December 2007 Archives
Review by Michael VanceGraphic Classics: Stoker/$11.95 and 141 pages/from Eureka Productions/various writers and artists/available in book stories, comics shops, and at www.graphicclassics.com.
If he had only written Dracula, Bram Stoker would have been a master of horror. Thankfully, he wrote other shivering horror stories as well, and Dracula and six additional Stoker classics are featured in the seventh volume of Graphic Classics.
All are well adapted by various scribes, which may be the saving grace of this issue. If there is any criticism of the Graphic Classics series of comic adaptations, it is that too many stories requiring a realistic approach to art feature a minimalistic or “cartoony” approach instead. This collection is no exception.
Should you invest in Bram Stoker if you don’t care for simplistic doodles as does this reviewer? You betcha!
This reviewer’s favorites include Dracula (adapted by Tom Pomplun, art by Hunt Emerson), The Judge’s House (adapted and drawn by Gerry Alanguilan), Torture Tower (adapted and drawn by Onsmith Jeremi) and Lair of the White Worm (adapted by Tom Pomplun, art by Rico Schacheel). Favorite artists include Gerry Alanguilan and Rico Schacheel.
Why does horror require realistic art?
A major tool of a horror writer is atmosphere, i.e. the subtle anticipation of crippling damage or even death. It is tough to garner fear with stick figures.
Nevertheless, Graphic Classics: Bram Stoker is recommended. The publisher recommends the collection “for ages 12 to adult”. MV agrees.
Archie Holiday Fun Digest #12/$2.49 and 82 pages from Archie Comics/various artists and writers/sold lots of places and at www.archiecomics.com.
Deck the halls with boughs of Holly, and Archie, and Betty, and Veronica! ‘Tis the season for a holiday scrapbook of “photos” and ten stories of Christmas cheer and lessons learned. These are all well-packaged with excellent art and story for the young and the young-at-heart. MV
Check out Dreams and Visions #35 for a new Vance short story: www.bconnex.net/~skysong/dream.htm
Interested in the exciting Oklahoma Cartoonists Collection and Toy and Action Figure Museum? Go to fourcolorcommentary.blogspot.com & www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCARtM5BvvU.
Review by Michael VanceTales from Riverdale Digest #s20-23/$2.49 and 80 pages each from Archie Comics/various
artists and writers/sold at lots of locations and at www.archiecomics.com.
Some hardcore comics fans complain that some publishers hurt the market by saturating it with multiple titles featuring the X-Men, Superman, Spider-man, and Batman, therefore making it difficult for other titles to find a niche and flourish.
They don't know saturation.
A quick count reveals that there are at least sixteen regularly published titles featuring the Archie ensemble of Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica, and Reggie. That's not counting anthologies and graphic novels featuring the Fabulous Five as well. But one's man's saturation is just another man's success, for these titles would not be published if they didn't sell.
Hey! Here's another one!
Tales from Riverdale differs only slightly from other Archie titles because of the 'minor' features inside. These include stories of Sabrina, when she was younger than the teenage witch, Madhouse sections (Madhouse was an old Mad Magazine imitation published years ago), and stories on very minor characters in the Archie pantheon of 'second bananas'.
Does that mean that Riverdale is not worth the price of admission?
Nope. Overall, the quality of art and story in all of the Archie titles is excellent. The only real surprise is how the team of Archie creators can consistently come up with new ideas, which they do in every issue.
It has been a long, long time since Archie has been the character that sells the titles. These books all feature an ensemble cast that is unexcelled in the field of comic books.
True, they are for younger readers (hurrah! Titles for young readers are desperately needed; without them, there are few older ones), and not everyone's cup of tea, but how many cups of dark and violent X-Men or Batman can one drink?
Recommended.
Michael Vance
Review by Mark Allen
The Mice Templar, issues 1 and 2, published by Image Comics, Inc., 32 pages, $2.99.
So, there's this new comic called The Mice Templar, co-written by Michael Avon Oeming and Bryan J.L. Glass, with art by Oeming. It's about a bunch of..., well, mice. If you're not a fan of "funny animal" comics, however, don't worry - there's nothing funny, here. There is, however, a compelling story to be found.
Mice is ultimately about Karic, a youngster who has yet to discover that he has a great destiny. Karic is enchanted with the legend of an "ancient warrior-priest" called Kuhl-En and "The Templar," a group of warriors who fought for truth, justice and..., ah, you get the idea. Initially discouraged by adults from listening to Templar-inspired stories and having imagined adventures as a Templar warrior himself, Karic finds himself the victim of deadly circumstances beyond his control, desperately hoping that the stories of a warrior-caste which offers hope to those in need are true.
Glass and Oeming created The Mice Templar, and fortunately for readers, they have done more than simply spawn a serviceable concept for a new comic; they also offer intriguing characterization, an exciting plot, gripping action sequences and powerful emotionality to readers wise enough to give this yarn a try. I mean, let's face it, when you find the ol' heartstrings being plucked by cartoon mice, someone's doing something right!
Oeming's art work brings the characters to life in a way that endears them to the reader, then surprises them with the ferocity of which they are capable. Visually, the book is just as dramatic and emotionally charged as the script. And, while you may have to work a bit at telling the characters apart in the beginning, they quickly distinguish themselves with their individual personality traits, characteristics and quirks.
The Mice Templar is recommended for all but the youngest readers, as there is some intense violence and disturbing imagery. Find it at comics shops and online retailers and auctions.
Mark Allen
So, there's this new comic called The Mice Templar, co-written by Michael Avon Oeming and Bryan J.L. Glass, with art by Oeming. It's about a bunch of..., well, mice. If you're not a fan of "funny animal" comics, however, don't worry - there's nothing funny, here. There is, however, a compelling story to be found.
Mice is ultimately about Karic, a youngster who has yet to discover that he has a great destiny. Karic is enchanted with the legend of an "ancient warrior-priest" called Kuhl-En and "The Templar," a group of warriors who fought for truth, justice and..., ah, you get the idea. Initially discouraged by adults from listening to Templar-inspired stories and having imagined adventures as a Templar warrior himself, Karic finds himself the victim of deadly circumstances beyond his control, desperately hoping that the stories of a warrior-caste which offers hope to those in need are true.
Glass and Oeming created The Mice Templar, and fortunately for readers, they have done more than simply spawn a serviceable concept for a new comic; they also offer intriguing characterization, an exciting plot, gripping action sequences and powerful emotionality to readers wise enough to give this yarn a try. I mean, let's face it, when you find the ol' heartstrings being plucked by cartoon mice, someone's doing something right!
Oeming's art work brings the characters to life in a way that endears them to the reader, then surprises them with the ferocity of which they are capable. Visually, the book is just as dramatic and emotionally charged as the script. And, while you may have to work a bit at telling the characters apart in the beginning, they quickly distinguish themselves with their individual personality traits, characteristics and quirks.
The Mice Templar is recommended for all but the youngest readers, as there is some intense violence and disturbing imagery. Find it at comics shops and online retailers and auctions.
Mark Allen
