Blog Archives
The Comic Stop: KISS #2 and Mars Attacks #2 Reviewed
The Comic Stop is back with two cool titles from our friends at IDW. Both of them offer up iconic imagery and characters that we’ve all grown up on and both are far better than you might expect. Check out our reviews of Mars Attacks #2 and KISS #2 after the jump!
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Yi Soon Shin: Warrior And Defender – A Compelling, If Bloody, Comic Book Story Entrenched In Real World History
The medium of sequential storytelling, of comic books, is one that lends itself to a multitude of genres including science fiction, horror, noir and comedy. Most of those genres, when published today, find themselves disguised, wrapped in colourful capes and masks, as superheroes lead the comic book sales charts. But there was a time, not so long ago, when straight-laced western-themed comics were at the forefront of the North American consciousness, when war and romance-themed monthlies sold in large numbers.
Those sorts of artistic choices, those kinds of reading experiences are still around today – just not in the same number as they once were. It’s really a pleasure, then, to find a comic book that stands apart from the tried and true super-powered costumed characters that ubiquitously fill the store shelf racks, to enjoy a change of pace from the general, mainstream experience of reading comics.
The compilation hardcover graphic novel Yi Soon Shin: Warrior and Defender (the first book of an expected trilogy) is one of those kinds of comics.
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It’s No Myth: Hoax Hunters Issue 1 Is A Great Read
I was out with a good friend of mine the other night, who got to talking about one of his co-workers who he labeled a right-wing conspiracy nut.
“This guy talks about UFOs and the Illuminati, all that stuff,” my friend told me. I smiled at him.
“Hey man, I listen to conspiracy theory radio everyday at work. Don’t get me started on the moon landing.” My buddy gave me a once over and started laughing.
“I didn’t know that about you!”
Yup, I love me a good conspiracy. Makes sense then, that I loved the first issue of Hoax Hunters, the new Image comic from Michael Moreci and Steve Seeley.
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Exclusive Interview: Matt Kindt On The Mind, The Artistic Process And His New Monthly Series, MIND MGMT
Last month, the first issue of MIND MGMT, Matt Kindt’s new monthly series published by Dark Horse Comics, hit comic book store shelves with high praise. Of course, it also made our weekly Wednesday Run column! Those with great expectations surrounding the series were not left disappointed.
In MIND MGMT, Matt Kindt, acclaimed artist and author of Revolver, 3 Story: The Secret History of the Giant Man and Super Spy, weaves a blend of sci-fi, speculative fiction and government conspiracy story, that is both action-packed and engrossing. Multiple (and absolutely fun and rewarding!) readings of each issue seem to be the order of the day. He spoke with JP Fallavollita via email about the series, its’ beginnings, his creative process, and the pleasures of monthly comic book storytelling.
JP Fallavollita: Congratulations on a thrilling first issue, Matt! MIND MGMT immediately evokes many different aspects of pop culture and speculative fiction: the stories of Philip K. Dick, the television show Lost and late-night conspiracy radio shows spring to <a-hem> mind. And it’s got a government black-ops twist, of course! What can you tell us about the genesis of the series?
Matt Kindt: It started with the title – I loved those words together – and then started to build something around it. It really just seemed to suggest itself. And I liked the idea of revisiting a sort of “Super Spy” world but in the present day (most of the time) and adding an extra crazy element that I haven’t really played with before with the sort-of-sci-fi mind powers.
Then it’s just a matter of thinking of what kind of people would be in this organization and what would it be like for them? The scenarios and stories then just sort of suggested themselves as well.
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Biff Bam Pop’s The Comic Stop Exclusive Interview: Peter Bagge On His New Dark Horse Series Reset
What if you could do it all over again? Talk to that girl or guy in high school that you always got tongue-tied around. What would you say? Would it be any different this time, or would you make it even worse than before? That’s what beloved Harvey Award winning writer and artist Peter Bagge asks with his new Dark Horse Comics series Reset, in which down on his luck comedian Guy Krause is offered the chance to reset pivotal moments in his life via virtual reality. Peter was kind enough to answer some questions via email about Reset, his inspiration, creative process and much more.
Andy Burns: Congrats on the first issue of Reset – as someone who often wishes they could go back and change some pivotal moments in my life, I really enjoyed the story. On that note, what was the genesis of Reset?
Peter Bagge: Like I assume everyone else that ever lived, it started with me wondering “what if” and “if only.” I then tried to imagine it actually happening, but had to ground it in reality somehow to make it work as a story for me. The whole “relive your life VIRTUALLY” thing was the only way I can see that happening. From that starting point I had an easier time imagining the bugs and pitfalls of such a thing than I did any potential fun or benefits. I’m a hopeless cynic.
Biff Bam Pop’s The Comic Stop Exclusive Interview: Michael Moreci Kickstarts His Book Reincar(Nate)
This past Thursday JP Fallavollita and I had the chance to talk to the creative team on Image Comics’ Hoax Hunters – you can check that out right here. Along with Hoax Hunters, writer Michael Moreci is also working with artist Keith Burns on their title, Reincar(Nate), but rather than going with a traditional publisher, the duo are looking to get their physical book into people’s hands utilizing Kickstarter. Michael Moreci answered some questions via email about Reincar(Nate), Kickstarter and why it can be a good tool for creators.
Andy Burns: You recently started a Kickstarter campaign for your book Reincar(Nate) – first off, for readers who might be unfamiliar with Kickstarter, could you explain what it is?
Michael Moreci: I think Kickstarter is a lot of different things to different people. My approach to it with Reincar(Nate) is a pre-order system, one that is not totally unlike the current system that supplies 99.9% of all comics to shops. Kickstarter is more direct, though, and comic shop stock isn’t predicated on a certain goal being met (usually), so there are differences.
Basically, Kickstarter is a great DIY method to get passion projects off the ground. You start a page and explain what your project is about, what funding you’re looking for, where the money will go, etc. It’s pretty cut and dry. And based on that, people have different levels at which they can contribute, and those levels offer various rewards. For Reincar(Nate) we have a lot of cool stuff–original artwork, a behind-the-scenes digital packet, even an opportunity to be illustrated in the book.
Reincar(Nate) is a project I’ve been working on with artist Keith Burns for quite some time. We have a deal to release the book digitally with Viper Comics, but we’re old school; holding the book in our hands means a lot to us, and we think it does to others as well. So we’re raising money to help make that happen.
The Comic Stop Exclusive Interview: Michael Moreci, Steve Seeley and JM Ringuet on Story, Art, Cryptoids And A Comic Book Called Hoax Hunters
A few weeks ago, the Hoax Hunters introductory issue #0, published by Image Comics, made the Biff Bam Pop! Wednesday Run as the hot comic to pick up. You can read that particular column here. Inspired by conspiracy television shows such as Ancient Aliens, Brad Meltzer’s Decoded and Destination Truth, Hoax Hunters turns the genre on its head as the comic book’s protagonists attempt to disprove life’s oddities in front of the camera –while covering up dark mysteries behind it. Writers Michael Moreci and Steve Seeley and artist JM Ringuet were kind enough to talk to Andy Burns and JP Fallavollita via email about the series, the creative process, monsters, cryptoids, television and much, much more.
Biff Bam Pop’s The Comic Stop Exclusive Interview: Chris Ryall and Tom Waltz Talk IDW’s New KISS Comic!
A brand new KISS comic is coming???
I’m there, just like I have been for the band (or brand, depending on your point of view) since the summer of 1996, when I first saw the original line-up at their make-up clad best (I did see the band on their 1992 Revenge tour, and while it was good, it’s just not the same as Klassic Kiss). Every since the Alive! Worldwide tour, I’ve been a member of the KISS Army, collecting figures and comics, and buying and rebuying their albums in various configurations.
So when I say I’m stoked that KISS is teaming up with IDW for a new comic books series, you know I’m not foolin’. What’s even more exciting is the fact that the forthcoming series is in the hands of two diehard KISS fans, IDW Chief Creative Officer and Editor-In-Chief Chris Ryall and Senior Staff Writer/Editor Tom Waltz. The duo talked to me via email about the new series, how it ties in to the KISS comic mythology and so much more. So put on your favourite KISS album (I’m hitting play on Sonic Boom) and let’s get this place…hotter than hell!
