COMIC REVIEWS 4/18/14

REVIEWS

The comics reviewed are chosen by David not by THAT'S ENTERTAINMENT management
or staff. The opinions expressed are his alone. If you have an opposing view you
are welcome to respond to David directly by Email at the address above.


Title: CALIBAN
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: The Ship
Publisher: Avatar
Creator: Garth Ennis
Writer: Garth Ennis
Artist: Facundo Percio
Inker: Sebastian Cabrol
Colors: Hernan Cabrera
Letters: Kurt Hathaway
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Science Fiction
MATURE - Comics on the Edge

It is the far future when mankind has mastered space travel riding wormholes and
warping through vast distances. The Caliban is a mining vessel. Similar to the
situation in the movie ALIEN, many of the crew who are non-essential for
actually flying the ship are in suspended animation for the travel. They have
visited over one hundred planets and moons. None had breathable atmosphere or
even signs of intelligent life. But under the surface they have found them rich
with ore, gas and even water. They are very successful as far as their mission
to bring treasures back to Earth because permanent colonies are not viable. The
first half of the story explores relationships among the flight crew and the
tedium of not much to do while in warp space. They know if they run into major
trouble on their journey there will be no rescue mission. They will be written
off as an acceptable loss. Then something unthinkable happens. They actually hit
something while in hyperspace. Theoretically that is impossible. Their shields
are down and they have no choice but to drop out of warp. To their horror some
of the bays are breached and the cargo, the sleeping miners and technicians are
now just capsules floating into space. The part of the ship that is not ripped
open is somehow merged with another vessel, again something that should not be
possible during warp drive. It's as if the two ships tried to occupy the same
place at the same time. Moving forward this will be an exploration of what has
happened and whether or not the remaining crew have a chance of survival. This
is an interesting concept with many possibilities to explore. If this is an
alien vessel, and all indications are it is, then where did it come from? Can
they even get into the other ship and if so what will they find?  Does any of
that matter or are their days numbered anyway?  The art is well done in every
aspect and the characterization of the cast takes up enough time for us to get
familiar with them. It starts slow and then jumps into a lot of action and a
couple of startling revelations. This is a good first issue to get you
sufficiently interested. I was delighted to see Ennis take on a different type
of story and will be following this one to see what comes next.

Title: INHUMAN
Issue Number: 1
Title Story: Genesis
Publisher: Marvel
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Joe Madureira
Colors: Marte Gracia
Letters: Clayton Cowles
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Super Hero





We all know by now that Black Bolt set off the terrigen bomb to save the world
and in doing so activated the dormant Inhuman genes in many people who for
generations did not know they were descended from the ancient Inhumans that once
lived as a separate culture aside from Black Bolts group. As the story begins
the terrigen mist has been spreading from its start in New Attilan across the
northeast US to the Midwest, southeast Canada and on into northwestern Europe.
The opening story involves three Inhumans - two newly transformed are Kristian
in Bergen Norway, Inferno in Des Plaines, Illinois. The third is Lash from the
hidden city of Orollan. He is evidently the antagonist of this initial arc. His
people are a small group of Inhumans apart from Black Bolt's kin. They have
survived in secret over the ages with only a few in each generation chosen to
use the terrigen they have saved with the hope they will benefit the group with
their powers. But the transformation does not always give powers. Sometimes a
person emerges as a deformed mutant or does not survive at all. Now that the
mist is spreading around the world Lash has gone forth to gather those new
Inhumans that may be worthy of their gift, if they have one, and recruit them to
the cause of Orollan. On the other hand, any he finds that are just defective
mutations he will eliminate. In his words it is not a question of how many
Inhumans there will be now, but how many there should be. Of the other two I
mentioned it appears they are one of each type. But Lash is not the only one
with a duty to these emerging Inhumans. Medusa is ever hopeful that Black Bolt
is alive and one of her subjects has the power to teleport her to places she
needs to go. Her first such trip leads her to Inferno, the new Inhuman in
Illinois just as he is being confronted by Lash. This sets up the conflict that
is sure to come going forward. The element of another ancient sect of Inhumans
living apart from civilization adds the needed conflict to the series. Medusa
realizes that there will likely be a war with Orollan if they just want to
destroy or capture the new Inhumans. The story held my interest all the way and
the art supports it well. Soule has proven himself to be a fine writer and he
takes time in developing the new characters. This has the potential of being a
big hit if it is handled right. I recommend you check it out.

Title: MY LITTLE PHONY: A BRONY ADVENTURE
Issue Number: One-Shot
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Writers: Mike Moreci & Steve Seeley
Artists: Ken Haeser & Kewber Baal
Inker: Buz Hasson
Colors: Andrew Elder
Letters: Marshall Dillon
Price (USD): $5.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Parody
Parental Discretion - Teen + [not for young-uns!]




We all know that the word fan when applied to lovers of a particular cultural
phenomenon, is derived from the word fanatic. We all probably know people with
varying degrees of interest in their chosen thing be it sports, or comics or
gaming and the like. This comic explores the fanatics who can't get enough of
"My Little Pony". Since this is a parody the object of desire here has been
dubbed "My Tiny Horsey." I will say right up front that I have never read any of
the actual comics or seen the cartoons so I may have missed some of the more
subtle jokes along the way. The setting is the world premiere of My Little
Horsey season three at the San Diego Comic Con. We switch back and forth between
the actual cartoon and scenes of certain fans in the crowd, and their reactions.
The plot of the cartoon has some of the Horseys preparing a welcoming party for
Trixielulamoon. One is not so excited and he is Charliehorse. He fears the
others will love Trixie because she is cool and forget about him. Charlie is so
despondent he decides to run away to an old barn but to his surprise the others
are waiting there to surprise him since Trixie heard about his funk and decided
they should throw the party in his honor instead. This is where the whole thing
turns into hardcore parody as the drugs come out and the party ends with all the
Horseys in various stages of debauchery and lewd behavior. PARENTS do not share
this comic with your little ones. This cartoon is just the catalyst for the
actions of the male human fans of the show known as Horse-Hes. On the one side
are the older fans who stick to the premise that the original episodes had
something to say, they had heart. On the other side some younger fans feel the
new generation of Horseys are closer to the original vision of Horsey creator
Summer Marlowe. The argument devolves into a near riot that requires the police
but it does not end at Comic Con. As the days go by the two faction ramp up
their game with online videos and then cosmetic makeovers in homage to their
favorites. Strangely they both have the same idea on how to take it to the next
level and it involves a clandestine doctor who can actually give them horse
parts! It is totally ridiculous and very funny. It seems these guys will go to
any length to prove their loyalty to Horseys of their choice. It seems the only
person that will settle this once and for all is Summer Marlowe herself. But
wait until you see what her original vision actually was!  I found this to be a
fun comic even though I knew nothing about the source material. It is easy
enough to follow what is going on and by the end it has some twists you would
never guess and even ends with a decent resolution for parodies of this type.
The creative team presents a very good script and decent art. It is a bit pricey
for a one shot but I found it very entertaining and worth my time.

Title: SHOTGUN WEDDING
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: Image
Writer: William Harms
Artist: Edward Pun
Letters: Troy Peteri
Cover Artist: Betsy Gonia
Price (USD): $3.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Action Thriller
Black & White
Mature - Comics on the Edge




This black & white thriller has a rather unusual beginning. It is set four years
ago as a young would be bride Chloe is stood up on her wedding day. Mike only
left a short note that said, "I'm Sorry." What is unusual is that after she
recomposes herself she heads to her car and opens the trunk to reveal a cache of
automatic weapons and explosives. Next we catch up with Mike in the present
hanging from a harness on a cable strung between two buildings. This gives him
the perfect angle to shoot his intended target. Mike is communicating with a
handler and they are both shocked as the intended victim looks up at the last
second while on the phone and runs out of range. And so the chase is on. There
is another element to the story as we cut away to a scene between Mike's mother
and his latest fiancée. That is right, it is four years later and he is engaged
again. It seems the story revolves around Chloe and her quest for revenge and so
far, though she has gotten a small measure of it, she is still after Mike. That
still does not explain why she has her own personal arsenal in the trunk. We see
that Mike is some kind of hit man or clandestine agent. Perhaps Chloe is too?
Anyway, the few scenes depicted are fast on the action and the black & white art
is masterful in the use of perspective and shading. This is an exploration of
different relationships that has a lot more to reveal as it moves along. The
first issue should be enough to convince you whether or not it is your cup of
tea.


Title: THE FIELD
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: Image
Writer: Ed Brisson
Artist: Simon Roy
Color: Simon Gough
Letters: Ed Brisson
Price (USD): $3.50
Release Date: NOW ON SALE
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Mature - Comics on the Edge




One of the classic mystery devises is to have the protagonist in a dangerous
situation as the story begins. Another is to have him unaware of who he is or
how he got where he is. This story starts with both. A man is running through a
wheat field in only his tighty-whities in the middle of the night. He apparently
stops at a random location and soon hears a cell phone ringing at his feet. He
tries to unlock the phone put does not know the passcode. Now there is a car
bearing down on him and the phone displays a text, "Run". But soon he is forced
at gunpoint to get in the car and during the conversation we learn our hero
cannot remember anything, even his own name. As for his abductor, he is also a
mystery. He obviously knows more than he tells. He sometimes acts like a friend
but is given to bursts of anger as well. Later he brings the mystery man to a
diner and we see just how angry he can be. Elsewhere in the issue we see a few
panels of unrelated scenes. Some research project about to get their funds cut
and a group of bikers that apparently are looking for the main character.  This
is all a bit jumbled with more questions than answers. The quirky behavior of
the abductor is hard to understand and just who is on the other end of the phone
line?  How does he know where the naked man is both in the field and in the
diner? If you like these kind of mysteries you will have a lot to ponder. If you
are like me you will think it is not bad but also not connected enough to stick
with it.

Title: BATMAN ETERNAL
Issue Number: 1
Publisher: DC
Writers: Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV
Consulting Writers: Ray Fawkes, John Layman & Tim Seeley
Artist: Jason Fabok
Colors: Brad Anderson
Letters: Nick J. Napolitano
Price (USD): $2.99
Release Date: NOW ON SALE (weekly)
Genre: Super Hero




This Batman series is being put out weekly and will no doubt present some
drastic changes in the status quo, like most Batman events. It starts off by
introducing a new character to the Gotham PD, Lt. Jason Bard who is transferring
in from Detroit, and it ends with Commissioner Gordon in handcuffs. In fact this
opening chapter has more to do with Gordon and the Gotham PD than Batman. There
is time spent on Bard meeting Harvey Bullock and later Major Forbes and Captain
Sawyer. It serves to give those of us not intimate with all the characters a
better insight into what comes later. It is clear Forbes does not agree with
Gordon' methods or philosophy, which explains his attitude later in the chapter.
But the issue is not devoid of Batman altogether. While the rest of gang is
welcoming the new night shift lieutenant Gordon has his hands full dodging fire
from Professor Pyg who has him pinned down as he circles above in a biplane with
twin machine guns. But Batman is also on the case. After taking care of the
larger threat the two split up with Gordon going after a lone accomplice running
into the subway. This is just the beginning of a series of events that will lead
to that final scene I mentioned. It is all tightly plotted and if you read very
carefully you will catch a hint or two along the way that everything is not as
it seems. The art is really good, especially the layout of the panels to capture
the action fluidly. Like most first chapters things are building up and at least
for Gordon the immediate future does not look good. Since this is a weekly you
will get to follow the story in a quicker fashion than normal. The down side is
the additionally monthly expense to your comic reading budget. From the first
look it appears to be worth it.

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TRIVIA CONTEST!!!!     WIN REAL PRIZES!!!!!

If you think you know the answer to the trivia question send your guess via
Email to me at ComicBkNet@aol.com and you could win the prize. The first six
correct answers will be assigned a number and a roll of the dice will determine
the winner. You should put your real name in your message so we know who you
are. Prizes must be claimed at our store within 30 days of winning. The prize
will be a $10 credit slip, which will be redeemable for merchandise at regular
retail or in-store ongoing specials only.  Only one prize per person will be
allowed per every 4 weeks. I will be the sole judge of the correct answer even
if more than one answer could be correct. Submit only one answer per Email
please but guess as often as you like.

Last week's trivia question:
Which grade school classmate did Scott McCloud "UNDERSTANDING COMICS" credit
with turning him on to comic books?
Scott's friend was none other than Kurt Busiek. The winner by the dice is Erin
O'Conner.

THIS WEEK'S TRIVIA QUESTION:
Who is Brandy, of LIBERTY MEADOWS, modeled after? (Correct answer must be
complete - more than one person is involved)

Here is your no prize question:
Which country is the largest country having only one time zone?
Folks, you never know who among the readers is knowledgeable about the question
so don't hesitate to send in an answer - even days after it appears.