Creator Profile #1: Lee Weeks

Hey everyone! Sorry about the delay in posting, i've been knee-deep in Ultimate Alliance 2. If you haven't played it yet, I would definately suggest playing on legendary. The bonuses are so much stronger and the challenge is well worth the time put in. But on to my first creator profile. I'm starting with an artist who many people aren't that familiar with, Lee Weeks. Lee started his work in comics in the 1980's working for the now defunct Eclipe Comics. He achieved a more mainstream success in the early nineties with his tremendously underrated work on Daredevil. His time on Daredevil was not as mass publicized as the "Born Again" storyline from 1987, however his line work and shading is equal at least to David Mazzucchelli's work on the title. After his time with Daredevil he worked on the original Gambit mini-series from 1993. I honstly haven't read those since they were released, but i remember them having good artwork. Lee has said that this was one of his favorite stories to work on and that it was something he was very proud of. Also in the nineties, Lee did a number of small projects for DC and Dark Horse Comics. These include various covers for Batman, as well as Tarzan vs. Predator and Magnus vs. Predator. A must read for any fan of his work is Spider-Man's Tangled Web issues 7 and 8 from 2001. The story is good, but more importantly the art is fantastic! Weeks puts so much emotion into the story with his detailed pencils and covers that are simply amazing. His more recent work includes a run on Captain Marvel, as well as some impressive covers for the Hulk. Lee weeks is one of the most solid artists of the past thirty years and i think that he does better work than artists with more name recognition that do essentially the same thing. He creates moody, emotional settings and doesn't try to make things complicated with too much flash. So if you're looking for something new to look at, definately check out the great lines of Lee Weeks. Ok true believers, i'm going to let you go now, but i'll be back soon with more great comics info for ya! Peace. B.M.T.

Comics That Only Need A Cover

In the second installment of my blog, i'll be highlighting comics that are awesome for only one reason, the cover. Since the days of the first published comics, the cover was a way to attract potential buyers and to spotlight the action within. Most comic collecters have a bunch of these issues in their collections, and these will be some of my favorites. Let's start off with the first of many to follow.

Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man #101

This issue sports an amazing cover by John Byrne. Using a simple black and white pallette, Byrne captures the sensation of web-swinging around New York at night. The cover is also special because it is just one more reason to love the black symbiote costume our hero donned for the majority of the 80's. Byrne also used a similar effect on Alpha Flight #3 (pictured), but the feeling of adventure and excitement really grabs the reader in this now classic cover. If you don't own this one, then try to hunt it down. This is one of the best of that era.

Well i hope you've enjoyed this posting and i'll return soon with the third aspect of my blog. I'm going to showcase an artist or writer and spotlight why they're important to comics. Who knows, maybe we'll both learn something? Until next time true believers! B.M.T.

The Funny Books

So I've created a blog to chronicle my love of comics. More importantly, old comics. I find that when i go to my local comic shop, i usually leave empty-handed. Why is this? There are plenty of characters and artists i'd love to check out, but there is a major problem with the comics industry these days. Comics are no longer fun. Comics have the stigma of being "just for kids", but anyone who has picked up a recent Batman or Captain America knows that comics are now marketed for adults. Rape, ultra-violence, and the murder of major characters are all part of the norm in comics now, with each of the big two (Marvel and DC) competeing for the biggest shocker of the year. The big two have always been in this competition, but it just seems that now it's a race to shock the readers, not to entertain them. This is my first entry and each post will highlight a back issue that does what comics should do, entertain and make people remember why they started collecting in the first place, FUN! I won't highlight key issues because they have been reviewed and analyzed to death, instead i'll pick random issues from all ages to showcase. I think it would obviously help my blog if my readers can afford to purchase the books i showcase, and honestly would you rather pay $4 for a new book, or $1 for a classic story with great art and story?
The first in this series is Moon Knight #4 from February 1981.
Writer: Doug Moench
Artists: Bill Sienkiewicz & Klaus Janson
Synopsis: Moon Knight battles hired assassins hired by "The Committee"
This is such a fun book to read. Moon Knight has been targeted by the Committee, a devoius bunch of suits who have their interests in drug trafficking, illegal gambling, and the usual late 70's/early 80's nefarious plots. Moon Knight thwarted their efforts in a previous story and this time they've hired five mercenaries to kill our coweled hero once and for all. The assassins are multicultured and each has his own specialty. First you have "Boom-Boom", a jive-talking explosives expert(no relation to the X-Force character). Next "Razor" a wimpy blade freak and "Ice" a Tom Selleck-esque sniper. Our fearsome five are rounded out by "Dragon" a martial arts expert and "Bull" who is the classic comic book brute thug. I won't go into the details of this adventure, but I think it would be fun to hear your comments after you read this issue and determine whether or not you enjoyed it. That's what this is all about; having fun and reading good comics. Until next time true believers, B.M.T.