Thanksgiving 2012

Well, it's that time of the year. The time when I complain about Black Friday, being lonely, and people who already have their Christmas decorations up. However, I feel like I'm already pretty vocal about that stuff, so I decided to talk about what I'm thankful for... this year.

This year I was asked what I was thankful for, I responded by saying "I'm thankful for my family doing well enough that we can all partake in our own hobbies." (that may not be the exact quote, but who cares?)
I should point out specifically what I am thankful for... this year.

Evangelion

Comics/Manga

Beautiful Women

Pokemon

Well, that's it for now. I will go into detail next week about why I'm thankful for each of these things.

National Comics: Eternity Review

Today's review is going to be National Comics: Eternity by Jeff Lemire.

Before I review the actual issue, we need to talk about two things; National Comics and Kid Eternity. National Comics used to be an anthology series back in the forties, and DC's current approach at reviving this old title is to do a series of One Shot stories to showcase some older or more obscure characters. This is the first in the series and it re-introduces the character Kid Eternity to the new DC Universe.

Last time anybody really saw Kid Eternity in the spotlight was in Grant Morrison's mini-series titled Kid Eternity, and later his own ongoing with the same name as well. Well written and a little loony and wonderfully dark, definitely worth a look. Previously Kid Eternity's powers used to be that he could call upon dead spirits to get help. His name was unknown and he would go by the name of Kid Eternity until he later found out his real name of Christopher Freeman, brother of Freddy Freeman (Captain Marvel Jr. and later actually Captain Marvel). Boom! That's what he was, and I could go into more detail, but you can do that yourself. let's get to the actual book at hand.

This issue does a great job at starting on square one. We're introduced to Christopher Freeman, a coroner for the police department, he's a bit of slacker and only gets to keep his job due to his deceased father's reputation. His powers are different this time around, rather than calling on the spirits of the deceased by speaking their name he has to make physical contact and pull their spirit out of limbo, at that point the spirit walks around on our plane visible only to Kid Eternity (A.K.A. Christopher Freeman). He then talks to them to figure out how they were killed... and that's the basics of the story.

The writing is fantastic, Lemire does a great job as normal with some great dialogue between the dead and Chris. His introduction of the character is also well done, we get a good feel to his personality while also getting a great understanding as to why he is the way he is. The rest of the cast is also well written, we get a good feel to everyone and I feel like they all get some sort of character development rather than getting some stock personalities.

The art is good too. Solid artwork by Cully Hammer and Derec Donovan. The art really sets the tone, realistic allowing for the bit of fantasy of having ghosts around. Fantastic use of shadows in my opinion (in other words, they didn't go overboard on having too many shadows and darks around), but more than anything, I was really pleased with the faces on the characters, no two characters felt similar.

Definitely worth a look. If this is what DC wants to do with National Comics and Kid Eternity, then I have no problems with it. A great read, I felt like I got more out of this issue than I get out of most television shows.

I give this issue a 4 out 5.

A great introduction to a old character with a new twist. The writing and art work well together, and I really enjoyed it, even if it didn't keep me on the edge of my seat.

Two Questions though: Why didn't he (or anyone else for this matter) call himself Kid Eternity? I couldn't have made the connection of the name and characted if I didn't already know enough about him. ALSO! Why did he wear red glasses, what purpose did they serve? 

National Comics: Eternity is published by DC Comics in Single Issue format at 3.99.
All Images used in this review are property of DC Comics. In other words, I don't own these images.

P.S. I get the feeling that DC wants to do a sort of Pilot Season (a la Top Cow) where they decided who gets to keep a title depending on the reception and sales of the issue.

Drinking Game Alert! Take a shot everytime I mention "Kid Eternity" take a double shot whenever I use "Eternity" or "Kid" separately.

Marvel Reviews: Captain Marvel & X-Treme X-Men

Sorry it's taken me so long to get back to reviewing comics. Life has kept me a little busy and it feels great to be writing this up.

I'm going to be starting by reviewing a great bunch of comics, a lot of number one's worth checking out, the first two are Marvel titles that have just barely started.

The first of the two is X-Treme X-Men by Greg Pak and Stephen Segovia.

This series actually spins off from Astonishing X-Men's Exalted storyline. For those of you that missed that story line Cyclops get kidnapped into an alternate dimension where mutant powers are used to power a machine that keeps the earth from falling apart. In this dimension Cyclops meets some more mutants in the same scenario, with them being other versions of Emma Frost, Wolverine and Nightcrawler. Cyclops escapes leaving his new buds to find a way out. That's where X-Treme X-Men picks up.

You follow the group of inter-dimensional travelers as they fight some new baddies and recruit our universe's Dazzler.

Not just content with visiting other dimensions, these X-Men actually have a goal in mind, they're hunting down different, and dangerous, versions of Xavier's head from other realities. The first incarnation is a squid monster. Just to let you get a taste.

I'm actually quite fond of this formula and I like having a small team of X-Men, with most of them being new to me due to their new renditions, as opposed to the much-too-similar-to-be-coincidence Exiles comic from years back.

Apart from the formula, the action is great and pacing is fantastic with not too much getting thrown at you all at once. Character introductions are brief, but they let you get the basic gist of whose who, specially if you didn't read the Exalted story.

Art and writing is solid, but not groundbreaking or revolutionary. Very average, but it's really not a complaint.

The second review is Captain Marvel by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Dexter Soy.

This is a new chapter in Carol Danver's super hero career with her deciding whether or not to take up the mantle as the next Captain Marvel after the last one's death. (I think his name was spelled Mar-Vell?)

The writing feels solid, I'm not too familiar with DeConnick's writing style but it feels good.

The element that stood out for me was Soy's art; beautiful and stylized, it kept me hooked from the very beginning, so don't let the (very, very horrible) McGuiness cover fool you.

A very good starting point for readers who want to jump into a new hero, everything you need to know is told to you in the story line without feeling too much like exposition.

Definitely worth checking out.

After two brief descriptions and vague opinions, here's what I really think.

Both titles have solid writing, I had no complaints on either one.

Art is also solid for both, but Captain Marvel stood out with Soy's painted art.

I'm definitely going to keep reading X-Treme X-Men, but not Captain Marvel, I feel more invested in the X-Men characters than I do with Carol Danvers.

Obligated

I always feel obligated to do stuff. I hate this feeling.
Whenever I take on a project such as doing reviews or writing a story I always do a little trial period to get the feel for it.
After the trial I set up a schedule and then the drive is gone. I start feeling obligated and forced to continue my projects.
I've had some comics that need to be reviewed and I haven't done it. I'm trying to review them right now and instead I'm writing a blog post about not liking doing stuff.
I really should.
I going to.
As soon as I hit the publish button.
Wish me luck.


UPDATE: I made the post. I'm a writer.

I'm a Failure, but I've yet to Mind

I usually write a blog post about why I haven't posted, but not this time, or else this blog will eventually become a sea of post about why I don't post. So I've decided to just post something. If you are curious as to why I haven't posted it's because I've been busy. Busy with school, Work, dating, getting rejected and more work. I'm usually pretty intimidated by the big "why haven't I posted anything" post so I push it back and just don't post. I'm saying screw it and just posting something.

I've always loved two thing in my life and they are Drawing and Guitar, but I can't do either. My whole life I've tried drawing and failed for the most part, I've also tried learning to play guitar and I've also failed at that. That doesn't mean that I've necessarily given up on both though.

I've always loved to draw. I even wanted to major in it for school, but that fell through. I did take classes in college for it, but it turns out that I wasn't very good at it. I stopped drawing for a while but I still go back to it everyday, but it seems that all I can draw now is portraits for characters, I can't even do profile. Oh well.

I don't think that the reason I don't play guitar is due to a lack of skill, but due to a lack of determination. I've always been really flaky when it comes to praticing. I've taken classes from multiple teachers and have tried to learn to play in different styles and it's all fallen through, but it's not due to lack of skill, just laziness.

Another thing is that even though I've always been a little depressed about this subject, it has never really bothered me all that much. If it actually bothered me more you'd think I'd practice more, but I don't. I've bought countless drawing supplies and own two different guitars and song books, but rather than a skill or pursuit, these two things have become light hobbies. I use my tools, but they're no longer my craft.

I've turned my efforts to writing, I want to write for publications and have my opinion and ideas known throughout the world, that's why I've changed my major to journalism and such. Hopefully I'll do better, but I just need to be more consistent.

Mega Man TPB Vol. 1 Review.

When someone told me that the new Mega Man comic book was some of the most fun they've had while reading a comic book, I couldn't believe. A little too late in picking up the single issues, I took a pretty cheap plunge and picked up the first Trade Paper Back. After reading it in about half an hour, I went back for seconds, This was truly an awesome book!

This Mega Man series is pretty awesome, though there have been several other series in the past, this one stands out. Focusing on the entirety of the first game, (seriously, this one trade (four issues) covers the first Mega Man game on the NES. All 6 robot masters are in here) there's quite a bit packed in here. the story focuses more on the character of Mega Man and what his decision has done to him. While the book does follow the game, the action isn't necessarily the focus, though there are quite a good amount of fight scenes in here.

Ian Flynn presents us with the full story that was never really told through the original game. We find out that Dr. Wily and Dr. Light were once colleagues, who created the Robot Masters and why Mega Man does what he does. We start out by seeing Mega Man as just a helper robot whose original name is Rock along with his twin sister, Roll. Once the Robot Masters go evil Rock decides by his own free will to become more than a helper bot. He is given the Mega Buster and from there adopts the name Mega Man (get it!?). From then it hits the pedal and puts it to the metal, with fight and fights galore, but at the same time we see that Mega Man feels unnatural about hunting his robotic brethren. He questions himself and his reasoning and eventually turns into one of them. During his fights and journey we see the psychological damage that hunting does to a small boy who has given himself the weight of the world.

The art is fantastic and colorful. Sometimes feeling a little too cluttered, especially in some of the fight scenes. Though you never really question what is going on, it is clear in that aspect. The pencils are done by Patrick Spaziante through the entire book with ink duty getting switched around every issue, but you wouldn't be able to tell since each inker does a great job at keeping the art clean and clear.

I give the first Mega Man TPB a score of 4 Mega Blasts out of 5
A fun book that never goes darker than it needs to since it is meant for children. It does tend to just gloss over the action and can feel like an after school special at points, but it is still a great read. The content is handled in a way that children and adults can both enjoy and understand.

You should also read this awesome article on the Mega Man comic. Written by Chris Sims on ComicsAlliance.com.

Mega Man Trade Paperback Volume 1 is published by Archie Comics at $11.95.
The Second TPB is out as well, and so is issue number 13 at 3.99.
Tell them that Aldo Approves, and do yourself a favor and play the first game again.

Saga Review: 1, 2, 3, GO!!!

I never like to review comic series based on just one issue, I usually like to wait till I've read at least 3 issues. I figure that it let's you get a better feel of the story. Had I judged Red Hood and The Outlaws on solely the first issue I would have never read the rest of the series which I love too much nowadays!

Saga has struck me differently with how little ads there are in it. This may just be a side effect from being used to Marvel and DC comics, in other words though, You are getting more bang for your buck. This series is only $2.99  per issue, cheaper than most comics you'll find on the shelves. Apart from the lack of ads and awesome price, you'll come to find that in this series there is no censorship, you'll see breasts and read swear words and you're going to tackle content that you probably wouldn't see in most mainstream comic books.

The story in Saga starts out with two characters, they come from opposing planets and are in love with their first child barely being born. Due to the nature of their romance, their offspring is now the target of many different parties. This is when the Sci-Fi and Fantasy aspects of the series come into play. You have the main characters who are both magic users and resemble elf-type creatures each (though one of them has horns), you also have a military man who comes from a race of TV headed people. Yes, these people have televisions for heads. One of the other parties is a sort of half-spider half-woman mercenary who is also hunting down the baby.

Brian K. Vaughan does a great job at introducing you to these characters. He doesn't give you convoluted story lines or back stories, he hands you these characters and settings and just makes you believe that it can work together. One moment you're having people up against laser guns teleporting away with magic and the next you're seeing two television-headed people having sex while one suffers from PTSD and fails to perform. He throws ideas, characters, and content at you and it's so well written that you have no other option, but to accept it and run with it.

Fiona Staples handles the art and does a fantastic job. nobody in the series looks like their out of an underwear ad, they look like normal folks, a little thick around the edges and not always well trimmed. It's nice to see a change from the super-hero norm. The settings look fantastic and the ambiance really does a great job in the third issue.

Overall, this comic book sends you on a fantastic adventure full of suspense and emotional drama. A fantasy cake with Sci-Fi icing and mature dollops for good measure, this is one delicious treat.

I give the series 5 Sci-Fi elves out of 5.

Like I said, a fantastic book that's not afraid to leap out of the norm. Handling all sorts of situations in a mature manner and making every little thing believable.

Saga (Issues #1, #2 and #3) is published by Image Comics at $2.99 per issue.

Issues #1 and #2 have reached third and second printings respectively.

Tell them that Aldo Approves, and that if they don't like it, I will burn their house down.

First Impression Review: Supercrooks

I usually don't like to review comics based off of one issue. I think it's like critiquing a movie based off of one scene, but people don't always like to wait till the third or so issue to find out if something's good or not. I decided to do First Impression reviews in order to critique a single issue of a comic book series, usually a first issue. I'm starting out by doing Supercrooks... or as it's stylized, SUPERCROOKS.

To start off, I'm not super familiar with Mark Millar's work, specifically his own original series. This issue was a fun read. The premise is that there's too many superheroes around (specifically in the U.S.) and that makes it hard for criminals to be... you know, criminals. Even powered criminals are having trouble with this and they can't even do simply street crimes. Our main character decides that the best course of action is to do a big heist. . . in another country.

I loved the art in this mostly because I do love Leinil Yu's line work. The action is very few and takes place only at the beginning. The characters look fine, nothing too out of the ordinary, and the design is also good.

Millar's writing is good too. Why wouldn't it be? You get a solid feel for the characters and the flow of the story is evenly paced.

I give this 3 super-douches out of 5.
Overall, A decent book. I have understood that it's only a 4 issue series. I personally wouldn't pick up the rest of the books.
Also, #2 came out this week. pick up both if you want.

Supercrooks #1 is published by Icon at 2.99 for this issue.
Same for #2. just saying.
Don't tell them that Aldo Approves, but that he likes it, but not like likes it.

Issue Review: Batman #8

I don't usually like to review Single Issues, much less when its in the middle of a story arc or just randomly in the middle of the series.
As a reviewer and comic book store clerk, I feel that it's my responsibility to tell you about Batman #8. The series up to this point has been great, especially issue #5, but as far as the story goes, this particular issue launches the story and action upwards. If I could give this issue a subtitle, it would be "The one where the shit hits the fan!"

Officially titled "Attack on Wayne Manor", this issue portrays everything I've loved about the series. The dialogue and story flow is great. The action is fantastic and well paced without disrupting the flow of the story. Scott Snyder is quickly becoming my favorite comic book author, he has a great grasp on the characters, from Al's protectiveness of Bruce, to how obsessed Batman is with Gotham that he feels betrayed after learning about the Court of Owls. Capullo gives us great art that fits the title fantastically. As always, Rafael Albuquerque's art is a great treat in the follow up story presented at the end of the issue.

This issue pretty much gives us the catalyst into the Night of the Owls event that we've been expecting since issue 5, and it does it well. You start out by seeing Bruce Wayne still healing and still trying to piece together  how the Court has stayed hidden from him for so long, when the Talon's finally start attacking. Not just singular attacks mind you, this is an all out assault on Bruce and several of Gotham's influential citizens. Bruce is forced to hide in his Bat-Cave and regroup.

My complaints are few in this issue.When we switch to Albuquerque's art Alfred suddenly looks like a bartender out of the old west. His mustache gets too thick too fast. My other complaint is that when you finish the main story, it tell you to wait until the next installment, but the next installment is just a page turn away, why do this in the first place?

Overall, I give this issue 5 bat-punches-to-face out of 5.
A real roller-coaster of action, story and bad-assery!
Pick it up, and pick up everything before it while you're at it.

Batman #8 is published by DC Comics at 3.99 (and 4.99 for a digital combo pack).
Pick it up and let them know that Aldo Approves!

Nihon Matsuri is coming up!!

I am quite excited for Nihon Matsuri coming up soon.
For those that don't know, its an outdoor festival to celebrate all things japan. it has exebitions of traditional tea ceremonies, taiko drummers, historical photos and martial arts demonstrations.
There's also food vendors, normal vendors and just about everything. It's free and local.
I say, go check it out!!!
http://www.nihonmatsuri.com/

It's been forever.

So, I'm not going to make a huge post that just lists everything I've been up to in the last year or so, nor am I going to make another list of stuff I'm planning on doing in the year.

I'm just posting.

Like nothing ever happened.

Awkward.

Anyways, I'm writing reviews. Comic book reviews.

Check them out!

Anyways. Here I am... again.

Reviews: http://aldowritingspace.blogspot.com/

Tumblr: http://aldolife.tumblr.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Aldo531

and of course Facebook and Google Plus if you already know me!

Comic Review: Thought Bubble #1

This is actually an odd find. I was quite happy to have found this. I saw this on the shelf, just kind of sitting there not doing anything. The earthy colors on the cover and newspaper paper quality kept it hidden and inconspicuous, unlike most other books. Upon picking it up I felt that it was folded and I read the cover.
"Thought Bubble, The Leeds Comics Art Festival's First Ever Anthology."
I knew I had to pick it up.
And I did.

To start off, This is not like a Dark Horse Presents Anthology where you have chapters from ongoing stories, rather you have several different little stories, with some as short as half a page and some as long as 3 pages.

Each story is written by a different author and illustrated by a different artist. Some of the names to pop out are Becky Cloonan (Who did the cover art), Andy Diggle, Charlie Adlard, and Robin Furth.
The stories are great, but there is a variety to them with no specific theme. Some of them are serious, most are comedic and some are just observational. There's even two amateur comics in the back, both are winners of an Under 18 contest.

I highly recommend picking up this anthology for the variety and just a great showcase of talent.

Thought Bubble is published by Image Comics and cost 2.99 in single issue format.
Pick it up or order it from your local comic book store, tell them Aldo Approves!

Late Comic Review: Katsuya Terada’s Monkey King

I love the Monkey King. I love him a lot. A funny thing about him is that I unknowingly grew up with him as a child. I, like many children of the nineties, watched the famed anime Dragon Ball. What a lot of people don’t know is that it’s a retelling of the monkey king’s tale, Journey to the West. Journey to the West is considered to be one of the four great novels to come out of china, telling the story of a monkey who is born from a rock, grows up to be a powerful being and ultimately is punished for his arrogance by the great Buddha to escort a nun to western India. Once I learned of Dragon Ball’s source material I read it, and since then have found my self in love with this story and all of it’s adaptations.

Katsuya Terada’s Monkey King is my latest plunge into the mythos. This, so far, has got to be my favorite adaptation so far; it has this great Conan the Barbarian feel to it. It is quite important to point out that this is Katsuya Terada’s Monkey King for the sole purpose that this is all him, from the script, layout, art and to the whole finished product.

The Story is great, if it’s not known to you then you might want to hold on to this book, as it takes the Japanese approach when it comes to this particular story, meaning it just assumes that you know this story like 90% of the Japanese population does. The story starts smack-dab in the middle of the entire plot with Monkey well on his way to India whilst already paired up with a nun and his pig companion, Hakkai. Halfway through the book, you’re abruptly given an origin story on his birth, and by the end of the book you’ve reached where you started.
The dialogue is minimal, with character expressions and development relying on the art, which is nothing short of great. Each panel has its own color palette, and there’s a great look to each page. The art is painted and looks fantastic, the attention to detail is fantastic as Monkey never stops feel visceral and powerful, but because of the art, the action scenes can feel rush, forcing you to fill in big movement gaps with your imagination.
Remember how I said it had a great Conan the Barbarian feel to it? It’s not because of the story telling, but rather the content of the book. This has a fair amount of breasts and dismemberment; In one panel you might be looking at the naked body of an angel and when you turn the page you might be seeing that same angel being dismembered in half and eaten in explicit detail. So, it is not for the faint of heart of those easily offended.

For 15 dollars, this book isn’t cheap. There’s thirteen chapters, each being about seven to nine pages long. The writing is minimal, with many sound effects written in Japanese, but you do get fantastic art, great quality paper, an essay on the back talking about Katsuya Terada’s creative process and even a translation guide for all the Japanese text in the book. I felt like I got my money’s worth and I’m happily looking forward to the next book, volume 2, in April.

Aldo happily gives Katsuya Terada’s Monkey King a score of 9 out 10.
If you’re a fan of great art, Chinese mythology or just the Monkey King, pick this one up or you’re a fool for not reading it.
Katsuya Terada’s Monkey King is published by Dark Horse Comics, costs $14.95 in paperback format and is for Mature Readers only, 18 and up.

Pick it up or Order it from your local comic book store, tell them Aldo Approves!

Late Comic Review: Rat Catcher

Today, I’m catching up a couple of books I needed to review. The first of many is Rat Catcher by Andy Diggle and Victor Ibanez, Published by DC under Vertigo Crime.

Rat Catcher is a mystery crime graphic novel  about a rat catcher inside the mob.The story starts out by sending us straight into the middle of the story, people are getting shot, covering tracks and just getting dirty. The reader (that’s me and you, kids) are being all sorts of clues as to who is this titular rat catcher. The rat catcher is an assassin from the mob who is sent to kill informants and witnesses, but according to the FBI, he doesn’t officially exist, but our main characters, a couple of FBI agents, believe otherwise.Things get really interesting when we find out that the elusive rat catcher is someone on the inside of the FBI!
As the story goes on we get some great background info on the characters, we also get some fantastic reveals and twists. The ending is a little disappointing, feeling hypocritical and cheap, but a minor complaint in a story that kept me wondering what was going to happen next!
Like I previously said, the story is great and the script feels natural, but that is attributed to the great writing of Andy Diggle (The Losers, HELLBLAZER) who makes it feel like you’re watching a movie. The art is nothing mind blowing nor revolutionary, but in this book is doesn’t need to be. Victor Ibanez draws some great characters, and while everyone is wearing a suit (at least for the most part) you can always tell who is who and will never be confused as to what is going on. The art is clean and doesn’t feel cartoony, and overall is a great match to Diggle’s writing and helps the whole “you’re watching a crime movie” feel of the book.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a great crime graphic novel. It’s not too short that it’ll be over before you know it, but not too long that it feels like a chore to read. It’ll keep you on your toes and the edge of you seat. Go pick it up at your local comic book store!
Aldo gives the Rat Catcher an overall score of 6.5 out 10.