July 25, 2008
Categories: Comics . Tags: He-Man, San Diego Comic-Con . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 1 Comment
My Comic-Con Article
$75 for a 5 day pass for the Con is pretty good, especially considering all the freebies you get. Plus making new friends, seeing premieres and meeting favourite creators could be considered priceless. I may not get to see all the screenings and panels I’ve paid for, but I won’t be too disheartened if I don’t. I can’t be bothered queuing for ages. I came all this way for more than that. I’d much rather spend the time talking to people and discovering new books, especially of the indie variety. From what I’ve seen already, there’s a treasure trove of talented creators and genuinely exciting companies out there, hidden just below the surface and those kind of people have the time and willingness to speak freely about what they do and why they do it.
Saying all that, I have managed to hand out a few cards today, declaring my blog, and my work on Sight. When people see my title, “Pop Culture Ambassador,” it certainly kick starts a conversation. Well, I had to call myself something. Helping my cause is an article in the 2008 Comic-Con Souvenir Book. Oh yeah! Entitled, “Insider Slogans,” it’s a light-hearted piece I submitted a few months ago. I had to write a short bio too. This is what I came up with: Kris “Speedo” Bather lives and works in Perth, Western Australia, the most isolated city in the world. He is not socially awkward, except when talking to girls.
It’s on page 60, in between other articles celebrating 75 years of comics including one on DC Comics’ founder, Major Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson (someone should make a movie of that guy’s life) and one on the 75th anniversary of pulp adventurer, Doc Savage. That’s pretty good company to be in. Due to space limits, my entire article wasn’t published, but all that’s omitted are a few more amusing slogans. You can read the original article below. Feel free to giggle.
Comic books are now at the age where adult diapers become necessary. If they were people they could complain about “this generation” and their skimpy clothes, obscene music and new fangled gadgets while picking hair out of their ears and lifting their pants up past their navels. But comics are still cool. Old, yes, but still cool. Our beloved artform is ageing gracefully, like a French film star. What was once considered a trash medium and disposable entertainment is now mature, respected and sought after. From factory pop to live jazz, and it only took the better part of a century. Of course in the eyes of fans sequential art has always been close to our heart, but our cries for respect have only recently been heard. Not that we needed them of course. Comics may not be as popular as film or TV but they are certainly more surprising, experimental and creative. Free from constraining decisions-by-committee and intimidating budgets, comics are able to risk more than any other medium. In what other form can you create and destroy entire worlds so easily?
But for me, the best part of comics is the growing fan base. Like a supermodel at a party who has the satisfaction of knowing she’s the best looking person there, I find quiet pride knowing that I am the geekiest person in any room. A smile at fellow customers at the LCS, or a nod at that guy you just saw with the Aquaman shirt. I like those moments of simple connectivity. We’re just one step away from a secret handshake. We could go one step further and wear hoods and sacrifice virgins, but then there would be none of us left.
But the very thing that feeds us can also be our death. We can’t afford to roll our eyes when one of our unwise friends makes yet another “underwear on the outside” joke but not show them what comics are all about. Take every opportunity you can. No-one wakes up in the morning and decides, “From now on I will litter my room with imported action figures and dedicate 40% of my wage to TPBs!” It takes someone to show us the ropes. Be that someone. Walking into a comics shop can be a daunting experience. “Where do I start?” “Is this suitable for my children?” “Why is that guy wearing a bathrobe?” There are so many questions.
However, after saying all that, I must say I love a good insider joke. If you’ve just joined the fanboy/girl fraternity, most of the following will make no sense, but if you’re a funny book veteran, please feel free to laugh out loud (and explain why to the confused person next to you) So, here are just some of my suggestions for insider slogans that will get you knowing smiles from your fellow fans. Feel free to make these into bumper stickers, t-shirts or regrettable tattoos.
If you’re a geek, then these are from my heart to yours.
I collect comic books, action figures and women’s phone numbers. All three are fictional.
All my pets are Super.
I gave myself a hernia trying to lift Mjolnir.
Lost. 1 Invisible Jet.
Thwip, snikt and bamf are my three favourite sounds.
I stole this shirt from the future.
My comics and my bed sheets are both wrapped in plastic.
The internet – where every voice can be heard and mocked in equal measure.
No, it’s not a speech impediment. I speak backwards for magical reasons.
I jumped into toxic waste for super powers. Now I’m sterile and balding.
I hang out on rooftops with girls in leather. Don’t judge me.
My utility belt is on its last notch.
It wasn’t me. It was my clone.
I’m a shape shifter, but my pants don’t agree with my shape.
I’m a D-List character in an A-List world.
Please give generously-victim of unpopular retcon.
I would be Mint except for the stain. Guess where!
My mask is not to conceal my identity. It is because I am repugnant and frighten children.
I have my own theme song. Can’t you hear it?
I was bitten by a radioactive spider. Now I eat through a tube.
I have issues. But I’m running out of boxes.
I’m a walking stereotype.Yes, I’m a girl who reads comics. No, I won’t be your wife.
Full-time fanboy. Part-time model.
I’m the Ultimate version.
I have super hearing. What are you saying about me?
Will explain multiverse for food.
In an alternate universe I am witty, rugged and urbane. Unfortunately the fans voted for me.
I wait for the Trade. Don’t hate me.
There are 51 other versions of this shirt.
I just discovered my origin. I’m adopted.
I’m the Skrull version of Brad Pitt.
I chose my dying aunt over my supermodel wife. Please slap me.
T.G.I.W. Thank God It’s Wednesday.
Thursday at the Con
I’m not ashamed to say I left the Perth winter behind to visit the sun drenched shores of San Diego. From what I’ve seen thus far, it’s a nice place. Compared to the often surly staff at LAX, I’m glad to say everyone here is in a nice mood, which is also good news for all the Con vendors. You can’t move very far within the sprawling Centre without knocking into someone and I wasn’t the only one juggling multiple bags today. I’m glad I don’t have any kids. I’d easily sell them all for more goodies. Everything any fanboy or girl could ever want is here. I firstly visited one (of three) clothing outlets. I could’ve easily blown my entire fortune just on shirts. Stuff I’d never find in Oz is all around me. I picked up two shirts (Kingdom Come Superman, and a Green Lantern) a Batman belt buckle (to make my look mean-I might need two) and a Superman hoodie. Throughout my walking investigations, I also picked up 7 TPBs and almost managed to bump into TV Hulk/man mountain Lou Ferrigno and saw everyone’s favourite 80s guy, Corey Feldman doing obligatory autographs for Lost Boys: The Tribe. I saw new Astonishing X-men artist Simone Bianchi next and picked up a print. Well, I assume it was him. It’s hard to tell what these artists actually look like sometimes. It’s not like their plastered on billboards and constantly on TV. I tried to engage him in conversation but he doesn’t speak English. This isn’t the first time this has happened. When I tried to buy my “medium” hoodie, the shop guy thought I said, “Canadian.” Eventually, I saw a familiar face, of sorts. 30 Days of Night artist Ben Templesmith recognised my accent when I was in-line for a signing. I tried to meet him at Perth’s Supanova, but never got the chance. We talked briefly about Perth, where he grew up and how quickly it’s changing. He now lives in America, which is good sense since his career is on fire. I got him to sign my 30 Days: Dust to Dust freebie, which was handed to me by a scary looking she-vamp, and Image Comics’ Dead Space, which looks great. It could very well be this year’s Gears of War – a game franchise that builds into something more. I saw game play footage and it reminded me of Gears, crossed with the scares of Doom 3. It’s released on PS3, XBOX 360 and PC DVD on October 21, followed a week later by Downfall, a tie-in animated prequel DVD. While we’re talking games, I also saw Ghostbusters, the new game that is effectively no. 3 on the film series, with all the original movie cast reprising their roles. The next-gen visuals look great. So does Lego Batman and DC Universe On-Line. With Jim Lee as art director, they had an excuse to put up massive posters of his glorious work all around the booth. I wonder what they’ll do with them all after the Con ends? Some thankful DC employee will give them a nice home, I’m sure.
I haven’t even attended any panels yet, but my 15 minute power nap took longer than that. Next year, I’ll have to arrive at least a day earlier to allow my jetlagged body time to catch up. There’s so much to see and so little time. My main priority is just buying rare comicy stuff, since I won’t be able to do that back in Perth. What a well programmed consumer I am! Below are some photos taken today. Today’s themes are Star Wars and gaming, including a gaggle of Ghostbusters.
I Have Arrived!
Phew. After 22 hours in the air and 14 hours waiting to get in the air, I have finally landed in San Diego. LAX was not what I expected. A bit dingy and not much to do, but they did have Starbucks – and The Killing Joke for sale at the book store. Anyway, here’s a few things I have learnt since flying here from Tokyo:
Charlie Sheen’s character in Two and a Half Men reads comics.
P is for Pooh (a Duty Free t-shirt)
My body hates me. I’m having coffee and scrambled eggs at 1am.
Narita Airport in Tokyo is huge. It took me almost 10 mins in the shuttle bus to flit between terminals. They also accept $US. All hail the mighty greenback!
The novelty of international travel is temporary at best.
Jetlag makes live jazz and Alvin and the Chipmunks’ music seem equally cool.
So, I’m at the YMCA now. The room is -interesting. I’m starting to teach the rats and cockraoches tricks. Then on my last day I’ll put them in a cage and take bets from my fellow nerds. Nah, it’s not that bad. A bed and a window with a view of sunlight are luxuries after 3 days of seeing neither. Wendy’s, NBC and 7-11 are all near me. I can’t believe I’m actually in America. Wow.
So, last night was the Preview Night for the Con. Massive, truly massive. The line was the biggest group of people I’ve ever seen. If it wasn’t for the quips (“Use your super-speed, you’ll get there faster,” and, “Don’t look back dude. You’ll get nauseous.”) I mighta thought I was witnessing a re-enactment from Exodus. It moved very quickly though and it took me longer to get to the end that I did staying in it. All TPBs are half-price here, and that’s without any sale prices. I just bought an adorable Petey Parker exclusive figure, a Titans Companion 2 book and a Bizarro World HC, all for under $45. I also got a big bag of promo freebies. I’ve made friends. The accent helps and two new friends have already visited Perth.
I’ve also showed my Supes tat to 3 hotel staff as I waited for the regular free bus to the Con just outisde my door. So far, so good. My mobile and Mac’s internet don’t work though, so I’m using the hotel’s PC. How humiliating. At least it works. I’m going to have lunch now. Well, I can’t really call it that. Such terms became meaningless, as I’d usually be asleep now.
Marvel & DC Solicits
Oh, how I love Previews – the monthly catalogue of all things comic-related, that informs us what’s coming 2 months from now. I’ll be at the San Diego Comic-Con when the new issue hits my LCS, but at least I can check out The Big Two’s goodies on-line. Marvel zombies – go here. DC die-hards go here, and check out their new site too. Looks like they’re focusing on Batman and Watchmen. No surprise there. Both cinematic adaptations are the talk of the town at the moment. They’ve also given themselves a new slogan – “The World’s Greatest Superheroes.” Just don’t tell Marvel EIC Joe Quesada that.
A few things that caught my eye from DC Comics are below, including Batman Confidential #22 by The Simpsons and Eli Stone writer, Andrew Kreisberg with art by Scott McDaniel and perty covers by Stephane Roux. It’s the start of a four ish story arc, detailing the first time Batman bought Joker into the custody of the Gotham City cops. I think that may very well be Superman editor Mike Carlin in the background.
There’s also the TPB of the long-delayed, much-hyped JLA/Avengers x-over from Kurt Busiek and George Perez. It’s a great tale for veterans and novices alike, with its detailed pencils and massive cast of characters.
From Marvel, the one-shot, Thor: The Truth of History by writer/artist Alan Davis has the Norse god and his friends travlling to ancient Egypt. Judging by the costume on the cover it looks like an adventure set in the hammer thrower’s early career.
Lastly, there’s She-Hulk #34. Not one of my usuals, but I’m a fan of PAD’s writing. The green glamazon’s title has a history of offering quirky tales and this looks like it could be fun. Writer Peter David, penciller Vincenzo Cucca and cover artist Mike Deodata Jr. launch a new arc, with the Lady Liberators, ie, Invisible Woman, Valkyrie and Thundra, helping the Hulk’s cousin in her new role as bounty-hunter. Watch out fellas!
Read Deadpool for Free
Everyone’s favourite quip throwing mercenary returns to the pages of Marvel Comics in September in a new series from writer Daniel Way and artist Paco Medina. Before that, though be sure to head over to Marvel’s new Digital Comics Unlimited site, because they’re letting you read Deadpool Saga #0 for free. It will tell you everything you need to know about this wise-cracking, quick-healing anti-hero.
You don’t find such generosity in massive conglomerates these days, so make the most of it. Wade Wilson AKA Deadpool has had some pretty big names working on his series over the years, such as Joe Kelly and Ed McGuiness and the fans seem to hunger for more adventures of the “merc with a mouth.” Deadpool – he’s just like Wolverine, but twice as ugly, and with a sense of humour.
Deadpool has been around since the heady comic book days of the 1990s and has only grown in popularity. He certainly stands out from the typical superhero crowd. Ryan Reynolds will be playing the character in next year’s X-Men spin-off, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, though how close he’ll stay to his comic book equivalent is anyone’s guess at this stage.
Comic-Con: It Is On!
How I have dreamed of this day. Sunday. No, I mean the day I would fly to the majestic US, the home of one of my favourite things – yep, comics. This year will be my first year in the States to attend the huge Comic-Con, the be-all and end-all of geeky conventions. Despite the name, it offers more than just comics, but also the latest announcements and previews of TV, animation, gaming and films. Last year, there were 125 000 attendees and this year they had to turn people away. The talk is that it will be going to Las Vegas in the next few years, as San Diego’s facilities are barely accommodating the yearly influx of fanboys and girls. I will attempt to do my usual comics news and reviews while I’m away from home, as well as report on my escapades in a new place while there. Most of it will involve shopping, as a menagerie of vendors let loose on funky Con exclusives that can be found nowhere else, because they’re exclusives. Uh, yeah.
It goes from Wed to Sun and I will be there for the whole time, (and a week afterwards) taking in all the panels and drooling on various goodies, and possibly, some celebrities. I’ll also be posting reports for Sight too. The flight on Tuesday night is over twenty hours long, with stop-overs in Tokyo and L.A, so please be patient if I don’t post for the first day (or two) but check back regularly for all the latest, greatest and nerdiest. In the mean-time you can download the free Con magazine. I hope to make many new friends, which I’m sure won’t be a problem with my crazy “Ossie” accent, and hopefully avoid getting lost. If I do, I’ll just follow the throng of costumed fans, though I will try to avoid Jokers dressed in straight jackets and any He-Men wearing animal skin underwear.
Astonishing X-Men Pics
Here’s a look at the second and third covers from the new Astonishing X-men penciller, Argentine Simone Bianchi. Issue #26 features a stylised design of one of my favourite X-guys, Beast, and #27’s black and white art features the fave of many others, Wolvie doing his thing in front of Scott Summers AKA Cyclops. The new creative team’s debut, #25, with acclaimed writer Warren Ellis sold out quickly, so keep an eye out for these covers on the 13th of August and the 17th of September respectively. Below those two pics are the Terry Dodson cover and a few preview interior pages from the first issue of Secret Invasion: X-Men. The four ish mini is written by Mike Carey with art by Cary Nord and follows the X-dudes as they beat up the Skrull army currently invading the Marvel Universe.
The Dark Knight Review
After 2005’s Batman Begins many had high hopes for the sequel. Usually in superhero films, the follow-up is better. After all that nasty exposition and the obligatory origin story is dealt with, the film-makers can then move on to expanding the cast of characters and ramping up the action. That is certainly what happens here. The Dark Knight sets the tone well early on. Don’t expect any information to bring you up to speed however. If you haven’t seen Begins, then do so before seeing this. It will help.
Batman (Christian Bale) has been fighting crime for some time now with aid from his English butler, Alfred (Michael Caine), Lieutenant Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and daring new District Attorney, Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart). As always his only love, Rachel Dawes (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is also in the wings, though she is fond of the more stable Dent than playboy Bruce Wayne and his crime-fighting ways. Director Christopher Nolan returns to this Batman screen re-invention with a skill gained from his indie cinema days. Co-written with David Goyer and Nolan’s brother, Jonathan, The Dark Knight is not a typical superhero film, like Iron Man, but is far more concerned with raising morality issues rather than having the good guy beat up the bad guy. As Harvey Dent gains the public’s trust and becomes the enemy of Gotham’s crime bosses, Bruce Wayne begins to think that perhaps he can give up his nocturnal adventuring for good and let Dent tackle crime the legal way. The right way. Of course, we don’t want that to happen as we want to see Bats do what he does best – exact justice on Gotham’s crims, but we also want to see Bruce and Rachel re-ignite their love and live happily ever after. For anyone who knows Batman the outcome is obvious, but seeing Bruce Wayne understand that he needs help in his war and could conceivably hand over the reins to another is a good take. It’s not entirely new, however. Both Superman’s and Spider-Mans’ second films also toyed with the idea of retiring their superhero alter-egos, and did, temporarily. At times the film reminded me of Bourne’s fighting scenes, Law and Order’s courtoom dramas and MI:3’s daring rescues, especially the great Hong Kong sequence. And with the nifty vehicles, like the new Bat Pod and hi-tech gadgets from Lucius Fox (Morgan Freeman), it is also similar to a Bond film. But Nolan makes it all seem part of a cohesive whole. There are also some genuine laughs and gasps along the way, mostly due to the Clown Prince of Crime and his amusing/horrifying ways. So, what about the Joker? Fellow Aussie Heath Ledger has certainly got everyone talking and makes a startling entrance. Is he great? Sure. Oscar-worthy? No. He loses himself in the role, like no other he’s played, but he’s not this year’s best actor and to give him a win out of sentimentality would be a mistake. The rest of the ensemble do a splendid job. Maggie Gyllenhaal is superior to Katie Holmes’ outing as Dawes in the first film and both Caine and Freeman add sparkling wit.
At two and a half hours, is it too long? Definitely, but I don’t see how the film-makers could’ve cut any scenes, with the story they are portraying. If I was forced, I’d say the entire Two-Face arc could’ve been left on the cutting room floor though, as the classic villain deserves his own film, not the cameo he has here. His transformation from golden boy Dent to corrupt Two-Face is similar to his comics origin, but with a twist that works well in this cinematic context. I was disappointed that Eckhart sounds the same as Dent and Two-Face however. Apart from the physical transformation, there is no real sense of any permanent inner change with the character, post-scarring, but his limited screen time means that such conflict can not really be dealt with.
As a comics purist I was happy to finally see Batman with haunting white eyes for the first time on-screen. It always irks me seeing black make-up on the actor’s face under the cowl. Is Bruce Wayne going to apply foundation every time he dons the mask? The Joker seen here is also the most faithful one, with a genius level intellect yet an unstable, unpredictable mind and an origin that not even he’s sure of. The film’s end is a surprise (though not the only one) and takes the franchise down an interesting path, though possibly one with limited potential. For fans of dark, mature takes on superheroes this is recommended. If you’d like more Batman/Joker inter-play, follow Nolan’s example and read The Killing Joke by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland, the best interpretation of their relationship ever created. The Dark Knight may be too scary for the younger crowd though. There is no blood on-screen, but plenty of madness, corpses and flinching moments. With the notions of sacrifice, honour and integrity all mentioned, for adults there will be plenty of discussion after you leave the cinema.
Watchmen Trailer
Just released, the Watchmen trailer has already divided the comic fan community. Directed by Zack Snyder, who after directing 300 is no stranger to comic book films, it looks to be …interesting. Watchmen is to comics what Citizen Kane is to cinema. It lifted the standards and re-invented the conventions. After Watchmen, nothing in comics was really ever the same. It came along at just the right time – the original 12 issues were published between 1986 and 87 and, along with the Pulitzer winning Maus and the Batman re-inventing The Dark Knight Returns, showed the world what sequential art could be. Comics grew up after these three books and started to see, and promote themselves as adult literature, as respected as any other form of entertainment. Written by the reclusive genius Alan Moore and drawn with great realism by Dave Gibbons these two deconstructed the very idea of the superhero. Originally they wanted to use DC’s stable of underused characters they acquired from Charlton comics, such as the Blue Beetle and The Question. DC wouldn’t let them so they created their own archetypes such as the Comedian, Nite-Owl and Silk Spectre. The trailer looks cool, especially in the opening shots of Dr Manhattan’s origin, but the CGI appears dodgy later on. Watchmen has almost been made into a film for the last 20 years, with directors such as Terry Gilliam and Paul Greengrass attached to the project over the years. It is perhaps the most difficult comic story to adapt to cinema and Moore is not supportive of it being attempted. As a comic, it is great and deep and resonant, but it possibly only works in that format. I doubt non-comics readers will “get it” and by the looks of it some of it has been altered to make it seem more like a standard suoperhero tale, but Watchmen is so much more than that. I guess we’ll see for ourselves about this time next year.
Darth Pope and Santa Man
So lots of people are excited about World Youth Day in Sydney at the moment. I suppose it’s a good thing. Lots of young people gathered in peace and joy gawking as the Pope Mobile passes them by. But this has got to be the highlight of the event. A friend of mine visited China recently. At the Great Wall, he could hear a faint noise. Upon closer inspection he saw a bunch of Christians singing – in one of the most remote places on the planet. I wittily remarked that Star Wars fans are like charismatic Christians – you can find them anywhere. Looks like I was right. Check out the guy on the end. He could be the Anti-Pope. Put on your best Emperor voice and repeat with me – “Rise, Lord Vader.”
While we’re on the topic of old men in colourful cloaks – do you reckon Father Christmas could be a mutant? The evidence is overwhelming. Just read this summary from a wonderful discussion on the Comic Book Resources X-Men forum, with a nice reply from Marvel editor Nick Lowe. This is why I love being a fanboy. The depth of research is certainly impressive and the argument is an interesting one. What better way to celebrate Christmas in July than to have Marvel declare that the generous bearded one is a mutant! I mean, he wears a colourful costume, has a nifty Santa Mobile (or sleigh) a multitude of side-kicks (elves) and is able to travel at tremendous speeds while secretly helping those in need. Plus, he’s mysterious. Now all he needs is a tragic origin and a top notch arch enemy and he can be fighting alongside Wolvie in no time.
We’ve been discussing this in the X-Forums of CBR. There have been two references that Santa Claus is a mutant. The first, which was dismissed, was in the “Generation X: Holiday Special” #1 where Jubilee sees St. Nick and just wonders if he is, in fact, a mutant. We dismissed that as, “Well, Jubilee is a moron.”
However, in the “Marvel Holiday Special” of 1991, there is a story apparently written in continuity as right after “Uncanny X-Men” #97 and before the Christmas issue of “Uncanny X-Men” #98, where Cerebro detects a new highly powered mutant and Xavier sends out Wolverine, Nightcrawler, Storm, Banshee, and Colossus to try and recruit the person. Simultaneously, the Brotherhood (Toad, Mastermind, Blob and Unus the Untouchable) sense the mutant as well, and both groups go and do battle with the prize being this new mutant as a member of their team.
Said powerful mutant is revealed to be a reality-warping mutant…who also happens to be Santa Claus. At the end of the battle, Santa explains that Christmas isn’t a time to be worried about recruiting mutants, and uses his reality-warping powers to turn the naughty Brotherhood into action figures and teleports the X-Men to a location where they were supposed to meet Cyclops and Phoenix to go shopping.
Now, I ask you about this in hope that it will be rendered “not canon,” because if it is…
Santa Claus is not listed as one of the 198. Therefore, he lost his powers on M-Day due to the Scarlet Witch’s magic. And if he lost his powers, well…Wanda Maximoff killed Christmas in Marvel-616. And I don’t think that’s an act she’ll ever be redeemed of.
Hopefully, you can give us a straight answer to end this hilarious debate…we’re running out of jokes to tell about it in the thread.
NL: We’ve been dreading the asking of this question. Now, please pledge that you’ll keep the answer of this confined to the CBR Boards. You make very good points, WorstBlogEver. But there’s a book that takes a lot of initiative when avenging things that has been dropping hints of another mutant that is “off the books.” I can’t rule out that Mutant Zero and Santa Claus aren’t two different people.
Nerd Paradise
Nerds are smart. Smart people can buy expensive things. Nerds can therefore buy expensive things, right? Absolutely. The beauty of today’s hi-tech pop culture saturated world is that when you’ve made it you can customize any part of your life you like. If you want a Han Solo frozen in carbonite table – you can have it. How about a deluxe home theatre that resembles the awesomeness that is the Batcave? It’s yours.
So you like Star Trek hey? Well invite your Klingon mates over and let them gawk at this bad boy and wonder how Kirk managed to become shirtless with such regularity.
For a sneak at 8 more indulgent fantasies come to life, go here. There’s also themes for Indiana Jones, Titanic, the Death Star and more.
For those of us who can not afford such extravagance, maybe this would be a more cost effective option – a to-scale R2-D2 projector. It comes with an iPod dock, a Millennium Falcon remote control and buckets of cool. It also makes all the official sounds and can roll around the room, sensing when it’s near any dangerous objects, like thieving Jawas or coffee tables. If you’re passionate enough, this little gadget is available now.
You can also get a smaller web-cam version, with a lightsabre remote. See the video below to witness all its glory. My words can not do it justice.
Mice Templar #5 Review
I’ve been following this series since it began. It doesn’t have the traits of my usual picks, ie, no spandex, or space ships, or surprising resurrections. It doesn’t even have any secret identities! But what Mice Templar does offer is great story telling, and that’s enough to make it stand out from the superheroes crowding the racks.
Writer Bryan J.L Glass (Magician: Apprentice) and artist Mike Avon Oeming (Powers) are crafting this series in to the next great epic in sequential art. I’d compare it to Lord of the Rings since it deals with a dirty fantasy world rich in textured history, but it can also win favour with the Narnia crowd in the way it wraps deceptively cute anthropomorphic adventures in a cloak of adult themes. It would undoubtedly be a more engrossing experience reading the complete series, once finished, in collected form, but thankfully each issue has a handy reminder of what’s come before to refresh the memory. Since this is a bi-monthly series, this addition is particularly welcome and the casual reader should find enough with any issue to be hooked immediately, and the handy MT web-site will also fill you in on all you need to know.
The story told thus far concerns Karic, a young mouse who is rising up to become the next Templar, a long lost group of holy warriors who destroyed themselves long ago. After Karic’s village was raided and his family lost, he managed to rescue and befriend that old fantasy favourite-the mentor, and his rise to glory and greatness continues unabated. Actually, that’s not entirely true, which is what makes this series so exciting. There is always a sense of dread when reading Mice Templar, as betrayals and deaths and bloody battles drag the story to it’s unknown conclusion. Rats and owls and bats all seem horrendously fierce in a world where your best weapon is a lack of trust and a quick pair of legs. Karic’s earnest desire to fulfill the Fish Gods prophecy for him leads him to meet other Templars, such as Pilot (whom he rescues) and the bitter Cassius. Each issue ends on a cliff hanger as every rousing tale should and this one is no different, in which Karic must question his motivations thus far. Is his hope and admiration for the Templars a deserved one, or is he just way too naive and in over his head?
With rats tormenting Karic’s captive family, together with danger and disappointment wherever he turns it appears Karic has a hard road ahead, but it’s certainly a joy to watch him walk it. Like the young legend-in-training, we too never know what’s around the corner.
It’s also a joy to look at, as these preview pages attest. Oeming’s artwork never fails to delight and here resembles Mike (Hellboy) Mignola in his use of hard edges and prominent use of shadows, but with a more versatile approach to bold layouts. His eye for page design is frequently inventive and matches the varying pace of the story’s rhythm. Wil Quintana’s colours can not be ignored either. From sunlight pouring in to caves, to moonlit battles and cities illuminated by torches, it’s a luscious book to behold. Thanks to these two artists every page looks vibrantly different and demands more than just a cursory look. Really, this is what good, or rather, great comics are all about – engrossing characters risking it all who take readers with them on a dangerous journey. I’m not exactly sure where the road will end, but, like driving in the dark with a mumbling hitchhiker, it’s scary and uncertain but definitely entertaining.
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BOOM! Freebies
Relatively new publisher, BOOM! Studios have made a mark on the comics biz by offering a wide range of genres in a fairly short amount of time, and also by appointing High Priest of Fanboys, writer Mark Waid as EIC. High Rollers is one of their latest series, and is written by renowned novelist Gary Phillips. In this first of a four part series, Gary talks about his upbringing, his long love of reading and the basis of the new crime mini. I must say High Rollers certainly makes an impression in the first few pages with a brutal, yet strangely noble death, and seeing gangsters dressed up in suits while discussing business in a boardroom is a fine idea. If you’re a fan of Phillips, or stories where everyone has a gun and a funky nick-name, then this series is for you. If you don’t like either of those things, but do like large men with deep voices talking about “the streets,” then watch the video.
If that whet your appetite, then check out the rest of BOOM!’s vids here.
Lastly, there’s now a text commentary for BOOM!’s recently released Station #1, if murder on an international space station is your thing. And why wouldn’t it be? It’s written by TV writer Johanna Stokes and is a great insight into her inspiration and storytelling craft. Her explanation about that creepy two-page murder spread makes it even more frightening.
July 15, 2008
Categories: Comics . Tags: Boom Studios, free comics, Gary Phillips, High Rollers, Station #1 commentary . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 1 Comment