Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars Battle Tales #1 (Family Comic Friday)

The battle between the Republic and the Separatists continues in this exciting new series based on Star Wars: The Clone Wars. Learn more about it in this week's Family Comic Friday

Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars Battle Tales #1
Written by Michael Moreci
Art by Derek Charm, Arianna Florean
Published by IDW Publishing
Retail: 3.99

Disney+ has blown all of our minds with it's amazing seventh and final season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars. But that doesn't mean that the action has to stop. IDW Publishing is bringing fans another dose of intergalactic action in the new miniseries, Stars Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars Battle Tales. 

Battle Tales is told from the perspective of  the clones. In particular, Commander Cody and  Captain Rex, who in this first issue explain to some new recruits that despite how brash and impulsive Anakin Skywalker can be, the Jedi will never leave a man behind.

My favorite aspect of this issue is the artwork. Derek Charm has grown to become the definitive Star Wars comic book artist.  His work on the original Star Wars Adventures series (from IDW. Not to be confused with Dark Horse's series in the 2000s) as well as the Halloween spin-offs, Tales From Vader's Castle is light years ahead of some of the talent on Marvel's Star Wars books. Plus, I really liked the polished artwork of Arianna Florean. The Doctor Who illustrator's work depicts the flashback sequence that Cody and Rex narrate. Florian's work gives that part of the tale a youthful, antiquated look and it blends very well with Derek Charm's sections of this book.

Fans will need to realize that Battle Tales is experiencing some delays. Thanks to the COVID pandemic, the book has had to move from weekly to monthly. At the end of the first issue, it is promised that issue #2 was supposed to drop in stores this week. But it's been moved to June 10th. So, be patient. I know it's killing you to have to wait after 2 months with no comics. But I promise you, a series like this is all worth it.

Great fun for a the whole family. If the young reader in your life is a Star Wars fan already, then you and them will love this all-ages series!

Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars Battle Tales #1 debuted in print and digital formats on Wednesday May 20, 2020.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Fox Kids Funhouse #2: The Tick: Raw, Uncooked Justice! And Other Stories

Featuring three hilarious comics based on Fox Kids cartoons from 1997. 

The first two stories are based on the shows Bobby's World and Life with Louie.

Bobby's World was based on the stand-up comedy of Howie Mandel. Life with Louie was based on the stand-up comedy of Louie Anderson. Both cartoons were really funny but if I had to choose between the two, I'm picking Bobby's World every time. The Howie Mandel cartoon was more imaginative as Bobby often got lost in his day dreams. Life with Louie was a tiny bit more sophisticated being based more on Anderson's life experiences. But Louie was also kinda of a jerk. 

But the reason I bought this very much beat up digest was for the cover story featuring my favorite lunatic, The Tick. It's a sequel to the classic Neil the Dinosaur episode.

It seems that Arthur's brother-in-law is growing in size once again. When the Tick and Arthur get eaten by Neil, the duo discover a community has formed in Neil's digestive tract of the people and buildings the fiend has been snacking on.

Featuring an all-star line-up of Dwayne McDuffie, Brandon Kruse, Mike DeCarlo and Michael Duggan! The Tick story was very, very funny and makes me wish that Boomerang or some other cable channel would show reruns of that amazing Tick cartoon show again! 

I loved this digest. But I feel bad for the kid in 1997 who bought this book. There's a page telling kids to subscribe to the Fox Kids Funhouse inside. But upon some extensive research, I've learned that this series was cancelled after only 2 issues. Some of that has to do with the comic book bubble bust. But some has to do with the publisher itself, Acclaim. 

Yes, who knew that the video game manufacturer made comic books? Well, it wasn't a very long experiment because Acclaim shuttered it's publishing house shortly as 1997 was right when the company started having major money issues before going defunct altogether in 2004. Regardless, based on how much trouble Acclaim had in paying it's debts, I wonder how many kids who subscribed to this broken promise never got a refund...

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Showcase Presents Strange Adventures, Volume 2

A great time capsule of the late 1950s science fiction. 9 out of 10 stories are about aliens from another world. Some of them are benevolent. Most want to take over the Earth or destroy it outright. The other 10 percent of stories involved inter-dimensional travel, attempts to prevent the destruction of the planet (usually thanks to time travel), or some strange new invention that goes horribly wrong.

DC was able to capture the fears of a nation in the pages of Strange Adventures. The red scare. The cold war. Nuclear war. 

But DC was also able to latch upon the wonder of the nuclear age. Space travel. The automation of industry. Hope that one day, universal peace could be achieved. 

Legends of not just the publishing company but the golden and silver age of comics worked on this volume. Gil Kane, Gardner Fox, Carmine Infantino and many more. This was a beautiful collection of sci-fi comics.

But there was one trope that got old and it got old pretty quick. The main way that the aliens are able to communicate with earthlings is thanks to telepathy. If it wasn't for mind reading, the different races wouldn't be able to interact. There'd be no story. Thankfully, DC Comics understood this as one of their tales actually asked the question: how could humans and alien species interact without the use of mental telepathy? 

After that story, you'd think that telepathy tales would be considered off limits by the editors. Unfortunately, that same old tired plot device was continuously used. OVER and OVER...

Okay, so Strange Adventures wasn't perfect. But it was a perfect representation of an imperfect time in American history. Communism made us crazy. But the hope of a better tomorrow showed a light at the end of the tunnel.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Superman: For Earth

What Superman IV: The Quest for Peace was to nuclear disarmament, this book is to the ecology.

Lois Lane is tasked to cover a conference on global sustainability issues and it causes her to have some serious concerns about the viability of the Earth. Thus, Superman tries to take on conservation and cleaning up the planet. But he finds that it's a task impossible for one man, even if it's a Superman, to do alone. 

A lot of folks claim that between DC and Marvel, DC Comics is the less preachy of the big two. Well, this book would be a good example to prove folks wrong. 

At one point, Superman takes on some loggers in Brazil. And the head honcho, despite being a giant douche, makes a good point. He tells The Man of Steel that it's hypocritical for the hero to tell other countries what to do with their natural resources but the hero does nothing to the Americans. 

Well, that scene got me thinking. Is DC practicing what it preached in this 1991 graphic novel? Superman: For Earth is a book that needed trees to print it. And yes, this book was printed on recycled paper. While that's good for the sake of this book, I don't think DC Comics kept up with the practice for very long. 

The recycled paper makes for this book to look way older than it is. The inks have an almost sepia tone to them. If not for the prestige format, which I know began in the mid-80s, I would have said that this book was from the mid-70s. (Yes, that recycled paper seemed to degrade that much.)

At the end of the book, there's 2 pages of eco-charities listed for people to contribute to and such. Being nearly 30 years old, I wonder how many of these still exist. I'd actually be interested to research that one day.

An okay book that does explore some important aspects of Clark and Lois' impending nuptials in terms of their decision about children. But above all, this was a propaganda piece. 

Rating: 6 out of 10 stars.

Bear (Family Comic Friday)

There's an exciting new graphic novel coming this summer from Archaia! Check out this preview of Bear in this week's Family Comic Friday!

Bear (Hardcover)
Writer: Ben Queen
Artist: Joe Todd-Stanton
Published by Archaia
Pages: 160
Retail: $24.99

Bear is a guide dog. From a family of police dogs, all Bear has ever wanted to do is serve. Overlooked by the police academy, it seems that Bear will never achieve his dream to helps others. The puppy finally gets his chance when Bear is paired with his blind master, Patrick. Unfortunately, Bear's mission is seriously compromised when he suddenly one day loses his sight.

Afraid to not be able to be a guide dog any more, a panicked Bear runs away from home. Hearing of a miracle lying in the woods beyond his home, Bear wanders alone seeking a way to regain his sight and runs into another bear. The grizzly kind!

Now the unlikely pairing of Bear and bear run amok seeking to save the guide dog's sight while hopefully being reunited with owner Patrick. It's a comedy of errors that evolves into the self-discovery that being blind means that one can see just as well with their other senses!

Bear was one of the most beautiful books I have read. The way Joe Todd-Stanton paints these ethereal displays of how the blind pup sees the world with his hearing, touch, taste and smell was so magnificent.

For instance, there's a scene in which Bear hears a choirs in a nearby cathedral. The imagery of what Bear imagines this setting to look like filled my mind with bellows of organ pipes and voices of angelic singers. Todd-Stanton doesn't use any sound effects for this scene. But I could hear volumes thanks to his wondrous art!

Ben Queen's story is just as superb as Joe Todd-Stanton's art. I must confess however that when my editor asked me to review this book I balked. I've been burned by promising projects starring animals that end up having some tragic death of a beloved furry character. 

SPOILER- I can attest that no animals were seriously harmed in the making of this book.
Bear is an original graphic novel that the whole family will fall in love with. It's got humor, drama, and above all else- heart! The message of perseverance and overcoming personal challenges is a story that will resonate with any and all!  There's even a little bit of romance between a couple of characters. Nothing mushy. But it does help make for the perfect ending.

It's a real shame that this book isn't available in a format for the visually impaired. This would be such an inspiring story for a child dealing with blindness. However, if a young reader with sight has a family member or friend that is experiencing the effects of vision loss, Bear is the perfect introduction into that person's day-to-day life with the disability. I feel you really get a chance to experience life as a person with blindness thanks to the artwork especially.

This is one of those rare stories that you want to know more with a sequel. But I think if you added more to Bear and Patrick's story, you'd ruin how perfect it is. I think we definitely have another nominee for all ages graphic novel of the year!

Bear will debut in August, 2020. It's currently available for pre-order now! Help a struggling comic shop recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and order a copy today!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars

Superman: The Odyssey

Graham Nolan and Chuck Dixon compose a story set during Clark's pre-Metropolis years. Wanting to find himself, Clark Kent has taken a gap year travelling the globe. While in Paris, Clark attracts the attention of an alluring woman. Her father is the spiritual leader of a small besieged Asia country. Terrorists from China seek to kidnap the young woman as leverage for the surrender of the land to Big Bad China. Thus, Clark travels to her native land to ensure her safety.

For once, Clark Kent has a love interest without the initials of LL. But that's not what is so refreshing about this story. It's the direct response that opposes the Communist Chinese and how they bully smaller nations such as Taiwan or Tibet into becoming a part of their Empire. 

Using terms like 'Chi-Coms' and the severe beat-down Superman gives the Red Army are things you would not see in a DC Comic in 2020. China is considered too much of a vital fan base, that studios and publishers will edit scenes, even entire films, that are not considered China friendly. (We do the same for the Russians and Middle-Eastern Muslim nations too!) But this book was published over 20 years ago, when it seemed that any and everyone was willing to stand for a 'FREE TIBET.'

My wife is very pro-Tibet and this is the sort of graphic novel that if you sought an end to Chinese Communist rule, it truly will inspire you. Seeing The Man of Steel finally take a stand for justice was so refreshing. In case you forgot, Supes was very much like Sweden with it came to the Second World War, Korea, Vietnam and The Gulf War. 

They really don't make comics like this anymore. 

Oh, and that Easter egg. Freakin' awesome!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 FREE TIBETS!

Batman: Overdrive (Family Comic Friday)

Batman has almost always had his Batmobile. Now you can learn the origins of the world’s most iconic superhero sportster in the pages of the new graphic novel Batman: Overdrive!

Batman: Overdrive
Written by Shea Fontana
Illustrated by Marcelo DiChiara
Published by DC Comics
Pages: 136
Retail: $9.99

If you are familiar with Batman, then his origin story should be old hat. As a youngster, Bruce Wayne watches as a robbery gone wrong takes the lives of his parents. Now an orphan, Bruce channels his rage into one day finding the killer. Through intense physical and mental training, Bruce becomes The Batman, the world’s greatest detective. 

But how did Batman get his Batmobile?

That question is answered in this all-new graphic novel by Shea Fontana (DC Superhero Girls) and Marcelo DiChiara (Smallville). Batman: Overdrive is framed similarly to the Fox TV series, Gotham. Both have a teenaged Bruce Wayne becoming acquainted with many of the characters years before he would when he becomes Batman. Yet like Gotham, as much as such a plot makes my brain itch. Shea Fontana makes it work. 

We don’t see Bruce Wayne being directly involved in the origins of villains such as Two-Face, Mister Freeze or The Joker. Instead, Bruce engages in characters that for the most part could be in Gotham City pre-Batman. Of course, there’s Selina Kyle as an orphaned cat burglar roaming the streets of Gotham City. Pamela Isley and Harleen Quinzel are here too. The only character I objected to was in the inclusion of a teen version of Lady Shiva. I think it would have made more sense having that character be Katana instead.

Overdrive introduces fans to an all-new character in Mateo Diaz. An expert mechanic, it’s him that inspires Bruce to soup up his Batmobile into a fearsome automobile fortress. Whereas Lucius Fox is the real character who did this in the comics, Fox is also too old for a 15-year old Bruce to be going out in the middle of the night to fight crime with. Plus, Mateo was a very well written character that I would like to see pop up in the pages of the adult Batman books. 

The main focus of this book is the relationship between Bruce and Alfred. It’s uneasy as Bruce doubts his butler’s sincerity as a caregiver. A real mystery is uncovered when Bruce discovers evidence that Alfred used to work for crime boss Carmine Falcone at one point! Could Batman’s faithful butler actually be behind the death of Thomas and Martha Wayne?

If you love cars, you will love this book. There’s dozens of great automobiles and several Bullit-level car chases in this graphic novel. In fact, I think I like Marcelo DiChiara’s illustrations of the machinery way more than I did of the characters. They looked a little too generic for me. But those cars! Even the Mateo’s hunk o’ junk VW Beetle looks pretty sweet. 

Batman: Overdrive gives small little nods to the rich 80-year plus history of the Dark Knight. But there’s several Easter egg nods to the 1966 Batman TV show that I enjoyed the most. This graphic novel doesn’t seek to rewrite the history of Batman. But it does modify it just as Bruce and Mateo do with the ‘66 Crusader that is destined to become The Caped Crusader’s most trusted ally!

An entertaining book that builds on decades of comic book lore while not being stale. This is a graphic novel that Batman fans of all generations will love!

Batman: Overdrive debuted in print and digital formats on March 3, 2020.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Mort by Terry Pratchett

Death takes an apprentice. He also takes a powder. 

A major plot in almost every Discworld novel has been how modern concepts have bleed into the near medieval-level society. This sort of fusion of old and new has resulted in some very hilarious situations. And it all starts here with Mort!

Mort becomes Death's apprentice. But in reality, Death is looking for someone to take the yolk of grim reaper off his back so that he can really 'live'. When Mort interferes with assassination of a young princess, the Not-So Grim Reaper sets off events that threatens to unravel the very fabric of reality. 

I'm not going to spoil this book too much if possible. But things that Death explains to Mort at the end of this book greatly explains why things get anachronistic from here on out. 

Again, you don't have to read the Discworld books in order. But as I am starting to re-read some of these books, such as Mort, I am finding that it really helps. Mort is the fourth book in the series and I had read it years ago. But I am finding that I didn't understand how vital this volume was to the entire run of novels written by Sir Terry. 

As Mort is an early book, it lacks some of that polish that you might see in some later books. But with making Death a main character, I feel that Pratchett's vision for his Discworld series really started to take shape. Rincewind is an okay character. But he's no Death! 

A good book that establishes a major plot thread though 30+ other novels. But it's got a way to go to being as good as those later books.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

Twisted Toyfare Theatre, Volume 7

OH MY GOD!

I can't believe that I've been sitting on this book for so long and I hadn't read it yet! I have 5 of the 11 published volumes. I've read the first 4 books literally a dozen times. Needing a gigantic pick-me-up, I grabbed my stash of TFTs and gave them another read. And then we've got this one!

It's full of later era Toyfare productions. The photography, set designs, and special effects has taken a quantum leap. But the humor is the same as usual. 

THANK GOD!

My sense of humor is more surrealist, black comedy stuff. Things like Monty Python, The Tick, and Deadpool. But when things get closer to toilet humor (and none of the 3 previously mentioned franchises are innocent of diving into that end of the pool), I DO tend to shy away. Yet, if you have a bunch cheaply made 1970s toys acting out explosive diarrhea, violence and general horseplay, I am a sucker for it. 

This is a big reason I am a huge fan of Robot Chicken! Which interestingly enough, some of the writers and staff, including Tom Root (and one one occasion, Seth Green) cut their teeth on Twisted Toyfare Theatre! No wonder I love it.

There's 6 more volumes left. 4 more than I thought. Sadly, these suckers are not easy to find. Currently out of print, and likely never to be reprinted again due to Wizard Magazine having gone defunct, the volumes I can find are not cheap. But man, do I want the whole series!

Featuring a surreal forward from Weird Al and more entries from the Official Handbook of Twisted Toyfare Theatre- this was a pleasant surprise on my bookshelves!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Cemetery Plots #1-3

Welcome to the old graveyard. The ultimate graveyard; where everyone who ever lived and died are now resting. The cemetery's groundskeeper, D.O. Mann knows where all the bodies are buried and he knows all the stories as to how those bodies got there. Do you have what it takes to explore Cemetery Plots?

Cemetery Plots
Written by Dan Johnson, Marvin Mann, Roger McKenzie, Various
Art by Steve Casper, Paul Tuma, Brandon Bullock, Various
Published by Empire Comics Lab

Comics veteran Dan Johnson takes the helm in a new horror comics series called Cemetery Plots. Issue #3 just dropped and the series is fantastic. It's a great mix of modern horror and those old school E.C. horror comics we grew up reading under the covers.

The artwork as does the genres of horror, vary from story to story. There's a Egyptian mummy love story that spans millennia. A sci-fi tale of robotic terror set in a Judge Dredd type metropolis. I don't think I'll ever forget the twists of the tale of two stalkers and the lengths they go through in the age of social media. But I think my favorite tale was one of the most simple horror stories ever told. It was an innovative concept known as the 'Two Sentence Horror Story.' I really hope to see more of those in the future!

Speaking of future issues, there's a great chance for horror fans to get in on the fun. For only $15, you can put a name on one of the tombstones in D.O. Mann's boneyard! Put your name or a friends name. Maybe an ex or a boss you just can't stand. I'm trying to get my wife and mother-in-law in on letting us create an entire burial plot composed of our whole family! Wouldn't that be the ultimate family gift???

If you want to become a part of horror comic history, you'll need to act fast. Empire Comics Lab hope to have issue #4 coming out in October just in time for Halloween!

If you love horror anthology, you will love Cemetery Plots. It's got great stories. Eclectic artwork. And it's got that classic old school horror vibe, too!

Issues #1,2 and 3 are currently available for sale online at the Empire Comics Lab website.
If your LCS doesn't carry Cemetery Plots, do like Stan Lee told us to do in the old days, and demand they start carrying this spooky new anthology today! And if your really good (and nearby), I hear that some of the talents might even arrange a book signing while there at it!
Wow! What a opportunity for you as a comic book fan to put a personal mark on the industry you love!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

---

To inquire about personalizing your own tombstone in D.O. Mann's graveyard, contact Dan Johnson directly at danielbryanjohnson@hotmail.com.

Actionlogy #1

Empire Comics Lab has a new anthology series for fans of rough and tumble action. Let's take a look at the first issue of Actionology!

Actionology #1
Written by Eric Bowen, Alexter Albury, David Noe, Dave Hearn
Art by Eric Bowen, Alexter Albury, Stan Timmons, Gary O'Donnell
Inks and Letters by Andy 'Shaggy' Korty
Published by
Price: $4.00

Do the following movies hold significance to you in any way? Die Hard. They Live. Manimal.  Then Actionology is the comic book you've been looking for all your life.

The debut issue of Actionology is comprised of a quartet of stories. The first story titled 'The Butcher and the Hound' appears to be a feature that will continue throughout further issues of this comic. The cover image story involves an athletic woman who is more than meets the eye. When a mysterious hit-man who can shape-shift attacks our heroine, she morphs into a canine-like creature. The level of action goes to 11. Unfortunately, the story ends with readers still without answers as to the main characters origins. I guess we'll just have to wait for issue #2.

The second story is a horror tale of vengeance. There's elements of DC's Batman: Red Rain, Marvel's Sleepwalker and Dark Horse's The Mask, as a man bound to a cursed face covering must feed on the souls of the evil in order to survive. Finally thinking that he has achieved a way to stop his ghoulish urges, the curse is unleashed once again. Ultimately, the choice between salvation of a loved-one and the eternal damnation of one's own soul is what awaits he who disturbed the slumber of vengeance.

The last two stories were my ultimate favorites. '30:00' pits a young woman against a horde of killers. It's twist ending kinda screams of the perils of some of our essential workers who must earn a living in the age of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Then there's 'Barry Baxion: Man of Action'. The story by Dave Hearn had a telegraphed ending. But that story was rather funny. I loved it's almost absurdist take to it. It felt like a yarn that could have taken place in the same universe of The Tick and Arthur!

The first issue of Actionology is a mixed bag of genres. As with any anthology series, there are some stories that have great art but not so good storytelling. Maybe the beginning of one story was rough. But that ending was one that will stick to a man's conscious til the day he dies. That's how I felt about this first issue. There were elements that I didn't enjoy. But I can say truly that every story in this comic had parts that I greatly enjoyed.

I have a rule when it comes to watching a new TV series. I always give it 3 episodes. The pilot often gets retooled thanks to producers. And the second episode is often a pilot of the pilot. But by the third episode, if something is worth consuming, the brilliance will have shined through. That's how I fell about Actionology. It's a diamond in the rough. You can see the radiant glow shining through. But there's still some rough spots to smooth out.

Remember, both Lobo and Wolverine where a heck of a lot different when they made their debuts as opposed to the iconic characters that fans now idolize! Be sure to give this impressive new series a chance today!

Actionlogy #1 is currently available for sale online at the Empire Comics Lab website.

If your LCS doesn’t carry Cemetery Plots, do like Stan Lee told us to do in the old days, and demand they start carrying this spooky new anthology today! And if your really good (and nearby), I hear that some of the talents might even arrange a book signing while they're at it!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars.

GR-8 (Family Comic Friday)

We might all be stuck indoors right now. But thanks to the crew of the GR-8, prepare to blast off beyond the stars in this week’s Family Comic Friday!

GR-8 
Written by Stephen Tramontana
Art by David Pentecost
Colors by Juan M. Rodriguez
Published by Red Rhino Comics

GR-8 is a thrilling sci-fi digital comic from Red Rhino Comics. The first two issues have already debuted on Comixiology with more chapters expected monthly. Young human Cal and his rhino-looking alien friend Red have stumbled upon a conspiracy aboard their home ship, the GR-8.

Now fugitives along with GR-8’s head of security Commander Aziva, Cal and Red must find a way to clear their names and rescue Cal’s parents. Doing so will put the trio in peril both in space and throughout the numerous uncharted planets that they encounter along the way. Let’s not forget about the eclectic crew of the GR-8 and the wild characters that occupy this vast Red Rhino universe! I am a big fan of David Pentecost’s creative artwork on these amazing creatures.

I really enjoyed how this series is changing locales in each issue. The first issue was in the cold hard void of outer space. It’s perfect for introducing us to Cal as he longs for some adventure. The second issue becomes a western as Cal and friends crash land on a frontier planet. Be sure to appreciate the ambiance while on these visits as the varying color schemes make each setting seem that much more alive.

I can’t wait to see what’s in store next for Cal, Red and Aziva. I am hoping that each further issue will continue to change not only locations but themes as the trio attempt to vindicate themselves. With the introduction of the roguish Captain Roark, I feel like the level of action is going to hit into warp speeds!

GR-8 has elements of Star Wars and Star Trek. But I am glad that while writer and co-creator Stephen Tramontana uses those franchises as inspiration, this new comic series doesn’t feel like a repeat of either.

I am especially glad that the writer doesn’t fall down the same rabbit hole Star Trek: The Next Generation did it’s first couple of seasons on air. When TNG first debuted, it seemed like wunderkind Wesley Crusher was always saving the day aboard a whole starship full of so-called expert adults who couldn’t fight their way out of a wet paper sack. In GR-8, Cal and Red seem like real kids. They save the day from time to time. But it’s often by accident. And the way they bicker and fight- Cal and Red sound like real kids whereas Wesley always sounded like nebbish brat.

GR-8 is a fun adventure for the whole family. Issue 2 definitely excels over issues #1. Most of that is due to the need to establish the characters. But once the adventurous aspects of the story kicks in- POW! You won’t know what hit you!

While I am disappointed that I’ll have to wait for issue #3, I can’t recommend this series enough. GR-8 is a perfect series for families to enjoy while stuck inside 4 walls during a time of social distancing. As you read over these 2 issues, you’ll forget (if only for a brief while) that you are in a quarantine situation.

Ideal for readers 6-10. However, this is an all-ages family friend read that offers something for everyone to enjoy! GR-8 starts off as a sci-fi adventure that evolves into an epic undefined by genre! It’s an adventure of a lifetime as experienced through the pages of digital comics!

Become a part of this great assortment of thrills today!

GR-8 issues #1 and 2 are currently available on Comixology.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

This review was concurrently published on Outrightgeekery.com. 

The Infinity Gauntlet

I'm not sure why it took me this long to read The Infinity Gauntlet. 

Well, maybe I do. I know that I am going to rile up some feathers with this opinion but I am just not that big a fan of Jim Starlin. Starlin is known for his cosmic odysseys and let's face it when it comes to some of his favorite characters, in this case Adam Warlock and Thanos, I am just not that interested in either. 

When I was very young, Thanos was a second rate villain who flew a yellow helicopter and once was arrested by Spidey and the NYPD. As for Adam Warlock, his origin was so mired in confusion; all in thanks to writers not really caring much about the character in the first place. There was so many contradictions in how Warlock came to be and what his purpose was that I gave up caring. 

That all being said, I will commend what Jim Starlin attempted (and pretty much succeeded in) to make this pair of cosmic foes relevant for the Marvel Universe.

Many consider Secret Wars to be Marvel's answer to Crisis on Infinite Earths. After reading this, I would have to disagree. I think Secret Wars I and II were the mini-crises that the Justice League and Justice Society would have annually in the pages of Justice League of America. It's actually The Infinity Gauntlet that would be Marvel's CRISIS. 

Infinity Gauntlet starts out beautifully. George Perez, one of my favorite artists and an all-around hell of a nice guy, covered the artwork for the first 3 and a half issues. But the pressures of completing this mega crossover along with DC's War of the Amazons at the very same time kinda burned Perez out. So much, that he quit the big-two for lower level penciling duties for many years in order to recover. 

What Starlin and Perez do in those few issues is mind boggling. The level of destruction and chaos brought about by Thanos' snap are some of the most impressive pages of destruction and choas I have ever seen in comics. But Starlin does not do enough. 

In this book, he's got both the Kree and Skrull ready to go to war. But he never follows through. Instead, Jim Starlin's sweeping focus on the entire Marvel Universe gets narrowed down to maybe a dozen players by the last 2 issues. 

Another thing that Starlin doesn't do right is properly set-up Adam Warlock's rebirth on Earth. It took me several re-reads before I figured out that he doesn't kill a liquor store clerk. But instead, Adam Warlock uses the recently dead body of the murderer to return to life. That just seemed so out of character for the generally peace loving Warlock and it was. But Jim Starlin didn't do a good enough job making that notion clear. 

I did love the final 5 or so pages of Infinity Gauntlet. It was rather perfect and ties into 2018's Avengers: Inifinity War quite well. (Actually, I am amazed at a lot of similarities between this miniseries and that film. It's a same that Marvel Studios weren't able to get the rights to Adam Warlock or the Silver Surfer hashed out in order to be in the movie.)

Infinity Gauntlet is one of the best Marvel epic crossovers. But it could have been the greatest if not for the writer losing focus. The main artist leaving didn't help matters either. Ron Lim is a talented artist. But he's no George Perez. 

A good read. But it didn't do enough for me to feel like I've got to rush out and procure the second and third acts of The Infinity Trilogy. (Not like I can just rush out right now thanks to COVID. But I think you get what I mean.)

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

I Survived: The Sinking of the Titanic 1912: The Graphic Novel (Family Comic Friday)

Take a trip back in time to April 1912 as Family Comic Friday investigates the sinking of the Titanic!

I Survived: The Sinking of the Titanic 1912: The Graphic Novel
Written by Lauren Tarshis with Georgia Ball
Art by Huas Studio
Published by Graphix Scholastic
Pages: 160
Retail: $10.99

I Survived is based on the popular award-winning series of chapter books of the same name by Lauren Tarshis. Since 2010, her books have taken young readers back into the past to witness such disastrous events as the attack on Pearl Harbor, the great Chicago fire and hurricane Katrina. Tarshis combines real life events with fictional characters to present a narrative that invites readers into the drama without being too intense. 

Like with Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales, the I Survived books do not sugar coat historical fact. People die in some very dramatic ways in these books. So it might be best for parents and guardians to stick to the recommended age range of 8-12 years old for these books. Adults, you might be comfortable with going a year or so younger. But I would greatly suggest that if you do, read the book with your child in order to field any intense feelings or anxieties that might arise when reading. 

I was a huge fan of many elements of this book. I liked that Lauren Tarshis handled the adaptation of her book from chapter book to graphic novel. (Georgia Ball developed the script for the illustrators to follow.) I thought that the educational segment in the back of the book was great. But what  I really fell in love with was the author’s letter to the reader which continued, albeit briefly, the story of main character George and his family after the sinking of Titanic.

Artwork for this book was done by the Argentine collective Haus Studio. The art was very good as was the coloring. My favorite aspect was the framing. The great Jack Kirby was known for taking comics characters out of static poses and instead re-positions the ‘camera’ angles into more dramatic poses. And the artists at Haus Studio developed some of the most breath-taking panels that I have seen in a very long time. 

(See the very last panel on page 109 for a perfect example of this!)

The Sinking of the Titanic, 1912 is the first of Lauren Tarshis’ I Survived books that will receive the graphic novel treatment. If your child becomes a fan of this book, not only are there dozens of age appropriate books out there about the Titanic, but a second graphic novel is due very soon. I Survived The Shark Attacks of 1916 is set for release in print and digital formats this June!

For a thrilling venture through one of the worst naval disasters in world history, this is an account not to be missed! Exciting. Tragic. And educational too! This is a new graphic novel series that the entire family will enjoy. 

I Survived: The Sinking of the Titanic, 1912: The Graphic Novel is currently available on Amazon in multiple formats. 

If at all possible, during the COVID-19 crisis, support your local comic shop or favorite independent bookseller by ordering this book through them.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.