I Doubt Dr. Strange's Eye of Agamotto Could Have Seen This! Disney Buys Marvel-Check Out Tuesday's Comic Shoppe For More at 7pm ET

What a way to start a Monday! I'm pretty sure every comic book fan and stock investor alike has heard that entertainment conglomerate, Disney just purchased Marvel Entertainment for a cool 4 billion dollars. I'm still in shock and I suspect the jury is still out among comic book/fantasy enthusiasts as to full the implications of this historic merger. Here's an excerpt of some industry "tweets" relating to the merger, courtesy of ComicsAlliance.com:

Many comics pros, including writers and artists at Marvel, have been responding to the news on Twitter. Here's a cross-section of tweets from some of the biggest names in the industry:

jeffparker (Marvel writer, "Agents of Atlas"): shiz, I just woke up working for Disney

CBCebulski (Marvel Editor) Not much more I can say right now. More info coming soon. We're told it's like when Disney bought Pixar... everything Marvel stays as is.

CBCebulski From all I've heard up here these past three hours, Disney merging with Marvel is a VERY GOOD thing for us. Very positive about it all!

ivanbrandon (Writer, "Marvel Comics Presents"): my main concern is that my checks still have spider-man on them. the bank teller won't be so impressed with mickey mouse.

JoeQuesada (Marvel Editor-in-Chief): Everybody take a deep breath, all your favorite comics remain unchanged and Tom Brevoort remains grouchy.

warrenellis (Writer, "Transmetropolitan") so I got this phone call from Joe Quesada and it was just the sound of him rubbing himself with money and now I am confused

So join Max, Daryl and yours truly (tomorrow at 7pm ET sharp) as we round table this earth shattering topic. In addition, we will discuss the following: the return of Batman Beyond...sort of, as limited comic book series; Hancock 2 appears to be in the early development stage; more graphic novel price increase concerns; comic books and fantasy are no longer the sole domain geek males....more women are asserting themselves as fans of the genre; more Spawn news and of course a rehash of our favorite graphic novel reads from last week. Feel free to call in with your thoughts and/or comments at-646-200-0104 or via email/IM-thecomicshoppe@yahoo.com. And remember...Make Mine Marvel....er Marvel-Disney!

The Comic Shoppe's Take on the Disney-Marvel merger

Afronerd Radio at 7pm(ET) Today- Discusssing Jay-z on Bill Maher, Mr. Starks' Tales of Suspense Returns & More!

As always (OKAY....more recently)-let's keep this tight, succinct and simple! Join Mr. Starks and yours truly, as we discuss the following: our brief thoughts on the passing of 2 notables-Senator Edward Kennedy and DJ AM; Jay-Z' appearance on Real Time with Bill Maher; the return of Mr. Starks' segment-Ironman's Tales of Suspense; I have my own segment entitled Dburt's Lament-will there ever be a Black Fox News network? ; more revelations pertaining to Chris Rock's Good Hair, courtesy of the New York Times; my thoughts on the new video game Batman: Arkham Asylum and if we can fit it in.....is Glenn Beck crazy?




Alllrightttty then! Don't be afraid...call in with your thoughts at: 646-915-9620 or via email/IM-afronerdradio@yahoo.com. And you guys know our mantra-Be there, Be square and always Be Aware-it might just save your life!


Afronerd Radio's Week in Review

And while you wait for our show, check out Moondog and his Bird's Lament (no relation to Dburt's Lament...well, maybe)

More Minutia That Conservatives Need to Stay Away From-Jayz Vs O'Reilly & Rush!

My opinion.....coming up

No It's Not The Wicked Witch That Has Died......This Time It's The Liberal Lion.....OF THE SENATE-Sen. Ted Kennedy Passes at 77 And So Does An Era!

Well, unfortunately the inevitable has occurred-Senator Ted Kennedy has passed on after succumbing to a courageous battle with brain cancer. Although I have defected to the politically conservative side of the aisle, I do maintain a certain degree of measured respect for The Lion and to a larger degree the Kennedy clan for their tangential commitment to the Civil Rights struggle. But in accordance to my natural instincts toward moderate analytical precepts, my use of the phrase "measured respect" is not accidental. During my more progressive formative years, the Kennedy name, in our household (not unlike many Black/Brown homes) carried a lot of cache, familiarity and warmth. We also believed to a certain degree in the Kennedy curse. For more than 50 years, the public has witnessed countless tragedies that have befallen the Kennedy family taking each respective life under premature, if not accidental circumstances. Or so I once thought. Now, as an adult who is more inclined to ascribe to empiricism versus the supernatural (or preternatural, for that matter), many of these deaths can be attributed to hubris, access and excess. Perhaps the ultimate lesson to be learned is that no political bent possess a cornerstone in corruption. The last time I checked, the adage, "All power corrupts; absolute power corrupts absolutely," didn't have a political caveat attached to it. One could ask the late Mary Jo Kopechne for further clarification of what power means....but I digress. Let's take a look at the AFP's take on Senator Kennedy's passing:

End of an era for US as Ted Kennedy dies at 77

By Sebastian Smith (AFP) – 22 hours ago

HYANNIS PORT, Massachusetts — Edward Kennedy, the last of the storied band of brothers whose triumphs and tragedies dominated a generation of US politics, has died after losing his battle with brain cancer.

The "liberal lion" of the US Senate, once seen as an heir to his slain elder brother, president John F. Kennedy, died late Tuesday at his home in Hyannis Port, Massachusetts. He was 77.

"We've lost the irreplaceable center of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever," the Kennedy family said in a statement.

Tributes to Kennedy, who was a towering figure on the left wing of the Democratic Party during a 47-year career in the Senate, poured in from across America's political divide and from around the world.

As the Stars and Stripes was lowered to half-staff on all government buildings and in many private homes, especially close to the Kennedy family compound in Hyannis, President Barack Obama said he was "heartbroken."

"Even though we knew this day was coming for some time now, we awaited it with no small amount of dread," Obama said while on vacation on the east coast island of Martha's Vineyard across the Nantucket Sound from Kennedy's home.

"The outpouring of love, gratitude and fond memories which we have all witnessed is a testimony to the way this singular figure in American history touched so many lives."

Last year Kennedy defied the Democratic establishment by choosing not to support Hillary Clinton during the presidential primaries, throwing his weight behind Obama instead.

Already diagnosed with a brain tumor, Kennedy gave an emotional speech to the Democratic National Convention in August 2008 to back Obama and laud their shared commitment to health care reform.

For the remainder of the AFP piece, click on the link below:


End of an era for US as Ted Kennedy dies at 77

Back on My Conservative Grind......2 Stories Of interest: She's a Man, Baby! and The Cleveland Show!

I've been holding back on my editorial as it relates to this next story simply because I didn't really see it as being prurient or controversial enough to warrant heavy discourse. But now, after perusing some of the blogs (and editorial sections of online newspapers) I'm beginning to notice the all too common inaccurate racial prism being used to analyze this particular issue. The above photo of South African athlete, Caster Semenya, might just reaffirm the old adage of a picture being worth a thousand words or more specifically, four-she's a man, baby! OK...I'm being facetious but is the young woman (?) in the above photo being questioned about her gender a racist assertion? Well, some believe that it is. For more definitive edification, check out this article, courtesy of the Associated Press:

BERLIN (AP) - The IAAF has asked the South African athletics federation to conduct a gender verification test on 800-meter runner Caster Semenya amid concerns she does not meet the requirements to compete as a woman.

The 18-year-old Semenya won the 800 final on Wednesday at the world championships in a world leading 1 minute, 55.45 seconds, beating defending champion Janeth Jepkosgei by a massive 2.45 seconds. Jennifer Meadows of Britain took bronze.

Olympic champion Pamela Jelimo was eliminated in qualifying.

The IAAF requested the gender test about three weeks ago, after Semenya burst onto the scene by slicing her personal bests in the 800 and 1,500 by huge margins.

IAAF spokesman Nick Davies stressed that "it's a medical issue, not an issue of cheating."

He said the "extremely complex, difficult" test has been started but that the results were not expected for weeks.

The verification test requires a physical medical evaluation, and includes reports from a gynecologist, endocrinologist, psychologist, an internal medicine specialist and an expert on gender.

"So we're talking about reports that are very long, very time consuming," Davies said.

South Africa team manager Phiwe Mlangeni-Tsholetsane would not confirm or deny that Semenya was having a gender test, but said "there was no cheating on our part."

"We entered Caster as a woman and we want to keep it that way," Mlangeni-Tsholetsane said. "Our conscience is clear in terms of Caster. We have no reservations at all about that."

Although medals will be awarded for the 800, the race remains under a cloud until the investigation is closed, and Semenya could be stripped of the gold depending on the test results, IAAF general secretary Pierre Weiss said.

"If at the end of the investigation it is proven that the athlete is not female, we will withdraw the medal," Weiss said. "But today there is no proof and the benefit of doubt must always be in favor of the athlete."

Semenya qualified for Wednesday's final with a top time of 1 minute, 58.64 seconds, and posted the world's top time this year of 1:56.72 three weeks ago at the African junior championships in Bambous, Mauritius.

And as I alluded to in my aforementioned diatribe, a racial spin has begun to develop. Here's a snippet from SportsScientists.com:

"This is about racism," Chuene said. "These rumours come from South Africa. Why did these people write to the IAAF?

These are the same people who don't want the 2010 World Cup, the same people who bring black people down and the same people who refuse to believe that Africans can make it on the world stage."

You might think this is random statement made in the heat of the moment. But then you discover that this is a statement made by the President of Athletics South Africa, Leonard Cheune. And he is not alone. The Young Communist League here in South Africa said:

""This smacks of racism of the highest order. It represents a mentality of conforming feminine outlook within the white race,"

My response? In the world of athletics we have seen all types of attempts to gain a strategic edge amongst competitors. Would it really be shocking to hear that this person took male hormones or possessed some sort of chromosomal peculiarity? Again, the picture can not be ignored. But what say you? Am I being judgmental or just trusting my sight? And lastly, we didn't get a chance to discuss The Cleveland Show on last night's Afronerd Radio but progressive blogger, Field Negro provided his take of the GQ magazine article that posited Cleveland as being akin to animated minstrelsy. That might be a valid assertion being that some of the voice acting (excluding Sanaa Lathan's character) is being done by White thespians but the question remains....would a truly Black helmed animated (or otherwise) effort be any less coonish? I can't answer that....but perhaps our loyal readers can. Here's a trailer:



And here's Mike Henry, the voice actor portraying Cleveland:

Vacation, Sickness...It Ends Today! Afronerd Radio Returns at 7pm ET--David Stern at the Barbershop, The Cleveland Show & More On Michael Vick!

No more delays! No more delays! OK folks let's get down to the bare facts and stop by Afronerd Radio to hear Mr. Starks and yours truly discuss the following: expounding on the above clip of NBA Commissioner, David Stern's visit to a Harlem barbershop; can this season's new Cleveland Show be considered a true Black sitcom?; taking an even deeper look at Michael Vick's return to the NFL and lastly, a new article courtesy of GQ magazine, pontificates on vintage Michael Jackson-circa 1972-1982 BTM (before the madness). So check out what Team Afronerd has to say for this segment of Week in Review! Call in with your questions, comments and protestations at 646-915-9620 or via email/IM-afronerdradio@yahoo.com. And as always....it's hip to be square-it might just save your life!

Afronerd Radio's Week in Review

Stop by The Comic Shoppe Tomorrow at 7pm ET-We Have a Sale on Top Flight Discussions! BSG the Movie?, Walking Dead the Movie? Carving Supes & More!

Let's keep it tight, cogent and succinct! Tomorrow at 7pm eastern, Daryll, Max and yours truly will put on our collective thinking caps and discuss the following: more news concerning a Battlestar Galactica movie; and speaking of comic to celluloid-Walking Dead has been greenlighted as well; the intellectual property legacy of Superman seems to be one step closer to the family of the character's co-creator, the Siegels; more discussion concerning District 9; why is Image's Chew so damn popular? and lastly, we'll address our favorite graphic novel reads from last week. Feel free to drop us a line at-646-200-0104 or you can reach us via email/Im-thecomicshoppe@yahoo.com. And as always-Be there, Be square and especially, Be aware!

Afronerd Radio Returns & Is Open For Business! Discussing A Harlem Business Owner Channeling the Punisher; Obama's Healthcare & More!

Unfortunately, I caught a cold last week and we had to cancel last week's show. My health has returned (No Obamacare needed, this time...lol) and Mr. Starks and I are ready to discuss the following: A Harlem business owner kills 2 thugs who were attempting to implement a daytime robbery; Actress and Oscar nominee, Taraji P. Henson knows the definition of a real man...or does she?; Michael Vicks's return to the NFL; Will President Obama pass his health care initiative? Are his detractors legitimately peeved or are we seeing a tinge of racism?; back to our nerdic roots-is there such a thing as being too old to be a gamer? We will address these questions and other issues today at 7pm ET. Feel free to chime in via our call in number at-646-915-9620 or try our email/IM-afronerdradio@yahoo.com. See you guys back at the Hall of Justice or http://www.afronerdradio.com for the uninitiated!

And for your intermission moment before our show, check out some additional footage of the latest sci-fi thriller to hit the streets this weekend, District 9:

Yes! It's the weekend and here's something to make you laugh. Slap Chop!!

This is the actual commercial too. Check out Vince the ShamWow guy, this is more creative than most rap videos being aired today.
T-Pain better watch out, this guy may give him a run for his money with the autotune!



Posted by Mr. Starks

Sorry Folks...Yours Truly Actually Caught A Summer Cold.....But I'm Back and Here's a Treat 4 Mr. Starks-Scenes From Iron Man 2!

I Really Want to Stay off This Professor-Gate Ordeal And the Companion Beer Summit But......I'm Getting Pulled Back In!

My final thoughts in a few....


In the interim, here is part two:

Larry King on Gates Affair-Part 2

And speaking of Gates, check out this excerpt from Dr. Gates' The Root. The topic? Why no Black Bachelorette? Ironically, an issue that we have discussed on the blog and Afronerd Radio countless times before...

The fact that I can count on a good love story with every episode (even though the couple inevitably breaks up before getting down the aisle) keeps me coming back for more. However, I must bring this matter to your attention: In the entire history of the show, there has never been a bachelor or bachelorette of color. Don’t you think it’s time for someone with brown skin to be calling the shots at your rose ceremonies?

Why is it that if an African American wants to humiliate him- or herself on national TV in search of a mate, the only options are I Love New York or For the Love of Ray J? Are we not suitable for major networks? Yes, you do occasionally allow one black contestant on the show at a time, only for that person to be eliminated by the second episode. But if we don’t have a shot at the ring, don’t bother inviting us. Really. It’s like starting a new NFL franchise and telling the team that it will never be eligible to play in the Super Bowl.

You may be wondering why the couples who get together on your show rarely work out in the long term. Well, you’re not exactly picking folks who are feeling tons of urgency to find a spouse. According to a study by the Washington Post, black women are the least likely group in American society to get married (45 percent of us have never been married, compared with 23 percent of white women). So wouldn’t it make sense to cast someone from the group who could most use the assistance? Instead, you picked Deanna, one of the most recent bachelorettes. At 26, she claimed that she couldn’t wait to settle down and raise a family. Seriously? She’s 26. You couldn’t have been that shocked when she chose the professional snowboarder—and then dumped him as soon as the show wrapped.

Well, again...more on Gates and ABC's Bachelorette coming up...here's the remainder of the Root piece:


Where Are the Black Bachelor(ettes)?

After Taking A Break For A Week, The Comic Shoppe Opens at 7pm Sharp! Comic News & Weekly Favorites!

For ultimate clarity, it's always important to remain succinct. Join Dburt, Max and Daryll as they discuss the following: thoughts and expectations concerning the much talked about release of District 9; discussing the Batman: Arkham Asylum video game; Rosario Dawson as Martha Washington?; the original cast returns to Futurama after all; discussing the upcoming Marvels Project mini and lastly, our standout graphic novel reads from the previous week. Don't forget to stop by Tuesday at 7pm ET and of course call in with your comments/questions-646-200-0104 or via email/IM-the comicshoppe@yahoo.com. Fing fang foom.....and all that jazz!

The Comic Shoppe's Week in Review