The Debut of The Hot Comics Revue!

The Hot Comics Revue Has Its Debut!

I am of course friends with the great folk over at Comics Heating Up. My chums there often will discuss comics that they can see possibly heating up (speculation, as it is called). With the blessing of CHU's founder, Tony, I have my own segment "The Hot Comics Revue," which looks at recent-ish releases and covers what is warming-up, red-hot, and has the potential to get steamy. If you're looking for advice on upcoming comics to possibly buy I would for sure recommend visiting CHU, and if you'd like discussion of what has been released read on for the first-ever edition of this new segment!

Books That Are Warming-Up

Alien Bounty Hunter #1
This first issue is from the newer publisher Vault and already has Mark Wahlberg attached as a producer for a tentative movie. As this is past the, "Maybe-getting-optioned," stage and instead has Marky-Marky clearly determined to make it into a flick this baby is starting to warm-up, with the first issue already selling-out at Diamond and a second-printing on the way. Assuming a movie does get made--and if it is good--this puppy could keep getting warmer and warmer. Copies of the first issue are actually still available at Things From Another World and MyComicShop or eBay are great to use as well.

Black #1-#6
"Black," is a book that had a highly successful Kickstarter and went on to be published by Black Mask Comics. It takes place in a world where only a small percentage of people have super-powers, and they also are always black individuals. The six-issue mini-series (which just concluded) explores race, super-powers, and was a title I recognized when discussing my favorite reads of 2016. It was just optioned so expect the value of these books to skyrocket if a film is made! You can currently pre-order the trade at Things From Another World  to enjoy reading or find individual issues on eBay and MyComicShop.

Books That Are Currently Red-Hot

Mister Miracle #1
Tom King is a stellar writer whose 12-issue series have been great reads. He of course did, "The Omega Men," and, "The Vision," which now brings us to, "Mister Miracle." This puppy has sold-out everywhere and already is going for triple cover-price on eBay after having come out just this week. "Mister Miracle," is a runaway hit and clearly on fire! Should you want a copy be prepared to check MyComicShop or the aforementioned eBay and expect to already pay well above cover.

Redlands #1
A hot new horror title from Image, a second-printing was announced the day of this comic's release. A retailer appreciation variant was made too and is worth picking-up if you can locate it. As this title is hard to find your best bet is eBay or MyComicShop should your local shop not have it in stock.


Books With Steamy Potential

Dead of Winter #1
This comic actually draws from the popular tabletop game of the same name which looked really fun when I read some details about playing it. I've seen theorizing that as fans of the game learn about the comic it will become more and more sought-after, so this is a possible slow-burn. Grab a copy on eBay or MyComicShop and sit on it for a bit till the smoke starts forming, so-to-speak.

Slasher (The Series So Far)
This could be a long-shot, but I have an inkling about this title. Written and drawn by Charles Forsman, one of his earlier works, "The End of the Fucking World," has been made into a television show that will air in Canada and be available worldwide via Netflix. It has been getting some buzz and that makes me wonder if his current comic--this fascinating series titled, "Slasher," might start looking attractive to T.V. or movie studios with its weird mixture of sex, violence, and pathos. I personally would love a show based on this fantastic comic after reading what has come out so far and if such a thing gets made I could see this series really heating-up. There are a lot of, "If's," here, but I just have a feeling mixed with a hope that this baby gets popular if for no other reason than it is really worth reading. Issues can be found at Things From Another World, on MyComicShop, or of course via eBay.

The STL Comics Summer 1 Day Comic Show is This Sunday!

I of course am a fan of comic conventions, comic-shows, and basically any kind of shindig that involves comics! I have also talked before about how it can be annoying when you go to a supposedly comic-focused event and discover the con is full of random retailers (I've seen folk selling gutter-cleaning systems), or guests that have nothing to do with comics (like that time Tara Reid sat bored at her booth during a convention I attended). I don't mind shows that have comics as an aspect but not the focus, but sometimes you really just want to go to an event that puts comics front-and-center, you know? Therefore, a show such as the Summer 1 Day by STL Comics, which prides itself on being all about comics and related merchandise, sounds like something quite enjoyable!

The Summer 1 Day is--as the name implies--a show that takes place over a single day (This Sunday, August 13th) and it will be going from 10AM to 5PM. It will be in an event-space at the Holiday Inn on 10709 Watson Road in Saint Louis, and has free parking and a very reasonable admission fee of 5 smackers (with kids 10 or under able to attend for free). I spoke with the show and was excited to hear that there will be vendors from over 7 different states all with a variety of cool comics and local and regional guests with experience in the comic industry will be in attendance too. Also, the CBCS will be present and accepting comics to be graded!

I'm excited for the Summer 1 Day and will be there Sunday eagerly checking out the comic-goodness on display. See you there!

Television Tuesday: Big Brother 19 AKA Well Isn't This a Fine Mess!

I like to talk about, "Big Brother," at least once every season on the blog since I started watching it. It usually is entertaining even if we get an odd season where everyone gets along really well and things are super-mellow (17 was like that). I'm feeling a little nostalgic for that borderline-boring season however because, "Big Brother 19," has got to be one of the most mean-spirited seasons ever (even more than 15) full of bullying via a cast that I struggle to not hate all of (outside of someone named Kevin whom I'll talk about more shortly).

For those unaware of what, "Big Brother," is, the show involves a bunch of real people going into a house to be (mostly) cut-off from the rest of the world and forced to live in isolation with each other, getting voted-out at various times until one person gets 500,000 dollars through winning competitions, teaming-up with other players, using their intelligence, and having luck on their side. It usually is good entertainment viewing a cast of characters all have fun, argue a bit, and otherwise just kick-back whilst playing the game of, "Big Brother." The thing is, when a handful of people are stuck together they can either really start to like each other (show-based romances or, "Showmances," happen a lot) or hate--and I do mean hate--one another. Usually most people in the house keep their wits about them and the hotheads get kicked-out early. What happens when the hotheads outnumber everyone else or are able to convince otherwise pleasant people to follow their lead, however? Mayhem, sheer and utter cruel mayhem.

My prediction? Bullying, lots of bullying.

I'm not alone in hating almost everyone on this season of, "Big Brother." I was at first excited when at the beginning the runner-up of Season 18, Paul, came and joined everyone. It all went downhill from there however. With a house full of blind followers Paul (whom I once liked but now despise) has basically taken over the house and his word goes, with anyone who stands against him relentlessly bullied. Popular website, "Joker's Updates," has an amazingly smart and detailed write-up about serial bullying and how what we have been witnessing in the, "Big Brother," house has occurred.

People who have paid to watch the live feeds on CBS that broadcast 24-7 (going down sometimes during competitions that can only be seen on the television broadcast) have witnessed people either behaving grossly and acting like spiteful morons (the aforementioned Paul and instigator of many fights, Josh), or have been essentially taking every opportunity possible to talk about having a myriad of medical problems they want to have money donated to them for (Raven, who won't shut-up about how sick she supposedly is despite some of her conditions being a lot more treatable than she lets on), or people who clearly want to squeeze some fame out of doing the show (Elena has stated on feeds she wants to be famous). It is no secret the production of the show manipulates things and people, and God have things been done in Paul's favor lately. What gets broadcast on television seems to skim over a lot of the worst behavior, with the editing making house guests' behavior look less terrible than they have been, with many a person observing the show, "On the feeds," this year is a lot different than what we see on T.V. People who at first were hard to like at all (Cody and Jessica) now actually are people I'm cheering for after watching how the rest of the house has treated them for the sin of not blindly worshiping Paul. Seriously, thank God for Kevin.

Kevin is the token older-person on this season of, "Big Brother." Normally the, "Old guy," gets voted out early, with their lack of knowledge about the show itself hamstringing them some. Kevin has an amazing social game however. He is laid-back, fun, funny, and everyone likes the guy. He has a ton of wisdom, is affable, and whilst the rest of the house has been full of bullying or yelling he has made it clear he just wants, "To have a good time," and would really prefer that everybody just chill-out.

I'm not going to quit watching, "Big Brother," this season as some have done despite how wretched it has been in terms of people's behavior to each other. The way the program has turned into, "The Paul Show," just frankly is lame. My recent seeing that there may at least be some movement--even if secret and minimal--against Paul's wishes makes me hopeful that if his reign ends the mass psychosis currently affecting everyone could subside. For now though, this particular season of, "Big Brother," has been a hot mess of bad behavior, terrible people, and a nice guy named Kevin. We are a bit more than about half-way through this season right now (I think), and I honestly hope that everyone can just settle down, have fun, and that I'll quit having to constantly shake my head is dismay at how these human beings are acting. Time will tell.

Advance Review: Self Storage Trade Paperback

I read the first issue of, "Self Storage," from the publisher 451 some months ago and really liked it. I just recently saw that the trade paperback collecting the entire six-issue mini-series has been solicted in the newest August 2017 edition of, "Previews," for release October 25th, and that caught my attention. Therefore, I reached out to 451 and inquired if I could possibly have a digital copy of the entirety of, "Self Storage," for the purposes of review. They kindly agreed and I was able to read and enjoy the whole mini-series, which I found wonderfully twisted with a macabre sense of humor that tickled my funny bone just right.

The story centers on a young man named Chris Smith who makes a living buying-out storage units and selling their contents (think, "Storage Wars," to give you an idea). His girlfriend thinks what he does is, "Ghoulish," and his only friends are two other unit-buyers who he actually hates somewhat. Basically, Chris is a bit miserable. One day Walt, the owner of a big storage-establishment Chris frequents, calls about a unit that was paid for up-front for many years but which is now up for grabs. Walt has no clue what's in it as he knows better in this business than to ask questions. Chris buys it only to discover a strange zombie-woman is the sole occupant of the big space. From there the real fun begins...

Chris eventually learns the woman's name is Jessica and she clearly was experimented on by her scientist Father. Really, the whole, "Why," of the story is actually the least interesting part, and I would't have minded if there was actually more mystery to who Jessica is/was. It isn't a big element however, with the more entertaining madness that occurs being delightful in how dark and funny it is. Basically, Jessica is aggressive towards everyone but Chris and once she bites somebody they of course turn into a zombie too. Chris and his friends try to keep things contained, but you can't keep a good zombie down.

The foreward to the trade itself admits zombie-stories at this point are so worn-out it is hard to create something original with them. I think the author of the comic (and that foreward) Clay McLeod Chapman manages to make something pretty cool though, as this isn't a zombie story so much as a twisted love story between a woman who is quite literally dead and a man who is a little dead inside himself. The art by Matt Timson imparts gravitas to both the quiet and comedic moments as well as some scenes of shocking gore resulting in this creative team giving us a stellar read.

"Self Storage," is darkly hilarious and just a little bit sweet--when it isn't being really bloody at least. I quite enjoyed reading the entire story as a single collection and it can currently be ordered from the earlier mentioned August 2017 issue of, "Previews," by your local comic shop/preferred online comic retailer. Thanks to the enjoyment I gained from this comic I would rate it...
4 out of 5 stars.

You can pre-order the, "Self Storage," trade paperback (which I mentioned will be released October 25th) via Things From Another World, or if you want individual issues right now you can buy them at Mycomicshop.

Please Note: A digital copy of, "Self Storage," was provided for the purposes of review upon my request to the publisher

Please Note That I am Now Accepting Advertisers

I just wanted to draw everyone's attention to the new page I have listed which discusses how I am now accepting advertisers. Please let me reassure all my readers that I will never plaster my site with a ton of annoying ads, so everyone can stay calm.

With that disclaimer/reassurance out of the way, I have a child now (my awesome son, Clarkson) and any little bit on money helps. Therefore, I have decided to accept advertisers if anyone would be interested in doing so on The Newest Rant. I don't want to do Google's Adsense as having random ads pop-up around my blog which I can't control the content of sounds annoying. However, if a person or business would like to maybe have a banner placed toward the bottom of my site or on the side--nothing too obstructive or distracting--I think that could be arranged. I'm open to all kinds of advertising as long as it makes sense for the site and rates are negotiable. Should you be interested in maybe having an ad on the site please feel free to email me at davidbitterbaum@gmail.com to chat about it.

Again, I want to assure readers of the site I have zero plans to drown it in annoying ads or anything, so don't panic, please. As this post will eventually have a whole bunch of other ones pushing it out of the sight of readers I put much of this information in the new page as well, so even should you not want to advertise now, if you ever do want to do so it will be easy to see how.

Film Friday: Two Great Scenes in Otherwise Underwhelming Movies

Remember that Post?

All the way back in 2011 I had a piece about two movies that were bad but had some great scenes. Some of the video-links don't even work anymore but here's that old post's link. Well, how about all these years later I talk about two more movies that are less-than-amazing but each have an amazing scene within them?

X-Men: The Last Stand

"X-Men: The Last Stand," is the third X-men movie that was made and has an amazing moment otherwise surrounded by a really, really weak film. Between a mess of plots with a mutant, "Cure," Jean Grey becoming the Phoenix, and general nonsense, one quiet but amazing scene takes place. Magneto goes to meet some other mutants that want to destroy humans and is asked where his, "Mark," is that shows how he's a rebellious mutant and such. Magneto declares how he was marked once and no needle shall ever touch his skin again, showing off his tattoo from his time in a Nazi concentration camp. It's understated, smart, and basically everything that the rest of this movie is not. It isn't too surprising that most (if not all of this flick) was essentially retconned-away in later X-Men movies. Still, should you want to buy a copy you can always purchase it for cheap.

Central Intelligence

"Central Intelligence," is a passably entertaining production with Dwayne, "The Rock," Johnson starring as a former picked-on high-schooler who went on to become a big-name C.I.A. agent, while the one guy who was nice to him then--Kevin Hart--went from being a student beloved by everyone to kind of wasting his life away. They team up to stop evil-people from selling dangerous stuff and other cliché junk like that. However, there is one bit with Jason Bateman as former school-bully Trevor (who they now need the help of) sees Johnson after all these years and offers him the most kind, sincere apology ever...only to reveal he is doing it as a sick joke and laugh.

It is just such an incredibly dark and twisted moment that really lands, hard. It takes the idea that hopefully those mean folk from school grew-out of being jerks and turns it on his head. Sometimes a dick stays a dick, and that's really depressing--thankfully Bateman's character does get what is coming to him later in the movie. Should you want to have your own copy of, "Central Intelligence," to enjoy you can buy it here.

Good Times...Sandwiched In So-So Times
It was fun taking an idea I did once long ago and doing it again where I discuss these great movie-moments mixed into less-than-great films! If I keep this pace up in 2022 I'll have a third post fitting this theme.

Sharing My, "Choice Cuts," From Spotify

Enjoying Spotify!

I have a number of songs I've discovered on Spotify either through my actively searching for them or its complex algorithms recommending stuff it then turned out I liked. I've been using Spotify a lot lately as I got three months without ads for just 99 cents and need to be sure and cancel before August 22nd when it will charge me $9.99 for a whole month of ad-free streaming. Yeah, I liked three months for a dollar but I'll put up with ads if it saves me 10 smackers every 30 or 31 days. I thought it could be fun to share some of my favorite assorted jams on there and talk a little bit about why I included them in the playlist.

The Songs

First off, you can follow this link to access my playlist and enjoy all the songs I shall discuss below. They aren't in any special order really other than the first ones I started adding up to some songs I just recently came across/had recommended by Spotify and liked, with the song title listed first followed by the artists Spotify displays.

Drive In--MED, Blu & Madlib, Aloe Blacc
The mixture of old soul-samples, rapping, and singing makes this just sound like a great kind of song to chill-out to.

Lost--Sorcha Richardson
Ms. Richarson's voice mixes expertly with a guitar in this song where she tries to encourage a heartbroken friend to forget the girl who made him sad and instead just come out and have fun with her.

#WhiteGirlVoice--Rajtheone
Rajtheone raps between the sound of missed phone calls about the struggle of breaking-out in music and ends the song with a stellar piano break-down followed by a swell of the score.

Thunder--Roy Blair
I just love when toward the end everything gets really loud and dramatic.

Nice Guys Finish Thirst--Name UL
Some funny raps (he has stains on his shirt because he likes to eat yogurt) and the, "All Night Long," sample make this a lot of fun.

iSpy (feat. Lil Yachty)--Kyle, Lil Yachty
I am not really a fan of Lil Yachty and his bottomless enthusiasm (which the AV Club assures me is okay), but for some reason his rapping mixed with Kyle's singing on this song just makes me smile anytime I'm in a bad mood.

Eastside--Bohan Phoenix, Chauncey
Bohan's rapping in both English and Chinese mixed with some nice singing by Chauncey makes this song really stick in your head.

I Think You're Alright--Jay Som
The quiet and mellow melodies on this song make you almost miss how the lyrics are a little dark. Great stuff.

Game Ova--Tobi Lou
The video-game-esque sounds work wonderfully with Tobi Lou's rapping about relationships.

Smart--Palmer Read
The sounds of this weird techno-rap song make it abrasive yet strangely fascinating

Back 2 U--Joey Gatto
Another song with a cool break-down that I really liked.

Morning Rain--Adam Torres
Torres voice almost reminds me a little of Tracy Chapman--soothing and always pleasant to listen to. This song is a stellar one to listen to if you need to just unwind

Weekend--Mac Miller, Miguel
Mac Miller has grown on me over the years as he has seemed to gain in skill. This jam about eagerly anticipating the weekend is a hoot.

G N Ya Life--Young Giatnz, K-Young
We all need someone special in our life, don't we?

Janet--Berhana
The minimalist music mixed with weird off-key singing to compliment the rapping somehow just works perfectly here..

Tibetan Pop Stars--Hop Along
A weirdly angry and longing alt-rock jam. I dig it.

Sugar--IshDARR
Techno-infused rap about being in love with a woman who is a little older and wiser than the artist.

Theme Song--Urban Etiquette, Matt Burton
The rapping on this I can take-or-leave but that piano mixed with Burton's singing is fire!

Blank Space/Stand By Me--Imagine Dragons
This live cover of Blank Space that morphs into a weird rendition of Stand by Me is superb.

Maria I'm Not So Drunk--Triller
The intoxicated-sounding music works well in this incredibly weird ditty.

Warm On A Cold Night--HONNE, Aminé
The verse by Aminé is disposable but the rest of the song is a suitably catchy assortment of singing and cool sonic effects.

Rich Girl (Remastered Version)--Hall and Oates
Because why not fucking have a classic pop-song sprinkled in with everything else?

Airport Bar (Remix)--Trés, Noah
This song actually samples, "Willy Wonka," and it works, it god-damn works stupendously!

Uncomfortable--Mansa
A song about how relationships can be difficult that I like the melody of.

The Uber Song--DRAM
DRAM is a funny guy and this piece about how he's willing to spend $27 on an Uber for a girl he would like to hang-out with elicits a chuckle anytime I listen.

Sidewalks--The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar
I enjoy listening to The Weeknd and am a huge fan of Kendrick, so of course a song with both of them is sure to please!

Bad and Boujee--William Singe
I actually was a little familiar with the Migos fellas before they blew-up, hearing their stuff talked about and played on some underground-styled stations. I didn't really care for it then but could tell they would probably blow-up in popularity. Now they have and I still don't really like their music much, but this cover of, "Bad and Boujee," is actually really good!

Crew--Goldlink, Brent Faiyaz, Shy Glizzy
I like the weirdly ethereal sound on this a lot and find the lyrics to be, "Meh."

Kiss And Tell--ROMderful, Naji
The beats and salsa-sounding music make me want to get-up and dance to this song.

No Heart Feelings--Gerald Walker, Walker Family
A song about breaking-up and trying not to still have those feelings in your heart.

Enjoy!

Again, feel free to follow this link to my playlist and give these songs a listen for yourself. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did and found reading my thoughts for including them on the playlist at least moderately intriguing.

Graphic Novel Review: Ancestor

"Ancestor," came out awhile ago in the now-sadly-done anthology title, "Island," from Image Comics, and was collected in its own trade paperback a bit later on. I found the first excerpt fascinating when I read it in, "Island," then missed the other pieces, so when, "Ancestor," was released as its own original graphic novel (kinda-sorta an OGN even though it was in the anthology) I was excited to pick it up and give it a read. What I ended up enjoying was supremely strange, beautiful, and only maybe a little hamstrung by just how many ideas it keeps throwing-out in such a short span of time.

I'm not alone in really liking, "Ancestor," as others were impressed by it too. The story starts-out with the man who is arguably the main character, Peter Chardin, using a technology known as, "The Service," which is like the internet made even more powerful and ubiquitous. It is a fascinating thing to see portrayed in the story and that makes it all the more disappointing that the characters find themselves in a situation early in the story that disables the service. You see, our group of loose associates all go to the house of a genius inventor named Patrick Whiteside.

Once everyone arrives at Whitesides' house it becomes apparent the man is quite mad and dangerous violent. He has a plan to evolve humanity and in shocking twist, it actually works--which raises the question of if the ends justify his means. When this happens the story spirals in an entirely new direction featuring God-like humans--"The Ascended," living over billions of years and shaping the entirety of reality, which is quite the fascinating story-swerve for a yarn that starts-out seeming like it is just about an advanced internet and homicidal inventor. To the credit of authors Matt Sheean and Malachi Ward, things never feel out-of-place tonally even as the story does its dramatic zigs and zags at various points.

As I stated at the start, my only concern is that we see so many ideas brought-up only to have them quickly be replaced by even more fascinating concepts. In an era where were often talk about comics being too decompressed this is actually a book I think would benefit from being double, or even triple, its relatively smaller size. Still, what we get within the pages of, "Ancestor," is really cool and I for sure loved reading it.
4.5 out of 5 stars.
You buy Ancestor on Amazon if you like!