Here is what I’m buying the week of 01-07-09. As a reminder new comic books come out on Wednesday and this list is taken from Graham Cracker Comics.

As per the new policy I am now recommending Trades not new single issues, as people find Trades much more accessible and I feel that trade readers are starting to out number floppy readers.

DC
Detective Comics #852
Faces of Evil Grundy #1
Secret Six #5
Trinity #32

INDEPENDENT
Anna Mercury #5
Boys #26
Doktor Sleepless #11
Gravel #7
No Hero #3

KIDS
Supergirl Cosmic Adventures in the 8th Grade #2

Recommendations
Agents of Atlas TPB: I’m buying this book this week. I haven’t read it, but I like everything I’ve read by Jeff Parker so I’m willing to give it a shot. I’ve been waiting for this book to come out in paper back, so I’ll be picking it up. If you like entertaining, humorous books you should pick this up to.

Here is what I’m buying the week of 12-31-08. Though please note books do not ship until Friday January 2^nd this week due to the holiday. As a reminder new comic books come out on Wednesday and this list is taken from Graham Cracker Comics.

As per the new policy I am now recommending Trades not new single issues, as people find Trades much more accessible and I feel that trade readers are starting to out number floppy readers.

MARVEL
Captain America #45
Incognito #1
Kick-Ass #5

DC
Batman #684
Batman Cacophony #2
Blue Beetle #34
Green Lantern #36
Justice League of America #28
Justice Society of America #22
Superman #683
Teen Titans #66
Trinity #31

Recommendations:

Scalped Vol. 3: It came out a while ago but I haven’t read it yet and I’m using this relatively weak week to pick it up. Scalped is awesome. Buy it.

I can’t make these things up. Every early model 30gig Microsoft Zune failed mysteriously last night at 2am. This is a developing mystery. It’s Y2K9. Thanks be to the Huffington Post. Read it. Fascinating.

I found this image via The Edge. And I’ll be damned if that doesn’t look like the peculiar Marvel Character Man-Thing.

Yes, Man-Thing, made famous by Steve Gerber. Yes, Man-Thing, who’s movie was so bad that it wasn’t even released publicly. Yes, Man-Thing who is most definitely not related to Swamp Thing. Even though they both hang out in swamps (or everglades.)

That’s a screen shot from the recently released game Fable 2. And if Man-Thing is making a guest appearance Marvel (or maybe Gerber’s family) should probably get a cut don’t you think? Who knew Peter Molyneux was a Marvel man, I would have pegged him as an old school Valiant guy.

At the 2008 Video Game Awards hosted by Jack Black, Gameloft received the coveted Mobile Game of the Year Award for Oregon Trail.

I was very involved with this game from its very early stages, and my team’s name is in the credits, so I’m very proud of this award. Gameloft did a truly kick-ass job here.

To see if the game is available on your mobile phone text WAGON to 82174 now.

Here is what I’m buying the week of 12-24-08. As a reminder new comic books come out on Wednesday and this list is taken from Graham Cracker Comics.

As per the new policy I am now recommending Trades not new single issues, as people find Trades much more accessible and I feel that trade readers are starting to out number floppy readers.

MARVEL
Dark Tower Treachery #4

DC
Batman #683
Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam #3
Brave and the Bold #20
Flash #247
Rann Thanagar Holy War #8
Trinity #30
Vigilante #1
Wonder Woman #27

No Recommendations this week. Just be sure to have a happy and safe holiday.

I was extremely excited to see a positive review of Brothers in Arms iPhone on Kotaku. You can check it out here.

While I’m excited that the review was positive, I’m more excited that game is receiving attention, especially from the traditionally Sony/Microsoft/Nintendo centric main stream video game press. They sort of see the iPhone/iPod Touch as not being worthy of discussion as it’s a device that is not just for games, and that tends to confuse a lot of pundits, or causes them to treat the devise with derision. Perhaps Konami’s recent Metal Gear announcement will change that.

Furthermore while I was involved with the game, I will not be commenting on it’s development, that would be bad news bear, and the NDA goblins would come to my house and eat all my comic books.

Best Action Game: Hero of Sparta (iPhone)

http://uk.bestof.ign.com/2008/wireless/1.html

“Downloading Gameloft’s Hero of Sparta to your iPhone is like ordering a to-go portion of God of War. This hack-and-slasher sends the heroic king Argos into a world crawling with the monsters of Greek mythology, each with a convenient soft spot that’s a perfect fit for your sword. Featuring fantastic touch controls that never hamper the game’s manic pacing, Hero of Sparta rises to become the premiere action game of the year and a tough act to beat for all that follow.”

Best Racing/Driving Game: Asphalt 4: Elite Racing (iPhone)

http://uk.bestof.ign.com/2008/wireless/5.html

“Because the iPhone’s accelerometer essentially turns the device into a portable steering wheel, the racing scene on the device has been popping. But no racer released this year competes with Gameloft’s superlative Asphalt 4: Elite Racing. At top speed, Asphalt 4 is a thrill. The responsive controls shame competing racers. Loaded with licensed cars that look awesome zooming through exotic locations and Wi-Fi multiplayer, Asphalt 4 provides a console-like driving experience at an absolute steal.”

Best Platform Game: Castle of Magic

http://uk.bestof.ign.com/2008/wireless/3.html

“Not every game needs to rewrite the rules of a genre. Gameloft’s Castle of Magic is a platformer that takes absolutely no risks and instead delivers a pitch perfect example of the genre: fantastic run-and-jump fun in a fantastical setting. You are a little wizard that must transform into animals and fight off giant snowmen and an octopus. And it all clicks. Castle of Magic feels like a lost 8-bit game you would have played on the NES. And we love it for just that reason.”

Best Graphics Technology: Hero of Sparta (iPhone)

http://uk.bestof.ign.com/2008/wireless/8.html

“It’s no secret that the iPhone is a powerful gaming device, but after seeing Hero of Sparta in action, you may want to sell your PSP. Hero of Sparta is hands-down the most console-esque iPhone game yet, featuring incredibly detailed models wrapped in crisp, colorful textures. Rare is the frame rate problem that slows the hellzapoppin action, even when the screen explodes with fantastic lighting effects at the height of an epic boss battle. This will be tough to top. But we’ll all benefit as developers try.”

Here is what I’m buying the week of 12-17-08. As a reminder new comic books come out on Wednesday and this list is taken from Graham Cracker Comics.

As per the new policy I am now recommending Trades not new single issues, as people find Trades much more accessible and I feel that trade readers are starting to out number floppy readers.

DC
Batman and the Outsiders #14
Birds of Prey #125
DCU Holiday Special 2008
Manhunter #37
Robin #181
Supergirl #36
Trinity #29

DC/VERTIGO
Hellblazer #250

DC/WILDSTORM
Ex Machina #40

INDEPENDENT
Doktor Sleepless #10

KIDS
Tiny Titans #11

TRADES & HARDCOVERS - Recommendations
Marvel Adventures Avengers: This is a very slow week. So I with desperation recommend the older copies of Marvel Adventures Avengers. Here is volume 1. They are very affordable (a great move in this economy), they are very accessible, they are all-ages friendly, and they are freaking funny. I actually laugh out loud when reading these books. Pick up the whole set.  

Yes, you can now download Brain Challenge onto your PS3. With Brain Challenge taking over the PS3 there is now only one device that Brain Challenge is not available on. Points if you can name it.

Also Hero of Sparta just launched on iPhone and I think it’s the most amazing game available for iPhone/iPod Touch right now. I’m not just saying that because I work for Gameloft. This is a console level experience that will truly blow your mind. You owe it to yourself to check it out.