Review: Sgt. Rock -- The Prophecy

Thomas Wolfe obviously didn't know what he was talking about, because veteran comics artist Joe Kubert has gone home time and time again.

Home to Sgt. Rock, whose World War II exploits Kubert has drawn off and on for a period of nearly 50 years.

The artist, who will be 80 this year, says he views Rock as "an old friend." And it's obvious Kubert has a deep affinity for the rough, always-bestubbled character and his wartime setting.

We fans who grew up reading Rock's exploits in DC's "Our Army at War" series are pretty fond of the guy too.

So it was a treat picking up this first issue of a six-part mini-series and being able to see Rock and Kubert back together again.

As ever, the action flows cinematically with Kubert expertly varying panel counts and sizes to capture a smooth flow of action.

The opening, two-page splash is one dramatic example. The main, huge, panel shows a soldier perched, ready to parachute from an airplane as those who leapt before him drift below. Three small vertical panels to the right depict the parachutists' descent. Kubert's got our attention from there on, as Rock and his guys hike through a bomb-ravaged Lithuanian city on their way to a mysterious rendevous.



The story is just getting started. We learn Easy Co. is supposed to pick something up and bring it home--something that can possibly help shorten the duration of the war. But in the meantime the guys need to negotiate a no-man's land between Russian and German troops. Kubert also hints at tension (racial, personal) within the Easy ranks.

And we see some action. An Easy Co. story wouldn't be an Easy Co. story unless the guys took out a Nazi tank crew. And they do just that in another splendidly drawn sequence excerpted below. Witness what Kubert does via shifting perspective, varying panel sizes and pacing--all without a word of copy. Young artists don't need to enroll in Kubert's cartooning school if they want to see how it's done, because the master shows them right here.



The colors, done by Kubert in collaboration with Pete Carlsson, are also just right: Very muted and mostly flat with lots of grays and pale army greens. They suit the setting and tone of the action perfectly.

My only qualm, really, is that we're still waiting for the meat of this story. I think we'll get to it in the next issue. But the action scenes here, great as they are, seem a little like padding.

The series likely will read a lot better once it's collected in a single book. But those of us eager to see Kubert at work don't want wait that long.

Still, whether you jump on board now or hang in there for the collection, I doubt you'll be disappointed. This is a wonderful opportunity to see one of the form's top practitioners (still) doing marvelous work.

Top 10 graphic novels, DVDs, CDs and action figures Jan. 26, 2006

At Amazon:

Graphic Novels

1. Serenity
2. Watchmen
3. Fables Vol. 6: Homelands
4. The Walking Dead Vol. 4: The Heart's Desire
5. V for Vendetta
6. Girl on Girl (Y: The Last Man, Book 6)
7. 300
8. The Sandman Vol. 1: Preludes and Nocturnes
9. Astonishing X-Men Vol. 2: Dangerous
10. Black Hole

DVDs

1. The Aristocrats
2. Wedding Crashers - Uncorked (Unrated Widescreen Edition)
3. Wallace & Gromit - The Curse of the Were-Rabbit (Widescreen Edition)
4. Flightplan (Widescreen Edition)
5. Serenity (Widescreen Edition)
6. Tim Burton's Corpse Bride (Widescreen Edition)
7. Grey's Anatomy - Season 1
8. Firefly - The Complete Series
9. The Constant Gardener (Widescreen Edition)
10. Lost - The Complete First Season

CDs

1. Thelonious Monk Quartet with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall ~ Thelonious Monk and John Coltrane
2. The Greatest ~ Cat Power
3. At Folsom Prison ~ Johnny Cash
4. Rabbit Fur Coat ~ Jenny Lewis with The Watson Twins
5. Illinois ~ Sufjan Stevens
6. Comfort of Strangers ~ Beth Orton
7. Wilson Pickett's Greatest Hits ~ Wilson Pickett
8. Get Behind Me Satan ~ The White Stripes
9. Demon Days ~ Gorillaz
10. Aerial ~ Kate Bush

Action figures

1. Krypto the SuperDog - Krypto's Rocket
2. Marvel Legends Legendary Riders Figure: Iron Man Hulk Buster
3. Marvel Legends Legendary Riders Figure: ULTRON
4. Marvel Legends Legendary Riders Figure: Task Master
5. Marvel Legends Sentinel Series Figure: 1st Appearance Spider-Man
6. Kevin and Krypto Figure Pack with Bonus DVD
7. Marvel Legends-Sentinel Series-Angel Red
8. Marvel Legends Sentinel Series Figure: Mr. Sinister
9. Marvel Legends Sentinel Series Figure: Black Panther
10. Marvel Legends Legendary Riders Figure: Wonder-Man

Pop Artifacts! James Bond '60s figures











Educational Comics

Pop Culture Roundup Jan. 26, 2006

Booksteve notes a few of his favorite comic book books, i.e. books about comics. I'd intended to a series on this topic myself (still well). Not surprisingly, some of his favorites are also mine.

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The Ditko Comics blog has been updated with some good stuff.

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Mmmmm... Julie London.



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Fantagraphics has a Will Elder collection coming out. Pre-order here.

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God help him: Mike Sterling reads the Previews catalog again. Hey Mike, it's like Fox News or the scene of a horrific accident, you don't have to look.

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Via Monitor Duty: "Justice League Unlimited" is coming back the the Cartoon Network earlier than expected.

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The exotica countdown continues on Xtabay.

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Sonic Pollutions has some vintage video of the BEST BAND EVER, the Kinks.

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"Superman Returns" toys are surfacing.

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Could be good: Paul Dini, "Batman: The Animated Series" co-creator, will start scripting the Caped Crusader's "Detective Comics" title from DC later this year.

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"Lost" clues: Season 2, episode 12 - "Fire + Water"

Official ABC recap:

Fire + Water
Air Date: 01/25/2006
In FLASHBACK we see a pair of slippered feet whisk a young Charlie down a flight of stairs. It's Christmas morning and his brother Liam is already hard at work ripping open his presents. But while Liam continues to unwrap gift after gift, Charlie finds nothing at all for him. That is until his mother leads him over to a brand new piano. Charlie is thrilled, but before he can even begin to enjoy the gift, he learns it comes with a price.

Back on the island, Charlie is struggling with his forced isolation. He misses Claire and the baby desperately, but the feeling isn't mutual. Claire's doing just fine...with Locke.

Hurley takes the first tentative steps towards dealing with his attraction to Libby. Meanwhile, Sawyer and Kate begin to notice the growing connection between Ana Lucia and Jack -- and it doesn't make either of them particularly comfortable.

While Charlie plays his guitar by the sea, he hears the faint cries of a baby and follows the sound to the sea, where he sees Aaron's cradle being tossed between the waves. Somehow he manages to swim out and bring little Aaron back to shore -- only to learn that his mind has betrayed him and the entire thing was just a cruel dream. And while he holds the baby and tries to explain to Claire (and everyone else) that he was only trying to save him, the only thing Charlie succeeds in doing is digging his hole that much deeper.

In FLASHBACK we see Charlie trying hard to save something else -- his band. But in order to do that, he needs his brother to do some long overdue growing-up. Sadly, as the diaper he is (literally) wearing will attest, Liam isn't up to the task.

On the island, after unsuccessfully trying to again enlist Locke as an ally, Charlie goes to Eko. And it's here he finds the one thing he's been missing: a reason for being. Eko speaks not a doctor, but Charlie grabs onto this diagnosis with both hands, willing to follow it to a resolution -- one way or another -- to save the ones he loves.

Back in FLASHBACK Charlie consoles Liam after a "falling out" with his wife. And through his music he is able to reach inside Liam and shake him back to life. If they take a stand -- if they fight with everything they've got, they just might be able to get through this -- together. But Liam only has one question: "Got any...?"

Turns out Charlie does. Plenty. And while paying a visit to a stash he has so far been able to resist, Charlie is surprised by Locke who tells him what he already knows. What little goodwill Charlie had left, whatever hope of being redeemed is all gone now.

But maybe there is one more thing he can do -- one last, desperate leap towards salvation. It just might cost Charlie everything. But then isn't that what being a martyr is all about? You get to save everyone but yourself…


Observations/speculation:

--No great shakes, this was pretty much a what-you-see-is-what-you-get fill-in episode: A deeper look at Charlie's character. An observation, though: If Charlie is ostracized from the group, will he fall in with the Others?



--Depicted in the background of one of the flashback scenes is London's Battersea Power Station building, famed for it's appearance on the cover of Pink Floyd's Animals LP.

--Libby notices, as many viewers did earlier this season when the Hatch was first revealed, that the washer and dryer are much newer than any of the other items down there.

--Hurley wonders if he's seen Libby before--as in before the crash. Libby mentions that he stepped on her foot while boarding the plane, but we're led to believe from Hurley's mystified expression that it may have been even earlier than that. She's a clinical psychologist and he spent some time in a psych ward of a hospital, so maybe...



--Is there an explanation for Charlie's vivid hallucinations/"sleep walking"? Some on the Web are speculating that Locke drugged him, as he did to Boone in season one. I don't think that's the case.



--Eko is marking trees he "likes." Will he build a church

--Locke is protective of Claire's baby. Is it just normal "being a decent guy" behavior, or does he somehow know there's something "special" about the child, as indicated by the psychic back in Australia during season one?

--There's a stuffed polar bear in the "crib" scene of Driveshaft's diaper commercial.



--Why did Locke save the heroin? Opiates may be useful if someone on the island becomes seriously/critically ill or, perhaps, to drug the Others.

Other stuff:

See a preview of the next episode (it'll be Feb. 8. Next week is a repeat.)

See screen shots of last night's episode.

See promo pics for the next new episode.

See the Best "Lost" Sites on the Web.

Order action figures

Here's a look at figures available for pre-order now via your local comics shop or via the TIP!-supporting links below:



Marvel Legends Action Figures Gift Pack: Monster Box Set



Marvel Legends Action Figures Masterworks Series 1: Set of 2 (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Masterworks Series 1: Spider-Man vs Green Goblin (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Masterworks Series 1: Fantastic Four vs Mole Man (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Masterworks Series 2: Set of 2 (Pre-Order Ships Nov. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Masterworks Series 2: Hulk vs. Thing (Pre-Order Ships Nov. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Masterworks Series 2: Galactus vs. Everybody (Pre-Order Ships Nov. 2006)



Marvel Legends Action Figures Gift Pack: Young Avengers Box Set

Marvel Legends Action Figures Icons Series 1: Set of 3 (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Icons Series 1: Captain America (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Icons Series 1: Iron Man (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Icons Series 1: Wolverine (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Icons Series 1: Captain America Variant (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Icons Series 1: Wolverine Variant (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Icons Series 1: Iron Man Variant (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Icons Series 2: Set of 3 (Pre-Order Ships Nov. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Icons Series 2: Venom (Pre-Order Ships Nov. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Icons Series 2: Spider-Man (Pre-Order Ships Nov. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Icons Series 2: Hulk (Pre-Order Ships Nov. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Icons Series 2: Venom Variant (Pre-Order Ships Nov. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Icons Series 2: Hulk Variant (Pre-Order Ships Nov. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Icons Series 2: Spider-Man Variant (Pre-Order Ships Nov. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Series 14

Marvel Legends Action Figures Face Off Twin Packs: Set of 3 (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Face Off Twin Packs: Kingpin vs. Daredevil (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Face Off Twin Packs: Hulk vs. Leader (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Face Off Twin Packs: Captain America vs. Red Skull (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Face Off Twin Packs: Kingpin vs. Daredevil Variant (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Face Off Twin Packs: Hulk vs. Leader Variant (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Face Off Twin Packs: Captain America vs. Red Skull Variant (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Figure Factory Series 3: Case (Pre-Order Ships Oct. 2006)

Marvel Figure Factory Series 3: Deadpool (Pre-Order Ships Oct. 2006)

Marvel Figure Factory Series 3: Black Costume Spider-Man (Pre-Order Ships Oct. 2006)

Marvel Figure Factory Series 3: Angel (Pre-Order Ships Oct. 2006)

Marvel Figure Factory Series 3: Silver Surfer (Pre-Order Ships Oct. 2006)

Marvel Figure Factory Series 3: Beast (Pre-Order Ships Oct. 2006)

Marvel Figure Factory Series 3: Invisible Woman (Pre-Order Ships Oct. 2006)

Marvel Figure Factory Series 3: Mystery Figure (Pre-Order Ships Oct. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Series 15: Factory Sealed Case (Pre-Order Ships Nov. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Series 15: Set of 8 (Pre-Order Ships Nov. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Series 15: Mandarin (Pre-Order Ships Nov. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Series 15: Beta Ray Bill (Pre-Order Ships Nov. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Series 15: Moonnight (Pre-Order Ships Nov. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Series 15: Spider-Woman (Pre-Order Ships Nov. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Series 15: Quicksilver (Pre-Order Ships Nov. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Series 15: Thor Buster Iron Man (Pre-Order Ships Nov. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Series 15: Wasp (Pre-Order Ships Nov. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Series 15: Captain Marvel (Pre-Order Ships Nov. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Series 15: Spider-Woman Variant (Pre-Order Ships Nov. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Series 15: Wasp Variant (Pre-Order Ships Nov. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Series 15: Qucicksilver Variant (Pre-Order Ships Nov. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Series 15: Captain Marvel Variant (Pre-Order Ships Nov. 2006)

Marvel Mega Morphs Series 3: Set of 3 (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Mega Morphs Series 3: Thing (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Mega Morphs Series 3: Iron man (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Mega Morphs Series 3: Magneto (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Showdown Starter Set Series 2: Mr Fantastic & Mole Man (Pre-Order Ships July 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Showdown Starter Set Series 2: Colossus & Magneto (Pre-Order Ships July 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Showdown Rider Set Series 1: Ghostrider & Vengence (Pre-Order Ships July 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Showdown Rider Set Series 1: Logan & Chopper (Pre-Order Ships July 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Showdown Rider Set Series 1: Namor & Shark (Pre-Order Ships July 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Showdown Battle Pack Series 3: Set of 5 (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Showdown Battle Pack Series 3: Green Goblin (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Showdown Battle Pack Series 3: Beast (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Showdown Battle Pack Series 3: Juggernaut Variant (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Showdown Battle Pack Series 3: Juggernaut (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Showdown Battle Pack Series 3: Elektra (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Showdown Battle Pack Series 3: Elektra Variant (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Showdown Battle Pack Series 3: Silver Surfer (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

Marvel Legends Action Figures Showdown Battle Pack Series 3: Beast Variant (Pre-Order Ships Aug. 2006)

X-Men 3 Movie Action Figures Series 2: Set of 6 (Pre-Order Ships May 2006)

X-Men 3 Movie Action Figures Series 2: Air Strike Wolverine (Pre-Order Ships May 2006)

X-Men 3 Movie Action Figures Series 2: Angel (Pre-Order Ships May 2006)

X-Men 3 Movie Action Figures Series 2: Stealth Cyclops (Pre-Order Ships May 2006)

X-Men 3 Movie Action Figures Series 2: Tech Gear Beast (Pre-Order Ships May 2006)

X-Men 3 Movie Action Figures Series 2: Juggernaut (Pre-Order Ships May 2006)

X-Men 3 Movie Action Figures Series 2: Phoenix (Pre-Order Ships May 2006)

X-Men 3 Movie Action Figures Series 3: Set of 6 (Pre-Order Ships July 2006)

X-Men 3 Movie Action Figures Series 3: Colossus (Pre-Order Ships July 2006)

X-Men 3 Movie Action Figures Series 3: Nightcrawler (Pre-Order Ships July 2006)

X-Men 3 Movie Action Figures Series 3: Iceman (Pre-Order Ships July 2006

X-Men 3 Movie Action Figures Series 3: Rogue (Pre-Order Ships July 2006)

X-Men 3 Movie Action Figures Series 3: Avalanche (Pre-Order Ships July 2006)

X-Men 3 Movie Action Figures Series 3: Sabretooth (Pre-Order Ships July 2006)

Star Wars Action Figures Saga Collection '06: Orange Utapaun Clone Trooper #26 (Pre-Order Ships in Mar/2006)

Star Wars Action Figures Saga Collection '06: Sora Bulq (Alien Jedi) #15 (Pre-Order Ships in Mar/2006)

Star Wars Action Figures Saga Collection '06: Sun Fac (Geonosian Separatist Leader) #16 (Pre-Order Ships in Mar/2006)

Star Wars Action Figures Saga Collection '06: C-3PO (Battle Droid Head) #17 (Pre-Order Ships in Mar/2006)

Star Wars Action Figures Saga Collection '06: Poggle The Lesser (Separatist) #18 (Pre-Order Ships in Mar/2006)

Star Wars Action Figures Saga Collection '06: Yoda #19 (Pre-Order Ships in Mar/2006)

Star Wars Action Figures Saga Collection '06: Jango Fett #20 (Pre-Order Ships in Mar/2006)

Star Wars Action Figures Saga Collection '06: Scorch (Republic Commando) #21(Pre-Order Ships in Mar/2006)






Star Wars 12" Figure: Obi-Wan Kenobi (Pre-order Ships in March 2006)

Star Wars 12" Figure: Anakin Skywalker (Pre-order Ships in March 2006)

DARTH MAUL Life-Size Bust Star Wars Life-Size Collectibles Sideshow Toys (Pre-Order Ships in Jun/2006)

GENERAL GRIEVOUS 1/4 Statue STAR WARS Premium Format Figures Sideshow Collectibles (Pre-Order Ships in Mar/2006)

OBI_WAN KENOBI 1/4 Statue STAR WARS Premium Format Figures Sideshow Collectibles (Pre-Order Ships in Mar/2006)

DARTH VADER Star Wars 1:4 Scale Figures Sideshow Collectibles Toy (Pre-Order Ships in Feb. 2006)



SET of 5 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT: IDENTITY CRISIS Series 2 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in Mar/2006)

BATMAN 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT: IDENTITY CRISIS Series 2 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in Mar/2006)

THE FLASH 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT: IDENTITY CRISIS Series 2 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in Mar/2006)

ELONGATED MAN 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT: IDENTITY CRISIS Series 2 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in Mar/2006)

BLACK CANARY 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT: IDENTITY CRISIS Series 2 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in Mar/2006)

CAPTAIN BOOMERANG 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT: IDENTITY CRISIS Series 2 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in Mar/2006)



DR DOOM With Mask 12" Marvel Studios Action Figure Series 1 by Toy Biz

DR DOOM Without Mask 12" Marvel Studios Action Figure Series 1 by Toy Biz



Crisis on Infinite Earths Series 2 7" Figure: Set of 5 (Pre-order Ships in July 2006)

Crisis on Infinite Earths Series 2 7" Figure: Anti-Monitor (Pre-order Ships in July 2006)

Crisis on Infinite Earths Series 2 7" Figure: Barry Allen Flash (Pre-order Ships in July 2006)

Crisis on Infinite Earths Series 2 7" Figure: Battle Armor Lex Luthor (Pre-order Ships in July 2006)

Crisis on Infinite Earths Series 2 7" Figure: Earth 2 Superman (Pre-order Ships in July 2006)

Crisis on Infinite Earths Series 2 7" Figure: Brainiac (Pre-order Ships in July 2006)



The New Frontier Series 1 7" Figure: Set of 5 (Pre-order Ships in July 2006)

The New Frontier Series 1 7" Figure: Green Lantern (Pre-order Ships in July 2006)

The New Frontier Series 1 7" Figure: Superman (Pre-order Ships in July 2006)

The New Frontier Series 1 7" Figure: Wonder Woman (Pre-order Ships in July 2006)

The New Frontier Series 1 7" Figure: Green Arrow (Pre-order Ships in July 2006)

The New Frontier Series 1 7" Figure: Blackhawk (Pre-order Ships in July 2006)



SET of 5 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT: SILVER AGE SUPERMAN Series 1 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in May/2006)

SUPERMAN ROBOT 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT: SILVER AGE SUPERMAN Series 1 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in May/2006)

LEX LUTHOR 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT: SILVER AGE SUPERMAN Series 1 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in May/2006)

LOIS LANE 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT: SILVER AGE SUPERMAN Series 1 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in May/2006)

JIMMY OLSEN 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT: SILVER AGE SUPERMAN Series 1 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in May/2006)

PERRY WHITE 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT: SILVER AGE SUPERMAN Series 1 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in May/2006)



SUNNYDALE HIGH SCHOOL Action Figure Playset BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER Diamond Select Toys

"RING" ANGEL 6" Action Figure BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER/ANGEL Gentle Giant Studios Toy (Pre Order Ships in Feb/2006)

SET of 5 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT BATMAN:KNIGHTFALL Series 1 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in Feb/2006)

AZRAEL 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT BATMAN:KNIGHTFALL Series 1 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in Feb/2006)

NIGHTWING 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT BATMAN:KNIGHTFALL Series 1 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in Feb/2006)

CATWOMAN 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT BATMAN:KNIGHTFALL Series 1 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in Feb/2006)

BANE 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT BATMAN:KNIGHTFALL Series 1 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in Feb/2006)

MASK OF TENGU BATMAN 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT BATMAN:KNIGHTFALL Series 1 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in Feb/2006)



GREEN LANTERN 13" Deluxe Collector Figure DC DIRECT

MARVEL LEGENDS Series 13 Factory Sealed CASE 12 Figure Asst. (PRE-ORDER SHIPS END OF APRIL 2006)

ABOMINATION 6" Action Figure MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES 13 THE VILLAINS SERIES Marvel Toy Biz Toy (PRE-ORDER SHIPS APRIL 2006)

BLACKHEART 6" Action Figure MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES 13 THE VILLAINS SERIES Marvel Toy Biz Toy (PRE-ORDER SHIPS APRIL 2006)

GREEN GOBLIN 6" Action Figure MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES 13 THE VILLAINS SERIES Marvel Toy Biz Toy (PRE-ORDER SHIPS APRIL 2006)

LADY DEATH STRIKE 6" Action Figure MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES 13 THE VILLAINS SERIES Marvel Toy Biz Toy (PRE-ORDER SHIPS APRIL 2006)

LOKI 6" Action Figure MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES 13 THE VILLAINS SERIES Marvel Toy Biz Toy (PRE-ORDER SHIPS APRIL 2006)

PYRO 6" Action Figure MARVEL LEGENDS SERIES 13 THE VILLAINS SERIES Marvel Toy Biz Toy (PRE-ORDER SHIPS APRIL 2006)



SET of 5 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT: JUSTICE LEAGUE ALEX ROSS Series 3 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in May/2006)

GREEN LANTERN 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT: JUSTICE LEAGUE ALEX ROSS Series 3 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in May/2006)

THE JOKER 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT: JUSTICE LEAGUE ALEX ROSS Series 3 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in May/2006)

PLASTIC MAN 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT: JUSTICE LEAGUE ALEX ROSS Series 3 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in May/2006)

WONDER WOMAN 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT: JUSTICE LEAGUE ALEX ROSS Series 3 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in May/2006)

POISON IVY 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT: JUSTICE LEAGUE ALEX ROSS Series 3 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in May/2006)



SET OF 3 7" Action Figure STAR WARS UNLEASHED REVENGE OF THE SITH Series 15 Hasbro Toy (Pre-Order Ships in June/2006)

HAN SOLO AS STORMTROOPER 7" Action Figure STAR WARS UNLEASHED REVENGE OF THE SITH Series 15 Hasbro Toy (Pre-Order Ships in June/2006)

CLONE TROOPER 7" Action Figure STAR WARS UNLEASHED REVENGE OF THE SITH Series 15 Hasbro Toy (Pre-Order Ships in June/2006)

CHEWBACCA 7" Action Figure STAR WARS UNLEASHED REVENGE OF THE SITH Series 15 Hasbro Toy (Pre-Order Ships in June/2006)



SET of 5 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT: BATMAN/SUPERMAN RETURN OF SUPERGIRL Series 2 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in June/2006)

SUPERGIRL 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT: BATMAN/SUPERMAN RETURN OF SUPERGIRL Series 2 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in June/2006)

SUPERMAN 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT: BATMAN/SUPERMAN RETURN OF SUPERGIRL Series 2 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in June/2006)

BATMAN 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT: BATMAN/SUPERMAN RETURN OF SUPERGIRL Series 2 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in June/2006)

DARKSEID 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT: BATMAN/SUPERMAN RETURN OF SUPERGIRL Series 2 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in June/2006)

CORRUPTED SUPERGIRL 6" Action Figure DC DIRECT: BATMAN/SUPERMAN RETURN OF SUPERGIRL Series 2 Toy (Pre-Order Ships in June/2006)

Pop Artifact! James Bond race track



Educational Comics

Pop Culture Roundup Jan. 25, 2006

I agree with Datajunkie, we do need more jumpsuit-wearing, karate-chopping action girls in the mediascape. To wit...

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Good news: The fire that raged through director Nick Park's warehouse last fall destroying hundreds of character models doesn't spell the end of Wallace & Gromit, Park says.

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Endless Mike shares three disks of bossa nova bliss.

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From Dial B for Blog: The Fantastic Four in Italian.

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Xtabay shares ultra-rare space-age pop.

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TV Guide gets in the inside dope from Dominic Monaghen of "Lost."

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Sugartown justly celebrates the sublime Blossom Dearie.

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More "Lost," Sci Fi Wire chats with Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (thank God this isn't a podcast, cuz I can't say that name).

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Review: All-Star Superman 2



After a promising but somewhat underwhelming first issue (not much action, stiff but pretty artwork), this series is starting to look like it'll be a lot of fun.

This second issue is much stronger than the first. It looks as if writer Grant Morrison may be successful in his mission to inject some offbeat fun back into the Superman mythos.

This time out we get to see Superman flying Lois Lane (in her car) to the Fortress of Solitude, which is replete with trophies, including the original Titanic, plus a whole platoon of Superman robots.

Nutty ideas are to the fore. For example, we see that Superman has replaced the giant key to the Fortress with a normal-sized one. The catch is that the new one is made of "super-dense dwarf star material" weighing half a million tons and only he can lift it.

The Man of Steel's purpose for inviting Lois to his secret hideout isn't immediately clear but, by issue's end, we understand that this incarnation of Superman is a big, dopey, lovestruck kid at heart--a true innocent. Lois is Lois, just how you'd want her: Pretty, smart, suspicious and resourceful (even in an evening gown).

What we're getting is something that seems impossible: a 1950s-era Superman--complete with all the goofy, sci-fi trimmings--placed in a modern, but refreshingly unironic, context. The result is a fun comic, plain and simple.

So far, Morrison hasn't seen need to darken things up or twist them around in effort to poke fun at what makes Superman the iconic character he's supposed to be. It's a refreshing approach.

The art, by Frank Quitely, is much improved over the first issue. There's better flow of action and some genuinely funny scenes. His faces and figures are fantastic and the computer-rendered art by Jamie Grant manages to be impressively vivid without destroying the line work.

Still, the visuals sometimes seem a little stiff and quiet. It's a pity sound effects in comics seem verboten these days. The action scene up above is nice, but it'd be even better with a big "zap!" or "pow!" over it. Some motion lines would make it clear that Lois is jumping or being thrown up into the air from the recoil of the raygun. Instead, it looks as if she's floating gently in space. Are creators these days embarassed by such storytelling conventions? It's a pity if that's the case, because the comics are suffering for it.

In terms of story content, not a ton happens, but the issue doesn't really seem padded. I'll keep buying the monthlies instead of waiting for a trade. It looks as if things may heat up action-wise next issue. I'm looking forward to it.

See the Best Superman Sites on the Web.

"Lost" preview Jan. 25, 2006: Season 2, episode 12



Read ABC's teaser copy for tonight's show.

Listen to the most recent offical "Lost" podcast.

Watch a preview for tonight's show.

See promo pictures from the episode.

See the Best "Lost" Sites on the Web.

New comics Jan. 25, 2006



Available now at yer local comics shop or via This is Pop!-supporting links:

Batman Ras Al Ghul Year One TP

Bone Vol 3 Eyes Of The Storm Color Ed HC

Bone Vol 3 Eyes Of The Storm Color Ed SC

Captain Universe Universal Heroes TP

Dawn Vol 1 Lucifers Halo Supplemental Book TP

Fantastic Art Of Arthur Suydam HC

GI Joe Vol 8 Rise Of The Red Shadows TP

Godland Vol 1 Hello Cosmic TP

Golden Age Flash Archives Vol 2 HC

JLA Vol 18 Crisis Of Conscience TP

Marvel Masterworks Atlas Era Tales to Astonish Vol 1 Ltd Ed HC (#57)

Marvel Masterworks Atlas Era Tales to Astonish Vol 1 New Ed HC

Marvel Milestones Death Of Phoenix Statue

Marvel Universe Thor Bust

New Avengers Vol 2 Sentry Premiere HC

Powers Vol 1 HC

Premiere Coll She Hulk Statue

Star Wars Tales Vol 6 TP

Uncle Scrooge #350

X-Men Black Panther TP

X-Men Dark Phoenix Saga Colossus Med Statue

ACTION FIGURES
Secret Files: Unmasked

Martian Manhunter (Order from CmdStore)

Batman (Order from CmdStore)

Batgirl (Order from CmdStore)

Superman (Order from CmdStore)

Red Hood (Order from CmdStore)

See a Complete List of New Comics Shipping This Week.

Pop Artifact! James Bond pillowcase

Educational Comics

Doctor Who action figures unveiled

Action Figure.com has details and pics on this British line of action figures based on the revived sci-fi series. Perhaps we'll see them on this side of the Atlantic if the series becomes a hit on the Sci Fi Channel later this year.

Pop Culture Roundup Jan. 24, 2006

Bedazzled points to a couple of blogs dedicated to Best DJ Ever John Peel. If you're interested in Peel, be sure also to check out the Perfumed Garden and the great man's posthumously published autobiography.

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Via Boing Boing: Here's a PDF link for the 8-page comic cartoonist Joe Sacco did for the UK Guardian about two Iraqis accusing US troops of torture.

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NPR reports on a new CD box set featuring Miles Davis' late 1960s sessions at the Cellar Door.

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Xtabay continues to share his Top 10 Exotic albums.

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Rumor afoot: Neal Adams may followup Jim Lee as penciler for the All-Star Batman series. Now all they need to do is a get a good writer.

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Nice: Dial B for Blog presents some black-and-white DC Comics house ads.

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Comics writer Steve Englehart and artist Marshall Rogers who teamed up on last year's great Dark Detective Batman mini-series are joining forces again, this time for a one-shot featuring Marvel Comics' western hero the Black Rider. According to Comics Continuum there will be a second Batman project this year from Englehardt and Rogers, plus two JLA Classified arcs written by Englehart.

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"Superman: Brainiac Attacks" is a direct-to-DVD animated film due out later this year.

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Comic Book Birthday: John Romita Sr.





CD new releases Jan. 24, 2006

Rosanne Cash Black Cadillac

Cat Power The Greatest

Herb Ellis Ellis in Wonderland

Jenny Lewis Rabbit Fur Coat

Paul Motian Band Garden of Eden

Robert Pollard From a Compound Eye

Elvis Presley #1 Singles

Tortoise and Bonnie "Prince" Billie The Brave and the Bold

T. Rex Futuristic Dragon, Tanx, Work in Progress and Zip Gun

Jah Wobble Mu

DVD new releases Jan. 24, 2006

The Aristocrats

Dallas Complete Fourth Season

The Fog (Widescreen Unrated Edition)

Max Allan Collins - The Black Box Collection: Shades of Neo-Noir

Thumbsucker

The Time Tunnel Vol. 1 (1966-67)

The Tomorrow Show: Punk & New Wave


See more Upcoming DVDs