The Avengers vs. X-Men event draws ever closer, and in anticipation of hero vs. hero, Marvel will be releasing episodic breakdowns of some of the event’s big battles. Read the full story

I remember recess being one of the highlights of the day when I was but a mischievous little lad in elementary school. We would run out to the field in a direct line to what we referred to as the “big toy,” and disappear. In our places, the superheroes we loved and adored became reality, battling each other around our “big toy” in clashes of epic proportion that would be spoken of in hushed tones for years to come. There were four of us back then: Shawn, Chris W, Chris L, and me…or Snake Eyes, Batman, Wolverine, and Mr. Fantastic. Invariably, our battles ended in arguments about who would win between our respective heroes. Read the full story

You know, they say that “one” is the loneliest number. What if it’s surround by a plethora of “one”s? (Do you even know what a plethora is?) DC Comics must think that “one” can be…de-lonelyized…so instead of launching one new series, they’ve decided to reboot their entire Universe, starting over 50 titles at issue #1. Speculated on for months, and confirmed today, the DC Universe will reboot in September, starting all of their classic, iconic stories from new beginnings. August 31st marks the final release of the current continuity with the finale of the Flashpoint mini-series, as well as the first release of the rebooted continuity with the premiere of Justice League #1. Read the full story

Episode 000 of Marooners’ Talk is now up. Why did we start off our number at “000?” Because one of our asshole writers thought it would be cool and unique. Now we’re going to have to celebrate our tenth episode during Episode 009, our 50th episode during Episode 049, and our 100th episode during Episode 099. Jackass. Read the full story

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Moments ago, Marvel did a live-streamed press conference announcing a new seven issue series, Fear Itself, starting in April of 2011 with a preview in March 2011, starring Captain America and a few others back in World War II. Brought to life by Matt Fraction, Stuart Immonen, Wade Von Grawbadger, and Laura Martin, this seven-issue series will run $3.99 per issue, except for the larger-than-normal first and last issues. Read the full story

As a fan of Assassin’s Creed, I can’t believe that I had no idea that a comic was coming out. I guess it’s partially due to the fact that I’m waiting impatiently for AC: Brotherhood to come out on November 16th. However, 6 days before that on the 10th, fans of the games can sink their teeth into the first of a new three issue series that takes place in in Russia.

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The good folks over at Warner Bros. Interactive have been kind enough to give us just a couple minutes of the upcoming Wii title.   Read the full story

While browsing one of my favorite time-killer sites, I saw an article that grabbed my immediate attention. I like comic books. I like them even better when they’re cheap, and let me tell you brother, this is cheap. Barnes & Noble is discounting select bargain books by around 80% (some higher, some lower). I purchased Wolverine: Weapon X, Wolverine by Claremont and Miller, and Ultimates 2: Volume 1 for $2.99 each. They have a limited supply of these things, though, and may not be pristine, so if you’re a hardcore collector, these may not be the purchases you are looking for.

To quote Barnes & Noble:

Note: This is a bargain book and quantities are limited.  Bargain books are new but may have slight markings from the publisher and/or stickers showing their discounted price.

I’m perfectly fine that that, personally. All I care about is the 80% savings on two of the best Wolverine trade paperbacks of all time.

Go buy while there’s still time!

-[insert I BUY WHEN I WANNA BUY! here]

Earlier this month I wrote about our experiences from 2010′s Free Comic Book Day.  This year’s FCBD was not my first experience with the event, however.  That distinction belongs to 2009′s FCBD.  Why do I bring this up, you probably aren’t asking yourselves, but I’ll pretend you are as it serves to further my anecdote?  I bring this up because if it were not for 2009′s FCBD, I may not have made a particular purchase last night that I have enjoyed immensely.

Last night, while at our local Borders bookstore, I was reading Grant Morrison’s new Batman and Robin when Lindsey pointed out a trade paperback comic sitting on the shelf directly in front of me called The Stuff of Legend.  I had not noticed it, being deeply ensconced within the story I was reading, but it was the first volume trade paperback of the comic book I had picked up on 2009′s FCBD.  I remember finding the FCBD issue to be fascinating and enchanting, and was very glad to see that more of the story had been released in a convenient trade paperback form.

The toys enter the Dark on the cover of Volume 1.

The Stuff of Legend starts off during World War II, with a boy asleep in bed.  His puppy wakes him by growling and barking at the closet, from which black tendrils are creeping forth.  The tendrils grab the boy and drag him into the closet, slamming the door shut.  At this moment, the toys in the room stir to life, and begin discussing the events.  The Colonel, a toy soldier, determines to rescue the boy from the Boogeyman, the boy’s abductor, and asks for volunteers to enter “The Dark” with him.  While not all are willing at first, a handful of toys gather and enter the closet.  Max the teddy bear, Quackers the toy duck, Jester the jack-in-the-box, Harmony the ballerina, Princess the Indian princess, Percy the piggy-bank, and Scout the puppy join the Colonel in his mission to rescue the boy and return him to his home.  As they enter the closet, they become real, within a real world dominated by the Boogeyman.

I’ve described this to other people as a kind of dark fantasy Toy Story, and I still think that’s one of the best ways to describe it.  The toys live, and they love their Master, the boy.  They go to any length to protect and save the boy, even if it means their own demise.  The writing is wonderful, and the art is amazing.  This is definitely a comic to keep your eyes on.

-[insert FOR FRODO! here]

Tony Stark is such a badass. When you think about it, he has everything people want. Fame, fortune, intelligence, good looks, a way with the ladies, and he is a fucking superhero.

I loved the original Iron Man movie, and while I was sure I’d love the sequel, I still had some reservations. Chris and I love going to midnight premieres, so it wasn’t even a question if we would be attending the one for Iron Man 2. Armed with our Iron Man and War Machine cups from 7-11, and my purse filled to the brim with bottled water and candy from Target, we waited in line for what felt like an eternity.

We live in Fresno, California and for the most part it’s OK. For some reason, the freaks and assholes always tend to come out at midnight releases, and more often than not, it’s for a comic book movie. I’d bet every single one of my internal organs that over half of the people standing in line had no prior knowledge of Iron Man other than what they remembered from the previous film. A news crew was out there, filming the idiots of course, and I had to be next to this group of annoying teenagers who felt the need to sing loudly at random moments. It was when we got in to the theater where things started to really get juicy.

About 10 rows in front of us there was a very drunk Canadian man. How do I know he was Canadian? He said so, and I will take his word for it. Plus, I doubt America will want to claim that man as one of our own. Anyways, Drunkers was going through each and every row asking people for a high five, and for those who wouldn’t give it to him, he would point at them and loudly call them out as a “Debbie Downer.” Oh joy. So Chris, a huge germaphobe, and I, an introvert who would rather stay inside than have to deal with the morons that dominate our society, sat there dreading the moment when he would come to our row. When he did, he had to pass by this rather large Hispanic man, and that didn’t go over too well. The guy immediately stood up and got in Drunkers face, pressing his chest up to his like some angered cave man, and it ultimately ended with Drunkers getting shoved a little.

Next was us. Chris told him flat out he wasn’t touching his hand, and I didn’t even look at him although I did have it in me to flip him off. Drunkers would quickly find out that he was about to be engaged in a Round 2, but with a group of buff, highly aggressive black males. Every single one of them got in his face, and I don’t think Drunkers realized that he was in a poor location to fight – right on the stairs. Getting shoved for the second time, and it being much more forceful this time around, Drunkers stumbled backwards a few steps, but that was the end of it. **PHEW**

Once the actual movie started, we didn’t have to deal with many disturbances. The movie opened with Tony having to deal with the government telling him that he needs to hand over the “Iron Man weapon,” and if you know anything about Tony Stark, you know he won’t go down easily (That’s what she said! -Sneaky Edit from Chris). Without giving too much of the plot away, I will say that I enjoyed it. Robert Downey Jr. is Tony Stark, and he did another amazing job portraying him. Going into the movie, I was very skeptical about Don Cheadle playing James Rhodes aka War Machine, and I was pleasantly surprised. Not once did I think about Terrence Howard, or how he would’ve done a scene different. I did enjoy him in the original Iron Man, but I didn’t feel like his presence was missed this time around.

I was also worried about Mickey Rourke as Whiplash. Now, when I say that, it’s not because of Rourke and his capability as an actor because he is a very talented man. It’s because of what I had seen in the trailers. I don’t find a man with whips to be scary, but when I had the chance to find out more about him as a person in the film, it clicked. I loved how there were times you could see exactly what was going on in his head, his true motivation, and just how determined he was to take down Tony. Off the top of my head, the only thing I can say I felt was a bit of a let down was Nick Fury. I wanted Sammy L to bust out a line having ‘mother fucker’ peppered in, just once. JUST ONCE! Other than that, I thought he did a good job as Fury, and his performance was one I was looking forward to going in. I could talk about Scarlett Johansen, but all I have to say is this: boobs. BAM… done.

If somebody asked me what a favorite scene would be, I’d have to go with Tony during his birthday party. He has a huge bash at his house, and while going through a bit of a personal crisis, he decides to live it up. Incredibly drunk, and in the Iron Man suit, he does a little fake DJ bit (with the late DJ AM behind the turntables), and starts shaking his thing. I laughed so hard because I know that if it were my birthday, if I drank, and if I had an Iron Man suit, I would totally do the same thing! I bet you all would too! Mentioning that scene also makes me need to bring this up – the soundtrack. Iron Man 2 has such a kick ass soundtrack, and here is why: a couple of tunes by The Clash, Queen, 2pac & Dr Dre’s California Love, and Daft Punk’s Robot Rock. Obviously there are more songs in the movie, but the ones I listed are the only important ones

All in all, the movie was fantastic, and the special effects were top notch. I’d love to go and see it again, I think everybody should go and see it, and I’m so thankful for Jon Favreau because Iron Man is one of the rare comic book movies out there that isn’t shit. Favreau let it out in a recent interview that for the villain in Iron Man 3, he wants to do The Mandarin, and I can’t wait.

(btw… I highly suggest you stay for after the credits, and that’s all I am going to say)