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The Layer Method
Our top Secret time-saving technique for creating and merging balloons and tails in Illustrator.
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Friday, September 3, 2010
The Doctor is in the House...
and Elvira has left the Building
Doctor Strange DVD (Marvel Animated Features)
Doctor Strange is the latest Marvel character to star in his own animated feature film. The movie stays very close to the comic roots as it relates Strange’s origin, and how he came to be Earth’s Sorcerer Supreme. A gifted, but arrogant surgeon, his life forever changes when he is in a terrible car accident that permanently damages his gifted hands. Near suicide, Strange is approached by a mysterious man who says he can be cured by journeying to Tibet. Strange comes into the presence of The Ancient One, and his other pupils including Baron Mordo and Wong (Strange’s servant in the comics). The Ancient One’s pupils battle the forces of Dormammu, who is trying to enter our world through the nightmares of children.
The animation is very smooth and well done. 3D animation is all the rage, but for comic book characters, nothing beats good ol’ fashioned 2D animation with its bright color palettes. The voice acting was solid all around. Old time fans might be disappointed that there is little of the surreal psychedelic influence of original artist Steve Ditko, but the film still looks great. One thing I wasn’t crazy about was the portrayal of Baron Mordo. Mordo is nearly as powerful a sorcerer as Doctor Strange, but the only powers he seems to have in the film is to make swords appear and disappear.
Special features include a 14-minute documentary on the history of Doctor Strange with comments by Stan Lee, Steve Englehart, and J.M. DeMatteis. There’s a “first look” at Avengers Reborn, a Doctor Strange concept art gallery, and a look at Marvel video game cinematics which is really quite stunning. Overall, Doctor Strange is an enjoyable feature and a solid addition to Marvel's growing animation library. Grade B+
The Chronicles of Conan Vol. 12 (Dark Horse Comics)
Written By Roy Thomas
Art by John Buscema
Volume 12 of Dark Horse’s outstanding series reprinting the original Marvel Comics Conan stories is out and concludes the long story arc with Conan’s adventures along the Black Coast of the Deep South area of the Hyborian World. The book reprints Conan the Barbarian #91, and 93 – 100. This landmark edition features the death of Conan’s beloved mate, Belit, the Queen of the Black Coast. This was an adventure that had started over three years earlier in Conan # 57. These stories are also nearing the end of Thomas’ LONG run as writer of the title. He would sign off just about a year after issue #100, having been on the book since the very first issue. I’ve always said that next to Robert E. Howard himself, no one wrote a better Conan story than Roy Thomas. This is evident in his masterfully adapting Howard’s non-Conan stories such as “The People of the Black Coast” and turning them into Conan tales. Once again, Roy provides commentary on each issue in this collection at the end of the book. Great stuff! Grade A-
Elvira, Mistress of the Dark #166 (Claypool Comics)
Written by Richard Howell
Art by Tod Smith
The end of an era took place a few months back and I wanted to mention it. The final issue of Elvira, Mistress of the Dark was released by Claypool Comics. I know, big deal, it’s just Elvira, right? Wrong! Hey look, I don’t care what the comic was, any title that lasts for fourteen years and 166 issues had to be doing something right. Heck there are Marvel and DC characters who have had their own title three or four times and haven’t made it to 166 issues collectively. Elvira was silly, campy fun. It was the kind of book you could just pickup and read off the rack and you didn’t have to read the previous 23 issues to know what was going on. It didn’t have subplots that lasted for years. The Elvira comic was all about fun and that’s why I think it managed to last for as long as it did. Who knows… perhaps we haven’t seen the last of Elvira yet. Until then, there’s 14 years of fun comics to enjoy. Grade A
Atomic Robo #1 (Red 5 Comics) Written by Brian Clevinger
Art by Scott Wegener
Set to debut in October, Atomic Robo is a fantastic new title from Red 5 Comics that I thoroughly enjoyed. The story and art are a nod to the look and feel of old pulps and comics of the 30’s. Even Atomic Robo’s look conjures up images of those great Sci-Fi pulp covers. The character is an intelligent, wisecracking robot and an independent agent for the U.S. Government. In 1938, Atomic Robo is sent into a secret German stronghold in the Himalayas to capture an evil Nazi scientist. Robo has to battle through hordes of dense German soldiers who throw themselves at him even when bullets bounce right off his steel body. Robo faces off against the evil scientist who has been transformed into a powerful form by using the Vril Infusion on himself.
The art in this book is just gorgeous and I really love the 30’s sci-fi look to the entire production. The book is fast-paced and hilarious and is sure to be a hit when it premieres in October. Make sure you look for this one! Grade A
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Judgment Day Archives
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Here at Judgement Day, Tim will review titles each week that stand out from the pack as being outstanding or truly bad. Everything from the mainstream titles to the smallest of the small press will be covered in Judgement Day.
Published Weekly
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Discussion Forum
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Friday, February 8, 2008
• The End.
So long. Farewell. Auf Wiedersehen. Good night.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
• Closing time
You don't have to go home...
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
• Oni resurrects letters columns
Resurrection series features letter-writing contest
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
• And... we're back
With Red 5 info
Wednesday, November 21, 2007
• Happy Thanksgiving!
From aka Comics and Comic World News
• Happy Birthday, COMICRAFT!
Lettering powerhouse and CWN sponsor turns 15
Monday, November 19, 2007
• Surrogates movie ready to start production
Bruce Willis to star
More >>
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February 4, 2008:
November 20, 2006:
A Comic-Con without the Captain