State of the Burning Mind

November 1, 2014

Hello All, 

At the end of September, I wrote that I would post all the reviews that I had done over the course of October. Early today I posted a review of Life with Archie #36, the last of the reviews I have actually written.

Starting today, the Burning Mind is going on a 2-month hiatus. I will return to writing for The Burning Mind (articles, commentary and reviews) on a regular basis on Thursday, January 1. Though, I may post the occasional piece between now and then.

I had planned on weekly reviews, bi-weekly articles and the occasional random thought and commentary this past year. Because of my brain aneurysm, this didn’t happen. Well, it will this year.

In fact, since the year starts on a Thursday, I will kick off the New Year will a review of a title released that Wednesday.

So, stay tuned. I can’t promise cutting edge news reports, but I can promise commentary, thoughts and blasphemes ideas you will find nowhere else.

So, let’s turn the page into the New Year and start the journey anew.

Ace Masters.

FEATURE REVIEW ARCHIE COMICS' LIFE WITH ARCHIE #36

LIFE WITH ARCHIE #36

Publisher: Archie Comics

Writer: Paul Kupperberg

Artist: Pat Kennedy

Release Date: 7/23/2014

If you are astute, you’ll notice that I didn’t use the title for the particular story in this issue. There is a reason for that.

There is also a reason I waited to do this review.

***WARNING *** SPOILERS AHEAD***

If you’re a comic book fan, you probably already know what this issue is about – it’s been all over the comic book news sites for months.

If you don’t know what is special about this issue, and don’t want it to be spoiled, then I suggest you stop reading, rush out, and find a copy of this issue – if you can. This issue is very hard to find, I was fortunate to get mine and the variant covers. Of course, you can get the trade that reprints this issue and #37 follow-up.

Archie Comics called this issue a Landmark issue, and it is – for reasons beyond the main event that happens.

I waited to write this piece for a few weeks to give the issue and its event time to settle. That may seem silly, but really this one deserves that.

If you don’t know, what comes out of this book is this:

ARCHIE ANDREWS is dead.

Yes, Archie is dead. No Archie isn’t coming back – I don’t believe. That is what is being said.

The teenage Archie is still around, and will be published for years to come.

If you aren’t familiar with this Life with Archie series, it tells two tales of possible futures, one where Archie married Betty, and one where Archie married Veronica. Archie is an adult in this series, so the teenager lives on.

While this issue is about the Death of Archie Andrews, it is also about much more. It has a message and a purpose to it, steeped in events going on in the world around us right now.

The issue starts with Archie running through Riverdale, thinking about his life, how things have turned out, the future, and how good things are. It is written in such a way that even though Archie talks about his love for his family and WIFE, it is never revealed whom he is talking about in this story, Betty or Veronica.

The writing and the art show that it could be either one.

The story also touches on Kevin Keller and his husband – yes, if you didn’t know there is a gay Archie character – who is a rising politician and a gun control activist.

Threats have been made against the life of Keller, threats that are carried out at a party for Keller held at Pops (now owned by Jughead). Here someone tries to shoot Keller . . .

Only Archie dives in the way, taking the bullet meant for his longtime friend. Unfortunately, he also accepts the death that was meant for Keller.

A heroic Archie dies on the floor of his beloved hangout, sacrificing his life for a friend, surrounded by those he loved.

It is a landmark issues not just because of Archie’s sacrifice, but because it also touches upon the Gay Rights issue, and more prominently, the Gun Control/violence issue, two very prominent issues of our time.

Unfortunately, gun violence has killed a beloved character in Archie Andrew.

Unfortunately, gun violence has killed many beloved people in real life.

While the Death of Archie issue of Life with Archie was promoted in advance, this wasn’t a shock value death. They didn’t kill him in such a way that showcases a “how can we kill him and bring him back?” thought process.

This death was handled with Grace and Love.

Rating: 8

FEATURE REVIEW IMAGE'S WAYWARD #1

Wayward #1

Publisher: Image

Writer: Jim Zub

Artist: Steven Cummings

Release Date: 8/27/2014, ongoing series

Imagine if your parents divorced and you moved to a new country to live with one of them. Culture shock right? I bet a lot of you have experienced that.

Now imagine that you are attacked by giant turtles (think evil ninja turtles), and saved by a mysterious girl. A girl who won’t explain anything and quickly disappears after you buy her a milkshake. I bet that part hasn’t happened to you (if it has contacted me NOW!).

That is Rori Lane’s life, a half-Irish, half-Japanese teenager who has moved to Japan to live with her mother. She can somehow see odd red lines tell her where to go . . . Odd.

First thing out of the way: Wayward is a beautifully rendered book. Art, inks and colors are superb. The art style is a mix of traditional ‘western,’ or ‘American’ style, and manga style. Neither style overwhelms the other. The balance between them is near perfect.

The writing . . . hmm, this is where I see that some people may be down on Wayward. That is not because the writing is bad, but because this isn’t an epic, earth shattering first issue. You know what? It doesn’t have to be.

This #1 introduces the main character, gives us a journey she is on, gives us a resolution to that initial journey and starts Rori on a path to a new journey. This issue does everything that it needs to.

This is another solid start to another Image series. This is getting to be a habit with them.

Rating: 6.5

Ace Masters

FEATURE REVIEW BOOM! STUDIOS'S CLOAKS #1

Cloaks

Publisher: Boom! Studios

Writer: Caleb Monroe

Artist: Mariano Navarro

Published: 9/3/2014

Cloaks is another in a recent rash of titles I have read that I am not sure what I think about it. The first issue is okay. There is nothing wrong with it, no gaping plot holes and the art is solid.

However, it is so by the numbers and done to death that it feels stale even though it is a new story.

The story is about Adam, an orphan introduced at the wake for Blackstone, his magician guardian. We learn that Adam is The Kid a New York Street magician, eventually arrested by a mysterious group who wants him to join them.

In the issues final reveal, the offer to join the group is made by Blackstone.

As I said, there is nothing wrong with Cloaks, it is a good first read, but is just a typical by-the-numbers book with stock characters.

That said, I will be reading the next issues, just to see where things go.

Rating: 5

Ace Masters

FEATURE REVIEW DYNAMITE'S LADY ZORRO #1

Lady Zorro #1

Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment

Writer: Alex De Campi

Artist: Rey Villegas

Release Date: 7/16/2014

Normally creating a female version of a male character is just a money grab, and sorta bla. Usually I stay away from them. However, I am a huge Zorro fan, so I wanted to check out Lady Zorro.

Lady Zorro is actually a supporting character that was introduced in Dynamite’s recent Zorro series. No, I am not talking about Lady Rawhide (also recently published by Dynamite). Lady Rawhide and Lady Zorro are two different characters. Even if both Ladies share the background of being introduced as Zorro characters (Rawhide back in the TOPPS Comics days).

Lady Zorro originally debuted as a supporting character in the main Zorro series, as a wandering and lost Indian woman who lost her family to the violence of Captain Gonzales’s soldier. This character doesn’t don the Lady Zorro identity until this first issue though.

In Lady Zorro #1, Zorro makes an appearance, asking for her help while he (Don Diego) must leave the area. She agrees.

Immediately she is in way over her head, adopts a Zorro type guise and finds herself thrust into conflict against German mercenaries and way out of her league.

The Artwork is impeccable, any fan of bad girl/good girl art will find plenty to love here.

The writing is solid as well, but is held back a little by a story that is by the numbers, and falls a little flat at times.

The real issue I have is the character herself. Lady Zorro was more compelling to me as the supporting character in Zorro. As often is the case, the supporting characters are more compelling and deeper then the main characters.

Can Lady Zorro carry a solo title? Only time will tell.

Even if it is by the numbers, it still is a rather entertaining action/adventure yarn. If you need your fix of a hot chick kicking ass, this will fill that for you.

Rating: 6

FEATURE REVIEW IDW'S THE SQUIDDER #1 BY TEMPLESMITH

The Squidder

Publisher: IDW

Writer/Artist: Ben Templesmith

Release Date: 7/16/2014, ongoing series

H.P. Lovecraft meets aliens, meets genetics? An interesting mix.

Squidder takes place in the future, after giant alien Squids have conquered the earth. Enough time has passed that a life and religion has developed around the The Squids, to the point where their invasion and the fight against them is believed by many to be a rebellion.

A Squidder is a type of genetically engineered solider designed to fight and kill the Squids. Our lead character is one of the last of The Squidders, perhaps the last. Old enough to know that the ‘rebellion’ was actually Earth fighting the Squid invasion. He should know, he was there and fought the Squids.

He is now a man looking for a way to die, but not believing he could ever find one. A mercenary, he is hired by a local ‘boss’ to retrieve his property – A Squid priestess whom he bought from another party. This disgusts the Squidder, who believes the priestesses are traitors to humanity.

He only agrees after the ‘boss’ threatens to dig up his wife and family.

Along the way, the priestess tells the Squidder a number of things, including a prophecy that may or may not have to do with him. Of course, he doesn’t believe her.
Templesmith’s artwork is top notch as usual. His writing is solid as well, but make no mistake; the real draw of this title is The Squidder himself. Nothing else matter other than his character, his journey. He is a nicely rendered character and suitably overwhelms the title.

My only drawback from these first two issues is a familiar feel. Genetically altered humans created to fight an alien race, and one is pre-destined from a prophecy? I’ve seen this before in a number of anime shows.

Rating: 6

Ace Masters

FEATURE REVIEW IMAGE'S LOW #1, 2

LOW

Issues 1, 2

Publisher: Image

Writer: Rick Remender

Artist: Greg Tocchini

Release Date: 7/30/2014, ongoing series

I always write honestly, in anything I do. Whether it is articles, reviews, fiction, even if people don’t like what I have to say.

Honestly, the reason I picked up Low is that I like Rick Remender’s writing, usually.

The problem with honesty is that sometimes it hurt and you not sure what to say. That is how I feel reading the first two issue of Low.

Honestly, I don’t know what I think of the title . . . yet. I am not quite sure what is going on. So far, it falls into that little hidden space that doesn’t allow one to really know if they are reading something brilliant, or reading brilliance into something that isn’t there.

Low is by no means bad, but I can’t say it’s great, yet. It has done enough to pique my interest, and I will check out the next few issues to see where things are going.

The issue may be that nothing is clear yet. The story changes so much from the first to second issues that it is a little jarring.

I like Rick Remender as a writer, so I am willing to give a chance that the not so clear plot and story are be design.

Greg Tocchini art works well on Low, even if it isn’t world-shaking. It has a very nice, fluid like flow to it, and truly captures the feel of a culture that lives underwater. It gives the impression one is looking into an aquarium, the exact kind of feel Low needs.

Final Thought: More issues to read need.

Rating: NA

FEATURE REVIEW IMAGE'S THE WICKED AND THE DEVINE

The Wicked and the Devine

Publisher: Image

Writer: Keron Gillen

Artist: Jamie McKelvie

Release Date: 6/18/2014, ongoing series

The gods, from more than one ancient religion, return to earth every 50 years for 2 years. They have fun, raise hell and die. This seems to give the ultimate meaning to the phase, ‘Live hard, die young and leave a good looking copse.’

 It is also a hell of a fun ride so far three issues in.

Lucifer is a female god, in jail for supposedly blowing up a judge’s head by snapping her fingers. Only she claims innocence. Only one person believes her, a starry-eye college student, Laura, who makes a deal with Lucifer.

Now, Laura sets off to prove Lucifer’s innocence, if she is indeed innocent of the crime. Threw Laura’s eyes we learn more about the Gods and experience what she experiences. We see The Wicked and The Devine.

The Devine may be more wicked then the Wicked.

The Wicked and the Devine is more and less then what it seems. One may think that this is a title about the Gods, but they are not really front and center. This is a title more about Laura, what she experiences in her interactions with the Gods. It is also part crime book, as Laura delves deeper into the pantheon of Gods trying to discover who framed Lucifer.

One question remains, is Laura being set up, is Lucifer guilty after all?

The writing is Wickedly good, with a nice plot and well-defined characters. The art is Devine, looking crisp and clean like one thinks a god would.

Rating: 7

Final thought: Since when is Lucifer a god?

Ace Masters

FLSSH REVIEW IMAGE'S WILDFIRE #1

FLASH REVIEW

WILDFIRE #1

Publisher: Image

Writer: Matt Hawkins

Artist: Linda Sejic

Release Date: 6/11/2014, ongoing series

GMO. Do you know what that is? You do. Good. You don’t? Get ready to learn.

Wildfire is a title from Image that has something to speak about, the potential pitfalls of GMO. Issue #1 sets the groundwork for what could become an important statement – and I do not stay that lightly.

The creators have pulled off something very tricky – telling a story with a message, NOT a message telling the story.

Strong, compelling writing and beautiful art makes for a great read . . . and maybe more.

Rating: 7

Ace Masters

FEATURE REVIEW IMAGE'S SHUTTER

SHUTTER

ISSUES 1 – 5

PUBLISHER: IMAGE

WRITER: JOE KEATINGE

ARTIST: LEILA DEL DUCA

RELEASE DATE: 4/9/2014, ongoing series.

I shudder when I think of Shutter. Well, not really . . . but almost.

Shutter is one of those frustrating properties. The kind I just can’t seem to connect with.

There is nothing wrong with Shutter. It is not bad, but I can’t say it is good either. It falls in the middle somewhere. The artwork is solid, and the writing is okay – even if I feel like there is a lack of urgency, given the events, in the story in general.

I just don’t connect with the book. I can’t seem to get emotionally invested in this title. I know what is going on. I get the story. I even understand the lead character, she is forced back into something she thought she left behind and wants nothing to do with. I get all that. I can even sympathize with her.

I just really feel nothing when it comes to Shutter, which is a shame. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but it just doesn’t work for me.

The problem here is that I can’t say stay away from Shutter, nor can I encourage one to rush out and pick it up. It is not a book that I would recommend staying away from. I don’t feel like the $2.99 per issue was wasted. That said, I also can’t give it a required reading rating.

Rating: 5

My rating is more to do with my disconnect with this title, then the quality of the title.
Ace Masters

FEATURE REVIEW BOOK! STUDIOS CURSE#1

CURSE #1

PUBLISHER: BOOM! STUDIOS

WRITERS: Michael Moreci, Tim Daniel

ARTIST: Riley Rossmo, Colin Lorimer

I have just finished Curse #1, I planned to read the mini-series, but he next two issues on my pile are #’s 3 and 4. Somewhere along the line, I missed issue #2.

I have mixed feelings about Curse issue #1. Let’s get to the good stuff.

I have nothing but praise for the art of Curse. The characters look good and defined, the sequential storytelling is strong and the artistic layout of the panels and pages is strong. I especially like the intermixing of Black and White and Colors, done very well here.

The writing is good, but not quite up to par with the art.

This first issue does the basics of what needs to be done. Introduce the characters, gives us a reason to care, introduces the conflicts (yes there are two), and lays the groundwork for the next three issues of the mini-series.

It really doesn’t give a very clear picture of what is going on, but it gives enough info to pique interest.

The reason I am mixed is that I wanted more. I felt like the issue did what a #1 should do, but fell a little short. This feeling could, and hopefully will, be mitigated if the creative team builds upon this foundation. It could also be exasperated, if future issues leave me feeling the same way.

I plan on finding issue #2 and completing the mini-series. Along the way, discover whether I will be fulfilled or left wanting more.

Rating: 5

Ace Master

FLASH REVIEW DC/VERTIGO's FBP: Federal Bureau of Physics

Flash Review: FBP: Federal Bureau of Physics

Publisher: DC/Vertigo

Writer: Simon Oliver

Artist: Robbi Rodriguez

Release Date: Issue #1 7/31/2013, ongoing series.

I have read a lot of great reviews for FBP – so many that it almost made me scared to read the title. It can’t be THAT good, can it?

Dammit IT IS THAT GOOD. FBP is about physics going haywire and the government agents who try to set things right. Add in some intrigue, suspense, betrayal and good characters and you have a winning science experiment on your hands.

Everything in this title is beautifully haywire and the artwork is a perfect complement to the writing style and stories told.

Forget everything you know about physics and pick up FBP NOW to learn what you need to know going forward.

Don’t worry there are trades waiting for you if you can’t find single issues. And yes, the world will fall apart if you don’t read this series – that’s just Physics.

RATING: 8

Ace Masters

Issue 14 is on shelves NOW, as of last Wednesday (10/8/2014) – get it ASAP!

FLASH REVIEW IMAGE'S SEX CRIMINALS

FLASH REVIEW: Sex Criminals

Publisher: Image

Writer: Matt Fraction

Artist: Chip Zdarsky

Release Date: Issue #1 2/5/2014, ongoing series.

I have just finished reading the first 8 issues of Sex Criminals (issue 8 is on shelves now, released last Wednesday). After I read the first issue, I wasn’t sure if what I read was complete crap, or utter brilliance. After issue 5, I knew what I had read.

Sex Criminals is unique, original, unlike anything I have read in comics before and utterly brilliant. Simply put Sex Criminals is one of the best titles I have ever read.

What would you do if you could stop time by having an orgasm?! Well, find a partner, commit crimes and try to save a library, of course. Duh!

It is a mature title though, so make sure to stash it in the woods somewhere (those who have read Sex Criminals will know what I mean).

Sex Criminals is required reading.

Rating: 9

Sex Criminals Issue 8 is on shelves NOW, as of last Wednesday (10/8/2014) – get it ASAP!

FEATURE REVIEW, ONI PRESS' THE LIFE AFTER

The Life After

Issues #1 & 2

Publisher: Oni Press

Writer: Joshua Hale Fialkov

Artist: Gabo

The Life After is a book that makes one go ‘Hmm . . . what the hell is going on?’ So far, that is a good thing.

In the first two issues things are interesting, keeping you going and wondering. The lead Character himself is trying to figure out what is going on and we are right there with him.

Things get more interesting, and weirder, in the second issue when LEAD finds himself in a limbo for those who have committed suicide, and his guide is Hemingway. YES, that HEMINGWAY. Only he doesn’t remember committing suicide.

I won’t give anything away, but I loved the ending of the second issue, a little surprising and some people may call blasphemous.

The writing and artwork mesh well together, with the writing being the strongest point for me. The characters are well developed and the mystery of what is going on well handled. The art took a little getting used to, a little rough and gritty. The first issue felt like the artist was developing the style, and the style and look of the art is much better, and more even, in the second issue. It shows a nice level of growth.

This is a good concept that is so far nicely executed. But the problem with this kind of story is not the story, plot or execution, it’s the end game. What is the payoff going to be? Is going to live up to the interesting things going on in these first two issues?

Rating: 6.5

Ace Masters

NOTE: The Life After #4 is on shelves today (10/15), get it!

IDW's STAR MAGE #1

STAR MAGE #1

Publishers: IDW

Writer: JC De La Torre

Art: Ray Dillon

Published: 4/16/2014

This review is going to be short. I have only read Star Mage #1, so that is all I am reviewing.

The basic premise is this, a young boy finds out he is actually an alien that may have great powers (hence the Mage) and is about to be thrust into a galactic war.

The artwork is good, and the writing is okay.

My drawback with the title is the basic premise. Another story about a ‘human’ boy discovering he is an alien. This concept is past the verge of being overdone. I would like to say that the execution of the story in the first issue rises above the concept, but it doesn’t.

Star Mage isn’t bad; it just isn’t compelling enough to want to continue reading. Everything I read in this issue was easily predictable, and not in the good ‘I hope they do this’ way, but in the ‘I know what is going to happen’ way.

Execution of a concept is very important. Even an overdone concept can be executed in a way that makes it fresh and compelling.

Unfortunately, Star Mage doesn’t gel well, and fits into many of the past similar stories. It actually reminded me of a short-lived ‘80’s TV Show ‘The Powers of Matthew Star,’ albeit there are major differences.

This is by no mean a poor reflection on the writer or creative team. I would just say that Star Mage misses the mark.

Rating: 5

Ace Masters

FEATURE REVIEW ARDDEN ENTERTAINMENT NECROMANTICAL #1

NECROMANTICAL #1 

Publisher: Ardden Entertainment

Writer – Massimo Rost

Artist – Stefano Cardoselli

Published: 5/7/2014

I have said in earlier pieces that I will never take personal shots or make comments about a creator, no matter how bad I think a book may be.

I will always give credit for at least creating the book and getting it out to the people, which is about all I can do with Necromantical.

Necro means dead . . . and that is what this book is: Dead.

Ardden Entertainment proclaims on the back cover: THE NEXT SCI-FI PHENOMNEN STARTS RIGHT HERE!

That is a major boast, and it is the first thing that turns me off this title right at the start. That kind of boast always makes me cringe. Unfortunately, for them, I think I can safely say the next sci-fi phenomenon doesn’t star here.

Why? First, one would have to produce something phenomenal . . . not an utter mess.
The book is called Necromantical . . . and it looks and feels like a dead rotted corpse.

The writing is a mess, not telling anything in the way of a story or really anything going on. Characterization is non-existent, pace and flow of the story seems an afterthought. It comes across like it wants to rely on its art to carry it.

Massive mistake. A poorly rendered cover gives a great preview of the art inside.Some may find something appealing in this art. Many may call is ‘stylistic.’ A few may even call it ‘pure art,’ instead of being honestly critical. The art is bad.

First and foremost, it fails on the most important level, it doesn’t tell a story. The art of a comic book has one main purpose, to get across the story using sequential pictures. If the art doesn’t do that, than nothing matters.

Beyond that, everything is muddled. It is hard to tell what is happening, to whom and to tell characters apart.

The inking style doesn’t help, which seems to be done simply as tracing and nothing else. The colors are monochrome, bland and muted.

This is a title I do not think is worth the money or your time.

Rating: 3

Ace Masters.


NOTE: This is an admitted old review, but I just looked it up and noticed that it seems #2 has yet to be released.

AN ANNOUNCEMENT

First thing I want to mention is that I am in Great Health, Great Spirits and have GREAT NEWS!

I have had my second angiogram since being released from the Hospital. I have been given the all clear and a clean bill of health. There has been no growth in the blood vessel and no return of the aneurysm. The doctors have scaled me back to only needing an Angiogram once a year. So, I don’t need another one until next September!

The second thing I want to say is that because of the aneurysm and recovery time, The Burning Mind was derailed. I planned an article a week and a review a week. But that didn’t happen. I have tried to get caught up with the reviews, but I am so far behind it is just getting ridiculous.

So, effective today, over the course of October, I will post all the reviews I currently have done, then I will put The Burning Mind in a two-month hiatus. It is not going away. It will relaunch on January 1, 2015.

For the love of comics.

Ace Masters.

NOTE: This is a short version of a full blog posted on State of the Master: http://thestateofthemaster.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-past-now-and-upcoming.html

FEATURE REVIEW: DOCTOR WHO THE ELEVENTH DOCTOR #1

Publisher: Titan Comics

Writer: Al Ewing & Rob Williams

Artist: Simon Fraser

AFTER LIFE

This is how you launch a first issue of a series! Granted, we already know the Doctor so it is a little easier to do, but still, a great first issue.

Unlike the first issue of the 10th Doctor’s new series, here we have a self-contained, single-issue story that introduces us to a lonely woman, Alice, who is caught up in the Doctor’s attempts to try and capture a runaway animal from the Tardis.

This is a feel good story that lives up to the Doctor’s spirit of adventure, but also lives up to the title of the Doctor. In the end, we discover that the Doctor befriended her because she seemed sad.

He tells her at least twice in the story that what he does is ‘make friends.’

This was an excellent way to launch the Matt Smith Doctor series. It captures the feel of the Matt Smith years.

Here is the perfect litmus test for how good this issue is. If it wasn’t a Doctor Who story, it would still be a good story.

Highly recommended, even if you are not a Doctor fan. If you’re having a bad good, read this issue, it will cheer you up.

Rating: 9

Ace Masters

FEATURE REVIEW: DOCTOR WHO THE TENTH DOCTOR #1

Publisher: Titan Comics

Writer: Nick Abadsiz

Artist: Elena Casagrande

Revolutions of Terror

If there is one good thing about publishing a licensed title, it is that 99% of the people who buy the title are probably already fans, which means that origins and intros can be bypassed and we can jump straight into the story.

Or the first part of the story.

In fact, this first issue barely deals with the Doctor at all. Oh, he is in there, but only just because it is his title after all. Most of the time is spent introducing us to Clarrisa and her family, and the odd things that seem to be happening lately.

Things like washing machines going amok, grandmothers seeing their dead husband and giant creatures attacking Clarissa on the subway. Cue the Doctor.

So much time is spent setting up Clarrisa, that I wonder if she is going to be the Doctor’s new companion in this series.

As for the story . . . Well, like many of the stories in the Doctor’s new run, we have no idea what is going on in the first act, but the way it ends gives the promise of a second act that will include a lot of running.

The Art! The Tenth Doctor actually looks like David Tenant! That is awesome. It also seems to be a novel idea now days. Draw a character in a comic based on a TV or FILM and make the character look like his actor counterpart. It makes this feel even more like Doctor Who.

Overall, this #1 is a solid start, but we’ll have to see where the story goes from here.

Rating: 6

Ace Masters.

Sally of the Wasteland #1

Okay, before we get to the review. This is the first review I have put up in about six weeks, but that will change with a lot of reviews coming. And, I am still going to review titles from earlier this year that I was unable to review due to my aneurism. Why? Call it my own form of therapy.

Now, onto a review of a new title!

Sally of the Wasteland #1

Publisher: Titan Comics

Writer: Victor Gischler

Art: Tazio Bettin

Sally is an idiot. But . . . I LOVE her . . .

Sally of the Wasteland is a new post-apocalyptic title from Titan Comics. This is an awesome, fun little title with a very memorable title character (Sally) and comes complete with Crawgators. Yes, Crawgators. How can you not love a book that has Crawgators! (Can’t believe The Asylum didn’t come up with that one.)

Kat, the lone (female) survivor of a scavenger group that searches for old technology with the idea of bringing back civilization finds her way to Sally’s bar. Well, it isn’t really Sally’s bar, but don’t tell her that. Kat is looking for help to go to New Orleans to salvage some important tech. She finds help in the form of a barge captain, Sam, and Tom, a handsome but dim-witted young man. Sally goes along to protect Tom, whom Sally says doesn’t quite understand that he (Tom) belongs to her (Sally).
Things go smoothly – until the giant crawgators destroy the captain’s barge and strand Sally, Kat and Tom on the east shore (which was to be avoided). The first issue ends with Sally unknowingly getting the attention of River Pirates.

Issue 2, Sally versus River Pirates?! My money is on Sally and Bertha. Who is Bertha you ask? Why, Sally’s shotgun of course, silly.

Oh, did I forget to mention that Sally is batshit crazy? Sally makes the WWE’s AJ Lee look like a textbook case of normalcy.

Did I mention I love Sally?

Sally is one of the best new characters to debut in a long time. She is perky, beautiful, well-meaning, batshit crazy, air-headed and an idiot. In fact, she is just like a real person, you should love her. Sally is written like a character from a bad action movie where the dialogue is meant to be ‘quotable’ rather than mean anything. But, it works here, because it comes across as how Sally normally speaks!

The artwork on this title is tremendous. The writing is top notch.

This is a post-apocalyptic book executed properly, with something driving the characters to a goal, an awesome and memorable title character and crawgators!

I Love Sally!

Rating: 8.5

NOTE: Sally of the Wasteland #2 is on sale today. Get your copy before the Crawgators get you!

FEATURE REVIEW - STAR WARS: REBEL HEIST #1

STAR WARS – REBEL HEIST #1

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

Writer: Matt Kindt

Artist: Marco Castiello

I am a little behind in my Star Wars comic book reading (there are a LOT of Star Wars, by the way). But, I have sat down and read Star Wars: Rebel Heist #1. This review was original intended to be written and posted the week the title was released, but my hospital stay delayed that.

Since we all know what Star Wars is, I won’t go into detail explaining it. This first issue stars a new rebel recruit and Han Solo . . . It is a first person tale of Hero Worship that eventually degrades into hatred.
In Rebel Heist #1 the story is told from the point of view of a nameless new rebel recruit who is excited to be part of the rebellion and enters a shady joint (aren’t they all) in search of his rebel contact: Han Solo.

Solo quickly saves the recruit's life and whisks him off on a mission, on board a ship the recruit mistakenly thinks is the Millennium Falcon.

In the beginning to recruit sees Han Solo as this perfect hero, in an almost pitiful case of hero worship, but as the mission becomes hard and ‘out-of-control’ in his view that vision of Solo changes. What begins as hero worship degrades into the recruit believing Solo is nothing more than a con man, flying by the seat of his pants – who has no idea what he is doing, and doesn’t care about anyone’s welfare but his own.

This is by far one of the best single Star Wars issues I have read in a long time. It is not so much a story as a character study. It is a study on the dangers of hero worship and how when one’s bubble is burst, the person who has the hero worship can spiral down with the beliefs as well.

Rating: 8

Until next time,

Ace Master

FEATURE REVIEW: VANDROID

VANDROID

Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

Writer: Tommy Lee Edwards

Artist: Dan Mc Daid

According to a lengthy piece in the back of issue #1, Vandroid is based on a script for a never-completed film from the early eighties – and it feels like it.

Vandroid has that low budget, sci-fi film ‘we-have-no-budget-but-will-do-it-anyway’ eighties vibe to it. The kind of film where acting, script, plot, story didn’t matter, because the filmmakers were determined to get it done.

If you like cult films, and low-budget eighties action sci-fi (the ‘so bad it’s good’ type), then you will probably love Vandroid, because that is exactly what it is – only as a comics.

The plot is tried and true, some scientist’s mad creation works to well and goes on a killing rampage and can only be stopped by the unlikeliest of heroes. Every cliché you can think of is here, but done in a loving way.

The art even mimics how these film were shot, it looks low grade and grainy. Even character reactions seem to mimic bad/hammy acting – not quite right and a little stiff.

Like the film itself had it been made, and other films of this ilk, Vandroid the comic book comes with a built-in audience. Unfortunately, it also comes with the flaws of these kinds of film, and never truly rises up to be more.

Vandroid may be a fun homage, but it’s also average at best.

Rating: 5

Until next time,

Ace Masters

Flash Review: Coffin Hill

Flash Review

Coffin Hill

Issues #1 – 8

Published by Vertigo/DC

Written By Caitlin Kittredge

Art By Inaki Miranda

So, Coffin Hill is the tale of would-be-witch Eve Coffin, who returns home years after leaving and being shot in the head working as a cop.

You know this is going to go smoothly, right? It is a horror comic after all. Of course it doesn’t for Eve, but for us, it is a great time.

Coffin Hill is a title that fire on all brooms (thought I was going to write cylinders, didn’t you?), with intrigue, spells, magic, horror, great characters and stunning artwork.

Eva and her supporting cast are the main strength of the title, the characters are very well written and 3-dimensional.

As good as Caitlin Kittredge’s writing is, Inaki Miranda’s art is just as good, threatening to surpass the writing as the big draw of the title.

Rating: 8

NORE: Coffin Hill Issue 9 is on shelves this Wednesday (July, 9). Run out and pick it up, and if you haven’t read Coffin Hill yet, grab as many back issues as you can.

Ace Masters

FEATURE REVIEW: LUNITA

LUNITA

ISSUES #1, 2

PUBLISHER: Amigo Comics

WRITTEN BY: Xavier Morell

ARTWORK BY: Sergi San Julian

Lunita is a title I have found plagued with some problems. The first and foremost issue is that it feels like the second half of a story, or a sequel to a story we haven’t seen yet.

The second issue is that the story is muddled in explanation of the backstory. What is going on? Not really sure.

The third is a poorly written female DEA Agent who is in Spain on a case.

The story apparently has something to do with drugs (the DEA Agent) and a former Spanish Government Agency that investigated the supernatural that the titular Lunita is the only surviving member (it seems).

The first issue is bogged down in a lot of backstory that doesn’t further anything and slows the pace. By the time one gets to the second issue one wants something to happen, anything to lets us know what is going on.

The backstory that is explained – by shadowy characters who may be crime lords or the government, it isn’t clear – explains what happened, somewhat, to Lunita’s team. It is not well done and makes issue #1 feel more like issue 3 or 4, because we feel like we are missing a part of the story.

The DEA agent doesn’t help. She can be summed up like this: A hot, redheaded, big-busted lesbian.

While DEA is her job, it seems like all she wants to do is get laid. She propositions a female airport guard and Lunita, by offering to give a ‘tour of her hotel room.’

She seems more like someone fantasy then an actual character.

The artwork is passable, if a little cartoony. The characters and setting are well drawn and defined, and it is easy enough to tell what is going on.

However, the structure lacks, the plot is unclear, and the writing is weak.

Rating: 4

Ace Masters

FEATURE REVIEW: DEAD LETTERS

DEAD LETTERS
Created and Written by: Christopher Sebela
Art by Chris Visions
Publisher: Boom! Studios
ISSUES #1 - 3

Imagine waking up in limbo, no memories of your past other then it feeling ‘familiar’ when committing crimes, becoming a pawn in a war between two mob-like families and being courted by God’s personal assistant.

That would make for one hell of a day wouldn’t?

In Dead Letters that is exactly the case, Sam is in a ‘holding place’ for souls it has yet to be determined where they will be going, and may end up being worse than hell.
For me, Dead Letters works. It just speaks to me.

Essential, though a crime story, it is about a character thrust into a world beyond his making, trying to find himself, while playing all sides to his own end – which for the moment is to keep himself safe.

The scariest aspect of all this is that Sam feels most at ease when killing, even though he remembers nothing of his past before arriving here.

The writing is solid, gritty and dark. Sam quickly becomes a nicely-rounded character. The time is taken to let the story breathe, and unravel over a good pace. As Sam learns, we learn.

The artwork is gritty, dark, moody and dull (in a good sense), with nothing and no characters truly defined. It all works in the favor of the story. The artwork has a confused, off-kilter, yet familiar at-the-same-time feel to it, which actually mirrors Sam.

Over all Dead Letters is off to a good start in its first three issues and I plan on staying along for the ride.

I suggest you hope on board as well.

Rating: 6.75

Ace.

FEATURE REVIEW - BLOOD QUEEN #1

FEATURE REVIEW –

BLOOD QUEEN #1

WRITTEN BY: TROY BROWNFIELD

ILLUSTRATIONS: FRITZ CASAS

PUBLISHER: DYNAMITE

RELEASED: 6/11/2014

The King has sent for the Elder Winnifred, to save his infant child for a sickness no one can identify. In her place, the Elder Winnifred sends Lady Elizabeth – who quickly discovered the infant has been affected by Blood Magic.

There are two big draws to Blood Queen: 1) Fritz Casas’s illustrations, 2) the intrigue of what Elder Winnifred and Elizabeth are up to – truly.

Blood Queen number one does a good job of hitting the high notes, setting the stage for the tale and foreshadowing of things to come.

Everything you might expect from a fantasy tale is here, intrigue, secrets, hidden agendas, swordplay, seduction and Blood Magic. What is Blood Magic? That’s a good question. Whatever it is, is banned, but apparently back in play.

Blood Queen #1 is a good read, but not a great one. It does the job any #1 should do, hook the reader and lays the foundation for the future. It doesn’t over reach itself, as so many other titles do in their first issues.

My only real issue is when a character uses the world ‘ensorcelled.’ I am not even sure if ‘ensorcelled’ is a real word.

Blood Queen #1 is worth reading, and seeing where the journey goes from here.

Rating: 6

Ace Masters

Feature Review - Big Trouble in Little China #1

FEATURE REVIEW

BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA #1

The Continuing Adventures of Jack burton and the Porkchop Express

The Hell of the Midnight Road & The Ghost of Storms Part 1

Story by: John Carpenter & Eric Powell

Writer: Eric Powell

Artist: Brian Churilla

Publisher: Boom!

“Jack . . . Don’t you know it’s bad luck to bring a demon to a wedding?” – Wang


“Jack Burton always says; if you can’t get the movie sequel made, get the comic book made!”
Well, actually, he didn’t, but you know he would have!
Jack Burton is back! Big Trouble in Little China is still going on . . . There’s Jack, Wang, Mystical Chinese Immortals and Pete . . . the demon. Yes, you read right, Pete, the Demon. Who wears a shirt that reads “Buy Me A Drink And I’ll Tell You I’m Eighteen.”
If you didn’t know, this Boom! title is the sequel to John Carpenters’ classic action comedy, Big Trouble in Little China, starring Kurt Russell. And if you didn’t know that, why didn’t you?
First thing first, comic book adaptations usually are not very good, are they? No, they are not. Good thing this isn’t an adaptation then.
This is a direct sequel to the original film, taking place within a few days of the events in the film. Jack specifically mentions how bad of a week it has been, setting the time and place for this story.
We start our sequel with the Pork Chop Express barreling down the freeway out of San Francisco and Jack Burton free styling his personal style of wisdom over the CB. All this is interrupted when he discovers he is being stalked by a demon – albeit a friendly demon he names Pete.
Turning around and heading back to San Francisco, Jack suddenly finds himself caught up in the middle of a wedding, which is crashed by men who want vengeance.
Carpenter, Eric Powell and Brian Churilla have done an excellent job in capturing the feel, style and mood of the original film. Instead of a copy, this feels like a true continuation. Jack Burton in this comic looks, feels, talk and acts like the Burton from the film: Cocky, self-assured, not quite as good or wise as he thinks he is, with an overblown amount of bravado.
This is the sequel fans of the movie have been wanting – at least in issue one.
Is there any better choice for the man to write the Big Trouble in Little China comic then Eric Powell? I mean, The Goon fits right into the world of Big Trouble. In this script, Eric has seamlessly captured what made the movie so fun and perfectly captured the character of Jack Burton.
Brian Churilla art adds to the total mix – it looks like Big Trouble.
Oh yeah, and some guy named John Carpenter is involved somewhere as well.
The original film Big Trouble in Little China is rightfully called a cult classic. Is it a masterpiece? Probably not. Yet despite the silliness, the stupiness (yes, there is that), and poor-done-on-purpose dialogue, it all comes together to form one of the greatest action comedies of all time. It may not be a masterpiece, but it is one of the most entertaining films one might ever see.
This title can be viewed the same way – and there is nothing wrong with that. Big Trouble in Little China has always been about one thing: A good FUN time.
Rating: 6 ½
Ace Masters

A WORD ON REVIEWS

For a few years I wrote the Burning Mind Column at ComicsBulletin.com – that came to an end about two years ago, around the time The Amazing Spider-Man was released.

On January 1, I re launched The Burning Mind as this comic book related blog, with a related Facebook and Twitter. Unfortunately, The Burning Mind went on hiatus on January 29 – the day I died.

But, like any good comic book character, I came back to life.

Ok, so why the sudden stop and just how did I ‘die?’ I have mentioned it before on my personal Facebook page and the Burning Mind page briefly, but for those who don’t know: I suffered a cranial blood rapture on January 29, requiring 6 hours of immediate surgery, a three-week hospital stay and lots of recovery.

My skull was literally cut open and removed while neurosurgeons repaired the main blood vessel to my brain. It was only on May 15 that I received the all clear.

As of this writing, I am mostly recovered, healthy and feeling great.

Okay, to the point of this post, there is a reason it is called A WORD ON REVIEWS, because I briefly want to discuss something I mentioned when I launched this blog – that I would be doing weekly reviews, posted on Saturdays.

Obviously, that hasn’t happened – but it will starting this coming Saturday , June 14.

For the next few weeks I will be focusing strictly on the reviews that I had been planning on doing as far back as January. Where I had planned on reviewing just one issue, I may review multiple issues of a series – if I have kept reading.

There are two types of reviews I will be doing: FLASH REVIEWS and FEATURE REVIEWS.

FLASH REVIEWS

Flash reviews – like Flash Fiction – are short, straight-to-the-point reviews. Flash Reviews will be about 125 words or less, give my quick thoughts on a particular title (single issue or run) and a rating.

Flash Reviews will be random reviews of any title I happen to purchase that I feel like reviewing, and will not be done on a set schedule.

I may do one Flash Review a week, a dozen reviews in a week, or none at all.

FEATURE REVIEWS

Feature reviews are the reviews I had been planning on doing weekly before my ‘incident.’ The original plan was to choose one (1) title per week from my pull list to review – with the goal of having that review online by Saturday.

These reviews will be longer and more detailed than Flash Reviews – upwards of 500 words.

I will mostly focus my reviews on non-DC and Marvel titles, as they get plenty of coverage.

How am I going to choose the title for review every week? Actually, I won’t be choosing what title to review – my mom will (‘nuff said).

RATING
In addition to my written review, I will also be using an 11 (0-10) point rating system as follows:

0 – Worthless. (So bad, one has to wonder why Diamond carries the title.)
1, 2 – A waste of good paper or eyesight if read digitally.
3 – 4.5 – Probably not worth the cover Price.
4.5 – 6 – Average title that may be worth a look. However, the title may have more appeal to fans of the genre or creator (s).
6 – 7 – Good, solid title worth reading.
7 – 8 – Great title.
8 – 9 – Excellent title. REQUIRED reading.
9 – 10 – Masterpiece.

To be fair, 0, 1, 2, 9 and 10 will probably be the rarest of ratings I will give. If I give a review a zero, it needs to be truly bad. For a title to receive a 9 or 10, it needs to be nearly perfect in every aspect.

I am not someone who gives out perfect 10’s just because I like a title. I may like a title, but in the grand scope of things, it may still only rate a six.

On the reverse, a title may not appeal to me for some reason, but may still rate high because it is well made and written.

I can promise you two things in my reviews: 1) I will never take a personal shot at any creator, no matter how bad a book may be; 2) all reviews will be honest.

One thing I can’t promise: a good review.

Now it is time for me to play a little catch-up, as I plan to review titles back to January of this year. All the titles I would have reviewed if my ‘incident’ hadn’t happened.

My plan for now is to try to post two reviews a week until caught up – on Wednesdays and Saturdays.

I want to make one thing clear at this moment, NO ONE has asked me to do these reviews and NO ONE is paying me.

I am doing these reviews out of my love for the medium.

Ace Masters

Life in the Way, in the Worst Way - An Explination of why Burning Mind has been silent.

Hello to anyone and everyone who has checked out this blog, and my massive two posts. I had planned to do weekly reviews and articles every two weeks. Unfortunately, there have been no reviews and the last article/post was on 1/22/2014.

There is a very good reason for this, as life got in the way in the worst possible way.

This post will explain my sudden silence.

You may want to sit down for this, my friends. I am about to lay something heavy on you.

On the evening on Wednesday, January 29, I collapsed and suffered an aneurysm and had to have emergency brain surgery. I was released from the hospital in mid-February after 17 days. Normally they keep people in 21 days in ICU, I was released 4 day earlier than normal because my recover was (and has) gone so well.

Even though I am doing well and suffered no brain damage, I needed time to rest. I took the latter half of February and all of March off from ALL projects (my blogs, working on comic books/short film etc.) to rest up and just get better.

Now that April has rolled around, I plan on getting back to projects and writing, starting with this blog (and my Wrestlementary blog).

My plan at this moment is to post reviews of comics over the next couple of weeks, reviews that I had planned on over the last two-plus months.

After the reviews are posted, I will return to doing bi-weekly articles.

Later,

Ace Masters.

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Did Comics Books Get More Love in the Golden Age?

Before I get into this week’s actual post, I want to mention something. On this blog, I will write about a number of things concerning comics. Some of these things may be in depth, thought provoking and well thought out articles; others may be just rants about something concerning comics I need to get off my chest. Some will just be fluff pieces I feel like writing that really have no true point.

This particular post will probably fall into the fluff category.

But, this is my blog and I will write fluff if I want to!

Did Comics Books Get More Love in the Golden Age?

I left the last post with this Burning Question: Did comic books get more love during the early years and the Golden Age?

This question is really open ended, and could be the basis of a book rather than a blog (maybe I will do that someday). It can be and is really more complex then I am going to make it here. There may not even be an answer to the question.

Truthfully, this blog may not even do it justice, but I will let you decide that.

This whole idea came about when I was recently watching the Batman and Superman film serials and I noticed how they were credited as adaptations.

The source materials credits were not left off like they were in some film serials of the time, or how they are missing from some modern movies.

Many modern adaptions tend to use the ‘based upon the graphic novels’ credit, rather than ‘comic books.’ This is usually because the term comic books has garnered a negative connotation over the last few decades, where graphic novel still have some ‘credibility’ to it.

What was different about how the Batman and Superman film serials were credited?

Have a look and you tell me:

See something in common? They are both credited as based on the ‘Magazines.’

Based upon the Magazine credit, I would answer ‘Did Comics Books Get More Love in the Golden Age?’ with, yes.

A graphic novel is something specific, an over sized, longer-then-monthly original story in perfect bound format that is usually a standalone story and not a reprint. Often what most people call a graphic novel is a trade paperback collection (reprint) of previously published materials, not an actual graphic novel.

The label comic book to describe a monthly comic is an odd term in itself, as they are not ‘books.’ The format is the same as many monthly magazines, over sized, slim and saddle-stitched (stapled). Another similarity is that, like magazines, comic books are monthly.

The term Magazine, or Comic Magazine, seems more accurate to the monthly, periodical format of what we call comic books.

Comic Magazine sounds better, and gives more love to the medium then the term comic book.

There was a time when that is what they were known as, maybe we should return to that time.

Ace Masters.