Patrick Stedem

mrhipp:

OCKBLOCKED

Yup, that’s awesome.

I survived the long drive to Warner Robins, but it wasn’t easy. It seemed to start off smoothly, until about 35 minutes in, while talking to Vaishali, I realized I hadn’t packed any pants. No jeans, no pants for class, only the shorts I was wearing were fit to be worn anywhere. I’m usually pretty good about these things. I mean, I’ve forgotten my phone charger, but pants? Ridiculous. Terrible. Stupid. The weather and drivers were also exceptionally awful, but enough bitching about the drive.

In superhero news I finally read my Captain America Omnibus and saw Kick-Ass. Mr. Justin Mooney was right about the Omnibus, it was a disappointment. I didn’t much care for the first 4 or 5 issues of the Kick-Ass comic (that was as far as I got reading Justin’s issues), so I didn’t have especially high hopes. It basically met my low expectations of extreme mediocrity. I thought it would be more fun. Also, I basically hate the main character.

X-Babies!

Skottie Young is amazing.

Written by: Eric Shanower | Art by: Skottie Young

While I thought the art of the first issue was great, I didn’t really think the writing lived up to it. As I recall though, there wasn’t a lot of it in the first issue anyway. However, Eric Shanower’s work in this issue is a cut above. I loved this issue from beginning to end. It’s very whimsical and fanciful. Reading it made me smile, I mean, what more could I ask for?

The Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion all look absolutely fantastic. For me, Skottie Young’s art makes these characters all the more endearing. I also thought the old crow’s bushy white eyebrows and sideburns to go with his glasses were an excellent touch. The world they’ve created is gorgeous and I can’t wait to see more of it.

For me this miniseries just went from lukewarm to hot. Pick it up!!

Story: 5 | Art: 5 | Overall: 5

Patrick Stedem

Written by: Eric Shanower | Art by: Skottie Young

My comics’ purveyor threw one of the free Wonderful Wizard of Oz sketchbooks into my bag a few weeks ago. I skimmed through it briefly, and the art really caught my eye. It made me think this was going to be a twisted reimagining of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz a la American McGee’s Alice.

Well, I was totally off-base and incorrect about this being a reimagining of the story in any sense (at least so far). I had already suspected I was wrong when I saw the rating was “All Ages.” While the art is unique and fitting for the story, it is still very much the story we know.

I do quite enjoy the art, and I look forward to seeing more work from Skottie Young both in this and in general. All the characters are beautiful and have an endearing quality about them that is hard to describe. Since the story follows the film and (I assume) the novel closely I won’t bore you with any of the details. It’s a workmanlike and faithful transition of the story.

If you love the novel and/or the film this is a no-brainer. If you’re looking for something for a young reader I also think this is one to pickup. And lastly, if you just love this type of art it’s a great get. I’m going to continue with it for the art and so one day I can pass this along to some youngin’.

Story: 3 | Art: 5 | Overall: 4

Patrick Stedem