Showing posts with label X-Men. Show all posts
Showing posts with label X-Men. Show all posts

Wednesday, April 13, 2016

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.

Monday, April 11, 2016

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.



Thursday, February 25, 2016

TRYING TO BLOG

I keep approaching this as if it is an article and not a blog entry. Reason being is I did attempt to make a mini-site combining various blog pages (can find it HERE). The only real difference the replacing "we" with "I". So, since that is how I am supposed to do this part, so be it haha

Not sure what to really write about, often wondering why since majority of todays nerds n geeks use podcasts to get their opinions and thoughts out there. Well, in terms of skills, I rank much higher in written than verbal. Plus, depression is a real biatch and just don't feel like it. Depression, now there is a topic I've never had to discuss in regards to my "nerdism". Usually I am able to use comic books, tv shows, movies, and video games to get out the funk/rut. Not the case as of late. This bout has been something new for me. Quit my job, which is fine except I didn't wait to have another lined up to replace it. To make it worse, I actually planned on growing within the company. But, it just became too much with non-work bullshit mixing in with work bullshit. Only positives are that I was immediately happier, still depressed but better. I no longer had to pick up the slack because of piss poor hiring choices by weak management. Why would I want to be "mentored" by them when I only respect 3 out of 10-11 of them. I liked more than that, but only respected few. Almost made it out onto the sales floor, but couldn't hold on passed the agreed 3 week mark. And when someone wants out of an area, what moron gives them even more shifts than normal in that area? Ah well, I am rambling about none important stuff and  life goes on. Another job will come about. Has to, "Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice" comes out in a month. Need money to go see that with my woman and oldest daughter. Who I absolutely must take, as she wasn't old enough to join for "Deadpool". Which is okay by me, as some scenes would have been awkward watching beside my kid haha

There are quite a few movies coming out for my comic book family to watch this year. Some will be in theaters, but some will also be a "wait for it on Blu-Ray" viewing. Will definitely be going to see "Suicide Squad" in theaters. Big Mr. J fan and have been waiting since "The Dark Knight" for his character to return to the big screen. And of course to see, Harley Quinn making her live action movie debut. Margot Robbie looks and sounds great to me. Hot to be honest, which makes for another awkward thing for me as I named my youngest Harleigh Quinn (fem version and looks prettier). And anytime I point to a picture or clip of Harley Quinn (any version) and ask who that is she replies, "That's Me!" haha
On the fence about going to see on the big screen is "Captain America: Civil War". Looks amazing, but not really a fan of going to the movies. Loud people talking and eating. Kids. Bad seating. Crowded. On a good day it isn't like this though and I do enjoy things until I have to pee and don't want to miss anything haha
Might make a date night out of seeing "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles". May only be because of the cartoon and movies, but it is one of the few comic book things she actually likes on her own haha
Everything else coming out like "X-Men: Apocalypse", "Gambit", and "Dr. Strange" will be viewed a la Blu-Ray whenever they come out. Don't have much hope for X-Men universe, except for "Deadpool" (obviously) so in no rush to see any of them.

Then it will be a wait for 2017 kind of thing with "Justice League Part 1", "Wonder Woman", and "Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2" coming out. God I hope "Batman V Superman: Dawn Of Justice" is as good as I hope.
Fantastic 4 2? This got a green light? hahahahaha