In an effort to save time and my own sanity there are several great books out this week that I’m not going to write about, because I have no superlatives left in me. So, just know that Ultimate Spider-Man #114 and Criminal #9 were great, whether you buy them in monthly or in trades, you need to be reading both. Green Arrow: Year 1 #5 still looks great and this issue has more trademark Ollie, with the invention of some of his trick arrows. It’s really coming together now, but wait for the trade.

PULL LIST 9-26-07 The Spirit #10 X-men #203 All-star Batman and Robin the Boy Wonder #7 Supergirl and the Legion of Super-heroes # 34 Justice League of America #13 Astro City: The Dark Age Book 2 #4 Countdown to Adventure #2 Left on Mission #4

The Spirit #10
To get it out of the way, yes, this is another well drawn and impeccably designed book. Actually, I really need to point out how well thought out the design is. No other book right now is as visually interesting as The Spirit is. This issue has some panels looking like YouTube frames, as the story deals with a serial killer taking out newsmen. My problem with this issue was the story. The mystery was pretty boring, and the reveal at the end is completely out of left field and feels a bit tacked on. And the commentary that Darwyn Cooke was making about the U.S. media was very pedestrian (we know, cable news is more about ratings than actual news, we get it). I like a good smart comic that examines a topic, but this is pretty much a one-sided attack on conservative media figures and it was just boring. Too much space was devoted to making fun of TV personalities and not enough space was given to the actual story to make me care. The art gives the book some redeeming qualities though, so it’s not a total failure. –2 out of 5

From the very beginning, The Simpsons have always used music and parodies of popular music, themes songs, and musicals for comedic effect. As time went on, and the writing seemed to slip, the musical parodies and lampoons still seemed sharp and fresh.

Sometimes, those songs were the ONLY truly funny things on the shows, and fans clamored for copies of those them, and soon two CDs of songs from the show were released. Even stripped from the context of the show, those songs were inventive and hilarious, and much better than the albums they released of “original songs.”

The third volume of tunes from the show, Testify was recently released. It will bring back memories, mostly good, of the past nine seasons of songs.

Of course, this being The Simpsons, there’s a veritable plethora of guests and cameos, from Los Lobos‘ inspired version of the closing theme, to Mr. T, Charo, Charlie Callas, and that guy who always went “You can call me Ray, and you can call me Jay”¦” making fun of themselves as being has-beens that play in Branson. An assortment of artists, from Shawn Colvin to David Byrne to Weird Al to Jackson Browne also appear. Even the Baha Men are immortalized.

PRESS RELEASE

ABC Family has a frightful line-up of new programming for its ninth annual 13 NIGHTS OF HALLOWEEN programming event. The new ABC Family original movie “Nature of the Beast” and the basic cable premieres of “An American Haunting” and “Boogeyman” will join other Halloween themed programming airing the 13 nights leading up to Halloween (October 19 – October 31).

ABC Family’s new original movie “Nature of the Beast,” premiering Sunday, October 21 (8:00 – 10:00 PM ET/PT) is a darkly wicked tale of one happy couple’s road to wedded bliss. Julia and Rich are in the throes of planning their perfect wedding, when Rich’s hairy secret is revealed – he is a werewolf. To Rich’s surprise, Julia is SO not letting him off the hook, they’re getting married. Forget choosing silver – hit it! The starring cast includes Eddie Kaye Thomas (“Til Death”), Autumn Reeser (“The O.C.”), and Eric Mabius (“Ugly Betty”) as a friend from the past who knows more about Rich’s secret than he lets onto.

This year’s 13 NIGHTS OF HALLOWEEN has two great films making their basic cable premiere. The first premiere is “Boogeyman” on Tuesday, October 23 (9:00 – 11:00 PM ET/PT) and stars Barry Watson (“Samantha Who?”), Emily Deschanel (“Bones”) and Lucy Lawless (“Battlestar Galactica”). Terrified by a childhood nightmare, Tim (Watson) must finally confront his fear of what lurks in the closet and in dark corners. “An American Haunting” will premiere on Friday, October 26 (8:00 – 10:00 PM ET/PT). Based on true events, Donald Sutherland (“Dirty Sexy Money”) and Sissy Spacek (“North Country”) portray a couple in Tennessee who are tormented by an evil entity.

Following is a listing of programming thrills and chills taking place October 19-31 during ABC Family’s 13 Nights of Halloween.

Witchblade #110
Written by Ron Marz
Pencils by Steve Sadowski
Inks by Kevin Nowlan
Cover by Mike Mayhew
Colors by Nathan Fairbairn
Letters by Troy Peteri
Top Cow Productions
Cover price: $2.99; On-sale: Oct. 3, 2007

I wrote a review for another Top Cow book the other day, First Born #2, and I liked it for the most part. I’d imagine that it would be very enjoyable for longtime fans of the Top Cow universe, but may not be the best thing for people who are looking to get into it. Witchblade #110 ties into the final scene of First Born #2, so you’ll want to read that first, and also watch out for spoilers here, although the cover is kind of one big spoiler. Also, if you’re looking for an issue of Witchblade, that y’know, has the Witchblade in for more than two panels, pick up a different issue.

There’s not much to talk about in terms of the plot of this issue. The Magdalena shows up and fights a mummy in some desert until she gets a call from Sara Pezzini. Unfortunately, her transportation is shot, so she’s forced to walk through the desert. In the middle, she’s greeted by the essence of the Darkness, who tries to tempt her to join his side, but she ends up rebuking him in a very harsh manner.

Here at Geeks of Doom we have 3 Prize Packs to give away for the upcoming DreamWorks film The Heartbreak Kid, the Farrelly Brothers comedy starring Ben Stiller, Michelle Monaghan, Malin Akerman, and Jerry Stiller.

The Prize Pack includes the movie soundtrack, earplugs, tumblers, bumper stickers, and movie posters.

The Heartbreak Kid hits theaters on October 5, 2007.

TO ENTER: Answer the follow question correctly:

What was the name of the 1998 Farrelly Brothers comedy starring Ben Stiller?

EMAIL: Email your answer with the subject line THE HEARTBREAK KID CONTEST to us at

RULES: One entry per person. All entries must be in by Sunday, October 7, 2007 at 11:58 PM EST. This contest is only open to residents of the United States. No international entries will be accepted. Void where prohibited.

WINNER: Three (3) winners will be chosen randomly from entries that contain the correct answer. Winner will be notified by email.*

GOOD LUCK!!!