What I Have Been Reading-World War Hulk

Once I finished Superman Secret Origins, I wanted to knock off another graphic novel I had on my reading list. Especially since I seen Planet Hulk. I say seen because I cheated and instead of reading it I decided to watch the movie on Netflix. Yeah, I know, Lazy. Now, I would knock off World War Hulk off my list and read it.

Like with Superman Secret Origins, I had planned to take the book with me and read on the plane ride to and from Los Angeles. Unlike Superman Secret Origins, however, I was unable to bring the book with me. Jim Haley's Universe didn't have it initally, but would get it for me the day before I was to leave for the west coast. Unfortunately, I didn't get the call from them that it was in the store until about 7 PM. By then, I was getting ready to take a nap since I had to be up and on the subway by 3 AM.

So, I didn't get to read it until I returned and after I had read the Superman book. That was fine. I had enjoyed Superman, now I was hoping that this book would be just as good as Superman was. Like Superman, I wasn't a fan of the Hulk in the comics as I found the stories a bit boring. This book, however, was anything but boring.

This book answers that age old question: What happens when you really piss off the Hulk? Well, Greg Pak with the incredible John Romita Jr. penciling, tell the story of a really angry Hulk who returns to earth to gain revenge on the people who banished him to the alien planet of Sakaar in Planet Hulk. His revenge is not just because he was sent away. He thinks that the responsible parties, Iron Man, Reed Richards, Black Bolt and Dr. Strange known as the Illuminati, also had a hand in the death of his wife and unborn child when the ship that transported him there explodes.

Before he gets to Earth, he makes a little visit to see Black Bolt.

Not even Mr. McGee could make him this angry.

 Once Hulk makes it to Earth, his intentions was to take out the Illuminati and anyone else who gets in the way. Hulk knows that he would have to face other heroes, so he doesn't come back alone.

 He brings along his Warbound gladiators back with him for back up. The thing is, as angry as the Hulk is, he really didn't need them. Along the way he would battle the Avengers, The X-Men, The Fantastic Four, Doc Samson, Gen. Ross and the US Army as well as a Zom merged Doctor Strange. Not to mention the epic confrontation with The Sentry.  He even transforms Madison Square Garden into a gladiatorial arena. Haven't seen that much fighting there since the beginning of last years Devils/Rangers game.

I don't want to give too much away here. If I have already, I apologize. No Spoilers here.

Bottom line, Pak writes a hell of a Hulk story and John Romita Jr. is John Romita Jr. The story is great as it gives The Hulk a reason for the rage. The action is incredible (no pun intended) and intense. The ending is a bit of a shock, but it's the icing on a rage filled green cake. If your a fan of the Hulk and you have not read this yet, I think you need to. If your looking for a good Hulk story, but not so much a fan of the character, this book along with Planet Hulk might convert you into a fan.

No, I want to read another good Hulk Story. Any suggestions?

New Comics Pick Ups

New Comic Book Day arrived and I went to Midtown Comics to pick up some new reading material. There wasn't anything I really wanted to pick up with the expection of these three books. I grabbed the books without looking around so I wouldn't be tempted by anything else and got out of dodge with my new weekend reading.

I picked up The Amazing Spider-Man #699. The series is ending at issue 700 and I am not liking it one bit. I don't see the need to make any changes to Spider-Man, yet Marvel wants to make drastic changes to the character when Superior Spider-Man comes out in January. Rumor has it that it won't even be Peter Parker under the mask. I wasn't too crazy about what happened last issue. It was pretty lame and if that's the way the series is going to go out, it will be met with a collective yawn.

I also grabbed Avenging Spider-Man #15. To be honest. I have been picking these up and have not read any of the issues. I pick them up because Spider-Man is my favorite hero aside from Batman and I know I will be reading them soon. I probably will do so this weekend. I wonder if this title will be cancelled after Amazing Spider-Man #700.

I also left with Avengers #1. I am currently reading Uncanny Avengers and am really not that impressed with it and will probably be dropping that title soon. I'm hoping this Avengers book will be better. Upon first glance, it looks like they are going with the movie line-up of Captain America, Hulk, Thor, Iron Man, Hawkeye and Black Widow, but I could be wrong as I haven't read the book yet Only glanced through it. I'm guessing they are going with the line-up the general public knows to sell this title. Hope it's good.

Hopefully you all got out and picked up some new books today or are planning on it for the weekend. Excelsior!

July 8th 2012-Long Island Toy Show

Today, my buddy and I decided to hit the road and attend the Long Island Toy Show, which was held on the campus in Hofstra University. I have never attended the toy show here, only the card shows and Jets Camp before they left for Cortland. I honestly wasn't expecting to pick up much today when I arrived.

When George and I arrived and paid our admission, we saw the show was being held in a smaller room then we were used to seeing at a toy show.

But, we were fooled. There were dozens of dealer tables peddling their wares. Fom vintage to not so vintage. To broken to brand spaking new. T shirts, autographs and much more were being sold at this show. There was a very good crowd as well.

I actually didn't see that vintage Yankees bobblehead. Would have inquired about it if I had.

I didn't walk out with that Secret Wars Iron Man, but it's on my want list.

Already have a Mego Superman, but that one is a beaut. Hope he went to a good home.

Nice looking Tie Fighters. The vintage GI Joe's were very cool to look at in public.

Nice selection of autographs were being sold by this dealer. I try not to buy autos without a certificaton from a reputable company like PSA, Global, etc.

Airplanes and a vintage Mickey Mouse Club drum.

Check out that vintage Beetle Bailey puzzle back there.

I'd like to say that I held back from buying and did a walk around first. But no. I bought at the first table I visited. There deals today and we made out like bandits. Some of the stuff I bought were in the 5 for 2 bucks category.

Before I arrived, I made a mental list of what I wanted so that I had something to focus on and not go crazy buying anything. I would buy only Spider-Man, Batman, Iron Man, and Luke Skywalker/Star Wars goodies. I think I did a good job of sticking to the game plan.

Some great pick ups here. The carded Luke Skywalkers were 3 bucks each. The vintage 1977 Kenner Luke Skywalker was 50 cents. Missing the lightsaber, but there is very minimal paint loss and I can pick up a repo lightsaber. Btw, I almost walked away from this because of the missing lightsaber. But picking it was a smart move and it saved me the wrath of George.

Added another Batmobile to my growing Batmobile Army for 2 bucks and the Super Sized Batman figure for 10 bucks. Another figure I almost walked away from, but my better judgment took over. Especially when I bundled it with another figure.

Some solid pick ups here in this Spidey lot for my Spider-Man collection. Managed to pick up my first Peter Parker figure and a 1980 Spider-Man pencil sharpener for 50 cents. The sharpener was something I was keeping an eye on ebay at the 7.00 price range and 3 bucks shipping. I did well. Again, my buddy gets the credit as he pointed it out to me.

A couple more adds to the growing Iron Man collection. Remember I said I bundled that 12 inch Batman figure with another? I was able to get the dealer to sell me the Avengers Iron Man for the same price as the Batman. I saved 2 bucks on it and got my very first Avengers figure.

And finally, a Flash figure, all by his lonesome (universal Awwwwwwwwww). He was a throw in, but it will go with the Super Powers Flash I picked up from Brian.

And there you have it. A great day of toy shopping out on Strong Island. And I spent under 30 bucks total. I love a deal, especially on my toys. This is a toy show I will definately be attending this show again.

Toy Prices Are Crazy

The other day, I was in Walmart in White Plains, NY. I went in to see if they had something I had heard was released and there it was: The Walmart Exclusive Avengers Iron Man figure. I saw a becon of light shine down on it and heard angels singing. I knew I had to have it.

Ever since I saw the first Iron Man movie, I had wanted to start a small Iron Man collection. The character has rapidly become my third favorite superhero behind Spidey and Batman, yet I hadn't picked up anything to start the collection, save a round Iron Man head....thing I got from a gumball machine. I wanted the Avengers Walmart Exclusive Iron Man figure to be the one that kicked off the PC. I grabbed it off the peg and started walking to the register. I looked down to admire the figure in it's packaging. The head sculpt, the battle damage, the 16.99 price tag....

(Record Screetching)

16.99 price tag????

My jaw dropped when I saw the price. 16.99? I thought Walmart was supposed to be the home of awesome prices. What do they think I am, a Kardashian? Out of disgust, I put the figure back.

A few days later, I took a trip to Toys R Us in Midtown Manhattan. Always a treat to go there. The crowds, the tourists blocking the aisles to take pictures of the huge dinosuar, the workers hawking the little helicopter that magically flies or trying to stop you and snap a photo where you have to pay close to 20.00 for it. But, I digress.

I walked by and saw the new Dark Knight Rises Movie Master figures and quickly grabbed Batman and Bane and looked at the prices. 21.99 each. Are you kidding me? I turned around and saw they also had the mini 1966 Batmobile, Super Friends Batmobile and Comic Book Batmobile boxset that would have intregued me until I noticed the 29.99 price tag on it. I ran out of the store wondering, have the toy companies gone insane?

I knew something was up when Target or Toys R Us would charge close to 10.00 for the 3 inch figures. I just didn't know they would go off the deep end on prices for 6-8 inch figures. But, if people want it bad enough, they will pay for it.

Look at Hot Toys. Yes, they are awesome, awesome figures. Stuff that I would love to have in my collection. The Michael Keaton Batman, Jack Nicholson Joker and the upcoming Luke Skywalker are figures that I would kill to own. But at 250.00 a pop and up, they are some figures I will have to live without in my collection. But collectors are grabbing them and the companies justify the price because of it.

I honestly have a limit when it comes to my toy spending. If its something I have to have and I have the money, I'll pick it up, within reason. I have been wanting the remote control 1966 Batmobile since I first saw it last year, but I don't want to pay 40.00 for it. I have been waiting to see if I find it cheaper elsewhere. When I bought the large 1966 Batmobile, I paid 10.00 for it at NYCC, not the 40.00 Toys R Us was asking. If you are paitent enough, you can find what your looking for at more reasonable price. I have my eye on a couple of loose Iron Man figures on ebay for less than the 17.00 Walmart is asking for.

Or you can do what I did and pay 22.00 for the Marvel Select Spiderman I saw last week. Silly man, when will I ever learn?