I.M.O. Review of Solomon Grundy #3 (DC Comics) By Eddie R.

More of the same.

Solomon Grundy #3 marks the halfway point in this story arc. When we last left Cyrus Gold, he was in the arms (and branches) of the villainous Poison Ivy. Seeing an opportunity to do some eco –terrorism, Ivy tries to brainwash Gold using her toxic kiss, only to have it backfire, leaving Ivy with a really bad taste in her mouth after the experience.



Meanwhile across town, we see Alan Scott and his wife Molly, enjoying a brief intimate moment just before Alan has to rush off to clean up another mess made by Grundy. By now, Gold is wandering through the sewers. Continually plagued by visions, voices and flashbacks, someone is tormenting Cyrus Gold, but who that someone is, one can only guess? If you look closely in the shadows though, one might be able to find a suspect.

With more murders under his belt, Cyrus Gold sets into motion another change into the mindless swamp creature Solomon Grundy, continuing the cycle of death and rebirth. However, at the end of this regeneration cycle, a voice asks Grundy who his “true” enemy is? This sets Grundy off on a path of destruction leading to an ultimate showdown between the monster, and his possible maker.

I hope the next issue will shed more light on this dark subject.

7.5/10

Eddie R.
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I.M.O. Review of Power Girl #1(DC Comics) By Eddie R.

Fresh Start.

The first time I encountered Power Girl was in the classic Gerry Conway/ Roy Thomas Justice League of America/ All- Star Squadron tale: Crisis on Earth Prime, way back in 1982. Over the years, I bumped into her a few times more, but never really paid much attention to her. It wasn’t until she co-starred in the Justice League Europe Series where I began to take notice, and it’s not for the reasons one might think.

See for me, up until this point, there was a serious lack of “Girl power”, showing that a woman can be just as powerful as a man, as well as intelligent, witty, resourceful, and capable of leading either a team, or even a comic book, of their own. Out of all the excuses used to justify this lack of female empowerment, the most noted was these characters were just a female version of Superman. The irony in all of this was Power Girl WAS a female Superman, being the cousin to Kal-L, Superman of Earth-2.



For me, the day Power Girl changed was in Justice League Europe #9, where she was basically depowered after receiving medical attention from the “New Earth” Superman. Oh, she was still a spitfire when it came to the looks and attitude department, but she just wasn’t the same. I still read the JLE book, and continued to follow PG where ever she went. I did notice though that when she got back to the JSA, it was there where she truly shined. And as the years and annual comic crisis’s passed, she began to slowly regain what she had lost, both in powers and personality.

Now, I could go on about how PG’s origin was messed with, her costume was changed to reflect certain “developments”, and other various faux-pas which have occurred since she debuted in All- Star Comics #58, but I won’t. That’s in the past now, and much like the rest of the PG fans out there, it’s time for a fresh start.

Power Girl #1 is all the good stuff I remember this character being. Kara Zor-L, who now fully remembers her life on Earth- 2, wants a new beginning. And like anyone else, she starts with the most basic element: The secret I.D. She feels it’s the only way she can have a life, and be able to separate herself from the daily heroics.

As Kara tries to re-establish her Karen Starr identity, we learn she has managed to buy back Starrware, set up shop in New York City, and in between go out there and kicking some serious butt. Of course this story wouldn’t be complete without the presence of a very aptly chosen Super Villain who is bent on making Kara his own.

And as a side note, I would like to mention how this villain was actually one of the first Super villains the Earth- 2 Superman fought back in the 1940’s, so their appearance here is not only well justified, but leads to even more questions as to how this villain became even more powerful than what Power Girl remembers.

All I know is I can’t wait until issue two to find out.

8.5/10

Eddie R.
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Marvel Minimates Toys R Us 3 Packaging is here!

RIGHT HERE!





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5 Quick Questions with Adam Beechen

Adam Beechen is an American comic book writer. He has written scripts for various cartoon, such as Teen Titans, The Wild Thornberrys, Rugrats and The Batman. He was also the story editor on Hi-Hi Puffy Amiyumi for Cartoon Network.

Beechen has written for the Nickelodeon animated series, Edgar and Ellen, and for the short-lived drama Savannah. He is currently working on a Pink Panther remake for the Cartoon Network to air later this year.

Beechen wrote several Rugrats, The Wild Thornberrys and Rocket Power comic strips for Nickelodeon Magazine.

Beechen's first credited published work was a graphic novel named Hench, with artist Manny Bello, was published by AiT/Planet Lar in 2004. He's also written scripts for Teen Titans Go! and Justice League Unlimited for DC Comics.

Currently, Beechen is under contract with DC. He wrote issues of DC's weekly miniseries Countdown to Final Crisis and the miniseries Countdown to Adventure, featuring Animal Man, Starfire and Adam Strange, for DC. He is currently writing a Batgirl miniseries.

His follow up original graphic novel with Bello, Dugout, was released by AiT/Planet Lar in 2008. At the New York Comic Con, Wildstorm announced he would be writing a new series, Killapalooza, with Trevor Hairsine on art duties.



He agreed to answer 5 Quick Questions

1) What would you say is your greatest achievement in comics?

I'd say it's my first graphic novel, HENCH, published by AiT/PlanetLar and drawn by Manny Bello. That's the one where every part of the story came out exactly as I hoped it would. I'm very proud of that book.

2) Who was your favorite writer or artist that you worked with & why?

First of all, I've had uniformly great experiences with everyone I've worked with -- Maybe I've been really lucky. I'll always feel a special bond with Manny because of HENCH, and then our second graphic novel for AiT, DUGOUT, but I'd have to put Freddie E. Williams II, who drew the bulk of the issues of ROBIN that I wrote, at the tip-top of the list, because we both felt like we were breaking in at the same time. He started out great and has only gotten better...I'm thrilled for all the success he's having because it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

3) What character you have never worked .., would you like to do & why?

I'd love to work on Aquaman, because I've always loved the character, always felt he's been under-served, and I think I have a really good story to tell centered around him.

4) Who are your influences?

Aaron Sorkin, Ed Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz, Winnie Holzman, David Mamet, Martin McDonagh, Paddy Chayefsky, Alan Moore and Joe Gilmartin.

5) What hero or villain would you like to change if you could and why?

I guess I'd have to say Auquaman, because the story I have in mind for him would require some changes from his current iteration...taking him more back to his roots.

Adam has a new six-issue miniseries for Wildstorm, KILLAPALOOZA, drawn by Trevor Hairsine, that hits stands on May 20!

He'll be signing that day at Galaxy Comics in Van Nuys, California.

Outside of comics, he just finished writing an episode of the hit BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD series. His third script for them.

Check out Adam's blog Superfan Blog for the Phoenix Suns http://suns.marqui.com/blog/Adam_Beechen_.aspx Read more...

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G.I. Joe: Resolute Q&A

A note from Hasbro about the G.I. Joe Resloute cartoon Q & A

Hey G.I. Joe: Resolute Fans,

Thanks for all of your questions submitted to the Resolute creative team! As promised, a sample clip of the Resolute Q&A is now posted on www.gijoeresolute.com.

We received so many great questions in fact that we’re putting together an extended clip for you to see on www.gijoeresolute.com soon. Hasbro will keep you posted when it’s about to go live. We want to be sure that the Q+A is as cool as Resolute, so stay tuned and thanks again for all of the support! Read more...

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Announcing MARVEL FRIDAYS on MySpace Comic Books

Marvel is pleased to announce that Fridays at MySpace Comic Books (www.myspace.com/comicbooks) just got a bit more marvelous with the debut of Marvel Fridays! Each Friday, MySpace Comic Books will feature an exclusive Marvel preview and you, the fans, can vote to select the preview for the following week!

That’s right—the power’s in your hands! It all begins this week with an exclusive first look inside Lockjaw & The Pet Avengers #1 at www.myspace.com/comicbooks and your chance to vote for next week’s preview!

So what’re you waiting for? It’s your turn to discover why Earth’s Mightiest Pets have everyone buzzing with an exclusive preview of Lockjaw & The Pet Avengers #1 in the first Marvel Fridays on MySpace! Click over to www.myspace.com/comicbooks right now!


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Dark Tower: Treachery-- Two Weeks At The Top of The New York Times Best Seller List !

Marvel is proud to announce that the critically acclaimed Dark Tower: Treachery Premiere HC retained the #1 position this week on the New York Times Graphic Books Best-Seller list.

The chart topping team of writers Robin Furth & Peter David and artists Jae Lee & Richard Isanove present the next thrilling chapter of the critically-acclaimed series inspired by Stephen King’s seminal Dark Tower and it’s a hit! Marvel Zombies 3 HC also moved up three spots on the chart while Civil War HC made a triumphant debut!

For the complete list of best-sellers, click over to: http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/08/graphic-books-best-seller-list-may-2/

Dark Tower: Treachery Premiere HC is in stores NOW! And don’t miss the first two stunning Dark Tower limited series, collected in Dark Tower: The Gunslinger Born Premiere HC andDark Tower: The Long Road Home Premiere HC.

Plus, grab your copies of the Civil War HC and Marvel Zombies 3 HC, both in stores now!

For more on Dark Tower, please visit StephenKing.com and Marvel.com's Dark Tower hub.

DARK TOWER: TREACHERY PREMIERE HC (JAN092437)
Written by ROBIN FURTH & PETER DAVID
Pencils & Cover by JAE LEE & RICHARD ISANOVE
Parental Advisory…$24.99
©2009 Stephen King. All rights reserved
ON SALE NOW!

DARK TOWER: LONG ROAD HOME PREMIERE HC (JAN088587)
Written by ROBIN FURTH & PETER DAVID
Pencils & Cover by JAE LEE & RICHARD ISANOVE
Parental Advisory…$24.99
©2009 Stephen King. All rights reserved
ON SALE NOW!

DARK TOWER: THE GUNSLINGER BORN PREMIERE HC (SEP072167)
Written by ROBIN FURTH & PETER DAVID
Pencils & Cover by JAE LEE & RICHARD ISANOVE
Parental Advisory…$24.99
©2009 Stephen King. All rights reserved
ON SALE NOW!

CIVIL WAR HC (AUG082435)
CIVIL WAR HC DM VARIANT (AUG082436)
Written by MARK MILLAR
Penciled by STEVE MCNIVEN
Covers by STEVE MCNIVEN & MICHAEL TURNER
Rated T+ …$39.99
ON SALE NOW!

MARVEL ZOMBIES 3 HC (FEB092605)
Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Penciled by KEV WALKER
Cover by ARTHUR SUYDAM
Parental Advisory …$19.99
ON SALE NOW!



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X-Men: Legacy—The Reunion

X-MEN: LEGACY #224 (MAR092597)
Written by MIKE CAREY
Penciled by SCOT EATON
Cover by LEE BERMEJO
Rated A …$2.99
On-Sale—5/27/09

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Kotobukiya announces San Diego Comic-Con Exclusive: Black Widow Marvel x Bishoujo

The West meets East in Kotobukiya’s latest line of Marvel x Bishoujo (pretty girl) series. Continuing the series of Marvel Comics super heroines presented in the Japanese Bishoujo style is SDCC EXCLUSIVE: BLACK WIDOW, the beautiful Russian super-spy and member of the Mighty Avengers in her staggering new look.


This brand new edition of Black Widow has been specially designed for San Diego Comic-Con with a fresh take on her outfit and hair style. The new born Black Widow comes with a totally new blonde bob cut, jacket, and belt sculpt. The item will be exclusively sold at the convention limited to 500 pieces.

Kotobukiya x Marvel x Shunya Yamashita Collaboration
Kotobukiya has many years of experience creating anime girl figures and this time by using their full potential and skill have successfully collaborated with one of the most celebrated Western comic Publisher Marvel and Japan’s incomparable illustrator Shunya Yamashita. Fans should be familiar with Yamashita-sensei’s style as Japan’s leading Bishoujo artist, from his art books, video game work, as well as multiple figural collaborations with Kotobukiya. Taking in the essence of what each hemisphere does best at, Kotobukiya has been able to produce a one of a kind Marvel Bishoujo statue.

Product Specification
Deadly and dangerous, Black Widow wears a skin-tight costume that leaves little to the imagination. The shiny black outfit accentuates every curve and the long lines of her legs, which end with stiletto heeled boots. Hugging Natasha Romanoff’s waist is a stylish new belt, and on her arms are golden wristbands. As the sexy spy whips around to look behind her with a pistol at the ready, her intricately carved short bob hair cut floats in the air behind her. Black Widow stands provocatively atop a specially-designed base.

Black Widow stands 7 3/5 inches tall (1/8 scale), and features a solid construction of pvc and abs plastics. Sculpted by Yu Ishii, the super-spy comes packaged in an attention-grabbing window box.

Product Summary for SDCC EXCLUSIVE: BLACK WIDOW
● A sculpture that targets fans and collectors of Marvel and Shunya Yamashita fans
● New blonde bob hair, jacket, and belt sculpt
● 1/8 scale size (Stands over 7 3/5 tall).
● Sculpt based off of Shunya Yamashita’s original illustration
● Stands on a specially designed base
● Limited to 500 pieces at San Diego Comic-Con

Kotobukiya will be announcing more exclusive item in the coming weeks and recommends everyone to visit their website for the most recent information.
For more information on the products please go to www.KotoUs.com.



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2009 Willamette Writers Conference 5/6/09

Willamette Writers is the largest writers’ organization in Oregon and one of the largest in the United States. Founded in Portland in 1965, it has grown to nearly 1,600 members with branches in Eugene, Medford, Newport and Salem. The 2009 Willamette Writers conference is August 7-9th 2009 at the Portland Airport Sheraton Hotel and features guest speakers, writing workshops, and agent consultations.

For more information visit: http://www.willamettewriters.com/wwc/3/index.php Read more...

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Hasbro launches new G.I. Joe web site!

Hello G.I. Joe Fans!

We have some exciting news to share. As you all know, 2009 is the year of G.I. Joe and now there’s a web site that will be your one stop location for everything G.I. Joe leading into the release of G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra.

GIJOE.COM, launches today, exactly 3 months from the movie’s premiere, will be filled with great content, exclusive news and announcements and sneak peeks at upcoming products and footage. We hope you will share this with all of your readers.

Yo Joe! Read more...

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I.M.O. Review: The Flash: Rebirth #2 (DC Comics) By Eddie R.

Keeping the pace.

I must admit I do enjoy a good mystery with a bit of science behind it. I guess that’s why I have always been fond of The Flash. There was always a “Flash Fact” thrown in for good measure now and then, and I always seemed to come out feeling more knowledgeable after I had read the story. For a while, that form of comic book writing seemed to be out of style. But not anymore.

Thanks to the introduction of TV shows like C.S.I., this type of storyline is much more understood and accepted by a broader audience. And what’s great is people now understand the job that goes with it. So seeing Barry Allen at work as a Forensic Scientist, and using those skills he has mastered over the years, in collaboration with his superpowers, goes to show how both writers and the audience have matured.



The Flash: Rebirth #2 manages to keep the pace set in issue one, with the mystery behind the return of Barry Allen growing ever deeper. Along the way, we continue to visit Barry’s past, stopping along the way to show brief moments into our hero’s humble beginnings. We learn more about how Barry met the love of his life, Iris West. We also learn the reason why Barry wore a bow tie. It might seem trivial to some, but I like how this symbol, the bow tie, is something which Barry is saddled with, and not of his own choosing. For me, this seems like a prelude to the whole double identity thing.

As the story continues, we begin to learn the after effects of the recent power surge concerning all the Speedsters. While most of the Speedsters come unharmed from the event, one does suffer a personal loss, and tries to go after those deemed responsible for this crime. As the mystery deepens, Wally West asks his uncle to help him investigate the charred remains of the Flash, found in a field from the first issue. Both events tie into a revelation which has me wondering if there is more to this Black Death than meets the eye?

One can hope that the third issue of this series will be just as revealing as the first two.

8.5/10

Eddie R.
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MOTUC subscription news

Good Great news, MOTU fans!

Nothing bums me out more than fans not getting the figures they want. So, to make sure you get all your fave MOTU figures, I'm starting a subscription service! All the details will be on the sign-up page when it launches, but here's how it's basically gonna work:

From May 18th through May 22nd (five days only), come to MattyCollector.com to sign up for the 2009 service. Every month, from September through December, you'll be guaranteed to get the figure of the month at current prices, for a total of four. Once you sign up, you're in for the whole period (subscriptions can't be cancelled). Exact figures will be announced approximately three months from each on-sale date. Figures can either be shipped and charged once per month as they become available, or they can be held for the year, and charged and shipped together on December 15th. You can sign up for as many subscriptions as you want during the five day period. No limit! Figures will also be available at MattyCollector.com on the 15th of each month without the subscription. So, if you want extras of some figures, you'll still have the option to buy more — but availability won't be guaranteed. The subscription will only be for the figure of the month, and won't include convention figures, or other special figures. Subscriptions for the full year 2010 will be available in August 2009.

It doesn't get a whole lot easier. Sign up once and you're done… MOTU figures just show up at your door! No worrying about being logged in when a sale starts, or a figure selling out before you get one.

Again, complete details (including all the legal mumbo-jumbo) will be on the sign-up page. And remember, you can get as many as you want but subscriptions will only be available for five days, so mark your calendars for Monday, May 18th!

—Matty Read more...

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Dabel Brothers Publishing presents 5 pg preview to Patricia Briggs' Mercy Thompson: Homecoming #3

Dabel Brothers Publishing is pleased to present a 5 pg preview to Mercy Thompson: Homecoming #3, written by Patricia Briggs and David Lawrence, with painted art by Amelia Woo.

In this issue:

Mercy Thompson has no where to turn as she's drawn further into the conflict between the rival werewolf packs while struggling to make her way in a new life in the Tri-Cities. Is there any place this shifter can call home?

Patricia Briggs adventures of coyote shapeshifter Mercy Thompson, in Moon Called, Blood Bound and Iron Kissed, topped the New York Times best-seller list. Now, Mercy's first comic adventure continues in this all-new story created by the author!

Look for the book to hit stores everywhere May 20th.




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LIVE AGAIN AFTER DEATH THIS JULY IN THE UPCOMING EXISTENCE 2.0!

Science fiction and noir crime combine like never before in July's EXISTENCE 2.0!

This July writer Nick Spencer and illustrator Ronald Salas give one man the chance to start life anew after dying in the science fiction romp, EXISTENCE 2.0.

"I brought this book to Image, because in all my years of reading comics I've never quite seen anything like it," Image Comics Vice-President Jim Valentino said. "The way Nick and Ron combine the standard tropes of crime and science fiction to create something wholly new blew me away. It's a comic I had to read and I couldn't be happier to publish it."

EXISTENCE 2.0 begins moments after self-absorbed physicist Sylvester Baladine finds his consciousness transferred into the body of the hitman who murdered him. Settling into his anonymous new life in a younger, better looking body, Sylvester is pretty content until he discovers that the very people who plotted his assassination have kidnapped the one person he treasured most in his old life - his daughter. With only limited time before she dies, Sylvester must dig up and face the past he was happy to bury and figure out who tried to kill him and why they want his daughter, inadvertently making himself a target once more.

EXISTENCE 2.0 (MAY090303), a 32-page full color series for $3.50, will be in stores July 1st, 2009.

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