I have been loving Thor The Mighty Avenger! It is a fun and well-written book that appeals to fans of all ages! In the first issue we are introduced to the two main characters, Thor and Jane Foster. Thor has mysteriously been sent to Midgard and wants to return home. He meets Jane at the Bergen War Memorial Museum when he tries to get his hammer, Mjolnir, out an urn in one of the museum displays. We are also introduced to the villain of this story arc, Hyde. The second issue is action packed as Thor defeats Hyde. Now, in issue three, the action continues as mayhem ensues, with a little help from Loki. Thor meets superheroes Henry Pym (Ant-Man) and Janet van Dyne (Wasp) but it is not a friendly encounter.

Roger Langridge‘s writing is perfect for this series. It is fun, fast and self-contained. All you need to know is between the covers. Partner that with Chris Samnee‘s art and you’ve got magic. I love the bold lines and the dynamic movement of Samnee’s art. And I love the sense of life that he gives the characters. If you want to see more of Samnee’s art check out Siege: Embedded and the Comic Twart Blog. Matt Wilson‘s coloring really helps to accentuate Samnee’s art. Everything fits together incredibly well!

This book has a classic, timeless feel. It somehow balances retro styles and modern sensibilities. Ant-Man and Wasp don their original costumes. And Hyde is very much a throw-back villain. Yet something about this book feels modern. It might be the rich colors and the bold lines. Or it might be that Jane Foster is a strong and feisty character. At least more so than any of the 60’s Marvel women.

The first page of issue three we are given a re-cap of the events in the previous title, which adds to the retro feel. This book is perfect for new-comers. You don’t need to know anything about Thor to be able to understand and appreciate this book. You don’t need to know anything about other Marvel characters either. Langridge does a perfect job of introducing everyone. The first time we see Janet van Dyne she is reading a fashion magazine at the Pym research facility. We know right off the bat that she is fashion-conscious and intelligent. That is all you need to know about her. And Samnee’s art helps to describe the characters, especially through facial expressions. The smile on Loki’s face on the bottom of page 7 sums up that character, no words needed. Not to spoil too much, but the fight between Thor and Ant-Man is nicely executed. The coloring and lettering all work together to help make things clear and concise. The end of this issue leaves you feeling warm and fuzzy. I seriously can’t recommend this book enough. If you aren’t reading it, you really should!

I don’t know if there is anything else in the world that makes us happier than when people we know and like get recognition for their talent and that certainly is happening with artist and writer Jason Latour. I may be a little biased because he is a customer and good friend of the store, but I genuinely love his work. He is one of the wittiest and smartest guys I know. I love listening to him tell stories and talk about comics. I think I can speak for everyone at Heroes when I say that we love it when he comes in the store!

Comic Book Resources has a preview of Latour’s story in Daredevil Black and White #1 which is out this week. Peter Milligan wrote the story and Latour did the art. The basic synopsis is that Daredevil is given a chance to get his sight back but it comes with a catch.

I love the way he lays out his pages and how they flow. I love his style and use of contrast between the whites and blacks and grays. In other words, he can really draw! His story in Daredevil Black and White #1 is great! I highly recommend that you pick it up right now if you haven’t already done so!

Also, CBR’s Timothy Callahan interviewed Latour for his When Worlds Collide blog. Callahan speaks very highly of Latour’s work. It is a really fun and informative interview. It gives you a glimpse into the dedication it takes to be a comic book artist. Most people don’t stumble into the industry, most people have to work their butts off to get where they are. Definitely check out the interview and find out what made Latour say this, “Every time that’s done the sky rains Jack Kirby’s tears.” Latour even mentions Heroes and HeroesCon and says some really nice things. Shucks, thanks Jason!

Latour has some exciting new projects coming up this year. He will be doing the art for Scalped #43 which is written by Jason Aaron. Also, his book Loose Ends will be coming out later this year through 12 Gauge. He wrote this one and Chris Brunner did the art with Rico Renzi on colors. I am so super excited about that book! Brunner had some pages on display at our art show at Twenty-Two. It looks amazing! Plus Brunner and Renzi are more friends of ours and we love to support our friends! Another big project due out next year is Noche Roja which is a Vertigo Crime original graphic novel written by Simon Oliver with Latour on art. You will hear more from us about each of these books as they come out!

CBGB #1
Published by BOOM! Studios

Ask any ten people what “punk rock” is and you’re liable to get ten different answers. Any music nerd worth their salt are bound to mention the Sex Pistols, the Clash, Black Flag, the Dead Kennedys, or even bands like Minor Threat, all groups affiliated with a specific time, a specific region and a specific scene. What’s hard to debate, however, are actual dates. And by that token, New York has England, California and Washington, DC all beat to the punk rock punchbowl.

To prove it, BOOM! Studios has released issue one (of four) of CBGB (the comic!). This anthology comprises stories set around NY punk’s ground zero, the legendary (and now defunct) CBGB. Back in the 70s, when the Bowery was a legitimately dangerous place to be, proprietor Hilly Kristal opened his little bar, anticipating country music and bluegrass to be the next hot urban trend. He was way off, and in a last ditch effort to populate his establishment, he handed the stage over to pretty much anybody that walked through the door.

This is all explained nicely in the first story of CBGB #1, A NYC Punk Carol. Although mining the Charles Dickens standard is about the most trite maneuver a storyteller can make, writer Kieron Gillen and artist Marc Ellerby handle the adaptation with sufficient charm. Drawn in something of an Adult Swim style, the short centers on Stooge, the front man of a band he’s deemed too technically proficient to satisfy his purist agenda. After downing a bottle of brown liquor, Stooge is given a crash course in CBGB and punk rock’s shared history by the spirits of Past, Present and Future, all at once. The spirits’ bickering is a highlight, and the story culminates in the most succinct and accurate summation of punk rock I’ve ever seen. You’ll know it when you see it.

Next up, eight pages of The Helsinki Syndrome. When a young punk rocker dresses inappropriately for his uncle’s funeral, his punishment is to clean out the deceased’s apartment for his parents. There he finds a strange connection between his uncle and the titular dive, which he investigates with a girlfriend. The only problem with this story is that it’s self-contained. Sam Humphries and Rob G have crafted an intriguing tale (not to mention a stunning stage presence with the uncle), one that seems to hint at more to come. It wastes a huge amount of potential, and would be better suited as the first chapter of a serial, not a one-off curiosity.

CBGB’s forays into marketing and merchandising seem at odds with the musical genre it helped to nurture, but it was always the most recognizable brand name in the scene. The first nest of punk rock in the Big Apple was clearly the Mercer Arts Center, where the likes of the New York Dolls and Suicide first stated biting the ankles of the rock establishment. But no New York punk rock institution – not even the venerable Max’s Kansas City – can ever hope to compete with those four iconic letters. CBGB might not have been there first, but it did stick around the longest. And to prove it, here’s a comic book.

After a few weeks of hoopla surrounding the comic and film announcements at San Diego Comic Con, it’s nice to know that another new comic day is upon us.  As usual, I can’t cover all of the new titles here so check our ‘new releases’ page for a complete listing.  Here are just a few of the new books I’d like you to be aware of this week:

1) American Vampire #5

Chances are good that if you’ve been in the store over the past several months you’ve heard me or one of my Heroes cohorts praising this title.  For those who think this might just be another of the many vampire books that have jumped on the undead bandwagon, you’d be wrong.  Author Scott Snyder offers a new take on the vampire mythology that returns the creatures to their dark and vicious origins.  Throw in the stylized art of Raphael Albuquerque who continues to illustrate the two sections of the book in two distinct art styles, and you have a really talented creative team working on a book that deserves every bit of the praise it’s receiving.  Another reason to give this book a try?  Stephen King has written the backup story in each of the issues thus far, marking perhaps the first time he’s written a serialized story based on characters he didn’t create!  Issue five wraps up the first story arc of the series and should tie up some loose ends and shine a light on the next storyline.

2) Artifacts #1

This series is being billed as an event 5 years in the making and one which is said to be remaking the characters in the Top Cow universe.  At the same time, early publicity is saying that this issue is a good jumping on point for new readers.  So if you’re a fan of older stories of Witchblade and the Darkness, or just curious about the characters in general you might have some interest in checking this one out.  Veteran writer Ron Marz is at the reins of this one, with artist Michael Broussard handling the art.  These characters remain popular properties, and it wouldn’t surprise me a bit if this one sells quickly.

3) Four Eyes TP vol. 1

This first collection from Joe Kelly and Max Fiumara collects the first four issues of their acclaimed and hard to find original series.  If you haven’t heard of this book, it has the unique premise of combining depression-era America with dragons!  That might sound a little strange to some, but this book came in under the radar and was a quick seller the first go round.  Aside from the acclaim the creators garnered on this title, they might be more recently recognized for their excellent work in introducing a new Rhino in Amazing Spider-man.  Kelly’s been around for a little while – remember he wrote a nice chunk of the first Deadpool ongoing series – and he’s gotten back to form recently.  Fiumara is definitely an up-and-comer whose art deserves appreciation.  You might have trouble finding all the Four Eyes individual issues, so this is the best place to jump on board this good book.

4) Thor: The Mighty Avenger #2

Roger Langridge and Chris Samnee return with the second issue of their excellent take on Thor.  The first issue was one of my favorite comics of recent weeks.  And while this is an all-ages title, don’t assume that means this reading of the character will be cute or silly. While it does appeal to younger readers, Langridge and Samnee bring some of the old Lee and Kirby fun back to the character, which adult readers should also appreciate.

5)  The Marvels Project: Birth of the Super Heroes HC

For those of you who didn’t pick up this series the first time around, here’s your chance to see one of Marvel’s best in a glorious hardcover format.  This book is worth adding to your library for a number of reasons.  Ed Brubaker and Steve Epting followed up their momentum on Captain America by taking on the early years of Marvel heroes and exploring new aspects that we hadn’t seen before.  Though the book has a large scope it’s successful because the creators don’t get lost in the scale, but focus on the individual characters as they deal with worldwide upheaval and their increasing self-awareness of their abilities.  We’ve seen several books in the past that deal with Marvels early days.  Some readers might have ignored this book for that very reason.  But Brubaker and Epting dug a little deeper into the characters themselves, while still linking Marvel’s history into a nice linear structure.  There’s no multiverses or alternate realities here, just two creators with respect for the past who tell a well-rounded tale that’s as reliant on history as it is nostalgia.

That’s the spotlight for this week!   As I said, this is only a few of the many new books released today.  Let us know what you read this week that you really enjoyed or were surprised by.  We on the Heroes Staff are a group that appreciates a wide variety of comics, but we like to hear what you’re reading too!

With all the controversy swirling around writer J. Michael Straczynski’s stint on Wonder Woman, it’s a little easy to overlook the fact that he’s also taken over writing chores on Superman.

Plus, the Wonder Woman hype aside, his story line on Supes — titled “Grounded,” about the Last Son of Krypton going for a walk around America — will undoubtedly feature a lot less explosions and punches than Princess Diana’s comic, so folks may be ready to sleep on the title. But, judging from the latest issue of the series (701), it would be in your best interest not to let Superman pass you by.

This month’s tale is the ultimate antithesis of everything Superman’s been about for the last few years; JMS has chucked all the Kryptonian crap (although he references those adventures) and instead surrounds Clark with normal people with normal problems. That sounds boring, I know. But if you read his stint on Thor, you know that JMS is one writer who knows how to handle quiet moments. As seen in his work on the God of Thunder, he’s able to deal with humanity without it coming off like “a very special episode of Superman.”

Every so many years, a superhero comic has to cleanse its palate of convoluted — and overly insular — garbage and get back to stories that are accessible to any reader off the street. It’s Supe’s time for a cleansing … and so far, so good.

Adapted/Illustrated by Darwyn Cooke

IDW Publishing, 2010

Initially sold at WonderCon some few months back and finally released this past Wednesday this book acts as a prelude to Richard Stark’s Parker: The Outfit due out in the fall.  This story will be included in that book.

So why buy this?

For one thing, the format.  Coming in at a gigantunormous 8×12, Cooke’s artwork looks crisper and cleaner somehow.  This was true of his artwork in DC: The New Frontier when it was presented in the Absolute format.  You feel enveloped by it, like you’re sitting in the diner booth and plotting the heist alongside the characters.  I’ve fallen in love with the oversized format recently with King City and last year’s Kick Drum Comix (found in our Indie Section!)  I think this is the best use of it yet.

Really you guys, here’s the thing, The Man with the Getaway Face; I think it’s better than The Hunter and I looooooved The Hunter.  This though, this was just so…economical.  It’s amazing in its conciseness.  Every choice in story presentation is the 100 percent right choice.

That opening title sequence, for example, of Parker getting the bandages taken off his face after his (off-screen) plastic surgery.  It’s presented from his/our point of view. It starts at complete black and then panel by panel ribbons of blackness are snipped off like the ribbons of a bandage with the appropriate scissor snip sound effect.   As these ribbons are cut off we get the creative credits but new  words are coming into view and eventually reveal the story’s title.  Then the next page we and Parker are gazing at his new face in the mirror in a one page minimalist splash.  The story has got you now because you’re in it with Parker.

The Hunter was a buildup; a gradual unfurling of plot and information because it had 140 pages and could afford it’s leisurely pace.  This is only 24 pages long, man.  And it’s not an adaptation of a short story, this was a novel too.  Cooke condensed a NOVEL into a single issue.  It’s all essential, so it all hums.  Passage of time is symbolized by a Timex watch every few pages.  I think the sepia wash is sharper looking than the blue wash from The Hunter. That cover with the stray pencil lines and the one eye glaring at you, holy god. There is so much in this thing that can be dissected, discussed. Everything about this comic is R-I-G-H-T, as its own thing, as an opener to The Outfit, as a promotional item.

A comic that you can set your Timex watch to.

I have been obsessed with Erika Moen‘s work ever since I was exposed to her at this past HeroesCon. I picked up the second volume of DAR! and literally could not put it down. It is engaging and funny and strongly illustrated. This volume collects her web strips from 2009. She also reprints some older work and some bonus stories. After reading volume two I went to her website and read pretty much every one of her strips. In about a day. She is a highly entertaining cartoonist and I can’t recommend her work enough.

The official title of her web strip (DAR! A Super Girly Top Secret Comic Diary) is amusing and intentionally misleading. She isn’t what I would call a “girly” girl. And the strip isn’t appropriate for young girls. Moen’s work is intended for a mature audience. There are lots of references, jokes and images that are not appropriate for children or work. But the strip is a window into her life and it looks in on her most secret moments. It is the truth for her as a girl. This strip is all about her life experiences. It is very personal and very open. Some of the strips I feel like she is laying her life bare before the audience and yet she does it with humor and wit. Her work is all about balance. Her strips can be crass and baudy and yet at the same time they are sweet and endearing. I find her work to be completely relatable. I see myself in her. We don’t have a similar life story but I think that when you imbue your work with honesty then it is easy for people to relate to it, even if their life is vastly different from yours. Her artwork greatly enhances her stories. Her artwork is engaging and her characters are easily recognizable. She uses a lot of gray-tones which help give it depth and life. Her website contains six years worth of her strips and you can really see her develop as an artist and a storyteller in her ability to flesh out stories.

Almost a year ago she stopped doing DAR! and she explains why in the strip on the website’s homepage. I am disappointed that she is no longer doing a diary comic but I am excited to see what she is working on next. I have already begun the hunt for more of Moen’s work. I went to Portland, OR a couple weeks ago and while I was there I stopped by a couple comic book shops. At Cosmic Monkey Comics I found a mini that she did with Lucy Knisley called Drawn to You. I really liked the way that the two of them worked off of each other. It was a really fun read. She is a talented storyteller and I want to read more of her work!

This week’s spotlight focuses on new releases that are a bit more eclectic than ones previewed in previous weeks.  That said, there are some interesting mainstream titles on sale as well so be sure to check our full listing of this week’s new releases to see what might interest you.  Here are some of my picks for titles to look out for:

1) Fractured Fables HC

This new all-ages anthology comes to us courtesy of Image Comics and features a diverse set of contributors including Jill Thompson, Ben Templesmith, Ted McKeever, and Scott Morse.  With each creator offering their interpretation of classic fairy tales, this one should appeal to kids and adult fans who are familiar with some of the artists more mature efforts.  If you saw the Free Comic Book Day preview title, you know this is going to be a fun book.

2) The Sixth Gun #1 and #2

From Oni Press and creators Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt comes the first two issues of a title they debuted at this year’s Free Comic Book Day.  One of the event’s highest regarded offerings, this title has been steadily adding to its buzz in recent months.  With a story set during the Civil War and incorporating supernatural elements, there is something here for fans of both history and horror.  And if you missed the Free Comic Book Day issue, it is reprinted in issue #1, while issue #2 continues the ongoing series.

3) Astonishing Spider-man/Wolverine #2

Another title featuring Spider-man and Wolverine?  Don’t let the fact that these characters appear in numerous books deter you from giving this series a shot.  Jason Aaron has proven in recent years that he writes costumed characters as well as he does the inhabitants of his gritty and consistently brilliant series Scalped.  Adam Kubert is no stranger to illustrating Marvel characters, and has done some good work since returning from his tenure at DC.  What’s most significant about this title to me is that Aaron and Kubert don’t just throw the two characters together without reason.   After years of running into each other in comics, the relationship between these two very different kinds of heroes is explored to good measure and perhaps in greater detail than we’ve previously seen.

4) Strange Science Fantasy #1

When he’s not busy working for Pixar writer/artist Scott Morse crafts beautiful comics.  If you stopped by the Adhouse booth at Heroes Con this year you may have seen Morse cranking out amazing paintings for lucky fans.  His new series is an anthology of sorts, created with a tip of the hat to popular superhero, sci-fi, and fantasy anthologies of the ’60’s.  Online previews of the title make it evident that Morse had a lot of fun creating this book.  And when this new world is inhabited with characters named ‘Shogunaut’ and ‘The Headlight,’  you can see that Morse’s enjoyment in making this book is contagious.

5) Mystery Society #2

This creation of Steve Niles and Ashley Wood is living up to its deserved hype.  Issue one featured one of the protagonists breaking into Area 51, and the re-introduction of Niles’ character the Secret Skull.  With elements of sci-fi, espionage, horror and of course the titular mystery, this book should not only appeal to fans of earlier works from Niles and Wood but  fans of superheros as well.  Artist Fiona Staples proved with issue one that her style works well with Niles’ writing.  She also provided the art for the recent Northlanders #29, which gives you some indication of her range.  I should also mention that we still have copies of Mystery Society #1 available, including the retailer exclusives from around the country that we debuted at Heroes Con.

Since books were delayed this week due to the July 4 holiday, I’ll be spotlighting a few more titles than the average Wednesday.  This is a big week for new books, so check out what I believe to be some of the industry’s best offerings.

1) Avengers: The Children’s Crusade #1

This series not only brings the Young Avengers back into the spotlight but also takes some steps to fix some of the Scarlet Witch’s troubles as of late.  Considering the fact that Young Avengers creators Allan Heinberg and Jimmy Cheung are at the helm of this series, fans of these characters should want to tune in. While the Scarlet Witch has been a problematic character over the past decade, both Heinberg and Cheung have the chops to get her back to relevance in the Marvel Universe.

2) Batman: The Odyssey #1

Neal Adams, one of comics early proponents of realism, returns to a character he left an indelible mark upon in years past.  Aside from the fact that the series is said to feature Adams’ take on an array of classic bat villains, it should be noted that the first issue weighs in at a hefty 40 pages.  And did I mention Neal is writing this series to accompany his trademark illustrations?  It’s nice to see him taking the reins of a character like this again.

3) The Playwright 

With his groundbreaking work on From Hell and Alec, artist Eddie Campbell cemented his place in comics history.  But in recent years with The Fate of the Artist, The Black Diamond Detective Agency and The Amazing Remarkable Monsieur Leotard, Campbell has continued to churn out quality books.  In The Playwright, Campbell reunites with writer Daren White to tell the story of a celibate, middle aged man and the intertwining arcs of his personal and artistic lives.  This one’s not for kids but is a must read for the literary-minded comic reader.  I had the good fortune to read this book a few weeks ago and it has already earned a place on my ‘Best of 2010’ list.

4) Thor: The Mighty Avenger #1

It’s no secret that the Heroes staff loves the work of Roger Langridge.  Chances are, many customers already know this as several of us regularly discuss  The Muppet Show and Fred the Clown.  While I’m excited to read Langridge’s take on all things Asgard, I must admit that I’m equally anxious to see artist Chris Samnee‘s rendition of Thor hammering away at giants and monsters.  After his recent work on DC’s sleeper hit The Mighty and the Vertigo crime graphic novel Area 10, Samnee’s proven himself a talented and capable artist.  Early previews of his work on Thor suggests that this could very well be the work of his career (up to this point).

5)  Scarlet #1

Brian Michael Bendis has clearly had his hands full running the Avengers corner of the Marvel Universe for several years. Taking note of this effort, I’m excited to see his first creator owned series since Powers.  Fans of Bendis’ grittier fare like Jinx and Torso will want to take a look at Scarlet, another collaboration with artist Alex Maleev.  Following in the vein of the aforementioned titles, Scarlet is said to be a return to Bendis’ crime and noir roots.  And while some of you might miss this duo’s collaboration on the recent Spider-woman series, this should be a nice alternative for you to check out.

6) Shadowland #1:

Andy Diggle and Billy Tan spearhead the new Marvel event focusing on Daredevil’s recent turn to the dark side.  Spidey, Cage, Iron Fist, Moon Knight, the Punisher, and other city-based heroes also appear in what could be an book that has fallen under the radar of some readers. Expect to encounter a more violent Daredevil than you are used to with major ramifications for the character to be felt for some time.

7)  Steve Rogers: Super Soldier: #1

While the original Cap is leading the current Secret Avengers and still making appearances in the primary Captain America title, here’s your chance to read a solo Steve Rogers series.  Writer Ed Brubaker has already proven his skill at writing Rogers but it’ll be nice to see artist Dale Eaglesham‘s rendition of the character in his new role as Marvel’s top cop.

Bonus Pick of the Week: Casanova #1

Finally, I would be remiss not to mention the re-release of Casanova under Marvel’s Icon Imprint.  The quirky book with story by Matt Fraction and art by Gabriel Ba receives new color art from Cris Peter, as well as new lettering courtesy of our old compatriot Dustin Harbin.  In addition to awing at Dharbin’s penmanship skills, take note that the book also includes a new short story from Fraction and other regular series artist Fabio Moon.

In Shawn’s absence, I’ll be contributing my thoughts on new releases you should know about, all via the magic of Heroes Online!

1) Batman Beyond #1

DC brings the popular animated version of a future Batman to comics in his own six issue mini series.  Writer Adam Beechen and artist Ryan Benjamin reintroduce young Batman Terry McGinnis and his aged mentor Bruce Wayne, along with a future version of a recent bat villain whose name rhymes with ‘Mush.’  All this and a nice cover by the great Dustin Nguyen, who can make any version of Batman look amazing.

2) Secret Avengers #2

Issue one seemed to surprise a lot of readers with how concisely it unfolded.  Writer Ed Brubaker delivered a promising start to this series by immediately placing the new team on their first mission.  In the process, he managed to address some questions readers had regarding the presence of characters like Nova, Valkyrie, and Moon Knight on a Steve Rogers directed team.  If you were ever curious about how the Avengers might act as an espionage unit, this is worth checking out.  This book is turning out to be an unlikely but appropriate effort between Brubaker, artist Mike Deodato, and a seemingly unrelated cast of heroes.

3) Green Arrow #1

Writer J.T. Krul and artist Diogenes Neves pick up where Justice League: Cry for Justice left off, with Oliver Queen in exile mode as he lives out his Robin Hood fantasy in a real live forest!  In spite of his isolation, I’m betting he still gets the chance to shoot arrows at bad guys, though.  Fans of earlier darker themed Green Arrow stories from the Mike Grell period will probably want to check this series out.

4) Abe Sapien: The Abyssal Plain #1

Mike Mignola, John Arcudi, and artist Peter Snejbjerg kick off a new Abe two part series set in the early ’80’s.  With mermaids, underwater ghouls, and a mystical helmet, this series should be as entertaining as we’ve come to expect from this corner of Dark Horse.  You can’t really go wrong reading anything in the Mignola-verse, in my humble opinion.  And if you needed another reason to take a look at this one, there’s a great cover by the talented Dave Johnson.

5) Wonder Woman #600

Sure to be a controversial issue, the internet’s already buzzing with opinions on Wonder Woman’s first new costume change in a long while (courtesy of new DC co-publisher Jim Lee).  Regardless of your opinion on that, there are a lot of good contributors to this issue.  Alongside notable Wonder Woman artists George Perez, Phil Jimenez, and Adam Hughes, this issue boasts contributions from the likes of Amanda Conner, Geoff Johns, Scott Kolins, Louise Simonson, and new writer J. Micheal Straczynski, who kicks off his run on the title right here.