PopTards!: January 2010

Tuesday, January 26, 2010

PopTards and Comic Panels: Joe The Barbarian Review

KEN-u-DIG-it Reviews:

Joe the Barbarian

Writer: Grant Morrison

Artist: Sean Murphy

Colorist: Dave Stewart

Publisher: Vertigo (DC)

***Spoilers!!! Spoilers!!! Spoilers!!!*** Though, in my opinion, I’m not sure if anything is really a big reveal, but better to be safe!

Finally! Grant Morrison doing a Grant Morrison type story in a Grant Morrison type comic. “Joe the Barbarian” gets Morrison back doing what I like best about him. Taking characters that I don’t really know, and just messing shit up. So far it’s just the one issue, but already Joe (and the reader) is thrown into a new and confusing world. That means I’m on board.

The story starts off with a rather overused character; the outcast teen. But hey, it’s probably one of my favorites, so bonus points right off the bat. It’s your basic set-up issue. We learn a little bit about Joe’s life. Meet a possible supporting cast. Find out he can teleport himself into a fictional world made up of his toys. Wait… what?!?! This is where I know I’m reading Morrison. I’m confused already. In a good way, of course. Joe doesn’t seem to be too shocked that he’s magically whisked to another world, as if this isn’t quite new to him. Whether this is all real, or some sort of side effect, I’m not quite sure.

Joe could be passing out from what I’m guessing is diabetes, as his mom, earlier in the issue, reminds him to eat his candy, and at one point, Joe seems to be fumbling for an insulin pen. Or he could be a bit not all there in the head as we see him holding down a one sided conversation with his pet rat (mouse?). My initial thought was that of the movie, “The Butterfly Effect,” when the main character was able to time travel to certain parts in his life by reading his old journal entries. Joe had been in the middle of sketching, and after an initial jolt of teleportation, he tried to calm himself by writing a few words on a piece of paper to read.

Either way, I’m very intrigued to see what the explanation is, and where it all leads. Especially with the 2-page spread near the end involving Joe’s come-to-life toys surrounding him. I geek-gasmed in my pants a little seeing favorites like Batman and Robin, Transformers, G.I.Joe, He-Man, Santa, and so many more. If only there was a lightsaber thrown in too, this would’ve been my childhood dream.

And of course, this spread couldn’t have been more perfectly done. That’s all thanks to artist, Sean Murphy. I remembered seeing his name on books before, but I know now, I’ll never forget his art again. I love your more “realistic” looking art of say, Jim Lee, David Finch, Ethan Van Sciver, but my heart belongs to the more stylistic of say, Gabriel Ba, Rob Guillory, Paul Duffield. Sean Murphy is now high on this list. And it works so well in this book. His depiction of Joe’s attic room alone deserves some kind of award. It’s a child’s dream! Rope ladder, bunk bed, hanging electric train set, and toys, toys, toys!

Also, I have to give colorist Dave Stewart much love on his drab, 70’s looking color spread. No matter what, when I see his name attached to a comic, I know I’m at least getting something good to look at.

Overall, I highly recommend this book for diehard Morrison fans, or just indie lovers in general. A good solid start off, with plenty of mysteries and questions.

Friday, January 22, 2010

PopTards & PopCorn: Zombieland by Kire Carlson

(Kire thought he'd be a smartass and submit this as his review...so I thought I'd be a smartass and post it anyway - Jd):

Halfway through the film the cast stops to watch Ghostbusters.
It occurred to me that I suddenly wished I was at home also watching Ghostbusters.

The End.

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

Time Keeps on Ticking by Slai Washko

This week I find myself without a specific media of which I’d like to speak, though I am actively reading, listening, and watching. Three weeks into a new year has me pondering and planning, analyzing and architecting.

Time, that commodity and ever-waning measurement of our lives, is on my mind as of late. I am making it a point to enjoy mine as I hope you are as well.

Before moving back to Pennsylvania in July from L.A. I worked a minimal of 60 hours a week, my record being 93 hours in one week amongst four jobs. I was quite proud at the time. Proud that I was so wanted for my skills and proud that I was physically capable, for reasons I may or may not reveal if you follow my writing. However, there is a price for this pride. I connected with friends and fans of mutual interests through social networking sites more than in person for lack of time and was simultaneously less connected.

Now, 6 months into a lifestyle where I actually have time to spend with friends new and nostalgic, time to further reconnoitre all the arts that revive for me why it’s so miraculous to be human, and time to be well-rested enough to not question my acumen as much, I am valuing all those who purposefully produce that which provides education, entertainment, and salubrious escapism.

In this time of economic instability and insecurity when we can be made to feel like peons despite all we may have to contribute, when we are easily reminded of reprobate representatives of the lesser aspects of “civilization” in the daily news, and when destruction can temporarily overshadow restoration, this is the time we need to acknowledge those that progress our culture forward: artists, heroes, and healers.

Often these archetypes are hidden in the monotony of our quotidian routines, but really, they are wherever you find them. They are waiting to be discovered and inspire you. It may be within a siren’s voice through which heartache is relatable and helps you feel less alone. It may be in a book that makes you laugh in what would have been your darkest moment. It may be in a film that pulls you into a story when your own is less than inviting, but advances you to make a positive change. It may be that video game that lets you be the hero and save the day or safely be the villain when you just want to blow something up. It may be in a picture just meant to move you. And yes, Loves, graphic novels encompass it all. These are never a waste of time and are often better shared.

So here I am aspiring to share, a perspective, some hope. We’re not ‘Tards because we’re lacking. We are making what we want of our time whether or not it suits the speed of society’s standard and we’ll be better people for it.

Well, My Darling Literates, That’s a weight off my brain. As always, thank you for reading and even better would be if you share with me the media that incites you.

Cheers! Yay!

Slai

If a Hulk Falls in the Woods.. and no one gives a crap...?

By JD!
(Mild Spoilers Ahead)

So about 6 issues after Red Hulk appeared, I decided I no longer gave a flimflam who he was. I know that Bruce can't turn into the Hulk anymore, Leonard Sampson seems to be bad these days, there's a Red She-Hulk running around and General Thunderbolt Ross is dead. Oh and Betty is alive?? This is all I knew before coming in on FALL OF THE HULKS week one. Unsure of which one to start reading first, I took a look at the inside first page and it seemed to indicate with a little arrow that Hulk #19 is the one to begin with. LIES, I tell you! Deceit! Fibberpants!
But anyhoo, this story was pretty basic. Some evil jerkynuts decide to start taking out the 8 smartest people on earth, starting with...you guessed it (or did you? did you even try to guess? I have no way of knowing..cause ..you know..this is a blog.) Reed Richards and his Fantastical Four. And you know what? I don't care. I have such a hard time caring about the current Hulk sitch in Marvel. And the featured villians in this issue are: Wizard, Klaw, Lyra and Trapster (previously known, amazingly, as Paste Pot Pete)... and so I found little to care about in this issue besides Ed McGuiness' art, which was, as usual, pretty great. Though his Thing looks alot more like an Art Adams Thing then a McGuiness Thing. I hoped that while I didn't care too much of this issue, maybe things would ramp up in the second issue of the week:

Incredible Hulk #606.

My first thought when I finished this issue was "What the Bleep?" and yes, I said "bleep". (That reminds me. If you want something infinitely more entertaining to do right now then read this review, look for a podcast called YODA AND ME. It's awesome.) This issue, first of, all apparently DOESN'T take place after Hulk #19, since Reed an the FF are in a parade, having no mention of...you know..Reed having BEEN KIDNAPPED in the previous issue. So there's that. Annoying. The whole issue just follows Banner as he teleports from place to place, which would be fine, if only it didn't read like someone flipping channels on a Television. Also: who the hell DOESN'T have a friggin' Life Model Decoy of themselves floating around? Jeebus! Seriously. I think there's even one of ME frolicking about out there in the Marvel U, preferably getting some from the newly single Mary Jane Watson. Again the most positive thing I have to say about this issue is the art by Paul Pelletier who seems to have gotten a lot more gritty since last I've seen him, and the colors ain't too shabby either.

As for the story so far, however, I'm basically just slogging through it in the hopes that something important or interesting might happen.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

Muffin-tops and Goths: Wet Moon Book 1

by JayDee!

I am not, despite what my high school bullies may have thought, a 15 year old girl. I am also not goth, though I suppose I may have dabbled a bit while settling myself into the punk subculture. I've always been more about expressing my anger and humor through music then wallowing in sadness and writing in my journal. For these reasons, I'm not totally able to enjoy the characters in this series. There are aspects that I can definitely relate to, like going to art school, hanging out with my reject friends, having fairly mundane conversations about the most trivial of things that seem to mean the world to us. For THESE reasons, I made it through this edition and will be checking out the next one, at least. But whatever pros or cons I may be struggling with in regards to the story, I'm not having any bit of inner turmoil just staring at the art in this book.

The art by Ross Campbell is every beautiful girl that I glance at out of the corner of my eye, but am too chicken-shit to talk to, and so when our eyes meet I quickly look away nervously, not wanting to make her feel uncomfortable. Thankfully this book can't feel uncomfortable, otherwise it would probably issue a restraining order against me just for staring so damn much. And don't get me wrong, it isn't because the characters in the book are drawn as overly sexy. Most of the characters are either lanky and awkward or pudgy and walking around with their muffin-tops hanging over their studded belts. But everything is so beautifully rendered with such a seductive line that it's just so damn enrapturing.

Book One captures the feeling of being just out of high school and wandering your way into college and all the drama that entails, which is great since that's what the story is about, so far. But it's also part of the problem. So far the story has yet to really capture my attention in any other way but tapping into my nostalgia for entering art school. I'm hoping that volume two really gets into the meat of the story and drags me along for the ride.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Recapitulation of The Kryptonite Kid - a Novel by Joseph Torchia

by Slai Washko

This initially charming and easy on the brain story may have been overlooked by me if not for a recommendation. I have never found Superman to be the most relatable of comic book heroes since my varied vulnerabilities do not include and are not limited to alien rocks, but this is not the case for protagonist Jerry Chariot. Superman is who Jerry admires and strives to communicate with and impress. He needs to reach out to a superhero because the everyday people within proximity do not embody such hope-inspiring ideals. Jerry is an elementary Catholic school kid about First Communion age who writes letters to Superman with his friend and sidekick Robert. These letters reveal a peek into small town life, suburban scandal, the confusion and unanswered questions of religion, and dysfunctional family dynamics. Through his letters, Jerry can make you cry with the empathy of unjust punishments and unrequited correspondence and can make you laugh through the fresh and fragile perspective of childhood innocence. Jerry's journey makes you want to cradle your inner child and tell that little one that everything is going to be ok, especially if as a child you didn't quite fit in.

And then there's the ending which I can't tell you about because you have to read it. After reading, I hope you write to me and share your experience. I prefer anonymous snail mail with multi-colored and fonted words constructed of magazine clippings because it makes me feel more important. If it seems that this last paragraph took a drastic turn from the previous content it may be analogous to the ending of The Kryptonite Kid. Thanks to JD for sharing his very large...book collection.

Thank you for reading.
Cheers! Yay!
-Slai

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Zombies are ALIVE!!!!!

Just this past weekend I found myself seeing zombies on the big screen. No I didn't see Zombieland, I saw The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus. This was Heath Ledger's last film before he passed. I knew I was going into a strange world, but I didn't know where it was taking me.

One word:

Insane

Two Words:

Insane Fun

I enjoyed this whole movie. From the laughs to the "I don't know what's going on!" This was a fantastical journey through the mind of Dr. Parnassus. With brilliant colors and a lot of comical relief, one would find themselves dazed and confused. Heath Ledger did his job as a charismatic pretty boy, while Mini Me (Verne Troyer) is pouring out the laughs.

The Plot is basically the good doctor (Christopher Plummer) was a betting man and what seams to be the Devil (Tom Waits) decided to take him up one. Dr. Parnassus wins this bet and wins immortality. With this comes the story of an ancient man with mystical powers who travels with his circus that has something interesting to offer.

This story is all about greed and imagination. As long as you let yourself go and stop trying analyze what you are seeing you will be able to see this movie for what it is. Although Heath's performance wasn't as great as the Dark Knight, it was still not a bad role for his last one.

PopTards Podcast Eppy 18 - Clash of the Titans (Remake AND Original!)