Opinions May Vary (comics movies & videogames)

It's not every day that we have a record holder on our show.

In fact...there have been a grand total of zero days that we've had a record holder on our show...until now.

Our guest this week is Bob Bretall. Not only is Bob a huge comic fan, the founder of comicspectrum.com, and an all-around great guy but he's also the proud owner of the Guinness World Record for the largest comic collection. With a collection of over 95,000 unique comic books Bob has been officially recognized and enshrined in the record books. Pretty neat, right?

Don't believe me? Go to your local Barnes & Noble/bookstore and grab the new record book, flip to page 172 and boom. That's Bob.

Episode 137 is all about Bob, his website, his record, and how to be a true comic collector. Check it out!

-Jr.

Direct download: 10.30.2014_Episode_137.mp3
Category:Comics Movies & Videogames -- posted at: 5:25pm EDT
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Enjoying the episode?

Well we also have a new video for you to watch! This time it's just me showing all the Invincible I picked up this past summer. Despite the fact that I've always dug the book I had one of those revelations over the past few months that turned it into a Top 3 book for me. I went from being the guy who waited for the hardcovers to the guy who is checking Ottley/Kirkman's twitter every week for info on the new issue.

Part of me wants to blame it on the declining quality of Big Two books over the past year or so (personal opinion, of course) but really it's just because Invincible is that damn good. I've always been a fan of Kirkman's work since I read my first issue of Walking Dead in 2006 but what makes the book a total home run is the art. Ottley just nails it and when combined with Kirkman's storytelling you just get one hell of a book.

You know, this happens every time. I mention Invincible then I go on some huge tangent about how dope it is. We literally did this like...3 weeks ago. Well. Either way. Check out our new video...I talk about Invincible some more in it. Enjoy!

 -Jr.

Direct download: 10.24.2014_Episode_136.mp3
Category:Comics Movies & Videogames -- posted at: 9:56am EDT
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I spent $60 at NYCC this year. Can you believe that? Aside from food and travel I managed to walk out of the largest pop-culture convention in the country having only spent $60.

I'm pretty proud of that. There have been years at NYCC where I've made some more than questionable financial decisions all in the name of comics...but this year? This year I was a true "adult". While it's somewhat depressing becoming this "adult" it's also kinda neat. The $60 that I spent went towards things that were both awesome and reasonable. That's what adults do, right?

After re-reading everything I just wrote I realized I sound like a total asshole. That was not my intention. I was merely just trying to point out that I'm better at making financial decisions than you. Wait. That came out wrong. What I was really trying to say is it's very possible to enjoy yourself at a massive convention without spending every cent you have...This is something I wish I realized about 4 years ago. Shows like NYCC have this mystifying way of dragging your money right out of your pocket and before you know it you're desperately swiping your bank card at the ATM praying you magically won the lottery or something. I've seen it happen a million times. Literally. One million. Don't be that guy.

Anyway. Jon and Will were both at NYCC while I was also at NYCC. Sadly Alex couldn't go with us to NYCC so our recap of NYCC is both for you and for Alex. NYCC madness. All up in everyone's NYCC faces. Enjoy, ya'll.

-Jr.

Direct download: 10.14.2014_Episode_135.mp3
Category:Comics Movies & Videogames -- posted at: 7:23pm EDT
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LIVE (sort-of...)

PRE-RECORDED: All the way from our makeshift studio in Alex's bedroom it's...

The 2014 OMV NYCC PRE-CONVENTION END-OF-SUMMER BASH!

No but seriously. After missing out on last year's NYCC show we're finally making our glorious return to the mighty Javits Center in New York City. Well. Half of us anyway. Sadly Alex is sidelined for a few weeks and will have to experience the show through me. Which means he'll be getting blurry pictures of video game booths and expensive toys all day. Sounds like a good time!

Jon, the legend himself, is also attending the show and joined us this week to discuss the guest list/plan our routes/debate politics. etc. You get the deal.

As always, expect an ass-ton of pictures to be uploaded over the course of the day and be on the lookout for next week's wrap-up episode where I'll tell Alex about all the money I spent.

-Jr.

Direct download: 10.7.2014_Episode_134.mp3
Category:Comics Movies & Videogames -- posted at: 10:58pm EDT
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This week's episode is a bit...different. About 2 minutes in you'll understand why. Not to worry though; 'tis only temporary. It goes without saying that we wish Alex a speedy recovery and we're anxious to get him back in the studio with us ASAP!

In less depressing news:

After we finished up with recording last night Colin and Joe took their mid/late twenty year-old bodies and slept over at my place. Why would these fully grown adults do such a thing? The answer is pretty simple: At midnight we all started giggling really loud while we downloaded the new Smash Brothers game on our Nintendo 3DS videogame consoles. I mean seriously. You probably should have guessed that.

Anyway. In the past 20 hours I'd say I've put around 8-10 of them into playing smash. That includes the brief time that my body required some sort of sleep.

It's good.

It's really good. Like. Way better than I ever expected a handheld version of Smash Bros. to be. Seriously. Check out these photos I snagged. Not only is the game a hell-of-a good time but it's also beautiful.

Bros

             Remembering where they hid different gametypes can be tricky.

Characters                    So many choices....and I haven't even unlocked all of them...

Going into the 3DS version one of the biggest concerns for me was the online aspect. Playing Brawl online was never a good time for me. It was plagued with laggy connections and confusing matchmaking that left such a bad taste in my mouth I rarely ever went near it. (To be fair I played maybe 3 matches online. I can't say I ever took a good chunk of time to try to figure it out)

However: I've played around 10 matches on the 3DS version and so far I'm very optimistic. While I'm still getting thrashed like usual it seems to be much easier to pair up with friends, find matches, and get to smashing.

Online 1

               Nintendo made the online menus nearly idiotproof aka Jr-proof

One aspect that I really enjoy is the "For Fun" or "For Glory" option. It's pretty simple: If you want to just go in and play around without worrying about stats than For Fun is for you. If you're a hardcore smasher who wants to brag about their W/L record or their K/D ratio you might want to head on over to For Glory. Either way there's something for just about everyone who might want to play online and you don't have to be a legendary Smash God to get any fun out of it.

online 2

                   Seriously, though. For Glory is the only way to go. *flex*

I'm already well on my way to having a fantastic record. I mean seriously. Check out these stats. I'm not going to say you should bow to me or start paying me for lessons but...

bad

You can expect a full review of the game in the coming weeks. Once we really get a chance to play every mode/smash all the things we'll put our mics in front of our faces and tell you all about it. Until then you should all go out. Buy a 3DS. Buy a copy of Smash Bros and thank us later.

-Jr.

Direct download: 10.2.2014_Episode_133.mp3
Category:Comics Movies & Videogames -- posted at: 9:15pm EDT
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I just got back from a day of cider pressing. More detailed blog coming as soon as I dominate this nap.

After you finish this week's episode you can entertain yourself with a new video!

 -Jr.

Direct download: 9.26.2014_Episode_132.mp3
Category:Comics Movies & Videogames -- posted at: 6:20pm EDT
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We've mentioned our love of Invincible and Ryan Ottley's artwork once or twice in the past...

Once or twice.

Anyway. During one of the many trips to Ottley's table at Boston last month Colin and I struck up a conversation with the dude behind the table with him. That dude's name is Rob and after talking with this dude for 10 minutes I knew this dude had to come on the show.

Listen to his story and take note. It pays to be nice and not that guy who just slams a stack of comics down in front of a creator. It's crazy how far a simple conversation will get you.

Also, it just so happens that Rob is the moderator of the Invincible Facebook page and Twitter account. HINT: If you're looking to see sketches/pages/covers/info you're going to want to give those pages a follow.

Now as much as I'd love to keep writing about how cool Rob is and how much we gush about Ryan Ottley this episode...the Smash Bros demo is out and I need to go get my Mega Man on.

OH! Before I bail here's another video we shot of Alex showing some of his recent finds:

-Jr.

Direct download: 9.19.2014_Episode_131.mp3
Category:Comics Movies & Videogames -- posted at: 11:40am EDT
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True story: Will used to be a door-to-door salesman.

This fact is evident when he comes on and pitches something to us.

Last time Will was on he pitched the card game Fluxx. I now own two different versions of the game and I tend to bring one of them whenver I go to a social gathering. I've turned into "that guy" who always brings "that game" and asks everyone to play it with him. I have no shame. I've accepted this.

This week Will's pitch is a little bit different....But he sold it just as well and now, like Fluxx, I'm pretty hooked.

I'm pathetic.

Quick side note: expect a lot more YouTube content to be coming at you soon. We've already uploaded a few videos this week with more on the way. Check out Alex's recent flea market finds:

PART ONE:

PART TWO:

 -Jr.

Direct download: 9.10.2014_Episode_130.mp3
Category:Comics Movies & Videogames -- posted at: 8:39pm EDT
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Last month at the Boston Comic Con we had a gentleman approach our table and ask us about our "Show us your art" sign. We told him about how we like to look at people's art and he informed us that he had some art to show.

Neat!

Well it turns out this gentleman wasn't lying. His name was Tom and he had a book. A tome. An encyclopedia sized sketchbook: Full. Of. Sketches.

It was....amazing. Our jaw's dropped and our eyes filled with tears (just kidding. OR AM I?) This man had a collection that would make any comic fan stand in awe. Pages upon pages of a themed sketchbook; each page with a different artist drawing a different "giant evil robot". So simple. Yet so genius.

Tom turned out to be a cool dude and he's a friend of Charlie from Sketchprices. It was a no-brainer: We had to have him on the show.

And we did.

And now you can listen to it.

Also, while you're listening: Check out Tom's comedy group. They could be coming to a convention near you so be on the lookout!

-Jr.

Direct download: 9.6.2014_Episode_129.mp3
Category:Comics Movies & Videogames -- posted at: 7:28pm EDT
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Mike was back this week.

We talked about Marvel stuff.

Chris Pratt is too cool.

Yeah. This is happening.

A frequent topic

Makes its glorious return.

Kickstarter owns us.

 You wouldn't believe how long it took me to write those two terrible Haikus. But, they happened. So we'd best all just deal with it and move on.

Please don't let this post ruin 128 for you. I promise the episode is better than my attempt at syllabic poetry.

Mike episodes are always fun and full of Marvel goodness. Once again I'm made to feel foolish with my lack of S.H.I.E.L.D. knowledge.  That alone should make the everything worth it. Enjoy!

-Jr.

Direct download: 8.29.2014_Episode_128.mp3
Category:Comics Movies & Videogames -- posted at: 10:46pm EDT
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