Savage Red Sonja – Queen of the Frozen Wastes #1

Aug 2006 | Dynamite

Writing: Frank Cho | Doug Murray
Art: Homs
Letters: Simon Bowland
Colour: Will Murai

Sonja battles some foes on a snowy battlefield and soon finds herself in the home caverns of hairy, Neanderthal-like cannibals.

Oh, Sonja. The only exposure I had to this character was that old movie. I had always been interested in seeing more of her and her world, as a change from Conan, but that never happened until I picked this book up.

Getting into it, it’s heart is the epitome of the scantily clad heroine fan service. We’re in the mountains, in a snowstorm, and while wearing a fur cloak, blown behind from the wind, of course she isn’t cold wearing a bra and loincloth of metal. I’d imagine it’d get quite cold. Such heroines have far better things to worry about than hypothermia.

Regardless of this amusingly brief irritation, I don’t particularly care, really. It just reminded me of the countless movies, books, and such I’ve been exposed to with such nitpicky flaws. An old roomy used to drive me nuts with such things, when really, it’s all about style. That Sonja is a badass should be enough to waver such frivol criticisms, but I couldn’t help but chuckle.

This has the old-school adventure I’ve missed a long time that makes me want to play a good old vanilla d&d game (or Hackmaster, the next best thing). Lots of action and fighting and the wonderful white yeti… It really goes fast and that’s the only complaint I have. All-of-a-sudden it’s over and look forward to seeing how Sonja gets out of this mess.

The artwork is rather nice, very fitting to the high fantasy theme. I particularly liked the designs of the Neanderthal-ish people and that yeti. Very, very, nice. Sonja isn’t too bad herself, either. While she’s not particularly my type, I don’t think I could say no. heh.

I hope the rest of this is hiding in one of those mailers. I really need more of this.

Salem’s Daughter #1

Jun 2009 | Zenescope

Creation: Joe Brusha | Ralph Tedesco
Writing: Ralph Tedesco
Art: Caio Reis
Letters: Bernie Lee
Colour: James Brown

This book seems to deal with Anna’s origins. She seems like an ordinary girl living an ordinary life, until a man she only saw in her dreams drops by. His sneaky manipulations, through obvious supernatural means, causes Anna to unleash her own power upon a friend.

I enjoyed the previous issue more than this, though it seems to be further setting up events which happened in the previous issue, as it seems pretty clear that this is what drove Anna from her hometown. While, I am looking forward to seeing how things further pan out, this bit just didn’t have the ‘oomph’ I was hoping for. I love Zenescope for their horror, regardless, and I’m fairly confident this’ll be worth getting into. I find myself more open to western horror these days.

The artwork’s okay. Better than what I’d label mediocre. I always like my horror to have a certain dark style about it, like some unspoken expectation that’s rarely ever filled and I know I can be unfair when it doesn’t match whatever it is I internally visualize, but this style does suit the book. It makes me think of old horror playbills, or something similar. There’s some sort of nostalgia tribute I see in it in certain frames that makes me warm up to it more than the last issue.

Another point I like about this book, is how the characters talk. You get it a lot in good western media. There’s something about the accent and the way they talk I just find compelling.

… You see we don’t take kindly to vigilantes here. This is a lawful town.

Oh, and that action in the beginning was nice. Nothing like a town getting decimated by a single gunman.

I really hope the next issue will seal-the-deal and fully hook me. I like the concept, where it’s going. I’m ‘oan cross my fingers and await the next issue.

Chew #1

Jul 2009 | Image

Creation: John Layman | Rob Guillory
Writing: John Layman
Letters: John Layman
Art: Rob Guillory

Tasters Choice Part 1

Tony Chu is Cibopathic, which is a sort of psychometry dependant on him ingesting things. The only food he can eat without consequence is beets. He also happens to be a cop with the Philly PD on a stakeout with his partner trying to bring down a killer who also happens to be a major player in chickens (which are prohibited as a result of bird flu), but they soon find out he’s under the protection of the FDA.

The first few pages into the book, and I’m like WTF? Illegal chicken? And the serious tone really catches me off guard as well. I almost can’t believe this even exists. Not to say that it’s a terrible book. It’s greatly entertaining and an amusing take on if chicken were illegal. In fact, I’ll go so far to say that this book is an awesome.

You go into a chicken speakeasy and order anything other than chicken, they’re gonna think you’re a cop or an asshole.

Try not to tip ‘em off that you’re both.

There’s a lot to like on these pages. The portrayal of a chicken prohibition is not something I ever would have thought of, and it’s been really well thought out and strangely believable. I love when you see Chu’s brother, the tv chef, go nuts trying to make a chicken dish with this replacement product.

The scene that hit me really hard, that really sold this book, was the cannibalism. I won’t go into details and spoil the book for those that haven’t read it and might want to. I’ll just say, this man’s dedicated and I have great respect.

The art goes really well with the story. A sort of quirky, cartoonish style with enough grit to keep it serious. And I totally dig the cover. It’s ultimately what drove me to purchase the book.

I can’t wait to see where this goes.

It Lives!

October is almost over, and I’ve fallen behind again. As uncharacteristic it is of me, I’ve actually spent time reading an actual book on the history of western civilization. Aside from this, I’ve been reading some manga, which makes me revisit my initial intention to keep such things off my blog. I concluded to keep it that way.

There are a few reviews I have slated for tomorrow, some of them already started: Aion, Executive Assisstant Iris, Chew, and some Savage Red Sonja. Hopefully I can get all of them up tomorrow, and I may deviate a little. There’s some Heavy Ink mailers I haven’t opened sitting on my desk.

I realize it’s late, but a nice cup of coffee sure sounds good. See you all tomorrow!

Kabuki #1

November 1994 | Calibur Press

Writing: David Mack
Art: David Mack
Letters: Joe Martin

Set in Japan on a future Earth, the Kabuki are Japan’s secret service, and pop icons deeply integrated into their culture.

This first issue gives us the story of Kabuki’s origin as well as inform us about the organization of Noh and what they work for.

Crime is the main enemy of Japan, and we get see beautiful assassinations of Kabuki’s targets.

The writing is as eloquent as the art and presentation of the book. The storytelling is very provocative and the world is well thought-out. It’s just awe inspiring. I could never grow tired of the exposition that just rolls off the tongue and turns each panel into perfection. The dialogue is perfect, and nothing seems unnecessary, or forced. Other books that will just slam you with a junk of everything-you-need-to-know and you wonder what it was that was going on, or the entire thing just feels out of place despite how useful the information was. It’s just a well design work of art.

I love black-and-white, especially the ink. Like I mentioned earlier, this whole book is just beautiful. It’s been so long since I’ve read this series, and it’s still as good as I remember.

Bad Kitty #2

March 2001 | Chaos!

Writing: Brian Pulido | Steven Grant
Script: Brian Pulido
Art: Adriano Batista
Ink: Curtis Arnold
Colour: Hi-Fi
Letters: Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt

About halfway into the story, my brain just couldn’t take it any more. This tale of revenge with vodoo and supernatural elements is just plain unbearable to sit through. I can’t stand all this inner dialogue and the story is pretty boring.

The only good point is the art, and by art, I mean mostly the covers. Some of the interior is nice, but I mostly dislike it. I have problems with the layout of the panels and just how smooshed it seems.

I can’t finish this series, even though there’s one issue left. I’d much rather suffer through Tarot. At least that series is laughably bad.

Crossed #6

Jun 2009 | Avatar

Writing: Garth Ennis
Art: Jacen Burrows
Colour: Juanmar

The group continues their planning and learn some shocking things about one of their group mates.

Another wonderful issue. That scene where Geoff comes out and tells his story was totally hilarious and wonderful. I could totally picture that timid old man doing something like that. Damn, that was good.

And I still have only good things to say about this series, it’s wonderful dark and disturbing tone, and the beautiful violence. Their troubles just continue being a downward spiral and I’m always anxious what wonderful things await in the next issue. I will be sorry to see this end. There’s really not enough stuff like this out there.

Read it.

Lillim #3

May 2009 | Image

Writing: Shaun Lapacek | Ian Keiser
Art: Matrix

Loki tells Bridgit the truth about himself and the two set off to Eden.

Loki’s story is a long one, being born of Adam and Lillith, we hear how man was cast out from Eden, but Lillith and her family remained, forgotten. He gives reason for all the great ancient civilizations falling, even the fabled Atlantis. And while he tells his tale, Brigit struggles with all of it.

It’s a very interesting tale. I particularly like the effort that went into fitting it in our history, though I did think it was a little dumb in the beginning, until the real conflict and prophecy came into play. At that point it became much more interesting and I could stomach the story more.

There’s only a very short scene involving his brother, but what he’s up to, other than something bad, isn’t yet known. The focus was entirely on Loki’s history, a lot to take in. I’m really hoping the next issue picks up the pace a bit more. Especially with only two issues left.

The art is all right. I wish there were something different about it, but I can’t pinpoint what it is I’d change.

This wasn’t my favorite issue of the bunch, I would have liked to have simply kept the story rolling, though I understand the back story was necessary. I’m interested to see how this story ends. It’s been… interesting.

Irredeemable #4

July 2009 | Boom!

Creator: Mark Waid
Writing: Mark Waid
Art: Peter Krause
Colour: Andrew Dalhouse
Letters: Ed Dukeshire
Cover: Dan Panosian

Qubit tells his story of first meeting The Plutonian. Nations of the world gather to discuss this global crisis and almost every country is willing to offer the fallen super his every desire.

Another issue blows me away. Every time I ask myself, how could this get better? Each time I read the next, I’m left in awe gaping the last page.

This is brilliance. Everything I’ve ever wanted from an oversaturated genre and I don’t want it to stop.

There is a specific scene in this book that keeps haunting my mind. The scene where Qubit finally gets his answer to a question he asked when first meting the Plutonian. It was a beautiful moment that made me sit back in my chair and release a contented sigh.

If I were ever to meet Mark in person, I’d probably be filled with such joyous emotion, tears would spill down my cheeks.

And the art. The story wouldn’t have the deep impact without Peter’s wonderful art. And how about Dan’s cover? So beautiful. I’d love a poster of that to put on my wall.

I’ve used all the words left in me. This series is wonderful. Just read it. Go to your local comic store, or online seller, and just buy it. Right now.

Blood Bowl – Killer Contract #1

May 2008 | Boom!

Writing: Matt Forbeck
Art: Lads Helloven
Colour: Lads Helloven
Letters: Ed Dukeshire
Cover: Lads Heloven | Moritat

It’s the Bad Bay Hackers versus the Orcland Raiders in the ultimate grudge match. There’s more than just the game, to worry about, there’s an assassin on the Hacker’s team. In order for him to get a chance to take out his target, the Hackers must advance.

I’m a huge fan of Games Workshop and practically everything they produce. I remember playing the Blood Bowl game with friends over lunch breaks and while I’ve never been a fan of football, playing this violent strategic version was always great fun. It’s been years, though, since I’ve had anything to do with it. I had sold all my miniatures off a long time ago. Seeing this comic on the shelf, I thought I’d give it a go. It left me grinning.

The comic opens in the middle of a Blood Bowl game between the Bad Bay Hackers and Orcland Raiders with some wonderful violence and commentary.

What I love about this comic is how true it is to the game. It isn’t Blood Bowl without death, extreme violence, and some heads mistaken for footballs. It really brings back some fond memories. Matt Forbeck has done some great writing, especially with the commentary, and I like the care he’s taken to flesh out the world and place this sport in the fantasy setting where it lives. Thousands of spectators watching the game in their crystal balls, it’s just so creative, and the sponsors got a chuckle from me, too. It was a fun read.

Those undead teams get all the best players — eventually!

The messy style of art goes well with the brutality of the game and the gore is quite satisfying. With a cover like that, I was certain I’d be pleased with the interior.

All-in-all, this was entertaining — purely gratuitous, but entertaining. I’ll likely pick up more of this mostly to see what the next team like, but I must admit I am curious to know more about our killer’s contract.