Nocterra #1 Review

NOCTERRA #1
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Tony Daniel, Tomeu Morey
Colorist: Tomeu Morey
Letterer: Andworld Design
Release Date: March 3, 2021
Cover Price: $3.99
Publisher: Image Comics

What it’s about…

“FULL THROTTLE DARK,” Part One-Ten years after the world is plunged into an everlasting night that turns all living creatures into monstrous shades, the only way to survive is to stay close to artificial light. Enter Valentina “Val” Riggs, a skilled ferryman who transports people and goods along deadly unlit roads with her heavily illuminated eighteen-wheeler.

This March, legendary creators SCOTT SNYDER (Dark Knights: Death Metal, WYTCHES) and TONY S. DANIEL (Batman, Deathstroke) unveil horrors beyond any shade in this extra-sized first issue.

What I thought about it…

Today, writer Scott Snyder is probably best known for his long runs on the Batman and Justice League books. But Snyder first made a name for himself on several creator-owned comics, and this week, Snyder returns to his roots with the highly-anticipated Nocterra #1 from Image Comics. And to nobody’s surprise, Nocterra #1 is as close to perfect as you can get.

Snyder’s Wytches dealt with the fears and dark wishes a parent has. Undiscovered Country focused on an isolated America that was forever transformed and cut off from the rest of the world. Nocterra is about civilization rising from the ashes with individuals and different communities helping to rebuild the world, while those separated go on to become literal monsters.

Perhaps it’s because this is the first issue, but I thought Scott Snyder’s writing was more focused. Then again, maybe I was just burned out on the Dark Nights Metal stuff, and Nocterra #1 was the perfect pallet cleanser. Either way, the story in this issue is fast-paced, doesn’t waste any time and all the important information is delivered by the time you finish the book. I realize this was an over-sized issue, so there was plenty of room to set things up. But it’s still nice to have it all done in one issue instead of several as is commonplace these days.

As for the art in the book, Tony S. Daniel’s artwork is terrific as usual. I’ve enjoyed his art since his X-Force days, but I’ve always found his non-Marvel/DC work to be his best, and Nocterra #1 is no exception. Here, Daniel delivers a lot of detailed panels, and they all flow perfectly making it an easy read. There is nothing about the art in this issue that I can complain about, just a job well done by the entire art team.

Nocterra #1 is a terrific debut issue. Scott Snyder and Tony S. Daniel have reimagined the world into something unique. With great dialogue and spectacular art, we could be looking at another big hit from Image Comics. I have no clue where the story goes from here, but I’m excited to see what the creative team has up their sleeves.

Nocterra #1 grade: A

Movie flashback: The Land Before Time

Released in late 1988, “The Land Before Time” was directed and produced by Don Bluth and executive produced by the law firm of Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Kathleen Kennedy, and Frank Marshall. The film follows a group of young dinosaurs as they (and their families) realize that their home has become barren and they must all migrate to a place known as the Great Valley. It is believed that the Great Valley may be the only area that’s still green.

The film begins with a fish being eaten by a giant alligator-type creature. I thought it was a funny way to open a kid’s movie, but nobody else in my group was laughing. Then came the narration provided by future Commisonare Gordon, the late Pat Hingle. The commish explains that dinosaurs have been around long before mankind which I already knew, but I guess it was important to bring younger kids up to speed. We’re then introduced to the cast of dinosaurs: Ducky (Judith Barsi); Cera (Candace Hudson); Littlefoot, (Gabriel Brown); Petrie (Will Ryan).

I was ten years old when “The Land Before Time” was released, and to be honest, I had zero interest in seeing the movie. The age of ten wasn’t easy on me. I felt that I was too old for some things, but not old enough for others. By then I had other interests, and seeing a cartoon about dinosaurs did little to pique my interest. But during a sleepover at a friend’s house, his mother thought Land Before Time was the ideal movie to take us to on a rainy day. I have few memories of the movie itself. The only part I remember is when the group of friends climbed a mountain only to find another wasteland. Cera leaves the group, frustrated that their efforts meant nothing. An insult is tossed and a fight breaks out, and they part ways. Other than that, however, I have no memory of how the movie ends, but I can guess.

My best guess is all the little dinos made it out alive, why? Because during high school and college I worked at a Blockbuster Video store, and during those years several “Land Before Time” sequels were released. The movies kept coming out even after I left Blockbuster for greener pastures. In total, there have been fourteen Land Before Time movies. I didn’t see any of them, but we’d often play them in the kid’s section, and they were big sellers around the holidays.

The sequel that sticks out in my mind is 1997s “The Land Before Time V: The Mysterious Island.” Our store took pre-orders for the movie, and one day a mother came in with her kids to sign up for the deal we offered. As she filled out the paperwork she said to me “I can’t believe they’ve made five of these things. What are they doing now, having sex with each other?”

I didn’t know what else to do but laugh at her comment. Even my manager Jen, thought what the customer said was funny. The woman went on to tell me she hated the Land Before Time series because her kids had watched them so many times that she knew them by heart. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that we’d already heard a sixth movie might be coming in 1998 or 1999.

Looking back after all these years, the premise of “The Land Before Time” franchise is a bit like the “Ice Age” movies that began in 2002. Maybe some of those filmmakers saw the original Land Before Time movie when they were younger and were inspired to tell their own story. Or perhaps they got bored like I did that rainy day and decided to tell a better story.

Tom and Jerry Review

Possible spoilers ahead!

Tom and Jerry, the perpetually feuding cat and a mouse who’ve been entertaining kids and adults since 1940 are now starring in their hybrid live-action/animated Warner Bros. adventure titled “Tom & Jerry: The Movie.” Or maybe it’s just “Tom and Jerry” I’m not sure. I’ve seen it called both, so who knows for sure?

Anyways, the new film sends the classic cartoon rivals to modern-day New York City for an adventure that mostly revolves around a young woman named Kayla (Chloë Grace Moretz). Kayla is a new employee of the Royal Gate Hotel who hires Tom to catch Jerry before the high-profile wedding of Ben and Preeta (played respectively by Colin Jost and Pallavi Sharda). Watching Kayla’s every move is hotel event manager Terence (Michael Peña), but being a Tom & Jerry movie, things don’t do quite as planned.

Directed by Tim Story from a script by Kevin Costello, “Tom & Jerry” is set in a version of the world where all animals are cartoons. Not only that, but they’re portrayed in a 2-D animated look instead of the 3DCG you’d expect this day. While it’s charming to see old-school animation, the cartoon animals are never explained. Neither is the reason why most of the animals can talk but not Tom and Jerry. The cartoon animals also made me wonder if the humans in this world eat animated animals? Or are there real animals too?

The slapstick physical comedy between Tom and Jerry does provide some laughs for younger viewers. But if you’ve watched more than a couple of Tom & Jerry, then you’ve seen most of these gags before. However, there is one scene I did find funny in which Tom pretends to be a blind piano player in Central Park. Though I suppose most of the laughs come from the humans who turn on Tom once they realized they’ve been conned.

The majority of the action in the film is set within the swanky hotel where Kayla gets hired for a job for which she is not qualified. I didn’t like how Chloë Grace Moretz’s character steals someone else resumes to get the job, but I did enjoy how her character grew and developed during the movie. Chloë Grace Moretz did a nice job with a part that isn’t well written, but the actress made Kayla a very likable character.

Hotel event manager Terence (Peña) dislikes Kayla from the start and is the closest thing this movie has to a villain. But just like with Chloë Grace Moretz, the Terence character grows throughout the film. He’s not as well developed as Kayla, but he does have some great moments in the movie, like when he’s recruited to take Spike for a walk around the city. It’s a short sequence, but it was one of the few times I laughed.

When it comes to the film’s supporting cast, I’d say Jordan Bolger as Cameron, (a hotel bartender), and Patsy Ferran, who plays the quirky bellhop Joy, are among the film’s highlights. Sadly, Ken Jeong as Chef Jackie, a chef, and baker at the Hotel, doesn’t get much screen time, but he is pretty funny in the few scenes he gets.

Where “Tom and Jerry” failed is in the wedding storyline. Colin Jost and Pallavi Sharda are fine as Ben and Preeta, but I never got the sense the two were in love, to begin with. I’m still not sure why the two are famous or what either of them did for a living. None of this is their fault of course, but I wish the script had done a little more to develop their character beyond Ben wanting a big wedding and Preeta not wanting to tell him she does not.

When all is said and done, “Tom & Jerry” is a perfectly adequate offering, especially if you got kids and have access to HBO max. The movie does have some laughs adults will enjoy, and maybe a ga or two they will remember from the classic shorts. But this movie could have been better written and directed, and it would have been nice if Tom and Jerry hadn’t been supporting players for much of their movie.

“Tom and Jerry” grade: C-

Better late than never review: Welcome to Sudden Death

Possible spoilers ahead!

From writer/director Dallas Jackson, 2020s “Welcome to Sudden Death” follows Jesse Freeman (Michael Jai White) an army veteran who has a new job as a security guard at the fancy new basketball arena. Jesse is trying to make up for lost time and hopes to impress his son and daughter by taking them to the first game of the season.

However, the day doesn’t go as planned when a group of terrorists led by Jobe (Michael Eklund) invades and holds arena owner Diane (Sabryn Rock) hostage. Also in the bad guy’s crosshairs are the Governor and Mayor. With bombs planted all over the arena, it’s now it’s up to Jesse to stop the terrorists and keep everyone (including his kids), safe.

After watching the movie a few days ago, I’m still not sure if “Welcome to Sudden Death” is supposed to be a parody film or something you’re supposed to take seriously. Perhaps writer/director Dallas Jackson was trying to spoof “Die Hard,” but fell short of that goal. But clearly, the premise of this movie is a ripoff of the 1995 Jean-Claude Van Damme film “Sudden Death.” The biggest difference is that in 1995 events took place during a hockey game and not a basketball game.

I’m not opposed to a spoof when they’re done correctly, but “Welcome to Sudden death” doesn’t seem to know what kind of movie it wants to be. Jackson’s dialogue is consistently bad, and in the opening scenes, it’s embarrassingly awful for Jesse’s children. I don’t have any kids, but I’m pretty sure none of them talk like that. Another cast member with bad dialogue is Gary Owen who is only there to serve as the movie’s random comedy relief janitor.

To be honest, the only good thing “Welcome to Sudden Death” has going for it is its star, Michael Jai White. I don’t know how, but somehow he looks better now than he did in 1997s “Spawn.” The dude looks great in the fight scenes too, even when they’re used for laughs. It’s just a shame that some of the fight scenes are shot in an amateur way. But Jai White is also very good in the scenes with the kids, and I completely bought into him being their dad.

The rest of the cast doesn’t fare as well. The main villain Jobe (Michael Eklund) chews up a lot of scenery but doesn’t get too much to do. Plus, he was a much better bad guy during the first season of “Wynonna Earp” a few years ago. Meanwhile, the Governor and Mayor are barely acknowledged, and I don’t even think the characters have names. And at no point did I believe Diane (Sabryn Rock) was a huge music star or successful businesswoman. Her job was to say a few lines, and wait to be rescued by Michael Jai White.

Overall, “Welcome to Sudden Death” was a disappointment. There are some laughs during the film, but I don’t think these scenes were supposed to be funny in any way, shape, or form. As I said before, Michael Jai White is good in the movie, but even he can’t save it from a weak script. So if you’re in the mood for this kind of movie, go check out 1995s “Sudden Death” instead.

“Welcome to Sudden Death” grade D

X-Men: Legends #1 Review

X-MEN: LEGENDS #1
Writer: Fabian Nicieza
Artist: Brett Booth
Colorist: Guru-Efx
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
Editor: Mark Basso
Release Date: February 17, 2021
Cover Price: $4.99
Publisher: Marvel Comics

What it’s about…

ALL-NEW TALES STARRING YOUR FAVORITE X-MEN, SPANNING CLASSIC ERAS!
Break out the yellows and blues, fire up the Danger Room and snap on your pouches as legendary X-writers return to classic eras of the mutant superheroes in ALL-NEW, in-continuity stories set during their fan-favorite runs! Fabian Nicieza kicks off the series with a special saga of CYCLOPS and HAVOK, as the SHI’AR return to Earth in search of the FORSAKEN ONE! But what secret will the Summers brothers uncover, and how will its revelation change what you thought you knew about the X-Men?
Get ready for a story decades in the making! And come back each month as we dive deeper to expand the X-MEN mythos! Welcome back, legends: Hope you survive the experience.

Rated T+

What I thought about it…

Perhaps the most fondly remembered era for the X-Men was the early ’90s when people like Chris Claremont, Jim Lee, Rob Liefeld, and more relaunched the entire line of X-Men books. The X-Men were split into Blue and Gold teams, and issue sales went through the roof. Now writer Fabian Nicieza and artist Brett Booth bring readers back to that popular era with the new series X-Men: Legends.

I thought X-Men: Legends would be a standalone series, but Nicieza’s story takes place within the continuity of the 616 Universe and features an untold tale of the Summer Brothers (and its cosmic!). Despite taking place in the past, the story never feels dated or out of place. There is the nostalgia of course, but Nicieza did a great job making the story feel fresh and even added a little bit of humor. Hopefully, this is something that will continue for the rest of the series. And it looks like X-Men Legends will finally resolve some of the many unresolved plotlines from the 90s.

When it comes to the art, I should admit that Bret Booth has been a favorite artist of mine since his days drawing Backlash over at Wildstorm. But X-Men: Legends #1 may just be his most unique work yet. Booth and inker Adelso Corona deliver some solid art in this issue, but it’s very different from his other stuff. The art here has more of a Steve Skroce vibe to it, that’s not a bad thing mind you, just surprising from a veteran like Bret Booth.

Besides the story and art, one of the other things I liked about X-Men: Legends #1 is the throwback cover. For nearly twenty years most Marvel covers have been glorified pin-ups. But Legends #1 bring back the corner box and even the old school X-Men logo. The only thing I didn’t like about this book was the $4.99 cover price. But I suppose they couldn’t go back to the $1 cover price of 1991.

If you were a fan of the early ’90s X-Men like I was, X-Men Legends is a must-read. This issue mixes the tone of the era with great adventures and sharp dialogue and cool art. This book is an easy read, and I’m glad I took a chance on it after being burned one too many times by the X-Men books. And with other classic X-Men creative teams on the horizon, I’ll be adding this series to my pull list.

X-Men Legends #1 Grade: B+

Movie Flashback: The Glass House (2001)

Released in 2001, “The Glass House” was directed by Daniel Sackheim, and starred Leelee Sobieski, Stellan Skarsgård, Diane Lane, Bruce Dern, Kathy Baker, Trevor Morgan, and Chris Noth. Sobieski plays teenager Ruby Baker, who, along with her little brother, Rhett (Trevor Morgan), are orphaned when their parents die in a car crash.

After the funeral, the family lawyer (Bruce Dern) informs the kids that their parents arranged for Erin and Terry Glass to be their guardians should something ever happen to them. Sadly, that’s really where all the interesting stuff in “The Glass House” ends. From there, the orphans move into the Glasses’ massive Malibu glasshouse (seriously). Unlike the kids, Erin and Terry are refined and have no idea how to deal with children. At first, the film is filled with normal stuff, but things get creepy later once Terry starts looking at Ruby with a lustful eye. Terry joins Ruby in a late-night swim and hovers over her as he tries to fasten her seatbelt among other things. Meanwhile, Erin spends a lot of time in a stupor (more on that later), seemingly unaware of what her husband is up to.

Unsurprisingly, the odd couple is not looking out for the kid’s best interests. They are simply after the Baker children’s inheritance. The movie slowly moves along with the audience usually ahead of the characters. Eventually Ruby begins to suspect the couple and her hunches are realized when she discovers that Erin has an insulin addiction and Terry owes a ton of money to the mob. I won’t say how the film ends, but I wouldn’t be surprised it if was stolen from a horror script and used here instead.

I saw “The Glass House” when it was released in September 2001 but wiped it from my memory. I do remember going to the movies with a group of friends, and I don’t think any of us liked what we saw. But twenty years is a long time, so a couple of days ago when it came on one of the Starz channels, I decided to give the film another try for a couple of reasons: sometimes I like movies better the second time around, and because the film’s cast is pretty solid when you think about it.

Unfortunately, the cast is one of the sad things about “The Glass House” because most of them are wasted here. Diane Lane and Stellan Skarsgard, are good in the more realistic scenes when they first welcome the kids to their house. But as the story moves along, the two become cringe-worthy and go over-the-top in the film’s third act. As for Leelee Sobieski, she is fine in the movie. I’m not sure she should be the lead in a movie, but this might even be her best work. She’s the most convincing cast member in the movie because of how she plays the emotionless, stern teenager who grows during the film.

The cast isn’t helped by a lazy screenplay that often chickens out on the more interesting plotline like whether Ruby has an overly vivid imagination, and soon throws the usual clichés you’ve seen a hundred times. This script also seems to go out of its way to over-sexualize Sobieski’s character. I think once would have been more than enough to get the point across. “The Glass House” is further hampered by the cheesy dialogue which makes the Glasses look stupid rather than cunning.

In the end, watching this movie for a second time did not improve it. If you want to see a great movie about a couple of kids endangered by a sinister guardian I think there are better options than “The Glass House.” It’s a shame because all the elements are there, but the final product fizzles. So even after 20 years, “The Glass House” remains one of those movies that’s easy to forget.

Radiant Black #1 Review

RADIANT BLACK #1
Writer: Kyle Higgins
Artist: Marcello Costa
Colorist: Marcelo Costa
Letterer: Becca Carey
Release Date: February 10, 2021
Cover Price: $3.99
Publisher: Image Comics

What it’s about…

For fans of INVINCIBLE and Mighty Morphin Power Rangers comes a brand-new ONGOING SERIES from acclaimed writer KYLE HIGGINS (Ultraman, C.O.W.L.) and artist MARCELO COSTA that reinvents superheroes for a new generation!

Nathan Burnett has just turned thirty, and things aren’t great: He’s working (and failing) at two jobs, his credit card debt is piling up, and his only move… is moving back home with his parents. But when Nathan discovers and unlocks the ethereal, cosmic RADIANT, he’s given the power to radically change his fortunes!

There’s just one problem: The powers don’t belong to him. And the COSMIC BEINGS who created them want them back… by any means necessary.

What I thought about it…

With Radiant Black #1, writer Kyle Higgins introduces readers to Nathan Burnett, a down-on-his-luck writer who recently had to move back to his hometown to live in with his parents. To make matters worse, Nathan’s credit card debt is astronomical and his hope of getting a much-needed bank loan has just evaporated. Given everything that’s been going on in the world for the last year, Nathan is a relatable character from the start. He’s also someone readers can root for because no matter how many setbacks he faces, Nathan fights on trying to find the light at the end of the tunnel.

Higgins also delivers some interesting supporting characters: Nathan’s parents are your normal couple with mom loving the fact his son has returned home. Nathan’s dad meanwhile, is more stern but still supportive in his way. The other character we meet in this issue is Nathan’s best friend Marshal, who is brasher than Nathan. You’d expect their friendship would get annoying, but it never does. Their conversations and what happens later gives Radiant Black #1 some nice humor. However, I do believe Marshall cares for Nathan, even if he has a funny way of showing it.

The art and colors by Marcello Costa are exceptional throughout the issue. First off, that killer cover just draws you in and makes you want to find out what is going on here. One of the highlights in the art was Nathan’s first transformation sequence. The moment is full of energy and keeps a sense of tension as Nathan, Marshall, and we the readers have no idea what is going on yet. Costa’s art is easy to follow and one of the best parts of Radiant Black #1. Had someone else drawn it, I don’t know if it would have the same impact.

The mystery of Radiant Black is pretty cool, but if I have any complaints it would be that some things reminded me a lot of Robert Kirkman’s Invincible, and Marvel’s recent Ultraman mini-series which Kyle Higgins also wrote. The good news is Radiant Black is much better than Ultraman, and any similarities between it and Invincible can easily disappear as the series progresses.

However, Radiant Black #1 stands out thanks to the book’s more human elements and relatable cast of characters. Kyle Higgins is building something here that has huge potential to be a fun sci-fi superhero adventure. Add in the stunning art by Marcello Costa and you have one hell of a start for the brand new Image series.

Radiant Black #1 grade: A

Comic Flashback: Uncanny X-Men #274 (1991)

Just months after Marvel’s merry mutants went through the X-Tinction Agenda, the X-Men were a team in flux. The comics featured some X-Men heading for outer space, while others found themselves stuck in the Savage Land. This was a few months before the Mutant Genesis, and it gave a few characters a chance to shine.

Uncanny X-Men #274
“Crossroads”
March 1991
Script: Chris Claremont
Plot/ Pencils: Jim Lee
Inks: Scott Williams
Letters: Pat Brousseau
Colors: Joe Rosas
Editor: Bob Harras
Editor-in-Chief: Tom DeFalco
Publisher Marvel Comics

Uncanny X-Men #274 opens shortly after the evil Zaladane’s attacked part of the world. This leads the United Nations to authorize a SHIELD strike team to enter the Savage Land to find and stop Zaladane. Sometime later in the Savage Land, Magneto, Rogue and Ka-Zar come across the wreckage of the SHIELD ship which was brought down by Zaladane. However, the ship is empty when the three arrive. Suddenly, they are attacked by the Savage Land Mutates sent by Zaladane. Magneto can overpower them but doesn’t kill them thanks to Rogue’s pleas. That night, Rogue awakens when Zaladane and her forces attack their hideout and this time Magneto is easily overpowered by Zaladane.

Just when it looked like it was sayonara for the old master of magnetism, the SHIELD unit, led by Nick Fury, emerges from the jungle and turns the tide, driving Zaladane off. Colonel Fury ain’t too pleased when he sees Magneto, but Rogue vouches for him, but when Magneto learns a Russian SHIELD agent had a son aboard the submarine Magneto once sank, he leaves, saying there’s too much bad blood between them to work together. Rogue ain’t having none of that and convinces him to help them stop Zaladane. Either r her arguments compelled him to stay, or it was her Jim Lee designed bikini. Either way, Magneto promises to help.

Meanwhile, in another part of the galaxy, Lila Cheney transports the rest of the X-Men to an unknown alien planet. The heroes are immediately attacked and captured, at which point the one and only Deathbird emerge from the shadows. Before the X-Men can get any answers, Deathbird tells them she needs them to kill Professor Xavier.

I remember seeing Uncanny X-Men #274 on the shelf the week it came out, and I was wowed by the Jim Lee cover. But I didn’t buy it for some reason, possibly because I was big into DC at the time. It wasn’t until 1993 that I was able to get a copy of this issue and I immediately loved it. For one thing, it was cool to see a side adventure with only one or two characters involved. This issue was also when I realized how strong the romantic tension between Rogue and Magneto truly was. Up until this point, I thought it was just flirting between them, but based on this book, there was a lot more to it than that.

But not all the action and drama in this issue takes place in the Savage Land.
Uncanny X-Men #274 gives us a glimpse at what the rest of the X-Men are up to in space. It’s a relatively short appearance, but it does enough to make you want to read the following issue to see if the heroes take up Deathbird’s offer and what the heck Charles Xavier is still doing in the outer reaches of the galaxy.

Originally I thought issues like this one inspired Marvel to overhaul the X-Men line later in 1991 with the blue and gold teams as the launch of X-Force. But upon re-reading the issue recently, I noticed that the Bullpen Bulletins page (remember them?) features a short interview with Jim Lee where he mentions the upcoming X-Men #1. So I guess that means all the changes we saw that summer had been in the works since at least 1990. If that’s the case, then perhaps Uncanny #274 was a kind of test to see how different X-Men teams could co-exist.

Even if that wasn’t the case, Uncanny X-Men #274 is a kick-ass issue that still holds up today. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: comics like this don’t exist today. If this story was published today, it would take 4-6 issues to tell the same story. No wonder I get more satisfaction from back issues than I do from many of today’s superhero comics.

Luna #1 Review

LUNA #1
Writer: Maria Llovet
Artist: Maria Llovet
Colorist: Maria Llovet
Letterer: Maria Llovet
Cover artist: Maria Llovet
Release Date: February 3, 2021
Cover Price: $3.99
Publisher: Boom! Studios

What it’s about…

• For fans of Faithless and Die comes a new dark thriller from acclaimed writer & artist Maria Llovet about a young woman named Teresa, who’s plagued by prophetic dreams that connect her to something powerful, something…divine.
• When Teresa fatefully crosses paths with the Family of the Sun, she believes them to be exactly what anyone else in the late ’60s would expect – a hippie cult whose leader claims to have met the divine.
• But secret blood rituals, powerful drugs, and sex runneth amok will bring Teresa face-to-face with the truth about the Family, herself, and the dark secret behind her dreams.
• Immortality, magic and alchemy, and the true power of enduring love collide in this new series for Mature Readers.

What I thought about it…

Luna #1 begins after a horrible car crash in the desert, where Lunita, or Luna, wakes up thanks to the efforts of a small commune, the family of the sun. A group of women led by Lux, a tall blonde man. As I started reading the issue I’ll admit that Luna didn’t grab me from the start. However, by the climax of this issue, I was completely caught up in the story by Maria Llovet.

There’s more to Lux’s group than meets the eye. We don’t know what exactly is going on, but I’m sure upcoming issues will get deeper into the group’s backstory. That said, I would not be surprised if some readers are put off by the group’s lack of inhibitions which brings up a ton of questions. I should mention that Luna #1 is for mature readers and not as it does feature a decent amount of nudity, sex, and drug use. And some of it is quite difficult to see, so be careful where you read this book.

Meanwhile, the art style in this debut issue has a very psychedelic look and feel to it. But the art reminds me of something I’ve seen before, but I still can’t put my finger on who’s art it reminds me of. I will add that the art is beautiful and detailed, and works well with the story Maria Llovet is telling. Each page is a work of art in its own right and deserves multiple looks.

After more than thirty years of reading comic books, it’s become quite rare for any comic book to surprise me. It’s also very rare for me to grab something off the shelf without knowing anything about it or at least without a recommendation from my comic guy. But Luna #1 was a blind buy for me in every way possible: I didn’t know what the comic was about, or who Maria Llovet was. My comic guy wasn’t there so he couldn’t tell me if I should give the book a shot or not. But Boom Studios is making some great comics, so I figured, why not give Luna #1 a chance?

I’m glad I did because there’s a lot to like in this issue. The characters are engaging, the visuals are stunning, and Maria Llovet is building a unique mystery here. There are some tough moments in the issue, but in the end, there’s more to like than not and I will be back for issue #2

Luna #1 grade: B

Resident Alien Review

Possible spoilers ahead!

In the new Syfy series “Resident Alien,” the always amazing Alan Tudyk plays an alien explorer with a very particular and simple mission: destroy the Earth. Unfortunately, due to a series of unfortunate events, the alien crashes his spacecraft near a remote Colorado town and in the process loses the device that will destroy the human race in a matter of months.

He stumbles upon a cabin where he decides to occupy a doctor with the name of “Dr. Harry Vanderspeigle.” After the body-snatching, the alien spends his days learning English by watching reruns of “Law & Order.” Once he’s accustomed to his new form, the alien begins the search for the missing device of doom. However, we soon learn that Harry is just a random doctor who owned the lake house, but when the actual local doctor is found dead, Harry is drafted into becoming the town’s new doctor.

If you’ve ever watched him in anything, then you know that Alan Tudyk is great at playing quirky characters. So it’s no surprise that the actor is perfectly cast as Harry Vanderspeigle in “Resident Alien.” The show’s premise is simple enough, but it allows the actor to shine in some of the most hilarious ways like when he goes bowling for the first time, tries liquor, or when he banters with Big Black (the town’s sheriff played by Corey Reynolds).

At moments Alan Tudyk can come off as creepy (especially around a young boy who sees through his disguise), but he can also be lovable, like when he helps Asta (Sara Tomko), an employee at the town clinic, deal with the loss of her former boss and friend. Asta is probably the best of the townsfolks. She has an interesting backstory that is only now beginning to unfold and I think there is more to her than we realize. Plus she serves as a sort of interpreter for Harry’s detached behavior (especially around his patients).

There are notable cast members such as Mayor Ben Hawthorne (Levi Fiehler) and his son Max (Judah Prehn), the latter of which happens to be the only one who can see Harry’s true form. Across the street from the clinic is the local watering hole, where champion skier turned bartender D’Arcy (Alice Wetterlund) takes a romantic interest in the odd new doctor in town. And of course, there’s the aforementioned Corey Reynolds as Mike “Big Black” Thompson, who is immediately suspicious of Harry.

One of the big draws in “Resident Evil” is the physical comedy chops of Alan Tudyk, who takes every opportunity to play with the “fish out of water” aspect of the role. But I have to say I’m impressed with the amount of character development the series has done in just two episodes. All the characters in town feel like real people with their own stories and potential stories. One of my favorite parts thus far is the bonding between Harry and Asta (Sara Tomko).

The friendship between Harry and Asta comes not from a romantic angle, but from the fact that both feel like they don’t belong and nobody understands them. All their scenes together are terrific, and the more time they spend together the more I think, Harry begins to understand humanity. Don’t get me wrong, he still plans to blow up the planet, but he seems to have developed a soft spot for Asta.

Overall I’m rather happy with “Resident Alien.” Based on the trailers I thought this would be a one-note show, but I’m impressed with the different characters, the cast, and the location of the show. I hope Syfy gives the series a chance because I think they have something special here.

“Resident Alien” grade: A-