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Comic Book Reviews
What’cha Reading: Nemo – Heart of Ice, a Moore and O’Neill masterpiece! from Top Shelf Productions
One of the greatest and most aggravating things about Alan Moore is his ability to amaze and confuse me simultaneously. And when he teams up with Kevin O’Neill it just ramps the wonder to eleven. Their work is always deep, rich and detailed. Both the art and the writing are beautiful. It can also be dense and wordy and a little convoluted. This is why I love it.
Nemo Heart of Ice continues this great tradition. The year is 1925 and Captain Nemo, or Janni Dakkar as she was known before taking on the mantle of Captain Nemo from her father, has tired of a life of piracy and plunder. She wants a grand adventure, something to rival those of her father, a challenge. The Antarctic seems to fit the bill nicely. To quote Mistress Janni “It’s about finding some purpose that’s more than just piracy… about proving something to Father and myself. Ready the Nautilus…”
read the rest of the review here
What’cha Reading: Interview with Ehmm Theory – Flagship Title from Action Lab: Danger Zone line
Zombie Circus Midgets.
There I said it. Confused? So is Gabriel Ehmm, murdered by his girlfriend returned to earth by Saint Peter to do, well it hasn’t really been determined what he’s been sent back to do. But he’s here with his resurrected talking cat Mr. Whiskers and they’re stomping zombie circus midgets.
Written by Brockton McKinney and illustrated by Larkin Ford this is a dark, funny, gory, romp through world of the supernatural, or is it?
I was given the distinction of getting a first hand account of Ehmm Theory what it is and where it’s going from the writer and the artist today on skype. I apologize in advance for the slightly garbled recording, skype was not being kind to Brockton.
The interview lasts about 20 minutes and these two were slightly nuts. I had a blast talking with them!
Listen to the interview here
What’cha Reading: Titan Comics trailer for their Brand New Series “It Came!”
“It Came!” is a four issue, creator-owned , 1950s Sci-Fi B-movie style mini-series by Dan Boultwood. “Dr. Boy Brett and the suitably chaperoned Doris Night pop into a quaint village pub for a cheese ploughman’s… But waiting for them outside is a most unwelcome visitor: Grurk, an indestructible, rampaging robot from outer space, on a mission to harvest the British Blitz spirit for energy!”
A Scientist, a girl and a menacing robot! Can it get any better?
read the rest and see the trailer here
Review: Vampirella 27
Vampirella 27
If you have never read Vampirella then maybe coming into the series this late in may confuse you a bit. Vampirella has and will always be my wife’s favorite comic book character and to see her return with a solid company like Dynamite makes our eyes very pleased.
Needless to say Vampirella starts this issue off being chased by some real mean ugly hunters. She is saved by a mysterious person, what will become perfectly clear is why this person shows up to help Vampy now. We also get a fantastic back up story that will overlap with Vampirella.
It’s hard to talk about this ongoing series without spoiling anything and I just can’t bring myself to do it. But I will say that Reading Vampy since the 90’s and owning all her Warren books this issue and all the past to this point honor the series as a whole.
If you are looking for an outright sexy vampire story stop here and move on Vampirella has always been and will always be one of the top female comic book heroes of all time.
I give this issue 3/5 only because it is not a solid jumping on point but it isn’t the worst either.
Go out and Buy Vampirella and all the amazing titles that Dynamite has to offer
Also go to www.whatchareading.com
Preview of Star Wars #3
DARK HORSE SET TO RELEASE CAMILLA D’ERRICO’S HELMETGIRLS!
Camilla d’Errico is a powerful voice in pop surrealism, her work combining diverse influences in imagery is both singular and hauntingly familiar. Compelling and deeply personal, Helmetgirls document
Gargantuan biomechanical headgear adorns beautiful, wide-eyed, and seemingly fragile girls. More than just decoration, the helmets express each girl’s character, needs, and desires. Look deeply into the Helmetgirls’ eyes—they have a story to tell.
The first volume of d’Errico’s work, Femina and Fauna, was released by Dark Horse and has gone into multiple printings and can be found in a diverse array of retail venues, such as bookstores, art galleries, pop-culture and designer-toy emporiums, and comic shops.
Praise for Camilla d’Errico:
“She is part of what may be the first art movement in Western history where women are not second-class citizens, but may even have an edge in the mind of the public, especially when it comes to capturing the essence that is woman.”—Juxtapoz
Helmetgirls hits bookshelves everywhere on February 27th, 2013!
Port Strike Delays Some December IDW Releases
Port Strike Delays Some December IDW Releases Publisher Clarifies What the Delay Means for Fans and Retailers
San Diego, CA (December 12, 2012) – In the wake of the strike that closed the L.A.-Long Beach Port last week, IDW regrets to inform fans and retailers that some of the titles scheduled for release on December 19, 2012 will not be available for purchase until January 2 or, in some cases, January 9, 2013.
Additionally, TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: THE SECRET HISTORY OF THE FOOT CLAN #1, originally scheduled for release on December 26, 2012, will be moved to January 9, 2013.
Along with the time lost by the strike at America’s largest cargo shipping complex, the impact of this delay is furthered by the holiday schedule of IDW’s global distributor. As Diamond Comic Distributors does not ship books during the last week of December, IDW will miss out on a last opportunity to get the December 19 and 26 books to retailers and fans before the New Year.
“It’s frustrating to have circumstances be out of our control,” said IDW’s CEO and Publisher Ted Adams. “It’s a shame to be unable to get these books—which were completed well in advance of their ship date—in the hands of fans and retailers. Fortunately, however, we’re still left with a very strong slate of titles to finish out 2012 and lots of great books for everyone to enjoy in the New Year.”
Below is a list of the revised release dates for the titles in question.
IN-STORES 12/19 Archie: Best of Dan DeCarlo, Vol. 1 TPB Classic Popeye #5 Joe Palooka #1 Judge Dredd #2 Judge Dredd: The Complete Brian Bolland HC Killogy #2 Locke & Key: Ω #2 Magic: The Gathering – The Spell Thief #3 2nd Print Mars Attacks #6 Snake Eyes & Storm Shadow #20 Sparrow Box Set Star Trek 100 Page Winter Spectacular Star Trek: TNG/Doctor Who: Assimilation2 #8 Star Trek: TNG: Hive #3 TMNT Classics, Vol. 3 TPB Top 100 Fantasy Movies Transfusion #2 Transformers: More Than Meets the Eye #12 True Blood: Where Were You HC
IN-STORES 1/2 Complete Dick Tracy, Vol. 14 HC Doctor Who #4 Dungeons & Dragons: Forgotten Realms HC G.I. JOE: Cobra #20 G.I. JOE/Danger Girl #5 Godzilla #8 Godzilla: Half-Century War #4 Mars Attacks Popeye One-Shot My Little Pony #1 2nd Print My Little Pony #1 Complete Box Set 2nd Print My Little Pony #2 Star Trek Ongoing #16 Transformers Prime: Rage of the Dinobots #2 Transformers: Robots in Disguise, Vol. 2 TPB Transformers: Prime Season 2 TPB Wallace Wood: Woodwork HC
IN-STORES 1/9 Adventures of Augusta Wind #3 Classic Jurassic Park, Vol. 5 TPB Classic Popeye #6 G.I. JOE: Cobra Son of the Snake TPB Gil Kane’s Amazing Spider-Man: Artist’s Edition HC The Hollows #2 Jinnrise #1 Joe Palooka #2 Kiss #7 Li’l Abner, Vol. 5 HC Love and Capes: What to Expect #6 Mars Attacks Kiss One-Shot Popeye, Vol. 1 TPB TMNT Adventures, Vol. 3 TPB TMNT: Color Classics #7 TMNT: Secret History of the Foot Clan #1 Transformers: Regeneration One #87 Transformers: Robots in Disguise #13 Transformers Spotlight: Thundercracker
Visit IDWPublishing.com to learn more about the company and its top-selling books. IDW can also be found at http://www.facebook.com/#!/idwpublishing and http://tumblr.idwpublishing.com/ and on Twitter at @idwpublishing.
Review: Freelancers #1
Review: Freelancers #1
Boom Studios
By Robert Greenwood
Women and action have gone together like glue since the 60’s TV series the Avengers starring Miss Emma Peel. In time, action women have transcended the realm of fiction with TV shows like Charlie’s Angels up to Xena and beyond. In comics, a tough Amazon named Wonder Woman dominated comics from 1940’s to this very day. So any action based comic starring two female leads makes my mind rush with all the possibilities. Will it be like Lady Snowblood or are we getting some type of Femme Force?
Freelancers takes place in the modern day and is a tongue-in-cheek take on the “what if” world: what if Charlie’s Angels mixed with the lost boys of Peter Pan? Answer is simple enough.
We find two good friends trying to be the best at not really being the best in their field. Cas and Val grew up in a most unique orphanage. The likes that would make little Orphan Annie sing a lot more like Rza than a Hard Knock Life. They are trained in marital arts and become freelance “heroes” for hire. I use that term very very loosely. The story, without any spoilers, takes them from hit women to almost dead in nearly 20+ pages.
There is also a very cute back story as a pseudo double-feature in the back of the issue.
Overall, if you are a fan of comics like Gen 13 or Danger girl, this book is right up your alley.
Follow Rob on Twitter @AltMindz
Review:It’s Tokyo Charlie Brown
By Robert Greenwood
It’s Tokyo Charlie Brown
If, by now, fans of Alternative Mindz didn’t know, I am a huge fan of all things Japanese. I’ve been to Japan twice and my wife reads, writes and speaks Japanese.
I’m also a huge fan of The Peanuts so having the two together is like Reese’s.
I’ve sung the praises of the new Boom series and how it lives up to Charles Schultz and embodies the spirit and energy of his work.
So, how does this new adventure fit? First off the writer, Vicki Scott, placed segments of actual old strips into the story to meld the world as one, making this book seem like it “fit like a glove” as one of Charles M. Shultz’s own.
This story has a familiar theme. Charlie Brown once again fails at everything he does, letting his team down again as their coach and pitcher. This leads to all forms of torture by his peers through name calling. Despite all of this, he receives a letter in the mail to have his team play in Japan.
The reasoning gets lost as to why they are chosen but who cares? Get these kids to Tokyo!
They sprinkle bits of actual Tokyo into the story from images of Tokyo Tower to the “go to” tour bus of all of Tokyo, the Hato bus and more. Yet, they missed a real opportunity at showing the gang like fishes out of water by not taking them to Akihabara (Akiba) with the maid cafes or all the fun electronics, something they would look completely confused by. Also having Snoopy interact in a pachinko parlor is a personal wish.
It would have been something unique to have the game played in the Tokyo Dome. When Lucy makes fun of Chuck’s head, I thought we would get a game inside the Tokyo Giants’ turf.
Other than my Otaku grip, this is a perfect continuation of all the past “It’s ——- Charlie Brown” books and should be read by all who love The Peanuts and who love Japan. It’s over 100 pages and a super fast fun read for all ages.