45 mins. Our feature critique of Habibi, Craig Thompson’s long awaited follow-up to the critically acclaimed and widely adored Blankets. As well as exploring its intricately woven themes, we touch on the problems with writing Misery Porn, Orientalism, Religion, and whether or not Craig Thompson is a masochist. Also, Jurassic Park, and Robin Williams.
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From Pantheon, comes Craig Thompson’s Habibi. It’s black and white, it’s 672 pages, it looks great (even the ugly parts) and well, just listen to the show.
Back in 1990 Grant Morrison wrote this series for Eclipse Comics based on the classic spy TV series, The Avengers. Thanks to BOOM! Studios it’s back in print and here’s my review of the first issue.
46 mins. Legendary creators Joe Simon and Jack Kirby effectively created the romance comics genre which was surprisingly dominant during the 1940s and 50s. We look at Fantagraphics’ entertaining new collection of some of their work. Also, the awesomeness of The Golden Girls. Yes, you heard me.
We focus on Young Romance, Fantagraphics’ excellent collection of 21 romance comics from Simon and Kirby from the 1940s and 50s. We discuss this unique era in the history of comics, the roles of men and women at the time, the very entertaining and surprising nature of the mature storytelling, the pre and post Comics Code stories, and the extras of this book, including notes on the time consuming restoration and the labour of love behind this project. Highly recommended for comics history enthusiasts and those who appreciate dramatic stories.
From talented Aussie artist Jeffrey “Chamba” Cruz, comes this wild and whacky OGN, the first from publisher Udon Studios. Udon are mainly known for their many Street Fighter comics, of which Cruz is a regular artist. Here he works his mad visual skills and co-writes with Leonard Bermingham.
Firstly, this is a beautifully presented book, and I don’t just mean Cruz’s art. Under the Hard Cover, with a glossy picture of the 3 protagonists are 144 pages of drool worthy visual variety, including some tasty extras. The first one of which is a character gallery, showcasing Cruz’s designs for 29 different inhabitants of Randomveus, ranging from Brownz (a dollop of faecal matter with a smiling face) to The Loop (a large chocolate doughnut) to Deepfreeze (a heroic fridge). The fact that the majority of these characters don’t appear within this tale means that the Volume 1 on the cover indicates Cruz has more stories to tell. Following that one page gallery is an 18 page black and white story centred on Henshin Hero, a fictional hero within Randomveus. There are also chapter breaks and pin-ups by other artists.
The main tale is free flowing, kinetic and madcap. It’s like the best parts of a Saturday morning cartoon of the ’80s, combined with anime and a healthy dose of non-stop, sugar induced shenanigans. The main character is Raimundo. After a hectic delivery to a customer inside a giant Footsnake (what it sounds like), we learn that Raimundo had a bunch of part-time jobs on Earth before getting sucked into a portaloo on a film set and landing in Randomveus. He also landed on a poor creature, which meant he had to take his job. That’s how he came to work for the One Dimensional Couriers and ended up working with Bloob, a blob who holds all manner of things inside his gelatinous body from anvils to packages, and Melody. The rest of the story makes about as much sense as any Monty Python episode, with a bounty of Raimundo’s head, an escape from pirates who “can’t turn left,” and a sax playing crime boss. Really, this is a book that embraces nonsense and adventure with gusto. It’s not a hilarious book, but the turns it takes are unpredictable. It’s easy to follow, although future volumes may explain more of the “rules” of this universe Cruz has created, though the creators seem intent on not allowing logic to get in the way of a fun story.
It’s also a book that needs to be looked at more than once and it’s great to see Cruz unleashed with such spectacular results. The few random preview pages below don’t do it justice. Randomveus is populated with characters ranging from the cute to the bizarre and the multitude of characters that show up is impressive. It’s certainly a busy and action driven book, but is never distracting. The colour palette is extensive, and the page layouts are diverse.
Randomveus is an entertaining, carefree OGN that wholeheartedly embraces the storytelling and artistic possibilities of the comics medium, kind of like Scott Pilgrim and much like that series, is also newbie friendly.
Lobster Johnson: The Burning Hand #1 is the debut of a new mini focused on the pulp-like hero from the pages of Hellboy. I enjoyed it more than the sci-fi Dark Matter.
Now up at Broken Frontier is my review of the fourth and final collection of the previous The Lone Ranger series from Dynamite Entertainment. The new series launched last week.
I was pretty impressed with this Trade Paperback by creators Brett Matthews and Sergio Cariello. It was the first time I’ve read any Ranger comics and it was highly entertaining. Catch my review here and a preview here.
46 mins. The boy reporter from the mind of Belgian writer/artist Herge finally comes to the big screen, with Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson as his guides. We discuss what we liked and didn’t like and the questionable addition of the third dimension. Also, improper pronunciations and tough butlers.
You get two perspectives in one review, with Mladen’s Tintin knowledge and my lack thereof. We also mention it’s troubled past, Indiana Jones, violence, lack of merchandising and the difference between action and adventure. Oh, and Super Ted.
59 mins. We chat about the comics events and trends that have shaped the last 12 months and grabbed the most headlines, including dead superheroes, digital shopping and more. Also, The Punisher as an angel. Ah, memories.
Mission Impossible is one of those rare film franchises that actually improve with each instalment. Similar to the Alien series, each film has benefitted from varied world class directors bringing their unique storytelling sensibilities to each outing. Brian De Palma and John Woo directed the first two films, while the last one (in 2006) was directed by J.J. Abrams (Super 8, Star Trek), who here returns as a producer.
Obviously based on the 1960s and 70s TV series, Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol is another entry that boasts visual flair and a heady mix of action and suspense. The team surpass James Bond in the gadgets arena, with a collection of impressive hi-tech gizmos including life saving suction gloves, and a wonderful optical illusion that makes for the best use of the iPad yet, while the frenetic fisticuffs rival the work of Jason Bourne.
Tom Cruise may not be everybody’s favourite screen star, but for a man pushing 50 who insists on his own death defying stunts, his courage and charisma are hard to miss. Here he returns as IMF agent Ethan Hunt, while bringing back English actor Simon Pegg as Benji (now promoted to a field agent) from the last film, as well as Ving Rhames in a frustratingly short cameo. Rounding out Hunt’s new team are Paula Patton (Déjà Vu) and Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker, The Town). This is director Brad Bird’s first live action film after helming animated films such as The Iron Giant, The Incredibles and Ratatouille and it’s obvious that he’s brought the Pixar focus on characters and drama to this film.
Josh Holloway (Lost) kicks things off with a quick chase through Budapest and it’s his fate that sets the rest of the events in motion, which most importantly entails rescuing Hunt from a Moscow prison. With his new crew assembled, Hunt and his fellow agents are soon disavowed and on the run with no help after a bombing at the Kremlin. To say more than that would ruin the film’s plot weaving surprises, but the impressive action scenes are always woven in organically. The highlight is of course, Hunt’s daring climb on the outside of the world’s tallest building, Dubai’s Burj Khalifa in order to access a server before an intense exchange with their deadly adversaries. There is also lots of gunplay, punching and kicking, and a great foot, and then car, chase through an imposing sandstorm.
Filled with light humour when it needs to be, primarily thanks to Pegg, Ghost Protocol also contains some great dramatic moments. Patton and Renner play well rounded agents who at times struggle with their duty and inner grief, especially Renner who could be viewed as Cruise’s successor if Cruise were to ever leave this franchise. Renner has an intensity along with his everyman quality and the emotional moments that he shares with Cruise about their past give the film a great emotional core.
The ending seems almost forced as a way to explain Hunt’s change in relationship status from the last film, but that can’t stop what is a joyous and at times breathtaking experience that needs to be seen on the big screen, or even IMAX if there’s a screen near you.
60 mins. What a crazy good year it’s been for comics. We talk about what has impressed us the most from breakout talent, to new series to movie adaptation. Also, Star Trek: TNG’s Riker, and which superhero series resembles Breaking Bad.
The second chapter of Jim Zubkavich’s (Image’s great Skullkickers) Makeshift Miracle has now concluded, and just like the first one, which I reviewed here, is also available for free download in order to spread the word about how good this webcomic is. Thankfully, it is actually good.
Our spiky haired, loner protagonist Colby began his adventure at the end of the debut chapter, after discovering a beautiful, naked girl falling at his feet like a comet. Here he talks to himself and does what he can to keep her alive.
Zubkavich is building the pieces at a glacial pace, which those weened on hectic superheroics may find annoying, but I find charming. It helps that the narration, like the story (at least so far) is simple and very understandable. It’s an all-ages comic really.
We learn nothing new in this second chapter, as the overwhelmed teenager quickly jumps into action realising no other help is at hand, bundles his new friend up to keep her warm and soon discovers that she has a handy ability.
I’d imagine in the following chapter, we’ll get to the bottom of who this girl is, which will drive the story to some unexpected places. At this point, it needs it. However, it seems to me that Zubkavich has a grand plan in mind and is obviously playing coy for now, making deliberate pacing choices and ending each chapter on a cliffhanger. What this story needs now though is more understanding of our two main characters, the introduction of some key supporting players and the inevitable threat that comes calling for the girl from the sky. The rather intriguing foundation has been laid. Now it’s time for the solid gripping narrative to take centre stage.
Shun Hong Chan’s art is simply delicious. It’s crystal clear, dynamic with a manga flair that makes even these pages, in which not a lot actually happens, seem alive and bristling with a restrained energy. The deft colouring builds a great environment and snow covered claustrophobia and uses black and white when needed to great effect, not as flashbacks as seen in the previous chapter, but with more subtlety when the characters’ isolation needs to come to the fore.
It appears luscious on the computer screen and will look even more so when Makeshift Miracle comes to print as a collection from Udon next year.
Follow Makeshift Miracle right here and download Chapter 2 as a PDF or CBR file here.
59 mins. Christmas is just around the corner so we recommend a few comics to buy for those who may be new to this wonderful medium. We cover the gamut of styles and genres. There’s something for everybody! Also, putting a crooner in your stocking, and which Futurama characters we most closely resemble.
Superheroes – The Ultimates, All Star Superman, Batwoman, Secret Avengers, Batman and Robin
Action – Red, Who is Jake Ellis?, Image’s Blue Estate, The Last Days of American Crime by Rick Remender and Greg Tocchini, The Losers, Jason Aaron’s Scalped
Horror – Hellboy, The Occultist, The Strain, Baltimore: The Curse Bells, BPRD, Creepy collections, Gestalt’s Changing Ways and Rombies
Comedy – Wilson, Axe Cop, The Goon
TV adaptations – The Walking Dead, Buffy, Game of Thrones, Voltron, Transformers, and G.I. Joe from IDW
Fantasy – Mice Templar, the Sixth Gun
Older comic collections – Donald Duck Lost in the Andes, Floyd Gottfredson’s Mickey Mouse, the very cheap Marvel’s Essentials and DC’s Showcase Presents
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