Well then, it is Friday and you survived! Ha, see what I did there? Let’s get our weekend in gear!
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When you think of death, toys don’t usually come to mind. It takes a unique individual to appreciate repulsive and downright weird collectibles. I, for one, am one of those people. If you’ve ever seen an episode of Oddities on the Discovery Channel or Science Channel, then you know that there is a small percentage of the population that enjoys macabre curios. It also makes you realize that there’s not much of a fine line between carnival treasures and antique medical equipment. Here is a look at items that could be considered anything from abominations to toys and collectibles. (more…)

Comic book superhero fans love to argue. Who would win in a fight – Superman or the Hulk? What’s the best agent for size/mass change – White Dwarf fragments or Pym Particles? Does death in comics really matter?

Death in comics is one of the bigger points of contention amongst superhero fans. While characters like Obadiah Stane, Roger the Homunculus and Gwen Stacy remain in the grave, others like Superman, Mockingbird and Bucky Barnes have died and since returned. The inconsistency spurs debate amongst fans, journalists and pros alike. In worlds where metal bracelets deflect bullets and middle-class kids from Queens gain the proportionate strength of a spider, does death hold any meaning? (more…)

“Should anything happen to me, Claudia, should my skills fail me, or my ambition lead me astray, do not seek retribution or revenge in my memory, but fight to continue the search for truth so that all may benefit. My story is one of many thousands and the world will not suffer if it ends too soon.” (more…)

“Death in superhero comics is cyclical in its nature, and that’s for a lot of reasons, whether they are story reasons, copyright reasons, or fan reasons. But death doesn’t exist the same way it does in our world, and thank God for that. I wish death existed in our world as it does in comics.”

-Geoff Johns, in an interview for IGN (July 17, 2009) concerning the series Blackest Night

It’s well established at this point that few characters stay dead in the comic book world. Due to the ongoing storylines, especially of the major company heroes, there is no endgame for Spider-Man, Superman, Batman and pals. Sure, they’ll seemingly die from time to time, but due to these following “can’t fail” techniques they’re often brought back to life, usually good as new! (more…)

Superior #7

(Millarworld – writer: Mark Millar; art: Leinil Yu)

Looking at all of Mark Millar’s latest work, I enjoyed Superior the most. The book has heart, like Millar really wanted readers to understand that regardless of our disabilities, everyone can be a superhero. Superior isn’t as great as The Ultimates or the original Kick-Ass, but it’s a step in the right direction (and quite an improvement from the shit-bag that was Ultimate Comics Avengers). The book is littered with clichés (including my least favorite, “Once and for all!”), but the story has a pretty epic ending and it manages to maintain its heart – even if it is a bit too hokey. (more…)

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