Everything is Better in Japan

It's true. I've checked. Don't believe me? Then take a moment to compare America's painfully inferior version of one of our favourite heroes -- in this case, Spider-Man -- to the massive improvements the production company Toei made to the concept when it was transplanted to Japan in the 1970s.

Peter Parker, Spider-Man of New York - a perpetually broke freelance photographer who has been exposed to irradiated toxins and cursed with freakishly weird powers, Peter is shunned by the public and smeared by the press, all while fighting a seemingly never-ending parade of losers, creeps and two-bit dingbats like Stilt-Man and Rocket Racer. Poor shlub.

Takuya Yamashiro, Supaidaman of Tokyo - a Motocross Champion granted amazing powers and equipment by a UFO, Takuya can do all the things Peter can -- but can also alter his size at will, is kept healthy by a powerful healing factor, commands a Battle Vehicle known as the Spider Machine GP-7, and -- as if all that weren't enough! -- Supaidaman is the pilot of the transforming giant robot/starship called Leopardon. Takuya uses all of these amazing resources in his battle to keep the entire planet safe from the intergalactic menace of Doctor Monster and the Steel Cross Squad, a powerful alien militia determined to conquer Earth! Holy Toledo!

Well, I think that's pretty clear -- but if there's any doubt in your mind, check out the 1970s Japanese Spider-Man TV show for yourself. Marvel Comics is thoughtfully offering episodes of the classic Tokusatsu Supaidaman for viewing on their website, with a new show added to the library every week. Watch a few episodes and I'm pretty confident you will soon be seeing things my way.

Spotlight on July 8 Arrivals

Click here to be taken to our revamped New Arrivals page where you can click on thumbnails of next week's goodies to see pics and descriptions. Here are just a few of the titles shipping:

• AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #36
• BATMAN #688
• BPRD 1947 #1 (OF 5)
• DARK X-MEN BEGINNING #1 (OF 3) DAX
• FRUITS BASKET GN VOL 23 (OF 23)
• GREEN LANTERN #43 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
• NARUTO TP VOL 45 (C: 1-0-0)
• RED ROBIN #2
• UNWRITTEN #3 (MR)
• WEDNESDAY COMICS #1 (OF 12)
• X-MEN LEGACY #226 DAX

Also next Wednesday you can catch our Johnson St store sales associate Taylor making his second appearance singing the national anthems at the Victoria Seals baseball game. He debuted Thursday night to a standing ovation! Sure you have to stand for the anthem but still...someone must have liked it, they invited him back!

First Read of the Week!

Captain America Reborn #1


Ex-SHIELD Agent Sharon Carter -- together with former Avengers Hank Pym, Black Widow, the Falcon, and the Vision -- join James Buchanan (onetime sidekick Bucky and now the new Captain America) in an effort to solve the mystery of exactly what the Red Skull has been plotting the past few years... and most importantly, discover why the Skull seems to be using stolen technology in an attempt to resurrect his longtime enemy, Steve Rogers -- the assassinated Captain America.

Well, we all knew it was coming. In the wake of his high-profile death, Marvel Comics never made a secret of their plans to bring the 'classic Cap' back to comics before long -- but the question is, is it any good? Thankfully, with A-list creators Ed Brubaker, Bryan Hitch and Butch Guice delivering the goods -- and despite a somewhat overcomplicated delivery that will make easier reading for fans who have been following the regular Captain America monthly since the Civil War -- I think Marvel can safely include this book in the 'win' column. A solid start to the miniseries, and a must-read for superhero fans!

Arriving Today @ Curious Comics!

AGENTS OF ATLAS #7 DKR
ANGEL #23
ASTRO CITY THE DARK AGE BOOK THREE #3 (OF 4)
BATMAN AND ROBIN #2
BOYS #32 (MR)
BOYS TP VOL 04 WE GOTTA GO NOW (MR) (C: 0-1-2)
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #26 CHEN CVR
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #26 JEANTY CVR
CABLE #16
CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN #1 (OF 5)
DEADPOOL MERC WITH A MOUTH #1
DESTROYER #4 (OF 5) (MR)
ESCAPE FROM WONDERLAND #0 (OF 6)
EXILES #4
FANTASTIC FOUR #568
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #38 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
GREEN LANTERN RAGE OF THE RED LANTERNS HC
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #15 DKR
IRREDEEMABLE #4
JONAH HEX #45
JUSTICE LEAGUE CRY FOR JUSTICE #1 (OF 7) CVR A
JUSTICE LEAGUE CRY FOR JUSTICE #1 (OF 7) CVR B
KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #152
SECRET SIX #11
SPAWN #193
STAR WARS INVASION #1 (OF 5) (C: 1-0-0)
TERRY MOORES ECHO #13
TRANSFORMERS SPOTLIGHT METROPLEX
UNCANNY X-MEN #513 DAX
UNWRITTEN #1 2ND PTG (MR)
WAR OF KINGS #5 (OF 6)
WITCHFINDER IN THE SERVICE OF ANGELS #1 (OF 5)

Click here for the complete list!

Spotlight on THURSDAY, July 2 Arrivals

That's right, I said Thursday!.

Due to something called a "stat" on Wednesday we can't find anyone willing to deliver our goods. Go figure!

Anyhoo, new arrivals will be on Thursday but don't allow that to discourage you from dropping by on Canada Day. We know nothing of "stats" (other than a shortened 11-5 day). Because you are a loyal blogophile just mention you read it on the blog and we will reward you with a free Batman & Robin #1 (while quantities last).

As usual you can click here to be taken to our revamped New Arrivals page where you can click on thumbnails of next week's goodies to see pics and descriptions. Here are just a few of the titles shipping:

• ANGEL #23
• BATMAN AND ROBIN #2
• BOYS TP VOL 04 WE GOTTA GO NOW (MR)
• BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #26
• CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN #1 (OF 5)
• DEADPOOL MERC WITH A MOUTH #1
• GREEN LANTERN CORPS #38 (BLACKEST NIGHT)
• INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #15 (DKR)
• JUSTICE LEAGUE CRY FOR JUSTICE #1 (OF 7)
• STAR WARS INVASION #1 (OF 5)
• UNCANNY X-MEN #513 DAX
• WITCHFINDER IN THE SERVICE OF ANGELS #1 (OF 5)

Zombies Spotted At Curious!

Watch out, game fans -- we've had reliable reports that a fresh wave of never-before-seen Zombies has been spotted at Curious Comics! Details are a little sketchy, but this shambling horde seems made up of fat guys, surfer dudes, doctors, and many, many more.

Don't let the fact that they're only 28mm tall lull you into a false sense of security -- these rotten little creeps are guaranteed to terrorize your gaming table. Just drop them into the miniatures wargame of your choice and retire to a safe distance to appreciate the mayhem. And with the smart folks at Wargames Factory shipping these shambling undead with multiple zombie body parts per model sprue, the brave wargamer can mix & match the bits to create almost 1000 completely unique zombies! Scary, huh?

Arriving Today @ Curious Comics!

ALL STAR BATMAN AND ROBIN THE BOY WONDER TP VOL 01
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #598 DKR
ASTONISHING X-MEN #30
AVENGERS INITIATIVE #25 DKR
AVENGERS INVADERS #12 (OF 12)
BARACK THE BARBARIAN #1
DAREDEVIL #119
DARK AVENGERS #6 DKR
DARK AVENGERS UNCANNY X-MEN UTOPIA #1 DAX
DARK REIGN HOOD #2 (OF 5) DKR
DARK REIGN LETHAL LEGION #1 (OF 3) DKR
DARK REIGN SINISTER SPIDER-MAN #1 (OF 4) DKR
DARK REIGN ZODIAC #1 (OF 3) DKR
DARK WOLVERINE #75 DKR
DETECTIVE COMICS #854
END LEAGUE #8
FREDDY JASON ASH NIGHTMARE WARRIORS #1 (OF 6)
GI JOE #6
GOTHAM CITY SIRENS #1
GREEN LANTERN #42
GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #15
IMMORTAL IRON FIST #27
INCREDIBLE HERCULES #130
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #34
JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA #28
LITERALS #3 (OF 3) (MR)
NEW AVENGERS #54 DKR
NOVA #26
PREDATOR #1 (OF 4)
PREVIEWS #250 JULY 2009
PRINCESS RESURRECTION GN VOL 06
RED SONJA #45
SECRET WARRIORS #5 DKR
SGT ROCK THE LOST BATTALION #6 (OF 6)
SKAAR SON OF HULK #12
STAR TREK MISSIONS END #4
STAR WARS LEGACY #37 TATOOINE PT 1 (OF 4)
STARCRAFT #2
SUPERMAN #689
TEEN TITANS #72
THOR #602
THUNDERBOLTS #133 DKR
TIMESTORM 2009/2099 X-MEN
TRANSFORMERS ALL HAIL MEGATRON #12
UNCANNY X-MEN #512
WIZARD MAGAZINE #214
WOLVERINE NOIR #3 (OF 4)
WOLVERINE WEAPON X #3
WONDER WOMAN #33
X-FACTOR #45
X-FORCE #16 XMW
X-MEN FOREVER #2

Click here for the complete list!