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| << November06, 2004 - [ComicBooknet E-Mag] CBEM 496.3 |
November06, 2004 - [ComicBooknet E-Mag] CBEM 496.7 >> |
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------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Make a clean sweep of pop-up ads. Yahoo! Companion Toolbar. Now with Pop-Up Blocker. Get it for free! http://us.click.yahoo.com/L5YrjA/eSIIAA/yQLSAA/bGIolB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> ----------------------------------------------------------------- [8] Silva Shado Reviews Sarah Haslett silva_shado@yahoo.com [Known as Silva Shado on many boards, Sarah is most frequently found at HeroRealm.com and MightyMiniCon.com. She is a reviewer, moderator and columnist for both sites. At MightyMiniCon, her column "Under the Radar" looks at those comics that go unnoticed by the majority of comic book readers. At HeroRealm, her column "Independent Forecast," co-written with Juan Gamez, looks at the non-spandex titles in the current Previews. Most recently, she started doing web comic reviews for ComicWorldNews.com. Check them out around the 15th and 30th of every month. Metalbox Comics Written and Illustrated by Andy Chang Metalbox Comics offers a few all-ages comics that try to relate to everyone's life crises and experiences. Currently, you can find the first issues of Add Zero and The Adventures of Sniffy as well as a preview for Northwood Meadows. For the full review, go here: http://www.comicworldnews.com/cgi- bin/index.cgi?column=reviews&page=158 Harry Johnson #2 (of 2) Writer: Charles Fulp Penciler: Craig Rouseau Publisher: Fulp Fiction Released: 10/27/2004 Prepare yourself for the world's zaniest uncouth sleuth - Harry Johnson! This second and final installment of The Case of the Crabbes is more hilarious than the first issue. Not wanting to spoil any of the ending, I promise you that there's lots of action/adventure, sexual as well as non-sexual humor, big-breasted and scantily-clad women, Nazis and the pink dildo is a big hit. Of course, Harry Johnson with the help of Fanny Sellers, Dhalabil and Amber Gale's Special Forces manage to save the day. Throughout it all, he's always ready with a sexual quip or ten, much to the disgust of everyone around him. But it's those jokes that make this comic so funny. This runs along the same lines as the movies Hot Shot, Airplane and Top Secret. It also parodies Indiana Jones, even down to the big boulder chasing the main hero. In this case, Harry is sliding down a snowy slope on a wooden door and is being chased by a growing snowball. If you haven't picked up the first issue, I highly recommend you do so. A comic like this doesn't come by very often and I'm afraid it might slip into obscurity. I'm hoping for and looking forward to another adventure of Harry Johnson, the Uncouth Sleuth. _________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------- [9] ComiX-Fan Reviews Eric J. Moreels X-Fan Editor-in-Chief x-fan@bigpond.net.au From ComiX-Fan: http://www.comixfan.com/xfan MYSTIQUE #20 Reviewer: Lia Brown, rook1@sympatico.ca Quick Rating: Great! Story Title: Quiet (Part 1 of 5) The Quiet Man revealed! (or is he...?) Writer: Sean McKeever Penciler: Manuel Garcia Inker: Raul Fernandez Colourist: Digital Rainbow Letterer: Chris Eliopoulos Cover Artist: Mike Mayhew Assistant Editors: Stephanie Moore & Sean Ryan Editor: Mike Marts Chief: Joe Quesada Publisher: Dan Buckley This issue kicks off another five-part storyline by Sean McKeever, and I'm quite impressed. McKeever's debut story arc on this title was something of a disappointment, but this issue is considerably better, and I very much enjoyed it. Hopefully the rest of the arc will be this good. The issue had a lot of things I enjoyed. It had all the characters I like best in the series, and frankly, I felt they were written more in-character here than they were in McKeever's first storyline. I liked Mystique's brief reference to her children and lost love Irene; it's bothered me since the series began that they've scarcely been mentioned, even though they're very important to the title character. There's also something of a return to the book's trademark witticisms under Brian K. Vaughan, and certain characters are genuinely funny. And of course, there's the reveal of the Quiet Man's identity, a long- simmering plot in the series. SPOILERS AHEAD! We learn that he's actually Steinbeck, the killer of previous agent Prudence from the first issue, and poor Shortpack learns this too late. He'd made an alliance with the Quiet Man's lackey Shepard to get revenge on Steinbeck, not realizing he was being played. However, there are some hints in the letters column that all is not as it seems, and I have my suspicions of what's going on...the way Shortpack has always talked about Prudence makes her sound far too saintly, and we know she could at least possess women. Perhaps she gained the ability to take over men? We'll see. The benefits Mystique will get from the Quiet Man for doing his bidding are quite believable, as she herself points out, so it's a relief to see characters doing things for smart reasons. All too often it seems that characters in fiction will do or accept stupid things just to further the plot, presumably for the convenience of the writer. Mystique is an intelligent character, and while even clever people do foolish things at times, it's nice to see her intelligence reflected in the plot. At the same time, her 'patron' Charles Xavier, who has always disliked her, is expectedly hard on her and not willing to tolerate dissent. He sets the plot in motion by forcing her to obey him, and changes her status quo completely by the end of the issue. It'll be interesting to see how long this change lasts, and how it affects her, particularly because it's at the heart of the series' entire premise! And finally, I found the characters themselves entertaining and likable, and am certainly interested in what happens to them. I've never liked Fantomex before, but he was amusing and well- used here. His appearance may or may not be a gratuitous cameo (perhaps depending on if he appears in future issues), but it was a good one. Even Forge's crankiness was rather funny, and he gets some good lines to keep the story hopping. Shortpack was less bitchy ---something that had annoyed me about McKeever's previous issues--- and his confusion at Shepard's betrayal and the Quiet Man's final reveal was kind of sad. The cliffhanger is definitely a good one to make the reader want to come back for more. I'm also slightly happier with the art in this issue. Manuel Garcia's male characters still look too similar, which sometimes causes problems for me in the story; for instance, there's a tuxedo-clad man in the casino scene that I at first thought was supposed to be Forge. But no, Forge turns out to be dressed casually, and is somewhere outside the casino. It's irritating to be unable to tell some of the characters apart, and I keep hoping this will be fixed. However, the colouring in the issue has a lot of lighter tones, making it clearer to understand, and more pleasant to look at. It's worth noting that there's a different colourist in this issue than most of the previous ones (I believe former colourist Matt Milla took over with Vaughan's second storyline), and whilst I'd be glad to see the previous colourist return to the book, I'd hope he would take a cue from the lighter colouring used in this issue. Overall, I was very impressed with this issue, and felt more pleased about reading Mystique than I have in a while. The series had seemingly started to slip in recent months, and this is a great start for a new story, and hopefully a positive sign for the book as a whole. With any luck, McKeever's future stories will continue to capture the same sense of timing and characterization that made this issue so successful. ART: 3.5 STORY: 4.5 OVERALL: 4.0 _________________________________________________________________ ----------------------------------------------------------------- [10] Multiverse Observer and Explorer Reviews Paul Dale Roberts Silhouet98@cs.com [Paul promotes amateur and professional comic book artwork, scripts, storylines, and unpublished comic books with a newsletter called the Peoples' Comic Book Newsletter. Its website is at Jazma Comic Book Newsletter Productions at http://www.jazmaonline.com/ He is also a prominent letter hack, as anyone who reads comic letter pages would know. He is in production of his own self-published comic book called The Legendary Dark Silhouette and has copyrighted over 600 characters for his Jazma Universe.] SPOILER WARNING: THE FOLLOWING COLUMN MAY REVEAL SIGNIFICANT PORTIONS OF THE PLOTS OF SOME COMIC BOOKS, OR THE ENTIRE STORY. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED. Name: Tozzer 2 of 5 Episode II Ate Mile Publisher: Ablaze Media Price: $2.95 Written by: Rob Dunlop Drawn by: Peter Lumby Contact Information: rob@tozzer.com Comments: In this exciting and funny issue you will see Samuel L. Jackson's character from Pulp Fiction holding onto Yoda of Star Wars fame. Well, it's someone that looks like Samuel L. Jackson holding onto a puppet that resembles Yoda. You will even find Michael Jackson and his monkey in this issue and Michael seems to have lost his nose. In fact Michael enrolls in the school, tries to pass himself as 12 and says he will be sleeping with the other kids. Remember when kids wore beanies, this one girl takes the beanie off this one kid and discovers he is sporting a huge afro with stripes! Lot of crazy zaniness are in this comic. The kids go to school and learn about making movie magic. The instructor goes heavy into talking about Computer Generated Imagery that are done in movies today. The kids don't get it though...when the instructor explains about creating an alien toad, one student says you can shoot it with a 45, while another student thinks he is Jim Henson and wants to create a latex suit, he quickly forgot about what he learned about CGI. While I am busy laughing at one segment of this comic book, then out of nowhere pops Michael Moore who is interested in the drug epidemic of the school. Tony Dork aka Tony Hawk, International Skateboard Champion makes his appearance and he comes off quite feminine and faces the repuccussions for his soft side when a group of kids confront him with some big sticks. As the violence is ready to ensue, one of the perpetrators breaks into rap and can't get his groove on with Tony Dork. Tozzer is the Bizarro World that Seinfeld was talking about, a world that has gone topsy turvy with one hilarious hijinks after another, you will laugh until you split your pants! MOE Sidenote: Walking through the A1 Comics Stargate, I came across Steve Niles' Horrorcide; Steve Niles' Hyde; The Jack Kirby Reader Vol. 2. I haven't had the chance to look over the Steve Nile's comics or the huge Jack Kirby Reader yet, but I did have a chance to look over my new purchases and here are some of the comments I made about them: Ghost Spy #5: After reading Ghost Spy #5, it reminded me of what we are experiencing in Iraq and Afghanistan right now. Like there is a battleground of devastation left by Blackeye and Rah, there is devastation as far as the eye can see in Iraq and Afghanistan and the war rages on. People are afraid, when they hear breaking news that the entire council has been assassinated. I feel the same fear, when I hear breaking news from CNN that another ally hostage has been taken by insurgents and if their demands are not met, there will be another beheading. With the explosions that take place in this story, I was almost shell shock from the action and battle scenes. The artwork is tremendously good. Promises are made to the people, that there city will be rebuilt and that they will overcome all adversity. I wonder how many times the Iraq people heard the same thing? Excellent story that has foundation in our own reality! Jack Staff #6: I never know what to expect in your comic book and Jack Staff #6 really surprised me! It's almost Halloween and this was the perfect issue for this scary holiday. The reason being is that Bramble and Son may be vampire hunters, but I have to admit they gave me the jitters. Paul Grist, I love your writing and I love your artwork! You have some sensational and unique characters! Sgt. States is a lot like Captain America, but he is still very unique in his personality and attitude. PvP #10: I laughed and I laughed and I laughed. PvP #10 was absolutely hilarious! I can't get enough of the Skull! Lock the Skull up in the lab and it doesn't matter, you still get some horendous humor! PvP is the bomb! Michael Turner's Soulfire: Onyx can be the poster child of fantasy beauty. The way she moves through the air with elegance. Her appearance is gorgeously distracting, she is a touch of the angelic with a glance of the demonic. The artwork in Michael Turner's Soulfire reminds me of the artwork of Boris Vallejo. This is fantasy come to life! Spawn #139: I don't know if I would want a talking fly leading me into the pits of Hell. Hell is supposed to be a place of forbidding horror, but I had to admit it looked pleasantly gorgeous. The scenes were magnificent and maybe our lady friend was frightened roaming around Hell, but if it looks that nice I would think it would be like roaming around the splendor of the Grand Canyon. Did I tell you the artwork was incredibly awesome? Seeing Spawn's alter ego laying up in the hospital with multiple contrusions looked very realistic. Spawn #139 like all Spawn comic books, is simply amazing! Strangers In Paradise #69 I have only been to Las Vegas once and remember the beauty of Las Vegas. But under that beauty lies a blanket of sin. The sin of gambling. The sin of over indulging in alcohol and drugs. The sin of sex. Little Cody should be at Disneyland or Knott's Berry Farm, but instead he is around the back stages with showgirls. I wonder if a little boy should be exposed to such adult entertainment matters. Maybe I'm just jealous I wasn't exposed to showgirls when I was a little boy. I do have to admit I loved that slinky costume! Well, the old saying goes...what happens in Las Vegas...stays in Las Vegas! The Ride: 2 for the Road: After reading The Ride: 2 for the Road, I was stunned by the intense heavy laced drama. I remember how in the late 60s and early 70s it was cool to hitchhike and I would hitchhike all over Highway #1 in the bay area. Many hippie types would join me on the hitch. Nowadays with stories of the I-5 Killer and the lady serial killer in Florida, people are leary in picking up hitchhikers. There are too many dangers that comes with hitchhiking. Either the hitchhiker could be a looney or the person picking up the hitchhiker could be a looney. This is a slap in the face story that brought the realism of the dangers of hitchhiking into a terrifying perspective! Great story! Captain Canuck: Unholy War: Wow! Captain Canuck: Unholy War was filled with great superheroics! I love the way a superhero uses the ability of playing possum and then when the bad guy is close, he snatches him. You don't see that in many superhero comic book stories. I enjoy the personality of Captain Canuck and his costume is right on the money. I like the way Captain Canuck remains cool in a heated situation and thinks out his predictament and tries to determne the outcome. The Vancouver Sun has it right...there is definitely a 'hero at large' and it's Captain Canuck! Name: Stan Lee's Superhero Christmas Publisher: A Bryon Preiss Book / Katherine Tegen Books / Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers Price: $15.99 Written by: Stan Lee Illustrated by: Tim Jessell Comments: A few comments from Spider-Man: "This is an excellent book for all children. The Young Protectors is a tight-knit family group that has saved many lives, I had the honor of meeting them during a vacation I took in the Grand Canyon. Here is a summary of what you will read: It's the night before Christmas when suddenly Santa's old nemesis, the evil ice king, and his terrible ice trolls launch a surprise attack on the North Pole and capture Santa Claus. But all is not lost - the powerful Protector is on his way to save the day! However, when the Protector arrives at the North Pole, he too is captured and it's up to his superhero wife, the Protectress, and their two children, Carolyn and Robert, to find a way to save Christmas." In this exciting children's story, Tim Jessell dazzles the reader with some incredible artwork. I was awe struck at the beauty of each drawing. You will meet the evil Ice King and his terrible Ice Trolls. When they capture Santa - Santa can only wonder how he will deliver the presents to the children. The Ice King could care less, he doesn't like children. The Protector comes to the rescue of Santa and is captured by the Ice King. The Protector's two children are at his command center and see that Santa and their father has been captured. Robert and Carolyn (The Protector's children) tell their mom. Their mom becomes the Protectress and she promises to bring Robert and Carolyn if they don't say..."are we there yet?" In the speed of imagination the Protectress and her two children arrive to save Santa and The Protector. She uses her cape to capture the troll's frozen missiles and throws the missles back at them and they fall like bowling pins. Meanwhile the kids are saving Santa by placing rock salt on the ice cage, melting his prison. They save both Santa and their dad and when the kids get back to opening their Christmas presents at home, they discover that they have their own superhero outfits and discover that they both have the powers over the elements. Yep, the kids are mutants! This family becomes The Young Protectors! Give Chuck E. Cheese a break this Christmas and buy Stan Lee's Superhero Christmas! Your kids will love you for this! MOE Sidenote: Today as I entered the A1 Comics Stargate, I encountered the following realities in comic books: Best Buy Comics by R. Crumb; Breakdown #1 - Aftermath/DDP; Art Thibert's Chrono Mechanics; City of Heroes by Blue King Studios; Comicana #1 by AP Comics; Daisy Kutter - The Last Train by Viper Comics; Demo #11: Midnight to Six by AIT/Planet Lar; Bo Hampton - The Legend of Sleepy Hollow; The Losers by Vertigo; Meeednight Pulp Presents The Lurkers; Metal Gear Solid by IDW; Dean Motter - Mister X; Tim Sale - Solo by DC Comics; The Razor's Edge: Warblade; The Witching by Vertigo; Wonderland: Children of the Future Age; Brian Pulido's Unholy; Sam Kieth - Ojo; Nightjar by Avatar; Mark Texeira's Pscythe; Ruule - Kiss & Tell by Beckett Comics; Ghost Spy #5; GI Joe #35; Jack Staff #6; PvP (Player v. Player) #10; Michael Turner's Soulfire; Spawn #139; The Ride - 2 for the Road; The Grimm Reaper Halloween Special; Brian Pulido's Gypsy; The Ghouly Boys by SLG; Michael Chabon - The Escapist; Ex Machina by Wildstorm; The Eyes of Asia by Digital Webbing; Brodie's Law by Pulp Theatre; Bubba the Redneck Werewolf #6; Colonia #10 by Colonia Press; Cocopiazo #1 by SLG; Chosen by Dark Horse Comics; Defex; The New Frontier by DC Comics; Warmageddon by Digital Webbing; Captain Canuck: Unholy War; Blue Monday by Oni Press. While I was at A1 Comics, I picked up the following cool action figures: Monster Force Lance McGruder (Playmates) and Ravenshadow by Rising Stars (Palisades/Top Cow). Multiverse Observer and Explorer signing off until next time...... _________________________________________________________________ Thanks for subscribing to the Comic Book Network Electronic Magazine (CBEM) --------------------------->Disclaimer<--------------------------- This is an ANNOUNCE only mailing list, only the Editor can send messages to the list. No one else has access to the subscriber list. Replies to these messages will be received by the Editor ONLY, so you must CC: individual contributors if you want them to get your E-Mail. The E-mail to the E-mag MAY be used in future issues at the Editor's discretion UNLESS you specifically request that they not be. It is our policy to withhold names and/or Addresses, by request only, from letters of comment. All contributors are required to use their real name and have a valid Email address for their columns to be published. Send Email comments to: ComicBkNet@aol.com Material for inclusion in the Emag - press releases, solicitations, column submissions, Letters to the Editor, guesses for the trivia contest should be sent to ComicBkNet@aol.com The EDITOR, not the submitter, has final approval and edit rights on ALL material. Printed comic books and advanced copies for review in the Emag should be sent via US Mail or UPS to David L. LeBlanc 84 Heather Circle Jefferson, MA 01522-1419 TO Subscribe send a message FROM the intended address to: ComicBookNetworkEmag-subscribe@yahoogroups.com TO Unsubscribe send a message FROM the address to be dropped to: ComicBookNetworkEmag-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com You may also unsubscribe from the Egroups Web page at the short cut below. Shortcut URL to the Egroup page: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ComicBookNetworkEmag All contents COPYRIGHT 2004 The Comic Book Network. 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| << November06, 2004 - [ComicBooknet E-Mag] CBEM 496.3 |
November06, 2004 - [ComicBooknet E-Mag] CBEM 496.7 >> |
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