Shorts SHORT Review: Worst X-Man Ever

X-Men: Worst X-Man Ever

Written by Max Bemis
Illustrated by Michael Walsh

Published by MARVEL

 

When thinking of Marvel the first thing that comes to mind is X-Men, then Spider-Man, but first (or forth) X-Men (or a specific X-Man [hairy, short, has knives in his arms]). This is more of a story about what it would be like if you were plucked out of your life and placed into this MARVELous new world. Through years future & past, the spectacle of Xavier’s School for Gifted Youngsters has been a haven for mutants of any age. And with a community of empowered and powerful beings there’s always a chance that bad luck will arise within this fellowship. Bailey (our title holder for “Worst X-Man”) might just be the most unlucky mutant to walk the Earth, since his power is, well, it’s a surprise. Nothing all that special, like our main character, but it’s one thing that keeps the plot rolling in the direction that it’s in. Since everyone within the mini-series knows that he’s capable of doing something that is most dangerous and hard to control. There’s a lot of mutants out there that have time to play with their inherent genetic skills, but not all mutants have that luxury and that’s kind of the point of this whole tale. Let’s take a moment from this book, so I’m talking to you, yeah, the reader of this review, yep you, you have a chance to use your superpower, just once, for one time only, how will you use it and what would you do? That’s the simple question posed within this story and one that gradually Bailey concludes. Bailey is the one that walks us through his life, nothing really uncanny or astonishing, but it’s him, just an average teenager doing average teenager things (the opposite of xtreme). With all the amazing teams, adventures, and powers that the mighty Marvel mutants have, there’s not too many slice of life stories. Even another Marvel favorite, Spider-Man, has some downtime with his City and cast of characters, away from all the drama and villains. It’s nice to sometimes take a break from making a better tomorrow for mutant-kind and just seeing someone’s life who went to Xavier’s school, since most get a one bedroom apartment six feet in the dirt. Bailey gives us many details of his life, makes us aware of things that were plots happening back in the day to other X-Men teens, and he doesn’t leave out the awkward parts. I feel that’s the linchpin for all of this, if this was a retelling from an older Bailey it would have done better, I’m getting ahead of myself. The fifth issue (which is my favorite) the story felt right, the pacing, the dialogue, the plot, the characters just clicked into place, then boom it was done. What was different between the other issues was this is an older Bailey. There was a time skip, a pause, in the life of Bailey, which I really enjoyed, for a second we caught up to him and where he’s currently at in his life. Just gonna break in here and talk about the accompanying illustrations by Micheal Walsh, as the visual storyteller. His work makes for a gorgeous presentation, that was motivating, to see what he had in store for the next issue, since I was enamored with the backgrounds to the costumes to the character designs, everything was a delight. Back to what I was saying before. This was a nice jump and the documentary motif is perfect, overused, but for this series fits just so well. I would have liked it to be placed throughout the other four issues. Pretty much, it would be like a coming of age TV show where the older version of Bailey taking the role of narrator, but also blurring the lines between who’s speaking so a lot of the fourth wall breaking younger Bailey does make more sense. There was beautiful moments of satirical commentary on the X-Men publication as a whole that I feel fell flat, since how would this younger character know, it was good, but alien within the plot.

For what it’s worth this isn’t a series for someone new to X-Men, not someone fresh from a movie, nor even one of the many TV shows, this is a comic for comic X-Men fans. Not to say someone without decades of consumption wouldn’t enjoy it, but it’s not written for those people. In short, it’s a love letter to a never ending series that will reinvent it’s self, it’s characters, it’s team for decades beyond us all. There are very few Slice of Life X-Men stories out there, and this is one of the best, since this is a personal journey with no real destination, at least no desired finale, which makes Bailey’s story a good limited series.

I trust you enjoyed the inspection, thank you for reading.
Support the creators, check out your local library, and contribute to community comic & book shops.
If you want to stay up to date on my reviews, be here next year.
Keep well and Stay well.

Justice League/Power Rangers

 Power Rangers/Justice League

Written by Tom Taylor
Illustrated by Stephen Byrne
Published by DC Comics & BOOM! Studios

 Here’s a softball on getting me to read anything, do a crossover. Though here’s the catch, you want me to buy the book (instead of using the library [Inter-Library Loans are your friend]) make it weird. Here’s an example, Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers and [Blank]. It’s really that easy, so far I have Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles filling that blank spot (and Godzilla [seems to be a theme, I really enjoy giant reptiles {though is Godzilla an Amphibian}]). Anyhow that’s why I talked it over with my local library and they assisted me with procuring a copy of the newest Justice League crossover; guest-staring the Power Rangers. I just heard the title and wanted to consume this book the instant it reached my hands! Since both sets of characters I really enjoy, so why not watch them run through the trope and cliche handbook, it’d’ll be a fun time. And it was, though it was like a ride at an amusement park that had lines a little too long for the amount of adventure and excitement at the end. Though while we’re waiting here, let me go into more detail about my experience.


Pro:
-Good Writing on the characters for both publications

When dealing with multiple sources of Intellectual Properties you really want to find a blend between them, though that can always be a challenge given the amount of members within a cast. If you have ever tried to be within a crowd and have your voice heard you’d know that if the speaker of the room doesn’t allow others to speak then no one speaks. This is the same thing when it comes to comics or movies or any type of media when there’s a large cast. Some people are focused on more than others, that in itself is a problem, since Intellectual Properties have property owners that want their star to shine. That’s one of the hardest things within this piece, there’s a lot of moving parts that need more definition or a more simple plot. Not one character was written poorly, since they all fit into the mold of who they are and should speak or act like, between both sides of the publication. In the entirety of the six issues there wasn’t a person that was left out of place, drawn or written.


Con:
-Focused WAY too much on Superman

Though my hardest criticism is not within the story, since it’s fair and interesting, but the use of the cast, or to better define the size of the cast. The magnitude of events were too great for the amount of characters needed to foil the villains, or the amount of issues were too slim to fully realize the story to it’s potential. What I keep skirting around is, the plot succeeded in giving the good guys something to do and work toward a common goal, but it felt like a lot was happening, though nothing completed. Most of the story was focused around Batman and Zach (at first), though interesting characters, the drawback was it didn’t reflect their personalities established here. The ties that centered them to each other didn’t knot. And at times we just left that plotline to focus on whatever Superman was doing in the moment. At times, it felt like there were more hands adding ingredience than plating dishes.

Also the main villain Brainiac switching with Zed, who started as the central villain. Brainiac was a good choice, though not for Zach and Batman (the story’s focal characters) this was more of a villain for Billy and Cyborg, since a lot of the problems were solved with super science, than with might or skill. Then we have the Dino-Bots, which were there, then disappeared, once Brainiac was in the picture more prominently. Zed was the inaugural villain of the limited series, but not really there. It was weird that a highly intelligent being of magic was more of a laky to another being that was not his superior, in strength nor abilities, mystical or tactical. I felt that Zed was the least defined character in the limited series, which kind of bothers me the most, since the heroes need a reason to stop a common enemy, so they can work together. This felt less like Zed and more like Goldar, though they needed a means to connect both Worlds. Zed felt less like his true form and more like a vehicle for the Rangers to meet the League. Goldar would have been the better choice for a blind follower, but a fix that might be too dramatic for the plot at hand.

Fix:
-Change the villains

There was a side plot that I thought could have been explored a little more, though with the remaining issues of the comic it wouldn’t make the page count for the amount of action that still needed to be taken by our heroes. Though I’d like to talk about it here, within the “Fix”, since this would change the whole dynamic of the comic and avoid any real change to the villains in whole. The Artificial Intelligence philosophy bridge, that’s what I’m coining it, so here’s my two-cents, enjoy. Pretty much, we have Alpha-5, Brainiac, Cyborg, and Billy (the Blue Ranger), they’re all communicating to each other about the idea, since the curiosity of Brainiac was peeked with the interaction of Alpha-5. The possibilities that Brainiac saw, I feel, will one day lead to the Brainiac that we’ll see in the future for Legion of Superheroes, but that’s a tale for another day. No, today we have two Artificial Intelligence Automatons, a Cybernetic man, and a teenager that “Does Machines” (borrowing that one from a Turtle), all of who have shown within this limited series can understand the basics and practical application of inter-dimensional travel chatting about the possibility of having thinking machines beyond the two functional beings posing logical conclusions. It’s maybe my favorite part of the book and it wasn’t explored enough.

Anyhow, that’s how I’d fix the book, focusing on these four talking it out, debating on the nature of what it means to be Artificially Intelligent and having organic thoughts, while reflective battles are happening on Earth. In short, I’d dial back the interaction between the Justice League and Power Rangers, showing a plot-A (main-plot) and plot-B (sub-plot). Plot-A being that of the conversation between our main villain (Brainiac) debating with our heroes (Cyborg & Billy), though here’s the interesting part Alpha-5 as a neutral party. Since for the most part Alpha-5 isn’t the first Alpha and won’t be the last Alpha for the Rangers, meaning the stakes are meaningless, but his friends (the Power Rangers) are important to him. Which again is a powerful sentiment and statement coming from a robot, that Brainiac has the most curiosity from, since emotions are a mystery to him at this time. Again this would all be a great background fight between what it means to be human and have all four of them verbally battling for the planet, while the Justice League and Power Rangers fight Zed and his cybernetically powered army. Long and short for the B-Plot, they’re fighting and there’s only one thing that can stop the army and it’s forming a giant robot with a sword, but it’s being hurled by Superman and has Batwings, sure why not, it’s all a formality to keep the pacing of the comic so it doesn’t dry out with the Artificial Intelligence talk. Toss in fanservice, like Batman in a Ranger costume or Wonder Woman using the Power Daggers in a fight, it doesn’t have to be groundbreaking, since there’s about six issues and two of them can be summed up with being a Prologue and an Epilogue. Four of which will be action and conversations on moral judgement with a splash of armchair philosophy.

This is my fix, it’s not THE fix, but it’s how I would change the elements within the story to reflect the basic problems I have. So no focus on Batman and Zach, less Superman, and more text boxes, again not a fix that will land. I’m essentially saying “Hey, you know the money making characters that everyone wants to see in this limited series, let’s put them in a sub-plot and focus on anyone else” yeah, I’m gonna win an Eisner for writing this book. Though if you’ve read The Infinity War (comic crossover event [from 1992 {written by Jim Starlin & drawn by Ron Lim}]) from MARVEL they focus on everyone other than the main Marvel Characters (Spider-Man is knocked out with Hawkeye within the second issue and is at the Hospital for the remainder of the limited series), they’re in the sub-plot. Everything is focused on Doom/Kang, Warlock/Thanos, and the moral judgement that Warlock made to create these events. It’s a really well developed story about characters making grand gestures and the repercussions of doing so within reality. And I feel that would be perfect for teaching teenagers from a different dimension, through conversations with alien robots.

Closing:
Well I hope this clears up some matters, though I’ve wrote this, read this, and edited it and again this is my mind and I’m screaming into the void on my opinions about fictional characters and how they interact with each other. The whole concept is bizarre and yet you’re still reading. Meaning you’re most likely waiting for me to wrap things up and I will. This comic was a surprise on many levels, it’s biggest flaw was the pacing, but other than that it has a whole lot throw into the pot and there was a ton of flavor, though that was it’s biggest short coming, since there was too much for the spoon. Suggesting that I was expecting a certain flavor, but still had a good bowl of soup, um, comic. Should you read this comic, of course, read, though is this going to titillate your tongue, it may not, but the juxtaposition of Giant Robots and Superheroes is a beautiful sight worth the admission of the time you spent reading.

Shorts SHORT Review: Cave Carson Has A Cybernetic Eye

 Cave Carson Has A Cybernetic Eye

Written by Gerard Way & Johnathan Rivera
Illustrated by Michael Avon Oeming
Published by Young Animal (an imprint of DC Comics)

This is the perfect series for a short review, this is the perfect blank slate series to drop anyone into the World that these characters infest. Since there’s not a hard history on the characters, this soft-reboot will give more personality than the last time anyone of these fictional beings have seen the light of day. What I mean from this brash introduction is that, this story will give you a broad idea of characters that no one really knows, that the fan base is either dead or happy to see their favorite group again. I’m usually in the latter group, since most of the time I enjoy characters that are B-listers at best, though I’m usually reading D-tier fictional beings, since those are where the weird lands lie. And that’s exactly where we are, on this road of redemption, climbing up from grief, and like any comic today, saving the Multiverse.

There’s nothing like a long and short of a twelve issue series, I mean that facetiously, since usually there’s a lot to cover. That’s the thing about this specific series, there really isn’t that much. At times there’s lore, but that’s wrapped up quick, then there’s character development, but that too is given it’s allotted time. It’s not that there isn’t a great story here, but it’s more of a series of vignettes intertwined between a shared finale. That’s not a bad thing, but it’s like a closed question. I ask you something, it’s answered, very blunt, but then there’s the hanging questions that were placed into the story without anything bringing us back up to speed, and we’re hanging there till the end of the tale (still not completely answered, but here’s hoping it’s answered in the second series [Cave Carson Has An Interstellar Eye {maybe Milk Wars}]). It’s small problems, though the pacing is wonderful and the main cast is fully fleshed out, I just feel like there’s more to be said, but isn’t within the pages.

 

Anyhow, Cave’s wife died (it’s page one), he doesn’t have a great relationship with anyone, but then he finds out that fungus people are trying to collect/kill him and his daughter (she’s at college). With the aid of a local vigilante (Wild Dog) and Cave’s creation (The Mighty Mole Mark One) they set out to fend off against toadstool terrors and get into subterranean adventures, well to pick up his kid and visit his in-laws. Also Guest-starring Superman (who might be a hallucination) and Doc Magnus (featuring the Metal Men). I’m gonna stop right there, but so you want to keep reading the series I’ll tell you this, yes there’s an underground civilization, yes there’s a few robot battles, and yes they travel through multiple Earths, but most of all the artistic direction is astounding.

If there’s anything that this series should be known for, it’s the amazing colors, the stupendous illustrations, the phenomenal page structure, and all of it locking together in a functional way that doesn’t take away from the story, but makes you want to see more on the next pages and what’s in the next issue. This is not a series that has everything, it hits the right moments, it gives you that desired high while reading a comic, it has all of those experimental and creative points that will keep you reading again and again (just to see what you missed the first read). Though it feels like this was a pitch intended for a different purpose and it became a comic. In short, I enjoyed it, so why not unearth this tale and read it, there’s so much humor and weirdness that it needs to see the light of day.

I trust you enjoyed the inspection, thank you for reading.
Support the creators, check out your local library, and contribute to community comic and book shops.
If you want to stay up to date on my reviews, be here next year.
Keep well and Stay well.

Shorts SHORT Review: Heroes At Home

 Heroes At Home

Written by Zeb Wells
Illustrated by Gurihiru
Published by MARVEL
Collection Editor is Jennifer Grünwald
Book Design by Jay Bowen

This is the last day of the year, the very last day (all the way to the witching hour), the last time I have to write anything before this damned year is gone, forever gone, though never forgotten. I’m writing, editing, and reading this feature all within the wee hours of the morning to the dwindling hours of the evening. Still this year has had a lot of thing happen, throughout the majority of it all, but one thing that hasn’t really happened is inaction. No, I’m not talking about the Kevin Smith toyline, no, it’s staying at home (or going out as little as possible) to reduce the spread of infection. Germs and Viruses are something that we can’t protect ourselves from, even in a suit of armor or with a really sharp sword, though a mask can help. And with Superheroes being the forerunners on mask wearing MARVEL stepped forward and wanted to show what the inaction lives of some of their most popular action heroes could be doing.

 

Let’s talk about the cover and this short all at the same time, since originally this whole book was just covers for issues that came out within 2020 as an alternate to the regular series (except for two). That’s always a hard thing with writing and drawing, if something huge happens within reality your fictional world may have to change. Lucky for most comics the events are happening within a year or so ago, so everything hasn’t really caught up with them just yet (fictitiously speaking), still that little bit of excusable explanation of why no one is wearing masks except for the super in the room is going to fade fast. Since (again) this is the end of the year, the very last day th— okay, so each “chapter” (I’m gonna use the term loosely) is a different hero story of inaction. Like any book they give illusion that these eight “chapters” are going to be within the book from the cover. It’s a fairly simple cover, of a wall, like any brick wall of an apartment building (especially in New York City), so one window for each apartment. I guess you could consider this a ‘What if?’ story since they all (assumingly) live under the same roof. Anyhow, the cover gives a bit of personification to each character, showing what each would be doing if given the chance to rest and live within the moment. I really don’t want to go into much detail, since the whole book is nine panels each “chapter”, just enough to fit on a cover page grid three by three. I’m gonna list my synopses of each character’s story in order of appearance (also the issue the “chapter” is from).

Spider-Man: The Amazing Baking Adventures of our webbed culinary crusader! [Amazing Spider-Man #48]
Black Panther: Obstacles can be a four-course meal. [Avengers #36]
Captain America: Dishes to discus, freedom to feast. [Captain America #23]
Captain Marvel: Conversations from Skrull to Kree. [Captain Marvel #21]
Hulk: If you’re happy and you know it, make a sign. [Immortal Hulk #37]
Thor: Precarious perils of hair removal! [Original]
Venom: When life is without, make do with what life gives you. [Original]
Wolverine: Mosaics of friends, or The best at what he does (which is puzzles). [Wolverine #5]

[Make sure to look for all the hiding spots of Jeff the Land Shark]

And since we're diving into the pages, Gurihiru brings a depiction for each character that illuminates aspects of each hero. Spider-Man with his thin and youthful appearance, Captain Marvel with her stunning golden locks and sarcastic expressions, and Venom with his over the top and chaotic nature. No one quiet moves a static image as well as Gurihiru, though no one compliments them as well as the wit of Zeb Wells.

That about wraps it up, an inaction adventure illustrated by the talented Gurihiru team and written by the clever mind of Zeb Wells, all bind and bound in about five by five square inches. I’m bias, since I love superheroes and slice-of-life tales, though if you’re looking for something that’s beautifully designed and comedically timed this is worth a place in your library. Nothing better than a little comfy story to ease into the New Year.

I trust you enjoyed the inspection, thank you for reading.
Support the creators, check out your local library, and contribute to community comic and book shops
If you want to stay up to date on my reviews, well your guess is as good as mine.
Keep well and Stay well.

Battling Boy Presents: The Fall of the House of West

When I finished the first volume of this arc I wanted more, I wanted there to be another book within the year or month from the first book, since I didn't know when it was published, though I had to wait a year, then another year, since moving and getting another job. Time has been an interesting concept in this present, though reading has been a pleasure in life. I can never thank those that make life more interesting and fantastic. Again thank you JT Petty  and Paul Pope for writing and David Rubín for your glorious illustrations in this stupendous fictitious tome. Let's dive into The Fall of the House of West (and the jetpacks)!

Battling Boy Presents: The Rise of Aurora West

This is the first volume of the Aurora West Arc, this means that you missed Battling Boy, since we were introduced with the astounding teen and her Father, Haggard West. Yes, this duo of jetpack might and brandishing plasma blasters in this action mystery pulp adventure. If there's anything more that I love it's a good character arc story and pulp fiction, just well written graphic novels. Though don't take my word in this introduction, come join us on this adventure into the favorite in the Battling Boy series written by Paul Pope and JT Petty with Illustrations by David Rubín, so let's dive into this golden pool of mythology and history.

Battling Boy

One thing that hasn't been seen in a lot of modern pulp fiction is a coming of age story. The number one story would be Tom Strong, next would be Tarzan, though the distance between the two is a great split, but like most pulp tales they go between extremes. They're a baby then a man, none of the trails and tribulations between these two points. Spin-offs do show more, but nothing that's official that feature a teen hero battling the world and taking on the challenges that a young adult would encounter that's not in a High School setting. This is something that comes straight out of nowhere, I haven't read a series that focuses on a teenager as an explorer, an adventurer on an alien world, that doesn't slap them into a school environment. It's refreshing and interesting to see where this could lead. This is my introduction to Paul Pope, I kid you not, this is the comic that introduces me to the artist and the talent. Well, my very first interaction was with a nameless artist that showcased his skill and ability for covers and such, though this is the only way I knew it was the same person. The line work and character features and the detailed backgrounds I knew it was the same person, though I wasn't convinced that the book would have a plot I would find interesting. Something about the cover and title didn't hook me, it wasn't pronounced enough (or full of robots). Though as people talk and slip a few pages here and there about the book and what came from the plot, I started to find curiosity. I'm a fan of high fantasy and magic, so no robots, but there's science and magic in this book about a pulp hero from another world, please do go on. And let's go on and dive into this specific piece of fiction, as we dig into the crust of what's to come in the further adventures of Battling Boy by Paul Pope.

shorts SHORT Review: Science Dog

Science Dog

Written by Robert Kirkman
Illustrated by Cory Walker
Art Director Drew Gill
Published by Skybound
An imprint of Image Comics

There's a beautiful series called Invincible (Written by Robert Kirkman and Illustrated by Cory Walker, also they were the original creators of this series) and our hero Mark Grayson enjoys the adventures of Science Dog, our featured piece of media this week. It was an interesting note that was placed into the series, since we all find our sense of justice in different ways. Spider-Man found his in death, multiple extreme emotional traumas that keep appearing in his life which built up/tore down the hero. Then we look at Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan) who is a fan of Ms. Marvel (Carol Danvers), she knows everything publicly posted about Captain Marvel (also Carol Danvers). After being exposed to a strange gas that activated hidden genes within her body she decides to take up the mantle of this hero for her hometown, Jersey City. Mark Grayson is similar in idea, that he's the power double of Superman and the emotional state of Spider-Man, so Spider-Boy (if you've ever read Amalgam Comics, you'd know of the Superboy Spider-Man combined hero). Not quite, though he's brought his good nature of growing up in a positive home and the comic book Science Dog, a hero that is a good being and tries continuing to be a good person, even though given no reason to do so for any reason other then the will of the writer. Oh, I should mention that this character in the Invincible world is currently fictional (also female, well I think they mentioned that it was his sister, which is weird, since no sister was ever mentioned) and a Scottish Terrier. Science Dog is a running gag and moral compass that Mark Grayson uses, also the writer pokes a bit of satire at all of comics. My point with this little rant and history lesson is that Science Dog showed Invincible what's right and wrong and the hard moral choices that we all need to make in life, oh and how it's hard to take on a childhood hobby and balance life, especially interplanetary commuting. And as I'll always tell you citizens I love Pulp Fiction and one thing that this series is, it embodies the Silver-age and Pulp heroes like Doc Savage and Adam Strange. With this long introduction let's start from the cover and enjoy the tale it tells us before even a page is turned.

Cleopatra in Space: Part One

This is a serial that will feature two volumes from the Cleopatra in Space series as will the proceeding.

by Mike Maihack
Phil Falco; Book Design
David Saylor; Creative Director
Cassandra Pelham; Editor
Published by Scholastic, Graphix

One of the most fun comics I've read for awhile, it's pacing and story are better than most stories and graphic novels. That's it, I'm flat out saying it, the story and art are amazing and fluid, structured with the skill of a seasoned professional with the charm and passion of a webcomic. The book it's self is the best and most interesting pleasing designs and reading experience I've had in awhile. Cleopatra in Space floats between the Epic Adventure (Lord of the Rings),  and a Space Opera (Flash Gordon, Star Wars), but has the feeling of a Saturday Morning cartoon (Captain Simian and the Space Monkeys). Though you'll have to read this series yourself to feel the enjoyment that I have, though experiences do change, so here's my impressions of the first two volumes of the series.

shorts SHORT Review: A Kidnapped Santa Claus

A Kidnapped Santa Claus
By L. Frank Baum
Adapted by Alex Robinson (Writer & Illustrator)
itbooks, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers

Welcome to another shorts SHORT Review for the winter season where we look at the odd life and times of Father Christmas. Santa Claus bounces back and fourth between this being of distress and a hero (sometimes villain). It's interesting to see him as these different lives. Especially the tales that have him being helped by a hero that he'd know about, but didn't know of the evil that would attack him. This is seen in the films Nightmare Before Christmas and Santa Claus Vs the Martians, both films intended to steal Santa away and keep Christmas for themselves. And this is the theme of the comic A Kidnapped Santa Claus, a tale about dæmons that want children to walk their caves, so they can enjoy their specific and individual suffering, plot in a nutshell, though there's so much more to it than this little summary.

Santa Claus in this story is an impossibly tall man, though this is because of the helpers and workers that invest their time and desire to give back to the world. We follow over the shoulder of Wisk a Fairy that works side by side with the Jolly Red Man himself. The Workshop has more than Elves, since this is a L. Frank Baum story, and this is a 1900's story, so the fey have a wide interpretation, since the elf is a broad term. It's more defined today, though it was a general expression for magical creatures, mostly humanoid, but not always. There's a lot of helpers in the Workshop at Santa's, but these are the main ones. We have Faries (who work in the office and hand in hand with the Knooks) that help in all departments,  there's Pixies (which are like boy fairies, though without wings, closer to Brownies) that help in the stable, Ryls (the one's who make the toys, gift wrap, and pack) a bit grumpy and goat-headed, and Knooks (they are literal pug faced beings, so adorable) who tailor and organize the workshop. It feels a bit like a Role Playing Game's Bestiarium, since they talk about each dæmon's too. It's a wonderful introduction of all the characters in the book, within 5 pages, all the information that's needed to complete the comic. The plot is a joy, personally an improvement to the original work, though this is with help to the author and his contemporary writing.

Professor Steeping, Gom, and Tea Steeping all trading gifts and warm thoughts.

Speaking of contemporary skills, from the character designs to the inking, adept talent was spread through out this short story. I loved Wisk's design and the warmth I felt from Santa, even though he's a drawing, it felt like the man was beaming with positivity. Also the dæmons' human forms to trick Santa into their specific trait was wonderfully executed. Subtle uses of weight within the hair and clothes, also the wonderful expression of negative space and pacing was excellently projected. The expression of emotion and visual emotion is amazing, poses and panel use was superb and immersive.

My favorite part is the classic L. Frank Baum, where someone gets their head lobed off and it's reconnected later. I love that about his stories, it's interesting that weapons aren't deathly, though they're still dangerous. One of my favorite missing head moments of L. Frank Baum is The Magical Monarch of Mo, that mischievous purple dragon and his appetite for kings' crowns. Don't worry the King is fine, though it's just annoying more then the end for him (and I think a few other characters in that story). Anyhow, Alex Robinson is an alumni of the School of Visual Arts and has made a wonderfully illustrated tale of the Flying Postman and his airborne platoon. If you're like me and love heavy use of ink and full detailed shorts then you're in for a treat of a visual tale.

I trust you enjoyed the inspection, thank you for reading.
Support the creator, check out the links and read the short.
If you want to stay up to date on my reviews, subscribe to this page.
Keep well and Stay well.

Interview with Frank Gibson for Muscle Temple

Salutations kith and welcome Mister Frank Gibson! I am Mr. Forte, as you know your host for the event presented before you. It's always a pleasure to have fellow wanderers of the weird world of wresting and writing. As any writer you know the rules for these bouts of the mind as we wrestle our thoughts and settle this skirmish and consultation. Though before we draw our verbal sabers and draw lines in the sand, let's reveal some ghosts of the past.

You might know Mr. Gibson and his Fiancée Ms. Becky Dreistadt from their Webcomic Tiny Kitten Teeth as I did when I followed their adventures straight to MoCCA (Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art), where we all met for the first time. This was back when they were traveling from New Zealand to the States, it was an impressive journey for a small press convention. From this point on both members of this team have been a welcomed and friendly face for all conventions. Though you might know their work best from the comic and cartoon Bee & PuppyCat from Cartoon Hangover. Today we'll be talking about our passion for wrestling, wrestlers, and the anthology comic that's being printed titled Muscle Temple. Before we truly start I want to give a statement, thank you. Thank you for having this conversation with me today and for creating amazing forms of art through words and speech. I'm indebted to your stimulation of art, comics, and animation, again thank you for this interview.

Shorts SHORT Review: Pug Davis

Pug Davis
by Rebecca Sugar
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Published by Albatross Exploding Funny Books

Welcome to the shorts SHORT Review, today we'll be talking about Pug Davis.
This was an original webcomic made by the ever talented Rebecca Sugar. A Space Opera and Galactic Adventure of two wondering souls, two men from Earth that found more peace in a rocket hurled through space then living on the Third Rock from the Sun. Though I'm getting ahead of myself, and behind, since I only read the webcomic when it was still active. Since the story is something you have to read for yourself, hold it and look at the beautifully designed work. One thing I haven't done was get the volume when I could, but if I could go back in time I know that I would have got a whole mess of comics from the past (RPG World… it was in my hands). Anyhow, let's get away from lamenting of the past and focus on the galaxy escapades of these men searching around the Universe for… reasons.

It's either my mind is a bit fuzzy or it was never truly said why they were flying around other than the assumption of finding Earth. Pug has every reason since the intergalactic travel would mean the Earth would be older and maybe more scientific, which would cure his canine appearance. Though the relationship of Blouse and Pug show that there are more reasons to travel the stars than stay in one spot. If you know Ms. Sugar's work, you'd know that she's a craftsmen of emotion, that she could get you to break down and cry or have you care about the living arrangement of a mayo sandwich eating being. This again is one of those times that I turned on a character that I didn't care about then wanted to know more. Blouse became more than a weak positive seeking character and as a reader we found out more on his past, his reasons to leave home and advance into the unknown. By the end of the series I learned about a strong man that I thought had no depth, and wanted with my heart another volume.

Now I just read the webcomic version, I know there was a published edition of the comic collected and a cover drawn by the amazing Eric Powell. (Here's a link to the cover and if you thumb through the photos you might see some of the pages from the book too.)

Honestly this webcomic, from start to finish felt like it was walking to running. It was really fun to see what was on the next page, I'm not saying that the writing and the art were weak, it was just the opposite. Every page was interesting and had a different way of seeing the characters in artistic forms and in different adventures. While wandering around the characters and the world, it feels that Ms. Sugar was creating everything from nothing, everything from organic space, and for the most part figured out what made a great story.

Professor Steeping, his niece Tea Steeping, and Gom his robotic protégé

pose for their space adventure, ever ready for action and excitement.

The plot is simple and complexed, let me explain, in the beginning of the series it was doodles, ideas, thoughts about ray guns and planets. Pug Davis is the idea of Flash Gordon or bits of John Carter and a little Lobo in theme and homage, it was a perfect modernization of the Space Adventure. Since it was less focused on the crusade and more on the adventurers, like the weird things were expected by both the reader and characters.

Now everything I'm talking about is from nostalgia (start that nostalgic engine on those evocative goggles), I hope to one day grab a volume in physical form, though that's the hardest part about this series. Trying to find something from the past, like Ian Jones-Quartey's comic RPG Wold, I've had a lot of comics that are rare to find today within my hands or feet away from me. So with his webcomic and her webcomic I've only been able to see them digitally and not in a form that settles in hand. Though I've held both volumes once in my life, but was in a position unable to purchase.

In short if this is your type of genre or the creator is someone that you've seen to find excitement over their work, you're totally going to enjoy this comic. I wish you luck on this hunt in the cosmos for this delightful treasure, though I'd suggest her other little macrocosm Steven Universe.

I trust you enjoyed the inspection, thank you for reading.
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Keep well and Stay well.

R.I.P.D.

Rest In Peace Department

My first thought about this movie was interest, I'm interested with death and the afterlife, ever since Beetlejuice and the Halloween Tree. Though as any person that's seen Men In Black (M.I.B.) will tell you R.I.P.D. shares many similarities of the 90's film. The obvious points would be the car, the hidden police motif, and the new guy with the seasoned older partner. This doesn't bother me since all of these things are expected from action films of this type of genre. It's a Buddy Cop movie with a SciFi filling, though (in both media) they glazed over the fact that this whole story is based in Christian lore. As a framing device for the story it's great since it's not heavy on preaching, which is incredibly appreciated, though it's interesting that we know there's a God in this film, but never see an Angel. Since a lot of the subject matter revolves around virtuous characters like those aspiring to be an Angel and malevolent characters that are Demons from Hell, though that's only in the comic, in the film they're corrupted souls that have escaped or made a deal to stay away from Hell at all costs. It brings up the question, is Constantine a better film than this? Since he's a questionable cop-like character in Christian lore who also fights/bargains with the Devil directly. Roll that over a little, though let's dig a bit deeper into this film and comic series.

Cowboys VS Aliens

The Film was great, the Comic was horrible, that's the short and long of a lot of media translations, either one will be better than the other or both weren't good in the first place. Most of the time it's the film that does poorly compared to the written material, though there are exceptions to the rule based on the source material either being too great in length or poorly conceptualized. My first thoughts of the film by poster and trailer were excitement, even with the cover to the comic's collected volume made me interested in the tale, since Science Fiction and Westerns are two of my favorite genres.

Justice League War

**** Hey (2018) Cartoon Cyborg Cinema citizens, it's Mister Forte here with an EDIT, that's right, I wanna rework the blog a little, make it more of a positive effort to cinema and books than something that's gonna discredit and harm the passionate project that people have put time and effort into making. I'll be putting small changes into these posts, just making them flow a little better, or correct grammar or spelling errors, but mainly I want you to seek out these features in your own life and enjoy them to the fullest. I'll still critique them on issues and embellish other points, though I feel more can be done then feed negativity. The main goal of this is to bring positivity to reviewing and conversation to topics that don't always get the same amount of love back (more on this topic over here). Thank you for the privilege of your time and enjoy this review. **********

This is a big jump for DC Animation and WB Animation alike, since the Justice League is the Avengers of DC Comics. And on top of that the Justice League (and Justice League Unlimited) Animation Series is a well loved program, so making a movie that updates the characters and plot in a more modern setting is going to be a challenge, then the uphill battle of convincing fans. With that in mind Justice League War is a brash title for an introduction to these new version of old friends.

Let me get this out of the way, I'm an old school fan of DC Comics, though I understand cinematic versions and updated versions (new 52) of the characters are out there and applied to modern adaptions, but their spirit should be placed into all media. What I'm saying is when my memory of the past comes into place I'll give you my nostalgia, then my understanding of the character within the film. Again most creative teams want to make their version of the characters or use their dream team or their favorite characters from their favorite creative team. This can be seen as successful with the TV series X-Men from 1992 and Teen Titans from 2003, so I can't blame them for being ambitious in trying to have lightning strike twice.

That's where this movie comes in, they want to take a good idea, update it and make it something that they can create a film series, that's not too ambitious, since they've done that with many of these characters. Just to name a few Scooby-Doo, Tom & Jerry, and always Batman, though they saw a trend in the fabric of what was moving in pop-culture and it was teams. With the success of Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers they needed to bring back their heavy hitters, though a little dusty they just needed a new paint job. This is my speculation, and you'll hear more about this 'between the lines' thinking in this post.