Let's see if we can ho-ho-hold your attention.
They might be hard to handle, but buying gifts for the teens in your life doesn't have to be! We've put together a list of comics, movies, games and collectibles that will appease even the most snarky of our hormonal youths. From Batman to Spider-Man to princesses in 'Another Castle,' you'll be able to satisfy any teen gift giving need.
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Begone, Conan's pectorals!
Weekly Pull Highlights: December 4, 2019
We're low on sleep, but high on energy, and boy does it show. From the reveal of the genius logic behind the new X-Men run, to the strange use of the word 'fatty' in Angela Della Morte, we're giggling this whole episode, and hope you're as entertained as we are. 
For your kids, and your kid's kids, and your kid's kid's kids.
'Tis the season for gift giving, and we want to make it easy to check everyone off your good list! Similar to last year, this month we'll be doing three holiday gift guide episodes, each one focused on a different age bracket. This week, we're covering all the comic, media and gaming goodies you should consider buying for the kids in your life.
 Sue's allowed to be her own person, goshdangit.Honorable Mention Highlights: November 27, 2019
Killadelphia #1 (Image Comics) It's like True Detective meets Fright Night, but there's not really enough of either side for me to be completely sold yet. Admittedly, I could do with more of the vampire-side on the page, and less implied in raised eyebrows and hints. But, the characters already feel like real people, and honestly that's a really hard thing to establish in a first issue, so I'm interested to see where it goes. Witchfinder Reign of Darkness #1 (Dark Horse Comics) The tone of this books has me completely confused. One minute, I'm watching that extra creepy Johnny Depp flick about Jack the Ripper, the next minute I'm watching a weird Sherlock Holmes rendition where he's kind of an oblivious boob. I want to be into this, because of course, Mignola, but I'm still up in the air. This is also not the first book with this character, so I might be missing key dynamics, but I will say - supernatural Jack the Ripper is always my favorite. Ironheart #12 (Marvel Comics) Eve Ewing's run has finally come to a close, and while we had some substantial reveals take place, I come away from the book feeling... wanting? Ho-hum? The whole run felt like a push to remind her "Family always matters!" but... she always knew that. It doesn't really feel like a magnificent revelation. Still, having a lead of four women of color kicking ass was definitely a fun ride while it lasted. Scream: Curse of Carnage #1 (Marvel Comics) Honestly, this book has a bad case of the edgies. It tries really hard to be broody, with plenty of "get out of my head" talk and "no no no" shouts. The coolest bit are these weird, sludgey symbiote creatures made from like bits of fish and dead pirate skeletons. I am curious to see what the source of that is. Venom #20 (Marvel Comics) And like that, Donny Cates wants to bring back the Ultimate Universe. I cannot even describe how excited I am for this. This particular issue was a much better end to the Absolute Carnage arc than what we got out of Absolute Carnage #5. Invisible Woman #5 (Marvel Comics) Alright, here I am again, contemplating the end of a run that just felt... like an end. It was so refreshing to give Sue a run all her own, give her time to be independent, fully-fleshed out, and dynamic without her hoard of fellas to navigate the story line. But the climactic end of this book centers around a man taking away her ability to choose for herself. I don't know, it seems like a lazy way to end, but maybe I read too much into it, looking endlessly for Sue to be identified beyond Reed's wife and Franklin's mom. Guess it's back to the lab again. Sigh. 
Superheroes aren't often good for goodness sake.
Weekly Pull Highlights: November 27, 2019
Now that you've eaten all the food and spent all the money, let's talk some comics! From a holiday-slaughter in The Crow: Hard the Herald one-shot, to another kind of slaughter in Avengers #27, there's a whole lot of doom and gloom about. At least the Fantastix are here to remind us what being a hero is all about (hint - it's not always murder!).  Even when infected with Carnage, a cat is still a cat.Honorable Mention Highlights: November 20, 2019
Hazel & Cha-Cha Save Christmas #1 (Dark Horse Comics) Well, that was a festive romp through the 'Umbrella Academy' universe! Admittedly, not a whole lot goes on in this book, but if you like the irreverent feeling of the original series, or if you're a fan of Hazel & Cha-Cha's antics, you won't be disappointed. Badass #1 (Arctic Press Comics) There's a lot of subtle world building in this book without wading slowly through all the nuance of a whole new universe. A cool play on the "what happens if we have heroes with god-like abilities around," it's an interesting view to see things from the humans who may or may not match up. Heartbeat #1 (BOOM! Studios) This book was... a LOT. Like, wowzer. Incredibly dramatic, incredibly dark, but also incredibly stereotypical in the strangest "coming-of-age" sort of way. A girl goes to a school above her economic class, is bullied, lives a hard and frustrated life... and walks in on a dude eating the popular girl's heart. Not sure I'll be picking up issue two, but it was definitely an experience. Absolute Carnage Captain Marvel #1 (Marvel Comics) The part with Carnage seems sort of superfluous in this book, but gosh-darn it if I don't love watching Carol interact with Goose. That alien cat is one of my favorite things to get popularity in Marvel right now. It's also probably one of the best depictions of what it's like to have a cat that I've seen in quite some time. I think my cats could be possessed by Carnage, but that could just be my reasoning of why they keep attacking my Christmas tree. 
Don't forget to be ungrateful today!
Weekly Pull Highlights: November 20, 2019
Ready to feel sentimental? Preparing for Thanksgiving, we dive headfirst into the sweet and funny Olympia, by father/son duo Curt & Tony Pires. But with family gatherings come (un)friendly debates, so we wade into the morally ambiguous new Black Label title, "The Question: the Deaths of Vic Sage." Finally, just like your favorite holiday recipe, we cover the enjoyable, if not exactly what you were expecting, new run of Deadpool by Kelly Thompson. Happy Turkey Day!
Remember that livestream we mentioned?
We'll be doing a 24-Hour livestream for charity with our gaming group TinkTinkGames on November 30th starting at 4pm EST. Join us for gaming, hilarity, and a decent into madness as we get further and further into sleep debt. All proceeds from the event will be benefitting The UFHealth Shands Children's Hospital and the Children's Miracle Network. Consider donating on our fundraiser page here. You can watch our stream on Twitch, too - just look for TinkTinkGames! Thanks for supporting us and helping us make a difference this holiday season!  Maybe the Cat really does need the Spider.Honorable Mention Highlights: November 13, 2019
Folklords #1 (BOOM Studios) This is going to be one meta-tastic book! Set up like an inside out fairy tale, rarely do we see a character from a charming village decide to head out to the real world for adventure among skyscrapers and business suits. I love the concept behind this book, and I'm excited to see it start breaching the reader awareness line. Un/Sacred #1 (Ablaze Comics) I feel like this book would easily slide right into a Comedy Central lineup. The humor is silly and brash, the art is fun and flirty, and the story is less a rolling narrative, and more a series of cheeky vignettes all centered around 'doing the deed.' It's funny, light-hearted, but there's not a whole lot of meat in this book. - Tee Family Tree #1 (Image Comics) Interesting end of the world book from Jeff Lemire. Appears to have something to do with nature taking over, but all we really have is some sort of shady group of people, a strange affliction and plenty of Lemire's go-to family tension right at the center. Lots of questions but a very nice, hooking issue from the #1. - Chris Morbius the Living Vampire #1 (Marvel Comics) My guess is this book is feeding off of the hype of the upcoming Morbius flick featuring Jared Leto, but it doesn't really give us a lot to bite into (pun intended). Man is vampire, man looks for unvampiring serum, man maybe made a mistake. Pretty standard vamp fare considering what the book could have set up. Here's to hoping it dives a little deeper next issue. - Tee Fallen Angels #1 (Marvel Comics) Another solid entry in the Dawn of X line and the first one to establish the paranoia of Krakow after the twist in X-Force #1. Psylocke (Kwannon, not Betsy) feels like a new character in her own way, since she hasn't really been a character through much of the X-Men history. It's refreshing and the book feels like X-Force in tone. Black Cat Annual #1 (Marvel Comics) Gotta say, I think we're missing Spidey in the ongoing Black Cat run. While this book has the same goofy tone as the current run, it has so much more charm with Peter's quipiness and Cat's nostalgic flirtation. If you're not entirely feeling the current BC run, this one-shot might fill that void for you. The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #50 (Marvel Comics) It's the end of an era, fam. Doreen Green has been revealed as Squirrel Girl to the world and it's time for her to move on with her besties to the next nut to crack. To say I was emotional was an understatement; I had just really started reading comics when this book started, and I feel like it was a huge factor in me being such an active reader now. Thank you Ryan - your impact on Squirrel Girl fans cannot be denied. Stress has never been so fun!
The premiere of our brand-new segment, Powered Gaming! We'll be bringing you reviews and critiques of board games, card games, video games, and all other playable goodies from the nerd realm. This week, we played the super-fun but super-stressful card game '5-Minute Marvel.' Perfect for those with little time but nerves of steel!
 Filling in the details what we didn't share on the show!Honorable Mention Highlights: November 6, 2019
b.b. free #1 (BOOM! Studios) "You guys know I love a good, old-fashioned YA romp with a sassy female protagonist - luckily, I wasn't disappointed! Our two leading ladies are strong, passionate, and ready to get rolling with the rest of their lives, even if Daddy-dearest has other, weirdly nefarious plans. Gabby Rivera does a great amount of world-building for a first issue and ends with a twist I don't quite know what to think about. Definitely recommend!" - Tee Spider-Man & Venom: Double Trouble #1 (Marvel Comics) "So, have you ever wondered what the Odd Couple would be like if Felix was a red-clad, spider-powered nerd and Oscar was possessed by an inky, alien parasite? WELL LOOK NO FURTHER! This book feels like if Cartoon Network circa 2007 made a Spider-Man series. It's fun, it's goofy, it is DEFINITELY not canon. Mariko Tamaki and Gurihiru have a good thing going here if you're looking for just a fun Spider romp." - Chris Green Lantern Blackstars #1 (DC Comics) "...Woof. That was the most metal book I've read in a LONG time. I didn't read the previous Grant Morrison run of Green Lantern, but I didn't feel like I was particularly out of place reading this new series (granted, I'm not sure anyone felt IN PLACE reading this book). It's dark, and weird, and there's stuff happening all over the place with people I've never heard of, and elder Gods get eaten like sushi. Be sure to throw on some Megadeth before cracking open this cover; it'll get you right in the mood." - Tee Infected: King Shazam #1 (DC Comics) "Holy Toledo, King Shazam is one baaaaaad Shazamma-Jamma. I really hope King Shazam becomes some sort of usable villain even after this whole Year of Villain thing wraps up. It would be cool for Billy Batson to maybe have this permanent dark side just looming in the background, ready to bubble over. Would definitely be a source of some good story-telling as he wrestles his responsibilities to his family and this monster looming in the shadows." - Chris Future Fight Firsts Crescent & Io #1 (Marvel Comics) "Another installment in the 'Future Fight Firsts' books detailing new members of the Agents of Atlas crew, this week we learn about the origins of Dan Bi & her awesome bear spirit guardian, Io. It's cute, fun, lighthearted, and actually does a really good job of representing the character as both young but realistically aware of her surroundings. Also, someone needs to hook me up with one of those masks - I want a big, bad, bear spirit guardian, too!" - Tee |
Cover B PodcastChris & Tee host this weekly comic-focused show, providing insight on new comics, entertainment news and more. Archives
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