It came from the movies:
I swear this story is true. A gang of art thieve steal 5 million dollars worth of painting from the Chacara do Ceu museum in Rio de Janeiro on Friday. The escaped into a sea thousands of Brazilians during Carnival. The paintings were Pablo Picasso's "The Dance" and a book by him titled "Toros" Claude Monet's "Marine", Henri Matisse's "Garden of Luxembourg" and Salvador Dali's "Two Balconies." This caper sounds like it came from the movies: able to take the painting from a high security museum and making their getaway in a crowd parade.
Reminds me of another theft in Norway. On 22 August 2004, another original of The Scream, together with Munch's Madonna, was stolen (note that Munch painted several versions of The Scream). This time the thieves targeted the version held by the Munch Museum, from where the two paintings were stolen at gunpoint and during opening hours. Of course, six people has been arrested. Remember, crime does not pay... and knowing is half the battle.

Yesterday was a good day, of course today I have to work:
Last night I went to the Coldplay concert in Houston. Let me say it was awesome. Fionne Apple was the opening act and did a good job. Her set which was probable on 30-45 minutes long was 6-7 songs long. The set included all 4 songs that I was familar with (including "Criminal" and "Shadowboxer"), so it was entertaining for the most part. The songs that I did not know was made interesting with her spastic seizure like movements.
Then Coldplay went on stage... I must admit that I haven't been to a concert in like 4 years and I missed the energy and fun live music. (I think the last concert was another Brit-pop band, Travis.) I felt like a 13 year old school girl, screaming and cheering. Coldplay did not disappoint. Chris Martin is soulful and charmastic on stage. You can't help but sing along with them. The band has been a round for 3 albums and each one has its number of hits, which allows the causal fan sing too. The highlights of this concert: "Yellow", "Scientist", Johnny's Cash's "Ring of Fire", "Spiderwebs", and "Swallow in the Sea." At the end of the concert, you are hoping they would do every song and a few more cover songs too. If you have chance to catch them live, I would highly recommend it.
And this week, my comics are coming in... I'm so excited. I'm giddy like a 13 year old.

Bone: One Volume Edition:
The title of my blog is "A month behind..." Sometimes I am a little more behind, like years... Bone finished among 2 years ago and Jeff Smith was kind enough to create 1332 page monster to contained to whole Bone series in reference sized graphic novel. (Again thank you Jeff.)

The Bone cousins are lost in a desert from getting run out of Boneville. They stumble into a land not familiar to themselves: a land full of rat creatures, little and big bugs, dragons, and of course humans. When these three bones enter this new world, it set off a series of events leading to the past to be uncovered, evil reborn, and change for better or worst.

This literature masterpiece leaves me speechless. This is what all comics should aspire to be: fun, entertaining, emotional, suspense... This comic does this without vulgarity or gimmicks. Everyone should read this comic from ages 4-99. If you were buying this comic bi-monthly, you were probably frustrated from the pace this comic was coming out. The end of every issues only causes the reader to crave for more, but in this complete dictionary sized, the reader doesn't have to wait and the price is perfect. Only listed at $39.99, but you can usually find it cheaper online or ordering from your comic book retailer. The art is fantastic. Simple clean lines express emotion and action without the need of color. (But I'm still tempted to buy Bone in color from the Scholastic Books.) Again, you must read this comic, then share it with everyone. It is that good. RATINGS: STORY-10/10 ART- 10/10

BPRD: Black Flame & Revelations:
Well, it is back to work. Vacation is way too short. I was planning to post a couple more reviews before going back to work. I was going to cover 2 Dark Horse titles: BPRD: Black Flame and Revelations which both series just ended. Now that I have to work, the reviews will be shorter. With these non Marvel/ DC mini series I like to read them after I get all the issues in and read in one big lump. It seems to make more sense to me, until of waiting month after month. There are it advantage of doing that. One, you get the sense of the whole picture. Two, less waiting between issues. And three, it nice to take a lazy weekend to read comics. (Of course, you may ask why not wait for the trade... I'm not organized to plan ahead and figure which trades I want ahead of time.) The disadvantages are if a series bomb, you can't stop buying those issues. Two, there is no time to "marinate" between issues. You can't imagine and anticipate what is going to happen next. And lastly, you are not up to date with your comic book reading peers.

BPRD: Black Flame 1-6: BPRD is back again for another series. (I always wonder why don't just make this an ongoing series.) And boy this comics flies. The plot moves quickly. An new villain is introduced. An old enemy is back with vengeance. A friend dies and a warning of this to come.
This series has become one of my favorites. It comic is fun like Noble Causes, with supernatural twist. Mike Mignola and John Arcudi maintain and propel the excellent storyline, while adding new detail to the already rich history of the Hellboy world. Reading this series in one sitting is highly recommend, 'cuz you won't be able to wait for the next issue. Guy Davis's art has been an excellent fit to the mood and environment. RATINGS: STORY- 9/10 ART- 8/10

Revelations 1-6: Humberto Ramos and Paul Jenkins has been hot combo. There work on the Spiderman titles has been highly acclaimed and praised. Personally, I'm a huge fan-boy of Ramos. Always loved his work on Impulse, Flash, Crimson, DV8, and Out There... (again big fan.) So when I heard of this title, I was a giddy like a little school girl.
Detective Charlie Northern is sent to Italy for what appears to the murder of a high ranking religious official. Little does he realize what is in stored for him. Love, murder, and of course cult members...
To be frank, I was very disappointed with this series. I am not sure what the team was trying to accomplish with this series. A little noir, a little horror, and a little mystery, unfortunately not enough holding my attention. Ramos has not top of his game on this one. This is one series that should have stop after the 1st issue. (On a brighter note... I can't wait for Ramos work on Wolverine.) RATINGS: STORY- 4/10 ART-5/10

Co-writer of the "Curious George" was killed. So sad to hear and person who brought so much joy to some many children and the young at heart. R.I.P. Alan J. Shalleck

Soon my vacation will end. I will need to get on with my life. No more internet surfing. No more comic book reading. No more video game playing. No more fun... but until then here is another internetmovie I have found...

Since I have been on vacation for past couple of days. I have been doing alot more with this blog. And been surfing way too much. "Bad Boys" is a bad a$$ movie, a classic... Mike Lowwry!... must get out of the house. Anyways enjoy this blog by Mike Wieringo.

Added another link...Comic News International. Kinda messy site, but links to other types of sites like toys, movies and other stuff of interest.

ohh my gosh... the punchline of this video is funny and educational....

Well, January is a month of new beginings. Marvel has put out 14 #1 issues un Jaunary. I'm sure some poor suck bought all 14 of them. Here is my 2 cents of a few of them.

ULTIMATE EXTINCTION #1 (of 5) - Warren Ellis is finishing this ultimate trilogy. This time he is brings the excellent art of Brandon Peterson. Beware coming of Gah Lak Tus, which has been going on for the past 6 issues. The 1st part was a fun horror story leading to the discovery of Vision. The 2nd part introduced the Captain Marvell, but somewhat pointless. And now all leading to this series... The Ultimates and Fantastic Four are preparing for the coming Gah Lak Tus with the aid of their new ally Captain Marvell. Then the story introduces another, but unexpected one... Misty Knight. She is hired by a rich man to follow and observe his wife. His wife is under the influence of a new cult.
Overall Warren does a great job setting up this story. It will be insteading to see if he can excute well. I must admit he has caught my attention. Brandon is coming off his strong work from the Dr. Strange title and this issue is no exceptions. RATINGS: STORY- 8/10 ART: 9/10.

DAUGHTERS OF THE DRAGON #1 (of 6)- Talk about Misty Knight again. Who would have thought there would be 2 titles from different realities with her staring in them? Meet Misty Knight and Colleen Wing. They are bailwomen. They hunt villain that skip bail and bring them back to jail. Reminds me of She-Hulk and Damage Contol inc. in that they are heros doing occupation stuff in the super world. The two ladies are after the Rhino who apparently missed his court date. They take him down with lots of crashes and sass. Then leading to a new dangerous assignment.
Writers, Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti does a beautiful job re-acquainting us these characters. Misty and Collen are like sorority sister who get along, but love antagonizing each other. The art by Khari Evans, which I am not familar with, really give these character life and fun. I'm going looking forward to this series. RATINGS: STORY- 8/10 ART: 8/10.

X-MEN: THE 198 #1 (of 5)- Okay, I will admit it. I am an X-men nut. I will usually buy anything X-men related no matter how crappy it may be. This may be another crappy comic. M-day has come and go. Mutants and ex-mutants are experiencing the fallout. While Generation M deals with the ex powered mutants, I think this series is going to deal with powered mutants of Mutant Town. There is a new mutant hating group out there terrorizing mutants. They go after a mutant waitress and who is their to save her... Toad. The new couple head to X-mansion for haven, which is now guarded by sentinials. The new visitors join over mutant in the camp outside of the mansion in camp 198. (I don't understand, they live in a mansion, why won't they let the new mutants live in the mansion. Are they afraid some one is goning to steal Wolverine's art supplies?) Then enter Mr. M... (I have no clue who he is, except he is from District X.)
Story is very flat and very disinteresting. Art is fair. Hope the story gets better, cuz I'm already bored and afraid I wasted my $2.99. RATING: STORY 4/10 ART: 5/10

Ping pong matrix style- very funny, yet cool.

Funny trailer... and not porn

New Excalibur #3- I was looking forward to the new series because I initially heard Alan Davis was going to pencil the project. For whatever reason, he isn't and Micheal Ryan is doing the job, which I think is fantastic. I love this work on New X-men (or New Mutants or X-men: Academy, or whatever the title is was called back then... Marvel can be so fustrating with the title changes...) So I'm glad he is on board. But I wish he was on New X-men and Mark Brooks which places.
As for the story so far, "evil" X-men are terrorizing the city.... I think this story has been done before. New team forms to stop the imposters. More questions are made than answered. Argh... Who knows if this storyline is going to lead anywhere in the future, but my bet is not. The comics is a poor balance by the excellent art from Mr. Ryan and the poor unknown if significant story. RATING: STORY- 3/10 ART- 8/10.

New X-men #22- Speaking of Mark Brooks's New X-men. This is issue is the last part of the arc that is suppose to settup the next storyline. Lot of melodrama and teammates hooking up in here. The squadrons from the previous issues are disbands and are combine to form one. How are the New Mutants and the Hellions going to get along now that they have to work together? Plus WIlliam Stryker is back forming a gang of mutant hunters.
This storyline is alot of setup and is more interesting that New Excalibur, but could have been done in one extra sized issue and not with 3 -$2.99 issues. Kinda sad because I think Kyle and Yost are excellent writers, but I'm sure they are pressured to make storyline span 3 or more issue these days. RATING: STORY- 7/10 ART- 8/10

Birds of Prey #90- There are a lot of bad comics in the world. There are lot of comics where absolutely nothing happens. Then there is Gail Simone with Birds of Prey. This comic has been consisent gold. Every month Gail writes some of the best comics out there. This month is no exception. There is a mob war brewing. The Calculator is obessed with Barbara. Deathstroke is lurking around. Batman is mad and the ladies are the middle. Watch the girls manage to get out of this one. This five parter has been fun and entertaining. Not the best work by Gail, but solid and filling. RATINGS: STORY- 8/10 ART- 8/10

January's Bundle of Good Reading so far:
1. Birds of Prey #90
2. Noble Causes #16
3. Son of M #2- I'm really surprised by this one.
4. Ultimate X-men #66- Teenagers on dates... written by Krikman... fun, fun, fun
more to come....