Episode 5

...It's been way too long.  I feel terrible about not making time to update in over two weeks, but I am back, and can hopefully put together a nice streak.

Life has been a bit nuts as of late, a few weeks ago we had our first scare with our daughter, that she might be sick.  It turns out we were just doing what first time parents do, overreact.  In the past two weeks, Aquagirl has been seemingly growing so much, and learning new things daily.  I really could go on and on about how awesome she is, and how much fun it is being a dad, especially hers.  Even on the days that she is fussy, or the nights she gets up super early, I still feel an amazing sense of pride and joy.  It is something you can't understand until you are in that situation.

In other news, my job has been hectic as well.  Getting out late prevents trips to the LCS, and leaves one unfortunately too drained to really do anything.  As I hinted about above, my mornings are pretty much spent hanging out with the little one.  Mommy and I spend time together at night.  It may be weird to some, but most nights we end up just talking, a lot of times about the same stuff, but after ten years we still enjoy each other's company above all.  I also think that we are finally going to get some normalcy back into our lives.  I think Aquamom would be better classified as Supermom some days, and I think those days are going to be more frequent as time goes on.

My pulls from two weeks ago did not disappoint, all the books I got were top notch. 

Unfortunately, I forgot to add The Fade Out to my pull list and wasn't able to get it at my normal store.  A week later, I did however find it elsewhere.  I kind of felt bad but ended up getting something that made up for it. 

In addition to the above book, I got the original cover for Grayson #6 (my LCS pulled the Flash variant for me).

I also happened upon a TPB of another Image comic that caught my attention.

I liked this authors work on Nightwing, and the premise of this story caught my eye.  A group of heroes, unionized in Chicago, in the '60's.  Superheroes and noir, two of my favorite things.  I am hoping that I enjoy this story as it definitely seems like something I would like.

That is however all the time we have for today, I hope to provide some brief commentary on the Grayson issue, and will go into some C.O.W.L, once I get the chance to dive in.

Until next time, continue to enjoy your families, and your comics!

Episode 4

...Long day yesterday so I didn't get much time to update and provide previews proper, so with the rest of the family sleeping in I will do a quick pull list preview...


Action Comics #38
Clark is home in Smallville during the rebuild from the last arc's destruction when a new entity shows up.  Just picked this book up at the beginning of the new story line.  Hoping that the book keeps up with its current quality as its counterpart, Superman, has been on point since Johns and JRJ took over.
Aquaman and the Others #9
Still sad to hear that this book's run is coming to an end shortly.  Although it isn't a great book, it is more Aquaman and that can't be bad.  Anyways, we should be learning more about the past relationship between the Operative and one of the Soldier's platoon mates.  Also curious to see the play out between the Others and the Russian themed super group that is threatening.
Detective Comics #38
The villain Anarky is present in Gotham and doing his best to incite chaos, as he believes this will, in a way, bring order.  Excited to see this story line furthered, as I really appreciate these types of Batman stories that are a bit more grounded and focus on his skills as a crime solver.
The Fade Out #4
Not too much here, as I have yet to read the first three issues (I know, I know, but sometimes you want to be able to enjoy something with peace that you can make it straight through).  I really want this book to turn out as good as all the things I've been hearing.  This type of noir really goes right up my alley.  I will be sure to review the entire series once finished.

Finally, hoping for a better, warmer day (although I may be about 5 months out from what I consider warmth).  Hoping to make it to my LCS before they close.  And wishing that I get more great update pictures from my wife with our little girl inside, they make even bad days a little brighter and cold ones a little warmer!

Until next time...

Episode 3

So, here we are on Monday night, however it wasn't such a bad day, considering it was the first sort of normal day in a few weeks.  The only really bad part was not feeling quite up to par, not bad, just not good.  It seems as though everyone I know is sick or has been sick recently and I think I'm holding off pretty well.  Now to the meat and potatoes since I know my daily well-being is not nearly as exciting as other things.

Weekend Update
Nothing too eventful happened, more or less spent the day touching up some loose ends around the house and trying to relax (which is a foreign concept to parents). Aquagirl was pretty good Saturday and went to be especially early and slept pretty long, giving mommy and I a bit of a break, or as much of one as can be had.  We did however make up for it yesterday, as at times she was fussy and couldn't make up her mind.  I guess that comes with the territory of parenting small children.  In addition to normal behavior, we think she is teething and has a bit of a cold, thankfully nothing severe.  Additionally, neither myself nor Aquamom has felt terrific as of late so that only makes things a bit more frustrating.  

To finish on a more positive note, we are beginning to explore some small business ideas, nothing revolutionary just a little on the side.  Our little one is also growing more curious and seemingly discovers something new each day.  As frustrating as things can be at times it is awesome seeing her grow.

With the extra free time I got to more formally organize my small yet growing collection. and got to finish reading issues 2 and 3 of Scott Snyder and Jock's Wytches, very good so far if you get the chance to read it.

Stay tuned for some thoughts on Wytches and Batman R.I.P., which I finished tonight...

Issues 2 and 3 continue the story of Sailor, a teen aged girl who is new to town and seemingly an outcast.  Her family moved to escape some controversies they had in their former setting.  The troubles are not behind them though, as they have followed them to their new dwellings.  At the conclusion to issue 3, the strange happenings begin to affect her dad, as he has his own encounter, and is now beginning to question all the recent strange events.

This is something I normally wouldn't have considered reading, however, after reading good reviews and positive feedback I decided to pick it up.  Snyder describes in the epilogue of issue 1 how the idea came about, a very personal revelation.  This series has the feeling of some old school horror creepiness, not my normal genre of entertainment, but with the quality of the writing, and the interesting art details I am hooked.  Hopefully the 4th issue, due out later this month, will be equally as good as the first three installments.

This collected edition of a few later issues of Batman before the New 52 reboot was overall solid.  Written by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Tony S. Daniel, there is a lot to enjoy about this book.  Admittedly, I have a soft spot for Daniel, as he wrote and drew the first issue of Detective Comics, the first comic I ever really read.  He may not be the best writer, as most are quick to point out, but all of his art I find to be pretty top notch.  

Back to this story now. What I believe is happening, is that while encountering a new group of rogues, collectively titled the Black Glove, Batman must go beyond his normal capabilities.  There are parts that have him exploring deep meditation and even trance like sedation to further his understanding of crime, and ultimately what needs to be done to fight it.  Ultimately, Batman triumphs and overcomes the treacherous villains, sorry if you hadn't read it, but what else did you think was going to happen?

My main issue is the writing of Grant Morrison, I do think he is a very skilled writer, I don't think he tells a good story though.  I had the same issues with his run on Action Comics in the New 52.  He seems to start out with an idea, and goes walking down that path, he then seemingly takes all the detours he can, which does drive stories, to get to the other side.  My intent is not to tear the man down, I just prefer others to him, I like my twists a bit more mired in realism.  I do however hold out hope for the recently acquired All Star Superman I got is more of a grounded story as I was led to believe.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed these two very brief commentaries.  Leave comments, or reach out via any of the methods listed in my contacts tab.  I would love to discourse on any of the subjects I talk about, whether you agree or not, also any advice is greatly appreciated.  

Join us next time as we will preview Wednesday's pull list, and provide any updates possible regarding anything worth updating...

...until then, fatherhood awaits, as do several unread comics.  

Episode 2

As promised...

All the packaging done by Midtown was top notch, and I know because I work for a packaging company, they actually bought this box from the company I work for.

I got the three Trade Paper Backs on top, and two issues of Image Comics' The Fade Out in addition to 50 self sealing bags and boards.

I heard about this series a few months ago on Comic Book Resources, CBR.com.  An old Hollywood crime drama, right up my alley.  As I mentioned in Episode 1, my LCS only had the second issue, but Midtown had issues 1 and 3 which allowed me to get up to date on this series.

This is the first collected volume of the year long weekly Bat-book event.  They were already pretty far in by the time I decided to purchase print comics.  Lucky for me DC decided to put out a collected edition.  It collects 21 issues so it may take me awhile to get through, but I look forward to it none the less.

Since I began reading comics, I have always tried to find a Superman story that wasn't too over the top.  It's not that I don't like those stories, I just wanted to read a more grounded, no pun intended, story.  Everywhere I looked, this one was raved about.  I haven't been the biggest fan of the author, Grant Morrison, but I think that I may have found something of his to connect to.

All Star Western was a title that was recommended to me by a local shop owner set up at a local comic con.  He told me that the book, even though told through the main character of Jonah Hex, focused on Gotham city in its infancy.  He was right, and the first TPB I got was a lot of fun, similar to Indiana Jones and a Clint Eastwood movie.  This volume 2 picks up where the first left off, and ties into an early New 52 event which introduced The Court of Owls.  

Now that I previewed these books, I will have to do a more formal review, nothing too extensive though.  Wouldn't it be awesome to do something like that for a living?  Since I don't, I will have to juggle these into an already seemingly heavy schedule and on top of that prefer to read in the morning.

...Oh, what's that, as I began to upload the pictures for this post, my little one woke up.  I feel bad because she has been either teething or a little under the weather for a few days now.  Her discomfort breaks my heart, and I feel for my wife who is lucky enough to stay home with her but must juggle her moods.

That is what family is all about though, caring for each other and doing what is necessary for the whole.  We are very blessed here and I try not to take it for granted, not only do I have a terrific little thing going, I have a neat hobby to occupy what little free time I have.    

Stay tuned for the next episode to find out what happens next, or just to see if I opened these books.  Until then, I'm off...

Episode 1

So....here we go!

It is January 2nd, and I had hoped to be posting this yesterday, you know, new year new blog. However, between my daughter Aquagirl being a bit fussy and my wife who I guess has to be Aquamom being creative, we got pushed out a day.  

Anyways, I didn't have any pull list comics to pick up this week.  Today was also a bit of an odd day, having been off of work yesterday and only going back today before the weekend.  I do have a back-up plan that has accidentally worked out.  

Some back story, I have only been involved with print comics for a few months, right about the time I bought my house.  I started reading digitally with the New 52 re-launch, but at the encouragement of my wife, and new space allotted in a home, I decided to begin a collection of my own.  A few months in, I was feeling the need for a better storage solution than shoe boxes.  I also had the desire to read a comic that I wasn't able to get from my local comic store.  All that being said, I turned to the internet to find a solution.  

Stumbling upon the website of NYC retailer Midtown Comics, I decided to place an order.  I actually used their mobile app and placed an order with relative ease late on a Friday, my package arrived early Tuesday.  The prices were very good, shipping cost wasn't too bad, and with that quick of a turnaround, granted I am not that far away, ordering from them comes highly recommended.

I had considered doing some sort of unboxing video but kept putting it off.  Additionally, having a family and work easily prevents one from having time to oneself, but I wouldn't trade family time for anything, and who doesn't wish that they could at times push work off for leisure.  So, I now have a three week old package that aside from two comics and bags and boards I have no idea what is inside.  We will find out tonight though!!!  

Stay tuned for a later post with pictures and details of what is inside.

Until then, I am off...to be a husband, father, and comic reader.