Wrestling Training: Part 1

I'm in the middle of my first week of Insanity training... it's tough. I threw up during my fit test on the first day of the 60-day training schedule. There's some sort of comfort in knowing that my mind is pushing my body beyond what it feels capable of. My desire to do Insanity training correctly, without cutting corners is greater than my body's desire for comfort. No, that's not right. Completing Insanity training is not my end goal. My end goal is to be a professional wrestler.

Comics: Guardians Of The Galaxy #0.1

I usually work 2-10pm. So on Wednesdays I get to the comic shop right when they open, before I go to work. Today was different. I was at a seminar for work from 8-4:30, so I just hit up the comic shop on the way home. To pass the time during the seminar, i hopped on www.comicbookroundup.com to see if any reviews were already posted for this week's books. At that point Guardians Of The Galaxy #0.1 had an overall rating of 8.0. I read the review.

Comics: Nova #1

As far as origin issues go, this one is good. It doesn’t do much to blow you away, but it doesn’t turn you away from the series either. I really enjoy Ed McGuinness’ artwork, but even that doesn’t amaze. It gets the job done. I feel like all this first issue does, is introduce you to the characters, and prepare you for the real story. Which is all that is expected from a first issue.

... I liked all the characters so far. Sam Alexander, the soon to be title character: Nova, is kinda a cliché comic book teen who is about to get super powers. He’s a little rebellious but ultimately has a good heart. 

 The thing that drew me to the previous Nova series was that Richard Rider (that series’ Nova who met his demise in the final issue) was a journeyman B-list hero. So to see him ascend to the level of cosmic hero that he became was a great adventure. Rider had years and years of storytelling behind him to get readers to connect with him. Sam Alexander has had one issue so far.

 I like where the story is going, but like I said, it’s nothing phenominal at this point. I’m more than confident that this series will amaze once they get the formal introductions out of the way

Sidenote: I’m usually not big on getting variant covers, but the variant by Skottie Young is awesome. Glad I got it.

Comics: Daredevil #23

This is the first issue I have bought of Daredevil. Ever. The book got amazing reviews while Ed Brubaker was writing, and the trend has continued with Mark Waid helming the series. I’ve thought about picking it up many times, but always thought, “I don’t have any room in my comic budget right now… maybe another time.” That time is now. With Orchid, Punk Rock Jesus, Godzilla: The Half-Centruy War, and Amazing Spider-Man all ending, I have a little bit of wiggle room. I heard this was a great jumping on point, so I pulled the trigger. I got home, set my 2 year old daughter on my lap, and we began to read Daredevil #23.
...
“Smy-Man!”
“No, that’s not Spider-Man, that’s Daredevil. Say Daredevil.”
“Drrrdevil.”
(Open the front cover, only to see an ad for the Deadpool video game.)
“Smy-Man!!!”
“Umm… sure, that’s Spider-Man. But we’re gonna read about Daredevil.”
“Drrrdevil.”
“Yes.”

Comics: Looking at Nova and Hypernaturals

One of my favorite series over the past few years was Nova (Vol. 4) written by Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. I always had a soft spot for the character in the '90s. When I first began collecting comics, I got Nova (Vol. 2) issue #3. While at the grocery store I saw this issue and thought that Nova looked like a really cool hero, and it guest-starred the Amazing Spider-Man. As I got older, I picked up random issues of various Nova series here and there. Fast forward to 2006. When Annihilation came out, I didn't have the budget at the time to start picking up a new series, but I kept a close watch on the spoilers and reviews, especially since it seemed like Nova was going to be a pivotal character. Was this B-list hero I've watched for years finally getting an upgrade in status? After Annihilation ended, Nova got his own ongoing series once again. After all the acclaim of Annihilation, I had to start getting this new series. Regretfully, I had to stop buying at about halfway through the run, along with every other comic I was buying at the time, after getting laid off work. Once I got back on my feet, Nova was the first comic I started hunting down back issues for. I even got the 3 book hardcover set of the Annihilation series, so I could sit down and enjoy it from beginning to end myself. (Holy crap! So many "wow" moments through the entire series.) For whatever reason, I've always been drawn to the character of Richard Rider as Nova, especially through the storytelling of Abnett and Lanning.

So, what was the point in telling you that? Two reasons...

The first, is because this past year on Free Comic Book Day a new series launched by Abnett and Lanning in an all new creator owned universe called Hypernaturals by BOOM! Studios. I made it a point to check it out. I actually had to go to 3 different local comic shops before I could get my hands on the free issue. I figured if Abnett and Lanning could take a B-list hero with a history in obscurity, and transform him in to one of the most relatable, heroic characters in the Marvel Universe, then I couldn't miss seeing what they could do with a completely blank slate to work with. At the begining there is a ton of information, and backstory, and characters thrown at you. It really can be overwhelming at times figuring out what is happening now, what happened 50 years ago, and what happened 5 years ago, but on the other side of the galaxy. As someone on a limited budget, I nearly dropped the book around issue #4 or 5. I felt like I was just buying it to buy it. It was entertaining, but there were so many unanswered questions after every single issue. I stuck it out. Partially because I try to be loyal to a series, and at least give it a full story arc before casting it aside, and partially because I didn't want to be wrong about taking a chance on this series. I just put down issue #8. Wow. This series has picked up so much steam. I am especially stoked for the character Shoal. He is a young recruit working with the seasoned veterans, and his own powers keep surprising him. Every time he makes a suggestion out in the field, the hyperintelligent member of the team just tells him how to use his own abilities to do the very thing he suggested. I'm excited to see how this character grows. And then there's Clone 34; a primary example of a cliche character at its finest. He's an old washed up hero, forced out of retirement for just one more mission. Issue #9 is shaping up to be a great defining moment for Clone 34, or it could be his swan song. That's the thing with an independent creator made universe: there is absolutely nothing off limits, uncertainty fills every issue. I will definitely be getting Hypernaturals for the long haul.

The second reason for my lengthy intro: a new Nova series is launching soon. Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness are the creators behind this latest entry, Vol. 5. Richard Rider is no longer Nova, as the new "human rocket" is a young man named Sam Alexander. This new Nova has had one of the strangest debuts I've ever seen. First, he has been appearing in the animated series Ultimate Spider-Man, which is entering its second season. Also, last year he appeared in the bookend issues of the crossover event AvX (Avengers vs X-Men). But this new series takes place BEFORE his appearance in AvX or the Ultimate Spider-Man animated series. Regardless, the mythos surrounding Nova have mehooked, as well as the eventual return of Richard Rider. The writers that captured me on the previous series are not back this time around, so there is some hesitation. But, I have faith that Loeb and McGuinness will carry the torch well, as Marvek continues to invest talent in to its cosmic titles. Now, if only we can get Black Bolt on a monthly basis...

Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning have continued to impress, even outside of Marvel Comics with their Hypernaturals series, and the groundwork they laid with Nova is about to be used to usher in a new hero in a new series. Let's see if this new Nova can live up to its predecessor.

Comics: Orchid Series Review

Here is the thing about Orchid: despite its flaws, I absolutely enjoyed this series. Since this is a review of the entire series, there are some spoilers. You have been warned.

As most of you know about this series by now, it’s written by guitar legend Tom Morello. The writing is good. Not great, but good. The characters have their distinct voices, which is something I put a very high value on. Scott Hepburn provides the artwork, while Massimo Carnevale takes care of the covers. I was not familiar with Hepburn or Carnevale prior to Orchid, but they are now names I will remember. Especially Carnevale. Some of this covers (3, 6, 12) look stunning, and I would love to just have a framed print on my wall.

My first problem with this series is the shipping dates. 12 issues in 16 months. There were some gaps in between issues shipping. However, when rereading the series, this is a moot point. If I had to pick between monthly releases or high quality product, I will choose the high quality product every time. It was a little annoying waiting for the next issue while I received 2 or 3 issues of the other titles I purchase, but in the grand scheme of things, I would rather have this than a sacrifice in quality. While I can say this is a complaint now, when I reread this series down the road, I doubt I will even remember.

For better or worse, this series feels like a fairy tale. The story is epic, on a grand stage that alters the course of history. But like many fairy tales, we are an outside observer to the whole thing. You never really get “sucked in” to the story. It’s merely a series of events unfolding in front of you. There isn’t a character that demands the reader to feel a connection with. Simon and Orchid are our constant characters from beginning to end. While Simon doesn’t change at all, Orchid does a complete 180. I would say that most readers would fall somewhere in between. Our life events do have an impact on how we think and act, but as adults, we have the same core personality over time. I understand that big life events can change a person, but Orchid goes from wanting to commit suicide to wanting to lead the rebellion army instantly. I’m not new to comic books… I understand that the power of General China’s mask had effect on her, but I just didn’t see any of those leadership qualities before she tried to kill herself. It felt like a reach.

The ending seemed too easy. Orchid succeeded where Opal had failed in the past, and freed the people. Morello did acknowledge that there was a bit of a power vacuum in his epilogue with new groups rising up, but this story still got the “happily ever after” treatment. Tomo Wolfe is dead, and suddenly the people are living in an idealistic utopian society? That’s fine… I just expected more realism somehow. Like I said, this IS a fairy tale. On a personal note… Anzio and Simon are gay!?!? Did I miss some important point along the way? It doesn’t really matter to the story, but it would have been worth mentioning at some point during the story instead of on the last page. And Orchid, former prostitute turned rebel leader is now a paragon of peace and tranquility.

I feel like I’m just spewing out all these negative opinions on this series and I hated it. That’s not true at all. This series was fun. From our first meeting with Opal, to learning the backstory of Barrabas (which, by the way, I think was the coolest character in the whole series), to the battle in Stadia Penuel, to the return of Yehzu… it rocked. Reading through the series again, I can’t help but feel like we were reading the story of “How Orchid saved us from the tyranny of Tomo Wolfe” and the stage is now set for the REAL story. I know the ending was left open, with the reappearance of General China’s mask, but I would be surprised if this story had any sort of sequel.

Tom, Scott, Massimo, and everyone else that worked on this book, thanks. It wasn’t perfect, but it was fun. If you decide to do it again, I’ll be here waiting. Final grade: 7.5/10