2009: My Favorite Comics
Dec 30A few notes before we begin: I read everything in trade these days. (Civil War broke me, you guys — broke me.) That means that I am 1) eternally behind by at least one Astounding Marvel Crossover Event 2) listing things here that are either collected editions or graphic novels. Cause that’s what I read. Initially, I was going to make everything I read this year — regardless of release date — eligible, but that proved to be too daunting a task. So the stuff on this list actually came out this year (though in one case, I believe it came out in hardcover last year and in trade this year, but I bought the trade, so that’s what counts).
So…yes. I guess this is more like My Ten Favorite Comics That Came Out in Trade Paperback Format This Year. Honestly, sometimes explaining your reading habits is just as confusing as explaining Big Two continuity.
And now, in no particular order…
2009: My Favorite Movies
Dec 28You know what? This was actually a pretty dang great year for nerdy movies. Zombies, Vulcans, bespectacled young ladies who know how to rollerskate? All there! Because I know you’re not at all sick of these end-of-the-year lists yet, here’s a rundown of my favorite films of 2009. This isn’t a “here are the undisputed best movies!” list. Or a “here are the ones that will win a bunch of awards!” list. Just my ten personal favorites, in no particular order.
The Iron Man 2 Trailer
Dec 18We’ve all seen it by now, yes?
If not, peruse below:
Wow, right?
I love Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark. He is not too zany or campy, just a man with unlimited wealth and unlimited potential who is on top of the world and knows it.
Mickey Rourke’s casting aside, I’ve not gotten a big thrill out of Backlash being the villain here (or rather, a villain), and I thought those first stills of him were kind of silly, but I’m a bit more of a believer after seeing Rourke and the whips in action. I could do without the ‘evil science genius vs. good science genius’ plot again, especially since it once again seems to revolve around repulsor technology, but I’m not about to lose sleep over the storytellers establishing a theme.
War Machine made me freak out a bit, I don’t mind telling you. I suspect, reader, that you had a similar reaction.
And Pepper kissing the helmet? Can that be my entry in Sarah’s contest?
Grok #5: Retcon
Dec 16So here we are: decking the halls, jingling the bells, fa-la-la-la-la-ing ourselves into a slightly manic frenzy of holiday cheer. But before we stuff our gaping maws full of festively-sculpted cheeseballs and fall into a massive lard coma, we’re giving you a little gift: a brand-new issue of Grok.
If you’ll recall, this is our PDF zine you can read on your computer screen or print out and tote wherever you desire. Within, you will find fiction, essays and other general hilarity dedicated to geek culture and the nerd experience, all centered around a delightful theme. This time ’round, we’re all about…Retcon.
In this issue…
Slimed in Klutziness, by Rob Bloom: Rob calls upon his all-powerful “spazzbrum” to recall — in hilariously excruciating detail — the time he got his entire family to try out for the greatest game show ever, Double Dare. Sliming, singing, screaming, and a whole mess of Nickelodeon-sponsored hijinks ensue.
Lunch of Two Worlds!, by Daniel R. Faust: Two of Earth’s greatest heroes convene over a cup of soup. But which “Earth” is it, exactly?!
My Epic Win, by Sarah Kuhn: Julie, Braidbeard, and the whole frakkin’ gang return in this holiday-themed mini-sequel to One Con Glory! Have they developed into socially mature, well-adjusted people who do not have stupid fights about things like All-Star Superman? (SPOILER ALERT: No.)
In honor of this little sequel and mushy-gushy romance-type things, we’re also giving away two copies of One Con Glory. Details here!
The Letter Home, by Matt Springer: What do you get when you mix disgruntled employees, social awkwardness, and a whole shitload of fried chicken? Nothing good, we’re betting.
Inside a Writers’ Room Attempting to Retcon My Life, by Ivan Sian: Ivan’s life is perfect. Sort of. Almost. Or it will be once network television’s finest hacks are done with it.
The Tale of the Gallant Sailor, Part II, by Matthew Walden: Embattled Navy officer Northrop Glitten returns…only to be haunted by ghosts both real and imagined.
Plus: Startling new storylines resulting from J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek retcon! Ten little-known Marvel universes! Shout-outs! Extensive corrections involving Magneto-based continuity! You will love every moment!
The Perfect Kiss Panel
Dec 15To me, there’s nothing more sublime than a perfect kiss panel.
Yeah, yeah, I know — I’m a big, mushy girl with big, mushy feelings about big, mushy romantic things. In my adult years, I have finally accepted this distinctly uncool, ‘shippy part of my geek profile. (For so long, I concealed it within the classic armor of a cynic/closet romantic, carefully avoiding the topic of Riker/Troi’s latest near-dalliance in public discussion while secretly sending away for whatever marginally dirty fanfic I could get my hands on.)
Anyway, executing the perfect kiss in storytelling — the one that takes place at the exact right moment between the right people, the one that provides an emotional center to whatever tale you’re trying to tell — is one of those things that always thrills me, maybe even provokes a “squee” or two. (Two’s the limit, though, totally — I’ve accepted my hopeless romantic ‘shippiness, but I still try to stay away from shrieking like a spazoid stereotype. Try.)