Fan Film: Dirty Laundry

Okay, here's a fan film for you, by the name of Dirty Laundry. No, nothing to do with the 2007 film with Rockmond Dunbar (thank you Wikipedia) or the Don Henley song (thank you Don Henley).

Why is this film so good? Aren't fan films usually terribad? Well, actually they aren't always, sometimes they're pretty damn good. Given that this one stars Thomas Jane in the lead, with Ron ****ing Perlman in a supporting role, I'd suggest you give it a chance.

Oh, just don't watch it with the kids around. This one has (gasp) naughty words and (ohnoes) violence and stuffs. Yes, your kids probably know more swear words than you anyway, but Social Services takes a hard line.

What's that? What is this a fan film of? Well, that'd be telling...

The 4 types of Dinosaur...

My kind of coffee...

Morning Glories

So, I finally got a chance to read the first two volumes of Image Comic's critically acclaimed Morning Glories series last night. And I can see why it's so damned popular, fair play.

Understatement: don't be fooled by the pre-teen cover designs.

It's been described by its writer as a mix between Lost and Runaways, and that's a not a bad start. But it's probably a bit of an understatement; for one, it's worth pointing out that so far the series is far more early Lost than late Lost. And while a comparison with Marvel's excellent Runaways series is not inaccurate, these kids have far more in common with the dysfunctional cast of Skins than anyone who has appeared in Runaways. It also utterly fails to prepare you for the ultraviolence that crops up; if popped teenage eyeballs aren't for you, I'd give this one a miss.

Dysfunctional as the kids are, the staff are terrifying.

It also reminded me of that late-90's run of high-school thrillers; remember The Faculty and Disturbing Behaviour? Think along those lines and you won't go far wrong. Writer Nick Spencer is excellent, and backed up by Joe Eisma's pencils and ink. I'm a sucker for a consistent art style when the art style works, and it's perfect here. Rodin Esquejo provides the cover art, and rather than clashing the whole thing comes together in a really pretty package.

If I've anything like a criticism, it would be that the series jumps into the weirdness far too soon. Suspense is high, and taking a few issues to build it would have been great. But that's a criticism for the TPB, and if I'd been reading the serial I'm not sure it would have worked. One thing's for certain though. Volume 3 is out shortly, and this geek can't wait to find out what the unholy hell happens next. 

Avengers 1 Batman 0

Before Watchmen

News from comic book land! Well, belated news admittedly, but hey. So, you all remember Watchmen, the bleak 1986 comic that was actually read by people who don't read comics? The one that Zack Snyder ruined? Well, good news. DC comics is giving it a prequel! Of course, by "good news", I actually mean "hmm..."

Alan Moore, the oft outspoken creator of the original, is as optimistic as he usually is about these things, and I'm a little inclined to agree with him. Okay, so he goes about it in his usual grumpy, irritating demeanour (seriously, the guy is like the bastard lovechild of Victor Meldrew and Cousin Itt ), but that doesn't make him wrong. Part of the reason Watchmen worked so well is that it was so contained, and it really doesn't need explaining or expanding on. 

Besides, the fears and concerns addressed in the original were those of a different age. Yesterday I mentioned the (similarly named) Watch Dogs reveal from E3, and how it seems so relevant to a modern audience. I can't help but feel that rather than milking the withered teats of another generation's comic book magnum opus they should maybe think about making a new one. I mean, pick up a paper; we're not short on massive political concerns these days.

Maybe I'm just being grumpy, though. Maybe it'll end up being amazing, and I'll look completely daft. Here's hoping...

Injustice: Gods Among Us E3 2012 Announcement Trailer [HD]

So here we have a trailer for a game from the folks that brought Mortal Kombat back from the dead last year, yes it's another fighting game, but look... it's all about DC superheros... slapping each other about a bit.

I say "a bit" - Superman can punch someone INTO. OUTER. SPACE.

For more details, check out this interview with Ed Boon, co-creator of Mortal Kombat and the Creative Director of Nether Realm Studios:

Excited much?

Sam Coleman.

Wunderbar! My first post!

Well, comics, I could waffle for hours but instead I want to throw you straight in the direction of something I enjoy that I consider seriously undervalued (and possibly mental).

BEAR!

Bear is a comic series  produced by writer/artist Jamie smart who is currently revamping the dandy (pause for nostalgia). Bear is ten issues long and all in beautiful black and white.The comics main characters are Karl; a placid judgemental everyday Joe who works in a CD store, his psychopathic and inventive cat lookshin and his twelve inch tall friend bear, literally a stuff bear who enjoys telling people about his military victories in world war two and watching wrestling. sold yet?

what's interesting to me about smarts work is two very simple, very important points.

point 1. The art. I love the black and white inked style that's bursting with characters and witty humour. The characters seem to literally explode from the comic panels like something from Ridley Scotts alien before running around causing all sorts of fictional mayhem. I love seeing how far smart pushes our suspension of disbelief (there's something very satisfying in seeing a male silver back gorilla wearing a tinkly cat collar do battle with a stuffed bear and homicidal cat, lord knows exactly what)

point 2. its funny. I love the characters and how they interact, I love the dark humour and I especially enjoy the way you can clearly see how smart enjoyed creating the comic. He has held back on nothing, this comic has more crazy in it than Kerry katona has sausage rolls in her freezer, its like smart took the original old comics such as beano and dandy and re -did that style with a modern dark brand of madness and I really feel it works. Kind of reminds me of a much more insane and less intelligent Calvin and Hobbes (more nostalgia pausing)

I understand everyone's got their own individual tastes and I'm not trying to force feed the world bear just highlight a comic that I enjoyed that is buried beneath the mountains of spider men and superman's. Jamie's taken classic comic book ethos and span, beaten and reforged them  in such a way that they are enjoyable to adults today and that's a really nice new take to see kicking around the shelves.

Jamie is now working on a four issue mini series called ubu bubu based on some of his older work.

You can now read all of bear online at  http://www.bearfoo.com/

also check Jamie smarts own website for more frolicking fun!  http://www.fumboo.com/

Grab a coffee or hot chocolate (even a whiskey if your days really been that tough) sit back and enjoy.

Toodle pip.