- Indie titles we dig (Haunt / Planetary / etc)
- Discuss the upcoming Walking Dead tv series
-The Siege and Blackest Night

AND read a listener's email!

Episode 130 - The Indie Ep

Black Jack vol. 9
Story & Art: Osamu Tezuka
Translation: Camellia Nieh
Publisher: Vertical

It’s hard to believe that I have been reading nine volumes in the Doctor’s adventures (no not that Doctor, but Black Jack). Like the previous books, this volume is oversized with 14 different stand alone stories. Black Jack is a complex individual; he is a man who professes to care only about money but who is deeply concerned for the well-being of all his patients. He is a man with no limits in the medical field and even though he works miracles, not everyone has a happy ending. The stories are a fantastic mix of sci-fi, romance, horror, and of the human will to survive. My favorite in this collection is called You Did It. It’s about a brother trying to avenge the murder of his older brother by killing the guy that did it. As it turns out the brother turns the knife on himself so he doesn’t have to get killed too. For some reason the brother looks a bit like Astro Boy, which is okay in my book. I love how Tezuka makes the secondary characters as important as the protagonist. How could you not think that Pinoko is the most adorable sidekick ever? Camelliah Nieh does a stupendous job with the translations making the characters sound so real and as true to the Japanese as possible. I literally read the book from cover to cover twice and have passed it around to other friends to get them to read comics. If you are a fan of House, Grey’s Anatomy, ER, or even Scrubs you are missing out on such a great series if you aren’t reading this book.A

Deadman Wonderland vol. 1
Story: Jinsei Kataoka
Art: Kazuma Kondou
Translation: Ray Yoshimito
Publisher: Tokyopop

After reading manga, comics, and novels for over 25 years you get kind of numb when something new comes out. In your head you already have an idea what the story is going to be about before you turn to the first page (all this based on the cover of course). So the first thing I say out loud when I look at this cover is: “ohh here we go a rip-off Eureka Seven!” I look at the creators and see they were the ones behind the previously mentioned book and I eat my words. I’m so glad it didn’t turn into a rip-off of E7 because damn, this book was a great read. In a futuristic world Ganta Igarashi is accused of murdering all his classmates and is sent to a weird prison known as Deadman Wonderland. This is place is like an amalgam of a new age coliseum meets Arkham Asylum and this kid has to survive in this world. But he won’t be doing it alone. He is helped out along the way by a girl named Shiro, who possesses strange abilities and a mysterious past. The pacing is great and the action scenes are riveting. I’m serious the book has some of the most dynamic art I have ever seen in a comic. I loved it; at times it felt like I was reading Warren Ellis or Grant Morrison. I can’t wait till the second volume to pick it up. A

King of RPGs vol. 1
Story: Jason Thompson
Art: Victor Hao
Publisher: Del Rey

Alright! It’s been quite a while since I’ve looked at an OEL (Original English Language) manga. This story really took me by surprise, because as much as I love RPGs, I really don’t know anything about tabletop rpgs like Dungeons and Dragons, heck I don’t think I’ve set through a complete game of Chutes and Ladders. In Escondido, a University in California Shesh Maccabee is court ordered to give up computer gaming for a month. It’s up to his Japanese RPG loving friend Mike to keep him away from this habit. However, things don’t go as planned when they run into a tabletop master, Theadore, who runs the greatest Mages & Monsters game in the world and just happens to have room for two more people at his table. I loved this book. I loved that I got all the computer, Harry Potter, RPGs, and comic book neo-pop culture terms. It was funny, entertaining, and I learned a bit about tabletop rpgs, as well as the people that play them. The over-the-top characters and witty dialogue really hooked me in this book. Victor Hao’s art is really good, particularly drawing the games and characters. However, some pages seem really overcrowded and are hard to tell what is going on in them. I think character placement is something that Hao could work on. A

Negima Neo vol. 4
Story: Ken Akamatsu
Art: Takuya Fujima
Translation: Alethea & Athena Nibley
Publisher: Del Rey

A manga based on the anime that is based on a manga. That is what you will find in Negima Neo. A retelling of the animated series with new elements added to it. Things are starting to look up when Anya joins the class and Kotaro kun from the dog tribe challenges Negi into a duel. Unfortunately those are the two big highlights in the book. I have been a fan of Fujima’s art since Free Collars Kingdom and I hate to admit it, but I didn’t think anybody else could draw this series; now Fujima has proven me wrong. To be perfectly honest I enjoy his artwork more than I do Akamatsu’s. I know it sounds blasphemous, but those are some gorgeous girls he draws. He really gives this book its own look and definitely sets it apart from the original. My main gripe is that the book condenses a lot of the story into one volume and leaves out room for character development. It seems to just bounce from one story after another. It’s difficult not to compare it to the original manga or even the TV series, but the series hasn’t really done anything for me. It’s a flat version of the original book and if you’ve never read the original series you would think that this book is just average at best. I’m hoping with the addition of Anya, we will get some fresh news stories that actually go somewhere. C-

Stolen Hearts vol. 1
Story & Art: Miku Sakamoto
Translation: Sheldon Drzka
Lettering: MPS Ad Studio
Publisher: CMX

I really wasn’t in the mood to read shojo manga this week, because I read two shojo titles last week, but since Melanie wanted to review the OEL titles this week; I had no choice! At first I thought this was going to be your average run of the mill bad boy turns into nice guy to get the girl book. Yes, in a way it still is. Koguma is feared by his classmate, mainly because he is so tall and they can’t trust anyone who they can’t look in the eyes. Enter Shinobu, who accidentally spills milk on his bag. As it turns out this bag is holding his kimono. To make up for ruining his antique kimono, Shinobu start’s modeling and working part time for Koguma’s grandma’s store, which happens to be a place to get kimonos. They get close as the story continues and Shinobu sees a side of Koguma that she never sees at school. Mainly, because she was afraid to talk to him; it’s a sweet and cuddly side that she wants to show the rest of her classmates. It’s a really endearing story about not judging people based on other’s opinions or what they look like. Hell, we even get a lesson in kimono fashion and you can tell this is where Sakamoto’s art really shines. Unfortunately it’s easy to confuse characters because they look so much alike at times. At the end you’ll even find four pages you can color, as long as you are a young maiden. I’m glad Melanie decided to pass up reading shojo this week, because this was a fun read. B+

Yokaiden vol. 2
Story & Art: Nina Matsumoto
Publisher: Del Rey

It seems that Ms. Matsumoto has been a busy lady last year. She worked a Simpson’s Comic story: Murder He Wrote (loosely based on Death Note) and is currently working on the manga prequel to Last Airbender. All this from that manga style Simpsons artwork that put her name on the map. Yokai are Japanese spirits that can be anything from mischievous to deadly. This doesn’t matter to Hamachi, because he just wants to be friends with all of them. When his grandmother is apparently murdered at the hands of a Madkap, the kappa; Hamachi journeys into their realm. Along his way he runs into different kinds of spirits and particularly two who befriend him Lumina talking lantern and a talking umbrella. Now he must face the quest of Ninetails to gather three items and he promises to help Hamachi. This is all stopped short when Zaigo, the Yokai hunter steps in. In between chapters there is Inukai Mizuki’s Field Guide to Yokai. These are notes to differentiate the different spirits that live in this realm. I found myself loving this book. It was full of adventure, comedy, and a dramatic pursuit for the truth. It has very smart and snappy dialogue, which brings light-heartedness to what could have been a dark story. The art I’m still trying to get used to. It really does look like one of those How to Draw Manga books, but it is very clear and easy to follow. A

But, Kick-Ass isn't the only game in town.

So besides reading Kick Ass or waiting till April of next year to go to your local cineplex, you can try these other movies and comics to wet your appetite of the “real” superhero genre.

-The Black Pearl (1996)

Written by Mark Hamill (yep, THAT Mark Hamill) and Eric Johnson, artwork by Bruce Patterson and H.M. Baker, this Dark Horse comic was about a troubled man who finds himself in the wrong place and the wrong time after he accidently saves an abducted woman. The media turns blows his act up to be something he's not, making him sound like a hero. He decides to try to live up with the name and become The Black Pearl.

-Mirageman (2007)

Think of this as the low budgeted Chillean cousin of Kick-Ass.

Check out the trailer...

Yes, it may look silly, but the film has gathered some amazing reviews. If your willing to have an open mind, you might be surprised with this one.

-Special (2006)

Another low-budget (you know what, just get use to those words for the next two items here) that has a neat twist on the “normal guy getting powers” concept.

-Captian Blasto (2008)

A webseries that askes the question “Why don't I just HIRE guys to pretend to be the bad guys?”

-Defendor (2010)
Looking like the low rent Batman to Specials low rent Superman, this has Woody Harrelson already kicked ass as Tallahasse in Zombieland last year.

This film will be getting a small release THIS month! February 26 at the Landmark theater in Los Angeles and then it will role out to other cities till it hits DVD this April.

And these are only just beginning.

Already in production is a movie called “Super” thats going to be written and directed by James Gunn (Slither, PG Porn) and staring Rainn Wilson (The Office)
(picture here)

If you wanna read more about it check out Gunn's blog.
"":http://www.jamesgunn.com/2009/09/10/my-movie-super-with-rainn-wilson-ellen-page-and-liv-tyler/

It seems like the “real” superhero genre has been around for a while, but the real question is....are these movies based on truth more then we like to admit?

Should we be looking forward to meeting such real life heroes such as
RAZORHAWK?

Well, at least there's cool stories out there this. Cool FICTIONAL stories...are you listening RAZORHAWK?

West
Coast About Heroes - Episode 22

We have a twitter account! For more frequent comic-oriented updates, follow us: TWEET. Also, feel free to email us: aboutheroes 'AT' gmail.com. And as promised...Tobey is ugly.

I really don’t think there is a better time to release books, manga, comics, or videogames based on the world of Lewis Carroll’s beloved stories. Of course this manga brought to us by Tokyopop is a little different than any interpretation of the story I’ve read….although it is a little like Miyuki-chan in Wonderland. The story starts off with Alice and her sister and much like the original story she meets a white rabbit. Well, Alice is kidnapped unwillingly by the mysterious rabit that turns into a gorgeous man with bunny eras. She is taken to a place call Heartland. Stuck in Heartland due to a trick by the mysterious bunny eared man, she meets the remaining residents of this world. Each one of these residents is a pretty boy take on the original characters. Blood, handsome mafia leader; Ace, the psycho yet charming knight and even Dee and Dum look like cute boys. As it turns out, everyone turns into a gun living psycho that falls for Alice and she is caught in the middle of a battle. As goofy as the story sounds, it was a fun read that I was hooked on. I recommend the book to anyone looking for something fun and light to read. B+

Fairy Tail vol.9
Story & Art: Hiro Mashima
Translations: William Flanagan
Lettering: North Market Street Graphics
Publisher: Del Rey

It’s been a few months since volume eight of Fairy Tail came out. I find it both releaving and frustrating when it takes so long between volumen. Releaving, because I have more time to read something else and frustrating, because I like the store so much, I want to know what happens next, right now! Celestial wizard Lucy has always wanted to be in the wizard guild Fairy Tail, and she thinks she's got an in when she teams up with Natsu, and his bobble-headed cat Happy, Erza, and Gray! This volume really almost pulls at your sensitive strings when Locke is about to disappear for crimes committed, but Lucy has words with the celestial spirit king that pardons him. While the art work is great, I have to say that the fight scenes are getting dull and repetitive. At times the angles and the way the characters are drawn make the fighting really hard to follow. Nothing is really standing out now, except for Ezra’s armor and weapon ability. What I do like about the book is the fast paced straightforward story. It is definitely filled with comic relief, mostly of the belly-laugh variety, lots of strange antics, and fun dialogue. Add in lots of mass mayhem when the wizards start brawling and it still a good read. B+

Gantz vols. 7 & 8
Story & Art: Hiroya Oku
Translation: Mathew Johnson
Lettering: Studio Cutie
Publisher: Dark Horse

Holy crap! That’s all I can say about these two volumen of Gantz. I’m in awe as to what has happened with this book. The finale of the Buddha saga is a violent one and really puts the book in jeapordy in a way. Getting rid of gangsters and the ocasional grandma and grandson team is one thing, but to get rid of two of the main characters really takes some balls. By the end of volume eight Kurono is left by himself to pick up the pieces of the team. Gantz packs in a ton of sex and violence which should get just about any male reader's attention. The series is 18+, so the title pages are often scantily-clad pin-up girls carrying guns and who doesn’t like that kind of stuff? Violence is brutal and gory in that slasher flick kind of way. If I have one complaint it's that like most titles in the genre, the action goes on for far too long at times, often extending for volumes before resolution. But what a resolution! Gantz is a completely unpredictable series, and after reading these last two volumes I can say that none of the characters are safe. The roster switches up considerably as the series progresses, so there's always a sense of danger. So I wouldn’t pick a favorite carácter. Damn it has been a joy to read this series, thank you Dark Horse and Omar for introducing me to a wonderful story. A-

Gon Vols. 5 & 6
Story & Art: Masashi Tanaka
Translation: You!
Publisher: CMX

Yes, that’s right! You get to be the translator for this series! The only reason why is because there are no words in these books that have to be translated. To put it simply Gon is a journey about a little tyrannosaurus and his explorations of the great animal kingdom. He is a little 2 foot tall dinosaur that packs attitude and style with every bite. He has an appetite for exploring and humiliating the great predators of the wild. From venturing underground to rescue a wolf cub, to destroying giant insects, Gon just go where he pleases and as the volumes continue, more and more animals seem to be scared of the little guy. That is his goal though, Gon just marches through life enjoying the world and defending the weak with his own sense of justice. Although sometimes he can act a bit sadistic or mean he sure can be an intimidating force. It’s a great mix of Kimba, Jurassic Park, and Bambi. It’s cute and very exciting, when you're done, you'll be thirsting for more! The pictures inside are neatly drawn and highly detailed. You can tell Tanaka has done some research and taken some time to make sure he captures the essence of the wild. These books really bring out the kid in me and that’s a rare thing to find in today’s books. This is one of the best manga of all time and when you open these pages you can tell why Gon is loved by adults and children all over the world. Now, stop what you are doing and go and buy these great books! A+

Ninja Girls vols. 1 & 2
Art & Story: Hosana Tanaka
Translation: Andria Cheung
Lettering: North Market Street Graphics
Publisher: Del Rey

I am such a sucker for covers. Unfortunately this can be a bad thing, because of all the variants and crappy comics that come out with great cover artists. Sure the crew at About Heroes makes fun of my addiction, but I can’t help it. So, such was the case with Ninja Girls for me. I love Love the covers of these books. Yes, there are only two so far, but man they are gorgeous. Anyway enough about the covers; lets get to the nitty gritty. The story focuses during the Sengoku era in feudal Japan. Raizo, the village outcast, learns that he is heir to the lost Katana Clan and its force of attractive ninja girls. Soon he has hot/half naked ninja chicks calling him master and hanging on his every word though Raizo is much too shy to take advantage of this. Although there are tons of ninja girls and love interests, this book is definetely written for guys with plenty of fan service. The action is definetely delivered in the first two volumes, but I was a little diasappointed in the art at times. Tanaka seems to use some unique angles for some panels that can throw the story off sometimos. Not much of a complaint…come on half naced chicks with swords! B+

Princess Resurrection volume 7
Art & Story: Yasunori Mitsunaga
Translation: Satsuki Yamashita
Publisher: Del Rey

I remember the first volume drew me in because of the cover. I figured any cover with a chick in a maid outfit holding a bloody chainsaw should deliver a badass story. The series starts with Hiro Hiyorimi, a boy who has just moved to the city to meet his sister and suddenly he is hit by a car and dies. On the verge of death he is seen by a young woman clad in gothic clothes. She then resurrects him, leaving him alive in the hospital morgue. He wakes up confused over what happened, only to encounter the woman again as she eliminates some wolf creatures. She addresses Hiro as "her servant" and introduces herself as Hime. She happens to be a monster slayer that helps others. In this volume Hime is having flashbacks of a song that haunts her. It is a melody that she wrote for her older sister Silvia. Now someone is using a pipe organ to put a curse on Hime. It’s up to Hiro, Reiri, and Riza to search for this person. It’s not really clear whether or not Silvia is still around and is the cause of this new threat, but I’m sure we will find out soon. This volume also includes a giant robot vs. a Godzilla-like monster bash!! What else do you need? The art is really clean and clear and the panel to panel flow is top notch. The book has a great balance of dark horror and light comedy and in this particular instance it works. If you enjoy books about vampires, monsters, or the occult give this book a try. B

I'magunnagoseeitwhenit'sout.

Aaaaaand just for funsies, here's that awesome fan-art of RR in GL duds. Looking good, Van. Lookin' good.

Thanks Dustin!

If anyone else wants their swag posted, just send it to aboutheroes@gmail.com and it'll find it's way up onto the site. Unless it's super-hero porn, then it just goes to my hard drive.