Mesmo Delivery

Writer/Artist: Rafael Grampa
Colours: Rafael Grampa & Marcus Penna
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Published: February 2010

If I reviewed comics professionally, this would be my quote:

"Blazingly spectacular. A dark twisted stop over ticket into the 'do not enter'. Non-refundable."

Ha ha, okay, I'm not a great 'quoter', but I really want to express how much I love this comic. I can't remember the last time I read a comic and was so excited I couldn't sleep. My enthusiasm for Mesmo Delivery is on par with how I felt after watching Oldboy. I was shocked, amazed, repulsed, fanatically joyous, grossed out. I could go on...but I don't want to over hype things.

The story follows an Elvis impersonator and a desperate ex-boxer driving a delivery truck. They stop for gas. All hell breaks loose.

Note 1: Definitely not for the kiddies.
Note 2: In case folks haven't noticed, any post with the tag "* Edit" has an image I have created from panels within the comic. I have time to do these right now, and it helps to keep me interested. Hope you like 'em.
Note 3: Here's a link for a preview PDF from it's initial publisher, AdHouse.





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Barbarella

Writer/Artist: Jean-Claude Forest
Published: 1966
Publisher: Grove Press

Barbarella. She's the free spirited sexual space sphinx. In the comic she...well I'd have to take notes on her adventures. The story is all over the place. She battles air sharks, guards made entirely of leather, Orhomrs who telepathically can toss rocks, an evil one eyed queen, a bizzaro Medusa, genetically mutated beasts, futuristic 19th century spoiled sisters, killer toy robots, birds and snakes. She loses her clothes (or discards them) in all sorts of manner. She and another girl sex a guard into uselessness. She sleeps with a robot. At one point she is imprisoned in the Excessive Machine, which is designed to pleasure her to death. She befriends a guy who is half angel, half stud. And so it goes. Oh the 60's.

Barbarella is a silly comic. Lighthearted and silly. As for the nudity and sexual encounters, they're quaint compared to today's standards. During it's time, I'm sure it was considered shocking to some. I guess, in it's own way, it would be shocking. Barbarella is an independent, capable, young woman. She enjoys sex and isn't afraid to seek it out. She speaks her mind. She's optimistic, hopeful, and a determined fighter for just causes. Maybe back then that was more shocking than her actual nudity.

I should also mention the issue is broken into chapters punctuated by four colour tones: purple, yellow, green, and blue. This creates a nice pop-art quality to the drawings.




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Cover of the Week!

Rule 1: You don't talk about fight club.
Rule 2: The cover has to be interesting enough that I would buy the comic, regardless of the actual content.

This week's, Cover of the Week!

It! The Terror From Beyond Space
Artist: Steven Mannion
Publisher: IDW

Runner Ups!

X - Factor # 207Artist: David Yardin
Publisher: Marvel

Pilot Season: Stellar # 1
Artist: Marc Silvestri
Publisher: Image Comics

Batman: Streets of Gotham # 14
Artist: Dustin Nguyen
Publisher: DC

Super Pro K.O.! # 1
Artist: Jarrett Williams
Publisher: Oni Press

Girl Comics # 2 of 3

Writers: Various
Artists: Various
Colours: Various
Publisher: Marvel
Published: July 2010

Terrible title. Fun comic though. Girl Comics issue 2 has a smorgasbord of 'girl' talent. As a mini series of various stories, some are gonna be hits and some misses. This issue has more hits than misses, so that's a good thing. I really liked the story of the prank call set upon Dr. Doom by Johnny Storm and Thing. As well, the art by Jill Thompson for her tale was fantastic. She also did the cover, which makes this issue worth picking up just for that.

For those not in the know, Girl Comics is a series dedicated to showcasing the talent of Marvels women writers/artists/colorists/editors and so on. The tales are generally lighthearted, fun, accessible, and beautifully drawn. Throw in a few pin ups and some bios of past female creators written by Trina Robbins, and you have a decent mini series dedicated to women Marvel creators.

Not sure why they went with the title "Girl Comics". But then again, from personal experience I've always had trouble figuring out how to address a group of females/ladies/women/girls(??) anyway.

If I address them as "ladies" I feel like a Beastie Boy.
If I say "women" I feel like an ass.
If I say "girls" I feel like and idiot.
If I say "females" I feel like a biologist.

I usually just go with "guys". That's safe. Better to just address everyone as if they're a dude.

Hellboy: The Storm # 1 of 3

Writer: Mike Mignola
Artist: Duncan Fegredo
Colors: Dave Stewart
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Published: July 2010

I haven't read any Hellboy comics in a long time. So with this issue, I decided I'd see what he's up to these days. Turns out he's got Excalibur and is the heir to the the throne of England. Go fig.

American Splendor Presents: Bob & Harv's Comics

Writer: Harvey Pekar

Artist: Robert Crumb

Publisher: Four Walls Eight Windows

Published: 1996

Harvey Pekar has passed away. He will be missed.

Bob and Harv's comics are a collection of strips written by the one and only Harvey Pekar and illustrated by the one and only Robert Crumb. The art is composed of Crumb's scratchy cross hatching, set to everyday occurrences in Pekar's life. Pekar has a unique voice in the world of comics. It's hard to describe Pekar's stories. You'll just have to give 'em a read.

Here is a couple favorites of mine, titled Hospital Fun. As well, I've posted an edit I made in tribute of Harvey's most famous strip.

Oct. 8, 1939 - July 12, 2010

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American Splendor

The Strange Adventures of H.P. Lovecraft #1 of 4

Writer: Mac Carter
Artist: Tony Salmons
Cover: Adam Byrne
Publisher: Image Comics
Published: April 2009

Taking authors and making them into a character within their own universe is fairly common these days. It has its pros and cons. If you're a big fan of the writer and familiar with their works, then its a match made in heaven. However, it can be infuriating because outsiders won't be able to pick up on all the nuances. Luckily for the creators of this comic, Lovecraft created such a rich and wonderful world, outsiders don't need to know every little detail to enjoy the story. For example, you don't necessarily need to know what the Necronomicon is, but just to know that it leads to bad stuff suffices. Which, by the way, it usually always does.


The Strange Adventures of HP Lovecraft opens with the origins of the Necronomicon. We are then introduced to the writer HP Lovecraft, who is struggling with writers block. After an unfortunate revelation regarding his love interest, Lovecraft is attacked by a couple sailors. Too bad for them, Lovecraft is the "key and the guardian of the gate." This statement doesn't make much sense on its own, but when the Necronomicon mystically pronounces you're the "key and the guardian of the gate," that's usually always bad.


I'm a big fan of Lovecraftian monsters. One of the reasons I love them is because of the visual possibilities they inspire. Lovecraftian monsters usually defy human comprehension, are huge, epic, impose madness, and destructive. Take for instance the scene in Hellboy where Hellboy releases the monsters from their prison, or the scene in the Mist when Tom Jayne's character is driving by towering monsters - awesome.

Doctor Strange & Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment

Writer: Roger Stern

Artist: Michael Mignola

Colors: Mark Badger

Publisher: Marvel

Published: 1989

Been a while...watching a lot of Glee...yeah I admit it. I am so conflicted by this show. There are so many things I dislike, yet I can't stop watching it. I've watched 18 episodes in 4 days! I can't stand the lip synching, the non-teen cast, the ridiculous plot lines and manipulative storytelling...and I'm really tormented by the sterilization of songs I like...yet I can't turn away...after this post, I'm gonna watch more. However the show really is a triumph...no matter how twisted it gets and no matter how manipulated I feel, I root for these characters. This feeling reminds me of todays comic: Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom: Triumph and Torment.

The story follows two of Marvel's biggest and most powerful characters. One dedicated to life, the other to the subjugation of life: Doctor Strange and Doctor Doom. They each compete in a ritualistic magical competition and it's bizarre prize forces Dr. Strange to aid Dr. Doom on an insane quest into Hades itself to battle Mephisto (which is the Marvel equivalent of Satan).

On the surface this comes across as just another adventure in the Marvel U. But, inside this seemingly everyday tale beats a story of redemption, sympathy, and the need to win-no-matter-the-price for one of Marvels darkest and most evil characters.

Dr. Doom makes for a great bad guy; but he's still a bad guy. He's evil, narcissistic, manipulative, destructive, murderous, but in this tale, I root for him, all the way.

*Note: This is my first graphic novel review on Comix-365. Up until now I've avoided graphic novels, mainly because I've been adamant to focus on single issues. There are a number of reasons for this, but as of today, I'll try to post some graphic novels or collected works, especially ones that were intended to be graphic novels or are hard to find as singles.

Here's a link to some reviews I did for Chapters on a bunch of graphic novels and other stuff if you're interested.