5 Graphic Novels I Want To Read in 2012

Ok, I admit it. I'm behind on a lot of comic reading. I had taken a few years off from comics to concentrate on my Yankees collection. I have cards, autographs, bobbleheads, jerseys and a lot more in my collection. I'm at a point now where I want to catch up on all my favorite super heroes and lose myself in stories about heroes I never read before.


Recently, I was able to read graphic novels that I missed out on Like Secret Wars, Flashpoint, Identity Crisis, Killing Joke, Spiderman: Blue, I even revisted my childhood by reading Superman vs Spider-Man all over again.


I really enjoyed those books and it got me thinking about what other stories I'm missing out on. So, I did some snooping around as only I can. I found a whole bunch of books I want to read, but for the sake of this blog (and holding your intrest, dear reader), I've narrowed my choices to 5 must read graphic novels. Forgive me, if I barely know anything about these books. I'm sure most of you have read them and I feel less of a geek for not having read them.


Green Lantern: Brightest Day


I know absolutely nothing about this story. I have read Green Lantern: Rebirth and really enjoyed it. I also just watched Green Lantern on HBO on Demand and while I enjoyed it, I felt it could have been better. But it did light a spark in me to want to read more Green Lantern stories. I figured I'd start with the book I have been hearing so much about.


Green Lantern: Blackest Night


How can I read Brightest Day and not read Blackest Night? Again, I know nothing about this story, but I have seen some really cool figures from this graphic novel. My question to anyone of you readers who have read these, which graphic novel is the one to read first?


Crisis On Infinate Earths


Of all the graphic novels on this list, not having read this story in it's entirity shames me the most. I was reading comics regularly when this came out back in 1985. I even bought the issue where Supergirl was killed. I never got around to reading the full story. This is the one I am dying to read.


Green Arrow: Quiver


Now, I have never, ever read a Green Arrow story, nor have I ever wanted to. I never thought he was a character I'd be intrested in. But once I read Identity Crisis, I got to see what Green Arrow was all about and he intregued me. I ran across this graphic novel and it was written by one of my favorite writer/directors, Kevin Smith. I'm sold.


Marvels


I'm a huge Alex Ross Fan. I love his artwork.I also have Justice on my list of must reads. Each time I run across this book in some of my favorite comic shops, I always flip through it, admiring the artwork in this book. Now, its time for me to read the story Kurt Busiek wrote for this book.


I have vowed that 2012 would be the year I catch up on some much needed reading. The warm weather is coming up and there is nothing I love more than sitting out in a park with a good book. I have 5 books that I will be looking to put on my Kindle Fire and lose myself in some great comics.

This week’s assignment from the League: Zombie Apocalypse

So, this weeks question posted by Brian over at coolandcollected.com was basically, if you were attacked by zombies, which T.V or movie character would you want to help you beat up the zombies. I had some ideas of who I would want in my corner. Ultimately, it came down to 2 guys.

First, I thought of the The Incredible Hulk. I mean, this guy is such a juggernaut. He can pretty much wipe out anything and anyone. But, then I realized he's pretty much a loner and can be really hard to control once he is all green. After defeating the zombies, he's liable to slap me around a bit. Or, even worse, what if the zombies get to Banner before he hulks up? Then I'd have to deal with a zombified Hulk. I read Marvel Zombies, no thank you!

Then I realized there is really only guy for the job. Someone who thinks like a zombie, but is still human. Someone who embraces the dark side. I mean, one of his nicknames is The Dead Man

BOING!!!!

That's right kiddies, I'm talking the Phenom, The Undertaker. I mean, the guy is huge, can fight and just doesn't give a damn who he hurts and how bad that person gets hurt. You can't hurt the Undertaker. He's practically dead anyway. Bobby Hennan, the greatest announcer and color commentator in wrestling history, once said The Undertaker has formaldehyde running through his veins. That's pretty bad ass.

I can see it now. We are surronded by zombies. we fight. I'm blasting them in the head. I look over and 'Taker is just slugging them and ripping their heads off. He finishes them one of 2 ways.

One, he will just grab that sucker by the throat and Chokeslam it back to hell, ripping its head off in the process

Or two, Tombstone! Heads roll from the impact of such a blow. Zombie or no zombie, I don't know many who would enjoy being dropped on their head, knocking them senseless.

Either way, The results are the same. Victory is academic.

Rest In Peace, bitches!

Check out what other members of the League has to say

Jboy

http://revengefromthecosmicark.blogspot.com/2012/03/league-of-extraordinary-bloggers-zombie.html

Chris

http://ctupa.com/blog/?p=1193

Ashley

http://www.lifewithfandom.com/2012/03/league-week-6-zombie-apocolypse.html

Jason

http://www.ifartonline.com/2012/03/my-zombie-apocalypse-buddy.html

Dex

http://aeiouwhy.blogspot.com/2012/03/league-post-zombie-fun-squad.html

and our fearless leader, Brian

http://coolandcollected.com/when-the-zombie-apocalypse-arrives-im-calling-my-buddy-blain/

Tell them The Sexy Geek sent ya.

New Bobblehead and New Add To 500 Goal Scorers Collection

The past couple of days bought a new bobblehead and a new addition to my NHL 500 Goal Scorers signed puck collection. Was thrilled to get them in, especially since I have wanted both for such a long time.

Starting off with the bobblehead, this is an AGP Thurman Munson bobble. It's one I have been wanting to add to the Yankee bobblehead collection for some time, but the ones I had seen on ebay were well over 75.00, some even reaching over 100.00. This bobble only cost me 25.00. Probably because it didn't have a box. Thurman is flawless and at that price I was thrilled to pick this one up.

As you can see, he's decked out in the Yankees home uni along with his catching equipment, which AGP nailed, right down to the color of his chest protector, knee pads and shin guards.

Turn him around, and you have the familiar number 15, which has since been retired by the Yankees. You also have the interlocking NY on the cap.
The face sculpt is also pretty good. The bobble pretty much looks like Thurman. AGP always did an excellent job with the likenesses of the players. It's one of the things I liked about them as well as one of the things I dislike about Forever, although they are getting better at it.

I also finally got around to writting to Bobby Hull and sent him this sweet vintage looking puck, which he signed in silver paint pen. I sent the puck to him care of the Blackhawks and was returned to me in about 2 months. Glad I could knock Hull off my list of 500 Goal Scorers. Need to look at the list and see who else I can send a puck to. I was thinking of sending a puck to Jagar. Hopefully, he signs.

Lest We Forget....Bobbleheads!

As of late, I realize I have been blogging more about my love for all things pop culture, then my love for sports. But make no mistake, I am still a collector of all things Yankees, Jets, Devils and Knicks. I have been picking up cards here and there as well as autographs that I will show off in upcoming blogs. With baseball season soon to be here, I am very excited about the possibilty of a Yankee World Series.

But today, this is not about the Yankees. This is about bobbleheads. More specific, new adds to my bobblehead collection.

I haven't added any new pieces in quite a long time. That changed recently with a gift and 2 ebay purchases, both of which were absolute steals. I mean, highway robbery. I paid a lot less than what I have seen these bobbles go for on ebay and I am quite happy to own them.

First, we get to the gift.

A buddy of mine in my baseball card team collectors group sent this to me. Me being the non-politcal guy I am, had no idea where this particular bobble came from. I knew it was George W. Bush, but wasnt sure which team gave this out and when. A quick google search told me it was a SGA from the Rochester Red Wings back on 7/22/2002. It's a nice bobble, but again, I am not a politcal guy, so I am not sure if it will be up for trade at some point or, being that it is a gift, I will hold on to it.

Next, we come to the first bobble I bought off of ebay for a whopping 5 bucks dlvd. 99 cents for the bobble, 4.99 shipping. It's a Kerry Jenkins New York Jets SGA Knucklehead Bobble. I'm not sure of the date on the actual give away. I ran a search on it and came up with nothing. All I know is the Jets give the fans in attendance a voucher to pick up the bobbles at participating P.C. Richards in New York and New Jersey and the race is on. I'm not sure if the bobbles were limited, but I have heard of fans getting shut out on these.

I've never really been a fan of Knucklehead bobbles. The likeness on these to the players are not the best and I really hate how they make the players look like they are wearing clown shoes. I have seen Yankee Knucklehead bobbles and have held off from picking any up, even though there are a few players I would like to have in my bobblehead collection. Ever see the Randy Johnson one? Scary.

So far, I have just these 2. The Sanchez was the first one I picked up. I will be going for the set eventually, since these are really the only Jets bobbles I see aside from the Forever bobbles and the few Alexander Global bobbles I see. This set will eventually be mine.

I will post once the 2nd bobble arrives. I'm expecting it within a few days.

Mego Mondays-The Joker

For today's Mego Monday, I am showcasing one of my favorite Mego figures in my collection, The Joker.

This is a figure I never had growing up, but had to have once I started collecting loose Mogo figures. I mean, Batman has to have an arch nemisis to battle. yes, I know that Mego also produced Penguin, Riddler and Catwoman figures, but to me, The Joker is the quintessental Batman villian. He is a must for any Batman/Mego collector.

What I love about this figure right off the bat is the sculpture of the head. It screams classic Joker. The smile, the hair, right down to Jokers pointy chin. The clothes that Mego outfitted the Joker in is just perfect. The colors of purple, yellow and green just jump out at you. even the brown shoes they put on him is a nice touch. This is one of those figures that Mego did right, down to the last detail. Luckily, the Joker I was able to buy has all original clothing and shoes.

Mego also released a Fist Fighting Joker as well as a Joker Mobile, which was a van with all the tricks you would expect the Joker to have like a huge fist and a squirt gun. A Joker mini Comic Action Hero and bank were also produced. These fetch a nice chunk of change on ebay. I do hope to add at least the Joker Mobile at some point to my WGSH Mego collection.

Joker is just one of those Megos that is just about the perfect figure. Mego was able to produce a lot of figures that you could call the perfect figure. Spider-Man, Superman, Green Arrow, Penguin, Green Goblin and Lizard all come to mind when I think about that discription along with the Joker. The Joker is one of those figures that looks great on any shelf. If your a collector of Batman or Mego or vintage toys, this is a must own for your collection. I'm glad I have one.

Things That Made Me Go Whoa!

This week, the League of Extraordinary Bloggers had but one simple mission. Write a blog about the things that made you go whoa. I've seen a lot in my 40 years on this earth and I considered few, like the Tim Burton Batman or the first time I saw Star Wars as a kid in the theaters. But instead, I went with these three that, as Darrell Sheets of Storage Wars would say, had the "Wow" factor for me.

First up for me is the the movie that is still the standard of all Superhero movies, Superman The Movie. While, Supes is not one of my favorite heroes, this movie is definitely one of my all time favorites. The film was well written, wonderfully acted and still stands the test of time. What got me as a kid was seeing Superman fly. It wasn't the George Reeves bounce on a trampoline 195o's style. He actually lifted off the ground. As a kid, seeing this blew me away.

Christopher Reeve's portrayal as Superman/Clark Kent remains the definitive one. He was terrific as the Man of Steel and equally great as Clark Kent, managing to totally separate the two with different styles of acting. Reeves played Superman as the quintessential good guy. The guy who you couldn't corrupt and you believed he really stood for truth, justice and the American way while playing Clark as a dorky, clumsy, reporter. He nailed what mild mannered was supposed to be. Plus, he showed his acting chops when he displayed rage, sadness and love all at once over the death of Lois Lane. The producers initially didn't go with Reeve as Superman because he was too skinny and not a known actor. They tried to get people like Robert Redford, Sly Stallone, Paul Newman, Charles Bronson (Charles Bronson?? Really?? Can you image him as Superman? Hey, scumbag. Drop the cash.). Thankfully, after bulking up a bit, Reeves got the part and the rest is history.

Any kudos to Reeve's performance has to have some left over for Gene Hackman's comedic performance as Lex Luthor. A bit over the top, yes, but it worked. Hackman, played Luthor as an intellectual smartass, but you knew this guy was pure evil. Surrounding himself with the beautiful Miss Tessmacher and the oafish Otis, Luthor set out to destroy California for real estate purposes with the use of nuclear missiles, one was aimed at California and the other was aimed at toward New Jersey. Superman could only save one and Luthor knew that. Luthor also managed to secure a bit of Kryponite to kill Superman. This was not a nice guy. Hackman's Luthor was obviously the basis for Kevin Spacey's Luthor in Superman Returns.

Superman The Movie had my jaw open throughout the whole movie. It was the first Superhero motion picture and in someways, still remains the best ever made.

My next wow moment, and probably my biggest one, came along in late 2001. Anyone who knows me knows Spider-Man is my favorite superhero (Batman being 1B). If you go back in my blogs, you can see the two shelves I have of Spider-Man stuff. So, you all can imagine the excitement I had when I saw this online



I was thrilled, tickled pink, beside myself with excitement and any other word you want to throw out there to describe how I felt that Spidey was finally coming to the big screen. Spider-Man had been trying to get on screen for years. In 1986, Cannon Pictures was supposed to have a Spider-Man movie with Michael Bean playing Spider-man and Tobie Hooper directing it, but never materialized. Then James Cameron had a script ready in the 90's and wanted Leonardo DeCaprio for the part and that was never done. Finally, Sam Rami bought it to the silver screen with Tobey Maguire as Spidey.

Spider-Man is not the greatest movie, I will admit (I think part 2 is a better picture). I never liked Kristen Dunst as Mary Jane nor was I fond of the armor Green Goblin had. He looked like a Power Ranger in this movie. But Wilem Dafoe's chilling performance as Gobby made up for it. Also, James Franco did a great job as Harry Osborne as did Rosemary Harris as Aunt May and J.K. Simmons as J.Jonah Jameson.

I was just happy that Spidey was finally getting a movie. I was at the first showing with my buddy when it opened and I had the biggest, cheesiest grin on my face through out the movie. It was so big it should have been surgically removed to get it off my face However, Spider-man 3 did that for me.

The last thing that made me go whoa happened in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS between the Boston Red Sox and my New York Yankees. I'm one of the biggest Yankees fans around and have been since I was a five year old. I saw Chris Chambliss send the Yankees into the World Series back in 1976, but was too young to appreciate the magnitude of that moment. I saw Bucky Dent's Home Run in the one game playoff between The Red Sox and Yankees back in 1978, but that only sent the Yankees into the playoffs. Aaron Boone did Chambliss one better.

The Yankees and Red Sox started their ace's for this game. Pedro Martinez for Boston and Roger Clemens for NY. The series was already highly emotional thanks to the bench clearing brawl between the two teams in Game 3 when Pedro first threw at Kariem Garcia and then Manny Ramirez charging the mound when Clemens pitched inside. That was also the game that Pedro tossed Don Zimmer to the ground, earning the wrath of not just Yankee fans, but people all over for tossing a man 40 years his senior to the ground. Heck, even the Fenway grounds crew got in it with the Yankee bullpen later in the game.

Clemens was out of the game by the 4th inning after giving up 4 runs. Mike Mussina relieved him and pitched 3 innings of shutout ball. By the 8th inning, it was 5-2 Boston. Pedro, dispite giving up 2 solo shots to Jason Giambi, was pitching a good game, but was tiring. He gave up a double to Derek Jeter and a single to Bernie Williams. At that point, Boston Manager, Grady Little came out. Dispite having a left handed Alan Embry ready to pitch to Hideki Matsui, he allowed Pedro to convince him he can continue. That move cost Little his job in Boston as Pedro gave up a double to Matsui and a bloop double to Jorge Posada to tie the game at 5. No one else scored until Aaron Boone came up in the bottom of the 11th when Aaron Boone launched the first pitch he saw from Boston pitcher Tim Wakefield into the October night to send the Yankees to the World Series.

I was watching the game at home with my mom and kid sister. After the 9th, my mom went to bed and my kid sister stayed with me to watch the game. I was on the edge of my seat after each half inning when no one scored. When Boone came up, I told my sister it's over. That was something that was said instinctly. I didn't even think about it when I blurted it out. Before my sister could respond, Boone had swung and was going up the first base line with his arms out stretched. I was jumping up and down in my living room like I had just hit the home run myself, much to my sister's amusement. To this day, I'm shocked I didn't wake y mom or the downstairs neighbor didn't bang the their ceiling with a broom to quiet me down. All I know is I was ecstatic that my Yankees were going to the World Series in one of the most dramatic fashions in Yankee history ending one of the most emotionally charged series in baseball history.

As you can see, each one of these events caused a level of excitement that no other event had. I'm sure the rest of the League members have different events that rushed the beat of their hearts like the three events I wrote about and I look forward to reading all about them. If you'd like to check out the other blogs, you can find a list of all the blogs here:http://coolandcollected.com/the-league-of-extraordinary-bloggers/league-members/. Tell them the Sexy Geek sent ya.

Haulin From This Past Weekend

Haven't been able to post up a blog this week as work has been hetic lately. My company is a black hole and likes to suck up smaller companies so when it consumes a company, that's more work for us little people. My main function is to process expense reports and cut the checks for the employee. We now have 5 companies, so that's 5 diffrent sets of checks I have to cut. Takes a lot of time going through the reports and going after the employees that are missing reciepts and whatnot. But, I am happy to say I am finally all caught up with the checks.

This past Saturday, My buddy and I went up to Poughkepsie, NY just to get out of the NYC area. Poughkepsie has some nice stores I don't have near me like a Dragon's Den comic shop and a Big Lots as well as the usual Toys R Us, Target and Wal-Mart stores. Nothing really intrested me and the stuff that did was too pricey for my liking. I wasn't willing to pay 15.99 for a Marvel Legends Iron Man figure, although I probably will sooner than later cause I do want it, as well as the new 8 inch Avengers figures. I had Iron Man, Captain America and Thor in my grubby mitts, but at 12.99 per, I put those back as well.

We went into a Salvation Army before lunch. There was the usual video tapes and crappy toys and books I could find around my area. I normally skip by the glasses and dishes, but for some reason decided to take a peek. To my shock, I found 2 glasses I was keeping an eye on ebay right on the shelves in great condidtion. Naturally, I scooped them up.

I've been picking up a couple of vintage New York Jets items as of late and was eyeballing this glass on ebay. I love coke glasses, so I really wanted this one featuring the old green helmet. I've been seening them on ebay for anywhere from 7.00 to 20.00 with about 5.99 shipping. I paid 2 bucks at the thrift store.

This one was a complete shock to find. It was hidden in the middle of a bunch of glasses, but I knew what it was as soon as I saw it. I remember these Burger King glasses from when I was a kid and never owned one. Burger King released glasses from all 3 movies. I have been wanting a few since I decided to start a Star Wars collection of just New Hope, Empire and Return. I was looking at a few of these not too long ago on ebay and the prices were similar to the prices I saw for the Jets; anywhere from 7.00 to 20.00 with 5.99 shipping. And like the Jets glass, I paid 2 bucks for it. Plus it's of my favorite Star Wars character, Luke Skywalker.

I picked up this Jets puzzle for a buck at the Dollar Tree that was right next door to the thrift shop.

There isn't a Hobby Lobby in the NYC area. We only have Michaels. There maybe an AC Moore somewhere around in Jersey or Long Island, but I never been in a Hobby Lobby before. Not much diffrent from Michaels. The only aisle we were concerned with was the model kit aisle. Not that I can put together a model, cause I can't. And painting might as well be rocket science to me. If I buy a model kit, I usually keep it in the box and on the shelf, like I have with the Aurora Spider-Man reissue kit or my Monkees Mobile. This model is one I will put together

I have been looking for this snap kit of the 1966 Batmobile for sometime. As you might have gathered from my previous post, I'm a huge fan of the 1966 Batmobile and try to grab as much merchandise of it as I can. I just started grabbing stuff recently. I'll post a blog dedicated to my 1966 Batmobiles at some point.

Here it is with a Deluxe Batmobile model kit I bought last year and haven't put it together as of yet. I really need to either hire someone to put it together or attempt it myself. I have some of the Johnny Lighting Batmobile model kits that came out awhile back that I'd love to have put together at some point cause they all would look great on a shelf.

I really lucked out. I never really find anything good when I hit a thrift store and I never thought I'd finally find the Batmobile model kit either. It's nice that I could pick up some vintage/throwback goodies for my collections.