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John Cena’s hurt, so we get a new champion. Meanwhile, Randy Orton has to wash his hands after handling bird poop in that picture.

The show opened with Vince McMahon and his part-time girlfriend William Regal headed to the ring. McMahon immediately crowned Randy Orton as the new WWE Champion while the crowd chanted “Y2J” in a vote of confidence. Orton went to the ring to select a challenger, but Triple H interrupted instead. He wanted a title match, Vince gave in, and that match started the show (!?!?)

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[[WARNING! THIS COLUMN MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS!]]

“Whafukupmudafuka?” Pony Moore aka “Mushmouth”, meaning “How are you doing, Iron?”, in Iron And The Maiden #3.

Welcome to this week’s column, right on time, if I might say. That jewel up there is an example of exaggerated Ebonics, and I just loved the whole sequence where Pony’s dialogue is subtitled. Before letting you know what the picks are this week, I need to say that last column I had a nit called “”BART WHO? I’M JUST A STRIPPER WITH MY SKIN PAINTED ORANGE.”, about the Green Arrow-Black Canary Wedding special, where I mentioned that I only rated it as a 7 because I couldn’t see Starfire using her powers… well, I had another look at the issue and she is indeed seen flying around, flaming tamarafro blazing. So it goes up to a ten, which raises the average for that column to 6.1. Not much, but it needed to be said.
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Last month, I posted the first of two parts of my journey in search of the set of Lost on the island of O’ahu. After much suspense and procrastination, I have at last deemed it time to finish off the job. Today, I will share what is undoubtedly the “creamy filling” of this little Oreo. So pour yourself a nice glass of milk and get ready. It’s time to get Lost.

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The enchanting art of Brian Froud takes center stage in a stunning new book from Insight Editions entitled “Brian Froud’s World of Faerie.”  This 176 page, coffee-table book is designed with the collector in mind.  As with every book from Insight Editions, no expense is spared in the design and layout.  As the title suggest, the book spotlights the whimsical world of the faerie, perhaps his favorite subjects.  His art has inspired the look of films such as The Dark Crystal and Labyrinth.  This is a much-anticipated sequel to the original “Faeries” first published in 1979. 

As you read through the pages and are transfixed by Froud’s breathtaking art, Froud shares his inspirations with the reader.  From a mere stroll through an idyllic field, and noting details like the moss on a rock or a fallen hazelnut, Froud weaves a tapestry of the subtle and fantastic.  He can imagine these mythical creatures of magic fluttering about or perhaps hiding behind a tree or bush.  You are swept up into Froud’s world and his creations and there’s no way you can’t be awed.  The intricate detail of his art brings each scene to life.  You have to study and admire each piece closely because there is so much there…in the forefront and in the background.  The faeries, imps, sprites and pixies blend into their surroundings and it almost becomes one of those find the hidden picture puzzles you did as a kid.  Froud gives his interpretation of Alice in Wonderland, which can only be described as wonderfully bizarre and hauntingly beautiful.

Like many of the books from Insight Editions there are hidden little treats inside to be discovered.  There are smaller booklets affixed inside, foldout spreads, and a poster.

One such booklet called Peter & Wendy is Froud’s Peter Pan interpretation.  Other creatures of legend are on display such as the Green Man and Green Woman, those representations of nature and rebirth.  There are Unicorn Women, Giants, Trolls, and faeries of pure light.  This is a book of timeless magic.  Most of the art in the book is in full color with a little bit of sketch work as well.

This is Froud’s world.  He may not have created it, but he has perfected it without a doubt.  This is his haven and the creatures there seem only too pleased to be a part of it.  This is, dare I say it, even superior to the original “Faeries” in every way.  Check out the Insight Editions website to see more: Insight Editions

Our own Kevin Huxford delivers his Best Shots reviews for Newsarama.com via web cam!

Sev Statik (a former Lyrical Lounge interviewee) and DJ Dust (of Mars Ill) have been “in-the-lab” (to borrow a phrase from The R) tinkering, plotting, creating, brewing and scheming their next musical move! And with the fruits of their labor finally coming to fruition (that’s ripe of the uninitiated) on October 9th, they are primed (and proud) to release the collaborative album titled “Back To Dust.”

The album is gettin’ a crazy amount love on the distribution tip with an official digital co-sign by Rawkus Records (thru the Rawkus 50 platform) and a partnership with indie rap label - Hiphop IS Music.

But, what would a collaborative effort be if it didn’t have any quality collabs on it!! (Well, glad you asked!) Guest vocals come in the form of fellow indie heavy-weights  Supastion, LMNO, Manchild, Theory Hazit and Playdough. Album is definitely on a free flowin’ positive strength vibe! Check out the snippets here: www.myspace.com/sumoraps

In other hip-hop related happenings..

Tired of that blasted ‘Superman’ song by Soldier Boy yet? I know the hell I am! (What can I say, I’m just not 10 years old anymore, yo!) Anyways, indie tastemaker and “label-of choice” to the underground, Stone Throws provides us with yet another alternative to the ‘noise’ played on the radio. Listen to: See by Malib and Karriem Riggins from the B-Ball Zombie War compilation. (Yeah, Stone’s is that cool…mixing Basketball and Zombies!)

DISCLAIMER (angry creators, please read)

[[WARNING! THIS COLUMN MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS!]]

“How does Batman keep his kid focused. Swear he drugs Robin’s water.” Christopher “Peacemaker” Smith, Blue Beetle V7 #19.

Well, here I am, struggling to finish this column and post it in time. Yes Dominik, I know I said I’d most likely have it up by Thor’s Day, but work’s been heavy…. So, straight into the Nitpicker’s Picks Of The Week, alright? The best book of the week (this is 09/26) was Green Arrow Year One issue five, almost close to resolution, is a great story by Andy Diggle which makes Ollie’s origin more believable, and Jock’s art is suitably rugged. Yes, the mini could have lasted three or four issues instead of six, but it’s still a good read.
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You like to laugh, right?  Funny IS good, is it not??  Then watch NBC’s 30 Rock starting TONIGHT!  Easily the best comedy on TV right now, it’s hurting for viewers, at least in the current network climate, and it could use the help. STAND UP AND BE COUNTED FOR QUALITY TELEVISION COMEDIES!!!

DISCLAIMER (angry creators, please read)

[[WARNING! THIS COLUMN MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS!]]

“That is, without a doubt, the nastiest tasting stuff I ever put in my mouth.” Wonder Girl II, Countdown #32.

“The British Museum. Last bastion of a lost empire. This is where we drew the line and said “fuck YOU, we’re not given it ALL back.”" John Constantine, Hellblazer #236.

So, when I say I’ll catch up, I really mean it. Here I am with the column about comics published on 9/26, which is where those quotes above come from. I had to have two quotes of the week this time around, because I love John Constantine’s cynism, and I love out of context quotes as well! Take that Wonder Girl! Not much to say this time around, except to dive straight into the Nitpicker’s Picks of the Week.
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The Nitpicker #40.

DISCLAIMER (angry creators, please read)

[[WARNING! THIS COLUMN MIGHT CONTAIN SPOILERS!]]

“I’m fat, black, cranky, and menopausal! You do not want to mess with me!” Amanda Waller, Suicide Squad V3 #1.

I know, I failed you; I promised a double column for last week. I’ve been swamped with work, and even my house got flooded, so you’ll excuse me. I will catch up eventually, and you might even have, time permitting, three columns this week. This is the first one, you might get the second one in a couple of days, and then for thursday/friday you might get the one that would make me all caught up. We’ll see, hope you can understand if I can’t deliver.
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