Magic the Gathering #2
Really, vampires? We rejoin Dack as he “plane walks” to the realm of Innistrad, a Ravenloft-esque world that is an odd mixture of Renaissance, Gothic and Elizabethan Europe. And as I said, there are vampires.
Haven’t we experienced every possible permutation of the blood suckers in recent years? I for one think the undead should crawl back into their coffins for another ten years or so until they can be properly reinvented again.
Dack saves the life of a vampire huntress named Ingrid. Of course, she later returns the favor and the two escape to the house of Ingrid’s father, a hook-handed ex-vampire hunter or “Cathar” who looks like he is a relative of Carl from Aqua Teen Hunger Force.
We learn that the mysterious blade Dack steals in issue #1 has the power to control the vampires of Innistrad and that the series’ villainess, Sifa Grent destroyed Dack’s hometown hoping he was there, as she feeds-off magic users.
This comic seems more an ad for the card game than a legitimate story on its own. Writer Matt Forbeck writes as if this was his first title and the story-line feels as if its main point is to make the magic Collectable Card Game seem eclectic and fast paced.
I’m giving this book one final issue to get its feet underneath it.
Ralph Wiggum #1 I have been collecting Simpson’s Comics since the Simpson’s Comics and Stories one-shot way back in 1993. A few years ago I found myself not wanting to read them. I have a terrible habit of not reading all the comics I purchase but with the vast majority, I at least have every INTENTION of reading them; not so the Simpson’s. I found the humor getting worse and worse, to the point where I couldn’t even see how someone ELSE could find it amusing.
Then I heard of the Ralph Wiggum one-shot. What can it hurt? I thought. The Lisa Simpson one-shot was one of my favorite comics ever as a teen. And then there is my best friend. I wouldn’t ever be able to look her in the face again if I couldn’t even shell out $2.99 for a comic starring her beloved Ralphie. I have a theory why she has such a large spot in her heart for the pudgy little guy. He is unflappably optimistic and very dimwitted. Two descriptors that no one would ever apply to her.
But I’ve fallen into the old bloggers trap and dove off into a huge tangent. I assume my readership actually wants to know what the comic is like. Right? Ralph Wiggum #1 is a nearly unqualified success. I laughed out loud on the FIRST PAGE. The book is made up of five stories, mostly written by women. Unthinkably, Sergio Aragones does the worst job.
The final story, “Ralph the Role Model”, by Jesse McCann, is slightly weak and lacks a bit of Ralph’s charm but James Lloyd’s pencils are the strongest in the book. I felt like I was looking at Matt Groening’s own work. For flat out brilliance, however, look to “Ralph Wiggum’s Day Off” written and drawn by the infinitely talented Carol Lay. I will provide a link to her homepage. Please spend a lot of money on her work and not just because she is attractive. http://www.carollay.com/index.html
I applaud the low price on what is essentially a kid’s comic. Bongo has resisted the urge to but a collector’s item price on a book with more actual content than many of the mainstream titles out there. Moms and Dads will feel better about picking this comic up for their kids since they don’t have to shell out, with tax, over five bucks for it. Little Susie can get her Ralphie comic AND apple slices from McDonalds.
I leave you dear readers with a challenge: Sergio has a seek-and-find style “Where’s Ralph?” page. I found the little guy in 15.9 seconds. Go out and buy this book NOW so you can thumb your score of 13.4 in my face.
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