Previewing this Week’s Releases: 9/7/09 – 9/13/09

Comics
Adventure Comics #2 – Geoff Johns impressed me with the first issue of this new series starring Superboy. Even though I not a big Superboy fan Johns does seem to have a good handle of the character as he finally takes the character and makes him much more likable than he was back as a Teen Titan. Though, Johns will need to do a better job with the back-up as the Legion story was a weak. As someone new to the Legion I did not get anything out of story or who the characters are other than their names and powers.

Amazing Spider-Man #604 – So far the Red Headed Stranger has been a solid story though it has not blown me away especially after the great "American Son" arc and Amazing Spider-Man #600 issue. Hopefully Fred Van Lente can provide a good showdown between Spider-Man and Chameleon as well as some aftermath from Chameleon ruining some of Peter's personal relationships.

Blackest Night: Batman #2 – I really liked the first issue of this mini-series as Peter Tomasi proved yet again to be one of the best Batman writers, especially when it comes to writing Dick Grayson. The first issue made a strong case for Tomasi to actually write one of the Batman series with Dick as Batman once this mini-series is over. He just understands the character and the Batman universe. I actually would like it if he got to take over Batman to give him a main stream title to take him out of Geoff Johns shadow.

Green Lantern Corps #40 – Just like Blackest Night: Batman the first issue that tied into this Blackest Night for this series did a very good job giving a grander scope to the event than the main book. Tomasi has done a spectacular job on GLC that this title has actually eclipse Green Lantern by Geoff Johns as the best Green Lantern title. And I am definitely looking forward to seeing how the rest of the Green Lantern Corps does against the Black Lanterns especially Kyle vs. Black Lantern Jade.

Red Robin #4 – Red Robin has been the weak link out of all the Batman titles. Chris Yost has not done a very good job convincing me that Tim's mission to find Bruce is actually worth reading. The whole characterization of Tim post-Battle for the Cowl has been horrible and just seems to have come out of knowhere. I am hopeful that with this fourth issue that Yost can convince me to keep reading this title past this arc.

The Marvel Projects #2 – While the first issue did not blow me away Brubaker and Epting did the job of getting me into this mini-series about the Golden Age of the Marvel Universe's history. I am interested to learn more about the Marvel Universe's past as before this series I only have some working knowledge of.

Ultimate Comics Avengers #2 – The first issue of Ultimate Comics Avengers was just a fun comic to read. It was like Miller never left the Ultimate Universe. I look forward to learning more about the Ultimate Red Skull and see what he has planned after the revelation of being the son of Steve Rogers. But honestly I just want to see more kick butt action from Ultimate Captain America who is just a badass in this universe along with some of the other Avengers.

War of Kings: Who Will Rule? One-Shot – This is the issue I am most looking forward to reading this week. War of Kings was a spectacular mini-series event and one of the best comic book events I have read. Though we have seen some of the aftermath of War of Kings in Guardians of the Galaxy and Nova I am interested in seeing how DnA set up the various characters in the Marvel Universe cosmic corner. DnA definitely have a lot of toys to play with in this one-shot to set up Realm of Kings.

DVD/Blu-ray
Bleach: Diamond Dust Rebellion – I am a big fan of the Bleach anime and I really enjoyed the first movie of this series. The first movie was a solid story that mixed every element that makes this series so fun. Though the second movie looks to have a much darker story that will involve the whole Soul Society, and not just Ichigo, as Captain of the 10^th Squad Toshiro Hitsugaya will be hunted down by the Soul Society. This movie definitely speaks to the popularity of Toshiro, a secondary character in the manga and anime, as he has a whole movie centered around him. Look forward to seeing some great action this series has been known for.

The Office Season 5 – One of my favorite TV series is no doubt The Office. Though the show has lost some steam in these past two seasons this is still an excellent comedy with plenty of laughs. Season 5 had a lot of funny moments that this series has been known for. I am really looking forward to the six season of this series and this box set should tie me over until the new season begins.

Movies
9 – What a coincidence that this movie is being released on 09/09/09, or 9/9/9? Sarcasm aside, I will admit that like many people I loved The Nightmare Before Christmas. It's one of my favorite movies of all time. Sadly I have not liked any of Tim Burton's movies since The Nightmare Before Christmas. Though I was hesistent at first if "9" was going to be any good, as I did not know much about it, after seeing a few trailers and TV spots this actually looks like it may capture the magic of The Nightmare Before Christmas. I can hope can't I?

Previewing this Week’s Releases: 8/10/09 – 8/16/09

This is a big week in comics for me as I am getting 2 times the amount of comics this week with 10 new titles along with getting War of Kings #6 that did not ship to any comic shop here in Las Vegas. I think my wallet will be crying when I go to my LCS this week. While this week looks to be a great week I kind of wish that Marvel and DC would have spread the love a bit over the other weeks in August as I don't I am getting more than 10 titles the next few weeks. Oh well, enough of my bitching lets what's out this week.

Comics
Adventure Comics #1 – While I have questioned the return of Connor I have to say I am interested in seeing what Geoff Johns will do with the character. Though the main attraction for me in getting this title is Francis Manapul' artwork that looks incredible in the preview we got for this issue.

Amazing Spider-Man #602 – The last issue of Amazing Spider-Man was a good, not great, start to the new arc that brings back MJ to Peter's world. This time around though Fred Van Lente will be handling this issue, and the rest of the arc. The last time Van Lente was on Amazing Spider-Man he did an excellent one and done story involving the Spot. I am interested to see how he handles Spider-Man and his supporting characters in a full arc.

Batman #689 – So far I have been enjoying Winnick's run on Batman. Winnick's work hasn't been as good as Batman and Robin or Streets of Gotham but he still has done a good job handling Dick's new role as Batman and with Two-Face being involved in this story arc it will be interesting to see how Winnick handles the rivalry between the two.

Blackest Night #2 – While I enjoyed the first issue of Blackest Night for the most part I was disappointed with a couple aspects of the issue. Hopefully Johns can fix the problems with the last issue and make this series live up to the high expectations that have been set for this DCU event.

Blackest Night: Batman #1 – Though I have my reservations about having the Batfamily involved in Blackest Night but I would be lying if I didn't say that I am interested to see Dick Grayson fighting/meeting his parents.

Green Lantern Corps #39 – While I have been mixed with the work Geoff Johns has been doing with Green Lantern and Blackest Night I have love all the work Peter Tomasi has been doing on Green Lantern Corps. He did a great job with "Emerald Twilight" and it seems that even though this issue and future issues will tie-in Blackest Night it doesn't look like the event will slow down what Tomasi and Gleason have been doing on this title.

The Marvels Project #1 – This is a series I am not sure if I should get it on a monthly basis or in TPB. While I do like the team of Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting this series sounds like it will be much better in TPB though I will try out this first issue to see what Brubaker and Epting are going to do with this story of revisiting Marvel's Golden Age characters before making my decision.

Red Robin #3 – So far I have been really disappointed with the work Chris Yost has done with Tim Drake and his new role as Red Robin. Still Tim is one of my favorite DCU characters and I can only hope that Yost improves with this issue and stops giving us this emo Tim he has been giving us the first two issues.

Ultimate Comics Avengers #1 – I am really excited to see what Mark Millar has in store for his return to the Ultimate Universe. And the concept of this title having a black-opts team has me even more interested to see what crazy story has in store for these characters and the introduction of Ultimate Red Skull.

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #1 – This is probably the book I am most looking forward to reading out of this crop of new titles we are getting this week. Bendis is just money when it comes to writing Ultimate Spider-Man and I look forward to seeing what he has in store for Peter and his supporting cast, new and old.

DVD/Blu-ray
I Love You, Man – This was probably the funniest comedy movie we have got this year though I may wait a couple weeks before purchasing this movie on DVD.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (Blu-ray) – Ah, TMNT! These were the movies I grew up with as a kid. So there is no doubt I will be getting these movies that include the three live action movies and the recent CGI TMNT movie from a couple years ago.