Just got back from "New Moon"...

PSYCH!!!!


But howz 'bout this FULL MOON. (A straggler from Halloween!!!)


I did, however, just read Marvel Comic's "Dark Reign: The List - The Punisher" (One-shot) by Rick Remender with art by Marvel legend, John Romita, Jr. This book is pretty fuckin' cool. I've been really impressed with writer Rick Remender's output as of late. I started out checkin' out his "Fear Agent" stuff (First out on Image Comics, then Dark Horse.), mainly because of the art of Jerome Opeña (Another former classmate of mine who is currently kickin' much villain ass on Marvel's "Vengeance Of Moon Knight" book, and also worked with Remender on first arc of the new "Punisher" monthly book.), but have slowly started to develop a real liking towards Remender's writing. He gives his books an immediate sense of grandeur, throwing characters like Frank Castle, who usually works better in a more realistic setting (As is the case with the Marvel MAX Punisher books), into huge and hairy (Like my sack. Sorry. Uncalled for, I know.) big budget, Michael Bay-type action spectacles without sacrificing strong characters and dialogue . "Dark Reign: The List - The Punisher" is no exception. This is just one in a series of "one-shot" books chronicling the former Green Goblin, now Iron Patriot, Norman Osborne's attempt to cross off the items of his titular 'list' (Other things on the agenda? Immobilize the Hulk. Kill Daredevil. Kill Spider-Man. See a pattern?).

"Killer" page from 'Dark Reign: The List - The Punisher'. Art by John Romita, Jr.

This book pits The Punisher against Osborn's H.A.M.M.E.R. forces and inevitably Daken, the son of Wolverine (And Wolverine on Osborn's [Dark] Avengers team). It is essentially one big ass action scene that plays out over the course of the entire issue. Frank and Daken really go at it, no holds-barred (And in the rain, no less! Again. Classic stuff.). It is brutal, violent stuff. And the ending? Surprising to be sure. Knocked my head right off. (I won't spoil it 'cause I know some of you are going to read it. Unless... I might have already... ?) This is one heck of a read. Peep it!


Tales From The Shuffle - (From 11/20/09):


1. "In Her Waist" - Gregory Issacs - Classic Roots Reggae!


2. "Goodbye Stranger" - Supertramp - "Goodbye Mary. Goodbye Jane. Will we ever meet again...". Mine is off of the "Magnolia" soundtrack. I remember this song from when I was lil'. I'm sure it's in my dad's record collection somewhere. Now it just reminds of "Quiz Kid" Donnie Smith (William H. Macy) from the flick. Good soundtrack, by the by. It's mostly Aimee Mann songs with this song, Gabrielle's "Dreams Do Come True" and "Magnolia", an instrumental piece from Jon Brion (Who would later do the fantastic score for P.T. Anderson's follow up to "Magnolia", "Punch Drunk Love".).


3. "Empty" - The Cranberries - Haunting-ass track. I wanted to end it all (j/k) as soon as I heard it. From their second album, "No Need To Argue".

"Live Box" Cover (5 Disc Set)
"Live Box: 'Homogenic'" Cover

4. "Come To Me" (Live) - Björk - This is one of my absolute favorite (and one of the most overlooked) off of her first album, "Debut". This awsome live version is off of the "Live Box" set. This boxed set is cool because it takes Björk's first four albums and presents live versions of the tracks from those albums. Sometimes the discs tend to mix it up a lil' bit (as "Come To Me" is from "Debut" but is featured on the "Homogenic" disc of the boxed set.). Either way, this version is bad-ass. With it's heavy use of strings, it offers a great alternative version to the original. I recommend checking it out both.


5. "Cowboys" (Live) - Portishead - These kick ass. I love me some 'P'. This is from the "Live From The Roseland, NYC" album (Which features tracks from there first two albums, "Dummy" &"Portishead". This song is from the latter.). They are backed by a full effin' orchestra. Live albums arent' usually all they're cracked up to be. This (Along with the previously mentioned Björk "Live Box") is one of the exceptions.

Art Gallery: "The Tracker". Another ballpoint pen piece. I likey. One day, I'd like to color all of the ballpoint series digitally. I like the texture and values you can get with the ballpoint. (Wish you could see the original. The lil' nuances of the lines are more visible.) And it was just fun putting this 'ol' school' dude in an urban setting.

Have a good "rest" o' the weekend.

B


"Click" for a bigger at this "kimosabe"...