Rick and Morty Vs. Dungeons & Dragons

Take someone whose never watched a single episode of Rick and Morty, nor have they ever played D&D, and have them read this book? Well, that's me. But thanks to the personal recommendation of Oni Press editor, Sarah Gaydos, I gave this book a try and I loved it!

At last year's Bull City Comic Com, I interviewed Gaydos as she was the driving force behind the epic Star Trek Vs. Transformers crossover when she worked at IDW. I asked her for any sneak previews of her new projects over at Oni and she told me that I must read this crossover even if I had never played Dungeons and Dragons or ever seen an episode of the Adult Swim hit series.

So I took up Sarah Gaydos challenge when I found this book where else but at my local library! And I loved it!

All of Morty's friends at school are enjoying role-playing games. Not wanting to be left out, Morty goes to his local gaming shop to find out what the fuss is all about. At the store, Morty flirts with a girl gamer who invites him to play D&D one night after the store closes.

Not knowing how to play the game, Morty reluctantly goes to Rick for assistance. Turns out, Rick Sanchez is a total gamer! So, Rick and his older buds try to teach Morty the basics of the game. Only Morty keeps dying! 

Running out of patience and character sheets, Morty insists that Rick create a world in which the rules of Dungeons and Dragons exist for reals in order to truly experience the game in a LARPing sort of way. With Morty's mom and siter eager for adventure and Morty's dad secretly being a master gamer himself, it seems that the Smith family might finally found a way to bond as the perfect family!

I have no real way of knowing if this comic book was anywhere really like the show as I've never seen Rick and Morty. But I know a bit about D&D from reading articles and having discussions with friends who do pole play. (Those certain episodes from The Big Bang Theory helped with my a priori knowledge of the game as well.) But what I can say is that this miniseries was a very funny and a fun read. 

I liked that all versions of D&D are explored including the CBS Saturday morning cartoon and Forgotten Realms. Well, almost all. Why is the Fourth Edition considered unspeakable garbage? I'm interested to learn if that's just an inside jokes or if that edition of Dungeons and Dragons is really that awful. Since Jim Zub is a big name D&D comics writer, I might just have to PM him on Twitter and ask....

The artwork by Troy Little was a great. It was a very good mix of Rick and Morty cartoon meets realistically gritty Dungeons and Dragons art. Now in the comics, all of the orcs, dragons and villains are drawn in the style of the Adult Swim series. But a lot of those amazing covers done by Little and friends have Rick and his grandson illustrated in an epically 'advanced' way!

The only thing I could have done without were the character sheets of the Smith and Sanchez clan. Since I don't play D&D, I didn't understand them. I didn't know if they were meant to be real or done as a joke. If it was the former, I missed out on the punchline.

Rick and Morty Vs. Dungeons and Dragons was a great read for anyone. As long as you are a geek that loves hanging out with friends at their favorite LCS or playing board games and such, you'll enjoy this book. You don't have to be a fan (or even all that acquainted) with either franchise. But it sure won't hurt if you are!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Dark Nights: Metal- Dark Knights Rising

This Dark Nights collection reprints the seven one-shots devoted the most evil Dark

Knights of the Dark Multiverse. 

This book read like a library of Elseworlds stories. Yes, I know that these origin stories

are canon. But they have that imaginary 'what if' kind of feel to them that I love so

much when reading those Elseworlds classics.

The most surprising element to this volume is the level of violence. Some of your most

favorite superheroes are taken down by an evil version of the Batman in gruesome

fashion. It's almost like Robert Kirkman took a break from The Walking Dead to pencil

these ghoulish adventures. 

While Kirkman didn't have a hand at these amazing tales, a number of DC talents did.

Scott Snyder, Peter J. Tomasi, Joshua Williamson, and James Tynion IV are just a

few of the many, and I do mean many, artists and writers who contributed. They all

did a fantastic job. Almost.

Along with the seven one-shot origin tales, there was also a one-shot that focused

on Detective Chimp and the efforts of a number of scientists on Blackhawk Island

to combat this coming Dark Multiverse crisis. I literally remember zero of what these

guys contributed to Metal. Perhaps it's time to re-read it. I was so lost reading Dark

Nights: Metal because I hadn't read all of the prelude material. But I've just completed

all of that by finishing this volume. So I guess I am doing something that I rarely ever

do and giving something I've already completed a second read.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Star Wars: Jedi Academy: Revenge of the Sis (Family Comic Friday)

For this week’s Family Comic Friday, I’m digging into my to-read pile to bring you the latest adventures of the younglings from the Jedi Academy. This time, the focus is on Christina Starspeeder as she begins her apprenticeship on the planet Jedha! Be sure to strap in for some all-ages Star Wars fun!

Star Wars: Jedi Academy: Revenge of the Sis
Written by Amy Ignatow
Art  and story by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Published by Scholastic Inc.
Pages: 176
Retail: $12.99

The seventh book in the Jedi Academy series is the best as Christina Starspeeder, older sister of Victor, heads to Jedha to start her Jedi apprenticeship. Christina has been paired with legendary master Skia Ro. But things could not get any worse for the Padawan who tries too hard to impress her master. 

Nearly causing a war between Wookiee tribes, instigating a music revolt among the Bith and almost becoming a meal to a band of hungry Wampa, Christina is just about to give up on being a Jedi when she uncovers a disturbing trend. Everywhere Starspeeder and her master travel to smooth down an uprising also seems to be the newest locale selected by the Hutts for a new casino and pod-racing track.

Is there a connection to these seemingly peaceful races suddenly becoming violent and the Hutts? Or is it Christina Starspeeder’s doing? If you ask Skia Ro’s droid, it’s because Christina’s a jinx. Nah- it can’t be that…

I wasn’t lying when I said that Revenge of the Sis was the best volume in the entire Jedi Academy series. I really loved the Roan Novachez trilogy by Jeffery Brown. They were extremely clever books. When the story shifted to Victor Starspeeder, I was a little disappointed. Victor didn’t seem as strong of a character and he was a little bit whiny. But like Luke Skywalker, the Padawan matured. However, making Victor’s older sister the star of this volume was a brilliant move.

Christina is more what I expect out of a Jedi apprentice. She’s got the chops. But she still has a long way to go towards becoming a master. But what I really enjoyed about this book was the change of scenery!

The academy on Coruscant is great and all that but after 6 volumes, it’s gotten to be a predictable setting. Having Jedha as the setting adds to the wonder of the Star Wars universe. We got a small but not really significant glimpse of the planet in Rogue One. But thanks to this volume, I was really able to make a connection to that ancient planet’s history and lore.

The addition of Amy Ignatow (The Popularity Papers) to the mix brought a new dynamic to this series. The Jedi Academy series mostly examines a few well-known settings and characters. I.E. Tatooine, Coruscant, Yoda. But this book, with the articles on the many species that make up the Star Wars universe, really added a depth to the plot and ultimately the fun.

Jarrett J. Krosoczka continues his run on this series. Krosoczka created the Starspeeder family and his creative touch with the artwork and the Star Wars version of social media were perfect for this next chapter in older sister Christina’s path to becoming a Jedi. His cartoony versions of the Gammoreans and Bith were really fluid and full of energy. However, there’s this one Padowan with milky white eyes. What race is he from? Can anybody tell me, cause I really would like to know!

Like with almost all of the reviews I write that involve works that I really love, I always find myself wishing for more. Well, I’m in luck! Christina’s story will continue in the pages of Jedi Academy Book #8, ‘Attack of the Furball’ this September.

Revenge of the Sis was a fun all-ages journey to that Star Wars universe of far, far away. This was a book that unique and new but still maintained enough of the Star Wars canon that readers new and old to the franchise could enjoy without being repetitive or too confusing. If the young reader in your life likes the Jedi Academy series, they are going to love this entry!

Star Wars: Jedi Academy: Revenge of the Sis debuted in print and digital formats on March 26, 2019.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9.5 out of 10 stars.

This review was concurrently published on Outrightgeekery.com.

2019. It seemed so far away in 1982 with Ridley Scott's neo-noir dystopian view of Los Angeles. After the passage of 37 years, we still don't have any flying cars, android sheep or murderous replicants (okay, that last one is actually a good thing.) But thanks to Titan Comics' new series Blade Runner 2019, the future is finally here!

Blade Runner 2019 #1

Written by Michael Green, Mike Johnson
Art by Andres Guinaldo
Covers by: Stanley 'Artgerm' Lau, Andres Guinaldo, Syd Mead, John Royle
Published by Titan Comics
Pages: 24
Retail: $3.99

Blade Runner 2019 takes place right around the time that Rick Deckard has his hands busy apprehending Roy Batty's group of android fugitives. It focuses on the new character of Ash Ashina; a Blade Runner with an impressive kill list.

While Ash works with the police department of Los Angeles retiring 'skinjobs', she makes extra money selling the body parts of her retired replicants on the black market. With the number of illegal replicants dwindling on earth, Ash picks up a contract looking for a missing woman and her 4-year old child.

I wish there was more to say about the plot of this first issue. I'm absolutely thrilled that Titan Comics has brought back the return of the Blade Runner universe. Blade Runner 2019 is the first ever series comprised of all-new stories and characters which are all canon to the films. However, 24-pages really isn't enough to properly introduce a new main character as well as make the reader interested in coming back for issue #2.

I really think that Titan should have made this premiere issue double-sized. 24 pages was enough to make Ash intriguing. But I feel very little connection to the woman and child that the Blade Runner has been hired to find. But I must say that I am ready to return to this universe in the pages of the second issue!

Other than being obsessed with Blade Runner, another reason I am willing to continue reading this series is all thanks to the writing and the art. This story is written by someone who knows this franchise intimately, Blade Runner 2049's Michael Green. Along with Mike Johnson (Star Trek) and artist Andres Guinaldo (Justice League Dark), Michael Green takes the reader on the tour of vital and recognizable locales. As we view Ash's day, we are taken to the L.A. skyline, the aqueduct, the street markets as well as the never-before-seen setting, the archipelago of Santa Barbara. While the Tyrell family is mentioned in this book, I have a feeling that the Tyrell Corporation is going to be off-limits in this series.

The artwork of the characters wasn't as stunning as that of the settings and the technology. Guinado's image of Ash's police car hovering over the police station was so perfect, I thought it was an image straight from the 1982 film. I especially loved the effects given to the spotlights of the cars and cityscape. I was in awe of how they glowed and gave off a reflective halo. Clearly, the artist of this series has done his homework on how the Blade Runner universe is supposed to look!

I think that I am going to love Blade Runner 2019. But I think it's going to be as series in which one will get more enjoyment out of reading as a collected trade. A single issue just isn't enough time to be engrossed in a living-breathing franchise such as Blade Runner.

This is not a realm for quick trips. Honestly, I would be happy if Titan decided to forgo this series as a monthly and instead release it as a quarterly oversize book full of one complete story. per volume. We live in the future of Blade Runner 2019. This sort of publishing arrangement ought to exist in this turbulent present time of the comic industry's re-structuring.

Please consider this Titan. Blade Runner 2019 is one title I don't want to see retired!
Blade Runner 2019 debuts in print and digital platforms on July 17, 2019.
For more info on this awesome new series from Titan, check out the trailer for issues #1 here!

Worth Consuming!

Rating 8 out of 10 stars.

This review was originally published July 16, 2019 on Outrightgeekery.com.

Spider-Man Annual Presents: Peter Porker: The Spectacular Spider-Ham #1

Peter Porker is back! After stealing all the scenes of last year's Into The Spiderverse, the Spectacular Spider-Ham returns to print! 

An Inter-dimensional mishap on earth-616 involving the Ringmaster has resulted in a host of Peter's enemies to take refuge throughout the multiverse. With the help of Spider-Guin, Spider-Ham must gather his foes who are going on crime sprees on new and very different earths.

I know that this was a one-shot story. But it set things up for a potential new Spider-Ham series; which is something I very much would like. Black Cloud's Jason Latour penned a good story. But it was the artwork of All-New Doop's David LaFuente that really won me over.

There was a second story in this annual. But other than some very clever modern Marvel parodies of more recent heroes and villains turned into animals, I could have done without this yarn. In the middle of yet another universe rebooting crisis, Spider-Ham and Howard the Duck sneak into a bar and share a drink while pining philosophical over the Buddhist-like reincarnation sure to happen with the Marvel Universe. It read like a Grant Morrison story. That would okay if only I wanted to purchase and read a Grant Morrison story. But I only wanted a soft-hearted funny animal parody!!!

This book was available with several amazing covers. But the cover I choose was a no-brainer. I went with the wonderful 'Spiderverse' version crafted by John Tyler Christopher. It was just so classic. 

I loved the first act. I rather had an extra 6-8 pages added to it instead of that mind-boggling of a downer second tale. I really do hope that Marvel brings back Spider-Ham in an all-new title. Just please don't make it in the style of that last piece. Cause I will not buy it if you (Marvel) do!

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Hip Hop Family Tree Volume 4 (1984-85)

Ed Piskor's award-winning series about the history of hip hop and rap continues. In this volume, East Coast rap is seeing the bright lights of Hollywood as several movies about the burgeoning music genre is finally catching the eyes of both white America and MTV. Over on the left coast, West Coast rap is starting to gain it's own identity which unfortunately is rooted in hard drugs such as crack as well as gang culture.

A number of household name players in hip-hop make their first appearances here. Perhaps the most famous name is Philadelphia's Fresh Prince, Will Smith, who is not quite ready to become one of the biggest names in TV and movies yet. Also expect to see female act Salt-n-Pepa, Biz Markie and Easy E starting to get in on the hip-hop 'fad.'

This chapter started a little slower than the other books. But by the end of the account of 1984's impact on the music industry, the storytelling pace was back to normal. The art however was as phenomenal as always.

This volume of Hip Hop Family Tree is from 2016. Supposedly, Ed Piskor is planning on making 7 total volumes. But I am wondering if that's ever going to be the case. Piskor keeps saying throughout this edition to expect more details on certain artists in future books. But with 2 and a half years having gone by and X-Men books now appearing to be his main focus, I'm not going to hold my breath for volume 5.

I'm guessing I'm never going to witness the greatest crossover event in hip-hop history between Run-DMC and Aerosmith in comic book form.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Care Bears: Unlock the Magic #1 (Family Comic Friday)

This Family Comic Friday, we welcome back those lovable Care Bears in the pages of Care Bears: Unlock the Magic #1. Based on the Boomerang Mobile app series of the same name, this new series features new friends, new foes and a whole bunch of caring!

Care Bears: Unlock the Magic #1
Written by Matthew Erman and Natalie Shammas
Illustrated by Agnes Grabowska
Published by IDW Publishing
Colors by Slivana Brys
Pages 25 + a 5 page preview of Sonic the Hedgehog: Tangle & Whisper #1
Retail: $3.99

Let’s assume that you know nothing about this news cartoon series about the Care Bears. In Unlock the Magic, a sinister bully named Bluster and his Bad Crowd are seeking to turn the land of Silver Lining into Bluster’s personal playground. Silver Lining is the home of the Whiffles; small cupcake looking creatures that plant the seeds of caring that helps Care-a-Lot thrive.

To protect Silver Lining and the seeds, the team of Good Luck Bear, Funshine Bear, Cheer Bear, Grumpy Bear, and Share Bear are sent to this wondrous new land. In their Cloudseeker mobile command center, our team of Care Bears are able to travel anywhere in uncharted Silver Lining whenever trouble arises.

Here in issue #1, the Care Bears are sent to the Glass Glaciers. It is here that anyone who gazes into the reflective glaciers can catch a glimpse of their true inner selves. Unfortunately, Bluster has done something to the reflections and has caused dissention among the Whiffles that maintain the crystalline formations. With the Care Bears on the case, immediately it is determined to be the work of the Bad Crowd. And this means that our heroes have walked into a trap!

Having grown-up when the first generation of Care Bears toys and cartoons debuted, I am not a fan of the modern design of the protagonists. I don’t fault artist Agnes Grabowska (My Little Pony). She is just following the design bible of the series. I for one, just do not like how these Care Bears look. They look like they were designed by the creators of the Cartoon Network series Stephen Universe and they look too anime for my tastes.

I did like the work Grabowska did on the Cloudbreaker and the Rainbow Scooters. They had a very sleek yet classic design to them. Also, I am not sure how the Whiffles or the Bad Crowd are supposed to look. But I thought the art involving them looked just fine.

The opening chapter by Matthew Erman (Long Lost) and Natalie Shammas was pretty good. They do a fairly decent job getting the uninitiated to Unlock the Magic up to speed. (Though a quick visit to Wikipedia really did the trick!)

I felt that most of the characters and their attributes were captured quite well. Except for Grumpy. Instead of being constantly annoyed, here Grumpy seemed like her was one day away from retirement and just too old for the antics of his fellow Care Bears. Grumpy was supposed to be the comic relief of the Care Bears; always wanting to do the opposite of his colleagues. Here, I felt like at any moment, he was going to yell at a bunch of kids to stay off his lawn. The character is called Grumpy Bear- not Disgruntled Senior Grandpa Bear!

I do like the new bad guy, Bluster. He’s much more dastardly than the very saccharine villains of the original Care Bears series. He’s also got a very good comedic sidekick, named Robbie. Both have that perfect and oh-so-vital chemistry of egomaniac leader and buffoonish helper.

Unlock the Magic is about as wholesome as you can get even with the better villains. Kids will enjoy the colorful antics of the characters. Parents will love the pop culture references peppered throughout the first issue.

With a couple of scenes that seemed over-edited for time constraints, this first issue felt a little chaotic. I think if IDW had decided to not include the Sonic the Hedgehog preview in this book and add 2-3 more pages of story to the Care Bears, it would have been a much smoother read in which the reader could better understand some of the finer points of the plot.

In all, Unlock the Magic captures the wholesome essence of the Care Bears very well. But that modern Manga/Anime look of the Care Bears is just not right. Families will enjoy this book as pure family fun. But the nostalgia factor is missing here and some parts of this issue are uneven. More care and less promotion of other titles would be much appreciated for issue #2.

Care Bears: Unlock the Magic #1 debuted in print and digital formats on July 10, 2019. 

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

This review was concurrently published on Outrightgeekery.com.