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I love it when I read something that at first glance I would have turned my nose up but upon giving it a chance I am left wanting more! I am talking about the one shot Beasts of Burden: Neighborhood Watch by Dark Horse Comics. Let's start with my only negative for this issue, the artwork. It is in no way terrible but it does somewhat remind me of an old children's annual from the 1990's. It was the only slight let down but as I think about it I wonder if maybe stunning artwork would overshadow the excellent storyline (just think about the game play and graphics of early Playstation games!) Aside from a little bit of 'meh' from the pictures it was all extremely good. It was laced with quirky humour that made me smile as well as some odd ramblings from the goblin which did make me chuckle out loud a little bit! What knocked me for six was the concept. What if you took Homeward Bound and tied it with Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Well, you would get this...

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Another thing which really impressed me was the comics ability to put across the drama and shock of a mainstream title but by only using wee little dogs instead. This issue is a reprint of three previous stories from Dark Horse presents... and it left me very much wanting to read more Beasts of Burden.

I can strongly recommend this as you will be pleasantly surprised by the depth of the stories involved.

- Thom

 
Something I love to see in a TV show is a fake comic. One of those titles that they use as a prop or basis for a storyline but it turns out it doesn't really exist. You kind of hope it does but would the mystery and coolness of such a thing become trivial if produced for the mainstream market... and, truthfully, how many people would buy them? Still I can dream!

Below are  just a few of my favourite 'fake comics'. If you can think of anymore please add them by posting a comment. I know there are more!
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My absolute favourite has to be TALL SLUT NO PANTIES. This is a fake comic from the TV series 'Don't trust the Bitch in apartment 23'. It is based around the main character (Chloe) and her slutty slutty ways. It's an elegant cross of Japanese anime and cocktails but if for no other reason than the name... I want to see this in print!


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Next on my list has to be SCIENCE BOY! This was the handmade comic by Ross Geller from the TV sitcom 'Friends'. The very comic that a young Phoebe wrestles off of Ross when she mugs him. Science Boy simply reminds me of my youth and the endless attempts at creating my own comic series on lined paper!

I think if they were to ever make this a real series it would have to be printed on the lined paper with stains and all. Drawn by hand and in crayon obviously!


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Third on my list is RADIOACTIVE MAN. This has been a staple feature on 'The Simpsons' for years! There are countless tales drawn from this fake comic but in fact it is not a fake comic. IT has been (like everything else they can get their grubby greedy hands on) turned it into an actual series. Originally published by Bongo Comics in the early 90's it for me has lost it's cool fake status and become a cash venture for merchandise hungry Matt Groening. Instead I have subbed it out for BICLOPS. A more recent invention for the episode 'Worst Episode Ever'. It sums up the feelings shared by the many Milhouse-types of the world.


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The Final one on my list is the title WARRIOR ANGEL from the TV series 'Smallville'. This is a series collected by Lex Luthor and is very much a mirror of Superman from the real world. There are many relations between Superman and Warrior Angel including even identical covers for their very first issues. If you want to learn more about the comparisons you can find an extensive list here.



If you can think of any others then please let me know.

- Thom


 
After writing about Mister X in my last post I felt inclined to promote some of my favourite Utopia/Dystopia themed movies. There are of course plenty others out there that are excellent films but these, for me, are must-see movies  as they each have an element about them which is fantastic.
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Twelve Monkeys (1995)
Directed by the insane clock-work cluttered mind of Terry Gilliam, Twelve Monkeys sees a criminal from a dystopian future (Bruce Willis) travel through time to discover the mysterious identity of the Twelve Monkeys and their link to the virus which wiped out most of the world's population. This is probably Brad Pitt's finest on screen moment. He makes the movie pure gold. Although there aren't many glimpses of the future dystopian world, what we do see is enough to make it clear that life there is not a pleasant one.


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The Dark Knight Rises (2012)
Christopher Nolan's last installment of his franchise reboot of Batman, The Dark Knight Rises sees the monstrous Bane unleash true terror on the citizens of Gotham. His aim is to create a dystopian society and well, he pulls it off. Gotham is in chaos with the people's court other-throwing the rich and upper class in true 'Animal Farm' fashion. This is a great example of the utopian problem that is known as humanity.


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Demolition Man (1993)
I love this film. Partly because it has Sandra Bullock in it and partly because of Sly's classic lines. This society is a classic Utopia. A perfect world with one flaw... it's too perfect. People have lost their free will and rebelled and so how do you solve a problem like this? Engineer a madman (Wesley Snipes) to be even madder and then let him loose on the city. This Utopia world is a proper cheesy (Joy-Joy!) one that reflects a worrying possibility of the years to come (Taco Bell becoming the only restaurant in the world).


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Planet of the Apes (1968)
What I enjoy most about this absolute classic is the constant theme that Apes are superior to Man. Apes do not kill other Apes and their society works in harmony with each specie assigned to a particular field. Along comes Charlton Heston and he completely ruins their great civilisations doctrine by talking. These films show a great insight into the cold war/nuclear fears of the 60's as well as the eventual idea in Battle for the Planet of the Apes that peace can be achieved between Man and Ape.


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Escape from LA (1996)
John Carpenter explores the ideas of Christians ruling America in this late 90's film. LA has become a prison colony for anyone (much like in Demolition Man) that enjoys the odd cigarette, beer, steak, gun, swear word or pagan ritual. Snake Pissken (Kurt Russell) is sent into the Island to stop the inhabitants from using a super weapon they stole. As he travels through the land of oz he meets the scarecrow, the tinman and the transsexual. The ending opens up questions and ideas that were definitely prominent in the minds of such people as James Cameron when he wrote Dark Angel.


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Equilibrium (2002)
Apart from Sean Bean exiting way to early (like in Golden Eye, and Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones and... oh Sean) this film is a great little action packed imagination of a forced utopia which inevitably must become a dystopia when people realise what is being done to them. The idea of The Father and the burning of items gives a real Nazi feel to this movie.


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Logan's Run (1976)
This has to be one of my favourite films of all time. Despite his stuck jaw like speech and rubbery skin, Michael York is a legend. This film also stars Jenny Agutter wearing skimpy outfits and at one point flashing her bits during a quick clothes change. It is nothing like the book but the concept of kulling the population of a society at a certain age is really shown well in this movie. I partly blame this film for the Unclassified grade I received during my General Studies AS exam as I used it as a possible solution when discussing population control.

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V for Vendetta (2005)
I know that Alan Moore isn't happy with any of his series being made into films but I personally love this film. The acting is outstanding and the story is well paced. The scary thing is that the UK portrayed could quite easily be a reality if certain extremists groups got their way. The most amazing thing to come from this whole concept is the fact that it has probably reawakened the 'Guy Fawkes' rebellious nature in a lot of British people.


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Serenity (2005)
Joss Whedon's Firefly can often get overlooked for its core theme but it is the defining element of the series and film. Every action of the Alliance is to make a better world and in the film we truly learn to what extent they will go to create their Utopia. Again, Free Will plays a demanding role and manifests itself in the avatar human form of Captain Malcolm Reynolds.


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The Island (2005)
This has Black Widow and Obi-Wan Kenobi in it, do you need any other reason?

Inspired by Logan's Run, we see a Utopian (Dollhouse-like) community which seems like it is a positive thing until we learn the painful and bitter truth. A great film that again revisits the ideas of Utopia and that the human condition of curiosity can never let an outwardly appearing good thing be.


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Those are some of my favourite Utopian themed films and I really do recommend watching them if you haven't already. If you have any others you want to suggest then please leave a comment below. Oh, one final thing... never never ever ever never ever watch Idiocracy. That is 84 minutes of my life I will never get back and it would have been far better had I wasted them all on watching 'I'm a snake!' on YouTube repeatedly.

- Thom


 
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I have to be honest, I had never heard of Mister X before I purchased this recent one shot (March 2013). It appealed to all of my senses. I wrote about Utopian culture for my dissertation so exploring a dystopia is a major comfort. The artwork is very old school with a tinge of 80's and I absolutely loved it. Look at me, all liking retro and stuff. As I poured through the pages I found myself not so interested in the story but more the stunning artwork. The story was good but the imagery on each page was captivating. Simple shots of a black outline on a dull colour take you in one direction and then you are quickly whisked off to black and white sketches. Turn the page and you are met with neon signs and searchlights. It painted the environment perfectly.

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As a big Science Fiction fan I could see so many things that must have inspired it as well as things that it must have inspired in turn. I decided after reading to conduct a bit of research and I discovered that (I was right) it had deep roots with the scenes of Metropolis (1927). It also makes a lot of sense to learn that Tim Burton was inspired by it when creating Batman (1989).

Hard Candy was a great comic. Particular stand out features (aside from the artwork and Sci-Fi links) has to be Anubis Mahoney who for me, should be in the next Bond film. Zombies get boring but she was a spot on addition to the storyline. The idea of her was brilliant. I felt she could have had a few more lines maybe but that is just personal preference. A limited series (in May 2013) did follow this one off but I'd prefer to collect a series of one shot stories from this title. I am definitely on the lookout for future stories of his and for anyone who likes the Utopia/Dystopia classic Sci-Fi haunt then this is a comic for you.

- Thom

 
So, this year we've had a monkey invasion, the Rogues and Reverse Flash make appearances in The Flash. I've enjoyed this year of Flash comics, the Annual set a good precedence, and the following year of comics has followed suit.
The Rogues aren't the best villains in the DCU, but the issues were well written, and with all the distractions of Grodd and the Outsiders, the Rogues acted as polyfiller which, to be honest, I thought worked really well!
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The artwork is brilliant, I love the way that every issue has "DC COMICS PROUDLY PRESENTS - THE FLASH!" embedded in a page somewhere. I love the way the comic's frames unfold across the page. Sometimes it is so visually stimulating, I start feeling like I'm running with Barry.
The Flash is an easy, light-hearted read. Flash has a strong sense of purpose and truth. He is courageous - in #19 he temporarily loses the power of the speed force, but still manages to save the day!
He is head-strong - despite being told by his dad that he is guilty of murdering Barry's Mum, he is determined to find the truth, follow the facts. "The evidence never lies".
This comic is fun. It's pacey. It's awesome!
MY VERDICT - 4/5
Dan

The Flash
Published by DC Comics
Written by Francis Manapul, Brian Buccellato
Artists - Mario Takara, Francis Manapul, Brian Buccellato

 
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I love the Justice League. Always have since I was a very young child. My one problem has always been how 'America' focused the superheroes have always been. They are world superheroes yet they all reside in America. With the launch of the new 52 it appeared that Geoff Johns, despite having launched the international version, had moved away from them being 'Team America' and a little more 'International Rescue'. Suddenly from the pits of Geoff Johns mind, which he reserves for concocting his amazing creations, came another Justice League title... Justice League of America. I was apprehensive at first but as soon as I saw the line up I dove straight into it. Some of my favourite League members who had been missing from the other series as regulars (including Martian Manhunter) are quickly assembled by Steve Trevor to form a counter team to the Watchtower's Secret Six.

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The first three issues were good and standard Geoff Johns approved quality entertainment.

We were minus a Green Lantern but he is tied up currently with intergalactic issues and we do have the addition of Katana (who I find a little hard to enjoy in the line up and is clearly no match for Wonder Woman!) as well as the notorious criminal and long time flame of Batman... Catwoman. I had been pleased after reading issue three but then came along issue four, a well thought out twist of events with much needed pace and action. Catwoman is thrown into the lime light and truly shines (as only she can) ***SPOILERS*** only to have her brains blown out in a shock ending to the issue. I was literally stunned into silence. What a quick transition! The impact of it was incredible and it is owed to the subtle build up followed by a punchy climax. The only thing that made me tingle more was the hint for the next issue, the word Vengeance over the Batman symbol!

I am very excited about where this story is going. As I said previously the Green Lantern is missing currently and the focus has been mainly on Martian Manhunter and Catwoman. I'm eager to see how Vibe(Rate R) will be developed as well as some of the other points starting to move with other characters. If you like DC, Justice League or Geoff Johns then this series is for you.


 
I have literally had to force myself to keep reading this. Each issue has felt like a pointless journey ending in a really cool reveal to make me want to read the next issue...Next issue the pattern continues until the most recent issues. #5 - enter Dormammu, things started to pick up a bit and now at #6 I feel as though we are getting somewhere. The mention of a certain Sorcerer Supreme has kept my tail wagging for a minute anyway! But this is THE UNCANNY X-MEN! I don't understand why I'm finding it so difficult to enjoy reading the comic with some of my favourite characters!
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I like the artwork, I hate the artwork...I can't decide. Sometimes they get it right...I mean REALLY RIGHT. However I look at the artwork sometimes and think, "are they bothered what this looks like? Or are Marvel actually happy to put out any old rubbish now?"
But I've pushed past this. I'm certain that it's going to get better, we're only six issues in and now ***SPOILERS*** Classic 1960's Uncanny X-men character Dazzler has been revealed as SHIELD's newest recruit to infiltrate the X-men...Now we're talking!
I've kept reading this purely because I don't want this series to suck - for me it has so far, but I do hope that it continues on the up! The artwork has started to feel a little more consistent and the story line is picking up. But I can't help this bad taste that I have left in my mouth after reading and re-reading these comic books.
I can see the potential and I am liking the potential of this series, I am just struggling to feel convinced that it's  going to get there in a decent and timely manner!
There is always hope! For now though, I can't help but feel displeased and slightly bemused by this series. It feels lost in the X-MEN universe, broken, unwanted and misplaced. There is a guy who makes 'Golden Balls'...WHY? I don't get it! It's nice to see Angel, it's nice to see, no, no it isn't nice to see Scott Summers, I still haven't forgiven him for killing Xavier, I don't care if the Phoenix force had possessed him, he-said, she-said non-sense! He killed Ironside and I thought that would be enough to get rid of him!
I'm going to keep reading UNCANNY X-MEN, because Dormammu is around. If it wasn't for his presence in #5 I would have dropped this title. But he's here, so I'm here, for now!

MY VERDICT - 2.5/5
DAN

 
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Green Lantern #20 marks the end of a near 10 year run by legendary writer Geoff Johns. Geoff Johns saved the franchise, re-modelling it and expanding beyond the wildest imaginations of any of the previous writers. Now DC have screwed over Green Lantern fans this year...the Rise of the Third Army and the Wrath of the First Lantern sagas have near forced fans to purchase all four Green Lantern titles for about 8-9 months...a significant rise in the monthly comic book budget! So...was it worth it?


 
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I am a Star Trek boy and oh boy did this film tick every box.

I know it has caused some controversy between fans of the franchise pre-Star Trek XI and fans of the franchise post-Pine/Quinto but I don't understand why. For me this film was made for Star Trek fans. It has plenty of shots that were whiplash inducing 'head-shake wink wink' moments for fans as well as new material, new approaches and new ideas for those just joining the Star Trek express (next stop Romulus).

From the get up it was filled with action and excitement, excellent CGI and fantastic rapport. The original films boast so much chemistry between Kirk, Spock and Bones that I had reservations such a relationship could ever be portrayed again in this new format. I was wrong.

Completely and utterly wrong.

Now for those of you who haven't seen it yet (go see it) then stop reading as I'm about to reveal some possible spoilers. For those who have seen it...

I did not expect Benedict to be so good. Especially reprising a role that was so famously portrayed by Ricardo Montalban in both the Original TV series and the 1982 film The Wrath of Khan. He was great, he was cold, he was kick ass and he emitted an aura of a young Khan rather than an old, bitter and vengeful one.

The Kirk/Spock relationship blossomed into a very familiar entity and of course cemented itself by role reversing such an iconic screen moment as '...live long and prosper', hand on glass-tear in eye as well as 'the needs of the few...' which I constantly quote to myself from time to time for no apparent reason.

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I very much enjoyed the addition of Dr Carol Marcus and I hope she remains a permanent feature of the crew for at least the next few films. The Original cast has always been sausage heavy and it's nice to see at least another female bridge officer in our not so distant futuristic and diverse paradise.

On a side note - I cannot believe that JJ Abrams has been slated for posing her in her underwear! Do these people realise they are watching Star Trek? If a woman isn't in a mini-skirt or a man hasn't got his shirt off in a fight to the death... it's not a good story!

As I sat amazed by what was unfolding I thought to myself this cannot get any better and then to my complete an utter surprise, enter The Klingons! A slightly more Roman Centurion/Spartan version which I loved and a kind of return to a more 'Undiscovered Country' look about them. They were a great dose of action and a great teaser for possible future installments. Not too much; not too little.

This film has to be one of the best releases in awhile for the Sci-Fi scene and in particular I found myself unsure as to how it would turn out for any of the characters at moments of possible (or indeed certain) death. I like that. I rarely get that from a film as writing loop holes tend to be on show to make it plausible for solving the situation. In this film I was on tenterhooks. Also, what the hell are tenterhooks? It's okay, just looked it up, it's to do with fences.



    My Rating:


Anyway... overall this was an outstanding film and I recommend it to old fans, new fans and anyone who will let me recommend it to them. It helps to have seen The Wrath of Khan to get all the juicy extras but it is not essential. A great film and I look forward to the next.

- Thom


 
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I'd like to start by apologising to anyone who enjoyed the first issue of The Wake (Snyder and Murphy, Vertigo Comics).

I did not enjoy it and here is why.

From the very start of this experience I had a sense of worry as the cover wreaked of a Deep Blue Sea and Hannibal Lecter mash up.  As you turn the page you are greeted by what can only be described as a holiday brochure for somewhere that resembles a futuristic American Venice-like city. Our blue haired character seems to have a taste for hand-gliding and soars through the building landscape to arrive near a dolphin.

The dolphin reminded me somewhat of the dolphin from Seaquest DSV (for any of you who enjoyed that during the 90's). Suddenly, as we begin to learn of a map or something we are met with a giant tsunami which causes a battery powered Dolphin and his gliding chum to flee in a hurry. Okay so far I think. This could be good I think.

...and then came the next 15 pages.

It was as if someone had taken all the boring features of Free Willy and Jaws and threw them into a black hole causing them to take virtually forever to slowly drift towards a possible end.

They did not end.

As I said it kept going for 15 pages. Our featured protagonist, Dr Archer, seems to enjoy looking at whales whilst trying to damage her relationship with her son over a video call. It's what all mothers want to do with their lives and in particular the type of cheese filling in an 80's movie but not something I expected from this comic. Perhaps a quick touch on it but to drag out the pointless conversation between her and her son literally caused me to snore with my eyes open. It was at this point I had to check the title as the idea of the word wake being in anyway associated with this series seemed absurd. We are then met with several pages where people meet each other. Lots of handshaking (although it's more hygienic if they had all snogged each other instead - less germs and far more interesting) and lots of grins. Always grinning these characters, unless they're not (ha!). Then the best part of this issue arrived, an advert for Superman Unchained.

After I enjoyed the advert I continued in my pursuit for something to value from this comic. Much like the crusading Knights of old in search for the Holy Grail I had to eventually give up and go home. I was already home so instead I just gave up.

Towards the end there is a glimmer of interest in the emergence of what I will be calling the 'Two-Face faced Miner'. Our Dr investigates as to what has caused his face to go all bleugh and it turns out there is a fish in a tank. A fish in a straight jacket in a tank. Like a bad Star Trek alien this creature has all the looks of the nasty end of a Merman, Miner ketchup all over his face and a serious look of contemplation as if he is posing for a fashion magazine.

As I mentioned at the beginning, I don't mean to offend anyone who enjoyed this but for me personally it was really a dreadful waste of money. I saw no promise in the story and no prospect of any whatsoever. Too many starts with no development. For a comic about the water I found it rather dry and wanting.

If you disagree I would love to hear about it.

- Thom