KISS # 1, 2

Kiss # 1, 2

Publisher: Dynamite
Writer: Amy Chu
Art: Kewber Baal

This title should have been subtitled: Music From The Elder. It sure takes a lot of cues from that Epic concept album. It starts out with narration that are lyrics from ‘A World Without Heroes’ and our central location is ‘Blackwell’ City. Presented in such a way that evokes ‘Mr. Blackwell, you can go to Hell.’

The plot is simple and ageless: A city in a post-apocalyptic world that seem idealistic threatens to have its secrets revealed by four teenagers who stumble upon the truth, Twins Noa and Eran and their friends, Adi and Alex. In this cases the truth is brought to them by the Avatars of the original city ‘Elders:’ The Demon, Starchild, Celestial and Catman.



The story is simple and overdone, but makes some sense considering the source material. However the writing itself doesn’t quite hold up. There are a few jumps in logic and holes that make one scratch their head.

Case in point: When the current Elders are informed that someone has trespassed in the forbidden areas, they seemed shocked – with one claiming it impossible. In the same scene, one of the same Elders orders the Twins to be brought to them. If the Elders were shocked at the news, how would they know about the Twins? Unless this is resolved later, it’s a jump in logic.

The story is tried, true and trodden, and the writing just above average, the art saves this title.

The line art, the coloring especially and the inking, combine to make KISS look great. The art makes up for the faults in the writing, and we end up with a title that is beautiful to look at.

But if the art saves the title, Lettering, Editing and Quality Control knock it down. All of these are poor on the first issue. The Lettering is the issue, it is nice and easy to read, but the word balloons often point to the wrong character.

Once, or twice are passable errors, but this was enough times that it became problematic and weakened the story. At first I was unsure who was named what, or talking about what. It caused a lot of confusion, and lowered any enjoyment.

This is unacceptable, and should have been caught long before going to print. That an Editor’s job.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

As with almost all KISS comics, it is basically KISS ARMY only.
I wanted to give these two issues a glowing review, but I can’t. Great to look at, but average writing and word balloons issues drag it down.

RATING: 4.75

Wolf Cop #1

Publisher: IDW

Writer: Max Marks
Art: Arcana Studios

I loved Wolf Cop the movie. I bought the Blu-Ray as a blind buy when it came out, and it is still on the shelf. So, when I saw a listing for Wolf Cop the comic, I was stoked.

I was almost let down, but not in the end. The beginning is a bit rough, with some harsh dialogue and rough art. But once the story gets going, things start flowing. The story picks up and gets better and the dialogue gets a lot better.















In this issue Wolf Cop and his buddy are on the run and good old Wolfie is drunk. After being attacked by a biker gang, they discover the Meat Locker. At the meat locker there is a man who is eating the flesh of humans, and who has something in common with Wolf Cop, only bigger.

Why the book is not without its flaws, like the movie it is just a fun ride. It also captures the spirit, tone and characters from the movie – which is a plus.

Therein lies the book’s big drawback. One has to know the movie to know Wolf Cop. There is no explanation of who he is.

Well, here’s my solution: Go buy the Blu-Ray and watch the damn movie.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
Fun issue that gets off to a rocky start, but delivers in the end.

RATING: 6.5

Vampire Hunter D: Message From Mars #1

Publishers: Stranger Comics
Writer: Brandon Easton
Artist: Michael Broussard

Vampire Hunter D! I love D, and I only found out about this comic about a month before its release through a post on Google. That was also the first time I had ever heard of Stranger Comics.

According to the Back Matter in the issue, and some research, this is based upon an unpublished short story by D Creator, Hideyuki Kikuchi entitled Message From Cecile.

In Message From Mars we witness D arrive on Mars and fight his way through vampires looking for his new ‘employer.’ This is the framing story to the main plot, which is told in flashback style as a woman named Cecile ‘addresses’ D about past event events and how she can see the future – which includes D killing her.




These past events include learning of the nuclear holocaust on Earth and seemingly how vampires came to Mars.

This issue is very strong across the board. The Writing, Art and Colors all shine, and one can tell this is something they worked hard on.

All the elements one wants from D are here. His Stoic personality, yet kindness and his seeming flawless skill, and his contentious relationship with Left Hand.

What really makes this book standout beyond the writing and the art is the colors. This is a type of story in which coloring is very important, and here the colors are sharp, crisp and beautiful. Especially in D’s first fight at the start.

Vampire Hunter D fans rejoice – and get both Left and Right hands on this title now.

Therein lies the only drawback of this first issue. D himself. If one is unfamiliar with D, his time in the book might be confusing. However Cecile’s part of the story should entice new readers into D’s world.

FINAL THOUGHT:
This is an excellent first issue and looks to be a good entry into the D Mythos.

RATING: 7.5

HAMMER COMICS: The Mummy #1

Publisher: Titan Comics
Brand: Hammer Comics

Writer: Peter Milligan
Artist: Ronilson Freire
Colors: Ming Sen
Letters: Simon Bowland

You might have noticed HAMMER COMICS above the book’s title on any of the cover images. You may have also noticed I listed Brand: Hammer Comics. Yes, Hammer Comics.

Hammer Films is back, in the form of Hammer Comics. As a major fan of Hammer Films, I was excited to read about the Hammer Comics brand, so I will try to not be biased or go Fan Boy.

(BUY THIS COMIC NOW! NOW! 

IT’S HAMMER! HAMMER!!)

Hammer Horror films were universally renowned for three things: Strong Script, Great Production Values, and near perfect Atmosphere. AKA: The Hammer Style.

The Mummy, is an update of the mummy story, bringing the Hammer Style to comics in the 21st Century.

Here is the strongest point of this issue: It feels like a Hammer Film. It truly captures the Hammer Style. Our creative team here has a great understanding of Hammer, if not love.

In The Mummy, a group of Englishmen use females with the Mark of Kharis (The Mummy from Hammer’s original film played by Christopher Lee) as a vessel in an ancient Egyptian ritual to invoke Palimpsest and gain extended life.

Peter Milligan’s script is dead on. Even the dialogue feels like an old Hammer Film. The story is strong, pacing good and it is filled with the right amount of mystery to leave us wondering just what is going on.

Ronilson Freire art is awesome. Ming Sen’s Color shine and make the art stand out even more. Even the lettering by Simon Bowland is a step above.

It makes sense. If Hammer Films were known for great production values, then Hammer Comics should be known for great art.

Even if this wasn’t labeled Hammer Comics, I would still like the overall package. But I have to admit, the Hammer Label give it a little more cred.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
HAMMER! HAMMER! HAMMER!

RATING: 7.5

MAYDAY #1

Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Alex De Campi
Art by Tony Parker, Blond

Mayday is a thriller title about two young soviet agent in the ‘70’s sent the good old USA to kill a defector. The only problem is, they get caught up in the California life style.

Well, that is the only problem with the story in the first issues, but not the only problem with this title in General.

I really didn’t care for this title overall. I didn’t find any part of it to be thrilling, or a thriller, or compelling in any way. I felt the story meander with too many threads and too many characters. There was no focus, little structure and it felt like the story didn’t know what kind of story it is supposed to be.

What I disliked the most was the characters. There is no one in this book that feels like a real person, much less a likeable character. The two young soviet agents seem inept – they go off parting (girl’s idea) rather than doing their job. The two lead FBI Agents from back east seem more like a miss-matched comedy duo and make no sense. The lead LA FBI Agent is a grandiose, refers to himself in the third person idiot.

Nothing about Mayday spoke to me. I found nothing compelling to draw me in and want to read future issues. I felt more like it was pushing me away.

It is a spy thriller? Is it a spoof? It is a surreal LSD Trip? Mostly I found it to be just there, sorta of in the way.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
Didn’t speak to me. Average book at best.

RATING: 4.5

MARK MILLAR'S REBORN #1

*NOTE – This review was initially written before issue 2 was released this past Wednesday. It has not been re-written to include thoughts on issue 2.*

REBORN #1

Publisher: IMAGE COMICS (Millar World)
WRITTEN BY: Mark Millar
Art: Greg Capullo
Inks: Jonathan Glapion
Colors: Fco Plascencia

I have not been kind to Mark Millar series over the last few years (I have never read KICK-ASS). The last few I have checked out, I never read past the first issue. I’ve also never reviewed them for Burning Mind.

I picked up REBORN as a blind buy – only having read a blurb online – I didn’t realize it was a Mark Millar title until I picked it up to read it. If I had, I may have passed on it. Once I saw his name in the bottom corner of the cover, I shuddered.

Prematurely as it seems, for I actually liked this first issue. It does what a first issue should do: Hook you. There are no answers to anything in this issue, in fact it doesn’t even give you any idea of what is going on.

As a characters says on page three, “There’s no time to Explain.” Explanations can be

forthcoming in the next issue. In truth there is a lot to explain, what the Hell is going on, and why does our main character Bonnie die in a stroke ward in her 70’s and wake up in the middle of a medieval looking battlefield only to be saved by her long dead father? Oh, and she looks like she did in her 20’s.

What world are we in?

Yes, lots of questions. But none of it matters. The world can be set up, and the explanations start come issue two. Mark Millar took a different route here, in issue one we get introduced to Bonnie.

Bonnie is 78, living in a stroke ward, and afraid of dying. Over this first, we get to learn who Bonnie is and we see the last few days of her life, her death, and her REBORN. It is written in such a way that we hear her thoughts. It isn’t narration we read, it is her thinking to herself as her time comes up.

It is a brief character study, as we learn who Bonnie was, a daughter, teacher, wife mother, in her last days. Then we witness her death, rebirth and the beginning of who she needs to be NOW.

If this story ended on page thirteen it would stand alone as a great end-of-life piece.

Greg Capullo’s art shines in this title as some of the best work I have ever seen from him. The art is nice and smooth, and not over detailed like some of his other stuff. This is not the “MacFarlane Clone” Capullo art.

I want to make special mention of Jonathan Glapion’s inks. Specially his inks on the elder Bonnie on pages seven and eight. These are a great piece of work. The inks are very fine, very smooth and add the perfect amount of detail. They are not too thick and don’t overwhelming the art or the wrinkles on Bonnie face. In other hands, the fine detail may have been blotted out with too thick of lines.

Fco Plascencia colors are also very good, giving good weight to the art and inks.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
This is an excellent first issue across the board. The story going forth though is going to be starkly different. Hopefully, they can keep the quality up.

RATING: 7.5 – Highly Recommended.

Burning Mind Review: THE FOREVERS #1

Publisher: BLACK MASK

Writer: Curt Pires

Art: Eric Pfeiffer

I’ve always wanted to live forever, but not like the empty, shallow, uselessness showcased in The Forevers.

In the Forevers, seven people take a pact and perform a ritual that brings them the fame and fortune they crave – for a price.

Actually, that isn’t accurate. It might explain the series as a whole, but not this issue. In this issue we briefly see the ritual, jump 10 years into the future and follow the lives of two of the seven. Lives that just happen to be shallow, superficial, very “Hollywood” and filled with random sex and drug use.

There is no plot, no story and nothing really interesting. If you have seen any film about the shallowness of fame – then you have seen this. In fact, the way the emptiness and shallowness of fame is presented is very “Hollywood” itself.

Only on the first and last couple of pages is the supposed occult aspect played upon.
Oh, yes – the dialog. In the first few pages the dialog is absolutely terrible. Hard to read, want to close the book bad.

The painted pages may look stunning – and in many panels they are – but as a whole the art doesn’t hold up. Too much of the book is too dark and murky. This is a neo-noirish story with gothic undertones, and the art is reflective of this.

Any quality of the painted art is lost with how dark it is. So dark that at times it is hard to tell who is doing what. If the dark ambience was toned down a little, the artwork and flow would be improved. As it is, the darkness overwhelms and make the art inaccessible.

Can one call The Forevers edgy? Sure. It will find and audience that laps up sex-filled, drugs crazed stories with the hint of conspiracy. (Oliver stone type stuff.)

Is this first issue good? No. Does it do enough to generate interest to read the next issue? No.

I loved the cover.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
It is not just the characters and lives showcased in this first issue that are shallow and empty, but the story itself is shallow and empty.

RATING: 4

Burning Mind Review: ROM #1& 2

 

Publisher: IDW

Writer: Chris Ryall

Art:

(NOTE: This piece was written and meant to be posted before last Wednesday’s (9/21) launch of REVOLUTION. Unfortunately, I didn’t posted it do to dealing with a serve arm infection. It has not been re-written to include thoughts on REVOLUTION as I have not read it yet.)

ROM is back. After a long hiatus, ROM: THE SPACE KNIGHT is back on your local comic book shop shelves every Wednesday. This time coming forth from the IDW office, not the Marvel Bullpen.

Yes, I know ROM started out as a toy, but he is more known for his adventures in comic books, then his toy line.

I’m happy ROM is back and that IDW is giving him a major push. However, the title itself in the first two issues seems to fall flat.

ROM arrives on Earth in search of the hated Dire Wraiths, a Space Knight from a world they destroyed. He finds the Earth infected with the Wraiths – so deep in fact he must eradicate an entire town, leaving only a female soldier alive who resisted infestation.

The Wraith infiltration is so wide spread it has even infiltrated GI Joe (yes, GI Joe).

The saving grace of the title for these two issues is the artwork, specifically ROM. ROM is awesome, and looks like a Knight. Other characters are well drawn and defined as well.

The Dire wraiths, while well-drawn, don’t seem as menacing as they should. Instead of fearsome, they are sort of just there.

What is odd, is that even though the pacing in the first two issues is okay, and there does seem to be urgency, it feels slow and plodding. The slow and plodding feeling may be from how many times ROM repeats himself about the Dire Wraiths. Often times to the same female soldier who events force into becoming his companion.

One issue I have with ROM himself is the dialogue, it’s bad. However, it may improve as ROM cracks a joke in the second issue and specifically mentions that his system is still working out the language.

For the most part it feels like the actual story isn’t coming together, and there may be a reason for that, it’s called: REVOLUTION.

REVOLUTION is a massive IDW crossover with all the Hasbro characters. It starts with ROM and will included Transformers, GI Joe, Micronaughts and M.A.S.K. (Yes, Yes, Yes!).

This explains some of the odd aspects of ROM, such as humans knowing about alien life and talking about defenses against them.

It seems, for now, that ROM is a setup for REVOLUTION, which may explain the slow feeling to it.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

The first two issues aren’t bad, just flat – needing a little more life and direction to them. Let’s see how that changes with REVOLUTION.

RATING: 6

REVIEW: SPAWN KILLS EVERYONE!

Publisher: Image
Writer: Todd McFarlane
Art: JJ Kirby

I would like to start of this review like this:

WHAT THE $%#^ DID I JUST READ?!?!?!?

Seriously, what is this @#$!. And NO that is not a pun (read the issue).

Some midget, moron version of Spawn shows up at Comic-Con to announce HIS new film, and ends up doing what the title promises: KILLS EVERYONES! (Except himself, I am sorry to say).

This title is best described like this: The girl from I HATE FAIRYLAND dresses up like Spawn and goes to San Diego. Yes, that is it.

I can see no point to this comic other than to mock the comic book and convention industries and possibly the fans. That’s not to say that the book isn’t dead on right.

I do have a major issue with SPAWN KILLS EVERYONE . . . Dammit, I may actually like it!

The sad part of all this, it might be the most enjoyable thing Todd McFarlane has ever done.

FINAL THOUGHT:
This book must be read to be believed.

RATING: I can’t rate it. I’m still unsure if it deserves a rating.

Starring Sonya Devereuax

Publisher: American Mythology

Writers: Nick Capetenakis & Todd Livingston

Artists: Brendon & Brian Fraim

Starring Sonya Devereuax is a new comic about B-Movie Actress Sonya Devereuax and the massively low budget films she stars in.

If that sounds like the comic book equivalent of the “So-Bad-its-good” movie ideology – you’re right, it is!

Sonya Devereuax is exactly what it sounds like and comes exactly as described – a borderline brilliant satire/parody of scream queens and the horrible movies they become known for – and the even more horrible fans.

Like the fans that Sonya (the actress) encounters in the first few pages of the title. You know the type, the fans that ask logical questions of illogical decisions made in bad movies.

The books begins with Sonya at a con doing a signing, and then hosting a preview of her new movie, the rest of the issue is the actual movie: NAKED ARE THE DAMNED 2.

The script to this is solid, but it’s Brendon & Brian Fraim’s art that is the true star. It is not stellar earth shattering art, but it is clean, smooth, highly expressive and perfect for this story.

FINAL THOUGHT:
If nothing else, you will come away from Starring Sonya Devereuax #1 feeling good, and feeling that there was true love put into this book and this creative team had to have had fun with this.

RATING: 6.5 – Recommended – Worth the price of admission.

REVIEW: Kill or be Killed #1

Publisher: Image

Writer: Ed Brubaker

Artist: Sean Phillips

I came to Kill or Be Killed having become a fan of Ed Brubaker (and Sean Phillips) by way of The Fade Out and Velvet, not by way of his Captain America run as most people. I never read his work there as I have never been a Captain America (Steve Rogers) fan.

I am an Ed Brubaker fan, now.

Kill or Be Killer keeps to Brubaker’s strength as a writer, but is still different then The Fade Out and Velvet as can be. (I haven’t read Criminal yet.)

The only issue I have with Kill or Be Killed is a personal taste. Either to read, or as a writer myself, I don’t care for first person POV, I like it less as narration in comics. It is a very trick style to write in an often fails.

Brubaker handles it amply, and I can live with it because of how good of a writer Brubaker is.

That said, how good is Kill or Be Killed? Good enough for me to put on my pull list.

Brubaker present us with another character study. Personally, I love character studies, which is another reason I will let the first person narrative slide. This time the character study is told from the killer’s POV, from within his mind set and beliefs.

We learn about Dylan as he tells us about himself, how he started killing people and why. He believes himself a good man, only killing good people, justified by how bad the world around him is.

But, as Brubaker dives more into his mind, is Dylan being driven by personal Demons, or a real one?

Did an attempted suicide and injury changed Dylan’s outlook on life and led him down his new path, or was it just the last push he need to go down a path he was already on the verge of.

Brubaker does a great job of getting us into the head of Dylan, making him a real person and getting us to question Dylan as he does himself.

This is a character study into the mind of a serial killer, and it seems like it will be the beginning of a long and hard path. As it should be.

As always Sean Philips’s artwork is the perfect complement to Brubaker’s story. Everything that can be said about the script, is echoed for the art. The art draws you into the mind of Dylan and never lets you out.

Here is what is the greatness of a title like Kill or Be Killed. When I read issue one, I was mixed on it. Good enough to get me hooked and want to read the second issue, but how good really?

As I wrote this review, I realized just how much Kill or be Killed got into my head. I realized just how much I was thinking about the story and what Brubaker is saying. Writing this review is when I realized just how good Kill or Be Killed Is.

Damn Brubaker . . . and Philips.

Final Thoughts:
Damn Good. Read or Be Killed.

RATING: 7.5

REVIEW: Scooby Apocalypse - Issues #1 to 3

Publisher: DC Comics

Writers: Keith Giffen: Plot & Breakdowns
                J.M. DeMatteis Dialogue & More Dialogue

Art & Inks: Howard Porter


I want to say two things up front:

• I am a big fan of the original Scooby-Doo
• I am not a big fan of the many of modern takes on Scooby-Doo, especially the characterization undergoing drastic and backward changes. 

That said, when I first read about Scooby Apocalypse, I was doubtful. The only thing that gave me some hope was the creative team: Plotted and Written by Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis, yes. I was unfamiliar with Howard Porter’s work before this, but wow! Another yes.

How good is Scooby Apocalypse? Easily the best modern version of Scooby and gang there is. Instead of taking the original series (Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?), and following the format, but making the characters (like Fred) idiots, Apocalypse starts everything from scratch.

We meet each of the characters separately, and see what brings them together. We learn who they are and what their roles are in this world over the first three issues in spectacular fashion.

We know who the characters are, but we don’t know them. Our writers don’t treat the story as if we are meeting old friends, but write this as if we are meeting them for the first time.

First up we meet Velma, Dr. Dinkley, who is involved in a top secret project and may be responsible for the Apocalypse.

Next up Shaggy and Scooby. Shaggy is a dog trainer at the same facility Velma works at, but is clueless as to what is really going on.

Scooby is Scooby, and is considered a failed attempt at creating the world’s first ‘Smart Dog.’

Daphne is a journalist who hosts her own mysteries show, now on an obscure network.

Fred is her constant companion and cameraman . . . and madly in love with her.

All the characters are fleshed out and three-dimensional, the plot is easy to follow, the story is strong and the dialogue good.

So, what is the plot? Simple. Velma discovers that the four scientists she works for has plans to subdue the world. She intends to leaks those plans to Daphne. Nothing goes right and . . . boom APOCALYPSE.

Now, Scooby and gang are our best hope. This time the Monsters are real.

And this time the gang is forced into real action, to fight and even  . . . kill to survive.

Yes, kill. Which brings in a whole new dynamic to the characters which is handled with care by Giffen and DeMatteis.

Then there is the artwork. Howard Porter. I cannot praise Porter’s art and inks for this book enough. Even in the action sequences the art is smooth and one can easily tell what is going on and who is who. The layouts are excellent and the look of each character is dead on.

Amazingly, even though it is not drawn in the style of classic Scooby-Doo, it still looks like a Scooby title, only with a reality edge to it.


Final Thoughts:

Scooby Awesome.

An Excellent take on Scooby and gang that has improved with each issue.

Rating: 8 – READ NOW!!

THE IMPORTANCE OF SUPPORTING YOUR LCBS

This may come off as a fluff piece, or even a rant, but whatever.

To any comic book fan, this should be gospel. What I am talking about should be your place of worship.

As yourself this simple question: What is the most important part of the comic book industry?

It is the publisher? The Creators? Diamond?

I know, your favorite artist?

Wrong on all accounts. The most important part of the comic book industry is your LCBS.

(Drawn to Comics, Glendale, AZ

WWW.drawntocomics.com)

Don’t know what LCBS is? Then maybe you should check you comic book fan card at the door, because really, if you don’t know what LCBS is, you shouldn’t be let in the door in the first place.

LCBS is Local Comic Book Shop (Store).

But you knew that, right?

Despite what many people think or believe, it is the retailers who drive the industry and, directly or not, effects how the industry grows.

It is the retailers who place orders for each title(s) from each publisher(s) based on how they gauge their customer interest. For established titles, retailers typical order copies to cover their box subscribers and some extra for ‘the wall.’

For new titles it is somewhat different, some retailers don’t want to take the risk and won’t order any copies unless a customer specifically request it. Some retailers order a few copies to see if it sells. This especially holds true if the new title comes from a smaller or a new publisher.

Retailer orders are what typically determine print runs, especially for the above mentioned new titles and smaller or new publishers.

Keep something else in mind, retailers put their orders in about 3 months in advance. Meaning books that are published in March, orders were placed in December.

I want you to ask yourself a question: How many comic book stores are in your area?

Now ask this: How many used to be in your area?

I know this, in the last 5 years ten comic stores in the Phoenix Metro area have closed shop. Including a store I went to for 25 years. Many of these stores were hit hard by the down turn of the economy. Others were a victim of something worse: piss poor customers.

Yes, Piss Poor Customers. What is a Piss Poor Customer? A Piss Poor Customer is a person who opens a subscription box at a store, has the store order copies of titles strictly for them – yet rarely or never comes in to pick up their comics.

One doesn’t have to come in every week, but every two weeks, once a month at least. This is an ongoing issue in the industry – customers who rarely show up to get books the retailer ordered for them, and the retailer paid for. This hurts the retailers and takes away from their profit margin.

Because of this, some stores do charge a subscription box fee, or ask for a down deposit on the box, to cover themselves for just that reason. You can’t really blame them.

Oh, and yes, the retailer may love comics, but they need to make a profit to keep in business.

Okay, that part was a rant . . . so why is it important to support your local comic shop?

Because it is healthy for the industry. The more comic book stores there are, the more locations to buy comics. It also means more comics being ordered. It is better for the economics of the comic book industry.

How do you support your LCBS?

Simple: Get a subscription box at a store and PICK UP YOUR BOOKS on a regular basis.

Also, if you learn of a title that is coming out that you want to get, don’t expect your store to order it. Ask your LCBS to order you a copy – if it is a new title or a title from a smaller publisher the copy you ask them to order may be the only copy they order.
And who knows, you asking them to order a copy, may be the impetus of them ordering copies for the wall.

Another easy way to support your LCBS is this: spread the word. Just tell people about them, mention them on twitter, tag on Facebook.

All this can also be applied to online book stores and digital only sites (ComiXology), especially if you live in an area where there is no brick and mortar LCBS. If digital is the only way to get your comics, then support the site.

Hey, I love comics. We all love comics. We need a place to get our comic fix.

All this said, there are bullshit retailers out there. Guys who jack up prices on books, who price incentives covers way to high, and even sell ‘signed editions’ that aren’t legit. You now these guys, these ones, don’t need our support.

Ace

Irwin Allen’s LOST IN SPACE - THE LOST ADVENTURES

Publishers: American Gothic Press

Original Teleplay: Carey Wilber

Adapted and Edited for Comics by: Holly Interlandi

Artist: Kostas Pantoulas

Lost in Space is back in comic book form. This time though, instead of original stories, this series adapts two written, but never filmed teleplays by Carey Wilber (who also wrote Star Trek’s ‘Space Seed’.) The first page of issue one is a nice little piece on Wilber and how AGP come to get the rights to these stories.

The second page is the first page of Wilber’s script to set up the issue.

Both of these are really nice touches.

Holly Interlandi has a nice note at the end of the issue, and she adapted Wilber’s script for the comic. I have no idea how much she added or if she did a straight adaptation, so my comments here will concern myself strictly with what is in the issue.

The best things is, this is without a doubt Lost in Space. The story has the LIS feel and style, and the characters are the ones we know and love. All the elements of a classics LIS episode are here, except for Doctor Smith in this first issue, and the ladies.

We have adventure, something mysterious going on and the ever present feeling of What The @#$*? that permeated each episode. Don’t forget the cliff hanger ending that led into each commercial.

This issue does a really good job of capturing the elements of a LIS episodes, even with the pacing and sudden jumps in story LIS was known for. It feels like the first act of a television episode going into the commercial.

Of course, all this should be a given because it is adapted from script written for the show. But that means nothing. How often do adaptations feel nothing like what they are based on? Ms. Interlandi did an excellent job.

The art is the weak point of this title. Pantoulas’s art isn’t bad, just uneven and weak at points and not as strong as it should be. Especially not for a licensed title where the characters have to look like the actors who portrayed them.

For the most part John Robinson looks like Guy Williams, Will like Billy Mummy. That isn’t the issue. Too often the characters look awkward, they are too stiff, a head or limb doesn’t look right. Anatomical, things look off a little too much.

Sometimes the art looks a little too rushed. Hopefully the second issue will show improvement.

This is Lost in Space and I will be getting the rest of the series.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
I think any Lost in Space fans need to hunt this down. It is a good read for Die Hards (like me) and for casual fans.

For new fans unfamiliar with Lost in Space, it might be a tougher sell. Since this is adapted from unproduced scripts, it is written with the mindset that people know these characters and the universe they inhabited.

RATING: 6.5

Burning Mind Review: Deus Ex Universe - Children’s Crusade

Publisher: Titan Comics

Writer: Alex Irvine

Artist: John Aggs

I normally don’t pick up comics based on Video Games. Usually because they aren’t very good. Many being nothing more than promotional material to sell the video game.

I normally don’t pick up comics based on any property I don’t like.

I have played Deus Ex Universe games, and liked them. So this is an exception to the rule.

That fact that Titan Comics is the publisher is also a plus, I have a lot of love for Titan.

Children’s Crusade is an exception in another way as well: the first two issues are actually good.

This is a universe separated. They are normal humans, then there are the Augs, who are augmented humans. The Augs are subjugated and stuck in ghettos, becoming terrorists to fight for equal rights.

Children’s Crusade tells the story of Jensen. An Aug considered a traitor because he has joined Task Force 29 (TK29), and Interpol special group put together to track down Aug terrorists. He was placed on the team, undercover, by the Juggernaut Collective, to learn if TF29 is controlled by the Illuminati or not.

His mission is difficult because he has to fit in, and deal with one teammate who doesn’t trust him, and maybe others who trust him to his face only. His mission become harder when he learn that his own people, the Augs, are turning children in bombs.

The writing is very strong, good story, good plot, threads of sub-plots and strong characterization.

The artwork is equally on par with the script, being a great compliment.

Issue two is better than issue one and moves the story forward. A good sign for the next three issues of the series.

Here is to hoping that this will be a self-contained series and doesn’t end with a ‘play the game to learn the rest of the story,’ tag.

This is one solid sci-fi comic that happens to take place in the universe of the Deus Ex games. You could remove the Deus Ex from this story and it would still be solid.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
So far, damn good. Fans of the game should love it.

In fact, it should be a good read for fans unfamiliar with the game. There is enough info and backstory given that one could enjoy this book without playing or know the games. So far.

RATING: 6.75

DOCTOR WHO - New Adventures With The FOURTH DOCTOR

Publisher: Titan Comics

Writers: Gordon Rennie & Emma Beeby

Artist: Brian Williamson

Gaze of the Medusa

Part 1

Blind Servants. Cyclopes. Lady Emily Carstairs. A Victorian Era Want-to-be Time Traveler and daughter.

They are all the beginning of a new story starring Sarah Jayne! Oh and some guy who looks like Tom Baker . . . :-D

And what a beginning it is. It is part mystery, part adventure and includes a Victorian Era Professor who tries to explain time travel to the Doctor and a statue of what might actually be Sarah Jayne turned to stone.

This first issue feels old school, like the Fourth Doctor himself with his jellybeans. It feels like the first part of a four part Doctor Who adventure, like the original series use to do.

The best part is it feels like the Fourth Doctor. Tom Baker’s portrayal of the Doctor comes full force in the characterization in this issue.

Gaze of the Medusa Part 1 is a really good first start for the Fourth Doctor’s return to comics. Strong script, good story, proper characterization and excellent art make this a winner.

FINAL THOUGHT
Who fans rejoice.

RATING: 7

Doctor Who - The 8th Doctor

Publisher: Titan

Writer: George Mann

Artist: Emma Vieceli

Titan Comics is quickly becoming one of my favorite publishers, putting out not only good Doctor Who titles, but good titles period (Sally of the Wasteland, Death Sentence).

When I read about the Eighth Doctor series, I was happy I would get to see more tales of the Paul McGann Doctor.

The series is written by George Mann, with art by Emma Vieceli.

I found this series to be average at best, unfortunately. The best part of this five issue series is that each issue was a self-contained tale that was a piece of a larger whole. Even missing an issue, may not affect the overall enjoyment or understanding of the series.

However, while the script was solid, characters good and no major issues, I just didn’t feel the stories were that strong. They just seemed to fall flat. 

The series also followed one point of the ‘modern’ Doctor Who series that I don’t like. It makes the companion seem like the main character and the Doctor seem secondary.

I wasn’t a huge fan of the art for this series. It just seemed a little soft to me and too reliant on the inks. That said, the best thing about the art was that I felt it improved from issue 1 to issue 5.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

Overall, an average title I felt didn’t quite deliver.

RATING: 5.5

Alabaster The Good, The Bad, The Bird

Issues 1 – 4 of 5
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Written by Caitlin R. Kiernan
Art: Daniel Warren Johnson

Yes, I know I am writing this review with one issue left to go in this five-issue series. So what?

I first came across our heroine, Dancy, in Alabaster Wolves. I liked it, but was unaware before reading it that Dancy had a history before that. I haven’t read any of the previous works yet, but one day I will.

I liked Wolves enough, and Dancy herself, that I decided to read The Good, The Bad, The Bird

The Good of course is Dancy and her girlfriend Maise.

The Bad are the twins sisters Carson and Hunter.

The Bird is, of course, Dancy blackbird companion. I can’t figure out if he is supposed to be a sage character, or just a smart mouth who acts like he is a sage character.

The first four issues are somewhat of a mixed bag, and that is neither good nor bad.

Issue one introduces the Twins and shows Dancy in her own Hell, since she is DEAD. It is really more of a metaphysical experiment than an actual story.

Issue Two is more of a character piece revolving around Maise, Dancy’s girlfriend, who is the one who killed Dancy, albeit by accident. Maise and Blackbird, spend this time dealing with Dancy’s death, from over a year ago, and trying to live.

Issue three is where an actual plot of the series comes into play, and issue four ramps it up. The Twins, using Dancy’s knife they acquired in issue one, cast a spell to bring Dancy back to life. It works.

Naked and wandering with her resurrected life, Dancy comes across the Bailiff, a mysterious figure from her past. He takes her where she needs to be, to Maise.

After a brief reconciliation with Maise, Dancy finds her life turn upside down as always. Maise has been kidnapped by the Twins. They resurrected Dancy because they need her to be what she is: A Monster Hunter.

As I found with Wolves, the characters and the ambiance are the true strong point, with story and plot being second. However that is misleading. Yes, the first two issue are not really strong on story or plot, but they don’t have to be, they draw you in, and slowly let you know what is going on. Issues three and four reveal the story and drive home the plot leading to what promises to be a rousing final issue.

The problem with a structure like this is that everything hinges on the final act. If issue five delivers, then this is borderline brilliant. If issue five doesn’t, then you have something that misses the mark.

Final Thoughts:

The structure, and characters are strong enough to draw you in and keep you there for the journey, but the final issue with determine just how good the journey is.

RATING: 6

ACTION LAB: DOG OF WONDER

ISSUE #1

PUBLISHER: ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT

WRITERS: VITO DELSANTE, SCOTT FOGG

ART: ROSY HIGGINS, TED BRANDT

Over the last few years I have found that some of my favorite indie Titles (Dry Spell, The Final Plague, Southern Dog, Strays, Ghost Town) have been put out by Action Lab. In fact they also publish Charles Band’s Puppet Master and Trancers (Yeah!). Action Lab has produced such quality work, that I usually pick up the first issue of each title they release, just to check it out.

So, when I found out about Action Lab: Dog of Wonder, I had it put on my pull list.

The title is written by Vito Delsante and Scott Fogg with art by Rosy Higgins and Ted Brandt.
Simply put, this is a Wonderful title. Pitch Perfect in fact. I can help but stating this here:

ACTION LAB: DOG OF WONDER IS REQUIRED READING!
REQUIRED!!

Action Lab: Dog of Wonder is about a Labrador who comes to the help of others dogs in need. In this issue, he rescues a former bait dog from a country Animal Control Shelter who is scheduled to be put down because he is considered unadoptable.

The story is great, the right blend of action, humor and drama. Even though the artwork is not my favorite style and a little soft, it suits the story.

While it may appear this is a children’ comics, I would call it more all ages. At least this 41 year-old Ace Masters loved it.

The best part about the book is it touches on a few tough issues and still remains kid friendly.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
If you love comics, read. If you love and/or have dogs, read. If you have kids, read with them.

REQUIRED READING! REQUIRED!!

RATING: 8.5

Why we don’t need a Black Superman

This piece may upset some people. Before you get upset or start to bash, read it first to understand why I say the world doesn’t need a Black Superman.

And by Black Superman, I don’t mean a Black Version of Superman. I mean making Clark Kent/Superman Black/African-American. There has been a movement/many people over the last decade or so that claim Clark Kent needs to be Black. That it is about time.

I say screw that. I have argued this point with ‘fake’ comic book fans, the people who only see the movies or TV Shows and claim comic book fandom. Also, with wanna be comic fans who don’t know anything beyond Batman, Superman and Spider-man.

Why do I say the world doesn’t need Clark Kent to be Black, because we already have something better then turning a white character into an African-American one.

We already have an Urban, Gritty, Street Wise, Man of the People African-American super-hero Icon.

One bad mother . . . and no I don’t mean Shaft.

I’m talking about a character better than Superman. Arguably the first true successful African-American super-hero, and the most successful African-American super-hero.

Why do we need to make Clark Kent Black when we already have . . .

While not as well-known in the main stream world (hopefully Netflix will change this) Luke Cage is a comic book Icon. A different kind of super-hero.

When he debuted in the 70’s Luke Cage was (and still is) different for a number of reasons.

1. He was Black/African-American
2. His Super-hero names wasn’t Black Something like other characters, just Power Man
3. He wasn’t/isn’t a goody two shoes boy scout character (Like Superman)
4. He wasn’t a Millionaire with a Silver Spoon (like Batman, or his Partner Iron Fist).
5. He wasn’t a super-smart scientist

Luke Cage was and is a jive-talking, street wise everyman out to make a living and help people when he can. Yes, Cage originally worked as HERO-FOR-HIRE but he always helped the small guy. Only occasionally getting involved in World-Wide storylines.

Even as an Avenger, Cage was always an everyman, never forgot his roots and more so than many other characters felt Raw and Real.

In my mind Luke Cage is awesome. He isn’t just the greatest Black/African-American Super-hero of all time, he is one of the greatest Super-heroes and comic book characters of all time, period. Hell one of the great characters of any medium of all time. Period.

Why does the world need Clark Kent/Superman to be Black? It doesn’t.

We have LUKE ‘FREAKING’ CAGE. ‘Nuff said.

LUKE CAGE > Any Superman.

ACE MASTERS

Second Sight Review

Publisher: Aftershock
Writer: David Hine
Artist: Alberto Ponticelli

Second Sight is a trip. Definitely a very interesting title, and this first issue is engaging and captivating.
The first line of Dialog in the book is: “DO YOU SEE?” on a black background. That can have many meanings, intentional or not.

On the second page, a splash page of a leather clad serial killer, the only line of Dialog is: “I KNOW HOW MUCH YOU LIKE TO WATCH.”

This is meant for the main character, Ray Pilgrim, but could just as easily mean us readers.

Ray is a very troubled man who once discovered he had the power to “Remote View” people commit heinous crimes. He has apparently left that life behind, or tried. Now his daughter runs a blog and is threatening to release names of The Wednesday Club, a group of powerful pedophiles.

It also seems that Ray is Remote Viewing again.

Anyone who is a fan of crime comics (or stories in general) needs to give Second Sight a first look. This is a very good issue with strong art and script. It does what it needs to do to set up all the action and events and start things moving forward.

It gives us enough background on Ray to be interested in who he is. It also keeps one guessing to what is going on, with a wicked cliffhanger ending.

FINAL THOUGHT:

Grab your copy of #1 now.

RATING: 6.5

REPLICA ISSUES # 1 – 3

REPLICA

ISSUES # 1 – 3

Writer: Paul Jenkins

Artist: Andy Clarke

Publisher: After-Shock Comics

I love Replica. This is the best book on the market right now. PERIOD. 

Trevor Churchill is a human detective on an intergalactic hub called The Transfer. Here many different alien races co-exist, each controlling their own section.

Trevor is a good detective, but is hindered by his well-meaning but inept Shadarr partner Vargas. So, Trevor does the ‘logical’ thing, he clones himself. Nothing can go wrong with that, right?

One clone, fine. Fifty plus, might be a problem.

Not for Trevor, he turns them into a police forced that answers to him. Sweet. Just one problem, they fail to prevent the assassination of a diplomat during peace accords. (End Issue One).

The first issue sets everything up, the second and third issue delve deep into Trevor doing his foot work, while relying on his Clones to do many aspects of the investigating. Especially #2 (or Roger) who does all the paperwork, but is very capable himself. He believes the assassination was an inside job.

As issue two and three go on, the world and motivations for the assassination begin to revel themselves. It also seems like Trevor is ignoring Roger’s inside job theory, but is he?

This book is awesome, and beautiful.

Andy Clarke’s artwork is stunning. His layout tell the story excellently. The best part is each alien character looks distinct and alien and can be told apart. The inks and colors make things pop even more. 

Then there is Paul Jenkins. This book truly shines with his writing. Flawless story, plot and dialog. The dialog is great, smooth, gives us a sense of who each character is, with the right about of banter and witty comments.

Yes, there are some hilarious comments by characters in this book, but this isn’t a comedy. The fact that Trevor often means what he says and does it straight, makes it even more humorous.

The gem of this book is the characterization, from both the art and writing stand point. A book about clones . . . boring right? Nope. Even though each clone is based on Trevor, and his calls them by number, every clone we come into contact with is unique, with their own personality, yet still Trevor. He has a hard time with this at moments.

There are at least a dozen clone versions of Trevor in the first three issues who get dialog, showing each one as unique is a major feet.

Great Art: Check.

Great Writing: Check

Great Book: Double Check

Replica is the first title in a long time I have read in which the term ‘near-perfect’ comes to mind.

The only thing I don’t like about Replica is that I have to wait another f#$%^&*g month for issue four!

FINAL THOUGHT:

If you are not reading Replica, do so under extreme punishment. THIS IS REQUIRED READING.

RATING: 9

I is for IMAGE and . . .

As a comic book fan, I was there when IMAGE launched to great fanfare and even greater sales. Well, in truth I was there long before that. I was reading Marvel titles when the Image seven still worked for Marvel and DC and followed them as they did their exodus and formed IMAGE.

The Savage Dragon, Spawn, WILDC.A.T.S. and Youngblood (whenever is was actually published) were my titles. I dropped the Savage Dragon after issue 25. I dropped Youngblood after the Team Youngblood title. I followed WILDC.A.T.S. thru all their changes and even briefly into the New 52. I still read Spawn to this day.

Except for Spawn, I gave up Image around 1997 or so. I just wasn’t a fan of what they were putting out. This was after the Fire From Heaven storyline.

To be honest, I read Spawn more for Sam and Twitch and out of habit than anything else. There were long periods where it wasn’t very good and I considered, but never did, dropping the title. It wasn’t until the Man of Miracles storyline that I became interested again, and the subsequent Jim Downing story.

For a good long time IMAGE was focused on the art itself, and lacked any depth of story or characters. They were art first. Image over all.

They also spent years trying to build a coherent super-hero universe that could rival Marvel and DC, but that never worked. There were times they even seemed to try and force that universe down the industry’s throat.

Then came Robert Kirkman and The Walking Dead. I have never read that title, but can it can be argued that Kirkman and The Walking Dead started a mini-revolution within IMAGE. It was after the launch and success of The Walking Dead that IMAGE became what it always was meant to be: a place for creator owned titles, creative freedom and actual excellence of the comic book form.

Even then I never jumped on board because it was IMAGE, and my apathy was too great.

Then came NEAR DEATH, MIND THE GAP, HOAX HUNTERS and ALEX + ADA . . .

But first came INFINATE VACATION.

This was the first IMAGE title in a long time to get my attention. It was the first one I thought was imaginative, well-written and any good. It was the title that started my Journey back to IMAGE, and opened my mind up to give the line a chance.

Beyond the above mentioned titles, I also read FUSE, INVISIBLE REPUBLIC, SAGA, RAT QUEENS and others. Almost rivaling my Marvel list.

In my mind the turnaround for IMAGE is Imazing . . . I honestly never imagined me reading IMAGE titles on a regular basis.

It is amazing that it took IMAGE almost twenty years to become what it was originally sold as . . . a place for creators to have control and focus on quality titles that would push the envelope of the comic book art form.

Yes, the creators were always in the control of the company, but the quality and pushing of the envelope was rare.

Since I didn’t read for a long time, I have to be honest that there are probably good titles that I have missed.

IMAGE has done what any company should do naturally, what happens to organisms in nature, evolve beyond what it was to what it should be.

IMAGE use to be just about the Image, but it now has true substance to its titles.

I now does stand for IMAGE, IMAGINATIVE, INNOVATIVE and INDEPENDENT.

Who would have thought?

Ace.