The Magikarp Sea Shanty
Pokemon is a ripe topic for parody, and will so forever be. Which brings me to The Magikarp Song: A Pokemon Shanty by Random Encounters. It’s a catchy tune about a fisherman who just wants to capture a Pikachu. For those who don’t understand, Magikarp is a fish pokemon that basically just flops around and splashes in puddles. That’s the joke. But you’re not here for the comedy, you’re here for the shanties!
Review: X-Factor #237
This! This is what I’ve been talking about! X-Factor #237 is writer Peter David at his finest, writing his characters as people first and superheroes second. Forget the interdimensional super-villains, the Mojoverse and whatever other crazy plots PAD has in store for X-Factor. This is what I want from this comic. The issue starts with a few of his female characters going on a character-building road trip together, and ends with one of them having a huge personal break through. This issue is comic gold.
X-Factor #237
X-Factor doesn’t need costumes, super-villains or an Avengers vs. X-Men tie-in to make for an amazing comic book.
Comic rating: 5/5: Great!
I wish more of PAD’s issues were like this one. But instead he seems to sprinkle these character-based issues throughout his run. They have always been a highlight of X-Factor. And I suppose they’re made all the better because of how rare they are. Plus, having issues like this makes the action issues better, because we come to care more about the characters. Polaris has been a ghost in this series since she joined, so she desperately needed a story like this.
Unfortunately, this issue is far from the best character-based story that PAD has written for X-Factor. After nearly 100 issues writing this volume, his grip on the characters and their personalities is slipping. I chalk this up to having just too many characters and plots to contend with. Back at the beginning he had everything under control. But that’s not to say this issue isn’t great. The dialogue and humor are fun, the characters are written very well and the art is absolutely gorgeous.
And thank the heavens, Polaris has finally changed out of that stupid green costume Thank you for that, PAD!
Hitman: Killer of Badass Hit-Nuns
The great Tobuscus returns with another literal trailer, this time set to Hitman Absolution. I haven’t seen the real trailer, but I don’t need to, not after seeing Tobuscus’ latest masterpiece. He’s quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite Internet acts!
Review: Avengers vs. X-Men #5
Talk about a game-changing cliffhanger! I’ve said it before about Avengers vs. X-Men, and I’ll say it again: I have no idea where this story is going, and that’s awesome! While most of these big Event Comics end with a giant fight (and somebody shouting “Avengers Assemble!”) we’ve already had half a dozen giant fights in this series. And while those fights haven’t been all that great, the story continues to move along at a fantastic and exciting pace. Which is why I’m going to give Avengers vs. X-Men #5 my highest rating for the series for far.
Avengers vs. X-Men #5
After that cliffhanger, Avengers vs. X-Men is definitely keeping us on our toes! I can’t wait to see what happens next.
Comic rating: 5/5: Great.
Now that’s not to say this is a perfect issue. That’s not how my rating system works. And granted, my rating system really only works in my head. The previous issues of Avengers vs. X-Men have only been “good” because they were solid stories that were told well with decent art, so worth a read, but not all that amazing. This issue continues that trend, but then delivers a fantastic, action-packed climax, and then that cliffhanger I can’t stop gushing over. I’ll spoil it in the synopsis after the jump. Just trust me that it definitely changes the series from here on out.
Though arguably not in a good way. I can’t help but feel that Marvel has definitely picked a side by the end of this issue, and it’s the side I’m against. I’ve definitely been on the side of Cyclops and the X-Men throughout the series, but Marvel may have tipped their hand.
I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. Join me after the jump for a full synopsis and more review!
I Already Love Wreck-It Ralph!
Oh my God, you guys! Not only is the next Disney animation movie going to be about video games, but they have secured the rights to actual classic video game characters! So new guy Wreck-It Ralph is going to be starring alongside the likes of Bowser, Dr. Robotnik and Clyde!
That trailer looks awesome! Granted, parts of it look kind of stupid, falling in line with today’s usually unfunny humor. But other parts of it look awesome! Regular guy video game baddie decides to try out other games, sounds neat! I actually liked this trailer more than any of the trailers for Pixar’s Brave. Though that’s just silly, because no doubt a Pixar movie will be a million times better than a Disney movie.
Wreck-It Ralph
