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.