ArmzRace

The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins

Mark! — Thu, 17 May 2012 16:28:16 +0000

In the future we are divided into districts controlled by the decadent in the Capital and must pay tribute for a past rebellion by having a group of teenagers fight to the death in a bizarre arena for amusement. Katniss Everdeen volunteers to take the place of her sister and face this almost certain death. But that is only the beginning of her troubles.

The trilogy has now moved on to a movie series, which I may or may not see, but I will recommend the books. There are problems: the pacing, especially after the first installment until almost the very end, just doesn’t work, and most characters come and go (what do I expect in books about casual murder?) without the details that would make them shine; however, I think it does a good job showing the horrors of a reality TV addicted, jaded society and illustrates the damage of post traumatic stress. I think it’s inspired by Battle Royal for those of you that want an even darker version (and there is a movie, too).

X-Men: First Class

Mark! — Wed, 09 May 2012 02:17:48 +0000

X-Men: First Class is the prequel to the X-Men movies is based on a comic, which might explain why it is the best of the X-Men movies (including that Wolverine mess). It tells the stories of what really happened with the Cuban Missile Crises and how super-powered mutants (both good and bad) face off to shape the future of the world. While there are loopholes in how the story fits in with the other movies, like I said, I enjoyed this as it has action and interesting characters. And yet I have to ask (and be aware there are some spoilers here): Did anyone else notice that the only good-guy mutant to die was the black guy? That all the female mutants turned evil? And that the future greatest, evil mutant of all times is Jewish? Just asking.

Free Comic Book Day 2012

Mark! — Sat, 05 May 2012 17:03:06 +0000

Just about ever year I forget to take advantage of FCBD get all bitter about it. And then when I do remember, like today, I wind up ever more bitter that I waited in line for 40 minutes only to … Continue reading →

First Year at Rutgers University

Mark! — Fri, 04 May 2012 17:33:20 +0000

DONE.

Honestly, there were times I didn’t think I would make it. Then again, once I see my grades….

War Stories vol 2 – Garth Ennis

Mark! — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:52:22 +0000

Considering the ridiculous amount of violence Ennis dishes out in his Punisher comics, the four short war stories depicting different encounters from the 1930 and 40s that are presented here were rather subdued, concentrating more on personal interactions and the futility of conflicts. While I wasn’t blow away (sorry, poor choice of words) by these tales, it was good to see comics tackling such topics and genres that they once did routinely.

What Dreams May Come: Perchance to Make a Dream into Comics

hardtravelinghero — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 17:53:31 +0000

I look outside and notice this: The sun comes and the sun goes. The air temperature noticeably changes by three degrees. The Kings of Leon’s “Cold Desert” plays in the background. I’m standing in front of the sink planning my day out and remember the night and experiences in my head. Last night I had a dream.

In my dream I walked down hills with no umbrella.

What comic will you make that this single sentence may inspire? Will it be anything like my dream, with the details I’ve not revealed? Will it be a realistic dream vision, as if my dream was my waking life, only things possible in our tangible realm, or will your comic consist of fantasy images conjured by a mind free of the everyday?

How I Became Stupid – Martin Page

Mark! — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:28:41 +0000

Originally a French novel, it is the tale of Antoine, a young, eclectic scholar, who seeks to quiet his mind and finally become happy. To do so he attempts alcoholism, considers suicide, takes antidepressants, starts body-building, makes money, and generally engages in the typical things people suggest you do when you’re down. Needless to say (but I will) the results are both comical and disastrous. I like this short book, but it hit a little too close to home. Take a look at a scene from a play version of the tale.

Drawing Board: Inventor (p.1) part 2

Cej — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 05:13:12 +0000

And then the coloring process, which always seems like it’ll be quick. And then it takes 10 hours…

Backgrounds and then blues (Outrageous’s shirt).

Some darker blues (gloves)…

Time for some red (Hot Head)

Yellows (Hot Head)

Flesh!

And then another 5 hours of backgrounds and shadows (not shown).

All for a page that takes 6 seconds to read.

Inventor (p. 1)

Cej — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 04:48:30 +0000

Don’t post to FB until I get page 2 done!

20th Century Battlefield

Mark! — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 15:03:11 +0000

It probably says something ill about me that love this show wherein a father and son team discuss various key battles of the last century, giving details, with the help of some rather unimpressive CGI, into the strategies (both the successes and failures) that shaped the outcome of both the specific battle and the larger war. There has only been a handful of episodes (and I’ve seen them all twice) but by the time you read this there should be another season.