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Monday Night Raw Warm Up for August 20th, 2012

Posted by under *dislike, *like, Television | Leave a Comment |

Last night’s 25th Anniversary edition of WWE’s SummerSlam event was a decent entry in the history of the pay-per-view though there have certainly been stronger offerings. While last night did provide less comedy skits than we’ve become accustomed to with WWE’s recent PPV offerings, it felt like the show was lacking some spark (and the Kevin Rudolf musical performance didn’t help). Despite that, a strong focus on in-ring action is hopefully a sign of good things to come every week on Raw as the three hour format opens things up for more wrestling.

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My Latest Pull List – August 15th, 2012

Posted by under *like, Comics | Leave a Comment |

Weekly comic books are a big part of my life and below is a list of what I’ll be picking up this Wednesday along with cover artwork and previews courtesy of Comixology’s Pull List app.

After a smaller list last week, it’s pretty much doubled to nine new books this Wednesday.

  • AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #691 – It’s safe to say I’ve reached the point of being hopelessly behind when it comes to Amazing. Two or three times a month proved to be too much for me.
  • AVENGERS #29 – Brian Bendis’ AvX tie-ins have been hit or miss for me. The Iron Fist story in New Avengers took me by surprise with how much I enjoyed it, but the Illuminati issue that I thought was a sure thing left me disappointed. His Avengers issues have followed a similar trend, the Noh-Var (like the character) issues weren’t the best, but the Red Hulk (hate the character) issue was really enjoyable.
  • AVENGERS VS X-MEN #10 – I generally like the “AvX” crossover, but a lot is going to depend on the ending. I’m glad to see the Scarlet Witch is coming back to the forefront from the cover. I’d like to see more of Hope Summers as well. Be sure to check out this week’s array of variant covers for issue #10.
  • CAPTAIN MARVEL #2 – I really enjoyed issue #1. I’m not sure what this book’s fate will be with Marvel NOW on the horizon, but hopefully it’ll get a chance to establish itself and not relaunch after issue #6 or something equally ridiculous. Carol Danvers’ previous series was hamstrung a bit by events and crossovers and a line-wide relaunch might hurt this one. For now, it’s off to a strong start.
  • NEW MUTANTS #47 – I’ve fallen behind on this series, and I’m hoping to catch up as its final arc starts here.
  • SAGA #6 – I’m really enjoying seeing everything Brian Vaughan and Fiona Staples are building come together.
  • UNCANNY X-FORCE #29 – I’m a big fan of this title. Can’t wait to see more of the future Rick Remender has thrown the team into.
  • X-FACTOR #242 – An important arc for this series is off to a good start. I’m also very happy to see Leonard Kirk back with Peter David.
  • X-MEN #34 – Another book I’m a few issues behind on. I’ve been loving the cover art that started with Brian Wood’s run on the book though.

Check back every week to see what’s on My Latest Pull List and please share your thoughts on these titles and everything you’re reading this week in the comments.

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My Latest Pull List – August 8th, 2012

Posted by under *like, Comics | Leave a Comment |

Weekly comic books are a big part of my life and below is a list of what I’ll be picking up this Wednesday along with cover artwork and previews courtesy of Comixology’s Pull List app.

A small week for a change with only four (possibly five) new books this time around.

  • BATMAN #12 – Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s Batman has been the high point of DC Comics’ New 52 and as its first year comes to a close this is absolutely a book I’ll be continuing to read into its second year.
  • GAMBIT #1 – Marvel #1s usually find their way onto my pull list, but with Marvel NOW coming this Fall I’m not sure what it means for books launching this Summer. Captain Marvel #1 was a book that was always going to make the cut, but I skipped Hawkeye #1 and I’m on the fence for this Gambit series.
  • NEW AVENGERS #29 – I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the AvX tie-in issues for this series, particularly issues focused on the history of the Iron Fist. Last issue’s prison break was fun, but the return of the Illuminati raises my expectations for the issue.
  • SPIDER-MEN #4 – I’m enjoying the Marvel / Ultimate Universe collision, but the shipping schedule took away some momentum and Peter Parker’s role in AvX #9 will be hard to top.
  • X-MEN: LEGACY #271 – I’ve warmed to this title since Christos Gage took over. Rogue versus Ms. Marvel is one of the marquee match-ups for me in AvX. Unfortunately a lot of this story revolves around a seeming continuity gaff along with New Avengers regarding the location and setting in which the Avengers are being held prisoner. I won’t mind if the discrepancies are explained by Rogue’s prison break being an illusion and we learn she’s been imprisoned herself since the outset of the X-Men’s battle with the Avengers.

Check back every week to see what’s on My Latest Pull List and please share your thoughts on these titles and everything you’re reading this week in the comments.

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Monday Night Raw Warm Up for August 6th, 2012

Posted by under *mixed, Television | Join The Discussion |

WWE Champion C.M. Punk kicked off Raw 1001 to great effect, but the start of the three-hour era was otherwise rocky at best.

It’s easy to find people talking about Raw 1000 and the consensus seems to be that it was a raging success. Here at the Warm Up, we’ll be watching for all the weeks that follow and with that in mind we’re more concerned with the long game. Week one of the next thousand episodes of Raw was not without it’s weak moments last Monday. It was better than most but hopefully tonight doesn’t drop further off a very familiar cliff.

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The Next Best Thing

Posted by under *ambivalent, Books | Leave a Comment |

Ruth Saunders and her grandmother are in Los Angeles for one reason, to be in the television business. Together since Ruth’s parents were killed in an accident that physically and emotionally scarred her for life, they go about their days as an assistant/aspiring writer and a stand-in for shows. Ruth really hopes to make it big with a show loosely based on her and Nana’s lives as they try to find their way (and of course love) in a big city after moving from their small New England town in the pages of Jennifer Weiner’s The Next Best Thing.

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