PAUL:  I'm trying to figure out my top 10 comic moments of 2007 and am having some difficulties:

1. Sinestro Corps War
2. Batman #666
3. Top Cow’s First Born
4. JLA/Hitman
5. The Spirit #11
6. Robin #169 (based on the cover alone)
7. 52 Spin Offs - Black Adam: The Dark Age and The Four Horseman
8. Teen Titans #51
9. Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #23 (where JJJ kicks the crap out of Peter Parker)

ARON:  Looking at your list, it's amazing to me how much of what you've listed that I have not read.  I am totally in agreement on the SINESTRO CORPS WAR.  It's not just the best story arc of teh year, I think it's in the top five of the last 10 years.  It's that good.

PAUL:  Totally agree!

ARON:  I am really enjoying the BLACK ADAM 52 spin off.  Great stuff.  Particularly that first issue where he eats his retainers.

PAUL:  Yeah, totally love Black Adam and the Four Horseman (written by Keith Giffen and featuring one of the best best Batman scenes of the year with Snapper Carr).

ARON:  Robin #169 did have a pretty cover.  I've not read any of the others on your list.  I'd have to add the STARLORD mini to such a list.  And the new THOR ongoing.

ARON:  'Tell you, I sure am glad I don't read the Spider-books.  This would have cheesed me off.

PAUL:  As much as I dig some of the creators on the next couple of storylines, I think I may pass.

ARON:  Smart man... So, Paul, predictions for 2008?

...Stay tuned....

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 1:14 AM CST

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There are certain phrases that we men of the married variety long to hear from our wives. 

For example:

•  "Pizza tonight?"
• "Cherry Pit?"
• "Let's watch all six of the original crew Star Trek movie DVDs with cast commentary and invite all your friends over to argue about Star Trek V!"

But one phrase that I never hoped nor dare dreamed would ever spring from Suzanne's mouth was "I think I'd like a Wii."

Now the first time she mentioned this, I thought she was screwing with me.  It was Christmas Day, I believe.  I didn't take the conversation too seriously.  She had some questions about the system and the games available.  It was a rather low key discussion.

Still... 

Last night on the way home from dinner, she said it again.

"I think I'd like a Wii."

I nearly stopped the car.

"Really?" I asked, still incredulous.

"Really," She assured.

So the hunt is on.

Baby wants a Wii?  Baby gets a Wii. 

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 12:52 PM CST

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I have worn glasses since I was eighteen years old. 

When I was 17, I had 20/20 vision.  By the time I was eighteen, I could no longer read the chalk board from the back of the classroom.  I marveled that my eyesight could change so drastically over such a short period of time.

I have since learned that this is not uncommon for boys.

"You have acute myopia," The doctor told me.

"Why thank you," I smiled in response.

On my way home from the ophthalmologist that day, I called my mom.  In a grim voice I informed her,  "The diagnosis is in.  I have acute myopia."

"Oh my God!"   

She wasn't amused when I told her that it just meant that I'm near sighted.

Earlier this year, I turned forty.  Right on cue, I observed some difficulty with my vision.  This too, is not uncommon I learned.

I called to schedule an appointment with my optometrist for a Thursday morning...

"I'm sorry," The lady at the scheduling desk told me, "Dr. Reynolds is not available on Thursday.  I'll schedule you with Dr. Neal."

"NO!"  I exclaimed.  I took a moment to calm myself, "I'd really rather see Dr. Reynolds.  When is she available?"

Dr. Reynolds (not her real name) is adorable.  She smells so good.  And when she leans in to look into your eyes, it's like she's looking into your very soul.

I have a little crush on her, you see. 

Which is okay, because Suzanne has a crush on her dentist - or as she calls him - Dr. Hottie.

Because I like to spend as much as time as possible with Dr. Reynolds, I requested to include the Digital Retinal Imaging into my exam.

"That won't be covered by your insurance," I was informed.  "It's an additional $40."

"That's fine," I answered.  Small price to pay for more time with my lovely optometrist.

"You were right," Dr. Reynolds said as she completed my exam.  "You're having some difficulty with reading close-up.  You're distance vision is unchanged."

"Oh God," I groaned, "Will the word 'focal' be appearing in my new prescription?"

"'Fraid so."

Crap.

"Other than that," She continued, "Your eyes are healthy.  No problems at all."

You know, Suzanne has had the good fortune to need bridgework allowing for lots of time with her Dr. Hottie. 

Me?  I have to have healthy eyes!  I knew I should have jabbed a stick in my eye before I went to see Dr. Reynolds.

So, here I sit wearing my new frames complete with "progressive" lenses allowing me to see both near and far.  It is a good thing, they tell me, to be able to see the world with clarity.  Yet I am sad.  For what benefit is sight when one must wait an entire year before seeing Dr. Reynolds once again?

Posted by Aron Head at 9:27 AM CST

Updated: Saturday, 29 December 2007 11:00 AM CST

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My buddy Rodger sent this to me.  I laughed so hard, I pee'd myself!  Rodger likes it when I pee myself.

Posted by Aron Head at 10:32 PM CST

Updated: Friday, 28 December 2007 10:35 PM CST

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Man... I picked up INCREDIBLE HULK: ULTIMATE DESTRUCTION for my old, beloved PS2 today.  Wow... this game is freakin' awesome.  Truly, truly smash-worthy!

Just like Marvel Ultimate Alliance, I picked this one up a bit late.  The game came out back in 2005.

It provides exactly the type of experience you're looking for from a game featuring ol' Jade Jaws.  Acting as the Hulk, you can pick up and smash just about everything.  And people - when you approach them - scream and run away.  

Even better, they cry when the Hulk picks 'em up, "Agh!  Help me!"

"I can't feel my legs!"

"Aiiiieeee!"

The game allows the player to profoundly damage the environment.  I cannot begin to express how gratifying that is. 

I giggled the whole time I played it this evening.

The Hulk and I have a lot in common, you see.  The madder he gets, the stronger he gets whereas the madder I get, the more sarcastic I get.

Aron is the smart-assiest there is!!!  RAAAAARGH!

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 7:42 PM CST

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Our Christmas tradition starts on Xmas Eve.  We start the evening with a tex-mex dinner.  This year, we went to Joe T's for supper.

Now, Joe T's ain't the best Mexican food around, but it's good.  If we'd had our 'druthers we'd have gone to La Playa Maya, Fiesta or El Paseo - but these were all closed yesterday.

We actually go to Joe T Garcia's fairly often, but usually it's for a fundraiser for various 501c3's the Wife and I support.  They have a beautiful garden and patio area.   That's where we usually dine.  In fact up until last night in our nearly eight years of marriage, Suzanne and I have never eaten in the dining room together.  It was too cold for al fresco last night, though.

We dined inside.

Dating myself here, but the last time I ate in the dining room at Joe T's was during the Cullen Davis Murder Trials.  Racehorse Haynes sat at the table next to us.  Richard "Racehorse" Haynes was the Johnny Cochrane of his day.  I'm sure if we'd had Court TV back in the day, he'd be a household name outside of Texas... as it is, anybody who was old enough to watch the news from '75 on down here in the Lone Star state knows all about him.

But I digress. 

Dinner was nice.

As ever the nachos rocked, but the enchiladas were a bit "meh."

Afterwards, the traditions continued as we drove through various neighborhoods looking at Christmas lights and then embarked on our annual, fruitless endeavor to find a Starbucks open on Xmas Eve.  No joy.  Suzanne had to make-do with 7-11 coffee.

We then went on to church to sing carols just before the Mid-Night Mass.  The Wife and I are cradle Episcopalians.  The index of The Book of Common Prayer is written in our DNA.  Christmas without midnight mass is a little like Diet Coke without the fizz.

Between hymns, Suzanne produced a tin of mints offering me one.

"No thank you," I whispered.

She provided a slight shake to the tin, further encouraging me.

"No thank you," I repeated.

"Take," She urged me with a timbre that compelled compliance, "The mint!"

Later, she would tell me that there was a decidedly ranchero quality to my breath.  

After services, we stopped back in at 7-11 for a Slurpee.  The Slurpee aspect of our tradition goes back to the first Christmas Suzanne and I spent together, back when we were dating.  We both were fighting colds and needed the Slurpees for throat relief.  It was the same the year after and the year after that.  After three years of Slurpees, it became our tradition - sore throats or otherwise.

Now, just because one goes to a 7-11 doesn't mean that the Slurpees are ready to serve.  Often, we have to hit more than one. 

Much like the Magi travelling far from the east following a star to the birth site of God made flesh, we travel in search of Slurpees ready-to-serve.  It is not unusual that we hit two or three stores.

Last night, we got it right the first time.  Truly, a Christmas miracle!

Sipping on our tasty frozen beverages, we drove home.  

On Christmas Day, we drink.

Seriously.

We started the morning with mimosas.  While breaking our fast on a sumptuos Croissant Breakfast Pudding prepared by The Wife with some fresh fruit, we drank mimosas.  We exhchanged gifts and... well that's thirsty work, so more mimosa.

After present opening is accomplished, Suzanne moved onto bloody marys.  She is especially partial to ol' Red Eye's horseradish mix.  I hads me a few screwdrivers before transitioning to beer at the noon hour.

The libations continued all afternoon and will progress through the night. 

Suzanne is making a roast leg of lamb with dark beer, honey, and thyme.  We'll have wine with that.   And I am looking forward to a glass of port and a cigar on the porch.

It's like Suzanne says, "Anybody who believes you can't drink your problems away simply isn't drinking enough."

It's been a cozy day here at the house.

Thank God I don't have to drive anywhere!

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 4:47 PM CST

Updated: Tuesday, 25 December 2007 5:51 PM CST

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MILD SPOILERS AHEAD

The truth of the matter is that comic publishing today at the big two companies is lousy with large event crossovers.  These events are over-promoted and over-hyped while more often than not turn out in a wholly unsatisfying manner.  Recent examples include Marvel's Civil War and World War Hulk.  Both started strong, but finished with a "meh."

DC Comics got it right with their 11-part Sinestro Corps War (SCW) in the Green Lantern books.

It started strong, improved throughout the run, and finished HUGE.  There have been few instances in the last few year where I have been so entertained, so jazzed, so impressed by a comic book story arc.  Green Lantern #25 is an explosive "super-sized finale" to the war story expertly spun by Geoff Johns.

The Sinestro Corps is the evil opposite to the Green Lantern Corps.  Led by Sinestro, a former Green Lantern of note, the Sinestro Corps is comprised of many bad guys including Hank Henshaw (The Cyborg Superman from Reign of the Supermen who destroyed Coast City) and my favorite villain from Infinite Crisis, Superman Prime.  

Whereas the Green Lantern Corps utilizes willpower to anchor their power rings, the Sinestro Corps utilizes fear.  In fact, the ability to "instill great fear" is the requisite to join the SC.  Bunch of terrible bastards those guys  wearing the yellow.

Unlike some of the other big events in comics this year, the SCW truly was a must read.  I hadn't been picking up the current run of Green Lantern, yet the hype succeeded in grabbing my attention and here I am picking up all three GL books now:  Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps, and - if it goes to regular series - Ion.  If every "event story" could be this good, you'd never hear me complain about them ever again.

GL #25 is chock full of amazing splash pages. 

One thing I don't fully understand about Superman Prime (seen above handing Supes his ass) is why he is so much more powerful than Superman.  Is it that SP is a nut-job and our Kal-El restrains himself too much?  There really is somethin' cool about a Superman who cuts loose, y'know, and tears people's arms off.  Man, if our Superman would do that from time-to-time, I bet he'd have less trouble from that bald nuissance Lex Luthor.

One terrific moment in the book is when the citizens of the rebuilt Coast City decline evacuation and stand with their Green Lantern as he faces down Sinestro himself.  In a show of solidarity, the entire town flashes green flash lights into the sky.  Having been around for the murder of Coast City's seven million residents in the 90's, the city's support of Hal Jordan moved me.

Green Lantern #25 ends the Sinestro Corp War for now, but like the first World War the SCW is really a precursor to the next, much larger conflict.  It ain't over yet.

A beat that World War Hulk and Civil War really missed is the aftermath of the conflict.  Civil War just came to a crashing end and really, who gave a crap by the time WWH ended?

In the pages of Green Lantern #25, we are provided with a wonderful two pages of postwar life in Coast City with Hal's family.

This book sets up a lot of stuff for the next two years in the DC Universe.  Unlike Marvel whose books are important only because they say-so, GL #25 is a must-read because it is truly meaningful to current and future events the DCU. 

The aftermath of the war continues in Green Lantern Corps #19 in which our heroes get some time to chillax.  This is my favorite kind of comic book, the ones where there's not a lot of fighting.  The heroes just get a chance to be.  I like those little moments of mundanity.

We also are provided with the origin story of the newest member of the Sinestro Corps.  I can't wait to see this guy bustin' up the 'verse with his new powers...

One last thing, we now know via the pages of the Sinestro Corps War that the zombie apocalypse is coming in 2009, and these zombies are wearing jewelry!

Great stories were told this year in the pages of the Green Lantern books.  I can't wait for the rest of these tales to be told.

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 9:28 AM CST

Updated: Monday, 24 December 2007 1:19 PM CST

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Of Gods and Men is possibly the most ambitious of the independent Star Trek productions to date. It has been in the making for 2 years and has a number of Trek veterans both in front of and behind the camera. Designed as a 3 part mini-series, OGaM aspires to tell an epic tale in the Trek universe that both ties up some future history arcs while trying to play social commentary on our times.

For a project with so much talent involved, I was a bit disappointed at how poorly it is directed and edited.  There's not much dynamic energy, the transitions from scene-to-scene suck the life out of it.

Still, it is enjoyable and a lot of fun to see all those folks together again. 

Aron Head
www.EvilBastard.net 

Posted by Aron Head at 9:15 AM CST

Updated: Sunday, 23 December 2007 9:16 AM CST

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