Yearly Archives: 2012

Feb 24 2012

Adventure Time #1 and Kevin Keller #1

Kevin Keller
Story and Art by Dan Parent

Longtime fan of Archie that I am, I was intrigued to pick up the first issue of Archie’s newest friend: Kevin Keller. I’ve heard the swirling controversies about a gay character being added to one of the most loved comics ever, but I’m not here to judge the comic on if Kevin is going to “queer up the Archies” (not my words, but words I heard from someone in my comic shop. I live in Texas, what do you expect?) but on if Kevin Keller is fun, witty, and worth picking up every week. As I began the comic, Kevin breaks the fourth wall for the first few pages, letting you see his insecurities, life story, and hopes for the future. He’s just been asked out on a date and is struggling with the normal dating anxieties: what to wear, how to act, etc and each friend has their own set of advice ranging from serious to humorous. Betty and Veronica both tell him to be himself, Archie wisely advises to not schedule two dates at the same time, Reggie takes him for a clothing makeover, and Jughead points him in the direction of the best date spot (Pop’s). Kevin does his best to keep busy throughout the week as his date is on Sunday and as he’s burning through chores, his date arrives Saturday. Poor guy got the date wrong so he rushes to get ready, overhearing his parents discussing their awkward first date with each other and it calms him. The comic ends with Kevin confidently leaving the house, happy that not all bad first dates end a possible relationship.

There’s not much to say about the art here. I think Archie Comics has been a mainstay in the comic world for years and years because it still looks the same. I honestly COULD nitpick and find things that are different from the issues I read as a child but what for? You’ll see the familiar look to the characters and it’s comforting in the very least.

Since this is an “origin” story type of first issue, it was kind of bland BUT I am hoping it picks up so I’ll give this another shot.

 

Adventure Time
Story by Ryan North and Art by Shelli Paroline & Braden Lamb

If you’ve never sat and caught an episode of Cartoon Network’s wildly popular series….you’re in for a treat. I’m of the thought that each time an episode is written, the writers are either on acid or tapped into a toddler’s dream, tweak it, and animate it for TV. Either way, I’m a big fan of the show so I ran (by ran, I mean went into work) and picked up a copy. It begins with an innocent, adorable snail exploring a plain purple bag on a forest floor when an evil looking creature with horns and a cloak starts sucking up everything, leaving the land barren and desolate. The scene switches to Finn and Jake (just a regular boy and his regular stretchy, magical, talking dog) who are pretend fighting and throwing about “battle burns.” They hear a noise and investigate, donning a pair of anti-mind control headpieces. As they make their way toward the baddie (The Lich), he informs them that he will suck them up too and off the pair go, ending up in a barren alternate dimension wasteland. While they conversate with the inhabitants there, we get a peek at the Ice King, scribbling away at his newest fan fiction where he too is sucked up by The Lich who he recognizes. :O

Of course this is where it “To Be Continued” us and we get a nice little side story about Princess Bubblegum written and illustrated by Aaron Renier. Again, if you’ve seen the show, the art here is nothing different from what you’d see on an episode, short story aside. I love how vivid everything looks and the silly fist bumps between Finn and Jake. Although, for me, the very best parts were the little one-liners at the bottom of each page where no one really ever looks.

Definitely pick this up and get ready for Adventure Time.

 

Feb 23 2012

J.K. Rowling Announces New Book!

Muggles having grown up with the Harry Potter series will finally be able to stop trolling the Young Adult section looking for more magic.

Five years after the release of the culmination of her billion dollar Harry Potter franchise, Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows, J.K. Rowling has announced today that she has been quietly writing a new adult novel to be published through Little, Brown and Company, which marks the first time that Rowling has not used Bloomsbury or Scholastic, her UK and US publishers respectively.

“Although I’ve enjoyed writing it every bit as much, my next book will be very different to the Harry Potter series, which has been published so brilliantly by Bloomsbury and my other publishers around the world,” Rowling said in a statement released by Little, Brown. “The freedom to explore new territory is a gift that Harry’s success has brought me, and with that new territory it seemed a logical progression to have a new publisher. I am delighted to have a second publishing home in Little, Brown, and a publishing team that will be a great partner in this new phase of my writing life.”

Potter-lovers hoping for a Mauraders prequel or “The Adventures of Albus Severus in Hufflepuff” will be very disappointed, though it’s clear that Rowling will have no problem flying to the top of the Best Sellers list within days of her first adult novels release. Rowling claims her story will not make the journey from Platform 9 3/4 and fans must still rely on Pottermore for other information on Harry and the gang.

“Although I’ve enjoyed writing it every bit as much, my next book will be very different to the Harry Potter series, which has been published so brilliantly by Bloomsbury and my other publishers around the world.” Rowling said in a statement.

Little, Brown is keeping very closemouthed on the subject, with no title or release date to be seen. More details are promised for later this year, and the small tidbit that the adult novel will be available in both print and e-format are not enough for Rowling’s voracious fanbase.

As someone who watched her storytelling progress through the series, Rowling has already proven that she has the chops. Deathly Hallows tackled some pretty adult themes at times. Though it’s not about The Boy Who Lived, what are your thoughts for Rowling’s new book?

Mischief managed.

Feb 23 2012

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

When I first heard about this movie I brushed it off as some straight-to-dvd piece of trash.  Then I heard they were giving it a budget.  Then I heard Timur Bekmambetov was directing it.  Finally they released this trailer.

I…. Part of me screams, “Yes, yes!! Finally!! Cinema has been saved!” and the larger part of me grabs a baseball bat and beats the other part of me into submission.  I can not tell a lie, I will see this in theater (see what I did there?  Ya I know, I’m dumb).

Thoughts anyone?

Feb 22 2012

The Ninjettes #1

Ninjettes
Story by Al Ewing and Art by Eman Casallos

An opening pedophilia scene starts this comic off with a bang and holy shit, am I glad I listened to instinct and pulled this off the shelf. Leather clad Varla is on assignment from an unnamed Senator but instead of making a murder seem like a death by natural causes, Varla slices her prey in half with her handy samurai sword. As Varla clues in the Senator of her completed work, the Senator’s daughter hears half of the conversation and bemoans her family’s dysfunctional nature to a friend who is disappointed her lack of funds won’t allow for her to have her own father murdered. The scene switches to Varla and two friends, discussing the fee (labeled cheap by one) and how things have changed since an event at a place called Kennebunkport. As one of the friends whines about her stationary new position (guarding someone’s adopted daughter), Varla receives a text from the Senator’s daughter wanting to talk.  As she makes her way to the diner where they’re to meet, she rids herself of an annoying hobo chiding her for lack of motorcycle helmet. Kelly, the daughter, informs Varla that she’d like to do what she does: kill people for money. Varla hesitates momentarily, puts out her cigarette in the diner manager’s eye and bids Kelly to follow. As she lays down the rules to be an assassin, Kelly comes across her dad’s carcass in a freezer, ending the comic on a vomitous note. Ewing does amazing by keeping the story brisk and to the point and it’s a really enticing read.

Eman Casallos is an artist I’m not familiar with (something you’ll notice about me as I branch out into indie comics) but I like how he draws the ladies, particularly Varla. She’s sexy without being completely overdone in the breast area and she doesn’t have any spine breaking poses. The gore is a little toned down, but after Luther Strode, it’ll be hard coming across a phenomenal comic that is it’s equal….however, I have a good feeling about The Ninjettes.

Give this one a try.

Feb 22 2012

Strolling Around Streaming: What to Watch on Netflx- Lilyhammer

Does anyone miss “The Sopranos? “Everyone? Good. Does anyone like streaming video content to watch at their leisure? Everyone again? Splendid. Your prize for getting the correct answers is my review for “Lilyhammer,” Netflix’s first attempt at original streaming content. The series stars Steven Van Zandt (Formerly Silvio Dante in “The Sopranos”) as an ex-mobster placed in witness protection in Lillehammer, Norway. Can he make a new life amongst the extremely pale northerners? Find out after the jump.

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Feb 21 2012

My Personal Top Ten Albums of All Time

So as I was stuck in a car for seven and a half hours this past weekend on the way to my older sisters wedding, and I couldn’t help but think “Good lord, I wish I had some good music to listen to“.  My aunt and uncle drove my mom and I so I had no control over the radio, and while my uncle’s taste in music wasn’t terrible, there is only so many times I can put up with listening to “the crocodile rock”.

So here are my top ten albums that I could listen to over and over again, from beginning to finish, and never grow tired of them.  These aren’t the best albums ever or the most talented, but simply the albums that over the years I have come to see as a perfect listening experience for myself.  Feel free to disagree or feel free to agree.  I won’t give you any wordy write ups about each album, but instead I’ll just put a lyric or two from each album beneath it’s album cover.

“I go out to work on Monday morning
Tuesday I go off to honeymoon
I’ll be back again before it’s time for sunny-down,
I’ll be lazing on a Sunday afternoon”

HIT THE JUMP FOR THE REST IF YA FEEL LIKE IT!!

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Feb 21 2012

Cool Shit We Saw This Week!

 

This week was full of lovey dovey, heart filled, candy coated goodness. Many of us, myself included, were in too much of a candy coma to update. But I did remember to make a note of my favorite things. Though it is a day late, without further ado I give you the best shit of the week! Er…last week.

What was your favorite thing about Valentine’s Day? IHOGeek’s was sitting down with our good friend and fellow blogger The Taffeta Darling and reviewing The Justice League of Pornstar Heroes: An Extreme Comixxx Parody for her segment on The Loud Idiots podcast, properly titled Taffeta Darling’s Month of Self Love. If the title isn’t obvious enough, it’s pretty much comic book porn starring your favorite tights-wearing heroes of DC. We decided, if the whole blogging thing doesn’t pan out, we’re going into comic porn. As consultants, you gutter minded sillies. Check out our YouTube for our favorite porn parts. The tiredness on our faces is from laughing until we couldn’t breathe anymore.

If you didn’t catch the podcast, then perhaps your favorite thing about Fat Winged BabyArcher day spending the hours with Bioware’s highly anticipated Mass Effect 3 demo. We wont go into any details (because those can lead to spoilers) BUT  – ohmagah. Mass Effect 3 will be released March 6th. In the meantime, let’s just watch this new trailer.

With the month of love just about done for, that can only mean one thing. April is coming, and though we have a month and some change before the gratification of the Game of Thrones season two premiere, HBO has taken pity on our poor souls and gifted us with new official character posters! Not to be confused with their silly Valentine’s Photo Cards that were posted a day or so before via their Facebook… which may or may not have ridiculous taglines. My favorites? The two badassiest women, Arya Stark and Daenerys Stormborn Targaryen, complete with chilling quotes. Though the manboobs behind Dany have me chuckling a bit. But serious face! Game of Thrones premieres April 1st 2012 on HBO.

Speaking of the world of Westeros, designer Helmut Lang has haute couture and geekery combined as he claims to have used Game of Thrones as inspiration for his 2012 fall clothing line. Though the one sleeveless number seems a bit Lannister-inspired, the collection doesn’t go much further south than snowy Winterfell, with black leather and furs galore. I’m not sure how the Night’s Watch will feel sharing the Wall with runway models, given their vows.


Though details about the game have been swirling about the Interwebs for awhile, Square Enix has released a new trailer for the seventh installment in the Kingdom Hearts franchise, Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance. Unfortunately, the 10th anniversary is not coming with the legitimate, console version that we have hoped for, so we’re putting our money on a very epic ending within the next 5 years. Though I will say, TRON world looks fantastical.

O lovers of silly cartoons, rejoice! Teen Titans is back on Cartoon Network! Well, sorta…

The New Teen Titans are a collection of small animated shorts that will run between full length episodes of the DC Nation programming block. The shorts feature the Titans in supercute chibi form and have even managed to snag all of the original voice actors. DC Nation kicks off on Saturday March 3rd at 10am. GO!

And speaking of amazing cartoons that didn’t last long enough but now have mini-sequel continuations based on fan demand, rounding up the list this week is news of Dark Horse’s newly released graphic novel, Avatar: The Last Airbender – The Promise topping the Best Seller’s list. The canonical continuation of the story picks up where Avatar: TLA left off and will follow the journey of Aang, Katara, Sokka, Toph and Zuko as they reconstruct the broken relationship between the nations. Good thing they’re doing this before The Legend of Korra. I need to know what happens with Zuko and Ursa. Pick up part one of The Promise now! Or just wait, since part two wont be out until the end of May.


That just about concludes my list of last week! Did I miss your favorites? Let me know in the comments below!

 

Feb 20 2012

Fearless Dawn: Secret of the Swamp #1

Fearless Dawn
Story and Art by Steve Mannion

In case you’re barely tuning into the wondrous monster fighter that is Fearless Dawn, that’s pretty much all you need to know: bitch fights monsters (or zombies, but whatever). The scantily clad and ridiculously nippled Dawn and her sidekick Robin…er Masked Kid are seeking the treasure at the end of a map given to them by Old Lady Flannigan when they encounter a cross-eyed, weed smoking old pirate named Brownhole Jones. He gives Dawn a weathered locket that will protect her and off they go to the darkest part of the swamp where they come across a slimy looking cyclops. Lo and behold, the crusty locket causes Cyclops to explode into nasty, gooey bits and the masked duo traipse back through the swamp to give the locket back to Ole’ Brownhole. The rest of the comic is full of quick one-shots and original sketches, which are a nice touch.

Mannion seems to have fun with his characters and you can sense that he really enjoys the journeys Dawn and Masked Kid go through. I like that you can see it in each panel. I think my favorite bits are one of the little side stories in the back where Fearless Dawn “transforms” into herself.

I don’t think I’ll pick up more Fearless Dawn. Although it was enjoyable, it’s not really something I would pick up regularly. B-side horror fans, this is right up your alley!