From the scribble pad, here’s some stuff that’s been catching my eye in-between news events at the paragraph factory.

Amazon.com music
Recently came across a great sale they were having, something like 50 albums for $5, and decided to try out the service en masse while grabbing stuff I’d heard buzz about or need to fill out my library. Interestingly enough, the downloads ran the gamut of genres and time periods (from oldies like ‘Paul’s Boutique’ to the latest from Owl City). Spent a little cash, but came out with some stuff I probably wouldn’t have bought off iTunes. Also of note, Amazon’s freebie singles are a great way to try out someone you might not have before.
• Gaslight Anthem: Digging the album, but can’t help but think the lead vocalist sounds a lot like a younger Bruce Springsteen, in a good way.
• Weezer (Raditude): A few tracks like ‘I Want To’ have hit my heavy rotation mix.
• Airborne Toxic Event: Played SXSW to a lot of buzz. That kind of prevented me buying into the hype early on. However, at $5, I’m glad to have bought it. Good tracks off of it for me right now are ‘Wishing Well’, ‘Sometime Around Midnight’ and ‘Girls in Summer Dresses’ which manage to bring an 80s-’Pretty in Pink’-soundtrack vibe to my ears.
• The Avett Brothers: The austin360 print editor mentioned them to me awhile back. Takes me back to my days at Kansas State for some reason, in a good way.
• Owl City: Feels very Postal Service meets Pet Shop Boys, which makes me feel good, especially ‘Hello Seattle’.

The Penis vs. the Palin
Well, Bristol Palin’s baby’s daddy’s Playgirl debut is nearing. After dropping weight and buffing up with the help of moose meat, we’re about to see if the hype meets the reality. Despite his slightly 1950s mentality about women, he seems to have figured out who the target audience is going to be — gay men — and has said he is fine with it, almost welcoming. Maybe that publicity stunt with Kathy Griffin rubbed off on him. Way to stretch out your 15 minutes of fame. Meanwhile, Momma Palin is making the rounds promoting her new book … a little late to capitalize off her ‘popular’ attempt at being vice president. Others have tackled her drama better and more humorously than I probably could, but I do see what she’s attempting here. By releasing the book, she’s guaranteeing that her name stays in the spotlight for a little while longer (in hopes of another attempt at national office?). Gotta wonder though which will sell more copies … Palin’s book or the baby’s daddy’s Playgirl?

What the hell is up with Lady GaGa?
So ahead of her ‘new’ album — a re-release of remixes of ‘The Fame’ — the  androgynous one has unleashed the video for ‘Bad Romance’. Watched it with the Significant Other last night on YouTube. At first I started counting the number of dance queens she was ripping off (including an odd ‘pretty’ version of herself that tiptoes close to Gwen Stefani), but I had to stop when I realized that if Björk was doing this video, there’d be a lot more panning of Lady GaGa. Yet, folks like this mess for some reason. I can’t help but think we’re seeing the clock sitting at 11 minutes of GaGa’s 15 minutes.

U2 on YouTube
Finally got around to seeing U2’s 360 Rose Bowl show. Sure, u2’s tour continues to be heavy-handed with the political statements, but damn, if that wasn’t a great show to watch. Granted, Bono’s voice seemed to take half an hour to warm up. Makes me wish I had caught the show in Dallas or Houston.

The Visitors are here
Like many folks, I remember only bits and pieces of the 80s version of ‘V’ — something about a lizard baby — but I was tempted by the remake. The first episode easily could have been spread over a couple of hours, instead it was compressed debut. Some interesting promise with connections to the near-recent political climate. But the second episode kind of slowed it down without a whole lot of depth being added. I’ll keep with it until the holiday hiatus, but I wonder how many people will come back after the hiatus.

Top Chef
Robin is finally gone; Eli makes a gritty disaster; Jen continues to meltdown. Revise my three: The brothers and Kevin. Kevin still wins it all.

From the bookshelf • Marvel’s ‘Noir’ books: Not really noir, but retellings of Spider-Man and X-Men in the 1930s. It’s interesting, but not jawdropping.
• ‘Wolverine: Old Man Logan’: Pretty art by Steve McNiven, so-so story by Mark Millar. Set in a dystopic future (is there really any other kind), this buddy-road-trip story teams Logan with Clint Barton (aka Hawkeye) with a touch of several revenge/Western clichés. Glad I waited for the collection, but overall not enough payoff for the setup.
• ‘Marvel 1602: New World/Fantastick Four’: Another elseworld approach based on Neil Gaiman’s popular, although uneven, ‘1602′, which set the Marvel Universe back to the 1602. This follow-up package of two limited series is uneven at best. The art is serviceable, but the stories collected are just too clunky to live. Quick perusal of Amazon shows there’s another follow-up coming. Marvel, please stop.
• Jason Aaron’s ‘Scalped: High Lonesome’: In the fifth volume of this FBI/gangster noir set on a Native American reservation, Aaron and artist RM Guéra ratchet up the tension in what appears to be several standalone stories. When put together, you see Aaron is placing his chess pieces in place for a hell of a sixth volume.

Still outstanding from the bookshelf
• Going to write a longer piece about David Mack’s ‘Alchemy’ which should serve as an inspiration for an artists/writers/designers out there.
• Even though I read the singles, can’t wait to jump into Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips collected ‘Criminal’. The production values on the book alone are gorgeous.
• Midway through Sean McKeever’s ‘The Waiting Place Definitive Edition’, which I had read in trade a few years back.

MIRA HACIA EL CIELO…¿ES UN PAJARO, UN AVION?… NO, ES SUPERMAN.

Hacia ya tiempo, asi empezaba la antigua serie de televisión de SUPERMAN.

Y seamos honestos en ese entonces siendo unos escuincles nos fascinaba imaginar que volábamos,que levantábamos edificios y destruíamos todo con nuestra visión de calor, era atractivo en ese entonces tanto despliegue de poder…pero algo paso con el tiempo y los malos argumentos ,el personaje de SUPERMAN se volviera un personaje mas acartonado ,sin profundidad y sobre todo poco explotado psicologicamente a diferencia del hombre murciélago, que se volvia mas complejo con el pasar de los años.

en realidad el personaje ha pasado por reinvenciones, crisis,otras crisis… restructuraciones y pocos son los escritores que sacan el jugo y escriben verdaderas obras de arte usando al hombre de acero y uno de esos hombres se llama: MARK MILLAR.

hacia mucho tiempo que el azuloso no imponia respeto

Y LA OBRA QUE PLANEO PRESENTARLES ES: SUPERMAN: RED SON.

El argumento empieza en Rusia en plenos años 50, la carrera armamentista y el comienzo de la guerra fría estaba en su apogeo, hasta que unos granjeros de Ucrania le presentan a STANLIN su arma mas poderosa…un hombre capaz de doblar el acero con sus manos, derretir el metal con sus ojos, volar por encima de la plaza roja y desviar las avionetas con su aliento,su nombre de ahi para adelante (cosa rara porque lo llaman asi) sera conocido como:SUPERMAN.

camarada murcielago ...

la noticia de la existencia del super-hombre,corre como reguero de pólvora llegando a oídos de los norteamericanos, que temiendo un próximo ataque de los comunistas, contactan al hombre mas inteligente del planeta, el DOCTOR ALEXANDER LUTHOR, para que cree un artefacto o a un super-ser ya que no pueden quedar fuera de la carrera armamentista que ahora es lucha por crear armas vivientes.
es ahi donde KAL-L y LOIS LUTHOR se conocen por primera vez y surge una tension romantica en seguida,pero no puede ser porque LOIS es una mujer casada, al haber detenido el hombre de acero un satelite sputnik, este deja impregnado su ADN por lo que LUTHOR toma muestras para crear a su propio SUPERMAN.
la tension crece, norteamerica esta sumida en la paranoia pues no conocen las intenciones del arma poderosa de los rusos…estos disfrutan de una pequeña fiesta para celebrar el poderío de SUPERMAN y su posible sucesión al poder de Rusia, el inconforme capitán PYOTR ROSLOV, hijo ilegitimo de STANLIN (y la contra parte de PETE ROSS, de la continuidad normal) desaparece de la fiesta que organizan y donde SUPERMAN conoce a DIANA de TEMYSCIRA, la cual se queda prendada de el, lo que llama la atención del hombre de acero por lo cual lo sigue y lo encara por su desprecio tan evidente y le confirma que no quiere el poder, y este le narra la historia de una pareja de manifestantes anti-superman que el tuvo que eliminar dejando solo con vida al hijo pequeño de estos…(ya saben quien sera ese niño)y queda claro sin que Superman lo sepa que el enveneno a STANLIN.
Stanlin muere , SUPERMAN rechaza dirigir el partido y a RUSIA…al mismo tiempo EEUU termina a su SUPERMAN BIZARRO, que se enfrenta en un duelo parejo en poderío que termina con el lanzamiento accidental de un misil nuclear y el posterior sacrificio del clon para salvar a muchas personas…ante la mirada obsesiva y demente de LUTHOR que niega que el ruso sea  mas fuerte que su creación y mas listo que el por lo que escapa de laboratorios STAR y crea LUTHORCORP, solo para acabar con el kriptoniano,este al llegar a su país y ver la pobreza en que están los compatriotas rusos, decide de una vez por todas tomar el poder y crear la utopía que merecen.

RED SON : ASCENDANT

son los años 70s , Superman domina con brazo férreo y con disciplina a Rusia , como el GRAN HERMANO de Orwell, mientras hubo unos nulos intentos de Luthor por destruirlo en el intervalo de los años 50 a los 70, pero el poder de Superman y su extrema interpretación del bien común bajo una constante vigilancia se extiende por el mundo quedando solamente ESTADOS UNIDOS y CHILE como potencias capitalistas en debacle, el presidente Kennedy se ve obligado a otorgar la independencia a GEORGIA como parte del gobierno de Superman el que no esta de acuerdo, es convertido en un zombie a las ordenes de el camarada de acero.

socialismo, camarada ....

Pero eso no es todo, sino que también DIANA de TEMISCYRA, enamorada del hombre de acero hace su dupla como su primera dama aunque el solo la mira como una simple amiga, en esto la amenaza LUTHOR se incrementa ya que convence a la tecnología extraterrestre BRAINIAC de asestar un ataque al camarada de acero,pero este falla al encoger la ciudad de STANLINGRADO en lugar de MOSCU, Superman interviene y se adueña de la unidad central BRAINIAC y de la reducida ciudad derrotando al dúo BRAINIAC-LUTHOR, pero es incapaz de lograr devolver a la ciudad a su tamaño normal lo que genera en KAL-L una sensación de fracaso que no puede superar, mostrándolo vulnerable…. incapaz de prever el próximo ataque de LUTHOR…el que le asestaría la derrota mas dolorosa , la de su confianza.

HASTA LAS FIGURAS DE ACCION ESTAN CHIDAS

REFERENCIA OBLIGADA A 1985

Con la complicidad de Roslov ahora dirigente de la KGB, Luthor contacta al nuevo líder del movimiento anti Superman, que ha sido un constante dolor de cabeza para el gran hombre pues no lo ha podido capturar, ese hombre es, ni mas ni menos que el hombre murciélago, quien uniéndose al asesino de sus padres-ROSLOV- y a Luthor, logran secuestrar a DIANA para lograr asestar un golpe de estado,motivando a salir al azuloso- perdón, la costumbre- al camarada de acero de su ensimismamiento para salvar a su amiga.

Así con la tecnología de LUTHORCORP, la complicidad de Roslov y la astucia de Batman, vencen a Superman con unas lamparas de luz solar roja, que es su punto mas vulnerable,ya que Luthor descubrió que era la luz de su mundo de origen y esta lo debilitaba…posteriormente lo encierran, pero DIANA que había sido atada con su lazo mágico lo rompe y se libera, pero dañándose en el acto logra rescatarlo,al ver que este escapa y no le agradece ella se desencanta y cae desmayada.
Batman al verlo libre se inmola dejando así a Superman con la espina de ser el único que se le escapo de las manos, no sin antes decirle quien fue el que orquesto el golpe de estado: PYOTR ROSLOV, este es capturado y convertido en un robot de Superman, este tomo cierra con LUTHOR recibiendo en LUTHORCORP por parte del agente JAMES OLSEN, un misterioso paquete que contiene una rara LINTERNA VERDE, BATMAN se convierte en un mártir al mostrar las abominaciones que el protector de Rusia puede hacer,BRAINIAC es re programado y junto a Superman construyen el PALACIO DE INVIERNO en Siberia y el clímax se aproxima.
RED SON: SETTING
el te observa, esta ahí…es el año 2000,ya todos los países forman parte de la Unión Soviética, a excepción de los Estados Unidos,que dicho sea de paso, acaba de sufrir una cruenta guerra civil,en el paraíso soviético no hay guerra, pobreza, hambre…pero no hay libertad, si te opones te transforman en un robot de superman…es aquí donde todos los hechos toman sentido, Diana con el odio al verse rechazada regresa a TEMISCYRA, los constantes ataques de USA hacia el régimen de Superman aumentan,la gente esta descontenta con el y su fracaso con Stalingrado lo hacen perder la fe en si mismo…Luthor se postula para presidente y gana las elecciones y alivia la pobreza en que esta sumida EEUU pero no por altruismo sino para picarle la cresta a Superman,para incitarlo a invadir Estados Unidos y de una vez por todas destruirlo.
Aun asi Luthor se encara en el Palacio de Invierno con Superman…mostrando su superioridad, hace alarde de su inteligencia, pero es tomado por Brainiac y arrojado a su nave para convertirlo en otro robot de Superman…este le dice a Kal-l que no hay otro remedio han capturado al presidente de EEUU y esto detonara una guerra, por lo que este asiente con desgano y se prepara para atacar.
Superman invade la costa oeste pero es recibido por el coronel Hal Jordan y los GREEN LANTERNS MARINE CORPS creadas a partir de la linterna recibida por Luthor, las amazonas comandadas por Diana furiosa contra su antiguo amor y unos super seres reclutados por Luthor, especialmente para combatir a Superman, mientras Brainiac destruye a la flota del pacifico con su nave,ambos arrasan con facilidad con sus enemigos y se reúnen en la CASA BLANCA para terminar la invasión, pero se hallan a la ultima arma de Lex Luthor:
LOIS LUTHOR, con un mensaje en un papel para Superman:¿PORQUE NO PONES A TODO EL MUNDO EN UNA BOTELLA,SUPERMAN?…este comprende que su sobreproteccion ha dañado a todo el planeta y ordena detenerse a Brainiac y el robot contesta, que contra lo que el creía, nunca había sido re programado, atacando a Superman y siendo detenido por… QUE CREÍAN QUE LES IBA NARRAR TODO???
en fin esta serie de tres tomos del ELSEWORLDS de DC CÓMICS, es una lectura obligada y encierra inteligentemente una critica ácida hacia el capitalismo, el american way of life, la xenofobia y retrata de una manera, sino bien cercana lo mas real,a lo que el ser humano que trata de hacer el bien y se extralimita puede realizar, causando que sus buenas acciones provoquen mas caos que el que solucionan…ese es el merito de MARK MILLAR,lograr de una obra realizada con inteligencia , una obra de culto…con un final extraordinario.

y les recuerdo…NO ODIEN A MARVEL HASTA QUE SAQUE HIGH SCHOOL AVENGERS…O ALGO PEOR.

Lind, continuing to mash

In case you hadn’t figured out in the first 157 games, Adam Lind is legit. Lind went deep three times at Fenway tonight, missing a shot at tying the major league record of four when Jonathan Papelpon pussied out and plunked him with two outs in the ninth. Jose Bautista, Aaron Hill and Kevin Millar also added homers and the Jays withstood a shaky bottom of the eighth to win 8-7 — their eighth win in nine games.

Back to Lind: He showed signs of coming into his own after being called up after John Gibbons’ firing last June, but I don’t think anyone expected the barrage he’s put up in 2009. After picking up four hits and six RBIs on Opening Day, Lind never looked back. With four games to go, he’s hit 35 home runs (one short of Hill’s team lead) and driven in a team-high 114 runs. Now, if only Cito Gaston would consider starting him against lefties next season…(or better yet, if only Cito were fired following this season.)

Ricky Romero finally picked up a win against Boston in what was likely his last start of the season, running his record to 13-9. Coming in 0-3 with an 8.83 ERA agains the Red Sox, Romero went five innings and gave up two runs. Shawn Camp gave up five runs (though one was inherited from Jesse Carlson) in the eighth but Jason Frasor closed it out in the ninth for his 11th save.

Tras uno de los raccontos más extensos de los que tenga memoria -diecisiete meses- hemos llegado con la séptima entrega de Kick-Ass al punto de partida del primer número dónde le estaban electrocutando las bolas al héroe. Siete números en diecisiete meses, amigos, ¡siete números! Estamos todos concientes del tiempo que toma elaborar un cómic pero… siete números en diecisiete meses it’s a bit too much. Anyway, llegamos a la séptima entrega del cómic de Millar y Romita Jr. y el primer arco argumental por fin se va cerrando, ¡diecisiete meses!, disculpen que siga con eso… Respira hondo aconseja Ozmodiar, cuenta hasta diez…

Ya está. Decía que por fin llegamos al número de Kick-Ass cuya última página finaliza con un “to be concluded” y eso es suficiente para hacer de este número algo que valga la pena. Claro que ocurren más cosas. Luego de la emboscada que el bueno de Dave Lizewsky pudo no haber previsto -pero que los “profesionales” Big Daddy y Hit-Girl debieron haber anticipado- parecían no haber muchas salidas, sobretodo teniendo el antecedente aportado por el primer número con un Kick-Ass maniatado y electrocutado. Al menos aquí se respeta la premisa inicial de “superhéroes en el mudno real”, no hay ningún puto desus ex machina que salve a nadie sino cosas plausibles como Hit-Girl usando poliparafenileno tereftalamida hasta en los calzones o Kick-Ass getting his ass kicked hasta reducirle a pulpa. Claro que el hecho que tras la golpiza pueda levantarse e ir a por los malosos es tan poco creíble como la manera en que Hit-Girl destaza miembros como si fuesen de mantequilla, por más placas metálicas e insensibilidad al dolor que tenga Dave tras sus primeras incursiones.

Y la gran revelación de este septimo número -tras diecisiete meses, sí, no me canso de repetirlo- es que Big Daddy era otro fanboy como Dave, financiando sus operaciones mediante la venta en eBay de su valiosa colección de cómics, todos Marvel por cierto. Con tanta golpiza y gónadas electrocutadas, Dave no ha podido todavía reflexionar a là Peter Parker, pero seguramente eso vendrá el próximo número con un: “Big Daddy podría ser yo si no maduro de una vez por todas”. Porque Dave al menos eligió ser Kick-Ass siendo un adolescente y nadie lo obligó, pero Big-Daddy siendo un hombre maduro con trabajo y familia lo dejó todo para vivir como un héroe grim & gritty al estilo Punisher, y lo peor de todo fue haber convertido a su pequeña hija en su action-figure viviente. Patético, realmente patético. ¿Es este el mensaje de Kick-Ass finalmente, Millar? Porque en Big-Daddy veo al mismo prototipo de personaje que son Clyde Wyncham y el papá del mocoso en Marvel 1985, el primero se convierte en el Marqués de la Muerte en las páginas de los 4F y el segundo termina “habitando” en el MU. Se trata del mismo viejo fanboy que se negó a crecer y que deviene al final en personajes de cómics. Si Kick-Ass se niega a seguir ese camino, la serie entera -que finalmente debió llamarse The adventures of Kick-Ass and Hit-Girl- se redimirá ante mis ojos.

¡Y maldito seas Millar!, ¡me dejaste igual de expectante con el final de Kick-Ass que con el de Old Man Logan!

Que espera el gobierno para elegir una norma?? (PRESIONAR HD Y PANTALLA COMPLETA)

Cano and Damon, celebrating a clutch win

To quote former Blue Jay great A.J. Burnett, “Why? Why? Why? Why?”. Why does Cito still feel the need to sit Adam Lind against lefties? Why pinch hit for Randy Ruiz when Jose Bautista and Raul Chavez are due up next? Why did Johnny Mac start in left field? Why is Kevin Millar still getting at-bats as a cleanup hitter? More importantly, why is Millar still even on this team? So many questions, so few answers.

It took the Jays and Yankees just short of four hours to complete a 6-4 game this afternoon — a New York win if you hadn’t yet figured it out. Brett Cecil was his shaky self, giving up seven hits and three runs in four-plus innings, and Casey Janssen and Scotty Downs did their part to let the Yanks extend a couple one-run leads in the later innings. Randy Ruiz hit his sixth homer twice — the first was reversed on the first ever home run review in Rogers Centre history in the second, though he followed with one that counted two innings later.

The win gives New York a 2-1 edge in the series and an 11-4 mark in the season series. The set wraps up tomorrow afternoon, with Brian Tallet and Sergio Mitre on the mound.

Después del impresionante “final” del arco  de McNiven y Millar en Wolverine #72, en septiembre nos llega el giant Size, ahora sí, el final final.

Si no han leído la serie o siguen la continuidad mexicana, no vea esto. Si están al corriente, después de ver esa imagen iran corriendo a apartarlo.

Ya salieron las primeras páginas,  si quieren checarlas completas, visiten IGN.com.   Promete sangre al por mayor.

Baseball is fun again, at least for one night

Ah yes, the good old walk-off wild pitch. The Jays managed to steal the finale of their three-gamer with Tampa Bay last night when J.P. Howell bounced a 59-footer with the bases loaded, allowing Marco Scutaro to score the winner. Toronto came into the ninth down 2-1, but Rod Barajas’ pinch-hit homer tied things before Howell coughed up three walks and the wild pitch. Not the prettiest way to win a game, but it’s the Jays after all.

It was a wild one all around — two home plate umpires left with injuries and both Mark Rzepczynski and Scott Kazmir struggled with command but managed to get by. Rzepczynski actually went five-plus innings without giving up a hit before Pat Burrell singled and Gabe Kapler homered with two down in the sixth. Kapler managed to make it around the bases without tearing his achilles this time around.

The Jays were pretty quiet offensively most of the night — every starter except Kevin Millar struck out at least once and Jose Bautista provided the only real offense up until the ninth with a two-out RBI double in the sixth. Bautista was the only Jay with two hits.

The win wraps up an ugly 3-6 homestand, with a three-game set against the Red Sox at Fenway up next. Scott Richmond and Josh Beckett go head-to-head in the opener Friday night.

Cito's savvy, motivated crew

August 25, 2009: Jays-Rays. I’m enjoying a beautiful evening down the left field line when a crucial Jose Bautista error opens the door to a four-run Rays’ third, costing the Jays the game. My day was ruined. Anyway, after the game there were a lot of people waiting by the players’ parking lot. Now I’m coming down the ramp and Bautista is coming towards me, and as I pass him I turn and say, “Nice game, pretty boy”. A second later, something happened that changed me in a deep and profound way. He spit on me, and I screamed “I’ve been hit!”.

Okay, I never actually passed Bautista on the ramp and wasn’t spit on, plus the Jays would’ve still been pounded even without his error. But here’s my point: These makeshift lineups the Jays keep having to send out are getting ugly. Why exactly are Bautista and Kevin Millar on this team? Why even Johnny Mac, as much as we all love him? Cito’s group of misfits were pounded by Tampa Bay for the second straight night Tuesday, falling 7-3.

Brett Cecil failed to get through five innings for the third straight start, leaving with one out in the fourth and giving up six runs (five earned), including a pair of two-run bombs to Carlos Pena. Aaron Hill hit his 30th homer of the season for Toronto and Travis Snider added a late blast off Windows.

This one’s shaping up like last week’s sweep at the hands of the Red Sox. Mark Rzepczynski looks to salvage the finale Wednesday against Scott “Wild Thing” Kazmir.

Well, it was only a matter of time this would happen after the amazing San Diego Comic-Con that Matthew Vaughn’s Kick-Ass film had. After showing off three incredibly badass clips which I posted about earlier, there are now three major movie studios in the running for Kick-Ass.

The three studios are Lionsgate, Paramount, and Universal. Given Lionsgate’s track record with comic movies they could use something awesome like Kick-Ass. But Paramount has the Marvel backing, and Kick-Ass is published under the Marvel imprint. Universal really just seems like they need a good film like Kick-Ass to get them out of this rut. We’ll have to see where the film ends up and hope that it gets released quick.

All is good when Baltimore comes to town

Much like everyone else in baseball, Roy Halladay loves facing the Orioles. Doc won his 10th straight decision and improved to 20-4 lifetime against Baltimore this afternoon, going eight innings and giving up two earned runs in the Jays’ 7-3 win.

Toronto also got loads of offense in this one — potent cleanup man Kevin Millar broke a 1-for-15 skid with a 3-for-3 afternoon, including a solo shot to get the Jays on the board in the second. Marco Scutaro and Vernon Wells each hit two-run homers in the third, giving Halladay an early lead he wouldn’t even come close to surrendering. Wells added an RBI single in the seventh to give him eight RBIs on the five-game homestand, two more than Alex Rios’ six. The bash brothers are back! Actually, I’ll put that statement on hold until we find out whether or not Rios is heading to Chicago.

Anyway, the win gave the Jays two of three in the series, following a two-game sweep at the hands of the Yankees on Tuesday and Wednesday. In what may not be a fun affair, Toronto kicks off a three-game series with those same Yankees tomorrow night at The House that Steinbrenner Built.

So, this adaptation has actually been in the works for quite some time, and a lot of people, including myself are immensely excited for it. The story that this movie is based on is one of the most original and brilliant ideas in the comic world in recent memory and it’s perfect for a movie. So why has it taken so long for clips to surface?

Well, that time has finally come. io9 has put up recorded versions of the clips shown off at San Diego Comic-Con that show the intro to the movie, Kick-Ass’ first heroic attempt, Nicolas Cage as Big Daddy, and the ultra violent Hit Girl in all her glory. You definitely have to check them out because I promise you will NOT be disappointed.

[VIA IO9]

The Indians may be the worst team in the AL, but that means nothing when you face the Jays in July

Not-so-fun fact: The Jays are 0-19 in games that Scott Rolen doesn’t start this season. Actually, that’s not true, but I wish it was so our savvy, motivated manager would take note and stop sitting him. Didn’t Cito get the memo when the American League introduced the designated hitter in like 1970? If Rolen is so in need of a rest after a night game (and why is he?), why not DH him? At the very least, let him hit for one of the two .240 career hitters (Bautista and Barajas) in the ninth inning of a one-run game. Oh, by the way, if you didn’t catch on by now, the Jays lost to the Indians this afternoon, 5-4.

In what’s become the theme of the week, another Jays’ rookie left-hander struggled with his command — today it was Mark Rzepcynski, who walked four in four-and-a-third innings and gave up four runs, two courtesy of a ground ball through Jose Bautista’s legs at third. Aaron Hill and Kevin Millar hit homers for Toronto, though it wasn’t enough to beat the surging Indians, who won for the fifth time in 14 games to improve to 38-58.

A couple more Jays notes: It was reported today that Dustin McGowan had surgery for a knee injury suffered while rehabbing his arm injury. How that’s possible is beyond me, though it’s not that big a deal considering his arm doesn’t look like it’ll be back to normal anytime soon. Also, David Dellucci was designated for assignment after going 1-for-25 in eight games in the bigs. I never imagined a mid-season signing of a washed up outfielder could turn out even worse than that of Brad Wilkerson last season, but I suppose you learn new things everyday.

Gosto bastante dessa revista. Se eu tivesse que escolher uma revista em detrimento de todas as outras coisas relacionadas ao Universo Marvel, eu optaria por essa. O que me agrada é o fato de ser uma publicação completamente a parte da cronologia (a despeito de já ter títulos que esbarravam nela, como Alias), além da temática adulta. E parece que uma boa parte concorda, já que é o título está há um bom tempo nas bancas. 71 edições, para ser mais preciso. Num país que títulos voltados para esse tipo de Hq não duram (vide às tentativas com relação ao selo Vertigo), Marvel Max tem durado bastante.

Justiceiro: Conclusão do arco “O Fazedor de Viúvas“. Cara, Ennis é o escritor definitivo do Justiceiro. Tirar o personagem da cronologia foi um dos maiores acertos da Marvel nos últimos anos. Esse arco foi bom, como tem sido toda a passagem de Ennis pelo título. Para quem não sabe, esse arco é focado nas viúvas dos mafiosos que Castle trucidou durante sua vida. Um arco tão pesado quanto “Os escravistas“. Recomendo que leiam a passagem de Ennis inteira, já que ele demonstra entender o personagem, deixando de lado seu aspecto heróico e focando mais no aspecto de que Castle é um psicopata. E no próximo número, Barracuda está de volta.

O Matador de Idiotas: Aparentemente, parece mais um clone do Justiceiro. Mas logo depois, percebe-se que o cara é ainda mais sádico e violento. Foolkiller parece ser um título e tanto. A arte de Lan Medina me agradou pacas, mesmo nos momentos mais violentos (sim, acho que esse título consegue ser mais violento que o Castle do Ennis) . As coisas ainda estão no começo, mas parece que vão gerar bons frutos. Vamos aguardar.

Simon Garth, Zumbi: Continuação de Zumbi, que já foi publicada na Max algum tempo atrás. Parece que a coisas ficaram mais violentas aqui, com o terror se elevando ainda mais. Bom, eu estava cansado das presepadas dos Zumbis Marvel, entao devo gostar mais disso (gostei bastante da mini anterior, mas me lembrava muito Resident Evil, numa época que eu não achava tão legal zumbis assim).

1985: Conclusão dessa magnífica mini. Mark Millar é muito bom. Achei a mini fantástica. Entrei de cabeça na história, mostrando a admiração do garoto pelos personagens da Marvel. Esse título foi uma das melhores coisas já publicadas esse ano. Momento que fica marcado na minha mente: “Avante, Vingadores” diz o garoto, para logo e seguida, “Foi mal Capitão, não deu pra resisitir“. Quem resistiria? No lugar dessa mini, a estréia de Homem-coisa, uma elogiada série de terror, pelo que eu puder ver.

Por hoje é só pessoal

This week the podcasters (along with a special guest!) travel into an alternate reality in order to review Mark Millar’s Superman : Red Son, where they will debate whether or not Superman could have saved Communism (as well as discuss terrorist batman and his warm hat!). The boys will also discuss their zany weeks, and Mike will be auditioning for the role of “The Ghost Whisperer”

Not to mention the ever-popular new installment of Masterpiece Comic Book Theatre from Madman!

All this and much more! Tune in to your computer! (remember, in Soviet Russia, Computer tunes you in!)

Download it…. HERE!!!

And while your at it why not pick up the phone and CALL US at (347)42COMIC (or 347-422-6642)

The highlights of the stage were an exceptionally well ridden break by David Millar followed by a blistering sprint by Thor “The Hamma” Hushovd. Besides that the stage was marked wreck after wreck on the rain slicked roads mostly on the later half of the race.

Hushovd does a picture sprint to take the win and get back into contention on the green jersey competition

In early riding, Zabriskie, Hincapie, Fletcha, Millar and Freire all took a stab at a break today. At around the 50 km mark, by Millar, Auge and Chavanel. They quickly gained a minute on the field over the next 5k or so. The lead grew to its max of 3:30 by the 65km mark. The peloton learned from the previous day not to let the break get to far out either that or Millar was seen a significant enough of a threat to keep it close.

A light rain began at the 80km mark, which didn’t bode well relative to the hilly terrain ahead. Astana comes to the front to keep its riders out of trouble. Txurruka gets free and bridges to the break by the 110km mark. Just after the base of the final climb, Millar attacks his compatriots. He gets a gap the others can’t match. He had about a minute over the peloton with the mountain and decent, a flat section of about 10km and some steep rollers in the last 2km to conquer.

Millar’s lead over the peloton slips to 30 seconds but by the end of the decent is back up to over a minute. Millar is burying himself on the flats to hold on to the tenuous lead. After 10km of wrecks, and looking at each other, the peloton wakes up and accelerates. The question is will someone jump to snag a few seconds, will Millar take advantage of the indecisive peloton or will it go to an unexpected sprint?

As the peloton bears down on Millar, Columbia’s Martin is up front with Cavendish but where was his regular lead out guy, Renshaw? Millar was caught at the 1km after a supreme effort. Columbia’s Martin tried to control the pace through the final Km to set up the sprint for Cavendish to no avail. On the sprint, Pozzato went left and Freire went right with Hushovd on his wheel. Hushovd takes it at the line.

Hushovd narrowly missed taking over the Green jersey lead over Cavendish by one point. What was expected to be a Cavendish rout is shaping up to be a very competitive sprint competition.

The unexpected sprint wins the day.

All eyes are on stage 7 and the mountains near Andorra. Tomorrow is the day were we see who has got the legs and more importantly which of Astana’s leaders can assert control. I think Lance is counting on strategy and experience and maybe seniority to hold onto control where Contador has raw horsepower. Either way it goes, it will be exciting to watch. There are several riders including Cadel, Sastre, and Schleck who are in need of some seconds and minutes. They may just have to take a chance and scramble for it on what is likely a Astana dominated stage.

Climbs of the day
Km 32.0 – Côte de Sant Feliu de Guixols – 2.0 km climb to 5.4% – Category 4
Km 55.0 – Côte de Tossa de Mar – 3.8 km climb to 4.2% – Category 4
Km 98.0 – Côte de Sant Vicenc de Montalt – 3.3 km climb to 5.2% – Category 3
Km 110.0 – Collsacreu – 4.1 km climb to 5.2% – Category 3
Km 159.0 – Côte de la Conreria – 4.7 km climb to 4.5% – Category 4

Stage Profile

Stage 6 Profile

Stage 6 Recap
Bicycling Magazine
Cycling News
Cycling Weekly
ESPN
Velonews
Yahoo Sports

Stage 6 Video
Yahoo Sports

Stage 6 Results
1 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team 4:21:33
2 Oscar Freire Gomez (Spa) Rabobank
3 Jose Joaquin Rojas Gil (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne
4 Gerald Ciolek (Ger) Team Milram
5 Franco Pellizotti (Ita) Liquigas
6 Filippo Pozzato (Ita) Team Katusha
7 Alessandro Ballan (Ita) Lampre – NGC
8 Rinaldo Nocentini (Ita) AG2R La Mondiale
9 Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence – Lotto
10 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank
11 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana
12 Nicolas Roche (Irl) AG2R La Mondiale
13 Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank
14 Vincenzo Nibali (Ita) Liquigas
15 Sébastien Rosseler (Bel) Quick Step
16 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia – HTC
17 Jérôme Pineau (Fra) Quick Step
18 George Hincapie (USA) Team Columbia – HTC
19 Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas
20 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana

Green Jersey Overall
1 Mark Cavendish (GBr) Team Columbia – HTC 106 pts
2 Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo Test Team 105
3 Gerald Ciolek (Ger) Team Milram 66
4 Tyler Farrar (USA) Garmin – Slipstream 54
5 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank 53

Overall Results
1 Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank 19:29:22
2 Lance Armstrong (USA) Astana
3 Alberto Contador Velasco (Spa) Astana 0:00:19
4 Andreas Klöden (Ger) Astana 0:00:23
5 Levi Leipheimer (USA) Astana 0:00:31
6 Bradley Wiggins (GBr) Garmin – Slipstream 0:00:38
7 Tony Martin (Ger) Team Columbia – HTC 0:00:52
8 Christian Vande Velde (USA) Garmin – Slipstream 0:01:16
9 Gustav Erik Larsson (Swe) Team Saxo Bank 0:01:22
10 Maxime Monfort (Bel) Team Columbia – HTC 0:01:29

Allez915

Gerona – Barcelona 181.5 km

Millar, Chavanel, Augé! Wer wird sich dereinst ihrer erinnern? Eine Fussnote aber wird für immer in den Geschichtsbücher stehen bleiben: der gestrige Husarenritt nach Barcelona! Natürlich gibt es tagtäglich Fluchtversuche, Ausreisser, Gestellte und erneut ausreissende. Doch die Etappe nach Barcelona war eine Flucht aus dem Bilderbuch, gezimmert aus dem Mut dreier Männer, die weit über hundert Kilometer einsam im Wind und im Regen vorausfuhren. Und als das Feld näher kam, fasste sich der Zeitfahrer Millar ein Herz und stürzte sich allein in Richtung Ziel und Montjuich, genährt von Hunger und Hoffnung. Dann erwachten die Hunde in der Meute und der Peloton drückte aufs Tempo. Der gejagte Millar preschte durch die Avenuen Barcelonas, breiter als jede Autobahn, ideales Terrain fürs Feld, das näher und näher kam. Sechshundert Pedalumdrehungen vor dem Ziel war die Herrlichkeit zu Ende. Danke, David Millar, du bist kein Tor! Und Thor Hushovd kein Profiteur. Wie er das spanische Duo (mit Weltmeister Freire) und das italienische Quartett auf die Plätze verwiesen hat, war grosse Klasse. Ein Regentag an der Tour, ein Sonnentag für den Fan.

Morgen weht ein anderer Wind, die kleinen Kränze werden montiert. Die Trikots werden wechseln. Die Stunde der Wahrheit bricht an. Gross und unerbittlich! (L.T.)

(Endnu) to hektiske dage i årets Tour de France er overstået og jeg må sige, at denne Tour-indledning har været en af de mest dramatiske og begivenhedsrige jeg har set i de 12-14 år jeg har fulgt løbet seriøst. Alle etaper har budt på et eller andet gribende – måske med undtagelse af den anden – og de kommende bjergetaper kan næsten kun skuffe.

Der er delte meninger om Thomas Voeckler. Mange kan ikke udstå den lille linselus og synes han er en pestilens, mens andre slet ikke kan lade være med at holde af den lille fighter. Jeg hører til den sidste del, og derfor var det en fornøjelse, at han endelig fik den etapesejr han har jagtet mere eller mindre hovedløst i en længere årrække. At han ovenikøbet vandt den på virkelig intelligent vis, gør blot fornøjelsen endnu større. Han var iskold i afslutningen, og gamblede vel i virkeligheden stort ved at lade Mikhail Ignatiev køre og Anthony Geslin slide sig selv op i forfølgelsen. Da han satte sit angreb ind var det på det helt rette tidspunkt – på vej ud af en rundkørsel og mens den formodede stærkeste konkurrent, Ignatiev, var lukket inde. At Voeckler så havde kræfterne til at gøre arbejdet færdigt var formidabelt. I det hele taget var afslutningen på 5. etape til Perpignan fortræffelig: Forfølgelsesløb mellem udbryderne og feltet, og de sidste fem-seks kilometer var ren udskilning, hvor udbruddets svageste faldt fra en efter en. Det var blændende cykelløb.

Blændende – eller strålende, ville de kække nok sige – var også etapen til Barcelona. Det er svært ikke at have ondt af David Millar efter hans forrygende solokørsel, men den afsluttende bakke knækkede ham ganske enkelt. Om han ville have holdt hjem på flad vej ved vi jo af gode grunde ikke, men chancen havde nok været større – trods alt. At Thor “The God of Thunder!” Hushovd trak det længste strå på den krævende bakke er ikke noget chok. Afslutningen på Montjuich lignede til forveksling den i Saint-Brieuc i fjor, hvor han ligeledes afviste sine rivaler efter en semi-hård bakke og en fladere afslutning. Hushovd er ikke den hurtigste af sprinterne – det er Mark Cavendish utvivlsomt – og han har heller ikke Oscar Freires listige snuhed. Men nordmanden har simpelthen så megen power, at han på let stigende opløb som disse kan slå alle. Tom Boonen havde naturligvis også været en mulighed her, men hans rolle blev jo desværre udspillet kort før mål via et styrt på den spejlglatte vej.

Dagens musikalske hilsen er ansporet af skotske David Millars herkomst, og går til den tidligere Tour-helt, Pedro Delgado. Tour-vinderen anno 1988 er i dag ekspertkommentator for spansk tv, og han kommenterer gerne på dette og hint i denne funktion. Hans eskapader i bjergene i sen-1980erne og første halvdel af 1990erne var til så stor inspiration for en flok skotske musikere, at de som band simpelthen tog navn efter helten. Jeg præsenterer her: The Delgados.

American Trilogy er i sig selv en glimrende storladen popsang, og at den præsenterer en video, der er optaget på velodromen i Manchester, fuldender blot pakken og gør tilknytningen til cykelsporten endnu større. De gule trøjer og hjelmene – der i mistænkelig grad ligner noget fra det klassiske Banesto-outfit – er fine detaljer.

Se c’è una cosa che odio è il lassismo letterario. Nel senso che non sopporto le buone idee poi scritte da cani, per mancanza di impegno e voglia di fare.
Dimostrazione recente è l’Universo Ultimate della Marvel. Qualche anno fa, alla Marvel, hanno deciso di rilanciare le loro testate e acquisire nuovi lettori creando un universo alternativo delle loro testate che ricominciasse tutto da capo. A trovare un proprio posto “fisso” sono state quattro testate: Ultimate X Men, Ultimate Spider Man, Ultimate Fantastic Four e gli Ultimates – versione alternativa de I Vendicatori. Le testate sono partite molto bene: fresche, aggiornate, scritte con brio, interessanti e, finalmente, divertenti.
Poi è andato tutto in vacca. Per sciatteria, per l’appunto.
La dimostrazione più “pesante” le hanno le testate degli X Men e degli Ultimates, che dopo un inizio bruciante ora vivacchiano su storie noiose e scritte malissimo, che esaltano il lato soap operistico del tutto. Specialmente la testata dei Vendicatori aveva messo in campo un’interessantissima versione del super gruppo, legata allo Shield e all’Esercito, con tutti i dubbi morali che ne derivano (se l’America ha al suo servizio dei super umani, cosa gli impedisce di lanciarli contro qualsiasi bersaglio gli sia utile?)
Ma, come detto, viene tutto perso appena Millar smette di seguire le testate e una manica di idioti ne prende il posto, facendo crollare tutto.
E infatti le testate Ultimates stanno per essere chiuse e sostituite da tre nuove testate, in un tentativo di rilancio.
Odio il lassismo letterario.

week 6/10 of 2009

DC

Action Comics #878

Rucka changes the pace up a bit in the continuation of the story, bringing a bit more action to the title, aptly so considering the name of the comic. In doing so the story flails about a little bit, losing some of the interest but regaining it in the same breath. These newest Kryptonian sleeper agents are dangerous characters and the end of the issue it seems that 879 is going to be an all out brawl.

Batman #687

Judd Winnick jumps back on to a Bat Family title and it’s splendid. This is the issue that should have been introduced in between Battle for the Cowl #3 and Batman and Robin #1. It’s a brilliantly composed piece that really shows us Dick and Damian getting into their new suits, getting used to it, keeping up with the legend of the Bat. It’s really a great issue and an excellent follow up to everything that has been going on in the Bat titles as of late.

Booster Gold #21

While Booster usually revels in a bit of good humor and well written science fiction time travelling jaunt, this ish isn’t quite up to par. It has a number of confusing plots that have no fall through. It’s all very shrouded in mystery and, again, we already know how this story is going to end.

Final Crisis Aftermath: Escape #2

Fuck this book. It’s terrible. Stupid art. The worst stupid fucking story ever. It’s like my brain is in a blender.

Green Lantern Corps #37

Finally, we’re so close to ‘Blackest Night’ you can taste it. The last few pages of the comic really heat things up and you can feel the new arc racing up on us. Things are getting crazy, as if they weren’t chaotic enough already, and Tomasi finally gets some firm footing on the title.

JSA vs Kobra: Engines of Faith #1 (of 6)

Total expository issue. It doesn’t have a lot going for it except great art from both Kramer and Ha and it’s easy to see that the plot is going to get much deeper and much more complex. This is the set up for much to come but it ends up being a bit of a yawn. The JSA really isn’t seeing the kind of writing they deserve.

R.E.B.E.L.S. #5

Tony Bedard is doing his best at keeping up his ongoing space epic but it starts to totter with this fifth installment. There is obviously a lot going on and Bedard keeps adding more in without revolving any of it first. While it’s still on the brink of being too hectic, Bedard holds the comic together with flashy writing and St. Aubin and Hanna presenting some beautiful art.

Titans #14

And the first arc was so promising. It’s hard to say if this title is going to get better. It’s had to go through a terrible crossover and a boring standalone so maybe with all that out of the way it can get good again. This issue focuses on Cyborg and his whiny emotional side but it just feels like we’ve seen that a lot from Vic lately. It could be just me but this issue is yet another dud.

MARVEL

week 6/10 of 2009

Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter #1

A very pretty looking comic with an interesting story line. Bill has decided that he has had enough of Galactus and he’s out to stop him and it’s a galactic sized brawl coming up in the future. It’s an interesting addition to the Marvel roster of books and, unlike many others, it’s a decent title.

Deadpool #11

Hands down one of the funniest comics this year. It was hysterical. The interaction between Deadpool and Bullseye is classic and this penultimate issue to the arc is brilliant. It’s Deadpool writing in it’s highest form.

Fantastic Four #567

I still don’t really know where MIllar is going with this. Doom having a “master” is kind of lame. It’s been sixty years and we didn’t now this…how? But he’s here so I guess we have to deal. This whole issue is static, it doesn’t move us anywhere, except for the last few panels, but nonetheless it shows some intriguing possibilities and has a strong set up for more to come.

Genext: United #2

Remember when I was talking about spin offs that didn’t need to be in the line up. Ta-da!

Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers #2

Comedy master Chris Eliopoulos and semi-newcomer Ig Guara team up to bring an entertaining title to us. Lockjaw and a number of other famous Marvel animal characters have come together to collect the Infinity Gems and this is their adventure. It’s a fun title and it actually has some deeper motives, such as Lockjaws quest to prove himself, and the character roster is actually solid and strong.

Miss America Comics 70th Anniversary Special #1

As much as I appreciate the Golden Age characters, this is just a showcase of how cheesy they are. This issue is a female crusading tale that is literally almost entirely composed of women. It’s a good attempt but it falls pretty short. Sorry Marvel.

Uncanny X-Men: First Class Giant-Size Special #1

Introducing the newbies to the First Class comic, this Giant Size replicates the first one , bringing Wolverine, Banshee and a number of others into the team. The art is severely underpar, on almost all counts, and the stories are less than entertaining.

X-Factor #44

An upturn over the last couple of dragging issues. 44 has some really great character interaction, an awesome climax, and even a strange sexiness that isn’t seen very often in normal Marvel continuity.