Category: Comics

Z-View: Saviors #3

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The Saviors is an on-going series created by James Robinson & J. Bone published by Image.

Writer: James Robinson

Artist: J. Bone

 

Tomas Ramirez is now in the small Mexican coastal town of La Calma, where other new freedom fighters allies intend to test a device to end the threat of the aliens forever. But the aliens have a counterattack plan of their own, so this certainly will be the Day of the Dead.

 

 

The Good

  • James Robinson provides back story without it feeling like exposition or talking heads.
  • J. Bone creates characters that look like individuals.  I am really diggin’ his art on this.
  • A Spanish speaking alien?  Absolutely!

The Bad:

  • The aliens are everywhere!

The Ugly:

  • Poor, poor Tony.

Saviors #3  is a comic for mature audiences due to violence.  If you’re a fan of 1950’s movies like “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” and the 1960’s tv series “The Invaders”  then Saviors #3 is for you.  

Rating: 4 out of 5

 

Z-View: Dead Body Road #3

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Dead Body Road is a six issue mini-series published by Image.

Writer: Justin Jordan

Penciler / Inker: Matteo Scalera

Colorist: Moreno Dinisio

Will a standoff in a diner lead Gage one dead body closer to his revenge? Or is it just a pit stop on the highway to Hell?

 

Dead Body Road #3  Great writing, great art and a crime/revenge story that moves.  Justin Jordan and Matteo Scalera are a team to watch.

The Good

  • Justin Jordan and Matteo Scalera have created a crime classic — and we’re just halfway into the story.
  • The comic feels real… or at least movie real.  It is full of violence, profane language, and takes us into a world where tough ex-cops seek revenge against thieves, murderers and motorcycle gangs.  I love it.

The Bad:

  • Some people are going to be put off by the violence and profanity.
  • Quint.  Is anyone badder?

The Ugly:

  • Not a single panel.

Dead Body Road #3  is a comic for mature audiences due to violence and language.  If you’re a fan of crime/revenge stories then this is for you.  

Rating: 5 out of 5

 

Z-View: The Mercenary Sea #2

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The Mercenary Sea is an on-going series created by Kel Symons & Matthew Reynolds published by Image.

Writer: Kel Symons

Artist: Matthew Reynolds

When the Venture is damaged in a trap laid by the Chinese admiral after Captain Jack Harper’s head, he’s forced to take the job offered by the mysterious American agent, Mr. Taylor, to rescue a British spy trapped behind enemy lines.

The Pitch: ”Hey, someone in comics should do a pulp action comic, you know a real throwback about a ragtag group of mercenaries led by an Indiana Jones-type who loves adventure and righting wrongs.”

“Let’s do it!”

The Tagline:  “Red Sails at Sunset”

The Overview: Jack Harper and his crew are wanted by the Chinese government for crimes against the state.  Admiral Shi Tang has sent soldiers to collect them for return to the motherland and execution.  If Harper’s team survives they have a job waiting… one that involves rescuing a spy with valuable information from behind enemy lines.

 

*** Beware – spoilers are found below ***

The Good

  • The issue begins with action.
  • Symons writing flows.
  • Reynolds’ art continues to impress.

The Bad:

  • While I like Reynolds‘ art I still think he overuses silhouettes and blurred backgrounds.  It’s not that I don’t like those techniques but if used too often they can lose their impact.
  • What happens to the Chinese soldiers that Harper’s crew took prisoner?  Why were they taken prisoner?  The Chinese team was sent in to capture and return Harper’s team to China for execution.  Harper’s team and the Chinese soldiers  were just involved in a major gunfight.  Are we to believe that Harper’s team just set the soldiers who tried to kill them free?

The Ugly:

  • The cover didn’t work for me this time.  I liked the idea, but felt the figures were too small and the blurred plane looked too small.

I look forward to the next issue of The Mercenary Sea.

Rating:

Mike Mignola & Hellboy: 20 Years and Going Strong!

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Recognize the character above?

That’s the first drawing Mike Mignola ever did of his wildly popular Hellboy character.  It’s pretty nuts to see how that initial drawing morphed into the beloved Hellboy character that went on to serve as the cornerstone of a comic universe, and has been adapted into live-action and animated movies.

What is even crazier is to realize that Hellboy (as we came to know him) has been around for 20 years!  CBR.com recently talked with Mike Mignolia about his and Hellboy’s journey from initial sketch to comic icon.

Celebrity Encounters at MegaCon 2014

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This Friday and Saturday I spent time at MegaCon with my buddy John Beatty.  While I was at the show hanging with Big John, my wife, Doralya was relaxing at the hotel.

On Friday afternoon Doralya sent me a text that Steven Yeun (who plays Glen on The Walking Dead) was staying in our hotel and she saw him getting into a limo.  I could tell from her text and the number of exclamation points that she was excited to see a celebrity up-close.

At dinner that night Doralya told me of an encounter that she had with Bryan Johnson, one of the stars of Comic Book Men.  Doralya was sitting outside reading when Bryan Johnson walked by.

They made eye-contact and Doralya said, “I know you! I watch you on tv every week!”  Bryan smiled and replied, “You do?”  He was probably surprised since my wife doesn’t look like someone who would watch Comic Book Men.

A few minutes later Bryan walked back through the area and made a point to say, “Good-bye” to Doralya.

I teased Doralya a bit that the only thing she could think to say was, “I know you” to a complete stranger.  We laughed and headed back to the hotel.

Doralya was standing in front of me as the elevator doors opened and I heard her say in a surprised voice, “Well, hello!”  I heard a voice say, “Hello.”  It was Ming Chen of Comic Book Men.  As he left the elevator we made eye contact…

… and the only thing I could think to say was, “Well, hello.”  Ming replied, “Hello” as he continued to wherever he was going.

As we got on the elevator I expected Doralya to return the teasing I gave her.  At least her comment to a celebrity was original.  All I could think to say was to repeat what Doralya had said.  She didn’t tease me though.  I guess she understood that I wasn’t as used to celebrity encounters as she was.

MegaCon or Bust!

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This Friday and Saturday I’ll be in Orlando.  My buddy, John Beatty will be there Friday through Sunday. We’ll be hanging out with several thousand other like-minded folks.  Yep, it’s time for MegaCon. 

John is going as a guest  of the show.  That means while John is sketching for fans, I’ll either be hanging at his table keeping the fun at it’s maximum level or I’ll be visiting with other artists/friends looking to get a sketch or two for my Stallone Sketch theme collection.

If you’ve never been to MegaCon, you’re missing out.  There’s something for everyone.  There are celebrity guests, comic book creators, dozens of artists sketching for fans, panels, gaming, and more.

If you’re in driving distance of the show, come on down.  If not, there’s always next year.  Hope to see you there!

Powell & Churilla: “Big Trouble in Little China”

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That’s Eric Powell’s cover (one of many variants) for the new Big Trouble in Little China comic series coming from Boom! Studios.  Eric “The Goon” Powell will be taking on the writing chores with art from Brian “The Sixth Gun” Churilla.

Powell and Churilla were recently interviewed about the project at CBR,com so if you’re a fan you ought to click over.

David “Brohawk” Williams Takes on Rambo

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I’ve been a fan of David “Brohawk” Williams’ art from the moment I first laid eyes on it.  Most folks become fans that quickly because Brohawk is THAT great.  

When I had a chance to meet David at HeroesCon in 2012, I was thrilled when he agreed to do a Stallone Rambo sketch for me.  Awesome, isn’t it?  And that’s just from a photo.  The actual art is too big for my scanner!