Frankly, I never liked the previous installment, I much preferred the stamp-esque version from the 90′s. It felt time appropriate. This new set of logos however, is way more design conscious. It’s not like some 15 year old douchebag was hired to oversee something that would have a larger effect on the comic community in the future. [wink]

Images: DCcomics.com

 The design, which was previously referred to by many as a pudding cup or a condom wrapper, is smart, and a great way to integrate the comics and characters of DC back into the logo. As shown above, they are really making the new logo work for them. It’s mature and innovative enough for new DC readers and exciting and fun enough for people who have been around Superman’s block a few times!

(Cover by J. G. Jones, DC Comics)

My winner of the week is Mister Terrific 5 by a wide, life-affirming margin! Mister Terrific is captured in the ninth dimension and only a combination of his heroic prowess and compassionate soul can save the day. In the character of Pylothia we are given a being that doesn’t fit in with the gender roles their society clings to and finds themself shipped off to alien slavers, viewed as the lowest of the low. Michael is able to share with Pylothia the lessons of our planet’s more terrible points in history and how we’ve grown from them. He inspires Pylothia to accept themself and ultimately to save the day and find a sense of self-worth. The comic is pure fun, action and heart the whole way through and is one of my favorite comics I can remember reading ever. With the series tragically concluding with issue 8, I strongly suggest everyone collect the individual issues and any trades that come out as well.

Check out  @JeanGreySchool, @JGSHeadmistress, @DeathlokL17, @GenesisHero, @KidGladiator1, @QQuire, @idie_okonkwo, @_Broodling_, @SANTORULES and @_Anole_ on Twitter for fun updates!

And apparently it was @SANTORULES who was spreading those rumors on how NOT to say Anole’s name.

“ I’ve got a couple of cool things planned for these sets and I’ve already begun work on them, however they all remain blank. Sometimes the prep work seems to take more time than the actual creation of the card itself. I do have plans on puzzles for this go around. So keep your eyes peeled for these trading card sets to be released later in 2012.”

We are excited to see his art in 2012! Remember you can check out more of his work as well as his shop on his webpage HERE!

Image: Jason Adams

(Cover by Jamal Igle, DC Comics)

The Ray 2 continues the new mini-series written by Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti which started off so refreshingly upbeat, humorous and light-hearted that I simply can’t wait to see what they pull off in issue two! Lucien Gates is the Ray of the DCnUniverse and he’s quite a unique voice in modern comics already. Mixed in to some classic super-heroism, Lucien’s world is full of real and diverse people and the drama reflects that fully. Every piece of dialogue either brought a smile to my face or taught me who the character was in issue 1. If you like superheros, you will like this comic.

(Cover by Tony Harris, DC Comics)

The Shade 4 is James Robinson’s first “Times Past” comics of this limited series and is illustrated by the should-be-amazing team of Darwyn Cooke and J. Bone! It’s WWII and Shade – in the midst of his rise to villainous stardom –  is helping an industrialist on the side of the Allies survive an assassination attempt in what is slated as Shade’s new origin! Should be an excellent ride as the last three issues have been, for Starman fans or not.

(Cover by Nick Bradshaw, Marvel Comics)

Wolverine and the X-Men 4 sees the addition of two new students to the Jean Grey Institute as well as the news of a pregnant mutant in the school? I just fully got on board with this title last issue after not feeling the first two as much as I thought I would. Kid Krakoa got me on all the right levels and now I can’t wait to see how Jason Aaron continues to steer this strange, new (and old) ship going forward.

(My remaining comics this week are Batwoman 5, Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Season 9 5, Demon Knights 5, Green Lantern 5, Mister Terrific 5, Superboy 5 and Ultimate Comics X-Men 6)

-windiebird

Love,

Mutant A Day Team

P.s. – Remember folks, tis’ the season! Make sure to go to ZEUS COMICS HERE as they are having 40% of back issues, toys, apparel, figures and statues! You can check out The Variants HERE. Huzzah! Happy holidays!

But alas, it is nice to see more LGBT diversity in the Marvel universe. And speaking of, hello lady Lightspeed [Julie Power] putting the B back in LGBT. Let us not forget those who love who they love and defy those who tell them to “choose a side” within our gay umbrella of a community. I certainly hope this new outing will make his character less obnoxious and bring a new leading gay female character into the forfront of comics again (How I miss Runaways).  Striker reminds me of if Niel Patrick Harris and Tony Stark had a baby. HUZZAH!

(Cover by Cliff Chiang, DC Comics)

Wonder Woman 4 is pure, Greek insanity and it is such a great read! Diana has had enough of the parental lies and sets out to find herself once more just as Hera arrives on Paradise Island to beat up some Amazons. Even if I’m not all about the changes to her birth circumstances, I see the wisdom in creating that extra layer of drama. Especially so when that drama is used so masterfully! Top of the heap forever.

(Cover by Mahmud Asrar, DC Comics)

Supergirl 4 has our Woman of Steel trapped on board a space station in the clutches of her very own Lex Luthor, fighting for survival and for all these damn earth creatures to leave her alone! Mahmud Asrar is on fire in the art department and Michael Green & Mike Johnson are crafting a Kara that I can instantly and permanently relate to. Another book with a strong woman not to be missed!

(Cover by Kaare Andrews, Marvel Comics)

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man 5 returns the ever-fabulous (Ultimate) Spider-Woman to the limelight and I am a ball of ecstasy over the news! Jessica Drew in the Ultimate universe is a clone of Peter Parker and has almost a copy of his personality as well. We had some pretty great flirting between her and Bobby Drake in the past as well as a few heroic moments of her own but having her talk to young Miles as he tries to make sense of his powers, his life and his responsibilities is just the perfect move for Brian Michael Bendis to pull from his idea cap. “Sara Pichelli on art” makes any worries about price point disappear; buy this comic!

(The rest of my titles this week are Batman 4, Birds of Prey 4, DCU Presents 4, Generation Hope 14, Justice League 4, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents 2, Wolverine and the X-Men 3 and Xenoholics 3)

(Cover by Jamal Igle, DC Comics)

Seriously, what is up with DC’s new miniseries? It’s like they’re the new Vertigo imprint or something, they can practically do no wrong! We have Penguin, Huntress, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents and now The Ray! Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti are two of the most creative writers in comics today and they’re proving why that’s true with this title. Only four issues long, I can already feel myself aching for more of Jamal Igle’s and Rich Perrotta’s beautiful cityscapes and superpowers. The characters are full to the brim with wit, warmth and love and it shows in every action or sentence. I have to add that this is EXACTLY how you insert diversity into your publishing universe, comics publishers! I love the cast with only 20 pages to get to know them and that is true storytelling. Absolutely one to read!

Astonishing Xmen by Dustin Weaver

Marvel LIVE has just informed readers that Marjorie Liu of X – 23 will now be writing for Astonishing X-Men with artist Mike Perkins! The story will focus on Wolverine’s X-Men outside of the school! It was noted that this will not be a format for a Cyclops vs. Wolverine showdown, but the team of Iceman,Cecilia Reyes, Wolverine, Northstar,  Gambit, Warbird and Kharma will be the focus of this story line. This will all being in March of 2012.

(Cover by Travel Foreman, DC Comics)

 Have y’all seen that meme “Perfect ______s don’t exi…” and then they show you an image of something that is perfect? WELL BOOM BECAUSE CHECK OUT THIS COMIC! Jeff Lemire and Travel Foreman are meme-ing me hard right now and it feels so good. They’re hitting all the high points from the Veitch run but in a totally new, refreshing way. The art is bilious and bulbous and so alive with its jagged lines. The characters are endearing (hard to do in a 20 page comic) and the horror is visceral. The crossover with Swamp Thing (also on top form!) feels natural and raises my curiosity and enjoyment of both titles. Basically, read or die, please.

Art by Jim Cheung/Marvel.com

It was just announced that the next big 12 arc story to come to Marvel will be an Avengers vs. the X-Men storyline in April of 2012. After the wrath brought from Fear Itself amongst the Avengers, and the five million story arcs to rip apart the X-Men post Scarlet Witch (“No more mutants”… etc.), it has come down to the theory that Hope Summers, [who is she really?] is seen as a Phoenix bearing threat to all but the X-Men who will do everything in their power to protect her. Even if it means taking down America’s team..no not the Dallas Cowboys, The Avengers.

-Aaron M

Image from brickheros.comImage from brickheros.com

Image from brickheros.com

Images from Hallmark.com

Check out these super cool Christmas Ornaments from Hallmark for 2011!

-Aaron M

Animal Man 4/Swamp Thing 4; I am totally cheating this week in a BIG way by choosing 5 top picks as opposed to 3 but DC is totally killing me with my options! Animal Man and Swamp Thing, while very different in feel, are completely at the top of their game AND even managing to be in the midst of a mini-crossover between the two books. Jeff Lemire, Scott Snyder, Travel Foreman & Yanick Paquette are doing Grant Morrison and Alan Moore proud because they are truly making magic with both titles.

Huntress 3/Penguin: Pain & Prejudice 3; Again with the cheating but I am finding so very much to love about both Huntress and Penguin. Marcus To is bringing a Helena Bertinelli that not only moves and looks like a real woman but kicks ass and has a sense of fashion! All thumbs up on that book even if there were slower moments last issue. Penguin is, as I’ve said, a graphic novel that almost doesn’t need the graphic part (though Szymon Kudranski is bringing a stylized take that breathes new life into Penguin’s story). Every panel is a dark and twisted joy but a joy nonetheless. Both are things everyone should read!

X-Club 1 is a title that should press all my happiness buttons (sarcastic super-scientists! space elevators! mutant mayhem!) but I just don’t know a thing about Simon Spurrier or Paul Davidson. The X-Club is absolutely one of my favorite pieces of X-Men cosmology and Dr. Nemesis never fails to make me laugh. Science hoooooooooooooooo!

(The rest of my titles this week are Action Comics 4, Detective Comics 4, Green Arrow 4, iZombie 20, Stormwatch 4 and Sweet Tooth 28)

-windiebird

(Cover by Kaare Andrews, Marvel Comics)

 Jonathan Hickman and Esad Ribic’s new take on The Ultimates has been quite refreshing up to this point. Nothing that really rocked the boat or blew my mind…until the ending of this issue! It brings it all together and CERTAINLY marks this as a comic that takes what has come before and pushes it into something new. Not only will this make you want to go back and read your old trades of Ultimate comics but re-read this series to see if there were any clues to the big reveal at the end of issue 4! If you were ever an Ultimates fan or been interested in a Marvel universe that was easy to jump into, check this series out before it gets too far along!

Poster by Robert Wilson IV

Live Art! Guest Stars! More!

Zeus Comics, The Variants and LBFA team up to bring you the holiday party you don’t want to miss!

Join Barry, Keli, Vlad, Richard and Curt and Chris of letsbefriendsagain.com for the live art event of the season!

Performances by nerdcore rap artist Adam Warrock! with DJ Rob Vik all night!

Special Guest Artists include Joe Eisma (Morning Glories), Rob Guillory (Chew), Kody Chamberlain (Sweets), Nick Pitarra (Red Wing), James O’Barr (The Crow), Kristian Donaldson (The Guild, DMZ), Brent Peeples (Last of The Greats), Vinh-Luan Luu, Robert Wilson, Jake Ekiss, Mathew Warlick and many more!

Art sold benefits Genesis Women’s Shelter for victims of domestic abuse and their children. New, unwrapped toys also accepted at the door for Genesis and the children under their services.

When: Fri, December 9, 5pm – Sat, December 10, 2am

Where:
Billiard Bar
1920 Greenville Ave
Dallas, Texas
(214) 826-7665
[write up from comic shop.net]

(Cover by Andy Kubert, DC Comics)

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents 1! IT’S BACK! Nick Spencer may be a Marvel exclusive but the publishing gods have thankfully allowed him to wrap up a few of his ideas from his original run in this 6-issue mini-series. Espionage, triple-crosses and super powers that kill are sure to be the highlights of the series and I can’t wait!

(Cover by Dario Brizuela, DC Comics)

Green Lantern: The Animated Series 0 is my first foray into the Johnny DC titles and I couldn’t be happier for this to be the one! I’m not sure how the print stories will relate to the new show but if they’re anything like the special/first episode that aired a week or two ago, I’ll be hooked! It’s going to be green vs. red on the frontier of Guardian space and plenty of ring-slinging action.

(Cover by Steve Morris, Darkhorse Comics)

Angel & Faith 4 means more creepy Wonder Twins and wonderful, perfect, well-researched characterization by Christos Gage! Seriously, this guy knows how Faith AND Angel feel and think and just how to test and grow them as characters. Both do so much better when they’re forced to live in moral grey and we’re right in the thick of it here. If you’ve ever liked Angel or Faith in the show, this is the series you should be reading.

(Ultimate Comics Ultimates 4 and Uncanny X-Men 2 are my only other two books this week! Uncanny, indeed.)

(Cover by Tony Harris, DC Comics)

My pick of the week was Shade 2 by a landslide! I have to admit that James Robinson isn’t my favorite writer in the world. I loved that he wrote a Green Lantern/Green Arrow series (Cry for Justice) but I didn’t like the execution. I loved that he created a Justice League that had interesting and diverse characters but again, I was lost on the final product. His love of comics history and continuity always shines through in his work and that’s a trait I look for in writers.

So, to a person who has not yet read Starman but did pick up this mini-series, I assure you he is making something wonderful with The Shade! It’s pure character-driven violence and explosion the whole time and I laughed out loud at least twice this issue. There are interesting uses of Shade’s powers, some touching moments with his girlfriend and even a non-tired use of the English/French animosity cliché! All in all, this is written by a guy on a mission and he’s even swung it to be friendly to new readers! This is not to be missed!

(Cover by Ed McGuinness, Marvel Comics)

Captain America and Bucky 624 is the finale of this re-telling of Bucky Barnes’ story since World War II by Ed Brubaker and Marc Andreyko and it was been a masterful character study into one of the most interesting heroes to emerge from modern superhero stories. I’m not quite certain how this and the other Captain America book fit into current continuity but this has been such a great look back and enriches the new Bucky/Winter Soldier history greatly.

(Cover by Tyler Kirkham and BATT, DC Comics)

New Guardians 3 seems like it’s really going to get the series off on its new direction, forcing the members of all the corps to join together against an emotionless Ganthet and the rest of the Guardians of Oa! We get more insight into how Larfleeze isn’t, uh, totally dead floating in space right now without his ring as well. This has been a fun crash course in Kyle Rayner-ness so far but has yet to really shine on its “nU” concept. Hopefully this issue amps up the possible amazingness.

(Cover by George Perez, DC Comics)

Superman 3 will be the best book of the week if it can keep up the pace from issue 2 (though issue 1 was a bit of a let down for me). Mysteries abound that put our man of steel in a peril he can barely touch or see, let alone fight! I like the new angles being played with concerning Lois and Jimmy and the underwear-less costume for Big Blue is growing on me. All in all, I think I’m becoming a Superfan!

(The rest of my titles in this light week are Aquaman 3, Justice League Dark 3, Shade 2, Ultimate Comics Hawkeye 4 and Wolverine & The X-Men 2)

-windiebird

We had a GREAT time at Wizard World Austin Comic Con 2011 last week and we wanted to share our experience with you!  Check out the 100+ photos of costumes, hotties, writer and artists!

Click to view slideshow.
]]> http://mutantaday.com/2011/11/19/wizard-world-austin-2011-photos/feed/ 0 mutantaday AustinComicon http://mutantaday.com/2011/11/19/windiebirds-weekly-winner-alright-mr-demille-im-ready-for-my-anal-probe/ http://mutantaday.com/2011/11/19/windiebirds-weekly-winner-alright-mr-demille-im-ready-for-my-anal-probe/#comments Sat, 19 Nov 2011 18:21:31 +0000 windiebird http://mutantaday.com/?p=4913 ]]>

(Cover by Dan Duncan, Image Comics)

All of the comics this week totally pressed my happiness buttons but the one with the ending that shocked me the most (and had the requisite number of burly, hairy naked guys to earn my approval) was Xenoholics 2! The series so far has been a fantastic, strange little tale of a group of possibly-misguided alien abductees, finding each other and sharing their stories. Bob is our protagonist who has recently lost everything when he won’t relent his story of being taken by extraterrestrials. Their world is turned upside down when what appears to be an actual crop (err concrete) circle appears in the city and their group therapist vanishes. To conflate things even more, a mysterious and violent organization shows up and starts demanding answers from the Xenoholics. It’s been a blast to read with such an interesting art style by Seth Damoose; a title to check out if you’ve ever enjoyed the X-Files!

(Cover by Mahmud Asar, DC Comics)

Supergirl 3; mmmmmmmmm, okay! You guys, if this comic were a song and we were all in a totally bangin’ club right now, I would be running onto the dance floor with my hands in the air, exactly as if I did not care! Kara will not take any guff and she’s finally on the hunt for the ship that brought her to earth (and hopefully more answers). If you like things that are interesting, you will like this comic.

(Cover by Cliff Chiang, DC Comics)

Wonder Woman 3 is sure to give us more of the delectable Greek drama with all of the action and subtle homoeroticism I’ve enjoyed in the first two issues! While I don’t personally like the twist that we’re going to learn about Diana’s birth, I trust Brian Azzarello to deliver it in a way that serves the story and brings about a more complex cast of characters. The Diana I loved does not prefer the staff, you guys, if you know what I mean.

(Cover by Charlie Adlard & Cliff Rathburn, Image Comics)

The Walking Dead 91 gives us an Andrea/Dale cover and my heart is broken into a million little pieces right now! Some serious drama bombs are dropping all over the sometimes-safe encampment our intrepid group has been living in for a while now. After the recent loss of so many and the hope of a brighter tomorrow…of course mutiny and failure are stirring underneath it all. Is a zombie utopia too much to ask? Great series that has never let me down, so very worth the cost eternally!

(My other titles this week are Batman 3, Birds of Prey 3, DCU Presents 3, Generation Hope 13, Green Lantern Corps 3, iZombie 19, Justice League 3, New Mutants 34, Ultimate Comics X-Men 3, X-Factor 227 and Xenoholics 2)

-windiebird

(Cover by Szymon Kudranski, DC Comics)

This was a week for me where my expectations were met exactly! Penguin: Pain & Prejudice continues to totally tickle the dark parts of my soul and tell a compelling story at the same time! Again, it’s a bizarre experience for me since I am exactly neutral about the art but it’s almost as if the words pull me along all on their own power. Not that the visuals don’t have some truly beautiful moments, it’s just not my thing (but not a style I hate, either).

So basically, this is a damn good comic! It’s a novel-turned-sequential-art and it’s the best of its kind; absolutely one title to be reading! 

(Cover by Szymon Kudranski, DC Comics)

Penguin: Pain and Prejudice 2 is on track to be my favorite of the week if all the well-crafted, anguished character work remains from the first issue. That was the perfect example of why a novelist can absolutely shine in the sequential storytelling medium and I have the utmost hopes for this week. Pain, revenge, guns and The Batman!

(Cover by Guillem March, DC Comics)

Again with the DC miniseries! Huntress 2 is absolutely ~my jam~! Helena gets the spotlight all to herself, kicking ass and being a totally righteous defender of the innocent. With Marcus To and John Dell on visuals, she even does it all looking entirely fashionable and fierce. Loving Guillem March for these covers as well. Guess it’s hard to hyper-sexualize someone when they wear body armor but lord knows he’s trying. Anyways, the end result is a book you should read from issue one to six (the final chapter)!

(Cover by Kaare Andrews, Marvel Comics)

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man 4 marks not only what is sure to be another banner entry into the Ultimate Marvel universe with one of the most relatable characters in comics history but the first Kaare Andrews cover I really dig as well! Needless snark aside, we get more glimpses into how Miles’ powers work and more of his steps to becoming the new Spider-Man are revealed. It’s pricier than some books but this is an instance where you are absolutely paying for quality.

(My remaining pull list this week is Batwoman 3, Buffy the Vampire Slayer – Season 9 3, Demon Knights 3, Dollhouse: Epitaphs 5, Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E. 3, Green Lantern 3, Mister Terrific 3, Superboy 3 and Uncanny X-Force 17)

(Cover by Yanick Paquette, DC Comics)

Scott Snyder, did you ever know that you’re my hero and everything I would like to be? This new Swamp Thing began as a beautifully depicted and suitably scripted series but has rapidly been upping the ante on the story side once the necessary exposition has been delivered to the reader. There are some deeply horrifying scenes in this issue and some very compelling twists in the story, as the Rot continues to show its teeth to our reluctant hero. Old flames are re-introduced and lungs are literally falling out of people’s throats! All in all, this is exactly what it sets out to be and then some, an excellent comic.

Keli celebrates her monthaversery with the personal trainer, Ken & Richard get sticky in the closet and Barry takes budding Comic Book writer/artist Eddie under his wing!

(Cover by Travel Foreman, DC Comics)

Animal Man 3 is going to  rock every single casbah in the universe! Travel Foreman and Jeff Lemire are doing spooky, creepy, wonderful things and this is one book you will want to say you were reading from the beginning. Our intrepid duo are making their way into the Red and something wicked is preparing to lay some serious pain on the Bakers. Such a great comic here!

(Cover by Yanick Paquette, DC Comics)

Swamp Thing 3; replace Yanick Paquette and Scott Snyder, respectively, in my Animal Man entry and you have my opinion of Swamp Thing! This is terrifying, beautiful comics at their best. Sethe is revealed as the face of the third life force (Red & Green being the other two) and he’s got a mad on that only Swamp Thing (and Buddy Baker in AM) can defend against! A must-read.

(Cover by Dale Keown, Marvel Comics)

Uncanny X-Men 1 continues my “Try All the Regenesis Things!” campaign and I’m always excited to be reading a Kieron Gillen comic. Mister Sinister is doing his thing against Scott’s newly re-shuffled deck and I can’t wait to see the outcome! I love that Emma Frost and Magik feature so prominently on the Keown cover, I hope that means a focus on those two in the issues to come. Hooray for the X-Men!

(Action Comics 3, American Vampire 20, Avengers Academy 21, Detective Comics 3, Fear Itself 7.1, Green Arrow 3, JLI 3, New Mutants 33, O.M.A.C. 3, Stormwatch 3, Sweet Tooth 27 and X-Men 20 are my other titles this week)

(Cover by Emma Rios, Marvel Comics)

 This was the outcome I was hoping for and I simply could not be happier that Cloak & Dagger 3 is easily my favorite comic of the week! I’m just a broken record at this point and I don’t want to spoil this series for anyone so I’ll simply say what I’ve said through all three of these issues. You should be reading this series, plain and simple. Emma Rios is working in 5 dimensions while other artists are still on 3; Nick Spencer breathed new life into these little-known but well-loved characters and crafted a strange, little story that could easily go for a hundred issues.

That was Cloak & Dagger in 2011 and I’m glad I was there for it.

-Aaron M

(Cover by Emma Rios, Marvel Comics)

Cloak & Dagger 3 is finally, finally getting the cover treatment it deserves! Unfortunately, it wraps around the unfortunate glory that is this series’ final issue. You guys, Emma Rios and Nick Spencer are 100% making my favorite comic here and I simply can’t stop recommending this little, limited series to anyone who likes sequential art. Digital or in person, you need to read this.

(Cover by Chris Bachalo, Marvel Comics)

Wolverine & The X-Men 1 is the first post-Schism X-book to hit stands and is the one I have the highest hopes for. I love the X-Men in their Xavier school days and spinning that idea on its head a bit with a mixed up team and Wolverine leading the new Jean Grey Institute staff is right up my alley! A great creative team as this can only help matters further and anything that cohesively resets the Marvel mutant line is alright by me! Definitely one to check out.

(Cover by Kaare Andrews, Marvel Comics)

Ultimate Comics Ultimates 3 means that drunken Tony Stark is on the way, to save the day! The Children of Tomorrow are being ~total jerks~ and the gods are falling from the skies in one frightening set of panels from last month’s comic. This one started out a little slow but came back with a killer second issue, looks like Jonathan Hickman hasn’t lost his magic yet! If you like the Ultimate Universe in any way, shape or form, you will like where this is headed now. Big changes in store for the Marvel UU!

(The rest of my titles for the week are All-Star Western 2, Angel & Faith 3, Aquaman 2, Avengers Academy 20, Avengers: Solo 1, Captain America & Bucky 623, The Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men 2, New Guardians 2, Justice League Dark 2, Superman 2, Teen Titans 2 and The Walking Dead 90)

-windiebird