Bodies – Short Comic
By: F.D. White & Denise Clamors
Reviewer: Derrick Crow
Summary: The story centers around a young girl who cares very much about her own body and how she looks. It traverses through her insecurities as she pals around with those are very confident in how they view themselves.
Review: Another short comic, this one holding itself high at only 5 pages. F.D. White and Denise Clamors tell the story of a young girl who, probably in her early twenties, discussing through narration how insecure she is about her body. We get to really see inside her head and get a sense that she really feels very low about herself. In reality, many people, not just girls, feel this way. But with the stereotype of it being a “girl” thing to think about, I surmise it was a good move to make a girl the main character here. Especially at the end, when things take a turn for the bizarre.
There is a lot to take away from this comic, and its relevance to modern society. Well, not just modern society, but most of recorded history, where people are supposed to act outwardly confident about themselves and never show off who they truly are or how they feel about themselves. It's not good to stay silent about your issues, but most would rather you do that instead of allowing you to lean on them.
But instead of being a preachy tell-all about society's pressures and a young girl's struggles, its the ending that takes this comic to its incredibly fun and more relevant heights. I won't give it away, as some may find it weird and unnecessary, but I think it wholly is. As it gives this rather dreary tale both a very FUN climax and an optimistic one. Becoming true to yourself and eventually find your place among those breathing is an important ending to your story, and that's what the ending signifies. No matter who you really are.
The art is a lot of fun and cartoon-y. It's also light-hearted, which is a fine juxtaposition to the overall story. I liked that so many different types of “real” people were shown in this comic. The art does not shy away from the flabby effects the body can have, and how many different types of people are actually out there. It's very refreshing and “real.” And I liked that.
Final Score: N/A – But recommended.
Editor's Note: To check out the title in its entirety, head here!
By: F.D. White & Denise Clamors
Reviewer: Derrick Crow
Summary: The story centers around a young girl who cares very much about her own body and how she looks. It traverses through her insecurities as she pals around with those are very confident in how they view themselves.
Review: Another short comic, this one holding itself high at only 5 pages. F.D. White and Denise Clamors tell the story of a young girl who, probably in her early twenties, discussing through narration how insecure she is about her body. We get to really see inside her head and get a sense that she really feels very low about herself. In reality, many people, not just girls, feel this way. But with the stereotype of it being a “girl” thing to think about, I surmise it was a good move to make a girl the main character here. Especially at the end, when things take a turn for the bizarre.
There is a lot to take away from this comic, and its relevance to modern society. Well, not just modern society, but most of recorded history, where people are supposed to act outwardly confident about themselves and never show off who they truly are or how they feel about themselves. It's not good to stay silent about your issues, but most would rather you do that instead of allowing you to lean on them.
But instead of being a preachy tell-all about society's pressures and a young girl's struggles, its the ending that takes this comic to its incredibly fun and more relevant heights. I won't give it away, as some may find it weird and unnecessary, but I think it wholly is. As it gives this rather dreary tale both a very FUN climax and an optimistic one. Becoming true to yourself and eventually find your place among those breathing is an important ending to your story, and that's what the ending signifies. No matter who you really are.
The art is a lot of fun and cartoon-y. It's also light-hearted, which is a fine juxtaposition to the overall story. I liked that so many different types of “real” people were shown in this comic. The art does not shy away from the flabby effects the body can have, and how many different types of people are actually out there. It's very refreshing and “real.” And I liked that.
Final Score: N/A – But recommended.
Editor's Note: To check out the title in its entirety, head here!
F1rst Hero #1 Review
Action Lab Entertainment
Written by: Anthony Ruttgaizer
Art by: Phillip Sevy
Letters and Colors by: Fred C. Stresing
Reviewer: Ross Rivers
Summary: The entire world knows the stark reality: everyone who manifests superpowers goes insane and becomes a threat to society. So, when Jake Roth develops superpowers but somehow keeps his sanity, he must decide whether to put himself at risk by using his powers to help people or do nothing and save himself while innocent people around him get hurt.
Review: Superhero books! Aren’t you sick of them, yet? Everywhere you look, there’s somebody wearing something ridiculously tight in order to fight evil. Hammers, flags, Bat ears, webs! All over the place!
So, when yet another new superhero book hits the shelves, it’s easy to be sceptical. And sceptical you should be! With so much crap on the market, it can be difficult to find something worth your time and money.
Speaking of Superhero comics! Let’s review a superhero comic!
Jacob Roth is the hero of this new four issue series from Action Lab comics and he’s not having the best day. Towards the end of his tour in Afghanistan, he watches his fellow soldier shot down by a terrorist sniper. While raiding the sniper’s nest, he discovers he has the ability to deflect bullets with energy from his arms (or whatever).
To you and me, this sounds like a pretty kick ass thing (the superpowers, not the friend killing terrorists...). Who doesn’t dream of arm energy powers? Energetic arms!
But Roth lives in a world where anybody who gains super powers turns insane. It’s so problematic that anyone with powers (“Extrahumans”) are stripped of their rights and put down by the Extrahuman Task Force. That doesn’t really sound fun.
This concept is the book’s strongest aspect; it’s interesting, which is more than can be said for pretty much everything being published by the bigger publishers. So, that’s nice.
But, while the book does offer a fantastic concept, it falls short in a few places. Most notably, the actually story telling.
While Anthony Ruttgaizer is clearly a man full of ideas and obviously has a love for stories, he comes off a bit inexperienced in this first issue. The first few pages are just narrated exposition, which feels clunky and boring. The narration itself often feels a bit forced through most of the book.
Our hero, Roth, is not an unlikeable character, though; he’s easily the second strongest aspect of the book. He’s not depressingly dark or morbid, which a nice change of pace. While he doesn’t have the most engaging personality to start with, he seems to become more interesting and likeable as the book goes on.
Philip Sevy’s art is nothing to scoff at, either. It’s sharp and distinct, if occasionally (rarely) flat in places. At times, it’s actually very reminiscent of Ryan Ottley’s work on “Invincible,” which is always a good thing.
To round things out, there’s Fred C. Stresing on colours and lettering. His colours keep things nice and bright, setting it apart from the generic books currently flooding the market. It’s nice to see a superhero book with plenty of colour.
Overall, it’s a fun, interesting book with signs of real brilliance. But it does come with a few problems. It’s worth your time, despite these problems. Even if you’re as sick of superhero books as I am, you’ll likely find it to be intriguing at the very least.
Action Lab Entertainment
Written by: Anthony Ruttgaizer
Art by: Phillip Sevy
Letters and Colors by: Fred C. Stresing
Reviewer: Ross Rivers
Summary: The entire world knows the stark reality: everyone who manifests superpowers goes insane and becomes a threat to society. So, when Jake Roth develops superpowers but somehow keeps his sanity, he must decide whether to put himself at risk by using his powers to help people or do nothing and save himself while innocent people around him get hurt.
Review: Superhero books! Aren’t you sick of them, yet? Everywhere you look, there’s somebody wearing something ridiculously tight in order to fight evil. Hammers, flags, Bat ears, webs! All over the place!
So, when yet another new superhero book hits the shelves, it’s easy to be sceptical. And sceptical you should be! With so much crap on the market, it can be difficult to find something worth your time and money.
Speaking of Superhero comics! Let’s review a superhero comic!
Jacob Roth is the hero of this new four issue series from Action Lab comics and he’s not having the best day. Towards the end of his tour in Afghanistan, he watches his fellow soldier shot down by a terrorist sniper. While raiding the sniper’s nest, he discovers he has the ability to deflect bullets with energy from his arms (or whatever).
To you and me, this sounds like a pretty kick ass thing (the superpowers, not the friend killing terrorists...). Who doesn’t dream of arm energy powers? Energetic arms!
But Roth lives in a world where anybody who gains super powers turns insane. It’s so problematic that anyone with powers (“Extrahumans”) are stripped of their rights and put down by the Extrahuman Task Force. That doesn’t really sound fun.
This concept is the book’s strongest aspect; it’s interesting, which is more than can be said for pretty much everything being published by the bigger publishers. So, that’s nice.
But, while the book does offer a fantastic concept, it falls short in a few places. Most notably, the actually story telling.
While Anthony Ruttgaizer is clearly a man full of ideas and obviously has a love for stories, he comes off a bit inexperienced in this first issue. The first few pages are just narrated exposition, which feels clunky and boring. The narration itself often feels a bit forced through most of the book.
Our hero, Roth, is not an unlikeable character, though; he’s easily the second strongest aspect of the book. He’s not depressingly dark or morbid, which a nice change of pace. While he doesn’t have the most engaging personality to start with, he seems to become more interesting and likeable as the book goes on.
Philip Sevy’s art is nothing to scoff at, either. It’s sharp and distinct, if occasionally (rarely) flat in places. At times, it’s actually very reminiscent of Ryan Ottley’s work on “Invincible,” which is always a good thing.
To round things out, there’s Fred C. Stresing on colours and lettering. His colours keep things nice and bright, setting it apart from the generic books currently flooding the market. It’s nice to see a superhero book with plenty of colour.
Overall, it’s a fun, interesting book with signs of real brilliance. But it does come with a few problems. It’s worth your time, despite these problems. Even if you’re as sick of superhero books as I am, you’ll likely find it to be intriguing at the very least.