Planet Markus » Reviews

Sanduguan #10 Comics Review

Mark Rosario — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 07:30:15 +0000

It’s been a while since I last read Sanduguan comics and its always a pleasure to hop back.

Recently, Kalayaan creator Gio Paredes said that author and illustrator Gener Pedriña is “really pouring it on” with Sanduguan #10. I couldn’t help but agree. If you are someone who loves slam-bang action, you’ll find it in this title. You’ll literally see several pages of fight scenes here as the team battles it out with the Guardians of Mount Arayat and the All-Father of the Capampangans.

For the uninitiated, yes, Gener Pedriña is proudly from Pampanga and he makes that clear althroughout the issue. The guy has a good grasp of the province’s history and folklore, using both elements to create an interesting clash between heroes and gods.

I surely enjoyed the action and am eager to check out the next issue. If there’s one thing I’d personally gripe about, it should be the inclusion of local dialect on several panels. I mean, of course, I get it that Gener is doing his thing and promoting the culture and stuff. But it took me away from the story. I looked around for asterisks and captions to no avail. Hopefully, Gener translates some words for us, non-Capampangas, next time so we can figure things out easier – especially since its a challenging dialect to decipher.

Artwise, there’s nothing to doubt about Gener’s capacity to deliver dynamic sequentials. The clean artstyle is pleasing and I’m thinking that can be enhanced further by adding a few tones here and there. And oh! I love it that Sandata is wearing his alternate costume – which I like better than the other one

Sanduguan #10 has a cover price of P65 and is available at Gener’s table during conventions. Otherwise, those who would prefer a Kindle edition could go to Amazon and get it there for $4.99.

This is the link:

http://www.amazon.com/Sanduguan-10-Gener-Pedrinas-ebook/dp/B006IGVO1O/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1323180957&sr=1-1

Amazing Spider-Man #673 Comics Review

Mark Rosario — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:12:17 +0000

Spider Island is officially over and I only have one thing to say about it:

IT’S BEEN MASSIVE! IT’S BEEN A WILD RIDE!

Yeps, a lot of exciting things have happened and the whole Spider-verse has been seriously rocked. Jonah became the Spider Mayor, Kaine got to wear the Spidey stealth suit and much, much more.

Fans of Peter-MJ tandem will also be pleased to know that Peter and Carlie finally called it quits – and that, for two consecutive issues already, we see Peter and MJ hanging out at the last panel.

Simply said, Spider scribe Dan Slott is absolutely giving Spidey readers what they want and more.

This is a definite must-read – and I’m talking not only about this issue but the entire arc!

High Society by Paolo Chikiamco and Hannah Buena

Mark Rosario — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 03:23:37 +0000

Released on Amazon as a Kindle comic book, High Society is a story that brilliantly merges elements of history, mystery, technology, and Pinoy mythology.

Lawyer-turned-writer Paolo Chikiamco does a fine job delivering an interesting tale told in a steampunk setting while Hannah Buena’s sketchy and Manga-ish illustrations are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

I’ve been told High Society is just a stand-alone comic book and I feel bad about that. I want to read more about this story – especially after seeing how effectively Paolo and Hannah works as a tandem.

Believe me. You’ve never seen anything like this before.

Here are a few preview pages:

To get a copy of High Society, you could purchase the Kindle version by visiting the Amazon page here:

http://www.amazon.com/High-Society-ebook/dp/B005VAHTUS/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1318503553&sr=1-1

Otherwise, you might want to drop by at the November Komikon to obtain a hard copy. I’m assuming Paolo and Hannah will be there to sell and sign the books. Just look for the Flipside table!

New 52: The Flash #1 | Comics Review

Mark Rosario — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 04:05:52 +0000

It wasn’t too long yet when I first posted a Flash #1 comics review and here I am now – reviewing the same book with the exact same issue number.

Thanks to DC’s New 52, we’re getting another start for everyone’s favorite Scarlet Speedster. And boy! I’m happy to report that I can’t be more than pleased.

First off, I had high expectations for this book since I’ve thoroughly enjoyed Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul‘s run back then. This time, Johns steps back and lets Manapul and colorist Brian Buccellato take control of the writing chores. That, in itself, got me interested when I first saw it on the solicits. I’ve always had faith with Manapul as an artist and I was curious to discover if he can rise with this new challenge.

Reading this issue just made me realize that artists are, first and foremost, storytellers.

Manapul and Buccellato sure know what they are doing – and they are doing it right.

Instead of giving us an origin tale, the tandem introduces us to Barry Allen’s new status quo on the first page and immediately dives us straight into action on the next one. From then on, we get to see a possible love triangle, Barry’s Filipino parkour buddy, and a surprising cliffhanger that’s sure to leave you wanting to read more.

It sure helps that Manapul has an uncanny ability to convey motion and emotion on every page. His speed effects are awesome to look at. The facial expressions are spot on too. On top of that, his panel work can be very creative. There’s really no denying that, while the story is entertaining enough, Manapul’s art is the main meat of this issue.

I’m definitely in for the ride. I’m eager to read the next issues and I’ll probably order them online from ComicXHub again. This is surely one DC comic book that deserves following.

Justice League #1|Comics Review

Mark Rosario — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 22:41:34 +0000

Rightfully kicking off the DC Comics New Universe is Justice League #1. With writing and art duties by top DC executives, Geoff Johns and Jim Lee, this issue makes an ideal jumping point for readers who’ve always been put off by confusing continuity.

Set five years ago, the story opens with Gotham Police giving Batman and his villain some chase and some bullets. Green Lantern then comes into the picture and lends a hand to an unappreciative Dark Knight. Later on, the duo heads to Metropolis to look for a certain Superman – who throws punches first and asks questions later!

Overall, I’d say I’m pleased with the pacing and the way the characters are introduced. I love the fact that only four out of the seven heroes appeared on this issue (we also see pre-Cyborg Vic Stone here). I’m eager to find out how the team will be formed and how they will gain the trust of the masses who seem cynical about superheroes at the moment.

Although I wouldn’t say I’d categorize Justice League #1 as a masterpiece, I also wouldn’t deny I had fun reading this one. It’s action-packed and leaves you with a cliffhanger to make sure that you come back for the next issue.

Artwise, the costumes look a little busy but Jim Lee’s dynamic linearts are just too damn awesome. I’m sure I’ll get used to these new suits along the way. As one friend accurately put it, Jim Lee is officially “at the top of his game” again. Of course, let’s also not forget to praise Alex Sinclair for his typically-impressive coloring skills!

Go pick up Justice League #1 at your favorite comic book shops. You really would’nt wanna miss a piece of hisotry.

Amazing Spider-Man #666|Comics Review

Mark Rosario — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 22:34:32 +0000

I love Dan Slott. Its been a wild ride ever since he took the driver’s seat for Amazing Spider-Man and I love it. I dig the way he writes Peter Parker plus his plot ideas are always the most interesting. This guy has a knack for pushing boundaries and taking Webhead to directions we’ve never seen the character before – in a good way, that is (not in a One More Day way or something).

In my head, I visualize Dan’s writing process like this:

“Why is Peter always penniless when he’s a huge science buff? Let’s put him on a big company and give him a high-paying job.” “If he’s so smart, why doesn’t he invent other gadgets? The web shooter’s getting old. Let’s add something to his arsenal.” “What’s gonna happen to our hero if we remove his spider sense?”

You get the picture.

For Amazing Spider-Man #666, Dan continues with the tradition and decides to take things on a massive scale. He poses these questions this time around: “What happens when normal New York citizens suddenly acquire spider powers?” “How will Peter handle it if his ‘great power’ becomes pretty common?”

Welcome to the Spider Island, kids – a three-month Spider event – and its looking really fun as early as now! Let’s see how our favorite wall-crawler deals with this:

And this:

And this!

Amazing Spider-Man #666 is written by Dan Slott and illustrated by the fantastic Stefano Caselli. Go grab a copy at your favorite comic book store!

Captain America: The First Avenger|Movie Review

Mark Rosario — Thu, 04 Aug 2011 17:08:42 +0000

Honestly, I wasn’t thrilled when it was first announced that Chris Evans will be taking the role of Captain America. I thought he was too young for the role plus I’m used to seeing him play less serious characters (case in point – Johnny Storm). To add to that, I wasn’t much of a fan of the costume either when the concept art first leaked on the web. Came San Diego Comic Con 2010, Robert Downey Jr. made a historic moment when he introduced the entire cast of the Avengers for the 2012 movie. I was happy, yes. But still – my mind couldn’t see Chris Evans wearing the iconic stars and stripes.

I finally got to see Captain America: The First Avenger last week, mostly just to connect the puzzle pieces that lead to the upcoming Avengers.

And man! I was totally blown away! I’d say I enjoyed every minute of it. I loved the story, I loved the tone of the film plus I loved Chris Evans’ performance. The guy makes a convincing Cap. He looks and acts the part. Believe me. This is a different Chris Evans. I entirely forgot about the Human Torch as I watched the film. And I totally felt like a kid again each time he threw his mighty shield. In short, he proved my doubts wrong.

Not only that, his performance as a bullied weakling was also praiseworthy. He handled the role of pre-serum Steve Rogers quite well. I actually loved the way they explored the character first before turning him into a super soldier.

I also loved the way they injected the moral of the story. It’s unmistakably there but it never feels too preachy. I totally liked the part when Dr. Abraham Erskine (Stanely Tucci) was dying (not that I liked dying doctors, mind you) and he was simply pointing his finger on Steve Roger’s chest. That was enough for me. Making him say his “huling habilin” would’ve been too cheesy. I’m glad they went wordless for that part.

Another part I loved was when Bucky (Sebastian Stan) had the chance to use Cap’s shield at one point. That scene may not be noteworthy for the casual movie goer but followers of the comic book can best appreciate that. Bucky was once a Captain America replacement!

Other favorite moments include seeing the cover of Captain America #1, the pocket watch scene, the USO costume, “I think it works,” “I’m not kissing you” and of course, Stan Lee’s hilarious cameo.

If I had to complain about something though, it had to be that, Marvel showed too much on the previews and trailers – again. I really believe the “grenade” scene would’ve been more memorable and much more heroic if I saw it for the first time on the theater rather than on YouTube. It really takes away something from the experience.

Also, I thought the final fight scene with Red Skull (Hugo Weaving) was a bit too short – like Thor’s battle with Loki or Iron Man and War Machine’s clash with Whiplash… What’s up with that, Marvel? Seriously.

As a whole, I’d still say Captain America: The First Avenger is one entertaining movie. It made me excited for Avengers and I honestly wouldn’t mind seeing a sequel either.

What do you think about the movie? Leave a comment below and let’s talk!

Mukat Comics|Comics Review

Mark Rosario — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 09:17:25 +0000

Some comic book artists may have improved so much they want to bury their past works as if in shame.

You don’t expect the same from Mel Casipit.

This guy is bold enough to release his first-ever comics, unredrawn, unenhanced, un-Photoshopped and all. He’s proud of it and he should be. Mukat Comics is a fun little title I could only attempt to describe as Lord of The Rings meets Pokemon.

Mukat Comics #1

The Manga-ish illustrations give us a glimpse of Mel’s beginnings, way back the time before winning several Komikon awards. Besides, he did the book during his college days and he did it all for fun – from writing and drawing the story, to hand-lettering all the captions and dialogues.

What I love the most about Mukat Comics is that it brings back the feeling of being a kid. Really! If you’ve been an avid reader of Funny Komiks during your childhood, there shouldn’t be any reason why you wouldn’t love Mukat Comics. This is a fantasy-adventure story that wouldn’t feel out-of-place in case it was published with all the other Funny stories we’ve grown to love.

Also, I find it cool that Mel gets to introduce us to a lot of characters without making it feel overwhelming. Plus yeah, I gotta admit I had a few chuckles when I encountered some names such as Kulayot, Gurabis, Bambanu or even Mukat itself. Being from Pangasinan as Mel is, those words meant something else in our local dialect.

Mukat Comics #2

Spelling and grammar issues aside, Mukat Comics is surely an ejoyable read. As excellent as his other works may be, I’d say this is easily my favorite Mel Casipit book.

Mel has already released 3 issues and he estimates there will be at least 5 more. What do I think about that?.. “Bring it on!” “I am eager to read each one!”

All in all, I could only summarize my thoughts in two words: Mukat rocks!

Me holding my copy of Mukat Comics #3

Captain America: The Fighting Avenger| Comics Review

Mark Rosario — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 08:38:10 +0000

Not to be confused with Captain America: The First Avenger comic book, Captain America: The Fighting Avenger is specifically geared for younger readers. Yes, this is pretty much “Captain America for kids” and I’m sure no one would miss that. No, not with a cover like this:

This one shot is an all-ages retelling of Cap’s first adventure (and training). I’d say it’s pretty much of a fun read, mainly because of the Manga-ish artwork. This style surely works well since it suits the tone of the story. I love staring at the interior pages. The art somehow reminds me of David Lafuente‘s work on Ultimate Comics Spider-Man. Here’s a sample page from the book:

Like you, I don’t like the idea of making Cap wear some army pants. It makes the costume look very ridiculous, methinks! Hahah!

Aside from the artwork, you should also look for that funny banter about Uncle Sam. That literally had me laughing out loud.

It’s a shame that this book isn’t an ongoing series though – or a mini-series even. I would’ve loved to read more battles with the Red Skull – his origins are here too. But alas, this is just a thick one shot and it’s obvious Marvel simply released this to prepare younger viewers for the upcoming flick.

Captain America: The Fighting Avenger is written by Brian Clevinger with art by Gurihiru. Pick it up if you can!

Gladstone’s School for World Conquerors|Comics Review

Mark Rosario — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 10:01:14 +0000

A stolen book. Cute kids attending what seems like a Xavier school for villains. A curriculum that includes “Harnessing your Evil Potential.” A mummy girl who dreams of roses, unicorns and romance. Two skull-masked boys who won’t hesitate hurting you once you mess up with their mom. A “staged” battle between a hero and his longtime nemesis.

Simply put: “What’s not to love, right?”

The story’s entertaining and the artwork’s really eye-pleasing. Must admit I’m not much of a fan of the colors though. It’s a little gloomy for an all-ages title, I think.

Gladstone’s School for World Conquerors #1 is written by Mark Andrew Smith and drawn by Armand Villavert.

Go grab a copy!