This has been about the fourth year that I’ve gone to the Supercon in Miami. The first four times, you could see the growth until last year, they grew out of the location they had been at for years and they needed someplace that was bigger. This year, they moved to the Miami Beach Convention Center. They were able to bring in big names in Comic books, wrestlers, actors and other people in the sci-fi world. From last year to this year, they made a lot of improvements and still need help in others.
Let’s start with what almost everyone who comes to a convention deals with, traffic and parking. Now, I’ll say that this issue was far better than it was last year. But again, there were backups. I took the interstate in and went on main roads to get to the convention center when I got close. As I got close, you could see the backup start. I got stuck waiting around 9:45ish, and didn’t get parked until about 10:30ish. This can’t be blamed fully on those who were running the convention because from what I could see, it looks a little like the streets around were not designed to have a mass of people come in at once. But they could have had someone directing the traffic close to the parking areas to keep things moving.

Once I got inside, I could see a big improvement. Last year, I could barely move in the isles trying to get to someone or somewhere. This year, they had a lot more space and it was used well. You could move around, get up to tables and get your autographs and talk to the people. Also, last year, it was hot in the dealer room because the AC wasn’t working either at all or not up to the level needed. At this convention center, the AC did what it was supposed to, you stayed cool but not too hot or cold.

There may have been one or two instances where I’ve gone to a convention and did not have a positive experience with a celebrity. This year, there were no issues at all. I talked with the usuals in my area, Allan Bellman, Jose Delbo and George Perez, they are always willing to talk and tell you stories. This year, there were more big name wrestlers and comic book people. I had the chance to talk to Jerry “The King” Lawler and Ted Dibiase Sr. Both were very approachable. Now, I have to admit, there was one person I geeked out for, Caroll Spinney is the muppeteer for Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch. When I was talking to him, my son was looking at me like, “Dad, you’re embarrassing me.” What can I say, I couldn’t help it. But he was also approachable and looked like he was enjoying the attention.

Now, I did have a chance to talk to a person who ran a panel and he had a different story. From what he told me, if you host three panels, you get a full pass. But since he was hosting only one, he had to pay for his ticket and parking. He wasn’t too happy about it; I haven’t had a chance to talk to management. What I can report is that I too had an issue getting my media pass. So overall, there are still areas that need work but some major areas have been addressed. In my humble opinion, go next year and we should see more areas get better. I give this 4 caps out of 5.

Garfield #9
Kaboom
Written by Mark Evanier & Scott Nickel
Art by Andy Hirsch & Gary Barker

In this offering of Garfield we have two stories that are told. One is how Odie gets lost fetching a stick. A boy who lives with his father who’s not so keen on dogs, then Odie kind of gets the boy in trouble, can Odie save the day (insert ominous music here)? Next, it’s a story about the “Pet Force” when “The Fearsome Four” are sent to capture them by Vetvix. Can the “Pet Force” fend off their attackers, can they stop Vetvix’ plan to save the day and their planet, well if I tell you then I break my rule about spoilers.

If you’re a fan of the comic in the papers, you’ll appreciate the fact that the art is the same. I’m guessing they artists are devoted to what Jim Davis. It has the same feel, look and style as what Jim puts out. The paneling is basic and very easy to follow. Everyone who’s reading this should not get lost. Now, I’m guessing the writing was not for me because most of the jokes were a little too simple for my tastes. It doesn’t mean that they weren’t funny, but I like the version that’s in the papers that is a little more grown up.

As I just alluded to, this comic is not meant for the diehard fans who have every book put out about our favorite fat, orange cat. This is meant for the young reader to introduce them to reading comics and also to Garfield. But that’s not to say that this wasn’t good. Again, I have to say this is a little below me. So, if you have children and you’re looking to start them on something easy to read that they would find funny, this would be it, in my humble opinion. I would give this 4 caps out of 5.

Star Wars: Purge, The Tyrants Fist Part 2 of 2
Dark Horse Comics
Written by Alexander Freed
Art by Marco Castiello & Andrea Chella
In this book, we are picking up after the end of “Revenge of the Sith.” The Empire is sweeping across the galaxy, sometimes they’re welcome, other times they met with resistance. This is what’s happening on planet Vaklin where the Jedi are held in high prominence that the locals forming insurgencies and are resisting; they are led by Jedi Knight Cho’na Bene. The Emperor needs to send in his top enforcer (guess who), Darth Vader to quell these and get the local population under control. Now, Vader tries the typical military attempts that keep failing, so he calls upon Oniye Namada of the Imperial Security Bureau to help and she brings a new strategy.

The look of this book is spot on. The art is solid throughout and it takes you away to this other planet and time. The paneling shifts a couple of times from having boarders to just lines separating the pictures, in this case it was not a distraction but I don’t think that it helped the story. Thankfully Dark Horse understands that you might see a book and not had the chance to read the first one because they made sure you were up to date on the story. I thought the writing brought the story out. It was a little slow in the beginning, but the way it was told, it need to be written in that way.

Overall, I liked this story and need to read the first one. I like the idea of seeing how the Empire spread and how the Jedi were almost wiped out of the history books (Almost like our own history). When I was reading this, I felt as though I was in these places, feeling my freedoms slipping away and the things I know to be true wiped off of the planet. In the end you and the characters have to make the decision to either succumb to this force or go silent to live. Get this and the first one, in my humble opinion. I give this 4 caps out of 5.

The Legend of Zelda Hyrule Historia
Written by various writers
Art by various artists
Dark Horse Comics

25 years ago, a video came out that took over the nation. Everyone wanted to get it and had to get it. Those who didn’t have a Nintendo, had to get one, just for this game. The Legend of Zelda came out and the rest, as they say, is history. A bunch of games, a few cartoons, books and comics later, it’s still going strong. Well, Dark Horse has put the complete history up to now in this trade. It covers the whole history from the original 8-bit game to what’s out there today.

This book is an amazing thing to behold. Each page shows the evolution of the characters, creatures, lands, weapons, you name it. This to me was fun and it showed me more insight into the game than I thought I wanted to know but it was a lot of fun to read. Some of the creators were interviewed as well and they talk about what their contributions were and how amazed they are that the game and story is still going strong. At the end of the main book, they have a manga story with link that is just as fun to read and will take you away back to the world of Hyrule.

This is a huge book for me to review and I enjoyed all the time I put into reading it. It brought me back to sitting in front of my TV with my mom, who loved the game too (what does that say), playing on the original game system and losing time and myself into the game. I never would have realized how big that gold cartridge would become. This book would be good for any hardcore gamer, Zelda fan and others as well. But a lot of people are going to love this, in my humble opinion. I give this 4 caps out of 5.

Deathmatch #4
Boom Studios Comics
Written by Paul Jenkins
Art by Carlos Magno

I’m pretty sure a lot of us thought bout this. Imagine if a boatload of Superheroes or Super villains were pulled out of comics, books and popular culture, thrown into an arena and forced to fight to the death. They have no memory of what occurred outside the arena all they know is that they need to fight one-on-one combat until there is only one person left. But what happens when some of the contestants start to realize that things are not right and are trying to escape or just to shut down the system. This is the premise for Deathmatch.

The art was gritty, somewhat raw; I think to give an overtone of the feeling going on in the arena and in the “locker room.” There were times when this helped and added to what was going on but other times it took away from what was going on. To go along with that, the paneling was easy to follow, it did not have any weird shapes or an odd flow patterns. Now the writing was a bit difficult for me to follow. The story, to me, seemed choppy at times. The characters were difficult to follow. But I was able to get through and see what was going on after a bit.

This is one where, again, if I would have read the first issue or issues, I might have a better idea of what was going on. But Boom chose not to tell us or remind us what happened before, a pet peeve of mine. Also, some of the characters resembled others from different companies. I don’t know if this is by design or not (on a personal note, they copied one of my favorite characters which I don’t mind too much). But the premise is good and you have to wonder, are they going to get back to their homes? Is there a true villain? What brought them here? There are ups and downs on this. In my humble opinion, read the first books then, get this one. Don’t pick it up cold. I give this 3 caps out of 5.

Captain Midnight #0
Dark Horse Comics
Written by Joshua Williamson
Art by Victor Ibáñez & Pere Pérez

Imagine, if you will, being inspired to become a pilot because of a WWII hero who disappeared back in 1944, joining the Navy, excelling, studying everything you can about your hero and following in his footsteps? Then when you’re doing patrol in the Bermuda Triangle, his plane comes flying right at you. This is some of what happens in Captain Midnight, the latest offering from Dark Horse. Where an Allied war hero comes to our time and wants to finish his last mission. The only issue is everyone else is trying to stop him, even our government. This is why I don’t fly around Bermuda.

Looking at just the art, it truly fits on what the story is telling. It doesn’t drag the story or take away from what is being said. Also, with the detail, you feel like a part of the story. The writing also takes you away to this not to far away place in 2013, you feel a part of what’s happening. Also, the writer made sure to give you a heads up on the back story, just in case you didn’t get the preview on Free Comic Book Day. Lastly, the paneling was able to guide you through the story as well.

My son and I got the sneak peak in the issue that was given out on FCBD and I was looking forward to this coming out. I like how they hint about what’s going on but don’t tell you everything. It keeps you interested and wanting more. Also, the story could fit in our time. It could possibly happen, adding to the draw. Not to mention, this deals with one of my favorite times in history, WWII. It adds a new level that’s fun and could get people interested in learning more. In my humble opinion, I’d say pick this one up and most likely, you’ll be picking the rest of the series. I give this 4.5 caps out of 5.

Polar: Came from the Cold
Dark Horse Comics
Written by Victor Santos
Art by Victor Santos

What happens to old spies when they retire? It’s been the topic of movies, comics and shows everywhere. Here, we have the Black Keiser, a retired agent trying to live out the rest of his days in peace. Yet one group, Damocles is trying to kill him because they’re cleaning out. Killing all of their old agents to prove they can close old cases. When everyone’s out to kill you, what do you do? Sit back and let them come if you’re so tired, run and try to stay ahead of them, or turn and fight and take out those who are trying to kill you? Guess what he does? This was a different style of book that I’ve reviewed before. It was an actual book but don in a black and white style with red highlights. For this story, it fit and worked.

It showed the basic “black and white” of this character’s world. As for the paneling, there were times when I kind of got lost in which way the writer wanted me to go but only a few times. There’s not that much dialog here but, it wasn’t needed. What was said by any character was what needed to be said and that’s it. No exaggeration, no forcing it in, just let the scene speak for itself.

I have to admit, I didn’t know what to expect when I opened this up. The art was a little exaggerated and not the style that I like but when I got into the story (after about three pages) it made sense and flowed from there. Keiser is a character that you can feel that he’s done with that old life and is just trying to move on. You feel how Damocles is trying to prove what they are, by any means necessary. In my humble opinion, get this. If they have any more after this, get them too. I give this 4.5 caps out of 5.