Bryant Dillon (330)
Favorite TV Show: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
The first issue of The Almighties is a hoot! Creators Sam Johnson and Mike Gagnon have crafted a clever and farcical look at an off-the-wall, Avengers-style superhero team dedicated to the wellbeing of the U.S. of A., who encounter everything from President Obama to a Robo-Hitler before the first issue is through! Eleonora Kortsarz, Pablo Zambrano, and D.C. White elevate the story with their artistic contributions, and the colors, which are far more important in comedy books than readers realize, of Gagnon, Gulliver Vianei, and Jennifer Scott really help make the book feel funny and entertaining.
MINOR SPOILERS
For those in Geekdom who are not familiar with Smart Pop Books, I want you to know that you’ve been missing out - big time! Fortunately, I’m here to save your geek cred! Smart Pop Books is the pop culture imprint of independent publisher BenBella Books and offers a variety of engaging and thought-provoking, non-fiction titles focused on the discussion and exploration of the best of pop culture TV, books, and film. I was introduced to Smart Pop Books years ago when they stepped into the Whedon world with two must-read titles: Seven Seasons of Buffy and Five Seasons of Angel.
At some point, comics stopped being for kids. I may be generalizing a bit here, but the concept still rings true. I got into comics when I was full into my teenage years and desperate for the blood-soaked pages of Aliens and Spawn, but I still do remember the pitiful “kid’s rack” at my ol’ comic shop. Over four walls devoted to the college-age consumer, and one spin-rack stocked with the typical Disney-fare. There are many different reasons and elements to consider when discussing the current state of comics for the wee-folk, but the most important point is that there are those in the industry who are attempting to improve the situation. New independent publisher WE Comics is one of the supporters of this cause, and the first issue of their new book, How I Spent My Summer Invasion, is a great first step in that direction!
As we all know from superhero comics, sometimes, things get hot and heavy between hero and villain. There’s that forbidden attraction, the long, sweaty nights of sparring, and the costumes that are tight in all the right places - a perfect cocktail for a hero/villain sandwich. It’s happened before, it’ll happen again...but what if you forgot to use protection? This is the story behind the fun and hilarious web series, Super Knocked Up. Telling the story of super villain Jessica James (aka Darkstar) and the results of her one night stand with womanizing superhero Captain Amazing, the series has some great laughs, sharp looking effects, and a very talented cast. Natalie Bain, who plays Jessica James, is stellar and charismatic in the lead role and writer/director/producer Jeff Burns must be given a lot of credit for the success of the series. Given Super Knocked Up’s comic book roots, it was only a matter of time before it made the transition to printed page.
The Fanboy Comics crew offers their reaction to The Avengers after attending the midnight screening. (Click here to download.)
The story behind the comic book The Thirty Six is based on the Kabbalistic belief that there are 36 people in the world upon whom it is saved by their simple existence. As the book states, “In times of need, these people emerge from anonymity to save us.”
Fair warning, comic book sniffers, the latest issue of The Thirty Six will leave you with a serious addiction and no idea where you'll find your next fix - and this is a good thing! To say that Kristopher White ends this chapter of his epic story with a bang is a massive understatement. It's issues like this one that make you say, "...there should be a movie."
MINOR SPOILERS BELOW
Greetings, Scoobies! The Comic Book Slayer is back with another review of Angel & Faith, as writer Christos Gage and artist Rebekah Isaacs deliver their final chapter of the ‘Daddy Issues’ story arc. Most fans have been eating up this current arc, which features the return of the utterly insane Drusilla and a special appearance by Faith’s deadbeat dad, and the dream team of Gage and Isaac delivers an appropriately morose and tragic ending to an arc that has been full of regrets from our heroes.
SPOILERS BELOW
The Fanboy Comics crew offers their NON-SPOILERY reaction to The Cabin in the Woods after attending last night's premiere at Regal L.A. Live. (Click here to download.)
Vengador #1 is written by James Gilarte and features the art of Rowel Roque. Vengador follows the life of teen Eric Martin, who uses his alter ego (Vengador) to fight the injustice in his city that is the result of a corrupt legal system. In the vein of classic comic characters like The Punisher or Spawn, Martin’s quest to become a vigilante is motivated by a powerful need for revenge. Vengador’s costume is reminiscent of Spawn or Spider-Man (especially the new Flash Thompson/Venom costume!), but is original enough that it can be identified as a unique character. Twin handguns add just the right amount of edge to this antihero look.
The story behind the comic book The 36 is based on the Kabbalistic belief that there are 36 people in the world upon whom it is saved by their simple existence. As the book states, “In times of need, these people emerge from anonymity to save us.”
This issue changes everything. That’s a phrase that’s commonly stated, but with The 36 #4 creator Kristopher White finds his stride, and the book sings because of it! All of the previous issues of The 36 have been exciting and enjoyable, but with Issue #4, White adds a depth and suspense that pushes The 36 from being enjoyable to being downright addictive!