Comic property review: ‘300’

Posted on July 2, 2010 by Administrator

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros.

Hot, sweaty, loud: ‘300’ gets it right

‘300’

Warner Bros., 2007

You don’t have to know much about the ancient Greek Battle of Thermopylae to enjoy what Frank Miller’s 300 has to offer. You also don’t have to have a lot of testosterone or Y chromosomes to enjoy the slick visuals, fight scenes or lack of clothing that the Spartan faithful wear. This isn’t a particularly deep film but it doesn’t aim to be. It aims to be loud, cool and sweaty. And that’s exactly what you get in the comic book adaptation directed by Zack Snyder.

300 has been faithfully recreated frame by frame by Snyder, the illustrious comic book screen master who has brought forth visions such as The Spirit and Watchmen. 300 was one of his first attempts to bring a comic to life and it’s well done. Because Snyder doesn’t stray too far from the source material, everything has a grimy comic sheen draped all over it. The comic book goop the film is mired in doesn’t betray the direct lift of material; it actually enhances the beauty of the visuals. This film is undeniably gorgeous and it knows it. Even the green screen material doesn’t detract from the beauty of the film. Usually it’s obvious that folks are employing it in a scene but 300 more than covers its tracks and has a grand time doing it.

Also gorgeous are the various actors that make up the principal cast. The abs are fabulous, hair is perfectly coiffed and no one is out of shape or unable to fight. The beautiful people of the world apparently all fought in the Spartan army against the god king Xerxes and only one lived to tell the tale. That previous comic book sheen comes full circle in many of the visual elements, and the folks who kill the Persian army in stylized sequences featuring no less than six gruesome deaths are no exception. The History Channel was actually heavily involved in the costuming phase of the production and that attention to detail is evident throughout.

The actors themselves aren’t bad. While I’d not believe them as Greeks, the enthusiasm that comes across on the screen is infectious. No one phoned it in here and the dramatic portions are appropriately heartbreaking.

There isn’t much to dislike about 300. A small quibble is that the pacing makes it drags near the end. While the end battle is appropriately melodramatic and wrought with tension, it was a little too drawn out. As Elvis once recommended, a little less conversation would have been nice.

We’re action buffs and 300 definitely satisfied that need. Besides, the many quotable scenes such as “This is Sparta!” more than make up for the dragging of feet at the conclusion. 300 has earned its rank among great comic adaptations and action movies alike.

How we grade
We score the properties in three categories: Casting (or voice acting in the case of animated), plot and similarities to its source material. Each category receives points out of maximum of 10 per category, and 30 overall. The percentage is the final score.

Casting: 8/10
Plot: 8/10
Like the comics?: 10/10
Overall rating: 8.6

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Strip Talk #03: ‘Stupid smart’ villains livened up ’80s and ’90s

Posted on July 2, 2010 by Administrator

Lyndsey Mosley, editor-in-chief

“Sayonara, shell-backed simpletons.”

With that one sentence from season three of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 1987 animated series, I was hooked on the legendary Oroku Saki. Everyone who was anyone in the late ’80s and early ’90s knows him as Shredder. I knew him as genius. Well, that is until he employed Rocksteady, Bebop, Baxter Stockman, the Punk Frogs, etc. on a regular basis. The list goes on and on of his failed attempts at finding competent criminal help in New York City, and as a TMNT diehard, I was inclined to bask in his lack of success in taking down my four favorite dudes with attitudes. Shredder is a prime indicative of what we at GI have come to term as “stupid-smart” villain syndrome.

Despite his genius IQ, as it was brilliantly displayed by Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor and voice actor James Avery, Shredder was just the latest in the long list of villains who could cunningly devise plans and then ruin them with some of the stupidest behavior known to man. Some of the luminaries on this bumbling list? Gargamel from the Smurfs, Cobra Commander from GI Joe, Starscream and Megatron from Transformers, Dr. Claw from Inspector Gadget, Wily E. Coyote from Looney Tunes, Flintheart Glomgold from Ducktales and Skeletor from He-Man. For these super villains it’s not enough to have their greatest adversaries in their sights. They have to find a way to mess themselves up generally because of greed.

Take for example, Starscream and Cobra Commander. Both assumed command of their respective groups (Decepticons and COBRA) after finding a way to usurp power from the original leader. Both eventually lost power when the original leader returned and highlighted their treachery and betrayal. Also, the troops under their command said it was better to be unemployed than work for them. If that’s not utter incompetence, I don’t know what is.

The villains of the ’80s have a lot in common: Smart, well read, articulate geniuses who could do anything they wanted, limited only by their hired help. It’s this lack of attention to detail that presents a challenge when selecting the greatest villain of this age.

Lyndsey Mosley is editor of Gaming Insurrection. Contact her by email at gicomics@gaminginsurrection.com


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Otaku #02: Eagle

Posted on July 2, 2010 by Administrator

‘Eagle’ takes prophetic look at United States political process

Brandon Beatty, contributing editor

Eagle is a series with clairvoyance. No one could have known that it would predict President Barack Obama’s election eight years after it was published. In 2000, author Keji Kawaguchi, best known for his best-selling graphic novel “The Silent Service,” which goes into detail about the post-Cold War era, wrote a story about the 2000 U.S. presidential election. It evolved into what we know today as Eagle:The Making of an Asian-American President.

“Eagle” was originally introduced in “Big Comic,” one of Japan’s biggest manga magazines and simultaneously published by Viz Media. It focuses on Japanese journalist Takeshi Jo, who after dealing with the tragic loss of his mother, is assigned by his newspaper to go to Washington, D.C., to cover New York Sen. Kenneth Yamaoka, the first Asian American to run for the U.S. presidency. In the first chapter readers are introduced to Takeshi and his back story involving him and his mother and his search to find the U.S. Marine that is his father. The second, third and fourth chapters reveal more about Sen. Yamaoka.

Cover of the manga Eagle

Photo courtesy of Amazon.com

Yamaoka reveals to Takeshi that he is, in fact, Takashi’s father, which forces Takashi to be more involved in the story than he bargained for.

While reading Eagle, I gained a new and powerful perspective on how U.S. politics are conducted beyond regular print and TV headlines. At the same time, Kawaguchi has captured both possible scenarios of the 2000 and 2008 U.S. presidential campaigns that manga fans and non-manga readers will enjoy.

Will Kenneth Yamaoka become president? Can Takashi Jo manage both an irresistible career opportunity and a shaky family connection to the man who could be the first Asian American to lead the free world?

These questions are inevitably answered in future editions.

Brandon Beatty is contributing editor of Gaming Insurrection. Contact him by e-mail at gicomics@gaminginsurrection.com.

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Top 5 list: Favorite villains edition

Posted on April 3, 2010 by Administrator

Magneto

Magneto – Erik Lensherr doesn’t dwell on his past as a Holocaust victim or the fact that his entire family has been wiped out numerous times. While anyone else would live a hard life because of the repeated loss and devastation, Magneto finds a way to make it his mission to move his life forward. You’ve got to give the man his due when you stop and realize that, ultimately, he’s probably right about homo sapien superior not being able to co-exist with regular humans. At least he’s got his eyes open to the inevitable. While his methods may be brutal (much like his archetype Malcolm X), he works hard at achieving what he’s set out to do.

Why we love him: Magneto will do anything to further his mission, even if it means sacrificing his children and  his life. He’s got nothing if not determination.

Lex Luthor

Lex Luthor – Superman once had nothing to do in Metropolis solely because Lex Luthor was behind bars. When you provide the majority of the work for a crime fighter you are somebody. Lex is no exception. You really know you’re something special when you can commit as many crimes as Lex, get out of jail and still win the U.S. presidential election. Lex represents what many other aspiring kingpins wish they could become.

Why we love him: Trying to kill the Man of Steel is no easy feat. Nearly succeeding in almost every instance makes you a cut above the rest.

Dr. Doom

Dr. Doom – Victor Von Doom has been the thorn in every self-righteous group of superheroes since the villain’s dawn in the 1960s. If he isn’t terrorizing the Fantastic Four to demonstrate his superiority over Mr. Fantastic, he’s stealing the Infinity Gems to make himself a god. For all of Doom’s intelligence (he’s genius level), he still has charisma. Without it he couldn’t run his own nation, Latveria.

Why we love him: He’s megalomaniacal and charming. What’s not to like to take home and meet your mama?

The Joker

The Joker – In his many incarnations, the Joker is multifaceted. It doesn’t matter if he’s the malevolent killer clown or the bumbling chemical genius; he still manages to find a way to get under the skin of Batman. Every actor who’s portrayed him — Caesar Romero, Jack Nicholson and Heath Ledger, Mark Hamill — has found inspiration in his dark and funny sides. That is the stroke of a man who really needs no explanation or introduction for his work as a criminal.

Why we love him: He’s the Joker. Eternal thorn in the side of the Caped Crusader. Need we say more?

Venom

Venom – OK, let’s just get this out there from the beginning: Venom is crazy. No, not just regular insane, but WAY out there extra special spicy insane. The symbiote didn’t know whom it was dealing with when it picked Eddie Brock to bond with after Peter Parker rejected it. Venom’s brand of logic includes killing as a means to an end. If you get in the way, you die, but he doesn’t go out of his way to harm you. That’s what we like about Venom. He’s a got a method to his madness. It’s just figuring out the method that makes no sense.

Why we love him: Did we mention he’s crazy? And anyone who says “We want to eat your brains!” as a taunt in a video game is awesome. Period.

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Otaku #01: Death Note

Posted on April 3, 2010 by Administrator

Death Note Vol. 1 a stroke above

Brandon Beatty, contributing editor

I’m going to throw in a little manga for all of you otaku out there. Don’t worry Marvel and DC comic fans, GI will always have you covered since we know both companies have made a major impact on not only the comic world, but also on worldwide pop culture. For now, though, it’s manga’s time to shine, so I’m kicking it off by asking you to name five of the worst people you can think of. Next, imagine if you had a notebook that could kill them just by thinking of the images of the people you chose plus writing their names in that notebook. If you guessed that I’m reviewing the first volume of Death Note, you’re in the right place.

Death Note is a 12-volume series created by writer Tsugumi Ohba and artist Takeshi Obata, who is best known for his work on the Shonen Jump series “Hikaru no Go.” The English adaptation of the Hikaru no Go and Death Note series are published and licensed by Viz Media. In the first volume of Death Note, readers are introduced to Light Yagami, an ace high school student with great potential who finds the Death Note, a notebook of death dropped on earth by a shinigami or Japanese god of death. Any human whose name is written in the notebook dies and Light decides to use the Death Note as a weapon to eliminate evil. But when criminals around the world started dying back to back, the International Police Organization sends in a legendary detective known as “L” to hunt down Light who is using a new persona, “Kira.” Be warned that the first volume of Death Note sets the stage for 12 volumes of both supernatural and psychological cat and mouse games.

The first two chapters introduce Light, L, and the discoveries of both the Death Note and the shinigami Ryuk, who is attached to light. Also, readers are shown the methods that Light is using to kill criminals. The third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh chapters look at the methods both Light and L use to outwit each other ranging from Light’s method of killing criminals while leaving cryptic clues, and L’s use of agents from both Japan’s National Police Agency and the FBI to investigate Kira. Ryuk’s deal with Light to use his shinigami eyes to expose fake names is also explored.

While reading, I learned that both Light and L have a strong sense of justice, but their level of intelligence during their battle will make readers think of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Moriarty, only this time they are both claiming to be defenders of justice. Readers will find that Death Note’s plot is a first in manga to combining three of the most popular storytelling elements that will please both manga and non-manga fans. In addition it combines sci-fi, horror and mystery genres that will have its readers hooked from volume one to the end. If you are looking for a mix of sci-fi, horror and mystery with nail-biting battles of wits, then Death Note is for you. Will Light Yagami see his dream of an evil-free world come true, or will L deliver on his promise to bring Kira to justice? Stay tuned for further reviews on Death Note as this new classic in manga begins its rise to the top.

Brandon Beatty is contributing editor of Gaming Insurrection. Contact him via e-mail at brandongi@gaminginsurrection.com.

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Marvel character highlight #02: Omega Red

Posted on April 3, 2010 by Administrator

NAME: Arkady Gregorivich

AFFILIATION: Red Mafia, Upstarts, The Hand

SPECIAL ABILITIES: Can project Carbonadium tentacles from his wrists; drains life force from living beings to regenerate  energy.

BACKGROUND:  Arkady Gregorivich was once an imprisoned serial killer in his native Russia. Instead of killing him the KGB attempted to make a super soldier and subjected him to experiments. These trials gave him mutant powers through carbonadium implants and genetic treatments. The downside of the experiments was that he was now required to survive off of victims’ life energy. Omega Red was then placed in suspended animation until he was revived after the fall of the Soviet Union. Since his re-emergence, he has taken on foes such as Wolverine, Kitty Pryde and Spider-Man.

RELATIONSHIPS: Wolverine, nemesis; Sabertooth, nemesis; X-Men, nemesis

FIRST VERSUS GAME APPEARANCE: Marvel Super Heroes vs. Street Fighter

APPEARANCES IN OTHER MEDIA: X-Men the Animated Series (television), X-Men Evolution (television), X-Men: Mutant Apocalypse (SNES), X-Men: Children of the Atom (arcade), Marvel vs. Capcom 2 (arcade), X2: Wolverine’s Revenge (multiplatform), X-Men Legends II: Rise of Apocalypse (multiplatform), Hulk Vs. (multiplatform)

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Strip Talk #02: Phoenix Saga Woes

Posted on April 3, 2010 by Administrator

Lyndsey Mosley, editor-in-chief

Oh where to start about why I despise the Phoenix saga of the X-Men?

OK, I know that started out a little harsh, but we are talking about the Phoenix saga after all, and it’s one of the few story arcs that I absolutely cannot stand in comic book lore. I can’t tell if it’s the self-righteousness of Cyclops, the ridiculous self-sacrifice of Jean Grey or the fact that everyone in the X-Men or otherwise couldn’t see the plot holes forest for the trees.

I’m not a fan of Cyclops or Jean Grey. I have never warmed to either character and I think they’re perfect for each other in a not-so-flattering way. Neither seem to realize that the X-Men isn’t about them. And of course, with the Phoenix saga, both are at the forefront of the drama and tragedy.

It’s the sanctimonious attitude of Cyclops that really bothers me here. Let us not forget that this is the story in which he abandons his wife and child at the mere mention of his not-so-dead wife’s reappearance. To make matters worse, he’s written to later cheat on her with Emma Frost because the Phoenix Force was “becoming a strain.” I know he’s written to be human, show flaws and be the embodiment of “everyone makes mistakes.” But using the Phoenix Force three or four story arcs down the road as a crutch? Thanks but no thanks. And yes, please make a barely tolerable character all the more likeable for me by making him cheat on his wife who really can’t control her manifestation problems. Character assassination 1.0 for Cyclops receives a grade A.

Jean is forever the victim. If I had to hear her utter “Oh Scott!” one more time in “X-Men the Animated Series” I thought I’d stop watching altogether.  It was annoying to see Jean be classified as one of the most powerful mutants in the collective universe yet she is always dying, reborn, manifesting the Phoenix Force, teasing Wolverine, etc. in a never-ending cycle. It gets old after awhile. And can someone please tell me how she’s supposed to be an omega-level mutant (look it up kids and get back to me if you don’t know what it means) as the Phoenix yet is always “exhausted”? She can’t seem to use her powers more than five minutes without fainting or going to sleep. It’s mind-numbing stuff like this about Jean that makes me question the coddling.

The writers did no favors to the X-Men by having the Phoenix Force annihilate an entire universe. I get it, she’s all-powerful, can cause destruction in the blink of an eye, is a force to be reckoned with, blah, blah, blah. I get it, really I do. But I don’t care. Having her wipe out an entire universe is a bit much. Too much. The writers almost painted themselves into a corner just showing her power. Was it too much to ask that it be implied and not seen? I can accept that about the Phoenix.

Really, after having the Phoenix saga shoved down my throat in the animated series in a five-part arc and having to be constantly reminded by its reappearance, I’m quite sick of the Phoenix. Take obnoxious characters, make them the centerpiece of a huge arc and voila! You have the equally obnoxious Phoenix saga. To paraphrase the Scarlet Witch in the House of M saga: No more Phoenix Force.

Lyndsey Mosley is the editor of Gaming Insurrection. Contact her via email at gicomics@gaminginsurrection.com

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Comic property review: ‘Superman Returns’

Posted on April 3, 2010 by Administrator

Photo courtesy of Warner Bros. | Brandon Routh stars as Clark Kent/Superman in "Superman Returns."

Attempted reboot of Superman franchise an admirable effort

Superman Returns
Warner Bros., 2006

The reboot of the Superman movie franchise was long in coming. Let’s face facts: Superman IV was a disgrace to the franchise’s name, Christopher Reeve was rolling over in his grave at the lasting legacy, and the movie had spent at least a decade in development hell with various directors and actors attached to the project. Superman, himself, needed a hero.

Set after the events of Superman II, Returns brings a measure of credibility back to the DC stalwart. Firstly, Kevin Spacey was a prime choice for Lex Luthor. That’s not to say that Gene Hackman wasn’t a good choice, but Spacey is Lex. Second, Brandon Routh had the look of Reeve as Superman and he handled the role well despite the inevitable comparisons. Kate Bosworth was rather throwaway as Lois Lane but she didn’t necessarily detract from the film; she just doesn’t necessarily add anything.

Plot-wise, it’s the same old fare from the comics: Lex throws his acquired money around, tries to kill Superman, Lois needs rescuing, wash, rinse, repeat. It’s nothing you haven’t already seen but at least no one stands around chewing scenery. And the addition of Lois’ son is an interesting twist even if you can see it coming from a mile away.

Spacey is appropriately melodramatic as Luthor should be and Routh does an excellent job with emoting Superman’s dislike of the former multi-billionaire. One of the better aspects of the movie is the costume design. Characters really look like they would have existed in the 1950s and the décor matches well. Whoever designed the movie should have won some accolades for their work.

So what’s there not to love about the reboot? While director Bryan Singer does excellent work (as he does with most of his properties), it’s a little too long for some of us in the GI crew. While its fans point out that all Superman movies are around this length, it’s a little too dry in some areas. The beginning starts slowly and there are some odd plot points such Lois trying to quit smoking. Where did that come from, we ask.

Overall, the movie isn’t bad. It’s got great casting, the plot works and it’s Superman. You can’t go wrong there, well, unless you’re Superman III or IV. We believe that, contrary to popular criticism of the film, Routh was not acting as Reeve acting as Superman. We’ve read that bit of information in multiple places, and we really don’t get that. He worked with what he had and he channeled his predecessor pretty well, in our opinion. It’s a shame that there hasn’t been another movie since 2006 because the world really does need Superman.

How we grade
We score the properties in three categories: Casting (or voice acting in the case of animated), plot and similarities to its source material. Each category receives points out of maximum of 10 per category, and 30 overall. The percentage is the final score.

Casting: 9/10
Plot: 9/10
Like the comics?: 7/10
Overall rating: 8

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Strip Talk #01: True Believer

Posted on January 1, 2010 by Administrator

Thanks, Beeb, for making a ‘true believer’

Lyndsey Mosley, editor-in-chief

If comic book experiences were the barometer of my maturity as a person, I would be a late bloomer. I didn’t get into the print animated side of life until I was 8 years old. I was a youngling interested in getting away from the monotony of the grocery store with my mother when I discovered Archie comic books in the checkout line. I soaked up the adventures of Archie, Jughead, Betty, Veronica and the gang.

From there, I jumped into early Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles tales. Already a huge fan (and still am) of the original cartoon series, the four green dudes with attitudes captivated my reading attention for years. It wasn’t until I discovered that my artist uncle held the comic book world in his domain that anything like Marvel or DC caught my attention.

My uncle Beeb is a phenomenal artist. He is one of the few people I know that can look at something and reproduce it without trouble. He doesn’t trace; he draws it by sight. He works with all kinds of materials, be it paints or pencils or even crayons. Comics are his favorites, really. He can recreate almost any panel he sees with ease.

So as a small child you can imagine my delight when I realized he had a comic stash tucked away for his own reading enjoyment. When I visited my grandmother, which was nearly everyday, I was free to read his comics as long as I didn’t damage them. It was through him that I learned that the art of comic book storytelling was a sacred thing, something to be revered and respected with the utmost care.

It was also through him that I learned that visiting comic book shops were almost like going to church. My philosophy: You take everything in when you get there and there is always a lesson to be learned. With his guidance I began learning about the X-Men, Superman and Batman. Out of those, the X-Men intrigued me the most. And it’s because of Beeb that I am blessed with the immense knowledge of comics that I have acquired over the years.

Thanks, Beeb.

Lyndsey Mosley is the editor of Gaming Insurrection. Contact her at gicomics@gaminginsurrection.com

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Marvel character highlight #01: Cyclops

Posted on January 1, 2010 by Administrator

NAME: Scott Summers
AFFILIATION: X-Men
BACKGROUND: As a child, Scott Summers and his brother Alex were involved in a plane crash after their plane was attacked by the Shi’ar Empire. Their mother, Katherine, pushed the boys out of the plane with one parachute, hoping that it would save their lives. They survived, but Scott hit his head on the way down, thus rendering him an amnesiac and unable to control his then-hidden mutant powers.

Scott lived in an orphanage in Omaha, Neb., for the majority of his life while Alex was adopted. It was later revealed that the orphanage was run by Mr. Sinister, a mutant from the 19th century who was obsessed with Cyclopsthe Summers bloodline.

As a teenager, Scott’s mutant power of concussive force beams projected from his eyes manifested itself and nearly killed a group of people. With Professor Charles Xavier’s help, Scott escaped the crowd and joined Xavier as his first student at what would become the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters. He, along with Jean Grey (Marvel Girl), Bobby Drake (Iceman), Hank McCoy (Beast) and Warren Worthington III (Angel/Archangel) would become the first set of X-Men.

While working together Scott and Jean fell in love. After Jean manifested the Phoenix Force and was thought to be killed in a radiation accident in outer space, Scott married Madelyne Pryor, a dead-ringer for Jean. He and Madelyne had a son together, Nathan Christopher, who was infected with a techno-organic virus courtesy of mutant villain Apocalypse. He was taken to the future to be cared for until the virus could be controlled. Scott abandoned Madelyne when it was revealed that Jean was still alive. He obtained a divorce and married Jean.

After mounting pressures in the school and their lives, Scott and Jean’s marriage hit the rocks. Scott turned to a reformed Emma Frost for counseling and subsequently engaged in a psychic affair with Frost. A short time later, Jean was killed. Her death prompted Scott to reconsider his path in life and his place with the X-Men. However, Jean’s future self as the Phoenix of the White Crown showed him an apocalyptic future that would occur if he left the group. Scott decided to stay and remained in a relationship with Emma. After a falling out with Xavier, who had kept many secrets from his group, Scott and Emma took over the school and are currently running the day-to-day operations of the X-Men and Mutant Academy.

RELATIONSHIPS: Alex Summers (Havok), brother; Gabriel Summers (Vulcan), brother; Jean Grey (Phoenix of the White Crown), wife; Madelyne Pryor (Goblin Queen), ex-wife; Emma Frost (ex-White Queen of the Hellfire Club), girlfriend; Rachel Grey (Phoenix, Marvel Girl), daughter from alternate timeline; Nathan Christopher Summers (Cable), son; Christopher Summers (Corsair), father; Katherine Summers, mother.

FIRST VERSUS GAME APPEARANCE: X-Men vs. Street Fighter

APPEARANCES IN OTHER MEDIA: Marvel Ultimate Alliance 1 & 2 (multiplatform), Spider-Man and the X-Men in Arcade’s Revenge (SNES/Sega Genesis), X-Men (Arcade), X-Men (film), X-2 (film), X-Men: The Last Stand (film), X-Men the Animated Series (television), X-Men Evolution (television)

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