Good morning! Did you know Gambit nearly came out as bisexual? It was one of James Asmus’ ideas for his Gambit solo book in 2012. Marvel editorial nixed the idea, though, because it would have “redefined the character.” Subtext? What subtext? My curse to always and forever write about harassment in the news continues, as…
Jem and the Holograms: Dimensions is Girl Power Personified
Jem and the Holograms: Dimensions #2 “Face Off” Sarah Kuhn (Writer), Siobhan Keenan (Artist), Shawn Lee (Letters) “Stargirl” Sarah Winifred Searle (Writer and Artist), Shawn Lee (Letters) IDW December 27, 2017 The newest Jem and the Holograms series is an anthology of stories featuring the eponymous group and their musical rivals, the Misfits. Each issue…
I Died and Was Reborn as a Mary Sue: The Isekai Trend
So, you’re a mediocre guy who got hit by a truck, stabbed multiple times, or maybe just had a bookshelf fall on you. Unless your name is Yuusuke Urameshi, the story of your near-immediate death is probably not that exciting. Have no fear, the author has decided to throw you into Middle Earth instead! Now…
Grey Area: This Island Earth and Aliens in America
Grey Area: This Island Earth Dan Abnett (Writer), Karl Richardson, Lee Carter, Patrick Goddard (Artists), Len O’Grady, Abigail Bulmer (Colourists), Ellie De Ville (Letterer) 2000 AD 11 January 2018 Grey Area started in 2000 AD, after a pilot episode during Prog 2012. It has featured on and off since then, and focuses upon the Exo…
The 9 Weirdest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Action Figures
The ’80s were a wild time for cartoons. Driven by toy sales and draconian advertising laws that restricted toy adverts aimed at kids, this wild west mentality led to some of the best and most beloved kids’ Saturday morning classics like Transformers, G.I. Joe, He-Man, and on the tail end of all of that was…
Ladycastle Is Almost Great, Except for Eyebrows
Ladycastle Delilah Dawson (Writer), Ashley Woods (Artist, #1), Becca Farrow (Artist, #2-#4), Rebecca Nalty (Colorist), Jim Campbell (Letterer) BOOM! Studios October 11, 2017 The first time I read Ladycastle, I felt confused. Firstly because I felt as if it was exactly the kind of story I should like. This otherwise standard fantasy tale throws out traditional gender…
Keeping the “Comics” in Comic Con for 2018
In 2017, I attended 11 conventions. As you might expect, I love conventions! I attend all types of them – comic cons, pop culture conventions, gaming conventions, and fan-run conventions. I’m involved in all different aspects of cons, too — I’ve been as a writer, as a panelist, as a volunteer, as program staff, and…
Going Abstract with Kindling
Kindling Xia Gordon (CREATOR) 2dcloud 2017 I first discovered Xia Gordon at the 2017 Toronto Comics Art Festival where I saw her beautiful artwork and included her in my Comics Creators You Should Look Out For list over at Book Riot. It was some breathtaking stuff and I filed it away in my brain, waiting…
Star Wars Adventures’ Princess Leia: Enjoyable Throwback to the Classic Trilogy
Star Wars Adventures: Forces of Destiny – Princess Leia Elsa Charretier (Writer and Artist). Pierrick Colinet (Writer), Sarah Stern (Colourer), Tom B. Long (Letterer) IDW January 3, 2018 Since 2015, we have had the pleasure of receiving a new Star Wars film every year. This is exciting for established fans who now not only have…
WWE Royal Rumble #1: Gettin’ Pretty Weird in this Station Wagon, YEAHHH!
WWE’s Royal Rumble match is a major yearly event, heralded as “The Beginning of the Road To Wrestlemania.” The match itself is massive: 30 participants, two starting the match, and the other 28 entering at 90 second intervals (give or take). The goal is to be the last person standing after everyone else has been…
Uncannily Licensed X-Men #2: Who Needs An X-Men Guidebook? (Everyone)
Hello discerning X-Fans. In my new series I’ll be exploring some of the best and strangest licensed X-Men books that don’t fall under the direct market comic book mantle. Join me on this *spooky referential comic book voice* Journey Into Mystery.
Leslie Stein’s Present is an Abstract Treasure
Present Leslie Stein (Writer and Artist) Drawn & Quarterly October, 2017 Leslie Stein’s Present has garnered the kind of praise that an artist can only dream of. “Like Kandinsky illustrating Virginia Woolf” reads a blurb by The Globe and Mail on the back of the book. Everyone everywhere, from Paste magazine to The Comics Journal…
