#182 Web comics critiques

Evil DivaFLASHBACK! So many comics on the Web. What’s worth reading and what isn’t? Tim and Mulele critique four Web comics, pointing out what’s good and bad about each — from a reader’s perspective, as well as a creator’s. (Originally published June 1, 2009)

Evil Diva

New Experiments in Fiction

Go KC

Butternut Squash

REVIEW: Nonplayer #1 (of 6)

by Nate Simpson

Image Comics, April 2011

I’m going to have to spoil this  comic to talk about it, but let me say this first: think about the context in which we normally hear the word “Nonplayer” used, and also consider the fact that Nate Simpson has a background in video game design, and I think you can guess what the twist on page 20 is going to be. It’s issue 1 of 6 anyway, so you might as well find out.

Continue reading REVIEW: Nonplayer #1 (of 6)

#301 Gerry Alanguilan

ElmerWhat would happen if chickens suddenly gained human intelligence? Gerry Alanguilan‘s take on this idea bears little resemblance to, oh say, Foghorn Leghorn. “Funny animal” comics it ain’t! Kumar talks to Gerry about his graphic novel Elmer, along with his earlier work Wasted, and the Philippine comics scene.

Critiquing Comics 012: “Mythica”

MysticaA brand new Web comic fresh out of the gate, Mythica starts out in Belgium in 1914, then jumps to a flashback. Tim and Mulele suggest flashing back to the development process of this comic, because the creators’ prep for this project leaves something to be desired…

REVIEW: The Man Who Loved Breasts

by Robert Goodin

Top Shelf Productions, 2008

This week I was going to review either this or Lady Death Origins Annual #1. I chose this one, but both books are about breasts. I was a bit surprised that one of the two was even published, but it’s not the one you think.

Continue reading REVIEW: The Man Who Loved Breasts

#300 Love & Rockets: Jaime Hernandez

L&R JaimeThe series Love & Rockets, featuring individual works by the Hernandez brothers, started in 1981 as a self-published magazine, but was quickly picked up by Fantagraphics. Over the last 30 years, the brothers’ work has continued to develop & astound. This week Tim and Kumar take a look at the Love & Rockets work of Jaime Hernandez, with special guest (and former Fantagraphics employee) Tom Spurgeon!

Critiquing Comics 011: “Z-Blade XX”

Z-Blade XXA couple months ago on Deconstructing Comics, Tim talked to Reed Greenfield, creator of Z-Blade XX. This week, Tim and Mulele read and critique the first issue…uh, sorry, Reed, better hold on to your hat!

#299 Detroit Metal City vs. Metalocalypse Dethklok

Krauser and NathanThe @#$%ing Death Metal showdown that had to happen! It’s Kiminori Wakasugi’s Detroit Metal City versus Metalocalypse Dethklok created by Brendan Small, in our most explicit episode ever! How is is possible for TWO Death Metal comedy franchises to suddenly appear at the same time?! Thanks to the flimsy pretext of a Dethklok licenced comic finally being published, Kumar and newcomer-to-the-show Dana discuss Metal, the @#$% joke filled DMC manga, Metal, the @#$% joke-free DMC live-action movie, and Metal; compared with the Dethklok TV show and comic (including Dethklok vs The Goon, written and drawn by Eric Powell), and Metal. Plus: how censoring yourself is totally @#$%ing UN-Metal!! @#$% on!!

Critiquing Comics 010: “Periphery”

PeripheryPeriphery is an anthology comic published by Omaha Perez Press, the first issue of which came out in 2004. Which doesn’t stop Tim & Mulele from digging it up and critiquing all the stories in it!

Periphery at San Diego Comicon 2004