Time for another installment. I really got diarrhea of the keyboard this week.  Lots of cool items to sift through here, but I think I’ll start with a new feature, before the break:

TOP 5 TRADES OF THE MONTH (April 2011)

5. Bulletproof Coffin (paperback). Image Comics’ critically acclaimed series gets bound.

4. Punisher: Franken-Castle. Thought it looked stupid? Heard all the criticisms? Well, now you can judge for yourself. I recommend it. Yeah, it’s weird. And no, it’s not really a Punisher book. But it is a cool comic book story.

3. The Boys Vol. 8: Highland Laddie. More mayhem from Ennis and McCrea.

2. S.H.I.E.L.D.: Architects of Forever (paperback). Hickman’s offbeat, wild, and exceptional miniseries that has nothing to do with Nick Fury and everything to do with Leonardo Da Vinci. I guarantee you’ve never read anything like it before, and Dustin Weaver’s art is tremendous.

1. Batman & Robin Vol. 1: Batman Reborn. Grant Morrison’s Best Batman Book Ever. And no Bruce Wayne!

Honorable mention: X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills. One of the first, and one of the greatest, Marvel graphic novels gets reprinted at last!

Okay, now hit the break for news about the great Sweet Tooth/Jonah Hex crossover (sort of); the return of the Red Hood; Warren Ellis cartoons; the Deadpool movie; the Luke Cage movie(?); and much more!

Read more…

The new Foo album is, of course, very good. This MF-ing drummer can write him some songs, eh? Lovin’ the Foo.

Learn To Fly (Foo Fighters cover)-Brianna Lane
http://player.groovebat.com/player.swf

Keep the Car Running (Arcade Fire)-Foo Fighters
http://player.groovebat.com/player.swf

Tiny Dancer (Elton John Cover)-Foo Fighters
http://player.groovebat.com/player.swf

My Hero (Foo Fighters Cover)-Paramore
http://player.groovebat.com/player.swf

No, I’m not giving away a comic book store.  That really would be great.  But this one is still pretty darn cool.  I’m giving you $25 to spend at your local comic book/sci fi interest store, courtesy of Local Pages (www.localpages.com).

Here’s how to win:

(1)  Go to Local Pages and find a comic book store near you.  It’s real easy.  I’ve already done it for several locations, and all my favorite stores were there, and easy to find.

(2)  Drop a comment to this post including the Local Pages link to that comic books store and stating the best comic book fight you’d most like to see.  And make sure you include a valid e-mail address so I can reach you if you win!

For example:

I’d like to see Howard the Duck fight ‘Mazing Man!

http://www.localpages.com/ny/brooklyn/1855937671-bulletproof-comics-inc..html

The winner will be chosen on May 5, close-of-business, so check your e-mail on or about that day–if you miss my e-mail asking for your info, I’ll be forced to pick another winner!  Good luck!