Showing posts with label M - January. Show all posts
Showing posts with label M - January. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Bad Girls # 4

Writer: Steve Vance
Artist: Christine Norrie
Cover : Darwyn Cooke
Publisher: DC
Published: January 2004

I have no idea what this series is about, and starting at issue # 4 of 5 is not the best way to get what it is all about. I only picked it up because it was $1 and the cover was by Darwyn Cooke. Here's a link to a review of issue # 1.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Spider-Man the Manga # 3

Writer/Artist: Ryoichi Ikegami
Translators: Mutsumi Masuda & C.B. Cebulski
Publisher: Marvel
Published: January 1998

The manga version of Spider-Man is pretty cool. It sticks fairly close to the Spider-man ethos. Peter Parker is Yu Komari. In issue # 3 Komari is lamenting his latest defeat at the electric hands of Electro. Meanwhile, Electro is realizing that his lust for money carries a larger price tag then he could ever imagine.


Classic Peter Parker Manga style:
Electro paying the impossible price:
Classic Spider-Man Remorse:


At my old job I met a customer named Peter Parker. When I asked his name he said his first name no problem, but then slightly mumbled his last name. I never said a word. After we were done talking, I kinda felt bad for the guy. He has to live with the name of one of the most famous fictional characters in comic history. However, unlike his comic alter ego, this guy doesn't get to be Spider-Man on the side, swinging from building to building, saving lives, and bringing joy to people. Oh well, I'm sure at the end of the day he'll be alright. Hell, maybe his nickname is Spidey. I can see this guy being good on the bb court. He'd be blasting through defenses, rebounding like a mad nun, and scoring 3 pointers left right and center, all the while, the crowd is shouting: "Go Spidey! Go Spidey!" Yeah, this Peter Parker will be alright.

Friday, March 6, 2009

Watchmen # 5: Fearful Symmetry

Writer: Alan Moore
Artist: Dave Gibbons
Colorist: John Higgins
Publisher: January 1987

The movie Watchmen has hit theatres today, so I just couldn't pass up this chance to add a Watchmen comic to Comix 365.

Watchmen # 5: Fearful Symmetry concerns Rorschach deepening his investigation into the death of the Comedian. What makes this issue so great is the authors ensuring this issue is symmetrical. By this, I mean, the 28 pages are mirror images of each other, with on the 14 and 15 pages a 2 page spread that unite the symmetrical image. Take a look at a few scans of pages 7 & 22, 9 & 20, and 14 & 15:


This attention to symmetry in the comic, I don't think could be produced effectively in the movie. It's not a big deal, but it does add an extra level to the reading experience. I am interested to see if the movie adds the subplot concerning the Black Freighter. When I first read the Watchmen, I hated the scenes with the pirates, but now, I see just how vital and necessary that sub story is. Especially when it comes to understanding Adrian Veidt. Anyway, I'm still excited to see the film, even if Moore hates it.

Regarding Moore, it's easy to understand his view. By denouncing the films (for whatever reason he is citing), in his own way he is protecting his original works. And this work of fiction deserves to be protected at all costs, cause it is truly a great read.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Red Sonja # 2

Writer: Bruce Jones
Artist: Frank Thorne
Publisher: Marvel
Published: January 1976


Ladies Night!

Every Monday I'll post a comic that features a lady, and to kick things off, the one and only Red Sonja.

Red Sonja made a vow that she would never submit to any man who could not best her in fair combat. Issue # 2 has Red Sonja being tracked by a merciless killer who will stop at nothing to retrieve an item she possesses.
The tracker has killed anyone she has come into contact with and poisoned the water streams, forcing Red Sonja to near death. As she lays beside her dead horse, dehydrated and defeated, the tracker stalks forth and is about to deal the final stroke. Is this the end of Red Sonja?

Nope! 'Cause it's Ladies Night. And the feeling's right! Oh yes it's ladies night! Oh what a night (oh what a night)!


Monday, February 16, 2009

Fantastic Four # 543

Writers: Dwayne McDuffie, Stan Lee, Paul Pope
Artists: Mike McKone, Nick Dragotta, Mike Allred, Paul Pope, Andy Lanning & Cam Smith
Publisher: Marvel
Published: January 2007

Another Paul Pope entry today. I figure I got's to just get all my Pope comics on this beast so I can start focusing on other comics.

Fantastic Four 543 has 3 tales. The only one I was really concerned with was Pope's (of course). The story is a classic grudge match between ol' Spidey and Flame Brain. One of the greatest dynamics to come out of the Marvel Universe was the rival between the spoiled Human Torch and everyman Spider-Man. The two of them can really get at each others nerves, and Pope delivers on this front.

The other stories involve Stan Lee, Mole Man, and a retrospective of the FF via candid interviews with Marvel Heroes. What I don't quite get was when Stan Lee became less and less of a creator and more and more of a comic character? He's almost Robert Crumbish in his utmost desire to be depicted as a character in the world he helped create (less the fetishes, sex, and bizarre confessions). I suppose he has the absolute right to do this, and he is somewhat of a comic book character in his interviews, so I guess I should just shut my mouth before some Marvel Acolyte starts pasting my blog with hate...





Thursday, February 12, 2009

Heavy Liquid # 4

Writer/Artist: Paul Pope
Publisher: Vertigo
Published: January 2000

I'm a big Paul Pope fan, and I love his artwork. Heavy Liquid follows this guy who is being chased 'cause he's got the Heavy Liquid, which is some form of metallic explosive/hallucinogenic drug. Heavy Liquid has recently been re-collected and recolored. I'm not sure of the differences between the original series and collected version, but based on the cover I saw, and Pope's recent works, I can only imagine it looks great.

One thing I liked about Popes artwork is his scenes of buildings and moody landscapes. Check some from issue # 4:


and because I used the word 'love' in this blog entry, I am counting this as meeting my self made commitment to blog about valentineish comics during the season of love.

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Dork # 5

Writer/Artist: Evan Dorkin
Publisher: Slave Labor Graphics
Published: January 1998

Here's another issue by irreverent, disgusting, satirical Evan Dorkin. This one has two short stories and a bunch of 4 panel strips. Check a few of the standout strips below:




Sunday, January 18, 2009

Kato of the Green Hornet # 3

Writer: Mike Baron
Artist: Todd Fox
Publisher: NOW Comics
Published: January 1992

As far as I can tell, the Kato comic series is a mishmash of different Bruce Lee movie plots and images taken from his films and works. Kato # 3 has Kato directing the "Great Glory" which is soon put on halt as a group of Communist militants invade his set. Kato is then forced to justify his film to a panel of Communist Party Officials. Later at a socialist gathering Kato attempts to free some of his film crew who were taken prisoner by the state. He is apphrended and caged away. He escapes, kicks some communist soldier ass, but is soon returned to prison as two deadly female body guards slam their knees into his face. Ouch.

The issue ends with Kato released to film a scene in "Greater Glory" where he has to take on a head Party Official.

Fun stuff, huh?
Baby don't hate the playa - hate the game!

I've had this comic at least 17 years now and this is the first time I've actually read it. Much like a fine wine, this comic needed the time to age into a good read. If I had read it back in '92 I wouldn't have picked up on the Bruce Lee inspired images, (see below), because I wouldn't have seen all the Lee films or read any Bruce Lee books. I needed the 17 years to allow myself just to become versed in the world of Bruce Lee-mania. Todd Fox and Mike Baron are definitely Bruce Lee fans and their dedication to developing a story filled with Lee inspired plots is a real treat to a fellow Bruce Lee fan.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

Dead of Night: Werewolf by Night # 1 of 4

Writer: Duane Swierczynski
Artist: Mico Suayan
Publisher: Marvel
Published: January 2009

Werewolves a-ruuuuulllllleeeee! Marvel's new mini series is what I've been waiting for when it come's to werewolves. This issue has got it all. Tortured man, hungry beast, and gore, gore, AL GORE! uh...GORE!!!!!

All I say is Werewolf by Night # 1 opens with a major, Dexter inspired, moment and ends with a gruesome murder, and poor ol' Jack Russell left to deal with the aftershock. This, I think, is shapin' up to be a great addition to the Dead of Night series.

Normally I would scan some images of the comic, but I think only one image is necessary.

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Tales Designed To Thrizzle # 1

She Dames!Snake and Bacon time travelWriter/Artist: Michael Kupperman
Publisher: Fantagraphics
Published: January 2008

I'd never heard of Michael Kupperman until I read Snake n' Bacon in a comic anthology. Snake n' Bacon, are just that, a snake and a piece of bacon, who both say "ssssss." It doesn't get much more complicated than that when it comes to Tales Designed to Thrizzle. The issue is divided into 3 sections: Adult, Kids, and Old People.

Jokes of pube stencilsThe Adults section which, among other topics, discusses ancient methods of getting it on, and pubic hair stencils. It also has some other tales that aren't sex related, but let's not kid ourselves, adult tales are for adults because it has things we never want to talk about with kids, namely where kids came from (one night when the power was cut and a case of sever horny-ness set in), how it happened (bow chicka bow bow), and why as much as we like, we can't return em'.

Cowboys duke it out to decideThe Kids Section has a tale entitled "Sherlock Holmes versus Jungle Boy" which involves Holmes using a magnifying glass and a mirror to cut Jungle Boy's vine. Finally the Old Peoples Section has a great comic called: "Are Comics Serious Literature?"

The entire comic is filled with all sorts of funny stuff, and as much as I try to be funny, I can't compete, so you might as well go out and read this issue.

Now, speaking of bacon, kids and old people, on my crackbook.com I have a group that I admin and one of the topics I posted was: "Are we forgetting how to cook?" I thought today's comic and this article I wrote synced up in almost every way minus the adult sex stuff. To remedy this lack of total cohesion, I edited it a tad so that all the adult readers would have something to look forward too.


Are we forgetting how to cook?

Maybe I'm speaking out of line, but I find that our generation as opposed to our parents and grandparents don't know how to cook or bake. I mean, I can only cook about four meals from scratch, and even then, I need store bought sauces or flavors.

Maybe it's that we live in faster paced times, or maybe it's the convenience of box foods that are, well, too convenient. Don't think this is a judgment of mine to associate box foods with not being able to cook, because I know from experience some of those Lean Cuisines microwave instructions are more complicated than an engineering manual.

I guess it doesn't matter if we can't cook in the traditional sense, but one of my concerns is that some of the foods that define our lives and that we ate with our folks and grand folks are going to be lost over time. How many people can you name that could recite from memory the home made rolls recipe their parents made them every holiday? To go a bit further, how many people even know how to prepare their own canned goods? Certainly not me, which is worrisome cause when the Zombie Apocalypse strikes I'm fucked.

So, I guess my point is: even though I or any of us may never cook/bake like our parents/grandparents did, either by choice or circumstance, I think it is important that this knowledge never disappear. This holiday season, take a moment and ask your folks how they made those foods that you're sick and tired of eating every year.

Gimme a break.
Gimme a break.
Gimme a break of that SBBQ.

I know, lame, almost anti-climatic after my setup, but you try and think of something sex related after talking about family and food.

See ya tomorrow! I'll try and be at least 10% funnier.


More Comix 365 articles:  

Batman Dark City
Patsy Walker Hellcat

Monday, October 27, 2008

Elvira's House of Mystery # 1: Halloween Special

Writers: Joey Cavalieri, Philip Clarke Jr., Robert Kanigher, Dennis Yee, Jack Harris
Artists: Ron Wagner, Bob Oksner, Tom Grindberg, Irwin Hasen, Arthur Geroche, Dennis Yee, Dan Spiegel
Publisher: DC
Published: January 1986

Does anyone remember Elvira? Well if not, she was the B-horror movie expert of the 80's. Her film Mistress of the Dark was a big hit and catapulted her into the mainstream media. She just recently had a reality show, The Search for the Next Elvira. So now you're all caught up.

Elvira's House of Mystery follows the same format of her early work. She used to host a small opening and ending segment for old horror movies. In this comic series, she acts as a comical interlude between various stories. House of Mystery has four tales. Only three of the four of worth mentioning. The second tale is called "Death Likes a Lullaby" and involves a kidnapping, psychological torment, being buried alive, all to the theme of a lullaby. It's a pretty good story, all told. It has some definite Edgar Allan Poe elements to it. The third tale "Once Upon a Time" involves ancient wizards battling it out for the souls of two lovers. The last tale "Vengeance in the Creature Feature" involves the victim of teenage bullies getting some much needed revenge.

Also, Cain makes a special guest appearance, which is very fitting considering the title of this series.


4 DAYS TO HALLOWEEN!