C&D's Top 10 Kanye West Songs

UPDATE: mrbucky made a fancy Yeezy playlist. Listen away!

Does any rapper – nay, musician – nay, person – in the world garner as many opinions as Kanye West?

The answer: Only the President, Kim Kardashian and, of course, Tim Tebow.

The reason: He's put together a string of this millennium's most beloved (and best-selling) albums, he has a penchant for drinking one too many on nationally televised award shows and, at the end of the day, god-dammit he's killin' this shit.

So when One Week One Band tried its hand at ranking West's top 10 songs, we naturally had to respond with rankings of our own.

A few details, then straight into the list: Only songs from Kanye's five studio albums were eligible – so no non-album remixes, freestyles, Watch the Throne cuts or G.O.O.D. Friday freebies. Four of us participated (Big O, Crystal, mrbucky and Trey), each submitting a top 10, with #1 being worth 10 points, #2 worth nine, etc. To prevent outliers from making too big a dent in out aggregate list, songs that made two lists got an extra point, and songs that made three lists got two extra points.

Amazingly, not a single song made all four lists. And our top 10 actually has 11 songs, since there was a tie for number 10.

1. Diamonds from Sierra Leone Remix (27 points, made 3 lists): Though the original version seems to be a missed opportunity to shine light on the issue of blood diamonds, the remix certainly makes up for it. Shirley Bassey’s “Diamonds Are Forever” swirls into a pulse-quickening beat, resulting in a majestically haunting sound that captures the very essence of Ye’s lyrics: I thought my Jesus piece was so harmless til I seen a picture of shorty armless. -Crystal

2. Gold Digger (24, 3): I realize that the over-played-ness of this infectious track diminishes its cool in some folks' eyes, but if you aren't smirking when this track plays... then your soul is as dark as Old Scratch himself. -mrbucky

3. Power (21, 3): It's like Snap looked into the future and knew the most important musician of 2010 would catapult its concept to a whole other level. -Trey

4. Lost in the World (18, 2): Auto-tuned Bon Iver + an urgent techno track + a Kanye flow that includes Michael Jackson scat should by all means be a mess. Instead we get an insanely emotional and powerful cut that represents living in our oft-confusing modern times. -mrbucky

5. Touch the Sky (17, 2): The moment that uplifting brass hits, a big smile creeps across my face. No one can resist a Curtis Mayfield sample. Produced by Just Blaze, Ye compliments the cheerful beat with equally cheerful lyrics. “Touch the Sky” is a fitting title for this feel-good song. -Crystal

6. Flashing Lights (14, 2): The rise of symphonic strings with hypnotic bass and synth claps results in a head-bobbing favorite that begs to be played over and over. Combine that with lyrics about a fame-hungry lady and a music video featuring the curvaceous Rita G murking Ye in the trunk with a shovel?! Perfect. -Crystal

7. All Falls Down (11, 3): What rapper hasn't lamented female materialism on wax? But how many are willing to look in the mirror without stepping off the soapbox? Also: I bet Lauryn Hill wishes she had cleared that sample. -Trey 

(tie) 7. Jesus Walks (11, 2): While most modern name-checkin'-the-big-JC songs fall into the Stryper category, KW manages to make this militant confessional-esque song, well... incredibly cool. We should also note just how much balls it took to release such a non-secular hip-hop track when this came out. -mrbucky

(tie) 7. Spaceship (11, 2): Straight flipping the slavery angle on some robotic George Jetson shit.  Haunting use of some dixieland shit. -Big O

10. Good Life (10, 1): Relax your mind and let your conscious be free. Erick Sermon said it, but Yeezy and T-Pain epitomized it on this baller anthem. Kinda makes you wonder if the people complaining about Watch the Throne's occasional excess had ever listened to Kanye before. -Trey

(tie) 10. Get 'Em High (10, 1): Ye invited Common and Talib Kweli on this track and still shined brightest. This is where he arrives lyrically IMHO. -Big O

This post was written by:
Trey

Read the full story

New Lords of the Underground and Rampage: Tales from the Crypt

Dust fills whatever air the cobwebs don't occupy. You could cut the smell of mothballs with your index finger. There's a coffin in the room. A coffin in the room!? Who keeps coffins in their house? It has to be empty, right?

*Creak* What the...?

*Creak* What was that?

*Creeeeeeeeeeeeak* Oh my GOD THAT COFFIN IS OPENING WHAT IS IN THERE A VAMPIRE OR ZOMBIE OR-

Oh. It's just some rappers from the '90s rising from the dead for another shot at hip hop glory.

The first faces to emerge are a group of guys likely unimpressed with Jay-Z's constant references to moving the Nets to Brooklyn – New Jersey's own Lords of the Underground. Some of their more rabid fans may be familiar with their 2007 album House of Lords, but the last time I saw these guys they were promoting their third album Resurrection on the goddamn Ricki Lake Show in 1998. That was a shocking and horrible experience for someone who regarded their 1993 coming our party Here Come the Lords as prime evidence of the superiority of early-'90s rap. (A belief I maintained until a recent conversation with Big O where he made some derogatory comments about LOTUG. I listened to that album again, and now it's hard to forgive some of the album filler's simple ryhmes and bland topics. A handful of songs still knock though, especially "Chief Rocka.")

So now a new LOTUG track makes its way into the hip hop MP3 blogosphere. It's called "Say Yeah," and the group (or maybe just Mr. Funke – my ears don't detect any trace of Doitall) actually sound improved. Long-time collaborator K-Def cooks up a nice piano-laced, boom-bappy beat, and lines like "kicked out of Paris / Too many croissants, yo" bring a smile to my face. The drab hook is sure to keep this off any Best of 2012 lists, however.

Hulkshare download via 2DopeBoyz


Next up is Rampage. You may know him as the guy who grabbed cameos on the "Flava In Ya Ear" remix or "Woo Ha! (Got You All in Check)" – that's because he's one of the great beneficiaries of hip hop nepotism, blessed to call the über-talented Busta Rhymes his cousin. Rampage had a pretty hot single in 1997 called "Wild for Da Night" that was primarily gassed up by a sinister beat and classic Busta chorus. Rampage works best as a sidekick – Rampage:Memphis Bleek :: Busta Rhymes:Jay-Z.


Now, out of seemingly nowhere, Rampage comes out with "Zig Zag Zig" featuring Biggie's ol' buddy R.A. the Rugged Man. Busta's cousin relinquishes the mic after one verse, turning it over to the more-capable Rugged Man. R.A. sounds fresh despite dropping '90s New York rap references like "I was born pissed off, I stay hatin' / I walk the streets lookin' like I'm Onyx with the mad-face invasion."

Zig Zag Zig feat R.A The Rugged Man by Felony Muzik

I wouldn't expect these fellas to spend too much time outside of their basement wood tombs. But these songs were at least a ray of light when wading through post after post of boring blog rap.

Check these guys out in their early '90s prime:

Lords of the Underground – Flow On (Pete Rock Remix)


Rampage – "Wild for Da Night"


This post was written by:
Trey

Read the full story

Best Tracks of 2011!

Lot's to talk about, so let's dig in. Please note tracks are listed alphabetically by artist. My OCD mind (when it comes to entertainment) would not allow me to list them any other way.

Adele: Rolling In The Deep. Probably the most ubiquitous song of twenty eleven and rightfully so… I came for the voice and stayed for barnstomping drum beat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYEDA3JcQqw&ob=av2e

Battles:Ice Cream. First off, I love the wacky slightly ADD video for this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_wKWqKJDfw&feature=relmfu Secondly, the song is a mish mash and all over the map and I love it. PS Check out the drummer’s kit. It be bananas.

Beastie Boys:Don’t Play No Game That I Can’t Win. While I think this is my favorite track of theirs last year, it looks like I listened to Say It more. Santigold goes with the Beasties like peanut butter and pickles y’all. BONUS: Ad Rock’s flow on Nonstop Disco Power Pack was top’s for me this year.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lEgduwsINW8

Chemical Brothers:The Devil Is In The Beats. This song is a variation on an earlier track on the Hanna soundtrack called “The Devil Is In The Details.” It’s more funky and technoish. Great cut off of a great soundtrack from a highly underrated film. Check it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zKlRD9Wkyw0

Cut Copy: Need You Now. This song would play perfectly over the end credits to a movie or during any part of a John Hughes era 80's film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2xovJyBo-0&ob=av2e

Danger Mouse & Daniele Luppi Feat. Jack White: Two Against One. Damn it was tough picking a cut from the Rome album. It is insanely solid and one of my most listened to of the year. This would make the perfect opening track to a Bond film.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UibsjY5K-c

Destroyer: Kaputt. Man! What is up with the 80’s synth love that happened this year (See Drive soundtrack success)?? This is another track that feels right out of the 80’s and makes me nostalgic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=puu3IvKnSb4&ob=av2e

Fleet Foxes: Grown Ocean. The Fleet Foxes tend to be very mellow and somewhat sad bastard-ish (see album title) but thus cut ends the album optimistically. I dig it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pgv6dKV03dA

Jay-Z & Kanye: Otis. During the year of Occupy Protests, it takes balls to make such a song like this where it is wall-to-wall swagger rap. But balls they have and I am thankful for it… otherwise we would have missed out on this wonderful bon mot : “Last week I pulled up in my otha otha Benz.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoEKWtgJQAU&ob=av3e

Lana Del Ray: Video Games. This is song is equal parts haunting and beautiful. It is also a great lesson in how the same internet community that first built you up, will quickly try and tear you down. It was weird seeing all the hate being thrown at Miss Del Ray.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HO1OV5B_JDw

Mayer Hawthorne: A Long Time. Another artist that I slept on forever… and was shocked to hear what he sounded like after seeing numerous pictures. This Steely Dan-reminiscent song is catchy, poppy, and modern while feeling steeped in 70’s funk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4iIsE1PBhE&ob=av2n

Okayplayer Allstars (Mos Def): Next Universe (The Bollywood Remake). If I ever get to make a 70’s Blaxploitation flick, this song is going to be all over it. PS Check out Breathe & Stop on this remix album.
http://teasearecords.net/okaybollywood.cfm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O79cWF0Hyr4

The Roots:Kool On. Kinda like a more subdued Roc Boys track from the Roots heavy heavy heavy concept album. The other standout track is Make My whose last half makes me want to sit on my front porch with friends and drink 40’s and make fun of passerbys.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGKGgnI1PZc

tUnE-yArDs:Powa. I avoided this band forever cause of the way they spelled their name. I am an idiot. Maybe my favorite song of the year. The first time I heard this song I thought it was incredibly sweet… then I looked the lyrics… and holy shit. It should only be played in the strip clubs. Merrill goes full blown Prince by the end of this gem. Old Prince that is… and by that I mean good Prince.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e31dpx-XGfI

TV On The Radio: Second Song. This starts amazing and then changes up around the 1:20 mark… from there it gets more amazinger.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uwYM2t22h_E&ob=av2e

Wilco: I Might. Wilco has this crazy wizard blood magic ability of making their songs sound as if they came from another era yet also sounding completely modern. This is 60’s psychedelia…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POYKND5Dv7Q

I hope I've introduced you to something you haven't heard before and now dig!


This post was written by:
mrbucky

Read the full story

Rappers That Justin Bieber Can Eat on the Mic

Singing makes Justin Bieber tons of cash. But the kid would obviously rather be rapping. He's dropping YouTube freestyles, rapping live on hip pop/R&B stations and guest flowing on Chris Brown's horrible rap album. Hilarious, right?

The funniest thing about it is that he's not that bad. His breath control is solid, and his content can be pretty funny – like when he dissed Tom Brady for stealing his haircut. He is susceptible to simpin' (rapping about his girlfriend, he says Personally I think she is perfectly perfect. *Barf*), but he's still better than a lot of rappers.

Which brings us to the point of this post: To list the rappers that Justin Bieber could smoke on the mic RIGHT NOW. Go!

Mac Miller
Drake
Big Sean
Lil' Wayne
Lil' Mama
Lil' Bow Wow
Lil' B
Lil' Cease
OJ da Juiceman
Will.I.Am
Will Smith
Wiz Khalifa
V-Nasty
Soulja Boy
The guy in that Rebecca Black song
Cowboy Troy
Lupe Fiasco
Kid Rock
Kid Cudi
Kid from Kid 'N Play
KRS-One
Meta World Peace
Allen Iverson
Chris Brown
Andy Samberg
Andy Milonakis
Abed from Community
The bros from Far East Movement
Evidence from Dilated Peoples
Everlast

Feel free to add to the list!

Tom Brady vs. Justin Bieber from Kenny Mayne

This post was written by:
Trey

Read the full story

Click, Push, Click, Push- Enter Da Noob

Me and Bettygeek gettin our Clix and swerve on

So many of my close friends/fam and regular C&D readers know that a shitload of my extracurricular time has been sucked up by the gaming phenomenon known as Heroclix and in my case, Herocrack.

For those of you not in the know-- Heroclix is a turn-based, table-top gaming system that has been around for over a decade-- focally centered around the comicbook universes of DC and Marvel-- but has also gotten into other nerdery worlds like horror, videogames, movies and so on.

Main goal in this shiz is search & destroy.  The fun part is talking shit and watching some peeps sulk in their attempts to not lose their fave characters.  And with that in mind-- despite my noob status-- #1 priority is always stomping the heart, or as Miyamoto Musashi calls it in The Book of Five Rings- "making a collapse (in your opposition) when their rhythm becomes deranged"

Yes, this a strategy game afterall so who better to reference than Musashi or of course Lao Tzu (Art of War).  Okay enough with getting all tantric (yes, I know I am stupid and not using this term right).  Heroclix makes use of a dope little sculpt of a character on a dial that keeps track of its power & abilities (PAC), along with a card that explains more of the characters attributes in detail.  Here is one of my fave go to pieces of late that has helped me in my first, few actual tournament experiences.

Artwork courtesy of Wizkids

First off, a heartfelt middle finger to my homie, Gage, another regular of Comics Conspiracy, along with Ryan, Scott and Bryce that initially sucked me into this awesome addiction.

And mad love to Geek Pinata, Soonirvana (both pictured to your right) Toby and Betts for helping me struggle with my problem by taking in the mad, geeky fun and actually jumping on the clix-life themselves.

Trey went as far as spending hours on YouTube tutorials-- taking notes and all-- to help lead the crew with deciphering some confusion / individual interpretation of rules of engagement, lines of fire and etc.

After a few months of taking turns chilling at eachother's pads, beating down one another's top pieces and what not-- I took the plunge into playing at a few of my local gaming shops.  This came at perfect timing with the release of the brand, spanking new Heroclix set, The Incredible Hulk, which was released this Wednesday and of course involved thematic tournaments for a chance to win some exclusive pieces for the high score winner.

Of course, I had no hopes of winning shit being that I still was working on getting the flow of the game, memorizing PAC and limited to the few strategies I had under my belt-- let alone playing against some seriously, formidable comp (one of the cool guys pointed out that 2 cats playing were National champs--hwwaat?!)  The shops I hit up were Game Kastle (Heroclix nights on Wednesdays) and the other, Legends (theirs is usually Tuesday or Thursday).

Both shops were dope, comfortable and surprisingly helpful in supporting my noob-ness, though some of the players were straight up on saying they wouldn't be giving me the same leeway in the next few weeks.  Ha!!  Love it!!  Those same players after the first few rounds of tourney play were kicking my ass, but I still got some good rolls/hits in too and went as far as telling em to "click it"!  Effing awesome.

If you are in the Bay Area, Game Kastle is one of the more competitive spots to play, so you get exposed to a lot of different strategies-- Legends is still formidable but a lot more comfortable and laid back and I heard that Gaming Collection & Toys was chill on Saturdays.

Expect more coverage soon on some of my clix-life that could hook you in too if you are a fan of comics, gaming and just relaxed, chill shit-talking.  Heroclix is super-accessible, fun and right now is one of the best times to start playing with new sets coming out through the next months that have some of the sickest, comic-accurate sculpt designs, playability and oh shit, the nationwide tourney for Infinity Gauntlet starts in a few weeks yo!

As I continue playing and learning I will share some of the illest strategies, team combos, top pieces and most hilarious shit-talking I have heard while playing or experience through some of my fam.  Here are some of our other go to pieces that we have been bustin' in our match-ups:

Phoenix, Ragnarok, Larfleeze and Maxwell Lord are regular first round pickups

Betts goes with the Iron Men and Supergirl, while Emperor Joker and Wolvie is a newfound fave for me

This post was written by:
big O

Read the full story

The Throne Is Safe: Jay-Z & Kanye West in San Jose

Photo cred: www.mercurynews.com

When I decide I want to see a movie, I avoid all trailers, reviews and interviews with the stars so that I enter the movie as ignorant as possible. Same goes for concerts – I haven't looked at a YouTube concert footage or setlist for the Watch the Throne Tour since I bought my tickets for the December 14 San Jose stop a few months ago.

So imagine my surprise when the spotlight comes on and Kanye West is wearing a leather kilt.

I won't go as far as to say he pulled the look off, but Yeezy and Jay-Z's phenomenal aptitude for rapping overshadowed any odd fashion choices. (Jay was in his standard all-black-everything streetwear, if you're curious.) It also overshadowed the moving stages, sporadic fireballs and Tron-esque laser lighting.

Have you performed "Gold Digger" on Def Jam Rap Star? Or tested your "Big Pimpin'" flow at a karaoke bar? If so, you know that rapping like these two guys is not easy for even a short amount of time. And yet these guys came out and performed for over two hours with no backup. They didn't even lend a hand to each other, and both pulled off the entire performance without so much as a wheeze or gasp.

The only negative of the performance was the lack of collaborators. Songs like "All of the Lights" and "No Church in the Wild" had recorded versions of Rhianna and Frank Ocean, respectively, on the hook. You obviously can't bring Rhianna on the road just to sing a few hooks (and you know Beyonce is not having that), but bringing somebody along to handle these moments would have been nice.

Best moment: Jay-Z performing "Public Service Announcement" and "U Don't Know" – two Just Blaze-produced album cuts – back to back.

Playlist:
H.A.M
Who Gon Stop Me
Otis
Welcome to the Jungle
Gotta Have It
Where I'm From
Nigga What, Nigga Who
Can't Tell Me Nothing
Flashing Lights
Jesus Walks
All Falls Down
Diamonds from Sierra Leone
Public Service Announcement
U Don't Know
Run This Town
Monster
Power
Made in America
New Day
Hard Knock Life
Izzo
Empire State of Mind
Runaway
Heartless
Stronger
On to the Next One
Brush Your Shoulders
I Just Wanna Love U
That's My Bitch
Good Life
Touch the Sky
All of the Lights
Big Pimpin'
Gold Digger
99 Problems
No Church in the Wild
Niggas in Paris x3

This post was written by:
Trey

Read the full story

WTF moment of the week- The Fury of Firestorms #7

Earlier today one of the sickest illustrators out there be it covers/interiors/whatevs-- goes by the name of Ethan Van Sciver-- dropped this fab cover to The Fury of Firestorms #7 on FB.  What got me more hyped than anything is that he will be returning to busting interiors on top of covers along with his new co-writer Joe Harris.

Regular artist Yildray Cinar is expected to return by ish #9 but I ain't hating on his much needed vacay especially with EVS as his replacement killer!  Ronnie looks to have his handful with this one!


This post was written by:
big O

Read the full story

Life Imitates Art- The Dark Knight Rises & The Amazing Spiderman

We had a great teaser battle this weekend between DC and Marvel for next Summer's comic-flick showdown of the final installment of Nolan's Batman trilogy- The Dark Knight Rises and the first of the new Spidey reboot- The Amazing Spiderman.

Impressed with the powerful visual of Bane walking away from a shattered helm of the Batman that makes the comic-geek in all of us say--hells yeah!!-- they are calling out the breaking of the Bat.  Nice subdued, yet chilling imagery that conveys straight up what to expect.

As for The Amazing Spiderman teaser, I get that this is a darker take than the corny, goofball version and don't get me wrong-- I am feeling the creative vision of striking the spider-logo as a cast shadow-- but why is it that between both teasers you almost get the same, brooding feel...as if these two films could possibly convey similar emotions.  This is the mutheffin' Batman and Friendly Neighborhood Spidey we are talking about here.

And as for the "Untold Story" pitch, hmm...I am intrigued but don't quite know what we are getting, especially with this arcs inclusion of Peter Parker's spy-parents written into the plot-lines.  Two cool-ass teasers with one that is clear and the other not so much.  Both equally effective, in grabbing me and having me throw a fist pump in the air at my office.

Will we be seeing some more images from The Avengers sometime this week??  I sure hope so...

Via: /Film



This post was written by:
big O

Read the full story

if you don't know, now you know- Avengers vs. X-Men

All the comic-heads out there know that Marvel's last big thing-- Fear Itself pretty much sucked ass.  DC has since taken over the industry marketshare for the last 3 months with the New 52 and sadly heads have rolled at Marvel. Well...the House of Ideas just announced their next big thing and Marvel employees and readers can breathe a sigh of relief until it's release in April 2012.

A vs. X brings together Marvel's two most successful product lines (Avengers and X-Men bear their brand across at least 10 comicbooks, not counting standalone titles like Wolverine, Captain America, Iron Man, etc that have links within each respective continuity) in a time that is desperately needed for a big push by the powerhouse publisher.

Avengers vs. The X-Men will focus on the return of Hope Summers (daughter of Cable and last mutant born) and the Scarlet Witch (who was responsible for the near genocide of Mutants) with the potential of one of these or another character central to A vs. X  to be the new host for the Phoenix Force.  I see this as a mash-up of two of Marvel's past events that were viewed as successful-- House of M and Civil War. 


It has been seven years since The House of M, Marvel's last mega event that also focused primarily on The Avengers (New Avengers) and The X-Men.  Since then the X-Men have become a dying breed and have taken on more of a Magneto-ish mantra of them versus us.  You can see how this wouldn't stand well for the head of security-- Captain America, especially with highly symbolic returns of family members to both teams.  The all-encompassing , Spring event will touch most Marvel titles and you can imagine the struggle that each family faces-- especially those with history, membership and connections to both-- Beast, Wolverine and now Storm.

The creative team of the 12-part bi-weekly will be treated as an collective co-op each issue by some of the industry's best writers and artists, to name a few- Frank Cho, Jonathan Hickman, Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction, Ed Brubaker, Jason Aaron, Olivier Coipel, and john Romita Jr.  I am skeptical on how well over 10+ creators can keep a well-contained story together to us readers, but it also could represent some excitement and freshness by issue.  We will just have to see yeah?!

Fraction says, all that internal conflict and external strife is a home run for Avengers vs. X-Men's creative collective.  You crush these characters again and again through various different crucibles, and you see what's left of them at the end. You see if they can still stand up when it's all said and done. That's drama.

With all that said I pray to Buddha for Marvel to keep Jean Grey out of all of this, but you know that with a connection to the cosmic deity- Phoenix, we can probably expect her return.  See you at the big press conference tomorrow on livestream at noon PST.   For now, peeps we can soundoff here and here. #AvX

 Via CBR / USA Today

This post was written by:
big O

Read the full story

PULL THIS! *points to long box* -or- Bucky's picks for the week of 11/23/2011

Fantastic Four #600. Flashback to 2004... Pixar completely rips-off Marvel by making the best FF movie ever and calling it The Incredibles. It still amazes that Marvel hasn't done more movie-wise with their first superhero property. There were some things I really dug with the flicks (like the casting of the Human Torch and the Thing and their interaction), but at no point did it ever feel like they were a family.

Which brings me to the comic. Every now and then the perfect writer for a title lands on a book. This is currently happening with Hickman on the Fantastic Four. This is currently my favorite Marvel title on the shelf right now... and honestly if you aren't reading it you are not a comic fan and you probably love to punch nuns. I get the whole nun punching thing tho as I went to Catholic school. Seriously, you owe it to yourself to go back and start at the beginning of Hickman's run. It's like a reward for being a comic book reader for so many years as it has nothing to do with reboots or recreating the characters. He respects the history of this team and the history of the Marvel Universe while making it incredibly exciting and foreword thinking. Honestly, as a writer, Hickman intimidates me. He has an amazing amount of story lines running in this book and his grasp of science fiction big thinking that this book should have is amazing.

This team feels like a family that has been together their whole lives and I love it. He has added an incredible cast of characters with the Future Foundation and with the different clans that are fighting for power. Lots of space adventures, lots of science, lots of humor, and lots of love. I hope they keep this creative team on here for years to come.

And speaking of team, they have Epting doing the pencils and he is a perfect choice for this book. Prior to him, Eagleshaw handled the pencils and did an equally amazing job (altho I thought his Mr. Fantastic was a bit too hunky). I love when creative teams stay on books for extended amounts of times. I feel that it helps continuity.

This issue specifically was great per usual and it dealt with my biggest complaint of this current title... killing off main characters. It drives me nuts, but it was responsible for Spidey being on the team which has been... well... fantastic. I've really enjoyed his interaction with the Richard kids as they both lost Uncles (Ben and Johnny = Human Torch). Great emotional stuff to pull from. Really, read this book.

Secret Avengers #19. High octane avengers book with a great line-up. Surprised at how much I am digging this book. I mean where else can you read about Kung-Fu and Science wrapped up in a big action ball.

Captain America & Bucky #624. Currently covering the origin of Bucky/Winter Soldier. Still not sure why this series isn't called Bucky.

Kick Ass 2 #5. Shit just got dark... and exciting. This issue leads up ti the return of everyone's fav. 3 foot female psycho super heroine.

Invincible #85. Still one of the best books on the shelf.

See you next Comic Book Wednesday!

This post was written by:
mrbucky

Read the full story