Strange Fruit 1

The setting is Chatterlee Mississippi, the year, 1927, and the mighty river is rising.  The people of Chaterlee are racing to shore up the river against the coming disaster, but the true challenge they are about to face will come from the heavens.  Several of the white farmers are racing against time, and draft negroes to help them except for one proud man who makes a run for it.  Eventually his flight (which now include some Klansmen) carries him to a stretch of woods where a meteorite which is not a meteorite touches down.  Sonny finds himself face to face with a towering black man who makes short work of the bed sheet brigade.  The final image of the comic shows the colossus clad in a rebel flag.

This title comes to us courtesy of writer Mark Waid and artist J.G. Jones.  I won’t belabor the point of Mark Waid being the writer, his resume speaks for itself.  It’s about a hundred pages long. He distinguishes himself yet again in the first of a four issue epic that is guaranteed to polarize readers.  Although Waid could not have known of the furor that would surround the Confederate Navy Jack around the time of the publication of the first issue of Strange Fruit, it will be certain to add fuel to the fire, and with luck some understanding.  The story is tense and full of conflict as the farmers work to save their livelihood, further igniting the tense race relations in Chatterlee during that time.  If that wasn’t enough, an object falls from the heavens bearing a passenger who appears to be a negroe of gigantic proportions and superhuman abilities.

There is little to say against this first issue other than it starts off slowly, as the creative team sets the stage for the alien landing.  Jones uses the painted style of books like Kingdom Come to give the comic a stark realism.  Most books these days to it with scratchy, half inked pages and muted colors.  I applaud the team behind Strange Fruit for avoiding this route.  A comic does not have look like it was drawn by an eight year old to look gritty.  J.G. Jones achieves this with bold painted images, and bright colors.  Waid’s story mirrors the level of distinction provided by his artist with a taut, seamless script that sets the stage, introduces key players, and evolves layers upon layers of conflict for the following issues.  This is a must have book from a brilliant team.  Get yours while they are hot.  This series is sure to fly off the shelves at a record pace.

For more information about Strange Fruit and other great works from BOOM! Studios, please visit their website.  BOOM! Studios

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

The Spire 1

The Spire is a mountain of metal and stone that rises out of the middle of the desert, containing a vast city of twisting tunnels, grinding elevators, ancient machinery, and is home to over a million human and non-human residents. Shå, the last of the Medusi, is responsible for keeping watch over them as Commander of the City Watch, despite the fact she isn’t shown any respect due to her race.

The Spire kicks off with the death of the old baron, and our main character, Shå chasing a couple of miscreants through the endless winding tunnels, corridors, and levels of the city.  The criminals give her the slip, but leave her a token of their esteem, a crossbow bolt in the shoulder.  Later the same dastardly duo meet a grisly fate, along with an old woman they were leaning on.  Cut back to Shå who is having a tryst with her lover Meera which gets rudely interrupted by a summons from the new Baroness.  It seems the old woman that was murdered along with ruffians was her nanny, years back.  Shå’s back is now up against the wall to find the murderer and bring them to justice.

The Spire is a great book that uses all the tricks of the trade to weave a great if not original story.  Shå is a bit of a trope, but the reader will love her anyway.  She is the surly non-conformist in a position of authority in the spire, but still not loved by the powers that be.  The artist’s rendering of Shå is great.  There are some sweeping single page spreads that really bring the character to life.  Some other characters are less well defined which was disappointing, that could hint that the book was rushed to print.  Hopefully in successive issues, we’ll see a little more consistency in the artwork.

The story itself is tightly scripted and moves well, but the reader will be incensed by a few minor details.  The end of the book feels a little unfinished beyond the normal comic book cliff hanger.  I wanted a little tighter finish for the debut issue.  Also the writer fails to do much in the way of world building or set finishing in this first book, which leaves us feeling a bit in the dark as far as the mechanics of the Spire universe.

One thing however, that was done especially well was the lettering.  It’s not the first time we’ve seen this style, but it is still a nice change of pace.  The creators use different fonts, colors and other highlights to create mood and tone in the dialogue which makes the story pop a bit more than the usual fare.  All in all, this promises to be a great series with just a few bumps in the road for the initial outing.  Snag a copy for three and make sure to keep tuned for the second issue where we hope to learn more about the killer, who is likely just getting started.

For more information about The Spire or other great offerings from BOOM! Studios, visit their website.  BOOM! Studios

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer

UFOlogy 3

Becky just wants to be normal, but she finds that life with a glowing tattoo on the side of her face to be serious impediment.  Malcom wants to find out what’s “out” there, and will do just about anything to realize that dream.  Their parents just want to protect them, and a mysterious man working his way toward them could be their doom or salvation.

The story keeps a moving, the story keeps a moving, but still not very fast.  Becky finds herself having nightmares of people’s faces melting off, while Malcom gets a stern lecture from his father about taking the truck without a license. We see the police investigating a crash where the victim was left naked and without a head.  Flashbacks reveal that it was the mysterious military man, who tried to save the driver, but his attempts to perform CPR melt the man’s face.  The mystery thickens.  There are a few more flashbacks suggesting the fathers were involved in UFO research back in the day.  Malcom finally manages to enlist Becky’s help to dig into the mystery, but they are both in for a surprise.

I would love to be able to tell you that the pace for this issue picks up in some dramatic way, but I would be a complete liar.  This script would be wonderful for a weekly television show, but comes off a little lackluster for a monthly comic book.  Though still interesting, the writing is maddening in its slow development.  The brevity of the format just doesn’t lend itself to the kind of character development that this series would have, if it were done in a different format.

The art of the series also leaves much to be desired for me.  Characters are non-descript.  More detail to individual people would lend the comic some vibrancy that we just don't’ see.  Many of the special effects like faces melting, and dream sequences just don't’ seem to have any “punch”.  The lettering also makes the story a little hard to read at least in electronic formats.  Its almost certainly an artistic flair, but one that doesn’t work for this reader.

Ufology is a good story, but it just doesn’t bring it across in this format.  Unless you are die hard alien conspiracy fan, this book is probably not a good fit for you.  If you are, then put on your tin foil hat, check the house for “greys” or “serpent men” and settle down for another issue of Ufology.

For more information about Ufology or other great offerings from Boom! Studios, visit their website:  BOOM! Studios.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

The Amazing World of Gumball Vol. 1

Gumball, Darwin, and all of their friends take on the world of comics! Gumball thinks he’s the coolest kid on the block, but his little sister Anais begs to differ, and Darwin just wants to keep them all out of trouble. There’s always another adventure to be had in their mixed-up world!

When I first saw that I was to review The Amazing World of Gumball, I panicked. This is a comic based on a show for children! I only read mature comics for mature readers such as myself. After a heated series of emails with the Geek-o-Rama legal department, we came to the mutual conclusion that I had to read it because it is my job. So imagine my surprise when it turns out that The Amazing World of Gumball is good!

Gumball is a lot like you and me. He’s a weird cat thing stuck riding out the clock, longing for death’s embrace. He seeks to pass the time with meaningless distractions, whether they be video games or riding a dinosaur in front of his classmates. And just like you and me, Gumball just wants to be cool. He seeks the adoration of his peers and superiors alike, constantly getting in way over his head in ridiculous shenanigans. Writer Frank Gibson makes all of this funny. He brings the laughs! If laughs were the United States currency, one page of Gumball would be the equivalent of a 5 dollar bill.

I’ve never watched the show that this comic is based on, but I can surmise from what limited knowledge of I have that the comic’s art is faithful to the television show. Tyson Hesse is a very talented individual, making with the funny faces and bright colors. I’ve never done acid and would never condone the use of any illegal narcotic, but this comic would probably be a lot of fun on acid.

To make gumball’s amazing world your amazing world, head to Boom! Studios on their website. Alternatively you can like their Facebook page and see awesome comic books on your timeline.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Oh, Killstrike 2

Killstrike and Jared travel to New York City to visit the comic book company his father was employed with before his disappearance. While waiting for the meeting, Killstrike gives Jared a few lessons on being a "tough guy."

Oh, Killstrike keeps the satire right on rolling, as Jared dreams of his wife and child being jammed into kitchen appliances by his one time hero.  Fortunately for them, it’s just a dream.  Jared, however, is still stuck with the loud-mouthed, arrogant juggernaut looking for vengeance, mayhem and chaos.  The story devolves from into the typical anarchy we’ve come to expect, with rippling pecks and the occasional spree of mass destruction.

And yet, and yet, the deeper story also continues.  Through Jared, Bemis and Faerber continue their ongoing (and all too true) rant about their contempt for the mainstream comic industry.   Fans of the titans aren’t spared much in the way of pundits either, but at the end of the issue, it’s clear that it is all meant to be tongue in cheek.

Oh, Killstrike is funny, irreverent and a bit caustic.  It’s not for everyone, but if you can take a joke and don’t mind a little savagery aimed at the publications you love, this is a fine series.

For more information on Oh, Killstrike or other great titles from BOOM! Please visit BOOM! Studios.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Giant Days 4

Are drugs good, bad, or indifferent? Daisy is going to discover the truth for herself when she makes friends with the very fun Nadia, who gives her some “fun” pills. Unfortunately, Daisy’s Granny decides it’s the perfect time for a surprise visit, and it’ll be up to Esther and Susan to help her keep it together.

Although not from personal experience, I know that two of the "typical" college happenings are good old raves, and of course, the drugs that usually are present there.  Along with that, that's also a common time to question one's sexuality, if even that late.  Not there has been yet in this series, but there's certainly no dull moments in Giant Days number 4.

Ah, our little Daisy is finally turning 18, which means even more in England given the lower drinking age.  Between the kickoff from Esther and Susan, and the follow up with party girl Nadia, she is in for a heck of a birthday.  After a literal all nighter at the club, Daisy has to figure out whether she LIKES likes Nadia only because of the pretty hefty amount of happy pills.  Snuck into the story as well is a little history on Susan and McGraw.

Lots of party, lots of fun, lots of awesome artwork.  While it may not have been full of amusing flu hallucinations, the effects of Daisy's evening were a visual crack up.  I really enjoy the art for this book, it's always so lively and brings you into the fun of it.  Also, Esther and her revolving door of cute goth attire continues to grow on me.

It was nice to see how easily we could go from last issue's more serious tone to full on party mode.  There's so much versatility to the stories that they put into this title.  It's been really fun seeing what new things the girls deal with, and I'd like to keep following along for sure.

For more on Giant Days or other Boom titles, check out Boom! Studios.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

The Fiction 1

Four childhood friends discover a box of strange books that, when read aloud, can transport them to the beautiful, imaginary worlds described within. But when one of them goes missing, the others vow never to reveal where they've been and what they've seen. Years later, when one of the remaining kids, now an adult, also mysteriously disappears, it's up to the last two of the group to dig up their dusty books to find him and finally figure out what happened to their friend all those years ago.

If you have fond childhood memories of those times you were so immersed in the fantastical world of a favorite book that a whole day seemed to pass you by, Curt Pires and David Rubins The Fiction, from Boom Studios, may be the perfect series for you. Then again, it may make you rethink where that time went.

The Fiction is a great story that looks to plumb the depths of the imagination.  It explores the rampant untamed spirit of the child, comparing it with the restrained, cautious cynicism of the adult mind.  Where does that wonder go?  Is it extinguished?  Is it changed to something else?  Or is it just buried beneath layer of layer of experience, screaming to silence the explosions of the unreal.

The Fiction follows a group of children who discover a book that transports them to a world rife with anything and everything that can be imagined.  At first the journey is magical, beautiful and everything a child can hope for.  Yet, like reality, even this mythic world has its darkside.  One of their number is lost, and the remaining children put away the magic, wall away the wonder, and grow up.  That is until the book returns and swallows up another.

This is a great book on so many different levels.  The inks are crisp and neat, skating the thin lines between cartoon style, realism and traditional comic art.  The colors are bright and crisp, leaping right off of the page to give the reader that same sense of magic that the characters enjoy. The script is a joy to read, drawing the viewer of this little fable in, panel by panel, page by page.  The world of wonder is rendered with such tender detail that it is difficult to tear your eyes away.  For every child that loved Peter Pan, Star Trek or the Three Musketeers, this is a must have experience.

For more info on The Fiction or other great offerings from BOOM! Studios, please visit their web site. BOOM! Studios.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Lumberjanes 13+14

Okay, I know it has been a bit and I'm sorry, but I'm going to hit you with some double-issue goodness with this Lumberjanes review. Are you ready? Let's get right to it!

Issue 13 acts as a flashback and opens to giving us a glimpse into the family life of each of our favorite Lumberjanes as they arrive at camp on the first day for the summer:
- Jo has been raised by 2 very supportive dads (who are both also Tony Stark-brilliant)
- Ripley seems to be 2nd or 3rd youngest in a family of 9 kids (this explains the jump-into-the-fray hyperactivity.)
- April, we only see her dad which seems to be a late-middle-aged man. She refuses help from him and proceeds to carry *ALL* of her luggage in by herself.
Here, April and Ripley have a sweet interaction involving immediate acceptance of Ripley by April (and I assume vice versa.)
- Mal arrives in a taxi of which the cabby seems to be getting Mal's whole life story leading up to and including her arrival at the camp. We also see the meet-cute moment between Mal and Molly (which is the only member of Roanoke cabin we don't see actually arrive.)

There are already character-driven layers here: April and Jo know each other, Ripley knows Jen (but seemingly no one else. I assume this is key to her acceptance by the other Lumberjanes in the cabin), this also seems to be Mal and Molly's first summer here.  Not 5 minutes into everyone getting to know everyone when Ripley's unicorn disappears and before Jen can stop them, the girls race after it!  We get introduced to Molly's raccoon cap and before we know it, all of the Lumberjanes are being welcomed by Rosie for the first official day of camp.

Issue #14 - We are back in the present and Jen is trying to teach the girls basic wilderness survival when a freak blizzard hits (in the middle of a summer-filled forest), Jen and the girls get separated. The girls get rescued by Rosie, while Jen wakes up in the cabin of Abigail a woman that seems to have a penchant for hunting the animals in the forest, including the creepily supernatural ones!

Meanwhile, Rosie headed back out to look for Jen while the girls did the same (unbeknownst to Rosie), Rosie encounters the mysterious bear-woman who tells her that Abigail is *back* and an air or ominousness is placed on how potentially dangerous she is (and that she and Rosie have a clear history that was once a friendship. Side-note: kudos the writers for a Die Hard 2 *and* a Frozen reference in the same sentence.

Now, it's purely speculation, because I don't know how Noelle Stevenson and company's creative processes operate, but we are now 6 issues past where the series was proposed to end and there seems to be no end in sight to the ongoing arcs.  I want to say I definitively know whom to trust and who is a "shady character", but any one of these engaging folks could turn at any moment. A person you once thought was *clearly* a threat, could just be serving a greater good. There's a lot of conjecture to be had with a book like this.  I will continue to make theories and plans and expect to have them dashed and/or exceeded by the next issue. I'm buckled in, ready to take this bullet-train of awesome to the next stop.

Thanks for reading,

Munchkin 5

THE FUTURE! Everyone lives underground now. The shadowy government decides to send someone back in time to rectify past mistakes. The time traveller runs into other time travellers, including a cyborg hunter sent to "terminate" a military leader, two high school kids on an Excellent Adventure, a crazy doctor and a young man who seem to be travelling back to the past/future, and Jeanne Claude Van Damme as TIMECOP from the movie TIMECOP. Turns out the future was messed up by all these conflicting timetravelling jerks.

If you don't know by now, either through our reviews or the game itself, Munchkin is silly.  Silly in a hilarious, geeky, super fun way.  I've yet to even come close to experiencing all of the expansion that have come out.  Whether or not Munchkin issue 5 is based on anything from one of them, it's too silly for words.

Put aside the dungeons and daggers, we're all about time travel in this issue.  And I mean ALL about it.  This features so many references to time travel movies it's insane.  No matter how many different ones come to mind first, one of them is bound to be in here.  At the end, this issue also throws in another side story focusing one of the hysterical cards from the core game.

The art style that has been the standard for the majority of this series continues on here, in both the main story and the side.  With the large amount of different backgrounds, characters and uh, time periods, the visuals really had lots of room to play.  This issue was particularly vibrant in colors, again with all the the stuff going on, it really allowed for some nice work there.

The sheer amount of nods to time travel movies in this book will make any fan of them chuckle.  I definitely got a kick out of it, especially with the way they handled tossing them in one after another.  Again, you read Munchkin because it's silly fun, or just because you love the game.  Point is, you should read it just for that reason, because laughter is great.

For more on Munchkin or other Boom titles, check out Boom! Studios.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard Vol.3 #3

The mice at the June Alley Inn continue to tell their stories in an attempt to clear their tabs. Featuring inventive mice, haunting cicadas, and other stories from Ramón K Pérez (Hawkeye), Jake Parker (Rocket Raccoon), and Eric Talbot (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles).

Somehow after getting to read the first part of this new volume, I managed to miss part two.  Knowing how these books are set up sets aside any concern for continuity, but I hate to miss those stories nonetheless.  No matter, I was still glad to open up number 3 of vol 3 for Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard.

As seen before, this continuation of this volume for Mouse Guard has patrons of the bar offering their best stories to clear their tab.  The first told of a brave fight against Nain Rouge, the terrible fire elemental.  The second was of an amazing inventor and his unfortunate encounter with a king.  Closing out this book, we see almost a side story, of love and death, and the greed it inspired.

Each fantastic story is partnered with equally as fantastic artwork to visually help tell the tale.  I always love seeing different styles used in the same book, and I really liked the ones I saw here.  The scenes within the bar itself feature that same lovely art that I saw in book one (and presumably the second).

I haven't yet been able to go back and check out any of the previous volumes, and now of course need to find book two of this.  I'd have to assume from what I have seen of so far, that they're as excellent as these.  I'll have to grab part two, and of course four to close out this volume, and you should definitely get all of them as well.

For more on Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard or other Boom titles, check out Boom! Studios.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

UFOlogy 2

Following the disaster at the abandoned house, the bodies of Eustace and "the stranger" are examined while Becky lies in a hospital bed, wishing she could forget everything that happened. Malcolm knows there's something bigger going on, though, and is eager to investigate.

The second installment of Ufology picks up pretty much where the first issue left off.  Becky is in the hospital after surviving the burning of the abandoned house that took the life of her unfortunate date, and the enigmatic alien.. We see a few vague hints about the past of Mukagwee, and that this has happened before.  There is a mysterious figure covered in implants, that wakes up and receives marching orders.  Our heroine receives a few visitors, including her father who reveals the name of the dead date, Eustace.  It meant a lot to me that the kid finally get a name.

We see the mysterious figure lurking outside Becky’s hospital room, but learn nothing  little more about him.  Meanwhile, Malcom is trying to snap some picture of the dead, Eustace only to get busted by his chirping cell phone.  Malcom’s teacher tries to reason with his father, who is very high from an overabundance of marijuana.  It’s suggested that they both know something about what happened in the town all the years ago, but nothing definitive comes out.  This issue wraps up with Malcom discovering some very alien looking conglomerations of junk.

This is a good story, that moves at a slow pace. It follows the age old blue print of government conspiracy to cover up the presence of alien life on Earth.  The pace is much slower than I would prefer, but hints at building action in the issues to come. The art seems to have matured a little and individual characters are much more defined.  The alien mark the Becky gets from her encounter in the abandoned house really pops off the page.  This is for all the X-file fans out there who don't’ mind a story that creeps along at a slow pace.

For more information about Ufology or other great offerings from Boom! Studios, visit their website:  BOOM! Studios.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

UFOlogy 1

Becky Finch never wanted to be special. She just wanted to be a normal high school student in the small, Midwestern town of Mukawgee. Malcolm Chamber wanted something more. A destiny. An answer from the stars. When Becky is marked by an alien’s touch, she’ll stumble into a mystery she never wanted.

This is the first issue of a six issue mini-series.  The opening is rather dull, and had a considerable time keeping my interest, until we got to Becky’s encounter with the alien.  The art was a real fail for me.  It is rather cartoony and I had problems telling a few of the characters apart.  There were however, a few places where it shined.  There is a panel in the beginning where we see Becky’s cell phone ringing in its own thought bubble, which was both cute and clever.  The rendering of the light show surrounding the alien Becky and her unnamed date encounter is well done.

The writing I do have a bit more of an issue with.  When Becky and her soon to be barbecued unnamed date encounter the alien in the abandoned house, there is a series of events that creates a fire right out of Final Destination.  This is a pretty trite plot device that a good writer would avoid.  The dialogue for the most part, is done well, and the story has promise, but I’d like to see the writer show of a bit more originality in the rest of the series.

For more information about Ufology or other great offering from BOOM! check out their website: BOOM! Studios.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Oh, Killstrike 1

Jared, a new father, fears parenthood. An old comics fan, he turns to them for comfort. But when he unwittingly lets loose his favorite character, Killstrike - a single minded, vengeance loving anti-hero - onto the world, Jared must find a way to send him back before he harms all the people he loves the most.

This is the first issue in a four issue limited series.  On the surface, it is a humorous self indulgent fantasy.  It is the selfish dream come true, of every child that ever read a comic, and wished that in some way, that special character could step out of the pages.  That’s exactly what happens to Jared in the first issue, when he thinks to sell his Killstrike comic due to its unexpected rise in value.  He is shocked however, when to his surprise, the Killstrike character steps out in all his muscle bound, thrill seeking, vengeance-starved glory.  The book does have a deeper somewhat cleverly veiled social commentary that pokes a satirical finger at all the worst things about the last 5 decades of comic book publishing.

Whether you read this title and find it clever or absurd, there is no doubt that it was carefully crafted.  The story shows a distinct depth, that belies the humorous nature of the impossible situation Jared finds himself in.  The art is bold, running with the tongue-in-cheek writing.  Killstrike isn’t just big and muscled.  His back muscles, have back muscles.  His guns have guns.  Jared and his wife, aren’t just average, but are excessively average in looks and demeanor.  This is a very serious, farcical story, that readers of all backgrounds will enjoy, as long as they can laugh at what they love a little.

For more information about Oh, Killstrike or other offerings from BOOM! Studios, please visit their website at BOOM! Studios.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

UFOlogy 1

Becky Finch never wanted to be special. She just wanted to be a normal high school student in the small, Midwestern town of Mukawgee. Malcolm Chamber wanted something more. A destiny. An answer from the stars. When Becky is marked by an alien’s touch, she’ll stumble into a mystery she never wanted. A mystery that almost ripped apart both their parents’ lives 12 years ago. She’ll need the help of her eccentric young classmate, Malcolm, as she finds the power within herself to uncover the truth.

Writer(s):

James Tynion IV

Noah J. Yuenkel

Artist:

Matt Fox

Publisher:

Boom! Studios

Sometimes a vision comes along that is so singular, so striking, that you can't help but be impressed. Just as people are currently going wild to George Miller's delirious, post apocalyptic opera Mad Max: Fury Road, the creators of UFOlogy know what they want precisely and I was caught up in their enthusiasm for it.

Set in the small Midwestern town of Mukawgee, which is the perfect encapsulation of every 80's American movie town, the issue is all about character and light on plot itself, lending it a very TV pilot feel. That's not a slight on it either – everything is very tight packed, with a confluence of different events coming together to form the cliffhanger of the first issue.

The art is the star of the show for me, everything coming together to make a comic that feels like a love letter to Spielberg films of the 80's, but not in a way that feels false. Fox has a very down to earth style that means the more sci-fi elements stand out and really pop (see the cover above for a great idea of how it looks throughout the entire comic).

What's nice is that we get a lot of time to get to know the characters, which fills me with hope that the rest of the series will do the same.

Overall, I can't do anything but recommend this comic. It's emotionally intelligent, has fantastic stylised artwork and has an enthralling central premise. Buy it now and support one of the strongest openings to a series this year.

Cover image courtesy of Boom! Studios.

UFOlogy is available from Boom! Studios.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Lantern City 1

Sander Jorve just wants to keep his wife and son safe. Living in the brutalized lower class of Lantern City means living in near constant darkness, the enormous walls of the city always looming overhead, while the upper class enjoys the elevated, interconnected towers and airships above. When Sander's brother-in-law, the persuasive activist Kendal, convinces him to infiltrate the brutal ranks of the Guard, he's set on a dangerous path that will test his abilities and beliefs, all in the name of making a difference for his family and his caste.

Lantern City is a sweeping revolutionary epic, set in a dystopian Steampunk styled city, ruled with an iron hand by one Killian Grey.  The story centers around reluctant patriot, Sander Jorve, who at the beginning of the tale, just wishes to work, feed his family, and attract as little notice from the ruling class, as possible.  Alas, it’s not to be as he is thrown into conflict with the red-masked guards time and again, in our first issue.  Sander is encouraged to rebel, by his wife Karla, and her hot headed brother, Kendal.  He is the typical everyman, who just wants to get by, but finds himself caught up in the tide of rebellion, both by chance and his innate belief in what’s right.

Lantern City features some lavish variant covers that depict the city, and the infamous masked guards, that capture all the elements of Steampunk culture.  The city appears immense.  Its towers dwarf the view of the population we get from Sander like giants striding over ants.  Above we have the grey, the pampered upper class that we never see in the initial issue.  Keeping the lower class at bay, are the red-clad stormtroopers, who are nameless and faceless to the oppressed working class.

This series expresses a tale that is old as recorded history, the oppression of a the common man by a tyrannical government, that must be overthrown if ordinary people are to have any sort of a freedom.  It’s one that every person can sympathize with on some level.  It is also a bit overdone.  The first issue paints the struggle as very black and white.  The plot could have been given some more depth if we had seen a few more areas of grey that had nothing to do with the infamous city ruler.  Since we don’t see any of the “greys” in the first issue, or the guards beyond their abuse of the workers, we can only hope that the story develops a little more as the series progresses.

The one complaint I had in the first issue, was that this is a story that comes to a very slow boil.  Lovers of quick and decisive action will find themselves frustrated by this installment, as it does little more than lay the groundwork for the world, and introduce the protagonist and his family.  Lantern City is a long haul story.  Readers who relish a deep, involved tale that builds slowly over time will find adore this comic.  Tune in for future issues to see how Sander’s fight to free his people progresses.  A good first outing, but not for the casual reader that appreciates slam-bang action out of the gate.

For more information on Lantern City, or other great offering from Boom! Studios, please visit their website.  BOOM! Studios.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Giant Days 3

Following a night of "mild abandon," Esther finds herself singled out by the vile collegiate mansite
"Laddzone." When the university authorities are less than helpful, she vows to take down this cyber institution!

Well, like I said previously, the challenges never end and college is no exception.  This new enemy that enters the mix is an unfortunate reality, in both school and out.  I'm sure there will be plenty more for the trio in Giant Days, but this third issue is probably going to be on of their worst.

Although this series sets three young ladies as the focus, the focal point tends to be Esther.  That is even more the case here, as she finds herself the target of a terrible female rating site created by a fellow university student.  Trying to go about it the mature way with school administration is of no help.  Luckily, Esther has some pretty amazing and craft friends who help her get revenge with style.

While this issue didn't have any of the hilarious scenes of flu induced hallucinations, the artwork was still great.  Where a series like this has no real action, it still does a nice job of being very lively in it's illustrations.  This is very true with the constant emotions, which always come right out, even without words.

The situation that was dealt with in this issue is a serious one, but was approached in a lighthearted way this series does well.  I've been having a really fun time following along with all the adventures of these college newcomers.  Just a few issues in and I can see this being a good title that readers should keep up with.

For more on Giant Days or other Boom titles, check out Boom! Studios.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Bill & Ted's Most Triumphant Return 3

As Bill & Ted bring popularity and happiness to the childhood of their future oh-so-evil arch-nemesis, De Nomolos, they may have accidentally changed more than just his taste in music. With the looming threat of an altered timeline ahead of them, it will take more than the intervention of Rufus or the Grim Reaper to bring excellence back to the universe!

Some movies are destined to be popular enough to become comics.  Some young men were destined to be the inspiration for future civilizations.  The latter is probably only ever going to be true for Bill and Ted, but the former is sure true, and we explore the third for Bill & Ted's Most Triumphant Return.

In a genuine effort to try and help Chuck De Nomolos be a nicer person, Bill and Ted take him on a time traveling educational trip.  Their first stop at Woodstock is of no help, a visit with Billy the Kid starts to warm him up, and their final journey to the era of dinosaurs seems to do the trick.  Or so they thought after getting him back to his time, but find out after returning to theirs that he instead has taken their place!

The biggest part of Bill and Ted of course was their adventures travelling to different periods of time.  Visuals were limited back in the day for the movie, but the art here takes full advantage of its room to illustrate in any way imaginable.  With all of the phone booth usage, the art definitely did a most excellent job especially in the color department.

Just when I thought the boys scored a victory, I was reminded of how quickly things can change.  The situation they find themselves in now is going to be a rough one to get out of.  I will be ready for the next issue to see what they plan to do, and you should join for the ride.

For more on Bill & Ted's Most Triumphant Return or other Boom titles, check out Boom! Studios.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Giant Days 2

When Freshers’ Flu strikes the dorm, no one gets off easy. Daisy enters a one-sided relationship with an off-brand Polish cold cure given to her by Ed Gemmell, Susan is forced into nicotine withdrawal, and Esther becomes incapable of distinguishing fever dreams from reality. Death stalks the dorm halls by night!

College, like any stage of school or life, has challenges in abundance to face.  While it may not be the first thing you'd think of, the rapid spreading threat of a cold is one of them.  But we don't just see a simple cold in Giant Days 2, because it's never that easy.

The majority of this issue takes a look at our three main girls and their newest problem - the flu.  They all try to fight off this opponent in their own unique ways.  Daisy opts to use a "black market" medicine, and Susan has to struggle with nicotine withdrawals at the same time.  Even Esther, who claimed to never get sick, has to suffer through a delirious few days.  In the end, they all make it through and go back to their typical troubles.

With this story, it provided some rather amusing opportunities in the art room.  Between the almost hallucinogenic episodes and the illustration of the girls themselves, it was quite funny.  Although the line work was no pushover, the colors were definitely the star, especially previously mentioned visuals.

There wasn't much in the way of story in this, giving most of the book's time to just the flu the characters dealt with.  Even so, it was done in an entertaining manner and kept my interest to the end.  It's a good book worth grabbing and wouldn't mind seeing what else these three have to deal with.

For more on Giant Days or other Boom titles, check out Boom! Studios.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

The Storyteller Witches HC

Jim Henson’s Story Teller: Witches, features stories Inspired by folklore from around the world and all told in the spirit of Jim Henson’s beloved beloved television series.  This hardcover collects the watercolor story of “The Magic Swan Goose and the Lord of the Forest” from S.M. Vidaurri (Iron: Or, the War After), Spera artist Kyla Vanderklugt’s haunting tale of the Snow Witch, Matthew Dow Smith’s Phantom Isle, a  tale of a man shipwrecked on an island of witches, and the unproduced The Storyteller teleplay from The Jim Henson Company Archives, adapted by Jeff Stokely (Six-Gun Gorilla). Features an all-new cover illustration by Sonny Liew (The Shadow Hero) and the never-before-seen, unproduced The Storyteller teleplay from The Jim Henson Company Archives.

This Trade is something that you will either love or hate.  The style is artistically beautiful, but moderately tough to read.  The first story in the collection is filled with lavish fairy tale art, with looping, spiraling, ascending and descending text that could give even the hardiest reader vertigo. That being said, the script is good, and the art breath taking.  The next story is much the same, you will need to turn the comic on it’s side because the Snow Witch story is done in landscape format.  Again the art is touching and inspired, the text a rich story that abbreviates the original tale somewhat, but still gives the reader a rich insight in the the Japanese myth.

Phantom Isle is told in a more traditional fashion, reminiscent of older Charlton or Marvel horror comics that preceded the super hero generations.  The inks are a little on the rough side, but the colors set the tone of the story.  The old man at the start of the story is just plain creepy, but endearing.  It’s an old story, and neither the artist or writer took any chances with this one.  I would describe this story as adequate for the collection, but nothing special.

Vasilissa is the unproduced script from the show, and adaption for it features some lustrous artwork that is in my opinion the best of the issue.  Baba Yaga in the role of the witch is a treat.  The script works well, giving it that classic fairy tale feel.  This one is definitely the prize of the collection.  Fans of Storyteller and fairy tales in general, will love this collection.  The average comic reader will, however find this collection a little dull and hard to follow at times.  All in all, this isn’t for everyone, but it’s excellent for the genre.

For more information about Jim Henson’s Storyteller: The Witches or other great titles from Boom! studios visit their website:  BOOM! Studios.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.

Rocket Salvage 5

Primo Rocket faces demons of the past and present as things come to a conclusion in this critically acclaimed work of titans.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrkzIN2eP0U

Clones will not save you. Neural links will not save you. When the shit hits the fan, all of the technology in the world won’t keep you from getting drenched in a poo flurry. Actions have consequences, and true escape is impossible.

How’s Rocket gonna get out of this one? Well, he’ll salvage what he can from his past failures and use what he gathers to (hopefully) kick ass.

It’s called Boom! Studios because every comic book they publish is a lit stick of dynamite. They have a website and a Facebook, and are in stock anywhere that carries good comic books.

Geek-o-Rama received a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. All thoughts, comments and opinions are those of the individual reviewer.