I think that G.I. Zombie cover must be broken...

Somewhat improbably, I picked up 24 of the 41 books in DC's recent Future's End event, 23 of them with the fancy-pants lenticular covers. This batch was ninety-nine cents an issue, down from the $3.99 cover price, and I'd probably be asking too much if I expected to find the most popular books like Harley Quinn or most of the Batman titles at that price.

Without being 100% up on the current DC status quo, this event was set five years in the future, after any number of terrible and life-changing events had happened to our heroes; up to and including a much-teased war with Earth 2. Or possibly the Apokalips of Earth 2? It's not necessarily important, depending on the book.

Out of the titles I've read, Grayson may be the best of the lot: I had read the Comics Alliance write-up on it, but was still surprised. I thought Constantine was pretty good, although I'm trying to remember how Dr. Fate transitioned from superhero to dick to outright villain. New Suicide Squad finally lives up to the name, but felt just a hair too thin. Star-Spangled War Stories wasn't bad: I didn't have any particular attachment to those characters, but I like Scott Hampton's art and that the story seems to wrap up the series preemptively. (That was the only issue I've picked up the plain cover for, so far.)

I found two two-parters: Justice League United/Justice League and Aquaman/Aquaman and the Others. They were both blah. (Captain Atom, with a crappier version of his 52-look, is the bad guy in the JL one, but I'll be damned if I could tell you why exactly.)

Somehow, the Demon is a romantic lead in the New 52, on more than one occasion: in Justice League Dark here with Zatanna, and previously in the cancelled Demon Knights with Madame Xanadu. It's a bold choice, I'll give 'em that. (From "Scars" Story by J.M. DeMatteis, script by Len Wein, pencils by Andres Guinaldo, inks by Walden Wong.) That actually almost made the issue for me, although if you read all the Future's End issues, some seams don't line up: before he can change into Etrigan, Jason Blood is apparently killed by a vampire Batwoman!

I don't know if I'd have paid full price for them, but the Batgirl and Red Lanterns issues worked for me: both were happy endings that probably couldn't happen without ending the characters' stories. But I was a little disappointed by the Booster Gold story: it seems to pick up from the last time he was seen in the New 52, but also ends on a cliffhanger that felt forced to me. I'm not sure if any of these made me want to run out and pay cover price for new DC books, but some of them made me a little curious how they were doing.
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"Spider-Verse."

I'm only reading the very outskirts of the current Spider-Verse crossover, in a few issues of Spider-Man 2099. But I remembered I had a Spider-Hulk figure, and the old Manga Spider-Man (it took me a few minutes to google that one up!) so I thought I'd do a quick Spidey joke...but then I could not for the life of me find my plain Spider-Man figure!

I do have an Ultimate one, that can switch to Peter Parker, that I may have to dig up later. (And I did!) Or I might be up for the next batch of Spidey figures, which I think includes Anti-Venom, a new Build-a-Figure Green Goblin, and Spidey with interchangeable heads, one with his mask half-up.

In various scales, there have been so many insane Spider-Man variants--I rather enjoyed 90's, pre-Legends oddballs like Anti-Vampire or Anti-Symbiote Spidey. And there's several alt-versions I don't have that could've been included here, like an Iron-Spidey or Web-Armor Spidey. There's been halfway decent Cyborg and Robot Spider-Men in this scale as well.

Still, while there are still some Spider-Men I could see myself paying for, I'd have to say #1 on that list would probably be a decent Spider-Ham. It's a crime it's taken toy companies this long to hop on that one...and my wife would like a Captain Americat while they're at it.
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"Atlantisbottom."

I never get tired of Namor and Aquaman complaining at each other. I'm kinda looking to the new Spongebob movie, actually...

Just a quick one today, since I have to get to work on some strips...and watch the playoffs all weekend.
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An odd duck of a book...

Shoot, I thought this was the last issue of this series, but it was a slightly odd one: from 1998, Adventures in the DC Universe #18, "Destroy the JLA!" Written by Steve Vance, pencils by John Delaney, inks by Ron Boyd.

This book was in the DC Universe animated style, but predating the Justice League cartoon. Batman and Superman are on-model, Flash and Martian Manhunter and Wonder Woman are close, but this series had a more traditional lineup with hook-hand Aquaman and Kyle Rayner as Green Lantern. This issue, Professor Ivo unleashes Amazo on the team, and the android fights like hell to make his creator proud. Unfortunately, he makes the rookie mistake of ignoring the "powerless" Batman. Ivo suspects Bats of having "super-thwarting power."

Amazo is badly damaged, and barely escapes with the JLA on his tail; but that was all part of Ivo's plan to drain the teams' powers and create an army of Amazos. The first Amazo is less than thrilled at being used, and turns on his master. Not unlike the JLA, this Amazo's a more traditional look than he would sport in the cartoon. A perfectly fine little issue, but it's not the animated JLA you would expect.

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"Pool Log."

I could probably listen to Shatner or Stewart narrating a Captain's Log, but Deadpool? I'd rather not. Is Kurt acting strangely? We find out next week!
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This blog hits the Skids. (Boo!)

We did a quick scan from this issue already, last February; but I may have mentioned how Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye is a book that's going to hold up for multiple re-reading. And getting another copy of this comic proved it!

The Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #22, "Little Victories" Written by James Roberts, art by James Raiz. With a new cover, this issue was packaged with Autobot Skids, the "forgetful theoretician" who is also apparently a Swiss army knife of weapons. But, the comic features Rewind's video journal of the crew of the Lost Light. Seems simple enough...except one of that crew was revealed as a traitor in later issues! And everything the traitor says on camera seems innocuous enough then, but super ominous now. It's great work from a writer playing a long game.

Skids doesn't play a big role in this issue, but a bit. I don't recall seeing him recently in the title, but it's a big cast. Get 'em both!
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Starting out 2015...

...with not as much clearance items as I would've expected; but I picked up four Kre-O G.I. Joe series five blind-bags at Toys R Us.

This series doesn't have codes, so you have to either trust blind chance, or try to feel the bags out. (Ew, don't say it like that!) The bag I grabbed randomly was another Human Bullet, aka Bulletman; but I did get a Battle-Damaged B.A.T., Leatherneck, and a Ninja-Ku. I'm not up on my Cobra ninjas, so I don't know if he's a specific guy, or an army-builder, but there we go.

I also started a new log--a Spider-Man journal from Wal-Mart--for tracking my toy purchases. Have a Spidey pen somewhere, too, but have to dig that up. I've seen this art show up recently on retail prints as well, a Keith Pollard cover from Amazing Spider-Man #186, which is one of the first Spider-Man comics I can remember reading! It was in a three-pack with #187 guest-starring Captain America, and #188, where Spidey completely owns Jigsaw.

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The Ninth Annual, Random Happenstance, Year in Toys!

2014 is over, and for most people I don't think it's any too soon. But while some bad things did happen this year, I did get married, and bought another metric ton of action figures! I'm pretty grateful for both, but we'll just check out the toys here then...

For new readers: next to my desk at work is a little yellow notebook, in which I have been keeping a running total of every action figure or toy I buy. I started December 2005 and haven't filled it (quite) yet, so apparently I'm not buying enough figures. Hopefully, each entry has the figure's name, the line, the price, and where I bought it; and possibly a link to a cartoon or strip that toy was used in. (Unless that figure's unloved or unphotogenic, I guess. Or I'm lazy...) Totals will usually include postage and tax. Usually. This is by no means a "Best of" list or anything, just what I bought.

As always, most of this list was kept up at OAFE.net, and here's links for 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, and 2006. Nine years of data...of my spending habits, which probably tells you nothing, but still.

1-8 DC Collectibles Brightest Day Jade, $6.52, gohastings.com. Free shipping.

1-12 Marvel Legends A.I.M. Soldier and Hydra Agent, $19.99 each, $42.37 Toys R Us.

1-13 Marvel Select Black Cat wall base, $5 shipped, eBay.

1-14 ML Superior Spider-Man, $19.99, Target. ($21.61 with tax.)

1-17 ML Black Cat, $29 shipped, eBay.

Iron Man Marvel Legends Ultron, $6.99, TJ Maxx.

Something like 14 or 16 Kre-O Micro-Changer Transformers. Mostly $1.48 each at Target, although I did buy a couple from Hastings or Toys R Us. If you want multiple Sharkticons, this is probably the scale to do it in. Let's say $27 for the lot.

eBay'd a Kreon Megatron, $5.

2-5 Kre-O Optimus Prime, $14.99, Big Lots.

2-24 Marvel Universe Nightcrawler, $9.99, Toys R Us.

2-28 Transformers Micro Changers Bulkhead and Lugnut, $2.99 each; Grab Zag Green Lantern, $1.99, $8.64 total, WalGreen.

3-1 Kre-O Devastator, $14.04, RiteAid.

3-8 Micro Changer Rodimus and Cyclonus, $2.79 each, total $6.07, WalGreen.

3-13 Micro Changer Iceberg, Demolishor, Sandstorm, total $9.06, WalGreen.

3-18 Vampirella (black), $13 from a little junk store.

3-19 Mego Star Trek phaser (for the classic 8-inch figures) $2+$3.25 postage, eBay.

3-26 Playmates Star Trek Warp Factor series Sisko, Dax, O'Brien, Jemhadar, and Cardassian; $6+$12 shipping, eBay.

3-27 NECA Prometheus Trilobite and Battle-Damaged Engineer, $11.99, Toys R Us.

3-28 Star Wars Black Bespin Luke and Stormtrooper, $19.99 each, $43.29 total, White Elephant.

Micro Changer Insecticon, $3.23, Hastings.

3-30 Iron Man Iron Patriot and classic Iron Man, $10.79 each, $23.46 total.

4-1 ML3 Deadpool, $33, eBay.

4-2 Lego Batman Tumbler (bagged), $3.99, Target.

4-15 Micro Changer Rodimus, $2.79, Walgreens.

Kre-O spree! Star Trek transporter set, Gorn, Keenser, Klingon, Grasia; D&D Tiefling, Illusion Wizard, Cleric, and Drizzt; G.I. Joe Footloose, Scrap Iron, Lady Jaye, Tunnel Rat, Land Adventurer (and a couple doubles) $51.17, Toys R Us.

4-18 Kre-O Star Trek Enterprise, $35 shipped, Amazon.

DCUC Darkseid (New 52), $7.56, Tuesday Morning.

4-19 Silent Screamers Metropolis Maria (loose), $5+$5 shipping, eBay.

4-22 Micro Changers Singe, Insecticon, Inferno, and Warpath; $1.51 each, $6.04 total, gohastings.com.

4-23 ML Dark Wolverine (masked), $7.99; Kre-O (Mini) Enterprise, $3.99; total $14.02, TJ Maxx.

NECA Prometheus Engineer, $8.50+$3.99 shipping, total 12.49, gohastings.com.

5-2 Transformers Springer, $12 ($14.04 with tax), Wal-Mart.

5-3 Star Wars Black Darth Maul, $13; Kre-O G.I. Joe Atomic Man and 2 Cobra Air Troops, $8.97; total $23.74, Toys R Us.

Kre-O Star Trek Sprog, 2 Klingons, $7.78, the Comic Book Shop.

5-7 Transformers Sandstorm, $6, Wal-Mart.

5-8 Microchanger Kup, $2.99, Walgreens.

5-12 Silver Surfer Meegan Alien (loose), $8.99 shipped, eBay.

5-16 TF Construct-bots Grimlock, $7; Blaster, $17, total $24, Wal-Mart.

5-17 NECA Godzilla, $18.99; Kre-O D&D Paladin, 2 Orcs, $2.99 each; total $30.39, Toys R Us.

Kre-O TF Acid Wing, $2.99, Hastings.

5-22 Star Trek: TNG Guinan (3-D Chessboard), $5.97, eBay.

5-23 TF Construct-Bot Starscream, $2.99, Target.

5-24 Star Wars Chewbacca (Dejarik Champion, with gameboard), $.99+$2.99 shipping, eBay.

5-28 Kre-O D&D Orc Axeman, Orc Fighter, Flag Carrier, $2.99 each, $9.73 Toys R Us.

5-31 Spokane Comicon: McFarlane Al Simmons, $8; Alien: Resurrection Aqua Alien, $2.50; ML Silver Savage, $2.50; LOTR Uruk-hai Orc, $3.00; total $16.

6-2 Kre-O D&D Lord Neverember, $3.99; 2 Orc Fighters, Orc Axeman, $2.99 each, total $14.09.

6-6 DC Collectibles Talon, $24.99, Hastings.

6-9 Transformers Swerve, $9.99, Walmart.

6-10 TF Cosmos, $9.99, Walmart.

6-17 Not-Lego Fantastic Four minifigs, $4.00 shipped, eBay.

6-18 TF Kre-O Micro Changers Jarugar and Nightbeat, $2.99 each, $6.48 total, Toys R Us.

6-27 Marvel Legends Guardians of the Galaxy: Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, Gamora, Drax, Nova, and Space Iron Man; $19.99 each, $129.00 total, Target. Build a Groot!

6-28 TF Kre-O Misfire, Highbrow, Silversnout ($2.99 each) Optimus Constructobot, $5.99, $15 total, Toys R Us.

7-3 WWE accessory Super Soaker, $5.99 shipped, eBay.

7-10 Heroclix Nightcrawler, $8.99+2.75 shipping, total $11.74, eBay.

NECA Tonto, Lone Ranger (unmasked), $5 each, $10.80 total, Hastings.

7-13 Kre-O Mindswipe, Trypticon, free, Toys R Us.

7-31 Lego custom Nightcrawler minifig, $18.51+$3.45 shipping, eBay.

7-31 Not-Lego minifigs: Batman, Robin, Loki, Green Lantern, Wolverine, Deadpool; $4.01 shipped, eBay.

8-1 ML Baron Zemo, $16.39, K-Mart. ML Red Skull, $15, Wal-Mart. (Montana, no tax!)

8-9 ML Agent Venom, $21.61, Walgreens.

Kre-O Star Trek Grasia, Gorn, $2.17, Dollar Store.

8-15 ML Stryfe, $22.99, the Comic Book Shop.

8-16 2 Kre-O Dungeons and Dragons Knights Catapults, $1.99 each, $4.33 total, Toys R Us.

8-17 Kre-O Klingon, $1.08, Dollar Store.

8-21 Indiana Jones Lego Minifigure (plus another one and Short Round for my son!) $8.50 + $3.49 postage, $11.99 total. Not-Lego Spider-Man with bike, $3.27 shipped, eBay.

8-22 Kre-O D&D Fortress Defense, $8.90, Toys R Us.

8-30 MiWorld Vending Machine, $9.99 ($10.80 total) Toys R Us.

9-2 Kre-O Star Trek series 2 Kirk, Spock, $13.48 + $1.98 shipped, eBay.

9-3 Star Wars Black Darth Vader, $19.99 ($21.61 with tax) Walgreens.

9-5 Marvel Legends Cyclops, $23.90, Toys R Us.

Kre-O Star Trek series 2 Kirk, Spock, $6.74 each, $13.48 shipped, eBay.

9-9 Not-Lego Thing, $2.30, eBay.

9-20 Figures Toy Company Batzooka, $6, Bat-Cave Entrance Bust, $6, Bat-Radio, $3: $23 shipped.

9-21 DCUC Mary Marvel, $3, Hastings.

9-30 Batman '66 Catwoman, $15.99, Wal-Mart.

10-5 Futurama series 5 Robot Santa, Captain Yesterday, SuperKing, Nudar, Clobberella, Amy Wong, Calculon; $9.99 each, $60 total, Hastings.

10-15 Star Wars Black Chewbacca, $29.99, Comic Book Shop.

10-18 Star Wars Black Stormtrooper, $19.99, Toys R Us.

Star Trek Kre-O Spock's Volcano Mission, $6.99, Sunday Morning.

10-23 Mr. Freeze, $10.80, Wal-Mart.

11-8 Star Wars Black Jedi Luke, $18.99, Target.

11-12 Magic Garruk Wildspeaker, $7.81, Barnes & Noble. (With $20 gift card.)

11-15 Mattel DC Batmobile, $32.50, Walmart. (Again, after some gift cards.)

Kre-O Cobra Driver, Bulletman, Wingspan Hawk, $1.99 each, $6.50 total; Toys R Us.

Marvel Select Thanos, $18.74, Hastings.

11-21 Kre-O G.I. Joe Zarana, $1.99, Toys R Us.

12-3 Kre-O G.I. Joe Chuckles, $2.99+$2 shipping, eBay.

12-5 DC Action League Larfleeze/Glomulus, $2.05, Burlington Coat Factory.

Kre-O Transformers Optimus, Megatron, Sentinel, Soundwave, Starscream, $3.99, TJ Maxx.

12-13 Transformers Autobot Skids, $12.99; ML Captain America 2 Black Widow, $14.99; $25.98 w/Rewards, Toys R Us.

Kre-O Transformers Bruticus, Superion; $15, Big Lots.

12-19 Kre-O Transformers Menasor, Predaking; $15, Big Lots.

12-17 NECA Batman (with Blu-Ray) $24.99, Hastings.

12-30 NECA Batman (with Blu-Ray) $24.99, Hastings. (One to stay, one to play!)


2014 Total: $1523.25. 2013: $1101.93. 2012: $706.32. 2011: $564.71. 2010: $966.10. 2009: $558.16. 2008: $555.16. 2007: $426.00. 2006: $620.00.

You may or may not have noticed, but my usual meticulous record keeping was not up to par this year. (I can already hear someone laughing at that notion, me being meticulous about something!) For example, I know I bought the Marvel Legends Boomerang at some point (and he had to be $19.99, but I don't know where I got him) and I didn't log him anywhere! Or the Walgreens exclusive white Boba Fett! (Again, $19.99.) My long-serving yellow notebook wasn't always at my desk at work this year; and it was starting to run out. We do have a fix in mind for that problem, though.

There's also two Stryfe pictures up there, that I swear I had blogged; but maybe just put on Twitter? So why not follow me on Twitter! Learn my secret identity as I tweet maybe once a month!

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"The End" Week: Super-Villain Team-Up #17!

I wish I could remember how I got most of a run of this series--probably some from the quarter bins, some from here and there. From 1980, Super-Villain Team-Up #17, "Dark Victory" Written by Peter B. Gillis, art by Arvell Jones and Bruce Patterson.

Actually, I missed the previous issue, with the Red Skull and the Hate-Monger (the cloned Hitler version) up to something; and they bring in some A.I.M. scientists to recreate the Cosmic Cube. Both the Skull and Hitler know one of them is going to have to go, since only one of them can wield the Cube: for his part, the somewhat glum-seeming Skull feels the vestigial pains of guilt over betraying his teacher. Not that that would stop him, but still.

The Hate-Monger had a telepathic link with one of the agents working against them, but as S.H.I.E.L.D. assaults Skull Island, the Hate-Monger tries to become one with the Cosmic Cube. But A.I.M. hadn't made that much progress on the Cube, so it doesn't have power, it's merely a prison. This was the last appearance of H-M for several years, since by this point a Hitler clone would've been pretty cliche; but like most things in comics it would resurface again.
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"The End" Week: Strikeforce Morituri #31!

Almost three years into the series, and by this point the original writer and artist were gone, the original cast gone, even the original bad guys were gone. So, what was left? Um...from 1989, Strikeforce Morituri #31, "The Bitter End" Written by James D. Hudnall, art by John Calimee Mark Bagley (it's mis-credited in the issue!) and inks by Carlos Garzon.

We checked out the first issue a couple of years back, from Peter B. Gillis and Brent Anderson, with an uncredited bit by Whilce Portacio. The invading alien Horde are picking earth to pieces, until a scientist invents the Morituri Process, which can give a human super-powers...but will kill them within a year. So by issue #31, the original cast was long dead, but apparently defeated the Horde; as a new alien narrates their plan proceeding. And it seems a bit overly complicated a plan: after Andre Lamont came to power by having the previous leader assassinated, the aliens use a clone to sex him up and implant a psychic command to blame the assassination on the Morituri agents. One of whom actually was the killer, while two others are seeking revenge for botched genetic engineering that was going to kill them. The non-conspiratorial Morituri heroes are trying to stop the killer and expose Lamont, which they do; but it's all part of the alien's larger plan...

The alien seems to imply having an employer, which would be at least the third separate alien race in the series with sinister designs on earth. If you watch the TV show Falling Skies, it tends to do the same: introduce new aliens every season finale...

Strikeforce: Morituri would continue, since these heroes were able to use a cure that kept them from exploding like their predecessors, in a "prestige format" limited, Electric Undertow. Haven't read that one, but every couple of years it seems like there's a rumor of either the book being revived or optioned for TV. Hasn't happened yet, but maybe someday: I suspect there are TV producers who wouldn't mind being able to replace cast members every year.
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"Homeward."

I am not entirely positive how long Kurt and Pool have been in space at this point; since this plotline's been going forever. Are they finally on the home stretch?...I wouldn't bet the farm on it.

At least one more "The End" post over the course of the day, and the Ninth Annual Year in Toys tomorrow!
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