What Looks Good #253 – Irish I Were In Dublin...

By Paul Brian McCoy

Happy St. Patty's Day! Michael is indisposed this week, so after accidentally eating the Salmon of Wisdom I was forced to pass a handful of strenuous tests, including kissing the blarney stone, arm-wrestling a leprechaun, and a half-dozen other embarrassing (and hopefully only mildly offensive to the Irish) green-tinged mac Cumhaillian labors, I, Paul Brian McCoy (you can call me McCool), have won the chance of presenting you with another installment of What Looks Good!

So, lets settle back with a cool Irish drink (for me it's a BlackSmith, with a half pint of Guinness topping a half pint of Smithwick's Red Ale, keeping it all in the Guinness family) and take a gander at What Looks Good.

DC

HELLBLAZER #253 $2.99 (Peter Milligan / Giuseppe Camuncoli)

What better way to begin than with the conclusion of fine Irish lad, Peter Milligan's first John Constantine, Hellblazer story, "Scab." For those of you not paying attention, the title has a dual meaning, relating back to a union scandal from twelve years earlier, and to the disgusting, itchy, crusty skin problem that inexplicably began plaguing John a couple of issues back.

The story's been interesting and suitably disturbing, but I'm having a bit of trouble with Camuncoli's art. It's very good, but it's not really suited for this title, in my humble opinion. The book looks like it should be called The Animated Adventures of John Constantine, Rogue Scamp and he just hasn't made the scabby rash look, well, like a scabby rash.

But it's not a deal breaker so far, and I'm really looking forward to finding out just what's going on and why is John being involved like this. I'm also digging John's new girlfriend, but I have a feeling she's not going to be around long. I hope I'm wrong, but Constantine doesn't have the best luck with the ladies.

MARVEL

UNCANNY X-MEN #507 $2.99 (Matt Fraction / Terry and Rachel Dodson)

Although he's not Irish, Matt Fraction is still writing the X-Men in a way that makes me keep reading, even when I've lost nearly all of my emotional attachment to the characters. His pacing is excellent and he's able to juggle storylines like he's spinning plates on wobbly poles. Okay, I kind of mixed my out-of-date variety show metaphors there, but I think you know what I'm sayin'.

This issue is a good one that wraps up a few storylines and lays the groundwork for the next couple of threats to the team. I was a little disappointed with how Hank's newly organized group of fringe mutant scientists deal with the giant lizard attack from the end of the previous issue, but there's a lot of potential in these characters.

I'm more interested in them than the traditional team, so hopefully they'll get more face time as the series moves on. For you old-school X-Fans, expect lots of strong character work on your favorite members and guess what? A very dangerous villain is coming back. That's all I'm going to say about that.

WOLVERINE #71 $2.99 (Mark Millar / Steve McNiven)

This is part 6 of 8, and according to the solicitations, Logan and Hawkeye face off against a Venom Tyrannosaurus Rex. That's probably all that needs said about that.

DVD

PUNISHER: WAR ZONE (2 DISC SPECIAL EDITION) $34.98

Oh hell yes. I know that this didn't get the greatest of reviews. Did it get any good reviews? Doesn't matter. Some things transcend popular opinion, and a film where the Punisher punches through someone's head is one of those things.

Plus we've got two more strong Irish lads taking the leads in this film. Ray Stevenson, who some of you may remember as the best character in HBO's Rome, gets his punishing on as Frank Castle, while Dominic West, who some of you may remember as the best character in HBO's The Wire, goes a little nuts as Jigsaw.

I honestly don't care what the story is or how well, or poorly, it's actualized. I just want some Stevenson and West action. But not in a gay way.

I don't think.

MUSIC

VENTURE BROTHERS SOUNDTRACK $12.00

http://www.williamsstreet.com/cat/CDs/

Technically, this isn't out until next Tuesday, but I'm too excited to leave it out! I'm afraid it's only available through the Adult Swim web site and cannot be shipped outside the USA and Canada, though. Sorry international fans.

I've been waiting for new music from J.G. Thirlwell, who's work as Foetus and Steroid Maximus is some of the best experimental punk/jazz/rock/madness that you're likely to ever hear. He's been doing the score for The Venture Bros. since it began, and, to be quite honest, to me it's the best part of the show.

This CD has 20 tracks or you can order it on vinyl and get 16 tracks and a coupon to downloading the missing songs (and maybe the entire album).

If you like crazy, jazzy, spy music busting up the insides of your head, then this is the CD for you. If you don't like crazy, jazzy, spy music busting up the insides of your head, I recommend you get professional help.

TELEVISION

LOST ABC

After a few weeks off, Lost is back! I won't spoil anything major, but THEY'RE BACK ON THE ISLAND! Come on, you knew they'd do it. But did you know WHEN they'd do it?

It doesn't look like there's going to be any more time travelling since Locke turned the wheel, but there are still plenty of things to keep the viewers interested. I just wish Kate wasn't going to go mess with Sawyer and Juliet. They seemed to be doing pretty good together. Ah, drama!

BATTLESTAR GALACTICA SERIES FINALE Sci-Fi Channel

And speaking of drama, HOLY CRAP! I've heard some complaints that we've been getting too much filler as we've closed in on the series finale of BSG, but that's crazy talk. What we've been getting is psychological depth and character building. It's been wrapped up in horribly bleak, nightmarishly brutal ribbons and bows, but it hasn't been simple filler.

Every week I'm exhausted at the end of the hour. I don't know if I'll be able to make it through a two-hour finale that ends it all. Will there be crying? Of course there will be. Somebody cries every episode. Of course, this time it'll probably be me sobbing like a baby.

I already miss it.

For those of you who never watched it, Battlestar Galactica is quite simply the best science fiction ever on television. And that's coming from a guy who loved Babylon 5 and adored Farscape. Star Trek was okay sometimes.

My Friday nights are already feeling a much, much emptier. Dollhouse is no replacement.

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So, what's got you geeked this week? Just stop by the WLG message boards (see link below) and share!

Michael will be back next week! Until then, as another fine Irishman by the name of John Lydon once said, "May the road rise with you!" See ya on the boards!

-PBM

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