Tag Archives: Comics

Dark Moon Review (Issues 1-3)

Combining two different elements into one can make for some amazing results. Put Wolverine and Spider-Man together and you get Deadpool. Mix burritos and deep fryers and you get chimichangas. (Yay!) Combine horror with comedy and you get Batman Forever. I think my point has been proven. Now introducing Dark Moon, a motion comic that combines horror and science fiction, created by Freematik with artwork by Benedick Bana.

The premise here is pretty interesting. Earth is about to be destroyed (allegedly) and in a last ditch effort to survive, seven(?) people teleport themselves to a moon where they are alone and possibly being hunted.

The addition of music and some sound effects is a very nice touch that definitely sets this digital comic apart from any physical comic. Most of the time the music does a beautiful job of keeping me completely immersed in the comic. However, there are a few times where the music doesn’t quite fit with what’s happening or doesn’t match the tone that the comic has set. For example, in certain parts, when the music leans a bit too far towards hip-hop, it snaps me out of the mood of the comic. Although, even with the few missteps, the music is by far the strongest part of Dark Moon.

dark moon interesting
Interesting indeed. 

Another great aspect of the web comic is the art. Where the artwork really shines is in creating creepy images. The comic isn’t overly gory, but there are some very chilling moments, with some credit to the music as well, that will definitely get a reaction out of you. Bana does a great job of portraying the bleakness and hopelessness of the moon, using different shades of black and grey, with a splash of red or blue; however, there are a few backgrounds that are a bit plain or the same color as everything else in the panel. Also, an image throughout the first three issues shows a far away shot of our main characters surrounded by nothing. This constant image focuses on the fact that these people are trapped by themselves on this desolate moon. The first time was a cool picture, but after seeing it a few more times it became redundant.

dark moon lazy
This looks like a kid scribbled something in Microsoft Paint. 

There was a generic tadalafil tablets huge rise in the sale of the drugs.It is the only medication that has sold in more than 100 countries and has achieved the best selling tag. Treatment:- Treating ED in men involves understand the underlying cause of the online prescription viagra pain and provides for a complete rehabilitation. These curvatures are very often caused on a physical level by myofascial tissue which has become “wound up” by mental and emotional “tightness” and a order viagra you could look here lack of “new” chi energy circulating in those tissues. There are cialis tablets india several ways to avoid this illness Joint Pain, affecting one or more joints is a main cause of many health issues. At times some of the characters look a little lazily drawn.  Everyone wears a full space suit and never takes the suit off (cause you know, space). Because of this, unless you study the character sheet (something that was released separately to help you learn the names and notice the slight variations in the characters’ suits), all of the characters blend into the same person. Each character needs something distinctive to set them apart at a glance. The artist really could’ve taken a page out of the Ninja Turtles books and given each person a specific colored decal or design on their suit. Some of them have slightly different personalities, but nothing too distinctive, except the leader. Nothing here is bad enough to make you stop reading, but if the artwork is what you look for in a comic, then this might not be the best choice for you. With that said,  Bana is an extremely talented artist. Having  to work within the restrictions of a space setting, it feels like he had to hold back a lot compared to his other work.

character_sheet_by_freematik-d8ugqps
The lovely character sheet. 

Now the real problem with this series is the dialogue. Sometimes the dialogue is too cringe-worthy to even keep reading. When every speech bubble after the beginning exposition is something along the lines of “This sucks”, “Look at all of this technology” or ” What do you think? I don’t know what to think”, then there’s a problem. Although, the lack of giant word bubbles does help, a lot.

I don’t mind a horror story not being some deep and moving piece, but I do expect it to at least introduce me to the main characters. Again, unless you read the character sheet, then you will have no clue who anyone is. It’s not even clear at first how many people are in the comic. For most of issue one, I was convinced there were only four characters, and some weird artwork choices made it look like maybe seven or eight. To clarify, I’m pretty sure there are seven main characters. Don’t hold me to that.

Someone may be bleeding to death
Someone may be bleeding to death

Regardless of how good a story might be or intense the situations, if readers don’t care about the characters, or even know their names, then readers won’t care if something bad happens. There really isn’t a  proper introduction until about halfway through issue three, and that’s only for about five of the characters.

Based off of the premise alone, if you’re into science fiction, horror or both, then you should definitely read at least the first issue. I love the inclusion of music into comic books. Like I said, the music is the best part of this series and it really helps to immerse you into the story. It would be the perfect experience if only there was actually a good story or at least decent dialogue exchanges to keep you interested.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the Avengers

So, the wonderful people at DK publishing teamed up with Marvel to release Marvel’s The Avenger’s Encyclopedia.

e5d36d60699e4ec8abac23d39b1dbb5a

Granted, when you see the word encyclopedia, “fun” is probably the furthest thing from one’s mind, but reading is fundamental, right? It is just what it says it is: a comprehensive look at one of Marvel’s most expansive and encompassing franchises. All the big names like Captain America, Iron Man, Thor, the Incredible Hulk, etc. seen in the recent Marvel movies are examined through key storylines, which provide origin stories up to current cannon. 4dd32f684b5c4f74b3034bcf2befc11f

Where the book truly shines is in connecting lesser-known Avengers to the overarching universe. Long time fans already know about Spiderman, Wolverine, Quicksilver, Scarlet Witch and the like being members of different iterations of Avenger teams, but seeing names like Sandman, Venom, Squirrel Girl, and Mr. Fantastic may come as a surprise. Finding out how they became part of various Avengers factions and their role with the team is always interesting.   I have to say, my favorite part is the major storyline synopsis in between chapters.

These cialis line order vegetables contain indole-3-carbinol, a compound helpful in boosting sex drive. It remains effective for about six hours during which you can experience a healthy erection at the time order viagra on line try content of physical intimacy. Women must not use Kamagra as it is strictly prescribed for men. cost of sildenafil A recent survey’s result published in Dailymail newspaper shows that about half men between 50-70 amerikabulteni.com buy cialis cialis years suffer from this condition. f9b192a99bcc4de5b84c92471569a7a6

For those of you who do not have access to a towering comic book collection, Marvel’s The Avenger’s Encyclopedia has you more than covered. They introduce the arc and provide a point by point breakdown of what happened and how it impacted the Avengers or, in some cases, the Marvel universe.

All in all, this is a real straightforward situation. If you have love for anything Marvel, you want to learn more about your favorite characters, or you’re looking for a good way to get into something new, this book is definitely the move.

You can purchase Marvel’s The Avenger’s Encyclopedia for $40 on the DK website.

Artist Alley: Dan Mora

Dan MoraDan Mora is an up and coming artist  with Boom Comics. Coming straight from Hexed, he is now signed on for the up and coming series Klaus.

I have had the wonderful privilege of being able to chat with Dan many times. Now that Hexed is over, I thought this would be a great time to ask a few questions about the Michael Alan Nelson written series:

 

 Tell us a little bit about Hexed.

It was a pretty good book with a wonderful history about a girl who steals magic artifacts.

How did you get into Hexed?

It was my first assignment when I first started to work with BOOM, my editor thought that it will fit with my illustration style.

Who was your favorite character to draw?

The Harlot, she was a spooky crazy lady, it was very fun to draw.

 Was it the character or the story that made you pick that character as a favorite?

It was a little of both, her attitude made me draw her in very strange body language and the design of the creature was always fun to draw.

dan mora 4
Hexed

Did you come up with the concepts of Val and Lucifer based off the older artwork or did you throw your own spin on them?

I tried to stick with the designs of Emma Rios at first, but as time passed I began to add some details about the characters.

Were the images done traditional or digital in Hexed?

Unfortunately, they were all digital.

Do you prefer digital or traditional methods for illustrating comics?

Now that I’m working in the traditional way I can say that I prefer a million times the traditional way.

What inspired you to work in comics?

I always liked the superheroes and it was always in my mind that the perfect job to me would be to become a comic book artist.

What is the piece you are most proud of?

I think Hexed # 8 is my favorite.

dan mora 1
Old drawings from a dead newspaper

What is your typical day when working on a comic?

I wake up, make coffee, then work all morning in my pages, make lunch, more coffee, keep working until the night and at last watch some movie or go out.

How long does it take to do a single page (average 6 panels)?

In a very productive day I can finish two pages both pencils and inks.

Who are your inspirations?

That is a long list! The first names that came into my head are, Bruce Timm, Darwyn Cooke, Paul Pope and Mike Mignola.

 What is the current project you are working on?

Right now I´m working on Klaus, the secret origin of Santa Klaus

dan mora 5
Klaus

What is your dream project?

There are so many dream projects, but I think the one I really really want is to draw some pages for Deadpool.

 If you could pick anyone to act as your mentor, who would it be?

Bruce Timm.

 Have you done anything at a convention, as in had a table in artist alley or a booth or been a guest?

Sadly no, I’m really new in this world.

Have people ever cosplayed your work?

Yes! And it was an amazing sensation!

How has the industry changed since you first started?

Not really much, I’m very new in all this, I just under 2 years.

 

dan mora 2

Fan Requested Questions:

Was drawing the monsters/creatures more interesting than humans with powers?

YES, the estrange forms are always more interesting to draw.
There are levitra 20 mg visit these guys now lots of factors that are responsible for this highly prevailing disease. The generic viagra sildenafil medication could cause health complications for people suffering from erectile dysfunction, discussing their private sex life with their doctors and pharmacists. Lack of romance on a regular basis lead to misunderstandings and couples split up. viagra in india online icks.org Online is the remedy which stops this and refreshes the relationship. Ulnar Nerve Entrapment A major peripheral nerve of the eye can also be affected by decreased blood flow caused by the order cialis online http://icks.org/n/data/ijks/1482460790_add_file_4.pdf.
How did you come up with the Thief outfit design?

I tried to merge the Harlot character with the spirit of Lucifer and then give it some classic design.

Would you keep working on Hexed if you have the chance?

Yes of course, Hexed was amazing and it was such a great experience, I loved to work with Michael and I would do it again without thinking twice.

Fun time:

 Who is your favorite comic book character?

Deadpool or Batman. I don’t really know which to pick.

Deadpool Cowboy by Dan Mora
Deadpool Cowboy

Who is your favorite author(books)?

Mark Millar.

What is your favorite movie?

Back to the Future.

What is your favorite band/music artist?

Don’t have a favorite I think.

What is a quirk you have (like dipping fries into chocolate Sunday)?

I like to eat Ice cream with cola and watch some funny movie.

Pick:

Day or night

Day

Star trek or star wars

Star Wars

Coffee or tea

Coffee one dozen times

Summer or winter

Summer

Cats or dogs

Dogs

Batman or Superman

Batman

Low Tech Batman
Low Tech Batman by Dan Mora

Movies or a book

Movies

Pizza or Burgers

Burgers

Coke or Pepsi

Pepsi

 For those wanting to see more of Dan Mora’s work you can find him on Facebook and Twitter.

 

Next issue release date of current project:

Klaus with Grant Morrison,  Nov 4, 2015.

 

 

 

 

 

Insight Editions’ Wonder Woman Journal

I finally got a chance to use my Wonder Woman journal. Okay, I lied. I haven’t used it; it’s just too pretty to use. I don’t want to vandalize it with my terrible handwriting and insignificant rambles.

Wonder Woman Journal

The cover is made out of a sturdy material that is scuff and scratch resistant.  With Wonder Woman’s infamous symbol debossed on the front, I feel like I’m part of a secret agency on Earth that works for her. I’m lame, I know, but hey, what do you do?
To know more on how to tab viagra treat erectile dysfunction, as they are easy to consume and non-invasive. Chiropractors in Los Angeles are trained health professionals who prefer recommending such medicines to their patients. levitra online cheap Your partner needs to know how you feel and sildenafil online no prescription wants to see them for charging up. This market was not left untapped and there are several brands of herbal cheap viagra prices that one can live through.
To help readers feel like they are even more a part of the DC Universe, Insight Editions included several pages filled with sketches and notes from yours truly. During a battle with Cheetah, Wonder Woman loses her journal and leaves you with the beginning of a looming,  great battle.
Wonder Woman JournalI love this journal. It’s durable, 192 pages, and there’s even a little pocket on the inside of the back cover. I didn’t think Wonder Woman would have a journal—when would she have the time or where would she keep it—but I can believe this one is hers.

You can order Wonder Woman’s or Superman’s journal from Insight Editions for $18.95. I hope a Batman journal is next!

Top Fan Films (So Far)

Through my life, I’ve learned one universal fact. . .

maka_cosplay_by_santanacosplay-d7ydi24
Cosplayers often dedicated a lot of time and money to become closer to their favorite characters. Image from Santana Cosplay

Geeks are the most passionate people on the planet.

This passion often leads us to wield our various talents to try and become closer to the works we so enjoy. This has led to many creations: from terrible fan fiction that becomes a movie to amazing film projects highlighting technical skills and upcoming actors.

fifty-shades-grey-movie-book-differences
Yep, this concept was once a labor of love for Twilight. However, this becoming a top-selling book gives me hope as a writer.

Today’s list will be of the latter.

Dragon Ball Z: Light of Hope

The talented folks of Robot Underdog bring much shame to Hollywood’s attempt to bring the high flying action this legendary anime is known for. Light of Hope is an adaptation of the animated film The History of Trunks, one of the most emotional moments in DBZ‘s history. With this as its inspiration, Light of Hope has a lot to work with as far as scenarios and character development.

Even though there is only a pilot episode available, Robot Underdog delivered one of the most accurate live action visions of the Dragon Ball Universe. Every punch is highlighted. Energy ripples from the fighters. Malice drips from the Androids like hot oil. All of this is used as the paint that wets the canvas, displaying what DBZ fans have been wanting for a long time.

My only complaint is waiting for the series’ completion. Keep rockin’ the dragon, Robot Underdog!

Spawn: The Recall

Some of the most amazing art in comic books comes from Todd McFarlane, whose main man is none other than Al Simmons aka Spawn. While the Avengers were fighting a giant purple dude with bling, Spawn was dethroning Satan, destroying the world and recreating it in his own image. While Spawn has been kicking ass in comics, his live action experiences have been lack luster.

Michael Paris and his team sought to redeem the red-caped knight and did just that in their short film, The Recall. Spawn’s tales have always been oozing with darkness, which is why this project’s direction of being more of a horror film makes sense. There’s all sorts of disturbing imagery and suspense that leads up to some of the best effects I’ve seen in a movie period, let alone an indie project. I’d share more, but its just so good that after the eight minutes are over, you’ll be crawling to the feet of Malebolgia, begging for more.

Croft

Also to buy Kamagra products online in UK, you do not have to pay for tons of extra employees who are not helping you get your order! Most online pharmacies will require that you send in your prescription from your doctor, and they online cialis sale can be bought online without prescription. viagra for If you are thinking that you can control mild ED without any external help then you would soon require a high dose of anti-impotency pill. Nothing can viagra samples find out for source be of greater embarrassment than not being able to enjoy all the pleasures of mutual orgasm. getting viagra in canada Diagnosing the Cause of Impotence Ongoing ED condition in men should be investigated by your doctor as soon as your doctor diagnoses the problem. The history of video games is paved in heroes, but one woman took a stand during the PlayStation era, Lara Croft. The Tomb Raider has been in several action adventure games and has even been played by A-list actress Angelina Jolie. Lara was the epitome of heroic and sexy; however, she underwent a drastic change at the hands of Square Enix in 2013.

It’s this image of Lara that Can Cinema latched onto, creating a gripping short story of a hostage situation. What’s interesting in this piece is the desperation Lara shows, just as she did in the newest game. Each kill is done effectively for the huntress, but every time there’s a bit of regret in her eyes. The film is filled with action, but these tender moments with the character is what makes it worth while. Even fans of the original character will enjoy a few notable scenes, as a lot of inspiration was pulled from the Tomb Raider’s early years.

Welcome to Hoxford

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stnRvFzGWY8

IDW Publishing has been putting out comics such as Transformers and Ninja Turtles for several years. Yet, there is one mini series that they released that stands out, Welcome to Hoxford. The story centers on Ray Delgado, a murderous, insane man, believing himself to be Chronos, lord of the Titans. He is sentenced to death for all of his crimes and transferred to Hoxford. Unfortunately, the prison is being run by a group of werewolves that enjoy hunting down their inmates. Ray faces these monsters head on, knowing that he is destined to destroy them.

Like the comic series, the fan film highlights the dark nature of the story in its visual style. Reflections are bright, stark contrasts to the encompassing darkness of Hoxford. Coupling this with absolutely brutal action scenes, the film seems to have been done professionally on the same level as 300 or Sin City.

Personally, this fan project has sparked a deep interest in the comics. Hopefully this team will get a chance to expand Ray’s story into a full length film.

Joker Rising

D.C. Comics has inspired a flood of fan films. Whether it’s the overall need to put these characters onto the silver screen in ways closer to the comics or the general ease at which these scenes can be recreated, I’m not sure. Either way, there have been loads of amazing projects featuring characters from the D.C. Universe.

Joker Rising tells the origin story of the Clown Prince while paying homage to Heath Ledger’s Joker in The Dark Knight. The fan film was shot in just over a week and has a vibe similar to Blow. What’s amazing is the deliverance of the character, building on each scene that leads to a climax that is chilling, but also puts the Joker in a sympathetic light. In fact, this portrayal rivals Ledger’s in my opinion.

https://youtu.be/VoGAv23-FL0

Smoking Alien will also be creating a sequel series called The City with Two Faces and a pilot episode is on the way. Keep a sharp eye on their Youtube page for more information, as well as other projects they have produced.

Over the course of researching for this list, I’ve discovered not only these amazing projects, but a multitude of worthy films. The D.C. Universe is a playground for these indie developers, for I stumbled upon an excellent Harlequinn story and a Nightwing Mini Series.

Fan films give producers, directors, writers, and actors a chance to make their mark in an industry that’s nigh impossible to get started in. Yet, even if they don’t have absurd budgets or A-list actors, their passion for films rings out louder than ever.

Even though its hard, log off Netflix, shy away from Hollywood and explore the world of indie film once in a while. There are amazing stories being told. Don’t forget to spread the word about these films; each of them deserves being viewed much more than they have.

Please share your favorite fan films in the comments below! They may even be mentioned in future articles.