Collection Update

The Wizard World Convention was a success, at least in terms of expanding my collection.

I picked up some great old Thanos appearances from the 70's, and I almost completed my run of the Evolutionary War (I still need the Silver Surfer Annual).

I also got to meet the Iron Sheik, so all things considered, a great day. Check out Comic Book Daily for a full recap of the show.

Street Fighter IV Tournament

Those of you in the Greater Toronto Area should be getting ready for some serious SFIV competition. The folks over at A & C Games in Toronto are having a tournament on April 25th. Prizes include a tournament stick and a copy of Super Street Fighter IV so start practicing your hadokens today. A & C Games is a great place to pick up vintage video games and to talk anything gaming with the very knowledgeable and friendly staff. You can view their website here.

Amazing Spider-Man #625

The creative team has done some excellent character development with the Rhino, really shifting from his one-dimensional smash everything role. However, the story is painfully predictable and the overall issue is a lesson in mediocrity.  The saving grace is the Rhino VS Rhino brawl that ends up being worth the price of admission.

Tale of the Tape

Cost: $3

Length: 20 minutes

Is it worth it?: Yes, but just barely. Hopefully someone from Marvel reads this blog and changes ASM back to a monthly title. Remember when issue numbers ending in multiples of 25 meant something?

Wizard World Toronto Comic Con

Comic book fans in the GTA should check out the Wizard World Toronto Comic Con this weekend. The guest list is pretty hilarious (lots of professional wrestlers) and I expect to find some great deals. Currently I am looking for early Thanos appearances, old Marvel Team-up, and Evolutionary War issues. I'll let you all know how my quest goes.

I will be at the Big B Comics booth on the Sunday, so come on by and say hello.

Kevin Sorbo is Hercules once more.

All the Kevin Sorbo fans can rejoice: he is Hercules again! The actor, who portrayed the demi-god for 7 years on television, lends his voice to God of War 3. GOW 3 actually has a lot of great voice acting. Linda Hunt, Clancy Brown (the Kurgan!), and Rip Torn all have roles. If you have been missing your Kevin-Sorbo-as- Hercules-fix this game is for you.

Siege #3

This is how you tell a big crossover story in comics. Excellent art, great use of a large cast of characters, fast pace, and a cliffhanger ending make this issue the total package. My concern is that issues #1 and #2 were pretty bland compared to this so the quality of #4 will be a crapshoot.

Tale of the Tape

Cost: $4

Length: 20 minutes. 

Is it worth it?: Yes. For $12 per hour this is a great read and really boosts the value of the series as a whole. 

Amazing Spider-Man #623 & #624

The new vulture is a pretty lackluster villain. I can't say that I have been really drawn into any story with him as the antagonist, and this issue continues with a tradition of lackluster appearances. The issue does feature a great finish that results in total upheaval in Peter Parker's professional life, but the super-hero action is uninteresting.

Tale of the Tape

Cost: $6 ($3 per issue)

Length: 40 minutes

Is it worth it?: No. For $9 per hour you can get much better entertainment than a humdrum Spider-Man story. Dear Marvel, please go back to publishing this title once per month.