Tag: Graphic Novel

Sharkasaurus, A Graphic Novel Review

Image result for sharkasaurusBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Based on the 2014 short film of the same name, Sharkasaurus is also a graphic novel. This fun thrilled romp has all the hallmarks of an enjoyable B-film of the 50’s. Those monsters back then did not have the help of today’s CGI technology to realize in glorious 3D or realistic proportions. Usually, they were puppets carefully brought to life through stop-motion or marionettes. Flash forward to the print medium, none of that will matter. Those who saw the video will find a huge difference and none of that truly matters when in the desert, nobody can hear your distant scream and mistake that for a screeching hawk.

The book expands on the material from the book and greatly expands on why such a land shark exists. Also, Alice Monroe is set up as the would-be heroine. I do not want to give away the entire story. Here, she and her mate Frankie are in an archaeological excavation to unearth clues to another Proterozoic species said to roam the earth. Along the way, Creationists led by Reverend Peter Matthews and his daughter (she’s not immediately named) object to the rewriting of more than just “the scripture.” He’s your stereotypical evangelist, and quite laughable to say the least. Will he get his just desert in the dessert? The video answers that very easily, and what this dinosaur symbolizes is nothing like Devil Dinosaur (Marvel Comics). Godzilla? Maybe.

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Details Revealed on Mysticons Graphic Novel series

Mysticons Volume One goes on sale August 8, 2018, and is available for pre-order on Amazon and at your local comic shop. This 80-page original graphic novel retails for $10.99.

MysticonsLast year, on May 2017, Dark Horse and Corus Entertainment’s Nelvana announced a publishing agreement to produce a series of graphic novels based on their animated action series, Mysticons. Today, the partners are excited to reveal details from the upcoming graphic novel series! [and perhaps with further details at Emerald City Comic Con, which started today. -Ed]

Yes, watching Mysticons is a guilty pleasure for us here at Otakunoculture. The series is very enjoyable to watch and the music is far catchier than those Sailor Moon openings we saw decades prior.

Dark Horse’s Spell on Wheels creative team, writer Kate Leth (Patsy Walker aka Hellcat!), artist Megan Levens (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), and colorist Marissa Louise (Wonder Woman Annual), joins forces once again to bring more empowering female characters to life!

The second season of Mysticons recently premiered on Nickelodeon’s Nicktoons in the U.S. and Corus’ YTV network in Canada will follow suit on April 8, following a successful first season launch in August 2017. On YouTube, the series has surpassed 4.1 million views of its short form content. Dark Horse joins an array of previously announced Mysticons partners including Playmates Toys (Master Toy), The Topps Company (Trading Cards and Confectionery) and MacMillan Publishers (Novels).

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Bringing Ethel and Ernest to Animated Life, A Movie Review

Despite having some dark overtones in Ernest’s socialist ideals and we have to watch the inevitable (their death) unfold, this movie is one I wish to examine further with a fine tooth comb.

Ethel and ErnestBy Ed Sum
(The Vintage Tempest)

Ethel and Ernest (voiced by Jim Broadbent and Brenda Blethyn) is a very nostalgic and sentimental animated film about these two individuals. It has an illustrative style reminiscent of Tintin. Based on the graphic novel of the same name written and illustrated by Raymond Briggs, this product certainly brings to life the ragtime era of Edwardian London in its opening act. Technically, the year is 1928 and all of this era’s sublime and romantic nature is the highlight. The music is recreated in its vintage glory and it steals the show. I was happily humming along.

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Rocket Robinson and the Pharaoh’s Fortune Resurfaces at Dark Horse Comics!

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By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

For readers who have not met this daring hero yet, Dark Horse Comics is thrilled to bring writer and artist Sean O’Neill’s graphic novel adventure for kids, Rocket Robinson and the Pharaoh’s Fortune, back into print! Successfully funded as a Kickstarter in 2013, Rocket Robinson is described as Indiana Jones meets Tintin and offers action-packed historical fiction perfect for middle-grade readers.

For this older reader who loves anything to do with depictions of Ancient Egypt, I’m certainly going to buy this title. Trying to be aware of every release using this backdrop is tough and the news released today is particularly thrilling. Material can get buried in a short amount of time in book shops, and I’m glad some treasures are worth unearthing to shine again.
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How to Train Your Dragon: Serpent’s Heir TPB Review

HTTYD Serpents HeirBy Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

* Mild spoiler alert

If I had to decide between which How to Train your Dragon (HTTYD) comic book series to follow, my vote is for Dark Horse Comics‘ official follow-up. Penned by Dean DeBlois, director and showrunner of DreamWorks’ series, and Richard Hamilton (Star Wars: Dark Times), I’m enjoying the continuing adventures which take place after the second movie as it puts Hiccup into new adventures before he can even get comfortable with his new crown.

The Serpent’s Heir begins with everyone from the village of Berk helping to rebuild. After a few mishaps, King Hiccup gets a visitor from another island tribe. Calder’s village is being racked with earthquakes and while he expected to meet Stoick the Vast, he only finds the boy king. This young leader certainly has learned a lot from his dad, and he knows never to turn his back to those in need. Both he and his Dragon Riders travel to the island of Nepenthe to assist and find treachery in the midst.

While this first graphic novel is an easy short read, I feel these trials are just one of many in a series of books to help cement Hiccup as King of the Archipelago. News about Stoick’s death has not spread far, but it soon will. Other Vikings will come to challenge Hiccup. Unlike other burly soldiers who are hard to push over, this matchstick shaped lad may seem easy to bend.

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Young Lovecraft’s name is Howard in Shout! Factory’s “Frozen Kingdom” Release

unnamedBy Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

From José Oliver (Author) and Bartolo Torres (Illustrator) web comic Young Lovecraft to Sean Patrick O’Reilly (Arcana Studio)’s Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom, both illustrative products have redefined who this seminal master of the macabre is for people of all ages to enjoy.

While there’s no new material for the Young series and The Frozen Kingdom saw an evolution with a film, thankfully to see the latter product get animated has this fan excited. I enjoy both works, and the teaser offered during Free Comic Book Day made me glad a trade paperback of the Frozen Kingdom is getting reprinted and offered late October at comic book stores near you.

The animated version is being released by Shout! Factory September 27, 2016 just in time for my birthday. I could not be any more thrilled. It will be made available on DVD, Blu-ray, VOD and Redbox. The combo pack will include bonus content such as an audio commentary and featurette. More details will be forthcoming as the date nears. As for fans who love O’Reilly’s art style, an exclusive poster will be offered for those who pre-order directly from Shout! Factory’s website.

Howard Lovecraft and the Frozen Kingdom features the talents of Jane Curtin (3rd Rock from the Sun), Ron Perlman (Sons of Anarchy), Christopher Plummer (Pixar’s Up), Doug Bradley (Hellraiser), Kiefer O’Reilly (DC’s Legends of Tomorrow) and Alison Wandzura (CW’s Van Helsing). This film is said to be a veritable love letter to H.P. Lovecraft himself as it entwines new storytelling, actual events of H.P. Lovecraft’s life, iconic elements of his writings and literary characters Cthulhu, Shoggoth and more.

Trailer: