All posts by scarey71

Art, COMICS, Review

ALTERNA COMICS – SCRIMSHAW- 1#

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The world is underwater. Al Gore’s worst nightmare has come true.The ice caps have melted .Governments have fallen ,and the world is a very different place now. This is conveyed very succinctly in the first few pages. Broken politics and corporate iron fists are the voice of the day now, and that’s where the story begins.

SCRIMSHAW has kind of a swashbuckling feel to it. Somewhere between WATERWORLD,PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN with a nice undercurrent of some of Wolverines time in Japan. Writer Eric Borden is able to Mesh this together into the beginnings of an adventure where the “good guys” aren’t necessarily that good, and the bad guys need a worse name because of their actions.

Eric fleshed out the characters as much as one can in a first issue and you receive introductions to a fair amount of personalities that can expanded on in further issues. Some I found more interesting than others but time will tell whether they are intended to be bit players or main roster characters. He also provided a nice hook for issue #2 in the “There be Whales here captain!!!” vein.

Artist Dave Mim’s work reminds of a cross between Jae Lee and Whilce Portacio. Jagged and demonic, which fits nicely in with the characters of this series. The backgrounds seemed a bit too busy for me but the more I thought about it, it would make sense that the backdrops for this story would be crowded and very hustle and bustle.

This book is a 4 issue limited series and I’m going to order the other 3 parts. If I did have one suggestion for the book, it would be the lettering. The point size could stand to be a little bigger. I found myself more than once squinting to read it and you lose some story flow when you have to do that. Also, Do yourself a favour and google “Scrimshaw”. You’ll learn something new. I did.

Next Issue is out Aug.2017

Written by Eric Borden

Artist -Dave Mims

Letterer-Spike O Laochdha

Action, CGI, MOVIES, Review, Trailer

Trailer Preview – Jumanji 2: Welcome to the Jungle.

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If Sony had of just called this movie “Welcome to the Jungle “they probably would have saved themselves a tonne of grief. The word Jumanji conjures up images and memories of late comedic icon Robin Williams and that’s something that will probably not help this film. Many tweets I’ve read about these trailers have been negative .Many for no reason I feel.

The Trailer begins almost as an Homage to “The Breakfast Club” in that 4 students of diverse back grounds get to spend some time in detention. I’m not completely sure this was not a coincidence. They actually gave a little bit more away in this trailer then I wanted to see.Sometimes it’s not a bad thing to keep a surprise how people get from one place to another.

Soon we’re cranking it up with strains of Guns and Roses “Welcome to the Jungle “booming through the scenes. Guns and Roses works with practically every trailer so not reading too much into the movies quality here.

The movies stars The Rock, Jack Black, Kevin Hart and Karen Gillan. Bobby Cannavale (Boardwalk Empire), also signed on for it and he usually doesn’t do scripts unless there is something there so that interests me . Most of the Jokes in the Trailers land, and Jack Black channeling a lovely blonde seems like it might have a few chuckles from the trailer. You are, of course going to see many, many dangerous animals along the way in all their CGI majesty

I found the International Trailer did a better job of selling the movie for me.These folks seem like they had a good time making the film and poking some fun at their character stereotypes so that to me is a plus. If people go in to watch the movie without thinking of Robin Williams they will probably enjoy the movie much more. All the man wanted to do was make you smile. Why not try it?

It’s releasing Dec.22nd and will probably face some pretty rough competition at that time(The Last Jedi drops the week before) but it might be effective counter programming. I say cautiously. Domestic and International Trailers are below. Thanks for reading

Scarey

MOVIES, News, Sci Fi, Short Film, Trailer, Youtube

Oat Studios- Volume 1 – Neil Blomkamps short film teaser

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Oat studios(based out of Vancouver, Canada) is a gambit for Neil Blomkamp. He’s wondering if people will pay for short films that could be developed into full length films. I really think he is on to something. This teaser looks amazing.

I’m a bit bummed he never got his shot at the Aliens franchise but if this short clip is any indication he may very well have his own “Alien” franchise on his hands. If you look closely at this clip I swear that looks like Sigourney Weaver at 42 seconds. If she has interest in this style of film making ,I’m sold already.

I will admit the creatures look like a cross between Raptors and a Godzilla face but I’ve seen a lot worse make it to feature film. Exciting concept if it takes off. Can you imagine the future if studios can road test their films before they get greenlit? Would change the industry…for good or bad, I’m not sure…

Enjoy,Scott

 

 

drama, Netflix, News, T.V., Trailer, Uncategorized

Netflix – House of Cards Premiere – One nation Under….Wood.

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This has got to be the best political drama on TV. Tomorrow, Season 5 of “House of Cards” drops and I can’t wait. I don’t think a political series has been so timely as this one. At the end of last season viewers were fearful of a president mad with power and on the brink of war. He was using the Presidency to protect his power and hide his mistakes every step of the way. It was only “TV”. We shut it off and wondered where President Underwood would go next in his quest to manipulate and retain his grasp on his world.

We had been to war before……not  even 20 years ago. It would be entertaining to watch President Underwood’s spin on how he would react to actions of a past Republican president. Would he be smarter?…..would it play out differently? Would he succeed?

Then…..

Then…..

Then Nov.8th happened……..and I think President Underwood is going to scare the hell out of us.

He needs to. Reality so far has trumped anything that A Underwood presidency could bring to the table. Every day is new chaos. So I suspect the writers knew they need to go to a level that has not been gone to yet in real life. Into the mind of a sociopath with access to control of which he has never had before. Into the mind of a sociopath where the idea of “Term limit” is laughable and something to be fixed. Where paranoia exists and control is the only option.

 

COMICS, Review

Days of Dark Fire #1 – Sinopia Comics Inc. – Review and a few thoughts

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This book had very cool art going in, so I wasn’t really surprised when the story turned out to be pretty damn good also. By now, if you have ever heard of the X-men, you have heard of the Phoenix and the Dark Phoenix. This series delves into a pretty cool saga based on the god like properties of these two Phoenixes and the followers of their faiths.

After reading a few pages of this first book I began to realize how well it flowed from scene to scene. For me, if I can imagine someone acting out these scenes on a TV or movie screen, it’s usually a positive sign to me that the dialogue is pretty good. Giovanni Smith is a great writer, who can bring together a complex story  while giving his characters dialogue that moves along the story, but develops their personalities for better or worse. Titan “Tyson” comes to mind. He’s a wise ass, but your able to see there’s good inside that character before his actions even get to that point. Can’t say enough about this great dialogue.

Artist Mike Gaughrans art  gave the story a great sense of medieval, epic adventure to it. The timing and pace of the art was in perfect synch with the emotions and dialogue that Giovanni Smiths words were trying to convey. Mike’s art has kind of a cartoonish look to it, but I say that in the best possible way. I was reminded of the old  Masters of the Universe cartoons as I was reading this book. That’s high praise for me.

I did have a few small critiques that came to mind. Melody the Amazon looked kind of masculine, and the “grackles” looked like an oversized biker gang, but those were minor details. A few other positive details I’d like to point out is the great read at the beginning of the story that fleshes out the history of the two Phoenixes and how we get to where we are at when the story began. Also at the end of the book there is a detailed map which shows this world that is being created in  detail.

Issue #2 has already been released via their website below with title #3 coming soon. Please donate if you are going to read this book. About quarter way through Volume 1 you’ll realize you have paid $4.00 for at least one book in the last 3 months that wasn’t even close to the art and story of this one…and it wasn’t 30 quality pages.  Great job guys. Cheers

Scott

https://sinopiacomics.com/comics/

 

 

COMICS, Review

A Little Off The Top- Book #1 – Lowfive Productions

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This was a quirky book that I wasn’t sure how to take the first time around. How could you build a story around hair cutting?!….and then I thought hmm,… Edward Scissorhands. If I could broadly compare this book, it would be a cross between Edward Scissorhands, The Star Wars Trilogy and a bit of Game of thrones tossed in there.

Abigale Theodosia is an enforcer of sorts. In a land where  hair is currency,  and being shaved of all yours strips you of your dignity,  a barber can be a dangerous figure. Abigale’s bone to pick today(or hair pick if you will)is not with the fine folks of the territory she is in but with the Queen and King of this realm. It’s about her families honor though the reasons so far have not been made quite clear.

Not sure how they did it, but the creators of this concept made it work, …..and  fairly well. From a story that is well paced(Via writer Billy Martin) to art that has a “fairy tale” feel to it(via Jazz Singh) they are able to pull together a thoughtful story and the beginnings of a larger universe of “cutters”. Along the way they plant enough seeds for future chapters where the things that are alluded to before will all make sense in the end…….or at the very least give more questions to the answers.

The hook for the next issue is set up nicely, and introduces whom I think may be to this series, it’s “Obi Wan CUTnobi”(Christ, did I just write that?!).Abigale Theodosia is an interesting character .From her facial expressions right down to the flop of hair on the top of her head(think Strong guy from X-factor)she has the makings of a strong interesting character.

I’d read the second book to see where this was going as I’ve been given enough foreshadowing that I’d like to see where it’s going. Lowfive productions website is below. They’ve got some great art and a couple of podcasts if you’d like to check them out. Cheers for now

Scott

http://www.lowfiveproductions.com/

 

 

Back Issue Binge, COMICS, Review

Review Nyobi #1 – Larry Higgins

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I think at some point time or another in our lives we’re all been bullied. Whether it be in school ,or out , sometimes being a teen who’s a little bit different is the most lonely road to walk. For Lucas Cassie this first issue gives a hint what his life is like in spades. On my first read through this book I wondered if perhaps this abuse had been overdone? Writer Larry Higgins had the whole world seemingly kicking this kids ass.

It certainly would explain why he was pushed to his brink, even if he did have a bit of help along the way in the form of a demon(Think Venom with a suicidal wish) goading him along just when he was at his weakest. The entire undercurrent of this issue was a sense of foreboding that this was not going to end well for Lucas.

The lead character 23, year old Japanese /American” Nyobi” Lee(based on cosplayer “Emily Zombie guts”.I just found the title to my first comic:), left me with more questions than answers after this first issue. She’s a teleporter in the vein of the X-mens” Nightcrawler” but as the story progresses you can see that by using her powers she becomes fatigued very quickly. Is she pushing herself to hard , or is it something else that is wearing her out?

There’s not a lot of fleshing out of Nyobi Lees origin in the story itself, but there is a handy dandy 2 page character profile directly after the main story to help fill in the blanks concerning Nyobi’s back story and abilities. Along with that there are various art works on the last 8 pages depicting Nyobi by local artists such as Andre Boulard, David Coates and Stefanine Acking to name a few. Andre Boulard’s version of her is probably my favourite, however I would have preferred the character show more uniqueness to her costume style. The short skirt , knee high boots and pigtails seemed a bit caricature of Japanese culture.

Overall , a good first venture out with a character with a lot of potential and a storyline that has room for a lot of growth. My understanding via some research is that the second issue has already been funded on Kickstarter and may be already out. One more very necessary and classy move I noted on the back page(literally read it cover to cover , because that’s how we roll here at Scotts house of comic reviews)was the numbers for the U.S(Suicide Prevention Line) and Canada (Kidshelpphone) prevention lines.I’m reprinting them here and anyone who is reading this if you ever need them, please use them. Hell, contact me on twitter and I’ll bring you in if need be. Oh and Larry? Dad would have been very proud. Cheers

Scott

Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273 – 8255

Kidshelpphone 1-800-668-6868

Writer: Larry P Higgins

Interior line work:David Coates

Cover and shading :Andre Boulard