Comics News: Billy Tucci's SHI Kicks Off 20 Year Anniversary

For Immediate Release

Bayport – New York

It was March 1994 when struggling artist/writer Billy Tucci’s modern-day samurai fable, “Shi – The Way of the Warrior” #1 first hit the comic shelves and changed the face of self-publishing. Illustrated by Tucci, co-written with Peter Gutierrez, and colored by Barry Orkin, “Way of the Warrior” transcended independent publishing with a unique melding of Japanese mythology, history, and action not seen before in comics and inspired a host of imitators.

Now after twenty years and 3 million copies of “Shi” in print, Tucci kicks off an anniversary celebration with a new series and rare exclusives.

“Until last July’s San Diego Comic Con, we hadn’t created any convention specials since 1994.” Tucci explained, “ the SDCC exclusives were an immediate sell out and we’ve been getting requests for more books and prints exclusive to the particular conventions I’ll be attending, so here we go!”

Shi 20th Anniversary Celebration 2014 Tour kicks off at this weekend’s London Super Comic Con with two LSCC exclusive books, the “Shi – Way of the Warrior #1” LSCC 20th Anniversary edition and the “LSCC Shi – Sketch A Story” Sketchbook. Both books are limited to only 25 editions with each signed and numbered by Billy Tucci.
LSCC will also see the debut of the “The Shi – Way of the Warrior #1 20th Anniversary Sketch Cover Edition” and all-new exclusive Shi lithographs.

Tucci concluded, “I cannot believe it’s been twenty wonderful years since Shi’s debut on the world stage. Revisiting the book that started it all is the driving inspiration to my all-new Shi series “Hatachi” debuting later this year!”

Laid Back Comics: Captain America #8

Early in the week, I was catching up my reading of Captain America mostly due to a back-log of comics I had not gotten to yet. Cap is one of my favorite Marvel characters and for the last several years has had a string of excellent stories behind him. When Marvel NOW came about Captain America would be changing hands to a new team and with that it would also be a dramatic shift in the story, which one often sees after a long run by one team ends and a new one jumps on. Rick Remender and John Romita Jr set out not only do something different, they jumped genres turning the book into a Sci-Fi dystopian dimension jumper  and at first it seemed to work, but as the series contained soon it started to feel like it was just starting to drag little by little to sit and wonder when will it end.

Issue 8 feels though things that been setting up throughout a lot of the series would be coming to head and in a way a possible end was in sight, of course it wasn't going to be easy for Steve having to face off with the son of Zola who he had help to raise and now on the end of another major beating. It is one thing the series I do feel is positive is the never give up and die aspect of Captain America, with the major revelation and now facing off with the consequence at hand. Sadly what would be dramatic scenes are filled with the clichéd speech of a child berating Captain America explaining how awful the country he represents really is.  It is odd to have a character in this brand new environment and yet we have familiar speech coming from one of the characters.

Tension to the issue is the key, like mentioned we are slowly seeing an end in sight characters like Zola and his daughter who has seemly turned against his teaching start to face off we also see a brilliant turn for Captain and Ian/Leopold. Steven using his short time fathering the child to hopefully bring him back from the reaches that his true father has tried to take him. Before getting suddenly silenced by the big reveal of the book, which in of itself wasn't too shocking the more you sit and think about it. It raises more questions than answers and they then leading to a new issue to come out. As close to the end of the story we seem to get another chapter seems to be added on.

Though John Romita Jr is doing one of the best Jack Kriby characters and worlds here that it would be amazing to see him try his hand at other Fourth World characters. Art alone is the shining light on the book, though while we get amazing scenes with his art, there seems to be struggles in other places, the faces change shape or look fish like with side lines. Group shots of seems to run into one another.  Dean White colors also are a little inconstant, one time dull and faded then moving to bright. Sometimes they would fit with one is happening on panel and others time it doesn't.

While the series so far has started off fresh both in writing and art has slowly turned into just another weird tale of Rick Remender along the lines of Franken-Castle. If I loves it then there is nothing to say, here I am just waiting for this to end and check out the possible next story.

OVERALL: 7.0 out of 10

Bryan "BAC" Clendening writes for The Broken Infinite. Follow him on Twitter @BAClend

Laid Back Comics: X-Files Season 10 #1

I got blood on my poster

Do you hear that, just in the behind you always seem to be moving when you try to look? A hint of a whisper in your ear or perhaps a whistle of a familiar tune floating in the air?  That was the feeling I got when I first heard the X-Files was coming back, well not to TV or movies this time we are heading back to comics with IDW’s X-Files Season 10. One has to wonder if this new series was something that would be like the other ‘season’ books like Buffy and Smallville where it just continues the story. From the looks like with some of some big plot points mentioned it looks like we are going that way.

Now some time has passed since we last saw our two heroes of Mulder and Scully who have now gone into protection with name and career changes, one of which might get a chuckle from Mulder fans alike. But, a lot of this issue is here to here for the fans to reconnect to these characters and world while giving a new threat to them as well. The way the threat is introduced is through the age old method of hacking into the FBI files and those possible that of the X-Files as well. Of course this leads to some strange group now targeting the former FBI agents and they are offering up a very creep mind controlling powers while they are at it.

The concept of TV shows turned to comics is not a new one, but the idea to continue the show after it has gone off the air is still a little new. And for such one can easily look to the ones currently offered to come to a quick idea on whether it is good or bad depending on the series, in the case of the X-Files here, it is a good one. Joe Harris and Chris Carter have in one issue put together the start of a story that already feels like early X-Flies, while keeping the shows later season stories in place. It is tense, suspenseful, and has a good mystery that I loved the X-Files for. Though at the same time going with something in this story so soon from the start does forget that many of the X-Files cases often ended with logical explanations to them, here it looks like it might be leaning towards the outer worldly. But, just like a good X-Files episode things may not be what they appear which will get me ready to come back next issue.

Issue #17 Topps Comics

Next point though is why you read through the book and begin to smile that this is the X-Files, that can also be a bit of a draw back as well. This is a book made for fans, anyone who may not be familiar with the series or maybe the few who fell out before the last few seasons will be lost when trying to read the book. 

The art work and color done was something I was pleasantly surprised with, other comics of this nature tend

to be more photo-realistic, they try very hard to make sure they look as close to the actors as possible, but often come off stiff and awkward. Here Michael Walsh sets up something that is more organic feeling, yes you can easily recognize the characters still, but there is more freedom of the world and how each one moves and acts. If there is any fault it is when the color turns to day time when everything is bright, it just seems overly so, but when the scenes go to night, it were a lot of the feeling of the show returns and helps in the drama of the scene and cliffhanger.

The return of the X-Files is something I welcome and IDW has put together a solid book that is made for fans of the show missing it and wanting to return to it. I missed the X-Files, glad it is back.

OVERALL 7.5 out of 10

Bryan "BAC" Clendening writes for The Broken Infinite and comic book corrspondent on Nerd to the Third Power Podcast. Follow him on Twitter @BAClend

Laid Back Comics: Green Lantern #20

Turn back the clock nine years ago, you walk into a comic shop and see an issue with a pretty simple title, Green Lantern: Rebirth.  A story that brings Hal Jordan back to life and takes center stage again for the Green Lantern mythos, the writer of this Book Geoff Johns has taken his first steps to revamping not only the character of Hal Jordan but everything we knew about Green Lantern. Now with the latest issue out, it comes to a close an end, not with a whimper but a bang.

John pulls few punches as this issue not only wraps up his run on the series but also on the Story-line “Wrath of the First Lantern”,  a long story arc that brought all of the Lantern books facing off with a reality changing villain. It showed some highs and lows as the story progressed but ended hitting every beat a conclusion like this should. This brought in a lot of the elements that Johns has added over the years, the different Crops adding on, Nekkron of Blackest Night appearing as well as the entity Parallax which was the first item Johns added to the Green Lantern books which is safe to say a perfect note to end on.

The issue in of itself wasn't a perfect issue sadly; the story did seem to move at a break neck pace with one event happening right after the other leaving some holes that really needed to be filled. Some could say that mirrors the last few stories of Green Lantern and if you title your head it works in a almost madding way. In a way that your mind trying to point out some of the flaws but once you finish the book you can’t help feel like you have enjoy yourself in some way. It also goes on to say that this isn't really an end, characters are set to go on different ventures throughout the galaxy. This is only a chapter in the stories of them and it left with more excitement to see where they might lead. 

The one small down sided to it though may be that while certain items were removed from the book, some things were added back in which feel like trying to re-shift the book backwards instead of forwards. While I feel this time was something that was the right thing to do, it does seem to retread ground we have seen once before and limits possible futures.

The Art Team on this was just amazing, and I do mean TEAM, yes Doug Manke has been the main penciller here, he is added by Christian Alamy, Keith Champagne, Mac Deering, Mark Irwun, Wade Von Grawbader, Tom Nguyen, Not to metion Patrick Gleason, Cully Hamner, Arron Kuder, Jerry Ordway, and Ivan Reis. On I am not done yet as there was also Ethan Van Sciver, Alec Sinclair, And Tony Avina.

Not done just yet as we continue with the Colorist Alex Sinclair and Tony Avina, and last by very not the least Dave Sharpe as the letter for the issue. It might seem like a long way to pad out a review to add every single name that seemed to work on the book, but they all deserved it and deserve to be mentioned and not passed over as, the artist and left at that. If I could add applause to a column I would.

In the end this was a enjoyable end to a long running work Geoff Johns has been working on, going out with a bang has never been so appropriate here. Here is hoping for the same for those talented people coming on the books now.

OVERALL: 9.0 out of 10

Bryan "BAC" Clendening Writes for Broken Infinite, follow him on Twitter @BAClend

Action Lab Month: Night of the 80s Undead review

Continuing on in our Action Lab month reviews we take a look at the, like, totally radical Night of the 80s Undead.

Review by Jeremias de Leon

Story

There's lots of cocaine and lots of gore as two girls seem to stumble into something they definitely didn't ask for.

There's plenty of references of course to the decade which are conveniently pointed out if you're not familiar with the fads of the era. The characters have some development in this issue though this issue is more about setting up the premise of the series. It does it in a funny, interesting way too. Celebrity references abound as what seems to be the ultimate 80s party is about to take place and the star of the party, cocaine, seems to pack even more of a punch than usual as it turns the guests into crazy killing coke heads all the while screaming for "more blow".

In the meantime there's two female friends who are looking for a crazy party as (at least one of them) is looking to get over boy troubles and get into altered state of minds. They find the party they look for with the celebrities, at least it seemed that way at first.

The story buildup is actually pretty good as it not only lets you know about the conflict but about the world and why this is going to be an interesting ride.

Characters

The characters don't seem to be badly written but I have to say I wish there were more backstory and development in their first issue. I understand there needs to be world building and these characters don't come off as totally flat, but having some more of their history explained would help the reader connect more. Especially with what seems to be the main character and her history with, a former boyfriend that looks to be a coming important character in the series.

Art

If you were to look at the cover then the inside you probably wouldn't expect that style in the comic. Besides a quick few color pages the comic is actually in pencil. That's right pencil, no inks and some bits of color. To be honest I like that, the pencil lets you focus on the details of the art and gives it a style that fits the story.

Verdict

The book is a heck of a lot of fun, though I wish the characters were just given a little more backstory though I'm sure the next issue will do just that. I give it an 8.5 out of 10

Laid Back Comics: All-Star Western #19 Guest Staring Booster Gold

There is one thing to say about this, Jimmy Palmiotti is a man on a mission with All Star Western. When the gate-fold “WTF” covers were first announced he kick up the gears and started promotion the book to anyone and everyone he could. Why? The answer was simple, the guest star that would be joining the book of course.  A certain time traveling hero by the name Booster Gold, who hasn't been seen since Justice League International book. This was a twist to be sure.

All Star Western is honestly best be described as a cult book, the best book you may not be reading, and many others. It is mainly because while it may have be a book placed in the same DC Universe it stayed in its own corner because it took place in the past, with little connections to the bat books. Here though is a full injection to the rest of Universe as Booster now thrown into the mix. The book itself is broken down into four different sections, the meeting, the villains, Boosters arrival, and the back up Stormwatch. With the first two sections of the book flows very naturally it only feels like it trips a little when we get to the area where Booster first appears as it was a sudden shift with very little lead in.

That is not to say the story placed by Palmiotti and Grey where Jonah Hex meeting the time traveler who now sudden wearing a sheriffs badge isn't still a good read. Hex calling Booster out on his tough guy act and pretty much giving him an idea that this world he has entered is not some polished western, where violent gangs will do horrible acts just for some possible cash is done and you need a bigger bad gang to catch them. And now he has a bit of a comic foil to follow him around which has been a small staple of the series. Gray and Palmitotti though aren't pushing a pure comedy though and as much as I would love to see the Booster of the old JLI days working with this cowboy, we are seeing the slightly more serious side. It shows in how they write him and what he wants to do to criminals as to what Hex will do as well.

There has to be a lot of credit on how much one enjoys the issue thanks to Moritat on art, but also colorist Andre Szymanowicz who did something sublet with Booster as with everyone else. The world is slightly dark and at times dirty like the old west should be, but Booster comes off bright and colorful at times, he stands out and as a man from the future it makes sense. He still ‘clean’ as opposed to Hex and the world he lives in. It is this little touch that gives this book something a little more special than a small guest star.

The other item this book has been doing lately are these small backups of other western heroes and villains. Here is a story of Gun Fighter coming to the rescue of a convoy of women from raiders and werewolves. With that running around it is no wonder Hex wasn’t fazed by a time traveler.

Overall All Star Western is a great book that doesn’t get the newsworthy notes that it should. If you’re a fan of Hex or Booster than this is a perfect time to pick up this issue and the issues that follow.

OVERALL 8.5 out of 10

Bryan "BAC" Clendening writes for Broken Infinite, follow him on Twitter @BAClend

Laid Back Comics: Age of Ultron #1

It took a little bit longer than we all first thought, and I am sure longer than Marvel wanted it to start with, but Age of Ultron has finally made it to print after first getting teased back in 2012 on Free Comic Book Day and also in Avengers #12.1. What was a bit of a mystery to the story of the book and how this would connect into the Marvel Universe in another major shakeup event or would possible be a standalone possible story line like Age of Apocalypse back in the day? It turns out that it is more the former while also adding a little bit of the latter to this mix. Before the issue hit the stands there wasn't very much to know about the story other than a simple premises that Ultron Won. And if you get that the first issue of the series just goes straight into this world without really stopping to let you in on the when and how that happened.

One of the things to take away from this first issue is just how lucid it is, Bendis is often criticized for being able to only write a book of talking heads issue in and issue out. Here though he seems to show he can add in straight forward action from page to page. Without disheveled Hawkeye running into a building to rescues a teammate and friend in Spider-Man, Which version of Spider-Man classic Pete or newer Octo-Pete is yet to be determined. With Hitch able to draw out the action in such wonderful ways. Hitches art also lends well to the environment around the city given off the destroyed world and mixed with the techno metropolis that is replacing some of it around.

In an odd twist though while the setup lay out, and action of the book makes for the book to be an enjoyable read, the fact I wouldn't mind some back story to how and why this happened would be a bit refreshing as well. So far a lot of information about this world is in the dark, if issue one is just the hook to the series one can hope some questions will be answered in the upcoming ones as well.

There is also a lot of choices in the art work as well, She-Hulks extremely short hair, Tony’s Tron look, 

Wolverines as well. The body scanning to see if they are 'clean'. All of this might leave a reader more than a little confused on what is going on and what suppose to be going on. 

This might all just point to this to this alternate time line story that is being built and might just be one and done items for this time line. The biggest problem is this newest event could all be too much too soon.  From so short of time since Avenger’s vs. X-Men, to the Marvel NOW launches, one could easily get overwhelmed by such a massive event going on right now. But, that could be all for nothing though, if this just alternate time, once it is done it might just be something to look back on much like Age of apocalypse. All in all it is a good read with just a few blank spots that needed to be explored as the series continues.

OVERALL 7.0 out of 10

Bryan "BAC" Clendening writes for Broken Infinite as a comic reviewer. You can follow him on Twitter @BAClend

Ikaricast Week, Day 1: Interview With Joe Martino

 To celebrate the 5th Anniversary of the Ikaricast, we'll be posting episodes of the infamous podcast from this past season all week long.

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Xaos and Seraph interview Joe Martino a comic book creator who got his project "The Mighty Titan" funded on kickstarter. The Mighty Titan's story was inspired by Joe's battle with cancer, but it's not a biographical story. We discuss what it was like for him, what it's like to get a comic published and more. Go to Joe's website to learn more jgmcomics.com and follow him on twitter @jgmcomics

Leave an e-mail and let us know your thoughts at theikaricast@gmail.com

Stream here http://rvtentertainment.com/content/ikaricast/3426-interview-with-joe-martino

Download the episode here

Laid Back Comics: X-O Manowar #10

Robert Venditti has spun a tale of a man out of time gifted with powers he could hardly understand and hunted by the beings that made it, enslaved him, and want the armor back and him dead.  Worse yet his best friend thought dead now hangs in the grip of his enemy almost dead.  It is a familiar situation seen over time in comics, Television, and movies.  And it plays out much like you think it would, what makes this better is the connection the two main characters here have with one another.  Well established from the series start that Aric and Gaft were always close and would do anything for each other.

It is a human moment in an otherwise amazing Sc-Fi adventure going on currently around them. But, of course that doesn’t stop Trill from being the bad guy that he is. The whole sequence leads up to show us that Aric may have been holding back how powerful he really is. The just full hatred he has hidden within him seeing his once thought dead friend almost end up that way again, Trevor Haisine seals that notion though his art and the anger and pain brought on by all of this on Aric.

We also get a better look that Aric is still the warrior he was when first introduced, he may have the X-O armor now and having pretty solid control over it. We are still shown that without it, he can at least hold his own using more of his wits than shoving a sword though whatever the problem may be. Helping heal his friend and then talking him down has Gaft dawns the armor was the main story that leads to a sad conclusion, but the set up to Planet Death making it us realize it isn’t Planet Earth that will be the place Planet Death take place on.

Which is something I am happy to see frankly, Earth invasions while fun, can feel played out here seems to be the reverse of the situation a human setting course to return to the alien world planet as the invader is a fresh take on the whole idea.

Looking forward as Planet Death we are left with a lot of different questions and some concerns, the first is how will the race respond to Aric coming in and will he turn the home world into the planet of death ever so hinted at? I know Aric will be looking for revenge but will he loose himself in it? All of these is why readers are coming back to this book.

X-O Manowar takes what should be considered cliché and boring and is able to make it fun and exciting, a test sometimes other comics fail to pass. Here we are getting a new level of sci-fi action as Planet Death approaches and looks to take our hero a journey to face off with the alien force that has changed his life so much. It is time to get on the bandwagon now of Valiant Flagship title, otherwise you will be sad you missing this series.

OVERALL: 9.0 out of 10

Bryan "BAC" Clendening is a comic book reviewer and sometimes video producer. Follow him on Twitter @BAClend

Laid Back Comics: Bloodshot #8

If X-O Manowar is the sci-fi adventure flag ship of Valiant, then Bloodshot is the dirty gritty action film and we like it like that. Last issue saw Bloodshot and crew break through defenses of Project Rising Sun but not finding what they wanted, instead children that Bloodshot once captured while an agent.  This issues takes the familiar part of any story where the plan suddenly take a turn in the direction the heroes didn't see and now must quickly recover and soon.

For Bloodshot it comes down the worst, he was very close to what he thought was learning all about him, only for it to be removed and replaced with another mystery he needs to solve with the kids that are now running loose. And they know him and do not like him in anyway. I like the nick name the kids of given Bloodshot, “The Boogieman”. It is simple and yet freighting for these kids to sudden be captured and makes sense. Writer Duane Swierczynski very much wants this mystery to plan out longer in this arc because as soon as the kids are re-introduced to Bloodshot, they are quickly separated again leaving him with his current and a tad ugly enemies to try and finish him off.

Of course that is also a slight weakness to the book, there is a bit of jumping around between some of the characters, so much at one point one seems to have vanished and just get casually explained off. There was a lot that was trying to do at times, there are seeds to the upcoming Harbinger War that look to be planted and new characters introduced that could become important later on, but these quick looks tend to distract from where the story is or right now isn't going. We aren't lead into what these characters plan to do next, we moving from fight to fight trying to keep up and catch our breaths.

What really great though is Manuel Garcia artwork through the whole issue, even when at times it can be a little gross. There is one point in the book I did have to put it down and thank I wasn't eating something. But, that is just the details he goes into the characters. I could only imagine the challenge it is to make and draw these techno-bodies of Chainsaw and it should be looked on as an accomplishment as they are very unique.

My only issue is that this feels a lot like stretching out the current story line just a little longer. Nothing moves any closer to resolution. It seemed closer to filler than it was a chapter in the ongoing story. It not a bad thing really, it is something that happened with serialized comics so it was a matter of time before Bloodshot has his own. But, don’t take that as a damnation of the comic, it still the action film that I mentioned above. It really stands out as nothing like any comic on the rack and should be read to be believed.

OVERALL: 7.5 out 10

Bryan "BAC" Clendening is a comic reviewer and sometimes video producer on the internet, you can follow him on Twitter Here

Laid Back Comics: Fearless Defenders #1

There was a time I wasn't sure how I could approach this title, you see When The Defenders title was canceled not too long ago I was a bit sad by it going. I Then saw this title pop up with the Marvel Now I crossed my arms and seemed to grumble at how this somehow might been the reason behind why the other was cancelled, like there couldn't be two ‘Defender’ titles out. After coming to the notion that idea was completely dumb I warmed up to Fearless coming in based on the first two characters showcased in Misty Knight and Valkyrie. Two characters that have been supporting roles in other books I have enjoyed so be reasonable the same will happen here.

The story is pretty much standalone so far, there is no lead in with other titles. It is a sight forward threat is being made and this group will have to be formed and face off with whatever it may be. Now the characters of Misty Knight and Valkyrie have two very different backgrounds and often face off with very different threats. Cullen Bunn knows this and actually plays around with the idea for some fun moments. For Misty, you first see her taking on some artifact smuggler somewhere on ocean which is something that she seemed just run of the mill for her to do. That is until rocket launchers are pulled out and used against her.

And while the smugglers did get away Misty did manage to bring back something for her friend and new character to the book in Dr. Annabelle Riggs an archaeologist who unknowingly reveals a secret that the artifact Misty brought back can raise the dead. And now Misty is facing off with several undead Vikings. And this of course brings Valkyrie into the book proper.

The opening book is very action oriented with just brief moments of exposition in between to give it a good breath before diving into undead bashing. I wouldn't call these things zombies just reanimated bones. This all seems to lead back to Valkyrie and the release of the Doommaidens rising. So in the opener of the series we get not only introduction of three main characters so far, but also the threat in a well-paced fun opening issue.

The art work though while looking well and nice, also carried with it the stigma of the female form that has been traveling around for a while now. Meaning there are moments you title your head and go that cannot be good for the spine. There was major fear with that as the series was first announced and it is a trend that we do see in the book.

The other major aspect of the book and one that got many headlines is this is an All-Female book, the first of Marvel NOW, and what was first thought of as just an all-female team, the book actually takes the All-Female to everything. Main cast is not only all female it looks as if the threat is as well with the Doommaidens. So in essence we are getting more than just a team, it could be an almost All-Female book period.

In the end the book is fun start to this new series that already has two very strong leads and is looking to expand on as the first arc continues, it is one of the better new books debuted under the Marvel NOW banner.

OVERALL: 7.5 out of 10

Bryan "BAC" Clendening is a comic book reviewer and sometimes video producer. You can follow him on Twitter Here.

Laid Back Comics: Green Arrow #17

Green Arrow’s recent title in the New 52 has been meeting with pretty much lack luster on almost all accounts. Things were not working be it in the story or the characters and things looked bleak for the Emerald Archer. This is ironic considering his first live action debut has been meeting with recent success. But, seems the fans weren't the only one to notice this as writer Jeff Lemire takes the task of trying to shoot new energy into the title at hand.

The question how he would go about this was one in the forethought on my mind. We have seen Green Arrow deal with some challenges but nothing that really stood out for the character. So instead of just continuing of the normal, we get the start of a complete stripping down of the character. Not only the stripping of Ollie’s money and company. Many items and characters first introduced when the book debuted have been removed, at times violently.

While Lemire was stripping down the character what is impressive is that he is also trying to build something more. Hidden forces conspire against Ollie, the force responsible for the actions leading up to this. That he may not have had the chance to reach his full potential on the island he was lost on. It is a fascinating look into the system where Lemire is using the books current continuity and giving a reason behind it, while with moving the story in a new direction and in the eyes of a lot of readers trying to correct it. The question of is it working or not still won’t be answered until much further down the line of the book. But, I can no longer call it a Batman with arrows as I once did. It is completely different.

Even the art work put together by Andrea Sorrentino is a reflection of the changes the books is going through and will be going through. Inside at certain moments colors were removed save for the color green for obvious reasons, or at times just black and white. These are things you often get drawn to it, something is happening right there that is important. Times it might be something small and other very big and crucial to the story.

The end of the issue might have removed nearly all of the items from the previous arcs, it still introduces some new characters a ‘dark archer’ and a man eyes were gone only to have ‘x’ where they were. And the reveal like mentioned that Ollie had left the island too soon. There does feel like there is more life in this book than before, a new beginning to a struggling title. We can very well see people coming back to this title more. This also well get those wondering, are there other titles that could benefit from such a drastic storytelling method. A complete overall from the ground up? If this new Green Arrow continues to do as well as this issue that could be our answer.

OVERALL 8.0/10

Bryan "BAC" Clendening is a comic book reviewer and sometimes video producer, you can follow him on Twitter Here.

Laid Back Comics: Uncanny X-Force #1

Uncanny X-Force, not to be confused with just X-Force, or now Cable and X-Force, Uncanny X-Force is fairly young book with only 35 issues before getting this re-launched with Marvel NOW, we get a brand new team inside of the book as well as the creative team behind it. This shows that X-Force as almost separated itself as its own brand now with in the X-Books. As we enter the second volume of the title there is definitely a different feel to it and there is one thing I can say about this issue and new direction. There is a lot of cussing and it all coming from Psylocke?!

We should start at the beginning here, Wolverine has for most part disbanded the X-Force team and this has left a few members stranded to find a direction for themselves. In the case of Psylocke she tried to be at the Jean Grey School, but certain incidents had made things hard for everyone to be there. So Logan just in what can be assumed is one last mission to take on so she can get back into the field.

And that is the only real back story you get between the end of the last volume and to this current one, other dialog moments that come up is a call back to other series like the end of Avengers vs X-Men when Storm talks about how her marriage ended. And then a tease of something happening with her and Logan which turned more to Wolverine and the X-Men, all the while they are just heading to find their contact. The script here is solid enough with well-established beats, but then while the story is progressing it shoots back to these call backs that currently don’t have to do with the issue at hand you are reading. When we are back to the issues main story it still moves slowly as another character is introduced in Puck, the contact for the mission, and then moving down to the main action sequence with Spiral and Psylocke. But, everything goes back to the cursing; it is just so out of place and obvious. Instead of using just the random characters or even blurred out the word, they are these big black boxes in the text boxes. Your eyes draw right to that trying to fill in the blank. And many times it doesn't come off a clever writing, it just cursing because why not.

Courtesy of Bleeding Cool

I am not sure Sam Humphries was trying to push the idea that Psylocke has herself letting herself go from the end of the last volume, where she lost not only Angel but almost lost Fantomex as well. She sits on a hair trigger now and becoming loose cannon. Written to try and forget the past by throwing herself into these situations.

We are supposed to be caring about what should be a drug bust of mind control pills being spread around. The return of Spiral who Psylocke would love nothing more to just kill right in the middle of this club; but the last section of the story is so fast and hectic we are quickly shuffled off to the sudden return of Bishop last seen abandoned far into the future. And then we meet back with Fantomex and his new ‘partner’ Cluster. Which has its own twist to the story that the definition of narcissism to a literal extreme.

While the story for me is something that could be built on, the start was leaving me a little cold and confused. But, there was very much good going on, Humphries and artist Ron Garney are bring forth a different feel of this book than many of the others. Some things feel familiar like the location of Los Angles, but it feels different, like a new type of underworld they are stepping into. One where a hover car traveling down isn't even given a second look or six armed drug dealers can be the center of attention and is welcomed from the populace. You want to see this more of this sometimes unseen world. That goes to Garney on the art work, with only one moment towards the end where Cluster is jumping around in a possible one of the more awkward positions I could think of. But, also it is odd to say when we get the small visit to France where is was bright and clean as the opposite where the team current was.

Overall, the issue tries to quickly set up the team players as best it can while trying to maintain the feel of the previous volume with slight or in case of Psylocke’s vocabulary manger twist to try and leave a mark on you. The art is the saving grace to everything though as the world we see is something we want to come back to and expand on. It isn't as fast of a start to the new volume as many might like, but there is a lot to build up from here

SCORE: 6.5 out of 10

Bryan "BAC" Clendening is a comic book review and some times video producer, you can follow him on Twitter at @BAClend

Laid Back Comics: X-O Manowar #9

Bryan "BAC" Clendening is a comic book review and some times video producer. You can follow him on Twitter at his handle @BAClend

It is hard life for Aric of Dacia star of X-O Manowar and for our hero things are not going to get any easier with this prelude to Planet Death story ach. The Vine are going to stop at nothing to bring back the Shanhara X-O Manowar armor by whatever means they can. Which means a massive invasion of planet Earth, which some may say is tad overkill.

Valliant’s flagship title has been a staple of quality writing ever since it launched and here is another pure example of why that is. Issue nine is what the cover says it is a prelude to something major about to come for not only Aric but all of planet Earth as well, Admiral Xylem is tired of the failuars of the past to remove the Shanhara from some human. Writer Robert Venditti has created a chilling villain and very smart villain here. He has seen the failures coming before him and is setting out to see that not happen again. And the way he goes about to try and collect that information may consider crossing the line when he pulls out a trump card later.

Then right on the opposite side of it is the High Prist, he sees Aric gaining the power of the Shanhara as something divine. It chose Aric for a reason while rejecting so many others that came before him. The Vine isn’t just a blood thirsty alien race of the week. They have different trains of thoughts, different opinions, and different methods. While currently they are choosing the side of a major threat we care how and why they would make such a decision.

And in some sense they mirror the heroes in Aric and Alexander Dorian, Aric the warrior right to his bones is more than willing to move head long to meet Xylem and have him pay for what he has done to him. And Alexander trying his best to try and to stop the destruction of this world he grew up on. These character moments are what drives this issue.

That is not to say we didn’t any action in the issue, far from it. He last section of the book is dedicated to Aric facing off against some X-O Commandos sent ahead of the invasion. And that is when the issue pops on the art level. Trevor Hairsine while doing well in the quiet moments and tension building characters did seem wooden as they all stood around. But, once Aric meet the commandos things picked up.  There were a few close up faces that tended that were over exaggerated to a degree of bring you out of the story.  At the end the cliffhanger really sends home the note that things for Aric is going to get much worse before he can fully get his hands on the Vine

This issue is another reason why Valiant titles are all sleeper hits, if you are not reading these now you need to.

SCORE-8.5/10 

Laid Back Comics: Arrow S1:06 Legacies

A bit of a filler episode this week, but that's okay because we got some nice action and new incarnation of The Royal Flush Gang.

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Laid Back Comics: Arrow S1:04 An Innocent Man

Ollie is trying to balance his two lives while also looking to get an innocent man off death row. Still need a mask.

Laid Back Comics: Arrow S1:03 Lone Gunman

Arrow S1:03 Lone Gunman

Hey Look it's Deadshot!

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Comic News: Wizard World Inc Appoints New Chairman of the Board

Here is the official press release from WW Inc from earlier today:

Wizard World, Inc. appoints John Macaluso to Chairman of the Board

NEW YORK, October 23, 2012 – The Wizard World, Inc. (WIZD) board of directors elected John Macaluso chairman of the board, effective October 10, 2012, succeeding Michael Mathews who is stepping down from the board to pursue his passion of early stage technology ventures.  Macaluso will continue to serve as the company's Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Macaluso has overseen Wizard World's impressive growth in its pop culture Comic Cons in 2012, including enjoying its most highly-attended and successful events in Philadelphia, Chicago and Columbus, Ohio.  Macaluso has shifted the company away from the prior management’s singular focus of being the purveyors of the new next thing towards a more fan-centric and balanced approach of delivering a great experience for all constituents – the talent, the sponsors and the attendees.  With this shift in strategy and business practices, Wizard World is experiencing growth in all areas of its business, from attendance, to viewership of wizardworld.com, to sponsorship sales and activations, and merchandise sales.  

This broader vision has also helped Wizard World create a number of “once in a lifetime experiences” for attendees, including meet and greets with first gathering of the Captains in all five iterations of the “Star Trek” franchise, as well as the first U.S. reunion of the cast of “Star Trek: The Next Generation.”  Wizard World comic cons are now attracting the next generation of global film stars such as Marvel’s The Avengers headliners while continuing to secure industry legends like Stan Lee and William Shatner, and industry favorites like Will Wheaton, Eliza Dushku, Scott Bakula, Gillian Anderson and WWE® Superstar CM Punk®.

John Maatta, COO of the CW Network and a director of Wizard World, Inc. stated “As CEO, John has worked tirelessly to instill best practices in the company’s operations, and we look forward to having his leadership and vision at the board level.” 

 So now Wizard World Inc has a new Chairman. What does this mean for future Wizard World events? Time will tell but if this last year is any indication, they will get better and better.

Film News: Morrison & Robertson's Happy to be developed for Film by Rza & Hudlin

  The miniseries first issue has just come out mere weeks ago and it is already getting a film. Grant Morrison and Darick Robertson's Happy miniseries has been picked up by newly minted director RZA and producer Reginald Hudlin for a film adaption. The book focuses on  a former cop and hitman by the name of Nick Saxx who starts to see a 'Care Bear' level of sweet and happy blue flying horse who will not allow Saxx to feel sad ... for ANY reason.

Grant Morrison had described Happy to CBR earlier this summer.

"Imagine the most cynical, fucked up man in the world having to deal with this -- with a sickeningly upbeat little cartoon character -- each trapped with the other.' What would it be like if the Bad Lieutenant teamed up with Pegasus the Flying Horse? By this time, I knew the Happy the Horse would be tiny. And it struck me that I could throw 'Christmas story' in with this as well. I've always wanted to have a go at a classic Christmas story like 'It's A Wonderful Life' or 'A Christmas Carol' but with characters drawn from the shock headlines of the 21st century. So this idea seemed to lend itself to that and it gave me a chance to do the kind of wider, symbolic pop cult critique that I like. It just grew from there."



 The script for the movie adaption has been confirmed to be written by Morrison himself. While there is no set date for when the Happy film will come out ... prob ably around Christmas next year or so ... but Happy #1 by Morrison and Robertson is in stores now.
 

Archer and Armstrong Issue 3 review

Hello readers on TheBrokenInfinite! This is Jeremias with a new review, this time I'm going back to Archer and Armstrong and reviewing issue 3 of the newly re-launched Valiant title. Before reading this I highly recommend reading my review of issue 1: http://thebrokeninfinite.blogspot.com/2012/08/archer-and-armstong-1-review.html

Review by Jeremias de Leon

Story

Archer and Armstrong of course, picks up after the second issue where the pair are looking for more pieces of an ancient and powerful device and end up at a monastery where, as the comic calls them, "nunjas"reside. The story moves along at a brisk pace. It doesn't lag around in one area and for a comic like this, where it shines with it's action scenes that's a good thing.

You see a character from issue one come back, you see an old friend of Armstrong's as a nun helping the duo out and you see more from Archer's old sect though not all in the same place. More reveals on just what the sect's plans are and what they've been doing, we got to learn more about Armstrong, and we finally see Archer and Armstrong resolved to work as a team which is extremely important. For as few pages are in this single issue the story moves on very well. I have to say the pacing is well done here.

Art

More of what I loved from issue 1 is back in here. The action scenes are well thought out and the characters look great when moving and fighting. Which is what you want to see in a comic like this where action is such a strong selling point. Refer to my review of issue one for more.

Verdict

For my thoughts on the characters refer to my issue one review linked at the top. I will say, however that the titular characters do develop more individually and as a team.

Anyway, if you've been reading the previous issues of Archer and Armstrong then this issue definitely gives you a reason to keep going in this series. If only to learn more about Archer's former allies and to see how the duo continue to grow as a team.

Issue 3 of Archer and Armstrong gets a 9 out of 10.