Since the dawn of the Showcase, we have been hit with requests that Chase and Blake talk about the Japanese-born phenomenon of manga. The only problem? Blake and Chase don’t know squat about manga. So in this special episode, recorded at BSI Comics, the boys invite their resident manga expert Kenny Fanguy to sit in, explain the popularity of the form, talk about some of his favorite manga titles, and reveal the previously unknown legend of Bob Viz. Fans of manga — listen up and tell us how wrong we are. People who don’t read manga — listen up for one of the funniest chats the Showcase boys have ever hosted! In the picks this week, Chase recommends the new Rapunzel’s Revenge, Blake pleads with you to read DC’s The Family Dynamic, and Kenny suggests the newest volume of the manga series Negima and the series Seraphic Feather. E-mail us with your comments, “Ask Chase Anything” questions, or anything else at Showcase@comixtreme.com!

Episode 86: The Manga Episode

Writer:Ed Brubaker
Art: Clay Mann
Inker: Stefano Gaudiano
Colors: Matt Holingsworth
Letters: VC’s Chris Eliopoulos
Cover Art: Marko Djurdjevic
Editor: Warren Simons
Asst. Editor: Alejandro Arbona
Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Marvel Comics: Dan Buckley

Reviewed by: Ryan Broussard : ryanb1114@yahoo.com
Rating: Damn near Flawless!!!
Title: Daredevil #111 : “Lady Bullseye” part 1

When I think of Daredevil’s greatest adversary, I always think of Bullseye.  Not only he is he Daredevil’s best nemesis, but overall out of all the Marvel villains he ranks somewhere at the top.  So to say that I was disappointed that he had joined the Thunderbolts and become some what of a “hero” would be an understatement.  I believe that Bullseye belongs in the pages of Daredevil. Well apparently so does Daredevil writer Ed Brubaker, who proves here if you can have the real deal then create the next best thing; enter Lady Bullseye!

It’s funny how when many people think of amazing runs in comics they seem to forget Daredevil.  Bendis and Maleev had one of the greatest runs in comic history on this title.  Furthermore Ed Brubaker has made the title his own and made an impressive run himself now for going on two years.  Bru has found a balance by going back and fourth from a drama filled court room stories to full on action stories through out his run.  Now after wrapping up a emotional story that was good but seemed long over due, it is time for Bru to open up the flood gates to a brand new story with a brand new interesting villain.

This issue had it all.  It was one of the best set up opening issues for a new story arc I have ever read.  Most writers have problems on the first issue of a new story, but Brubaker really knocks this out of the park.  The new villain, Lady Bullseye, is set up fast and extremely well.  There are flashbacks of Bullseye in action.  There is a cameo by Iron Fist.  But even more so, the emotions between Dakota and Matt were so on point.  What happens with Matt in this issue was such an amazing turn of events for the character.  It was a bit of a shocker and yet it made perfect sense.  It only proves that Daredevil is one of those comics that is very much set in the real world.  Matt Murdock comes off as a real man with real problems and that is a credit to Ed Brubaker. I think Bru is at the top of his game here.

The art by Clay Mann is a perfect match for this book.  Much like past artist on this title like Maleev and Lark; Mann has a gritty style that encompasses the realistic mood of this title in a great way.  I like that his Matt Murdock is a little more buff than past artist make him and Mann portrays women in a very real non-exaggerated way.    Mann’s line work is really impressive and so are his attentions to shadows and clothing creases.  Good stuff!!

Overall, this was an amazing set up issue for a story that I think can only get better.  I love the new villain and I love the new direction of Matt’s personal life.  I have not been this excited about Daredevil for awhile.

What Works:
Perfect set up, flawless character interaction between Matt and Dakota, the art

What Doesn’t:
It pretty darn good!…I dunno

Recommended for:
Bullseye Fans!

Scores:
Story: 5/5
Art:5/5
Final: 5/5

Make sure to pick this issue up at BSI Comics when it hits stands this Wednesday September 24th !

Reviewed by: Ryan Broussard : ryanb1114@yahoo.com

Rating: Excellent!
Title: Runaways #2 : “Dead Wrong” part 2
The Runaways battle a team of Majesdanians out to take down Karolina…

Writer:Terry Moore
Art: Humberto Ramos
Inker: Dave Meikis
Colors: Christina Strain
Letters: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Art: Humberto Ramos
Editor: Nick Lowe
Asst. Editor: Daniel Ketchum
Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Marvel Comics: Dan Buckley

I can not speak for the majority of the Runaways fans out, but I for one have felt like the title has been absent for quite some time. In fact, I would say this title has not been on track since its creators Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona departed the book well over a year ago. Since then fan favorite scribe Joss Whedon took on the kids and unfortunately did not fill Vaughan’s shoes and left the title always being late and incredibly disappointing. Now with yet another re-launch, Liberty Meadows writer Terry Moore joins artist Humberto Ramos to try and get this title back to where it belongs. After an average start with issue one, I am pleased to say the new creative team brought this issue back to the basics and was excellent.

In issue one of this series the team, including new comer Klara, have returned to Los Angeles and have begun to restructure their lives back together. However, the welcome home did not last long as their new home was destroyed by a group of warriors resembling the same powers as Karolina. This issue picks up from there and goes to all out Runaways action. The gang work together and try and find out exactly who these warriors are what they want. Turns out they are the same race as Karolina, Majesdanians, and something very very bad has happened to their planet. The problem is they are blaming Karolina for this tragedy. I really like what Moore is doing here. He is bringing back the idea that these kids are not their parents. This was the core theme of the original run of this title and it has been missing. I feel like Moore is bringing back that main aspect of this book back to the characters. I also like the development of Karolina and Xavin’s relationship, which was pretty much absent in Whedon’s tenure on the book.

Moore has done his homework on these characters. He is starting to develop the characters more and progress the story that Vaughan set up along time ago. I cannot express what a relief it was to read this issue. I have been a Runways fan for a very long time. For a time it was the number one book on my pull list. I hope that Moore can help it get to that point again.

As far as the art side goes it is a controversial one. Seems like most people either despise Humberto Ramos’ style or completely love it. Luckily for me, I love it. His facial expressions and uses of movement are brilliant. I love the exaggerated mouths and wide eyes on the characters. It makes them look younger, which in fact they are. So many people forget that these characters are children for the most part. Personally I feel like this is some of if not the best work I have seen Ramos put out. His line work and attention to detail is very strong. I see a progression is his work as before every character looked extremely similar and now I do not see that as much.

Overall, I am extremely pleased with this issue. It is the absolute needed and right step to get this book to be great again. If you are a fan of the original Runaways stories under Vaughan, I would very much suggest this book. I know some people are turned off by Ramos, but I am telling you, his fresh and modern style works wonders on these characters.

What Works:
The action, the story, the character developments, the art

What Doesn’t:
I really want more stuff with Nico, but I am sure that is coming

Recommended for:
Fans of Brian K. Vaughan’s Runaways

Scores:
Story: 5/5
Art:5/5
Final: 5/5

Make sure to pick this issue up at BSI Comics when it hits stands this Wednesday September 24th !

We’re beginning to inventory all of our back issues in order to enter them into our database. The problem is that we have well over 100,000 back issues and that’s a lot of data entry. So, in order to have less comics to inventory we are clearing out as much as we can. Here’s the breakdown for the progressive sale:

September 17-19 = 20% off
September 20-23 = 30% off
September 24-26 = 40% off
September 27-30 = 50% off

This sale is only for bagged and boarded back issues and excludes layaway and the twenty five cent comics (they’re cheap already).

Reviewed by: Ryan Broussard : ryanb1114@yahoo.com
Rating: Good and Hilarious
Title: Incredible Hercules #121 : “Love & War” part 1
Hercules runs into the Amazons…
Writer:Greg Pak & Fred Van Lente
Art: Clayton Henry
Colors: Guru eFX
Letters: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover Art: Arthur Suydam
Editor: Mark Paniccia
Asst. Editor: Nathan Cosby
Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Marvel Comics: Dan Buckley

Incredible Hercules has become one of the biggest surprises from Marvel this year. I know when it was announced that Hulk was going to be leaving his own book and the Prince of Power would be taking his place, I know I was not the only one to let out a worrisome groan. However, Greg Pak, now along with Fred Van Lente have really made this book a must have of each month’s pull list.

After wrapping up the previous God Squad arc, which was the best Secret Invasion Tie-In to date, Incredible Hercules is now due for some R&R. This issue involves Herc welcoming the warmth of spring and “love” in his own way. Let’s just say Hercules likes women, he likes them a lot. However, this issue proves that some women are not to be taken lightly: enter the Amazons. So throw in a certain ocean king, one ticked off Ares, and enough references to mythology to make geek giggle with delight, and you have an incredibly fun issue.

Pak and Van Lente have a wonderful sense of comedic timing in this book. It has been there for awhile now but this issue really brought it to the fore front. However they find a way to balance it with more character progression, action, and future set up. I really find myself liking Cho, a character I once despised. He makes for the perfect partner for Hercules and furthermore the perfect counterweight for this book.

Also, I have to say that for me to be such a fan of Hercules now is a credit to these writers. I never ever liked Hercules in the Marvel Universe. If he died, I could have really cared less. But now his character has become one of Marvel’s finest. He is your Average Joe of a guy; loving action, beer, women, and his best bud. I guess the only difference between him and the typical male would be that he is the Prince of Power, the hero of strength and the son of a God. He is a great character, that is the bottom line and I can’t thank Pak and now Van Lente for that enough.

Not only does this start a new story arc for Incredible Hercules, but also marks the debut of new ongoing artist Clayton Henry. Henry, best known for his work on Exiles, makes a great first impression here. Honestly I would say this is the best his work has ever looked. His panel structure is easy to follow and they seriously help move the action along. I think his Hercules looks absolutely perfect. His facial expressions along with the design of his figure are a perfect fit for this book. Henry also displays a talent for making women look both feminine and tough, which will play nicely into this story concerning the Amazons. The art really worked and I could not be happier that Henry is the new artist on Incredible Hercules.

Overall, you really cannot ask for a better on going series from Marvel than this. The characters mesh well together and the stories have been more than entertaining thus far. Pak and Van Lente know these characters and have done their homework on mythology to make this a must have book!

What Works:
The characters, The mythology tie-ins, the Humor, the art, the pacing.

What Doesn’t:
I wish this issue had a bit more Cho and Herc interaction, but it still works!

Recommended for:
New Readers, Herc Fans, anyone that wants to have fun reading a comic book.

Scores:
Story: 4/5
Art:4.5/5
Final: 4.5/5

Make sure to pick this issue up at BSI Comics when it hits stands this Wednesday!

With Gustav gone, the Showcase gang is still scattered to the four winds, and it will be a few weeks before Blake and Chase can get together to record again. In the meantime, Blake brings you this hiatus mini-episode to tell you how all of your favorite geeks made out during the storm… and just so there’s some comic book content, Blake talks about the comics he read while he evacuated: Watchmen, Star Wars: Vector, The Alcoholic and The Nearly Complete Essential Hembeck Archives Omnibus. We don’t know when we’ll be back full-time, guys, but we hope it’s soon. In the meantime, e-mail us with your comments, “Ask Chase Anything” questions, or anything else at Showcase@comixtreme.com!

Hiatus Episode One

We’re open again, at 10am Friday, Sept. 5. We’re hoping to get a new book shipment Friday, but won’t know for sure until then. Please be aware also that our phones are not working.

Free air conditioning for every customer!

Update:
Last weeks books are scheduled to be in on Monday September 8th and we will be open from Noon-6pm. This weeks books will arrive as scheduled on Wednesday September 10th.