F For Fake

I know my "review" sounded pretty harsh, but should clarify that over all, I DID like it. I was just kind of disappointed because I wanted to love it. My ranking 1. Alien 2. Aliens then a biiiiiig drop off of a cliff, then 3. Alien 3 Producer's Cut 4. Prometheus 5. Covenant then another massive tumble down a cliff, then 6. AvP: Requiem - I realize that I'm in a tiny minority on this one, but although it is total fan-wank garbage, it is delightfully stupid. 7. Alien Resurrection 8. AvP

I'm a massive fan of the series, and therefore I am pretty much used to disappointment. "Covenant" is more disappointing than usual, because it has the makings of a truly great film. The problem is that it is, more or less, two movies. On one hand, you have a glorious, creepy gothic horror piece, like a Hammer Frankenstein picture with Fassbender in the Cushing role. It's complete with the Alien universe equivalent of a spooky old castle. It's wonderfully acted, it's atmospheric as hell, it's gorgeously shot, and it adds interesting wrinkles to the Alien mythos. The problem is on the other hand, where this great film is sandwiched by a truly unremarkable, by the numbers sci-fi action slog. CGI Xenomorphs aren't scary, or even particularly well done. The action isn't exciting, the horror isn't scary. There's some amusingly done gore, but it is also rendered weightless by excessive CGI. There's little to no characterization; I can name, at most, three characters in the film; that doesn't leave much room to care about what happens to them. I feel like the first is the movie that Ridley wanted to make. I feel like the rest is the concession he made after the perceived failure of "Prometheus" (which I actually loved.) But instead of learning the right lessons (make the -script and characters smarter) from those shortcomings, he instead decided that what people really wanted was more CGI beasties, and less ponderings about creation. Personally, I could have used more of the "where did we come from" musings of "Prometheus", because at least it gave the characters some agency, and purpose. But aside from the stellar middle section of "Covenant", and a predictably terrific performance by Fassbender, it's a pretty standard movie. At the end of the day, for me the great film in the middle ever so slightly outweighs the bad movie surrounding it. I liked it, I wanted to love it.

Yup, there are a bunch that really hold up even by today's standards, beautifully so. The chrome Surfer is super sweet, and only seems to be going up in value. I had a set of the painted and chrome once upon a time, but they are long gone.

Always been a fan of Brereton, very nice piece!

yeah, I don't normally go for collectors cards and stuff like that, but these are really super nice. Trying to decide how I want to display them, as they are that nice. I ended up ordering this one from Best Buy's website, because all of the local BB's were sold out. Shipped and had it in just a couple of days. The Target steelbook I ordered online and picked up instore. Pretty handy option if you're ever worried about them selling out before you can make it to the store.

Also I'd like to take a moment to doff the cap to Randy Bowen. Without him, there would be no comic statue industry. He got this whole ball of wax rolling. Hats off to Randy, hope makes a comeback soon!

Ha, well, I'll keep those options in mind, but I gotta level with ya, your chances aren't so great.

You might want to sit down, I'm afraid I have some news for you...

Ha, just saw that myself. I might pay $40 to get a sketch, but to get a picture with the guy? Is he at least good lookin'?

And indeed, I picked it up this weekend. The cards are actually really nice, thick lenticular cards, with AH, Finch and Lee artwork. If you're going to pick the movie up anyway, I'd say it's worth hunting the pack down. I ended up double-dipping and getting this one and the Target steelbook.

Was going through a box of stuff I'd left at my folks' house, and ran across these greeting cards. I remember at the time they came out, I bought entire packs of them, because that's the only way my LCS would order them. Not sure why I held onto these particular ones, but they're pretty neat!

Fun find this weekend. I used to be a hardcore Bowen Designs guy. I was a shirt-wearing', card-carrying Collectors Club member. I bought all of the web exclusives. I had hundreds of the things. I was obsessed. Then about 9 years ago, I sold all of them off. Is it a coincidence I met the gal who is now my wife at that same time? No, I'd say it's not. At any rate, eventually I got back into statues, but by then I'd moved on to the showier Sideshow pieces, Premium Formats, and the like. But this weekend I stopped by my LCS, who were having a sidewalk sale, and I ran into these beauties. They were already priced well below market value, but everything in the store was also an additional 25% off, so I just couldn't pass them up. The question now, of course, is do I sell them for a quick flip, or do I keep them, thereby likely triggering a Bowen Relapse? Forgot how much I loved his stuff.

Hunting was pretty much a bust this weekend, though I did manage to sell a bunch of drek at a yard sale. Who knew? Ended up picking up this stack of trades at HPB for $2 each, seemed fair as they're all like new.

Ah, man, love the Lynx! Those handhelds aren't growing on trees, especially with the boxes. Nice pickup!

Great communication, very fast pay, no problems at all and a pleasure to deal with. Thanks again Rodney!

Ok, my complete shot in the dark: 1. Jenny Frison - $325 2. Linsner - $850 3. Simonson - $700 4. Wagner - $450 5. Leonardi - $500

Great game Jay, I'll enter shortly. Do you think it'd get more traction over in CG? I know I never make it to this forum and wouldn't have known about it if you hadn't directed me. I think it's general enough that it could fit in there? Just a thought! At any rate, let me study up...

This thread is full of too much win lately, so allow me to drag it down. Saw a "huge" estate sale listed on CL this morning, decided to run out on my lunchbreak, even though it means I'll have 30 minutes to make up this afternoon. The "comics" advertised were, of course, a bunch of coverless Bob Hopes and Archies. Ah, yes, that familiar feeling! Still, it's the hope that keeps us in the hunt.

Pretty sure the collection is "Rebirth of Thanos". I think there was a premiere HC at one time, but you should be able to get the trade now. Edit to add: yup, here it is! Contains SS 34-38 and Thanos Quest and some other stuff. https://www.amazon.com/Silver-Surfer-Rebirth-Thanos-Paperback/dp/0785166432

I'll be in my bunk.

Thanks bud, much appreciated! And I think I am well set on Last Days of Animal Man...and then some.

And for me (and many others, I suspect), the One True Batman.

Well, Mignola and Hughes are two of my personal Top 5 Artists, so I pick them up whenever I see them because I love them, and want moar. Not really concerned about the spec situation, but I certainly don't mind when books take off.

The question I have every morning when I log into the boards and see these threads is: Sure, "Jim Starlin Hates CGC", but does Jim Starling "Hate the New Boards" too? And these cans? Does Jim Starlin hate these cans too? DOES JIM STARLIN'S HATRED KNOW ANY BOUNDARIES??? (Ok, I didn't get a lot of sleep last night.)