WLG #188: Cold Snap!

By Michael A. Diaz

What is it with my STARTING to get colds during the weekend and then having them hit me full force on Monday and Tuesday?

This time I can't even blame it on my lovely fiancée as she wasn't sick first, which she usually is.

Of course, it could have SOMETHING to do with the fact that I was cooped up in my house all weekend long this past weekend because it wouldn't stop snowing. It's not like snow is a new thing to me, I've lived in Michigan all of my life, and really, snow doesn't bother me all that much. I had a friend who moved down to North Carolina and when they would get an inch of snow everyone would freak out thinking they'd get snowed in. In Michigan we call that Tuesday.

Now, when it snows 8-12 inches in a light fluff as wind gusts create an almost non-stop whiteout effect, well, that's reason to pause. When the interstate a stone's throw from your house is closed for much of the day because there's a 70 car pileup, well, that's called getting snowed in.

Whereas I was fine with staying in (did I mention it as cold?) my fiancée was getting cabin fever after about three hours. So instead of catching up on things in my home office (which means playing Starcraft for the first time in years because I rediscovered my installation CD) we spent lots of quality time together.

It was nice, no question, but I'm still behind on stuff I SHOULD get done with the additional fun of having a cold.

I guess that's my wordy way of saying that this column is going to be short this week.

Excuses, excuses, I know...

So first, one of these:

Standard Disclaimer: For those of you new to the WLG experience, here's how it works: Every week I check out the release schedule from the Diamond Comics Shipping List and decide which comics that I am going to spend my hard-earned money on. Yep, my money. That's good, because it helps to maintain my objectivity. If I spend money on a comic book and it turns out to be crap I'm going to be upset.Now it's Tuesday night, and though I've worked these past two days and gone outside to turn on my car when it is -19, I've still worked and written this (albeit not so great) column; my fiancée? She's has two snow days because she works for the school system.

I'm not bitter.

OK, time to brighten my day; let's see What Looks Good...

DC

MIDNIGHTER #4 $2.99 (Garth Ennis / Peter Snejbjerg)

The Midnighter traveling through time trying to find Adolph Hitler so that he can kill him?

Excellent.

Besides, with The Authority delayed MONTHS now this the closest thing that I can get to seeing one of my favorite superhero teams in action.

MARVEL

GHOST RIDER: TRAIL OF TEARS #1 $2.99 (Garth Ennis / Clayton Crain)

I LOVED the last mini-series that these creators did together; true, this isn't a sequel as there is a new Ghost Rider series out now, so rather this is a prequel.

Fine by me!

Crain's art is striking Ennis is always good for bringing on the ultra-violence, so what's not to love?

NEWUNIVERSAL #3 $2.99 (Warren Ellis / Salvador Larroca)

Put simply this is the how the “New Universe” should have been handled the FIRST time around. Not that it started out poorly, personally I loved both Mark Hazzard: Merc, Spitfire and the Troubleshooters, and Justice the first time around, but after the a few issues these titles were either canceled or drastically altered. Of course, I didn't find these issues until sometime in the 90's, which might explain why the series died so quickly.

Anyway, Ellis and Larroca are doing a nice job of taking a concept that wasn't a terrible idea and running with it. So far I think they're doing great.

Anyone else enjoying this book?

PUNISHER #44 (MR) $2.99 (Garth Ennis / Lan Medina)

I'm not going to kiss Ennis's ass anymore when it comes to the Punisher; I've already said that he's made the character his and has created the definitive run. This current arc about the wives of the criminals he has taken down is just too much fun to pass up.

I love this book.

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #105 $2.99 (Brian Michael Bendis / Mark Bagley)

Finally, the Ultimate version of the “Clone Saga” is over, and I don't say that like I'm glad it has ended. Far from it. This has been one heck of a ride with twists and turns aplenty.

Personally, I like my Spider-Man WITH Mary Jane, but is that who is going to end up with? Again, it's not that I don't like him with Kitty Pryde, in fact, it makes a lot of sense; either way, this is sure to be another strong issue focusing on these characters that I enjoy so much.

Was there something that did it for you this week? If so, stop by the What Looks Good message boards (see link below) and spread the love, my friend.

Until then,

Peace!

-Diaz