HOLY TERROR(Batman) - REVIEW

Okay, so it's been a while, but I have still been reading comics, and thinking about them. Up this time is the Hardcover, Widescreen Graphic Novel of the delayed "Holy Terror Batman!" by Frank Miller, now known simply as "Holy Terror" and you can tell right away this is not going to be nuanced.

The Comic Book Maw: 8th September, 2011

Welcome! Since we live in tough times, where comics are not cheap, I think there should be no middle ground. The Comic Book Maw is a weekly, or as close to weekly round up of what comics I got, and what I thought to be good, and or bad. Hopefully it might sway you to avoid, or pick a book or two. Enjoy!

The Comic Book Maw: 24th August, 2011

Welcome! The Comic Book Maw is a weekly, or as close to weekly round up of what comics I got, and what I thought to be good, and or bad. Hopefully it might sway you to avoid or pick a book or two. Enjoy!

You Are NOT Special!: Things I learned about the Comics Biz

When I was young I wanted to work in comics. X-Men, Batman, Spider-Man, it didn’t matter. I wanted to make comics that people would enjoy, and I could be happy doing. Little did I know that the business is as cut throat as the decks of pirate ship.

"I WAS A TEENAGE WOLVERINE"

I am serious, I would write and draw the hell out of this comic. If I was given the chance, which will never happen. But hey, I think it would sell. To teen girls, and completionists that need every Wolverine comic book in existance.

The elevator pitch: Twilight meets X-Men's number one bad boy, Wolverine.

Hey Marvel, if you are listening hit me up. You can set me up with Tim Green II or Becky Cloonan. I am open to either one.

Rough Diamond: Kill the Direct Market

You ever read a comic book? If so it was more than likely moved, bought, and sold by Diamond Comics Distributors. Who are they? You might ask. Well they are one man, Steve Geppi. The man that controls all the comics.

Battle of the Budgets: Walking Dead vs. Mad Men

Recently, Frank Darabont(The Shawshank Redemption) the man who brought Robert Kirkman's "Walking Dead" to AMC TV was rumored to have stepped down from the show that he heralded to the highest ratings in AMC's broadcast history for original programming. But now it has been revealed that he was fired from the show. The cause for this shake up seems to be due to Matthew Weiner's fight for "Mad Men's bigger budget. Is this leaner budget the death rattle of "Walking Dead"? Should this budge cut matter?

The New DCU and You!...Not Me

In the attempt to reinvigorate the dying medium of monthly comics DC Comics is relaunching their entire line with new #1’s. This attempt may be too little too late, but some would say, “You gotta try something.” This isn’t checking to see if the spaghetti sticks are done by tossing them against a wall, this is a business. They need to start acting like it.

Universal Appeal: Silent Films

Today when Hollywood churns out movies with special effects that are eye candy, and starring people that couldn't act themselves out of a Mime's Paper Bag. I look to the past to see what exactly we are missing with the dissolution of the Silent Film that was overtaken by the talkie.

The Silent Movie was art like anyother. Flickering pictures sometimes accompanied by a piano that was played in the theater that the movie was shown. You had to rely on the ability of the actor, and the occasional "Text Break" that would flesh out what these visual artists are emoting to enjoy the movie. There were actors that still after 100 years they have a visual presence that can touch you like no modern day actor or actress ever could.

You could take any silent film, swap out the English Text, and replace it with Russian, Spanish, French, Italian, hell, maybe even Japanese, and this international crowd could enjoy this movie no matter where it was made. We have lost this Universal Appeal. We have lost this magic, and that is a shame.

"Why so serious?"

Cold War vs. Prohibition

I was looking at a pawn shop, and at most pawn shops there are guns. Well I went in a asked the owner how much the guns were since the lighting sucked. The American made AK-47 was $700, not bad. Semi Automatic Fire(fully auto is not legal for non-FFL holders). Thirty Round magazine, that holds the 7.62 x 39 round. Nice gun. Tough gun. But then something else caught my eye.

It was a M1A1 Thompson Sub Machine Gun. A "Tommy Gun". A "Chicago Typewriter". A mobsters best friend. Now it only had the single stick clip that holds Twenty .45 caliber rounds, and the cost of this gun was $800.

I am still torn. Nothing says cool like a Tommy Gun. But the AK is a classic. It can take a beating, and get dirty. I am lazy when it comes to cleaning guns. But hey, if I save my money like I do from not buying comics, I could have a new weapon(or two) to take to the range.

Step Backwards

A few years back I took a break from comic books after getting fed up with people at my local comic book store, now with comics costing $4 a piece and telling stories that don't hold my attention I think I shall be stepping away again. I love comics. I really do. But when it comes to this montly drek time after time, I just have to step away or risk hating it all.

On the upside I will be saving money, and not wasting it on pamphlets that I read once, and put in a plastic baggy.