Simple Thoughts of a Complex Mind

Good Bye Simple Thoughts--Hello GeekyKOOL.com

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 04:15:00 +0000

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven”.

My Time on Simple Thoughts of a Complex Mind has been great. I was able to express myself through my writing and refine some of my skills. I tested out the type of writing I like to do. I tried political blogging, personal blogging, and then geek blogging. I found that I was passionate about writing about geek culture and things I enjoy.

Because Simple Thoughts was a great place for me to learn, it has a rich history of all sort of opinions. This was limiting when I decided to change the blog over to geeky writing. I have had it in my mind for a long time to move away from blogging to write for a full on geek website. For the foreseeable future, I will no longer be blogging at Simple Thoughts (but that could change in the future).

I am excited to announce that I am now the Chief Creative Officer and Head Writer at GeekyKOOL.com. This is an exciting new geek-centric website. There will be multiple writers posting about their geektastic interests and passions. We will have movie reviews, trailers, comic book reviews, technology posts, and much more.

We already have a great sponsor Anotechcomputers.com. Jason York from Anotechcomputers.com will be writing a weekly post on Technology for GeekyKOOL.com. Jason brings a rich history of Tech work and will bring his expertise to the site. If you have any computer questions, please let Jason know @ http://www.facebook.com/anotechcomputers. He will answer your questions for you and your question may make his post.

If you enjoy reading Simple Thoughts, I believe you will enjoy GeekyKOOL. Please come and join us regularly. GeekyKOOL will be a bit rough for a couple of weeks while we break out the spit and polish but it will be great place to geek out.

TV Review: Walking Dead Season 2

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 04:09:00 +0000

Sunday had the season finale of the Walking Dead. I am going to review the season as a whole. As a fair warning, I am not a regular reader of the comic book so my bias will be solely as a fan of the AMC series.

Plot:
(This review will contain some spoilers) Season 2 had the group join up with Hershel and his group on a farm. After Carl was accidentally shot, Rick found Hershel’s farm. Hershel was able to doctor Carl back to life. The group stayed on the farm with tension and suspicion.

What I liked about this Show:
Season two took time to build the characters further. We learned much more about the group as a whole. We realized that some of the characters were much more than what they appeared in season one. The characters of Shane, Daryl, Glenn, Lori, and Dale grew tremendously as characters.

I love the new editions to the cast from Hershel’s farm. Hershel is a man of conviction and faith but all of that is questioned when he comes to a better understanding of the Walkers. Maggie is the rebellious country girl but she is much more than just that. Beth’s struggle with suicidal thoughts when she has to face the fact that the Walkers will not get better.

There were a lot of interesting moments in this series. Discovering the Walkers in the Barn was a really cool scene. The bar scene where they meet the guys from the other group was very cool. The zombie herd in the last episode was awesome along with the barn fire.

What I did not Like:
There were moments that seemed to drag this season. The plotline of looking for Sophia took a long time to develop. There were very positive aspects of this plot but the pacing was slow.

Certain members of the group disappeared for much of the season. As some of the characters developed, others did not grow at all. T-Dog and Carol were two characters that didn’t get enough screen time.

Review:I throughly enjoyed this season. It did have moments of slowness and pacing problems but I learned a ton about many of the people of the group. Overall this was another great season.

I know many fans of the comic books have problems with when and how certain members of the cast died. I understand as a comic book fan. I often have issues with adaptations of comics I love.

My Grade:B+

Other Reviews
IMDB: 8.7

TV Preview: Super Best Friends Forever

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 22:20:00 +0000

My 11 year old daughter is going to love this next show when it premieres next weekend. It may only be a short (not sure at this time) but my daughter loved the preview.

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Trailer #2

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 02:54:00 +0000

I am really psyched about this movie. Mixing my love for history and alternative history and a monster movie. It is Abraham Lincoln after all. He is already a huge hero in most Americans' minds but now he will be a slayer. I can't wait.

Web Series Review: The Guild

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 03:11:00 +0000

I recently started my subscription to Netflix. (No I haven’t been living under a rock but I had an old TV- now I have a new 47”) As I was searching for cool things to check out. I stumbled upon The Guild. The Guild is a webseries about online role playing gamers. Netflix carries the episodes in a combined seasons.

Plot:

The Guild is about group of gamers who play an unnamed online MMRPG (Massively Multiplayer Role Playing Game). This group has formed a guild, (a team to help each other in the game),The Knights of Good. The main character is Codex, aka Cyd Sherman outside of the game. She has another guild member, Zaboo, come to live with her. Zaboo mistaken Codex’s game flirting as a relationship. She doesn’t know how to tell him that he misinterpreted her flirting. She gathers the Guild for a live meeting, which has never occurred before, to help her deal with Zaboo and his scary mother. This begins the interaction between the game geeks. They continued live and online interaction between the Knights of Good brings the drama and hilarity.

What I liked about this Show:

I really like Felicia Day who is the star of the show. She brings a human side to her character Codex. She has a good comic sense and appears to be an authentic geek. She seems comfortable in her various geek roles over the years from Eureka, to Dr Horrible’s Sing Along Blog, to My Boys and everything thing in between.

This show is written by someone who online games and gamers. Too often shows and movies are written about a subculture but with no one the show or writing staff understand that culture. It is apparent from the beginning the writers and cast have a good understanding. As a geek who has played MMRPGs, this is a pretty honest look at some of the gamers out there.

I love the quirky characters in this online series. They make me laugh because I know many people who are similar to them. I love the character of Clara,who uses her real name as her screen name, and ignores her kids and husband while she plays the game all day long.

Fellow geek star,Wil Wheaton, has a fun role in season 3 and 4. I really enjoy the humor of Wil Wheaton. He brought his A Game to The Guild.

What I did not Like:

I wish this show was more appropriate for my 11 year old daughter. She would love aspects of it. It more geared for old teens and above so in a few years, I will be able to introduce her to it.

Review:

This is a wonderfully fun series that will connect with anyone engrossed in geek culture especially in the online gaming culture.

My Grade:A

Prometheus Trailer #2

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 03:40:00 +0000

Check out the latest. This prequel to Alien looks awesome! I love the first two Alien movies. If this lives up to half of my expectations, it will be an fantastic movie.

CG Superman VS Hulk-- The Fight

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 03:34:00 +0000

Check out the Superman vs Hulk fight (part 1 and part 2). The CGI graphics are great. I love this fight that fans have hoping for. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Planet ComicCon 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 04:55:00 +0000

Planet ComicCon is the comic book convention in Kansas City. It is Saturday March 24th from 10 AM to 7 PM and Sunday March 25th from 10 AM to 4 PM. This convention is for more than just comic book junkies. They have an entire geektastic lineup set for one’s inner nerd to enjoy. Click here for Planet Comicon 2012 Advance Tickets.

I have attended the majority of the Planet ComicCon conventions over the last 10 years. I am planning attending again this year with my daughter (who will come in costume) and some friends. Every year this convention gets bigger and better. Looking forward to being that and hope some of my readers will join me there.

Planet ComicCon has a large lineup of TV and movie celebrities that will be on hand to sign autographs (some for a price). The Star Wars fans will have their hands full with Billie Dee Williams, Jake Lloyd (young Anakin), and Adrienne Wilkinson (voice of Maris Brood in Star Wars video games, as well as the voice of the Daughter on Star Wars: the Clone Wars).

Star Wars is not the only Science Fiction entertainers represented. Edward James Olmos (Admiral William Adama from BSG) will be in attendance. The early 1980’s Buck Rodgers in the 25th Century will be heavily represented with Gil Gerard (Buck), Erin Gray (Wilma), and Felix Silla (Twiki) (also played Cousin Itt on the Addams Family, Lucifer on the original Battlestar Galactica, an Ewok in Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi).

Blair Butler will be at Planet ComicCon. She is known for being a correspondent, commentator and comic book critic for G4. Along with being a geek celeb, she is also a comic book creator/writer. She writes the Image comic book Heart.

I am very excited about the next two guests. I have recently discovered the Internet series (on Netflix) The Guild. The Guild is a series about a group of Internet role playing gamers that is laugh and loud funny. Amy Okuda who plays Tinkerballa will be in attendance with Robin Thorsen who plays the scattermind absent mother, Clara.

This convention is not a Comic Book Convention just in name. There will be a bunch of comic creator/artists/and writers. I am excited to meet Tim Sale, Rick Remender, Joe Stanton, Phil Hester just to name a few. Marvel Senior X-Men Editor Nick Lowe will be on hand and will examine portfolios. Don’t forget many vendors selling comics, t-shirts, and various other geek bling.

I love a good comic convention, and I expect this one will be a blast.

Dinosaurs of Charles R Knight

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 02:54:00 +0000

As a kid in the 1970’s, I was obsessed with Dinosaurs. I had a really cool dinosaur poster in my my room (which I recently found). My favorite Saturday Morning show was Land of the Lost (not the bad movie but the 70’s show).

I still love dinosaurs. I will watch any movie with dinosaurs no matter how bad or corny just to watch these fascinating and extinct creatures. I love the Jurassic Park movies. When I visited Washington D.C. a few years ago, I had to go to the Smithsonian to look at the dinosaur fossils. Yes, I still love dinosaurs.

When I stumbled upon some of the art work of Charles R. Knight, I was swept back to my childhood. I can’t tell you how many Dinosaur books I checked out with his art work through out it. I didn’t know his name as a kid but now I will never forget it.

Charles R Knight started painting images of dinosaurs and other extinct animals for the American Museum of Natural History after attracting the attention of Dr. Jacob Wortman. He was the first known artist to depict many of the dinosaurs. “One of Knight's best-known pieces for the American Museum of Natural History is 1897’s Leaping Laelaps (top picture), which was one of the few pre-1960s images to present dinosaurs as active, fast-moving creatures.” (Wikipedia) Knight's vision of dinosaurs captured the imaginations of countless adults and children and he still has my imagination.

I am feeling quite nostalgic while looking at these pictures of these paintings.

Men In Black 3 Trailer

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 03:59:00 +0000

I am looking forward to the latest Men In Black movie. Love the first two. Looks like a load of fun.

Support The Nerdy Bird on the MDA Walk

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 00:44:00 +0000

Support The Nerdy Bird on the MDA Walk

Geeks have a lot of similarities. We all have our geeky obsessions that we can talk about for hours at a time if it is Star Wars, Star Trek, Comic Books, Sci Fi movies/books/TV, or any other numerous passions. Our geekiness often brings a kindred spirit for our fellow geeks.

We are much more than just geeks. We are people with lives outside of our geeky obsessions. We have family and friends. Most of us have jobs outside nerdy passions. We all have our own sets of issues and problems. We also have our own passions and projects.

Jill Pantozzi, AKA The Nerdy Bird, is one of my favorite geek writers. she is on a MDA Muscle Walk team. She is soliciting support for her MDA Walk team- The Nerdy Birds. If you would like to donate to support MDA, then here is the link for her team. For those that don’t know Jill, she has Muscular Dystrophy. This is a part of who she is but she is much more than just a person with M.D.

If you would like to give to a good cause, please consider making a donation to MDA and to the Nerdy Birds MDA Walk Team.

The Hobbit Production Video

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 01:19:00 +0000

I can't wait for the Hobbit. It is tied for my most anticipated movie of 2012 with the Avengers.

Archie Comics, Gay Marriage, Toys R Us, and a Million Moms

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 04:43:00 +0000

I am a proud father of an 11 year old girl who reads comic books (also proud to be the father of a 2 year old boy but he is not old enough to read comics yet). One of the ways I try to be a good father is that I preview any comic books I pick up for my daughter. At times, I have not given her the issues to read if I found it inappropriate (some of the previous Supergirl run). There have been times I have used the story as a segue into a conversation about things or ideas in the comic books. I am responsible to know what my daughter is reading and to give her an understanding of our thoughts on the issues.

The most recent controversy stems around the Archie Comics character Kevin Keller. He has been an openly gay character for over a year. He gets married in Life With Archie #16 with a front cover prominently displaying just married and two men.

This comic has been carried by some Toy R Us store. Some of their stores have started carrying comic books. Since Archie is usually thought of as kids comic book, it make sense that they decided to carry Archie and the gang. Reportedly, this comic was being displayed prominently in some stores showing the marriage of Kevin to another male character. This lead to a campaign by the One Million Moms group to have the comics removed from Toys R Us. This led to more backlash against the One Million Moms by gay marriage advocates.

I have no desire to get in the gay marriage debate in this article. In fact, I gave up political writing in a huge part because of the gay marriage debate. Gay marriage has become as polarizing of an issue as abortion. Very few people can see the valid opinions of those that disagree with them on the subject. Most either believe gay marriage advocates are attempting to destroy life as we know it or believe gay marriage opponents are evil hate mongers who love to use all of their energies to discriminate against others.

Gay characters are not new to comic books. Northstar, member of Marvel Comics Alpha Flight has been openly gay for over 20 years. The same is true to DC’s Obsidian. This is the first time that gay marriage has been this prominent in comic books. The even bigger issue is that Archie is usually thought of as a safe kids comic and not as a comic that will be controversial but that might be changing for those that are not comfortable with their children learning about gay marriage.

A few things are clear to me but may not be clear to others. Archie Comics has the right to put out comics with prominent gay characters and even have weddings. Parents have the right to find these comics inappropriate for their kids and refuse to buy them. These parents and others have a right to request the retail stores either remove them or change how they are displayed. The stores have the right to either remove, change the display, or do nothing (all of these options are lose/lose/lose for the stores). Gay marriage proponents have the right to get upset by One Million Moms and other groups.

I have read articles on both sides of this debate over Life With Archie #16. Both groups are deepening their entrenchment towards the other side. Name calling occurs instead of listening to others with difference thoughts and beliefs. They don’t care that the other side is entitled to their opinions but only that they feel their side is being slighted.

It would be nice if people who want to buy this comic would just purchase it and those that don’t want to spend their money on it don’t buy it. But that would too civil.

IN Honor of Davey Jones of the Monkees

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:50:00 +0000

Davey Jones passed away today at a young 66 years old. I was introduced to the music and the television show back in high school by my friend Daryl. Here are a few videos to remember Davey.

Remember the Monkees recorded "I'm A Believer" long before Shrek or Smash Mouth.

Day Dream Believer is the song I most associate with Davey.

Davey, take the last train ... well not to Clarksville but to Heaven.

New Avengers Trailer-2-29-12

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 17:52:00 +0000

This is the newest trailer for the Avengers. This is a British trailer which has a different release date than we do in the States- May 4th in the U.S.. This looks simply incredible. Enjoy!

TV Review: The River

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 05:22:00 +0000

I love a show that can keep me guessing. A little mystery and suspense will keep me watching. For years, LOST pulled me in by giving me questions. Can the River do this for me?

Plot:
This series is a lost footage show. The former king of the wild lands/wild animal shows, Emmet Cole, has gone missing. His wife and son join the crew of a tv show to go looking for Emmet on the Amazon. The show quickly become spooky with a horror aspect of it. There are strange, unexplained, and maybe magical things going on in the Amazon.

There have been numerous of bizarre things that the crew has run into. They had vines and plants attack the boat. They found a jungle full of old dolls hanging from the trees. The crew was poisoned by some natives and they lost their sight. They found a former member of Emmet’s crew hanging from a vine and he was alive but continued to be hung because of video taping a native who went off to die. On tonight’s episode, the crew met another group but found out that they were all members of a ghost ship.

What I liked about this Show:
This show keeps me guessing. It is a suspense and horror filled show that leaves us with lots of questions. It does have a LOST feel to it.

What I did not Like:
I am not a fan of the lost footage fake documentaries. I have already grown tired of this format.

Sometimes the acting is not great. The show has moments where I shake my head with the acting.

Review:
I am enjoying this show. It is not the greatest show but also not the worst. The acting can be spotty. But it does have moments of really good suspense and it does leave you with lots of questions.

My Grade:B

Online Geek Comics

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Sun, 26 Feb 2012 03:52:00 +0000

I am all about embarrassing my geeky nature. One of the ways I do this is by ready geek online comics. My two favorite ones are Dork Tower and PVP.

Dork Tower is comic by John Kovalic about a group of gamer friends. These friends continually make geeky references often around role playing games and sometimes in the middle of a game. Occasional they flash to other geek references such as the one above. Kovalic’s art is alkso promenant in the Steve Jackson Games.

PVP (aka Player Vs Player) is a comic by Scott Kurtz. It centers around a group of friends that work for a fictional video game magazine. They have a a mythological animal friend- Troll named Skull that works with them. Two of the main characters, Brent and Cole, own the General Lee from Dukes of Hazard which can get them anywhere quickly. This is a fun comic with all sorts of geek refernces.

Both of these comic strips hit my geeky funny bone. It is important to laugh at ourselves and both of these comics help us geeks do that. Both are usually age appropriate for teens and above. Laughter after all is healing medicine.

Lego Millennium Falcon- Stop Motion Building

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 14:51:00 +0000

Lego Millennium Falcon Stop Motion Assembly 3d from Francisco Prieto on Vimeo.

This took the creator 3 years to build. He used stop motion to film it. This is fantastic to watch. I would not have the patients to build it over the 3 years but I am glad someone did.

Movie Trailer: Brave (#2)

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:24:00 +0000

Brave looks like a really fun movie from Pixar. I appreciate a good girl power movie and this looks like a good one. There are not enough strong female characters especially in the fantasy genre.

Comic Book Review: Bionic Man #6

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 04:57:00 +0000

Comic Book Review: Bionic Man #6

Steve Austin, a man barely alive... Steve has been rebuilt and learned about his bionics over the first 5 issues. It is time for his first mission. He comes face to face with another bionic man who is a crazed killer. Can Steve beat the Evil Bionic Guy?

Credits:
Bionic Man -Issue # 6 -Dynamite Comics
Writer: Kevin Smith and Phil Hester
Penciler: Jonathan Lau
Colorist: Ivan Nunes
Letters: Simon Bowland
Price: $3.99

Plot: (Major Plot Spoilers)This issue is the battle that the readers have been patiently waiting for. The whole issue is one gigantic bionic battle. You can almost hear the sound effects of the bionics.

The battle started in banquet room and moved through out the whole city. Cops shot up both Steve and Evil Bionic Guy (EBG) and both continued going without issue. The fight goes out into the street and down to the subway.

The brainchilds of the OSI are watching. (secret government organization that gave Steve his bionics). The head over OSI is considering using the Fail Safe to kill Steve because he is displaying his abilities in public and it may expose them. Oscar Goldman convinces her not to use the Fail Safe.

The fight in the subway is like two Heavy Weight Prize Fighters. They pound each other silly. It is a brutally awesome fight.

As the Evil Bionic Guy (EBG) decides to leave, he rips up the subway track. A subway train is on its way. Steve decides an attempt to save the people instead of pursuing EBG. The subway car flipped and slid towards a mother and her daughter. Steve stands between certain death for this family and is able to prevent it just in time.

The fake skin on Steve’s arms and legs are disintegrated. His bionics are showing through. The little girl believes that Steve is a “Terminator”.

Steve runs away while the crowd is in awe. They discuss if he is some sort of super hero. Steve finds himself at Jamie’s (fiance before the accident) house watching her come home.
Review:
Art:
Lau and Nunes created a beautiful book. Many of the panels display great details. The fight scenes are phenomenal.

I love the panels where Steve jumps on top of the light pole. He scans the crowd for EBG with his bionic infrared eyes and finds EGB. It was perfect.

The glass breaking in numerous scenes have a Pérez feel to it.

Story/Plot:
There was not a plot development in this book other than bringing the fight that we have been waiting for over 5 issues. Issue 6 brings it all to head.

The most interesting subplot in this comic was the OSI page where blond head of OSI is considering pulling the kill switch on Steve. Goldman stands up for Steve but this will not be the last of this battle in the OSI.

My REVIEW:
It was pure bionic awesomeness. I loved every minute of it. The build up and fight did remind me of the Steve/ Big Foot battle on the TV show in that it was a bionic rumble. And that is enough for me to love this comic.
Grade: A

Geeky Kool: Why I read Spider-Man over the X-Men

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Sun, 19 Feb 2012 04:29:00 +0000

Geeky Kool: Why I read Spider-Man over the X-Men

I have always been more of a Marvel guy. My father got me started in comic books when I was very young. he is a big DC fan, who loves the big characters like Batman and Superman and group comics like Titans and Legion of Super-Heroes. There are a few DC books that I really enjoy but over all, I am a Marvel Comics guy.

I became a Spider-Man fan when I was a small kid. But in the early to mid 80s, I discovered the Claremont/Bryne’s Uncanny X-Men. I continued to love Spidey but Xavier and his mutants came in a close second.

Even though I love the characters, both Spider-Man and the X-Men have had moments that have frustrated me. Spider-Man had the dreaded Clone Saga. I am still upset over the crazy re-writing of Gwen Stacy and her supposed relationship with Norman Osborn. Do I even need to mention the deal with the devil (or at least a demon) Mephisto of One More Day?

The X-Men have had plenty of their own crazy stories that left me wondering why I would continue to read. How many times can Xavier miraculously walk again and then tragically lose the ability again in a few issues? I am not sure I can name one character who was not dead at one point and then came back to life. Some of the characters have died numerous times but always come back. And how many alternate futures can characters jump back to the X-Men days?

There was a point in my life when I had to stop collecting comics for several years. When I started back up a few years ago, Amazing Spider-Man was the one of the few comics I started with. I thought about adding Uncanny X-Men but never added it.

As I considered why I never added back one of my all time favorite comics, it became clear to me. Before I had to stop collecting, X-Men became too involved with crossing over between their numerous titles. At least once a year, they all cross over and you have to read each issue. I would be lost reading certain titles only a few issues a year. I could not (and still can’t) afford to collect all of the X-series.

On the other hand, Spidey has not really done the massive self cross overs. At times, Spider-Man has also had numerous titles. But they don’t usually cross over. The Spidey comics would reference events in the other series and include a footnote of where to read that story. If a story started in Amazing Spider-Man, it might take several issues to bring to fruition but it usually would only be in Amazing.

If things change in the future and I could get away with just reading one main X-Men comic book, I would consider it. But I really cannot stand the idea of having to read every series to understand what is actually going on in the X-world (hey that might be the name of the next X-Men series- X-World). Until then, I will have to hear about the X-events and thank Spidey for not doing that to me.

Comic Book Review: Black Panther-The Most Dangerous Man Alive! #529

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 06:03:00 +0000

Comic Book Review: Black Panther-The Most Dangerous Man Alive! #529

I have known for a while that Marvel Comic had given the ax to the Black Panther comic book. It has been one of my favorite comics for some time. I am extreme sad that this is the final issue.

Credits:

Black Panther-The Most Dangerous Man Alive! -Issue # 529 “Reign’s End”

-Marvel Comics

Writer: DAVID LISS

Artist: SHAWN MARTINBROUGH

Cover: FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA

Price: $2.99

Plot:

The Kingpin continues his attempt to take control of the banks of Wakanda (home of T’Challa aka Black Panther). The Kingpin believes he has out smarted the Black Panther. He hopes to control all the natural resources of this small country.

The Black Panther has his swagger back. He bring in fellow heroes Luke Cage (aka Power Man) and the Falcon to help him fight against the Kingpin. Sofija continues her almost side kick roll for T’Challa.

The Black Panther and his allies wage a full frontal attack on the Shadowland compound where the Kingpin is hold up. They face numerous ninjas that are under Fisk’s control. This forces Kingpin’s hand and he assigns Typhoid Mary and Lady Bullseye to take down the Falcon and Luke Cage. Fisk will take on Black Panther one on one. Kingpin assigns his faithful servant Miyu to destroy the financial records so the Panther will not get his hands on them.

Miyu is not who she seems. It is actually the Black Panther’s sister, Shuri, who is the acting Queen of Wakanda. She is able to sabotage the Kingpin’s finances and network.

Black Panther fights the Kingpin to a stalemate. Panther reveals his plan to the Kingpin. He tells him how they planted computer viruses/worms that revealed Fisk’s financial data to the police around the world. They have a special worm that will stay dormitory unless the Kingpin attempts again to take over Wakanda. Fisk reluctantly agrees for the Black Panther and his entourage to leave.

The Black Panther meets with the Daredevil. T’Challa hands the figurative keys to Hells Kitchen back to Matt (Daredevil). T’Challa is heading back to Wakanda to take back over the thrown and his official role as the Black Panther for his people.

Review:

Art:

Martinbrough continues the beautiful art that has dominated the series. It is fairly detailed but in a comic book fashion. I love the washed out colors which fit this book perfectly.

Story/Plot:

I think it is a perfect ending to this series. The series started with T’Challa being a broken man who was trying to find himself. He develops back into the confident hero that we have known for years. It peaks with the Black Panther taking on the Kingpin of Crime and besting him at his own game.

My REVIEW:

This was a sad but satisfying ending to a great run. Thank you Marvel for allowing me to develop a love for this character that I only had moderate knowledge of prior.

Grade: A

TV Review: Comic Book Men

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 05:22:00 +0000

I love my comic books. I enjoy some of the Kevin Smith movies. I have always wanted to see the back workings of a Comic Store. I had great hope for this show going into the first episode.

Plot:

Kevin Smith and his group of comic book men are broadcasting a podcast. They discuss issues going on in the store, Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash Comic Store. During the podcast, they flash to what occurred during the last week and the camera crew was there to capture it.

What I liked about this Show:

Geeky guys sitting around talking about comics and stuff is entertainment to me. It reminded me hanging out with some of my friends.

What I did not Like:

The characters were not really likable. Bryan Johnson is mean and obnoxious to Ming Chen. Honestly, I didn't really like any of them other than Ming.

This show mainly focused on people bringing in items and trying to get the store to buy them. They brought in comic books, movie posters, a Chucky doll, and zombie pictures. It reminded me of the many Pawn reality shows. Boorrrring!

Where is the discussion of comic books? They did not discuss comic books during this show. I really didn't learn anything about the inner working of a comic shop other than people want comic stores to buy their stuff.

Review:

I honestly felt like I was wasting an hour of my life. I found it to be terribly boring.

I will give this show another episode but it will soon be deleted from my DVR if next week doesn’t grab me.

My Grade:D+

Movie Trailer: (The Offical) Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Slayer

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:39:00 +0000

A couple of days ago, I posted a trailer for the new Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Slayer movie. I was mistaken and posted a fan fiction trailer and not an official trailer. I knew the official one was due out and falsely believed I had the correct one. Above is the official trailer. This is so much cooler than the other one. Please ignore the previous post with the bogus trailer. Enjoy.

Movie Trailer: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

noreply@blogger.com (Larry LItle) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 03:26:00 +0000

I am excited to see this movie. It looks like a ton of fun. I have not been this excited about a vampire movie since the original Buffy the Vampire Slayer.