Batman: The Killing Joke

This year we celebrate Batman's 75th anniversary and for my little part I decided to look back at some of my favorite Batman stories.Today im talking about Batman:The Killing Joke which for most comicbook fans goes down as one of the best because to this day the affects of this book is still being felt.The graphic novel 1st came out in 1988 by writer Alan Moore and artist Brian Bolland.1st off it's a Alan Moore story so you know its going to be deep and good and Brian Bolland art is so good and so much detail he can go pages without any dialog and yet you can tell whats going on and how people feel, the last page is still being talked about but we'll get back to that.
The story starts out with the Joker once again escaping Arkham Asylum and as Batman hunts for him we get a "possible" origin story of the Joker.We don't get his real name but it's a sad touching story that makes you feel bad for the man who would become the Joker.The most shocking part of this story is what happens to Barbara Gordon aka Batgirl and daughter of commissioner Jim Gordon this event changes her character and has effects on the DC universe for years to come.The whole story has very disturbing and psychological parts to it and to this day people are still debating what they think happened on the last few panels.If you can find a copy of this story let me know what you think happened.
Until next time stay geeky and hungry my friends.

Throwback Thursday. Batman:Birth of the Demon

My friend Kai Charles blog fictionstateofmind.blogspot.com has been doing post about Batman all this month since the "Dark Knight" turns 75 this year and it's inspired me to do the same. As part of my Throwback Thursday series i'll start with "Birth of the Demon".The graphic novel came out in 1992 by writer Dennis O'Neil, artist Norm Breyfogle and letterer Ken Bruzenak.
Basically this is Ra's al Ghul origin story.Batman finds a centuries old manuscript written in a language that no longer exist but using Bruce Wayne's money he gets experts and computers to translate it.We get to see Ra's from birth through his life as a young doctor to how he became and got the name Ra's al Ghul which loosely translated means "Head of the Demon ". As with most Batman villains you'll feel sympathy for him as you see what happened to him.
I highly recommend you pick up this graphic novel, great story, art and you get to understand Ra's a little more.
Until next time my friends stay geeky and hungry.

Free Comics for Everyone

You heard me right boys and girls its free Comicbooks for everyone on Saturday May 3rd cause is "Free Comicbook Day" at book stores everywhere. Publishers from DC and Marvel to independent companies put out at least one comic that's available for free evey year on this day. It's a day comicbook lovers look forward to cause you get a chance to check out books you may not pick up otherwise. Bookstores love this day cause it's a chance to showcase their store to potential new customers. "F.C.B.D." is not exclusive to just the "nerd community" everyone is encouraged to go to their local comicbook store and see what the fuss is about. Stores will have specials going on besides the selected free comics like sales on other comics, t-shirts, figures some stores have cosplayers (folks dressed in hero/villain costumes) and even artist and writers doing book signings.
If you haven't been to a comicbook store in awhile or ever this is a good day to check it out, once I met lady with her son at a store on F.C.B.D.who didn't know comicbook stores still existed, yes kids there are people out there like that now take a minute to catch your breath. Movie companies have caught on because lately theres always a comicbook movie coming out on the same weekend this time its Amazing Spider-man 2 so you can have fun at a few comicbook stores then go see a comicbook movie afterwards make a "geeky" day of it.Oh yes I said stores you can go to as many stores to get free comics its kinda like Halloween but you don't have to be dressed up unless you want to.
When I lived in Detroit I looked forward to this day to take my nieces and nephews and they always had a great time.My friends this Saturday take your family, friends, or just yourself and enjoy this day you might find yourself getting into comics again and that's a good thing.
Until next time stay geeky and hungry my friends.