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 HEADS UP FOR THE WEEK OF: 032607

MINI-SERIES REVIEW:

SPIDER-MAN REIGN
#1 thru 4


Comic Review by:
Mike Kurnat

Writer/Artist:
Kaare Andrews

MSRP: $3.99 each

Rated:
T+
 
"...very enjoyable from the different inner monologues of the characters to the final battle with Venom"
In Spider-Man Reign, we see an old Peter Parker close to death and looking forward to it. He is no longer the wall crawling wise cracking hero we all know and love but a decrepit old man who can’t keep a job and is very, very lonely. He still sees and talks to a long dead MJ in his dank apartment. The world around him has changed as well with the Reign being a militarized police that enforce the laws with force. Much like the world in V for Vendetta, the news is the mouthpiece for the government message of law and order bringing about safety. With a nod to The Dark Knight Returns (the news anchor is named Miller Janson which is a wink for Dark Knight creators Frank Miller and Klaus Janson) the story will make you feel for almost every character involved in this semi-futuristic story about a fascist takeover of New York City. Peter Parker’s sadness and fright jump off the page along with the disturbing appearances of Dr. Octavius and the eerie images of MJ. Spider-Man is brought out of retirement by the urge of J. Jonah Jameson wanting to start a revolution. The government is trying to launch a new safety plan called the WEBB that will encase the city with lasers so no one gets in or as it turns out more importantly out. The torment of Spider-Man made this story for me. Getting into the old hero’s mind was a trip with moments of despair and moments of hope. It’s hard to see such a beloved character in the shape that Parker is in after all the years of service but it works so well for this story. He, like the rest of New York, start at such a low point he really has nothing to lose because he has already lost everything and his only motivation is to die and be by MJ’s side again. Spider-Man’s public appearance does start change on the streets of New York when people who haven’t seen a super hero in 15 years start to become inspired. In turn, Spider-Man starts to see his purpose once again even though he doesn’t get the whole picture until the end. Many familiar faces show up including the Sinister Six, now dubbed the sinner six, with a surprising look at the humanity of the Sandman. The art also played with the themes of the books with the reporters having their eyes always closed and we never get to see MJ’s face until it’s actually her. I found it very enjoyable from the different inner monologues of the characters to the final battle with Venom. This one would be recommended for anyone in the recommended age bracket who loves a flawed hero story.

KIDZ CORNER COMIC REVIEW:
DISNEY JR VOL.3 LION KING GN
a DISNEY PRESS ongoing graphic novel series

Comic Review by:
Jim "Good Old JR" Rutkowski
Release Date:
032107

The Lion King is Disney’s second highest grossing animated feature worldwide, after the Pixar feature Finding Nemo and third overall, with Shrek 2 being the biggest grossing of all time. The other two films being CGI animated makes the Lion King tops in the traditional animation realm and rightfully so. Released in 1994 the story has an intimate yet epic sensibility that still holds up remarkably well some 13 years later. This comic adaptation does a fair job in bringing the story to the comic page. The young lion cub Simba learns life lessons while growing up to become king of the jungle. Along the way, he befriends Timon and Pumbaa, the comic relief. To this reviewer, the Lion King is the last of Disney’s animated films that can be counted among the pantheon of the studios finest achievements. On the surface, the story is simplistic. But within its framework are all the elements of classic children’s literature: birth, friendship, love and even loss. The graphic novel, while using a great deal of storytelling shorthand, does an admirable job of bringing the tale to a new generation. The art does what it needs to do, and that is to ape the style of the animated feature film. While an argument can be made that in this age of the DVD, there is very little point to a graphic novel adaptation of a 13 year old movie, this book is a perfect introduction to reading for any child that loves the film and wants to recapture it in a different way. Recommended.

MSRP: $2.25, Alternate Reality Price: $1.91 (That's 15% OFF, All This Week!)
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KIDZ CORNER COMIC REVIEW:
HARDY BOYS VOL 8 BOARD TO DEATH GN
a PAPERCUTS ongoing graphic novel series

Comic Review by:
Jim "Good Old JR" Rutkowski
Release Date:
031407

I can understand the need to update an old concept. Sometimes it’s needed when the original concept was so hackneyed (Battlestar Galactica) that any kind of tinkering would only be an improvement. But in most cases, it’s done to make it more palatable to a young audience. Such is the case with Papercutz Publishing and their new version of the book series that ran from 1927 through 1979 under the pen name of Franklin W. Dixon. However, writer Scott Lobdell has overloaded the story with so many youth pleasing elements, that the book feels more like a laundry list of pop- culture. Kid’s love Pirates of the Caribbean so let’s have the boys take part in a faux version of the amusement park ride. Kid’s love to skateboard. So the Hardy boys infiltrate a skateboarding contest to find a killer. There’s also a pop music star named Pinkshade that is involved. All of these ingredients make for a tedious read. None of it gels into anything cohesive. It all feels calculated to appeal to the preteen crowd. Some of it is down right silly. For instance, of the skateboarding team has a mentor/teacher named Mr. Moto who is described as a master trainer from the Orient. Funny, but I don’t remember hearing anything about the ancient Chinese art of skateboarding. Silly, sloppily written and instantly forgettable. Not Recommended.

MSRP: $7.95
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IMAGE ROUND UP THIS WEEK…
Elephanman #8
Trench flies off the deep end during a shoot out when he kills a downed man and a bum. Two things I liked in this story were the parts we get to hear the bums thoughts during the fire fight and I’m a fan of the art style of the book. We are also treated to the story of how Trench loses his eye. The issue is short with too many extras cluttering the issues space.

Godland #17
Commander Archer is mourning the lose of Nella by laying on the couch and watching Deal or No Deal. The government seals Commander Archer in his house, something he was already doing to himself, for reason not yet disclosed. The book was campy and the art was less than impressive.

The Pirates of Coney Island #5
The Pirates try to take back some of their territory from the Cherries in this issue that results in some stabbing and loving; these kids are really messed up. The mysterious car Cadallacula (great name and best part of the book) makes a couple of appearances to add mystery to the otherwise ho-hum affair.

Strongarm #2
In the sophomore issue, Rob tries to control himself and his new alterations. We get a little more background on Lindsey and Rob’s relationship before the authorities try to bring Rob down. This is all highlighted by a hover car chase reminiscent of The Fifth Element. Not a whole lot of story going on, but the art and the action keeps it going.

IMAGE ROUND UP LAST WEEK…

Girls #23
In the next to last issue of the series, the townsfolk finally start working together to stop the girls. The issue is highlighted by Wes finally getting a well deserved smack and the very last page that makes me excited for the finale. The issue puts a lot together in a very neat and package that makes sense.

Noble Causes #28
Zephyr infects herself with the same serum as Kitty Blackthorne abused to become the werewolf type monster she is today in hopes that her father would find a cure for both of them. Mr. Noble does find the cure but a little too late for Kitty. The story was far more interesting then the last few and the end will have Celeste Noble in a heap of trouble.

"COMICBOOKMAN"
Reviews are based on the Sneak Peek titles sent out by Marvel & Image (DC no longer sends them out). It's not everything that's shipping for the week, but it is a real good cross-section of this weeks releases.

All Books/Characters pictured herein are © Copyright 2007 by their respective owners. No rights given or implied by Alternate Reality, Incorporated.

Reviews © 2007 Alternate Reality, Inc.

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RASSLIN' REVIEW

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KIDS REVIEWS

Dozen's of kid friendly titles arrive every week and we review the one that stands out.
AT THE MOVIES

Every week we give you our opinion on what's playing at the cinema.

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