Metaphase Review

Continuing this week of comic book reviews is Metaphase, a graphic novel with a story by Chip Reece, art by Kelly Williams, and letters by Peter Simeti. Unlike the past two graphic novels I've reviewed, Metaphase takes on the superhero genre. However, to remain distinct from the flashy, popular comics of Marvel and DC, this Kickstarter-funded Alterna Comics release features a main character with a disability thrust into a world of superpowered beings.

I absolutely adored this novel. From the very first page I was hooked (of course, it helps that the first page features a heroic depiction of the Sentinel). The character Ollie, a child with Down Syndrome, was instantly likable, and the book evoked a surprising amount of emotion in his attempts to become as strong as his father. Although I have never had any experience with disabilities, the way the comic portrays the tragic situation of Ollie and the pursuit of his dreams was incredibly heartwarming, an unexpected turn from what is labeled a "superhero" comic. Moreover, the novel does spend some of these emotional moments on the father, reflecting the sorrows of a superpowered parent with a child with Down Syndrome. Ultimately, the comic's strength lies in the portrayal of Ollie's relationship with his father. 

The plot centers around a very standard superhero story, with most of the distinguishing attributes left to the characters themselves. However, the comic does a fantastic job in establishing this new world for the characters to exist in. Yes, we've all seen supervillains terrorizing the city before, and we've all seen the evil corporate businessman trope, but the characters that occupy these roles are at least unique and memorable, driving what is essentially an origin story for a different kind of superhero. 

I do have some slight issues with the artwork. Though the colors and the visual presentation of the novel is fantastic, some of the stylistic choices in the facial expressions are a little strange to me. However, once you are immersed in the novel's story, you hardly notice it, and it's a very minor fault to an incredibly story. Besides these instances, the novel's art is done well, with the action scenes throughout being the standout moments of fantastic art. 

Honestly, I don't know what else to say about this novel that wouldn't be repetitive. It's a very hopeful novel, one that tugs at the heartstrings while balancing the pure enjoyment of a superhero comic. I have hardly any complaints, other than I wish there were more adventures to be told beyond the 80-page volume. If you're a fan of comics, great stories, superheroes, or anything that is great art, I would definitely recommend spending some time with Metaphase. 

Metaphase is available on Comixology, and my copy was provided by Peter Simeti for review purposes. 

All My Ghosts by Jeremy Massie Review

With a title like All My Ghosts, you'd expect this graphic novel to be a creepy horror featuring some sketchy dude in a broken-down office building. What you get from Jeremy Massie's 106-page comic is a surprisingly engaging story involving some heartwarming elements and a strong, overarching theme.

The graphic novel is characterized as Slice of Life, a genre that I wasn't aware spanned beyond the generic Japanese manga adored by the otaku fanbase. All My Ghosts features a middle-aged man working as chief of his family's cherished newspaper company, a job that he has become less and less enamored with by the beginning of the novel. The novel explores various aspects of his life, including his personal relationships and the rumors of supernatural activity in the workplace. 

As a Slice of Life comic, All My Ghosts has a fairly simple plot structure, having no need for any dramatic twists or turns. Instead, the comic focuses on the various problems of the main protagonist, Joe, as if they were the realistic problems people pile on themselves on a daily basis. In fact, the novel's central conflict isn't necessarily a huge battle but an issue that weighs down on the main character, lurking in the background as he tries to make his life functional again. 

Despite the main character having a routine job, the elements of the story are visually interesting. When the reader follows him through his day to day activities, the comic never slows down, maintaining a comfortable pace so that the ride is still enjoyable. If I had any complaints with this novel, it'd be that the tone shifts can be quite jarring at some points as the setting shifts from one place to the next. However, this is consistent with the common perception of life, a chain of events that don't necessarily have to "fit" next to each other. (This may also have been because the comic was told in separate issues before it became a complete graphic novel). 

The graphic novel's other strengths lie in the world that Massie creates, one that we explore from Joe's perspective. Each character and aspect of the small town is memorable, making the reader feel as if he's been living in this Appalachian town for as long as Joe. 

At first glance, the story may seem to have a generic "Carpe Diem" message about freedom and the release from the boredom of daily life. However, one of my favorite aspects of All My Ghosts was the way the theme was manipulated. For example, when Joe begins pursuing escape from his routine lifestyle through a "fuck it all" attitude, he is slapped across the face with the consequences of freedom, an aspect that isn't usually brought up in motivational posters. The progression of the story is partly driven by this question of freedom, and it made All My Ghosts a thought-provoking read. The novel also incorporates the conflict between tradition and individual freedom, though it does so with an emphasis on reverence for the past, which I personally enjoyed seeing. 

Finally, a couple words about the art style. Massie's style is not overly complex, but it definitely works as part of the novel and was visually engaging. Moreover, the comic has some fantastic moments where Massie somehow incorporates movement and feeling, evoking different senses through unique choices in the comic's art. These creative choices ultimately contribute to the wonderfully immersive experience of reading All My Ghosts. 

If you are looking for the awe of action and adventure, this graphic novel may not be for you. However, the focused emotions and the portrayal of real life, as well as the incorporation of an intriguing theme, make All My Ghosts worthy of a pick up. 

Speaking of which, All My Ghosts goes on sale August 19 on Comixology.

*Special thanks to Peter Simeti for the review copy, making this review possible!*

DEADPOOL Trailer Review/Reactions

Today, Fox decided to release their Deadpool trailer for everyone, even those who didn't attend Comic Con, to see. Even though there isn't much new footage from the trailer that debuted at SDCC, it's very nice to see the trailer in HD and not phone quality. Check it out:

A couple notes. First, there is a green band version of this trailer, most likely made to play with Fantastic Four this weekend. If you were a good little nerd and didn't watch any of the leaked SDCC footage, then you were probably blown away. Did Ryan Reynolds just take a jab at Green Lantern? Yes, he did. Is that COLOSSUS? Yes.

If you've been following the project since the original leaked test footage, then you'll probably recognize the "red suit, brown pants" joke. While I think the comedic timing and delivery was a bit better in the original footage, I'm glad to see it return nonetheless. The rest of the humor is great, including the exchange with T.J. Miller's character that is just comedic gold.

"You look like an avocado had sex with an older avocado" 

It's also nice to see that Deadpool is fully asserting its hard R rating, with tons of F-bombs and big boy words. The action is still over-the-top and very fitting of Deadpool, because seeing three dudes having holes blown through their brains is just what every comic book fan wanted.

"Oooooh...I'm touching myself tonight"

In terms of changes from the SDCC footage, there was an extra scene in this trailer featuring an old lady informing Deadpool of the presence of a male reproductive organ in his oral cavity. However, I'm sad to see that they cut Deadpool's exchange with Negasonic Teenage Warhead, one of the more memorable parts from the fuzzy SDCC footage.

Nevertheless, this trailer did its job very well, showing us a perfect film adaptation of Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds' voice!) and generating all the buzz. Props to the marketing department at Fox for knowing how to sell Deadpool, correcting all their mistakes for the completely botched release of Fantastic Four.

A MOC 5 Years in the Making...

If you know me, you know that I'm a huge fan of Wong Fu Productions on YouTube. Well, a couple years ago, they ran a special Wong Fu Weekends episode (5 years ago...yikes!) where each of them competed to build MOCs out of the Freeco Speeder set. I happened to own that set, and today I attempted to replicate Wesley Chan's creation.

The only problem is, he used parts from TWO sets, while I was limited to one and my own collection of parts. What follows is less of a replica and more of a revision of his speeder. My version is bulkier, is equipped with dual cannons in the front, and has two extra engines added for even more power. Even if it's not an exact copy, I'm very happy with it. Enjoy!

2015 IF Anthology (Science Fiction) Review

...in IF there are no questions...

only answers

The IF Anthology is a new project by Peter Simeti and Alterna Comics, an independent graphic book novel publisher that focuses on black and white comics with unconventional artwork. The anthology compiles the work of 36 different comic book creators who are all told to stick to a single theme. The 2015 edition, which I am reviewing today, has the theme science fiction. Though I had never read an indie comic before (Usually sticking with Marvel/DC), I love the science fiction genre and was curious as to what Simeti was trying to accomplish with this bold project. So, when Peter Simeti offered to send out review copies, I snatched one up to see what the book (and successful Kickstarter campaign) was all about. 

As an anthology, IF includes fifteen different short stories that are each about 10 pages in length. The stories are supposedly unified under a single theme, but the incredible amount of variety in the artwork, storytelling, tone, and influences of each story make the set theme seem more like a flexible suggestion. One story may call to mind the bright, superhero tale. Another is a completely creepy horror tale, while the thirteen other short stories pull fantasy elements, monster movies, creation myths, dystopian futures, utopian futures, and sentient robots all into one, 160-page volume. The sheer variety of the comics ensures that no matter where your tastes lie, there is something for you in the IF Anthology. I applaud Peter Simeti for the clear amount of work that went into selecting these stories and making sure that no two comics ever felt alike. 

Despite the different flavors to each story, IF also keeps alive many of the science fiction elements that its theme demands. If you're a huge science fiction fan, you'll be sure to recognize the common elements, from time travel to distant planets to wars with sentient robots. However, despite the common science fiction tropes all being present, the comics in IF shine with individuality from each of its creators. Many of the stories in IF have creative twists or refreshing looks at common situations, and me describing them any further risks spoiling the experience. However, if you do pick up a copy, look out for the interesting storytelling devices, my favorite of which gave exposition through a two-page spread of newspaper clippings. 

The art style of the fifteen stories in IF is just as distinctive as the story elements, with all of it being of exceptional quality. Although some of the strange art is jarring for those used to ripped superheroes (like myself), the quality of the art is unquestionable. In some ways, the unconventional nature of the artwork adds to the experience, making IF that much more unique.

IF (ha) there is anything weak about the works in the anthology, it would be that the worlds within the short stories can never be expanded. It was disappointing to turn the pages of a fascinating premise only to find that the next story had already begun. And yet, the next story would be just as exciting, and the cycle would repeat fifteen times throughout the course of the book. Part of me wishes that there could have been a longer, overarching story, but that would have surely taken away from the variety and the appeal of an anthology in the first place. 

So, for concluding remarks, it is clear that the IF Anthology was a true passion project for Peter Simeti, an avid comic lover, with love and care poured into the book so that it would show the true potential of indie comics. I would highly recommend picking up a copy through Simeti's Kickstarter, and I am personally excited for what surprises next year's IF has in store. 

*The early copy of the IF Anthology was graciously provided by Peter Simeti for review purposes*

MY Top Ten Movies of 2014

Ah...the year has gone by so quickly. For some of you, it might already be gone. It's still 2014 over here though, so I should still have time to make this list of my favorite movies from 2014.

2014 was a great year for movies. There were some amazing films that will likely never be forgotten. However, please remember that, as a casual viewer, I haven't seen every movie that came out this year, and I missed out on a couple of good ones (Whiplash, Birdman, just to name a few). During 2014's final moments, let's begin with:

10. Chef

This film...my God did it make me hungry. Jon Favreau's passion piece was an excellent feel-good movie with a chef who, after a caustic review, decides to start a food truck. This film showed the beautiful formation of a bond between Carl Casper and his son, and some moments of the film would make any viewer's heart melt. Couple the family themes with camera shots that are basically foodporn and a wonderful performance by Jon Favreau himself and you've got yourself a well done (ha ha) movie. Seriously man, I want to try those cubanos.

9. Boyhood

So, this movie was shot over the course of 12 years. A grand experiment in filmmaking, but that's not the reason why this movie is on this list. Yes, Ethan Hawke and the rest of the cast deliver splendid performances, but more importantly, this movie was the most realistic portrayal of life I have ever seen in film. By the end of this movie, Richard Linklater made me feel as if I had just absorbed memories of another person's life, and I was motivated to just start living. If you're a younger viewer, this movie was a glimpse into the future. If you're an adult, I'm sure this movie felt like reliving a life gone by, and that is the beauty of this film. 

8. How to Train Your Dragon 2

Short disclaimer: Big Hero 6 is not on this list. I saw Big Hero 6, loved it, but didn't think it should be in the Top Ten. This movie, though? Holy crap. The visuals were simply stunning (Dude, that dragon totally just spun into a flaming wheel of death!) and the characters were as engaging as ever. The comedy in the film was also well placed, and the movie had its fair share of touching moments. All in all, this movie was bold, and enjoyable to boot. 

7. Guardians of the Galaxy

\

In the words of Rocket Raccoon, "Oooooooh yeah". I was incredibly excited for this movie, and it did not disappoint. Great performances by entire cast, good action, and the most hilarious talking raccoon/tree duo to date. Sure, I wish Ronan could've been a more interesting villain, but that probably would've taken away from the time with the rest of the Guardians. How much did I love this movie? Well, I'm still listening to Awesome Mix, Vol. 1, so there. 

6. The Imitation Game

I went into this movie expecting a great performance by Benedict Cumberbatch and a decently interesting biopic. What I got was the fascinating tale of Alan Turing, a person who I knew nothing about previously, and his struggle to crack a German code, but also to form relationships and survive in a society that made him an outcast in different ways. Keira Knightley had wonderful chemistry with Cumberbatch, and the rest of the codebreakers were all intriguing characters, especially Hugh. I had no idea what direction this film would go in, and boy was this movie a ride. Tense at some parts, clever at others, and sprinkled with emotion, this film is one that will have everyone Googling "Alan Turing". 

5. Interstellar

Here's a film that caused quite a bit of controversy (especially over the ending). However, in my personal opinion, this film was fantastic. It might not have been as intriguing as The Prestige or The Dark Knight, but Christopher Nolan's bold steps and reverence for science are obvious. The visuals were simply astounding, as were the performances by McConaughey and Hathaway. The film had some incredibly emotional moments with regards to family, and the rest of the narrative is filled with tension. This movie worked for me on so many levels, combining my love for family themes and my curiosity towards astronomy and black holes. A great science fiction film with a lot of emphasis on the science, in my opinion. 

4. X-Men: Days of Future Past

After watching this movie the first time, I actually went back and watched the first three X-Men movies and First Class. Of course, even though I hadn't seen any of the previous films, this movie by itself was simply astounding. What started off as an interesting premise also gave birth to a dramatic sequences with Xavier and Magneto, focused action scenes, and the unforgettable scene with Quicksilver. You know which one I'm talking about. Days of Future Past finally made me excited about the "other" MCU, and with a great film like this under its belt, I can only be that much more excited for Apocalypse. 

3. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

APES. TOGETHER. STRONG. That quote may not have actually been in the movie (if it was, I think Koba said it), but it accurately sums up just how I felt about it. The CGI was incredibly realistic, and Matt Reeves definitely had some wonderfully creative action scenes (Dude, is that an ape, with machine guns, on a TANK?). More than that though, Andy Serkis gave an amazing performance as Caesar, and the entire movie was so tense and well constructed that I was on the edge of my seat, my spine electrified, the entire movie. This is, for sure, the Empire Strikes Back of the Apes franchise, and it's just as good. 

2. Captain America; The Winter Soldier

Holy. Crap. Not only did this film flip the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe upside-down, but it had some of the greatest fight choreography I have ever seen. The scenes with Bucky and Cap were just so focused and well shot that I could not help but gasp. The film also had some great characters, including the new Anthony Mackie as Falcon, making it one of the best Marvel movies ever made. The plot had so much tension, likened to a political thriller, which made the film incredibly fun to watch. Also, me being a nerd, I couldn't help but love the introduction of Arnim Zola and THAT AFTER CREDITS SCENE. 

Wait, there's a movie that topped Cap 2? Say what, you may ask. Well, this last one is more of a personal choice, and it has become my favorite movie of all time. The next one is: 

1. The LEGO Movie

There are three things I absolutely love: smart humor, nerdy references, and LEGOs. I've played with LEGOs since I was a little kid and have never stopped since. Phil Lord and Chris Miller had so much reverence for the little plastic bricks (evident in the numbering used when the Master Builders build, or even when that one guy yelled "cheese slopes!"), and they brought with them a witty sense of humor. The movie also had a stellar cast, with Chris Pratt nailing the voice of Emmet and Will Arnett possibly being the greatest Batman in film history. Beyond the characters, visuals, and bricks though, this movie also had a very powerful message that everyone is truly special, a theme that resonated with  me as I watched the unremarkable builder dude become the greatest Master Builder in history. Oh, and there's a spaceship. SPACESHIP!

That's my list, and right before 2014 ends, too. There are some highly anticipated films coming out next year, especially a little AWAKENING. J.J. Abrams, don't let me down now, buddy. Regardless, see you in the new year!

Terminator: Genisys (GENESIS) Trailer Thoughts!

Look, I get that this movie is trying to be a "reimagining" of the first two Terminator movies, but the "reimagining" of the word GENESIS still rubs me the wrong way.

In case you didn't know, the new trailer for Terminator: Genisys was released today after the poster a couple days ago and those god-awful promotional pictures.

Ugh. 

The trailer can be found here, and here are my thoughts:

• GOOD: They're really trying to emulate the originals, ignoring anything that may have come by since then (Salvation? I have no idea what you're talking about). This, like Jurassic World, is a smart move to try to save the dying franchise. 
• BAD: They're REALLY trying to be the originals, shoehorning in iconic lines from the Terminator movies as cheap one-liners that just come off as desperate. 
• GOOD: The future! Endoskeletons are as cool as ever, and there is some Droideka looking thing, making the future look quite awesome. John Connor is great as well, with dude-from-Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (Jason Clarke) no longer having to compete with Andy Serkis for screentime. 
• GOOD: Arnold is back as the T-800! There was some controversy over the fact that old Arnold would be coming back after a lot of years off, but he's great as the T-800, both young and old. Plus, the movie promises a showdown between the "old" T-800 and the young T-800! How cool is that!
• BAD: Some dude named Kyle is sent back as a quasi T-800! Seriously, this protagonist does absolutely nothing for me, judging from the trailer. He's kinda bland, but hopefully he's better in the actual movie than the trailer. 
• Not particularly good or bad, but the scene from the trailer marks the millionth time the Golden Gate Bridge has been featured in an action movie. From being traveled on by apes to being attacked by kaiju, what hasn't happened on Golden Gate Bridge lately?
• Arnold's hair is really white, almost unnaturally white in the last helicopter scene of the trailer. This is line with pictures, but it was striking nonetheless. 

The years have not been kind to the T-800

Overall, a decent trailer. It definitely has me excited (Arnold vs. Arnold! The T-1000!), but with some reservations as well. Could this be the movie to save the franchise? It has the potential to. But first, it doesn't matter how many times you spell it Genisys. It's genesis. GENESIS.