The Almighty Canadian Dollar

So, with all the discussion going around with the higher Canadian dollar, and how the comic book publishers should be lowering the Canadian cover prices on all their books... is anyone thinking that American prices may go up, to stay near Canadian cover price?

I don't know what kind of contract the publishers have with Quebecor, or who is printing through them. But since Quebecor is based in Quebec, and with the lower American dollar, wouldn't Americans have to fork over more US dollars, to meet the Canadian cost, nowadays?

Boughts and Thoughts - September 26th, 2007

Warning: The following post contains what some may consider coarse language... or at least the first book... but it fits... in a sick, twisted way... consider it my tribute, to the book... trust me... Reader's Discretion is Advised!

All Star Batman and Robin, The Boy Wonder #7 - So, The Goddamn Batman, screws the Goddamn Black Canary, out in the Goddamn open, with their Goddamn masks on. Then the Goddamn Batman calls for his Goddamn Batmobile. At this point, the Goddamn Black Canary proceeds to insults the Goddamn Batman's Goddamn Batmobile, saying it's a Goddamn queer name to call it... okay, enough with the "Goddamn." I gotta say, Frank Miller uses that word quite a bit. Hey... Robin makes an appearance in this issue!

Astounding Wolf-Man #3 - It's no Walking Dead, I'll tell you what... it'll probably lead to something better.

Justice League of America #13 - I really thought this issue was good. Glad to have Dwayne McDuffie on board for this.

The Spirit #10 - I gotta say, the cover is fantastic! The image on DC's website, doesn't do the cover justice. It was one that stood out to me when I was at the shop. Mr. Cooke, you've outdone yourself, sir!

Family Guy Season Premiere

Due to work, I had to PVR the season premiere of Family Guy, which I watched this morning. To make a long story short, it was a great season premiere. Much better than The Simpsons season premiere (though, I did enjoy the opening segment of The Simpsons, which incorporated the clean-up of the movie).

For those that didn't catch it, you missed the hour-long Family Guy episode that pays tribute to Star Wars (Episode IV: A New Hope).

Just the opening sequence of Family Guy, where the Rebellion's Tantive IV was being chased by the Empire's Devastator, made me wish George Lucas made an animated version of each of the Episodes. Then to see Quagmire (C-3PO) and Clevland (R2-D2) walking through the hallways of the Tantive IV, made me think that the animators of Family Guy, be the ones to do the animated version of all six episodes (c'mon Lucas, pop those into theatres, and you'll be even more rich).

Several times through the episode, I found myself bursting into laughter. Also, while watching the episode, I was trying to figure out who Meg Griffin would be portraying. Once again, I bursted into laughter, to see her very brief appearance as, Dianoga.

Anyone that missed it, do whatever you can to watch this episode. You won't be disappointed!

Sunday October 21st, 2007 - Hobbystar's Toronto ComiCON

Date: Sunday October 21st, 2007
Place: Metro Toronto Convention Centre - North Building - Room 104
Time: 11AM-5PM
Guests: Cliff Chiang, Matthew Clark

Cliff Chiang
Cliff Chiang is currently working on the launch of the Green Arrow/Black Canary title. Prior to this, he was working on the Tales of the Unexpected back-up story, Dr. Thirteen: Architecture & Mortality, written by Brian Azzarello. Also, Crisis Aftermath: The Spectre (as well as many other titles).

Matthew Clark
Matthew Clark is currently working on Crime Bible: The Five Lessons of Blood. Prior to this, he was working on The Outsiders, Superman/Batman, Teen Titans, Adventures of Superman, and several other titles.

Superman: Doomsday Review

Superman: Doomsday starts off DC's Direct-to-DVD movie release. This is the movie adaptation for The Death of Superman.

To be honest, I've never read The Death of Superman. I wasn't a die-hard comic fan back when it was released, and I just never felt like reading it now. I hear it's really good, but I doubt I'll ever read it.

I knew about the death when it happened. It was the biggest comic news back then. Even one of my teachers made the mention of it right after the morning announcements, telling us that we should go out and buy it, or at least get our parents to. This was back when I was in Grade 5 (holy crap, that was when I was 10 years old... geez, it's been like 14 years...).

Anyways, I watched the movie, not knowing what was actually part of the Death of Superman story, and what was made up for the movie. I was hoping to see at the very least, Cyborg-Superman, and Superboy, but none of them appeared.

I personally didn't like the facial design for Superman. Also, Lois Lane looked like she had a camel-toe chin. What's up with that? It was pointy, and they added the line right down the middle?

Aside from those, I did enjoy the movie somewhat. I didn't think it was great, but I'm not entirely disappointed with it. It just seemed rushed from the start, to get to the death, and the resurrection.

Like I said, I didn't read the comics, so I can't tell what they are missing that would've made the movie better.

Now that I've seen Superman: Doomsday, I'm looking forward to the Justice League: The New Frontier direct-to-DVD movie. I got my hopes all high for it. I'm sure this will be much better than Superman: Doomsday.

Boughts and Thoughts - September 19th, 2007

Captain America #30 - Another great issue, and Tony Stark figures it out.

Green Arrow and Black Canary: Wedding Special - So, I was right. Though, I didn't expect it to go down the way it did. In a way, I'm quite disappointed with the ending, but I hope it leads to better stories.

Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite #1 - I enjoyed it. I believe this is going the mini-series after mini-series route (B.P.R.D, Hellboy, etc), instead of a standard monthly, with arcs. I still haven't decided if I want to collect the singles, or trade format.

Ryan Kelly is still F**king Amazing! (Local #10 related)

So a while back (like in May), I wrote a post titled, Ryan Kelly is F**king Amazing! Click the link to see why I think and say that. It's true.

Well, in the latest issue of Local (issue #10), which was released during the last week of August, I finished reading the issue, and was flipping through the extras in the back of the issue, and I came across the pin-up art that I have displayed on the right, published in that issue. There's two images, which are merged into one, for that pin-up page (see image below).



I was quite stoked to see that, because I absolutely love the piece. Sure, I own some original art that has been published (much like a lot of you), but this was just a different feeling for me, that I can't really explain.

I have my half hanging on my wall, right above my bookshelf, next to my Ethan Van Sciver Wonder Woman sketch, and my Aaron Lopresti Wonder Woman commission. It's just too damn good for me to take down.

I apologize for not mentioning this sooner.

Infinite Thanks to Ryan Kelly for the Amzing piece of art!

Hockey, Hockey... Bank Robbery?!?!?

On Thursday, a friend of mine let me know that the presale for Toronto Maple Leafs tickets went on sale at 10AM. This was about 9:15AM. I also had plans on going to Toys R Us, to buy NHL 2K8. Toys R Us opens at 9:30AM.

So, I hauled ass to Toys R Us, grabbed the last copy of NHL 2K8 for PS2, for a measly $19.99, less $10 from the free gift cards received from the Grand Opening of the Toys R Us, and had a brand new game for less than $13.

Once the game was purchased, I hauled ass back home, and got onto Ticketmaster.

The games I was targetting was the December 1st Leafs/Penguins game. Unfortunately, I was unable to find any pairs of tickets, though many singles. I did search for Leafs/Habs, for the first Hockey Night in Canada, and found two tickets. Purchased them in a heartbeat.

I believe these are in the same section as the first Leafs game I went to (Leafs/Flyers - Game 3 of the 2003 Playoffs). Standing room! Those were awesome!

I've been playing NHL 2K8, and it's definitely not as good as previous years. The controls seem to have lag times from the passing and shooting buttons. I could be pushing it several times, and nothing. I don't know how that was messed up in the programming of the game, because it should pretty much be the same code as previous years. Oh well. It's still hockey.

So yesterday, I wanted to go to the bank, to grab some cash to pay back my bro for the Leafs ticket. I drove to my bank branch, only to find several police cars infront of it, and a few more at random areas in the plaza. This was at 10:30AM. I was shocked by this, because of a delay on my part prevented me from going to the bank earlier, which could've had me at the bank during this armed robbery. That's some scary shit, thinking back at it.

Boughts and Thoughts - September 12th, 2007

The eBay auctions ended yesterday. Sold less than one-third of the items listed, which is kind of a drag, but still decent. I was working on seeing how much my bro and I made separately, and getting the packages ready for those that have paid. That took up the morning, right until I left for the comic shop.

I picked up the following today:

Justice Society of America #9 - Enjoyed this issue a lot. Looking forward to the next story.

New Avengers #34 - Kinda disappointed with the reveal. Was hoping to see a Skrull. Wolverine had his junk shot off. Baby Cage was named.

The Walking Dead #42 - Jaw dropped at the end of the issue. The prison is screwed...

Well, back to getting another package ready for shipping.

Boughts and Thoughts - September 6th, 2007

Wow, I'm actually getting this out pretty early, like in the old days.

Amazing Spider-Man #544 - I thought Stark would do that. Nice start to the arc. I'm sure I'm on for the rest of this arc. Still wondering what they're going to do, because "Brand New Day" seems to show Spider-Man not grieving or anything.

The Boys #10 - Way to go, Hughie! Well, now I stop with the singles, and wait for the trades.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season Eight #6 - Faith rocks! I always preferred Faith over Buffy in the TV show.

Captain America: The Chosen #1 - This I enjoyed quite a bit. It seems like they were choosing the next Captain America... in a story that I believe is not in continuity.

Iron and the Maiden #2 - Another book I enjoyed quite a bit. I think that the next two issues will be packed with so much, that it would seem rushed (story-wise). But at the end, I'm sure I'm going to enjoy it.