Monday 20 October 2014

G.I. Zombie: Futures End #1


Now this is a bit of a strange title to throw into the futures end mix given that it has only had 2 issues prior to this one, even for someone who has read the first two issues I found it odd as I’m still getting to know the books characters.
As with all the FE books we are 5 years into the future and GI Zombie is in the middle of a zombie outbreak, he is leading the fight while the scientists try to find a cure before the outbreak overruns Gotham. There’s also a slight nod towards the film World War Z,as the fight against the outbreak is being conducted at sea from an aircraft carrier. The years and the zombie outbreak haven’t been kind to GI Zombies partner Carmen, and we now find her aboard the aircraft carrier been used as the test subject for the zombie cure.
star-spangled-war-stories-featuring-gi-zombie-futures-end-1-zombie
The usual zombie siege clichés are all in place a city in peril, undead hordes overrunning what is thought to be a safe haven, and a hero who fights and wins despite the odds that against him. All of which make for a great one off story which is part of the problem with the issue, writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray have crafted a great story but haven’t had the chance to build a following on this book. So I’m not sure how many people will actually buy and read this issue as other FE comics may take president, as people decide how best to balance their budgets with the array of FE comics out there. I do hope that isn’t the case as the book deserves to be read by a wide audience, as with all Palmiotti and Gray comics it’s a solid read.
This...this is gonna be a good'un.
 
Now there is one glaring continuity problem with the book that some readers or continuity fans may find hard to get over and that is the zombie outbreak, having read all the Batman and Batman related FE comics I haven’t come across any references to any zombie outbreak. Either in Gotham or in the wider future DC Universe so where this fits I’m not sure, now for me it’s not a big issue but for some it could be so if you’re one of the could be’s you have been warned.

Friday 3 October 2014

I love Halloween



We are now into October and that means we are heading towards one of the best nights of the year Halloween, I am a big fan of all things Halloween and even though my children are now grown up I still put up decorations and buy sweets for the kids. Helen my wife makes chocolate apples to hand out to any youngsters that come knocking on our door, I have a selection of masks to wear to scare the kids and its also an excuse to get my Batman costume out of the wardrobe. Why do you have a Batman I hear you cry well its thanks to an old work colleague who was told by some unscrupulous workmates (not me), that the works Christmas party was fancy dress and having travelled as Batman on public transport to the party he found out it wasn't. Having a Bat costume he no longer wanted I bought it off him, is it wrong that this story still makes me laugh even after quite a few year probably yes but it was funny. 

However I have gotten off track, Halloween is fantastic and its great to see all the kids dressed up going from door to door, I know that a lot of people say that its not something we should be doing in the UK. Some people say that its an American import and that its not a British tradition well to them I say so what, I would rather see grown ups & youngsters dressed up as monsters or whatever they like out and about trick or treating. Than have someone sing one line of a Christmas Carol on my door step then knock on your door expecting money, now that's a British tradition that really annoys me and I can do without. I have found that by asking them to sing to me again while I stand watching them, because I didn't hear them sing properly the first time works a treat. Word soon gets around that the mad man at number 29 asks you to sing again in front of him, and its the most effective form of defence I have found against Carol singers over the years.

However back to Halloween and if like me you love Halloween there are a few links below to websites that are celebrating the scariest time of the year, oh and a reminder to anyone coming to our house to trick or treat we will have chocolate apples wont we Helen.


Needless Things 31 Days of Halloween: Phantom Troublemaker's Needless Things website will be posting about all things Halloween, click the link to see his latest posts on the most scariest time of the year. The website also has links to past posts which include reviews on a wide range of geek culture subjects, the Needless Things podcast can also be accessed through the site and is well worth checking out.

Mike Gordon: Halloween is one of Mikes favourite times of the year, he is celebrating it on his blog with his Creepy Tiki Countdown to Halloween. Mike is also a writer, editor, filmmaker, webmaster, comic fanboy, and co-founder of New Legend Productions, which is well worth taking a look at to see the wonderful work Mike produces.

The Earth Station One Podcast: The guys at ESO will be discussing various monsters over the month of October starting with Godzilla, before covering other monsters throughout the rest of the month. Click the link to the Earth Station One webpage where you can see links to the podcast plus lots more information, I recommend you check out all the great stuff on their site, including past posts, podcasts and the other associated podcasts on their network.

Syfy '31 Days Of Halloween' 2014:
The Syfy network will be showing over 600 hours of horror over the 31 days of October, click the schedule list link to see what's on.

Facebook: Your favourite or not so favourite social media site has a page that celebrates all things Halloween.


Countdown to Halloween:  If that isn't enough for you then take a look at the Countdown to Halloween website, there is bound to be something there for you, and if there isn't then you may just be dead?