TRINITY #4 (2008 June 25)

The main story Issue 4 of TRINITY picks straight up from issue 3, with Wonder Woman intervening Knovikt who’s about to flatten Superman. All this is providing a much needed distraction for Batman to depart and seek out the source of their trouble. Batman stumbles across a crashed spacecraft, but his troubles are only starting to begin.

The back-up story features tarot card reader Marguerita Arroyo Covas, who dreams of a violent intergalactic battle.

In this issue, I actually found the second story less interesting, whereas the main story is finally starting to get moving.

Though, we are now 4 issues in, and I kind of feel the overall story is a bit too slow and we haven’t gone far enough. At this stage, I’m considering not buying Trinity on a weekly basis, and perhaps pick-up issues 2 or 4 issues at a time, and read it that way, instead.

7 out of 10.

2008 SUPANOVA Sydney Pop Culture convention

This weekend I attended the local pop culture convention – Supanova Sydney!

There was some great comic book guests, including legends Howard Chaykin and Joe Jusko and Aussie-grown talent of Nicola Scott (Birds of Prey – DC) , Stewart McKenny (Star Wars – Dark Horse), David Yardin (X-Men – Marvel), Ben Templesmith (30 Days of Night – IDW) and Jon Sommariva (Gemini – Image).

Walking down “artist alley”, I spent $90 buying comic book trade paperback and graphic novels produced by local creators; Jason Paulos (Eeek!, Hairbutt The Hippo), Tad Pietrzykowski (Dark Nebula) and J. Marc Schmidt (Slave Labor Graphics). Jason also did a great sketch for me (see below).

The great thing about the convention are the panels, and I watched as many as the comic book panels as I could, with the Chaykin panels being very informative. I think I learned more in an hour with Chaykin, than I have from reading comic books for over 25 years!

Why So Serious?

TRINITY #3 (2008 June 18)

Issue 3 of DC’s TRINITY picks up straight from issue 2, with the Justice League coming to save the day for the Green Lantern, battling the monstrous Konvikt. Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman suddenly turn up, with Superman struggling to contain the power of the monster he fights.

The “second” story deals with a tarot card reader named Marguerita Arroyo Covas, as is a more interesting story, as we follow her accidental descent into the criminal world.

The structure of this issue was most like how I expect the series to be, with the main heroes in the lead story, and a minor tale in the second story. I doubt things will stay like that for the future, though.

So, where are we at, after 3 issues? We are probably not seeing as much of our trinity as I would like, but the overall story is obviously building slowly. On the flipside, the story is doing well to include as many other DC characters as it can, helping expand the scope of the series.

Mark Bagley is a great artist, but his depiction of Wonder Woman is very inconsistent, as page to page it’s sometimes difficult to believe it’s from the same artist. In contrast, for issue 3 especially, the backup story art by Mike Norton and Jerry Ordway is superb and without fault.

7.5 out of 10.

RASL #2

It’s taken three months for issue 2 of RASL to come out, but it’s been worth the wait, as Jeff Smith has produced a meatier issue that starts to explain and open up the story of our main character.

Our traveler of parallel universes returns “home”, but suspects not all is at it should be and suspects being followed.

This is a really good issue, I like Jeff Smith’s mature approach to the characters and the inking and art is superb.

7.5 out of 10.

The VINYL UNDERGROUND volume 1 tpb

The VINYL UNDERGROUND volume 1 “Watching The Detectives” tpb contains the first 5 issues of the on-going Vertigo comic book series.

Set in modern-day London, Morrison Shephard leads a vigilante crew determined to solve crime and dish out justice, even if it means taking the law into their own hands.  It’s a stylish, yet gritty, comic book, in which our main “hero” characters have as many flaws as the killers they chase.

“Watching The Detectives” follows Shephard’s search for the killer of a young boy, in which his ex-fiancee’s father is framed for the murder.  The larger story is Morrison’s search for his mother, who went missing when he was at the age of five, though it can be said that his overall quest is for the truth.

Superbly written by Si Spencer, it’s an intelligent script, and each character had a clear, definable and unique voice. The artwork by Simon Gane has all the explicit shock value that Vertigo are well known for and illustrates the action scenes with great energy, but at times the art looks awkward when it’s just heads talking.

I’ve been looking forward to start reading this series since it first began, and I’m really pleased it did not fail my expectations.  Priced at under $10, there is no excuse for anyone not to give this a try.

7.5 out of 10.

FABLES volume 10 “The Good Prince” tpb

I’ll confess, not only is Fables my favorite comic book being made today, it’s also my favorite comic book series EVER! Bill Willingham’s expert writing is flawless, intelligent and genuinely inspiring.

Even when the series has rarely been “only” good, it’s still manages to much better than the majority of other stuff that gets published in the industry.

Reading this series from tpb to tpb is simultaneously a frustrating and joyous experience. Frustrating = waiting for a long time for the next volume (in this case it’s been a full year since volume 9 came out*), but joyous at experiencing an epic, complete story arc of high excellence.

Volume 10 collects issues 60 to 69 of the ongoing series, published by Vertigo, with 9 chapters telling “The Good Prince” storyline.

Humble janitor Flycatcher sets out on having revenge against the Adversary that has ruined his life, with the help of the ghost of Sir Lancelot, who is seeking redemption from his past mistakes. Encourage an army of the dead to follow, Flycatcher creates the sovereign realm of Haven, where he is pronounced King Amborse the First.

It’s an incredible tale, with many stunning moments of brilliance. A story about belief and perseverance, with external factors determined to shatter the resolve of Flycatcher’s faith.

Even by Fables high standards, “The Good Prince” is an instant classic, and among the finest issues of the entire series.

9 out of 10.

* Fortunately, volume 11 is only five more months away, scheduled for release at November , 2008.

TRINITY #2 (2008 June 11)

The first issue made a good start, so I’m happy to find that issue 2 of Trinity is even better, especially in terms of getting the story and action moving along quickly.

Our trinity of superheroes all independently battle and easily defeat foes of another reality, as the two separate story structures deftly cross-over, with Green Lantern John Stewart having a battle on his hands.

I wasn’t expecting the two “half” stories merging together so soon, but it’s an interesting way of showing the action from different view points.

7.5 out of 10.

LOCKE & KEY #5 (of 6)

Issue 5 of Locke & Key is another thrilling issue, superbly written by Joe Hill with brilliant art by Gabriel Rodriguez.

Storywise, the action is heating up to an explosive finale, as our of our characters are starting to collate in the same place at the same time.

It’s a flawless comic book and it will sad to see it finish next issue.

8 out of 10.

NARCOPOLIS #3 (of 4)

It’s been a long 3 month wait for issue 3 of Jamie Delano’s Narcopolis to come out, and thankfully this mini-series continues to be amongst the most original and challenging comic books reads of 2008.

I was afraid I was going to get lost again in the future-speak language of the characters, but this issue emerges as the most coherent and progressive issue of the series, thus far.

Jeremy Rock’s artwork is a true pleasure to the eye, producing a hyper reality environment of vivid characters and detailed architecture.

I wish this series was an ongoing monthly, but alas will conclude with the next issue.  I can’t imagine it will disappoint…

8.5 out of 10.

Edward Norton is The INCREDIBLE HULK

Today I saw The Incredible Hulk and was pleasantly surprised to experience a fantastic and beautiful cinematic film.

The movie quickly rushes through the “origin” during the opening credits, until we find Bruce Banner on the run from the USA government, hiding-out in Brazil. The on-location filming in Rio really helps the film settle into being realistic and honest.

The script is snappy, with some memorable lines, and the performance of the entire cast superb.

Plenty of in-jokes and references to the original TV series and comic books, that makes a fan-boy like me very happy. The brief “clip” of Bill Bixby is an awesome moment, and the Stan Lee and Lou Ferrigno cameos were well integrated and seamless.

A good film score from Craig Armstrong, which starts strongly establishing the main theme during the opening section, and his inclusion of “The Lonely Man” motif from the television series thoughtful.

I’m not suggesting this film was flawless, but it did hit all the necessary marks to make this one of the best film experiences of 2008.

Marvel Studios are 2 for 2!

8 out of 10.

The Incredible Hulk ticket

kiss him while you’re wet!

Don’t make him hungry!

HULK SMASH!

The Incredible Hulk wallpaper