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Showcase: February ’10

Okay, so it’s been awhile. I’ve been hitting some bumps with the Showcases lately, but finally I’ve published another one at Impulse Creations. I hope you enjoy the reviews of The Walking Dead Compendium Vol. 1, The Umbrella Academy: Dallas, and Mouse Guard Vol. 2: Winter 1152. Happy reading!

“Kirkman’s work wisely keeps you in the dark so that you’re as lost and uninformed as the survivors—and itching for more.” - The Walking Dead Compendium Vol. 1

“Opening Dallas inspires an innovative adventure that satisfies readers’ lonely craving for amazing comics. History could use more books like The Umbrella Academy.” - The Umbrella Academy: Dallas

“Despite his elaborate, perhaps excessive fashion, Peterson rises as a pensive word smith whose storytelling touches our hearts with wondrous ease.” - Mouse Guard Vol. 2: Winter 1152

Tags: Impulse Creations, Mouse Guard, Showcase, The Umbrella Academy, The Walking Dead, Week of 2/1/10
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Showcase: November ’09

November comes to an end at Impulse Creations with another graphic novel Showcase. It’s been a mild month here in Pennsylvania, and hopefully everyone stuffed their gobs on Thanksgiving. Before long New Year’s will be upon us, so get crackin’ on spreading that cheer.

Anyway, to read the full article … well, you know what to do. But here’s a few teasers first. (I hope you like the new look!)

“Brian Azzarello’s 100 Bullets Vertigo series shoves one hundred untraceable bullets and a gun in your hands, arms you with a flawless vendetta, and points you in the right direction.” - 100 Bullets Vol. 1: First Shot, Last Call

“… The Chained Coffin and Others lathers on the ancient spooks and chills …” - Hellboy: The Chained Coffin and Others

“… suddenly we understand how the Man of Steel got so … well … legendary. He experiences the bizarre, pulls off the impossible, and all the while never loses sight of the miraculous life that knits the universe together.” – All-Star Superman Vol. 2

Tags: 100 Bullets Vol. 1, All-Star Superman Vol. 2, Hellboy: The Chained Coffin and Others, Impulse Creations, Showcase, Week of 11/23/09
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Showcase: October ’09

It’s that time again: Another Showcase article has hit the Impulse Creations forums. There’s no theme this time around (feel free to make one up for me), just a trio of good, random trades for you to spend your cash on if you so wish, my fellow comic book addicts. So here’s the line-up: Air Vol. 2: Flying Machine, Return to Wonderland, and Nova Vol. 1: Annihilation Conquest. Below are some teasers, but you can read the full article over at Impulse now.

“Air sucks you in from the beginning, rising above the mundane with genuine moments that will make you smile and exhilarate you at the same time.” - Air Vol. 2: Flying Machine

“Return to Wonderland continues the mad legacy of Alice by revealing its tenebrous history and taking us even further down the rabbit hole into a merciless world rich with creativity and its fair share of bloodshed that does more than add lifeless gore to the pages.” - Return to Wonderland

“Like the often reckless but brave Richard Rider, Annihilation Conquest never loses speed and always comes packing the heat.” - Nova Vol. 1: Annihilation Conquest

PS: Return to Wonderland makes me want to go hit up American McGee’s Alice again.

PPS: Air just makes me sick, though. I’m not fond of heights.

PPPS: Worldmind reminds me of a TomTom.

Tags: Air Vol. 2: Flying Machine, Impulse Creations, Nova Vol. 1: Annihilation Conquest, Return to Wonderland, Showcase, Week of 10/19/09
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Showcase: September ’09

Want more graphic novels? This month’s Showcase article features The Starman Omnibus Vol. 1, Awakening Volume One, and Scott Pilgrim Vol. 1: Precious Little Life. Here are some teasers, but you can check out the full article over at Impulse Creations.

“Opal City transforms into a living, breathing entity, and the richness of both Robinson’s storytelling and strong visuals of the comic itself make Starman an incredible experience that captivates and bewilders.” - The Starman Omnibus Vol. 1

“… in a world where we practically trip over fictional zombies of the slow, fast, or cartoony variety, Tapalansky’s version doesn’t follow the usual train of thought.” - Awakening Volume One

“If you haven’t heard of Bryan Lee O’Malley’s Scott Pilgrim, then you’re missing out on what has become a fan-favorite joyride into the world of humor and music, a little touch of video games, and the ups and downs of life.” - Scott Pilgrim, Vol. 1: Precious Little Life

Tags: Awakening Volume One, Impulse Creations, Scott Pilgrim Vol. 1: Precious Little Life, Showcase, Starman Omnibus Vol. 1, Week of 9/14/09
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Showcase: August ’09

It’s official! I’ve been writing for Impulse Creations for 50 weeks now. Yeah paid freelancing milestone!

Anyway, this month’s Showcase article is up now, highlighting Green Lantern: Rebirth (thanks, Jill bot!), Batman: The Man Who Laughs, and All-Star Superman Vol. 1. Here are some teasers:

“… Green Lantern: Rebirth excels as a solid, entertaining read. It’s certainly not lacking of flashy explosions, that’s for sure.” - Green Lantern: Rebirth

“Mahnke’s sketchy art might not be for everyone, but it does a good job at presenting a gritty Gotham turned grotesque by the Joker. Not to mention the contrast of glaring yellows and whites against dark shadows and black capes on stormy nights never fails to impress.” - Batman: The Man Who Laughs

“With Frank Quitely’s uniquely colorful yet distinctly strange art to strengthen the tale, All-Star Superman sweeps in like a bird, a plane … no, Superman.” - All-Star Superman Vol. 1

Tags: All-Star Superman Vol. 1, Batman: The Man Who Laughs, Green Lantern: Rebirth, Impulse Creations, Showcase, Week of 8/17/09
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Showcase: July ’09

Need some good reading material for these hot summer days? Look no further than my July edition of Showcase, which features reviews of three sizzling graphic novels: Astonishing X-Men: Gifted, Batman: Lovers and Madmen, and Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter: Guilty Pleasures.

Each trade puts the emphasis on the characters—whether it’s Joss Whedon tackling fan-favorite mutants, Batman and Joker going head-to-head in Gotham in a mad tale, or Anita Blake practically being suffocated by vampires and other creatures of the night that are tucked away underneath beds and in closets. On second thought, forget I mentioned that last part.

Side Note: I’ll be gone from Wednesday, July 22 to the first of August, so don’t expect much activity from me until next month. I have a few more posts ready until then, and Sounds of Nostalgia and Bad, Comic, Bad! should go up as scheduled. If you’re going to SDCC, I’ll see you there!

Tags: Anita Blake Vampire Hunter: Guilty Pleasures, Astonishing X-Men: Gifted, Batman: Lovers and Madmen, Impulse Creations, Showcase, Week of 7/13/09
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