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This Week’s Ramblings

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The new Batman and Robin team continue to entertain in the DCU. Paul Dini and Dustin Nguyen are also a great pair on their Streets of Gotham series. The third issue focuses on the man known as The Broker and his shady acquisitions of properties to be used as hideouts for Gotham’s criminals. This is a mature issue, as The Broker questions his morals and mentions that the Mad Hatter is, “aside from the little girl thing, a prince.” He also shows a place to the new look Mr. Zsasz who buys the abandoned property and promptly wheels in tiny cages holding kidnapped children. All that, plus the Manhunter co-feature starring a skinless woman make this one gruesome issue. It also has a cameo by The Great White Shark bad guy seen in the excellent Batman: Arkham Asylum game.

Image’s tale of eternal brothers Olympus series is finished, with #4 now out. I picked up the finally released TPB of Pax Romana this week, and the comparisons between Jonathan Hickman’s design sense and Olympus’ artist Christian Ward seem obvious to me. Go here to see some Olympus pages to know what I mean. Both men use the page as their own template for a new kind of approach to visual storytelling. They’re not afraid to be bold and use negative space to great effect. The last ish of Olympus is probably the best looking and I hope Ward has another outlet soon. Writer Nathan Edmondson is sure to be going places too.

So the new Justice League has been announced, as seen in this week’s DC releases. The roster has had more changes than ever in the last few years. Writer of the current mini-series Cry For Justice, James Robinson is teaming up with artist Mark Bagley (Trinity) but the character selection isn’t doing a lot for me. I miss the days of Grant Morrison and the Big Seven. At least, there’s still DC’s Trinity, or at least stand-ins for Superman (Mon-El while Supes is on New Krypton), Batman (Dick Grayson replacing the dead Bruce Wayne) and Wonder Woman (one-time Wonder Girl Donna Troy). Check out this informative Newsarama post that examines if the new members are worthy of being in the JLA.

The new 3 ish mini Anti-Venom: New Ways to Live is off to a rollicking start. Pure, hard-core entertainment with another ending 6 pages after the one you think it is. Focusing on the original Spider-Man foe Venom, Eddie Brock is now a good guy as the Anti-Venom and is dedicated to cleaning up the streets and the people in it. Writer Zeb Wells showed in the recent Dark Reign Elektra mini that he knows how to write full throttle action and does so again here. I’ve never seen anything by artist Paulo Siqueira but man, I’m very impressed. With superb pacing, fluid action and scenes of horror oozing darkness onto the pages I’m definitely picking up the next 2 issues.

September 19, 2009
Categories: Ramblings, Reviews . Tags: Anti-Venom, Christian Ward, JLA, Nathan Edmondson . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Zombies Calling Review

I have a new habit these days. Ever since I arrived home from San Diego Comic-Con in July I have briefly stared at the pile of comics I bought there with curiosity, excitement and mild disdain at not organising them yet (especially as said pile is sitting next to my bookshelf crammed full of unread stuff from last year’s SDCC). However since I’ve been getting the train to work I now have an hour each day to get some good reading in and watch the pile slowly diminish, or at least, be rearranged.

So, each night I grab a random book and throw it in my bag for the next morning’s reading, and that’s how I came to read, and enjoy, Zombies Calling by Faith Erin Hicks and Slave Labor Graphics. Man, that was an unnecessarily long intro.

Zombies Calling is a 112 page black and white digest that was created in 2007. Hicks’ blog details her submission process that got it noticed. Her next project is Brain Camp about “a creepy summer camp and how there may be monsters in the forest, and it’s all a metaphor for how puberty is scary as hell.” Cool.

So, ZC is about Joss and her two room-mates at a Canadian university. Joss is fixated on England, and more importantly zombie moves. She knows the rules of said films, (think of the rules for horror moves as stated in Scream) and thankfully, her skills must be put to the test when zombies invade her campus, or rather students are transformed into the shuffling undead.

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting much and only picked it up at the Con as it was cheap, but I was pleasantly surprised. After the first few pages I thought it may just veer dangerously close to the kind of playful tale we’ve seen before in which all the characters are witty and reference pop culture to show the readers/audience how they’re just like them. Hicks is wise and creative enough to not let that happen though. By sticking to only 3 main characters and giving the zombies an unusual origin that doesn’t require lengthy exposition, she can focus on showing just enough tension, tenderness and humour that could comfortably exist in an average episode of Buffy.

Besides Joss, there’s so-called ladies’ man Robyn and Sonnet, who is more serious and goth. There’s nods to Shaun of the Dead and the non-zombieness of 28 Days Later, and lots of running, hiding and zombie hurting.

It’s the combination of action, character development and touching scenes, such as the discussions of virginity, and death, all in just over 100 pages that make this an entertaining read. It’s also great to look at. Hicks does wonders simply with the page layouts and knows how to use space, and silence to great effect. It’s just a pleasure to look at and not like all the manga-lite artwork currently flooding the shelves. She knows how to render detailed backgrounds, and make the characters emote, and even a nerd like me can appreciate the hip fashion choices.

Also included are a few pages of character sketches and preliminary cover designs. Zombies Calling is a refreshing, done-in-one read that you wouldn’t be ashamed to pass onto your curious friends.

September 12, 2009
Categories: New To Comics?, Reviews . Tags: Faith Erin Hicks, Slave Labor Graphics . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

This Week’s Winners

Jeff Lemire’s Sweet Tooth#1. Worth much more than the $1 cover price, this debut ish from Vertigo is equal amounts enchanting and intriguing. Writer/artist Lemire mentions in the On The Ledge column that a friend of his described it as “Bambi meets Mad Max.” That’s not a bad way of putting it, though it’s still too early to see those references yet. Lemire is one of the new wave of indie creators making a splash and getting noticed. His Essex County trilogy from Top Shelf chronicled various inhabitants of a small town with great realism and warmth. He brings that same edge to Sweet Tooth, but with more fantasy than his usual work. We are introduced to Gus, a boy with antlers living with his dying father. Gus has never left his home and the area around it and knows no-one but his ailing Dad. Gus is one of the last few human/animal hybrids who came into existence after a mysterious pandemic 10 years ago. This is an ongoing series and Lemire has plenty of time to build upon this premise. It hooked me more than I thought it would. Lemire’s art seems slightly more refined here. The thick, black sketchy style of his previous work is still obvious, but there are rare places where faces appear odd. Jose Villarrubia’s colours sit slightly uneasily, but maybe that’s because I’m not used to seeing Lemire’s work in colour. There’s also a 7 page preview of October’s Peter and Max Fables novel from Bill Willingham. Sweet Tooth, like The Unwritten before it is yet another bold move from Vertigo, and Lemire is conducting a unique promo for the series.

Justice League: Cry For Justice #3. There’s still a few issues with this series, namely writer James Robinson’s occasional missteps with out of character dialogue, particulary with Hal Jordan, but with the build up towards the team’s formation, and the big reveal of the baddie, ie, Prometheus, it ticks a few boxes. Prometheus was always one of the great JLA baddies when Grant Morrison reinvigorated the JLA over a decade ago. Mauro Cascioli’s art is splendid and his ferocious depictions of action, such as Starman’s and Congorilla’s aerial assault are the highlights. Robinson’s extra pages on the origin of Prometheus and why he chose the “anti-Batman” give fanboys great insights too.

Star Wars: Invasion #3. The thing that’s immediately apparent from this new SW mini-series is Colin Wilson’s art. It’s the kind that you don’t really see in mainstream American comics, and it fits with the high drama and action of Star Wars beautifully. Tom Taylor keeps things fresh, knowing that it’s probably a mix of fans of the New Jedi Order series of novels and people who want to see Luke Skywalker do his thing again that are reading this title. Anyone who has read the books in which the alien species known as Yuuzhan Vong come to conquer will be relieved that they translate so well to sequential art. Taylor gives enough info about the Vong for curious readers, and starts to make serious strides in showcasing the menace of the creepy race. Plus, in the few pages that reveal Skywalker’s relationship with the apprentice Finn Galfridian, Taylor lays hints that he’s going slightly beyond the typical SW mentor/protege arc that we’ve seen many times before. Hopefully the characters shown here will continue in some form with Dark Horse after Invasion wraps.

September 6, 2009
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, Reviews . Tags: Colin Wilson, James Robinson, Jeff Lemire, JLA, Mauro Cascioli, Tom Taylor . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 3 Comments

Fall Out Toy Works #1 Review

The best thing about this issue is the first 5 pages, which are silent and show a woman making eggs for her “husband” before flinging herself out of a high window. After that, it’s a bit of a letdown. From the mind of Pete Wentz from Fall Out Boy, as well as Darren Romanelli and Nathan Cabrera, it is written by Brett Lewis and given art duties by Sam Basri. In the next few pages we learn that the bearded man who saw his potential female companion hit the sidewalk is a man called The Baron. He’s entrusted a group of scientists to make him an android wife, and things aren’t going well. He soon teams up with a financially struggling toy maker to see his dreams come true.

There’s really not much more to say than that. The art has a light touch and a definite manga flavour which makes it easy on the eyes. The story, however, needs work. There are times when it starts to go deeper than its obvious Disney facade (talking bee assistant, lonely scientist, kid in a bear suit) with ponderings on the definition of love and existence. And is it just me, or the scene where lawyers in fancy suits beat up the the toy maker in a dark alley is supposed to be funny, right? With one smarmy guy proclaiming, “We’re lawyers in Los Angeles…we can do whatever we want!” I assume so.

The problem is that the story hasn’t found its feet yet. It isn’t as accessible as it should be, especially for what Image hope to be a book with cross-over appeal. The cover alone proclaims, “FOB Presents,” “Fall Out,” ” Pete Wentz,” and “Inspired by the ideas and lyrics of Fall Out Boy.” If they’re going to go that far to appeal to fans of the band, then surely a short intro by Wentz explaining his part in all this (along with the other 2 creators) or exactly what lyrics inspired the tale (“Tiffany Blews” apparently) would make sense.

For newcomers to comics this isn’t the greatest example, but I certainly don’t blame Image for trying. Musicians getting behind comics is the flavour of the year, and Gerard Way’s The Umbrella Academy series from Dark Horse shows that it can be done beautifully. One look at the comments from people on the official Fall Out Boy site about Toy Works shows an impressive number of excited comics newbies, and that’s a good thing, but I’d suggest they buy the similar Clockwork Girl hardcover from Arcana instead. With this first issue it looks too early to tell, but the story is going somewhere and will hopefully find a balance between its Disney film aesthetic and Blade Runner themes. If you’re still not sure if it’s for you, then check out the teaser for the upcoming motion comic below, even though there’s no mention of the fact that it’s a comic. Oh boy. However, I will say that this 5 issue series looks to take bold strides into the non-comics world. Just look at the ads inside – Dita sunglasses (with artist Jim Lee as the model!), Decaydence record label, Clandestine Industries fashion and designer/co-creator Darren Romanelli’s site. This is exactly the kind of cool that comics need to emanate and go a long way to erasing any lingering negative stereotypes about sequential art. Hopefully series like this, and Tyrese Gibson’s Mayhem! comic will bring in new readers who will then go on to discover the full breadth that this medium offers.

You can also check out an interesting interview with Wentz and Romanelli on the project here.

September 5, 2009
Categories: New To Comics?, Reviews . Tags: Image Comics . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

The International Anatomie Man

Time for a few quick movie reviews.

Man On Wire – I first heard about this engaging doco when it came out last year and then saw a few intriguing minutes at a Borders store. The documentary has a simple premise. It chronicles a Frenchman’s desire to walk between the Twin Towers in New York. Of course, a feat of that magnitude could never be achieved on any skyscraper these days. I suppose those extreme athletes who scale walls and jump off high-rises in parachutes would be close, but Phillipe Petit’s daring 1974 45 minute high wire act had a charmingly low-tech approach. With interviews with the man himself and his network of friends, it feels like another Ocean’s 11 installment. There’s no mention of the 9/11 attack as the film makers wanted the sense of magic to remain intact. The detailed research and impressive re-enactments really give the film a suspense and tension straight out of a Hitchcock film. With each new revelation you’ll be wondering just how Petit and his crew got away with it. You’ll be shaking your head at disbelief throughout the whole film, which I guess is what magic does.

The International – Starring Clive Owen (you can really see why he was a James Bond contender) and Aussie Naomi Watts this film is directed by Tom Twyker. The critics have been raving about it, but really it’s not an all out action thriller at all. The only time it comes remotely to such is the great set piece set in the Guggenheim Museum in New York. After far too many scenes (ie, pretty much all of them) involving people talking about the evil bank that funds international terrorism I lost interest. It’s smart and looks high-class and I applaud the unique approach that makes it more of a talky thriller than a gunfight-centred film, but it just needed a better balance. Twyker also directed the great German film Run Lola Run and the not so great Princess and The Warrior. Hiis next film is based on the time-spanning novel, Cloud Atlas.

Anatomie – This 2000 German film is a winner. With a plot like a Michael Crichton novel, it’s a classy thriller. It stars Run Lola Run’s Franka Potente as a young med student who goes to the renowned Heidleberg Medical School and soon discovers a secret society of students and teachers known as the Antihippocratic Society. To say much more would be to ruin it, but it’s no surprise that this was a hit in its country of origin. Supremely paced and never overly grisly, it’s edge of your seat stuff. Director Stefan Ruzowitzky also directed the sequel, which has Potente appear in a pointless cameo. It stars a different group of students, and school and a group who this time are experimenting with high-tech muscle replacements. It’s more action and less thriller than the original, but is still worth a look. You’ve probably figured out that Anatomie is German for anatomy by now. If you don’t mind subtitles, and you shouldn’t, check these two films out.

September 4, 2009
Categories: Movies, Reviews . Tags: Tom Twyker . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Hotwire #4 Review

I can’t recall the last time I was this sad at the end of a series. Not because it’s a disappointing end, but because Alice Hotwire’s standout adventures are now over. Steve Pugh has consistently delivered high quality entertainment over the four issues of this unique series from Radical Publishing and though I hope to see more, I’m also aware that it probably won’t be anytime soon. One look at any page and you’ll see why – it takes a lot of time to make pages like this.

For the uninitiated Hotwire: Requiem for the Dead is one of the best looking books on the stands, but it’s also a good old fashioned adventure to boot. You don’t really see stories like this any more, but Radical know how to make them. This title, and City of Dust are just two examples of easily accessible series from the publisher that anyone can pick up and be hooked on. They’re streamlined, but not simple, stories without the complications that some of our fave superhero titles can often be bogged down with.

So, what’s Hotwire about then? Alice Hotwire is a young cyberpunk English lass in a future London ravaged by “blue lights,” which are like electrical phantasms. Her job, as Detective Exorcist is to track down these resurrected corpses and get rid of them, and her partner Mobey is along for the wild ride. At the same time she discovers a conspiracy looking to use the ghosts as weapons, while the rest of the police force tries to deal with a public riot against police brutality.

In the last issue Alice and Mobey were separated at the Motts Island Cemetery while Alice stared at a flood barreling down upon her. Alice meets her unlikely saviour however, and we are given the first glimpse at her upbringing, which reveals her understanding of technology and the tragedy of her parents’ loss. This is a grand finale, with Hotwire and her fellow cops facing not only an angry mob wanting to tear apart a pair of violent detectives, but also the “man” behind the mob – the electronic puppet master. Compared to the previous three issues this is a lot more action packed, but it’s also over a little too quickly. It’s kind of like The Matrix Revolutions as compared to the original. It’s an entreaining tale, but won’t make much sense if this is your first dive into the Hotwire world.

Pugh has put everything on to these pages. The story was initiated with writer Warren Ellis, but Pugh boldly makes Hotwire his own. I even noticed the unique styles of the lettering and how he displays dialogue. His panel arrangements are chaotic, yet easy to follow and his costume and tech designs are straight from an unmade James Cameron flick. The luscious variety on display really is an eye opener. Pugh makes the art flow and dance across the page like a tattooed ballerina. It’s unexpected, daring and mesmerising.

When Radical releases the TPB collecting all 4 issues make sure to put it on your wish list. Hotwire has the edginess of 2000AD with the themes of The Matrix and the look of Blade Runner. Those comparisons don’t do it justice, but if you like your sci-fi more William Gibson than Star Trek you’ll be completely satisfied. It’s the kind of series you can pass to your non-comics reading mates to prove a point.

And now that it’s all over, I must say a hearty thank you to Steve Pugh. Job well done sir.

Hotwire #4 smacks shelves on September 2.

August 30, 2009
Categories: Reviews . Tags: Radical Publishing, Steve Pugh . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

The Stuff Of Legend #1 Review

There’s been some rumblings in the fan press about this title. It deserves the attention. New from Th3rd World Studios the first issue has sold out, with a sceond printing available from September 17. Now I’ve never heard of Th3rd World, but this series looks to put them on the map.

If Tim Burton made Toy Story, The Stuff of Legend would be the result. It immediately subverts any pre-conceived notions one might have about a book starring talking toys. The owner of the toys is a young boy who is taken by the tendrils of The Boogeyman and dragged in to the darkness. Then it’s up to the toys who secretly come alive when out of human view, to rescue him. This is a 56 pager with no ads and is equally enchanting and dark.

Set in WWII, it means the toys are archetypes – the unsure pig, the brave soldier, the excitable Jack In The Box, the proud Indian princess and so on. They rally themselves and travel to the shadowy lands. It is here that slight Narnia tones creep in, with betrayal, and loss made evident.

Some may see comparisons with other films, or books they’ve enjoyed but writers Mike Raicht and Brian Smith have crafted an original tale that feels dangerous and full of foreboding. It’s quite violent but not gratuitously so, and The Boogeyman is creepier than the Joker.

Charles Paul Wilson III’s art brings this story home. With his sepia tones printed on old textured paper, it looks like a family heirloom. Praise must go to Jon Conkling and Michael DeVito for their bold design choices, and the decision to go with the landscape format. As a complete package, it’s all handled very wisely.

If you want to know more about this unique title, Th3rd World’s blog has some great insights and artwork, and you can read the first half of the issue here as part of it’s slightly re-formatted Free Comic Book Day issue. Get in on the ground floor of this one. I can already sense a film adaptation with a mixture of CGI and puppets on the way.

August 22, 2009
Categories: New To Comics?, Reviews . Tags: Brian Smith, Charles Paul Wilson III, Mike Raicht . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Spoiler And Elseworlds

Looks like I was right, as was everyone else on the comics-related internet. Spoilers ahead (pun intended). Stephanie Brown, AKA the purple costume wearing ex-girlfriend of former Robin Tim Drake is the new Batgirl. From a presumed dead Spoiler to Cassandra Cain’s replacement. Of course, Stephanie was also briefly Robin before she “died.”

This now completes the changing of the guard of the Batman satellite characters post-Bruce Wayne’s death. There’s a new Batman, Robin, Azrael and now Batgirl. This week’s Batgirl #1 by writer Bryan Q. Miller and artist Lee Garbett is a satisfying intro into Stephanie’s new role. There’s a brief flashback as the former Batgirl, Cassandra Cain hands over her duds to Steph, but hopefully further clues as to why will be revealed in future issues. A cameo from the new Batman and Robin partnership is great, and original Batgirl (the wheelchair bound Oracle) Barbara Gordon and her Dad, Jim move the story along nicely. This was a better issue than I expected. Garbett’s art isn’t the best in the Bat titles, but thankfully Miller doesn’t string us along without showing his cards.

Superman/Batman #63 is by writers Michael Green and Mike Johnson, with Rafael Albuquerque on art duties. This now out of continuity series is one of DC’s best at the moment. This stand alone issue is like a mini-Elseworlds tale of old, in which Gorilla Grodd has gained telepathic control over everyone on earth. He’s also poisoned the atmosphere with Kryptonite, making Superman and a few others flee. As is to be expected, Batman stays behind to fight the good fight by himself. The art is equally dynamic and grungy, Joker’s and Luthor’s appearances are superb, and the great expressions throughout are like a more manly version of Kevin Maguire’s stylings.

August 21, 2009
Categories: Reviews . Tags: Batgirl, Batman, DC comics, Superman . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

We The People Review

We The People has an intriguing promise and cover, but what happens between the pages is a slight letdown. From new publisher Outlaw Entertainment this one-shot is written by its Editor-In-Chief Jason M. Burns. Burns is one of comics’ most prolific scribes and from his start in the business with Viper Comics until his launch titles with Outlaw (such as the far superior Praetorian) he knows how to craft a solid story. The problem with We The People is that it feels like a TV pilot that doesn’t have the room to leap off the floor.

The initial concept is a good one and could almost be considered something of a League of Extraordinary Gentlemen-lite. It centres around three young protagonists, each of whom is a descendant of a famous fictional character, but in this world, these well-known heroes were obviously more than legends. Robin Hood, Sinbad, and Zorro actually existed and their talents have passed on through the generations. That may sound like a hokey idea, but when you think about it, a lot could be done with that as a beginning.

It’s not all bad though; far from it in fact. Burns does the best with the few pages he’s given, but the concept from publisher Ricardo A. Villa needs fleshing out. It’s actually a strong start and has a lot of potential, but it demands a mini-series, rather than 112 pages. The art by Joe Eisma reminds me of 90’s Green Arrow penciller Rodolfo DiMaggio (who is now doing illustrations for big films BTW). It’s crisp and natural, with few lines. He handles emotions and body language with a natural fluidity and brings a quiet grace to each page. It’s all quite pleasant on the eye, and the spot on colouring by Giuseppe Pica sells each scene.

Apart from the need for more pages, though I guess that’s a compliment really, the other main disappointment of this tale is the “big bad.” He’s not that big, or bad. He’s a mayor who wants to clean up his streets by getting rid of all the homeless. Again, a concept that needs something more, like a Kingpin-type figure with his own army of soldiers and perhaps a reborn actual historical villain, like Jack the Ripper. However, there is a sense that Burns doesn’t want to turn this into yet another superhero book. There’s no sign of super powers and even the costumes are realistic, though they do look great. This is a street level approach to crime fighting, not the overly complicated approach of the Big Two.

Some may find Xavier’s (AKA Z – for Zorro) remarks annoying. With his sex jokes he seems like a more restrained character from a Kevin Smith film but at least Burns manages to give each of the three protagonists a distinct personality.

Flashbacks to the original heroes of lore, more wrestling from the three leads with the concept of destiny and more team dynamics is what this tale needs. I’m sure Burns knows that and probably wishes he had the extra pages to do so. Unfortunately any new publisher already has their work cut out for them and launching a series of one-shots rather than multiple mini-series is more viable. Perhaps if this outing does well, more tales of this trio of urban heroes will be forthcoming.

It is an entertaining enough comic for a newbie, as it’s easy to follow, looks good and is not too far ‘out there’ as a concept. Plus it’s 112 pages for only $8 and that’s a classy deal.

August 20, 2009
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, Reviews . Tags: Jason M. Burns, Joe Eisma, Outlaw Entertainment . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Mice Templar: Destiny

This is a series definitely worth following. Mixing elements of The Lord of the Rings, Star Wars and epic battles involving talking mice in medieval garb. Don’t let that last part fool you though – if Walt Disney and Tolkien had a love child…actually, no, forget that. Ewww.

Mice Templar is a thoroughly entertaining read. The second volume, entitled Destiny has just begun and the third ish hits on September 2 – all for only $2.99, despite what the cover says. That’s good value for a 32 page comic. There’s a recap in each issue in case you’ve missed one, and it’s obvious that writer Bryan J.L. Glass has thought about the lore here. There’s a rich tapestry unfurling involving visions, prophecies, all manner of vicious creatures and a young mouse called Karic. With lines like, “Long ago, beneath the great dimmed eye of Wotan,” and “what glorious, self-righteous wretches we were,” Glass shows his skill at the craft of building an invigorating fantasy. It’s all very bloody, and Oeming’s work is nothing short of remarkable. This, and Rapture, his current Dark Horse series with his wife displays his diversity extremely well. His battle scenes jut out from the page and make you feel like you’re in the thick of the action, with limbs flying, and claws slashing, and his watercolour pieces are just as superb.

Mice Templar is a series that demands commitment and is better enjoyed as a TPB. The first series is available as such now, or you can check out 100 (!) gorgeous pages from it at the MT site.

August 19, 2009
Categories: Comic Art, Reviews . Tags: Bryan J.L. Glass, Mike Avon Oeming . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Red 5 Reviews

Up at Broken Frontier are two new reviews of mine, both of which are for Red 5 comics. Atomic Robo #4 and We Kill Monsters #2. Robo’s the better choice, as it always is. It’s good, old-fashioned storytelling with a continual ode to pop culture.

August 16, 2009
Categories: Comics, Reviews . Tags: Red 5 . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

G.I. Joe: The Rise Of Cobra Review

Thanks to the success of Transformers on the big screen, the other Hasbro property has been adapted, and Gen Xers everywhere will roll their eyes. I can’t really say much about this film and honestly, it’s not worth an in-depth analysis. I wanted a film to switch my brain off and that’s exactly what I got. Directed by Stephen Sommers (The Mummy films) and starring a variety of actors who most will know by face if not name it’s got the unoriginal choppy editing and unoriginal music score of today’s blockbusters. Dennis Quaid and Brendan Fraser show up, but don’t do much at all. It’s predictable and for those like me who remember the variety of characters from the comics and cartoons, you’ll instead be let down with a bunch of people in the same black leather costumes, because apparently that’s what every well-loved property needs to be hip according to film studios.

The special effects are good apart from a few dodgy CGI vehicles and the two Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow clashes work well. Ray Park as Snake Eyes, the beloved mute ninja, does just what he did as Darth Maul – swing double edged blades and flip.

The dialogue is corny, and throwing in “kung-fu grip,” “Yo Joe!” and “real American hero,” does not help. Oh, and the film had more unintentional laughs than I’ve ever experienced in a film. I can see why they didn’t screen this first for the critics.

August 15, 2009
Categories: Movies, Reviews . Tags: G.I. Joe . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

Flinch Review

Produced by Australian publisher Gestalt (Waldo’s Hawaiian Holiday, Character Sketches), Flinch is a digest sized anthology, and a good one at that. Inside its 120 black and white pages is a wild assortment of eerie, strange and occasionally disturbing tales. I mean, look at that cover by Shaun Tan – a giant rabbit! Freaky.

The first story is by far my favourite. It’s a great mood setter for the remainder of the book. Bobby. N’s tale, entitled Withheld follows middle-aged prisoner, Jim on his last day in the clink after 30 years inside for a murder he didn’t commit. Having lived half his existence behind bars he’s dejected about his release and the friends he’ll leave behind. The last few pages give the scenes before it a real emotional kick. The artist deserves praise for his panel layouts – dark and angular when in prison and light and welcoming when outdoors. Jim is set up as a quiet and gentle man with such restraint. It’s not wordy and is a superb example of the use of space to build tension.

Also scattered throughout these tales that, “question the darkness within us all,” are simple, yet clever one page pieces by acclaimed artist Shaun Tan that capture a theme such as innocence or knowledge.

The majority of these creators are Australian and really run with the theme behind this collection. Some, like Mel Tregonning in Night, Justin Randall and Chris Bones in Speak of the Devil and James Barclay and Chris Bolton in Twain play with the concept of light battling darkness to unique effect, while Anton McKay’s The Ride Home throws out a Hitchcockian story of suburban horror involving a DJ’s youthful secret.

Other standouts would be Tom Taylor’s work in 96, 000m with artist Tom Bonin. It’s only 6 pages, and opens with two men in a submersible craft on a deep sea mission. The ending is bold and made me laugh because it came from nowhere and really works. Taylor’s other story, with his Star Wars: Invasion collaborator Colin Wilson is a sci-fi tale called White Dove III. Like Bobby. N, Taylor expands a simple premise in to a powerful story.

Like any anthology, not every story is a winner. Demon Street Ghost Trap and The Snare just didn’t do it for me and seemed overly wordy. However, each story also brings a fresh artistic approach and every style imaginable is contained within Flinch’s pages.

Flinch is available now and when I see the varied talent on display here, I gotta say, it makes me proud to be an Aussie. For previews and creator commentaries, visit the official site or see the trailer below.

Withheld by Bobby. N

96, 000m by Tom Taylor and Tom Bonin

Night by Mel Tregonning

Moral Lesson #7 - Regret by Shaun Tan

August 10, 2009
Categories: Comic Art, New To Comics?, Reviews . Tags: Gestalt . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: 2 Comments

Berserker #2 Review

This is without a doubt the bloodiest comic you’ll ever read. If you’ve seen Punisher: War Zone or Midnight Meat Train recently, this will be right up your alley. It’s received a fair amount of press due to it’s blood soaked pages. However, if that’s all this series had to offer it wouldn’t be worth reading.

You can read Berserker #0 for free on Top Cow’s website to give you an idea of what it’s all about,, but here’s the lowdown: Farris Jorn and Aaron Bural are two wild and crazy guys – literally. Jorn ripped the head of his fellow Marine while in Afghanistan, and upon returning home killed his boss. Bural didn’t fare any better, and tore his beloved girlfriend apart with his own hands.

Apart from their superior strength, and frequent need to wash their clothes, the pair have no clue as to why they’re doing this. This second issue is set right after the events of the first. After freaking out his lover Eva at their workplace, Jorn is knocked unconscious. When he wakes up he sees Clint, the buddy he killed back in Afghanistan. Agent Rowena from Midgard is chasing Jorn in order to recruit him into her mysterious organisation, before their competition Asgard does. Meanwhile Asgard is head hunting Bural, who in turn is receiving his own visions of the dead, namely his girlfriend Courtney.

Bural then gets interrogated before snapping and Jorn does the same after being approached by Rowena. That’s when things get real messy. Or messier.

We don’t know much more than when we did from the last issue, save from the fact that the people chasing down the two berserkers are, “well-funded, private mercs.” The Norse mythology aspect of the story has yet to unravel, and right now the series has as many questions as spilled intestines in its pages. However writer Rick Loverd has obviously crafted something big, and is just choosing to leak out small details every now and then. Hopefully this strategy keep us as curious as the two main characters to know exactly what’s happening to them and why. The men on the run angle of this issue works and the desperation of the pair (though they never meet) is apparent.

Jeremy Haun’s art is just what it needs to be – gory and raw. I imagine he’d need a shower after drawing each issue. Haun is also more than just a man who knows how to depict anatomy from every conceivable angle – inside or out. He also does a brilliant job with the emotional complexities of the characters, from rage to fear to confusion. Dave McCaig’s colours add the necessary pop at all times.

Make no mistake, this is a title for mature readers. At this point it is crying out for more depth. I don’t know how much longer this series can sustain such a bloodbath without building upon the story, but as I said, hints are starting to break through thanks to Loverd’s handy work. I just hope that Berserker becomes known for more than just its use of the colour red.

It’s difficult to choose somewhat restrained preview pages, devoid of blood and guts, so here you go.

August 9, 2009
Categories: New To Comics?, Reviews . Tags: Jeremy Haun, Rick Loverd, Top Cow . Author: Kris Bather . Comments: Leave a comment

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