Comic Books for Colored Folks

Isaiah Bradley, the New American, and Shout outs to Rogue Squadron

2012-01-29T15:11:00.000-08:00

It was before the release of Star Wars Episode III, when I heard George Lucas reveal that he was going to put together a movie about the Tuskeegee Airmen. I remember being very excited about this movie much more so then watching Episode III. Whenever someone would negatively criticize Lucas, I made it a point to bring up the mythical production of a mainstream movie about the Tuskeegee Airmen. Being a historian, World War II has become one of my favorite eras to cover with the contributions by African American pilots and tank crews, Chinese partisans, and Russian female fighter pilots being my favorite parts. So when I saw the preview to "Red Tails," I have to admit that I had a large emotional investment in the project.

American pop culture in general has been very nostalgic when it comes to doing movies or stories about WWII. That war is considered "the just war." It is sacred ground. Anything about segregation, Japanese internment camps, and the dropping of bombs on civilians (Dresden stands out the most) is never to be discussed. The last movie that dealt with segregation in the US military during WWII was HBO's Tuskeegee Airmen in which Lucas took many cues from. With a smaller budget but stellar cast, HBO produced a wonderful piece. Lucas employed probably one of the best satirical writers in Hollywood today: Aaron McGruder and John Ridley. The most critical approach to WWII was put together in comic book form by Robert Morales and Kyle Baker entitled "Truth: Red, White, and Black." It's release in 2003 was controversial in geekdom since the story implied that the U.S. military experimented on African American soldiers with the untested super soldier serum that later made Steve Rogers Captain America. We learn that the original Captain America, Isaiah Bradley, was secretly fighting Nazi's while Rogers was doing parades and USO shows. Thankfully, Marvel Comics has kept Bradley's story as canon. What was interesting in the latest movie adaptation of Captain America is Derek Luke's role as Gabriel Jones one of the members of Howling Commandos. Luke's Gabriel Jones was the renaissance man speaking several languages, able to operate almost every vehicle, out punch any Nazi, and even give a shout out to Howard University.

It's important to note that McGruder on his popular Boondocks series on the Cartoon Network's Adult Swim, wrote a story about the elder Freeman as a Tuskeegee Airman entitled "Wing Man." It was probably one of the funniest episodes of that season. Ridley also penned a jingoistic period piece entitled "The American Way" for DC Comics about fake superheroes employed by the US government during the Civil Rights era to entertain the public. The black superhero of that story was called "The New American." His power was being impervious to almost anything but the catch was that he would still feel the pain of the particular onslaught be it bullets or flamethrower. We see that same approach to the characters in Red Tails. Most of them are hard, gritty pilots who can match barbs with the best of them but understand that their presence in the Army Air Corps stands by a thread.

Unlike HBO's story of the Fightin' 99th, Red Tails lacks substance. If anything Ne Yo is annoying. There is someone named Joker (Elijah Kelley) but all the comic relief attempts were done by Ne Yo. Cuba Gooding, Jr. was restrained in his role as Major Emanuelle Stance. Although, he had few lines, Gooding did well playing the old pilot dropping jewels on his young fighter pilots. While I love Nate Parker, he did not sell his role as squadron leader Marty "Easy" Julian. The stand out performance was by new comer David Ayewolo who played Easy's Wingman, Joe "Lightning" Little. Ayewolo carried the movie and one couldn't help but root for him. Like any black and white movie produced in the 1950s about WWII pilots, Parker played the by the book squadron leader who has conflicts with the maverick pilot. Unfortunately, we didn't see that chemistry played well between the two.

What I enjoyed the most about the movie is that it was about fighter pilots. Anyone who has worked around fighter pilots will tell you that they are a unique breed who want to see action. They disdain anything that grounds them. I know quite a few Colonels who are up for desk jobs who refuse to do this and want to remain fighter pilots until their heart stops. We see that conflict arise when Ray "Junior" Gannon (Tristan Wilds) is grounded by the flight surgeon. At one point Gannon laments that he would rather die than be grounded. This is how real fighter pilots think. Gannon, who insists on being addressed by his call name "Ray Gun," is referred to as Junior because of his green ears. As he is shot down and taken prisoner by the Germans, we see his fellow POWs rely on him. When he escapes and returns to his unit, they immediately call him "Ray Gun." There is even a Nazi villain. What's a fun movie about WWII without it's Nazi villain. The Tuskeegee Airmen even dub him "Pretty Boy." I must admit that I jumped up when he was blown out of the sky.

Overall, the movie could use some work. The acting leaves much to be desired. The pacing is slow. The real struggle of the Tuskeegee Airmen was pretty much written out. Lucas admitted that there was so much to cover and let's face it, the American audience disdains long history lessons. The movie is fun and the action is unparalleled. The dog fights are realistic and the costumes are spot on. I took my daughter to see this. Like my other children, she is familiar with the story of the Tuskeegee Airmen, Patton's Panthers, and Russian women fighter pilots. Like her father, my daughter is a huge Star Wars fan and I wanted to share this moment with her. She found the movie to be fun and entertaining. I think that was the entire point. So this writer salutes Lucas and I hope his gamble pays off.

Avengers Origins: Luke Cage

2012-01-24T04:11:00.000-08:00

Written by Adam Glass & Mike Benson

I enjoy when artists re-imagine a particular character. Even as a child, I had my issues with Luke Cage. Under Brian Michael Bendis's hand, however, Cage has been rehashed and remade. I enjoy it. They removed the stereotypical garb and he fights in regular civvies. He has been on the Avengers roster for awhile now. Honestly, he has become one of my favorite Marvel characters. This is a clear demonstration about how in comics it's about great writing instead of dope powers and a great costume.

When I saw the Avengers Origins series, I assumed it was another Marvel attempt to cash in on the Avenger's franchise. While Cage gets so much shine in several of the Avengers titles, I decided to pick it up. While Adam Glass doesn't change much about the story: Luke Cage was a street thug with a big heart and gets framed. While in jail, he takes part in an experiment that gives him his steel like skin and super human strength. He escapes jail and decides to use his muscle for good. What Glass changes are his motivations.

Cage confronts the childhood friend who betrays him and earns justice. I did cringe when I notice that he was wearing the black tights with the yellow disco shirt. I think that's where I have my issues. While I like Dalibor Talajic's pencils, there are pages where the work gets muddled. One some pages you can tell he took his time and on others, the pencils look rushed. While the artwork needed more work, the writing is on point.

If you are wondering, it is something that you should pick up. While Luke Cage doesn't have his own comic, he continues to be a major character in the Marvel Universe. It's good to learn something more about his past.

2011: How it all went down...

2012-01-01T19:34:00.000-08:00

One would think that all of the great stuff going down in 2011, we would have all the posts and exclusives. Time flies when you are having fun, so we dropped the ball about 1,000 times on this blog. We felt it was only fitting that we give at least one more post for 2011 even though it is 2012 as we post this. Again, forgive us our transgressions...

One graphic novel that stood out to us was of course, a non hero graphic novel. "99 Days" which was written by Matteo Casali and illustrated by Kristian Donaldson. It's on the Vertigo imprint which has released a gang of graphic novels and comic series dealing with crime and investigation. Some of it is great but much of it is not even worth the five finger discount. Vertigo still puts out quality stuff for being on the DC side so there other titles to check out. I will say that "99 Days" does a wonderful job of intertwining genocide with police brutality and gang violence as well as poverty and political strife without being too preachy or cliche. The artwork fits both locales in Rwanda and Los Angeles and it works seamlessly. Casali pulls off several twists. This better win an Eisner Award.

Vertigo did publish the last DMZ (Issue Number 72) this month. Let me say I love Brian Wood's writing. Ricardo Burchielli's art really kept up the storyline throughout its 72 issue run. The covers are probably the best in the biz. Vertigo knocked it out of the park with this. It won a gang of awards. I know some professors who use it in their political science and journalism class. I knew eventually, the series would end because of it's setting: Civil war torn New York City. I didn't like the last issue too tough. I mean Wood did a great job tying so many loose ends before the series ended. The last issue did bring back many of the characters we know and love. I just felt that it was outside of the story. I know it takes place 15 years after the previous issues when the war is way over, but still. It felt too distant. I wanted more. So yes, I am saying you can avoid this issue.

I will admit that the Captain America movie did not disappoint. It was everything I expected it to be. It's a wonderful piece of American propaganda when our soldiers fought the just fight and were heroic enough to be bulletproof. I love Captain America, I just don't dig this sanitized version of WWII. I think the movie played right into that. It even removed anything Nazi from history. That bothered me too much. I do think that Chris Evans redeemed himself in this role. He did horrible in Fantastic Four even though I felt much of the blame should be placed on the writers and didn't do too well in Push (even though he did his thing in "Sunshine," but again, the writer and director get full credit for that one). I give Marvel points for putting Gabriel Jones (played by Derek Luke) and giving a shout out to Howard University. What saved the movie was the last 5 minutes when Rogers is awakened in the 21st century by SHIELD.

The real winners of 2011 had to be DC with their 52 line. No one saw that coming and everyone thought it would be a flop. They hit us with four titles featuring non white characters: Mr. Terrific, Static Shock, Bat Wing, and Blue Beetle. While many might argue that some of these super heroes lean on other white heroes to work, who else is putting out non white superheroes with this much distribution. Marvel isn't anymore. Is this progress? I don't know but its a step in the right direction. It was a big risk especially in this economy for DC to do something like that so I have to give them cool points for that. I have heard many white cats call it a publicity stunt and that's a shame that some folks feel that way. We all know that paper is going the way of the do do and digital is where it's at. So DC get's love for taking that risk.

And yes for 2012, we plan on highlighting independent comic books by non white writers and illustrators so stay tuned for that.

The biggest story of 2011 was Ultimate Spider Man as Miles Morales. Even Fox News came out to blame Michelle Obama on that one. As usual Brian Michael Bendis did not disappoint. If you haven't checked it out already please do. Your best bet is to get the digital comic or wait for the Trade Paper Back. Yes, it's that crucial. I have to say that Marvel took a big risk on this one and it came through for them. The story is just so dope. So much to go over. It's not Peter Parker in black face. Bendis brings all the nuances of being a black child in NYC in the 21st century. Morales is about my sons. Morales is about me growing up in NYC trying to figure it out.

With all this and more, 2012 will be an interesting year in comics.

Thanks to all that follow us and pass our blogs around. We appreciate it. Yes! if you are wondering, more posts in 2012.

Mid Ohio Comic Con

2011-10-22T15:48:00.000-07:00

The babies and I jumped in the whip and headed out to Columbus, Ohio. Big up to Fearless Readers for the love and my folks from Vantage Inhouse Productions. We had a blast, enjoy the pics!

The Babies with a Red and Green Lantern.

we found a really dope Cad Bane

Someone came as Truth! I was geeked. He had a Double V shield.

This set was so dope with the Storm Trooper.

Here is the first cosplay we saw at the comic con! he was the Miles Morales Spiderman.

Only true heads need apply!

Static Shock

2011-10-20T05:05:00.001-07:00

Written by Scott McDaniel & John Rozum
Pencilled by Jonathan Glapion and Le Beau Underwood

To be honest, I didn't think Static Shock would make the cut for DC's 52 line. It actually came out the first week and somehow I missed it. I don't think it sold well since I still see copies at the comic shops I frequent. I have to give DC props for this. They have several heroes of color in their line up. With Static Shock, they have injected two Milestone characters into the mix: Hardware and Static Shock.
I think that's real slick right there. I enjoyed Hardware during the Milestone days. I didn't see that coming as well.

Virgil Hawkins and his family move to NYC. While there, Hawkins works at S.T.A.R. Labs under the tutelage of Hardware. He is given access to new costumes, technology, and surveillance equipment to continue his fight against crime.

While the artwork is great, I found the story to be muddled. The reader is introduced to too many characters. In the first issue to much is just crammed in. While it is not poorly written, I find that more could have been done with less.

I look forward to seeing more Static Shock and seeing what DC does with it. I hope we see crossovers with other DC superheroes. Other than that, it's the usual Static Shock that his fans are used to. If that's what you want, then I think you should pick up this issue.

Blue Beetle #1

2011-10-02T20:51:00.000-07:00

written by Tony Bedard
Pencils by Ig Guara

I never really knew anything about the Blue Beetle until I watched the "Batman: The Brave and Bold" series on Cartoon Network. Jaime Reyes is the teenager who inadvertently discovers the scarab costume/weapon and stumbles his way into the superhero community. I decided it would be a great idea to pick up the revamp.

The readers are introduced to the Reach, an intergalactic parasitic race that conquers worlds through the scarab proxies. One of the scarabs that is heading towards Earth is attacked by a Green Lantern but finds it's way to earth anyway where it crash lands somewhere in Mexico. Several hundred years later it is picked up by one criminal organization and intercepted by another organization headed by La Dama Amparo Cardenas. In this conflict between several super villains, Reyes encounters a scarab and becomes the Blue Beetle.

I think it was a great idea to introduce all of the villains in the 1st issue before Reyes becomes a hero. Bedard looks ready to set up the next set of issues this way. I know that DC will probably run into problems with the revamping of 52 titles when it comes to a smooth progression of a story but Bedard doesn't seem to have that problem here.

Guara's pencils are pretty good. Like most DC artists who draw and color the titles that don't sell as much, I am wholly unfamiliar with their work. I enjoyed Guara's facial expressions. Not too many comic book artists focus on facial expressions. This doesn't make Guara better than anyone but it sets him apart.

While what Bedard does isn't groundbreaking, I look forward to reading the next few issues of Blue Beetle. It would be good to see how Reyes deals with the scarab and the mess he has gotten himself into.

Ultimate Comics All New Spider Man #1

2011-09-14T21:11:00.000-07:00

written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Sara Pichelli
Colors by Justin Ponsor

A great number of us held our breaths for this one. We saw the comments and the talking heads. There was a large amount of backlash and bigoted comments thrown around. Just last week, I went to a comic convention where someone said that Glenn Beck's statements were not that bad. It was crazy. To be honest, I don't think Marvel Comics or Brian Michael Bendis intended to have this backlash. I also don't think it was a marketing scheme. I think Bendis thought it was a good idea. I give him props for sticking his neck out.

To be honest, I didn't know what to expect. In Ultimate Fallout #4, we are introduced to Miles Morales but it was just a glimpse. Like many of my peers, I wanted more. In Issue #1, we are introduced to the Morales clan. Miles is raised by his mother and father. Despite his father's warnings, Miles hangs out with his Uncle Aaron who is some sort of high tech cat burglar.

Bendis rips a scene out of the documentary "The Lottery." It's a story about a lottery for a charter school in Harlem that was released before "Waiting for Superman." We see the tension between Miles' parents in that one scene. I love the fact that it takes place in Brooklyn.

I am not familiar with Sara Pichelli's work but I am impressed. Pichelli captures Norman Osborn's instability beautifully. The reader will be able to witness Dr. Markus' fear when Osborn threatens him. She captures the emotions of the parents and children during the charter school lottery. Pichelli gets the clothes right as well. It looks hip without being too campy. I hope Marvel keeps Pichelli on board for at least 20 issues.

While there isn't much action, I think it's a great introduction to the world of Miles Morales. If I know Bendis, his build up is just as good as his action. Bendis knows how to write about relationships and the day to day grind without sounding corny. I think everyone should give this book a try. And yes, the babies will enjoy this as well especially when they see the powers Miles manifests. Bendis, is this a shout out to Ralph Ellison?

Batwing #1

2011-09-13T19:06:00.000-07:00

Written by Judd Winick
Pencils by Ben Oliver
Colors by Brian Reber

Omi's Note: I don't recommend this comic for children under a particular age. There is a hefty amount of gore and blood. Parents you know your children better than we do. We felt that you should know this before purchasing this book.

Outside of it's Vertigo imprint, I am not really a fan of DC. I am a Marvel and Image guy. To be honest, the last good thing DC put out was the 52 story line. If you have been living under a rock, you know that DC is relaunching several of it's flagship titles as well as reintroducing some lesser known characters in their own titles during the month of September. Some titles such as Animal Man are hits while others like the Justice League are flops. With 52 new titles being introduced in September, DC can't go wrong. Animal Man #1 is already going into reprint as we speak. Another runaway hit is Batwing.

David Zavimbe or Batwing, was created by Grant Morrison sometime in 2010. Bruce Wayne upon returning from his time/interdimensional "death," decides to take Batman into a world wide crime fighting franchise. Zavimbe is Wayne's African incarnation as Batman. The premise sounds shaky. While there might be a little hit and miss with some of Batman incarnations.

The first issue works. While it is difficult to pull off an introduction behind a story arc, Judd Winick does it well. I dug the fact that he reintroduced several African superheroes that will make up part of this story arc. While Zavimbe is an understudy to Bruce Wayne its not a sidekick thing. Zavimbe has skills of his own and is also a police officer. Zavimbe also understands that he has to work both sides to help end the corruption found in the Tinasha, Congo government.

The artwork between Ben Oliver and Brian Reber is sleek and futuristic. You can feel the emotion and the fear between the characters. The paneling allows the story to flow easily. The splash pages are to die for. I really hope that DC keeps these two together for at least 7 to 8 issues. I hear rumors that some of the artists will be changing in the 3rd or 4th issue. Bottom line, Batwing looks like it's the hit that everyone is claiming.

The Alchemist

2011-08-21T17:26:00.000-07:00

by Paolo Bacigalupi

Novellas are like jello shots. Some are great and some aren't. Most people say you get what you pay for and it makes sense but it doesn't always have to be true. I enjoy novellas because they leave you wanting more. It can prove how good a writer is by what he or she leaves out. It also forces to writer to flesh out a story without having to do a novel but giving the reader enough to get the story. For a novella based in a fantasy world, it is difficult for the writer to do this with ease unless it's a world the readers are familiar with.

Paolo Bacigalupi does a wonderful job in his novella "The Alchemist." In the city of Khaim, all sorcery is forbidden and punishable by death. At one time, magicians were a dime of dozen until the scourge of the bramble, a dangerous plant like weed that continues to spread into the cities with each use of magic. The only way to slow down it's growth is to prevent magic from being used.

Jeoz, our protagonist, is an alchemist. Jeoz invents a machine through alchemy that destroys large swaths of bramble in an instant. His invention borders on sorcery since he uses a particular ingredient used by magicians. When Jeoz approaches the mayor of Khaim and his chief sorcerer, Jeoz is caught up in Mayor's scheme for power. Jeoz is imprisoned along with his daughter whose sickness can only be hampered by sorcery.

The story is more about the love between a father (Jeoz) and his daughter (Jiala). It's a timeless tale that resonates even in the terrific fantasy world Bacigapuli introduces us to. Bacigalupi sets up the reader with enough of a back story to flesh out the universe of Khaim but not drowning out the story in details. It's no lie that Bacigalupi has several awards under his belt as a new comer. I am sold on Bacigalupi and plan on checking out his other work. "The Alchemist" left enough to leave this reader wanting more.

Ultimate Spider Man: Miles Morales

2011-08-03T19:51:00.000-07:00

The news hit the interwebs hard on 08/02/2011. I got the word straight from Brian Michael Bendis himself on twitter that morning. A picture was released later in the afternoon. I have to give it up to Marvel Comics for using the interwebs to build up hype for it. I called my usual comic book haunt and requested 2 but was advised that I could only get one when I arrived.

Why is it important?

In Tony Browder's "Nile Valley Contributions to Civilization," there is a picture of a little black boy looking into the bathroom mirror. He is wearing a towel with a cap. In the reflection is a broad shouldered white man as a superhero. That picture says it all when it comes to people of color and comic books in America. We have a love/hate relationship with comic books. It reminds me of the same relationship women of color have with hip hop culture. There are so many things to love about comic books: the stories, the artwork, the team ups, the characters, etc. However, most of it not all of the stories aren't about us. If we are shown, it is in a demeaning manner.

It is important to note, and this is something that many historians, culture critics, artists, and sociologists have pointed out, that comic books are America's mythology. Unlike places in Europe, Africa, or Asia, we don't have legends that are part of our cultural landscape. Christianity insured that we were not isolators in the literal sense. Sure we have stories of Paul Bunyan but they are not valiant stories of fighting monsters. The settlers all but destroyed much of the Native culture and to be honest, none of their mythology is taught in schools. African Americans have John De High Conqueror but his story has been watered down or quickly eroded from the landscape as well.

If you listen to any politician, artists, or person of influence, he or she makes several references to comic book heroes whether he or she talks about Spider Man, Superman, Batman (remember Morgan Freeman in "Lean on Me?"), or many others. Even J. Edgar Hoover and his FBI published comic strip and a comic book series called "G Men," to help propagandize the FBI's influence. Even people of influence understood that importance. Heck, librarians have been telling us for decades that comic books are literature.

Many of us grew to enjoy reading through comic books. While to many, comic books may seem juvenile but many of us were able to get into philosophy, literature, and science because so much of it was used in comic books. For us to understand those concepts, we had to learn a least a little bit of those things.

So wouldn't it be important for the people who read and spend good money on those comics see people who look like them in those pages? Shouldn't a nation's mythology be made of up of people who make up said nation? Ask any psychologist about the damage people of color have when worshiping a white Jesus. Deep, right?

Did I like the intro to Miles Morales?

To be honest, the only thing I expected was a full length story. I forgot that issue 4 of the Ultimate Fallout was really about how people reacted to Peter Parker's death. The reader will get about 9 pages of the new Ultimate Spider Man in action. On the last panel, he takes off his mask. It could have been better but to be honest, I don't know how Bendis could have introduced Miles Morales to us without a back story.

Cuba My Revolution

2011-07-24T18:42:00.000-07:00

written by Inverna Lockpez
penciled by Dean Haspiel

I really appreciate the fact that more writers and artists are turning to the graphic novel genre to tell their story. It's just another great medium to express one' self. While novels can paint pictures in the reader's mind, a graphic novel allows the reader another window into a writer's world. I have read graphic novels of certain classics and enjoy watching an artists rendition of the characters and scenes.

I expected “Cuba, My Revolution” to be a pro Fidel graphic novel. I am used to pro Fidel tracts especially when it comes to the comic book/arts community. I was wrong. I love when that happens. Getting thrown for a loop makes the ride much more interesting. It also teaches me a lesson: not everyone is in love with Fidel Castro.

Inverna Lockpez' story is compelling. The protagonist is 17 years old and like many Cubans in 1959, she is behind Fidel Castro. Once Castro drives thru Havana, Lockpez signs up for the militia as a nurse. Like most of her peers, she is caught up in the revolution despite seeing questionable acts being committed by the close followers of Castro.

During the Bay of Pigs fiasco, Lockpez is sent to the front lines and encounters a long lost love who is part of the invasion. Her final exchange with this gentleman is witnessed by comrades. Lockpez is accused of colluding with the enemy and is sent to prison where she is tortured. Although she is tortured severely and only freed through bribes, Lockpez maintains her allegiance to the new regime.
As many of her friends begin to leave the island for Florida, Lockpez continues to dedicate her life to the revolution. She keeps her torture and imprisonment a secret and deludes herself into thinking that everything will eventually work out.

Dean Haspiel's pencils and inks along with Jose Villarrubia's colors seem to match the period of the early 1960's Cuba. Villarrubia splashes red on certain figures and articles throughout the story giving it a more “red” revolutionary feel. The panels are nicely done as they fade into one another depending on the mood of each scene. It works well especially with a non super hero graphic novel.

This is a great graphic novel to use in middle schools. Its definitely a historical piece when discussing cold war and the Bay of Pigs fiasco. The discussion of Santeria is also an interesting point of how religion can be used to legitimize certain forms of oppression. While the torture and the battle scenes might be too graphic, it is something that should be discussed especially with two wars going on.

Why I dig Vertigo's DMZ

2011-07-22T15:58:00.000-07:00

As any of my children will tell you, I am not a big fan of DC comics. With that being said, I am a huge fan of their Vertigo imprint. Vertigo has bought us such phenomenal stories such as Y: The Last Man, Preacher, and Scalped. One of my favorite comic books out now is Brian Wood's DMZ.

The story centers around freelance journalist Matty Roth who sneaks into a besieged Manhattan during the second Civil War. Manhattan has become a demilitarized zone of sorts. The Army of the Free States are camped out in New Jersey while the federal government is setting up shop in Staten Island and Brooklyn. Roth encounters the diverse community of New York City.

What I love the most about Wood is that he uses many urban myths about NYC and makes stories out of them. There are stories of graf artists, local politicians, clubs, and restaurants that Wood fleshes out into stories of war, redemption, and oppression. Wood also uses stories from headlines but instead of depending on sensationalism, he focuses on the stories of the people most affected by the war.

DMZ is much different than your average dystopian story. NYC is not completely wiped off the map. It's not like Escape from New York. Wood's NYC is still a vibrant community despite the siege. People still have hip hop shows, art galleries, restaurants, and frequent landmarks. Like people in any war zone whether it's Baghdad or Mogadishu, continue to strive. There are no gun toting, ex mercs turned heroes who can kill you with a toothpick within these pages. It's real people. Sometimes Roth wins the day and sometimes he loses. When he loses, he loses big.

I enjoy DMZ because it demonstrates how quickly one group on one side of society “other's” another group. While on one hand, the media portrays citizens of NYC in DMZ as monsters who don't care (sounds real familiar when we discuss Iraq and Afghanistan) Roth goes out of his way to introduce the reader to the average head. Wood's NYC is rich but not in a “noble savage” kind of way.

Take Parco Delgado, a former gang warlord turned politician. He runs on a populist platform and refuses to bow down to the feds, corporations, or the Free States of America (FSA) – and yes that sounds familiar. Roth takes a liking to him and signs on to his campaign knowing that doing so would violate his journalistic integrity. Roth encounters people who see Delgado as the future. They see him as a hero. Roth has no choice but to get caught up in this. The reader does as well. You can't help but feel for the people of NYC and yes, you sign on as well. Yet Delgado convinces Roth to help procure a nuclear bomb. Strategically it makes sense. Conventionally, Delgado can't win against the FSA, the feds, or the corporations so the nuke gives him leverage. Roth, not the most politically savvy of them all, realizes that he has made a huge mistake. The reader feels duped.

That's what I love about DMZ. You can't help but get caught up in the madness with Roth. I know eventually the series will end. It makes sense to do that. I am sure Wood has more up his sleeve before he ends it. Can it become a cable series? I think so. It is devoid of action in the comic book but the political intrigue is killer. HBO can do so much with it. Who knows, they might pick it up.

God's War

2011-05-23T05:32:00.000-07:00

Written by Kameron Hurley
review by Dan Tres OMi

When I first stumbled upon Kameron Hurley's “God's War,” I ignored it several times. I automatically assumed it was just another version of Christian fantasy/fiction that seems to sneak up on me with sleek covers. After seeing it more than once, I read the synopsis and dug it immediately. Hurley's takes the reader on a ride he or she never wants to get off of.

Hurley takes us to the world of Umayma which is inhabited by several warring factions of the “People of the Book.” Currently, Umayma finds Nasheen and Chenja caught in a 300 year old conflict. The war has bled so many males that Nasheen is run by women. Any boy who is eligible to fight and refuses or deserts, are hunted down by the bel dames. Nyxnissa or Nyx is one of those bel dames. Nyx, like many of her peers, chooses to live freely breaking every rule possible. Eventually, she loses her position as a bel dame and becomes a lowly bounty hunter.

Somehow Nyx makes it with a rag tag group of misfits. Her most notable partner is Rhys, a Chenja who escaped the draft by crossing the border into Nasheen and becoming a magician or someone who is able to manipulate insects to do one's bidding from killing to healing to communications. Nyx and her crew are about to hit rock bottom until they get a job that would set them up for life. The job comes directly from the Queen of Nasheen herself. Nyx knows immediately that she is bitten off more than she can chew but who cares, Nyx has been in worst places before.

I immediately fell in love with Nyx. Even with her back against the wall, she pushes on. Some might say she's dark but just doesn't care as long as she has some whiskey and a semi decent plan. Usually, Nyx comes out on top. And if she doesn't, what else can be done to her? It's that recklessness that makes Nyx a very attractive protagonist.

This is how Hurley approaches her universe. As the story progresses, the reader learns more about the conflict between Nasheen and Chenja as well as the origin of the planet. It is quite hopeless and the reader will wonder how people can do this sort of thing. Unfortunately, this is how things look in Somalia or Afghanistan. Yet people there push on. One can help but to admire stories such as this and respect these folks for their resilience.

Hurley does a great job at character development. Even the minor characters are given life. The story is rich and full of subplots. You really can't tell who is on Nyx's side until the very end. Deals upon deals are made. Early, the political intrigue is vague but Hurley pulls it off in the end. I enjoyed how Hurley introduces the technology on Umayma. While it is set in the future, Hurley is able to describe a planet that is pretty much a backwater. Nyx and her crew pretty much wing it when it comes to technology. Although Rhys is vital to her crew, he is a half way decent magician who is extremely unreliable. The fighting is realistic. There is not one person fighting off 100 people in any of the scenes.

If you are looking for a new writer who is pushing the envelope, Hurley is just that person. If you are looking for a sci fi book that kicks butt, then “God's War” is what you are looking for. Unfortunately for me, the book ended, so I had to get off the ride but I eagerly await the next installment.

Green Lantern Promo Party Part II: Don't be Tardy for the Party

2011-05-08T18:24:00.000-07:00

First, I have to thank Mocha Dad for hooking me up. Without him, this shindig would not have been possible. Also, my wife gets mad love for hooking up the Green Lantern jello. It was choice! Finally, I have to thank Capoeira Dayton for coming out in full force to support a brother.

It was a blast. Everyone chipped in to help clean up. The children loved it. Although some lost their rings (which I found and shall return to the rightful owners), no one went home with empty hands. Below are the pics. Enjoy.

My wife and I racked our brains trying to figure out how to put the Green Lantern symbol in the jello. Well this is what we came up with:

Here, I was making the masks by hand. I probably saved about $15.00 doing it this way. It took me about an hour and a half to cut them out and put the transparent string on them.

We decided to have a ring ceremony where we commission new Green Lantern recruits. The children dug it. There was alot of grumbling since we have out titles to particular children (head trainer, sector officer in charge, internal investigator, etc.). Only one parent came late so it worked out.

Despite the fact that I was clear about how to light up the rings, some of them still didn't get it. Thankfully, some of the children were paying attention.

How come my boys are the only ones to put their masks on? the rest didn't even feel like putting them on? Oh well, here are the Green Lanterns of sector 2814...!

The youngest Lantern ever! (and the last one to leave!)

Green Lantern Promo Party Part I: The Drama

2011-05-03T14:29:00.000-07:00

So my blog brother from another mother hooked this blog brother up with a connect for some Green Lantern swag. I decided to have the party on May 7th in the late afternoon. I didn't want to throw our usual children's bash where we have enough children to fill a studio audience for Oprah. So we had to narrow things down. I chose some of the children of some of my students and I sat down with the babies and asked them to pick a few friends to invite. Then we narrowed that pool down. After much deliberation, we made a few more cuts. I got this cool Green Lantern invites and made sure I put on there to RSVP and not to bring any presents. I am sure some parents were like, “the Omi's got another baby?” No, we are not trying get extra presents. As a matter of fact, we are giving some away. Presents, that is.

My children were hella excited. I can't blame them. I am an adult and I still love going to parties. I am sure this one was special since they didn't have to wait around for their birthdays. Plus, they get free stuff. They wanted to pass out the invitations. At first, I didn't want them to do this. I thought it was a bad idea. I felt that if I went to each child on my own or encountered their parents, I could emphasize the need to RSVP (and yes many of you all refuse to do that in the 21st century when just an email will suffice). I preferred to give it to their parents because sometimes children lose things.

Of course, two of the children lost their invitations. My middle son actually hand wrote another invitation which I am sure looked suspect to the parents when they received it. Another child failed to give it to his mother. Only five days away from the party and I only received two RSVPs and one cancellation. This part is actually understandable. Some folks were just not raised to RSVP. Only a handful of us were taught to RSVP even if the invitation doesn't ask you to. Yet I digress...

The problem came when other children didn't get an invitation from my children. My middle son, who we call the accountant, has no qualms telling someone off. He is very sophisticated and can calmly tell someone to step off. He told several of his classmates that their behavior is abysmal and should not expect anyone to invite them to their party. He also pointed out that its a party organized by his dear old dad so the issue needed to be taken up with me. My daughter on the other hand is not as sharp. So the girls in her class gave her a hard time.

The next problem came when some of the students began to solicit me and the wife. Of course, I am quick to say “hey look, it's a numbers game and you didn't make the cut, get over it, homie!” The wife wants to come home and bring it up in the middle of the night when the brother is trying to get some sleep.

“You should have seen his eyes,” she pleaded, “you should invite him. You know he needs his daddy time.”

I rolled over in my bed.

“You're not being fair, you are throwing this party for the children...” she went on.

At school, a gang of children asked me why I didn't give them an invitation. A few promised to get all A's if I would only give them an invite. I gave them all negative responses. There was no negotiating this one as I have done on so many occasions. My children continue to tell me about fellow students who pleaded their cases.

Unfortunately, I am not budging....

Cold Space Issue One

2011-04-26T04:15:00.000-07:00

Written by Samuel L. Jackson & Eric Calderon
Art by Jeremy Rock

Yes, the writing credits reads Samuel L. Jackson. The Sam Jack of the silver screen Nick Fury fame. When I first came across the comic I thought to myself “Wow, homie looks like Sam Jack.” Then I noticed his name on the cover. I asked around and none of the comic book dealers I interact with knew anything about it. I learned that my comic book heads didn't know about it either. How did I miss it?

Usually, if something is good, you will know about it especially in the age of the internet. While Cold Space doesn't exactly stand out amongst the several indie prints out now, it's not that bad. I expected Mulberry, the protagonist, to come out blasting and calling people all kinds of mother grubbers. I expected humor as we seen in Pulp Fiction. Instead, we get a brooding gun runner who can really negotiate his way out of trouble. And that's a good thing.

The story takes place in the 4th millennium and Mulberry is down and out on his luck. He quickly changes his fortune by crash landing on a planet and convincing the local thugs to crack a deal with him. What I like about the story so far is that the reader knows very little about Mulberry. Samuel Jackson and Eric Calderon allow the other characters to move the story along. Jeremy Rock's work is pretty good. I am totally unfamiliar with his work. Rock has done work for several independent publishers such as Boom! Studios and Avatar. I hope to see him more often.

I think purchasing this limited series is a good idea. I can't wait to cop the rest of the series. Again, it's not groundbreaking at all but sometimes I still want to see folks kick ass and take names.

Audience Responsibility...

2011-04-24T18:16:00.001-07:00

Before I go into this week's rant, I ran across a tweet on my time line from Pierre Bennu, a writer/producer/filmmaker I first peeped through Mark Anthony Neal's Left of Black. On Bennu's site, Exit the Apple, he retweeted a piece he wrote on audience responsibility (I don't know how I missed it). In the piece he bigs up one of my fav movies of all time (I am a Capoeirista so I am biased) and asks some questions that we all need to really ponder. I am sure that most of you all are sick of the beef between Tyler Perry, his critics, and Spike Lee, but check what Bennu has to say. I think its important and very central to the discussion we have about race and popular culture.

Enjoy and SUPPORT:

No Better Blues: on audience responsibility & the quest for better film

Have you ever been eating with somebody & then they taste something disgusting and immediately offer it to you to share in the experience? “YUK! Here, taste this!” I have never understood that exchange.

I also have never understood why so many folks claim to despise negative stereotypical images fed to us, but continue to support them.

I believe Melvin Van Peebles was the one that once said Hollywood has an Achilles wallet: if it makes money no matter what it is they will make it. So it could be said that Hollywood and televison are artistically/politically/morally neutral – they couldn’t care less if it’s a movie about Madea or Mumia as long as it makes money. Examples range from corporate support and wide distribution of Michael Moore’s antiestablishment documentaries, to the Kwanzaa cups at McDonald’s. It could be further said that the responsibility lies with the audience then, to make quality decisions that in turn effect the quality and content of the material. But it seems to me that every time there is an award show on BET or a racist misogynistic reality show or a poorly written melodramatic farce celebrating contemporary coonery, folks FLOCK to it in unprecedented numbers.

Some claim intellectual curiousity, some say they can’t comment unless they see it, some just love it as a guilty pleasure – all of which are fine. My issue comes with the fact that if you put money into supporting these projects then they will continue to make them – even bigger and more frequently. My greater issue comes with the fact that we collectively as audience members don’t find and support the alternatives with the same amount of enthusiasm. We don’t search out and support and vote with our dollars for the films, shows, movies and art that enhance and cleberate our mythology. (read more here.)

Power Man and Iron Fist Issue 2

2011-04-21T04:18:00.000-07:00

Written by Fred Van Lente
Penciled by Wellington Alves (pgs. 1-9, 21-22)
& Pere Perez (pgs. 10-20)

The saga continues as Victor Alvarez and Danny Rand are inching closer to finding those behind the murder of Crimebuster. Alvarez as the new Power Man is still finding himself as a student while the Iron Fist is still questioning why he took on a student. Ironically, Iron Fist notes that Alvarez was no where near as bad as the original Power Man, Luke Cage, when they began Heroes for Hire.

What I like best about the story is that Alvarez has to keep his secret identity from his family. They have to lie to people and explain that the reason why Alvarez is able to pay for a nice apartment for his family and attend a nice private school is because of a grant from the Rand Foundation. However, Alvarez is earning his keep by being Power Man. Many people question his politics even though he is actually working for a living.

When I read how the artwork was being done, I was a bit disappointed. However, it worked since Pere Perez' work reminds me of an early Alan Davis. I am glad this is a five issue limited series and hope that it becomes a regular series.

Meeting Dawud Anyabwile: Brother Man

2011-04-11T12:25:00.000-07:00

My man Zumbi, the owner of the black owned book store Stiltwalkers in Philadelphia, hipped me to Brother Man comics. Zumbi had all of the latest issues in his shop. I loved the art, the story, the covers, and the dialogue. It was hip and it spoke to me on so many levels. It's flavor was Philly. You could see it in the small details on each panel.

I was in the Navy during that time. I actually stopped reading comic books but was still reading Brother Man comics. I was also building up my library of books. Personally, I don't think I would have later returned to comics if it wasn't for Dawud Anyabwile. He demonstrated that you can write stories outside of the formulas the majors were doing. During that time in the early to mid nineties, Image was a burgeoning line but I found it to produce the same stories found in Marvel and DC with the exception of Spawn and the Savage Dragon.

Sometime around 2000 or 2001, I ran into Anyabwile through my brother from another mother Keidi Obi Awadu, the Conscious Rasta. I didn't know who he was until he flashed back issues of Brother Man and then gave it to me. I felt like a kid in the biggest candy store in the world: I always talked about what I would do when I got there but when it came to it, I was shooked. My comics were stolen by a “fellow” shipmate who borrowed my books then took flight and never returned like many of the books I loaned to my shipmates. I never had the opportunity to buy them again because after we left Philadelphia in 1995, Zumbi had closed his store down. This was before the internet became more accessible so I had no way of getting those issues back.

I was open when Anyabwile did that. We lost contact but reconnected several years later through his blog. It was great to learn that he was a capoeirista as well. I ran across this video the other day, and I thought I would share it with you.

Please support folks like Anyabwile. These are the sisters and brothers who are really pushing the envelope and inspiring the next generation of fans and artists. Not to mention the fact that we owe to our babies to do this.

American Panther

2011-04-10T17:42:00.000-07:00

We are not behind the ball on this one folks. I just wanted this story arc to marinate before we start discussing it on our blog. I am an older cat and like to sit down and think about something before speaking. I am not the only one who cringed at the pictures.

My initial impulse was to denounce it. I do take an issue with how Marvel is handling the former Wakandan monarch. Bringing him back to the United States to fill in for someone else is rehashing an old story of when T'Challa was a teacher in Harlem. I loved the Doomwar limited series but I abhor the Man Without Fear story arc.

I originally assumed that Marvel was doing this to help promote the Captain America movie. I know this idea is farfetched but I noticed that when the X Men movies were being released, Marvel stormed their lines with mutant oriented stories. When Wolverine was slated to be released, fans were bombarded with like 100 Wolverine titles and included Wolverine in every story line and had him as a member of every super powered team.

I was listening to the Afronerd's the Comic Shoppe the other day and listened as Captain Kirk, one of the co-hosts made a good point. Remember that this American Panther incarnation of T'Challa is a result of the Fear Itself crossover. Captain Kirk points out that T'Challa's biggest fear is losing his identity as a citizen and monarch of Wakanda as he continues his open relationship with Western nations. This statement really made me rethink the American Panther motif.

We shall see for now. What do you think?

The All New, All Different Power Man and Iron Fist #1

2011-03-27T19:01:00.000-07:00

Most of us met Victor Alvarez, the new Power Man, during the Shadowland cross over when Daredevil became the head of the Hand and used this ancient organization to rid NYC of crime in the aftermath of Norman Osborn's Dark Reign. He is Iron Fist's newest student/ward. In the tradition of the original Power Man, Iron Fist continues the Heroes for Hire venture and Alvarez becomes the newest partner.

It's the usual story, level headed and disciplined teacher and the hot headed, inexperienced young student. Add the fact that the student is black and the teacher is lily white and the fact that Alvarez is literally invincible and you can have a limited series that is as unpredictable as can be.

I can't get enough of Wellington Alves' pencils. He makes the bad guys look scary. He doesn't overdo the superheroe's physiques either. His covers are usually choice (check the ones he did for Shadowland). The first issue is just to early to see where the story is heading but I am sure it is going to be big. Fred Van Lente is using the backdrop of several minor villains and superheroes. He is even bringing back some old characters from the original Power Man and Iron Fist.

I really can't wait to read the rest of the series. I do hope that it either morphs into a regular series or we see them play more of a role in the New Avengers. And yes, I am digging Iron Fist's new white costume.

More Dwayne McDuffie dopeness

2011-03-10T20:00:00.000-08:00

Here are some things I stumble upon:

1. the first is a panel discussion featuring Dwayne Mcduffie, Method Man, Rusty Cundieff, Reginald Hudlin and a few other heads. I found this on the Comics Journal website. It was held at the 2008 San Diego Comic Con. Here it is...

2. I found this one on the Comic Book Road Show website. This is a summary of the tribute given to Duffie at the Golden Apple comics. Enjoy it here...

Dwayne McDuffie, the Giant

2011-03-05T22:08:00.000-08:00

What more can be said about the man? His work speaks for itself. His work also speaks volumes. I am sure that there are many of us who have come across something he wrote and never knew. Take for example, one of the Deathlok series from Marvel Comics in the early Nineties. I thoroughly enjoyed that series right before I gave up on comics. I didn't realize it was Dwayne McDuffie until right after his passing. When I explained to people who he was, their eyes go wide.

To be honest, I read so many of his stories without really knowing who he was. My first real encounter with McDuffie as a geek was when he released his Milestone imprint under DC comics. It was a universe filled with African American super heroes. It was a Pan Africanist dream. I enjoyed the stories. Icon and Hardware were my favorite.

Yet everyone remembers Static which later became Static Shock, a cartoon many Generation Y'ers grew up on. Static Shock was probably one of the few cartoons that came out that I enjoyed. My oldest son who is now 16 years old, loved that show and we watched it together sometimes. Back then, I was going through my “nothing is as good as what I grew up on” snobby phase.

Fast forward a little over 12 years later, and our younger children are watching the Justice League and the Justice League Unlimited (JLU) which McDuffie played a huge hand in. They also watched Ben 10 which McDuffie created. In a nutshell, there are three generations in my family who were influenced by McDuffie's work. That says a lot. I enjoyed reading his blog posts. McDuffie was always opened to feed back. I had many opportunities to meet him but I pass each of them up. I regret all those decisions.

When I think of McDuffie, I immediately think of three things:

1. When he discussed the time that Justice Clarence Thomas invited him to DC to have a chat. McDuffie obliged him. Thomas goes on to wax poetic about how he is about the upliftment of the black community blah blah blah, blah blah blah, and blah blah blah. Then he proceeds to tell McDuffie that he gets a gang of inspiration from one of McDuffie's characters from the Milestone Comics line. That very character was Icon. McDuffie was flabbergasted. He couldn't believe that one of his heroes was inspiring a man who's political leanings were 180 degrees out of character with his own. This story is just too funny.

2. In the straight to DVD movie Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths which was written by McDuffie, he has Superman quoting the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. “Rewind that!” was all I could say.

3. When the trailer for the live action Green Lantern movie was released, a gang of folks on twitter barked “I thought Green Lantern was black!” That was worth the price of admission.

We have no choice to show love to those who speak out in forums where many find that issues that many of us face on the day to day (racism, sexism, etc.) is rarely discussed. Let's face it, we in the comic book/fantasy/sci fi world are a racist and sexist bunch.

If there is an image that is stuck in my mind, it is that of a picture in Tony Browder's “Nile Valley Contributions to Civilization.” In this picture, a little black boy is standing in front of a bathroom mirror with is arms in akimbo. The reflection he sees is of a caped super hero that happens to be white. That's deep but for many of us black and brown folk, it's real. McDuffie tried to change that. And you know what? He was successful.

I loved that scene in the short lived yet wonderful Justice League Unlimited (JLU) tv show where John Stewart, the Green Lantern who is black, goes to a barbershop to get a hair cut. I was floored. That was why I loved Dwayne McDuffie. In my house, his picture will go up. And yes, my babies know who he is.

Enki Sunrise

2011-01-23T14:37:00.000-08:00

Enki Sunrise

I finally had a chance to dig up my Powers Vol. III Issues 1 and 2. I buried it somewhere in my office. Normally, I keep my comics nearby so when I spend those lazy Sunday afternoons catching up to them all I have to do is lean over and pull out the new ones. Sometimes, I buy comics and put them in my office and forget about them. I did the same with Powers by Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Oeming.

While I don't have all the issues of Vol. II, this volume was my first introduction to Enki Sunrise and I must say I really love her. Her style of dress is dope. Her interaction with Christian Walker while mysterious, is very realistic. Kudos to Brian Michael Bendis and Mike Oeming for not giving us another stereotype.

Some might say that she reminds them of Misty Knight from Power Man and Iron Fist. I have to disagree. Enki Sunrise is not fully confident. She questions herself and her ability. She questions what she is doing with Christian Walker. That's dope and it works.

Some of the Best of 2010

2011-01-02T19:48:00.000-08:00

Yes, I am late with this. My apologies. I got a little bit carried away with the festivities of last week of December. I will admit that 2010 was a great year for comics. There has been so much great writing for the major publishers as well as the independent ones. The competition is fierce as writers start to go the indie route. Also even the movie houses are getting in the game. Movie adaptations of comic books are getting better. It was quite a few tough picks out there. I normally stay away from the major comic companies for these but this year, Marvel hit it out the park. Yet here it is, enjoy:

Best Comic Book mini series – “Thanos Imperative” - Dan Abbet and Andy Lanning did a great job breathing life into many 70's Marvel Characters. The Guardians of the Galaxy is a good example of that. It is a group made up of many characters that were made in the 70s. Here is a good example of great writing. Abbet and Lanning did a great job bringing these characters back to the fold. While Thanos is a great villains, few writers do him justice. The artwork by Miguel Sepulveda is also great. I love the fact that Marvel chose not to make this a huge crossover event. The reader did not have to go back to the lab and read back issues of those 70's issues. The storyline included the story of Captain Mar'Vell. It was stellar with huge spaceship battles and super hero beatdowns. I am so glad that the story of the players will continue.

Best Story Arc – Image Comic's Invincible: The Viltrumite War – I always loved Robert Kirkman's and Cory Walker's Invincible. Its a great spin on the Superman/Spiderman archetype. There is even a great father/son plot line with Invincible and his father Omni Man. Invincible does remind me of the early Spiderman stories where Peter Parker consistently doubted himself at every turn and fought to keep his life in order. Invincible is in the same situation but he has powers that rival Superman. Unfortunately, his father hails from a race of beings who intend on conquering the universe. Finally, we find Invincible, Omni Man, and several allies gearing up to take the fight to the Viltrumites, the race of beings Invincible is a descendant of. Even in the face of battle, Invincible questions his role as a superhero and his relationship with his father. The space battles are great and the artwork renders an epic assault throughout the universe but the writing really keeps me captivated. It is truly one of the best comic books out now.

Best Issue: Unlike the previous categories, this one was easy. Nemesis issue #1 is awesome and was probably the best issue of 2010. Mark Millar does it again. He also teams with Steve McNivens. Previously, they did Old Man Logan for Marvel which in my opinion was the best story arc of 2009. If you have been reading this blog for the past year, you know how I felt about it. There are rumors that it will be another movie adaptation. Let's see what happens. Millar will finish the series however, so stay tuned for that.

Best Movie Adaptation of Comic book: “Kick Ass” Although Hollywood screwed up Millar's “Wanted” in so many ways, they really knocked it out of the ball park with “Kick Ass.” I know folks who don't even read comics pick up the book after watching the movie. There were many comic book adaptations on the silver screen, but “Kick Ass” set the standard. The writers for the next Dark Knight installment have their work cut out for themselves.

You know 2011 is going to be all the way live. You can count us to be there. We will have many more comic books of color on the independent tip reviewed here. Stay tuned.

Happy New Year!

Azteca

2010-12-20T17:40:00.001-08:00

Azteca
written by Enrica Jang
artwork by Jhazmine Ruiz
(Red Stylo Media)

Omi's Note: Big up to Bill Thade, who along with his wonderful wife, run Fearless Readers comic book shop in Dayton, Ohio for hipping me to Azteca.

I love indie comic books. They can take the risks that bigger publishing houses can't. They also can fill a niche that is usually ignored by the majors. It's a great reason to find a comic genre that fits your sensibilities. If you like steam punk, you can find a gazillion indie comics on or off line. If you like zombie action, you don't even have to turn a corner. Ernrica Jang of Red Stylo Media probably wanted the same thing.

Azteca takes place in Paradiso, Mexico, a small tourist town filled with drug cartels and violent gangs. Although tourism literally saves the small town economically, crime is rampant and corruption remains unchecked. Suddenly, someone is decapitating and mutilating the bodies of gang members and members of drug cartels. While the natives of Paradiso are willing to turn a blind eye to this vigilante, the cops and politicians are not.

The first issue is split into three parts and allows the story to flow smoothly. It gives the reader a chance to digest the scenes and get an understanding of the major characters. The vigilante is never shown without his hooded sweater. The reader is allowed to catch a glimpse of his tattoo. So Jang provides enough mystery to make the reader want more.

The artwork is fluid and heavy on the inks. Those who follow Aztecan mythology will find the artwork familiar. It adds tremendous authenticity to the story. It is truly one of the best art I have seen in an independent comic since Dread Society X.

The project does remind me of Jason Aaron's “Scalped” on DC's Vertigo. I mean that as compliment. I hope that the crew at Red Stylo Media meet with much success and I look forward to reading issue 100 of Azteca (if they plan on making that many issues).

The New Man Without Fear

2010-11-03T03:41:00.000-07:00

if you haven't heard it yet check aqui

wild huh?
the new man without fear will be none other than T'Challa himself...
CHeah!

Black Dynamite

2010-11-01T05:09:00.001-07:00

No, I haven't picked it up, but I plan to. So no review. Sorry folks.

but here it is, aqui.

more updates

2010-10-28T03:46:00.001-07:00

Sorry I haven't been on my square. We are working on a few projects, so bear with us.. Here are some more treats:

1. Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes Mini Episodes... they pretty much set up the background for the series. They are definitely worth checking out. Check out Nick Fury.
You will love that.

2. Check out Black Science Fiction Society's website. it's choice. Some really dope stuff happening there.

Incognegro

2010-10-13T20:01:00.000-07:00

Written by Mat Johnson
Art by Warren Pleece

Book Review by Dan Tres Omi

It is a nerd's sweet revenge when graphic novels and comic books are considered literature. It is about time that these genres get their recognition. In the last few years, we have seen several comic books (I.e., Y: The Last Man ,
Ex Machina ) and graphic novels garner critical acclaim. Incognegro: A Graphic Mystery is another one of those novels that are definitely top choice. It is published by DC's own Vertigo line. Although I have never been a huge fan of DC comics, their Vertigo line has released several high quality graphic novels such as Sentences: the Life of Grimm and DMZ.

Although the story in Incognegro is fictional, it is based on the true accounts of African American news reporters who traveled to the deep south in the early 20th century to cover lynchings. This African Americans could pass for European Americans and infiltrated many lynchings. This was called “going incognegro.”

Zane Pinchback, an incognegro, decides to pull one more stunt even after almost being caught playing a white man during a lynching in Mississippi. This time, the stakes are higher as he learns that his brother is framed for the murder of a white woman. He takes his friend Carl, another African American who can pass for white but who is an actor, along with him. To make matters worse, Carl heads into Tupelo, Mississippi and poses as an Englishman and has the entire town infatuated with his British airs. Pinchback also learns that the woman his brother is accused of killing is actually not dead.

What the reader will appreciate about this graphic novel is that it is drawn in black and white. At times, even the reader will not be able to tell who Pinchback or Carl is when he is drawn amongst white people. This adds much more mystery to the story and also makes the reader see how these reporters were able to get the inside scoop.

Mat Johnson's writing is top notch. The story twists and turns almost at each panel. The ending will shock everyone. The final panel caused this reader to laugh out loud while on a bank line. Non comic book readers will get a big kick out of Incognegro. Warren Pleece's work shines and both of them work well together.

Nemesis Issue 3

2010-10-12T20:28:00.001-07:00

Written by Mark Millar
Art by Steve McNiven

Review by Dan Tres OMi

I almost gave up on this series until a certain talkative comic book retailer at a local comic convention explained that this issue was dropping in a matter of days. When I arrived at my local comic book store (big up Fearless Readers!), I was able to grab the last issue on the stand. After reading it from cover to cover three times in a row (something I rarely do), I can understand why.

Millar continues to shock and awe. In Issue #2, Nemesis is captured by Blake Morrow, DC's super cop. While everyone is happy that Nemesis is captured after killing thousands of people in Washington, DC, no one knows where the president is. Unbeknownst to Morrow, being captured is part of the plan.

Nemesis does a daring prison escape. He even provides super fast armored cars for every prisoner he sets free. The chase is on. There are even more twists and turns as the story flows. Millar does it once again. What Nemesis does to Morrow is unprecedented. Watch how he turns the table on Morrow and gets him with a double whammy.

Again, McNiven's artwork really sets the tone. The splash pages and wide panels tell so much without any words. McNiven's DC is both hip and gritty. I enjoy the fact that most of Nemesis' moves are done in the daytime. It demonstrates the power that Nemesis wields. I can't wait until the next issue. Maybe there we will find out what happened to the president.

Noticias

2010-10-10T15:30:00.000-07:00

Here are some treats (big up to Dwayne McDuffie for hipping us to this):

1. "Shaft or Sidney Poiter" -- I am so looking forward to this.

2. Daredevil to become Black Panther: The Man Without Fear

Big up to Comic Book Resources for this bit of news. While many have issues with what Marvel has done to Wakanda, even more people are upset about the direction Marvel is taking with T'Challa. We will see if the stories will be any good. It does remind me of the time T'Challa lived in Harlem and worked as a school teacher. Only time will tell. It can either flop or sell out. We shall see. Of course, we will have the latest reviews on here.

3. Please support the folks at Black Comix . They have a new book out that we will soon cop and review for the folks out here. The blog is awesome and they stay up on so much. Please support our writers, pencilers, and inkers!

Cincinnati Comic expo recap Part One

2010-09-19T13:12:00.000-07:00

First up, Big up to everyone who came out the 1st Annual Cincinnati Comic Expo at Xavier University. It was a great turnout. We had a blast. As usual, folks treated my children like VIPs and they got a gang of free stuff. I want to point out a few heads we should make a note of. I know we rarely do, but we want to highlight some artists/writers of color. So here are a few people you should check out.

The weekend before at the 2nd Annual Champion City Comic Con in Springfield, Ohio, we ran into Victor Dandridge's family. They have alot going and have some dope plans in the future. Matter of fact, this Saturday, Sept. 25th in columbus, Ohio, they will be putting together a nice kick ball game with some vendors. Check him out on his blog, and try to come through. We will be there, capoeiristas and all. He is a family man and his focus is bringing comics and literacy to the children. So he gets mad support from us.

We also ran into "The Renegade Creator" Stanley Clark and his wife. They were great. They emphasized the importance of family and passing down our stories to our children. Their comics are great. Stay tuned for a review of one of their graphic novels.

Finally, we met Chad taylor, writer and penciler for the 5ive Footers... the brother is out of cincinnati. Check him out here. Issue #2 of his series will be released at the end of the month of September 2010.

Please support these artists and pass it along.

Taskmaster #1

2010-09-12T18:41:00.000-07:00

Written by Fred Van Lente
Art by Jefte Palo

Comic Book Review by Dan Tres Omi

I have always felt that Taskmaster was an underutilized villain. I was glad that he was hired by Tony Stark to train new super heroes under the Initiative program. He an integral part of that story and actually began to see the usefulness of working for the right side. When Norman Osborn took over H.A.M.M.E.R. And the Avengers, Taskmaster stayed on the roster. He relunctantly followed Osborn to the siege of Asgard. When he saw that Osborn was losing, Taskmaster took off. I actually searched for the Siege crossover issues in the Thunderbolts looking for more information on the Taskmasters fate. Not much was told. I was at a loss until Joey Stacks gave me the good news. The Taskmaster was getting his own limited series.

We find the Taskmaster in a diner trying to remember a particularly important yet tiny detail in his past not knowing that someone has put a $1 billion dollar bounty on his head. Rumor has it that the Taskmaster has turned States evidence and is also helping Steve Rogers maintain law and order. So everyone from A.I.M. The cyberninjas are gunning for him.

With groups falling all over each other to get the Taskmaster and the Taskmaster skill at knocking heads, it leads to pages of fun. Jefte Palo's artwork works. He covers the chaos well as well as the flashbacks. The best part is when the Taskmaster fights, you can see whose style he uses by the frame ins of certain heroes and villains. Taskmaster has always been bounty hunter speak so Fred Van Lente doesn't have to do much dialogue. Most of it is funny. There are even disses about Deadpool.

The backdrop to the story is that Taskmaster is trying to find out who he is. Because of his power, he has bits and pieces of everyone else and honestly doesn't know who he is. Tracking down those who what him dead might help him solve that piece of the puzzle. I hope that this limited series does not spell the end for this Marvel character. Hopefully, we will see more of the Taskmaster.

Star Wars: Blood Ties #1

2010-09-08T17:14:00.000-07:00

Written by Tom Taylor
Art by Chris Scalf

Review by Dan Tres OMi

When Jango Fett was introduced in Episode II, I was amped. I gobbled up all of the Dark Horse stories about the Fetts. There wasn't too many. I wanted to see more stories with Jango and Boba. The story was near and dear to my heart. People say my oldest son is a clone of me. I have to agree. We don't get to spend too much time together yet when we are, we think alike. So it does seem like we aren't really father and son but template and clone. Not to mention the fact that he loves everything Mandolarian. When I heard that Dark Horse was doing a series centered around Boba and Jango that spans decades, I had to cop it.

The artwork is superb. Chris Scalf brings that majestic oil painting style that makes the story come alive. Scalf works the splash pages well and does not overwhelm the reader. Taylor's Jango is on point. He is ruthless and takes no prisoners. Jango puts Boba in so many perils. He is the toughest and deadliest drill sergeant. He cuts Boba no slack.

I am glad that this will be a four issue series and with the same team, I am sure there will be surprises. It will add more depth to the Fett's relationship. I forgot to mention that the first scene shows Boba Fett being set up by one of his customers. So the back story takes place in the present. I look forward to seeing what happens.

My only gripe with the story is that issue one reveals Jango Fett's current job is tracking down someone who happens to be another one of his clones. Of course this takes place before the events on Geonosis. I was hoping it would not have to come to another clone tale.

Ex Machina Issue #50 (Last Issue)

2010-09-01T19:37:00.000-07:00

Written by Brian K. Vaughn
Art by Brian Harris
Review by Dan Tres Omi

The first issue (which WildStorm Comics has republished for a $1 comic price!) pretty much points out that the series would have an end since it begins with Mitchell Hundred aka Ex Machina explaining how he ended his super hero career to become the mayor of New York City.

At this point, Hundred is not running for re-election. Due to his past as a super hero and his current policies as mayor, his popularity polls plummet. Yet Hundred was in it to do what was best for the the people of NYC.

Ex Machina's powers, if you didn't know, didn't provide him with super strength, or speed, or even telepathy. Ex Machina can talk to machines. He couldn't even fight that well. He lost more than he won. So unlike the usual super heroes, the readers come to find that Hundred wasn't really cut out for it. However, he finds that he can do much more as a politician than as a superhero.

What I always liked about the story was how it centered around Hundred's failure to stop the second plane to hit the tower. In this alternate history, only one tower fell. It was this event that convinced Hundred to give up his life as a super hero and become a politician. It has eaten him up since.
Vaughn never exploits the tragedy. Instead, he uses the decisions, friendships, and enemies Hundred has made in his past as a super hero to make the story flow well.

While many consider Ex Machina a super hero comic, it comes off as a non super hero one. Hundred relies on wits and the power he has a Mayor of a metropolitan city to fend off against his enemies. He squares off against unions, corrupt politicians, estranged citizens, and yes an arch nemesis or two. Even some members of his administration had sinister motives. That is where Brian Vaughn brings the reality to the story. Hundred could have easily used his powers on several occasions but he doesn't. Ironically, he is accused of rigging the ballots to win his office.

What makes the story even better is the fact that it takes place between 2002 until 2005. So the story takes place in the past versus the present or the future. It allows the writer to avoid writing about current events. Vaughn has room to breathe. Brian Harris' art is New York. It is metropolitan for a lack of a better term (help me out here). Harris captures the feeling and the rudeness. Together it works.

While this is the last issue, and yes it is unlike me not to do spoilers, Vaughn ends it well. Hundred's vice mayor fills in his spot. The traitors are revealed to Hundred. Kremlin goes off the rocker. Bradbury, the very loyal assistant and body guard, takes the fall. The ending will surprise you and make you laugh. I think the last issue is worth the price of admission. And like Lauryn Hill once sang, all good things come to an end.

Nemesis Issues 1 & 2

2010-08-24T03:59:00.000-07:00

Written by Mark Millar
Art by Steve McNiven
review by Dan Tres Omi

Some of you might be familiar with Mark Millar and Steve McNiven's work on Old Man Logan and Marvel's Civil War. Together these two bring classic material to the masses. You have seen Millar's work come to life in the already cult classic “Kick Ass.” Just when you thought Millar couldn't top his work, Millar along with McNiven give us Nemesis.

Nemesis is one of the illest supervillains since the Preacher's The Saint of Killers. He is filthy rich, ruthless, and calculating as they come. He doesn't bore his opponents with ill tales about his past or how he plans on destroying the world. If you are on his hit list, consider it a done deal. Nemesis travels the world killing off all of the top cops in a flamboyant fashion. As a matter of fact, he sends his enemies a postcard with the exact date of their assassination and Nemesis is never late.

When Nemesis finally touches down in the United States, he raises the stakes by kidnapping the president after sending Blake Morrow, Washington DC's super cop, his dread postcard. It seems as if Nemesis has bitten off more than he can chew when Morrow thwarts his plans and captures him.

Unlike Millar's “Wanted,” where Millar slowly put the story of the villain together and then began to build everything up to the climax, Nemesis comes crashing down on the reader. It is not until Issue 2 where we get a glimpse of Nemesis' origin. Millar works this well into the story line. Although, there are more explosions and bullets then a hollywood blockbuster movie, McNiven's art doesn't go overboard with the panels. McNiven's style does justice to Millar's work. In Issue #2, Millar slows it down and this is where McNiven shines. You can see the flaws on the faces of his subjects.

Nemesis is published by the Marvel imprint Icon. Instead of putting out Issue #3, Icon has reprinted a variant cover for Issue One. This really bought much head scratching to the fans of Millar and McNiven. Hopefully, Icon will publish the upcoming issues soon. In the meantime, copping Issues #1 and #2 is a must.

DoomWar Issues 2 thru 6

2010-08-18T20:34:00.000-07:00

Written by Jonathan Maberry
Penciled by Scott Eaton
Inks by Andy Lanning & Robert Campanella

Book Review by Dan Tres OMi

And the plot thickened. In Issue #2, the X-Men jump in to save Ororo. By Issue #3, the Desturi are defeated as Shuri kills off their leaders. Despite their efforts, Doom steals all of the Vibranium from Wakanda. One would ask, how? Well, the Panther God deems the good doctor worthy. While we may all think that Doom just wants to destroy the world, we find that this is not the case. Instead, Doom wants to make the world stronger to prevent it from collapsing due to conflicts between several nations. The Panther God as well as Doom, see him as the only one to pull it off. This part of the story alone makes for interesting debate.

Although Shuri and T'Challa regain control over Wakanda, they have no army but must wage a war against Doom and his Doombots. Doom is supported by none other than Walter Declun who was once CEO of Damage Control. Together they build huge armies of robots to safeguard the several deposits of vibranium throughout the world.

T'Challa enlists the Fantastic Four and later the War Machine to accompany the Dora Milaje to take out those Doombots. Doom, the ultimate chess master, outwits T'Challa everytime. That is when T'Challa realizes that the only way he can beat Doom is by unconventional means. He sends Deadpool to assassinate Doom. He also gets his tech geeks to hack into Declun's network and deplete Doom's funds. Then he creates a new mixture of Dark Alchemy and Quantum Physics called Shadow Physics (very interesting indeed).

By Issue #4, the reader will see so much happen very quickly. Issue #5 continues more of a build up. The long awaited issue #6 leaves much to be desired. Marvel should have added another issue since Maberry doesn't tie it all up. For example, the X Men are there and then they aren't. War Machine shows up and no explanation is given as to why. Shadow Physics, while it's the trump card, is only discussed in one issue. It sounds like I am nitpicking but many loose ends don't get resolved. In Issue #4, the artwork gets very sloppy. Very sloppy. One starts to wonder if Marvel changed the penciler and inker without telling us.

Overall, the story was very good. The resolution could have been better. We don't see Doom and T'Challa debate about the future of the world as foreseen by the Panther God. What I love the most is that this series ushers in a new age for Wakanda. Hopefully it is the beginning of a new golden age for the African nation. I also hope that Shuri remains the Black Panther and Marvel brings back Hudlin. This skinny Afro Latino kid can dream right?

The New Avengers: Luke Cage

2010-08-11T19:50:00.000-07:00

Written by John Arcudi
Art by Pepe Larraz & Eric Canete
review by Dan Tres OMi

To be honest, I am really open with what Marvel has been doing with Luke Cage. Let's be honest, he was a fourth rate superhero based off of a stereotype (lawd, the yellow shirt and metal head band with black tights, wtf!). Making him a prominent member of The New Avengers was a dope idea. I really dug the Noir series done on Luke Cage. Cage was given greater roles to play in the Civil War and Dark Reign. If you haven't heard, Cage is now heading the New Avengers.

This three issue limited series finds Cage heading out to Philadelphia to help out a friend who has followed in his footsteps. He even encounters an old foe, Lionfang. While Cage has been spending his time fighting world class super villains and saving the earth from a Skrull invasion, he has neglected his roots. Although, his teammates urge him to stick around Cage heads to the city of Brotherly Love to help an old comrade.

Cage quickly realizes that he can easily just smash heads and beat up super powered bad guys all day. Yet as soon as he lives Philadelphia, his enemies would just come right back out. So he decides to use his brain over brawn. This makes for a great story as Cage demonstrates a great leadership ability to plan ahead. It works beautifully.

Larraz & Canete's artwork is superb. The devil is in the details. You will cringe during the painful parts and duck when Cage throws his opponents around. What I dig the most is the writing. As I have stated before, there was a time when I dislike Cage. From his costume to his speech, Marvel just bought a stereotype to life. You won't see Cage speaking in out dated slang.

Dark Avengers #16

2010-08-04T20:31:00.000-07:00

Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Mike Deodato

Marvel had a great run with the Dark Avengers. With Norman Osborn/Iron Patriot at the head of the official Avengers as well as the Shield like H.A.M.M.E.R., one found several psychopaths and former villains as heads of management. Things seem to work well until Osborn began to make more enemies and slowly fall back to his old ways. Not to mention the fact that several members of the Dark Avengers such as Bullseye (acting as Hawkeye) and Daken (acting as his father Wolverine) began to make trouble of their own.

During the Siege of Asgard, many of the founding members of the Avengers, the New Avengers, and their affiliates banded together with the Asgardians to defeat Osborn, the Dark Avengers, and H.A.M.M.E.R. While the Siege event crossed over into several issues, Dark Avengers #16 focuses on the end of this super-villains acting as heroes team.

Although the final issue of Dark Avengers is short and should have been longer. The end is sweet as Osborn gets what's coming to him. Some of the Dark Avengers escape but most are imprisoned. Deodato's artwork is crisp and it is great to see him continue on the Secret Avengers series.

What's interesting is to see Steve Rogers admitting that Osborn made some sensible decisions. It's one of the reasons I enjoyed the Dark Avengers run. Osborn, who despite his shortcomings, really tries to fight against his Green Goblin persona. Osborn also believes that what he is doing is right for the country. Osborn succeeds in containing national security threats and keeping certain super-villains in check. However, Osborn's paranoia is difficult to overcome.

Star Wars Clone Wars Gambit: Stealth

2010-05-25T17:17:00.000-07:00

by Karen Miller

Book Review by Dan Tres OMi

George Lucas and his gang are really stretching the Clone War era of Star Wars. While the Clone War actually raged for a little over 3 years before Revenge of the Sith (ROTS) there are quite a few stories that need to be told about other Jedi Knights and Clone units throughout the galaxy outside of the Obi Wan Kenobi and Anakin Skywalker. However we are told that if the folks at Lucas Arts steer away from this story, no one would buy any books. I guess.

Miller's previously published Clone Wars: Wild Space left much to be desired. It helped explain why Kenobi and Senator Bail Organa seemed close in ROTS but that's about it. While the Clone War Gambit story arc will cover two books, the first installment starts off very slow.

At this point, the war is at a stalemate (more on that later) since the Separatists have figured out a way to disrupt short wave communications between Republic war ships. This has forced the Republic to just hold the ground in several sectors throughout the galaxy and refrain from any offensives. In the meantime, Senator Organa learns that something fishy is happening on the planet Kothlis, one of the many planets that fell during a major Separatist push but the Republic could not assist.

Kenobi and Skywalker are picked to infiltrate Kothlis as citizens and find out why the Separatists are doing on that planet. Of course, Kenobi and Skywalker are way out of their element acting as spies. While the writers could have used several other Jedi to embark on this mission (Quilan Vos would have been ideal) I can understand why Kenobi and Skywalker were chosen. In this instance, Skywalker who is used to swashbuckling his way through any problems, is forced to restrain himself.

While Kenobi has no problems keeping his emotions out of his decision making as a Jedi, Skywalker has always pushed his boundaries. It always made their relationship interesting. In this mission, Kenobi has no qualms leaving innocents to their doom. Skywalker, who was once a slave, refuses to do the same. Both Kenobi and Skywalker get into some major ethical arguments. When Bant'ena Fhernan, a scientist held captive by the vicious General Lok Durd, is forced to help the Separatist design a lethal bioweapon. Although she is forced by the threat of the assassination of her friends and family, Fhernan does not seem to have a dilemma. Kenobi sees her as complicit in the creation of this bioweapon while Skywalker sees her as an innocent victim.

Not only do the ethical debates help the story, this arc also helps to explain why Skywalker had no problems killing Jedi in ROTS. He saw the Jedi as betrayers to the people of the Republic and did not see them as family at all. It makes sense since several members of the Jedi Council did not see him as the Chosen One and treated him as a pariah. When it came to helping wealthy and corrupt politicians, the Jedi seem to eager to help but when it comes to helping the downtrodden, the Jedi always seem to choose the side against those less fortunate.

Overall, the average fan can overlook this story arc. Most fans have a gist of why Anakin turned to the dark side and his feelings towards the Jedi. The storyline is uninteresting so far. General Grievious has yet to make an actual appearance. General Durd is a minor and a character who won't be missed at all.

Iron Man 2

2010-05-16T19:03:00.000-07:00

Review by Dan Tres OMi

As a true comic book head, I have realized that there are NO movies that were produced in Hollywood for the silver screen that can truly satisfy that part of me. While I don't expect Hollywood to get it right in that manner, I do expect a decent movie since comic books is basically about fantasy. Of course there is more to comic culture than meets the eye but let's be real, super heroes and heroines duking it out in tights is fantasy. The only dope movie franchise that is based on comic books is the Dark Knight movies but that franchise deviates from almost all of the Batman story arcs and rewrites over the last six decades (I have yet to watch Kick A$$ so bear with me).

For some reason, Marvel Comics seems to come up short when it comes to their staple super heroes. Both the Spider Man and Fantastic Four movies lack so much in depth, continuity, and writing. The first two Blade installments were probably Marvel's best efforts (even Stan Lee admits in his autobiography that the Blade movies saved Marvel Comics from going belly up) However, the Iron Man franchise has impressed me. While I still find that Robert Downey is not convincing as Tony Stark, I can't front on his acting chops. When you need it, Downey does come through in a clinch.

What plagues the Marvel comic movies is that the writers seem to throw in several subplots and story arcs in each movie. In the X Men franchise this seems to really tear up the movie. It forces the writing to be fuddled and disrupts the continuity. The only exception is the Fantastic Four movies where the plot is kept simple yet somehow it just doesn't work. In Iron Man 2, there are several subplots (ie. S.H.I.E.L.D., Pepper Potts romance, War Machine/Dusty Rhodes, the Black Widow, the Avengers Initiative). Of course, the movie house is doing this to ramp up interest and buzz for the future movies based on Thor, Captain America, and finally the Avengers. It must be noted that for Iron Man, it seems like the writers are borrowing from several story arcs such as Orson Scott Card's rework of Tony Stark/Ironman, Mark Millar's the Ultimates, and the Tony Stark/S.H.I.E.L.D. pre Civil war story line. Although scary, Marvel pulls it off.

The best part about the movie is the team up between Iron Man and War Machine. I don't think the director Jon Favreau could have pulled it off with Terence Howard. I gripped my seat expecting Rhodes/War Machine to talk jive as he peeled off on the battle droids but he didn't. I was so happy. Don Cheadle came off as a respectable equal and not a side kick to Iron Man.
I also noted that Iron Man 2 does not relying heavily on CG as the original did. Most of the fight scenes are done in the evening so the audience does not get lost in high speed robotic antics.

One underlying theme I dug was the idea that one man can only have access to a powerful weapons system and how many people, organizations, and governments are trying to acquire access by any means necessary to that power weapons system. In the comic books as well as the first Iron Man movie, the writers deal with that idea of deterrence. I doubt that the writers were trying to pull a political angle when it comes to nuclear proliferation but it's important to ask who watches the watchers. Stark, an ego maniac as hard as they come, feels that he is stable enough and has the sound judgement to control this dangerous piece of technology. Most people agree with him until someone happens to invent the same platform. Now the genie is out of the bottle. While the similiarities between the Armor War (as it is dubbed in Marvel comics) and the arms race are there, Stark quite easily settles this dispute with the help of S.H.I.E.L.D. (a free comic of our choice to any reader who can tell me who starred as Nick Fury in Marvel's hapless attempt at making a S.H.I.E.L.D. movie -- the memories drive one to drink! Can I get a mindwipe PLEASE!).

My only gripe is that although Mark Millar rewrote Nick Fury to look like Samuel Jackson in the Ultimates (Millar also wrote Halle Berry into Marked) but Jackson just doesn't pull it off. I expected him to say "fothermucker" sometime in there. He didn't come off as by the book, super duper top secret Fury. He came off as a big guy with new toys. Sorry Jackson, you have to go back to the lab on this one. Maybe Millar is reaching when it comes to his fantasies?

Overall, the movie is one of the best and only second to the Dark Knight franchise. Marvel hits it out of the field with this one. It has lived up to the hype (geez, that was alot of hype). I enjoyed the quips made by Stark and Fury when it came to the other heroes who will be on the Avengers roster. I also dug how they played Stan Lee (Stark believes he is Larry King!). The scene with Stark at the Senate hearing is worth the price of admission (wait until you see who the Stark haters are). I must urge the reader to stay until after the credits. It's well worth the wait.

Deadpool Corps #1-2

2010-05-12T18:22:00.000-07:00

Written by Victor Gischler
Penciled by Rob Liefeld
Inks by Adelso Corona
Review by sean IS…

Honestly, when I first saw the Deadpool Corp advertisements, I was kinda skeptical even though I am a fan of the solo book. It’s like I saw the concept as a gimmick of sorts. However, I took the gamble and my expectations were surpassed. Anyone who is familiar with Deadpool (exclude the Wolverine: Origins movie debacle) knows that he is a complex, insane, and highly efficient killer who has a penchant for untimely yet rib-hurting humor that surpasses Spiderman. Now take the character that you know, add a band of four alternate universe counterparts, and watch the sparks fly. Each Corps member shares the spotlight with the comedic banter, which is very prevalent within the pages.

Here’s the story run-down in DP’s words, “A giant cloud of mind-eating evil is wreaking havoc on the universe, so I’ve gathered a bunch of Deadpools from alternate realities to kick some cosmic a**.” So far the Corps, contrary to what would be expected, has avoided any major fisticuffs but has found hilariously creative ways to make their first “villain”, a cosmic being known as The Champion, look like an utter buffoon more that once. Did I expect more fighting? Yes. However, when I saw how the group averted physical combat, I was dying laughing. What makes it’s even funnier is the effective use of non-verbal communication drawn exquisitely by the great Rob Liefeld.

Two issues in, we see a motorcycle jacking, alien pick-up lines, cosmic hangovers, and jokes every second. At this pace, I expect the series to continuously appeal to Deadpool followers; however, I am not sure what other audiences will think about the overall quirkiness. If you are looking for an ultra-serious read…this series may not be for you. I do recommend that you give it a shot though.

Issue #1 includes a detailed guide on the background of each individual Deadpool, which is a great resource for any reader. Undoubtedly, many people will need an explanation for the “flying head Deadpool”. Yeah, dude is literally a zombie head with a propeller on it, haha. Check out Deadpool Corps soon and prepare for a laugh fest.

Peace.
S.

Daken Akihiro - Dark Wolverine #75-77

2010-05-05T03:25:00.000-07:00

(okay, I take back what I said)

When I learned that Wolverine/Logan had a son named Daken, I was perplexed. Not to say that Logan can't get his swerve on. At the end of the day, he is human and has desires like the rest of us. To be honest, Logan is over 100 years old. So I am sure Daken Akihiro won't be the last offspring to pop up.

Like his father, Daken has a healing factor. It's a power that I am really kind of sick of. So there was one strike against Daken. It also made me wonder that if he had a healing factor like his father, then he isn't a mutant since there is no genetic variation. Take it step further with Daken's bone claws. I figured he was just another carbon copy (like Dead Pool -whom is really a mixture of Wolverine and Spiderman if you think about it). However, Daken also uses his pheromones to manipulate people's emotions.

Daken, unlike his father, uses deception to control people and pit them against each other. At times, Daken is willing to be defeated to achieve his aims. In the Dark Wolverine series, we see Daken manipulating the Fantastic Four against Norman Osborn and the Dark Avengers. This story sold me on Daken Akihiro.

I still have my issues with bone claws and the fact that he rocks a tattoo (how does a guy with healing factor keep a tattoo?). Like any comic book hero (with the exception of Dead Pool, Moon Knight, and 85% of the DC Universe) in the hands of a decent writer, some great stories can be produced.

Doomwar Part One

2010-04-27T03:35:00.000-07:00

Written by Jonathan Maberry
Penciled by Scot Eaton
Inks by Andy Lanning & Robert Campanella
Review by Dan Tres OMi

When I first saw the promo for this limited series, I was hesitant to pick it up. Now I think Dr. Doom is one of the best villains out there. I dislike the Fantastic Four movie franchise and felt that Hollywood did a horrible rendition of Dr. Doom. Dr. Doom is vastly powerful and I find that most writers haven't explored Doom's personality or genius. Since Reginald Hudlin began writing and reworking Black Panther/T'Challa, he has introduced Dr. Doom as a rival. I really liked this. Two monarchs of two advanced nations squaring off on a grand chess board. Sometimes, T'Challa and Doom are allies and sometimes they aren't. Well, Doom has finally made his final move and has behind the dethroning of T'Challa and his sister Shurri. To top it off, Ororo, T'Challa's wife and X-Man has been captured by Doom's minions, the Desturi.

T'Challa and Shurri flee Wakanda leaving Ororo/Storm to fend for herself. With no allies and the entire world community believing allegations of human rights violations committed by T'Challa ans his family, the monarchs find refuge with the X-Men. Cyclops however, realizes that his hands are tied since Utopia Nation X is a new nation with few allies and very few nations that recognize it's sovereignty.

The story so far is wonderful. T'Challa knows that a full all out war will kill a great number of his people so he has to pay Doom's game for the time being. Meanwhile his sister, refuses to wear the kid gloves and wants to return Wakanda to it's rightful owners by any means necessary. The X Men are wary of T'Challa since he so readily abandoned his wife. It will be interesting to see who else who take sides and lend a hand.

This is a story I have been waiting and hoping on. I hope that we see the Wakandans take the war to Latveria since Doom rules that country like an Iron Fist. If not, it would be great to see another political realignment with several groups within the Marvel Universe.

Siege: Captain America (one shot)

2010-04-24T20:30:00.000-07:00

Written by Christos N. Gage
Pencils and Inks by Federico Dallocchio
Review by Dan Tres Omi

I thoroughly enjoy the Dark Reign crossovers. Having Norman Osborn in charge of the Avengers and H.A.M.M.E.R. (which is just Osborn's evil version of S.H.I.E.L.D.), allows several characters to take a back burner and 2nd and 3rd rate characters to really see the light. Not to mention the fact that several political factions such as Dr. Doom's Latveria, Namor's Atlantis, Wakanda and the Inhumans are realigning themselves with different groups never tried before.

The Siege story arc is really shaking things up. As usual, Marvel tries to really capitalize a story arc by not just doing crossovers but publishing one shots or mini series that coincide with the story such as the Secret Invasion Embedded. I decided to pick up Seige: Captain America since the actual Seige limited series is very good.

I should have left it on the shelf. I expected Captain America/Steve Rogers and Captain America/Winter Soldier to take on Venom (as depicted in the promo poster for the Siege crossovers). I thought that would have been a good battle. Of course, that didn't happen. Instead both Captain Americas end up fighting some 4th rate villain who isn't worth the pencils he is drawn with.

What saves this lackluster story is Federico Dallocchio's artwork. Dallocchio who has done loads of work at DC, brings a wonderful touch to Captain America. The artwork is great and really drips off the page. Other than that, one can afford to miss this issue.

Clones and More Clones (again...)

2009-01-11T08:52:00.000-08:00

While listening to the Voice of the Republic podcast, an old debate has returned. During Episode III, Emperor Palpatine calls on Order 66 and the clones murder every Jedi they can get their hands on with no qualms or regrets. We all assume that in the end, the clones were flesh droids. However shortly after, Lucas Arts releases “Dark Lord: The Rise of Darth Vader” in which a few clone commandos refuse to kill Jedi Master Roan Shryne. The question is whether Order 66 was a program implanted into the clones or not.

We assumed that it was a program that was conditioned and that the clone commandos in Luceno's post Episode III book were clones that somehow overcame their programming. Enter Karen Traviss' “Order 66,” and the debate is once again on. In “Order 66,” the clone commandos, Null Arcs, and the other clones that Kal Skirata picks up do not obey Order 66. Even Captain Maze hesitates to kill Jedi Master Arligan Zey and even offers to let him escape. We also learn that the clones were conditioned to memorize 150 contingency plans that included other orders such as arresting the entire Senate in case they decided to wrest power from the Supreme Chancellor. So it's a mix up, right?

In “Order 66,” we learn that Commander Cody thought the world of Obi Wan Kenobi. We see this affection in the Clone Wars new series on Cartoon Network and in the early part of Episode III. Ironically, the clones under Kal Skirata have no love for the Jedi. This seems to stem from Mandolorian culture. Yet they refuse to partake in the killing of the Jedi. Yet we realize that several clones dislike Kenobi and ridicule Commander Cody's affection for Kenobi. Yet in Episode III, Cody not only unflinchingly gives the order to kill Kenobi, he refers to Palpatine as “My Lord.”

We also realize in “Order 66,” that most clones had no love for Jedi. Here are some of the reasons discussed in Traviss' latest book:

a. No one has questioned how the Clone army came about. Some Jedi have asked and other Jedi have left the Jedi Order. Yet no one has specifically debated the Senate, Palpatine, or the Jedi Council on this.

b. In several books and even on the tv show, Clones have asked their Jedi caretakers what is going to happen to them after the war. I have yet to see a Jedi answer that question. Some Jedi have discussed this amongst themselves but nothing has come of it.

c.The Jedi Council hasn't said a peep about this.

d.Some Jedi, such as Quinlan Vos, have expressed their disdain for the clones. In “Order 66,” they even name names.

What do you think?

My take on the Latest News from the Avatar Movie

2008-12-23T19:06:00.000-08:00

If you have been sleeping under a rock, you might have missed the fact that M. Night Shyamalan will be directing the live action movie adaptation of Nickelodeon's Avatar: the Last Air Bender. In the Omi household, we are avid watchers of the TV show. The final season really met our expectations. It was educational as well as action packed. Although the characters possessed European features, the characters were undoubtedly Asian and Inuit.

The blogosphere and on line forums lit up last week when news hit the scene that Shyamalan was going to get some white folks to play the main character. It would be too shameful to list the actors he suggested on using. Let's just say it seems as if Shyamalan is trying to cater to the Hannah Montana crowd (never would have thought that I would say Hannah Montana and sci fi in the same entry).

Of course, this bothers me completely. Folks will say, “there are bigger things to worry about like the economy.” I agree but this is ONE of the reasons why we are here. Let me 'splain something.

All sectors of this economy are doing bad. However, it didn't get bad overnight. Whether it was Wall Street, the American automotive industry, the real estate industry, or even Hollywood, a good part of the problem is the piss poor decisions and lack of vision on the part of the executives that run these sectors. Hollywood has done all kinds of things to sell tickets at the Box Office. One sure shot way of making big is to use the latest and most popular actors and actresses to be leads.

It is usually the only way that an unconventional script can be given the green light. When Ali was made, they used Will Smith who at the time was still working on his chops. The movie was wack on all counts, but it made the Box Office happy. Yet Hollywood has banked on some flops. Every now and then there is a fluke in the system and a movie like Fahrenheit 9/11 or Juno will come out and break all kinds of records. A franchise like the Batman Begins which has a cult following and then blossoms into a blockbuster like The Dark Knight comes through. So you have a quality film that sells a lot of tickets. Hollywood however cannot be counted on the next big thing or appreciate creativity. Movies like the ones mentioned above are a mathematical anomaly. Hollywood has always tried to do either of two things: spend huge loads of money to make money or try to make a hit by green lighting something new without really promoting it (gee, sounds like the American automotive industry and the record industry.. go figure!).

Many will say that when Hollywood attempts to deliver something new and creative to audiences, the people just don't come. In a way it makes sense. Most of us are short sighted. Most of us would rather see cars being blown up and all kinds of guns being used to blast people into oblivion than watch a movie that really questions the status quo (again, a few movies do stand out like “V for Vendetta” but again, that is a mathematical anomaly). Most of us won't pay a cent to see something of substance. It's kind of like the American auto industry. Sure we can place all the blame on the guys making the decisions but when someone called an SUV a gas guzzler or something that was bad for th environment, they were called unpatriotic. When one drove around, every other car was an SUV. Instead of purchasing a smaller, economical and more environment friendly car, people acted like sheep and tried to keep up with the Joneses knowing that it was not a sound decision.

Let's be real, something like the Avatar really can't sell to a huge audience. I enjoyed watching the TV show because of it's weaving of Eastern Philosophy to a modern day fairy tale. The characters were simple, everyday people who came across complex problems. My children got the entire thing and actually understood Aang's (the Avatar) dilemma. When faced with fighting the greatest enemy mankind ever encountered, Aang refused to go against his upbringing to take someone's life. Yet many felt that as the Avatar, he needed to be unselfish and commit murder.

In a sense, most teenagers have to make decisions like that. Of course, they may not be as dire as that faced by Aang but it sure did feel like that. Most people don't to watch a character with this kind of dilemma. They want the kung fu action and the special effects. That's a hard thing to convey in a two hour movie. I dig Shyamalan. I think he is ahead of his time. Sure he has made some bad career moves and I am sure he has found it difficult to make a movie as successful as his first one. I wouldn't call this decision a bad career move but a really dumb idea.

I would expect this from say, Steven Spielberg or any other white director or writer. I didn't expect to see that from Shyamalan. I have seen some argue that it is the message that matters not who is delivering the message. Yet as a watcher of the Avatar, I don't think you can convey that message that this series is trying to make by changing the face of the characters. The basic gist of the movie is that we are the sole controllers of our destiny. People and events may influence and challenge us but in the end, we choose our own destiny. We must embrace it or deny it. Many cultures tell this story in their own way. Yet the story of the Avatar, which is rooted in Buddhism and Inuit culture, can only be told by those people. Sure, a Brazilian cat directed it and an American wrote it but the choreography and the concept was based on Kung Fu, Buddhism, and Inuit culture and theology. They cannot be separated.

I understand that ultimately, the movie will be nothing like the cartoon series. How many movie adaptations follow the original formula? Many in Hollywood will say that using the actors slated to play the main characters will help make it a success and the message will get out there. That the only way something of quality such as the Avatar can only make it if it is packaged properly.

I have to ask, but packaged for whom? It's a message that is conveyed on THEIR terms. So are you saying that the Inuits or Buddhists have nothing to really say? That the message has to come from someone white? My children are not stupid. They know that the Avatar is a fairy tale but they know it is rooted in Asian and Inuit culture. They can tell by the characters and the settings. You can show them a photo of an Inuit hunter and quickly identify it. They can quickly point out if someone is practicing Wing Chun. They will undoubtedly notice something different in the way the movie is put on the silver screen.

What do you think?

Gotta Love Youtube

2008-11-06T03:43:00.000-08:00

Some treats

(I know most of the songs come from Indiana Jones and Encounters of the Third Kind)

How Star Wars EP IV should have ended:

Star Wars Jedi Church:

(not that funny, but i wanted three vids, bear with a brother)

The Success of Jacen Solo: How does a Sith Lord do it again?

2008-10-19T18:41:00.000-07:00

Every Star Wars EU fan knows who Jacen Solo is. The grandson of the Darth Vader who eventually becomes a sith lord and attempts to take over the galaxy. One would assume that thousands of years into the future, people wouldn't fall for a sith lord to be in charge again especially after Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader ruled the galaxy for over 18 years. Yet it almost happened.

We must point out that art is a reflection of the culture from which it springs. No writer lives on a deserted island. No writer can escape what is going on. In an age where we claim to be the most sophisticated and most technologically advanced that ever walked the earth, there are still dictators. Yet why was Jacen Solo successful? Why wasn't it until after he reached the height of his power, did his followers being to question their complicity in his reign?

The best example I can give is that of Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. Of course, many of us are idiots when it comes to history. Not only are we ignorant to the history of our nation and others, we still assume that most people that made the news are new comers as if their success happened overnight. Mugabe was a political prisoner who did ten years for his work as an activist. Mugabe was known for taken a stance against tribalism by accepting Pan Africanism as his mantra. Back then, this was something very deadly for most Africans (see Kwame Nkrumah and Patrice Lumumba). Back in the 60s and 70s, Mugabe was admired for taking risks and committing himself fully to the revolution. When the British decided to give Zimbabwe their independence, leaders like Mugabe were hailed as heroes.

Ever since then leaders who survived the 60s and 70s were considered mentors for the upcoming generations. Individuals such as Thabo Mbeki, members of the ANC (African National Congress in South Africa), and other organizations throughout the region took notes directly from Mugabe. In a sense, Mugabe helped to launch the careers of other African leaders. When the United Nations asked African leaders to condemn Mugabe publicly many refused because of that. Many clinged to the hope that their mentor and friend would come to his senses and relinquish power.

Jacen Solo did the same thing. He went out in the front line with his troops. He put certain men and women in power. He even helped the powerful such as Admiral Nianthal. Yet when it was time to denounce him, many of his supporters could not. It makes sense. I recall reading how it was difficult for some people to help depose the Last Emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie I. Selassie appointed people to so many posts that it was hard for anyone to give up any information on him. Those who overthrew his monarchy were young people who were not part of the upper classes.

I am sure that the writers of the Jacen Solo/Darth Caedus story arc may not have had the intention of teaching that particular lesson, but I am sure they were influenced by what they saw around them. Many will say, “well you are reading too deeply into the characters.” I have learned that when it comes to art, many things are deliberate (big up to Dr. bell hooks and Dr. Frances Cress Welsing).

Star Wars: Clone Wars (novelization)

2008-09-21T17:33:00.000-07:00

The Clone Wars, Vol. 1 (Star Wars)

by Karen Traviss

Book Review by Dan Tres Omi

Omi's Note: Again, I have yet to see the movie. I plan on watching it before the October 3rd release of the animated series on Cartoon Network. I do have a few points to discuss on this blog about the Clone Wars and GL's current maneuvers. I know I am so behind on what is going on. Please bear with me. Again, thanks for the support and the emails.

When it comes to the Clones of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) or the Mandalorians, Karen Traviss is the go to person. Her successful Clone Commando series is a testament to that. Not to mention her contribution to the Legacy of the Jedi Jacen Solo/Darth Caedus story arc. Unfortunately, Traviss gets caught up in the Star Wars franchise scramble for more money.

One would assume that George Lucas, or GL as we affectionately call him here, has made enough money to really sit back and let the SW canon evolve. Most of us, even non Star Wars fans, know that GL is loaded and there is no need for him to make bad decisions. Of course, many Expanded Universe (EU) fans wanted the Clone Wars plot to continue since the movies only cover a very small portion of the actual Clone Wars and the books only make reference to them. So it was natural that supply and demand would bring new stories out. Yet introducing new characters that have never been mentioned before causes more problems.

Of course, Traviss is not to blame in any of this. I find that when it comes to the Clones, Traviss brings even much more of a perspective from a cloned human. Although much of it deals with their do or die dedication to the Republic and the Jedi Order. Yet through Captain Rex, his non commissioned officers (NCOs), and Commander Cody (who plays a prominent role in Ep III), we see a more personal interaction between the clones. Unfortunately, the story takes away too much from the clones. The idea of the Jedi helping Jabba the Hutt is far fetched but when the story continues, it makes sense.

Remember, these stories are supposed to get into how Anakin continues to slide deeper and deeper into the dark side. So helping a Hutt who at one time owned him and his mother helped to bring out some deep seated anger. Helping Jabba also made Anakin asks more questions about the Jedi's role in the galaxy. Why aren't the Jedi helping the regular citizen of the Republic instead of some questionable characters such as Jabba the Hutt? Why didn't the Jedi free all of the slaves that Anakin knew growing up on Tattoine? Traviss does a good job of exploring that.

Making Anakin a Jedi Knight keeps Obi Wan Kenobi out of the picture. This allows Anakin an opportunity to really explore his feelings about the Force, the Jedi, and his relationships with Padme Amidala. Although I have issues with Ahsoka, Anakin's padawan, I can see why she was introduced into the story. Having an apprentice keeps Anakin in check. However, there could have been other ways to do that.

Traviss does a great job but unfortunately, she will catch all the flak from the EU fans due to the input of GL and Dave Filoni. . The book is a quick read since it covers two short battles. Members of the 501st will also enjoy this book since it adds two more battles under the 501st flag.

Invincible (Star Wars: Legacy of the Force, Book 9)

2008-08-26T18:10:00.000-07:00

Invincible (Star Wars: Legacy of the Force, Book 9)

By Troy Denning
Book Review by Dan Tres Omi

When George Lucas allowed several authors to pen the numerous books for the Yuuzhan Vong war (the New Jedi Order – NJO), there were so many problems. While there was a strict adherence to continuity, the flow would sometimes stifle or pick up depending on who was writing. Sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't. With so many books, several plots and subplots were neatly finished. One would have never expected Jacen Solo to turn out the way he did. If anything, readers were left either hating or somewhat tolerating Jacen Solo. What made the NJO series special was that it allowed the reader to really explore the nuances of the Force.

In the Legacy of the Force (LOTF) series, there were only nine books with three authors. Like the NJO, the LOTF would ebb and flow. Some books were right on while others were just plain bad. Troy Denning had his work cut out for him. I expected the book to be as big as “The Unifying Force” by James Luceno. Yet it was only a scant 299 pages and the book moves very quickly.

I was glad that Denning places the reader in the Mandalorian defense of the Verpine mining asteroid of Nickel One in the Roche system. The Verpine and the Mandalorians have a treaty that began in the early part of the LOTF series. Boba Fett wanted to honor it even if it meant fighting against the Imperial Remnant. Fett was definitely out of his league and expected a massacre. It is good to see Fett in a situation that calls upon all of his resources. The Mandalorians get their beskar'gam handed back to them. I assumed that Denning would have left them out since that is Karen Traviss' realm.

Jaina Solo is in the front with Fett and his granddaughter Mirta Gev. She splits with the Mandalorians and meets up with the Jedi Council who agree that someone should be sent to kill Jacen Solo/Darth Caedus. Everyone agrees that Jaina should be the one to do it. It takes two tries but Jaina is finally successful. Both battles are worth the price of admission. Darth Caedus uses all of his Force ability and even pulls out the Shatterpoint technique last used by Master Mace Windu. The reader will also see the Moffs in action once again.

The drawback that takes so much away from the book is the ending. The galaxy is pretty much in shambles. The Bothans have sided with the Corellians. Admiral Niathal, who defected with bits of the Fourth Fleet, joins up with the Jedi, the Wookies, and the Hapes Consortium. The Mandalorians are for themselves and the Verpine. The Imperial Remnant is maintaining an unsteady alliance with Darth Caedus. Politically there is no one shot solution that would keep everyone happy. While killing Darth Caedus is a good idea, what to do afterward is never considered. Denning tries in the last twenty pages. To be honest, this would have been done more thoroughly in a separate series. Unfortunately, the Sith that the late Alema Rar found are not even mentioned.

We do see how the galaxy is set up to be the way it is in Cade Skywalker's time. There is a new found hostility towards the Jedi since many people are beginning to place blame on the Jedi Order. The galaxy is still in an uneasy alliance. I think that every reader knew that Darth Caedus was going to be killed. It's the way of the Sith. No matter how powerful a Sith Lord becomes, someone comes along and takes them out. One would think that the Sith would figure that out by now and try something entirely new.

Been a Long Time...

2008-08-24T16:09:00.000-07:00

If you haven't heard, the Omi's purchased their first home so we have been busy moving in and working on projects. I am behind on so much. There is so much to discuss. Before we get into the Clone Wars movie, we have so much ground to cover.

As usual we are behind anyway, right folks?

If you know how the Brother Omi rolls, you know that we try to avoid what everyone else is talking about. So I want to give everyone a chance to get out there and check out the movie first and then head back here. I have yet to watch it. So you must give me a chance...

I do have to big up an event that's coming up.

"BLACK AGE XI"

Program and scheule of events.
The opening reception for this group show which is entitled,

"The Blacker the Hero"
will be on Oct. 10th 2008,
5:00pm to 8:00pm, free admission at the
African American Cultural Center of the University of Illinois at Chicago.
830 South Halsted Street
Chicago IL 60607
312-996-9540

The exhibition will feature selected images, posters, and illustrations
from a variety of Black Age or indie characters created by a
variety of artists. The lecture-discussion will feature a moderator, an agenda,
with invited professional Black Age/indie publishers.

OCTOBER 11th 2008

We will be vending books at the
South Side YMCA
at 6330 South Stony Island in the Alcove area
10am until 4pm. Free Admission.
Press Conference and panel TBA

OCTOBER 12th 2008
Ari-Ware Store .
Time: 2pm until 5pm
266 Lake Street in Oak Park IL 708-524-8398,
will host Turtel Onli , "The Father of The Black Age"
Theme: The history and value of the Black Age of Comics. Plus additional guests. Signings, vendings, panel, & learning opportunities.

AZIZI Bookstore
at 134 Lincoln Mall Matteson Il
708-283-9850 Time and creators TBA

Interested fans and participants should contact Onli Studios at onli@sbcglobal.net .
Participants will be taken on a first come first served basis. We have limited places to complete.

"BLACK AGE XI" is part of Chicago Artists Month, the thirteenth annual celebration of Chicago’s vibrant visual art community organized by the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and is made possible through the Presenting Sponsorship of 3Arts and the Lead Sponsorship of the Sara Lee Foundation. For more information, call 312/744-6630 or visit http://www.chicagoartistsmonth.org/ .

See you then?

A Butlerian future?

2008-06-27T03:05:00.000-07:00

Two days ago on June 25th, was the born day for George Orwell, the author of the classics Animal Farm and 1984. It's unfortunate that this was glossed over in the mainstream media even though HR 6034 FISA Amendment Act of 2008 was just passed last Friday. I remember way back in 1983, when the mainstream media made a big hoopla about the book “1984.” Most people balked at the idea of an Orwellian society. Many assumed that Orwell was discussing a future where Stalin like dictators ruled the world. Contrary to popular belief in 2008, there are Stalin like dictators who run several countries (Zimbabwe, North Korea, etc.).

In the United States, things are much different. Yet lately, our economy has hit a low. Food and gas prices have skyrocketed to prices that have not been seen in decades. The 1973 oil crisis was not as bad. Next winter, people will see gas bills for heating their homes to double. Economists claim that there will be another 1.5 million foreclosures in the next 18 months. Some are afraid that more and more companies will continue to lay off their employees as more of them move overseas or try to cover the rising prices of food. Gun violence is beginning to have another upsurge. Gangs continue to plague communities throughout the nation.

All of these things seem to place us teetering at the edge. It reminds me of Octavia Butler's “Parable of the Talents.” It is set in the year 2025 and things are much worse than we have it now. However, it all sprung from the situation we see ourselves in now. The suffering economy, loss of jobs, lawlessness, the widening gap between the rich and the poor, etc. It's scary to think of it that way. I don't mean to scare folks just wanted to point that out.

Maybe Butler was warning us. She also saw the potential in humanity to uplift itself. Of course like the characters in the story, we have to find the solutions within ourselves. We can expect some wanna be deity save us from all this. Like Butler's story, there is hope but we have to work at it. That's the part I took away from her stories.

If anything, I encourage my readers to check out her stuff. You won't be disappointed.

A few more fan films

2008-06-10T16:38:00.001-07:00

because I love you.

SW fans never cease to amaze me. Every day or so, I might run into a fan film. I have not provided you readers with treats, I apologize for that. Here are a few:

The lighting could be better, but the concept is pretty funny. They mix SW lore with American Chopper. Sort of a little red necky (is that a work) but i think it works.

A fav of mine is really a documentary (gotta love those docs). It's pretty good and the producer of the film has done several interviews. All pretty good.

and a little short for all of you ewok and gospel music fans,

Enjoy

The Ultimates

2008-05-29T07:11:00.000-07:00

Why I dig the Ultimates...(Avengers, that is)

As many of you may know, I am very, very afraid of movie adaptation of comic books. Some of you may also know that coming up as a youngblood, I was a huge Marvel head. I just couldn't get with DC comics (That was until Dwayne McDuffie came alone... he pretty much singlehandedly returned me back to the world of comic book-dom). If you were to read my other blog, you would learn that I am a huge fan of Captain America. Yes, my Pan Africanist tail loves me some Captain America.

The huge bumrush of the Mutant-palooza made me stop reading titles such as the Avengers and Captain America since the better writers were used for the mutant based comic books (Again, I have to thank folks like Joe Quesada for taking Marvel into the direction the New Avengers have been going as well as the Civil War series – big up to Billie Wheelz for that). When Marvel did the Ultimates universe, I was not really impressed. I did however, dig the Ultimate Avengers which was written by Mark Millar and illustrated by Bryan Hitch. I enjoyed how they redid Captain America, the Pyms, Thor, Hulk, Betsy Ross, S.H.I.E.L.D. (yes they got rid of those tight suits), Hawkeye, the Black Widow, and yes Nick Fury.

They made Nick Fury a black man! Now, don't get me wrong I dug the original Nick Fury despite the tight outfits. I really just can't take a super secret government agency trying to arrest cats while wearing tight suits.

Marvel took it a bit further and did two made for DVD release movies, Ultimate Avengers I and II. The second DVD focused on the Black Panther and the African country of Wakanda. It can't get any better than that. Love it, man.

Had to get that off my chest.

Keeping Up With The Jones

2008-05-25T06:24:00.000-07:00

Omi's Note: Tony Muhammed, an educator and Dj from Florida had some pretty interesting things to say about the Indiana JOnes promo on BET's 106 and park. To be honest, I have only seen one episode of that teeny bopper show in my entire life (what ever happened to Teen summit?). But check it out. the link is below. Let me know what you think. (big up to Davey D for this).

Keeping Up With the Joneses: BET and the Subliminal Culture of White Supremacy

By Bro.
Tony Muhammad
Hiphopeducator19@gmail.com
www. myspace.com/tonymuhammad

Since Viacom bought out Black Entertainment Television (BET) my attention towards the cable channel's programming has diminished to a crawl. I noticed several years ago how as soon as the take over was complete the changes became obvious.
Conscientious talk show host Tavis Smiley was immediately fired from BET Tonight and replaced by the non-threatening Ed Gordon, ultimately doing away with the late night news segment altogether. At the same time, Rap City seemed to have all of a sudden lost its edge on bridging the gaps between the old, new and true schools in Hip Hop.
The predominant images in Hip Hop, especially on the famed 106 and Park became increasingly trendy; which actually meant more sexist, savagely stereotypical and violently vulgar. Alienated, I like many other conscientious loyal viewers made the decision to tune out. With the exception of special eye catching programs such as the Hip Hop Verses America panel series that aired last year, the only updates I would receive about what was shown on BET came through my students.

Flash forward to May 20th, 2008. It was late afternoon. A very close friend of mine who happens to be a pioneer in the music industry was visiting from out of town. He was flipping through channels on my living room television set and just so happened to land on BET. He quickly called me over to pay special attention to what was taking place on the screen. The first obvious thing I noticed was that this was a special 106 and Park show, promoting the release of the movie Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. The first thought that came to my mind was that this was rather unusual, considering that all of the main characters in the film are white.
This is Black Entertainment Television after all right??? Not only this but the main character himself, Indiana Jones played by Harrison Ford, is supposed to be a famous anthropologist who is on a life-long journey to explore non-Western lands for precious treasures, which in his mind should be placed on display in Western (European) museums.

Co-host Terrence J was wearing an Indiana Jones get up on the show; brown leather jacket, brimmed hat and all. The show was airing live from the Magic Johnson movie theatre in what was once known as the Mecca of Black intellectualism and culture; Harlem, New York. Today, Harlem's population has been "whitewashed" as a result of rabid gentrification efforts. I automatically started making these connections in my mind and became concerned yet interested to see more.
I then noticed two pillars, one on either side of the set, reminiscent of ancient Egypt (Kemit), which according to the Honorable Elijah Muhammad was one of the last greatest Black civilizations on Earth. It quickly dawned on me that the first Indiana Jones movie, Raiders of the Lost Ark, took place in Egypt (Kemit) and how many of its glorious ancient artifacts are today found in many Western museums and how European (white) scholars have historically discredited Black people from developing such a civilization; giving more credit to what has been termed as "North African Caucasoids" (if there ever was such a thing) or simply put, "tanned" white people. Knowing all of this is important in order to understand what was to come.

Ashanti was the first artist to perform between the two pillars. On one level she appeared culturally enriched, with makeup around her eyes symbolic of the great pharaohs of ancient Egypt (Kemit). Artistically however, it was obvious that she is being molded according to corporate-music industry research standards - trying to mold her to sound more like what's presently "hot" (Keyshia Cole) rather than her own natural soft sensual musical self. After Ashanti's performance Shia LaBeouf, who plays Indiana Jones' sidekick Mutt Williams, was brought up on stage. He was asked to kick a freestyle, but refused.Instead, he did the "Crip Walk. " The audience cheered.

read more here...

Star Wars Legacy of the Force: Revelation

2008-05-18T15:28:00.000-07:00

Revelation (Star Wars: Legacy of the Force, Book 8)

by Karen Traviss

Book Review by Dan Tres OMi

Omi's Note: I did read this book several weeks ago but held out on the review until the latest installment was out and gave everyone a week or two to catch it. This way, I wouldn't spoil anything for anyone.

With Karen Traviss at the helm of this book, the readers are returned to the Mandolarian culture. This time, Jaina decides it is up to her to defeat her brother. She was advised to seek training from someone that Jacen/Darth Caedus would never expect: Boba Fett. The story moves along at a quickening pace as Jacen/Darth Caedus finds a new apprentice.

The Mandolarians begin to secure more weapons contracts as they start to design fighter craft that are superior to anything used by the Galactic Alliance (GA). Some old characters from Traviss' Clone Commando series also make appearances. The reader also learns more about Fett's past. I only found these parts to be the plus ones. Everything else could have been done in a comic book.

Again, I must reiterate this particular theme: Fett is too old to be out there fighting. Yes, he has been cured (escaping death yet again) but his aging wasn't reversed. I expected there to be more deaths at the hands of Jacen/Darth Caedus. I expected to see more major characters meet their end. Yet none of it happened.

Personally, I don't think Jaina has what it takes to take on Jacen. When it comes to the Force, Jacen is just too formidable unless the authors from the Dark Nest Trilogy have been pulling our legs. Although I enjoy Traviss' work, I feel that this book and the last one were not enough to wrap up the later part of the series. The first few books did well to set up the plot yet now it seems as if Jacen/Darth Caedus despite all of his power can't seem to hold anything together.

There are so many characters that I feel should be focused on such as Kyp Durron, Seba Sebantyne, and others. Yet we get the same old guys, Luke (who should have been killed instead of Mara Jade), Han, and Leia. Although I dig the Mandolarians and their culture, I didn't really want to see a wedding.

Kwisatz Haderach: Sandwords Part II – The Breakdown

2008-05-04T05:32:00.000-07:00

Another mythological concept brought into sci fi by the brilliant Frank Herbert was that of the Kwisatz Haderach or “the shortening of the way” in Herbert's Dune trilogy. In the Dune universe, this messiah like being would be able to connect the bridge between time and space. The Kwisatz Haderach would be everyone at once and be able to tell the future through prescience. In the original books, the Kwisatz Haderach was manifested in Paul Mu'adib who later refused this role, and then his son Leto II who became the God Emperor and ruled the universe for 2500 years.

While reading Ben Bova's Saturn, I noticed that many of his heroes were people of color. It is authors like Bova who remind me that in the future, it will be people from other countries outside of the United States who will most likely map out the stars. Bova does not mean people of Canada or Europe. If anything, there have been several articles that discuss how countries such as China, India, and even Nigeria have robust space programs.

In Sandwords of Dune, the concept of the Kwisatz Haderach returns. This time (this is a spoiler, folks) that person is manifested in Duncan Idaho. Idaho was a close bodyguard to the Atriedes family where the original Kwisatz Haderach came from. I must point out that Sandwords of Dune was written by Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson using notes left by the late Frank Herbert. Yet here we are, maybe 25,000 years into the future and a white cat named Duncan Idaho is the savior of the universe. Go figure. Why did his name have to be Duncan Idaho? Why can't it be Chen or Ramirez or Taiwo? Let's take it further, why couldn't it have been Sheila Idaho or Janet Idaho? I will say that the Dune series has a great number of female heroes. Yet what about the Kwisatz Haderach?

It's this type of sci fi naivete that bugs me out. As stated before, many will say that these gentlemen write from their perspective. When it comes to sci fi, I have to disagree. There have been many ideas and technological advances made because of the things discussed in sci fi. Even an element on the periodic table is named after Krypton. To think that white men will continue to run things even in science fiction is borderline idiocy and wishful thinking. There I said it.

Sandwords of Dune Book Review

2008-04-07T03:48:00.000-07:00

Sandworms of Dune
Brian Herbert and Kevin J Anderson

Book Review by Dan Tres Omi

Omi's Note: I know this is a blog about Star Wars. Just bear with me. There will be an addendum to this post.

Many consider this to be the final installment in the Frank Herbert's Dune universe. Fortunately for Dune fans (depending on who you talk to), there will be other books written centered in the Dune universe. Brian Herbert, the son of the late author, and Kevin J. Anderson decided to conclude the Dune story after finding several pages of handwritten notes by the elder Herbert which detailed the conclusion of the House Atreides, the planet Arrakis, and the conflict between humanity and the thinking machines.

This author has read all of Frank Herbert's books and jumped at the chance of reading the prequels written by his son and Anderson. However, Brian Herbert and Anderson have yet to match Frank Herbert's brilliant writing and masterful vision. Yet this author does to expect anyone else to. Anderson has written several Star Wars novels and penned his own books that encompasses an entire universe with it's own history in the Saga of the Seven Suns series. Again, this author must admit that reading the prequels and the books after Chapterhouse was not as easy as reading Frank Herbert's original books. The writing quality is just not up to par. Yet reading all of those books helps to explain the history of the Dune universe.

For one to fully understand why the humans during Paul Mu'adib's time and that of his son Leto II did not use thinking machines, one must read the “Butlerian Jihad” and “The Machine Crusade.” To get a full grasp of why the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood operate in the manner in which they do, the prequels have to be read. Many a Dune fan has expressed their regret for picking up a few of these books. Yet learning about Frank Herbert's world through the notes interpreted through the younger Herbert and Anderson is worth it all in my opinion.

Sandwords of Dune takes place after Hunters of Dune which takes place immediately after the events of Frank Herbert's final chapter in the Dune universe before his unexpected demise. In Hunters of Dune, we follow the ghola Duncan Idaho who pilots the no ship Ithaca and his crew of refugees who escaped the genocide of the Honored Matres from Chapterhouse, the homeworld of the Bene Gesserit. Sheanna, a Bene Gesserit has decided to grow gholas of famous figures in histoy such as Paul Atreides, Chani his concubine, Dr. Yueh Wellington, Lady Jessica, Thufir Hawat, Leto II, Liet Kynes, and Stilgar. In Hunters... Matre Supreme Commander Murbella finally unites the Honored Matres and the Bene Genesserits to form the New Sisterhood to mobilize humanity against a centuries old enemy. We also learn that the thinking machines have returned to confront humanity in one final battle and have been scheming for centuries on their revenge under the watchful eye of Omnius and Erasmus.

In Sandworms, the Ithaca is still being pursued by Omnius and Erasmus. At the same time, Omnius has grown his own gholas of Paul Atreides and the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. Murbella finally has mustered every available warship and soldier the universe has to prepare against the final battle with the thinking machines. Omnius has calculated that the key to fully defeating the humans is to control both Kiswatz Haderachs. Omnius sends a plague to destroy Chapterhouse since he understands that it is the New Sisterhood is humanity's only hope. Each action leads the major players closer and closer to the final confrontation which is full of surprises.

Of all of the prequels written by Brian Herbert and Anderson, I have to admit that Hunters... and Sandworms... are the best ones. Both writers build enough tension through Sandworms and throw in quite a few surprises. In the prequels concerning the Butlerian Jihad and the main houses of humanity, the story lines were tremendously predictable and several characters were ones the reader ended up not caring for. With the post Frank Herbert books, some new characters are really fleshed out.

Both authors pose more questions than answers. This adds to the mystery of the Dune series. There were so many plots within plots and this reminded me of Frank Herbert. Despite the destruction of Arrakis in Chapterhouse Dune, spice remained the ingredient that put everything together. Several groups, even the thinking machines, fought over this commodity. Personally, I found it to be a satisfying conclusion to the story. Not only did the two authors tie everything up from Frank Herbert's original novels but they also tied things up from the prequels as well. Many of the prequel characters make an appearance.
Much of what Frank Herbert used in his original books were also explained.

As stated before, there are several fans who are disappointed in the work Brian Herbert and Anderson have done. Yet this book is worth reading since everything is tied up properly. Plus it is always good to know what happens in the end.

The New Clone Wars

2008-03-26T02:34:00.000-07:00

Like most SW fans, I await the premiere of this exciting new series. Many readers of this blog have asked us several questions about it. I know we have waited far too long to answer some of them but as most of you know, I am looking forward to it. I knew it would be on Cartoon Network (probably the only place where one can find the freedom needed to really put out a quality cartoon – just look at the Justice League Unlimited which pretty much has forced me to even look at the DC line again). Here we go.

a. For those of you that don't know, GL has allowed the production reins to Dave Filoni. Filoni is like many of us, a hardcore fan who enjoys dressing up as Jedi Master Plo Koon. He will be working as the Supervising Director. This is seen as a good move by many since Filoni follows the EU closely. However, I must point out that GL still makes the final decision. GL has stated that they will be introducing new characters and new storylines. So don't expect to learn more about the campaign at Boz Pity or more about Quinlan Vos.

b. GL and Filoni have both stated that you will see the Jedi and other characters that are in the movies. So of course you will see stories with Plo Koon, Adi Gailla, Mace Windu, and Ki Adi Mundi. So that should be good.

c.No one has come out to say this, but the implication is there, but many of the stories will be considered canon and may not contradict anything in the EU. I guess that is the reason why Filoni was chosen.

d.Of course, you all know that I have issues with Anakin having a padawan. There just wasn't enough time. We have to consider so many issues if he had a padawan. I know that several masters were killed leaving their padawans in a state of limbo. Yet the Council did not wily nily hand out padawans to folks just because.

e. the artwork is just too awesome.

f. Filoni explained that there will be a lot of clones. He will introduce some new commanders and see a better relationship developed with some clones and Jedi.

I hope this helps.

Star Wars: Fury

2008-03-23T05:35:00.000-07:00

Fury (Star Wars: Legacy of the Force, Book 7)
by Aaron Allston

This is the seventh installment in the Legacy of the Force series. Things are all coming to a head as the Jedi under Luke Skywalker finally decide that they have to move aggressively against Jacen. At this point no one, not even Luke, believes that Jacen could be brought back to the light side. Jacen/Darth Caedus has passed the point of no return by torturing Ben Skywalker and killing Mara Jade Skywalker. However, no one suspects that Jacen/Darth Caedus is the one behind the murder of Mara. Everyone continues to think it is Alema Rar.

As the Jedi begin to search for a new place to move their academy, Jacen/Darth Caedus along with Admiral Niathal are looking for that one battle that would turn the tide and win the war. Ironically, Jacen/Darth Caedus is losing allies from within and without the Galactic Alliance as planets continue to claim their independence or join the Confederation under Corellia.

Jacen/Darth Caedus decides to kidnap his daughter Allana from the Hapes Consortium due to the betrayal of Tenel Ka. When he successfully accomplishes this, Tenel Ka approaches Luke Skywalker and comes clean about their child. The Jedi decide to get Allana back and confront Jacen/Darth Caedus.
Meanwhile Admiral Niathal begins to realize that Jacen has always been acting in his own interest. Jacen continues to overstep his boundaries and make decisions without consulting her. Admiral Niathal decides to wait awhile partly because she feels that the war would come to its climax soon.

The Confederation decides to approach Jacen to sue for peace. Jacen and Admiral Niathal quickly understand that it is a trap even though intelligence demonstrates that the Confederation fleet is in dire straits. Both joint Chiefs of Staff, set up a plan in case the trap is sprung. Jacen/Darth Caedus decides to keep Allana near him. The Jedi learn about the peace “summit” and make their plans. When Jacen/Darth Caedus arrives, the Confederation springs their trap and Jacens calls in his fleet from hyperspace. That is when the Corellians use Centerpoint Station to destroy the Galactic Alliance Fleet. At the same time, Leia, Han, and several others are successful in their attempt to rescue Allana.

Despite the defeat, Jacen/Darth Caedus and Admiral Niathal decide to counter attack the Corellians at Centerpoint Station. This idea was put together to let the Confederation believe that the Galactic Alliance is no where near defeat. Of course, the Jedi learn about this attack and make their move as well. They plan on sending a team to destroy the station from within. Meanwhile, the Corellian Confederation is slowly falling apart as factions begin to upset the balance of power.

To be honest, Fury is overwhelming. So many things happens but it makes sense. In this book, everyone even Admiral Niathal loses faith in Jacen/Darth Caedus. Being the seventh book, things will be moving pretty fast to wrap things up. Unfortunately, when everything is said in done the galaxy will probably return to its former position right after the Yuuzhan Vong war. This explains how the Empire takes over before the time of Cade Skywalker.

In this blog, we have covered the idea of how an Imperial government seems to “govern” a vast galaxy in a much more efficient manner. The lights stay on and folks get to eat. The Republic or the Galactic Alliance just never seems to do it right. As the action unfolds, we see the Galactic Alliance (GA) crumbling. Of course, Jacen and Niathal led the GA to it's breaking point even though both of their intentions were supposedly for the good of the galaxy.

Jacen (which is why I switch back and forth between Jacen and Jacen/Darth Caedus) still has not come out of the closet as a Sith. Ironically, none of the Jedi have admitted to this as well. A few suspect but overall, the feeling is that Jacen is nuts instead of a Sith lord. As a reader, we have the benefit of knowing the plot but Jacen is compared to Darth Vader so many times one would think that someone would say “hey, dude is a Sith.” Is this the same pattern from what happened in Ep III?

Star Wars: Honor and Duty Graphic Novel

2008-03-11T18:07:00.000-07:00

Honor and Duty (Star Wars)
by John Ostrander, C.P. Smith, Luke Ross, Jasen Rodriguez, and Steve Firchow

This graphic novel covers 3 issues in the Star Wars: Republic line. All three cover the story of Sagoro Autem, a Republic Senate Guard two years before the onset of the Clone Wars and the events shortly after Episode III. It is stories like that of Autem that keep me glued to the Star Wars EU.

Autem is third generation Senate Guard. He is a by the book family man who finds that the Republic is the next best thing since the Holonet. Like Jedi Master Mace Windu, Autem believes that the Republic is the only thing that keeps the galaxy from falling into chaos. Like Windu, Autem does whatever it takes within the guidelines of the Republic to maintain that order. So he makes sure that he gets his man.

Like all ordinary people, Autem does have his problems. His brother, Venco, is a former Senate Guard who was fired due to his corrupt deeds. Venco continues to visit his brother's protest. His son Reymet, who is currently a student at the Senate Guard academy does not share in his father's view of the Republic. If anything, he is carefree and wants to venture outside of Coruscant to learn about the outside world. Autem's married life is strained at best. Yet he continues to punch the clock each day to earn his pay and get the bad guys.

Everything changes when Autem and his partner are asked to investigate the murder of a Senator right before the passage of an important Senate bill. The new Senator is assigned two Jedi, Obi Wan Kenobi and the young Anakin Skywalker. Autem is distrustful of the Jedi but decides to keep them in the loop. Soon Autem discovers that Venco is involved in the plot and his son has unknowingly assisted his brother in his criminal activities.

Autem's fate is set when he kills his brother and learns that he would be put under investigation when the Senate Guard realizes that Venco had paid Autem and his family several visits. Autem decides to leave the Senate Guard when he learns that his family has fled the planet. Fast forward until the events after Episode III where Autem is a celebrated war hero due to the siege of Saleucami. He learns about the Empire and Darth Vader and quickly realizes that again, he has bought into the wrong system. Somehow Vader takes a personal vow to kill Autem himself, yet in the end the hero escapes.

What makes the story so great is that we see what happens to the little people in the wake of the Clone Wars. We see how the Republic and it's corrupt bureaucracy runs over the powerless. It makes one understand why so many planets decided to become independent. Autem and several like him throughout the story struggle with that idea. Unlike the other characters, it takes much for Autem to realize that the Republic has failed him.

Again, I enjoy the story line but I was frustrated that the other stories of Autem and his encounters with other Jedi, his return to the Republic, and other battles are left out. I understand that in several of those stories, Autem was a background character and the other stories would not have centered around him. For those not familiar with the EU, it may seem rather confusing. Overall, it is nice collection of good writing and great artwork.

Anakin and his padawan

2008-02-25T18:32:00.000-08:00

(GL does it again)

I was not going to let the cat out of the bag, but someone in the comments page did. I wanted to really meditate on this for a second and then I wanted to peruse through all of my Clone Wars stuff to see if it fit. For those that don't know, in the new Clone Wars series coming in August of 2008, Anakin will be given a padawan.

Now the span between Episodes II and III is only 3 years. Dark Horse comics and Del Rey have done a good job at keeping everyone up to snuff on their timelines. There may have been a few weeks missing in the lives of Anakin and Obi Wan but throughout the Clone Wars, during Episode III, and after there is no mention of Anakin having a padawan. If memory serves me correctly, Anakin did not become a Jedi Master until shortly before the events in Episode III. So he did not have time to have a padawan since so much was going on.

It would make sense for him to have watched some padawan since many padawans were losing their masters during the Clone Wars but not as an apprentice. Of course GL was guilty of this before with the Qui Gon Jinn debacle but heads were able to let that slide. Then we had two alternate prequels in the second season of Clone Wars and the book Labyrinth of Evil. This one is going to be a doosy to explain.

Anyone care to try?

Darth Bane: The Rule of Two

2008-02-19T18:52:00.000-08:00

by Drew Karpyshyn
Book Review by Dan Tres OMi

The story begins shortly after the finale of the Jedi-Sith battle on Ruusan. The Jedi win a Pyhrric victory as the Sith seemingly wipe themselves out while taking close to a hundred Jedi with them including the heroic yet stubborn General Hoth. One Jedi padawan however, Johun Othone, believes that there are a few Sith hiding in the shadows. Yet the Jedi, particularly General Farfalla, doubt that any Sith survived the inescapable thought bomb. The Jedi decide to turn their military power over the Republic through Chancellor Valorum (no not the one from Episode I).

Darth Bane and his new apprentice, Zannah, attempt to leave Ruusan but encounter problems through mercenaries. They quickly dispatch them and leave a few of them alive so that they can spread rumors of dark siders. Bane's plan works as he uses these seeds of deception to spread his Sith like tendrils throughout the galaxy. Ten years pass as Bane and Zannah continue to gain power, spread dissent, and continue to create a web of resources throughout the galaxy. Bane understands that his power needs to grow and that there is still much to learn. Zannah shows a tremendous amount of patience and she continues to follow Bane's orders.

Eventually Othone discovers Tomcat, one of Zannah's cousins who saw her after the demise of the Brotherhood of the Sith on Ruusan. He brings Tomcat to the Jedi temple to bring him before the Jedi Council. Zannah, on a mission to steal information from the temple, encounters Tomcat and kidnaps him. A chase ensues. The Jedi are again ready to deal with the Sith. Or are they?

The story moves slowly. At this point, we see the lightsaber action take a back seat as Bane and his apprentice begin their machinations towards the ruin of the Jedi. Through Bane's actions in both books, one can easily come away with the idea that Bane is stronger and more diabolical then Palpatine ever was. If anything, Bane set the standard for the rule of two. Bane continues to demonstrate the weakness of the previous Sith lords who maintained large armies of Sith masters and students. Bane's focus and determination is unparalleled as he tries to create a Sith holocron. He is truly a student of the dark side and wastes no effort in learning more. At times, the reader wonders if Zannah is worthy of being his apprentice yet she proves her loyalty over and over.

The arrogance of the Jedi is clearly evident. One can see the beginnings of their elitist approach to the galaxy. In Valorum's debate with Farfalla, we see the Jedi refuse to turn over their power. Quickly, they become enslaved to the Republic. Othone, even though he is a student of General Hoth, is a pragmatist. He sees the error in both decisions but realizes that the Jedi can maintain control forever. Othone feels the Jedi should pay a more prominent role in Galactic politics however. It seems as if each Jedi represents a different sentiment. Even the minor Jedi introduced in this book each represent a different facet of what he or she feels the Jedi should follow.

Through the Jedi's insolence, the Sith do escape and they are much stronger than ever. It would be interesting to see how this plays out since Lucas has cancelled the book on Darth Plagueis. For those who want to understand how the Sith work right up to Palpatine, this book is a must read. One will learn that in the Star Wars EU, the Sith after the death of Palpatine revert to the old ways of starting a brotherhood. Soon, our blog will begin to focus on those Sith lords when the time comes.

Make Mine Marvel?

2008-02-08T19:15:00.000-08:00

Some of you comic book heads remember the days when Marvel comics reigned supreme before all the X Men movies. In the letter's section of any Marvel comic, several fans would end their letters with “make mine marvel.” Before they would write make mine marvel they would throw a punchline before that. It would go something like this:

“Until Wolverine cries, make mine marvel...”

or

“Until Dr. Strange smokes weed, make mine marvel...”

My brother from another mother Billie Wheelz and I still throw punch lines such as these all the time. Call it a geek moment but only the true Marvel heads (O.M.'s, right?) know about this. However Marvel has done some stuff that made me think twice about supporting them. To be honest, they fell off for about a decade. Yet when I was a die hard fan, they did some ill things. Check the method.

1.The marriage of the Vision and Scarlet Witch – I think Stan Lee and Jack Kirby were smoking some crack with this one (I am sure when Lee's biography comes out there will be several instances of drug binges in there). How the heck is a cyborg that walks through walls going to get with a mutant? I understand that Marvel has explained the children part through the Scarlet Witch's powers but sex? Come on man. That is borderline perv.

2.Luke Cage in his old threads – A yellow top and tight black pants? WTF, a pimp? In the late 90's, someone at Marvel decided this was wack and now has Luke Cage wearing regular street clothes. Whew! I know much if happened because of the stereotype folks had in the 70's but even Black Lightning in DC comics was played like that.

3.Modok – WTF? Then he came to rule over the Kree Empire? WTF? He was just too weird. Can't wait until the History of Marvel comics comes out. I am sure there will be plenty of Bobby Brown and Whitney Houston moments.

4.Storm – I never really got close to her character because she had white hair and blue eyes. This was NEVER explained. So a sister had to have some recessive trait in there to be considered a goddess. I will admit that the Storm graphic novel by Eric Jerome Dickey is dope on so many levels, I got it for T'Challa instead of Storm.

5.Wolverine – the reason why I was not big on Wolverine was because as tough as he claimed to be, he always manages to get his ass handed to him. He talks so much junk it's ridiculous. It actually gets on my nerves. If it wasn't for his healing factor, dude would have been tossed a long time ago.

6.Nick Fury – die mofo, die! Dude does not have the Super Soldier Serum like Captain America yet he has not aged a day since WWII. Okay they throw a little white on the edges. He has no super powers but still lives. Come on man, kill him off, please. BTW, did anyone see Michael Hasselhoff play Nick Fury? It is too funny. (the name is so dope though).

7.Oh about S.H.I.E.L.D. -- what's up with the tights? I really can't take a federal agency seriously if they are all wearing tights. I have grown to understand why comic book artists draw super heroes in tights, but federal agents?

8.Did anyone collect the Dazzler comic book? Let me catch someone who did so I can joke them. I can't picture the party now....

9.As much as I love Jack Kirby's and John Byrne's the Fantastic Four (remember when the Thing left and the She Hulk was a member?), I cannot stand the Silver Surfer. I just can't take a cat who flies around on a surf board seriously. Sorry dude. Another crack binge in the office.

Until Nick Fury lives another ten minutes, Make Mine Marvel.

Star Wars: Secrets of the Jedi

2008-02-03T15:47:00.000-08:00

by Jude Watson

Review by Dan Tres Omi

Young Adult (YA) books have come along way. While attending education course at Old Dominion University (ODU) who used many YA books for the curriculum. I was amazed at how historically accurate many of these YA books were. Although they left much detail out, the stories were exciting. Star Wars YA books do the same. They stay close to the official canon and there is much continuity involved. Jude Watson has written several YA books for the Star Wars EU. If anything Jude Watson has filled in so many blanks when it comes to training in the Jedi temple. She started with the apprenticeship between Qui Gon Jin and Obi Wan Kenobi and continued through that of Obi Wan and Anakin Skywalker. I have to big up Billie Wheelz for consistently recommending the YA books. He has read all of them and is an avid supporter of YA books. My oldest son, X-man, has been reading them since he was eight years old and thoroughly enjoys them.

In Secrets of the Jedi, Watson tells a story about Obi Wan as a padawan under Qui Gon, and a love interest he had with Siri Tachi, a padawan under Adi Gallia. While helping a young child escape bounty hunters who worked for Passel Argente, the head of the Corporate Alliance. While helping the young Taly escape from the clutches of the bounty hunters and destroying the plot set up by Argente, Siri and Obi Wan discover their fierce love for one another. However, Qui Gon and Yoda convince Obi Wan of the dangers of acquiring attachments and leaving the Jedi Order.

Twenty years later, Obi Wan is Anakin's master while Siri refuses to take another padawan after Ferus Olin's decision to leave the order. They are assigned by the council to meet with Taly and convince him to give the Republic his super code breaker. What makes the mission even more complicated is that fact that Padme Amidala has asked to come along. Things take a turn for the worse when Taly makes impossible demands and Siri and Obi Wan relive their past feelings for one another.

The story makes a strong argument for the Jedi's approach to detachment. When Obi Wan asks Yoda if the council could change the rule, he is told that it will not happen. Qui Gon answers that one day it might when the times change. Of course, this happens with the order is destroyed and Luke Skywalker rebuilds it. Yet their reason is not because it must be but because they do not want Jedi to leave the order. As simple as the plot was, the story asked many questions. Those questions will hopefully be examined in future stories written by Watson and others.

Star Wars Republic Commando: True Colors

2008-01-13T20:07:00.000-08:00

by Karen Traviss

Book Review by Dan Tres OMI

There's one thing that bothers me, sir. They say Master Yoda referred to the war as the Clone War after the Battle of Geonosis. It was the very first battle of the war. Why did he identify the war that way, by the clones who are fighting it? Have we ever said the Fifth Fleet or the Corellian Baji Brigade War? What does he know that we don't?

-- General Bardan Jusik, confiding in General Arligan Zey ( an excerpt from Karen Traviss' True Colors).

I thoroughly enjoyed Traviss' third installment of the Republic Commando series. There is not much action in this book but Traviss goes to work in the drama department. We learn more about Omega squad and the other Clone Commandos and Null ARC Troopers who Kal Skirata, the Mandalarian who Jango Fett had hired to train several units of the Clone Commandos, takes under his wing as his own sons. The story made me want to read more versus waiting on action scenes. I assumed that Traviss would begin the story close towards the end of the Clone Wars. Instead she starts about 18 months after the battle of Geonosis.

Traviss also throws in several interesting intelligence reports about how the war is being conducted. As the Null ARCs learn that the Separatists' droid production has been over exaggerated and that the war could be over if a series of strong pushes were conducted instead of spreading the Jedi and the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) thinly across the galaxy. Jedi General Arligan Zey, head of the Special Forces, makes note of this several times and notifies Master Mace Windu who in turn let's Supreme Chancellor Palpatine know what the intelligence on the ground is telling him. Like most wars, the Clones realize that it is the politicians who run the war. Doing the math, the Commandos and Skirata learn that the Clone Wars are being fought for entirely different reasons then everyone expects.

We also learn that the Republic has no plans to purchase new clones or take care of the ones they already have. When one of the members of Omega is put in a coma, they learn the shocking truth that any clones who are too hurt to return to the field are exterminated, Skirata decides to take matters into their own hands. Skirata has always wanted to reverse the aging process of the clone army. When he learns that Ko Sai, the Kaminoan chief geneticist, faked her death during the Battle of Kamino the chase is on. The Commandos also learn that Palpatine is also looking for Ko Sai for her secrets into the aging process. Add the Separatists and other companies who are involved in cloning and time is winding down.

Again, there is not much action but the story seems to be winding for a big spring. Traviss must have some great stuff in the works for all the Republic Commando fans. Again Traviss' expertise with all things military shines through. Her tweaking of the Mandalore culture is just the icing on the cake.

Political leaders and Sci Fi

2008-01-09T18:03:00.001-08:00

I know I often complain about how in Sci-Fi several white writers somehow leave people of color out of the future. Movies are the most recognizable ways in which this is done. Look at joints such as The Minority Report (which Philip K. Dick's short story takes place in a different city). In this K. Dick remake, Washington D.C. was devoid of black folks. Or the the Star Wars OT where all we had was Lando Calrissian. I could go on and on. However, there are times when Sci Fi has its shining moments when it comes to people of color.

Take joints such as the latest incarnation of Battlestar Galactica. Admiral Adama is played by Edward James Olso. Even GL did his think using Temeura Morrison as Jango Fett and the template for clones. I knew Boba Fett was a brother!

What I notice, and maybe this is a bad thing, is that when there are people of color in Sci Fi they hold positions of power. Take the Matrix or movies such as “Bruce Almighty” and “Deep Impact.” Are we saying that only in fantasy worlds people of color can hold power?

So folks like Jared Ball or Barack Obama have no chance?

Well, I have learned that usually Sci-Fi movies, books, and other forms of media are brief glimpses into the future. They are written to keep humanity hopeful in an often bleak world. Then again, throughout the world, people of color hold positions of power. Most come from humble origins.

We are not invisible anymore.

We are so behind...

2008-01-03T19:05:00.000-08:00

First up, Happy New year to all. 2007 was kind of a busy year for us. There are a few books we have not caught up to. We promise to get to them before the month is out.

One of course is the latest Karen Traviss Clone Commando joint, True Colors (Star Wars: Republic Commando). I am dying to read this piece. It should be on point. It takes place during the Clone Wars. It also answers a lot of questions.
The latest installment of the Legacy of the Force series was released in Nov of '07. It is entitled Fury (Star Wars: Legacy of the Force, Book 7). Billie Wheelz has read it (hint, brother, hint). Let's see what happens.

So we have a lot of catching up to do.

Thanks for the support.

Let's keep it great for '08

P.S. -- check some of the new links

MacGruder, What's the deal?

2007-12-12T18:51:00.000-08:00

People really bug when I tell them that Boondocks started off as a comic strip. I usually have to show them the actual strips. Then again we Americans, no matter what stripe, have the attention spans of fleas. We also get a geography lesson when we go to war. So I honestly do not understand why I am tripping about it.

What attracted me to the strip way back 1999 was the numerous Star Wars references. I felt like I had finally come home. I had a comic strip that talked to me (other than the Source's Underground which they got rid of sometime in the mid 90s).

In one story arc, Huey Freeman expressed his disappointment in Episode I. His anger was manifested in this character who was a white, disgruntled Star Wars fan who dressed up like a Jedi. He asked Huey if he should kick GL's tail in public. Huey shrugged. Well the next thing you know, this guys is on TV. He was arrested for assaulting GL. Then he claims Huey told him to do it. It was priceless.

My question is why hasn't this story arc, or something to this effect, appeared on the cable show?

My first reaction is that anything SW will go over people's heads. Let's face it, the people that watch Boondocks will probably be the same crowd that watched Dave Chappelle. Money wise this is a good thing. But Chappelle even admitted that most of his fans did not get what he was talking about with it came to Race and politics. Let's be quite honest, the same thing is happening with Boondocks. Take the MLK episode for example. Macgruder and his writers were in no way trying to disrespect the Rev. Dr. MLK. They were asking what he would think of African Americans after all of their struggle.

Honestly, it just wouldn't sell. Don't get me wrong, I enjoy the show but it comes no where near the political satire found in the comic strip. There are several story arcs found in the strip that I know won't make the cut onto Cartoon Network.

But can't a brother get one Star Wars ep?

Star Wars: Legacy of the Force: Inferno

2007-12-02T08:47:00.000-08:00

Inferno (Star Wars: Legacy of the Force, Book 6)
by Troy Denning

Book review by Dan Tres Omi

The kid gloves are off. Jacen Solo/Darth Caedeus has reached the point of no return. The Jedi are forced to make a decision that would change the face of the latest Galactic Civil War. Luke Skywalker has to make his move and Ben is the key to his sanity. Troy Denning's Inferno brings the pain as we near the climax of the Legacy of the Force miniseries.

Jacen/Caedeus has one final plan to crush the Correllian insurrection and the Confederate planets. It involves the cooperation of the Jedi Knights and the Hapes Consortium. Many planets have left the Galactic Alliance (GA). This has stretched the military forces of the GA thin. Yet Jacen/Caedeus feels that one strike will end it all. Using the force, Jacen/Caedeus finds no flaws in his end game. To ensure the cooperation of the Jedi Knights, he holds the Jedi Academy on Ossus hostage.

Of course, things do not go according to plan. Ben decides to take revenge on Jacen/Caedeus. Luke finally decides to take action against Jacen/Caedeu. This is something the Jedi have been itching to do. Jaina, Zekk, and Jagged Fel decide to free the hostages on Ossus. It is there that Jacen/Caedeus loses it. To make matters worse the Bothans get involved with the Wookies debating on whose side to take. Eventually, the Wookies side with the Jedi thanks in part to the intervention of Han and Leia.

Several characters meet their end. Finally, a confrontation between Luke and Jacen happens. Jacen is left with half a foot in the grave. Ben sees Jacen for who he is. At one point, Luke is thought to have been killed. Despite the heavy losses to the Fifth fleet, Jacen makes it back to Coruscant.

Overall, the plot went along very fast. Too many things happened at once. This makes sense. The previous books led up to this point in the story. Alema Rar is still alive and actually hunts down some Sith to get some answers from them. This adds another element to the story. However, I still find Alema Rar's character to be useless. I don't understand why she is still alive. If anything she creates more questions and problems then there needs to be.

Jacen/Caedeus was not as formidable as I assumed. If anything he is more of a nuisance. One would think that all the power that Jacen possesses that was discussed in the Dark Nest trilogy and the earlier Legacy of the Force novels would not allow people to get the drop on him but they do. I am not saying he should be as powerful as Palpatine was and he is not omnipotent but all this talk really makes me wonder. To be honest, Jacen comes off as a joke. My assumption was that he would beat Luke easily. Instead Luke seems to toy with him. Or is it that Luke has never had the opportunity to use his full Force powers. Then again, both Jacen and Luke come from the same bloodline.

I did expect another major character to die. Yet only quite a few minor characters were killed off. Killing one major character every thirty books is not realistic. Not everyone can escape death several times over (If Han and Leia do one more death defying escape on the Millenium Falcon, I swear I will slit my wrists). Denning however, pulls it off as things start to move fast.

The next book should be even better.

Star Wars Death Star

2007-11-18T20:07:00.000-08:00

Death Star (Star Wars)
by Michael Reeves and Steve Perry

This book seemed to have popped up out of nowhere. The dates for the release kept changing. The heads at Lucas Films did release the advertisement for it. I walked into a local book store and spotted it hidden among the shelves. For those that spend some time in the Expanded Universe (EU), we learn in Episode II and in the Battlefront II video game that this weapon was in development even before the onset of the Clone Wars. Wilhuff Tarkin of Eriadu had Imperial military ambitions even before the rise of Palpatine in the Galactic Senate.

Both Michael Reeves and Steve Perry worked on the wonderful Star Wars Medstar duology which featured Uli, Bariss Offee, Den Dhur, I-5 and other fleshed out characters that gave life to the background of the Clone Wars. The events in this book begin a little over a year before the events in Episode IV. They end in the destruction of the firsts Death Star at Yavin 4. Perry and Reeves introduce new characters but also bring back characters that most Star Wars fans are familiar with.

Darth Vader and Wilhuff Tarkin who is newly given the title of Grand Moff are given several chapters on their own. Admiral Daala makes several appearances. We learn more about the relationship between Tarkin and Daala. Admiral Motti who everyone remembers for doubting the Force in Episode IV is given much more background then in the movie. Dr. Kornell “Uli” Divini of the Medstar duology also returns. His luck continues to deteriorate as the story unfolds. The readers are introduced to Seargent Nova Stihl, a prison guard who is also a martial artist, Celot Ratua Dil, a Zelosian thief who also has his share of bad luck, Lieutenant Commander Villian “Vil” Dance, an ace TIE fighter pilot, Teela Kaarz, an architech who chose to support the wrong political party and sentenced to life in prison, Master Chief Petty Officer Tenn Graneet, a career artillery gun men who dreams of being the Non Commissioned Officer who runs the big gun on the Death Star, and Memah Roothes, a Twi'lek cantina owner who gets a chance to manage a cantina on the Death Star.

Eventually and in some form, each person makes their way to the Death Star and cross paths. When the Death Star is fully operational and is used to commit several atrocities each person begins to question their roles in the process. Even Memah Roothes, who runs a cantina, sees her indirect role in the overall grind of the Imperial military. The characters make the story realistic.

After the first 2/3's of the book, we are thrown into the events in Episode IV. Vader attacks the Tantive IV over Tattooine, Princess Leis is brought on board the Death Star to be tortured, she is rescued, Obi Wan Kenobi fights Darth Vader, and the Death Star is destroyed. This time, we see the events through the eyes of the supporting cast. We see how the news of all these events are viewed by the crewmen and woman of the Death Star. This gives a different perspective from the view of the Imperial servicemen.

The only flaw is that the actual origin of the Death Star plans are still a mystery. It is only alluded that the original plans were put together by the Geonosians and improved upon by several architects, technicians, and scientists such as Qui Xux at the Maw Installation. Even Tarkin does not say how he encountered the plans. We know he became its number one advocate but other than that, it's origins are obscure.

The book is a must read. It adds depth to the entire Galactic Civil War and puts faces on the ground troops and pilots in the Imperial military. The assumption is that everyone in the Imperial military toed the party line. It was cool to encounter people who were force sensitive but had no clue that they were in such characters as Nova Stihl. We also learn about how Darth Vader was able to push out the memory of Padme Amidala. Vader still questions the Emperor's loyalty to him even after almost 20 years of service.

A few things...

2007-11-01T06:03:00.000-07:00

I know I have been so behind on posting here. I have a book review coming up so stand by. Until then, here are a few jewels:

1. John Ridley -- if you don't know this brother, that's okay. He has a blog and a few dope gigs. He has a nice blog on NPR called Visible Man. He has a pretty dope comic series entitled the American way. Recently, old GL hired Ridley to write "Red Tails" the story of the Tuskeegee Airman. This is going to be so dope.

2. My brother from another mother, C'BS, has moved his dope sci fi blog over here. What you know about Blue Black Atlantis? Head over there, read, and comment. Also pass it along.

3. Also check out another comic book afcionado, Afro Nerd. he even had a podcast. big up

What they really think about Luke...

2007-10-14T05:59:00.001-07:00

never thought about it like this...

Legacy of the Force: Sacrifice Book review

2007-10-07T06:38:00.000-07:00

Sacrifice (Star Wars: Legacy of the Force, Book 5)

By Karen Traviss
Book Review by Dan Tres Omi

Omi's Note: WARNING! There are spoilers in here, read at your own risk.

After the disappointment of Traviss' Bloodlines, I was hesitant to pick this chapter up. However, I was compelled to because of two reasons: Jacen Solo was going to kill someone important in the Star Wars EU and he was going to choose his Sith name. However, Traviss did redeem herself. Don't get me wrong, Traviss is a great writer and she has taken the Mandalorians to another level and I can't think of anyone who could have done it.

In Sacrifice, Traviss emphasizes the political intrigue in the Star Wars Universe. Jacen Solo figures out a way to change laws through the bureaucracy without even lifting a finger. Jacen pretty much takes a few notes from Emperor Palpatine who slowly yet subtly changed several laws to gain more political power. Along with Admiral Cha Niathal, Solo continues to consolidate power, imprison political enemies, and acquire military resources. Soon, Solo and Admiral Niathal overthrow Cal Omas in a bloodless military coup. Solo and Niathal share the office of the Chief of State.

In the meantime, Boba Fett assumes his position as the Mandalorian head of state. With the advice of the most prominent Mandalorian clans, he recalls all Mandalorians to return and rebuild their planet. At the same time, Boba Fett does find a cure for his degenerative disease. He even goes on a hunt with his granddaughter, Mirta Gev. During the current crisis, Boba Fett decides to sell arms to the highest bidder but to keep the Mandalorians out of the conflict. Fett explains that if individual bounty hunters from the Mandalore can choose to take jobs but officially they will remain neutral despite the fact that they make some alliances with several species who have taken sides in the latest conflict.

Ironically, Luke Skywalker has no clue to what is going on. I would like to say that this is due to his naivety and his hope that Jacen would come to his senses. Ben Skywalker starts to slowly doubt Jacen's decisions and finally leaves his adolescence when he assassinates Gur Dejjen. Mara Jade Skywalker finally wakes up from her Jacen worship and decides to go after him after she learns that Lumiya is in cahoots with Jacen.

I enjoyed this book tremendously and actually wished it kept going and going. There was enough action in between the political sword play to keep the reader going. At this point of the saga, almost all of the characters are at the tipping point. Jacen Solo is ready to pounce on any of the Jedi even Ben Skywalker. The climatic battle between Mara and Jacen is worth the price of admission. The final scenes with Ben and his mother are touching and add much foreshadowing to the book's ending. Almost everyone realizes that they have to make some tough decisions in the days to come. Traviss really sets things up for the next author to take the baton.

My only beef is that I felt that Luke should have been killed. Alema Rar lives yet again. She remains such an anomaly and I pray that the writers finally tie her into the story. I feel that she is a character that should have remained in the Dark Nest trilogy. Killing Luke would have forced the Jedi's to take real action instead of waiting in the wings. Yet their inaction is reminiscent to what happened to the Jedi prior to the Clone Wars. Unlike Bloodlines, this chapter fits perfectly into the saga. There are several more surprises in these pages. It is clear that the endgame is near.

Making your own lightsaber

2007-09-03T08:41:00.000-07:00

I know its been a minute. Our family just made a big move to a different state and I was gone for some training as a Sith Lord. But while I was away, the wife learned how to make a lightsaber. I will make her a Star Wars fan yet...

thanks to the folks at Instructables:

Here is the rest of it...

What If...

2007-08-15T20:59:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, August 14th, 2007 podcasting of Voice of the Republic, the guys discussed a question that asked: what if Anakin Skywalker allowed Mace Windu to kill Palpatine? It is a very good question. One that Billie Wheelz and I discussed several times. It's something he and I discuss over a few beers and a few hours.

As on Voice of the Republic (VOR), we will begin at the point where Mace Windu, Kit Fisto, Saesee Tin, and Agen Kolar head out to arrest Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. Master Windu commands Anakin to stay in the Jedi Council chambers. Fast forward and we find Mace Windu ready to strike Palpatine down while his fellow council members lie dead all around them. We all know what happens. This time, Master Windu kills Palpatine. Now let's assume that Anakin does nothing and walks away. What would happen?

Well, at that point Windu would fall to the dark side. Many of the Jedi, including Windu were teetering over the edge. Now he may not have fallen exactly at that point, but he would have taken the first step towards it. Remember, Yoda warned against this when Master Kidi Adi Mundi suggested ousting Palpatine during a council meeting.

Several Jedi left the order because they felt that the Jedi Council's stance on supporting a corrupt Senate was going against the tenets of the Jedi. If one read the books and comics of the EU, one will find many Jedi claiming that the dark side was now everywhere. While watching the movie, one gets the idea that things are not the same. That like Gil Scott Heron suggested, the winter is here.

In our scenario, Anakin would not need to make any moves. There will be some Jedi who would think that Master Windu's move was unforgivable and call for his removal from the Council. With three other members of the council dead, new members would be needed. This would cause a split in the Jedi Order. There will be those who will take sides with Mace Windu and those who would not.

We must keep in mind that with Palpatine dead, the Separatists would not know what to do. Their leaders all wiped out, some would consider surrender while others would continue to fight. In the Senate, there will be internal squabbling over who would become the Supreme Chancellor. It is easy to figure out who would be on which. The List of 2000, who signed the petition asking Palpatine to resign several of his executive powers, would be considered the peaceniks. They would sue for peace with the Separatists to sit at the negotiating table. There would be several Senators who would not fall for this. This would bring the Republic into further strife with new systems going to the Separatists and several doing their own thing. Now add the Jedi into the mix. There will be several of them caught up in the political confusion and end up fighting the people they were sent to defend. Now the clone troopers would become occupational forces throughout the galaxy. Mace Windu and his Jedi co-horts would have to either take over or dissolve the Senate.

Did I just mention the clones? Remember that they have pledged allegiance to the Republic and the office of the Supreme Chancellor. Palpatine represented the Republic. So in a sense, Order 66 would still be sent out. So several clones would turn against their Jedi commanders. This time however, many of the Jedi would know what happened on Coruscant so many more will survive then if Palpatine made the order. As a matter of fact, we might find that some Clone commanders will continue to follow their Jedi leaders since the Jedi Council have taken over the office of the Supreme Chancellor.

In the middle of all this, we have Anakin Skywalker. His entire goal was to save Padme Amidala and his children. Whose side would he take? Well remember, he has always said that the Senate should be dissolved. That a strong man should be in charge and if no one liked it, they should be taking to the clink (Episode II). Yet his only chance to save his wife is now dead. Where would he get this knowledge? Well, as a member of the Jedi Council he can now pillage the Jedi holocrons in their library. He would have to be made master now since there is a shortage of masters on the council. There would also be Jedi who still feel that he is the One. At this point, they will assume that he should run the council since his militant approach to problems would be ideal in this era of strife.

So in closing, Anakin would still fall to the Dark Side. It would just take longer for him to get there.

You be the Judge (Youtube)....

2007-08-09T20:29:00.000-07:00

big up to my folks on Voice of the Republic...

Dilemmas and Loyalties Part XIV

2007-08-07T15:17:00.000-07:00

As Alef Ulo sped towards the Star Destroyer, he noticed several Republic fighters streaking from the capital ship. It was only a matter of time before the rest of the fleet over Boz Pity would be alerted. He continued on his course. He flew as close to the Star Destroyer as he could. It would keep some of the turbo laser batteries from firing at him.

As he crossed the centerline of the capital ship, he changed his direction and dove towards the battered Separatist Fleet. The Repuiblic fighters followed him. No batteries opened up. Ulo trusted in the Force. In that Separatist Fleet he knew he could find spacecraft with hyperspace capabilities. On his panel, he realized that the Coruscant Dawn was also in pursuit. He thought of the clone commandos on board. Everything seemed so heavy. Everything seemed clouded. Surely, the Sith were behind this.

Ulo had to get to the bottom of this all.

Dilemmas and Loyalties Part XIII

2007-08-04T18:23:00.001-07:00

Alef Ulo's heart beat accelerated as he pulled out of the docking bay. He could not think of what to do so he allowed the force to guide him. He understood that the V Wing had no hyperdrive capabilities. The V Wing was not the fastest ship in the Republic fleet. If he was pursued, he could get caught. Yet getting to Coruscant was the key to all this. He looked at his scanners to find that Coruscant Dawn was in hot pursuit. He was already being targeted. The gunship will take him out quickly. He was still unfamiliar with the controls of the V Wing. He rarely flew his Jedi starfighter.

He decided to circle back towards the Venator class Star Destroyer. He zipped past the Coruscant Dawn. It continued to track him but did not fire. Obviously taking a shot at Ulo's V Wing could hit something else. He continued to head towards the star destroyer. He has never been this close to one. It was bigger than most capital ships he has seen.

He headed straight forward and noticed something a few kilometers away. It was a fleet of lifeless Confederate starships. That was where the Force was leading him. He continued on his trajectory and waited on his chance.

On the Dawn, Commander Len knew he was in trouble. Ulo has him in a predicament. He decided to contact the Majestic for assistance. He had to capture this Jedi. He knew that anyone else would try to kill him.

Some treats

2007-08-02T20:19:00.001-07:00

been a minute... a big move to Ohio

On Movies

I know this is old news. It's been on several of the podcasts that are SW centered. Skymovies did a survey and learned that the most watched films by men is the Star Wars trilogy. Get this: the second most watched films by women are the SW trilogy. That blew me away. What is worse is that it was beaten by Dirty Dancing. Go figure.

What bugs me out is that despite all of this, we SW fans are still treated like geeks. Like we are some nerds who don't get any booty (you know I break that stereotype completely)

more on this later...

an old school banger:

finally check out star wars mash ups... pretty cool stuff.

Dilemmas and Loyalties Part XII

2007-07-10T12:29:00.000-07:00

All hands were called to form a perimeter around the LAAT/i. Some of the clone pilots and general staff hid behind parts, boxes, and other aircraft. Commander Len positioned himself behind the phalanx of clone troopers. He removed his side arm from its holster. He never realized he would be using it on a Jedi. He did not need any voice enhancements to allow his voice to travel through the small bay. He hoped that Alef Ulo would just surrender to avoid any further bloodshed.

“This is Commander Len, Jedi Alef Ulo. You are to surrender your lightsaber to be escorted to your quarters. You will be returned to Coruscant for detention. These are direct orders from the Emperor himself. If you refuse, we will shoot to kill.”

He waited. There was no answer. The clone troopers who were sent to retrieve the commandos and the Jedi slowly walked out with no weapons. Then the LAAT/i began powering up. The phalanx of clone troopers instinctively headed towards the aircraft with their weapons drawn. Two clone pilots approached the unarmed clone troopers gesturing them to remove their helmets.

Commander Len heard another noise in the hangar bay. It was another ship. He looked around to find some of the staff firing their rifles in the direction of where the V Wing was stationed. He yelled out to the other clone troopers but realized that he could not be heard through the noise. Yet they realized that the Jedi was not in the LAAT/i. Immediately they ran in the direction of the V Wing. Len followed and noticed that some of the blasters were “yanked” from the hands of his staff and troopers. He arrived in the vicinity to find Alef Ulo sitting in the cockpit of the V Wing. He also noticed a clone trooper slumped on the ground. He shook his head. The vehicle was being prepped by the now unconscious trooper. The Jedi would be getting away.

Commander Len reached for his comlink.

“Make sure that the bay doors are locked!” He repeated over and over.

He watched in horror as they opened and the V Wing shot out of the bay. As quickly as the bay became loud, it was just as quickly quiet.

“Battle stations!” Commander Len barked. He reached for his comlink again. “Follow that V Wing and train all batteries on it. Shoot him out of space!”

Commander Len realized he would regret that order later on.

Darth Bane and the a different view of the Sith

2007-07-02T18:39:00.001-07:00

Omi's Note: This is a side bar to the Darth Bane review that I posted last week. The book as well as other's such as Star Wars: Traitor, give a different view of the dark side. I must point out that Billie Wheelz and I hold Vergere's view of the Unifying Force. That view is that there is no dark or light side of the force. There is just the force. People can be self centered or selfless in their approach to it. If one reads Traitor they will understand further. This book demonstrates Jacen Solo's approach to the force that set him apart from the other Jedi.

Growing up, we are given stories of good and evil. Even our religions are masked with concepts of people being either good or evil. Some are considered naïve and just fall into a category that is easiest. As we get older however, we realize that the lines are blurred. Of course you have people who are just evil but then there are people who are either victims of circumstance or have a noble idea that goes wrong somewhere. There is a saying: “the road to hell is paved with good intentions.”

Take Darth Bane. He realizes that the Force will redeem him. It will provide a better life for him then living as a miner on a backwater planet. Unfortunately for him, Bane lived a harsh life. His understanding of the universe and the Force was shaped by this. He felt that pain, passion, and self centered ideology were the key to power. His fellow Sith however looked at the force differently. Yes, they were the enemies of the Jedi but they felt that the Jedi were corrupt. The Sith of his time (which is 1,000 years before the Battle of Yavin or BBY), saw the the Republic was also corrupt and only cared about certain people. They wanted to shape the galaxy in their own image. They stopped their infighting and decided to unite to bring the galaxy together. Although they were totalitarian in their approach, their idea was to create a galaxy that worked.

It is Bane's approach however that triumphs and eventually destroys the Jedi. Although this takes over 1,000 years to work and only allowed Palpatine another 20 years of power it was successful in uniting the galaxy and fixing several of the political problems therein. Of course there were flaws such as the Xenophobia exhibited by Palpatine and his co horts, but things went smooth. Yet 135 ABY (After the Battle of Yavin), we see the Republic broken again, the Sith are running things and the Jedi are on the run. I skipped the Yuuzhan Vong War and the Correllian insurrection but we will go over those later.

This time the Sith are many instead of the rule of two. Their approach is much like that of the Sith in Bane's time. They united to bring the Sith to power and the galaxy under control. I am not saying the Sith are good but it brings many political ideas to question.

Take for example, modern dictatorships. Look at the Former Soviet Union. Yes it was rife with bureaucracy and supply issues that caused long lines for basic foodstuffs, but there was little crime and the government took care of health needs and the like. Now it has reverted back to Russia and it is rife with economic and social problems. Here we see the debate between democracy and a totalitarian government. I think the Star Wars EU covers those parallels.

What makes the Sith intriguing is that many of them want to do good. Many of them want to fix problems. At times, the Jedi want to do the same thing and also go about it the wrong way. During the Old Republic, the Jedi often became elitist in their ways and actions. The Mandolarians had issues with the Jedi who they felt meddled in affairs that they had no business being in (sort of like the Iraqi's). It is because of the Jedi that the Mandolarians are a stateless society. We learn as we get older that things are not as evil as they seem and some things that seem good are not all the way good. Catch my drift?

Again this is just something to think about. It makes one look at the EU differently.

Path of Destruction: A Novel of the Old Republic (Star Wars: Darth Bane)

2007-06-20T19:55:00.000-07:00

Book Review by Dan Tres OMI:
Path of Destruction: A Novel of the Old Republic (Star Wars: Darth Bane)
written by Drew Karpyshyn

For those of you who are readers of the Dark Horse (DH) comics, one will be familiar with Darth Bane. When fans get to the movies, the assumption is that the Sith have always been a two man show. One would be the master who embodied the power of the Dark Side and the other would be the apprentice who would crave the power. There was a time when there were several Lords of the Sith and there were many Sith academies throughout the galaxy. Each time, the Jedi were able to defeat the Sith because quite frankly the Sith would succumb to infighting. They were to envious of one another. They would spend too much energy fighting themselves then they would the Jedi.

Over one thousand years before the Battle of Yavin, the Sith have taken over a great portion of the galaxy. They have the Republic and the Jedi on the run. The Sith was finally united under Lord Kaan. It was through his leadership that enabled the Sith to gain the upper hand. Things look grim for the Jedi as more and more worlds fall the Sith. The Sith take advantage of the crumbling Republic by convincing more and more worlds to join their cause.

Enter “Des,” a miner on the backwater world of Apatros. He lost his mother at a young age and is abused by his father and other fellow miners. His father gives him the name “Bane” because he felt that his only son has brought him nothing but misfortune. Des never knew he was a Force adept. He just followed that “instinct” that helped him through fights and sabacc games. After a series of altercations, Des is forced to finally leave Apatros and join the Sith cause. In several battles, Des proves himself to be a tough and reliable foot soldier. He is promoted to a sergeant and is soon leading the charge. After refusing to lead his troops into a suicide mission, Des physically removes his commanding officer and changes their plans. His mission is a success after Des preforms several superhuman feats. It was through his action that the Sith Lords take note. He is arrested under the orders of Lord Kopecz and sent to the Sith Academy on Korriban. Des finally accepts the name Bane as he begins his apprenticeship in the ways of the Sith.

The book is superbly written. The perspective is that of the Sith so the Jedi are bathed in a negative light. Despite his insistence on hurting others and his hunger for power, one can help but to root for Darth Bane. He betrays everyone that even attempted to help him. Karpyshyn walks the reader through Bane's miserable life. Even after so many setbacks, Bane refuses to give up and finally realizes the solution to the Sith problem. Karpyshyn drops subtle hints throughout the book but the reader only comes to the conclusion towards the end.

The book focuses on the dark side of the Force. This is rarely done at all. Even when we see Jacen Solo start down this path, the authors tend not to focus on the subtleties of the dark side. Karpyshyn fills the reader in. He makes the reader feel sorry for Bane. If he was born on another world, things may have been different. He may have become a powerful Jedi. Bane does go on a path of destruction.

Despite the fact that Bane is physically imposing and powerful, he learns that it is not physical strength that will help the Sith win the day but it is their treachery, patience, and cunning that will prevail. Once he learns this he sets his plan in motion to beat the Jedi. Yet Bane begins with the destruction of the Sith order.

There is one major flaw in the book. There is a mention of the Vaapad lightsaber style. If one checks the EU, one will learn that Mace Windu was the creator of this style of fighting. While Vaapad does force the user to hinge onto the dark side, only the most powerful Jedi can wield it. However, it is mentioned in an event that transpired over 900 years before the birth of Mace Windu. Also if one has read the DH comics, one will find much of the material to be all too familiar. The book is still worth reading because one learns how Darth Bane set the Sith up for destruction.

Special Guest blogger...

2007-06-10T18:00:00.000-07:00

Omi's Note: We have always promised our readers guest bloggers. Well here it is. As a matter of fact, it's a she. She goes by the name of Geekgirl Elitist and is a part of our wonderful community of bloggers. Read and Enjoy...

My affair with Star Wars has been cultivated since 1979. I was too young to see the movie when it premiered in '77. Okay, I was only 6, and I only cared about the Jackson 5 or The Monkees. SciFi had later become my love when I watched late night episodes of The Twilight Zone.

My first encounter was with my best friend, Leslie. We were in the 6th grade in Sacred Heart School, in Vailsburg. She told me about galaxies far, far away and at that time, she was the ultimate Star Wars fan. I can still hear her now, going on and on about how our safety guard looked like a young Han Solo. She was so immersed, she even signed me up for the Kenner Star Wars fan club. I even still have my Princess Leia pencil around here somewhere. I can even remember the countless mornings we would end up late for school because of her showing me her latest Star Wars doll collection. There was a time when the Star Wars dolls were actually full size, instead of the tiny action figures being sold. Now that I think about it, she had some of the little ones too. I never told her, but, I took her Lando Calrissian for a week. My Black Barbie had to see the beautiful nubian that was Lando. Actually, Billie Dee was my first celebrity crush because of Lando Calrissian.

When I left Sacred Heart, I left Star Wars. So I thought. By the time I had seen the last movie, Return of the Jedi, I thought I was done with it. My interests became makeup and boys and Michael Jackson. The Star Wars trilogy had become the 3:00 movies on Sunday afternoons. My love faded.

1992. I had a boyfriend who believed deeply in the force. I thought he was nuts. We read the comics and during this time, we were a rap duo. I named myself Shug Ninx. He was a smuggler who ran with Salla Zend in the Star Wars graphic novels. We would build all night about how the force was real and how all we needed to do was tap into it. We would smoke and play Empire Strikes Back while listening to Diamond D and Digable Planets. He would speak softly in the background, trying to guide my combos to defeat Deathstar bosses. Sometimes, I think he really was a Jedi, well, in his mind. There was a beauty in his voice when he would speak of Yoda's teachings. It was as if he was there. But, then my reality set in. Instead of worrying about getting to the Hoth level in Nintendo, I needed to begin my adult life. Thus beginning my life as a techgirl. Again, my love for Star Wars faded.

Present. My love was restored. When I saw Episode One, my childhood had been restored. All the new technology showed me the things that I wished I had seen back in '79. Yoda had CGI. It was then I learned a new respect for him. I think I gasped loudly, embarassing my boyfriend, when Yoda unsheathed his light saber, and began to administer Count Dooku an asswhuppin'. I got to learn the truth about Darth, even though I knew the whole story. I even watched the Cartoon Network Clone Wars everytime it came on. Mad dudes got deaded when they called or came over. If Clone Wars was on, it was a platonic blockbuster night. If you weren't prepared to build about it after it ended, I showed you the door. Some dudes still don't understand why I told them to bounce.

In this geekgirl life I've tried to hide, I've collected a few things. I own a light saber, and a bronze Millenium falcon. What I haven't said was, yes, I carried my light saber to the premiere of Revenge of the Sith. My boys didn't believe I had one, but, I do.

For 3 decades of my life, Star Wars has been my cult classic. My personal sci-fi love.

The reason why I still look into the atmosphere trying to imagine galaxies, far, far away....

Treats

2007-06-04T20:56:00.001-07:00

The New joints.

Some more treats:

1. The teaser trailer for the Clone wars animated series. The word is there will 100 episodes of this. GL does not have a home for this yet meaning no TV or cable network has stepped up. I am sure that once GL makes the big announcement, there will be a bidding war.

2. The winner in Atom Films Star Wars Fan Films... these folks did work...

3. Billy Dee Williams on an old episode of Scrubs...

Enjoy...

Star Wars Legacy of the Force: Exile

2007-05-29T20:41:00.000-07:00

written by Aaron Allston
Review by Dan Tres Omi

Omi's Note: There are spoilers in this review...If you want to read the book without any surprises given away, do not read any further. You have been forewarned.

Aaron Allston returns for his second shot at the Legacy of the Force series. Allston, a veteran in the Star Wars EU sagas, is considered to be one of the most consistent heavy hitters. Allson's strength is in his ability to mesh both the non Jedi and Jedi characters of the Star Wars EU. Some Star Wars EU writers can do well in discussing matters that deal with the Force, but fall short when non Jedi characters and situations come in to play. While other writers do the opposite. His mixture of the Force philosophy, military maneuvering, and the political jousting is well balanced.

Jacen Solo continues his foray into the Sith while the Correllian insurrection is backed by the ever deceitful Bothans. Once the Bothans enter the picture, a domino effect is created in which other systems such as Commenor join. Soon the Correllian Confederation is joined. Things begin to get nastier for our heroes. Wedge Antilles and his family have to escape Correllia once Wedge decides to resign his commission after the failed coup attempt on Tenel Ka of the Hapes Consortium in which he had no connection with. After one anticipated assassination attempt, he decides to head off planet. He encounters Han and Leia and together they decide to get to the bottom of it all.

The Solos, the Antilles, and Corran Horn and his family put their heads together to try and figure out who is behind this all. They all agree it is another shadowy Sith figure. To them, all roads lead to Lumiya. The Solos reunite with the Skywalker to see if they had any leads and the hunt is on. Meanwhile Lumiya and Jacen send Ben Skywalker on a mission to see if he is worthy of being a Sith apprentice.

Allston gets it all right. He provides enough space battles, Jedi lightsaber duels, and political intrigue without making it all confusing. It was good to see Corran Horn in action. Lando Calrissian plays another important role. Ben Skywalker figures out how to survive on his own and begins a new legacy outside of the shadow of his father.

One thing that stands out is that when one sits back to think, one realizes that the Skywalker line is really more apt to lean towards the Sith than to the Jedi Order. Ben makes many decisions that are Sith like. During the Dark Empire days, Luke worked for the cloned emperor as his Sith apprentice. Jaina Solo had her brush with the dark side during the Yuuzhan Vong war.

What is enjoyable about the Legacy of the Force series is that the good guys seem to be losing on all fronts. The political situation seems to get worse. The Jedi are again spread thin. There is ideological dissension amongst the Jedi ranks. The Sith are causing trouble. The Galactic Alliance can't seem to hold it together. Allston leaves the reader with many questions.

There are two downsides to the book. One is the fact that Alema Rar lives yet again. How crippled can someone get after several losses in lightsaber duels. After the battle in the last issue, one would think that Lady Lumiya was dead. She is almost there. Her Force powers are just too powerful. She can control and influence people from several parsecs away. Even Palpatine did not have this power. I understand her role in all of this, but I find her to be too powerful.

Dilemmas and Loyalties Part XI

2007-05-26T21:33:00.000-07:00

The LAAT/i entered the docking bay as any other ship would. There was a perimeter set up with several clone troopers lined up. Their DC 17's pointed at the LAAT/i. Some members of the crew were lined up behind them. Commander Duman Len was barely visible. Shuffle headed to the back of the gunship to find Alef Ulo standing over the body of Flinch.

“So what are you going to do?” He asked the Jedi.

“Escape,” he answered, “probably head to Coruscant to find out what happened. Maybe find some members of the Jedi Council to see what is really going on?”

“All of this doesn't make sense,” Shuffle went on. “I see nothing but other troopers armed and ready. No droids at all.”

“All of you can get up,” Alef Ulo called out to the troopers who were sprawled out on the floor.

“I guess this is farewell?” Tic asked.

“I would assume so,” Ulo replied.

“Can I give you this?” Tic raised his hand and offered one DC 15 side arm blaster. “You might be needing this when you get back to Coruscant.

Alef Ulo said nothing. He accepted the side arm. Tic handed him a holster and belt. Ulo quickly took it all.

“My last order to you three is to get off the ship first.”

“What about you, sir?” Tic asked.

“I will be okay.”

“If it means anything,” Shuffle added, “it was an honor to work under your command.”

“It was honor to work with such fine men. The best the Republic has to offer.”

It grew silent as the LAAT/i touched down. The cargo doors swung open. Mynock Squad slowly hopped out with this their weapons in a downward position. Five clone troopers quickly approached them making motions for them to stop and drop their weapons. They complied. Their helmets were removed to ensure that the Jedi was not disguised as one of them.

“Where is the Jedi?” Asked Commander Len.

“In the gunship,” Tic answered stiffly.

“Sargent, you know what to do,” Commander Len stated flatly.

“Sir!” The clone trooper replied.

He rapped on the heads of some of his troopers and provided a few hand signals. The four clone troopers formed a phalanx and quickly headed towards the LAAT/i with their sargent in tow.

“You three are confined to your quarters,” Commander Len continued.

“Since when do we take orders from non-Jedi?” Asked Tic.

“You don't question my orders!”

“Sir, with all due respect,” Shuffle interrupted, “we have not been debriefed on the current situation.”

“You will be updated soon enough. The Jedi are traitors. So we have been asked to take command of all operations until further notice.”

“Sir.” Tic responded. All three Clone Commandos walked to their quarters.

The X Man innerview

2007-05-23T20:30:00.000-07:00

How old are you and what grade are you?

Twelve years old and in 7th grade.

How did you get introduced to Star Wars?

I saw the movie a long time ago because my uncle brought the box set of the original trilogy.

What is your first memory of Star Wars?

When I saw the AT ATs getting blown away by the snow speeders. It was cool. The little guy was taking out the big guy using brains and not firepower.

What do you enjoy the most in Star Wars?

I enjoy reading it more because it gives more insight. I like the conflict because it's so much like real life. It's not about good and evil. People act differently.

Who is your favorite characters?

I like Ben Skywalker and Jacen Solo. I like Solo because he is trying to prove that what he does is for the greater good and that he is selfless. I like Ben Skywalker because he is a little kid but he has to grow up. He actually realizes that and thinks about what he is doing.

What do you dislike about Star Wars?

The fact that people try to make it all good or all evil and they won't be open minded. In the movies I disliked how the Emperor did things. He failed to realize he was still Sith and they always do betrayal.

What is your favorite EU book? Why?

It would have to be Star Wars: Rogue Planet. I liked it because it had Vergere and Anakin in it.

What is your favorite Star Wars movie? Why?

Episode III or V. I like III because it shows Anakin's conflicts more. I like V because they had the AT Ats and they went to Hoth.

What to do at home while Celebration IV goes on in the land of Hollywood....

2007-05-22T18:01:00.000-07:00

(or things to do while I am with your girl...always wanted to say that...)

If you have not been living under a rock or stuck in Guantanamo Bay with no writ of habeas corpus, you know that the Thirtieth Anniversary of Star Wars will be the center stage at Celebration IV in sunny Los Angeles. I am sure that like myself, many of our readers can't make it for several reasons. So in support of the Force Cast's “No Fan Left Behind” program, we here at Star Wars for Colored Folks would like to give you some ideas and also offer some content. So here we go:

1.First, check out the Force Cast latest mega cast. I say mega cast because it is over four hours long. You will NOT be disappointed. They interview several artists who will be at Celebration IV. Show them some love and tell them Brother Omi sent you.

2.Then check out the Republic Heads at Voice of the Republic (VOR) for their last two podcasts. In the podcast dated May 14th, they interview a member of the 501st Legion (Vader's Fist, bro). In the podcast dated May 15th, they attend the premiere viewing of Heart of An Empire, a movie about the 501st. Enjoy it.

3.Tomorrow, I will post a story about seeing Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope when I was a youngblood.

4.The next day, I will post an interview with my oldest son, X Man, focusing on Star Wars.

5.Don't forget on Monday, memorial Day at 9pm EST , the History Channel will be showing Star Wars: The Legacy Revealed. They interview folks like Newt Gingrich! Do you believe that? He is a Star Wars fan. WTF....

6.Finally check out the trailer for The Force Among Us...

See you manana!

Star Wars Podcasts

2007-05-15T05:13:00.001-07:00

I have to big up my sister from the same mother, Claviticus, for coping an Ipod Shuffle for me. Thank you so much. Now I can download all of the Bush administration scandals right into my Ipod.... sorry wrong blog and not my joke. Yet I can download all of my favorite joints. Of course, some of those are Star Wars podcasts. Here we go...

The Force Cast – this one comes from theforce.net. It covers everything from collecting to the books from Del Rey. They have the best interviews. They even upload a segment on music that is inspired by the Star Wars saga. There is not much commentary on particular topics. They usually go at it for an hour but it covers pretty much everything on the website. Hands down they have the best show notes with the links. My favorite are the Star Wars tales from listeners. Sometimes they are funny and at times they bring a tear or two.

Voice of the Republic – I really enjoy this one. They have a good time on this one. They have several discussions that I think everyone else has when they are with their friends. They get into discussions about the problems with continuity, the flaws in the storyline, the EU, etc. It is by far my favorite. What's cool is if they don't finish the discussion, they continue it into the next show so you don't miss anything.

Bonus: This is not really a podcast but it is very thorough (as we said back in the day). Someone took Karen Traviss' short story “Omega Squad: Targets” and made it into an audio drama. I think it is worth it. It is really dope.

National PKU Awareness Month

2007-05-09T03:28:00.000-07:00

This is a joint effort between 501st Garrison Tyranus and the Hampton Roads Rebellion FanForce. You need not be in costume to participate. You could come in and just help out as a volunteer or just walk and show support. If you're 501st, we got a fellow member member - Owen Morgan (TK & TD) - , who has the PKU disease; he plans on making the trip down from Culpepper, VA and be there with us!

What is PKU?

PKU:
Phenylketonuria. An inherited metabolic defect in protein metabolism. In PKU, the liver is unable to convert phenylalanine to tyrosine, resulting in a buildup of phenylalanine in the blood, which eventually passes into the brain, causing mental retardation and other neurological problems.

Here is how you can help....

WALK FOR PKU RESEARCH SPONSORED BY RYAN’S PKU FOUNDATION OF VIRGINIA

VIRGINIA BEACH PKU
Walk-a-thon

When: Saturday, May 19, 2007 from 10:00 am until 3:00 pm
Where: Mount Trashmore Park, Virginia Beach, VA

Schedule:
10:00-10:30am Check in & turn in donations
11:00-12:00pm Walk for Research
12:30-2:00pm Kids Activities, Low Protein Vendors available, Low Protein Snacks and cooking demo by
Malathy Ramanujam
2:15-2:30pm Speaker from Biomarin Pharmaceutical Company
2:30-3:00pm Prizes awarded/raffle

Contact: Mike and Oanh Foust (757)558-1980
email: Ryanspkufoundation@verizon.net

Star Wars: The New Essential Chronology

2007-04-23T04:59:00.000-07:00

by Daniel Wallace & Kevin J. Anderson
Book Review by Dan Tres Omi

Sometimes, folks need some notes to go back and research to stay on their toes. No matter how many Star Wars books and comics one reads, one will always miss something. Well the brainiacs at Del Rey and Lucas Books have gotten together to provide the Star Wars EU fans with an essential chronology of everything from the movies, comic books, cartoons, and novels.

Daniel Wallace, who wrote a good number of the Star Wars Essential series, and Kevin J. Anderson, who has authored several EU books, both have done a tremendous job of summarizing the important events of the Star Wars EU. One of the biggest problems in the Star Wars EU is continuity. Sometimes there are flaws in major events and then there are flaws in the minute details. Wallace and Anderson avoid this by keeping several of the details out. This allows the reader to avoid finding too many spoilers. Leaving the details out forces one to read the actual material.

The illustrations by several artists are wonderful. However they are too few in number. One pretty much has to dig through the pages for them. What they lack in quantity they make up for in quality. The cover could have been better and something that captured the overall feel of the Star Wars Universe would have worked.

Overall, any of the Essential series books are needed. It gives the reader a reference point to look back at when something seems unexplained. The only flaw is that each section is not referenced to the particular book that covers the event. I doubt it would have made the research much more difficult. Maybe the intent of the authors was to force the reader to read the books. Of course, it needs to be updated. It is missing the rest of the Killik war and some of the Star Wars Legacy series.

Dilemmas and Loyalties Part X

2007-04-16T19:23:00.000-07:00

Duman Len was visibly nervous. The last 48 standard hours were the most precarious of his career. So many things happened. They were ambushed by several Separatist capital ships. They were barely able to survive. The Corusant Dawn suffered much damage. They would not be able to travel through hyperspace. As suddenly as everything became chaotic, the war was finally over. Commander Len has not seen Coruscant in the last three years. He was not even allowed to stay in contact with his family. He assumed that he would be returning home soon. Then the Supreme Chancellor asked that every Jedi be eliminated or taken into custody. The last order was something he never thought he would ever hear. The Jedi proved themselves over and over these past few years. Commander Len believed that if it was not for the Jedi, the Republic would not have won the war. He has seen them in action before and during the war. Each time they were more impressive then the last. With his commandos in the field, his ARC trooper KIA, and half of his platoon, he did not see how they would capture Alef Ulo let alone kill him. Commander Len understood that the Chancellor's orders were such that he did not want to execute. It was certainly a dilemma he did not want to deal with. Besides the ship's crew, Ulo and his Clone commandos, were the only survivors of the last three years. Alef Ulo was dependable and was not overbearing. He did not overstep his boundaries despite the fact that he had no prior war experience. Ulo has even saved his life more times than he can count. Now he must kill him or apprehend the Jedi.

It certainly is a new Republic now.

Hampton Roads Rebellion

2007-04-02T03:55:00.000-07:00

(Two snowtroopers in downtown Norfolk)

Yesterday, the babies and I had the opportunity to meet members of the Hampton Roads Rebellion Star Wars team and a few members of the 501st Stormtrooper Legion aka Vader's fist.

here is there link.

and here are some pics...

(we are from the empire and we are here to help...)

the capturing of Jedi younglings....

Dilemmas and Loyalties Part IX

2007-04-01T16:04:00.000-07:00

Their approach was routine. They could see the entire ship as they got closer. It suffered damage during the battle. There were several Republic capital ships in Boz Pity's orbit. All of them focused around a Venator class star destroyer. There were also shattered hulls of quite a few Separatist capital ships and droid fighters. There was debris everywhere. Alef Ulo noticed some Separatist ships that were intact and seemed to have suffer no damage.

So the Clone Wars are over, Ulo thought to himself. He reached out to the Force to see if he could find any Jedi in the Republic fleet orbiting Boz Pity. It was no use. No Jedi were present. He was the only one in this system. He could also sense a stir of emotion on board the Dawn. They were most likely setting up for his capture. He can sense the determination and the anxiety of the officers on board. He had to make a decision quickly. Would he fight or surrender? Surrender seemed to guarantee an immediate execution. Yet he could not see himself fighting against those he considered allies only a few hours ago.

Soon he would have to make that decision.

Why Star Wars is Better than Star Trek

2007-03-29T19:58:00.000-07:00

I find it annoying that people confuse my obsession with Star Wars with that of a trekkie. WTF! A Trekkie. I ain't no Trekkie. And yes, I used a double negative. I have several contemporaries who are fans of both. Some of them try to peace things out between both groups. Not me, son. The Emperor showed me what beef if. Here are several reasons why Star Wars is better than Star Trek.

Tattoine – man, I love Tattoine. It's run by the gangsta Hutts. Those dudes are g'ed up. Tattoine has the worst city in the galaxy, Mos Eisley. It can't get any Gangsta than that. What does Star Trek have?

Mandolarians – come on man. Boba Fett, Jango, and the rest of the gang? Dudes are ruthless.

Clone Troopers – made from a template of Jango Fett. Come on man, Star Trek ain't got nothing on this.

Storm Troopers – They sound so cool when they communicate. They make that chsssss sound
in between phrases. How cool is that?

Star Destroyers – can Star Trek bring genocide and destruction on this scale.... hell no!

The Sith – these villians can either be ruthless or on point. Some of them make some good points. What do the trekkies have, the Borg? WTF is a borg?

The Jedi – what more can I say?

Han Solo – when Princess Leia told him she loved him, he responded with “I know.” If I say
that to my wife, she would smack the Jesus out of me.

Darth Maul – dude is sick. I hated how he got killed but he is sick. That is all Wu Shu on top
of that.

Dilemmas and Loyalties Part VIII

2007-03-26T18:03:00.001-07:00

Alef Ulo slowly inched his way past their prisoners. All the events of the last couple of months swirled through his brain. His troops were isolated from the rest of the galaxy. They jumped from mission to mission. He has only been to Coruscant one time after the Battle of Geonosis. That was three standard years ago. He walked to the back of the gunship to find the body of Flinch stretched out in the mini med bay. His face was a gnarled and burned mess. Ulo lost many clones in this war, but never a clone commando. All four original members he started with has stayed with him through each battle. Despite the fact that they all looked the same, Ulo knew who each one was. The Jedi taught him not to have any attachments. Then he realized what have we done?
Since before the war, the darkness was always there. Initially it was just background to everything. It did not seem as threatening. Since the Battle of Geonosis that foreboding has grown. All of the Jedi seemed to ignore it. Well most of them did anyway. Several Jedi refused to fight in the Clone Wars due to this foreboding darkness. In hindsight, maybe they were right. Before he left the Jedi Temple for his first mission, many of the older Jedi debated their roles in the war. Now the darkness has engulfed them all. Before he fell into despair, Alef Ulo began his Jedi meditation. Soon they will be docking in the Coruscant Dawn.

Dilemmas and Loyalties Part VII

2007-03-22T19:01:00.000-07:00

On the way up to the Dawn, the captured clones tried to retake the LAAT/i twice. Using some Teras Kasi and some force pushes, he was able to subdue them each time without causing any harm. Once he removed their helmets, the clones seemed to keep to themselves.
“What do you think is waiting for us on the ship?” Asked Tick.
“I don't know,” Ulo answered, “we will see when we get there.”
“I don't like surprises, sir,” Tick responded.
“Again, I do not expect you to fire on your brothers,”
“It's over, Jedi!” One of the clones yelled out. “The Jedi are all traitors. They tried to assasinate the Supreme Chancellor!”
“That doesn't make any sense,” Burn chimed in, “the Jedi aren't totally invincible but I bet if they wanted to kill Chancellor Palpatine they had plenty of opportunity to do it. Let's face it. If they wanted to, it would have happened a long time ago.“
“I would have to agree with you, Burn,” Ulo finished.
“Even if we don't get you on the Dawn,” the same clone trooper continued, “someone will get you.”
“Pull up the holonet news!” Ulo commanded the pilot.
“Yes, sir!” The pilot surprisingly complied.
In a few moments, the entire gunship was filled with sound. After a few commercials, the Coruscant News Network came on. The main story was the attempted coup by the Jedi. The Jedi were defeated and clone troopers were sent to eradicate the Jedi. The clones uncovered a plot that reached all the way up to the Jedi Council. They were then tied to several galactic Senators many of who were wanted and at large. All Jedi were to be apprehended and turned over to any Republic garrison.
Alef Ulo shook his head in disbelief. Several witnesses and Senators were interviewed. All of their testimonies incriminated the Jedi.
“It's a new Republic now,” Burn said solemnly.