The Maxx- New Comic Content Wednesdays

The Maxx was an image comic from the 90's by Sam Keith.  Keith had a really unique artistic style that fit this reality warping comic very well.  The comic actually had an MTV animated series based on it as well, but I don't think I ever saw it.  Julie was one of the first realistic depictions of a woman in comics that I can remember.  Sure she was maybe overly veluptuous, but she didn't have the classical perfect comic body. 

Ghost Box

Ghost Box is collects Astonishing X-Men 25-30 and is written by Warren Ellis. 

At first I though I had skipped a trade.  I didn't remember anything about the X-Men moving to San Fran and changing up their image.  I still don't remember it, but maybe I just took too long in between volumes, but I am pretty sure that there was no lead in, it was just something that happened off panel and we have to deal with. 

The story itself isn't a bad one.  The team has to track down a new type of mutant that murdered a third type of mutant.  In the process they discover that the events of M-Day has made Earth 616 look like easy pray for other dimensions. 

The story flows pretty well until the very end when it closes in a rush.  There is a climax but very little resolution, so the arc feels incomplete.  It could have sustained another issue, easily.  Ellis does a decent job, but it does feel different than the Whedon Run. 

The team does suffer from being written as dark and edgy but at the same time, it makes sense based on what all they have been through.  A whole team of wolverines just isn't as fun as just having the one.  The portrayal of Beast was the one that felt the most odd.  Cyclops strangely worked as it came off as him just posing as being tougher and edgier.  Armor might have been the strongest (no pun intended) character in this arc.  She is funny and a bit naive. 

Overall, it wasn't a bad few issues and I look forward to checking out volume 6. 

Free Comic Day-Wendsday New Comic Content

Saturday was Free Comic Book day.  For me, it was a dreary, rainy day.  I live near a place called Newbury Comics, actually several such places.  So my first stop was in one of these locations.  These stores apparently started as comic stores before coming record stores and then becoming novelty stores.  Their comic selection is very small and the clerks are kind of hipsters that look down on people that buy comics.  That might be why the store had available exactly one free comic book day title, An Archie title called Pep Comics.  They also had $1 grab bags.  I feel dirty as I purchased a couple of grab bags for my girls and got my issue of Pep Comics.  Not satisfied, I maid the trek to, while not the nearest, the easiest to get to comic shop.  Bedrock Comics in Framingham, MA is an awesome little shop.  No bells or whistles, just lots of comics.  He actually bags miniseries or storylines together and you can buy the whole run at once.  Needless to say, he had a full run of Free Comics and had some other give aways as well.  I picked up the pixie miniseries for $4 and got my oldest a copy of supergirl and he let my girls pick out a few free issues.  They even got stickers.   

These are our free issues.

Purchased comics, that is pixie 1-4 at the bottom

She read every free comic we got that night. 

She actually really enjoyed the Pep Comic, think we may have a betty and Veronica fan in the making. 

Star Wars-New Comic Content Wednesday

Today is Star Wars Day-May the 4th be with you.  Saturday is Free Comic book day and Dark Horse is giving out a Clone Wars comic as one of their offerings.  Here is a look at some of the pretty covers of Dark Horses other Star Wars comics. 

Chickenhare- New Comic Content Wednesday

The artwork is beautiful in its simplistic manner and the story is great. The book follows Chickenhare and his friend Abe (the bearded turtle) as they try to escape from the taxedermist. Along the way they meet a unique cast of characters. Grine writes the story almost as a teaser to what the story could be and this book leaves you wanting to understand the characters more. 
 The first part of the review is a few years old.  There is a second book and now a webcomic to give your your Chickenhare fix.  This one is a bunch of fun and you won't regret picking up the graphic novel or reading the web comic.  When I first read this book I emailed Mr. Grine letting him know I enjoyed it and actually got a response.  He is good people.

Cal at The Canadian Cave of Cool is also participating in New Comic Content Wednesdays.

And Dom at 365 Days of Comics has new comic content everyday.