6-page preview: Gatecrashers Vol. 1 – Ring Of Fire

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July 23, 2012

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Monday night Image Comics released a six-page preview of Gatecrashers Vol. 1 trade paper back written by Mark Waid & Jimmy Palmiotti with illustrations by Amanda Conner & Jimmy Palmiotti. Palmiotti and friends crash the gate of local comic book store again on July 25th, 2012.

Unbeknownst to the human race, a great and terrible evil threatens to engulf the earth.’ college freshman Alec Wagner as the ‘Gatecrasher,’ a somewhat reluctant member of a covert brigade of warriors dedicated to protecting Earth. As sole possessor of the ability to predict the opening of inter-dimensional gates, Alec assumes nearly overwhelming responsibility for his team, conducting the Split-Second Squad against alien invaders. However, battling aliens is not the only thing on Alec’s mind. While juggling college and inter-dimensional combat, Alec also has high prospects for his social life, if he could ever show up on time for a date! Collects Black Bull Media’s GATECRASHER #1-4.

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Punk Rock Jesus #1 Sean Murphy creates a book worthy of Vertigo’s Namesake

By

Matthew Sardo

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July 22, 2012

Punk Rock Jesus #1

Story and Art By Sean Murphy

Punk Rock Jesus is a book that’s extremely ambitious but never falters under the weight of any of its huge concepts. It blows away any expectations you may have and in place creates a fully realized world along with characters that are well-rounded and are fully realized already by the end of issue one.

Sean Murphy starts the issue off in the past explaining the story of one of the main characters and quickly then drops you into the center of a future that seems all too likely today. In our current society where Reality Television is still getting watched by millions of people and Snooki and The Kardashians are seen as celebrities Sean Murphy’s take on the future hits very close to home.

In this world scientist’s have managed to recreate Jesus Christ through the miracle of cloning. They try out tons of Virgin women to carry the child through the same process as American Idol and with their choice made start filming the pregnancy and eventual second coming of Jesus. I know that sounds like a crazy and ridiculous concept but in the hand of Sean Murphy it becomes a very complex and intelligent opportunity to tell a greater story. Murphy approaches his story from every possible angle. You will see the political and religious aspects played out as well as what happens when a corporation and TV Studio fund a project such as this.

Sean Murphy’s artwork had always been amazing. However his art here feel so fresh and unique. The pages are all in black and white and are printed on non glossy pulp paper. His layouts are extremely detailed and the city and world he’s created are believable because of his work. Characters all look unique and varied, and he experiments with several different styles and shading techniques throughout the book. Simply put its beautiful stuff.

PRJ1.8 — Sean Murphy’s amazing artwork in Punk Rock Jesus #1

I went into Punk Rock Jesus with no expectations. I knew nothing about the story or script. After reading issue #1 I have to say I’m blown away with what I’ve read so far. The books full of nice twists and turns and already has a strong stable of characters that you care for and identify with. Vertigo was always considered a company that produced unique and amazing books. I think that’s something they put to the wayside over the last few years but with the arrival of this book I can safely say that’s the case again. I strongly believe this has the makings to be a cult hit if not the next “Big Thing” for movie studios to bid over getting the rights to. Run out buy this book and happily read it and wait for the next issue. I know I sound completely in love with this book and it’s because I am but don’t blame me, blame Sean Murphy for setting the bar so damn high with this first issue that I had no choice but to fall in love with it.

Review Score: 10/10

Mike DeVivo

Follow me on Twitter @pandasandrobots

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Will Dan Slott kill Mary Jane in Amazing Spider-Man #700?

By

Matthew Sardo

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July 19, 2012

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Dan Slott mentioned at Comic Con International that Amazing spider-Man #700 is the biggest thing that he has worked on in his career and that what happens in the issue would polarize audiences. Killing MJ is the biggest thing that people over at the Comic Vault could come up with. What do you think?

Below is the cover Amazing Spider-Man #700 by French artist Mr Garcin.

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Nerdy Netty review: Lollipop Chainsaw

By

Matthew Sardo

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July 18, 2012

Lollipop Chainsaw is an action hack and slash video game developed by Grasshopper Manufacture for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 video game consoles, released on June 12, 2012. It features Juliet Starling, a cheerleader zombie hunter fighting zombies in a fictional San Romero high school. A collaboration between game designer Goichi Suda and filmmaker James Gunn, the game was published by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment. Lollipop Chainsaw features Juliet Starling as a part-time chainsaw wielding zombie slayer, full-time cheerleader who is attempting to hold back the hordes of undead, and get the body of her boyfriend, Nick, back.

Shirt Design Done by Tee Vs Tee

http://www.redbubble.com/people/teevstee

Featured on Shirt Punch

http://www.shirtpunch.com

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Review: SAGA #5 – Looking for love in all the wrong places

By

Matthew Sardo

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Well, that was an unexpected ending for Saga #5. Brian K. Vaughan continues to give the reader first-page head scratchers and last past cliffhangers. Issue five brings all three storylines together to a climactic end. In this issue, there is a sense of love for each character and the reader realizes why Marko took a vow of peace and that Alana might be crazy.

I can’t tell if this issue fell flat because all three storylines are crammed into one issue, or I’m just craving “Saga” Chapter Six. Vaughan does a great job creating three intense emotional moments in the issue. To where you bond with the characters and start to feel bad about the situations they are forced to be in. Alana and Marko are the main characters and you will always be on their side. Then there is Will, the Han Solo assassin with a heart. Vaughan even tries to soften up Prince Robot IV, but he still comes off like an elitist with daddy issues.

The first and last pages by Fiona Staples are brilliant. Staples does struggle at times matching up the emotion of the dialogue with her artwork. Then she gives you four pages of sword swing action that is very fluid and detailed. There is one panel of action in this issue that I swear it moves as you read it from left to right. That panel alone is worth the $2.99.

Issue: Saga #5
Writer: Brian K Vaughan
Pencils: Fiona Staples
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: 7/18/2012

Mature Readers
The smash hit ongoing series from Brian K. Vaughan, and Fiona Staples continues, as Prince Robot IV’s hunt for Hazel and her parents takes a deadly turn.

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Marvel’s Phase One Boxset will let you own your very own Tesseract!!

By

Matthew Sardo

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July 11, 2012

Mike DeVivo here,

For those of you wondering to yourselves “Where the hell is the Super Awesome Special Edition of Avengers?” Here’s your answer. This could be the coolest Box Set I’ve ever seen. Though its going to set you back well over $150 now it looks to have everything you could ever want from the Marvel Cinematic world. You can pre-order the set on Amazon Here . You get IRON MAN 1 & 2 , INCREDIBLE HULK, THOR, CAPTAIN AMERICA, THE AVENGERS and an Extra Disc called SHIELD AVENGERS INITIATIVE. You also get Level Seven files, and SHIELD profiles on each AVENGER. The best part however is that it’s all packaged inside of Nick Fury’s Briefcase that contained the Tesseract! Also each disc will have original Cover artwork done by Matthew Ferguson. Check out the images below and geek out over the amazing Artwork!!

This is seriously the coolest thing I’ve seen in a while. Bravo to Marvel and Disney for creating something else for fanatics to blow their money on. Now someone get this for me my birthday is September 18th …thanks.

Mike DeVivo

Follow me on Twitter @pandasandrobots

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Review: Walking Dead #100 – Holy shit Lucille!

By

Matthew Sardo

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July 11, 2012

Issue: Walking Dead #100
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Pencils: Charlie Adlard
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: 7/11/2012

Mature Readers
‘SOMETHING TO FEAR’ CONTINUES! This extra-sized chapter contains one of the darkest moments in Rick Grimes’ life, and one of the most violent and brutal things to happen within the pages of this series. 100 issues later, this series remains just as relentless as the debut issue. Do not miss the monumental 100th issue of THE WALKING DEAD!

Story: 9/10 • Artwork: 9/10 • Overall 9/10
Curse words is all that is pouring out of my mouth after reading issue 100 of Walking Dead written by Robert Kirkman. As a reader of Walking Dead you knew that something bad was going to happen in this issue but you continued to read. Walking Dead readers are like NASCAR fans just waiting for the accidents. Evil happens in 100 and her name is Lucille. Kirkman sucks you in with his writing and build up and then he stomps on your heart over and over. This issue sends the series in a new direction with a new threat and a new philosophy on how to survive in the Walking Dead world.

This issue had 18-pages of build up and I mean tension. It’s what Kirkman does best. The book got to the point to where I just wanted to jump to the last page to get it over with, but I read on. Then when Kirkman smacks the reader in the face with the punchline he drags it out to bring you to tears. This book is well written but I wish I didn’t read it.

I do not know how Charlie Adlard sleeps at night. There are several splash pages in this book that will haunt me for a long time. I have the image of Rick’s wife and child’s death still burned into my memory. Walking Dead #100 has added a few more images to the horror category of my memory. The images and dialogue of the last four-pages of book left my soul shattered. Thank you Mr. Kirkman for ruining the first day of Comic-Con. Read Walking Dead #100 at your own risk!

Follow Matthew Sardo on twitter @comicavult

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Revival #1 Seeley and Norton’s Surburban Noir Comic Shows Promise

By

Matthew Sardo

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July 11, 2012

Revival #1

Story By: Tim Seeley

Art By: Mike Norton

Tim Seeley and Mike Norton’s Revival is an interesting take on small Suburban life. The issue starts with a creative writing exercise by one of the main characters of the story. Thats followed by a Zorse (yes you read that right Zebra + Horse equals Zorse) that gallops out of a forest spewing blood from its mouth as it finally falls over and the ground work has been laid that something bad is on its way towards Wisconsin. The main focus this issue is on Dana. She works along her father as a police officer and has an estranged relationship with her younger sister. Seeley injects a lot of humor and character into Dana immediately as she gets ready for work and calls out to her son. That sequence is the first bit of weird that’s injected into the issue.

We follow Dana to Police Headquarters and learn that there was an Event called Revival Day that happened a while back. The Revival Day has given random people the ability to live on after Death. This has caused a religious and cultural uproar in Wisconsin and all across America. Dana’s father puts her in charge of the new task force overseeing Revival Cases and sends Dana on her first case. Which you may have guessed involves that Zorse I spoke of earlier.

Mike Norton’s art gets progressively better as the issue unfolds and overall is a very good fit for the book. He gives his characters a large array of emotions and when the script calls for something gruesome or picks up in action he manages to handle anything thrown his way. There is a particular sequence at the end of the issue that will have you cringing. All the while excited to read on to see how the rest of the scene plays out. His layouts are fun and never get messy or confusing as the story unfolds.

Two thirds through this issue I liked what I was reading and then Seeley throws a curve ball my way that instantly got me to love it. He manages to grab you until the end of the issue and never let’s go. As I said earlier there are some truly frightening scenes as well as a shocking ending that justifies wanting to pick up the next issue nicely. This Wednesday go and check out Revival its a book with small beginnings that I believe may lead to one hell of a fun ride for issues to come.

Review Score: 8/10

Mike DeVivo

Follow me on Twitter @pandasandrobots

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Review: Enormous #1

By

Matthew Sardo

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July 10, 2012

Issue: Enormous #1
Writer: Tim Daniel
Artist: Mehdi Cheggour
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: July 2012
Price: $9.99

“In the midst of a planetary battle for food and fuel, a vast ecological cataclysm spawns THE ENORMOUS, massive beasts unlike anything ever witnessed. Humankind struggles to stave off extinction and the only law is to hunt or be hunted. It’s an epic action adventure featuring the survival of the biggest!”

Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
What is this ENORMOUS book in front of me? Seriously this thing is larger than a typical comic, which is fitting since it is called Enormous. If you are waiting for the next BIG thing to come from Image, you need to look no further than this title. The pages in this book are all so god damn GORE-Geous, that my eyes melted from their sockets. Cheggour brings so much life to every single panel, that I am honestly guessing it took him 3 years to complete this book. Page after page this book sings the visual music that my eyes crave. The monsters alone are enough to give this book a solid 5 on the artwork. The story done by Daniel is also something to behold. His pacing is fantastic, and he has a great feel for writing action scenes. While the book is only 64 pages, it is so full of story. You can easily take this book as a one and done, but you won’t want to. This universe has so much more exploration has to be done to it. I need to know where the cast will go from here, more exploration in to why things are they way they are and a whole HELL of a lot more monsters killing things. There was nothing to not be enjoyed in this issue. Page after page this will satisfy monster, horror and survival fans. Buy it, buy it, BUY IT!

Artwork: 5.0 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5

If you would like to buy or know more about Enormous you can find it at http://www.imagecomics.com

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Review: Hoax Hunter’s #1 (4.5/5)

By

Matthew Sardo

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July 10, 2012

Issues: Hoax Hunter’s #1
Writers: Michael Moreci, Steve Seeley
Artist: Axel Medellin, Tim Seeley (c)
Publisher: Image Comics
Release Date: July 2011
Price: $2.99

“The acclaimed backup begins its own series! A rash of mass animal deaths leads the Hoax Hunters to the Louisiana bayou. What they find is a mystery that harkens to Jack’s past – and a dangerous cryptid bent on revenge!”

Dying Breath: 4.5 out of 5
There are three things that one can do to easily win me over with a comic book. One of those things is to have the story take place in the Louisiana swamps, and guess what issue did that, Hoax Hunters #1. Spinning out of the back up stories in Hack/Slash, and then being collected into issue #0, we join the team as they embark to solve a mystery in the swamp. No this is not like Scooby Doo, it is better. I openly welcome artist Axel Medellin into the family because he nailed this issue. His panels were consistent and he created one of the most GORE-Geous swamp monsters I have ever seen. Moreci and Seeley are on top of their game with this issue. If you missed the #0 issue you don’t have to worry, because they cover some good back story here. They also move forward with great pacing and some killer mystery that is left to unfold. Hoax Hunters is simply put, a fun read that plays with monster mythos. Hell I could easily just call this the baby of Scooby Doo and Proof. A great first issue and there is still more to come, I mean come on, let’s get to the carnival already!

Artwork: 4.5 out of 5 • Story: 4.5 out of 5

If you would like to know more about Hoax Hunters please go to http://www.imagecomics.com/

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