Action Lab Entertainments upcoming releases for 2/12/2014

ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT COMICS IN STORES THIS WEEK New Releases for the week of February 12, 2014   NFL RUSH ZONE: GUARDIANS OF THE CORE SUPER BOWL™ EDITION TPB Writer(s): Kevin Freeman and David Dwonch Artist Name(s): Various Cover Artist(s): Jeremy Dale Collecting the first story arc of the hit NickToons television series! See Ish Taylor and the  NFL Guardians as they battle villains and robots of all sorts in an effort to protect the NFL and its fans. Packed with appearances from a number of NFL superstars, including Roddy White, Philip Rivers, and Calvin Johnson! 80pgs / FC/ 19.95 USD

Opinion Piece: Xbox One and done?

Disclaimer: This article is the writer's opinion alone hence the title.

This past Tuesday the Xbox One was revealed by Microsoft. As it was only a reveal press event we didn't get a lot of information on specifics about games. Well, to be honest they barely gave even a small amount of information on games. What we did get to know are the features it has. It can watch tv, it can switch between gaming and tv watching instantly. It does those things through voice commands. It also has a blu ray player and a redesigned controller.

As for what I feel about it, as of right now I feel I can't justify a purchase. I know that there's going to be more information on the games at E3 but the limitations, both confirmed and possible are just too much for me to ignore. The possibility of paying full price for a game that you bought used, the kinect being able to watch and study your body language and the console requiring an internet connection to be used. Granted the internet connection doesn't always have to be on but the fact that it needs one to be used isn't good. In the United States broadband internet hasn't reached every part of the country and in parts that there is broadband not every one is able to use it as much as different ISPs have different caps. 

About the television capabilities that seems to be such a strong focus, the Xbox One doesn't even have that capability right out of the box. It requires a separate device that needs to be purchased, and at launch that feature will only be available in the United States. Which, if the exclusive games for the Xbox One aren't that compelling and the tv features aren't even available why would people around the world consider buying the Xbox One? I'll wait until we see more information about the games at E3 to say the Xbox does or doesn't have many games worth purchasing the system over. But the ones we do know about probably will see plenty of purchases from the fans. Halo and Gears Of War will sell Xboxes I don't think the Xbox will be a failure even if it isn't a huge hit it won't be a complete failure. 

On the subject of E3 I've been hearing a lot of "wait for E3 this event was just to show the console, get the boring stuff put of the way" Well, Sony revealed the PS4 and were able to show things but still have plenty of for E3. It makes me think of two things, Microsoft probably doesn't have too much for E3 or by trying to "get the boring stuff out of the way" they are trying to focus on appeasing different markets but they're doing it in a way where most people watching were the serious gamer. 

Speaking of markets I honestly feel that this market of people who want to consume content on the internet and watch tv and are willing to buy a gaming console instead of a blu ray player or set top box or just stick with their computer or tablet doesn't exist. Or at least it's not a big market. 

Finally the two things that we don't know too much in detail about but are huge detractors if the worse is true. First, the pay wall for used games. I've been hearing the fee for buying a used game and trying to play it on your own system could be as high as the original price. Which could have some blowback from GameStop for hurting it's business in used game sales. GameStop will stock Xbox Ones but I have to wonder just how much they'll advertise it. Secondly, the kinect could be a turn off for consumers. Having a voice activated console that lets you play games is ok. But the potential of it is a bit creepy. There's been articles that show it can read body language to know what to advertise to you, and it can know how many people are in a room and there's possibilities of it stopping a movie if it detects too many people in a room and asking for a fee. Of course though the reason I brought these up last is right now there's too many rumors about the used games and the kinect "spying" on you. It can be scary but right now these things are just rumors and I won't flip out over that stuff until I know the facts from Microsoft. However the other things like it having three gigabytes of it's 8 gigabytes of RAM are dedicated to the multimedia features it has an older type of RAM than the PS4. it has a custom processor, 500 gigabytes of storage, won't be backwards compatible, and won't support most headsets are facts that we do know for sure that make me not want to purchase it. Things can change by E3 we can learn that it has good games and that things won't be as scary as it might seem. Though the things I mentioned that we do know for sure still don't have me raring to buy one.

Alright I rambled on enough. That's my thoughts about what we know about the Xbox One right now. Let me know what you think talk to me on twitter @ikariradio and be part of the larger discussion by listening to the Ikaricast on iTunes and emailing the show in the show theikaricast@gmail.com

Advanced Review: NFL Rush Zone FCBD Issue

NFL RUSH ZONE
Free Comic Book Day Issue
Written by Kevin Freeman
Art by M. Goodwin & Bill Blankenship
Action Labs Entertainment


FLIPPING THROUGH:

            Ish and his family have relocated to Canton, OH … the site of the Football Hall of Fame. Shortly after settling in, Ish is called into action, getting transported to California to face off against some Blitz Botz (yes, that is how it’s spelled).

            Ish tries to beat down some Blitz Botz with the 49ers Rusher but brute force does not seem to cut it. Ish finds that sometimes, he’s gonna need to use his brain instead of brawn to get the job done.


ART:

            I have enjoyed M. Goodwin’s art this issue. The lines are nice and clean. The panel work flows well. I honestly enjoy this art more than the actual animation art for the show. There is a life and excitement that Goodwin captures from the show and multiplies it by 10. And while animation will always be Animation, it is good to see Ish, the Rushers and Blitz Botz done extremely well.

            Bill Blankenship’s colors explode Goodwin’s pencils and inks. There is a great use of color that works not only for the comic and its story, but in comparison to the pallet of the show. Characters look defined. Blitz Botz look menacing. Ish looks like a kid but still looks heroic as he puts on his Guardian gear. Kudos to the art team in this.


WRITING:

            Freeman scripts a great issue here. It does a lot for a book that is a Free Comic Book Day issue. It tells a story. Gives you an idea of the background of the characters without going into the normal way of telling origins. It gives you our hero and villains easily enough. It establishes the theme and importance of our hero and what he does. And grabs readers to take a look into their world.

            Freeman does this and does this well. We get 2 battles in this issue which are paced well. This issue does not seem short like many other Free Comic Book Day issues of the past. And Freeman has a strong grip on the voice of the characters from NFL Rush Zone. People who are not fans of the show will quickly understand what’s going on. People who are fans of the show will enjoy this jumping on point (which Freeman makes) as a great companion to the show.

            And I loved how easily Freeman was able to interject a lesson while not being preachy. The issue leaves you intrigued and entertained. A good job by Freeman.

OVERALL IMPRESSION:

            We get a strong showing in this adaption of an animated property. It’s fun. It’s well written, well drawn. It’s full of life. And it teaches a lesson without talking down to the reader. While I was not completely floored and I do enjoy the art here than I do of the actual animation. Still, this definitely makes a great companion and wonderful read.

RATING:

            I give NFL RUSH ZONE Free Comic Book Day Issue an 8.5 out of 10. Good stuff. Grab it on Free Comic Book Day.

Comic News: Action Labs Launches NFL Rush Zone Comic At the SUPER BOWL!!!

ACTION LAB LAUNCHES FIRST NFL RUSH ZONE COMIC BOOK
AT THE NFL EXPERIENCE DRIVEN BY GMC AT SUPER BOWL XLVII

Action Lab Entertainment is proud and excited to announce it will be releasing a line of comic books based on the hit animated TV series NFL RUSH ZONE: Season of the Guardians. The comics will debut at the 21st NFL Experience Driven by GMC, located at the Ernest N. Memorial Convention Center in New Orleans during the celebration of Super Bowl XLVII from January 30th to February 3rd. This event offers interactive games, entertainment, Youth Football Festival, a major football memorabilia show and free autograph sessions with NFL players.  The Action Lab team will be a part of the experience, promoting limited-edition Super Bowl copies of the first NFL RUSH ZONE trade paperback, along with other NFL RUSH ZONE special offers for fans. The Action Lab booth is conveniently located next to the NFL RUSH ZONE for Kids area.

This will be followed shortly by the digital release of the trade paperback and first issue of an ongoing series, beginning January 30th, and the general release to comic book shops on February 13th. 

“This is an amazing opportunity for Action Lab,” proclaimed Action Lab President Kevin Freeman. “Both Nicktoons and the National Football League have universal recognition, well beyond the comic book market.  The NFL RUSH ZONE comic book series is full of exciting stories that expand the history and lore of the characters from the show. We are honored that the NFL chose Action Lab as its licensee for this exciting action series. “
“We are very pleased to be working with Action Lab on NFL RUSH ZONE comic books based on our animated TV series,” said Leo Kane, Senior Vice President of Consumer Products for the NFL. “Their action packed stories are certain to encourage young fans to learn more about their favorite NFL team. We are certain that kids will love the Rush Zone characters.”

David Dwonch, Action Lab's Creative Director, added, "The NFL RUSH ZONE comic book series is based on football--America’s most popular sport.  Each publication features NFL players and teams as they work with the characters from the animated TV show to protect their Megacore.” 
Each issue of the NFL RUSH ZONE comic book series features Ishmael "Ish" Taylor, an eleven-year old boy who serves as the primary protagonist, as well as other NFL Guardians. Guardians are the chosen young protectors of the players and their teams. Issues will feature current NFL players and one or more NFL Rusher, who assists the Guardians in protecting the NFL and the world from would-be conquerors.  Each of the 32 NFL teams has Rusherz, and over time every team will have stories directly related to their games. 

Action Lab and the NFL have plans to distribute the comic book series and trade paperbacks to retail outlets, booksellers and the NFL RUSH ZONE website, as well as making it available at NFLShop and in team shops at NFL stadiums. The NFL RUSH ZONE books will also be available digitally through digital comic book outlets such as Comics Plus and ComiXology.

NFL RUSH ZONE is a high-profile animated series for Nicktoons and the NFL. Along with the comic book series, there is a solid merchandising plan underway which includes games, toys, and other exciting merchandise for young fans.


ABOUT ACTION LAB ENTERTAINMENT
Action Lab Entertainment was founded in 2010 by a group of independent comic creators with the sole intent to bring the world the most action packed, thought-provoking, entertaining comics available. Action Lab Entertainment markets its comic books through various sales outlets in both print and digital formats,
 

Action Lab received two Eisner nominations in 2012 for its critically-acclaimed all-ages comic Princeless, and has been praised for its diverse library of titles, including Double Jumpers, Fracture, and The Order of Dagonet. Their website is http://www.actionlabcomics.com.  For more information, contact Kevin Freeman at kfreeman@actionlabcomics.com