‘Tiny’ Tune, or “Why I LOVE ‘Tiny Titans’”

This was a super fun little write-up I got to do for the Trade Show section of Wizard #209. Essentially, as one of the office’s most vocal supporters of this all-ages comic, I was asked to sum up in 150ish words what is great about it….here’s what I came up with/what ran in the mag…

‘Tiny’ Tune
It only takes about 12 pages before the realization kicks in: Comics are ridiculous. As readers, we love poring over the exploits of our favorite superheroes, but every diehard cape and cowl fan takes the spandex in stride. However, our willingness to buy into the outrageous plot points of our favorite superpowered adventures is exactly why the all-ages title Tiny Titans—DC ships the first collection, Welcome to the Treehouse, on Feb. 4 ($12.99)—can be enjoyed by even the most grizzled comic enthusiast. Whether observing that Dick Grayson’s original Nightwing costume looks like a disco suit or that changing his codename puts the former Robin in an awkward position as leader of the club of bird-themed Titans, it’s poking fun at the silliness we’ve overlooked that makes Franco Aureliani and Art Baltazar’s send-up a must-read. Take your pull list home and indulge in all the far-fetched yarns you want, but save time to laugh along with Tiny Titans. • JG

[REVIEW] ‘CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI13′

From Wizard 209’s Trade Show section…

CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI13
MARVEL
Collecting one of 2008’s best new series, the first volume of Captain Britain and MI13 shows the inception of the United Kingdom’s new superteam in the midst of the Secret Invasion. Much like it took the Hulk to bring the Avengers together, series writer Paul Cornell uses the mega-event to unite his team with a fitting tribute to Marvel history as Britain’s combined superheroes band together to beat back the Skrulls. Featuring crisp and energetic pencils by Leonard Kirk, this title looks as good as it reads. Cornell’s characters ooze with personality as the team moves to its second terrifying threat, a haunted house with apocalyptic repercussions. A treat for any reader who loves a new, imaginative twist on the classic superhero team book, it’s the foreign import you just can’t miss.
FEB 18 | $16.99 
• JIM GIBBONS

Just a quick note on Sam Kieth’s awesomeness…

I was just reading Sam Kieth’s Batman: Secrets and had to make a quick post about how much I am completely mesmerized by his art.

The local library where I went to college (Columbia, MO) had a few Sam Kieth books, among which was Epicurus the Sage by William Messner-Loebs with art by Kieth.

As a classics major, I was interested and picked it up. I loved it—for numerous reasons that reading it yourself will better elaborate—and have enjoyed Kieth’s art ever since.

So, what was the point of this post? First, that Sam Kieth is pretty darn great. Second, that you should go read Epicurus the Sage, which is also great. And third, go check out your local library’s comic collection—it could be well worth your while!

Also, on an only slightly related side note, I just read some other older Batman stuff worth mentioning. Collected in the TPB “False Faces,” Brian K. Vaughan’s three-issue Batman arc (not to mention an issue of Detective Comics and two-issue Wonder Woman story) is a fascinating read. Certainly not his best work (as he freely admits in the intro—a must read if you check out the trade, as it is hilarious), but it is incredibly interesting to see this now-accomplished writer’s early efforts into a medium he has left an eternal mark on with Y: The Last Man and Ex Machina.

Expanding my “side note” much longer than is logical, “False Faces” also makes a great gift for BKV and “Lost” fanatics like Round Howard helmer Josh Wigler, who had a birthday last week!

Now who thought this was a good idea?

Though I don’t usually post reactionary stuff to things I see online (ok, ok, I just did a few in the last ten posts…but gimme a break!), I couldn’t help but say something—albeit briefly—about this.

The Sci Fi channel is changing its name to Syfy?!

Ok…so you want to bring in an audience that isn’t just nerds (no matter how awesome we nerds are!), I get that. But, why on earth do you change it to something that appears to sound like a slang term for syphilis? And yes, I get that they are going for a name that is phonetically the same, but I can already see the Urban Dictionary entry now…

1. Syfy — 543 up, 97 down

a case of syphillis
Yo Bro! I hear that honey gave you a mad case of Syfy!

I love the Sci Fi channel—and a name change isn’t going to alter that fact— but still, I do not care for that new name.

Real life Spider-Man?

Looks like Marvel Studios is going to have to compete with Lifetime for the rights to this TV movie!

In all seriousness, from comic fans everywhere, congrats to Mike Dello Stritto. I’m sure he’s just pleased to be walking again, but his story has brought a smile (and maybe a tear of joy?) to the faces of comic fans everywhere.

Thanks to my broham, Dan Gibbons, for passing me the link to the CNN story.

Check out ‘Killer of Demons!’

Hey folks, just dropping in to give a quick recommendation…you should all check out Killer of Demons from Image Comics!

Written by Chris Yost with super-rad art by Scott Wegener, it’s kind of a combo of “Office Space” and “Buffy,” and it’s darn fun and totally awesome! It’s also a three issue miniseries, so you know they’ve gotta get right into the good stuff—and with this first issue, they already have! If you’re only going to read one book this week, make it Killer of Demons (and that is saying something as Jonathan Hickman’s awesome first issue of Dark Reign: Fantastic Four came out this week)!

Also, just a general WU.com update, I’m dropping this recommendation here because Thursday Morning Quarterback is going through some tweaks right now (under construction, so to speak) and I wanted to give a good book some props. So, stay tuned to The Loudest Monkey for more little snippets of stuff from me, and stay tuned to WU.com for a brand-spanking new view of TMQB soon!

Truly, the end is nigh…

Now this is a portent of doom if I’ve ever seen one…

A Marmaduke movie?!?! Good gravy!

Back in my college days, we had a free newspaper readership program that allowed me to indulge in the finest in newspaper strips everyday (usually during a boring lecture). Each and every day, I read every strip in the paper, and each and every day Marmaduke just infuriated me. I had a dog growing up and love animals (especially dogs!), but this f@#&ing Marmaduke…Gah!

Oddly enough, I always (ALWAYS!) loved the Family Circus…each and every day.