Bo Plushy Gangsta 4

Bo and his new special forces unit are in a showdown with the Rasta Gang. It’s all out battle with our plushy protagonist, exosuits, ninja-girls, and Jamaican octopus controlled zombies!

I remember when I first caught wind of this book, and not surprisingly enough, was curious to see just what it could possibly be about.  Let's be honest, the concept of a gangster teddy bear, that is hilarious.  And weird.  Weirdly hilarious?  Regardless of what you want to call it, Bo Plushy Gangsta is not your average book.  Or your average bear (I couldn't help myself)

Somehow I managed to miss issues 2 and 3, so you'll forgive me if I'm missing any details to assist with this review.  It seems in the time since the first issue though, things have certainly escalated for our squishy gun-toting bear.  With this latest enemy being no less crazy than the first, it's a good thing Bo has some awesome new companions to help in the battle.  My only complaint with this issue honestly is the difficulty trying to read dialogue from our new nemesis, but that's understandable.  It's hard just listening to Jamaican, let alone reading it.

As I had hoped would follow through the series, the strong and sharp artwork is just as powerful here.  When you have battles like previously mentioned that are as intense as these, you need the art to be in your face.  I particularly love how vibrant the color jobs are throughout this book, they're really fantastic.  And even with so many unusual, but awesome characters, they're all drawn with their own unique flair.

Now that I've been reassured of how well this ridiculously fun this book still is, I have to go back and read 2 and 3.   I will also be making an effort to catch any issues from this one forward.  When a book involves things like ninja hotties, Jamaican zombies and a teddy bear with a grill, how can you not have fun?  Grab onto this title if you haven't already, it's completely worth it.

For more information on Bo Plushy Gangsta or other Action Lab titles, check out Action Lab.

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.

Armor Hunters 2

If you’re following Valiant’s Armor Hunters four-part series, then you understand the enormous threat that Earth faces. Armor Hunters #1 sought to leave the reader with a pit in their stomach in its conclusion; in this second issue, Valiant wants to take that pit and leave a chasm in its place. The Armor Hunters only move forward in this issue, and we see, in grim and bloody detail, more of the devastation that they are capable of causing.

This issue picks up immediately after #1 left off, showing us the aftermath of a ruined Mexico City and the reaction of an unknowing, unprepared world. Given that this is supposed to be Valiant’s supreme crossover event, characters like Bloodshot, Livewire, and Ninjak are weaved in, introduced, and placed squarely against the Armor Hunters. This issue soon becomes one of increased tensions. Aric Darcia, the U.S. government, and even the Hunters show signs of stress. Revelations surface regarding Darcia’s alien armor, revealing that he may not be able to keep the planet safe, even if the Hunters fail their mission. Despite the raised stakes, however, decisions get made quickly, rashly, and are essentially reactionary. Two distinct groups of beings are defending their entire existence, so it only makes sense.

The emotional payoff throughout the comic, though, largely depends on your investment in the Valiant universe. A reader who has followed Darcia throughout his current run – which began back in 2012 – will definitely feel more at home than a reader who is picking up the universe from Armor Hunters. I want to feel a connection to Darcia, to his people, to the entire population of the Earth, but it’s becoming clear that in this series, some prior involvement in Darcia’s story will only serve to help. Of course, I cannot hold this against Armor Hunters. I can only say that new readers will have to set aside a bit of time to really digest this series.

Nonetheless, this issue delivered on building off of the events that transpired in #1. It touched (though, sadly, only briefly) on the more human elements that come with facing certain extinction, but readers will have a more action-oriented, plot-moving read in this issue of Armor Hunters. You can’t really fault this comic for not focusing on the emotional side of things. The world might be ending, after all, and the end comes fast.
If you lend yourself to this universe, as I am slowly doing, you may end up in my position, hoping that there will be an Earth left to root for in the final issues of Armor Hunters.

You can purchase Armor Hunters #2 at Valiant’s website, and you can also follow them at their Facebook page for upcoming releases.

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.

Armor Hunters 1

Before I begin, let me preface this by stating that I have never read a single issue of Valiant’s X-O Manowar. I walked into this issue with a blank slate of a mind. I have never heard of the ludicrously powerful super-armor, nor have I heard of the super-armor’s wearer, Aric Darcia, and his time-displaced, worlds-spanning adventures. Naturally, this also kept me unaware of the fiercely determined title group, the Armor Hunters, and their objective of eliminating the threat that the X-O Manowar and other armors present for the entire universe.

So, there was a lot for me to catch up on.

But with that said, I believe I can safely say this: If you are aching for a read that involves a deadly, multi-species assassin group, a government that desperately wants to hold on to its most prized weapon, and one man that stands as the target and one of the few lines of defense that Earth holds, then now is the time to jump on with Valiant’s Armor Hunters #1.

This beautifully drawn and colored first issue sets up (and, thankfully, briefly brings readers up to speed on past events) the main conflict that will be explored during these four issues. We see the Armor Hunters ready – nearly desperate – to eliminate the X-O Manowar armor, and we also witness the lengths that the Hunters will go to fulfill their mission.

Since I am not filled in on the backstory very well, I cannot say for sure how well I’m supposed to know these Armor Hunters individually, what their histories are, or how many members of their group have fallen in the line of action. Still, I felt that the variety of characters presented here, though filling in some common tropes, shows promise in both providing a very deadly threat to Darcia and in keeping us invested through the Armor Hunter’s dynamics. They are essentially a dwindling group of super-soldiers intent on cleansing the universe of all armor super-weapons. This mission has a serious weight attached to it, and if the effects this has on the Armor Hunters is explored in future issues, this series could really reach some emotional depth.

But of course, the Hunters still loom as the main antagonists in this series, which is proved through the use a somewhat-expected, though still mortifying tactic at the end of the issue. Aric Darcia, along with the American military defense, see first-hand the destruction an inter-galactic strike-team can cause, and it leaves the reader wondering where this will all head.

I can only hope that the series reaches its full potential in later issues, as the set-up is ripe with possibilities. Will the US government stay by Darcia’s side after meeting the Armor Hunters, or will they attempt to hand him off to save the planet? Will Darcia, already obligated to help the US military, concede to the Hunters, or fight back due to the destruction they caused? How deeply will the concept of the needs of the few versus the needs of the many be explored?

For me, I’m excited to uncover the answers to these questions.

You can purchase Armor Hunters #1 at their Valiant website and follow them at their Facebook page for other updates.

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.

Wonderland Asylum #3

Violet’s destiny revealed!  Completely in love with her, The Void has revealed to Violet that she is to become the new Mad Hatter, however she won’t go crazy like the previous incarnations.  The power to restore order to Wonderland and save her family is now at her finger tips, but there is a catch.  If Violet wants this power, she has to accept The Void into her life, namely through marriage.  With the Madder Hatter closing in and The Void now holding her against her will, Violet is running out of options.  Will she commit herself to The Void, or take her chances with the dangers of Wonderland?  Find out, in this latest issue of Wonderland: Asylum.

Dazed and confused, Violet is now The Void’s prisoner.  Despite rejecting his marriage proposal, she’s now locked away in a bizarre, floating castle.  Not a great way to start off the relationship.  Things begin to look hopeless until a flock of birds show up and tell Violet to tell her story.  They claim to be from a friend, which leaves Violet more than a little skeptical, given she has no friends in Wonderland.  However, given that there’s nothing else she can do, Violet writes, in hopes that someone will actually come to help her.  A bit of a stretch, but what does she have to lose?  The birds did reveal though, that “he” didn’t know she was in Wonderland, but would help if he knew.  So, now we have a new mystery on our hands as to who this “he” is.  From what I can recall, the majority of Violet and Calie’s male allies are dead, which doesn’t leave them very many options.  The only one I can speculate on is Violet’s father, but I could have sworn he got killed off in a previous series.  Looks like the only way to solve this mystery is to keep on reading and hope that all will be revealed soon enough. 

I find myself at a loss for comment on this issue.  There wasn’t anything bad about it, but there also wasn’t anything that particularly stood out either.  Yeah, Violet’s being forced into marriage and the Wonderland recruits are growing in number, but really that’s it.  It’s pretty much just a segue between issues 2 and 4.  However, don’t mistake this indifference for a bad issue.  It’s very well written and provides a lot of setup for what’s to come next, so don’t count this one out, or you’ll be missing a piece of the action.  Trust me, it’s well worth the read.

Talk about a shotgun wedding.  Violet’s in deep now and it looks like the only way out is to go through with it.  But, can The Void really deliver on his part?  If so, Violet will be set to finally end the madness that is Wonderland and give her family a much needed sense of peace.  It’s going to be a struggle of matrimonial proportions.  So, be sure to pick up issue 3 of Wonderland: Asylum, the story is rather engaging.  For more info on where to find this book, please visit the Zenescope website, or the Zenescope Facebook page.

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 who, so far as we know, has not been kidnapped by The Void.

Bo Plushy Gangsta

Are the legends of Bo, the “teddy bear” gangsta, true? And, did we just say teddy bear gangsta?! You’re about to find out–when Bo’s girls get nabbed by a rival gang boss, the mysterious and fearsome plushy gangsta is forced into action! It’s Scarface meets Ted in this over-the-top video game style urban epic.

When this book landed in my lap for review, I was very anxious to crack it open and see what was in store for me.  In a recent browsing of the Action Labs site, the title Bo Plushy Gangsta naturally jumped out at me.  I’m not sure whether it was the unusual name or the numerous possibilities that would accompany it that drew me in.  Whatever the reason that struck my curiosity, what was inside completely backed up that desire to read it.

This book is one part teddy bear, one part gangster, and all parts entertaining.  Bo may be a soft and squishy bear, but he’s still just as violent and foul mouthed as he was as a person.  Who can blame him though; you’d be pretty pissed if you got cursed to be a stuffed animal too right?  That small detail aside, he is still a badass with killer moves as he fights off a foe with interesting moves of his own.

The artistic work we have here is super sharp, wonderfully vibrant, and just a delight to follow the story with.  In particular, the crazy action scenes really bring the writing to life.  Page after page of excellent artwork and colors consistently stuff this book to keep the story going.  Haha, stuff the book.  *Ahem* Sorry.

Once again, the Action Labs team brings us another fun new book, with another creative and unique story.  Everything they provide us seems to be another hit, and this of course followed suit.  I’ll be keeping an eye on this, and you should do the same.  It’s a teddy bear after all, what’s not to love?

On a side note, I couldn’t help but imagine Samuel L Jackson voicing Bo.  Which, if they ever animate this title, they should totally do.  Just sayin.

For more information on Bo Plushy Gangsta or other Action Labs titles, check out Action Labs.

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...and maybe his teddy bear.