Spider-Men #5 Review

Spider-Men #5 | Writer: Brian Michael Bendis | Art: Sara Pichelli
Colors: Justin Ponsor | Publisher: Marvel Comics | Price: $3.99

The charming tale of when Peter met Miles comes to a close, and guess what? Peter approves of the 13 year old web slinger. Of course, that’s not all that happens in this instant classic team up story.

Mysterio of 616 Earth will remain in the Ultimate Universe for the foreseeable future. Brian Michael Bendis weaves a grand finale that will have a lasting effect on all things Spider-Man.

Sara Pichelli’s work is top notch as always and Justin Ponsor’s coloring is the icing on the cake. The ingenuity of Bendis’ script is to be admired at the subtlety of certain character’s actions that heavily suggest this story is only over in the numerical sense.

If subtlety is not your thing, then the ending is anything but and the possible ramifications of it are endless.

Grade: A

Click here to read the rest of the column I wrote at Forces of Geek.com

Calling The Shots of UFC 152: Jones vs. Belfort

Calling The Shots of UFC 152

All eyes will be on Jon Jones in the wake of the debacle that canceled last month’s UFC 151. The event that never was will serve as a lesson to the MMA faithful that a new precedent has been set. Fans inside the Air Canada Centre will reap the benefits and witness the genesis of one division while another division could be knocked into complete disarray.

-Light Heavyweight Championship: Jon Jones (16-1) vs. Vitor Belfort (21-9): A long time ago in a galaxy far far away, Vitor Belfort was the most dominant fighter in Mixed Martial Arts. The Gracie Jiu Jitsu black belt is gifted with incredible hand speed and excellent boxing. To the dismay of some and the adulation of others, Jon Jones currently wears that mantel of most dominant fighter. The scary thing about Jones is that he’s still improving. He has a reach like no other and uses it to maximum efficiency with uncanny athleticism.

I think it is important to note the only reason Vitor Belfort is getting a light heavyweight title shot is because he’s the most marketable person they could get to take the fight on four weeks’ notice. The Brazilian has spent the last five years competing in the middleweight division. He had a cup a coffee as light heavyweight champion in 2004 but his win over Randy Couture was the fluke of all flukes and he lost the belt seven months later in a shutout. When Belfort is on his game, there is no one who is more dangerous. Make no mistake about, if he catches Jones on the chin, that’s a wrap folks.

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Batman & Robin #0 Review: One Cute Book

The book may be titled “Batman & Robin,” but this series has always been about the pint-sized assassin Damian. Over the last twelve months, we’ve seen Bruce Wayne’s son struggle with his morality. He was bred to be a masterful killer from the day he was born and has a hard time fighting the urge to kill.

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Hawkeye #2 Review

Hawkeye #2 | Writer: Matt Fraction | Art: David Aja
Colors: David Aja
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $2.99

Act two of the Arrowed Avenger proves the outstanding story in the first issue was no fluke.

Matt Fraction delivers a thrilling comic book that shows Clint Barton’s time away from his famous super team.

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Remembering Evan Tanner Four Years Later

(Column I wrote for gerweck.net on 9/10/08)

The MMA community received sad news as it was reported that 39-year-old Evan Tanner was found dead in the desert area of Palo Verde, California. Hearing this news, I thought back to the time I met Evan Tanner at UFC 45 in 2003. This was a time when only the sports biggest stars had a shred of mainstream popularity. I was in the Mohegan Sun lobby watching legions of fans looking to meet UFC legends such as Royce Gracie and Ken Shamrock. As I was at the merchandise table, I noticed Evan Tanner walking about as he took in the atmosphere. No one was talking to him or asking for his autograph. At first, I was not going to talk to him; I figured the big, bad ultimate fighter would not want to be bothered. Then I remembered hearing MMA fans talk about how approachable the fighters are, so I decided to talk to him. Evan Tanner was very personable and down-to-earth. Continue reading “Remembering Evan Tanner Four Years Later” →

Justice League #12 Review: The Kiss Heard Around The World

Justice League #12 | Writer: Geoff Johns | Art: Jim Lee, Ivan Reis & Joe Prado
Colors: Alex Sinclair & Tony Avina | Publisher: DC Comics | Price: $3.99

This is the issue everyone is talking about.

Superman and Wonder Woman make out and become a couple according to Geoff Johns.

The main story in the book serves as the conclusion of the Alan Graves saga. The League is able to battle back the ghosts of their loved ones, but the damage is already done. The world doesn’t trust them and Green Lantern quits, which makes complete sense if you read this month’s Green Lantern Annual. I

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Jones vs. UFC

If you have been living under a rock, you are unaware of the story that has engulfed the MMA landscape. For the first time in the history of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, a pay-per-view event has been canceled. This unprecedented move has caused a firestorm of controversy, with venom being spewed in several directions.

Everyone has their own opinion on the subject, but the big question underneath all the chaos is: who’s to blame? Do we blame Jon Jones for refusing to fight with Chael Sonnen, who accepted the bout on eight days’ notice? Does the blame belong to Dan Henderson, who suffered the injury in the first place? Or, perhaps, the blame falls on some other element that is hiding in plain sight. Continue reading “Jones vs. UFC” →

Before Watchmen: Rorschach #1 Review

Before Watchmen: Rorschach #1 | Writers: Brian Azzrello & Len Wein
Art: Lee Bermejo & John Higgins | Colors: Barbara Ciardo & John Higgins
Publisher: DC Comics | Price: $3.99

Rorschach is one messed-up individual.

But you didn’t need me to tell you that. He is the anti-hero or anti-heroes and can justify anything while trying to do what he believes is right. This is hard to do in a world where very little right takes place.

This was the Before Watchmen title I was looking forward to the most and I was right to be so excited.

Rorschach’s narration drives the story at its core because it is different than most comic narratives. It is written in the form of a journal entry and he is careful and blunt with his thoughts when putting pen to paper.

Often, you will find certain words in a sentence crossed out and replaced with a most poignant verbiage.

The other books featuring Watchmen characters have a unique mix of good a bad things going on in their life. There is nothing good at all about Rorschach’s life.

Lee Bermejo has an eerie ability to make darkness and despair look beautiful and is the icing on the cake of this gritty title.

Grade: B+

A Trip Down SummerSlam Memory Lane

(Written for and published by gerweck.net)

As the WWE celebrates the 25th anniversary of their summertime extravaganza, a trip down memory lane seemed appropriate. 1988 was the first installment of this popular yearly event and the first pay-per-view event I ever watched.

August 29th of that year was only the second day of my wrestling fandom. An episode of “The Superstars of Wrestling” the night before sucked me in as the “Mega Powers,” comprised of Hulk Hogan & Macho Man Randy Savage, hyped their tag team match against Andre the Giant and The Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase, the “Mega Bucks.”

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Batman #12 Review

Batman #12 | Writer: Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV | Art: Becky Cloonan

Colors: FCO Placencia |Publisher: DC Comics | Price: $3.99

Scott Snyder has written eleven remarkable issues and the 12th installment is no exception. Becky Cloonan takes artistic duties with this issue and her touch on this particular story was the perfect fit.

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