Top 10 Graphic Novels of 2020

 

Hey all,

Going to start out 2021 right by doing what I didn't do right in 2020 (and prior years if I am being completely honest with myself) by writing a blog post I said I would. Over on YouTube, I had written a comment stating I was inspired to compose my own blog post detailing my top ten graphic novels of works published during 2020. As 2020 ended, I chickened out. Then, the Uncanny Omar of Near Mint Condition replied back he would like the link. Shucks, might as well compose my list then! 

For context, here's the video the Uncanny Omar of Near Mint Condition released:

An important caveat: these are graphic novels released during 2020. Not released AND read. These are ten graphic novels that owning them hold a special place in my heart. So, in no particular order, let's get started:

Asterix Omnibus Vol 3 Hardcover

More of an omnibus in the sense it collects three albums (volumes) of Asterix. I would call it a graphic novel myself. I've always wanted to read the European produced Asterix as he's such a long running character. Timing and budget was my obstacle. Recently, Papercutz acquired the license to produce English-language translations intended for an American audience. Think the Funimation adaptation of Dragonball Z. Cultural incompatibilities have been edited; however I am not a purist so it didn't bother me. The reason I selected volume three is because it represents my continual purchase of the series. Sometimes I will buy the beginning to a series and then stop earlier on. I am also switching more toward the Marvel/DC omnibus format. As such, this will be among the few graphic novels not in such an Omnibus format I will be purchasing in 2021.

Hard Time Complete Series TP

During 2020, DC went to three distributors. Then, it went down to two. As a consequence, my local comics shop never received my pre-order. Fortunately, my local comics shop was able to acquire a copy for me. DC's allocation process has been notoriously bad.

What made Hard Time Complete Series a must buy is two factors. One, I was on a Howard the Duck (another of Steve Gerber's creations) yahoo group around the time this title came out. Hard Time was among his final creations; and Gerber would comment on both Hard Time and his other projects before he passsed. Second, I never expected a trade paperback a decade - decade and a half after the second volume finished. Hard Time was a niche comic and was cancelled twice. A victim of a tight comics market. Now, I can read the entire story without tracking down all the issues. 

 

Tales of the Batman: Steve Englehart HC

If there's a book epitomizing DC's attitude toward the direct market (comic shops), it's this Tales of the Batman Steve Englehart HC. DC released it during the lockdown. When Diamond was closed. While many comics shops were closed. During the six months after lockdowns began, fear of missing out ran rampant. Online vendors sold out. I had two options, order from Amazon or try my local comics shop. My local comics shop was able to order a copy. 

There's another reason Tales of the Batman Steve Englehart HC is on my list. Years ago, I discovered one of THE top artists for Batman, Marshall Rogers. Marshall Rogers's Batman work is short but sweet. The hardcover Legends of the Dark Knight Marshall Rogers collect all of his Caped Crusader output. By the time my budget allowed, it was both out of stock and out of print. I was able to pick up a book collecting his work with Archie Goodwin; but his short, acclaimed work with Steve Englehart eluded me. Until now.

Power of Shazam: Book One: In the Beginning HC

In hindsight, the fact I pre-ordered this after DC's split from Diamond and picked it up from my local comics shop without incident is noteworthy in itself. 

I touched upon why Power of Shazam was a must buy during my 2020 Comics Hauls. Jerry Ordway's Shazam run was case of learning about a series too late during its run before 'everything is collected in graphic novel format' was a thing. Pretty much waited twenty plus years.

 

CONAN The Original Marvel Year Vol 3 Omnibus

My first omnibus during 2020. It's also the omnibus on this list I purchased as part of IST's Deal of the Week. Alas, DC's departure has pretty much put an end toward IST offering newly released omnibuses from Marvel and DC at half off.

Beyond that. It's Conan. The omnibus includes the feature that led me to love the Marvel Omnibus format, i.e. letter page reproduction. Not only are letter pages reproduced; but it's the closest reproduction of the early Marvel Conan's. Heck, it has colored REH stories in tbe Mighty Marvel Manner too!

JLA by Grant Morrison Omnibus

My last published during 2020 omnibus that arrived into my possesion. It was among the Black Friday/loyalty discount purchases from IST. Otherwise, the price is too much for my budget.

'Grant Morrison's JLA is over-hyped!'

A weird statement considering the JLA was DC's flagship title during the late 90's. Looking back, I didn't read his JLA run until mid-way and much of that was by fill-in writers. If you call Mark Millar, Mark Waid, and J.M. DeMatteis fill-in writers, but much of his run that I read wasn't written by him. It's like judging Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock stories by pastiche writers. 

Furthermore, I never read much of Morrison's earlier work on JLA. Nor did I read Classfied, Earth 2, or some of DC 1 Million tie-ins. Thus, I never read the full Grant Morrison JLA. Would I have liked some of the stories included as well? Yes, but then not all of Grant Morrison's complete JLA work would have been collected withkn a single volume. A Compleat Morrison, if you would.

Timely's Greatest - The Golden Age: Sub-Mariner by Bill Everett The Post-War Years Omnibus

I hadn't grasped the impact lockdowns had on the omnibus market until I watched the Direct Market cover (depicted within the photo) of Timely's Greatest GA Submariner by BE Post War Years sell out within a day. Shock. Absolute shock gripped me. I'm a huge fan of Golden Age Marvel especially for Golden Age Marvel never before restored. I owned the three previous volumes in the Timely series. All three sported the flag color-themed cover. The need for the covers to match was strong. Plus, it was heading into Fourth of July weekend. All was not lost though. Cheap Graphic Novels had a copy. So on the evening of Fourth of July (give or take a day), I placed my very first order from Cheap Graphic Novels.

Wolverine Omnibus Volume One New Printing

Years ago, I didn't buy Wolverine Omnibus Volume One because I owned the much smaller Best of Wolverine Volume One. Flash forward, while watching a video on Near Mint Condition with the Uncanny Omar, I decided to upgrade to the larger volume. Plus, Omar had mentioned if sales did well, Marvel might publish a volume 2. Another reason to buy.

Then the lockdowns hit. 

I watched as Amazon received copies. Decided to wait.

A good thing cause once lockdowns eased and the Direct Market finally received copies months later, the books had curved spines. Amazon's didn't.

Oh, by the way, a Wolverine Omnibus Volume Two is on the way.

Infinity Gauntlet Omnibus

The day IST made Infinity Gauntlet Omnibus available, I decided to wait a little before placing my purchase. An hour later it was sold out. Cheap Graphic Novels was sold out. Heard it was sold out everywhere. I noticed Half Price Books online would have copies available a couple weeks later. As if I was standing in line Black Friday shopping I waited until after midnight the very day it became available at HPB and ordered a copy. Thus, I ordered my first omnibus from HPB.

Huge Jim Starlin fan; and Infinity Gauntlet was a story I passed on years ago because as a kid I couldn't afford it, let alone all the tie-ins too. Once I acquire Infinity Crusade Omnibus, I will own all the Cosmic Starlin Omni's released so far.

Uncanny X-Men Omnibus Volume 2

Uncanny X-Men Omnibus Volume 1 is one of the reasons I buy omni's. Chris Claremont is among my favorite comic book writers. I love, love, love omni's that include letter pages. Volume 2 was among my wants list after perusing volume 1 years ago. Needless to say, I had to have Uncanny X-Men Volume 2.

Well, I hover on IST waiting for it to become available. One cover does. Fine. I add it to my cart. Then while checking and becoming confused as why another omnibus I wanted wasn't available, the standard cover for Uncanny X-Men Omnibus Volume 2 was taken OUT OF MY CART. Neither cover was available. Twenty minutes later, I log in again and discover the Direct Market cover was available. I add it to my cart. The screen loads the purchase screen at agonizing pace. I complete transaction. Then, a couple hours later (it's normally a matter of minutes) and as I read horror stories of emails from IST about orders actually being out, I receive the confirmation email. A week later I relax once the order is picked and scanned.

 No other omnibus purchase has matched that experience. Uh, I hope it never is.

There you have it, my Top 10 Graphic Novel published and in my hands during 2020.

Happy Collecting!

Next time.

Comics Haul 8/26/20

 

Another Wednesday has come and soon to be gone. Thus, a New Comics Day has also come and gone. Here's my haul for this week:

Fantastic Four Anithesis #1 and Batman: Three Jokers #1

Sometimes I sour on mini-series and give them a hard pass. Then, I swear the only titles I collect are mini-series. I really couldn't say not to Neal Adams drawing the Fantastic Four. Plus, I love the FF; and after dropping the FF title had to satisfy my Fantastic Four itch. Regarding Batman Three Jokers, like Dreaming Waking Hours, I changed my mind after the hiatus ended. I just HAD to read the story about why there's three Jokers. Although I should have waited for the trade.

X-Men God Loves, Man Kills Extended Cut #2 and Usagi Yojimbo Color Classics #5

Usagi came out last month. I am just happy that despite going to backorder with Diamond a copy arrived for me. I own a copy of God Loves, Man Kills. However, I buy "new" Claremont comics in the hope Marvel will actually do more than pay him to write the occasional eight page story.

The Question #4

Last God #8 (?) and John Constantine Hellblazer #9

This'll be my last Comics Haul for at least a couple weeks since I won't be buying any comics on Wednesday in the near future.

Next time.

New Year's Comics Haul 2020

First, Happy New Year! 2020 is upon us!

Second, unlike prior years, there will be no in-depth year-in-review nor in-depth New Year's Resolution. Overall, I felt I did a decent job fulfilling my 2019 goals. However, I realized they caused more consternation in the long run than good. My approach toward my blog in 2020 is to be more fluid. Blogging whenever and on whatever inspiration strikes me.

Comics shops were open today with brand new comics. A comics haul on New Year's Day doesn't come very often so here it is:

Incoming #1 - The One-Shot that supposedly sets the stage for all the big things that await the Marvel Universe during 2020.

Superman Giant 100 Page Volume 2 #1 - I do love the 100 page format.

Comics Revue Presents December 2019 - only one day late?

Dreaming #17 and Doctor Doom #4 - A long time ago it dawned on me that I really should only buy ten to twelve comics a month. Furthermore, I begrudgingly admit after a certain issue number there's just no catching up. Come my January 2020 Previews Order one of these titles will be cut from my pull.

Marauders #5 - Talk about light coloring! Can barely make out the art on that cover from this angle! As I alluded to in prior blog entries, this is my final month for collecting Marauders.

X-Men #4 - This would be my final month for collecting X-Men  as well but Yu being Yu the book fell behind on shipping. Go figure.

Books of Magic #15 - I consider the Sandman Universe titles to be 'buy one, buy them all'. If I drop the Dreaming, I am dropping Books of Magic.

Hope everyone's 2020 began on the right note.

Next time.

Comics Haul 10/16/19

Well, about a month has past and if I want to get to back in the swing of blogging, especially my annual Halloween blog entries, it is now or never. What better way than ceasing my almost two month hiatus from my weekly Comics Haul? Here's what I purchased from my favorite local comics shop of titles released on 10/16/2019.

X-Men #1 Every Mutant Ever Variant cover. I felt getting a cover depicting every mutant once it's combined with the other variants was very cool. While I am buying most the new Hickman-verse X-titles, Fallen Angels is the only title I am not getting. So when I combine the covers, they won't display the entire panorama. Sigh, not like it would be visible in the long or short box anyway...

Wonder Woman Giant 100 Page #1 direct market edition. I prefer the reliability of my comics shop versus hunting down a copy at a big box retailer. Ongoing continuity sagas mean less and less to me; and I love the anthology format. Can't beat 100 pages either.

Savage Sword of Conan #10. Roy Thomas returning to Conan. Alan Davis on art chores. 'Nuff said.

Justice League #34. The Justice League vs the Legion of Doom. The return of the original Justice Society. Plus, Kamandi? Some exciting stuff. One of two in-continuity regular DC on-goings I currently buy and will continue until the end of the year.

Captain America #15. Scourge is back! I am pretty much on the title until Ta-Nehesi Coates's run ends.

Lucifer #13. I decided to give the Sandman Universe titles a stay from being dropped from my pull list until January in part because of John Constantine joining the 'universe'. November or December solicits will be when I finally decide whether to drop Lucifer (the title) or not.

Guardians of the Galaxy #10. Two months until Cates's run ends. I haven't decided if I will get Ewing's run or not. The cover is clickbait. Suppose, did anyone think Rocket was going to die?

Aquaman #53. I am pretty much buying Aquaman at this point because I always retroactively regret when I drop an Aquaman title. The DC Universe service alleviates my reticence somewhat. This is the other DC super hero title I am collecting until the end of the year.

Superman Year One #3. I love John Romita Jr's art. While I don't love it enough to buy his work on Action Comics, a three issue magazine that depicts Frank Miller's interpretation of the Man of Steel's origin fits my pocket book just fine. It would appear this story takes place in Miller's Dark Knight-verse as Wonder Woman hits on Superman and Batman's characterization matches that of Miller's All Star Batman and Robin title. Maybe DC will collect a Miller Omnibus collecting Superman Year One, All Star Batman and Robin, and the Dark Knight Returns/Dark Knight Strikes Again/Dark Knight Master Race trilogy (plus one-shots)? I would buy it.

A light week for me.

Next time.

NXT and NXT UK Thoughts, Comics Haul and Fantasy Football Status for 9/18/19

Yesterday was Wednesday. Synonymous with New Comics Day. WWE streams both NXT and NXT UK on the WWE Network. Wednesday is also the day when NFL teams release their injury reports. While I followed the Packers for years, I have only recently become a follower of the trends and other teams of the NFL. So much so that I have decided to try my hand at fantasy football. Heck, why not participate in two different leagues. So my Wednesday blog entries will feature those topics going forward. Unless they're irrelevant that day...


I stopped doing my Comics Hauls largely because I just wasn't reading the comics I purchased. However, two things changed. One, I can actually buy them on New Comics Day. Two, I am not just blogging my comics haul as I am including wrestling and fantasy football discussion as well.

Comics Haul for 9/18/19 release date.

Comics Revue #400. I had long, long wanted to purchase Comics Revue due to its collection of comics strips particularly of the King Features serial heroes (Phantom, Mandrake, Flash Gordon) and started buying them recently. Four hundred issues is quite the milestone! Justice League #32. My photo doesn't do the cover justice but Kamandi stating 'The Great Disaster is right this way!' is priceless. Savage Sword of Conan #9. Most of my D&D PCs are more the fighter type so Conan receives top billing.

House of X #5. I was going to wait for the trade or hardcover. However, my intel was faulty leading me to believe both House of X and Powers of X would be collected separately. Sigh... Will try to read and review soon. Guardians of the Galaxy #9. The REAL Drax returns! Aquaman #52. Always feel bad whenever I drop an Aquaman title because I haven't kept up.

Lucifer #12. Will be buying this a little while longer. Either the November or December issue will be final issue unless I read some of it. Even an issue or two. CBLDF Presents Selling Comics. Before I started my blog, I briefly assisted a hobby shop by being the Comic Book Guy. The business fascinates me.

NXT 9/18/19

Did the move to the USA Network ruin NXT forever? Not quite. As it turns out, NXT is now two hours long. First hour on USA Network is when the Big Stuff Happens. Second hour on the WWE Nework seems to be for developing the undercard and expanding the NXT/NXT UK/205 Live Universes. While I haven't watched the USA Network episode yet (I may watch it on Hulu sometime), the WWE Network episode had more of that ECW vibe.

Would have been nice if I didn't need to wait 50 minutes to successfully log into my WWE Network account...

The Bruiserweight Pete Dunne vs Arturo Ruos (a Brazilian jujitsu and capoeira practitioner) was like a Malenko vs Guerrero match from ECW. Easily a four star match. They literally put on a grappling clinic. Pete Dunne got the win by bending Ruos's fingers.

Squash match although the female Chinese wrestler looked impressive with her kicks. Don't know if she's actually Chinese though.

Imperium made their NXT debut. Looking forward to Walter facing off against the Kushida Japanese wrestler who thinks he's Marty McFly. Two appearances I've seen of Kushida and I am impressed. He could definitely help and black and gold brand aid WWE from fending of AEW.

The Riddle vs Dain street fight was pretty good in and of itself. Normally the wrestler bystanders don't become involved but they did in this. Bedlam ensued. Show ended on a high note.

NXT UK 9/18/19

Rhea Ripley is exact type of female wrestler whom Vince wouldn't push on the main roster. Heck, the women whom he would push are jobbers on the UK show.

Really didn't care for much of the show. The highlight was the first British Rounds Match on WWE programming between Kassius Ohno (an American) and (an actual Brit) Sid Scala.

British Rounds Match was a nice change of pace. Been a long time since the ropes and outside the ring were considered forbidden. The wrinkle over allowing the competitor to get to his feet before allowing the other wrestler to touch him felt off since Ohno was able to KO Scala with his knockout attack. Maybe finishers didn't follow that rule? However, the rules did enable a grappling and chain wrestling clinic one does not normally see on WWE programming. The implementation of rounds made the submission holds not feel like rest holds while heightening the drama. Heck, the rounds created a story of Ohno gradually dominating the match against the underdog Scala until Scala finally got the momentum. Match culminated in Scala unable to score a pinfall and thus create a draw when time ran out.

Not often a wrestler acquires heel heat by fairly winning a match because the timer prevented the upstart from causing the match to be a draw.

Will Sid Scala wrestle more often? Will there be more British Rounds matches? Kassius Ohno will certainly continue to promote himself as the best British-style wrestler despite being American.

Also discovered that NXT UK airs earlier during the day too...

Fantasy Football

I wasn't able to draft my players myself so let the computer do it for me within both leagues. To mixed results.

Both leagues my best decision has been to bench Cam Newton.

One league I've claimed and added more players, while the other has been pretty static. Latter because I've been doing well and the lack of football knowledge of available free agents. Plus, I don't watch all the games so I can't properly assess the situation. Still, I am among the Top 4 in that league.

Unfortunately, I have 0 - 2 within the league that I have altered the team the most. The Antonio Brown and Melvin Gordon drama has caused quite the hassle for me. While I dropped Gordon, I have chosen to keep Brown. Ironically, going all Patriots WR during Week 2 wasn't the best decision. Julio Jones (whom I have on the league as well) will be active for Week 3. Drew Brees's injury was a killer during Week 2. Perhaps Carson Wentz will aid my team more this week?

Next time.

Blog Roll Changes and Comics Haul for July 24th, 2019

Cause of work, I don't purchase my latest comics from the comics shop on New Comics Day often. Today just happened to be that day. Ergo, a Comics Haul on a Wednesday i.e. New Comics Day. I skipped last week's; because I decided to combine both week's purchases into one. In addition to New Comics Day, I spruced up the layout of my blog and made adjustment to several links and my blog roll.

I've finally pruned blogs that have long been defunct. Cause why not? In the process, I discovered several of the Communities I linked to have ceased. A casualty of social media, I suppose. Why frequent a forum when you can just comment on social media? Also removed links to a couple pages long defunct such as Adventure Games Publishing and Mark Waid's Boom page.

Enough with the doom and gloom!

I added the following blogs to my blog roll: About Bruce Heard (worked for TSR on BECMI/Rules Cyclopedia D&D and works on his ongoing Calidar project), These Old Games (an OSR blog but has expanded to include the blogger's three other blog's contents). THACO RPG Blog (loved the recent posts on expanding BECMI Wizard capabilities and Gaming's Generation Gap), and Venger's Old School Blog (Venger discusses the role-playing industry and hobby along with his works, which are slanted more toward a Heavy Metal magazine audience). You can find the respective links among my blog roll on the desktop version of my blog. Unlike previous additions I learned of these via social media.

Onto the Comics Haul for comics that hit the market today, July 24th 2019.

A light week, but last week's was much, much larger.

House of X #1 (an impulse purchase), Doctor Strange #16 ( Waid's run is ticking down.),  and Books of Magic #10. Hmm, the theme of this photo is mostly magic...

Disney Comics and Stories #6, Guardians of the Galaxy #7, Star Wars #69.

Hopefully, reviews will be forthcoming.

Next time.

Comics Haul for July 3rd, 2019

Often I won't buy comics until the Tuesday Game Night (Adventurers League or Shadowrun Missions). As such, my Comics Haul will be posted at the last possible second. While I bought comics last Tuesday, the entry wouldn't have posted until Wednesday. Granted, I am not technically violating my no combining rules I felt posting it on the day of release violated the spirit of the rule. Ergo, I skipped last week.

Since I did purchase comics today, here's my Comics Haul from those comics released on July 3rd 2019:

Doom Patrol Weight of the Worlds #1 (loved  show on DC Universe!), The Green Lantern #9, Savage Avengers #3 ( I had been buying the Deodato variants. However, none were offered. Conan with a symbiote sword? Cool!)

Dreaming #11, Uncanny X-Men #21, Talk Bernie to Me! One - shot (Please no political rants...)

Captain America & The Invaders: Bahamas Triangle One-Shot Ron Lim variant (Grew up on Lim art. Plus, how can you beat WW2 super-hero teams?), Savage Sword of Conan #6, Justice League #27

Steve Gerber Conversations  (One of my favorite comic writers. Had to acquire a compilation of interviews and statements on the internet.) Doctor Who Gallifrey Time War Volume Two Audio Drama CD. (Cause Time War and some old time radio narration.)

A decent sized haul.

Next time.

Superman: Year One and Rest of the Comic Haul for 6/19/19

Another week. Another week of new comics. Another trip to the comics store.

Time for show off my latest comics haul!

Here's what I picked up among the comics available on 6/19/19.

Superman Year One #1 part of DC's Black Label imprint is the big purchase of the week. Frank Miller and John Romita Jr tell their rendition of Superman's Origin. Aquaman #49 is the other title pictured.

Uncle Scrooge #46, Uncanny X-Men #20 (penultimate issue of the most recent volume), and Star Wars #67 (Gillen's final issue).

Justice League #26, Lucifer #9, Savage Sword of Conan #6

I conclude this week's comics haul with next major of purchase of the week: the first issue of Usagi Yojimbo published by IDW! Not only is it a start of a new era for the rabbit ronin but it's in full color too! Captain America #11 and Guardians of the Galaxy #6 round out the haul.

Next time.

Apparently, Hulu's Marvel Animated Shows Are Leaving Later This Month

When I first returned to Hulu after a several years' hiatus, I added a slew of (vintage) Marvel animated shows to my watch list. The nineties Fox Kids shows Spider-Man, Spider-Man Unlimited, and X-men. X-Men Evolution and Iron Man: Armored Avenger too. X-Men Evolution has been available on Hulu for about as long as the streaming service existed.


My intent was to watch those shows much like a stroll down nostalgia lane at my leisure. Other shows took priority. Mostly because many were expiring. There's certain irony here...


A couple days ago I checked the expiring section of my watch list which is my custom. Lo and behold, all the aforementioned Marvel Animated shows are set to expire! I scroll over and discover that as of this moment, all those shows are supposed to leave Hulu on the 10th. Of October.


Okay, okay, I have observed Hulu will push the expiration of show past the initial date by weeks or a couple months. In theory, I could binge watch a show or two.


The problem is other than Spider-Man Unlimited those other shows ran twenty-plus episodes. I ain't got time to binge-watch all of 'em! There's other shows that I don't want to eventually play the same game as the expiring-priority game is a zero-sum game indeed. Furthermore, the new television season has begun. Hulu is like a back up DVR and provided I view an episode in a timely manner an indirect way of influencing ratings. So unfortunately, I won't be making an effort to watch any of the classic (boy I feel old writing this!) Marvel Animated shows on Hulu.


Hopefully, the notice that Spider-Man, Spider-Man Unlimited, X-Men, X-Men Evolution, and Iron Man: Armored Avenger is expiring on the 10th of October (or later during the month) is meant to boost viewings on the shows can remain on Hulu for a little bit longer. Or return.


Don't believe Disney's proposed streaming service is starting anytime soon...


Next Time

Geek Culture Sure Relies on the Net Quite a Bit

A blog entry or two I mentioned that I was finally able to watch wrestling again. Why? I didn't have cable; and the internet was subject to data caps. Sure, I could watch a wrestling match now and then. However, my available data would be significantly less. Rationing internet use isn't fun at all. Curiously, the amount of data consumed for what would be considered the simplest things, not talking watching wrestling matches here, would become more and more over the years...


Ah, what does this have to do with geek culture as I ascribe within the title, you may ask? Wrestling fans are geeks of sort as one does not just simply watch one or two hours of wrestling a week. Following geek culture requires quite a bit of data. Just think of how much one streams a week! From trailers to television shows to movies, not to mention video games, the internet is the realm of the geek. Thus to follow geek culture one must use the internet quite a bit. Besides, I frequently said I would explain my absence from wrestling one day. Here it is.


Instead of following wrestling bit by bit on social media, I can watch shows on Hulu, Netflix, or the WWE Network (or insert wrestling promotion). Also don't need to stock up on wrestling DVDs although there are some I'll still pick up.


Speaking of DVDs, remember when one can walk into a brick and mortar store and see aisles brimming with quite a variety? Yeah, not so much now. Nowadays, one is lucky if one can find a show past a certain season! Has Marvel's Agents of SHIELD had more than one season available on DVD? If it has I must have missed it.


You know where I can find seasons of Marvel's Agents of SHIELD? Netflix. While I waited what seems like years, cause it has, for Daredevil Season One to come out on DVD, I can watch both seasons plus all the other Netflix Marvel shows as well. Without hoping for a long, long time that it will soon arrive on DVD. Can also watch the new Voltron, Inspector Gadget, and Danger Mouse as well. So without the internet, reliable, non-rationed high speed internet, one simply does not have access to segments of geek culture.


Sometimes I wait quite a long time before watching a show. Too long. Plus, it's nice if my viewing of show attracts attention similar to a Nielsen family. That's what Hulu is for. Legion is great adaptation inspired by the X-men character Legion. The show does a terrific job reflection the unstable nature of the main character's mental state as each episode shifts in tone from one episode to the next. Although I think there's one character that's more Morrison than Claremont. Furthermore, Legion is very dark compared to all the other comic book based shows on the air in a very sophisticated fashion. Don't have cable so I couldn't have watched it. Plus thanks to Hulu the powers-that-be have another measurement of support. Same goes true for the NBC show Timeless. While I DVR'd Timeless, I fell behind that I eventually gave up and deleted my recordings. However, I was able to watch the show about a time travel show that illustrates how much one act can have profound effect on the timeline. All under the backdrop where the black hats aren't necessarily black hats. Really enjoy. While I may not like how Hulu goes about expiring shows, it does motivate me to watch it. Otherwise, I wouldn't have marathoned Timeless and discovered how much I greatly enjoyed it.


Video games - in the age of DRM do people actually truly own their video game? And it's a complete game? Nope. Heck, PC games are rarer in stores than DVDs! After years, Steam finally stopped working for me. Steam works again now.


The role-playing game industry is almost as bad. As much as I championed 4th edition D&D, WOTC's ill-advised 4th ed version of the OGL, the GSL (?), practically killed any variety of the RPG market in stores. As such, many RPG product are generally available primarily in ebook form. Plus there's software support and gaming via online.


Went from being avid anime watcher to barely watching any anime. Anime is too expensive for me to buy it completely unseen. So once I could watch anime on Hulu once more, I watched the anime Phantasy Star Online 2 The Animation. Yeah, that was another reason I had hankering to play some Phantasy Star when I downloaded Phantasy Star 2 for my phone... Great series. Not my Phantasy Star but it had enough Phantasy Star elements. Kind of wish the game would become available to play here in the States after watching it... Heck, I've even started watching a couple 'new' series that are airing on Hulu, Chronos Ruler and In Another World with My Smartphone. Been a very long time since I last watched an anime series on a weekly basis and not had the option to binge it. Heck, it's nice to watch anime regularly again!


So there you go. My rather long-winded account on how I can now fully experience geek culture (while arguing why the internet is necessary) as my internet experience is no longer constrained.


Next time

Interesting News: March 2017

Back during January, I did an installment of 'interesting news', which was a collection of links I found of interest. Never did do a part two although my Rebirth entry included some of what I would have included. As March comes to close, I figured I'd do a March installment. While much of it will be from March, I may include links to comics, role-playing, games, and wrestling news stories as far back as January. Or until I get tired as I am blogging stream-of-conscious and all...


Classic D&D modules return! - Tales of the Yawning Portal whetting your appetite for classic Dungeons & Dragons modules? The classic modules not enough but want 5E stats as well? Well, if you checked out the link, Goodman and WotC are collaborating to do exactly that in glorious hardcover editions. Really hope these are available at FLGCS everywhere because I want 'em!


Marvel's Generations - Okay, the concept of Marvel's Generations has me intrigued - 10 rookie heroes partnered (somehow) with the hero that inspired them has the potential to be a groundbreaking work. Would be cool if Alex Ross provided the art but don't think that will happen. Don't think any resurrections (Logan, Bruce, Mar-Vell) will occur or last but I may be wrong. As Secret Empire will be raging, I may wait for the trade instead. Although, my attitude toward the series may change by then...


Shutter lens Spidey-eyes! - There will be limited number of emotive shutter lenses for a Spider-Man mask for any cosplay based on the CA: Civil War movie costume! Pretty cool to see them work. Would be cool if more were made in the future.


On the chances of MCU crossovers - Alas, it took the actor of the Falcon to point out explicitly why we haven't seen crossovers between the Marvel television series and films: they are different divisions. Rather sad that none of the heads of both departments could not be a frank with fans. Maybe we'll get an Agents of SHIELD/Inhumans/Defenders crossover someday?


Deadpool 2 Teaser - Did you see the movie Logan? Remember the Deadpool 2 teaser? Thought that it was just for fun and whet one's appetite? Well, you're correct.


100 episodes of The Walking Dead! - When The Walking Dead premiered, I didn't think the show would reach 100 episodes. As I am a couple seasons behind, I didn't know the series will soon reach such a milestone! Like the article writer suggests I bet the next arc is "All Out War!" Would be cool if the show ran another 100 episodes though.


Disney Afternoon 8-bit games return! - I grew up watching the Disney Afternoon block. The NES game DuckTales is one of those games I always wanted to play but never played enough of. As such I eagerly anticipate having the chance to play the DuckTales, Chip 'N' Dale's Rescue Rangers, and Talespin 8-bit games on my PC!


Christian-Angle-Dory Funk Jr-Jeff Hardy - Here's a nice little picture of wrestling history showing Kurt Angle, Christian, and Jeff Hardy being trained by the legendary Dory Funk Jr.


Frank Oz on ABC Muppets Failure - I stopped watching the latest iteration of The Muppets because it felt... off.  The mockumentary format just didn't click for me. In that, I agree with Frank Oz. As for "purity", I had no problem with the adult tones. The muppets weren't very likeable though.


Warpath or Thunderbird on X-men the show? - Well, it seems either John or James Proudstar (aka Thunderbird and Warpath) may be in the upcoming X-men television show. That would be cool although I am concerned about the use of the name 'Sam'. I suppose I would also prefer James (aka Thunderbird II/Warpath) to be the Proudstar in question as I can more easily see him leading such an underground group. Plus think of the eventual comic book tie-ins...


Jean Grey Deleted Scene - There will apparently be a deleted scene in the Logan blu-ray referencing Jean Grey.


Hugh Jackman and Wolverine Mask - Haha! Here's a humorous picture of Hugh Jackman holding a Wolverine mask.


Christopher Daniels Interview - a nice brief interview with the new Ring of Honor World Champion Christopher Daniels. Forgot about his comics collaboration!


Bully Ray on his RoH appearance - I was pleasantly surprised to find out that wrestler Bully Ray appeared in Ring of Honor. Here's the man's words on what he thinks of the RoH product and what he hopes to bring to it. Think he'll bring much to the RoH product


Logan movie influences? - Here's a list of 15 movies that may very well have served as influences for the movie Logan.


Till next time.