Tales of the Team Issue 1

Writer - Mike Luoma

Introduction and Epilog Art - Gwyn

Main Art - 

Pencil - Ben Ferrari

Ink - Jeff Graham

Color - Tim Tilley

Back-Up Feature Art - Juan Carlos Quattordio




The story of Tales of the Team was very well done. It is a tale unlike most told in the superhero trope. And the artwork does have a very indie feel to it. I know I say that a lot. But this artwork is something you would not see in most of the comics out now. Now I am all about the pairing of the script to the artwork. However, for me this was a shaky pairing. I will explain way in my closing thoughts. 




The story seem to follow the adventure of an event that happened some time in the past. You can tell by the art work the flashback is happening. That also lends its favor to the story. A character of Mind Man is being told he needs to step down as command chief of this heroes league, so that some second-wave heroes can take over. "Brawn over Brains" as the title suggests. Mind Man seems to suffer a mental break and attack the collective. The team regroups and ends up completing the mission that they were originally tasked to do and everyone seem so to be ok. Then we go back into a current date (Epilog) which gives good foreshadowing to what we might see in the second issue.




The back-Up feature, an origins story of a character, could actually be a stand alone piece itself. The art for this piece is amazing. And the story pairs with it very well. 




All in all I found the story to be very well developed and well written. I found some of the art better than other parts of the book. The main feature's artwork left me wanting depth. What I mean is a lot of the characters were missing muscle structure or realistic features. The artwork done by Gwyn had the the muscle structure but also missed the mark on the realistic aspect. The back-up feature actually had decent muscle structure and realism. Now I understand some stories you might not want this. And I can understand if this story is suppose to be that way. But it kind turns me off of the book. 




As for a rating I would give this book a solid 4 out of 5 on the script alone. However when paired with the artwork it drops the rating to a 2.8 out of 5.  And to be honest it might not even be my usual read, and I am very pro-indie comics. 

A lot of people have said that Marvel and their cinematic universe is unstoppable. Many have claimed that Marvel can do no wrong when it comes to movies, television, or their Netflix series. And I will go on record and say...
That they are right!!

I have seen posts about how awesome this movie was, and I had read *SPOILER* articles about the movie. Normally this will detour me until the movie comes out. Mainly since I am a broke college student, to help save money. But I broke down and went to the theatre to see the movie. I was joined by my friend Megan Stewart and her fiancé Thomas Sarnowski, of which it was an honor to make your acquaintance. And in preparation for the movie I spent my Thursday night, since that is when I decided I was going to go see the movie, reading some of the back issues of comics featuring Ant-Man. Thank you Marvel Unlimited (sorry had to insert a cheap plug).

The movie started out much like any other Marvel movie, it feels, in a flashback scene. We see a "young" Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), well 1989 young, confronting members of S.H.I.E.L.D about their attempts to replicate Pym Particles. And in this pre-Marvel logo scene, we start hearing the puns that would set the tone for the humor of the film. Yes you heard me right, an "Action" film has "Comedy". 

When we get into modern day we see that Pym has been away from his company and his protege has taken over his company and has attempted to continue the work on the Pym Particles. He creates a suit, that fans of the comic books, knows is actually suppose to be one of Pym's alter-egos. I am talking about Yellow Jacket. Now in the history of Hank Pym (You can see a history of Ant-Man here that will give you more details on Pym) you know he was Ant-Man, Giant Man, Goliath, Yellow Jacket, and for a quick minute The Wasp. But Marvel needed a villain that could compete with Ant-Man, so they decided to alter continuity and use Yellow Jacket. I can forgive them for it, as if they really cared what I had to think. 

Anyways, it turns out that Pym had a mole in his company all the time, his daughter Hope. She advised him that Cole, his protege, was working on replicating Pym Particles. And Hank started to devise a plan to take back his work. Enter Scott Lang, played by Paul Rudd, who is getting released from prison for burglary. I use that term for which if you watch the movie it is explained. And Pym decided he needed Lange since Pym believed in second chances, and Lange needed one. Another pull to the recent Ant-Man trade paperback/graphic novel "Ant-Man: Second-Chance Man" (A good read if you are looking for something to read). Once out two heroes finally meet face to face we go into what every action movie has...the training montage. In which Hank is giving instruction, while Hope is training Lang to fight.

Now we get to the main confrontation since Cole has promised to sell the Yellow Jacket tech to the same man that you will see if the beginning of the movie get his face busted open by Hank. Well this guy is working as an arms dealer for Hydra (alas we did not get to hear anyone yell "Hail Hydra!!"). When Ant-Man shows up to protect Pym, who gets shot, all hell breaks loose. We do see one tragic death in the film Ant-thony the ant, a Carpenter Ant that was Lang's mount. What did you think Pym died, come on you should know Marvel better than that!

How the movie actually ends? Well I will not tell you that. You will have to watch it for yourself. I do say that this is probably a better movie than Age of Ultron in my opinion. Other than the Yellow Jacket issue, it was a little more true to the comics. Even giving a shout out to the first book he appeared in  "Tales of Astonishment" (issue #35 if you are interested). But what is a Marvel movie without an end credit scene, or two! Yes there are two end credit scenes. One is placed after the first set of credits, we see Pym showing the Wasp suit to Hope and saying "They will have to finish it together." Which Hope says anxiously "About damn time!" But then after all the tech credits we see the true end credit scene (that felt more like it should have been the mid, and the mid be the end) Falcon and Captain America finding Bucky Barnes, and using jargon that would infer to 'Civil War'. 

With everything being said, I think this is an amazing movie that will be one that will need to be seen multiple times. Because you will laugh, you will cry, and you will need to catch things you missed cause you were laughing so hard. So what do I rate this movie, on a scale of 1-10 (1 = set it on fire!!! and 10 = Freaking Amazing!!!!), I give this movie a solid 9. Which would be the same rating I gave Guardians of the Galaxy....but never wrote a review for. lol

BPD #1

Prom Night


Writer - Avner Meyrav
Art - Vladik Sandler


In a story that is a well written, and artwork that is true to the indie brand of comics, we have BPD #1 "Prom Night". I will be honest the story was a little hard to follow at first. I had to read it a couple times. It seems that their are flashbacks within the story. 

Other than that issue, which might just be that of my personal preference. I thought this was a very well put together first issue. I dig the indie artwork, like I said this style of art is on par with many of the titles I read on a weekly bases that are put out by Image, Boom! Studios, and I.D.W. The writer Mr. Meyrav seems to have done a lot of research on police procedures and police codes to have this story be very realistic. 

The only thing I could suggest to help this issue is just a different color scheme or filter on the panels. A simple subtle change in the way the panel is perceived would help lend to it being a flashback or a memory of another time. Or when you go back to present day, make a small not of that.

Since I normally rate comics I review, I would give this a 3.9 out of 5. It is good, and had the potential to be an amazing series. I will say that with the color suggestion I made it would raise the rating to a 4.5 out of 5. But being dyslexic and ADD, the change would have drew my attention and would help me realize a flashback. 


BPD #2

Signed, Sealed Delived


Writer - Avner Meyrav
Art - Vladik Sandler


First thing I noticed was that the small comment I suggested for the first issue was already achieved with the second. Making the transition between flashback/memories and present day easier to differentiate. 

This issue was very well put together. And is more professionally put together. The story was very well done. Continuing on the story that did not seem fully complete. Adding layers to the characters that were just introduced to us. This was by far one of the better indie books I have read in a while. 

I thought the way that the main characters shared their story of being held captive was amazing, but seeing their coping styles make a great parallel comparison to how some of us actually deal with issues. 

I give this issue a 4.3 out of 5. I like how they used a suggestion I made, before I even made it. But I think it could have still used a color change or color theme change for the flashback scene. Although now you know when you are in the flashback, It would still be better to understand.



Overall for both issues a 4.1 out of 5. Which is pretty good. One of my favorite books out right now 'Wytches' has yet to even get a 5. So I suggest checking this book out if you like crime dramas or vigilante justice.

This anthology is the first printed work of Kasey Pierce. More commonly known in the comic con and nerd arena as Kosmic Kasey. With the help of Rocket Ink Studio brings this collection of five short stories to life. With a prominent forward written by horror comic author Dirk Manning, he gives a intellectual look at what horror is. He also claims that Ms. Pierce's writing is in the same vein as Clive Barker, the genius behind Hellraiser (The Damnation Game) and Nightbreed (Cabal) to name a few. I will honestly say he is dead on. Some story it does seem like she is pulling from the Barker reservoir for ideas. While other stories have a Twilight Zone or Outer Limits feel to them. No matter how you look at it, or which story you read, it comes out to 'Pieces of Madness' is an amazing book that is a complete page turner. I have reviewed each of the stories as individual entries, and try (probably not the best at times) to hide any spoilers. But Ms. Pierce must be doing something right with this anthology. Being that at her first convention doing a signing, Gem City Comic Con, she sold out of her books within hours of the second day. And she is currently, at the time of me writing this, at C2E2 in Chicago doing another signing. And if you want to read the book you can always buy it on Amazon. The overall rating for the book is a 4.66(6) out of 5. 

This story shows a unique look at the struggles of a devout priest. That unless you have read The Thorne Birds, or watched the mini-series that share the same name, you would not understand. This story differs from Thorne Birds with the introduction of the most famous of fallen angels Lucifer. But seriously when dealing with a rouge "Man in Black", as the story calls him, who better to confront him than Lucifer? This is a very interested and twisted story that will have to deep in the pages, and before you know it...it's over! I give this story a 4.7 out of 5. It is a very interesting and twisted story!!

This is the shortest of the five stories presented in this anthology. And in my humble opinion probably the best. If you are a fan of The Twilight Zone or The Outer Limits, this is the story you will gravitate to. Starts off one way just to have a giant plot twist at the end. This story gets the rarest of all grades from Dave the Nerd, this story gets a 5 out of 5!!!! You must read it to believe it!!

This being a two part story, that counts as one story in the anthology. I felt it was worth it to put both reviews in one post. 
Part I
This story is about a woman who's husband, a skilled Taxidermist, is comatose on the the couch watching the television. While she is reliving memories of their first date, their engagement, their wedding, and other major events in their joint life. In order for their kids to act as kids the main character Linda has an agreement with her mother-in-law to take the kids for the night. While on the way back she is haunted with voices saying her husband Richard had left her. And she comes up with an ingenious idea that will have him always by her side.
Part II
This continues the story of how Linda's idea to use her novice skills, with the advise of her dying husband (if only in her mind) to make him last forever by stuffing him. She does everything she can to keep the truth from coming out until the mother-in-law brings the kids back. But I do not want to spoil too much for you. Just know that this is probably tied for the creepiest story in this anthology. I give this book a 4.9 out of 5. It is a well written must read story!

This story start off sorta in the same vein as Luke, in a psychiatric's office. Yet in this story we follow Tom Malcom, a recent ex-con, who is looking to start a new life with his lovely wife Becca. He is at the psychiatric's office to finger out why he is having such vivid nightmares. Maybe it is due to most everyone in the small town giving his the cold shoulder and doing everything within their power to outcast Tom. This all changes when he meets Father McLaughlin, who is the local priest. They start having a friendly conversation and when the two go their separate ways, the priest give him the advise to not drink the water. Later on that afternoon he has more nightmares. And days and nights merge to where he doesn't know what time it is. Without giving too much away the story ends in a major cliffhanger that leaves a few questions unanswered. I give the story a solid 4 out of 5. The open ending was slightly unsettling, yet understanding as the old adage say "Leave them wanting more!"

This is a review on the first of the five stories in Kasey Pierce's debut book Pieces of Madness. The title of the story is 'Luke'. I will say that this story is amazing! Without getting too much into it and giving out spoilers, this story is awesome! It shows a unique look at the power of an imaginary friend. The story starts and end in a psychiatrist's office. The story focuses on a young girl and her best friend, who come up with a detailed story about the future of a yet to be born Luke. Yet due to circumstances beyond anyone's control. 
With this being the first outing for Kasey, outside her personal Kosmic Kasey persona. I give this story alone a 4.7 out of 5, and highly recommend anyone to read this. And in her first venture out to promote the book, which is put out by Rocket Ink Studio, she sold out! And by sell out I mean in the most awesome and positive way ever. 
I will be finishing the book this book this weekend. It is a quick read and I cannot wait to sink my teeth into the rest of this book. If you are looking are looking for this book you can find it on Amazon. And you can check out her science fiction writing on www.kosmickasey.com.

This was the first outing for Mr. Travis McIntire. With help from other members of the Michigan Comics Collective and Source Point Press. This is just the first issue of a story that has potential to be one of the best indie horror comics of the decade! The story finds a group of individuals who are traveling 'Up the River', when they come upon a tree that is sprawled out across the river. When they finally moved the boat to get around the tree one of the crew get smacked by a tree branch and gets knocked into the water. But the crew quickly armed themselves right before a transformed creature comes out of the water. After the stuck the "creature" who fell back into the water, they pushed off and started traveling back to their intended destination. Once they get to a location they start to scout out the location to make sure everything is ok. And off in the woods the "creature" is following after them. Just as a wolf attempts to attack the "creature", of which they punched the the wolf and punched through the wolf's skull. This is where the story leaves us, a great cliff hanger. 

This is an amazing story that I cannot wait to sink my teeth into more of the story. For a first outing Travis really knocked this one out of the park. He set the bar pretty high, but I am sure that he will easily meet this challenge. I give this book a 4.7 out of 5. The art work is amazing, the coloring adds another layer to the story's deep history. I would put an age restriction of NC17, unless a mature 15-16 year old is interested in reading it.