Brand New Feature: X-Men #1 (Marvel Comics)

by Brian Wood, Olivier Coipel, Mark Morales, Laura Martin

A new X-Men number one issue. Written by Brian Wood. All female team. There were several new books out this week all in incredibly capable hands, but this new series from Wood and Coipel was not to be pushed aside for any other. Should the title be something else as there are no actual "men" on the team? Do we need another X-title? There are as many detractions from this book as there are highlights and maybe that's what makes it so exciting to open up.

Brian Wood has a very cold, factual writing style. It seems similar to Jonathan Hickman's plot-first writing style. The book opens with two separate events transpiring in overlaying panels. At the same time, Wood scripts a narration that describes an event that is both on a genetically microscopic level as well as a cosmic level at the same time. It is an excellent opening that sets the tone for a grand story. We are then slowly introduced to the main cast of characters through a strange situation unfolding.

Episode 65: Green Lantern by Geoff Johns

"In brightest day, in blackest night..." 

The title says it all, ladies and gentlemen. Join us this week as Allen, Ethan, Paul and Seth dig into Geoff Johns historic run on Green Lantern. 

But first the news! Talk of a new Superman animated movie from Bruce Timm & Zac Effron... I mean Snyder. Rumors of a possible Namor series penned by James Robinson! And Seth randomly reviews Fast & Furious 6!

Then the fellas review, discuss, disect, and heap adoration on Geoff Johns' nigh-on-a-decade Green Lantern run. They give us a rundown of what they love, what they like, and what they think may have changed the course of history.

Let us know what you think of Geoff Johns' run via e-mail to letters@ancillarycharacters.com!

Find us on Facebook at facebook.com/ancillarycharacters. Watch live every Thursday night at youtube.com/ancillarycharacters. Find us on twitter @ancillarytweets. Obviously ancillarycharacters.com is our home on the web. 

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Brand New Feature: The Bounce #1 (Image Comics)

by Joe Casey and David Messina

Sometimes all it takes is a creative team, a great cover and you have eager readers excited for your first issue. The Bounce comes from a pretty strong creative team and what is apparent in the first issue is that they have big plans for this story. The world set up and the different elements teased in the opening issue all point to great potential. The Bounce #1, however, may have more ideas than it can handle, resulting in a strange opening chapter.

Episode 64: Star Trek Into Darkness & Arrow Season Finale

Episode 64 brings the band back together for their first recording as a complete collective in three weeks. 

What do they talk about? Well, the intro alone contains a lengthy discussion about Star Trek Into Darkness spurred on by a listener letter. Then they talk about the Arrow season finale. That's just the intro though...

During the news they dig into the Agents of Shield and the latest round of DC's New 52 cancellations.

Then the Take-it-or-Leave-it segment.

Allen review Green Team #1 and Regular Show #1.

Ethan reviews Half Past Danger #1 and X-O Manowar #13.

Paul reviews Justice League #20 and Adventures of Superman #4.

Seth reviews Superman #20 and Iron Man #10

And then they group hug like a flock of penguins riding out a cold winter's night.

Find us on the web at ancillarycharacters.com, ancillarycharacters.libsyn.com or youtube.com/ancillarycharacters. 

In social media land you can track us down at facebook.com/ancillarycharacters or on twitter @ancillarytweets. Send in your letters to letters@ancillarycharacters.com and don't forget to RATE and REVIEW us on iTunes!

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Brand New Feature: Dream Thief #1 (Dark Horse Comics)

by Jai Nitz, Greg Smallwood

Sometimes the best stories are the ones readers have to work for. There is a fine line, though, where asking too much of your reader can be more damaging than asking nothing of them. Jai Nitz and Greg Smallwood present Dream Thief, a miniseries from Dark Horse. Here, readers are introduced to a fascinatingly unique story that balances several genres and influences for a final product that will surely draw them in for more.

As it opens, readers are quick to infer that the lead character is a bit of a deadbeat. Johnny wakes up, seemingly hungover with little knowledge of how he came to be in this room with last night's pretty face. Already, Nitz employs an interesting tactic with dual narration from the same character. Johnny is writing a letter to his son, and he is also narrating a bit, each employing different colored text boxes, and each serving separate purposes, though appearing within the same panels. Readers learn was once married, has kids and now a girlfriend but seems to have spent the night with none of those people.

Episode 63: The Goon

You read it right, the Ancillary Characters take Erik Powell's The Goon! Join us as we talk industry news (Marvel Cartoons made by Disney?!?!), and of course a slew of reviews, including Avengers #11, The Movement #1, Adventures of Superman #2, Age of Ultron #7 and Iron Man #9!

Wanna support the show? We don't need money donations, we need iTunes reviews! And letters, sent to letters@ancillarycharacters.com!

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