Review Witchblade #171

Since its inception, Witchblade has had a roller-coaster existence. It has a sound premise. It has a sound lead character. But for some reason, the title has lacked a sound direction.

Some of the title's best storylines were authored by Ron Marz, who seems to understand that this comic can't thrive on action alone or the all-too-frequent shredding of Sara Pezzini's clothing in favor of the very revealing Witchblade "costume." His stories tend to involve more introspection for Sara as she continually strives to manage her enormous responsibility as bearer of the artifact. These moments of genuine character development always lend meaning to whatever action is taking place and make the comic an enjoyable read.

Marz took the helm once again in issue #170 and started the "Born Again" storyline. In issue #171, we begin to see that Marz has big plans in store for this title.

I reviewed issue #171 for the guys at Broken Frontier and you can read it HERE.

What is your take on this character? Where should she go from here? Leave a comment over at BF and let us know what you think.

Illini Farm Toy Show 2014

Looking at the most recent "Coming Shows" section of Toy Farmer and the "Events" listings on Toy Tractor Times, I don't see a listing for the upcoming Illini Farm Toy Show. That's too bad because listings in Toy Farmer and Toy Tractor Times are among the best ways to promote a local toy show.

The show information is listed below, I copied it from the information posted in the Champaign County Farm Bureau's newsletter.

Please do what you can to spread the news about this show. I know a lot of the dealers who attend and they really do have a great variety of farm toys. It's definitely worth the trip. Thanks!!
 

10th Annual Illini Farm Toy Show
Sponsored by the Illinois Farm Bureau District 12 Young Ag Leaders
Champaign, Douglas, and Vermillion Counties

Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, January 3, 4, and 5, 2014
Holiday Inn and Convention Center
1001 Kilarney Street
Urbana, Illinois
(I-74 to Exit 183 at Lincoln Ave.)

Bring your farm display and enter to win a $100 gift card!

Friday: 5:00 pm Open Room Trading -- Banquet Room Closes 9:00 pm
Saturday: 9:00 am Open Room Trading -- Banquet Room Closes 5:00 pm
Farm Toy Consignment "Live" Auction -- 10:30 am
Sunday: Open Room Trading -- 9:00 am to 2:00 pm

Admission: Includes Friday and Saturday
Adults: $3.00
Children (ages 6-12): $2.00
*Free admission on Sunday with free will donation to local Ag-In-The-Classroom Programs!

For more information contact:
Kurt Wolken (217) 202-2730

 

Review Harley Quinn #1

All grown up and causing a whole new kind of mayhem, Harley Quinn rides into her own title from DC Comics this month. Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti are in charge of Mr. J.'s former squeeze, and she couldn't be in better hands.

After receiving an apartment building in Coney Island, she quickly learns that she has financial responsibilities that won't take care of themselves. So she embarks on a dual plan to revive her career in psychiatry and satisfy her more dangerous impulses through a second job in the roller derby.

This is a fun title with a main character shouldering exciting new careers while trying to stay ahead of the assassins on her trail. Oh, did I mention that there is a freak show on the building's first floor? You're going to have fun with this book, so jump onboard now.

Read my full review on the Broken Frontier site HERE.

Review Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard Volume 2

The hardcover collected version of David Petersen's Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard Volume 2 came out the same day as the fourth (and concluding) issue. Both were worth the wait. Petersen assembled another all-star cast of creators to produce Volume 2, and they represent every imaginable artistic style. It's a visual feast for the eyes complemented by brilliant storytelling. Mouse Guard fans will love this, and if you've never read the Mouse Guard books (correct that by picking up Fall 1152 immediately) Legends of the Guard Volume 1 and Volume 2 are still understandable and entertaining.

Read my full review on the Broken Frontier site HERE.

Broken Frontier Awards 2013

It's time to cast your votes for your favorite comics projects of the year. The Broken Frontier Awards 2013 will be awarded at the end of January, and you have until December 24 to cast your votes HERE.

I'm enjoying writing for the guys at Broken Frontier. Besides being a great bunch of crazy guys, they are devoted fans of comics in every medium. And the site's mission is to bring attention to independent creators and small press titles while not excluding big news from the big publishers. It's a balance that favors the indies, and I love it.

In addition to the reviews you're used to seeing from me on BF, I'll be posting some blog topics and creator interviews in the coming months. If you have a topic you'd like me to discuss on the BF blog, just leave a comment here and I'll look into it.

Live Today on WSJS

I'll be live on the Allan Handelman radio show this afternoon talking about antique and collectible toys. I have been a guest on his shows since my days writing price guides for the hobby, and I always enjoy my appearances at this time of the year. It seems that many of us go through old boxes and discover toys from our youth or that have been passed down through the family while we are getting the house ready for Christmas.

So if you have old toys from when you were a kid and would like some more information about them, listen in and participate if you'd like. (I'm not an authority on dolls, however, so please don't ask about them. I know a few great folks who can help you with doll questions.)

The show will be broadcast live on WSJS in North Carolina starting at 3:00 EST. Their website is www.wsjs.com and you can listen in as we are on the air. If you'd like to call in and talk about the toys you had as a kid, the numbers are  336-642-0060 and toll free 800-642-0060.

And if you didn't get on air and have a question, leave a comment below and I'll get some information to you.

Review Letter 44 #2

As a self-confessed sci-fi junkie, it's not hard to imagine that I picked up Letter 44's first issue the day Oni Press released it and read it before anything else. What I found was an exciting mix of political intrigue and science fiction that I hoped creators Charles Soule and Alberto Jimenez Alburquerque could pull off for more than one issue.

Good news: they can, and they did! Issue #2 confirms that these intriguing characters have really jumped out of the frying pan and into the fire. Newly elected President Blades is brought up to speed on Project Monolith, but it's clear that the military leaders are withholding information. The crew of the Clarke continues to deal with its quirky engineering while heading straight for the alien installation known as the Chandelier.

The politics is heavy on secrets and the science fiction is heavy on cool astronaut stuff -- and none of it gets in the way of the brilliant levels of character development that make Letter 44 a hit.

I reviewed the book for Broken Frontier, and you can read it HERE. Please Tweet it to your followers.