The Wrecks FCBD 2014 Round Up!
So days have passed since this year's Free Comic Book Day and some are still marveling at all the finds they wound up getting on that wonderful day. And some for whatever reason still have yet to read their goodies for some reason or another. Course for me I got on the ball this year and read all of what I got instead of waiting awhile to do it. And while I could put down my thoughts on all 10 of the books I got, I figured I'd just do so with a few of them that I liked. And in one case, one that I didn't much like. So with out further ado... Let's get this Wrecks Special started! Whoo!!
All reviews by: Rob Wrecks
Starting off with Ted Naifeh's Courtney Crumrin over at Oni Press, in which Mr. Naifeh is both writer and illustrator of this fine book. While one Warren Wucinichi is the colorist of this here fine little title. Naifeh spins a nice little tale of magic, school politics, friendship, and an Uncle who seems to also have issues of his own. And while I was a little confused (in particularly towards the main two girls) as I got more into this title, I found that a second read through helped me to understand things better. Naifeh nicely managed to show that magic can corrupt and did it in a manner that wasn't really even all that visible. At first you're thinking that Holly might have done something to cause things to happen around Courtney, but then you may realize that might not even be the case. I found that the coloring matched up well in what the art was showing in this. And it seems like this is a title that's already been around for quite some time as a page at the end of this FCBD special shows images of several hard cover editions of this title. Something I honestly wouldn't mind getting so that I can better immerse myself in this world of Ted Naifeh's.
Top Cow/Image's Rise of the Magi #0 is also a nice little set up of things to come. And is from the mind of one Marc Silvestri who handles the writing duties, whie Jasen Smith nicely handles colors, followed by Sumeyye Kesgin's art that was brought to life beautifully by Jasen. But as I began to read this, I quickly found myself at the beginning with a strong dislike of the father of Asa (this fine story's main guy with a dream or two of his own) who seems to think that the mere mention of the boy's mother is enough to help him in his quest to keep Asa where he is. Which is under his thumb and repairing carpets for a living. Seriously, this is a man who needs to realize his son's dream(s) just isn't going to match up to what he wants for the kid! Got to love parents like that. Silvestri nicely sends readers on a journey through out this story that goes from annoying to light hearted (especially with what Asa has to do with a frog in order to use its abilities) to things getting a bit tragic around the end. I can only imagine that once all this is over with and Asa survives, his father is going to be on his case even more about those carpets! Magi wound up becoming another favorite of mine that I hope I will have the opportunity to read more of.
Now veering from a few of my likes is a little something by Papercutz that they had to offer for this year's FCBD. What was that offering you ask? Why none other then the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers to be exact! And set roughly around the beginning of Tommy's time as the White Ranger and when Rita briefly came back as the world's shortest midget ever. Writing duties handled by Stefan Petrucha, PH Marcondas handling art, Laurie E. Smith on Coloring, and Bryan Senka as the book's Letterer. Now I wish I could say I found myself loving the heck out of this offering from Papercutz. But sadly I would be lying if I did say I loved it. Now I liked it a little bit, but in the end I just didn't find it as great as I thought it would be once my blue colored eye balls landed upon it that lovely Saturday. Now while Papercutz made this into a comic, that won't be the case for the rest of this series as they plan to turn the material into full on graphic novels. Which I actually find fairly nice as that'll save time and money. Not to mention that burning need for more after reading a single issue and having to wait a month or what have you for more. So thanks Papercutz for going all graphic novel on us! But is this single issue offering of theirs a sign of what's to come? Or just something with a few issues that they for whatever reason didn't catch in time before it was released?
Personally, I'm hoping some of the errors in this book were just things they failed to catch. Cause really, what's up with Kim calling Skull 'Spike' through out the book? I mean I know he's got a son named that later on down the road but still! Its not like she's an airhead or anything! Using the Radbug as a villain is something I never honestly even thought about wanting to see. But having seen it done in this offering, I'm surprised Saban back in the day never decided to use that kind of an idea! Tommy driving (Best way to describe operating the Zord maybe?) the Tizerzord while its also being used as a 'driver' for the Radbug was something I found amusing and likely would never have been done on the show however. Stefan obviously had some fun while writing this. And if he's on the writing duties for the graphic novels, even better. I just hope the Spike thing and the way Tommy does his morphing sequence aren't going to be a part of it. I also found this to be a nice alternative to how they got to the part of where they send Rita back off into space. Though I could easily see this as having been used as an episode for the original series. Alas, however, as mentioned earlier this book didn't sell me entirely, but I am at least willing to give the graphic novels a shot once they are out.
All reviews by: Rob Wrecks
Starting off with Ted Naifeh's Courtney Crumrin over at Oni Press, in which Mr. Naifeh is both writer and illustrator of this fine book. While one Warren Wucinichi is the colorist of this here fine little title. Naifeh spins a nice little tale of magic, school politics, friendship, and an Uncle who seems to also have issues of his own. And while I was a little confused (in particularly towards the main two girls) as I got more into this title, I found that a second read through helped me to understand things better. Naifeh nicely managed to show that magic can corrupt and did it in a manner that wasn't really even all that visible. At first you're thinking that Holly might have done something to cause things to happen around Courtney, but then you may realize that might not even be the case. I found that the coloring matched up well in what the art was showing in this. And it seems like this is a title that's already been around for quite some time as a page at the end of this FCBD special shows images of several hard cover editions of this title. Something I honestly wouldn't mind getting so that I can better immerse myself in this world of Ted Naifeh's.
Top Cow/Image's Rise of the Magi #0 is also a nice little set up of things to come. And is from the mind of one Marc Silvestri who handles the writing duties, whie Jasen Smith nicely handles colors, followed by Sumeyye Kesgin's art that was brought to life beautifully by Jasen. But as I began to read this, I quickly found myself at the beginning with a strong dislike of the father of Asa (this fine story's main guy with a dream or two of his own) who seems to think that the mere mention of the boy's mother is enough to help him in his quest to keep Asa where he is. Which is under his thumb and repairing carpets for a living. Seriously, this is a man who needs to realize his son's dream(s) just isn't going to match up to what he wants for the kid! Got to love parents like that. Silvestri nicely sends readers on a journey through out this story that goes from annoying to light hearted (especially with what Asa has to do with a frog in order to use its abilities) to things getting a bit tragic around the end. I can only imagine that once all this is over with and Asa survives, his father is going to be on his case even more about those carpets! Magi wound up becoming another favorite of mine that I hope I will have the opportunity to read more of.
Now veering from a few of my likes is a little something by Papercutz that they had to offer for this year's FCBD. What was that offering you ask? Why none other then the Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers to be exact! And set roughly around the beginning of Tommy's time as the White Ranger and when Rita briefly came back as the world's shortest midget ever. Writing duties handled by Stefan Petrucha, PH Marcondas handling art, Laurie E. Smith on Coloring, and Bryan Senka as the book's Letterer. Now I wish I could say I found myself loving the heck out of this offering from Papercutz. But sadly I would be lying if I did say I loved it. Now I liked it a little bit, but in the end I just didn't find it as great as I thought it would be once my blue colored eye balls landed upon it that lovely Saturday. Now while Papercutz made this into a comic, that won't be the case for the rest of this series as they plan to turn the material into full on graphic novels. Which I actually find fairly nice as that'll save time and money. Not to mention that burning need for more after reading a single issue and having to wait a month or what have you for more. So thanks Papercutz for going all graphic novel on us! But is this single issue offering of theirs a sign of what's to come? Or just something with a few issues that they for whatever reason didn't catch in time before it was released?
Personally, I'm hoping some of the errors in this book were just things they failed to catch. Cause really, what's up with Kim calling Skull 'Spike' through out the book? I mean I know he's got a son named that later on down the road but still! Its not like she's an airhead or anything! Using the Radbug as a villain is something I never honestly even thought about wanting to see. But having seen it done in this offering, I'm surprised Saban back in the day never decided to use that kind of an idea! Tommy driving (Best way to describe operating the Zord maybe?) the Tizerzord while its also being used as a 'driver' for the Radbug was something I found amusing and likely would never have been done on the show however. Stefan obviously had some fun while writing this. And if he's on the writing duties for the graphic novels, even better. I just hope the Spike thing and the way Tommy does his morphing sequence aren't going to be a part of it. I also found this to be a nice alternative to how they got to the part of where they send Rita back off into space. Though I could easily see this as having been used as an episode for the original series. Alas, however, as mentioned earlier this book didn't sell me entirely, but I am at least willing to give the graphic novels a shot once they are out.
IDW's V Wars #0 which is written by Jonathan Maberry, drawn by Alan Robinson, colors provided by Jay Fotos, and lettered by Robbie Robbins. V Wars is essentially another entry to the genre of Vampires. And likely by now you're probably about as tired of Vampires as you are of Zombies. Course I could always be wrong in some way or another. To me, this is a great point for why Global Warming is bad and why more could be done. Cause if the melting of the Arctic ice in this world is what helped to create this story's version of Vampires, (and some with a few interesting looks) then we are all quite possibly screwed folks! Maybe not with a form of Vampirism, but with something else that could be equally as bad. At the center of this particular mess is one Luther Swann, who's got a swanky Ph.D. of all things. Not exactly the type of person you might think would be in the middle of it all and barely able to protect himself. I like that much like with humans, the Vampires also got their good folk and their bad folk.
Course with them, its likely not very easy to tell which would be which. Especially if a human happens to be trigger happy. Definitely got to say that Robinson definitely didn't hold back in the drawing department. Jay's colors definitely helped the visual along as well when it came to the more bloody and gorey scenes in this book. IDW's nicely given us a starting appetizer with this book, showing readers how bad things already are.
Lack of a potential cure is also a pretty bad thing unless Swann can somehow get lucky as this story goes on. Something tells me though that's not going to be a very easy thing. Especially with what he encounters at the end of this title. I am pretty curious to see if this will strictly be a Vampire only story or if other types of creatures will wind up happening cause of the virus potentially mutating into something else. I know I'm ready for more!
Skyward/Midnight Tiger is this year's FCBD double feature offering from the folks at Action Lab Entertainment. I believe there was another offering from them but sadly by the time I got to where I usually get my comics this was all that they had. Not to say that I'm disappointed by that cause I'm not. While saddening, Jeremy Dale's (Who also is the artist) Skyward is something I felt could have had more to it instead of a short story with a little cliffhanger at the end of it. But I will admit its got me wanting to read more. And if James Rochelle's colors, Hoyt Silva's color flats, and Thom Zahler's leters is then I'm all for reading more! Even if they aren't, I still want to check out the rest however.
I'm not entirely sure if the rare FCBD issue that's mentioned when talking about the first 3 volumes is this one, but if it is, its nice to know I'm reading around the beginning of the series rather then in the middle or somewhere past it. Though at the end of it, I'm sure the father's intentions when telling his two teenaged kids a story about olden times wasn't to make them mistrustful. Something I can only imagine is going to cause problems for young Quinn. Who already seems to be having problems judging by the fact his clothing doesn't seem to be helping much in keeping warm.
Midnight Tiger is the second portion of the double feature as I mentioned earlier. And is also something I definitely wouldn't mind reading more of! I like that it features a minority character as the main person (known as Gavin) rather then sticking to the long held method of a white kid. Makes for a nice change of pace. The nice thing about this story is there's a little bit of information explained about how this is pretty much the origin story where as the first issue is out there and kicking butt if my understanding of things is right. Something I definitely need to get my hands on. This excellent read is crafted together by the great team of Ray-Anthony Height who handles the plot and art, while Dewayne Feenstra handles the script, Paul Little goes the distance in helping bring the art to life with his colors, and Erica Schulte handling the letters department. The nice thing about Gavin is that he's not the type who's all in awe of the heroes in his world. And instead is disillusioned with it all.
Not exactly something you see a lot of unless you're specifically looking for it. So its a fairly nice little change of pace in my view. Though I'm sure coming across an unpleasantly angry Panther looking creature was the last thing he was expecting to do in this introduction of him.
I like what Lionsblood is willing to do afterwards, but the problem I have though is that Gavin seems a bit too accepting of the gift. Yeah I get he wants to bring some change at least to his neck of the woods. But I would have still at least expected to see him freak out over it. Who knows, maybe it did happen and it was decided they weren't going to show it. Either way, I'm honestly looking forward to reading more of Gavin and his rode to the path of Herodom. I'm also digging the look he gets for himself at the end of this. Serious, but somewhat colorful looking at the same time. Unlike a certain yellow costume a certain Marvel Mutant wears. Cause honestly! You think that guy would go for something a little less colorful to add to his danger vibe! So if you're looking for a new hero to follow the stories of, this just may be for you!
Course with them, its likely not very easy to tell which would be which. Especially if a human happens to be trigger happy. Definitely got to say that Robinson definitely didn't hold back in the drawing department. Jay's colors definitely helped the visual along as well when it came to the more bloody and gorey scenes in this book. IDW's nicely given us a starting appetizer with this book, showing readers how bad things already are.
Lack of a potential cure is also a pretty bad thing unless Swann can somehow get lucky as this story goes on. Something tells me though that's not going to be a very easy thing. Especially with what he encounters at the end of this title. I am pretty curious to see if this will strictly be a Vampire only story or if other types of creatures will wind up happening cause of the virus potentially mutating into something else. I know I'm ready for more!
Skyward/Midnight Tiger is this year's FCBD double feature offering from the folks at Action Lab Entertainment. I believe there was another offering from them but sadly by the time I got to where I usually get my comics this was all that they had. Not to say that I'm disappointed by that cause I'm not. While saddening, Jeremy Dale's (Who also is the artist) Skyward is something I felt could have had more to it instead of a short story with a little cliffhanger at the end of it. But I will admit its got me wanting to read more. And if James Rochelle's colors, Hoyt Silva's color flats, and Thom Zahler's leters is then I'm all for reading more! Even if they aren't, I still want to check out the rest however.
I'm not entirely sure if the rare FCBD issue that's mentioned when talking about the first 3 volumes is this one, but if it is, its nice to know I'm reading around the beginning of the series rather then in the middle or somewhere past it. Though at the end of it, I'm sure the father's intentions when telling his two teenaged kids a story about olden times wasn't to make them mistrustful. Something I can only imagine is going to cause problems for young Quinn. Who already seems to be having problems judging by the fact his clothing doesn't seem to be helping much in keeping warm.
Midnight Tiger is the second portion of the double feature as I mentioned earlier. And is also something I definitely wouldn't mind reading more of! I like that it features a minority character as the main person (known as Gavin) rather then sticking to the long held method of a white kid. Makes for a nice change of pace. The nice thing about this story is there's a little bit of information explained about how this is pretty much the origin story where as the first issue is out there and kicking butt if my understanding of things is right. Something I definitely need to get my hands on. This excellent read is crafted together by the great team of Ray-Anthony Height who handles the plot and art, while Dewayne Feenstra handles the script, Paul Little goes the distance in helping bring the art to life with his colors, and Erica Schulte handling the letters department. The nice thing about Gavin is that he's not the type who's all in awe of the heroes in his world. And instead is disillusioned with it all.
Not exactly something you see a lot of unless you're specifically looking for it. So its a fairly nice little change of pace in my view. Though I'm sure coming across an unpleasantly angry Panther looking creature was the last thing he was expecting to do in this introduction of him.
I like what Lionsblood is willing to do afterwards, but the problem I have though is that Gavin seems a bit too accepting of the gift. Yeah I get he wants to bring some change at least to his neck of the woods. But I would have still at least expected to see him freak out over it. Who knows, maybe it did happen and it was decided they weren't going to show it. Either way, I'm honestly looking forward to reading more of Gavin and his rode to the path of Herodom. I'm also digging the look he gets for himself at the end of this. Serious, but somewhat colorful looking at the same time. Unlike a certain yellow costume a certain Marvel Mutant wears. Cause honestly! You think that guy would go for something a little less colorful to add to his danger vibe! So if you're looking for a new hero to follow the stories of, this just may be for you!
And now for the last but also one of my more favorite reads from FCBD is Red 5 Comics' Atomic Robo, which also features Bodie Troll (Which I honestly loved a lot!) and Haunted (Which didn't exactly get my attention) as some nice additional reading. Atomic Robo is something that I have to admit seems to be becoming a thing with me in recent years with FCBD. As previously I've enjoyed what I've read, sadly its been about the only times I've been exposed to the character and his world. This story is helmed by Brian Clevinger on the writing, Scott Wegener on art, Anthony Clark on colors, and Jeff Powell on letters! Something I honestly should change, and hopefully soon I will. As the blend of sillyness and seriousness is done incredibly well. Such as Robo offering an internship to a college student who got herself (Possibly a he instead?) into some trouble with a monster, rather than a lecture.
Though I'm surprised Robo's friends didn't do a lecture. Then again, their all possibly used to that sort of thing and its about as natural as breathing for them! Although for Robo, he's likely got a few wires crossed (Literally at that!) in his brain circuitry. Got to admit though, one of Robo's friends is certainly gung ho! Especially with those explosives! So heck yeah, score for one for Action Mycology!
As for Bodie Troll (second story featured in this Red 5 special) I found it to quite possibly be even more enjoyable and funnier then what Atomic Robo was. Which if you are a huge fan of stories filled with sillyness and strange foods you've never even heard of, then you too will likely have enjoyed this. Or have yet to do so for some strange reason or another. Bodie Troll is brought to life thanks to Jay Fosgitt, who handles both the script and the art for this story. And does so rather nicely as well. I think of Bodie as a teenaged little fella due to how he tends to act which his actions tend to be somewhat hampered by how cute and cuddly he looks. Darn lottery of life! Course I could always be wrong with that kind of thinking. Bodie also certainly proves that food no matter how strange it might taste (like Dog's breath being something that's tasty.. Ew!) is certainly a motivator. A fairy with a spatula as a wand is also a bit of new one for me. But hey, if it works then it works!
I have to wonder though if Bijou knew of the Scarecrow (Nicely known as Burlap Bill, Butt-Ugly Pillow Case, and The King of Spades) that resides in 'No Man's Patch' as the poor fella seemed to know her. Scarecrow is also someone I hope isn't a one off kind of character, and the only way I'll ever know is if I go and find more of Jay's Bodie Troll. The puns between Bill and Bodie were honestly another part in what I found pretty amusing and great about this story. The humor Jay put in this certainly doesn't feel forced at all. And if there's more like that in his Bodie Troll stories, then that's pretty great. FCBD really is a great way to learn about new things you might not have heard of before until then. And this was certainly a great first for me!
Now for Haunted, the third story in this offering from Red 5. As I mentioned earlier, didn't really hook me on what it had to offer. Found it a bit short for my liking and set at a point where things already are pretty bad. While that can work for a first issue, at times it doesn't. And this was one of those times. Handled by Scott Chitwood as the writer, Danny Luckert on art, Ivan Plascencia on colors, and Troy Peteri on colors. Haunted's story is basically set after the world has gone to Hell in a hand basket after the barrier between the real and spiritual worlds got all broken and let things through. Whether or not that was intentional remains to be seen. And this teaser certainly gave readers no answers. Aside from learning that there are a few demons who are pretty much loud mouthed types who you really don't want to be around. I do admit though that the art and colors for this teaser certainly perfect what Scott is going for with this story. But if you're the type who enjoys demons, ghosts, and the like being in the real world and causing havoc like nobody's business. This just might be for you.
Well folks, that's all from this guy. Stay cool, but be just as nerdy!
Though I'm surprised Robo's friends didn't do a lecture. Then again, their all possibly used to that sort of thing and its about as natural as breathing for them! Although for Robo, he's likely got a few wires crossed (Literally at that!) in his brain circuitry. Got to admit though, one of Robo's friends is certainly gung ho! Especially with those explosives! So heck yeah, score for one for Action Mycology!
As for Bodie Troll (second story featured in this Red 5 special) I found it to quite possibly be even more enjoyable and funnier then what Atomic Robo was. Which if you are a huge fan of stories filled with sillyness and strange foods you've never even heard of, then you too will likely have enjoyed this. Or have yet to do so for some strange reason or another. Bodie Troll is brought to life thanks to Jay Fosgitt, who handles both the script and the art for this story. And does so rather nicely as well. I think of Bodie as a teenaged little fella due to how he tends to act which his actions tend to be somewhat hampered by how cute and cuddly he looks. Darn lottery of life! Course I could always be wrong with that kind of thinking. Bodie also certainly proves that food no matter how strange it might taste (like Dog's breath being something that's tasty.. Ew!) is certainly a motivator. A fairy with a spatula as a wand is also a bit of new one for me. But hey, if it works then it works!
I have to wonder though if Bijou knew of the Scarecrow (Nicely known as Burlap Bill, Butt-Ugly Pillow Case, and The King of Spades) that resides in 'No Man's Patch' as the poor fella seemed to know her. Scarecrow is also someone I hope isn't a one off kind of character, and the only way I'll ever know is if I go and find more of Jay's Bodie Troll. The puns between Bill and Bodie were honestly another part in what I found pretty amusing and great about this story. The humor Jay put in this certainly doesn't feel forced at all. And if there's more like that in his Bodie Troll stories, then that's pretty great. FCBD really is a great way to learn about new things you might not have heard of before until then. And this was certainly a great first for me!
Now for Haunted, the third story in this offering from Red 5. As I mentioned earlier, didn't really hook me on what it had to offer. Found it a bit short for my liking and set at a point where things already are pretty bad. While that can work for a first issue, at times it doesn't. And this was one of those times. Handled by Scott Chitwood as the writer, Danny Luckert on art, Ivan Plascencia on colors, and Troy Peteri on colors. Haunted's story is basically set after the world has gone to Hell in a hand basket after the barrier between the real and spiritual worlds got all broken and let things through. Whether or not that was intentional remains to be seen. And this teaser certainly gave readers no answers. Aside from learning that there are a few demons who are pretty much loud mouthed types who you really don't want to be around. I do admit though that the art and colors for this teaser certainly perfect what Scott is going for with this story. But if you're the type who enjoys demons, ghosts, and the like being in the real world and causing havoc like nobody's business. This just might be for you.
Well folks, that's all from this guy. Stay cool, but be just as nerdy!