Luckily, things have now shifted. Wizard Media has changed the date for Big Apple Comic Con to October 1st, 2nd & 3rd while NY Comic Con kept their dates of Oct 8th, 9th & 10th. Originally Big Apple stated they couldn’t get any other weekend in NY but it looks like the newly renovated Penn Plaza will happily receive them. I’m just glad someone came to their senses. Its not fair to anyone when you make them choose, everyone loses.

It will be a busy month for Comic Fans this October. I plan to be at both and share with you all that I find interesting. If you plan to be at the shows, leave a comment below. If there are enough of you, maybe we can plan a meet-up.

So, was it worth the wait. It sure was. There are four trade paperbacks in a nice slip cover. Each paperback has a decent amount of weight to it. The covers are of a decent thickness and have a waxy coating on them. Overall the four paperbacks speak to the virtues of limited edition.

The slipcase itself is nice. Not super model in a bikini washing my car nice, but nicer than other slipcases I have in my possession. It is thick and carries the same waxy coating that the paperbacks do. There is a pretty sweet piece of art from Michael Kaluta on that back. This artwork also bears an original signature! Yep, I sat here for ten minutes just to try and verify that the signature really was in black sharpie ink and not just cheaply printed on.

The only issues I really have with this limited edition slipcase is there appear to be some scuff on the case itself. Now wether this is due to Amazon or Image I cannot say. If the slipcase were in black I probably would not have even noticed the scuff. This is not the case and the markings are clearly visible. There also appears to be a bit of a ding in one of the corners as well. Overall, it is in good shape though.

So is this really worth the MSRP of $49.99? If you are a Strange Girl fan you can bet your ass it is. The overall quality of the whole package is exceptional. The paperback are of a higher quality than normal paperbacks. The slipcase is pretty solid and should do a fine job of protecting the pot of gold inside it. The signed artwork is like a sweet nugget center to the whole deal. Do some shopping around as this can be found for less than the MSRP.

JoshuaDysart: The gig is, literally, up. Since Rich Johnson posted the news yesterday that Unknown Soldier will end with #25 I’ve been swamped with…

JoshuaDysart: loving emails from readers. The outpouring of affection and praise has been amazing. Thank you. The book may not have moved “enough” of…

You to keep it alive, but it moved enough of you for me. Thank you. I promise the book will end in an awesome, natural way and that when…

JoshuaDysart: read in trades, will feel like it was always meant to conclude this way. I’ve been preparing for this cancellation for a while and have…

JoshuaDysart: had plenty of time to sing it out right. I actually really, really like the way the series is going to end and feel like it should end…

JoshuaDysart: This way. Keep reading! Five more issues!

JoshuaDysart: Thanks to all the tweet mentions regarding the cancellation of Unknown Soldier. You guys are all awesome.

And to show that he’s not bitter, some of that trademark Dysart humor on the way out the door:

JoshuaDysart: For two years we executed a comic that flirted with both pulp nonsense & real-life genocidal truth. As far as I’m concerned, we won.

JoshuaDysart: “If you’re gonna tell the truth, you better make them laugh. Otherwise they’ll kill you.” US wasn’t a funny enough book about genocide.

JoshuaDysart: My next book will be called WISE CRAKIN’ PROTAGONIST!

JoshuaDysart: Featuring a sassy talking puppy who experiences first hand the human sex trafficking trade.

Batman #699

Too bad comics aren’t worth more when they have errors like baseball cards, because the artist on the cover is not the artist that drew the book.  Sandu Florea’s name is on the cover but it’s Guillem March on the inside, which is a good thing from my perspective.  March draws some really original ‘bat-poses’ but overall the issue feels like a rushed second half to a two-part story that only serves to eleveate Firebug and possible redirect for the Riddler.  If you have been holding off like I have on Batman (I started again at #697 in anticipation of #700, but there really is no lead-in) then holding off here won’t hurt.

Siege #4

Wow, what the hell.  I think Marvel learned it’s lesson that having a super powerful Superman-like character doesn’t work well in the Marvel U, and not to state the obvious by now, but there is one less Sentry to worry about now.  It most of these event comics, especially the Bendis’ one, there seems to be a strong build up with a limp, quick finish.  It’s like they just flipped a switch an now everything is OK.  I understand that they are setting the stage to mine this material for years until they move to the next phase, but this whole event seemed unnecessary and poorly thought out.

Black Widow #2

I picked up the first two issues on a whim and have to say they have been pretty enjoyable.  Props to Marjorie Liu for crafting a sharp opening act that showcases the alter egos of some of the Marvel U’s biggest names and weaving a mystery that draws you in.  The art by Daniel Acuna fits the story and with the thick lines it pops off the page.  I suggest picking this up and giving at least the first arc a try.

Master painter and artist Frank Frazetta passed away today at the age of 82. If you like Conan the Barbarian, Vampirella or Sword & Sorcery you know his work. He was one of the most influential artists of his day and one of the reasons I got into this business. From his book covers of John Carter of Mars and Conan to his work on Lil Abner, Buck Rogers and Heavey Metal, he proved  he was a true master with everything he touched.

If you never heard of his work, you owe it to yourself to go and check out some of his amazing stuff. Below is a small sample of my favorites.

As you can see by the pic, Thor will thankfully NOT be wearing jeans or a black leather jumpsuit as his costume in the upcoming flick from Marvel Studios (releasing May 6, 2011). Which is yet another sign that we should all be thankful that Marvel is now making it’s films in-house, as opposed to handing them off to soulless Hollywood suits with no imagination or affinity for the source material who obviously hate you and your childhood. Even more shocking is a leaked image of Thor adversary The Destroyer, who looks EXACTLY like the comic book version. Try not to wet yourself as you look upon it.  Now, again, if this movie were presented by Fox Studios, instead we’d be invited to share in such brain nuggets as “How about instead of enchanted ‘armor’, it’s just a magical necklace??” or “Can’t we just get Michael Clarke Duncan?” Thankfully it looks like Marvel doesn’t subscribe to the baffling belief that you have to take something people already like and change it into something else, otherwise they won’t like it.

Speaking of Thor, be sure to stick around after the credits of Iron Man 2 for a brief send-up (just don’t expect to see a costumed Chris Hemsworth). If there’s one thing that can be taken from Iron Man 2, it’s that Jon Favreau and company are certainly playing nice with the larger Marvel sandbox (expect Sam Jackson to Sam Jackson his ass off as Nick Fury), because this film largely seems to act as a precursor for The Avengers project and future inclusion of other heroes into the world . In fact, Favreau himself touches on that when discussing potential Iron Man 3 villain, The Mandarin. Essentially, Favreau would love to use the Mandarin, but still isn’t sure his 10 magical power rings fit in the tech-based universe of the Iron Man franchise, so he’s waiting to see how films like Thor and The Avengers introduce other fantasy elements to gauge the sliding scale of reality that he’ll be able to work with in Iron Man 3. This is actually a nice concession, considering he’s seemingly willing to allow those other films by other directors affect what he will or won’t do in further Iron Man films, as opposed to a less collaborative director who might just stick to their vision, for better or worse…

And just to geek about it, the Red Skull in the upcoming WWII era Captain America film (supposedly July 22, 2011… although I remember when Marvel said it would be out in 2009, so we’ll see…) is going to be played by Hugo Weaving, which may in fact be the best casting ever in the history of both man and film. Along with lead Chris Evans (Fantastic Four, The Expendables, Scott Pilgrim… CLEARLY he wants to be a superhero more than Nic Cage), director Joe Johnston (The Rocketeer, October Sky, effects/art director for original Star Wars & Indiana Jones flicks) and screen writer David Self (Road To Perdition, long tied to a never-developed Sub-Mariner film trilogy), this one is shaping up to have all the ingredients for one delectable cinematic cookie.

Close Call! +500 XP

Also in comic movie news, Scott Pilgrim vs The World (out August 13, 2010, based on Bryan Lee O’Malley’s brilliant and hilarious manga series), for which shooting wrapped months ago, is actually heading for a round of re-shoots. According to director Edgar Wright, the extra footage is actually warranted because the film is testing so positively, and is something that he’s done with previous films, including Hot Fuzz and Shaun of the Dead. Hopefully they can still add a CGI layer over Michael Cera to make him ANYONE BUT MICHAEL CERA.

Jonah Hex (June 18, 2010, starring Josh Brolin and Megan Fox) has finally nervously pulled back it’s veil and released a full trailer, although anyone who’s a fan of the comic may be put off by the bizarre inclusion of supernatural elements to the genre book that may have been better served as a straight-up Western. Of course, it’s doubtful that the film would have survived solely on the mercy of all 87 die-hard Jonah Hex fans to begin with, so scaring off the fan base was probably never an issue for the studio… Conversely, the Solomon Kane film (based on the Robert E. Howard character), which was released partially last year and this year overseas to favorable reviews, is still awaiting general release here in the states. Rogue Pictures has apparently acquired the release rights, but a date has yet to be set. Check out the trailer here, which is surprisingly spry for only a $35 million budget.

…and don’t forget to brush up on your comic trivia before attending weekend openings! I won a shirt for answering an easy question at the Iron Man 2 premiere. Unfortunately it was at an AMC theater, and the shirt was actually a Paranormal Activity shirt, which somehow must have escaped from the garbage pile into the trivia-prize pile. I threw it to a man 5 rows back, who was far too excited to be receiving such a shirt.

Don’t forget about your favorite national holiday tomorrow. No, it isn’t Flag Day (why do you like that so much?). Saturday May 1^st is Free Comic Book Day, a special time where comic book fans and fans of free stuff can come together to celebrate their shared interest, if only for one magical moment.

Each participating company publishes their own book(s) specifically for Free Comic Book Day, and while many are important new stories or samplers (such as last year’s Blackest Night #0), a few this year are reprints of popular books that are literally bribing you for your interest. For a full list of the comics and a handy participating store locator, check out <a href=”http://www.freecomicbookday.com”>www.freecomicbookday.com</a>. (Yes, there’s a Lady Gaga comic. No, the comic industry does not have any shame.) The event is great advertising for shops, so many will have sales and creators present to share in this most holy day.

Of course, Free Comic Book Day is just that; Free Comic Book DAY. So while you may be inclined to stroll into your local shop on May 12^th and expect a hand-out, don’t be surprised if the Jedi Knight behind the counter pushes up his glasses and snorts in amusement at your misguided antics. Despite the delicious misnomer “Free”, FCBD books actually cost retailers as much as $0.40 each (plus shipping), which is why they don’t order infinite copies, and thus usually impose strict limits on how much you can pilfer. In fact, you may just want to bag and board these little treasures. Who knows? Maybe next year your Sonic The Hedgehog FCBD book will be going for a sweet $0.75 on the back issue market. In this economy, that’s too much to ignore.

Comer & Gallucio Casting is looking for comic enthusiasts (like yourself) to do background work on the HBO show Bored to Death at the end of May in New York City. To qualify for the role, you must be 18 or older and legal to work in the US.

If you meet these requirements, email your full name, phone number and 2 current amateur snapshots (one of your face and the other showing your entire body) to BOREDTODEATH2010@gmail.com.

Oh yeah, and if you dress in costume for comic conventions and have a pic, send that too!

Check out more info about Bored To Death.

Enter the iPad, comics’ brave new hope. Again, Marvel and IDW put out their own storefronts. So does comixOlogy. All are very good iPad comic reading apps, with a rub — you have to use their storefront. When I went searching for a .cbr/.cbz reader the other day for my iPad, I found that there are a couple, but was heartily glad to see ComicZeal, my reader of choice on the iPhone.

I’ll be taking this baby for a spin this week, and hit out a review of it soon. I’ll be using some .cbr files of my own, to comics I have bagged and sealed in plastic tubs — no use opening them up just yet. See the gallery below for some screenshot love.

BUT BEFORE I GO…comment below and tell us why you should get a FREE copy of this $7.99 iPad app. We have five of these bad boys to give away, courtesy of ComicZeal, so get your comments in early. We’ll give it a week from today, and then choose five random winners fromt eh slew of comments. Enjoy!

“Now a major motion picture, Kick-Ass is set in a world very similar to ours, where superheroes only exist in comic books, movies and (of course) the PSP. From the Wolverine: Enemy of the State dream team of Mark Millar (Civil War) and John Romita Jr (Amazing Spider-Man, World War Hulk), 8 foul-mouthed issues of Kick-Ass arrive on the Digital Comics store today.”