Author Archives: Phil

About Phil

With 40 years of experience in comic reading, collecting and reviewing, English Professor Phil Mateer has an encyclopedic mind for comics. Feel free to ask Phil about storylines, characters, artists or for that matter, any comic book trivia. He will post your questions and answers on the AABC blog. His knowledge is unparalleled! He is also our warehouse manager, so if you are looking for that hard to find comic book, ask Phil!

Phil's Reviews: Stuff I Read and Put Back #171

Posted on May 29, 2010 by Phil

Justice League: The Rise of Arsenal #3 (of 4) — Writer: J. T. Krul; Pencils: Geraldo Borges, Kevin Sharpe and Sergio Arino; Inks: Mario Alquiza and John Dell More editorially-inspired grief is piled on Our Hero Roy, absurdly so (fights with super-villainess ex-wives, a bionic arm that hurts and drips yellow goo, visions of his dead daughter, impotence), and before you know it he’s hitting up a street dealer for heroin (“China Cat,” he calls it, to show that he’s, like, in with the lingo), using a lighter to heat up a bunch of white powder on the top of … Continue reading →

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Phil's Reviews: Stuff I Bought #170

Posted on May 23, 2010 by Phil

The Avengers #1 — Writer: Brian Michael Bendis;  Pencils: John Romita Jr.;  Inks: Klaus Janson I have to admit, reading this book makes me happy: all the Romita Jr./Janson touches, the little offhand dialogue beats, the use of Kang (last used well in that awesome Kurt Busiek arc years ago where he took over the world, put the heroes in concentration camps, and ended up fighting a giant Captain America — what else do you want in a superhero comic?), the “there’s something the matter with your kids” callback to Back To The Future: I can’t get enough of this … Continue reading →

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Phil's Reviews — Stuff I Read and Put Back #170

Posted on May 22, 2010 by Phil

The Heroic Age: Age of Heroes #1 (of 4) — Writers: Kurt Busiek, Rick Remender, Paul Cornell and Dan Slott;  Art: Marco Djurdjevic, Chris Samnee, Leonard Kirk and Ty Templeton Three stories: an 11-page JJJ-being-a-weasel one, plus eight pages of Dr. Voodoo date sitcom (he’s juggling eating out with a potential girlfriend, protecting his secret identity and saving our dimension, in a story so Silver Agey that it could involve Barry West and Iris Allen). Otherwise, there’s two pages of Captain Britain and MI-13, and a Spider-Man one-pager. The Captain Britain and the Busiek script are the biggest attractions here, but neither offers … Continue reading →

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Ask the Professor 33 — Catching Up

Posted on May 12, 2010 by Phil

Yes, as usual, the Professor has been slacking off on the questions (for the whole semester, in fact), but now that the grading’s almost completed, it’s time to dip into the mailbag. This first question is from ‘way back in January: Professor I am wondering what you feel is the best way to get your self published indie title into stores? I ask because I am working on a title that is going to give 100% of all profits to cancer research. I am also wondering if you have any tips on attending comic book conventions? Like how many of … Continue reading →

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Phil's Reviews — Stuff I Bought #169

Posted on May 9, 2010 by Phil

Hellboy in Mexico #1 (of 1) — Writer: Mike Mignola;  Art: Richard Corben Just like the title says: Hellboy down in Mexico. With ancient pyramids. And bat-creatures. And masked wrestlers. Drawn by Richard Corben. What the hell are you waiting for? iZombie #1 — Writer: Chris Roberson;  Art: Michael Allred My one complaint about this book is the marketing: after we’re introduced to the main character and her friends, the book’s last five pages have a big reveal about her… that’s been reprinted as part of the promo material in just about every DC book for the last two months. … Continue reading →

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