DEBUT COLUMN at FORCES OF GEEK - T.H.U.N.D.E.R AGENTS / THE WORLD BELOW

AM I CRAZY? HERE’S A NEW SITE I’M WRITING FOR - FORCES OF GEEK!

Enjoy! — Clay

SPENCER FOR HIRE: T.H.U.N.D.E.R. AGENTS / THE WORLD BELOW

Joss Whedon’s The Avengers will surely be a blockbuster hit this summer and most teenagers are familiar with the Justice League from the cartoons, but today

we focus on the best superhero team you’ve never heard of, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents.

Named after 60s spy thriller The Man From U.N.C.L.E., The Higher United Nations Defense Enforcement Reserves operates outside the boundaries of national interest, working to achieve world peace. The late artist Wally Wood and writer Len Brown created the first series, and now rising star Nick Spencer (Morning Glories, Iron Man 2.0) leads the team to the future.

Dynamo, NoMan, Menthor, Raven and Lightning fight the organization S.P.I.D.E.R. (Secret People’s International Directorate for Extralegal Revenue) and also a Subterranean society.

[READ MORE at FORCES OF GEEK]

EARTH PRIME TIME: THANKS FOR GHOST RIDER, NOW PAY US $17K

On the eve of the release of Nicolas Cage reprising his role as demon hero Ghost Rider, we hear the unfortunate strategy of Marvel’s lawyers going after the character’s creator, Gary Friedrich. The debate and discussion in the comic market is lively on the matter of creative ownership this past week. Are Marvel and Disney lawyers being unreasonable with the creator of this top selling property, or are work-for-hire artists retroactively reviewing their original deals?

In 1967, Marvel published the star of my recurring nightmares (1978-present)—a gun wielding ghost on a spirit horse called The Ghost Rider. After the introduction of the flaming motorcycle-and-chains madman we are more familiar with in the 1970s, this character was changed to The Phantom Rider.

When not terrorizing my fever dreams, The Phantom Rider, with his stardust-infused cloak and Colt .44 shoots phantom bullets and rides his horse Banshee.

[READ MORE at DIGBOSTON.COM]

DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for February 15, 2012

COMICS

Sci-fi author Harlan Ellison (Star Trek; I, Robot) returns to his comic book roots with Phoenix Without Ashes set on a farm in 2785. What mysterious force sends rogue farmer Devon on a quest before the world is devastated? … Cobra Commander is back, baby. And so is the G.I. Joe movie franchise. Jon Chu takes the reigns for the promising sequel. Snake Eyes & Roadblock star in G.I. Joe 2: Retaliation #1. … Amazing Spider-Man entices new readers with a confusing numbering. It’s Peter vs. Morbius the Living Vampire in ASM 679.1. LeaguePodcast picks the winners this week!

DigBoston and LeaguePodcast Comic Book Picks of the Week for February 8, 2012

COMICS

Did you ever want to lead a double life? How about a wife and kids coupled with a penchant for high stake heistery? Thief of Thieves #1 from our favorite writers Robert Kirkman and Nick Spencer is on store shelves today. … While the big blue boy scout was out fighting the War of the Supermen, Lex Luthor took over the pages of Action Comics. Fueled by a lust for the Orange Lantern power of Avarice, the anti-hero’s journey teams him up with Sandman’s sister Death in Superman: The Black Ring. … Does the Merc with a Mouth bite it by meeting up with the Family Guy’s Death played by Norm McDonald, or is Deadpool’s demise brought on by his own body parts gone rogue? Deadpool #50 is listed as CLASSIFIED, but he’s gonna die (spoilers). Spoilers from LeaguePodcast. Pass the Daily Dig along! Your friends can sign up here!

EARTH PRIME TIME: INFINITE SADNESS, LIEFELD & KIRKMAN SERIES CANCELED

Infiinite #2 - Liefeld / McFarlane (variant)

Just months before San Diego Comic-Con last year, The Walking Dead writer and Skybound publisher Robert Kirkman announced a new project with Image Comics co-founder Rob Liefeld. The Infinite is the story of 40-year-old Bowen, who has traveled back in time to team up with his 19-year-old self to battle an evil organization called The Infinite. The Infinite Volume 1 collects the first four issues, and is available in stores. Rob Liefeld cited creative differences with Kirkman on Twitter this weekend as the cause for the end of the book.

[READ MORE at DIGBOSTON.COM]