have two comics to review this week, but next week is looking PRETTY sick.


The Avengers #2.

I must admit, as much as I'm warming up to John Jr.'s art, I think the writing is a little disjointed.

It's not like Bendis, but I sort of feel as though he doesn't know where he's going with the story. He does, obviously. As a reader, though, it's hard to tell. Maestro Hulk obviously has plans involving The Avengers, time and many other things. Kang is a part of that and it still isn't stated why.

Marvel Boy - now calling himself The Protector - helps The Avengers build a time machine. Rather, a machine that can see all possible futures of Earth at once. This is possible because time, according to Stark, is not linear. Time has many different and simultaneously existing sides, like Dr. Manhattan said in Watchmen.

During this time, The Avengers are trying to figure out what the Hell is going on. They see the Next Avengers execute Immortus (Kang before he was Kang) and are not sure what it all means. Wonder Man appears and goes ape at the group.

This is what I mean about it feeling disjointed. Wonder Man warned Captain Rogers not to reform The Avengers, and this is him giving them his opinion I suppose. Then, he disappears into thin air. Stark vows to not let another friend and ex-member fall from grace.

No sooner has all this happened than an alternate version of Apocalypse and his Four Horsemen appear.

I really enjoyed these first two issues, but I just feel like Bendis MAY...MAY be trying to do too much. I hope the Simon Williams (Wonder Man) thread doesn't unravel. It has the potential to be a great story. I suppose we'll see.

Romita Jr.'s art is warming up. I'm getting used to it again. I REALLY like how he draws Captain America, I must admit.

I recommend it!


X-Men Legacy #237 (Second Coming: Chapter 12).

With Second Coming almost over and us readers being literally none the wiser to how it'll all end, we get the third from last chapter of the story.

The Battle of San Francisco is still underway and this time, Magneto has joined the fray. For a man of half-health, he fares fairly well. After taking out a good few Nimrod Sentinels, he is almost killed. Hope and Rogue arrive and rescue Storm, then head back to Cyclops and Emma Frost.

X-Force begin their assault on Bastion's production facility in the future, and do so with reasonable success. With Cable protecting him, Cypher begins interfacing with Master Mold's computer and drops all the Sentinels. In the dome, present day, all the Nimrod Sentinels drop down and de-activate. They try to figure out how to get back through the portal, as nothing organic can pass through. The answer is Cable, who we last see struggling to emerge from the portal on the Golden Gate bridge.

Bastion admits the setback, but the dome is still sealed. He ominously states that the only change is WHO will end mutantkind.

I dig the way Greg Land draws his women, I'm sorry. I'm a sucker for a Greg Land drawn Emma or Psylocke.

Still, I really have no fucking clue what is gonna happen in the next two issues of this story! I hope it doesn't feel rushed. 12 chapters in, though, I can't say I feel they'll fail on the last two. What exactly IS Hope's role? Will any others die? What WILL THE END GAME BE?! AHH! I'm excited.

I just hope they wrap it up nicely. If they do, they'll have sold me on the on-going series of Uncanny X-Men again.

I think that eBay is the best option for you guys and girls looking to catch this series, by now. Not the most recent issues, but the older ones. Otherwise, buy the trade. TRUST ME.

Special mentions and props to Adi Granov, too. The man has absolutely nailed every single Second Coming tie-in cover. He's a god.

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That's all I've got for you monkeys.

Like I said, though, stay tuned for more posts in the pipeline! Tell your friends about me, like Batman said. Tell them to tell their friends, and their friends' friends!

Until next time, peace.

-The Mast

The Mast Reviews: Thursday's Comics (17/6/2010).

Tonight's forecast: A FREEZE is coming!

My interview with Kieron Gillen DID happen. Why isn't it here? BECAUSE SKYPE DIDN'T RECORD IT.

Joyous.

I am fairly busy so I'll get RIGHT onto this week's comics!


Deadpool #24.

This would have been barely tolerable as it is, but following the exceptional first issue of Deadpool: Wade Wilson's War, this is just about as intolerable as you can get.

It took a capable Deadpool writer to show Way for what he really is (On Deadpool); garbage.


New Mutants #98.

You all know where we're at by now, and you all know where I stand on Second Coming.

As we draw ever closer to its conclusion, the story shows absolute signs that it will end on a breathtaking note.

Zeb Wells nails yet another issue of New Mutants and further details the exploits of X-Force infiltrating Bastion's future headquarters. Hope decides that now is the time for her to stand up and defend the people defending her, whether she's a messiah or not.

Meanwhile, the X-Men are getting over-run by the Nimrod Sentinels. Beast leaves the sickbay to go fight, but a desperate Magneto rises from his bed and tells Hank he'll take care of the enemies.

All in all, it's a pretty terrific episode. Not much happens by means of development, but by now you all know what the plot is and I guess all that's left, really, is to nail the end.

I'm superbly excited to see how this ends.


The New Avengers #1.

I still don't get why they re-launched The New Avengers. It's still Bendis, Immonen and the same (With a few roster changes) characters.

I figured it was for The Heroic Age, but Thunderbolts didn't get re-numbered. Oh well.

This issue starts off decently, but it feels a little slow. It feels a little like the team and the members establishing their purpose are out of place. Well, more like out of purpose. With Avengers Academy, Secret Avengers AND The Avengers, I'm wondering where this roster will fit in. I'm wondering who the members will be permanently, too. I'm sick of Wolverine being on four teams. It screws up continuity, really. How is he in the future...and in New York?

It seems to revolve a lot around the mystic arts, which DOES intrigue me. Lots of Dr. Voodoo/Dr. Strange/Daimon Hellstrom badness going down. I approve. Plus, who DOESN'T love Luke and Jessica Jones-Cage? Really?

The art is gorgeous, courtesy of Immonen, and Bendis does a solid job as usual.

I had a feeling this'd be the series I'd drop, if any. I feel like this may be true. Saying that, though, I just consider it the second volume of The New Avengers. It might as well not have ended. Really, they've just given us three new Avengers titles, not four.

I'll recommend this series if it becomes worthy. As it stands, you CAN safely skip out on it.

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Sorry, again, for the lack of interview and somewhat speedy edition of Thursday's Comics, guys and girls. That and the lack of posting is due to lots going on, personally. When things settle, I should be posting with more frequent regularity outside of every Thursday.

Thanks for reading, as always.

Until next time, peace.

-The Mast

The Mast Reviews/Blogs: Thursday's Comics (10/6/2010) & A Special Guest.

I can't believe it! I'm losin' to a rug!

When writing the editions of Thursday's Comics, I now try to whittle it down to specifically what's worth reviewing. I immediately stop covering series' I feel are dire, both for myself and your convenience.

Despite doing that this week, I still have six comics to review. It's possibly the happiest I've been with a week's comics in a long time! You'll see why if you keep reading this text, stop, and move onto the next piece!


Second Coming: Hellbound #2 of 3.

This story is pretty relevant to what's going on in Second Coming, but not directly. It's not an aimless tie-in, but you can go without reading it. Personally? I am enjoying this, it's pretty good to know what's going on and really helps the scope of Second Coming.

The X-Club (As Cyke calls them) are off in Limbo trying to find Magik (Illyana Rasputin), with various manner of trapped demon after them, Gambit has turned into the Horseman known as Death...again (Just fuck off, Gambit), and N'Astirth attempts to corrupt the very innocent Pixie.

Things take a turn for the worst when Gambit totally corrupts and changes Dazzler and Northstar, seemingly about to engage Sam (Cannonball) and Anole in combat. If that wasn't enough, N'Astirth uses Pixie's grudge against Magik to convince her of something; to get out of Limbo she has to bring him Magik's soulsword. She has to kill Magik.

It seems pretty damn good that the end of this (The whole point being to get Magik back to San Francisco/Utopia in time to help The X-Men) is coinciding with the end of Second Coming. If they run together, it'll be awesome. Well, obviously Magik will come back first, but it's such an amazing story arc.

The art is decent enough, but the enjoyment comes from Chris Yost. Second Coming is being made on its writers. If one failed, they'd all fail. Speaking of which...


Uncanny X-Men #526 (Second Coming: Chapter 10).

Oh man.

Hope is pissed. The issue opens with her entirely bitching out Cyclops for sending X-Force, and Cable especially, on what's effectively a suicide mission. As she storms off, Cyke notes to Emma that her eyes were glowing...like his.

I don't like Terry Dodson's art. It's no more evident than when he draws Emma Frost, too. She's this sleek, elegant, sexual and powerful female figure...but he draws her with such ditzy facial expressions.

There's no joy on the outside of the dome either. The Avengers and The Fantastic Four have absolutely no success getting in and time is running out.

It's X-Force showing up in the Days of Future Past timeline that strikes home the most, though. It feels like The X-Men have continually battled for their present and future over their existence, and this is the one to seal it. Clad in their EXTREMELY slick black and silver outfits (Cable also, nice touch), they take out a few armed mechs and Cable gives the speech:

"Cable: Here's the plan. We kill our way from here to there. Then, we kill our way inside.
Wolverine: Let's do this."

It's epic stuff. Bastion's heavy weaponry is in the present, so it's an easier ride than expected, but X-23 realises they have to kill EVERYTHING, then return home (HA!) and do it there to prevent this from happening again.

Utopia seems to be going down and Dr. Nemesis, on scene with The Avengers et al, says that if they don't get into the dome in a few hours, mutantkind will perish.

Matt Fraction, I salute you. I salute you with both hands.

The trade sales of this story are gonna go through the fucking roof. I swear.

Probably 2010's best story arc.


S.H.I.E.L.D. #2.

The best art on any Marvel comics right now is in this book, on these pages. Dustin Weaver is phenomenal.

Leonardo Da Vinci arrives in Leonid's time and reveals to him that the Council who exposed him to S.H.I.E.L.D. are seeking an END to time, vastly contradictory to Newton's eternal life theory. This won't stand, naturally.

It IS revealed that Nathanial Richards and Howard Stark, fathers of Reed and Tony respectively, were part of S.H.I.E.L.D. during Leonid's time.

Nothing much is revealed, really. There's clearly a lot for Hickman to flesh out here, but I do think it'd benefit with being more frequently released. A lot happens in each issue without a lot specifically happening. A month or two later and you've forgotten stuff, especially if you're buying between four and eight comics a week.

Definitely one to catch-up on though, guys.


Daredevil #507.

In the run-up to Shadowland, White Tiger is ordered by the three daimyo to put The Hand's plan into action. What is their plan? Who knows? You know what Asian ninja lords are like.

I like the art, but I can't wait for De la Torre to return during Shadowland. Speaking of Shadowland, nobody knows what it is yet. What IS revealed is that The Hand caused White Tiger to give Matt the idea, and it leads into something called Snakeroot. Very clandestine stuff.

Bakuto is killed by White Tiger, along with all of his men, and made to look like seppuku. Matt is accosted by a clan of ninja sent by the daimyo and defeats them all, with this made to look like a last ditch attempt by Bakuto to prevent Matt from leading The Hand.

The critical character moment, for me, is when Daredevil (I interchange between Daredevil and Matt, sorry) investigates the brutal scene of Bakuto's murder. He knows something's up, but is convinced by White Tiger to let it go and return to New York now he has The Hand. He never would've done that, so he's clearly on a downward spiral here. As a lawyer, it's his job never to ignore the truth or evidence...but he's doing so.

A very exciting time to be a Daredevil fan, Shadowland is just around the corner and I really can't wait.


Deadpool: Wade Wilson's War #1 of 4.

Fucking yes. FUCKING...YES. What a comic. Oh man.

THIS feels like Deadpool of old. Not OLDEST, but proper, golden-era. Duane Swierczynski, I love you for this.

A hilariously witty issue that chronicles the beginning of an alternate take on Deadpool's history. He's re-telling a special ops mission from a courtroom and it's just fucking excellent. He breaks the fourth wall, he doesn't make dumb jokes and best of all?! THERE ARE NO HEAD VOICES! NONE!

Oh my god.

It's also brilliantly violent. Bullseye brutalises people on the mission Deadpool speaks of, even putting out a small fire on a desk by cutting a guy's throat and causing the guy's artery to spray blood on it.

I don't even know if I'm so starved that it seems better, but I don't think so.

Please, Marvel, give him Swiercynzki the main series. I beg you. It's only a four issue mini-series, but I'll cherish this if it's good.

My biggest question is whether or not this'll be retconned (RETroactive CONtinuity: Re-writing a character's history or editing it as appropriate for a modern story) as his history, or whether this is just another wacky lie told by Deadpool. I suppose that's such a great get-out clause for writers. They can say what they want, and then just say that Deadpool might be making it up.

Amazing.


Avengers Academy #1.

I was never into Avengers: The Initiative. It was fine in premise, but the characters were mostly existing and I didn't really identify with them or enjoy them.

Avengers Academy is what it says. An academic complex whereby certain members of a superhero faculty help to teach the elite, chosen heroes of tomorrow. Never again d the Marvel heroes and heroines want to endure Dark Reign, so they've taken it upon themselves to nurture and teach in hopes of preventing future mishaps.

On the faculty we have Tigra, Justice, Hank Pym, Quicksilver and Speedball (Formerly Penance, and Speedball before that). It's been said there are gonna be guest instructors, but the most interesting choice is Speedball. He was the leader of The New Warriors and it was their foolhardy nature that caused the Stamford Incident, and then Civil War. He leads the group on a training exercise, but is revealed to be a bit of a haunted soul when he snaps at one for making a mistake that COULD be costly.

The plot threads seem to be based around the students themselves and the teachers. The teachers are still unsure on how to teach, and what, reaching both disagreements and agreements. The group themselves are just meeting for the first time.

I do like the appearance and choices of these mostly all-new characters. They were originally kidnapped by Norman Osborn due to being promising, and experimented on horribly. He wanted to augment their powers and it left many of them traumatised, physically (Revealed in this issue).

Mettle (Ken Mack) is a guy who has been described as Colossus if he couldn't change back, except red and kind of has a skeleton head. Very much your sensitive giant of the group.

Reptil (Humberto Lopez) is an energetic yet cautious guy who can change his body parts to different kinds of dinosaur.

Veil (Maddy Berry) is the one the issue focuses on most. She can turn herself into many kinds of gasses, but it's slowly killing her. Hank Pym (Wasp, Giant Man etc) believes that if they don't fix it within five or 10 years, she'll just dissolve. No rush, but enough for her to worry. Kind of an outcasted youth, but personable and friendly.

Striker has control over electricity and appears to be the most insecurly arrogant of the group. Though he isn't mean, just flashy and over-eager.

Finesse is a polymath. She absorbs knowledge at an alarmingly accelerated rate and can learn any skill more or less instantly. Taskmaster meets Daredevil without the blindness, pretty much. She lacks more or less any social skills, though. Actually, she's Taskmaster meets Data from Star Trek. She seems to admit she knows she's attractive and doesn't appear to care for bonding, just to be better.

Hazmat (Jennifer Takeda) LOOKS the coolest, and has the most tragic story, even before her origin was explained. Her power is to be able to exude radiation, toxic waste and other such things, but here's the kicker. Due to Osborn experimenting on her, she has to wear a HAZardous MATerials suit at almost all times; her breath, saliva, skin etc are ALL toxic. She killed her dog unintentionally as a result, and her boyfriend is in the hospital.

It's like Rogue, but more dangerous. She's the student that Speedball bitches out after she gets angry during training and unleshes an unprotected radiation blast at a droid.

They're not the most original characters, but they really do seem to have their own distinct personalities. Not just from each other, but other characters.

Not only does Hazmat look the coolest, but she's SUUUCH a bitch. She's biting, sharp, confrontational and clearly doesn't mind hurting feelings. Mettle says that Finesse is hot and Hazmat says, "What do you care? Can you even feel it when someone touches you?" I don't think she necessarily tries to hurt feelings, but she just doesn't care. I predict it's a defense mechanism, but it'd be real cool if she was just a bitch. I would be too, probably. She got a hard deal. I really can't wait until they delve more into her past.

Before training with Speedball, they all murmer about how they don't think a guy who indirectly caused so much carnage should teach, and Mettle acts as the voice of reason with an amazing quote:

"Mettle: Look at us; Big Monster Guy, The Human Electric Chair, Poison Gas Girl, Assassin Chick and Chernobyl by Abercrombie & Fitch. One wrong move and any one of us could be a murderer. Don't know about you, but I'll be taking real good notes."

I thought that was brilliant. It sort of touches on that youthful element of looking at a problematic teen and smugly being glad you're not like that. Yet, all it takes is a wrong move in a bad moment and you could BE that person.

Finesse overhears Speedball and Quicksilver arguing about having to lie to the kids, that they can't know what they are. The group elects to sneak a peek at their permanent records or some sort, and Striker presents the findings to the group:

Striker: We're NOT the most powerful. We're NOT the smartest. We're the ones Osborn tortured the worst, the ones whose psych tests set off alarms, the ones who could take out a city block. We're not here cos they think we have what it takes to be the next Captain America. We're here cos they're worried we'll be the next Red Skull. They're AFRAID of us."

Finesse says that they should be and Veil's voice-over says that she should've known there was more to it, that she doesn't feel anyone'll ever like her or invest time in her without a motive.

The issue ends.

A very, VERY promising first outing for Gage and McKone, writer and artist respectively. The art is almost like Deodato meets McKelvie and as I said, Gage really does his part to characterise all of these people well.

If I have to drop one of the four new titles centred around The Avengers, it won't be this one, I'd bet.

It's a really awesome jumping on point, too. I'd say if you've never read comics, this is a cool one to get into. New characters, new start.

Class is in session. Don't skip.

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SUCH an excellent week and next week will possibly be as good.

I've no clue what's due out, but I have a SPECIAL GUEST!

On Tuesday/Wednesday, depending on when I get around to putting it up, I will be joined by none other than Kieron Gillen! That's right!

In my second vocal interview ever, Kieron Gillen of Thor and Phonogram fame will be here to discuss the medium we love so much. Make sure you tune in and download yourself a copy of it! My second Marvel writer to grace the blog and I'm very thankful for his time.

Thanks for reading, true believers.

Until next week, peace.

-The Mast

The Mast Blogs/Reviews: A Massive Thank You & Thursday's Comics (3/6/2010).

DON'T...YOU...DO IT!

First and foremost, I want to say a big thank you to everyone who reads this blog. I do this for myself and my love of comics, primarily. Comics have changed my life for the better since I was a child and I honestly couldn't live happily without them.

However, if I never had at least some readership, I'd have the feeling of speaking into a phone with nobody on the other end. On that note, I want to thank everyone who encourages me and helped this blog get to 70 posts! That's right! Only 30 more and I'll have hit my 100th post.

I like to think this blog is interesting, prolific and offering something worthwhile. Regardless, I'm glad I love doing it and that others seem to dig it.

With that all said, I only have two comics to review today. Next week I'll have eight. Night and day, you know?

Additionally, there's a signing at Gosh! Comics tomorrow! Come down if you're in the London area, or if you can reach it regardless. Kieron Gillen (Thor, Phonogram), Jamie McKelvie (Phonogram, Suburban Glamour) and Becky Cloonan (Demo) will be signing copies of their stuff. It's going to be sick beats.

TO THE COMICSMOBILE!


The Thanos Imperative #1 of 6.

Following on from Ignition, this is the start of Abnett/Lanning's final cosmic space opera proper.

Everything that was set up prior is furthered a bit in this issue, with The Revengers from the Cancerverse appearing to presumably wreck havoc sooner or later, and Lord Mar-Vell expressing his desire to sacrifice the Marvel Universe's avatar of death, Thanos. As a result of this sacrifice, the Cancerverse can spread through yet another universe, void of death. You see, the Cancerverse is a place where life has won. Like an overgrowing garden than is so ripe, eventually consuming all. Quite terrifyingly designed, I might add.

Many, MANY grotesque and horrifying creatures burst through the Fault and begin causing mayhem for those trying to defend themselves. Both the Shi'ar and the Kree are sustaining quite the pounding, all while the Guardians of the Galaxy are trying to stop Thanos killing Star-Lord.

It's pretty well set-up, and it's probably not going to be the most predictable series, but I hope it does the cosmic side of Marvel justice. Abnett/Lanning have done such an amazing job with these stories, it'd be a shame to see it flop. The art is nice enough; not amazing, not poor. Fairly standard, really. Though, with me, I know whose art I like/love and then I can pick out the styles of other artists. Mostly, they all just blend to me.

One pretty cool moment came when there was this gigantic explosion during the Shi'ar's battle with the Cancerversians (I shall call them this). From a distance we see none other than The Silver Surfer observing them. It was one shot, one panel, but it was EPIC. I'm so glad he's back.

The Guardians essentially agree with Thanos, finally out of his feral state, when he suggests that he be given to the Cancerverse. Heading off into the dark, grim world that threatens to greet every living being with its end, Thanos and the Guardians find themselves in deep trouble. No sooner have they arrived when Thanos collapses due to the sheer amount of lifeforce surrounding him. A bad time, too, because the Guardians are being confronted with the Cancerverse's version of The Defenders.

Just so you know how bad it is, this means they have to fight Cancerverse versions of The Hulk, Namor, Dr. Strange and Surfer. I didn't notice a counterpart for Surfer, but still. I have to give props to Hulk's art here; SO terrifying. He has a pentagram carved in his chest, glowing red eyes and Baphomet-esque horns. Really, this is what sold me on the next issue. If there's one thing I love, it's seeing how people will get out of apparantly impossible situations.

It seems to be a pretty easy jump-on point too, if you do a bit of research. I recommend it!


The Avengers: Prime #1 of 5.

I have plenty of time for Alan Davis. His art is gorgeous and has a delightfully classic feel to it, as evidenced by that cover.

This mini-series is set before The Avengers #1 that was recently release, but immediately after Siege, detailing how The Trinity (Dubbed by fans) came back together.

One thing I was looking forward to, and indeed so were many, was seeing how the tensions between the three ended up being resolved. Stark and Thor, in my opinion, had a light years-wide chasm between them after Civil War. Plus, we all know what happened between Stark and Steve Rogers around that time (See: Civil War). I was MIGHTILY pleased to see that the first thing occuring was an argument.

SO pleased.

Iron Man basically tells Thor and Captain Rogers that he won't be much help in an armour so old, but tells them that they should see his new stuff. Rogers quickly interrupts and says, more or less, "Hahaha, yeah. Erm...you caused most of this shit and therefore don't assume I'm gonna consider you responsible enough to wear armour anymore." It's epic. It causes a gigantic argument between the two, which leads into a TERRIFIC piece of poignent diaogue (Bendis nails it). Rogers says that he'll discuss Stark's status as Iron Man at a more appropriate time.

"Iron Man: Let me tell you something that I can promise is true. There will NEVER be an appropriate time to tell me than I can't have what's rightfully mine!
Captain Rogers: Well, looks who's for civil rights all of a sudden..."

It's such a brilliantly included piece because so many people had sort of felt like Stark had got away with facing the music. Although he IS allowed to remain as Iron Man, this conversation, and presumably the series, really does make me feel satisfied. Regardless, they both agree to help Thor in whatever way they can.

The Rainbow Bridge, the link between realms that is guarded by the injured Heimdall, has been significantly damaged; Thor's primary concern is fixing this.

Before anything can be done, a blast of multi-coloured light erupts and sends the three into different parts of the nine realms. Thor ends up in Vanaheim, confronted by Enchantress, where as Iron Man and Rogers end up in undisclosed realms respectively.

I really cannot wait to see how this unfolds. The art is gorgeous, the writing and concept is utterly necessary; get it. Get it especially if you are someone who wanted to know what is necessary to catch up on Siege. Well, not now, of course. Purchase it after you've caught up!

Such a promising series. Really.

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I'm still considering what I can do reviews on or talk about in between Thursday's Comics. It's difficult to decide as there's so much I'd love to review. I may do a review of the second Phonogram book, because it's more special than a get together at the Palin household (I went there, suck it).

Any other suggestions?

Anyway, that's about all you'll get from me today. I'll catch you sometime next week!

Until next time, peace.

-The Mast

The Mast Blogs: Shipping Delays & Two Thirds of the Trio.

Spock! Sabotage the system...

Greetings, true believers! The Mast is here and I am winning you back, like Bart Simpson.

Thursday's Comics are delayed until tomorrow due to slow shipping, BUT...I have some potentially exciting news!

With the upcoming Thor and Captain America movies being very anticipated, especially due to the success of Iron Man/Iron Man 2, people are wondering what the characters will look like. Now, we've already seen a from-above shot of Thor (I posted it to this blog) and he looks pretty dang good. What of Captain America?

I am always skeptical when it comes to rumours, so here are some ALLEGED shots of Captain America's design, as well as a new Thor shot.





The Thor one looks decidedly more real, so I'll discuss that first. If this is the movie costume, I am pleased. I wish the outfit was black instead of the armour being a black/blue colour, and I don't particularly dig the trousers on him. I would have liked a style more alike to the top half, J. Michael Straczynski style (As in the silvery material on his arms and black boots).

Regardless, I think he looks pretty awesome. I'm hoping they give him some kind of helmet, because to give him everything else and not a helmet would suck, but I'm generally fine with the way he looks. Bearing in mind, that is a heavily photoshopped picture against a white background, it's not doing justice.

As for Cap...well. If that IS the official outfit, despite having to see Chris Evans in it to be able to judge, I'm madly into it. It may be one of my fav comic-to-movie costume adaptations. Bearing in mind that's just his first uniform, it's pretty fitting for a World War 2 movie. I did kind of hope they'd give him the helmet instead of a full mask, but it looks good. They kept the A on his head, but I'm wondering if they'll ditch the wings for his modern suit. I wouldn't mind if they did, so long as they keep the A.

What do you think? Let me know! Don't forget to tune in for Thursday's comics tomorrow, too.

Until then, peace.

-The Mast