Who's who in the Comics Bulletin Universe - Update 2008
Who is... Michael A. Diaz?
Michael Diaz lives in Michigan, but don't hold that against him.
There he works as a Sys. Admin. while fostering dreams of one day becoming a "real" writer.
Most importantly, Michael is seriously addicted to comics, something that his wonderful wife tolerates with the patience of a saint.
He also writes this weekly column that people occasionally read.
"[O]ne of the most positive
and entertaining columns going."
- Gail Simone (Birds of Prey, Villains United)
WLG #207: An Authoritatively Green Christmas!
Well, it's now POST Thanksgiving here in the States, which mean that the mad dash of shopping before Christmas is now in full swing. Are you one of those people that shops all year round and come August you're done shopping? If so, I hate you.
Of course, if I can make an assumption about my readership I can probably guess that most of them are guys. Nothing sexist here, ladies, it's just that your average comic book reading fan is a dude, usually in his mid-20's to early 30's. That being that case, I am thinking I can make yet another assumption: that, as men, you wait until the last possible minute to shop for Christmas.
I fully admit that I am one of those people. Shopping on Christmas Eve? Yeah, I've done that. To my credit, though, the last time I had to do I had the smarts to get up early and hit the stores the MINUTE they opened up, meaning that I finished my shopping before the throngs of other shoppers (men) rushed in for last minute gifts.
Already I've started shopping. This past weekend the fiancée and drove to an outlet mall a couple hours away from our home. Many deals were to be had, and though I bought a COUPLE of Christmas gifts, mostly I bought things for myself (I need new clothes, what can I say?)
So, with keeping with the Christmas spirit and things that I want, here are some comic related things that I am hoping magically appear under the tree for me:
I've calmed down a bit since then, and now I'm in full “Christmas shopping mode”. That means I REALLY know that I cannot buy it now, but there's certainly nothing wrong with me dropping hints to my family and other loved ones that I really must have this book or I will die a slow, long, torturous death.
I know some of you out there already have this, and yes, I hate you all very much. You don't have to tell me how good it is because I already know that it is awesome.
So please, someone just get this for me for Christmas. Please and thank you.
I've considered buying it other times, but pretty much this year when it came time to spend money on stuff, well, the new house I bought in July took precedence. Lawnmowers, garbage bins, invisible fencing for the new dog, well, all of these take money, money that I would RATHER spend on comics, but also money that my lovely fiancée would rather I spend on upkeep of the house.
She wins. She always wins.
Still, I can lust after these for Christmas, can I? Of course, I don't know if someone is going to want to buy me something that borders (or crosses over into) comic book porn (erotica?), but I still want it anyway.
I can't wait to do it with the second part as well.
Yet, for some reason I picked up the first trade of this series. OK, it wasn't just SOME reason, it was because the buzz online and offline about how GOOD this book was (and is) was getting to be quite deafening, so I had to see what the hype was all about.
Well, I was pulled into the book and now I HAVE to know what happens next (remember what I said about being obsessive above?). Again, I would have started buying these on my own already if not having to buy stuff for the house as well as the “buying freeze.”
And really, what says Christmas like zombies?
Well played, Kirkman, well played.
Anything.
Of course, I'll need an Xbox 360 as well.
Obsession is tough, kids.
Before I get too ahead of myself, here's this:
AUTHORITY PRIME #2 (OF 6) $2.99 (Christos Gage / Darick Robertson)I've made no secret my love for the Authority or ANYTHING that goes back to the days of Ellis era StormWatch (or even StormWatch: Team Achilles), so for a fan that has been around for a while this is a real treat.
You see, ever since the former Weatherman Henry Bendix died people have been trying to get into his virtual memory data tower, a 3D computer construct that housed information that Bendix wanted kept secret for some reason. Now, Bendix was one sneaky cat as it was, created black ops teams that his official black ops teams knew nothing about, so what could Henry be hiding?
Was it information would be beneficial to the world, ushering in a new golden age, or was it something terrible that would ultimately destroy the world?
Well, that information was just unlocked and now both the Authority and the StormWatch Prime team want the information for themselves.
Expect that's of butts being kicked.
JOY!
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #18 $2.99 (Peter J. Tomasi / Pat Gleason)Dear DC Comics,
Ever since the mid-80s when I was first exposed to the GLC I have been in love with them. Later the Corps was destroyed, then rebuilt, destroyed again, rebuilt, blah blah blah....
For a long time now I was hoping, praying that the GLC would return. The fact that you gave the GLC their own title was enough for me, but then you let loose the Sinestro Corps War and have made the GLC everything that they ever should have been.
THANK YOU, DC, THANK YOU.
My first born male child will be shipped to you via UPS upon his birth.
Sincerely,
Michael A. Diaz
GLC super geek.
What books are getting you all fired up this week? Or, better yet, what comic-related items are you hoping for this Christmas season? I want to hear it all, so now that you've read the column what's stopping you from hitting the What Looks Good message boards (see link below)? Hit me with your weekly picks and your Christmas wants and we'll gush like only fanboys can.
Until then,
Peace!
-Diaz
Were Diaz's picks on the mark?
Have your say on What Looks Good at the Looking Good message board.