Troy-Jeffrey Allen Comic Reviews

Azzarello stretches out plenty of scenes where nothing really occurs. While the numerous panels with minimal dialogue allows the reader time to marvel at Lee Bermejos amazing artwork, it also raises suspicion. If this protracted structure continues, it may indicate that this particular story doesnt have much more to offer subsequent issues.

While specific media outlets have caught on to the news of the first gay male slayer (albeit, "slayer" in name only), when compared to Marvel and DC in recent months, publisher Dark Horse hasn't used the angle in an exploitative manner (it wasn't even acknowledged it in the advance Previews description). Intentional or otherwise, the move to not use sexual preference as a sales boost proves that progression doesn't have to be a competition of "me first," but a unique opportunity to show that anyone can be the chosen one. And, really...isn't that what our obsession with superpowers is all about?

Alternative yet vivid, Clint magazine is chock-full of Mark Millars patented cynicism. From the comics to the articles, the publication thumbs its nose at the reader while simultaneously asking you to join in on the fun. Alan Moores Dodge Em Logic magazine (which debuted a few months earlier) took a similar approach but was devoid of mainstream appeal. Millar seems to have a more inviting approach. Hopefully, his sensationalistic style can turn enough heads to find a broader audience for comics at home and abroad.

The premise behind Mondo Urbano: A Tale of Sex, Drugs, and Rock n Roll may seem too busy at first glance (characters tend to clock in and clock out like some sort of Pulp Fiction-styled crime anthology) but Medeiros, Albuquerque, and Santolouco fill the book with energy and reverence. Theyve latched onto the line that rock n roll is the devils music and have began building a potential universe around it. Thankfully, (if the final pages are any indication) the Brazilian trio is already hard at work on an encore.

Written by David Walker (Darius Logan: Super Justice Force) with artist Robert Love (Alpha Girl), Number 13 is a brew of intriguingly oddball ideas. Walker and Love seem to be aiming for a sci-fi yarn that effectively tugs on the readers curiosities. For that exact reason, issue #0 doesnt completely satisfy but does make you demand to see what additional horrors these characters are on collision a course with. That, along with Walkers ambitious world-building and Loves amusingly bizarre-o character designs, gives Number 13 numerous possibilities.

Then again, I could be wrong. James Howlett and company may prove to add something new to the existing team's dynamic but from the looks of issue 1, they might have shown up too late to save themselves from the harsh reality of been there done that.

One Shot for the Week of June 13th 2012 By Troy-Jeffrey Allen Jun 16, 2012 - 18:13

One Shot For The Week of June 6th 2012 By Troy-Jeffrey Allen Jun 10, 2012 - 12:25 Yes, comic books are stupid. However, with each new discovery, hopefully, we can end the cycle and find something all-new and all-different to justify our Wednesday spending habits. This is One Shot...

Batman Incorporated #1

Issue one tackles such a widespread number of topics that it almost makes me question whether or not Sean Murphy is up to the task of addressing even half of them. Then again, thats why I like it. Unlike most comic books that simply ignite discussions about nothing, Punk Rock Jesus recklessly wants to talk about everything. I just sure as hell hope that DC has the stones to let the second coming play out without cancellation.

Romance comics. Ugh. The very mention of such mawkish funny book twaddle makes this he-man/fanboy want to disgorge his chicken and cashew nuts. The idea of replacing a perfectly good superhero brawl with 56 pages of touchy-feely optimism can only be followed by a century-long eye roll. Yes, I'm bitter --- lemony, even --- so why does Adriane Tomine's powder blue graphic novel of pre-wedding jitters sit in front of me? Why have I read it from cover to cover completely satisfied? Well, because Scenes from an Impending Marriage is devoid of sentimentalism. Because it typifyies the unspectacular portions of romanceand that is a relationship that I can understand.In Scenes from an Impending Marriage, Adrian Tomine (Optic Nerve) recounts the passive aggressive tug of war that led up to his real life wedding day. Living out of New York, he and his future wife (Sarah) have to find some sort of balance between tradition and finances. They debate over the location of the wedding, who to invite,

Most impressive is how thoughtful and simple Book's cross road is decided. In an excellent moment of self-reflection, Book sees the universe for what it is"a bowl of chicken soup. It doesn't make sense now, but it's the small moments such as this one that goes out of its way to not just expose the character of Shepherd Book but re-familiarize you with the Firefly universe, making it seem fresh and exciting even eight years after its untimely dismissal.

Troy-Jeffrey Allen writes mean things to maintain his sanity. He is a comic book writer as well as an entertainment critic for OfNote Magazine, Forces of Geek, and Comic Book Bin. He has a cardboard box he calls home at www.TypographicEra.com.

The Untold Tales of Dog Mendoca and Pizza Boy is an incredibly fertile concept with many possible avenues for high adventure and satire. Filipe Melo and artist Juan Cavia have already completed a full volume of the series for trade paperback, making this one shot a surprisingly pleasant primer for more adventures to come. With its constantly shifting exploits, the book has a little something for everybody, and seems more than ready to gain traction with fans on both sides of the Atlantic.