All posts by richard.purnell

Richard Purnell is the co-host, editer, and the DC Comic book side of things when it comes to the show COMICS! Currently, when he isn't reading comic books or making videos, Richard is getting a degree in Digital Video Media at Stark State College of Technology. He hopes to one day make a feature film, and write a comic about his Superhero creation, Captain Crazy.

Marvel Hosts a Gay Wedding!!! (COMICS!)

Same-Sex Marriage has been a hot button topic for quite a long while. Its been a heavy news topic recently when President Obama voted in favor of gay marriage. Now, in the world of Mainstream comics, writers and creators always try to keep current and tell relevant stories. Well, Marvel Is doing just that in their Astonishing X-Men series. Known Gay superhero, Northstar, is finally getting hitched to his long time boyfriend in issue #51 of the series. Also, DC made a some what similar announcement this past weekend. An iconic character from DC, whom has yet to be introduced in the New 52, will come out of the closet. As to whom it will be, your going to have to wait till June to find out. Personally, I don’t see the issues with gay marriage. Love is love, no matter if its between a man and a woman, a man and a man, or a woman and a woman. Its nice to see comics telling this kind of story. Yes, it could easily be a publicity stunt, but still. Click the picture above to checkout the latest episode of COMICS! Also, leave a comment on your thoughts of this whole thing. Enjoy the video!

New Dark Knight Rises Trailer Attached to The Avengers!!! (COMICS!)

With The Avengers coming to theaters literally a week from today, how could life get any sweeter? Well, what about if a new Dark Knight Rises trailer was attached to the film?

Yes! This is indeed true! Warner Bros. announced earlier last week that a new trailer for The Dark Knight Rises will be attached to The Avengers, and that is awesome! When I heard this news, my mind exploded and a mushroom cloud of brain goop covered the skies. The cloud then transformed into a likeness of my head and screamed “AWESOME!!!!!” at the top of its non existent lungs. Yes, I am aware I have an over active imagination, you don’t need to tell me. Anyways, In the latest episode of COMICS! I discuss this very topic! Also, Carter and I review some of the latest and greatest coming out from the indie world of comic books! Click the picture to watch the latest episode, and don’t forget to subscribe to Channel23hahaha on Youtube to see the latest episodes of COMICS! Enjoy!

Man of Steel Movie Logo REVEALED!!! (COMICS!)

The first official logo for Superman’s latest film is finally here!

This Summer is full of amazingly awesome looking movies. You have The Dark Knight Rises, The Avengers, Prometheus, Dark Shadows (arguably apparently), the list is endless! However, there is one movie that was planned for this year that got bumped to 2013 sadly. That film is the latest entry in the Superman film franchise: Man of Steel. The worst part is we might not get to see it! Damn Apocalypse! Anyways, we’ve seen set pictures, and an official picture of new Superman, Henry Cavill, sporting the new Superman costume. Now, we have a look at the official logo for Man of Steel! There has been some mixed reaction, common among the internet nerd culture, But if you want to hear my thoughts on the subject just click the picture above! Enjoy!

Teenage Alien Ninja Turtles?!?! (COMICS!)

Why, Michael Bay? Can’t you do anything right? Besides explosions?

Yes, if you haven’t heard, Michael Bay is going to be rebooting the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles
franchise. Not only that, but he is changed a few things up. One: The Ninja Turtles are aliens. two: They possibly won’t be teenagers. Well, the whole announcement has left fans outraged, and wanting change! We didn’t really discuss it on COMICS! since we lacked an episode for two weeks, but Carter and I decided to talk about it, and get the fans opinions on the whole craziness. Also, Carter give you all a sneak peek into COMICS 2.0! We’ve made a few changes based on the suggestions given by fans, and discussions between Carter and myself. Click on the picture to check out the latest episode of COMICS! ENJOY!

Joss Whedon’s Astonishing X-Men: Gifted Review

Isn’t it funny that the first comic I review is from Marvel and not DC? or is it just me?

Anyways, today I received an amazing new comic in the mail. The comic in question is called Astonishing X-Men. Astonishing X-Men is one of many titles from Marvel that follow the mutant team. The series started in 2004 with the story arc called “Gifted” written by Joss Whedon with art by John Cassaday, which I am reviewing right now! Gifted, which is what the third X-Men film is loosely based on upon, tells the story of this geneticist who has just found the cure for mutation. When the X-Men find out about this they don’t see it as a blessing. Well…most of them don’t. Eventually, on the quest to stop the cure, The X-Men uncover the truth behind this cure and its true purpose.

I can’t begin to describe how in love I am with this series so far. The art is fantastically detailed, and the writing is what you’d expect from Whedon: pure brilliance. Recently, I’ve finally been discovering Joss Whedon’s work because I was curious who he was and why everyone is in love with his work. Also, he is the writer/director of the new Avengers movie coming out in a few months. So, that was the spark that started the flame essentially. Nowadays, I am a huge Whedon fan! I’m currently in the process of watching Dollhouse!

Anyways, when I heard Whedon had written an entire X-Men series, I knew I had to acquire it. Whedon’s writing of the series is, as I’ve stated, pure brilliance. His dialog is hilarious, clever, and dramatic all at the same time. He seems to have a great handle on the characters. I also loved that the team in the book is smaller then normal. there is only 6 members of the X-Men present. With the small number of characters used, Whedon gets the chance to have each one shine brightly. My favorite character in the book is Beast. He has always been a favorite X-Men of mine, behind Nightcrawler, and Whedon writes him so wonderfully.

I also love the way Whedon writes the story. Its basically an engaging summer blockbuster. However, the most interesting thing I found in the book wasn’t the story, but a single character. The character is an original creation called the Ord. Why did I find him interesting, you ask? Well, As you know, one of the biggest mysteries about Whedon’s Avengers movie is whom the alien race is that’s working with Loki. Many have guessed either Skrull or Kree, but both have been denied by Whedon. Nowadays, Its rumored that the aliens in the film are called the Ord. So, my question is: Are the two one in the same, or just a really really really strange coincidence? I guess we won’t find out until May 4th with the film hits theaters.

Anyways, the artwork, by John Cassaday, Is just amazing. Its highly detailed, beautifully drawn, and the characters truly seem to come to life. At times, I found Cassaday’s work similar to Brian Bolland from The Killing Joke. My favorite piece is a two page splash featuring Wolverine being thrown towards the sky. Overall, I’m already loving this book based on the first arc, and its getting me excited for Whedon’s Avengers flick. The best part of it all? There is more from Whedon and Cassaday for me to read! YAY!

10/10

Abraham Lincoln…Vampire Hunter??? (COMICS!)

So it is finally President’s Day, and what better way to celebrate then with vampire hunting?

In case you didn’t see, there is a new movie coming out called Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. Its based on a book that tells the secret life of Abraham Lincoln. Apparently, when Ol’ Honest Abe wasn’t running the country he was hunting down those damned creatures of the night. Normally on COMICS! we don’t talk about movies that aren’t based on comic books, but i couldn’t help it! Plus, the trailer looks like the story is based on a comic, don’t it? Click on the picture to checkout the latest episode of COMICS! where we review the newest Trailer, and some new books from DC and Marvel! Enjoy!

The Walking Dead is BACK!!! (COMICS!)

HOLY CRAP! THE WALKING DEAD IS BACK ON TELEVISION! AHHHHHH!

Yes! The hit AMC show is back after a long and painful hiatus. Last time this happened to me was with Doctor Who series six. Both shows had mid-season finales that featured cliffhangers that almost killed me! I won’t say what those were because i don’t want to be a spoiler! Anyways, want to know what i thought of the season premiere of part 2? Click on the picture to find out! ALSO! Don’t forget to check out a brand new episode of COMICS! on Channel23hahaha every weekend! 🙂

PS Happy Birthday Dan! Hope its a great one!

The Avengers Super Bowl Spot Review!!! (COMICS!)

Did you all watch the Super Bowl Sunday night? Is that a stupid question? PROBABLY!

Anyways, for most people the game ended with the Giants defeating the Patriots. For me? It ended with the premiere of the much anticipated Avengers Super Bowl commercial. I couldn’t believe how awesome it was! What was even cooler, and I’ve done this for the previous Avengers trailer, was spotting all the shots that were film in Cleveland. I live in NE Ohio, and visited the set myself. That was an experience I’ll never forget! Anywho, here is Carter and I’s review of the commercial in question! Click on the picture to watch the video! 🙂

PS If you didn’t see it, Marvel released an extended 60 second version that’s EVEN COOLER!!!

Top 5 Best Superhero Teams!

Hello everyone!! My name is Richard Purnell, and I’m the co-host of an awesome show on Youtube called COMICS! If you want to see the work I do with my friend and co-host Carter, be sure to visit www.youtube.com/channel23hahaha. ANYWAYS! Recently, DC Comics announced that they are making 7 comic book mini-series that will act as prequels to the famed graphic novel Watchmen. The series in question is going to be called Before Watchmen. Right when I heard about this, I was pissed off! Why DC? Why would you make a prequel to one of the greatest comics ever written? Are you trying to pull a Phantom Menace? These, and many more, questions were the first to surface in my head.

Little did I know that my anger would turn into excitement in a matter of minutes. Shocking, right? What won me over in the end was the creative teams DC picked to work on these books. Admittedly, I am a bit skeptical still, and I still don’t see the need for a Watchmen prequel. However, I do think it will do well quality wise, but we won’t know that until the books release this summer. In the meantime, this announcement has gotten me thinking all about Superhero teams. There are so many amazing superhero teams in the world. Some more unique then others, and some that are just plain badass. So, inspired by Before Watchmen, I figured I’d make a list of my top 5 favorite superhero teams:

5) The Green Lantern Corp.

Known Members: Hal Jordan, Sinestro, Kilowog, Tomer-Re, John Stewert, Kyle Rayner, Guy Gardner, Etc.

Most of you probably know The Green Lantern as a single superhero character, but the truth is there are lots of Green Lanterns. Each member makes up the Green Lantern Corp. A group of intergalactic police officers, The Green Lantern Corp’s main goal is to protect each and every sector of the universe. You think this is nerdy? Wait until you see whom else made this list!

4) Grant Morrison’s Seven Soldiers of Victory

Known Members: Zatana, The Shining Knight, Frankenstein, The Manhattan Guardian, The Bulletier, Mister Miracle, Klarion The Witch Boy.

This is probably the most unique Superhero team on this list. Its hard to explain in a short paragraph, but basically This superhero team consists of members who all fight the same enemy, but never meet/know each other in the process. Its very interesting how it all works in the comic, and worth your time should you ever see the book when your out shopping!

3) The Avengers

Known Members: Captain America, Thor, Iron Man, The Hulk, Etc.

Consisting of the greatest Marvel comics characters around, The Avengers is one of the greatest superhero teams ever assembled. How could I make one of these lists without adding on The Avengers? I’m totally excited for Joss Whedon’s movie!!!

2) The Justice League

Known Members: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman, Cyborg, Etc.

The Avengers might have have the best Marvel characters as members, but The Justice League members consist of the best characters EVER! I know, that kind of statement will easily start the DC vs Marvel debate, but this is my opinion so deal with it! If you haven’t yet, each of you should start reading the new JL book from DC Comics RIGHT NOW! you won’t be disappointed.

1) The Umbrella Academy

Known Members: Spaceboy, The Kraken, The Rumor, The Seance, #5, The Horror, The White Violin.

What? You’ve never heard of the Umbrella Academy? Well, your missing out! The Umbrella Academy has got to be my all time favorite Superhero team, and This team doesn’t live in either the Marvel or DC Universes. This team is brought to us by the always amazing comic company, Dark Horse Comics. I don’t want to tell you much more about this team. So, I’ll Just say go read the books and experience the magic for yourselves!

Well, Thats my list of the top 5 best Superhero teams around! In the comment section below, tell what your favorite Superhero team is! When you get the chance, Please go visit my youtube channel, Channel23hahaha, and don’t forget to subscribe!