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Know What You’re Watching Before Watching

Marvel Comics, My Rants and Tantrums, , , , , , , ,

I am back from my comic book blog hiatus and I’m starting with one of my random temper tantrums.  This is a no bars hold blog post.  Anything goes.  You have been warned.

I remember watching Deadpool movie at the theater two years ago.  As expected, it was packed.  Lines wrapped around every which way.  Being the comic book fan that I am, I tried my best to ignore critic reviews.

However I did lash out a couple of times on social media because I got fed up with people dogging the movie.  It was obvious they hadn’t taken the time to read upon who Deadpool is and what he is all about.  I am a diehard fan of the Merc with a Mouth.  He is one of my favorite Marvel comic book characters and I have been reading and collecting his comic books for the past seven or eight years.

I appreciated Deadpool movie just like I appreciate the upcoming Black Panther movie which will be released in North America this Friday, February 16, 2018.

Just as a lot of people went into movie theaters without prior knowledge of Deadpool, I can already tell that this will also be the case about Black Panther, another Marvel Comics character.

I am beyond sick and tired of all the chaos surrounding Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Black Panther movie.  Folks are literally turning this movie into something that it is not, a BLACK movie.

People saw Black Panther in Civil War and got carried away.  They acted as if that was the first time the world had seen a black superhero.  Now folks are running around buying costumes and outfits to wear while watching the movie.  Private screenings are even being held at one of the theaters I frequent.  They want you to dress up and the media will be there.

A lot of black people are getting carried away for real and it’s driving me crazy.  This is because folks are not taking the time to read upon and learn about King T’Challa, aka Black Panther.

I am tired of reading social media posts where we (blacks) finally have something of our own.  They are telling us to take all our family and friends to see the movie so we can support and represent.

As a lifelong comic book fan I am easily irritated about the drama surrounding the Black Panther movie.  One lady posted asking if anyone is taking their kids to see the movie.  Um, why wouldn’t they take them?

I read a comment wondering if there will be racial undertones in the movie.  Someone responded that it’s not likely because Quentin Tarntino didn’t have anything to do with it.

Someone posted that we finally have a movie about us, but that it was written by a white man and owned by a white company (Marvel Comics).  Therefore our money is lining the white man’s pockets.

Okay.  This is where I, a black female and comic book nerd, must draw the line.

  1. King T’Challa, aka Black Panther, is a black superhero comic book character by Marvel Comics.  He was created by two white men, Stan Lee and the late Jack Kirby.  He made his first appearance in Fantastic Four #52 in 1966.
  2. He is ruler and protector of Wakanda which is a hidden, technologically advanced country in Africa.
  3. He holds an Avenger card.  Yes, Black Panther is an Avenger.
  4. If you really want to support and represent then don’t stop at the movie.  Continue supporting Black Panther by reading his comic book series.  Published by Marvel Comics, you can purchase print comic books at your local comic shop (LCS) or digital comics at Comixology.  You might want to check out Comixology’s website as soon as possible because their Black Panther graphic novels are on sale for ridiculously low prices.
  5. And support Falcon’s comic book series while you’re at it.  Luke Cage has his own series, but it’s heading to the chopping block.  I’m mad as heck because that title is on my pull list at my LCS.

Speaking of Stan Lee, I dug up this picture of us for attention.

What I don’t understand is that I have been made fun of for years because I read and collect comic books.  Now these same folks are breaking their necks to see the movie.

I don’t care for drama.  I love my Marvel Comics, but I am not planning on watching the movie until at least two weeks after it opens.

For those of you that don’t know about King T’Challa, then read this before heading to the movie theater.  When you get there, leave the drama at the front door and just watch and enjoy the damn movie.

Jackdaw #1 Review

Grimmsmoore Comics, , , , , , , ,

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Who, or what, is Jackdaw?

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Richard Rael has two jobs.  During the day he is a wealthy businessman.  But at night, he is Jackdaw, a dark and mysterious crime fighter.  Not much is known about Jackdaw.  And Thrasher, his female superhero sidekick, appears to be the only one that knows his true identity.

Joyce Sunn, aka Thrasher, is a graduate student and wants out of the crime fighting business.  However she don’t have the nerves to tell Richard.  Although she suffers silently, she does a good job at being a sidekick.  Actually Thrasher is a badass.

Jackdaw is an online comic, or webcomic, and is also published on Comixology.  This indie comic is published by Grimmsmoore Comics.

Kelly Shane is the writer of this dark, mysterious, and complex story.  Well-written script with good timing.  Compelling characters.  Great character interactions.  I found the story a bit wordy at times, but after reading it a second time, I found it to be helpful.  A lot of information is given in this issue, but it’s not too revealing.  Overall I believe Shane did a wonderful job with the set-up of the story.

Text was brought to life by Brian Barr.  The comic is in black-and-white, and it makes the story even darker.  Finely detailed.  Realistic looking characters.    I especially like the fight scenes.  Barr deserves a round of applause for his excellent visuals.

I plan to read the second issue, if I can ever get caught up on my current comic reading.  I need to find out if more is revealed about Richard Rael’s personal life, and if Joyce finds the courage to tell him she wants out.  And just who is that crazed Jackdaw fan?

It is no secret that I support both mainstream and indie comics.  Indie comic creators deserve a shot just as much as those creating comics for the Big 2.

You can learn more about this indie comic on its’ website.

If you are a fan of mystery, then you may want to give Jackdaw a try.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I enjoyed reading Jackdaw.  I am giving this issue 4/5 stars.

Teen Titans #1 Review

DC Comics, , , , , , ,

teentitans1As long as Skitter do not make an appearance, I may be sticking around this title for a while.  The new Teen Titans series is a DC Comics New 52 relaunch.  The title previously launched with other New 52 titles 3 years ago.

The teenage superheroes race against the clock to stop a group of terrorists that has taken over a busload of young female students from a preparatory school.  The Titans, under the direction of their fearless leader, Red Robin, face-off against the madmen, who are armed with guns and explosives.

This cover-to-cover, action-packed issue grabbed my attention from page one.  Wonder Girl stole the show in this one.

teentitans1aAnd Beast Boy was not one to be messed with.

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William Pfeifer is the writer of this fast-paced action script.  Great script, phenomenal character interactions.  Pfeifer did an outstanding job with story set-up and character introductions.

Nice artwork by Kenneth Rocafort (artist) and Dan Brown (colorist).  I especially like the characters facial expressions, and the emotion-filled panels that caused my eyes to water. I also like the cover.

The only complaint I have about the art is Raven.  I DO NOT like Raven’s look at all.

I WAS LOOKING FOR SOMETHING LIKE THIS:

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 NOT THAT:

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Although I do not like Raven’s look, I can tolerate it for now.  At least she looks better than Skitter. 

Who is Skitter?  She was a black female superhero in the previous canceled Teen Titans New 52 series.  I had a major issue with the way Skitter was drawn.  The white female superheroes were beautiful, but Skitter looked like a giant cockroach.  I was deeply offended, and her look grossed me out.  The title was on my pulls list from day one, but I stopped reading it after the first few issues.

In my honest opinion, which is what this blog is based on, The new Teen Titans has gotten off to a great start.  Powerful story, non-stop action.  Nice artwork, except for Raven.  I plan to read at least the first arc to see where it’s headed.  If I continue to like the story, then I will have to make some adjustments to my pulls to make room for it.

NOTE TO PARENTS:  Teen Titans is a series for teen readers and older.  I do not recommend it for the younger readers.  For the younger children, I suggest the following comics:

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I highly recommend this title.  This issue gets 4/5 stars.

GUEST POST – Arkham Asylum: A Serious House On A Serious Earth

Guest Blogger Posts, , , , , ,

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As a child, Bruce Wayne witnessed the tragic murder of his parents during a mugging turned violent.  Disturbed by the injustice of their deaths, Wayne takes it upon himself to purge Gotham city of the corrupt and protect the innocent.  He creates himself a second identity called Batman, an agent of order that wears darkness as comfortably as the wicked he hunts.  For years fans have been asking, “what’s wrong with Batman?”  Is it possible for one man to dress as a bat, battle the scum of an entire city but still be considered sane?  In Arkham Asylum:  A Serious House on A Serious Earth, author Grant Morrison gives us a disturbing look at the rotten mental state of the Caped Crusader.

A general warning:  Asylum is not a comic for the faint-hearted.  Unlike the usual Batman saves Gotham from [insert villain name here] story, Asylum features intense violence, suggested sexual/physical abuse, and a grim look at the human condition.

ARKHAM ASYLUM: A SERIOUS HOUSE ON A SERIOUS EARTH
Written by:  Grant Morrison
Illustrated by:  Dave McKean
Reviewed by:  Emma Rosander of Fantasy Book Reviews

Plot Summary: On the night of April Fools, the inmates of Arkham Asylum take over the ward. They call Batman and inform him that unless he comes to the Asylum they will murder the staff that they’re holding hostage. Upon arrival, Batman is chased throughout the asylum by the madmen within and haunted by the ghost of Amadeus Arkham, the asylum’s founder.

What I liked:

The Joker.  Next to Heath Ledger’s portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime in The Dark Knight, this is my favorite version of the Joker.  He’s manipulative, perverted, and dripping with cynical humor.  Everything from his grotesque appearance, to his font being a
splattered red (see below) is a perfect representation of insanity.

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Amadeus Arkham.  This is easily one of the best backstories I have ever read for any character.  While keeping his unstated mental disorder deep within himself, Amadeus creates Arkham Asylum, a facility for the criminally insane.  However he himself is thrown into his own nuthouse before long.  As a reader, I felt extreme sympathy for him.  He suffers loss and sexual abuse.  His descent into madness is believable and haunting.

Batman.  Does Batman belong in the madhouse?  This question haunts Batman throughout the book.  In many ways he is just as mad as the rest of his foes.  He is supposedly order, but stranded in a world of chaos, his order is chaotic.  In this novel he is suffering from PTSD and probably split personality.

Two-Face.  The Harvey Dent in this graphic novel is one pitiful creature.  His coin has been taken from him and replaced with a deck of tarot cards.  In one scene he even wets himself because he couldn’t make the decision to use a toilet fast enough.

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The Art.  Dave McKean combines the grotesque and the beautiful in his work on Asylum.  I know a lot of people disliked the surrealism, but I believe it adds to the horror aspect of the book.

What I didn’t like:

The Art.  I understand that I just praised McKean’s work, but hear me out.  Sometimes I wish that McKean could have drawn a clearer picture.  I feel like a missed out on a bit of the story because I simply had no idea what was going on.  It was beautiful confusion.

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VERDICT

Arkham Asylum is a classic.  When I discovered that my local comic store didn’t have it, both the attendant and I stood in a stunned silence until he walked to the computer and ordered a few.  I’m sure it’s written somewhere in the Bible that “comic stores must carry Arkham Asylum.”  Anyways, Batman fans or not I believe that every comic fan should try this book out.  It’s dark but beautiful.  Please comment below.

Special thanks to La Cracha for letting me create a guest post on Comics to Read! If you’re bored, check out my book review blog: Fantasy Book Reviews.

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I would like to thank Emma for being a guest writer on Comics To Read.  Her review of Arkham Asylum:  A Serious House on a Serious Earth is very informative, and I have added this title to my list of books to read in the upcoming future.  Please check out her blog.  I am sure you will enjoy it as much as I did.  – La Cracha

 

Zombie Tramp Volume 1 Review

Action Lab Comics, , , , , , , , ,

zombietramp

Thanks to a bad date arranged by her transvestite madame, Janey Belle, a high-priced and high-demand Hollywood call girl, gets attacked by a zombie.  She escapes, but not before getting bitten.  Now a zombie, Janey seeks vengeance on those that have wronged her.  It may seem odd for a zombie to target certain persons of interest.  But Janey is a rarity.  Her soul is intact, something you don’t usually see in zombies.  She is also exceptionally strong.

WARNING:  This title is for mature readers.  CHILDREN SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO READ ANY PARTS OF THIS COMIC BOOK.  This title is filled with bloodshed, exposed body organs and tissues, foul language, sexually explicit images (lots of big boobs), and all sorts of other good stuff for the mature audience.

Zombie Tramp, an indie comic series published by Action Lab Danger Zone, the mature readers comic book imprint by Action Lab Entertainment, will have you laughing and frightened at the same time.

Dan Mendoza is the writer and illustrator.  Great script with perfect timing.  Excellent character interactions.  The key players in this book are all funny, but dangerous.  From Xula, the beautiful voodoo queen, to the crooked sheriff and that crazed zombie son of his that he keeps chained up in his basement, you will appreciate each character and their distinct personalities.

By the way, my favorite characters in this volume are Xula and Sheriff Rudolf.

It is no secret that I support indie comics as much as I support mainstream comic books, and I will continue to blog and spread the word about good comics to read.  You can find volumes 1 and 2, and single issues on Comixology.  Issue #1 of volume 3 will be available soon.

VERDICT (drum roll please)
This title is good for anyone looking for horror, supernatural, zombies, and fun comics to read.  I strongly recommend this comic.  I am giving this comic book 5/5 stars.

 

Ghosted #1 Review

Image Comics, , , , ,

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I read a lot of comic books, but not all of them are able to grab and hold my attention.  I can honestly say that Ghosted, a supernatural and horror comic series published by Image Comics, is not one of those comics.  Thanks to Joshua Williamson, writer, I became an instant feign within the first few pages.

Jackson T. Winters, a criminal mastermind, was retrieved from prison during a staged riot.  Markus Schrecken, a wealthy collector of supernatural artifacts, has commissioned Winters to steal a ghost from the haunted Trask Mansion for his collection.

Winters accepts the job, but on his terms.  He gets to select his own team, a 50s style tailor-made suit, and a Russian prostitute that doesn’t even have to be Russian.  Although she was Schrecken’s choice, and not Winters, psychic Edzia Rusnak is a part of Winters team of paranormal experts.  Winters don’t trust her, and I don’t trust her either.

Williamson did a phenomenal job with the set-up of this story.  Excellent script.  The plan (well, we really don’t know how they’re going to capture a ghost yet), key players, everything.  All laid out for us in the first issue.  Now that’s what I call a writing mastermind.  Perfect timing.  Wonderful cast of characters, each with distinct personalities.  Fast-paced but not hard to follow.  Ghosted is action-packed from page one, a feature you don’t see too often in comic books.

Goran Sudzuka (artist) and Miroslav Mrva (colorist) provided the visuals.  Since I am a horror and paranormal fan, I appreciate Sudzuka and Mrva’s stunning artwork to the max.  It gives that eerie feeling that’s needed for a story of this genre.  I am a hardcore paranormal fan so I especially like the swarm of ghosts at the end.  Magnificent.

I read a variety of comic books, both mainstream and indie comics.  There is no doubt that I am going to continue with the series, as I am already craving the next issue.  I plan to purchase the rest of the first arc, then buy volume 2 (issues 6-10).  According to Image’s website, the release date for issue #11 is July 9, 2014.

In case  you can’t find all the single issues, or collected volumes at your local comic shop, you can purchase and read them on Comixology.  That’s how I read this issue.  I love the guided view.

VERDICT (drum roll please)
Ghosted is a must-read indie comic.  I strongly recommend this title.  This issue receives 5/5 stars.