I’m Cheating On My Comic Book Store

There is no easy way to say this so I’m just going to cut right to the chase.

I’ve been seeing someone else. It’s not you, it’s me. I know, I know; that’s what everyone says but I promise, I’m not just saying that in an attempt to salvage your feelings. It really is me. It all started three months ago when…yes, it is someone you know…it’s…Kindle Fire. I know this is a hard pill to swallow. I remember our deep late night conversations about the soulless application of digital comics as we enjoyed out favorite pinot noir.

Click here to read the rest of my confession at Forces of Geek.com

The Amazing Spider-Man #700: The End Of An Era

One of the most popular comic book series of our generation has come to an end. Unless you have been living under a rock, it was almost impossible to avoid the spoilers since they were released three weeks in advance. If that wasn’t enough, Dan Slott received very descriptive death threats for the tangled web he’s weaved.

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The Blood and Guts Ballad of Lauzon vs. Miller

The pay-per-view portion of UFC 155 got off to a boring start with three fights that were anything but exciting. Then, the evening’s co-main event began, and fans saw the beginning of what would be, as the elders say, one for the ages.

Fights like Jim Miller vs. Joe Lauzon remind me why I’m an MMA fan. A good fight is fun, but it’s those special encounters that produce the type of story you will be telling your grandchildren about.

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Calling The Shots of Junior Dos Santos vs. Cain Velasquez 2

Brock Lesnar came close but names like Jack Johnson, Rocky Marciano, Muhammad Ali, and Mike Tyson carried Boxing to a prominence mixed martial arts has yet to reach. Saturday nights encounter could be a step in the right direction towards changing that as the two best heavyweights in the game will lock horns for a second time at UFC 155.

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The WWE Santa Clause

Does the WWE have a clause in their contract with Santa Claus that he has to receive a yuletide beating each year? Around the holidays every year, the Santa Claus character receives a squared circle thrashing, in some way, shape, or form. Sometimes, a suspect Santa gets a fist in the face and other times, the genuine article gets a body slam for his troubles. Trust me, no one is safe, not even someone as pure and jolly as Santa Claus, from the shenanigans of professional wrestling.

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Dueling Review of Masks #1 & 2: The Comic Book Cross Over You’ve Been Waiting For

Dynamite Entertainment has been putting out some highly entertaining books over the last couple of years. Despite this, they don’t get too much love compared to the other independent publishers. There have been so many titles over the last twelve months that were razor close of being my pick of the week and it’s only fitting that the collaboration of Roberson and Ross finally brings Dynamite to the forefront.

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The Joker’s Mind Games in Batman #15

Batman #15 | Writer: Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV | Art: Greg Capullo & Jonathan Glapion | Colors: FCO Plascencia & Dave Baron | Publisher: DC Comics

The “Death of the Family” story arc rolls on, and The Joker has the entire Bat Family on edge. Scott Snyder’s writing has done a wonderful job of accentuating the fear of our clown-faced villain. Every superhero has an arch nemesis, or ten, and despite the trials and tribulations, they are confident they will win the day.

Batman is probably the most intelligent and savvy crime fighter in the game today. This would make you assume he, too, is confident that he will stop The Joker. However, he’s not confident at all. In fact, he is so unsure of the final result that he keeps his cards close to his chest.

Speaking of cards, one card in particular has brought to light a shocking revelation regarding The Joker’s potential intrusion into the Batcave many years ago. Dick, Jason, Barbara, and Damien are beyond upset this was kept from them and are convinced The Joker knows their secret identity.

Bruce believes he doesn’t know their identities and is just playing mind games. Dick notices that Bruce doesn’t sound so sure of himself, and this leads to a four-on-one tension-filled argument that is almost uncomfortable to watch, in a good way, of course.

The backup story written by Talon scribe James Tynion IV spotlights The Riddler, who makes his “New 52” debut. Instead of the dangerous riddles we are accustomed to, Tynion brings his intelligence to the forefront.

Not being rattled, in the slightest by The Joker’s antics while locked up in Arkham Asylum paints the green menace in treacherous light and he will no doubt; bring The Dark Knight some serious problems in the future.

Grade: A

The Examination of UFC on Fox 5

Seattle played host to the best MMA card of the year, UFC on Fox 5, which was seen by over 4.4 million people. Some key developments emerged from Saturday night’s event, as fans witnessed the rise and fall of MMA’s past.

Raphael Assuncao over Mike Easton by Unanimous Decision: These are two of the most talented fighters in the Bantamweight division. Easton has a huge upside and could be a star in the future. Assuncao controlled the tempo of the fight and dictated where the fight took place. He might have done enough to earn the next title shot against the winner of Renan Barao vs. Michael McDonald in February.

Yves Edwards defeats Jeremy Stephens via TKO @ 1:55 of the 1^st Round: From 2004-2005, Yves Edwards was arguably the best lightweight in the world. Dana White considered Edwards his champion when the division’s championship was absent from the promotion. It was great to see signs of the old Edwards as he dropped Jeremy Stephens with a well-timed left hook and finished him with elbows on the ground. Also, an extra $65,000 for Knockout of the Night is a nice Christmas bonus.

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Baltimore: The Play Review – A Comic Horror Masterpiece

Have you ever read something so good, you didn’t want to finish it because the story would be over? That was my experience while reading Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden’s Baltimore: The Play, a perfect example of horror done right for the comic genre.

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The Iron Week Spectacle of “Brutal” Bob Evans vs. Todd Sople

(Column written for gerweck.net)

Contrary to popular belief, the best wrestling match this past Monday night did not occur on television. Instead, it took place at the New England Pro Wrestling Academy in North Andover, Massachusetts. “Brutal” Bob Evans wrestled Manchester, New Hampshire’s Todd Sople in a sixty minute iron man match as the second installment of “Iron Week.”

Iron Week is a challenge for some, a happening for most, and a journey for Bob Evans. The concept of Iron Week consists of seven 60-minute matches taking place over seven consecutive days. Evans did this once before in 2009 for six days and this year he would like to break own record. At 40 years old, this is Evan’s second chance to make a lasting impression as time is not on his side. The end game is to make a lasting impression in order to wrestle on the national stage on a regular basis.

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