Posts Tagged travel foreman
Cammy’s Comic Corner – Episode 197 (2/5/12)
Posted by Cammy in Weekly Reviews on February 5, 2012
Super Bowl weekend, and no superheroes in sight! Pick Of The Week goes to Jeff Lemire for Sweet Tooth #30 (Vertigo)! Fast Five picks include O.M.A.C. #6 (DC), Locke & Key: Clockworks #4 (IDW), Animal Man #6 (DC), The Strange Talent of Luther Strode #5 (Image), and Swamp Thing #6 (DC).
Let’s go Giants!
Cammy’s Comic Corner – Episode 193 (1/8/12)
Posted by Cammy in Weekly Reviews on January 8, 2012
I’m baaack! With 2012 here, I return with the audio format until something I deem worthy of a video episode comes along. Pick Of The Week goes to Ed Brubaker & Sean Phillips for Fatale #1 (Image). Fast Five picks include Animal Man #5 (DC), Swamp Thing #5 (DC), Sweet Tooth #29 (Vertigo), O.M.A.C. #5 (DC), and Justice League International #5 (DC). Spoilers!
Can I just say how great it feels to be back?
Cammy’s Favorite Covers for 11/02/11
Animal Man #3 by Travel Foreman
I’m sensing an ongoing theme with these covers; they keep getting more and more twisted each issue, slowly transforming Buddy into a true primal state of being. It looks like the love child of Jeff Goldblum’s The Fly with a Hippogriff, and a little Bebop thrown in for good measure. Another nice touch; the smeared reds in the background. It’s truly a creepy, yet hauntingly beautiful cover.
X-Men #20 by Adi Granov
The pairing of Storm and War Machine on this cover was rather brilliant; both in gray, shiny costumes, and both able to reflect large amounts of lightning. Even their poses go well as a whole. The one thing I can always count on with Granov is his smooth finishes. Nothing ever looks jagged or rushed, for he’s a master at making it all flow together and aesthetically pleasing. I’d definitely be interested in purchasing this if it were a poster! Gorgeous stuff.
Pilot Season: Fleshdigger #1 by Francesco Francavilla
Sometimes the Pilot Season event can be hit-or-miss for me, but if you definitely want to grab my undivided attention, you throw a Francavilla cover at me. I’m suddenly drawn-in by it’s bizarre beauty, and I’m willing to read the rest of the comic inside all because it’s a Francavilla cover. Let’s just examine this decomposing and vile creature we see before us, shall we? I love the wriggling lines all over its flesh, with a great use of both shadow and light. Add all the detail to its coat, and this cover just may be my absolute favorite this week. Bravo, Francesco! You’ve hit another one out of the ballpark!
Sweet Tooth #27 by Jeff Lemire
Very simple cover, but it speaks volumes with the style. We’ve been seeing this Native American influenced representation of Gus in the past few issues, so with him in full-on tribal form, it hints to us that this issue will definitely be touching on a wee bit more of his origin story. I love the use of red and black blending together on a white canvas, for it really does its job of catching your eye. Even the Sweet Tooth logo fits in with the color scheme, and it’s the little things like that which really delivers as a whole to the audience.
Cammy’s Favorite Covers for 10/5/11
Animal Man #2 by Travel Foreman
I don’t know what I’m looking at, but I’m a little freaked out all the same. This is why you don’t genetically modify chickens…or squids, for that matter. The imagery is so bizarre, insane, and twisted all at once, that I think PETA might even have a problem with this cover. I don’t care though, because I love it! Animal Man and his daughter flee with good reason, for they have quite the gruesome jabberwocky trailing close behind. If this cover doesn’t intrigue you to take a peek inside, I don’t know what will!
Casanova: Avaritia #2 by Gabriel Bá
Finally, the version of Kung Fu Panda I wanted to see! Now if you’re like me and watch a lot of nature shows, you’ll know that the panda bear, while cute, isn’t friendly whatsoever. So with this cover I think Gabriel Bá really captured the raw power of the typical panda when confronted by samurai in its natural environment. The poses, the intensity, the simplicity; all these factors really make this cover work.
X-Men: Schism #5 by Adam Kubert
Uh, guys, LOOK UP!! Even with impending doom hovering right above them, Logan and Scott still have to fight over who has the bigger, uh, “X-Man”. I especially love the detail in the Sentinel’s hand as it powers up, about to completely incinerate them. Alas, boys will be boys, and the entire mutant race seems to be suffering because of it. I wish these two would just fuck and get it over with. Beautiful cover by Adam Kubert nonetheless.
Cammy’s Comic Corner – Episode 181 (9/11/11)
Posted by Cammy in Weekly Reviews on September 11, 2011
New, in AUDIO VISION! Pick Of The Week goes to Dan Jurgens & Aaron Lopresti for Justice League International #1 (DC). Fast Five picks include Spider-Island: I Love New York City #1 (Marvel), Animal Man #1 (DC), Swamp Thing #1 (DC), Wolverine: Debt of Death #1 (Marvel), and OMAC #1 (DC).
Be sure to let me know what you think of the new show format!
Cammy’s Favorite Covers for 9/7/11
Animal Man #1 by Travel Foreman
By far my favorite cover of the week. Just look at all the complexity and detail that was put into the heart / Buddy hybrid. Veins blending into flesh, and blood flowing freely in his face. Add the nice gaggle of animals at the bottom (a Bolland tribute to the original series cover), and this is one spectacular cover.
Casanova: Avaritia #1 by Gabriel Ba
Gabriel Ba once again steals my hear with his beautiful watercolors on this cover. They’re such warm, happy colors too. African plains, perhaps? I’m not quite sure yet. I also enjoy the contrast to the lower image; borders around the different shapes, but still nice and colorful. Very intriguing cover altogether, thanks to the several different colors.
Sweet Tooth #25 by Jeff Lemire
“As I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I take a look at my life and realize there’s not much left.” -Coolio, Gangsta’s Paradise
Batgirl #1 by Adam Hughes
Adam Hughes drawing a beautiful woman? Check. Batgirl is a redhead? Check. Swarms of cool looking bats in the background? Check. This entire cover wins my seal of approval. I’d show the image of my seal of approval, but he’s on loan at Sea World at the moment. Back to the cover at hand; it’s gorgeous, plain and simple.
Moon Knight #5 by Alex Maleev
This cover belongs in an art gallery. I’m serious. It could easily be placed as the main attraction, right next to the other acrylic paintings. I would then enter said gallery, steal it a la The Thomas Crown Affair, and live happily ever after with the Spidey / Wolverine / Cap amalgam hanging in my bedroom. I’d sip a glass of Ravenswood Zinfandel from my leather chair, and admire its beauty from across the room, the image itself being illuminated by the fireplace. Now to convince Maleev to put it on display!
Cammy’s Favorite Covers for 4/20/11
Gotham City Sirens #22 by Guillem March
We’ve all been there; torn between both good and evil, stuck in the middle with that hard decision to make; drown all the lawyers, or just half to send a message to the others? With this cover it beautifully illustrates the situation Selina finds herself in this issue. While both wings are radically different, they fulfill that sense of unity perfectly. So while Catwoman is battered-down once again, you would think she’s figured out what side she’s on by now.
28 Days Later #22 by Sean Phillips
Sean Phillips is such a professional when it comes to catching my attention with these covers. Black and white loose-sketch in the foreground, skies of different reds in the background. Together, they make every detail of the black and white pop-out at the reader. What I particularly enjoy about the muddled reds in the background is they give me that sense of post-apocalyptic dread, that the situation is completely not okay anymore. Not that it has been for the past twenty-two issues, but that’s not the point! This is simply a beautiful cover.
Green Lantern #65 by Doug Mahnke and Keith Champagne
The thing about this cover is Hal Jordan fits-in with the Sinestro Corps perfectly, that I had to do a double-take to see what series I was reading. Obviously, the dominant color is going to be yellow, but it’s spread all over the cover in a way that doesn’t make it tiresome to look at. I just love Mahnke’s bold line-work and little details throughout, that this cover in particular would be one badass poster. That’s the great thing about Jordan; he makes any color look good.
Dark Horse Presents #1 by Paul Pope
I remember when this title was first solicited many months ago, and people were getting excited for both the Frank Miller and Paul Chadwick covers. I’m sorry, but the real hidden gem is this Paul Pope cover. Does it have anything to do with one of the stories inside? Who cares! Look at this glorious cover; we have a mysterious looking pirate-tiger-lady with her pet tigers among the tiger ruins. The attention to details in the cover are mesmerizing, especially in the faces of both tigers and in the ruins behind them. Just like the tigers, Paul Pope can’t change his stripes; he’s still a fantastic artist.
Superman / Batman #83 by Travel Foreman
I’ve often lain awake at night wondering what it would look like if Superman and Batman were transported into Middle Earth. I then look at this cover, and all those long sleepless nights are suddenly put to rest. First of all, we have the goddamn Batman riding what appears to be a dragon / Nazgul hybrid. If anyone is capable of saddling one of those beasts, it’s Batman. Then we have Superman charging with a claymore-sized lightning sword, looking more extremely awesome than usual. He doesn’t even need a sword, but the fact that he’s proudly got one on display should make you fear him even more! Sauron better watch himself, because he’s got two super Hobbits on their way to Mt. Doom in a hurry, and they ain’t no Sam & Frodo!
Cammy’s Favorite Covers for 3/16/11
The Amazing Spider-Man # 656 by Marcos Martin
So while Spidey appears to have a new costume again, I find myself liking it on this cover. The yellows really pop when against the black and gray webs, and with him diving between green lasers it makes it feel like lots of action is happening. Marcos Martin’s style is a really good fit for Spider-Man, because he makes Spidey look so graceful, yet a complete badass at the same time. If anything, he almost looks like Spider-Man in Shocker armor. Add a little more red in the black parts, and it’d almost be a sure thing.
5 Ronin #3 by David Aja
Even as a lone samurai, the Punisher is suppose to look like a force to be reckoned with. And once again David Aja kills it on this series covers. Look at the empty eye sockets, with just cold and gloomy colors throughout the entire cover. The stance, the holding of the rifle, he looks like death incarnate. Plus all the sketches along the sides, including the iconic Punisher skull is the real cherry on top. Of the 5 Ronin miniseries covers, this one is my favorite hands-down. It sends a chill up my spine if I look at it for too long.
Batman #708 by Guillem March
While I’m not a fan of Azrael, I do like how Guillem March combined solid characters in the foreground, and washes in the background. The crossing of two different types of blades catches the eye, and the style of the flames are wicked to look at. The dominant reds of the knights work well against the pale blues of the screaming Batman, and when Batman is screaming, you know it can’t be good. Very nice cover overall.
Loki #4 Travel Foreman & Nathan Fairbairn
This is by far my favorite cover of the week. While I haven’t been reading this series, I almost want to because of the cover alone. I imagine these images would be the last things you would ever see if crossing Loki. The wolf, the serpent, all different forms of the legendary trickster god. Loki himself looks demonic with all the wrappings and his favorite horned helmet. It’s the intricate details of everything on the cover that really blows me away, because I’m taking literally minutes studying the time and care that went into every character. Truly spectacular cover.
Hulk #30.1 by Rob Garney
So it looks like your typical Hulk cover, where Hulk is angry and smashing the usual cars and buildings. Only with this cover, I can’t stop looking at Rulk. The way he takes up almost the whole cover as he’s charging at you the viewer, he just comes across as extremely powerful and god-like. The fury can be seen radiating from his eyes, and the foaming at the mouth conveys the rabidness of this creature very well. Rob Garney did a great job illustrating Rulk being the strongest there is, perhaps even more than Banner.
Cammy’s Comic Corner – Book Of The Month – CLA$$WAR
Posted by Gregory in Book Of The Month on December 1, 2009
Book Of The Month – December
CLA$$WAR
Written by Rob Williams
Art by Trevor Hairsine and Travel Foreman
As a comic book reviewer, I’m offered quite a lot of comics to read and review by companies, creators, and the little guys no one has ever heard of. Most of the time the material I’m sent is good fun stuff, making me love the fact that I’m able to spread the good word about these titles to the undying masses. Then a comic like Cla$$war will come along and completely blow me away.
It’s comics like this that make you kick yourself for not knowing about it sooner, making you curse the heavens that it flew underneath your radar all those years ago. What other comics could have possibly been so important to yourself back in 2002, that this series completely passed you by? Batman? Spider-Man? The same old superheroes who always let the villain get away?
Well get ready for a breath of fresh air, because that’s exactly what Cla$$war delivers, and plenty of it.
The series revolves around a superhero called American, and he’s seen the light thanks to a renegade CIA agent by the name of Issac. Their mission; to open the eyes of the American public and reveal who the true villains are; the corporate CEO’s, the Government, and pretty much anyone else who happens to be white and insanely rich and powerful.
The time period this takes place in is during the George W. Bush reign of terror, and sure enough Dubya is one of the big baddies in the series, as moronic as ever. After American decides to take the president ten thousand feet up in the air to have a little ‘chat’, Issac plays a tape of American informing the vicious deeds of the United States government for the past twenty years. He’s tired of all the lies and the people he’s killed over the years, so it’s up to him and Issac to bring the real bad guys to justice.
Along the way he has to battle his old teammates of the supergroup the Enola Gay, made-up of some of the biggest superhero baddies that only science can create. The clashes are truly epic, making it feel like the issue is shaking in your hands from the aftershocks. I won’t spoil it for you how it ends, but let’s just say there’s an awful lot of gore and violence going down because of the circumstances.
When this six-issue miniseries debuted back in 2002, the original artist was Trevor Hairsine who stayed on for the first three issues, and the last three issues were drawn by Travel Foreman. Even though there are two different artists, it doesn’t distract the reader at all, and continues to flow smoothly with the story. Trevor Hairsine’s style gets compared to Bryan Hitch’s stuff a lot, and with good reason; it’s gorgeous to look at and really captures the characters well. The costumes, the facial expressions, the action, all rendered beautifully by Hairsine’s style. While it might resemble Hitch’s style at times, Hairsine makes it his own without question. He’s an artist I’ll definitely be looking out for in the future. As for Travel Foreman, it might have been difficult to fill the shoes of Hairsine after the third issue, but he shows no signs of frustration or stress in his pages. The art looks just as great, and some of the two-page spreads he throws at us will knock your socks off!
The overall story Rob Williams tells is just a fantastic read, and had me hooked after the first issue. You want to see the bad guys get what’s coming to them, and myself growing up and surviving the Bush reign wants to see Dubya get punished for his crimes especially. The story reminded me a lot like the dark superhero stories you see nowadays (Irredeemable, Black Summer, The Mighty), only the twist being the superhuman is going rogue against the ‘good guys’ like the President of the United States. The good kind of rebellion.
So do yourself a favor this holiday season and pick-up Cla$$war, if not for yourself, then for your comic book friend who thinks they’ve seen it all. Blow his or her mind with the awesomeness that is Cla$$war.
And to think, this is only the first series. Something tells me we’ve ain’t seen nothing yet!
Discuss this pick on the forum!
Book Of The Month – June – LOCAL
Book Of The Month – July – Sub-Mariner: The Depths
Book Of The Month – August – Superman: Secret Identity
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