Written: Joel Little / Alfred Matthew Yankovic / Ella Marija Lani Yelich O’connor
Genre: Pop
Weird Al’s Foil goes from talking about wrapping food in aluminum foil so it will not spoil to talking about the Illuminati and New World Order. Quite the flip of script. The video is hilarious, featuring the one and only Patton Oswalt, as well as comedians Thomas Lennon, and Robert Ben Garant.
Lyrics
I never seem to finish all my food I always get a doggie bag from the waiter So I just keep what’s still unchewed And I take it home, save it for later
But then I deal with fungal rot, bacterial formation Microbes, enzymes, mould and oxidation I don’t care, I’ve got a secret trick up my sleeve
I never bother with baggies, glass jars, tupperware containers Plastic cling wrap, really a no-brainer I just like to keep all my flavours sealed in tight
With aluminum foil (Foil) Never settle for less That kind of wrap is just the best To keep your sandwich nice and fresh
Stick it in your cooler (Cooler) Eat it when you’re ready Then maybe you’ll choose (You’ll choose, you’ll choose, you’ll choose) A refreshing herbal tea Mmm, lovely!
Oh, by the way, I’ve cracked the code I’ve figured out these shadow organizations And the Illuminati know That they’re finally primed for world domination
And soon you’ve got black helicopters comin’ cross the border Puppet masters for the New World Order Be aware: There’s always someone that’s watching you And still the government won’t admit they faked the whole moon landing Thought control rays, psychotronic scanning Don’t mind that, I’m protected cause I made this hat
From aluminum foil (Foil) Wear a hat that’s foil lined In case an alien’s inclined To probe your butt or read your mind
Looks a bit peculiar (‘culiar) Seems a little crazy But someday I’ll prove (I’ll prove, I’ll prove, I’ll prove) There’s a big conspiracy
Topic: Jurassic park, the movie from Steven Spielberg
Fact: Al reached out to both Michael Crichton and Steven Spielberg for permission to parody the Jurassic Park film.
Weird Al has done many movie parodies in songs over the years including Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, Spider-Man and Rocky. Jurassic park joined that list with this lead track from Alapalooza.
I remember when this album came out. I was at Wal-Mart, looking at CDs when I spotted this new Weird Al album. I had no idea it was coming out and it was such an awesome surprise.
Lyrics
I recall the time they found those fossilized mosquitoes And before long, they were cloning DNA Now I’m being chased by some irate velociraptors Well, believe me this has been one lousy day
Jurassic Park is frightening in the dark All the dinosaurs are running wild Someone shut the fence off in the rain I admit it’s kinda eerie But this proves my chaos theory And I don’t think I’ll be coming back again, oh no!
I cannot approve of this attraction ‘Cause getting disemboweled always makes me kinda mad A huge tyrannosaurus ate our lawyer Well, I suppose that proves they’re really not all bad
Jurassic Park is frightening in the dark All the dinosaurs are running wild Someone let T- Rex out of his pen I’m afraid those things’ll harm me ‘Cause they sure don’t act like Barney And they think that I’m their dinner, not their friend, oh no!
Jurassic Park is frightening in the dark All the dinosaurs are running wild What a crummy weekend this has been Well, this sure ain’t no e-ticket Think I’ll tell them where to stick it ‘Cause I’m never coming back this way again, oh no, oh no!
Two in a row from Poodle Hat after not having a song for the whole run up until yesterday.
Lyrics
Peter Parker was pitiful Couldn’t have been any shyer Mary Jane still wouldn’t notice him Even if his hair was on fire
But then one day he went to that science lab That mutated spider came down Oh, and now Peter crawls over everyone’s walls And he’s swingin’ all over town
La li la, li de da La la, li le la da dumb
Sling us a web, you’re the Spider-Man Sling us a web tonight ‘Cause we’re all in the mood for a hero now And there’s evil doers to fight
Now Harry the rich kid’s a friend of his Who horns in on Mary Jane But to his great surprise it seems she prefers guys Who can kiss upside down in the rain
“With great power comes great responsibility” That’s the catch phrase of old Uncle Ben If you missed it, don’t worry, they’ll say the line Again and again and again
Oh, la la la, di de da La la, di di da da dom
Now Norman’s a billionare scientist Who never had time for his son But then something went screw and before you knew he Was trying to kill everyone
And he’s ridin’ around on that glider thing And he’s throwin’ that weird pumpkin bomb Yes, he’s wearin’ that dumb Power Rangers mask But he’s scarier without it on
Sling us a web, you’re the Spider-Man Sling us a web tonight ‘Cause you’re brave and you’re strong and so limber now But where’d you come up with those tights?
It’s a pretty sad day at the funeral Norman Osborn has bitten the dust And I heard Harry’s said he wants Spider-Man dead Aw, but his buddy Pete he can trust
Oh, and M.J. is all hot for Peter now Aw, but Peter, he just shuts her down Mary Jane, don’t you cry, you can give it a try Again when the sequal comes ’round
Oh, la la la, di de da La la, di di da da dumb
Sling us a web, you’re the Spider-Man Sling us a web tonight ‘Cause we all sure could use us a hero now And we think that you’ll do all right
Written: Graham Edwards / Lauren Christy / Avril Ramona Lavigne / David Scott Alspach/Al Yankovic
Album: Poodle Hat
Release: 2003
Parody: “Complicated” by Avril Lavigne
Genre: Pop/Punk
Poodle Hat finally breaks through as the final Weird Al album represented in the Top 100 with A Complicated song, which breaks into three separate stories. Some of the stories are silly, but a lot of fun.
Lyrics
Uh huh… extra cheese Uh huh, uh huh… save a piece for me
Pizza party at your house I went just to check it out 19 extra larges What a shame No one came
Just us eatin’ all alone You said, “Take the pizza home” “No sense lettin’ all this go to waste” So then I faced
Pizza all day And every day This cheese ’round the clock Is gettin’ me blocked And I sure don’t care For irregularity
Tell me Why’d you have to go and make me so constipated? ‘Cause right now I’d do anything to just get my bowels evacuated In the bathroom… I sit and I wait and I strain And I sweat and I clench and I feel the pain Oh, should I take laxatives or have my colon irrigated? No no no
I was feelin’ pretty down ‘Till my girlfriend came around We’re just so alike in every way I gotta say
In fact, I just thought I might Pop the question there that night I was kissing her so tenderly But woe is me
Who would have guessed Her family crest I’d suddely spy Tattooed on her thigh And son-of-a-gun It’s just like the one on me
Tell me How was I supposed to know we were both related? Believe me, if I knew she was my cousin we never would have dated What to do now? Should I go ahead and propose And get hitched and have kids with 11 toes And move to Alabama where that kind of thing is tolerated? No no no no no no no No no no no no no no No no no no no
I had so much on my mind I thought maybe I’d unwind Try out that new roller coaster ride And the guide
Said not to stand But that’s a demand That I couldn’t meet I got on my feet And stood up instead And knocked off my head, you see
Tell me Why’d I have to go and get myself decapitated? This really is a major inconvenience, oh man, I really hate it Such a drag, now… can’t eat, I can’t breathe, I can’t snore I can’t belch or yodel anymore Can’t spit or blow my nose or even read Sports Illustrated
Oh no Why’d I have to go and get myself all mutilated? (yeah, yeah) I gotta tell ya, life without a head kinda makes me irritated What a bummer Can’t blink, I can’t cough, I can’t sneeeze But my neck is enjoyin’ a pleasant breeze now Haven’t been the same since my head and I were separated No no no
Parody: “Under the Bridge” and “Give It Away” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
Written: Chad Smith / John Frusciante / Anthony Kiedis / Michael Balzary / Alfred Yankovic
Genre: Funk rock
This is another TV show that Al honors in song as this time it is the Flintstones. There are voice clips from the Flintstones on the song.
Lyrics
Sometimes, I feel like I need a vacation Sometimes, I feel like I wanna go to the city of cavemen, the city of Bedrock I’d be a Flintstone, now, I’ll tell you why
Oh Oh Oh!
Well, I’ve got, I’ve got a woman named, Wilma Well, I’ve got, I’ve got a baby named Pebbles Well, I’ve got, I’ve got a doggy named Dino We do a little bowling and we drink a little vino
Well, I’ve got a little buddy, Barney Rubble Got a neighbor by the name of Barney Rubble He’s a midget but, he makes a lot of trouble Doesn’t like to shave, he got caveman stubble
Me and Barney, loyal order water buffalo Lodge brothers, loyal order water buffalo There’s a handshake everybody gotta know How come grand Poo-Bah always gotta run the whole show?
Yabba-dabba-yabba-dabba-dabba do now Yabba-dabba-yabba-dabba-dabba do now Yabba-dabba-yabba-dabba-dabba do now I get by on all my prehistoric know-how
Betty and Barney got a baby, named, Bamm-Bamm Little Pebbles is his number one fan He’s the strongest toddler in the whole land Tear your arm off, if he’s shaking your hand
Got a car, gonna push it with my feet now Gonna take my family out to eat now Jumbo ribs at the drive-in can’t be beat now Made from brontosaurus, baby, not a moo-cow
Wanna chill with a saber tooth tiger Wear a loincloth, natural fiber Be the first rolling stone subscriber Got a pterodactyl for a windshield wiper
Yabba-dabba-yabba-dabba-dabba do now Yabba-dabba-yabba-dabba-dabba do now Yabba-dabba-yabba-dabba-dabba do now Don’t know what it means, but I say it anyhow
Wilma, I’m home! Start serving dinner And don’t spare the- Oh, no, no, no! Don’t Dino, don’t! Now take it easy, boy!
Lucky me, workin’ down in the gravel pit Movin’ rocks, on a big dinosaur I sit Mr. Slate gets mad, and he throws a fit Pull the birdie’s tail, everybody knows it’s time to quit
I realize I’m living in the Stone Age No fax, no cellular phone-age Pick my teeth with a dinosaur bone-age Liftin’ heavy boulders every day for my wage
Barney Rubble, laughin’ like a hyena Barney Rubble, what a little wiener! Where’s Wilma? Anybody seen her? Got a baby elephant vacuum cleaner
Yabba-dabba-yabba-dabba-dabba do now Yabba-dabba-yabba-dabba-dabba do now Yabba-dabba-yabba-dabba-dabba do now Yabba-dabba-yabba-dabba-dabba do now
Yabba-dabba-dabba do now Yabba-dabba-dabba do now Yabba-dabba-dabba do now Yabba-dabba-dabba do now
Yabba-dabba-dabba do now Yabba-dabba-dabba do now (E-yabba-dabba-do) Yabba-dabba-dabba do now Yabba-dabba-dabba do now
Yabba-dabba-dabba do now Yabba-dabba-dabba do now (E-yabba-dabba-do) Yabba-dabba-dabba do now Yabba-dabba-dabba do now
Extra voices: Tress MacNeille (“How ya doin’ Bernie?”) and Mary Kay Bergman (“For a rabbi!”)
Parody: “Pretty Fly for a White Guy” by the Offspring
Genre: Pop Punk/Comedy
Oy Vey! Lots of Yiddish phrases used in this song, which may not have aged as well as some of Al’s other songs. Still, this is a well done parody and is very funny.
Lyrics
Oy vey, oy vey! (How ya doin’, Bernie?) Oy vey, oy vey! (How ya doin’, Bernie?) Oy vey, oy vey! And all the goyim say I’m pretty fly for a rabbi
Meccha leccha hi, meccha hiney hiney ho
Our temple’s had a fair share of rabbis in the past But most of’em were nudniks and none of’em would last But our new guy’s real kosher, I think he’ll do the trick I tell ya, he’s to die for, he really knows his shtick
So how’s by you? Have you seen this Jew? Reads the Torah, does his own accounting too Working’ like a dog at the synagogue He’s there all day, he’s there all day
Just say “Vay is mir!” and he’ll kick into gear He’ll bring you lots of cheer and maybe bagels with some shmeer Just grab your yarmulka and Hey! Hey! Do that Hebrew thing!
Oy vey, oy vey! (How ya doin’, Bernie?) Oy vey, oy vey! (How ya doin’, Bernie?) Oy vey, oy vey! And all the goyim say I’m pretty fly (for a rabbi)
He shops at discount stores, not just any will suffice He has to find a bargain ’cause he won’t pay retail price He never acts meshugga and he’s hardly a schlemiel But if you want to haggle, oy, he’ll make you such a deal!
People used to scoff, now they say “Mazel tov!” He’s such a macher ’cause he works his tuchis off Yeah, he keeps his cool and teaches shul What’s not to like? What’s not to like?
Oh high holy days, you know he prays and prays And he never eats pastrami on white bread with mayonnaise Put on your yarmulka and Hey! Hey! Do that Hebrew thing!
When he’s doing a Bar Mitzvah, now that you shouldn’t miss He’ll always shlep on down for a wedding or a briss They say he’s got a lot of chutzpah, he’s really quite hip The parents pay the moyl and he gets to keep the tip!
Oy vey, oy vey! (How ya doin’, Bernie?) Oy vey, oy vey! (How ya doin’, Bernie?) Oy vey, oy vey!
Meccha leccha hi, meccha meccha cholly ho
He’s doin’ well, I gotta kvell The yentas love him, even shicksas think he’s swell Show up at his home, he says, “Shalom!” And “Have some cake, you want some cake?”
Yeah he calls the shots, we really love him lots Oy gevalt, I’m so ferklempt that I could plotz! So grab your yarmulka The one you got for Hanukah
Let’s put on our yarmulkas and Hey! Hey! Do that Hebrew thing!
Style Pastiche: Late 90s third-wave sks music like Reel Big Fish and The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
A good example of Al singing really fast. You haven’t seen anything yet though. This is a real gem off Running With Scissors and is one of the funnier originals on the album. KILL THEM!
Lyrics
Aquarius There’s travel in your future When your tongue freezes to the back of a speeding bus Fill that void in your pathetic life By playing whack-a-mole 17 hours a day
Pisces Try to avoid any Virgos or Leos with the ebola virus You are the true Lord of the dance No matter what those idiots at work say
Aries The look on your face will be priceless When you find that 40 pound watermelon in your colon Trade toothbrushes with an albino dwarf, then give a hickey to Meryl Streep
Taurus You will never find true happiness What you gonna do, cry about it? The stars predict tomorrow you’ll wake up Do a bunch of stuff and then go back to sleep
That’s your horoscope for today (that’s your horoscope for today) That’s your horoscope for today That’s your horoscope for today (that’s your horoscope for today) That’s your horoscope for today (that’s your horoscope for today)
Gemini Your birthday party will be ruined Once again by your explosive flatulence Your love life will run into trouble When your fiancé hurls a javelin through your chest
Cancer, the position of Jupiter says that You should spend the rest of the week face down in the mud Try not to shove a roll of duct tape up your nose while taking your driver’s test
Leo Now is not a good time to photocopy your butt And staple it to your bosses face, oh no Eat a bucket of tuna-flavored pudding Then wash it down with a gallon of Strawberry Quik
Virgo All Virgos are extremely friendly and intelligent, except for you Expect a big surprise today When you wind up with your head impaled upon a stick
That’s your horoscope for today (that’s your horoscope for today) That’s your horoscope for today That’s your horoscope for today (that’s your horoscope for today) That’s your horoscope for today
Now you may find it inconceivable or rather very least a bit unlikely that The relative position of the planets and the stars Could have a special deep significance or meaning That exclusively applies to only you
But, let me give you my assurance that These forecasts and predictions are all based on Solid, scientific, documented evidence So you would have to be some kind of moron Not to realize that every single one of them is absolutely true
Where was I?
Libra A big promotion is just around The corner for someone much more talented than you Laughter is the very best medicine Remember that when your appendix bursts next week
Scorpio, get ready for an Unexpected trip When you fall screaming from an open window Work a little bit harder on improving your low self-esteem, you stupid freak
Sagittarius All your friends are laughing behind your back (kill them) Take down all those naked pictures of Ernest Borgnine, you’ve got hanging in your den
Capricorn The stars say that you’re an exciting and wonderful person But, you know they’re lying If I were you, I’d lock my doors and windows And never, never, never, never, never leave my house again
That’s your horoscope for today (that’s your horoscope for today) That’s your horoscope for today That’s your horoscope for today (that’s your horoscope for today) That’s your horoscope for today
That’s your horoscope for today (that’s your horoscope for today) That’s your horoscope for today That’s your horoscope for today (yay, yay, yay, yay, yay) That’s your horoscope for today
I always feel bad when the EYG Comic Cavalcade slides to Monday, but there were just too many books for me to get to on a packed full weekend. Even after spending time reading on Wednesday at Comic World, I could not find the time to get them all done until now. I even had to read some tonight before doing this write-up in order to get to this post.
While I was at Comic World, I was sitting reading at their table. By the end of the afternoon, I went to get up and my knee was terrible. I could barely walk, and I thought, am I so old that I can hurt myself… sitting?
Comic of the Week
If Destruction Be Our Lot #1
It came down to this book and Dog Tag #1 this week for Comic of the Week, but I wound up choosing the new Image Comic book, If Destruction Be Our Lot #1.
It is a great premise with the humans being gone and robots being the main characters. The Abraham Lincoln robot makes for an awesome protagonist and the idea that there are surviving humans somewhere works as a conflict. This has promise to be an exceptional series.
Plus, the C cover was the Bronze Medalist this week.
Books this week:
Dog Tag #1. Written by Mark Russell with pencils by PJ Holden. Cover art was done by PJ Holden & JP Jordan. The book that was neck and neck with If Destruction Be Our Lot #1 as Comic of the Week, Dog Tag #1 was an exceptional read. A World War II story about a journalist and his time during the war. Tom Fuller is the main protagonist and I was surprised how much I was engaged with him. This was a strong first issue and I am excited about where this goes from here. Another winner for Mad Cave.
Wade Wilson: Deadpool#2. “Bad Calls” Written by Benjamin Percy with art by Geoff Shaw. Cover art was done by Geoff Shaw & Alex Sinclair. Deadpool spends a bunch of this issue inside the trunk of Hammerhead’s car. He gets out to try and save Blind Al from Hammerhead. Oh, and, by the way, Blind Al is the one who was sending the mysterious future notes to Wade. This new Deadpool book has been cooking with a down and depressed Wade and a lot of mysteries.
She-Spawn #1. “American Dream.” Written by Gail Simone and art and cover art by Ig Guara. I picked this up only as a collector. I had zero interest in this book and it had a destiny for the number one box. Then I noticed that it was written by Gail Simone (GAIL!!!!) and I thought, okay, I should at least read it before I subject it to the number one box, but even with the wonderful Gail Simone at the helm, I was not going to like a Spawn book (yes, I know I like Sam and Twitch, but this is different). So I read it and…. I can’t believe it… I thought it was great. So great that I want to buy #2 when it comes out. AAAARARGGGGHHH! What were the odds? I don’t like Spawn. But I was thoroughly entertained with this book. Dang it.
Excommunicated: The Unholy Body Bag #I. Written by Jeremy Robinson and art by Tiago Palma. Cover art by Tyler Crook. This is very strange. I picked up this black bag because it looked cool and I found out that this was cover G. Then I learned that cover A is coming out next week. What? The variants come out the week before cover A? Does that happen… ever? I liked the book so I will probably grab cover A if available, but it was confusing for awhile.
Absolute Superman #19. “Red Steel in the House of Chaos.” Written by Jason Aaron with art by Rafa Sandoval. Cover art was done by Rafa Sandoval & Ulises Arreola. Superman faces off with Absolute Shazam (or is he absolute Black Adam… or some kind of amalgam of them?) and we meet absolute Steel. Has Absolute Superman met his match? Quick cameo of Absolute Batman too.
Royals #2. Written by Derek Kirk Kim with art and cover art by Jacob Perez. The trouble is brewing for Paul and Castor as their telepathic poker scam is coming out in the open and there is a player angry about being ripped off. I really liked the time we spent with the brothers, particularly Castor this issue. The character beats worked to provide us more details on the two brothers. I am enjoying this new book very much.
All-New Spider-Gwen: Ghost Spider #20. Written by Stephanie Phillips and art by Paolo Villanelli. Cover art was done by David Marquez & Federico Blee. I have to say, I was, at first, unhappy with this issue. Gwen becoming a Green Goblin felt so already done that I was not pleased. Then, the story took a twist and won me back with one unexpected turn. I think this is the final issue for this book, which is unfortunate. I feel as if it was just starting to hit its stride.
Ben 10 #1. “Man of Action.” Written by Joe Casey with art by Robert Carey. Variant cover C art was done by Dustin Nguyen (Silver Medalist). Another book that I did not plan on reading or continuing to collect. Ben 10 was never my jam of a cartoon. But, as the collector, I wanted to grab a copy and I picked out a beautiful, simple cover by Dustin Nguyen for my collection. The cover was so nice that I decided to give it a chance. The fact that Dynamite has had some other characters that I never watched or didn’t care about (Captain Planet, Silverhawks, Darkwing Duck, Ursula, etc.) in series that I really enjoyed added to the curiosity with this book. Of course, I read it and I really liked it too. Come on Dynamite… you pick characters that I do not like, you are not then supposed to make a comic that I want to buy.
Marc Spector: Moon Knight #4. “Break and Enter” Part One. Written by Jed MacKay and art by Devmalya Pramanik. Cover art was done by Paulo Siqueira & Rachelle Rosenberg. Moon Knight’s crew at the Midnight Mission went in search of Marc, and wound up disappearing themselves. Marc is back and looking for his friends… inside a building covered by a blackness… that is spreading. What is this new, weird supernatural building and what has it done with Tigra, 8-Ball, Hunter’s Moon and the others.
X-Men #29. “Danger Room, Pt. 4“. Written by Jed MacKay with pencils by Netho Diaz. Cover art was done by Netho Diaz, Sean Parsons, & Fer Sifuentes-Sujo. While Quentin is out of control in search of whom shot Glob Herman, something bizarre is going on with the X-Men. Are they zombies? Cyclops has certainly looked better. Wild stuff in the world of the mutants.
Amazing Spider-Man #28. Written by Joe Kelly with guest pencilers Cory Smith with Francesco Manna. Cover art was done by Marcio Menyz & Erick Arciniega. This was a fun Spider-Man issue as Peter receives a major mission from Doctor Strange, but has to take care of a bunch of tangents on the way to the location. There are several fun cameos and moments for Peter in this issue. It may be a filler issue, but it is how a filler issue should be.
Daredevil #2. Written by Stephanie Phillips with art and cover art by Lee Garbett. Matt Murdock has all kinds of problems surrounding him. He has to take on the Owl to find out what is happening, and, even though he does not get much from him, it adds to his mind. Matt’s class of students gave him grief too as he is trying to be a professor. And HEY! it’s Spider-Man!
Fall of the House of Slaughter #1. Written by Tate Brombal and illustrated by Adriano Turtulici. The Dragon is dying. The other houses are preparing to nominate someone to take his place once he passes on. But who really wants the position? The Dragon has his own idea… Erica Slaughter. But… everyone believes that she is dead.
Cyclops #4. “Seeing Red” Part 4. Written by Alex Paknadel and art by Rogê Antonio. This Cyclops, blind and in the woods story has been fantastic so far. I have really enjoyed seeing Scott being challenged by losing his visor and glasses, and having to be chased by the Reavers. I am excited to see where this is going.
Muppets Noir #3. Written, Drawn & cover art by Roger Langridge. This has been a really fun Dynamite book. I do love the Muppets and seeing Kermit as a noir detective (and not a very good one) with Miss Piggy running around, making him look bad, is awesome. It looks like next issue is the final one for this series, but I want more Muppets! Let’s make it happen, Dynamite (or Disney… whoever!).
Fantastic Four #10. Written by Ryan North with pencils by Humberto Ramos. Cover art was done by Humberto Ramos & Edgar Delgado. The Invincible Woman has arrived in the 616-universe as the Fantastic Four and a bunch of their allies have to bring her down. Oh, and Sue has to save Galactus.
Captain Marvel: Dark Past #2. Written by Paul Jenkins and art and cover art by Lucas Werneck. I like this mystery involving Carol and her past memories. I think this is a great use of history, as Carol has to come to see Rogue about something she did not remember.
Batman #9. “Operation Peregrine.” Written by Matt Fraction and art by Ryan Sook. Cover art was done by Jorge Jimenez & Tomeu Morey. I also picked up the incentive variant cover by David Aja. The Gotham City Police have new orders. The orders are to bring down the Batman family. And in this issue, one of them does fall.
Astonishing Miles Morales: Spider-Man- The Art of Thwip #1. Written by Cody Ziglar and art by Alessandro Miracolo & Ig Guara. Cover art was done by Taurin Clarke. I have missed Miles’s book, but, to be truthful, I did not love this book. There was just too many other stories and characters than just Miles. I am sure it will get better as it moves along, but this was not the best return I hav eread.
Tales of the Green Lantern Corps: Guy Gardner #1. “Light Club.” Written by Gerry Duggan and art by Matteo Lolli, Laura Braga, and Vasco Georgiev. Cover art was done by Edwin Galmon. This was one I read tonight before starting the Comic Cavalcade, and I really liked this one. Guy Gardner is such a fun character and I enjoyed the pairing of Guy and John Stewart. I might even buy a buddy book with the two of them in it.
Other Books This Week: Godzilla #10, Sleepy Hollow: The Witches of the Western Woods #1, Red Sonja: She-Devil With a Sword #1, Star Wars: Rogue One-Cassian Andor #1, The Autumn Kingdom #4, Absolute Green lantern #14, Godzilla Infinity Roar #4, Jubilee: Deadly Reunion #1, Storm: Earth’s Mightiest Mutant #4, and the Center Holds #3.
Quick Hits: The first quick hit this week is Speed Racer #8 from Mad Cave. This has been a consistently engaging book. I had no idea that Marvel was putting out a book called Civil War: Unmasked #1. I think they were trying to make Tony Stark’s out-of-character behavior during Civil War make more sense as he takes a trip to Bishop’s future. Not sure it worked like they wanted, but there was a foil cover that I picked up that was the Gold Medalist of the week. Comics! The Magazine #3 dropped this week with a cool interview with Kevin Eastman. Ghost Machine: The Official Guidebook #2 came out this week and it goes right up to the letter Z with Zigzag. It says that there will be a six-issue series, but where do they go after Z? The 20th Century Studios book Alien: King Killer #2 has been extremely interesting. I like them using the Xenomorphs in this way. Joe Benitez’s Lady Mechanika: The Mechanical Menagerie #1 came out this week too. It definitely is a sequel series that I might have to look for to understand what is going on here. A new story with Hank Howard from Bad Idea came out this week with Hank Howard Pizza Detective: A Slice of Life #1. Energon Universe 2026 Special #1 sets up the future of the Energon Universe, including the new series MASK. Then, finally, Estuary: A Ghost Story #2 was the last book I read tonight before this post.
I was always a fan of Charles Nelson Reilly, specifically from the Match Game. I remember niot knowing what the reference of CNR was when I first got Alpocalypse. This was one of my favorite videos released for these songs.
Lyrics
Charles Nelson Reilly was a mighty man The kind of man you’d never disrespect He stood eight feet tall, wore glasses And he had a third nipple on the back of his neck He ate his own weight in coal, and excreted diamonds everyday He could throw you down a flight of stairs But you still would love him anyway Yeah, you know you’d love him anyway, oh
Charles Nelson Reilly won the Tour de France With two flat tires and a missing chain He trained a rattlesnake to do his laundry I’m telling you the man was insane He could rip out your beating heart And show it to you right before you died Everyday he’d make the host of Match Game Give him a piggyback ride Yeah, two hour piggyback ride, giddy up Gene
The ninja warrior, master of disguise He could melt your brain with his laser-beam eyes, oh yeah Oh yeah He had his own line at the DMV He made sweet, sweet love to a manatee Oh yeah Oh yeah, that was something to see, I tell ya
Charles Nelson Reilly sold his toenail clippings As a potent aphrodisiac He ran a four minute mile blindfolded With an engine block strapped to his back He could eat more frozen waffles Then any other man I know Once he fell off the Chrysler building And he barely even stubbed his toe Had a tiny little scratch on his toe Didn’t even hurt
Charles Nelson Reilly figured out cold fusion But he never ever told a soul I’ve seen the man unhinge his jaw And swallow a Volkswagen whole He’d bash your face in with a shovel If you didn’t treat him like a star You could spit at the wind, or tug at Superman’s cape But Lord knows you don’t mess around with CNR
Written: Amethyst Amelia Kelly / Charlotte Emma Aitchison / George Astasio / Jason Andrew Pebworth / John Turner / Jonathan Christopher Shave / Kurtis Isaac Mckenzie /Al Yankovic
Parody: Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy” (feat. Charli XCX)
We enter the top 50 of our countdown with this parody of “Fancy.” The video was one of the eight released daily for Mandatory Fun.
Lyrics
First things first, I’m a craftsman (craftsman) Remodelling is my only passion (it’s my passion) And I’m the greatest in the business Want referrals, yo My clientèle will bear you witness (right, right) I can help when your door jamb sticks (heh?) There is nothing in the world I can’t fix (yeah) I do tiles, I do stone, I do bricks Call me, I’ll come rushing over with my bag of tricks (bag of tricks) Where you go when your disposal is rusted (rusted) Termite problem making you disgusted (yuck) When your front window is busted (hey, hey, hey) Just one name that’s always trusted
I’m so handy, you already know I’ll fix your plumbing when your toilets overflow I’m so handy, I’ll bring you up to code When your dishwasher’s about to explode
Now you see that your furnace is needing some service I’m fully bonded, no need to be nervous Perhaps you would like a new counter Formica Maybe I’ll hook up your dish washer combo dryer But all your pipes are antique Your water pressure’s too weak You got an attic full of dry rot Because your roof sprung a leak Your fridge is starting to reek Your hardwood floors really squeak But don’t you worry I’ll just show you my amazing technique Now let me glue that, glue that and screw that, screw that Any random chore you got, well I can do that, do that Or maybe I’ll just rewire your house for fun I got 99 problems but a switch ain’t one
I’m so handy, everyone says so I’ll grout your bathroom, resurface your patio I’m so handy, I’m the guy to know When your leaf blower doesn’t blow-oh-oh-oh
Patch the drywall, clean your gutters and mow the lawn Make that phone call, I’ll install anything you want Yeah, check my big staple gun, my socket wrenches are second to none I won’t quit ’til I’m done, don’t even care if I hammer my thumb (ow)
Still rocking my screwdriver Got the whole world thinking I’m MacGyver Your heating bills are shocking I can solve that with some duct tape and some caulking Your house is a disaster, huh? Need a guy whose a master with the plaster, huh? Let me be your stripper Taking off lacquer, no one does it quicker
I’m so handy, you already know I’ll beat all price quotes, my hourly rates are low I’m so handy, you should call this pro I’m in the phone book and se habla español
This has to be a leading candidate for surprise of the year. I had seen the trailers for The Sheep Detectives and it made it look like a cute family film that had a definite chance to be really dumb. However, The Sheep Detectives is one of my favorite movies of the year. I know that sound bizarre, but it is 100% true.
According to IMDB, “Every night a shepherd reads aloud a murder mystery, pretending his sheep can understand. When he is found dead, the sheep realize at once that it was a murder and think they know everything about how to go about solving it.“
Hugh Jackman played the shepherd named George and kicked off this murder mystery with a lot of heart. Jackman was so charming and outstanding that you feel for this character even though you knew coming in that he was going to be the victim of this murder mystery.
The voice cast of the sheep was sensational including Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Brett Goldstein, Patrick Stewart, Chris O’Dowd, Bryan Cranston, Rhys Darby, Regina Hall, and Bella Ramsey.
The story was way more emotional than I ever expected it to be. There were moments of the film where I had tears in my eyes and even a few that rolled down my cheek. It was not only emotional, but it was very funny, clever, charming and had a murder mystery that was actually well designed.
I was not expecting this movie to be as deep as it was. I expected a silly family movie with some dumb talking animals. Instead, this film took the tropes of a murder mystery and broke them down, turning the genre on its ear. All that with talking sheep characters.
I should specify that the sheep are not talking to humans like a Disney film. To the humans, they sound like sheep, but they speak to each other.
The film also has a storyline weaved into the story about prejudice/bigotry within the sheep community. Again, it was a story beat that I just did not expect, and it was not just a throwaway beat. It became a major part of the overall plot.
Brett Goldstein was hilarious doing the voices of Ronnie and Reggie, two rams always looking to butt heads.
This was based on a book Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann.
There is no way this movie should be as fabulous as it turned out to be. I am currently placing it right around the same place as Project Hail Mary and that just does not make sense. However, if you see this movie, you will understand why. I had such a great viewing experience with this movie that I came out of it feeling so great.
5 stars (…no really)
Edit: I forgot to mention about the live action actor here. They all do a remarkable job in this film including a small but vital performance by the awesome Emma Thompson. Nicholas Braun, Molly Gordon, Nicholas Galtizine, Conleth Hill, Hong Chau, Tosin Cole, and Kobna Holdbrook-Smith all bring a great energy to the film and help create the fabulous story.
Video featured: Aisha Tyler, Margaret Cho, Eric Stonestreet, Jack Black, and Kristen Schaal
Lyrics
It might seem crazy, wearing stripes and plaid I Instagram every meal I’ve had All my used liquor bottles are on display We can go to see a show but I’ll make you pay
Wear my belt with suspenders and sandals with my socks (Because I’m tacky) Got some new glitter Uggs and lovely pink sequined Crocs (Because I’m tacky) Never let you forget some favor I did for you (Because I’m tacky) If you’re okay with that, then, you might just be tacky, too
I meet some chick, ask her this and that Like ‘Are you pregnant girl, or just really fat?’ (what?) Well, now I’m dropping names almost constantly That’s what Kanye West keeps telling me, here’s why
Wear my Ed Hardy shirt with fluorescent orange pants (Because I’m tacky) Got my new resume it’s printed in Comic Sans (Because I’m tacky) Think it’s fun threatening waiters with a bad Yelp review (Because I’m tacky) If you think that’s just fine, then, you’re probably tacky, too
Bring me shame, can’t nothing Bring me shame, I never know why Bring me shame, can’t nothing Bring me shame, I said Bring me shame, can’t nothing Bring me shame, it’s pointless to try Bring me shame, can’t nothing Bring me shame, I said
43 Bumper Stickers and a YOLO license plate (Because I’m tacky) Bring along my coupon book whenever I’m on a date (Because I’m tacky) Practice my twerking moves in line at the DMV (Because I’m tacky) Took the whole bowl of restaurant mints. Hey, it said they’re free (Because I’m tacky) I get drunk at the bank And take off my shirt, at least (Because I’m tacky) I would live-tweet a funeral, take selfies with the deceased (Because I’m tacky) If I’m bit by a zombie, I’m probably not telling you (Because I’m tacky) If you don’t think that’s bad, guess what, then you’re tacky, too
Writer: Scott Storch / Ray Charles / Carl Allen Sturken / Curtis James Jackson / Chad Hugo / Pharrell Williams / Brandon Flowers / Brian Burton / Robert Hardy / Kanye West / Jaime Gomez / David Jolicoeur / Trevor Smith / Damon Albarn / Scott Weiland / Saul Hudson / Renald J. Richard / Rivers Cuomo / Ray Anthony / Eric Judy / Michael Fratantuno / Thomas Calloway / Terence Yoshiaki Graves / Vada J. Nobles / Dann Michael Gallucci / Christopher Anthony Martin / Nicholas Mccarthy / Ronnie Vannucci / Mark Stoermer / Paul Robert Thomson / Berryman Guy Rupert / Buckland Jonathan Mark / Alisha Quiona Brooks / Champion William / George Pajon Jr. / David G Kushner / Isaac K Brock / Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr. / Terry Rendal / Al Yankovic / Thomas Werner / Matthew William Sorum / Alexander Paul Kaprano Huntley / Alla Pineda / Christopher Jamie Hewlett / Dave Brent Flowers / Duff Rose Mckagen / Evan A. Rodgers
Album: Straight Outta Lynwood
Released: 2006
Style: Polka/Comedy
Songs: “The Chicken Dance,” “Let’s Get it Started,” “Take Me Out,” “Beverly Hills,” “Speed of Sound,” “Float On,” “Feel Good Inc.,” “Don’t Cha,” “Somebody Told Me,” “Slither,” “Candy Shop,” “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” “Pon de Replay,” “Gold Digger,” and “The Nina Bobina Polka.”
Lyrics
Let’s get it started! (Ha!) Let’s get it started! (In here!) Let’s get it started! (Ha!) Let’s get it started! (In here!) Let’s get it started! (Ha!) Let’s get it started! (In here!) And the bass keeps runnin’, runnin’ And runnin’, runnin’ And runnin’, runnin’, And runnin’, runnin’, I say, don’t you know You say, you don’t know I say… Take me out! I say, you don’t show Don’t move, time is slow I say… (gunshot) Take me out! Beverly Hills, that’s where I wanna be! (Gimme! Gimme!) Living in Beverly Hills Beverly Hills, rollin’ like a celebrity (Gimme! Gimme!) Living in Beverly Hills And birds go flying at the speed of sound To show you how it all began Birds came flying from the underground If you could see it, then you’d understand And we’ll all float on, okay And we’ll all float on All right already, we’ll all float on Now don’t you worry, we’ll all float on All right! Feel good! Feel good! Feel good! Don’t cha wish your girlfriend was hot like me? Don’t cha wish your girlfriend was a freak like me? Don’t cha? Don’t cha? Don’t cha wish your girlfriend was raw like me? Don’t cha wish your girlfriend was fun like me? Don’t cha? Don’t cha? Don’t cha, don’t cha, don’t cha? Somebody told me You had a boyfriend Who looked like a girlfriend That I had in February of last year It’s not confidential Well, I got potential A rushin’ and rushin’ around Hey! Hey! Hey! I’ll take you to the candy shop I’ll let you lick a lollipop Go ‘head, girl, don’t you stop Keep goin’ ’til you hit the spot Whoa! (We’ll take you to the candy shop) Yeah! (For one taste o’ what we got) Uh-huh! (We’ll have you spending all you got) Come on! (Keep goin’ ’til you hit the spot) Whoa! When the pimp’s in the crib, ma Drop it like it’s hot Drop it like it’s hot Drop it like it’s hot When the pimp’s gonna get at you Drop it like it’s hot Drop it like it’s hot Come, Mr. DJ, song pon de replay (Come, Mr. DJ, won’t you turn the music up?) All the gal pon the dance floor, wantin’ some more, what (Come, Mr. DJ, won’t you turn the music up?) Hey, mister Please, Mr. DJ Tell me if you hear me Turn the music up! She take my money (She take my money) When I’m in need (When I’m in need) Yes, she’s a triflin’ friend indeed (friend indeed) Well, she’s a gold digger Way over town (way over town) That digs on me Hey! Hey! Now, I ain’t sayin’ she’s a gold digger But she ain’t messin’ with no broke, broke Now, I ain’t sayin’ she’s a gold digger But she ain’t messin’ with no broke, broke Get down, girl, go ‘head, get down (I gotta leave) Get down, girl, go ‘head, get down (I gotta leave) Get down, girl, go ‘head, get down (I gotta leave) Get down, girl, go ‘head! But I ain’t sayin’ she’s a Gold, gold digger Gold, gold digger Gold, gold digger Hey!
Album: George Fest: A Night to Celebrate the Music of George Harrison
Style: pop/rock/uptempo soul
Performed: George Fest tribute concert on September 28, 2014
The first song on this list that was not written (at least in part) by Weird Al. Weird Al performed this at the George Fest tribute concert at the Fonda Theater in Los Angeles. Al was one of several other performers covering tracks from the former Beatle. Al also sang on the version of The Traveling Wilburys’ song, “Handle With Care.” “What is Life” was one of my favorite Georege Harrison songs and seeing the live performance by Weird Al was a great addition to it for me.
It is a straight cover of the song, without any comedic undertones.
Lyrics
What I feel, I can’t say But my love is there for you anytime of day But if it’s not love that you need Then I’ll try my best to make everything succeed
Tell me, what is my life without your love Tell me, who am I without you, by my side
What I know, I can do If I give my love now to everyone like you But if it’s not love that you need Then I’ll try my best to make ev’rything succeed
Tell me, what is my life without your love Tell me, who am I without you, by my side Tell me, what is my life without your love Tell me, who am I without you, by my side
What I feel, I can’t say But my love is there for you any time of day But if it’s not love that you need Then I’ll try my best to make everything succeed
Tell me, what is my life without your love Tell me, who am I without you, by my side Oh tell me, what is my life without your love Tell me, who am I without you, by my side
What is my life without your love Tell me, who am I without you, by my side
[fade:] Oh tell me, what is my life without your love Tell me who am I without you by my side
Happy belated May Day and early May the Fourth Be With You. I am also a fan of Return of the Fifth coming this Tuesday.
This is a big weekend in the world of comic books as Saturday was the annual Free Comic Book Day! We of the comic book collecting world know that the first Saturday in May is Free Comic Book Day when companies send out previews and reprints to comic shops nationwide to try and bring more eyes on their product and more collectors into the hobby. There are reportedly some trademark challenges from Diamond (BOOOOOOOO… HISSSSSSSS!) and some of the free books started calling it “Comics Giveaway Day” which just doesn’t quite have the same ring to it. Still I was excited to participate once again.
I started my trek at In This Issue in Bettendorf, where I grabbed several of the free comic books available. From there, I drove to Dubuque to Comic World to continue the day’s activities. I know that “Free Comic Book Day” is not free for the comic shops as they have to pay a certain amount for the books that they order, so, because of that, I always want to buy some product at the shop as a thank you for hosting Free Comic Book Day. This year was no exception.
At In This Issue, I picked up several back issues of I Hate Fairyland, which I will be talking about later in the Cavalcade. I found several Amazing Spider-Man Volume 2 books that I was missing. My ASM Vol 2 collection is down to missing just a handful of books now. There was also a fun hologram cover of Marvel Two-In-One #1. Then, I picked up nearly the entire Marvel Team-Up Vol. 3 series.
At Comic World, I picked up a couple of Invincible Universe issues off the spinning rack that the store had on display as well as a couple of Fantastic Four back issues that I had been missing. Then, I grabbed a whole run of Jonah Hex books that were in the back issue section. I have always liked the character of Jonah Hex even if I had not bought anything of his prior to this.
Of course, I got several Free Comic Book Day books at both places. These include: Dungeon Crawler Carl #0, Fort Psycho/Mind MGMT, Conan: Tides of the Tyrant King, Locke & Key #1, DC/Sonic the Hedgehog #1, Nickelodeon: Avatar Legends, Energon Universe 2026 Special #1, Garfield, Minotaur: The Cold Open #0, Planet of the Apes/Alien/Predator #1, Keenspot Spotlight 2026, Avengers Armageddon #1, Something is Killing the Children: Road to Slaughter, Amazing Spider-Man #1, The Greatest American Hero #1, Masters of the Universe, The Future is *****, Megaman Showdown Special #1, Power Rangers #0, Aquamanatee #1, Next Level #1, Spidey and his Amazing Friends #1, Journey to the West, LEGO Batman #1, The Nice House on the Lake Book One, and Ultimate Oz Universe.
Comic Book of the Week
Free Comic Book Day: The Greatest American Hero #1
It is fun that this week’s Comic Book of the Week is one of the Free Comic Book Day books. The Amp book introduces us to a returning Ralph Hinkley as an older character, back to see his son. He still has the outfit and he is trying to convince his son that he is not a crazy man. I am very excited about the new series from Amp and I can’t wait until July for the new book to start.
Books this Week:
Planet She-Hulk #6. Written by Stephanie Phillips and art was done by Emilio Laiso & Aaron Kuder. Variant cover C was done by Marco Ferrari. This fun issue brings Jen back to earth and we learn what happened at the end of Sakaar. She-Hulk feels more like She-Hulk in this issue than she has in the entire series. She was breaking the fourth wall on the first page and I found the humor to be a welcomed change from the previous issues. It is sad that this is now ending.
I Hate Fairyland #50. Written by Skottie Young and drawn by Derek Laufman with Skottie Young. Variant cover C art is done by Skottie Young (Bronze medalist). I have never picked up an issue of this before, but Todd pointed it out on the stands to me and I picked it up. It was way more entertaining than I thought it would be. Skottie Young was in the book. It was funny. It made me want to go back and buy more of the books.
Uncanny X-Men #27. “Who’s Been Sleeping in My Bed?” Written by Gail Simone and art by Luciano Vecchio. Cover art was done by Luciano Vecchio & Edgar Delgado. I also picked up variant cover D by Juan Ferreyra (Silver Medalist). Uncanny X-Men has become very strange. I am not quite sure what is going on with them, time wise. Is this an alternate future and why are the kids dressed as New Mutants? What is up with the New Mutants. This is bizarre, but still awesome fun.
Batman/Wonder Woman: Truth #1. Written by Jeph Loeb and art by Jim Cheung. Cover art was done by Jim Cheung and Jay David Ramos. This was a fun team-up one-shot book that put Batman and Wonder Woman together just after Batman broke up with Catwoman. I have not been a fan of when comics place a story in past continuity, but this one just worked really well because they kept it at a small story and dealt more with the character of Batman.
Feral #22. Written by Tony Fleecs and art by Trish Forstner & Tone Rodriguez. Tony Fleecs & Trish Forstner did both the A cover and the B (Weapons horror homage) cover (Gold Medalist). This is a flip book. If you read it one way, you get the story via the cats perspective and if you start from the back, you get the Stray Dogs’ perspective. It is a clever way to tell this story that is a crossover between Feral and Stray Dogs. Even the horror homage cover has one side with the cats and the other side with the dogs. So cool.
Wrestle Heist #5. Written, drawn and cover art by Kyle Starks. The pro wrestling heist book ends with this issue. Where it seemed that Buddy Hanson was five steps ahead of Sterling Steele and his crew, in truth, Steele was prepared for the rotund promoter. Wrestle Heist has a very satisfying conclusion which included a new World Champion! Fightsgiving is here and it has surprises for everyone!
Dust to Dust #8. Written by JG Jones & Phil Bram and art and cover art by JG Jones. I have enjoyed this series tremendously, but it has been delayed quite a while. I don’t know much about the delay, but it sounded like there was something health related involved in it. If that is the case, I hope everyone is fine and that they overcame whatever challenge it may have been. The series, which was originally scheduled as a 10-issue limited series, is now done at eight. It is a beautiful book with some fun action inside. I hope everyone is okay.
The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace #2. Written by Hannah Rose May with art and cover art by Kelsey Ramsay. Cover art was done by This is officially a continuation of the story about the Exorcism at 1600 Avenue from a few years ago as the president of the United States weighed in to the British about when their child was possessed. They said that what was happening to the Prince was similar to what they faced. It looks like we are getting a third issue exorcism once again. This has been a consistently engaging tale of the British Royal Family and their family curse.
The Punisher #3. “The Dead Place” Written by Benjamin Percy with art by Jose Luis Soares. Cover art was done by David Marquez & GURU-eFX. The Punisher is in some real trouble and that last panel of this book is shocking. I am not sure exactly what we saw, but if it was what it looked like, we have some challenging storytelling coming up.
Ripcord #3. Written by Cullen Bunn and illustrated by Aneke. Cover art was done by Jorge Fornes. Some brutal kills in the Outback of Australia as Dillion continues her search for her missing sister. There is a biker gang in pursuit of her and there are some kind of weird creatures that they discover underground that make you think of zombies.
White Sky #3. Written by William Harms with art and cover art by JP Mavinga. Violet is in search for her dad through a land with ghosts everywhere. Who could help Violet in her mission? How about a medium named Walter? Our pair is now together and they are following whatever they can to try and find Violet’s father.
Baby Garfield #2. “Baby Garfield’s First Monday” and “Baby Garfield’s First Lasagna.” First story written by Stephanie Cooke with art by Whitney Gardner, and second story written and drawn by Brittney Williams. Cover art was done by Agnes Garbowska with colors by Sil Brys. Why does Garfield hate Mondays, and what does it have to do with the arrival of Odie? How much does Garfield love lasagna? We get a chance to see in this issue of the fun Boom! Studios mini series.
Captain America #10. “Doom’s Shadow” Part 5. Written by Chip Zdarsky with art by Valerio Schiti. Cover art was done by Valerio Schiti and Romulo Fajardo Jr. The struggle for Latveria post Doom is hot as the sides all have their moments. Oh and it sure looks like the Red Hulk is on his way.
Red Roots #1. Written, art and cover art by Lorenzo De Felici. I’m not sure how I would react if I kept finding severed heads in my apartment. I mean… one is too many, right? But what happens when it is multiple severed heads? How would you react? What if there are no explanations for the heads being there? Would you be suspected? Oh, and what about a professional killer from a different world? All kinds of strange things going down in this extremely visual book.
Viking Moon #3. Written by Joe Pruett and art and cover art by Marcelo Frusin. The Vikings return to the shores in search of a place to call home and they have to take up arms against a pack of werewolves. The action in this issue was top notch and this was my favorite issue of this book so far. Admittedly, it has been awhile since I saw the last book, but I did enjoy this issue tremendously.
Doom 2099: Rage of Doom #1. Written by Frank Tieri and art by Von Randal. Cover art was done by Junggeun Yoon. I have not been a fan of 2099 books lately. However, this one shot about Doom was very engaging. It connected the story to the One World Under Doom storyline from the last year and it left the book in a huge cliffhanger.
Sam and Twitch Case Files #23. Written by Thomas Healy with additional script by Todd McFarlane with art by Von Randal. Cover art was done by Von Randal with Steve Canon. Sam and Twitch are trying to pursue the case that they have been working on only to find that they are being blocked at all sides by their captain, Captain Malloque. What about this case must stay hidden? Sam and Twitch are trying to figure it out.
Savage Tales #1. Four stories in this compilation by Dynamite including stories about Red Sonja, Vampirella, Allan Quatermain and Gulliver of Mars. I very much enjoyed the Allan Quatermain (although I am used to spelling it Quartermain) and the Gulliver story. I was not as fond of the Red Sonja and Vampirella story. I did like the look of this book as it felt more prestigious than other times these characters may have appeared.
Wolverine: Weapons of Armageddon #3. Written by Chip Zdarsky and art by Luca Maresca. Cover art was done by Leinil Francis Yu & Romulo Fajardo Jr. Teri, the long time mutant hunter, who has been trying to do better recently, ends up dead this issue and Wolverine and Dave Colton, a one-time Captain America, have to face off with Nuke.
Wonder Man #2. “The Two” Written by Gerry Duggan and art by Stefano Raffaele. Flashback artists for the book were Mark Buckingham & Aurie Jimenez. Cover art was done by Philip Tan & Rain Beredo. Simon teams up with his West Coast Avenger teammate Killerwatt to do some taping for a role. Meanwhile, the Spot is causing all kinds of trouble.
A Quiet Place: Storm Warning #2. Written by Phil Hester and pencils by Ryan Kelly. Cover art was done by Ryan Kelly. The people of Pearl Island are in major trouble from the creatures. Of course, they may have as much trouble from each other as they have from the monsters.
From Parts Unknown #1. Written by Adriano Ariganello and art and cover art by Daniel Caval. More wrestling storytelling as we have two Luchador brothers, Bruno and Pietro, traveling the wrestling circuit trying to make a living. They come across a wrestler that they are supposed to put over in the next match, but it turned out that the wrestler is more than what he seemed. I liked this book quite a bit. I like how the wrestling world has been making its way into the comics more lately.
Final Boss: Masked Vigilante #1. Written by Tyler Kirkham with art by Leon Govender. Cover art by Tyler Kirkham. A spin off from the recent hit series, Final Boss, this featured the Masked Vigilante… a combination of Punisher and Black Noir on a motorcycle. Lots of blood and violence. Not much more than that. It was fun for what it was.
Other books this week: Exploit #2, 51 #2, Wiccan: Witches’ Road #5, Deadly Hands of K’un-Lun #3, Harley Quinn x Elvira #6, Rocketeer #1, Honor and Curse: Eternal #2, Zatanna #1, and Justice League: Intergalactic Special #1.
Quick Hits: We are still not so sure about poor Ted in Is Ted Ok? #3. Someone new showed up to cause more issues for Ted. Generation X-23 #3 has Wolverine and Gabby met their match with the X-Numbers? Michael Moorcock’s Elric is back in a new book from Titan, Elric: The Sleeping Sorceress #1. I have always been a fan of Elric the albino. Warbird #0 is the next book from Bad Idea and this is a small preview of the book coming out in a few months. Also from Bad Idea is a one shot called Tony Millionaire’s Oddball’s Odyssey #1. It has a quote from Elvis Costello on the cover, which is a weird thing. I did not know Elvis Costello was into comics. This is more like comic strips though and it compiles several strips of this monkey character. It is a bizarre book for sure. I’m glad Elvis liked it though. Swamp Thing #88 confused me. Apparently, this was a book that was never completed when the original run of Swamp Thing was canceled and this is the story that finally was told. It is all like it would have been in 1989, including advertisements. I’ve never been as into Swamp Thing as I have been with Man-Thing, which I know is probably a hot take. The Ultimates #23 was strange as well. It was told in a different manner than any books I have seen in a long time. I know I am always cheering on the creators who do something original, but this one was a big swing that I just did not get into. And Ursula #3 continues to be entertaining to my surprise. Dynamite does some really solid work with these Disney books.
