It Is Time for the Hiatus

Hello All,

Well, another year is almost over, with yet another looming upon us. A never ending cycle of an end, leading into a beginning – even if it is only in our minds.

Still, new beginnings can be good, and as I do every year, I start planning for the New Year around this time, and wrap up the old. Once again, the Burning Mind blog ran afoul of my many other projects and aspects of my life and I got way behind. I kept up with many of the reviews I wanted to do, but not much else.

So, as of today (Wednesday, 11/1) – as in past years – Burning Mind is going on Hiatus until January 3rd.

When Burning Mind does return, expect this: January will be Women in Comics month. Unfortunately, that is nothing official, just me doing this. In January I will discuss Women in Comics, which will include a Review/My thoughts on the documentary She Makes Comics.

See yea in 2018!

Later,

Ace.

EUGENIC

Publisher: BOOM Studios

Written By:
James Tynion IV

Illustrated by:
Eryk Donovan

I really don’t know how to properly explain the terror I felt by the time I finished reading this issue. I mean that word as well: TERROR.

I don’t know if this is a good or bad thing. After reading the back matter ‘Behind the Scenes,’ I have come to believe my reaction – good or bad – is exactly what James Tynion IV and Eryk Donovan wanted.

To that I say, congratulations. Part of me also wants to say #$%^ You!

You’ll understand once you read the book. And you NEED to read the book.




Okay, let me disconnect from my emotional reaction for a minute and end the rant.

As an actual comic book Eugenic is excellent, the story, art, colors, dialog, they are all right on the mark. Scarily so. It is quite noticeable that a lot of thought and work went into craft this piece of art. I call it art, because only a true work of art could invoke this level of emotional reaction.

The book has a very standard, done to death, boring concept: A virus has ravaged the earth and a scientist has discovered a cure. See, standard, old, boring . . .

Terrifying. There are at least three reveals in this issues, and a few different themes. Each reveal takes us further down a path of no return.

Themes dealt with including: playing god, science run amok, and the cure being worse than the disease.

If left on its own Eugenic #1 could stand the test of being a great book. But it is ONE OF THREE. Yet, this ONE is its own self-contained story.

It took guts to turn this tale from a potential typical sci-fi/horror splatter tale, into what it is. It took just as much for BOOM not to demand changes into something more mainstream acceptable.




I wish I could say this is just a cautionary tale that could never happen. It might not be though. There are people in the world trying to do exactly what is showcased in Eugenic right now.

FINAL THOUGHT:
Best single issue I have read all year.

Required Reading.

RATING: 9

Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter #1

Publishers:
Hammer Comics
Titan Comics

Writer: Dan Abnett

Artist: Tom Mandrake

Somehow I missed all mention of this title and didn’t know about it until about a week before it hit shelves. Once I learned, I quickly scrambled to make sure my LCS put it on my pull list so I could get my excited hands on my copies of ALL the covers.

Captain Kronos: Vampire Hunter starring Horst Janson, John Cater and Caroline Munro is my favorite Hammer Horror film period. And that is saying a lot considering I have a huge Hammer Film collection. So when I say I was excited when I learned of this title that is no understatement.

But does it deliver?

The title opens with Kronos and his companions (Prof. Grost and Carla) hunting down a vampire, then finding themselves helping out a city with a peculiar vampire problem of their own. The story takes place only a few months after the film and is narrated by Carla, who is still new to this ‘vocation.’

For those not familiar with the original 1970’s film, Carla’s narration gives enough back story without overwhelming the narrative.





The book gets off to a fast-paced, action packed start and only slows down to allow for the setup of the real story and the characters to determine what might really be going on.

The best part of this for me is that very little has seemed to change with the main characters from the movie. Carla is a beautiful, tough-as-nails woman with a chip on her shoulder and fiery will. Prof. Grost is the wise hunchback mentor and occult expert who perhaps talks too much.

Kronos is a stoic, almost mythical figure, who only talks when he needs to and seems to have something supernatural about him, himself. But also know that even he needs help.

Tom Mandrake’s art is solid as always, with properly muted colors that mimic the Hammer look by Sian Mandrake. Carla looks like Caroline Munro (Thank You)!

My only minor issue with the art is that Kronos looks MUCH bigger than Horst Janson.

Dan Abnett’s script is solid, or at least becomes solid. While the story presented so far has no issues, and what characterization we have is good for the characters (matching the film), it’s the dialog that I have problems with.

The dialog in the first quarter of Kronos is a little stiff and unnatural. It just doesn’t feel right. The good thing is, this changes as we go along and the dialog flows better by the end of issue one.

Of course the issue ends on a cliff hanger, promising more action, danger and horror for Kronos and crew.

I have no idea if this is a mini-series or planned as an ongoing, but only time and sales will tell.

FINAL THOUGHT:
Nice first issue. It captures the feel of the original movie and should appeal to Hammer fans. May struggle to find a wider audience though.

A good introductory issue, but only the following issues will truly reveal how good this tale is.

RATING: 6

SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER!!

Issue #4 come out Wednesday (9/20). Issue #5, the final issue – the conclusion – comes out next month.

Now! It is time! It is time to discuss the Pros and Cons of wearing shirts while fighting bears!

It’s the SHIRT! 

Nothing Less-Than-Spectacular! 

Beartastic! 

A cause worth Fighting For!

Published by IMAGE COMICS

Created by Jody Leheup, Sebastian Girner and Nil Vendrell

Written by Jody Leheup and Sebastian Girner

Art by Nil Vendrell

Color by Mike Spicer

Letters by Dave Lanphear

I have friends who love the film Black Dynamite, despite it being ridiculous, dumb and has an all too perfect-can-do-anything main character that prevents any sort of suspense of disbelief or true conflict. I hate the movie for all the reasons most people love it.

Then came along something so f%^&ing ridiculous and stupid, it could be the dumbest idea ever for anything.




Something that is borderline insulting to the intelligent readers out there and to the dumbest.

Something that by all rights shouldn’t exist.

But it does . . . and if there is a GOD (or GODS) may he (she, them) help us ALL because

IS F%^&KING AWESOME!

(I just wrote that in a public forum. Yep)

When SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER first came out I ultimately passed on the first issue. The idea, concept and write-up for it screamed STAY AWAY! So I did.

All my buddies at my comic store (Drawn to Comics: www.drawntocomics.com), kept urging me to read it, telling me how good it was. Jason, Ashley, Ashley – I didn’t believe you. In fact I thought you might be crazy.

Issue #2 came out – skipped it. For about a week. The following Tuesday evening I was in store, broke down and bought issue 1 and 2. Then I read . . .

And I haven’t been the same since.

Issue 3, followed by Issue 4 last Wednesday, followed by this blog review with one issue left to go and I have to say: ISSUE FIVE NEEDS TO GET HERE NOW!!!

What is SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER about??? Let me see if I can answer that.

SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER is about SHIRTLESS, a man raised by, betrayed by and now fights, Bears. The US Government calls upon him for help when Bear attacks in cities increase alarming and SHIRTLESS find himself in conflict with the brother of the woman he once loved, Jaxson Logger, a man determined to tear down the forests and turn them all into – Fuzzy Wipes toilet paper.






No. You didn’t read that wrong. See what I mean? This idea is wrong on many levels, but the execution and final project is AWESOME on many more levels.

Almost everything in SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER is done extremely well. Bery well I fact. Three things make this title outstanding: The Art, The Writing, The Characters.

The Art is a perfect fit for the story. Nil Vendrell’s art is smooth, clean, defined and well laid out. It enhances and tells the story, never overwhelming. Mike Spicer’s colors only help Vendrell’s art.

Jody Leheup and Sebastian Girner’s writing is dead on. They take an overly ridiculous and stupid idea and turn it into a polished diamond. Their writing elevates this from a potential joke, ‘cute’ title into something akin to an art house type comic.

Then there are the characters – this is where the book really shines. The characterization is excellent across the board. No characters are stock characters, the main characters – even the dead pan Shirt-Less, feel like real people. If anything the villain might be an overzealous parody of villains – but still well-rounded.

There in is the true Gem of this title – the characters take everything in this book seriously. No matter how ridiculous the situation may seem or sound like – the characters affected treat it seriously and with the right amount of gravity, giving everything a sense of danger, immediacy and urgency. No one acts like they are ‘in’ on the joke.

My favorite part of this title is the lead agent, and maybe friend of Shirt Less. A man who mentions all the wars he has fought in – hinting that he has fought in Vietnam, Korea, World War II, World War I, the Civil War and perhaps the Revolutionary War. Yep.

If you haven’t figured it out by now I like SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER. Read it, Now. Then tell all your friends.

If you already read SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER and like it. Welcome, my friend.

If you don’t read SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER. Go. NOW. Read. I’ll wait . . .

If you have read SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER and don’t like it. Well . . . that’s between you and GOD . . . I mean SHIRTLESS.

The question is now, with only one issue left, what are we going to do in life without SHIRTLESS BEAR-FIGHTER??

Final Thoughts:

Seriously, read this title or I will personally send the biggest bears I can find to your house and tell them you have all the Honey. All of IT.

RATING: 8.5 – Required Reading!

BURNING MIND REVIEW: WOLFENSTEIN

Publisher: Titan Comics

Written by Dan Watters

Art by Piotr Kowalski & Ronilson Freire

Colors by Brad Simpson & Greg Menzie

I have enjoyed the Wolfenstein video games, so I figured I would pick this one up off this week’s new release shelf. It’s the first Titan Comics video game based comic booked I have pick up. I like a lot of Titan titles . . . .

And I thought ‘It can’t be as bad as Dynamite’s ATARI line.’

Uh, wrong.

I don’t know where to start, but Wolfenstein #1 and I got off to a bad start as soon as I opened the cover and saw a two page The Story So Far . . .



It never recovered after the bad start, and I found myself disconnected from Wolfenstein from the very beginning. The story seemed to meander without any real plot (or story) or direction and just revealed itself to be a complete mess.

The dialog didn’t help as it felt wooden and hard to read.

The art is the strongest point in the book, characters look nice and distinct and the muted colors give the right dystopian feel. However, it doesn’t help elevate the book. In fact there are some scenes where the art is just as confused and baffling as the story.

Overall, Wolfenstein falls flat and disappointing.

Remember the two page The Story So Far . . . I mentioned? While that is what got everything off to a bad start, I have to say it was the best part of the title. It told a better story then the actual comic did.

FINAL THOUGHT:
Not worth the time.

RATING: 4 – Skip It.

WHAT I WATCH IREVIEW: MAGELLAN

Arrowstorm Entertainment

Directed by Rob York

Screenplay by Rob York & Scott Baird

Starring Brandon Ray Olive
Whitney Palmer
K. Danor Gerald
D. L. Walker
Matthew Mercer (Voice Only)
Nicola Posener (Voice Only)

Recently I picked up Magellan on DVD from WalMart, which is apparently an early WalMart release.

I liked the Key art and the premise seemed good. I knew going in this was low budget, but that is not always a killer for me – as it is for many people.

Popping in the disc I saw Arrowstorm Entertainment, the same company behind the Mythica series (I loved the first one – need to watch the rest). That gave me some hope.

Some hope, not complete hope as it seems. Not entirely misplaced, but only just.

Magellan is the story of Roger Nelson, USAF (Captain or Commander?), an astronaut who finally gets a mission to the stars. One that requires him to leave his wife behind for a decade. NASA has discovered alien transmissions – three of them – originating within our Solar System.

Nelson is sent out to investigate and find the sources of the transmissions. He is aided by two A.I.s (voiced by Matthew Mercer and Nicola Posener).

This is basically a one man show carried by Brandon Ray Olive as Roger Nelson.

I will get this out of the way right now: The best and worst thing I can say about Magellan is that it is an average film at best. Not good, but not terrible either.

In fact (and this may sound odd), it is better than it should be, but not good as good as it could have been. Magellan has some very lofty ambitions (2001 anyone?), and really reaches to be an intellectual sci-fi tale. It just falls short.

As I mentioned above, this is a low budget affair – and it shows. In this case, there are a number of scenes where the budget is a killer. The CGI for the space scenes are very badly done, coming in looking like early nineties CGI.

The scenes on the moons on which Nelson lands on are terrible, and none of them look convincing.

The set scenes for the interior of the Magellan – although small and sterile looking – are believable and passable.

Worse than the low budget is the low quality acting – specifically from Whitney Palmer (as Nelson’s Wife) and K. Danor Gerald (as Nelson’s direct superior). Their time on screen is fortunately limited – as is their performances – but when they are on screen it is painful to watch.

The screenplay is one of the stronger parts of Magellan. The plot and purpose of the story (discovery) is very good and at times engaging and thoughtful – if not thought provoking. But there are some things that drag the story down.

The biggest point is Nelson’s wife and the relationship shown. It doesn’t work on any level. A plot point where it is mention she sent him a message and hinted that it is not good and she tried to delete it, is dropped for no reason and seems to have been forgotten. Since it was presented for the time mentioned as important, then never used, it would have been better served deleted from the film.

The ultimate strength of this film is Brandon Ray Olive – who carries this entire film on his shoulders. He appears in 99% percent of the film by himself – a lone astronaut on a ten year mission. He gives a fair, even handed and mostly believable performance, if at times shaky.




My biggest problem with this whole thing is Roger Nelson’s rank, which changes from Captain to Commander numerous times. It is specifically shown that he is United States Air Force (USAF). That would make him a Rank of Captain. NOT Commander. USAF does not use the Rank of Commander, only the Naval Services do.

In the end Magellan ultimately disappoints, never quite living up to its goal, but trying. It presents an interesting premise and ideas, but never fully develops them.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
Sci-Fi and film festival buffs may be engaged. Others not so much.
The ‘so bad, it’s good’ crowd, won’t find too much here.

RATING: 5

BURNING MIND COMIC BOOK REVIEW: ELSEWHERE #1 & 2

ELSEWHERE
#1 & 2

Creators Jay Faerber & Sumeyye Kesgin

Writer Jay Faerber

Artist Sumeyye Kesgin

Colorist Ron Riley

Publisher IMAGE COMICS

Did you know that Amelia Earhart (link) disappeared into another dimension, meet DB Cooper (link) there and become embroiled in a rebellion against an oppressor named Lord Kragen? No?

Why Not!!

Obviously you aren’t reading Elsewhere by Jay Faerber & Sumeyye Kesgin coming forth from Image Comics.

I picked up Elsewhere on the strength of Faerber’s CooperHead (which I love) and so far, so good through two issues.

Elsewhere is an fantasy action/adventure title that tells us Amelia’s adventures in this new world, as she searches for her co-pilot Fred and wants to go home. She’s befriended by two aliens, Cort and Tavel, gets thrown into a dungeon, meets DB Copper who finds himself here after his own airplane jump, and is basically in a lot of trouble.

There are two interesting tidbits in these two issues that aren’t really touched on yet – but feel important.

One: This world’s language is identical to English.

Two: Lord Kragen wants her dead because her arrival was foretold. (See, that seems important.)

The first issue was very fast paced, more action packed and introduced us to Amelia and her two new allies. The second issue has less action, a slower pace but expands the world, and gives us more of a view of what is going on – introducing new characters.

The ultimate strength of Elsewhere is Faerber’s writing. The ultimate strength of the writing is in the characterization. Amelia, Cort and Tavel are full fledge characters with their own personalities, they – so far – are the driving points of the story.

Sumeyye Kesgin’s art is solid, but not spectacular. It complements Faerber’s story very well and never threatens to overwhelm the narrative. The real strength of Kesgin’s art is the layout and flow to the story.

Overall Elsewhere is an expertly crafted title, filled with adventure that promised to only get ramped up in future issues.

It’s time to disappear into Elsewhere.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
Fun and entertaining.

RATING: 7.5 – Recommended Reading.