Rotten #9
Moonstone Comics
Written by Mark Rahner & Robert Horton
Art by Dan Dougherty

You ever have one of those days when it seems like you can’t win for any reason? Well, that’s kind of what’s going on with the two main characters from Rotten from Moonstone. In issue #9, you have one character running for his life from a bunch of zombies. He’s the one having a really bad day, getting stung by a swarm of what I’m guessing are bees, cutting his foot, being attacked left and right and some other stuff. Then you have his partner who’s trying to do some research on cannibalism and talk to the smartest minds in the late 18th century Chicago but things just keep happening that aren’t adding up.

Reading this book was interesting. They kept switching from one character and his troubles to the other. For me, it took a little reading to be able to follow but I was able to. The paneling was very simple and easy to follow. The art was bright and gave a different feel. When dealing with the undead and zombies, you’d expect it to be dark, but the colors were bright. Giving you that feel that everything is normal, but it’s not. The writing was done well; each character’s terms fit them and the time period. There are some points that are true to the time, arguments over Darwinism and how science was not accepted, this added to the feel of the time for me.

This was a good book and, most likely a good storyline to follow. If you like period pieces or zombie books, you have a line that will fit both of your needs. Rotten is anything but. If you pick this one up, you’ll have questions like what happens next or what happened before that you will want to get answered. In my humble opinion, this is one to pick it. I give it 3 caps out of 5.

Rescue Rangers #3
Boom Comics
Written by Ian Brill
Art by Leonel Castellaini

Here’s another Disney cartoon that’s gone to the comic book. Chip and Dale are out trying to save the world. Fat Cat has found a way to control the world’s animals. It’s up to Chip, Dale, Monterey, Gadget and Zipper to put a stop to him. Now, can continue to sound like a commercial writing this but I almost felt like I was slipping back into the cartoon that made the team famous. You can easily loose yourself, no matter how old you are, as you read this book with the story very plausible to be from an afternoon cartoon or a true spy movie.

The writing didn’t dominate this story, it was enough to keep everything going and tell what needed to be said. This book is truly written for all ages. The accents are there for the characters, whether spoken or not. The art was, just as I like it, out of the cartoon, you can’t go wrong in my book if you’re doing this style of work. Each panel was easy to follow and moved the story along really well. The overall feel was that of the cartoon, score one for the children of the ‘80’s, you know who you are.
This is an ongoing series as Boom establishes this book.

But thankfully, this book stands on it’s own so you don’t have too many questions what happened in issues 1 or 2. If you have young kids and are looking for something to get them started in comics (no, you’re not brainwashing them, you’re just broadening their interests, trust me) this would be a good start. It’s very safe and kid (and adult) friendly. In my humble opinion, you’ll want to pick this up as a easy read that’s a fun ride, no matter who you are. I give this 5 caps out of 5.

Rumble at Wahoo’s
4/3/11

I’ve been watching wrestling since I was 12-years-old. I started watching out in Colorado with the AWA have been hooked ever since. There are a lot of us out there. Come on, you’ve seen it when they do an intro, the music hits, the wrestlers waits a few seconds for the crowd to either start cheering or booing (depending on whether you’re a good guy or bad guy), they come out of the tunnel or through the curtain all hyped up. Where do you think the NFL got the idea of doing their introductions of the teams for big games? Down here, we have a local wrestling school and organization, Coastal Championship Wrestling (CCW – http://www.ccw.ms/) and they have put on good shows every time I’ve gone.

The most recent show they had was at JC Wahoo’s Sports Bar and Grill (by the way, try the blackened fish tacos, best I’ve ever had) where CCW will put on a show outside in the parking lot for $5 to $10 and afterwards, you go in and watch the WWE PPV for that night. Last night, the PPV was Wrestlemania.

The show that I watched had seven matches that progressively got better. That usually happens at the CCW shows. I will say, if you’ve ever been to a minor league basketball game, baseball game or anything from the minors, you know the feeling. Some people are on their way up, others are on their way down or they’ve found a spot their most comfortable and don’t plan on moving. CCW is the same. One of the wrestlers I talked to, Pablo Marquez has been wrestling for 20 years and knows that the WWE or TNA isn’t in his future but works with the younger wrestlers. He passes on his experiences of traveling the world and what he’s learned.

One thing with CCW is that you can meet the wrestlers either before or after the matches. Almost all of them are approachable, they offer up autographs and pictures. They make every fan feel welcome and appreciated. I know for a fact, that can’t be said for a solid number of other sports figures. After the main event, which had The Black Heart teaming with The Beast, taking on The Red Devil Fight Team, I talked to The Black Heart. He wears a black cover over his head so you can’t see his face at all. I asked him what he enjoyed about wrestling, “. . .” (He’s not much of a talker) I asked a little more about how I thought the match went even in the loss, “. . .” (I figured I’d quit with what I got). I have never been disappointed at one of the CCW shows, and of the fans I talked to, neither have they. This is a good value if you enjoy wrestling or are looking for an inexpensive night out. In my humble opinion, go cheer and boo, they’ll thank you for it.

Jake the Dreaming
Radical Books
Written by Adam Freeman & Marc Bernardin
Art by Andrew Jones

Ok, I just got a jump on FREE COMIC BOOK DAY and had the chance to read one that’s going to be given out, Jake the Dreaming. Per Radical, it’s an illustrated novel. Not something I’m used to reading. Either a comic book or a novel, I’m good. But I’ve never read anything like this. This version is a teaser for the full one that’s going to be released down the line but it does what it’s supposed to do, tease the appetite for what’s coming down the line.

The layout for this was different. What they did was have one or two pages of full text and then one or two pages of an illustration, I’ve never seen a comic laid out like that before. The writing was sections from the different chapters in the novel. The story, I can describe as a dream within a dream. I liked where the story was going and may pick up the book when it comes out. You want to learn what happens to the characters (or at least I did). The art was not clean and easy to follow, it looks like a jumble of a story or memories, that added to what was going on in the sections given to the reader, another plus.

Overall, I enjoyed the sections that are given and want to know the whole story. What brought the characters to the place they are, why are they the ones who can see what they do, can they do what needs to be done? My only reservation is what comic book purists might say when this untraditional layout comes out. If you want the frame-by-frame story of the standard comic, this book and novel may not be for you. In my humble opinion, get this book and try something different. I gave it 3.5 caps out of 5.

Abattoir #4
Radical comics
Written by Rob Levin & Troy Peteri
Art by Wayne Nichols & Rodell Noora

Ok, I reviewed the third book of this six series set about a month ago and said that you should read this set and don’t read it alone. Well, the fourth book came out and I got to read it. The main character now knows who’s pulling the strings on what’s happening to him and is trying to link him to what’s going on. With each step forward of what he’s doing, it takes him into a darker place than the one he just left. As always, I’m trying not to let out too much of the story. Like I said, this is good.

Just as before, the writing makes sense and fits for what’s going on. The accents are there to give each character their own voice. And just like before, they resonate with you (you can hear them after you’re done reading. Or is that me that just hears voices?). The art has that same dark overtone but, with the writing, it seems just a little more bit darker. Making sure this journey takes you to that place you know you have to go but don’t want to go there.

Overall, my opinion hasn’t changed on this series and this book carries that along. You care for the main character and want him to get back to normalcy in his life. You want to know who this villain is and why is he destroying this persons life and what is the end game. Each action taken makes sense, as if you were in that person’s shoes and struggling to dig your way out. In my humble opinion, get this book and the rest of the series and don’t read it alone. I give it 5 caps out of 5.

Ryder on the Storm #3
Radical Comics
Written by David Hine
Art by Wayne Nichols & Hugo Petrus

This was an interesting read for me. Like some of my other reviews, I was just handed this book to review and wasn’t sure what happened in the first two books. As you may have guessed, this was the climax of the story and there’s one word that I can use to describe the final battle, gooey (you’ll understand when you read it). Just to give you a quick back story without blowing the whole thing for you, Ryder has figured out that he’s one of the alien race and he needs to stop the queen mother anyway he can. He still is getting help from Monk and has to figure out how to finish the job. I don’t want to give too much away; I really did like the premise of the story.

Now, this is the sixth or seventh book from Radical that I’ve reviewed and they have a certain style to them; that comes across in this book both for the art and the story telling. Most of the time, like in this book, it does work. The story flows and they tell you what’s going on in Ryder’s head when you need to know (like when he’s trying to rationalize something while saying something else). The art is detailed just enough to have a good feel but still give you the feeling that something’s just not right. Things just worked on this book, whether by plan or luck, I can’t say.

This book shows that when you have a good company putting good faith in their writers, artists and everyone, you’ll get a good product. This book was well written and makes me want to know what happened in the first two books. I’ll give you the heads up that this is not for young children, again, figure teens and above. In my humble opinion, get the first two before reading this then get this. I give it 3.5 caps out of 5.

Star wars Jedi: The Dark Side #1
Dark Horse Comics
Written by Scott Allie
Art by Mahmud Asrar
“A long, long time ago. In a galaxy far, far away . . .” If any of you out there doesn’t recognize this quote, turn in your geek card right now. We all know this starts every Star Wars movie ever made. The term is iconic as a lightsaber, X-wings, and droids. The movies have spawned multiple comics, books and just about everything else you can think of. So, when this was placed in my inbox, I really wanted to read it. This book didn’t fail to keep me entertained.

Let’s start with the art; the art was not the super-detailed that’s goes out sometimes but looking through this story, I don’t think it would have added to what they are trying to portray. Each character comes off the page, the colors fit to what we know of their universe and you can feel the flash of the sabers going by you as you read. I don’t think I’ve ever been disappointed with the writers of Dark Horse and I wasn’t this time. Everything worked and the voices you know are there. Each panel flows into the next one so you don’t get lost. I really enjoyed this one.

Now, this is a typical first book of a series, so there’s not much as to know what’s going on. The foundation is being laid for the rest of the galaxy to be filled in. I don’t think you’ll want to skip out on this one. In my humble opinion, if you get this book, you’ll keep reading the rest as they come out, I know I will. I give this 4.5 caps out of 5.