Comics

Bagged and Boarded – Astonishing X-Men: Xenogenesis

Welcome to “Bagged and Boarded”, a series of articles by Kevin Beckham and Dustin Cabeal. In “Bagged and Boarded” two comic fans express their thoughts/opinions about an issue or comic event.

ASTONISHING X-MEN: XENOGENESIS #1 of 5

COVER BY: Kaare Andrews                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             
WRITER: Warren Ellis 
PENCILS: Kaare Andrews 
INKS: Kaare Andrews 
LETTERED BY: Chris Eliopulos

Fraggle Rock v1 #1 – Review

Jim Henson’s Fraggle’s are back with a Archaia Press. Story is very family friendly and although there’s not music and singing the title captures the feel of the original T.V. show. The Dozers and Gorgs and the All-Knowing-Trash-Heap are all back in this fun adventure that teaches lessons while remaining carefree.

The story is broken up into three parts, the first focuses on Gobo and Red. Red grows tired of Gobo always talking about his uncle Traveling Matt, so she challenges Gobo’s own bravery. Red throws down the challenge of spending the night in the Gorg Garden. The Gorg’s are giants that can easily capture the Fraggles, giving the Fraggles extra reason to fear them. Gobo accepts Red’s challenge and the two make their way to the garden entrance. Red will sleep at the end of the cave while Gobo survives the night.

Superman: War of the Supermen 2 of 4

The 100 minute war continues as the now homeless Kryptonians move to invade Earth. Contrary to the events in Brightest Day, Earth has a Military Base on Mars with Soldiers waiting for the Kryptonians. The two armies begin engaging each other with murderous intents, leaving the question of where Superman and Supergirl are. The story continues the trend of silent pages filled with Space battles until it’s convenient to move the story to a location with sound. In this battle an upset Supergirl lashes out at Superman when she sees a surviving Kryptonian flag. It’s amazing that the flag survived a blast that destroyed a race of super people, but that seems to have escaped the writers.

After calming Supergirl down, with his fists, Superman figures out what’s bothering her. Supergirl feels responsible for the destruction of New Krypton and doesn’t know what to do next. Superman and her decide that the best thing to do is to stop both sides from killing each other before two planets are destroyed. They enter the battle and do what Superman does best, show restraint. Not only must they be careful with the Earthlings, they also must show a different amount of care when dealing with the Kryptonians.    

Kevin Smith’s Kato #1 – Review

Dynamite delivers another interesting Green Hornet story tie-in. This tale follows two families: The first is Kato’s family. He’s returned to Japan, married a young beautiful woman and has a beautiful but rebellious daughter named Mulan. The head of the Juuma family is Hirohito Juuma. Hirohito’s father was sent to prison in America by Kato and Green Hornet, where he eventually died.

Hirohito runs a successful video game company and several Yakuza business. He’s plagued by his siblings’ incompetence and cares only to restore his family’s honor. His father taught him as a child that you do not rest until your family’s honor is restored. If that means blowing up someone’s business then so be it. Hirohito practices day and night in a simulation created by his company. The simulation is a scenario in which Hirohito can fight Kato and Green Hornet. His problem is that they’re too easy to kill. This man lusts for their blood and is willing to destroy his companies in order to exact his revenge.

Green Hornet Strikes! #1 – Review

Dynamite Entertainment adds another tale of the Green Hornet. This time the tale takes place in the not-so-distant future. Unlike the other Green Hornet titles, the main character of this tale is unknown to the reader. We’re introduced to him breaking into a mob bosses building and taking down two chatty security guards. Breaking from the Green Hornet tradition, this obviously young Hornet wears a gas mask that covers his face. He still wears the traditional green garbs, but carries a gas canister on his back. Right away, he looks like a punked out version of the Hornet.

Archaia Press Preview: Beronas War

Cute and cuddly on the outside, but malevolent to the core, the Ele-Alta and Cropones will continue to battle even at the risk of extinction! After two races claim the same piece of land, words turn to rage, rage turns to battle and a battle turns to war. The island of Berona will claim countless lives and lay witness to the horrors that greed has to offer!

Frenemy of the State #1 – Review

What if Paris Hilton or Lindsay Lohan worked for the C.I.A.? That is basically what Frenemy of the State is about, but don’t be so quick to write it off. The idea is simple and brilliant. How Hollywood or some other entertainment faucet has come up with the idea just proves its brilliance.

Ariana Von Holmberg is the daughter of Actress Katherine Walsh and Count Stefan Von Holmberg. She’s American royalty and famous for being famous. She’s also incredibly smart and physically fit. She’s attending an unbirthday party for one of her friends or frenemy, with ulterior motives. She needs to break into the hosts safe and steel a flash drive for the C.I.A. Ariana didn’t always work for the government. Once she was just like the other celebs drinking, partying, not wearing underwear. Then her boyfriend cheated on her. The catch is that boyfriend’s dad is a Senator and she broke into his home to catch the cheater.