Liliy is a Fangirl #10

Hey! Mostly Comics today. XD In fact. All Comics today.

Spoilers~ ohhh~

Comics

Action Comics #3: It’s funny, just as Superman starts to grab me, Action Comics starts to lose me. I’m not sure if it’s because Jimmy’s new character design is driving me crazy (I’m not sure what it is–but I can’t stand it) or because it seems kinda boring. I don’t know. Can’t quite put my finger on it.

I have no idea what's going on with her or her 'clone' but I felt for her during this scene. That's what's important. *sage nod*

Static Shock #3: Definitely easier to understand than the last issue – and we’re back to some fun Static action with Virgil working both the school and the local gang trying to kill him. Plus, we’re getting more info on his sister and her ‘clone’ and that side story. Pretty good issue~

Hawk & Dove #3: I want four. Now. *noms Hawk & Dove* I love them. LOVE THEM.

We’re going to get to Swamp Thing – ~~fair warning, this might be a long one~~ [It turned out normal length to avoid grossing people out with details]. And we’ll have a better opinion on Justice League Dark after. XD

Swamp Think #3: I…just don’t know what to do with this one. I literally freaked out reading this comic. There’s this big thing that happens and everything goes to heck and back and for goodness sake they [this would be the spoiler] show the brutal mutilation of three sick kids and a man’s lung pulled out of his chest and hanging out of his mouth. This stuff looked like it belong in a Left 4 Dead game. o_O But it caught me totally off guard and just. Wow. Man. XD

Though this was in the issue, so that makes it worth it. XD

Moving on.

In my sudden urge to own all things Hawk & Dove – I found out that Dove is in Justice League Dark. So guess what I splurged on!? :D

This is the sole reason I picked up Justice League Dark

Justice League Dark #1 & #2: I bought this solely for Dove, but it turns out it was actually really, really good. The book-end narrative (“I looked into the future.”) with Xanadu was really well put together and the first issue was gorgeous. It’s a dark, serious, magic piece and it works really well. The second issue was quite good as well and had a nice focus on the relationship between Dove and Deadman which helps fill in some of the troubles they’re experiencing over in Hawk & Dove (and was also hilarious – oh Deadman, you just don’t understand women, do you? Try possessing Hank and see what that does. XD).

Future?

I’ll probably be picking up the Birds of Prey Series that had Hawk and Dove because I’m a tad obsessed. *cough*

Hawk & Dove #3

Hawk and Dove!!!! <3

Happiness. *ahem* Moving on. Spoilers follow and so forth–you know the drill.

Hawk & Dove #3

Yeah, I made the same face when I saw what he was looking at. o_O

This issue can be summed up by: Fight scene where Deadman sees something really freaky and Condor bites off some dude’s head. Still lots of fun though.

But the long version, is we’re finally introduced to Condor and Swan who seem to be way more on the ball with this whole Avatar thing than Hawk & Dove.

“You’re a joke in the circle, and you and Hawk will be as long as you stay in the dark.” -Swan, Hawk & Dove #3

Of course, Hawk doesn’t care at all and continues to brawl with Condor in good old fashioned angry-man style.

There’s a bit where some guards try and stop the fight, but that tends to end badly every time they attempt it (a guy gets his head bit off–what more do you need to know?), but I do love that both Hawk and Condor told them quite plainly they should leave, as neither was up for listening.

It’s bluntness like that, that makes it all fun.

Boys will be boys - loving it. XD

So they fight and make puns at each other. In the meantime, Swan and Dove are having their own little fight, but it’s a lot more psychological with Swan’s “Swan Song” and Dove trying to reiterate it’s not working. Sadly, we never see how that fight ends–but Dove promises she’ll tell us later! I’m holding her to that.

I would have gladly paid another dollar to get 10 more pages of their cat fight.

Deadman drops in for a bit to try and help Hawk, obviously for Dove’s benefit, and ends up with an eyeful when he tries to invade Condor. Freaky thing in there, freaky thing. o_O

So, Deadman proves useless and Dove shows up to save the day. Yay Dove.

And we end with the tag ending that makes us all want to grab issue #4.

Thoughts

I love Hawk. I really do–especially when he leaps in head first and gets turned into the “damsel” – it could just be loving him tied to a chair from the first few issues of the 1988 Hawk & Dove series, but there’s something fun about him being at someone’s mercy.

Or maybe I have issues.

Either way–lots of fun.

I can’t wait to find more about the Avatars, or how Condor and Swan got their information – and even what the deal was with what Deadman saw inside Condor’s head. Because I have no clue what it was–if this was something from the earlier continuity, I might be in trouble.

Art

This issue did some fun things with the fight scenes -particularly blurring out portions of the background to create a depth of field.

Shown: Depth of Field

It’s something I usually associate with cameras and video footage, so it was almost a little shocking to see it in a comic.

The effect isn’t bad – but it did draw attention to itself, mostly because I can’t remember seeing it in earlier issues. I hope it sticks around, though, it’s a nice effect and gives some depth to the pages creating sort of a three dimensional effect without getting too obvious about it.

Ending Thoughts

Still loving this series way more than I should. And I really, really, really, want Comixology to start posting the other series – especially the rest of Hawk & Dove Vol. 2 from the 80’s/90’s. I really, really want to read it and get all that continuity. <3

Liliy is a Fangirl #9

I should seriously just start doing these on Wed. when new comics come out. XD

Movies

Finally saw the first Planet of the Apes Film (With Heston) & rewatched the Burton film. I still like the Burton version more. Leo x Ari. Yes. <3

Books

Just read my goodreads page. XD I put everything there.

Anime

Sekai Ichi Hatsukoi (World’s Greatest First Love) – This is a Boy’s Love series by the same team that did Junjou Romantica – and it shows. It’s not often you find a full series Boy’s Love that has quality animation, is genuinely hilarious, and has such a great cast. <3 I’m loving Season 2!

And I really need to catch up with Blue Exorcist. XD

Comics

Bliss

Aquaman: Mera is awesome~ I think the best part about Aquaman is his wife – and the fact they’re a superhero tag team. Ha ha. Though, they’re still going on with the ‘Aquaman is a loser’ jokes, and now it’s “AquaWoman” or whatever they’re calling Mera. XD Anyway, good issue – lots of action and Aquaman is still adorable. He sort of reminds me of a down home, county sherriff.

Superman: Redeemed itself from last issue. The invisible monster fight was great~ And it had a great twist at the end that got Jimmy and Lois into the action. This saved it from the drop pile. XD

Flash: Another good issue. Not quite as good as the first one, but still up there. :)

I will ship them out of spite.

Teen Titans: They need to back off the Tim x Cassie – like a lot. It is way too early for that. I know they’re just hinting at it, and I know that they dated, but still. (I won’t deny, this is the hardcore Superboy x Wonder Girl shipper in me talking.) But enough of that. They’re still introducing new people and it’s…well, this is always my least favorite part of a series. So I’m working through it.

Also, a little bothered that Bart is reminding me more and more of Wally West from the new Young Justice TV Series than he is Bart Allen. He just doesn’t seem to have that same innocent idiocy going for him…hmm.

At least Skitter is cool. <3

Misleading Advert Blog Posts

Be forewarned: This post may delve into rant territory, but I shall do my best to avoid mentioning names/specific examples. (Granted, if you’ve looked into this subject, I’m sure you’ve seen plenty…)

I hate blog posts that claim to be ‘How-To’s’ or ‘Guides’ in the title that turn out to be nothing more than advertisements for another product.

The novel I’ve been working on is coming ever closer to that fateful moment where it hits the self-published shelves, and as such I’ve been reading a lot of author/book/publishing blogs for advice, tips, etc. A great deal of it’s been really helpful and informative, and I’ve discovered a few authors that have been tacked on my To-Read list.

But every once in a while, you see that blog title that says something along the lines of “How to-” or “Mistakes not to make-” or something comparable–only to discover the blog post is just an advert to send you to a book or podcast that they wrote on the subject.

This has successfully created a new pet-peeve of mine.

Don’t get me wrong, if people want to write self-help books and advertise them: that’s awesome. It is, and I wish them all the luck with making money and getting the word out using their advise and experience in a much more in-depth format.

Just make it clear you’re advertising a book – in the title.

Good blogs, are informative (or entertaining). That’s the point of wanting to read them and some people are doing this very, very well. The content of their posts are what’s stated in the title – yay!

Others, not so much. When your title is (just an example): “How to Publish on Kindle” – I expect some tips and advise on how to publish a book on a Kindle, not an outline summary of the book you’re selling. I feel like I’ve been cheated. Is it a good marketing strategy to get hits? Sure. Does it work? I think no–mostly because I’m so aggravated it’s another internet ad in disguise that I don’t even click the book link on principle. I don’t like feeling aggravated.

How do you fix this? Call it out in the title: “A How To Book On Publishing With Kindle.” Or Even “New Book To Help With Kindle” or something. Make it catchy, but make sure it’s obvious your blog post is advertising a book in some way.

Don’t make me think I’m going to read a blog post with informative content when there is none.

Thank you.

On a side tangent – Authors who blog? Please, please stop mentioning your own books over and over again in your posts. Especially if it’s the same book in every post. I know your’e sharing your personal stories, but it starts to just feel like a name drop after a while. Even if your articles are great and informative, it gets tedious seeing that same book and cover over and over and over. Advertise your books in the side column; I know you wrote them.

Ah, ranting complete.

Liliy is a Fangirl #8

I clearly need to blog more…or it’ll just be fangirl posts all in a row. XD

Anime

Beelzebub: I finally caught up with the series on CrunchyRoll! :D I forgot how funny this series was in my little break from it (getting caught up with other things.) Furuichi is still holding supreme as favorite character, with his best buddy Oga as a really close second. I’m loving the Six Holy Knights as well – the fav being Alex~ Though the favorite episode of the ones I saw had to be the one right before the volleyball match – the Maid Cafe one (Episode 34 – Maids Run Amok). It definitely got the most laughs and was mostly Furuichi-centric. :D

Though, the first episode I started with, definitely had the screen cap of the series (after the lovely Play Doctor episode where Furuichi and Oga were dressed as nurses):

Despite what this looks like, it doesn’t change the fact they’re spying on girls changing (well, Furuichi is…)

Moving on.

Comics

It looks like the third week in the month is going to be my busiest comic week~

Batman: I love Bruce Wayne. More than that, I love Gotham. The ‘Gotham’ centric theme Batman has been using since the last issue was more than welcome in this one, too, and that our new villain is Owl-themed is just fun. Still turning out to be a top-notch series.

Justice League: I love the humor that’s been in this issue and the last one, and despite it all, Green Lantern of all characters, is turning out to be my favorite hero on the soon-to-be League. You’ve probably seen it mentioned before, but him calling Barry/Flash on a cell phone was absolutely hysterical. I’ve never been a big fan of Justice League (cartoons or otherwise), usually sticking with just the World’s Finest team-up, but if this series keeps this level of humor up, I’m definitely sticking around.

Supergirl: This is still my unexpected diamond in the rough. Unlike some of the other series, this one is completely slow-burn and I love it. It’s another fight-only issue, without much progression in character, but unlike Deathstroke, it was made enjoyable by the gorgeous artwork (dynamic spreads and scenery) and all the emotional trauma. Supergirl’s confusion over Kal-el and her memories was all the more powerful while it was sprinkled in between more and more of her powers popping to life without her permission. Plus – she tossed Superman around quite a bit. Always fun- even more so now that Superman’s got that ‘rebel’ thing going on.

You just want to hug her.

Despite all the complaints bout DC and women, I think this is the first time I’ve really started loving the DC Girls. Before, the only ones I really liked were the Gotham girls – but now I’m adding Supergirl to my list of favorite ladies. I can’t wait to see where this series goes.

Speaking of Gotham girls!

Catwoman: Where to start? Selina being her sexy, conniving, self. Bruce and Selina flirting. Catwoman in action. Vengeance. And of course – the trend of my favorite characters getting bumped off. I wasn’t ready for it to be so soon. *sobs* Read it. You’ll know what I’m talking about. Where is issue three?

Nightwing: Still probably the least favorite of this series, but this issue was definitely better than issue #1. And they’ve confirmed that Dick & Babs definitely aren’t in a relationship, so, yay! I guess. It’s probably sad I enjoyed Dick more in his cameo in Batman than in his own series…

She’s sexy as ever – and I want this outfit. No, really. I want it.

Red Hood and the Outlaws: We’ll start with the bad – I really didn’t like the flashback style of this issue. It was a flashback in a flashback and I was a tad confused about what was going on. Why are they in Hong Kong when the last issue ended in the Himalayas? Honestly, it was a little confusing.

That aside.

The issue was great. Lots of call backs to older comics (“A Death in the Family”), and lots of fun between the three. Jason’s got a soft gooey core now (while still being a merciless killer to those in the underworld – oh Suzie Su~) and Starfire’s got a bit of that naivety back (calling a limo when they’re lying low).

And it’s definitely a lot of fun – teasing back and forth, jumping from helicopters, Starfire & Roy commenting on Jason’s backside during said jump, exploding arrows – really, you can’t go wrong with this.

Kenneth Rocafort and Blonde are never allowed to stop drawing/coloring Starfire’s hair.

Roy Harper stole the issue, though. He’s just so ridiculously cute now! The second Jason referred to him as a “Stage Three Clinger” I was sold. Roy’s downright adorable – sort of like that over grown kid who can’t keep his mouth shut and is being baby sat by Mommy Starfire and Daddy Red Hood – while…sleeping with one of them. Honestly, it’s quite hilarious. These three work off each other amazingly and while Crux will probably be an awesome character (Scaly Man-bat!), I’m going to be sad when he (supposedly) joins the team and because the forth wheel to this perfect OT3~

Women in Comics

Say what you want about objectification and male gaze and what not, but thanks to the DC 52 Reboot I’m now a fan of two DC girls that I never particularly cared for before. Supergirl & Starfire – I hope to love you for a long time. <3

patchwork

patches of the life of liliy

Liliy is a Fangirl #10

Hawk & Dove #3

Liliy is a Fangirl #9

Misleading Advert Blog Posts

Liliy is a Fangirl #8