CBC: For people who don't know, EZ, you are a host of Toku Time; can you explain your show to our readers?
EZ Rider: I am The Toku Guy, I'm trying to show people the true glory that is tokusatsu, and how if people can look past Power Rangers and see it for what it really is, it can be an enjoyable genre for a more mature audience AND kids.
CBC: True and you cover all sorts of Tokusatsu, correct?
EZ Rider: Indeed, there's so many sub-genre series and movies out there in the world of toku, and I'm going to cover them all
CBC: Not to switch gears. Some of your fans many or many not know this, but you are a comic book fan as well, right?
EZ Rider: yep, not as big as BAC (Bryan Clendening from Comics & the People Who Love Them # 1) from Laid Back Comics, Linkara or yourself but I'd consider myself an adept reader. When I can get to the comic store/bookstore that is. *laughs*
CBC: So tell us EZ, what books got you started into reading comics?
EZ Rider: Well, probably the biggest was when I was a kid. I was big into the Superman movies and he was like a god to kids back then in the 80's. So my dad actually got me a subscription to Action Comics. He'd spent every other night reading them to me. Well I got into my teen years and I expanded into the world of Marvel and got hooked on Spider-Man at the time, but I kinda left them behind in high school. It wasn't until college that a comic book class caught my eye and even better, the library had it's own reading room for comics/graphic novels. So I was hooked again, and I had some catching up to do then.
CBC: What have been some of your favorite stories in comics?
EZ Rider: Probably the biggest one for me was the Clone Saga from Spider-Man, I can see people rolling their eyes already but I still like it. I admit it has it's problems but who cares? It gave us probably my favorite character in the Marvel universe, Ben Reilly. Seeing Spider-Man and Scarlet Spider fighting evil side by side, it was so awesome. Almost better than a Batman/Superman team-up.
Currently I have been heavy into Green Lantern. I think the Emotional Spectrum is the best thing to happen in comics. The new lantern corps hold so many endless possibilities and I can't wait to see what they do next and how they expand on these new corps.
CBC: With those said, how do you feel about the New Scarlet Spider? Are there particular lanterns you like more than others?
EZ Rider: I almost wished the Clone Saga has gone in the direction they are going now as opposed to the lackluster ending. It's interesting to see them do this now. Maybe they are trying to redeem themselves *laughs*
As for lantern corps I think I think the Red Lanterns pretty awesome. It's interesting to know now that when you lose your head in battle you can become a berserk killing machine (see Guy Gardner in Blackest Night: Green Lantern Corps). Blue Lanterns are also very intriguing. It's a shame that Saint Walker has not gotten his own series (well, New Guardians is close enough). He kind of reminds me of Cane in Kung Fu or Mr. Miyagi. He wants to find the peaceful way out and doesn't like to resort to fighting. Kind of admirable. I'd like to see him get his own series as a nomadic drifter through the sectors, helping people where he goes.
CBC: Do you have any favorite writers, artists ? If so, who are they?
EZ Rider: My favorite writers are probably (in no particular order) Grant Morrison. I just recently picked up All-Star Superman Vol. 1 and I'm currently reading his run on Action Comics. I HIGHLY recommend both.
Geoff Johns for his phenomenal work on Green Lantern and Flashpoint.
Matt Fraction: Didn't care for him at first until I read Fear Itself.
Brian Michael Bendis: His work on Ultimate Spider-Man, need I say more?
And last but not least, my personal favorite, Fabian Nicieza. It is CRIMINAL how underrated his work is, just look at his work on Trinity or more recently, Legion LOST. Two series I highly recommend.
CBC: Pretty damn awesome. So what was your reaction to the new 52 from DC? to Avengers vs. X-Men?
EZ Rider: I think the new 52 was a good idea but it felt so...rushed. That could just be my love for the World of Flashpoint talking. (And I hope to go we see more of that in future) but my only real gripe with the new universe is how Green Lantern has pretty much been untouched. Not just that. Other dead characters were revived but beloved characters (like Laira, Batman Beyond, The Marvels, and Renee Montoya) have either gone missing or never existed and I'm a little mift about that.
As for Avengers vs. X-Men I think this has been a long time coming, ever since Civil War. Let's hope it doesn't become another House of M though. The less I say about that the better
CBC: You mentioned Fabian Nicieza as an underrated writer. Who else, writer, artist, comic, character, do you feel is underrated?
EZ Rider: Well I missed artists earlier so I'll focus on them first. One I really love is Simone Bianchi who did work/covers for Green Lantern and Uncanny X-Force, another is Fernando Blanco, who I noticed did work on Captain America
As for comic characters I was excited to hear Static Shock was back for the new 52 but I heard recently it's going to be discontinued. Very sad but then again without Dwayne McDuffie I guess it isn't really the same. Still a great story/hero though. I recommend the cartoon for it as well.
CBC: What are you looking forward to comic book wise in 2012?
EZ Rider: Probably the first big DC event that I've heard whispers about. And Earth 2, the new comic announced from DC that apprently is going to be bringing back the JSA. I can't wait to see how they pull that off and what the multiverse means to the new 52. As for Marvel, the Avengers vs. X-Men event and how the Ultimate universe will go on. In my own opinion Spider-Man was carrying the Ultimate series, let's see how they can keep it going without retconning him back to life or pulling another One More Day.
CBC: Do you feel there are tropes that carry from comics to Tokusatsu or vice versa?
EZ Rider: Well it would've been a nice little nod to the toku series if Tony Stark gave Spidey a mech instead of that new costume during Civil War *laughs* But seriously, sometimes. It feels a lot of times like Captain America
CBC: What are some of the tropes you are tired of seeing in comics today?
EZ Rider: The lack of real female superheroes. Don't get me wrong, I love fanservice and hot chicks in spandex as much as the next horny fanboy but seriously. Look at the new 52 for example. Personal favorites like Power Girl and Mary Marvel have vanished. Now I know, Power Girl was only popular because of her enormous "talents" but personally I beg to differ. Go read her solo work if you don't believe me. Thank god I heard she may be coming back soon (with Huntress no less) I feel like DC has actually taken two steps back instead of going forward. *Now I know what you're thinking
CBC: What can we look forward to on Toku Time & your other shows (Rider Ramblings, Talk Toku, etc)? I heard you are working on a review of Kamen Rider Hibiki.
EZ Rider: Indeed I have, hopefully I'll have the Hibiki review done by the time you read this. After that I'll be celebrating my 50th episode by reviewing the old school sentai series, Liveman.
As for other shows, Rider Ramblings are usually on my youtube bi-weekly, depending on what's on my mind at the moment. *laughs*
I haven't been able to land any more interviews for Talking Toku but I'll be going to Power Morphicon in August and I intend to hopefully land several interviews there to make up for it. It all depends on who all shows up.
I also have a crossover video with my good friend and fellow toku brother, Apollo Z. Hack so look forward to that some time in April. I've been kicking around the idea of my own comic series but nothing's coming out of it.......yet. Other than that, not much else for the forseeable future. Just reviewting and spreading the word of toku.
CBC: That is awesome. Finally, any words you want to say to the readers and fans?
EZ Rider: Yes, keep checking out Seraph's stuff, it's EZ Rider approved *laughs* But other than that, be sure to check out Reviewtopia for all the newest and coolest reviews, series, and entertainment you ould want. And support your toku fansubs where and when you can. Remember, the fansub will never die.
CBC: Thank you very much EZ. Please check out All of EZ Riders stuff on Reviewtopia. And that is all for us this week.
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