Tag Archives: comics

Hoax Hunters #10 Review

Image Comics, , ,

hoax10

TITLE:  Hoax Hunters #10
WRITER:  Michael Moreci
WRITER:  Steve Seeley
ARTIST:  Tristan “T-Rex” Jones
RELEASE DATE: September 4, 2013

After reading a review copy of Hoax Hunters #10, I now wish the release date was sooner than two weeks. It was more than obvious in my last review that I am enjoying this title, and this post will be nothing less. The creators are back from their hiatus with a new artist on board, Tristan “T-Rex” Jones.

In case you don’t already know, Hoax Hunters is a reality television show that debunks stories and sightings of monsters, aliens and cryptids. But the show is a cover-up, as the creatures are real.

The entire Hoax Hunters team is back as well. Jack is still that handsome leader with the muscles. Regan is the female eye candy with mystical powers. Ken Cadaver appears even more zombie-like, and no one can ever forget Murder, the crow-filled spacesuit. Even Donovan, the show’s producer (I still don’t trust him) plays a major role in this issue.

Strange sightings have been reported, within a 48-hour period, in Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana (*wipes sweat from forehead* I’m glad Michigan is not involved). Jack suggests they split up and work in small groups but Donovan has his own hidden agenda, which includes Regan accompanying him to South America. At this point, Murder is nowhere to be found.

Believing she would find answers about her curse, Regan follows Donovan to South America. However he reveals to Regan the true motive of their trip. The demon they are searching for could possibly be the one responsible for Regan’s curse. There is also a book, a relic, that could prove fatal to the world if it lands into the wrong hands. The demon is after this book and Donovan needs Regan’s help to track both the demon and the book.

Meanwhile, Ken and Jack are left behind with two staff members to serve as substitutes. They are not happy about the arrangement because Regan is the most powerful person on the team. As Ken and Jack exit the building, they find Murder outside and it’s not a pretty sight.

This well written script is the beginning of the final arc of season one. Character interactions are outstanding and I especially like the characterizations of Jack and Donovan. Jack displays strong leadership skills and is working in the best interest of the team and organization. Donovan, the show’s cool and arrogant producer that can turn evil and monstrous at any given moment, is far from trustworthy and harbors deep, dark secrets.

This horror dialogue is accompanied by great visuals. The demonic monster that confronts Regan and Ken Cadaver’s creepy, glowing eyes and zombie-like appearance is enough to give me the scare that I seek while reading horror stories. T-Rex has already proven to be a valuable asset to this title.

I gave a long spill in my last review, so this one will be brief. PLEASE DO NOT WAIT FOR THE TRADE TO BE RELEASED. Hoax Hunters is so dark and creepy that you don’t want to wait months for it to be compiled into a trade. BUY THE SINGLE ISSUES. I read a lot of comic books and a lot of them sell themselves. My comics include Justice League and Superior Spider-Man, big titles with big names attached. With that being said, I am going to continue to tweet, re-tweet, share, blog and verbally spread the word about this indie title. I have been a horror fan since childhood and this is one title I definitely do not want to see canceled. Hoax Hunters is X-Files, MythBusters and Ghost Hunters rolled into one, so you know that this title is a MUST READ.

I cannot wait until September 4 to get my hands on the printed SINGLE ISSUE (I had to throw that in again) that will be waiting in my pulls.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

It should be more than obvious that I highly recommend this title, published by Image Comics.

Thor: God of Thunder #11 Review

Marvel Comics, , ,

thor11

The long and fierce battle has finally come to an end. At the end of the last issue Gorr triggered the Godbomb. Using both his and future Thor’s Mjolnirs, present Thor faced the Godbomb head-on, but he was unable to stop it from exploding.

Gorr the God butcher dedicated his life to purposely kill off divinity. This wretched creature built a bomb that was capable of exploding and killing all Gods throughout time and space. Although the Godbomb was Gorr’s creation, he didn’t build it. The Gods that Gorr enslaved over the years built the bomb. Three of those Gods were the granddaughters of future King Thor (remember this story travels through time and space so the other two weren’t aware of their existence at first).

The explosion traveled at a rapid speed and immediately began to kill Gods across time, without warning. The sad part is, most of the Gods didn’t even know what was happening. Then for a moment all the Gods shared a vision of present Thor fighting the Godbomb with two hammers, and they all prayed to him. Thor heard and answered their prayers.

Jason Aaron is the writer. Great dialogue and Aaron does a superb job at scripting all three Thors. Their distinctive maturity levels is obvious. Past Thor is young, carefree and arrogant. He has not earned the hammer at this time. Present Thor has a touch of arrogance, but he’s more mature and has earned his hammer. He’s also an Avenger. Future King Thor is old and wise.

The art team consists of Esad Ribic (artist) and Ive Svorcina (colors). I have nothing but the highest of compliments for these visual storytellers. Emotion sparking scenes. I especially like the panel where King Odin prays to Thor, his son. And I LOVE the double spread of Thor the Avenger striking Gorr. The bright flashes of lightning coming from the hammers, the darkness of Thor engulfed by All-Black the necrosword and the loud, ground shaking roar of thunder, (thanks to VC’s Joe Sabino for the letters) is breathtaking.

The Asgardian God of Thunder has been one of my favorite superheroes for a long time, and I have been a loyal reader of this title since the Marvel NOW! launch. I definitely plan to continue reading this title. The next issue should serve as a good jump-on point, if you don’t want to read the back issues.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I highly recommend this title.

Kick-Ass: Volume 1 Review

Icon Comics, Marvel Comics, , , , ,

kickass

Dave Lizewski is an average teenager and comic geek.  Becoming more and more obsessed with his comics, he decides to become a real-life superhero.  He buys a wetsuit off eBay, spends most of his lunchtime at the gym and eats a high protein diet to build muscle.  He also practices walking on rooftops.

Dave’s first run-in with crime didn’t go well at all.  He was brutally stabbed and beaten by street thugs, but that didn’t stop him.  He donned that wetsuit the moment he was free of his crutches.  Trying to save a man from a gang of thugs he suffers another beating.  But this time the attack is recorded and the video goes viral.  Thus we have Kick-Ass.

Kick-Ass attracts the attention of Hit-Girl and Big Daddy, and they blackmail him into joining them to take down Johnny G, a crime boss.

This 8 issue mini-series is SICKER THAN SICK.  I am appalled that a story about young children running around cursing and committing murder is on store shelves.

I also cannot believe the torture received by Kick-Ass and Hit Girl.  Kick-Ass was beaten and stabbed to the brink of death.  He underwent four operations and had a metal plate put into his head.  He was also electrocuted by having cables connected to his testicles.  Hit-Girl was beaten and received several gunshot wounds to her back before falling out of a window.

The language used by Kick-Ass and Hit Girl is beyond the washing the mouth out with soap method.  Kick-Ass is the typical teenager, so I’ll cut him some leniency.  But Hit Girl is 10 years old and under no circumstances should she be calling anyone a cunt or dickhead.

Icon Comics, an imprint of Marvel, is the publisher.

Mark Millar is the writer of this sick and twisted story.  There is so much foul language and violence in this series.  Children are running around cursing and killing like it’s a good thing, and the adults are tormenting them.

John Romita, Jr. is the artist.  The graphics are just as sickening as the dialogue.  Total Bloodbath.  Hit Girl, a 10 year-old that should be playing with Bratz dolls, jumping rope and learning the cup song, slices and dices body parts instead.  In one panel, she split a man’s head in half with a meat cleaver.  She also snorts Condition Red, “a super-secret chemical compound designed by scientists,” she says.  Yeah right.

To write, illustrate and publish material of this nature is beyond sick.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

Due to the graphic nature of this story I CANNOT AND WILL NOT RECOMMEND THIS TITLE TO ANYONE.

Superior Carnage #2 Review

Marvel Comics, , ,

supercarnage2

I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this issue of Carnage, but this time I read it in broad daylight so that I wouldn’t get scared out of my seat like I did with the first issue.  I wanted that adrenaline rush again, just not at 1 a.m. while the rest of the household was asleep.

Cletus Kasady, the deranged serial killer with a venom symbiote in his bloodstream, has been captured by the Wizard.  His plan was to control Kasady’s mind and make Carnage a member of the Frightful Four.  Learning the hard way that Kasady has been lobotomized, the Wizard devised a new plan; control the symbiote’s brain instead of Kasady’s.

Dr. Malus and Klaw, two recruits for the Frightful Four, watches as the Wizard, who appears to be mentally unstable, endures several brutal attacks by Carnage.  When Dr. Malus tells Wizard that Carnage can be controlled if the venom symbiote is transferred into someone with a working brain, the physically disabled physician involuntarily becomes the candidate, I mean victim.

Meanwhile, Superior Spider-Man was made aware of Carnage’s break from prison by the Wizard and will soon pay them a visit.

WARNING TO PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN:  Carnage is definitely not for young readers.  Please use caution when reading this comic around young children.

Kevin Shinick is the writer of this gruesome comic.  Well written script.  Dark and scary characters, yet compelling.  The characterization of Carnage is deep, but the Wizard is even more complex.  Interesting dialogue, especially Wizard.  You actually witness his mind deteriorating, or getting crazier and crazier as some may say.

Once again I blame Stephen Segovia (artist), Jay David Ramos (colorist) and Clayton Crain (cover) for the chilling visuals.  Although I knew what to expect after reading the last issue, I still found myself shivering at all the panels with Carnage.  The lettering really stands out, especially the fight scenes, thanks to VC’s Joe Caramagna.  I can still hear Carnage hissing at the Wizard.  I felt so much better when I saw Superior Spider-Man!  (I’m a loyal reader of that title).

There is no doubt that I plan to continue reading this Marvel title.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I highly recommend this title for mature readers.

Screwed #3 Review

Zenescope Entertainment, , ,

screwed2

In the debut issue we were introduced to a young lady that awoke from a coma in a hospital covered in scars, as if her body was taken apart and sewn back together.  We also learned that she regenerates through electricity and has superhuman strength.  Her mind is warped as well, causing her to see everyone as monsters.  The worst part is that she has no recollection of her identity, or how she ended up this way.

Searching through missing person reports, agent Erin Scott discovers the modern-day Frankenstein’s name is Anne Gallo, a missing college student.  Agent Scott is trying her best to solve the case, but the evil and manipulative agent Simon Beckett (whom I didn’t trust from day one), is standing in her way.  Actually agent Beckett is somehow involved with Anne’s misfortune.

I am still liking this horror comic by Zenescope.  It is dark, mysterious and full of violence and bloodbaths.  Anne is very destructive and kills everyone in her path, because her fragmented mind makes her believe everyone she sees is a monster.

Tyler Kirkham and Keith Thomas are the writers of this well written, twisted horror story.  The character interactions are dark and scary, except for Agent Scott.  She appears to be the only character in the story that has Anne’s best interest at heart.

Awesome artwork by David Miller (pencils) and Oracle (colors).  Lots of gore, guts, brain exposed monsters, and high-tech weapons.  Well defined characters and scary looking monsters.  I don’t know what’s scarier, Anne’s stitched up body or Suture’s monstrous face.  Suture is a resurrected surgeon, and one of the ringleaders of these horrific experiments.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I recommend this title to readers of horror.

Deadpool Kills Deadpool #2 Review

Marvel Comics, , ,

deadpoolkill2

Can you imagine a Deadpool more psychotic than our own?  I couldn’t either until I started reading this mini series.  There are many universes with alternate versions of Deadpool.  I know this may be hard to imagine, but not all of them are manic and homicidal as the Deadpool we know, the Marvel Now! title I read every month.

WARNING TO PARENTS OF YOUNG CHILDREN:  Deadpool is extremely violent and caution should be taken while reading this comic around young children.

There is one insane Deadpool counterpart that believes he is nothing more than a fictional character, and he is on a Deadpool killing spree across the multiverse.  Whether it’s Earth-616 Deadpool or an alternate reality version, Deadpool is Deadpool.  That should tell you that there will be plenty of violence and bloodshed.

This issue is filled with lots of alternate reality Deadpools, some I know of, others I don’t.  The Deadpool Corps play a major part in the story, and there is Wolverinepool and a badass Pandapool.  The last page of this comic is unbelievable.  GALACTUSPOOL!

This funny, but violent story is written by Cullen Bunn.  Excellent dialogue and hilarious character interactions.  I especially like the Watcher.  He’s a fanboy and I like when he turns and talks to the reader.

Salva Espin is the artist, and Veronica Gandini is the colorist.  I like how the Watcher is sporting his Deadpool fanboy gear throughout the story.  I could do nothing but laugh before I even read the dialogue.  I also like the spread with Deadpool Corps battling their evil counterparts.  And of course I love that last page.  GALACTUSPOOL!  Gandini brings this comic to life, especially with the bright explosions.  But I’m no stranger to her work.  She is the colorist for one of my favorite Marvel NOW! titles, Fearless Defenders.

I definitely plan to continue reading this title.

VERDICT (drum roll please)

I recommend this title for mature readers only.