http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAch4diQRgY#at=10 Yes I know that three minutes is a lot less than twelve, but if you want to watch it on Japan's shitty Yahoo page you can do so here.
Via io9
Here's Those Sentinel Propaganda Poster for Comic Con
I saw these in pictures and I know they were giving them a way, but it's cool to see the image as well. Probably some of Fox's best marketing for any of the X-Men movies.
Via Geek Tyrant
Hicks' Story Is Resolved in the New Aliens: Colonial Marines DLC
Good for Gearbox for actually releasing this DLC huh? No? Do you think anyone is going to actually buy it? I don't think so either. Here's a description of what it has to offer!
“In this new campaign you play as 3 different characters through an interlocking story. Waking up unexpectedly from hypersleep, Lisbeth and others must figure out why the spaceship they are on, the Legato, has been diverted to intercept the Sulaco leaving LV-426’s orbit.”
Via Complex
Dear Marvel, Enough With The Meme and 8-Bit Variants
Uh... that's disgusting and doesn't even make any sense. It's Grumpy Cat slammed on top of Thanos face... with his brains exposed for some damn reason. Seriously Marvel if you're going to copy internet humor try to get there before the horse is dead and beaten.
As for the video game 8-Bit inspired covers, stop it. I know that Valiant did it and you thought, "Hey that's an awesome idea" and you're right it is. Too bad all of yours suck. Yes I'm being terribly negative, but when I hear/read "8-bit cover" I get excited and then I see yours and it's like getting to the front of the line for a roller-coaster and being told that they have to close it for the day. I'm tired of it, so please stop. Also "Game Over. The Return of Sabertooth" doesn't even make any sense. No game over screen would say that leaving this looking fake. Okay that's all my negativity for the day and feel free to like them and what not, but you're wrong.
Don't Get To Excited For This Dead or Alive 5 Ultimate Trailer
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Nt5aECK_Ka0 You know something is wrong when you actually agree with youtube comments, but seriously this is a bit disappointing. In case you were wondering, no it doesn't come with any of the previous DLC from the first release.
The "definitive Dead or Alive 5 package" will add new modes from Dead or Alive+ such as the Skill Info Plus and a tutorial mode, and will include new fighting stages such as locations from the Ninja Gaiden series. The new game will have new fighters, including Jacky, Ein, and the first-ever appearance of Momiji. The new version will also have both a single-player mode and an online mode.
Review: Dark Horse Presents #26
First off congrats to Dark Horse for winning “Best Anthology” two years in a row from the Eisner Awards. Though I’m sure the entire nominee list deserved to win, there can be only one and so congrats Highlander. Now as for this issue… it was weird. I didn’t feel as if I read that many stories, but after looking at the table of contents it was the usual amount of stories. There were of course some favorites and sadly some series that secretly made their exit in the last issue, but there were several new stories that filled their void.
I’m starting with “Juice Squeezers”, because how the hell can I ignore David Lapham writing and drawing again! My god that was a nice treat to discover and upon reading. I thought I remembered hearing something about it, but didn’t piece anything together until reading it. The story is about high school kids that are members of the “Basket Weaving Club.” That is not what it seems though. It was a fantastic story and Lapham is so masterful with his dialog. If you don’t feel like you’re back in high school while reading this then you were probably one of the characters at the beginning. I’m really looking forward to the next chapter and Lapham’s art was fantastic looking. The coloring by Bill Farmer was the perfect fit for Lapham’s pencils and really helped bring everything to life. This story is worth the purchase alone.
Steve Niles paired with Menton3 for another vampire story; you may recall their mini Transfusion from IDW. “Nosferatu Wars” was kind of a difficult story to piece together. I believe that we are given part of the ending with the beginning, but I’m not sure. Menton3’s art is wonderful as always and Niles plus vampires is a no brainer. It was interesting, but it might be too big of a story for this style of comic.
“Underground” picked up in this issue. I didn’t even mention in the last review because it was several pages of exposition that left me with no sense of the world or characters. The understanding is better in this issue, but not perfect. I’m curious to see where it goes and hopefully it’ll turn out better in the end.
One of my absolute favorites of the issue was “Steggy Wilmot and Spimps”, which is basically a story about a stupid rich guy and his Butler. The Butler “Spimps” is clearly not a dummy, but he allows himself to be dressed in just a bow tie and black underwear. Meanwhile, Steggy Wilmot is an idiot. He wakes up and rides a pig first thing in the morning and has terrible dreams of not being as rich as he is. He makes a list of the things he could buy and most of them are Spimps family members. Steggy decides to make a newspaper so that people can send him fan letters. One arrives and it is hilarious. I had a very good laugh at it. I hope that there will be more tales in the future or just a collection of stories.
“Alabaster” returned and it was very good. You really have to read it because it’s too short to talk about without completely ruining it, but I was glad to see it continuing. I’m really looking forward to the end of the story and I hope that it’s soon!
I’m not sure if “Blackout” is continuing in the next issue, but I hope it is. Actually I hope it just moves on to a mini-series or something because I really need bigger chunks of the story to read. This chapter is action packed and has some crazy results for the end of this scene.
Both “Nexus” and “Trekker” continued their stories and while I don’t really have anything new to say about them, both are worth reading still. I like the throwback feel both stories have and again I’m looking forward to the ending of each tale. Especially Trekker since it’s getting a series after its run.
Also worth mentioning quickly is “Brainbot Jr.” it’s a short story, but I like the art style and the simplicity of the story. It’s the last story in the issue so don’t miss it.
Well there you have it. It’s another solid month for the Eisner winning anthology and while there are still a few series that I’m just completely skipping, for the most part this issue is really good. There are several new stories starting so if you want to jump on the book then now’s the best time to do so. If anything you should get is just for David Lapham… I’m not joking.
Score: 4/5
Writers: Ron Randall, Steve Niles, Andrews Vachss, Mike Richardson, David Lapham, Mike Baron, Patrick Alexander, Phil Stanford, Jane Espenson, Cailtlin R. Kieman, Frank Barbiere, Dara Naraghi. Artists: Ron Randall, Menton3, Dominic Reardon, David Lapham, Steve Rude, Patrick Alexander, Patric Reynolds, Karl Moline, Steve Lieber, Micah Kaneshiro, Tom Williams. Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Price: $7.99 Release Date: 7/24/13
Review: The Dream Merchant #3 (of 6)
I hate middle issues of a mini-series. It always proves to be the most exciting issue and then everything else sucks or a boring issue and you just want the next one. In this half way point of The Dream Merchant it is the latter of the two. It was still good and still kept me entertained, but it was definitely the least favorite issue to come out. See that is the thing with the mid-issue is that is has to be done in order to tie in some key plot points. But let me say something positive about this issue because I still love the series; the cover art was straight ballin’. The whole series just has such a good flow with every panel. I feel the crisp air and the tension when Winslow is being chased in his dreams. I think the whole comic is set up so nice. It introduces a complex story in a simple format. The art just helps to make the visions more real to the reader.
This issue revolved around Winslow’s training. He must control himself in his dreams. If he can hide his memories and himself then the Regulators cannot find him. They cannot destroy his memories of the past world. Anne is there for support. She has the typical I am joining this group because life is boring and there has to be more than this. I like her but I find it irritating that she doesn’t really do anything. In this issue she steals a gun from a cop car, so now I am thinking she will have some fateful shot that will change the course of the plot. The Merchant is trying to help Winslow see in his dreams and also obtain large amounts of Nyquil for Winslow to consume. During, all of this the group is trying to outrun the Regulators when Winslow slips up in his dreams. What they don’t know is that the FBI and Homeland Security are on their asses too. I don’t know why Homeland Security wants to find them, but the FBI detective suspects that the Merchant is planning some terrorist plot I am assuming.
Not a whole lot of action happens. Even though they are running away from the Regulators, not much else is going on and it is pretty easy for them to get away. Winslow has to decide if he wants to fight this fight or not. He doesn’t even know this world so I get the hesitation. I really don’t know how this comic will end. With three issues left it leaves room for some different possibilities. I couldn’t see this going into a full on battle though. I think it will be a battle of mind which should play interesting in comic form. Also, the whole Homeland thing makes me believe that either the Regulators are taking different forms in order to erase our minds or that more people still hold the memory of the past world than we thought. So I will still be ticking around to see if anything I say has any validation…probably not though.
Score: 3/5
Writer: Nathan Edmondson
Artist: Konstantin Novosadov
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $3.50
Release Date: 7/24/13
New Clip From Justice League: The Flashpoint Paradox
Well the end of the DC Premiere line of animation is coming, but we already know that a new line of animation is in the works featuring the New 52. It's a smart move for DC and the WB because rather than focusing on past story lines that are no longer apart of the comic line, they can stay relevant with their animation. Here's what the clip is about:
Today's clip finds Barry Allen (Flash) explaining the "Speed Force" to Batman (Thomas Wayne, in Flashpoint's fractured timeline). Flash and Batman are voiced by Grey's Anatomy stars Justin Chambers and Kevin McKidd, respectively.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1CVCNja-ljY&feature=youtu.be
Review: Harbinger #14
Harbinger Wars ended last week and it was a very different way to end the event for Valiant. Rather than some epic battle it stayed right in line with the tone and style that the series had from the very beginning. That is to say that it was a consistent reading experience from beginning to end. With Harbinger releasing the week after Harbinger Wars and still dealing with HW, I had to wonder what this series would tell the reader that HW didn’t already. Short answer… a lot. In some ways, this issue is better than HW’s conclusion; mostly because we get to see the end of the 1969 Harbinger Wars and its crazy awesome. This issue begins with the first war in full swing, but really it’s just Hunter’s projections placed on the troops so that they attack each other. Harada and his two soldiers just float above the conflict watching them destroy themselves. Carter shows himself on a large screen and Harada breaks the screen revealing Carter sitting in a room behind it. The room is full of tortured pisot animals and Carter and Harada have a war of words as we wait for the final conflict to go off. Carter removes his helmet and reveals his disfigured brain from two years of torture. He begins to attack the room with his mind and his psiot talents that Harada has never seen before. This moment alters Harada’s course forever.
Back in Vegas we mostly follow Faith who has been at the center of this story line in many ways. Her mind is being controlled by one of Bloodshot’s kids Clem and she speaks to him telepathically. We see the Renegades fight with Bloodshot, but again through Faith’s eyes. Then Kris spots some fighter planes coming and they fire a missile directly at her location. Kris begins to say goodbye to everyone but Faith springs into action and practices something Simon told her about the “companion field.” Not wanting her friends to die she flies by the missile and takes it with her in her field.
I absolutely loved this issue and Faith’s narrative. She’s an amazing character and I will give a quick SPOILER and say that she lives. If she didn’t than this team would have lost its heart. Peter is the leader, but they all want to live up to Faith’s standards and that’s fantastic. Dysart does a great job of wrapping the story line and even addressing the ending. It’s like he knew that most people were just expecting the battle to get bigger and bigger and instead of trying to meet an impossible standard he hits you with a realistic ending. The good guys don’t always win, but they survive to fight another day and I’ll take that ending over a campy “everyone wins” style of ending any day. If Faith isn’t your favorite or one of your favorites by the end of this issue then I’d suggest re-reading the story arc.
Well it looks like Khari Evans and Trevor Hairsine are both leaving the book with this issue, but I’m not worried because I’m sure Valiant has another great artist or team lined up. Both artists once again nail their part of the story. Hairsine actually has a ton of action in his 1969 storyline and Carter’s reveal was awesome looking. On Evans side of things, Faith once again steals the show. The emotions on her face and the facial expressions when she’s under Clem’s control were perfect and really stole the scene.
This was a great issue and I can’t wait to see what next month has in store. After I finished this issue I realized that I really have no clue what’s coming next. Sure there is the solicits for the series, but the rest of the Valiant titles have been teased or blatantly effected because of HW. Harbinger has kind of gone under the radar, but I’m thinking there is something big right around the corner. If this sounds like a series you want to read then you should definitely pick up the next issue and I would recommend picking up the trades to get caught up as they release. This is still my pick for the best Valiant series to date so you’re only doing yourself a favor by checking it out.
Score: 5/5
Writer: Joshua Dysart
Artist: Khari Evans and Trevor Hairsine
Publisher: Valiant Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: 7/24/13
SDCC '13: Check Out Sneaky Zebra's Cosplay Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s-I3h15VgyE What's crazy about this video is that some of the photos we posted are from the same locations, meaning that they were probably snapped while this was going on. Sneaky Zebra brings their style to video of course and I'm sure they had limited space and time to work with, even still they did a great job.
Review: Lazarus #2
It’s not every family meeting where you decide upon war against another family, your sister grabs your brother’s balls and throws him down, and a full-on body scan of your protector happens. What does happen in a family meeting though; secrets are being fought about and favorites are being picked. Exactly why Lazarus has the best of both worlds. It deals with real family shit piled on top of crazy power over the country. It isn’t the newest thing I have seen, but I am starting to grow on this comic because I don’t see it changing; only the reader should change to enjoy it. The Carlyles resort to a family meeting in order to learn about the attack that just happened and also decide what to do about it. They know it was the Morray family that did the attack. The father seems suspicious but so do all the other characters. Behind closed doors Stephen admits to Jonah that he knows what Jonah is up to while Beth and Jonah fight about telling Forever where she really came from. I think this comic is trying to store us up for some crazy shit. I also think we have no idea what that shit is, so I am not even going to try to guess. I will sit back and let the action take place with no expectations. It is nice not having to think about the next step. Here we can just read and be truly shocked.
The most surprising situation that happens though is the one we don’t see. Forever and her father discuss the attack behind close doors. A plan is being made and we have no idea what that plan is. We get to see the first part of the conversation. Forever tells him of how she killed that old man, in the last issue, knowing he was innocent. Not only was her father disappointed but he seemed to actually care for his slaves. Now I am confused as to whether this is all an act or if he really does have some sympathy for his workers. The story begins and then it ends. No real plot changes happen. Although the ending will no doubt keep readers into the third issue. I think after some starter issues the comic is really going to start plowing down their points.
I like the art and its dark shadows but it is a little too boring for me. With an action comic you expect some vibrant art, however they interpret that. With Lazarus I find myself disappointed and almost bored with the pictures.
Ok after a maybe confusing review, Lazarus is starting to show that it is one of those comics you have to read now or you will never read it. You can’t just jump into the middle. So I would say pick this one up to see if you enjoy the intro. I think you will find that you have mixed feelings like I do.
Score: 3/5
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Michael Lark
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $2.99
Release Date: 7/24/13
Group Review: TMNT #24 – “City Fall” Part 3
We plan on covering the entire “City Fall” storyline as a group review so hopefully you’re keeping up with them. If this is your first group review then this is how it works; each of the writers/reviewers of Comic Bastards will give the book a score of either: Buy, Borrow or Pass along with a reason for their score. Of course we’ll kick off with a brief synopsis of the issue straight from IDW: “CITY FALL” part 3: With the hunt on for Leonardo, the remaining Turtles take whatever help they can get... but can they trust a truce with Old Hob?! A startling climax will change the Turtles forever!
Eric: Buy
I’ll ask one question: if you haven’t picked this series up WHY? Yes it that’s good. Its action packed and hell I’m back to being a kid again. Where are my figures? I love this story; it moved quickly and has plenty of action. Once I reached the end I was like you can’t stop there, but it was a fitting end for the issues. There is just grace and power in the art as it jumps off the page. The story goes for a big push only highlighting what we have been waiting for (Leo). I’ll just stop there and say by two, one for you and one for your friend who may still hate the Turtles so you can win them over.
Jordan: Borrow
TMNT is nothing short of a good time. No it’s not at the forefront of comic storytelling or even artwork for that matter but it certainly is a jack of all trades. I’m never disappointed and now as things escalate in the “City Fall” storyline tensions are higher than ever before. “Dark Leo” is the big reveal in issue 24 and while the whole 'brain wash' angle is tried and true, it still got me amped up to see some Turtle vs. Turtle action (plus Leonardo kicks Splinter in the face, which alone is worth a purchase.) The Turtles never claim to open your mind to new narrative possibilities, make you see the world in a new way, make you think, but they do promise a kick ass good time and in that they never let me down.
Samantha: Buy
I know we have seen Leo’s outfit before but the new costume is intriguing. Very dark and I like how he has all this crap on him. It shows that the Turtles are simplistic ninjas while the Foot Clan must rely on other measures because they aren’t as good.
There are going to be some pretty epic battles coming up between these brothers. I could see Raph going crazy against Leo or him almost backing down showing his more sympathetic side. Clearly, Raph will have to take on Leo because Splinter will be fighting Shedder. The others will be busy dealing with the Foot.
I love when the good guys team up with the not so bad guys too. I think that always leads to a dynamic story. Old Hob and the Turtles are going to have to fight together. Also, what gets me excited about this arc is that it will forever change the comic. Nothing will be the same with Leo. He will have to deal with hate from both sides but mostly from himself.
Carl: Borrow
Last issue I reviewed earned a BUY IT rating because the book had some great action and fun pumped into it. I also enjoyed the artistic choices when it came to the Leonardo brainwashing sequences. This issue picks back up with the Turtles forming an alliance with Old Hob in hopes of finding Leo. Also, Shredder’s attack has left Casey Jones in the hospital with some nasty boo-boo’s.
Casey awakes too late and too wounded to help. While Hob and Slash bring the good guys to the Foot Clan hideout, a whole series of betrayals leads to one big trap for the terrapins. The story’s pacing could have used some tweaking. The action takes some getting to, but once it happens, it happens. Additionally, I think Slash’s homage to Chunk from The Goonies worked too conveniently as a plot device.
The artwork maintains an excellent level. This is the first time that the illustrations make the Turtles look like teenagers. Good overall use of the pencils on this issue. Overall, this is a BORROW. I found the story to be a good middle point, but not a great one. TMNT, in its revival, works as well as the Valiant titles.
Kevin: Buy
This issue of TMNT lets the reader take a bit of a breather and soak up all the madness that has happened so far. Unfortunately it slows things down a little too much. Sure we need to see how Casey is doing after his ass beating but the Hob interaction was rough on the pacing. Agreed, that the Turtles are desperate and emotionally vested in this mission but that don’t mean their stupid by running in without a plan, especially one based off of Intel for Hob’s devious ass. That nitpick aside, the reveal of a “Brainwasher Leo” is clearly the meat and potatoes of the issue and it works really well. Overall, City Fall is slowly making its claim in being one of the best TMNT arcs ever in my eyes and I don’t read Ninja Turtles.
Dustin: Buy
I really enjoyed this issue. Old Hob was a nasty fucker just like I expected, but I absolutely love new Slash. He’s totally just Rahzar from TMNT II and I’m okay with that. New Leo aka Dark Leo was awesome. The way he threw back his head wrap and then tooled all of the Turtles as if Splinter had been holding him back was incredible. Also I think Karai might turn to the Turtles’ side as the story continues.
There isn’t a lot that happens in this issue, but it does serve to knock the characters down on their hero journey. They’re left with tough choices and one of those choices is going to be who to ally themselves with in order to defeat the Shredder. Also, I’m hoping that they’re weapons are improved. The fact that Leo could disarm them all with his new tools kind of shows how dated their formula is and it would add a new layer to the Turtles. My one and only gripe is that Donnie’s eye wrap is too dark and occasionally look Blue, I doubt anyone would complain if it was powder purple.
Connor: Buy
Things are stepping up pretty intensely and there is a pretty cool reveal too (apparently IDW have been working towards it for a while). This is some pretty cool turtle stuff, actions is sweet and the art looks good too. I recommend to buy this for any fans of the Turtles, though if you are reading it, you probably already are. My favourite cover is the B variant Kevin Eastman.
Score: 5 Buys and 2 Borrows
Story: Kevin Eastman, Bobby Curnow & Tom Waltz
Script: Tom Waltz
Artist: Mateus Santolouco
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Price: $3.99
Release Date: 7/24/13
Group Review: Tomorrowland #1
We’ve had a group review for just about every new Titan Comics title and here we are again covering their latest new series Tomorrowland. If you’re unfamiliar with the format, basically each of the writers/reviews of Comic Bastards will assign the book a score of: Buy, Borrow or Pass and then give a reason why. First though, let’s find out what the issue is about straight from Titan’s site: Meet Dimitri Vegas and Like Mike, two young DJs – and the public faces of the world-renowned Tomorrowland festival - as they are drawn into an impossible adventure to save the vital spark of creativity!
Over the course of this retina-blasting fantasy adventure, the pair find themselves sucked into an eternal war between two worlds - a battle waged between the forces of creation and destruction for the energy we all carry inside us. It's a war we're rapidly losing – but can two DJs turn the tide over the course of just one festival? There's only one way to find out!
Carl: Buy
I’m revealing the judgment on this book in my opening line of the review: BUY IT. Brilliantly illustrated, Tomorrowland takes the digital illustration process and makes art out of each panel. As the story opens, a breach in the sky releases monsters down on people below. The crispness of the pencils coupled with the excellent coloring had me enjoying each panel from the onset.
Dimitri believes he just dreamed the whole episode. When Shakespeare appears, the young man finds out that the dream was just predication for what will pass. Twisting the narrative further, Dimitri wakes from his dream within a dream to find that he and his brother are in Belgium to DJ at Tomorrowland.
After a short stop with a fortuneteller, the boys get busy on their decks. Somehow, the music opens up portals allowing mythical creatures into the world through rifts. Meanwhile, a mysterious stranger amasses a monster army. Dimitri’s dream comes to pass with some unexpected results.
As mentioned at the start, give this book a look for the art. The story works adequately, but the illustrations sell the book. I hope the story picks up for issue two, or Tomorrowland will lose my attention fast.
Samantha: Borrow
I dig the whole past, present, future bit in this comic. And I think the two brothers are a perfect fit to what this comic is going for. They are hip and have that carefree attitude about life. I think the first issue could have some more strength though. Having some dudes keeping away monsters with their DJing skills is a little weird for me. I get that they are the keepers of music but having no background on what music means to the future or time gives the music no relevance. Usually I like when the story jumps you in and you have no idea where it is going. Here I needed some stability to understand what keepers of music is all about.
The art is bright and refreshing in a sense. All the creatures stand out, but obviously a unicorn stabbing monsters in the throat has got to be on the top of your list. I like how Titan Comics brings in classic people from the past too; Einstein, Shakespeare, and Oscar Wilde. It just goes to show that you can do anything in comics and no thing or person is out of reach to explore.
The story has some good points, so I say “borrow” this issue and then steal it if the next issue turns out to be a little more structured.
Ed: Buy
I’m going to be generous and rate this comic as a “buy”, though I do see some problems with it. I think it’s likely to polarize opinion, with its pared down art style and unusual choice of genres to blend there’s going to be readers who love it and others who hate it. There’s also the matter of the dialogue: where its greatest success is that it is functional in service of the story and not at all overbearing its greatest failing is in the vocal tics of the various characters, which are unconvincing at the best of times. Paul Jenkins is a damn good writer, as evidenced by his impressive resume (including the likes of The Sentry and Inhumans), but I don’t think he’s got a handle on his protagonists’ voices yet.
Firmansyah and Maulana’s art strongly resembles the style of Humberto Ramos, with the same kind of cartoonish exaggerations and an extremely confident line, only the backgrounds are more simplified and leave the digital colors to do a lot of heavy lifting. It lacks subtlety but more than makes up for in sheer accessibility, and along with the dance festival setting and Jenkins’s unburdened script Tomorrowland is a bright and breezy read.
In spite of a few minor misgivings, I had a lot of fun with Tomorrowland. It’s not the most sophisticated or moving of comics (so don’t expect Phonogram) but it effectively captures the bacchanalian excess and youthful energy of music festivals and redirects those forces into the opening of a fantasy-genre type of hero’s quest. It’s hard to know for sure whether this series will prove to be a wild ride or turn out to be very annoying, but at this point the first issue is worth a punt if you’re looking for a light-hearted addition to your pulls this Wednesday.
Dustin: Buy
I didn’t fall in love with this issue right away like I usually do with Paul Jenkins writing, but I did find that I couldn’t put it down. I’m a huge supporter of music in comics I love stories that find interesting ways to center around them (which is why I love Bandthology so much) and this story did bring a musical element that I haven’t seen done in comics before.
That doesn’t mean the issue was perfect. I really don’t have a great understanding of the brothers and really all I know is that they’re role is going to be something important. I liked that they were each referred to as “one of two.” I’m curious as hell about this series which is why I’m giving it the “buy”, but I doubt it will be for every comic reader. That’s okay, but if you’re willing to stick around and let that curiosity grow, I have a feeling this is going to be a pretty cool series.
Connor: Buy
The first thought that came to me when I was reading this: BRIGHT COLORS! This is one of those different stories that I can recommend but not towards anyone in particular. What's revealed in the story so far is interesting, forces of creativity versus forces of chaos. And the art is sweet too.
If you want something that isn't the same old same old than ye hit it up, buy it even. I get a feeling I'll like this so check it.
Score: 4 Buy’s and a Borrow
Writer: Paul Jenkins
Artists: Alti Firmansyah and Beny Maulana of Stellar Labs
Publisher: Titan Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: 7/24/13
Review: The Crow: Curare #2 (of 3)
The first issue of this series really impressed me. It was a huge step away from the Crow’s first appearance at IDW that became muddled in techno jumbo and completely missed the entire essence of The Crow… revenge. This chapter stars a child that has been given the power of the Crow and is completely different in terms of structure and content than anything else done on the series. Without O’Barr’s first Crow stories we would likely never have reached this story, but this series may very well outshine anything he’s ever done before with the character. The issue begins in the past with Detective Salk carrying out a very unorthodox interrogation of a known child molester. Salk has handcuffed Chester in the back seat of his own car around the driver’s side seat. Salk is aggressive and hits Chester with his own shoes whenever he speaks out of turn. It’s a powerful and chilling scene as we find out the way Salk takes care of things when pushed too far. Ultimately he reads the report on Chester and finds that his blood type doesn’t match what was found at the crime scene, but decides to beat the hell out of him for his past victims anyways.
We then see Carrie for the first time alive. The little girl is playing alone in the park when a man not shown to us approaches. Through the art we can see the mood shift as her bunny rabbit is left on the swing set alone, but Carrie is carried away.
Salk checks in at the police station and his boss gives him crap for still working on the case when others need to be solved. Salk goes off on him and especially flips out when the Chief says he’s going to reassign the case. Back at his house his wife has basically given up on the family and as she drinks her dinner their girls dance in the living room repeating “Curare, Curare” over and over after hearing it on a nature program playing on the TV. They ask where their father is and their mother lets them know that he’s down in his secret room. We take a trip through the house until we find Salk sitting alone in a red room staring at the case photos listening to the words “Curare, Curare” over and over above him.
This issue is fantastic. I really could go on and on about it, but the parts I’m not telling you about are so much better. O’Barr has taken a very different approach here than he did with his last mini “Skinning of Wolves”. There are far more visual cues and I want to say that at times we the viewer are looking at it as if we were Carrie’s ghost or her Crow. It’s a cinematic direction, but it reminds me of TV more than film. Salk is a strange character. He completely ignores his family, his own little girls and solely focuses on the case. With this issue he crosses a line that no police officer should, but it’s impossible to feel any kind of pity for his victim given his past. Does that make Salk a hero or just a shade of grey better than his victim? I guess that’s what makes him such a rich character is the fact that you can’t completely root for him or against him. He’s human after all and that’s part of what makes him interesting.
The art is just as impressive as the first issue and continues to play a huge role in the success of the series. Every scene that involves Carrie’s death or leading up to it has a great sense of time-lapse and for the most part no dialog. It’s some of the most powerful scenes in the entire issue. The scratchy line work on the scenes involving our unrevealed killer are perfect and set the tone of the scene.
This is writing and art in perfect balance. The pacing is very different compared to other comics, but because the art supports the story and vice versa they can afford to be different. It works. It makes the entire issue powerful and moving. How can you not feel for Carrie and to an extent Salk as he pours himself into the case and comes away with nothing? No killer, no family and not even his job. This is probably the best thing that IDW is publishing right now and if it continues like this it is certain to make our end of the year list. It you missed out on the first issue I beg of you to find it and read both. This really is sequential storytelling at its best.
Score: 5/5
Writer: James O’Barr
Artist: Antoine Dode
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Price: $3.99
Release Date: 7/24/13
Review: Clone #9
Is there anyone safe is this series? Let me go ahead an answer that for you, NO! Literally people are getting killed left and right to the point that I don’t know what’s going to happen to any given character within an issue. There are so very strange twists in this issue in particular and with the TV show on the horizon I’m beginning to wonder if NBC has the balls to make this series the way it is or if it’ll be watered down for the general audience. Personally, I could see this butting up against Hannibal to give a perfect night of viewing, but we’ll just see if the pilot gets picked up for now. This issue might give you a strong opinion about cloning, like you might get done reading it and think, “This is a good argument on why we shouldn’t clone people.” Luke and the ladies have taken off to find his wife leaving his Mom and Dad alone to catch up. Too bad Beta found out about his “parents” location due to a dirty fucking spy in the last issue and has decided to meet the “rents.” That’s right, half mangled Beta is mostly put back together due to his accelerated healing and lack of nerve endings and wants to meet his genetic contributors. It doesn’t go over well. Not a lot of hugs or the stroking of hair is done, mostly just violence.
Luke and the ladies infiltrate the base that his wife is being held at and it’s pretty easy-going until they can’t find his wife or kid. There’s also more violence and the woman that’s falling in love with Luke continues to do so.
The problem I’ve been having with this series is that Luke’s wife has only meet like one or two clones and yet has wrapped her head around things very quickly. Also she has a strange connection to the tribal tattoo clone which SPOILER finds her running away with him and the baby at the end of the issue. What? She’s kissed him and now she’s running away with him? Also, the Clones weren’t cloned yesterday. None of them know who the hell she nor would they have a predetermined emotional connection so why the hell does Tribal have a connection to her? I get not wanting to kill a woman, but there is something more there for sure and if it’s not cleared up it’s really going to bother me.
I didn’t get the big deal about Gamma and how he’s hard to control. I get that the different versions of the clones have been altered, some stronger and faster healers like Beta and other smarter like Gamma. Gamma’s confined to a wheelchair and is basically a poor man’s Steven Hawkings… what’s the threat? Hopefully they explain that or turn him loose or something cool.
As much as I gripe about aspects of this story I still really enjoyed it. The thing is that I feel that it could be one of the greatest series published, but it just not quite there. It’s so focused on the adrenaline rush that is the plot line that things continue to fall through the cracks and while it doesn’t harm the story it’s still very noticeable to the reader.
It’s been nine issues and Ryp is still kicking all kinds of ass. I think this is one of his best issues he’s done and the assortment of character and locations he covers is amazing. I’m glad that he’s stayed on because he definitely makes those plot holes a forgivable offense.
At this point in the series if you haven’t been reading it than you’re screwed. I don’t know if there will ever be a point that someone could just jump on the series and understand everything that is going on, but that’s also the reason why I love it. The overall story is so complex and only getting more and more complex by the issue. If you want to see what it’s like, go ahead and start with this issue and then pick up the trade or something to start from the beginning. It’s so close to perfection, but for now it’s just a fantastic monthly series.
Score: 4/5
Writers: David Schulner, Aaron Ginsburg and Wade McIntyre
Artist: Juan Jose Ryp
Publisher: Image and Skybound Entertainment
Price: $2.99
Release Date: 7/24/13
Review: Lobster Johnson: A Scent of Lotus #1 (of 2)
LJ runs the snowy roofs above Chinatown. He’s on the trail of an attacker, but the parade down below makes the hunt a difficult one. There’s a whole lot of money moving through town. LJ tracks it down to a mob using brothels as fronts for some devious activities.
I won’t spoil the conclusion, but I will say that the book is worth its cost just from the last panel alone.
The period feel of the book reminded me of two great films: The Rocketeer and The Shadow. While the action took some time to get to due to lengthy exposition, I did find the book a good read.
The problem with so many of these limited series is that familiarizing oneself with the main character gets to be problematic. I would hope that a little more detail in summarizing the character’s story would be included in the opening leafs as its done in other books.
Nevertheless, this was worth the read.
Score: 3/5
Writers: Mike Mignola and John Arcudi
Artist: Sebastián Fiumara
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.50
Release Date: 7/24/13
Review: Mind MGMT #13
You know what I like best about reviewing this book? Matt Kindt really makes you work for it. It is called Mind MGMT, after all, and even its title lets you know what you’re getting into. Nothing about this series - particularly the satisfaction that results after each installment’s reading - comes easily, which is honestly half the reason I like it so much. Even still, when this series takes one of its tangential asides (as is the case here), it does make it especially hard to keep up with or grasp in general. With that in mind, I won’t lie to you, issue 13 is quite possibly the series’ most confusing yet. But does that necessarily mean it will eventually become known as one of its best?
As I mentioned, this issue takes a divergence from the main storyline, which has otherwise followed Henry Lyme, his newly knowledgeable (and not very happy about it) protege-of-sorts in Meru and their erstwhile cast of mentally-powered characters, pitted in direct opposition against the remaining Mind MGMT operatives, led ostensibly by a woman known as The Eraser. Issue 13, however, focuses on a remote, small town and the remote, small minds that live there. Of course, as with literally every damn thing in this book, nothing is what it initially appears to be.
As the banal existences of the town’s inhabitants begin to sour thanks to small yet substantially strange things afoot - such as missing personal effects and even missing people - we soon discover that the whole thing is nothing more than a facade, which, by its end, cracks and shatters thanks to an imbedded operative who has been itching to “wake up” from her rural imprisonment.
It makes sense for Kindt to take a new “train of thought,” so to speak, given that he just finished wrapping up his latest arc in issue 12, and herein, he seems to be doing a bit of setup, focusing on establishing what will most likely prove to be a robust stable of new characters. In other words, both sides of the mental divide of the currently defunct Mind MGMT are gearing up for war, and this “Megan” appears to be the latest weapon that both factions are after. This is all my own personal conjecture, mind you, since nothing is expressly said in this book about what the “actual” fuck is going on here.
As per usual, the mini-cartoons in the footers of the first half of the book afford some small measure of explanation, but only by way of the book’s usual subliminal suggestion. We are told briefly, for example, about “The Housewife Five” - sleeper agents, we’re told, who require an intricate, advertorial and audio/visual system of awakening, of which Megan is almost surely apart.
Perhaps more interestingly, however, are the field guide notes running up along the side of the pages. Instead of being written for Mind MGMT operatives, these are targeted toward an organization called Matryoshkas, which, being the real name of those Russian dolls that hide smaller clones just beneath each one’s surface, is probably the best image for a clandestine, Hydra-esque organization I’ve ever seen. I believe the last time we heard of this organization - though not by name, so this is just a guess - was back in Mind MGMT -1, with the exciting yet ill-fated adventures of the operative known as Bear. Added to this the inclusion of the “Enemy Agents” profile of The Ice Men at the end of the book, this sets up some very intriguing conflict that I very much look forward to seeing come to a head leading into the series’ issue 36 finale.
Still, I have to admit that I felt a bit lost this issue, and not just because it’s such a different avenue for the story to take, plot-wise. We only see a scant connection to the overarching story, and really that only appears at the end of the book. Still, I have every confidence that it will mean a great deal in the end, and that Kindt will sew together the various threads being frayed here in subsequent issues; however, as a stand-alone, this one was perhaps too disconnected for me, without benefitting from the in-depth and elaborate mental latticework Kindt has proven to be so dextrous at applying eslewhere.
On the plus side, this issue reminded me of a much more subdued version of “24 Hours,” that story in Neil Gaiman’s Sandman: Preludes & Nocturnes arc, wherein Doctor Destiny uses the dream ruby, and some solid-gold mind fuckery, to kill a few arguably nice people in a diner in some very twisted ways. People say that comics don’t do horror well, but I would argue that this Sandman issue in particular proves them wrong. Mind MGMT issue 13 may not have the grotesque, subversive punch, but it does resound with the same tainted quaintness, and for that alone, this issue stands out.
Issue 13 may not be the series’ best for me, but even with the caveat that it exists without its usual framework, it’s still a worthwhile aside in one of comics’ most endearing instant classics.
Score: 4/5
Writer/Artist/Creator: Matt Kindt
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: 7/24/13
Review: Judge Dredd #9
We met up with Dredd walking around in limbo. It seems he has lost all connection with Anderson. He is on his own, trying to preserve the law in a lawless land. It has been days since he has seen another human being. But he still follows the fuel line of the hover craft in order to save Mega-City One. Finally Dredd sees another human, well human I don’t know, but close enough. All the people in limbo are disfigured. It is quite entertaining seeing these rednecks come to life. They all have too many eyes or fingers or long necks. They ain’t the brightest folks neither. Earl and his gang torture Dredd and explain what the hell this place is. It is an amusement park in the middle of nowhere. There are the weirdest rides ever. The designs on each coaster is pretty freakin’ cool. Well minus the blood and guts that each ride has splatter all over it. Yeah they test the rides and someone always ends up dead. One guy spins so hard that his insides explode from him. Typical Dredd gore.
We don’t ever hear about the craft again so I don’t think these dudes have anything to do with what is happening in the City. I think the next couple of issues will revolve around Dredd’s adventures beyond the city. Dredd always amuses me when he is caught in a situation he cannot understand. He never loses his cool, but instead just wants his damn gun back to feel more comfortable.
Anyway, the amusement park people are led by a guy Woodrell. As a young boy he dreamed of building a park. He has now grown up trying to fulfill that dream. Woodrell, when he was younger, got caught up in Atomic Wars, so he is clearly messed up. The first time we see in him in present day he has a moo-moo dress on or maybe just a really big shirt with a way that just isn’t right for anyone. And the whole gang calls him Daddy. Yeah you can see what creepy way I am going with this. Dredd must face him and his deathly rides in order to escape.
The issue read well and like I said I enjoy seeing Dredd in new elements. He has a lot to offer even if he is one of the most static characters I have ever read. The ending leads me to believe that Dredd has been to limbo before and somehow doesn’t remember it. I kind of hope that the comic flashes to the City next issue though. I feel like the audience may forget what is going on and also I am just wondering how everything is going. Hopefully he and Anderson will gain communication soon to add another layer to the mix. Although the limbo characters add enough.
Score: 4/5
Writer: Duane Swierczynski
Artist: Nelson Daniel
Publisher: IDW Publishing and 2000 AD
Price: $3.99
Release Date: 7/24/13
Review: Bloodshot #13
Bloodshot isn’t your average hero and I wouldn’t call him too much of an anti-hero either. I would say he is just badass and deeper than a soldier who can regenerate with a lost memory. It hasn’t been a disappointment picking this book back up after not reading it for the last 6 or 7 issues, that’s for sure. We open up with a soldiers arm blown off and wrapped head to toe in bandages. As we cut to memories of Bloodshot sitting in his back yard at a BBQ with his family. These are the times he hopes for, but he knows it’s all a lie and he’s coming back to reality where he has lost everything. In reality Bloodshot, Kara and the kids sit outside Vegas loading back in to the “van” after the last ambush. Right before Kara and Bloodshot get in the truck he gives her some coordinates for a restart she may need if things get bad.
An army waits for the kids and their rescuers. Bloodshot just asks for a rifle. The Renegades join the battle because an army isn’t enough to take down Bloodshot. All he is doing is trying to save some kids from Harada’s control. Each of the Renegades takes their shot but nothing is slowing Bloodshot down. All Kara and the kids can do is watch. With one look Bloodshot sends a message to Kara that it is time for her to go. He thinks to himself he can now be himself and go all out when he faces Harada.
This story shines mainly because of the art which makes the action flow and the colors jump out. They make the dream memory sequence standout so you know where you are without getting lost or confused. Every little detail just stands out. You can feel the heat of the fire, the bullets going through you and everything Bloodshot goes through during battle.
That’s why I find this interesting. In every story I have read they take him and just rip him to shreds, but he always comes back with even more fire in his belly. The depth is in his character, he maybe a killer and soldier, but he’s driven and has heart that makes him likable. It also shows his weakness and not just completely inhuman and immortal. This story also sets up nicely for the next chapter and leaves the reader wanting more. I was lucky enough to get some back issues lent to me to catch up. It also leaves some questions open, but totally worth it.
If you haven’t picked up a Valiant comic yet you are in for a treat. Every issue I have picked up has been great. Bloodshot is a great book and great story. This also opens up as a great prelude to Bloodshot’s next chapter in his life. The summer of Valiant Two keeps going.
Score: 4/5
Writer: Duane Swierczynski
Artist: Barry Kitson
Publisher: Valiant Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: 7/24/13
Review: The Rocketeer & The Spirit: Pulp Friction #1
This is one of the best character crossover books I’ve read all year. It’s not the best crossover, but it’s pretty damn good. Waid is at home in the Rocketeer universe and The Spirit fits into that world perfectly! Seriously, the two were made for each other and if someone had a lot of money and was smart they’d pull a Dynamite Comics style of pulp characters grab and create a fictional world with them. It’s like the DC Universe with each character having their own city, but instead it’s pulply classic characters with similar plot constructions. Great stuff even if you’re only a fan of one character or the other. The issue begins in Central City which is the home of the Spirit. Its 1941 and a city council is having a vote about public airwaves being controlled by a corporation/individual or remaining open to everyone (spoiler we lost that debate). One member Alderman Cunningham, is very against it and makes a strong argument against it, but ultimately loses the vote. He vows to take the issue to a higher power and make it known to the people.
The next day in California we find Betty posing for pictures at the beach when she discovers a dead Alderman Cunningham. Just to make a note, he’s traveled from one coast to the other overnight… and died along the way. Back in Central City Dolan can’t wrap his head around how his friend traveled that far and why he was killed. Obviously he involves the Spirit, but the two men are willing to let the locals handle it until Dolan’s daughter hears about it and plans a trip to Hollywood for all of them.
This is where the confusion comes in as the trio land at Peevy’s airfield, but he only notices the Spirit and hears that they’re going to pay Betty a visit. He grabs Cliff and they take off to intercept them before they reach Betty.
I’m glad they got the “we’re enemies, now we’re friends” thing out-of-the-way in one issue and managed to at least make it friendly. In things like JLA/Avengers, they fight for several issues and then become friends at the end to stop the villain which is always stupid because they should be worn out from fighting each other. Here both characters are reasonably aggressive, but neither one is looking for blood by any means. Plus Dolan and Peevy’s past helps them patch things up quickly.
Waid does a great job of making each character true to each original creator’s vision. There are a lot of stories for each character both main and supporting, so anyone familiar with them is coming into this with a certain expectation and I think Waid delivers on that expectation. He also makes it friendly to new readers since there’s a possibility of readers only being familiar with one character or the other. If this was your first experience with them I can tell you that Waid delivers a true version of the characters. I’m interested in the mystery of the traveling dead man so I’ll definitely be here for the continuation of the series.
The art is fantastic, but that doesn’t mean that its Dave Steven’s Rocketeer with the Spirit spliced in or Will Eisner’s The Spirit with the Rocketeer spliced in to it. Rather it finds the mid-ground of both and manages to deliver something that truly feels like both worlds meeting. Paul Smith is wonderfully brilliant on this issue and I will be looking forward to what he brings to the next. Really there are too many great panels to single out since the entire issue is beautiful.
Even though I’m a fan of both characters, I’ve found that in the modern era they tend to get stale quickly. That is to say that no one creator is attached to them long enough to really do anything with them which is a shame. Waid has had a mini and a few shorts for The Rocketeer, but again it’s more of homage issues as there is no ongoing narrative for readers to follow. It’s a shame, but occasionally there are minis like this that remind you why the characters are so great. It was a nice treat to see The Spirit working again since DC has decide to sit on the character unable to find a home for him within their New 52 or Vertigo, but maybe this series will reignite interest and he can start back up at the latter. If you’re a fan of either character or you’re curious about both, and then grab this issue. It’s the perfect blending of worlds.
Score: 5/5
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Paul Smith
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Publisher: IDW Publishing & DC Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: 7/24/13