DISCLAIMER (angry creators, please read)

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

“She was like John Rambo meets Polly Pocket.” Kick-Ass, about Hit-Girl, Kick-Ass #4.

Welcome to a new column; last one for the month of August; about comics released on 08/27. First of all, another badge for Dominik; he spotted the DT!, Vixen was indeed not wearing her Tantu Totem. Two more badges and you make Commander, Dominik.
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Before I start this contains a lots of SPOILERS so if you have not yet finished watching the show avoid reading this. Okay now that we got that out of the way let us begin. First off let me say what an amazing end to a masterpiece of a series. Though the last couple of episodes felt a bit rushed but having said that, it was perfect closure to the series. The ending was really thought provoking and brought up lot of questions regarding morality and what is “right” and “wrong” depending on what side of the fence you are sitting. And after watching this final episode of Code Geass R2 I firmly believe that LeLouch vi Britannia is now one of the greatest anti-heroes in anime history.

After 49 episodes it all comes down the final episode, it made me realize the importance of all the other past events that happened in this series. All these past events had to do with happiness and the pursuit of happiness, which of course involved Lelouch. But unfortunately that is not how life works, and Lelouch learns that with happiness comes sorrow which he experienced when Shirley died. Having experienced all these things Lelouch knows the true meaning of happiness and sorrow.

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From the front page of CNN.com…

updated 1:36 p.m. EDT, Mon September 29, 2008
BREAKING NEWS
‘No other choices’
The House, after four hours of heated and emotional debate, started voting minutes ago on a sweeping $700 bailout of the nation’s financial system. “Our time has run out,” said Rep. Spencer Bachus, the ranking Republican on the House Financial Services Committee. “We’re going make a decision. There are no other choices, no other alternatives.” developing story

Really? All we need for the bailout is $700? Shit, man; if all the writers from the site put in $20, we can save the country!

DISCLAIMER (angry creators, please read)

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

“Jason’s problem is his insecurity– he’s the Jan Brady of the Bat-family. (and yes, I know that makes me Cindy)” Tim Drake, about Jason Todd, Robin V2 #177.

With that sense of humor, you can’t ever be Batman, Timmy Drake…. Welcome to the column about comics released on 08/20, and I’d like to apologize to Snakebyte for forgetting to credit him last week for spotting the fact that I had written “July” instead of “August”. Speaking of Snakebyte, he also got the DT! from last column immediately; the Xavier mansion looked nothing like it should. So that’s two badges for him; three more and he makes Captain!
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It’s hard to call it these days, either our hip hop heroes are everything we expect them to be and still inspirational, or they’ve gotten a bit too big for their pedestals. During a brief stint at a day job this summer, I made sure to do my part and channel the public funds available to me to pull together Montreal’s biggest Honey Jam to date, featuring Lyrical Lounge favorite Eternia, and hometown heroines Nantali Indongo (don’t sleep on this Nomadic Massive-ly affiliated woman, officially the illest chick in the 514) and Meduza, with the groundbreaking headliner and subject of this interview, Michie Mee. She’s funny, she’s obliging, and she swears by Millie Jackson and Jamaican patties (no bias towards chicken or beef, but she loves home cooking and that of her traveling chef, best). I’m happy to deliver on a promise that I made when I first started giving my ten cents to this here e-zine.* - Angelica LeMinh
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Yes, I realize that Republican VP candidate Sarah Palin is about 15 minutes past her expiration date on the culture-ometer but I saw this little video this morning and had a good laugh.

(Plus, I’ve had a huge crush on Gina Gershon for many years.)

Enjoy your Thursday–mine has been pretty productive so far…more to come, folks.

Eks

The Dissector #88.

DISCLAIMER (angry creators, please read)

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

“Zombie Vs Zombie!” Only one can survive! Though technically, NEITHER HAS! Swee, Everybody’s Dead #4.

Well, here I am. Still trying to catch up; this is the column for comics released on 08/13, and we inch a bit closer to… well, comics are still coming out, so nothing. Last column’s DT! was spotted by The Guvnor, and it was indeed the fact that Wolverine’s eyes are supposed to be blue, not brown. The Dissector’s Picks Of The Week? Short and simple, Best Book Of The Week was Atomic Robo: The Dogs Of War #1; WWII and Atomic Robo? YES! Worst book of the week was The Last Defenders #6; a boring end to a boring mini. Now, read them dissections: (more…)

- William Shakespeare - “Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player, that struts and frets his hour upon the stage, and then is heard no more; it is a tale told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, signifying nothing.”

An unknown virus has destroyed almost the entire human population. Oblivious to the true nature of the disease, the only remaining survivors escape to the sea. In great ships, they set off in search of uninhabited land. So begins the exodus, led by one man…

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www.icecube.com - $$$$

With a movie career and Hollywood production company well into full swing , its a surprise that Ice Cube‘s 8th (solo) album Raw Footage has ever come to be. Sure, just a year and half ago Cube rode the crunk-wave of sucess with  Lil Jon. But,  Laugh Now, Cry Later didn’t get all-up in your social-political grill like Amerikkka’s Most Wanted is capable of. Arguably, Cube’s last record was too much ‘gangsta-boogie’ and not enough ‘ fuck the police’.

With Raw Footage, we find Cube (still) verbally teetering between personas.  Not in a Sybill (multiple personality syndrome sort of way mind you)–but definitely an emcee running the gauntlet of emotions and wearing a variety of topical hats. Getting folks to both instructively listen (ergo edutain) but to also get their groove on.

Connecting gangsta rap-past to present, Cube blazes new trails with current gangsta-rap heroes Young Jeezy on “I Got My Locs On” and The Game, “Get Use To It.“ Guest collabs aside, the emphasis on Raw Footage is definitely on the ‘raw’–as in raw emotion/feelings on the issues Ice Cube takes a stand-on.

Ever the opinionated observationist, Cube finds moments to call-out societal hypocrisy with tracks like “Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It.“ Similarly, Cube takes a position against genre whackness, Internet piracy and Viacom on the funk-driven “Tomorrow;” and again questions societal institutions on the table-turning “Hood Mentality.” Comparing the often nostalgic salute of all things “ghetto” to early 19th century slavery–Cube puts the lauded hood mentality on blast with the rousing chorus that begs the question,“ If  you don’t wanna shake that hood mentality, how the fuck we suppose to change our reality?”

Taking a breather from the ’serious’ Cube brings some brag-rap to the table on “Do Ya Thang,” which is actually bested by the ego-tripy (and very club appealing), “Jack N The Box.”  The rolling horns, Teak Da Beatsmith hooks Cube up with on “Thank God” literally ooze California swagger. And the surprisingly positive message of hope on “Cold Places” just might leave long-time Cube fans wondering if all those  Family-oriented movies may some how have soften-up the original ‘niggathatulovetohate.’

The tenacity of Cube’s vocals may have toned down since his Death Certificate/Predator days, but they still carry weight with brash veracity. With this record Cube is most certainly taking the time to smell the roses. (What’s left to prove?) The lone issue amiss with this record are the sonics Ice Cube utilizes to convey his message. Of all the albums in his discography, Raw Footage is almost too polished given Cube’s penchant for gruff-and-grime rhyme. The beats are less organic, but the overall feel of the album packs a cinematic punch.

I never thought I’d see the day where I’d find myself agreeing with Pat Buchanan.

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Feriz Blue, the indie band from New York, who recently released their debut album entitled “Showdown”, is an intriguing rock-funk group producing catchy, melodic tunes any fan of rock music will readily eat up. With the dynamically powerful lead vocalist Mike Fries, Feriz Blue is a confident band showcasing a strong, powerful musical voice that is as deeply engaging as it is interesting and exciting. The guitar work throughout Feriz Blue’s music is what really make this band shine, as the guitar crunches in each song are both rooted in rock while also bringing in a playful twinge of a heavy funk overtone. With such a winning arsenal, strong voice and funk-tastic guitar riffs, Feriz Blue is a band that boldly steps outside, and above, your average garage band wannabes.

Downloadable:

“Vindictive” - the piercing vocal stretch towards the end is alone worth the download
“Countersink” - the breakdown in the midst of the song is surprisingly different and fresh from the rest of the rockin’ tune

Have a listen youself by visiting their myspace page:
http://www.myspace.com/ferizblue
http://ferizblue.com

The third season of popular series Jigoku Shoujo entitled, “Jigoku Shoujo Mitsuganae” is on its way, and is slated for 13 episodes. The first episode of the new series will be broadcasted on the 4th of October 2009.  The official website has been updated with plot synopsis and new media and of course a new trailer which you can view here.