HACK/SLASH – Issue #8
Written by Tim Seeley Art by Rebekah Isaacs
Devil’s Due Publishing
Read our interview with writer Tim Seeley here.
I really dislike using clichés, but I find myself laughing out loud when I read Hack/Slash. That’s a good thing because without the humor, the book would lose its charm, and writer Tim Seeley has “Wonka’s Golden Ticket of Humor” stashed in his back pocket when writing these funny books. Most of it comes from his Jason Voorhees inspired, Vlad, and his childish retorts to Cassie’s sarcasm. “She hit you with a bird bath,” Cassie explains to which Vlad replies, “Yes. I hear them singing.” I feel like I’m reading Mad Magazine again, I tell ya. Tim Seeley continues his Tub Club storyline chronicling an all female sorority filled with wannabe lesbians trying to bring about the reign of Elizabeth Bathory along with that Spice Girl, female empowerment good stuff. So back to Cassie, who steps further into her sexuality by finding a hot blonde on campus to interrogate, only to find herself testing ground for a little “college phase lovin”, oh yeah, and then ruins it by thinking of Georgia Peaches. Dangit Tim! It was just about to get NC-17 too! As for Vlad, he’s got a concussion and just trying to stay awake by drinking red bull and playing some more slapjack. This is still my favorite read every month, and it’s great to see Tim keep the art realistic with new series penciller, Rebekah Isaacs. Those two really set up the shot nicely, and I’m amazed at times with how I can see the movement from the characters within the frame. Hack/Slash continues to bring the funny while delivering solid characters and a savory storyline. If only they made chocolate bars of this stuff.
GRADE: A CONTINUE READING? Third part coming up which probably means more hot lesbian in action near or in a hot tub! Scorchin!
MARVEL ZOMBIES 2 – Issue #4 of 5
Marvel Comics
Written by Robert Kirkman Art by Sean Phillips
The afterburners are on full blast as we get one book closer to the end. Can the Marvel Zombie menace be stopped? Will Black Panther save the day? Can Hawkeye learn to live with metal boobs? All these questions are answered, and poor Hawkeye shows just how weak he can be in a world of menacing superhero zombies. I was extremely pleased to see the Phoenix snap out of it, and step up to show she’s one of the most powerful beings around because throughout this whole series, I wasn’t buying it. I still don’t buy the zombie virus was able to infect Luke Cage either, but I guess I’m not gonna win them all. Robert Kirkman is writing fresh again, keeping this series alive and interesting, but also forcing Marvel Comics to think about more Marvel Zombies in the future. As long as Sean Philips continues to dazzle us with his grotesque but yummy good pencils, I’m all for it. Heck, here’s an idea, and feel free to steal it, Cup o Joe: Continue on with what you hinted in that Army of Darkness crossover and make them backup stories or something to more Marvel Zombie craziness! I’ll bark at the moon to that! Either way, for folks that love their horror and their superheroes, this series is a must read. It’s like peanut butter and jelly with Danny O’ Bannon spreading trashy fun on your piece of Wonder Bread.
GRADE: A CONTINUE READING? Is the hunger really gone? Would Giant Man beat Vlad in a game of Slapjack? Stay tuned!
STRANGEWAYS: MURDER MOON – Part 1: Crow Bait
Highway 62 Press
Written by Matt Maxwell Art by Luis Guaragna
For every writer, there comes a question: “When is the best time to ask the question?” A general answer would be when the script calls for pause and needs explanation of the plot in order to move the story forward. In other words, “What have we done now to be here, and what do we need to accomplish to get there?” For Matt Maxwell, the question is asked more than it needs to be, often trapping the reader into a place parallel to Abott and Costello routines where no exit sign is in sight. I had to claw my way to the end, I was so annoyed, and it isn’t even the whole book? This preview of the trade paperback, Strangeways: Murder Moon is a great concept combining Cowboys and Indians of the Old West and integrating them into werewolf legend. The art from Luis Guaragna is also appealing for this dark and gritty display, combining horror elements of old EC style comics along with the classic serials your grandparents loved to read. The problem is the story is stretched way beyond its limits. In other words, this 22 page act could have been told in 8-10 pages, but Maxwell feels he can push the limits of plotting and characterization by asking a load of questions that would make MySpace questionnaires appear reasonable. “Did you see that? See What? Did you hear that? Say What? What? What the hell is that? What the hell is what? WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?? It’s quite frustrating to see such a great concept be immensely plagued by blank, hollow questions along with a voice that becomes a little too introverted at times. However, I do see potential in this book and even in Maxwell’s writing, but some heavy editing needs to be done pretty quick, and that’s just the first act alone. “20 Questions” structuring is not always the ticket in building suspense, nor should reactive questions be relied upon so heavily to turn the page. I’m sure the right answer is on its way for Matt Maxwell and Strangeways: Murder Moon. Only time will tell to see if the right questions were asked in order to move to the next stage…
GRADE: C CONTINUE READING? I’d like to read Matt’s next project really after he’s learned from this one. A lot of potential in his writing.
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