This week, I’m reviewing Dark Horse’s new magical girl team comic, Zodiac Starforce, written by Kevin Panetta and drawn by Paulina Ganucheau. Zodiac Starforce is about a group of teenage girls in high school dealing with boyfriends, biology tests, mean girls, and the occasional monster or two. These girls have been gifted with magical powers that they use to fight off evil entities that threaten their world. The cool part of this comic is that it’s not an origin story. The girls have been fighting off evil forces for a while and when we come in, the group is actually disbanded. The leader, Emma, thinks it’s all over until a new force threatens her life and brings the group back together.

Ever since I heard of it’s initial release I was dying to get my hands on it. Zodiac Starforce reminds me of my childhood obsessions... Sailor Moon, Powerpuff Girls, Cardcaptor Sakura... anything that involved girls with powers, I LOVED. It just so happens that I love this too. The art is colorful and fun with characters that are diverse and relatable. I can see this taking off and becoming something really big. The costumes the girls wear would be awesome for cosplaying. So check it out! I’ll be here twiddling my thumbs, patiently awaiting the second issue.

War, nuclear destruction, crazy ass children, the end is here! Snake seems to have gained an upper hand, but can he take on two armies at once and still manage to escape? Let’s dig into issue number four and find out!

As always, some spoilers may follow.

The twins are ready to take on the United States Police force. With an army behind them, and nuclear weapons up their sleeves, they finally make their push to take over America, but the illusion of their “powers” has finally slipped away. As a massive battle erupts for control of Florida, the twins plans backfire and Plissken uses his skills against them.

The biggest highlight of this issue has got to be the destruction of Florida. The landscape is left permanently changed by the detonation of dozens of nuclear warheads. The universe of Escape is ultimately a broken one. Thanks to World War III actually happening, America is a country alien to the one we actually live in. Manhattan is gone, now Florida, so I’m left to wonder once again what the remainder of the country looks like. Unfortunately, that will just have to wait, as the end of this issue shifts the story to a whole new place.

As Snake manages to change the tide of war, I find some of his actions/comments still overly cold. We are never given a clear picture from the original film as to what Snake is really seeking. Is it peace? To remain an outlaw? Perhaps to simply be alone? Snake does after all have friends, see the original deleted opening of the first film for more on that, and he does care about Cabbie, Maggie and to a lesser extent Brain. I suppose what I’m wondering is, why he is pushing the world away. This comic has given us the perfect realm to expand on Snake as a character, but seems to shy away from this in order to keep the action up.

The artwork remains solid and colorful, the battles clear and gory at times. The characters are interesting, but without enough time to really let them breath. Each time we are introduced to someone, there either dead or simply vanish after a few pages, an issue at most. Why not let the story unfold a bit more first? Why not left Snake have a chance at developing a connection with others? (Curtis is about the only real exception to this, but still shrugged off.) The story remains interesting, but the questions are mounting.

Score: 3 Nuclear Weapons Out of 5

Suzie and Jon have a bit of a secret... Let me start from the beginning. Suzie works at the library. Sad thing is, the bank is shutting it down. Jon happens to work at the bank and he happens to absolutely hate it. Jon, meet, Suzie. They hit it off immediately... for more reasons than one. Turns out, they share the same secret. Whenever either of them have sex, they freeze time and go to a place Suzie likes to call “The Quiet.” So what do they do with all that frozen time? Rob banks, of course. Hailed as the “Best New Series” by USA Today and Time Magazine’s Comic of the Year 2013, Sex Criminals does not disappoint.

This book is absolutely laugh-out-loud hilarious. If you have a dirty sense of humor, like me, you’ll love this. Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky completely knocked this one out of the park with their writing. It’s not all just dirty jokes though, it’s even pretty insightful about love, life and all the struggles of growing up and coming into your own. The authors even have a sex tip book, called “Just The Tips” with articles and stories curated from the letter section of Sex Criminals. (Also hilarious) Everyone who asks me what comic I recommend, I always say Sex Criminals. It’s actually in the works to become a TV show! So read up now, ladies and gentlemen, so you’ll be able to say you knew about it before it was on TV. You get extra hipster points for that. All jokes aside, you should really really reaaaallllly pick up Sex Criminals by Matt Fraction and Chip Zdarsky, I promise you won’t regret it.

Ever feel like you’re crazy? That people around you just don’t get it? Are the voices in your head too loud? Do your parents push you aside or consider you a burden?

Meet Syd. She’s been hearing voices in her head her whole life. No amount of therapy, medication or help from professionals can silence them. After a failed suicide attempt, a mysterious man named The Voice checks her out of the hospital and brings her to his home. There, she meets the others: Fagen, Wire, Runt, Blurgirl, Moon, Misery Kid, Maisie, and Gruff. Syd finds out that she’s not crazy at all. In fact, she’s a telepath. Now, she’s among people just like her. People who have been made to feel insane, but in actuality they’re gifted... they’re special. They’ve built up a life for themselves with The Voice as their leader and mentor. But, the way they’ve done it is not exactly moral. They don’t use their abilities for good, they prey on the innocent, and they want Syd to be one of them.

“They’re Not Like Us: Black Holes for the Young” from Image comics is original and fresh. A real page turner. I expected this to be good when I picked it up, as Image has put out most of my favorites. I wasn’t disappointed. The story really hooks you in right from the beginning and it just keeps on getting better from there. It’s dark and gritty but at the same time manages to have a lot of heart. The art in “They’re Not Like Us” is really beautiful. Aside from the story being great, it’s just pretty to look at. The coloring is what really got me, it brings the whole story to life. The writing is smart and unpredictable. I highly recommend picking this one up. If you’re looking for a story that’ll leave you wanting more, definitely check out volume one of “They’re Not Like Us: Black Holes for the Young” by Eric Stephenson, Simon Gane and Jordie Bellaire!

With Snake in the clutches of the Free Republic of Florida once again, we find him in a military camp with an explosive neck brace. With the nukes armed and the twins ready to go to war with the United States, will Snake be able to escape in time while also giving Florida a second chance?

As always, some spoilers may follow.

The highlights of issue three remain within the wacky characters and settings of the story. The artwork remains fun and colorful, moving along at a brisk pace. Much like the original film, Snake is almost always in motion, but it’s a move that could back fire in the long run if the writers aren’t careful.

A remaining issue is that the twins are never really that convincing to me. Later in the issue, there’s a fun moment when we get to see where and how the twins live. Their mansion is like something out of, “Blank Check”, (too old a reference? Google it!) Now, they supposedly fooled the public into thinking they have some kind of mental powers, but at no point is it ever elaborated on. Besides the fact that they have guns and a very determined bodyguard, they’re not at all intimidating. In the mansion itself they have adults captive in silly costumes, as their servants. It’s a funny idea, very “Twilight Zone”, but why these people don’t just slip a knife into these kids necks I’ll never understand.

Obviously Snake is going to do something about all this, but why must it be him? It would seem that the rest of the people could find a way to band together and overthrow a pair of thirteen year olds. WHy did they follow them in the first place? They may be armed and dangerous, but in this universe, Plissken is the only one left who seems to fight for his beliefs.

In the end, I’m still left hoping to better understand the universe at large in this series. It’s not bad or uninteresting by any means, but remains too vague. The other major question is about Snake himself. A true anti hero, his actions are close to the original film, but he seems to care even less about others this time around. I hope at some point we can get into his head a little and get a clearer picture of his thought process.

Overall, this Escape series remains an interesting read and I would recommend it for fans of the original film, but it’s still coming up a little short for my taste. With the tension building to what could be an explosive conclusion in the next issue, we’ll just have to hold on and see where this ride takes us.

Score: 3 Tyrannical Twins Out of 5

Following the events of Secret Wars, Captain Marvel and the Carol Corps defend all that remains... Battleworld, ruled by Victor Von Doom. After being visited by the Thors, Captain Marvel and the Carol Corps get sent out on a kill strike mission for who they think is Ultron. Things are not always as they seem, though...

Woo! It sure is great to see an all female military team being represented in comics. But, sadly, this one didn’t thrill me. I picked this one up after hearing great things about Kelly Sue DeConnnick’s first run with Captain Marvel. Maybe I set my hopes too high. I’m not that familiar with the title character, but what really drew me in were the Carol Corps. I’m hoping we get more backstory with them in future issues. The book itself is written well and has that classic comic feel to it. I definitely think this run will get progressively better, as it shows promise with an interesting storyline. If you’re into badass ladies on the front field, give this one a look. Captain Marvel and The Carol Corps #1 written by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Kelly Thompson and illustrated by David Lopez, on stands now!

Groot and Rocket Raccoon are hitchhiking through the galaxy in Groot #1 written by Jeff Loveness and Brian Kesinger. After their ship blows up, Groot and Rocket are stranded in space. Much to Rocket’s dislike, all Groot is trying to do is get back to Earth. Rocket, always loyal to his friends, figures that might be better than being stranded. So, they do what anyone would do...start hitchhiking. But wherever they go, trouble seems to follow close behind.

I never really knew about Groot until I saw Guardians of the Galaxy on the big screen. He became my favorite in an instant. He’s just got a way with words. I enjoyed this book, it was definitely amusing and had a charm to it. The art is colorful and fun. Space gives a great backdrop to the unique characters they run into. Groot, always one to keep a positive attitude, plays well on the page with the tough and sarcastic Rocket. Surprisingly, the dialogue is funny and clever, even when all the main character says is “I am Groot.” Brian Kessinger does a great job with Groot’s facial expressions and body language. They’re a clear giveaway to what he’s feeling. Pick this one up if you’re looking for a fun story with lots of laughs. Groot #1 is available on comic shelves now!

The stage has been set for a great battle in Little China! Big Trouble number eight is here and I’m excited to get to the action! Wang and Jack, now backed by an unlikely group, are heading back to the den of the evil Lo Pan in hopes of banishing him once again, to the hell of those killed by idiots. Who will prevail this time around? Does Jack have enough dumb luck left to get them through the fight?!

There are as always possible spoilers ahead!

I want to first point out the positive. The artwork continues to be colorful and fun to look at. The characters have remained true to their film counterparts and I’ve really enjoyed getting to continue to the adventure with them. Also, the dialogue has has been silly/half serious in true Big Trouble fashion.

Now to my concerns. Although I find this issue a bit of a retread, of itself and also of the film, it is by no means bad. This issue also took a turn toward the end I did not see coming. Don’t get the impression that I’m starting to hate the comic by any means, but I do have a few issues. The missing characters from the original film still nag at me, despite getting an explanation for the whereabouts of one of them.

Usually I would be more critical of the story itself, but overall, the universe presented here is so silly and fun, it tends to distract me. I will say though, that I am a bit disappointed with the return of the three storms most of all. Although none of them said much during the film, they were a big presence and to keep them in the background this time around seems like an odd choice. I am all for introducing new characters to fill the void, but not much of that has really happened either. Another example would be the evil Qiang Wu. I’ve enjoyed what I’ve seen, but he quickly becomes a background character, just another servant to Lo Pan.

Sorry, but this paragraph is SPOILER HEAVY!

I’m also sorry if this is a bit of a nit pick, but I can’t wrap my head around it. At the end of the film, Lo Pan’s evil empire is crushed and the building he owned falls apart at the seams and bursts into green flame. Yet, in this issue, during the epic battle, Lo Pan is holding his ceremony in the SAME PLACE. When/how did they find the time to reconstruct? Was it ancient Chinese magic? If so, why not show us the rebuild? This seems like a bit of a screw up in my opinion.

Regardless of where the Pork Chop Express is going, I’m in it for the long haul. Each issue still makes me laugh out loud and the most important thing is I’m still having fun reading it. With the twist at the end of this issue, I’m excited to see where the story will take me next!

Score: 4 Burning Blades Out of 5

Black Canary is back and this time she’s left super heroics behind for a new world of rock and roll. Now known as D.D and the lead singer of the band Black Canary, (Kind of dangerous, with that voice, don’t ya think?) trouble follows her everywhere. Dinah just wants to escape her past, but it keeps catching up with her. To the dismay of her bandmates, their shows usually end with a literal bang. As in, Dinah banging someone's head in at the end of practically every performance. So much so that they have been dubbed “The Most Dangerous Band In America.” So who is coming after D.D, and why? Or maybe it’s not her they’re after...

Of course, I loved this book. Music and comics are pretty much my two favorite things, so combine them and it’s even better. The art in this book is gritty and gorgeous. Annie Wu was a perfect fit for this story, giving it an edgy look and feel. I’m in love with her art style. The story itself is pretty interesting and it’s cool to see a character such as Dinah Lance in a different scenario. Brenden Fletcher does a good job of keeping her true to the Black Canary we all know and love. The girl with the killer (literally) voice in a band? Now that’s a show I’d like to see. This is just the start for D.D and Black Canary. The series seems pretty promising and I’m excited to pick up the next one! Black Canary #1 by Brenden Fletcher and Annie Wu are available on comic shelves now!

I recently got my hands on a copy of Volume 1 of "Ms. Marvel: No Normal" written by G. Willow Wilson and drawn by Adrian Alphona. And I gotta say, it sure lives up to the hype. Ms. Marvel is the first Marvel comic to feature a Muslim super-heroine. Since her comic first debuted in 2014, she's easily become one of Marvel's most popular superheroes. Kamala Khan is just a regular 16-year-old Pakistani girl. She's a junior in high school and she's obsessed with the Avengers and writes fan fiction in her spare time. She lives with her strict but loving parents and her very religious brother in Jersey City. One night, after getting enveloped in a fog that blasts the whole city, she has a vision of her idol, Carol Danvers (the previous Ms. Marvel, now known as Captain Marvel). She wakes and discovers that she has the ability to shape-shift, shrink and enlarge her body. She takes up the mantle of Ms. Marvel and sets her sights on protecting Jersey City from a new villain called "The Inventor."

Right off the bat, the writing and her characterization reminds me of Peter Parker's. She's young, geeky, just finding out she has powers and is struggling to juggle them with all of her other responsibilities. She's also got that sarcastic and witty humor that we know and love Peter Parker for. So if you're a fan of Spidey, check this out! The book, all in all, was a joy to read. It's colorful, diverse, refreshing and new. It's awesome seeing a female fronted comic about a person of color being so popular in the Marvel universe. I absolutely love how Kamala's faith and culture are highlighted in the story. Her family and home life are a big part of who she is. She's balancing between her religious duties and struggling with disobeying her parents so she can be the hero she wants to be. The story itself is just so genuine. Between the gorgeous art and the hilarious and insightful writing, I gotta give this one five stars. Go ahead and pick this up, I guarantee you'll love it.

Issue number two is here and I can’t wait to see where the story will lead! So why are we wasting time?! Grab your weapons, and let’s head back to the corrupt United States of America!

Some spoilers may follow, but are at a minimum as usual!

Issue number two finds Snake in the grips of two deranged children who are in charge of the Free Republic of Florida. Looking for someone to lead their army against the rest of the United States of America, they spare his life. What exactly has Snake gotten himself into? And more importantly, will he be able to escape this new city before the big one hits?

‘Escape’ continues to keep the pace up, opting to introduce a lot of new characters in each issue. With only a small few carrying over from issue one, the outside world seems to whiz by. Although I’m enjoying seeing what’s happened to another state, I’m left wondering what the United States Police Force is up to. We get a few tidbits around the middle of the issue, but I would love to see for example Charles Cyphers Secretary of State character plotting to capture Plissken.

It’s an interesting choice not to carry over any of the governmental figures from the film. Two issues in and there is hardly any mention of them. I understand where Snake is physically, which makes it hard for anyone outside of Florida to get there hands on him, but it leaves me wondering. Hopefully in the next few issues, we get to see some more behind the scenes of the United States Police Force, but as of right now, they don’t seem to be too powerful at all.

There is some solid action throughout the entire comic and even a really cool prison. I don’t want to give away where it’s located or what it is exactly, but it’s certainly a pretty clever idea from two 13 year olds. We’re also treated to some of Snake’s tactical training, leading to a very interesting firefight at one point. There’s also a group of survivors trying to make a stand of there own, hopefully we’ll get to see more of them.

Still, one of my biggest questions moving forward is, how exactly does everyone know who Snake Plissken is? And also, how did they all, hear he was dead? I understand these are lines pulled from the film and worked into the series as an ongoing joke, but I would love to see a hint at what this is referring to. I would assume it’s because he was a decorated war hero turned bad, but why not hint at Snake’s past? A back story of sorts might not work on film, but it may work better in comic form. I also think it might be cool to see Snake get involved in some sort of heist, similar to the one he was caught while trying to complete, which landed him in the New York prison. I already know and love the character, but I want to see, not just hear about, why he is the United States greatest outlaw.

One small gripe I still have going, is with Snakes leg. In this issue, we see him briefly getting some medical treatment, but he still doesn’t seem to be slowed down at all by it. His pants also don’t have a hole or blood stain where he was shot (he’s supposed to be wearing the same outfit, imagine the smell!). Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a big deal, but the little things can add up sometimes.

Overall Escape number two is a good read, that slowly starts to paint a picture of this fractured and war driven United States. The artwork is solid and vibrant, with interesting characters and settings. Now that things are starting to heat up, I can’t wait to see where the story will build from here.

Score: 3 ½ Eye Patches Out of 5

The evil forces on Jack and Wang’s tails may just get the revenge they so desperately seek in this issue of Big Trouble in Little China! Can Jack’s odd, dumb luck manage to hold out a little longer? Or will he finally get what’s coming to him? The stress and humor of this issue have me cracking at the seams! So let’s get into it, and find out what Jack and Wang will do next!

Spoilers you fools! There are possible spoilers!

Issue number seven takes a dark turn early. Egg Shen and Miao Yin have been discovered on the Midnight Road and ratted out to the seven headed widow. Meanwhile, Jack and Wang find themselves completely surrounded by the Wing Kong, poised for attack somewhere in the south. Things aren’t looking good and then get even creepier when the southern police show up. I don’t want to give away the bit that takes place, but it contains the single funniest line I’ve read in this comic yet! I was at the airport when I read this issue, and I’m sure I looked like a craziest fool laughing uncontrollably in the corner.

I love the use of comedy this particular time around. The silliness of this universe is a great deal of fun and something I’m glad to see translated so well onto the page. (We can only hope the remake of the film with “The Rock” remembers this.) Wang had a great bit with trying to fit in with the southerners that I loved, and Jack was up to his usual antics, one in particular that is just fantastic.

The two mystery men in suits from the last issue are nowhere to be seen after their run in with the alien farmer. It was a rather strange moment for the series I have to say. It didn’t seem to jell as well with the . It’s possible they may just be bounty hunters for Lo Pan since everyone in Little China and on the Midnight Road seems to know who Lo Pan is after. (There’s a crazy huge muscle dude, with a pink mohawk that resembles Bebop from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and there’s a really funny bit about peas.)

By the end of this issue, the stage has been set for a big show down. Although I’m really enjoying the ride of Big Trouble, I’m beginning to wonder where it may be going long term. How many times can we see someone kidnapped and then rescued to just have someone else kidnapped? I’m very interested to see where things will go over the next few issues.

Big Trouble in Little China remains a really fun ride and has managed to keep me hooked. I honestly look forward to each issue and have a lot of fun with where this sequel has gone. As always, you can find them all at BOOM-Studios.com, so check them out for yourself today!

Score: 4 Lords of Death Out of 5

Snake Plissken is back! From BOOM Studios, the people that brought us the great ‘Big Trouble in Little China’ series, comes another Carpenter inspired comic. Just like the former, this new comic acts as a direct sequel to the original 1981 film of the same name. While Big Trouble is notable for it’s action/comedy, Escape is notable for its action/drama. I went into this first issue with some high expectations, no matter how much I tried to quell them, and the results? Let’s head back to New York Maximum Security Penitentiary and find out!

And yes my friends, there will be spoilers!

Picking up exactly where the film ends, with Snake destroying the tape (which contained information on Nuclear fusion) the President was set to present at the Hartford summit, Snake is immediately public enemy number one yet again. Now humiliated by the man who saved him, the President wants Plissken’s head, but Snake quickly escapes via helicopter, but soon crashes into the Pine Barrens of New Jersey. (Where the United States Police Force is quickly forgotten about)

From the film itself, we learn very little about the outside world. We do know that Plissken was a former Lt. in the special forces and a decorated war hero during some kind of Cold War battle/WWIII against the Soviet Union and China. At some point, he turned against his country, which has grown to resemble little of the free world we know and love. With the crime rate rising four hundred percent by 1988, the United States Police Force is formed in 1991 to regain control, bringing about a kind of police state. The world of Escape is set in this future world of 1997, where things have only gotten worse.

Snake hitches a ride with a group in an RV who are they’re on there way to Florida in search of freedom. Six years earlier, Florida seeded from the union. They buried nukes, which they acquired from Cuba, along the entire border with the rest of the U.S. Calling themselves the Free Republic of Florida, the country is run by the two thirteen year old twins who are supposed to have some kind of telepathy. It’s a wild idea that fits well with the themes of social collapse.

The artwork is solid overall and fits well to the tone of the original film. Snake had a slightly less Kurt Russell resemblance when compared to the Big Trouble comic, but still looks very much like the Snake we know and love. Coloring is also interesting, colorful but with a washed out look at times. The action is pretty smooth and there is plenty of it!

Unfortunately, I do have a few issues with the comic thus far. Through the entire first issue, Snake seems to run and jump as if he wasn’t just shot in the thigh with an arrow less than 24 hours ago. In the film, he has a purple scarf tied to his thigh and it remains there for the duration, as does a noticeable limp. Why not keep this going and show him kicking butt despite this injury?

One of the other issues is the lack of pursuit by the United States Police Force. If they are indeed still after Plissken, then why do they give up so quickly? Snake seems to drive down the entire coast without any issues, no roadblocks, no police presence of any kind. According to the film, and hinted at in the comic itself, is that crime has become such a problem that the United States has become a police state. There is little to no indication of this presented here and I hope it’s better addressed in future issues. I’m curious to see what the rest of the U.S. looks like.

Overall Escape from New York number one is pretty good, but not great. I can’t wait to sink my teeth into the rest of the series to see where this story will go and how much it will expand the universe at hand. The information given to us in the films is very limited and Escape from L.A. ignored all opportunities to expand on the outside world in favor of just making the same movie again; so the comic is already ahead of the game. Head on over to BOOM-Studios.com and pick up issue number one today, It’s certainly worth a read!

Score: 3 ½ Snake Skins Out of 5

Big Trouble number six is here and I couldn’t be more pumped! This issue did not disappoint and kept me chuckling the whole way through. With half the story in the netherworld of the Midnight Road, and the other half moving out of Little China and into the southern United States, no one feels safe from the growing power of the evil forces. So let’s get right into it!

There will be some minor spoilers starting……….. NOW!

We find Wang and Jack on the road trying to escape Lo Pan’s forces, where they end up in a bar surrounded by some not so nice bikers. (There’s a great little nod to Escape from New York if you pay close attention!) Also hot on their trail, are two men in black suits and sunglasses working for Lo Pan. We’re not given any other information about them, besides the fact that they are able to take out an entire room of guys without breaking a sweat. Wang and Jack certainly have their work cut out for them!

Meanwhile, Egg and Miao Yin hide out on the Midnight Road. After all that has happened, Yin is now determined to fight back, refusing to be a victim yet again. I love seeing her take charge of her fate. Earlier in the series we saw Wang himself kidnapped, instead of Miao Yin, switching up the roles of the young couple and keeping things fresh. Hopefully we’ll get to see Yin use some of her fighting skills against some of the main baddies soon!

AND after six issues, we finally get some info on the whereabouts of the one and only Gracie Law! (Somewhere in Tibet campaigning for the ethical treatment of livestock) Although it is only a cameo, and one I feel should have happened much earlier in the series, it’s nice to see Gracie again. As for Margo and Eddie Lee, the world may never know. With Gracie written out of the story, I can understand that her partner in crime Margo isn’t around. However, Eddie Lee was Wang’s friend, so it does feel weird to have him absent, especially during the wedding back at the beginning of the series.

Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not that crucial to the story they are creating here, but considering that basically every other character has reemerged, it seems like an odd choice. However, there’s so much going on in the series, and so many new characters to fill the void, that it has yet to negatively impact the story. Overall, Big Trouble number six continues to build the story and keep the laughs coming! So head on over to BOOM Studios.com and check it out for yourself!

Score: 4 Miao Yins Out of 5

Big Trouble in Little China number five is here and boy is it crazy good! Where the first four issues build into what could almost be seen as a conclusion on the verge of completion (I was tricked!), issue five switches gears to push the story in a new direction. There turned out to be a ton of really fun surprises along the way and the inclusion of an interesting new element to the story. So what are we waiting for? Let’s drive right in!

As always kids, I’ll try to keep out some of the major stuff, but there will indeed be some spoilers!

Choosing to open up on the Midnight Road, we see the familiar face of David Lo Pan in ‘the hell of those killed by idiots’. In this hell, a small group sits in a circle of chairs. Behind them are two freakish broots with giant sticks. Each time one of the group reveals how they were killed by a fool, one of the broots hits them in the back of the head with said stick. It’s oddly funny and an interesting idea.

This comic has a lot of fun building the universe of Little China. The Midnight Road, which I thought might be behind us at this point, instead winds on endlessly. The vast space is filled with the many different hells, including ‘the hell or razor blades and fire’ and ‘the hell of those hung up by their thumbs and eaten from the toes up by flesh eating slugs’. The creatures that inhabit this mysterious place are dangerous, but intriguing, with strong personalities.

With the return of Lo Pan, Jack has lost his monster friend ‘Pete’. Outnumbered, and now facing two evil masters of the dark arts, the group escapes to form a new plan. Back at Egg Shen’s the stage is set for the next several issues, with Jack and Miao Yin taking off in the Pork Chop Express to make a break for it.

The comedy remains a main focus as this issue sets up things to come. This is the only comic I’ve ever read that every single issue has made me burst out laughing. There were a few changes in this issue however, the most noticeable, no former love story from Burton. At first I was almost a little disappointed, but the point had been made already in the first four issues.

Now both Lo Pan and his servant Qiang Wu remain a looming threat, but I do wish that the ghostly three storms had a bit more life to them as they did in the film. Not that they spoke all that much, but they’re definitely in the background at this point. With how things are being set up, I hope to see them come back to life a bit.

Overall, Carpenter, Powell & Churilla have continued to create a very funny, and visually interesting comic. I have said this in each review, and I’ll continue to say it, if you’re a fan of this movie, pick up the comic! Each issue really has been proven to be a great new story. You’ve waited long enough! Head on over to BOOM Studios

and get involved in the BIG TROUBLE in little China!

Score: 4 ½ Lo Pans Out of 5

This is it! I’ve reached the last issue of IDW’s Dawn of the Dead comic adaptation. Thus far, I have found myself underwhelmed by this short series. With the action heavy finale looming, I honestly found myself almost dreading this issue. Will my expectations of massive cuts ring true? Or will I be proven wrong and find myself treated to one hell of a conclusion? Let’s find out!

Unlike issue two, which picks up where issue one left off, the story jumps around a bit. This is not all too surprising considering the montage and time jump in the film. Although again, I find myself looking for more. Why not take this opportunity to explore the world at large or explore the lives of our hero’s in a way the film did not? Instead, we get the highlights with a few updated panels showing life in the mall.

After Roger turns, the writers choose to ignore his burial and the awkward romantic dinner Steven and Fran share. It really is a shame to leave these moments out. The failed marriage proposal really is a fantastic moment. It does make you wonder how people would react in this apocalyptic world. On AMC’s The Walking Dead we are treated to the complete opposite. Exploring the inner workings of the mind and how it reacts to this kind of stress is honestly the most interesting part, so it seems odd to completely drop it.

Then the biker gang breaks into the mall. Most of this plays out the same, but it’s shortened and any sense of fun from the perspective of the bikers is lost. They quickly enter and leave with only one or two getting torn open. The artwork and gore are certainly fun, but there are so many iconic images that are either changed or missing, it hardly seems worth the time. As Peter and Fran head for chopper on the roof and set off for an uncertain future, we are treated to the same ending line about the low fuel. Then, there’s the odd choice to push it a little further with Fran telling Petter she felt the baby kick. What’s the point of adding this? It literally adds nothing and feels cheesy.

Overall, it isn’t so much bad, as it is uninspired. The Dawn of the Dead film certainly has a very comic book style, one that does transfer pretty well, but without a solid story to back it up, it falls flat. I said it early in my reviews for this series, but this comic had a great opportunity to explore the world and characters further. Why not give us a few more issues and show us where Peter and Fran head to next. Why not show us the challenges and fears of childbirth in this uncertain landscape?  This entire review would have turned out very different had the comic come first and then the film expand upon that, but going the other way around, why bother?

Score: 3 Undead Friends Out of 5

Alright everyone, time to check out issue two of IDW’s Dawn of the Dead comic. This time around I was really hoping that they wouldn’t skimp on moments from the film. Picking up where we left off, our heros are just entering the mall, looking to take a breather. Many familiar zombies such as the nurse and the monk can be spotted, along with plenty of new faces. So, the burning question is, does it fare better than issue one?

The artwork is once again really fun and colorful, but still seems wasted by cutting out for example, the mall clean up scene. Now it’s not like we don’t see anything, but at only three panels, I couldn’t help but feel let down. The film presents the challenges of trying to lock down such a huge space full of hungry dead people. There are great moments fumbling for keys, hot wiring cars, and of course Fran coming into her own a bit. All of this is lost on the comic. We get a moment of them spotting a truck, driving fast and shooting, and then it’s done. The action is over before it ever begins. With artwork as colorful and bloody as what’s on display here, it feels like a missed opportunity.

A running them at this point is the loss of a strong female lead. On film, Fran is a much stronger character than Barbara from Night of the Living Dead. Fran grows as the film progresses, learns from situations, and stands up for herself. Learning to shoot, fly the helicopter, and refusing to just sit back and panic, she shows that women can be just as strong as men. With that said, the comic does the opposite and makes little effort to showcase such growth. It reads as a highlight reel from the film, showing off famous moments and leaving much to be desired.

The comic has also lost the undercurrent of humor that the character of Steven brings. He is a clumsy fool, who manages to shape up for a bit before making a grave mistake late in the story. When he first heads down into the mall, Steven fumbles to load a gun in a claustrophobic maze of pipes. The minimal lighting carries a lot of tension as a lone zombie stumbles after him. It reaches a point on screen of being almost comedic, since this man just simply can’t seem to save himself. The scenes counterpart however, is shortened, and changed to a well lit room. Steven manages to save himself almost instantly, shooting the zombie in the head, and leaving an entirely different impression on the reader.

My biggest question of all is, why not make a three or four issue sequel series to the movie? I’ve always been interested in seeing where Peter and Fran might wind up. They had little fuel, but a lot of supplies and less people on board. That story is already far more appealing than simply rehashing the original and cutting it up. Why not have Romero take a crack at a follow up story? Perhaps he was too busy working on Land of the Dead at the time.

Once again I find myself disappointed. I also fear the cuts that may be coming in the third and final issue. So far, there simply isn’t anything about this comic that makes it a must read. Without working in something fresh and removing many pieces of the action, the whole affair just feels like a waste of time. It’s a shame to say that, given how good it looks, but I can not recommend it thus far.

Score: 3 Lost Limbs Out of 5

Let’s take a trip back to 2004, (insert squiggly lines and bright flash here). Zombies were just starting to come back to the public eye. Dawn of the Dead, which is still widely considered the best zombie film of all time, was being remade. The original film being re-released as a four disc box set, and included in that set was the first issue of a comic book based on the movie. With a cover featuring the famous machete zombie, how could this possibly be a bad thing? Well let’s sink our teeth into it and find out! Oh, and as always, I warn you now, good people of the internet, there will be tons of spoilers!

Released by IDW, the comic follows the plot of the original film and it’s four main characters. Now, you would think creating a comic based on a film that is basically a comic book come to life would be a slam dunk. Instead we’re treated to a lackluster retelling. At no moment reading this issue did I ever feel the same kind of dread or suspense of the film. One of the biggest reasons for this is the lack of the iconic score by Goblin.

Reading through panels, that are for the most part reproductions of shots from the film, they lack any sense of urgency. Both stories open the same way, Fran jolting awake to a world that has engulfed in fear, except on the page, it comes across flat. Although the artwork and coloring look great and the gore is ramped up, that’s not enough to save it.

Now it is certainly possible that some of these changes were made to condense the story for the three issue arc, but if that’s the case, why bother retelling the same story? Why not shake up more of it and incorporate some new ideas? The main story, setting, and dialogue were taken directly from the original film. The intention to stay as faithful as possible was certainly made, but with key portions of the story missing.

One of the first changes that impacted a character arch was one with Fran at the TV station. In the film, she uses a studio mic during a live broadcast to get the attention of her station manager. Fighting for what she thinks is right, to keep closed rescue stations from being broadcast on the air. It shows the strength of the character and only enhances her growth later on in the story. Here, we are treated to a sub par rendition, with Fran confronting her boss in a doorway for one panel.

Another sequence altered involves a young SWAT team member choosing to commit suicide after a struggle with several zombies. He does not get bitten, but still decides that he would rather die than face what the world is becoming. On the screen, it almost feels justified. In the comic book counterpart, it is nothing more than two quick panels with brains on the wall.

Overall it’s a lackluster start to what could have been a really fun comic. There are positive elements here, but dropping sequences like when Peter is attacked by and kills two undead children really is a shame. It’s a horrific moment, but one that demonstrates the guts you’ll need to survive this new world. For now, we’ll just have to wait and see if issue two kicks it up a few notches.

Score: 3 Dead Heads Out of 5

Not gonna lie, I was a bit worried at the start of issue number four. Worried, because I had read that this would be the last installment of a really fun story. Instead, I’m very happy to report, that information was incorrect. I now believe it may actually be six. Given where the story ends in this issue, I can not wait to see how good ol’ Jack Burton continues or concludes his quest to save Wang and Chinatown.

As always, some spoilers follow!

We pick up with Jack, Egg and Pete finally returning from the Midnight Road. Back at Egg’s, they plot with the Chang Sing and Miao Yin to rescue Wang. Meanwhile, the evil Qiang Wu waits with the Wing Kong for delivery of the jars containing the souls of the three storms. When the two groups finally meet, there is a fantastic moment where Qiang Wu turns Jack’s own humor against him. I wasn’t expecting this moment, but I must say it was so funny I had to put the comic down for a minute. I can not say I have read a ton of comics, but I can say I’ve never read a series where each issue has made me burst out laughing.

With the mystery of the Midnight road behind us, this issue is less about adventure and more about moving the story forward. Now you may think that’s code for, this is issue sucks, but I promise you it doesn’t. There is plenty of humor and great artwork to keep the reader engaged as the plot is setup. If there really are only two more, I can see how we’ve reached the beginning of the end, but I’m not sure how I’ll be able to let the world of Big Trouble go again.

So let’s just not think about that.

As with the previous installments, we are presented with another tale of a former Mrs. Burton. This time however, we’re introduced to Jack’s true love. It’s a rather tender flashback, one that shines some light on just why Burton will do whatever it takes to save and reunite Wang with his new bride. It’s also nice to see Miao Yin take a more active role in this story, despite the fact that she does not really have much to do. Now I know I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, still missing Eddie, Margo and Gracie Law. Just saying.

The biggest surprise comes at the end of the issue with the …. even I don’t want to ruin that one! You’ll just have to read it for yourself! You’ve waited long enough, head on over to your local comic shop or order online, but get your hands on the first four issues! BOOM Studios, with some help from John Carpenter have created a great ride in the Pork Chop Express, and your number is up!

Score: 4 ½ Qiang Wus Out of 5

Hey internet, the new Big Trouble in Little China is finally here! The last issue left us wondering what strange new beasts Jack, Egg and good old Pete would run into next. It also left us wondering if any of them would make it back alive to save their friend. Not sure who that friend is? Not sure who Pete is? Sounds like you need to catch up on issues one and two, because as always, there will be spoilers!

The midnight road has lead our hero’s to the home of the seven headed widow, and Jack’s reaction to the widow herself, and to the strange world around him, doesn’t disappoint. At first I was almost nervous for the group. Her power to see and know all (past, present & future) had me wondering how Jack might finally meet his demise. Upon revealing his future however, I couldn't believe I had any trepidation. In fact, I laughed so hard I had to put the comic down. Burton is one of those characters that somehow manages to hit everything at just the right time, proving to be the embodiment of what he so often says, "It's all in the reflexes."

As with the first two issues, we’re treated to crazy story about another former Mrs. Burton. The things this man has managed to get himself into, and the dumb luck that’s managed to keep him alive, are just Fantastic. Always clueless, shameless, and stubborn, but his heart’s in the right place. Jack Burton is a man seemingly destined for something. I’m not exactly sure that it’s greatness, but the universe clearly has something in mind for our favorite truck driver.

Now, it would seem moving forward into issues four and five, we’ll probably be heading heading back to Little China. This could allow for the reintroduction of some other characters from original film. Of course it is also possible they may never appear in this story, but I would certainly enjoy the return of Gracie Law, Eddie Lee and Margo. Perhaps they were just viewed as only important to the original story, but I feel they could be just as usefull now. I'm also still wondering if and or when the police will get involved in this whole mess. Issue four can’t come soon enough!

Overall, Big Trouble in Little China continues to deliver the goods and hints at even more epic things to come. The artwork remains wonderfully colorful and a real joy to look at. It's a comic that seems to be a perfect storm, raising the stakes and scope of the world as any good sequel should. If you haven't had a chance, or you've been putting it off, hop back in the Old Pork Chop Express and get the first three issues now.

You'll be glad you did.

Score: 4 ½ Ancient Demons Out of 5

The San Diego Comic-Con has come and gone while the Boston Comic-Con wrapped things up this weekend.  Yet, I can't help but wonder... That's it?

Each year I count down the days to The Con, eagerly awaiting to read the headlines, see the cosplay photos, receive an outpour of texts and tweets from my nerdy friends, and tune into Live internet shows that bring news straight from the floor to me.  This year however, I feel like unless you were actually there, you didn’t hear too much about what went down.  It certainly lacked the usual major studio surprises and shocking comic plot twists, but there were some things worth nerdgasming over.  From District 13 all the way to another Galaxy there was just enough to wet our nerdbud pallets (that is an actual thing).  Here are our top 5 favorite announcements to come out of this year’s Comic-Con.

5.  Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Listen… I know most of us are not getting our hopes up on this one.  I was on board when they first announced this film, and I was even on board when they announced Ben Affleck as Batman.  It wasn’t until I heard Jesse Eisenberg was casted as Lex Luthor that my faith in the film began to deteriorate.  Eisenberg is great as a brooding, fast-talking, eye darting, character. But as the bad and bold Lex Luthor…? I have my doubts.  I was really hoping the Batman v Superman panel would bring it at Comic-Con but again felt let down.  Aside from the new take on Wonder Woman’s traditional costume, now reminiscent of Xena Warrior Princess, there wasn’t any major news announcements.  It wasn’t until one brave soul captured the teaser trailer that my faith was restored…at least a little bit.

If you’re familiar with the panels at Comic-Con you know it’s a huge no-no to take your phone out during the presentation of trailers.  Security trolls the aisles to make sure no footage is leaked that the studio doesn’t want out there yet.  But here we can see our first glimpse at the film.  (http://movies.cosmicbooknews.com/content/watch-batman-vs-superman-comic-con-trailer-1).  The coolest part of this footage is Batman’s suit looks very similar to Frank Miller’s comic version in The Dark Knight Returns.  Does this mean we can we expect to see Batman as the 55 year old crime fighter?  The movie is still two years away from hitting the theaters (the date recently was moved up) so it’s too soon to really know what to make of the film…Maybe next year’s Comic-Con can deliver what we’re all waiting for.

4.  The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1

Jennifer Lawrence is back as Katniss Everdeen to take on the Capitol in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1.  The trailer was released (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=InN36T7VmFE) and shows the late Philip Seymour Hoffman as Plutarch convincing District 13’s President played by Julianne Moore, that Katniss is the symbol for the rebellion.  Based on the trailer, director Francis Lawrence captures the look and feel of the final book in the Hunger Games trilogy.  Katniss was reluctant to become the symbol and it’s written all over her face as she tries to convince not only herself, but the injured soldiers that she is ready to lead them and fight by their side.  From the teasers we know Peeta and Johanna are by President Snow’s side…so it will be interesting to see where the director split the book in half.  Will we see Peeta reunited with Katniss in the first installment of the Mockingjay?       

3.  Air

Robert Kirkman, the brains behind The Walking Dead, finally debuted his trailer for Air.  The sci-fi thriller stars Norman Reedus from AMC’s The Walking Dead alongside two-time Oscar nominated actor Djimon Hounsou. The two play custodial workers in an underground facility that houses a cryogenically frozen society.  In typical Kirkman fashion, the setting is in a post apocalyptic world; Earth’s atmosphere is destroyed and Hounsou and Reedus are the only hope of restoring humanity; however their struggle with sanity puts risk to ever restoring life on Earth.  

Check out the chilling trailer here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pb2fuFUwbRg 

2.  The Walking Dead

Speaking of Kirkman and Reedus, the trailer for The Walking Dead Season 5 was released and we pick up right where we left off…trapped in a train car with a really…REALLY pissed off Rick Grimes.  If you thought last season brought it, this season looks like it is going to be even bigger and better. From the trailer it appears Rick makes a deal with the devil, the leader of Terminus, in order to save his life and the lives of the members of his group.  Their mission: Work together to get Eugene to Washington, D.C. to cure whatever is causing the zombie apocalypse and give the world back to the living.  For anyone who has questioned Rick’s ability to lead in the past I do believe he will prove you wrong in this upcoming season.  Check out the trailer here and make sure you watch until the end…Remember Beth?  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4GAs9TJVjM

1.  Guardians of the Galaxy 2

First of all, if you haven’t seen the first Guardians of the Galaxy do yourself a favor and see it immediately.  I recommend the IMAX 3D experience, but go with whatever your heart tells you.  We can usually count on Marvel to make some sort of mind-blowing announcement at Comic-Con. This year however they played their hand differently.  There was no big announcement like who will play Dr. Strange or if Hulk is getting his own movie but they did reveal that there will be a sequel to Guardians of the Galaxy.  Even before seeing the film we knew this had to be the case.  Marvel has so many films in the pipeline, why stop now, especially with a film like Guardians of the Galaxy.  Marvel didn’t reveal much but we do know James Gunn will also direct the sequel, set to premiere on July 28, 2017.  At the end of the first film we know Nebula is somewhere on the loose, Drax still yearns to seek revenge against Thanos, Yondu knows who Starlord’s father is, and what is up with The Collector and his need for the Infinity Stones?  There is also a rumor that the exploded cocoon seen at the end in The Collectors destroyed facility actually contained Adam Warlock…which leaves fans to believe he may make an appearance in the second film.  Inevitably I think this will play out but Marvel has yet to confirm any of this.

So, what was your favorite piece news or teaser trailer to come out? Are you hoping to see any big surprises later this year at the New York Comic-Con?  Leave your thoughts below in the comment section!

It’s not too late to get on board this summer’s controversial anti-blockbuster!  Snowpiercer, directed by Joon-ho Bong (The Host, Mother), shows no signs of slowing down despite its initial limited North American release.  The sci-fi film, based off the French graphic novel Le Transperceneige (written by Jacques Lob and art by Jean-Marc Rochette), is not your typical feel good summer flick, but it sticks with you for days and leaves you wanting more.

The film takes place just 17 years in the future and the world as we know it has been consumed in a white subzero wasteland due to a failed attempt to solve global warming.  At 1,001 carriages long and powered by a revolutionary engine, the remaining members of society live aboard the colossal train named the Snowpiercer.  Separated by class, the elite live at the head of the train with every luxury they could possibly desire at their fingertips.  Salons, tailors, steam rooms, dance club, fine dining, and plenty of alcohol and drugs (known as Kronol, or in the book Chronole) to keep them entertained on their never ending voyage around the frozen planet.  The lower class, however, are confined to tight quarters at the end of the train.  Packed in like cattle they receive limited rationings of what they call, protein bars, and lack even the simplest luxuries including the absence of a window.  Imprisoned to perpetual darkness and a claustrophobic life the main character Curtis, played by Chris Evans, is selected as his people’s leader to rise against their oppressors and take over the train’s engine.  Guided by his mentor Gilliam (played by John Hurt), Curtis must fight his way toward the front of the train on a journey to start a revolution and inevitably learn who he is and what he is meant to be. 

The journey through the train carriages is reminiscent of your classic video game format.  As Curtis moves through each carriage (or level) he is met with new challenges while his ultimate goal is to reach the final boss, who in this case is Wilfred, the creator of Snowpiercer.  I won’t give away too much of the film but the action scenes are completely mind blowing.  The confined space of the train versus the break away shots of the vast snow filled covered landscapes cause you to feel the tension of the train’s tight spaces.  The desire to break free is clear and they are prepared to fight the good fight. 

Director Joon-ho Bong first became interested in the story of Snowpiercer back in 2005 when he stumbled across the book on the shelves of a comic book shop in Seoul.  He became engulfed in the pages and quickly read the entire story right there.  Once he finished he knew he had to bring the story to life. Despite the fact it was written 30 years ago the classic theme of “the haves” and “the have nots” is always relevant and is the catalyst for both the book and movie. While the story Bong presents us is different from the original Snowpiercer it certainly has parallels reminiscent of the graphic novel.  Both Curtis and the main characters in Snowpiercer 1: The Escape (Proloff) and Snowpiercer 2: The Explorers (Puig) struggle with trying to get to the front of the train. Once they arrive however, a wrench is thrown in disrupting the original plan.  Curtis, Proloff, and Puig each struggle with the idea of becoming a leader as they have been put into the position, and not by choice.  Additionally both the main character in the film and graphic novels hold a dark past…While the book only hints at the dark side, the details Curtis divulges in the movie sends chills down your spine and makes you question how he’s made it this far.

There’s no denying that Bong also borrowed visual elements from the graphic novel to help bring the story to life on the big screen.

Now, with a cast including Chris Evans, Ed Harris, John Hurt, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell, and Octavia Spencer you might be asking yourself why you haven’t heard of this film sooner.  Long story short, The Weinstein Co. had bought the rights to film back in 2012.   However Bong and Harvey Weinstein clashed when it came to the creative direction of the film.  Weinstein wanted 20 minutes cut out and a voice over narrative, while Bong stuck to his guns insisting the movie would suffer with those edits.  In the end Bong won…sort of.  While Weinstein let Bong keep the movie intact he put the breaks on a wide release for the film.  Only eight theaters were originally slated to show the movie.  The film had already been released internationally last year and did quite well earning $80.2 million.

Despite Weinstein trying to freeze out Snowpiercer it has expanded to at least 150 theaters and is even available on VOD, and is currently number two on iTunes.  The film earned $3 million in the first week in the US with an additional $2 million through VOD.  Granted it’s not the numbers we see with big movie premiers such as The Avengers but not bad for a movie that had minimal advertising and only word of mouth behind it.  And with all the chatter concerning the movie’s controversy with Weinstein as well as the graphic novel’s reputation, more and more people are heading out to their local art house theaters or downloading it to see what the buzz is about.  Weinsten could not have predicted this turn of events.  The simultaneous release of the film in both theaters and VOD has the film industry buzzing about how we will watch movies in the years to come.  We could possibly see more and more films released this way if they prove to financially be a success.  It used to be a bad sign if a film was only in theaters for a couple weeks and then straight to digital.  But with the success of Snowpiercer it could be the tipping point as to how we think about distributing new releases.Snowpiercer has all the ingredients of what makes up an incredible blockbuster minus the flashy marketing campaign and the overused 3D IMAX experience.  This film is visually stimulating, packed with action, adventure, drama, and will leave you with a heavy heart.  Check your local listings to see Snowpiercer in theaters, or for an express viewing curl up on the couch and download it off of iTunes or Amazon Instant Video.

Holy crap! Where do I start? After reading just the first page alone of issue number two, produced by the fantastic people at BOOM! Studios, I was already bent over with laughter. Not only do the laughs keep coming, but as does the action! The real treat of the universe setup here is the blend of both. Now that we’re getting more into the story, there isn’t too much I can say without getting into spoiler territory. You’ve been warned internet!

With Wang kidnapped by the evil Qiang Wu, Jack is left with Egg and his new demon buddy, “Pete”. In order to save their friend, Jack must travel the midnight road to find the souls of the three storms, in hopes to trade them for Wang. The action moves quickly from the wedding party, to a dark alley where Egg opens a door to another world. Jack, of course, can not make sense of anything happening around him, but his wit is as sharp as ever. Once on the Midnight Road, things really start to heat up and the boys soon find themselves in a hellish landscape where, “Pete” seems very much at home.

Now, I won’t give away where exactly they’re going, or whom they run into along the way. Afterall, it’s the journey that matters most isn’t it? Of course it is!

As with the first issue, we’re once again treated to another story from Jack’s past. This time talking about his third wife and her obsession with beauty. I’m not gonna give this one away either, you just need to read it for yourself. What I will say, is that it has Jack Burton written all over it. His actions are PRICELESS.

The artwork and coloring remain a lot of fun to look at. From the “people”, we’ll call them, of the Midnight Road, to our New Villain and the landscapes themselves. The colors are bold, and the panels flow naturally into one another. Hell, just pick it up and look at it!

There is SO much I want to say here, but I really would love to see this comic continue. They only way that happens is if it’s supported! (*wink*wink) There is so much fun to be had with this, it looks great and is full of laughs! So go grab yourself a copy, hop in the Pork Chop Express and join the adventure!

Score: 4 ½ Pork Chops Out of 5

I am not sure how I can possibly ever thank the people over at BOOM Studios for resurrecting one of my favorite characters of all time: Jack Burton. John Carpenter’s cult classic from 1986, Big Trouble in Little China, has such a vivid world of black magic and zany action. It’s a western in a blender with chucks of comedy, romance, and a dozen other things mixed in. The original film follows Jack Burton and his friend Wang Chi as they attempt to rescue Chi’s fiance from the clutches of the immortal gangster, David Lo Pan.

The new comic book, with a story by John Carpenter & Erk Powell, features the return of many familiar characters, including Egg Shen, the giant ugly demon from Lo Pan’s lair and of course, the Pork Chop Express herself. BUT, no story would be complete without it’s villain and we’re introduced to a new threat in place of the defeated gangster. I don’t want to give away too much, but I do want to talk about a few things, so let’s say the next section is full of spoilers!

With the noticeable absence of Gracy Law, Margo, Eddie Lee and the rest of the Chang Sing, I’m left wondering where they are. The main arc of the first issue is Wang Chi’s wedding after all and it just seems to me that they would be there. The new villain seems to fit in just fine as an angry old student of Lo Pan’s. Similar sure, but good enough for me to keep on reading. AND! How can I not mention the biggest twist yet, that the monster is now attached to Burton’s soul? Crazy! But his reaction is CLASSIC, and I found myself laughing out loud, as Jack complains to a confused Wang, who says, “Jack, don’t you know it’s bad luck to bring a demon to a wedding?”

The instant I started reading this, all I heard was the character’s voices and the music from the film. It’s too bad another film was never made, but this comic series finally brings us something more from the world of Little China. The artwork by Brian Churilla and coloring by Michael Garland are very much on par with the style of Carpenter’s film, but it’s the change in medium that affords us to see this world in a new way. For the first time it’s partly up to the reader to film in the action of jump kicks through the air. The whole comic is filled with lots of vivid colors, a Burton flash back like no other, and some really fun action sequences.

Overall, there’s a nice pace to whole thing and I’m excited to read issue number two. For someone who is a fan of Big Trouble, or even just a fan of fun and adventurous comic books, I can not recommend this enough. The story itself is fun, doesn’t take itself too seriously, and at only a couple bucks, it’s more than worth the cover price. It has the right tone, the right look, a fun story, and great familiar characters; what’s not to like?! Plus, I have always wanted to know if the law ever caught up to old Jack Burton...

Check it out for yourself at BOOM-STUDIOS.com

Score: 4 ½ Egg Shens Out of 5