Review: Sword of Glass Book One: Yama

 

 

Took about a month; but I finished another graphic novel (after last month's The Black Incal) utilizing the benefits of Prime Reading on the Kindle app. Graphic novel in question is another work from Europe published by Humanoids The Swords of Glass Book 1: Yama by Sylviane Corgiat and Laura Zuccheri.

Art

 The designs of Laura Zuccheri are what distinguishes The Swords of Glass Book 1 Yama from typical fantasy setting patterned after the Medieval Period of Western Europe. The peoples, arms, armor, and locales evoke multiple human cultures albeit with their own exotic touch. Creatures are Earth animals rendered fantastic. Many of the creatures are amalgamations. Art is incredibly detailed and sequential story-telling top-notch.

Story

The Swords of Glass Book 1 Yama introduces the main protagonist, antagonists, and setting in what looks to be a coming of age revenge epic fantasy story. Yama seeks vengeance against Orland for the death of her father along with taking her mother away from her. All amongst a world whose sun is about to go nova. However, there is a sword that transforms all who touch it to glass except her. She is taken in by a disillusioned swordsman who instructs her in the way of the sword. He tells Yama the sword is one among others that hold a key to world where their doomed world's inhabitants may escape. Book One ends with all the main protagonists and antagonists all within the same vicinity.

I'd go into more detail; but I don't want to spoil more than the basic plot points. While Orland and Yama are name-dropped regularly as is Yama's mother Rainbow, I can't really remember her mentor's name. His two miniature sidekicks aren't even named. 

Pretty much all the setting world-building is done through the art. For instance, there's giant humanoids used mounts during flashbacks but they are never referenced nor are they seen when raiders ride toward Yama's village. None of the creatures really seem to have names either.

Overall

A solid beginning to a revenge epic fantasy story or at least the set up for one. There's some world-building primarily through the visuals. I like these type of stories so I will definitely read the next installment. However, there's nothing earth-shattering with the first installment of The Swords of Glass so I give it 3 out of 5 stars. Recommended.

Happy Reading!

Next time.

 

Review: The Black Incal Via Phone

 

Not only is this an unusual blog post in that it's not only the first review, of The Black Incal by Jodorowsky and Moebius, I've blogged in a long, long time; but a review of my experiencing reading a comic on a reading app on my phone. 

Phone app review

The Incal storyline has been on my 'to read list' for a decade. However, the price point per page count is too steep for my wallet. Considering I buy Marvel and DC omnibuses, albeit at InStockTrades and CheapGraphicNovels discounts, that's saying something! When I discovered Prime Reading via Prime membership with Amazon, I leapt at the chance to borrow magazines to read on a Kindle app on my phone. Lo and behold, Moebius's and Jodorowsky's The Black Incal were available to read for free via Prime Reading. Couldn't pass the opportunity up.

The Ugly:

Surprise, surprise, heavily detailed art such as by Moebius does not suit standard phone layout very well. Panel-to-panel scroll wasn't easy to select. When I stumble upon panel-to-panel mode, I couldn't deduce how to toggle it on and off.

The Bad:

When you're reading sequential art, the ability to gaze at the entire page and choose the portion of the art to focus upon is part of the 'hold the book in your hands feel'. Panel-to-panel decides the reading experience for you. While some graphic storytelling order of events can be difficult to ascertain, I felt the panel-to-panel was jerky at times.

The Good:

Once I realized landscape format was the best format, reading became a snap. Panel-to-panel handled simple panels quite well. Reading a comic such as The Black Incal on my phone was an interesting experience and one I have learned from.

Reading on phone rating: 3 out of 5. A learning experience alright. There were times I felt reading on my tablet or PC was the better medium with such a detailed art style. However, like riding a bike, I think I have begun riding without training wheels. There is a future for reading comics on my phone for me.

The Black Incal Review

Jodorowsky, Moebius, and The Incal are icons in graphic literature of which I have read neither the creators nor the series before. If The Black Incal is anything to judge by, the hype is legit!

Moebius's artwork is super detailed with densely packed panels. His layouts are such that I now I understand why many comic artists consider him an influence.

Jodorowsky weaves a tale rich with world building and a complex plot intended for mature audiences. Many concepts are surreal and out of this world.

As for the story itself, it starts out with the hapless private detective John Difool haplessly stumbling, as the fool in his name would suggest, into a situation above his head ala neo-noir stories such as Blade Runner. Then the story shifts into science fiction (or is it science fantasy) epic territory along the likes of Dune and Star Wars once the White Incal, the Black Incal, and the Metabaron enter the story. By The Black Incal's end, I was thoroughly engaged and enthralled. 

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars. The Black Incal hooked me like few comics have. By the story's end, I was fully invested with each panel and each page. Upon the conclusion, I was fully hooked. Wow! What an amazing start to an epic! This is how good comic book stories should begin. Before beginning The Black Incal my attitude toward reading the Incal series was more about checking off a supposedly iconic story off my checklist. Now I eagerly want to read the rest of the story. If Humanoids were to collect the series as they did The Metabaron, I would most likely buy it. Highly, highly recommended.

Next time.

Comics Haul 8/26/20

 

Another Wednesday has come and soon to be gone. Thus, a New Comics Day has also come and gone. Here's my haul for this week:

Fantastic Four Anithesis #1 and Batman: Three Jokers #1

Sometimes I sour on mini-series and give them a hard pass. Then, I swear the only titles I collect are mini-series. I really couldn't say not to Neal Adams drawing the Fantastic Four. Plus, I love the FF; and after dropping the FF title had to satisfy my Fantastic Four itch. Regarding Batman Three Jokers, like Dreaming Waking Hours, I changed my mind after the hiatus ended. I just HAD to read the story about why there's three Jokers. Although I should have waited for the trade.

X-Men God Loves, Man Kills Extended Cut #2 and Usagi Yojimbo Color Classics #5

Usagi came out last month. I am just happy that despite going to backorder with Diamond a copy arrived for me. I own a copy of God Loves, Man Kills. However, I buy "new" Claremont comics in the hope Marvel will actually do more than pay him to write the occasional eight page story.

The Question #4

Last God #8 (?) and John Constantine Hellblazer #9

This'll be my last Comics Haul for at least a couple weeks since I won't be buying any comics on Wednesday in the near future.

Next time.

Comics Haul 8/19/2020

Six months! It's been six months, or about six months give or take, since my last published blog entry. Half a year is long blogging drought; but I went more than a couple years without blogging so it wasn't too long of a hiatus. How do I typically try to break a blogging hiatus? By posting my latest comics haul from my favorite local comics shop, of course!

Due to COVID-19 messing things up, my comics haul has shrunk substantially:

Conan: Battle For the Serpent Crown #4

Way back when Marvel re-acquired the license to Conan the Barbarian, I stated the only thing of significance Marvel could do with character was having the Cimmerian rub shoulders with Marvel Universe. Battle for the Serpent Crown is basically Conan interacting with the heroes of the Marvel Universe and fighting them over a misunderstanding in the Mighty Marvel Manner!

Power of Shazam Book One HC. 

Back in the late 90's, when I returned to comics after a hiatus, I recall reading good things about Jerry Ordway's take on Captain Marvel. It was too late for me to pick up the series at that point so Power of Shazam became a maybe one day I will stumble over some back issues or a trade. Here's my chance with the In the Beginning hardcover.

Free Comic Book Day: Donald Duck

One side effect of Covid-19 is Free Comic Book Day transforming from a one day event to a steady trickle each week of free comics. I am huge fan of Disney comics; and with Fantagraphics's Disney Masters line falling outside my budget regularly, I appreciate the chance to read a sample of the line.

Aquaman 62. Two part fill-in story. Part one.

Captain America #22. 

My understanding is the most recent volume of Captain America written by Ta-Nehisi Coates is nearing its end. If issue 25 is the final issue of the volume, then the end is near. Maybe Marvel will surprise us and NOT restart a title with the same writer.

Knock on wood, I don't go another six months without blogging.

Next time.

Why Losing to Goldberg May Be A Good Thing For The Fiend

Before I begin, just want to say I wasn't planning on two of my blog posts occurring on Fridays focusing on wrestling. Yet here we are.

Like many, I viewed The Fiend Bray Wyatt as the next Undertaker. Both have a larger than life, macabre gimmick. Both are super-resilient. Both are dominating forces within the ring. Both have captured the imaginations of wrestling fans.

Both captured the top belt early during their careers.

It is here our analogy ends.

While Undertaker captured the belt early during his WWE tenure, he was an unstoppable juggernaut when he defeated Hulk Hogan. Undertaker was still an unstoppable juggernaut when Hogan defeated him. It's just the Hulkster used a questionable tactic involving the Undertaker's urn. The questionable tactic ultimately led to the unfathomable event of Hogan being stripped of the title.

Yeah, not happening in the Wyatt case...

For starters, not only is Goldberg not being stripped of the title; but he his defending it against Roman Reigns at WrestleMania. Furthermore, Goldberg pinned The Fiend cleanly in a dominating fashion. How'd the Wyatt's Fiend character receive the title? After backlash toward a referee stopping a match because Seth Rollins swung a hammer making The Fiend look weak.

The Fiend HAD to become Universal Champion to salvage the character. During the interim, the Firefly Fun House and the Fiend character demonstrated they could carry both the title and Smackdown. Not only that but as a heel both characters were just as popular with crowd as if they were the faces they were squaring off against. One problem though...

It was rumored the Fiend would lose to Roman Reigns at WrestleMania.

If you really think about it, the Fiend losing to Reigns at WrestleMania implies Vince McMahon didn't really perceive The Fiend as the brand carrier. WWE needed someone to carry the belt while they revitalized Reigns in the eyes of the fans. Hey look here! A character who NEEDS the belt to remain vital. The Fiend could carry the belt in a dominating fashion until WrestleMania and then elevate... Roman Reigns?

The same Roman Reigns who retired the Undertaker?

Same Roman Reigns who defeated Brock Lesnar for the WWE Heavyweight Belt?

Who exactly is The Fiend elevating here? The fan backlash would have been insane.

Oh okay. The backlash is insane now because Goldberg defeated him; however it shouldn't have such a negative long-term impact.

Why?

1) Passing of the torch. A victory over Goldberg could help Reigns in the eyes of wrestling fans whom haven't watched since the Monday Night Wars ended.

2) John Cena MIGHT pass the torch to The Fiend Bray Wyatt. John Cena is part time wrestler who as he stated on the 2/28/2020 Friday Night Smackdown whose WrestleMania role is unlikely to be what it was. Cena's future is bit appearances and marque matches. He's not the WWE's future. He's its past. The match between Cena and The Fiend should be a match worthy of WrestleMania. Furthermore, as The Fiend is tremendously popular, a victory over Cena at WrestleMania would be THE passing of the torch match at WrestleMania. Unlike Goldberg though, Cena may very well wrestle a couple more matches this year. So WWE may deem a Cena win is okay if he eventually loses. A mistake...

3) No I-lost-the-belt-at-Mania curse. WrestleMania is the biggest stage to lose the belt at. As such, it's the biggest loss to overcome. The Fiend has already lost the belt.

4) The Fiend could establish a streak. Like Goldberg before him, The Fiend/Firehouse Funhouse Bray can embark on a dominating win streak to capture the imagination of the fans. The downside of championships during this day and age is dominating champions aren't revered. The Fiend can now beat anyone on the Smackdown roster regardless of their main event worth status.

5) Goldberg isn't a regular. No wrestler who's working Post-Mania has beaten the Fiend. Suppose depending on whether or not Cena wins, the same could apply to that match as well... but, I digress. Wrestling is part image and the only one to beat The Fiend is a guy who embarked on a triple digit win streak, which ended after losing the title he beat Hulk Hogan for. Pretty easy to be the menacing force when the guy who beat you is not only 'unbeatable' himself but isn't around.

6) Didn't lose the title to Reigns. Thus, the inevitable feud will be fresh and WILL NOT begin with a loss in the Fiend's column.

and finally...

7) They can turn the Fiend face or Stone Cold face/heel who feuds with anyone and everyone all while receiving cheers because he is SUPPOSED to. Fans want someone to cheer in the role of the WWE's boogeyman the Undertaker once held. It really is an awkward fit for a heel and very difficult to do with the Fiend as the champion.

There you have it.

The Fiend can finally embark on path to becoming the next Undertaker now that the shackles of being the Universal Champion has been removed from him. If he's lucky, the Undertaker himself may even pass the torch to him!

Next time.

WWE Friday Night Smackdown Has a King Corbin Problem

I've delayed writing this for about a month now. However, the 2/21/20 Friday Night Smackdown encapsulates my point.

King Corbin was on Smackdown for only a backstage promo. That's it. A mere two-minute, TOPS, backstage promo. He didn't come to the ring. King Corbin didn't wrestle a match. None of that. If you hadn't been watching Friday Night Smackdown on Fox since its debut, you wouldn't know King Corbin was the Number 2 heel (bad guy).

The promo was dull, lackluster, and didn't do anything to make one watch the climax of a six month feud inside a steel cage taking place in Saudi Arabia. Rest of Friday Night Smackdown on the other hand was easily among the better Smackdowns since its inception on Fox.

You could argue then King Corbin isn't the number two heel on the blue brand. I'd agree with you; but WWE's booking argues otherwise. There simply isn't a heel on the roster who take his place. Maybe Sheamus Post-Wrestlemania. However, the Celtic Warrior is feuding with... short people. Miz and Morrison are competing in the tag division. As is Roode and Ziggler.

Nakamura-Zayne-Cesaro are a great heel trio. They get heat. They are great heels. They lose far more than they win. I really don't see WWE improving their win record anytime soon.

Like or not, King Corbin is the number 2 heel. A number two heel whom as announcer Michael Cole has state has had a bad six months. Why? Cause for the past six months, he has been feuding with Roman Reigns and has been outclassed the entire time.

Sure, Corbin has come out a couple times. He's won a match or two (with help). Corbin has dumped and smeared dog food all over Reigns (with help). However, Reigns would get his comeuppance the following week. Reigns pinned Corbin during a Street Fight at the Royal Rumble despite Corbin getting help. The entire storyline has been Corbin is not the equal of Roman Reigns.

Not only is the Steel Cage Match in Super Showdown in Saudi Arabia next Thursday the end to a six month feud, it's a mercy killing for fans. Reigns-Corbin feud will cease. King Corbin will feud with someone else.

Problem is The Fiend Bray Wyatt won't remain Universal Champion forever. Someone will wrestle the new face champion. The only logical choice is King Corbin who really hasn't been convincing as credible heel threat. What if the face is Roman Reigns? Renew the six month feud? Hard pass.

Don't get me wrong. King Corbin isn't a bad heel. He does a great job getting fans to boo him and despise him. Corbin won't become a face because the fans decides he should be. However, he's not a credible number one heel. He can barely win WITH help. Honestly, the best choice is push him back to the mid-card.

Maybe Zayn can become his manager and four wrestlers can actually overpower Elias and Braun Strowman? Maybe Drew Gulak can mentor him with his Power Point slides to enable him to defeat Daniel Bryan? No potential feud feels compelling as they seem to be a waste for the wrestler paired with him.

By favoring Roman Reigns at the expense of King Corbin, creative has unwittingly buried King Corbin. A shame, really.

Next time.

Armchair GM Thoughts on Green Bay Packers 2020 Free Agents

Never did provide a weekly update on first Fantasy Football experience. Oh well, maybe next cause... I won the League Championships in both leagues! Beginner's luck, I guess. Relying on the computer wasn't the straight-jacket I dreaded. Active management helped tremendously though.

But, I digress. I am not blogging about my Fantasy Football experience except how it may or may not lend itself to doing what many team sports do. Be an armchair general manager on what a given sports franchise should do with their roster. March, or is it April?, marks the beginning of the 2020 season and the start of free agency. Every football team has a number of players whom are free agents. In the NFL there are three categories: Unrestricted, Restricted, Exclusive-Rights.

I am going provide my thoughts on the 2020 free agents of my favorite NFL team, the Green Bay Packers.

Exclusive Rights

While technically free agents, an NFL team only needs to exercise their right to retain and the player is locked up for another season. Generally, only players undrafted players and those whom were cut (although this is murky to my understanding) are Exclusive Rights Free Agents. My understanding is a team only has this option for roughly two seasons - extendable by total accrued season time. They eventually become restricted free agents.

The Packers have the following players locked under Exclusive Rights:

Allen Lazard WR
Tyler Lancaster DL
Chandon Sullivan CB
Jake Kumerow WR
Robert Tonyan TE

As a Packer fan, what excited me the most about this season was how many reps Rodgers was getting with wide receivers whom would be on the bottom of the depth chart. Sure, the season proved the Packers need better quality at receiver; but should injuries strike next season the team knows the bottom of the depth chart can play on an NFL level. Heck, Lazard will likely be vying for the WR3 spot in camp. Kumerow is also a lock.

Tyler Lancaster for some reason or another became a starter. While the run defense was lacking, Lancaster remains a good depth option. Keep.

Chandon Sullivan was the swiss army cornerback leapfrogging over former 2018 2nd round draft pick Josh Jackson for snaps. Could he become the next Sam Shields? Keeper.

Robert Tonyan has been slated as the heir apparent at Tight End for two seasons. Considering Lewis is a free agent and Graham may be cut/traded to clear cap space, Tonyan is a lock.

Restricted Free Agents

Restricted Free Agents are one season removed from becoming Unrestricted Free Agents whom can sign with whomever once free agency begins. A team places a tender on a restricted free agent.

Malcolm Johnson Fullback

Camp body, practice squad body, on the team because Vitale was often unavailable. I'd let him walk. Green Bay can always draft a new fullback or sign an undrafted player.

Unrestricted free agents

NFL teams receive compensatory picks based on the balance of the average salary of free agent they sign versus the average salary of player they lose. Since the Green Bay Packers played in the NFC Championship game, some of their players may receive significant salaries. Furthermore, Green Bay doesn't have much cap space with which to sign other teams' free agents or extend their own. Consistency plays a huge role so I wouldn't let everyone walk.

Bryan Bulaga  RT

The Packers don't really have a replacement lined up at right tackle. Free agency occurs before the draft and they pick at number 30. I doubt a starter falls to them during the first round. I would keep Bulaga; but how long and how much plays a role. A one year, $9 million contract? Keeper.

Blake Martinez ILB

I greatly respect Blake Martinez; however the team does require more speed on the inside than Martinez would be able to provide at the high price tag he'll command on the market. He's gone.

Geronimo Allison WR

Performed poorly. Gone.

Tramon Williams CB

He's 36 and the primary reason Josh Jackson isn't playing. Either give up on Jackson or let Williams walk.

Mason Crosby K

A kicker who kicks well inside Lambeau is hard to find. I'd keep him for as long as Rodgers has on his extension but structure such that it's only a one or two year deal.

Marcedis Lewis TE

Guy can block, which is important to the Packers scheme, as the 49ers demonstrated... Keep so he can help the new tight ends develop their blocking skills. Another incentive contract.

Kyler Fackrell OLB

Gone. Maybe he can acquire a better contract on the market. Maybe street free agent i.e. sign after the draft.

Will Redmond DB

Street free agent.

BJ Goodson ILB

Street free agent.

Ibraheim Campbell DB

THE dime linebacker. I don't think the team can be confident on ILB Burks's development. Keep.

Danny Vitale Fullback

Keep.

Jared Veldheer OT

Provided depth at OT. If he wants to stay for the cheap, keep him.

Tyler Ervin RB

Revitalized the return game and opens of the jet sweep motion. Keep.

Ryan Grant WR

Never saw the field. Gone.

Jason Spriggs OT

Bust. Gone.

Those are my thoughts on the 2020 GB Packers free agents.

Next time.

New Year's Comics Haul 2020

First, Happy New Year! 2020 is upon us!

Second, unlike prior years, there will be no in-depth year-in-review nor in-depth New Year's Resolution. Overall, I felt I did a decent job fulfilling my 2019 goals. However, I realized they caused more consternation in the long run than good. My approach toward my blog in 2020 is to be more fluid. Blogging whenever and on whatever inspiration strikes me.

Comics shops were open today with brand new comics. A comics haul on New Year's Day doesn't come very often so here it is:

Incoming #1 - The One-Shot that supposedly sets the stage for all the big things that await the Marvel Universe during 2020.

Superman Giant 100 Page Volume 2 #1 - I do love the 100 page format.

Comics Revue Presents December 2019 - only one day late?

Dreaming #17 and Doctor Doom #4 - A long time ago it dawned on me that I really should only buy ten to twelve comics a month. Furthermore, I begrudgingly admit after a certain issue number there's just no catching up. Come my January 2020 Previews Order one of these titles will be cut from my pull.

Marauders #5 - Talk about light coloring! Can barely make out the art on that cover from this angle! As I alluded to in prior blog entries, this is my final month for collecting Marauders.

X-Men #4 - This would be my final month for collecting X-Men  as well but Yu being Yu the book fell behind on shipping. Go figure.

Books of Magic #15 - I consider the Sandman Universe titles to be 'buy one, buy them all'. If I drop the Dreaming, I am dropping Books of Magic.

Hope everyone's 2020 began on the right note.

Next time.