Blackest Night and summer (hopefully) reading.

I can't believe its finally over! Boy it felt like ages this story just kept going and going. For a while I was trying to buy up all the tie-ins but after getting Blackest Night: Superman issues 1 and 2 I just stuck with the Green Lantern tie-in and the Green Lantern Corps tie-in and B.N. itself.

It was a lot of fun following this story though cuz I'd never really participated in a big comic book event. Had never read any of the 'Crisis books (also DC) or Avengers Dissassembled or Messiah books (from Marvel). but this time I was apart of the hpye, the scope, the fandom, right here in the moment and it was great!

I love the merchandizing too. Like the rings they gave out, I have Willpower (green), Fear (yellow), Avarice/Greed (orange), Compassion (indigo) and Love (violet). I just need Hope (blue), Life (white) and Death (black). And with all these rings they put out Tshirts and hoodies too with the different Lantern's badge emblazoned on the chest, like a guy at school had the Red Lantern T and then a guy and work was rockin' the Black Lantern shirt.

And the covers! Man the covers to this series are AMAZING; when the trade comes out fans are gonna want this book just to see all 8 covers to mark each chapter. Plus any other art from behind the scenes.

I'm not gonna review this book cuz I don't want to spoil anything... plus I'm still forming my opinion from reading #8 yesterday... the end to a grand epic is always important so i'm re-reading to make sure it didn't suck or suck too much.

AND NOW ON TO THE BRIGHTEST DAY...

1. So yeah this will start off the books/storylines i'm excited about this summer. Most I won't even get to read but its cool, i'm still stoked. Brightest Day #0 is the sequel to Blackest Night and it hit stands this month. Its about what happends in the wake of B.N. and the characters that were changed or brought back.

2. The Flash #1 is Geoff Johns' chronicalling of Barry Allens' return as the original Scarlet Speedster for the 2010 and beyond. You can read about that in The Flash: Rebirth out in trade soon. On stands now.

3. Birds of Prey #1 has Gail Simone coming back to pen new stories about Gotham City's own Charlies Angels, but of the night. Coming in May.

4. Green Arrow #1 is the new series about the Emerald Archer's adventures after Cry for Justice as he embraces his role as "outlaw for the people of Star City" (wikipedia.com). He will also factor in Brightest Day and according to Geof Johns he factors in significantly. Debuting in June.

5. War of the Supermen I talked about several weeks ago where Superman is in the middle of a war between Earth and New Krypton. Also the reimagined character Mon-El, who was unfamiliar to me for a while, definetly plays a major role in this story. Oh and thank God for the return on Superboy cuz all the Superman players are in on this brawl lol. Flyin' at us in June.

6. Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne tracks The Detective's passage thru time itself as he makes his way home to the present and retake his place as the only one worthy of the cowl, the Batman. To learn about what happend to kick this off read Final Crisis. This hits us in May.

These are up and coming stories but I also plan to read those Messiah books from the X-Men: Messiah Complex and Messiah War.

7. X-Men: Second Coming will be the final chapter to the Messiah trilogy. I need to read more on Hope the prophesied mutant savior, she also seems to be related to Scott Summers. My ignorance doesn't mean I think Marvel sucks, the only X stories I really followed were told in Ultimate X-Men.

And speaking of Ultimate X, I thought #1 was interesting but I breezed thru #2 and was pleasantly surprised at the reveal at the end of the book ;]... so i'm gonna have to maybe follow this. Ahh and its starting right now so I'm caught up with the story. Nothing like being apart of it when it kicks off.

I also want to read Secret Invasion, another epic from Marvel that then lead up to what's happening in Siege. Like X-Second Coming if I don't catch it by issue I'll have to do the same for Siege cuz I'm like 2 issues late, so trades will have to save me later. Thank God for trades.

8. And from Dynamite comics, I really want to read Green Hornet. Its based on the screenplay by Kevin Smith (Clerks which i've never seen lol). But its a new take on a classic pulp figure, who i've never read btw but I've always known about him. Oh did you know, did you care: Hornet and the Lone Ranger are blood related! Issue #2 is already out.

9. S.I.E.G.E. #1 is on stands now detailing the history of the organization lead by Nick Fury, as well as including many historical figures into the world of Marvel, Like DaVinci, Imhotep and Ben Frnaklin. Idk it looks really cool ^_^.

I'm reminded of Batman and Robin from Grant Morrison which also leads into the Return of Wayne. I'm not a fan (no pun intended) of the art but then again it does have a "quality" to it thats... intriguing. It takes place after Battle for the Cowl when Dick Grayson became Batman and the son of Bats and Talia Al Ghul, Damien took up the role of Robin (after Tim Drake became Red Robin). It portrays a "a more light-hearted and spontaneous Batman and a scowling, bad ass Robin" says Morrison. Hahaha so I guess I'm more interested in the story than thought...

10. Invincible Returns #1 is gonna be cool. I've read the first 13 issues in a mega trade and I must say its a cool series. This one-shot intros new readers to the world of Invincible so that they can pick up fresh in issue #71 in May.

And with that from Image comics this specific list is concluded. Its just fun to know about a lot of these books, some of them I'll def read but others will take time. It's all good tho, not sure what I'll pick up next, so much to read... and so much to read hahaha.

Ok peace.

Experiencing greater things.

*SAVED TO MY DRAFTS LIKE A YEAR AGO MAYBE TWO*

April 3, a film making friend of mine showed his movie Rivers of My Fathers at an independent film festival. It was my first time seeing the finished product, since filming concluded Thanksgiving fo last year. All I could say was wow! The film was shot when it was bitter cold, but the movie looks like springtime! There are insect sounds, and sunshine, wildlife... everything, I'm like "Was I there?!" The film is 18 minutes and is about a father and his college kid son on a bonding fishing trip before the son goes off to college at Howard University. My job on the prject was boom-operator, the guy who gathers all of the sound while the actors do their thing, I basically hold the big microphone lol.

But it was awesome working with Faraday, the director, and the other crew members and actors. It was a double priviledge to see other short films at the festival as well, a lot of down to earth people. One in particular I just up and met, even got her film free and everything, because the festival lasted two days and I was only able to make day 1. Her film Reverie, is about a young girl "[trying] to make sense of her father's acitons and her brother's death". It was only 7 minutes long, but I hung on every minute. I thought it was that good and it rmeinded me of a dream, the way Paula (the director) shot the film, it looked like a dream; I also liked how "thoughtful" and innocent the movie seems, even though in a sense, innocence is lost by film's end.

Paula is a very nice girl and we seem to have hit it off well, corresponding over email nealry everyday about her film. I've been able to offer help on her upcoming film due to shoot latter in the month. Some odd things on set really, but hey, I'm willing to help in any way that I can, and I'm gratful for the exposure to how film is made. Her new film is called, Order My Steps.

Thank you for doing the same with me God!

*NOW*

Order My Steps trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hf6UrpuKN70

Here is Paula's first finished film Reverie:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bckeaA2UmiU&feature=related

The Official blue Light City music video by Paula (as of this year):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=taCCbpyD2w0

As soon as Faraday Okoro puts on more via youtube or something i will post links and info. This weekend I'm hoping to work with Paula again on the 48 HOUR PROJECT. Teams basically spend 2days doing nothing but making and editting a short film. It should be awesome!

Later

Finally... MILESTONE has come back to DC Comics!

So I was at school minding my own business when all of a sudden Static Shick crossed my mind. This delightful thought expanded into a lot of other characters from Static's world like Icon and Rocket, Hardware and the Blood Syndicate. And as always, whenever I think of these heroes from Milestone Media I get incredibly amped to do what I love.

And that's to write about super heroes.

The culturally diverse heroes in Dakota inspire me to write stories that share experiences, advise lives, connect with and unlock heroism in readers young and old.

Its good to see the front man for Milestone, Static dotted throught different DC titles and specials, and now he's found a new home at long last with the Teen Titans. Right now I am following him and the team in Teen Titans#79 onward; and as the subtitle reads, "Welcome home Static." Within these pages Static and Co. fight to cure the people of his city from a strange virus, plus he tangles with his old foe, Holocaust. I can't wait to see what happends in May!

I also have my eye on The Brave and the Bold: Milestone which collects several issues of BatB comics that came out last year featuring Static, Xombi and Hardware teaming up with DC characters like the Specter, Blue Beetle and Black Lightning. This trade paperback was on the shelf at Borders and I flipped out but I'm just waiting for the right time to get it. I didn't read Xombi in Milestone but as time has passed and I've hunted down these classic books... everything they published looks good to me; its like a piece of history, probably cuz it is right lol?

So then having said that, I think I might track down Wise Son's book, Wise Son:The White Wolf. This book may be an origin to the character who would later lead the Blood Syndicate on Paris Island. And all four issues are collected in trade paperback =] .

Next I want to see if I can find either single issues or preferably a tpb of Worlds Collide which is a crossover between Superman characters and milestone characters. Its a 14pt story that was later slightly modified after Final Crisis last year which explains how these beloved Dakota heroes ae back with us today. I think I have like one issue of WC so I'm going to look for that too.

So yeah long story short cuz I could def draw this out longer... i get good feelings when I recall Milestone or one of their books. In fact when I would find their stuff I'd read everything, even the mailbox at the end of the book with readers' comments; i NEVER read those! But I just had to know what was in the midsn of the readers and the writers and see what kind of relationship they had back then. The things I read about then give me fuel for tomorrow's stories. And I keep finding more and more, its like an Easter Egg hunt! I just learned that the Shadow Cabinet has been seen in the pages of Justice League of Amercia at least since '08 and big things are on the horizon.

And last but not least I am reminded of Milestone Forever. This is a 2issue miniseries closing the stories of "old" Dakota and openning up a new chapter for the city and its protectors in the DC comics. It came out in February and should be out in tpb by now, in fact a friend of mine mentioned he saw it at the comic book store and thought of me. So I needs to get my hands on that sappy-asap ^_^

Man I don't think I really typed that much, honesly i was a little distracted by Idol Gives Back lol... so much more I wanted to write about Milestone. But next time. This was more of a shoping list it seems, so, a lot of Milestone books to find and but its worth the time... maybe they'll just publish all of the original titles in trades up till they ended, cuz I already have like the first 8 issues of Icon in trade and the same with Static... i considered getting the new trade that's like a deluz cuz its got the collected 4 issue mini Trial by Fire and the first several issues of Static in one... and there I go again hahaha ok I'm out of here.

More comic talk later and definitely more Milestone coming our way!

Ehh... persevering...recovering... a sliver of hope...

So I've been working A LOT... ok simply more than I used to, like one extra day. Thing is I work in the mornings now, 7am and I'm not used to getting up early, like at dawn maybe idk lol everyday. Welcome to adulthood right?

Lately work has been testing me, situations, stressful, between-a-rock-and-a-hardplace type situations, managers yelling and lecturing situations. Situations where your limits are tested... where you just want to hit somebody and leave destruciton in your wake.

Well today was one of those days.

It was supposed to be a "whatever" day really because in my head I'd been working my tail off all week and all the excitement this week was all centered on a big catering event today anway. But like a million employees were called in today, I of course was one of them but it wasn't really a big deal... until later.

Basically i got overwhelmed with some orders and ppl got stressed out and before you knew it everyhting had gone to Pot.

Thing is... I know where I could have done better and how I could have avoided the mess, but sometimes the craziness of work just sweeps you out to sea, if you will. But I know that that doesn't have to happen, it was just a bad patch. It just sucked. The day before something like this happend to another employee too :-/ And it didn't help that someone thought I was refusing help to gt out of that bad spot quick and in a hurry... made me look profoundly irresponsible so that pissed me off too >_< ... but its ok I'm cool with her all the time and she was just crazy confused like me and the PRESSURE was on like Donkey Kong.

One of my managers told me its never any[one's] fault and that we gotta focus and support one another and be aware when things start to get "tight". So I wasn't really in trouble at all it seems but I still feel a little crappy.

Its funny though because things at work... environmentally... or maybe just mentally... have been so weird. People have quit, had disputes with leadership, resources haven't been pooled efectively and sometimes the store goes without in times of great need (not to sound so dramatic)... its just been pretty distressing lately.

A lot of workers seem fed up to. I think that's why some have quit... some of the things were understandable others not so much. Its like some weight has been breaking the backs of us at work and ppl are throwing up their hands in surrender, poppin' off and takin' off. And I've def felt that way but something has been holding me back. But the temptaion doesn't go away but its infecting every1. Like ever1 feels they aren't protected or being taken care of so they take what they feel is theirs or has been denied them and then proceed dramatically out the nearest exit.

And treating others right is one of our cornerstones!

And sometimes I feel really confused. Like sometimes i feel like "what has my job done for me lately"... like I feel really selfish sometimes and others its like I'm bending over backwards to help others put myself 2nd. Ppl know I try to serve others and that I try to be respectful and nice and just a regular guy... no drama. But I've been tempted lately to just go off! And that stresses me out even more... supressing it all and directign it elsewhere. I mean one time I was so like vexed and pissed off at someone I was shaking... and at first I thought I was scared of them and their next remark... then I realized I was scared of how i might react and that scared me even more.

So when I was informed that I'd bet getting of work almost 2hrs early I was out of there. I went straight to Borders to unwind and, breezed thru the Kick-Ass comic. The [one thing] I took away from that book was to keep on getting up no matter how hard you're knocked down. Period. Just get up.

And then I was reminded of IPeter 4:19, "So those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good."

Continue to do good.

That gives me a little comfort. If my Heavenly Father is protecting me thru the barrage of stress and revealing what i'm really made of underneath it all then I know I'll learn what to do in these tight spots. I'll admit it right now I've learned VERY slowly that its ok to keep my cool and get thru to resolution when things get really bad. Thing is i know what i am capable of. I know what I can do and its better than most think, and those who have thought of it tell me so, few of em but they see all the same.

So I'm gonna stick it out hold on tight to God's leg thru this storm and see what's on the other side.

Pray for me cuz I'm diving back in.

Later.

IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIm baaaaaaaaack =P

So it's been a year right lol? Yeah it's tough to keep up with these things but I'm back with plenty to write about I think.

I just put up a Twitter account: boiKing101

I used to think it was dumb... even tho I only have like one friend of mine Following me on it, its cool to just spout ideas. I guess that's why it's used to liberally then right? No matter, doesn't apply to me... well by libereally I meant derogatorially...

Comic book talk: Gail Simone will soon be back writing Birds of Prey again. I don't know of any other big name female writers and I'm kinda familiar with the BoP so that helps. I want to get on the band wagon when it hits stands in few months.

-And also War of the Supermen comes at us in June and I can't wait for that. If only I could get to the comic book store more ... its ok I'll find a way lol. Superman is my favorite super hero!

I'm a lil rusty as far as posting up these pix it seems lol.

TV talk: So last's night's episode of SMALLVILLE titled "Checkmate" was good, cinematography-wise definitly! The opening and ending scenes were reminiscent of Zack Snyder's slo-mo techniques as my best friend put it. This show is really steppin it's game up! and so is Clark's wardrobe its seems, none of the same blue tshirt and red jacket anymore... and tha flannel xD! Plus Smallville's been renewed for a 10th season!

-Also ROYAL PAINS will be back in June!!! Great show, USA network puts out some great television, the humor, budding relaitonships, taking life into your own hand's inspiration is great to see in these characters, and Hank Lawson is no exception. I can't want to see how he and his bro Evan get their $$$ mack from dear old dad who left the family when they were boys.

-Hugh Laurie makes his directorial debut this Monday on HOUSE, but mostly I'm glad the 2 week hiatus is over cause i love this show!

-FRINGE's last two episodes were great, seeing how it all began with Peter dying as a boy and Dr. Bishop going to "earth2" and taking that universe's Peter in order to cure him of the same disease was a lot of fun. I didn't know Nina Sharp lost her arm in the portal to the other side! And the use of retro sci-fi graphic designs in the opening credits and the locations were a nice touch. I can't wait to see how the season is going to end and what this means for the War.

-HUMAN TARGET is great! Period. I can't wait for the finale, though I think there are like three other episodes I have missed in the past "Run", "Santuary" and "Lockdown" of which I can probably find online ;]... and speaking of the past, how it comes back again to kick Chance in the pants this Wednesday night is gonna be worth the wait.

-And finally IN PLAIN SIGHT is back and I really want to see if Mary is really gonna make a life with Raph, which i think would work, good guy, isn't scared off by her job. Or if there really is anything to the quote/unquote secret crush ever1 says she and Marsharll share. But I'm glad to see these two buddies back at it again giving ppl second chances at life. It was cool seeing Mark Walbergh's (sp?) brother on the show in the first episode. I hear the writers may cut back on Mary's home life tho and focus more on her job and on her and Marshall. i admit I'm not sure how much of that I'm going to like cuz her homelife really adds to the show... but we'll see what happends.

Life talk: Ok, i'm finishing up my final math at community college. Working hard at work lol,ossibly a raise in my future. God's working on my relationships and family, guiding me. I'm exercising a lot or what feels like a lot of patience latlely. Things happening that are stressful and I either break under the pressure or get through it with a new perspective. David has been an inspiration in scripture about getting through trials and things especially when you are innocent or just trying to do your best. But life is hard on you for doing good. IPeter chapter 3 has been encouraging me to continue to do good and to suffer under God's hand instead of against his hand.

Who the heck knows what that must feel like, really?!

And I started reading this book called Celebrating Decipline. The author, Richard J. Foster is talking about meditating on the promises, testimony, goodness and grace of God in my life somewhere in chapter 2 right now, so that's new and interesting.

My status on facebook is that my spirit is chillin' right now and i aim to keep it that way for a while.

Ok going out with the family now sop this post needs to end. Gonna try out that new tire I and my brother installed a second ago.

Later!