text:
AICN COMICS REVIEWS the new DC #0 issues hitting the stands today!!!
|Issue #19
|Release Date: 9/5/12
(Click title to go directly to the review)
Optimous Douche here. Ahhh September...the gentle chill at dusk, school buses adding another 15 minutes to my commute each morning, and comic shelves stocked with covers thematically aligned to trounce the sales figures of the competition.
Last year, DC KOd Marvel with the New 52. And before you choose to blindly disbelieve my words, love it or hate it, the sales numbers don't lie. This year, DC's sacrificial lamb is a time before last year, a time before 1, 0 time (like Hammer Time without the parachute pants).
Some will foolishly ask, "Wouldn't the time before last year's Ones technically be pre-flashpoint and thus old DC continuity?" You know what, take your silly goddamn logic and go read a text book. This is comics damn it. This is whatever time DC says it is. HARUMPH!!!!
Despite being a staunch DC defender, I'm not blind. These 0s have an uphill battle ahead, especially if expected to perform on the same level of last year's #1s. This year DC will have to contend with a split market share thanks to Marvel Now ( a name by the way that reeks of Disney's Mousealini branding department), and frankly its own baggage. Last year we were willing to give everything a chance since we didn't know what to expect. Now that we've all had time to choose our favorites, I predict there will be much less title exploration since these are essentially one-shot deep dives and what some are calling a continuity course correction to fill gaps between the end of Flashpoint and the start of the #1s.
Personally, I'm going to read them all for two reasons: one, most of the creative teams have gone through a shake down. Liefeld wasn't the only dead wood last year, he was simply the douchiest and most vocal. I believe firmly in the theory there are no crappy characters, just crappy creators. There were also quite a few pleasant surprises last year. I had never been into characters like ANIMAL MAN, FRANKENSTEIN or CATWOMAN for that matter, but they all quickly became some of my favorite reads in 2012.
I traverse this first set of 0's asking two questions:
Is this a course correction for books that have lost their way?
Is it a necessary stop in the action, does it correct a misstep from before or provide valuable information to catapult the second year of New 52 (which by now we should probably call sorta-new-52)?
EARTH 2 # 0Writer: James Robinson
Artist: Tomas Giorello
Reviewer: Optimous Douche
EARTH 2, like most of the New 52 Team books has been missing an extremely necessary infusion of evil. While I applauded the premise to 86 the Holy Trinity of Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman to allow a modern JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA to rise in their wake, the book until now has been the equivalent of super hero speed dating without any palpable sense of danger to drive the joining.
Green Lantern, Hawkwoman and Flash needed a reason to come together. Well, now we have it in the form of Terry Sloan. Sloan is the smartest man on Earth 2 and one of this earth's original eight meta-humans.
Sloan or Mr. 8 as he went by before the cataclysmic events of EARTH 2 issue 1, should not be confused with the Pre-52 Sloane or the original Mr. Terrific. Aside from being the smartiest smarty pants in tights there are no other similarities.
Sloane basically joins the league of other smarty pants like Ozymandias and Hitler who believe the only solution to what ails the world is the final solution. So this prequel is actually an exercise in genocide once Sloan decides the only way to erase the anti-life equation plaguing Earth 2 is to blow the living shit out of everyone affected.
Most believe that Sloan died during this process, but as we see at the end of this zero issue and I imagine in upcoming issues of EARTH 2, Sloan is alive, well and ready to pit his big brain against the JSA (once they meet each other that is).
EARTH 2 definitely passes my two pronged test of offering a deeper look at EARTH 2 history and giving the JSA the one thing it has been terribly missing - danger.
Optimous has successfully blackmailed fellow @$$Hole BottleImp into being his artist on Average Joe. Look for Imp's forced labor on Optimous brain child in mid-2012 from COM.X. Friend Optimous on FaceBook to get Average Joe updates and because ceiling cat says it's the right thing to do.
SWAMP THING #0Writer: Scott Snyder
Art: Kano
Reviewer: Matt Adler
Arcane takes the lead role in this issue, and boy howdy is he creepy.
There is one scene where he transforms into this creepy crawling brain thing and just squishes a baby's head….brrrr. It's also interesting that, just as in Animal Man, he is not exactly a charge in and kill everyone kind of guy… he prefers to trap his prey, taking the form of someone seemingly innocuous, or at least someone the Green or Red champion thinks they can handle, and just when they think it's safe to go in the water…BAM! He rips out of the skin he's stolen, and devours them. With that much power you'd think he wouldn't need to go to such elaborate lengths, but it seems it's a game he likes playing.
Anyway, we get another origin, this time for Alec Holland/Swamp Thing, but you likely already know the basics… the real point of this issue is to showcase the ongoing war between the Green and the Red on the one hand, and the Rot, representing death, on the other. I must say I'm impressed by the degree of coordination between these two books. Credit must of course go to the editors, but I think the writers also deserve it, because many writers these days prefer to play only in their own sandbox, and don't want the hassle of coordinating with what someone else is doing.
The results here in SWAMP THING #0 are worth it, I think.
Matt Adler is a writer/journalist, currently writing for AICN among other outlets. He's been reading comics for 20 years, writing about them for 7, and spends way, way, too much time thinking about them, which means he really has no choice but to figure out how to make a living out of them. He welcomes all feedback.
GREEN ARROW #0Writer: Ann Nocenti or is it Judd Winick??
Penciler: Freddie Williams II
Inker: Rob Hunter
Reviewer: Johnny Destructo
So first off: a typo. The cover of the issue reads Ann Nocenti as the writer, but the interior writing credit goes to Judd Winick. Just seems like something worth mentioning. Anyhoo:
There hasn't been one single thing that I've enjoyed about the DCnU's Green Arrow series up until this point. Though, that isn't any gargantuan surprise since I only really liked GA when he was putting the moves on the Black Canary, and in the animated Justice League cartoon. I know he and Hawkeye have their followers, but frankly my favorite archer right at this moment is Catniss Everdeen, since I'm currently embroiled in the middle of the third installment of the Hunger Games series. As you type your taunts, I must maintain that a person running around with a bow and arrows is only as interesting as their relationships and this version of GA just hasn't done it for me. But, loving an underdog, and having really enjoyed Ollie's failed attempts at getting onto the Justice League, I WANT to like a GA book.
Well, here it is. We are re-introduced to Oliver Queen, a grown up, douchey Richie-Rich, who throws parties on oil rigs, because WHYNOTTHAT'SWHY! Seems like a pretty ok idea for a kid who keeps failing out of the jobs his daddy gives him as punishment, right? Well, sure. He's having a blast, fooling around with target practice, his best friend Tommy Merlyn is there, as well as his latest girlfriend Leena who seems to be into more than his money. Good times! That is until a ridiculous refugee from a 90's Image comic, who is almost covered in cyborg parts and even sports the obligatory robot eye crashes the party! His name is Iron Eagle and he's come for the oil rig's...um....oil. Presumably because his improbable suit keeps rusting up. Thankfully though for Ollie, even though the guy is 98% covered in armor, he does leave his detonator arm completely unprotected, basically painting a cozy little bull's-eye for a would-be arrow slinger.
That's when the S hits the F though and stuff gets serious. Things don't go so well when Ollie tries to save the day, to a staggering degree. I realize this review takes a couple jabs, but I wasn't invested in the story until Ollie really puts his fat in a fire of his own making. The extent to which he messes up is enough to leave a lesser man a blubbering head-case for the remainder of his life. So much so, that this seems like the origin story for a GA that hasn't been in the last year of issues.
Hold on...checking Wikipedia right now...here's what they have:
"In DC's 2011 launch of the New 52, Green Arrow was given his own ongoing series. Ollie Queen is Green Arrow and he balances his own breaking of laws with his efforts to bring outlaws to justice across the globe."
Wow. Twelve issues of this comic so far, and this is the entry for GA.
I'm curious to see what's going to happen as soon as we get back into the regular swing of things for ole Ollie. Will this origin story affect Ollie currently? I certainly hope so. I also hope there are less cyborgy ass-hats playing villain and more interesting characters on the horizon. Because it's those characters that are going to make or break this series moving forward.
If you like Green Arrow but haven't been enjoying the series so far, give this one a shot!
JD can be found hosting the PopTards Podcast, drawing a weekly webcomic, discussing movies, comics and other flimflam over at www.poptardsgo.com, graphically designing/illustrating for a living, and Booking his Face off over here. Follow his twitter @poptardsgo. His talkback name is PopTard_JD. He is also now co-hosting another Comic Book discussion show on Party934.com alongside Bohdi Zen. They discuss comics and play music, check it out live every Saturday from 4-5pm.
GREEN LANTERN # 0Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Doug Mahnke
Reviewer: Optimous Douche
Now wait one gosh darn Guardian blumpkin minute here. I distinctly remember in my last year of formal education my 4th grade teacher telling us that 0 comes before 1. So why then does everything in this book happen after the events of GL 12 and Annual 1? Hmmm...well perhaps I was presumptuous in my dogmatic adherence to numbers dictating chronology or perhaps I simply misread the press releases or the other books that all take place in the time between FLASHPOINT and New 52. I will say though. GREEN LANTERN issue 13, I mean 0, does meet one of my expectations for the 0 issues in that it drastically changes the trajectory of this title for the remainder of 2012.
Hal Jordan is dead. Sorry if this comes as a shock, but since it happened 3 weeks ago, you probably really don't care or just came back with the rest of the castaways aboard the newly repaired SS Minnow. Aloha castaways Hal Jordan is dead and his new GFF Sinestro went with him.
So that leaves a ring without a wielder, and here is where my sarcasm ends and my sheer adoration begins. Bravo Johns, DC, or whoever made the decision to make bring forth a ring wielder straight from the Arabic slums of Detroit Michigan (I'm guessing Johns since this was his old stomping grounds). The man under the hold-up mask wielding the most powerful weapon existence...and a gun (don't ask it wasn't explained) is Simon Baz. Baz is an Arab American in the wrong place at the wrong time. Now don't get me wrong, he's far from being a man without sin, but his car thieving ways go horribly wrong when the van he jacks is carrying enough TNT to level an entire abandoned auto factory.
So after a harrowing opening car chase and explosion thanks to Mehnke's tight penciling, the story moves to Gitmo where Baz is being "lawfully" held as an enemy of state.
Johns hits every hot button with this issue, some will call it pandering, I call it timely and an infusion of truth we need to see more of in comic books. Political? To be sure, but comics should be political, they should inject real world woes to give the fantastical more impact.
So that's our new GREEN LANTERN. No this doesn't fill in any gaps, but it made think about an issue that hasn't been explored since the news cycle got bored with it, and I'm more excited for the direction of GREEN LANTERN than I ever was before.
G.I. COMBAT #0Writers: Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray, & J.T. Krul
Art: Staz Johnson & Ariel Olivetti
Reviewer: Ambush Bug
G.I. COMBAT is one of those obscure titles that I love. It also is one of those obscure titles that rarely make it for very many issues. This is mainly due to the fact that this series is going to appeal to a very small percentage; those who love war stories spiced with a little bit of weirdness. Now, I just happen to be one of those weirdoes who likes that sort of thing. It gets me riled up just as G.I. JOE stories with its bizarre mix of military and fantasy does.
Consisting of two different tales in each issue, G.I. COMBAT is one of those books which gives the reader a second chance to like it every time. If one story isn't really do your liking, turn a few pages and the second story might be more up your alley. In this case, I found some problems with both of the stories in this #0 issue, but not enough to keep me from recommending it.
My main problem with this entire issue is that both stories start out in what seems to be the middle of the story. Though it didn't take me long to piece together what was going on, I do think that new readers might be a bit confused if this is the first G.I. COMBAT comic they pick up which feels pretty counter-intuitive to this entire zero issue event, if you ask me.
The main story centers on Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray's reimagining of the Unknown Soldier and the concept is a winner. I like the idea of the spirit of an eternal warrior who rises in the heat of battle to take over the body of a fallen soldier in order to fight the good fight. In this issue, our amnesiac vet is trying to uncover the secret of his curse. Though some vague comic book science, an underground military organization (which I later found out by reading the WHO'S WHO page in the back of the book to be called A.M.M.O.—which stands for Advanced Military Medical Operations) is able to put the UK under and have him relive some of his past lives. Though this story was heavy on the exposition—more so than what I've come to expect from a Palmiotti and Gray comic which usually handles action well, I was still enthralled by the strong concept and cool flashback sequences of the Unknown Soldier battling it out through various warzones through history. Staz Johnson is a decent pick for artist here, though I would have loved to have seen an artist with a big more depth and grit handling the chores in those awesome battle scenes.
Story two is light on actual story, but the visuals definitely make up for it. I'm a sucker for Man vs. Nature survival tales and this is a decent one as a present day military man is trapped in the distant past where dinosaurs roam the earth. Armed only with a survival knife and his military know-how, the unnamed soldier must battle all forms of beasties and does so beautifully with the illustrations by Ariel Olivetti. Olivetti's usual painterly style is amazing here bringing life to animal and human alike, yet never forgetting to add lush landscapes to the background. I read this story super quick, then skimmed backwards at the purty pictures—something I rarely do these days.
Though I liked J.T. Krul's WAR THAT TIME FORGOT story, I found myself wishing Palmiotti and Gray's UNKNOWN SOLDIER story were illustrated by Olivetti this would be the perfect comic book. I don't want to take away from Staz Johnson's work, but I'd kill to see Olivetti draw the bandaged veteran blasting away on the field of battle. Then again, if that were the case, I wouldn't have been able to see the awesome man vs. saber-toothed tiger sequence in the latter story. But wishes aside, there's a whole lot of weird stuff going on with this comic and it's definitely for those like me who like their comics on the south of normal.
Ambush Bug is Mark L. Miller, original @$$Hole/wordslinger/reviewer/co-editor of AICN Comics for over ten years. He has written comics such as MUSCLES & FIGHTS, MUSCLES & FRIGHTS, VINCENT PRICE PRESENTS TINGLERS & WITCHFINDER GENERAL, THE DEATHSPORT GAMES, WONDERLAND ANNUAL 2010 & NANNY & HANK (soon to be made into a feature film from Uptown 6 Films). He is also a regular writer for FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND & has co-written their first ever comic book LUNA: ORDER OF THE WEREWOLF (to be released in late 2012 as an 100-pg original graphic novel). Mark has just announced his new comic book miniseries GRIMM FAIRY TALES PRESENTS THE JUNGLE BOOK from Zenescope Entertainment to be released March-August 2012. Also look for Mark's exciting arc on GRIMM FAIRY TALES #76-80 which begins in August 2012.
BATWING #0Writer: Judd Winick
Pencils: Marcus To
Inker: Ryan Winn & Richard Zajac
Publisher: DC Comicsz
Reviewer: Johnny Destructo
I spent the first story arc of Batwing fully invested in David Zavimbi's story, but then, due to a lack of funding, just sort of...fell off. Cuts had to be made and Batwing got sliced off the pull list. Apparently he's been showing up in JLI, another book that I don't read, but in that case because I genuinely disliked it. Every so often I think of Batwing and consider diving back into the book, and it was only two pages into issue 0 that I realized. I'm already back in.
About 10 minutes ago, I finished writing my review for GREEN ARROW #0, which was a good jumping on point for new readers and so, as I was reading this issue, a blinking light flashed on and off in my brain that read "GREEN ARROW: #FIRSTWORLDPROBLEMS". But this! THIS is an origin story. Born in the Africa's Democratic Republic of Congo, David's parents died from HIV, he and his brother were child soldiers for a warlord who made them murder...a LOT and then after he escaped, he was raised by Rene and Matu...until even THAT went ass-up on him. My man did not have it easy, and yet still he didn't give in, he chose to fight the good fight and without killing.
This issue explores all of the above, as well as David's beginnings as a police officer and his eventual meeting with the Batman. Up until this point, I was unsure if David got the suit from Bats or if he had it before becoming part of Batman, Incorporated? If so how did he get, or what did he wear before having the giant metal outift? How did Matu lose his eye? All the answers are in here!
Finally a mainstream title with genuine international flavor. I'm hoping in the future we'll learn more about David's views on the U.S. from afar. This would be a good series to try to open some willing American's eyes to differing international opinions and ways of life. Maybe I'm asking too much, but I don't think so.
Check out Batwing if you haven't already!
ACTION COMICS # 0Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: Ben Oliver
Reviewer: Optimous Douche
Jesus, this is a beautiful book. I mean stunning, I mean so beautiful that I think Ben Oliver wasn't born, but rather shat by an angel on to this mortal plane. As for the importance of this story, well, I can't give the same emphatic hurrah. This is a good story, a great story as a matter of fact. Morrison pulls every heart string in this issue; Clark's pining for Lois, Jimmy's pining for a photo job that will garner respect, Perry's pining for facts of SUPERMAN'S existence, and a beautiful moment of a boy who uses SUPERMAN'S found cape to help end the cycle of abuse for him and his Brother. ACTION 0 truly was beautiful. As for passing my two prong prequel test though, I simply can't let it slide. It didn't really fill any gaps and in my opinion helped create a greater rift in continuity versus a correction.
SUPERMAN has truly been a hot mess post 52. And this is one case where I think the writers bemoaning about editorial might be justified. We're all well aware of Morrison's writing prowess and as I said the art in this issue and past issues has been beyond A+. While I still don't believe in the 5 year before decision, this prequel reminded me of how happy I was in the beginning of the New 52 with Big Blue. Back before I read Perez's SUPERMAN mutant of the week run and the mute version of SUPERMAN in JUSTICE LEAGUE. A time before ACTION jumped to the present and we can't figure out if Clark is alive, dead, a reporter, a fireman or an Indian chief. Morrison is a creator that works best in his own sandbox, unfettered from whiny little bitches like yours truly who demand a consistency of voice and characterization across all titles.
I'm sorry I want every book to be the SUPERMAN from ACTION and this prequel didn't bring that to fruition it merely distanced ACTION further ahead.
WORLD'S FINEST #0Writer: Paul Levitz
Art: Kevin Maguire
Reviewer: Matt Adler
Whatever one thinks of his tenure as head honcho of DC, and he certainly has his vocal boosters and detractors, Paul Levitz is a damn fine writer, with an impeccable sense of story structure and, key for someone who's been in the business for as long as he has, an ear for dialogue that never once gives you a doubt that these are modern characters living in a modern world. The #0 issues are in some cases giving us origins, and in other cases a "before you knew them" look at the main characters. The latter is what Levitz delivers here, since "She's Batman and Catwoman's daughter" and "She's Superman's cousin" isn't quite enough to do a straight origin story.
So instead we see these characters early in their careers, the Huntress being trained by her mother and father as a Robin, and Power Girl (then known as Supergirl) likewise being mentored by her cousin. Where the story really succeeds is in its emotional content, as tragedy strikes Huntress' family, bringing her and Power Girl together for the first time, and making their close relationship that much more credible.
Add in some gorgeous art by Kevin Maguire, who is a master of capturing a wide range of subtle emotions on the faces of his characters, and you've got a really solid, enjoyable read.
PHANTOM STRANGER #0Writer: Dan Didio
Artist: Brent Anderson
Reviewer: Optimous Douche
I was ready to decry prequel shenanigans when I looked through my stack and came across PHANTOM STRANGER. Doesn't a book need a #1, before it can have a 0? Well, you can feel free to shut my mouth and call me Sally, because STRANGER did have a #1, it simply came packaged as a little known event in comicdom called Free Comic Day.
STRANGER definitely falls into the category of heavy narrative as Didio gives us a deeper peer into the Trinity of Sin, which is not to be confused with the Trinity of sin that was the weekly book TRINITY a few years ago. This Trinity consists of PHANTOM STRANGER, Pandora (that crazy caped lady who kept appearing Where's Waldo style during last year's launch) and a third character to be named later. Their masters consist of a wizard council who seem to be the architects of...well...everything.
Like the STRANGER of yore, this new one is very much an enigma wrapped in a puzzle. After his sentence of eternal penance is passed down from the wizards, STRANGER is forced to walk the earth never being remembered or mattering until humanity requires a monumental catalyst of change. His neck is adorned with 30 pieces of silver, while this appears to be a mere necklace it actually serves as his shackles of cataclysmic servitude. The only time he can lose apiece of the necklace is when he ruins the life of good people for the sake of cosmic destiny.
It's never outright stated that STRANGER is Judas, but it is definitely well implied. While I would have preferred an outright reenactment of the last supper, I can understand DCs reluctance to avoid being suffocated by the cinching of the Bible Belt.
From a continuity standpoint the end of this book leaves a very indelible mark on the DC universe moving forward. STRANGER is able to lose his next piece of silver by creating the next SPECTERE.
So how does this measure up on my two point test? Uhmmm...while entertaining, I think this just asked a lot more questions than it answered.
DETECTIVE COMICS #0Writer: Greg Hurwitz
Art: Tony Daniel (pencils), Richard Friend (inks), Pere Perez (additional art)
Reviewer: Ambush Bug
I really do struggle every month with DETECTIVE COMICS. The feeling of utter redundancy to the title really gets to me what with Morrison's epic BATMAN INCORPORATED, Snyder's sublime BATMAN, and Tomasi's always enthralling BATMAN & ROBIN on the shelves, I feel it's hard to really get into another bat-book, especially if it's set in Gotham with Batman facing the same criminals he's facing in other books. Now this zero issue has it's problems, but as far as direction, I do have to say, that I like the premise and tone of this book even though the execution had some rough edges.
Greg Hurwitz offers up a Times Past story of Bruce Wayne during his training days before he became Batman. If DETECTIVE COMICS always focused on these tales of Bruce Wayne's training, I think it would be able to distinguish itself from the other bat-books out there. If that's what this issue is telling me, that this book will now focus on the history of how the Bat came to be—a new version of LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT, then bring it on. But there's no clear indication that that will be the case here.
The issue at hand written by Hurwitz and illustrated for the most part by regular series writer Tony Daniel isn't necessarily original as it plays like a mix of KILL BILL 2 and KUNG FU (which was inspiration for KILL BILL) as Wayne shows up at a monastery in hopes to learn from a fabled Zen master. Of course, this old monk is surly and crotchety as can be as all Zen masters must be I guess. And of course, the monk isn't above beating the training into his pupil. The thing that really bugged me about this issue is the blatant FIGHT CLUB riff as Bruce Wayne does his best Robert Paulson impression by having to wait day and night and day and night on the Zen master's porch in order to prove that he really wants to train there. Though the story does try to convey a message that having trusted allies and falling in love is dangerous (a lesson it looks like Bruce hasn't yet learned what with his penchant for training youths for urban warfare, his seemingly overactive love life with whatever babe of the month the writer cooks up, and of course his relationship with Alfred), the entire issue just reads as a big cliché swiped from better stories from beginning to end.
Daniel offers up some strong pencils, but it doesn't look like he was able to complete it in time with the list of credits including some additional pencils and inks provided by "Richard Friend". I don't want to rush to judgment, but that name sounds made up by someone who doesn't want to lay claim to his work on the book. Maybe I'm wrong. The issue is rough in spots and definitely doesn't measure up to some of the other issues I've read from artist Daniel.
In the end, with muddled concept which contradicts the way Batman is today, a ashram full of monastery clichés seen before in better films, and art that's somewhat dodgy, I can't recommend this issue of DETECTIVE. Though if this issue is an indication that the next year is going to focus on Bruce's training to become bat-man, I could be convinced to shake that feeling of redundancy I've gotten from reading this book and check out upcoming issues.
ANIMAL MAN #0Writer: Jeff Lemire
Art: Steve Pugh
Reviewer: Matt Adler
Along with SWAMP THING #0, this issue further sets up the upcoming Rotworld arc, with the villain Arcane at the center of the threat faced by the "Green" and "Red", the forces of plant and animal life respectively.
This half of the story takes the perspective of the totemic beings behind The Red, and delivers us Buddy Baker's origin as Animal Man in the process. What I dig about this is that Lemire gives us a credible reason why Animal Man has generally been sort of a schlub, a second-stringer. The forces who give him his powers are just using him as a placeholder, until his daughter, their preferred candidate, is born, so they deliberately water down his powers.
It's pretty funny if you think about, but also sort of sad; Animal Man's whole career is one big effort in killing time, and he doesn't even know it.
Proofs, co-edits & common sense provided by Sleazy G
Find out what are BLACK MASK STUDIOS and OCCUPY COMICS here and on Facebook here!
Want more in all things Geek?
Check out PoptardsGo and on Facebook here!
Check out AICN COMICS on Facebook and Comixpedia.org!
Readers Talkbackcomments powered by Disqus
+ Expand All
Sept. 5, 2012, 8:30 a.m. CST
It's spelled "Katniss".
by TheMachinist
I've been interested in archery for a while too.
Sept. 5, 2012, 8:38 a.m. CST
Zen Master...
by impossibledreamers
It was actually tradition that one would wait out front of a temple, often for days on end. Perhaps doing small favors for the monks coming in and out to prove your dedication. Fight Club or not... it's not just fiction.
Sept. 5, 2012, 8:40 a.m. CST
My favorite archer is still Hank from Dungeons & Dragons
by Fico
Sept. 5, 2012, 9:03 a.m. CST
by Autodidact
Sept. 5, 2012, 9:07 a.m. CST
by Nasty In The Pasty
Sept. 5, 2012, 9:09 a.m. CST
^ You probably have a java virus!
by Autodidact
Sept. 5, 2012, 9:16 a.m. CST
This looks/sounds good overall. The updated looks of characters actually look nice for the most part (apart from the Mexican-wrestler GL), which is rare.
by kevred
Haven't read any of them, so can't comment beyond that.
Sept. 5, 2012, 9:22 a.m. CST
Swamp Thing looks very good, though he doesn't look right sprinting. Green + Red sounds interesting.
by kevred
It's like a sprinting Ent. Strange to have him running harder than any of the other cover subjects. The Green-Red thing actually sounds pretty interesting. Once in a while DC comes across an overarching concept which goes a little deeper/more abstract philosophically, and this is what appeals most to me about DC. Overall I like Marvel a lot more, and I think they do the sort of fantasy-meets-street-level-real-world a lot better than DC. But DC can really shine when they go cosmic/philosophical in the right way.
Sept. 5, 2012, 9:55 a.m. CST
Sterling Archer FTW!
by StatelyWayneManor
Sept. 5, 2012, 10:27 a.m. CST
Green Lantern looks a lot like DC Comic's "Vigilante" circa 1985
by I_Snake_Plissken
Sept. 5, 2012, 10:29 a.m. CST
Jeez, DC
by ByTor
Do comic issue numbers mean anything anymore? Christ.
Sept. 5, 2012, 10:31 a.m. CST
by _SnakePlissken_
sod this #0 shit and bring on his joker arc
Sept. 5, 2012, 10:39 a.m. CST
WTF is he supossed to be Green Lantern, or Gansta Lantern?
by Stalkeye
Where has the creativity gone, DC?
Sept. 5, 2012, 10:46 a.m. CST
Snyder's Batman is now on my collecting list
by fat_rancor_keeper
Capullo (spawn fame) does it for me....dude's awesome....except I'm not sure if he's staying on the book? Anyway, I may check some of these....especially action 0.
Sept. 5, 2012, 10:57 a.m. CST
Dearborn <> "Arab slums of Detroit"
by durhay
c'mon, man.
Sept. 5, 2012, 10:58 a.m. CST
Hal Jordan's ring ran out of power several times while 'in the poop'...
by 3774
...so maybe Simon Baz is smarter for carrying a .45 caliber back-up plan? I flipped through Swamp Thing for the first time and became very interested in what I saw and read. But every time I think about buying it, I turn my purse upside down and shake it, and nothing comes out. Pull lists can only be so large. 'Mousealini' made me giggle. I admit it.
Sept. 5, 2012, 11 a.m. CST
Last year, DC KOd Marvel with the New 52...
by Margot Tenenbaum
...more like they KO'd the retailers because there were stacks and stacks of New 52 & Before Watchmen in the dollar bins @ Chicago Comic Con this year.
Sept. 5, 2012, 11:01 a.m. CST
by optimous_douche
I worked with their branding department a few years ago for a conference I was marketing at my last employer... Never before have I dealt with a hotel or vendor that made me feel like I was working for them.
Sept. 5, 2012, 11:09 a.m. CST
by optimous_douche
Buyer beware...they do have a return program. I don't know the specifics behind it, but I know retailers don't have to eat the surplus inventory.
Sept. 5, 2012, 11:29 a.m. CST
I used to love Wednesdays (I believe it was Thursdays prior to the Mid nineties)
by Ryusei
But comics are way too expensive. I dearly miss the hobby. During high school, college and years after, I looked forward to comic book day more than anything. For $10-15, I could purchase the newest issues of my favorite titles, and most of the time, they held their value or increased in value enough so that I could trade them in for new stuff at my favorite comic books store. Unfortunately, with comics being $3.00 - $4.00, it just doesn't make financial sense to buy them for a few minutes of entertainment. It's also very difficult to trade or sell the comics in or to buy new ones. At least with a video game, I can ebay it or trade it in at Gamestop and use the trade credit to get something else. I still buy the TPB and Collections. They at least seem to be reasonably priced.
Sept. 5, 2012, 11:32 a.m. CST
Batwing is sooo over... most look not so good.
by Homer Sexual
Batwing started as an awesome comic with beautiful art. Immediately upon completion of the first arc, the artist was already gone and the next story arc was laughably bad. Laughably! So, no, thanks. That book started top 5 and ended as an "F" Tried Green Arrow twice, still boring. I don't think all characters can be that interesting. I don't think this character can be that interesting. Green Lantern. Popular. Awful. Just my opinion. Which is more awful, the aggressively middle american Jordan or the aggressively PC new guy? Don't know, will never know, in fact I'd rather read Batwing. Swamp Thing and Animal Man do have a great, interconnected storyline going on but it is becoming way too drug out, and this seems like more spinning its wheels trying to bring in new readers before it starts moving again. So the whole Zero thing is kinda annoying. Kevin Maguire plus a non-horrifying outfit for Power Girl? Yay! But overall these don't seem very compelling.
Sept. 5, 2012, 11:40 a.m. CST
Homer, did that 'Green Lantern. Popular. Awful.' come with a three point Z-snap?
by 3774
Sept. 5, 2012, 11:53 a.m. CST
bytor--Apparently you've never seen the Marvel numbering system.
by art123guy
Sept. 5, 2012, 11:58 a.m. CST
lol @ green lantern witta gun.
by iampain
in three years dc will announce they are starting over from scratch.
Sept. 5, 2012, 12:28 p.m. CST
actually looking forward to the next re-boot...
by sonnyhooper
...being a fan of DC comics at this point is like being a fan of the Chicago Cub. Every new spring you have hope that this might be the year and then by the all star break the season is basically over. <p> Hate to say it .... but its true.
Sept. 5, 2012, 1:49 p.m. CST
Green Lantern with a gun...
by Homer Sexual
IMO it seems to be both pandering and offensive simultaneously... Also hilarious... And why doesn't Dust get any press? She's actually a pretty well developed character, so point to Marvel. I guess DC has figured out what to do, make everything happen to *cough* major *choke* characters like Green Lantern, Which then gets tons of press despite none of them ever being the "real" character.
Sept. 5, 2012, 2:54 p.m. CST
is the new gl's weakness booze and pigs?
by walt
if im a villain, im showing up to a fight with both in hand
Sept. 5, 2012, 7:30 p.m. CST
I feeling like this #0 month is a good time to stop...
by Tom
buying DC comics (rather than start buying). Being an old school DC reader, the only thing I've enjoyed was seeing the return of the classic Aquaman. The rest of it has left me cold. So is it time for me to quit cold turkey? I'm sure DC doesn't care either way, since it's all been a big success for them.
Sept. 5, 2012, 8:59 p.m. CST
Simon Baz just confirms my suspicions on Razer from the toon
by CreamCheeseAlchemist
Because his late wife dresses just like Simon's mom. That said, I kinda wanna see an atheist in the Blue Corps.
Sept. 5, 2012, 10:46 p.m. CST
Despite being a staunch DC defender...
by Starship Captain
Just lose the "despite." Given that every review is a positive -- or at worst, a review where you say "Ok, maybe this isn't great, but it's still worth buying and lining DC's pockets!" -- you clearly ARE a staunch DC defender. And review objectivity went straight out the window right from the start. Screw DC and the whole 52 stunt. The characters have been completely bastardized, stories have been shit from the start, the art is like bad old Image comics from the 90s trying to look flashy rather than telling a good sequential story, and now these cash hungry fucks are pulling another prime 1990s trick and doing an a large issue zero stunt to pimp the publishing line even more. DC stopped making good comics years ago, and the 52 stunt was the final nail in their creatively bankrupt coffin. MaskedMan is right. Instead of buying IN to DC, this is actually the perfect time to drop most of their books because in these hard economic times you're better off keeping the cash in your wallet rather than buying lame comics which aren't worth reading and are only good for wiping your ass with, when you've accidentally run out of toilet paper at home.
Sept. 6, 2012, 8:24 a.m. CST
Good Captain Let Me Ask You?
by optimous_douche
How many of the books have you actually read? Everything is not shit, we're it complete excrement they would change their name to BlueWater. Don't like the Image style art, go read some FRANKENSTEIN or ANIMAL MAN, they are as far from Image as one can get. And the stories? Not all are shit. Are some, sure. All, that's obtuse and narrow minded. Look I don't give a fuck if you guys stop being DC. Go for it. I'm not here to sell DC books. I'm here to say what I think is worthwhile and what isn't for those that love DC. If you're just going to hate on concept alone, just stop reading comics now. I say "despite" being a DC defender, because I actually did throw some criticism their way. I simply didn't lace it with vitriol for shock value. We're about making comics better, not simply stating the obvious. Any moron can write "this sucks," it takes real balls though to put your neck on the line with suggestions for improvement.
Sept. 6, 2012, 9:37 a.m. CST
i think these #0 issues prove one thing...
by sonnyhooper
...and that is DC seemed a bit over ambitious by having 52 new titles at the re-launch. What should have happened was a roll out of a smaller number of 1st issues a year ago followed by a new batch of #1 a year later that grew in an organic fashion out of the original launch titles. and so on and so forth. <p> there is a good amount of quality comics that came out with the new 52, it's just that they tried to do too much too soon. they really should have just stuck to the strongest 20 concepts or so and put everything else on the back burner until a better concept could be thought up. <P> we didn't need a Green Arrow book at launch, we didn't need a teen titans book at launch, we didn't need 2 Legion of Superheros books and 3 Justice League books. If DC had just trimmed the fat, so to speak, and gave us a leaner and meaner set of launch titles, they would still be getting mileage off the re-launch by slowly introducing new number 1 books over a longer 4 to 5 year period. and they would not be stuck doing issues #0 type gimmicks.
Sept. 6, 2012, 10:11 a.m. CST
Interested in a Baz vs. Gardner showdown
by nyj_et
I just know that's gonna be good. So good, you might think it was Marvel.
Sept. 6, 2012, 10:16 a.m. CST
EXACTLY Sonny
by optimous_douche
And that's why I'm so enamored with EARTH 1. I think even 20 titles is too much. Start with the big three (or maybe 4 if you count Green Lantern) and then let the universe build organically. The other fatal flaw was carrying over certain continuity. No need for four Robins already at launch, the math is simply laughable. Bruce Wayne has had 3 wards and a son in an 8 year span? Ridiculous.
Sept. 6, 2012, 11:08 a.m. CST
catching up on Supergirl...it's kind of AWESOME.
by Poptard_JD
Sept. 6, 2012, 11:15 a.m. CST
Yeah, but Douche...
by MattAdler
...you've been saying they should expand the Earth 1 line ;)
Sept. 6, 2012, 12:12 p.m. CST
the earth one stuff is intresting...
by sonnyhooper
....up to a point because it does seem like a more organic growing of a universe. i really did like the first Superman book, but i have been reluctant to try the Batman book. i simply don't trust Geoff Johns with Batman because he seems to hate the character too much. <p> why else would he have a Batman where his toys don't work half the time? and do we really need a Batman who can't make jumps from roof top to roof top? <p> i also have this horrible feeling that Brian Azzarellos new52 Wonder Woman run SHOULD HAVE BEEN the Earth One Wonder Woman and now we will get some watered down version thats closer to the old George Perez stuff. i guess we just gotta hope that DC resists the urge to do too much too soon with the Earth one line of books. <p> and for the record i don't buy the idea that MARVEL is that much better in quality. i think they just have a good timing thing going with the movie division being bought up by Disney. Marvel pretty much ignored the Avengers as a property until it was the only property they had not sold off to other studios. don't get me wrong it's working out VERY well for them at the moment and the disney marvel marriage is still very much in the honeymoon stage. i have doubts everything will be as rosies if 5 or 10 years down the road the money stops comming in by the truckloads. you have to figure that sooner or later the bean counters will be in charge over at disney/marvel just like they seem to be in charge now over at DC/WB.
Sept. 6, 2012, 12:34 p.m. CST
I dropped Supergirl at #8.
by 3774
I wanted so much to love that title, or at least like it. But the way she was always raging out, punching first and asking questions later just put me off (her first meeting with Superman was just stupid). It never seemed to find a story that was compelling, either. I couldn't bring myself to care when she returned to Krypton, Reign and the world killers fell flat with me, and then when they made Kara a guest star in her own book for the sake of Banshee, I was out. Just couldn't care anymore. Having said all that, I really liked the artwork, loved the emphasis on internal monologue, and loved the fact that she can only speak Kryptonian. I *want* to love it. I really do. But the characterization is (was) off, and the stories just weren't doing it for me.
Sept. 6, 2012, 12:38 p.m. CST
I loved GL 0, and that he's Arab, but Arab AMERICAN??
by Poptard_JD
Why are all of the GL's of sector 2814 AMERICAN? I think I would have preferred a more international new GL, since they protect more than just Amurrrca.
Sept. 6, 2012, 1:24 p.m. CST
I see all the other reasons why you don't like it...
by Poptard_JD
but saying Supergirl's characterization is off...not sure that one applies since she's a brand new character as far as teh DCnU is concerned, so her characterization is whatever they say it is now, lol
Sept. 6, 2012, 2:07 p.m. CST
What I mean is...
by 3774
...there wasn't consistency from issue to issue. I got the impression that she was punchy and rage-ee one moment, and then morose, weepy or passive the next. It left me with an impression that her characterization was being made up as it went along, or she has an unspoken psychological disorder. It's just my opinion.
Sept. 6, 2012, 4:16 p.m. CST
i can dig it..
by Poptard_JD
I read that as "gha what's going on, i'm being attacked by unfamiliar things, I'll punch them!" and then "well that sucked.." and then "what the hell, why is everyone attacking me? i can't ask cause I only speak kryptonian! I'll punch back!" but that's just me
Sept. 6, 2012, 11:57 p.m. CST
If you think about it...
by Icarus2004
...there is also the point that she spent so much time in that tiny spaceship that her cousin grew up to the point were now he is older than her. I don't know about you, but that would make me want to punch something when I came out. Now, Supergirl has nor been the most interesting of the New52. It hasn't been the worst (aren't there a couple of Leifeld-scripted issues they haven't published yet?), but it hasn't been all that great. I would like to see some direction for the character, trying to adapt to life on Earth and so on. Maybe taking an inverse route than the OTHER Supergirl (Power Girl) is taking, making a strong point (Differentiating and comparing) of where the two different tactics (personalities / actions / approaches / interactions with other DC characters) would take them in a year's time, or whatever the time-frame would be. I would be interested in reading about where the two Karas might end up by making different decisions.
Sept. 7, 2012, 1:15 a.m. CST
by Icarus2004
Ok...I love Green Lantern. I am one of the three people out there that loved the Green Lantern movie (yes, I know it was not great, but I do not understand the hate the movie has engendered). I loved it because I never thought I would see one of my all-time favorite heroes, maybe my all-time favorite, in a movie theatre, live action. I have loved the GL book in all of its incarnations, and the GL back-ups in other books. Sure, I wasn't incredibly happy with the GLC in their first incarnation (I never got used to Staton's art) and the time when Hal Jordan became a villain and died was not a happy time for me. When he was brought back...well, THAT made me grin with pleasure. One of the first comics I ever read was the GL team-up of Hal Jordan and Alan Scott in GL v2 #045, and that's when my love for all things Lantern began (not a great issue, but enough to send a little kid's imagination soaring). Memories of that issue are the reason I am so disappointed at DC for having turned Alan Scott gay, in a completely arbitrary and publicity-hungry decision...but I digress. Now we get Green Lantern #0. An Arab-Muslim gets the ring. Mmmmm...ok. We know Hal is not dead (he shows up in the last page), but ok, the ring "thinks" he is. Shades of another "slayer" coming out even if Buffy's still alive. Now, I understand that this MIGHT not be a politically correct pandering move (like I believe Alan Scott was), but the sincere wish of the writer to bring someone of his ethnic background into the fore (if I am not mistaken Geoff Johns is pakistani, am I correct?). Still, I have a couple of problems.... 1) If we wanted an Arab-Muslim as a GL, why didn't we pick one straight from Afganistan, Iraq, Iran, or even Pakistan? The Power Rings only work in America? The GLC can take people from ANYWHERE in the universe, but on Earth it only likes americans? Huh! 2) We get snippets of Baz in Michigan during 9/11. We showed how his family suffered during the attack, and then how they suffered BECAUSE of the attack. So they were part of the people that were hassled because they were muslims/arabs. Ok. I remember a few days after the attack in Texas, how a few muslims got attacked while they were CELEBRATING the attacks on the WTC. I don't condone attacks on innocent americans, I don't blame the people that attacked the ones that were celebrating the murder of 3,000 people. Now, in this issue we only show the bullies (and I'm sure this is because of lack of space, as with Green Arrow #0, but...) and how Baz had a "hard" life because of the attack. Mmmmmm...starting to feel that I'm supposed to feel sorry for this character. 3) THEN he steals a car (not something that other "troubled heroes" haven't done - maybe even Hal Jordan at some point, when his origin was "revisited") that just HAPPENS to have a bomb in it, and the only place where he can think of it exploding without harming anyone is the factory from which he had JUST been FIRED! I'm I supposed to feel sorry for this guy and think that the (I'm guessing) Homeland Security people that take him to Guantanamo are the "bad guys" because they are interrogating him and won't believe ALL of these coincidences? Hell, I read the story and I'M having trouble believing them! Am I supposed to believe that Amanda Waller was wrong -with the facts she had- by using the term "a known terrorist, and the agent is right when he says "suspected" without having ANY facts himself? Yes, I understand that we're supposed to be "innocent until proven guilty", but look at the evidence they had! Man, I think Richard Kimble had more trouble than this guy, and he only needed to convince the police that he had seen a one-armed man! Whatever happened to having a truly good guy receive the ring? Are we saying that he got it because the Guardians are now corrupt or this is the new "norm"? Aren't there any GOOD guys the ring might consider worthy out there? I remember when they introduced john Stewart in GL v2 #087. He seemed to be a bad, angry guy throughout the story ONLY because Hal misread his actions AND intentions (and he talked like a douche - No offense, Optimus). Here, there is nothing to missread. This is not a good guy. At the very least, he's a thief, and yes, I can hear you talk all day long about how "circumstances" drove him to "desperate acts", like stealing a car, something that should be a bogus argument for a truly good man. Why would the ring NOT pick a GOOD guy? Sorry, Mr. Johns. I love your writing and what you have done with GL, Aquaman, and Barry Allen, but you could have made this character a lot more sympathetic if you have made him a truly stand-up guy, the kind of hero you can identify with and admire, no matter his ethnic background or his religion. But I guess we needed to make him "edgy".
Sept. 7, 2012, 1:33 a.m. CST
Earth 2 #0 - Optimus Douche
by Icarus2004
I agree with your review almost 100%. I just didn't find the story to be very exciting. It felt like one of those old "Whatever happened to...?" back-up stories DC used to have. Still, didn't the plot arc they setting Terry Sloan on remind you of Adrian Veidt / Ozymandias? Do you think this is the path Robinson is taking with the story?
Sept. 7, 2012, 2:23 a.m. CST
Green Lantern and Batwing kick major ass, but Marvel..
by Balkin Flabgurter
Journey into Mystery, Iron man 2.0, Gambit, The Dark Tower Collections, Secret Avengers, Dead Pool Kills the Marvel Universe, did i mention Gambit? i tried to get into Justice League Dark and wasn't too excited.
Sept. 7, 2012, 8:32 a.m. CST
I Do agree Icarus
by optimous_douche
Sloane basically joins the league of other smarty pants like Ozymandias and Hitler who believe the only solution to what ails the world is the final solution. So this prequel is actually an exercise in genocide once Sloan decides the only way to erase the anti-life equation plaguing Earth 2 is to blow the living shit out of everyone affected.
Sept. 7, 2012, 10:23 a.m. CST
I really like Justice League Dark, and *LUUURV* the art. PROFOUNDLY.
by 3774
Whoever it is (the name escapes me) they'd probably be my favorite artist of all if I had to choose. I initially passed on this series, but then bought the 'restart' 9th issue. I liked it and the following so much that I went back and bought the first 8. They're good, but a little wandering and not completely focused.
Sept. 7, 2012, 1:49 p.m. CST
Justice League Dark
by Icarus2004
I was looking forward to this particular book since I heard what it was going to be about. I loved the Vampire War x-over (supernatural fun to be had by everyone in that one!), and now that he actually brought in Tim Hunter and the Books of Magic into the proper DC Universe, I like it even more. I think Jeff Lemire is really surpassing himself with this book. Of course, after reading what he's doing in Animal Man (one of the best New 52 titles, along with Swamp Thing) it does not surprise me at all. Hell, he even make me feel invested in the Sweet Tooth storyline, and I never thought I would like that particular one. Something that he has done right that help keep my interest is that he has kept the group dynamic in a state of flux. Being supernatural characters for the most part, you never know which side they're going to take. Lemire has made them more of a non-team than "The Defenders" ever were. Also, he has kept John Constantine consistant with his Vertigo image, and even though he can be a bit of a scumbag, you just got to love the character (The hell with Keanu if he doesn't want to come back for the sequel! - Would have loved to see James Marsters playing the part). I can not wait to see what happens next. Mikel Janin is the artist, and yes, I love what he's been doing for JLD. Guy's good.
Sept. 19, 2012, 4:56 a.m. CST
Coach Outlet Stores
by chenggong
Sept. 19, 2012, 4:56 a.m. CST
Coach Outlet Store Online
by chenggong
Top Talkbacks
- 1st wk of Sept 2014's PICKS & PEEKS with Universal Monsters, FIRESTARTER, Eco-Terrorism, swords & fantasy! -- 166 total posts 162 posts
- A Badass GAME OF THRONES Sword Guy Has Apparently Been Cast In STAR WARS EPISODE VII!! -- 84 total posts 84 posts
- See Luke Evans' Kinect Bats In This New DRACULA UNTOLD Trailer!! -- 41 total posts 41 posts
- BBC Issues DOCTOR WHO: 'Robot of Sherwood' Promo Images!! + DOCTOR WHO EXTRAs For 'Deep Breath' And 'Into the Dalek' Are Now On YouTube!! -- 35 total posts 35 posts
- This New Trailer For MONSTERS: DARK CONTINENT Is Looking Promising!! -- 34 total posts 34 posts
- The Friday Docback Crawls 'Into The Dalek'!! Reader Reaction For DOCTOR WHO S08E02 Is Here!! + HornOrSilk's 'Breaking Bubbles and Other Stories' Big Finish Audio Review, Clips, And More!! -- 431 total posts 18 posts
- Who is in consideration to take the role of Snake in the ESCAPE FROM NEW YORK remake!?! -- 730 total posts 16 posts
- AICN COMICS PODCAST reviews GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY! WAYWARD! SUNDOWNERS! & More! -- 16 total posts 16 posts
- The DRUNK HISTORY Finale!! HOUDINI Finale!! ROYAL PAINS Finale!! RIZZOLI & ISLES Finale!! HARD KNOCKS Finale!! New TALENT, CARTER, GEAR, LITTLE, LIARS, MATADOR, WIZARD!! The Chenbot On LETTERMAN!! Brienne Of Tarth On CRAIG!! Herc's Tuesday TV Talkback!! -- 15 total posts 15 posts
- Final PICKS & PEEKS of Aug 2014: LEGEND OF HELL HOUSE, Zombies, FOSSE, RATS, Nukes & Teens!!! -- 385 total posts 13 posts


text:
During a criminal investigation, law enforcement uses various techniques to obtain information, scanning through a suspect's cellphone is just one of them. But in Tallahassee, lawmakers are pushing through a bill that would require them to obtain a warrant before doing so.
Electronic devices can sometimes fill in the missing pieces of an investigation, but authorities argue if they have to wait for a warrant, those links may be gone forever.
On Wednesday, House Bill 797 continued to zip up the approval ladder. The bill's supporter says police should be issued warrants before they go digging through someone's cell phone.
"I don't have anything to hide but at the same time, I do want to keep my privacy," Scott Roberts said.
"I understand the purpose but I do think a warrant is necessary," Crystal McNeal said.
But in cases like that of Mark Griffis, a 41 year old man who drove to Bay County to solicit a minor for sex, deputies say obtaining his cellphone was key. Griffis began a text and email conversation with a person through a Craig's List ad and the conversation didn't end when the person identified herself as a 14-year-old girl.
In addition to obtaining warrants, the bill would require police to get a court to sign off on informational tracking of an electronic device for investigative purposes. The only exceptions apply to certain circumstances, included are scenarios related to national security and missing children.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Illuminate Me - Liberal views | philosophy | art | politics | progressive thinking
David Price has spent two decades in the foothills of the Alps, in a tiny village where he indulged his passion for reading, painting, and working with hand tools. When he could no longer invent another renovation project on the old house, and when years of reading had finally broken down some of the most recalcitrant rigidities of his mind, he felt it was time to engage the world again.
But coming back, he couldn't help but notice satellites of a new culture growing in the midst of a dominating, but unsustainable America. This Web site is conceived as a way to fan the embers of new thought, new questions, and new solutions, as well as represent our diverse interests, from land use and food, to books, art, politics and spirituality. Now seems to be a good time to ask how to create a sustainable culture that embraces both beauty and pleasure. Everyone is welcome to speak up here, but artists and "creatives" are especially encouraged to offer their thoughts and feelings.
He proceeds with the question: how can ideas make things better? And also, where is the wonder, the magic, the fun?


text:
The Sarah Cutts Frerichs Lectureship
in Victorian Studies
April 15, 2008
"Melville's Bibles and Victorian Perceptions of Motherhood"
Hillel Center
Brown and Angell Streets
Brown University
5:30 - 7:00pm
Many writers in antebellum America sought to reinvent the Bible, but no one was as insistent as Melville on redefining biblical exegesis while doing so. In Moby-Dick he not only ventured to fashion a grand new inverted Bible in which biblical rebels and outcasts assume central stage, but also aspired to comment on every imaginable mode of biblical interpretation, calling for a radical reconsideration of the politics of biblical reception.
Prof. Pardes's lecture explores Melville's choice to end Moby-Dick with an evocation of Jeremiah's verse on Rachel's inconsolable cry on behalf of her exiled children. She reads Melville's rare allusion to a biblical female figure against the background of the rise of women's bibles and the growing involvement of women in the exegetical scene. Special attention is given to Victorian Rachels: from the image of weeping Rachel in Harper's Illuminated Bible to Harriet Beecher Stowe's readings of Jeremiah's Rachel in Uncle Tom's Cabin and in her less known book Women in Sacred History.
Professor Pardes is the author of the forthcoming Melville's Bibles (University of California Press, 2008) as well as The Biography of Ancient Israel (2000) and Countertraditions in the Bible: A Feminist Approach (1992). Ilana Pardes received her Ph.D. from the University of California, Berkeley.
Click here to see a copy of the poster.
Click here for a biography of Sarah Cutts Frerichs.


text:
Keep Olga Zorina in Ireland
Olga Zorina is an Irish lady who happens to have been born in Russia to Russian parents. Nevertheless we are confident that it was a mistake. Her accent is enough to make Michael O Muircheartaigh proud and her knowledge of Ireland and Irish culture puts the rest of us to shame. So we intend to send this petition to the Irish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dermot O'Rourke, requesting that he help her to stay in Ireland. We have come together to organise this without Olga's knowledge. If enough Irish citizens want her to stay she must be allowed, it is our country after all! So if you are Irish, if you have a vote and you know Olga and would like to keep her with us then stick your signature down here before the New Year 2008...
No comments yet.join the discussion
Recent signatures
Joanne BuckleyIreland6 years ago
Elizabeth DoonanIreland7 years ago
Simon SweeneyIreland7 years ago
Petition highlights
There are no highlights yet.


text:
Springtime melts and summer storms can cause flooding on campus. Look for signs that designate whether a parking area is subject to flooding or check Western's weather page for campus weather conditions and any related impact on operations.
Welcome to our new website!
We hope you'll find our new site easy to navigate, however, if you run into any difficulties please email firstname.lastname@example.com with your query.
2014/15 Academic Year Permits
We are now processing Faculty/Staff Permits and Student Permits for the 2014/15 academic year. All applications must be completed online.
Please Note: Processing of permit applications may take up to 3 business days. Vehicle Registration and Western ONECard are required for validation of all new parking accounts.


text: Unique and Authentic Dining Experiences The great Chinese philosopher Confucius emphasised that the art of cooking encompassed more than the food itself; it was also about sharing the meal with others. We embrace this philosophy at Trafalgar with our exclusive Be My Guest dining experiences, giving you a unique opportunity to sample the authentic dishes of a region with your hosts at exclusive venues. Here is a sample of the experiences you could enjoy: Hutong Family, Beijing, China In China's capital Beijing, get a taste of the local way of life travelling by rickshaw to meet a family who will welcome you into their traditional Hutong home and prepare a delicious lunch of local specialities. Featured on: Majestic China, Classic China, Grand China and the Yangtze Vietnamese Herb Farm, Hoi An, Vietnam Visit a local herb farm where you'll meet the farmers and learn about the culture and customs of this region, enjoy an aromatic foot spa using locally-grown herbs and be invited to an authentic meal at the family home. Featured on: Highlights of Vietnam Traditional Japanese Ryokan, Kyoto, Japan Enjoy lunch at a traditional Japanese Ryokan hosted by the land lady, to learn about the Japanese custom of Omotenashi Hospitality and indulge in regional cuisine. Featured on: Splendours of Japan


text:
Expired Property Listing
This property is disabled.
Mansion on the Lake in Dandridge
- bedrooms 7
- baths 7
- sleeps 18
- pool no
- hot tub no
- pets allowed no
- type House
- community
rates (USD)
/ night
$ 4,683 - $ 7,490 / week
vacation rental description
Luxury on the Lake. Overlooking beautiful Douglas Lake in the Heart of the SMOKEY MOUNTAINS, this BEAUTIFUL 7 room estate has it all! With 10,000 s/f of luxury living space and 7000 s/f of deck space, there is plenty of room for large family or small group gatherings.
Each room is beautifully appointed and complete with a private bath. Many of the rooms have stone fire places and access to the balconies surronding this awesome home.
The kithen is spectacular, complete with restaurant quality appliances and even a gas pizza oven for a fun family evening. Just off the dining area is the deck over looking the cove and the PRIVATE BOAT DOCK. Thats right! Bring your own boat and enjoy the lake in style. Boat access is easy with a perfect boat ramp. Then a short boat ride to the dock at the base of the hill. There is plenty of room for the empty trailer while your here.
The first floor has a complete kitchen, living area, pool table and two master suites. The main floor, a formal living area, office, kitchen, dining area, and family room.
Up to the third floor and there are three more master suites. Finally on the fourth floor, two more masted suites, a den area and wet bar. The primary Master Bedroom has a wonderfully large Master Bath with a private balcony. Each Bedroom throughout the home is equipped with a walkin closet.
Finally, the beautiful Smokey Mountains, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are just minutes away. Close enough for a day outing but far enough to enjoy the soliture and scenery.
Visit Mansion on the Lake. Make it your next vacation destination and it will become you next family tradition for years to come.
house rental amenities
Lake Front
Private Boat Dock
Pool Table
Pizza Oven
7ooo s/f feet of deack space with views, seating and dineing areas
3 Den Areas
Gas Fireplaces
activities and attractions in Dandridge Tennessee
Douglas Lake
Pigeon Forge
Great Smokey Mountains National Park
vacation rental rates
Low Season $ 1095 to $ 1195/night
Low Weekend $ 1195 to $ 1220/night
Base $ 1220 to $ 1300/night
Peak $ 1350 to $ 1495/night
Peak Weekend $ 1520 to $ 1600/night
Holiday $ 1650 to $1895/night
Minimum Number Of Days Required. Call For Details.Rates can change without notice.
Holiday Stays Have Minimum Number Of Days. Call For Details
*Cleaning Fee $350


text:
Texting 101: Don't send pot messages to cop
MURRAY, Ky. - A middle school teacher trying to buy pot was arrested after she sent text messages to state trooper instead of a dealer, police said.
Trooper Trevor Pervine was at dinner with his wife and parents celebrating a birthday when his phone started buzzing with messages about a marijuana purchase.
At first, Pervine thought the messages were from friends playing a joke, Kentucky State Police spokesman Barry Meadows said. But a couple of phone calls put that idea to rest, and Pervine responded to set up a meeting, Meadows said.
Authorities say Ann Greenfield, 34, arrived at the meeting point and found Pervine and other law enforcement officers waiting for her.
"She learned her lesson. Program your dealers into your phone,†Meadows said.
Greenfield, a teacher at Murray Middle School, was charged with conspiracy to traffic in controlled substances within 1,000 feet of a school, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia, Meadows said.
She was suspended with pay pending results of an investigation, the Murray Independent School District said in a statement posted Friday on the district's Web site. A message seeking comment left at a listing for an Ann Greenfield in Murray, Ky. was not returned.
Similar Threads
Texting while driving - new PSABy VikingMike in forum Two Beer MinimumReplies: 9Last Post: 08-28-2009, 10:37 AM
Don't tell the colonel! KFC recipe may be outBy BadlandsVikings in forum The ClubhouseReplies: 5Last Post: 07-21-2009, 11:30 PM
Man texting while driving hits trainBy BadlandsVikings in forum The ClubhouseReplies: 0Last Post: 10-17-2007, 08:58 AM
New Washers, Dryers Send Messages to PCsBy BadlandsVikings in forum The ClubhouseReplies: 0Last Post: 07-23-2006, 02:58 AM
cant send private messages...why ?By ranasrule in forum Help / Suggestion BoxReplies: 4Last Post: 08-26-2005, 07:05 AM


text:
Performance Assessment Schedule for
Hourly and Salaried (Non Faculty Employees)
Board of Trustee policy, collective bargaining agreements and employee handbooks require that each employee receive an annual written Performance Assessment from his/her supervisor. The University of Maine's FY 2012-13 goal for completed performance assessment for hourly and salaried employees is 100%.
Generally, a written Performance Assessment is conducted:
- Every six months during the probationary period for salaried employees.
- Before the end of an employee's probationary period, usually six months for hourly paid employees, one year for E&G or fixed length salaried employees, or nine months for soft money salaried employees.
- Prior to the end of the first six months of employment following the transfer, promotion, demotion, reclassification of an hourly paid employee. An hourly employee who transfers to a different position, in the same or different classification, through the application process will have a new assignment review six months from the date of transfer. The annual appraisal schedule, as described below, will remain unchanged.
- Annually, after completion of the probationary period. Schedule of non probationary performance appraisals:
The ACSCUM/COLT and UMPSA agreements provide that if a performance assessment is not done within 30 days of its due date, the employee's performance will be assumed to be satisfactory. All employees deserve a chance to participate in the assessment, goal-setting process, and formal recognition of their job performance. If an employee's job performance is not satisfactory, the performance assessment process can help him/her improve.
What form and process is to be used to conduct a performance assessment?
- Hourly employees: The form and a copy of the employee's job description/classification is sent to the employee and his/her supervisor by Human Resources about 6-8 weeks before the appraisal is to be completed. Hourly employees are encouraged to complete the Employee Self-Assessment and return it to their supervisor at least a week before the performance assessment meeting. The forms may be completed online. More information is available at http://umaine.edu/hr/employees/hourly-employees/performance-assessment-program-bi-weekly-paid-employees/
- Salaried employees: The form and a description of the process are described at http://umaine.edu/hr/employees/salaried-employees/#Performance This form may also be completed online. Salaried employees are also encouraged to complete an Employee Self-Assessment as part of the appraisal process. The forms may be completed online.
Can performance appraisals be conducted more frequently than described above?
Yes, it can be useful and appropriate to conduct more frequent written assessments when an employee's performance in some areas is unsatisfactory or needs improvement. The purpose of an interim assessment—which may be done at three-month, six month, or some other appropriate interval—is to provide the employee with clear feedback necessary to improve performance and to document whether job performance is improving.
Can a supervisor use a different form than provided above?
Yes, for non-represented, hourly and salaried employees only. Please contact Human Resources for advice and guidance in creating a form or format that appropriately addresses the job related performance aspects of the position. The form available at http://umaine.edu/hr/employees/hourly-employees/performance-assessment-program-bi-weekly-paid-employees/ should be used for all represented hourly paid employees. The form contained in Appendix C of the UMPSA collective bargaining agreement is the form to be used in evaluating the job performance of unit employees. Departments that wish to use an alternative form must submit that form to Human Resources for review. Following a certification that the alternate form or procedure meets the requirements of Article 13, Human Resources will inform the association of the new process.
What if the employee disagrees with or chooses not to sign the completed performance appraisal?
One aspect of conducting a performance appraisal is for the supervisor to provide feedback on the employee's past job performance as well as suggestions for improving performance and achieving future success. An employee may not necessarily agree with the supervisor's feedback. An employee may attach a written response or comments to the evaluation within seven days. The employee's signature is intended to acknowledge receipt, not necessarily agreement, with the supervisor's evaluation.
What happens to the completed evaluation document and any employee comments?
When the written performance assessment has been finalized, it, along with the employee's self-assessment and any response or comments, should be forwarded to Human Resources, Corbett Hall. A copy of the document should also be placed in the official personnel file for salaried employees within the employing department.
Remember, effective performance assessment is part of an ongoing cycle of Performance Management by an employee's supervisor. Performance Management – it's not just a once a year thing!


text:
Detailed Forecast
The 106 KHQ Morning Show Weekdays 5a - 10a
Lisa Knight Weekdays 10a - 2p
Fish Weekdays 2-7pm
Scotty - Weeknights 7-Midnight
Saturday Night Online
The Hollywood 5
Saturday Night Online
AT Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest
Club Kane
KHQ Video Vault
Taste of Traverse City
Where in Northern Michigan is Jeff?
Primetime Emmy Game
School Closings and Delays
106 KHQ Morning Show Blog
Morning Show Facebook
Psychic/Medium Tammy Schuster
What's Up in the 231
Follow @jeff106KHQ on twitter
Follow @heatherkhq on Twitter
Contact Us
Stand Up 2 Cancer Viewing Party
Community Events Around Northern Michigan
Josh and Heather Show Audio Archive
.: Josh and Heather Facebook Page :.
.: @whatsajosh Twitter :.
.: @heatherkhq Twitter :.
Subscribe to Josh and Heather by Email
A Little Action
by Josh G
posted Oct 25 2012 10:38AM
Music can be better than sex? Yup! In fact we went through the songs people would pick over getting intimate. How about the songs that are most popular to have on in the bed room? You would be surprised at number 1! Plus check out what Commander Buzzella had to say about staying safe this winter around the water in Northern Michigan.
AUDIO A Little Action
Tags :
Topics :
Social :
Locations :
Northern Michigan
Back To Blog
A Little Action
Please Enter Your Comments Below
Title :
Comment :
Please enter the text as it is shown in the box below :
Refresh Image
Recent Posts
The Finale
Second To Last
Psychic Tammy Schuster Reads Josh
The Movie
Vanilla Thunder
You Just Won $1000
Psychic Tammy Schuster
Craig and Heather in the Morning
The Awkward Announcement
The ConVICt
Tag Cloud
No Tags Found !
Sep 2014
Aug 2014
Jul 2014
Jun 2014
May 2014
Apr 2014
Mar 2014
106 KHQ Today's Hit Music on Facebook


text:
Welcome to our Virtual Showroom!
Here you can find information and pricing links to all the new Yamaha Motorcycles, Star Motorcycles, Scooters, ATVs, Watercraft and Generators. We offer the best engineered, highest quality products available in the world today and back them with our renowned customer service. Give us a try- we will not disappoint you! Please be sure to Contact US if you have any questions.
Download Your Own Product Brochures- CLICK HERE!
Star Motorcycles
2015 Star Models
2014 Star Models
2013 Star Models
Star Motorcycle Accessories
Click Here to see our awesome TV Commercial!
Purchase YES Extended Warranties HERE!
SuperSport Motorcycles
2015 Supersport Models
2014 Supersport Models
2013 Supersport Models
Super Sport Motorcycle Accessories
2014 Scooter Models
2013 Scooter Models
YAMAHA Scooter Accessories
Dual-Sport Motorcycles
2014 Dual Sport Models
2013 Dual Sport Models
Dual Sport Accessories
Motocross Motorcycles
2015 Motocross Models
2014 Motocross Models
2013 Motocross Models
YAMAHA Motocross Accessories
Off-Road Motorcycles
2013 Off Road Models
2012 Off Road Motorcycles
YAMAHA Off Road Accessories
Rhino Side by Sides
2015 Side by Side Models
2014 Side by Side Models
2013 Side by Side Models
YAMAHA Rhinos (Side by Sides) (pdf)
YAMAHA Rhino Accessories
Sport ATVs
2015 Sport ATV Models
2014 Yamaha Sport ATVs
2013 Yamaha Sport ATVs
YAMAHA ATV Accessories
Utility ATVs
2015 Yamaha Utility ATVs
2014 Yamaha Utility ATVs
2013 Yamaha Utility ATVs
YAMAHA ATV Accessories
Request a Quote
Personal Watercraft
YAMAHA Generators
Generator Accessories
Our High Quality Used
Motorcycles, ATVs and Rhinos
Why Wait? Get a terrific deal
on a new Yamaha
ATV or Motorcycle
*Prices are before Sales tax, License and Doc Fees and include all factory rebates and incentives.
**These fuel economy estimates shown on this website are based on US EPA exhaust emission certification data obtained by Yamaha.
A riders actual mileage will vary depending on road conditions, how they ride, and the maintenance of each vehicle,
vehicle accessories, cargo that may be carried and the operators and passengers weight.
Home Page |
About Us |
Calendar |
Contact Us |
Employees |
Employment |
FAQ's Page |
Information Links |
Showroom | News | Photo Gallery | Policies | OEM Parts | Service Department | Site Map
Parts and Accessories | Table of Contents Page
Copyright 1994- 2014 Yamaha of Cucamonga Inc. All Rights Reserved.


text:
3001 E Avenue K has a Walk Score of 42 out of 100. This location is a Car-Dependent neighborhood so most errands require a car.
This location is in Grand Prairie.
Nearby schools include Larson Elementary School, Beckham Elementary School and Jane Ellis Elementary School.
The closest grocery stores are Heritage Family Specialty Foods, Inc, Stop N Go and Village Farms LP.
Nearby coffee shops include Boyd Coffee Co and Custom Coffee Plan. Nearby restaurants include Mixed Up Burgers, 1542 N Watson Rd, Grand Prairie, TX 75050 and Fountain Subs & Salads.
3001 E Avenue K is near Waggoner Park, Waggoner Park and L T V Park.


text:
Police arrested a 19-year-old man early Sunday morning after reports of a naked man skateboarding on Gilbert streets.
Ryan Mason was found walking and carrying a skateboard to hide his genitals near Cooper Road and Houston Avenue about 2:15 a.m. Sunday.
Mason told officers he and some friends were at a nearby pool when they hid his clothes.
The original reporting party declined to press indecent exposure charges and Mason was cited only for consumption of alcohol by a minor.
Copyright 2013 CBS 5 (KPHO Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.
PO Box 8086
Savannah, GA 31412
FCC Public File
EEO Public File
Closed Captioning


text:
Advice on how to dispose of sandbags (From Herald Series)
When It Happens Panel Get involved: send your photos, videos, news & views by texting 'OXFORD NEWS' to 80360 or email
Advice on how to dispose of sandbags
9:30am Saturday 1st December 2012 in News
DETAILS have been released of how householders can dispose of sandbags used in the recent floods.
People in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse should return them to the car park where they were collected by next Friday.
Those collected at B&Q should go to Cattle Market Car Park, Abingdon. Bags delivered to homes and those contaminated by flood water will be collected by district council staff.
South residents can call 01235 524886 while Vale residents should call 01235 520202.
Oxford residents can drop off sandbags at Redbridge recycling facility and council staff will collect bags from West Oxford from Monday and from Abingdon Road the following week. Call 01865 249811.
Comments are closed on this article.


text:
Style Map
Daily Dispatches From The Global Scene
Get ready for a whole new modus operandi for shopping, courtesy of a new fashion Web site: Moda Operandi. Founded by Vogue contributing editor Lauren Santo Domingo and entrepreneur Aslaug Magnusdottir, the site will allow shoppers to preorder pieces directly from the runway—which means, the founders hope, more editorial and experimental pieces reaching consumers' hands. Thakoon, Proenza Schouler, Prabal Gurung, Alexander Wang, and Giambattista Valli are all among the designers who've pledged to make select pieces available for orders on the site within 48 hours of their runway shows. [WSJ]
Hollywood newcomer Rooney Mara is the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, but there's some dispute over where she'll be flaunting it. Mara is said to have been first choice for an upcoming Vanity Fair cover, but disputes over who would shoot it have shunted her to W. Meanwhile, VF is busy picking stars for its upcoming "Young Hollywood" cover. Nothing's confirmed, but Natalie Portman (left), James Franco, Ryan Reynolds, Rashida Jones, and Paula Patton have all been mentioned, as has Noomi Rapace, the Swedish actress who starred in the original film version of Dragon Tattoo. [WWD]
Whither the new, expanded McQ collection? According to designer Pina Ferlisi, bags, shoes, and jewelry, as well as limited runs on select items. "There's a lot of disposable fashion around, and McQ will certainly not feel like that—it will be precious," she told British Vogue. [Vogue U.K.]
What does it take to move a thousand sweaters? If you're an online retailer, like Shopbop, Bluefly, or Gilt, the perfect model. The Times explores the phenomenon of the new class of online supers, so recognized for their repeat bookings at sample sale and e-tail Web sites that they get called out in public. Cindy, Naomi, Kate: Meet "the Redhead" (and buy a scarf online, while you're at it.) [NYT]
And just in case you were curious: Conan O'Brien loves jeggings. "When I see women on the lot here walking around wearing jeggings, I just do a back flip," he told Tim Gunn on his show. [Styleite]


text:
A Colorado woman was impaled by a light pole after she crashed because she was texting and driving.
The Mohave County Sheriff's Office is asking for the public's help in finding a 66-year-old Yucca woman.
Carol Ann Drake was reported missing this week by relatives. MCSO spokeswoman Trish Carter said deputies checked her home and she wasn't there, but her vehicle was.
Drake's relatives told authorities they have not heard from her in two to three weeks.
She's described as 5'4'' and 110 pounds with brown eyes and brown hair.
If you have information on her whereabouts, call the Mohave County Sheriff's Office at 800-522-4312 or 928-753-0753.
Copyright 2013 CBS 5 (KPHO Broadcasting Corporation). All rights reserved.
1 Julian Price Place
Charlotte, NC 28208
FCC Public File
EEO Report
Closed Captioning


text:
(edit sidebar)
Research & Learning
Other Class pages
ITP Help Pages
Reading A Serial Protocol
Many applications are best realized NOT by making your own devices, but by using existing hardware. For example, you could build your own GPS receiver for a couple hundred dollars and a few dozen hours of sweating over a circuit board, or you could buy a cheap one off the shelf. GPS receivers are all supposed to be able to communicate using one of several standard protocols. To use an off-the-shelf unit in your application, you'd need to program your computer or microcontroller to read whichever protocol your receiver speaks.
There are a few parameters to consider when learning to use an existing serial protocol:
This example shows how use Processing to read a GPS receiver that's using the NMEA 0183 protocol. the principles shown here can be applied generically to many serial protocols.
Get the physical and electrical interface right
The GPS receiver used here is a Garmin GPS72, which has an RS-232 serial port. It also has a simulation mode, in which it sends out "fake" GPS readings that conform to the protocol. This is useful, since GPs doesn't work indoors, so testing with a receiver that doesn't have a simulation mode would be difficult. You'd have to program outdoors. Furthermore, it shows the readings onscreen, so you can check your serial data against what's onscreen.
Since many laptops no longer have RS-232 serial ports, so you'd need an RS-232 to USB converter to make this work. Briefly, the system here is:
Understand the protocol's structure, and look at it
The NMEA FAQ explains the NMEA protocol well, including this summary:
Under the NMEA-0183 standard, all characters used are printable ASCII text (plus carriage return and line feed). NMEA-0183 data is sent at 4800 baud.
The data is transmitted in the form of "sentences". Each sentence starts with a "$", a two letter "talker ID", a three letter "sentence ID", followed by a number of data fields separated by commas, and terminated by an optional checksum, and a carriage return/line feed. A sentence may contain up to 82 characters including the "$" and CR/LF.
In other words, it operates at 4800 bits per second, it's all in ASCII, and each sentence ends with a carriage return and a linefeed. The simplest way to see if you can read it is to open a serial terminal program. Open up Hyperterminal, zTerm, or screen and see what comes in. You'll get something like this:
$GPRMC,175822,V,4043.8533,N,07359.7486,W,0.0,0.0,010606,13.4,W,S*29 $GPRMB,V,9.99,R,,GARMIN,3851.3330,N,09447.9410,W,966.357,270.1,,V,S*69 $GPGGA,175822,4043.8533,N,07359.7486,W,8,11,2.0,20.6,M,-34.0,M,,*45 $GPGLL,4043.8533,N,07359.7486,W,175822,V,S*50 $GPBOD,257.4,T,270.8,M,GARMIN,*50 $GPBWC,175822,3851.3330,N,09447.9410,W,270.1,T,283.5,M,966.357,N,GARMIN,S*75 $GPVTG,0.0,T,13.4,M,0.0,N,0.0,K*78 $GPXTE,V,V,9.99,R,N,S*06 $PGRME,15.0,M,22.5,M,27.0,M*1A $PGRMZ,68,f,3*25 $PGRMM,WGS 84*06
You know from the description above that each line is a sentence. Reading further in the NMEA FAQ, you learn that there are several formats of the sentence, and that the first element ($GPRMC, $GPGLL, etc) describes the sentence. You'd need to read the descriptions o the sentences to see which one contains the data you need. If all you need is latitude and longitude, the $GPGLL sentence looks easy:
GLL - Geographic position, Latitude and Longitude GLL,4916.45,N,12311.12,W,225444,A 4916.46,N Latitude 49 deg. 16.45 min. North 12311.12,W Longitude 123 deg. 11.12 min. West 225444 Fix taken at 22:54:44 UTC A Data valid
In other words, the first item in the sentence names the sentence, the second is latitude, the third identifies north/south, the fourth is longitude, the fifth identifies east/west, and the sixth is the time of the reading. Each item is separated by a comma. So you can already write an outline for a program to read it, like so:
Read data into a string until you get a carriage return Separate the string into individual elements at the commas Put the second element into a variable called @@latitude@@ Use the third element to determine north/south Put the fourth element into a variable called @@longitude@@ Use the fifth element to determine east/west
Write a program that just reads the protocol
To convert this into code, start by just reading the serial data in until you get a carriage return. Following is the Processing code:
// import the serial library: import processing.serial.*; int linefeed = 10; // linefeed in ASCII int carriageReturn = 13; // carriage return in ASCII Serial myPort; // The serial port void setup() { // List all the available serial ports println(Serial.list()); // I know that the first port in the serial list on my mac // is always my Keyspan adaptor, so I open Serial.list()[0]. // Open whatever port is the one you're using. myPort = new Serial(this, Serial.list()[0], 4800); // read bytes into a buffer until you get a carriage return (ASCII 13): myPort.bufferUntil(carriageReturn); } void draw() { // not doing anything here } // serialEvent method is run automatically by the Processing applet // whenever the buffer reaches the byte value set in the bufferUntil() // method in the setup(): void serialEvent(Serial myPort) { // read the serial buffer: String myString = myPort.readStringUntil(linefeed); // if you got any bytes other than the linefeed: if (myString != null) { // print it: println(myString); } }
Add a method to parse the data once you know you have it
Once you've got the string, you can pass it to a method to parse the string. First, add a few global variables at the beginning of the program:
float latitude = 0.0; // the latitude reading in degrees String northSouth; // north or south? float longitude = 0.0; // the longitude reading in degrees String eastWest; // east or west?
Then replace
Then add this method at the end of the program:
void parseString(String serialString) { // split the string at the commas //and convert the sections into integers: String items[] = (split(serialString, ',')); // if the first item in the sentence is our identifier, parse the rest: if (items[0].equals("$GPGLL") == true) { // move the items from the string into the variables: latitude = float(items[1]); northSouth = items[2]; longitude = float(items[3]); eastWest = items[4]; println(latitude + northSouth + "," +longitude + eastWest); } }
That's it!


text:
"Dirk! Be careful!" Zephyr called out, giving him her support, even though she was wishing for him to come back to her.
Some Guardian Angels wearing SWAT armoring appeared and flew to Dirk's side, they not interested in fighting him. "We got a rogue angel out there. She needs to be brought in for punishment." One said, sterned face and all.


text:
Hotel ICON, Autograph Collection
- Hotel Class:
- Reputation: GOOD
Awards Received:
- AAA/CAA Four Diamond Lodgings 2014
- Fodor's Choice
- Frommer's Exceptional
- Room Service
- Internet Access
- Business Center
- Dining
- Pets Allowed
- Parking
- Meeting Rooms
- Fitness Center
How it Ranks: Hotel ICON, Autograph Collection ranks #9 out of 184 Houston Hotels based on an evaluation of expert ratings and awards, as well as user reviews.
- #9 in Best Houston Hotels
- #36 in Best Texas Hotels
- #101 in Marriott Group Hotels
- #15 in Autograph Collection Hotels
Our Take: Favored by guests for its sheer decadence, Hotel ICON caters to a trendier crowd. Occupying the former Union National Bank just north of downtown Houston, the Hotel ICON offers a highly ornamental Baroque style of decoration. Rich colors, lush fabrics, ornate patterns and numerous objets d'art fill the lobby and the guest rooms, mingling with in-room amenities like soaking tubs and complimentary high-speed Internet access. (Guests highly recommend booking a corner room for more natural light.) If you didn't reserve a room with a private whirlpool, get your dose of R&R at BALANCE Urban Spa, or indulge in the succulent dishes at Line & Lariat restaurant. A member of the Autograph Collection, Hotel ICON accepts and doles out rewards to members of the Marriott Rewards program.
Location & Top Nearby Hotels
Of 184 hotels in Houston, 23 are ranked on the U.S. News list of the Best Hotels in Houston. The 10 closest to Hotel ICON, Autograph Collection are shown on the map below. These include The Sam Houston Hotel (<0.5 miles) and Magnolia Hotel Houston (<0.5 miles).
See full list: Best Hotels in Houston»
Hotel Class:Reputation: GOOD0.6 miles away
Hotel Class:Reputation: GOOD<0.5 miles away
Hotel Class:Reputation: MODERATE<0.5 miles away
Hotel Class:Reputation: GOOD<0.5 miles away
Nearby Things to Do
Hotel ICON, Autograph Collection is 2.1 miles from the #1 ranked Houston attraction, Buffalo Bayou. Of the seven top rated attractions, the five closest ones are listed below.
See full list: Best Things to Do in Houston»
- #4Minute Maid Park (0.5 miles)
- #1Buffalo Bayou (2.1 miles)
- #2The Menil Collection (2.8 miles)
- #3Holocaust Museum Houston (3.0 miles)
- #6Children's Museum of Houston (3.1 miles)


text:
They'll go to any length to stay awake.
"I've had a lot of caffeine," said Lucas Labounty, who works at Sbarro.
...Brave the elements...
"My blanket tucked into my coat because I'm so cold," said Kylee Rowden, a Black Friday shopper.
...Even don festive headgear...
"I ordered these online. They help us find each other in the store, over the shelves they stick up and you see 'oh there's mistletoe,'" said Tiffany Gordon and Jill King, Black Friday shoppers.
...All for a sweet deal at the end of the day.
"Forty-six-inch LCI LCD TV," said Kyle Bolduc, a Black Friday shopper.
While this is Black Friday, it's not the same rush most shoppers have grown to associate with the commercial holiday.
"It was pretty quiet. It's just more enjoyable to go around," said Elizabeth Blow, a Black Friday shopper.
It says "line" on the floor at GameStop. That's because at 12 a.m. Friday there was one. Since then, activity in the mall has slowed down a bit.
"Doesn't seem like as many people to me," King said.
Some shoppers are celebrating a three-day spree. This year it started on Thanksgiving, continued into Black Friday and doesn't stop until Small Business Saturday.
"A lot of the places have different deals at different times, so it's almost continuous. So, it's bouncing around, you have to be here for this, at this time for this," said Alexandria Carls, a Black Friday shopper.
Stores also face heightened competition from online retailers. Many shoppers have apps that tell them the cheapest prices available, some are demanding price match guarantees.
"She had a BOGO app on her phone, so she could see what other stores were showing because they can match the prices. Because if we can find a cheaper one in a picture on an advertisement, they have to give it to us at that price even if that price isn't that low," said Kate Kirkpatrick, a Black Friday shopper.
The Vermont Retail Association maintains even with advancements in technology and earlier hours, stores will still make 40 percent of their annual revenue this weekend, which means Black Friday's namesake still rings true.
PO Box 4508
Burlington, VT 05406-4508
Primary Phone: 802-652-6300
Primary email: email@example.com