Michael D Hamersky On Comics Reviews: Trigger Men #1 From Triptych Books!     - Above: The Front Cover to Trigger Men #1! At the Top Left: Kyle Winters & Mike Andersen at the 2010 Long Beach Comic Con (LBCC)!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3381:

I found this comic book at the recent 2010 Long Beach Comic Con, (LBCC).

It is a self-published comic book from Triptych Books.

The color cover intrigued me when I first saw it at the table. The cover is laid out very well and should appeal to those interested in the genre that the cover suggests it is in.

Here is what the publishers state in their promo blurb about it:

"Trigger Men is a dark comedy that follows the lives of two hitmen, Matt Whit and Jason McCarty as they navigate the absurd world of contract killing.

Jason is hired to kill a dangerous target and very quickly realizes that he's in over his head. He convinces Matt to come out of retirement and help him with one last job. Before they know it the "one last job" has become a dash to save their own lives."

My thoughts on this first issue are this:

Inside Front Cover: The credits for the issue are presented without any 'splash efects'.  Which is a good way of doing so, because the 'splash page' for Chapter 1 starts right off to the sotry with three basic panels. No contrast there!

The interior pages are black / grey / white, which gives the 'moodiness' to the storyline.  I don't believe that color would have done so well for this issue.

The 2nd Chapter in this comic, 'High School Reunion - Part 1', is similar in presentation. However, it truly is 'Part 1' and the story cuts off without a resolution. Not a good place to end in a 'floppy comic book format', IMO.

I would have preferred to see Part 1 & possibly Part 2 (of ? parts to to the story arc), in one 'floppy comic book issue.

I'm not for sure how this feature was first presented, whether web comic or individual published pages.  I do know that 'Kickstarter' was used to finance the publishing of this comic book, which is being utilized by more  & more comics creators.

(I've mentioned that service that 'Kickstarter' provides on my own Facebook Fan Page, as a possibility for those that want to be self-published.)

The artwork, storyline, and dialogue mesh well for this comic book. The word balloons were also placed well.

Again, my only negative thought was the editing, where the last page of the story doesn't have a 'to be continued' blurb, and the actual last page is a 'Thank You' page instead.

The inside back cover was also left blank.  I would have finished reading this comic book with a more 'finished' or 'to be continued' feeling, if those last two pages had some mention as to what was coming next, and when, or how...

There are Facebook and Twitters urls to follow, so there was some follow-up an interested reader could check out online, but since this was a 'printed' floppy coomic book format, I would have preferred to see a 'printed' blurb in the comic itself.

My review rating for this comic book is a VERY FINE / VERY FINE PLUS (VF/VF+) 8.25 out of a 10.0 possible comic book grading scale.

To purchase this comic book please see the following link:  Purchase Trigger Men comic book here.

You can also 'Like' the Facebook Fan Page for this publication via this link.

Thre are a lot of credits to the making of this comic book series.

Written by:  Mike Andersen. Interior Art by: Heather Brinesh. Lettered by: Rachel Wells. Cover Art by: Greta Schimmel.  Additional Cover Art by: Heather Brinesh. Cover Editing by: Casey Straka. Edited by: Stephanie Flint. With Additional Editing by: Kyle Winters and Nick Fisher.

Again... My thanks to Kyle Winters and Mike Andersen, for bringing this comic book to my attention!

~Michael D Hamersky

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,352 '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! 

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Michael D Hamersky On Comics Reviews: The Super*Teen Topia TPB Invisible Touch From Forcewerks!     - Above: The Front Cover to the SUPER TEEN*TOPIA (Invisible Touch) TPB! At the Top Left: Kirk Kushin at the 2010 Long Beach Comic Con (LBCC)!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3380:

Thanks to Kirk Kushin, who presented the Trade Paper Back, (TPB), of 'Super Teen*Topia - Invisible Touch' to me a the recent 2010 Long Beach Comic Con, (LBCC), (seen at the top left of this blog post).

I've already review blogged another of Kirk's comics, OZopolis, in  blog #3322.

I hadn't heard of the comic book series that this TPB compiles.

So I checked out what the writer stated the series was about, as follows:

"10% Costume... 100% Character!

In a world of super powered icons, being sixteen and having amazing abiliities isn't quite as life altering as comic books would have you believe. No jets, no indestructible costumes and no high-tech headquarters mean that these young super-heroes can only fight crime as far as the bus route will take them.

Join our friends as they experience all the fun of high school -- but with a super powered twist.  Super Teen*Topia: just because you can level a mountain, it doesn't make it any easier to get a prom date!"

So what's 'My Take' on this TPB?

I figure that the 'Target Market' for this TPB is the YA, (Young Adult), age group.  If so, then this TPB should be of interest to them.

Well written, with plenty of storyline, dialogue, and action by the author, Kirk Kushin.

The artwork by Gonzalo Martinez is 'pleasing' to look at... With no overtly 'stylized' art that would interfere with the storyline for the target market.

The colors by Laura Abella complement the artwork, with the letters by Michael David Thomas fitting well in the panels!

The front covers used for the comic book series are also reprinted.  Diego Barreto, cover artist, did a fine job in presenting what the interior pages of the comics covered.

The collected series is a fine TPB that would make a good volume for a library that is looking for 'graphic novels', or similiar volumes for their library patrons. Again, I would think that the YA target market would be pleased with this volume.

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

To purchase this TPB please see the following link:  Purchase Super Teen*Topia:Invisible Touch

There isn't a Facebook Fan Page, otherwise I would also include that link here.

Additionally, the web site for Super Teen*Topia seems to be down at this blog's posting, so I won't be listing that link here.

Again... My thanks to Kirk Kushin, for bringing this TPB to my attention!

~Michael D Hamersky

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,350 '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! 

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Michael D Hamersky On Comics Reviews: Souled #1 From Cosmic Times!     - Above: The Front Cover to Souled #1 (Of 5) Mini-Series From Cosmic Times! At the Top Left: The FCBD 2010 Edition of Souled!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3379:

Martin T Pierro, Publisher at Cosmic Times, sent me the 1st issue of this 5 issue mini-series just before its preview at the MegaCon in Florida this past weekend!

I've already review blogged Martin's own series,  Arthur - The Legend Continues #1,  and this is the first mini-series that he is publishing that he didn't create.

Here's the publisher's promo on this series:

"Set against the backdrop of intergalactic corporate manipulation, Souled follows the crew and passengers of the space-freighter Another Man’s Trash as they uncover a mystery on the edge of the universe that transcends even the barriers of life and death.

“Souled” is a five-issue FULL COLOR mini-series from Cosmic Times that made its premiere March 25th 2011 at MegaCon in Orlando."

So what is 'My Take' on this series?

First of all, I didn't see the Free Comic Book Day (FCBD) 2010 Edition of this comic book.  So for an intro issue to a five issue story arc... I thought that the concept shown here in issue #1, (of 5), was an interesting one.

The Splash Page used most of the space to tell us what had happened and what was happening in the future of the Universe of 'Souled'.

Which was a good intro, as the front cover showed four individuals that didn't exactly give me an idea of what this series would be about.

The 2nd page of the interior pages displayed the credits.  It wasn't until the 3rd page that the story actually started.

The storyline picked up, introducing the main character and showed the reader what the cargo of the space ship was.

The artwork was fine, however the colors at first threw me slightly 'off', until I realized that this spaceship didn't have the brighter illuminations inside that a lot of space stories present.

The 'action' sequences of the storyline picked up the pace until all too soon, at page 24, the 'To Be Continued' phrase was shown at the bottom right of the page!

The inside back page was a repost of the credits from page 2, but laid out in a different format. Plus there was the messages from the crators with thier thanks to supporting friends & family.

The back cover was a 'house ad' for 'Decisions' from CosmicTimes.net.

I found the concept presented in this 1st of 5 issues mini-series to be one I would want to follow.  The 'set-up' of the future and the main characters was done well by Christopher Faulkner.

The pencils by Zach Bassett and the inks by James Whynot meshed well with the storyline.

The colors by Kevin Zeigler was the only thing that seemed not to mesh as well for me, but I'm thinking that 'lighting' the interiors of the space ship was what threw me off. I'll wait to see how the planet's colors are shown, in the next issue, before making a final 'call' on that aspect.

All in all, I believe this is a fine start for the first mini-series published by CosmicTimes.net that was not also created by Publisher Martin T Pierro.

My review rating for this '1st Issue' is a VERY FINE PLUS  (VF+) 8.5 out of a 10.0 possible comic book grading scale.

For those of YOU that would like to see more of this concept, please check out their Facebook Group Page:  Cosmic Times.

For the web site of this series, where YOU can purchase a copy of the first issue, please see:  CosmicTimes.net

My thanks to Publisher, Martin T Pierro, for bringing this new series to my attention!

~Michael D Hamersky

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,345 '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! 

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Michael D Hamersky On Comics Reviews: ppfszt! #29 From Main Enterprises!     - Above: Front Cover to ppfszt! #29 from Main Enterprises!

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3378:

Recently, Jim Main of Main Enterprises sent in a few of his newly published periodicals for possible review in this Blog.  In the past, I've blogged about several of his publications, ranging from mini-comics to full sized magazines, as seen in this link: Main Enterprises.

 So what's this strange sounding title 'ppfszt!' #29 publication all about?

Here's what the publisher has for a promo blurb:

"The first new book for 2011 is here from Main Enterprises. Issue #29 of *PPFSZT! features covers by Troy Boyle and Troy Zurel, and Scott McClung. Interior art by Brad Foster, Steve Lafler, Jeff Mason and Christopher Durant. Plus comics by Jack Bertram, Simon Mackie, Steve Shipley, Jim Main-Steve Keeter- Jack Betram, Scott McClung, Jeff Mason, George Leon, Michael Vance-Dave Farley, Brien Wayne Powell and Dan Burke! A big 56 page book with a full color wraparound cover. Just 7.00 shipping included."

Here's my thoughts on the issue, as I start at the front cover...

Gatefold cover, (front and back)... A beautifully illustrated and colored cover by Troy Boyle!

Inside front cover - by Scott McClung - A striking black & white & gray illustration.

Page 1 - The Table of Contents, which shows quite a few projects being included in this issue, pointing out that this is an 'anthology' comic book.

Pages 2 & 3 - The Editor Speaks!  Which is a good way to introduce what this series is about to someone reading an issue for the first time, like myself!  It appears that Issue #28 from a few months before, was the 'relaunch' issue for this title.  A little bit of past history was presented along with info on the some of the pages published in this issue.  The obligatory 'Next Issue' paragaraph showed a wealth of additional features for the future.

With so many features in this issue, I'm only going to hi-light some of them here that stood out personally for me.

Pages 7 - 15:  'The Acrobat and the Simian - A Step In A New Direction' - Story: Jim Main. Pencils: Steve Keeter.  Inks: Jack Bertram.  This 9 page feature had a good storyline.

Pages 17 - 21:  'I Married A Giant' - Dan Burke's Giant Gia.  A 'far-out' funny tale.  I enjoyed chuckling over it.

Pages 23 - 34:  'Flying Sharks' - by George Leon. A 12 page feature with no dialogue.  Strange, yet entertaining and amusing!

Pages 39 - 46: 'The Interview' - words & pictures by Scott McClung. Totally weird, 8 page featurette.  Yet somehow fascinating!

Pages 50 - 52:  'ppfszt! - Ed Off' - The Letters Pages.  I do miss seeing these in other comics. Glad to see this letter page section here!

Inside back cover:  The Ka-Blam! printers ad page, which Jim is using now.

This was a pretty well organized anthology comic book. As stated before in this blog of mine... Anthologies are the hardest comic book for me to review blog on, usually due to the varied materials selected by the Editors / Publishers of the anthologies.  Quite often there isn't a reason published as to why the issue was put together, or why the features were chosen for the issue.  Not here, as Jim took the time to explain, prior to the reader going forward with the features.

I enjoyed reading this issue of ppfszt! #29.

Enough so that My Review Rating for this mini-comic is a: VERY FINE / NEAR MINT (VF/NM) out of a possible 10.0 Comic Book Grading scale.

Retail Cover Price $5.00 ($7.00 when mailed)  Page count: 56 pages

Format: Full sized comic book, color covers, black & white interior pages

Teen Plus Readers (IMO.)

Here is the link to the order page for this anthology comic. Please see the other page links on that order page for the additional publications from Main Enterprises.

There isn't a Facebook Fan Page for Main Enterprises.  There is a Closed: Limited Public Content Facebook Group Page, which I'm not listing here.

My thanks to Jim Main for sending me the package of a few of the publications he currently has listed for sale!

~Michael D Hamersky

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,345 '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! 

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Michael D Hamersky On Comics Presents: Vinnie's Report On: The 2011 Anime Conji  A San Diego Anime Convention Which Ran March 25th - 27th, 2011  Part 4 - A Report On The 3rd Day! by Vinnie & A Wrap Up by Michael! Top Right Photo:  Hector Reyes, Chair of the Con, introducing the designer of the clothes worn by the models in the back row! Middle Right Photo:  Karaoke, courtesy of Mochi Maids Cafe, which we checked out on Saturday, and came back on Sunday for the show! Bottomr Right Photo:  Dr. Sketchy's Anti-Art School of San Diego event was an activity near the end of the afternoon!   - -

TODAY'S FEATURE - Blog #3377:

Please Note:  Part 1 of this blog series on Anime Conji started prior to the con. Followed up by Part 2, which was on the 1st Day of the con, which Michael attended alone.  Part 3 was on the 2nd Day of the con, blogged by Vinnie.  Today's post is Part 4 which is a blog by Vinnie & then a 'wrap-up' by Michael.

Please Note:  This was my youngest son, Vinnie, 1st time ever at a true 'anime con'.  He's been to many comic cons, and a recent sci-fi / fantasy con, but not an anime con!

----------------------

~Vinnie!

--------------

Thanks Vinnie for reporting on Days 2 & 3 of the 2011 Anime Conji!

I blogged on Day 1 of this anime con, and this is my 'wrap up' section....

First, I thought that for a con that is in its 2nd year, AND moving to a larger and different location, that it was a pretty 'smooth' running con.

What went 'smooth' was the registration process, for the most part, and the logistics of being in a place that is a little 'spread out' for panels / programs / activities.  Events / Panels / Activities were spread out over the hotel property so as to not have tremendous crowds concentrated in just one area.

What was a little 'bumpy', was the 46 additional minutes that it took for the Saturday Night Masquerade to start, which was for only 15 entries.  However I did talk to another staffer from another con which held a similar event in the same room, and he pointed out that the room was not that conducive for having such an event.  So cons that are setting up there with a main event should become aware of aware of this situation and correct for it...

I found the Anime Conji staff and volunteers to be friendly and helpful, and made my own 1st 'official' attendance at a 'true' anime con a fun one. As you can see from Parts 2 & 3, my youngest son also had a 'fun time'!

Yes, a few 'bugs' need to be ironed out, such as someone giving a panel moderator the fact that there only 10 minutes left before their panel ended... And there were a few 'no-shows / cancellations' of panels on Sunday, but for the most part the panels / programs went smoothly for a 2nd time con.

I would suggest for those of YOU in the Southern California area and interested in anime / manga to 'book' next year's Anime Conji ahead of time, and save on the 'At the Door' prices.  There were 'full weekend' and 'daily' badges available.

There were some parents with younger kids at this con, but for the most part the 2011 Anime Conji 'skewed' quite a bit younger in age of attendees.  A lot of 13 -17 year olds, with a smattering of older folks.  Yet it was still a good 'family friendly' environment in presentations until the late evening programs, when there some '18+' activities.

Regarding 'grading' this Anime Conji... You'll notice that my youngest son raised his 'grade' for this con after attending the second day... From a Near Mint Minus (9.2) to a Near Mint (9.4) out of a 10.0 grading scale.

As for myself, I would give this con's 2nd year a VERY FINE PLUS (VF+) 8.5 out of a 10.0 comic book grading scale.

Here's the Facebook Event Page so YOU can check out the latest updates from the 2011 activities that attendees will be posting to!

Here's the Facebook Fan Page so YOU can become a 'Fan' and be interactive with others, plus get a heads up for the 2012 Anime Conji!

Here's the web site for Anime Conji for even more info!

My own Facebook Fan Page will be posting additional pics in the days to come, so that you that those of you that aren't able to attend, can see what happened!

Again, My Thanks to the 'Chair of the Con', Hector Reyes, for bringing this 2nd Annual Anime Conji to my attention, and to his making sure that my son and myself were made aware of the activities that were happening each day!

~Michael D Hamersky

BTW, You can 'follow' this Blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app!  We currently have over 2,340 '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! 

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