Hello everyone! And Happy Halloween! I realize I'm a little late in saying that. Along with calling this set of reviews the Halloween Edition, but hey its the thought that counts right? Hope you all had a great night and some good candy hauls! And enjoy!
Brimstone and the Borderhounds: Necrocide
Hound Comics
Artwork: Thiago Castro
Story: M. H. Carnevali
Reviewer: Robert McClelland
Summary: In the Necroverse, being dead isn't a bad thing; it's a way of living. On one fateful day, the Necroverse is shaken to its very core as a horrible madness from beyond threatens to consume everything in its path. One man will come face to face with the monster responsible for bringing it; a monster that is the only thing that can stop it from consuming and destroying their world and with it, their universe.
Review: I'd like to point out how grateful I am for whoever came up with the idea of those memory stick devices. Cause they certainly are a life saver, as they've allowed me to continue to enjoy my exposure to the awesomeness that Hound Comics has brought into the world. Course Facebook does help expose me to them, but comics just do it a lot better! Necrocide is a fairly fun little tale told by a father to his son, and doesn't really have much to do with the storyline from the previous Brimstone titles I've reviewed so far. Other then of course starring everyone's favorite half demon bounty hunter who can kick butt with the best of them. Now my first impression was that some poor kid was going to get eaten or something close to it by the demon in his room. But as I later found out, I was wrong on that thought. And I imagine those that have already read this special edition have also had that thought for a short time. You really do got to love twists like that, kudos to Carnevali for his writing technique early on in this book. I love how the people in this world seem to be so much like our own, at least at an earlier point in time when we all apparently feared the Russians. Or something close to it anyway. Even though the folks in this world aren't exactly human.
While Thiago Castro's art is pretty decent, my main issue was the similarities between the first victim we get introduced to and Brimstone himself. I'm not sure if that was intentional or an accident and just wasn't caught in time or what. Granted I might be the only person that thinks that way about these two characters. The way some of the storyteller's people reacted to Brimstone and his fellow party crashers had me wondering if they were perhaps part Zombie in some way or just a big lover of meat. Perhaps some left over instinct of some kind that their evolution hadn't been able to remove? Suppose we may never know that particular answer! The cover for this book is pretty sweet as well. After all, what's not to like about a blonde dude with glowy eyes that's about ready to kick some major butt? I think this title would make for a fun little horror cartoon. And considering its Halloween, what better time to release it? So if that gives y'all ideas over at Hound Central, hope it happens somehow! I wonder though if it will get explained in another comic on how Brimstone came in for a landing in this place. I imagine the answer will be one heck of a doozy.
I honestly got to wonder where Brimstone gets his weapons! I bet the upkeep on those things must cost him a fortune though! One thing this book left me wondering is if the story the old 'guy' was telling his son was just a story or something that really happened. But either way, I imagine his people learned some very valuable lessons! One of those to be wary of folks who come crashing from out of no where. I know I'd certainly keep that as a lesson to be had in mind! So for those of you who have yet to pick up this special edition, what are ya waiting for? Come on down and give it a try!
3 out of 5 Stars
To pick up a copy of this title and other great Hound Comics titles, head on over to their website!
Hound Comics
Artwork: Thiago Castro
Story: M. H. Carnevali
Reviewer: Robert McClelland
Summary: In the Necroverse, being dead isn't a bad thing; it's a way of living. On one fateful day, the Necroverse is shaken to its very core as a horrible madness from beyond threatens to consume everything in its path. One man will come face to face with the monster responsible for bringing it; a monster that is the only thing that can stop it from consuming and destroying their world and with it, their universe.
Review: I'd like to point out how grateful I am for whoever came up with the idea of those memory stick devices. Cause they certainly are a life saver, as they've allowed me to continue to enjoy my exposure to the awesomeness that Hound Comics has brought into the world. Course Facebook does help expose me to them, but comics just do it a lot better! Necrocide is a fairly fun little tale told by a father to his son, and doesn't really have much to do with the storyline from the previous Brimstone titles I've reviewed so far. Other then of course starring everyone's favorite half demon bounty hunter who can kick butt with the best of them. Now my first impression was that some poor kid was going to get eaten or something close to it by the demon in his room. But as I later found out, I was wrong on that thought. And I imagine those that have already read this special edition have also had that thought for a short time. You really do got to love twists like that, kudos to Carnevali for his writing technique early on in this book. I love how the people in this world seem to be so much like our own, at least at an earlier point in time when we all apparently feared the Russians. Or something close to it anyway. Even though the folks in this world aren't exactly human.
While Thiago Castro's art is pretty decent, my main issue was the similarities between the first victim we get introduced to and Brimstone himself. I'm not sure if that was intentional or an accident and just wasn't caught in time or what. Granted I might be the only person that thinks that way about these two characters. The way some of the storyteller's people reacted to Brimstone and his fellow party crashers had me wondering if they were perhaps part Zombie in some way or just a big lover of meat. Perhaps some left over instinct of some kind that their evolution hadn't been able to remove? Suppose we may never know that particular answer! The cover for this book is pretty sweet as well. After all, what's not to like about a blonde dude with glowy eyes that's about ready to kick some major butt? I think this title would make for a fun little horror cartoon. And considering its Halloween, what better time to release it? So if that gives y'all ideas over at Hound Central, hope it happens somehow! I wonder though if it will get explained in another comic on how Brimstone came in for a landing in this place. I imagine the answer will be one heck of a doozy.
I honestly got to wonder where Brimstone gets his weapons! I bet the upkeep on those things must cost him a fortune though! One thing this book left me wondering is if the story the old 'guy' was telling his son was just a story or something that really happened. But either way, I imagine his people learned some very valuable lessons! One of those to be wary of folks who come crashing from out of no where. I know I'd certainly keep that as a lesson to be had in mind! So for those of you who have yet to pick up this special edition, what are ya waiting for? Come on down and give it a try!
3 out of 5 Stars
To pick up a copy of this title and other great Hound Comics titles, head on over to their website!
Ghostbusters: The Other Side
IDW
Written by: Keith Champagne
Art by: Tom Nguyen
Colored by: Moose Baumann
Lettering by: Chris Mowry and Neil Uyetake
Reviewer: Robert McClelland
Summary: The only thing worse than getting on the bad side of gangsters is capturing the ghosts of the some of the most historically notorious figures in organized crime. And when you upset the spirits of the mafia, you better be prepared to go to the mattresses. But when the Ghostbusters find themselves in Purgatory they need to find a way out, and fast, before they end up spending an eternity in Hell.
Review: Wow, I have to say I wasn't sure what I was going to be in for when I picked up this trade during my birthday back in August. I was treated to a fantastic story that helped me in appreciating the place I got it from even more. This is the kind of story I didn't really think I would ever see in a Ghostbusters book. As Ghost busting takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to Death and it wanting to get a little personal with our favorite heroes. Keith's writing was fantastic through out the whole book, adding just the right amounts of light heartedness and intensity. Which fits from the movies perfectly. His work is something I would love to read more of, along side Tom Nguyen's art. As it was pretty fantastic as well. And for those of you who might have read this by now, you might agree with me on those points. Among some of the intensity was the rather shocking and brutal way the Ghostbusters were dealt with by a bunch of Mobster ghosts. That was one way I never would have expected them to go out. I just wonder though what kind of consequences there would have been had Janine or someone else found their bodies. Certainly would have made things complicated later on I imagine if their bodies wound up cremated.
I like how Keith practically re-defined how bad the effects an out of body experience could be. As who wants to wind up in a place like Purgatory? Or somewhere much worse! Which I bet the boys would do what they could from then on after the events of this book to make sure that wouldn't happen again. Even if there was a nifty side benefit or two that Venkman really enjoyed on the Other Side. I certainly hope though that after everything was said and done. Venkman went to see a doctor, especially considering what that ghost was doing while hijacking his body. I like that the demons in the other side didn't appear to be too cartoony. Many props to Tom Nguyen for that. His double headed demon that later shows up was pretty darn awesome too. Although I bet it might get annoying even for a demon having to argue with someone you really can't escape from. Another thing that's also on a nice level is the amount of violence that springs up a bit through out the book. As it shows just how far the good folks at IDW are willing to go. I do wonder though on why the folks On High never really stepped in themselves to make sure the Mob ghosts weren't able to run their little Coyote operation.
But it does make some twisted sense that ghosts and the like would have some help getting back into the world of the living. Left me wondering just how long that was going on. Because you would think someone would have done something about it by now unless it was an actual recent thing by those Mobsters. I loved the appearance of Elliot Ness and a couple of other well known figures. Not to mention they were still the general pains in the butt of those they had dealt with in Life. The fact that Winston himself got to reunite with an old friend was another thing I enjoyed. Anything that helps give you some closure is always a good thing. Even if you did get it under some bad circumstances. I think Keith captures Venkman's humor really well. After all, you definitely got to love it when someone can still find a way to keep things lighthearted even in some bad odds. I think the thing I found annoying the most was the Angels' refusal to step in. All because of balance, I get that there's rules and all that. But come on, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Even if your own higher ups won't like it. Granted the whole Balance thing does come into play later, so some bonus points for that. And for all the smarts the Ghosbusters have, I really don't think its a good idea to bring a demon back with them. I mean can you imagine the utter carnage that would cause if he ever escaped!? Boy that's just asking for Murphy's Law to come and bite them in the butt big time! Hopefully there'll be a story about that later on. I know I'd read it! So if you're ready to see if Old Habits can die hard and how our favorite guys manage to bring in the win, pick yourself up a copy of this trade! It'll be well worth it! Especially if you've been feeling like there's a lack of Ghostbusters in your life. Heck you may just want to find yourself looking up more of Keith's work after all this is over with!
5 out of 5 Stars
IDW
Written by: Keith Champagne
Art by: Tom Nguyen
Colored by: Moose Baumann
Lettering by: Chris Mowry and Neil Uyetake
Reviewer: Robert McClelland
Summary: The only thing worse than getting on the bad side of gangsters is capturing the ghosts of the some of the most historically notorious figures in organized crime. And when you upset the spirits of the mafia, you better be prepared to go to the mattresses. But when the Ghostbusters find themselves in Purgatory they need to find a way out, and fast, before they end up spending an eternity in Hell.
Review: Wow, I have to say I wasn't sure what I was going to be in for when I picked up this trade during my birthday back in August. I was treated to a fantastic story that helped me in appreciating the place I got it from even more. This is the kind of story I didn't really think I would ever see in a Ghostbusters book. As Ghost busting takes on a whole new meaning when it comes to Death and it wanting to get a little personal with our favorite heroes. Keith's writing was fantastic through out the whole book, adding just the right amounts of light heartedness and intensity. Which fits from the movies perfectly. His work is something I would love to read more of, along side Tom Nguyen's art. As it was pretty fantastic as well. And for those of you who might have read this by now, you might agree with me on those points. Among some of the intensity was the rather shocking and brutal way the Ghostbusters were dealt with by a bunch of Mobster ghosts. That was one way I never would have expected them to go out. I just wonder though what kind of consequences there would have been had Janine or someone else found their bodies. Certainly would have made things complicated later on I imagine if their bodies wound up cremated.
I like how Keith practically re-defined how bad the effects an out of body experience could be. As who wants to wind up in a place like Purgatory? Or somewhere much worse! Which I bet the boys would do what they could from then on after the events of this book to make sure that wouldn't happen again. Even if there was a nifty side benefit or two that Venkman really enjoyed on the Other Side. I certainly hope though that after everything was said and done. Venkman went to see a doctor, especially considering what that ghost was doing while hijacking his body. I like that the demons in the other side didn't appear to be too cartoony. Many props to Tom Nguyen for that. His double headed demon that later shows up was pretty darn awesome too. Although I bet it might get annoying even for a demon having to argue with someone you really can't escape from. Another thing that's also on a nice level is the amount of violence that springs up a bit through out the book. As it shows just how far the good folks at IDW are willing to go. I do wonder though on why the folks On High never really stepped in themselves to make sure the Mob ghosts weren't able to run their little Coyote operation.
But it does make some twisted sense that ghosts and the like would have some help getting back into the world of the living. Left me wondering just how long that was going on. Because you would think someone would have done something about it by now unless it was an actual recent thing by those Mobsters. I loved the appearance of Elliot Ness and a couple of other well known figures. Not to mention they were still the general pains in the butt of those they had dealt with in Life. The fact that Winston himself got to reunite with an old friend was another thing I enjoyed. Anything that helps give you some closure is always a good thing. Even if you did get it under some bad circumstances. I think Keith captures Venkman's humor really well. After all, you definitely got to love it when someone can still find a way to keep things lighthearted even in some bad odds. I think the thing I found annoying the most was the Angels' refusal to step in. All because of balance, I get that there's rules and all that. But come on, sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. Even if your own higher ups won't like it. Granted the whole Balance thing does come into play later, so some bonus points for that. And for all the smarts the Ghosbusters have, I really don't think its a good idea to bring a demon back with them. I mean can you imagine the utter carnage that would cause if he ever escaped!? Boy that's just asking for Murphy's Law to come and bite them in the butt big time! Hopefully there'll be a story about that later on. I know I'd read it! So if you're ready to see if Old Habits can die hard and how our favorite guys manage to bring in the win, pick yourself up a copy of this trade! It'll be well worth it! Especially if you've been feeling like there's a lack of Ghostbusters in your life. Heck you may just want to find yourself looking up more of Keith's work after all this is over with!
5 out of 5 Stars