Nicol Bolas, the main planeswalker (interdimensional mage), in Magic: The Gathering has been revealed as a card in the new expansion, Conflux, which comes out in three weeks, according to MTGSalvation.com.
Planeswalker - Bolas
+3: Destroy target noncreature permanent.
-2: Gain control of target creature.
-9: Nicol Bolas, Planeswalker deals 7 damage to target player. That player discards seven cards, then sacrifices seven permanents.
5
From Zero To Zero
Avengers: The Initiative was a very promising series. Even during the crossover World War Hulk, the story stayed confined to the main characters, young kids in training to be full-blown Avengers. But now the series fluctuates its attention every panel or so, and there has been really no main focus other than the derailment caused by the Secret Invasion crossover, where new characters were introduced and given far too much attention.
The one mystery that was still interesting and present was that of Mutant Zero, the unknown mutant who was on a black ops hero team. Now, originally we were teased with the notion that this was a former main X-Man, one that non-comic people would recognize. But in the recent issue (#20) of Initiative, Mutant Zero was revealed to be Typhoid Mary, a Daredevil villain. That is pretty weak, mainly because the title is already saturated with B to Z list characters.
I love Marvel because there are so many characters, but that’s its biggest weakness, too. With so much “having” to be addressed, any sort of narrative is tossed to the wind. I expect that from mainstream comics, but not from individual series. When I can’t have more than 6 issues of consistent story and characters, I wonder why am I even reading these sorts of comics. I’m wondering that now.
Thom Zahler, the writer and illustrator of Love and Capes, is one of the fine gentlemen I had the pleasure of meeting at the 2008 San Diego Comic Con. His series is a romantic comedy that plays on romance and super hero conventions, blending the two together into a funny, intelligent comic series that honors and pokes at the genres it replicates.
Today a contest was announced in a press release from Mr. Zahler:
“Valentine’s Day is coming up, and since I write comicdom’s most romantic superhero book, I figure I ought to do something to celebrate. So I am. I’m doing a giveaway.
Love and Capes is the perfect Valentine’s Day present for the comics fan, or someone you want to introduce to comics. No Valentine? Enter the contest and maybe Love and Capes will help you win over that special someone.
* You and your valentine could win:
* All nine issues of Love and Capes, signed by the author
* Two matching Love and Capes t-shirts
* A set of Love and Capes pins
* A box of Ghirardelli chocolates. (No endorsement implied. They’re my chocolate of choice, and I think you’ll like them too.)
* Your name in the Free Comic Book Day 2009 issue of Love and Capes.
No purchase necessary. Winner will be chosen by random drawing on February 2nd, 2009. Winner will be notified and prizes will be sent immediately thereafter.
You can sign up at http://www.loveandcapes.com”
I highly encourage new comic readers to check out this series for several reasons. First off, this series is not based on pre-existing characters. You will discover these heroes and the supporting cast without needing to worry about back issues and continuity. However, the series does play on comic conventions, things that are symptomatic to comics you could soon read. Comedywise, this is a great critique of the super hero formula and can allow a new reader easy access to what usually seems like a monster industry.
But don’t take my word for it, click the link to see what it’s about!
Is This The End?
All semester has been leading up to this! Mac Guffin, She, Dextar, the Tooth Fairy and all your favorite Hot & Cold characters come back together for these last two weeks in the epic battle between Hell and the North Pole. And this conflict is not without casualties…
Cape Strikes Back
Cape is still a little bitter that Hot and Cold replaced his strip, Cape & Cowl, so he embarks on his quest to prove he is the best stripper ever. Cowl should keep him in check. Hmmm, I wonder where she is?
Hot & Cold © Matt Knicl 2008
The Plot Waters Down
This was a random week. The World of Warcraft expansion, Wrath of the Lich King was drawing close so I didn’t care about much else. Luckily now I have quit the game cold turkey for over a month or so, and looking back I feel foolish that I thought that game was important or even that great. So these first two strips I am greatly ashamed of, while the other three focus on Hot & Cold characters Elf, Mac Guffin, Dextar and the Tooth Fairy.
Hot & Cold © Matt Knicl 2008
I’m surprised there hasn’t been an SNL or Robot Chicken sketch about this yet - the connection in names between the old Cartoon Network show Dexter’s Laboratory and the new Showtime series based on the novels, Dexter. Dexter’s Laboratory is about a boy genius who has a secret lab under his house where crazy science ensues, whereas Dexter is an adult drama about a serial killer who graphically kills other serial killers.
So I made the comparison, made it again, then integrated Dextar, Boy Serial Killer into the Hot & Cold mythos. He does play a very important role in the story…
Hot & Cold © Matt Knicl 2008
I’ve been doing a poor job updating consistently. I admit it, real world jobs and the holidays trumped my posts, and I apologize to you, the three fans that read this site. One of the things that I haven’t done well is put my comic strip, Hot & Cold, up for all to see. So I’m going to catch everyone up to speed!
After the controversial yet hysterical “That’s What She Said” two week arc, I decided to take the strip into a cliché detective Sin City parody staring Mac Guffin, a fish PI. And the last strip… who is that? It looks like a cherished childhood cartoon character, but with a modernly wicked twist! And trust me, this does relate back to Hot, Cold, and the brewing conflict between Hell and the North Pole!
Hot & Cold © Matt Knicl 2008
My name is Matt Knicl. I'm a U of I alumn and one of those unemployed English majors Garrison Keillor likes to make fun of. I've been reading comics since high school and one day I would like to write them. My goal is to expose readers to what is out there in the world of comics and using my English powers, show what is worth reading or not. I can be reached at buzz.comics@gmail.com.
