Big Brother 17 – Sunday – September 20, 2015

Posted by John Klein III on September 21, 2015
Posted in: Reality Television. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

Who wins the first round of HoH?  Will we see the second part?  This is the penultimate episode, ya’ll!

In Retro Big Brother, we did skip Season Nine and we are now on Season Ten, Episode Three.

The episode description hints that there will be flashbacks, so a lot of this will be missable.

Steve tells Vanessa, that he knows that Vanessa has a Final Two deal with Liz – she denies it but he knows.

They get a very nice Final Three breakfast.  Scrample Squad!

These flashbacks are clearly written down.

First up, twin hints.  Second up, Vanessa talks about her “struggles.”  Do I miss Audrey?  No.  Will she be back for the finale?  I bet in some sort of “safe” way, like from home, as some emergency happen.

Third, showmances.  When will the HoH start?  At the end of the episode?  I hope not.

Zingbot!  I just said I hope they recap that Austin was cheating on his girlfriend.  Zing!

They are including Meg and James.  Liz brings up “NerdMance” with Steve and John!  Who I love!  We end with Shelli and Clay.

Becky’s train story!

Clay’s mumbling!

But seriously, get to the HoH comp!

oh the necessary Audrey recap.  Does it end with her downward spiral?  I also don’t miss Da’vonne, at all.

Seriously, 11 minutes left, and no footage from the comp.  Is it a two hour finale?

James the Prank Master, so we are definitely only going to get the beginning of the comp.

My wife told me her suspicions and I got it confirmed with cbs.com, Survivor is on first, for an hour and a half, then Big Brother gets an hour and a half.  We won’t be watching the episode Wednesday night, sadly.

Whack Street Boyz!  Liz is the last Boy standing.

Audrey’s segment just ends with how the house was turning her and not her downward spiral to BlankeTown.

Even people keeping it real in the Diary Room, Audrey and her blanket show up!  Is that from the seven hour time?

I also don’t miss Jace, at all.

Steve didn’t want it!

Day 88, Liz and Austin’s food fight, that I must have missed.  How she is with him, after that, is beyond me.

They hint at the part one comp, with three minutes left.  So lame.  They were not on tonsils but Candy Apples.

Worst penultimate episode!  At least cut three of those segments could have been cut and gave us a result of the comp.  Lame!

67th Primetime Emmy Nominations

Posted by John Klein III on September 20, 2015
Posted in: Award Shows, Websites. Leave a comment

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/67th_Primetime_Emmy_Awards

It is that time again, announced on July 16th and Adam Samberg, for the first time, will be hosting.  So it should be a musical filled night of comedy.  I would hope.

I’m just going to go down the list and provide some commentary.

Programs

Outstanding Comedy – We’ve finished Parks and Recreation and the series ended, so I can only imagine they get the award but Modern Family and especially Silicon Valley, could take it.  I really should pick up on Louie, I’m sure I’m still in the first season.  We tried the first episode of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and it didn’t quite click with us.  I know we really should give it at least the first three episodes (five if we are being generous) but I feel like we have a lot of other shows to watch, at this point.

Outstanding Drama – I didn’t even know Better Call Saul had started airing.  Since AMC isn’t (foolishly) on Hulu, I’m way behind.  I heard Homeland Season Four was pretty disappointing, which doesn’t surprise me as Crazy Carrie, can’t carry a show on her own.  My wife watches Downton Abbey and she hasn’t been able to watch Game of Thrones, this season.  She’s also a big Mad Men fan but can’t watch the last six episodes, yet.  We still haven’t started House of Cards.  I suppose my pick will be Orange is the New Black, but we are having a hard time continuing the third season.  The flashback origins of the C-Characters isn’t quite doing it for us.

Outstanding Variety Talk Series – David Letterman has to win this, right?  He isn’t going to be given another opportunity.  I would have John Olivier win it, as his show is truly outstanding.  For some odd reason, Conan keeps not being nominated.

Oustanding Variety Sketch Series – Drunk History HAS TO WIN THIS!  If it was the Rock’s episode of SNL that was nominated, I could go for that but Drunk History – every episode was great.  Inside Amy Schumer, I can see winning it, as she is on the rise right now.

Outstanding Limited Series – the renamed Miniseries category.  I haven’t heard about any of these, except for American Horror Story.  FX isn’t on Hulu either and we were not that big on the Witchcraft season, so we fell out of AHS.

Outstanding Television Movie – Haven’t heard of these but I would throw a vote to Killing Jesus, as we do like Bill O’Reilly, though we haven’t been able to watch his show in forever.

Outstanding Reality – Competition Program – I wish we could watch Top Chef, we do miss that show but Bravo is also not current on HuluPlus.  Amazing Race, Dancing with the Stars and the Voice, are the shows we watch.  Now that we have CBS All Access, we are current on Amazing Race again.  This past season had Jonathan Knight (my wife’s favorite New Kid on the Block) so they should get the vote.  The Voice is winning though.  My wife keeps telling me about Black Shelton and Miranda Lambert getting divorce, I wish I could say I am surprised but I’m not.  A shame though

Acting

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Comedy Series – I’m all about a Hang Time actor doing good and as Anthony Anderson is the only actor still working after that show, he should get the award.  I wish Megan Parlen would act more.  We’re behind on House of Lies, but I’m cool with Don Cheadle winning as that is a good show.  I do enjoy Louis CK.  My wife had no interest in Last Man on Earth but I saw the first four episodes (maybe three) but it is hard to watch a show that only I’m interested in but I thought Will Forte carried it well.  We are behind on Episodes, as well, but I do like Matt LeBlanc being nominated for playing a version of himself.  The Mace still keeps getting nominated for Shameless, he’s my less favorite character on that show.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series – Julia Louis-Dreyfus is the President, now, on Veep.  Amy Poehler has won before but this is her final time for Parks and Recreation.  I would be okay if Amy Schumer won it.  I’m waiting for Dolly Parton to appear on Grace and Frankie but one of these days, I will seriously watch that show.

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series – We’re behind on Newsroom but I did like Jeff Daniels’ character on that show.  The only show nominated that I’ve seen.  Kevin Spacey will probably win it, or Netflix needs him to, to keep him and the show going.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series – Claire Danes can’t win right?  Carrie is the worst.  My wife really enjoyed How to Get Away with Murder but she’s a bigger Empire fan and I always liked Taraji P. Henson on Person of Interest, so I hope she wins it.  Elisabeth Moss, West Wing represent!

Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie – Adrien Brody as Houdini seems like excellent casting.

I keep spelling it “Oustanding” and that is getting frustrating to correct.

Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie – Jessica Lange can’t keep winning, can she?  I didn’t care for Burton’s Sweeney Todd, was the PBS version better?  I would be cool if Maggie Gyllenhaal won, I have to see what The Honorable Woman is all about.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series – Andre Braugher’s Captain Holt of Brooklyn Nine-Nine is one of my favorites on that show, he should take it.  Only Ty Burrell is nominated for Modern Family?  That’s interesting.  Is he the only male that hasn’t won an Emmy yet?

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – I’m all for Mayim Bialik winning!  This reminds me, that Sheldon didn’t get nominated, about time.  Julie Bowen is always great on Modern Family.  Allison Janney, West Wing represent, yo! But I can’t bring myself to give Mom, a chance.  I like Anna Faris too, I should give it a chance.  Does Jane Krakowski’s character get better on Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt?  Her character, was one of the reasons that made the show hard to enjoy.  Kate McKinnon has been killing it on SNL, but has anyone actually won for acting on that show?

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – My wife is also a huge fan of Good Wife, and I would be okay with Alan Cummings winning it too.  Peter Dinklage should win, just for X-Men Days of Future Past, alone.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series – I’ll be okay with Uzo Aduba winning for Orange is the New Black, as Crazy Eyes takes commitment.

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or a Movie – Billy Murray is in Olive Kitteridge?  Now I’m curious about that movie.

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or a Movie – I do enjoy Zoe Kazan, another fine reason to watch Olive Kitteridge.

Directing

Outstanding Directing of a Comedy Series – Shame Pam Fryman couldn’t win for How I Met Your Mother.  Mike Judge for Silicon Valley or Louie CK should win.

Outstanding Directing for a Drama Series – Steven Soderbergh has to win this, right?  Big time director doing a series, Knick.  That sounds possible.

Outstanding Directing for a Variety Special – I’ve only seen 87th Academy Awards and the SNL 40th Anniversary Special, I’m fine either way.

Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie or a Dramatic Special – I like show creators getting behind the camera, so Ryan Murphy should probably get this for AHS : Freak Show “Monsters Among Us”

Writing

Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series – I didn’t know that Will Forte was so involved in Last Man on Earth, I suppose that makes sense.  Silicon Valley should win it, as that show is tightly written!  Louis CK is great too.

Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series – Man Men ended, so one of those writing teams should get it.

Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special – Mel Brooks is nominated in anything?  He should win!

Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie or a Dramatic Special – I wanted to watch Hello Ladies, as I do enjoy Stephen Merchant.

I’m just copying and pasting this as I do like seeing the stats –

Most major nominations

By Network

  • 40 — HBO
  • 14 — ABC
  • 13 — FX / Netflix
  • 10 — AMC / PBS
  • 9 — NBC / Showtime
  • 8 — CBS / Comedy Central
  • 6 — Fox
  • 5 — Amazon
  • 4 — SundanceTV
  • 3 — History
  • 2 — Lifetime
  • 1 — Acorn TV / BBC America / Bravo / Cinemax / IFC / Nat Geo

By program

  • 8 — American Horror Story: Freak Show
  • 7 — Game of Thrones / Olive Kitteridge
  • 6 — American Crime / Bessie / Mad Men / Veep
  • 5 — Louie / Transparent / Wolf Hall
  • 4 — Better Call Saul / The Honorable Woman / House of Cards
  • 3 — Downton Abbey / Homeland / The Last Man on Earth / Modern Family / Silicon Valley / Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt
  • 2 — Episodes / The Good Wife / Orange Is the New Black / Parks and Recreation

FOX is airing the show on September 20, so I hope that Hulu carries it.

 

Marvel December 2015 Solicitations

Posted by John Klein III on September 19, 2015
Posted in: Solicitations. Tagged: , , , . Leave a comment

http://www.newsarama.com/25897-marvel-comics-december-2015-solicitations.html

Like we’ve done for the past two months, I’ll give my opinion on the new number one issues.

SECRET WARS #9 (of 9)
JONATHAN HICKMAN (w) • ESAD RIBIC (a)
Cover by ALEX ROSS
ACTION FIGURE VARIANT BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
VARIANT COVER BY FRED HEMBECK
GENESIS!
56 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

Instead of a miniseries to bridge the gap, we are getting the creative team to do that, which makes sense.

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #4
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (W) • DAVID MARQUEZ (A/C)
• Tony is knee deep in trouble from enemies both old and new. But here comes MARY JANE WATSON AND HIS WORLD WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Mary Jane Watson joining Iron Man’s title is a tad intriguing.

A-FORCE #1
G. WILLOW WILSON (w) • JORGE MOLINA (A/C)
A-FORCE, ASSEMBLE! From the ashes of Battleworld, Marvel’s newest hero SINGULARITY has risen and entered the Marvel Universe. But she didn’t make the journey alone. To combat the most fearsome threats from across the multiverse, Singularity will summon the world’s mightiest team of Avengers to her side: SHE-HULK. CAPTAIN MARVEL. DAZZLER. MEDUSA. NICO MINORU. Together, they are A FORCE to be reckoned with!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

We still don’t know who this Singularity, really is. Must be awkward, for her, as she knows counterparts of her new old team but they won’t know her. Unless the characters do remember Secret Wars 2015.

THE TOTALLY AWESOME HULK #1
GREG PAK (w) • FRANK CHO (a/C)
THERE’S A BRAND NEW HULK IN TOWN, AND HIS NAME IS AMADEUS CHO!
Get ready for the craziest Hulk story of the millennium as a kid genius decides he’s gonna be the best Hulk ever — and just possibly brings the entire Marvel Universe crashing down into chaos! Totally awesome beach day! Massive monster mayhem! She-Hulk and Lady Hellbender! Massive heart and ridiculous action brought to you by PLANET HULK writer Greg Pak and superstar artist Frank Cho! Is it possible for us to fit in one more exclamation point? YES!
40 PGS./Rated T …$4.99

I do like the name to this series, but I don’t really know Amadeus Cho, outside of his Ultimate counterpart and reading reviews of previous appearances. I’ll be passing on this.

GUARDIANS OF INFINITY #1
DAN ABNETT & JASON LATOUR (w)
CARLO BARBERI & JIM CHEUNG (a)
COVER BY JIM CHEUNG
WHO ARE THE GUARDIANS 1000?!
Defending the galaxy is a good gig, but Drax isn’t thrilled with the combat hours (not enough of them) and Rocket isn’t thrilled with the compensation (not enough of it). They’re off on an adventure to supplement both, and Groot is happy to come along. But instead of the perks they want, they’re about to get more trouble than they can handle. Good thing the Guardians 3000 are on hand to help! But what about…THE GUARDIANS 1000??!!
Also in this issue, Latour and Cheung tell a one-off story of Ben Grimm and Rocket Raccoon, stuck on a planet where culture is based on Earth-style professional wrestling…but the stakes are life and death! THIS AIN’T KAYFABE, BROTHER!
40 PGS./Rated T …$4.99

A new Guardians title without Kitty or Thing? I’ll be passing. Unless she gets a mention, then I’ll pick this up.

 DAREDEVIL #1 & 2
CHARLES SOULE (w) • RON GARNEY (a/C)
Back in black and on his home turf, Daredevil begins again in New York City as a new enemy emerges. Meanwhile his alter ego, Matt Murdock, is on a new side of the law in the District Attorney’s office. Fighting crime in the shadows, prosecuting bad guys in the light, it’s a whole new chapter for our man without fear—including the arrival of the devil’s advocate. Welcome to Hell, Blindspot.
32 PGS. (each)/Rated T+ …$3.99 (each)

Will this have a guest spot by She-Hulk now that he is on the prosecutor side? I’ll still be passing on this.

ALL-NEW INHUMANS #1 & 2
CHARLES SOULE & JAMES ASMUS (w) • STEFANO CASELLI (a/C)
As the Terrigen Clouds move around the world they leave in their wake the wrecked lives of the Inhumanized. Crystal and her team are tasked to help as many of these NuHumans as possible, but it’s not going to be easy. Not only are views of these new super-powered people varied (from fear to anger to amazement) but even those who get the powers aren’t always glad to get them. Add to that the nineteen mysterious Skyspears that recently crashed into the Earth, and the Inhuman world just got a lot more complicated.
Issue #1 – 40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99
Issue #2 – 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

I will not be reading this until the eventful X-Men / Inhumans crossover. That Charles Soule is on a couple books now!

UNCANNY X-MEN #1 & 2
CULLEN BUNN (w) • GREG LAND (a/C)
In a world that’s never hated or feared mutants more, there is only one constant: BIGGER THREATS REQUIRE MORE THREATENING X-MEN. Refusing to accept one more mutant death, the most ruthless mutants on Earth have banded together to proactively mow down their enemies. But with a team populated by relentless killers, one question applies above all others: Can they stay away from each other’s throats long enough to sever their targets’?
32 PGS. (EACH)/Rated T+ …$3.99 (EACH)

I did enjoy Magneto 21, written by Bunn. It makes sense that Marvel gives him a mutant team and it also makes sense that he will bring Magneto with him. It does annoy me that this volume of Uncanny isn’t going to last pass him, as I can see them now just renumbering it, all the time now. We would have the Gillen volume, the Bendis volume and now, the Cullen volume. I’ll be passing on this as Suicide Squad X-Men, doesn’t do anything for me. Or the eventful crossover. I will be adding it to my pull list, just in case something happens in it that I need to follow.

RED WOLF #1
NATHAN EDMONDSON (w) • DALIBOR TALAJIC (a)
COVER BY JEFFREY VEREGGE
ONCE UPON A TIMELY IN THE WEST…
Frontier boomtown Timely has more than its share of scoundrels: it takes a hero to keep them in line. Red Wolf—the Cheyenne who crossed the desert and stood up to Mayor Wilson Fisk in Secret Wars’ 1872—is the only man who can fill fallen Sheriff Steve Rogers’ boots. As an outsider and an honest man, Red is going to need all his wits, and both his fists, to serve and protect. The tale of how Red Wolf wins the West starts in 1872, and will take him farther than he could ever imagine!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

If only this was a continuation of Blaze of Glory or Apache Skies, I would be all over this.

SPIDEY #1
ROBBIE THOMPSON (w) • NICK BRADSHAW (a/C)
Think you know everything about Peter Parker’s early days? Think again. It’s action, adventure and a rip-roaring romp in classic Marvel style as SPIDEY swings onto shelves this winter! Featuring adventures from throughout the web-slinging wonder’s younger years, it’s a return to the days of overdue homework, not knowing how to talk to girls (or anybody, really) and just a plenty of danger. Witness some of Spidey’s earliest tangles with the likes of DOC OCK, SANDMAN and a host of other unexpected guests!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Working at Hastings, as made me realize the importance of an All Ages title but $3.99 is way too much. It needs to be $2.99, or cheaper. I will be passing on this, but I do like Nick Bradshaw being on the title, it should look spectacular!

SQUADRON SUPREME #1 & 2
JAMES ROBINSON (w) • LEONARD KIRK (a)
CoverS by ALEX ROSS
They’re each the sole survivor of a lost Earth and they’ll do anything to protect this one, whether you like it or not. The Squadron Supreme — comprising Hyperion (Avengers), Nighthawk (Supreme Power), Dr. Spectrum (the Great Society), Blur (DP7) and Power Princess — are a team that doesn’t ask permission or what the rules are. To them all that matters is the safety of Earth and if you stand in the way…that’s your problem! Tell that to the Squadron’s first target — Namor, destroyer of Dr. Spectrum’s homeworld, who will have to pay for his crimes…but at what cost to the people of Atlantis.
32 PGS. (each)/Rated T+ …$3.99 (each)

I’ll be passing on this but nice to see that Supreme Power is being recognized.

STARBRAND & NIGHTMASK #1
GREG WEISMAN (w) • DOMO STANTON (a)
Cover by YASMINE PUTRI
Two former Avengers with tremendous power – and almost zero life experience – are on their own, trying to find their place as HEROES, COSMIC ENTITIES and…COLLEGE STUDENTS? What meal plan will cover a cosmic metabolism? Can two all-powerful entities share a dorm room the size of roach motel? Can you safely teleport to Mars after partying all night long at your first kegger? Find out in Starbrand & Nightmask!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Marvel probably should have referenced which Secret Wars 2015 title this is coming out of, but regardless, I will be passing on it.

 WEIRDWORLD #1
SAM HUMPHRIES (W) MIKE DEL MUNDO (A/C)
• From the pages of SECRET WARS, now in the ALL-NEW MARVEL U!
• Imagine, being trapped in a world of sword and sorcery.
• With no sword and sorcery experience to speak of.
• This is the story of BECCA, a girl stuck in WEIRDWORLD, with only one mission: get home alive!
• Marvel’s own twisted fantasy realm comes alive before your eyes! Barbarians! Wizards! And tricked out sports cars!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

I heard good things from the Secret Wars 2015 series but I’ll be passing. Sam Humphries writing, does mean that it should be pretty great.

SCARLET WITCH #1
JAMES ROBINSON (w) • VANESA DEL REY (A)
COVER BY DAVID AJA
Witchcraft is broken – and the SCARLET WITCH is on a journey across the globe to fix it. From the back alleys of Manhattan, to the serene Greek Isles, to the bustling streets of Hong Kong, Wanda will have to face down her foes and find out who her true friends are. But as Wanda solves magical crimes and pieces witchcraft back together, the most important question remains: Who is the mastermind that broke it in the first place? Written by Eisner Award winner JAMES ROBINSON, with covers by Eisner Award winner DAVID AJA with the first issue drawn by fan-favorite VANESA DEL REY!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

If the Vision was in this, I may be interested but I’ll be passing on this.

PATSY WALKER, AKA HELLCAT! #1
KATE LETH (w) • BRITTNEY WILLIAMS (A/C)
PATSY WALKER has managed to escape her past, her enemies and Hell itself (literally), but nothing compares to job hunting in New York City! Between trying to make rent and dodging (literal) bullets, Patsy barely has time to deal with her mother’s exploitative romance comics about her childhood resurfacing, much less how they start to interfere with her work and dating life. As she goes from living a double life to a triple, what the Hell is Patsy Walker supposed to do? Raise your (literal) claws for PATSY WALKER, AKA HELLCAT!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

I do like Marvel putting out more female lead series but I’ll be passing on this one too.

GWENPOOL SPECIAL #1
GERRY DUGGAN, CHARLES SOULE, CHRISTOPHER HASTINGS, VARIOUS (W)
DANILO BEYRUTH, LANGDON FOSS, GURIHIRU, VARIOUS (A)
COVER BY KRIS ANKA
• AN ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT MARVEL HOLIDAY SPECIAL!
• She-Hulk throws a holiday party and invites the entire Marvel U!
• Deadpool teams up with both Hawkeyes – Kate and Clint – to…stop a pickpocket?!
• Ms. Marvel takes on her most dangerous threat yet: the holiday blues!
• And then there’s the reason for the season(al special): GWENPOOL!
• Yup, you read that right – Gwen. Pool. C’mon, you know you’re curious.
50 PGS./Rated T …$5.99

Well, this had to happen, the popularity of Spider-Gwen has mixed with Deadpool’s popularity and now we have . . . Gwenpool, who was on the variant cover to Deadpool’s Secret Secret Wars 2, by Chris Bachalo. Shame it doesn’t seem like the X-Men or the Guardians of the Galaxy will be appearing in this, but I’ll add it to my pull list, in case they do appear. I do like Holiday Specials.

 ALL-NEW X-MEN #3
DENNIS HOPELESS (W) MARK BAGLEY (A/C)
• Terrible acts committed by mutant revolutionary Cyclops have placed mutantkind in extinction’s crosshairs…and no one is left to suffer the consequences more than his time-displaced counterpart—teen-aged Scott Summers.
• As Storm and her team whisk Earth’s remaining mutants away to safe haven, the original X-Men do just the opposite: emboldened by super heroic ideals, the ALL-NEW X-MEN set out on the road to save their world and write their own futures.
• But can youthful optimism reverse the damage Cyclops has done?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

I wonder if the Extraordinary team will appear in this? It does read as if they are only mentioned so that the mission statements are made clear. Still seems missable to me.

Marvel December 2015 Solicitations Ramos Extraordinary X-Men 4 Magik
Art by Humberto Ramos

EXTRAORDINARY X-MEN #4 & 5
JEFF LEMIRE (W) HUMBERTO RAMOS (A/C)
• The clock is winding down for mutantkind and one of the X-Men’s oldest foes has come to speed up the process: MISTER SINISTER has returned! And he’s bringing the X-Men face-to-face with their greatest fear…
• As the first chapter of EXTRAORDINARY X-MEN races to its exciting conclusion, one thing’s for sure for this team of all-new, all-different X-Men: Not everyone will emerge unscathed.
32 PGS. (EACH)/Rated T+ …$3.99 (EACH)

Sinister is coming back? Maybe this will be the story that gets me into that character. Magik on the cover to issue four is pretty nice.

 ALL-NEW WOLVERINE #3
TOM TAYLOR (W) • DAVID LOPEZ (A)
Cover by BENGAL
• It’s WOLVERINE vs. TASKMASTER in this explosive issue!
• Can Laura survive ALCHEMAX’S army of mercenaries?
• What is the devastating secret the SISTERS have been keeping?
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

This also seems missable.

DEADPOOL #3-4
GERRY DUGGAN (W) MIKE HAWTHORNE (A)
CoverS by TONY MOORE
• MORE DEADPOOL THAN YOU WANTED!
• That’s right—Wade’s called in some help being him.
• And you won’t believe (or recognize?) who he signed up!
• (Unless you are intimately familiar with Marvel Encyclopediae.)
32 PGS. (EACH)/Parental Advisory …$3.99 (EACH)

DEADPOOL & CABLE: SPLIT SECOND #1 (of 3)
FABIEN NICIEZA (W) REILLY BROWN (A/C)
Call them a duo with a special kind of dynamics…call them the odd couple but with guns…call them 90s comics distilled down into two characters—DEADPOOL AND CABLE ARE BACK, BABY! That’s right—The Merc with the Mouth and the Soldier with the Scowl are together again in this all-new series! When Cable gets a vision of a terrible future set off by the death of one man, he knows he must protect him no matter what! I’ll get you three guesses who’s been hired to kill that guy. Go on, guess. The fan favorite team of Fabian Nicieza & Reilly Brown have reunited to get the gang back together—and it feels so good!
40 PGS./Parental Advisory …$4.99

DEADPOOL #3.1: TRES PUNTO UNO
GERRY DUGGAN & BRIAN POSEHN (W) • SCOTT KOBLISH (A)
Cover by FRANCISCO HERRERA
Meet “Masacre”—the Deadpool of Mexico! Did you know that Deadpool in Spanish-speaking countries is called “Masacre”? Here comes the issue to make all of that even more confusing, as we meet Masacre, the deadly Deadpool-inspired vigilante south of the border! Watch him slaughter his way into your hearts in this entirely Spanish language one-shot written, drawn, and edited by folks who don’t speak it!
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

Hey, a Deadpool movie is coming out! I’m skipping all of these!

Marvel December 2015 Solicitations Asrar Guardians of the Galaxy 3 StarLady Kitty Pryde
Art by Mahmud Asrar

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #3
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (W) • VALERIO SCHITI (A)
Cover by ARTHUR ADAMS
VARIANT COVER BY FRED HEMBECK
VARIANT COVER BY MAHMUD ASRAR
MARVEL ‘92 VARIANT BY TBA
• Gamora is back, but things have changed.
• What has she been doing for the last eight months?!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

I want that Asrar variant! It is the only one that features Kitty! The Hembeck variants seem fun and the Hip Hop variants seem silly. Shouldn’t they have come out with Straight Outta Compton came out? I hope Gamora joins the team.

STAR-LORD #2
SAM HUMPHRIES (W) • JAVIER GARRON (A)
Cover by DAVE JOHNSON
• After just a little bit of grand theft extraterrestrial vessel, young Peter Quill finally made it to space!
• Then he got stuck there.
• Another ship is approaching: is their intention space roadside assistance, or space highway robbery? Peter’s got to be ready for anything!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Shame this is still in the past but hopefully that stops after issue six. If Marvel was going to do this, wouldn’t it make more sense to do this when the sequel film comes out? Though I imagine that they did this already, when the first one came out. Maybe Humphries really wanted to do this, who knows.

VENOM: SPACE KNIGHT #2
ROBBIE THOMPSON (W) • ARIEL OLIVETTI (A/C)
VARIANT Cover by MIKE ALLRED
• Between missions with the GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, Venom fights strange, violent aliens and helps strange, peaceful aliens. Aliens can be strange, is what we’re saying.
• All the while, he’s being trailed by a mysterious warship! Are its operators violent or peaceful?
• Flash and his Klyntar are working better than ever, but there’s a lot Flash doesn’t know about being an Agent of the Cosmos. And what he doesn’t know could kill him!
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

I imagine that there may be a slight reference to the Guardians but I’m not sure. I wonder how these spin offs work. Does the main title keep referencing their side adventures or does it ignore them?

DRAX #2
CM PUNK & cullen bunn (W) • SCOTT HEPBURN (A/C)
• Drax and Terrax walk into a space cantina. Are they gonna brawl or go on a bender? Either way, it’ll be epic!
• Drax needs to get his starship–the Space Sucker–repaired. Only problem? He has no money.
• But a mysterious crime spree may be the answer to his prayers… or at least a violent distraction.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

This, I’m not sure about.

HOWARD THE DUCK #2
CHIP ZDARSKY (W) • VERONICA FISH (A)
COVER BY JOE QUINONES
VARIANT COVER BY VERONICA FISH
VARIANT COVER BY FRED HEMBECK
GWENPOOL VARIANT COVER BY TBA
• “Our World.”
• Plus, a new Gwenpool story!
40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

What an odd place for a Gwenpool back up. Maybe Zdarsky is writing it? If so, it will be very funny. I still haven’t read anything with Spider-Gwen in it.

SILK #2
ROBBIE THOMPSON (W) • STACEY LEE (A)
Cover by HELEN CHEN
• SILK! BLACK CAT! IN CAHOOTS!
• But not everyone in Cat’s criminal crew are happy about it!
• Neither is everyone in Cindy’s life, including a certain CEO of Parker Industries.
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

I just unlocked Silk in Facebook’s Avengers Alliance game. I’m a daily player (after not playing it in maybe a full year – so I’m way behind in characters) so if you want to add me, please feel free to do so.

 https://www.facebook.com/JackalsIII

I only read one appearance, it was in the Original Sin Amazing Spider-Man 4 tie-in, but it was Pre-Silk. Now you know what I know, about Silk.

SPIDER-GWEN #3
JASON LATOUR (W) • ROBBI RODRIGUEZ (A/C)
• Still reeling from the events of SPIDER-VERSE, Gwen Stacy decides to pay a visit to Jessica Drew, AKA Spider-Woman!
• Gwen learns about her Earth-616 counterpart, and sees that the lesson that with great power, there must also come great responsibility applies in any reality.
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Well that answers my question, I think. Her previous ongoing was in her universe and now her new ongoing is in the New Proper Marvel Universe. I’m surprised she isn’t a bigger player in Secret Wars 2015, like Miles Morales. I guess they didn’t want too many Spider-folk – that’s what Spider-Verse is for.

CARNAGE #3
GERRY CONWAY (W) • MIKE PERKINS (A)
Cover by MIKE DEL MUNDO
• Trapped down in a mineshaft with Carnage, the situation for the FBI’s symbiote squad gets HAIRY when John Jameson loses his cool.
• You won’t want to miss th—AROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Is John Jameson still Man Wolf? That’s pretty cool.

 SPIDER-WOMAN #2
DENNIS HOPELESS (W) • JAVIER RODRIGUEZ (A/C)
• TRAPPED in an alien hospital with a bunch of other moms-to-be, Jessica Drew has suddenly found herself in over her head!
• It’s anything but business as usual as Jess realizes she’s the only person who can save the day – but only if she can keep herself and her baby safe in the process!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

I hope her baby makes it!

NEW AVENGERS #4
AL EWING (W) • GERARDO SANDOVAL (A/C)
• Out beyond the nether dark lurks… Moridun, Master Magus of the Fifth Cosmos!
• He’s not just an evil wizard – he’s an evil Space Wizard! But when the space dust settles, who will be… the King of Space?
• Seriously, everything’s cooler in space. How cool will the New Avengers be in space? THEY WILL BE PRETTY COOL!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

This is a fun write up, the first of the month’s!

 UNCANNY AVENGERS #3
GERRY DUGGAN (W) • RYAN STEGMAN (A/C)
• The Avengers close in on the new Inhuman that’s destroying Boston.
• The Torch wishes he paid better attention in science class, and an Avenger has a secret that may undo the team before it begins!
• Plus — the surprising final member of this series makes a grand and bloody entrance.
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Wait, is Human Torch a member of the team? If so, then all the original Fantastic Four members have now served as Avengers. He’s been the lone hold out.

 THE ULTIMATES #2
AL EWING (W) • KENNETH ROCAFORT (A/C)
Variant Cover by JIM CHEUNG
VARIANT COVER BY FRED HEMBECK
• Galactus is beyond good and evil. Galactus is a necessary part of the universe. When Galactus hungers — living worlds must die.
• The Ultimates have heard it all before, and respectfully… they don’t agree.
• But can even the ultimate superteam end the threat of the devourer of worlds for good? And if they do — WHAT will take his place?
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

Makes sense, now that the Ultimate Universe is no more (right?) that Galactus would make his way back home.

THE VISION #2
TOM KING (W) • GABRIEL HERNANDEZ WALTA (A)
• After the stunning, heart-stopping events of Vision #1, the Avengers will never be the same.
• The Vision and his family attempt to cope with these events in their own, unique way. Though they put on a happy face, each of them can feel their anger growing, blistering, tearing them apart.
• Will the Visions be able to hold together, or will that anger destroy them and the world around them?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Too bad Wanda isn’t in this title but I guess I have to start letting that go.

 THE UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #3
RYAN NORTH (W) • ERICA HENDERSON (A/C)
Variant Cover by MATT WAITE
Action Figure Variant by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
• Squirrel Girl has woken up, only to find she’s been hurled back in time to the 1960s! Mondays, am I right?
• And if that wasn’t trouble enough, her friend Nancy is coming face to face with the villainous [CENSORED]!
• Yes, I’ve noticed that when I type [CENSORED]’s name it shows up as [CENSORED]; no, I don’t know how to fix that.
• This book features the following: Squirrel Girl, time travel, [CENSORED], and emotions! It promises to satisfy fans of each of those things, even if they don’t like the other things!
• Which is great because emotions are just THE WORST
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

             A second fun write up!

 HOWLING COMMANDOS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. #3
FRANK BARBIERE (W) • BRENT SCHOONOVER (A/C)
Variant Cover by David Marquez
• A brand new commando joins the battle!
• The team searches for answers in a haunted museum!
• The horror comes home with a crisis at S.T.A.K.E. HQ!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

STAKE is the new division of SHIELD? Up there with SWORD and ARMOR, I like it.

CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS #3
AL EWING (W) • PACO MEDINA (A/C) • COVER BY VICTOR IBANEZ
IRON MAN! JOE FIXIT! GAMORA! MARVEL’S HEAVY HITTERS COLLIDE IN THE CONTEST!
• Can Iron Man and Gamora trust Guillotine – or is the call of her bloody legacy too strong?
• Ares strikes!
• Plus: Venom Hulk?!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Thanks for including the characters!

ANGELA: QUEEN OF HEL #3
MARGUERITE BENNETT (W) • KIM JACINTO & STEPHANIE HANS (A)
Cover by STEPHANIE HANS
Variant Cover by BILL SIENKIEWICZ
• To the soundtrack of a totally sick Nordic death metal solo, Angela and Sera embark on the conquest to crown Angela Queen of the Dead…and encounter some who they have sent to the afterlife themselves!
• Friends and foes return from the abyss as Angela and Sera raise a rebellion among the dead of the Ten Realms. • You’re the Mockingjay, Angela!!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

The Angela title always promises a fun write up.

GUIDEBOOK TO THE MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE — MARVEL’S THOR
Written by MIKE O’SULLIVAN & THE OHOTMU TEAM
Front cover by WILL SLINEY • Back cover by PASCAL CAMPION
The MCU Guidebooks bring the thunder as the mighty Thor steps into the spotlight! Our comprehensive coverage of the fan-favorite Marvel Studios films and Marvel TV series continues as we reveal everything you need to know about the golden realm of Asgard! Featuring fact sheets, movie-to-comic comparisons, and behind-the-scenes production art and movie stills, this issue is packed with profiles of Thor Odinson himself; family members Loki, Odin and Frigga; Asgardian allies including Sif, Heimdall, Hogun and Volstagg; human friends Erik Selvig, Jane Foster and Darcy Lewis; and an in-depth look at Asgard itself! Plus: Laufey and the Frost Giants, S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Jasper Sitwell…and the Avenging Archer, Hawkeye! And more! Relive the big-screen thrills of Marvel’s Thor right here, and continue building your indispensable library of Cinematic Universe reference books!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Did Thor’s film have that many Easter eggs?

 FIGMENT 2 #4 (of 5)
JIM ZUB (w) • RAMON BACHS (a)
Cover by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
Action Figure Variant Cover by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
CAPRI AND FIGMENT’S JOURNEY TAKES A DARK TURN!
• Deep within the depths of Doubt, our heroes have nowhere to turn!
• Capri, Figment, and Spark come face to face with Dreamfinder’s corrupted imagination…but will they survive the experience?
• Another adventurous installment of the sequel to the fan-favorite Disney Kingdoms miniseries!
32 PGS./All Ages …$3.99
Elements based on Figment © Disney

I saw the first issue on the shelves and picked it up to see if it was horrible and I couldn’t bring myself to give it a chance.

CIVIL WAR HC MCNIVEN COVER (NEW PRINTING)
Written by MARK MILLAR
Penciled by STEVE MCNIVEN
Cover by STEVE MCNIVEN
The landscape of the Marvel Universe is changing, and it’s time to choose: Whose side are you on? In the wake of a superhuman tragedy, Capitol Hill proposes the Superhuman Registration Act, requiring all costumed heroes to unmask themselves before the United States government. Divided, the nation’s greatest champions must each decide how to react — a decision that will alter the course of their lives forever! Captain America rejects the Act and goes underground, Iron Man steps up to spearhead the registration effort — and Marvel’s heroes split right down the middle! The shocking crossover that rewrites the rules, Civil War stars Spider-Man, the New Avengers, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men and the entirety of the Marvel pantheon! Collecting CIVIL WAR (2006) #1-7, MARVEL SPOTLIGHT: MARK MILLAR/STEVE MCNIVEN.
256 PGS./Rated T+ …$34.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9448-4
Trim size: oversized

This makes sense, it was a decent crossover – Marvel’s most profitable one, I believe it still holds the record. Though a lot of the big moments have been overturned – Cap’s death and Spider-Man’s identity, so I’m not sure how it reads today.

 X-MEN: AGE OF APOCALPYSE OMNIBUS HC (NEW PRINTING)
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL, MARK WAID,
FABIAN NICIEZA, JEPH LOEB, LARRY HAMA,
JOHN FRANCIS MOORE, WARREN ELLIS & HOWARD MACKIE
Penciled by ROGER CRUZ, ANDY KUBERT, STEVE EPTING, CHRIS BACHALO, JOE MADUREIRA, ADAM KUBERT,
STEVE SKROCE, KEN LASHLEY, TONY DANIEL,
SALVADOR LARROCA & MORE
Cover by BILLY TAN
Charles Xavier is dead — killed in the past during a time-travel accident — and without his dream, the world has become a nightmare! Apocalypse rules with an iron fist, ruthlessly enforcing his “survival of the fittest” creed — but hidden among a downtrodden humankind are Magneto’s ragtag freedom fighters: the X-Men! When Bishop, last survivor of the true Marvel Universe, explains how the world went wrong, these embittered mutants must risk everything — and undertake a dangerous and complex quest — to put things right! Collecting UNCANNY X-MEN (1981) #320-321, X-MEN (1991) #40-41, CABLE (1993) #20, X-MEN ALPHA, AMAZING X-MEN (1995) #1-4, ASTONISHING X-MEN (1995) #1-4, FACTOR X #1-4, GAMBIT AND THE X-TERNALS #1-4, GENERATION NEXT #1-4, WEAPON X (1995) #1-4, X-CALIBRE #1-4, X-MAN #1-4, X-MEN OMEGA, AGE OF APOCALYPSE: THE CHOSEN and X-MEN ASHCAN #2.
1072 PGS./Rated T …$125
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9509-2
Trim size: oversized

            Whoa, at $125, this feels like a steal!

 DAREDEVIL BY FRANK MILLER OMNIBUS COMPANION HC
(NEW PRINTING)
Written by FRANK MILLER & BILL MANTLO
Penciled by FRANK MILLER, JOHN BUSCEMA,
DAVID MAZZUCCHELLI, JOHN ROMITA JR.
& BILL SIENKIEWICZ
Cover by JOHN ROMITA JR.
The Man Without Fear is born and reborn in this second collection of Frank Miller’s finest, paired with the industry’s top artistic talent! When the drug-addled Karen Page trades away DD’s secret identity for a fix, Matt must find the strength to survive as the vengeful Kingpin takes him down as low a human can get! But will the Kingpin’s one weakness — his all-too-human heart — undo the criminal empire he has built for himself? Plus, look back on Matt Murdock’s formative years as a young boy grows into a Man Without Fear, and experience Miller’s very first work on two Marvel icons as Daredevil teams up with Spider-Man! Collecting PETER PARKER, THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #27-28, DAREDEVIL (1964) #219 and #226-233, DAREDEVIL: THE MAN WITHOUT FEAR #1-5, and MARVEL GRAPHIC NOVEL: DAREDEVIL — LOVE AND WAR.
608 PGS./Rated T+ …$99.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9538-2
Trim size: oversized

To tie in with the new number one? Strange to not do it for the second season of his show.

MASTER OF KUNG FU: BATTLEWORLD TPB
Written by HADEN BLACKMAN & PETER MILLIGAN
Penciled by DALIBOR TALAJIC
Cover by FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA
Welcome to the mystical land of K’un Lun, where the study of martial arts reigns supreme! But in a world where everyone’s hands are deadly, what becomes of a drunken dropout like Shang-Chi? Emperor Zheng Zu’s word is law in this Battleworld realm, and once the Thirteen Chambers open — it’s time to determine who is the Master of Kung Fu! Shang-Chi, a wanted murderer, has taken a vow of peace and found a new home with the Lower Caste. But to topple the despotic emperor, he must fight once more! Can Shang-Chi elude adversaries like the Laughing Skull long enough to confront his ultimate enemy — the man he once called father?! Plus: a tale from 17th-century Japan featuring a mysterious Ronin, the Incredible Monk! Collecting MASTER OF KUNG FU (2015) #1-4 and 5 RONIN #2.
112 PGS./Rated T+ …$15.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9879-6

Buy this! Such a great series!

 HOUSE OF M: WARZONES! TPB
Written by DENNIS HOPELESS, CULLEN BUNN & BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by MARCO FAILLA, ARIO ANINDITO & OLIVIER COIPEL
Cover by KRIS ANKA
In the Battleworld zone known as the THE MONARCHY OF M, Lord Magnus and his family control all, having crushed all resistance to their reign. Magneto rules with an iron fist, while his children and grandchildren live their lives as royals — with all the privileges and pitfalls that come with that title. But is Magneto’s control as all-encompassing as it seems? And what happens to a conqueror when there’s no one left to conquer? As royal intrigue begins to build to a head, Quicksilver and Namor may have something sinister planned for Magneto’s kingdom. Is the heir apparent to the House of Magnus a traitor?! Plus: Look back at the creation of the original House of M as the Avengers and X-Men clash over the fate of the Scarlet Witch! Collecting HOUSE OF M (2015) #1-4 and HOUSE OF M (2005) #1.
120 PGS./Rated T+ …$15.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9872-7

Thus far, issue one is the only one I own, as there was no reason to own issue two.

 DEADPOOL’S SECRET SECRET WARS TPB
Written by CULLEN BUNN & JIM SHOOTER
Penciled by MATTEO LOLLI, JACOPO CAMAGNI & MIKE ZECK
Cover by TONY HARRIS
Official SECRET WARS tie-in! Well, not that SECRET WARS — we’re talking the original epic from 1984! But wait, Deadpool wasn’t in that series, right? Wrong! Prepare to learn the terrifying truth as the team behind DEADPOOL KILLUSTRATED reveals the crucial role the Merc with a Mouth played on the Beyonder’s Battleworld! A role so secret, the rest of Marvel’s super heroes don’t even remember it! Now, relive the Secret Wars — from Doctor Doom’s rise to power to Hulk holding up a mountain — all with added Deadpool! Amid the chaos, there comes…and goes…a costume — but Wade’s awesome secret shield is totally for keeps! Prepare to discover how the original SECRET WARS really ended — and how the sassin’ assassin saved the universe! Collecting DEADPOOL’S SECRET SECRET WARS #1-4 and MARVEL SUPER HEROES SECRET WARS #1.
112 PGS./Parental Advisory …$15.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9867-3

I own the first two issues, pretty good stuff.

 ALL-NEW X-MEN VOL. 7: THE UTOPIANS TPB
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by MICHAEL DEL MUNDO,
ANDREA SORRENTINO & MAHMUD ASRAR
Cover by MAHMUD ASRAR
The time-tossed members of the All-New X-Men are more than teammates, more than best friends…they have become a close-knit family. But the mysterious Black Vortex may sunder their family ties permanently! As the young mutants venture back into space to deal with a galaxy in chaos, they must decipher the Vortex’s secrets — and fast, because the villainous Mister Knife has kidnapped some of their team! Beast and Kitty travel to Spartax to study the Vortex Book, as Storm formulates a plan to break into Mister Knife’s fortress. But will the Vortex’s cosmic power transform the young mutants into something unrecognizable? Meanwhile, back on Earth, the Utopians hold a secret that will change the future of mutantkind…but who are the Utopians? The All-New X-Men may regret finding out! Collecting ALL-NEW X-MEN (2012) #37-41.
136 PGS./Rated T …$19.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9235-0

            This series sure did end on a whimper

 X-MEN: INFERNO VOL. 1 TPB
Written by LOUISE SIMONSON, JON BOGDANOVE & CHRIS CLAREMONT
Penciled by SAL VELLUTO, JON BOGDANOVE,
WALTER SIMONSON, TERRY SHOEMAKER, MARC SILVESTRI & BRET BLEVINS
Cover by MARC SILVESTRI
The X-Men’s world goes up in flames as the most incendiary mutant crossover of all begins! X-Factor, the New Mutants, the newly-minted X-Terminators and even Power Pack all feel the heat as the Machiavellian geneticist Mister Sinister and the demon lord N’astirh set their respective sights on Cyclops’ wife, Madelyne Pryor! The New Mutants’ Illyana Rasputin may be lord of Limbo, but how long will that uneasy crown last when Limbo’s demon hordes invade New York? As the X-Men battle Sinister’s Marauders, Madelyne strikes a pact to become…the Goblin Queen! The fate of everything hangs in the balance in the fiery epic that changed the course of X-Men history. The match is struck — watch everything burn! Collecting POWER PACK (1984) #40 and #42-43, X-FACTOR (1986) #33-36, X-TERMINATORS #1-4, UNCANNY X-MEN (1981) #239-240, and NEW MUTANTS (1983) #71-72.
432 PGS./Rated T …$34.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9511-5

             Buy this, so great! This was such a dark and twisted series.

X-MEN EPIC COLLECTION: THE GIFT TPB
Volume #12 in the X-Men Epic Collections
Written by CHRIS CLAREMONT, JO DUFFY & DAVE COCKRUM
Penciled by JOHN ROMITA JR., BARRY WINDSOR-SMITH, STEVE LEIALOHA, PAUL SMITH & DAVE COCKRUM
Cover by JOHN ROMITA, JR.
Swords and sorcery, mutant style! Finding themselves in the middle of a barbarian nightmare, can the X-Men, Avengers and Spider-Man restore the world? Things are no less mystical for the X-Men and Alpha Flight when the trickster god Loki offers a gift to the people of Earth — but, big surprise, it comes with a price! And blade in hand, Nightcrawler swashbuckles his way through an other-dimensional solo adventure! Enough fantasy for you? How about sci-fi, courtesy of Lockheed the Space Dragon and the time-tossed future Sentinel known as Nimrod? And for fans of good, old-fashioned super heroics, Power Pack meets Wolverine — and the Juggernaut’s back in town! Collecting UNCANNY X-MEN (1981) #189-198, X-MEN ANNUAL (1970) #8, X-MEN AND ALPHA FLIGHT (1985) #1-2 and NIGHTCRAWLER (1985) #1-4.
512 PGS./Rated T …$34.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9217-6

            What is this collection? That’s a decent run, and Annual 8 is a super fun twist on Kitty’s Fairy Tale but with Lockheed as the star. X-Men / Alpha Flight is superb as is the Cockrum Nightcrawler series, that he both wrote and drew.

THUNDERBOLTS CLASSIC VOL. 1 TPB (NEW PRINTING)
Written by KURT BUSIEK & PETER DAVID
Penciled by MARK BAGLEY, BOB MCLEOD, MIKE DEODATO JR., SAL BUSCEMA, STEVE EPTING & MORE
Cover by MARK BAGLEY
Justice, like lightning! When the Avengers and Fantastic Four disappear, believed dead in the wake of the Onslaught event, a new team of heroes rises to take their place! Meet the Thunderbolts: Citizen V! Techno! MACH-1! Songbird! Meteorite! Atlas! But these bold new heroes hide a sinister secret…every last one of them is a villain in disguise. And their leader is none other than the ruthless Baron Zemo! What are these masters of evil really up to? What happens when some of them begin to doubt their plan? And when the T-Bolts take on a new member, the enthusiastic Jolt, how long can they keep their secret hidden? Guest-starring the Hulk, Black Widow, Spider-Man and more! Collecting THUNDERBOLTS (1997) #1-5, #-1 and ANNUAL ’97; INCREDIBLE HULK (1968) #449; SPIDER-MAN TEAM-UP #7; and material from TALES OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE.
296 PGS./Rated T …$34.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9681-5

One of my all time favorite series!

. . .

Another super light month for me!

Extraordinary X-Men 4 & 5            $8
Guardians of the Galaxy 3                        $4
Gwenpool Special             $6

Gwenpool is the very definition of a ‘maybe’ so $12, with a dollar off each comic, is $9 – which is great for my wallet! I can only imagine either a Mutants / Inhumans crossover will change that or a Space Crossover will come but until then, I will be saving all types of money!

I have to add Uncanny X-Men to my pull list.

 

All New X-Men 39

Posted by John Klein III on September 18, 2015
Posted in: Reviews. Tagged: , , , , , , . 1 Comment

All New X-Men 39

Writer Brian Michael Bendis

Artist Andrea Sorrentino

Colorist Marcelo Maiolo

Letterer VC’s Cory Petit

Black Vortex, Chapter 5

I had to add Faith Erin Hick’s Women of Marvel variant to my Wishlist.

I decided that I will reveal All New X-Men 37, after the Black Vortex crossover issues that I got in my DCBS shipment, which I got the next five chapters coming out in the next few days.

Issue opens with the powered-up Angel confronting X23.

All New X-Men 39 Kitty 1

X23 wakes up with Cyclops sitting next to her, just like in All New 20.  X23 is surprised to see Cyclops again, it has been twelve issues of his ongoing (well eleven, I suppose) so almost a year’s worth of publishing so maybe a month or three, Marvel time.  Cyclops is surprised to learn that everyone is mad at him for abandoning the team.  Scott didn’t abandon the team, he went to spend time with his father.

Outside the room – Pryde, Quill, Groot and Rocket (a team I would buy monthly adventures of, especially if you ditched Quill!) – are giving the team some space.

X23 wants to know where Jean is, Bobby states that she is avoiding Scott.  X23 tells Scott to make this right with Jean.  Scott thought the team would be happy that he got to spend some time with his father.  X23 tells him that they can be both happy and mad at him, mappy.

Scott goes to Jean.

Mr. Knife’s Flying Fortress.  Thane doesn’t know why he is still with J-Son, as he doesn’t have the Black Vortex, so he can’t hold his end of the deal with Thane.  Thane’s invisible white head friend, wants Thane to kill J-Son.  Thane leaves to rejoin his flock, J-Son states that this is a huge mistake on Thane’s part.  Not sure who he is telling that too.

The Moon of Spartax.  The Slaughter Lords are happy that they may have killed the mutants and space adventurers.  They don’t have the Black Vortex but they feel like they have a victory under their belt.  If the good guys are not dead, then the Slaughter Lords will just finish them off,  next time.

Scott and Jean.  I know Jean isn’t drawn with freckles all the time but either do it every time or don’t.  Seems like an odd thing to have disappear with every other appearance.  Jean, like an idiot, reads Scott’s mind as he enters the room.

Scott tells Jean that she looks great. Jean is constantly reading people’s minds and hearing their thoughts regarding her.  The thoughts are rarely flattering, most are disgusting.  Jean says that Scott is looking good to her, as well.  Scott’s been missing Earth food, like crazy.

Jean tells him that neither owes the other any explanations, just because they grow up together and get married.  They are about to kiss but Hank stops them, as a plan has formed.

Hala, the Crown Jewel of the Kree empire.  Which is just that description but through the words, we can see the destruction.  Gamora, Beast and Warren have destroyed the city.

All New X-Men 39 Kitty Magik 1

Quill and Corsair are stating that they are overpowered and outnumbered.  Drax doesn’t care about such details, he wants to take the fight to someone.  Scott wants to know what they are missing.  Quill summarizes that they need their cosmic-powered trio and to get the Black Vortex back.

We then get the easy way to split the titles and make up the second act of this crossover.  The classic, split up the teams and have them reunite at the end of the act.

Scott wants to take a small team back to the Spartax moon, to try to get the Black Vortex back.  The rest will go get the Cosmic Trio, back under control.  Groot volunteers to be part of Scott’s team, as does Bobby.

Jean says she will join Quill and the others, as she can talk to Beast.

All New X-Men 39 Kitty 2

Just then, a distress call happens and it is Ma Savage of Quill’s Orphanage.  Spartax is being attacked.  Quill states that they are gong to go there first, then talk to the trio.

Kitty tells Quill that his team need to go to the trio and Pryde and her team will go save Spartax.

All New X-Men 39 Kitty 3

Another distress call and the heroes learn where the Cosmic Trio are.

Pryde’s team is going down to the planet while Scott’s team will be on the moon.  Quill’s team will be leaving these teams.  Pryde needs a pilot so Corsair joins her, which means that Quill and Pryde are not on the same team – so they exchange a look of concern.  Scott and Jean are also not on the same team.

All New X-Men 39 Kitty 4

I really like this page and I’ve stared at it for a while.

Pryde’s Team – Corsair / X23 / Hank / Agent Venom

Quill’s Team – Nova / Magik / Captain Marvel / Jean / Rocket / Storm and a dude with a Robin domino mask.

Scott’s Team – Groot / Iceman, which doesn’t seem like the right team to go after the Black Vortex, that is protected by the Slaughter Lords – for as much as they know.

Which, of course, happens, as Scott, Bobby and Groot land and the Slaughter Lords roll over them.

The story continues into Guardians Team-Up 3, in part six.  Cyclops 12 should be part ten, which is the first part of the third arc, so we will most likely get back to this team before his title comes around.

Big Brother 17 – Wednesday – September 16, 2015

Posted by John Klein III on September 17, 2015
Posted in: Reality Television, Websites. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

Who does Steve nominate?  Who wins Veto?  Who goes home?  Who will be the next HoH?

My wife learned who went home (I know too, thanks to Tumblr – when will I learn?!) and has decided to go to bed.

In Retro Big Brother, we are on Season 8, Episode 19, America’s Player, Eric, is about to have his game wrecked to save Evel Dick.

My poor wife, wanted to see the live HoH so much but they are now airing it ten minutes after this episode came to CBS All Access.  I wonder if it will still be going on, after 45 minutes?  With this cast, I doubt it but I have to watch the episode.  It has some sort of wrecking ball motif and they are covered in blood.  I clicked on it, they are on tonsils and are being swung into mouths.  Steve, Vanessa and Liz are still on their tonsils.  So now you know who gets eliminated.  I will check in on this every so often.  I can see them lasting a while.

Episode 38.  Everyone’s favorite would-be rapist, Caleb is back!  Does he know that James kept his memory alive by being attracted to everyone’s mothers and sisters?  That’s your legacy, Beastmode Cowboy.  Your dumb legacy.

Can they fill an entire episode with only 12 hours of footage?  Most likely!

Final Four!  Finale is next week.  I wonder if we can stay up late enough to watch it?  I doubt it.

Caleb is hosting the Veto comp, it is Kungfu theme.

Should I do my traditional Dancing with the Stars initial post, even though it has already aired?  Usually I hear about the cast before hand but no one talked about it last week, not the radio, not my wife and I guess, not anyone else.  Pretty decent cast.

Day 89, Austin went home.  It was also Tuesday.  Vanessa crying for sending Austin home.  Liz does her best to not judge her for doing what she has done, both things.

7 minutes before the ceremony, Steve confirms that he isn’t going home.  oh man, if I was on the show, I will be peeing all the time, during the live show.  I have a bit of a nervous bladder.  Or, my bladder knows when I won’t be able to pee, and wants to get in as much as possible.

Steve explains how he messed up the math, during HoH.  Vanessa explains how important Veto is, whoever wins, single handedly picks who goes home.  John, in DR, mentions how he hasn’t won any HoHs, so will most likely being sent home.  He’s a pretty smart guy.

Liz finally remembers that her sister is not in the house, as well as Austin.

The boys have to get the gals out.  I wonder who won Veto.

8 minutes into the show, 35 minutes left.  I will have to check at the middle mark, on the live competition.  The 21 minute mark, if I’m doing my math right.

Vanessa, pretty smart to make sure Liz is cool with her.  Liz hasn’t spent much time with the boyz, so Vanessa is all she has.  Well, Liz and John were Backstreet Boyz, but that friendship didn’t last long.

Vanessa secures final two deals with both Liz and John, pretty smart of her (!) to realize that neither of them will be in the final three, together.  She does know her numbers.

Steve’s nominations!  I hadn’t even thought about this!  Steve nominates . . . John and Vanessa, the heck Steve!?!  Vanessa’s first time nomination!  Steve doesn’t really explain the names.  John’s ninth nomination.

Commercial break, 13 minute and 30 minutes left.  Hey, Rachel and Brendan are stopping by with news.  Do they have a baby coming on the way?  Too bad they couldn’t get Elissa to show up too.  I had to relook her name, she was okay during her season but she never escaped her sister’s shadow.  Will they have the first Big Brother baby?  I guess that is worthy enough to announce on the show.  Could this show last 18 more seasons, to have the first child be on the show?  I would like that.

Jury House!  Julia comes to the house, James still has all the ladies around him.  That is one nice Jury House!  Shelli and the rest of the jury are surprised with how dumb Julia was, for choosing Austin to compete against.  I did, sort of, forget about this – already.  Becky and Shelli think there are five worthy winners.  They don’t know that Austin is about to join them.  He still doesn’t have shoes!  So funny.  James is no longer the only man, in the house.  Austin wastes no time, throwing Vanessa’s name in the mud.  Good for him.  Jury house breeds bitchiness.  Shelli defends how good Vanessa’s game, has been.  So weird, how hard people try to convince others.  Who cares, just vote the way that you want.  The ladies are on the couch and the boyz are in the chairs.

Rachel and Brendan, Big Brother’s other couple, purely by lack of options.  Rachel points out how there are no floaters, I guess that is true.  Brendan and John, have something in common, they both returned to the house.  Brendan, got sent packing, the very next week – which should always happen.  Oh Brendan, why even start talking.  They met in 2010, got married in 2012.  This would have segued to personal news, but Chenbot instead brings up Austin and Liz, who are not going to make it.  Rachel is rooting for them.  Brendan isn’t sure.  Chenbot gets it back to them.  BrenchelBaby!  First couple to get married and have a baby.  Please do not name that baby, Brenchel!  They got a onsie out of it!  This reminds me that

Commercial break, 21 minute mark, on both sides!  The half way point!  The first HoH (always an endurance) is still happening.  Steve is still up.  I thought Liz looked like she was on, from the four video screens.  The other two were on Jeff and I think Vanessa’s girlfriend.  Switching to Quad View, which is nice on the TV.  Vanessa is still on her tonsil AS IS LIZ!   They are in it to win it, ya’ll!

Back to the edit show.

Hopefully Brendan is done sending random girls his dick.  #NeverForget

Veto Comp.  Tying of dicks, Caleb is back!  Why not Donnie, who people actually like?  Or Zach?  Liz knows who he is!  Oh Liz, Production keeps showing her what in shape men should look like – Caleb and Jesse.

The comp, they have to punch or kick a button, to guess the right day, an event happen.  Two strikes, and you are out.  They did this, last year too.  Vanessa and Steve both know they are in final three.

Round One, Day 38, Clay won his only competition.  Squirrel outfits, Vanessa gets it right, so does Steve and John.  Liz didn’t ring in.  Liz, strike one!

Round Two.  Day 46.  Shelli completes her 2400th samurai regimine.  Vanessa, John and Steve get it right.  Liz is out!  Let’s get her out, everyone!

Round Three.  Day 66.  When did Zingbot come into the house.  John remembers it as he was eliminated, afterwards.  John got it right, so did Vanessa.  Steve messed up, strike one!

Round Four.  Day 23.  Meg’s second time on the block.  John gets it right, Steve is at zero and Vanessa is guessing in the 40s.  Vanessa gets it right, Steve gets strike two!  Steve is HoH, so he was always going to make Final Three.

Round Five.  Day 86.  Frankie comes to the house and promotes his sister.  Vanessa gets it right, as she was 86ed out of the house and into a concert.  Vanessa gets to decide who goes home.

Round Six.  I thought this was it.  Day 44.  I missed the question!  Vanessa gets it right!  John’s second strike.  Now her hands are going to have blood, on them, again.

America’s favorite houseguest, John is winning this, like crazy!  Next Wednesday, is the finale!  Crazy!  So Sunday is going to be a recap episode?  It will promise to have “unseen footage” that will consist of five minutes of 45 minutes of seen footage.

Back to the “live” show.  Vanessa is using the Veto on herself.  Liz is the replacement nominee, naturally.  Today is Day 91.

John doesn’t beg.  Liz takes it more seriously.  Vanessa sends . . . John out!  After a silly speech.

Can Julie Chen bring herself to having a decent interview with John?  She tries to get him to own the segment but the questions don’t have any fun aspects.  John isn’t afraid of Austin and he believes Steve and Vanessa will be in the finals.

Thursday’s football is Broncos v Chiefs, that should make my mother-in-law happy, big Broncos fan!

Is CBS’ Code Black show, going to be about a hospital that never has enough supplies?  I do like how NCIS is pulling a Magnum PI, with Gibbs.  Which is how People’s Second Sexiest Man Alive, Mark Harmon, was killed on the West Wing.  They must have known that, right?

Shoot, Survivor leads into Big Brother, that doesn’t seem right.

Episode ends with toasting to final three!

To the Live Feeds!  All three are still on their tonsils.  Oh, they get dipped into the . . . mouth blood, I guess?  There is popcorn in front of them, and they are rammed into a mouth, so maybe they are a gumball?  It doesn’t make any sense, as they slowly are pushed away from the mouth, instead of quickly spat out.  There is no story here!  They look tired but I suspect that they last beyond the ten minutes I’m going to give them.

11:20pm, and I’m calling it a night at 11:30pm.  It is 47 degrees here, in Helena, Montana and I’m getting pretty cold.  This is not exciting live feeds.  No one is talking and I’m already imagining the DR rooms and how the edit is going to play out.

Here is who have won America’s Favorites in the past –

http://bigbrother.wikia.com/wiki/Fan_Favorite_Award

BB7, Janelle with Doctor Will as runner up
BB9, James, the pink hair guy.  I guess he was the one likeable person.
BB10, Keesha, who I don’t remember, Jerry was the runner up, so America probably wanted Dan to win but he won the season so he can’t win both.
BB11, Jeff!  Who didn’t love Jeff!?!  crazy cat ladies!  No, they loved Jeff too!
BB12, Britney, which makes perfect sense!
BB13, Jeff again!  Hence why Production gave him a job!
BB14, Frank – which is dumb, but Ian was the second runner up and he couldn’t win and Dan was the second place winner, so he wasn’t an option.  I wonder why the Britney fans didn’t vote?  I didn’t as I never voted before now.
BB15, Elissa, just because of Rachel
BB16, Donny!  That makes sense too!

Season Eight had America’s Player, Eric, so that’s where the extra money in the budget went.  Still can’t find a website that states how much he made, from his tasks.  oh, he made $40,000 – pretty decent, just a tad under second place.

hey, Vanessa is laughing, they’ve been quite for ten minutes!

http://www.today.com/popculture/what-do-big-brother-contestants-get-paid-2D80554460

This website has Eric’s winnings AND how much stipends are!  Pretty interesting.  $750, a week, isn’t horrible.  One week pays for the storage of all of your stuff.

Now everyone is talking!  That lasted all of two minutes.  Vanessa is back to talking!  Their positions are – Liz, Vanessa, Steve – which makes sense.  That way, she can talk to both of them.  Quiet again.

Can Steve win this?  If he doesn’t win one of them, I doubt either lady will take him to final two.  Though if Liz wins Round Three, she should totally bring Steve.  Steve, one can make a defense against.  Vanessa has been involved in every eviction, so she should win it on a pure game level.

Okay, I’m going to bed.  I may leave the tv on and update the post in the morning but I may also just go to sleep.

Big Brother 17 – Tuesday – September 15, 2015

Posted by John Klein III on September 16, 2015
Posted in: Reality Television, Websites. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

Special Tuesday Episode, Ya’ll!

In Retro Big Brother, we are on 8 x 16 !  Kail and Jen, a historic three week nominations.

Episode 37!  Who wins Veto?  Who goes home?  Who wins HoH?

I got spoiled, as I went on Tumblr to kill some time and got some results.  Though there were plenty of posts stating that this episode is good – I can’t wait!

Julie Chen, what are you wearing!?!  Some purple outfit with a peek-a-boo slit, that peeks at nothing.  There is also a weird wavy effect, to it.

Apparently, the houseguests really didn’t know it was eviction night.  I guess they didn’t hear the crowd gathering outside.  That’s pretty intense.

Day 87, the Veto Ceremony.  Oh Vanessa, don’t make Steve console you after nominating him.  Wasn’t that on a show, about firing someone and having to cuddle with them, afterwards?  Maybe a comedy series?

John worries about being out of the club – to Austin and Liz.  He is willing to throw the Veto, to get them to trust him.  He walks away, so that the couple can think about it.  They tell Vanessa, what John said – like dicks!

Veto Comp.  This happened prior to the live show.  “Life in Pieces” is a new CBS comedy, that is getting promoted.  Oh man, I love this cast, I may have to watch this.  This show and Supergirl, may be the only shows I watch on CBS – during the Non-Big Brother season.  I wish CBS All Access will get Person of Interest episodes.  We need to get caught up on Blue Bloods and Elementary.

The comp is that they have to do that magnet puzzle that Production loves so much.  Vanessa lets her clock run out, and is eliminated.  I guess she wasn’t really paying attention to everyone running behind her.  oh dumb.  John seems to have a good plan, to win it.  Steve and Liz are close.  John wins it!  YES!!!  John is in the Final Four, with Vanessa!  John’s Veto has a crazy deep and scary voice!

Vanessa even cries in DR!  Her target is now safe, that would teach her for having such a dumb target.  A couple will never betray each other, in the final three.  Not a real couple, anyways.

Steve in the storage room, he mocks Vanessa – so funny!  Steve knows that the vote will most likely come down to Vanessa having to break the tie.

I hope that Vanessa puts up Austin – I know she does but still – that is the best choice.

Veto Ceremony.  John uses the veto, on himself.  Vanessa puts up . . . Austin!  Let’s get him out, everybody!

Vanessa and John game talk.  He’s so casual and she over thinks everything.  Vanessa wants to be final three with him and Steve, so she isn’t keeping Austin, yay!

The Votes!

Liz – Steve
John – Austin
A TIE!!!  Which rarely happens in this game.
Vanessa – Austin!

Steve Austin!  The speeches are off the cuff, as they didn’t know this was happening.  They are not taking football into consideration.  Austin says that he will be friends with Steve, which is nice.  Austin looks so smug, like how he knows Vanessa is saving him.  His reaction was so good.  He’s barefoot too!  They couldn’t pack, as they didn’t know.  Austin shouts at Vanessa, that she can’t win this game.  Steve is hugging Vanessa, as she is crying.  Liz is in shock.

Chen interviews Austin, I’m sure this is the first houseguest to be evicted, barefooted.  Showmance questions, so dull.  I sort of hope Liz stays in the house, so he can’t have his way with her.  But also, I don’t care anymore.

We can vote for our favorite houseguest.  Let’s vote for John!

http://www.cbs.com/shows/big_brother/favorite-houseguest-vote/

HoH Comp.  A quiz, wha!?!  They get a phase and have to choose True or False.  Round One, they all get it right.  Round Two, False – they all get it right.  The bleep made it sound like she likes to fuck outdoors.  My wife got it right, it was “hiking” not “camping.”  Round Two, True – only Steve got the point.  Production made both Becky and Jackie sound dirty.  And Jace!  Round Three, False – everyone got the point.  Meg sounds dirty too, the audience is loving it!  Round Four, False – John gets the point!  He is tied with John.

Round Five, James has the quote.  False, no one gets the point. Last clip, so Liz can’t win.  Vanessa’s letter sounds dirty too!  True, John and Steve are tied!  Liz is out.  Tie Breaker!

Some people thought the question was rigged, as Steve is an engineer.  John still had a chance.  Steve – 601 , John – 3600.  Julie can’t read John’s number.  2825 seconds, Steve won!  He has to nominate Liz and Vanessa, right?  Steve tells them that he meant to write “6001” but forgot the zero.

Tomorrow, someone else goes home!  Things are moving fast!

Amazing X-Men 18

Posted by John Klein III on September 15, 2015
Posted in: Reviews. Tagged: , , , , , , . 4 Comments

Amazing X-Men 18

Writer Christopher Yost

Artist Jorge Fornes

Colorist Rachelle Rosenberg

Letterer VC’s Joe Caramagna

Once and Future Juggernaut, Part Four of Four

I skipped last issue, but I’m sure we will get caught up fast.

Southeast Asia.  A new Juggernaut was chosen.  The new avatar of Cyttorak is . . . The Living Monolith!  Does Havok get a power boost due to this change?  The Living Mononaut is a giant, due to all of the energy he just absorbed.  Which is giant unstoppable villain, isn’t ideal.  Shame that story will never be told.  Are Havok and Living Monolith still connected?  Was Living Monolith the strongest he ever was, when Havok was in space?  Whatever happened during the time when Alex was in the criminally-never referenced Mutant X dimension.

Cyttorak is not thrilled with his new avatar.

Rockslide comes out of the rumble, and is upset that he isn’t the new Juggernaut.  Kurt comments that Rockslide is alive and Northstar makes a very inappropriate comment about how he wishes Rockslide was dead.

Firestar is not impress that none of these X-Men are taking this serious.  She claims Living Mononaut is some thousand-foot tall giant.  Iceman rebuts her that he is barely 800 feet tall.  Bobby is pretty awful in this issue.

Storm tells the team that Ahmet Abdol, the Living Mononaut, once grew to the size of a planet.  I wish an editor note came with that comment, as that sounds interesting.

Rachel comments that she can’t read Living Mononaut’s mind.

Storm decides she can’t deal with this and sits down.  Which starts my favorite part of the issue.  Yost’s character work is pretty top notch.

There is an ad for Atlantic City Boardwalk Con (AC*BC) that was from May 14-17, 2015.  The cool thing is that they use a cosplayer dressed as Scarlet Spider.

Atlantic City Boardwalk Con 2015 Scarlet Spider Cosplay

I wouldn’t mind wearing a Scarlet Spider costume, if someone wants to make one for me or something.

We get some great character interactions for several pages.  Storm doesn’t want to fight anymore.  Storm has been in a mood lately.  Northstar doesn’t miss the opportunity to say that she is horrible, he is totally right.  Storm recalls the times that she and Kurt use to dance.  He recalls the times when Storm was in her clothing-optional phase.

Rockslide can’t believe that the X-Men are amazingly sitting on their arses.  Cain Marko can’t believe this is what he is seeing.  I like that Marko is dressed all in black, instead of a Juggernaut redish orange – he isn’t a Power Ranger.  Colossus isn’t sitting down either.

Living Mononaut is monologuing when he realizes that his intended audience is nowhere to be found.

Embarrassingly, Firestar asks Northstar what the biggest threat he and Alpha Flight have ever faced.  Northstar answers The Great Beasts, which this team (including Firestar) just fought in a previous storyline.

Rachel wants to just ask Living Mononaut what he wants, Bobby dismisses that idea.

Pixie recalls how the New X-Men (I guess they actually called themselves that) fought – Crazy people, future robots, big metal dogs, demons but no giants.  Rockslide believes that they could have defeated a giant somebody.  Pixie comments that she could just teleport everybody home, they don’t need to sit on the premises of the would-be battle, if they are never going to do anything.

They discuss ways to defeat Living Monolith and the Juggernaut.  Thor usually defeats Living Monolith by throwing him into space (which seems to be the worst way to defeat him).  Depriving him of cosmic energy, is a better way.  Bobby offers that one calls Spider-Man, in order to defeat Juggernaut.  Marko is so fast and stating that Spider-Man got lucky.  Marko says that psychics are the solution but who can remove the Living Mononaut’s giant helmet?

Amazing X-Men 18 Magik mention

Storm loses all credibility (again) by apologizing to Colossus, for being harsh to him.  Storm didn’t want to bring Colossus along, as he would be tempted to sacrifice himself to Cyttorak, and become the new avatar.  Bobby echos the sentiment, going as far as to say that Colossus is very, martyr-prone.  If only Colossus was more willing to get himself killed.  Colossus wonders if the Avengers are this hard on each other, Firestar reveals that they are.  Oh, we need more references of Firestar’s era on Busiek’s Avengers team.

Firestar offers that magic seems to defeat Juggernaut, as it is his power source, in a way.  Northstar offers that they call the horrible Scarlet Witch, which Kurt is foolishly trying to get Wanda redeemed.  I doubt it will ever happen, but anything that gives us Nocturne, is pretty good.

Colossus offers up that his sister was able to free him of his responsibilities of Cyttorak, which is why I bought this issue.

Pixie offers that she has a soul dagger, but it isn’t the same.  Bobby says it harsher than that and hurts Pixie’s feelings.

Colossus asks who brought up asking Living Mononaut what he wants.  Bobby is quick to point out that it was Rachel, Colossus says she was wrong, which makes Bobby laugh.  He is a real jerk in this issue.  Colossus wants to ask Cyttorak what he wants.  I guess he senses that Cyttorak must be unhappy.  Marko guesses that it is chaos, destruction, pain and suffering.  Colossus wonders what comes after that, he wants to change the game.  Storm senses that Colossus is going to make Storm fight.  He will buy her dinner afterwards.

Colossus stands up, as the others leave to fight Living Mononaut, which is a waste of a good nickname.  Colossus shouts for Cyttorak to hear his call.  Pixie doesn’t think this is going to work, right when Cyttorak takes control of Rachel and Pixie’s minds.  Marko can’t believe that worked, Colossus seems surprised as well.

Cyttorak (I finally learn how to spell it) addresses Marko and Colossus as his avatars (which is why I called them that) and his failures, which I like.  Colossus predicts that Living Monolith is going to fail, at some point.

Colossus offers that Cyttorak give Colossus the power of the Juggernaut, with the power, he will fight Cyttorak to the death.  Colossus wants even more power than Cyttorak has ever given to anyone.  Cyttorak accepts the deal.

Living Monolith loses his Juggernaut powers.  We get the new Juggernaut, coming out of the sky and he punches Living Monolith. He shouts, I”m the Juggernaut (no bitch) which is something that wouldn’t work in live action or animation as we would totally know who the new Juggernaut is.

Which isn’t really a surprised as, once you flip the page, you learn on your own that it isn’t Juggerossus.  Cyttorak accepted the offer but not the players.

Issue ends with a clear shot of the new design for the Juggernaut.  Another odd thing about this issue is that the next issue caption reads, Colossus verses the Juggernaut!  But the past four issues have all stated “Part ____ of Four” so shouldn’t they all have stated, Part _____ of Five”?  Was Yost given a bonus issue like how Bendis had to do so with Uncanny and All New, due to Secret Wars 2015?  Well, for Bendis, it was AXIS.  Should this issue have been Four of Five and not Conclusion?

I’m not sure if I will be getting the next issue but this one was pretty good.

 

Big Brother 17 – Sunday – September 13, 2015

Posted by John Klein III on September 14, 2015
Posted in: Reality Television. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

Who won HoH?  Who will they nominate?  Let’s find out!

Episode 36!

In Retro Big Brother, We are on Season Eight, Episode 14.  Eric’s game is being blown up due to a banner – which I’m not entirely sure how Production has been able to put a stop to banners but they sure have.

Oh, Frankie is going to appear on this episode – lame!  We keep thinking that season 18 will be a second official All Star season.  It is the last official season, unless they get renewed.  Which I can only imagine an all star season, will make that possible.  My wife has told me that real fans are boycotting this episode, as Frankie is there to take people to his sister’s – Adriana Grande – concert.  It does seem a tad lame.  At least bring Zach along too.

The Egg themed HoH.

John, Vanessa and Austin get three eggs, around the same time.  Liz is pretty horrible at this.  Vanessa is in the lead, after 30 minutes – with six eggs.  Liz, finally realizes that she is horrible, and goes for the Luxury prize.  She promises to take the HoH with her.  Vanessa gets 7 eggs, as Austin gets six.  40 Minutes, John gets his 7th leg.  Vanessa gets her eighth egg and that isn’t it!  how many eggs does one need?  Whoever wins HoH, is for sure, in the final four.

Vanessa gets her ninth egg and is working on her last, the tenth egg.  John gets his ninth egg.  Vanessa is the new HoH!  Should be a lame week, unless she plays the game smart – but she will probably end up crying and take Liztin with her.  If she wanted to be safe, I guess she could nominate one from each group – Steve and Liz, probably.

oh Liz, “Vanessa likes girls and I’m a girl – I hope she still likes me” ooof, not the most offensive thing but still, a dumb thing to say.  Especially in DR, that’s more of a dumb joke to say with Vanessa.

Steve tells Vanessa that he made a deal with Liz.  Which sounds pretty dumb, to make any deals with Liz and to tell Vanessa.  My wife and I were talking about how Vanessa is sort of playing the same game that Evel Dick was.  Instead of bullying tactics, she is using paranoia (mostly to herself).  But, like Dick, she is in every conversation and knows everything that is happening.

I do like how Austin seems bored with all of Vanessa’s trust issues.

Vanessa goes to John, to get more information.  He tells DR that she made him make a deal, but now she has forgotten that.  Vanessa is starting to really lose it.

Liz talks to Vanessa, poor Steve likes to go into the storage room but runs away when he hears their voices.  Is it weird that Liztin and Vanessa are all wearing pink shirts?  Austin lies about a deal he made with John, on Day 85.  Which wasn’t that long ago.  Vanessa is going to go with her gut, so she is about to make a mistake.

ooooof, three straight segments with Vanessa, is way too many.  Vanessa talks to Steve about how he will take John to Final Two, over her.

Vanessa is so dumb.  Her odds are better going with Steve and John.  Taking a couple to Final Three is just dumb.  At least, in DR, she recognizes that taking a showmance to the finals is super risky.  One might even say, too risky.

With the change up of Tuesday and Wednesday episodes, I’m hoping that since Big Brother is airing at the 7pm time slot, we can watch those at 10:05pm on CBS All Access.  If so, I will have my recaps up, the next day.

They are airing an ad for applications for next season, so maybe no All Stars 2.  Though they should do it for Season 20 or 25.  I hope we get to Big Brother 25!

Door Bell!  I always enjoy the houseguests reactions to a door bell.  People are excited to see Frankie, probably because they have to be.  He was okay last year and they have really scaled back on returning houseguests.  They are going to put Liz in a disguise so that no one recognizes her.  Liz said she would take the HoH so she does.  This will go a long way to secure Liz and Vanessa’s deal.  Will people actually recognize them?  That one guy is powdering Liz’s cleavage!  Um, neccessary?  Liz looks the same, but with short red hair and arm tattoos – which probably will work.  Vanessa has a clear black wig on.  Liz knows what is happening, she says “Adriana Grande” as much as possible.

Frankie freaks out, from seeing his sister.  oh my.  I thought, as a society, that we had moved on from Adriana Grande.

I’m pretty sure I’m misspelling her name.  She has a fragrance coming out.  Hey, the ears from the swag bag, light up!  The clip they show from the concert, is from three singles ago.  So silly.

I wish we got a scene of the boys, by themselves.

Ariana Grande, if I saw the shirt okay.

John only cares about who is going to be nominated.  It wasn’t the worst commercial for a thing, done on this show.  That probably would have been the football game that they did last year.

John talks to Vanessa, as he feels like Vanessa is still unsure.  Vanessa feels she is between two showmances, which is odd as John is pretty sure that he hasn’t made out with Steve.  John says the right thing, and tries to assure her of everything.  She is definitely that type that lives in her own head.

Nomination Ceremony.  I feel like this hasn’t happened in a while, that a full episode was centered around the one concept.  Vanessa has nominated . . . Steve and John.  So dumb

So Vanessa has to hope and pray that she wins everything, going forward.  So, John wins PoV (let’s say) and takes himself off.  She puts up Austin, Liz and John tie the votes.  Vanessa has to split the tie and she will most likely go with Liztin.  From there, they get rid of John and then Vanessa.  The house chooses Liz, as Austin is the worst, and Liz wins the entire game.  That’s the next three weeks.  Not the most exciting sequence.

 

Big Brother 17 – Thursday – September 10, 2015

Posted by John Klein III on September 13, 2015
Posted in: Reality Television. Tagged: , . Leave a comment

Which wombmate goes home, Liz or Julia?  Who will become the new HoH?  This time, I really don’t know.

In Retro Big Brother 8, we are on episode six.  Evel Dick and Jen started their feud so much sooner than I had remembered!

Episode 35

Julie Chen is dressed like a naughty school teacher

Did the audio cut out for anyone else, at the beginning?  I got it back by exiting and going back into CBS All Access.

They have to get Vanessa out of the house or give her half a million dollars.

Day 82, Veto Ceremony

The twins are not going to campaign against each other, which makes sense.

It makes sense to keep Julia, over Liz, as it weakens both Julia and Austin.  Plus, it keeps Austin away from Liz, in the jury house.

If I was Liz and Austin, I would be so annoyed that Vanessa already has her three demands – at the ready.

Live Show, is the 85th Day.

Julia Chen teases about the special wishes from home.  I love John’s family!  This use to be a stable of the show.  Ratings must be up.  Steve’s mom is so nice!  Someone hug Steve!

Jury House.  Meg and James join that house.  There are some ladies there, to distract James.  James get one final scare in.

The Vote –

Austin – Julia
Vaneesa – Julia
It is Official, Julia is gone
John – Julia, John gave Chen a “hey girl”

Julia takes it pretty well.

Chen asks Julia about her poor choice in choosing Austin, during the last Veto competition.  Julia, having a full week to answer this question, gives a decent answer.  Julia brings up Austin, which I’m sure Chen appreciates so she can ask all of her showmance questions.

Steve and John don’t seem to mind risking not getting Julia’s vote.  John was more direct than Steve.

Julie asks Julia if she thinks Liztin can make it to Christmas, after Austin’s video message.  I doubt it but she’s hopeful.  Which I get, as Julia doesn’t want to have to apologize for all time, if they do get married.  Which they won’t.

HoH Competition.  Not a quiz, wha!?!  “Under the Rainbow”  Oh, it is that egg competition.  Instead of it going horizontal, it goes over a ramp.  There is a luxury prize (get to leave the house and go on a trip), the competition doesn’t end until there is a HoH and a Luxury prize winner.

There is five minutes left of the episode.  Liz has lost two eggs.  Austin has a slight lead, Vanessa and John are tied and Liz is behind.

That is pretty much it.  I do like that Irish song that they are playing.

There is an ad for Applications for the next season.  I wish I could be recruited!

Oh no, stupid football is messing up Big Brother!  We’re hoping CBS All Access just works it out for us.

Sunday is normal

Tuesday is a special eviction episode, plus Veto is up for grabs too

Wednesday is another special eviction, after this, we have our final three!  Things are wrapping up now!

I like football but it is annoying how it interferes with Big Brother.

Austin has an egg, they have to do this ten times!  Though I suspect who gets five eggs, also gets ten.

Excalibur Volume One Issue 2

Posted by John Klein III on September 12, 2015
Posted in: Reviews. Tagged: , , , , , , . Leave a comment

Excalibur V1 2

Writer Chris Claremont

Penciler Alan Davis

Inker Paul Neary

Colorist Glynis Oliver

Letterer Tom Orzechowski

Cover Dated November 1988

Look at that cover.  At first, I wasn’t sure what Meggan was doing or where she was going but then I see Nightcrawler looking down a pipe, so that is what Meggan must be doing – searching for Kitty.

Issue opens with a young boy, Colin McKay – who will one day become . . . Kylun – which sounds like Colin; which is on purpose.  Spoilers for Excalibur 43, I guess.

Colin and Widget are goofy around in Loch Daemon, in the Highlands of Scotland, a haunted place.  Vixen’s goons (who seem to buy second rate Hydra uniforms) are chasing Colin.  Either they killed his parents or his parents are dead under different circumstances.  The goons hear Colin and Widget swifts to his portal form and sends Colin away.  This doesn’t please Vixen at all and some of these goons are going to end up dead.

Hob’s End Station of the London Underground.  The Warwolves are escaping with their “skins.”  One of them is Kitty, dressed like rachel, and she is partially phased with the Warwolf.  Warwolf, looks weird, I’m so use to thinking of them in the plural.

As they run down a tunnel, a train comes out and almost strikes someone who fell onto the tracks but Captain Britain saves her.  Rachel slows down the train.  I like how everyone likes seeing Captain Britain, Brian is a rock star in his home country.  Some citizens start running away, as they know it is now on.  Nightcrawler enters the way they are leaving, and some of them are scared of seeing him.  I like how one lady thinks he is a cutie.

Rachel is losing her mind, she wants to find Kitty but a police officer stops her.  He dares put his arm on Rachel.  Kurt can tell that she is one second away from pulling her arm away from the cop’s grip and tells her that they have to keep the police as an ally.

A ways away.  The Warwolves get back to their home and ditch their skins, including Kitty.  One of them wants them to respect their skins, even though the other argue that they can get more.  Poor Kitty, she’s in some sort of near-death phase.  The Warwolves turn their attention to her, as they are pretty sure that she isn’t Phoenix.  The one that nabbed her, they don’t have individual names – from what I can tell – does the process of tearing her soul from her body.  Rachel feels this and burns through the ceiling of the subway and seeks out Kitty.

The Warwolf sees Rachel’s costume but can’t find Kitty’s skin.  The other two Warwolves laugh at him.

Fraser’s Bank, Thameside.  Nigel is being a sleaze and is kissing a fellow co-worker, at work.  For shame!  Though I can’t complain as that’s where I found my wife but we never stayed until after-hours for any on premises shenanigans.  Nigel sees Rachel’s Phoenix Force in the sky and is mesmerized.  Courtney Ross sees it and thinks about how her life has turn upside down now that Captain Britain is back in her life.  She also comments, to herself, that she is never done with work.  The market closes in England, next opens in New York, closes there then opens in the East and the day starts over again.

Rachel comes back to Excalibur, she has a faint trace of where Kitty can be.

Kurt notices a police officer who is grinning, menacingly and decides to track him.  Kurt follows the police sergeant down a tunnel.  A train passes and Kurt loses trace of the sergeant but he hasn’t lost Kurt.  The Warwolf is waiting in shadow for Nightcrawler to walk by.

Rachel warns Captain Britain and Meggan that Kurt is in trouble.  Meggan shifts to a more wolf form and starts tracking Kurt’s scent.

Over with the Warwolves.  The one that tore Kitty, is now suffering a stomach ache.  Next, starts taking a more human female form.  She puts on Rachel’s outfit, to cover up her now womanly body.  The other Warwolf comes back now holding the sergeant’s skin and Nightcrawler’s unconscious body.  This Warwolf offers Kurt’s body to the Kitty-Wolf (WarKat?).  ShadowWolf is about to take cover Kurt’s body when Kitty’s essence backhands the other three Warwolves.  I want to say there is suppose to be five of them, right?

WarKat is growing Kitty’s hair now, still silver like their skin but the more it resembles Kitty, the more she is in charge of the body.  Kurt comes around and tries to escape but is nabbed.  Just then, Captain Britain and Meggan bust through a wall and a fight starts.

The three Excalibur members knock out the three Warwolves.  They turn to the fourth one but Kitty states that she’s running the ship.

Bullpen Bulletins.  Hypebox.  Punisher War Journal 1.  Submariner 1.  Avengers Annual 17.  Spectacular Spider-Man Annual 8.  The cool one is Wolvrine’s ongoing gets its first issue by Chris Claremont, John Buscema and Al Williamson.  Doctor Strange also got a new number one.

Rachel joins the team and Kitty has to tell them how cruel-some the Warwolves really are.  Rachel wants to kill the Warwolves but Kurt tells her that it isn’t justice but murder.  All of a sudden, human hands are pushing out of ShadowWolf’s mouth.

Excalibur V1 2 Kitty coming out of Warwolf

The first panel was used as a flashback from Nightcrawler Volume Two Issue 12, that I reviewed the other day.

Kitty pushes her way through the Warwolf’s mouth.  There are some websites that track X-Men in-canon nude appearances, that I stumbled on during my younger days, and this use to be Kitty’s only nude appearance.  I imagine she still doesn’t have any additional ones until Astonishing X-Men 21.

Kitty references how Technet’s Bodybag swallowed her in Excalibur Special Edition, so she hopes that that stops soon.

Kitty comes up with a fair punishment for the Warwolves.

The London Zoo gets a new attraction!  Which is pretty keen, in their cage, they have a television set and newspapers.

Kurt mentions how there was six Warwolves but two died, so I must be remembering that.

This comic has thirty pages, that’s pretty awesome.

Sword Strokes.  Letters are from – J.D. Naylor of Phoenix, Arizona / Hampus Pettersson of Cupertine, CA and Malcolm Bourne of Cricklewood, London, England.

Excalibur V1 2 Kitty Pryde Lockheed Davis Backcover

Great back cover by Alan Davis and Paul Neary!  Sadly, this is the only appearance Lockheed gets with the issue.