Judd Winick's BARRY WEEN: BOY GENIUS One of the Best Kept Secrets in Comics

Barry Ween:  Boy Genius  follows the comical escapades of a 10-year-old boy who secretly possesses the most powerful intellect on Earth (IQ of at least 350), along with his impulsive best friend Jeremy and his crush Sara. Barry puts his genius to work primarily in creating outlandish inventions that are centuries ahead of their time, such as teleportation devices, jet-packs and wallet-sized nuclear devices. Many of the story-lines involve one of Barry's inventions going horribly wrong (usually due to Jeremy's clumsiness) and the two boys' efforts to right the situation before anyone can find out.  Barry takes great care to keep his genius a secret and maintains Jeremy as his only confidant.

My friend bought Judd Winick's book Barry Ween: Boy Genius and absolutely fell in love with the book.  I was a little skeptical when he gave it to me to read.  The premise of the book seemed unoriginal and the character of Barry Ween looked very similar to Bill Watterson's character, Calvin.  

I couldn't been more wrong about Winick's book. First, Winick's art was perfect for this book.  It did resemble Bill Watterson's work in the Calvin and Hobbes but the style fit the dialogue and the characters perfectly.  After reading it, I could not imagine Barry, Jeremy, Sarah or Roxie looking any different. 

Barry Ween's universe is fast-paced and profanity-laced.  Barry may have the body of a ten year boy old but he has a mouth that could make a truck driver blush or the baby Jesus cry.  Imagine Seth MacFarlane's Family Guy on HBO with Stewie Griffin uncensored and unfiltered.  Barry's lines although at times crude are funny, appropriately delivered, and contextually accurate. 

Underneath the humor, weapons, fighting, profanity, machines and monsters, the underlying message in Winick's book is about loyalty, sacrifice, friendship and relationships.  Ween's universe is held together, deny it though he might, by the very randomness that he struggles against and his few bonds of friendship. After all isn't that what all our lives are about?  Regardless of your IQ.  

Barry Ween: Boy Genius is wonderful book.  It's an easy read that will constantly make you laugh and leave you begging for more.  I enjoyed these characters so much, I was actually a little depressed when the story ended and I realized there aren't any more books.  The real genius is not Barry Ween but Judd Winick.

Interested in checking it out for yourself?  You can get the book HERE.

Image Comics Releases MORNING GLORIES Teaser

If you have not had a chance to read Image Comics' MORNING GLORIES you should take the opportunity to jump into this series.  Three issues have been released thus far and writer Nick Spencer (SHUDDERTOWN, FORGETLESS, EXISTENCE), and artist Joe Eisma (EXISTENCE) have created one of the best new comics of the year.

Here's a synopsis of the story thus far if you're not familiar with the book:

Morning Glory Academy is one of the most prestigious prep schools in the country. But behind its hallowed doors, something sinister and deadly lurks. When six brilliant but troubled new students arrive, they find themselves trapped and desperately seeking answers in a place where nothing is what it seems to be! 

Check out this clever series next time you're at your local comic shop.  The first two issues are on their third if not fourth printing, so that should tell you something about how good this book has been thus far. 

via: Image Comics

Get Your Very Own THE WALKING DEAD Plush Zombie with Removable Head

Just when you think Robert Kirkman's, The Walking Dead can't get any better (TV, comic, and novel) we get a gift from zombie heaven - The Walking Dead zombie plushie with a  removable head.

If  you are looking for the perfect Christmas present for your zombie loving friend or family member, look no further... But you better act fast because these sweet little people eaters are very rare and can only be had by attending cons or purchased from ebay.

via: collectors society

Another THE WALKING DEAD #80 Teaser Cover - 'The End?'

The latest preview for Robert Kirkman's THE WALKING DEAD does not look good for Rick and Carl.  If you thought things looked bad in the other previews, well it looks a helluva lot worse for our survivors now.

The release of the much anticipated issue #80 along with the premier of the television series on Halloween makes it good to be a fan of THE WALKING DEAD and of course, Zombies. 

Poster for AMC's THE WALKING DEAD Released

Despite the fact, I know the story and have read every single issue of Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead, I still cannot wait for October 31st, Halloween night. It's going to be epic.  Enjoy the poster of Rick Grimes riding on horseback toward a zombie infested city of ruins. 

Another THE WALKING DEAD #80 Teaser Cover - 'Desperate Times...'

The latest preview for Robert Kirkman's THE WALKING DEAD does not look good for our heroes/survivors.  If you thought things looked bad in the last preview, well it looks a helluva lot worse now.

Kirkman is no stranger to killing-off main characters in this book, so it should be no surprise that we lose a few of these folks that have been near and dear to our heart.  But, damn, it's looking real, real bad for these folks.

Image Releases new WALKING DEAD #80 Teaser - Sh*t's Going to Hit the Fan!

Image Comics sent around this teaser image for the upcoming storyline in Robert Kirkman’s Walking Dead series.  I love this series and cannot wait to start reading the latest arc of this story.  Nobody mixes it up with more surprises in a storyline then Robert Kirkman. 

WALKING DEAD #80 Teaser Image

Image Comics sent out this teaser image for issue #80 of Robert Kirkman’s The Walking Dead.

Source Image Comics

What's Better than a Comic Book Starring a Hooker, A Movie (NSFW)

Ever read the Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner and Garth Ennis one-shot called THE PRO?  It was published by Image in 2002 and people still talking about it today.

The premise of the story is a filthy, foul-mouthed hooker who suddenly gains super-powers and gets recruited by a thinly-veiled parody of the Justice League. To put it mildly, her membership with this team doesn’t work out well.

There's been talk of a live action version of "The Pro" before (with creators calling for actresses such as Sarah Silverman for the leading role) along with a supposed movie "demo," but yesterday's post by Palmiotti on YouTube marks the first time this particular animation's been made widely viewable.  If the video belwo does not work, click here to see the video via YouTube.

WARNING - - FOR MATURE VIEWERS ONLY. This clip is definitely R-Rated, it's definitely is for adults only and you definitely shouldn’t watch it at work...

Source via Comic Alliance and Comic Vine

Image Comics SDCC Exclusive CHEW: THE OMNIVORE EDITION

Limited to 350 copies, you can show your love for Poyo and CHEW by picking up your copy from writer John Layman and artist Rob Guillory at Image Comics booth #2729. Layman and Guillory will also have a very limited number of copies of CHEW: THE OMNIVORE EDITION, which won’t be in stores until August 11, 2010.

CHEW #12: POYO Variant, a 32-page full-color comic featuring a five-color cover of Poyo, will be available at Comic-Con International for $10 at Image Comics booth #2729.