Folks, I am too sorry to even be here typing. It seems as though every time I type here, or post something, it’s been forever, so I won’t apologize anymore and we can all agree that I’ll be better about being a good friend. Awesome, moving on.
A few things, house cleaning, announcement stuff etc.
Vile is complete. The story of Hard Pants and Clem Styles has been told in graphic novel form. It was arduous, but it is finally complete. The team was up late into the night filing and editing and shifting and coloring. I wish I could say I was one of those people-my parts were done, and I was playing the role of oaf and being hard to get a hold of on the last day of deadline. Sorry again my dear friends Eleonora and Dyan.
PLEASE and pretty please preorder and tell your local comic store to carry Vile: Legends of Thunder Valley. It’s as independent as it gets and comics aren’t cheap to make. Indie Comics are never easy easy in any way. The finished book is 60+ pages of western-fantasy goodness.
If you want to read the comic that started it all, it’s available here at Comixology and print on demand here. I’ll be posting some teaser pictures here over the coming days and getting ready for a couple of comic conventions, so, stay tuned. I promise to write more. Oh, speaking of teaser art, the featured image here is a western style scene from Vile. It features a character named Masterson Kline from the story. Antonio Brandao did an amazing job bringing his character to life and helping to define him and the other characters in the story. Anyway! Anyone is welcome to use it for non commercial uses. If anyone is interested in using art form the book as wallpaper for their computers, or home :).
Eleonora Dalla Rosa did the amazing colors on the previously described art too.
Oh, and we have prints coming today as well as a revised updated edition of Vile coming tomorrow, which is the amazing Black Sparrow’s B-Day. Happy Birthday love.
Hey friends. Right now, Vile is available in 3 locations in and around Seattle, with more to come. Arcane has sold out and restocked once already, so go get your copies.
*update*
Couple of items here. Arcane comics in Ballard has purchased 15 copies of Vile total. I’ve restocked 3 times there. Tiny little shop with knowledgeable staff and an area upfront near the register that moves copies. Other than their exceptional staff, easy to find location and well placed new comics, I cant figure out why they’ve sold so many copies of the book. Other stores have sold copies, but just not as well as Arcane for some reason. Anyway, I’m clearly not complaining, but, I wonder if it’s because I live a block away? Some things to think about.
Subspace comics in Lynnwood WA. is now on board to carry Vile #1. It’s in the back of the store in their Independent area. It’s a great well lit shop that is next door to an AWESOME used video game store named Another Castle Games. Cool and helpful staff. I found a copy of Shadow of Colossus for 16.50, and a copy of The Getaway for $1.00. Crazy good prices. They have a new, unopened copy of Shadow for $40.00. Anyway, if you’re in the area, stop by both stores.
That’s right. Vile issue #1 is available to order via Indy Planet. IT’s available via Amazon Kindle already, but not physically. I’ll add the link below. We will also have it available in shops in Seattle WA and Portland Oregon. Don’t ask me why I abbreviated WA and not Oregon either.
The first store to physically carry Vile #1 will be Mighty Moose Comics in Bellevue, WA. at the Factoria mall.
Thanks to Ka-Blam and to Sara Machajewski for the late late help.
So, there it is. It’s done. It’s available VIA Amazon Kindle right now, and Comixology, iTunes and PHYSICAL copies are in the works as we speak.
Sara Machajewski took over the colors and inks for the second chapter and did an amazing job. I’ll post updates when I get the chance. Thanks so much everyone.
Look out for a review tonight of this new title by Ed Brisson of “The Field” fame. For more information on Boom! Studios, check out our Boom! Studios coverage, or stop by their site.
The elegant and subtle cover for Rachel Rising Vol.1
So, the other day I was chatting with Richard about his blog and this comic he had recently given me for my birthday, and he had the great idea to suggest I write a review. Um, A few reasons why that is more challenging than “great” I’ll do that:
a) I’ve probably read, glanced at or purused as many comics in my life as a typically reviewer in the industry has read, digested and obsessed over in a week.
b) The last time I sat down to write something for the reading pleasure of others was when typing was accompanied by a “zip… ding!” sound. And lastly (although I am sure, during the course of this communication, you will unearth other reasons…)
c) Rachel Rising isn’t new or current or on-trend. Ok, wait, I take that back. Hot gal rising from the dead could very well be considered on-trend. But it certainly ain’t new in this world of streaming news with 2 second content updates.
So, there you have it. Still with me?
First thing I did after Richard suggested I write this review was wait several days, then I remembered I gave myself a week’s deadline, and so next I looked up the artist Terry Moore, who I have some history with when I read his ‘Strangers in Paradise’ series some years ago. [Ahem. I’m sincerely hoping my Editor will fix my “that should be bold not quoted, underlined not italicized” errors. Hint Hint.] Editor’s note: I did indeed “fix” it with the thingies that are close to quotation marks. We use our own methods and writing style here at ‘Fear and Gaming in New Vegas.’ We use italics to indicate when there is an editor’s note. 🙂 Back to the review.
Actually, if memory serves, I devoured that particular series when freshly out of the house & toying with a somewhat-difficult-to-label relationship. Flash forward almost 20 years and I find myself in a comic shop with my dude, a fan and the aforementioned writer, editor & bloggerer. (shhh, I’m sure that is a word somewhere.) Editors note: That is not a word, but allowed just the same. I see Rachel Rising. I like it. I don’t buy it. Not unusual for me, but that’s something to discuss in a different forum- Perhaps a sofa. Anyway. Flash forward again to one Year Later… and I have ‘Rachel Rising: The Shadow of Death‘ in hand.
First off, and you will see this is any review ever written of Terry Moore, the man knows how to draw a gal. It is immediately apparent that these gals have (gasp!) not spent their short well-drawn lives waist-training in torture corsets. They have hips, thighs, arms, and adorable button noses. They have stomachs. Not teeny rib bones that can miraculously lift up size 36EE boobs in a single bound, but stomachs that seem like they belong on bodies not Q-tips. And boobs that have encountered gravity without the secret weapon of female comic art everywhere: the magic-conic bra that forms breasts into perfect pert parts of unattainable glory. This alone makes me praise the art, however Moore’s talent doesn’t rely on body-positive realism alone. For me, his art was user-friendly with a ridiculous attention to detail that complimented the story vs. confusing it.
However, who am I to review a comic’s artwork or story arch? A layman. A person with absolutely zero “geek” cred, aside from my Marvel undershirt I wear to make my guy think I look hot. So that’s my slant. A comic for the uninitiated. A comic for your partner that doesn’t really “get” it but appreciates you for it. A comic for your friend that likes your fandom posts or ‘lols’ your superhero memes, but shares yoga grrrl links more than IGN. (Not to say this comic isn’t for die-hard fans… even in my limited research, I saw plenty of raves from those in the know!) He or she will dig the characters, the simplicity in the drawing and the storyline that blurs zombie-esque undead with real world problems of bourgeois b.s. in the bathroom. They may miss the nuisance of textures, the brilliance of not overdrawing the scene in every panel and the organized structure that progresses-not just that immediate scene, but also the overall story. But it won’t matter. Because chances are, they will be hooked and you’ll get to claim another convert-notch on your belt.
This ain’t your daddy’s Kurt Russell Big Trouble. Ok, may be it is. And, maybe that’s what made it great.
Big Trouble in Little China Comic Book review
Including 5 page preview of issue #6
Whew this is a cool title. I loved the movie as a kid and nothing excites me more than picking up where a story left off via comic book or sequel to see what became of our heroes and protagonists. Despite the dialogue being sparse in places, the artwork functions well in telling the story. I have to tell you I was exited before even opening the book. Although it took me a bit to warm up to the idea, because at first glance it appears to be a novelty to sling some comic books. However, that being said, the stories flow well and it fed my curiosity without totally satisfying my hunger for more. Also, all the characters from the movie are all still accounted for and now find themselves delving deeper and deeper into the dark side of Little China.
Obviously this is for fans of the movie. On the flip side though this title could easily convince a comic book reader to want to seek out the movie if they had never seen it before. So, its appeal works to a two pronged effect. Essentially extending the stories from where the movie left off while at the same time being a real hearty promotion for the movie itself. It is a cult classic as it is and has already proven to have a healthy shelf life. Although I had my doubts before reading it, I have to say that it feels like a well executed idea. I know I am anxious to check into the first four issues now. Not to mention I am going to keep a close eye on where they keep going with the stories and arcs. Because they still have the same enemies as in the movie, they have introduced a lot of new strange and weird characters that are both friends and foes to their cause.
I am more than pleasantly surprised by the voracity of the title to do such a thing as picking up where the movie left off or simply just exploring the world created by the movie quite a bit more. I am suggesting this as a read for fans of the movie by all means, but I am also recommending it to comic readers to check out at least an issue and take a little peek inside of this very unique and creatively built world. The main hero in the story to me is Wang, and he remains intact and still at the side of our favorite wannabe hero Jack Burton and they are both still on the run from the Lords of Death. It’s an action packed comic and sure not to disappoint you, regardless of how big a fan you are of the movie. The only other thing I want to express is that Jack Burton’s smart mouth and over the top attitude carry over from the big screen to the small page without missing a sarcastic beat.
Hank Van Hawkins
Want to know more about Big Trouble in Little China? Have click the link in the previous sentence, and read below for a 5-page preview with a couple variant covers.
Here is another of the variant covers for the comic
We’re always keen to see anything new from Boom! Studios, especially our writer Hank Van Hawkins. We’re even more excited to see something from the Boom! off-shoot Boom! Box. The cover for Midas Flesh is gorgeous, and the creative collective of Ryan North,Shelli Paroline and Braden Lamb have crafted what looks to be an indie darling and cult hit. I’m personally brushing up on the series myself before the trade drops. Read on below for more details, and keep up with our blog to receive up-to-date indie news, especially Boom! Studios content.
Gorgeous and haunting Illustration by Emily Partridge
BOOM! Box, an Imprint of BOOM! Studios, Announces Its First Collected Trade Paperback with ‘The Midas Flesh’ Vol. 1 The Midas Flesh Vol. 1 TP Cover by Emily Partridge
November 5, 2014 – Los Angeles, CA – Nearly one year ago, award-winning publisher BOOM! Studios announced their newest imprint BOOM! Box, a home for comics “made for the love of it.” The publisher is now pleased to announce the collected first volume of the imprint’s inaugural series, The Midas Flesh. Created by the longtime creative team behind the Adventure Time comics, writer Ryan North (Dinosaur Comics) and artists Shelli Paroline and Braden Lamb, The Midas Flesh is an edge-of-your-seat, save-the-universe adventure with two butt-kickin’ ladies and a dinosaur in a spacesuit. The first volume collects issues #1-4 of this quirky space epic and features a casewrap covered in striking gold fingerprints.
“When you create an imprint that’s intended to encourage weird, experimental, and eclectic comics, you have to start off with a series that really embodies that mission,” said BOOM! Studios Editor-in-Chief Matt Gagnon. “The Midas Flesh is just that for BOOM! Box. Ryan, Shelli, and Braden have already proven themselves to be some of the best storytellers in comics with their run on Adventure Time, and they’ve outdone themselves with The Midas Flesh. Plus: dinosaur on a spaceship. Hard to beat that.”
About The Midas Flesh: We’ve all heard of the Midas Touch. You know, the Greek myth about the man who did a number on himself by wishing for everything he touched to turn to gold? Well, you haven’t heard everything. Joey and her space crew have decided to return to Earth—a planet completely sectioned off, abandoned, and covered in gold—to find out exactly what happened to this once thriving planet and see if they can use that knowledge against the evil empire that’s tracking them down. As luck would have it, they just landed the most powerful weapon in the universe: some ancient dead guy’s body.
The Midas Flesh Vol. 1 trade paperback arrives in comic shops on December 3rd with a cover price of $14.99 under Diamond order code OCT141163. The cover is illustrated by Emily Partridge (Adventure Time). The Final Order Cutoff deadline for retailers is November 10th. Not sure where to find your nearest comic retailer? Use comicshoplocator.com or findacomicshop.com to find one! It’s also available for order directly from boom-studios.com.
ABOUT BOOM! STUDIOS
Founded by Ross Richie in 2005, Diamond Gem Award-winning “Best Publisher” BOOM! Studios (boom-studios.com) generates a constellation of best-selling Eisner and Harvey Award-winning original and licensed comic books and graphic novels with the industry’s top talent. BOOM! Studios is comprised of four distinct imprints. The original Studios imprint is home to Mike Carey’s Suicide Risk; James Tynion IV’s The Woods; Mark Waid’s Irredeemable; Sons of Anarchy; and Big Trouble in Little China. Steven Grant’s graphic novel 2 Guns was released as a feature film from Universal Pictures, starring Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg. BOOM!’s all-ages imprint KaBOOM! publishes Charles Schulz’ Peanuts; Jim Davis’ Garfield; Cartoon Network’s Adventure Time, Regular Show, The Amazing World of Gumball, and Steven Universe; Mike Kunkel’s Herobear and the Kid; and Natasha Allegri’s Bee and PuppyCat. BOOM!’s experimental imprint BOOM! Box publishes The Midas Flesh and Lumberjanes. In June 2013, BOOM! acquired Archaia Entertainment (archaia.com). Archaia is the Eisner and Harvey Award-winning graphic novel publisher of Mouse Guard, Cow Boy, Gunnerkrigg Court, Rust, and Jim Henson’s Tale of Sand. In October 2013, BOOM! Studios entered into a unique first-look relationship with 20th Century Fox, giving the studio access to its library of titles and giving the publisher access to Fox’s vast catalog of films. In August 2014, BOOM! Studios began a similar first-look relationship with 20th Century Fox TV to develop properties for the small screen.
Hey Everyone. Here’s another Instant Indie-A quick look at some great Indie products. In our Halloween Edition we look at a Motion Comic with music, a Kickstarter comic based on H.P. Love Craft called Kidthulu, an addictive iOS game and some early information on a Zelda-esque game in its early stages. All of the information is straight from the developers’ mouths, and it’s not my spin. It’s what they want you to know about their products, except for my opening commentary on each. Enjoy, and thanks for supporting independent goodies.
Re:creation
I’ve been talking with Elias Daler for awhile for an upcoming interview on being an Independent Developer. Look for that article soon. The concepts Elias is using and the gameplay his game will have are all things I’ve been wanting to see for awhile. I personally loved the Legend of Zelda games as well as early RPGs like Final Fantasy. Here’s to hoping this game fills my desires for an old school experience.
Here’s a cool gif from re:creation. I cannot wait to play this game.
Re: Creation is a hobby gamedev project being made by Elias Daler. Re:creation is an action rpg inspired byThe Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past and Earthbound.You play as an undead knight who can become people he kills and get their abilities to progress in the game and solve various puzzles.
The main hero is an undead knight who was betrayed by his partner, Necromancer, during a fight with a giant demon. When the hero raises from the dead, he realizes that lots of time has passed since his death. The Great War between humans and undeads is being fought for several centuries. Necromancer is still alive. He actually became a Lich. He has lots of power and uses undeads as a cheap working force. The hero explores society of undeads and finds out that they don’t actually want to kill humans. They just want people to use them for training and steal their treasure! The hero decides to stop the war and prove that undeads are not that evil as it seems.
Kidthulu
Kidthulu looks fun and creative. It’s a quirky gamble. Let’s hope it pays off.
I found Kidthulu while trolling Kickstarter for cool projects I could write about. How can you not get behind a cartoony version of the H.P. Lovecraft classic.?
Maryland based writer Martin E. Brandt II and Baltimore area artist Charles C. Dowd in cooperation with Raven Warren Studios are launching their new comic book mini-series Kidthulhu: Tales of Madness on Kickstarter Thursday October 16th, 2014. Along with the help of Jess Boudrie, Courtney Hahn, Gaston Pacheco, and Martinho Abreu they plan to release a 32 page full color first issue.
Kidthulhu is the tale of the world as seen through a 10-year-old monster of madness accompanied by this faithful Shoggoth Shog and his best friend Capi, The Albino Goat of the Woods with 999 siblings. Kidthulhu: Tales of Madness is a ridiculous reimagining of the Lovecraft universe that you can share with kids.
Come join in and be a part of the genesis for this new series on Kickstarter and help them reach their $2,500 to fund the initial print run. There are plenty of awesome incentives for backers to show thanks for their support. Starting October 16th you can find more information on Kickstarter at: http://www.kidthulhu.com/kickstarter, spread the madness.http://www.ravenwarren.com
Additional Media can be found here: http://www.ravenwarren.com/kidthulhu-media-page/
DARK MOON
I took a look at Darkmoon in the first ‘Instant Indie’ and looks like it’s finished and ready to experience. Follow the link and watch/listen. It’s a great Halloween experience.
Dark Moon is an exciting new comic that features an original soundtrack designed to be listened to while reading. You can stream the music while reading the digital versions, watch our youtube series, or download the soundtrack to listen to while reading our print copy!The story is about Dante, a scientist in the late 21st century, who is working on teleportation technology when a cataclysmic event, a meteor strike near his hometown of San Francisco, causes him to have to use the transporter to transport him and six others to safety. They make it to a distant moon, but they find out their problems are just beginning.
Well, at least there aren’t any monoliths here.I don’t think scientists were taught to shoot monsters on distant moons. At least, not at MIT.
About Tiny Grave
I actually reviewed this game and really enjoyed it. Have a look at my review here. My girlfriend is actually still playing it and loves it. It has really addictive gameplay and surprising depth.
The Doctor and his assistant need help creating their monster. Experience their story with this new twist on the puzzle genre featuring a story mode with 17 levels of game play, spoken dialog, and immersive music. To aid your matching efforts the Doctor has created powerful potions that you can use to get out of dead end situations. Hone your matching skills or play a quick game by playing in Endless mode. But don’t worry; your progress is saved so you can continue your game at any time. Tiny Grave may be inspired by puzzle games of the past but it has a style and game play all its own. Download it today and experience Tiny Grave for yourself.
Watch the Trailer
Screenshots
Use your explosive vile to open up a dead board.Acid clears out an area, opening up new body parts to collect.
The hardcover cover art for The collector by Sergio Toppi
“The Collector” By Sergio Toppi Review
By Hank Van Hawkins
As soon as I signed into Boom! comics with my fresh sparkling new press pass, I saw a lot of titles that piqued my interest. But, the one that drew me in right away more so than any of the others initially was The Collector. Despite the fact it is an entire graphic novel, I know I could have started off by choosing a few single issues of something else first but I had to sink my teeth into this one right upon seeing it. It is a translated work by Italian artist Sergio Toppi. With the basic plot and cover art it was speaking to my personal tastes, so I dove right in. The premise of the character alone is enough to get my imagination in gear. The art work has a surreal undertone, almost immediately exposing the artist’s love for impressionism. It is bare bones drawing at it’s most poignant. If anything, his art organically inspires the artist in all of us to not worry about coloring outside the lines or worrying about every little mark having to be exactly perfect. Honestly, the art is transcendental.
I usually take in the art work before diving into the writing as a matter of fact. I didn’t get too far before my curiosity couldn’t hold it’s rabid thirst for The Collector’s story, and believe you me, there is a lot of depth to the tale. It obviously speaks out about the collector in every collector out there, somehow leading to this guy as one of the original purveyors of a practice that is all too common in this day and age whether it is comics, cards, games or antiquities for that matter. There isn’t alot out there that isn’t collected in some capacity.
He is a well rounded and well financed eclectic eccentric with his hand in many creative business ventures. He is a worldly gentlemen whose interests push through to many facets of the finer things in life. And in turn, keep him on the move to the next piece of his “collection.” In order to collect, one must have monetary means to feed the habit so to speak. Of course, I love westerns and any story seemingly set in anywhere in the 1800’s. So it is an easy and interesting read and again, the art work is very eye pleasing and the story line plays up the primitive look of the drawing as well. He has a vigilante streak to his persona that comes in handy when he finds many characters as obstacles that are in the way of his pursuit. He is a gentlemen about his rogue means. His power of persuasion is pervasive as he uses his manners to ask many a stranger for his next clue to the object of his current affection.
I really love how he comes across famous historical figures and heads to historical places, all while on the hunt. It is at the least a page from the “who’s who” of tribal chiefs and Native Americans during the first arc. An entertaining tale with its roots in reality. Anytime you can have Crazy Horse as one of the characters, of course I am going to buy this book ! It holds up tremendously well considering it was first released in the sixties. His drawing style is actually very similar to Jack Jackson, a famous illustrator of many underground comics from the 60’s . He is one of R. Crumb‘s peers. Jack himself drew and wrote many historical stories about outlaws and lawmen from the roots of The Republic of Texas and it’s as if both of these guys prayed at the same art altar at one time or another.
Anytime archaeology and artifacts are woven into a story line it seems to appeal to history buffs, lit freaks as well as comic book readers. This is a all round great read. It portrays the rough hewn grit of the old west as the Collector moves on from artifact to artifact which keeps each arc in the story stirring enough to keep your attention. He is part Jonah Hex and part Indiana Jones . A great culmination which I only wish there was more to read. It also reminds me of the french comic hero Blueberry, but with the added angle of the search for each artifact and its back story, all the while shifting nicely into the current pursuit of the next piece. He lives on the edge during each of his crusades where he constantly flirts with disaster during each of his pursuits. He extinguishes any one who happens to stand in his way. Nothing nor anyone stands in his way. A relentless collector.
If you have never read a graphic novel before and the form is new to you, there would be no better place to start than the collector.
Please read on for a preview of ‘The Collector’ by Sergio Toppi
Have you read the collector? How about any of Hank’s references in the article? Leave a comment and discuss.
The instant-indie independent thought collection by Indie-and-a-jones
I’m trying out a sort of round-up via various feeds, mostly Twitter. I scour my feed and send out a call for submissions to be included. The submissions include indie comics, indie books and of course indie games. Most of what I include I’d read or play myself, and the rest some of my friends and fans should dig. Hmm, maybe ‘Indie Dig’ would be a better title. I’ll likely do this in addition to the news/reviews/previews I’m doing, just to make sure some of the great independent content doesn’t get over looked. Remember to share with your friends to help the cause, and use the hashtag #wernd. It stands for unity-We are indie. Thanks, and read on.
Inspired by the surreal accounts of the explorer and ‘man of a million lies’ Marco Polo, Imaginary Citiescharts the metropolis and the imagination, and the symbiosis therein. I’d love to focus more on writing and literature. This is creative non-fiction.
Another creative Canadian based Developer. Cashtronauts is a twin-stick space capitalist game with one simple goal: get rich. Sounds good to me. 16-bit-ish Borderlands meets Contra? Yeah, I’m down.
World Zombination.
“As if Pixar wrote a love letter to the zombie craze of the oughts.”
Football seasons is an IOS card game based on the world’s favorite game-soccer. It’s a pretty deep experience and I’m not sure there is another game like it. It’s from Italian developer Make it App, which is also a game dev. tool.
Great for noobs and has some great ticket prices. Seminars and some great conversation. Toronto, Ontario INTERACTIVE & GAMES FESTIVAL OCTOBER 17, 18, AND 19, 2014.
I’m getting this and installing this today hopefully. Grim’s Journey looks fun and well done. Hoping it’s easy to put down, because I REALLY need to get some reviews done. Go now and download.
The images I’ve seen so far are stark like this one. It promises to have a grim and haunting atmosphere only a moon can provide.
I love to troll Steam and Twitter to find new indie games, so one night when I had a hankering for a comic book that was something dark and moody, I thought I’d give the method a try with comics. I happened across a new comic-book project titled Darkmoon. It is a little reminiscent of ‘The Fall,‘ a game I reviewed and loved. It aims to bend what we think of with comics by utilizing a soundtrack to play along with your comic. This isn’t a new concept, and I believe it’s been done by some apps, and yours truly would love to do it in the future with “Vile: Lost Legends of the West,” but the implementation and the process is what sets it apart. As Tom Freeman, one of the creators of the comic explains, it is the first shot at a full comic book by anyone on the team. Way to shoot for the moon. I love the idea of some fresh voices coming to comics and trying something new. If it’s done and done well, it could be a great experience. Tom also let me know that they are working hard to have the comic out by Halloween, which would be ideal.
The story
The story follows a scientist named Dante and occurs in the latter part of the 21st century. Dante’s team of scientists are in their lab creating a device to allow teleportation when a freak meteor lands in San Francisco. The team risks using the unfinished technology, and is able to escape to the seemingly safe distant moon. They quickly find that things are not as safe as first thought, however.
For more information on Darkmoon, check back here often, as I will be reviewing it for Halloween, and Tom Freeman should be appearing on our podcast, SOBS for our Halloween episode. There is also more information at their website, and follow their twitter for updates. Here’s to wishing the Darkmoon team Godspeed and lots of energy to get the project completed by All Hallow’s Eve.
Yes yes I know that I love to write things from the edges of things, and writers say things are like other things that are like other things, but, so what. I haven’t written in awhile and that’s okay, because you haven’t been reading in awhile. So, here we go, and I’ll fire off some news and bits for your boiling pot of wanton desires. Eat it up!
So Marcus Dave and I had some decent discussion on the show. I’ve never met Dave, but things seemed to go alright with him as a co-host. His connection was horrendous and I think there was a ton of lag. What stood out to me in the discussions we had was the different memories all of us have about Kevin Smith. Everyone can quote Clerks, or Chasing Amy, but we all had different points of view on what makes him great. I love the fact that he’s accessible, and is like the big brother you had, or your neighbor. The guy does a ton of things to help his friends, and you know what? I’m okay with that. Unless you have a shit ton of money, or connections, it’s incredibly difficult to break into entertainment. Music, comics, movies -any of it. If someone wants to begrudge him for throwing Walt Flanagan a line to get him some drawing gigs, so what. That’s what friends are for; to help. So, I like that Kevin helps his pals that deserve it and because he’s still real. He grows and develops, and he branches out into comics.
Speaking of his comics, His Cacophony stuff with DC was wicked good. So good in fact, that some enterprising folks in Jersey City, New Jersey have decided to attempt a 3-part fan series about his comic series. I wanted to talk more about it on the show, but Dave wanted to say more sexist stuff (ha, you know you’re in trouble Dave) and I didn’t get enough time to go on about it. find the details and some links below. It’s directed by William Visnosky.
What else? Delayed reaction to Walking Dead Season 2
Ok, so there are a few things I’ve tried to deal with, with the Walking Dead season 2 from Telltale Games. The game really got on my bad, dark and protective side. Trauma has a way of doing that to me. I think they were gratuitous with the treatment of Clem, and it didn’t need to be done. I don’t think any gaming journalist called them out on it, and I thought it was bullshit. I decided not to do a review, and I should’ve had more courage. I think the team ran out of ideas and they had a grown man, undeveloped and poorly written character smack her around in the game as a way to evoke and yank feelings out. It’s an old method or device. I understand pushing the envelope and I understand it’s a gritty dark world. I also understand that the Telltale team is neck-deep in their own praise hole and overloaded with work. They did well on the first season, and The Wolf Among us was great stuff. You guys should be ashamed of yourselves for the entirety of season 2. Gamers and journalists ate it up because it didn’t have glaring weaknesses. It’s bad and I’m saying it. No character that I ever cared about, except for the rabid dog in the first episode, and I began to care even less about Clem. That’s all for now because I may decide to do a delayed reaction article for it.
Tell me what to do! Comic-con Dallas
As if you weren’t going to be there anyway. Instead of leaving after your cosplay showdown with Michael Jackson and a bad Jack Skellington impersonator to wank and jank to the image of that beautifully created female Link you saw, head over to see This Saturday night shindig at The Gas Monkey on OCT. 18th. Details below. Music, clever witty banter, tons of beautiful nerd girls and others of your ilk. I understand there will be dancing and some holy ghost trancing. The last part is only a rumor.
Jonathan Coulton, dancing, DJs, surprise guests, and You
He’s been called the Joss Whedon of music. He’s a mainstay at geek events in New York and Los Angeles, and now he’s heading for North Texas. Jonathan Coultonheadlines the next Saturday Sci-Fi Social, at the Gas Monkey Bar & Grill on October 18, 2014.
Ok, so I’ve picked up a few of the New 52 DC one shots, and I feel like a kid again. I have the Batman/Superman and the Superman, and wow, they’re great reads and help get you primed for the next big DC event Future’s End. Who knew that Shazam had taken over for the Caped Crusader? The covers are old school awesome holograms. Moon Knight By Warren Ellis is top-notch. His writing and panels, use of lettering, or a lack of the lettering and sound really sets the tone quite well. White panels with black text usually stand out like a hippie at a Tea-party rally, but the man’s an expert at using space, and then exploding all over it.
In other comic news, yours truly is working away hard, long and fast on his graphic novel “Vile: Lost Legends of the American West.” We have a new artist named Francis Nuguit who has a great track record. He did some of the Robert Jordan “Wheel of Time” comics. I wish I could show you something from him, and we will soon. Head over to our facebook page to see some concepts, read the story synopsis and say hello. It’s a dark and emotional tale.
Vile:Lost legends of the American West
Alt logo for Vile
In future installments in this world named “Thunder Valley,” some of my friends will be appearing. My good buddy Hank Van Hawkins will be a former banker, gunslinger/gambler and mostly decent guy in the story. His name is Prickly Pear Van Hawkins. Many more of my friends will be appearing in and around the boomtown Serpentine including Appaloosa Red, who will play a madame with a dark secret and bright ambitions. Stay tuned for that, because we’re making it into a pen and paper RPG as well. Speaking of my buddy Hank, read on to read more.
SOBS
The boys playing some music together.
So Hank and I host a podcast about baseball, music, comics, songwriting and whatever else comes up. We need your support and look forward to you guys listening. Hank will also be joining me occasionally on my new Game/comics/randomness podcast. We’ll be featuring indie game developers, comics folks and others involved with things you love. I understand Ms. Appaloosa Red will be guest hosting with me as well. We’re gonna have burlesque, games, comics and mind-maddening music and other obligatory orgy activities. So, here is the link to the buzzsprout page where you will go listen to old episodes of SOBS. http://sobs.buzzsprout.com
Game news?
I’ve got nothing relevant for you kiddos. Stop by IGN lol. Sorry, but this is the slow season and I’m actually digging on State of Decay again and playing the life in NHL 2014. Hope that covers it all. Come by the twitter and try to go back and listen to some episodes of the podcasts, and for God’s sake, leave a comment or something. I need something to do while I’m kicking my own ass over not doing a better job of spellchecking. Ugh. I know this blog is ugly, but I’m too horrified to change it.Where’s my bourbon?
CrowSong Productions 