What Is Techno Again?

Where fiction collides.

Archive for September, 2009

Published: Wednesday, September 30th, 2009

Now Serving: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Now Serving: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Movie review time! Man, I haven’t done one of these in awhile. The comedic animation that is this month’s Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs inspired me to make this week’s RadNerd article a review of the movie. It’s probably still in theaters, so if you haven’t seen it … you should.

So enjoy! Stuff your faces! Go check it out now.

Published: Tuesday, September 29th, 2009

Review: Labor Days Vol. 2

Graphic Novel Review: Labor Days Vol. 2

Even if you don’t typically enjoy black and white comics, you might get a kick out of Labor Days Vol. 2: Just Another Damn Day (Philip Gelatt, Rick Lacy) from Oni Press. It’s funny and has the charm of a good web comic strip, only … you know … it’s a graphic novel.

You can read the review over at the Girls Entertainment Network, and pick up the book starting tomorrow (Wednesday).

Published: Monday, September 28th, 2009

Bat-Reviews: Detective Comics #857

Many fans are still brooding over letting Batwoman steal the spotlight in Detective Comics now that Bruce is … elsewhere, but even if you’re still not crazy about Kate Kane, it’s hard to ignore the gorgeous display of artwork J.H. Williams III presents from issue to issue. Each page or spread-page dazzles with an array of color and creative panel work that keeps feeling fresh. But there’s something to be said about Greg Rucka’s writing, too. If I wasn’t hooked before, I certainly am now.

Detective Comics #857I love this new villain, Alice. For someone with a small army of henchmen—and loyal ones to the “High Madame,” at that—you’d think she’d be pretty incapable if she had to fight mano a mano. But the four issues she’s appeared in so far have proven otherwise, demonstrating that this enigma is more than just another Wonderland freak in Gotham. (Really, do these guys have Carroll-themed conventions? A fan club?) Alice is the perfect blend between completely annoying to the point where you want to throw a book at her, and utterly insane enough to make you flee when she yells, “Off with her head!”

This issue takes the pain to the skies—which is fitting, considering the story reaches an emotional and dramatic crescendo. Alice previously grabbed Kate’s father, and now she plans on dousing Gotham in chemical death. Of course, the Colonel provides excellent means for such an endeavor. The revelation at the end is not only startling, but it makes Alice a much more dynamic and breathing character. Long live the queen! The surprise is wonderfully built up throughout the issue, as well, thanks to J.H.’s clever touches.

The secondary feature, involving the Question, feels stale compared to such a vivid main story, and I found it a bit unbelievable, too. (She’s really that good at dodging bullets at such close range?) I can’t say it drags the book down, since all I honestly care about is the actual comic I paid for—not the stuff in the back (although sometimes it’s a rather nice bonus, if it’s good).

5 Bombs Up!

Recommendation: As for you, this comic will shake you into a kitten, that it will!

Curious how the Bat-books stack up here on the blog? Look here.

Published: Monday, September 28th, 2009

Reppion and Moore Set a Very Important Date

Reppion and Moore Set a Very Important Date

Like Alice in Wonderland? John Reppion and Leah Moore certainly do, and this November they’re bringing comic fans a jumbo mini-series dedicated to the original Lewis Carroll work with The Complete Alice in Wonderland by Dynamite Entertainment. GEN got the scoop first, so head over to the website and check out the interview! You might learn a thing or two.

Published: Sunday, September 27th, 2009

Pull-O-Rama: September ’09

Pull-O-Rama: September '09

This month’s Pull-O-Rama is now online over at Impulse Creations! The article reviews The Sword #19, Spider-Woman #1, Hellboy: The Wild Hunt #6, and Giant-Size Wolverine: Old Man Logan #1. Here are some teasers from each. Hope you enjoy ‘em!

“The Luna Brothers continue to master cliff hangers and stunning art sequences—they do their job so well, in fact, that some might say they wield powers of their own.” - The Sword #19

“With creative and moody art and colors by Alex Maleev, you’ll definitely be pleased to hold this first issue in your hands … If only every comic looked this good.” - Spider-Woman #1

“The secret’s out, and it’s a juicy one.” - Hellboy: The Wild Hunt #6

“If you wanted a disgusting bloody massacre, you got it—from cows to bad digestion, Giant-Size Wolverine: Old Man Logan #1 doesn’t hold back.” - Giant-Size Wolverine: Old Man Logan #1

Published: Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

Explore Silent Hill: Where Your Dreams Become Reality

Explore Silent Hill: Where Your Dreams Become Reality

The very first Silent Hill game was re-released in North America this month on the PlayStation Network for both the PS3 and PSP consoles in anticipation for the new Shattered Memories game in October. This is a great chance to shake off the chains of that iffy movie adaptation and the disillusioned shroud of the upcoming retelling. Now you can enjoy the horror adventure all over again, or discover it for the first time.

Just lay off the walkthroughs, would you? Instead, head over to RadNerd and take a tour through the town that started it all with this handy and totally not misleading brochure.

Published: Tuesday, September 22nd, 2009

Next Stop: Park Falls

Next Stop: Park Falls

Like horror? What about comics? Want to read a good horror comic for a change? Try Awakening by writer Nick Tapalansky and artist Alex Eckman-Lawn, who will be hosting four signing events on a four-stop, eastern tour. Now’s the perfect time to jump into this two-volume series—the latter half of which will premiere early next year—because the creators are offering a bunch of cool ways to get an exclusive look into the next volume of Awakening months before it even comes out. Now that’s enough to give anyone chills.

You can read about the promo event and find out locations/dates over at the Girls Entertainment Network.