The Last Ronin

He is the sole surviving member of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and he’s here to reclaim the sewers.

Collecting the award-winning The Last Ronin 5-part mini-series with original TMNT’s creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird, aided by other industry professionals and published by IDW, the highly prized series steps into the dark side with its story of redemption, loyalty and revenge.

This is not your typical kids’ TMNT tale. It’s complicated, multi-tiered, complex and sober and yet uplifting

Much like the Frank Miller's work on Ronin and Daredevil that inspired the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles the story is dark, steeped in the shadows of a modern city and skirting on the edge of right and wrong. 

Join The Last Ronin as he restores his family’s honor and memory with the aid of some new and old foes and friends.

It’s a powerful tale steeped in legend, legacy and hope.  With its mature storyline, stellar art, impressive page layouts and overall high production quality it deserves to be a modern day classic. 

The art is gorgeous, the story is powerful and riveting.

1 Corinthians 15:51-57Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed,

Afraid Of Everything

There were two things I was deathly afraid of when I was young; spiders and the happy and sad faces of comedy and tragedy as depicted in theatrical plays.

Spiders frightened me because we were poor and lived in ramshackle house with wood spiders and the masks because my mom had a set of plastic masks she hung on the wall. Brrrr-they still give me the creeps.

What are you afraid of? What are young kids afraid of?

In Afraid Of Everything the creative team of Adam Tierney and Matthieu Cousin and IDW Publishing present a delightfully and slightly spooky and unsettling collection of stories exploring all the different types of fears.

Accompanied by clever and colorful illustrations each short tale is sure to send chills down your spin, make you think twice and maybe cause a giggle or two.

It’s beautifully illustrated small graphic novel, with great stories, amazing layouts and title illustrations and Behind The Scenes goodies all wrapped up in small packages kids are sure to love (and grown-ups too).

Deuteronomy 31:6Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

The Seeds Of Salvation

U.S.S. Enterprise’s Number One and Nurse Chapel are bored and wants some excitement as do other members of the crew.

They crave excitement. Soon they discover that getting what your desire coming true is not necessarily a good thing.

When Nurse Chapel decides to visit a dear friend on a frozen planet she arrives at her friend’s science research facility and no one is there.

Concerned she reports the incident and she, along with other members of the away team, track down a signal coming from under the ice.

When they arrive at an underwater complex Chapel finds her friend along with other members of the research facility. They’re alive but ‘not’ themselves.

Soon the away team meets the planet’s inhabitants and find themselves in a rather precarious situation. How do they respond and what is the secret behind the underwater civilization?

Things are far more than they first appear. It’s best to be bored.

The Seeds Of Salvation starring the members of the Enterprise from Strange New Worlds comes from the multi-talented creative team of Robbie Thompson, Travis Mercer, Serg Acuna and JP Jordan and published by IDW Publishing.

It’s an exciting tale that deserves to be a live-action episode from the TV series. The art captures the likenesses of the Enterprise crew, the writing is fast-paced, perfectly portrays the individual personalities of each crew member and is beautifully colored with high print quality all wrapped in a square-bound graphic novel. Look for cover recreations from the original mini-series.

Proverbs 30:5Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.

Shredder Volume One

He is the ultimate nemesis of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and he’s out for revenge. He’s Shredder and he’s back, alone, furious and possibly insane.

But, revenge will have to wait, he has other problems on his hands. One of his former Food Clan flunkies has formed their own gang and Shredder must deal with them if he ever hopes to regain his power.

This is Shredder like you’ve never seen him before: alone, without his armor, challenged and changed.

Once a killing machine Shredder has become more reflective on his life and choices. He begins to see things from a different point of view. Although still determined to rule he begins to examine his own motivation, choices and life.

Challenged he must try to gather his forces, face down new adversaries and confront his past.

I always pictured Shredder as pretty much a one-dimensional character. After reading Shredder Volume One by Dan Watters, Michelle Bandini and Sid Kotian and released by IDW Publishing, I have a whole new respect for the character.

This trade paperback reveals his inner demons, weaknesses and surprisingly-his humanity. Even the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are surprised by his return. Is he now more deadly than ever?

Ephesians 4:29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Sonic The Hedgehog Knuckles Anniversary Special

At first a deadly adversary of Sonic, Knuckles would eventually prove to be a strong and courageous ally to Sonic and his friends.

He’s tough, fast and strong (and very stubborn).

Knuckles The Echidna is the Guardian of the Master Emerald. He’s headstrong, independent and a little bit full of himself. He’s the last of his kind-until he meets a young, somewhat timid, cautious would-be Guardian.

Reluctantly he becomes her mentor which turns out to be a bit of a challenge. Eventually the two hit it off. Along the way Knuckles confronts his past, reevaluates what it means to be a Guardian and that being a Mentor is more about fists and fighting-it’s what type of person you are.

The Sonic The Hedgehog Knuckles Anniversary Special story is written by Ian Flynn with art by Aaron Hammerstrom and published by https://idwpublishing.com/IDW Publishing.

Included with the Knuckles story is the an unusual tale about Dr. Eggman’s birthday. After reading the story one cannot help but wonder if Dr. Eggman is as tough and cold as he appears.   Art is provided by Thomas Rothlisberger with words by Gale Galligan.

The art on both stories captures the characters perfectly and the stories are true to each.

It’s a thin, hardback graphic novel that packs quite a punch.

Romans 12:12Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

Event Horizon Dark Descent

The movie Event Horizon is an absolutely terrifying horror film set in space.

In the not too distant future the ship, along with its crew, disappeared. It was discovered floating in space and what it contained was a gateway to Hell.

What happened to the original crew?

This is the story how the crew of the Event Horizon made a horrifying discovery: the dead live, the denizens of Hell exist and reality can be twisted and altered.

What is a nightmare and what is a dream? Are they the same? Can they be trusted? Does hope exist? Crew member after crew member discovers there is no escape and that Hell awaits them with open arms.

Wow! What a scary tale. The writing grabs you, the art (especially the predominance of red) is unsettling and the quality of the paper, printing and design of the trade paperback is topnotch.

Add to it all with cover reproductions from the mini-series and you have a terrifying, repulsive yet compelling tale that is best read in the daytime.

High marks to creative team of Christian Ward, Tristan Jones and publisher IDW on Event Horizon Dark Descent.

Don’t turn off the light because nightmare populate the Event Horizon.

Psalms 28:7The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him

A Very Mechanoid Summer

In IDW Publishing's and Nickelodeon’s trade paperback Tales Of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles A Very Mechanoid Summer Donatello makes a fighting robot called Metalhead.

Donnie is proud of his creation and its incredible martial artist skills.

Evidently someone else is impressed too because Donnie and Metalhead are invited to to a very exclusive robotics camp for young geniuses.

Things sail along smoothly at first and then things start to heat up, especially when Metalhead meets his competition.

That gets Donnie to thinking, “Is this some sort of trap? Exactly what is going on?”

It’s fast-paced, in-your-face, action and adventure tale that spotlights Metalhead’s fighting prowess.

When I first picked up the graphic novel and looked at it I was a little taken back. The art style threw me at first. It’s not like most TMNT art styles.

The figures are leaner, there’s a lot of motion and action lines, panel race along at a fast pace and the coloring and use of sporadic flashes and visual effects are abundant.

But, after looking it over I really like the style-it’s different-but in a good way. It all comes together to create a really fun TMNT story that almost takes your breath away.

Romans 5:2-5By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

13 Demons Dead

Imagine being 14 year old teenage girl. You’re a newbie in high school and are trying desperately to fit in and adjust. It doesn’t help that certain uppity students give you a hard time.

One day her favorite teacher is attacked by some invisible force. Turns out it’s a demon and the teenage girl: Everly “Ev” Espada accidentally kills it, saving her teacher’s life

As if being a teenage girl new to high school and killing an invisible demon isn’t bad enough she soon discovers she is the latest in a long line of holy demon hunter dating back 2,000 years.

From that point on her life changes-drastically. It stands to reason that the word about her demon killing has spread to other demons and they are none to happy about it.

There are 12 demons left of 13. They know that if she succeeds in destroying the crystals in their bodies they will die.

Killing the demons take them out of action for one year and then they are resurrected, but, if EV can defeat and kill all 13 demons at the same time their resurrection cycle is ended.

You can see why the demons will do anything and use anyone in order to stop her-permanently.

13 Demons Dead, by writer Adam Tierney with art by Saspy and IDW Publishing, is a high-octane, seat-of-your-pants, action-packed gore-fest that accelerates as the story progresses.

I am always amazed at the sheer talent of comic book/Manga writers and artist. How a writer and artist can work at as a team a produce stories takes a tremendous amount of talent.

When looking a the art of 13 Dead Demons I am struck at how complex it is-so many perspective shots, amazing character designs, emotion, action and the mastery of the human figure is impressive. It’s a fun read and yet another reason why there is more to comic books than superheroes.

Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Favorites and Unappreciated Classics

I’m 73 years old. I’ve been reading comic books since I was five years old. I’ve collected, sold collections and collected more comic books than I can count.

I’ve whittled my collection down to those titles I enjoy the most. But, there are a few comic books in my collection I consider unappreciated classics.

Any comic book collector worth their salt knows all about ‘key’ comic books. Most are priced far out of range for average collectors.

More and more people are getting into the hobby-mostly for the wrong reason-cash, dinero, mullah-it all comes down to greed.

But what about reading comic books? Over the years I’ve had my favorites-most of which are not on the ‘hot’ list.

They are great comics. The art and stories mesh perfectly and leave lasting impressions-at least to me they do.

I’d like to share those comic books. I intend to do so by using cover art and a short explanation as to why I think that those particular comic books are vastly unappreciated and underestimated.

I plan to do this in stages-a few issues at a time over however long it takes.

I’d like to start out with 10 independent smaller comic book publishers’ titles.

First up is Doc Frankenstein that takes a different approach to the Frankenstein monster. In this case he’s a good guy that fights evil backed by fellow warriors. Great story and art by Steve Skroce and The Wachowski Brothers from Burlyman Entertainment

Shaolin Cowboy featured Geof Darrow’s martial arts cowboy that engages in some of the most detailed, gory, incredible and visually stunning fights imaginable-published by Burlyman Entertainment.  The fight sequence where he takes down a huge assembly of 'bounty hunters' out for his blood is amazing

Doomsday #1 from Charlton Comics was a post apocalyptic series that John Byrne both wrote and drew before he made the jump to Marvel Comics.  Published in the mid-1970s the art by Byrne already reflected his unique style.

Steed & Mrs. Peel adapted the classic, clever, ground-breaking and quirky British TV spy series The Avengers to the printed comic book page from Boom! Studios.

Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts comic strip was adapted to a comic book series from Kaboom! Studios containing several short tales by various writers and artists. The best adaptation of Peanuts to comics ever achieved.  The subtle wit, heart warming and often poignant observations from the Peanuts gang are all there.  What a delight.

Elementals, both written and drawn by Bill Willingham, featured a superhero group that derive their powers from the four elements: Earth, Wind, Fire and Water. They face-off against The Destroyers. Published by Comico. The series pre-dated Willingham's DC work.

Another Comico title: The Gumby’s Summer Special one-shot, brought everyone’s clay animation figure and his sidekick Pokey to comics courtesy of Art Adams. This one-shot has everything from pirates, to spacemen to monsters and more!  Adam's work shines.

Yet another Comico title, Space Ghost, by Steve Rude, brings back the specter of space to comic books. It’s like watching the Saturday morning animated TV show in print. All of Space Ghost’s deadliest enemies appear.  Rude really captured the look and tempo of the animated series.

Art Adams adapts The Creature From The Black Lagoon movie to comics. Published by Dark Horse Comics, the one-shot faithfully translated the film to print made even more amazing by Art Adams’ art.  Some of his best work.

Comic book artist Art Adams presents his love letter to Godzilla, the king of all monsters courtesy of Dark Horse Comics. The one-shot pits Godzilla against the resurrected god Gekido-Jin. Wow!  Adams was/is a huge Godzilla fan.

While I’m talking about comic books I’d like to approach the subject of comic book storage and protection.

I’ve been a comic book collector for a loooong time. I’ve heard all the stories about changing out your comic book bags and boards every five years or so, submitting books for grading and comic book boxes.

Here’s the lowdown. I have comic books stored in the same bags and boards for 40+ years. None of them stick to the plastic, nor do the bags stick to each other.

I’ve stored comic books with no bags or boards stacked on top of each other with alternating spines. No problem.

I keep my comic books in beat up old comic book boxes (they new ones cost too much for cardboard-get serious!) I store my comic book boxes in a cool dry place away from sunlight. The comic books are like they were purchased yesterday-no problem.

Sure most of the boxes are acid free but I also store my comics in plastic totes, regular boxes and in steel filing cabinets. No problems whatsoever.

It’s all a sham to get you to spend all your money on supplies. Use common sense.

As for grading. Forget modern issues. Sure if you have a comic book worth thousands of dollars you may want to have it graded. But here’s the kicker. For example, if you have comic book that is worth $5,000 raw and get it graded let's say as a 9.2 according to the ‘experts’ that book is now worth in excess of $25,000.

Here’s the problem. If you remove it from its plastic protective case it plummets back down to $5,000. So, is the book worth $25,000 slabbed or is the plastic slab worth the additional $20,000?

Who decides? What makes the graders experts?. Let me tell you of a grading incident I encountered a few years ago.

A good friend had a book graded. It came back as a 9.8. I took a look at it and I immediately spotted that the cover was printed crooked and part of the cover image was cut off. What?!

Who is really making money on old comic books? The graders, that’s who. The more ‘expensive’ a comic book is the more it costs to grade it. What a racket.

What about signatures? Grading companies decide if a signature is legit if they witness the signing? What if you have a book that was signed before the grading companies started verifying signatures? Does that mean the signature is illegitimate? Again, who decides?

Here’s another point. Let’s say you have an Avengers #1. You get it graded and slabbed. Whose to say that the slabbed book you receive back is nothing more than a Avengers #1 cover wrapped around and Archie Comic book?

Now comic books have all sorts of grade and condition types? Who comes up with this stuff?

Here’s another point. Again let’s pretend you have a slabbed comic book that is priced at $600. You go to sell it at a comic book shop. If you’re lucky the shop may offer you 25% of its value. You go to sell it online and after you pay the fees, settle for a lower price and ship it you may come away with $200. Are you kidding me?!

OK, one more rant. How is that Silver and Bronze Age comic books (especially keys) have skyrocketed in value? Do yourself a favor and before you purchase a comic book that’s expensive go online and see how many copies of that book is on sale on E-bay or some other selling site. Look at the sold prices.

Give me a break! There is no way realistically that a Silver Age comic book that sold for $300 a mere five years ago would all of a sudden jump to $30,000!

It’s all about greed-nothing more, nothing less. I'm on a budget. I'm retired.  There is no way I could afford to buy what some comic books are selling for.  In my opinion the price hikes are driving collectors out of the market.  Investors are taking over the hobby.

My advice is to buy what you like, read it, use sensible storage practices and quit blowing your money on outrageous costly supplies, expensive grading and unrealistic prices.

Most of the people who are online touting certain books want you to buy from them. It’s called business and they are trying to sell you something. Many times a ‘retailer’ has an overstock of a particular book and by parading it as a ‘key’ issue they hope to rack in some more money.

Variant covers-forget it-the interior art is the same as a regular issue. I’ve seen boxes and boxes of variant comic books for sale in shops for cover price after the 'got-to-have-it' heat wears off.

I’ve visited some comic book shops that have books on their walls that are $5 comic books at best and they’re asking upward of $50. Get educated. Do your homework, avoid the hype and enjoy the hobby. Don’t get caught up in the FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) mentality. Rant over.

Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Home Time XII Days

When I taught high school graphic design and drawing over ten years ago each year I would encounter a student (sometimes more) that suddenly would blossom and absolutely astound me with their unique talent and vision.

It was amazing. That’s the exact same feeling I felt after reading and looking at creator Campbell Whyte’s Home Time XII Days from IDW Publishing.

A tight group of friends gather at their last day of school before moving on the high school.

Each share their dreams and ambitions. They are both excited and frightened about the future.

It’s their last summer to get together before going back to school.

It was to be a time of hanging out, sleepovers, playing games and enjoying their short period of freedom.

If only it were that simple.

Suddenly they find themselves thrust into a strange land of fantasy and magic when they fall into a stream.

Throughout this impressive and massive piece of literary work each member in the group of friends embarks on strange adventures-so subtle and not so subtly mirroring their individual plans for the future.

Home Time XII Days is an incredible and impressive piece of work. The writing is poignant, the art style changes to match each phase and changeover and the sheer volume of imaginative illustrations and preponderance of amazing concepts is astounding.

I predict that Home Time XII Days is destined to become a classic. Beautifully designed, illustrated and printed and bound the oversize square-bound graphic novel is an amazing body of work.

Be sure to check out the early concept art.

Romans 15:13Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Archie #1

When I was a teenager many, many, many years ago (we’re talking the 1960s) I always enjoyed reading Archie Comics.

It was no mystery as to why. I was a teenager, Archie and his friends were teenagers, I had teenage problems and situations, they did too, I had girl problems, so did Archie, Jughead and Reggie-in other worlds Archie and his gang spoke the same language and had the same teenage angst as I did.

By the 1960s Archie Comics had moved away from the goodie-two-shoes and pablum formula that the books featured in the 1940s and 1950s.

Archie and his buddies wore cloths teenagers wore, they belonged in a Rock and Roll band (remember The Archies and their hit Sugar, Sugar?) and they even dabbled in the superhero genre, befriended a witch and were similar to The Scooby Gang in the Scooby Doo animated TV show.

Archie drove a dilapidated car-so did I, Betty and Veronica had a crush on him (I never had THAT problem) and he also had a sneaky nemesis (Reggie) just like every awkward teenage boy had someone-usual a jock or bully that harassed him.

Over the decades Archie had fallen somewhat out of favor. Not too long ago a new interest was shown in the series when Riverdale became a TV show. Archie Comics took on a darker aspect and the art was updated.

That was then. It’s cooled off since then.

But, Archie Comics fans rejoice! Oni Press and Archie Comics have joined forces to create a whole new take on Archie and his pals starting off with Archie #1, then Sabrina #1 and Archie In Hell #1.

In Archie #1 the creative team of Ben H. Winters, Fabio Moon and Jason Wordie bring back everyone’s favorite red-head teenage boy in an exciting new series.

In issue #1 Archie thinks he has his act together only to discover he’s dreaming,

Later Archie finds himself the reluctant star in several student movies. Jughead hangs out to eat the catering food.

Jughead starts having food withdrawals when Pop’s Shop closes so Pop can attend his daughter’s wedding.

I love it! The art is amazing, the colors pop, the characters have been updated but still retain their individual quirky personalities and Archie still manages to find himself in the middle of---everything.

It’s like reading the classic Archie series but updated, made more relevant and even more fun!  Even better the new titles have a wide selection of covers-pick the ones you like.

James 1:5-8
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. 

Star Trek Voyager Homecoming

After a long trip, a vacation, a business trip or an extended stay away from home it’s always a comfort to come home to familiar surroundings, friends and family.

Seven years-seven long years and the crew of Voyager, under the command of Captain Janeway, have come home after being trapped in the Delta Quadrant.

Voyager has arrived and most of the crew has left except for the command crew.

Just as they are about to disembark All of Voyager’s systems are taken over. The ship is hijacked along with her remaining crew. Masquerading as humans several Species 8472 have shanghaied the ship and crew in order to take Voyager back to the fluid universe of their species for judgment and preparations to invade Earth.

It’s up to Janeway and her crew to figure out how to stop the invasion and return home.

With the help of some unlikely comrades the Voyager crew face-off against Species 8472 in an all-out attempt to stop the invasion and return home.

Star Trek Voyager Homecoming, written by Susan Bridges and Tilly Bridges and artist Angel Hernandez, along with IDW Publishing, present the last exciting adventure for the crew of Voyager in a trade paperback collection of the 5-part mini-series.

It’s an exciting and unexpected, but perfectly logical, story of the returning crew of Voyager. With its compelling story, stellar art and gallery of covers it’s a Star Trek treat.

Isaiah 41:10Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Luna Knight Volume 1

A young woman tends her sister’s shop after her sister is gone when her shop burns down.

The young woman has a strange type of amnesia. She remembers bits and pieces of her life. Everything is a hodge-podge of jumbled images.

The people responsible for the shop burning down (it gets rebuilt) are part of a notorious gang who want to cash in on the shop’s location and property that are worth a pretty penny.

Almost everyday someone from the gang visits the shop trying to intimidate the young woman to vacate it.

Violence is threatened but never carried out-until one day. Big mistake.

When attacked and about to be killed the young woman jumps into action and quickly kills her assailants. After the melee, she is bewildered and confused as to how she was able to do so. How did she learn to use weapons and martial arts?.

Tensions escalate as the gang repeatedly comes after her only to be severely dealt with.

Desperate the gang leader sends a professional hit man to take care of the young woman but even he was not expecting her skills at killing.

In one last attempt another female ‘assassin’ is hired. Will she get the job done?

Luna Knight’s writer/artist Hiro Morino absolutely dazzles with  his incredible art. So much action, shown from so many angles! Motion lines blur as the young woman springs into action. The blood pours and the fighting action practically flies off the page. Luna Knight Volume 1, the Manga, comes courtesy of Seven Seas Entertainment.

Look for it, buy it, you won’t be disappointed.

2 Timothy 1:7For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Space Ghost Annual #1

As a young boy in the 1960s I (like so many other kids my age) glued myself to the TV set on Saturday morning-cartoon day.

Some of my favorite cartoons were produced by Hanna Barbera Studios and one of my absolute favorites from the studios was Space Ghost.

The show had a superhero, a space ship, kid sidekicks, a monkey, futuristic gadgets and bad guys-boy did it have some great bad guys.

Over the last several years Space Ghost has become popular in no small part due to the Space Ghost comic book series produced by Dynamite Entertainment.

And Dynamite has done Space Ghost proud. The series really captures the spirit of the animated series.

Space Ghost has his very own first annual courtesy of writer David Pepose and artist Jonathan Lau.

In Space Ghost Annual #1 Space Ghost must come face-to-face with himself as he struggles with doubt, responsibility and who he is.

When Space Ghost and his team tackle a couple of criminals it all seems cut and dry. But there is more to the criminal duo than Space Ghost realizes-something that reminds him of himself.

The story explores the man behind the Space Ghost mask and his inner struggles.

In a short prelude to an upcoming Space Ghost tale The Herculoids (another childhood favorite of mine) are briefly spotlighted.

This is a really fun story with great art, very insightful text and the colors, lettering and production make the Annual a hit.

Psalms 31:24Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

The Art Of Star Trek & Defiant

Try to imagine a comic book series that ran a total of 65 issues. In that series various aspects of a shared universe interwove to create an intricate and epic story.

Various writers/artists and other creative individuals kept the entire series interwoven and consistent.

That series: The Art Of Star Trek & Defiant from IDW Comics & Entertainment  garnered numerous awards and provided a huge homage to the Star Trek Universe.

Now the entire series cover art, character designs and universe are presented in an oversize hardbound book: The Art Of Star Trek & Defiant.

The book is filled to the brim with concept art, page layouts and art, fold-out illustrations and cover art by a huge pool of artistic talent.

Beautifully bound with a wraparound painted cover the book includes artist bios, impressive page layouts and color-so much color.

As a graphic designer I am impressed with the sheer amount of work that went into designing, printing and binding this book.

Production is of the highest quality and the selection of paper stock, fonts, design theme and consistency are first rate.

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

Aladdin #1

Who can forget comedian Robin Williams way-out and wacky depiction of Genie in the Disney animated film Aladdin? He stole the show.

Genie is back in Dynamite Comics' new Disney title Aladdin #1 written and drawn by James III and Agnese Eterno.

Their dialogue and art perfectly capture the adventures of Aladdin and Genie in a brand new tale.

While talking to the Sultan before his marriage to Jasmine Aladdin finds himself longing for his days of adventure before he became betrothed.

Jasmine understands and the two almost decide to run away and be wed and set out on adventure. But, better heads prevail-still Aladdin remembers his days as a backstreet boy making his way through the city and surviving by using his wits and fast fingers.

Genie intervenes and using his magic he does a little time twisting so Aladdin can get a glimpse of the future-a future where Jasmine is being reluctantly courted by someone else.

What will happen? Has Aladdin’s daydreaming and Genie’s interference doomed Aladdin and Jasmine’s nuptials?

What a fun story. I loved the art and the clever dialogue, The comic book mirrors the spirit of the Aladdin animated story-especially the way-out antics of Genie.

Isaiah 41:10Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Godzilla Escape The Deadzone

Things are interesting and challenging when a new Deadzone is created after the last devastating Godzilla attack.

Located in the Pacific Northwest the Deadzone is believed to have no living residents-not so!

Rumors have there is a half man/half Kaiju that resides within the Zone. He has the ability to tackle any Kaiju and tame it. The rumors are true.

One day while exploring the Dead Zone he encounters two Kaiju in heated battle. Upon closer examination he discover two kids controlling the monsters. Their names are Glasseater and Runt.

The trio team-up and delve deeper into the Dead Zone.

They discover some truly strange creatures, a Kaiju cult, a giant Kaiju fan and some the weirdest people and creatures ever imagined.

There are some series that are deserving of more credit than they are given.

In my opinion Godzilla Escape The Deadzone from IDW is a graphic novel that should be read by more comic book fans. It’s that good.

The art is unique and extremely well-defined. The story is totally original, the colors pop and the characters are some the best developed of any I’ve ever seen in comics.

Creators Ethan S. Parker, Griffin Sheridan and Pablo Tunica are to be commended on their imaginations, creativity and execution of the story.

Hebrews 4:12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

Fire and Ice: Darkwolf #1

Writer Dan Panosian and artist Audrey Lunatik and Dynamite Comics present the further adventures of the mysterious barbarian warrior Darkwolf as originally seen in the animated film Fire and Ice.

In Darkwolf #1 a young woman and her family are fleeing from a band of warriors hellbent on capturing her because of a pack her father had made.

All seems lost when the men attack. Her entourage battles fiercely but to no avail. As the evil men are about to capture her and her family a lone figure on a horse attacks.

The ride-a large muscular man wears a headpiece fashioned after the face of a wolf. He is silent, deadly and before long defeats the would-be attackers.

He never says a word. He only helps the young woman and her family and they all ride off.

Wow! What a great story. I absolutely love the art, the colors and the minimal but powerful dialogue.

It’s a powerful story made even more brilliant by the art, sequences and minimal descriptive text.

Philippians 4:13I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Star Trek The Next Generation The Mirror War

The Mirror Universe was first presented in the original Star Trek TV series. In that universe the Federation no longer existed. In its place was The Terran Empire and its military branch The Imperial Starfleet.

Instead of peaceful exploration of the universe and a non-interference policy The Terran Empire was hellbent on conquest.

Since it introduction The Terran Empire has resurfaced in each subsequent Star Trek TV series.

In IDW’s Star Trek The Next Generation The Mirror War, Captain Picard commands a very different crew aboard the Enterprise. The names and faces may be the same but Riker, Troy, Data, Wesley Crusher and other familiar characters are much more savage, deceitful and out for themselves.

When the Klingons sided with the Cardassians, The Terran Empire found itself almost squelched. While its Imperial Fleet exists it is restricted in its movement across the galaxy.

Picard was sent to solve the problem only to be stone-walled by a parallel Enterprise crew.

No longer content to be the errand boy for the Emperor Picard decides to rebel and gain the Imperial throne for himself. Aiding him is his crew-or are they?

The Mirror War is a very complex, multi-layered and intricate story. Alliances falter, allies become enemies, appearances are deceiving and each character has their own agenda.

But, who really is the character most in control? You may be surprised.

It is a very well-done series and (in my opinion) would have made an excellent story line in The Next Generation TV series.

The art is consistent, the story captivating and the softbound graphic novel also includes some extras like cover art.

It is far more than a ‘comic book’. It is a novel in its own right and should be read and appreciated as so.

1 Corinthians 16:13Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.

Sonic The Hedgehog On The Go Volume Three

Collecting issues #21 thru 32 of the Sonic The Hedgehog comic book series the trade paperback collection: Sonic The Hedgehog On The Go Volume Three compiles the complete Metal Virus Saga. The virus transforms all it infects into mechanized zombots.

My grandson is a huge Sonic fan. I have a sneaky suspicion that this Sonic graphic novel from IDW is going to see a lot of wear and tear as he reads, re-reads and re-re-reads it.

So much for having it in my collection. But, isn’t that what comic books are all about? Whether as a ‘serious’ collector or as a kid with a limited allowance comic books are meant to be read and enjoyed.

And this collection is really enjoyable. With its awesome art, humor, intriguing story line and fun-packed pages it deserves to be dog-eared, have folded pages, get passed around kid to kid and enjoyed.

The Metal Virus was manufactured by Dr. Eggman. However there is more going on that meets the eye.

Whoever is infected comes under his control. Even Sonic gets infected and it’s only his speed and fast metabolism that keep the virus under control.

Sonic and his friends search for a cure before everyone becomes infected.

Sit back and get ready for serious Sonic action. Included with the illustrated stories is a cover gallery. 

Time for some serious ‘speed’ reading!

Hebrews 11:1 – 13:25Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.