Podcast Schedule Update
Hey folks, just a quick note to let you know what we’re going to be doing for the next couple of podcast episodes.
We were scheduled to have a regular episode this weekend, but because of various circumstances (including my being on holiday and there not being much comics news from the past couple of weeks) we’ve moved the next episode to next weekend (February 8/9). We’ll be back then with news, reviews and the Handbook, all as per usual.
In the interim, we’re intending to have a special one-off show, probably going up on Monday or Tuesday, which is going to be a completely different kettle of fish. You might remember this post which we did back in October, concerning the heavily comics-influenced indie wrestling promotion Chikara Pro. Well, we’re going to be speaking to a couple of representatives from that promotion – commentator Leonard F Chikarason (whose comics podcast, The Weekly Longbox, is available here) and Kobald (a wrestler who’s heavily influenced by a certain Spidey villain with a pointy glider). We’re going to be talking about Chikara, and about everything that’s been going on with that promotion and its ARG over the past eight months.
Just to be clear: this isn’t going to be an episode of House to Astonish (we’re calling it Holds to Astonish, because it made us laugh), though it’s going to come out on the same feed (because a lot of people who enjoy our podcast also like Paul’s writing on wrestling here, and because we’d have to pay to set up a separate feed, which seems a little over the top for a one-off). You’re not going to miss out on any of our chat about comics news, reviews and daft Marvel characters if you skip this episode, so if it’s not for you then please do just ignore it – we know that not everyone who listens to our show is interested in wrestling (and to be honest, I’m in that category 90% of the time), but as we were going to be delaying the regular episode until next weekend anyway you’re not actually getting any fewer episodes of the show, and there’ll be a new episode of House to Astonish along next weekend. If you’re interested in finding out more about Chikara, though, then check it out. It’s an extra, and in all honesty I think it should be a lot of fun.
If you’d like to get yourself warmed up for it, you can check out the live, free stream of National Pro Wrestling Day today at their site from 6pm UK time/1pm EST- it’s likely to be a pretty major forum for developments in the ongoing Chikara saga. The show is completely free, but they’re running a donation drive for the Against Malaria Foundation, so maybe consider throwing them a few bucks anyway.
X-Force: “Vendetta”
And so we reach the final storyline for both Uncanny X-Force and Cable & X-Force, before the titles face their latest relaunch.
The decision to launch two entirely unrelated X-Force titles in the last wave of Marvel Now is no less baffling now than it was a year ago, particularly since one of those teams never actually called itself “X-Force” in the course of the series. The ludicrous overuse of the “Avengers” and “X-Men” brand names at least makes some sort of short-term, blinkered sense – those are top franchises, at least. But “X-Force”?
Charts – 26 January 2014
All-New X-Men #18-21 – “All-Different”
One thing about the solicitation system is that, by requiring even cryptic plot details to be released months in advance, it can make it abundantly clear when plans have changed. These four issues will form the majority of All-New X-Men vol 4 (the volume being rounded out, rather oddly, with issue #22, which is the first part of “The Trial of Jean Grey”). Over on Amazon UK, that volume is still listed alongside copy that first appeared in the solicitation for issue #18:
“The X-Men are shaken to the core by the Battle of the Atom. Kitty Pryde is particularly shaken by the events of the X-Men crossover. With her students gone, what is Kitty to do?”
Royal Rumble 2014
To be perfectly honest, I’ve been too busy to pay much close attention to the build up for this show. But it’s worth saying something about since, with the launch of the so-called “WWE Network” (actually an online streaming service on the Netflix model), we’re nearing the end of the current PPV model in pro wrestling.
The WWE Network has been in the pipeline for ages – they actually announced it a couple of years back only for it to drift off the radar. Despite this, it still seems to have come as a surprise announcement to many people not following the industry. Essentially, the big idea is to have a streaming service where, for around the price of a single PPV on the current model, you can subscribe for six months and get all the PPVs in that period, plus a ton of archive material, and, well, some blatant filler like a reality show that’s been languishing at the back of a drawer for two years.
Charts – 19 January 2014
House to Astonish Episode 118
With one thing and another, we’re a little behind, so apologies for the slight delay in getting this episode to you. This time round, we’re discussing Marvel’s announcements, including a variety of new series, the relaunch of the Ultimate books, and… something to do with Spider-Man? We’re also looking at Lex Luthor taking the reins of the Justice League, DC’s second Aquaman series, and the Vertigo anthology CMYK, and whizzing through all of the announcements coming out of the Image Expo. We’re also reviewing Black Widow, Black Dynamite and EGOs (in the context of which we fail to notice that the artist and colourist are the same person), and the Official Handbook of the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe is in fact only a clockwork toy to be wound up by God or the Devil. All this plus Prisoner: Deep Space 9, What If: Essex and Rich Johnston’s gang of comics gossip urchins.
The podcast is here, or here on Mixcloud, or available via the player below. Let us know what you think, either in the comments, on Twitter, via email or on our Facebook fan page.
And hey, there are swish t-shirts and hoodies available on our Redbubble store. Why not treat yourself?
Housekeeping
For those wondering: there’s a podcast recorded, and it should be up tomorrow. Chart post probably tomorrow too, since it’s 90% written. Reviews… um, hopefully in the course of the week.
Charts – 12 January 2014
Wolverine #8-13 – “Killable”
Much like the North Korean military, Marvel believes that if you keep relaunching long enough, eventually the damn thing will stay up. Hence the upcoming yet-another-revamp of the Ultimate books, and the likes of Fantastic Four, X-Force, Other X-Force, Hulk and Wolverine all being slated for fresh issue #1s only a year or so after the last one.
In fact, I don’t have a particular problem with starting from #1 when you have a genuinely fresh start on the book. At least that’s drawing attention to the first issue of a story. Other books like Daredevil and Hulk are keeping the writer but changing the set-up, which is a bit tenuous, but it’s something. And then we have Wolverine, which is rebooting its numbering in the middle of a storyline.
