Dragon-Con 2009 Con Report, part 2

Hey guys, more pictures, more GA, more fun!

Here we have a slightly shaggy Green Arrow and a Wonder Girl. It is just me, or would this guy also make an awesome Thor?
Another super nifty GA, again from the DC photo shoot I stumbled on. This gentleman was kind enough to pose for me and everything!
This is a costume idea that I would never have come up with on my own: a civil war era Green Arrow and Black Canary! Love it!
And lastly, we have a modern era Black Canary demonstrating her Canary Cry. Luckily, I managed to snap the picture before it could shatter the glass in my camera.

Acquisitions:

Not much this year, honestly. In my current unemployed state, I couldn't afford to go wild like I normally do.

In fact, I didn't pick up any single issues at all! My only comic related purchases were a few Crossgen trades I pulled out of discount bins, namely Sigil vol. 1-3, Scion vol. 4, and The Path vol. 1. So far I've enjoyed everything I've read. I might have to track down the other trades when I find work again!

I also got a sketch from an artist you may have heard of...but that will have to wait until next week :)

Dragon-Con 2009 Con Report, part 1

Hey folks! Sorry it took me so long to get this together, but there was plenty to see, do and report on at the con this year!


In this first section of the con report, I'm putting up a selection of the cool costumes and such that I spotted. Some of these are GA related, and some aren't, but they're all cool!

First up, we have Penance, of Generation X. I love it when people put so much effort into an obscure character!

Next up, we have a pair of Bat-Villains, Two-Face and Poison Ivy! I saw these ladies leaving a huge comic book photo shoot near the con, which you'll see more of below.

I guess there was a French castle nearby that needed invading. Too bad they forgot to climb inside first!

Here we have Diance, Princess of the Amazons, complete with bracers and Lasso of Truth!

Aquaman, King of the Seas took some time off from protecting the Earth's oceans to attend the con. I spotted his arch enemy, Black Manta, later on that day. He had a tattered orange shirt hanging from his trident. Hope poor Arthur's alright...

Black Lightning also made an appearance. I really like this guy's dedication. It had to be 90 degrees outside that day, and you know he had to be sweltering inside that costume!
Here's me and comic art legend George Perez! Mr. Perez was doing quick head sketches in exchange for donations to the HERO Initiative. I'll be posting that sketch soon!
The lovely Zatanna prepares to pull something out of her hat. Yes boys, she is in fact holding a hat :)
Here's me and an amazing Green Arrow! In fact, there were several Green Arrow's at the con. Its always nice to see other GA fans, since we're so few and far between :)
A post-fight Comedian from Watchmen. Who knew that an old brown bathrobe and a smiley face button could make such an awesome superhero costume!

More to come folks!

Crisis on Earth Blog Crossover!

Well folks, its that time again! What time you ask? Why time for another Crisis on Earth Blog Crossover, of course!




This time, we're focusing on the 25th Anniversary of the Super Powers line of action figures from Kenner. Green Arrow was featured in the second wave of this series, pictured below:

Unfortunately, I don't own this figure, so I can't review it on the site (I do have a new fig though, look for it soon ((I promise)). I can however, review the mini comic that came with GA and the other figs in the series. In fact, that's the main focus of the current Crisis on Earth Blog Crossover! Green Arrow's comic also features The Flash and Martian Manhunter.

First, we have the cover:
As you can see, everyone's favorite Emerald Archer is battling Kalibak, another character featured in the Super Powers line. We're not really sure who drew or wrote these books, but the cover is certainly well done and very dynamic! Note: the line features a large number of the New Gods of Apokolips as villains. I can only assume this was because of their recent high profile gigs on Super Friends.

On the second page, the story gets started...sort of:

Before we get to the story, we get a mail in card to join the Kenner Super Powers fan club. which apparently got you a bunch of swag and discounts on DC comics for $3.50. Not bad! Anyway, the action starts off in Star City, where the Martian Manhunter is presenting Green Arrow with an award! Apparently, the emerald duo is tired of waiting, since The Flash is late (again), so they proceed with the ceremony:

but wait, The Flash is here after all! He was just outside parking the inevitable vehicle tie in...I mean Delta Probe One. :) We also learn that GA's award is made from a "Martian Power Gem." I have no idea where J'onn's been keeping that thing all these years...but its probably best not to ask! Unfortunately, the gem has drawn some unwanted attention:

Kalibak arrives in his Boulder Bomber (also a vehicle in the Super Powers line) to steal the power gem for himself! Of course, J'onn J'onzz, The Martian Manhunter, is having none of that, and tries to tip Kalibak and his vehicle over! Unfortunately:

Kalibak launches a flaming..arrow...thing at J'onn and due to his race's weakness to fire, he's down for the count! Its here that GA first gets into the fight, trying to use a Fire Extinguisher Arrow to douse the flames and let J'onn recover, but he's foiled by the Boulder Bomber! Next:



The Flash comes in with reinforcements! Its a battle of the product placements, folks! The Delta Probe and Boulder Bomber fight it out with their included accessories, until GA intervenes again!


Unfortunately, another of Kalibak's accessories destroys GA's arrows before he can fire! Fortunately, Ollie is pretty quick on the uptake, and turns the tables on Kalibak:
Apparently one blow to the head by a normal human being can knock Kalbak out cold. Good to know :) Anyway, the boys put Kalibak in another of the Delta Probes product features, and call it a day!

The mini comic was obviously an excuse for more product placement, but it was very well done regardless. It combines some of my favorite characters (GA, MM, and the New Gods) into a fun little package. I only wish I had a copy myself!

As part of the blog crossover, several of my fellow comic bloggers are also going over and reviewing the comics that came with their favorites characters. Please click on the links below and check it out!

• Aquaman Shrine- http://www.aquamanshrine.blogspot.com/
• Bat-Blog- http://www.tomztoyz.blogspot.com/
• Being Carter Hall- http://beingcarterhall.blogspot.com/
• SpeedForce- http://speedforce.org/
• Crimson Lightning- http://thefastestmanalive.blogspot.com/
• Love Dat Joker- http://lovedatjoker.livejournal.com/
• Justice League Detroit- http://justiceleaguedetroit.blogspot.com/
• Idol-Head of Diabolu - http://idol-head.blogspot.com/
• ... nurgh ... -http://nurgh.blogspot.com/
• Doom Patrol blog (Doug) - http://mygreatestadventure80.blogspot.com/
• Fortress of Baileytude- http://www.fortressofbaileytude.com/
• Firestorm Fan - http://firestormfan.com/
• Once Upon A Geek http://onceuponageek.com/

Action figure images courtesy of: cooltoyreview.com
Mini-Comic scans courtesy of the Irredeemable Shag

Good News/Bad News

Ladies and Gentlemen, I have good news and bad news. The good new is: I will have a lot more free time on my hands in the next few weeks. You'll probably see many more psts than you've been seeing in the past couple months.

The bad news: Your humble correspondent is now unemployed. Woo.

Ollie Watch: July 8th, 2009

Hey guys, bet you thought I'd disappeared again! Anyway, big news in the Green Arrow world this week:


Green Arrow/Black Canary #22: The citizens of Star City are still deaf following Discord's attack. Will Black Canary be able to defeat a man who can cancel out any sound? Meanwhile, Green Arrow continues to fight off the advances of Cupid, his insane stalker.

This issue begins the split between the Green Arrow and Black Canary titles. GA will still be the star of the book, drawn by none other than Bill Sienkiewicz! Black Canary will still be in the book, but as a back up feature, similar to the Booster Gold/Blue Beetle setup. The Black Canary feature will be written by Josef Rubenstein.

Speedy, do we have to have another "discussion"?

Speedy, this is strike two. First, you doodle in the sand while a super villain tries to impale me with a spear, and now this!


Oh Speedy, its no wonder you got yourself addicted to heroin the moment you were out of adult supervision.

Panels from World's Finest #50, page 18. Image courtesy of Comics Make No Sense.

Return from Hiatus: Con Repot: Atlanta Comic Convention

Hey guys, hiatus over! I find myself with a bit more free time these days, so the Arrowcave is back!

Every 3 or 4 months, Atlanta hosts the Atlanta Comic Convention. Its a small con, only the ballroom at a hotel, but there are usually deals a plenty to go around. I got a ton of stuff, so let's get started!

Firestorm: Just a few issues this time. The Fury of Firestorm 30,33, 63, 65, 85, 88, and 89 found their way into my bag.

Namor: Filled in some more of my Namor collection, with Namor vol. 2 34, 46, and annual 1.

ROM Spaceknight: More ROM! Issues 19, 28, and 74

Moon Knight: Issues 19 (twice, sigh) and 21 of Marc Spector, Moon Knight.

Legion of Superheroes: Issues 269, 275, 300, 310, and annual 2 of the original series. Also issue 51 of Legionaires, post reboot.

Vigilante: I found almost every issue of the 80's Baxter paper run of Vigilante out of a quarter bin. I now own issues 2-13, 16, 17, 21, 22, 25, 27-50 and annual 2. That's almost the entire series! I've heard great things about this series, ad now I can see for myself.

For some comedy, I also picked up a few issues of 'Mazing Man. Specifically issues 1-9 and the special.

To fill in some of my Mike Grell collection we turn to the Book Nook, a used bookstore near the con. There, in the 50 cent bin, I found most of the second Jon Sable: Freelance run. I got issues 1-4, 6, 8-17, and 20-22.

Aquaman: Just one ish this time, issue 8 of the 91 series.

I also picked up a few random issues of Green Lantern, Alpha Flight, Avengers, Secret Society of Super Villains, Ambush Bug, and finally, the last issue of the Beta Ray Bill Stormbreaker miniseries.

Good times, good times! I also got to hang out with my friend Scott Gardner of the Two True Freaks podcast. Its always nice to attend the con with a friend!

EDIT TO ADD: I forgot something! I also found Essential volumes for 4 dollars! I ended up with Essential Fantastic Four vol. 1-3, Essential Marvel Two-In-One vol. 2 and Essential Amazing Spider-Man vol 7. Wooo!