Reviews of books, comics, movies, and other random stuff.
Cowboys & Aliens By Fred Van Lente, Andrew Foley, Dennis Calero, Luciano Lima, Magic Eye Studios, et al (Platinum Studios, 2006; $4.99) What if an alien invasion of North America in 1873 interrupted the European settlers' westward expansion of the United States, forcing them to band together with the native Americans they had ruthlessly displaced for nearly two centuries, and fight for their mutual survival? It's the kind of high concept Hollywood loves, so the only surprise in the comic book version of the story being published by Platinum Studios is that, well, they're actually publishing the comic book version…
It's been a while between Bumperboy updates here at CBC, but Debbie Huey just posted a sneak peek at the upcoming Bumperboy.net redesign and it looks pretty sweet.Huey is not only a talented creator, but a savvy marketer and merchandiser, and Bumperboy.net is the perfect example of a comics web site done right. Hopefully the relaunch will integrate her own LiveJournal, while offering new updates from Gordy.For the uninitiated, check out my review of Bumperboy Loses His Marbles, the first collected volume of Bubtopia's favorite marble-playing, sock-wearing-Bear friend-having, Borperer Supreme!Then, hit Bumperboy's Shop to get yourself a copy, along with…
I haven't watched Smallville in a long while, but I've caught many of the previews over the past couple of seasons and haven't liked where they've seemingly taken Lana Lang's character, hooking her up with Lex in a rather icky pairing. Nevertheless, I'll be catching this particular episode whenever it airs as Clark calls up some friends to take on his nemesis.Looks like the Flash, Cyborg, Green Arrow and Aquaman, I believe. Setup for a spinoff, perhaps? Have they introduced Bruce Wayne or Diana Prince Donna Troy Cassandra Sandsmark yet?According to Comics Continuum, which also has several screenshots from the…
A Bit Haywireby Scott Zirkel & Courtney Huddleston (Viper Comics, 2006; $11.95)I'm a big fan of good all-ages entertainment, and whenever something really good pops up on the comics scene, I'm especially psyched because it means I have something new I can comfortably share with my 6-year old son who's becoming an avid reader. Amelia Rules, Bumperboy and Superhero are three examples we've both enjoyed together and A Bit Haywire is the latest addition to the list and a stealth candidate for my Best of 2006 list.Owen Bryce is a seemingly normal 10-year old boy who, while running away from…
Instead of writing any reviews today, I decided to finally get one of the "resource" aspects of the site up and running, focusing on the Creator Directory, which is now available.It's a somewhat selective list, a mix of well-known and upcoming creators whose work I've enjoyed in the past and who have a legitimate web presence (where the hell is Frank Miller's web site?). One of the more frustrating things, both as a fan and journalist, is trying to track down solid information on certain creators, or information on their non-Big Two projects, so hopefully the directory will become a…
I'm so far behind on reviews these days that in order to jumpstart my critical faculties, I've grabbed a stack of comics from my most-recently read pile and, focusing on some of the floppies I'm still reading from the Big Two, am giving random ones the super-quickee treatment.Criminal #1-2 (Icon/Marvel, $2.99), Captain America #3 (Marvel, $2.99), Daredevil #91 (Marvel, $2.99)Ed Brubaker has officially become one of my favorite comics writers, whether it's working within his own gritty world in Criminal, or making two of Marvel's best-known but least interesting characters immensely readable. The first two issues of Criminal feel like…
It might read a little something like this:Check out Tetsubo Productions - Wherein I Show Why I Shouldn't Be Allowed To Use Photoshop for the hilarious remix of the entire issue.I dropped Civil War after the incredibly lame fourth issue, unable to stomach any more of Mark Millar's weak attempts at plotting and dialogue, and after reading several reviews like this one I'm glad I did.Can someone please explain to me why this juvenile hack is one of the top writers in the industry? I mean, I'm no Grant Morrison fan, but at least I can acknowledge and respect his…
