Michael D Hamersky On Comics Reviews...    Sharaz-De Tales from the Arabian Nights A Graphic Novel By   Toppi / Archaia

TODAY'S FEATURE IS BLOG #3812 -    Today's blog is on the graphic novel titled: 'Sharaz-De: Tales from the Arabian Nights',  by Toppi.  From Archaia Entertainment.

So what's the book about?

Here's the promotional info:

A set of tales inspired by the Arabian Nights by the late European comics master Sergio Toppi, exploring a barbaric society where the supernatural is the only remedy to injustice, as Sharaz-de, captive to a cruel and despotic king, must each night spin tales to entertain her master and save her head from the executioner. Tales filled with evil spirits, treasures, risk, and danger, but with ever at their center the passions of gods and men.

So what's my thoughts on this book?

My first thought when seeing the front cover of this book was... I'll wait and read the other books that had come in for possible review first.

That's because the artwork was just a little bit on the 'strange' side for me.

However, I did see at the bottom right of the book the following words: 'Featuring A Foreword By Walter Simonson', whose artwork I do enjoy, so I made sure I would read it soon.

I've just finished reading this book and wanted to place it in the numerical sequence for blogs to be posted.

That's because this book, 'strange' art and all, is darn good!

First of all, here is (Sergio) Toppi's Wikipedia entry, for those of you like me that didn't know who this guy was.  I say 'was' because Toppi recently passed away, (August of 2012).  The other reason I wasn't aware of his work is because the majority of it is in French.  Which I haven't studied since junior high school.

Upon opening the book, and reading the foreword by Walter Simonson, I plunged in.

And I read chapter after chapter of this book!

The artwork was pretty darn good, and the text, translated from French to English, caught my attention!  I too was hooked on the theme of the book, that of Sharaz-de delivering a story each night to the despotic king, and saving her from the executioner.

I've got to say... That the stories and the art filled me with wonder! 

The majority of the stories are in black & white only, but there are two that are in color.  They seem to be finished in watercolors.

I found that I wanted to take a break after each story to let the story soak in. Thus it has taken me a couple of days to finish the book up.

The fact that the artwork is almost presented like 'Heavy Metal' style makes the reading of the pages a little slower going, because you want to drink in the artistic effects.

I'm going to say that this book is one that you'd like to check out for yourself.

Thus I'm giving this book a Very Fine / Near Mint (VF/NM) 9.0 out of a possible 10.0 comic book grading scale.

Here is the ordering info for the book:

Reading level: Ages 16 and up
Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Archaia Entertainment, LLC (January 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1936393484
ISBN-13: 978-1936393480
Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 0.8 x 11 inches

If your LCBS doesn't have it in stock... Then you can order it here online: Sharaz-de: Tales from the Arabian Nights.  

~ Michael

NOTE FROM Michael D Hamersky On Comics:  My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now at 3,812 total posts in number!   I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app link!   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!!!

Note:  My online 'Local' Comic Book Shop (LCBS), carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items. Possibly even copies of the item(s) that was mentioned here today...!  If I have it, you'll find under the BIG TOP of Comics, at Comic Books Circus.com!     

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written per the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up slightly 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:  Your computer's resoulution may be set differently, but the above resolution is the most commonly used resolution at the time of this blog post. 

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!

---------------            

      

In Addition, I started a YouTube Channel just before the 2011 Comic-Con International, where I am slowly uploading videos from conventions or other events that we attend that are also pop culture related.  You are invited to 'subscribe' to that channel also!  As found at 'HamerskyOnComics'!

---

Michael D Hamersky On Comics Reviews...    Space 1999: Aftershock And Awe A Graphic Novel    From Archaia Entertainment

TODAY'S FEATURE IS BLOG #3811 -    Today's blog is on the graphic novel titled: 'Space: 1999 Aftershock And Awe' by Gaska, Morrow, Hueso, and Miki.  From Archaia Entertainment.

So what's the book about?

Here's the promotional info that I found:

The sci-fi classic series returns! September 13th: 1999 – An atomic accident causes the moon to be blown out of orbit and hurled into the unknown, the survivors of the lunar base stationed there launched towards their destiny across the stars. But what of the cataclysm and wanton destruction caused to the Earth in its wake?

Based on the classic science fiction television series SPACE: 1999 – and set in the continuity of the original series, AFTERSHOCK AND AWE steals a glimpse at an alternate history of mankind, and jump-starts humanity’s eventual destiny far out in space.

So what's my thoughts on this book?

Well... Quite honestly, I was sort of torn in reading this book.  That's because the first part of the book had artwork by Gray Morrow with Miki finishing it.  The second part of the book had visuals by David Hueso & Miki.  

The first part was outstanding in visual presentation, with kind of 'Old School' artwork.  Which I enjoyed!  The second part was rendered in a totally different style. 

The storyline re-tells the original "Breakaway" tale from 1999, plus also showing what happens to Earth in the aftermath. 

I found the storylines in the total book presentation to be one that was quite readable, even though I was not an avid fan of the TV series that ran from 4 September 1975 – 5 November 1977.

Here's the thing though... Gray Morrow, through 1976, was art director of Charlton Comics' black-and-white magazine Space: 1999, which was based on the TV series of that name.  Gray passed away in 2001, so this new book is a re-working of his art from the magazine.

What I figured out was that the author / story adaptor, Gaska,  used art from the classic Space: 1999 comics of the 1970s, along with new art, to actually expand on the series pilot episode titled: "Breakaway." He then added scenes that were either cut from or possibly never filmed for the original episode.  Then he introduced new material that helps link it all to the much larger story and then smooths out the inconsistencies that probably cropped up during the TV series two-year run.

I'm kind of torn about what comic book grade to give this book.  It's readable, and even enjoyable for someone like me that didn't watch the TV show all that much.  The book holds it own as good sci-fi reading.   And the artwork isn't that bad of a compilation...

So I'm giving this book a Very Fine / Very Fine Plus (VF/VF+) 8.25 out of a possible 10.0 comic book grading scale.  If you are already a fan of the TV show, then this book should be of value to you for reading.  If you aren't already a fan, but like good sci-fi reading, then this could fit that bill for you.

Here is the ordering info for the book:

Price:     $24.95
SKU:      978-1-936393-88-6
Weight:  1.50 LBS

If your LCBS doesn't have it in stock... Then you can order it here online: Space: 1999- Aftershock and Awe.  

~ Michael

NOTE FROM Michael D Hamersky On Comics:  My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now at 3,811 total posts in number!   I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app link!   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!!!

Note:  My online 'Local' Comic Book Shop (LCBS), carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items. Possibly even copies of the item(s) that was mentioned here today...!  If I have it, you'll find under the BIG TOP of Comics, at Comic Books Circus.com!     

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written per the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up slightly 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:  Your computer's resoulution may be set differently, but the above resolution is the most commonly used resolution at the time of this blog post. 

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!

---------------            

      

In Addition, I started a YouTube Channel just before the 2011 Comic-Con International, where I am slowly uploading videos from conventions or other events that we attend that are also pop culture related.  You are invited to 'subscribe' to that channel also!  As found at 'HamerskyOnComics'!

---

Michael D Hamersky On Comics Suggests...     NINE Chances For YOU To See Allen Bellman In 2013!     (Nine Different Comic Conventions Ranging From Alabama to Colorado to Florida to Michigan to Missouri to New Jersey to Rhode Island!  Whew!)

TODAY'S FEATURE IS BLOG #3810 -    This is an update from blog #3784 as I was in contact with Allen Bellman this weekend via e-mail once again, and he was telling me that he had just added a 9th convention that he is scheduled to attend this year!  Dragon-Con in Atlanta, GA!

Well...  I just had to post an updated blog on this fact, as I'm sure you or your friends would love to meet him in person.  BTW... Allen will be celebrating his 89th birthday in June of this year!

First, here's a link to the blogs that I have already mentioned him in.

Second, here's the updated list of conventions that Allen will be at in 2013:

Feb. 14th       VisionCon  Springfield, Mo

March 15th     Mega-Con Orlando Florida
 
March 30th     Asbury Park Comic Con     Asbury Park N.J.
 
May 24th        Alabama Phoenix Festival  Birmingham AL

May 31st         Denver Comic Con   Denver CO

July 4th           Florida Super Con Miami FL

Aug 30th         Dragon-Con  Atlanta, GA

Oct 12th          Grand Rapids Comic-Con Grand Rapids MI

Nov 1st            Rhode Island  Comic Con   Providence RI

I'm hoping that YOU will be able to see Allen at one of these conventions that he is scheduled to attend.  You can find more on each con by clicking on the links provided above.

For more on Allen, you can check out his web site at AllenBellman.com, and even order a commission from him, if you can't see him in person!

Oh, and one last thing... Here's a checklist of just some of Allen's credited artwork during his comic book creating period!

If Allen adds on any more, I'll try to update this blog post once again!

 ~ Michael

NOTE FROM Michael D Hamersky On Comics:  My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now at 3,810 total posts in number!   I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app link!   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!!!

Note:  My online 'Local' Comic Book Shop (LCBS), carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items. Possibly even copies of the item(s) that was mentioned here today...!  If I have it, you'll find under the BIG TOP of Comics, at Comic Books Circus.com!     

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written per the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up slightly 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:  Your computer's resoulution may be set differently, but the above resolution is the most commonly used resolution at the time of this blog post. 

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!

---------------            

      

In Addition, I started a YouTube Channel just before the 2011 Comic-Con International, where I am slowly uploading videos from conventions or other events that we attend that are also pop culture related.  You are invited to 'subscribe' to that channel also!  As found at 'HamerskyOnComics'!

---

Michael D Hamersky On Comics Presents... My Take On:       OZ, The Great and Powerful!

TODAY'S FEATURE IS BLOG #3809 -    Today's blog is on the newly released film, 'OZ the Great and Powerful' that is probably playing at a theater near you right nowl

My weekend plans changed earlier this morning, so I went to our local theater mid morning, and the following will be my review of the film.

First though, here is the Wikipedia entry to the film. Be careful when reading that entry, if you don't want to see any 'spoilers' on the film!

Please Also Note:  This film is a sort of 'prequel' to the 1939 film. 

Fine... Now here's My Take:

First of all, I really do enjoy good OZ comic books and films, as seen in previous blog entries.  As stated before, I read most of the Wizard of Oz books when I was in grade school / high school.  So I am familar with the Oz Universe.

So, I was a little disappointed to read before I left to see the film, that this Oz film had nothing to do with the 1939 Wizard of Oz film.  Yet it did fit into the Oz Universe.  So I decided to check it out.

I'm glad I did!  Here's why:

The beginning minutes of the film were in black & white, just like the 1939 film.  This film was also in a 'box-like format'.  Then it went to color when the main character, 'Oz', flew into the land of Oz.  Plus the screen expanded to the full length of the screen.  Very good sequencing of the film in those minutes, in my estimation.

I was wondering how the character of Oz was going to be portrayed in the film, especially as this was a 'Disney' film.   It is rated PG though, which is how some of the background topics were able to be placed into the film.

Yes, the character of Oz is played by someone who was 'third choice' to play the film, James Franco.  Would you believe that Robert Downey Jr. was asked first?   And then Johnny Depp... Who I couldn't believe would be considered as the 'Wizard of Oz'...   James Franco is an actor I like, and have seen him in several films.  I like him in the films that I have seen him in.  I liked him as the 'Wizard of Oz' as well.

I should also mentioned that Frank Morgan, who played the Wizard in the 1939 film, was also 'third choice'.  He took the role after Ed Wynn and W.C. Fields turned it down.

The evolution of Mila Kunis who played Theodora in the opening scene in the Land of Oz was a very strong role.  Especially as the film plays on and she turns into something else, which I won't mention here.

Her sister, Rachel Weisz who plays Evanora, the Wicked Witch of the East, had a strong beginning in the film, but weakened toward the end of the film.

Michelle Williams, who plays Glinda, the Good Witch of the South, was strongly played.  Her role enlarged as the film progressed.  I also enjoyed seeing her favorite mode of transportation, a clear bubble, used in this film. 

Finley, who was a CGI flying monkey, was vividly voiced by Zack Braff.  Excellently voiced I should say.  His actions in the film brought several laughing moments for the audience in the theater.  I really enjoyed this character in the film.

The colors and imagination of the surroundings in the Land of Oz were wonderful to see on the Big Screen.  Especially after the black & white scene in Kansas at the beginning of the film!

I would have to say that at 130 minutes the film was maybe just a tad long... But I had to sit through 15 minutes of movie previews before the feature film was even started!

So I would have to give kudos to the film's director, Sam Raimi, for directing an enjoyable film!

I believe that the film was widely accepted at the theater I attended, as there was a lot of clapping at 'The End', which wouldn't be if the film wasn't liked.  The audience was kids and grownups, and was almost totally full in attendance.

After viewing this film, I would have to give it a VERY FINE / NEAR MINT (VF/NM) 9.0 out of a possible 10.0 comic book grading scale.  I would also suggest it be one that you see at The Big Screen if you have any interest in the 'Land of Oz' books / comics / other films.  

~ Michael

NOTE FROM Michael D Hamersky On Comics:  My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now at 3,809 total posts in number!   I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app link!   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!!!

Note:  My online 'Local' Comic Book Shop (LCBS), carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items. Possibly even copies of the item(s) that was mentioned here today...!  If I have it, you'll find under the BIG TOP of Comics, at Comic Books Circus.com!     

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written per the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up slightly 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:  Your computer's resoulution may be set differently, but the above resolution is the most commonly used resolution at the time of this blog post. 

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!

---------------            

      

In Addition, I started a YouTube Channel just before the 2011 Comic-Con International, where I am slowly uploading videos from conventions or other events that we attend that are also pop culture related.  You are invited to 'subscribe' to that channel also!  As found at 'HamerskyOnComics'!

---

Michael D Hamersky On Comics Mentions That...    The San Diego Comic Fest   Is NOW Accepting Membership Registrations For 2013!

TODAY'S FEATURE IS BLOG #3808 -    Today's blog is on the news that the San Diego Comic Fest is now open online to accept membership applications for the 2013 convention!

Thanks to Comic Fest Organizer, Mike Towry, for messaging me that news late last night!

Here's the news... And the link:

"Membership registration for this year’s San Diego Comic Fest is now online!

The first San Diego Comic Fest was a great success and we plan on making this year’s Fest an even greater experience for all our attendees, professional guests, and dealers. We invite you to come and enjoy the friendly comic book convention with a casual atmosphere and an intimate scale. The emphasis will again be on comics, science fiction, and movies, served up with a sense of community that brings professional writers and artists together with fans in an environment of creative exchange and good, good times."

Plus on the registration page:

"On-Site Registration: If the Fest has not sold out in advance, memberships will be available at the door. However, we encourage you to get your memberships in advance to avoid the possibility that they may sell out before the Fest begins.

1-Day Memberships: Our current plan is to make single-day memberships available at the door but, of course, this will be subject to availability. (See On-Site Registration above.)"

I'm bringing this news to you now, as I don't want you to miss out on the fun for 2013!

Here's the link to the membership registration page:   Link!

For the record... I do want to mention that I am involved with this Comic Fest, as I'm the 'Social Media Promoter' for the SDCF.

For those of you that missed last year's first ever convention... Here's my review blog on the 2012 convention, that took place in October of 2012.

Be sure to book your registration early, as there is a capped limit on the number of participants to this year's convention.

See you there! 

~ Michael

NOTE FROM Michael D Hamersky On Comics:  My thanks again to all of YOU reading this blog and our archived blog posts, now at 3,808 total posts in number!   I do appreciate your continued reading and support of this Blog!

BTW, You can 'follow' this blog by clicking the 'Follow' Button at this NetworkedBlogs app link!   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!!!

Note:  My online 'Local' Comic Book Shop (LCBS), carries many different genres of comics, magazines, graphic novels, and comic con promotional items. Possibly even copies of the item(s) that was mentioned here today...!  If I have it, you'll find under the BIG TOP of Comics, at Comic Books Circus.com!     

Web Page Note:  This blog post is written per the IE Browser standards.  Chrome, Safari, Netscape, Firefox and the other browsers serve the page up slightly 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:  Your computer's resoulution may be set differently, but the above resolution is the most commonly used resolution at the time of this blog post. 

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!

---------------            

      

In Addition, I started a YouTube Channel just before the 2011 Comic-Con International, where I am slowly uploading videos from conventions or other events that we attend that are also pop culture related.  You are invited to 'subscribe' to that channel also!  As found at 'HamerskyOnComics'!

---