Recent Print Ads I Like

This one is from the June, 2006, issue of Computer Gaming World (# 263):

This design is cool for ads, but I think it blocks out too much space normally used for cover art on the comics themselves.

This next pair is from Wired 14.06:

And this on the other side of that page:

Even though I don't drink much soda, no coffee and have little desire to eat through my teeth and stomach lining with this product, I still think it is a cool ad and product design, so maybe I'll cave and try it at some point because I do sometimes like coffee flavoring.

And finally, from the May 26-28, 2006, USA Weekend:

According to the facing story, Danica Patrick runs 5+ miles a day except race days. Do they still need someone to play Wonder Woman in the movie version? Or just forget that and do a comic book on this gal as she is. She'd still need some super powers, or would she?

August Cover Previews

Along with descriptions of August's comic books from the big publishers, previews of the associated cover art hit the internet this past week, and here are some of the images that caught my attention.

Catwoman # 58 by Adam Hughes:

I like Zatanna's jackets, but at the same time this outfit seems a little skimpy for off stage activities.

X-Men # 190 by Chris Bachalo:

Intriguing pairing of Iceman and Mystique. Plus it is unusual to put the image over the title.

Astonishing X-Men # 16 by John Cassaday:

Looks like Kitty will come through again in this issue.

Exiles # 85 by Paul Pelletier:

When in doubt, throw more Wolverines at the problem.

Ultimate Spider-Man # 98 by Mark Bagley:

What is she?

Elephantmen # 2 by Ladronn:

Run!

You can check for others you might like on your own:

DC Solicitations August, 2006
Image Solicitations August, 2006
Marvel Solicitations August, 2006

Sun Worship

This rendition of the Sun in Firestorm # 25 reminded me of one of the more wondrous images I have ever seen. Try the large one first, if you aren't in a hurry. The experience is more impressive that way.

Smaller solar image with description.
Large version.

It is impossible to comfortably or safely stare at the Sun with the human eye for more than a moment. Yet now humanity has the technology to capture such pictures and view them for as long as we like. Suddenly ancient Sun worshipers don't seem nearly so foolish. And any Sun god seems worthy of awe. As Firestorm derives power from the Sun, crossing him hardly seems wise either.

Ask The Question About Lost?

When the first issue of 52 hit the racks this past Wednesday, I bought it as a curiosity and enjoyed reading it. Here are a couple of panels from that issue. The Question has altered the Bat Signal, turned it on and, true to his name, posed a question:

Cool on its own, but still a struggle to work into a non-comics related conversation. At first. Later that night a new episode of Lost aired centered on solving the mystery of the question mark in the middle of Locke's map. "?" was actually the name of the episode. In an even earlier panel, The Question said, "I can see you," as he worked the signal. And if you saw Lost, you'll know that ties in to the mystery too.

What is going on here? Was The Question actually asking the reader base if they were ready for the next Lost? Had he already seen it? Will future 52 issues provide more foreshadowing or clues about Lost? Is this just another case of overzealous Lost fans dropping in synergies with the hit show? But how would they know what was coming up on Lost at the time they were creating this issue, probably months in advance and managing the timing exactly? Maybe it is some kind of clever promotion? Or have I just been pushing buttons too long and seeing things that are not really there?

This is the kind of stuff The Question could solve before finishing breakfast. However, this time he's clearly mixed up in things himself, so even he can't be trusted. Maybe he even spent some time at Pearl, just watching, taking his notes. Perhaps only time will tell. What does The Question know about Lost?