Buffalo Comicon 2016

Monstress by Marjorie Liu graphic novel review

Monstress by Marjorie Liu
Graphic novel review by Joe Tell 
Published by Artvoice Magazine in the Graphic Traffic column
Sponsored by Queen City Bookstore

Batman - DC Comics

I've always thought Neal Adams drew Batman the best, apart from Bob Kane. Batman Odyssey is from 2012. Needless to say Batman is my favorite super-hero.

Jim Aparo is as close as you can get to Neal Adams.

Here's a recent Wanted poster for The Batman that appeared on Yahoo which undoubtedly is in preparation for the Dark Knight movie. 

Classic Batman preview ad from 7/66.

Batman Forever CD Soundtrack cover.

Gotta love the checkerboard issues, all of the above issues are part of my personal collection.



Here's a couple of great Batman books. The Greatest Batman Stories Ever Told is a full color graphic novel.
Tales Of The Dark Knight is a great Batman book that has some great info on Batman's first 50 years.

Recent Batman '09 issue.

Thank You Emil and Queen City Bookstore! www.facebook.com/queencitybookstore

Here's a sexy Dark Moon Rising Batman and the Monster Men cover by Matt Wagner. Thank You, Dave.

Batman #500: Collectors Edition wide cut double cut foil cover by Joe Quesada & 2 bound in post cards, Knightfall Pt. 19, Azrael in new Bat-costume.

Batman battles The Iron Sheikh in this 70's issue.

The Dark Knight Returns: The Last Crusade comic book review

Giant Sidewalk Sale

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Here's a few of my comic acquisitions from the Queen City Bookstore Giant Size Sidewalk Sale...

I Hate Fairyland, Vol. 1: Madly Ever After Graphic Novel Review

I Hate Fairyland, Vol. 1: Madly Ever After

Skottie Young (Author and Illustrator)
Image Comics (Publisher)

Review by Joe Tell

I Hate Fairyland: Madly Ever After marks the return of popular Marvel Comics cover artist Skottie Young, an Eisner Award-winning artist who earned the award in 2011 for his work on The Marvelous Land Of Oz. His work on the Guardians of the Galaxy superhero Rocket Raccoon gained him much critical acclaim. Don’t be fooled by his previous work on the L. Frank Baum Oz books; the hilariously violent I Hate Fairyland is not recommended for children. The series is rated M for Mature audiences and is definitely not a bedtime story for the kiddies. I Hate Fairyland follows the violently vile misadventures of Gert, a grown-up girl trapped in a 6-year-old’s body, as she attempts to escape the magically insane world of Fairyland. Fairyland is a sick and twisted world “filled with wonder, magic, laughter and joy.” Join in on all the mayhem as the extremely bitter Gert wields a rather large battle-axe on her blood-soaked journey through Fairyland, where she meets up with a low-life fly named Larry (Larrigan Wentsworth III) and Queen Cloudia, the ruler of all Fairyland. A bevy of devious, balls-to-the-wall characters like the Slug Lords, Mushroom Men, Zombie Fauns and some demented Barbarians keep things interesting for Gert. Regurgitating elements from the classic children’s stories of “Alice in Wonderland” and “The Wizard of Oz,” Skottie Young presents a uniquely twisted tale of dark humor. Skottie takes everything sweet and beautiful and turns it all upside down and inside out. The art is spectacular and brilliantly colored by Jean-Francois Beaulieu. I Hate Fairyland: Madly Ever After is very well-written and will leave you excited for the next volume.

Rick and Morty: Vol. 1 Graphic Novel Review

Rick and Morty: Volume 1
Zac Gorman (Author)
C.J. Cannon and Marc Ellerby (Illustrators)
Oni Press (Publisher)

Review by Joe Tell

Rick and Morty: Volume One is based on the funny and entertaining [adult swim] show “Rick and Morty.” Created by Dan Harmon and Justin Roiland, the adult animated science fiction sitcom show is popular enough to merit its own comic book series. If you read this graphic novel and have never seen an episode of the show, you will be interested in watching it. The series, which draws inspiration from “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” and “Doctor Who,” is illustrated with a cartoon style that is heavily influenced by “The Simpsons.” Rick and Morty combines all of the best qualities of classic sci-fi and the movie “Back to the Future” to create a whimsical and unique black comedy. The characterization stays true to the show, and the edgy narrative combines warmth and intelligence with a youthful energy. Join the excitement as depraved genius Rick Sanchez embarks on cool adventures with his socially awkward grandson Morty across the universe and across time. The pair explores the beauty of the multiverse in wacky, fun-filled exploits, splitting their time between family life and interdimensional hijinks. Morty’s shaky family life and his escapades with his alcoholic grandfather combine to cause a great deal of distress at home and school. Also caught in the crossfire of Rick’s adventures are his daughter Beth, a veterinary surgeon; his teenage granddaughter Summer; and his Jerry, his useless son-in-law. There are even some cameos from other characters like Bird Person, Squanchy and Meeseeks. This collection includes the first five issues of the comic book series; after reading, you will be left wanting more. A special bonus section continues the hilarity, showcasing the entire family.

Deadpool: Dead Presidents Graphic Novel review by Joe Tell

Thank you Artvoice and Queen City Bookstore!

Death Of Wolverine Graphic Novel Review

Death Of Wolverine

Charles Soule (Author)
Steve McNiven (Illustrator)
Marvel Comics (Publisher)

Review By Joe Tell

After reading the title of this Marvel masterpiece, you may find yourself asking, as I did: How can this be? Wolverine is immortal and he simply cannot die. As a precursor to reading Death of Wolverine, I found out that an intelligent Microverse virus had infected Logan and is able to turn off his accelerated healing factor. Wolverine becomes mortal and is now able to be killed. Being a man of action, Wolverine seeks out the help of Tony Stark (Iron Man) and Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic) to restore his precious healing factor. After Reed suggests a lengthy rest period while he works on a cure, Logan declines. Instead, he decides to do what he does best. He tackles the horde of enemies and army of assassins that are after him, dealing with them on his own terms. After brutally beating Daredevil’s old foe, Nuke, within an inch of his life, Wolverine learns who has put the hit out on him. He decides to pay a visit to the Viper, who wants him brought to her alive. Logan cooks up a plan to use one of Iron Man’s helmets as a decoy to gain entry into the deadly Viper’s lair. After a violent battle with the Viper’s slave, Sabretooth, concludes with Wolverine suffering a mortal wound, fellow X-Man Kitty Pryde and longtime enemy Lady Deathstrike come to Wolverine’s rescue. A final showdown between Wolverine and his creator results in Logan sacrificing himself so that no one else suffers the same fate as he has. BONUS: Death of Wolverine also includes a revealing inside look at Wolverine from Len Wein, who helped create the Adamantium-laced mutant in 1974.

Entertainment Weekly's Top 50 Most Powerful Superheroes

Entertainment Weekly recently released an issue (10/21 - 10/28/16) rating the Top 50 Most Powerful Superheroes. I don't agree with the ratings but I thought it would make an interesting blogpost. Also included are some hero related ratings apart from the top 50.
So here goes...
1. Wonder Woman
2. Spider - Man
3. Batman
4. Superman
5. Wolverine
6. Iron Man
7. Captain America
8. The Hulk
9. Black Panther
10. The Flash
11. Buffy The Vampire Slayer (?!)
12. Deadpool
13. Thor
14. Jean Grey
15. Storm
16. Daredevil
17. Green Lantern
18. Batgirl/Oracle
19. Professor X
20. Robin
21. Raphael (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles)
22. Black Widow
23. Supergirl
24. The Thing
25. Green Arrow
26. Doctor Strange
27. Captain Marvel
28. Silver Surfer
29. Luke Cage
30. Aquaman
31. Nick Fury
32. Hellboy
33. Human Torch
34. Rogue
35. Falcon
36. Nightcrawler
37. Ant - Man
38. Vision
39. Jessica Jones
40. Kitty Pryde
41. Mister Fantastic
42. Blade
43. Beast
44. Punisher
45. Cyclops
46. Invisible Woman
47. Shazam
48. Morphues/Sandman
49. Hawkeye
50. Dr. Manhattan

Worst Potential Room Mate
1. The Hulk
2. Swamp Thing
3. Multiple Man
4. Jean Grey
5. Groot

Super Funniest
1. Deadpool
2. Spider - Man
3. Squirrel Girl
4. Rocket Raccoon
5. The Tick

The Lust List
1. Namor/Sub - Mariner
2. Silver Surfer
3. Emma Frost
4. Sara Pezzini
5. Hawkman

The Greatest Villains Of All Time
1. Magneto
2. The Joker
3. Kingpin
4. Doctor Doom
5. Catwoman
6. Loki
7. Ozymandias
8. Venom
9. Galactus
10. Dark Phoenix

Future Imperfect: Warzones Graphic Novel Review

Future Imperfect: Warzones!

By Peter David (Author)
Greg Land (Illustrator)
Marvel Comics (Publisher)

Review By Joe Tell

Welcome to the future, where the Incredible Hulk seeks to rule a patchwork planet that is called Battleworld. The Incredible Hulk, having evolved over time into the tyrannical Maestro, rules over a domain called Dystopia with a gamma ray-infused iron fist. Seeking to squash any threat to his authority, the brilliant and cunning Maestro infiltrates the secret hideaway of the rebels who, led by Ruby Summers, wish to end his emerald reign of terror. The Maestro’s first appearance in this Secret Wars tie-in is brilliantly executed by artist Greg Land in a fantastic two-page spread. This is where all of the action begins as a great battle between the incredibly strong Maestro and Ruby Summers ensues. Sure to please any rabid Marvel fans, the Thing appears and joins the fray in an attempt to defeat the maniacal Maestro. The conflict concludes in a meeting of the minds between the Thing and the Maestro, with the two deciding to team up against a common enemy, the diabolical Doctor Doom. With the help of the rebels the Maestro plans to use the legendary Asgardian suit of armor called the Destroyer against the mighty Doctor Doom. A challenging and treacherous journey over land and sea begins in an effort to find where the enchanted armor is kept. The journey leads the motley crew to the domain of Norseheim, where a violent battle erupts between Ulik, the ruler of Norseheim, and the Maestro. After gaining access to the Destroyer armor, a battle for the ages begins between Doctor Doom and the Maestro. Future Imperfect is a must-have for any true Marvel comics fan.