In Brightest Day...

A new day, a new rumor for the Internet to blow up over. And it concerns DC's possible new cinematic Green Lantern. Up until now, it looked as though the new live action Green Lantern would be John Stewart, but it seems they may be sticking with Hal Jordan. 

Word is spreading that Star Trek's Chris Pine is being looked at for Green Lantern.  Pine was actually in consideration for the role in the 2011 movie, but obviously lost out to Ryan Reynolds. 

Again, it's unflconfirmed, but still fun to think about. If not Chris Pine, who else would you want to wear the ring? 

- Lando McFly

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Top Ten Comic Events Of All Time

Top Ten Comic Events Of All Time

On the eve of Marvel's Secret Wars (actually comes out in May 2015) I have been thinking a lot about all of my favorite comic events. Events in comic books are a really big deal. They are a way to bring together characters and universes that might never have been caught dead in the same room together, then mash them up and stir them around, and then post-event they have a truck load of new content to jump off of. The actions taken in the event will often shape the things to come for that entire universe. Here are the Top Ten Comic Events Of All Time:

10.) Batman: Knightfall (1993)

"Bane, the primary villain of the storyline, is introduced in Vengeance of Bane, and the vigilante Azrael is introduced in Sword of Azrael. Knightfall is divided into two parts. In The Broken Bat, Bane defeats Batman by breaking his spine. This requires Azrael to become the new Batman, and defeat Bane in Who Rules the Night?. Knightquest is also divided into two parts. In The Crusade, Azrael's Batman grows more violent and crazy, while in The Search, Bruce Wayne seeks a cure for his paralysis. In KnightsEnd, Bruce Wayne returns and takes his mantle as Batman back from the usurper Azrael." -(Source)

9.) Green Lantern: Sinestro Corps War (2007)

"Sinestro, former Green Lantern and foe of Hal Jordan, has begun the creation of his own lantern corps following his defeat in Green Lantern: Rebirth. After much time gathering ring-bearers who will "inspire fear" in their sectors, Sinestro and the Yellow Lanterns attack the Green Lantern Corps, killing many, freeing Superboy Prime, Cyborg Superman, and capturing Kyle Rayner, infecting him with Parallax. With their combined power, along with that of the newly resurrected Anti-Monitor, the Sinestro Corps seeks to destroy the Green Lantern Corps and conquer the universe. 

The Guardians, in an attempt to even the odds in the ongoing struggle between the two corps, authorize the use of lethal force for Green Lanterns. With their full potential now realized, the Green Lantern Corps takes the fight to the Sinestro Corps, but it is revealed that the Sinestro Corps is attacking Earth. As Hal frees Kyle from the clutch of Parallax, Sodam Yat is appointed the new Ion. With the combined efforts of the Green Lanterns, Ion, and the heroes of Earth, the Sinestro Corps is defeated and Earth is saved once more. But the War of Light has begun..." -(Source)

8.) Flashpoint (2011)

"Flashpoint picks up right after Professor Zoom unleashes a giant, reality altering blast of built up Speed Force energy that changes the time line completely. Barry Allen wakes up to find everything about his life different, his mother is alive, he isn't married to his wife, he isn't the Flash, and that's just the beginning of his problems. Wonder Woman and the Amazons are at war with Aquaman and the Atlanteans, Cyborg is the United States greatest hero, Superman is nowhere to be found and the world is at the brink of war. Knowing this reality is not his own, Barry Allen seeks out the help of the only man who may be able to help him figure out what happened.... Batman. But the Batman he finds is not who he expects..." -(Source)

7.) 52 (2006)

"While DC had used the weekly format before, (most notably with Action Comics in April 1988), 52 was their first attempt to launch a new title as a weekly. Set in the time between the end of "Infinite Crisis" and the "One Year Later" story lines, 52 dealt with the events of the missing year - a year without Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, The title was masterminded by writers Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka and Mark Waid, with Keith Giffen producing art breakdowns. Its weekly publication meant several artists had to handle the art, starting with Joe Bennett on the first four issues. A massive saga, spanning the whole DC Universe (and beyond), 52 introduced several new heroes and villains, including a new Question and Batwoman, before the big reveal of a new multiversse of fifty two realities, each containing an alternate Earth.

The story had a huge impact on the DC Universe, affecting everything from Black Adam's World War III spin off, to Booster Gold's post - 52 reality - spanning adventures. It also led into countdown to final crisis and left the DC Universe a dramatically different place." -(Source)

6.) Infinity Gauntlet (1991)

"Mistress Death believed that there was a cosmic imbalance in the universe - that there were more living than there were dead. As a result, Death resurrects her loyal servant Thanos, who is appointed the task of killing off half of the population of the universe. Not only is Thanos' power augmented by Death, he is granted access to the Infinity Well, where he realizes the power of the Infinity Gems. After much plotting and scheming, Thanos wrestles the gems from their owners and gains mastery over Power, Mind, Space, Reality, Time, and the Soul." -(Source)

5.) Civil War (2006)

"After the super-villain Nitro sets off an explosion in Stamford, CT, killing the New Warriors and hundreds of innocents, the American Government, blaming the super-hero community for these deaths, enforces a Super-Human Registration Act that forces super-heroes to reveal their secret identities and work for the government, labeled as weapons of mass destruction. This doesn't sit well with some heroes and the Super-Hero community is divides into sides: Iron Man's Pro-Registration Act team enforced by S.H.I.E.L.D. and its new director Maria Hill, and Captain America's Anti-Registration Act team called the Secret Avengers. This separation causes a super-human Civil War that pits the two teams against each other physically and morally.

The Civil War has many consequences including the separation of the Avengers and the Fantastic Four, the revelation of Spider-Man's secret identity to the world, the departure of the Thing to France, the death of Goliath and finally the death of Captain America himself at the end of the War." -(Source)

4.) House of M (2005)

"X-men invited to Avengers Tower to discuss the fate of Wanda Maximoff. There's a lot of discussion to whether or not to kill someone whose effectively a god while she's down. Pietro seeks his father, Magneto kidnaps Wanda and Wanda uses her magic to create an ideal world for everyone...except it backfires for a lot of people.

Captain America was a great American Hero but forgotten when he wouldn't compromise his ideals for humanity or later mutant kind. Mutants are ascendant rulers of the world but it's a lie since most people were made mutants by Wanda's magic. Spiderman is married to Gwen Stacy and a pro-wrestler with Uncle Ben still alive but only pretending to be a mutant. Tony Stark is the richest man on Earth....but part of a hated underclass. Scott is married to Emma. Luke Cage is a Crime Lord who nevertheless protects the "little guy" while Falcon is a Police officer who never screwed up his life. Sentry is a normal human being. Doctor Strange is a psychologist (i.e. actually helping people) but otherwise no magic. Wolverine is a SHIELD agent...but he remembers EVERYTHING so he knows the truth. Oh yes and Hawkeyes' alive.

Wolverine hunts allies and after a false start with Professor Xavier finds Luke Cages boys and eventually convinces them their right. They gradually assemble their team for assaulting Magneto and do so. Apparently, telepathy can restore people's memories.

The confrontation is the usual dragged out fight but Magneto basically does something that ROYALLY cheeses Wanda off and convinces her that Magneto cares more about Mutantkind than his own family (more or less true). Wanda thus says "NO MORE MUTANTS!"

Doctor Strange casts a spell to prevent this from happening but it only affects the team in the immediate vicinity." -(Source)

3.) Final Crisis (2008)

"What happens when evil wins? That's the question Superman, Batman, the Justice League and every being in the DCU have to face when Darkseid and his otherworldly legion of narcissistic followers actually win the war between light and dark. Featuring the deaths and resurrections of major DC characters, FINAL CRISIS is more than your average multi-part event - it's a deconstruction of Super Hero comics and a challenging, thought-provoking take on the modern, four-color icons.." -(Source)

2.) Secret Wars (1984)

"Marvel's greatest heroes and villains have been brought to a mysterious planet with unlimited power promised to those who can defeat their foes! See Spider-Man, the Avengers, the X-Men and the Fantastic Four battle Doctor Doom, Ultron, Doctor Octopus and more in this classic saga!" -(Source)

1.) Crisis On Infinite Earths (1985)

"This is the story that changed the DC Universe forever. A mysterious being known as the Anti-Monitor has begun a crusade across time to bring about the end of all existence. As alternate earths are systematically destroyed, the Monitor quickly assembles a team of super-heroes from across time and space to battle his counterpart and stop the destruction. DC's greatest heroes including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and Aquaman, assemble to stop the menace, but as they watch both the Flash and Supergirl die in battle, they begin to wonder if even all of the heroes in the world can stop this destructive force." -(Source)

So that is my list in all of its glory. What does your list of best comic events look like? Sound off in the comments!

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-Demo

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NGP First Look : Jason Momoa as Aquaman!

NGP First Look : Jason Momoa as Aquaman!

Casting announcements have been out for months now regarding Zack Snyder's return to the DC Universe in his follow up to Man of Steel, Batman v Superman : Dawn of Justice. However, this morning we were finally given a glimpse of one of the more questionable casting choices when Snyder took to Twitter to unveil the DC Cinematic Universe's King of Atlantis : 

Jason Momoa as Aquaman

Not quite the orange and green jumpsuit most of us we're dreading, but it's nice to see that the character is sticking to a piece of history, with resemblance to the signature1990s Peter David era look for Arthur Curry where he sported the long hair, beard and body armor more fitting for the dark look and feel originally presented in Man of Steel.

After his big screen debut in Batman v. Superman : Dawn of Justice in May 2016, Momoa will reprise the role for Justice League : Part One, slated for November 2017, followed by a solo flick, and then regrouping for Justice League : Part Two come June 2019. 

It's a bit heavy on the Khal Drogo, but I dig it. My only issue is that Momoa looks like an Aquaman that could easily take Superman or Batman, and we all know that would neverevereverevereverever happen. Ever. 

Until next time True Believers, 

-Archangel EZE

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The New 52 Comes To An End

The New 52 Comes To An End

Well … sort of. DC Comics has announced that the “New 52” branding will finally come to an end after it’s 4 year run as the tagline of the DC Universe. However, fans can rest assured that the stories and current continuity will remain the same (collective sigh of relief!) and is in no way another franchise reboot.

Beginning June 3, 2015 with the conclusion of April and May’s Convergence event, the DC line up will launch 24 brand new titles in addition to the 25 ongoing staples to ensure that there will be something for everyone, especially in light of Marvel announcing a still mysterious reboot of their own with the conclusion of this May’s epic Secret Wars event, which promises to change the Marvel Universe as we know it (stay tuned)!

As for the new titles, the folks at IGN have gained exclusive access to eight of them, which include ::

• Batman Beyond by writer Dan Jurgens & artist Bernard Chang
• Cyborg by writer David L. Walker & artists Ivan Reis and Joe Prado
• Dark Universe by writer James Tynion IV & artist Ming Doyle
• Doomed by writer Scott Lobdell & artist Javier Fernandez
• Harley Quinn/Power Girl by writers Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner & artist Stephane Roux (4 issue mini-series)
• Red Hood/Arsenal by writer Scott Lobdell & artist Denis Medri
• Starfire by writers Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner & artist Emanuela Lupacchino
• We Are Robin by writer Lee Bermejo & artists Rob Haynes and Khary Randolph

With an additional seven announced through CBR ::

• Justice League of America by writer/artist Brian Hitch
• Bizzaro by writer Heath Corson & artist Gustavo Duarte (6 issue mini-series)
• Bat-Mite by writer Mark Russell & artist Ben Caldwell (6 issue mini-series)
• Omega Men by writer Tom King & artist Barnaby Bagenda
• Mystic U (tentative title) by writer Alisa Kwitney & artist Mauricet
• Section Eight by writer Garth Ennis & artist John McCrea
• Dr. Fate by writer Paul Levitz & artist Sonny Liew

And the final batch coming to us from Newsarama ::

• Robin, Son of Batman by writer/artist Pat Gleason
• Black Canary by writer Brenden Fletcher & artist Annie Wu
• Martian Manhunter by writer Rob Williams & artists Ben Oliver, Paulo Siqueira
• Earth 2: Society by writer Daniel H. Wilson & artist Jorge Jimenez
• Midnighter by writer Steve Orlando & artist ACO
• Bat-Mite by writer Dan Jurgens & artist Corin Howell

As for the 14 titles not making the cut come June, grab a Kleenex© as we mourn the loss of the following titles::

• Aquaman and the Others #11
• Arkham Manor #6
• Batman Eternal #52
• Batwoman #40
• Green Lantern: New Guardians #40
• Infinity Man and the Forever People #9
• Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Three #12
• Klarion #6
• Red Lanterns #40
• Secret Origins #11
• Star-Spangled War Stories Featuring G.I. Zombie #8
• Swamp Thing #40
• Trinity of Sin #6
• World's Finest #32

Do you have a comic, graphic novel, comic event or story line you’re itching to read or learn more about? Sound off in the comments below, find me on Twitter or let us know on the New Geek Protocol Facebook page!

Until next time True Believers,

-ArchangelEZE

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Not Just Another Lego Game

Not Just Another Lego Game

I know, I know! Another Lego game right? But here's the thing....they are so much fun and you know it! Even though it is the third game in the series, Lego Batman 3 still holds the appeal that every other Lego game holds. I have a ton of Lego games, but no matter how many times I go through frustrating puzzles (that I wonder how kids seem to beat so quickly), I can't help but form anime eyes when they announce a new one.

In fact, they could pretty much make Lego game off of any of my favorite TV shows and it would probably go a little something like this:

I don't know if anyone else sympathizes with my obsession over Lego games and honestly I don't really care. 

But I digress!!

Check out our new Mom 'N Pop Co-Op series and don't forget to connect with us via our other social media pages!

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The Weekly Pull: Amalgam Mash-Ups, Marvel/DC Crossovers and New Secret Wars, Oh my!

The Weekly Pull: Amalgam Mash-Ups, Marvel DC Crossovers and New Secret Wars, Oh my!

Earlier this week, Avengers comic scribe Jonathan Hickman made an announcement via Twitter that set both Marvel and DC fanboys and girls into a frenzy ::

It’s been years since a great Marvel/DC crossover epic has graced the stands, with the most popular and memorable being the Amalgam publishing imprint from back in 1996. Thinking back on these iconic stories, I couldn’t help but revisit some of my favorite Marvel/DC mash-ups for this weeks edition of The Weekly Pull! Will this new crossover be another character mash-up from circa the 1990s? Or will parallel universe incursions be the prominent factor? Only time (and NYCC) will tell!

05| Iron Lantern - Iron Man/Green Lantern - Hal Stark, millionaire founder of Stark Aircraft finds himself in a near fatal crash when his aircraft is drawn to a downed alien spacecraft. Injured, with shards of metal stuck in his chest, Hal constructs a suit of armor from the alien technology found in the wreckage powered by a battery resembling the shape of a lantern …

04| Doctor Strange Fate - Doctor Strange/Professor X/Doctor Fate - As the most powerful being in the Amalgam Universe, Charles Xavier was rescued in the Himalayas by Nabu, the Ancient One - the Lord Supreme of Order in the Amalgam Universe. Passing down his teachings to Xavier of the mystic and supernatural arts, Strangefate became the only native of the Amalgam Universe to know that his very existence was wrong …

03| Amazon - Storm/Wonder Woman - Ororo, a mutant who nearly drowned as a child was rescued by Queen Hippolyta of the Amazons who raised her as her own. Upon reaching maturity, Ororo displayed abilities to control the weather, which the Amazons taught her to focus in the form of a lasso of lightning  that could compel it’s captors to speak the truth ...

02| Lobo The Duck - Howard The Duck/Lobo - Taking place in a pocket universe within the Amalgam publications, Lobo the Duck was a bounty-hunter on a mission to track down the villain responsible for murdering heroes and the destruction of Manhattan …

01| Dark Claw - Wolverine/Batman - After witnessing his parents brutal murder at the age of 5, Logan Wayne was sent to live with his uncle in Alberta, Canada. Joining the Royal Canadian Air Force when he came of age, Logan found himself submitted to the Weapon X project, which grafted adamantium to his bones. Ineffective as a weapon due to his conscience, Logan deemed himself the Clawed Crusader, and defender of New Gotham …

Referencing back to the incursions thought … it’s about to get all 1984 up in here again as the biggest Marvel event in years was just announced in what I believe will be the lead-in to the monumental crossover. Behold, the Secret Wars!

Do you have a comic, graphic novel, comic event or storyline you’re itching to read or learn more about? Sound off in the comments below, find me on Twitter or let us know on the New Geek Protocol Facebook page!

Until next time True Believers,

-ArchangelEZE

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Nerd Block - September 2014

Nerd Block - September 2014

I couldn’t wait for this month’s Nerd Block, they kept hinting at products from Guardians of the Galaxy, TMNT, and an STD? Did they just say STD? Yes, that is correct this month Nerd Block gave all of their subscribers a random STD.

Here are the contents of this month’s block:

1. T-shirt: Sounds of the Galaxy (Guardians of the Galaxy)

2. Boxos by FUNKO: TMNT papercraft playset featuring all 4 turtles, Splinter, Shredder, a foot, and even the Shellraiser

3. Mega Bloks: Marvel Series 1 minifigure, blind package (I don't care for MegaBloks, so I am not opening this. LEGO till the end!)

4. Nerd Block 1-year anniversary stress brain (comes in handy at work)

5. ScribbleNauts Unmasked Vinyl Figure Series 2 (I got the Red Superman, I forgot to take a picture of him)

...and finally my STD
6. Giant Microbes STD: Crabs/Louse

This month was pretty exciting! Next month will be hand picked by none other than Kevin Smith! This should be awesome since he is a huge fan of comic books and Star Wars. I should also see  a new subscription box from Nerd Block this month, Arcade Block. I will write about the contents of that when I receive it. I am also looking forward to this month’s Loot Crate which is themed Galaxy and will contain loot from Star Wars, Star Trek, and Firefly, ArchangelEZE will review that later this month.

If you live in the Grand Rapids or surrounding areas, don’t forget to come visit
us out at the annual Geek-Stuff Garage Sale at Apparitions Comics, 2757 Ridgemoor Dr SE, Kentwood, MI 49512 this Saturday from 10a-7p.

Until next time, May the Force Be With You!

- Da_Fettman

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The Weekly Pull : You Don’t Know Dick

The Weekly Pull : You Don’t Know Dick

If you’ve been following my posts here on New Geek Protocol, it’s probably no surprise to you that I’m a Marvel fanboy through and through. I’ll dabble in the DC Universe from time to time when something really strikes my interest, such as the recent Forever Evil mini-series and story arcs featured in Justice League, or in today’s case, a very clever marketing ploy I felt was worth my hard earned $2.99.

Within the events of Forever Evil, former side-kick, Robin, turned independent hero, Nightwing, Dick Grayson, was publicly unmasked by the Crime Syndicate, thus ending his tenure as the vigilante. With his secret identity ousted, the character takes a drastic turn as the Nightwing series comes to an end, and Grayson, a secret agent counterintelligence spy-thriller begins set out to prove one thing : You might think you know Nightwing - but you don’t know Dick.

Intrigued by the new concept, I picked up the first two issues of the series …

The first issue begins as any good spy-thriller should. On a train. But that’s about as much of a positive for this first issue that I could find. The Who, Where and When questions are all answered in the opening panels of the book, but the reader is quickly thrown into a conflict between Grayson and his target without any explanation as to What is going on, Why he’s operating as an unmasked spy or How he came to possess this particular skill set. Luckily, I had enough personal background knowledge on the character to begin assembling some of the bits and pieces as I read on, but from the perspective of a new reader and a jumping on point (as a #1 issue should be), the flow of the story didn’t re-introduce or explain the character or his current situation. I’ve read time/space continuum displacement stories that can cover more ground in 32 pages,and can only hope that writes Tim Seeley and Tom King, along with artist Mikel Jane, can pull things together.

The second issue of Grayson is a huge improvement over the first. Although I still have some minor issues with the title, Seeley and company have started to lay the ground work for a Bourne Identity-esque story, that is jam packed with action and shrouded in mystery (in the appropriate places). The Dark Knight himself even makes an appearance to help shed some light on the Grayson's current place in the DC Universe, which contributes to a far more solid and well paced story. However, the final page of the book alludes to a five year "flash forward" Future's End story for Issue #3, which feels far to early for a newly developed character and makes me question the titles chance of survival.

Although the concept and marketing behind Grayson is fantastic, it's not an introduction to the character or the DC Universe by any means. Current fans of Nightwing and other Batman Incorporated titles should enjoy the unique take and direction the series has to offer, but as for me, Issue #2 is the end of the line. Give me Nightwing any day, I could care less about Dick.

Do you have a comic, graphic novel, comic event or storyline you’re itching to read or learn more about? Sound off in the comments below, find me on Twitter or let us know on the New Geek Protocol Facebook page!

Until next time True Believers,

-ArchangelEZE

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