Review: The Ray #1
I can only assume that The Ray was a rejected idea for the New 52 back in September. Coming so soon after the big reboot, and resigned to just a mini-series, I imagine that some editor somewhere liked the idea enough to give it a lifeline. Which is fine. I’ll never oppose adding more comics to the shelf. But The Ray #1 is so bland, mediocre and generic that I can see why it was rejected. The book lacks a hook, lacks any creative or interesting idea to make it worthwhile.
The Ray #1
So if you like your superheroes ordinary and plain, The Ray is the book for you.
Comic rating: 3/5: Alright.
That’s not to say The Ray is a bad read. It’s a perfectly fine comic book about a brand new superhero and his origin story. Though the concept isn’t new. The character of ‘the Ray’ has been around since 1940, and DC had a C-list character running around with his own series back in the 90s and up until the New 52 reboot. For this story, though, writers Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti are starting from scratch. The light-based powers are the same, but we’ve got a new hero, a new supporting cast, a new status quo and new villains. Unfortunately, Gray and Palmiotti did little to capture my attention.
I picked up The Ray #1 on a whim. I like the costume, it was a light comics buying week and I thought ‘what the heck?’. While I’m not disappointed that I bought the comic, I don’t know if I’ll buy anymore. The Ray just isn’t a very bright idea.
Spoilers after the jump.
I Love Early 2000s Ant-Man
I’d like to think that my blog has become sort of a celebration of obscure superheroes and comic book characters. I can’t help it, that’s just the sort of thing I’m interest in. And yes, that in no way will help me in any career or with the ladies. I’ve made my peace with that. So when I see something glorious in regards to those obscure superheroes and comic book characters, I can’t help but cheer and want to share it with you.
Which brings us to Ant-Man from the early 2000s.
This is awesomeness defined
That’s a Mini-Mate of the early 2000s Ant-Man costume, and it’s brilliant. That is my favorite Ant-Man costume, and I’m a pretty big Ant-Man fan. Especially the guy who wore the costume, Scott Lang, who was the second Ant-Man. He was a member of the Avengers at the time. How’s that for obscure trivia knowledge, ladies? There’s more where that came from.
Anyway, it’s just a little thing, and I may never be able to buy it, but damn its awesome. Here’s the rest of the set, which will be available for purchase sometime next year:
That's classic Ant-Man in the bottom right. Cool, but not as cool.
Because apparently the world needs more Captain America, Iron Man, Thor and Hulk toys, am I right? For whatever reason, 2000s Ant-Man comes packaged with that purple guy, a Kree Sentry, because fuck if I know why.
Buy Me This for Christmas
This is a blatant and bald-faced call for anyone looking to buy me a Christmas present. The world of LEGO has decided to drop one right in front of me, appealing to every geeky and nostalgic bone in my body. What could be better than superhero LEGOs?
The meaning of Christmas, right here
That’s a LEGO model of Lex Luthor in his Kryptonite battlesuit, and it includes mini-figs of Lex, Superman and Wonder Woman. It’s so beautiful I want to write a love letter to LEGO. It would go perfect alongside my LEGO Batmobile, complete with Batman, Robin and Two-Face. I think I also have the Penguin mini-fig somewhere.
Anyway, LEGO is making a whole slew of superhero-themed sets, which you can view at your leisure here.
Getting Into the Christmas Spirit
If this video doesn’t get you into the Christmas Spirit, then nothing will! It’s ‘Walking in a Winter Wonderland’ set to a wonderful menagerie of Calvin & Hobbes snowmen. Kudos to Jim Frommey and Teague Chrystie, who I believe made this and posted it to Youtube.
If you don’t get the reference, Calvin was always making hilariously twisted snowmen. You can find a gallery of the comics here. And check out this one, one of my favorites:
The Internet Justice League
College Humor has done it again with a hilarious superhero parody: The Internet Justice League. This is the kind of thing Internet writers such as myself wish we’d come up with…and then we wish we worked for College Humor. Anyway, enjoy the hilarity and then go check out the rest.
