Comic Shop Corner: October 2014

Biggest Storylines:

Dark Horse Comics: Black Sky Sampler

Dark Horse isn't exactly known for their super-hero line, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist... Dark Horse owned relaunches of X and Ghost have happened recently as well as renown pulp hero Captain Midnight and the immensely popular The Victories are just some of the heroes Dark Horse has to work with, combine those with a new slew and Dark Horse may just be the 3rd biggest super-hero publisher, and with the new Project Black Sky initiative they have been cementing that place. Enter the Black Sky Sampler, which combines 4 action packed comics in one book for a the low price of $4.99. A mysterious dimension hopper. A psychokinetic prodigy. A beautiful and vengeful specter. A socially inept sorcerer. Only they can deliver us from Black Sky! Don’t miss this value-priced primer with four action-packed issues! Enter the thrilling universe of Dark Horse superheroes! Contains Blackout #1, Brain Boy #0, Ghost #1, and The Occultist: At Death’s Door #1.

DC Comics: Earth 2: World's End

No surprise here, DC finally launches their 3rd (and final) weekly series this October with Earth 2: World's End. This title showcases DC's ultimate alter-earth in it's most fragile state, Earth 2 is at war with Apokolips and only this world's heroes can stop it. Working as a prequel of sorts to The Future's End series which sees the heroes of Earth 2 imprisoned on the New 52 Earth following their escape from Earth 2 after/during(?) the war with Apokolips, this series helmed by robotics expert/best selling novelist/comic rookie Daniel H. Wilson will team him up with Marguerite Bennett and Mike Johnson, the former also co-writes the existing Earth 2 series with Tom Taylor of Injustice fame which coincidently also features an evil Superman.

IDW Publishing: Skylanders

Skylanders is one of the Top 20 best-selling video games of all-time in just 2 years! Skylanders figures outsold all top action-figure lines worldwide for two years running... So of course it was going to make the leap to comics. Join fan-favorite characters Spyro, Stealth Elf, Trigger Happy, and more in these original, never-before-seen stories that tie directly into the videogames. These stories will not be found anywhere else as you can pick up The Kaos Trap in a full colour hardcover and pick up the single issues of the 5 part mini-series which of course launches this October!

Image Comics: Wytches

Anyone that has read The Wake or American Vampire knows that Scott Snyder is very capable of writing a great horror book. This time however, he's taking his talents to Image Comics. Announced at last Image Expo, Scott Snyder and Jock's WYTCHES, a dark reimagining of what witches are, and exactly how Grimm and deadly they can be will hit the shelves to spook readers early this Halloween month. For a full synopsis on issue 1, check out below as this is one of (several) of my Donny-Approved Series for this month.

Marvel Comics: AXIS

In true Marvel fashion, they just wrapped one event with Original Sin and here they are ready to go at it again with the Rick Remender written AXIS which crosses over with the Avengers, X-Men and everything in between. Being released weekly starting the middle of this month, AXIS also has tie-ins with Magneto, Uncanny Avengers, Deadpool, Loki: Agent Of Asgard, and All New X-Factor, as well as tie-in mini-series AXIS: Revolutions as well as 3 issue mini-series starring Carnage and Hobgoblin who promise to play big parts in this epic event. For a full synopsis on issue 1, check out below as this is one of (several) of my Donny-Approved Series for this month.

Donny Approved Series:

ARKHAM MANOR
Publisher: DC COMICS
Creative Team: (W) Gerry Duggan (A/CA) Shawn Crystal
Release Date: 10/22/2014
Description: When catastrophe strikes Arkham Asylum, where will Gotham City house the world’s most dangerous criminals, and when inmates are found murdered, what is Batman prepared to do in search of justice? Arkham’s madness comes home in ARKHAM MANOR! A bold new series brought to you by the mad minds of Gerry Duggan (Deadpool, Nova) and Shawn Crystal (Deadpool, Wolverine and the X-Men).

AVENGERS AND X-MEN AXIS #1 (OF 9)
Publisher: MARVEL COMICS
Creative Team: (W) Rick Remender (A) Adam Kubert (CA) Jim Cheung
Release Date: 10/8/2014
Description: ACT I: THE RED SUPREMACY… The Red Skull has exploited the gifts of the world’s greatest telepath to broadcast pure hatred across the globe. Now, born of the murder of Charles Xavier, World War Hate has begun. Tony Stark discovers a secret truth that will upend not only his life, but also the lives of everyone he cares for. Can The Avengers and X-Men finally unite? Would their combined strength be enough to hold back the darkness of the Red Onslaught?

BUCKY BARNES WINTER SOLDIER #1
Publisher: MARVEL COMICS
Creative Team: (W) Ales Kot (A/CA) Marco Rudy
Release Date*: 10/1/2014
Description: Following the tragedy of Original Sin, what becomes of Bucky Barnes, the Winter Soldier? Find out in this new ongoing series.

DEADPOOLS ART OF WAR #1 (OF 4)
Publisher: MARVEL COMICS
Creative Team: (W) Peter David (A/CA) Scott Koblish
Release Date*: 10/15/2014
Description: Sun Tzu’s Art of War has been called the definitive work on military strategy and tactics and has influenced leaders in both warfare and business for hundreds of years…which means it’s totally in the public domain and ripe for being ripped off by Deadpool! And what’s Deadpool’s plan to ensure his version of Art of War outsells the original? Make sure the entire world is at war when it comes out!

EARTH 2 WORLDS END #1
Publisher: DC COMICS
Creative Team: (W) Daniel H. Wilson & Various (A) Ardian Syaf & Various (CA) Ardian Syaf, Jaime Mendoza
Release Date*: 10/8/2014
Description: Daniel H. Wilson, New York Times best-selling author of Robopocalypse and Robogenesis, delves into the world of EARTH 2 for the start of a new weekly series that will see the origins of a world much like the New 52 Earth, but yet so different. A world that saw its greatest heroes die – and new ones take their places. A world where Superman became it’s greatest villain, and a man named Zod seeks to save it, along with Batman, Green Lantern, The Flash and other heroes. A world they can only save from the forces of Apokolips through great personal sacrifice! Death and destruction will follow each week, and you’ll never know who will live and who will die! It all begins with this extra-sized debut issue!

EDWARD SCISSORHANDS #1 (OF 5)
Publisher: IDW PUBLISHING
Creative Team: (W) Kate Leth (A) Drew Rausch (CA) Gabriel Rodriguez
Release Date*: 10/22/2014
Description: In castle just outside a sleepy suburban town, a brilliant inventor created Edward Scissorhands…but left him tragically unfinished. Two generations of exile have left Edward digging through abandoned experiments, but once he wakes up a creature left buried, he discovers he isn’t the only one missing a vital piece. As Edward tries to fix a grave mistake, he comes face to face with a teenage girl who was sure he was only myth… despite the stories her grandmother told her, about the man she could never touch.

LOBO #1
Publisher: DC COMICS
Creative Team: (W) Cullen Bunn (A) Reilly Brown (CA) Aaron Kuder
Release Date*: 10/1/2014
Description: The all-new Lobo brings the ultraviolence to his new ongoing series! If the first few blood-soaked pages of this issue don’t shock you – nothing will!

SABRINA #1
Publisher: ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS
Creative Team: (W) Roberto Aguirre Sacasa (A) Robert Hack, Jack Morelli (CA) Robert Hack
Release Date*: 10/8/2014
Description: New Ongoing Series! Terror is born anew in this dark reimagining of Sabrina the Teenage Witch’s origin. On the eve of her sixteenth birthday, the young sorceress finds herself at a crossroads, having to choose between an unearthly destiny and her mortal boyfriend, Harvey. But a foe from her family’s past has arrived in Greendale, Madame Satan, and she has her own deadly agenda. Archie Comic’s latest horror sensation starts here! For TEEN+ readers.

TMNT/GHOSTBUSTERS #1 (OF 4)
Publisher: IDW PUBLISHING
Creative Team: (W) Erik Burnham, Tom Waltz (A/CA) Dan Schoening
Release Date*: 10/8/2014
Description: When a new invention goes haywire, the Turtles are sent to a whole new type of New York City. One with a whole lot more ghosts… and Ghostbusters! The two teams will have to learn to get along quickly, because a new foe from the Turtles past has followed them and aims to conquer NYC!

WYTCHES #1 (MR)
Publisher: IMAGE COMICS
Creative Team: (W) Scott Snyder (A/CA) Jock
Release Date*: 10/8/2014
Description: Across the globe, century after century, men and women were burned, drowned, hanged, tortured, imprisoned, persecuted, and murdered for witchcraft. None of them were witches. They died protecting a terrible and hidden truth: witches, real witches, are out there. They are ancient, elusive, and deadly creatures that are rarely seen and even more rarely survived. This October, superstar creators SCOTT SNYDER (SEVERED, Batman) and JOCK (SNAPSHOT, Batman) unveil WYTCHES, and introduce you to a world of unimaginable horror in a special EXTRA-SIZED FIRST ISSUE with 30 pages of story and no ads for just $2.99

Special: Top 10 British Comedies

I sit here watching Alan Partridge, newest comedy from British funny-man Steve Coogan on a lazy Wednesday morning, I have the day off and with another busy weekend ahead I thought I'd get a head start on my blogging and what better list to do than the Top 10 British Comedies

10. The Return Of The Pink Panther: Despite starring legendary comic actor Peter Sellers, the original Pink Panther and its sequel, A Shot in the Dark, were both American productions; however, the revival of the franchise, The Return of the Pink Panther, was an out-and-out British picture. Though it was the fourth movie in the series, and the third to star Sellers, Return proved to be a huge hit with audiences and quickly became the series’ highpoint.

9. Wallace & Gromit The Curse Of The Were-Rabbit: It’s hard to imagine that it took Nick Park's stop-motion characters Wallace and Gromit 16 years to make the jump from shorts to feature-length, but in the end it was all worth it. In 2005’s The Curse of the Were-Rabbit, the iconic clay duo’s signature dry eccentricities geared up for a 90-minute adventure, and the result isn’t just one of the great Wallace & Gromit stories ever, but one of the great British comedies in general.

8. Monty Python And The Holy Grail: Although I admit that I'm not as big of a fan of Monty Python as most are but I can't deny The Holy Grail's off the wall spin on King Arthur and his knights. Complete with incompetent knights, witches, and the most viscious rabbit you've ever seen, Monty Python and the Holy Grail is a lowbrow, high-concept comedy that takes pleasure in breaking all the rules of form, taste, whatever. Coconuts.

7. Hot Fuzz: Whereas Shaun put the zombie genre in its crosshairs, Hot Fuzz is a send-up of police/action dramas, like Lethal Weapon and Dirty Harry—with a dash of British horror, a la The Wicker Man, thrown in for good measure. The brilliance of the movie is that Wright and crew play the whole thing with a straight face. Wright shoots the film like a serious action movie, but what you're actually experiencing is an outlandish farce, as seen during an epic two-second-long police chase that is shot with the flair of a Michael Bay movie.

6. Snatch: Guy Ritchie’s kinetic ensemble piece also brought plenty of laughs by uniting a neurotic cast of colorful characters. No one is going to forget Brad Pitt's mealy-mouthed Roma, Vinnie Jones Bullet-Tooth Tony, or Benici Del Toro's arm. The genius of Snatch is that we shouldn’t be laughing at any of this. These are terrible people doing awful, violent things; however, it’s pulled off with such energy and sarcasm that you can’t help but chuckle at the misfortunes of others.

5. Trainspotting: The film doesn't do typical slapstick humor or wild physical comedy—unless getting smacked in the face with human shit, or climbing into a toilet qualify as regular for you. But don't mistake this for Grown Ups 3—driven by the frantic style of director Danny Boyle, combined with a star-making performance from Ewan McGregor, Trainspotting is a delirious piece of dark misery set to the tempo of an EDM music video. The movie explores the squalor and crime-ridden lifestyles of the drug addicts of Edinburgh, Scotland. Boyle's plastic style allows the film to regularly flips between socially conscious, slice of life humor and surreal visual gags, like in the aforementioned toilet bit.

4. In Bruges: In the film, Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleason star as two Irish hitmen forced into hiding in the city of Bruges after Farrell’s character accidentally kills a young boy during a hit gone wrong. From there, the two hired guns ruminate on the nature of life and guilt as they plunge into the eccentric underbelly of the quirky city. This thoughtful morality tale offers darkly comedic flourishes, including a drug-addicted dwarf who gets into a brawl with Farrell and a rabid performance by Ralph Fiennes, who plays the boss of our two heroes. All of these elements coalesce by the end to form a wholly unique comedy and masterfully written piece of art.

3. Death At A Funeral: British humor is well known for blending the twisted dark elements of our own mortality with off-the-wall physical comedy, and one of the prime modern examples of this style is 2007’s Death at a Funeral. Boasting a cavalcade of talent including Matthew Macfayden, Rupert Grave, and Peter Dinklage, this movie is the quintessential English comedy and a great introduction for new fans. The story revels in the exploits of an unusual family at the funeral of the patriarch, where the safest place to be is inside the coffin.

2. Lock, Stock, And Two Smoking Barrels: Dripping with vulgarity and violence, Lock, Stock And Two Smoking Barrels is a dark comedy masquerading as a crime drama. Directed by Guy Ritchie, this movie explores the seedy trappings of the London crime world, using a group of hapless friends who try and rob a local gang in order to pay off their debts as the entry point. The premise sounds as generic as can be, but Ritchie and his stacked cast bring a severe and cynical wit to every scene that brings energy and laughs to even the most brutal moments. Many of the movies discussed here exemplify the dry, oddball line of British humor, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels is the perfect example of the dirty, punk rock style that defined the British underground. Jason Flemyng, Vinnie Jones, Jason Statham, and the rest of the cast are all at their crassest as they deliver memorable lines and nasty gags, including a beatdown with a black rubber phallus.

1. Shaun Of The Dead: Director Edgar Wright put a darkly funny spin on the world of the undead with Shaun of the Dead. Now a bona fide cult classic, Shaun deftly combines horror, gross-out humor, and desert-dry jokes for a wholly unique experience. Left in the hands of an American director, Shaun of the Dead probably would have had the subtlety of a chainsaw to the sternum, but under the guidance of Wright, the movie stuffs every frame with so many small, comedic touches, it's impossible to catch them all with just one viewing. This is one rare geek favorite that lives up to its billing.

Top 10 Countdown: September 27, 2014

10. Four Year Strong - Go Down In History
Last week: 5.

9. Fireworks - Bed Sores
Last week: NEW!

8. Transit - Rest To Get Better
Last week; 9.

7. Katy Perry - This IS How We Do
Last week: 7.

6. Chiodos - 3 AM
Last week: 8.

5. New Found Glory - Ready And Willing
Last week: 6.

4. Marianas Trench Feat. Anami Vice - Pop 101
Last week: 4.

3. illScarlett - Down For Whatever
Last week: 3.

2. I The Mighty - Love Your Sin
Last week: 2.

1. New Found Glory - Selfless
Last week: 1.

Special: Top 10 Movies That Take Place In Space

With Interstellar becoming the hot topic of conversation as we do a full swing into awards season had me thinking about movies taking place in outer space and I came to realize there hasn't been a great one in several years... I also learnt I have nearly watched enough space movies so rather than do a Top 10 Movies In space, I thought I'd do a top 5, and follow up with a top 5 Movies In Space I'm Embarrassed To Say I Haven't Seen (or least haven't seen since I hit puberty and knew what a good movie was supposed to be). Onwards we go...

5. 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)

What more can be said about this film that hasn't already been said? It's probably the most visually striking space film to be released until the turn of the century. It was directed by the masterful Stanley Kubrick and had everything from humour to heroism in the script. It also features a slew of unrecognisable actors that for whatever reason play their parts perfectly. And hey! The sequel isn't atrocious either.

4. Space Jam (1996)

Here's your chance, do your dance at the Space Jam... Alright, alright, alright... Those iconic words... They just fill me with joy. Cause you know when you hear them you are just an hour away from watching Bill Murray take the court alongside Jordan, Bugs and Daffy. I couldv'e picked a number of animated films for this spot, Wall-E is the popular choice, though I tend to favour Treasure Planet and Titan AE myself. There is no denying the fact that despite being critically shat on at the time of it's release has become a cult film for all of us that grew up with it... Hearing you belong on Moron Mountain still stings to this day.

3. Sunshine (2007)

Years before Danny Boyle found Oscar glory with Slumdog Millionaire he created a film that should've been just as successful if not commercially than critically. Although it did have it's fair share of supporters, post-production problems caused the movies release date to be Spring 2007 instead of the original fall 2006 date. Thus Danny Boyle's space epic about a group of scientists going into space to reignite a dying sun was overlooked come award seasons despite striking visuals and a solid cast lead by Cillian Murphy, Chris Evans and Rose Byrne.

2. Dark City (1998)

I can't believe how overlooked this masterpiece is. I still remember the first time I watched it... I was in tenth grade and was handed a burned copy on DVD by a classmate. I never heard of this movie but I figured I'd give it a shot, though I wasn't actually paying attention, I was likely talking to girls on the Internet... What all Tenth graders did in the early 2000's. Something came up and I had to shut the movie off without finishing it. When I went back to watch it I realized I recalled next to nothing about it so I opted to start from the beginning and I'm glad I did because I was completely blown away. If you like stylish action/thrillers with a film noir background this movie is for you. As a sidebar Christopher Nolan used this movie as inspiration for Inception.

1. Star Wars: Episode III - VI (1977 - 2005)

Yup. What can I say? Other than it's really weird they haven't done an Episode I or II yet... Yup... Still waiting on those... Nothing is in existence, the closest we get is that sweet pod racing game for the N64. That had a young Vader in it.

Top 5 Movies That Take Place In Outer Space That I'm Embarrassed To Say I Haven't Seen

5. Iron Sky (2012)

Okay this spot was supposed to go to "The Right Stuff" but moon nazis?? How have I not seen this.

4. Serenity (2005)

I haven't watched Firefly, I don't recall seeing Serenity so yeah... I lose nerd credibility now I guess...

3. Dune (1984)

This is a classic... I get it... But I've never been a Lynch fan, he does so few movies and I didn't particularly enjoy Eraserhead and Mulholland Drive so I'm not exactly gungho to tackle his filmography.

2. Moon (2009)

Now this I have no excuse for... I like Sam Rockwell... Duncan Jones is all the rage right now... I'm not sure why I skipped over it... Hell even NASA likes this movie.

1. Alien/Aliens/Prometheus (1979 - 2012)

Yeah... I'll get to it. Shut up.

Top 10 Countdown: September 20, 2014

10. Real Friends - I Don't Love You Anymore
Last week: 10.

9. Transit - Rest To Get Better
Last week: NEW!

8. Chiodos - 3 AM
Last week: 9.

7. Katy Perry - This Is How We Do
Last week: 8.

6. New Found Glory - Ready And Willing
Last week: NEW!

5. Four Year Strong - Go Down In History
Last week: 1.

4. Marianas Trench Feat. Anami Vice - Pop 101
Last week: 5.

3. illScarlett - Down For Whatever
Last week: 4.

2. I The Mighty - Love Your Sin
Last week: 3.

1. New Found Glory - Selfless
Last week: 2.

Special: The Dark Knight Rises Review

This week for the Sunday Special you need to head over here http://flyingmonkeyreviews.blogspot.ca/2014/09/the-dark-knight-rises.html to check out me and my comrade's review of The Dark Knight Rises to celebrate Mike's Threequel month and the release of Morgan Freeman's Dolphin Tale 2 which came out this week.

Enjoy!

-DonnyFTW

Top 10 Countdown: September 13, 2014

10. Real Friends - I Don't Love You Anymore
Last week: NEW!

9. Chiodos - 3AM
Last week: 10.

8. Katy Perry - This Is How We Do
Last week: 9.

7. The Maine - Run
Last week: 7.

6. Aaron West And The Roaring Twenties - Divorce And The American South
Last week: 3.

5. Marianas Trench Feat. Anami Vice - Pop 101
Last week: 6.

4. illScarlett - Down For Whatever
Last week: 5.

3. I The Mighty - Love Your Sin
Last week: 4.

2. New Found Glory - Selfless
Last week: 2.

1. Four Year Strong - Go Down In History
Last week: 1.

Monthly Movie Madness: September

A little late but the beginning of September sucks anyways...

5. This Is Where I Leave You: The long and the short of this movie is that estranged siblings each dealing with their own demons come together after their father's funeral to honour his last wish, that his family spend a week together under the same roof. Featuring an amazing ensemble cast expect big laughs in serious situations.

Synopsis: The dramatic comedy "This is Where I Leave You" is directed by Shawn Levy, released by Warner Bros. and based on the hilarious and poignant best-selling novel by Jonathan Tropper. It features a starring ensemble cast including Golden Globe winner Jason Bateman ("Arrested Development"); Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner Tina Fey ("30 Rock"); and two-time Oscar (R) winner, multiple Golden Globe honoree and 2013 Emmy Award nominee Jane Fonda ("Klute," "Coming Home," HBO's "The Newsroom")

4. Two Night Stand: In my book Miles Teller has more hits (21 & Over, Footloose, Rabbit Hole) than misses (Project X) but there's a lot I haven't watched yet but I'm excited to, including Two Night Stand. I'm all about the awkward love stories and just looking at the poster without the trailer tells us all we need to know, but the trailer has some great bits so watch that too, okay??

Synopsis:A no-strings-attached, online hook-up turns into a morning-after disaster for twenty-something New Yorkers Megan (Analeigh Tipton) and Alec (Miles Teller). When a paralyzing blizzard hits the city trapping them in Alec's cramped Brooklyn apartment, they are forced to get to know each other far beyond the confines of a typical one-night stand. Marking the directorial debut of Max Nichols, Two Night Stand is a sexy, romantic comedy about finding love in the digital age. The film also stars Jessica Szohr and Scott Mescudi (aka Kid Cudi).

3. Good People: Wait! What!? A James Franco movie I want to watch? The hell is this? And what about Kate Hudson what was the last thing I actually seen her in?? When was Bride Wars? Or did Fools Gold come first? Who cares. This movie looks exciting, and we've all thought about this scenario at one time or another.

Synopsis: Young American couple Tom and Anna Reed (James Franco and Kate Hudson) fall into severe debt while renovating Anna's family home in London. As the couple faces the loss of their dream to have a house and start a family, they discover that the tenant in the apartment below them has been murdered and he left behind a stash of cash-$400,000 worth. Though initially hesitant, Tom and Anna decide that the plan is simple: all they have to do is quietly take the money and use only what's necessary to get them out of debt. But when they start spending the money and can't seem to stop, they find themselves the target of a deadly adversary-the thief who stole it-and that's when very bad things start happening to good people.

2. The Equalizer: I realize Antoine Fuqua's movies arent for everyone but Training Day and last years Olympus Has Fallen were exciting and solid in the storytelling department and with Denzel leading I expect The Equalizer to do solid business if it avoids the good but not great reviews it has been getting at TIFF.

Synopsis: In The Equalizer, Denzel Washington plays McCall, a man who believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when McCall meets Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can't stand idly by - he has to help her. Armed with hidden skills that allow him to serve vengeance against anyone who would brutalize the helpless, McCall comes out of his self-imposed retirement and finds his desire for justice reawakened. If someone has a problem, if the odds are stacked against them, if they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer.

1. Tusk: #WalrusYes the movement that got this film made. Kevin Smith movies aren't for everyone, especially when he steps outside his Jay and Silent Bob comfort zone but Red State was reasonably well received, myself included so why expect any different? In a small sample size the movie is 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. We'll just have to see what happen on Sept. 19 when it hits all the multiplexes... I know I'll be there.

Synopsis: Red State director Kevin Smith takes the helm for this horror film starring Justin Long as a podcaster who is targeted by a sadistic killer while attempting to land an interview with a misanthropic adventurer (Michael Parks). Genesis Rodriguez and Haley Joel Osment co-star.

Honourable mentions: The Maze Runner, Walk Among The Tombstones, The Skeleton Twins, No No: A Dockumentary, The Guest

Top 10 Countdown: September 6, 2014

10. Chiodos - 3AM
Last week: NEW!

9. Katy Perry - This Is How We Do
Last week: 10.

8. Knuckle Puck - No Good
Last week: 4.

7. The Maine - Run
Last week: 8.

6. Marianas Trench Ft. Anami Vice - Pop 101
Last week: 7.

5. illScarlett - Down For Whatever
Last week: 6.

4. I The Mighty - Love Your Sin
Last week: 5.

3. Aaron West And The Roaring Twenties - Divorce And The American South
Last week: 2.

2. New Found Glory - Selfless
Last week: 3.

1. Four Year Strong - Go Down In History
Last week: 1.

Special: Top 10 Summer Pop-Punk Albums

I'm not going to kid you all... Summer is just about over so we only have a couple weeks left to drive around windows down cranking out our favourite summer albums and for me summer means pop-punk all day, so here's my top 10 summer albums...

10. Fall Out Boy - Take This To Your Grave

Every single one of us one has had one of "those" relationships. The kind where it doesn't end in heartfelt goodbyes, but rather vindictive emotions and thoughts revolving around the question of whether you could get away with strangling the person in question. It's inevitably going to happen at some point in your life. So when the delightful vocals of Patrick Stump begin Take This To Your Grave with "Light that smoke/ Yeah one for giving up on me/ And one just cause they'll kill you sooner than my expectations." It's known that at one point in your life, you'll relate to this record in some fashion. How good is it? Regardless if it’s just another pop record, it’s an incredible one. Everything is done perfectly on this record, from the right amount to production to the balance of hard hitting instruments and pop goodness. Sure, the lyrics are practically quotes from a brokenhearted boy’s diary, but they’re undoubtedly all things we’ve related to at one point and another; Pete Wentz is similar to Max Bemis in the way that he lets the listener know exactly how it is.

9. The Ataris - So Long, Astoria

For a brief time back in 2003, The Ataris were huge. Their bouncy cover of Don Henley’s ‘The Boys of Summer’ was being delivered to the masses through radio stations across the country. It was the biggest hit the band had ever seen. The unbelievably catchy ‘In This Diary’ received some airplay as well, but not nearly as much as it should have. It’s obvious So Long Astoria isn’t just your average pop punk outing. Even though many songs are optimistic and full of energy, others prove to be rather poignant. Unfortunately there is some filler, but the album's sincerity makes up for it. Without a doubt, it’s the band’s catchiest and most personal record. Anybody looking to revisit their past can do so with So Long, Astoria. It’s an album that proves that being grown up isn’t half as fun as growing up.

8. July - What We Signed Up For

If you’re looking for something new to the pop-punk world, this one is for you. The record will surely appeal to fans of acts like All Time Low and We Are The in Crowd. Upbeat guitars and pace-quickening drums fire off the title track before the bass kicks in with Devin Moody’s vocals. Immediately once the chorus hits, you know you’re in for a catchy ride with this record. “West Coast Pimpin’” begins rather somberly with the line “I’m afraid that I’ve become / Something less than what I was searching for.” Unexpectedly and in no time at all, a breezy synth pops in and your foot gets tapping along as the song now carries a hopeful feel while Moody sings, “I’m searching for something.” What We Signed Up For isn’t anything groundbreaking, it’s an incredibly great listen if you’re looking for some pop-punk to play in the sun.

7. Yellowcard - Ocean Avenue

Very few pop-punk albums have the ability to evoke a tangible emotional response. They typically thrive on speedy tempos, loud guitars, and catchy hooks to rope the listener in to a journey of lyrical clichés and rehashed musical ideas. That is why, from the moment I first heard Ocean Avenue, I was blown away. Yellowcard is not a band that will experiment on new frontiers, nor will they impress with complicated solos. They are actually as close to average as a band can come in terms of their raw ability, but that is also, to an extent, what makes Ocean Avenue so special. The album is a heartbreaking tale, told by average people for average people. It is depressed when you are depressed, it whines when you whine, and it becomes self-assured and confident when you realize that, just as you suspected in the beginning, everything will turn out alright.

6. City Lights - In It To Win It

City Lights produces a sound that reminds me of A Day To Remember’s pop-punk side, but also inhabits an easycore vibe with loud guitars, profuse breakdowns, and vocals reminiscent of Jeremy McKinnon. Homesick being one of my favorite records of all time, I heard vast similarities in the overall mood and tempo of the music. And if there was any way to wrap up adolescence into an album, then City Lights’ cleverly named debut, In It To Win It, does just that. Starting off with a baseball being hit with a bat and a crowd cheering, I could already feel the vibes of summer. It reminded me of the years of lore that I spent playing baseball as a child. As soon as October rolls around I won't be able to wait until next summer when I can once again blast this in the car driving around with the windows down and getting sun drenched.

5. All Time Low - Nothing Personal

When I blast Nothing Personal in my car and roll down the windows, I can’t help but think of the summer of 2002. It has what anyone wants in their pop-punk/rock – huge hooks, honest (if not cheesy) lyrics, and a fun attitude. All Time Low isn’t exactly reinventing the wheel here, so if you were a fan of their 2007 album, So Wrong, It’s Right, then you will have no troubles enjoying this, as Nothing Personal is a step-up. Opener “Weightless” packs a Tyson-sized punch, as the chorus soars behind Alex Gaskarth’s voice. Other pop-punk wish they could write hooks like the one on “Weightless,” and, as good as this hook is, it’s not the best one on this album. That would belong to the Butch Walker-produced single “Damned If I Do Ya (Damned If I Don’t).” The song has Walker’s fingerprints all over it, as it is nearly impossible to get “oh-oh-oh/how was I supposed to know?” out of your head. As for me, I’m gonna put on an Atticus shirt and some Dickies and relive 2002.

4. New Found Glory - Self-Titled

What better way to relive 2002 then listening to some NFG? If there’s one band in the world of pop punk that absolutely shreds, it would have to be New Found Glory. For over fifteen years the Florida based act have been pumping out solid releases, New Found Glory are never better than when they’re firing on all cylinders and none of their albums are quite as lively as their self titled album. It’s an energetic pop punk album that takes hold of the listener and refuses to let go. The album really is relentless in the way it doesn’t let up on the energy levels. It’s one of the best pop punk albums of all time that I’d openly recommend to anybody, whether they’re a fan of the genre or not.

3. The Summer Set - Legendary

From opener Maybe Tonight, which is full of gripping hooks, gang vocals and a steady beat and possibly (lyrically anyways) the best song The Summer Set ever wrote, to the carnival-like Rescue; Legendary follows in the same party vibe that fans fell for on their first record. Lightning In A Bottle is the quintessential TSS song and is primed to get huge. Overall, Legendary is a re-introduction to the good ole party album, something that we have come to love about The Summer Set. So whether you’re keen on the pop-rock genre or not, like the second track on the album, Jukebox (Life Goes On), I suggest you put a quarter in the jukebox and sing along because as Barney Stinson would say, this album is legen… wait for it… dary.

2. Hit The Lights - Skip School, Start Fights

Skip School, Start Fights is so sweet that I may now need a dentist, but that’s a great feeling to have. I have spent every day of my life since I first hear Enema of The State listening and praising pop punk and their are few albums that hit the way this does. these guys have been around before All Time Low and yet are still working their way up, which is beyond wrong in my mind. They've had their share of problems, from losing a lead singer, to tour troubles, and every little thing in between, but they are able to sum it up and get it out of the way on, “Count It,” This simple introduction is started with beautiful piano and then met with a call to arms of sorts accompanying the piano with perfectly produced drums and great vocal harmonies. This is Hit The Lights telling the listener that they aren’t going anywhere and that what we’re about to hear is there statement of relevance.

1. The Starting Line - Say It Like You Mean It

Say it Like You Mean It kicked off soon after it’s 2002 released and established The Starting Line as a pop punk staple. Listeners couldn’t get over the catchy hooks, the relatable lyrics, and addicting melodies. Each track was like a story, with it’s own unfinished ending where the fans can fill in the blanks. At the time, the pop punk community needed music like this to solidify their feelings; to let them though that someone was there that understands. The pop punk/emo movement saw a lot of that at the time but the Starting Line was one of the few bands to break away from the typical mold and successfully experiment without losing the interest of their fans. Every track on this album screams summer which makes it my number 1 summer album.

Comic Shop Corner: September 2014

September's Donny-Approved Series:

Marvel's Hawkeye Vs. Deadpool

Biggest Storylines:

Dark Horse Comics: Fire And Stone

Dark Horse has 2 miniseries launching this month with the Fire And Stone subtitle, they are Prometheus and Aliens. When the Prometheus never returned from her fateful journey to LV-223, the questions surrounding the origins of man went unanswered. Now a new team of explorers seeks to uncover the dark mystery that holds not only the fate of the original mission, but possibly their own damnation. In Aliens a vicious xenomorph outbreak is happening and terraforming engineer Derrick Russell leads a desperate group of survivors onto a rickety mining vessel. They hope to escape the creatures overrunning their colony -- but they'll face horrors both in space and on the strange planet they crash on. Best of all these series tie in with the Prometheus and Aliens films!

DC Comics: The Future's End

DC Comics will publish 41 stand-alone issues tying into The New 52: Futures End. In each of the one-shots, creators will put DC characters through a prospective five-year time jump that will give a sense for where the heroes might stand in that time. The world of Futures End is already starting to fall apart at its seams in five years, so it's distinctly possible that most of these stories will be pretty dire -- and as it is whenever time travel is involved, there can be some pretty big, surprising and even wacky ideas at play. Plus Booster Gold gets a one-shot! Trapped out of time on a world that defies reason, Booster Gold struggles to escape the fate that has held him and so many forgotten heroes captive!

IDW Publishing: Rot & Ruin

Brand new adventures set in the world of Rot & Ruin! Written by NY Times best-selling author and multiple Bram Stoker award-winner, Jonathan Maberry - writer of the breakout hit V-Wars, this all-new storyline continues events from the award-winning series of novels. In Rot & Ruin: Warrior Smart we meet Benny, Nix, Lilah and Chong as they travel through the Sierra Nevada mountains just one faltering step ahead of zombie hordes and one giant leap behind the plane flying through the sky that set them on their journey of discovery. For those looking for something a little less horror-ry check out G.I. Joe which regroups with a new #1.

Image Comics: God Hates Image Comics


I don't mean that literally... I'm sure God has more important things to do, but with a title like God Hates Astronauts it makes you wonder... RYAN BROWNE’s (THE MANHATTAN PROJECTS, BEDLAM) farcical cult-sensation returns with a new story perfect for new readers! A NASA funded group of arrogant "super people" must stop a rash of farmers that have been using rocket-powered silos to launch themselves into outer space! As these Astro-Farmers fire themselves all over the galaxy, NASA must utilize their every resource (a guy with a ghost-cow head, a bunch of magic bears, and a Chicago cop with robot arms) to avoid an intergalactic incident!

Marvel Comics: Death Of Wolverine

The beginning of the end is now here … THE DEATH OF WOLVERINE!
THREE MONTHS TO DIE, the loss of Wolverine’s healing factor--all led to this, the single most important X-Men event of the decade. Logan has spent over a century being the best there is at what he does...but even the best fade away eventually. Over the years, Logan has been a warrior, a hero, a renegade, a samurai, a teacher—and so much more. But now, the greatest X-Men hero will play a role he’s never played before in this special weekly event brought to you by industry superstars Charles Soule and Steve McNiven. Issues 1 to 4 are released on a weekly basis through September and with Soule and his Marvel exclusive contract in hand this is a can't miss event.

Other Top Titles:

EDGE OF SPIDER-VERSE #1 (OF 5)
Publisher: MARVEL COMICS
Creative Team: (W) Fabrice Sapolsky (A/CA) Richard Isanove
Estimated Release Date*: 9/10/2014
Description: SPIDER-MAN NOIR RETURNS! The Peter Parker of the 1930′s finds himself not only up against Mysterio, but knee-deep in the Spider-Man event of 2014!

NAMES #1 (OF 8)
Publisher: DC COMICS
Creative Team: (W) Peter Milligan (A) Leandro Fernandez (CA) Celia Calle
Estimated Release Date*: 9/3/2014
Description: New York City. Forty-year-old Kevin Walker is a successful trader. He’s incredibly rich. He has a young, sexy wife and a son he adores. He has everything. Until… The mysterious man known as the Surgeon walks into Kevin’s office. He takes a seat and tells Kevin to write a suicide note. Trembling but obedient, Kevin does what the Surgeon says. Then, at a word from this well-dressed figure, Kevin jumps out his window and falls fifty stories to his death. Thus begins THE NAMES, an 8-issue miniseries by writer Peter Milligan (HELLBLAZER, SKREEMER) and artist Leandro Fernandez (Wolverine, Punisher: Max). THE NAMES is a dark, contemporary thriller set in the world of Big Money: hedge funds, leveraged buyouts, market raids, flash crashes. High-end finance that can ruin entire economies, run by a cabal of the world’s richest (and sickest) people. Now, it’s up to Katya Walker – the beautiful and deadly wife of the late Kevin – to take on this hidden power structure and find out who killed her husband, and why. No matter what it takes. No matter who she has to kill. It’s The Wolf of Wall Street meets Kill Bill. And heaven help the 1%.

Top 10 Countdown: August 30, 2014

10. Katy Perry - This Is How We Do
Last week: NEW!

9. Weird Al Yankovic - Handy
Last week: 5.

8. The Maine - Run
Last week: 9.

7. Marianas Trench Feat. Anami Vice - Pop 101
Last week: NEW!

6. illScarlett - Down For Whatever
Last week: 8.

5. I The Mighty - Love Your Sin
Last week: 6.

4. Knuckle Puck - No Good
Last week: 2.

3. New Found Glory - Selfless
Last week: 4.

2. Aaron West And The Roaring Twenties - Divorce And The American South
Last week: 1.

1. Four Year Strong - Go Down In History
Last week: 3.