Uncanny Origins #12

I had said that I had decided to read this series to get pumped up for the upcoming Captain America: Civil War. Little did I know that I would be getting a primer for this November's Doctor Strange feature starring Benedict Cumberbatch (Sherlock.)

   With many of the silver age characters, I am pretty versed in their origins. (Thanks in very, very large part to the epic MARVEL SAGA series published from 1985-87.) The same goes for the Sorcerer Supreme. But there were some things that I didn't know, like the strained relationship between Stephen and his money hungry father and how it impacts the medical career of Doctor Strange. ( I had always wondered what made him so cold hearted towards his patients.)

  Another thing I had always questioned doesn't involve Stephen but his master, the Ancient One. I couldn't figure out why he would allow Baron Mordo to continue learning in the Ancient One’s Himalayan refuge if the teacher knew that his pupil was so evil. The strategy behind that decision is finally explored here and I was quite pleased with the answer.

   I really liked this issue. I had been on the fence about going to see Doctor Strange in theaters as he's not been my favorite character. I'm not very big on characters that deal with the occult. Monsters and Ghosts are one thing but witchcraft stories have to be more light-hearted like Shadowpact or Harry Potter. But I'll be there in theaters this fall thanks in very large part to the amazing story contained within this issue. The only thing missing is the awesome animated series style art of Dave Hoover that started off this series.

Worth Consuming

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood (Family Comic Friday)

 

  Folks, I promise, this is the last Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales that I will be reviewing for a while. But I saved the best for last! Treaties, Trenches, Mud, and Blood recounts the very complicated history of World War I.

   I have to say, it took a history major in college like myself having to read a child's graphic novel to finally understand what was behind the Great War! And I am not the only one who doesn't know why it started. (Why even Rachel and Pheobe on FRIENDS once agreed that Mexico were the baddies in the War to End All Wars!)

    Yes, everyone to some degree can say that the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria was the lynchpin that set the whole thing off. But why was that guy's death was so gosh darn important to start the biggest war in world history up that that point? Author Nathan Hale and his cartoon counterpart, the American patriot Nathan Hale cleared that up for me and what a way did he do it!

   In a visual medium like a graphic novel, it's nearly impossible to draft such a story for young readers to be able to understand. Some battles of World War I had armies from dozens of nations fighting at the same time, wearing the same looking uniforms. In able to help the reader keep these nation's straight, Hale adopted the use of an animal for each party. For example, the British were represented by bulldogs while the Germans were falcons or hawks, a national symbol for both. It was pretty clever and I applaud Hale for doing it.

   Even though Hale used funny animals to tell this tale, he didn't make light of the situation. In fact, he even goes so far as to have the narrator of the story point out that this is such a serious and important moment in world history, that it wouldn't be prudent to use such devices. But, the often confused Executioner character in this series points out the importance in keeping each army noticeable with using a symbol of national pride to keep each party from being confused with another. It's a rather brilliant idea.

    I love this series. I learn so very much and I am rather thoroughly entertaining by this series. Getting to read 3 books in this series in a row has been a fun little binge read. But I too, like the Executioner character must be reminded that the events in these books are about serious, oft too tragic events. But there's nothing wrong with making learning fun again.

    I've been taking an online class on teaching methods and this week we've been learning about critical thinking and ways to incorporate elements that with allow a student to be able to expand their thought processes. This book, though a little cartoony and a tiny bit silly, is an excellent tool that will help readers of all ages think about the major players of the first world war, why it started, and the horrors of war itself. In the back of each of the book is a list of suggested further reads (that are also age appropriate!) If your child has any interest in further learning about any of the subjects in covered in the Hazardous Tales, be sure to check those other books out!

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

The Mighty ISIS #1

  Today's review is of one of the most controversial comics being debated today- the Mighty ISIS #1! When this book first hit store shelves back in 1976, it was meet with very little fanfare. Which for DC was terrible because they invested millions in a live action Shazam/ ISIS kids show. Though the show was a ratings failure, it became a cult classic. So much that by 1980, reruns were still being aired years after both heroes fought their last battles. And I looked forward to their antics every Saturday morning!

   So jump forward to today in which on social media sites I see the cover to this issue being hotly debated. It shows up at least once a week! The question often asked about it is ‘I saw this for a sweet deal, but  am I wrong to buy it?’ Or ‘ should this comic be banned, burned or destroyed?’

   By the way, if you think this book sharing the same moniker as a certain militant Islamic terrorist group is the reason for this consternation, then you would be right? Case in point, about a month ago when I found this book, I happily showed it to my wife and mother-in-law. While my bride understood my delight in finding ISIS #1, my in-law asked: “ Why would anyone want that?”

  See my mother-in-law thought like a lot of folks do on Facebook and thought that this was a comic that glorified the Islamic state. (or that by owning it would me that they were pro-ISIS.) After a couple of seconds of thought, I think I gave the perfect response that I encourage anyone who is a fan of the Egyptian goddess superhero. “I've been a fan of Isis for almost 40- years,’ I exclaimed,’ I haven't given up on her yet and if I give up on her now, the terrorists win. I'm buying it!’ And I did just that. A couple of nights later, I popped the tape on my mylar bag and gave ISIS #1 a read. 

This series involved a meek science teacher who does what all science teachers do on summer break, went on an archeological dig in Egypt (I guess all the history teachers go to work at a wildlife preserve in the DC Universe.) Anyways, the teacher finds an amulet which bestows her with the powers of the Egyptian goddess, the Mighty ISIS!

   ISIS conducts all sorts of mythical spells that involves clever rhymes. Assisting her is a magical black named Tut, that she shares a mental link with. And she's a fairly decent fighter.

   In this first issue, ISIS must battle an ancient Egyptian priest was was freed from his slumber in a miniature pyramid that has been moved to a museum in the US. He too speaks in rhymes and by the time the dust settles, I will have felt like I just attended a poetry slam.

   I enjoyed this little time capsule from my childhood. It still holds up pretty well for a 40-year old comic based on a kid's TV show. It just amazing how time has changed it from beloved cult hit to being viewed as propaganda for the evilest force facing the free world today. But I assure you, the hype is all guilt by association.

  Worth Consuming

  Rating : 8 out of 10 stars.

Ant-Man, Volume 1: Second-Chance Man (Marvel NOW!)

 

 After a pretty hard life in the Big Apple, Scott Lang follows his daughter to sunny Miami. Lang hasn't always been there for Cassie, what with being in jail and all, so he decides to stay close after his ex-wife relocates to the Sunshine state. The second Ant-Man hopes to capitalize on his name recognition and he starts up a new security business. Along with a fellow reformed super-villain named the Grizzly (who mistakingly tries to kill Scott after believing he is the Ant-Man who sent him to the slammer!), things seem to be going great at this new business (except for the customers who mistake him for an exterminator...) 

   But Scott should know not to look on the bright side for too long as a trio of his old foes has arrived on the scene, gunning for revenge. Just don't call them his arch-enemies, okay? These baddies do have a reputation to uphold!

    I liked this series. It did a fairly decent job playing off of the events that occurred in last year's Ant-Man movie. Author Nick Spencer has Lang be the narrator for this volume and I think that was a great idea. Spencer seems to really be able to get into our anti-hero's head and with that being said, I really can hear actor Paul Rudd's voice throughout this book. This Ant-Man has all the mannerisms, quirks, and foibles of the actor who is set to portray the diminutive character for a number of upcoming Marvel films. It was brilliant.

   There are just two little things that I think are missing from this series. The first thing is that I think Miami was a little bit of a mistake. In the Ant-Man film, the lead character lives and operates in San Francisco. Now, I know that in the comics all of the characters operate out of New York and that's where this story opens up. But I also know that Marvel wants the books to more closely resemble the films. So, instead of Scott pick up stakes and move to Miami, Spencer should have him set up in the Golden Gate area.

   The other issue I had was an editorial problem. This series only ran for 5 issues and an annual. The short run is all likely due to the massive shakeup of Secret Wars. But Second-Chance Man only contains issues 1-5! Where is the annual at? Is it going to be reprinted somewhere else? And more importantly, why isn't it contained in this volume?

   This was a great book, though a little incomplete. Hopefully, after Secret Wars, we'll continue the adventures of Scott and Cassie Lang. I gotta say, if Marvel doesn't return to the adventures of this Ant-Man, they'll be coming up 'short' on a perfect opportunity involving a fascinating character.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9.5 out of 10 stars.

Imaginary Friends

  A ragtag bunch of characters with special powers is called together to save all of reality from being destroyed. This kinda sounds like your typical Justice League or Avengers tale. Only these characters are all imaginary and their powers are so strange (Miss Capicola has the ability to manifest meat whereas JoJo the Clown can make anything out of balloons), they wouldn't qualify as members of the Legion of Substitute Heroes. 

   I know this all sounds bizarre but it actually works. This imaginative tale takes something that we can all relate to- the imaginary friend- and it spins the concept on its ear. With adventures that will take you from the depths of the Boogey Man's house all the way to a Santa's Land beyond your wildest dreams or in this case, nightmares, everything you think you know about beings of dream and fantasy is actually worse than you can imagine. 

   The art was a little off. Everything is heavily inked. It looks like it was all done on a computer but without those annoying pixeled edges. It's all quite surreal looking but I think that's the point. 

   That being said, I want more of Imaginary Friends! Jason M. Burns crafts a world that while comprised of characters that every child from ages 1-92 knows by heart, it's all completely new territory here. I just hate that the book kinda ends very abruptly and that one of the main characters to the story (unrevealed as to not give up spoilers) is straight out forgotten and I really wanted to know how they turned out after the conclusion of these exciting events. 

   Imaginary Friends is perfect for fans of Harry Potter, Rise of the Guardians, and fantasy in general. If I had the money, I'd buy the rights to turn this into a movie or a TV miniseries event. Or even better, start a Kickstarter campaign to get a sequel published. It was that enjoyable a ride!

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

   

Troubled Waters

    

   This graphic novel is perhaps the rarest book I have. Not because it's old or that only a handful of copies exist. Troubled Waters is rare because it was originally published or released in the 15 or so member states of the European Union. That's right, this graphic novel was designed Office for Official Publications of the European Communities of the European Parliament specifically for the peoples of the EU!

    This Belgium book was released in 2003 to help (mostly) students to understand the ins and outs of the European Union. Apparently, it got the job done as this book won the 30th Annual International Comic Stip Festival's Alph-Art for 'best campaign using the comic strip medium.' So, with all that said, how did this book end up here in North Carolina?

   I found Troubled Waters at the monthly Dollar Book Sale in Raleigh. I love to collect comics, of course. But one of my favorite type of comics to collect are publications sponsored by organizations and corporations as a sort of tie-in to teach and inform about some sort of concept. Whether it be a blatant 32-page ad for Subway subs or a Supergirl adventure about the importance of using seat belts, if it's a freebie comic used to educate or advertise, I want it in my collection. And that's why I grab this book when I saw it!

   Along with being an educational tool about how bills become law in the European Parliament, Troubled Waters is also a little bit of a spy thriller. Irina Vega is a member of the Parlament and she's just brought forth a clean water bill. But someone isn't happy with her sweeping measures and is making threats to her and some of her environmental activist friends. When a mystery man presents her with some vials of polluted water to test, Irina will need her wits and luck to make sure her bill gets passed and that no one gets hurt or worse.

    This was an interesting read, mostly because of its country of origin. But I think that also caused a bit of disconnect with me. The book contains a number of signs and artwork in French. While the dialogue is written in English, I think this book was originally written in French. That being said, I don't think the transcription was that very good. It's like a poor game of Telephone in which a Japanese spoken Godzilla movie was translated into Spanish and then dubbed in English. Something just got lost in translation.

   Sadly, the art's not all that good either. The characters hardly look the same from panel to panel. I'm not one to talk, I am not a great artist. But when you have dozens of characters in a story, you need to be able to keep them straight. On the flip side, this artwork is very similar to another Belgian work, Herge's Tintin, in both color palette and inking.

   I'm gonna keep this book even though I had trouble with it. I just did an Amazon search for this book and I can't even find it there. It's a hard one to find. But it is an interesting case study that I recommend you check out if you get the chance. Just don't pay more than I did for this- about a buck.

   Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Uncanny Origins #11

  Up until the publication of this issue in 1997-98, there were 3 people to carry the mantle of the Black Knight in the Marvel Universe. The first was Percival from King Arthur's Court, who bore a sword forged by Merlin that could only be defeated by one that wielded this sword’s counterpart. (OK, stop right there! Why create a powerful tool only to give it an equally powerful way to stop it? Seems stupid to me. Or is this like Batman having some kryptonite to keep Superman in check?)

Anyways, centuries later, a curse was bonded to the sword in which if anyone kills with it, even accidentally, it turns the killer evil. A biologist named Nathan Garrett becomes possessed by the blade and becomes the villainous Black Knight. But Garrett's reign of terror is short-lived and he is killed.

  Enter Dane Whitman, nephew of Garrett. He discovers that his uncle was the Black Knight but he decides to go on the path of good. Tell that to the Avengers as they still think this is the evil version of the Black Knight and mayhem ensues when Dane tries to save them from Magneto and later Kang.

  This all seems pretty straight forward, right? Well somebody forgot to post the memo to issue writer Glenn Herdling, because this was the most convoluted story that I have read in a long time. This book has flashbacks, flash forwards and even a flashback hiccup (that's when you flashback to someone else who then has a flashback in their flashback. Confusing, ain't it?) Another issue is that because of this excessive jumping around in the Marvel timeline, some potholes are left wide open and seemingly forgotten. Only I didn't forget!  (This is also another one of those times where a bibliography would've come in handy, as I have little idea where most of this takes place and I'd like some closure!)

   Along with the plot, the art wasn't all that great either. Dane doesn't look the same one panel to the next. Proportions of characters were all wrong and it looked like someone was trying to copy Rob Liefeld a bit too much.

  This was such a disappointment. I really like the character of the Black Knight- good or bad. But they just don't do him justice. And that my friends is a true crime!

Not Worth Consuming.

Rating: 3 out of 10 stars.

   

Wolff & Byrd, Counselors of the Macabre: Supernatural Law

   Before it became a comic book, Wolff and Byrd: Counselors of the Macabre ran as a comic strip in a prestigious law journal as well as several small publications in the North East. This book collects some of those storylines that were published in the mid-80s. Cringe in fear of the possessed moppet that terrorizing Long Island! Shriek in terror at the thought of unraveling 1000 years of Arthurian Legend copyright law! Be amazed at the smug lawyer who developed the world's largest brain! Wonder at the CHUDs that live in Manhattan’s sewers, desperate for free legal advice!

   This is classic B- movie fodder, folks… and I love it! But these were some rough stories.

  Though this book doesn't contain the very first Wolff and Byrd strips, it appears that creator Barton Lash still had some kinks to work out before finally hitting upon that magic formula that made Supernatural Law one of my favorite Indy comics of all-time. The art is rough, but that is mostly due to Lash having to squeeze so much into a tiny 3- panel strip. However, Mavis does look quite right, Wolff's sister is unrecognizable, and what's going on with Byrd's hair?

  The stories are missing something as well. For the most part, Lash's later works are brilliant satires and wry parodies. In this volume, I don't think he could decide yet whether to be serious and scary or go full on tongue-in-cheek. But by the last third of the book, when you get to the Beauty and the Beast TV Show parody, something clicks and it's like Barton Lash has finally discovered his alchemical formula for comics gold!

  You know a lot of classic TV series have early episodes that for one reason or another don't seem quite right for one reason or another and experienced some growing pains. The first season of Newhart wasn't surreal enough. MASH tried to be too much like the movie version at first. And speaking of Growing Pains, that series didn't take off until it stopped focusing on Alan Thicke as the lead role and on the kids and their silly adventures instead.

  It's one reason why I still give this book a high mark. The process of evolution for the Counselors of the Macabre was more enjoyable than some of the early stories. George Washington didn't wake up and was suddenly the Father of Our Country. It took time filled with victories and defeats.

   Our society is so willing to pooh-pooh something that doesn't work right off the bat. Biggest case in point lately is the Batman V Superman movie. I think the Justice League sequels will dwarf the quality of this year's blockbuster. But it needs time and that's what Batton Lash needed to get this project off the ground.

  Worth Consuming

  Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: The Underground Abductor (Family Comic Friday)

 )

  Just the other day, the Secretary of the Treasury announced that Harriet Tubman

would be the first woman to grace the $20 bill. In a sure twist of coincidental fate,  

at the same time, I was reading an appropriate graphic novel for my selection 

of this week's Family Comic Friday. The series was the fantastic Nathan Hale's

Hazardous Tales. The subject- an abolitionist named Harriet Tubman.

  Nathan Hale's captors have enjoyed his history lessons. However, the British

General is tired of the United States coming off smelling like roses. So he 

challenges Hale to tell a story of America's greatest shame. In response, 

the patriot prisoner speaks of slavery in the antebellum South.

  The subject of Hale's latest tale is a young slave named Minty. Life has been 

hard for her, forced to work in dank swamps, is beaten by her superiors, and 

constantly in fear of being sold and moved away from her family. To make 

matters worse, Minty is struck with severe narcolepsy after a head injury.

  But Minty's injury turns out to be a blessing in disguise as she gets visions 

during her sleeping spells. One such vision encouraged Minty to flee to the North. 

The trek is fraught with danger as the girl must avoid bounty hunters seeking to 

recapture the runaway slave.

In a symbolic gesture, young Minty changes her name to Harriet as she crosses

over into the North. But this will not be Harriet's last trip to the South. Over the

next few years, Harriet Tubman would venture back and forth over the 

Mason- Dixon line to rescue the family she left behind. But the abolitionist will 

lead more than just her loved ones to freedom along the Underground Railroad.   

Harriet becomes a legend unto herself, with the reputation of never losing an 

escaped slave to sickness or bounty hunters on her numerous trips to freedom.

Harriet is eventually given another nickname, Moses. Like the great Hebrew

leader who lead the Jewish people to freedom from Egyptian enslavement, 

Harriet helps to lead her enslaved people on an exodus to the free North and 

eventually Canada.

Today is a special time as it is the main night of the Passover Seder. I didn't 

plan to read this because of that connection of Tubman to Moses. This all was

coincidence, even with the Treasury announcement, choosing this book. I 

managed to get my hands on 3 new NHHTs at my local library the other day. 

Plus, I am sad to say that much of what I read in this book was first time

knowledge despite years of Black History Month activities commenced in

my schooling. (That's private schools in the South for ya folks!)

  But I learned something new about the NHHTs that I had overlooked. I 

noticed that the art in this book was all shades of purple and that just didn't 

make sense to me. That's until I realized that the book's cover was chosen 

to represent the dark of night in which most of the action of this book takes 

place. I double checked Alamo All-Stars (the last NHHT I had read and 

reviewed) and I was right. That book's cover is yellow and the art in that

volume is tinted all shades of canary to reflect the desert landscape and 

terracotta scenery. This little bit of art knowledge just makes me love this 

book series even more

  I usually don't luck out in reading something so topical unless I plan ahead

weeks in advance. With Mrs. Tubman going to be the newest Star of purses 

and wallets nationwide, now it the best time to read The Underground

Abductor. In my opinion, by doing so, it would so make the history come that 

much more alive. So if you have a little one interested in learning just who is 

that lady is taking Andrew Jackson's place on the 20, you must use this book

as a great resource. It's a fantastic read that shouldn't be overlooked.

Worth Consuming

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Uncanny Origins #10

    Issue #10 gets catty with the origin of the Spider-Man anti-hero the Black Cat. After reading this issue, I've learned that her backstory is something that I had no idea of! Guess this is what happens when pretty much all you've read about Ms. Alicia Hardy is in the pages of Ultimate Spider-Man.

   This was an exciting story but it reads a little too much like the pages of Batman with Black Cat playing the role of Catwoman. Let's look at this a bit. Alicia Hardy learns that her father is a famous burglar. Wanting to follow in his footsteps, Hardy takes on the persona of Black Cat as she aims to become the world's greatest cat burglar. When she learns that her father is dying in prison, Alicia takes it upon herself to hook up with some of the Big Apple's worst in order to bust him out and allow him to die at home. 

   But in her way is Your Neighborhood's Friendly Spider-Man. He seeks to bring her down. She hopes to bag her a superhero. With romance in the wings, Spider-Man must choose whether to defeat her or assist her. 

   See, I told you this was basically Batman...

   Regardless, this was a good read. I enjoyed it but I really couldn't get over the similarities between Black Cat and Catwoman. But I would be willing to read more of the strange dynamic between Black Cat and Spidey. 

   Worth Consuming.

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

   

The Sherlock Holmes Puzzle Collection

  When I found this book, I was so excited. I have been on a Sherlock kick recently having discovered the Benedict Cumberbatch series on PBS. So when I found this puzzle book, I thought I would get to be like the famous detective and solve some crimes.

  The book is setup just like the original novels by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle with Dr. John Watson as the narrator. This time, the prose is in the form of Watson's notebook containing some of Holmes lesser known ( and so extent, less exciting mysteries- unpublished of course!) With the answers in the back, I thought that this would be like Donald J Sobol's Encyclopedia Brown series that I adored as a kid. (who am I kidding, I still do!) Yet I would have to venture that about 75% of this book reads like the SATs!

   With complicated word plays, lengthy math problems, logic puzzles, and blasted fractions, this book was hard. It didn't help that these puzzles get more and more difficult as the book progresses. Plus, some of the more tricky puzzles unfairly require the reader to have a general knowledge of life in Victorian England in order to solve them.

  By the end of the book, these contests were so difficult to even comprehend that I was pretty much rushing through them. I was that flustered with this book. I think you've got to be a member of MENSA to enjoy the second half of this book. And if you aren't, you’re going to need a pen, paper and possibly a calculator and dictionary to solve them.

  I enjoyed the artwork, some of which were original pieces by Sydney Paget, illustrator of Doyle's stories when first published in London's The Strand magazine. This is a lovely little book for serious Sherlock enthusiasts but for a comparative novice of Holmes and Watson like me, it's going straight to a used bookstore for trade credit.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Uncanny Origins #9

   One thing very interesting about this issue is that it is revealed that Ororo and T’challa ( Black Panther) DID know each other as children. See I kinda thought this relationship was retconned prior to the two getting married in 2006. Knowing this bit of information has got me wanting to read their wedding story soon. (plus, I might have that story in trade form, so I need to check on that.) This leads me to one thing that not only this origins series is missing, but just about all of them are without- sources!

   How awesome would it be if, at the end of this book, the editors gave a list of important issues that these events were covered? This issue was written 9 years before the marriage of T’challa and Storm. So their first meeting had to occur somewhere.  I would appreciate a small checklist of issues or a suggested reading list in order to find that.

  (I know that in this day and age that I could find this info on my phone or laptop. But sometimes when you are binge reading, you don't want to stop and login for the material you're looking for. Call me lazy if you want- I think this is a great idea!)

Worth Consuming

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Uncanny Origins #8

   The most thrilling mutant of all stars in this issue of Uncanny Origins- the Swashbuckling Nightcrawler! As I've mentioned in earlier posts, Nightcrawler is one of my favorite X-Men. But the series that made me such a fan wasn't Claremont's epic run on the All-New X-Men but his Anglocentric series, Excalibur in which Nightcrawler and Kitty Pryde form a group across the pond when they think that their American teammates have died.

   But this origin story takes place decades for either team has formed with the mutant Mystique on the run from angry villagers who think her blue appearance and yellow eyes are signs that she is a demon. To save her skin, she dumps her baby boy into the river and takes the appearance of a preacher, claiming that he has killed the devil! Wow- mom of the year!

   The child turns out to be Nightcrawler, who in a page from Exodus, is found safely by a gypsy woman who adopts him as her son. Named Kurt, the young mutant grows up living every kid's dream as a member of the circus. This is actually a great thing for Nightcrawler as audiences think that his blue furred appearance is a costume and that his ability to teleport is the result of smoke and mirrors. 

   I really enjoyed this issue. It revealed a lot about the hero that I didn't know. It also boasts a very good story. For once, this series crafts an all-encompassing story that spans the years. But instead of just being a whirlwind barrage of facts. This was an actual epic that had a great plot and didn't skimp on the specifics or the small stuff. The guest creative team of Bill Rosemann and Marc Campos did a masterful job, though, in reality, I miss the art of Dave Hoover.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

   
   

Uncanny Origins #7

  The complicated relationship between Eddie Brock and the alien symbiote that turns him into Venom is explored in this issue. From Peter Parker first coming across the parasitic creature in the pages of Secret Wars to later bonding with disgraced reporter Brock after Parker rejects his alien 'suit' to the pair becoming a vigilante type anti-hero who seeks to destroy Spider-Man, all of Venom's history is explored right up to 1997. 

   So here's what confuses me- the cover states that this issue is 'the deadly debut of Spider-Man's Nastiest Nemesis.' Was that a typo? Poor editing? 

   At the point of this issue of Uncanny Origins being published, the Symbiote has been around for over a decade as well as the character of Eddie Brock. Their fusion into Venom occurred about 2 years afterwards. So, again, I ask, how is this the debut of Venom? 

   Oddly enough, I think this is why the issue was so gosh darn hard for me to find. It was the last issue I needed to complete my collection of this series and it cost me almost $10 (compared to spending only about a buck a pop for the rest.) Yes, Venom is a popular character but I think some fans mistakenly think this is the debut of the Spider-Man villain thanks to the cover blurb. 

   Well, folks, I am here to tell you that it's not.

   A good issue with more fantastic art by Dave Hoover. It's definitely worth reading and was worth the search, but it's not a key issue in regards to the character. So, make sure if you seek out this issue that you don't pay an arm and a leg.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Silly Willy Winston in the Adventures of Pirate Snout (A Family Comic Friday Extra)

  I won a free copy of this children's book on Goodreads recently. It seems like the only thing I win on that sight but hey- I love to win free books. So who's complaining?!

   This book is about a loveable basset hound named Winston and his best friend, a boy named Aiden. Together the pair goes on a series of fun adventures with Winston taking on a secret persona each time to go with his super powered ears and even more spectacular nose. During these moments of exploration, Winston can become the canine hero Super Snout, or trek through the jungle as Explorer Snout. In this book, the hound dog dons a tri-cornered hat and becomes Pirate Snout, leading Aiden on a quest to discover hidden treasure below the ocean and maybe even a shipwreck in a secluded desert! Plus, there are tons of cool sea creatures to discover on this voyage across the seven seas.

   This was an interesting book. There were lots of neat facts and historical information that had me going 'Huh!' I was thoroughly entertained and I was a little bit jealous that I didn't have kids books like these when I was a kid. 

   The combination of humor, action, and learning reminded me of the Magic School Bus books I used to read to my kid sister when she was in kindergarten. Books like Silly Willy Winston make learning fun and I think that is a lesson that is sorely missing in most of the media outlets devoted to kids. Keep up the good work, Winston!

   Another thing I really enjoyed about this book was the art. There is a wide variety of different techniques that made this seem like I was peering into a magical textbook on archeology and pirate lore. The renderings of both Aiden and Winston are really good. But whereas Aiden looks airbrushed and rounded, Winston looks pixelated like maybe he was drawn using MS Paint. Again, neither look is bad but I would've liked to have seen both characters on the same page drawn in the same style. That sort of consistency just would've have made the artwork pop that much more.

   Kudos to series creator Donna Maguire. She took her beloved pet Winston and turned him into a children's book superstar. Right now there are 5 books about Silly Willy Winston and they can be found on Amazon or even iTunes! Check them out and open your child up to a world of adventures and silliness.

   Recommended for readers 7-8 but those younger than 7 can enjoy this too if a family member or friend will help out with the big words.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: Alamo All-Stars (Family Comic Friday)

Patriot Nathan Hale takes his captors back through his magic history book on another adventure through time. Joining him this time around is his Mexican counterpart Vincente Guerrero and a trio of guards to give a comprehensive account of the battle of the Alamo and the struggle for Texas Independence. Like the book’s title suggests, the cast of players is an all-star lineup of Old West history including Stephen F. Austin, Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, and that untamed wild man Jim Bowie.

   I wish there was something like Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales when I was growing up. This series is funny, exciting, and just a little bit dangerous. But above all, these books are informative. What I thought I knew about the Alamo compared to what I discovered reading this graphic novel couldn't have filled a thimble respectively.

Though this book is about a terrible tragedy and lots of people die, it's not gory or overly graphic. There are a few swears, mostly mild and used in reference to quotes taken from actual documents- but they're there. Recommended for kids 10 and up. But this isn't a series just for kids. NHHT has a grown up following of readers as well like me.

   Alamo All-Stars was published just this year. So hopefully, there will be further adventures hosted by Nathan Hale ( and his squad of research babies) on the horizon. I vote for a book on the Titanic, Al Capone, and the Gunfight at the OK Corral as possible ideas to be explored next.

Worth Consuming

Rating:  10 out of 10 stars.

The Vampire Brat: And Other Tales of Supernatural Law

  Wolff and Byrd, the Counselors of the Macabre, tackle their most hair-raising case yet when a teenage vampire hybrid is outed and targeted by a young vampire hunter in training in the halls of his high school. It's a story of Buffy- proportions! Afterward, the lawyers decide to celebrate their firm's success and throw an office party that gets interrupted by a time traveling client from the future. Then Wolff and Byrd explore the Id and Ego when another young client hires the firm after his imaginary friend destroys a large chunk of Manhattan.

    Meanwhile, everyone's favorite secretary, Mavis, has her own troubles to deal with. First, her pesky boyfriend Toby asks for Mavis' hand in marriage only to end up being betrothed himself to a spectral bride. Then, Toby decides to up and move to Hollywood while a crush from Mavis' past returns wanting to possibly heat things up. It looks like Mavis has got some choices to make but can she keep up her duties at the law firm while finally figuring out what she wants in love and life? 

   Batton Lash takes things to the next level. But I'm not so sure if it was the right move... 

   One of the things I enjoy so much about this series is how it skewers the horror/ sci-fi/ and pop culture genres. I also enjoy how each chapter is full of intertwining storylines but you can read each issue as a self-contained story and not be lost. But the level of soap opera antics involving love triangles, unrequited love, and sappy romances that took over some of the stories just a little too much. Plus, Wolff's sister whose become the firm's new receptionist is too much and I hope they write her off real soon.

   Vampire Brat was a little too much Young Lawyers in Love as opposed to a campier version of Dark Shadows. I haven't given up on this series, but I hope that future offerings return back to Supernatural Law's original formula- QUICK!

  Worth Consuming

   Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Uncanny Origins #6

   

  Featuring everyone's favorite blue furred mutant, the Beast, this issue of Uncanny Origins is proof that you can do an overall general history of a character and be entertaining, engaging, and still be all encompassing in just 32 pages or so. Writer Michael Higgins (Big Hero 6), does an excellent job of covering just about every aspect of the Beast's life. From the nuclear accident that causes his father to pass on mutated genes to becoming a football star, to his days as an X-Man to Avenger and back again- everything you wanted to know about Hank McCoy is here- including his ever-mutating body image!

    Dave Hoover returns with his animated art style and every page is killer! I'm really starting to become a fan of his...

   Speaking of fandom, I must confess that Beast is probably my favorite of all the X-Men. Yet, when I list favorite characters of all-time, I always overlook him for Nightcrawler and Colossus and I can't put my finger as to why that is. Hank McCoy is smart, funny, daring, and visually when he's all blue and furry, one of the most eye appealing characters of all-time. This is the issue that will help you too fall in love with one of the founding members of the X-Men- even if some of the more glamorous and gritty mutants tend to overshadow him.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Uncanny Origins #5

Madman Dig Cover!

     Issue #5 examines the ends and outs of the fateful day that Dr. Robert Bruce Banner was exposed to gamma rays and unleashed a Hulk upon the world. Like the last issue, this is more of a story of Hulk's first 24-hours on earth than a who's who in the Hulk mythos. Though I have read this story in the original form of Incredible Hulk #1 almost 100 times, the Uncanny Origins version of Hulk's origin does offer some things that I never knew (and always wondered about) like just how and why did Rick Jones end up on that bombing test range- especially if it's supposed to be on a secure army base!

   The last 2-3 pages give a very good general overview of the Hulk's life story after his first night. Though it's not explained why the Hulk goes from only coming out at night to whenever Dr. Banner gets agitated. Another thing completely glossed over it Hulk's part as a founding member of the Avengers. I know that this is the behemoth's solo story but his whole troubled history with Earth's Mightest Heroes is such an integral part of his history, I am surprised that the creative team doesn't even devote one little panel to it.

   Regardless of my small problems with this issue, it's a very good read. It's very well written by Glenn Greenberg (Dracula: Lord of the Undead) and the art was excellent. For the past 4 issues, Dave Hoover has done an exceptional job transforming the Marvel Universe to look more like the DC cartoon universe. X-Factor's Pablo Raimondi pencils this issue and to be honest, I couldn't really tell that this series had switched artists on me. 

   Killer cover by the way!

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.
   

Uncanny Origins #4

Issue #4 stars one of the cosmic stars of the Marvel Universe. OK, Firelord is more of a third tier character, but that last sentence was a pretty good pun you must admit. I am actually at a loss as to why they chose Firelord as this issue's subject. With every issue thus far about mutant characters, I was convinced that Uncanny Origins was an X-men title.

  So why the sudden switch and focus on one of the heralds of Galactus?

  I didn't get my answer until the end of this book where there were a couple of full page tributes to writer/editor Mark Gruenwald, who died suddenly a few weeks before the publication of UC4. Gruenwald was tackling the editing job for this series when he past. As a tribute to him, they chose one of his favorite characters from his epic run on Thor in the 80s- that being Firelord.

  The previous issues have been more of a rough overview of the early life and times of that issue's focus. This issue was mostly an honest to god story, focusing on a cadet of the Nova Corps, named Kril. When his commanding officer is abducted by Galactus, the corpsman makes it his mission to save his superior and friend.

  Years will pass before human and force of nature finally meet. But to uncover the fate of his missing companion, Kril has to make the ultimate sacrifice, giving up his life as a human and becoming the next herald Galactus. Once the transformation is made, the new Firelord will finally get the answer he's long sought. Believe me when I say it's the ultimate twist of irony!

  This is the best issue of the bunch ( so far, of course…) and it's not because this issue doesn't focus on mutants either. The writing by James Felder is quite good. Plus Dave Hoover does another bang up job on the artwork. But I think what made this issue stand out was the dedication of the Marvel bullpen to put out a loving eulogy to their fallen friend Gruenwald in the form of a comic.

  Worth Consuming

  Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.