TIME BOMB #1 BY RADICAL PUBLISHING

CREATORS & WRITERS: Jimmy Palmiotti & Justin Gray
ARTIST: Paul Gulacy
ADDITIONAL INKS: Charles Yoakum
COLORIST: Rain Beredo
LETTERER: John J Hill
EDITOR: Rob Levin
COVER: Paul Gulacy & Rain Beredo

56 pg FC $4.99

After the Omega Bomb of Nazi Germany is accidentally launched, giving the human race 72 hours to live, four specialists are sent back in time to prevent the disaster. Unfortunately, instead of getting send back two dys, our heroes find themselves 67 years in the past, landing right in the middle of a German POW camp.

As the four time-displaced heroes hurry to ground zero, they take careful steps not to alter the past. However, their presence has alerted a sinister and evil enemy to their mission, the creator of the Omega Bomb himself, Axel Von Metzger, The Butcher!

Everyone I know – comic book reader or not – loves to imagine the world is a more mysterious place than they think it is. Everyone wants there to be places we haven’t found. Everyone wants a little magic, a lost civilization or a corner of the planet with ancient, unexplained ruins.

Scratch most people a bit, and you’ll find folk who secretly hope for conspiracy theories and secret technologies and science fiction fantasies brought to life, because there is a part of everyone that hates the idea that our world is explained, defined and quantified.

Most people are still afraid of the boogeyman; the nameless figure in the dark, the unexplainable bad guy who could turn out to be a mad scientist out to steal your body parts for a horrific experiment or the creepy clown serial killer.

Or a Nazi.

Radical Publishing’s Time Bomb is a simple story on the surface, but it really does plumb some of deeper fears and longings that almost everyone I’ve ever known has possessed.

The year is 2012 (in which the world may or may not be supposed to end) and there is an accident in Berlin that uncovers a hermetically sealed underground Nazi compound. A (possibly) shadowy organization called the New World Order is sent in to investigate.

Nazis are the best bad guys, because they really were bad guys, and so much about what went on behind the scenes in Hitler’s government is still a relative unknown, especially by the average citizen.

Usually, the Nazi’s lose. Intrepid archeologists, adventurers and plucky young heroes defeat the Nazis in magnificent displays of derring do.

Honestly? When I saw the first panel with the Nazi compound, that’s what I expected.

A few pages later, I was actually surprised. How often do Nazis win decades after their defeat and destruction? How many times in pulpy comics do you see a Nazi contingency plan succeed?

It’s a rare enough occurrence that I never suspected it might happen.

The next thing I know, there’s a Nazi super-virus that kills humans but not animals, hints that the Nazi compound had modern technology and four super secret special agents are travelling back in time to save the world.

Among our super secret special agents, we have a femme fatale (Peggy) who had only just signed divorce papers from Christian – another member of our intrepid team. And any girl who signs her divorce papers wearing a string bikini in a hotel lobby is okay in my book.

There’s Ken, who we are first introduced to in Venice, Italy where ice-cold and silk smooth, he seduces and kills a beautiful woman. His only request when told he’s going back in time? That he gets to bring a lot of guns. He is the most disciplined of the four.

And there’s Jack. He’s the class clown and juvenile delinquent; he’s late to meetings, smokes in the command center and has no respect for authority. He’s also the first of the super secret special agents we’re introduced to, which may or may not mean anything.

After some mandatory team bonding (Literally. Tom Krueger, The Guy In Charge, tells them to), the super secret special agents climb inside a Time Bomb. Again, literal. Using some undefined property of quantum physics, an atomic bomb will blow them backwards through time. The trick?

Time Bombs are relatively untested and the only test subject to return from a trip through time was a monkey who needed therapy and valium afterwards.

Time travel is not exactly unfamiliar territory for me. I’ve been reading comics since Superman died and I’ve been reading/watching science fiction for longer than that. Usually, when people go back in time, they have to worry about changing the past so they don’t destroy the future.

Except…our super secret special agents bring up a good point. The world is already going to be destroyed by the Nazi super-virus, so they have a bit more latitude.

And who hasn’t wanted to shoot a Nazi?

Time Bomb is one of those series that gives comic readers a little bit of wish fulfillment without sacrificing plot. Jimmy Palmiotti really delivers in this book, showing his years of skill with careful character development interwoven with plot movement. He combines the off-the-cuff one-line wit popular with adventure TV these days with the snapshot nature of comic panels, marrying the two styles of writing with a signature flair.

The art team on this book must have been reading my mind, because when I read the synopsis for this book in Previews, I figured there was no way the kind of hyper-realized, blur-edged art Radical’s become known for in books such as Caliber: First Cannon of Justice (which, if you haven’t read, you really should), Shrapnel and the critically acclaimed Hotwire could carry this tale. But the art on Time Bomb is just right. It’s very classic in style, but the attention to detail is fantastic. That detail is such a good fit with Palmiotti’s skilled writing that you can almost see the story move as you read it.

There’s no confusion on who’s speaking, no blurred letters you have to squint at to make out and no characters you have to look at just so to make sure you know who’s doing what and speaking where.

There are some fairly mature themes in Time Bomb, but instead of being garish of examples of sex, drugs and rock n’ roll used to advertise and sell the books, those themes are used to help the reader identify with the characters as people instead of super secret special agents. For the most part, this works well, but I wouldn’t recommend you let your young teenager read this without you reading it first.

Time Bomb is what a lot of comics strive to be: a good story, with unexpected twists and turns, a lot of gratuitous fun for the reader and characters you can cheer for. At 56 pages for $4.99, it’s worth picking up and adding to your pull.

We Kill Monsters TP by Red 5 Comics

It’s just one more day. You wake up, fix a few cars, mourn your father’s passing, awkwardly interact with your ex-girlfriend and help your socially-inept genius brother slay a giant blue monster.

Things get weird when said genius brother drinks monster brain juice and is miraculously healed by it.

We Kill Monsters is a fairly cut-and-dried tale. Comic readers, sci-fi pulp fans, anyone who’s watched sci-fi-ish TV in the past 25, anyone who’s seen a Bruce Campbell movie – we know the story. Small town is invaded, just about overnight, by monsters. Real, Grade A B-movie monsters with horns and rubbery skin in every color of green, brown, red and blue. Horns and spikes and fangs abound, some of them even in biologically logical locations.

You know everyone says it: there is nothing new under the sun. However, clichés are clichés because people pick them up off the shelf and read them, week after week. We Kill Monsters is should be no exception to this, because anyone who likes the awesome pulp action and classic plots should read it, because Red 5 does quality classic pulp.

What makes We Kill Monsters good isn’t the time-honored tale it tells, but the way it’s told. I know, I know. Y’all have heard that one a thousand and one times before, but if you ignore me, it’s your loss. This time, the story is all character with a bit of plot to tide you over while you find out just what they’re going to try next.

Our protagonists are Drew and Jake Basher, a pair of mechanics. Drew’s the older one; responsible and card-carrying member of the Common Sense League. (Which, if you didn’t know, doesn’t have many members from the Comic Characters Union.) Drew is the younger brother; a socially inept genius, he’s got a bit of mad scientist in him and a bit of the lovable dumb guy in him. He’s sort of an idiot savant but, other than his fumbling with people, doesn’t have much ‘idiot.’

These guys are as blue collar grease monkey as you can get: drinking beer, flirting with barmaids and fixing cars. The Requisite Girl, Vanessa, tends bar (and may or may not own the bar), lives with her father, who is a retired
sheriff and used to date Jake, back before they broke up over Drew.

She’s got a new beau these days; a marketing executive for a breakfast cereal company who drives a Beamer and has a smile that gleams in even dim light. He screams ‘used car salesman’ before he gets a speech bubble on paper.

The art in this book is consistently good; sometimes, you get a lot of characters who look the same, who don’t look like the kind of person they’re written to be. Not We Kill Monsters. From Jake’s chubby cheeks to Drew’s Fonzie hair to Vanessa’s girl-next-door chic, the characters are unique and bring a lot of life to the story. Awesome as that is, for me, it’s the colors in this book that really drive the art. Everything is bright and vibrant jewel tones, giving depth and motion to each panel.

That art makes things like eating dead monster bugs and drinking blue brain juice a bit more visceral that it might other be. And it’s really that gross bit of culinary masochism that drives the story. Jake’s got a bit of problem (and no, I won’t tell you what it is) that means he has to keep drinking monster fluids or he’s in a lot of trouble, which is part of why the Basher brothers got out killing monsters instead of running for the hills like everyone else.

That, and one of the monsters eats Vanessa’s Dad. There’s nothing like a bit of rage-fueled revenge to get a damsel in distress and there’s nothing like rescuing said damsel to inspire heroism like McGuyered air-compressor
ballistae mounted on jury-rigged armored trucks.

And if that doesn’t convince you to read this book, nothing else I say will.

The end of the story is more surprising than I thought it would be; it’s the first time in a long time a pulp plot has made me raise my eyebrows. I will say, however, that I’ll never look at breakfast cereal mascots in the same light ever again.

We Kill Monsters. Pulpy, creative and absolutely fun to read.

by Alan M Rogers

WRITER: Bob Schreck

ARTIST: Nate Van Dyke

COLORIST: Jamie Grant & Dave Stewart

LETTERER: Chris Mowry

EDITOR: Tom Waltz

ASSISTANT EDITOR: Bobby Curnow

COVER A: Tom Yeates

COVER B: Frank Miller

It’s been 13 years since little Tim and Lex Murphy escaped from the island of Isla Sorna, and recent public opinion has reversed, with the world clamoring for authorities to re-open Jurassic Park! With the help of their controversial Granddad’s inheritance and their own sharp wits, a secret deal is struck to open a new park! This time they’ll get it right… right? Bob Schreck makes his writing debut on this all-new tale, under covers from fellow industry legends Frank Miller and Tom Yeates!

Humanity at the top of the food chain.

Most of us know it; instinctively, deep in our bones. It’s one of those things, like gravity, that we don’t ever think about.

But for the fortunate few who survived a trip to Isla Nublar – aka Jurassic Park – know better. Humans haven’t been at the top of the food chains since John Hammond of InGen Corp realized a grand scientific dream and re-created dinosaurs as the main attraction in a resort-style theme park.

Jurassic Park is not a secret; too many tourists have been eaten, a T-Rex ran through the streets of Manhattan and there may or may not be Pteradons flying around somewhere near Costa Rica.

Lex Murphy is no longer a whiz-kid on a field trip to her grandfather’s mad science experiment; she’s an international celebrity and a business woman to be reckoned with. Tim isn’t a precocious kid brother anymore; he’s inherited InGen from John Hammond and has proven that insanity runs in the family by allowing a strange person on the other end of a computer to con him into cloning more dinosaurs.

In his defense, he thinks it’s just the cuddly herbivores.

But like his grandfather, he doesn’t see the whole picture. While his sister begs the UN to continue blockading the islands, to keep the dinosaurs contained and keep them from getting loose and making mankind into a couple of billion bipedal snacks, Tim is sneaking around and manipulating senators into helping him make more dinosaurs.

Bob Schreck’s comic is very true to Michael Crichton’s original vision of f creators with the knowledge, ability and resources to do the impossible but without the conscience to first answer “why not?” and of unscrupulous people more interested in making money than their fellow person not getting eaten.

The story is full of skillful foreshadowing, easy-to-follow dialogue and sets up a story that promises to not only interesting, but promises to give us the same shivers the movies did.

Dinosaurs, mad science, corrupt politicians, shadowy puppetmasters, and a new generation taking up the mantle of protecting the planet from big, nasty things that want to eat everyone.

This one’s got a bit of everything – and the story has just started!

by Alan M Rogers

WRITER: Brian Clevinger
ART: Scott Wegner
COLORS: Ronda Pattison
LETTERS: Jeff Powell

Atomic Robo, as always, hearkens back (both in art and writing) to the pulp comics of the Golden Age – a wisecracking hero using wit, wisdom and sheer brute strength to defeat zany villains who blend absurd ‘take over the world’ plots with bit of actual (and sometimes frightening) personal agendas. Faced with an underground secret lab powered by the mysterious and somewhat inexplicable crystals, Robo has to overcome his embarrassment at being captured by the raptor’s cunnig plan while trying valiantly to thwart a bird-brained scheme involving Robo’s head, a threatening note of dubious grammar, and the United States Postal service.

Our hero quickly discovers that although intelligent dialogue with a (possibly) time-traveling dinosaur is difficult at best, witty repartee is unavoidable and finds himself in the unenviable position of saving himself by helping the mad scientist work the kinks out of his scheme.

The story is a riot of chagrined heroes; Clevinger shows his mastery of the short-form graphic
story, throwing the reading into the middle of things (in medias res, for the literary inclined) and then drags us along. I found myself laughing and shaking my head at every turn of the page – the interplay between hero and villain was so good that I actually forgot I wanted Robo to get away!

Scott Wegner’s art and Ronda Pattison’s colors compliment the story perfectly; Dr. Dinosaur is animated and his toothy grin manager to convey as much emotion as any humans face. Wegner skillfully manipulates Robo’s body language to help convey tone of voice and inflection.

Atomic Robo continues to be one of the best consistently good titles and is well worth picking up and reading, no matter where in the series you start!

The answer is simple: we’ve borrowed vampires from everyone else. Now, one of America’s greatest horror writers has put pen to paper to create a new vampire mythos – one that belongs to America. Dragon’s Lair’s Signings Coordinator, Robbie J. LaBanca read this new story from Scott Snyder and Stephen King.

American Vampire #1

by Robbie J LaBanca

Writer:
Scott Snyder, Stephen King

Art & Cover: Rafael Albuquerque

1:25 Variant Cover: Jim Lee

40p FC $3.99

Scott Snyder teams up with Rafael Albuquerque and Stephen King to bring you a thrilling tale of a new kind of vampire. An American Vampire.

This isn’t your grandmother’s vampire tale. There are no lavish castles, filled with candelabras nestled in the rolling hills of Romania. In the first issue of this five-issue story, we first meet Pearl, the would-be Hollywood starlet, trying to make it in the infant world of moving pictures during the 1920’s, while working three jobs to pay the rent. Things start to look up for Pearl when the handsome star of the film she is an extra in takes a liking to her and invites her to attend an opulent party hosted by the film’s producer.

The handsome actor’s statement that the producer is going to “gobble her up” isn’t far from the truth – and that is where I will leave you.

The next story, written by the master of horror himself (Stephen King), introduces us to Skinner Sweet via William Bunting who retells his first-person account of the unbelievable events that unfolded during a train-robbery gone horribly wrong. Skinner attempts to rob a train, as we are led to believe he has done many times before (in addition to countless other felonies) without accounting for one special passenger who doesn’t go down as easily as the others.

William Bunting tells this story to the world via a novel he writes titled Bad Blood, convinced that no one would believe the tale unless it was published as fiction. The events that unfold after the robbery gone wrong changes what would have been Skinner’s untimely demise into the beginning of a whole new tale. The two tales will be soon become one as the story continues in the next four issues and I am personally delighted to watch how Scott Snyder and Stephen King masterfully weave them together.

Rafael Albuquerque’s art lends a interesting, cinematic feel to the story. His saturated colors and odd, angular perspective choices bring a noticeable interest to his art that works in a tight harmony to Snyder and King’s melody. Albuquerque’s lines are reflective of the plot and become less contained and more wild as the plot goes flying off the tracks like a train coming loose from the tracks.

In King’s inaugural attempt in comics, I feel he is more than simply successful. Although he is not slated to continue past the first five issues, I am looking forward to how he and Snyder work together to bring America it’s very own vampire mythos. In an area where there are vampires in every tween novel, TV show and big-box store poster rack, it is refreshing to read a well-thought out tale of personal horror written for a mature and intelligent audience.

All comics reviewed are out this week and are available at your local Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy®!

by Alan M Rogers

Every story begins somewhere. Every beginning sets the stage for the rest of the tale; it tantalizes us with hints of what’s coming next and shows us a bit of the world we’re about to enter, a bit of the characters we’re about to spend time with, and a bit of the plot we’re about to become (hopefully) swept away by.

Recently, my boss handed me three comics I’d never heard of and asked me to review them. I had no idea what to expect from these comics and I had even less of an idea what these comics were about. The only thing they had in common is that they were all beginnings.

The A-Team War Stories: B.A. by IDW

Writer: Chuck Dixon & Erik Burnham

Artist: Casey Maloney

Colors: Michael Gaydos

32p FC $3.99

A prequel to this summer’s most anticipated movie! Sgt. Bosco “B.A.” Baracus is the kind of man you want on your side in a tough situation-which is why he was sent into Kuwait City to help retrieve weapons stolen from the coalition during Desert Storm. But when B.A. learns that this particular mission isn’t exactly what he was told, you’ll pity the fool that tried to lie to him.

So yeah. I watched the A-Team when I was a kid. It was in the same block as Knight Rider and Airwolf.  I’ll admit, I never really thought of the show as having a plot, but it had lots of fun characters, awesome explosions and campy montages to catchy theme music. And it had Mr T.

Now, I’m pretty ignorant of pop-culture unless it comes out in book, comic, or graphic novel form, so of course I learned about the new A-Team Movie when I picked up this new IDW comic. Remakes of TV shows and old movies usually leave me skeptical and I usually wait until I can watch them for free before I give them a try.

Me and my skepticism are both looking forward to the A-Team Movie this summer. I even marked it on my calendar. I might be 30-years-old, but I still love me some good explosions and campy montages – but I love good characters even more. Sgt. B.A. Baracus certainly looks to be a good character. Chuck Dixon is in his element (military fiction) and does his usual smooth and subtle job with dialogue and narrative, carrying a dynamic story forward without so much as a hiccough.

Army Airborne Ranger Sgt. Bosco ‘B.A.’ Baracus is a rare breed of honest man and genuine patriot from the worst kind of neighborhood who goes out of his way to help a friend. When it appears an officer had a shipment of weapons stolen out from under him by some would-be gangstas, B.A. agrees to go on a clandestine mission to retrieve them.

Overcoming a horrid fear of flying, B.A. and two other rangers fly in to Kuwait City and after B.A. showcases his mad skills behind the wheel of a humvee by dodging rockets, he uncovers the real story behind the missing weapons. Dixon and Burnham stay true to the iconic character and to Mr. T’s portrayal of him while successfully updating the character for a more modern audience. B.A. Baracus is not only a real hero, he’s an honest man, even to his own detriment. He’s a character that has some to appeal to everyone and has me looking forward to his part in the new movie.

The comic is fast-paced, well-written and is a fantastic beginning. If this were the first issue of a new series, it would be on my pull list.

Dragon Age by
EA Comics and IDW

Writer: Orson Scott Card & Aaron Johnson

Art: Mark Robinson and Jason P. Martin

32p FC $3.99

Hailed as ‘the RPG of the Decade’ by PC Gamer magazine, Dragon Age: Origins has redefined the modern fantasy role-playing game. Now, the innovative game from BioWare becomes the latest hit comic from EA Comics! In a time lost to history, a war ravaged the land. Mages, incredibly powerful wielders of magic, ruled the world through mastery of dark arts and forbidden spells. Their lust for power almost destroyed all existence, and unleashed an unholy pestilence, the Darkspawn, to plague mankind, trolls, faeries, and all the inhabitants of the realm. Now magic is carefully controlled, taught behind the sacred walls of the Circle of Magi, and monitored by the ever-vigilant Templars. It is in this arena that a new generation of Mages in training will arise, warriors of sorcery who will defy the rules of the Templars and change the course of the world forever.

True story: I haven’t played all that many video games since the Atari 2800 was popular.  I only know of Bioware by reputation. I haven’t ever played any of their games (which reflects on me far more than them, I assure you.) Thankfully, I’m not having to review what appears to be a fantastic game; I got to read their comic instead.

As a veteran of both comics and sci-fi/fantasy books, Orson Scott Card is a name I am more than familiar with; he’s controversial, vocal, talented, prolific in several mediums and genres, and famous. What would make him adapt a game to comic form?

It didn’t take me long to find out. Dragon Age is a fascinating and well-developed world. Even those of us who aren’t familiar with the game universe can sink our proverbial teeth into this tragic story. The world is rich and well-developed, but the reader isn’t lost as they are introduced to the apprentice mage Veness and the young Templar Sadatt.

Despite coming from sects that traditionally hate each other, they follow in the immortal footsteps of Romeo & Juliet (or Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala) by falling in love and starting a clandestine affair despite possible (and wonderfully vague) consequences. However, Sadatt decides to stay true to his duty and leaves Veness behind, despite his unwillingness to kill. Unfortunately for Sadatt, biology and bad luck conspire, and Veness turns up pregnant. Another apprentice Mage, Abernath, takes credit for the child. As it turns out, Mages aren’t supposed to breed with each other! However, the chief Templar has mercy and agrees they should be non-lethally punished and the child used for his own ends.

Abernath confesses his love, Veness runs away and Sadatt is sent after him – and that’s where things get intense, interesting and gripping. If Bioware‘s game is even half this complex, then I can see why it’s popular!

The art follows the latest trend of looking a bit cartoonish, but it works well for the story and the colors are fantastic and vibrant. This is a fantasy world – and a story – well worth reading. Despite the ending (which I won’t even hint at!), this story begins a tale that will span generations and probably change the face of the entire world its set in.

Considering I’m looking forward to issue #2, it’s a good beginning.

Eternal Descent by IDW

Writer:
Llexi Leon

Art: Jason Metcalf

32p FC $3.99

Welcome to a city where lost souls lurk in every shadow and darkness veils sinister designs, where heavy metal could be the key to salvation…or the gateway to destruction. A fallen hero, a twisted demon, one gorgeous succubus, and an army of chart-topping guitar heroes: the pieces are in place. The Descent
begins. Written by Llexi Leon and illustrated by Jason Metcalf. Incentive Cover by Syzmond Kudranski & Svee Wheeler. Created in conjunction with ESP Guitars and Marshall Amplification.

Whoa.

This one? Way out there. I’ve seen the concept before – we all have: angels and demons and strange places between heaven and hell, all duking it out on Earth with cosmic power being wielded by ancient and unknowable beings that strive to make some kind of connection to the humans they fight over. There are mysterious rules that govern thier conflict and they invariably look like rock stars.

These guys? They are rock stars.

It’s like…Guitar Hero meets
Fallen Angel. 
(And no.  I haven’t ever played Guitar Hero.) Lyla, a young and hot musician with a drinking problem ends up meeting a bum who, along with a few hundred of his closest dark servants, tries to eat her soul and otherwise violently kill her. Even after she throws the bum a bit of money for his next beer. After all, she gets that life sucks.

What’s a good story about good vs. evil without the angsty, rule-breaking, brooding and somberly hot hero to swoop in (literally – he’s got wings) and save the day? Sirian, who is to all appearances and hints, an angel, swoops in and starts kicking butt (he doesn’t bother with taking names) while Lyra runs away like a smart girl. The dark servants are, of course, in hot pursuit.

While Sirian uses a mystical guitar to call down cosmic power to fry the bad guys, Lyran falls off a fire escape to her doom. (Because, like all good heroines, she ran up the stairs to a rooftop to avoid a dead-end alley.) Her doom turns out to be falling through the
sidewalk into what we later learn is called the Morass. Sirian dives in after her, rescues her and takes her to a church, has an unfriendly chat with a Big Bad (who we assume is the demon). The reader finds out that rescuing Lyra from the Morass was against The Rules and there will be Dire Consequences.

And there are.

Those Dire Consequences? Not what I expected, and I can truthfully tell you that I’ve read dozens of angels vs. demons tales (many of them in comics, many of them good.) Not only does the hero slay evil with guitar riffs even Bill & Ted would envy, he does so with enviable style and an sense of irony.

This is story is going to be fun, y’all. As beginnings go, it had me shaking my head in amusement and nodding in appreciation by turns and still left me wondering just how Sirian is going to clean up the mess he made.

All comics reviewed are out this week and are available at your local Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy®!

by Alan M Rogers

A review of three new comics!

Every story begins somewhere. Every beginning sets the stage for the rest of the tale; it tantalizes us with hints of what’s coming next and shows us a bit of the world we’re about to enter, a bit of the characters we’re about to spend time with, and a bit of the plot we’re about to become (hopefully) swept away by.

Recently, my boss handed me three comics I’d never heard of and asked me to review them. I had no idea what to expect from these comics and I had even less of an idea what these comics were about. The only thing they had in common is that they were all beginnings.

The A-Team War Stories: B.A. by IDW

Writer: Chuck Dixon & Erik Burnham

Artist: Casey Maloney

Colors: Michael Gaydos

32p FC $3.99

A prequel to this summer’s most anticipated movie! Sgt. Bosco “B.A.” Baracus is the kind of man you want on your side in a tough situation-which is why he was sent into Kuwait City to help retrieve weapons stolen from the coalition during Desert Storm. But when B.A. learns that this particular mission isn’t exactly what he was told, you’ll pity the fool that tried to lie to him.

So yeah. I watched the A-Team when I was a kid. It was in the same block as Knight Rider and Airwolf.  I’ll admit, I never really thought of the show as having a plot, but it had lots of fun characters, awesome explosions and campy montages to catchy theme music. And it had Mr T.

Now, I’m pretty ignorant of pop-culture unless it comes out in book, comic, or graphic novel form, so of course I learned about the new A-Team Movie when I picked up this new IDW comic. Remakes of TV shows and old movies usually leave me skeptical and I usually wait until I can watch them for free before I give them a try.

Me and my skepticism are both looking forward to the A-Team Movie this summer. I even marked it on my calendar. I might be 30-years-old, but I still love me some good explosions and campy montages – but I love good characters even more. Sgt. B.A. Baracus certainly looks to be a good character. Chuck Dixon is in his element (military fiction) and does his usual smooth and subtle job with dialogue and narrative, carrying a dynamic story forward without so much as a hiccough.

Army Airborne Ranger Sgt. Bosco ‘B.A.’ Baracus is a rare breed of honest man and genuine patriot from the worst kind of neighborhood who goes out of his way to help a friend. When it appears an officer had a shipment of weapons stolen out from under him by some would-be gangstas, B.A. agrees to go on a clandestine mission to retrieve them.

Overcoming a horrid fear of flying, B.A. and two other rangers fly in to Kuwait City and after B.A. showcases his mad skills behind the wheel of a humvee by dodging rockets, he uncovers the real story behind the missing weapons. Dixon and Burnham stay true to the iconic character and to Mr. T’s portrayal of him while successfully updating the character for a more modern audience. B.A. Baracus is not only a real hero, he’s an honest man, even to his own detriment. He’s a character that has some to appeal to everyone and has me looking forward to his part in the new movie.

The comic is fast-paced, well-written and is a fantastic beginning. If this were the first issue of a new series, it would be on my pull list.

Dragon Age by
EA Comics and IDW

Writer: Orson Scott Card & Aaron Johnson

Art: Mark Robinson and Jason P. Martin

32p FC $3.99

Hailed as ‘the RPG of the Decade’ by PC Gamer magazine, Dragon Age: Origins has redefined the modern fantasy role-playing game. Now, the innovative game from BioWare becomes the latest hit comic from EA Comics! In a time lost to history, a war ravaged the land. Mages, incredibly powerful wielders of magic, ruled the world through mastery of dark arts and forbidden spells. Their lust for power almost destroyed all existence, and unleashed an unholy pestilence, the Darkspawn, to plague mankind, trolls, faeries, and all the inhabitants of the realm. Now magic is carefully controlled, taught behind the sacred walls of the Circle of Magi, and monitored by the ever-vigilant Templars. It is in this arena that a new generation of Mages in training will arise, warriors of sorcery who will defy the rules of the Templars and change the course of the world forever.

True story: I haven’t played all that many video games since the Atari 2800 was popular.  I only know of Bioware by reputation. I haven’t ever played any of their games (which reflects on me far more than them, I assure you.) Thankfully, I’m not having to review what appears to be a fantastic game; I got to read their comic instead.

As a veteran of both comics and sci-fi/fantasy books, Orson Scott Card is a name I am more than familiar with; he’s controversial, vocal, talented, prolific in several mediums and genres, and famous. What would make him adapt a game to comic form?

It didn’t take me long to find out. Dragon Age is a fascinating and well-developed world. Even those of us who aren’t familiar with the game universe can sink our proverbial teeth into this tragic story. The world is rich and well-developed, but the reader isn’t lost as they are introduced to the apprentice mage Veness and the young Templar Sadatt.

Despite coming from sects that traditionally hate each other, they follow in the immortal footsteps of Romeo & Juliet (or Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala) by falling in love and starting a clandestine affair despite possible (and wonderfully vague) consequences. However, Sadatt decides to stay true to his duty and leaves Veness behind, despite his unwillingness to kill. Unfortunately for Sadatt, biology and bad luck conspire, and Veness turns up pregnant. Another apprentice Mage, Abernath, takes credit for the child. As it turns out, Mages aren’t supposed to breed with each other! However, the chief Templar has mercy and agrees they should be non-lethally punished and the child used for his own ends.

Abernath confesses his love, Veness runs away and Sadatt is sent after him – and that’s where things get intense, interesting and gripping. If Bioware‘s game is even half this complex, then I can see why it’s popular!

The art follows the latest trend of looking a bit cartoonish, but it works well for the story and the colors are fantastic and vibrant. This is a fantasy world – and a story – well worth reading. Despite the ending (which I won’t even hint at!), this story begins a tale that will span generations and probably change the face of the entire world its set in.

Considering I’m looking forward to issue #2, it’s a good beginning.

Eternal Descent by IDW

Writer:
Llexi Leon

Art: Jason Metcalf

32p FC $3.99

Welcome to a city where lost souls lurk in every shadow and darkness veils sinister designs, where heavy metal could be the key to salvation…or the gateway to destruction. A fallen hero, a twisted demon, one gorgeous succubus, and an army of chart-topping guitar heroes: the pieces are in place. The Descent
begins. Written by Llexi Leon and illustrated by Jason Metcalf. Incentive Cover by Syzmond Kudranski & Svee Wheeler. Created in conjunction with ESP Guitars and Marshall Amplification.

Whoa.

This one? Way out there. I’ve seen the concept before – we all have: angels and demons and strange places between heaven and hell, all duking it out on Earth with cosmic power being wielded by ancient and unknowable beings that strive to make some kind of connection to the humans they fight over. There are mysterious rules that govern thier conflict and they invariably look like rock stars.

These guys? They are rock stars.

It’s like…Guitar Hero meets
Fallen Angel. 
(And no.  I haven’t ever played Guitar Hero.) Lyla, a young and hot musician with a drinking problem ends up meeting a bum who, along with a few hundred of his closest dark servants, tries to eat her soul and otherwise violently kill her. Even after she throws the bum a bit of money for his next beer. After all, she gets that life sucks.

What’s a good story about good vs. evil without the angsty, rule-breaking, brooding and somberly hot hero to swoop in (literally – he’s got wings) and save the day? Sirian, who is to all appearances and hints, an angel, swoops in and starts kicking butt (he doesn’t bother with taking names) while Lyra runs away like a smart girl. The dark servants are, of course, in hot pursuit.

While Sirian uses a mystical guitar to call down cosmic power to fry the bad guys, Lyran falls off a fire escape to her doom. (Because, like all good heroines, she ran up the stairs to a rooftop to avoid a dead-end alley.) Her doom turns out to be falling through the
sidewalk into what we later learn is called the Morass. Sirian dives in after her, rescues her and takes her to a church, has an unfriendly chat with a Big Bad (who we assume is the demon). The reader finds out that rescuing Lyra from the Morass was against The Rules and there will be Dire Consequences.

And there are.

Those Dire Consequences? Not what I expected, and I can truthfully tell you that I’ve read dozens of angels vs. demons tales (many of them in comics, many of them good.) Not only does the hero slay evil with guitar riffs even Bill & Ted would envy, he does so with enviable style and an sense of irony.

This is story is going to be fun, y’all. As beginnings go, it had me shaking my head in amusement and nodding in appreciation by turns and still left me wondering just how Sirian is going to clean up the mess he made.

All comics reviewed are out this week and are available at your local Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy®!

by Alan M Rogers

Okay. I admit it. When the advance copy of IDW’s official movie adaptation of the 2009 STAR TREK movie came in the mail, I got a little bit excited. (Maybe more than a little.) The truth is, I love STAR TREK. Since I was a little kid, I’ve loved STAR TREK. It doesn’t matter which flavor of STAR TREK, either. The ideas behind STAR TREK are what make it great; the moral and ethical obligations of discovery and exploration and the idea that humanity, as a whole, can become much more than what we are and can successfully overcome the less appealing aspects of humanity.

There’s also a sense of adventure and excitement – a childlike sense of wonder at what we’ll see around the next corner. Throw in a strong dose of camaraderie between the people who are out in the cosmos without anyone to bail them out if they get in trouble, and you have an entertainment franchise that has gone strong for almost a half a century.

JJ Abrams breathed new life into STAR TREK with the latest movie just as IDW has given new life to STAR TREK in comics. IDW has already touched on JJ Abrams new STAR TREK continuity with STAR TREK COUNTDOWN (the movie prequel); STAR TREK SPOCK REFLECTIONS and STAR TREK NERO. Now, writers Mike Johnson and Tim Jones have adapted the screenplay by Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman into comic form.

True to form, the adaptation is just that – an adaptation. However, if this first issue is any indication, this adaption is going to be fantastic. Already, the first issue captures the feel of the opening scenes of the movie while adding depth to some of the character history. Johnson and Jones not only capture the feel of the movie, but the emotional impact of George Kirk’s sacrifice and the turmoil of James Kirk’s birth.

The art team on this book is fantastic, with smooth lines, bold color and fantastic effects. The still-motion feel and the scenes they chose to draw are perfect snapshots for each panel. The result is a total lack of narrative boxes, which only emphasizes the seamless flow of the story.

If you haven’t seen the movie and are nervous about this new incarnation of STAR TREK, then pick up this issues of the adaptation. I guarantee you won’t regret it and I wouldn’t be surprised if you had a sudden urge to watch the movie. If you’ve seen the movie and don’t like comic adaptations, then I recommend that you give this one a try; by the time IDW’s team is finished with it, you’ll want it on your shelf right next to the movie.

If you’re just a Star Trek fan looking for another hit to tide you over until the next movie or re-run or IDW comic, then this is definitely for you; it’s got enough new material to give you a fresh look at the story and stays true to both JJ Abrams and to the Great Bird of the Galaxy (Gene Rodenberry, for the uninitiated!).

And if you’ve never been into STAR TREK or never known where to start with STAR TREK, then this is perfect for you. It’s a single issues of a single comic series that is telling the same story the newest movie has told. If this doesn’t get you wondering and doesn’t get you interested, I don’t know what could.

Live long and prosper!

~alan m rogers (who really is enough of a geek to end a review with that!)

In Lovecraft, Massachusetts there is a mansion known as Keyhouse, home to the Locke family, the place where Tyson, Kinsey, and Bode’s father grew up. This is a place full of mystery, with doors that lead to places that aren’t in this world, and keys that unlock places that one wouldn’t think could be opened.

Locke & Key: Crown of Shadows #1, 32 pgs., published by IDW, and written by Joe Hill (son of Stephen King) is the third installment in the Locke & Key series. The first two story arcs: Locke & Key Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft and Locke & Key Vol. 2: Head Games have been released in trades. Volume 1 is in hardcover and TPB while vol.2 is only available in hardcover.

In Welcome to Lovecraft we were introduced to the Locke children as they were about to experience an event that would change all of their lives and result in their move to their father’s childhood home – The Keyhouse, and we, the readers, begin to learn about the secrets of Keyhouse, what has been living in the well, and what can happen when a key is turned.

In Head Games we learned more about the Locke family, as well as the people and the past goings on in the town of Lovecraft. There is a new face that isn’t so new at Lovecraft Senior High school, making friends with Tyson & Kinsey, and having a strong affect on the faculty.
A familiar and unwelcome visitor arrives and puts the Lockes, who are still reeling from their earlier tragedy, into another traumatic experience. And an unexpected place is opened when another key is turned.

Crown of Shadows #1, which hit store shelves on November 11th, takes us back into the Keyhouse. Nina Locke: Tyson, Kinsey, and Bode’s mother is dealing with her grief and fear with alcohol. She shares her fears with her oldest son and informs him that she going to have to go out of town and needs him to watch over his younger brother. We can see the pressure and responsibility that oldest child Tyson is bearing, but the focus of this book is on our two antagonists, and a battle for a body and control.They battle in a place that can be reached, with a key, through one of the mansions doors, but it is not a room, and when someone walks through it they are not the same while there. Nina is certain she is hearing things and while roaming the halls of her new home, a victor from the fight in the room that is not a room steps back through the door. Nina finds a key on the floor, a key that somebody else wants very badly, a key that somebody hopes will open a black door. a key that somebody will do anything for.

Joe Hill’s (Fanboyz, Spider-Man Unlimited #8) writing takes us into the town of Lovecraft and the Keyhouse, aplace filled with the supernatural. He lets us share in the Locke family’s lives, and the harsh realities of adjusting to their major changes, as they try to heal from trauma, cope with grief, support one another, and be the new kids in school. He has written characters that feel real, handle what comes at them believably, from the way Kinsey changes her hair and makes a conscious decision on how and what she will feel, the guilt Tyson carries for careless words that can’t be taken back, to showing us what is really (I mean really!) on youngest sibling Bode’s mind. He moves the reader through the story, jumping back in time and to the present, at a pace that keeps the pages turning while still keeping a leisurely, no rush needed feel.

Gabriel Rodriguez’s (Angel #18-20) art is beautiful. He makes a very supernatural event come to life in pictures and colors that express the other-worldliness of the “other” places in Keyhouse, and when in the “real” world of our characters his work gives the reader a visual experience that conveys their feeling and emotions through large eyes, and small expressive touches that give each character personality traits that add to the readers ability to connect with and care for them.

If you enjoy reading horror, suspense, and fantasy comics then I recommend reading the Locke & Key series. It’s probably best to start from the beginning, but starting with Crown of Shadows would still give a fulfilling read.

So check out Locke & Key: Crown of Shadows #1. Just turn the key and come inside….

You like comics.

I can’t blame you. Comics are awesome. There’s all sorts of them out there too, from the capes, to the horror, to the fantasy, to the historical, to the funny… Really, there’s a comic for everyone.

Including your girlfriend.

Yes, her eyes might glaze over during the Lord of the Rings movies. Yes, she might not have any idea what snikt or bamf mean. And maybe, just maybe, she doesn’t even care how cute David Tennet is and has no interest in watching a single episode of Doctor Who. Your sweetheart may not have a single ounce of geek cred, but still there’s at least one comic out there she’s going to like.*

So here it is, Gentlemen: Comics Your Girlfriend Would Like.

The Sure Bet.

Some comics are so good as to be universal. The critics like them. The readers like them. I like them and I would bet your girlfriend would like them.

These include Neil Gaiman’s Sandman, Brian K. Vaughan’s Y: The Last Man, and Marjane Satrapi’s Persepolis.

Why your lady would like it: There’s a reason why it’s the Sure Bet. There’s something inherently likable about these books. They’re the Casablanca of comics.

What it says about you: Hey, you’re not much of a risk-taker, but you’ve got good taste.

Abort mission if: she hates the tall, dark and British type (Sandman), violence (Y: The Last Man), or the movie (Persepolis).

The Indie Comic.

Girls are more likely to stray from the big two (Marvel and DC) than guys are. Personally, I think it’s because girls have less loyalty to Emma Frost’s corseted good looks and Superman’s perfect forelock. But it is also true that women gravitate to human stories more than superhuman ones.

Check out Adrian Tomine’s Shortcomings, Alison Bechdel’s Fun Home, Craig Thompson’s Blankets, or Shaun Tan’s The Arrival.

Why your lady would like it: reading an indie graphic novel is like cheating. You get all the fun of reading a comic and none of the social embarrassment of it. You can sit in the middle of Spider House, surrounded by hipsters, drinking your chai and reading Fun Home and know people around you are thinking, If that person were any cooler they’d have to be doing it ironically.

What it says about you: you’re hip, socially aware and I bet you like The Decemberists too.

Abort mission if: she scoffs at The New Yorker (Shortcomings), has daddy issues (Fun Home), hates the winter (Blankets), doesn’t dig on symbolism (The Arrival).

The Romantic Comic.

What better way to say I love you than to say it with comics? Some comics have it right there in the theme. RIGHT THERE! Could they be making it any easier?

Don’t say it with flowers. Say it with Mi-Kyung Yun’s Bride of the Water God, the Hernandez brothers’ Love and Rockets, G. Willow Wilson’s Air, or the Marvel Illustrated version of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice.

Why your lady would like it: I know this is going to come as a shock, but chicks dig romance. Even the most hard-hearted, cynical of us will melt with the proper combination of wit, brooding eyes, and that perfect song.

What it says about you: you may not go see New Moon with her, but you’re still her great, big snuggle-wuggle boo-boo.

Abort mission if: dating a younger man wierds her out (Bride of the Water God), she hates the Clash, the Pogues or the Ramones (Love and Rockets), gags at Salman Rushdie and Gabriel Garcia Marquez (Air), or has never liked any of the Pride and Prejudice movies including the eight hour one that she made you sit through put out by the BBC(Pride and Prejudice obviously).

The Capes Comic.

Now, we’re not talking Comixology 101 here, but even if your special gal has never shown any interest in the superheroes, there’s still the chance she’ll like some. It just depends on the comic. Try her out with Joss Whedon’s Buffy: Season Eight, Paul Dini’s Batman: Harley and Ivy, Peter David’s X-Factor, or Fred Chao’s Johnny Hiro.

Why your lady would like it: these comics have kick-butt women, humor, and love. Also, because, let’s face it: women want the same things from comics that men want; we want them to be good.

What it says about you: you want to share interests with her… your interests.

Abort mission if: she couldn’t stand the tv show (Buffy: Season 8), she (somehow, impossibly!) doesn’t like Harley Quinn (Batman: Harley and Ivy), eschews soap operas (X-Factor), or… honestly, I can’t think of any reason someone wouldn’t like Johnny Hiro. It’s fantastic.

Well, there you are! A guide on how to get the love of your life into your favorite local comic book store with you. Happy hunting.

*Girlfriends must be literate to apply.