Captain Marvel, Vol. 1: In Pursuit of Flight

Written by: Kelly Sue Deconnick

Illustrated by: Dexter Soy and Emma Rios

Published by: Marvel on Comixology

I’ve always been interested in Carol Danvers, she’s a strong woman with a cause and super powers without any fear to use them. It’s a good thing to have her working with Captain America in the opening scenes, then heading off on her own to explore and understand the nature of her super powers, and how to use them. Of course, to use them in helping out NASA in a secret training program, starting her own air wing the Banshee Squadron, and generally kicking butt.

What’s nice about this comic book is that we are seeing Captain Marvel move on and Ms. Marvel taking the lead role of Captain Marvel. The transition is going to be a bit spotty and uncertain at times, but overall the writer does an excellent job of pushing the process through to a great conclusion in this story line. The blurb from Marvel Comics states:

The “Mightiest” of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes is back! Ace pilot. Legendary Avenger. One hundred percent pure bad-^&*. Carol Danvers has a new name, a new mission – and all the power she needs to make her own life a living hell. As the new Captain Marvel, Carol is forging a new future for herself, but finds she can’t walk away from a challenge from her past! It’s a firefight in the sky as the Banshee Squadron debut – but who are the Prowlers, and where has Carol seen them before? And how does secret NASA training program Mercury 13 fit in? Witness Captain Marvel in blazing battlefield action that just may change the course of history! Avengers Time Travel Protocols: engage! Collecting CAPTAIN MARVEL (2012) #1-6.

You can find the digital edition on Comixology, or buy the digital issue at the Marvel site. There are some copies on Amazon and EBay but coming at a significant premium to the digital price which is something to note.

Overall, I really enjoyed this comic book, and I’ll try to find a copy new and not at a significant premium online. Rating this one 5 of 5 stars as the crew did a great job of re-visioning Captain Marvel as Carol Danvers, post World War II and into the space race without losing anything from the previous versions of Carol Danvers. She still kicks butt, it’s a great thing to see. Highly recommend for ages 10+, and worth the read.

You can see the video review at this link at YouTube.

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Written by: Jeremy Whitley

Art by: Alti Firmansyah

Cover by: Dan Mora

Published by: Comixology Exclusive

I don’t normally follow the more popular comic books, but it is interesting to see Comixology come out with exclusives for some of the Marvel characters that are popular, and featured in many of the movies. This seems more like a mashup with a few odds and ends thrown in for good measure, and it is kind of cool along the way. This one is one of a six comic book series that will obviously end up as a Trade Paperback in the future. I came in at the end of this one and did a quick video review of the final comic book so warning, there are spoilers here. The Comixology blurb states:

An Elder of the Universe wants to fight Earth’s strongest hero—but will Thor and Hulk ever agree on who that is? Of course not! They’ll have to run a gauntlet of impossible challenges to prove their worth…but what’s really waiting for them at the finish line?

Overall this short very short comic book of 23 pages is an interesting read, with great colors, lettering, an interesting art style making for a fun comic book read. I’d keep this one on Comixology as I’m not sure about this one in some respects. Some of the art harkens back to early Marvel days when they are doing a side track on the Ede an ancient race that was wiped out, then back to the more modern art style later on in the book that harkens back to some of the styling from the Halo Jones series. That made this a lot of fun to flip back and forth through as I really do love the older AD 2000 Halo Jones style of drawing.

I’m not so sure about the ending though, spoilers, I can’t see the hulk as a farmer. It’s just not happening for me, but the arena was very cool. I’d still put my money on Thor though, as I’m not sure the Hulk is all that. I’m sure that for some those are fighting words, and that’s ok, there is something in this comic book for everyone.

Overall, I’m going to call this a 5 of 5 star comic book, a little disjointed at times, with some tongue in cheek comedy, and a good bit of violence to go along with it. The comic book is age rated at 9+ so not good for the kids, but great for your tweens and for adults. I’m not sure if Marvel and Comixology is going to continue with this line, but there are possibilities here that can be expanded and refined. This feels like a first attempt at this, lacking a lot of the nuances that I’d expect from Marvel, but this was a good clean fun violence fest comic book with some comedy to let the reader relax. Worth reading a couple of times, and then pondering where Marvel and Comixology are going to take this relationship. You can watch the video review below.

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Zenescope Grimm Fairy Tales

Zenescope Grimm Fairy Tales has been around for a very long time, and is a perennial classic when it comes to comic book adaptations of the original fairy tales that you might have grown up with. Just add a lot of sexy people (both sexes), add some excellent adaptive writing, and beautiful drawings and you have Zenescopes Grimm Fairy Tales in a nutshell.

We’re looking at the trade paperback Volume 2 in this review, as there are some great ideas that Zenescope is doing here by trying to keep costs down so that the books are affordable, and still stay in business. Zenescope is hugely prolific when it comes to making comic books, and the Grimm Fairy Tales line covers many different types of fairy tales, and is not just limited to western fairy tales. There are also ones from the middle east, and I’m kind of waiting on them to start adapting Japanese, Chinese, and Indian fairy tales as those are a rich and wonderful set of mythologies that can be wonderfully adapted to a reading audience.

Zenescope has a set of powerhouse names in terms of writers, artists, and has a great look and feel when it comes to adapting the story lines to a comic book. Of course, there are a lot of tropes and snarky bits that will have the reader laughing out loud at times. On the flip side of all this is that while full of tropes, women who do not look realistic, and all the other things that help drive the male reader, the story lines are actually really good. And there is the dichotomy for Zenescope, as the world turns, how does any comic book company help address issues of body dynamics and shapes.

I’ve always rated Zenescope comics 5 of 5 stars, and there is no reason to change that process. The colors, lettering, and story lines are always awesome. Kudos for trying to keep the costs down by holding down their costs at the printers without sacrificing too much quality. While we live in an interesting age, some of the Zenescope art is going to by necessity outrage or offend someone along the way and that is ok. We hope they keep on doing what they are doing and keeping comic books fresh and exciting. Honestly though, I’m hoping they expand the fairy tale universe by including mythologies and story lines from other cultures, and executing on that idea brilliantly.

We do have a business agreement with Zenescope, and we have two collectors covers with them, just so you know, there is a business relationship here. But we are talking about everything that has to do with Zenescope, and nothing to do with Comics Forge special edition covers. You can purchase most Zenescope comics on their website, amazon (at a premium), eBay (at a premium), or read them on Comixology.

You can see the video review here for TBP Grimm Fairy Tales Volume 2 right here on YouTube at the link below.

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Adventure Time by Ryan North

Writer: Ryan North

Illustrated by: Shelli Paroline and Braden Lamb

Published by KaBOOM!

This comic is somewhat like a fevered dream and a child’s adventure fun time, and all around a lot of fun for kids and adults. I’m sure many adults have graduated to Rick and Morty, but this is one of those comics to help 8+ kids learn to read and learn to love sequential art. The comic books stand on their own, and do not necessarily jive with the TV series, and that is what makes them so much fun, you get to explore things that for cost or time just don’t end up on the TV series, so purists will say this entire comic book series is probably not “cannon”.

The comic book in many regards is just a lot of good clean fun for kids and parents, with a lot of subtle things going on that parents will tag onto, but the kids won’t. Hidden messages and cool puzzles that kids will often overlook, but parent(s) will tag right on to such as word puzzles. There are also characters who only show up in the comic book, and have not been developed for TV making the comics even more special.

The whole premise of the comic book is the fun adventures that Jake and Finn go on, with an assorted cast of other characters like Adventure Tim, Mice King, Princess Chewypaste, Princess Bubblegum and others. They travel through the land of Ooo and have fun times with super villains and evil doers in fine campy tradition.

Overall this comic book series is a lot of fun, and while we really only focused on one comic book trade paperback, the entire TV show is something we watch. The extension of the comic book just helps bring the characters to life and gives the kids something to do in the car when the batteries run out.

Rating this five of five stars, good for early readers who love adventure time on TV. Be ready to answer questions if the kids are noticing that the comics are not exactly the same as the TV show. Good lettering, easy to read, great colors and engaging story lines, worth getting a copy to read for yourself and your family. You can watch the video review below.

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Created by Sebastian Kadlecik

Written by Kit Steinkellner

Illustrated by Emma Steinkellner

Published by Fan Base Press

Quince is a lot of fun. The basic premise of this is that when Lupe turns 15, she gets super hero powers, but just for her 15^th year. When she turns 16 all the super powers go away and she returns to her mundane life. Of course, raising a 15 year old with super hero powers can be hard on bathrooms (such as blowing them up), or dangerous such as when she finds out she is not faster than a speeding bullet. This is one of those amazingly fun comic books that are hard to find, representative of a beautiful culture, and generally as tongue in cheek as you can get when it comes to comic books.

While Lupe is the core character, the other important character in this is grandma. She also had super powers when she was 15, so I’m thinking this skips generations as there is no mention of mom having super hero powers at all. Grandma takes on limited training, and the development of a super hero costume. Yes, grandma makes the super hero costume with all the love and interesting ideas you can think of. Then add in being 15, romantic interests, saying out till 1 AM and the parents wondering what is going on with their daughter, and a snarky younger sister and brother and you have the perfect super hero comic book.

I really thought this was a delightful comic, and well worth staying up late last night to read it, then re-reading it this morning. I’m going to rate this one 5 of 5 stars, overall truly enjoyable. The text was easy to read and I really appreciated the aside sections outside the comic boxes to help me frame the story better. I also really loved the drawing and coloring. It was really easy to read on the screen, and that is always appreciated. The blurb from Fan Base Press states:

Quince is a 15-issue digital comic book series that follows a year in the life of Lupe, a 15-year-old girl who discovers that her quinceañera brings with it a super cool party . . . and superpowers.  Her quince powers only last as long as she’s fifteen, so over the course of this rollercoaster year, we follow the adventures of Lupe as she figures out what it really means to be a hero.  



Emphasizing diversity, family, and female empowerment, Quince’s creative team includes sisters Kit Steinkellner (writer – Z: The Beginning of Everything) and Emma Steinkellner (artist – Pow Slam Sparkle) and creator Sebastian Kadlecik (Penguins vs. Possums).

The fun part of this for me is I’m also a Penguins Vs. Possums fan, so we really could not go wrong here (you can see P v. P on Comics Forge as well).

Go get this comic online at Comixology, amazon or from Fan Base Press. Seriously good time, well worth reading. You can watch our video review below.

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Written by Katie Cook

Art by Andy Price

Colors by Heather Breckel

Published by IDW

If you have little ones around, there is no comparison to My Little Pony when it comes to capturing their attention, and in some cases Pinky Pie falling out of the sky and totally tripping your three year old worried that Pinky Pie is gonna die. The comic book makes for a nice interchange between the TV series, and the fandom however quirky of My Little Pony. If you want a good kid friendly comic book you don’t get much better than My Little Pony.

We are not going to discuss bronies, or their culture as I have no clue, but from a straight comic book review process, this is perfect for the wee ones who are just getting into sequential art, and also helps them with reading. They get new words, in a good context and the pictures help the kid puzzle out what is being said or identified with. I would say this is more geared towards 6+ but the three year old digs on it, so from that view point the colors are just the right thing to capture the all too short attention span from the wee ones.

Overall this is a great comic book for getting the kiddo’s involved in comics, and as we watch sequential art slowly fade down to its core audience, any comic book that is kid appropriate and helps kids learn, and develop a love for sequential art is a good thing. The story lines are great, the colors are wonderful for engaging a kids’ imagination. That is really where the selling point of this one, not the collectable covers or anything else a collector will want, but helping kids learn the benefits of a great story line, and sequential art in all its glory. If you want to get all the limited edition covers they are there for you, bag and board ignore in a comic book box for the next 30 years.

Rating this one 5 of 5 stars, for the kids it is perfect, teaching them how to read, new words, and above all, sequential art. It’s a good thing to have in the car, or even quiet time on the sofa so that they can learn to read. Many benefits, few pitfalls, this is what you want to have in a comic book that is geared towards the kids. While a little advanced for my kid, thinking that 6+ should work here to help develop reading skills.

You can watch our video review here:

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Writer: Stan Sakai

Artist: Stan Sakai

Cover Artist: Stan Sakai

Published by Dark Horse Comics

Usagi Yojimbo has been rereleased as a 30 year anniversary 600 page special comic book that is absolutely beautiful. Bringing together the main sequence of the series to make a great start point in a wonderful paperback or limited 900 page hardcover book. I started this comic about half way through the main story line so it was nice to be able to go back and see the start of the story line. Stan Sakai did a great job of art, writing, and the book feels like it has his heart and soul in it, it’s a beautiful story line, full of Samurais, turned into Ronin, then how to survive mid-evil japan along the way. This is one of the nicest comic books we’ve picked up in months, and well worth every single penny you will spend on it. This is a great start point for people who are looking to start the series, or for those who like me started half way through so we can get more of the backstory.

Darkhorse states:

Celebrating the thirtieth anniversary of Stan Sakais beloved rabbit Ronin, Dark Horse proudly presents Miyamoto Usagis epic trek along the warrior’s path in a new series of deluxe compilations, beginning with over 600 pages of Usagis essential adventures. Collects Usagi Yojimbo Vol. 2#1#16 and Vol. 3#1#6!

Overall rating this 5 of 5 stars, it’s beautiful, excellent lettering, great art, overall story line is brilliant, must purchase.

You can see the video review of the comic book at YouTube or here

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Marley’s Ghost a Christmas Carol Remake

Written by Harvey Kurtzman and Josh O’Neill and  Shannon Wheeler

Art by Gideon Kendall

Cover by Gideon Kendall

If you really enjoyed Mad Magazine back in the 80’s and 90’s then this is going to rock some happy childhood memories for you. This has all the look and feel of reading a Mad Magazine story line, including some of the snark, but also some down to earth story telling that makes the reader fall into the story line beautifully.

The art and lettering harkens back to that wonderful day when I got my first Mad Magazine because they had Space 1999 as the parody series (big fan), and my love affair went on from there. This graphic novel really helps sink into why child me loved this magazine.

This follows the standard Scrooge/Christmas Carol story line so no deviations there, it’s fairly faithful to the Charles Dickens line, but every once in a while, I ran into a sentence or two where I’m rereading it and trying not to snort coffee out my nose. They really did a great job on this one, and I think you and someone who is 10+ will really dig on this comic book. Rating it five of five stars, mostly because it’s brilliantly executed, and a lot of fun to read. Do check this one out, especially if trying to get the kids into sequential storytelling, this is a great place to start.

The official blurb on Amazon states:

Marley’s Ghost is the posthumous completion of legendary creator Harvey Kurtzman’s adaptation of the classic Charles Dickens’ novel—A Christmas Carol. Kurztman’s ambitious concept for Marley’s Ghost began in the 1950s—as an early “graphic novel”—but was never realized. Now, over 60 years later, writers Josh O’Neill and Shannon Wheeler expand upon Kurtzman’s extensive adaptation notes while illustrator Gideon Kendall’s outstanding artwork utilizes Kurtzman’s breakdowns and stylistic choices to make this long-lost vision a reality!

You can see our overly enthusiastic review of this comic book on YouTube right here at this link. Don’t forget to do all those YouTube things, like, love, share, subscribe, and comment.

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Written by Ulises Farinas and Erick Freitas

Art by Ulises Farinas and Dan McDaid

It’s not often I gush over a comic book, but the new incarnation of Judge Dredd has a lot to offer, and harkens back to the AD2000 days of art and story line. So, this is a must find it at my local comic book store book, and I’ll be happy to have this in my own paper collection. I think they really did tap the old Judge Dredd in this version of Mega City Zero, the coloring, art, lettering is just a perfect example, and the fresh story line is a nice addition to the cannon.

The premise of this comic is that Judge Dredd wakes up in a field not knowing how he got there, to find out he’s trapped in time, or traveled back in time to find Mega City One run down, dangerous, and needing some of that special Judge Dredd touch to get things back in order. The citizens have equally gone back to being cavemen, as well as trying to figure out how this happened, and there we are, it’s a fun time in Mega City One.

No stinting on the violence, this is pure fun Judge Dredd, with all the whistles buzzers and bells that you would expect from the story line. Thank god they threw out the Sylvester Stallone version of the judge and brought back the grittier angrier and much more violent Dredd. Overall super happy with this comic book giving it a 5 of 5 stars, add it to your collection, find it at your local comic book shop, and sit back and enjoy the ride of Mega City Zero!

You can watch the video review below, don’t forget to subscribe, like, and comment on YouTube, at this time we are in that new channel mode and need 10,000 views before we can really do anything important.

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Rachel Rising

Art and Writing by Terry Moore

An interesting murder mystery with nicely done horror overtones along the way. What happens when you wake up in a shallow grave and can’t remember what happened the night before, or that three days have actually passed since you last remember anything? Then you find out you really can’t die, and what about the creepy kid serial killer and witches? Then why can’t Jet die as well, so now you have to figure out what all is happening, how it is happening, all the while the comic book story line descends into chaos and weirdness. Overall this is awesome.

Rachel Beck wakes in a shallow grave and claws her way free as a mysterious woman watches from a bluff. With no memory of the night before, Rachel enlists the help of Aunt Johnny, the town mortician, to find her killer. But when repeated attacks send her to the morgue, Rachel’s ability to wake from death again and again prove to be a blessing and a curse, and the eerie town of Manson will never be the same!

Rachel and Jet will not stay dead. It’s a mystery to the two BFFs, but they suspect it has something to do with a 10-year old serial killer and a witch who wants revenge on Manson, the little town with a wicked past. Critics are raving about Rachel Rising, and the series made the Horror Writers Association 2012 Recommended Reading List. Fear No Malus collects issues 7-12 of the Eisner Nominated series, written and drawn by Terry Moore.

This is one comic book series that is worth reading online and checking out in your local comic book store or online. Rating this 4.5 stars out of 5, great story line, nice art, great letting, there are points in the book that break down, but the author quickly reocvers helping the story line moves along.

You can see the video review below.

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