Amazing Spider-Man # 635
Writer: Joe Kelly
Artists: Michael Lark & Stefano Gaudiano
Art Assist: Matt Southworth
Colorist: Matt Hollingsworth
Letterer: Joe Caramanga
Marvel Comics
Price: $3.99
Release date: June 23, 2010

Amazing Spider-Man has been one of the most consistently entertaining books Marvel has put out since the Brand New Day relaunch, and with Amazing Spider-Man #635 we are coming to the close of the second major story arc in the book. When Marvel changed the format of the book to the three times a month release schedule, they wisely decided to spend the first year introducing some new villains and telling the overarching story of the Spider-tracer killer. Once that story was done, the made another wise decision to refocus on some of Spidey’s more classic villains, and that’s what we’ve been seeing for the last several months with “The Gauntlet” storyline which is reaching is conclusion with “The Grim Hunt.”

Sweet Tooth #10
Written and Drawn by: Jeff Lemire
Colors by: Jose Villarubia
Letters by: Pat Brosseau
Vertigo Comics
Price: $2.99
Release Date: June 2, 2010

I am continually drawn into Jeff Lemire‘s genius mysteries for tons of reasons. One of those reasons is compelling characters as seen in previous issues of Sweet Tooth with Jeopard and also his series Essex County. Another big reason is the aforementioned mystery best seen in this issue, Sweet Tooth #10, and also his series The Nobody that gives me something rarely attempted in comics, a serious science fiction story.

I have become captivated with all aspects of the story especially the mystery of Gus and this “infection.” How can you not feel for Jeopard and Gus at this point as well? I am rooting for both characters as well as hating these scientists for their cruelty. The problem with hating them though is not knowing how they got to where they are now, especially if they have to continuously watch people die and all they really want, from what we can see, is to cure this infection.

Geek shows have gotten more recognition in recent years than they ever did in the past. Once upon a time the height of genre television was the Star Trek franchise, which, while always intelligent and ambitious, was still shunted by society into that niche of fandom reserved for the obsessive and the dateless. Thankfully, with the success of shows like Lost, Battlestar Galactica, and True Blood (and we’ll just ignore the unjust deaths of shows like Firefly, Dollhouse, and The Sarah Connor Chronicles for the moment), genre television seems to have entered into a new golden age, much like comic book movies did ten years ago.

Two of the most recent — and, it could be argued, most anticipated — such shows share a unique mission statement, despite their vastly differing subject matter. Both are adaptations of decidedly adult material, from mediums often given the short shrift in live-action television. Both will attempt to subvert genres that come heavily burdened with the preconceived notions of the common audience. And both feature a surprising pedigree of creators who are dedicated to their success. Those two upcoming shows are AMC’s The Walking Dead and HBO’s A Game Of Thrones.

The Gold Box spotlight deal of the day over at Amazon today is Fraggle Rock: Complete Series Collection for $37.49 (that’s (63% off the list price of $99.98).

Note, this deal is for today only until midnight PST while supplies last.

This 20-disc DVD box set collection contains all 96 episodes and 100 original songs from the 4-season run of the Jim Henson television series Fraggle Rock, which aired on HBO from 1983 to 1987, and includes over 8 hours of bonus content.

This version of the box set looks to be the 2008 Lionsgate repackaging edition, where each box is assembled all by hand (it takes two hours per box!) and special printing and techniques were used so that the colors match those of the Fraggle Rock world.

It’s here! The brand new episodes of Futurama we’ve been begging and pleading to get for years now are finally set to begin at 10pm tonight on Comedy Central! In all honesty, it strangely still feels like we have a lot longer to wait, but the excitement has been building this week knowing the time has arrived.

This post is in an attempt to do two things. One: to remind you that the show is back, and begins tonight…just in case you had forgotten. Two: to make sure that every single one of you who has even the slightest bit of love for Futurama puts every TV you can on at 10pm! Tonight brings not one, but two new episodes, and the more viewers that they get for each episode, the better chance we have at getting more than just this one new season. The goal wasn’t just to get this show back, but to get it back for a long, long time, much like we saw with Family Guy. If you have DVR, set every new episode to record, even if you’re watching as it airs. Do what needs to be done!