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Not Like the Other X-books
X-Factor has reached 50 issues. It’s amazing what kind of book X-Factor has become. What’s even more interesting is the group of fans that the book was able to draw in. It’ became a blessing and curse for Peter David.
Do you read “X-Factor”? Do you know Layla Miller? Do you know who Peter David is? If you know all these things than I guess it is safe to say you know “X-Factor.” X-Factor, got a lot of attention due to its noir- style. People loved it. It was unlike any other X-book, which…
Read More... by Isaac Magaña
Do you have any idea how many people out there think they can write the great American novel and get it published? How hard can it be to write a book? Hey, honestly it isn’t that hard. Too bad the reality of getting it published it is less than glamorous. This is one pretty standard question among new writers and even those who have been struggling for…
“Full Disclosure” is not meant to fall under any review section. This is a column looking to deconstruct the external factors that impact the way one responds to a film. While those who have done critical writing understand the struggle to remove those factors, rarely does a writer fully disclose the things that can impact how one views a film. These factors include the hype to which the viewer has been exposed and has bought in to, predisposition of the reviewer to like or dislike the film and the environment in which the reviewer sees the movie. In this column I will disclose all elements of hype and predisposition by writing those sections prior to viewing the film and then take notes on my environment immediately preceding the screening. Finally, I will write a review and then discuss the impacts of the stated elements. Where The Wild Things Are Directed by Spike Jonze Hype: I have been…
Remember when you were kid and you started reading comics? As an adult do you see any kids reading comics? What happened? Better yet I’ll tell you what is happening, kids have started reading comics again. This is great because they were almost forgotten as an audience. Kids are our future. I know that is not a big surprise for anyone. But it may surprise some that it…
Ah, anime, the ever changing genre with unlimited purchasing possibilities. How to tell the good from the bad, the one time watches from the beauties you’ll watch over and over again? Here are three titles that you should bump to the top of your Amazon Wish List. Hagumi doesn’t look like a college student; she’s tiny, the size of a mythical creature.…
It’s time for me to rag on costumes. It’s after Halloween, what do you expect? Halloween has come and gone. As I handed out candy I noticed a rise in vampires but a steady stream…
By now, you probably know that Rotten Tomatoes just released a “Best” vampire list—and if you read it, you’ll recognize several of its films below. So then why would I go ahead and reproduce one of my own? Well, for a few reasons: 1) I had originally prepared an all-time best Horror movies list, but realized that it would seem repetitive given the 36 Best Serial Killers of Cinema feature I did in August; 2) because of the aggregative format of Rotten Tomatoes, not all of the essentials of the vampire genre got their due (and some that didn’t deserve mention—Twilight—got it); 3) I figured that, at least for this Halloween, no better theme could have been, largely because of the dramatic increase of vampires’ popularity in contemporary culture since last year; and, of course, 4) because New Moon’s theatrical debut is just beyond the horizon—and I’d never pass up an attempt to weaken its success (I know I’m out of my league on this one, but it doesn’t matter). And so it is my great, hot pleasure to rebrand America with memories of the quality genus exercises that have unfortunately been overcome by the rabid, brainless kind of late. Here are Pop Syndicate’s 25 Best Vampire Movies of All Time: 25. House of Dracula (1945) An interesting blend of two of classic horror…
First dates are tough, is it all just a game? Dear Date Knight, I’ve gone on a few dates with someone new. He never offered to pick…
Halloween is just around the corner, but is your costume ready? Some people spend months perfecting their Halloween costume, others wear the same thing year after…
Neo is a girl from the future, and Saya is a boy with a dream. Odette is a robot who wants to be a real girl. Dinah is caught up in a strange struggle with the world of the unrestful dead. Kiyo is a girl who has inherited a mansion that comes with two vampires. What do they all have in common? They’re all main characters of manga put out by Tokyopop! In the 23rd century, women are encouraged to be quiet and reserved. But Neo likes her skirts short…
It’s great to listen to writer speak about comics. It’s kind of a “behind the curtains” if you will. I attended a conference on superheroes and was able to listen to some more discussion from “behind the curtain.” I had the great privilege of listening to three great writers at a conference this past weekend: Matt…
The host is decent. The concept is decent. The prizes are decent. So why is this show completely unwatchable? Back in 1963, Let’s Make a Deal premiered on ABC. Contestants didn’t wear…
Another spin-off of Batman has launched, Batgirl. This isn’t the first time she’s had a title and there have been others, but what does it take to be a part of the Bat-Family? And isn’t there already a female Bat-character? She’s back. You know, Batgirl; not to be confused with Batwoman. Is the name ringing any, bells…
Part Deux, comin’ atcha! Nos. 20-1. 20. One Hundred and One Dalmatians (1961) The title should give you an…
Sgt. Frog! Jinki: Extended! Dragon Ball! More Dragon Ball! Oh, and more Dragon Ball! Ever think there’s not enough insanity in your life? Ever wish that the hum drum day to day…
What does it take to be a hero? What does it take to be a villain? How does one become one or the other? These are tough questions that Mark Waid has decided to tackle. Modern comics are dominated by heroes and villains. Each story brings a different definition of what…
Domo gets his own manga series; Maria Holic bends genders; Kimi Kiss will make you sweat, and Cause of My Teacher will thrill with six tales of Yaoi love but Mad Love Chase will just confuse. Kanako is terrified of men, but she loves the ladies. In volume one of Maria Holic, she enrolls…
With three DVD releases of Bount episodes and a new movie, Diamonddust Rebellion, Bleach is the king of all things shonen! Whether you want some Bount action, a fracas in the Soul Society or a battle in Hueco Mundo, Bleach…
Is it safe sex in a hot tub? And what to do about a tight vagina? Is it safe to have sex in Jacuzzis and swimming pools? I have found myself wanting to do it, but…
The Discovery Channel resurrected this show (in reruns, mind you) for a limited time only. Catch it while it’s there. Recently, I flipped on the Discovery Channel, and was pleasantly surprised—“It Takes a…
Hell Girl season one hits with a vengeance. The Wallflower complete revels in horror fandom. When They Cry complete is so shockingly violent it was banned in Japan. Ghost Hunt complete series celebrates things that go bump in the night and D.Gray-Man raises the dead. I had the flu the first time I watched Ghost Hunt. I huddled under the covers in bed like a…
I wasn’t aware of this buy Jack Kirby’s heirs claim that he helped to create Spider-man. That’s strange because when I look up the creators for Spider-man I don’t see his name anywhere. Oh wait…nope, not a creator. As you may have already heard, Jack Kirby’s heirs have filed to reclaim the rights to the characters…
I love Spike Jonze. And so does Maurice Sendak, author of the iconic 1963 children’s book Where the Wild Things Are. Reportedly, a film adaptation of Sendak’s bedtime classic had been in the prenatal stages since the early ’90s and made no progress because the author couldn’t find a director with enough artistic passion and overall charisma to hand his masterpiece to. Until he saw Jonze’s Being John Malkovich. Nearly two decades in the making, and more than 9 years since the debut of its conceptual theatrical trailer, Where the Wild Things Are will hit movie theaters in less than two weeks. And it looks pretty damn incredible. So in honor of the many trials of the film’s development, the talent of its director, and, of course, the brilliant work it is based upon, I count down the 33 best children’s book screen adaptations cinema has ever seen. In two parts (Part II next week). * – Illustrated story book, as opposed to children’s novel 33. The Polar Express* (2004) Robert Zemeckis’ first go-’round…
A man that is torn between his heart and his head and a woman that hates to be a piece of meat. Dear Date Knight, I am currently in a relationship with a married woman. I have known her…
More Gunslinger Girl? Yes, please. School Rumble collected in two sets? Why yes, that is drool. Nabari No Ou complete series part one and Black Lagoon gets a complete series box set? This must be heaven. Little girls with guns: whether you liked the concept of Gunslinger Gri (and some didn’t),…
Have you ever looked at a Handbook or Who’s Who? I mean these things are just littered with information, but yet they serve a purpose. Can you believe that? As a comic book universe grows and grows it gets harder and harder to keep track of all of the information:…
What to do when he cums too soon? And is swallowing de rigueur? Dear Anjelika I’m 24 and I haven’t had much sex. I’ve always been afraid…
Every book in this review rocks, and they are all available for your reading pleasure. For anime fans, a new Miyazaki movie is a high holy day. Titles like Princess Mononoke (my…
A letter to Hot Gimmick and reviews of Gestalt 1, Detroit Metal City 1, Children of the Sea 1, Black Lagoon 7 and Black Bird 1. New manga from Viz is a happy, happy thing. Usually, the anime susperstar brings us all manner of…
The direct market, some consider the best things to happen to comics while others do not agree. What is it and where did it come from? Should we be worried about the direct market now that DC has WB and Marvel has Disney? The announcements from DC and Marvel, and their ‘reorganizing’, have led many to speculate…