DMZ v7: #36

The Island: Chapter Two
by Brian Wood (writer) and Kristian Donaldson (artist)

The world is a very gray place. The world the DMZ exists within is no exception. Rules aren't gray, they are black and white; and yet they are needed and necessary. They can and should embody the safeguards needed to prevent society from turning on itself.

This two-part story is about what happens and what can happen when individuals selectively follow the rules. That's one perspective. Another perspective might be that it is about how one bad apple, in charge, exercising poor judgement can turn an ideal situation into a nightmare, peace into war.

Leaders have to be held to a higher standard. They deserve some consideration in exchange for the demands put upon them but they should not be revered or respected to an extreme extent. They are human and if they cross the line then they may need to be relieved of command, one way or another.

This two-parter isn't perfect. It ends a bit abruptly but I like it, probably because of the prominent way the military figures into the story and the way that it is portrayed.

DMZ is published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics.

DMZ v7: #35

The Island: Chapter One
by Brian Wood (writer) and Kristian Donaldson (artist)

Matty makes a trip to Staten Island where things aren't exactly the same as they are in Manhattan. Federal and Free State troops mingle instead of trading bullets. The cease fire seems mutually beneficial to all but how long can it last? How long until one side or the other seeks to take advantage?

As rough around the edges as regular artist Ricardo Burchielli art can be it is still jarring to read a DMZ story drawn by someone else. Kristian Donaldson's pages have blockier, more cartoony look to them. I could get used it if he was the regular artist but it definitely wouldn't be the same.

DMZ is published by Vertigo, an imprint of DC Comics.

Fear Agent v1: #4

Re-Ignition: Chapter 4 (of 4)
by Rick Remender (writer), Tony Moore and Jerome Opena (pencils), Lee Loughridge (colors)

What an ending! Seems conclusive, except for the fact that it isn't. There are several more trades of Fear Agent. This cannot be the end of the line for Heath Houston.

There was a considerable amount of exposition in this issue. The final pages packed some punch but the first half dragged. It was all set up for Heath's final battle with the cyborg overlord, which ended rather suddenly. There was no afterword or neat bow with which to wrap up the story.

Fear Agent is a science-fiction adventure story.

CGSSS 2011:2c

Comic Geek Speak Super Show 2011
Apr 30 & May 1
Reading, PA

comic geek speak, super show, conventions

Part 2c - Pluses, Minuses, Observations

I would like to be able to say that everything went smooth as butter at Super Show, but it didn't. Please keep in mind that this is my opinion. I don't pretend to speak for the majority of attendees.

Plus

- the show was bigger, there were more creators present than there was in 2010

- my overall feeling was that the show was much more professionally run than in 2010

- meeting podcasters, artists, and people from the comic forums and 11 O'clock Comics forums

- the sketch-off panel, even though I wasn't sitting close enough to the front to see all the sketches clearly

- going to Third & Spruce on Friday night

- the original art I purchased, the quality was much higher than I thought it would be and the cost was much lower than I thought it would be

- food at the show, specifically the hot dogs and sausages, just what I needed at just very reasonable prices

- breakfast at Take Two Bagels on Saturday morning; two bagels toasted with butter and a pint of juice for $5

- selling some of my old duplicate trading cards to Raph Soohoo

- Shoefly Pie @ the Dutchy Digest Booth


Minus

- the men's bathroom closest to the show floor got flooded when a pipe started leaking. This makes two years in a row that there have been problems with the men's room.

- staying late at Third & Spruce on Saturday night; the karaoke and live bands weren't as fun and exciting as I hoped they would be

- Take Two Bagels was closed on Sunday morning due to "vandalism" so I had breakfast at the Days Inn on Sunday morning; it was a serviceable meal but not a good one

- the smell near the Days Inn, and in the area surrounding the exit off route 222

- the one artist who promised me a head sketch but didn't deliver; I e-mailed him before the show but I didn't hear back from him; when I stopped by his table on Saturday he said that he never got the e-mail but that he would do it for me; I returned on Sunday afternoon but he hadn't got around to it and it was too late for him to get it done; he suggested that I e-mail him and he would do it and send it to me, I thought about making a sarcastic comment but instead just smiled, thanked him and walked away


Observations:

- there were more creators than last year but it is unclear whether there were more attendees or what level of business was transacted, sales-wise and also what the mix was of sales (books, art, other)

- the Tim (Truman) and Tony (Moore) panel wasn't as well attended as I thought it would be, certainly not as well attended as the Meet the Simonsons panel last year

- the panel room was easy to miss, I had to ask someone where it was, there were signs but they didn't really stand out

OK, that's it. Loved the show, had lots of fun, can't wait for the 2012 edition but in the meanwhile I'm gonna focus my time on reading comics and other shows/conventions.

Next show: Heroes Con (Jun 3-5)

CGSSS 2011:2b

Comic Geek Speak Super Show 2011
Apr 30 & May 1
Reading, PA

Part 2b - Meals


Food is an important part of my life. Here's a list of the places I ate when I was in and near Reading.

FRI
Lunch - Isaac's Deli - Centreville, PA - Finch (a kind of turkey reuben)
Dinner - Third & Spruce - West Reading, PA - Turkey Club

SAT
Breakfast - two bagels (cranberry walnut, onion) toasted with butter, juice - Take Two Bagels - Wyomissing, PA
Lunch - hot dog - Super Show Snack Bar - Reading, PA
Dinner - crabcake sandwich - Third & Spruce - West Reading, PA

SUN
Breakfast - toasted bagel with butter, apple - Days Inn - Wyomissing, PA
Lunch - 2 sausages - Super Show Snack Bar - Reading, PA

Fear Agent v1: #3

Re-Ignition: Chapter 3 (of 4)
by Rick Remender (writer), Tony Moore (pencils), Lee Loughridge (colors)

What a fun ride! This issue is more or less non-stop action. The setting and circumstances keep changing leaving the reader feeling a lot like Heath and Mara must. Too much is going on for there to be time for Q&A. Lots of information but very little in the way of resolution. Wild rides, like this one, can get a bit repetitive and monotonous if there's nothing but action, but the witty banter and jokes help to keep the story entertaining. It's clear that Rick Remender and Tony Moore know how to tell a story.

Fear Agent is a science-fiction adventure story.

CGSSS 2011:2a

Comic Geek Speak Super Show 2011
Apr 30 & May 1
Reading, PA

Part 2a - Schedule

I would love to write all about how I spent my time at Super Show but that ain't gonna happen. Here's a rough schedule of what I did and where I went. If I can find the time I might (in the near future) flesh out some of these blocks of time with some details.

Schedule

FRI, APR 29
13:30 Left Takoma Park, MD by car
16:30 Arrived in Reading, PA
19:00 Pre-Show Party at Third & Spruce
23:00 Returned to the Days Inn

SAT, APR 30
07:30 Breakfast at Take Two Bagels
10:00 Super Show opens
18:00 Left Super Show, headed back to the Days Inn
19:00 Party at Third & Spruce (including performances by Kirby Crackle, SuperUgly, and H2Awesome)
23:45 Returned to the Days Inn

SUN, MAY 1
08:30 Breakfast at the Days Inn
09:30 Checked Out of the Days Inn
10:00 Super Show opens
16:40 Left Super Show and Reading, PA
19:20 Arrived back in Takoma Park, MD

CGSSS 2011:1d

Comic Geek Speak Super Show 2011
Apr 30 & May 1
Reading, PA

Part 1d: Loot: Art 3

- Deathlok Archie by Andy Jewett


- Phantom Lady by Martheus Wade


- Metamorpho by Dave Wachter

CGSSS 2011:1c

Comic Geek Speak Super Show 2011
Apr 30 & May 1
Reading, PA

Part 1c: Loot: Art 2

I am very happy with the treasure trove of art that I brought home from the show. I can't single out any one piece as my favorite. They were all very reasonably priced.

- Firestorm by Fred Chao


- Vera Lynn Black by Fred Chao


- Dr. Strange by Julian Lytle

CGSSS 2011:1b

Comic Geek Speak Super Show 2011
Apr 30 & May 1
Reading, PA

Part 1b: Loot: Art 1

- Punk Storm by Erica Hesse


- Ego, the Living Planet by SuperUgly


- Demon in an Egg Shell by Dave Dwonch

CGSSS 2011:1a

Comic Geek Speak Super Show 2011
Apr 30 & May 1
Reading, PA

Part 1a: Loot: Books

I was very good and for the most part restrained myself from buying books at Super Show. I already have far too many sitting around my apartment that I have yet to read. That said, I didn't abstain completely from my book-buying ways and here's what I got:

- Back in the Day by Dave Dwonch and Daniel J. Logan - a graphic novel, written by one of the Geek Savants

- The Mice Templar: Destiny (Part One) by Brian J.L. Glass, Michael Avon Oeming, and Victor Santos - this is the first part of act 2 (of 4). I bought act 1 which was shorter, last year at CGSSS. Once again I bought the book directly from the writer, Brian JL Glass, and took some time to ask him some questions about the series and tell him what worked for me in the first act.

- Identity Crisis #1-7 - 2004 DC Comics mini-series that I've been meaning to read for years but never have. It was one of many door prizes that were given away on the first day of the show. Of all the door prizes it was probably the best one for me to win. I was so pleased with it that I didn't even bother to attend the door prize drawing on the second day.

- Dutchy Digest #5 - I couldn't resist getting another issue of Dutchy Digest. I bought my first issue last year at CGSSS. It only cost $1, the guys who produce it are very nice, and they had free shoofly pie at their table.