WCAH Episode 14: A Kidney Stone To The FACE!!!

Happy Labor Day, Kiddies! In this episode, the West Coast crew read some listener (love?) mail and finally address the Disney / Marvel deal. The conversation eventually breaks down in to general disarray and comics in general, just the way you like it.

West
Coast About Heroes - Episode 14

Also, check out Aria and Debra, the first 2 official "AboutFans" in their own comics blog, Girls Dig Comics Too. But only if you promise to not like them more than us.

We have a twitter account! For more frequent comic-oriented updates, follow us: TWEET. Also, feel free to email us: aboutheroes 'AT' gmail.com.

Disney / Marvel Shenanigans

Yeah yeah, we know, the whole thing went down yesterday and we didn't make a peep, shaddap about it! The West Coast Crew is gonna do a whole podcast on it soon. For now, enjoy:

P.S. We've had the latest Podcast locked and loaded since early last week, we've just had technical problems uploading it. Expect to see it floating through your itunes soon (God Willing!).

WE AREN'T DEAD...

Hey kiddies! It's me! That guy who sometimes throws up crass comics he didn't make about comic books and occasionally does a movie review or podcast! That's right, Joshiebear! I wanted to get on the site and let you know that we folks at AboutHeroes haven't forgotten about you and to thank you for your patience as we go through this transitional phase. To reward you for your patience, I thought I'd give you a peak at what we've been up to so you can know what to expect in the near future.

We've been developing a new live-action news show hosted by our very own Chris Heltzel that's set in the multiverse of comics to give a bit of a commentary on what's happening in comics while also just plain old keeping you, the readers, in the know. We've shot 2 episodes already and will be shooting a 3rd about 8 hours from when I'm typing this now. The set is totally green-screen, so all the extra stuff is fabricated by yours truly after all the other players have done their parts. I took some snapshots you can see below to get an idea of what the show's going to look like, at least for now.

We have a lot of really talented, amazing people working on this and I'm really excited to see how it grows and where it takes us. I sincerely hope that when we start releasing them, you will enjoy them as much as we enjoy making them. Please feel free to ask any questions you might have, I'd be happy to answer them.

DC vs Mortal Kombat.....REALLY?!?

ZOMG! A DC VIDEOGAME IS COMING OUT!!!
It's DC vs Mortal Kombat.
.....
WHAT? There really isn't a 'Happy' part to this one. Mortal Kombat hasn't been relevent or popular in almost 10 years, and aside from Rayden (spelling? don't care enough to check) everyone else who's part of the MK crew would get their asses kicked in a fight against DC characters. Ugh. Think about it. When's the last time you played a good DC oriented game? Want to hear MY answer? NEVER. I have never played a good DC game. Yeah, some of the Batman games were alright when I was a kid, but nothing special.

Anyway, reports say they're going to magically make DC characters such as Superman crappier with a Magic Handicap. All I really have to say is...this is dumb and I hate them for knowing that nerds like myself will at the very least go out and rent it (not buying, I refuse to do that) to indulge my morbid sense of curiosity. Well, maybe we'll be able to play online and one of you guys out there in whereveryouareland can get on and kick my 'Reptile' ass with any number of DC characters that'll make the game. In my opinion it would be smarter for them to do sort of a Marvel Nemesis take and just MAKE UP characters to fight our heroes. Ugh. That game was crappy, but it's sure to be better than this thing. Ok, bitch-session: OVER.

The Tattoo Of Destruction

Beware the Lobster's Claw

Another Star is Lost: My Tribute to Mike Wieringo

Fellow comic book fans, I’m sure by now you have heard that we have lots an incredible talent in the world of comics. Mr. Mike Wieringo passed away on Sunday, August 12, 2007 at his home due to a heart attack. This comes as a total shock to me and I’m sure other Wieringo fans are also stunned and sad upon hearing this news.

Instead of reviewing one of his books, I just want to take a moment to pay tribute to this incredible illustrator. I became aware of Mr. Wieringo’s artwork during his two year run on the Sensational Spider-Man.

Along with writer Todd Dezago, Mr. Wieringo got to pencil part of the “Revelations” storyline that concluded the two year clone saga. When the real Peter Parker returned as Spider-Man, Wieringo got to draw a plethora of heroes and villains during his Sensational run. Among the heroes and villains brought to life by Mr. Wieringo were: Ka-Zar, Shanna the She-Devil, the Incredible Hulk, Stergon, the Prowler, Swarm, the Fantastic Four, Dr. Strange, Spidey’s temporary slinger identity the Hornet, and even the beautiful Black Cat (if only for the covers during that arc). His final issue was issue 33 I believe, where the Rhino was on a rampage and Spidey had to stop him once more.

Mr. Wieringo also did a lot of work for DC comics. I never read his Flash run with Mark Waid, but my friends tell me it was awesome. I believe Mr. Wieringo also penciled some issues of Superman, but I’m not sure on that. What really excited me was his run on Fantastic Four with Mark Waid. I hadn’t been picking up the FF books since Jim Lee did his Heroes Reborn year long story. But when I heard Mr. Wieringo was geared up to tackle the adventures of Marvel’s first family, I was very very happy with the news. Over their FF run, Wieringo proved he still had the talents to tackle the wild and weird settings and themes of any good FF story. Not only did he show the family aspects of the FF, he also got to draw the Negative Zone, outer space, Latveria, and other classic FF settings. During this run, Waid and Wieringo told one of my all time favorite Doctor Doom stories, “Unthinkable” which concluded in the legendary FF #500. Mr. Wieringo also got to play with the classic FF characters and villains, including the just mentioned Dr. Doom, Galactus, the Silver Surfer, and more. He also got to illustrate some familiar heroes during this run, most notably Spider-Man and Dr. Strange.

One of the most touching stories during their run was a three part story where the FF travel to heaven itself to bring their friend Ben Grimm back to life. When meeting with God himself, it was none other than Jack Kirby. It was a lot of fun reading that issue and Mr. Wieringo’s work simply shined throughout each and every page.

All in all, everyone take a moment to pay your respects to a wonderful creator. I had the chance to meet Mr. Wieringo at Wizard World Philadelphia 2003 and he was a very generous person, signing books and sketching for fans. While I didn’t get a sketch, I did watch him draw an awesome Black Cat sketch for the person in front of me. Mr. Wieringo never complained and took the time to talk with each and every fan. So here is to you Mr. Wieringo, thank you for everything. You were taken from us to early, but know that your work has inspired many comic book fans.

Thank you.

It's The Eye-Patch That Says....

An Iron Man movie detail has come to light and been reported over at Ain't It Cool....the little bit of news? Nick Fury is introduced and being played by....wait for it...Samuel L Jackson.

If I wasn't gonna see Iron Man before I CERTAINLY am now.

LIVE FROM HEROES CON !!!

Yes folks this is Nick aka The Dude, coming to you LIVE from Charlotte, NC at HEROES CON. Thus far I have uncovered a lot of DC news...I'd give you some Marvel news too but....they don't have any panels up here. Ok, enough of my yammering, on with what I have learned.

-The Flash will be cancelled after #13.....wait for it...

-Mark Waid WILL be writting The Flash after #13 with a restart of the series!!!

-Challengers of the Beyond (Kyle Rayner/Donna Troy/Jason Todd) news slipped by Didio, Jann Jones throws many things at DCU EIC.

-Jann Jones very cute and funny...wait that's probably not news...ok next...

-Barbara Gordon will STAY in the wheelchair. Didio said the character is stronger as such, to which I say GOOD.

-There are rules to the multiverse. Didio wouldn't elaborate.

- Plastic Man book, apparently Ethan Van Sciver has had one in the works for awhile, no firm release date though.

-Ralph & Sue Dibny mini is coming but, not for awhile.

-Wildstorm is one of the 52 earths

-Batgirl aka Cassandra Cain….nobody has any clue where she is, seriously, they got no new info. I asked and the panel was dumbfounded. Cassie? Didio aks. Anyone? Ok...um she is in the Himalayas

-Wonder Girl miniseries coming out of Amazon Attack series.

-Starman, more explanation in JSA #10

-New Earth 2 - News coming December

-Krypto shows up in Captain Carrot later on.

-Bad Superboy appears in Sinestro Corp.

-Extra Lanterns other then the three, will be explained in Sinestro Corp.

-Ian Churchill…something is in the works.

-Question/Batwoman miniseries.

- Sucide Squad Showcase confirmed….though Didio mistakenly said Essentials (THAT was hilarious!)

-Busted Statue of Liberty poster….there will be another poster….Ethan Van Sciver does it…more clues.

That's pretty much it. I better get off here. The webcomics panel is starting up. Full days' recap with PICTURES, coming later on. after conventions' end.

Rob Liefeld is going to KILLRAVEN!!!!

If you aren't familiar with the Killraven character, just think what would happened if the aliens from World of the Wars returned in 2001, but of course that was retconned from continuity....damn how long have the publishers been retconning stuff? Humanity is enslaved and men battle like gladiators to amuse the baby eating Martians...and I don't mean that in the sense that Iron Man eats babies; I mean these fuckers ate babies!!!!! A gladiator by the name of Killraven escapes to lead a group of freedom fighters against the Martians. I highly recommend everyone go and read the cheap Killraven essential; that puts together an awesome creator cast such as Howard Chaykin, Neal Adams, Roy Thomas, Herb Trimpe, P Craig Russell, and Marv Wolfman. Mad props to those guys for sneaking in the first interracial kiss in comic books! If you want to find out more about the character just go here . From the look of the preview page Captain America's shield has made it to Earth-691. Perhaps he too is hanging out there to recuperate from the shit that was Civil War. The new book is written by Robert Kirkman and drawn by Rob Liefeld, it will be out in 2008. Hopefully by that time Onslaught Reborn final issue will be completed and Youngblood: Bloodsport # 2 will be completed...because the eight fans of the first book have been waiting patiently since December 2004!

Breaking News - Yeah....somebody dies...AGAIN!

A Marvel character is killed....a BIG one....don't worry Ben it's not Spider-Man....though I am sure ole' Joe threw the idea around a bit beforehand

All in all we all know this won't last, when is a death in comics ever permanent, heck Joe even said to news outlets this person is coming back, just not right away.