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.

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.

Shorts SHORT Review: The Santa Trap

The Santa Trap

Written by Jonathan Emmet
Illustrated by Poly Bernatene
Peachtree Publishers
Macmillan Children's Books


Winter isn't the best of time for everyone, and not everyone celebrates with the Merry Postman in his best red suit. Even when he comes bearing gift to town, some people would rather he just be stopped. Thous the theme of this year's Santa Clause adventure, a little boy and his urge to stop Saint Nicolas from his predestined journey across the globe, making him pay for all the years he's never given him a gift. There's something about the holiday season that always brings out the mischief side of me. I want to see these other creatures of the snow that want for the holly jolly weather to match their cold hearts. Let's grab a few warm blankets, some chairs, and take a look at this fun children's dark comedy.

shorts SHORT Review: Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles; Big

Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles 
Big

Written by Alan Burnett
Directed by Bruce Timm
Distributed by Warner Brothers Animation and Machinima

Tamara Taylor voiced Bekka
Tahmoh Penikett voiced Steve Trevor
Bruce Thomas voiced the Mysterious Mustached Man, or Kobra.

Take a moment and enjoy the short Big
<--- Also check out the first review of the feature film here
Then there's the first short review of Twisted over here --->

The best of the three, this is the one that I feel was pulp perfected. I love everything about this short, since it's a Spicy story from a dime novel. I'm bias for these types of films especially in animation. This is another short written by Bruce Timm, it's honestly a love letter to Spicy Pulp Fiction. And back in the day anything with the word Spicy on it was like the word Adult in the 90's, though not quite ten cents, but there was a lot of situations that needed two minds that knew what they were doing (or at the very least are told they know what they're doing). Though there was another element that made it Adult or Spicy, it was the Pulp or Action! Yes, tales and observations were detailed in these adventures of those that were of age and could take a licking and keep thrusting their way across exotic and dangerous scenery. That was always a subtle element to a lot of these pulp classics, the nudity. Most of the time implied and some of the time shown, it matters the market and the amount of people that want to read, watch, or see pictures of folks in these escapades into the relative unknown. On this day we jump into the known unknown and take a dip into the adventures of Wonder Woman aka Bekka in this world, since she's never formally introduced as the Trinity associate.

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.

shorts SHORT Review: Rocket and Groot, Stranded on Planet Strip Mall

Rocket and Groot:
Stranded on Planet Strip Mall

Written and Illustrated by Tom Angleberger
Special Illustration by John Rocco
Designed by Megan Youngquist Parent
Published by Marvel Press, an Imprint of Disney Book Group

I'm excited about this book, sorry I'm getting ahead of myself, okay so the first time I was introduced to Rocket Raccoon was a bunch of times. Like most people when they encounter something they enjoy that thing and find more about it, and this starts their obsession. With me, I need to naturally find something that comes into my life three times, not sure that many times, but if I find something multiple (three) times it feel like it's something I need to look into. Most of the time it's true, that this is something that will be influential or has been influential (subconsciously speaking) in my life, and Rocket Raccoon is one of those characters. First was when thumbing through a Guardians of the Galaxy comic, the character stood out and seemed interesting. Second time was while looking up work of Mike Mignola, back in the day Marvel was trying to expand their Universe and bring in more characters that were one time use, so the four part series was fun and something worth a look. Third time was (like most people) in the Guardians of the Galaxy movie, I loved this interpretation. Though the problem about this is my only interaction with Rocket Raccoon and Groot was through the movie, like I said they were mentioned to me through points in my life, but not fully introduced. Now I'm fully trying to interact with the little Space Bandit and the Walking Tree as they surf through media and fling themselves through the universe.

shorts SHORT Review: Batman of Shanghi

Manga Mecha Movie
Batman of Shanghi

Produced by Ben Jones and Sandi Yi-Trimble
Production by Warner Brothers Animation
Co-Production by Wolf Smoke Animation Studio
Distributed by Cartoon Network
Character Designer and Storyboard Art by Jin Roh
Designed by Clover Xie

Cast:
Catwoman played by Stephanie Sheh
Batman & Bane played by Kirk Thornton

Though this is a character who's origin is of American descent, he's still a worldly known being that's treated as more than a guest in the respected countries that take on creating wonderful homages and interpretations of Batman. That's the spirit of Manga Mecha Movie, that we journey all over Asia and celebrate its culture and the creative individuals, studios, and media that comes from a place different than where we at Cartoon Cyborg Cinema are stationed. There's plenty within our culture, but it never hurts to go beyond the borderlines and search deeper into interests that envelope characters that we've grown up with and share a history that's personal and different than each other. Now we get to share this personal journey with another culture and with an alternate media than what we first discovered the adventures of Bruce Wayne. Join us as we travel to China in 1930's Shanghi as we focus for about one minute and fifteen seconds on a thief, a muscle bound rickshaw venom abuser, and a man made of shadows and mysteries.

short SHORT Review: Robot Girls Z Plus

Manga Mecha MovieRobot Girls Z+

Directed by Hiroshi Ikehata
Written by Kazuho Hyodo
Production Studio by Toei Animation

One thing I love is Anime from the 1970's, well Animation in general from the 70's, since it was a time of expression and very weird thoughts, though that's the infatuation. Mazinger Z is one of those Anime that will never stop, there will always be another version or a new movie or a series. It's something that I love about the people celebrating the past and rebooting the odd ideas of others. That spirit is great to have, since it fits the current motif of this decade. A little weird, but a ton of fun, then you have those that weave from great to poor. And Robot Girls Z Plus is in entirety this represented from beginning to end, the spirit and idea of enjoyment and fun, though it's directions lose its path, well it lost it's power. I think it would have been stronger if it was like its predecessor and stayed with the three episode system, since they knew the right amount of comedy and drama to add in each episode. Though with change so comes problems, but let's take a look at the good and the bad.

shorts SHORT Review: Zombie in Love 2 +1

**** 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 changing 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. **********


Zombie in Love 2 +1
by Kelly DiPucchio and Scott Campbell
Book Design by Sonia Chaghatzbanian
Published by Atheneum Books For Young Readers
An imprint of Simon and Schuster

If there's one thing I can say about my entertainment this year, it's that I enjoy the mind of Kelly DiPucchio. I like to wander around my local library (or book store) and find books that sound interesting or have themes that seem stimulating. One book I've been eyeing since it came out was Zombie in Love (2011), though I didn't realize that it was the second book (2014, it seems my watch stopped), but at the time I thought it was the third book. This is the sequel to the first book (Review over here if you missed it), though if you do the math on the title it equals 3, it bothers me, though at the same time I understand its implication, so it's cute… still bothers me, I don't like the number 3. That's a personal issue that I'll be struggling with when I'm in my thirties, especially 33… Anyhow the cover is very fun and shows our main cast and their emotions toward each other. That's something I love about Children's Illustrated Novels, they're a bit more straight forward on the cover. They give you expectations of what to come, rather than a minimalist's interpretation of what's the most important thing in the book. It's refreshing to have a cover that implied the interior and has a bit of the plot ready for you before you've even got a thumb between the pages.

The book picks up around where the last book leaves off. It's natural for two people to wanna make a family, though this was maybe the most interesting way of having one. It feels like the classic story, the stork came and dropped off your kid, then books it out of there before you can ever change your mind. Though there he is, in a crate outside their house -- tomb, as they happily greet the infant into their lives with open arms. Literally they had no problem with the baby being in a crate, in afternoon Sun, and on their doorstep. Mind you to them it was the middle of the night. After they bring the baby inside their home, they bring the new born into their lives, creating a horde (or family). It's your cliche 'Parents that have never been around kids and now have a kid' story. Kid sneezes, they see a Doctor, kid doesn't sleep, nor do the parents, though they are Zombies after all (except for the baby, that's human), it's a simple action reaction plot. This is a retelling, but in a fun new perspective that allows in-jokes for adults to play out and jokes for kids to understand or reflect on in their lives. The theme of this book is love, and love that has no bias. It's a happiness that not many face, but when it's within your life and family, or those you deem to be your family, it's something that has no value, but is valued more than the rarest metal or item in the world. I'm not saying that having a baby is something that will bring love, but a child brings purity, they have no knowledge of lies, no thought of good, they are neutrality. Till pleasure and pain are introduced into their lives, then there is one's motivator. They all show this love to each other, they don't tell it, since none of the main cast talk (though it is implied that they do communicate in some way), they show affection and loyalty to one another.

I love the new design of the main characters, yes they're a bit trimmer, though I think this comes more with the artist being comfortable with the characters than they were overweight. Still with a relationship sometimes getting fit is easier with someone else. It doesn't have to be your spouse, though a person that you get along with and be able to enjoy their company is a plus while at the gym or jogging around town. In general this was a wonderful telling of how an unexpected and unorthodox family brought up a child.

Tea Steeping with a box full of nuts,

mostly filled with her best friend and neighbor Oona Kulte,

her Uncle Professor Steeping,

and the mischievous imagination of Gom.

The color palette is primarily cool colors, blue and green, though with the addition of red to pop and hold shapes. Extreme closeups are again my favorite thing, again the joke is having their toothless faces taking up a whole page, even the baby gets in on the gag. The visual gags have increased and become an unforgettable piece to the book, beautifully funny and wonderfully incorporated into the Children's Illustrated Novel. Though the best part is the final spread with the extreme closeup of the whole family, it's sweet and wonderfully depicted, also the framed picture after it on the table got me in the heart too.

If you like books that take on the contemporary idea of family and illustrations that compliment the book, cover to cover. Then you've met a fun Children's Illustrated Novel that will be on your shelf, and with hope this series will continue. Kelly Dipucchio has a fantastic talent for writing dark comedy romance and Scott Campbell has charm and skill on each hand. This is a great team, I hope to see more in the future from both creative parties.

I trust you enjoyed the inspection, thank you for reading.
Support the creator, check out your local library and peruse the book.
If you want to stay up to date on my reviews, subscribe to this page.
Keep well and Stay well.

shorts SHORT Review: Everyone Loves Bacon

Written by Kelly DiPucchio
Illustrated by Eric Wight
Published by Farrar Straus Books for Young Readers
Parent publisher Macmillan

Collectively we all love Bacon, you, me, pork, turkey, soy, duck, bacon is amazing. It's cured meat that makes the start of a day worth living. Though that's my way of living, a little hemp milk and a little belly fat burning in a frying pan, perfuming the kitchen with a beautiful wakeup call from pieces of a beast. Anyhow while on the subject of living things, let's talk about anthropomorphic beings, specifically located in a 24-hour diner. In this Children's Illustrated Novel food has gained life and Bacon has elevated to it's rightful place. This isn't the first time we've reviewed a series by Kelly DiPucchio (Zombie in Love review), though this is the life and times of Bacon, let's take this pilgrimage, so grab your own candied fare nub and enjoy!

shorts SHORT Review: Robot Girls Z

Manga Mecha Movie
Robot Girls Z

Directed by Hiroshi Ikehata
Written by Kazuho Hyodo
Production Studio by Toei Animation
English | Japanese

If there was one thing that this blog is known for it's its obsession with robots. The only thing that rivals that obsession is anthropomorphic beings. Japan has created something that has been tailored to this blog. Robot Girls Z is about anthropomorphic versions of the Mazinger Z giant robots as magical girls or like a Super Sentai team. There was another series like this called Mazinger Angels, it was an alternate history (or reality) that the female pilots of the series donned their giant robots against the forces of evil. It was an interesting take on the series, since it was always centered around Koji Kabuto, though Sayaka Yumi (pilot of Aphrodite A) did play a major part, it was great to see her in a more direct role. Anyhow, if you're unfamiliar with Mazinger Z it was an amazingly popular giant robot TV series in Japan during the 1970's by the awesomely talented Go Nagai (Kiyoshi Nagai). You might know him better for his characters Devilman, Cutie Honey, Getter Robo, or Kekko Kamen. I've been personally interested with his life and his stories, since most of these tales involve comedy and cyborgs or giants robots or magic in someway or form. This has been reflected into the three episodes that make up Robot Girls Z, so grab your stylish hat with a tiny aircraft and put on your rocket fists, you're in for a keen trip.

shorts SHORT Review: Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles; Twisted

Justice League: Gods and Monsters Chronicles
Twisted

Written by Alan Burnett
Directed by Bruce Timm
Distributed by Warner Brothers Animation and Machinima

Hyperlink to the short Twisted
<--- Also check out the first review of the feature film here
Then there's the second short review of Big over here --->


This (to me) feels like the first of the three, if you were to watch these shorts "Twisted" would be a way to ease into the micro-series. Everything about this feels like a Batman animation, the mood and the setting, it's like Bruce Timm never left, though this was penned by Alan Burnett long time contributor to both Batman series (Batman: the Animated Series and Batman Beyond).

Like in Batman Beyond (Rebirth part 1) it opens with a factory at night with a Batman flying to deter villains. We see the City that all know, Gotham a place of darkness and disheveled life. A Batman soaring about them all, as Bruce he's a rich man, riches beyond anyone's dream, as Kirk he fits right into the night. Another face in the crowd, though this throng keeps more than skeletons in the closet. Speaking of, Batman is on a case to find (at the very least) the bodies, based off of whispers through the night (and the Police Department). They really know how to set a mood in this animation, there's been no conversation between anyone, the victims, the heroes, not even an inner monologue. It really makes you feel like you're within this warehouse with the dark knight, groping for anything that could be a clue to find the missing people.

Then we stop for a Bat-Snack, as we always do, remember kids, there's always time for nutrition.

Though what we find is the macabre in the fridge of this slaughter house, body parts of all different types of people frozen, also a nice treat for ice cubes. You take an ice tray and pour your favorite soda in it and bingo you have yourself a nice little treat or a tasty ice cube for a glass of water or booze. Batman has no time for the habits of others and closes the door moving into a darker part of the warehouse. In this room he finds boxes, jack-in-the-boxs to be more specific, one's a toy, the other is half a man, limply bouncing on a spring. Seeing no joy in this practice Kirk moves on, without a word. Another box moves and, with the same easy, Kirk not thinking that there's anything of danger that could spring from the next box, opens the moving cube. Inside a woman persists that she needs help through her eyes since she is tied up, Kirk removes the gag. The woman's warning is too late, but Batman isn't bested by a sledgehammer, but the corpes-in-the-box is knocked over.

Oona Kulte, friend of Tea and local.
Dressed in her harlequin outfit.

Harley looks a bit different in this world, I think it's a tongue-in-cheek joke about how she looks in the video game. She's very dressed down and has a belly ring, a diamond tattoo, and red and black dyed hair. It's an interesting take on the original, also it's something that the original wanted, a family, well at least that's through the assumption on the direction that's been consistent through a lot of Bruce Timm's interpretations of Harley (well these are my assumptions of Harley based off of the media I've seen). Harley wants a family, a gang, a group that she can love. It's been seen in Batman Beyond: Return of the Joker and Batman: Mad Love (Comic and Animation), she's always had a motherly appeal (and sex appeal) it's an interesting dichotomy for this Batman Femme Fatale, which is why she's a wonderful villain. This Harley has taken the Baby Doll (as seen in Batman: The Animated Series, episode of the same name, season 3 episode 4) route for family, well the darker path.

The woman runs off, though Harley is even more annoyed at the B-Man, then her "Sis" getting away. Again the tone for this short is spectacular (I really mean it, it's haunting). Harley doesn't pull punches, nor does Batman as he releases his cling to the ceiling, but that only sets up his ribs for Harley's hammer. Though with a second swing the Bat stops her and punches the ghastly greasepaint grinning girl through a pane of looking-glass into a family room. Four individuals (assuming Harley propped them up, you never know, maybe they died that way) each with a haunting and stunning smile. A Mother, Father, little brother, and Grandmother, all dead, waiting with an open seat for big Sis.

With this being absorbed into Kirk's mind, Harley comes out again, though this time with something a little more dangerous than a Hammer. A Chainsaw, toothed and ready to add a Bat-Butler in the family room. Wagging the saw around the room Harley buzzes into many of her "loved ones", till she grabs a wrong spin into a wall and busts the chain, slicing her side open.

Gom dressed in his best Batman outfit,

grabbing hold of his next pursuit of justice and meal.

Kirk jumps down from the rafters, holding Harley's wrists. She gives into defeat and allows Batman his duty as Justice to take her away. This amuses our darker Knight, as he produces his fangs and takes a bite into his meal. Leaving only the sounds of pain and shock that this Harley's victims know so well.

I trust you enjoyed the inspection, thank you for reading.
Support the creator, check out the links and watch the movie.
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Keep well and Stay well.

shorts SHORT Review: Captain Raptor and the Space Pirates

Captain Raptor and the Space Pirates

Written by Kevin O'Malley & Patrick O'Brien
Illustrated and Book Design by Patrick O'Brien
Published by Walker Publishing Company, Inc.

As the universe cooled and the dust fell, the celestial bodies conferee and created the planet that we now search for in this vast nebula. Yes, a planet, a whole planet of treasure, no not the mouse one, no the one with the pulp hero that's a Raptor who scours the solar system protecting the Dino planet. Yeah, this is the part two that got me into the Captain Raptor series, nothing more amazing than pulp heroes and pirates. I'm bias when it comes to all things pulp, now there's pirates, also everyone is a dinosaur or a mutant/cyborg, yeah this Children's Illustrated Novel is tailored to me. Join us on this escapade atop the hype rocket, though I'd hope it was a Galaxy Train, but here's the exciting second part of the Captain Raptor series.

This was the first book in the series that got me attracted and devoted in wanting to read the amazing adventures of this Cretaceous Space Aviator Enforcer!

Initial response, the cover for this adventure of CAPTAIN RAPTOR is of him and his team defending the Dino-world against Space Pirates. It's interesting that this will be a book about a pulp adventurer in space clashing wits and blades or better yet talons and razor sharp-teeth, in the void that separates us all between the worlds we call our solar system. Yeah, a fall into madness on the swashbuckling inky seas of the cloudy infinite void, yep this is the direction that makes sense (behind the scenes Patrick O'Brien has been making a career on his talent as a nautical portrait artist, he has a stupendous portfolio and glorious gallery that displays his work, check out his site if you get a chance)

Tea Steeping isn't too shaken by things, but she knows a missing part could mean

soaring through the sky and landing or bouncing. Only one of these you walk away from...

The cover again (like the first volume of the series) is an example of what a good cover, sorry of a great cover. It's flat out enough information within the cover that one doesn't need to tell anymore of the plot. It shows our heroes and villains all of the cast on the cover, also lasers and a few planets. Now unlike the first cover this one is a little all over, in the sense that it's direct focus at the center of the cover. It's not bad, but it's the directional angles that point the vision left and right, though it bleeds off to the side that feels like a band, wrapped around the book cutting the title and credits on the cover. Again wonderfully illustrated and beautifully detailed. One last thing, there's not only dinosaurs on the cover, so there seems to be some evolution in this world.

As always in this series the first page is an amazing rendering of space, a representation of what space looks like in this imaginative part of the universe.

The following page holds the title and introduces the main crew of pirates. It's interesting to see all the different animals that comprise the pirate crew, since they're not all dinosaurs or they're animals that are from an earlier age then the present. I really like this pin-up more than the cover, since the title pops, and it's gigantic, screaming CAPTAIN RAPTOR in all capital letters then below "and the Space Pirates" that leads the eyes down to the focal point which are the cast of marauders that visually point to the credited contributors who created the Captain and the adventures that unfold. After the "second" cover we have the planet Jurassica (again) under attack (it really is this time), a shadowy force that came down from the sky (a beautiful arraignment of colors, purple and green with hints of brown to give it an ominous feeling).

The cannons fire on the crowd and land in the clearing.

"Misshapen Mutants and Reptilian Cyborgs" rage and start panic while raiding the people of their treasures and valuables. Then just as sudden blast off into the sky, the President exclaims their need for CAPTAIN RAPTOR! It's a great single full page pin-up of the Cap'n with his crew (and the Megatooth in the background).

They load up the Megatooth (their Rocketship) and introduce the crew: Professor Angleopterous, Sergeant Brickthorous, and Lieutnant Threetoe. In the last book they introduced the crew, but I didn't really like it, since it seemed to want the crew to be more ragtag, in this book they seem very professional. If I was an interplanetary space-pirate mutant cyborg I know I'd have brown pants by the thought of the Megatooth within the stratosphere of the planet that I'm at port in, though I'd know I wouldn't have time to preform any misdeeds with Captain Raptor not far away from the vessel. The rocket blasts into the sky, the Megatooth flying through the inky haze that is the dust of space, sinking deeper into the eerie colored galaxy. Then they catch up to the pirates, a wonderful spread though a horrible out come for our heroes. The blast sends them to the near by planet, hitting the ground hard, skidding through the mud. The rocket stops and the crew leave the ship to assess the damage done by the raiders.

 Professor Steeping is a little changed by the events of this tale.

He's changed Gom to fit his costume, our little automaton is always game for cosplay.

While on the planet they find a one-armed man, (well mutant mammal) Scalawag. He claims to be able to fix the ship so they can all leave the planet. Captain Raptor takes this misplaced creature, they all board the Megatooth and send off into the nebula. Scalawag suggesting a dangerous way, Captain Raptor doesn't like the idea, but concedes and follows the direction that will bring them fastest to Jurassica.

They are met with problems in the form of Robokron!
"The Giant Robotic Space Beast"
Yeah it's a great spread of the monster attacking the Megatooth.

Captain Raptor needs to take down this monstrosity and save his crew. With heroic thoughts and a space suit, the good captain plunges into the cold darkness and attacks a panel on the robotic beast, shutting down Robokron. Their race is not over, since they still need to chase down the horde of pirates that will be returning to Jurassica. Like the last review of Captain Raptor (and the Moon Mystery) I'm going to have you all enjoy what happens next. Find out how the good Cap'n reclaimed peace on the planet that he protects.

In short, this is a series that I would want to see explored more, even if there was another creative team, though given the blessing of the original team. If this was a book series or they continued the Children's Illustrated Novel with more parts, I will suggest nothing better than this serial. It couldn't be more exciting and pleasing to the eyes and stimulating to the mind. Make time, even if you don't like pulp dinosaurs fighting mutant cyborg pirates the illustrations will sway you as did the concept and execution did to me.

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

shorts SHORT Review: Captain Raptor and the Moon Mystery

Captain Raptor and the Moon Mystery

Written by Kevin O'Malley
Illustrated and Book Design by Patrick O'Brien
Published by Walker Publishing Company, Inc.

I've never been this impressed by a Children's Illustrated Novel, nor a Comic, nor a Production book. Think of an adventurer, then put that pulp hero in space, then turn them into a dinosaur. Yeah, that's what we're talking about this week. Dinosaurs from a far away planet and their heroic pulp hero as he rockets through space to defend the galaxy and the planet he calls home. This is my type of story, it's straight forward, it has the hero into a position that let's him seem infallible, though solve problems that are out of his hand (talons). It's a great endeavor that's fun to see well paced, crammed into thirty two pages of nebula soaring adventures.

shorts SHORT Review: John Henry

John Henry

Disney Short
Directed by Mark Henn
Written by Broose Johnson, Tim Hodge, Shirtley Pierce
Art Direction by Robert Ty Stanton (not to be confused with Bob Stanton)
Music by Stephen James Taylor, Gary Hines and Billy Steele, Performance by Sounds of Blackness

I initially saw clips of this short from Tumblr, it was exciting to see that Disney made a new traditionally animated short in 2015, weird that it was late in the year. Then I was disappointed that I was wrong, this new Disney Animation was more then Ten Years Old. Though I did a little more research and found that the animation was made in 1999 that's seventeen years (well 16 from 2015) and it took another three years to come to the public's eye. From my knowledge the short wasn't exposed till the 2002 Direct-to-DVD that pretty much was hidden away in the Disney Vault. One day I'd love to raid that vault for it's hidden secrets. I'm the worst thief since I don't try to make a buck off the pilfered treasures, I just want to swim in the multitudes of media that haven't seen the light of day for decades. Anyhow, I'll work on my personal exploits later, for now let's enjoy this hidden short from the Mouse coffer.

shorts SHORT Review: Thunder and Lightning

DC Nation: Thunder and Lightning

Character Designed, Written, and Directed by Lynell Forestall
Executive Produced by Sam Register
Produced by DC Entertainment
Production Company and Distributed by Warner Bros. Animation

Detective Comics saw that their animations were popular and finally decided to give the creative people of the animation world a chance. It was a great way for Warner Brothers to see what short got people interested in and if they should make more superhero shows. There's been a rising increase in superhero shows in production since the end of the DC Nation shorts. This has lead to successes and failures, though the majority of the media has been flourishing and exposing fans to more heroes.

Black Lightning goes way back with me, all the way to the Super Friends, Hannah-Barbera made a lasting impression on me and the characters in this series. Now he wasn't apart of the series till The All-New Super Friends Hour and even then he was a guest, but by the 80's he became a core member of the team as Black Vulcan. Black Vulcan was Black Lightning's name in the show, though it was confusing to why they renamed the character at the time. With a little research it seems there were disputes between the creator of the character (Tony Isabella) and DC, this is something that happens. New characters are made for Superhero shows if they don't match up with what is needed for the series. It was a great selection for the roaster, since he's proven himself as a hero and a protector of justice.

Ever since I saw Electro (Spider-Man Rogue) I wanted a Hero version of that character, then Static Shock came around. An awesome show about an electricity powered hero, I saw him in a different outfit and different media first. It was in a crossover that showed me Rocket and Superboy teaming up (in his leather jacket). That's the time that I started to look up more heroes and learn more about the DCU. DC Animation has always been a favorite of mine, so seeing Black Lighting in motion was an exciting venture into nostalgia, but also excitement in seeing the family adventures of the first DC African American Superhero.

Black Lightning has two daughters in this series, I know Thunder from the Outsiders comic, she was an interesting character that could change her density. She was a strong character though she mostly had her strength in her personality. A confident and take charge type of person, unfazed by the weird world of Superheroes. Anissa was the metaphorical glue of the Ousiders' team, keeping them together and strong, her Dad even popped in to see her at her best. Also she was an amazing "death from above" bomber, dropping her body's full weight on an aggressor. Lighting on the other hand I'm unfamiliar with, though I know her design well from Kingdom Come, she seems to have her Father's electricity manipulation power, though it's unclear if she has his Force Field generating ability.



In the Clothes Make the Hero, we see a cutout standee of the Black Vulcan, showing off the old attire of the Hannah-Barbera, though this wasn't the original costume, just the one that he's most known for having because of the 70's cartoon. Black Lightning's costume has always been a favorite of mine, it's a wonderful design and it's strong appearance make it powerful in the eyes of the wearer and his opponents, even the 1977 version.

The short is about 1 minute long, though is a wonderfully designed and animated feature. The daughters are different from their comic counterparts, though I do enjoy their take on the two siblings and single Dad. Thunder was defiantly close to the strong woman that becomes a core member of the Outsiders. The ending of the short shows how strong the hero is and how tough of a character he can be, though superman like throwing around his weight and less attacks with his powers, but still showing how effective he is as a hero against a heavy hitter like Doctor Polaris.

Lauren Montgomery was the storyboard artist for this short.
(She has a Blogspot and DeviantArt that's defunct)


In Under the Weather we see that the youngest daughter is feeling a bit sick. It's a classic single parent deal, since he needs to work, he gives his oldest daughter the role of parent. A great show of skill and strength from the Father as he delegates between his working life (battling the scum of the neighborhood) and family life. Showing that he's a force in the Superhero world and a caring Dad to his daughters. As our hero is flinged back to his home his littlest daughter sneezes a blast of lightning taking out the robotic threat. Jefferson Pierce smiles to the camera congratulating his daughter's winning battle.

Michael Goguen was the storyboard artist for this short.
(Can't find any social media connected to him, though if you can, post in the comments)

Tea Steeping is trying to relax after a hard day of keep Gom entertained.

The little automaton is (literally) full of energy when it comes to Supers.

I don't know Blair Underwood, that's a shame, since he was able to give a wonderful performance within 1 minute. I believed enough that he was Black Lightning, since his strong voice and heroic approach to this character was spot on. I hope that I see more from him and his work in the future.

Masasa Moyo, again is an actress that I don't know her body of work, though I've thumbed through her credits and I've been exposed to most of her employment. She preformed an excellent little sister and kept great energy for the 1 minute shorts. I'll keep a finer eye on her in the future, since I enjoy a lot of Canadian actors.

Then there's Cree Summer, I know this woman's voice in every form, since I've been following her career for awhile. She's been in just about every cartoon or TV show I've seen growing up. From Susie Carmichael to Freddie Brooks to Queen Kida to Foxxy Love to Numbuh 5, and that's just her diversity as an actor, she's a wonderful singer too. Within the shorts her performance and experience shows, embodying the role and showing great skill in her emotional range while keeping her voice confident as the oldest sister.

In short if you like fluid and beautifully designed animation, then this is for you, if you like strong characters, this is for you, if you like super short toons that are crafted as if they could become something longer than a minute and change, then you'll be watching these over and over.

Black History Month is an important time, not only for the past, but for the future. Celebrating and honoring those that should be remembered for their accomplishments and their achievements. Here at Cartoon Cyborg Cinema we give respect to this month and to everyone that's apart of Black history and Black Culture. This is a blog for Science Fiction, Fantasy, and the Weird, we'll be reviewing media of influential figures, fictional and real.

I trust you enjoyed the inspection, thank you for reading.
Support the creator, check out more from your local Library and watch the shorts.
If you want to stay up to date on our reviews, subscribe to this page.
Keep well and Stay well.

shorts SHORT Review: Wild

Wild

by Emily Hughes
Published by Flying Eye Books,
an imprint of Nobrow Ltd.

Welcome to shorts SHORT Review this month we've been focusing on space and for the second half I wanted to focus on adventure, our more wild side. That's what I love about Space Adventures, since space is another form of nature, it's natural and potentially infinite. Though when I enter a forest it feels the same, but virtually infinite. All the plants and lives that are whispered into the wilderness is impressive and otherworldly or abnormal, alien to my person and my mind. This is why I enjoyed reading Wild by Emily Hughes, who captured the feeling of the world and the forest perfectly from the point of view of someone that would feel it's large embrace.

The first thing that everyone sees is the cover of a book, it's the number one thing to get a person to pick it up and want to live in that world. For me I wanted to know the story of our moss-haired protagonist. My initial response to the cover "front to back this is an amazing book for Illustrators and Cartoonist"! Everything about this is filled with detail and texture, the palette used ample amounts of natural colors, which is prefect for this book and all of the attributes in it.

Not even the first page and I already know that I like this book, it's interesting, it's title page with the main character (who was on the cover) is our introduction to the book as a whole. Anyhow the true first page opens to a field of flowers with a stump, tree, crow, fox, and bear, also a little baby human. A lot is drawn to my eyes, the page's use of texture, the way the pencil and pen lines blend into fur and the tree bark reaches for the Sun. It's this skillful design work and well thought out placement of the characters interacting with the page and each other that make this book amazing. The Baby grows up, well to a toddle, but grows and her hair reflect her surrounding, it's a mess of moss and leaves and tangled vines. Nothing about it says a comb had anything to do with it's current design. Like Tarzan we see that she is learning from the animals, speaking and living as if one of them, without harm or fear.

Tea Steeping pondering her chores, deciding if they're so bad after all.

Till one day hunters snagged her hair in a bear trap, the interesting part about that is, Bear traps are outlawed. Now why this is interesting is that the time of this piece. It's a recently made book, though I think it's a period piece, set in the 1900, personally closer toward 1940 or 1950, since the attire of the characters feel like they're boarding the 1960's. This is the touch of a skilled illustrator, this is how one makes a picture pop, the characters and focal points all are cleaned and properly colored, giving a sentence on one side of the page and the other, through the drawing its self. Truly defining what the words mean and how much detail is in one part of the story.

The story starts off with a little girl that is brought up and born in nature, then is taken back to humanity and is out of place, confused and frustrated she fights her way out and dives back into the peace of nature, the wild and lives happily with those that treat her well and with the love she desires and comprehend. There's a classic question in this story "Nature V. Nurture", does one think that the little girl could have stayed with the Doctor and wife or was she always fated to live in the forest? I can talk about how I enjoy this style of illustrations and dissect each page with giddy glee, though I'll leave it all to your eyes. If you love wonderfully detail terrariums, then you will get this book and never put it down.

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

shorts SHORT Review: Romie-O and Julie-8

(Runaway Robots! Romie-O and Julie-8) 1979

Directed by Clive A. Smith
Adapted from William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
Screenplay by Kan Sobol and Elaine Pope
Produced by Michael Hirsh and Patrick Loubert
Production Studio Nelvana Limited
Distributor CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation)
Home Movie Distributor Warner Home Video

If there's one thing that you, my readers, my wonderful kith should know is my obsession with robots and cyborg beings. This might be the reason you're here too, you like automatons and animation. Then you're my type of people, but I knew that already, that's why we're friends. Though we gotta talk about another kind of relationship, or at the least a different type of mindset. Love, is an abstraction that's prayed for, created, and related into our culture and minds. A person's understanding changes from definition to definition, though through most people respect and loyalty are a basic necessity. The most famous version of love (or at the least the definition I gave) is in the work of William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Star-crossed lovers, yeah lustful teens seem more appropriate, since they never have enough time to get to know one another, but this isn't a fair analysis for the play. During the 1597 there wasn't much time for courting (dating) especially our modern version of it, also one's life was about mid-20's, 30 was old age, 70 was a wizard. Anyhow, androids don't have emotions (nor a clear age limit), unless programed into them, they don't even have a gender, unless installed. This Canadian made TV special breaths interesting life into the 1597 play, at times it feels playful and charming at other times it feel like a short from Heavy Metal. Though let's look a little deeper, let's cut into the thick of this piece and see the nuts and bolts of what makes it a fine cartoon.

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.