By Jacob H Baxter

Like most other hobbies which include the collecting of this or that class of items, value often becomes a subject of discussion when dealing with comic books. Prices for things like first appearances of certain characters or pivotal events often drive up the prices of issues. The passage of time is another factor when determining worth. But, what is worth? Worth is completely relative.

Let's look back at the early 90s when the comic book collecting bubble effectively burst. Everyone knew that Superman was dying. Thus, they all fanned out in hopes of getting one, if not a bunch of issues. Many people who did so, didn't even previously collect comics or even have any real interest in the medium itself. They were merely speculating on the future value that might it might bring.

 

By Aaron Nash

We’ve come a long way since Deadpool first embarked on his quest to wipe out the Marvel universe. He’s fought through legions of legendary superheroes, British detectives, and even whales to get here, and now only one thing stands in his way…himself.  That’s right, as the title suggests Deadpool is in fact now on a quest to destroy every version of himself in every multiverse and he’s going to bring us along for every brilliantly violent moment of it.

By Andy Williams

To celebrate the behemoth that is Marvel, they released a bumper special edition, drafting in names the calibre of Brian Michael Bendis, Len Wein and Bruce Timm to give a loving history across time.

Everything starts with a Ben Urich article which gives shout outs to some of the different main characters throughout the universe. The title of the section was Anniversary and gave a wonderful retrospective on the characters, providing the reader with a great introduction to the introspective celebration to come.

Things move on to a retelling of the first Stan Lee/Captain America story that started life as a two-page text in Captain America Comics #3. Bruce Timm brings life to Lee’s words and provides a beautiful, classical look to what is by nature a classic Cap story. The joy quite predictably comes from Lee’s light hearted and entertaining dialogue.

Following the fluff and enjoyment the Lee/Cap story provides, we get a Jessica Jones private detective story, the conceit being that an elderly lady has been searching for the fireman that saved her in the fire that ensued from the first sighting of the Human Torch. Daredevil legend and pulp fiction aficionado Brian Michael Bendis takes the reins on the story and provides a neat and informed arc, with an interesting insight into Jessica Jones’ mentality on the question of whether to take the job through inner monologue.

The conclusion of the arc brings forth an entertaining one-page memorial on some forgotten Golden Age heroes – bringing a spotlight on The Thunderer, The Angel, Blue Diamond, Red Raven and Rockman. Whilst there will be older fans clamouring for the inclusion of their favourite, it serves as a neat extra for some of the newer Marvel converts.

We then arrive at a Spiderman story from Tom Defalco and Stan Goldberg. Again classic in nature, highlighting Peter Parker’s incessant lateness and handled with a lightness and humour which we’ve come to expect from Spidey. The section has a very golden age feel and fits in well with the celebration of all things Marvel.

by Aaron Nash

So, after the events of the rather enjoyable ‘Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe’ we once again get escorted on yet another weird and wacky adventure with everyone’s favourite merc with a mouth.

Having realized that there are endless multiverses and his task of killing is far greater then he first imagined, Deadpool embarks on massacre through classical literature to kill the inspiration for each classic marvel superhero, thus wiping out all versions of them in each and every multiverse in one fell sweep.

by Sam Hurcom

I feel pretty shitty writing a negative review about almost anything artistic. If someone has taken the time, effort, patience, dedication, heart, passion, drive, scope, vision, prudence, foresight, to create something they feel others may enjoy or learn from, it’s pretty damn easy to point fingers and rant about every minor (or major) flaw. Let’s be honest, it’s far easier to critique the work of others in lieu of actually creating something original, insightful or adventurous ourselves. I don’t care if critics say they have a tough job – they really really don’t! What’s really tough, what really takes a lot of heart and courage, is the ability to create a painting, film, novel or (even a) comic and present it to the big wide world, with every minor detail on full display. In an age of anonymous tweets, thumb toting approvals, and unaccountable, uncontrolled comment pages and blog sites, it’s become all too easy to slate the work of others at the click of a mouse.

I began this week with the intention of writing a fairly negative review about Mark Millar’s latest six issue comic Starlight. Because it would have been easy; Starlight has one massive flaw I was going to stress repeatedly. Simply put, Starlight is far too short, often rushed in places and frankly lacking the depth and breadth befitting a concept so superb and enjoyable as that laid out in first issue or two.

That’s the negative part done – in this day and age, it’s far too easy to be fucking negative all the time.

In reality, the negativity I feel towards Starlight is born from all the things I love and enjoy about it – fundamentally I just wish there had been more comics! For anyone who’s read it, I’m sure you’ll agree, the basic premise of the narrative is just, well, lovely. We’re all going to get old one day and I’d like to think some of us may turn out to be space hopping, planet saving, alien race liberating heroes and heroines.

Anyone not familiar with Starlight may be a little lost now – I should probably start from the beginning.

Starlight follows the life and times of Duke Mcqueen, an aged, widower, with two grown up sons who rarely visit and fairly few friends in the world. That’s because, in his youth, Duke got transported to a distant planet, where, with a sleek rapier in hand, he saved the entire universe. Problem is, when he returned home to Earth, nobody believed him (except his future wife to be). Branded a bit of a whack job, Duke spends his former years in solitude, reliving the past and thinking of his loved ones.

That’s all until he’s visited by a strange boy with a spaceship who asks for his help to save the universe once more. With a bit of a squeeze into his old space gear, Duke sets off on his last great adventure... 

By Aaron Nash

So people killing the Marvel universe isn’t a particularly new idea.  The Punisher did it back in 1995 and 17 years later, in 2012, Marvel decided it was time to do it again, this time with the ridiculously popular Deadpool, in Deadpool Kills The Marvel Universe. 

I want to just point out that I’ve never been 100% sold on the character of Deadpool. I love the idea of him and I love the fact that he is almost entirely self-aware. I’m just disappointed that most authors don’t know how to handle his breaking the 4th wall. There are so many possibilities, yet so few have been explored other than using it for inane, idiotic humour.  

By Sam Hurcom

Recently, I’m With Geek reviewed Squatters, an upcoming indie comic written by Eli Mamane. Set in a near future dystopian setting, Squatters depicts a world where raging parasites have destroyed most of civilisation, using their devastating abilities to control human beings. Based on real life parasites, Squatters is definitely a bit freaky and a new favourite here at I’m With Geek. This week, we caught up with Eli to find out all about his work…

By Jacob H Baxter

It seems like all of my favourite things are constantly being ridiculed in one form or another. Professional wrestling is always lauded as being “fake,” although I prefer to think of it as a relative term. It's not truly “fake” in my eyes. Staged, per-determined, and scripted all do indeed apply. But, World Wrestling Entertainment defines itself as sports entertainment, not a true sporting competition. Thus, I feel that the term fake is incorrect, since it as such admits to being entertainment and not fake, as in passing itself off as something it is not. Squidbillies on Cartoon Network is constantly being lauded as low-brow humour. But, still humourous indeed. I imagine many people miss the countless references to Atlanta and the North Georgia area that only those of us with a working knowledge of that region will appreciate and understand. Since the fourth instalment, Halo is under fire for being too repetitive, even though every yearly Call of Duty is basically just a re-skinning of the last iteration. Even my beloved Transformers has caught flak with Bay at the helm.

By Aaron Nash

‘We’re all born sinners.’

In a statement made by the protagonist’s father about whether killing is a sin, the novelist Max Collins delves deep into the reader’s core and reflects quite a deep and powerful truth. It is statements like these that help provide the story ‘Road to Perdition’ with such clarity and emotion that the reader can’t help but want to read on. It’s a book aimed at looking at the evil within all of us and questions whether one has to be good or bad, or if you can walk that fine line down the middle.