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ComicsJim

CM Podcast 298 – Top 10 (1999 comic miniseries) Part 2 of 2

Welcome back to the 2nd part of the Top 10 comic review. This comic originally came out in 1999 as an Image comic. It was printed under Alan Moore’s imprint of America’s Best Comics. The writer was Alan Moore with Gene Ha and Zandar Cannon providing the artwork.

In part 2, I wanted to explore the themes of some of the storylines rather than just talk about the story itself. This comic can be quite humorist both visually and the jokes that are used. Gene Ha and Zander Cannon pack each page with dozens of comic book easter eggs that a long time fans will love. Moore also lays out a dozen jokes and funny situations for readers to enjoy.

There are also many dramatic and humanistic moments in the comic. I outline a few but this is just touching the surface of what the miniseries offers.

This was a favorite of mine 20 years ago and I had a blast re-reading again for this podcast. I left this review mostly spoiler free so that you can grab a copy of it and enjoy the 2 main plot twists.

Jim

Comics Misremembered.com Podcast 298

ComicsJim

CMPodcast 297 – Top 10 (1999 comic miniseries) Part 1 of 2

I start the podcast by letting everyone know that Jon Babcock, co-founder of the Comics Misremembered Podcast, has passed away on Monday January 25th 2021. He succumbed to his 4 month battle with cancer and he will be missed.

Here is a picture of Jon with Daisy, the comics misremembered dog.

I wanted to give everyone a brief history of what happened to Jon. His sudden death was a shock to everyone especially me. He helped me created the Comics Misremembered Podcast and his presence will be missed on the show but I plan on continuing the podcast for the foreseeable future.

This week is the beginning of a 2 part podcast on the comic miniseries Top 10. It is a police procedural comic where everyone one in the comic has superpowers of some kind. It was written by Alan Moore with art by Gene Ha and Zander Cannon. It was published in September 1999 by Image Comics under Alan Moore’s imprint America’s Best Comics (ABC).

I talk about the history of how DC now owns part of the rights to this comic and how that must piss Alan Moore off and may be the reason he no longer works in the comic industry.

I compare this comic to a popular 1980s Police Procedural TV show called Hill Street Blues and why you may want to check that show out. The early 2000s were also a popular time for comics that featured superheroes working as cops and I give a few examples.

We then get into talking about the story and how Robyn Slinger AKA Toybox (girl featured in the center of the above image) starts her new career as rookie on the Top 10 police force. She meets her new partner, Smax (left in above image) and gets her first case. This comic mixes crime drama with the humor of everyday life and features the fine detailed art of Gene Ha with help by Zander Cannon.

Here is an example of Gene Ha’s art work. This is just one panel on one page and it is filled with detail and hidden references which is part of the fun of reading this comic.

I only just get started in talking about the other police officers we meet in the series and the first big case of Robyn Slinger. I will continue this exploration of Top 10 in next week’s CM Podcast.

Jim

Comics Misremembered Podcast 297

ComicsJim

CM Podcast 291 – Reckless (Comic OGN 2020)

Taken from the Image Comics website:

Sex, drugs, and murder in 1980s Los Angeles, and the best new twist on paperback pulp heroes since The Punisher or Jack Reacher.

ED BRUBAKER and SEAN PHILLIPS, the modern masters of crime noir, bring us the last thing anyone expected from them—a good guy. A bold new series of original graphic novels, with three books releasing over the next year, each a full-length story that stands on its own.

Meet Ethan Reckless: Your trouble is his business, for the right price. But when a fugitive from his radical student days reaches out for help, Ethan must face the only thing he fears…his own past.

I purchased Reckless this past Wednesday and devoured it like a dog with a t-bone steak. Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips (with Jacob Phillips on colors) put out another fantastic read set in the Criminal Universe.

With help from my long time friend, Hector (who never reads comics), I give a spoiler free review to try can convince Hector that he should consider picking up this comic. I get Hector to judge a book by it’s cover – he looks at the above cover art and tells me what he believes will be in the comic.

Also in the podcast, I explain the connection between Folk singer, Bob Dylan, The Weather Underground – a 60s and 70s domestic terrorist group, Nuclear Existential Dread and The A-Team have to do with this comic.

Comic Misremembered Podcast 291

ComicsJim

CM Podcast 276 – Pulp (2020 comic)

This week we are talking about an original graphic novel that came out about a month ago that is part western and part crime drama. It is called Pulp.

This fantastic story was written by Ed Brubaker with art by Sean Phillips and coloring by Jacob Phillips. It was published by Image comics.

Here is the description from the Image website:

Max Winters, a pulp writer in 1930s New York, finds himself drawn into a story not unlike the tales he churns out at five cents a word—tales of a Wild West outlaw dispensing justice with a six-gun. But will Max be able to do the same when pursued by bank robbers, Nazi spies, and enemies from his past?One part thriller, one part meditation on a life of violence, PULP is unlike anything award-winning BRUBAKER & PHILLIPS have ever done before.

cover of Pulp

Jon and I really liked this story and we talk about it and other themes like: living through the Turn-Of-The-Century – witness the world change from riding on horses to riding in cars. Comic creators and their rights on the characters that they create – we go over some real comic history, and finally the rise of fascism in America – in the 1930s, some Americans thought Hitler was a great leader. How could so many people be so wrong?

Some spoilers in the podcast but we recommend you go buy the comic and come back to listen to the podcast.

Jim

Comics Misremembered Podcast 276

ComicsJim

CM Podcast 270 – The Old Guard (2020 Netflix movie review)

We are covering a comic related item this week – the recently released Netflix movie called The Old Guard.

This is based on a comic series written by Greg Rucka and art by Leandro Fernandez. It is published by Image comics. In fact, Greg Rucka wrote the script for the movie.

We normally like to read the comic that the movie is based on and then do a comparison of the movie to the comic to see if it is true to the source material or does it stray… *cough*Last Days of American Crime*cough*.

Unfortunately, we could not get a copy of the 1st trade paperback – it was sold out everywhere I looked. We will still try to pick it up and do a review of it later. For this review, we focus on the movie.

Jon and I did not read the original comic so all our knowledge about Old Guard comes from the movie. We talk about the story and the world building it does to explain how The Old Guard comes into existence and operates in the world. We both give our final opinion at the end of the podcast. The movie has been getting good to excellent reviews on Rotten Tomatoes. Do we feel the same way? Listen to find out.

As always – SPOILERS are in the podcast so watch the movie and come back to dissect it with us.

Jim

Comics Misremembered Podcast 270

ComicsJim

CM Podcast 263 – The Last Days of American Crime (2007 comic and 2020 movie)

Another week and we have another vision of a dystopian future in the 2007 comic The Last Days of American Crime. It is written by Rick Remender with art by Greg Tocchini and was originally published in 2007 as a 3 issue miniseries from Image Comics. This creative team has given us great stories like LOW and Uncanny X-Force. They come with the good stuff in this near future bank heist comic with a twist: the crew has to rob the bank the same day the government starts broadcasting a “anti-crime” signal which “makes it impossible for anyone to knowingly break the law in any way possible”.

art from Greg Tocchini starting in the upper left “Cover to TPB (1), The end is the beginning (2), Infamous Diesel Scene (3) and infamous girl’s bathroom scene (4).”

The story begins with our main character, Graham Bricke (which is a combination of 2 units of measurement of drugs: Gram and Brick) finding out that one of the dafecracker in his crew has ratted him out to a rival mob. He deals with the problem but several new problems have bubbled up: he needs to find a new safecracker and he only has a week to do it before the American Peace Initiative renders all crime in America obsolete.

The Last Days of Crime in America tells a fast, tight heist story that is full of twists and turns that you don’t know who to trust by the end. It reminded Jon and myself of great heist movies like Thief, Ronin and The Grifters. We highly recommend the comic.

The reason we read the comic was that a movie version was recently released on Netflix. Here is the trailer…

We compare the comic to it’s movie counterpart. Listen to the podcast for the details.

Jim

Comics Misremembered Podcast 263

ComicsJim

CM Podcast 230 – The Walking Dead Season 10 Premier

It is October, time for playoff baseball, Halloween decorations to be in stores and another season of The Walking Dead on AMC.

The Season 10 premier was on October 6th and normally, we would do a review podcast on the premier episode a week later but since the Joker movie came out the same time, we decided to wait a week and review 2 episodes!

In episode 1, the show stars with several members of the Alexandria coalition on the beach of Oceanside using shields and spears to fight walkers. Could they be training for something else…

“I am Fartacus! Just kidding, guys. Let’s kill some walkers.”

There was also a satellite that came crashing down into the woods on the Whisperers side of the border. The Coalition decided that it was more important to break the truce and cross the boarder to put out the fire than maintain detente. Will Eugene be able to use that satellite for anything? Jon has some theories.

In episode 2, we learn the origin of Alpha and Beta. It is the beginnings of the Whisperers and how they form their dogma. Jon goes over his theory of the difference of having a name, no name and a Greco-Roman name in the Whisperers culture.

We end the podcast on a feature that has become very popular on the CM Podcast – Jim Spoils the Season segment.

That’s right, I will spoil the rest of the season for you – well just up to the mid-season finale. How do I do this? The show follows the story line from the comic. The comic is about 4 years ahead of the show. I have read the comic but Jon has not. I make some guesses based on the comic and we will review how accurate I was at the mid-season finale.

Here is a page from the comic that I reference in the podcast…

Oh, that Negan. He should write inspirational posters that have kittens on them. I also explain who the young boy is on this page. Will he make an appearance on the show? Maybe…

Thanks for listening and we will see you in seven.

Jim

Comics Misremembered Podcast 230

ComicsJim

CM Podcast 201 – New Comic Review

We haven’t done a new comic review in a while and some great comics have come out recently so we wanted to go over 4 that we think you should be reading.

The review rundown is like this:

Review #1 – by Jon

The Wonder Twins #1 and #2

Written by Mark Russell

Art by Stephen Byrne

Published by DC under the Wonder Comics Imprint.

Review # 2 – By Jim

Dial H for Hero #1

Written by Sam Humphries

Art by Joe Quinones

Published by DC under the Wonder Comics Imprint

Review # 3 – By Jon

The Dreaming #1 – 4

Written by Simon Spurrier

Art by Bilquis Evely

Published by DC under the Vertigo Imprint

Review # 4 – by Jim

Little Bird #1

Written by Darcy Van Poelgeest

Art by Ian Beltram

Published by Image Comics

We highly recommend that you purchase all 4 of these titles. Listen to the podcast for details as to why they are worth adding to your pull list.

Your comics pal,

Jim

Comics Misremembered Podcast 201


ComicsJim

CM Podcast 192 – New Comic Review

There are new titles coming out every month so Jon and I are taking some time in 2019 to tell you about a few of them. We will be reviewing 4 new books that came out between December 2018 – January 2019.

I do 2 reviews and Jon does 2 reviews. I thought we enjoyed all 4 books but Jon surprised me and slipped in a last minute replacement of a book he bought and did not enjoy. This week it’s 3 recommendations and a pass.

I will list the books in the order of the reviews and who is doing the review:

Review #1 – Jon (recommendation)

Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1 and 2

  • Writer: Tom Taylor
  • Artist: Juan Cabal
  • Publisher: Marvel

Review #2 – Jim (Recommendation)

The Warning #1 – 3

  • Writer and Artist: Edward Laroche
  • Publisher: Image Comics

Review #3 – Jon (pass)

X-Men: The Exterminated (one shot)

  • Writers: Chris Claremont, Lonnie Nadler and Zac Thompson
  • Artists: Neil Edwards, Ramon Rosanas
  • Publisher: Marvel

Review #4 – Jim (recommendation)

Marvel Comics Presents #1

  • Writers: Charles Soule, Greg Pak and Ann Nocenti
  • Artists: Paulo Siqueira, Tomm Coker and Frederico Blee
  • Publisher: Marvel

Please listen to the podcast to see why we recommend (and pass) on these new comics. Go to your local comic shop (or online) and check them out now!

Your comics pal,

Jim

Comics Misremembered Podcast 192


ComicsJim

CM Podcast 185 – New Comics Review

We have another fantastic new comics review round up for you this week.  There are literally dozens of new series that have started between November and December.  Jon and I have culled the wheat from the chaff to bring you 4 great books that you should be reading right now!

Here is the order of the comics and which one of us is doing the review…

Review 1 – Jon

Prodigy #1

Writer   Mark Miller  and Artist  Rafael Albuquerque

Image comics


Review 2 – Jim

Electric Warriors #1

Writer  Steve Orlando  Artist  Travel Foreman

DC Comics


Review 3 – Jon

Middlewest #1

Writer  Scottie Young   Artist Jorge Corona

Image Comics


Review 4 – Jim

Bitter Root #1

Writer  David F. Waller and Chuck Brown   Artist  Sanford Green

Image Comics


4 great review for 4 great books.  Listen to the podcast and see why you should go out and purchase these comics!

Your comics pal.

Jim

Comics Misremembered Podcast 185


ComicsJim

CM Podcast 181 – My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies

If you happen to be down at the beach and there is a spacey blonde staring off into the distant horizon, you don’t ask her if she is okay.  You keep moving and mind your business.  You’ll do this if you know what’s good for you and you’ll especially do this if you are a character in a Ed Brubaker Criminal story.

My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies is the latest story from writer Ed Brubaker and artist Sean Phillips in their Criminal anthology series.  Unlike their other series, it is a hardcover novella instead of the traditional 4 to 5 issue miniseries.  The books are published through Image Comics.

MHHABJ

This story focuses on young Ellie and her time spent in a high class rehab center.  She tells us of her past problems with addiction which stem form her mother’s struggles with drugs.  She is draw to people with addiction problems and that explains why she listens to a lot of music where the lead singer has died of drug overdoses (and also explains the title).

While in rehab, she must attend ‘group sessions’ – a sharing therapy session where other addicts share their problems in a sitting circle.  While in a group session, Ellie shares her thoughts on drugs…

MyHeroes01

As you can see, Ellie is not having a great time at rehab but she did meet a nice boy and maybe they can have some fun together.

My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies is a great read.  The story and art are top notch.  Jon and I go over the story by we don’t spoil it.  Listen to the podcast and if you are looking for something more than superheroes in comics, we recommend picking this comic up.

You comics pal,

Jim

Comics Misremembered Podcast 181

ComicsJim

CM Podcast 177 – The Walking Dead Season 9 Premiere

It’s 10/13/2018 – Happy Walking Dead Day!

TWD_Season_09

I apologize in advance for this week’s recording.  Jon and I both have head colds and we feel like we are the walking dead right now.  We did not want to wait a week to talk about this so please bare with us.

Jon and I have watched the premiere of Season 9 of the Walking Dead and we go over the show.  There have been many changes since the end of season 8: Negan is no longer in control of the Saviors.  Rick and the Survivors have taken control of Sanctuary and it, as well as the other communities, have started to produce their own crops and thrive.  This is just a start of the new society that Rick wants to make by there are many hurdles that they will still have to overcome.

We go over some plot points and speculate on the future of this season.

***SPOILER ALERT!!!***

And we wrap the podcast up with our Complete Season Spoiler Review for Season 9 up until the mid-season finale.  We do this by giving plot points from the comic and take guesses on if it will be used in the show.  We have been doing this for a few years now and the predictions have been pretty accurate so far.

We’ll be back to talk about the rest of the season at the end of the mid-season finale.

Your comics pal.

Jim

Comics Misremembered Podcast 177

 

ComicsJim

CM Podcast 167 – New Comics Review

Welcome back to another new comics review podcast.

There have been dozens of new titles that have come out and we picked 4 of the best to discuss.  Here is the order and comics we will be going over this week:

1.The Weatherman by Image Comics

WM01

  • Story by Jody Leheup
  • Art by Nathan Fox

2. Spider-Man by Marvel

spider_man01_2018

  • Story by Nick Spencer
  • Art by Ryan Ottley and Humberto Ramos

3. Blackwood by Dark Horse Comics

blackwood02

  • Story by Evan Dorkin
  • Art by Veronica and Andy Fish

4. Iron Man by Marvel

ironman01_2018

  • Story by Dan Slott
  • Art by Valerio Schiti

Jon reviews the 2 Marvel books and I review the 2 independent books.  We recommend you pick up all 4 books and we will give you multiple reasons why in the podcast!

Your Comics Pal,

Jim

Comics Misremembered Podcast 167

 

 

ComicsJim

CM Podcast 143 – The Realm

In the near future, there will be a cataclysmic event that will merge our world with one of fantasy.  The outcome will leave the world in shambles.  Civilizations will fall and humanity will be left to pick up the pieces and start over again…while being persecuted by Orcs…and a whiny wizard.  This is the world of…The Realm.

Jon and I will be reviewing the new fantasy/post apocalyptic comic series by co-creators Seth M. Peck (writer) and Jeremy Huan (artist).  It is published by Image comics.

realm_01
This is the Tony Moore cover of issue 1 that caught my eye and made me buy this book!

The series came out a few months ago and is currently up to issue 5 (as of the podcast).  There is a lot to like about this series and we give you a full break down of the story and characters.  Jon works in a Walking Dead comparison and I am not sure where he was going with it but he did it anyway (by the way, he is sober in this podcast). 😉

The comic is obviously inspired by the Dungeons and Dragons pen and paper Role Playing Game but you don’t have to know anything about D&D to enjoy this comic – trust me, I know next to nothing about Orcs and Dragons and I really liked this comic.

realm_TPB
This is the D&D guide homage that will be the cover of the trade.  Also, Jon does not read our Comics Misremembered Twitter and missed that I posted this image already.

Listen to the podcast and if it sounds like an interesting book, the good news is a Trade Paper Back will be coming out soon.  So run to your local comic store (or digital app) and buy this comic!

Your Comics Pal,

Jim

Comics Misremembered Podcast 143

ComicsJim

CM Podcast 137 – New Comics Review

It’s a new year and there were a lot of new comics released at the end of last year and into 2018.  We picked 4 titles to talk about and here they are:

This is the breakdown of the comic reviews:

Jon Review

The Phoenix Resurrection – Marvel

Writer: Matthew Rosenburg

Artist: Leinil Francis Yu

 

Jim Review

Void Trip – Image

Writer: Ryan O’Sullivan

Artist: Plaid Klaus

 

Jon Review

Batman and The Signal – DC

Writer: Scott Snyder and Tony Patrick

Artist: Cully Hammer

 

Jim Review

God Complex – Image/Top Cow

Writer: Paul Jenkins

Artist: Hendry Prasetya

This was a good batch of new comics that we reviewed.  Listen to the podcast and see if any (if not all) interest you.

Your comics pal,

Jim

Comics Misremembered Podcast 137