Programming Note: Sean & Megan Watch Game of Thrones

With a heavy heart, I must report that the hit Cool Kids Table column "Sean & Megan Watch Game of Thrones" will not be returning for a second season at this time. Having recently become a full-time registered nurse in the NICU at [hospital name redacted], Megan cites increased professional pressure and resultant decreased free time as forcing her to give up her responsibilities.

"Why are you bothering me, Dance Moms is on," Megan said when asked to comment for this announcement.

Fortunately, you can still catch the illustrious Sean "Mr." T. Collins' thoughts on Game of Thrones at the Rolling Stone web site as well as MTV.com.

Will this feature return? Megan says if there is fan demand she will "consider coming back, but probably not."

Good night, and good luck.

17 and a half years ago...

I was going to try and write a real post tonight, but I've got a sinus infection and a new iPhone and the combination of the two is making it difficult to concentrate.

However, I also don't really want the poster for The Help to lead the site all week (no offense, ladies, great movie), so instead, let's fire up the way back machine and take a visual look at what comics 12-year-old Ben was picking up...

(Why 17 and a half years ago? Because I was only reading like three comics regularly 20 years ago, I wasn't reading any 15 years ago, and I wanted to stay in the 90's)

Americop, Azrael as Batman and Bart Sears on Silver Surfer covers--good times in 1994.

Books I know for sure I was collecting but for whatever reason skipped in June of that year (I looked it up): Avengers, Adventures of Superman and, of course, Nova. I have the issues before and after of each. Avengers was an anniversary issue (Proctor!) and probably cost more than usual, Adventures of Superman was in the middle of a crossover with the other Superman books which I didn't read...but Nova was tying into Time and Time Again in New Warriors, which I was totally reading, so, I have no idea.

Avengers VS X-Men Classic

It's time for another lame apology post about not posting more frequently lately, but if you saw the news today, you now know I was busy prepping for the announcement of Avengers VS X-Men, the major Marvel event of 2012. Further, I was getting ready for our very cool Livestream event tomorrow, during which we'll have all the creative big guns on to interact with fans in a neat new kind of format.

So while this week will still be packed with a lot of work that may keep me away from the Table, let me leave you with a very special CLASSIC look at Avengers vs X-Men...

...from issue #3 of the 1996 volume of Captain Marvel where Avengers Forever cast member Genis-Vell threw down with yours and my favorite not-really-an-X-Man-but-tried-to-help-during-Fear-Itself-and-he's-really-awesome...X-TREME! I've never read it, but dang, given my love for Adam-X, the former Legacy and all things Fabian Nicieza, why the heck haven't I?

Enjoy AvX!

Oh, and for those who are tired of seeing only the women of comics do the "brokeback" pose...

For the ladies! And fellas who like fellas! And weird Legacy fetish people!

Happy Thanksgiving from the CKT!

I'm currently up in Massachusetts stocking up for Turkey Day and who knows what those other scamps have planned, but from all of us here to all of our American readers, have a safe and happy Thanksgiving. And for all our British readers, remember that we won. The rest of you, just have a nice day.

90's Animated X-Men: Where are they now?

While I grew up in the Blue and Gold era of the X-Men and tended to follow Adjectiveless mostly because Fabian Nicieza wrote it and Andy Kubert drew it, I never really acknowledged Psylocke as a true member of the team and constantly wondered where Storm, Jean Grey and Jean Grey's ponytail were. Why? Because the core team on the 90's Animated Series were my X-Men.

And while Morph was on that roster for a sec before getting destroyed (can't say killed) to the degree that even Sinister's science couldn't cure the bags under his eyes and Cable guest-starred enough to seem like he was legit, I only truly acknowledge the X-Men who had their own rad name sequences during the theme song montage (including Wolverine in his underwear and Beast reading a book).

That means Cyclops, Wolverine, Storm, Rogue, Gambit, Beast, Jubilee, Jean Grey (no code name) and Professor X with blue lines radiating out of his head.

With the X-Men getting a new line-up and because I was feeling a bit nostalgic, I figured I'd do a quick visual check-in on the gang...

Dammit, Cyclops! Why can't you get along with anybody/keep your pants on/prevent Jubilee from becoming a vampire?!

Oh well, at least he and Storm are still getting along...

Also, here's Gambit

Things will be fine if you guys just support each other...

...right, Morph?

Still tired...

Some days it's like you're Adam-X fighting the Juggernaut, gang.

Working hard at the day job, hoping to be back to night writing (that sounds awesome) soon as well.

Survived New York Comic Con, I'm Exhausted

It was an awesome show, but a long, long show. Posting may take longer to resume than normal as a result.

As always, please enjoy this picture of Adam-X the X-Treme in the mean time.

I'm going to Disney World!

No, seriously I am.

See you next week!

Off to San Diego (2011 edition)!

Sorry for the lack of posting of late, but we've all been busy preparing as the monolithic comics brouhaha known as Comic-Con International, she does approach. I myself am headed out west bright and early tomorrow morning, so this is likely the last you shall hear from me on this blog until at least next week.

HOWEVER!

You can follow my live streaming adventures all week long with Marvel.com Live, providing full coverage of Comic-Con with great guests, up to the minute news, yada yada yada. I'll also be liveblogging and posting stories at Marvel.com Classic.

Kiel will be doing his thing as well over at Comic Book Resources, so swing by there as well.

See you in seven!

This Dude Looks Like Adam-X

Twitter gave me a wonderful gift today, as I mused about not knowing what to blog about next and pondered perhaps hitting the Adam-X well again. Gavin Naught of Panels On Pages shot back this incredible picture of himself from a few years ago...

Mr. Naught, page your agent, because we've got to get a script together and hit Hollywood! Get ready for X-Treme: The Motion Picture!

12 Titles DC Forgot to Reboot

If you've read Kiel's weekly Talk to the Hat chat with Tom Brevoort--and if you haven't, what's your problem?--you know by now that some folks at the Marvel offices held a "Guess the 52 DC Reboot Titles" pool and yours truly came out on top--despite the fact that I somehow left Green Lantern off my list.

How did I do it? A combination of knowledge, research, luck and maybe some bribes to make sure no new Lobo book would allow C.B. Cebulski to steal my win.

I also didn't put down any of these titles...

ATARI FORCEBLOOD PACKDOOM FORCEFIREBRANDTHE KINDRED IILAB RATSMASTERS OF THE UNIVERSESONIC DISRUPTORSSTRANGE SPORTS STORIESSUPERBOY AND THE RAVERSTAKIONWELCOME, BACK KOTTER

For the record? I would have most likely bought every one of those books (Superboy & the Ravers twice).

Good luck to all my friends over at DC--especially the ones whose pictures are up in the corner there--on this big new initiative. I'll be reading!

An Open Letter To Geoff Johns & Jim Lee

Dear Misters Johns and Lee,

How's it going? It's been a while since I spoke with you on the phone at a prearranged time. Did you do BBQ on Memorial Day?

Anyway, I'm writing about your new Justice League comic, which was announced today as part of a big honkin DC Comics relaunch of your entire line. What rad news! I'm sure with your past work, you guys will have some cool shit on tap for the League. However, I've got to admit I was a little bummed when I heard the lineup would consist of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern and Aquaman. No Martian Manhunter? J'onn J'onzz denied?

Then I thought about it for a minute, and it occurred to me: is this about his collar?

I know the team is dressing for success with a unified look to their outfits – it's a nice touch! But seriously, they shouldn't be afraid if the Manhunter from Mars wants to pop his up every once in a while. Motherfucker has been popping his collar for years, see?





If this still doesn't convince you, may I suggest the following candidates for League expansion:









I very much look forward to your new comic in September.

Sincerely,

- Kiel Phegley