Thursday, January 26, 2023

Bullet Train

An over the top action romp, Bullet Train is an ensemble cast of well known actors all performing in this high octane film. Brad Pitt leads as a hitman wanting to retire getting caught up in the hijinks going on in a bullet train traveling through Japan. Alongside him are Joey King as a manipulative Russian assassin, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Bryan Tyree Henry as twin assassins who argue constantly over Thomas the Tank Engine, and Hiroyuki Sanada a mysterious old man with connections to the Yakuza. Adapted from a Japanese novel, so while certain characters' races are changed, it at least makes up for it by having a very diverse cast. The writing from Zac Olkewics is fun even if it doesn't offer that much new and is very similar to many other action movies, but between the well written characters and David Leitch's direction you don't really notice and just enjoy having a good time with his mix of Tarantino and Ritchie. You'd think with such a confined space most of the time in the train that the action would be stale, but between the production design, Jonathan Sela's cinematography, and the editing from Elisabet Ronaldsdottir it manages to be energetic, inventive, and exiting. Bullet Train is one of those movies that prove that even if you've already seen something like it before, it doesn't mean that there isn't a way to enjoy it. Over all: 88%
2022 top list so far:
1. Top Gun: Maverick
2. The Black Phone
3. Nope
4. The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
5. The Northman
6. The Batman
7. Lightyear
8. Dog
9. Everything Everywhere All at Once
10. X 2022
11. Scream 2022
12. Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness
13. Bullet Train
14. Thor: Love and Thunder
15. Jurassic World: Dominion
16. Sonic the Hedgehog 2
17. Uncharted

Thursday, January 19, 2023

Top 10 Moments From My First to Third Ten Sets of Comics

First Set:
1. Supergirl's death in Crisis on Infinite Earths.
2. The Ghost Patrol always humiliating the Nazis in The Comic Cavalcade: Archives Volume 1.
3. The Fourth Doctor's appearance in Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who: Assimilation2.
4. Batman and Superman's fight in The Dark Knight Returns.
5. The Hulk's death in Old Man Logan.
6. The villains killing off Falcone in Batman: The Long Halloween.
7. Jason's weekly life in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 2016 Annual #1.
7. The unnamed narrator plotting to kill Batman in An Innocent Guy.
8. Finding Captain America in Marvel Masterworks: The Avengers Vol. 1.
9. Batman's enemies revealed to be mutated in Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5.
10. Alpha growing big in Justice League/Power Rangers #5.
Honorable Mentions:
Punisher refusing to fight back against Captain America in Civil War.
Goldar's backstory in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 2016 Annual #1.
The Rangers confront Batman for the first time in Justice League/Power Rangers #1.
The Flash's sacrifice in Crisis on Infinite Earths.

Second Set:
1. The death of Gwen Stacy in Spider-Man: Death of the Stacys.
2. Captain Marvel seeing through Shazam's Cerberus illusion in DC Comics Presents: Shazam! #2.
3. Doctor Octopus hijacking a plane in Spider-Man: Death of the Stacys.
4. The Doctor preventing a fight in an alien diner in Doctor Who: Free Comic Book Day 2018.
4. Mister Mind tricking the Marvels into believing he grew giant in DC Comics Presents: Shazam! #1.
5. The destruction of Fairfield in DC Comics Presents: Shazam! #1.
6. The Necronomicon summoning an undead Deadite army against the Marvel zombies in Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness.
7. Krang's defeat in Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Crisis in a Half Shell #6.
8. The Laughing Man becoming the Joker in Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Crisis in a Half Shell #4.
9. Batman meeting the Flashpoint version of his father in Batman/The Flash: The Button.
10. Wonder Woman using the Lasso of Truth on herself in Wonder Woman: Rebirth (2016) #1.
Honorable Mentions:
The altered origins of Batman and the Turtles at the beginning of Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Crisis in a Half Shell #3.
The opening chase and fight sequence from Free Comic Book Day 2018: James Bond 007-VARGR.
Zim's blob taking over and then restoring Earth in Free Comic Book Day 2018 Invader Zim: Floopsy Bloops Schmoopsy.
The death of Captain Stacy in Spider-Man: Death of the Stacys.
The reveal of Krang using the Anti-Monitor's body as a suit at the end of Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Crisis in a Half Shell #1.

Third Set:
1. The image of Doctor Doom weeping over the remains of the World Trade Center in The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 #36.
2. Lana's letter finally inspiring Clark to become Superman at the end of Action Comics Vol. 1 #800.
3. Hal Jordan's failed attempt at recreating Coast City in Green Lantern Vol. 3 #48.
4. Clark waking up to having powers in Superman: Secret Identity #1 (of 4).
5. Ted Kord's death at the end of Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1.
6. The early history of the Watchers in Fantastic Four: Reckoning War Alpha #1.
7. Green Arrow confronting Argy in DC Retroactive: Green Lantern - The 70s #1.
8. Darkseid escaping and killing the Quintessence at the end of Infinite Frontier #0.
9. Green Lantern realizing he made a mistake protecting a slumlord in Green Lantern Vol. 2 #76.
10. Zordon pleading to the Emissaries in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers FCBD 2018 Shattered Grid Special.
Honorable Mentions:
Ignatz being fooled by a music box actually having Krazy inside singing in The George Herriman Library: Krazy & Ignatz 1916-1918.
Gertrude killing the writers of Image Comics in Free Comic Book Day 2017 I Hate Image.
Wolverine and Conan the Barbarian's fight in Savage Avengers Vol. 1 #1.
Paul and Jimmy witnessing the Golden Age Atom and Sandman fighting mobsters in DC Universe: Legacies #1.

Overall:
1. The image of Doctor Doom weeping over the remains of the World Trade Center in The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 #36.
2. Lana's letter finally inspiring Clark to become Superman at the end of Action Comics Vol. 1 #800.
3. Supergirl's death in Crisis on Infinite Earths.
4. The death of Gwen Stacy in Spider-Man: Death of the Stacys.
5. Hal Jordan's failed attempt at recreating Coast City in Green Lantern Vol. 3 #48.
6. Clark waking up to having powers in Superman: Secret Identity #1 (of 4).
7. Captain Marvel seeing through Shazam's Cerberus illusion in DC Comics Presents: Shazam! #2.
8. The Ghost Patrol always humiliating the Nazis in The Comic Cavalcade: Archives Volume 1.
9. The Fourth Doctor's appearance in Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who: Assimilation2.
10. Batman and Superman's fight in The Dark Knight Returns.
Honorable Mentions:
The Hulk's death in Old Man Logan.
Darkseid escaping and killing the Quintessence at the end of Infinite Frontier #0.
Zordon pleading to the Emissaries in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers FCBD 2018 Shattered Grid Special.
Alpha growing big in Justice League/Power Rangers #5.
The Necronomicon summoning an undead Deadite army against the Marvel zombies in Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness.

Top 10 First to Third Sets of Comic Book Events/Volumes As A Whole

First Set:
1. Free Comic Book Day: Bongo Comics Free For All 2017
2. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
3. Free Comic Book Day: All New Guardians of the Galaxy 2017
4. Justice League/Power Rangers
5. An Innocent Guy
6. Batman: The Killing Joke
7. Batman: The Long Halloween
8. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 2016 Annual #1
9. Deadpool Kills series
10. Crisis on Infinite Earths
Honorable Mentions:
Star Trek/Planet of the Apes: The Primate Directive
Old Man Logan
Cartoon Network Super Secret Crisis War
Marvel Masterworks: The Avengers Vol. 1
The Comic Cavalcade: Archives Volume 1

Second Set:
1. Doctor Who: Free Comic Book Day 2018
2. Spider-Man: Death of the Stacys
3. Howard the Duck Vol. 1
4. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II and III
5. Deadpool Kills Deadpool
6. DC Comics Presents: Shazam! collections
7. Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness
8. The Tick: Free Comic Book Day 2018
9. Free Comic Book Day 2018: James Bond-VARGR
10. Free Comic Book Day 2018 Invader Zim: Floopsy Bloops Schmoopsy
Honorable Mentions:
Wonder Woman Vol. 5
Ant-Man Vol. 1
The Unworthy Thor

Third Set:
1. The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2
2. Superman: Secret Identity
3. Green Lantern: Emerald Twilight
4. Power Rangers: Shattered Grid
5. The George Herriman Library: Krazy & Ignatz
6. Countdown to Infinite Crisis
7. Reckoning War
8. Superman vs. Predator
9. Savage Avengers Vol. 1
10. Action Comics Vol. 1
Honorable Mentions:
Aliens: Dead Orbit
Free Comic Book Day 2018: 2000 A.D. Regened
Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Vol. 2
Tintin in the Land of the Soviets

Overall:
1. The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2
2. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles trilogy
3. Spider-Man: Death of the Stacys
4. Superman: Secret Identity
5. Green Lantern: Emerald Twilight
6. Power Rangers: Shattered Grid
7. The George Herriman Library: Krazy & Ignatz
8. Countdown to Infinite Crisis
9. Free Comic Book Day: All New Guardians of the Galaxy 2017
10. Justice League/Power Rangers
Honorable Mentions:
Batman: The Killing Joke
Deadpool Kills trilogy
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness

Wednesday, January 18, 2023

Top 10 Comics From My First to Third Ten Sets Of Comics

First Set:
1. Justice League/Power Rangers #6
2. Free Comic Book Day: Bongo Comics Free For All 2017
3. Justice League/Power Rangers #5
4. Free Comic Book Day: All New Guardians of the Galaxy 2017
5. Deadpool Killustrated
6. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #6
7. Civil War: Choosing Sides Vol. 1 #1
8. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #4
9. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #3
10. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #2
Honorable Mentions:
Batman: The Killing Joke
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers 2016 Annual #1
Crisis on Infinite Earths
Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who: Assimilation2

Second Set:
1. Doctor Who: Free Comic Book Day 2018
2. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Crisis in a Half Shell #6
3. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Crisis in a Half Shell #5
4. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Crisis in a Half Shell #4
5. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Crisis in a Half Shell #3
6. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Crisis in a Half Shell #1
7. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Crisis in a Half Shell #2
8. DC Comics Presents: Shazam! #2
9. Spider-Man: Death of the Stacys
10. Howard the Duck Vol. 1 #1
Honorable Mentions:Deadpool Kills Deadpool
Marvel Zombies vs. The Army of Darkness
The Tick: Free Comic Book Day 2018
Free Comic Book Day 2018 Invader Zim: Floopsy Bloops Shmoopsy
The Adventures of Superman Vol. 1 #500

Third Set:
1. The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 #36
2. Superman: Secret Identity #1 (of 4)
3. Green Lantern Vol. 3 #48
4. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers FCBD 2018 Shattered Grid Special
5. The George Herriman Library: Krazy & Ignatz 1916-1918
6. Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1
7. Fantastic Four: Reckoning War Alpha #1
8. Superman vs. Predator
9. Savage Avengers Vol. 1 #1
10. Action Comics Vol. 1 #800
Honorable Mentions:
Aliens: Dead Orbit #1
Free Comic Book Day 2018: Riverdale
DC Universe: Legacies #1
Free Comic Book Day 2017 I Hate Image

Overall:
1. The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 #36
2. Doctor Who: Free Comic Book Day 2018
3. Justice League/Power Rangers #6
4. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Crisis in a Half Shell #6
5. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Crisis in a Half Shell #5
6. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Crisis in a Half Shell #4
7. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Crisis in a Half Shell #3
8. Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles III: Crisis in a Half Shell #1
9. Superman: Secret Identity #1 (of 4)
10. Green Lantern Vol. 3 #48
Honorable Mentions:
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers FCBD 2018 Shattered Grid Special
Free Comic Book Day: Bongo Comics Free For All 2017
Justice League/Power Rangers #5
The George Herriman Library: Krazy & Ignatz 1916-1918
Spider-Man: Death of the Stacys

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Top 10 Moments From My Third Ten Sets of Comics

1. The image of Doctor Doom weeping over the remains of the World Trade Center in The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 #36.
2. Lana's letter finally inspiring Clark to become Superman at the end of Action Comics Vol. 1 #800.
3. Hal Jordan's failed attempt at recreating Coast City in Green Lantern Vol. 3 #48.
4. Clark waking up to having powers in Superman: Secret Identity #1 (of 4).
5. Ted Kord's death at the end of Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1.
6. The early history of the Watchers in Fantastic Four: Reckoning War Alpha #1.
7. Green Arrow confronting Argy in DC Retroactive: Green Lantern - The 70s #1.
8. Darkseid escaping and killing the Quintessence at the end of Infinite Frontier #0.
9. Green Lantern realizing he made a mistake protecting a slumlord in Green Lantern Vol. 2 #76.
10. Zordon pleading to the Emissaries in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers FCBD 2018 Shattered Grid Special.
Honorable Mentions:
Superman and the Predator working together to take down the terrorists in Superman vs. Predator.
Tony's change in life in Iron Man Vol. 6 #1.
Ignatz being fooled by a music box actually having Krazy inside singing in The George Herriman Library: Krazy & Ignatz 1916-1918.
Gertrude killing the writers of Image Comics in Free Comic Book Day 2017 I Hate Image.
Wolverine and Conan the Barbarian's fight in Savage Avengers Vol. 1 #1.
Viv Vision revealed to be working with C.R.A.D.L.E. at the end of Champions Vol. 4 #1.
Paul and Jimmy witnessing the Golden Age Atom and Sandman fighting mobsters in DC Universe: Legacies #1.
Abra Kadabra escaping prison in DC First: Flash/Superman #1.
Davis One choosing to break his protocol in Aliens: Defiance #1.
Cloned Velociraptors accidentally set free during a sporting event in the Cadet Dredd story of Free Comic Book Day 2018: 2000 A.D. Regened.
Tintin and Snowy given a hero's welcome to Belgium at the end of Tintin in the Land of the Soviets.
Adam Strange taking on a giant alien pendulum in Showcase Vol. 1 #17.
Namor taking over a lighthouse in Marvel Comics #1.
Kang and Kodos fighting Cletus and his family in the Hillbilly Abductshun story in Free Comic Book Day: Bongo Comics Free For All 2018.

Sunday, January 15, 2023

Revised Overall Ratings of Third Sets of Comic Book Events/Volumes As A Whole

1. The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2-100%
2. Superman: Secret Identity-100%
3. Green Lantern: Emerald Twilight-100%
4. Power Rangers: Shattered Grid-100%
5. The George Herriman Library: Krazy & Ignatz-99%
6. Countdown to Infinite Crisis-98%
7. Reckoning War-98%
8. Superman vs. Predator-95%
9. Savage Avengers Vol. 1-94%
10. Action Comics Vol. 1-94%
11. Aliens: Dead Orbit-94%
12. DC First-92%
13. Aliens: Defiance-92%
14. Iron Man Vol. 6-90%
15. Free Comic Book Day 2018: 2000 A.D. Regened-90%
16. DC Universe: Legacies-90%
17. Free Comic Book Day 2017 I Hate Image-90%
18. Shang-Chi Vol. 1: Brothers & Sisters-88%
19. Champions Vol. 4-88%
20. Infinite Frontier-82%
21. Green Lantern Vol. 2-81%
22. DC Retroactive: Green Lantern-81%
23. Star Wars: Doctor Aphra Vol. 2-81%
24. Showcase Vol. 1-75%
25. Free Comic Book Day: Riverdale-72%
26. Spider-Man: Planet of the Symbiotes-72%
27. Tintin in the Land of the Soviets-70%
28. Werewolf By Night Vol. 3-69%
29. Free Comic Book Day: Bongo Comics Free For All-67%
30. Marvel Mystery Comics-63%

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Revised Overall Ratings of My Third Ten Sets Of Comics

1. The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 #36-100%
2. Superman: Secret Identity #1 (of 4)-100%
3. Green Lantern Vol. 3 #48-100%
4. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers FCBD 2018 Shattered Grid Special-100%
5. The George Herriman Library: Krazy & Ignatz 1916-1918-99%
6. Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1-98%
7. Fantastic Four: Reckoning War Alpha #1-98%
8. Superman vs. Predator-95%
9. Savage Avengers (2019-) #1-94%
10. Action Comics Vol. 1 #800-94%
11. Aliens: Dead Orbit #1-94%
12. DC First: Flash/Superman #1-92%
13. Aliens: Defiance #1-92%
14. Iron Man (2020-) #1-90%
15. Free Comic Book Day 2018: Riverdale-90%
16. Free Comic Book Day 2018: 2000 A.D. Regened-90%
17. DC Universe: Legacies #1-90%
18. Free Comic Book Day 2017 I Hate Image-90%
19. Shang-Chi (2020-2021) #1 (of 5): Brothers & Sister Part One-88%
20. Champions (2020-) #1-88%
21. Infinite Frontier (2021) #0-82%
22. Green Lantern Vol. 2 #76-81%
23. DC Retroactive: Green Lantern - The 70s #1-81%
24. Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2020-) #1-81%
25. Showcase (1956-1978) #17-75%
26. The Amazing Spider-Man Super Special #1-72%
27. Tintin in the Land of the Soviets-70%
28. Werewolf By Night (2020-) #1 (of 4)-69%
29. Free Comic Book Day: Bongo Comics Free For All 2018-67%
30. Free Comic Book Day 2017: Riverdale-64%
31. Marvel Comics (1939) #1-63%

Green Lantern Vol. 3 #48

Green Lantern Vol. 3 #48, also having the title Emerald Twilight, Part One: The Past, is an interesting comic. The issue sees Green Lantern Hal Jordan dealing with the destruction of his home, Coast City, after the events of Reign of the Supermen. Dealing with the grief of his home gone and everyone he knew dead, Jordan tries to recreate the entire city and populace with his ring's power. Doing so causes one of Guardians of the Universe to contact and scold him for the abuse of power, to which Hal becomes enraged and vows to head to Oa to absorb as much power to permanently recreate what he lost. At the time this comic came out, the idea of Green Lantern going mad and becoming a villain was considered rather gimmicky due to DC also killing Superman and breaking Batman's back for a little while. However, the writing for this intro to this storyline from Ron Marz does a remarkable job at justifying the hero's turn to darkness. The grief, guilt, and desperation he feels is handled well especially as the projections of the loved ones he creates tell him it's not healthy for him to do so. He just lost everything, is standing in a crater of his old city, and a Guardian scolds him for how he dealt with his loss. What's great about Marz's writing is that most of it is filled with dialogue and some narration, and all of it is just beautiful and greatly sets up the next two parts of the story. Though one drawback to that being Albert DeGuzman's lettering, which, while being well done with the narration, fills up the panels with a lot of dialogue. But it doesn't undermine the great artwork, what with its careful and precise detail that isn't very distracting for a comic from the 90s. All thanks to the pencilling, inking, and coloring of Bill Willingham, Romeo Tanghai, Robert Campanella, and Anthony Tollin. If there's one thing that Green Lantern Vol. 3 #48 does well is have a good start to the Emerald Twilight storyline. Over all: 100%
Top list so far for 3rd set of comics:
1. The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 #36
2. Superman: Secret Identity #1 (of 4)
3. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers FCBD 2018 Shattered Grid Special
4. Green Lantern Vol. 3 #48
5. The George Herriman Library: Krazy & Ignatz 1916-1918
6. Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1
7. Fantastic Four: Reckoning War Alpha #1
8. Superman vs. Predator
9. Savage Avengers (2019-) #1
10. Action Comics Vol. 1 #800
11. Aliens: Dead Orbit #1
12. DC First: Flash/Superman #1
13. Aliens: Defiance #1
14. Iron Man (2020-) #1
15. Free Comic Book Day 2018: Riverdale
16. Free Comic Book Day 2018: 2000 A.D. Regened
17. DC Universe: Legacies #1
18. Free Comic Book Day 2017 I Hate Image
19. Shang-Chi (2020-2021) #1 (of 5): Brothers & Sisters Part One
20. Champions (2020-) #1
21. Infinite Frontier (2021) #0
22. Green Lantern Vol. 2 #76
23. DC Retroactive: Green Lantern - The 70s #1
24. Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2020-) #1
25. Showcase (1956-1978) #17
26. The Amazing Spider-Man Super Special #1
27. Tintin in the Land of the Soviets
28. Werewolf By Night (2020-) #1 (of 4)
29. Free Comic Book Day: Bongo Comics Free For All 2018
30. Free Comic Book Day 2017: Riverdale
31. Marvel Comics (1939) #1

Wednesday, January 11, 2023

The Amazing Spider-Man Super Special #1

Set during the events of The Clone Saga and the first chapter of the Planet of the Symbiotes arc, The Amazing Spider-Man Super Special #1 sees the story begin with both Spider-Man and Venom dealing with their own issues. Spider-Man is fighting Neo-Luddite terrorists intent on destroying a new device as Venom appears to help him. During the fight, Spider-Man wonders if Eddie has changed and notices that he and the symbiote don't seem to work together. As one of the terrorists get away with one of the new weapons, Spider-Man captures the others while Venom flees the scene. Back home, Peter wonders about what the relationship between Eddie and the symbiote is like as he investigates the terrorists. When Eddie begins to question the relationship, the symbiote emits a psychic wail that certain people feel, including a comatose Cletus Kasady and soon after a ship full of symbiotes lands on Earth. The writing from David Michelinie is quite good, especially in setting up the rest of the story arc, though often filled with too much exposition. It doesn't help in how certain panels, Bill Oakley's lettering takes up a large amount of them but not too much. Being a comic from mid-90s Marvel, the artwork is only slightly what you expect, often being overly detailed but not too much and only making characters like Eddie Brock be overly bulky. Dave Hoover, Ralph Cabrera, and Tom Smith all did a good, though not perfect, job with the penciling, inking, and coloring. The Amazing Spider-Man Super Special #1 is a really good comic to pick up, especially considering the infamous arc it's set during. Over all: 98%
Top list so far for 3rd set of comics:
1. The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 #36
2. Superman: Secret Identity #1 (of 4)
3. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers FCBD 2018 Shattered Grid Special
4. The George Herriman Library: Krazy & Ignatz 1916-1918
5. Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1
6. Fantastic Four: Reckoning War Alpha #1
7. Superman vs. Predator
8. Savage Avengers (2019-) #1
9. Action Comics Vol. 1 #800
10. Aliens: Dead Orbit #1
11. DC First: Flash/Superman #1
12. Aliens: Defiance #1
13. Iron Man (2020-) #1
14. Free Comic Book Day 2018: Riverdale
15. Free Comic Book Day 2018: 2000 A.D. Regened
16. DC Universe: Legacies #1
17. Free Comic Book Day 2017 I Hate Image
18. Shang-Chi (2020-2021) #1 (of 5): Brothers & Sisters Part One
19. Champions (2020-) #1
20. Infinite Frontier (2021) #0
21. Green Lantern Vol. 2 #76
22. DC Retroactive: Green Lantern - The 70s #1
23. Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2020-) #1
24. Showcase (1956-1978) #17
25. The Amazing Spider-Man Super Special #1
26. Tintin in the Land of the Soviets
27. Werewolf By Night (2020-) #1 (of 4)
28. Free Comic Book Day: Bongo Comics Free For All 2018
29. Free Comic Book Day 2017: Riverdale
30. Marvel Comics (1939) #1

Thursday, January 5, 2023

The George Herriman Library: Krazy & Ignatz 1916-18

Collecting the first appearances of Krazy Kat in 1913 before getting his own full-page Sunday strips in 1916, The George Herriman Library: Crazy & Ignatz 1916-1918 is over two years worth of inventive writing and witty comedy. George Herriman was an American cartoonist from the early to mid 20th century, with some of his pre-1913 work also featured, whose best known work was the recurring strip Krazy Kat for William Randolph Hearst's New York Evening Journal. The series centered around a carefree and simple-minded cat named Krazy and a cast of other anthropomorphic animals in a small little town based on Herriman's vacation spot in Coconino County, Arizona. Krazy saw a rambunctious and short-tempered mouse named Ignatz as his best friend despite the mouse not liking him and frequently throwing bricks at his head. The stories in the strips were simple, considering the time period, but the exquisite artwork, detailed characterization, and inventive gags all by Herriman give it a very timeless feel. Some of these stories include Ignatz going crazy from not throwing bricks at Krazy as part of a New Years resolution, Krazy keeping an eye for foreign enemies during World War 1, and Krazy visiting a sick Ignatz. The strips are fun, but considering when they were made, some things haven't aged as well such as one character written in a stereotypical Asian way of the time but is at least respected and isn't criminalized. Another is the abuse that Ignatz often inflicts on Krazy, despite the cat's obliviousness, which could often get old quickly. Despite these faults, I can understand how the collection in The George Herriman Library: Krazy & Ignatz 1916-1918 is such an influence to later comic strips due to how fun and engaging they are. Over all: 100%
Top list so far for 3rd set of comics:
1. The Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 2 #36
2. Superman: Secret Identity #1 (of 4)
3. Mighty Morphin Power Rangers FCBD 2018 Shattered Grid Special
4. The George Herriman Library: Krazy & Ignatz 1916-1918
5. Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1
6. Fantastic Four: Reckoning War Alpha #1
7. Superman vs. Predator
8. Savage Avengers (2019-) #1
9. Action Comics Vol. 1 #800
10. Aliens: Dead Orbit #1
11. DC First: Flash/Superman #1
12. Aliens: Defiance #1
13. Iron Man (2020-) #1
14. Free Comic Book Day 2018: Riverdale
15. Free Comic Book Day 2018: 2000 A.D. Regened
16. DC Universe: Legacies #1
17. Free Comic Book Day 2017 I Hate Image
18. Shang-Chi (2020-2021) #1 (of 5): Brothers & Sisters Part One
19. Champions (2020-) #1
20. Infinite Frontier (2021) #0
21. Green Lantern Vol. 2 #76
22. DC Retroactive: Green Lantern - The 70s #1
23. Star Wars: Doctor Aphra (2020-) #1
24. Showcase (1956-1978) #17
25. Tintin in the Land of the Soviets
26. Werewolf By Night (2020-) #1 (of 4)
27. Free Comic Book Day: Bongo Comics Free For All 2018
28. Free Comic Book Day 2017: Riverdale
29. Marvel Comics (1939) #1