Best on the Shelf: Locke & Key

Locke & Key, Vol. 1: Welcome To Lovecraft

Let us, for a moment, enter a world where the general public doesn't associate comic books with either a) children; or b) socially inept 40-year-olds. In this beautiful utopia, couples are walking hand in hand with hardcover graphic novels under their outside arms. They are sipping their 16-oz. soy lattes while reading the latest issue of Action Comics – in public.


And Locke & Key has taken the literary world by storm.


Even if you have never touched a comic book/graphic novel in your life, I can't imagine that you wouldn't find something to enjoy within the pages of author Joe Hill and artist Gabriel Rodriguez's horror-mystery series, Locke & Key. For my money, this is the best comic on the shelves today.

Bode and Kinsey Locke

Plot
First published in 2008, Locke & Key follows Nina Locke and her three children – teenagers Tyler and Kinsey, and youngster Bode – as they move into the mysterious Keyhouse after the murder of their father. There, they discover ancient keys that possess mystical powers, while also coming to terms with their grief. But when Bode stumbles upon a mischievous ghost, he unleashes a horrifying chain of events that pits the family against forces from another world.

What makes this series stand out (other than its ever-expanding mythology and gleeful creativity) is Joe Hill's talent for crafting characters that live and breathe on the page. Amidst the dark magic and creepy atmosphere surrounding the story, the Locke family interact with each other in a wonderful "slice-of-life" fashion, making them feel like members of your own family. This characterization doesn't rest entirely on Hill's shoulders, of course; Gabriel Rodriguez's expressive and vibrant art style works wonders in this department, with each character's emotional life coming across beautifully in their facial expressions and body language.

Tyler and Nina Locke in one great example of visual storytelling

Currently in its fifth story arc (or "season," in other words), Locke & Key has only gotten better with age. And not only are the stories fantastic on their own, but the hardcover collections are simply gorgeous to behold. Don't worry, folks, you wouldn't look silly with this book in your hands. And if you can't afford the sometimes pricey hardcover collections, you're not out of luck: your library will most likely oblige!

Just for fun, here's the trailer for the Locke & Key TV show pilot. Despite the stellar cast and creative team involved, no network has chosen to put its faith in an entire season's worth of episodes. Perhaps it's for the best – it wouldn't hurt to leave one successful comic series on the page.

Comic Review: Batman #1

Batman #1

Script: Scott Snyder

Pencils: Greg Capullo

Ink: Jonathan Glapion

Price: $2.99/$1.99 digital

Publisher: DC Comics

Here's the deal: If you even moderately enjoy the ill-tempered Dark Knight detective, you owe it to yourself to pick up this book.

Story:
Scott Snyder has managed to turn every one of his stories into pure gold, so the comic-book community was rightfully overjoyed when DC announced that Snyder would be penning his own take on Bruce Wayne. 

And it's nothing short of wonderful.

Instead of burdening himself with a "new" and "fresh" take on Batman, Snyder manages to inject all of the details that we already know and love about the character into every single page. We get a Batman who is confident, ambitious, and adept at mopping the floor with his entire rogue's gallery of villains in a single evening. Snyder also does a spectacular job with creating exciting and imaginative additions to Batman's utility belt, enhancing his reputation as a detective, first and foremost. 

As Bruce Wayne, our hero announces his optimistic plans for Gotham's future and seems much more chipper than usual, and it's a refreshing angle on the typically dreary and pessimistic crimefighter. 

But everyone should know that things won't stay bright and peppy for long; this expertly paced issue ends with a cliffhanger that is guaranteed to make Bruce question the inherent "good" of Gotham City. 

Art:
After years of drawing elaborate monsters and creative carnage on Todd McFarlane's Spawn, Greg Capullo brings his unique and borderline cartoonish style to Batman, and it looks fantastic. There is a definite "back-to-basics" vibe with the look of the Batsuit that can be compared to David Mazzucchelli's groundbreaking work in Batman: Year One, and the straightforward design gives Batman a youthful and energetic presence.

Good ol' Bats can certainly bring the pain.

The opening sequence featuring the Dark Knight containing a breakout at Arkham is downright thrilling, and while it doesn't necessarily further the plot, it serves as a perfect representation of what Batman is: one badass dude. We're also treated to a straight-up classic wide-angle splash page of the Batcave and all of its contents, which would look great blown-up and framed on my wall.

My only minor issue here: Why must every artist (and writer, for that matter) feel the need to completely redefine The Joker? I don't necessarily dislike his wacky look in this issue, but it's getting a bit old, people.

New-Reader Friendly?
If you've seen a single Bat-flick or TV show, you're good to go here. Well, other than the fact that Batman has gone through several Robins over the years, and the most recent one is Bruce's biological son from one steamy evening with Ra's al Ghul's daughter, Talia. There, now you're all set!

For a double-whammy of awesome, snag this along with Batman #2, in stores tomorrow!

13 Horror Films You May Have Missed: Part 3

And so we reach the end of our frightening little journey through these lesser-known horror gems. It's been fun!
Lock your doors and grab your crucifix, because here comes: #4 – 1!

#4: The House of the Devil

Director: Ti West

Starring: Jocelin Donahue, Tom Noonan, 

Greta Gerwig

Year: 2009

If you're ever in the mood for some 80's nostalgia, you owe it to yourself to check out this homage to the horror days of old. 

What's it About?
As is the case with most of these flicks, the less you know going in, the better. Seriously, don't even watch the trailer. But if you must know the bare bones of the plot: desperate for some cash, a college girl accepts a babysitting job from a pair of eccentric characters living in the boonies, and things just don't go well.

"Are you here for mother?"

What Makes it Scary-Good?

• It's all in the build-up. Other horror directors should take notes on Ti West's ability to crank up the tension while showing the audience virtually nothing. 
• Right down to the Coca-Cola cups, the props and intricate details used to recreate the 1980s deserve some kind of award. 
• That ending sure packs a wallop. 

Comic Review: Animal Man #1

Animal Man #1

Script: Jeff Lemire

Art: Travel Foreman, Dan Green

Price: $2.99/$1.99 digital

Alright everyone, now THIS is good stuff.

Story:
The concept of Animal Man could easily result in all-around silliness: a man named Buddy Baker is tapped into the planet's wildlife, and he can use this connection to possess the abilities of any animal he chooses.

Goofy? Hang on a sec.

Instead of traveling the world punching bad guys and delivering monologues about saving the pandas (although these tasks do fall under his job description), Buddy's primary role is as a husband and father of two. Jeff Lemire is a writer who knows how to bring out the intricacies and subtle quirks of his characters through traditionally mundane situations, such as the kitchen scene in this issue, and he delivers in spades with just about every line of dialogue here. The Baker family feels like a complex and and fascinating bunch – who just happen to have a super-powered father.

But Lemire doesn't settle for a simply fun, suburban superhero tale. After a shocking event during what Buddy expects to be a routine job, the book spirals into full-on horror mode; Buddy has a doosie of a nightmare, giving him his first glimpse of what could be his most horrifying challenge yet.

And that last page...yikes. Let's just say there's something wrong with the Bakers' youngest daughter, Maxine.

Anyone else get a Captain Kirk vibe here?

Art:
I can't imagine a better artist for this creepy tale than Travel Foreman. His extra-thin lines and untraditional page layouts give the book a slightly off-putting vibe, which is absolutely perfect given the dark places that this story is headed.

Having said that, Foreman's style definitely takes a little getting used to. He uses much more negative space than most comic artists – too many artists feel the need to fill every centimeter of the page – allowing the characters to pop off the page. There are also several downright strange facial expressions to be found, but they help define their characters in a unique way, so I'm all for it.

Oh yeah, and Buddy's nightmare sequence? Gorgeous and terrifying all at once. This book is worth a purchase for those few pages alone.

New-Reader Friendly?
I had never touched an Animal Man comic before, and I felt like I knew everything I needed to know to enjoy this story. Lemire also slapped on a clever "interview" with Buddy Baker on the first page that essentially sums up the character's history to this point. So there you go. 

Next: behold the awesome power of Batman #1!

13 Horror Films You May Have Missed: Part 2

On my morning walk with my five-month-old Corgi, I passed by a lawn covered in tombstones, cobwebs, and sheets suspended to look like ghosts. If only we could see front-yard haunted cemeteries year round!
Hold your loved ones close, because here comes: #9 – 5!  
#9: Let Me In

Director: Matt Reeves

Starring: Kodi Smit-McPhee, 

Chloë-Grace Moretz, Richard Jenkins

Year: 2010

It was a tough decision choosing between the original Swedish version (2008's Let the Right One In) and this American remake, but a few extra touches make this tale of bloodsucking adolescence stand at the top of the pack.

What's it About?

Owen (played to perfection by Kodi Smit-McPhee) is twelve years old, lonely, and relentlessly bullied at school. Things seem to be looking up when he befriends Abby, a young girl new to his apartment complex. But with a string of murders plaguing the town, Owen discovers that Abby may be much older – and much hungrier – than he thinks.

 "Do you think there's such a thing as evil?"

 What Makes it Scary-Good?

• While not necessarily the "scariest" pick on the list, this one earns mega-points for its surprisingly genuine portrayal of young love.
•  Every single actor brings their A-game, resulting in a haunting story full of characters that you grow to actually care about.
• When the fangs come out, they mean serious business. No twinkling vampires here, folks.

Comic Review: Swamp Thing #1

Swamp Thing #1

Script: Scott Snyder

Art: Yanick Paquette

Price: $2.99/$1.99 digital

Since it's October and all, I know what you must be thinking: What a perfect time to pick up some horror comics! 

Okay, so maybe that wasn't your first thought, but why not? There are some fantastically creepy funnybooks sitting on the shelves (literal or digital) just waiting to be cracked open, and Scott Snyder's Swamp Thing is a great place to start.

Here is a little background on what Swamp Thing is all about:

Alec Holland was a botanist working on a project that could change the collective future of the world's flora and fauna. But as these things go, a tragic lab accident left Holland on the brink of death until he was essentially absorbed into "The Green" – or the consciousness of all the earth's vegetation – and transformed into Swamp Thing, defender of "The Green."

Sound geeky? Perhaps, but a single read through the pages of Swamp Thing will have you ducking under the covers, rather than rolling your eyes.

Story:
Swamp Thing #1 kicks off with Alec returning to his life as a human being after years spent as Swamp Thing. Snyder is a writer who clearly does his homework before delving into a script, and this issue only furthers his reputation. Full of specific plant-related details only a botanist would know, Snyder's narration invites the reader into Alec's mind and shows us why he was such a strong candidate to defend the world's plant life.

But all is not well on planet Earth, and Snyder brings his tried-and-true sense of dread to the story within the first two pages. Not to mention the mass-murdering beast that shows up about halfway through – but those details are best discovered on their own.

There's a lot of buildup in this issue (which comes with the territory in a "#1"), but it's so carefully crafted that it perfectly captures the sheer terror guaranteed to come later in the series.

Art: 
Yanick Paquette's big, bold lines do a wonderful job of separating this book from the pack. And while his page layouts in the scenes with Alec get the job done, he really hits it out of the park with the "monster" sequences; the thick divisions between panels look like black moss growing across the pages, which are perfect compliments to the eerie contents of the panels themselves.

However, a visit from the boy in blue only reminds me that I can't seem to accept this re-design on Superman's costume. It just looks...unnecessary.

Say goodbye to the red undies.

 New-Reader Friendly?
While this book works well as a "new beginning" for Swamp Thing, it wouldn't hurt to bop on over to Wikipedia and have a look over the character's history. Or even better, check out the legendary Alan Moore's work on our gooey hero!

Next: More eerie pre-Halloween reading with Animal Man #1!

13 Horror Films You May Have Missed: Part 1

The Shining.

Halloween. 

The Exorcist.

As October moves swiftly along and more pumpkins pop up on the neighborhood doorsteps, these three films often spring to mind when we contemplate heading down to the video store (or more likely, rearranging the Netflix queue).

While there is nothing wrong with these tried-and-true fright flicks, they make it all too easy to let lesser-known horror gems fall by the wayside.

Over the next week, I will discuss 13 of the spookiest movies that deserve a spot on your Halloween watch list, from the classy, sophisticated scare pictures to the unrelenting, terror-fueled thrill rides. There's no particular order here, but counting down is always exciting, right? And as usual, all proceedings are spoiler-free.

So throw on a Vincent Price record, break out the candy corn, and turn off all the lights, because here comes:   #13 – 10!

#13: Black Christmas

Director: Bob Clark

Starring: Olivia Hussey, Margot Kidder, 

               Keir Dullea

Year: 1974

Although Black Christmas has earned a devoted cult following since its release in 1974, this slow-burn slasher remains criminally underseen by the general public.

  "Agnes, it's me Billy..."

What's it About?

Just in time for the Christmas festivities, a murdering psychopath hides in the attic of a sorority house, waiting to prey on a group of unsuspecting college girls. 

What Makes it Scary-Good?

• Pre-dates John Carpenter's Halloween with its use of the first-person point of view through the eyes of the killer.
• Blends chilling atmosphere with witty and well-timed humor, making the characters relatable and likable.
• Guaranteed to make you think twice before answering the telephone.

Comic Review: Detective Comics #1

I'm going to get something out of the way right now: I'm a huge Batman fan. In fact, one of my first memories features me sitting five inches away from the television and playing my VHS copy of Tim Burton's Batman until the tape literally fell apart (while fast-forwarding through the "scary parts" of course).

Detective Comics #1

Script: Tony S. Daniel
Pencils: Tony S. Daniel
Ink: Ryan Winn
Price: $2.99/$1.99 digital
Publisher: DC Comics

Story
After Scott Snyder's masterful run on Detective Comics last year, I was a little nervous to see the creative team switcheroo. Upon reading the blasted thing, it's safe to say that there was cause for concern.


In this issue, we've got a young, confident Batman swinging across the rooftops of Gotham City and chasing (wait for it) The Joker. Now look, I love The Joker; he's my favorite villain, the ying to Batman's yang, yadda yadda yadda. But I can't help feeling like we've seen this all before.

Other than the re-hashed plot devices (CRAZY Joker, rooftop meeting with Commissioner Gordon, etc.), Tony S. Daniel seems to be under the impression that Batman loves to chit-chat. His pages are littered with the Caped Crusader explaining his every thought to the reader, from the unnecessary ("Tonight I'm feeling lucky") to the outright silly ("But I can take it. I'm Batman"). After discovering The Joker committing murder in his birthday suit, our hero ponders whether or not his arch nemesis always removes his clothes before he kills. Because we didn't already know that The Joker was crazy, he has to be crazy AND naked.

The obligatory "twist" ending shows some sign of a promising yarn in Detective Comics' future, but one can't rely on a shocking final page alone to carry an entire issue.

Score: 2

Art 

What Daniel lacks in textual storytelling skills, he certainly tries to make up for in the visual department. His take on Gotham is gorgeous, and his bold and bulky Batman practically leaps off the page. The rooftop discussion with Gordon could have been staged simply and casually, but Daniel's creative layout elevated the sequence into a fresh and more-than-welcome change of pace. Now if he could just find someone to help him in the plotting department...

How far we have strayed...

Much can also be said for Tomeu Morey's color work here; the blues and greys of the Batsuit against the industrial teals of the Gotham skyline are a sight to behold.

But that cover...a bit much, wouldn't you say?

Score: 4

 
New-Reader Friendly? – If you don't know the basics of the Batman mythos by this point, you have likely been living in a Batcave yourself. With that said, maybe my criticisms of this issue's familiar plot serve well in this department. Never touched a Batman comic before? You'll be perfectly up-to-speed with this by-the-numbers tale of the Dark Knight.

Overall Score: 2.5/5

Next: Mother Nature reaches out her slimy fingers in Swamp Thing #1!

Comic Review: Action Comics #1

Action Comics #1

Script: Grant Morrison
Pencils: Rags Morales
Ink: Rick Bryant
Price: $3.99/$2.99 digital
Publisher: DC Comics

Story
For far too long have we witnessed Superman the Boy Scout, willing to bow to the president's every whim – and taking flack from just about every other superhero for doing so.

Enter Grant Morrison, the writer deemed by many as totally off his rocker, and his vision of Superman the Populist: a hero donning a pair of blue jeans and a t-shirt who fights for us, not the American government. Not only does this refreshing take on the world's first superhero breathe a new sense of life into the genre, but it successfully takes us back to square one with a Man of Steel who is young, idealistic, and leaping tall buildings in a single bound. That's right, the guy can't even fly yet!

More than any other title in the "New 52," Action Comics truly returns to the roots of its super-powered hero, and brings the version of Superman that first appeared in 1938 soaring and crashing into the 21st century. Folks, this comic is a blast, and the script would earn a perfect "5" if it weren't for a couple slightly jarring and disjointed sequences courtesy of Morrison's brilliant but kooky brain.

Score: 4.5

Art

Other than a few minor inconsistencies regarding a certain villain's facial features, Rags Morales' work here is hopping with energy and absolutely thrilling. His action sequences are dynamic and brilliantly paced (a scene involving a wrecking ball and a tank is particularly friggin' cool), and they certainly help Action Comics live up to its title by making the whole issue fly by like a bullet train. Also, a splash page early on featuring our hero dangling a corrupt businessman over the ledge of a skyscraper will soon be added to the library of iconic Superman images. Mark my words.

Score: 4.5

New-Reader Friendly? – Absolutely! Even if someone had never heard the name Christopher Reeve, they could easily pick up this book and meet a Superman who is still working out the kinks. However, Morrison's unconventional and occasionally confusing style may take some getting used to.

Overall Score: 4.5

Next: Batman can't stop talking and The Joker gets naked in Detective Comics #1!

Comic Review: Justice League #1

Before launching into the review, I just wanted to give a preface about DC Comics and their whole "New 52" goings on.

In an effort to attract new and lapsed readers (while snagging a little media attention), DC came up with the crafty plan to take 52 of their most notable titles (including Batman, Superman and
Wonder Woman) back to their roots by starting over with all new #1 issues and releasing them digitally on the same day of their in-store release. Some comic fans were outraged by this move ("What about continuity, DC! Are you saying that everything I've read up to this point doesn't matter?"), while others were optimistic ("Man, they chose some great writers to reimagine my favorite superheroes!").

Because I am not drowning in cash, I wasn't able to pick up each and every issue of the New 52. But I managed to snatch up a good chunk of the heavy-hitters, and I will be giving you the spoiler-free play-by-play on whether or not they are worth your hard-earned dollars.

Let's do this!

Justice League #1

Script: Geoff Johns

Pencils: Jim Lee

Ink: Scott Williams

Price: $3.99/$2.99 digital

Publisher: DC Comics

Story
As the first issue of DC's hyped-up relaunch, Justice League should have been stellar. It should have featured the seven folks you see to your left rushing toward some world-destroying foe and kickin' tush. Unfortunately, what we get here is an oversized issue dedicated to the first meeting of Batman and Green Lantern, and a smidgen of Superman thrown in for good measure. Geoff Johns can write superhero banter well enough, but that's just it: it's all just fine, when it needed to be great. A few clever one-liners aside, there is nothing that lingers after the book is closed. 

 Score: 3

Art

Let's just get this out of the way: I am not a fan of Jim Lee's redesigns on these costumes. Superman's collar looks tacked-on and awkward, Batman's armor is busy as all-hell, and the stylistic similarities from hero to hero indicate that they all went to the same tailor. Don't get me wrong, the guy can draw a swell iconic pose, but other than a few nifty-looking panels featuring BAAAMMM and BABOOOOOOOSHHH, it all feels like more of the same. 

Score: 3.5

New-Reader Friendly? – Since we are witnessing the first meeting of The Dark Knight and Hal Jordan, it's pretty easy to jump right in and witness the creation of the Justice League from the ground up. However, DC could have given new readers a little more bang for their buck. To any newbies out there: superhero comics are not always this uneventful, I promise! 

Overall Score: 3

Next: Superman gets back to basics in Action Comics #1!

Let the Geek-Out Commence!

Ah, the good ol' days...

Hello, friends. I'm Jeff, a guy in his mid-20s who grew up surrounded by superheroes, movies, and malicious children shouting, "hey, four-eyes!"

In this space, you will find my take on the world of comics and films–with a little bit of randomness thrown in for good measure.

Look out for reviews on a good-sized chunk of the "New 52" line of DC Comics reboots/re-imaginings/re-whatevers. Yeah, so it's a bit late in the game to be going through all of the new No. 1's from September, but if I can get an unsuspecting reader off the couch and into a comic-book shop, then I have done my duty!

Also, expect a hefty amount of Batman-related nonsense, because let's face it, we all get a little biased sometimes.

Until next time, dear reader!