MONDOmagazine

Cube
Directed by Vincenzo Natali
Alliance Atlantis, 1997

By Sean Kelly

With the release of his latest film, Splice, I thought I would go back and take a look at Cube – Vincenzo Natali’s first and most well-known film, and  something of a cult classic. The story is simple: a group of strangers find themselves in a maze of cubical rooms. Some of these rooms feature deadly traps and the group scrambles to find an exit.

This is essentially a one-set film, and it would have been impossible to pull off if it wasn’t for the quality of the character development. There are six main characters: Quentin (Maurice Dean Wint) – a cop, Holloway (Nicky Guadagni) – a doctor, Leaven (Nicole de Boer) – a student, Worth (David Hewlett) – an architect, Rennes (Wayne Robson) – an escape artist, and Kazan (Andrew Miller) – an autistic man. Each of these characters seem to represent a certain archetype, but as the film progresses their true roles are revealed.

Read the rest of this entry »

Owen’s Book of the Month

Blackest Night #5
Geoff Johns (w), Ivan Reis (p), Oclair Albert & Joe Prado (i), DC Comics

Normally I like to give my “book of the month” to books that I feel aren’t getting the attention that they should (Incredible Hercules, The Unwritten), books that people seem to ignore no matter how great they are (seriously, buy those books). This month, though, I’ll be damned if my favourite book wasn’t the one that will be #1 on the sales charts. After years of disappointing crossovers it was hard not to get a little cynical. Civil War, Final Crisis, Secret Invasion, The Great Fables Crossover… none of them were doing anything for me. Even Geoff Johns’ own Infinite Crisis left me cold, but with Blackest Night I’m finally reading an event book that does what I feel a great event book should: I’m excited. It may not seem that difficult, but somehow, apparently, it is.

There are so many things Johns is doing with this book that I love. First of all, the pacing is great. Things keep moving forward rapidly while still taking the time out for character moments. It may seem simple, but other stories have made it clear that a lot of writers struggle with this. Speaking of character moments, I love what Johns is doing with the characters in this story. It’s a DC crossover centred on Hal Jordan and Barry Allen, and that is awesome. On top of that, he’s giving a lot of panel time to Ray Palmer and Mera. Mera! Aquaman’s girlfriend! Seeing the spotlight shifted away from Superman and Batman is refreshing. The last thing I want to touch on in terms of story is the self-awareness this story (and especially this issue) has. All too often comics are locked into the notion that they either have to be the serious comic or the silly comic. I think that’s ridiculous, as many of my favourite comics are both (Justice League International, and did I mention that Incredible Hercules is great?). Read the rest of this entry »

Isaac’s Book

Adventure Comics #3
Geoff Johns, Michael Shoemaker (w), Francis Manapul, Clayton Henry (a), Brian Buccellato, Brian Reber (c). DC Comics.

Take the first “act” of the first story — Superboy is in chemistry class talking with an eccentric classmate, while surrounded by eccentric classmates. What is this? Sky High is surrounded by flying kids who shoot laser beams from their eyes? No, I don’t mean eccentric in that way.

I say “eccentric” only in that these background drawings are nuanced characters in and of themselves; any of them could be having a conversation with Superboy and I’d want to read it (disregarding my rabid Superboy fanboyism that would make me read anything with him in it). He’s talking to a well intentioned mad-scientist-to-be, but there’s Lori in the background sleeping away (that one’s obvious since she has a name and everything already), the girl beside Lori who is amazed at the chemical reaction she’s just created, the guy with the chemistry teacher who is scratching his head with a good-natured “Well, I didn’t get it the last time, but sure, explain it again” expression on his face, and in the far back a student reaching for a beaker high up on a shelf above her head while chewing gum in class (aha, another rebel) — I get the feeling that if Superboy walked up to any of them in the next panel, asked “ ‘sup?” we’d have a fun story, with conflicting wants and points of view and EVERYTHING! Read the rest of this entry »

The Alpha Review

By Andrew Uys

I’ve heard that trade paperbacks — a run of comic issues collected into a graphic novel — are all the rage today. But which ones are worth your time? This column aims to put the spotlight on the spectacular trades — at least according to this writer. And just for fun, we will start with the letter “A,” and each subsequent review will follow with the next letter of the alphabet. While you might object to my taste or my opinion, I hope that this column will help save you time and money when you are next buying a trade paperback, as well as effort in alphabetizing.

U is for The Ultimates Vol. 1 & 2
Written by Mark Millar
Art by Bryan Hitch
Marvel Comics, 2002

The Ultimates is the Avengers Redux.  When Marvel launched Ultimate Spider-Man ten years ago, they were seeking to modernize the hero, hoping to make it possible for new, younger readers to connect with the character.  And so, the Ultimate Universe was born.   Marvel quickly followed up their Spider-Man title with the Ultimate X-Men and the Ultimate Fantastic Four — each group redesigned to be more in tune with the 21st century, and not burdened with decades of continuity.  The Ultimates is no different.  Except, it’s mad brilliant.  It’s a team of super-powered heroes brought together by SHIELD to protect America’s interest in the burgeoning age of super-humans.  Ask yourself what would the American government, circa 2002, have done if it could deploy Captain America, Iron Man and Thor?  The answer is The Ultimates. Read the rest of this entry »

Sandra’s Book of the Month

Detective Comics #857
Greg Rucka (w), J.H. Williams III (a), Dave Stewart (c). DC Comics.

When I was looking through my pile to decide what I was going to choose for the Book of the Month there was only one title that really stood out, and that was this month’s issue of Detective Comics. The thing about this series that really makes it outstanding is the beauty and the intricacy of the art. Williams and Stewart create some of the most dynamic and bold art that I’ve ever seen, in this or any other series. Williams’ pencil lines are detailed and add a great flow to the story, especially with the insane use of all those dynamic panels. Combined with Stewart’s painting style and use of colours it just makes me all giddy and happy to be reading.  There hasn’t been an issue in this four-part arc that hasn’t made me rave about the series, so it only seemed appropriate for this to be my pick for the month. — Sandra Yao Read the rest of this entry »

By Miles Baker

About 20 years ago, I spent every day thinking about how I could become a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle. I thought about running away to live in the sewers, I wondered where I could get some of the good ooze that would turn me into a wacky fighting machine; I settled for buying a turtle at the local pet store and naming him Michelangelo, after my favourite turtle. But, by the time that turtle died a few years later, the phase was over and some other obsession had replaced the Turtles in my heart.

So when I got my hands on this box set of all four feature TMNT films it was an interesting reunion. How would these films — that I once no doubt counted as my favourite movies of all time, well at least the first two — hold up now that my age is in the double digits.

Not bad, really. I mean, these are not great movies, but they are interesting trips down memory lane. I found that the Turtles as characters got Read the rest of this entry »

The Alpha Review
By Andrew Uys

I’ve heard that trade paperbacks — a run of comic issues collected into a graphic novel — are all the rage today. But which ones are worth your time? This column aims to put the spotlight on the spectacular trades — at least according to this writer. And just for fun, we will start with the letter “A,” and each subsequent review will follow with the next letter of the alphabet. While you might object to my taste or my opinion, I hope that this column will help save you time and money when you are next buying a trade paperback, as well as effort in alphabetizing.

T is for Thunderbolts Vol. 1: Faith in Monsters
Written by Warren Ellis
Art by Mike Deodato Jr.
Marvel Comics, 2008

The Civil War has just ended; Iron Man runs S.H.I.E.L.D; and supervillains now police America, hunting heroes who refuse to register with the government. Read the rest of this entry »

The Alpha Review
By Andrew Uys

I’ve heard that trade paperbacks — a run of comic issues collected into a graphic novel — are all the rage today. But which ones are worth your time? This column aims to put the spotlight on the spectacular trades — at least according to this writer. And just for fun, we will start with the letter “A,” and each subsequent review will follow with the next letter of the alphabet. While you might object to my taste or my opinion, I hope that this column will help save you time and money when you are next buying a trade paperback, as well as effort in alphabetizing.

S is for Sleeper
Written by Ed Brubaker
Art by Sean Phillips.
Wildstorm, 2009

Sleeper is a noir style, crime-spy story, mixed with a dash of super-powered characters.  Tough to peg, but great to read.  Originally a mini-series, it was first collected in four trade paperbacks — and is being reprinted into two larger books this year.  Point Blank, the story’s prequel, is not essential to understanding Sleeper, but was just re-released and is also a good TPB to pick up.  The recent series Incognito, by the same creative team, has a very similar feel. If you have read and have enjoyed one of them, then I suggest checking out the others.

Sleeper has a very basic set up, but the story is all in the details.  Secret Agent Holden Carver is undercover, investigating a powerful criminal organization run by super-powered individuals.  The catch is, the man that placed him there — the only one that can redeem Carver’s reputation — is in a coma.

Secret Agent Carver used to work for International Operations, a shadowy government agency which is part police force, and part black-ops.   When Carver gained a super-human ability, his boss John Lynch decided that Carver was the perfect agent to investigate a growing pattern of criminal cohesion.  Carver — now equipped with the ability to feel no pain, and able to redirect any injury he does sustain into powerful electrical blasts — has his life “burnt”.  His former allies, friends, and lover think he has betrayed them, and joined the other side.  Carver finds himself deep undercover in a ruthless and vicious criminal enterprise run by the enigmatic villain Tao.  Staying alive with your former allies hunting you and your new allies being sadistic criminals is difficult enough, but when Lynch is attacked and falls into a coma, there seems to be no way out.  The plot twists and turns fast, and every time Carver thinks he can see his way clear, he is dragged back in.

Ed Brubaker is known for his work on Captain America, Daredevil, and Criminal — all of which have a noir-crime feel to them.  His writing never disappoints, and both his characters and their dialogue immerse you in the world he is creating.  Sean Philips’ art is equally amazing, perfectly accentuating Brubaker’s plots.  Everything has muted, dark tones, and yet each character is perfectly detailed — even if they are only a smile in the shadows.

Brubaker and Philips’ new series Incognito is the conceptual opposite to Sleeper: about a bad guy in witness protection. Both books shares a similar feel but explore good and evil and grey in different and exciting ways.  This is a dark and dangerous world, filled with edgy, doomed people, who forever struggle to succeed, only to have their hopes crash down around them.

Sleeper is a must-read for anyone who wants their comics to have a little bite.  This isn’t a world of super-heroes in spandex, and of good versus evil.  Sleeper is about having to make tough choices, where every decision seems to chip away at your soul.  While I would suggest trying to track down the original TPBs, I don’t think they are in print anymore — my copies were hard enough to find.  The new ‘two-volumes-in-one’ trade paperbacks will be released very soon, and will be one of the best reads you can hope for this year.

By Owen Craig

One of the most fun things about being a comic book fan is getting to rummage through back-issue looking for the collector’s version of buried treasure. Recently I was at Dragon Lady, a neat store with some old comics and magazines checking out their 30-50% off sale and walked home with a great haul. Let’s take a quick look at what I bought.

Amazing Spider-Man #162

Nightcrawler was guest-starring in Amazing Spider-Man with The Punisher…I dunno, seemed like fun to me.

Devil Dinosaur #1

Devil Dinosaur. It’s a comic about a giant red tyrannosaurus. Not only that, but it’s a Jack Kirby-created red tyrannosaurus with a monkey-man sidekick. This a slam-dunk.

The House of Mystery #249

I bought this one based on the amazingness of the dialogue on the cover. “No! NO! You were just a voice on a record!” “Yes! The voice of your DOOM!” That’s fantastic. I miss dialogue on the covers of my comics these days. It still happens once in a while, and I always appreciate it when it does. I can only hope that the story inside this issue is as much fun as the cover. Plus it features two terrifying tales. Two!

The Mighty Thor #364-366

Ever since I heard of Frog Thor I knew I had to own those issues. Thor is turned into a frog, awesomeness ensues. If you’re reading Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers (and if you aren’t then why not?) and want to know where the concept of Frog Thor originated then this is what you need to track down.

Uncle Scrooge #300

I’m a huge Uncle Scrooge fan, so it’s hard to resist a cover like this one where Don Rosa draws a bunch of characters from Scrooge’s past. The issue also reprints some great stories I hadn’t read.

World’s Finest #289

This is the famous (on the internet) issue of World’s Finest that I read about on The Invincible Super-Blog and had to check out for myself. Sure enough, Superman and Batman are engaging in long handshakes, reaching out gently for each other and helping alien creatures mate. It’s awesome. They make a cute couple.

I can’t remember the last time I walked away with a stack of comics I was so pleased with. Feel free to recommend great old comics for me to look for next time I’m doing some rummaging through back-issue bins.

Kidstreet
Kidstreet
Independent, 2007

By Helen Fylactou

Everyone has that one album that helps wake them up in the morning, that helps them withstand their day in the office — or at least the morning commute. For the last year or so, Kidstreet has been a prominent member of my morning music rotation. Their self-titled album is a well-developed dance record, weaving from jazz and rock to new wave and pop. Their sound is innovative and bold, and, unsurprisingly, it pays off: Kidstreet is fresh, loaded with texture, precision, and an energy that brings the audience together on the dance floor.

Kidstreet is a three-piece band from Waterloo, Ontario, comprised of siblings Cliff, Edna, and Karl Snyder. I’ve been a fan of Karl Snyder for a long time, following his music from Stargazer to K-Pet and finally to Kidstreet, where he has far surpassed all of my expectations. His talents as a producer, creator, singer, and drummer show the true commitment to music of an exciting Canadian performer that is, without a doubt, on the verge of super-stardom. “Working with siblings is great and weird,” says Karl Snyder. “The main thing I love about it is the lack of ego. They’re both grounded, kind people who I enjoy spending time with. A band is a lot like a family no matter how you come together.” This special combination definitely works: with her breathy-girly voice, Edna’s distinctive vocal performance is reminiscent of a more upbeat Elizabeth Fraser, and is the perfect accompaniment to Kidstreet’s explosive sound. “Penny Candy” showcases Edna’s sensual and feminine voice, which is framed by Cliff’s mastery of the guitar and keyboards. Always captivating the audience, Cliff Snyder delivers an animated performance.

Kidstreet’s influences vary from “international superstars to local artists such as Mike Bond from Bocce and Mike Mercey [formerly from The Sourkeys],” giving the band an advantage in reaching an assortment of people. With growing popularity, Kidstreet played at the Mod Club on Saturday night, where they ignited a dancing frenzy throughout the audience. Making it impossible to stand still, Kidstreet’s always bubbly, candy-flavoured attitude is contagious. “BMX Love,” the album’s opening track, is an abrasive electro piece that stole the show, forcing us to clap along with its throbbing pulse and Stereolab-like disco beats. The dance-floor friendly “Disk Mixer 2013″ was also a crowd-pleaser, making use of a children’s toy as an instrument to produce a sound comparable to quirky German duo Stereo Total.

Since forming in 2006, Kidstreet’s buzz has being building steadily, even gaining the attention of the Ford Motor Company of Canada. Recently, Ford licensed Kidstreet’s music and used their song “Song” in a national ad. “Song” — the least poppy-sounding song I’ve heard from Kidstreet — is piano-driven and perfectly orchestrated with strings and drums. With any luck, this exposure will drive Kidstreet more into the mainstream, where they deserve to be.

For upcoming shows, videos, and music check out Kidstreet’s MySpace.

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The Alpha Review

By Andrew Uys

I’ve heard that trade paperbacks — a run of comic issues collected into a graphic novel — are all the rage today. But which ones are worth your time? This column aims to put the spotlight on the spectacular trades — at least according to this writer. And just for fun, we will start with the letter “A,” and each subsequent review will follow with the next letter of the alphabet. While you might object to my taste or my opinion, I hope that this column will help save you time and money when you are next buying a trade paperback, as well as effort in alphabetizing.

R is for Runaways Vol. 1: Pride and Joy
Written by Brian K. Vaughan
Art by Adrian Alphona
Marvel Comics, 2005

Remember being a teenager?  Remember fighting with your parents, bucking authority, and hanging with your friends all day?  How about in the Marvel Universe?  Runaways starts with a group of teenagers discovering that their parents are a society of super-villains.  With their world turned up side down, these kids — who barely know each other — have to band together to survive.

Collecting Runaways can be a little confusing because there have been numerous collections released. First, Runaways was released in smaller-sized digest format directed at the anime market. Then, regular-sized hardcovers collecting two or three of the digests were released, and now regular-sized hardcovers that collect individual digests are being released.

On top of that, in terms of issues, there have been three Runaways #1 released, as the series keeps getting relaunched. In issue form, volume one ran for 18 issues, all written by Vaughan with the majority of it drawn by Alphona; a second volume ran for 30 issues, the first 24 by Vaughan and Alphona and the last six by Joss Whedon and Michael Ryan; the third volume is currently ongoing and was relauched with Strangers in Paradise writer Terry Moore and Humberto Ramos on art. Sound confusing?  It is. The plot itself is easy to follow though, and wonderfully done, but woe unto the reader that stumbles into this story midway through.

Brian K. Vaughan is one of the biggest names in comics now, and as he branches out into writing for LOST, his star is only going to keep rising.  Yet, when I picked up the first volume, I had no idea who he was, and enjoyed the story purely on its own merits — and there are many. Vaughan always seems to have the best artists rendering his writing, and Runaways is no exception.  Adrian Alphona has clean, yet charged pencil lines, and brings a sense of youth and action to the comic.  He defined the characters for me, and the first seven volumes with him and Vaughan are fantastic reads — a treat both for the eyes and the mind.  Alphona is credited as co-creating the Runaways, and he highlights the physical identity, nuanced facial expressions, and individual styles of the kids.  You root for the characters in Runaways — their failures, crushing; their victories, inspiring.

The best part of Runaways, though it applies less to the first volume than later ones, is how carefully the book threads its way through the Marvel Universe.  Truly a comic about the tribulations and insecurities of adolescence, the series does involve other Marvel characters, but only sparingly.  A classic moment is when Captain America, Wolverine and the rest of the Avengers appear — and their depiction is seen through the eyes of rebellious teenagers.  Even if you have no former experience with the Marvel Universe, Runaways works on as a stand-alone series, and you can still  thoroughly enjoy this title.

One quick warning, though.  Do not, under any circumstances, read the two Runaways/Young Avengers team-ups.  These are stand-alone TPBs, taking place during the “Civil War” and the “Secret Invasion” crossovers.  While the Young Avengers mini-series was awesome, and Runaways is brilliant, these two crossover trade paperbacks are so horrible that they have you wondering why you liked the original series to begin with.

Runaways Vol. 1: Pride and Joy is a great read — easily accessible for older fans who want a break from the doom and gloom in the Marvel Universe, and for younger readers who want a series that speaks more directly to them.  Start with Pride and Joy, and you will discover a title that reads and feels like comic from the 60s — filled with fun and action — yet is definitely set in our world today

Try to picture the word “Real” with extra italics.

By Jenny Bundock

For a long time now I’ve been going to gallery shows in Toronto. I did my undergrad at York in Photo, and during that time I pretty much had to be a gallery hopper to survive. Looking back, I really wish I had taken more advantage of my time in what I have come to refer to as “the real art scene in Toronto.”

Toronto is kind of screwy, because what you would assume to be the cultural hubs of the city (the ROM, the AGO, etc.) are kind of, well, old. Occasionally you see these institutions try to branch out and grab something fresh from the streets and basements of Toronto, but rarely does it survive. It’s like bringing your flower garden inside, in pots, for the winter: it just isn’t the same and you’re probably going to kill it. Read the rest of this entry »