Review: CARRIERS: PIRATE BAY/WATCHERS IN THE NIGHT

(Special thanks to Pilot Studios for providing electronic copies for review)

I have to admit, much of my enthusiasm for comics has waned thanks to the ever-prevalent cycle of reboot/revamp/recon of the majors....but sometimes, a comic can serve as a reminder of the power of the medium....and that, despite the material, comics can be imaginative and fun.

Carriers: Pirate Bay # 1  and Carriers: Watchers in the Night from Pilot Studios are imaginative, fun reads...and deserve your attention.

Carriers' premise is simple: a group of anthropomorphic carrier pigeons fight fantastic menaces in New York City. Part of a series of graphic novels, Pirate Bay # 1 is the third of the series (and the first chapter of a multi-part story), and Watchers in the Night is the seventh, but both contain strong, well-written stories and...well, after reading these, you'll be heading to Indy Planet to purchase more copies. Yes, they're that good.

Pirate Bay starts in high gear with a group of seagull pirates engaging in arson...and a threat: release the Croc King or more damage will happen.

You read that correctly - seagull pirates. Part of the joy of JD Arnold's script is how it deftly balances high pulp adventure with a great sense of characterization. As the opening chapter of a series, Carriers: Pirate Bay lays out its scenario well, providing easy entry into this world.

(Plus, both series have a one-page introduction to the world of Carriers)

Although Arnold's script is excellent, I thoroughly enjoyed Luis Rivera's art and inking on Carriers: Pirate Bay. Even though disparate elements are provided (moving from seagull pirates to more high-tech setting to the sewers of New York), Rivera's art provides a nice continuity and never breaks tone or feels inauthentic. Micah Meyers' lettering and Grupo Escomics' colors also provide context and consistency. In short, this is a really good book.

I have to admit that although I also enjoyed Carriers: Watchers In the Night, the book didn't have the same excitement or discovery.

Part of it, I'll admit, is that it comes later on in the overall "series" (meaning that I may have missed some critical pieces). I think part of it also is that there are some blatant nods to the Watchmen movie which feel a bit forced...

Granted, it should be expected with the word "Watchers" in the title, but it does make sense in plot terms.

Jay Huwer's script (from a story written in collaboration with artist Jason Kimble) highlights one of the key themes, as the plot concerns how the Carriers interact with the Parliament, a group of owls protecting the city. As the plot progresses, it becomes clear that the Parliament has their own, more extreme way of protecting the city....

Carriers: Watchers In the Night focuses on a well-told story in comics: how far is too far in protecting the common good? Despite this common theme, the script actually does a great job in laying out the beats, and providing a natural new "rival" for the Carriers.

In fact, it manages to do in twenty-some pages what the Watchmen movie took four hours. And made it much more pleasant.

Jason Kimble's art brings fantasy-oriented, almost contemplative quality to the story. I'm not a fan of that particular style of art, but in this context, it works wonders, giving Carriers: Watchers In the Night a more fable/parable-like quality. Even though it's not quite my favorite, I have to admit that it tells a frequently-told story in very moody, thoughtful terms.

If you're suffering through a slight sense of comic burnout (like I am), you should pick up Carriers: Pirate Bay # 1 and Carriers: Watchers in the Night. You can purchase online via IndyPlanet, or you can ask your local comic shop.

After reading these books, you will rethink your pull list. I guarantee it.

Your Labor Day Present

For your viewing pleasure: a charming comedy short film about iPhone navigation called The Big Day.

(Video link provided by Gold Cap Films, the makers of Never Say Macbeth and Desperate Acts of Magic)

About RED HOT # 3 By Mike Luoma/Glow In the Dark Comics

Has there really been three issues of Red Hot, written by Mike Luoma and published by Glow in the Dark Comics?

Google answers - no. I wrote about issue one here, and issue two here.

And on August 24th, Red Hot will hit issue three, concluding its first story arc. And trust me - it's a really cool conclusion.

(Plus, you can easily order through Glow-in-the-Dark's page...and catch up on Mike's other excellent work).

One of the best things about this book (which was written and lettered by Mike - and yes, he and I are on a first-name basis) is the art. Illustrated by Juan Carlos Quattordio (FIERRO, GPS del AMOR), Red Hot # 3 starts with a climax and never lets go. It's a really strong, well-paced book with a twist that I never saw coming...and quite honestly, I don't think I would have. 

But what's also cool is how Red Hot establishes a great new universe. Or, as Mike says: 

"Happy to be releasing Red Hot three – great to be finishing with Juan Carlos what Rhys ap Gwyn and I began," Luoma said. "With his introductory story now complete with this issue, we hope comic book readers will give RED HOT a chance!"

I have to admit, I haven't been doing a lot of comics reading...and I've been missing it. Red Hot # 3 from Glow in the Dark Comics is a great reminder of how much fun reading comics can be.

Red Hot # 3 will be available digitally at comiXology and Drive Thru Comics and in print at Indy Planet.

Review: THE ADVENTURES OF ALIBI JONES # 2

Full Disclosure: An electronic copy of the comic and promotional materials were provided for review purposes. 

You know, I always enjoy when friends send me copies of their work to review. It serves as a bit of a palate cleanser (because I'm usually reading tons of other things for professional reasons) and break (because being a freelancer isn't easy). So when pal Mike Luoma of Glow In the Dark Radio sent me a copy of The Adventures of Alibi Jones # 2, I was pleased.

Even more pleasing was the fact that this is a pretty solid book. Although the issues consists of two shorter stories, I really appreciate the economy of Mike's writing, and The Adventures of Alibi Jones # 2 would serve as a great springboard for readers to check out other works featuring the character. 

The book's first tale, Vacation, involves Jones, his girlfriend, their feline-styled acquaintance, and a planet called "Paradise". Illustrated by David Siddall, Vacation manages to balance a fast-paced tale with some great characterization. Thanks to Matt Grant's inks and Jerry Lucas' coloring provide a very pleasant effect to the art, making this tale a really great lead for the book.

Illustrated by Meisha (with inks by Bill Nicholls and coloring by Ken Lateer, Alibi Jones & the Wishing Stone is a great character piece. It's a simple premise - Alibi Jones is sent to locate an artifact that grants wishes - but it leads to a much greater revelation about Alibi Jones. (Really can't spoil it). It's the kind of complex character building that's missing from more mainstream publishers....and Mike Luoma manages to do it in only a few pages.

The book also features two pin-ups: one by Ben Ferrari (with colors by Juan Carlos Quattordi); and the other is the cover for Alibi Jones and the Hornet's Nest by Federico Guillen. Both are really great pieces of art.

My exposure to comics both mainstream and indie has been limited the past few months, due to work. But sometimes, the right comic can lead to a greater sense of enjoyment about comics. Glow in the Dark Radio's The Adventures of Alibi Jones # 2 is such a comic, and it's a definite must-read.

Available via Comixology and Drive-Thru Comics, you don't have an excuse. Buy it. You'll thank me later.

Linux-Flavored Noir: DARK DIGITAL SKY

His name is Chaucer, but he prefers to be called Chalk - he's a private investigator who is literate, familiar with the world of coders and hackers, and who has a bit of a problem playing nicely. He also finds himself caught in a very elaborate scheme which begins with a man attempting to track down his heirs...ones conceived via a special kind of bank.....

That's the premise of Carac Allison's Dark Digital Sky, a novel due to be released in mid-September. (I was lucky enough to receive an advance copy for review). This is a very sharp, extremely intelligent hard-boiled mystery that mixes great high-end concepts with traditional pulp-flavor. Imagine Mickey Spillane and Daniel Suarez as co-writers, and you'll get a sense of Dark Digital Sky's tone.

It's a very nice, well-paced plot, with Chalk making some nice, well-written soliloquies in between moments of detection. But these aren't literary indulgences - they help make the plot move along at a steady clip. In fact, the plot moves like a well-coordinated game of three-card monte, manging shifts in plot that never seem artificial or forced. Dark Digital Sky also integrates aspects of 21st century life, coming up with very clever takes on military matters, law enforcement, and even literature and movies that never seem self-indulgent.

Dark Digital Sky is a book that's too good to spoil, with a plot that runs like clockwork, characters that feel fully formed, and an atmosphere that simply envelops the reader. It also does what other favorite authors like Spillane, Robert B. Parker, and Jim Thompson do best - make me wish the next installment were out already.

Dark Digital Sky is probably the closest we'll ever get to a model of "geek noir." It's a must-read for anyone looking for a distinctive, unique literary voice....as well as an entertaining read.

Your Mark Millar Inspirational Moment of Zen

So I'm reading promo copies of Stardust (issues 3 & 4) via Image Comics - it's for an upcoming recording of Zone 4....and to be honest, I'm not in the greatest of moods.

In short, feeling the trying-to-get-work blues (despite a really good freelance consulting gig which ended). Also, for various personal reasons, feeling very underappreciated except by a neighbor's dog. (Yes, I know, woe is me...)

And then - I come across this panel in issue 4:

Even despite the slight sarcasm, I have to say....this hits home. And makes me feel less moody - and, in a strange way, more comforted - then I've been feeling.

My Adventures in Editing: LANCE STAR Volume 4

It seems like only two weeks ago that I had announced my last editing project for Airship 27 Productions....

....actually, I take that back. It was two weeks ago.

This time, I'm here to announce the release of Lance Star-Sky Ranger Volume 4 . Four tales of high-flying aviation, action, adventure, and all sorts of fun stuff. It's a darn good read, and available via paperback and Kindle (and if you don't own a Kindle, you can either download the app for Android/iOs, or simply use Amazon's Online Kindle Reader for Chrome or Firefox).

But if you're looking for a nice, trial read, you can't go wrong with pal Ron's The Wind Up Kid . For less than a cup of Starbuck's, you can enjoy this nice, short story in e-book form focusing on a metallic gunslinger in the Wild West. (If you like a certain 1960s show featuring Robert Conrad and Ross Martin, this will be your cup of tea). Trust me - it's an easy, breezy read that you'll really find entertaining.

On that note, a slight commercial plug - as many of you know, I have an affiliate relationship with Amazon.com, and would like to cordially invite you to purchase any of the fine titles I've worked on. I get a small return on any purchases - just enough to keep the blog rolling. But think of it like this - if you're looking to read some really cool stories, or just want to help out an indie publisher, here's a great way to do it....and thanks!

I Know Cool People - THE TROUBLE W/LOVE

I met writer Victor Dandridge years ago - at the first C2E2, if memory serves (other than frequent cries of "Sketch Battle!", I merely remember us hanging out at the Comic Related booth). So reconnecting with him at various other venues (including the most recent Dan Con) has been a sheer joy....and when I had the opportunity to purchase his graphic novel The Trouble w/Love , I did so gladly to support his writing efforts. Plus, it's what cool people do.

And I'm also very grateful I did so, because this book - available through Vantage:Inhouse Publications - is a real gem, mixing emotional complexity with some great superheroic action.

Most of the book focuses on a conversation between a superhero and his son....a very intense conversation, in fact, as the son is holding a gun on his father. It leads to a conversation about love, family, and the necessary sacrifices people have to make in order to protect the ones they care about. Most of the conflict in the issue is between the father and son....and the writing never hits a false note. Simple and poignant, the book's tone is very heartfelt, possessing an emotional core which is lacking in other comics. (Note - there is plenty of profanity, but used judiciously. If you don't mind characters dropping the occasional F-bomb, you'll be OK).

Thanks to Harold Edge's art, this is also a really great looking story as well. Moving between flashback and flash-forward, Edge is able to connote the passage of time and experience without relying solely on visuals (so it's more than just "current Apex Prime has a mustache/past Apex Prime doesn't"). There's a nice sense of pacing in this book, and there's a nice sense of layout. Thanks to Ryan Carter's coloring, The Trouble with Love always feels grounded in reality - it's a story where emotional stakes take priority over physical ones, and drama is created through a frank conversation over punching and flying.

(Although, to be perfectly fair, The Trouble With Love has plenty of those as well....) 

When it comes to reviewing my friends' work, it's rare for me to be super-critical....but I also try not to provide superlatives. So it's in that spirit that I say that The Trouble With Love is one of the few genuinely moving reading experiences I've had in comics for a long time. It's not easy, nor does it shock, but is one of the best-written comics I've read in quite awhile.

(Also, it's available in both hard copy and on Kindle - if you don't own a Kindle/mobile device, Kindle does have a browser-based reader - simply head to http://read.amazon.com after ordering, sign in, and enjoy!)

Great Stuff I've Recently Read: SAN HANNIBAL

When pal P.J. Perez e-mailed me awhile back and provided a complimentary comic for me to read and review (citing my love of pulp), I have to admit....it went on the back burner, which is a real shame.

Because San Hannibal, published by Pop Goes the Icon, is one of the better indie books I've recently read.

Written by Dan Schkade, San Hannibal is a sharp mix of futuristic cool and hard-edged detective fiction. Imagine, if you will, a man named Avery: leading a very simple life in the big city, meeting a new client at a slightly busy venue (his office, it seems, is being fumigated for termites; he was cited as the best detective in the client's price range), and soon on the trail of a missing photojournalist.

Schkade's script simply crackles with the kind of side-of-the-mouth wit reminiscent of Chandler (with a really smart present-day flavor). JD Faith's art also helps sell the book - granted, the color palate is limited to three (black/white/magenta), but there's always a sense of movement, of pace, of deliberate motion to the story. It's the first chapter of an ongoing story....but it does what the best first issues do best: make you want to pick up the next issue.

San Hannibal is available via Pop Goes the Icon; this is a must-read, folks.

Surviving Snowmageddon: VATICAN ASSASSIN

Remember, about a year ago, when I told you about Mike Luoma's Vatican Assassin? 

Yes, the first four issues are now available as a graphic novel through IndyPlanet and Drive Thru Comics.

Plus, it's a damn good novel anyway.Or as pal Mike puts it:

The Story:  Meet Bernard Campion - 'BC' - visiting Lunar Prime, the neutral city on the Moon, on a mission - assassinate the Governor! If he's successful the reverberations will effect the survival of the entire human race... It's 2109 - BC is trying to take care of “business” during an out of control interplanetary war between The UTZ - Universal Trade Zone - the commercial power of Earth - and the UIN - the Universal Islamic Nation - based on Mars. BC poses as a priest but he's really an assassin for the Pope of the New catholic Church!

So if the harsh winter has you wanting a good read, pick up Vatican Assassin.  You'll thank me later.

I Know Cool People - Mike Luoma (Update!)

Every once in awhile, I like to give the heads-up on some cool things that my online (and offline) friends are doing. So when fellow Zone 4 colleague Mike Luoma (host of Glow in the Dark Radio) touched base with me recently, I was more than happy to oblige.

Three of his most recent books are now available via the Comixology app, so you can access them via your iPads, Android Tablets, smartphones, and other such devices.

And what books they are! I was fortunate enough to review them in the past (thanks to complimentary review copies - obligatory disclosure), so I can honestly say that these books are definitely worth your time.

First comes Good Samaritan: Unto Dust, an extremely gripping tale of the spiritual and the superheroic, and wouldn't be out of place, say, as part of Image Comics.

Next we have The Adventures of Alibi Jones, featuring Mike's flagship character. It's gripping, smart space opera and quite definitely worth your attention.

Finally, there's Introducing RED HOT!, a really good tale of early superheroics with a great twist.

All three of these books are really good reads....and in my Red Hot review, I dared Mike to actually write a lousy book. This time around, I'm challenging you, dear reader, to drop a book you dislike and pick up one - or all - of these issues.

Now, you have no excuse not to do so.

Caught In A CROSSFIRE

It's times like these that I sometimes turn towards less escapist fare in my comic reading. Much of it is due to much of the drek published by the major companies (although thankfully, Comic Related, Zone 4, and the occasional blog visitor keep me awash in good, independent work), but much of it is just that I want something that relates to how I'm feeling - simply one of many anonymous people trying to get by.

Ironically, I've also been rereading my many issues of Crossfire, written by Mark Evanier and drawn by Dan Spiegle, published by Eclipse in the early 80s. (There is a now out-of-print trade paperback). And yes, you can accuse me of being nostalgic, but those issues resonate with me in a slightly different way than they did as a teenager.

The premise is simple: Jay Endicott is a bailbondsman, helping those out of trouble. One day, he comes across the suit of Crossfire, an infamous thief-for-hire. (Imagine a less sociopathic Raffles in tights, and that's a pretty good approximation). Deciding that he can use the suit to help others in distress, Jay Endicott adopts the identity of Crossfire, and consequences ensue). As a teenager, having such a street-level view of costumed adventuring seemed like a smart turn of action movie cliches; as an older gent, there's a nice Raymond Chandler-esque tone to Evanier's writing. Focusing on small scale people and gently moving portraits, Evanier manages to write complex ideas with simple strokes. There's something about focusing on those simply struggling to survive that gives the tales a greater emotional power. Unlike Watchmen, Crossfire handles "realism" in comics by coloring the stories with down-to-earth touches rather than weaving in the fantastic....and that makes each issue a gem.

Spiegel's art....well, I am a huge fan of Dan Spiegel's art. In our current age of flash and wow, there's a nice, slightly rugged quality to his work. Pal Ron once remarked that Speigel drew many Western comics in the 1950s, and I will have to seek those out. (And blame Evanier and Spiegel's Blackhawk revival for DC in the 1980s for hooking me into Spiegel's art). Quite simply - and I'll take full responsibility for mangling this metaphor - Spiegel's art is much like Spencer Tracy's acting: it looks simple, but it's deceptively rich and worth poring over.

Maybe my particular age and situation has me overidentifying with Jay Endicott - an essentially noble character (and nice guy) who finds himself trundling through with everyone else. (It's no spoiler that, throughout the course of the series, Endicott ends up losing the costume and simply wearing the mask with clothes). Reading this so soon after seeing Rocky Balboa, there's a great affirmation of the idea that it's not about "the big win" so much as the little victories that make life worth living.

Recovery & Mortality: A Review of BACK FROM THE ABYSS

(Note: a complimentary copy of Back From the Abyss was provided for review purposes by Cap and Bells Press. My opinions are my own.)

Admittedly, Back from the Abyss by Kieran Doherty might seem to be written for a very narrow audience. From the subtitle Autobiography of a Low-Bottom Alky, people not familiar with 12 Step philosophy might feel that this is nothing more than a recruiting piece for AA. And my own background in chemical dependency might make me sensitive towards liking - or disliking - certain creative works. (I quit watching Breaking Bad after episode three - it's not a bad show; I am just too familiar with meth culture to appreciate it).

But Back From the Abyss is more than just another "drunk-o-log", as my anonymous friends in AA might say - it's a very well-written memoir, focusing as much on the tender treasures of life as it does on the destructive aftermath of alcoholism. Bookended by pieces written by editor Mark Morgan Ford, Back from the Abyss focuses on Doherty's experiences, his drinking, and his eventual recovery.

What's remarkable about the book is that it avoids the obvious cliche of "once I began recovery, everything got better" - the prose is very straightforward, almost pulp in its style and approach. Rather than chapters, Back from the Abyss consists of chronologically-arranged remembrances, each one focusing on a particular aspect of Doherty's life (especially when it comes to drinking). Each segment is both touchingly realistic and brutally honest, with Doherty taking responsibility with every single word. Despite our current culture's fascination with self-destruction (especially when it comes to celebrities), Back from the Abyss' stripped down, brutally honest approach never seems overindulgent nor does it glamorize the drinking life. (Even in mid-remembrance, Doherty manages to turn his view back on himself, and this book reads less like a Fourth Step Inventory and more like a speaker at an open meeting).

When Doherty begins discussing the lung cancer that eventually took his life, the book masterfully focuses less on the need to "make amends" than on his appreciation of taking "one day at a time." At this point, Back From the Abyss achieves a delicate balance in looking back and appreciating the present. There is no cheap sentimentality or brutal self-revelation. Once Doherty's prose ends, there is a sense of acceptance and willingness which is genuinely moving.

Back from the Abyss isn't a huge, action-packed blockbuster....but neither is it it a faux-literary piece. As a memoir, it is simultaneously harrowing and touching, yet never seems overwritten. It may not be on the best-seller list, but Kieran Doherty's Back from the Abyss is a book worth seeking out, reading, and enjoying - it's a great read, and worth your time.

A Hidden Gem: GRAPHIX CHRONICLES # 1

Special thanks to Ron Fortier for sending along a review copy. My opinions are my own

One of the joys of independent comics is that there are usually no preconceived notions about what it should be. Unlike, say, DC's New 52, independent comics don't have to rely on being "hip" or modern, but sometimes can focus on being nostalgic and solid without the resultant hype. Grafix Chronicles # 1, published by Warren Montgomery's Will Lill Comics, is such a book - it may be very old school in its approach, but quite honestly, it's a pretty good read.

Grafix's cover - itself a pastiche of an Incredible Hulk cover - sets the tone: we're definitely heading into an anthology of stories. Writing a strong done-in-one issue is rare; having three solid stories in the same issue is an accomplishment. Thankfully, the stories encompass a variety of styles, leading off with Jonathan A. Gilbert's The Man Under the Microscope. Although it has a very Silver Age feel to the story, it never seems excessively derivative or out of date. (David Owen's art style masterfully echoes both Steve Ditko and Jack Kirby, and never feels artificial).

The second story, Solomon Wyrd, is a horror/sorcery tale (think Dr. Strange), and is probably....well, it's not my favorite of the three. It's not bad - I have just never been a fan of magical/mystical horror, so I am probably not the target audience for this tale. (It doesn't help that my review copy had page 13 printed twice).

Don't Touch Me ends the book - a tale seemingly told Marvel style via Ron Stewart's art and Ron Fortier's words. It's a Twilight Zone-esque story that has the appropriate amount of zing in the ending. Although such a story might seem "hokey" in an age of multi-issue arcs and crossover extravangas....well, sometimes I like a little "hokey" in my comics.

(I also like a little hokey in my hash browns as well, but that's another blog post altogether).

Grafix Chronicles # 1 is not the big, high-stakes comic debut that many other web sites will promote....but it's a cool, great little comic that's worth hunting down and purchasing.

DESPERATE ACTS OF MAGIC: A Review

(Note: Special thanks to Gold Cap Films for providing a complimentary screener DVD for review)

Back in the early days of the blog, I reviewed a small, independently produced film called Never Say Macbeth. I liked it, and was pleased to receive a copy of Tammy Caplan and Joe Tyler Gold's follow-up, Desperate Acts of Magic. At the risk of an overly cute tag line, Desperate Acts of Magic accomplishes great narrative sleight of hand, starting as a near-typical romantic comedy and becoming a sharp, entertaining gem which deserves a wider audience.

Taking advantage of a "Fire-tunity", Jason (Joe Tyler Gold) decides to pursue his dream of being a successful magician, much like his pal Steve (Jonathan Levitt). In one of the most original "meet cutes" ever written, Jason meets Stacy (Valerie Dillman), who is looking to make the big time as a female magician. After insulting Stacy, Jason is inspired to create a new act - one which uses the magician/assistant relationship to focus on larger issues. Shenanigans a-plenty ensue as Jason attempts to win back Stacy, deal with his pal Steve, train new assistant Ellen (Sascha Alexander), and hopefully, gain entry into the world of magicians....

What elevates Desperate Acts of Magic from being just another cookie-cutter romantic comedy is the misdirection of the script. Places where you might expect it to fall into cliche, the story moves into a slightly different direction. Rather than pull familiar rabbits out of hats, Desperate Acts provides plenty of colorful twists, some dead-on performances, and quite honestly, some exceptional film making.

(One of the film's selling points is that much of the magic is done "on camera", and this would be impressive enough...but the movie goes several steps further. One key scene - where Stacy is performing a magic act with a video playing in the background - is very well-edited, and never feels indulgent - it's the best sequences in the entire film. Listen to the director's commentary, and you'll not only get the usual behind-the-scenes information, but you will also get a great crash course in guerilla filmmaking. Although it took a long time to complete this film, the craft and care with which Desperate Acts of Magic was made shows in every single frame.)

Desperate Acts of Magic will be available on DVD on September 10th, and their web site lists other viewing options....but this is definitely a movie to check out. Unlike its bigger budget cousins, Desperate Acts of Magic is a smart, funny, well-scripted movie that manages to accomplish its feats without any smoke or mirrors. Definitely worth seeking.

An Overabundance of Smug: CATFISH

One of the advantages of our media-saturated culture is that one year's "can't-miss-masterpiece" is this year's "casual-choice-from-the-public-library." I have always wanted to see Catfish, the documentary (or is it?) about social networking, for awhile now, so after checking it out of the library....

...well, having seen it, even though I paid nothing,  I still want my money back.

Catfish's premise is simple - a young man who is the subject of a documentary (I'm assuming it started about his photography) becomes friendly with a 7 year old girl via Facebook, which leads to an online "romance" with her sister....and then becomes a tangled narrative focusing on trust, hiding behind identities, and....well, this movie has problems.

It's main one - an overabundance of smug. Although the three "leads" (the main character and two directors) attempt to make this into some kind of reality-like narrative, everything about this movie appears staged and artificial, almost scripted. (And yes, I am very well aware of Charlie Brooker's excellent piece on reality tv editing via Screenwipe.) There's also some wild inconsistencies with the cast and their "performances" - I find it hard to believe that a character who wants to be "left alone" and unfilmed will, later on, demonstrate manic glee at stealing another's mail.

Towards the end - a moment which should have demonstrated pathos and understanding, if not forgiveness, when we see how sometimes living desperate lives can lead to enmeshment in fantasy, we do not get authentic emotion - what we get is a sense of condescension and patronization. It's the kind of arrogance that comes with living in cities (and I admit, I am just as culpable) - that somehow some lives are "lesser". In fact, with a series of brief information screens at the end of the film, Catfish does what very few films (even documentaries) do - kick a person while they're down, almost as if to claim some moral superiority.

It would be easy to describe this film as similar to a Facebook profile - shallow, superficial, and poorly considered. Ironically, a much better film about similar issues in social networking (named The Social Network) would be made later on, but Catfish manages to do something that many do in social media: promote themselves and their ego without any context or nuance.

In short, Catfish seems to be a film made almost exclusively for the social media douchebag....and that is a shame, because it could have been so much more....

Better Than the Original: A Review of YI SOON SHIN: FALLEN AVENGER # 1

(Full Disclosure: a complimentary electronic copy was provided for purposes of review. My opinions are my own)

When I had the chance to get in on the ground floor of reviewing the initial Yi Soon Shin miniseries by Onrie Kompan, I was flattered and elated. Not only did I have the chance to read a great story, I often felt more "in the loop" as the series progressed.

To call the follow up Yi Soon Shin: Fallen Avenger a high-octane follow up doesn't do the series justice. It's a very high gear, high stakes story that starts strongly with a great promise of follow-through.

Five years after his initial victory, Shin finds that very little has changed, and that the Japanese are still occupying his native Korea. Both Japanese and Korean leaders regard him with varying levels of suspicion, distrust, and disrespect. The stakes are definitely much higher this time around, and as Fallen Avenger begins, there is an effortless set-up for what will prove to be a great follow-up tale.
By the way, this is a "mature" book in every sense of the word - if this were a movie, it would be rated R. Thankfully, there's a similar sensibility in how the material is presented - yes, there may be 'trailer moments', or scenes which may seem gratuitous, but be assured, they're not. This is definitely not a book for kids, but handles the material in a creative and confident manner.

As in the original series, the main star of Yi Soon Shin: Fallen Avenger is the art of Giovanni Timpano and the coloring work of Adriana De Los Santos. There's a really strong sense of composition, and the art provides an appropriate amount of atmosphere. This art makes Fallen Avenger a series that requires repeated readings - not just to enjoy the story, but to simply take in some gorgeous art.

I have been eagerly anticipating the sequel to Yi Soon Shin, and Fallen Avenger easily delivers on that promise. It's more than just a sequel or a "part two" - it's a solid start to what promises to be a great continuation of an already great series.

Pilot Studio's THE LONGHUNTERS # 4: A Review

(Special thanks to Buck Weiss and Pilot Studios for the complimentary copy for review...and for their incredlble patience. Finally got around to this, guys - thanks again)

I've blogged previously about Longhunters (now published by Pilot Studios), and found it a really good comic. Focusing on a group of hunters making their way through the frontier in the early 19th century, Longhunters was a pretty solid series of tales....and now that issue 4 is out (and honestly - has been out for awhile), it's a great opportunity to jump onboard.

More Wolf Than Man is an origin tale for Whitewolf, one of the main characters, but don't let that bother you - it's also a great, Jack London-esque tale of a man discovering his true nature. But this isn't a comic that is easily pigeonholed - it's not historical drama, or neo-superhero, or even a "celebrity historical" (like some episodes of new Doctor Who), but simply tells some great tales. Buck Weiss' script is dead on, Ben Ferrari's art is exceptional, and Philip Nolte's lettering is really good. All in all, a great book.

Playing catchup in my blogging life has meant making time to enjoy creative endeavors. The Longhunters # 4 (available via Indy Planet) is well worth your time. It's simply that good.

A Free Comic Read That Isn't INSUFFERABLE

Imagine, if you will, a superhero's sidekick having a very public temper tantrum, resulting in the revelation of their secret identities. Then imagine that sidekick turning into a public relations nightmare, his activities continually monitored and reported on via Twitter.

Combine that with some smart writing and clever use of online comics, and you have Mark Waid and Peter Krause's Insufferable, available free for download via Thrillbent.

First, let me just reiterate - this is a really good story. In its second arc, Insufferable is Waid's very wry commentary on both celebrity-driven culture and superheroics, both done with some well-written mysteries at their core. The art is also really good, but quite honestly, with the unique nature of these comics, you would have to make them this good.

In downloading and reading the CBZ files (which I personally loathe as a format), these comics are more than just straightforward reprinting panels. Often, the passage of time is suggested simply by changing one detail on a panel (a lamp being turned on); in another sequence which is mostly exposition, a series of memos pop in and out while the background graphic remains stationary. Waid's obviously put a lot of thought and care into how these comics are presented, and quite honestly - it actually makes it worthwhile to download a CBR reader.

Ironically, this is one of the few comics reads that I look forward too religiously - not because they're free, or because they're "new", but this is the future of comics reading playing out. They're not formatted like your grandpa's comics, that for sure....but in terms of enjoyability, Insufferable is anything but.

Head to Thrillbent. Start with Volume 1 Issue 1, begin downloading, and read at your leisure. You're doing yourself a disservice if you haven't started already.

I Know Cool People: Mike Luoma's VATICAN ASSASSIN

FULL DISCLOSURE: Electronic copies were provided for purposes of review. My opinions are my own

With all of the intrigue about the changing of the Pope, it seems apt that one of my Zone 4 pals, Mike Luoma, would write one of the best religiously-themed stories, couched in a setting mixing space opera and good old fashioned intrigue.

Vatican Assassin, released via Glow-in-The-Dark Comics, is a great 4 issue mini-series featuring the activities of Bernard Campion, a "special agent" for the Vatican in the year 2109. Caught in the midst of conflict, Bernard finds himself with a difficult mission, eventually running into an old flame, having a very unique experience (which he's unsure is real), and ultimately finding himself in the midst of intrigue and politics

With today's release of issue 4 (and having read all of the previous issues), this is one indie comic that deserves to be read - a mix of disparate styles that never seems derivative; a plot that drives along with a minimum of exposition; and some great art by Christian Navarro that compliments the story without being excessively showy.

Basically, Vatican Assassin is a really good comic tale that deserves your attention.

For more details, check out the Vatican Assassin Home Page or Glow in the Dark Radio.