The Cosmic Triune: OPED: Re-Launching Marvel Cosmic
(Editor’s Note: “The Cosmic Triune” is a series of opinionated articles focusing on Marvel Cosmic.)
The Cosmic Triune
An Opinion-Editorial Article
Re-Launching Marvel Cosmic
(Editor’s Note: “The Cosmic Triune” is a series of opinionated articles focusing on Marvel Cosmic.)
The Cosmic Triune
An Opinion-Editorial Article
Re-Launching Marvel Cosmic
Kuurth, Breaker of Stone, walks towards Utopia, slowly, steadily and unstoppable. Nothing can slow his march, plan after plan crafted to hinder the Serpent's Worthy has failed. Man's fear of mutants has escalated to heights never seen before, and everything Scott Summers has worked so hard for — may be destroyed before his very eyes.
Waid and Rivera hold no punches in their opening salvo of issue two, making this "Big Shots" book number one on my pull list! Yes, I have a biased opinion in regards to Daredevil – it is the first book I truly collected after all – but even that doesn't overshadow how good this book
The State of Hollywood 4
Remakes and Reboots: The Reason for Hollywood Sucking?
By: Lawrence Napoli
(Editor’s Note: CBN’s movie reviewer, Lawrence Napoli, offers his views and opinions on the movie biz in his column, “The State Of Hollywood.”)
Heston Would Be Proud, Despite That Iconic Line of His
A Film Review of Rise of the Planet of the Apes
By: Lawrence Napoli
Everybody does a little soul searching in this issue except for Mark – who does a lot of soul searching this issue. In fact, he almost does too much soul searching as it looks like the dark places he's going in his soul searching are going to lead him down the wrong path. It's rumored
Our good friends at Marvel found it in their hearts to send us an advance copy of Greg Rucka's Punisher! So, of course, I just can't sit idly by and not share my thoughts on Marvel's latest "Big Shots" book! As some comic fans have asked me," What's the big deal? It's just another Punisher
Not Exactly Spaghetti & Meatballs
A Film Review of Cowboys & Aliens
By: Lawrence Napoli
When the Art House Stretches Beyond Its Reach
A Film Review of The Tree of Life
By: Lawrence Napoli
Thumbs Up, Soldier!
A Film Review of Captain America: The First Avenger
By: Lawrence Napoli
This is the book that I have been waiting for and cringing over since Matt Murdock left the mean streets of Hell's Kitchen. After the cataclysmic events of Shadowland, Matt traveled to find himself and prove he was more than just the hero known as Daredevil. Andy Diggle led him down the path of reflection,
This is the End, Beautiful Friend
A Film Review of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
By: Lawrence Napoli
David Liss’ third installment, of the superb Mystery Men, continues to astound readers with a cacophony of action and intrigue! Our troupe of normal players, the Operative, the Revenant and the newly dubbed Aviatrix, have been dropped into the backdrop in order to make way for two new Mystery Men to take center stage. But
Johnny Blaze has finally shed his burden as the Spirit of Vengeance, but that doesn’t mean the Marvel U. is free from it, as well. The mantle has been picked up by another, someone we have never seen and she, yes she, is ready to set her own trail ablaze! When it was first announced
The X event of 2011 has arrived and nothing will prepare you for the division that will rock the mutant world! Jason Aaron and team forge a slow burn intro into this summers next blockbuster event, one that will eventually divide foe, friend and family into two separate factions. But this is not a thunderous
I have not read a Batman book for many a year now. There are just too many books, too many convoluted stories, too many contradictions – just too much! So I lept at the chance to read a story that gave me one Batman, one finite story and one creative team that has written some
So Transformers: Dark of the Moon was lucky enough to secure July 4th’s weekend. This was a complete travesty for Captain America: The First Avenger for obvious reasons. If Buena Vista/Disney owns Marvel now, where were all those bucks to sec
*Warning: Spoilers* The first hero has fallen; Bucky Barnes gave his all to strike a blow at the heart of fear, only to be struck down himself. Now they must rise together, Marvel’s holy trinity – Iron Man, Thor and Steve Rogers. They have not stood united like this before, never with so many
*Warning: Spoilers* The hair on your arms stand up as the crackle of ion fills the air. There is a storm emerging from the heavens, one that can change the fate of a world with a single bolt of lightning. But the man that awaits this miraculous gift lays broken and dying, his body
DC Relaunch: Drawing The Line At Constantine
(Editor’s Note: Our latest column to hit Cosmic Book News comes from Chris “DOC” Bushley who will be taking a look at the less “cosmic” characters in comic books with his “Just What The Doc Ordered” OPED column!)
By Chris “DOC” Bushley
(That’s right, no matter what they called Keanu Reeves horrible movie, it’s pronounced “kon-stuhn-tahyn!” Not teen!)
So, how many of you out there knew who that cigarette smoking, blonde haired fellow was at the end of Brightest Day? Not many I am assuming, considering the CBN offices were at a fifty-fifty split! Everyone was either so caught up with the fact Swamp Thing was the White Lantern (is he still?–who knows!) or the horrible conclusion of a mediocre storyline to even notice that Vertigo’s longest running book was sending over their star – John Constantine! But who can blame fans for not immediately recognizing Mr. Hellblazer himself, it’s not as if everyone is a huge Alan Moore Swamp Thing fan nor was there any real hype about what was going on. It was supposed to be shocking, and it was to Hellblazer fans like myself, but it was shocking for all the wrong reasons! It was shocking because John Constantine doesn’t belong in the normal DCU and especially not on some magic super team, Justice League Dark – really?! The only “team” John Constantine was ever on was in 1999, as a member of the “Trenchcoat Brigade,” which consisted of Phantom Stranger, Mister E and Dr. Occult. It was a Vertigo mini series that made sense for the characters to all be thrown together, and at the end – they all went their separate ways! No secret team handshake, snazzy logos or magical headquarters to hang out in. Just four guys, that never trusted each other, thrust together for a single goal.
But a better reason as to why good ol’ Johnny doesn’t belong in the world of super teams, is at the core of the character, he is a genuine bastard! At the end of the day, when the doors of Hell have been shut and the dust has settled, only one thing matters to Mr. Constantine – his own survival. Though he has had plenty of friends and family over the years that have cared for him, and he in return, no one is as important to John Constantine as himself. Not that I’m saying he purposely goes out of his way to undermine those that have asked for his help, it just always seems to go that way. And each time it does, it further enriches the character, perfecting the art of self loathing to a honed edge while doing everything he can to live one more day. If he fails at saving his friends and family, what chance do a bunch of magic welding freaks stand against his skills of self preservation?
But the change that will hurt Constantine the most is the neutering of the character and his tales to fit into the DC proper. No other book at DC delves into such an array of poignant yet controversial issues the way Hellblazer does! From the very beginning, it has been a book not only revolving around such a thought provoking character, but one that pushed the limits on current political, social and economic issues. It has tackled everything from the affects of nuclear and chemical warfare, civil unrest in South Africa, the hell and splendor of America’s prison system, racism in the U.K., the hatred between both young and old, poor and wealthy, abortion, murder, gang violence, alcoholism, rape, bestiality, black magic and the bastardization of the Royal family! And let’s not forget challenging every nuance of the Catholic religion so much, that it makes Dan Brown look like the thirteenth apostle! From the Devil himself being the main villain to a conversation with a homeless man that turns out to be a de-winged Michael, Hellblazer has always challenged itself to be unique and controversial. And a lot of that controversy occurred during Garth Ennis’ amazing run, where we find out exactly how The Virgin Mary conceived a child; it wasn’t quite as immaculate as I remember from Catholic school!
It’s not just the smoking, drinking, sex, and vulgarity that makes up John Constantine; it is the aspect of making the reader actually think about issues in the real world – things that matter and view points that may have never been perceived before. This above all else is what will have to be lost in order to conform to the regulations of a “proper” DC book. So let’s call Justice League Dark Johnny, the now defunct moniker of Johnny DC and the original Vertigo badass by his proper name – Constantine! I have drawn a line as well, and I choose to stay on the side where the shadows hide secrets we don’t want to know. A place where wives make deals with succubi to take care of cheating husbands, where technology sometimes eats your soul and where an Englishman just might be able to save you if you don’t get in his way!
Choose Vertigo, I know Alan Moore’s head is spinning over this announcement – so yours should, too!
Hulk Hate Michael Bay. . .
A Film Review of Transformers: Dark of the Moon
By: Lawrence Napoli
It has taken, quite literally, FOREVER for this issue to come out! A normal book would not be able to survive the fickle market and a readership that demands constant monthly gratification. But this is no normal book, and the talent that drives it – the best of the best! Plus, this issue will be
When the “Chick Flick” Induces Suicidal Depression
A Film Review of Bridesmaids
By: Lawrence Napoli
David Liss’ enthralling tale of masked vigilantes in the economically depressed 1930’s continues, giving readers slight revelations amidst even deeper depths of intrigue. Thoroughly engrossing, one finds themselves speculating as to what is truly going on, while Liss changes the game before your very eyes. New players emerge from the shadows, some to lend a
The die has been cast, the Mighty Volstagg has waged war on the residents of Broxton, and nothing will ever be the same! They should have just let him show them how to make deer omelets and blood sausage! But as he tries to recruit his fellow Asgardians into his childish folly, the true battle
“X-Trap”ulating Expectations
A Film Review of Green Lantern
By: Lawrence Napoli
Invincible has reached the 80 issue mark and it’s still going strong as it closes in on #100. Kirkman has promised some major changes and surprises in the new arcs leading up to #100, and I have a feeling that some of the seeds are being planted in the current issue. This issue marks the
Already, he has listened to the seasoned words of both Professor Charles Xavier and Magneto. Already, he has felt the prying eyes on his back and the hushed murmurs of doubt from those he leads. Now, it is his turn to reflect inward, to find the resolve to either forge ahead against the unknown, or
(Note: I know I’m not your regularly scheduled “Avengers” reviewer but Managing Editor Byron Brewer, is getting his own version of The Odin Sleep right now. When the Fates see fit, he will emerge once more to reclaim his rightful domain. Until then, hang in there big guy, we’re all rooting for you!) Let