Check Out, "Insider Art," on Kickstarter

My friend Nicole Boose is a contributor to an anthology comic, "Insider Art," and seeing her posts on Facebook about it made me quite curious. It is a compilation of, "Comics, crafts, and cats," which just sounds right up my alley. It features a variety of talented creators making all-ages comics and still has some funds to raise with 9 days left, but I want it to succeed so I backed it and would encourage you to do so as well! I mean, a 270 page softcover full of great comics for just $20 and some shipping is a great deal for some quality entertainment, so give it a look here and back it if you're interested too!

September 1st in 2020 Means I'm Gonna Enjoy Fall-Themed Things Starting Now

The end of 2019 and most of 2020 has sucked for this planet, and between all the loss our family has experienced and the pandemic wreaking havoc upon this Earth it has sucked for us too. Therefore, now that it is September 1st I officially am declaring it Fall for myself. I will now enjoy all the pumpkin spice drinks I want (including weirdly advertised ones) and talk about/encourage discussion of anything relating to Halloween because it is such a fun holiday with a number of scary movies that relate to it as well--and I love me a good horror movie.

I don't care if September 1st is too early in some people's minds to guzzle PSL as if I need it to survive or to put-up some bats, skeletons, and pumpkins. I'm gonna do it, because that is one of the few things we have control over this year--our celebration of the holidays that hopefully make life a bit better during this tough time. Now let's get these leaves turning colors and somebody start heating-up the spiced apple cider!

Who Went and Saw, "New Mutants," This Weekend Despite All Logic Saying Not To Do So?

Last weekend, "New Mutants," made 7 million dollars at the box office. This would be chump change for a major release, normally, but we are in a pandemic with a small number of theaters open and people avoiding tight indoor spaces. That makes 7 million first place. Still, how the Hell did, "New Mutants," place first with anyone who wants to be safe only possibly seeing it a drive-in theater as it wasn't available on-demand? International box offices in regions with less COVID-19 concerns make sense, but that money is the domestic take. Who actually thought, "I'm willing to brave a deadly virus to see what is by all accounts one of the crappier mutant-focused movies," and then went and did it without anyone talking sense into them?

We need to not be opening movie theaters (drive-ins aside) and we really should avoid encouraging people to put themselves at risk of COVID-19 for a movie that was in development Hell for years and could've waited another year or so to come out instead of baiting people to go out and be in danger of illness because some morons out there think COVID-19 is, "A hoax," and that wearing a mask makes them a sheep or some B.S. Despite all of this, "New Mutants," made 7 million bucks. Good for it, I hope anyone who gets ill from COVID-19 after going to a theater to see it is mocked for risking their life to--again--see a really crappy X-Men movie. I mean, at least risk your safety for something decent of the X-flicks like, "Logan," or, "Deadpool 2," you know?

"Avengers By Jonathan Hickman: The Complete Collection," Volume 1 Kicks-Off a Great Way to Revisit His Amazing Run

When Jonathan Hickman was writing, "Avengers," and, "New Avengers," the books tied-together quite closely, to a point where you practically needed to alternate between issues of each series towards the end of their runs as they led into the epic 2015 event, "Secret Wars." Some collections of the comics took this into account and there have been some huge omnibus collections that are now out of print and extremely costly. Thankfully, Marvel is starting to release these, "Complete Collection," trade paperbacks which gather anything Hickman did relating to his, "Avengers," run and puts them in a snazzy chronological order.  Hence this book with a mouthful of a title, "Avengers By Jonathan Hickman: The Complete Collection," volume 1.

This first edition collects an initial chunk of, "Avengers," "New Avengers," and oddly enough a mini-series focused on Sunspot and Havok, "Astonishing Tales: Mojoworld," Hickman wrote and which kinda related to his Avengers work when Sunspot and Havok began playing a role what with how eventually Sunspot gains control of former terrorist group A.I.M. and uses it to assist his fellow Avengers. Future complete collections will gather the main runs as well as useful side-items as well, which helps to present a truly full and, "Complete," look at the mega-run Hickman did that astounded so many of us (with him now doing some cool and complex stuff on the X-Men books that will undoubtedly need a complete collection in a decade or so). This is a great book to give to anyone who wants to get into Hickman's run on the Avenger books but is unsure where to start, with each follow-up book undoubtedly being great as well until everything has been collected in a number of nice thick books.
5 out of 5 stars.

Chadwick Boseman Has Passed

In news that surprised us all, Chadwick Boseman had been battling colon cancer for four years and passed away yesterday at the age of 43. He clearly kept it private--which he had every right to do, it just makes this feel so sudden and shocking for many of us. My family has been impacted by colon cancer as well, with it taking the life of my Aunt Jenifer when she was 43 as well--much younger than people normally associate with colon cancer.

There are sometimes mutations that can make one more at risk for colon cancer so all I can say is if you have that mutation, make sure to get a colonoscopy and if you don't have the mutation, still get a colonoscopy as soon as you are old enough for your doctor to recommend one. Chadwick Boseman was a stellar actor known for everything from playing Black Panther, to James Brown, and basically being great in any role. He will be missed.

The, "Untold Tales of Chex Quest Anthology," Comic Is Legitimately Impressive

"Chex Quest," was a computer game from 1996 that promoted--what else--Chex. It has apparently been remastered and can be played for free if you have a computer. There is a free, "Untold Tales of Chex Quest Anthology," comic that came out recently and can be found at comic shops that got it randomly with their shipments. For a comic that ties-in with Chex this thing is astoundingly cool.

It is a thick comic, with a spine like a little book, and it has some great talents involved. There are folk I don't know, but then some names that are incredible creators such as Tom Scioli. I have a soft spot for commercial tie-in comics, having loved the, "Mighty Bubble," comic I talked about some years ago, but even if you aren't a big follower of random comic tie-ins this is a wildly cool book. The, "Untold Tales of Chex Quest Anthology," is worth seeking out a physical copy of or reading online. It's fun, creative, and makes me want some Chex mix or cereal, so cross-promotion mission accomplished, I suppose.

"Three Jokers," #1 is an Intriguing Start

Ever since a strange mention of, "Three Jokers," some years ago in some, "Justice League," comics the idea of a project exploring this idea has been slowly cooking. The, "Meal," is finally served in the form of a Black Label mini-series of three issues that kind of is in continuity and kinda isn't, depending on whom you ask. Written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Jason Fabok, this thing has taken forever to come out, but here's the first issue, finally. The plot is interesting, but the art is what makes this worth the wait.

Fabok's art is not overly realistic or cartoony, it just is solid, detailed, and gorgeous. Fabok's art is the biggest selling point of this comic for me, with the mystery of how there could have been three Jokers this whole time sounding a little intriguing, but not worrying me that much. This isn't to dismiss the plot idea that multiple Jokers would explain his personality being different at various points, or cover why he seems to pop-up some many places so often, but I feel like no answer could truly be satisfying. Is it a chemical thing? A weird trick? Who knows, let's just enjoy the ride and admire the gorgeous artwork.

The bit of the comic where we do see these three different Jokers interact is interesting, with a criminal-minded one clearly being the leader and two that are more alike with slight differences--a comedian and clown following orders. Even if I think the answer about why we have three Jokers will be unsatisfying, I can still have fun seeing how they all function. Plus, as I said, every page is a treat for the eyes thanks to Fabok. I may still be concerned where the story could be going, but as of right now I'm entertained by the writing and amazed by the illustrations.
5 out of 5 stars.

Some August 2020 Links and News

August = Hot

Alright, I live in Missouri. Right now we've got smokey haze coming from Calfornia wildfires, a bunch of rain moving-up due to the hurricanes in the South, and it is hot as Hell right now in general. In other words, it is a good time to stay indoors even if there weren't a pandemic and just enjoy some links.

News, Links, and Such

"New Mutants," is finally coming to theaters, but it won't be on-demand. Special digital review versions are not even being provided to reviewers either, which has resulted in many news outlets refusing to review the flick. If their reviewers can't see it safely and have to go to a theater and risk COVID-19, they ain't gonna have any part of it. There is a certain irony to a movie that was delayed for years now not even getting reviewed.

Speaking of stuff that's been in the works for years, that, "Batman: Three Jokers," comic finally is being released. I've seen one review that compliments the art by Jason Fabok but finds the story by Geoff Johns lacking. I saw an absolutely glowing review as well. Plus, a review that said it is risky and might work or fall apart. Basically, everyone can agree the art is stellar, but that's about it. I clearly need to read it and post my own review to contribute to the debate!

John Carpenter has essentially retired from filmmaking. He prefers to play video-games and make music for fun now, which when you have a career as impressive as his, he has every right to do. That said, I did get excited thinking he might be involved in any way with an apparent new reboot of, "The Thing."

I hate flying. It stresses me out, makes me nauseous, and otherwise isn't very fun. Perhaps a video-game titled, "Airplane Mode," that simulates you riding as a passenger on a flight from New York to Iceland will help give me some exposure-therapy and get me over my issues. That, or I'll just get sick to my stomach at home instead of on an actual plane. It's a 50-50 odds.

The Democratic National Convention was last week and struck a positive, hopeful chord with an amazing line-up of speakers. This week is the Republican National Convention and it has a more apocalyptic and fearful tone with such speakers as...um, the MyPillow guy?

There has been a random theory that DC will have Superman lead, "The Authority," even though that group works better in its own comic-universe than mashed-up in the mainstream DC one (look at the New52 failure of the series for proof). Bleedingcool seems eager to throw fire to this rumor which seems far-fetched, but with Grifter suddenly showing-up in, "Batman," and DC going through so many changes, who knows what is reasonable or outlandish anymore?

"Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout," is a fun and hilarious game. It has become extremely popular and now people are modding Fall Guy characters into other games for fun too.

I thought DC's Fandome event went pretty well, and apparently, WB agrees with me. News is that WB execs are, "Giddy," at how well it went. It was actually split into two days, so we will see if the September edition goes swimmingly as well.

Let's close on something absurd. I heard that a video-game tournament had the organizers dub-over fart noises whenever they thought it would be funny, which is incredibly crass, irresponsible, and admittedly kinda humorous. Apologies have been made.

Avoid the Sun

Stay cool, stay calm, and avoid the Sun until September when things hopefully cool off.

There is Going to be a, "Metal Gear Solid," Board Game Someday, If It Quits Getting Delayed

Today I was intrigued to learn there is a fun-looking board game in the works themed for, "Metal Gear Solid." I was disheartened, however, to learn it keeps getting delayed. It is being made by IDW's games division, and considering how much money-trouble IDW keeps having I worry if the game will ever even be able to come out. Still, it looks pretty cool, even if it'll apparently cost a whopping $125, meaning I may pass on playing it as that's a significant chunk of change and I dunno who even would want to play it with me. If it ever comes out it looks spiffy, though.

Boss Fight Books' Examination of, "Majora's Mask," is a Treat to Read

Boss Fight Books publishes little books with writing by authors examining various video-games of note. I've enjoyed reading their books that delve into games I remember. One game I recall quite fondly is, "The Legend of Zelda: Majora's Mask," which is now 20 years old. I saw Boss Fight Books would be doing a book on, "Majora's Mask," and eagerly backed their Kickstarter campaign to fund that book along with some others. This particular edition is written by Gabe Durham, who uses the pages to explore the unique development this game faced--it was quickly made within a year using a lot of assets from the previous game, "Ocarina of Time," as well as the impact the game had on us all, with countless fan theories now existing arguing about what the game, "Really means."

"Majora's Mask," is a weird little Zelda game. It throws link into an alternate dimension called, "Termina," and has him repeating the same three days over and over due to the fact a very angry moon crashes into the land at the end of that cycle, destroying everything. As you repeat these days you help all the residents of the town while also exploring some dungeons. It has classic Zelda elements (those dungeons), but also carries a weird melancholy vibe as everyone in Termina deals with the fact that a moon is quite clearly going to obliterate everything. Oh, and the element of how masks transform Link into other forms was awesome too, to somewhat bury the lede of how incredible the many in-game masks were that morphed link or simply resulted in changing people's perceptions of him.

That ever-present and quite angry Moon.

Durham examines a number of old interviews and articles while doing some interviewing of his own, digging into how this unique, "Zelda," game really stuck with people and made their imaginations run wild with theories about the surreal World of Termina. It's a fun read and I was ecstatic to get the book a bit earlier than its official release date in October thanks to backing the Kickstarter campaign. I'd highly recommend preordering the book here so you too can enjoy reading about what I argue is one of the best, "Zelda," games ever thanks to being so unique and wild.
5 out of 5 stars.