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Wed, 23 Nov 2011 18:39:29 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 en hourly 1 http://mondomagazine.net/2011/x-is-for-x-factor/ http://mondomagazine.net/2011/x-is-for-x-factor/#comments Wed, 02 Mar 2011 05:00:06 +0000 Comics http://mondomagazine.net/?p=11618 http://mondomagazine.net/2011/x-is-for-x-factor/feed/ 1 http://mondomagazine.net/2011/w-is-for-the-wednesday-conspiracy/ http://mondomagazine.net/2011/w-is-for-the-wednesday-conspiracy/#comments Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:30:41 +0000 Comics http://mondomagazine.net/?p=11456 http://mondomagazine.net/2011/w-is-for-the-wednesday-conspiracy/feed/ 0 http://mondomagazine.net/2011/v-is-for-villains-united/ http://mondomagazine.net/2011/v-is-for-villains-united/#comments Wed, 12 Jan 2011 18:56:19 +0000 Comics http://mondomagazine.net/?p=11361 http://mondomagazine.net/2011/v-is-for-villains-united/feed/ 4 http://mondomagazine.net/2009/u-is-for-the-ultimates/ http://mondomagazine.net/2009/u-is-for-the-ultimates/#comments Mon, 26 Oct 2009 05:00:51 +0000 Comics http://mondomagazine.net/?p=7739 http://mondomagazine.net/2009/u-is-for-the-ultimates/feed/ 6 http://mondomagazine.net/2009/t-is-for-thunderbolts/ http://mondomagazine.net/2009/t-is-for-thunderbolts/#comments Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:37:04 +0000 Comics http://mondomagazine.net/?p=6623 http://mondomagazine.net/2009/t-is-for-thunderbolts/feed/ 0 http://mondomagazine.net/2009/s-is-for-sleeper/ http://mondomagazine.net/2009/s-is-for-sleeper/#comments Tue, 02 Jun 2009 05:00:00 +0000 Comics http://mondomagazine.net/?p=5590 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 [...]]]> http://mondomagazine.net/2009/s-is-for-sleeper/feed/ 0 http://mondomagazine.net/2009/r-is-for-runaways/ http://mondomagazine.net/2009/r-is-for-runaways/#comments Tue, 21 Apr 2009 05:00:45 +0000 Comics http://mondomagazine.net/?p=4870 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 [...]]]> http://mondomagazine.net/2009/r-is-for-runaways/feed/ 2 http://mondomagazine.net/2009/q-is-for-queen-and-country/ http://mondomagazine.net/2009/q-is-for-queen-and-country/#comments Tue, 10 Mar 2009 05:00:50 +0000 Comics http://mondomagazine.net/?p=4417 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. Q is for Queen & Country Definitive Edition Vol. 1 Written by Greg Rucka Art by Steve Rolston, Brian Hurtt, Leandro Fernandez, Christine Norrie, Bryan Lee O'Malley & Stan Sakai Oni Press, 2007 Queen & Country Definitive Edition Vol. 1is probably the best money-to-content TPB on the market. Collecting the first three regular TPBs, now out of print, it runs 376 pages, which makes it quite economical — twelve issues for the same cost of most other TPBs. The Queen & Countryseries examines the world of British secret agents — specifically SIS (MI6) — and takes place in the modern era. These are normal people who are fighting against terrorism, petty dictators, and their conscience in an effort to protect lives. Each of the three TPBs collected in the Definitive Edition has its own artist, and as such, the illustrations range from the slightly cartoonish style of Steve Rolston to the dark and distorted pencils of Leandro Fernandez. This is not the spy world of James Bond-of-old, though the latest two movies featuring Daniel Craig are close in theme to the comic. The characters in Queen & Country are [...]]]> http://mondomagazine.net/2009/q-is-for-queen-and-country/feed/ 2 http://mondomagazine.net/2009/p-is-for-preacher-gone-to-texas/ http://mondomagazine.net/2009/p-is-for-preacher-gone-to-texas/#comments Fri, 06 Feb 2009 05:00:48 +0000 Comics http://mondomagazine.net/?p=3980 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. P is for Preacher: Gone to Texas Written by Garth Ennis Art by Steve Dillon Vertigo, 1996 Preacher is a "love it" or "leave it" comic. Both elegant in the simplicity of its story and completely over the top in its depiction, Preacher is the type of comic that appeals to non-superhero readers. Published by DC Comics, the series is already finished, but instead of being relegated to discount bins, new readers continue to discover the title, and then race through the nine volumes. Preacher is definitely for mature readers because of both the themes woven into the comic, and the gruesome and explicit subject matter on the page. Preacher works so well, not because of its plot, its art, or its dialogue, though these are all excellent, but due to the characters in the series. Though you might recoil from their actions, Garth Ennis holds a mirror to our darker aspects and then explores these emotions and drives carefully as the story moves along. [...]]]> http://mondomagazine.net/2009/p-is-for-preacher-gone-to-texas/feed/ 0 http://mondomagazine.net/2009/o-is-for-the-other-side/ http://mondomagazine.net/2009/o-is-for-the-other-side/#comments Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:00:53 +0000 Comics http://mondomagazine.net/?p=3689 O is for The Other Side Written by Jason Aaron Art by Cameron Stewart Vertigo, 2007 The Other Side is a stand-alone trade paperback that details the Vietnam War. When released, it was hailed for its realistic treatment of both the American and Vietnamese perspectives. The TPB also received positive reviews for its detailed and well researched art. Cameron Stewart, the illustrator, travelled to Vietnam to better understand the world he was depicting. A hard biting account of two combatants — one an American, the other a North Vietnamese man — it neither glorifies warfare of any kind, nor diminishes the sacrifices made by those fighting. Both the writing and art are superb, and this TPB is worth reading, especially as we find our world embroiled in similar conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. Be warned though, this book deserves its "Suggested for Mature Readers" caution. Jason Aaron is related to Corporal Gustav Hasford — the accomplished writer who penned the novel The Short-Timers, which was later adapted by Stanley Kubrick into [...]]]> http://mondomagazine.net/2009/o-is-for-the-other-side/feed/ 0 http://mondomagazine.net/2008/n-is-for-new-avengers/ http://mondomagazine.net/2008/n-is-for-new-avengers/#comments Tue, 09 Dec 2008 04:00:15 +0000 Comics http://mondomagazine.net/?p=3200 N is for New Avengers Vol. 1: Breakout Written by Brian Michael Bendis Art by David Finch Marvel Comics, 2006 The Avengers have never been hotter, and this is the trade paperback that relaunched the team. Brian Michael Bendis is the architect behind this year's blockbuster Secret Invasion, and all the threads and clues start in this book. Superbly written, with unbelievable art, the first volume of New Avengers presents a revised line-up of team members, and the title has continued to deliver to date. The Avengers has always been about threats that were beyond the abilities of individual heroes, and this comic doesn't skimp. The New Avengers Vol. 1: Breakout offers a very new, very dynamic line-up, with staples Captain America and Iron Man as the foundations of the team. Joining are fan favourites such as Spider-Man and Wolverine, with Luke Cage and Spider-Woman rounding out the group. My only complaint with this title has been the addition of Sentry — who I have never enjoyed, as he seems like a [...]]]> http://mondomagazine.net/2008/n-is-for-new-avengers/feed/ 0 http://mondomagazine.net/2008/m-is-for-madame-mirage/ http://mondomagazine.net/2008/m-is-for-madame-mirage/#comments Tue, 18 Nov 2008 04:00:35 +0000 Comics http://mondomagazine.net/?p=2925 M is for Madame Mirage Written by Paul Dini Art by Kenneth Rocafort Top Cow, 2008 Madame Mirage collects the six issues of the mini-series that came out over the past year. A largely unknown book, it was a personal favourite of mine when originally published. Unfortunately, the back issues are a little difficult to find, but the recently released TPB is a second chance to read this great comic. Set in a world of high-technology, corporate super-humans, and criminal organizations, it stars Madame Mirage, an illusionist set on bringing down the evil organization that robbed her of her family. There is far more to the character than it seems as first, and both the back story and plot revelations explaining her powers are well thought-out, and wonderfully done. Mix a great storyline with stunning pencils that convey the grittiness of the world, yet include touches of cheesecake art, and you have a great comic [...]]]> http://mondomagazine.net/2008/m-is-for-madame-mirage/feed/ 0