Riffing on the TARDIS: A Review of Rifftrax Live The Five Doctors

For many it was a weekly ritual. You grab a bag of cheese popcorn, some generic version of Dr. Pepper, dim all the lights in your house, and watch Mystery Science Theatre 3000. If you were a super-fan of the show you called it MST3K. Then you allowed hosts Joel or Mike with their robot sidekicks to take you on a cinematic journey. Mocking some of the worst films ever made, the gang would point out plot holes, continuity errors, and bad acting all the while making you laugh.

Currently MST3K has returned for a new season on Netflix. While this series has garnered some very high praise in its revival, the reboot doesn’t have any of the original cast. For many, that can be a major bummer. Not having Netflix is another a huge downer, but that’s a discussion for another article. Thankfully, for those fans devoted to the original series there’s Rifftrax.

What's a Rifftrax?

Rifftrax takes what MST3K did best- finding cheesy movies, the worse you can find (La lala), and tearing them to bits. Second MST3K host, Mike Nelson started Rifftrax in 2006. But it wasn’t until 2012 when Bill Corbett ("Crow" MST3K seasons 8-10) and Kevin Murphy ("Tom Servo" MST3K seasons 2-10) became partners in the company that Rifftrax really took off.
On its website, Rifftrax has an impressive selection of films that they mock. There’s classic B-movies such as Samurai Cop and the Brian Bosworth bomb, Stone Cold. Thanks to Kickstarter, Rifftrax has even been able to obtain rights to films like 1998’s version of Godzilla. Along with the a large portion of the original MST3K shows, Rifftrax’s also provides commentaries you can listen to in conjunction with watching blockbusters such as Rogue One and even the original Mothra. But let’s get back to their Kickstarter projects.

Kickstart those Laughs

Earlier this year, Rifftrax held a mystery Kickstarter project. Due to terms of the licensing agreement, Nelson and company were forbidden to reveal what the film they were going to be skewering unless they obtained complete funding for their project. Well, the Rifftrax guys destroyed their goal and the project was revealed- the guys would be putting their comedic spin on a classic episode of Doctor Who! The BBC apparently did not want to get any hopes up until they knew that the Rifftrax folks could obtain funding for the licensing rights. As a result, Rifftrax put on a special show live last week from Nashville TN where the episode was aired in theaters around the country. Last night was an encore performance of that classic Doctor Who event.

The episode in question was "The Five Doctors"- the 20th anniversary episode of the long-running BBC series. That episode has a slew of classic Doctors and companions joining forces against a rogue Timelord who is stealing all of the Doctor’s past regenerations from the time stream. The 1983 episode stars Peter Davison, Jon Pertwee, and Patrick Thornton as the Fifth, Third, and Second Doctors. 

Blake’s 7 actor Richard Hurndall assumed the role on the First Doctor for the late William Hartnell. Meanwhile, Tom Baker decided to forgo his chance to reprise the role of the Fourth Doctor. So never before used footage from the abandoned episode "Shada" was used instead.

The Rifftrax guys did a fantastic job allowing the fans to laugh at the episode and follow along more of what was happening at the same time. Occasionally, the screen would cut in half allowing viewers to see the episode while watching the shenanigans of Mike Nelson and company. Thankfully, these cuts all happen during lulls in the action. Every once in a while, you hear the commentators giggling at their own jokes but for the most part, it ran rather smoothly.

Technical Difficulties

That wasn’t the case with the opening act. On some episodes of MST3K, they would start off the show by viewing a classic educational film and mock it. Being that Doctor Who is British, the Rifftrax folks went across the pond to bring us Play Safe. According to Kevin Murphy, in the early 70s there was a big problem with kids playing near power lines and inside of substations. So the British government created this film as a way of warning kids of the dangers of high voltage. While there were plenty of laughs made at dumb kids playing with electricity for the first 2-3 minutes, the Rifftrax guys had trouble seeing the monitors and kept asking the tech crew for help. But once it was cleared, it was smooth sailing the rest of the night. Needless to say, the electrocution of little Timmy was a running joke for the duration of the event.

It was great getting to laugh without being reminded of all the crap going on in the world. Only a few jokes were topical.  There was one joke about the next Doctor being cast as a woman. Several jokes about the quality of 2017 summer blockbusters came at the expense of features like The Dark Tower. But the Trump/ Clinton jokes were kept to just one! The Five Doctors was a great event to just escape everything for a little bit. Even my wife said that for 2 solid hours she forgot about work.

Coming Attractions

The next big Rifftrax event is in the fall. On October 25th, theatres nationwide will be airing the Rifftrax Halloween Special showing of the original Night of the Living Dead. Until then, if you need some laughs, you can view a number of features and shorts in the Rifftrax library at prices ranging from $1.99 to $9.99 per episode. Just don’t forget your cheese popcorn and Dr. Pepper knock-off sodas.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Article originally published August 26, 2017 on outrightgeekery.com,

Lobo/Road Runner Special #1

After years of failing to capture his nemesis The Road Runner, Wile E. Coyote takes to the stars to hire the baddest bastiche in the galaxy Lobo! But in order for Lobo to take the job, the Coyote has to fulfill a hit for the last Czarnian. Honestly, I don't know who's in it more over their head- Wile E. or Lobo? 

Bill Morrison's take on the Road Runner/ Wile E. Coyote mythos was quite interesting. The super-intelligence of both animals is due to genetic testing on a group of animals from the New Mexican desert. If you look closely, you'll see that a gray hare, black duck, and a canary are some of the test subjects as well. 

But where I got lost from Morrison's story is a scene in which one of the assistant's is talking to a scientist but then everybody acts like she's talking to thin air. That plot point wasn't clearly explored further and I read over that sequence like 5 or 6 times just trying to figure out what I was missing.

I liked Morrison's art. It was done in the gritty Lobo style that still allowed for reader to clearly understand who was who in of the Looney Tunes despite their new designs. Plus, the old 1940s style sci-fi slant used by Bill Morrison was perfect for this type of bizarre story.

The Warner Bros. style story in the back was also very good. It too had Lobo trying to exterminate the Road Runner. But with the addition of Bugs Bunny holding Lobo to the family friendly standards of a Looney Tunes cartoon, it was a laugh riot instead of the more series main feature. This is one story that I would have loved to see as an animated short.

For a gritty property like Lobo marketed younger readers, it could have gotten too sugary sweet. Instead, this was a very good crossover read that didn't lose it's essence nor was it overly shocking for a crowd used to it's characters surviving explosions and falls from enormous heights. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Green Lantern/Space Ghost Special #1

 Both Hal Jordan and Space Ghost answers a distress call from a planet besieged by a mysterious entity that can destroy planets. In typical (but very awesome) crossover fashion, both Green Lantern and Space Ghost believe that the other is the dangerous foe. When the true enemy is revealed, Jordan is now in possession of Space Ghost's battle bracelets whereas Space Ghost is the newest Green Lantern in the sector! It's an dynamic buddy-cop team-up full of excitement and childhood dreams come true!

The story was very good but the art and colors by Ariel Olivetti was just amazing. I'm a big fan of Alex Ross and his realistic painting style. Olivetti boasts similar skills but his style has a more 1940s pulp action feel to it. It's freakin' awesome stuff.

The secondary feature star a pair of Hanna-Barbera characters that I have never heard of. It's a cat and dog duo called Ruff n' Ready. In this story, both are down-on-their luck comedians that just can't find the right partner until one fateful day the two happen to pull up a seat next to each other an a local bar and comedic history is made. 

This Howard Chaykin penned story promises more of Ruff n' Ready in the future. Somehow I doubt it. This tale, while an interesting take on how comedy duos are formed, just didn't feel to me something that's going to spawn a future mini-series. I might be wrong but I doubt it as I really felt that the Jetsons back-up in Booster Gold/The Flintstones was going to become a series and in November, my instincts will be proven right. With Ruff n' Ready, I don't have that same vibe.

This crossover special overall was enjoyable. But the title feature of Green Lantern/ Space Ghost is really what carries this book. Just because I rate this book lower because of the back-up feature doesn't mean that this special isn't Worth Consuming- it really is!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Tim Seeley's Action Figure Collection

Published by Image Comics
Art and Stories by Tim Seeley
Additional Art by Sophie Campbell, Steve Seeley, Jim Terry, & more

A Kid at Art

At the end of this collection of outrageous stories, creator Tim Seeley gives the reader a chance to look at some of the earliest drawings he ever did as a child. Many of those pictures ended up the inspiration behind the characters collected here. So in a way, Tim Seeley's Action Figure Collection reads as a sketch book as well as a psychological look at the mind of a child artist.

There's 3 main story lines that run through this book:

• Colt Noble & The Megalords- A young prince is being trained to become the next warrior leader of his home world of Solus. But his hormones are getting the best of him. When he's not being chased out of Solus's strip clubs, he's trying to score with one of his female trainers. On one fateful day, young Jaysen falls in a chasm and discovers an ancient figure of action. This figurine turns Jaysen into Colt Noble, a super-strong hero with a very long sword.
• Jack Kraken- Agent of H.I.M.- The Kraken is a mysterious agent with special abilities and powers that enable him to find Bigfoots, aliens, and even ghosts. But what's even more mysterious about the agent of H.I.M. is that nobody has ever seen his face before. That is, except for two orphans that Jack rescued from paranormal abductors. What is the secret that Jack and the two girls share and what would it mean to the world if that confidence should ever be broken?
• Animaliens- A group of anthropomorphic aliens are stranded on a prison planet. Their leader is the young Princess Poodlea who lacks the experience to lead a kingdom of convicts, much less defeat them. Will she have what it takes to restore order to this lawless land?

Introducing the Seeleyverse

There's a number of short stories that tie in to one or more of these three main tales. Further stories include a team of alien sex-kitten dodge-ball players stranded on a hostile planet in parts unknown. Then there's a team of superheroes made up of the Boogeyman, Dracula, and a ghost. Oh, and don't forget the college adventures of a featherless mutant bird and his best friend, a Polish sausage. But Colt Noble, Jack Kraken, and Animaliens are the centerpieces of what should be referred to as the Seeleyverse.

Action Figures has a childlike wonder to it. I can imagine Tim Seeley as a little kid having off-the-wall adventures with his Star Wars, He-Man, and G.I. Joe figures. It's almost as if someone wrote scripts to those play sessions too. Because the dialogue is a little off, more like how a child would explain a story than a grown-up. There's definite elements of those classic 80s toys as Prince Jaysen/Colt Noble is clearly inspired by He-Man/Prince Adam. Add in a few dashes of swears and T&A and this is what Axe Cop would be if wunderkind Malachi Nicolle hit puberty.

The art is from a variety of artists that Seeley meet through DevianArt. Their styles vary from cartoony (Deadstar Divas) to near Jim Lee-level of detail (Jack Kraken.) My favorite artwork was of the Colt Noble adventures by the late Mike Dimayuga. His clever use of throwing Easter eggs such as Leia in Jabba slave gear at the Solus strip club made those adventures all the more enjoyable.

Please Sir, Can We Have Some More?

Tim Seeley's Action Figures says that it's volume 1. So I am hoping that more adventures involving Kraken, Poodlea, and Colt Noble are on the horizon. There's quite a few laughs to be had and quite a bit of adventure as well. If you are looking for something that doesn't quite fit the traditional mold of a superhero comic, then this is the collection you've been requesting ever since you became a kid at heart.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Clueless Senior Year

Story by Amber Benson & Sarah Kuhn
Art by Siobhan Kenan
Published by Boom! Studios

Clueless Senior Year follows Cher Horowitz and her friends Dionne and Tai almost immediately after the first film ends. Cher's relationship with Josh has been put on hold while she's struggles to find herself before graduation. Dionne has gotten fed-up with how boyfriend Murray has been treating her. So she decides to run for class president against him. Meanwhile, former ugly duckling Tai must choose between her dream of going to art school or running her aunt's apple farm after she inherits it.

Living in the 90s

The movie Clueless debuted in 1995. At the time, Clueless was hailed as an accurate portrayal of high school life for that generation. I graduated high school in 1996. Without all the excesses of life in Beverly Hills, my experience was pretty similar to Cher's: Nobody knew what in the hell were they going to do with their life.

By 1995, the rules had changed on members of Generation X. We had been told for years to A) graduate high school B) get a degree and C) find a job. However, the job market got tougher as the previous generation before us started getting masters and doctorates. As a result, my generation was told that the 3-point plan we had been sold on wasn't going to cut it anymore. Thus, even more school was on the table if we wanted to achieve our dreams.
Like Cher, many of those in Generation X kinda got burned out with the whole situation. The best way to deal with our problems was to shop them away. If we happened to find love while on a quest to fulfill our consumerist impulses that was all the better. Ah, 90s life!

Not How I Remember It

Reading this sequel to Clueless was really odd because this isn't the 90s I remember. Senior Class just felt dated and no longer relevant. Writers Amber Benson and Sarah Kuhn claim in the book's extensive production notes section to have studied up on mid-90s vernacular and pop culture. But peppering a story with slang and numerous Fresh Prince references isn't enough to capture the giant pain in the butt being a teen in the 90s was. I feel like the story has been updated with millennial problems flavored with 90s era teen angst. That just doesn't work for me.

It's getting to be a big deal to bring back the 90s. Almost every other show scheduled for next TV season is a reboot of a 90s sitcom. While you can argue how originality is dying in the TV medium, that's not the point I am trying to make. At least for these reboots, they're going to deal will the characters living in 2017. But this sequel has Cher and friends still in the 90s. Yes, they dealing with problems like gender rights, the environment, and LGBT relationships. But their responses to them aren't typical for a Clinton Era teen. Okay, I'm playing the historically inaccurate card here. But I can- because I lived it!

Fitting Into the Franchise

Another issue I have with this book has more to do with the Clueless franchise as a whole. Why do we need this book as a sequel when there was a Clueless TV series? For 3 seasons, the adventures of Cher and Dionne continued on after the film. In fact, several actors from the original movie reprised their original roles such as Stacey Dash and Donald Faison. So does this book eliminate the series? Is this a supplement? Did the folks at Boom! Studios forget that part?

Another thing Boom! seemed to have forgotten is what the original cast looked like. All of these characters look like friends of Ken and Barbie. The representations of the characters by newcomer Siobhan Keenan are pretty generic. If this wasn't based on an established property, I wouldn't be opposed to the artwork. But I am one of those in the camp of characters need to look like the actors who portrayed them. One thing I can't excuse is the coloring and inking of the book. It looks like someone used magic markers and gives the series a coloring book feel to it.

Sweet Vibes

I will give some praise where praise is due. This book comes with a soundtrack. Before each major scene, the writers provide you with snippets from each character's collection of mix-tapes. If you happen to be able to play the songs while reading this, it actually adds to the 90s vibe. It's in my opinion one of the few things the writers got right!

Clueless Senior Year would be a great read if it wasn't trying to fit into the Clueless franchise. But since it does, just like Cher, this book can't find it's true self.

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Adam Strange/Future Quest Special #1

In this story, after a Zeta Beam malfunction, Adam Strange is sent back to earth. Only this is unlike any earth that the space travel has ever known. On this parallel earth, there is no Superman, Batman or Wonder Woman. But there is a daring young boy named Jonny Quest who just might have the means to get Adam back to his universe. 

Then in the back-up feature, that sly feline Top Cat is detained by the Batman. Here, Top details how a talking cat wound up in Gotham City. 

Both stories were quite good but the Jonny Quest story was better. It takes place almost immediately after the end of Future Quest. I've not read all of that story yet. Thankfully, this book really doesn't spoil too much so I still have the rest of that amazing miniseries to finish someday. This book also takes place right after the Death of Hawkman mini. I hadn't been keeping up with that, so any spoilers revealed that might ruin reading that book, I am unaware of at this point.

Top Cat's story was very interesting. I didn't so much get the feel that it's going to inspire a sequel like the Jetsons reboot has in the pages of the Booster Gold/ Flintstones special. But the seamless blending of cartoon funny animals with the gritty DC Universe has led me to believe that this was in some way the inspiration for Tom King's brilliant crossover of the Dark Knight and Elmer Fudd.

When this book debuted in March there really wasn't a lot of press. This Hanna-Barbera reboot crossover was a underrated delight to read. Marc Andreyko's ability to blend the worlds of Adam Strange and Jonny Quest was masterfully done and I thought the art in both stories was quite exceptional. Phil Winslade and Steve Lieber do great jobs on their persepective tales. But look at this cover by Evan 'Doc' Shaner. Wow- that's great stuff. I wish he had done the Future Quest story inside as he was the main artist on that project and did a kick-ass job.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Booster Gold/The Flintstones Special #1

Dating in the 25th century is hard enough without having prehistoric aliens invading. In order to investigate their misjudgment of the time stream, Booster Gold and his alien sidekick Skeetz must travel millions of years into the past. Booster arrives in the prehistoric past where he must seek the help of Fred and Barney. 
   
Mark Russell continues his exciting run with the modern stone age family. While the story was quite entertaining it wasn't the best of this book.

 In the second feature was a modern look at the Jetsons. While I absolutely hated their sleek look, the story was fantastic. In it, George's mother is dying of some dread disease and with daughter Judy's help, Mother Jetson has her consciousness transferred into a robot. Oh, and Grandma's name? Would you believe, Rosie???

Yes- I gave away a big spoiler but if you've been keeping up with the forthcoming releases on social media, you'll know that this giant plot point has long been revealed. 

I've gotten really behind on my reviews. This book dropped in March and I probably read it within a week of it's release. But when I read the Jetsons story I just knew that this was setting up a new offering in DC's Hanna-Barbera Universe line of reboots. I for one will be first in line for it when it arrives in stores this November.

A good first act. An amazing second feature. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

The Woods, Volume 3: New London

In the first volume, a handful of students from Bay Point Prep decided to explore their new surroundings in hopes of finding a way of returning back to earth. Now those students find themselves guests of earlier inhabitants.

Residing in a township called New London, some of these citizens can trace their lineage back hundreds of years. With over 400 young people newly arrived on this mysterious planet, the ruler of New London, The Duke, sees new recruits to conscript in the town's dwindling army used to defend his lands from a malicious force. Now it's a race back to Bay Point in hopes of warning the students of the coming army of conscriptors. But a new player has taken a leadership role at Bay Point and the stakes have never been more deadlier!

James Tynion IV continues to take this amazing series into new realms. I don't feel like the Woods ever gets stale. Tynion isn't afraid to kill off beloved characters or place them in impossible situations. The author also puts as much of himself into the flashback sequences as the action packed scenes on the forbidden planet. So much that I feel like the Woods is one of the most perfectly balanced comics ever.

The art of Michael Dialynas is also very well crafted. He creates some wondrous alien creatures that are whimsical, terrifying, or both at the same time. I don't give it as much praises as I should because of the amazing story. But Dialynas’ art is just as vital to this series as Tynion’s writing.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Flintstones Volume 1

You know the story. Fred Flintstone, caveman every man who struggles to provide for his wife Wilma and child People's. His best friend Barney and wife Betty live next door with their super-strong son, Bam-Bam. Together, their town of Bedrock is bustling to become the place for a modern Stone Age family.

As part of DC'S modernization of the Hanna-Barbera universe I wasn't thrilled with the changes but I was willing to give it a try. That is until I started reading the reviews. But no, I wasn't dissuaded because of poor opinions of the book.

If anything the reviews were exceptionally positive. What kept me away were reviewers saying that if you had a problem with the changes to the Flintstones you were racist, bigoted, or homophobic. I'm not sure if this was the marketing campaign DC hoped for. But those extremist threats kept my money in my pocket for something else.

Thanks to my local library, I got to check out this new take on the Flintstones for free. I must say that while I am not a fan of the reviewers spiteful opinions of those who would rather remember the Flintstones of their childhood; I must say that I really enjoyed the new take on Fred and company.

Mark Russell’s take on the Flintstones was very nostalgic. What the PREZ reboot’s writer does differently is introduce new elements of social commentary that was considered taboo when the cartoon originally aired in the 60s. For example, the fraternal order of the Buffalo that was Fred and Barney's lodge is now a support group for the soldiers with PTSD who fought in an epic battle with nearby tree people. Building on established archetypes that modernizes but doesn't replace the rich history of the Flintstones is something I can get behind.

Plus with Pebbles and Bam-Bam being teenagers, DC doesn't wipe out the established history of the Flintstones in these new adventures. Though the origins of some characters are tweaked slightly such as how Gazoo the Great came to reside in Bedrock.

Another thing that for most is a no-go zone was the art. As you can tell from the cover image above, the characters look more like the live-action film from the 90s than the iconic animated style created over 50-years ago. The man behind the updated designs is Steve Pugh (Animal Man.) While he crafts a version of the Flintstones that isn't cartoony, Pugh does delve into the show's original style. All of the photos in the Flintstones and Rubbles households look just like the characters did back in 1960s. Those subtle tributes to the past once again have won me over to this revitalization.

Volume Two is on the horizon. I'm looking forward to reading more entertaining stories about the residents of Bedrock. If you're still on the fence about trying this series, hopefully my opinions will encourage you to give it a try. Don't worry, if you don't like these Flintstones, I won't judge.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Clue #3

I'm going to say that issue #2 was a hiccup because this issue was great. The smarmy British charm of Upton is back. Interactions with the editor in relation to the story is back and quite funny. Plus, it feels more like an interactive whodunit again as opposed to a closed off episode of Law & Order. 

In this issue Professor Plum and Dr. Orchid are on the run from the detectives called to investigate Mr. Boddy's death. Colonel Mustard's complex past is revealed. Plus Sen. White and Mr. Green get really excited about Scarlet's bouquet of flowers. 

This issue felt like I was playing the game Clue again. Issue #2 did not! I don't have any idea who is behind the murders. Well, I have a theory- that I won't share least I spoil it- but it's kinda out there. 

Judge Dredd's Nelson Daniel continues to amazing with the art. But once again, it's the anonymous colorist of this series that is the real star of the book. Come on IDW- give that person or person's their just due. They really add to the game feel of this book and if it was up to me, I'd nominate them for an Eisner.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Varmints (Family Comic Friday)

Young Ned and his sister Opie are on the hunt for their Pa. Only Opie knows that their father is also the illusive criminal kingpin known as PA. As they search for their missing patriarch, the siblings undertake a number of exciting adventures involving giants, horse rustlers, and a thrilling cross-country race in which the winning gets an exclusive face-to-face meeting with PA!

This book was awesome. Science Comics' Andy Hirsch did such a magnificient job on this all-ages graphic novel by First Second. The story was excellent and very funny and yet poignant at all the appropriate times. Extremely original while mixing in iconic elements from the Old West, Varmints would have ranked on my top of 2016 list if I had found this book in time. But that's okay- better late than never.

The thing I loved the most about this book is the artwork. Back in the 80s and 90s, animator Don Bluth was killing it with such films like An American Tail and the Land Before Time. His flowing style of humor, heart, and song was all the rage in family animated features both with and without Disney.

Varmints feels like a Don Bluth film. In fact, if Bluth's studios with FOX Animation doesn't pick up this book and turn it into a movie, they missed out. Hirsch's artwork jumps off the page. Look at the cover, it appears that Ned and Opie are about to leap off the cover and land in the reader's lap. And there's dozens of amazing spreads just like this cover or even better.

I really am in love with this book. The characters are memorable, especially the animals, like Maggie the burro whom Ned is tricked into buying for the big race. I don't think I will ever forget this book and I hope you readers won't either. Plus, I would not be opposed to a sequel or two detailing more adventures of Ned and Opie. 

Top notch excitement that broken into small chapters for easy read and a very fast pace of action!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

The Vision, Volume 2: Little Better Than a Beast

Things go from bad to worse in the exciting conclusion of 2016's The Vision. Tom King- that guy, I am starting to think he could write the phone book and I would be captivated by it. The Batman/ Elmer Fudd Special writer is just amazing at his craft. I know in the early 2010s, King was getting a lot of flak for writing that was considered uneven and just so far in outfield, that if he was a center-fielder, he be playing in the parking lot across the street. But over these past few months, I'm really warming to his style and thinking most of the hate is by online trolls who wouldn't know good writing from a kids menu at a retirement home.

This volume of the Vision gets as down and dirty as the closing chapter of volume 1 promised. But I love the Nick Fury-esque ending in which a little manipulation of the truth leads to a happy ending, but the uneasiness still lingers. While this series of the vision is complete, the ending gives hope of a second chapter. Though, I am can't imagine how you'd top the second half of this killer series.

The art is second to none. Artist Michael Walsh does such a tremendous job drawing the android Vision family with both a body of cold, hard electronics and a dash of the human spirit. Walsh's talents help make this one of the best Pinocchio-type stories of inorganic being wishing to become real ever created.

This is a series that should not be overlooked!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Robin: Unmasked

A few months back, I read the Batman War Games trilogy. Okay, it was a 4-volume set with one book being a prequel (War Drums.) But it was still a trilogy. In War Games, Tim Drake was no longer Robin. The reason why was a mystery to me. But not anymore.

Robin: Unmasked explains the reason's behind Tim having to step down from that role. But that's not the only change for Tim. Fables scribe, Bill Willingham takes over the series beginning in this volume from 2004. Along with having to stop being the Boy wonder, Tim is placed in a new school, with new friends, potential new loves, and much more. Tim also has to struggle with the fact that he may have killed a man while flying solo as Robin.

The art was 50/50. The first couple of issues are drawn by Kabuki's Rick Mays. Those issues are visually stunning and I love the color palette. For the last couple of chapters, Robin is illustrated by Aaron Sowd. He's slightly Manga-style was still was good. But when you compare it to those amazing first segments by Rick Mays, it's like asking for Ham and getting SPAM instead.

Robin: Unmasked was a great read. It answered quite a few questions about segments in War Games that I didn't understand, like why there was this assassin all of a sudden trying to kill all the teen boys in Gotham aged 14-16. I probably would've have enjoyed this book better had I read this first. But that doesn't always happen when collecting comic books.

Worth Consuming!

8.5 out of 10 stars.

1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017- Day 228

Today marks a 40th anniversary. It's one of which inspired me to develop A Madman Turns 40.  40 years ago today, the King died. Yes, I'm talking about Elvis.

Elvis Presley was a cultural icon. He maybe didn't develop his country-bluesy style. But he was the one who brought 'black music' as his critics called it, to the masses. 

Elvis is one of those people who was in the right place at the right time. His gyrating hips would have been unthinkable if he has hit the music scene earlier than he did. But by the 1950s, a new populace was arising in the US- the teenager. Prior to World War II, teens and kids weren't mass marketed to. But with the baby boom, marketers saw a new untapped resource in which to advertise to. Elvis was the perfect product for kids looking to rebel a little from their ultra-conservative and uptight parents.

Elvis takes his last journey out of Graceland.

My Grandmama loved Elvis. She had seen every one of his movies. Had every one of his albums. So when the news broke of Elvis' death 2 things happened:

1. She cried, and cried, and cried.
2. She packed a bag and drove all night to Memphis to Graceland in order to be among the mourners and well wishers.

Funeral Procession of Elvis. Somewhere in this picture is my Grandmama.

Before she passed in 1990, my Grandmama returned to Graceland to tour it. I remember her showing me pictures and postcards. We'd listen to her Elvis records while she either put together a puzzle or made chocolate Elvis suckers for some community fundraiser or another.

A few years after she died, I asked and got for Christmas a 3-D puzzle of Graceland, which I put together thinking of her and listening to Elvis tunes. 

I think more than anything, on this day, I missed her more than the King.

Scenes from Elvis' funeral August 18, 1977.

I also think this is all I can do today for my look at my favorite year. 

Before I go,  have a listen at the favorite Elvis tune of both my Grandmama and myself.
Ladies and gentleman, I present to you, Suspicious Minds....

The Wrong Wrights (Secret Smithsonian Adventures #1) (Family Comic Friday)

Young Eric loves airplanes. So when he and three classmates win a trip to the Air and Space Musuem in Washington DC, he's in heaven. But all is not great as somebody has tampered with the timeline!

Where did all the planes go? Why are there hot air balloons in their place? It's up to Eric, his buddies and a friendly tour guide named Al and his computer Smitty to save history.

The kids are sent back in time to New York 1909. Eric and company are decked in holographic period clothing and wear a compact version of Smitty on their wrists. The Wright Brothers are about to debut their wonderful flying machine to a skeptical public. However, there's saboteurs afoot looking to wreck the Wright Brothers flyer and it's up to the time travelling students to protect the plane. But it's going to be a challenge as the baddies looking to ruin aviation forever are from the future as well.

The Wrong Wrights was awesome. I am an advocate for comics doing so much more than just entertaining. This 2016 graphic novel is the first is a series from Smithsonian Books called Secret Smithsonian Adventures. The book's authors Steve Hockensmith and Chris Kientz do a fantastic job. The kids and their enemies of time are really memorable characters. Plus they make history and science fun. The writers also know how to embellish the story enough to not lose the historical significance of the events in history the kids are trying to restore.

I also liked the art and colors by Lee Nielsen. Each character has a distinct look that allows you to know who is who is different outfits. The mysterious main baddie is super creepy looking. Plus the illustrations of the flying machines, especially the Wright Brothers flyer look amazing.

If the Wrong Wrights is any indication of the overall future quality of this series, then fans are in for a treat. (There’s at least 1 other book already published.) I think this has great potential and will be a favorite among readers, parents, and teachers.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

SummerSlam 2017 Special

Writers: Box Brown, Ryan Ferrier, Aaron Gillespie
Artists: Derek Fridolfs, Kendall Goode
Published by Boom! Studios

Epic Battles

Next to Wrestlemania, SummerSlam has been the WWF/WWE’s top showcase. Some epic battles have happened over the years at the event. Hulk Hogan & the Macho Man Vs. Ted DiBiase and Andre the Giant. Bret Hart Vs. The British Bulldog. And who can forget when the Undertaker fought the Undertaker?!

 The annual summer match-up is just a couple of weeks away. This year’s going to be a big one as it’s the 30th anniversary. In celebration of the event Boom! Studios has teamed with the WWE to bring fans the 2017 Summer Slam.

Major Talent

   The special gives background ‘stories’ to some of fans most beloved wrestling team-ups. Andre the Giant biographer Box Brown chronicles the class struggle between the American Dream Dusty Rhodes and elitist Macho King Randy Savage. D4VE’s Ryan Ferrier examines the twisted psyche of Mick Foley right before a match with the Undertaker. Looney Tunes’ Derek Fridolfs brings back those insane Australian wrestlers, the Bushwhackers. Then modern era grappler, Seth Rollins, in given nightmares by Lady Death’s Aaron Gillespie.

    Overall, these stories weren’t bad. The Mankind/Mick Foley story was a bit spastic but so is Mick Foley. I didn’t quite understand everything going on with the Seth Rollins story. But that's because I don’t really keep up with wrestling that much any more. But the stories set during the 80s and 90s were fun trips inside a scrapbook of SummerSlam memories.
 
  The artwork was pretty decent. Daniel Bayless, Rob Guillory, Fridolds, and others do some amazing work making these wrestling legends come to life. I only wish that Box Brown was allowed to give Dusty Rhodes and the Macho Man story his distinctive artistic touch. But hey, only getting the story by Box Brown is better than no Box Brown at all.

A Pessimistic New Day

   There was one story that I absolutely hated. Titled ‘The New Day’s Optimistic Odyssey’, it features the trio of wrestlers call ‘The New Day.’ My reasons were multiple. First of, all this was part 5 of a series. Okay, I get that but where are the other 4 parts to be found? So, right away, I didn’t understand anything that was going on. Why are there unicorns and marshmallow cereal everywhere?

    Secondly, and this is coming from my godson- the New Day’s gimmick is considered incredibly racist. My godson is African American and he’s told me that he and his friends had to stop watching WWE due to the New Day. He says it’s because of how the WWE portrays this stable of black gospel singing wrestlers as ‘stupid and dumb.’ I think the word he was going for was ‘stereotypes.’ But if it’s a good enough reason for my godson to not like, it’s good enough for me too!

Money Trouble

      Lastly, let’s talk price. The book retails for $7.99. In the past couple of years, I have shelled out eight bucks for holiday specials. But not for only 42-pages of material!!! It’s a special, I get it. So I could maybe pay $5.99. But eight bucks? If this was a 64-page or 72-pager, I could do it. But this price is just way too steep for me.

I suspect this one is going to wind up in bargain bins pretty soon and that's a shame. It's a decent collection of wrestling themed stories. But that price tag is going to put quite a few fans off of getting it.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

1977: A Madman Turns 40: 2017- Day 222

   For today's a Madman Turns 40, it's a biggie. 

   40 years ago today, the Son of Sam killer, David Berkowitz was captured after almost a full year's reign of terror. For almost a year, Berkowitz stalked the boroughs of Queens and the Bronx. The serial killer shot almost dozen people, 6 died. 

    It was a traffic ticket that got Berkowitz caught.  A few days prior, a woman name Cacilia Davis walking her dog said that there was a strange man following her around. When she reported the incident to police, they decided to review the list of cars that were ticketed in the area. Sure enough, they had a hit- David Berkowitz, who also owned a .44 revolver the gun used in the killings. 

    On August 10th, NYPD found Berkowitz's car. In the car was a rifle and that .44! When captured, he was reported to have replied "Well, you got me. How come it took you such a long time?"

     Over the course of several weeks, Berkowitz would undergo psychiatric observations. He would claim that a spirit named Sam would speak through his neighbors dog. In order to silence the pup, Berkowitz had to offer him blood in the form on killings. A year later, Berkowitz would be found guilty of his crimes.

   Currently, Berkowitz is still in prison. In became a Christian in 1987 and now refers to himself as the 'Son of Hope.' He's been eligible for parole since 2002 but has actually asked to not be released as he feels that he must spend the rest of his days behind bars.

    Well, that's my look at 1977 for today. I'll return soon with another look at my favorite year. 
Until next time...

Sharknado 5: Global Swarming

Storm Warning 

 The American phenomenon of a Sharknado goes global in the fifth installment of the SYFY channel film series. Ian Ziering and Tara Reid continue their roles as Finn and April Hudson. Meanwhile, actress Cassandra Scerbo returns as Nova after skipping out on the 4th Sharknado film.

   I for one also wish I could have skipped 2016's Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens. Something was seriously off in that chapter. It was so bad that even David Hasselhoff and Gary Busey couldn’t save it. Thankfully, Sharknado 5: Global Swarming was a return to the schlocky film series designation as a genuine guilty pleasure.

    In the latest chapter, Finn and April and son Gil are called to jolly old Emgland. It’s the Hudson’s mission to advise the United Kingdom on how to defend from the shark-filled storms. At nearby Stonehenge, Nova with her global network of anti-shark 'sisters', has unearthed an ancient artifact.

   It is soon discovered that the artifact was used by the Druids to defeat an early outbreak of sharknadoes. However it’s misuse can also cause such storms to form. As a result,  little Gil is sucked into a portal within the nexus of massive storm about to decimate London.Throughout the rest of the film, Finn and April follow the massive storm cell as it destroys Rio, Sydney, and Tokyo in hopes of saving their son.

So Bad, it's Still Bad..

    Sharknado 5 was horrid fun. The movie is like a train and a plane crashed into each other and all the victims drowned. People shouldn’t enjoy something this awful. Yet, like a car accident on the side of the highway, you just can't look away from it no matter how hard you try.

    I think one of the reasons the Sharknado films have been so popular is that they don’t take themselves seriously. Tons of B and C list stars appear in the fifth installment. Most of the cameos are to the expense and mockery of those celebs. Some of the best appearances were Nichelle Nichols as a UN Ambassador and Geraldo Rivera as a blimp engineer who discovers that his vault is empty! Having 70s Spanish rock-star Charo appear as the Queen of England was not one of those great cameos. 

Deep down, I feel like the cast and crew wanted to go on an exotic vacation. So they tricked SYFY into financing this sequel. The premise of cyclones filled with only sharks is completely ridiculous. But now having the storms be able to transport you anywhere in the world is a bit much. Needless to say, if there’s a sixth film on the horizon for this series, I’m in! I just hope that the producers wrap things up soon before this series jumps the shark!

Rating: 4 out of 10 stars.

Worth Consuming but only for the cheese factor. 

Review originally posted August 7, 2017 on outrightgeekery.com.

New Gods Special #1

Art and Stories by Shane Davis, Walt Simonson, and Jack Kirby

Published by DC Comics

  DC’s latest offering in their year-long bicentennial celebration of Jack Kirby’s birth is all about the New Gods. Kalibak has plans to turn New Genesis into Apokolips 2.0. Once he unleashes the fires of the planet’s core, the son of Darkseid plans on establishing himself as ruler. Thankfully, there’s another of Darkseid’s offspring to defend New Genesis from Kalibak’s secret assault- Orion!

  Axcend’s Shane Davis pits brother against brother in this thrilling opener of the New Gods Special. There’s tons of guest stars here such as Lightray, Forager, and Highfather. But the one character oddly missing is Darkseid! But don’t worry, he’s gonna rear his ugly head in his own one-shot special later this summer.

Ugly Inside

Davis’ story was very intriguing hinting upon the nature vs. nurture dynamic that Kirby sprinkled into the New Gods. Being born on Apokolips, Orion is at heart one wicked dude. But because of his childhood spent on New Genesis as the adopted son of Highfather, Orion has learned to control his rage.

One thing Orion cannot control is how he looks. Genetics has him naturally look twisted and cruel. If not for a Mother Box, Orion would annually win the Ugliest Person Award on New Genesis. So when Orion finally gives into his Apokoliptian heritage during his climatic battle with Kalibak, his Mother Box can no longer mask his true face.

This is the only moment in the story that I really was unhappy with Shane Davis’ art. When Kirby would draw Orion’s true self, he looked hideous. Davis changes Orion’s face. But he doesn’t do enough to really make you think that the Orion is evil at heart. Forager is frightened by this version of Orion. I didn’t feel as shocked.

Back-Up Features

The New Gods Special includes a several shorts. The first is a tale of Orion as a youth. With art and story by Walt Simonson, this exciting story teams Orion with ocean-farer Seagrin on one of his first missions: an underwater quest in the briny depths of Apokolips. Simonson is one of those few artists whose work has actually gotten better over the years. I didn’t want this fun shark tale to end.

It wouldn’t be a Jack Kirby tribute without something from the King himself. Rounding out this special are two short stories reprinted from the Forever People #5 and 7. Both tales focus on a little-known character called Lonar. As explained in former Kirby assistant Mark Evanier’s afterword, Lonar was supposed to be spun-off onto his own series. But the cancellation of all of Kirby’s Fourth World titles ended that plan.

I am really excited that DC decided to reprint some of Kirby’s harder to find Fourth World stuff. When I saw that the publisher was putting stuff from the Forever People in this special, I actually hesitated on buying this. I already have Kirby’s Forever People omnibus. But that volume doesn’t include any of the King’s grabbers- Kirby’s term for second feature fillers.
The New Gods Special was an exciting trip back to Kirby’s Fourth World. Filled with works inspired by the King, they in no way copy him. It’s really hard to imitate greatness. Especially when the benchmark established is Jack Kirby. But for a tribute creative to honor one of comic’s all-time greats, this is a fantastic homage of one of the King’s most enduring DC Universe creations.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.