The Mast Blogs: A Change of Plans & Another Major Announcement.

Wake up!

I'm back, but not for a review of any sort. Today I just have an announcement to make and boy, is it huge. It's huge for me, anyway.

As you all know, my two biggest passions are comics and music, hence this blog's existence. However, someone correctly said that everything on this blog is geared toward comics, and that the music reviews seem out of place. Now, everyone I speak to says my music reviews and posts are awesome, so here's what's going to happen.

I am keeping Welcome to the Mast STRICTLY comics-orientated. So, what will happen to the music side of things? Nothing. I will either stop the reviews or I will create a way less frequent blog, perhaps bi-monthly, especially for music. It's more practical this way and I hope that those of you who read my blog before will still do so.

Now, I have a MAJOR announcement that makes me extremely happy.

I have scored yet ANOTHER interview! This time I will be talking to none other than my favourite hip hop MC of all time. Coming within the next month, The Mast Interviews...?



The mighty Vast Aire!

Anyone who knows me knows how into Vast Aire's music I am. He's a high placer in my list of all time fav musicians and it'll be an honour to have him here. Having laced his rhymes with massive amounts of references to comic books, manga and cult culture, I figured he would be a perfect interviewee for Welcome to the Mast.

This is tremendously exciting and I cannot wait to present it to you. The Mast meets Vast. It's going down.

In the meantime, go check out his music anywhere you can. Whether it's solo or with Cannibal Ox, it's worth your time.

Vast Aire on MySpace.

Don't forget to go check out my other reviews and posts!

Until next time, peace!

-The Mast

The Mast Blogs: The Top 10 Best Non-Powered Heroes & Villains.

What? You think that cos a guy reads comics he can't start some shit?!

WELCOME, you faces of people.

Today, I am bringing you a collaborative blogpiece for your mindboxes! On a forum I have been a member of since 2004, there have been a number of comic book readers that I have had the pleasure of speaking to on a regular basis. One of these people, long story short, is called Paul. He's not just CALLED Paul, it's his name.

He leans more toward the DC side of things than I do, and thus, when coming up with the idea for this post I decided I would invite him along. The post, you may be wondering, is regarding the best non-powered heroes and villains in comics.

We both chose five people and, in no order, we will tell you why we think these people are cool as shit. I wrote my parts, Paul wrote his parts. The trick is that they're not allowed to be powered! They can have NO powers, they must simply be human.

Without further ketchup, I bring you The Top 10 Best Non-Powered Heroes & Villains!

Paul Picks:


Booster Gold.

Yes, Booster Gold.

I hear people screaming their doubleyew tee effs already and talking about how much he sucks. Yes, until a couple of years ago, that was true. Then his solo series came along, where Booster tried to set right what once went wrong (Very Quantum Leap-like). This involved making sure Blue Beetle didn't die (Thereby screwing up the universe) and of course, the big one, trying to stop Barbara Gordon from being shot by the Joker (During The Killing Joke. Read it. Seriously).

To Booster's dismay, he finds out that some things can't be changed, enduring beating after beating at the hands of the Joker, hoping that once he might get lucky. For this selfless act, Booster has BATMAN HIMSELF come to him and express his gratitude, offering him his eternal friendship. Booster has come a long way, and is no longer the cheap, vain opportunist he once was. Well, not completely, anyway.

The Mast Picks:


Batman.

Inarguably one of the most iconic characters in creation, not just comics.

Despite not having a great deal of his comics, despite not LIKING a great deal of his comics, Batman earns his place. Batman's intention was to be a symbol of protection, a concept for villains everywhere to fear. He has done just that.

He remains one of the central pillars of the DC Universe and has done for a very, VERY long time. As s formidable fighter and, as most people forget, the world's very best detective, Batman has so much to offer every single one of his allies. This also means that he has an immeasurable amount of reasons for people to fear him. Like most tortured heroes, he has been through the ringer. His history with the Joker needs no explaining. It remains one of the most densely intricate feuds of all time and will probably rage on until we're all dead and buried.

What's interesting about Batman is that his villains are crazily successful. Not because they are especially smart or powerful, but because he seems to bring out the worst in them, and that theme of escalation is a burden he carries with him throughout Batman fiction. From the events of The Killing Joke (The scene in the cell at Arkham Asylum sums up their history) to the legendary murder of Jason Todd (Batman's, at the time, sidekick known to everyone as the second Robin), Batman has been through a lot as a result of the Joker alone. Never mind the fact that during Knightfall (Read it if you want to enhance your life at all), Bane released ALL of Arkham's prisoners. Just as Batman was at stress-level breaking point from tracking them all down, Bane literally breaks his back.

Through it all, though, Batman has been exactly what he appears as and what he is billed as: The Dark Knight.

Well...he's dead at the moment...but still...

Paul Picks:


The Joker.

Some villains you can reason with. Some you can identify with. Some can rationalise their actions, even if it's only to themselves. Joker is none of those.

Batman's nemesis still, to this day, terrorises Gotham in ways no other villain ever could, and he does it purely for fun. Clown Prince of Crime, and all that. His insanity means that he's unpredictable, dangerous, and seems to have no concept of morality or conscience (Except with Nazis. Joker never works with Nazis. Not kidding).

He sees crime with the innocence and curiosity of a child. His obsession with Batman and, to a smaller extent the Bat-family, does lead to some dark conclusions, but regardless, you know that when it comes down to it, all the Joker wants to do is put a smile on your face.

The Mast Picks:


Elektra.

Ok, so technically she MAY have some SLIGHT powers. This isn't due to her being powered, though. He minor mental powers have not been exhibited enough to be considered regular powers, and they came as a result of training.

Elektra burst onto the scene in Daredevil #168 where she was sent to kill none other than Daredevil. Their history goes WAY back, but her first appearance was in that issue. Not long after, in Daredevil #181, she was graphically and shockingly killed off at the hands of Bullseye. Only to be resurrected against Frank Miller's (Her creator) wishes in the Fall from Grace storyline that spanned from #320 to #325.

Some consider her to be Matt Murdock's truest love, but they have never really reached any kind of happiness or healthy relationship. Multiple reasons are to blame for this, most notably the fact that Elektra is an assassin with a body count rivalled by Wolverine alone, probably. Daredevil was never really big on murder, so while he loves her (He really does), he can never be with her while she chooses to maintain her job.

That's where she won me over. She never came crawling back, she did what she did without ever giving a shit, or giving a shit and separating it from her work.

From being killed not long after reuniting with her old love and friend, to being a victim of Skrull kidnapping and experimentation, Elektra has endured and dished out her fair share of pain. Nevertheless, she remains THE most badass female in all of comics.

That and she's hot. Like, REALLY hot. It must SUCK that Matt can't even see her. Such cruel fate.

Paul Picks:


Hawkeye.

Clint Barton is full of win. That's it, really.

Seriously though, on a team of scientific and technological geniuses, national icons and norse gods, Hawkeye managed to carve out his own niche by showing that he could be just as useful as almost anyone else on the team.

Like Batman in the JLA, Barton never let a little thing like being powerless affect him, going up against the likes of Ultron and managing to live to talk about it. His death during The Avengers: Disassembled left this fan with a sour taste in their mouth, but his return during/after House of M was nothing short of awesome, and so far, he's shown why he's just that damn good. Even putting an arrow in the head of the Skrull Queen during Secret Invasion.

His problems with Mockingbird seem to have abated for now and it's looking more and more likely that when a reunion of The Avengers finally happens, Clint will once again don the purple (He makes it work) and pick up his bow. Can't wait.

The Mast Picks:


Bullseye.

Some people say never to judge a book by its cover, but if you take one look at Bullseye and think he's someone you should get to know better, you're messing with fate.

To me, Bullseye is Daredevil's most hated enemy. Some would say The Kingpin is, and I'd probably agree they're tied now that I consider it, but none have had the continual impact that Bullseye has. Not only have they fought on countless occasions, but Bullseye - to this day, void of a full real name and known only as Lester - has brought tragedy to the man on many fronts.

He killed Elektra with her own said, in front of Matt. If that wasn't bad enough, he killed Karen Page, the only other woman who could claim to have a spot in Matt's heart as strong as Elektra did.

Bullseye's ability is to have frightening accuracy with any weapon and any object. He has no real powers, but his abilities and feats are impossible in the real world. That doesn't stop everything he's done being DAMN awesome. For example, you can enter a stationary store and I could probably point out more than 30 items that he has killed with. He has killed someone with a toothpick from an opposite building, he has killed people by slicing their throats with playing cards (THAT is how you use cards, Gambit) and to cap it all off? He once spit his own loose tooth through the skull of another man.

Bullseye indeed.

Paul Picks:


Nightwing.

Despite the fact that Nightwing TECHNICALLY doesn't exist anymore, he's still here because of, well, how awesome he is.

The original Robin, Dick Grayson left the roost and forged his own life for himself as Nightwing. The closest thing Batman has to a son (Barring that little brat. Yes, you know who), Dick is now one of the most respected and loved heroes in all of the DC Universe. Inside and outside the universe. Despite his attempts to be less and less like Bruce, he's still managed to end up just like him, even if he has managed to maintain a barely healthy personal life.

He's even managed to be less of a dick than Bruce and he keeps his relationships intact as best he can.

As the new Batman, Dick has left Nightwing behind, but for how long is anybody's guess.

The Mast Picks:


Rorschach.

Oh, Rorschach.

If anything, Rorschach's very purpose and existence is to shine a really bright spotlight on the inherent ridiculousness and danger that comes from the concept of being a vigilante. We can all romanticise about how awesome Batman or Daredevil are, but if they really existed we'd be calling them nutjobs. That's what it takes, to some degree, to be a vigilante. You have to be unhinged and a bit wrong in the head.

Enter Rorschach.

He still stands high as the character I most enjoy reading whenever I return to Watchmen (Because fuck the movie, in all honesty). Not in the way that most stupid kids who liked the movie see him, but as he was intended. He isn't supposed to be cool, he isn't supposed to be seen as a hero. He is, in fact, a contradictory and hypocritical borderlined facist. He's a psychopath.

I never could decide if his intentions being good justified the fact that he was going around splitting peoples' heads in half with meat cleavers. When he hunts down a child molester and acts out the aforementioned cleaver-to-head intimacy, I really didn't know what to think. On one hand, you don't molest children. On the other, you...don't go around doing that kind of thing with kitchen utensils.

He makes it onto this list because he is an absolutely flawlessly created character, even if he is an extremely flawed, unsettled human being.

I do not think he's insane, I just think he feels this is absolutely the right thing to do. Why? I have no clue, but I also do sort of see it. To truly understand Rorschach is to admit you'll never be on the level of understanding people like him. The best you can do is read Watchmen and bask in the genius of the man who created him.

Paul Picks:


Hal Jordan.

Considered by many within the comic universe as the greatest Green Lantern, there's plenty of opportunity to see why if you sit down and read the books.

His rivalry with Sinestro is unlike anything within the G.L. universe, and as for the man himself, well there's more to him than being a silver age remnant that's taking Kyle Rayner's place. He's the everyman of the four Earth Lanterns, especially when it comes to his constructs. He doesn't have Guy's cockiness, Kyle's flair or John's complexity, but instead, Hal favours simplicity, as it more often than not gets the job done.

While he sometimes straddles the line between Boy Scout and anti-hero, Hal is still THE hero of the Green Lantern Corps. Plus, he's a well developed, rich character that can be introspective without being cliched. Also, he's a total pimp.

The man deserves respect either way.

The Mast Picks:


Dr. Doom.

Never have I found a villain so unintentionally hilarious. The funniest part is, Dr. Doom is NOT funny. The hilarity comes from his ability to show up at any point, anywhere, for any reason, and make literally any plan he has into a success.

Wearing an armour that makes Tony Stark's look like something churned out by Fisher Price, bearing an intellect that goes unsurpassed on Earth or even in space to some degree(I do believe he surpasses Reed Richards, but others disagree), and possessing more devices than a chick at a lesbian slumber party, Dr. Doom has cemented his place as the greatest villain in all of comics. In my opinion, at least.

His achievements put other villains to shame. From running his own country (This means he has diplomatic immunity and cannot be arrested, ANYWHERE. Such a clever plot device) to stealing the powers of various cosmic entities and using them to his own diabolical ends, Dr. Doom has proven time and time again that he is a major threat. As it stands currently, he is spending time in Castle Doom, dissecting Asgardians in hopes of discovering a means to achieve immortality. Most scientists are content with dissecting a frog, but Doom dreams big and goes after gods for HIS vivisections. In every field he meanders into, he excels at it. Whether it's science, magic or anything else...he pretty much aims for mastery, not competence. He was even a candidate for Earth's Sorceror Supreme when Dr. Strange lost his powers.

The sheer ambition of the man knows no bounds. During the amazing saga of The Infinity Gauntlet, there's a climactic battle between Thanos and most of Earth's heroes. Out of nowhere, literally, Dr. Doom shouts: "THE GAUNTLET! IT'S MINE AT LAST!", or something to that effect, and lunges for it. I don't think it's ever made clear WHERE the fuck he came from, but that goes to show that he always knows what's up, and usually has a plan regarding it.

He's just too good, even when he's too evil. With all his European coolness, his epic villainy and his penchant for doing what he wants, when and why? He inspired one of the most iconic villains in movie history. Oh yes. Because no matter how much he denies it, we all know where George Lucas REALLY got his main ideas for Darth Vader from.

Samurai outfits, my ass.

---

That took mildly longer than I expected, but I think it's one of the most fulfilling posts I've ever made.

I want to thank Paul for contributing to the blog and you for reading. I hope this post exposed you to yet more characters to get into, or at least to read about. I could probably re-shuffle this list a good few times, but this is the best way to do it.

Again, thanks for reading and I will be back, hopefully, on...Tuesday!

Until next time, peace.

-The Mast

The Mast Reviews: Thursday's Comics (4/2/2010).

Got a lot of GOOD things on sale, stranger!

Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to another fine edition of Thursday's Comics! I will be your awesome host, The Mast.

There are only THREE comics to review this week, but when I say they are mostly epic, you KNOW it's true. You callin' me a liar? Fuck off.

Anyway, let's get this meal underway and eat some serious reviews and shit. Hungry?


Deadpool Team-Up #896.

No surprises here, then.

Deadpool teams up with time/space-hopping trucker U.S. Ace, who is looking for a way to escape Earth and get back to the stars and to his family. He meets Deadpool after Deadpool, dressed as a trucker, almost runs his truck off the road. He goes to meet up with The Highwayman, with Deadpool in tow, to get a job. It turns out that the parts he is couriering are the very parts he needs to get back to space. Naturally, the catch is that there are two trucks full of them, so he needs Deadpool's help. Thus, we have our team-up.

After running over a raccoon, they are ambushed by the raccoon's vengeful family and a fight ensues in which lots of raccoons die and the trucks eventually crash, revealing the cargo to U.S. Ace. Deadpool being Deadpool (Now at least) unintentionally blows up all of the cargo, leaving U.S. Ace rather perturbed.

The issue ends with U.S. Ace trying to get a courier job in Hell, with Deadpool driving off in a truck singing a song about how he dislikes U.S. Ace.

Make no mistake, the only reason I buy this is because it's a Deadpool comic and I didn't come this far to stop now. In all seriousness, that's the nature of Deadpool Team-Up as I've said, you know? One month it could be a great team-up with a good writer, the next it could be mediocre or even shit. This one was shit.

A totally forgettable, boring, unnecessary issue.


Siege: Embedded #2 of 4.

THIS is the shit I'm talking about.

We last left off with Ben Urich and Will Stern befriending the villainised Asgardian, Volstagg, and heading off to bring down or expose Norman Osborn with journalism.

Not a great deal really happens in this issue, but there is some REALLY enjoyable dialogue between the three characters as they're essentially road tripping in a run-down vehicle. A rather funny piece occurs when, just after they stop for fuel, Volstagg says he has questions regarding the magazine that Will bought him to amuse himself, entitled American Women (A fashion magazine). Volstagg asking what the obsession is with standing in front of a mirror, disrobed, is very pleasant.

The bewilderment of Volstagg comes across as so genuine that the language and cultural barrier between this god and these two humans is very acceptable and totally enjoyable. It's almost heartwarming in a way, maybe because Volstagg is just like a big and stupid lump of flesh with a heart of gold.

Meanwhile, as they head toward their goal, Todd Keller - a very Fox News-esque anchorman hired by Osborn's goons to make him look good - begins broadcasting spin journalism to the nation. As he pipes on about how necessary the Asgardian invasion is, we get some more really humourous dialogue between the three characters in the van. Volstagg asks why he is so bad, and after they compare him to the fire giants of Asgard, Volstagg quips that the only way to kill them is to cut their heads off. Stern smirks at this with a very sarcastic: "Oh yeah?". It's so good, Brian Reed does a fine, fine job on this issue.

Eventually, they hit a huge roadblock and H.A.M.M.E.R. agents ambush the van, demanding that they turn over Volstagg and telling them that they're under arrest. This isn't part of the plan. The next thing you see is Volstagg nearly decapitating a H.A.M.M.E.R. agent, jacking his glider and doing battle with an army of them in the sky. It's amazingly exciting.

Urich and Stern get captured and arrested, but Stern manages to overcome the guard and they both escape. Jumping back into the van they go driving off in search of Volstagg, with the issue coming to a close.

I must say that after such a reasonably slow start, enjoyable as it was, this issue really does pick the pace up. Unlike Civil War: Frontline, which had some good parts yet was mostly good in theory, Siege: Embedded really does give you an exciting and captivating feel of "the little man's" take on a big event.

Really, I'm totally looking forward to the next issue now.


Siege #2 of 4.

I had this issue spoiled for me by two people. One was admittedly unintentional and came with an apology, the other was by a despicable fucking shitcock who I hope loses something dear to him in a car fire.

Despite this, Siege #2 was still an utterly amazing, shocking and exciting read. I just wish I didn't know what happened.

EVERYTHING kicks off with a bang, there's hardly a dull moment. Ares is seen taking the fighting King Balder as he implores Ares to stop. His continual efforts to dissuade Ares and convince him that Osborn is the bad guy falls on deaf ears. That is until Heimdall the All-Seer shows up. Being the All-Seer, Heimdall is known to not be lying and as he lays out all this revelatory info, Ares is visibly shocked by this. He glances at the battlefield with a renewed sense of clarity and with a grimace, he says Osborn's name.

I swear, if you have ANY appreciation for artistic talent then you need to check these issues out. Olivier Coipel can DRAW like a motherfucker, I swear. You often find yourself forgetting that these images are just pencil and colour on paper, and that is the mark of true escapism that I don't think you'll ever get from an iReader or whatever.

Thor, having been grounded temporarily by the combined might of Osborn's Initiative members, is rescued by the perpetual bad-ass known as Maria Hill...with a rocket launcher. She blasts at the group enough to scatter them, while Jason - someone she has met from Broxton presumably - tries to drag Thor into the back of the pick-up. X-Ray from The U-Foes appears behind Maria Hill, as Karla - Dark Ms. Marvel, remember. Karla "Moonstone" Sofen - is confronting her. Thor, with the last of his available energy, smacks them both as far away as he can to save Hill. They get him into the truck and speed off.

The scene shifts to the hideout of The New Avengers, and we see Steve Rogers giving a speech about how far this has gone and that it needs to end now. It's revealed that he is talking to the combined might of The New Avengers, The Mighty Avengers and The Young Avengers. The plan? To take Osborn out once and for all.

Karla is about to head off after them before Osborn stops her. He sends Daken instead, giving him total permission to trash Broxton and kill anyone in his way. Before he can full finish his orders, Ares crashes into him from above! I swear, I got goosebumps when I read this.

He screams at Osborn, accusing him of lying, to which Osborn says that it was the only way he could get him into battle. When suggesting that Ares would have done the same, Ares denies this, saying that he was tricked into fighting his "brothers" (Norse gods/Greek gods. I guess they're brothers in deity-hood) and that he will keep his promise; he'll pull off Osborn's helmet and cut his head off. Osborn cockily replies that Ares' defection is a shame, and out of nowhere we see Sentry appear! He deals a swift right hand to Ares and smacks him into a structure opposite, a statue I believe.

It's such a heroic moment for Ares to change sides, and it's a really cool juxtaposition. On one side you've got Ares who is this gruff, slightly hairy god of war. On the other you have the flowing blonde locks and the glowing aura of Sentry, someone who couldn't look more like a goodie two-shoes if he has a crucifix on his neck. Yet, the roles are reversed.

A rather visceral fight begins, with Ares understandably getting a beating put on him. He manages to impale Sentry with the back of his axe and does a bit of damage by ripping it out. When he does so, we see a black tentacle-esque thing creep from the wound and it becomes clear that The Void is about to become dominant. Sentry begins absolutely battering Ares, breaking his nose (Most of the bones in his face I imagine) and wrecking his body with some truly sickening blows. Eventually, he grabs Ares and everyone, mid-battle, begins to cast their gazes skyward.

With everyone watching, jaws-agape and shock on their faces, Sentry proceeds to literally rip Ares in half. The blood, spine and intestines of the Greek war god spill out all over the place and Sentry is left standing there with glowing eyes, holding one half of Ares by his arm. I really, REALLY started to dig Ares even more than I did before...and he gets killed. What's more shocking is how graphic it was! I really dd not expect such gore in a Marvel comic, especially since I was just talking about how Haunt is refreshing in that sense.

The art, again, is truly phenomenal.

It's quite a sad moment, to be honest. There's no redemption, there's no heroic saviour moment at all. Ares realises his fault, tries to kill Osborn and gets ripped in half for his troubles. Bendis has a lot of guts, no pun intended, to kill off such a favourite like this.

The comic cuts back to the hideout and we see Nick Fury and his Secret Warriors prepping a jet, along with the combined Avengers rosters. Bucky, in somewhat of a weird move, insists that Steve takes the shield, saying that the world needs Captain America. He pulls HIS Captain America mask back and, upon being asked what he's going to do, he says: "I'll do what I do.", and reveals a HUGE gun.

I truly hope they don't chicken out and let Steve become Captain America as well as, or instead of, Bucky. That'd suck. It's really take away from all the work they've done with him. Regardless, Jarvis (Stark's butler) appears and tells Steve that it's good to see him again. He hands him a metallic briefcase, to which Steve asks if it's what he thinks it is. Jarvis tells him to get it to "him", and that "he" is nearby, if they're heading to Asgard/Broxton.

We cut back to Broxton, with Daken tracking Thor and the others while keeping in contact with Osborn. Just as he finds him, Thor blasts Daken with a bolt of lightning. This causes him to fall to the ground with most of his skin missing, charred to the bone, but alive.

I tell you, this is a VERY brutal comic for Marvel. It's definitely helping put across the idea that this IS a war, a big fight to the finish.

Thor says that he'll defend his home, his friends and his people until his very last breath. Osborn hears this and tells Sentry to go give Thor his wish. FUCK YES! Sorry, it's just that Thor Vs Sentry is something a lot of us have been waiting for and finally, it looks like it's going to happen.

As Osborn is giving the order, Taskmaster calls to him and advises him to turn around. He does so, and we see Captain America's shield getting closer and closer to him in the reflection of his helmet, about to smack him in the face.

The issue ends.

NO! I WASN'T READY FOR IT TO END, YOU BASTARDS! What's even MORE frustrating is that we don't get Siege #3 until MARCH FUCKING 17TH! Grr!

If you can't tell, I recommend this issue beyond belief. I recommend this STORY beyond belief. It has since been revealed that Siege #1 will not be getting reprinted when it sells out, so if you want to get into this and own the single issue, you'd be well advised to go get it while it's available. I'm not sure if the rest of the issues are the same, but really, you shouldn't take the chance.

Bendis is doing utterly phenomenal work on this story and it is living up to the hype so far. I really hope it keeps up the pace and leads us into The Heroic Age (Marvel's title for post-Dark Reign/Siege activities) with a bang. Accompanied by Olivier Coipel's flawless and painstakingly evocative artwork, you really can't go wrong.

Get it, that's all I'm saying.

---

For now, that's all you're gonna get, but I should be back on Saturday with a pretty fun post, that is if I am not too busy. If not Saturday, then Sunday or Monday at the EXTREME latest.

Thanks for reading, whoever did read this, and I hope you found this post enjoyable!

Until next time, peace.

-The Mast

The Mast Looks Back: Vol. 5 (Daredevil #1).

No surreal opening needed.

I have waited for years and years to own this comic and I never really dreamed I would, but now I do.

Daredevil is such an important character to me and has been a huge part of my life for such a long time now, so to own his first issue and his first appearance is absolutely astounding to me. I cannot believe it. It came in the mail this morning. I read it and immediately threw it into a plastic sleeve with a cardboard insert. It may never see the outside of that sleeve again.

I do think that it's only right I review it on this blog because it's a fantastic and immense issue for any collector or Daredevil fan. Without further ado, it gives me GREAT pleasure to present the latest edition of The Mast Looks Back.


Daredevil #1.

The story begins with a group of gangsters playing a card game, as Daredevil (Yellow suit and all) busts in and gives them all a beating whilst looking for their boss, The Fixer. During the fight Daredevil begins to daydream (I've never been THAT confident of a fighter myself) about how he come to be the hero we all know and love (We all meaning the fans).

I must say, as with X-Men #12 and any old comic really, some of the dialogue here is SHOCKING. Like, we're talking Batman-T.V.-series-with-Adam West shocking. Ok, maybe not that bad, but quite. Nevertheless, the action scenes are fantastically drawn for their time. Bill Everett supplies the art on this issue, accompanied by some impeccable inking by the mighty Steve Ditko.

If you've seen the movie, you'll have a basic grasp of how Matt Murdock's life turns around. His father, Battlin' Jack Murdock, was a boxer who wanted to give up fighting in hopes of his son not following the same path, opting to push him toward education instead. At this point, due to bullying, Matt has taken up training in secret so that he can take care of himself and defend himself against the bullies. It's actually quite a well-poised dynamic, really. Jack doesn't want his son to fight, but his son is training so that he can defend himself. Even here we see Matt's desire to protect rather than harm.

Eventually, trouble befalls Jack and he is forced to begin fighting for a very shady boxing promoter and criminal called...? Oh, go on. Guess. That's right, The Fixer. Matt remains unaware of this, but things are about to go from bad to worse. Every hero has an origin, but very few freak accident origins are as sad or tragic as Matt Murdock's. Whilst saving a blind man from almost getting run over, Matt is knocked over himself. The noxious chemical waste that the truck was carrying begins spilling into his eyes, leaving him blind.

Even with the very dated art, this is a truly painful scene. I'd love to see some kind of updated issue drawn by the likes of Deodato, De la Torre or Immonen.

Matt discovers that his remaining four senses functioned with ascended and superhuman sharpness. Daredevil's sense of touch is such that he can read letters by feeling the ink on the page, he can hear a heartbeat from a fair distance away and all other manner of things. Unhindered by his loss of sight, Matt continues his training and goes to law school where he meets his life-long best friend, Franklin "Foggy" Nelson. Combined with his father's renewed career and self-esteem, things seemed to be looking up for the Murdock family.

All is not as it seems, however, because The Fixer is about to call in a favour. He orders Jack to throw a fight and, when he refuses, proceeds to have Jack killed in cold blood. After the funeral, Matt tries his best to push on with life by graduating law school and opening the now famous Nelson & Murdock law firm (Matt has been hired by a number of his hero friends throughout the years), hiring a woman named Karen Page to be their secretary. Kevin Smith once remarked that this is one of the few times where a lawyer had been seen in a heroic and positive light.

As well as graduating and starting a business, the vengeful Matt Murdock opts to become a costumed vigilante by the name of Daredevil. He modifies his walking stick into an extendable billy club to fight with, as well as using it as a grappling hook to traverse New York City's rooftops.

The comic brings us back to the present where Daredevil is still handing out a whooping to The Fixer's gambling men. Elsewhere, Foggy tries to find Matt in order to help him get to work, but isn't successful. Upon asking Karen Page if she has seen him, they have a conversation that hints to a slight attraction to Matt on her part as she expresses sympathy for his condition (Karen Page would go on to become one of Daredevil's most important cast members).

Matt tracks The Fixer down using his powerfully augmented senses, finding him in a subway station. He switches into his Daredevil guise and hunts The Fixer down, chasing him throughout the subway. Terrified, The Fixer suffers a heart attack and dies from the strain. Satisfied that justice has been served, Daredevil returns to his civilian clothing and shows up for work, where the rest of his co-workers are glad to see him, despite expressing concern for his wellbeing.

The issue ends here.

I have to say, with the exception of some dire dialogue, this is one of the very best origin comics I've read. Not only does it give you a fairly plausible origin, but it provides a perfect starting point for the exploits of Marvel's THEN newest and most unique hero.

I think his costume is utterly dire, but there's a joke a friend and I have regarding that. He's blind, so it's not surprising he looked like he got dressed in the dark. He changes into the now legendary all-red suit in Daredevil #7 (Which is next on my list), and the yellow suit is fashion faux-pas history.

Needless to say, you're not gonna get this comic in any kind of decent, readable condition without shelling out £400 or more - a Daredevil #1 of 9.0 grading or above will go for no less than £2,500 - so that tells you how much I paid. So unless you're a madly passionate collector with the money to buy this, umm...don't? Haha. I DO think this origin tale is worth reading, though. So, for those of you who want it but don't want the single issue, you can pick it up as part of the Essential Daredevil (Vol. 1) collected edition. It's available at all comic stores worth their salt, Amazon.Com etc. It's pretty cheap too, and you get Daredevil #1-#12.

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Well, how about that? I promised an epic retro review and I provided adequately, I'd say.

My next post will be tomorrow, Thursday's Comics, and it involves Siege #2! So, if you're as excited as I am for the continuation of this epic event, you won't wanna miss out. I've had some spoiler free conversations and everyone has said it blows the first issue away, and then some.

On Saturday, expect a rather cool post. It should be kind of fun and may even be co-wrote!

Thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed it. Tell your friends, whore my link around if you wish. The more readers, the better.

Until next time, peace.

-The Mast

The Mast Reviews: Thursday's Comics (28/1/2010).

Get off my lawn...

Big news! I have acquired one of the comics I refer to as The Trinity! The Trinity is a group of, as you can imagine, three comics that are massively important to me. Two of these are issues a comic series I am/will be trying to complete, one is a first appearance, not an issue of a series I necessarily like.

It cost me a bit more than I am used to paying for comics (HA! I just got an email telling me I am winner of Understatement of the Year!), but that's how much the copy I bought is absolutely worth. It is on its way to me, or will be soon and you can be DAAAMN sure that as soon as I have read it, turning the page with tweezers and all (I plan to touch it just once), I shall review it. Guess the comic and get a FREE comic sent to you from that very same series! Let's make it fun!

Another week, another batch of comicy juice. Not many at all this week, really. Well, I bought five, but one is Daredevil #504 and I'm not reviewing that on-going until #505, at which point I will cover the backstory with already existing Marvel synopsis. It saves time.

"Enough of all this talking, David. Talk of comics using some words arranged to form sentences!", I hear you cry. Talk of comics I shall.


Guardians of the Galaxy #22.

Kicking off from the last issue where the horrifically impregnated Moondragon was kidnapped by The Universal Church of Truth, we see her being placed on a massive throne high up in the air. As the leader of the Church proceeds to butter her up with a mass of praise and compliments, Moondragon reminds her that she is a psychic. Then, in quite a chilling piece of dialogue, says something along the lines of: "I know you plan to rip this thing out from inside me.".

Moondragon speaks of her growing inability to keep the organism calm, and that it's about to burst out, just as her cavalry arrives in the form of the Guardians. Star-Lord points his weapons at the group and says the very best line that Deadpool should have said:

"I'm Star-Lord. I'd flash my business card, but my hands are too full of guns.".

How is there going to be a better introduction than that, ever?

With help from the Luminals, Star-Lord and the Guardians manage to cause enough chaos and destruction to free Moondragon, killing a few members of the Church on the way. This includes Drax stabbing one of the cardinals through the head. When they get her back to Knowhere, The Guardians are threatened with action for their attack on the Church, but the Luminals threaten to leave the service of Knowhere if they are punished, causing the Council to re-think the decision.

Moondragon gives birth to the creature - off-panel of course - before the Guardians launch it back through The Fault.

The comic ends with the surviving members of The Universal Church of Truth confronting their master and apologising. Their master, in quite an epic twist, is revealed to be none other than Magus, Adam Warlock's evil self.

Interesting as this issue is, it makes me feel as though every title besides Realm of Kings: Imperial Guard has lost its focus. I will purchase Guardians of the Galaxy #23, but if nothing significant happens, it will be the last issue.

As you can expect, Abnett's dialogue is consistently immaculate and his pacing works wonder even in its disharmony of focus. I feel this title would be way more enjoyable to me if I had been reading it anyway, but I am not a Guardians reader. If you are, or you're curious, then check the title out.


Captain America: Reborn #6 of 6.

This issue frustrated me beyond belief.

I love Ed Brubaker as a writer - I think I've made that clear enough without having to pleasure his reputation any further - but this kind of thing really bothers me. "Sir Mast, what kind of thing?", I hear you cry.

Captain America: Reborn was supposed to be a perfectly timed five part mini-series that got Steve Rogers back in time for Siege. This did not happen. What happened was that the series became later and later, then got pushed to an additional issue, bringing it to six. By the time five was out (Maybe even coming out), Steve was already supposed to be back, and had been revealed as such in other books.

Never mind, I figure I'm already four/five issues in and that it's no big deal to finish the series, it looks like it's coming to a good end.

I was wrong. This is essentialy a tacked on ending that does some obvious work, but the obvious work isn't even great. Steve continually fights back against Red Skull (Who took over Steve's body in #5) inside his mind, the mind they both share now, while The New Avengers continue to fight off the M.O.D.O.K. clones. This prevents Skull from killing Bucky (Yeah, reverting back to Bucky cos it's easier and more known) and forces him back into his previous body. As Steve helps Bucky to his feet, both clad in Captain America regalia, they go off to aid The New Avengers.

In the most needlessly confusing piece of set-piece action I've seen in a long time, Henry Pym (The Mighty Avengers' Wasp. Formerly Giant Man/Ant-Man/Yellowjacket) shoots Red Skull with Pym Particles, the substance that makes him shrink/grow. They all fight the giant Red Skull until Sharon Carter revives Vision on their ship, and he interfaces with the ships controls in order to launch missiles at Red Skull. It's almost explicitly said that the Red Skull has died, but his daughter has been scarred in the explosion and it's left her looking like her father. I don't know, was this supposed to be ironic?

As everything winds down and the battle is won, there's a pretty near piece of dialogue. I can't remember who says it, though I think it's Ronin, but someone says: "Let's get out of here before Osborn and his Avengers show up!". To which Steve says: "Wait...Norman Osborn has Avengers?!".

I thought that was kinda cool, because the idea of waking up from a coma or whatever has always fascinated me. The idea of having to re-learn SO much knowledge, depending on how long you've been gone. So, I can only imagine what it's like for Steve to come back and discover that a madman has his own version of The Avengers.

The bit that got me angry was the ending. Steve is out on a balcony, pondering things and musing over the experience he had as Sharon comes out and asks him if he is going to join the party downstairs. He tells her she looks beautiful and asks her to stay with him for a bit, so that he can enjoy this moment while it lasts.

End.

Really? I loyally stick by your books, Ed Brubaker, and even when this was late I still supported it. THIS is what you postponed the book for? If it's not, why did you? It can't be time contraints because Bendis writes about a million a month. He's never late. EVER. Not to my knowledge. I don't know why you were late with this title, so I won't judge, but this ending isn't good at all. If this was the best you could do with the return of Steve Rogers...I'm not happy.

I recommend Captain America: Reborn to EVERYONE, because maybe if you read it whole, it may lack the lack of impact these last two issues had for me due to their delays. It still is a rather enjoyable story, it just has a very flat end and gave us no further resolution to who Captain America will be on a more permanent basis.

Though, I suppose we won't see who that is until post-Siege. I mean, it's been stated that it's likely Bucky will be the new Cap, which FUCKING RULES. I just want it explicitly said.


Thor #606.

I was so ready for this issue. Oh man.

I'm gonna say right now that this is probably set before Siege, just so the continuity doesn't seem off. If anyone can confirm this, please do.

As #605 ended with Dr. Doom smacking Thor through a wall in his newly erected (Shut up) Asgardian Destroyer armour, so #606 begins. The battle outside of Castle Doom is still raging with the Asgardians and King Balder against Dr. Doom's half-cyborg Asgardians. Seeing Thor get blown through walls and stamped on is not a common thing, so let that be a testament to how nightmarish a concept it is to have Dr. Doom in the Asgardian Destroyer armour. He even goes so far as to block Thor's swing, WITH Mjolnir, and hurls him through the castle wall to the outside.

The fight between these two rages and continually interrupts Thor's intended mission to reclaim Queen Kelda's heart (Literally) and restore her to life. As a result, he instructs Balder to do it. Loki, meanwhile, is still on the scene and is using his magic to keep her alive a little longer. It's a very well written and paced piece of action, with suspense and excitement marrying together in harmony.

Dr. Doom continually taunts Thor until he lashes back in a rage for the very unkind things being said about his beloved race. He repeatedly and brutally begins smashing away at the armour, accompanied by some truly robust artwork, until it is revealed that Dr. Doom has vacated the armour...mysteriously.

Kelda, to the joy of Balder and his men, is revived by the returned heart. She immediately asks if Bill lives again, and upon being told he does not, she says that she has no life, despite her resurrection. As Balder orders all of his men back to Asgard, Thor says that nnot all men are going back, implying himself. Balder respectfully agrees that whilst law is law, they remain steadfast friends and will be there for each other during the coming troubles (Thor was exiled for killing a fellow God. The god was disguised by Loki, though, and was also tricked into attacking).

Dr. Doom is revealed to have been teleported out by Loki, expressing his reluctant concern that he was not teleported sooner. I must say, I'm glad that they didn't go with it being a Doombot. It adds drama to the proceeding and underpins the fact that Dr. Doom does have some fear of Thor.

Thor returns to Broxton, Oklahoma as Jane Foster arrives to see him, but the climactic scenes happen at Asgard.

Loki asks Balder if he is in his good graces, to which he is swiftly rebuffed, only for Balder to say that he is not even in his own good graces. You can just FEEL Loki grinning internally, knowing that this was all it took to get a grip on another piece of Asgard for his own ends. He really is an outstanding villain currently. He saved a life so as to gain even a tad of Balder's trust, and that's all he needs.

The next issue is a Siege tie-in, and I can't WAIT!


The New Avengers #61.

As with Thor #606, I'm sure this is pre-Siege.

Now, a lot is revealed in this issue that I wasn't sure we'd see a return to.

It begins with The Hood speaking to his army of street criminals (With powers, naturall) and informing them that he has been granted powers from Asgardian nord stones, as given to him by Loki. They naturally wonder what the Hell this has to do with them, to which he informs them that he can power them all up. NOW, they're listening.

Bucky and Steve are doing a kind of recon (Seemingly this is the end scene from the Dark Avengers Annual, but I can't be sure and don't see why it would be) when they are accosted by the Living Laser. Bucky opens fire and throws his shield to hardly any effect. The Corruptor - a villain with the power to use chemicals to control people's minds - tells Living Laser to back off and let him handle it.

What follows is a fight between Bucky and The Corruptor. However, Bucky becomes paralysed by his chemicals. The chemicals themselves are so powerful that even telling Bucky what's going on won't provide enough mental power to break the hold. The Corruptor uses him to go after Steve, who is left ducking for cover. Bucky fires at Steve and the bullt ricochets back, hitting The Corrupter and somehow disabling him. I'm still not entirely sure why...it's a muddled scene. The Living Laser stares down Steve and Bucky as the scene ends.

The other scene in this comic that happens to be quite prominent is one between Spidey and Spider-Woman. It's inter-woven with the above scene, actually. They're doing surveillance atop a roof and naturally, Spider-Man starts getting on her nerves a bit, but the dialogue and the dynamic between the characters really is enjoyable, though I expect nothing less from Bendis. Comments like: "Stop talking like a renaissance guy, I hate it.", "It's what I do when I'm bored.", really just add an interesting sense of levity to the situation of staking out Avengers Tower.

Two of The Hood's goons - Mandrill and Griffin - survey the two heroes before setting upon them with a great deal of fury. A fight ensues where by Spider-Man is left dodging and weaving Griffin's attacks, where as Mandrill uses his ability to control women's minds on Spider-Woman. The art on the fights in this comics is REALLY amazing, but then, Stuart Immonen is a beast. REALLY.

As Spidey tries to keep on his toes against Griffin, he is blasted from behind by the under-control Spider-Woman. Very creepily, Mandrill says that before she kills Spidey, she is to tell them where ALL the other members of The New Avengers are.

The issue ends.

It's a fantastic issue and both this AND Thor #606 serve as really nice, effective pieces to describe the anxiety before the storm. Bendis is on point here, as always, and it does nothing but warm me up for Siege and Siege: Embedded...NEXT WEEK!

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That's all I got for you information-hungry coyotes! Though, I hope this review was informative for you in some way, since that's the point.

So, NEXT Thursday will be a very exciting comics day, but between now and then I will be back with another edition of The Mast Looks Back. What will I be reviewing? Come and see!

Until then, peace!

-The Mast

The Mast Looks Back: Vol. 4 (The Death of Superman).

Bang! I'm James Bond! *Blood dribbles down*

I almost forgot to do this on account of the fact that I got SO caught up in ranting about comics, specifically Deadpool, to a friend.

Someone actually came to me today and asked me to recommend them some first comics. It's always an honour when someone you know, even solely online, comes up to you and asks YOUR advice on which comics to spend THEIR money on. It's an honour really, especially in this digital age.

I want to thank everyone who reads and gives feedback, by the way. I got some very helpful feedback from my esteemed friend, Pete, and I'm about to test drive it onto your face. I hope your eyes have seatbelts, because I'm about to take them for the ride of their lives (Not really).

As stated yesterday, this will be the first in my review of DC storylines/trade paperbacks that I really enjoy or that have impacted me in some way. Anyway, on with the review!


The Death of Superman.

Never before has a storyline grabbed as much worldwide attention as this one.

I was only young at the time, but someone I knew who read DC called me and told me Superman was dead. That's not something you ever expect to hear, and even fans of the character since his late '30s creation probably didn't even expect to hear such a thing. I suppose the only one that ever came close was Captain America's death in the aftermath of Civil War, but it was nothing like this.

The art on these issues is truly outstanding and gives Superman the heroic quality that I feel he deserves, but lacks too often for my taste. Visually, at least.

As for the story, it's very simple, yet it captures the mythos and concept of Superman amazingly well. The side of Superman I always loved, but can't tolerate for long periods of time, is rife in this issue. Speaking of issues, I'm not sure what issues this storyline spanned since I don't have them (I know someone who does), but I know it involves numerous Superman titles from 1992. I know Superman was one, Superman: The Man of Steel was another, but any others escape me.

In a nutshell, the first we see of the creature that'll come to be known as Doomsday is a gloved hand punching through a gigantic door; a big, jagged hand with bony, knuckley protrusions (Made up the word knuckley, deal). I don't think it's truly comprehendable just how intimidating this first appearance was. At first, Doomsday was clad in a green cloth, with one hand tied behind his back (As if to say: "No, really. Just watch."), emerging from containment. What follows is arguably the biggest and most impactful destructive spree in a short space of time, ever seen throughout comics.



As he stomps across the country side, killing every living thing he comes across, he begins to draw attention to himself. Resultantly, the Justice League turn up to investigate the damage he caused and eventually they come face to face with this monstrocity. What follows is the pinnacle moment in Doomsday becoming as legendary as he is, because any new villain needs a statement of intent. Green Goblin sort of caused the death of Spider-Man's first love, but Doomsday? He's already killed, so where do you go from there?

Simple, really. You take out the entire Justice League with an arm still tied behind your back.

Despite their best efforts, he gives them all concussions and life-threatening beatings for their troubles. This massacre ends with Doomsday punching Booster Gold (Now, I can barely take a majority of DC heroes seriously as it is, but Booster Gold just looks like a fitness instructor) up into the stratosphere where he is caught by Superman. Booster Gold says: "It's like doomsday is here!", thus the name. By this point, you're still thinking that Superman can take the guy in a fight, you're just unusually impressed and intimidated by the immense power of this thing.

Superman and the Justice League members still capable of movement set off after Doomsday again (One of the heroic moments where Superman serves as a source of hope and inspiration to those around him), finding him near the house of a woman and child. They engage him in battle again with similar results, this time destroying the family's house, leaving them in danger amongst the rubble. Everyone decides to combine their entire powers and blast Doomsday with literally everything they have, and promptly do so.

The only discernable result of this is that a lot of his green body suit and mask is burned off. This is the first time, to my recollection, that his face is revealed. A grey behemoth with bones protruding all over his body and long white hair, even appearing to have jagged bones for teeth and boney constructs protecting his eyes.



The fight goes a very similar way to the previous one, with Doomsday decimating the Justice League and leaping away. Superman follows quickly, having to temporarily ignore the family's cries for help, and hurls Doomsday into the bottom of a lake before returning to help the family.

He emerges from the lake and Superman goes at it with him for a bit, becoming increasingly concerned by this awesome force's power and durability. Doomsday leaves and, for some odd reason, trashes an appliance store. In the process of this, he sees a wrestling show advertising the city of Metropolis. Making matters worse for the unknowing citizens of Superman's adoptive city, he sees a road sign directing him to Metropolis. Can you guess where he wants to go? Nope, not to see the wrestling!

Naturally, this is Superman's limit. He's never gonna let Doomsday lay waste to Metropolis, not on his watch. They engage in a fight again and Doomsday is hurled into a mountain in the opposite direction, while Superman follows. The fight, by this point, is getting REALLY violent. They battle through the living forest and during a break in combat, Doomsday leaps away toward Metropolis...arriving in the city.

Superman and Doomsday begin their final, brutal fist fight.



They battle beneath the ground, destroying power lines and gas pipes, hitting each other so hard that it causes shockwaves that breaks windows. The two remain locked in a titanic battle of last ditch heroism Vs a mindless threat that apparently has no forseeable weaknesses. Punch after punch, blow after blow, they beat each other senseless in one of comicdoms most exciting fights. The art is immense to the point that you can almost FEEL the punches. You can almost hear the thud, the smack of fist on flesh, of blood and sweat being shed in the name of survival as Doomsday gives Superman a beating that still lives on today as a lesson learned.

Superman, battered and bleeding, having finally gotten Doomsday looking a little the worst for wear also, hurls one last almight punch toward Doomsday as he also does the same. With news cameras and Lois Lane herself watching, the two beings strike each other with mortal blows in a collision than completely obliterates the ground beneath them.

Doomsday has been defeated, at last, but at a revealed cost that shocked the worlds of DC and readers alike.

Superman emerges from the dust and rubble, costume in tatters and cape completely ripped off. As Lois approaches him, he collapses and asks if Doomsday is dead, not even being able to complete the question. It's such an unbelievably poignent, iconic and powerful image; this seemingly invincible hero reduced to a bloody mess in the arms of his human loved one as she assures hm of his heroism.



Superman dies (Long story) in her arms and the last shot is of Superman's torn cape hanging from a rebar.

If you ever read a Superman story, if you want one book that successfully sums up a great degree of what Superman is about in a good way, then you need this trade paperback or the issues. It's an utterly essential story, even though it's just a fight. The feeling it leaves you with on the very last pages is what makes the preceding pages worth it. It's a premise that only really completes itself on completion.

Superman's unimaginable and selfless devotion to protecting the race that adopted him as their own is a driving force of heroism for him, especially here. Not ONCE does he show fear of being killed, really. Either he doesn't think he will be, or he doesn't care, and I'm inclined to thin the latter. There is no "Oh, I dunno if I wanna fight this guy." about Superman here. He just sees Metropolis in insane danger and knows he has to stop it. It's not even an issue of debate for him.

The weighty consequence and impending crisis of this issue is a result of one source, and that is Doomsday. Without Doomsday, this book doesn't work. End of story.

If you wanna know about Doomsday, you can click here. There's a lot more to him than is shown in these issues, but he is a truly horrifying and formidable opponent. Designed simply to survive at any cost and kill with as much dedication, incapable of being killed the same way twice; and with strength, durability and speed to scary degrees...this is a real monster.



There are villains, there are supervillains, there are horrifying enemies and then there's Doomsday. Straight out of a nightmare, he's one of the best enemies of all time.

The sad part is, where do you go from there? It's like if God went for a job interview, you know? "What are your goals?", "I'm kind of already the Alpha and Omega; the creator of all things. I can't really say there's a promotion I'm shooting for.". On his debut, Doomsday trashed the Justice League and killed Superman (Technically he didn't, I don't THINK, but more on that later). Where do you go from there? If there's ever a supervillain convention and you have to list your most impressive victory, he's the only dude with Superman on his resume. Add to the fact that he beat him IN A FIGHT. This wasn't some kind of hokey magical battle, it was a brawl and he beat Superman up to the point that he died of his injuries.



Terrifying. As is the entirity of the story.

There is a LOT of aftermath from this event, and that's possibly for another review. If you don't wish to wait, then by all means click here for the DC Database's article on The Reign of the Supermen.

I wanted to kick off my promised coverage of DC with a bang, and no better way to start than with The Death of Superman. It's ALLEGEDLY the best selling trade paperback/graphic novel of all time, so you shouldn't have trouble finding it and that's what you should do.

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Well, that's about all I have for you until Thursday. Thanks for reading and I hope this has been another post that contributes to either time well spent, or an interest in comics. Regardless, if you just enjoy reading these posts, thanks for that also. Don't be afraid to comment with thoughts, minor or major. Even criticism, minor or major. It's all welcomed.

Until next time, peace.

-The Mast

The Mast Blogs: Time Travelling to May & Variation Vs Preference.

Jaws!

I realised today that it's finally 2010 and almost February. That means there are only three months worth of time until May. What's in May? Only my most anticipated movie of the ENTIRE YEAR, Iron Man 2! Idiots. Why would you forget that?

I wish I could time travel to that month, but the build up will be so worth it. If you HAVEN'T seen the trailer, what's wrong with you? Go to Marvel's YouTube channel right now and watch it.

I'm holding all of you to The S.N.M.I. (Smash New Moon Initiative), by the way. Go see Iron Man 2 on the day it comes out, more than once if possible. Let's break the opening day record of New Moon.

Come on, who can seriously say New Moon deserves the record over this:



How are you watching that without being hyped up to the sky? You should be.

Anyway, onto the main post.

I was wracking my brain for ideas of something to fill the gaps between the last edition of Thursday's Comics and the next one. I wasn't really fond of doing ANOTHER music review, so I decided I'd do something that occured to me when someone pointed out to me was that I don't really review many other comics than Marvel.

Thus I will use this stop-gap entry before I post the aforementioned idea tomorrow.

Regarding Marvel Vs DC, or any company for that matter, let me clarify the reason behind the bulk of my reviews being Marvel so, if I ever get notoriety, I'm not seen as a DC/Image/Wildstorm/Dark Horse hater or anything. That's not the case.

I've always preferred the real world-based Marvel comics, and the characters just appeal to me more. It literally goes no further than this. I love Batman's mythos, Superman's mythos and the concept of a few others, but I've just never really enjoyed DC Comics on a regular basis, and the same applies to other companies.



I love Haunt, I really like a lot of the old Spawn stuff, I definitely enjoy Hellboy from time to time, too. It just happens that my main source of enjoyment comes from Marvel. There are independent writers I love; Alan Moore, Daniel Clowes, Frank Miller, Neil Gaiman at times and many others. It's just that most of the stuff I like from them happens to be self-contained stories that are not on-goings, so I can't review them.

Needless to say, I will try to offer up some variation wherever I feel possible. I'm not a regular DC reader, but there is lots I enjoy, so here's what I'm gonna do. Over the coming months I am going to offer up reviews on the storylines in DC that I have enjoyed the most, and then you can all suck it.

The first will be up tomorrow, but this was just a simple post to say that I acknowledge what some could call a lack of variation, and I have been wanting to balance it out ANYWAY. So, everyone wins. Stay tuned and join me! PLEASE!

I'm joking, but really, join me.

Until tomorrow, peace.

-The Mast