Recommended Reading: Guardians of the Galaxy

I have to admit, I originally passed this title up, as some of Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning's stories just don't do it for me. I kept reading reviews for the book, and a couple friends kept suggesting I pick it up. This weekend I went out and bought issues 1-5. I read them straight through. The book is awesome. One major thing it has going for it is the pencils by Paul Pelletier. I am really happy to see Paul on a monthly title again. i have been a fan of his art for years. I have some Titans original artwork by him. Anyways, DNA (Dan and Andy's nickname) have weaved a story featuring Adam Warlock, Drax the Destroyer, Gamora, Phyla-Vell (the new Quasar), Rocket Raccoon, Groot, Star-Lord, Mantis and a talking dog named Cosmo that I just can't get enough of. I read the original Guardians of the Galaxy a few years ago, and there is one character that shows up in this new volume from the old book, Vance Astro, who actually names this new team. Anyways, if you are looking for a good comic to pick up, check out Guardians of the Galaxy.

Comics Shipping this week.

I should have a pretty big batch of stuff shipping to me this week, possibly next. I get my comics once a month, to save on shipping costs. Sometime's it is rough waiting LOL. This week there aren't many books scheduled to ship, but here are a few that I think are going to be awesome:

Captain America 42: Brubaker is a genuis. I have been a Cap fan for years, but the character has gone through some odd storylines over the past 15 or so years, so I haven't followed it religiously. When Brubaker took over the book I haven't missed an issue since. This issue marks the conclusion of 'The Death of Captain America". I have enjoyed seeing Bucky become Captain America. Sure, it isn't the same as having Steve Rogers in the uniform, but it is a different uniform. Hopefully anyone who is reading this has read the issues that way I don't spoil anything. Sharon being pregnant with Steve's baby. Sharon being brainwashed to be an agent of the Red Skull. Syn and Crossbones making a mess of things. I have never really cared for the Falcon though. No offense. I am really curious to see how everything gets tied together here.

The artwork on the series has been superb as well.

Daredevil 111. Okay, I have to admit it. Several months ago, I dropped Daredevil because I was buying too many books. As much as I love Brubaker's writing, it seemed like the stories were being rehashed or dragged on too long, I was getting bored. This month though is really making me reconsider, with the introduction to a new villian, Lady Bullseye. I haven't added it to my list, but I may make the trek to a local shop to snag this.

Deadpool 2. I haven't received my copy of #1 yet, but the last few years I have enjoyed what Marvel has done with the character. I am going to give the book about half a dozen issues and decide what to do from there. I may have to drop a few titles to make room for this and Daredevil.

Golly 2. I really enjoyed the first issue of this title, written by Phil Hester and art by Brook Turner. It is very different than anything I have read before, and that is very refreshing.

Wildcats 3. I am sort of torn about this version of Wildcats. I have been a big fan of Majestic tghe last few years, as I came across the tpbs from his solo series. In the aftermath of the 'Apocalypse' Majestros seems to be a crazed dictator. That doesn't exactly thrill me, but I trust Christos Gage to work things out. Neil Googe's artwork is really growing on me.

There are a few other titles on my pull list for this week, but those mentioned above are what i am really looking forward to. I should also be getting a couple tpbs, Invasion! and Millennium. I missed out on these as a kid when they were originally released, so I am hoping they'll be enjoyable.

On a side note, my dan Brereton Wonder Girl arrived today, and it is gorgeous!

Jim Cheung is freaking awesome

My friend Jimmy picked this beauty up for me earlier this year. I had exchanged several emails with Jim Cheung prior to the show. I am a really big fan of his work and i don't make it to many conventions. Jim said he would be happy to put me at the top of his list for the show. I had a hard time deciding who to go with, but every time I see a Ms.Marvel he draws...dang. So, I went with Carol. On a side note, our cable,phone, and internet are still out, due to weather as a result of Hurricane Ike. I am at Panera right now, hoping my laptop is charged enough for me to get everything I need to get done. All the outlets here are being used by other people. Oh well.

Thanks Jimmy for picking up this commission for me. :-)

Art that my wife bought me

Okay. Yes, i should be working. I just don't feel like it though. LOL. I thought I'd share a couple pieces that my wife has bought for me for my last 2 birthdays. In 2007 she had a friend pick up a Power Girl and Mary Marvel commission by Kevin Maguire. I have always loved the comedy that Maguire is capable of showing in his art.

This next piece is a cover 'reinterpretation' she bought for me from Greg Laroque. I always loved the original cover from Flash 59, but I prefer Power Girl's look with the hair and costume he used in the recreation. Below is the original and the commission. Man, I have a great wife. :-) Just wanted to brag a little.

Yeah, another blog...

Well, I figured my other blog should be dedicated to my 'journey' and this could be about everything else. Let's see. I read comics and buy comic art and commissions. I probably watch too many movies, too. Oh well.
I think I am going to start this off with a positive note. I have been kind of bummed as I have been waiting a long time for some commissions (1-3 years) but my most recent purchase Took only about 2 weeks. I am talking about the beautiful piece below, a Wonder Girl painting by the incredibly talented Dan Brereton. Dan is an amazing artist. i was first turned on to his art by the book Thrillkiller several years back. I have been buying art for about 10 years. I used to buy a lot of cheaper commissions and pages, but this last year I decided to change that, and limit what I buy. This way I can afford nicer pieces that I will want to hold on to longer. I think this painting by Dan is one of my favorite pieces in my collection. I should have it in hand within a week or two.





I have a few commissions I am waiting on. The artists I am waiting on are: Norm Breyfogle, Ivan Reis, Kirk Lindo, and Dennis Willman. I bought a commission from Dennis on ebay 7 months ago, and I have a feeling I got shafted there. He sent me a scan a few months ago and haven't heard from him since. Luckily it wasn't really expensive.

I buy most of my comics online. It is much cheaper, and there are very few shops near me. These are currently the titles I buy:
All New Booster Gold
Final Crisis
Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds
Green Lantern
Green Lantern Corps
Justice League of America
Justice Society of America
Nightwing
Robin
Secret Six
Stormwatch PHD
Supergirl
Legion of Super-Heroes
Teen Titans
Titans
Authority
Wildcats
Necessary Evil
Odd Squad
Painkiller Jane
The Boys
Epilogue
Welcome To Hoxford
Dynamo 5
Gemini
Golly!
Amazing Spider-Man
Captain America
Deadpool
Immortal Iron Fist
Mighty Avengers
New Avengers
Nova
Secret Invasion
Thor
X-Factor


A few of those might be dropped in the near future if they don't make some changes. I'll be giving some thoughts on some of those titles in the coming days/weeks as I have time. Seeing as how I am at work right now, I had better get busy...

If anyone comes across this and reads it, feel free to comment.