37 1/2 things I’ve been meaning to blog you…

March 20, 2008 on 10:02 pm | In Uncategorized

Hey, it’s been a while.

I’m still recovering from my St. Patrick’s Day reunion with college friends in Philadelphia (it’s been 10 years since I’ve seen many of them), but there’s a ton of things that have been on my mind, so in no particular order, here’s a pick-up truck full of stuff you should check out:

PHILADELPHIA
City of Brotherly Love? Birthplace of Independence? Right on both counts, but it’s also home to some amazing bars, restaurants and tons of stuff to do—including cheese steaks at 1:30 a.m. at Jim’s on South Street. (Pat’s is the best, but not walkable.) Remember: You always want Wiz With (that’s liquid cheese spread and grilled onions). Ketchup is optional, but appreciated.

BLUE BEETLE
Along with Marvel’s Ultimate Spider-Man, this is without a doubt the best teen superhero book on the racks, with just as much focus on the personal dilemmas of this fledgling hero as the crazy-cool cosmic madness he’s messed up in. Writer John Rogers has crafted on hell of a teen-centric superhero soap; take a bath with it ASAP.

STARMAN
Though it’s been off shelves for a while, I had the chance to go back and read the first couple of trades for a “Bookshelf” review I’m working on of the upcoming Omnibus that hits in May. Let me tell you: If you’re looking for one of the greatest heroic legacies in the history of DC Comics, you’ve got to read James Robinson’s Starman. Not only does it feature sensational art by Tony Harris, it chronicles the entire arc of Jack Knight’s turn as a reluctant superhero, while weaving in and out of the DC continuity to include ties to both the JSA and the Legion of Super-Heroes. If you like self-contained, literary comic epics like Sandman and Preacher, Starman is their superhero equivalent.

GHOST RIDER

Jason Aaron and Roland Boschi have turned a corner with Marvel’s Spirit of Vengeance, and it’s got my engine revving to maximum RPMs. Their first two issues set up a rad new status quo, as Johnny Blaze learns he’s not a demon, but an angel of vengeance and he wants God to answer for what’s going on. Throw in the small redneck town that’s home to a cannibal coroner, a haunted highway and warrior nurses that want to kill the Ghost Rider, and this is on biker gang you’ll want to join ASAP.

WEEDS

I got Season 2 of this amazing Showtime series for Christmas, but haven’t started watching it till now. What was wrong with me? I have the biggest crush imaginable on Mary-Louise Parker, whose dysfunctional family is only more complicated by the fact she’s her town’s biggest pot dealer. My favorite scene so far from Season 2 (I’m halfway done!): Uncle Andy takes 11-year old Shane to a “massage parlor” for a “hand” in sexual instruction! Classic! I’ve GOT to get caught up on the rest of the series.