http://www.brickweekly.com/ Brick Weekly News en-us sitehelp@gatewayva.com Fri, 05 Sep 2008 8:27:00 EST http://www.brickweekly.com/index.php/booksprint/comics_achewood_the_great_outdoor_fight/ 2008/09/05 Man, this one had a steep hill to climb to get into my good graces. First off , Time Magazine had declared then-just-a-webcomic ACHEWOOD the best comic of 2007. Oh, the umbrage I took at the notion of a comic NOT ON PAPER bestowed such an honor. I must have looked so stupid rolling around on the floor, flailing my arms and wheezing about paper. Then, once the book came out I was struck by how amateurish the art looked. I couldn’t tell if it was ineptitude with a pen or crudely arranged shapes hobbled together on a computer. At any rate, didn’t look too good. I relished the idea of strengthening my street cred with a lousy review of the book and dove in. And then this little asshole of a book pulls the rug out from under me by being really, really funny. Like, so funny and strange I forgot all about my misgivings as I read. I was so ashamed of my pre-judging this book that I slammed my ring finger on my right hand in a car door to punish myself. It really, really hurt. Wed, 27 Aug 2008 1:59:00 EST http://www.brickweekly.com/index.php/booksprint/comics_tales_designed_to_thrizzle/ 2008/08/27 Put your all-time favorite song on ‘repeat,’ snuggle up in a beanbag chair, and fire the comedy shotgun that is the latest issue of ‘Tales Designed To Thrizzle’ right into your face at point blank range. Wince, as the wild mix of bits and gags tear through flesh and disintegrate the fragile bones of your face!  Rock back from the impact of such concentrated genius! The initial shock will give way to pure delight as classic stories such as “Crime is Pushing the Limits” and “Tommy Learns About Harbors” tear new and exciting pathways through your tender gray matter!  Even the paramedics will have a chuckle as they find the remains of “Hell is for Monkees” and “Snake ‘N’ Bacon” mixed in with the unspeakable gore smeared across the wall behind your body! It may sound like the hyperbolic ramblings of a madman, but I truly believe that your family and friends will not only understand, they will praise you in song when they see the lopsided grin on what’s left of your face.    Yes, this book is that good.  More hopeful then Obama, more mobility then McCain, and funnier then seeing both naked in an over-sized birdcage. Buy FINAL CRISIS. It’s the event we want AND the one we need, our brains just haven’t quite caught up to it yet. There just aren’t better super hero comics out there right now.  Wed, 20 Aug 2008 1:44:00 EST http://www.brickweekly.com/index.php/booksprint/comics_final_crisis/ 2008/08/20 The strangest thing happened the other day. I was reading the most recent issue of FINAL CRISIS, the epic mini-series currently coming out from DC Comics. As I read I felt my consciousness splinter, and part of me LEFT MY BODY. I’m not shitting you, it totally happened. I watched the other part of myself, apparently unaware of this transpiration, and a flood of varying emotions washed over me. Amazement, as my new reality began to sink in; a sort of pride as I watched me enjoying a truly well-done comic, and abject jealousy because now this part of me wouldn’t know how the issue finished. Damn. SECRET INVASION, Marvel’s current competitive “epic” mini, never caused anything like this. Just another example of how FINAL CRISIS kicks the pants off all the other “events” out there. You might hear some Nancies complaining about how FC is too complex, and they don’t understand what’s going on… forget them. Who wants everything spoon-fed to ‘em in easily gummed hunks? How about trusting Grant Morrison, the best writer of mainstream comics (with zero competition, either), to complete this world-shattering twilight of the gods and give you everything you need to grock it by the time it’s done? I mean, sheesh--heaven forbid there’s an air of mystery or unknown to anything anymore. For my money, that beats dragging out one stinking moment over five issues all to hell. Yep, talking to you, Secret Invasion. Buy FINAL CRISIS. It’s the event we want AND the one we need, our brains just haven’t quite caught up to it yet. There just aren’t better super hero comics out there right now. Wed, 13 Aug 2008 2:08:00 EST http://www.brickweekly.com/index.php/booksprint/comics_postage_stamp_funnies/ 2008/08/13 From the creator of Too Much Coffee Man and How To Be Happy comic artist Shannon Wheeler, comes his latest collection of art, Postage Stamp Funnies. This collected edition of his one panel comics have graced the pages of The Onion has been packaged in spectacular fashion in three tiny books. Using lots of clichés, simple sayings and basic ideas combined with oxymoronic imagery, you’re guaranteed to get laughs on every page. With the artsy packaging, and smart humor, this makes each, a wonderful gift or a great piece to add to your home library. Three tiny books, ninety cartoons… how can you possibly go wrong with that? Available at Velocity Comics, your local bookstore or online at http://www.tfaw.com Thu, 07 Aug 2008 8:16:00 EST http://www.brickweekly.com/index.php/booksprint/comics_mesmo_delivery/ 2008/08/07 Imagine stumbling home to your trailer park late one night, after you’ve had seven too many bourbon and cokes at the skeezy pool hall down the street. Upon throwing your keys on the kitchen/living room table, you’re assailed from out of the shadows. A woman, appealing enough save for her yellow, jagged teeth and that mole on her cheek spewing out thick black hairs, has wrestled you to the ground. She’s simultaneously dry-humping you while trying to strangle you with a rusty bent wire hanger. As your consciousness fades you realize you’ve just fallen in love. That’s how it felt reading Rafael Grampa’s debut mini-epic MESMO DELIVERY. Bloody, violent, filthy and beautiful, this is the kind of story Quentin Tarantino wants to tell you when he’s not feeling sheepish. A retired boxer agrees to drive a delivery truck across the country, with the caveat that he never learns the nature of his cargo. He and his partner take a wrong turn into the wrong truck stop, and a fever dream of chaos and bloodshed erupts. Rafael Grampa is the artistic find of the decade, channeling Geof Darrow, Paul Pope and Frank Quitely all at once — who’d have thought that was even possible? This one’s a total keeper. Wed, 30 Jul 2008 1:25:00 EST http://www.brickweekly.com/index.php/booksprint/comics_meathaus_anthology_sos/ 2008/07/30 This past week was fairly unprecedented at ye ol’ comic shoppe, as four highly anticipated anthologies showed up in the same week. I was struggling to decide which merits discussion the most; I went with MEATHAUS because I didn’t think my masculinity could take the hit of publicly revealing my affection for Tori Amos by raving about COMIC BOOK TATTOO (the great antho inspired by her music). Shit, did I just do that? I meant to say Dokken. I love Dokken. Damn. Anyhoo, the Meathaus collective is comprised of the best artists in the comic biz, hands down. James Jean, Ross Campbell, Farel Dalrymple, Jim Rugg, Dash Shaw, The Hanuka Brothers… they’re all in here and they all knock it out of the park. This is a rare beast in that I liked every single story in here. They’re all different, with a leaning towards genre material featuring badass children fighting monsters, but they’re all good! Who do these assholes think they are creating such a comprehensively high quality book? You know what? Screw ‘em! Buy the Tori Amos book instead. YOU HEAR THAT, WORLD? I LIKE TORI AMOS! GAAAHHHH! Wed, 23 Jul 2008 1:30:00 EST http://www.brickweekly.com/index.php/booksprint/comics5/ 2008/07/23 If you’re one of those people who loves to get the jump on the next big thing, I recommend checking out THE LIGHT CHILDREN. Ten years from now when the hit movie has come out starring Jamie Lynn Spears’ and Dakota Fanning’s kids, you can smugly state you picked it up way before Hollywood came a-knocking. The creators have brought to life a vivid new fantasy world populated with fascinating characters that achieves the rare tightrope act of appealing to adults while sucking the kids in, too. The high concept: a group of orphans uncover a possible conspiracy and embark upon a quest to save the life of one of their own. Book One provides great introductions to the cast and environment, and lets you have just enough of a taste of where things are heading to make you want the next installment to arrive PDQ. Give these n00bs a shot, they won’t disappoint. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:54:00 EST http://www.brickweekly.com/index.php/booksprint/comics4/ 2008/07/16 I like to imagine Cosmic Shaman/ Comics guru Grant Morrison getting up in the morning, having his manservant escort the four or five supermodels that attended to him the night previous out to breakfast, and then taking a bath in a pool of LSD and doing Yoga with five fresh Supermodels.  I tried imagining Dustin Hoffman starting his day this way, but he kept doing the voice from Mr. Magorium’s Child Pornogorium and four of the Supermodel’s got creeped out and took off.  The one that stayed—there’s something about her I just don’t trust. But no — Mr. Hoffman is an immensely talented actor; in fact I would go as far as to say he’s a national treasure.  But Morrison…well, he’s taken Batman and shaken the cobwebs off him so thoroughly Bob Kane must be clawing at the roof of his grave to get his hands on some of the profits.  So clearly we’re dealing with two different levels here. It’s not enough that Morrison has Batman throw down with an army of ninja Man-Bats AND re-invents the Joker as a creature so wretched and horrifying that you’re afraid he might jump off the page and bite your eyeball, he also introduces the long lost Son of Bruce Wayne, sired with a badass beautiful assassin years before.  He’s the most dangerous pre-teen in the world, Robin is jealous of him and he thinks Alfred is an old nerd.  And if he’s lucky, he’ll grow up to fight the Anti-Christ and save the world.  So, you know… what have you done worth talking about?  Losing points only for the wonky computer generated art in the Joker segment, this collection would make a fine addition to any comics collection, or a fun gift for a Grandmother that you don’t respect. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:47:00 EST http://www.brickweekly.com/index.php/booksprint/comics3/ 2008/07/16 Lauren Weinstein’s latest from Picturebox is a big, weird sci-fi epic about the past and present of the Goddess of War. Drunk off of the fermented blood of an ancient virgin sacrifice, she laments both her past as a Norse valkyrie  and as inspiration for great generals and greater battles. The virgin souls lead her back to remember lost love Cochise, great Apache Chief, and the great bloodlust she inspired in him. This all comes complete with a time-looped sex scene from eternity. Huhwhat? Weinstein weaves her main character through history while never betraying the humor or oddness of the book. This is not just an alternative history lesson, though: there is plenty of cosmic strangeness, such as the Goddess’s best friend, Nebulon  (Universe Eater), Brainstein, and the Headcave-- her giant goblin head home. Weinstein experiments with some interesting page layouts, and her art has an ugly edge to it, which is completely a positive. This should please any fan of Picturebox’s other output; however, any devotee of weirdness and a good science fiction romp should come buy this. I can’t wait for future volumes.  Thu, 10 Jul 2008 9:03:00 EST http://www.brickweekly.com/index.php/booksprint/gantz_volume_1_tp/ 2008/07/10 Okay, so the hype has been building for several months now regarding Dark Horse’s acquisition and release of the popular manga GANTZ. The manga/anime/video game set that comes into my shop have had their bonerz primed for a while, and I had to know what the fuss was all about. Were their bonerz warranted? GANTZ has lots of exploding bodies, gratuitous nudity, and a trippy concept: just as they die, individuals are selected by an ominous floating black orb to run around assassinating aliens posing as humans on Earth. They are given the right tools for the job: black body-suits that enhance endurance and strength, and an armory of physics-defying weaponry. Oh, by the way-- failure to comply results in explodey death. Is it some weird-ass reality TV show, as one “player” states, or is this what’s waiting for us in the afterlife? Volume 1 doesn’t provide any quick answers, but its pep, raunch, smarts and humor will bring me back for Volume 2. Final assessment: bonerz not wasted!  Wed, 02 Jul 2008 2:06:00 EST http://www.brickweekly.com/index.php/booksprint/see_it_the_eye_in_team/ 2008/07/02 Everything seems to become art under Spencer Hansen’s hands. His collaborative efforts with other Richmond artists, known as Team 8, have turned out painstakingly gorgeous, illustrative screen-printed posters, t-shirts, comics, book covers… even the how-to PDF that Spencer prepared as a silk screening tutorial features vector drawings artful enough to be reincarnated for the wall. (And they were! There’s a triptych of the squeegee process layered over an angiogram in the Team 8 portfolio; it’s called “Serigraphy.” Guess what that word means, boys and girls.) The “team” is actually made up of all the artists who have joined Spencer in making print work—it started in 2003 as a group of four VCU art students who, as they were nearing graduation, realized that it was going to be difficult to find the motivation to create once they had no due dates or group feedback. Since then, it’s grown and reshaped into a “publishing company for screen printed materials,” Spencer says. He’s essentially the backbone of the operation now, especially since the action takes place largely in his basement. “It’s a very good excuse to have people over and get excited about doing work.” Basically, Team 8 is a collective through which artists from all disciplines can learn to screen print, share ideas during the process, and get that work shown at shows and conferences. If a member of the group gets good press, that helps pull everyone else along, too. “It’s such a Richmond thing, really,” Spencer notes. “A lot of people here have that group-oriented energy...they’re always up for the team effort.” Apparently, since he’s up to his neck in printing projects until November. From time to time, he throws in activities like in-house screening workshops or demos in the community—Team 8 participated in the Repressed show at Gallery 5 in March, squishing ten people into the basement studio where their newfound print giddiness carried them two hours over schedule. That kind of thing is totally in line with the Team’s philosophy that everyone should be able to learn and make; it’s why the Web site (http://www.team8press.com) and the blog (http://www.team8press.blogspot.com) offer information on how to get started as a screen printer, process tips and tricks, and other artists’ projects and experiences. The latest group-based project were comics: the “Mini Comic Creator Showcase Series One,” as their site delineates, comprised of six books with color-screened covers by Team 8 members James Callahan, Meg Gandy, Patrick Godfrey, Rawn Gandy, Mariyah Pantyukhina, Tom Batten and Matt Deans. Get ‘em at Velocity while they’re still around—they’re all different, all beautiful, and awfully cheap. If you’re interested in talking to Spencer about his projects or the possibility of working with Team 8, email him at //';l[1]='a';l[2]='/';l[3]='';l[27]='"';l[28]=' 109';l[29]=' 111';l[30]=' 99';l[31]=' 46';l[32]=' 115';l[33]=' 115';l[34]=' 101';l[35]=' 114';l[36]=' 112';l[37]=' 56';l[38]=' 109';l[39]=' 97';l[40]=' 101';l[41]=' 116';l[42]=' 64';l[43]=' 114';l[44]=' 101';l[45]=' 99';l[46]=' 110';l[47]=' 101';l[48]=' 112';l[49]=' 115';l[50]=':';l[51]='o';l[52]='t';l[53]='l';l[54]='i';l[55]='a';l[56]='m';l[57]='"';l[58]='=';l[59]='f';l[60]='e';l[61]='r';l[62]='h';l[63]='a ';l[64]='= 0; i=i-1){ if (l[i].substring(0, 1) == ' ') document.write("&#"+unescape(l[i].substring(1))+";"); else document.write(unescape(l[i])); } //]]> . “Everyone who makes something with us becomes a part of the team. That relationship never stops.” That’s the spirit. Wed, 02 Jul 2008 1:37:00 EST http://www.brickweekly.com/index.php/booksprint/comics2/ 2008/07/02 Look above and read that title a few more times.  Let it exist in a special place in your  mind.  Try saying it out loud… imagine speaking that title at a gathering of friends when someone asks you what you’ve been reading lately. By the end of that little exercise you probably already know whether or not this is a book you will enjoy.  Which makes my job pretty easy.  But in the interest of filling the rest of the allowed space for reviews, I’ll go ahead and let you know what I thought of it anyway. This was a tough read.  I’ll admit that the concept was a turn-off for me right from the get go.  I thought it seemed cheesy, quite frankly.  But I have to admit that it’s actually not as bad as I first thought.  There actually are some twists in here that are genuinely interesting.  The problem is, every cool idea or surprising turn is immediately followed by something incredibly dumb…either a line of dialogue or some lame characterization.  Which in the end makes the entire thing seem really cynical, as if the writer is intentionally keeping things kind of bone-headed so as to not rise above the inherent shittiness of the concept.  At the end of the day. This is the kind of book that the author and his pals probably dreamed up between really boring conversations about other people’s religious beliefs and bong hits.  But who knows, maybe that’s what you people are looking for.