NGN FAVORITES: COMIC BOOKS III-CHARACTER COSTUMES

Batman and his Batsuit is my favorite. The reason being that there are too many variations that I really like that they need their own list. Plus, Batman is my top hero so I am being majorly bias here of course haha Keep an eye out for that in the future though. Although I have my favorites, I do like characters who have evolved their looks and costumes over time. Even the best can get stale.

Spider-Man

-A lot of variations nowadays, but it wasn't always like that. There was a time when it was the traditional, a cosmic one which was the same as the regular, but had webbing in the armpits haha And of course the black. Black is my all-time favorite Spider-Man costume, even as a non-symbiote the basic black and white work well in comic books. Followed by the Spider-Man 2099 get-up, and of the newer styles I really like the looks of the Spider-Man Noir and Future Foundation versions.

Cyclops

-Another Marvel character that has had many styles and looks over the years. Only the visor has generally remained the same, with the exception of that "X". My favorite is from the early 90's, with the blue and yellow sans hood. It just looked like what a leader and soldier would wear when I was a kid, and seemed to almost perfectly complement both Jean Grey's and some other X-Men's general uniform pallet at that time as well. Not a fan of them with Cyclops, but if I had to pick from the "hooded" looks, I'd go with the original. His powers were all that separated him from the flock and that "X" visor looks pretty cool to I must admit.

Spawn

-Fellow Canadian Todd McFarlane struck gold when he created Spawn. The mask and eyes, the chains, the cape. Head to toe I like the look of this one. Even when the mask is removed, we get a gross, but great look of Al Simmons after his death. A look that hasn't needed to change really, plus I am not an avid reader so I haven't grown bored with it haha

Catwoman

-It is one of the hardest looks to pull off in the real world. Sorry ladies, but most of the time the ears just don't look right. I can't explain it. Halle Berry's mask doesn't count, as it doesn't look right period. Back to the print, where my favorite Catwoman costume in comic books is in the New 52 era. It just looks like it would actually work, it fits the base of the character (a cat burglar/thief), and isn't too revealing when not drawn that way haha A close second is the purple suit with long black hair hanging out the back of the mask, and black thigh high boots. Just looks great to me. If there is a comic book version of Michelle Pfeiffer's costume, then that would be a definite second but maybe the tops haha

The Joker

-The costume has generally stayed the same, purple suit, but there have been slight variations and other outfits. And his general appearance has evolved over time (face, hair, grin, etc). I can't really pick a top favorite, but the clowns fighting for top spot are...from the 1980's and 90's being when I got into comic books so it holds down in my memory and Joker obsession haha, "Joker" graphic novel, which is a comic version of Ledger. From the New 52 era with the mechanic outfit and "face strapped and stapled back on" look and the "new" look. One was sick in both meanings of the word, the other similar to what we'll see in the upcoming Suicide Squad movie (sans ink....which I like to be honest).

I dawned on me after I was finished that there are two Batman characters in the mix, but that's ok haha I said a separate posting would be for just Batman, and really the people within Gotham have the better looks in DC Comics. But, again I am pretty bias in this case haha

NGN FAVORITES: COMIC BOOKS II-ARTISTS & WRITERS

If we took the greatest artist and the greatest writer. We put them in a room together and asked them to create a masterpiece together. Want to know what they would make? A comic book. Neal Adams had a quote (that I can't remember exactly or find of course) that said the same thing. And it is true. With equal showing of each persons ability, a comic book would be exactly that. In the comic book world, generally speaking, the artist gets the credit for great comic books. It is the art that draws (no intended pun, but meh) people in, and the stories are what keeps them coming back. Although I must admit, artwork that isn't of my own preference can severely take away from a story. I've seen perfect "wordless" comic books, that told the story without them, but even then somebody had to write a story for the artist to follow. The true under valued are the inkers, colorists, and letterers haha

Writers

• Scott Snyder
• Todd McFarlane
• Fabian Nicieza
• Geoff Johns
• Alan Moore
• Frank Miller

Loved Snyder's run on Batman in the New 52 era, on all levels really. Character portrayals, revamped origins, all of the story arcs from Court Of Owls to Zero Year, and all in between and beyond. Only got a taste of Spawn, but I liked it and of course credit goes to fellow Canadian (just found that out haha), Todd McFarlane. Fabian was part of my my childhood with his work on X-Men. Although he overdoes them, Geoff Johns has created a Green Lantern, and now Justice League world that was...is?....New 52 Green Lantern and Justice League was good reads haha Moore and Miller are almost mandatory in some circles haha Watchmen, Swamp Thing, The Dark Knight Rises, Sin City, 300, the list goes on.

Artists

• Adam Kubert
• Andy Kubert
• Alex Ross
• Greg Capullo
• Todd McFarlane
• Jim Lee

I've mentioned in previous postings about having no Batman, then finding Marvel Comics and loving their universe, most notably the X-Men. That is how the Kubert brothers make their way in, and stay even today. Ironically there is some Kubert material in what I returned to, Batman. Alex Ross' work is flawless, I just wished his style would include all the looks and not just the classics. Capullo on Spawn and of course Batman during the New 52. Jim Lee and fellow Canuck, Todd McFarlane have actually gotten even better than when I was a young kid reading Marvel and the seeing the launching of Image and WildStorm.

No shocker that this is another ever evolving list. But, these will always remain in at least a Top 50 or 100 situation. Sometimes the era and the technology impacted and hindered some peoples art abilities. And of course censorship may have held both writers and artists back from unleashing their true talents.

NGN FAVORITES: COMIC BOOKS

What happens to be the Non-Geeky Nerds' favorite comic book and characters? Well, I am glad you asked haha It doesn't really vary from what I assume to be either a general fans or a fanboys. A matter of opinion I guess. I don't really care, as I like what I like. So here it all it...

Fav Comic Books As A Kid

• Batman
• Detective Comics
• X-Men
• Uncanny X-Men
• X-Force
• X-Factor
• The Amazing Spider-Man
• Spider-Man
• The Spectacular Spider-Man
• Web Of Spider-Man

I had a couple other comic books, but it was Batman (1989) that got me to really take a look at them. Startd with just Batman, then I moved to the east coast. Where I lived, there wasn't any Batman on the shelves at the stores, so I got into Marvel. Mainly X-Men, but I did like my exposure to Spider-Man and company as well. A friend I had at the time, was able to get his hands on Batman titles though, so I didn't completely miss out on Knightfall. Which I went on to later collect (single issues) as an adult.

Fav Comic Book Characters As A Kid

• Batman/Bruce Wayne
• The Joker
• Bane
• Wolverine
• Cable
• Havok
• Gambit
• Bishop
• Spider-Man
• Venom

Like I said, it started with Batman and his rogues gallery. Like most, The Joker stood out to me. But, so did KBGBeast for some reason, but beyond a cover I don't remember that much. But, then I discovered Marvel. Like most, I gravitated towards Wolverine. Hard to avoid, being Canadian and all. Bishop had the sickest mullet haha Venom was another obvious, but Carnage could have/should have been included, but left him off because I hadn't read much about him beyond Maximum Carnage. Bane broke the bat. 'Nuff said.

Then, unlike other things there is a gap for my teen years. Moved back to central Canada but, where I was at least, there wasn't even any comic books for sale at the stores. There was a comic book shop for a very brief period, but that was mainly back issues. I kept drawing, watching movies, but beyond that comic books disappeared from my life for a period.

Fav Comic Books As An Adult

• Batman
• Detective Comics
• Justice League
• Green Lantern
• Harley Quinn
• Red Lanterns
• Batman Inc.
• Robin: Son Of Batman
• Batgirl
• Catwoman

Fav Comic Book Characters As An Adult

• Batman/Bruce Wayne
• Robin/Damian Wayne
• The Joker
• Harley Quinn
• Two-Face
• Catwoman
• Poison Ivy
• Bane
• Scarecrow
• The Riddler

As you can see, it is Batman through and through, well I njoy The Joker and other villains the most, but you get it. I even named my youngest after Harley Quinn to emphasize the point haha I actually enjoyed the New 52, unlike many, but I used it to get back into and my oldest starting into comic books. Plus, I really liked some of the revamps of Bat-villain backstories. Made them updated, but still "work" and not annihilate the characters.

COMIC BOOK VIDEO GAMES: STILL WAITING

It is the age of the comic book nerd in entertainment right now. Television has been had a jump in number of comic book shows that are on with Arrow, The Flash, The Walking Dead, Marvel's Agents Of SHIELD, Daredevil, quite a few others and more in the works. Movies always had a comic book presence, just not at the rate we have seen the last decade. And DC Comics is just now truly adding to the mix so combined with everything Marvel is putting out, there is a lot of movies.

You would think that video games would also be right up there in terms of quantity. Quality is improving with each passing console I must add, but there needs to be an increase in numbers for sure.It is hard to believe that with the success of the Batman: Arkham franchise, DC Comics didn't jump at expanding its empire within the video game world. Same can be said with Marvel, who of the two tends to be the merchandising machine, but not the case here. Not that anyone is asking for games that are basically video game versions of the movies, but something based on them. Spider-Man 1-3 did this early with free-roaming capabilities and only similarities with the movies. Everything else was almost its own video game universe loaded with comic book universe references. Why not do this with The Avengers universe that has unfolded? Either a collective or individual games. There are so many characters within both DC and Marvel's worlds that would almost work instantly in the styling of Batman: Arkham franchise. Green Arrow, The Flash from top of my head for DC Comics if we are eliminating flying capabilities. The Punisher, Spider-Man, and Deadpool for Marvel. Deadpool was recently re-released on PS4 (picture was a happy accident that was left as is haha), but it was an older PS3 game, and some upgrades would make for an epic game. Visually and story line. Add Ryan Reynolds as the voice. Might be gold.

I am sure there is a valid reason for the lack of presence by comic books in the video game market. Or perhaps they are in the works given the success in other fields. I am itching for something, given that I haven't come across anything saying there will be more Batman games with Batman: Arkham Knight being the final chapter of the Arkham franchise. Would love to see perhaps a villain version. The Joker and others. Just saying.