Have you ever had to re-read a sentence? Something doesn't click at first, too many bits of information are thrown at you all at once. Welcome to the world of The Creep. At first, it seemed like the most banal, convoluted thing I've read in a very long time. One page being totally juxtaposed by the next, like speed dating at a multiple personalities support group. It was very choppy and flash cut. No dissolves or smooth transitions from one idea or timeline to the next. Jumping around as it did, you may have gone though and tossed it to the wayside like it was one of the many prostitution flyers handed out on the Vegas strip. At least that's what I hear. Bottom line is that much like good film, it makes you go back and think things through. Mr. Exposition isn't going to hold your hand with this one.

Are you an ardent Buffy fan? If you raised your hand, great! If not, I'm glad that you decided to read this article. I just have a little, light summer homework for you to get caught up to speed. You'll need to watch the 1992 movie Buffy the Vampire Slayer (what ever happened to Kristy Swanson?), all 7 seasons of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and 5 seasons of Angel, read the Buffy spin-off comic, Fray, and Volume 1 of Buffy the Vampire Season 8. I would also recommend buying a pop culture reference lexicon as a study guide. All done? Now, on with the show!

It can sometimes be confusing to distinguish, "it" from "I.T." when written and read. Since the advent of the Information Technology department at any company that uses computers, it's been a pain. Luckily for those already in the know of characters created by Mike Allred, you may have an idea of whom I speak.

Parents worry. A very short sentence, but one that rings true everytime. Parents are always concerned about the well being of their children, be they 5 or 50. This is the main ingredient in the stew that is John Saul's novel, The God Project. Written in 1982, Saul was interestingly prolific about his use of technology in his novel, technology that has come to exist on one level or another.  The story of the death and disappearance of children, parental woe and inquiry, cover-ups, subterfuge, and medical miracles are what make up this story . . . so far. This is based on the graphic novelization published by Bluewater Comics, written by David McIntee, based on the work of John Saul, and penciled by Federico De Luca.

*Black Kiss #2 is for mature readers only.


The late eighties in Los Angeles, California. A time of excitement and mystery. In 1988 Sonny Bono is elected mayor of Palm Springs, Coming to America is making audiences across the country laugh, and Ronald Reagan is bumbling around trying to find Iran on the map. An exciting time, indeed. Amidst all of this excitement takes place the story of Black Kiss by Howard Chaykin, one of the most controversial comics of its time. Any story involving pre-op trannies, vampires, sex, stars of the silent film era, the Vatican, prostitution, sex, murder, cults, and hard-edged noir crime makes for a compelling story. There's also quite a bit of sex.

Orchid, the name of an exquisite flower representing between 6 to 11 percent of all seeded plants in the world. Orchid, the name of which comes from the Greek ὄρχις (órkhis), literally meaning "testicle," because of the shape of the root. Orchid, the lead character - beautiful, resourceful, and delicate all at once - in the graphic novel by Tom Morello. Coincidence? I think not.

Orchid is the brain child of Rage Against the Machine/Audio Slave guitarist Tom Morello, who also performs solo under the political folk alter ego, "The Nightwatchman." Another comic coincidence? I would guess no. Morello, who grew up in suburban Chicago, went from there to be not only the first in his school, but the first in his town not only to apply to Harvard, but to be accepted. Afterwards, once moved to Los Angeles, he introduced a fellow high school student to some new friends out in LA who became the band Tool. Morello also in those early years worked as a male exotic dancer to pay the bills. Trying his hand in the Sunset Strip metal music scene, he was rejected at the time for his lack of 2-foot-tall, teased out hair and spandex. Moving on to the East Side underground music scene, he was embraced by accepting friends, many of which were prostitutes or drug addicts, all of which did not judge. Does Orchid hold a fun house mirror up to Morello's own young personal life? The world may never know, but this old owl leans towards yes.

Hey, kids! Here at Fanboy Comics, we strive to get you the information that you desire, the most up-to-date information possible. But, we would have no reason to put out this info if not for you, the fans. It's you that gives us a purpose to give you links, create reviews, do interviews, and listen to Huey Lewis and The News. We just want to share a few shots of your brethren (and sistren?) from Friday night's midnight showing of The Dark Knight Rises (in Pittsburgh, PA). It is this type of dedication and comradery that makes it all the more wonderful to be a Fanboy.

I CON't believe it! It's another CON interview by our intrepid Fanboy Comics reporter, J.C. Ciesielski!

This time it's with the lovely ladies of Exist+Trace, a Japanese Visual Kei band that will rock out not just your ears, but your eyes, as well. Be sure to check out their website at www.exist-trace.com. This interview took place at the 2012 Tekkoshocon Japanese Music and Anime convention in Pittsburgh, PA, land of bridges and pierogies. And now, on with the show! Domo!

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As soon as I read White Devil #1, my mind went directly to a section of the song "Frank's Wild Years" by Tom Waits. "Drove home, doused everything in the house, torched it. Parked across the street laughing, watching it burn, all Halloween orange and chimney red." But, in reverse. More so, the story of not necessarily settling in a place of complacency, but being born to it. Rather than looking towards relocation in a geographical sense, it's a mental, if not spiritual, one. I don't throw out major spoilers (unless they're in the fridge), but I'll say this. It had me from page one. Authors Matt Evans and Andrew Helinski weave together, with the art work of Nate Burns, the opening of a tale I'd be interested in seeing the rest of.

How to make A CON-mikaze Cocktail: mix equal parts Tekkoshocon, SoundWitch, and J.C. Ciesielski from Fanboy Comics, and you get an Interview Brew at a Steel town Con with a band from Japan and a Man-Boy from the 'Burgh.

Best shaken, not stirred.

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