Brave New Worlds

Free Comic Book Day is tomorrow. Both Brave New Worlds locations have all sorts of stuff going on all day long and we had better see all of you at one of them! Free comics…who doesn’t love that kinda stuff!?! Here’s a lack luster group of links.

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Click here for a preview of some of the books that will be available on Free Comic Book Day (psst it’s Saturday! this Saturday!)…

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Saturday is Free Comic Book Day and we at Brave New Worlds couldn’t be more excited to have some great comics pros in store(s) with us throughout the day!

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After back-to-back weeks of reviewing some quality titles by the newest addition to the Mouse Empire, this week proves the third time is not always the charm.  Not that I am looking to be too critical, but Invincible Iron Man Volume 3, #37 by Frank Tieri, Alitha Martinez and Rob Hunter just did absolutely nothing for me.

This story takes place about three years after Heroes Reborn. Tieri told the story through a Tony Stark narration, which for me was very clunky.  The dialogue felt like it was out of a 1960s or 70s issue.  So if Tieri wanted to channel his inner Stan Lee, mission accomplished.

There were some interesting moments in this issue, including Tony Stark working on a teleportation device for his Iron Man armor.  However, the story actually dropped or forgot its opening hook as it opens with Stark in the middle of a gunfight.  It’s at this moment he finds his inner monologue and decided to explain how he found himself in his present predicament.  Thing is, it is never referred to again.

The issue introduces an old friend of Tony’s that comes back to the roost and it is so obvious that the problems with his current girlfriend are going to come back to his old buddy.  Speaking of girlfriends, Pepper and Happy have a nice tender moment, although Martinez draws her in a very un-Pepper like way.

Overall I found the issue very lacking and it reminded me of why I stopped reading comics for a little bit in the mid-90s.  The surprising thing is, there was some good stuff in my opinion that came out of the Heroes Return titles, including Fantastic Four (granted I do look at the world through Reed Richards glasses).  Until next time …

Chapter five of X-Men Second Coming (X-Force #26) hit the shelves this week and it was Craig Kyle and Chris Yost’s turn to write a part of the story that returns Cable and Hope to the Marvel Universe.

First, prepare yourself for the ultimate sacrifice on the part of a longtime member of the X-Men, who gives their life to protect Hope from Bastion’s forces.  This issue of Second Coming was just as entertaining as the previous four chapters, and continues to push the story forward towards it ultimate endgame.

Mike Choi provides the art for a story that jumps between Utopia, Bastion’s base of operations, Indianapolis (where Wolverine and his squad provide a diversion), the New Mutants and of course Hope.  If you have not given Second Coming a chance yet, jump on the bandwagon now, you will not be disappointed.

Matt Fraction’s Invincible Iron Man #25 dropped this week and was one I was looking forward to after the end of Stark Disassembled.  It is really interesting to see how Tony Stark is handling everything with the huge blank spots in his memory and how he plans to build back his empire and his suit.  I was not disappointed as Fraction has really found a nuanced approach to such a bombastic character.

Salvador Larroca’s pencils are top notch once again in an issue which ultimately is a great jumping on point for anyone who is looking to see what all the buzz is about on Fraction’s run, or just caught Iron Man 2 and is “hooked.”

Last but not least this week is Dark Horse Comics The Guild #2 be Felicia Day.  If you are a fan of her web-episodes on her website, this comic is for you as it provides a nice backstory on mainly her character of Syd, but of how her entire Guild came to be, and why she is absorbed in this virtual world.

While we know Day knows how to tell a tale, its nice to see those skills translate to the funny pages.  If you have yet to check out her online series, which is free, now is a great time to jump on board.

Last week I just gave you a list of what I thought looked awesome. This week I return to formula and have chosen 2 Books I Wanna Read Tomorrow

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Follow this link to peep a little video from the local Fox affiliate Fox 29 featuring BNW Old City’s own Rob promoting Free Comic Book Day last year! It seems like that was just yesterday…except it was almost a year ago! Free Comic Book Day is this Saturday May 1st and both Brave New Worlds Comic shops are participating! Click here to get the skinny on what we have planned! And be sure to stop by either location on Saturday starting @ 11am!

Rob on tv last year!

Free Comic Book Day 2010 is almost here – Saturday, May 1.  So the real question is, which Brave New Worlds location are you planning on attending for the day’s festivities?

Brave New Worlds Willow Grove

Marvel Comics artist Billy Tan (Thor) and Marvel Comics writer Duane Swierczynski (Cable, Iron Fist) will both be signing autographs from 1-3 p.m.

But wait, there’s more – the  Zenescope Comics’ 2009 Girl of the Year and Runner-Up will both be in attendance dressed as DC Comics Zatanna and Marvel Comics Black Cat, respectively.

Plus, Brave New Worlds Willow Grove will also be hosting Warhammer 40k, Dungeons & Dragons and (Just Announced) HeroClix demonstrations during the day.

And of course, we will also have a select group of free comic books available as well.

Brave New Worlds Old City

501st Star Wars Legion of Stormtroopers (Brave New Worlds sadly has to announce that word has come down from the Galactic Empire’s Offices on Coruscant that the 501st will not be deployed on saturday due to increased Rebel hostiles/sympathizers in the sector of Old City but will be moved to the Death Star II orbiting the planet Endor for hopefully safer conditions for the weekend. We wish them well and send them off with high hopes for safety and a relaxing time on the space station…)

Spider-Man and the 8′ Zombie Hulk (cos-play that you gotta see!)will be appearing though out the day with local artists groups doing sketches and now just announced the Broadzilla DJs will be spinning all sorts of tunes all afternoon long! Free Comic Book Day in Old City is gonna be hoppin’!

Because you demanded it (you know who you are), Brave New Worlds Willow Grove’s next book club discussion will be on the second seminal crisis event that shook the foundations of the DC Universe.

Brad Meltzer’s acclaimed Identity Crisis is next on the docket for the Brave New Worlds Willow Grove Book Discussion on Saturday, May 15 at 7 p.m.

Identity Crisis also marks the first of two monthly discussions at Brave New Worlds Willow Grove beginning now through the end of summer.

Each month the Willow Grove-ites will discuss one mainstream superhero classic  (such as Identity Crisis) and then wrap up the month with its usual independent selection – which for May will by Craig Thompson’s Blankets on Saturday, May 30 at 7 p.m.

Blankets was the winner of the Eisner, Harvey and Ignatz Awards Best Graphic Novel and Best Cartoonist.  Blankets is a tale that takes place in the frozen tundra of a Wisconsin winter, exploring the rivalry between two brothers growing up in what felt like Siberia.  It’s also a coming of age romance for two young lovers, in a tale that features self-discovery, tragedy and fall from grace.

If you have yet to participate, now you have two chances a month to stop by and talk comics with people just like you (scary, isn’t it?).

And coming up for June Darwyn Cooke’s New Frontier, volumes one and two!

From time to time someone at Marvel loses their mind and gives us the opportunity to give you great deals on some kick-ass trades and hardcovers (sorry guys not THE KICK-ASS hardcover)! Hit the jump to see what we’ve got to offer now! Read the rest of this entry »