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 Re: IMAGE explosions
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 29,248
Time Trapper
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Time Trapper
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Iwish I hadn't given up Glory when I heard it went up to $3.99. That last $2.99 issue was the best yet! Maybe I'll do the trade(s) for the series' conclusion.
Still "Lardy" to my friends!
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Re: IMAGE explosions
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I'm loving Glory each and every month! I think def worth $3.99, and you should def try to keep reading, Lardy in some way.
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Re: IMAGE explosions
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Joined: Jul 2003
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Manwhile, I think the best of the recent fall 2012 launch of new Image series books were Where Is Jake Ellis? and the aforementioned (in its own thread) Happy!. WIJK was a sensational debut that seemingly proves my assessment that the Jake Ellis stories may read better in monthly doses than as a trade! that first issue was a terrific read and didn't feel at all like just a retread of the first mini.
Clone felt like a Paul Verhoeven film (like Robocop or the original Total Recall) in its kind of visceral, ultra-violent quality. After one issue, I'm not toally sure whether that's good or bad. I hope to see a little more story over action in subsequent issues.
Comeback has a very intriguing premise: paying time-travellers to rescue a loved one before he/she dies. The first issue showed an unexpectedly botched attempt that was pretty original. It seems, though, that even if they are successful, it becomes necessary for them to maintain the facade that the person died in the eyes of the world. That reason hasn't been explained yet. I'm hoping for the reasoning to be explained at some point.
Still "Lardy" to my friends!
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Re: IMAGE explosions
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Joined: Sep 2003
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Where Is Jake Ellis? is a worthy sequel to the original and I highly recommend both. I think you're correct Lardy (though I've only ever read it
monthly). The same is probably true for the excellent Edmondson mini Dancer.
Also agree that Happy! has been terrific, with issue #3's revelation bringing it all to a head that I can't wait for #4 to deliver on.
I skipped Clone and am glad I did based on the compared to Robocop, a movie I've always thought was utter shit.
Comeback I missed out on by not pre-ordering and have been regretting it ever since. I will probably hit up the trade on. The covers alone are great designs. I'm curious about your continued thoughts as it comes out.
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Re: IMAGE explosions
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 16,853
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Are any of you reading Luther Strode?
I agree with you re: Great Pacific, strong start, issue #3 was pretty dull.
Holy Cats of Egypt!
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Re: IMAGE explosions
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Joined: Sep 2003
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I'm buying Luther Strode but need to get the first TPB before I read. I've only heard great things!
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Re: IMAGE explosions
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Joined: Nov 2004
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In a workshop today, I found my mind wandering about Saga, how great it is and how the characters are so well developed. and how the Stalk needs to come back ... and/or have some brothers/sisters show up. You know she has some. and I hate Gwedolyn even though ... even though Marko clearly wronged her ... he's still my boy. loyalty over justice ... what kind of person AM I????  well i know there is way more to the story than that and Gwendolyn is evil incarnate. It just hasn't been shown on panel yet. I was alos thinking about how the story of two sides having a baby together isn't the most original but ... I trust vaughn ... because Y the Last Man made a really original story out of a well trod apocalypse story.
Last edited by Power Boy; 02/12/13 11:36 AM.
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Re: IMAGE explosions
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 29,248
Time Trapper
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Time Trapper
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Anyone reading "Todd, the Ugliest Kid on Earth"? I'm curious about this one, but I can't recall seeing any reviews of it, here or elsewhere.
Still "Lardy" to my friends!
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Re: IMAGE explosions
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,948
Don't Stop Peelieving
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Don't Stop Peelieving
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 12,948 |
I just figured it's about McFarlane's childhood... 
"Anytime a good book like this is cancelled, I hope another Teen Titan is murdered." --Cobalt
"Anytime an awesome book like S6 is cancelled, I hope EVERY Titan is murdered." --Me
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Re: IMAGE explosions
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Joined: Sep 2003
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I've kinda been waiting for review of "Todd..." myself before I buy. I missed #1, and decided to sit on the sidelines.
One comic I'm really enjoying lately is Blackacre. Really great science fiction that is very appealing to the historian in me as it gets right into the heart of how a city-state might operate in a post-Apocalyptic world. Yet another great sci-fi series out right now.
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Re: IMAGE explosions
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 16,853
Time Trapper
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Time Trapper
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Lost Vegas #1 of 4 by Jim McCann & Janet Lee
Every country on Earth loves gambling and it looks like every race in the galaxy does too. Lost Vegas is a space-ship casino and Roland is your typical gambler-movie gambler: in debt, cheating Mr. Big ... and getting arrested. For his debts, he becomes slave labour in the casino, along with many other debtors. There's a good twist on the slaves: they wear appearance devices that make them all look alike. Roland plans his escape - and a heist - with the help of a tech nerd, a creature described as sentient ink and, possibly, a mysterious woman. Alien creatures and space-age setting, but, essentially, a classic heist story. Fine with me, since I love heist stories. Maybe not the most original story, but should be good for four issues.
Holy Cats of Egypt!
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Re: IMAGE explosions
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 29,248
Time Trapper
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Time Trapper
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I read a TERRIFIC Image book the other night: The End Times of Bram and Ben #1! The basic premise of this 4-issue mini is that the biblical rapture happens, and we explore what the world is like for those, well, 'left behind'. As an added wrinkle, one of our title characters was raptured and then un-raptured/sent back due to a "clerical error", and as this fact becomes known, complications ensue for him from sources both earthly and supernatural. As one may infer from the clerical reference, this is not a dark and gloomy book at all! In fact it reads and looks like a book very much in the vein of the excellent Chew comic (also published by Image), whose virtues I've been shouting about from the rooftops of Legion World ever since I discovered it. The story by James Asmus (who's also scripting the excellent second arc of Robert Kirkman's Thief of Thieves) and Jim Festante is irreverent and comical, and Rem Broo's pencils are similarly cartoony (complete with a few sight gags in the backgrounds!) as Chew's Rob Guillory's work. Basically, the art and the story compliment each other very well. The issue opens with a page painting roommates Bram and Ben's relationship in broad strokes as not being unlike the classic Odd Couple dynamic. On the second page...well, the raptures start immediately, and we then get a few pages showing this happening (and NOT happening in one cheeky panel) on a broader scale. And then, we see the crucial un-rapturing, and the pair begin to explore what's happened and its immediate impact on their lives. What's really immediately amusing is how the cause of what's happened is debated among their acqaintances and the world at large, when it would seem the cause is obvious. It was funny, but it rang true as every little thing is a conspiracy in our culture. It also shows how generally secular and skeptical our culture is. But we're shown enough behind the scenes to know that this is indeed the Rapture (or some permutation of it, possibly even a mistake?). Yes, those readers of a more religious inclination could find some things offensive here, but as the backmatter asserts, this book's overriding purpose doesn't appear to be to skewer religion so much as to satirize some of the affectations that the public itself brings to the subject matter. Still, if you're overly sensitive about Christianity, this probably isn't the book for you. And for $2.99, you get a full 32 pages of story, plus an inside back cover with an amusing note from the author and a hilarious back cover 'ad'! This was a pleasant surprise, and I look forward to the remaining issues. (Actually, I'm pretty bummed it's a mini! The platform presented here could easily sustain an ongoing for a few years.) All in all, I'd give this issue...  ...out of five Lardies!
Still "Lardy" to my friends!
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Re: IMAGE explosions
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Joined: Jul 2003
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Time Trapper
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Time Trapper
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^ Am I the only one who's read this? Cobalt? Meanwhile, in June we get Rucka and Lark back together for Lazarus! This will definitely be on my pull!
Still "Lardy" to my friends!
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Re: IMAGE explosions
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Joined: Sep 2003
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Yeah, I've been pumped about Lazarus since it was announced! Absolutely on my pull.
I've had my eye out for Bram and Ben but didn't see it yet. When did it come out? Shit, I didn't preorder this one so I hope I didn't miss it. Your great review definitely has me interested, especially the comparison to Guillory's Chew background gags!
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Re: IMAGE explosions
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Joined: Jul 2003
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Time Trapper
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The background gags aren't as widespread as Guillory's, but there a few in there, such as the school Ben teaches at being "sponsored by McDonald's". I'd say the overall tone and art style is the most direct comparison to Chew.
Bram and Ben started in January and just released its third issue this past Wednesday. One more issue to go.
Still "Lardy" to my friends!
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Re: IMAGE explosions
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Okay. I'll search for single issues but if not I'll snag the trade, usually the 4 issue minis are a nice price point.
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Re: IMAGE explosions
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 29,248
Time Trapper
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I hope they collect it. Image never did collect what I feel was the criminally-overlooked book of 2011: Drums. (I just checked, and mycomicsshop.com still has all four issues of Drums in stock for just over $1 each!) I hope Bram and Ben doesn't fall into such obscurity!
Still "Lardy" to my friends!
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Re: IMAGE explosions
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Joined: Jul 2003
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And just because remembering how overlooked Drums was pisses me off, some reviews and posts from random Review Corner: I just put down Image's Drums #3, the penultimate issue of what looks to be an all-too short miniseries based on how much my level of enjoyment demands MUCH MORE!
Drums is basically a crime/horror story in which some FBI agents are called in to investigate an apparent ritualistic mass murder/suicide. In a manner that echoes the X-Files series, our characters learn that there's much more of a supernatural element behind the eerie goings-on.
The setting is Florida in the middle of a full-blown hurricane! These conditions help create a sense of moodiness and isolation that might otherwise have not been capable of being plausibly created in a modern-set tale.
The context for all of this is the mysterious voodoo culture. The exploration and explanation of this culture by writer El Torres, to me, has been the most fascinating thing about the series. In his text pieces at the end of every issue, Torres has a glossary for all the terms used in his stories and explains that he has to simplify and merge aspects of the culture a bit to make them more understandable to the reader. I'd say he does an incredible job with this, and even with all the unfamiliar terms and names and foreign language bits, you don't really need the glossary and backmatter to "get" it all. They enhance the enjoyment, sure, but the script and the art do their jobs very well.
I love the art! Abe Hernando has a style reminiscent in certain ways of Darwyn Cooke and of (Captain America/Gotham Central's) Michael Lark. Hernando also brings home the spooky when he is (frequently) called upon to do so! The colors are subdued, attractive and suited to the darker nature of the story.
Issues 1 and 2 are heavier on the character exploration, the official investigation and the lore of the voodoo culture. ("Voodoo", btw, is rarely used as a term in the book, preferring to use more accurate terminology.) There are plenty of creepy and horrific scenes in those issues, but issue 3 is where all the horror comes out to play and goes BATSHIT CRAZY! This is an action overdrive issue, and, well, it reminds you of what the source of most of the zombie lore actually is! I wouldn't call Drums a "zombie book", but they have a large presence in the story and don't seem to have the traditional zombie weakness amd cliches.
The characters are all really interesting. The two leads are FBI investigators Irons and Poltz. Irons has a mysterious connection to the supernatural goings-on. Poltz is more the comic relief but really shines in issue 3. I like the pair so much, I deeply hope that Torres and Hernando bring us more stories of their adventures (assuming they survive, which is seriously in doubt).
Honestly, if Drums were ongoing, it may very well have been top contender for my best new series in 2011! So far it's THAT good! Hell, if it ends satisfyingly, I might make an exception. If you're in to books with a horror bent that are well-written, well-drawn and have a memorable concept and memorable characters--do yourself a favor and check it out, damnit! I was hoping you'd review this one Lardy! I totally missed it the first time around and it's been woefully under-ordered by CBS's. I didnt even know what it was about to be honest.
Your high praise is enough to get me to check out the trade when it's released, certainly. Sounds like Image has yet another triumph as they continue to clearly dominate comics as the best publisher in the business these days.
Note to LWers: when Lardy recommends a title like this, you should take note! He's the guy who got LW into Chew, Scalped and bunches of other titles that almost went over-looked! Never forget! 
Still "Lardy" to my friends!
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Re: IMAGE explosions
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I never realized Drums wasn't collected. I keep a list of trades to buy, and its near the top. It definitely is something I intend to read per your review! To think the "Image Explosions" for me began the day you DEMANDED I read Chew.
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Re: IMAGE explosions
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 29,248
Time Trapper
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Clone felt like a Paul Verhoeven film (like Robocop or the original Total Recall) in its kind of visceral, ultra-violent quality. After one issue, I'm not toally sure whether that's good or bad. I hope to see a little more story over action in subsequent issues.
I skipped Clone and am glad I did based on the compared to Robocop, a movie I've always thought was utter shit.
I must say that Clone has definitely shown some improvement over issues 2 and 3. Issue 1 is overwhelmed to a degree by blood and violence over story, but 2 and 3 do deepen the plot a good bit and build the mystery behind it. It's still primarily an action/adventure story more than anything, but the comparison to "Robocop" and "Total Recall" I made originally is unfair in hindsight. The lead character's desperate search for his wife and an intriguing subplot about a politician's very personal dilemma over whether or not to ban stem cell research give the story an extra layer. The art by Juan Jose Ryp (who's been a mainstay at Avatar on such projects as the initial Crossed mini, as well as the adaptation of Frank Miller's original "Robocop 2" script) is clean, highly detailed and not entirely unlike a George Perez style. It's attractive and is a good fit for this type of script. Now that I'm caught up to all the issues I'd already bought, I anticipate buying the issues released since. I don't know if that's exactly a recommendation, but I'm more hopeful about the series than I was.
Still "Lardy" to my friends!
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Re: IMAGE explosions
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Joined: Sep 2003
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Image continues to be the leader of great sci-fi comics in the industry, covering a diverse array of subgenres. Two newer ones I'm loving:
Nowhere Men is a very smart, exciting series that is chalk full of interesting characters and high tension. The art is clean and beautiful and each issue is loaded with story. It begins as a "hard science fiction" type series and has continually delved further and further into the improbable in a very exciting (and scary) way. The cast is immense, which I also like.
Blackacre is a fantastic series in a post-Apocalyptic world with very subtle yet strong commentary on politics, money and humanity in such a world. It's done an amazing job establishing a very different world, and having the lead character thrown into it. The writer is very smart and well-read--there are some real nice nods to Greek and Roman history in this world without ever saying so, and I suspect other things I've missed.
Both are at the top of my pile every month.
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Re: IMAGE explosions
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 16,853
Time Trapper
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East of West by Jonathan Hickman, art by Nick Dragotta
Alternate history in America, strange, strange. The year 2068: a mix of space age and wild west. Three of the four horsemen of the apocalypse - Death, Famine, War - have risen again and go on a strange hunt. Death seeks someone in the White Tower; Famine and War look for others on a mysterious list. No shortage of dead bodies, but this is the onset of the apocalypse.
A beautifully crafted, dangerous future. I don't really know what's going on yet, but it promises to be a good story.
Holy Cats of Egypt!
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Re: IMAGE explosions
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Joined: Nov 2004
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hhmmm I was curious about this today at the store.
I'm not a fan of Hickman's, I think his super hero stuff is pretty slow. But thought a change of genre and publisher might make some chemistry. Still I passed. It looked beautiful though.
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Re: IMAGE explosions
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Joined: Jul 2003
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Hickman's Marvel work is quite different from his independent work. He's very heavy into alternate history. I'd say it's also slow, but slow as in contemplative. It does probably read much better as a collection and I'll probably wither wait for the trade on this one or end up rereading the individual issues in one sitting.
Holy Cats of Egypt!
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Re: IMAGE explosions
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 584
Active
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Trade waiting for Hickmans indie stuff is always a good idea as, Manhattan Projects aside so far, they are not always the most timely.
However I agree East of West was a fine first issue.
Last edited by stuorstew; 03/29/13 01:45 PM.
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