"What You Gettin'?"

So I'm going to start a weekly post w/in the blog here on Tuesdays called (see above haha) where I go over a few books I'm looking forward to.  Feel free to comment w/ what you are drooling over or yell at me for my picks. :) This week is the trial period so to speak.  That being the case, I will keep it kinda short and Marvel centric. SPOILERS MAY FOLLOW!!!

1. Amazing X-Men #2

Jason Aaron, Ed McGuinness

If you can't tell by the cover art, NIGHTCRAWLER IS BACK.  Well, kinda.  He's still technically dead.  However Wolverine and Northstar have gotten sucked into "Heaven"?  The story so far is centering on Kurt's (Nightcrawler's given name) Dad Azazel, yes the guy from X-Men First Class, charging headfirst into paradise to wreak havoc.   This book is awesome for a couple of reasons.   One, Nightcrawler.  Nuff' said right?  Two, the return of Firestar.  If you're a child of the 80's/90's VHS Marvel cartoons, you'll know how special it is to see her and Ice-man reunited.  And don't get me wrong, there are other reasons to get amped for this book but those two specifically are cause for confetti.  Jason Aaron has worked wonders on his other ensemble X title so I expect he'll keep the momentum going with this one.  Ed McGuinness is always a treat as well.  Dude knows how to pace a page.  Any who, on to the next one...

2. Inhumanity #1

Matt Kindt, Paul Davidson

 

So not too many casual comic fans know a lot about the Inhumans.  Most people know about Medusa; lady with big hair, Lockjaw; giant teleporting dog and Blackbolt; King of Inhumans/guy who always has to use his six inch voice.  Well, Matt Fraction, the man responsible for turning Hawkeye (Hawkguy if ya nasty) into a MUST BUY and Paul Davidson (He draws Nova reeeeealy well) are out to change the level of awareness. Just in case you're unaware, during the latest Marvel wide event, Invasion, Blackbolt and Maximus the Mad set off a bomb on earth that unlocked the hidden ability in certain people to be an Inhuman.  It's kind of like being a mutant but has the added bonus of a hierarchy.  Plus, any book I can read with Karnak is a plus.  His ability is to see the weak point in any person or structure. AND HE KNOWS MARTIAL ARTS. Haha.  Just me? Whatevs. NEXT!...

 

3. Uncanny Avengers #15

Rick Remender, Steve McNiven

Uncanny Avengers is supposed to be the attempt of Humans (Avengers((discounting Thor)) and Mutants coming together to show unity in the public eye.  So far they've already gotten Pwned by a Xavier powered Red Skull, dealt with team issues (Rogue and Scarlett Witch are totes tiffing) and had to deal with the "Apocalypse Twins"; the spawn of Archangel.  This book has already had beautiful panels done by John Cassaday, Daniel Acuna and Salvador Larroca.  Now Steve McNiven?! Shut up. Take my money. And spend it unwisely.  Not to mention that Rick Remender is carrying on the seeds he planted years ago in his X-force story lines.  The big ticket for this issue is that last week, in #14, it appears that Rogue, Scarlett Witch and Wonder Man all bit the dust.  Being that this current story is heavily rooted in time travel, I don't know how much of this will stick.  Either way, hold on to your butts.



 

Welp! That does it for me ranting your eyes off this week.  Come back often and leave your two cents with us!

 

Top 10 ways Sneakerheads are just like Comic Collectors

I am a Sneakerhead which is honestly just slang for sneaker nerd. My appreciation for the design, craft, and comfort is inundated into my DNA at this point in life. You may not know this but we share a very close connection to the comic nerd. Yeah, we’re not so different you and I. 

Here is why:

Childhood Memories

Growing up in a single parent household, shoe purchases came once a year for school.  This only fed my infatuation. Hoping that one day my kicks would be as amazing as Martin Payne or Corey Mathews.

“Corey had heat”

Fortunately I have a loving mother that was proud to feed my other love which was comic books. She would proudly drive us out to the suburbs every few weeks to pick up our latest Marvel fix. This obsession was much less expensive and could provide a lasting feeling of satisfaction. I miss those days. So once I hit high-school, the first time I got a fresh pair of Nike’s it gave me that feeling all over again. However, it’s a much more expensive hobby that doesn’t appear to be settling any time soon. Thanks Mom.

OG’s are a prized possession

Much Like OG sneakers, a first run comic has a far greater value than a second or third printing. That doesn't take anything away from a retro Jordan or a second edition 1^st issue, but there is nothing like that first run.

“Especially when it comes to selling/trading it in the future.”

 Gotta Catch em’ all.

I have OCD when it comes to completion. There is no better feeling than having every single edition or colorway possible. Of course this is obtainable with lots of time and money so you always feel as if you have a chance to make this happen. In fact I know more than a few dedicated people that have. 

"Bastard"

Hypebeasts

So when I went to see The Avengers and was waiting for the second after credits scene, this guy behind me who came with his group of clueless friends tries to explain to them what just happened.  He continued to say Thaynus as he pronounced it was an Egyptian x-men villain who was trying to kill mutants throughout the universe. It took my every being to not nerd rage all over this guy and his cohorts.  

“My Nerd rage is full of protein”

What posers are to Comics, Hypebeasts are to sneakers. Too often do people try to slip into your culture and completely get it wrong with no remorse. I have no love for these people and neither should you.

The Day One Cop Routine

The homey Mike religiously makes his comic purchases every Wednesday. I am the same way with sneakers. Every Saturday morning I’m up early to secure my latest infatuation.

It is this glorious routine that keeps us grounded in the culture. Until it’s no longer a routine and just a part of life. I know personally I would have it no other way.

Respect the Creator

Tinker Hatfield and Eric Avar mean as much to me as Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. These are my idols and the gods that crafted the most influential things in my life. I don’t need to say more. Oh these aren't tears, its power juice.

Storage

I got racks on racks on racks of sneakers. My homeys got stacks on stacks of comics around the crib. We do this and dammit we protect our investments. If I could get an air tight vault-like chamber to store my babies I would and my comic book fiends would as well. Wait….no….I wear my kicks and they read their books……You get what I'm saying though.

The Stigma

Well if you like comics you must be a supreme mega nerd right. A virgin, no life outside of larping and playing WOW with people you never met but may one day marry. You wear tapped up glasses and have no fashion sense. It isn't fair but that stigma is probably not going away anytime soon. Unfortunately Sneakerhead also has a negative connotation surrounding it as well. Thanks to a bunch of idiots who couldn't keep their shit together when those concords dropped.

"My people"

Conventions

Yeah we both do this. They are both equally as awesome and are a must for your nerd Bucket List. Although sneakerheads don’t have anything that would even come close to rivaling Comic-Con, we definitely learned a lot from it.  It’s the perfect way to celebrate the culture, meet your brethren and in some cases come home with that grand prized possession……

 Grails

Ahh yes, the reason we do it. That one comic, toy, sneaker, autograph, etc. that got away. Some of us are fortunate and may be able to find that Grail in a retro or maybe it wasn't that popular enough and you can get it from your local comic shop.

“My Grail”

But, that’s not always the case is it? Sometimes it’s far too limited or expensive for us to get our hands on. Sometimes it doesn't come in your size or even your country.  Sometimes it’s just plain not meant to be. But the search continues never the less. This is what binds our obsessions and our culture. 

Happy hunting. - LeMar G.