Comic Book Review: The Flash #46 - DC Comics (2015)

Written by Robert Venditti & Van Jensen
Art by Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund & Andrew Dalhouse

Central City police want to arrest the Flash for the bombing of the police station but the Scarlett Speedster knows he can't take the time to talk with them as he knows he needs to stop Professor Zoom and his group of villains.

Fast and incredible action can be found on every page of this comic book issue.  Zoom has been trying to build the Flash as a threat to Central City so that if he does beat our hero, he isn't revered in his death.  This is no easy task and really isn't something he can push any longer as the fight is on.  Zoom has his super-powered villain group that is assisting, outside of Magali who he has since imprisoned along with Henry Allen, the Flash's father.  Henry was brought on to build a device that steals meta-human powers.  If he built a device that could steal the Flash's powers, Professor Zoom would let Barry Allen live.  Little does Henry know who the Flash truly is.

Caught up yet?  I know, there's a lot going on in this issue.  This has been a fun story line.  Professor Zoom is such an interesting character as everyone thinks he's a speedster but he's really controlling time.  It's going to be interesting to see how the Flash is going to do against Zoom.  Also, what will Zoom do after what happened to his villainous group?

I'm of the understanding that the art portion of the Flash team will be leaving the title soon.  That's unfortunate as I feel this is one of the best teams around.  I'm not overly fond of the tweaks made to the Flash's costume, but everything else is amazing.  The flow of each page, detail in the right places and I don't know where you'll find colors used much better.  Wherever Booth, Rapmund and Dalhouse go, I'm sure I'll be hopping onto that title as well.  If what I've heard is true, seeing this team working on underwater adventures could be some of the most incredible visuals of 2016.

As far as the writing team, I have no news as to whether staying or going.  Again, I can see myself checking out whatever Venditti and Jensen write.  It has been an extraordinary pleasure to read from this super team of writers and artists.

What do you think of the Flash review?  What other comic books would you like to see the staff at Maskerpiece Theatre review?  Please leave your comments below or let us know on Twitter @MaskedBlogster or @MPTheare2015

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Drawn Out - Post-It Note Sketching

Even if I'm not at my computer doing digital artwork or at my drawing table with comic book art boards I still find myself sketching.  I'll draw a couple lines, then draw some shapes and before you know it; Batman is on the page.

I have some Post-It notes at my desk and sometimes I get to work a little early or I may be on hold on the phone a long time so I just start sketching.  I decided to share some of those sketches of what I do with a Post-It note and a Uni-Ball Signa 0.7mm pen.  

I drew up my version of the Reverse Flash(or is it Professor Zoom?).  This one I also included coloring with a hi-liter pen from Office Max.  

Next up is Superman.  For some reason I find myself having more difficulty drawing the Man of Steel more than any other hero.  I am finding that less is more when it comes to details in the face.

I've always liked the look of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  They're all a ton of fun to draw and definitely a go to for me.

Blasto the Clown is from the warped minds here at Abnormal Entertainment.  Based on a character that was supposed to appear in a fart fetish video, Blasto has taken on a life of his own in the world of digital comics.  An unlikely hero, Blasto is great to draw, no matter what mood I'm in.

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Drawn Out: Logo

The logo for this blog is not just about the words, but also about the background art.  The art is a bunch of sketches of characters that I have drawn in the past and also whatever came to mind.  The first picture is the logo that I like.  Take a look at the other pictures as these are the steps I took in making the logo.

The first picture depicts the loose pencils to lay out everything.  I say "pencils" but all of the artwork was completed digitally.  I like using blue for pencils and then bringing down the opacity before inking.  For those not knowing what that is, opacity is how dark the lines are.  I lower the opacity before I go over in black so it isn't as distracting.  

Here is the black and white version before adding the lettering. I teased this on Instagram and my personal Facebook page.  The overall reaction was pretty positive.

I played with coloring the logo but ultimately decided to go black and white.  I thought colors that overlapped and went outside the designated lines might be a cool look but in the end felt it was distracting from the words "Drawn Out."

As stated earlier this logo was made digitally.  It was drawn using a Wacom Intuos Tablet using the program, Manga Studio 5.  The lettering for the logo was made using Comic Life 2.  

Do you have a favorite logo?  Maybe you want more information on some of the characters in the blog(Blasto the Clown has his own Twitter account).  Is there anything you'd like to on the "Drawn Out" blog?  Leave us a comment and let your voice be heard.

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Doctor Strange, Concept Art and Rumor Analysis.

New footage dropped today for Marvel's "Doctor Strange" movie which is due out November 2016. Additionally, the above image is concept art that was released today. I'm so excited about this film and it all started with curiosity. When Marvel announced they were going to be making a movie about the Sorcerer Supreme I was curious. I knew nothing about the good doctor and because of that I knew of no reason why a movie about this character was so important. So I did what any curious person would do, I started researching.

Doctor Strange has become a personal favorite after all the research I've done. His stories, his villains, the worlds and realms he travels through, his abilities, his intellect, this character is complex. I recently picked up "Marvel Masterworks Doctor Strange Vol 1" and in the introduction Dean Mullaney captures the value of this character perfectly...

"Unlike the essentialist protagonist who has power placed upon him by an external source (Peter Parker bitten by a radioactive spider, Ben Grimm bombarded with cosmic rays), Stephen Strange makes a direct and deliberate choice to be a hero. While he has tools such as his enchanted amulet and can use magic spells with the best of them, they don't explain what he can do or define who he is. He becomes a hero by proving himself worthy."

Poignant and accurate to what makes this character so enjoyable. He's a man who has to prove himself worthy and in so doing becomes the most powerful sorcerer in the universe. I'd say that's quite the accomplishment.

There's rumors circulating about the villains in this film. We know that Baron Mordo will be part of this film as Chiwetel Ejiofor is the actor chosen to portray this arch nemesis. But what about the other potential baddie that is rumored to be showing up? Who is Mads Mikkelsen playing? Let's look at the most popular guess on the internet right now, the Dread Dormammu.

When I first heard this I didn't like it only because Doctor Strange is becoming Sorcerer Supreme in this film. He's brand new to being a sorcerer so what sense does it make for him to go up against one of the most powerful villains in the Marvel universe? I know that he battles him in the animated movie but I didn't like that because it lessens the potential threat of a villain when he would be bested by a new sorcerer so quickly. How tough are you if a noob defeats you day 1 on the job? 

There is a story that occurs early in the original Doctor Strange mythos where Strange and Dormammu are battling and Clea releases the Mindless Ones from their imprisonment. Since Dormammu is weakened from fighting Strange he can't restrain the Mindless Ones on his own and Strange offers his powers to boost Dormammu's in order to trap the Mindless Ones before they destroy everything. Dormammu releases Strange and agrees to his conditions for assisting him in trapping the Mindless Ones. If they go this route for the movie I'd be on board for Dormammu. Strange can't defeat him but helping him provides him victory and now we have a story that makes sense. 

However, let's take a look now at who I'd prefer and then who might make more sense cinematically. 

Nightmare and Mephisto. Here's two villains who could work incredibly well on the big screen. Let's start with my preferred choice, Nightmare.

Ruler of the Nightmare realm we find a villain so terrifying that Doctor Strange has to cast a spell of protection over himself before he sleeps. Once he forgot and Nightmare wasted no time in capturing the good doctor and creating quite the entertaining story. A story with this villain could work well because it introduces us to the bizarre realms that Doctor Strange travels to. Plus, the idea of being trapped in a nightmare forever sounds terrifying. Long before Freddy was killing people in their sleep there was Nightmare. Plus it would allow us to see a more physical side of Doctor Strange in combat as his magic powers aren't so useful in the nightmare realm. I enjoy this villain and if I see a comic that he's on the cover of I'll pick it up. 

Now, Mephisto. Granted, we had one villain already in the MCU that had a red face but let's be serious for a second and acknowledge that the ruler of Hell would be an incredible addition to this universe. Also, for canon sake it makes sense. During the Infinity Gauntlet we see that Mephisto is working with Thanos and being as manipulative as he always is. Additionally, we have Thor Ragnarok coming up and we have been told that the Valkerie will be part of that film. So why not add the Prince of Lies and ruler of Hell to the universe? It makes sense from a canon point of view from what we know about the cinematic universe so far. 

I'll be fine with either of these characters and Mads is a phenomenal actor who will bring depth and life to any of the rumored possibilities. 

What do you think? Share your thoughts below and invite a friend into the conversation who would add perspective to this lengthy analysis regarding the Sorcerer Supreme Doctor Strange and his foes. 

Click here to listen or right click and choose "Save As..." to download.

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Drawn Out: It's Not Easy Being Green Lantern

Before you check out Green Lantern, take a look at the new logo!  The next "Drawn Out" blog will be about what went into making it.  There are other versions of it and I'd appreciate feedback on what you like best.










I was warming up to get ready to draw a comic I wrote but I decided to do more than just the digital pencils.  Green Lantern is a fun character and with his inter-galactic travels, the colors can be fun.

Admittedly, I am not very familiar with doing colors but I've been having fun with them.  Everything shown here are really just sketches and experimenting.  I've been working with blending and adding glow and having a ton of fun with it.  Hopefully one day when I have a project that actually calls for some of these effects, I can be ready for them.

All of these sketches were pencilled, inked and colored digitally using a Wacom tablet and using Manga Studio 5 as the software.

The first art "Drawn Out" post included a black and white sketch of a guy with a Mohawk enjoying himself as he listens to punk rock band Rancid.  I have since added some color to it.  I think I like the black and white better.

You can read more of my blogs here on Maskerpiece Theatre and also on http://cinemaheadcheese.blogspot.com/

Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Comic Book Review: We Stand On Guard #4 - Image Comics

Written by Brian K. Vaughn

Art by Steve Skroce

The future war between the United States and Canada continues.  It seems the Canadians are pinned down and the U.S. is able to stop these rebels.  The Canadians have something up their collective sleeves however.

This is such a great series.  Taking place 100+ years in the future, "We Stand On Guard" has a very interesting take on what the world could be like, especially with what we are seeing in the real world news today.  Canada being a place that, in this comic, was a place that would take in Syrian and other refugees that the United States would not.  There is great character development, especially with the main character as we see flashbacks of her past that builds on her tough as nails character she has become.

I will say, I can't help but read "We Stand On Guard" without a Canadian accent in my head.  Whether you think of Strange Brew or listen to the "Your Canadian Girlfriend" podcast available from Abnormal Entertainment, you can't help but smile amid the violence taking place in the Great White North.  

I love that Image Comics generally doesn't overcharge for their comic books.  "We Stand On Guard" is only $2.99 per issue so you ought to motor down to your local comic shop and grab those first four issues.

You can read more of my blogs here on Maskerpiece Theatre and also on http://cinemaheadcheese.blogspot.com/

Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

  

Comic Book Review: This Damned Band #4 - Dark Horse Comics (2015)

Written by Paul Cornell

Art by Tony Parker

Colors by Lovern Kindzierski

The band is part of a hostage situation inside the French mansion.  Everyone seems to have different agendas as we continue the tale of "This Damned Band."

Artistically, this is one of the most fun series in comic books today.  Tony Parker is able to blend different art styles into each of the books of "This Damned Band" and visually, it all works.  The detailing of the backgrounds are absolutely fascinating.  Paul Cornell's storytelling, which goes from what is actually happening to what is happening in a mind altered way is depicted amazingly well by Parker and Lovern Kindzierski.  Kindzierski's colors are truly remarkable.  

Cornell is giving just enough of a glimpse into what is going on with the band members and other characters within this story to keep you wanting more.  This is a six issue series so I highly recommend picking up the previous issues as well.  "This Damned Band" includes storytelling at its finest along with artwork that fits better than most in comics today.  Issue four continues the tale and would not make much sense if you don't read the first three.  Make sure you ask your local comic shop to get those issues for you.

Also, take a look at all of the covers.  They are reminiscent of rock band posters and album covers from the 1970s.

You can read more of my blogs here on Maskerpiece Theatre and also on http://cinemaheadcheese.blogspot.com/

Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Comic Book Review: Sons of the Devil: Book 1 - Image Comics/OSSM Comics (2015)

Written by: Brian Buccellato

Art by: Toni Infante

This review isn't about one individual issue, but rather the new trade paperback that collects the first five issues of "Sons of the Devil."   The TPB is actually being released today, November 25th, 2015.  Even better than that, this first volume is only $9.99.  A pretty awesome value for sure, so let's get to the synopsis and review.

Travis grew up as an orphan, having anger management issues and not really knowing anything about where he was born or his parents.  He's about twenty six years old now and doing what he can to keep a job, girlfriend and overall out of trouble.  Trouble seems to find Travis however, and he is slowly learning his past as it seems his past is looking for him.

Brian Buccellato(Flash, Detective Comics, Justice League) is crafting a story that gets more and more intriguing with each chapter.  Each chapter, while focusing on present day Travis, includes a flashback and something that is going on in the darker reaches of one man's world.  There's always something to look forward to as each chapter ends in a way that makes you want to read next one.  The flashbacks to the commune from 1989 and the evil that is happening today that Travis is not yet aware of, truly make "Sons of the Devil" an intriguing story.  Be sure to pick up this TPB today and grab the rest of the comic books(issues 6 - current).

The art of Toni Infante looks remarkable with this story,  Infante captures facial expressions so well and the gritty feel to the line work is so fitting to Buccellato's creepy tale.  The colors are wonderfully blended into this story as well.  Travis' eye colors are important and the other colors do not take away from it.  

There are also bonus stories within the TPB of another character.  I won't get overly into it as I do not want to spoil too much "Sons of the Devil" but I will give a little:

"Parker"

Written by: Jennifer Young

Art by: Ryan Horvath

These stories offer more back story on a character that is introduced within "Sons of the Devil,"  It is fantastic that these stories are a part of the trade paperback, adding even more to the value of this book.  

"Sons of the Devil" is on my recommended reading list.  Whether horror is or is not your thing, "Sons of the Devil" is so well crafted that it's hard to put down.  There are characters that you are able to connect with right away.  You will also find out the characters have an intertwining relationship and it's incredibly well thought out.  To do what Buccellato has done in five chapters without it feeling forced, is truly masterful writing.

A big thank you goes out to Siike Donnelly for reaching out to us here at Maskerpiece Theatre and allowing us to preview "Sons of the Devil" and making it possible for this review to be available to everyone on the day it is released.   

You can read more of my blogs/reviews here on Maskerpiece Theatre and also on http://cinemaheadcheese.blogspot.com/

Please let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Comic Book Review - Batman: Annual #4 - DC Comics

Written by: James Tynion IV
Art by: Roge Antonio

Bruce Wayne, still dealing with his memory loss, visits Wayne Manor as Arkham Asylum is dealing with moving inmates(or is it patients?).  Little does anyone know; The Riddler, Clayface and Mr. Freeze have other plans for Bruce Wayne.

The Riddler, Clayface and Mr. Freeze are beyond upset about Bruce Wayne's bout with amnesia.  Feeling upset that Bruce gets to forget all of the things he has done to them, they decide to try to jog his memory in the most elaborate Riddler-esque way they can concieve.

This was such a great use of Edward Nygma and Clayface.  The two of them were integral in what happened with their escapes and their movement in Wayne Manor.  Mr. Freeze was a good third villain as he blames Batman for his wife's current state.

I know I usually am against the $4.99 price tag but this one is an "Annual" and the story is unto itself, meaning there's a start, middle and end.  This is one of the better stories that really doesn't have the Caped Crusader truly in it.  Bruce Wayne having to figure out how to beat three supervillains with no knowledge that he was ever Batman was very cleverly done.  This book is worth the trip to the comic book shop.

Comic Book Review - Constantine The Hellblazer #3 - DC Comics

Written by: Ming Doyle & James Tynion IV
Art by: Ming Doyle & Vanesa Del Rey

John Constantine heads back to England to seek the help of Georgie, an expert in the occult.  As with any John Constantine acquaintance or relationship, there is a past that he will likely need to address.  Georgie is on a case when Constantine arrives and he agrees to help out in hopes Georgie can help out with his Ghost Killer problem.

We have a couple different art styles within this store which I found to be pretty awesome.  The gritty look we have become accustomed to for present day and a bit more of a brighter and cleaner look for the flashbacks.  Constantine having to find some way to reconcile for his past is a mainstay in his books and this is done very well.  He wants to find this Ghost Killer but he now knows he can't do it alone.  Adding in the hunt for what Constantine thought was a succubus was a great way to show that he would help Georgie, but of course doing it his way.

Three issues in and this is a delightful series.  With a $2.99 price tag, it's worth picking up to see if it is something that works for you as well.  Please leave comments below and let me know what you think.

You can read more of my blogs here on Maskerpiece Theatre and also on CinemaHeadCheese.blogspot.com

Original Comic Book: Twisted Magic

"If the moral compass created by your past didn't exist, who would you become? If you had no one to tell you who you were, who would you think you are?"

The questions above are from writer Kalani Nazarro, the author of Twisted Magic.  These questions are the basis for the mysterious main character of this horror-fantasy comic.  

We were going for a new look with this comic book and we are hoping you enjoy it.  As the artist, I had a bit of difficulty finding the look that matched Kalani's vision.  The first page itself went through multiple looks.  He told me one day he wanted to get away from comic book panels and that's when the light bulb came on.  I drew the first page and sent it to him and at that point we were off and running.  

Please feel free to leave comments below or contact us on social media sites or email MaskedBlogster@gmail.com

If you do like it, please share it!  Thank you for reading!

Twisted Magic

Written by Kalani Nazarro

Art by Dalyn Viker