The Awesome Picks Episode Featuring Elaine Atkins Manley!: DARKHAN CITY ...

Marvel Now WHAT?...a timeline to buy Marvel Now Hardcover and Trade Paper Backs

I do not collect many things, however when I do decide to be the pack rat - it is a perfect blend of enthusiasm and OCD! 

I want all of it, I want it in order, and I want to build a shrine.  This may be considered a tad shy of "crazy", however I live in denial, and it is a place full of sunshine and rainbows...and comic books.

Because, less is better - in what universe- when it comes to all things comic.  I love my comic book collection.
  
With DC New 52 I started collecting right away with the buying of single issues -digital and print.  My orderly disorder quickly became one convenient ball of chaos. I am still rooting around between long boxes and digital copies trying to figure out what I need next in each series. 

 After the DC experience, I quickly decided to wait in my reading binge, and look forward to the Marvel NOW trades hitting the shelf.  In my mind this made sense. But thinking outside the ordinary, is perfect unless you have no idea what to buy. Little did I know I would use my college degree of researching to accomplish this task.  My brother Robert had gifted me my first Marvel Now Premiere Hardcover. 

So beautiful and shiny! 

 I will admit I was swoon by the powerful force of the new library binding, ultra smooth cover. and to top it off - the digital codes that are available in each book for bonus collections.  I knew at this point - I needed all of them. 

I want to join, seriously, but where do I start?

Rippin' ready to go, I began the journey to find the release dates for the upcoming Marvel NOW books.  Two days later, 20 websites, and a couple store fronts researched, GUH!, I had comprised a functionable list. 

Being the overly generous person I am, I decided to put the list below for your Marvel pleasure... it was this or a wacky mime routine.  And as OZ said from Buffy...

"Nobody deserves mime, Buffy."

I listed the books according to Premiere Hardcovers and TPB till the end of 2013.

Hopefully I got them all. All dates are subject to change, and approximate times of month.

Marvel Now Premiere Hardcovers

All New X-Men..............Vol.1 Yesterday (#1-5).......................................................3/27/13

                                         Vol.2 Here to Stay (#6-10)................................................6/11/13

                                         Vol.3 Out of Their Depth (#11-15)...................................10/1/13

Iron Man........................Vol.1 Believe (#1-5)............................................................4/13/13

                                        Vol.2 Secret Origin of Tony Stark Bk 1(#6-11)...............8/20/13

                                        Vol.3 Secret Origin of Tony Stark Bk 2 (#12-17)...........12/17/13

Avengers.......................Vol.1 Avengers World (#1-6).............................................4/17/13

                                        Vol.2 The Last White Event (#7-11).................................7/23/13

                                        Vol.3 Prelude to Infinity (#12-?)........................................10/29/13

Uncanny Avengers......Vol.1 The Red Shadow (#1-5)...........................................4/24/13

                                        Vol.2 Ragnarok Now (#6-11).............................................11/5/13

Indestructible Hulk......Vol.1 Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D.  (#1-5)......................................5/15/13

                                        Vol.2 Gods and Monsters (#6-10).....................................9/24/13

Thor:God of Thunder...Vol.1 The God Butcher (#1-5)...........................................5/29/13

                                        Vol.2 God Bomb (#6-11)...................................................10/22/13

Captain America.........Vol.1 Castaway in Dimension Z Bk1 (#1-5).....................6/12/13

                                       Vol.2 Castaway in Dimension Z Bk2 (#6-11)..................12/10/13

New Avengers..............Vol.1 Everything Dies (#1-6)..............................................7/3/13

Uncanny X-Men...........Vol.1 Revolution (#1-5)......................................................7/3/13

                                        Vol.2 Magik (#6-11)...........................................................11/19/13

Savage Wolverine.......Vol.1 Kill Island (#1-5)........................................................8/7/13

Guardians of the Galaxy..Vol.1 Cosmic Avengers (#GG1-3,#0.1,GG* Infinite#1)...8/29/13


NOVA............................Vol.1 Origin (#1-5,material MPO*)...................................9/17/13

Marvel Now Trade Paperback

Captain Marvel............Vol.1 In Pursuit of Flight (#1-6)........................................1/1/13

                                        Vol.2 Down (#7-12)...........................................................6/4/13

Thanos Rising..............Vol.1 (#1-5).......................................................................10/22/13

Avengers Arena...........Vol.1 Kill or Die (#1-6).......................................................5/21/13

                                        Vol.2 Game On (#7-12)....................................................9/24/13

Cable and X-Force.....Vol.1 Wanted Now  (#1-5,material MPO*).....................5/14/13

                                       Vol.2 Dead or Alive (#6-9)...............................................11/12/13

Journey Into Mystery..Vol.1 Feat. SIF, Stronger Than Monsters  (#646-650)...6/11/13

                                       Vol.2 Seeds of Destruction (#651-655)..........................11/5/13

Red She Hulk..............Vol.1 Hell Hath No Fury (#58-62)....................................4/16/13

                                       Vol.2 Route 616 (#63-67).................................................9/17/13

Hawkeye.....................Vol.1 My Life as a Weapon (#1-5,YAP*#6)....................3/19/13

                                      Vol.2 Little Hits (#6-11)....................................................7/23/13

                                      Vol.3 L.A. Woman (#12-?)................................................3/25/14

Fantastic Four...Vol.1 New Departure,New Arrivals (#1-3,FF#1-2,material MPO*)...4/16/13

                             Vol.2 Road Trip (#4-8)...........................................................9/13/13

X-Men Legacy............Vol.1 Prodigal (#1-6).........................................................5/7/13

                                      Vol.2 Invasive Exotics (#7-12).........................................9/10/13

                                      Vol.3 Revenants (#13-18)...............................................11/26/14

Thunderbolts..............Vol.1 No Quarter (#1-6)....................................................5/21/13

                                      Vol.2 Red Scare (#7-12)................................................. 10/1/13

Deadpool....................Vol.1 Dead Presidents (#1-6)..........................................6/11/13

                                      Vol.2 Soul Hunter (#7-12)...............................................9/3/13

                                      Vol.3 The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly (#13-19).......12/31/13

A+X.............................Vol.1 = Awesome (#1-6)...................................................6/4/13

                                     Vol.2 = Amazing (#7-12)..................................................12/3/13

Morbius Living Vampire: Man Called Morbius (#1-9, AS* #699.1).................12/3/13

X-Men.........................Vol.1 Primer (#1-4, UXM* #244)......................................11/26/13


The Superior Spider-Man...Vol.1 My Worst Enemy (#1-5)...............................6/11/13

                                                Vol.2 A Troubled Mind  (#6-10).............................9/3/13

                                                Vol.3 No Escape (#11-15).....................................12/3/13

Secret Avengers........Vol.1 Reverie (#1-5, material MPO*).............................9/10/13

Uncanny X-Force.......Vol.1 Let it Bleed (#1-6).................................................8/13/13


Young Avengers.........Vol.1 Style Substance (#1-5, material MYAPO*)........9/10/13


Fearless Defenders...Vol.1 Doom Maidens (#1-6)............................................8/27/13


Wolverine....................Vol.1 Hunting Season (#1-6)..........................................9/3/13


Gambit.........................Vol.1 Once a Thief (#1-7)................................................4/2/13

                                      Vol.2 Tombstone Blues (#8-12).....................................7/23/13

FF.................................Vol.1 Fantastic Faux  (#4-8)............................................7/23/13

                                      Vol.2 Family Freakout (#9-13)........................................12/10/13

Avengers Assemble... (#1-8).................................................................................1/29/13

                                        Science Bros (#9-13,Annual 1).....................................8/27/13

Avengers: Enemy Within...(#1, AA*#16-17,CM*#13-14,17).............................12/17/13

Marvel Now Directly to Book

Avengers: Endless Wartime (Hardback).............................................................10/1/13

Age of Ultron TPB.... (#1-10,AA*#14-15, FF*#5,FD*#4,TSS*#6,Ultron #1,UA*#8,WXM*#27,A* #10)............................................................................................................................9/17/13


*KEY

MPO - Marvel Point One
MYAPO - Marvel Young Avengers Point One
A -Avengers
AA - Avengers Assemble
AS - Amazing Spider-Man
CM- Captain Marvel
FF - Fantastic Four

FD - Fearless Defenders

GG - Guardians of the Galaxy

TSS- The Superior Spider-Man

UA -Uncanny Avengers

UXM - Uncanny X-Men

WXM - Wolverine and the X-Men

YAP - Young Avengers Presents

My Son the Hero

There is something innately disheartening when someone you care about relocates, for better or for worse.  It is a feeling inside that is tough to explain – especially when the move is for happiness and greater experience in life. It is just hard to let go.  Much like a character in a book we grow accustomed to, we feel security in knowing that their actions, mannerisms, speech, and reflexes are something we can just count on.  Page by page, or day by day – it is always there.  Until, the time comes to move on.   I believe we ultimately take for granted that security we feel everyday.

My son, the youngest of my three kids, has just graduated from high school and has moved out to spend time with his Dad before his enlistment into the military.  Today, I was wrapping up his many soccer trophies, certificates, and medals and sitting in his room contemplating how my life has changed from having this 17-year-old kid in it.

As I wrapped each trophy, it brought back a flood of memories. Memories that will always be there.  My son is very much a charismatic character and one that has beat the odds many times. A hero – of course – but hey I am his mom.

He was born premature with a collapsed lung and dealt with severe asthma from the beginning of his life. We had heard that consistent exercise could be beneficial for kids like him. Thus, we put him in soccer at 5. Little did we know that we had created an exercising monster.

With every asthma attack, my son would get mad, and beg to be put back on the field. He did not like to have boundaries.  Year after year, his goals were to push himself farther and farther. Using soccer as his way to conquer a physical ailment.

He had set backs, but you would not know it. Just like Robin, he kept coming back and he was stronger, faster, and more stubborn than before.  Eventually earning an MVP during his High School soccer career.

Comic Box:The Rotating Roster of Robins

Even though my son has never shared the intense love of comics that I obsess over, but he is proud of me with each of my new endeavors.  He even gets excited when I tell him about new projects I am working on…I am so lucky.  We do however share the same tenancity to achieve a goal and for this I could not be any more proud.

Today, I feel like a part of my security blanket is skewed a little. We create strong kids so they can take off and be something in the world. However, we forget – in order to take off – they have to leave. I am proud to be a mom. I am proud to have a son who in all respects is the only true super hero I know. 

Now go conquer the world Jonathan!

Art by Robert Atkins

I just finished Axe Cop volume 1,2,3, and Hawkeye: My Life as a Weapon volume 1. When you are flying cross country there is a little bit of time on your hands, and I am a fast reader. 

Axe Cop was downright FABULOUS! Freaking bad to the bone!

 I loved volume 2 that was in color and told in three part episodic story arc, which veered from volumes 1 and 3 which were web comic style. 

Vol. 1 and 3 are also Interjected with the "Ask Axe Cop" question and answers that had me laughing out loud on a full plane. (For those of you that have heard me laugh...it is not a a quiet adventure.) 

The volumes read quick and easy. The story is fun and delightful and definitely makes one yearn for the day when our imaginations would just randomly go wild with no interference of adulthood. I definitely recommend picking up all three volumes.

Axe Cop is also available on the web comic site so you can experience a daily dose of chopping off heads and Axe Cop and his crew hitting the night scene in their cat suits to defeat sleeping bad guys! This stuff is just great! : axecop.com

Volume 1 in print Dark Horse 

Volume 2 in print Dark Horse

Volume 3 in print Dark Horse

Hawkeye, My life as a Weapon Volume 1, (Published by Marvel) was definitely a far cry different from Axe Cop. 

Volume 

 Personally I enjoy different. So this was right up my alley. The art was not your daily average comic book art. With David Aja and Javier Pulido as the artists - it is an adventure just to dive into the artistry. Matt Hollingsworth pulls some amazing play with the color art as well. All in all, Hawkeye, is a great example of how all parts of a comic need to work together to tell a story. Not just the story lines, which is told by Matt Fraction and is great, but subtle clues and hints through the flow of drawn lines and corresponding shades of similar color.

The story is raw and gritty.  Not what you would expect from Hawkeye.  Barton has a dark side, but there is a reason and S.H.I.E.L.D. is willing to use a self made hero who knows no boundaries.  I was definitely surprised! 

I also enjoyed getting to know the character (ex-Young Avenger) Kate Bishop in a different light, which is more complex.

I will be heading out to the nearest comic book shop to pick up the additional Hawkeye: Little Hits Volume 2

This just goes to show there is humor in all things!

LEGO My Tears of Pain!

With the recent blog post on February 14th: Adults Need LEGO's Too: Give us Stark Tower!I thought this was an appropriate addition.

Adults Need LEGO's Too: Give us Stark Tower!

LEGO DC Minifigure Collection for 2013
Robin and Aquaman

Lego's are the addicting source of conflict for most parents.  
Said parents have a child, have an excuse to buy and build with Lego's till heart is filled with joy.  Then the inevitable happens.  
The child grows up and wants a phone. 
Lego's are no longer a source of fun.  
The child will not realize that this was true entertainment for unfortunately another 10+ years.

The dilemma that is left is either, "How can I get away with squandering my time on Lego's without the child?" or "Where the heck do I store 2 five gallon bins of Lego's?" 

Okay, so maybe this is a little bit of a case in point scenario, meaning my case in point.  When my son decided Lego's were not cool anymore, I thought he was insane.  Seriously. 

We had put together the Lego Full NBA Basketball Court together and had some rockin games; and we conquered the Lego Full Soccer Stadium and continued to add to it. Then there was HOGWARTS....oh boy, that was crazy. We plowed through helicopters, airplanes, spaceships, trains, towns, and even the jungle - dinosaurs included.  Finally, there was of course, Star Wars everything. 

Star Wars and Lego's seem to go together like peanut butter and jelly.  They just fit. When in doubt - buy Star Wars Legos. 

"Have you put any Lego's together lately?" 
"Pshhhh, yep just finished the 3,808 piece Death Star. Started it last night."

Last October, I went to New York Comic Con and was thrilled to see the Lego booth, I had a small surge of excitement when I saw this however:

New York Comic Con - October 2012 LEGO booth

I stood and stared. The concept of LEGO piecing together bricks of Legos was so boggling to my feeble mind.  
It was like INCEPTION!  
Yet, glorious! It was at this moment I realized - Lego needs to just straight up make Lego's for adults.  
Market them to adults, geeks, nerds, or 'parents who have no more excuses.'  

Give us STARK Tower!  Give us Justice League Headquarters orbiting satellite! Give us Castle Grayskull! And for the fun of it - throw in Voltron! 

I for one, wouldn't mind stepping on Lego's again. 
Some pain, is a reminder of creativity!

What's Love Got to Do With It?

       Comic books...

Dan Panosian- urban-barbarian

Why do we even read them?  Some discover comic books in their childhood, through a friend, or a family member.  Some stumble upon them by accident in a store, library, attic, or even the garbage can.  And, some do not discover the magic of a comic book till they are in their adult years.  So, I pose the question again, why do we even read them? 

I fight my first instinct, and may I add that I am fighting with every ounce of galactic strength, to go directly to the Internet and research what studies have been previously done, polls that have been taken, and theories have been established per this question.

I would "assume", that nostalgia would be first on the list of reasons for the adults currently reading comics, who started as kids.  But what about new readers?  Or, readers who have ventured into new story territory? 

According to articles I have read and that have peaked my interest, comic books are doing more than just satisfying the want to relieve the golden memories of yesterday.  According to a study done by Kaplan International Colleges, Spiderman is doing his neighborhood duty by teaching people English.  Yes, as always proving that, "with great power, comes great responsibility."

Spiderman the new ESL teacher

I would venture to say, with the recent boom in comic publishers and indie titles that are now available - it can be even more confusing than ever to decide what to read.  There is definitely a GRRRR factor, if you do not know what you like or if you are new to this reading style. However, it can be done. And new comic books sales are proving that "indie" is here to stay!

Issue #100!

I find it interesting that our culture is finally catching on to the idea that comic books are more than just "silly child's stories" with "drawings."  The art is intricate, and goes through sequence and processes that are detailed and finite.  Story lines can be as simple or as ridiculously difficult as the reader would like them to  be.  There is most definitely something for everyone.  

What I appreciate even more, and have enjoyed myself about recent developments, is that the education system is now beginning to look at graphic novels and comic books as a way to get through to children by using visual connections.  

Art by Robert Atkins

Whats love got to do with it? Everything when it comes to comic books.  For the creators it is obvious - their heart and soul is bled onto each page.  Each story writer, penciler, inker, colorist, letterer, editor, and publisher - a comic book is  a collaboration of a work of art.  

Why do I read comic books? 

I read them because I like to feel the story.  I enjoy using as many senses possible to make that happen.  I notice the textures, colors, lines, saturation, hues, word bubbles, fonts, point types, story lines, and every detail that makes the comic book complete.  I try to understand why the story was written.

It is only then that the story becomes not just a past time, but an experience. 

"Elders of the Runestone" - Fantastic new story to check out! Story by Quinn Johnson, Art by Robert Atkins