Nick Davis's Blog, page 127

Review – Fear Itself Spiderman by Chris Yost

Fear Itself Spider-man

Book One of Three

Written by Chris Yost

Art by Mike McKone

One of the things I don't like about big events is the one shot series, during Shadowlands they helped give me event fatigue, and all the one shot stories were pretty irrelevant to the main story. It hurt the series more than helped it and sent me into an event tailspin.

But… I am happy to report that Fear Itself Spider-man is nothing like this. This book is dark, scary and full of foreboding. Let me explain, you expect certain things from the Spider-man books, most of it his humor in the face of mounting adversity. This is almost completely absent in this book, you feel the fear that Spider-man is feeling, it is scary.

There are also four different story arcs as well as Spider-mans story going on through this issue. The Wall Street CFO caught embezzling, the Pregnant woman on the verge of giving birth who's husband leaves her, the homeowner about to lose everything he worked for and the Iranian Immigrant who drives a cab in this post 911 world. They share a  palpable sense of fear that is ripped straight from our headlines.

How these stories effect Spider-man is explored in throughout this book, we touch upon the Iranian Immigrant who Spidey saves from a mob, and who in turn helps our hero put his head back together. Then the CFO places an unexpected twist in the stories tail, that leaves Spider-man vulnerable and at his lowest point. I wont though spoil that for you.

In all this is a good book, you finish it feeling scared for Spider-man and dread of what is really happening in this Marvel event. As a one shot this aided this huge event and has me excited to read what happens next.

4 thumbs up out of 5

Review – the Thor movie… Have at thee!

Tonight we checked out the Thor movie at the Bengies Drive In just up the road from us with a couple of friends. For me this was my first ever experience of a drive in, as we don't have them in the UK, or in any of the other countries I've visited. Fun place, a very different way to view a movie and something to look at again once the weather really does warm up.

Out of all Marvel's pantheon of superheroes The Mighty Thor is perhaps the hardest for people to relate to. He is after all a god, and his books seem to always get cancelled and then re-released. His one constant was his membership of the Avengers. Putting Thor in the team made him more relatable, he became something of a  straight man, a seriously heroic front line heavy hitter, and later a master of dry humor.

The movie by Director Kenneth Branagh does a good job of bringing Thor down to earth, while explaining who and what he is. Using the old adage that magic is science we don't understand yet, even the fantastic godlike nature of Asgard doesn't feel to unearthly.

One of the things you have to remember is no movie adaptation is a perfect translation of a book or comic book. So what you have to hope for is the film keeps to the spirit and core of the work it is based on. While there are differences in the movie to the Thor books, one of them being the sudden ethnic diversity of Asgard, it doesn't distract from the movie, because the film doesn't make a big deal out it, one of my favorite lines was when the shield agents spot the Warriors Three and Sif and they report,"Xena, Jackie Chan, Robin Hood and a fat guy are here".

Make no mistake this is a definitive and well put together Thor movie that pays homage to the source material, which if you consider it could of been a complete cheese fest. While I feel the movie is not Ironman; which I believe is still the most perfect comic book movie made so far, it is good solid superheroic fun. Taking the tip from Ironman that it shouldn't take itself too seriously. The ending feels a little Donnar Superman, with the cataclysmic fight in a midwestern town.

Chris Helmsworth brings Thor to life on the screen, while he maybe a little on the small side to be Thor from the books, he brings an on screen toughness and that devil may care side of Thor into the role. To me that is enough, and we get a believable Thor out of him, and some fun light moments too. Honestly, they could of kept hitting Thor with a car and tazer him throughout the movie and I would still laugh. Anthony Hopkins chews the scenery up as Odin; his conflict scenes with Chris show what an actor he is, and its a credit to Chris that he kept up. Natalie Portman had little to really do except simper in her role as Jane Foster, but she makes a cute science nerd and isn't lost on the screen.

Loki played by Tim Hiddleston was the most understated role in the movie, the trickster, the god of mischief puts a lot of things into action, with a wheels within wheels plan, that almost brings Thor down and gains him the throne of Asgard. Sneaky, a little snidey and perfectly done… I can only hope we see more of this actor playing Loki in future Marvel movies.

Final cool observations; Hawkeye puts in an appearance, even if he is using a compound bow, at least the character was written like him. The Warriors Three are fun and bombastic, Sif  should of been a little more Xena like, she didn't quite feel hard edged enough, and Heimdall was seriously bad ass. We also see an interesting side of SHIELD as they deal with all this new superhero weirdness, almost a casual offhandedness as the Destroyer lands in front of them.

Overall a good solid movie, a great step toward The Avengers and we got Thor that wasn't to unearthly, whilst being unearthly. Have at thee!!!

3.5 thumbs up out of 5

Review – The Thor movie… Have at thee!

Tonight we checked out The Thor movie at the Bengies Drive In just up the road from us with a couple of friends. For me this was my first ever experience of a drive in, as we don't have them in the UK, or in any of the other countries I've visited. Fun place, a very different way to view a movie and something to look at again once the weather really does warm up.

Out of all Marvel's pantheon of Superheroes The Mighty Thor is perhaps the hardest for people to relate to. He is after all a god, and his books seem to always being cancelled and then re-released. His one constant was his membership of the Avengers, being in the team made him more relatable, even as a straight man and a seriously heroic front line heavy hitter.

The movie by Director Kenneth Branagh does a good job of bringing Thor down to earth, while explaining who and what he is. Using the old adage that magic is science we don't understand yet, even the fantastic godlike nature of Asgard doesn't feel to unearthly.

While I feel the movie is not Ironman, which I believe is still the most perfect comicbook movie made so far, it is good solid fun. The ending feels a little Donnar Superman, with the fight in a midwestern town.

Chris Helmsworth brings Thor to life on the screen, while he maybe a little on the small side to be Thor from the books, he brings a toughness and that devil may care side of Thor into the role. To me that is enough, and we get a believable Thor out of him, and some fun light moments too. Anthony Hopkins chews the scenery up as Odin, and his conflict scenes with Chris show what an actor he is, and its a credit to Chris that he kept up. Natalie Portman had little to really do except simper in her role as Jane Foster, but she makes a cute science nerd and isn't lost on the screen.

Loki played by Tim Hiddleston was the most understated role in the movie, the trickster, the god of mischief puts a lot of things into action, with a wheels within wheels plan, that almost brings Thor down and gains him the throne of Asgard. Sneaky, a little snide and perfectly done… I can only hope we see more of this actor playing Loki in future Marvel movies.

Final cool observations; Hawkeye puts in an appearance, even if he is using a compound bow. The Warriors Three are fun and bombastic, Sif is the Warrior Woman even though she should of been a little more Xena like, and Heimdall was seriously bad ass. We also see an interesting side of SHIELD as they deal with all this new superhero weirdness, almost a casual offhandness.

Overall a good solid movie, a great step toward The Avengers and we got Thor that wasn't to unearthly, whilst being unearthly. Have at thee!!!

3.5 thumbs up out of 5

The Tether Saga novels spotlighted and Author interview on The Written In Blood website

Today the Tether saga novels The Tether & Accept One have been spotlighted and I've been interviewed on The Written In Blood website. You can check it out here - http://www.katiesalidas.com

Found in the Archive – GW The Lord of the Rings Miniatures Arwen and Elrond

Still going through my miniature archive and I came across this pair of Games Workshop The Lord of the Rings Miniatures, Arwen Evenstar and her father Elrond Half-Elven in his Last Alliance of Elves and Men attire. I had to post them because they were the first LOTR miniatures I painted.

Arwen was painted using Midnight Blue and Skull White for the robes, using both colors mixed in various ways to shade and highlight. Elrond was the first time I attempted to make golden armor more shiny. I painted the armor areas first with Mithril Silver, then with Shining Gold, washed with a light Chestnut Brown and drybrushed with Burnished Gold. Nice miniatures, very detailed would you believe they are only 25mm (One inch) tall.

Another interesting piece of trivia. All The Lord of the Rings miniatures produced by Games Workshop had to be approved by Peter Jackson's production company, and the actor it represented. Arwen's miniature kept being returned with supposed note from Liv Tyler saying make it prettier.

The Creative Cafe Cabal Charity Anthology – The Cruelest Month all proceeds to American Cancer Society

The writing group I belong to the Creative Cafe Cabal, produced an Anthology Novel throughout the month of April, under the collective theme of Cruellest Month from the TS Eliot poem. Five writers stepped up to the challenge and produced five very distinct, but captivating stories, that are all linked by one common thread; they are all cruel in some form or fashion.

The proceeds from this Creative Cafe Cabal Anthology novel – The Cruelest Month all go to benefit American Cancer Society. Thank you for looking and I hope you pick this novel up and enjoy the stories, and the cruelty within.

The mystery story "Clerical Error" by Tom Fowler leads off the anthology. It features private investigator C.T. Ferguson, who investigates the violent murder of a young secretary at the behest of her older sister. Batting second is Nyckei Harris, with "Endless Summer," a look at a gritty, parched, and (of course) cruel post-apocalyptic future. Next, you'll read "Careful Wishing" by Victoria Durm, which takes the old maxim of "be careful what you wish for because you just might get it" and applies it to a pair of desperate children in an orphanage. Amanda Alamain's "A Month Without That Dick" is next. It's a very real look at the subtle and not-so-subtle ways people are cruel to each other in relationships. Last, but certainly not least, Nick Davis gives us "Exposition," a look at the zany and cruel ways writer's block can manifest when a deadline looms (and passes).

Stories by Tom Fowler, Nyckei Harris, Victoria Durm, Amanda Alamain and Nick Davis. The Cruelest Month is available on the Kindle, Nook and in multiple eReader format at Smashwords.

The Creative Cafe Cabal Charity Anthology – The Cruelest Month all proceeds to American National Cancer Society

The writing group I belong to the Creative Cafe Cabal, produced an Anthology Novel throughout the month of April, under the collective theme of Cruellest Month from the TS Eliot poem. Five writers stepped up to the challange and produced five very distinct, but captivating stories, that are all linked by one common thread; they are all cruel in some form or fashion.

The proceeds from this Creative Cafe Cabal Anthology novel – The Cruelest Month all go to benefit American National Cancer Society. Thank you for looking and I hope you pick this novel up and enjoy the stories, and the cruelty within.

The mystery story "Clerical Error" by Tom Fowler leads off the anthology. It features private investigator C.T. Ferguson, who investigates the violent murder of a young secretary at the behest of her older sister. Batting second is Nyckei Harris, with "Endless Summer," a look at a gritty, parched, and (of course) cruel post-apocalyptic future. Next, you'll read "Careful Wishing" by Victoria Durm, which takes the old maxim of "be careful what you wish for because you just might get it" and applies it to a pair of desperate children in an orphanage. Amanda Alamain's "A Month Without That Dick" is next. It's a very real look at the subtle and not-so-subtle ways people are cruel to each other in relationships. Last, but certainly not least, Nick Davis gives us "Exposition," a look at the zany and cruel ways writer's block can manifest when a deadline looms (and passes).

Stories by Tom Fowler, Nyckei Harris, Victoria Durm, Amanda Alamain and Nick Davis. The Cruelest Month is available on the Kindle, Nook and in multiple eReader format at Smashwords.

Review – Captain America The First Avenger, First Vengeance

Captain America The First Avenger

First Vengeance #1 of 4

Publisher – Marvel

Written by Fred Van Lente

Artwork by Luke Ross

First Vengeance is a tie in comic to the Captain America movie. It tells the origin story of Cap in flash back as he undertakes a mission on an unnamed island in the Danish Straits.

The issue is written to introduce Captain America and I think it does a good job. The artwork is nice and clean, and Cap is recognizable as the movie version. The story is good fun to read, and the flashbacks fit into the action nicely, with minimum exposition.

I don't have any real complaints about this issue, it is clean and has an easy story to get into. Maybe that is also the problem, do we really need a movie tie in book? Surely Cap should be reintroduced through his regular book? And isn't this the job of the all ages book Captain America The Fighting Avenger?

Anyway enough questions, the book is fun to read, not much substance, but it does a good job of introducing the First Avenger.

3.5 thumbs up out of 5

Review – Relaunch of Moon Knight Issue#1 by @BRIANMBENDIS

Moon Knight #1

Publisher – Marvel

Written by Brian Michael Bendis

Artwork by Alex Maleev

Moon Knight #1 is the relaunch part of the big  shots intuitive where top creators have been assigned to a street level hero, in an attempt to revitalize it, and bring in a new readership.

Now I've always been a fan of Moon Knight, his multiple personality disorder always give him an interest edge, and distanced him from just being Marvels Batman. I even enjoyed Vengeance of the Moon Knight before it was cancelled. So I was eagerly awaiting this issue, from my favorite writer Brian Michael Bendis, and figured the scratchy look of Alex Maleev art would give Moon Knight that gritty look.

I was wrong; I've come away from this first issue feeling slightly ambivalent about it. It was nothing like I expected, sure we got the dialog from Bendis, and although the art from Maleev didn't really sit that well with me it didn't get in the way of the story at all.

The opening pages explain that Moon Knight, or Marc Spector has relocated to Hollywood and is now the Executive Producer of his own Moon Knight TV show. When he gets a summons to meet Cap, Spiderman and Wolverine on the roof, from there we learn he is being assigned the West Coast as a territory and he is to hunt down the LA Kingpin.

In Moon Knight fashion, he starts to track down the criminal element and runs into Mr Hyde who is guarding a deactivated Ultron. Things get a little odd and the artwork feels confused at this point, and the action feels muted to say the least. However I think this was supposed to be the effect of the art, and POV of Marc. We are then treated to an ending that makes you wonder what is the real mental state of Mr. Spector.

For an opening issue of Moon Knight I actually expected it to be a little more action packed, showing off the abilities of this Avenger. Instead I got something very different, not sure if its enough of a hook to get new readers on board. I'm going to stick with it for a couple of issues to see where it is going, but I am disappointed.

3 thumbs up out of 5

Project Fabula just gone live on Kickstarter!!! Please Contribute!!!

We've taken the plunge and gone live on Kickstarter the community source funding website. It is all or nothing on a 30 day race to get our initial funding of $1600 together.

Please take a look at our Kickstarter profile and help us launch Project Fabula, the full url is http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/altworld/project-fabula-all-about-changing-your-reality

Check out the links, and the Contributor rewards, the more you give, the more recognition you get. So… join me, promote me, and see where this all takes us, eh?

Arigato,

Nick Davis