Blacksad HC

Writer/Artist: Diaz Canales, Juanjo Guardino

Publisher: Dark Horse, $29.99

I'm beyond happy that Dark Horse brought Blacksad back into print because more people in the states need to experience it. And I say experience because once you finish reading it you should come to one realization: this is how good comics are done. Scratch that. This is how beautifully awesome comics are done and this should be considered a zenith in comic book production.
Written by Juan Diaz Canales with beautiful art by Juanjo Guardino, Blacksad is a series of crime noir stories starring anthropomorphic animals. In general I'm not drawn into a series just because it utilizes anthropomorphic animals as a stylistic choice. I know many people actually are and this may enchance your desire to read it, and it may also turn you off from it. The thing about Blacksad is that it truly is a unique approach that enchances the story. Gardino's ability to bring out a character's true personality using a specific species and then beautifully emoting them is nothing short of fantastic.
If you like crime noir stories, this is for you. As far as modern crime noir comics go, you can't really find many people doing it on this level besides Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips. If you like humour and great characterization, this is for you. If you like beautifully painted artwork, you need to own this. I can read this book and then just look at it again and again to just take in the art. Very cinematic, very detailed, and very thoughtful. There are very few other artists in the industry that can truly captivate me with their facial expressions and Guardino is right at the top of the list along with the likes of Carla Speed McNeil, Steve Dillon, and a few others. 
There had been some English translations a few years back that are not only tricky to find but horrible expensive ($100 for the first volume the last time I checked ebay and Amazon). The third volume in this new hardcover has never actually been translated either, so you get a real treat with this package. Considering all that, the $29.99 pricetag is a super deal. I'm half expecting this volume to go out of print soon simply because of the support and word of mouth it's going to pick up soon. The likes of Will Esiner and Steranko praised the hell out of this book, and I've been wanting to recommend it to all my customers for the past five or so years. I would recommend picking it up while you can.
Grade: A+++
 
If you like this then try: Grandville, Criminal

Victory In A Tie

U.S. and England Tie, 1-1, in World Cup Opener. The United States team pulled off an upset draw. England, with its team stacked with English Premier League players, and our team looking like a bunch of gifted amateurs, was so overconfident going into the match that they didn't even think the US team would be a good warm-up for serious competition. In England, peeved at America's well founded anger at British Petroleum, and over the President vocalizing his frustration, by wondering who at British Petroleum ass could he kick, several British commentators mentioned that in the World Cup opening match, it would be America getting her ass kicked. Well, it wasn't our ass that left the field dragging.

England scored a goal early, and the stadium packed with Brit supporters were besides themselves with themselves. The USA had its supporters who remained hopeful. The USA team kept mighty England, with her famous high-priced stars, from scoring another goal. And then came the 40th minute in the game and the miracle goal. Well, it was for New Orleans! To the embarrassment of all England, USA got a tie, and in all honest ways, it was a loss for England. England left the field dragging her ass. It was a good day for the USA.

 

Micromax Cup Review, Part 2

Desperate for games, let alone victories, Zimbabwe would have been hoping for a decent performance when they hosted India and Sri Lanka in the 2010 Micromax Cup. But after playing good cricket in the Caribbean, the slow improvements in their coaching, management and domestic circles paid off, and how - for the first time in a decade, Zimbabwe qualified for their first multi-nation tournament final.

Zimbabwe - a lot was riding on this series for Zimbabwe, and they excelled - not only with execution, but results. Their performances were clinical, positive, confident, and even authoritative. They notched an easy victory against Sri Lanka, and brushed aside India without breaking a sweat - twice. Brendan Taylor was a deserved Man of the Series, but Hamilton Masakadza, Tatenda Taibu and Zimbabwe's army of spinners - Ray Price, Greg Lamb, Graeme Cremer and Prosper Utseya - all came to the party. In the end, it was only Zimbabwe's inexperience that worked against them, but not for lack of trying. This is the first of many, many steps they have to take if they are to become a regular cricket playing country again, but it's a step lots of people thought they'd never take. The cricket world will soon forget about the Micromax Cup, but Zimbabwe will remember the tournament quite fondly.

India and Sri Lanka now turn their attention to the Asia Cup, with experienced players returning to their usual roles in their respective teams. Zimbabwe, unfortunately, don't have any cricket coming up for a while, and will hope that whenever their next assignment comes around, the rust factor does not impact their performances. But having drawn some serious blood in the Micromax Cup, Zimbabwe are in a position to not just return to their pre-exile days, but surpass the glory days of the Flower brothers and take Zimbabwean cricket to new heights. 

Micromax Cup Review, Part 1

After the Indian Premier League, the Twenty20 World Cup, the Asia Cup, even the two-game Pearls Cup in Florida, and before the Asia Cup, the 2010 Micromax Cup shouldn't have warranted much attention, but thanks to some surprising performances and even more surprising results, it did. While the end result of the tournament - a nine-wicket win by Sri Lanka - may not raise too many eyebrows, the bigger story was the significant improvement in Zimbabwe's cricket, how they played it and how positive they were about it. It's harsh to say, but the only real losers in this tournament were India, with two wins out of four games and none of their youngsters making a mark.

Sri Lanka - the most immediate plus for Sri Lanka is Tillekeratne Dilshan batting his way back into some form. He scored cautiously in his first two games, getting used to the conditions and finding his mojo again. His opening partner, Upul Tharanga, also enjoyed some good scores, but both will be aware that they had to contend with substandard opposition bowling attacks. Dilshan is guaranteed a regular place in the Sri Lankan squad, but I don't think Tharanga made a strong enough place for his inclusion. Similarly for Ajantha Mendis - he bowled economically and took wickets, but he has continued to disappoint against batting lineups that have understood his spin bowling. Of the youngsters, Dinesh Chandimal stood out the most with his wicketkeeping and flawless century against India, but ordinary scores in the other games will keep him from a promotion. Suraj Randiv continued to impress with his bowling, and will probably find himself a regular in the Sri Lankan squad before too long. 

India - the only positive for India in the Micromax Cup was Rohit Sharma's back-to-back centuries against Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka. Suresh Raina's captaincy was disappointing (forgetting to declare the bowling Powerplay and denying Sharma and Virat Kohli the batting Powerplay in the same game), and despite a completely revamped Indian lineup, only Ravichandran Ashwin impressed - and at that, he had just the one match. In only one game did the bowlers take all ten opposition wickets, and failed to defend good totals (285 and 260) in others. The running between the wickets was clumsy, with batsmen failing to cross even when the ball was in the air. The go-slow approach in the must-win game against Zimbabwe condemned them to defeat and sent to the brink of elimination. Debuting three new players in their ultimate game against Sri Lanka called into question the focus of the team, asking the hard question - had India simply given up?

 

Sleeping Pill: 2010 FIFA World Cup

Can anyone prove me wrong?  I'm throwing it out there.  Can anyone, without 'googling' it, name five US soccer players on this year's 2010 World Cup squad and name 5 international players on any of the teams?  I don't think it can be done.

Football dominates the sporting world in the United States, and I realize soccer is a growing sport, but it can't overcome the fact that:  It's just too boring.  The action is limited, and its like watching a high school cross-country meet and then having them kick around a ball.

Most sports fans in the US will have to take a break from ESPN for a bit for they decided to broadcast just about every second of every game in South Africa.  I wonder how they ratings will be, especially in the context of comparison.  They won't touch the Super Bowl, probably not come close to the NBA Finals, and may not even beat the recent debut of Major League Baseball pitcher, Stephen Strasburg.

The madness will heat up around the world over the 2010 World Cup, but it'll pale in comparison here in the US.  I, along with many others, will be waiting for its end, so we can get back to normal sports broadcasting. 

Sri Lanka vs. Zimbabwe, Final, Harare

Zimbabwe's Cinderella-like tournament had a rude awakening in the final game of the Micromax Cup, as they caved to the pressure exerted by the Sri Lankan bowlers. Despite the heavy loss, Zimbabwe will hold their heads up for having performed better than anyone expected them to. As for Sri Lanka, they will be relieved that notwithstanding the loss to Zimbabwe in the previous game, there was no embarrassment for them in store on the big day.

 In the six games that preceded the final, the team batting second had always won. Winning the toss, Tillkeratne Dilshan had no desire to put that theory to the test, and put Zimbabwe in to bat. Nuwan Kulasekera troubled Hamilton Masakadza with his swing, and eventually dismissed the opener for 4 off 23 balls. Kulasekera and Dilhara Fernando kept the bowling tight, the latter removing Zimbabwe's hero Brendan Taylor for 19 to a brilliant catch from Thilan Samaraweera when the Taylor was looking settled. With Zimbabwe's two batting match-winners back in the hut, Tatenda Taibu was forced into defensive mode. Craig Ervine was run out trying to get things moving for 9 off 34, and Zimbabwe found themselves going nowhere at 78/3 in the 23rd over. Taibu anchored the innings with a 90-run partnership with Greg Lamb, before the former fell for a fighting 77. Charles Coventry struck three quick 4s before falling, trying to hit out with the batting Powerplay still to be taken. None of the other Zimbabwean batsmen stuck around for much longer, the only other significant contribution coming from Lamb's 37. The home team were bowled out for 199 with still two overs to play.

Needing only 3.98 put no pressure on Tillekeratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga opening the batting for Sri Lanka. Dilshan mixed his typically cavalier approach with some deft nudges and touches, while Tharanga followed suit. The 100 partnership came up in the 17th over, while Zimbabwe were struggling at 50/3. Tharanga passed 3,000 career runs as Dilshan brought his 50 up. Just as both batsmen could think about reaching their centuries, Tharanga was run out by a bad call from Dilshan. It was as much success as the Zimbabwean bowlers had, as Dilshan brought up his 7th ODI century, his first against Zimbabwe and his first as captain shortly before hitting the winning boundary to win the match and the series.

After Zimbabwe's dream run, the tournament ended in a decidedly anti-climactic one-sided affair. From the Sri Lankan's perspective, everything went right when they won the toss. Kulasekera, Fernando,  Ajantha and Jeevan Mendis kept the Zimbabwean openers contained and denied the rest of the batsmen a chance to settle in. Dilshan's century will be a welcome return to form for him, before he faces tougher challenges in the Asia Cup, and Upul Tharanga made a good case for his return to the regular Sri Lankan squad. For the Zimbabweans, only Tatenda Taibu had anything to brag about, as none of the other batsmen made any contributions and all the bowlers went wicketless. Disappointed as though they will be with the result, Zimbabwe can hold their head up high for a commendable and promising performance in the tournament. Better things are still to come - hopefully.

World Cup Politics

I

was flipping through a Reuters slideshow this morning and marveling at how great the World Cup opening ceremony looked, how awesome it is that tens of thousands of people get painted up and wear costumes to celebrate not only the game and tournament that is being played that day, but the history and tradition of the World Cup itself. In the U.S., the World Cup can be lost on us. Soccer is the most popular sport in the world, and many other countries

The first FIFA world cup was in 1930- won by Uraguay. The tournament contained all of the botched calls, arguments, tradition, and arguments that every soccer match worth its cleats contains- and in the end, Uraguay won the day and every agreed to come back in another four years and do it all again. And they did. And then they did again- and now it is 2010 and they are in South Africa, holding essentially the same kind of tournament, only with more rules and more teams, with more at stake and more to be excited about.

And that’s how I think we should start thinking about the United Nations. As more of a tournament of issues than a group of almost 200 countries trying to agree on things. That picture got me thinking- if major soccer rivals Mexico and South Africa can shake hands before the game and pose for pictures, then play to an exciting 1-1 tie, and wake up the next day and not point fingers but just move on to the next match, what can World Cup soccer teach the U.N. and politics in general about getting things done?

Here are 5 Thoughts:

1. Friendly Competition: Washington needs to hear this. Compete over issue and somebody wins. That's the game. But it's not personal. The U.N. could use a dose of this around climate change as well- a few erroneous statistics are good for making fun of, but not for trying to discount the entirety of climate change.

2. Ties: It is possible to tie in soccer, as in, you and the other side both performed and played equally that day. Politics could benefit from the idea that sometimes both sides are right.

3. Fans Matter: World Cup soccer players and sports players in general are always thanking the fans. I never hear politicians thank their constituents for their votes.

4. Excitement: Everytime I see a U.N. or Washington meeting, everyone looks like they are having as much fun as if they were watching paint dry. Why not infuse a little music, stretching, and clear those desks out of the way for a second, throw down a little?

5. Embrace Your Enemy: The UN talks a lot about peacekeeping troops, but what about actively seeking examples from within warring populations of people getting along- like the countless examples of Israelis and Palestinians who don't hate each other and do everything they can to live in peace and harmony? Or all of the people in the Middle East who don't want to blow up the U.S.? You get the idea.

World Cup politics, folks. It should be a Gooooooooooooooooooooooal!

Zimbabwe vs. Sri Lanka, Final Preview

The 2010 Micromax Cup - sandwiched between the Twenty20 World Cup and the Asia Cup for no real reason - has proven to be far more interesting than initially planned. While early bets were placed on a Sri Lanka vs. India final, Zimbabwe played confident, positive and impressive cricket to knock India out of the tournament and give Sri Lanka plenty to think about. Zimbabwe will now face Sri Lanka in a final that not many would have predicted, but most will welcome.

Zimbabwe's performances in the Micromax Cup have been the progression of an unsteady stream of improvement that's been taking place over the past few years. With both India and Sri Lanka sending depleted teams to the tournament, Zimbabwe seized the opportunity. Every victory they've achieved has been comfortable and authoritative - beating India by six wickets, India again by seven wickets, and Sri Lanka by eight wickets. If the trend continues, they'll win the final with only one wicket down. Impressive as though they've been, Zimbabwe haven't yet been really tested in this tournament. If they find themselves in a tight position against the Sri Lankan bowlers, do the Zimbabwean batsmen have the experience and steel to hold their nerve? Their one loss in the series begs the question of how well they will perform under pressure. Hamilton Masakadza and Brendan Taylor have been outstanding with the bat, and the spinners - Ray Price, Graeme Cremer, Greg Lamb and Prosper Utseya - have strangled singles and taken wickets. On their own home turf - and after capping off a brilliant league stage with a resounding victory over Sri Lanka - Zimbabwe have every reason to feel confident. 

Sri Lanka will be relieved that, after a disappointing Twenty20 World Cup campaign and a first-game loss to India in this tournament, they've come back well to secure a place in the finals. Tillekeratne Dilshan has rediscovered his form, and showed that should an attacking approach be ill-advised, he can adapt his game to fit the situation of a match. Dinesh Chandimal struck a glorious maiden ODI century (against India), but his failure in the following game against Zimbabwe puts pressure on him to deliver. Ajantha Mendis has been mostly decoded by the rest of the world, but Zimbabwe haven't seen much of him, and their relative inexperience in playing bowlers of his caliber might prove key. Nuwan Kulasekera has been firing on all cylinders, and Suraj Randiv has continued to make his case for full inclusion into the team. With both Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka suffering one defeat to each other in the league stages, it sets the scene up for what should be a (surprisingly) interesting final.

 

 

Sri Lanka vs. Zimbabwe, 6th ODI, Harare

With India knocked out of the Micromax Cup, this match between Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe became a dress rehearsal. Both teams rested key players, and would have looked to see if it was possible to successfully defend a total in this series - in all the matches so far, the team batting second has won (and quite easily). The trend continued, as Zimbabwe easily reached Sri Lanka's target, with Brendan Taylor hitting his second ODI century to continue his good form and set up what should be a good final game between these two teams.

Put in to bat first, Tillekeratne Dilshan exploded into action with three consecutive 4s off a wayward Elton Chigumbura. Upul Tharanga also got into the action (hitting three consecutive 4s off his own), but was content to play second fiddle to Dilshan's blasting. The captain raced to his 50 off just 39 balls, as the Sri Lankan openers pummeled the Zimbabwean pace attack to all corners. After hitting his second six, Dilshan was eventually stumped off Prosper Utseya's bowling for a breezy 78 off 66. The Zimbabwean spinners and fielders choked off the runs, Brendan Taylor and Charles Coventry holding a couple of very good catches in the outfield (the latter to get rid of Upul Tharanga for 69), and Hamilton "Just Married" Masakadza taking a sharp return catch off Chamara Kapugedera. Things went from bad to worse for the visitors when Thilan Samaraweera was farcically run out, leaving them at 200/6 in the 40th over. Christopher Mpofu took two wickets in an over, and two more fell in a Ray Price over, to bundle the Sri Lankans out for 236 in 47.5 overs, when a much larger score looked likely when Dilshan and Tharanga were accumulating runs.

Masakadza and Taylor usually get Zimbabwe off to great starts, but Masakadza was caught behind for just 2. With Tatenda Taibu keeping wicket for the Sri Lankan innings, Taylor was fresh, and continued his good form. He was joined by Justice Chibhabha, playing his first game of the tournament. With no pressure to score quick runs, the two of them exchanged singles and hit boundaries at will. They put up 114 together, before Chibhabha was LBW to Dilshan for 58. By that point, Zimbabwe needed 89 from 18 overs. Taylor and new batsman Tatenda Taibu engaged in a lot of risky running that successfully ensured the asking rate never climbed. Taylor brought his century up off 125 balls, with seven 4s. He had the pleasure of hitting the winning boundary (with only one run required) to send Sri Lanka packing by eight wickets with two overs remaining.

If anyone expected Zimbabwe to take this game easy and consolidate their efforts for the final, Brendan Taylor single-handedly proved them wrong. There were a few missed run out chances and a couple of catching chances that went begging, but it was another professional and cool performance from the home team, where they have been the team of the tournament. Sri Lanka will not lose too much sleep over this defeat, knowing that Ajantha Mendis, Angelo Mathews and Nuwan Kulasekera will return for the final - but the way the middle order batsmen surrendered, and the way the bowlers failed to make any inroads, will give Tillekeratne Dilshan and the management some food for thought. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe will enter the finals with the morale and the momentum, and look good to clinch the first multi-nation trophy in their history. What a remarkable comeback this has been for them.  

India vs. Sri Lanka, 5th ODI, Harare

The everlasting saga of India-Sri Lanka cricket matches continued in Harare, and India's disappointing form in recent times continued right with it; a sparkling maiden century from wicketkeeper-batsman Dinesh Chandimal knocked India out of the 2010 Micromax Cup, upsetting pre-tournament predictions of a guaranteed India/Sri Lanka final. While India improved on their shambolic performance from their Zimbabwe game, Sri Lanka were always one step ahead, and in the end proved too much for India to contain.

Put in by Tillekeratne Dilshan's successful call at the toss, India suffered an early setback when debutant Naman Ojha was sent back by Nuwan Kulasekera. Murali Karthik made sure the scoring would not be as sluggish as it was in India's last name, but gave Thissara Perera an easy caught & bowled for 27. Again dispelling visions of the Zimbabwe debacle, India showed some intent by calling for the batting Powerplay in only the 18th over. Virat Kohli built the innings with a good, but sedate 68 (95), and Yusuf Pathan struck six 4s in his 44 before Suraj Randiv had him caught at long on. The Sri Lankan fielders choked the runs and took some brilliant catches - Chamara Kapugedera's to get rid of Suresh Raina (19), and Thilan Thushara's reflex caught-and-bowled to get the dangerous Ravichandran Ashwin (38) were the highlights. Ravindra Jadeja had the dubious dishonor of being one of the few people to actually be run out off a no-ball, such was India's day. India finished on 260/9, a slightly subpar score on what was a very good batting wicket. India had to win to stay in the tournament, obviously, but to stand a chance of making the finals the tournament, they would have to limit Sri Lanka to 214 or less, to achieve a bonus point that would make up for their two losses to Zimbabwe. 

In reply, Tillekeratne Dilshan didn't last too long, but his quickfire 21 must have felt good after a run of slow (but decent) scores. Upul Tharanga and Chandimal steadied the ship while keeping the required run rate under control, and even when Tharanga was snapped up by a good Virat Kohli catch at first slip for 27, Chandimal was more than content using his feet against the spinners to hit some big 6s, while Chamara Kapugedera ensured the singles kept coming. India started wilting under the pressure, basic misfields giving boundaries away and missing gettable catches - like Ashwin fluffing a chance to catch Chandimal, which went for 4 to make him the youngest Sri Lankan centurion in international cricket. He was eventually dismissed for 111, but it was enough for Jevan Mendis (35*) and Thilan Samaraweera (28*) to take Sri Lanka home by six wickets, with 10 balls remaining. 

So India failed on two counts, to either beat Sri Lanka or keep them to under 214. The larger picture reads even more dismally - out of four games, India only won one, and lost twice to Zimbabwe. The batting was much improved from the last game, but playing three debutants (Ashwin, Ojha and Pankaj Singh) in a crucial encounter calls to question India's focus on winning this tournament - true, the Micromax trophy is no world cup, but this series was supposed to showcase India's future stepping out from under the shadow of their established legends. Instead, India retreat to lick their wounds before playing two token Twenty20 games after Zimbabwe, who beat them twice - soundly each time - and Sri Lanka play a final for which everybody had penciled India's name. 

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