#vertigo tie ins

[wildlife4life]

No but like writers and buddie stans respectfully don’t want it a cheating arc for the wedding episode vrs the writers giving Eddie a cheating arc also they are doing vertigo and Tim talks about it so what I got from that is Shannon/ Kim works as a way for Eddie to break up with Marisol which like the hey could of done it easily but they want to give more trauma to pour Eddie and I feel like they gonna pull out a bones and show that actually Kim doesn’t look like Shannon and is all in eddies head also apparently Buck meets her and is like you don’t look like Shannon so if that happens prove is only on eddies head also I don’t think Eddie could like fully if the Buck seeing Kim is true I don’t think Eddie fully would say I went out with her when you think I was out with my girlfriend he would be more like I don’t know why this girl I saw looked similar to Shannon and Buck like no she doesn’t I do think that maybe Kim Shannon vertigo vibes can make Eddie start questioning his sexuality you know I was actually happy that they cut the m and Eddie kiss from this episode cause I think we all cringed when we saw the stills and we were like we don’t need stills and I’m still mad they got for cheating but we all gotta know that Ryan Murphy has a thing for cheating I mean glee is the blue print of it all so and I mean even Buck cheated so but I did appreciate they didn’t made buddie kiss in the party I was scared for that and like Oliver is like he don’t want cliches with Buddie which makes me think they he doesn’t love Buck Tommy as much cause they are a cliche actually like the jealousy is such a cliche and he didn’t even understand his jealousy at all but is a cliche

Okay that was a lot anon. But I'm going to try to hit the major points.

I'm pretty sure that Kim/Shannon is not all in Eddie's head based on the interviews, but its still a really fun (yet sad) theory.

Vertigo (which I have never seen so I can't really say much on) seems to be a running theme with this cheating storyline. But god I hope it won't result in the death of Shannon again.

Tim does seem to love his cheating storylines. 4X's now in just 911 alone. Like damn.

And I agree that Buck did not understand his jealousy and imprinted his confused feelings onto Tommy. I can't say if Oliver likes the relationship or not, but he has yet to hype it up on insta... he's only done that with buddie. Hehehe.

Hope this was enough?

[musrum]

Got the new Nightmare Country…..Barbie my love…..

[rickyreeves1980]

Primal Rage is a fighting game developed and is released by the group of Atari Games to an arcades in the year 1994. The game takes place on a post-apocalyptic version of Earth called "Urth". Players control one of seven large beasts that battle each other to determine the planet's fate. Matches feature many of the conventions of fighting games from the era, including special moves and gory finishing maneuvers. Ports were released for home consoles and personal computers. Efforts to perfectly emulate the arcade original have been unsuccessful due to the use of an unusual copy protection method. Toys, comics, a novel and other merchandise tie-ins were produced. The game sold more than 1.5 million copies.

A massive meteor strike has devastated Earth. Human civilization comes to an end in the ensuing cataclysms and humanity regresses into tribes of Stone Age dwellers. A primordial rainforest covers the land and the continental landmass has shifted into the shape of a fire-breathing dinosaur skull. The planet is now primitively referred to as "Urth" by the survivors of the cataclysms.

Seven fearsome creatures with supernatural abilities emerge from their slumber deep within the Urth's crust, and become worshiped as gods by the humans, who form segregated clans beneath the ones they follow. The beasts themselves are divided between those who wish to keep peace on Urth, and those who attempt to plunge the world into further chaos for their own benefit. These creatures are Blizzard, the ape-like god of good; Armadon, the ceratopian/thyreophoran-like god of life; Talon, the raptor-like god of survival; Sauron, the tyrannosaur-like god of hunger; Chaos, the ape-like god of decay; Vertigo, the cobra-like goddess of insanity and Diablo, the tyrannosaur-like god of evil.

[glamourweaver]

Which would you rather have, a Vertigo-style Etrigan solo-series where he deep delves DC Hell-lore and medieval tie ins, or Etrigan in a team book of occult heroes including Black Orchid, Vixen, Dr Fate, adult Raven, Zauriel, Ragman, and Shining Knight?

Note in this hypothetical if Etrigan gets the solo-book, his slot on the team goes to Blue Devil.

[neil-gaiman]

Just curious as my love of Sandman is being reignited by the audio drama - Was the shift from the relatively high level of DCUniverse tie ins in the earlier volumes to those comparatively dropping off later something you creatively intended, something imposed editorially from above (correlating I’d guess to the gradual rise of the no crossover era between Vertigo and the mainstream titles), or just the direction the story ended up naturally going with no real design in that regard on your part?

I just got irritated because every time I'd try and work a DC Universe thing in it would mean changing characters (the Joker became the Scarecrow) or changing plots to accommodate things (like who exactly was ruling Hell that week). So it got easier, when I wanted to get my DC character buzz, just to use characters like Prez or Element Girl who were already utterly forgotten, and nobody would mind my playing with. The crossovers continued -- look at The Wake, or the Morpheus story in Endless Nights. Or even Sandman: Overture. But they continued in a way that meant that I hoped nobody would make me change what I'd written.

[venus-of-the-hrdsell]

Ok so I’ve got a few questions! So I like the character of John Constantine but I will admit I don’t know as much about him as a should. Like most I know about him is from the CW and comic book fans who right fanfiction and timblr blogs like you. I’ve a read few hellblazer comics (barely touched the new 52) but what hellblazer stories would you suggest I read? Should I just start from the beginning and read? I would just read the whole thing but I have ADHD and struggle to read. I think the only full hellblazer arc I’ve read is the one with John’s three demon children. My other question is what fanon things about John Constantine do you hate the most? I know you and MilfZatanna don’t like John being a slutty bisexual, but what else as well?

Hello! Also I don't blame you (fellow ADHD person here), the comic is super long and it has hit or misses when it comes to writing at times. It took me long time to complete the whole series so I think you could test the waters first with a few stories. It's a horror book, the original run is dated in a few bits, so proceed with caution. If you need any specific trigger warnings you can ask me!

If you want to get into classic Hellblazer, there are a few essential arcs I can remember

For Hellblazer (1988)

- Original Sins (#1-#9)

- The Devil You Know (10-13, with tie-ins with Swamp Thing 76-77 (tw for Sexual assault on these last two mentioned, though, I personally dislike those tie ins even if they bring context, so you can just read Hellblazer and skip them)

- The Fear Machine (14-22)

- The family Man (23-24, 28-31)

- Dangerous Habits (41-46) (I started in here, it's easily the most famous storyline for John, this was the base inspiration for Keanu Reeves' Constantine in 2005. After I finished this one I jumped back to the start of the comics).

Bonus short stories inside the run I loved:

- Early Warning/How I Learned To love the Bomb (#25-26). Good horror story by Grant Morrison. Very anxiety inducing and fucked up, a big social call out to nuclear weapons and it's very worth the read.

- Hold me (#27) by Neil Gaiman. Easily one of the best stories for Constantine ever. Very heart wrecking. If you enjoyed the Sandman, you will like this story.

- Forty (#63): John's 40th birthday! A very fun issue. You will see Swamp Thing, Zatanna and other friends on his birthday party, one of my favourite issues from the run.

Now these are personal favourites. People usually recommend Jaime Delano's and Garth Ennis' runs for Hellblazer, but I get that reading so much can be tiring. If you really want to fully into John, I'm dropping my friend's reading list here, she lists all the good runs + the essential arcs on each one of them.

Comics outside the main run I would recommend

- Constantine: City of Demons (mini). It's an elseworld if I remember right, but it's a fun read.

- Constantine: All His Engines (graphic novel). Written By Mike Carey, easily one of my favourite writers for John. It's a stand alone story and it was the base inspiration for the City of Demons animated movie.

- Books of Magic by Neil Gaiman (1990) + Hellblazer/ Books of Magic (1997, crossover). Both recommendations focus on Tim Hunter, but John is a big player on both titles. The second one focuses a lot on John's troubled past and it's a good character exploration.

- Dark Entries by Ian Rankin. Graphic Novel. John is lured to get into a closed set reality show and he soon realises he has been lead into a trap among the other contestants. He's now stuck on a demon lead reality show and has to find his way out. This was like watching a horror movie, I really enjoyed it.

Recommendations post Vertigo

Constantine: The Hellblazer (2015): New 52 wasn't a good period for Constantine. Going from mischaracterisation to boiling him down to essential traits at the point of seeming cartoon-y. BUT this comic in particular felt a bit closer to the old John. It's not Vertigo Constantine, but it's a good read and it feels like a modern reinvention of the old John. This is the first time his bisexuality is addressed in a decent way, too.

- Sandman Universe presents: Hellblazer (2019) (One shot) + John Constantine: Hellblazer (2019) by Si Spurrier (should be read together).

So this comic is easily the best run Constantine has had since his Vertigo days. It's basically the original Constantine, perfectly adapted and translated to modern days. Criminally short but it's great and I recommend it for beginners too.

I'm sorry if got a bit carried away by the recommendations, I hope this helps because I understand it's a lot of material so it's great to test waters first.

As for the fanon things, I think I mainly don't like how they've boiled down John to very simple traits now? It's a topic I could talk all day, but that's basically it. Everyone knows him as the "asshole, quirky magic man who is unbelievably powerful, the go-to Wizard of the DC universe"

Which is wrong because, John has been the odd man out most of the time. He either doesn't get called by the big magic leagues because of his untrustworthy reputation or because he himself doesn't like to be grouped with big magicians. Right, he can make his way on wealthy circles when it's beneficial to him, but he is basically the embodiment of the working class.

There's also the misconception that he is a "bad magic user". Don't take me wrong, he's not as powerful as characters like Zatanna, Doctor Fate and Co., but his magic knowledge is huge. He's a self taught occultist and he spent years perfecting his craft. He can use magic, but he will use it as a last resort. (Biggest examples of his magic is the use of hypnosis, illusions and Synchronicity manipulation, I will have to explaine the last one later).

John doesn't always get his love interest killed either. This has been used as a excuse to not give him a well rounded (and long lasting) male love interest, but truth is that John does indeed messes his relationships up, but they do not end up in deadly fates 100% of the time. If anything, at least 3-4 of John's female love interests have had main roles on the original comic runs (Zed, Kit, Dani, Angie).

Don't get me wrong, John is very open about his sexuality, but the notion of him flirting with every person he meets is...weird. He is a charming man, he has chemistry with people, but that's it. He has mainly been on monogamous relationships as much we are told, and his interactions with threesomes have been one night stands and so on (I'm ignoring the existence of Nick Necro💗) . In summary: he's confident on his sexuality, but he isn't as promiscuos as people paint him to be. He has had stable relationships.

Another misconception: John isn't mentor material, I'm sorry to break the headcanons. He has said he doesn't feel comfortable or likes kids, but he is an unreliable narrator. He is kind to them, but his trauma related to Newcastle and Astra makes him tag himself as someone unsafe and unworthy of being around them (also linked to the past domestic abuse done by his father, Thomas). As said before: he's scared of commitment in every aspect of his life for this reason.

There's also a misconception and also weird thing that people have about saying "Constantine doesn't care anyone but himself, he doesn't have any friends nor he loves anyone" and "Everyone he loves die"

That's the thing about him. He's a very social person. He actually has friends, he has relatives, he has had a lot of partners. But John is self destructive and has fear of commitment and his magic background doesn't help. He builds bridges as fast as he burns them. He cares about people a lot and for that reason he self sabotages his relationships because he either feels unworthy of love or "I better mess this up before they get caught on my magic bullshit and end up dead".

So yeah the situation with John on this case is more nuanced. He experiences a lot of lost on his life, a lot of it's self sabotages, some of it is sacrifice, and the part left is a casualty of collateral damage of his plans.

I got a biiiit carried away but I hope I could help a bit with this 🙏

[thecomicsnexus]

Housewarming Party

THE SPECTRE #11 FEBRUARY 1988 BY DOUG MOENCH, GRAY MORROW, ADRIENNE ROY AND JERRY BINGHAM

A group of mystical heroes make a pact to protect the chosen ones until they achieve immortality.

SCORE: 6

As far as Millennium tie-ins go. This is one is not necessary. Especially because we know the chosen ones didn’t have that much protection.

But if you are reading this title, then yes, you should.

I usually do not remember Moench as having a lot of sense of humor (maybe I remember incorrectly) but the moment Spectre tells Jim he only has 37 years to live was hilarious.

This book is too much in the middle of the road. It has one foot in the main DCU and another foot in the Vertigo area... I feel like it doesn’t fit well in either, but it is more in the Vertigo world. So making this tie-in feels pointless.

Technically, this is the last Millennium official tie-in.

[augustheart]

What I love about Flex is that he's basically a Garth Ennis superhero parody minus any contempt. The dude is what a mainstream superhero looks like to a fringe Vertigo characters-a bodybuilder in trunks defeating evil by posing. Fun fact: for a guy who almost literally woships superheroes, Morrison seems pretty cool with Ennis? When doing DC One Million, he apparently gave all the writers doing tie-ins clear instructions what he wanted-except for Ennis, whom he just wrote "Garth:Do a pisstake".

Flex is the kind of superhero parody you can only do if you really, really love superheroes. That’s literally how he was created! By a kid who loved superheroes! But you’re totally right! He’s not a mean spirited parody! He wasn’t made by someone jerking themself off over the idea of a dark and violent parody of superheroes. He’s ridiculous. And he’s great! He’s not even one of my favorite Doom Patrol characters but he’s just so sweet and fun to read about that it makes you happy. It’s not like certain other parodies/satire of superheroes I could mention, he’s a genuine love letter to the genre through the lens of an absolutely ridiculous parody of male superhero characters as a whole. 

[smooshme]

Captain Marvel Review in Bullets (No Spoilers)

Expectations will define your enjoyment of the film 

Don’t expect Guardians or Ragnarok level world-building. Think Ant-Man

Don’t expect wild cameos and wink winks. All tie-ins are natural and unforced. Think Ant-Man (but more bc wow this movie is MCU important)

Don’t expect Guardians or even Spider-Man: Homecoming levels of music integration. It was honestly jarring the way some songs would start to play

Don’t expect Black Panther level socio-cultural significance

Expect a really good Phase 1 movie (Iron Man 1 to The Avengers)

It might be the least pretty movie in the mcu tho

Carol Danvers has more chemistry with Nick Fury than anyone else in the entire mcu has and their banter is FANTASTIC

Carol Danvers is funny, and with a different sense of humor to anyone else in the mcu THANK GOD

Quality Cat content

Clever subversions of expectations in big and small ways

The way SLJ plays Young Nick Fury compared to Now Nick Fury is everything I need to know that he damn well deserves the credit he gets. 

Young Nick Fury is the Best Nick Fury and he KILLS IT with every scene and every line

The action scenes aren’t very impressive or unique - bad use of shaky cam, and sitting near the front row I actually felt vertigo like I never have before in about 3 scenes. Be cautious if you’re sensitive to that kind of thing

It’s badly directed, and I don’t even know where to begin

I couldn’t blame anyone who says Brie’s performance is a bit wooden (though I don’t agree), but I couldn’t blame Brie either bc again: Bad Directing

As a film: C

As a Marvel movie: B+

[studentsofshield]

Monday Recs for December 12, 2016 - Red Robin/Robin aka Tim Drake

More Details:

Tim is often considered by hardcore DC fans (between a certain age I guess) to be the greatest Robin. Dick works best in his Nightwing persona, Jason is an asshole twerp, and Damian is a lot more divisive and newer. 

Joker’s Wild is probably the most beloved story here. Most of Robin Vol 4 (his first ongoing) is pretty great. Chuck Dixon, the Batfamily mastermind of the 1990s and early 2000s, wrote it for a hundred issues straight. Just like all of Dixon’s work of the era, it’s highly enjoyable popcorn comics reading. There is no deconstruction or really innovative storytelling going on for the most part. Just slow burn character development and good action. That’s not to say there aren’t interesting developments and risky choices. Spoiler gets pregnant and Tim helps her deal with what to do. 

The book then had an iffy period for a while until Bill Willingham came on. Willingham is known for the Vertigo series Fables and had a period doing mainstream DC titles like Day of Vengeance, Shadowpact, and Justice Society. He wrote Robin from 121-147. This era included a major shake up when Stephanie Brown shortly became the fourth Robin and took over the title for a couple issues. 

Adam Beechen picked up the title in the One Year Later linewide initiative. His run featured stunning art from Freddie Williams and gave the book a bright and fun tone such as one might expect from Robin, the Boy Wonder. Beechen wrote 148-166.

Following a few crossover tie-ins, Dixon came back for an arc in 170-174. 

Fabian Nicieza then wrapped up the series until the finale in 183. Which transitioned into the Red Robin book. The first 12 issues of that book were written by Christopher Yost. Nicieza then returned to steer the ship until the New 52 canceled it at 26. The entire run is considered really underrated and significant in Tim’s development.

Which is a shame because the New 52 reboot basically destroyed Tim. He started out in a crappy costume and his connections to Bruce were iffy at best and nonsensical at worst. He’s been just barely fixed in Rebirth’s Detective Comics, but was then quickly taken away due to overarching plot issues. 

But, back to the safe confines of the pre-Flashpoint DCU. Tim also appeared in all of Peter David’s Young Justice series. This is where he developed his friendships with Superboy (Conner Kent), Impulse (Bart Allen), Wonder Girl (Cassie Sandsmark), and others. 

This would continue into Geoff Johns’ relaunch of Teen Titans Vol 3 where Tim served as the field leader. Both of these runs are important to understand Tim’s leadership abilities and friendships with fellow teen heroes.

Collection Information:

Currently DC collects A Lonely Place of Dying alongside A Death in the Family, the demise of the former Robin, Jason Todd. So the first half of the book is somewhat irrelevant to Tim, but it still a great story and explains some of Bruce’s motivations moving forward. 

DC has recently been really fantastic about putting out nice thick collected editions of tons of 1990s Batfamily titles. Nightwing, Birds of Prey, Azrael, all of the Batman events. But relevant here is the new editions for Tim. Here’s a list of what is currently available:

-Robin Volume 1: Reborn (Detective Comics 618-621, Batman 455-457, Robin Vol 1 1-5) -Triumphant (Batman 465, 467-469, Robin Vol 2 1-4, Robin Vol 3 1-6) -Solo (Robin Vol 4 1-6)

PAD’s Young Justice and Johns’ Teen Titans are being recollected in thick paperbacks. Here are the first volumes of each:

-Young Justice Volume 1 (1-7) -Teen Titans Volume 1 (1-12)

Here’s hoping DC will keep up the pace on these lines of reprints. They have a knack for not doing so. But Tim Drake should be a guaranteed sell. 

While they’re at it, they should reprint Red Robin in one tidy omnibus or something. The four previous trades collecting the series are nearly impossible to find and not worth linking here. Go digging if you want to get your hands on them.

[gccladiesnight]

July Ladies’ Night Recap

For those that missed tonight’s event, here is a rundown of what we discussed in this month’s meeting!

Comic Recommendations

Pride of Baghdad, Brian K. Vaughan (w), Niko Henrichon (a) (Vertigo, graphic novel) This story about lions escaping a zoo after the invasion of Iraq will give you all of the feels (see above)

Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier, Ales Kot (w)  Langdon Foss, Marco Rudy (a) (Marvel, trade collection) The final issue in this series is titled “Cuddle Time”. ‘Nuff said.

The Coldest City, Antony Johnston (a/w) (Oni Press, graphic novel) Spy thriller, read before seeing the film adaptation, Atomic Blonde!

Love Is love, Various (IDW, anthology collection) Spotlights LGBTQ creators & stories, all proceeds benefit Orlando shooting victims, preview the book here

In Real Life, Jen Wang (a), Cory Doctorow (w) (First Second, graphic novel) Explores the dynamics of online gaming and collective action, good for all ages

Tea Dragon Society (web comic) Katie O’Neill (a/w)

Paper Girls Cliff Chiang (a), Brian K. Vaughn (w) (Image, ongoing comic) Young paper girls face unknown obstacles and timey-wimey stuff happens

Monster Pulse, Magnolia Porter (w/a) (web comic) If you heart Digimon + teen adventures, this might be made for you.

Dark Nights: Metal, Various (DC, current Batman event) If you want to jump in, here’s a checklist for tie-ins

Batman: R.I.P., Various (DC, past Batman event) Standout issue: “Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?”

Elseworlds, Various (DC) / What If’s?, Various (Marvel) A great alternative to event fatigue, enjoy crazy concepts in the DC / Marvel universe without lasting consequences. Example: Sheep-Boy

We may have missed a few others, feel free to include more in your re-blog / expand upon your recommendations

Movie & TV Feels

Atomic Blonde (7/28)

Spider-Man: Homecoming (out now!)

The CW TV app (for those who want to catch up on all the shows this summer)

Supernatural is finally ending after 14 seasons

Podcast & YouTube Love

All Comics Considered

Dirty Old Ladies

Movie Bob - In Bob We Trust

Movie Fights

Empire Movie Podcast

Fatman on Batman (with the caveat that early episodes are better)

Out of Context Quote of the Night:

“My opinion is -BEN AFFLECK-”

Ladies’ Night Homework

Write into your favorite comic letters column! Some of our faves: Sex Criminals, Southern Bastards, and Squirrel Girl. If your letter gets published, bring it to a future Ladies’ Night event to share with the group!

See You Next Month!

[westofwonder]

DC November 2020 solicitations initial thoughts

THE OTHER HISTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE that’s sounds intriguing - might have to get on that

way too many Dark Knights tie-ins.

Rorschach is still happening? I thought that was a joke.

Why Count Vertigo when a bunch of Wondy’s hypnotist villains are just waiting in the wings!? Hypnotic Woman! Hello! EDIT: Tamaki might make this interesting.

I do hope Tamaki is allowed to do more than whatever this Maxwell Lord mandate was.

Batman Beyond still sounds interesting and I may have to get on that.

Composite Batman/Superman sounds so dumb but I am so on board!

Bilquis Evely on TEC will 100% be the reason I’ll read that. New villain, Mirror, don’t care - I’m showing up for the art.

DC seems to be given Batman a lot of “new” villains recently it seems. Hrrm.

Hawkman getting canceled around the time I was about to get back into is standard for me at this point.

How is Man-Bat still on the JLD team when he’s going evil in another book? Also, why does that team setup suck.*

Now, I don’t read the Looney Tunes comics, but seeing Bugs as George Washington crossing the Delaware and seeing Sholly Fisch is writing it makes me think that book is in good hands. Full steam ahead, friends.

KGBeast is not a good mutli-arc villain.

Red Hood is continuing!!!???

Dang, Gotham City is crowded

While I wasn’t reading it, it’s a bummer the Suicide Squad title got canceled already.

Teen Titans getting canceled is unsurprising. The fact it lasted this long without any major team shakeups is surprising.

Bummer about Young Justice getting canceled, too. I really hope there isn’t a random miniseries with the Titans team and the Young Justice team happens and ends up with two superheroes dead. Because that would be stupid.

I feel when it comes to the (Teen) Titans, DC hasn’t had a clue with what to do with them since the twentieth century.

That’s all. Again, can’t say I’m going after anything new that I haven’t already. Since the WB/DC layoffs, more and more will be digital.

Just gotta see what happens with that.

[eddycurrents]

For the week of 26 August 2019

Quick Bits:

Absolute Carnage #2 expands a bit further as Eddie and Peter regroup after getting their butts kicked. The story’s still a bit of chaos as the sparks are lit and it works to reference bits and pieces of the broader story across all of the tie-ins, but this remains visually stunning. The art from Ryan Stegman, JP Mayer, and Frank Martin is worth it alone.

| Published by Marvel

Absolute Carnage: Lethal Protectors #1 looks to be doing a bit of the heavy lifting on Carnage’s side of the story, continuing on from the Web of Venom: Cult of Carnage one-shot, delving into what Carnage is doing at the Ravencroft Institute and his followers. Great start from Frank Tieri, Flaviano, Federico Blee, and Joe Caramagna.

| Published by Marvel

Absolute Carnage: Miles Morales #1 expands on what we see of this confrontation in Absolute Carnage #2 from Saladin Ahmed, Federico Vicentini, Erick Arciniega, and Cory Petit. In terms of the overlap between the two books, it doesn’t actually line up the same entirely, but it’s still interesting, building too off of Miles’ interaction with Knull way back in the early issues of Venom.

| Published by Marvel

Action Comics #1014 is an intriguing story from Brian Michael Bendis, Szymon Kudranski, Brad Anderson, and Rob Leigh. While the Leviathan search and bits and pieces with Thorn and Red Cloud occur in the background, the thrust of this one is Marisol Leone introducing herself to the Daily Planet and inquiring how much money they need to operate at full efficiency. Very different premise than you would have thought from the head of a criminal organization who bought a newspaper. It makes you wonder what her long game is.

| Published by DC Comics

Amazing Spider-Man #28 concludes the arc with the Sinister Syndicate and Boomerang, showing just how messy the interconnections between Spider-Man’s life is right now. Very nice art from Kev Walker, John Dell, Laura Martin, and Andrew Crossley.

| Published by Marvel

Angel #4 is another highly impressive issue in what has been an excellent reinterpretation of the Angel characters and concepts from the beginning by Bryan Edward Hill, Gleb Melnikov, Roman Titov, and Ed Dukeshire. Very interesting hint at the Darkness behind everything and the drive for Angel to form his own team, while protecting Buffy.

| Published by BOOM! Studios

Ascender #5 concludes the first arc, with a pretty harrowing confrontation between Andy & co. and a number of the vampires’ agents on Sampson. Jeff Lemire, Dustin Nguyen, and Steve Wands do a great job of setting a catalyst to change the status quo here and add another level of tension.

| Published by Image

Avengers #23 continues “Challenge of the Ghost Riders”. The art from Stefano Caselli and Jason Keith is gorgeous, especially the fiery landscapes and colours of hell. It’s kind of weird that this series is still working through supernatural influences, characters, and locales, but it definitely makes this for a different kind of Avengers story.

| Published by Marvel

Batgirl #38 is another great issue from the new creative team of Cecil Castellucci, Carmine Di Giandomenico, Jordie Bellaire, and AndWorld Design. They’re building on what came before from Mairghread Scott and Paul Pelletier’s run, with the supporting cast, politics, and conflict with the Terrible Trio, but there’s a new verve to Babs’ character, a DIY attitude as she scrapes the bottom of the barrel just to continue her superhero career. It’s different, accentuated by very beautiful artwork from Di Giandomenico and Bellaire.

| Published by DC Comics

Batman/Superman #1 is kind of terrifying as Joshua Williamson, David Marquez, Alejandro Sanchez, and John J. Hill unleash the next stage of The Batman Who Laughs’ plan as Batman and Superman are forced to question who has been infected by the insane Batman’s toxin. There are some truly gruesome bits here, especially as we learn how the Batman Who Laughs took out his world’s Justice League, so go in with a strong stomach. Great art here from Marquez and Sanchez.

| Published by DC Comics

Black Panther #15 finally gets T’Challa back home to Earth. It’s not necessarily the homecoming you’d have expected, as he’s conflicted with memories of his life in the Intergalactic Empire and his past. Beautiful artwork from Daniel Acuña.

| Published by Marvel

Black Science #42 is part one of the two-part finale for the series from Rick Remender, Matteo Scalera, Moreno Dinisio, and Rus Wooton. It’s fairly epic. It continues to play into the conflict between Kadir and Grant, spotlighting two different possibilities: defiance or submission. We’re not entirely sure which choice Grant actually made, which makes this more interesting. 

| Published by Image / Giant Generator

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chosen Ones #1 is a one shot with three stories telling tales of various Slayers through history. The lead from Mairghread Scott, Ornella Savarese, Wesllei Manoel, and Jim Campbell pulls double duty of not only introducing Sunnydale’s first Slayer, but also as to why the Hellmouth was fixed to the town. It’s rather good, with the added conflict of what humanity has done to itself, even without vampires in the mix. The other two stories are shorter, somewhat whimsical in art style, but still wonderfully told by Celia Lowenthal and Alexa Sharpe respectively.

| Published by BOOM! Studios

Captain America #13 gives us the first part of “The Legend of Steve” as Jason Masters and Sean Izaakse join Ta-Nehisi Coates, Matt Milla, and Joe Caramagna to provide the line art. This is an interesting start, melding some real life politics of the southern US border with Steve’s current conflicts.

| Published by Marvel

Detective Comics #1010 continues the rather compelling tale of Deadshot, Batman, and a plane full of billionaire crash survivors on a desert island. Peter J. Tomasi, Christian Duce, David Baron, and Rob Leigh weave humour and action throughout the story, including a rather interesting aside with a pair of World War II pilots who’ve been surviving on this island since before the war ended.

| Published by DC Comics

Dial H for Hero #6 proves that Joe Quinones is one of the best artists in the business. Again. Quinones, Scott Hanna, and Jordan Gibson weave through multiple different styles as a plague of superheroes erupts in Metropolis, complete with shifts to different formats, in this incredible tale.

| Published by DC Comics / Wonder Comics

Doctor Mirage #1 upends the status quo in this excellent debut from Magdalene Visaggio, Nick Robles, Jordie Bellaire, and Dave Sharpe. There’s some early Vertigo vibes here in the story’s tone and atmosphere, especially from the gorgeous artwork from Robles and Bellaire. Particularly when it comes to the eye effects. There’s something spooky and seemingly nefarious going on here, which makes it all the more compelling.

| Published by Valiant

Doctor Strange #18 is a very entertaining one shot from Mark Waid, Jesús Saiz, and Cory Petit. A rather brusque, rude Strange invades a family’s home in the middle of nowhere in search of an invasive demon. It’s a nice change of pace from the longer arcs.

| Published by Marvel

The Flash #77 continues two main threads; Captain Cold continuing to gather his Rogues and Flash reuniting with the other new Forces users to try to outrun the Black Flash. It’s interesting, picking up the various threads that Joshua Williamson has been weaving for some time now into a wider tapestry. Nice artwork from Rafa Sandoval, Jordi Tarragona, and Tomeu Morey.

| Published by DC Comics

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #11 is another gorgeous one shot from Tom Taylor, Juann Cabal, Rachelle Rosenberg, and Travis Lanham delving into the character traits that really define Peter’s supporting cast, in this case an adventure of the “Friendly Neighborhood Mary Jane”. Wonderful funny bits here.

| Published by Marvel

GI Joe: A Real American Hero #266 begins “Snake Hunt” as Cobra Commander tries to do reconnaissance on Throwdown, hoping to kidnap him and brainwash him to Cobra’s side. Interesting set up here.

| Published by IDW

Ice Cream Man #14 is another highly inventive issue, spotlighting a man who has lost himself in crossword puzzles, ignoring his life, wife, and pretty much everything else following a tragedy. W. Maxwell Prince, Martín Morazzo, Chris O’Halloran, and Good Old Neon are consistently delivering intriguing horror with this series.

| Published by Image

Justice League #30 kicks off the “Justice/Doom War” from Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Jorge Jimenez, Alejandro Sanchez, and Tom Napolitano. It posits a bleak future where Luthor and Perpetua win, leaving the universe Doomed, causing even more complications when the Justice League attempt to prevent this horrible future. It does lead to some very intriguing returns to the main DC Universe, though.

| Published by DC Comics

Justice League Dark #14 is part one of “The Witching War” from James Tynion IV, Alvaro Martínez Bueno, Raul Fernandez, Adriano Lucas, and Rob Leigh. It’s interesting to see the other side of the coin here as the darker, villainous forces of the DC Universe gather to wage war on Wonder Woman’s team. Gorgeous artwork as always from Martínez Bueno, Fernandez, and Lucas.

| Published by DC Comics

Killers #2 adds a few more members of the Britain’s ninja programme to the mix as we get further details on what the Jonin wants and pieces of why they’re being attacked in the open. From the one arc in Ninja-K, I was under the impression that most of Colin King’s predecessors were dead, but apparently that really isn’t the case. Still, it’s an intriguing story, and the action art from Fernando Dagnino and José Villarrubia is beautiful.

| Published by Valiant

Knights Temporal #2 builds nicely off of that impressive first issue, going deeper into August trying to find out more about himself while being pressured to move forward by Jane. There’s definitely more going on than what we’re being let in on and it’s an intriguing mystery. Cullen Bunn, Fran Galán, and Dave Sharpe have something interesting here.

| Published by AfterShock

Mall #1 is a very impressive debut from Michael Moreci, Gary Dauberman, Zak Hartong, Addison Duke, and Jim Campbell. It’s a post-apocalypse thriller set within a mall that has seemingly withstood the brunt of the destruction of the world. This first issue sets up a bunch of gangs and cultists running this society and a mystery of who killed the top dog. Great art from Hartong and Duke.

| Published by Vault

Manor Black #2 is quite possibly even better than the first issue. Cullen Bunn, Brian Hurtt, and Tyler Crook are delivering a story here that is rich in mystery as we still don’t really know what Ari or the wild magicians’ deals are, and it just seems like their existence is throwing the town into a tailspin. The character moments here are wonderful and haunting. And the artwork from Tyler Crook...next level.

| Published by Dark Horse

Martian Manhunter #8 reveals a lot of Diane’s past and her history with the real John Jones in one of the most impressive character-driven issues to date. Steve Orlando, Riley Rossmo, Ivan Plascencia, and AndWorld Design continue to deliver an incredible story here.

| Published by DC Comics

Marvel Monsters #1 is an interesting one shot. There is a framing story featuring Kid Kaiju from Cullen Bunn, Scott Hepburn, Israel Silva, and Travis Lanham that’s entertaining, introducing a new villain, but you’re really going to be wanting to pick this up for the art pieces. There’s a murderers’ row of artists doing splash pages of the monsters and cross-section pages from Superlog and Gaigan-Yamazaki. It’s amazing.

| Published by Marvel

The Necromancer’s Map #1 is the follow-up to the very excellent Songs for the Dead series from last year by Andrea Fort, Michael Christopher Heron, Sam Beck, Ellie Wright, and AndWorld Design. Though I highly advise reading the first series, both for enjoyment and background, you can technically dive into this one and still be brought mainly up to speed. It’s a wonderful magical fantasy and this opening chapter goes into a number of mysteries, in the titular map, in the sickness afflicting one of few people that might be able to help with the map, and in Bethany’s raised and bitter friend/protector/minion, Elissar’s, past.

| Published by Vault

Power Pack: Grow Up #1 is another of the 80th anniversary specials, this one reuniting the original Power Pack team of Louise Simonson and June Brigham, with the creative team rounded out by Roy Richardson, Tamra Bonvillain, and Joe Caramagna, as well as a back-up illustrated by Gurihiru. This is definitely one of my favourite so far, capturing the feel of the old stories perfectly, while still telling an entertaining story for modern audiences.

| Published by Marvel

Resonant #2 is another winner for Vault. The artwork alone from Alejandro Aragon and Jason Wordie is worth giving this a look alone. Really neat layouts, panel transitions, and character designs. But also as a whole with David Andry and Deron Bennett, they’re crafting some unique world-building across this horror landscape that really sets this apart from your usual post-apocalypse.

| Published by Vault

RWBY #1 begins a new digital-first series based on Rooster Teeth’s animated web series franchise of the same name, from Marguerite Bennett, Mirka Andolfo, Arif Prianto, and Gabriela Downie. I’ve never watched any of the series, but this is still entertaining. This first issue gives us the backstory of the world and the lives of Ruby’s original team of Huntresses. I get the impression that I’d get more out of it if I had a grounding in the series beforehand, but I quite like the effort to fill in the blanks. Also, the artwork from Andolfo and Prianto is gorgeous.

| Published by DC Comics

Sera & The Royal Stars #2 delivers immensely on the promise of the first issue, richly unfolding the fantastical lore here of Parsa’s mythology, especially as aspected through its zodiac, and on the continued familial conflict between Sera’s side of the family and her uncle. Jon Tsuei, Audrey Mok, Raul Angulo, and Jim Campbell are telling a very fine fantasy story here.

| Published by Vault

She-Hulk Annual #1 has some wonderful artwork from Andy MacDonald and Matt Milla, with some very neat panels, layouts, and compositions. The story itself is also fairly entertaining, with some nice funny moments, as Jennifer Walters gets zapped into a robot body while Bullseye runs around with hers.

| Published by Marvel

Spider-Man: Life Story #6 concludes what has been a very interesting look at Spider-Man through the lens of aging normally across time from Chip Zdarsky, Mark Bagley, Andrew Hennessy, Frank D’Armata, and Travis Lanham. It’s been interesting seeing the different elements of the Spider-Man mythos remixed and reinterpreted in this fashion, entertaining along the way.

| Published by Marvel

Star Pig #2 is more odd fun from Delilah S. Dawson, Francesco Gaston, Sebastian Cheng, and Shawn Lee. Some interesting humour as Vess learns that Earth culture seems to have permeated throughout much of the galaxy, and that creepy spore creatures enjoy collecting human artifacts.

| Published by IDW

Star Trek: Year Five #5 begins the next “episode” in the series, from Jody Houser, Silvia Califano, Thomas Deer, and Neil Uyetake. After investigating a long dead ancient civilization, communication breakdowns begin to occur aboard the ship, with some interesting and combative results.

| Published by IDW

Star Wars: Age of Resistance - General Hux #1 shines a spotlight on one of the new era’s antagonists, with Tom Taylor, Leonard Kirk, Cory Hamscher, Guru-eFX, and Travis Lanham providing insight into Hux’s past. Some very dark humour in this one.

| Published by Marvel

Star Wars: Age of Resistance - Poe Dameron #1 gives us a tale of Poe before the Resistance was fully a thing, giving us a look at life under the New Republic. Tom Taylor, Ramon Rosanas, Guru-eFX, and Travis Lanham craft an interesting story here, establishing both a wider plot, and a more succinct tale as Poe learns some manoeuvres. 

| Published by Marvel

Stranger Things: Six #4 concludes this mini focusing on the experiments prior to the first season from Jody Houser, Edgar Salazar, Keith Champagne, Marissa Louise, and Nate Piekos. It’s been interesting seeing the kids prior to Eleven and really just how evil Brenner and co. are. Some interesting twists too.

| Published by Dark Horse

Superman #14 begins the “Conclusion” to the House of El portion of the Unity Saga arc that has been running since the series began. Great art from Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Oclair Albert, and Alex Sinclair. And a very welcome return of the Legion of Super-Heroes.

| Published by DC Comics

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #97 turns up the heat on “City at War”. This is a rough one as Karai’s forces press their advantage on Splinter and we get further hints as to how far Karai has really fallen. Great art from Michael Dialynas and Ronda Pattison.

| Published by IDW

Test #3 gets weirder. Yeah. I didn’t think that was possible either. The reality being lain out here from Christopher Sebela, Jen Hickman, Harry Saxon, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou is layered, like peeling away at an onion, but we’re never quite sure what actually lays underneath and why any of this is happening.

| Published by Vault

Thanos #5 sets up a very intriguing reveal as to who Gamora has been telling this story to in the penultimate chapter from Tini Howard, Ariel Olivetti, Antonio Fabela, and Joe Caramagna. It makes you kind of reexamine the rest of the narrative, making you wonder what Gamora is really getting at other than just relaying her early years with Thanos.

| Published by Marvel

Thor #16 brings this volume to a close as Jason Aaron, Mike Del Mundo, Marco D’Alfonso, and Joe Sabino deliver a story that’s essentially a coda to War of the Realms and a summation of much of the seven years of Aaron’s time writing, giving a look to the possible immediate future of the present, before heading off to the forthcoming four-part finale of King Thor in the far-flung future.

| Published by Marvel

Tommy Gun Wizards #1 is built on a great premise of infusing magic into Prohibition era Chicago, setting wizards into Eliot Ness and his Untouchables’ war against Al Capone. It works even better in execution as Christian Ward, Sami Kavelä, Dee Cunniffe, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou bring it to life. Incredible period designs from Kavelä.

| Published by Dark Horse

Venom #17 elaborates on the Maker and Dylan portion of the story hinted at in Absolute Carnage #2, as they’re attacked by the new family of Life Foundation symbiotes from Absolute Carnage: Separation Anxiety, from Donny Cates, Iban Coello, Rain Beredo, and Clayton Cowles. It is interesting as to how interconnected these stories are. Unlike many other events, you kind of have to read all of these.

| Published by Marvel

Wonder Woman #77 begins “Loveless” from G. Willow Wilson, Jesus Merino, Vicente Cifuentes, Romulo Fajardo Jr., and Pat Brosseau. If follows up on Aphrodite’s death as Wonder Woman darts off to confront Cheetah. There are some shenanigans going on, so the set up is not as straightforward as you’d think.

| Published by DC Comics

Other Highlights: Bone Parish #12, Books of Magic #11, DuckTales: Silence & Science #1, Fantastic Four: 4 Yancy Street #1, Fight Club 3 #8, Freedom Fighters #8, Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass, House of X #3, Immortal Hulk: Director’s Cut #2, Invader Zim #46, Jughead: The Hunger vs. Vampironica #4, Just Beyond: The Scare School, Lumberjanes #65, Marvel Team-Up #5, Mary Shelley: Monster Hunter #5, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #42, Mountainhead #1, Planet of the Nerds #5, Red Sonja & Vampirella meet Betty & Veronica #4, Rick & Morty #53, Runaways #24, She Said Destroy #4, Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge #5, TMNT: Shredder in Hell #4, TMNT: Urban Legends #16

Recommended Collections: Age of X-Man: The Amazing Nightcrawler, Age of X-Man: X-Tremists, Barbarella/Dejah Thoris, Captain Marvel - Volume 1: Re-Entry, Doctor Who: The Thirteen Doctor - Volume 2, GI Joe: A Real American Hero - Sierra Muerte, The Girl in the Bay, Heathen - Volume 2, Jim Henson’s Beneath the Dark Crystal - Volume 2, Oberon - Volume 1, Orion - Book 2, Star Wars: Vader - Dark Visions, The War of the Realms: Journey into Mystery, Wolverine: Infinity Watch

d. emerson eddy knows the way to San José. But it’s full of sharks.

[riffrelevant]

Article By: Pat ‘Riot’ Whitaker, Senior Writer/Journalist ‡ Edited By: Leanne Ridgeway, Owner/Chief Editor

It is March 25th, 1988 and Night Flight, a late night visual arts and variety show on television’s USA Network each weekend, is about to show viewers something entirely different… and they shall never be the same.

It is, of course, the age of the music video and this program is on the verge of airing one titled “Prime Mover” from the British sleaze rock act, ZODIAC MINDWARP AND THE LOVE REACTION. The number is musically inspired by the U.K. space rock collective Hawkwind’s 1977 track “Quark, Strangeness And Charm“, its video directed by Adrian “Ade” Edmondson of “The Young Ones” fame. Ultimately, neither one of these facts will mean much of anything when people get an eyeful of this leather-clad band, and then hear their music. Yes, it is the latter that they’re going to find most impressive, hopefully… or altogether hate.

Mark Manning is a graphic artist at the time, and former art editor at the then-defunct Flexipop! Magazine that had folded in 1982. It was while working there that Manning was introduced to a frequently visiting flow of rock stars and their hedonistically decadent lifestyles… and he wants in. It would be a few years still, but soon enough, Manning is working as a graphic designer at another publication, Metal Fury, when he begins to undergo a transformation.

The change is taking place during his hours off from work, Manning experiencing an evolutionary-like leap (or in some’s eyes, perhaps a devolution) on the scale of characters from Robert Louis Stevenson’s literary work, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. Much like that strange case, Mark assumes an alter ego role, that of Zodiac Mindwarp – an anti-social looking sort, like a greasy biker from the cast of some forgotten 70’s exploitative B-movie. What he is, and what he has become, is something that really surprises no one that has known Manning for any length of time, and soon, he aligns himself with similar like-minded outcasts.

ZODIAC MINDWARP AND THE LOVE REACTION is officially given life in 1985, joining Zed (as he is known to his friends) in the band are guitarist Rockman Rock (aka Jimmy Cauty), bassist Kid Chaos (aka Stephen Harris), and drummer Boom Boom Kaboomski (real name unavailable). Of course the latter part of the band’s name was culled from the most unlikeliest of sources, but there it was, in the lyrics of the third verse of The Boss’ “Dancing In The Dark“.

Soon, the band is signed to the Phonogram Records subsidiary, the Food label, and 1986 would be the year that ZODIAC MINDWARP AND THE LOVE REACTION begin their campaign to dominate Rock ‘N Roll. It begins in May that year with the “Wild Child” single,  recorded with Zodiac on vocals and guitar, Kid Chaos on bass, and Jake Le Mesurier on drums. The band’s name has already become a thing of high praise and acclaim among the denizens of the “Grebo” movement (or “Grebo rock”), a British musical sub-genre incorporating influences from punk rock, electronic dance music, hip hop, and psychedelia.

Though ZM&TLR look the part of the term’s earliest intended targets – the word “grebo” was originally used as a slang term for bikers and rock music fans with long hair – the word is being re-fashioned by the group Pop Will Eat Itself in 1986. They use it in song titles and soon, it becomes a thing unto itself, a music genre sublet that in time will include such acts as Ned’s Atomic Dustbin, The Wonder Stuff, Scum Pups, Jesus Jones, and Gaye Bykers On Acid. Before ’86 is over,  ZM&TLR release the “High Priest Of Love” EP which soon lands in the #1 slot of the U.K. Indie Chart.

Truth is, ZM&TLR are pretty much the antithesis of the Grebo look, a polar opposite to its colorful shorts and clean shaves. Zed & Co. opt for a rather more psychedelic, drug addled, Mad Max-ian appearance melded with the German SS ala iron crosses, skulls, black leather, and sometimes, storm trooper helmets.

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HIGH PRIEST OF LOVE EP

TATTOOED BEAT MESSIAH

By the end of 1986, ZODIAC MINDWARP AND THE LOVE REACTION play the U.K.’s packed Reading Festival before thousands of fans. Not bad for a band that had their first gig at the 500 capacity Dingwalls in London less than a year before. Yes, it is evident that the band’s misanthropic imagery is not having an anti-social effect whatsoever, and even more intriguing, their music and its lyrical contents are finding an audience. Chock full of flamboyant, chest-thumping proclamations derived from a raging libido, Mindwarp’s tongue-in-cheek ravings are pure camp despite their often lascivious and misogynist tone.

By the next year, the band has new blood in the form of lead guitarist Cobalt Stargazer (real name Geoff Bird), rhythm guitarist Flash Bastard (real name Jan Cyrka), and drummer Slam Thunderhide (real name Stephen Landrum). Also, bassist Kid Chaos has left to join another popular rising band, The Cult, so enter Trash D. Garbage (real name Paul Bailey). The band continues their ascension to sonic glory with more U.K. single releases in 1987, including “Prime Mover” and “Backseat Education“.

However, for any British band, there is only one thing that seems to equate as having “made it” or being successful, and that is acceptance across the pond, in the United States. In February of 1988, ZODIAC MINDWARP AND THE LOVE REACTION release their first full-length album, “Tattooed Beat Messiah“, through the Vertigo label, another subsidiary of Phonogram. The album contains remixed versions of the singles released the previous year, alongside several new songs too, including a cover of the Steppenwolf classic, “Born To Be Wild“, in some markets.

The album explodes in a music scene being dominated by acts like Poison and Bon Jovi but true anti-authoritarian types know the deal. “Tattooed Beat Messiah” is the dividing line, where such horrid pop fluff shall not pass, and it spawns several subsequent video tie-ins to tracks like “Backseat Education“, “Planet Girl“, and of course, “Prime Mover“.

Ultimately, it has the desired outcome as ZODIAC MINDWARP AND THE LOVE REACTION are placed on a 1988  U.S. tour bill, alongside Guns & Roses, supporting Alice Cooper. After just a few dates, ZM&TLR are bumped up on the roster, now playing after G ‘N R , before Alice Cooper. Several of the band members appear with Slash, Axl Rose and Alice Cooper in a performance of Cooper’s “Under My Wheels” for the feature film music documentary, “The Decline Of Western Civilization: Part II“.

Tours with Motörhead and Iron Maiden only serve to increase the frenzied hysteria about the band, it’s growing like a raging wildfire and soon, they’re designated the new rock royalty, placing them in the ranks of bands like Circus Of Power, Warrior Soul, and Monster Magnet.

Yet, for every high there is a low, for every climb, a descent, and somehow, some way, ZODIAC MINDWARP AND THE LOVE REACTION were about to experience theirs. At some point in all of this, the band is informed that “Tattooed Beat Messiah” failed to sell well in the United States, resulting in them being dropped by their record label while burdened with large, outstanding debts. It doesn’t add up, literally, as the album had ignited like a fuse, spawning five official videos that received regular rotation airplay on MTV, and the channel’s “Headbangers Ball“. That show’s host, Ricki Rachtman, claims the band as one of his all time favorites, and one of the most underrated bands of the era.

Not ready to give up the ghost yet, ZM&TLR release a sophomore album, “Hoodlum Thunder“, through the only label that would seemingly sign them at this point, Musidisc. Despite critical acclaim for the album, there is no hysterical fanfare this time, no arenas to rock, yet it’s probably a safe bet that some grope-ready groupies still thronged the band. The album spawns a handful of singles including “Elvis Died For You” and “Meanstreak“, and one of its cuts, “Feed My Frankenstein“, ends up being re-recorded by Alice Cooper, and released on his 1991 Hey Stoopid album (and featured in the 1992 movie Wayne’s World).

  Truth is, things will never quite be the same for ZODIAC MINDWARP AND THE LOVE REACTION as they increasingly cycle through a revolving door of musicians. This includes bassists Suzi X, Tex Diablo and Kev Reverb, along with such drummers as Robbie Vom and The Apocalypse. They continue to release consistent output like “Live At Reading“, “My Life Story“, and “One More Knife”, but the band eventually goes on a hiatus, remaining inactive for a decade before resurfacing again around 2002.

“I Am Rock” arrives that year, another live album, “Weapons Of Mass Destruction” in 2004, “Rock Savage” in 2005, and the following year, 2006 brings “Pandora’s Grisly Handbag”, a 1986 live album and DVD pairing. Through all of this, the persona and over-the-top character that is Zodiac Mindwarp never dilutes nor seeks a PG rating. The dangerously deranged, gargantuan genius of Mark Manning continues to expand, authoring multiple books containing memoirs about his sordid sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll experiences simultaneously as the band issues albums.

In 1996, he pens Bad Wisdom (with Bill Drummond), while Crucify Me Again (2000), Get Your Cock Out (2000), Fucked By Rock: The Unspeakable Confessions Of Zodiac Mindwarp (2001), Collateral Damage, and The Wild Highway (2005, again with Drummond) all follow.

2010’s “We Are Volsung” album, featuring the cast of Zodiac Mindwarp with guitarist Cobalt Stargazer, bassist Jack Shitt, and drummer Bruno ‘The Cat’ Agua, is released via SPV/Steamhammer. Recently, the current edition of ZODIAC MINDWARP AND THE LOVE REACTION featuring Z and Cobalt, Beast Of Ante (bass) and the returned Robbie Vom (drums), have toured in celebration of the 30th anniversary of  the “Tattooed Beat Messiah” release.

When all is said and done, the larger than life cosmic rock deity that is Zodiac Mindwarp, as well as his more human alter ego, Mark Manning, will be a subject regaled across the infinite celestial. Tales, legends and mythologies, if not entire theologies, will be devoted to the praise and edification of the Tattooed Beat Messiah. You know, the “Christ in shades“, the “napalm god“, the “Sex führer, baby”, the “love dictator…living detonator“- Mister Prime Mover himself.

Oldschool Sunday: ZODIAC MINDWARP AND THE LOVE REACTION Article By: Pat 'Riot' Whitaker, Senior Writer/Journalist ‡ Edited By: Leanne Ridgeway, Owner/Chief Editor It is March 25th, 1988 and…

[homepictures]

The Modern Rules Of Interior Decoration Guide | interior decoration guide

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The Power of Pattern: Interiors and Inspiration, A Resource Guide Rizzoli, $45

Somewhere amid the vertigo-inducing appearance of accepted chintz and the Cold War arctic of gray-and-white palettes lies the adult use of blooming bolt and wallpaper. Susanna Salk, columnist of several interiors books and the host of affairs blog Quintessence’s “At Home With” video series, guides us through interiors of pattern-happy designers including alluring Angeleno Mary McDonald and Atlanta-born maximalist Miles Redd. Anniversary affiliate presents copious riffs on specific styles, such as chinoiserie, stripes, bittersweet and ikat, while unlocking the secrets to acknowledged layering.

More: Creative Ideas for Floor Tiling

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F. Martin Ramin/The Wall Street Journal

Terrain: Ideas and Inspiration for Decorating the Home and Garden Artisan, $35

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THEN AGAIN: Of the actual accessible projects, 25% are wreaths.

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More: How to Actualize a Modern Country Kitchen

F. Martin Ramin/The Wall Street Journal

Classical Principles for Modern Design: Lessons from Edith Wharton and Ogden Codman’s The Decoration of Houses The Monacelli Press, $50

New York artist Thomas Jayne starts with the angelic credo of Edith Wharton and Ogden Codman’s 1897 “Decoration of Houses” (yes, the admired biographer wrote a book on décor that pros still consult) and expresses them with 21st-century appearance that goes aloft the Vanderbilt manses of Wharton’s world.

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THEN AGAIN: Detailed instructions on how to acrylic the arcade of a Palm Beach alcazar may accomplish the clairvoyant feel beneath than mirthful.

IDEAL FOR: The 1% as able-bodied as your acquaintance whose bookcases sag with 19th aeon literature.

More: Bringing Hygge Into Your Home

F. Martin Ramin/The Wall Street Journal

Maison: Parisian Chic at Home Flammiron, $40

Fifteen Parisian apartments that abandon “decorated” for “lived in” are toured by Marin Montagut, a watercolorist, and Ines de la Fressange, author, archetypal and architect of an eponymous French appearance and home-accessories brand.

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More: Accomplished Art Collectors Are in a Buying Mood

F. Martin Ramin/The Wall Street Journal

It’s Beautiful Here Thames & Hudson, $45

Australian artist Megan Morton shares the voyeuristic amusement of peeking into the homes of an all-embracing accumulation of writers and artists.

LESSONS: Accomplish a aces headboard by adhering a abandoned rug to a metal frame. Add ball by blind your arcade of art all the way to the ceiling.

THEN AGAIN: When Ms. Morton asks contributors, “If your abode was a phrase, what would it be?” it smacks of pretension, not practicality.

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[thecomicsnexus]

The Summoning

CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS #1 APRIL 1985 BY MARV WOLFMAN, LEN WEIN, ROBERT GREENBERGER, GEORGE PEREZ, DICK GIORDANO, TOM MCCRAW (RE-COLORED VERSION) AND ANTHONY TOLLIN

SYNOPSIS (FROM DC DATABASE)

At the beginning of time, the Big Bang occurred, forming the universe. However, where there should have been one universe, there were many, each one a replication of the first, with their own separate histories.

At the present time, a great white wall of pure anti-matter energy stretches out across the cosmos. It pervades the Multiverse, consuming entire galaxies. On an unknown parallel world, a being named Pariah arrives. He is forced to witness the death of multiple worlds in multiple dimensions. He disappears as he is transported to the parallel world known as Earth-Three. On that world, the Crime Syndicate, in a rare demonstration of heroism, strives to save their beleaguered planet. However, even their combined might cannot prevent their deaths at the anti-matter wall.

The planet's sole hero, Lex Luthor, retreats to his home where his wife, Lois, holds their infant son, Alexander, in her hands. Luthor places Alexander into an experimental rocket capsule and launches him from the planet Earth. As Earth-Three dies, Alexander's capsule pierces the vibrational wall separating dimensions. It lands on the abandoned Justice League Satellite orbiting Earth-One.

On board another satellite, a being called the Monitor summons his assistant Harbinger. He instructs her to travel to various alternate Earths and bring together a select group of super-powered beings. Harbinger uses her power to create replicant versions of herself and sends them to the various Earths. The Monitor meanwhile, prepares to gather Alexander Luthor's space capsule.

The first of Harbinger's replicants travels to Earth-One and gathers King Solivar from Gorilla City. Another travels to Earth of the 30th century and summons Dawnstar of the Legion of Super-Heroes to her cause. A third replicant journeys to Earth-Two of the year 1942 to enlist the aid of Firebrand. One version gathers the Blue Beetle from Chicago. Another version of Harbinger collects the Psycho-Pirate from Earth-Two's present timeline. She brings him to Earth-One where they encounter Firestorm and Killer Frost. The Psycho-Pirate uses his Medusa Mask to make Killer Frost fall in love with Firestorm. Another replicant travels to Pre-Cataclysmic Atlantis to find Arion the Sorcerer. However, a Demon-Shadow attacks her and takes possession of Harbinger. The possessed replicant finds Arion and brings him back to the Monitor's satellite.

When they arrive, they find a room full of heroes and villains from alternate realities. Before the assemblage has a chance to acclimate itself to their foreign environment, a horde of Demon-Shadows attacks them. They fight them off until the Monitor arrives. He casts a brilliant burst of light, which dispels the shadows. Introducing himself, he tells the impatient gathering that the Multiverse may soon be destroyed.

EDITORIAL

NOTORIOUS DEATHS IN THIS ISSUE

Ultraman

Owlman

Super-woman

Power Ring

Johnny Quick

Alexander Luthor Sr.

Lois Luthor

Earth-3

FIRST APPEARANCES IN THIS ISSUE

Alexander Luthor Jr

Pariah

Blue Beetle (Ted Kord, first appearance on Earth-4)

REVIEW

Do you know why Crisis on Infinite Earths is the best comic book event of all time? It took 3 years of research to start with. It didn’t matter who they were killing (for the most part) because they were restarting the whole thing, so they managed to do proper endings for some characters. And most importantly, it mattered. Up to these days, even with Flashpoint in the middle, the Crisis is still a milestone in the DC Metaverse. Whatever came next would be cool, but in the end wouldn’t be as important as the first crisis.

In Crisis, you have memorable dialogues, a lot of heroic sacrifices, and some characters changed forever (or until DiDio came along). Marv Wolfman’s idea was very simple. Do whatever you need to do, and every ten years, restart the whole universe. That way, the whole line remains accessible for new readers. They didn’t listen to him (although, ten years later, DC would go through a soft reboot), but if they had, I don’t know, some things would have worked better. But to be honest, Marvel never needed to reboot and they are the best selling company. Still, there was a time after Crisis, that DC really shined bright. That’s a period of time that gave us some of the most iconic stories and characters that we can read even now. The Vertigo line was one of those things that came out of this period. And while continuity wasn’t perfect, it was pretty tight.

So Crisis on infinite earths has a special place in the hearts of comic book fans of the modern age. It doesn’t hurt that George Perez (and Jerry Ordway) made an excellent job with the amount of characters DC had to use.

In this issue, we finally meet the Monitor. This characters has been hinted as early as July 1982. Appearing everywhere, even the 19th and 30th centuries. Well, the mystery is over, after three years of suspense, we finally see the monitor, and we already know he is going to be killed by Lyla.

Marv Wolfman once said that the reason he opened the series with the death of the Crime Syndicate, was to show the readers that even powerful beings that look pretty much like the classic Justice League, can die. And another thing he made sure of, was to not show the main trinity of earth one right away, as to show new readers how big the DCU was.

The debut of Blue Beetle in this issue was one of the reasons Alan Moore had to change the characters in the upcoming Watchmen. DC had plans for the Charlton characters after Crisis and Moore’s approach would have left them... unusable.

You get the feeling that something really extraordinary is happening. A whole (known) universe dies in the first few pages. And before you ask, Lois Lane was married to Alexander Luthor, yes... Super-Woman was an amazon in the pre-crisis Earth-3. It does look confusing for modern fans as it seems like Super-woman should be Lois as well.

I am not going to score the individual issues, as this story is better scored as a whole. I will score the tie-ins, though.