Uncanny Origins #3 (Family Comic Friday)

 

  The third issue of this 1996-97 series features yet another mutant! Big surprise there... 

   The star this time around is one Warren Worthington III- AKA the Angel. Though at the time of this issue's publication, Warren's going around as Archangel, a sort of Angel 2.0, after he is upgraded by the villain Apocalypse. 

   There was lots of new and exciting stuff included in this origin story, including Warren's time as the Avenging Angel prior to becoming an X-Man, along with his first encounter with the group. Of the three issues I have read so far, this is the only one that features to some degree a character's early and later life history. 

   I'm sure that has a lot to do with Angel becoming Archangel as I mentioned prior. However, there was one problem I had with this story. It's explained how Warren's feathery wings were destroyed by fire. Despondent, the mutant hero goes to Apocalypse in an attempt to regain the ability to fly. The evil scientist bonds new metallic wings to Warren's body and the former X-Men became, albeit briefly, an enforcer for Apocalypse. 

   Yet, by the end of this issue, Archangel is again a good guy but while still genetically enhanced, he no longer has the metal wings. They are once more wings made of feathers. But it's never mentioned how Archangel underwent this change! If you are going to present us with a characters history and you make important changes such as the ability to regrow limbs- or wings- you've got to explain it; even if it's just a tiny thought balloon or caption. That's Good Writing 101!

   This series still amazes me with its Batman: The Animated Series style artwork. But there are still some kinks to be worked out in crafting an in-depth origin story that explains all of the vital facts needed to present a concise but accurate origin story. A true bargain bin hidden gem that is perfect for comics fans of all ages!

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Sampling Mr. Sketch...

Picture colored with Mr. Sketch Markers.

"This post was sponsored by Mr. Sketch® as part of a sampling activation for Crowdtap. I received complimentary products to facilitate my review."

  My family tried the Mr. Sketch Markers. While we loved the bright colors, we weren't 100% happy with the scents. The Fruit Punch and Watermelon ones were spot on. But the Cinnamon one- we couldn't  even smell it! And with blueberry- it smells great- but I've never smelt any blueberries that smelled like that marker!

  While we liked these markers they are just too thick for finesse work! These are great for younger artists but it is very hard to stay in the lines.

The Sandman: Overture Deluxe Edition

   It's 1917 and Morpheus, the Sandman, is on a most desperate mission. A sentient star has gone insane and is threatening the very existence of the universe. Normally, to a member of the eternal Endless, a problem such as the end of a plane of existence is no big loss. But the cause of this crisis is purely Dream's fault and he must act quickly to correct the situation. Morpheus' mission will be perilous and take him to the very edge of Night and the through countless annuals of Time. But the Sandman will not be going at it alone, as he is joined by the feline concept of Dreams and a young girl named Hope.

    The Sandman: Overture is both a sequel to the multi-award winning Vertigo series The Sandman by Neil Gaiman. But it's also a prequel to the direct events that occur just prior to the very first page of Sandman #1, January 1989. It's for this very reason that I think Neil Gaiman is the Lewis Carrol of the Modern Age.

   Gaiman's works put your average concept of reality and spin it on its ear. Up is down, yet in reverse down might not always be up. Though it's all based to quote Obi-Wan Kenobi 'on a certain point of view,' every twist and turn in a Gaiman story have a rhyme behind its reasonings. Thankfully, Gaiman doesn't seem to be as obsessed mathematics like Carrol is. But then again, maybe he is and I just don't know it!

   I love Gaiman! I may not understand every little concept he's trying to put into place with his works, but I never find myself at the end going 'what in the hell did I just read?' He's also one of the very few writers that I don't mind taking a break from to research the themes and symbolism of his works nor does it frustrate or bore me to read his stuff over and over. It's like re-watching an episode of the Simpsons, as you always find something new, even if you've seen it a hundred times prior. Thus, I'm going to violate my own personal reading rule and I'm going to give Gaiman's original The Sandman another read. 

   Obviously, this graphic novel is the perfect starting point. Featuring covers by Dave McKean, coloring by Dave Stewart, and lettering by Todd Klein, along with series creator and writer Gaiman, Overture isn't a reboot but a revival. The only difference is the inclusion of new (to the Sandman) artist JH Williams III (Batwoman) but to be honest, I couldn't tell. I felt like Williams had been the only Sandman artist with how seamless and timeless he made the art in the miniseries. OH, and be sure to read all of the 'direct's cut' material in the back of this edition.  Every article is worth the read!

   A true masterpiece that can only be improved through multiple readings.

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

   

Uncanny Origins #2

 

The second entry in this series focuses on the mutant speedster Quicksilver. From the revelations of his true parentage to life with the gypsy family that adopted him and his sister to life on the run with an eventual team up with the evil mutant Magneto, this comic is as much Quicksilver's story as it is his twin sister’s- the Scarlet Witch. Why Marvel didn't make the siblings the costars of this issue is beyond me, unless the powers that be, in 1996, didn't think they could sell an origins story about two people. Or even more, archaic, with a woman costar!

  This issue was very informative. I knew quite a bit about Quicksilver from reading the Marvel Saga and early issues of X-Men. But there were a few nagging mysteries about the mutant that I had wondered about for quite awhile. Some of the eternal questions that were finally answered here were things such as ‘why did the Golden Age hero, the Whizzer think for a while that he was Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch’s father?’ And ‘ what led to Quicksilver first becoming a baddie?’

   While most of the fastest man alive in the Marvel Universe’s early history is explored, his time with the Avengers and later the Inhumans is grossly ignored. Plus, his redemption from the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants is little more than a blurb at issue's end. I guess they ran out of book…

 A great second act that is at times a little uneven in giving a complete origin story of this issue's subject.

  Worth Consuming

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Animal Parade: A Puzzle Book

   This adorable picture book hides a surprise. The main image of each page pulls apart to become a 2-sided puzzle. At only 6 panels, this is a puzzle that the youngest of readers can enjoy by themselves or with an older sibling or mom & dad. 

   I saw three different versions being  given away on Goodreads and I entered to win all three. How excited I was to win one! It's going to be a great gift to my wife's cousin's baby girl. 

   The author/ artist, Aino-Maija Metsola is a Finnish freelance designer. Her style is renown for being so simple and yet visually stunning. Plus, the wild color palette used seems to me to be in that special style that people say is perfect for a child's development. 

  Plus, I know the author is Finnish, but this book has a visual appeal that looks right at home at that Swedish superstore IKEA!

  There is one thing that I would change about this book and it's actually a smart idea. See, when I got this book, the pages have a plastic sleeve around them to keep the puzzle pieces from falling out. That's great to keep everything inside while at the store, but the plastic poses a choking hazard for little ones and should be discarded before use. So, I purpose that they attach some sort of velcro strap attached to the book that can be used to keep the book shut tight and pieces from falling out (and getting lost) when not it use.

   Maybe that can be done with the second print of what is sure to become the next picture book classic!

   Worth Consuming

   Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Uncanny Origins #1

Now that I have seen Batman V Superman, my anticipation for Captain America: Civil War is beginning to grow. So I decided to spend some time getting to know the members of the Marvel Universe a little better. My choice of reading is Uncanny Origins, a secret Origins type title from the mid-90s.

  Uncanny Origins started in 1996 and lasted about a dozen issues or so. Though not a very common series to find, I was able to get most of my full run in bargain books. I spent no more than a dollar a book, except for issue #7, starring Venom. For some reason, it lists for upwards of $10 and I had to take to eBay to finally securing one and completing my collection.

    This series was written as an all ages primer for mostly young readers though adults could enjoy this title as well. Uncanny Origins was part of Marvel's .99¢ line of books that included a Spider-Man series, at least two X-Men titles, and a reboot of Marvel Fanfare. With the exception of the last title, one of this book's most appealing quality was that the issues were drawn in the art deco style of DC’s Batman: The Animated Series.

   The first subject for the debut issue of Uncanny Origins is the story of Scott Summers, AKA Cyclops, the first X-Man. When aliens attack his family’s plane, Scott and little brother Alex are forced to bail out using only one parachute. This results in severe head injuries for the boys that will eventually impact their latent mutant abilities.

   Separation results in Alex getting a new forever home and lots of additional tragedy for Scott. One day on a trip to visit an eye specialist, Scott's mutant abilities manifest in him uncontrollably shooting laser beams from his eyes. With the FBI aware of a rogue mutant’s existence, Scott goes on the run but runs afoul of other mutants who seek to use the lad for their nefarious schemes. Thankfully there's a very powerful mutant on the side of good whose taken an interest in Scott's case. But can this mystery man get to the young mutant before it's too late?

  I liked this story very much. I had always had trouble with Cyclops' origin because I thought it strange that he would just happen to know that ruby quartz could help him control his laser blasts. But this story does an admirable job explaining how Scott came to be wearing the red sunglasses prior to his latent abilities which would literally explode onto the scene.

  I thought the art was quite good. Artist Dave Hoover does a masterful job though I thought his Professor X looked a little weird. Still, it was the artwork that first sold me on this series but if the stories are as good as this first one, I will be a fan for life.

  Worth Consuming

  Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice- Trailer Park Disaster

  I've already posted a review for Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice. I feel like I was pretty fair with the film. But now I want to rip into Warner Bros. for a minute. Batman V Superman was rated PG-13. I have no qualms with that nor can I argue about parents taking their kids to see this film, even if they are too young for it. I saw several kids under the age of 13 at the showing I went to today and if I had kids, I would probably be guilty of doing the same.

   But come on DC and Warner- use a little bit of common sense when it comes to the trailers add to the showing!

   The first movie trailer was for the newest Amityville Horror picture. Let me tell you folks; it scared the crap not just outta most of the kids in the theatre- it scared the hell outta me!  In the trailer you've got an SAWK (Scary Ass White Kid) roaming the halls of the haunted house, insects flying out of a girl's eyeballs, blood dripping walls, things jumping out of windows, walls, and mirrors, and normal looking people getting demon possessed and looking all scary.

   Now when it comes to the content of the Batman/Superman film, if there was something too violent or startling and you didn't like it, I really can't defend a person's choice to see this film with children under the recommended age of 13. If you think a live-action superhero movie is going to have the heroes fighting bad guys over an innocent round of Twister, you don't understand superheroes. But, that's not what I had trouble with- it was the choice of commercials before the first meeting of Batman and Superman!

  Know your frickin' audience, Warner Bros! If you are advertising toys, clothes, posters, and other goods towards kids, WB/DC, you've got to expect kids are going to see the thing. Do you really think parents are going to take them to see a slasher flick?  So let's use a little bit of better common sense in picking something a little less heart-stopping than the Amityville Horror when the Wonder Woman movie comes out next year, please!