Pick of the week - Spider-man hits the "Big Time"

I'm sure you all suffer from this problem: The company that produces your favorite comic book character suddenly changes creative team or direction through editorial decision, and you slowly read as they slowly destroy and desecrate all you loved about the character until you no longer recognize them and you end up canceling the title and moving on. (Case in point on a personal perspective was when Peter David's legendary twelve year run on the Incredible Hulk sadly came to an end, a run that has yet to be equaled! and Daniel Way's revamp of Ghost Rider after Howard Mackie's classic run; even though Jason Aaron had a great run after Way, picking up the scraps Way left in his absolute demolition of the character, even thinking about what he did leaves a bitter taste in my mouth; GHOST RIDER IS NOT A ******* ANGEL!!) And in the same vain there's character's you'd like to start reading but are scared cause of either the amount of titles the character has or such a convoluted history that it gives you a migraine (i.e Superman, you needed to work a second job to keep on track with all the titles he had! Thankfully each of his title's have gone off in their own direction with different characters (Lex Luthor now has the reigns of Action Comics if you haven't picked it up already) A character that's kinda suffered over the years with both problems I've found is Spider-man! From the virtual swamp of titles under the Spider-man umbrella with writers and artists coming and going like the tide, only the die hard Spider-man fans kept on with their titles, (second & third jobs aside) but even they started to crack under the arc titled "Brand New Day" (That's definitely another story to tell with all the problems that raised!) but from an outsiders perspective, you could see problems with the title (the number of titles were reduced to just Amazing Spider-man at this point, but coming out a whopping three times a month :S) To politely summarize the problems of "Brand New Day" - "Too many cooks spoil the broth" Too many writers and artists were on the title, leaving their own mark on the book and ignoring what others had written, throwing continuity out of the window and losing hardcore fans (a noticeable number of my customers were dropping Spider-man as a result) But fear not True Believer's, there is a happy ending to this tale of woe. Marvel noticed the drop in sales of Amazing Spider-man and acted accordingly by ending their "Brand New Day" run, with "Big Time" written by Dan Slott (count them, writers = 1!) and art by Humberto Ramos and two other artists and coming out twice a month now. A thankful end to all the previous debacle that's surrounded Spider-man over the years and a perfect jumping on point for new readers and returning die hards (demand for this issue has been high!) But other than the relief of the end of "Brand New Day", "Big Time" is a great book! a fun for all ages title chock full of costumed villains, dangling plot threads and basically getting back to the essence of the Spider-man mythos, adding his status as a member of the Avengers to strengthen the book rather than confusing his title (Notice how any of Wolverine's teams are not mentioned in his own title). So in conclusion, with Slott & Ramos at the helm, Spider-man's ready to retake his crown as premiere Marvel character from the grumpy old man and the unfunny whack job to truly take Marvel to it's "Heroic Age".

Halloween Havoc 2010 Results

Thanks to everyone who took part in this years Halloween Havoc; the bar was definately raised from last year and our judges (Comic book artist Dave Golding & Ms Lauren C Waterworth) couldn't pick a person for the "spoon of least effort" prize, and they picked four winners! Winners (In reverse order) 4: Diane Barker as Lady Riddler 3: Jessica Morgan as X-23 2: Simon as Pin Head 1: Robert Smith as Obelix A special thank you goes out as well to Matt Birdsall for once again taking quality pictures of all of this years contestants. As for me... Well, I couldn't enter my own competition but I messaged Jason Aaron on twitter to tell him my Girlfriend and I were going to be dressed as Dr Rot & Nurse Fester from the Wolverine Weapon X story "Insane in the Brain" I sent him some pictures of us and he liked them so much that he put us up on his own blog! Jasonaaron.info (It's rare I have a proper geek out moment but this was definately one of them) Now we all have to wonder what we'll all see for Havoc III...

Pick of the week...The trouble with Deadpool?!?!

Earlier this year it looked like Marvel was taking note by ending the series "Deadpool: Merc with a mouth" but a few months later, they suddenly launch a brand new title, "Deadpool Max"...WTF!!! Looking further at this title, it has the team of David Lapham & Kyle Baker behind it, two respected creators so I decided to give the book a go. And do you know what...I like it!!! A well written first issue about Deadpool's handler Bob and what it takes to get into Hammerhead's domain so he can give Wade Wilson access and take him out once and for all. The reason's I like this book 1.) As with all Max books, they aren't bogged down with the mainstream Marvel continuity, (curse you Daniel Way!) 2.) Deadpool's hardly in it!! I normally find there's two mindsets people have when they look at new comics, those that follow the writer's and those that follow the artists. I'm fans of both of Lapham and Baker but reading them both on a character I can't stand left me feeling torn, so kudos guys for making me read a character I can't abide. As to how long this title will last, only time will tell...

R.I.P; The missing Chapter

One year ago, Grant Morrison shook Batman fans to the core with a very dark, yet brilliant tale entitled "R.I.P", Bruce Wayne was gonna die! But yet at the same time, DC ran a summer event, also written by Grant Morrison called "Final Crisis" which seemed a bit disjointed and out of continuity as Bruce Wayne/Batman was there as fresh as a daisy! Would expect that from other comic companies but not DC to be honest. But there was an underlying plan to it all... Thirteen issues into the new series Batman & Robin, Dr Hurt (The villain of R.I.P, a man posing as Thomas Wayne, Bruce's father)has returned, while we're eagerly awaiting the 4th issue of "The return of Bruce Wayne" telling the tale of Bruce making his way back to the present day from the dawn of time after being hit by Darkseid's omega beams at the end of Final Crisis, building up to an immense conclusion to Grant Morrison's Batman Opus and to tell the missing chapter of R.I.P is only stoking the fire to what is now essential reading and leaves you hungry for more! First is was the JLA & the Seven Soldiers of Victory, then the X men to All Star Superman and now Batman...what's next for Mr Morrison??

Halloween Havoc, The Return!!

The biggest event we held last year makes it's return on Oct 30th 2010! Registration begins on July 31st for Halifax's biggest Fancy dress competition where the grand prize is a commisioned piece of artwork of you in your costumed identity by a renowned comic book artist, but this year we're planning on making it bigger and better than before, (I'll be in a dress so you gotta come and see that!) More details to follow...

Aug 8th 2010, The next event...

Up next at Legacy Comics, to tie in with Big D's Biker rally happening within the Piece Hall, Geof Banyard will be returning with his awesomely funny comicbook series Fetishman, a series that flies off my shelves as soon as I get it in! If you've been living under a rock and you don't know what Fetishman's all about, here's a link to the Fetishman website and I'll let Geof explain it all to ya (Don't wanna be treading on your toes there Geof lol).

WWW.FETISHMAN.CO.UK

So for a day of Bikes, Bikers, adult comedy, tea drinking and general tomfoolery, pop down to the Piece Hall and Legacy Comics on Aug 8th, you'll be so glad you did ;).

The Bulletproof Coffin World Tour, Day Two: Legacy Comics!!

"BULLETPROOF COFFIN has the same ozone/orgone whiff of STRANGE DAYS. first comic in forever that says UP YOUR GODDAMN GAME. Hine & Kane 4-eva" Matt Fraction (via Twitter) Writer of Iron Man, Uncanny X Men & upcoming Thor. Well after much publicity, (and general ranting from me), the day finally came when comic book legends David Hine & Shaky Kane made their way to Halifax to do a signing in my little store. As well as signing the already sold out first issue to their series, they bought copies of a limited Bulletproof Coffin litho drawn by Shaky Kane, copies of the limited Bulletproof Coffin Ashcan and copies of the ultra rare "Shaky Kane's Monster Truck" as well as a selection of other titles written by David Hine. If you were unfortunate enough to miss picking up a copy of Bulletproof Coffin #1, they have the full copy available to read online at Bleedingcool.com so you can get to grips with what everyone else is talking about and be as excited waiting for #2 as the rest of us! But as for the day itself, it was a memorable moment in the brief history of Legacy Comics. Thank you so much to two of the nicest men in the business for making it possible and get ready for a possible return by Hine & Kane in time for the Bulletproof Coffin Trade, so watch this space...

Facebook Changes

As of July 31st The Facebook group and profile for Legacy Comics will cease to exist. But fear not, future news, blog posts and general comicbook hijinx will continue on the Legacy Comics fan page.

The Secret's finally out! Pick of the week

With these series of teaser images released and the announcement that Ed Brubaker & Mike Deodato were the creative team behind a new title called "Secret Avengers" everybody pricked up their ears and took notice, wanting to know who was actually on the team to start with. One by one they were slowly announced; Moon Knight, Valkyrie, War Machine, Nova, Steve Rogers & Beast, (with Black Widow and Ant Man as well)so the stage was set and all we could do was salivate while waiting patiently for issue one to be released. And by God they didn't disappoint!

From the opening scene to the breathtaking cliffhanger at the end, Ed Brubaker takes you on a roller coaster journey that you could imagine being directed by JJ Abrams in a high budget Hollywood movie and the sensational artwork by Mike Deodato, polishes the story off perfectly like a fine piece of crystal, (wanting any spoilers? Hell No! Go to your Comic book store and prepare to be blown away!!) This is the best issue 1 from Marvel I've read since the, now iconic, first issue of Civil War! So as you're making your way to your local comic book store, put some extra coins in your pocket for Secret Avengers #1, you'll be so glad that you did!

An ode to Plamiotti and Conner's Powergirl

It was with some sadness that I read a few months ago that Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner were going to end their run on Powergirl with issue #12. All the way through their run, Power Girl has been a lighthearted, fun and refreshing read, a thing that is sorely lacking in the majority or mainstream characters nowadays (Spiderman & Superman are two titles that immediately spring to mind)Everything doesn't have to be grim and overly complicated, you can write a positive in a book today without it feeling lame. Add that with the awesome artwork of Amanda Conner then you've got an enjoyable title for all comic book fans and if you haven't bought the title (shame on you if you haven't) you can look forward to the graphic novel collection of their run.

Yesterday I read Powergirl #12 and I could do nothing but smile all the way through as they tied up all their story threads nicely with the same love and attention they've shown throughout their run before passing the torch onto Judd Winick and artist Sami Basri, (a few people I know have raised a few concerns regarding her haircut on the promo image for the new team but judge for yourself)

Thanks for the memories Jimmy, Amanda & Justin, you'll be sorely missed :'(

Heroic Pick of the Week

Going through my personal pick list this week, I've been reading through each of them to try and find this week's pick,(not mentioning any names of course!) Some were good, some were passable but nothing grabbed me like last week's Hulk's books which were last week's pick. So I went through the new shelves during a quiet period today, (Folk too busy basking in the sunshine I guess), and I picked up Age of Heroes #1 The book kicks of with a J.Jonah Jameson story by Kurt Busiek & Marko Djurdjevic. Now admitedly I did miss his last venture in Eye of the Camera but it was great to see Kurt back doing a Marvel story. Doctor Voodoo wasn't something I picked up either but the tale by Rick Remender was fast paced and exciting, and Paul Cornell & Lenoard Kirk made a welcome (if somewhat brief) return to Captain Britain and MI:13 where Captain Britain is asked to be an Avenger by Steve Rogers himself (How can you say no to him?). Putting the book down and my head began to spin with so many thoughts; first of all, this was the best anthology book I'd read since Marvel's three issue Strange Tales! Filled with first rate creators and top notch characters introducing you to Marvel's new "Heroic Age" theme, and the possibilities of how these stories could develop; (Are we looking at the death of MI:13 in a similar way Alpha Flight went? And if you wanna know what's happening with the Sorceror Supreme, check out the Previews of the New Avengers relaunch coming next month). And also if someone came into my shop wanting to get into comics and not knowing where to start, I'd give them a copy of Age of Heroes #1 cause it's a great jumping onto the new look Marvel Universe, a thing other publishing houses should look at when introducing a new direction or major event. Well done Marvel!

Creative minds wanted for C.B.C

Have you ever read a comic book and felt something's missing? After an issue, have you ever stopped and thought "I could do better than that!" Well fear not, Legacy Comics has the answer for you! Calling all aspiring writers and artists, we will be relaunching Comic Book Club (C.B.C) in July, a place where writers and artists can meet, throw idea's around and hopefully end up creating their own title under our own creator owned imprint! So if that's got your creative juices flowing then stay tuned as more details will follow...

A Guilty Pleasure; This week's (Double) pick!

Okay I'll admit, I was one of the people that looked upon Loeb & McGuiness' run on the Hulk with a mildly critical view, thinking (as I'm sure you all did at some point) when on earth were they gonna reveal the identity of the Red Hulk?! (so glad they got rid of the Rulk name!) But you could tell that is was building up to something, then came the relaunch of Incredible Hulk with #600 and the promise of the reveal of the Red Hulk's identity! Did it happen, sadly no, but the Red Hulk drained The Hulk out of Banner which only left The Red Hulk to fill the void, (and no, you still didn't get to know who it was! At this point you didn't know what was going to happen, only the promise that something big was on the horizon. Greg Pak took the reigns of The Incredible Hulk once again, after a successful run on the title with "Planet Hulk" and "World War Hulk" under his belt, and his returning arc "Banner & Son" was a fun and entertaining read. But to be honest I was happy that the Hulk had finally been rewarded with a second title after launching countless titles for other characters which have quickly become tiresome, mentioning no names (you know who you are!) Then the next big Hulk event was announced "Fall of the Hulks" which was an enjoyable read through both titles, and the ending for that story (Hulk #21 & Incredible Hulk #608) was just...WOW!

Now World War Hulks' kicked off into high gear and I'm hooked! Is it just me or there something bout the Hulk getting involved in an immense fight that just makes me smile? (An admitted guilty pleasure but that's between us dear reader).

So it's a big well done to Jeph Loeb, Ed Mcguiness, Greg Pak & Paul Pelletier for the months of build up and letting the fireworks go off with one hell of a bang! The end of Hulk #22 (where we FINALLY find out who the Red Hulk & Red She Hulk are) is a big wow, but read Incredible Hulk #609 after that and the ending there is even better!) I'm all for clever stories and complex twists as much as the next guy but when u read a comic that makes u remember what got you into the genre to begin with, now that's something special! Now I'm waiting for the next issues with baited breath and they can't come soon enough!!!

The New Legacy Comics Logo

Created by Shaky Kane

The Bulletproof coffin by David Hine & Shaky Kane

6-issue series written by David Hine [Spider-Man Noir, Civil War X-Men, District X, Silent War, Daredevil Redemption, The Brave and the Bold, Arkham Reborn, Detective Comics, Spawn, Strange Embrace, The FVZA etc.] and drawn by Shaky Kane, legend of British Comics [2000AD, New Musical Express, Revolver, Deadline, Bizarre, Monster Truck, Pinhead Nation, The A-Men etc.] Shaky is currently drawing the fourth issue. When the first issue hits the shelves in June, he’ll be starting on issue 6. This series will be complete, will be on time and you can see a slideshow of preview art from issues 2 – 4 here: “This makes me happy in my bits, so it does.” – Warren Ellis A look at the Bulletproofcoffin from Bleedingcool.com And if all that hasn't got your tastebuds salivating, David Hine & Shaky Kane will be in Legacy Comics June 25th between 12 - 5pm for a special signing!!

One Year on...

Thank you all for such an amazing 12 months, making Legacy Comics the success that it is today! Plans are already afoot to make Year 2 even more phenomenal so stay tuned and keep it Legacy :)