Michael D Hamersky On Comics Reviews: Cyclops Book 4 of 8  From Archaia Entertainment!     -

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3362:

Today's blog is my thoughts on Issue #4 of an 8 part series that Archaia Entertainment is publishing, that was originally published in France.

The orginal work is by the same creative team that was behind 'The Killer: Modus Vivendi' series that I've blogged about recently.

My review of Issue #1 of this series can be found here.

The following is what Archaia provides as the promo blurb for this 4th issue:

Despite the seeming success of his unit's mission deployed to the border of Argentina and Chile, Pistoia becomes increasingly disillusioned with the new nexus between armed conflict and television stardom, and in great secrecy he comes to terms with a reporter firmly opposed to the new wars-show...

So what is 'My Take' on this fourth issue of the series?

As I mentioned in my review blog on issue #1... I was already used to the art style that is in this new series, because of reading the earlier translated series I mentioned above, (The Killer: Modus Vivendi).

The artwork continues its fine storyboarding and style in this issue.  I have read issues 2 & 3 since that blog post, and have delved into the storyline in more depth as each issue has unravelled.

The storyline has developed a lot more since I last blogged on this series.  It is paced well, and the cut offs for each issue's page count is edited well in the English language version.

My only comment about where the story is going, is on the sexual scenes that are presented on page 16.  Again, I want to stress that this is considered an 'adult content' comic book, and this issue gets a little more 'graphic' in that presentation of sexual behavior.  However, since this was first published in France, their publishing standards are a little different than the USA's...And it appears so is the USA's.

Whether or not this sexual titillation is totally necessary in this 8 issue series remains to be seen.  However, it isn't over the line in storytelling, just possibly when graphically being presented. There is a 'MR' rating icon at the bottom left of the front comer with the words 'Mature Readers', so there is a content warning shown.

The first four issues  in this series has been a good read so far, and I am interested to see where this series is headed to, now that it is halfway through its run in 'floppy comic book' format.   

Cyclops - #4 of 8  went on sale: February 16th at your LCBS - Check it out, along with the back issues!

Review Rating: 9.0 VERY FINE / NEAR MINT  (VF/NM) out of a possible 10.0 Comic Book Grading scale.

Retail Price $3.95 Page count: 32 pages

Format: saddle bound, 6.625" x 10.25", full color

Mature Readers (series contains Nudity, Graphic Violence and Adult Content).

Here is the link to Archaia so that YOU can purchase the back issues, if YOUR LCBS doesn't have them in stock at this time.

Here is the Facebook Fan Page for Archaia Entertainment, which I suggest YOU 'like' also to keep up with what this publisher is presenting next.

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,305 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button! 

And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:  

http://www.ComicBooksCircus.com/ 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!

To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to send me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 

---

 

Michael D Hamersky On Comics Reviews: ConDor XVIII  San Diego's Longest Running Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention Which Ran February 25th - 27th, 2011  (Part 4 - My 'Take' on the Con)   -

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3361:

Last weekend was the 18th ConDor Sci-Fi and Fantasy Convention.  Right after it ended, I headed up to Los Angeles because a family member had been hospitalized.  No blogs were posted until this weekend, when I posted my youngest son's thoughts on the this con, as seen in Blog #3360.

As I previously mentioned in Blog #3356... Last year I 'introduced' my wife, Tina LoSasso, to her first sci-fi con, CONjecture 2010. (Here's her blog post on her thoughts on that intro!).  Tina had a different function to attend this past weekend, so did not attend ConDor with me. 

So now that the ConDor XVIII is over, and you've had a chance to read my youngest son's thoughts on the con... What was 'My Take' on this con?

I attended the con on Friday by myself, which was okay, because ConDor had a similiar setup at the Town and Country Hotel that CONjecture had in 2010.  

Indeed, I met several persons at ConDor who were also working at or exhibiting at CONjecture!  So Friday's registration went smoothly, and the parking was okay on Friday. (Saturday the San Diego River flooded, causing havoc in the region of Mission Valley, although the hotel's grounds were fine.)

The first day went smoothly, and there were several panels that I attended. Photos from those panels have been and will be added to at the ConDor XVIII photo album, as seen in this link.

On Saturday I introduced the world of sci-fi and fantasy cons to my youngest son, Vinnie, who attended the last two of the three days con.  As stated above you can read his thoughts on his first con by clicking that link.

The con itself reminded me of the early days of the San Diego Comic Con in that it was much smaller in size of attendance, (approx 350 - 400 attendees), which probably appealed to my son.  As there were no lines anywhere to get in, attend panels, obtain autographs, etc.

Another good thing about this con was that there was a 'con suite', where snacks, sodas / coffee / juice, etc. could be obtained.  Plus you could sit on a couch or chair and talk with other like-minded attendees, as well as panelists, and special guests.

The whole weekend was a rather enjoyable one, from panels to the dealers room to the art show, and beyond! 

My thanks to the ConDor XVIII staff for presenting such a well run and easy going yet informative & fun con!  I would recommend this con for those of you in the SoCal area that want to see what a sci-fi / fantasy con is all about!

To see what you missed... Here were the 'informational links' for this con:

For the Facebook Event Page for ConDor XVIII - click here.

For the Facebook Fan Page for Condor Cons - click here.

For the Condor Cons web site - click here.

For the Printable Schedule Grids - click here.

For the Downloadable Program Book - click here.

For the Town and Country Hotel info - click here.

For the Dealer Room Vendors & Hours - click here.

For the Guests and Panelists - click here.

Of course there were a LOT more links, but I've posted the ones that are what comprised the main events / functions of the con.

I wanted to post more here today, but time is running short, and I have to stop at this time. 

There will be individual blogs on certain panels that I attended in the future in this blog... Again, additional pics will be shown at my own Facebook Fan Page, in the 'ConDor XVIII' photo album, as seen here, as time allows.  I just have a really busy week with my family member now in a rehab center to attend to.   

~Michael D Hamersky

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,298 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button!  And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky 

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:   ComicBooksCircus.com 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!!  (Note:  I don't list my email address here, due to 'spambots' gathering it and 'spamming' me. 

To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013, USA

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to have sent me a 'Friend Request'.

However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages in my network already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' for myself so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there. 

Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 

---

 

Michael D Hamersky On Comics Presents Vinnie's Take On:  ConDor XVIII (Part 3 - Vinnie's Thoughts On Attending His First Sci-Fi & Fantasy Con)     -   -  Uppermost Top Photo: Vinnie at the Events Bulletin Board for Changes / Addendums at ConDor XVIII. Above Top Photo: Vinnie found that the 'Con Suite' had some good food during different hours of the day! -

(Vinnie) Welcome one and all to Vinnie's Take On ConDor XVIII, my first sci-fi and fantasy convention. This blog post is about my thoughts on a sci-fi and fantasy con, and specifically, the ConDor.

 

 

The panels basically shared the same elements throughout the con. The first 3/4 of the time was spent on the panelists talking, then for the remaining 1/4 of the time, the panelists answered questions and listened to comments made by the audience. Overall, the panels were fun and enjoyable, and I was glad I attended each of those that I did attend.

The Dealers' Room held the art show, autographs, and booths of dealers of course. The art show had many interesting pieces that were donated. After the viewing, the items were on auction and open for bidding. Many authors and actors or other well-known people were also here to sign books, posters, or anything you wanted them to sign. The dealers were selling everything including books, jewelry, steampunk clothing and accessories, and even paper craft.

Overall, I really did enjoy my first sci-fi and fantasy con, and felt honored to have spent it at the ConDor XVIII. I give this convention a comic book grade of Near Mint (NM), a 9.4 out of a 10.0 grade scale. All I can say is, I can't wait until next year.

(From Michael:) First of all, my apologies for this blog being a little late in posting... I was called away for a family member's hospitalization / rehab center relocation at the end of the con. This is the first chance I've had a chance to blog since then. 

The Facebook Event Page for this event was: ConDor XVIII. 

Here is the Facebook Fan Page for ConDor Conventions, to keep up with what this group is presenting next.

Photos that Vinnie and I snapped at the con can be found in the 'ConDor XVIII photo album' that I've started at my own Facebook Fan Page.

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,292 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button!  And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky 

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:   ComicBooksCircus.com.

If it isn't available in my online 'Local Comic Book Shop, (LCBS), then you may be able find it in my Amazon affiliate link, as seen here:  Comics & Graphic Novels at Amazon!

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!!  (Note:  I don't list my email address here, due to 'spambots' gathering it and 'spamming' me. 

To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013, USA

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to have sent me a 'Friend Request'. However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages in my network already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' for myself so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there.  Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 

---

 

Michael D Hamersky On Comics: ConDor XVIII  Starts TODAY! San Diego's Longest Running Science Fiction & Fantasy Convention Runs February 25th - 27th, 2011  (Part 2 - Day of the Con)   -

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3359:

As mentioned in Blog #3356... Last year I 'introduced' my wife, Tina LoSasso, to her first sci-fi con, CONjecture 2010. (Here's her blog post on her thoughts on that intro!). 

This year I'm introducing that 'World' to my youngest son, Vinnie, who will be attending the 'ConDor XVIII' for two of the three days, (Saturday & Sunday).  I have my membership already for all three days of the con, which runs today, (Friday), through Sunday, February 25th - 27th of 2011.

Also in Blog #3356, I posted pics and quick bios of several of my Facebook Friends that will be panelists and / or at other events during this con. For a look at those people, which is actually 'Part 1' of this mini-series of blogs on the Condor XVIII, please see this link.

I'm posting many informational links for you now, as there are new links that would help you make up your mind to attend either one, two, or all three of the days of this con. 

I won't be blogging from the con itself, nor during the weekend. However I will be mobile Facebooking, which at this time is set to only go to my personal profilie page.  I'll transfer what I can to my 'Facebook Fan Page' during the three day weekend at:  Michael D Hamersky On Comics.

Here are the 'informational links' for this con:

For the Facebook Event Page for ConDor XVIII - click here.

For the Facebook Fan Page for Condor Cons - click here.

For the Condor Cons web site - click here.

For the Printable Schedule Grids - click here.

For the Downloadable Program Book - click here.

For the Town and Country Hotel info - click here.

For the Dealer Room Vendors & Hours - click here.

For the Guests and Panelists - click here.

Of course there are a LOT more links, but I've posted the ones that are in my mind, 'necessary', as I don't want to write on my program book!

The pre-registration period is over.  However you can buy memberships for multiple days or single days at the con itself, as shown on the con's web site above.

For those of YOU in the San Diego area, I hope to see you there.  Please stop me and say hello, if you would!  With my 'bald head' and the indigo colored polo shirts I'm wearing all three days, that show my 'Comic Book Collectors Blog.com' name on the left breast pocket area... I'm easy to identify!  (See photo of me below this article.)

I should be there all three days, mobile Facebooking, etc.  I won't be able to blog more about this con until AFTER the event is over... So please note:  There will be NO 'Weekend Edition' of my blog for this weekend.  Which is actually 'standard procedure' for when Tina and / or I attend cons.  Each of these blogs takes from 1 - 2 hours to format, and during con days... The time just flies by!  Again, I'll see what I can do to post pics at my Facebook Fan Page when possible.   

~Michael D Hamersky

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,265 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button!  And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky 

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:   ComicBooksCircus.com 

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!!  (Note:  I don't list my email address here, due to 'spambots' gathering it and 'spamming' me. 

To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013, USA

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to have sent me a 'Friend Request'.

However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages in my network already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' for myself so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there. 

Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 

---

 

Michael D Hamersky On Comics Reviews: Woe Is OZ #1 & #2 By Ethan Tarshish & Kelly Brown!     - Above Photo: The Front Cover to Woe Is OZ #1. The comic book series is by Ethan Tarshish & Kelly Brown. Top Left Photo:  The Front Cover to Woe Is OZ #2.

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3358:

As blogged about earlier this week in Blog #3356; this weekend I'm going to a sci-fi and fantasy con in San Diego, (ConDor XVIII).

So when going through the 'Read & To Be Reviewed' box again this morning, I came across this comic book that was previously sent in for possible review.  Still being on a sci-fi & fantasy 'kick' this week in preparation for the above mentioned con, I decided to blog about this comic from Ethan Tarshish & Kelly Brown.

When I last posted about a comic book series based on 'The Wizard of OZ' series of books, (see this blog #3322 on Ozopolis #1), I was contacted by Ethan Tarshish about his comic book series titled 'Woe is OZ'.

I invited him to submit a copy for possible review in this blog, (details on how to are shown at my Facebook Fan Page), which he did. 

Here is what Ethan & Kelly show at their web site as to what their series is about:

"The Witch of the West has been defeated. Ruggedo, the villainous Nome King, has been destroyed. Basking in the wake of victory, Oz is going through a time of self-discovery. But smoldering beneath the surface, a fire still burns. The Winkies (a working class society that live in the western quadrant of Oz) are held accountable for their complicity in the Witch’s rise to power. In the eyes of the citizens of Oz, Winkies are seen as villains. A decree is made by Queen Ozma, that they are to atone for their war crimes by being forced into a role of servitude and labor to those most affected by their actions; the Munchkins.

A new threat is found in two Winkie Demonstration leaders, a husband and wife team, Umb and Ra. They preach equality and fair treatment for Winkies, stressing that Ozma’s decree is ill deserved, and quickly gain a following. But behind their message is a much darker agenda, the utter destruction of the Munchkins, and the complete overthrow of Queen Ozma.

This is a world full of magic and fantasy, where anything can happen; these are the characters you only thought you knew. Welcome to a brave new chapter in the world of Oz.

With a war imminent, the peaceful walls of the Emerald City are about to come crashing down, and a new order will arise. Dark is the future. Woe is Oz!"

So what is 'My Take' on this series, based on the first two comic books sent in for possible review?

Well, as you can see from the above promo blurb, this series is just a little bit more 'grim n' grittier' than what is presented onscreen with the original film with Judy Garland!

Nothing wrong with that, as it has been a long time since 1939 when the 'Wizard of OZ' has been released.  As well as all of the original OZ books, as shown in this link. There has been 'evolution' of styles and genres of writing since those years, of course.

The first two comics of this series are not 'over the top' in depicting grim n' gritty, but it isn't for young children, as seen by the 'splash page' of issue #1 with a closeup of the Lion with blood all over his face. Pages 2 & 3 are a two page depiction of a battlefield after it is over, with bodies sprawled all over...

So now that the 'setting' is shown, the storyline continues to move.  I've already shown above what the premise of the series is about.  So, I'll say this... The story shows a 'darker' OZ, which a lot of illustrated fantasy publications show nowadays.  Thus if you are into a 'darker' Oz, then this storyline will keep your interest.  If you are going into this thinking it is going to be like the original film... Then you are going to be surprised.  It is not a bedtime story to read to your younger children!

The artwork is similiar to other illustrated fantasy comics that have been published in the last few years. Not that it is a 'copy' or anything, but it is definitely not a childrens' illustrated book. It still has what some would call a 'cartoony' or 'fantasy' art style to it, but in my mind the artwork fits the story that is being told.

According to the web site, 'Woe is OZ' is illustrated & designed by Kelly Brown, while written by Ethan Tarshish.  They make a good collaborative team in the first two issues for the 'Land of OZ' that they want to center on. 

Again, I want to state that this series is NOT for young children, nor possibly for young pre-teens.  Issue #1 has a little more 'blood' than what most would think a 'Wizard of OZ' series would have, while Issue #2 has a 'sexual scene'. This is not what the general public would think a series of OZ comic books would have in its interior pages.  Which is why I am emphasizing that here.  There is no longer a 'CCA seal of approval stamp' on any comics that are printed.  That 'code approved' seal officially ended February of 2011.

Then again, the title of the series does state: 'Woe is OZ'...!   Which is where this creative team appears to be taking this comic book series!  

My review rating for this comic book is a VERY FINE / NEAR MINT (VF/NM) 9.0 out of a 10.0 comic book grading scale.

You can find these comic books for sale at the 'Woe is OZ' web site.

There is also a Facebook Fan Page for the series, 'Woe is OZ'.

My thanks to Ethan Tarshish for submitting the first two issues of this comic book series for possible review here in my blog!    

~Michael D Hamersky

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,265 'Followers'!  Thanks to ALL of YOU that have already clicked that button!  And for those of YOU that haven't yet... I would appreciate it if YOU would!!!

~ Michael D Hamersky 

If I have it... You can find it 'Under The Big Top Of Comics' at:   ComicBooksCircus.com

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written for the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up differently, sorry about that!

The screen display resolution is best seen at the setting of 1024 x 768 on your laptop or desktop computer.

NOTE: All images and characters within this blog post are copyright and trademark their respective owners.

Comics Creators: If you are breaking into, or already work in the comic book industry or other pop culture productions, you are welcome to email or mail us press releases, news items, and updates that you feel would be of interest to our blog readers. Including YOUR own works!!  (Note:  I don't list my email address here, due to 'spambots' gathering it and 'spamming' me. 

To mail printed items to us for possible review, send to:

Make It So Marketing Inc., PO Box 130653, Carlsbad, CA 92013, USA

 Also, if you are a Facebook member, I would have liked you to have sent me a 'Friend Request'.

However, I have reached the maximum limit of 5,000 Facebook Friends and Fan pages in my network already, so I've added a New 'Facebook Fan Page' for myself so that even more of YOU can 'Like' what I am doing, and be interactive with me and others there. 

Here is the link to that 'Facebook Fan Page': Michael D Hamersky On Comics! Please click the 'Like' button on that page! 

---