Brian Steinberg first purchased a comic book at the tender age of six, and he's been hooked ever since. He'll keep you up to date on the latest in comics culture, from the funny pages to the movie screen.

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'One Big Happy' hits the mark

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November 26, 5:42 PM

by Brian Steinberg, Comics Examiner

Just have to point out how even the most pleasant comic can draw blood when it wants to. There's a devastating example of kids being influenced by advertising and hype in today's episode of Rick Detoire's "One Big Happy."

In today's strip, crazy James, the kid who seems basically homeless, runs around following Ruthie asking for a grape-flavored anything -fruit roll-up, pop-ups, soda. When our plucky heroine offers him the actual fruit upon which the artificial flavor he craves so much is based, he balks. "EEEW! What's them things?" he asks. Um, grapes, you nutritionally deficient oddball (Ruthie lacks this sort of vocabulary, but, boy, I'd sure like to yell that at James).

Detoire's strip is one of my favorites, particularly for the way it captures the speech and thinking patterns of kids, not to mention some of the foibles of their adult counterparts. But I've never known him to use his pen as a sharp weapon against the forces of marketing and mercantilism. Nice one today.

Topics: funny pages , One Big Happy

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Today's the day Batman dies...

1 comment

November 26, 11:29 AM

If you believe that DC Comics will really kill off one of its most popular - and most profitable- characters, then pick up Batman #681 at your local comic book store. The issue features the last chapter of an ongoing storyline... Read More
Topics: Batman , DC Comics , Captain America

'Heroes' still lacks power

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November 24, 6:01 PM

I'm still really disappointed in NBC's "Heroes."For those who haven't been following the conversation, I think "Heroes," sadly, has jumped the shark. The plot, which has completely unraveled, isn't interesting. The characters have... Read More
Topics: Heroes

Happy Birthday, 'Gasoline Alley'

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November 24, 5:48 PM

If you aren't a regular comics-page reader, you might not know, but today marks the 90th birthday of "Gasoline Alley." I still like the strip, and don't think it's devolved into an empty soulless parade of half-jokes and dull imitations... Read More
Topics: funny pages , Blondie

If you liked 'Iron Man,' you'll love this...

1 comment

November 17, 3:22 PM

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Topics: At the Movies

Batman is dead. Long live Batman?

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November 17, 3:07 PM

Lots of chatter these days about Batman. If you believe the hints, rumors and allegations out there, it sounds as if DC Comics is going to give Bruce Wayne, the guy who has worn the cape and cowl since 1927, a much needed rest. At present, Batman is... Read More
Topics: Batman , DC Comics , Marvel Comics , Captain America

How much do these comics really cost?

1 comment

November 13, 1:41 PM

Now we can see the economic toll of buying up all these big comic-book events published by DC and Marvel, courtesy of Newsarama.Sounds shocking, but keeping up with every last development in Marvel's "Secret Invasion" or DC's "Final... Read More
Topics: Marvel , DC , Final Crisis , Secret Invasion

Why is "Heroes" less than super?

4 comments

November 11, 5:01 PM

Who would have thought that NBC's "Heroes" would have become so unwatchable? After six or seven weeks of followng this season, I'm thisclose to writing it off.What's the problem? In its first season, "Heroes" was all about... Read More
Topics: Comic Movies , NBC , Heroes , TV Comics

Excelsior, my friends!

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November 11, 4:05 PM

Here's an interesting bit of comics nostalgia for anyone who read Marvel Comics in the 60s, 70s and even 80s: Someone has compiled the offbeat, rapid-fire musings of former Marvel impresario Stan Lee into a book, according to Baltimore City Paper.Lee,... Read More
Topics: Marvel Comics , Stan Lee

Get ready for Captain America

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November 10, 1:21 PM

Time for the latest comic-book movie news: Looks as if "Captain America" is a go, with several news sources reporting that producers have chosen director Joe Johnston to helm the film.We've discussed... Read More
Topics: Marvel , Avengers , Captain America , Wonder Woman