Imagine if the ship carrying baby Kal-El landed just twelve hours later, he wouldn’t have grown up as a Kansas farm boy. Superman Red Son is the tale of the last son of Krypton had he been raised in Russia. The opening setting is during the Cold War era, Stalin is in his last few years of life and Superman has just revealed himself to Moscow. As soon as the US get a wind of this panic ensues and they rush to North America’s greatest mind for help, Dr Lex Luthor…

The whole cast are present, Lois is married to Lex, Jimmy works for the CIA. As well as a few other DC characters, Wonder Women, Green Lantern and even a Russian Batman! Superman narrates through out, with the story broken down over three parts, each part jumping on a few years.

The art work is such a joy to look at, it feels like an animation at times. However, what really won me over with this story is the dynamic between Lex and Superman, with some of the best writing I’ve come across in a graphic novel so far. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but there is a great twist at the end.

All in all this is a great graphic novel, and I’d recommend anyone with the slightest interest in DC or Marvel to read this.

I had a nice surprise this morning, my pre-order for Incubus’ If Not Now, When album was available to download on iTunes!

I’ve already expressed my thoughts on a couple of tracks released earlier, ‘Promises Promises’ and ‘Friends and Lovers’, where I stated a slower tempo seemed to be on the cards for the next album. Well I wasn’t wrong, this album has a very relaxed feel about it compared to previous Incubus outings. The great thing about Incubus, whether you are a fan or not, is that each album tries to be something different, I can think of a couple of bands where the last few albums have felt pretty similar (Foos and Coldplay). If Not Now, When? is a stark contrast of the Incubus of the 90′s.

If you’re a fan of earlier Incubus tracks, this probably won’t be for you. However, if your taste buds for rock have mellowed (like mine) over the last few years then you won’t be disappointed.

My stand out track choices are:

• Isadore – A very catchy track.
• Switchblade – Purely for the drum and bass combo, ok there is one fast tempo track

You can listen to Incubus, If Not Now, When on Spotify now!

It’s only been around for a couple of weeks, and already it’s generating more interest than Buzz or Wave. I personally think Google is on to a winner this time, and if marketed correctly there could be space for three giants in social media world. The circles option trumps anything Facebook has done recently.

Plus, I’d rather see relevant Google Ad words on my profile in the future, than the numerous single dating ads on Facebook, my status is set to ‘engaged’ Zuckerburg!

‘Friends and Lovers’ is a change of tempo from the usual Incubus tracks, much like ‘Promises Promises’. The chilled melodies show a band that is maturing; a reason why I’m still a fan of Incubus, each album has a different flavour from the last.

I will put my full thoughts of the new album up once it’s released July 12, 2011.

Check out both tracks at spin.com.

The Norwegian fjords were a beautiful site to behold, and I would recommend the cruise to any thinking of visiting them. Norway is an expensive country, so the full board option on the boat reduced the cost of the trip no end. I have uploaded a few pictures, but I have loads more and I will look to add to the Gallery over time.

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Check it out!

When commuting, the train became my home away from home. It’s its own community, with various characters that have their different idiosyncrasies. Some loud some quiet, some in groups, some on their own, all with Apple products… ok that might be an exaggeration, but you get the idea!

You get to recognise everyones face, but probably talk to only one percent of them. No one knows the pain of commuting, unless you commute. I can’t think of many situations when you have so much in common with so many people, but speak to each other once in a blue moon.

I’m writing this blog because as I speak I’m sitting on a train home from London, listening to a group of drunk middle aged men acting like they are 21; and worryingly feeling like they have been doing this for decades. I’m left with the happy knowledge that I no longer do this on a regular basis, and I can go home safe in the knowledge that my life isn’t spent on a linear track, repeating itself each week.

I haven’t been able to make my mind up about this guy, it feels like if he really wanted to he could single handily win Man City a game. However, instead he chooses to walk around the pitch 90% of the game whining to the ref, on the floor or being allergic to grass….

At the beginning I found the stories coming out about him funny, carrying around wads of cash in his pocket and driving into female prisons because he was curious. It gave the premier league a great new character. Coupling that with his goals, it seemed like Man City had a fresh new face that would take them to the next level.

But in recent matches his goals have started to dry up, and his dark side has begun to rear its ugly head more and more. The Man City fans are starting to tire of his temperament, and are now wondering if he was such a wise purchase after all.

Like any young footballer, he needs guidance so that he can mature and become a better player. But now even Mancini has come out and said he’s not listening to him. If the manager can’t control Ballotelli, this asks big questions of his future. It’s a sad fact but this player, with so much potential, could be (in the words of Stuart Pearce) nothing more than an un-cut diamond.