INDIE BOOK INITIATIVE: RAPID CITY

INDIE BOOK INITIATIVE

RAPID CITY: OBJECTS AT REST

RAPID CITY: BELOW ZERO

                Andrew Puzak of VIGILANT GEEK MEDIA reviews RAPID CITY: OBJECTS AT REST as well as RAPID CITY: BELOW ZERO, both written by independent graphic novelist, Josh Dahl. 

To purchase either OBJECTS AT REST or BELOW ZERO, go to www.belowzerocomic.com or www.rapidcitycomic.com

***AND AS ALWAYS***

STAY VIGILANT!!!

Unfiltered Thoughts on the Comic Book Industry

Unfiltered Thoughts on the Comic Book Industry

By VIGILANT GEEK MEDIA analyst, Holden Orme

I have been reading comics on a casual basis since birth. In my later years I discovered graphic novels and I thought they were the greatest thing EVER. Mom was real big on getting me literate, and it has served me well for most of my life. I really got back into comics in 2012 when I realized that I was drinking too damn much and didn’t have much of a life outside of work. I needed hobbies, good wholesome ones that wouldn't wreck my bank account. DC Comics was 10 issues into The New 52 at the time and I discovered that DC, a company with almost a century of characters and backstory, had done a hard reboot. It was a sign! It felt as if DC was like, “No need to feel intimidated or lost in these story arcs! Here is a fresh slate! Feel free to join us on the epic new journey,” and that i did. The new found funds I freed up from my break from booze was more than enough to get me started. I bought back issues as far as i could go on titles like Justice League, The Flash, Aquaman, Superman, Dial H for Hero and Stormwatch. It was confirmed that I had been bitten by the comic bug. Over time my pull list became even larger. It is now 2016, and my pull list had maxed out at eighty, but I have been reigning it in and now sits at sixty-two. Sixty-two books a month I now read. Within that time I’ve been keeping up with the big two, (MARVEL and DC), the entire time. 

When I first started reading seriously back in 2012, I thought it was the best thing ever! Why not? I had really low expectations and I was enjoying most of what they had to offer. Over time however, DC Comics' fatal flaw would be revealed. Since I began reading  seriously during The New 52, it took me awhile to notice that something within the books was missing; and over time it became much more obvious. DC had forsaken its rich history and continuity. So much history had been tossed away in the hope that they could make a few extra bucks by bringing in new fans, and it worked... for a bit. Over time, DC slowly lost a majority of the market share to Marvel. Things seemed bleak. Batman was still kicking ass and taking names but the other characters of the DCU couldn’t secure a hold. Then the man I trust most at DC, Geoff Johns, must have realized the company had fucked up big time. That is what brought about the Rebirth publishing initiative. Rebirth at its core was a love letter to DC fans with a deep heartfelt apology. Remember how things were? I do. Things can be back the way they used to be baby! I can change! With a single one shot, Geoff Johns accomplished more than any crossover event ever could. In one eighty page book, all of a sudden everything that had ever happened in the stories of the past seventy-five years MATTERED. Even for a relatively new reader like myself, the implications of this deep heartfelt apology were very apparent. Since then, DC has embraced its roots and every new story feels like part of something greater. Everything feels like it matters, and because of this, I will forever be a die hard DC fan.

Marvel has spent the past five years laughing to the bank. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is unparalleled in representation of the comic medium. The books themselves have been good. They should be, Marvel has become the New York Yankees of comic publishing. With DC finding itself now though, it may be changing the "House That Stan Built’s" strategy. Lately Marvel has been positioning itself for a reinvention. Their success has made them feel inadequate with the fact that Stan Lee saved them from obliteration years ago, and in an act of insecurity they have begun tearing down his legacy. So far, only the Fantastic Four have been exiled with the exception of the Thing and Jonny Storm; but soon it looks like Tony Stark will be replaced, maybe permanently with events folding out in Civil War II. With the prospect of the complete extinction of the X- Men, I have been completely unhinged. I get it, they signed some shitty contracts and Fox has the rights to F4 AND X-MEN. I'm going to go ahead and say one thing, the X-men are the most important Marvel property there is. No other book has championed those who feel different and ostracized by society more than the X-Men. As long as people feel like they don’t have a place in society, the X-men books should be written front and center. However, the fact that Marvel is considering killing off or transitioning characters isn't what concerns me. I feel that if done well, it would serve marvel for years to come. My beef is that Stan Lee is still alive and well, and even though he’s getting up there in years, he is cognitive and aware and still main events comic cons to this day. Let there be no confusion, Marvel is the "House that Stan Built." I believe that Marvel has every intention of moving on from Stan’s legacy. This transition, as disrespectful to Stan as it might be, may be a big mistake now that DC got their groove back. Well laid plans are going to fall apart. With hope I deeply wish the X-Men narrowly survive against all odds. With DC having its resurrection, Marvel is going to need the X-Men now more than they have in years.

These words have been brought to you by Holden Jack Orme.

... and as always…

STAY VIGILANT!

THE SCORPION'S DEN: GRAND SLAMS

THE SCORPION'S DEN

CHAOTIC WRESTLING PRESENTS:

GRAND SLAMS!!!

Vigilant Geek Media analyst "VIN SCORPION," the host of THE SCORPION's DEN

VIN SCORPION with ROB VAN DAM!!!

                  Just last weekend, VGM correspondents VIN SCORPION and HOLDEN ORME ventured to LELACHEUR PARK in Lowell, MA, (home of the Lowell Spinners minor league baseball club), to attend the GRAND SLAMS pro wrestling event presented by the LOWELL SPINNERS and CHAOTIC WRESTLING!! Once there, the SCORPION and HOLDEN had the privilege of meeting and shaking hands with none other than pro wrestling legends ROB VAN DAM, TOMMY DREAMER, FAROOQ, D'LO BROWN, THEA TRINIDAD, CODY RHODES, AUSTIN ARIES and a whole lot more!!! (see pics below) After the meet and greets, the VGM guys were treated to a full length wrestling show complete with numerous types of matches.. some for the CHAOTIC WRESTLING belts!! 

VIN SCORPION with D'LO BROWN, (left), and FAROOQ, (right)

VIN SCORPION with THEA TRINIDAD, (left), and AUSTIN ARIES, (right)

ROB VAN DAM and TOMMY DREAMER

CODY RHODES

SUPERSTARS GALORE!!!

*** Be sure to check out VIN SCORPION's YOUTUBE PAGE: @ The Scorpion Den to listen to the SCORPION's wrestling podcasts and also LIKE and SUBSCRIBE!!!

*** and as always.......


STAY VIGILANT!!!

THE VIGILANT GEEK PODCAST: S2: E13: BOSTON COMIC CON 2016

THE VIGILANT GEEK PODCAST

SEASON TWO: EPISODE THIRTEEN

BOSTON COMIC CON 2016

A VERY VIGILANT RECAP!!

Andrew Puzak and Holden Orme of VIGILANT GEEK MEDIA provide a "VERY VIGILANT RECAP" of BOSTON COMIC CON 2016, including, but not limited to, celebrity appearances, cosplay, panels, the Drink and Draw, the Cosplay Harbor Cruise, survival tips for future cons and much, much more.

...AND AS ALWAYS....

STAY VIGILANT!!!!

IN DEFENSE OF BATMAN VS SUPERMAN: WTF IS WRONG WITH EVERYONE??

IN DEFENSE OF BATMAN VS SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE

WTF IS WRONG WITH EVERYONE??

This is Andrew Puzak here from VIGILANT GEEK MEDIA.. and boy am I in the mood to rant...

I have seen Zach Snyder's BATMAN VS SUPERMAN: DAWN of JUSTICE film seven of eight times by now.. and I have analyzed the film closely.. and shame on the haters of this film!!! ROTTEN TOMATOES especially can go shit in the metaphorical hat.. Mel Gibson, of all the infamous anti-semetic bigots, wants to try and stab at this movie.. you have a spot reserved in hell for your poor taste and bigoted behaviors MEL. 

What I can say about this film is that is was not made for movie critics, it was made for DC COMIC BOOK FANS. Don't cry if you don't read DC and are confused as to why Bruce Wayne is dreaming about PARADEMONS... Shame on you for not having the initiative to already know based on the source material..

As the consumer, you get soooo much from this film.. you get Ben Affleck's BATMAN.. perhaps the most accurate portrayal of the character EVER.. You also get Henry Cavhill's portrayal of SUPERMAN.. perhaps the most accurate portrayal EVER.. (I think most readers would agree, Cavhill is amazing!!!), Additionally, Jesse Eisenberg portrays an absolutely manipulative and evil LEX LUTHOR and Gal Gadot is the perfect WONDER WOMAN, end of story.. though she didn't have enough lines.

The only thing left to bitch about is DOOMSDAY... Which deviated from the source material quite a bit. In the comics, yes, LUTHOR created DOOMSDAY, but not from GENERAL ZOD'S body.. That is something new for the film... however.. I happened to like that better, as it gives GENERAL ZOD more importance in the overall outcome of the SUPERMAN story.

THE FILM WAS INCREDIBLE. SHUT UP ROTTEN TOMATOES. SHUT UP MEL GIBSON. YOU BOTH SUCK. LET'S GEAR UP FOR JUSTICE LEAGUE PEOPLE!!!!

Best Regards,

Andrew Puzak- VIGILANT GEEK MEDIA

...and as always.....

STAY VIGILANT!!!!

BOSTON COMIC CON 2016: A VERY VIGILANT RECAP

BOSTON COMIC CON 2016

A VERY VIGILANT RECAP

The pearly white gates of BOSTON COMIC CON!!!

The Official BCC 2016 poster featuring Frank Miller's Daredevil

The 2016 BOSTON COMIC CON VIGILANT GEEK MEDIA T-Shirt

Left to Right: VIGILANT GEEK MEDIA VIP correspondents CHRISTOPHER GIRARD, ANDREW PUZAK and HOLDEN ORME

Welcome back ladies, germs, geeks, nerds, fanboys and girls from all over!!! As yet another Boston Comic Con has come and gone, all of us at VIGILANT GEEK MEDIA have so much coverage to share with you!! Each year, the convention, (held at Boston's Seaport World Trade Center annually), gets larger and larger, with more to offer.. which means more for us VIGILANT GEEKS to cover for all of you!! This year consisted of some impressive celebrity appearances, amazing cosplays, a DRINK AND DRAW with numerous industry creators, numerous engaging panels, a cosplay harbor booze cruise and soooo much more!! Let us walk you through our BOSTON COMIC CON 2016 VIGILANT GEEK ADVENTURE!!!!

CELEBRITY APPEARANCES:

There was an impressive roster of celebrities at this year's con. The part of this that truly made me smile was the strong presence of DC TV UNIVERSE actors and actresses.. Just to name a few celebs.. Boston got Frank Miller, William Shatner, Gillian Anderson, John Barrowman, Karen Gillan, Karl Urban, Ben McKenzie, Caity Lotz, Robbie Amell, Danielle Panabaker, Jenna Coleman, Elizabeth Henstridge and many, many more....

COSPLAY:

This is always such a huge part of going to Boston Comic Con.. This year we VIGILANT GEEKS just had to participate!! Especially since we went on the COSPLAY HARBOR CRUISE with cosplay star IVY DOOMKITTY!!! Enjoy this pictorial walk down cosplay memory lane....

COSPLAY VIXEN IVY DOOMKITTY, THE QUEEN of COSPLAY in BOSTON

IVY DOOMKITTY, host of the BOSTON COSPLAY HARBOR BOOZE CRUISE and COSPLAY STARLET

VGM correspondent CHRISTOPHER GIRARD with PRINCESS BUBBLEGUM and JOKER GIRL

VGM's CHRISTOPHER GIRARD with JAY and SILENT BOB

VGM's CHRISTOPHER GIRARD with BMO

VGM's CHRISTOPHER GIRARD as SCARECROW

CHRISTOPHER GIRARD as SCARECROW with BATMAN and BANE

LOVE THAT JOKER!!!

Me, I'm giving away free money... and where's BATMAN? HE"S AT HOME.. WASHING HIS TIGHTS!!

WONDER WOMAN, BATMAN and JOKER

SCARECROW, (CHRISTOPHER GIRARD), enjoying an iced cold Heineken on the COSPLAY HARBOR CRUISE!!!

SCARECROW, (CHRISTOPHER GIRARD), takes control of Joker's crew!! (PAYDAY masks)

VGM's HOLDEN ORME as SHAGGY in front of his ride.. THE MYSTERY MACHINE!!

HOLDEN got to drive THE MYSTERY MACHINE!!!

VGM's ANDREW PUZAK as TWO-FACE, CHRISTOPHER GIRARD as SCARECROW with BANE CHIROPRACTIC.. HAHAHA

SCARECROW, (CHRISTOPHER GIRARD), BANE, TWO-FACE, (ANDREW PUZAK)

CHRISTOPHER GIRARD, (SCARECROW) with POISON IVY

CHRISTOPHER GIRARD handcuffed to a very lovely HARLEY QUINN.. I think Chris is a happy camper, (I know I'd be)

SCARECROW, (CHRISTOPHER GIRARD), and his good buddy BANE

CHRISTOPHER GIRARD gettin mean with the INCREDIBLE HULK

CHRISTOPHER GIRARD with JOKER and HARLEY QUINN

SUPERMAN's boot got caught in the escalator!!!

CHRISTOPHER GIRARD with a lovely WONDER WOMAN

COSPLAY IS A BLAST!! ANDREW PUZAK, (TWO-FACE), and CHRISTOPHER GIRARD, (SCARECROW), mingling with a sexy JOKER GIRL and an adorable PRINCESS LEIA!!

DRINK & DRAW:

The DRINK & DRAW held in a function hall of the Seaport hotel was perhaps the most pleasant surprise of the con. Once we entered this mystical room filled with everyone from established industry creators and indie artists alike, all drinking beer or spirits, all doodling away, creating magic on paper.. we were absolutely awestruck. As the Vigilant Geek guys grabbed a table in the corner and sipped on some iced cold beers, Jimmy Palmiotti, Amanda Conner, Sam Kieth, Brian Stelfreeze and many more well-known artists could be seen going to town with pen and paper, creating what they probably considered just doodles, but to us.. they created magic!! Check out these examples below:

The VIGILANT GEEK guys can't draw... so we just sit and drink and enjoy the art being made all around!!

*** MORE BOSTON COMIC CON 2016 COVERAGE IS COMING SOON!!!

STAY TUNED FOR "BOSTON COMIC CON 2016: A VIGILANT RECAP: PART TWO" WHERE WE DISCUSS ALL OF THE AMAZING PANELS AND INDUSTRY CREATORS!!

...AND AS ALWAYS....

STAY VIGILANT!!!!