Con Haul - Fried Pie III

Con season has officially begun. At least for me it has. Typically my con season begins around April, with the first being East Coast Comic Con in New Jersey, really ramping up in September with shows like Baltimore Comic Con (my favorite!) SPX, and Flame Con. I decided to pass over East Coast this year, mostly due in part to the guest list being the same year to year. At first, I was sad because that meant I had to wait a couple months until my other shows later in the year, but then Fried Pie comics announced they would be hosting their annual con at my local 2nd and Charles.

Now I'm a frequent flier at my local 2nd and Charles, usually there once a week. Most of my collection has spawned from that store and I'm on a first name basis with most of the employees, so I immediately knew that I would be in attendance.

Then the guest list was announced.

Names like Vita Ayala , Andrew Maclean, Tyler Boss, Karl Kerschel all graced the guest list.

But let's be honest it was the appearance of Brenden Fletcher that made me lose my shit. If you guys know me you know I love Black Canary. I love that girl more than any character in comics. She's the woman I look up to, the hero that keeps me going, and Brenden's work on Black Canary only intensified that love. This was a series that for whatever reason bought me and my sister together and strengthened our bond. (She's a non comic reader by the way)  That alongside the Black Canary music he created, which you can check out on Bandcamp, gave me something tangible for my favorite character. When I have a bad day I always know that I can throw on some Black Canary music and know that everything will be okay.

Brenden is by far one of the nicest and welcoming people I've met in comics. He recognized me right away from all the little chats on Twitter and spoiled me with the most amazing swag bag filled with goodies from Motor Crush, Isola. He was even a good sport in signing the thirty plus, most Black Canary related comics and posters I had bought for him to sign.

This was a big one off my comic bucket list.

Ya girl also got to read issue two of Isola, and I don't mean to brag but I was the first person to read the second issue outside of the Image publishing team so I'm feeling pretty great about that. That being said you're gonna wanna check out issue 2 when it drops on May 9th, and if you haven't checked out issue one make sure you do either digitally or when the reprints hit later next month. I also learned it's pronounced "Eaze-ola" not "Is-ola'".

P.S check out that Babs Tarr pose.

 I also got the chance to meet Vita Ayala. I've been loving their work on The Wilds and even featured it on my list of Apocalyptic stories you should be reading, so it was such a treat to be able to meet them. I've been saying it on Twitter but Vita is gonna be one of those people that are really going to change the face of comics and I'm excited to see the stories they create in the future.

If you're not already reading the Wilds you really need to get on that. Issue two drops later this week and you're not going to want to miss it!

I'd had a chance to meet Matthew Rosenberg and Tyler Boss two years ago at Baltimore Comic Con. At the time we were only two issues into 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank so it was really great to be able to talk to both of them again especially now that the series has finished. 4 Kids is one of my favorite comics, and is unlike anything else on the shelves right now so you're definitely going to want to check it out.

Now in 4 Kids Walk Into A Bank there's a cameo for Duncan, a character  in Matthew Rosenberg's We Can Never Go Home (another book you should be reading by the way) I loved seeing Tyler Boss' portrayel of the character and just knew I had to see Madison drawn by Tyler too. Tyler happily obliged and now I have a little Madison to cherish forever. I miss that girl so much and can't wait for the return of We Can Never Go Home volume 2.

I'm really glad that Fried Pie was such a success. It was so nice to go to a smaller show. It was intimate and friendly and gave you plenty of time to talk with the creators, who's work you love. Don't get me wrong I love my big long three day cons but it's the shows like this that really remind me why I love comics. Moments like these I wouldn't trade for the world.

If Fried Pie Comic Con is a testament to the rest of the con season ahead me I can't wait to see what else is in store.

Embracing The Apocalypse: A Post Apocalyptic Reading List

 The apocalypse. Whether it be for movies, books and even comics it's an oversaturated market. Which is a damn shame because it's an interesting topic of study, given the very real future an apocalypse might bring. Sometimes its flesh-eating zombies, other times it's a cataclysmic event that's never fully explained. There are almost endless possibilities for the end of the world as we know it. From a frozen wasteland to a city overrun by manic superheroes, here are six comics that manage to rise above a stale genre.

Animosity -  Marguerite Benett & Mike Marts

I consider Marguerite Bennett the girl gang writer of comics. She's most famous for her loud and proud works for DC and Marvel, including A-Force, Batwoman, and DC Bombshells. Outside of her work with the big two Bennett tends to go a lot darker with her creator-owned series, often times showcasing the darker sides of humanity. Personally, I think these stories are where she thrives as a writer. Animosity is a prime example. When animals suddenly gain human consciousness and begin thirsting for revenge, chaos ensues. In a world, where humans are no longer the alpha predator, Animosity handles the complex struggle of dealing with this newly realized threat. The story follows Jesse and her fiercely loyal dog Sandor, as the two take the trip across the country in search of Jesse's brother. There are two sides to every story and Bennett handles that beautifully, showcasing the animals newfound awareness, and what they do with that power, as well as humanity trying to adjust to this new world.

[Comixology] [Amazon] 

Apocalyptigirl - Andrew MaClean

Apocalyptigirl is one of the more lighthearted and whimsical stories for the genre. Written an illustrated by Andrew MacClean, this standalone graphic novel from Darkhorse is one of my personal favorites. Apocalyptigirl tells the story of a young woman, and her cat  Jellybean as they wander through the abandoned ruins of our futuristic planet in search  of a way to return "home." It's beautiful, simplistic and delightfully poetic, weaving old world mythology with that of a millennial calamity. MaClean has crafted a story that feels like a wonderful blend of Adventure Time, The Last of Us and a Miyazaki film. It's unique style both in the art and in the way the story is presented, sets itself apart from a lot of other comics, let alone the dystopian genre. It's brightly colored and uniquely stylized, something that isn't often seen among the colorless and often times dreary apocalypse. Even if you're not a fan of this kind of setting, I still can't recommend Apocalyptigirl enough. It's one of those few books that I recommend to both comic and non comic readers alike. And at a price point of only $9.99, it's impossible to pass up on such a beautiful book.

[Comixology] [Amazon]

 

Frostbite - Joshua Williamson & Jason Shawn Alexander

Frostbite is definitely the most unique book on this list, in terms of setting. There are very few stories that have done the frozen wasteland apocalypse take, but Frostbite from Vertigo comics manages to do it well. Frostbite has taken ahold of this world, a  now dangerous and infectious, widespread disease that may be more dangerous than the icy badlands that now shape our world. The story is simple, an outbreak has taken over the world, and it's an escort mission for our protagonist and the only person who has the cure. Yeah, the story isn't anything we aren't familiar with, but the setting and the creativity behind how humanity has adapted is what makes it different. Williamson and Alexander have crafted this exotic wasteland amidst the new ice age, and that combined with some unexpected turns in the story keeps the narrative fresh and exciting. Frostbite features not only one, but two female lead characters, one of which being a WOC. While I'm used to seeing at least one badass woman fight her way through the apocalypse, we're spoiled with another equally badass survivalist in this one. There's also some underlying queerness here which I'm totally digging. I featured Frostbite as one of my favorite books in 2016 and have been painfully waiting for it to make it's return ever since.

[Comixology] [Amazon]

 
Leaving Megalopolis - Gail Simone & Jim Calafiore

Ya'll know I love Gail and Jim. Their work together on Secret Six is one of my favorite all-time comics, it's dark and edgy and a book that really makes you think. Leaving Megalopolis is no stranger to any of these themes. This original graphic novel started over on Kickstarter, before being published by Darkhorse. Megalopolis is in ruins, quarantined from the rest of the rest of world as the cape crusaders have turned against the very people they swore to protect. It's a hellish game of cat and mouse as a small group of survivors attempt to escape a city that crumbles around them. Pulling from standard superhero tropes, the Speedster, the Superman these are characters we're all too familiar with and yet Simone and Calafiore manage to create a unique cast all their own. This is the "Justice League" at their very worst. It's a new take on the superhero story with a post world disaster setting. Gail Simone unleashes pure evil, with twists and turns that will make you finish this in one sitting. This is one of those reads, you'll immediately want to devour again upon finishing. Once you're done with Leaving Megalopolis, make sure you check out the six-issue sequel Surviving Megalopolis. While I'll admit it's not as good as it's predecessor, you'll definitely want to check this one out for the expansion of the Megalopolis universe and its horrifying cast of characters.

[Comixology] [Amazon]

We Stand On Guard - Brian K Vaughn & Steve Skroce

We Stand On Guard, was a title I heard people talking about for years, had only ever heard good things about, but had never had checked out myself. I changed that a couple of months ago, and my god this book made me change everything I thought about comics. Then again I shouldn't expect anything less from Brian K Vaughn considering his work on Saga. Although set 100 years in the future We Stand on Guard feels all too real when a ragtag band of Canadians turn freedom fighters against the resource hungry United States. Given some of the current politics in play, We Stand on Guard feels very close to home. This one is dark, brutal and not for the faint of heart. It's a story as heartbreaking as it is uplifting. I'll admit it can be a rough read given some of the material presented but it's so good and will immediately leave you wanting more. Most people would showcase Vaughn's Y The Last Man on a list like this, and while I'll admit its definitely worth your read, We Stand On Guard is the one for me. This is another one of those finish in one sitting books, I promise you.

 [Comixology] [Amazon]

And if you like We Stand On Guard be sure to check out Calexit from Matteo Pizzolo & Amancay Nahuelpan! [Comixology] *

 The Wilds - Vita Ayala & Emily Pearson

I feel a like I'm adding The Wilds onto this list a little preemptively considering we're only one issue in at this point, but the world and story within it is so unique that I can't help but showcase it. Vita Ayala and Emily Pearson, create a beautiful and haunting wasteland, as an organic virus transforms most of humanity into mysteriously stunning creatures. It's a new take on the zombie narrative, with the "blooming" dead being very reminiscent of the parasitic fungi monsters in the Last of Us. The first issue alone is enough to get you hooked, introducing the world of the Wild's while setting the tone and pace for what I'm sure is going to be an amazing story. While the plot focuses on a single compound runner, ironically by the name of Daisy, there's a larger world that's waiting to be revealed to us just among the first issue. The writing is solid, and the pages are just beautiful. Between the linework and the colors, this is just a book you want to look at. Did I mention that The Wild's is hella queer? Because that's always a good selling point right. This may be just the beginning for The Wilds but I have no doubt it's going to be on my best of 2018 list this year.

[Comixology]*

*Because this is an ongoing title right now there's no link for Amazon. Check out your local comic shop! 

Suicide Squad: Hell To Pay [Give Credit Where Credit is Due]

In 2005 Gail Simone, alongside Dale Eagleshawn and Wade Von Grawbadger launched the series Villains United, which a year later would spawn the ongoing series Secret Six. With a team of several artists including, Jim Califaore and Nicola Scott, Gail Simone would go on to reinvent the classic 1968 team of the same name, creating edgy, yet fun stories full of heart that would span across more than 40 issues. I can't stress enough how amazing of a book Secret Six is, but that's not what this is about. While I'll implore for now that you check out the series, I'll save the multitude of reasons why for another post.

 Flash forward to the year 2018. If you had told me that an animated Suicide Squad movie, would have been adapted, featuring a prominant story from the pages of Secret Six, I would have been delighted but doubtful. Yet here we are.

Suicide Squad: Hell To Pay features the rotating squad on yet another mission for Amanda Waller. This time it's personal. Even worse yet she's after something everyone is "dying" to get there hands on. (Yes I made a pun and yes you can deal with it) The fabled "Get Out Of Hell Free Card." It's exactly how it sounds. A one time use magic trick that allows the user, to bypass any hell they might wind up in, and go straight to heaven. If that's what you believe of course.

And of course Amanda Waller wants it, and she'll expend an entire Suicide Squad to get it.

If you've read Secret Six you'll find this plotline almost all too familiar. That's because it was a prominant storyline in the aforementioned series, spanning across issues 1-7. While it might not be a perfect recreation of the "Unhinged" arc, with the Secret Six not even being mentioned, and most of the members missing aside from Scandal Savage, Deadshot and Knockout, the influence is still there. This is the story created by Gail Simone, and I was over the freaking moon that it was being showcasted in an animated film.

I wanted to love this movie. I did love this movie. Personally I think it's one of the best animated films since the last Suicide Squad animated movie, Assault on Arkham. There were so many smaller characters featured that I've been dying to see on screen, including Brick, Silver Banshee, Knockout and Scandal Savage just to name a few. It even features the first lesbian couple in a DC Animated property, and one of my favorite pairings nonetheless.

Aside from some awkward writing here and there, which is a given in movies like these, a terrible outfit for Harley Quinn, and a few plot details, again something I can overlook, Suicide Squad Hell to Pay was a fairly decent movie.

 But one glaring issue, pretty much ruins any enjoyment I had for the film.  The credits, or rather lack thereof.

We see the credits of John Bryne and John Ostrander for Amanda Waller. Paul Dini and Bruce Timm for the creation of Harley Quinn, Dennis O'Neil for Bronze Tiger, so on and so forth. We even see the credits of Grant Morrison for Professor Pyg, a character who had only three minutes of screentime and minimal dialogue. And yall know how I feel about Grant Morrison. [If you don't feel free to ask me later].

Gail Simone's name is not even mentioned once.

Gail Simone who is the direct inspiration for this film's plot. Gail Simone, who created Scandal Savage, a character while who'd like to have seen more camera time, got enough of a due to at least earn the credit.

Nothing.

I've been disappointed by a lot of things DC Comics and Warner Brothers has done over the past few years, but this one by far hurts the most. As a woman I'm sadded not to see Gail get the credit she deserves, As someone who's dream it is to write comics, and potentially even some of these characters one day, I'm terrified. I'm honestly surprised with this release of the movie, there hasn't been more of a blow back or an uproar.

If Grant Morrison can get credit for a character onscreen less than five minutes, than Gail Simone deserves credit for an entire plot and storyline.

There is NO excuse for this. None. These are your people DC. Give these creators credit where credit is due. But it's not just DC anymore. Superhero films, wether live action or animated are becoming more popular. They're an important part of our current culture. We need to see more comic creators getting credit. Without them, you wouldn't have a movie.

Now I'm not saying you shouldn't watch Suicide Squad: Hell To Pay, it's a damn good film. But if you enjoy the film, consider purchasing the stories that inspired it. Read Secret Six. I'll leave links below for the digital and physical version of the book.

Purchase Secret Six on Amazon and Comixology.

Favorite Comics of 2016

Despite being nearly two weeks into the new year I thought it would still be at least somewhat relevant to do a post about my favorite comics of the year. Looking back on 2016 I realize just how great of a year we had in comics. Between DC Rebirth and some kick ass indie titles, it hasn't exactly been a dull moment in the industry. Now that being said as I was making this list I found myself struggling between all the wonderful comics I happened to read in 2016 versus those that debuted and ran throughout the year. So unfortunately some of my favorite reads including Plutona, Secret Six, We Can Never Go Home, and Paper Girls won't be making this list merely out of the fact that I'm trying to stick to comics that launched during the year. On another quick note, as much as I wanted to include Motor Crush on this list I didn't think it fair considering it only had one issue during 2016. (But seriously stop what you're doing and read MOTOR CRUSH.) Keep in mind these books are in no particular order, because at the end of the day they are all wonderful and deserve to be read. That and my mind might actually explode while trying to arrange them.

Frostbite - Joshua Williamson & Jason Shawn Alexander

I am a sucker, like HUGE sucker for post apocalyptic related things. Considering that Mad Max: Fury Road is one of my favorite movies, and Last of Us is one of my favorite video games it should be no surprise that Vertigo's FROSTBITE is currently one of my favorite comics. Frostbite is set in a modern wasteland that has been overcome by (you guessed it)  the new ice age. Following the footsteps of a young mercenary named Keaton, she is tasked with escorting a scientist who has claims to the cure of Frostbite, a deadly and infectious disease that may just be more dangerous than the frozen wasteland around them. I literally cannot put into words how much I love this book. Post apocalyptic media is typically one that has been overdone, however Josh & Jason have created such a magnificent world that brings a new twist to the genre. I mean they use giant polar bears as tracking dogs. HOW COOL IS THAT?! [COMIXOLOGY]

Green Arrow - Benjamin Percy & Otto Schmidt & Juan Ferreyra

I've waited five long years for the return of my Oliver Queen. Between that god awful television show and his treatment in the new 52 it honestly felt like Oliver Queen was on hiatus for five long years.  Green Arrow Rebirth is everything I ever wanted from a Green Arrow comic and then some. It honestly blends the best parts of him from Denny O'Neal, Mike Grell & Judd Winnick all into one super comic. We're back to the roots of Green Arrow, with loud smart mouthed attitude as he fights for the little guy and against the "man". Of course this also means the return of the Black Canary, an equally essential part to the Green Arrow universe next to the iconic goatee. I mean I center when i pick up my comics around this book. Between the art, the plot and the dialogue I just can't fall much more in love with a book then I do with Green Arrow. If you've been hesitant about this one, DON'T. Fans of Oliver Queen both new and old NEED to have this book on their pull. Call me biased but this is the best book in the Rebirth lineup right now. [COMIXOLOGY]

Reborn - Mark Millar & Greg Capullo 

This might just have been one of the most anticipated comics of 2016. Maybe not necessarily for me, but for everyone else. It just seemed like one of those comics everyone was talking about. So upon release I decided to give it a shot. I mean I liked Mark Millar's work on Empress, & Greg Capullo on Batman, so why not? Let me tell you right now, I'm so glad that I did. Reborn was one of those comics that just infected my brain and had me thinking about it nonstop for at least a week. It takes the idea of reincarnation and rebirth to a whole other level. Mark & Greg have created a stunning fantasy world afterlife. It takes the idea of life after death and expands upon it ten fold. Following a woman deemed as the chosen one, she's thrown into a world of chaos with the notion that she's the one to save them all. I absolutely adore this comic to pieces and have been slowly trying to force everyone I know to read it.  Between the this unique perspective on life after death and the stunning art it's one of those comics that you just have to read for yourself. [COMIXOLOGY]

Snotgirl - Bryan Lee O'Malley & Leslie Hung

 Definitely the cutest comic of 2016. No seriously this comic is like make you want to throw up it's so cute, CUTE. Lottie is a fashion blogger, dealing with a mess called life. I love the cute little references to everyday things like Instagram, Twitter and even Facebook. Lottie is definitely the blogger I want to be one day, ya know for comics versus fashion. Actually I'm sure there's a little bit of Lottie in all of us. I'm seriously in love with every character of this book and I know I've said the word cute like nine times but have I mentioned how FREAKING CUTE SNOT GIRL IS. The dialogue is seriously quippy and I just love it all so gosh darn much. Snotgirl will be taking a minor break until the spring so right now is the perfect time to catch up on the first five issues. One thing is for sure I'll definitely be picking up the trade for this one upon it's release even if I already have the issues. Snotgirl IS the cutest comic book of 2016 *Mic Drop* [COMIXOLOGY]

4 Kids Walk Into A Bank - Matthew Rosenberg & Tyler Boss After falling in love with We Can Never Go Home by Matthew Rosenberg (which was probably one of my favorite comics of the entire year) I just knew I had to check out his latest creator owned series from Black Mask studios. Centered around four odd, extremely relate-able middle school children, 4 Kids Walk Into A Bank deals with the struggles and friendship that come with that age. Everything changes when a gang of ex-cons show up revealing some seriously dark secrets, forcing these four young kids to take matters into their own hands. Every issue begins in this super amazing style that you just have to see for yourselves, placing the main characters themselves into the guise of Dungeon & Dragon characters and even retro arcade characters, among other things. Matthew Rosenberg is the next big guy in comics you guys. Everything he writes is ridiculously good and nothing even comes close in comparison, at least in modern comics. P.s if you enjoyed Stranger Things on Netflix, 4 Kids Walk Into A Bank did it first. [COMIXOLOGY]

Superman - Peter Tomasi & Patrick Gleason 

I could never get into Superman comics. Actually I could just never get into Superman. Sure he's a precious cinnamon roll, but I could only ever tolerate reading him when he was involved in a group, ie: Justice League & Trinity. So when I heard that Superman Rebirth was going to be focusing more on his family, including Lois and Jon in the picture, I decided I wanted to give it a shot. And I fell in love. Next to Green Arrow this might be my favorite series to come out of Rebirth. This was one of those comics I found myself excited to read week to week. Peter & Patrick had kicked ass on their run of Batman & Robin so it was no surprise that they should do so on the other side of that coin with Superman and his son. It was a delightful and sometimes funny read but was always a heartwarming story. While you could definitely forgo the Superman Rebirth one shot (as it merely ties up some loose ends with the New 52) I definitely think you should give this one a shot, even if you're not entirely into the character. It might completely change your mind. [COMIXOLOGY] 

Empress - Mark Millar & Stuart Immonen

Even though this is one of those series I picked up on a whim (I mean hey the preview showed a space queen and giant dinosaur) Empress quickly became one of my favorite comics throughout the entire year. An odd combination of Mad Max, Saga and just a dash of Game of Thrones, this is the space opera of 2016. A queen defies her dictating husband, leading into a mad chase of danger across the galaxy. An exciting blend of action, and intrigue I pined for this series month to month, and while I was disappointed to think that this wonderful series would end so soon, Millar surprised readers that this was far from the end for Empress. I'm telling you guys right now, you're gonna wanna read this one to the end, THAT ending still has me in awe and is one of the many reasons I love this series. I've heard from some people that Mark Millar can be one of those hit or miss writers, but considering I have him in on this list twice, all within the span of one year I don't think the guy is too shabby. [COMIXOLOGY]

Slam - Pamela Ribon & Veronica Fish

 Super awesome roller derby ladies, with clear lesbian undertones, what more could I possibly want from a comic. But no seriously why hasn't there been a rad comic about roller derby ladies sooner? Slam from Boom studios is another one of those surprise books for me. While I was intrigued with the idea of it, I didn't realize just how much I would fall in love with it. Following two very different young women, and their journey into the exciting world of Roller Derby, there isn't a single page of Slam that I don't find myself relating too. Slam is just one of those light, super fun reads that still manages to capture those simple emotions we all feel with our every day lives (even if we aren't kick ass roller derby ladies.  I honestly feel a little bit better about myself with each issue because I realize these emotions and self doubts aren't something that I alone am feeling. It tackles real world feelings in what feels like a surreal world. It's one of those all ages books that is literally perfect for EVERYONE. [COMIXOLOGY]

 And that's it, my favorites of 2016. Like I said I read so many comics throughout the year that it was a struggle just trying to narrow them down. I hope you'll take the time to check out at least one of these books on this list (if you haven't already)  I can't wait to see what's in store for comics with the new year. 

What were some of your favorite comics of the year? 

New Year, MORE COMICS!

Since falling in love with comics nearly five years ago (wow has it been that long?!) I knew I needed to share that love with the world. Two years ago I created the persona THATCOMICGIRL and knew that I needed to do something with it. During those two years I booted up the blog, ironically called ThatComicGirl, where I would rant about the comics I loved as well as the world that surrounded it. Despite the passion that was there for it, real life smacked me right in the face, and while I tried several times to keep up with it, it just didn't happen.

Part of me wants to use the excuse that I wasn't happy that my website was based on the Tumblr platform, and that I couldn't exactly fulfill the dream layout and format that had always existed in my head. The idea of moving it to Blogspot was always there, but the idea of moving to a website I wasn't exactly familiar with was just so god damn intimidating. That and I'm lazy and wasn't willing to learn the format of an entirely new website when I was already so familiar with something like Tumblr. But let's be honest Tumblr is fun, and I love it to pieces (P.s if you're not following me you should.) but it's a terrible host for a website, at least on the scale that I always imagined ThatComicGirl.

2016 came and went, and within those last few weeks I decided it was time to get serious. Comics, and the world that comes with it, is my passion, something I hold extremely dear to my heart that words will never be able to fully explain. A platform to express that love was something I absolutely needed in my life. We're 10 days into 2017 and I'm so happy to say that ThatComicGirl is here! This is the year it's going to happen and nothing is going to stop me.

I was to thank all my friends, family and followers that have supported me over the years. As well as the many that I hope will tag along for this wonderfully magnificent journey. I can't wait to share with you all the comics I've been reading (and that you should probably reading too). But this isn't just about me, it's about us. If I can help just one person help find a comic that they love then I will be the happiest gal in the entire world, because in the end COMICS ARE FOR EVERYONE! 

Xoxo Mars