Nick Davis's Blog, page 104
October 19, 2011
Review – Fear Itself Book Seven of Seven – Thor's Day
[image error]Fear Itself – Book Seven of Seven
Publisher: Marvel
It has been a long, long journey from Book One of this Summer event to Book Seven, a little too long with too little happening and nothing but a little badly plotted stunt shock along the way. I've talked to a lot of people who've read this event and the general consensus is nice artwork, story played a flat note, which sums up my thoughts too. Which is a shame because the first book of this event actually was very well done, there was a palpable sense of unease in that one. It was just after that the event book turned into a two panel adverts for the Fear Itself tie-in books and you just stopped caring about what happened. There are spoilers after the jump, so you've been warned.
So now we are here at the end of all things and the final book in what has been at best a very flat event is done, so how do I feel now? To be honest I don't feel any different, just a sense of relief it is over and just to rub salt into the wound Marvel charged $4.99 for the last book in the series. I guess it makes sense because the last five books weren't really worth the $3.99 cover price, so hats off for consistency at least.
Everything is tied up in this book, the Serpent is defeated and just like the rest of event you can't help thinking why didn't they just do that three issues ago? For some reason normal guns in the hand of Captain America have the ability to take down those Battle Mech's (then again Daredevil took down three by himself in the last Avengers book) and sudden the Avengers actually remember how to fight – now that the low-powered hero's have received an Asgard Day Glo upgrade, they kicked the Worthy butts; oh I also forgot to mention that Cap picked up Thor's hammer (I didn't know he could do that and the image of this should of excited me more than it did) and went Hammer Time with Sin.
After six books of build up it has all been a bit of a disappointment to say the least, there is nothing here that couldn't of been done in four books, the end battle was anti-climatic and then we are treated to four epilogues that are just glorified adverts for the spin-off titles, none of which excite me at all. How many spin-off titles can you name that lasted past their sixth issue?
And Cap shield is now fixed with an Asgard enchantment of unbreaking… That was easy, eh?
I am sorry I have to say this because collectively the event was a superhero yarn that would be fun to read in the 90′s, like in an image book were story was second place to the art. But after a series of good summer events from Marvel over the last four years this one was just not up to par. Now I know most events are there to get you buy other books, but this one was too blatant with it, with the main book not actually telling any part of the story itself, and instead acted like an advert for tie-ins. I don't know what happened here, I know it isn't just me feeling this and if this is the shape of events to come from the Marvel Architects, then events will become something I will just pass up. So at least my wallet will thank me.
Two Thumbs up out of Five
The Villain now revealed! Here comes the Bogeyman…
Unconditional artist Dan Nokes has been working on the Villain of the book and he has now revealed the first concept of the Evil Bogeyman. As with all concepts the Bogeyman is a work in progress but 90% of his look has been captured in this evocative image.
You can help Unconditional launch by making a pledge over on our Kickstarter website by clicking here – http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/altworld/unconditional-a-teddy-bears-tale Making a pledge is no different than placing a pre-order for a DVD box set, book or another item you want, you just get more gifts or incentives the more you pledge, again just like pre-ordering a special edition. If you can't pledge please help by spreading the word about about this whimsical tale of a Teddy Bear guarding his boy from the Monsters under the bed…
October 18, 2011
Sigmartyr Vol.3 of the Epic Stikfas action web comic – The Delta Scout's plan goes awry?
Volume Three of Sigmartyr the Stikfas Action Web Comic continues. Click here to view this epic story. With Alpha team in the hands of the Omega Coalition, there only hope is in the hands of a Delta scout…
October 17, 2011
Teddy's Assemble!!! Teddy Bear Hawkeye, a Book Signing on Oct 23rd & new Forum!!!
Three announcements for you all and they are all pretty cool…
1. On October 23rd I am doing a book signing at the Dundalk National Guard Armory for their Annual Holiday Open House, the Armory is located on 2101 North Point Blvd, Dundalk MD 21222 and 50% of all proceeds will be donated to help the families of deployed soldiers. The Holiday Open House starts at 1pm and finishes at 5pm – so come over and meet me, pick up a copy of one of my novels and do some thing good too!
2. The Alt World Forums have a new Category – now you can discuss Unconditional – A Teddy Bear Tale on our message boards. So please register and to join the Forum, get the inside track on Tristan the Teddy Bear and his adventures.
3. After taking the weekend off Unconditional artist Dan Nokes has restarted his Quick Sketch Challenge and I managed to sneak in a request for a Teddy Bear Hawkeye. You too can challenge Dan and request your own Quick Sketch on his Facebook page, just look for the announcement in the morning.
That's it… One book signing, a new Forum opened and Dan does a quickie 
October 16, 2011
From deep under the bed comes the Dust Dragon
[image error]From deep under the bed comes the Dust Dragon, a Monster that is made from dust bunnies collected by the Bogeyman minions for years, cultivated and grown into a creature that is personal pet of the Bogeyman. Dan was inspired by two sources, the Maleficent Dragon form from sleeping Beauty, and the formation of planets that start from dust themselves. This is the latest Monster under the bed concept for Unconditional – A Teddy Bear's Tale, this was the only Monster beyond the Bogeyman himself that I gave Dan any description for and even that was vague – I just said it's a Dragon creature made from the fluff you find under the bed.
You can help Unconditional launch by making a pledge over on our Kickstarter website by clicking here – http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/altworld/unconditional-a-teddy-bears-tale Making a pledge is no different than placing a pre-order for a DVD box set, book or another item you want, you just get more gifts or incentives the more you pledge, again just like pre-ordering a special edition. If you can't Pledge you can help by spreading the word about about this whimsical tale of unconditional love…
October 15, 2011
More Monster under the bed concepts, a Goblin, a Kobold and a Blue Skin
[image error]Dan has been working overtime this week producing concept sketches of all the Monsters under the bed alongside his Quick Sketch Challenge. Through Friday he started to explore the Goblins, Kobolds and the Blue Skins, while the images in the gallery after the jump are not the final look they go a long way into what we are looking to do with Unconditional.
This is after all a tale of a Teddy Bear who is fighting the Monsters under the Bed to protect his Boy; written with a slight nod towards Roald Dahl. So the Monsters are really unpleasant little critters, gleefully evil, in some cases very manic and spiteful.
The Goblins are vicious little creatures, while the Kobolds are brutish and ugly. This leaves the Blue Skins with Bald Heads, Dan has supplied a picture of a 'Shaman' and suggested that this Blue Xylophone players actually direct energy through their Shamans. It does made for interesting imagery and explains why a bald headed ones manically play such a strange instrument. In each one of the sketches below Dan has captured elements of these final three Monsters under the bed, I say final but really we still have the Dust Dragon and the Bogeyman himself to appear.
Remember you can help Unconditional launch by making a pledge over on our Kickstarter website by clicking here – http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/altworld/unconditional-a-teddy-bears-tale If you can't Pledge you can help by spreading the word about about this whimsical tale of unconditional love… Thank you, now enjoy the Monsters under the Bed
October 14, 2011
A New Monster under the Bed – the Knockers
Dan Nokes brings us a new Monster under the Bed, showing that sometimes simple is best meet the Knockers – Manically almost gleefully malicious wicked with a very, very large hammer and you know nothing good can come from this… Stop… It's Hammer Time..!
To learn more about Unconditional – A Teddy Bear's Tale and how you can help this illustrated children's book launch on Kickstarter please click this link http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/altworld/unconditional-a-teddy-bears-tale and make a pledge. If you cannot make a pledge, please tweet, Facebook and shout about this project.
October 13, 2011
Quick sketch fun, meet the Captain Ameribear the Teddy Bear of Freedom
Since the creation of Unconditional – A Teddy Bear's Tale there is a certain theme running through Alt World and the works of Dan Nokes. Everyday Dan runs a quick sketch challenge where you can ask him to draw you a sketch of anything you want, you have friend his Facebook Page and wait for the announcement – Dan then picks the three and draws them. I asked for a Teddy Bear dressed as Captain America and he did an amazing job on Captain Ameribear – now I just need to get the rest of the Avengers. Shall I ask for Black Widow or Hawkeye?
Victory through Bear Power – A Teddy Bear's Tale Propaganda poster by Dan Nokes
Dan Nokes, artist for Unconditional – A Teddy Bear's Tale knocked the ball out of the park with Victory through Bear Power, a Teddy Bear Propaganda poster. Great coloring and a very striking image 
To learn more about Unconditional – A Teddy Bear's Tale and how you can help this illustrated children's book launch on Kickstarter please click this http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/altworld/unconditional-a-teddy-bears-tale and make a pledge.
October 12, 2011
Inside the Box – Batgirl, Alpha Flight, Super Dinosaur, Suicide Squad & Demon Knights
You know it feels like just yesterday I was writing up the Super Sized Inside the Box edition and we are already back on New Comic Book Wednesday… Anyhow here we are peering inside my box at my local comic book store Chucks Comics, smaller selection this week, but many of the books not featured here belong to my Nerd Wife. So, lets see what stays and what goes in the order I read them in.
Demon Knights #2 – Cornell, Neves & Albert – This was the first DC book I picked off the rack on a impulse and now its in my box; this is a pure medieval magical romp, makes no apologies for it and works really well because of it. This is what a good comic book should be FUN, it doesn't take itself too seriously and has amazing action/dialog. Demon Knights was a great way to start my comic stack read and had me grinning, this is a keeper.
The New Avenger #17 – Bendis, Deddato, Conrad & Beredo – I have to say it… No talking heads!!! No one!!! We dive direct into the action with the New Avengers aiding Ironman against a rampaging Ultimo. In typical fashion they go charging in fists first and get knocked around for it. I wont spoil the ending of this book, but it really time for the Avengers to stop reacting and actually acting, I guess when Superheroes get together they stop thinking… Or in the New Avengers case just keep eating. Good fun super team book.
Batgirl #2 – Simone, Syaf & Cifuentes – This books was another surprise from the relaunched DC universe and it is still firing on all cylinders. Barbara's inner monologue goes into overdrive in this book as she tracks down the Mirror, and keeps justifying herself why she is taking such insane risks as Batgirl again. The graveyard scene in this book is amazing, great writing, great art, wonderful action and great dialog… If you only get one DC book this week choose this one!
Alpha Flight 5 of 8 – Van Lente, Pak, Eaglesham & OBack – We are halfway through the miniseries here, this is one of those slowdown and set the stage issues. Both sides marshal their forces and prepare for the upcoming conflict, with no more than the fate of an entire nation at stake. My only problem with this book is the Taskmaster is a lot cooler than his outfit suggests; and now the main villain Master of the World is revealed and is all armored up I cannot take him serious. Really he was more threatening in a normal suit. I do love this series and very happy it is going to become a main stream comic now.
Suicide Squad #2 – Glass, Dallocchio & Bressan – One of the problems with comic books today is they take two or three issues to tell a story that would normally fit into one issue. My primary memory of Suicide Squad back in the 90′s was the amount of story that was between the book covers and truth be told there is a lot of story in this book. While the first issue of this comic was luke warm this one was classic Suicide Squad and I'm enjoying Harley in this book too. Nice action, a little jumpy here and there, but it was Suicide Squad and impressed me enough to stay onboard for this arc.
S.H.I.E.L.D #3 – Hickman, Weaver & OBack – I think this book was mean't to have no dialog in it, although it could of done with some and I cannot remember why the Giant Robot thingie is attacking the Immortal city. Something has to happen soon, because this book feels like it is going around in circles.
Super Dinosaur #5 – Kirkman & Howard – This is a Saturday morning cartoon show wrapped up in a comic book, it is everything you expect with over the top exposition, slam bang action and huge gadgets. Super awesome fun and the one comic book I can share with my son.
Vengeance 3 of 6 – Casey, Dragotta & Simpson – Yeah… Confused mess which I don't want to really revisit or push through to figure out. Bye, bye…
That's it for this week, a lot of the titles in the box belonged to the wife so the stack for me was fairly small; only Vengeance falling prey to being removed although SHIELD is not helping itself. All the team books were great romps and the one breakout of all my books this week was Batgirl – this series is shaping into something really special.
Well, that's it for this week… Onwards!
