Starbolts #135: Send In the Clones

There's a lot to cover this week. So, let's get started! Item #1: This comic is full of surprises isn't it? Soldier Six is back from the dead. BUT! Are they really Jack's old friends or are they something sinister? Item #2: Jack and Anya. Hmm...could something be going on with those two? The tension is mounting. And I'm not talking about Jack being frustrated with not finding out about the attackers. Item #3: What exactly is that tornado up to? Hmmm...There's a lot going on this week that'll set the stage for the rest of this year's comic. In the meantime enjoy!

Also, I've picked up several of the new DC relaunch books. I've been debating reviewing Flash #1 or Superman #1 in the coming months. I may actually review both once the buzz for the relaunch dies down. I also got Blue Beetle #1 and Justice League #1. That should give me a good taste of the DC universe. On the Marvel side, I'm still picking up my regular comics. Uncanny X-Men recently "ended" I'm not sure how I feel about it, yet. I will be getting the rebooted title. That should be a fun read! I hope.

See you all next week!

Starbolts #134: Granite State Of Mind

I'm back again with a new comic! What's that? You say there's a song called "Granite State of Mind" that focuses on my home state of New Hampshire? You say that it's also the cover of another song? Well, crap. Looks like I'm gonna have to NOT redo the title for the comic. HAHA! Anyway, yep, that is the same Granite who first appeared in the comic waaaay back when I started doing these. I wanna say somewhere in the single digits. I upgraded him into a mindless beast who can only say his name. Kinda like a Pokemon.

He was about due for a MAJOR makeover. He looks like the lovechild of the Rockbiter from Neverending Story and She-Thing from the Fantastic Four. Speaking of comics, I did see the Avengers trailer and it was many things. MANY, MANY good things. I loved it! I suggest you go check it out!

On the video side of things, I am going to work on the Nova #2 review, soon. In the mean time enjoy the comic and wonder...is Granite really all he seems to be? *scratches chin*

Comic Showcase #3: Nova #1

Starbolts #133: Rising Discord

Hail!

This week, I decided to let the villains take center stage. We don't see them enough and I wanted to show just how crazy D.I.S.C.O.R.D. is. Now, you might be asking "Who is under that blue sheet?" "What the hell is up with that tornado?" "Why are there so many references in those magic words?" All but the last one will be revealed in time. For the third, I just wanted to toss in some random references. Eh, I couldn't think of any magic words. I do know that "COO! LOO! LIMPAH!" will cause my friend Lozchic to twinge a bit. Haha. Sorry, Lozzy! I needed a Tingle reference!

The tornado went through a couple redesigns. At first it was a cloud that Mark described as being "gray poo". LOL. I admit he was right. We wanted to go for something similar to the air elementals in World of Warcraft. I tried making some tornadoes and here we are. I KIND of wish it had arms. But, nah. Not needed.

Next time, I'll have vid up. So, keep an eye out for that as I take a look at Nova #1 (3rd series) See ya then!

Starbolts #132: Shadow of the Past

Hail!

Well, Anya has a new powersuit. Poor Dennis is confused! Haha. This of course is a callback to the Samus Aran reveal at the end of the original Metroid. The suit is supposed to be Samus-like. I MIGHT make some changes to it. I do like how the optic blast turned out. It's pretty sweet.

As for Anya giving Jack a stern talking to, that was totally necessary. Then again, Jack has a right to be angry and frustrated. After all, he did sacrifice a lot. I'm thinking D.I.S.C.O.R.D. is a cockroach we can't keep down. Those suckers will turn up no matter what you do. Anyway, see you all back here next week!

Starbolts #131: When Deals Go South

Hail!

Well, friends, the start of a story that'll take till the end of the year to finish has begun! D.I.S.C.O.R.D. has returned and no one is safe. NO ONE! Sucks that Anya's without a house now. Don't worry. She won't be homeless for long. I have a feeling she'll like it in Dastara City and fit RIGHT in. That's all I'm saying. The Hammer armor went through MANY, MANY drafts. The first one looked too form fitting for Hammer. So, I decided to go with one that was more bulky. Kind of like Marvel's Titanium Man.

In other news, I really have to thank a couple people this week! First big thanks go out to idiotbox2099. He e-mailed me scans of New Warriors #1 and I'll be reviewing that soon. The second thanks go out to Gethenian who helped me with some Russian words for today's comic. Ven was a big help since all my Russian comes from reading X-Men comics where Colossus is around. Probably not the best example.

Finally, here's a tentative list of comics I'm going to review when I get a chance. Chances are the rest of the year will also be interspersed with these video reviews:

Nova #1-3 (3rd series)

New Warriors #1

Uncanny X-Men #1 (2nd Series) Part of X-Men: Regenesis

Amazing Spider-Man Annual #21 (The wedding of Spider-Man and Mary Jane. Yeah. I'm going there.)

X-Factor #130 Another Part of X-Men: Regenesis

Superman: Speeding Bullets

Wolverine and the X-Men #1 Another X-Men Regenesis book

That's it for right now. I've got to find some DC books to cover. However, I did manage to get some of the last books Jack Kirby had a hand in making. Hmmmmm..... That and some of the reboots.

Starbolts #130: From Russia With Love

This comic is dedicated to all those who have a Public Relations job where they have to deal with random people. Or in this case four different alien species. Intergalactic diplomacy has never been so...weird. Or random. Everyone in this comic has appeared before. So, there aren't any new characters. Anya and Dimitri first appeared way back in #42ish. They were the Russian superspy team and are going to play a role in the coming storyline next week. The story's going to run to the end of the year, too. Well, I will break for Halloween and Christmas of course.

Still, I had a lot of fun writing this one and I'm pleased on how this turned out. Hehe. Dimitri's covered in green goop. At least he's got that minty fresh smell that women love, right?

I'm still going to work on various vids. In fact, I'm probably going to work on the next one as soon as I hit send. It'll just take some time to hit it. So, which funny bit in this week's comic is your favorite? We have the antics of the Setleth. Gotta love those. The whininess of Danar. Shrall needed to get him out of the palace. The return of Pal'idin! He's always a welcome character. And of course the Leonids.

Of course, I think they're all funny. It's best to have some quirks in these diplomatic settings. Or else it'd get dull REALLY fast.

In other news, I now have a Deviantart page. I know I don't draw much But, I decided to put some Starbolts characters I made in Champions Online up. I also will put up fan art, too. You can find the page here: http://cferra1.deviantart.com

That just about does it for this week. Look for Anya and Dimitri to show up again soon. Wow. Look at 'em fight like an old married couple.