Doubling Up! This Sat @6pm-The Comic Shoppe & Afronerd! Discussing Black Avengers Comic; Archie Movie?; Michael Douglas' Oral Woes; POTUS & The I.R.S. & More!

Salutations, crumpets and cornbread, folks! Welcome to another festive, feisty and forward moving double entendre episode of The Grindhouse, courtesy of Afronerd Radio-this Saturday airing at 6pm. First up, there's The Comic Shoppe featuring Captain Kirk, Dburt and Daryll B. The pulp encased topics up for grabs this week are: Is Marvel finally creating a Black themed Avengers comic? Sort of....our thoughts on the forthcoming all star minority comic entitled, Mighty Avengers; the crew's thoughts on the new Grayson/Nightwing Youtube series that just hit cyberspace; Comic Book Resources has a piece that confirms the notion that Marvel was toying with the idea of creating a "Black" Captain America in the Ultimate universe; just what is the deal with the retconning of Iron Man's origin?; Archie Comics is headed toward the big screen and lastly, should comics make a greater effort to create more stories and plot vehicles for ancillary characters (i.e. Robbie Robertson, Jimmy Olsen, Alfred, etc)? Call the hosts live at 646-915-9620.

And then there's the second act-Afronerd Radio holding court at 7pm sharp! Pull up a seat and listen to Dburt and Captain Kirk wax about the following topics: Dburt picks up on some dropped topics from the last show (i.e. collecting racist memorabilia, actor Michael Douglas' throat cancer and Tyler Perry on the OWN network); a writer from The Root laments about an interracial romance video that was filmed at her alma mater, Howard University and lastly, MSNBC's Martin Bashir causes a stir by positing the IRS attacks against the President as a proxy for using the N-word (huh?). Check out our double feature shows at 6pm and 7pm-post haste!

Doubling Up! This Sat @6pm-The Comic Shoppe & Afronerd!

And if you missed our last episode, listen to it now:

Mid Week Musings @ Afronerd Radio-Wed @7pm!

And then we have Daryll B. of The Shoppe latest meanderings. Nuff said!

Hello once again Afronerd followers and Science Fiction Fans from all walks of life. As I stated previously in my Facebook sports blog, this hasn't been one of my better weeks. As a result, I am going to keep this one to be a quick LinkBlog and try to keep my senses relatively even-keeled.

-At the ComicShoppe, we have been talking about this behind the scenes...

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/06/nightwing-fan-series-grayson-earth-one-premieres/

I said it before folks, this is the age of "if the studios can't make it for you, do it yourself!". Kudos to these talented super fans for making this... although I think that they fell into the same trap as the Birds of Prey, the "Flying Graysons" pitch and the Halle Berry "Catwoman" movie: you can't take a valued member of the Bat Mythos and TOTALLY divorce them from the characters.By not honoring that, you'll lose the Bat fans extensively..

-Comics Convention season is coming up quickly for Daryll! To whet your appetites along with mine....

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/06/comics-at-the-book-con-a-day-at-bookexpo-america/

I wish Rep. John Lewis all the luck in the world with his book. Seems his heart is in the right place....

-Kelly Thompson weighs in on the cast of Brian Wood's all female X-Men book...

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/06/03/she-has-no-head-ladies-of-x/

This is all well and good but I keep waiting for Dani Moonstar to get her elevation to the big team. O well, at least I have her in Fearless Defenders....

-YES! Thank you Townsquare for making this possible....

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/06/aol-sells-comicsalliance-three-music-sites-to-townsquare-media/

So of course Comics Alliance celebrates their return by giving us fans their "secret origin" courtesy of the guys at Let's Be Friends Again....

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/06/03/comicsalliance-returns-townsquare-comics-everybody-lets-be-friends-again/

...and my cherry on top is Chris and Matt doing a review of the first half of one of my favorite schlock movies in the past 10 years, D.O.A....

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/06/03/comicsalliance-reviews-d-o-a-dead-or-alive-2006-part-one/

Jamie Pressley and Devon Aoki? Consider my attention gotten for more than a minute.....

-Wonder what was the SheZow topic that we at the ComicShoppe were discussing last Saturday? Well Comics Alliance got that covered too...

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/06/03/shezow-cartoon-transgender-superhero-review/

Like I said on the show, I'll give it a couple of views but, being a guy who read Ranma 1/2 and watched their OVAs, I have to see how the writers handle this cartoon.

-Finally Gavok gives a historical rundown to the uninitiated about the newest downloadable character for Injustice For All....

http://4thletter.net/2013/06/guide-to-the-injustice-roster-dlc-appendix-3/

Mortal Kombat's Scorpion? Really? A comics universe full of characters, and you have to go to Mortal Kombat to water down (yet again) one of their famous characters??? *facepalm*

However, my week turned around with me getting Astro City #1 and then finally getting to see this:

http://video.adultswim.com/the-venture-bros/what-color-is-your-cleansuit.html

New season of Venture Bros has begun! YES!

So until next time Faithful Readers, Keep Fantasizing!

This Past Saturday's Grindhouse Show is Available for Listening NOW! And Stay Tuned For Wednesday's Mid Week Broadcast @ 7pm

As the sweltering heat sets upon you, why not pull up a seat in an air conditioned environment and listen to this week's Grindhouse Double feature show? For the first episode (at 6pm), check out the infamous Comic Shoppe with your hosts, Daryll B., Captain Kirk and Dburt. The topics up for grabs are: picking up from last week, can Marvel and Fox "play nice" with using both the Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver for their respective upcoming films? ; The Hub channel's gender bending hero, She-zow stirs controversy; our thoughts of Will and Jaden Smith's new After Earth movie-will the critics hurt the box office? ; a Green Lantern scribe gets a chance to pen Ridley Scott's forthcoming Blade Runner sequel and lastly, a fan made Greg Rucka inspired Punisher trailer hits the net. Call the hosts live at 646-915-9620.

Up next, there's Afronerd Radio airing at 7pm. Join Captain Kirk and Dburt as they highlight the following current event laden issues: a new Cheerios commercial featuring a multi racial family causes controversy (in 2013?); the team picks up some topics that were neglected from the last show (i.e. Western IQ's are down by 14 points, Zoe Saldana's Allure remarks, Whites at HBCUs) : the Black Twitter phenomenon and lastly two stories involving the first lady-racist emails may cost a VA official their job and can Mrs. Obama's presence affect the Hollywood image of Black women? AGAIN, stop by at 6pm and then 7pm!

Stay tuned for Wednesday's show:

Mid Week Musings @ Afronerd Radio-Wed @7pm!

And if you missed our last episode (topics above), listen to it now:

Why Not Start Your Summer at The Grindhouse-Sat @6pm!

And then we have Daryll B. of The Shoppe latest musings. Excelsior!

Good Day AfroNerd Readers and Sci-Fi Fans of All Ages. Thanks for taking the time to read my blog once again. Know that I appreciate y'all taking 5-10 minutes out of your day to read/"listen" to my rants about this stuff. I know it is all frivolous in the bigger scheme of things, especially coming on the coattails of a holiday weekend honoring those who have sacrificed their lives for more important reasons, but I promise to continue to try and entertain you all with my madness.

Speaking of madness, it is said that those who forget the past are doomed to repeat it. Those actions that you don't learn/gain experience from will continue to happen again and again. With this being said....

FOX and Disney/Marvel, WHAT THE F*** IS WRONG WITH YOU?!?!?!?!?

You have heard fans and industry types rip Warner Bros and DC for not working out the red tape/legal mumbo jumbo and creating a unified movie universe. You have shown through the Phase 1 Avengers Initiative that a proper build up through good and quality movies. Avengers went over like gangbusters with geeks and the mainstream movie watcher alike. Iron Man 3 as a follow up just surpassed 1 billion dollars worldwide. The Wolverine trailer has wowed audiences....

So with that being said, why can't you two stupid, STUPID companies work together on this Pietro Maximoff thing? He has tremendous history with both the X-Men and Avengers' franchises. Marvel Studios' Avengers 2 could use a young "current" day Pietro while FOX Studios' X-Men Days of Future Past could use an older future version of Quicksilver without either movie crimping on the other's style. Bickering little knuckleheads are going to slay the golden goose through boardrooms and legal print, I swear.... Just once you fools, think like comic book fans and look at things from outside your little self-important boxes!

LINKBLOG TIME!

-Being a geek is fun....

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/05/bill-nye-kevin-smith-and-others-tackle-how-superman-shaves/

I always liked the visual premise that Superman shaved with his heat vision reflected in a mirror myself...

-A reminder for myself...

http://www.kasterborous.com/2013/05/bbc-rejects-doctor-who-racism-claims/

You can see racism everywhere and as a minority, it does tend to color your viewpoint of the world. However, when presenting a case for it in things like a long running series with diehard fans, you better have your facts correct and numerous instances listed. Again, this is where I appreciate AfroNerd and Capt. Kirk on The ComicShoppe. If I go offbase like this on a topic, they're not afraid to put me in check....

-Sage advice from Mr. Bendis

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/05/stop-excusing-yourself-from-living-the-life-you-want-to-live/

Essentially this is a "get off your butt and make an effort" rah-rah speech from Mr. Bendis for all those aspiring writers and artists out there. We have said it before that this is an age that anyone can do anything if they put their mind to it....

-Sonia, I feel your pain and confusion....

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/05/29/committed-secret-obsession-vs-community-support/

Yeah I am still feeling confused in handling the newfound popularity of comics in other mediums. I was so used to be the outcast that having those who once discarded me, coming to me for information on beloved characters on screen is ultra weird....

-Greg Burgas went camera crazy at Phoenix Comic-Con

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/05/26/sunday-brunch-pictures-i-took-at-the-phoenix-comicon-before-my-cameras-battery-died/

Best pic here by far is Peter David, looking hearty and hale. It is also a reminder that I really need to start getting the trades of his X-Factor runs....

-It about time!

http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2013/05/28/booster-gold-pilot-script-may-finally-go-to-syfy-next-week/

Sheesh! It only been 2 years.....

-The movie cast just getting bigger....

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=45764

Glenn Close in a Marvel Movie...wow

Finally, this past weekend saw the debut of Avengers Assemble and well, this was my response on Facebook as it was going on.... "So Avengers EMH has turned into Avengers Assemble i.e. Iron Man and his amazing friends? What the..?"

So my worst fears realized. They took a quality animated show and turned it into a joke a la Ultimate Spider-Man. STOP Marvel! Not every hero needs to be wisecracking S.O.B.s. To me, the Tony Stark over-the-unfunny-top portrayal bled into and tainted everything else. You know we'll get into this more on Saturday Evening...

That's it for this week readers. Until Next Week, Keep Fantasizing!

The Grindhouse Double Feature Matinee Starts Tonight @6pm: AfronerdRadio.com-Star Trek Review; POTUS Scandals, Black Androids & More!

Howdy, citizens! Welcome to another fun and fuel packed Grindhouse episode of Afronerd Radio airing this Saturday at 6pm. Listen to Daryll B., Capt. Kirk and Dburt at The Comic Shoppe where the trio will discuss the following "nerd-tastic" concerns: the crew reviews the recent release of J.J. Abrams' Star Trek: Into Darkness film; Marvel and Fox studios clash over the use of Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch for their upcoming projects; the saga of the Black android gains prominence in Fox's new Almost Human TV series; a copy of Action#1 gets discovered in the insulation of a recently purchased home; Microsoft reveals its Xbox One video console and lastly, Dburt discusses his fondness for the new BBC America series, Orphan Black. Call the hosts live at 646-915-9620.

And then there's Afronerd Radio pinch hitting at 7pm eastern standard. Check for Dburt and Capt. Kirk's world view on the following topical concerns: continuing from Wednesday's show, President Obama and his scandals are they real, imagined or just distratactions?; a White Howard University student discusses her reasoning for attending a HBCU; and speaking of White students at Black colleges-stats show that the trend of reverse cross racial attendence at such institutions is on the rise; new developments in the Trayvon Martin case tells us that one's character matters; rapper, Chief Keef threatens pop tart, Katy Perry on twitter; iconic rap producer, Dr. Dre donates 35 million to USC (and not an HBCU) and lastly, actress, Zoe Saldana makes some POC uncomfortable with her recent comments in Allure magazine.

It's Saturday, It's 6pm & It's The Grindhouse @Afronerd!....AGAIN!

And if you missed our last episode, listen to it now:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/afronerd/2013/05/22/were-back-listen-to-afronerd-mid-week-at-7pm

And then we have Daryll B. of The Shoppe latest blog entry. Imperius Rex!

Doing another quick Link-Blog as I am standing in line for Fast and Furious 6. Chances are on Saturday at 6pm EST we'll be doing a Star Trek review along with talking Avengers 2/ X-Men Days of Future Past rumors, so I'll avoid putting those links in. Otherwise....

-Yet another blow to my DC Comics stable...

http://www.newsarama.com/17853-james-robinson-announces-departure-from-dc-comics.html

...and just like that by November, I will be picking up NO DC titles... Earth 2 was the last bastion and that was because of Mr. Robinson. Help me out folks... what DC Title should I be picking up right now?

-Corey Blake at Robot 6 crafts this theory...

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/05/why-are-we-afraid-of-the-end/

Granted it was inspired by Johns departure from Green Lantern and to a lesser extent, Morrison's departure from the Bat-Universe, but as you saw from my comment about the article before, this is a true phenomenon. I can recall 6 or 7 instances where I left a title just because a writer/artist left a book. A good writer or artist is like a dependable warm blanket that makes you feel safe. (Yes I just went Linus on this topic....sue me..). The great writer/artist is a mindblowing experience for a reader. The best thing about this cynical cycle though is going back later and picking up stuff from a later writer and finding out how wrong you were to leave the book. Thank God for graphic novels in this regard.

-You knew that this was coming...

http://www.newsarama.com/17856-star-wars-rebels-new-animated-series-on-disney-xd-in-2014.html

With how successful and popular both versions of Star Wars Clone Wars were on the Cartoon Network, how long could Disney resist making a version of their own?

-Greg Hatcher checks in with this retrospective plea about Bill Finger...

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/05/18/last-bat-time-last-bat-channel/

I will admit to not knowing much about Mr. Finger compared to other creators that have gotten screwed over but let's say now I am intrigued in reading a biography or two. If he did create a lot of the bat mythos that have lasted through the ages, then Mr. Finger does needs to be credited...

-Kelly Thompson checks in with two artist friends in updating some heroines' looks...

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/05/20/she-has-no-head-6-stupid-superheroine-designs-that-need-redesign-stat/

As usual, guys lash out blindly in the comments in the usual fanboy rage. Although I don't agree with a lot of the changes because the style just doesn't suit my personal tastes, I do agree that her choices do need some updating... and in the case of Harley Quinn, let's just go back to the original Dini/Timm creation please... PLEASE?

-Looks ok...

http://video.comicbookresources.com/television-clips/marvel-animations-first-trailer-for-avengers-assemble/

..but help me out... why was Avengers Earth's Mightiest Heroes canned if the new show looks almost EXACTLY like it? Can you say redundant? Premieres this Sunday Morning on Disney XD Folks!

-Another sign that the age of innocence is over because of today's anxiety/stupidity....

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/05/preschool-bans-kids-from-playing-superheroes/

So because of a clumsy kid or insurance claim, no kid can use their imagination for fun at recess? What the f***?!?!?!

-Remember when I warned you folks a couple of blogs ago to keep a close eye on Comixology and Apple after the Saga 12 flap? Well..

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/05/comixology-pulls-56-digital-comics-from-ios-app/

Yeahhhhh.....

-Folks I have found my replacement....

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/05/this-4-year-old-likely-knows-more-than-you-do-about-marvel/

Girl, I am just keeping this seat warm for you... wow!

-Finally, I had to do ONE Star Trek related post...

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/05/24/the-line-it-is-drawn-140-comic-character-go-where-no-one-has-gone-before-star-trek-mash-ups/

Scrooge McDuck as the Ferengi Leader for the win!

That's it for me this week Fantasy Fans! Until Next Time, Keep Fantasizing!

Sorry for the Preempted Shows, Folks! New Show Tomorrow @ 7pm: Afronerd Radio Discusses Black Robots, POTUS Scandals, Billboard Minstrel Awards & More!

Our apologies for the last two preempted shows, folks. But we had to take care of some "behind the scenes" business which just could not be avoided. Anywho...pull up a seat this Wednesday at 7pm and check out how the Captain and Dburt play sonic catch up with this week's latest stories: the team will attempt to analyze this past Sunday's Billboard awards; President Obama delivers a stirring commencement address to this year's Morehouse graduates; and speaking of the POTUS, what about those scandals? Are they much ado about nothing or is impeachment a serious consideration?; Fox's Almost Human trailer hits cyberspace about a Black android; and lastly, the tech world welcomes another newly minted millionaire. Call the hosts live at 646-915-9620.

Oh and while you wait for Daryll B's upcoming meanderings scheduled for this Saturday, take a gander at his latest blog posting:

Good Day AfroNerd Readers and Sci-Fi Fans of all ages. As I type this, I am prepping to take out a couple of loans, sell some blood and maybe donate a kidney to help support my Spring/Summer Movie watching habit. You think I am kidding? In the next three weeks I got Star Trek Into Darkness, Fast and Furious 6, Now You See Me (which has snuck up on me with their advertising strategy), The Hangover 3, and Epic (yes, I still go to see animated features in theaters..). Yep, I am that idiot that keeps Hollywood afloat... damn their 6 dollar sodas and 8 dollar popcorn along with insane 3-D prices.... but I still do it.....ALF help me...

In Other Less Whiney News... It Link Blog Time!

-Let's begin this with a shoutout to some true heroes...

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/05/15/18274215-florida-prom-goers-aid-in-car-accident-rescue?lite

AND they still made the prom! Here I was scared for the next generation being insensitive and less socially conscious. Total Props to you Western High School. You teaching these kids right!

-Interesting theory about what Marvel should do if their negotiations with their franchise movie stars fall through...

http://www.newsarama.com/17799-op-ed-recasting-iron-man-dig-deeper-instead-marvel.html

I am all for the extension of the Marvel Movie Empire but there does come a point of over-saturation for all things. Vampires, parody movies, buddy cop films, quirky romance, etc. all have reached a point where diminishing returns have been noticeably seen and felt by the industry. This plan would creep dangerously into that zone... even though I agree with it.

-OK now I have to prep my DVR for taping shows on Tuesday...

http://www.newsarama.com/17798-marvel-s-agents-of-s-h-i-e-l-d-teaser-bit-by-bit.html

The trailer along with the rumored news of personal fave J. August Richards making appearances on the show as Luke Cage, had me smiling and buoyed my hopes for quality out of the SHIELD series.

-The closing of Comics Alliance forced me to venture out for a bit and I came across this review of Ghostface Killah's new comic series over at The Weekly Crisis...

http://www.theweeklycrisis.com/2013/05/twelve-reasons-to-die-review.html

Now I had gotten the album as a Wu-Tang head and thought it served well as an inverse to RZA's Man With The Iron Fists soundtrack. Knowing about the comic's availability now means that my hunt begins...

-Gee Thanks DC...

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=45466

OK so the past couple of weeks have seen me lose Sword and Sorcery and Team 7. Now I lose Legion of Super-Heroes, Demon Knights, and Dial H. This means I am down to 1 DC book after August and I won't speak its name for fear of losing that one too. At least I have more money for the movies now....

-I don't know how I feel about this....

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=45495

I was thinking that one of the bonuses of Geoff Johns leaving the Green Lantern franchise was getting a more well rounded portrait of John Stewart. Seems like the new guy is going to follow right in Johns' "hardcore marine" path. Ouch.

-But not all is doom and gloom for me in the land of DC. Thank you SuperFans!

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/05/its-a-gotham-city-wedding-for-two-nightwing-and-batgirl-fans/

I may be in the minority in liking the Nightwing/Starfire pairing more than Nightwing/Batgirl but come on.. how could anyone hate on this? THIS IS AWESOME! Kudos to the married couple and their friends and family on carrying it out. May you see plenty of years containing married bliss!

-Brian Cronin spotlights my favorite comic moment in the last year by far...

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/05/13/week-of-cool-comic-book-moments-daredevils-new-nemesis-comes-with-a-twist/

NOW THAT'S A TWIST! Mark Waid is awesome and speaking of Mr. Waid, Adam WarRock's latest nerdcore theme week is the Marvel NOW titles and here is his ode to Waid's Indestructible Hulk

http://www.adamwarrock.com/?p=3319

WarRock Rules!

-I may not be the biggest Game of Thrones fans but between WarRock's GoT hip-hop week last month and this....

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/05/10/the-line-it-is-drawn-138-comic-book-characters-and-game-of-thrones/

I seriously have to devote a weekend and dive right into the series more intently. Tell me that Deadpool pic shouldn't be a poster somewhere?

-Finally, and I thought I could lay the smackdown....

http://4thletter.net/2013/05/still-learning-how-to-walk-the-following/

David Brothers shows me how it's done! And I LIKED The Following... but I have to say that he is absolutely right in just about all of his points.

That's it for me this week as I have to get ready for Star Trek. Until Next Time Readers, Keep Fantasizing!

Remember Afronerd Radio's Grindhouse Broadcast Airs Sat. @6pm-In The Interim, Check Out Filmmaker, Hilton A. Ruiz' Latest Ep. of Zombie With A Shotgun (Pt. 3)

Zombie with a Shotgun ~ Episode 3 from Zombie with a Shotgun on Vimeo.

Once again, we'd like for our loyal listenership to take a gander at friend of the show and our resident filmmaker, Hilton A. Ruiz' latest installment from his viral horror series, Zombie with a Shotgun. And if that wasn't enough, we have a new blog posting from The Shoppe's Daryll B. Enjoy!

Hi AfroNerd Followers and science fiction fans of all ages and walks of life. This time I am blogging to you from the line of Iron Man 3 and let me tell you folks on line are absolutely giddy. This is the energy that comic companies need to capitalize on and (BIG surprise!) nothing to be found. So let me help them out: Saturday May 4th is Free Comic Book Day. Your local comic shop should have free books from various comic companies and there will be selections to suit any interest. If you are REALLY lucky and your comic dealer is cool, he/she will have specials/fun events tied to the day also. So enjoy...

About last week's show, I apologize for the Jamie Foxx as "Blue Electro" outburst. A friend at SuperHero Comics pointed out that maybe the director is emulating the Timm/Dini animated DC universe and his character Livewire and her bluish look after she got her electrical powers. I should have thought of that but still... there are parts of me that have that "refusing to let Richard Pryor be called Brainiac in Superman" sting still.

Speaking of Brainiac, I picked up Superman Unbound and you know the saying "be careful what you wish for"? Well for the longest time, THIS was the type of movie I wanted for a live action Superman joint. In space, facing a serious menace, and being able to cut loose. However, the movie left me a bit wanting. Don't get me wrong, the animation is great and I enjoyed the fact that this was not a "G" rated movie but there are scenes in the film that will leave Superman Fans going "huh?". Especially if they loved the Geoff Johns storyline that the movie is based on, there will be one or two IMPORTANT plot elements that were left out of the film completely. Be warned... Unbound is good but could have been much better...

LINKBLOG

-DAMN

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=45209

Ok. This is definately a hard blow. Comics Alliance as you folks know, was one of the main sites that I pulled out comics news and topics that peaked my interest. It'll be sorely missed as a news site that not only presented serious news and opinions along with lighthearted fare, but it provided a great place for debates of a comic nature.

-Don Cheadle

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=45221

After his perfomance in Iron Man 3, who am I to deny Cheadle getting a main event movie turn?

-Great Point....

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/05/quote-of-the-day-marvel-studios-in-the-age-of-the-internet/

Sometimes, in the rush to know everything about our favorite movies, we spoil our own enjoyment for the project we are waiting for. I can't explain it and probably no other geek can give a good explanation for this paradox

-Interesting

http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2013/05/02/fantastic-four-casting-rumors-human-torch-invisible-woman/

A Black Human Torch and possibly a Black Invisible Woman? Well once again there isn't anything that inherently makes either character "white"... but get ready for major blowback to this one.... even though we just had a Latina Sue Storm in the previous 2 movies.

-It's been a great run

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=45172

Hard for me to say this but I really think that Peter David's run on X-Factor can be put right up there with his famous Incredible Hulk run. Yep I said it....

-David Goyer tries to explain the difficulty in filming Wonder Woman and making her relevent....

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/04/26/wonder-woman-movie-david-s-goyer-dc/

My problem with this is the same with Marvel Comics' Black Panther explanation. Stop talking and just do it! Quality begets quality and I don't understand why this is so hard to capture Princess Diana on film.

-Comics Alliance captures what makes The Flash compelling...

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/04/26/the-flash-wally-west-barry-allen-mark-waid-silver-age-dc/

In a nutshell, for the fastest character in DC, he can also be considered the most grounded and *gasp!* 'realistic hero their universe has got!

-Dexter Fans and Del Toro fans unite!

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/04/25/guillermo-del-toro-monster-hbo-naoki-urasawa-manga/

A truly disturbing Manga/Anime series and I consider it to be the spiritual father to joints like Dexter and The Following. Now will del Toro follow through on this? That's the question!

-With the Before Watchmen project wrapping up, 4thLetter's Gavok gives an overall review of the series....

http://4thletter.net/2013/04/after-before-watchmen-what-happened-to-then-we-passed-then-when-just-now/

I avoided this like the plague so mine isn't the opinion you want but I give it to Gav here. He was balanced and rational in this analysis of the run.....-Finally, in case the Iron Man 3 success inspires you to look up Iron Man tales, Brian Cronin at CSBG helps us all out with this..

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/05/03/the-25-greatest-iron-man-stories-ever-told/

As I told my friends, you can clearly see from the stories listed which ones HEAVILY influenced the movie series, for good and ill. I gave Iron Man 3 an 7 out of 10 stars for three reasons.

1) The acting was superb. I can honestly say that each of the characters were well written and the plot was on point and it is probably the most soul searching yet arguably funny entry to date in the Marvel Avengers franchise.

2) The action scenes were great. Great visuals with the armor(s) and the humans with "enhancements" were realistic and horrifying at the same time. And the shout outs to treasured Iron Man stories was awesome for a continuity geek like me...

So if I say these two things, why only a 7? Well....

3) The movie let me down in its "new world" depiction of The Mandarin.... which is a shame because Ben Kingsley knocked the role out of the park. Confused still? It is similar to my opinion to Heath Ledger as the Joker: he was great in his role but to me it was not The Joker I was expecting. Here Shane Black gives us The Mandarin and yet doesn't at the same time. Now if the organization of AIM becomes a major power player in later Marvel Movies *cough*MODOK*cough*, then it'll probably help lessen the disappointment in the bait and switch perpetrated here. As a stand alone movie move though, I know my friends were all asking me about the character and going "Huh?"....

So there you go. Blog is just a bit late because I am wrecked off my birthday week. Lord knows I have a lot to make up/answer for in this week coming up. My thanks to all of you that read this blog and put up with my meglomaniacal rantings. As long as you tolerate me, I shall continue to annoy you all in a humorous way.*BOWS* Until Next Time AfroNerd Followers and Sci-Fi Fans Of All Ages, Keep Fantasizing!

Finally a Blog Posting! Check Out Our Grindhouse Saturdays Broadcast Tonight at 6pm with The Comic Shoppe & Afronerd Radio @7pm

Time to be terse, folks! Pull up a seat and eat your favorite "Scooby snack" this Saturday as you listen to the words of (pulp and political) wisdom from your "Podcast Avengers" starting at 6pm eastern. And remember it's double feature time at The Grindhouse, people! First up, we have The Comic Shoppe starring Capt. Kirk, Daryll B. and Dburt. This week's topics to be unpacked are: Iron Man returns on a tertiary level-and the team will give you their review; the film rights to Ghost Rider and Blade return to Marvel; the Fantastic Four reboot might get a Human Torch of color and he looks like Chronicle's Michael B. Jordan; Dburt finally checks out actor/comedian, Patton Oswalt's infamous Marvel/Star Wars rant and lastly, if time constraints permit, the team will discuss the recent release of the JLA inspired Injustice video game. Whew! Call the hosts live at 646-915-9620.

And batting second, we have Afronerd Radio, coming up to the mound at 7pm. Join Dburt and The Captain as they discuss the following issues: rappers and their endorsemnts-allegations of racism relating to Tyler the Creator's Mountain Dew web ad and Pepsi drops Lil Wayne over his Emmett Till quip; are folks still pondering the necessity of HBCUs?; the US jobs report provides a glimmer of hope and improvement , except for Black folks and is Obama to blame? ; as athlete, Jason Collins opens the closet, Youtube minstrel, Antoine Dodson shuts his closet door by renouncing gaydom and the team tackles the racist attacks being levied against Italy 's first Black cabinet member, Cecile Kyenge.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/afronerd/2013/05/04/afronerd-radio-reporting-4-double-duty-sat-6pm

And if you missed our last episode, listen to it now:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/afronerd/2013/05/01/straight-with-no-chaser-mid-week-afronerd-7pm

And then we have Daryll B.'s latest blog entry. Imperius Rex!

Ok AfroNerd Followers and Sci-Fi Fans from all walks of life, I guess it is time for me to make good on my boast from last week's ComicShoppe broadcast and give you my review of SyFy's Defiance. Wait or was I going to review Terra Nova? Or was I going to review Earth 2? Or was I reviewing Farscape? Or was it Falling Skies? Or is it Caprica? Or was I going to review Outcasts (which I really, REALLY wish wasn't cancelled after 1 season!)? There's the problem outlined in a nutshell.

The premise is interesting about Earth being invaded then repelling the invasion, leaving the planet scarred and a bunch of alien races stranded on the planet with the remnants of humanity. This all comes to a head in a town called Defiance which is trying to co-habitate peacefully but the task is difficult with roving scavenger gangs, outright prejudice, different factions with EVERYONE having ulterior motives, political manipulations, and into that formula we throw in a grizzled ex-soldier/bounty hunter/scavenger and his alien adopted daughter/partner.... both with attitude problems.

Yeah. I think I just described 10+ science fiction series over the last decade and the only thing unique about the series after the first 2-3 episodes is the multi-platform exposure with the video game option to continuing the story. However since I am not a gamer, I can only hope that the series finds more on the TV side to set it apart from its ilk. OK Defiance. WOW ME! 4.5 out of 10 stars

On the other side, I must say that the trailers/commercials for Iron Man 3, Star Trek Into The Darkness, and Man of Steel continue to get me hyped for Blockbuster Season. Now that I am hyped up, let's hope that the movies can follow through and give this geek lots of quality enjoyment. You folks know either way, I will give passionate opinions about them.

-Speaking of movies, you know that Capt. Kirk predicted this 3 shows ago:

http://www.newsarama.com/film/kevin-feige-daredevil-marvel-studios.html

Welcome back to the fold Matt Murdock. One step closer to a Marvel Heroes For Hire or Born Again movie...

-Adam WarRock.

http://www.newsarama.com/tv/adam-warrock-game-of-thrones-week.html

At the time of typing this, I have 3 of the 5 promised songs. A must have for any GoT addict...

-Congrats to Terry Moore for getting Rachel Rising optioned for TV. Kelly Thompson gives 5 more indie comic properties that she hopes will eventually get the screen treatment.

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/04/22/she-has-no-head-5-new-comics-i-want-on-tv/

I'm greedy though. I still want to have Strangers In Paradise on TV in some form... just to see how an actress would portray Katchoo without coming across as being totally sociopathic.

-I miss Bruce Timm already.. and so do the line it is drawn artists...

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/04/18/the-line-it-is-drawn-135-bruce-timm-end-of-an-era-tribute/

..the Firefly lineup in that style kicks sooo much booty, it is illegal. However then someone did this on youtube...

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/04/man-of-steel-meets-superman-the-animated-series/

..and I started smiling again. I did say in previous broadcasts and blogs that it was the age of fans producing whatever they wanted. Boy did this fan go the extra mile!

-Further proof that comics can't obscure reality for long these days....

http://wordswithoutborders.org/dispatches/article/magdy-el-shafee-arrested-and-held-at-tora-prison

..but all the props in the world to Mr. El Shafee for risking his safety and trying to head off the situation. A shame he got caught up in the wave of arrests and I hope he will be released soon.

-With the news this week of the upcoming season of Futurama being its last from Comedy Central, Anna Pinkert gives her opinion about the show since its return

http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2013/04/23/futurama-had-lost-its-spark/

Was it of the quality of past seasons? Nope. On this me and her agree BUT even at lower quality, Futurama is still in the top 20 shows on tv over the last 10 years. It will always have a place on my TV... screw "Reality TV", gimme HypnoToad!

-Glad this got renewed...

http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2013/04/23/continuum-stars-look-ahead-to-season-2-of-sci-fi-series/

These days when it comes to SyFy shows, I never know when my favorites will get renewed ESPECIALLY off a cliffhanger. (See Alphas and Sanctuary)

-Boston Strong!

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/04/23/boston-comic-con-get-together-comicazi-mack-sale-rosa-doyle-willingham/

Great to see that the New England Comics Community were able to overcome idiots and give their fans some distractions/fun to give a moment's distraction from "terror".

-*SIGH* Chris Sims likes it.. he really likes it...

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/04/23/teen-titans-go-premiere-tonight-cartoon-network/

Sorry. I can't get into it... at least not yet. I still in Young Justice grieving mode..

-Picked this up over the weekend on my Atlanta trip...

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/04/23/iron-man-rise-of-technovore-anime-brandon-auman-interview/

..and it was OK. Based on elements from the Extremis and Five Nightmares storylines with nods to the movie franchise, Rise of the Technovore is no doubt a Warren Ellis Madhouse creation. However, watching the middle of the anime will lose anyone that isn't familiar with the Iron Man mythos. For about 30 minutes there, I hope everyone knows their Iron Man history. Otherwise, like any other Warren Ellis project, questions about humanity's failings and technology's trappings are abound. When do we say we have gotten too attached to tech? How far is too far in terms of advancement? Just how many women has Tony Stark been with? You know.. the important, thought provoking questions. LOL and oh yeah, after this I am craving a Warren Ellis Punisher project. Just watch the anime and you will see why.... 6.5 out of 10

-Well so much for the strides made by Siegel and Shuster...

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/04/19/federal-judge-affirms-dcs-ownership-of-superboy-multimillion-d/

This feels like that the rights for old creators just got slapped back to zero... On the eve of a movie that could have gotten their families more money.. Hence why DC and Warner Bros pushing this decision through now. Sneaky Bastards.

That's it for me this week Science Fiction Fans. Until next Time Loyal Readers, I'll See You In The Stands!

The Grindhouse Returns (at It's New Saturday Time slot)-The Comic Shoppe @6pm & Afronerd Radio @7pm

What's up, folks! Let's just delve into the matter at hand, shall we? Welcome to our Grindhouse edition of the two part Afronerd Radio cyber-broadcast. Pull up a chair and listen to The Comic Shoppe airing at 6pm with your hosts, Daryll B., Capt. Kirk and Dburt as they solve the following pulp mysteries: is he or isn't he-due to a weird tweet earlier this week, actor Morris Chestnut intimated that he might being playing Marvel's Black Panther; is there any truth to the WB intimating that the upcoming Man of Steel film might hint toward an expanded DC universe? ; Does Brian K. Vaughan's Saga #12 prove that comic writers are more willing to risk controversy as it relates to sex than issues connected to race?; will the new Da Vinci's Demons cable TV series encroach on Sherlock territory and lastly, was it wise for marvel to cancel the Winter Soldier series in light of next year's release of the Captain America: Winter Soldier movie? You can call your "Podcast Avengers" live at 646-915-9620.

And then there's Afronerd Radio starting at 7pm-your hosts Dburt and capt. Kirk will unpack the following topics: GOP Congresman Rand Paul pays a visit to Howard University; Jay-Z's "Open Letter" song causes controversy; miscellaneous musings from Dburt (Nas' "lower tier" quote, Sherlock book recommendation)and lastly, Black job applicant changes race on resume and gets more offers than if she checked "Black."

It's Saturday, It's 6pm & It's The Grindhouse @Afronerd!

And if you missed our last episode, listen to it now:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/afronerd/2013/04/10/afronerd-interviews-noted-journalistauthor-rolonda-watts

And then we have Daryll B.'s latest blog entry. Imperius Rex!

Hi once again AfroNerd and Facebook Readers. I got to begin this mini LinkBlog with some confusion. I mean I liked Evil Dead but I didn't love it. It is gory and has truly, genuine chills/scares, and does give it's devoted cult-like fans 3 or 4 payoffs that would take days to explain to someone just starting with this movie...

....but I miss the funny. Similar to my opinion of the Heath Ledger Joker or The Last Airbender, Evil Dead was supposed to be funny in parts and this really wasn't. I know that I sound like a picky fanboy after just saying that I thought the movie was good.... but I miss the funny.

Then we have Wrestlemania. I loved the weekend here in NY/NJ. I met some old friends and talked to some rising stars in and around Manhattan. WWE did a great job making this a great week of events and memories....

...until the show actually began. Mannnnn only 1 match truly achieved "awesome" status and that was C.M Punk vs The Undertaker. Anyone still think C.M. Punk isn't a main eventer after watching this? He KILLED himself to impress the audience...(almost literally with the announcer's table not breaking on cue) however, the rest of the card just couldn't compare. Cena - Rock was just like last year's... Henry - Ryback needed stuff breaking.... Team Hell No - Ziggler & Big E. needed more A.J.... Triple H - Lesnar needed more Heyman... Del Rio - Swagger needed more Ricardo.... Overall the show just needed more "unexpected" moments...

Still it was fun watching the show with family, cracking jokes and reminiscing of other wrestling times... and hearing my dad scream "Use the bloody chair" and "We want tables" is always awesome!

-After the last couple weeks of editorial/writer dust ups, Ron Marz shares his own tales of woe with Thor and Superboy:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=44736

The Thor one I had heard rumors about before but the Superboy one is news to me. Talk about "bait and switch"...

-I did inform you guys last week about the MoCCA showcase last weekend. Here are two articles touching upon the show

http://comicsbeat.com/mocca-awards-of-excellence-winners-2013-and-show-wrap-up/

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/04/a-view-from-mocca-arts-fest/

I got so caught up in various wrestling things last weekend that I couldn't reach the show escapades on time. I glad that everyone had a good time there...

-A further look at the legacy of Carmen Infantino...

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/04/an-unvarnished-look-at-carmine-infantinos-time-as-dc-publisher/

http://www.newsfromme.com/2013/04/06/more-about-carmine-infantino/

I still stand by my statement that this will be a creative hole in the industry that will never be perfectly filled because of the nature of the business today.

-Unfortunately on the death front....

http://sciencefiction.com/2013/04/09/friday-the-13ths-richard-brooker-r-i-p/

You learn something new everyday. I always thought that Kane Hodder was the originator of the hockey mask Jason. My mistake and RIP Mr. Brooker...

-I did say I was in a wrestling mood right?

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/04/wwe-debuts-jill-thompson-designed-shirt-for-cm-punk/

First she designed Daniel Bryan's gear. Now Jill Thompson does C.M. Punk's new shirt. What next? I'd love her to do a Kane or Undertaker shirt next because of how well she can draw horror elements....

-I Really, REALLY don't know about this....

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/04/09/batman-arkham-origins-announced/

I mean Rocksteady Games did a GREAT job with the last game. Who could possibly improve upon that one? Talk about a project subject to failure...

-I picked it up last week. Did you?

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/04/09/superman-secret-identity-review-busiek-immonen-dc/

I mean this is essentially Superboy Prime's story BEFORE Geoff Johns turned him into Murderous-Comic-Book-Guy meeting John Byrne's Elseworlds Generations tales. Also Busiek announced through his facebook that Marvel is planning to collect his and Sean Chen's Iron Man run into an omnibus. So I geeked out tremendously at that news....

-Finally. You knew that this was going to happen eventually...

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/04/09/saga-12-apple-app-store-banned-brian-k-vaughan-fiona-staples-sexual-content/

So Apple didn't freak at swear words or nudity in the issues prior but two postage stamp sized panels of gay sex cause them to pull the WHOLE book from their App Store? I bet BKV and Ms Staples are going to have a response to this... Oh look...

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/04/quote-of-the-day-vaughan-on-sagas-apple-problem/

"We're not changing s***!" Thank you Brian!

That's it for me this week readers. Until Next Time, Keep Fantasizing!

Afronerd Welcomes Saxophone Legend, Maceo Parker to the Show This Wed 3/27 @ 7pm

Howdy, folks! We preempted a few shows to address other behind the scenes ventures as well as to collect our thoughts and energies in lieu of our next iconic guest. Be sure to set your clocks and calendars for Wednesday, March 27th at 7pm when iconic musician/saxophonist, Maceo Parker stops by to discuss his new memoir, 98% Funky Stuff: My Life in Music . To our loyal supporters (and even detractors) this is not the show to miss. Call the show live at 646-915-9620! And that's just the first act, for the remainder of the program Captain Kirk and Dburt will wax about the latest in current events and news. See you all at 7pm and remember, keep it cool, calm, copacetic and FUNKY!

Afronerd Welcomes Saxophone Legend, Maceo Parker to the Show

Special Saturday Show-Interview with Director, Jon Schnepp (Death of Superman Lives Doc) & His Kickstarter campaign; Bale in JLA Film? Drones & Newsome vs Carolla-Starting @ 6pm EST!

Howdy and Salutations, citizens! Welcome to a special Grindhouse broadcast airing tonight at 6pm eastern. First up, pull up a chair and listen to The Comic Shoppe featuring your hosts-Daryll B., Captain Kirk and Dburt as they unravel the following topics: the crew welcomes noted director/producer, Jon Schnepp (Metalocalypse, The Venture Bros) to discuss his latest Kickstarter campaign, The Death of Superman Lives; a recent tidbit from Latino Review affirms that Christian Bale might don the Bat cowl one more time for a JLA film; are Marvel and DC still in the business of creating new comic book characters and lastly, if time permits, our thoughts on iconic writer and artist, Jerry Ordway's assertions that ageism in the comic industry is pervasive, preventing maturing artists from working. Call the hosts live at 646-015-9620.

Next up, for the second half is Afronerd Radio airing at 7pm. Hosts, Dburt and Capt. Kirk will shed light on the following issues: continuing from last week's show-the NRA in an effort to broaden their message has a Black spokesman, Colion Noir (to the chagrin of rap mogul, Russell Simmons); a heated exchange takes place between Lt. Gov of CA, Gavin Newsom and radio host, Adam Carolla over Black/Brown poverty; Congressman Rand Paul drones on and on about...Obama's drones and lastly, why hasn't a film been made about the Civil War era's greatest spy (of color), Mary Bowser? Just another fiery and informative show...as usual-Excelsior!

Jon Schnepp on Supes Lives Doc @ Grindhouse @6pm!

And if you missed our last episode, listen to it now:

It's The Mid Week & It's Afronerd Radio @7pm!

And then we have Daryll B.'s latest pulp musing. Imperius Rex!

Before I begin this LinkBlog, I would like to send my condolences to the friends, fans, and family of WWE's William Moody a.k.a. Paul Bearer. I had 2 opportunities to talk to him at independent wrestling shows and both times Moody was very informative and open about his thoughts about the business. He always entertained/scared the ^&%^& out of me and I loved him for it. Rest In Peace Paul Bearer!

Longtime listeners/followers of The ComicShoppe will remember an argument we had on air with a caller about why we tend to see everything in color. Well, during Emerald City Comic Con, David Brothers had his own interesting situation involving "interesting" cos-players.

http://4thletter.net/2013/03/ask-dr-racism-blackface-cosplay-intent-reactions-and-responsibility/

Now I not saying that it is wrong to dress up in homage to a character you like/love but in being a "blackface" Geordi, are you saying that one of the most important things you remember about Geordi is his race? I think the visor would be quite enough for fans to see you and remember the character. The less said about being a "blackface" zombie, the better...

On the other side of 4th Letter, Gavok comes very close to moving me in his requiem for Damian Wayne....

http://4thletter.net/2013/03/wait-whats-this-about-dc-killing-damon-wayans/

...but I still not sorry for disliking the lil punk... May he rest in "comic peace"... until Talia gets him to a Lazarus Pit or unleashes another clone that is.....

I love when Newsarama does their Top Ten lists because it always gives me something to ponder and I have 3 of them this time. First up is 10 things their staffers noticed/hoped for within the Iron Man 3 trailer...

http://www.newsarama.com/film/10-things-iron-man-3-final-trailer.html

Ultron huh? Hmmm following the alternate story from "Next Avengers" where Tony admits to creating him? Hmmmmm.....

Next one has Graeme McMillian wondering who of the current Nu52 supporting characters would have the most effect on the rest of the DC Universe if they "kicked the bucket?"

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/helping-dc-decide-who-to-kill-next.html

The Steve Trevor one is a good one but the Orion theory.... I really digging the Orion theory...

Finally, who was the best Robin....?

http://www.newsarama.com/comics/10-best-robins.html

Damn straight Dick Grayson wins this one for me but I really hoped the version of him from Thrillkiller was going to make the list too....

Sorry to hear about this....

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/03/06/x-men-brian-wood-olivier-coipel/

All the best to Brian Wood and his family and friends.....

Damn you Joss Whedon!

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/03/05/planet-hulk-movie-rumor-whedon-nonsense/

I love your work but did you have to ruin my dreams of seeing The Hulk punching out The Silver Surfer in a gladator arena on a foreign and hostile world? BOOOOO!

I don't have anything but sympathy for Chris Sprouse here....

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/03/05/orson-scott-card-chris-sprouse-superman-dc-comics/

He was literally caught up in the crossfire here and no matter what he chose, an audible faction was going to raise a fuss...

We just can't let this one die can we?

http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2013/03/06/sam-raimi-explains-why-spider-man-4-didnt-happen/

Thank you Marvel... Thank you Sony... *Groans*

After that one I need to laugh a little...

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/03/uncovering-marvels-lost-80s-cartoon-pitches/

Teen. Hulk. Hulk. Hound. Oh. MY. GAWD! *Shakes Head* I think we are all better off today not seeing these. Seriously....

Both Greg Burgas and Sonia Harris went to ECCC last weekend and came back with interesting tales.

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/03/06/everything-you-could-ever-want-to-know-about-emerald-city-comicon-2013/

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/03/06/committed-my-2013-emerald-city-comic-con-awards/

I definitely have to hang out for most of the day in the independent creators section to pick their brains for information during the next NYCC. Then again I might not come back out again after getting caught up in some of their tales..... Best news out of both articles for me: More Astro City by Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson coming this year! Woooooo

So many things to say about Brian Cronin's Meta-Messages last week:

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/03/03/meta-messages-chris-claremont-sticks-up-for-ms-marvel/

Even when I first read this, I said out loud in my comic shop at the time "Gene's" that this was fucked up... Sorry about that Gene... whereever you are now... Like Hank Pym's wife beater "status quo" and Kyle Rayner's "GF in a fridge", I hated this situation for Carol AND anytime a writer tried to validate it.

Finally, something I neglected to add to last week's blog... The Line it is Drawn gang mashes up superheroes and famous album covers....

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/02/28/the-line-it-is-drawn-128-music-album-cover-homages/

The thing I miss the most with the incorporation of better technology within the music biz? Great album cover art.... Thx for this CSBG!

Thx for taking this journey around my comics space with me Folks! Until next time, Keep Fantasizing!

Grindhouse Studios Presents 2 for 1 Shows @6 & 7pm! Issues-Matt Crane's Sesame Street Fighter Kickstarter Project; Robin Dies (Again!!), Sequestration, Educational Tech & More!

Howdy, citizens! Join us this Sunday for another fun and fact filled mission in the guise of radio broadcast entitled Afronerd Radio-The Grindhouse Edition. Pull up a seat and listen to the aural entree commonly known as The Comic Shoppe airing at 6pm with your hosts, Daryll B., Capt. Kirk and Dburt. The issues at hand are: the crew welcomes graphic designer, Matt Crane to discuss his current Sesame Street meets Street Fighter Kickstarter campaign; the media's lack of spoiler control regarding comic book plot lines-case in point, the recent revelation of the impending death of Robin (again) ; and speaking of Kickstarter projects, our thoughts on a proposed documentary highlighting the failed Tim Burton reboot of the Superman film franchise and lastly, time constraints notwithstanding, the latest in film news (Matthew Vaughn's X-men and Fantastic Four projects, Avi Arad's Robosapien,etc). Call the hosts live at 646-915-9620!

Then not to be outdone, there's Afronerd Radio airing at 7pm. Join Capt. Kirk and Dburt as they lend analysis to the following topics: another study shows the wealth gap between the races has widened threefold; a HuffPost piece by Sugata Mitra, professor of educational technology at Newcastle Univ. posits the future of schools and learning; what the beginning of sequestration really means and lastly, two op-eds from The Root bear mentioning-The White male disdain for Mrs. Obama's posterior and Black female rejection in the workplace and academia. Excelsior!

Grindhouse Studios Presents 2 for 1 Shows @6 & 7pm!

And if you missed our last episode, listen to it now:

Happy Hump Day! Afronerd's Mid Week Show @7pm!

And then we have Daryll B.'s latest blog entry. Imperius Rex!

Open letter of frank honesty to our fans, detractors, and anyone that might stumble across the blog for the first time. We at the ComicShoppe do see race and division within a lot of our passions. How could we not? It has been pushed in our face since we were younglings. We give voice to our disappointment and rage as well as our pride and happiness. How else would an internet radio show work or we even be heard. We will not agree on a lot of topics because growing up and age difference will have subjected us to different factors that have shaped our worldview. Through all of that, the ComicShoppe tries to approach every topic with a learned perspective and will continue to try to present you with all the facts we have on the subject being debated. We can only give you our opinions... you have to think and read up to make a decision for yourselves. That's the best thing about free will... total anarchy in terms of personal decision making and favorites. After all, the world would be a boring place if we all thought the same.

So as I enter the 3rd year of dwelling in the ComicShoppe, I promise that you will love me and hate me; think I am a savant and a madman; want to praise me and throttle me; but you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. Time to let this week's LinkBlog roll....

-Seems that David Brothers and us were on the same wavelength this week:

http://4thletter.net/2013/02/black-panther-black-supremacy/

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/02/27/black-comic-writers-writing-while-black-one-punch-man/

Kudos to him for the Black Panther letters page. It was thought provoking to read Reggie Hudlin's answers to the gentlman who was "outraged" that Black Panther beat Captain America.

-Big ups to Comics Alliance for giving us the nay and yay of the retailers about stocking the Orson Scott Card involved Superman book:

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/02/26/superman-orson-scott-card-zeus-comics-richard-neal-interview/

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/02/27/superman-orson-scott-card-acme-comics-jermaine-exum-interview/

In addition, Adam WarRock shares his personal opinion about the situation as well as a new song from the standpoint of a fan of OSC until he read about the author's beliefs.

http://www.adamwarrock.com/?p=3109

Again, as an artist, you can believe what you believe but once you become vocally public about them, everything gets hard to separate the craft from the politics.

-I still don't know what DC was thinking with this.....

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/02/dc-comics-gets-the-f-out-of-wtf-certified/

"Ooooh let's get edgy with a WTF campaign to draw eyeballs to our books!" Wasn't this the same company that famously canned The Boys by Garth Ennis? They don't have a risque bone in their bodies..... Hypocritical ones yes... Risque, NO....

-Here's a question that we at the ComicShoppe have pondered since the show began:

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/02/25/superhero-comics-versus-superhero-movies-why-does-one-get-a-bigger-audience-than-the-other/

I have finally come to the conclusion that.. we have no conclusion. Too many factors weigh into this for one answer to solve everything. Although I will say that there is something to the old "comic books are for kids/are too kiddie for me to be seen reading them" stigma.

-Here we go again:

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/02/some-thoughts-on-the-future-of-damian-wayne/

I am just tired of getting plot points spoiled in newspapers. Tell me what other form of suspense in art goes out and INTENTIONALLY gives away shocking events beforehand? Imagine if this was done with The Usual Suspects or The Crying Game? And folks say they don't understand why I get angry with this....

-Finally, I never saw this pattern but kudos to Robot 6 on spotting this...

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/02/damian-wayne-and-grant-morrisons-tendency-to-kill-his-darlings/

I loved creating you so much I have to kill you. Brutal... And I still miss Aztek....

That's it for me this week. Until next time Readers, Keep Fantasizing!

And While You Wait for Wednesday's Afronerd Radio Broadcast, Check Out Filmmaker Hilton A. Ruiz' Latest Film Project, 6 6 66 (Guest Starring Capt. Kirk)

Like a 2-Base Hit! Comic Shoppe @6 & Afronerd @7pm! TOPICS: No Black Writers at DC or Marvel? Lil Wayne & Emmett Till & More!

Our discourse continues.....welcome to the vaunted Grindhouse edition of Afronerd Radio! Double your pleasure...yin versus yang...yada yada yada! Pull up a seat and listen to The Comic Shoppe at 6pm EST and then Afronerd Radio at 7pm. It appears that our last few shows were especially festive so as alluded to in the aforementioned opening, our conversation continues... Join Dburt, Captain Kirk and Daryll B as they (continue to) discuss the following: a number of internet articles are highlighting the lack of Black writers at Marvel and DC (and how the independents put those diversity stats to shame); a recent HuffPost/Black Voices blog posting puts focus on the history of the Black super heroine in comics; there's a new Black sci fi pilot that has gone viral (above) entitled, The Abandon; David Brothers of Comics Alliance provides an excellent historical timeline of the Black influence in mainstream comics and if time permits, will the quality writing of Green Lantern falter with Geoff Johns' (and his staff) departure from the book? Call the hosts live at 646-915-9620!

And then there's always Afronerd Radio airing after The Shoppe at 7pm. Join Captain Kirk and Dburt as they shed light on some recent issues of note: picking up from last week regarding the Grammys; and speaking of music-what's the difference between Lil Wayne and a White rapping Pastor who proclaims that Jesus is his "nigga"....the answer? Not much.; a doctoral student at Univ. of Texas discovers a poem from the earliest documented Black published writer in the US, Jupiter Hammon and the racial divide between twitter and Pinterest users.

Like a 2-Base Hit! Comic Shoppe @6 & Afronerd @7pm!

And if you missed out last episode, listen to it now:

Now The Post Grammy Edition of Afronerd Wed @7pm!

And then we have Daryll B.'s weekly blog post. Imperius Rex!

Howdy AfroNerd Readers! Once again we are upon another Valentine's Day. So In that tradition, I am going to give you my favorite couples in comics:

Hawkeye and Mockingbird...(Pre whatever mess Secret Invasion caused it to be) Clint and Bobbi was the adventurous couple with a tinge of responsibility. Often they would take turns as to which was the responsible one and the reckless one but it was fun to read and observe. Especially in the West Coast Avengers days.

Nightwing and Starfire... I grew up in comics with the Teen Titans under Wolfman and Perez. To me Dick Grayson and Princess Korian'd was a strange but fascinating couple. The gal was the one whose emotions were wild while the guy had to be the one to keep her in check. The ultimate introvert/extrovert relationship...

Cannonball and Lila Cheney... In the same vein, the romance between Sam Guthrie and Lila Cheney can be classified. A good ol' farm boy dating an intergalatic rock star. Throw in two of the wildest mutant powers seen at the time and let hilarity ensue.

Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman... The stable example of attraction leading to a lasting relationship is the marriage of Reed and Sue Richards. The ultimate scientist wedded his sweetheart and are still strong today with Sue becoming her own person seemingly through their adventures as part of the Fantastic Four. They are my version of Ozzie and Harriet...

The Third Flash and Linda Park... Wally West and Linda Park were my current favorite couple until DC decided to reboot everything connected to their universe and erased this lovely pairing. It seemed the perfect combination of one of my favorite relationships (Peter/MJ) and one of my most despised (Clark/Lois) because of how it was depicted by Mark Waid/Grant Morrison/Geoff Johns and others.

Apollo and Midnighter... Warren Ellis is a genius of characterization and the fact that he had the first homosexual couple appearing regularly in a comic without letting the fanbase know that they were for like 8 months was absolutely perfect. Then after the reveal of the relationship, fans went back and saw all the lil hints of it sprinkled throughout the Stormwatch/Authority issues....

Katchoo and Francine... No doubt the best, confusing relationship that I have ever read. Terry Moore in Strangers in Paradise took the shy Francine and tormented Katchoo and put them through the wringer. I am not a soap opera fan but this... THIS is the closest I will get to one with all the innuendos, adventure, humor, trials, and heartbreak experienced by these two lovely ladies. Still a book that I always go back to and read over and over....

Spider-Man and Mary Jane Watson.... My number one relationship for the fact that the nerd scored the model! *pumps fist in celebration* Seriously, I never got tired of Peter and Mary Jane and it absolutely wrecked me how this marriage has/was treated by fans and creators as a crutch. I loved the dynamic and their interactions in the Spider-Island Saga only inflamed my rage at Marvel over the dumb way it was discarded....

...and now time for some relationships that I frankly got tired of that others love...

Superman and Lois Lane... No longer viable because of Nu52 but I will tell you that the only time I really got into this relationship was with Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher. It is amazing though that I can get into parodies like Mark and Abby in Love and Capes better than the originals. I guess I am a Lana Lang guy...

Batman and Catwoman/Talia R Ghul.... Cry me a river Bat Fans. The ultimate vigilante loner seeks love from the "bad girls". Aren't you the same guys and gals that are looking for the "good" Mr/Mrs. Right? Wouldn't your hero dating villainesses/anti-heroes defeat that logic?

Nightwing and Batgirl/Oracle... Not because I hate Barbara Gordon mind you. But because like I said above, I am a Dick/Kory guy. When you have had Starfire, how could you go to any other woman? I know it a bit snobbish but I was brainwashed early!

Captain America and Sharon Carter... It seemed that they bickered more than produce anything close to a loving relationship. After a while, that REALLY gets annoying... especially when they were on missions of stealth. I kept wishing for them to get shot all instead of the continuing inner monologues followed by fights...

Gambit and Rogue... Yeahhhh I was once deeply invested in this one but over time and the constant annoying questions about their status at conventions during panels just completely killed my enthusiasm long ago. And ever as I read reprints from those days, I find myself flipping through FAST....

Cyclops and Jean Grey.... I know. It blasphemy as a X-Men fan to list this here but OMIGAWD! Cyclops was so in love with Jean Grey that he married a clone of her first! Then after he married the real one, he cheated on her with one of the X-Men's worst villains at the time, The White Queen. Jean Grey has always had an attraction to Wolverine that had to be mentioned every 2 issues and like every 3 episodes of the 90's cartoon. Let's face it: love in the X-Universe was a screwed up notion back then AND now....

LINK-BLOG

-Awwwwww..

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/02/14/the-line-it-is-drawn-126-valentines-day-with-the-superheroes/

Pure Awesomness!

-Only in NY

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/02/spider-man-arrested-after-times-square-fight-with-woman/

HeHeHeHe....Take THAT Spidey!

-You may have heard about this:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=43696

I wonder who will replace Geoff Johns at the helm of Green Lantern? I wonder if the fanbase will stay with the book? Hmmm wheels are turning.....

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=43707

Holy...?!?! So the WHOLE Green Lantern staff is leaving? Wow....

-Sometimes you have to wonder what DC is thinking with their hires...

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=43715

I could say something about this but Brett White and his friend do a so much better job of it here...

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=43742

The ones who hired Orson Scott Card for Superman are probably the same guys who decided that Lupe Fiasco would be a good fit at Obama's Pre-inaguration Concert. You didn't think the LGBT community would be up in arms at this? Whoops!

-Here's David Brothers:

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/02/13/im-david-black-history-month-comics/

Here's a nice timeline for Black History Month in terms of comics... Again, I don't have a lot of answers for the history of neglect but it obvious that more of us are asking questions!

Meanwhile, Gavok, his partner in crime over at 4thLetter gives us this:

http://4thletter.net/2013/02/crossover-celebration-part-6-turtles-forever/

Turtles Forever fulfilled so many geek-gasm thoughts within me concerning the 3 different animated Turtles takes...

That's it for me this week AfroNerd Readers. Until next time, Keep Fantasizing!

Our Pre Grammys Blast! Comic Shoppe@6pm & Afronerd @7pm!-Topics: Black Comic Book Writers; Planet Hulk Live Action?; Rogue LA Cop & More!

First there was the Super Bowl and now The Grammys are upon us! So this time we'll make an attempt at competing (but not really) against the legendary music show with our ever popular Grindhouse edition of Afronerd Radio. Pull up a seat and listen to The Comic Shoppe this Sunday starting at 6pm. Join Daryll B., Dburt and Captain Kirk as they pontificate on the following "nerdic" fare: the Latino Review reports that the Hulk may end up with a Planet Hulk/Avengers tie-in story or the silver screen at some point in the future; a recent Robot 6 article puts focus on the dearth of Black writers at DC and Marvel; is the JLA movie in distress?-a writer is let go and Paul Dini (Batman Animated Series, Justice League Animated) states that he wouldn't be interested in writing a live action version and lastly, a discussion of race and and animation-the Shadow & Act site highlights Ralph Bakshi's Coonskin as well as Warner Bros' controversial cartoon past. Call the hosts live at 646-915-9620!

Next up, Afronerd Radio bats second at 7pm eastern. Captain Kirk and Dburt wax on the following topics: rogue LA cop, Christopher Dorner rampages vowing revenge against a police force he deems corrupt; quite a bit of nastiness on the part of Facebook for their refusal to remove a racist page; more on Roots Vs Django with the cast of Roots; the HufPost's Black Voices has an interesting op-ed by Clarence Haynes regarding his fondness for comics-specifically, the character Storm from The X-Men and lastly, The Root denotes the historical origins of the "Blerd" (Afronerd sounds better, doesn't it?). Whew....so check us out post haste!

Our Pre Grammys Blast! Comic Shoppe@6pm & Afronerd @7pm!

And if you missed out last episode, listen to it now:

Afronerd Radio's Mid Week in Review @7pm EST!

And then we have Daryll B.'s weekly meanderings. Enjoy!

I hope everyone enjoyed their Super Bowl Parties and 4 million dollar commercials. When the blackout happened in the midst of the second half I was convinced that Jamie Foxx had gotten an early start in preparations to play Electro and shorted out the grid partially... Well that and Beyonce with crew just blew it all out by sure hotness but as far as we are concerned:

Star Trek Darkness spot: WOW! A definite "A" and left you wanting more. Cumberbatch rules this spot with his presence.....

Iron Man 3 spot: Nice... "B" only because it felt like more of the same.. but I won't lie, seeing Air Force One be blown to heck with Iron Man/Iron Patriot doing mid-air rescues was hot...

World War Z spot: Ok... what the heck? Another commenter at MSN stole my thunder about being sick of zombies that have super-speed. They are composed of rotting muscles and necrotic flesh after all. The horror with zombie is overwhelming numbers and how exactly does one "beat" something already dead that outnumbers you HUNDREDS to one.... C- because of the cliche's...

Man of Steel spot: More of the same that we have seen from the previous commercials and trailers. Zach Snyder let's see what you got this Summer... C

Oz The Great and Powerful Spot: Just like Hansel and Gretel and Snow White & The Huntsman, I have my doubts but both of the others won me over and this one has Mila Kunis and James Franco so ... chances are I am going to dig parts of this at least... B-

Otherwise, I'd be remiss from mentioning 2 things from Monday Night:

1) Bones got me again. First it was their "9/11" episode and the moving scene between the interns as they relayed where they were when that infamous event occured. Then the final scenes where the team put together what happened to the victim and the following funeral. Last Monday, it was a scene at the end between Booth and a sick child as Bones and Cam secretly watched. Damn, they know how to pull my heart strings.

2) I really don't know about Continuum after this last episode. It seems that most of the minorities and poor are on the terrorists' side from the flashbacks shown. I hope we get some more in depth explanations here because I will admit that I am feeling a mite uncomfortable with the breakdown here.

Link Blog Time!

-Finally! Marvel makes its decision.....

http://www.deadline.com/2013/02/chris-pratt-getting-guardians-of-the-galaxy-lead/

I really don't know much about Mr. Platt and his time in Zero Dark Thirty was not enough for me to go on since I am not a Parks and Recreation viewer. I wish him lots of luck in the role of Star-Lord because he is one of my favorite characters of the current age.

-Here's an old favorite of mine....

http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2013/02/05/stacy-keach-playing-the-villain-in-sin-city-a-dame-to-kill-for/

I have liked Stacy Keach ever since he did the old "Hammer" Detective TV series. He can certainly carry and exude intensity.... and that is a plus for any Frank Miller creation....

-I never knew this tale....

http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2013/02/06/tv-legends-revealed-ernie-hudson-lost-ghostbusters-cartoon-role/

Wow! Why have the original actor when you can have Arsenio? LMAO

-Could this help fill the hole of Young Justice Invasion's cancellation/exclusion?

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=43586

...err...nope!... You still suck DC/Cartoon Network....

-Interesting...

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/02/creator-tangles-with-dc-and-marvel-over-super-hero-trademark/

So the term "Super Hero" is trademarked? Mannnnn...

-Tom Bondurant does it again with this analysis of the New Green Lantern..

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/01/grumpy-old-fan-simon-baz-recharges-green-lantern/

I admit the first images of Simon Baz turned me off i.e. the infamous "Green Lantern with a 9mm" drawing but Johns is fleshing him out. At the same time, I have to admit to event fatigue with Green Lantern. Geoff Johns and Brian Michael Bendis on Avengers must have gone to the same strategist... Event after event after.....

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/02/dc-axes-deathstroke-savage-hawkman-and-four-other-titles/

Um... OK maybe they really NEED events to survive....

-These are cool...

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/02/06/nfl-football-art-austin-madison-pixar/

NFL + Fantasy Art = A Happy Daryll B.

-Some things you can't get angry at....

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/02/04/uperhero-window-washers-children-hospital-video-pittsburgh/

I admire these window washers for going the extra mile and providing these kids with smiles. As a kid, to have a "Super Hero" (here comes the cease and desist letter now) washing my window, must have blown their little minds....

-At AfroNerd, we do tend to focus a bit on race in this industry. Axel Alonso gives an interesting take in this interview....

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/02/06/marvel-editor-chief-axel-alonso-interview-latino-hispanic-superheroes-video/

Now I appreciate this because Mr. Alonso looks at the issue from a lot of sides and his openness about hot button topics like stereotypes is refreshing...

On the other side is this article by Joseph Hughes...

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/02/04/black-writers-comic-book-industry/

Now I am of two minds about this. It is obvious that not enough minorities are in the "inner circles" to get chances/consideration for the "big time" but at the same time: where are the youths interested in writing? Where is that next generation of black writers who crave to take the torch and craft classic stories BETTER than what has come before? The issue is a catch 22 as evidenced by this from David Brothers....

http://4thletter.net/2013/02/never-believe-the-hype/

How true is this? We at the ComicShoppe often go back to the interview we did with McDuffie because he opened our eyes to the business side of comics and animation. No longer could we only look at everything through "fanboy only" views. We needed to look at the whole picture in terms of the industry and we are forever in his debt for that....

-Brett White talks Marvel's female lead books and difficulties on this week's In Your Face Jam at Comic Book Resources....

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=43610

Ok, we all know folks who have clamoured for these, so why aren't they buying them? Isn't that kind of hypocritical? On the record, I like the new Cap Marvel and LOVED the first issue of Fearless Defenders. I don't know about picking up the all female X-Men but Brian Wood might swing me and I sorry I just am not a Hulk person anymore....

-I'll end this with a funny tribute...

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/01/31/wonder-woman-comic-wesley-willis-azzarello-chiang/!

I still think he looks like the Crimson Avenger update from Johns' JSA run but that is a cool backstory for the Milan character and a great tribute...

OK I think I am spent this week. So until next week AfroNerd Readers, Keep Fantasizing!

Check Our Pre-Game Shows on Saturday, Comic Shoppe @6pm & Afronerd @7!-Issues: Fishburne as Luke Cage?; Young Justice & GLA Cancelled; Superbowl Discussed; All Blue Area & Daryll B's Latest Blog!

Howdy, loyal supporters and listeners! Because of our supreme cognition, we know better NOT to compete with tomorrow's Superbowl, so check out our infamous Grindhouse show today starting at 6pm. For the first matinee feature, there's The Comic Shoppe starring Daryll B., Dburt and Captain Kirk. The Shoppe crew will be unpacking the following topics: Cartoon Network does it AGAIN....DC Nation's Green Lantern: The Animated Series and Young Justice get cancelled...and Dburt asks-Why not tweek these shows for Adult Swim or Fox where their survival might be more assured ; in our minds' eye to reality-cartoonist, Aaron McGruder has a Kickstarter campaign in hopes of getting funding for a Uncle Ruckus live action film; picking up where we left off from our last broadcast (Quinten Tarantino's Luke Cage movie proposal, Robotech gets a director) and lastly, was there ever talk of a Jack Bauer/John McClane crossover film? Call the hosts live at 646-915-9620!

For your second audio feature, starting at 7pm, there's Afronerd Radio starring Captain Kirk and Dburt. The issues at hand are: friend of the show and coach of the Chippewa Valley Predators, Martin Adams stops by to discuss tomorrow's Superbowl; and the remainder of the show will be all BLUE AREA (aka stories of a positive bent)-i.e. a young Brooklyn artist gains notoriety for his Afrocentric quilts; Black History month starts; Dr. Henry L. Gates' The Root site has a regular segment entitled 100 Amazing Facts about The Negro; Mary J. Blige and Angela Bassett are starring in a new civil rights era Lifetime film entitled, Betty & Coretta and lastly, Dr. S. James Gates is awarded the National Medal of Science from President Obama!. Remember..be there and be square- it's safer!

Check Our Pre-Game Shows, Comic Shoppe @6pm & Afronerd @7!

And if you missed out last episode, listen to it now:

It's The Mid Week In Review Show, Folks! Listen @7pm EST!

Check out the latest blog entry, courtesy of The Shoppe's Daryll B:

I hope that you all out there in AfroNerd land had a good week. Mine was going good: a fun Royal Rumble; NHL season giving me great games; NASCAR 2 weeks away from starting up while the Super Bowl is a week away. LeBron James did me proud with his "speech" while he, Wade and the Miami Heat visited President Obama. Then before the skies opened up in NYC Wednesday Night, this popped up in my alerts:

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/01/30/16777032-teen-slain-after-performing-at-inaugural-happiest-day-of-her-life-and-then-shes-gone?lite

There are few things that can knock me out of my comics/fantasy/sports/music virtual world. I love to debate on opinions of quality because differences in thinking and standards are what makes my life worth living. However, here is a talented young woman that will never have a chance to make music or be creative ever again. She won't be able to enjoy life or make mistakes to grow on again. There are few times that you all have seen/heard me drop the Daryll B. "evil nerd" persona to just be the real me, but... the coward that took this girl's life needs to be dealt with. Take that how you like but let me tell you, I have swollen red eyes to go along with a swollen right hand now. This just wasn't fair.... and sorry that I have gone off the rail here but this needed to be said.

In lighter fare, Adam WarRock did this for Comics Alliance:

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/01/30/adam-warrock-watch-the-throne-x-hip-hop-mixtape-rap/

His words about the X-Men over Watch The Throne beats. I love "Teamwork" and "B.L.A.M."... Although I will say that the latter has language very un PG-13... but it is about Henry McCoy a.k.a The Beast. Take it as you will....

I see Spinoff Online agrees with me....

http://spinoff.comicbookresources.com/2013/01/30/one-king-to-bore-them-all-king-of-the-nerds-falls-flat/

It was so bad that the writer invoked "Beauty and the Geek" as a positive in comparison. Shouldn't that really tell you all you need to know about "King of all Nerds"?

Matt Fraction comes at us with a quote he deemed "enlightening"...

http://robot6.comicbookresources.com/2013/01/quote-of-the-day-comics-need-to-get-better-at-not-being-so-comic-y/

...ok. I love the fact that a lot of "indie" sensabilities are being shown/showcased with the influx of new creators but here is my problem with statements like this: the old ways couldn't be ALL bad. Why? You are now in the art. If comics were so bad to you, you wouldn't be writing 6+ books now. And HELLO! There are fans who actually want our good guys to fight dastardly villains. Everytime I see statements like this it feels like "our fans are more sophisticated and better than what has come before" instead of "this is a new day where there are books for every taste and we wish that sentiment was catered to more.". I know Fraction meant his comment to express the latter statement but came off too much like the prior.....

Interesting....

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/01/28/spider-man-movie-rhino-paul-giamatti/

At first I was like "No!" but it took my co-worker Luis to remind me that Hollywood has this thing called "CGI" now, which would make Mr. Giamatti's capability for this role realistic. Yes AfroNerd Readers, I had an old cranky man on the porch moment...lol

Kelly Thompson gives her reasons why Young Avengers #1 by Gillen and McKelvie was so great...

http://goodcomics.comicbookresources.com/2013/01/28/she-has-no-head-why-young-avengers-is-the-future-of-comics/

Here's my rebuttal. My favorite character was Eli Bradley a.k.a Patriot and he was written off the team and hell the Marvel Universe by "moving to Arizona". Strike 1. Immediately, his potential paramour, Hawkeye (Hawkette?) is first seen in this book aft-coitus with Nor-Varr a.k.a Marvel Boy a.k.a Protector (a.k.a "the half kree half insect hybrid who should be really in the Ultimate Universe"). Strike 2.

But what really sealed the deal to put this book on my bad side? After everything that just happened with "House of M", "Children's Crusade" and AvX and all that mucking with time/alternate dimensions that led to the death of close teammate Stature and the hunting of his spiritual mother, The Scarlet Witch, you would think that Wiccan would avoid going there. Nope! He goes and brings in Hulking's Mother from an alternate dimension to help relieve his partner's emotional scars. Yeah... no way this could go wrong right? What. The F(*&^&??? Thusly proving that Captain America was right in his argument about Wiccan's need to be constantly monitored in Children's Crusade. Sorry I had to have one bitching about continuity moment. This overlook to me was just as bad as Bendis using Thanos and Star-Lord in Avengers Assemble and Jeph Loeb's Nova disregarding DnA's work. Let's see if Gillen and McKelvie can make this work.

WoohOO! I get another....

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/01/30/thunder-and-lightning-dc-nation-cartoon-network-video/

...but even that can't make me overlook the fact that Cartoon Network and DC are idiots...

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=43480

How many times can they do this to us? Young Justice Invasion and Green Lantern have been quality and they get discarded with way too many plots to be tied up in the 7-10 episodes remaining. Please tell me that this is just an oversight and they'll be back.... Please?!?!?!

Hmmm I think I have heard this one before....

http://www.comicsalliance.com/2013/01/29/cw-amazon-wonder-woman-tv-postponed/

I think right now that the CW doesn't know WHAT to do with a female DC property in any form or fashion.

Finally, a link that I forgot in the last column. Here is the great David Brothers about the Direct Market

http://4thletter.net/2013/01/tumblr-mailbag-direct-market-schmirect-schmarket/

Face facts True Believers! If DC and Marvel left the direct market tomorrow, the comics industry would be doomed! They are carrying 70-80 percent of the share right now...

That's all for me this week AfroNerd Readers.. Until next time, Keep Fantasizing!