Jonathan Hickman is a resident god amongst the Brothers Omega these days. It may not be forever. For much as it occurs on the Mountains of Olympus, Gods can fall. Just ask us about Mark Millar. But right now he’s spitting prose-gold, and he’s teaming up with Nick Pitarra to bring us ‘The Red Wing.”

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[images & words is the comic book pick-of-the-week at OL. equal parts review and diatribe, the post highlights the most memorable/infuriating/entertaining book released that wednesday]

After some deliberation, I’ve made the executive decision that OL is going to officially endorse FF #1 as the comic book of the week.

So why the hesitation? Well, I guess I was concerned that my choice would be scrutinized, determined to be nothing more than a declaration of pure fanboyism. After all, I did award the Images & Words honors to the final issue of Fantastic Four. And then I interviewed Nick Dragotta, said comic’s illustrator. And since I’m coming completely clean, I might as well admit that I featured the penultimate issue of Fantastic Four, as well.

So I didn’t want to come across as yet another Internet mouthbreather, shamelessly celebrating his current favorite bit of entertainment.

But after reading and re-reading FF, there’s no denyin’ that Jonathan Hickman has got me hooked. Indefensibly. The dude scripts the First Family with an earnestness that makes me weep. Forreal. As I read this issue, I can feel my heartstrings being yanked on with a violent fervor, reminding me that at its best science fiction is a genre concerned with the human condition. Hickman understands that the most outlandish of scenarios can resonate sympathetic.

Hell, even interdimensional conflicts and premonitions from the future can be imbued with familial strain.

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It almost seems ridiculous to get excited about anything surrounding the forthcoming Zack Snyder Superman Reboot Abortion. Sucker Punch has taught me that. Well, it should have. Yet, here I am. Amy Adams has been cast as Lois Lane, and I can’t help but be excited. Isn’t this the definition of insanity or whatever?

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[face of a franchise presents two individuals that’ve fulfilled the same role. your task — choose the better of the two and defend your choice in the rancor pit that is the comments section]

Superman might be the hardest of all comics characters to cast. Why is that? Well, whoever plays him has to convey the power of a God while still coming across as a down-to-earth, awh-shucks farm boy. He eats mama’s apple pie and shits lightning bolts. He’s jacked as shit, but not a beefcake roid-head. Capable of pulverizing mountains, but always wears a smile that warms hearts.

Yeah, it’s a tough one.

From 1993-1997, Dean Cain graced ABC television with a magnanimous performance as the Man of Steel. So impressive was his four-year stint that he’s gone on to secure himself a spot as the host of TV’s greatest freakshow.

On the other hand, Brandon Routh graced the silver screen with his portrayal of Kal-El in 2006’s Superman Returns. While the film was a disasterpiece both financially and plot-wise, Routh should be commended for his work.

So who is it? Superman from that wacky TV show? Or Superman from that disappointing movie?

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Ah, Starbucks. Where you saddle up to your Macbook Pro, with your Obama t-shirt on, reading up on the Huffington Post or something else bullshitty while sipping overpriced dirt water. Yeah, I’m typecasting. Fuck you! Well now us nerds are going to be storming into Starbucks. You see, Marvel has signed a deal with Starbucks which will allow patrons of the coffee house cult to access all of Marvel’s Digital Comics Unlimited free through  Starbucks’ Digital Network.

In other words, go to Starbucks. Buy croissant. Browse all of Marvel’s digital comics for free.

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Man, I can’t help it. The first full-length trailer for Captain America: The First Avenger is pretty fucking awesome. God damn, and I thought my low expectations were going to carry me through this movie with some sort of enjoyment. Now I’m expecting this pig to kick ass, which is, of course, the function of every trailer. To skillfully manipulate footage into giving fanboys boners.

Still though, fuck yeah.

Hit the jump for the trailer, and leave your thoughts.

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Last year both DC and Marvel announced that they were scaling back prices from $3.99 to $2.99 on their funny books. The Marvel announcement came right after the DC announcement, and many thought they were piggybacking the idea. And while DC seemed to come through with it, Marvel didn’t drop their prices in the sense that they intimated they would. Last weekend, this led to DC executive Eddie Berganza calling Marvel a pack of liars.

I love a good comic executive throwdown.

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The amazing adventure that is guessing Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s role in The Dark Knight Rises continues. Back in the day, he was totally the Riddler. Then he was Robin. Then he was Alberto Falcone. Supposedly. Then he was confirmed as Alberto Falcone by Variety. Now he’s unconfirmed.

Of course.

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The “Who is faster, Superman or Flash?” question is one that is two things: fucking awesome, and certain to drum up fanboy hate, humor, angst, and outage. We can also now account for this question leading to the fascist pigs over at the DC Comics blog turning off commenting on the site.

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JGL. First rumored, and now signed to The Dark Knight Rises. JGL. First rumored, and now confirmed to be playing Alberto Falcone in The Dark Knight Rises. Nolan’s trilogy takes a thematically sensible turn, tying all the movies together with a throwback to Falcone in the original flick, with a son that’s inspired by Joker’s escalation of the game in the second.

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