Archives
Off the Beaten Path

4/23/07

Before I start this week's column, I want to take this moment to point you the reader towards our new myspace page. www.myspace.com/pulpfictiononline. If you're not a friend, please add us. Management has put in a lot of work on the page, there will be promos, contests, giveaways and special promotions only found there. This week's column focuses on three heroes who kick ass. One swings a stick, one swings a sword, and the least likely hero swings a wrench. I call it 'Catch a bastard' in a few more sentences, you'll understand why. As always...enjoy.

Title- Scalped

Publisher-Vertigo
Script- Jason Aaron
Artist- R.M. Guera
Format- ongoing
Shipping- Good
Age- 15 & over

The Basics-

The Prairie Rose Indian Reservation in South Dakota...A better setting couldn't be found. Especially for a man named Bad Horse, Dashiel Bad Horse, 100% Bad motherf23ker and Sioux Indian. Mr. Bad Horse returns to the reservation to get reacquainted with the past. He starts by striking up a friendly conversation about Jesus, while swinging a well-worn pair of nun chucks! Quite a ay to say "I'm Home!" We are soon introduced to Red Crow, the Boss, notice I didn't say Chief, of the Prairie Rose Indian Reservation, or Rez as it is affectionately called. It's his, 'dog soldiers' Bad Horse has been having 'conversations' with, and it's his attention Bad Horse has been looking to attract. The Rez is n the process of opening a casino, and a few people are going to get very rich, people like Red Crow and his 'dog soldiers' and quite possibly a man with considerable 'conversation' skills such ass Bad Horse. Who is Bad Horse, where has he been, what is his motive for coming back to the Rez? Don't skip to the last page, it'll ruin the surprise.

The Art-

The cover is amazing, part old Vegas, part oil painting and completely menacing. The art is less about detail and all about tone and feeling. The characters are gritty, dark and ugly. There is very little 'beauty' found on the Rez, which is a statement in of itself. The art conveys this sentiment of corruption and desolation completely. The coloring sets the tone from frame to frame, similar to the lighting used in the movie 'Traffic' or more recently '300'. The backgrounds are fuzzy, dirty, and often times barren, leaving the reader to reach their own conclusions. This is a great pairing of artist and writer.

The Verdict-

Bad Horse is a bad a$$ with a bad attitude and nun chucks. You can't argue with a man and his nun chucks. If you're a Warren Ellis, Grant Morrison, or rank Miller fan this book is up your alley.

Title- Okko

Publisher- archaia Studios Press
Script- Hub
Artist- Hub
Format- 4 issues
Shipping- good (sells out quick-with no reorder)
Age- 15+

The Basics-

Meet Okko the demon hunter and his friends Noboro, and Noshin the monk as they venture to find Tikku's sister Little Carp, who has been kidnapped by pirates, if this sounds similar to the info on the back cover, it is, The reason, it's a basic description of this story here's the meat and potatoes. This story is translated from Japanese or quite possibly French (like The Killer- look for an upcoming review) and the first two issues move very slowly, the story is deep and involved, the characters are intense and multi layered with nuances too subtle to describe in such a short review. We are taken into a rich and vastly detailed world of demons and tradition where nothing is as it seems.

The Art-

Quite possibly the richest, deepest free flowing comic released in the past few months. The coloring brings forth a depth of emotions and characteristics within each frame, from each character and from brings forward a exquisitely detailed background with ease. The back cover says it's like looking at screenshots from an anime studio, I agree, while I read this I was continually reminded of the art from the anime series Samurai Champloo.

The Verdict-

I would say wait for the story to finish, then grab all four to see if it reaches the depths of plot in a single story arc, but since it's so 'hot' you probably will not be able to get back issues, grab em' now. I predict the final books will bring this story full circle and finish nicely.

Title- Gearhead

Publisher- Acana
Script- Dennis Hopeless
Artist- Hellen/Herrera
Format- ongooing (?)
Shipping- absolutely no idea
Age- 15+

The Basics-

"I raced Shelby Cooper...and all I got was OWNED." reads the t-shirt being worn by the latest victim in the aftermath of a short race with the illustrious Shelby Cooper. At sometime in the future, where combustible engines are outlawed in major cities, Shelby is a certified gearhead, a tomboy who loves fast cars, bikes and anything that smells like gasoline and rubber. I may have fallen in love for the 5th time with a fictional character. We get to learn a few things about Shelby, and her father...who...well, I'll let her brother fill you in. This is a superhero book, what kind of superhero? When issue 2 hits stands, I'll let you know.

The Art-

It's got hot rods and motorcycles as well as some flying cars. How could I not like it? The setting is my idea of Bakersfield year 3000. Did I mention the main character is in a tank top covered in grease? Is there anything sexier…no. There is a particular style here, a unique I would like to see more of.

The Verdict-

Hot rods, tomboys covered in grease and holding big tools, I will be hoarding these issues, don't even ask me to borrow a copy.

Anthony Dominguez
www.anthonydominguez.com
myspace.com/anthonydominguez <TOP>

4/13/07

This week's column is a movie review. Last night I went to see the long awaited, long anticipated Grindhouse Double Feature by Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantio. I have been excited to see this movie for months, actually years, ever since I met them and Frank Miller at the Sin City DVD release screening. During the Q & A session, they talked about this movie and my mouth started watering! I'm a fan of the old grindhouse movies. If you're not familiar with the genre here is a quick intro. They consisted of C-D grade movies put out by independent movie studios, which showcased extreme violence-over the top gory violence-gratuitous nudity, and outrageous storylines with little or no plot. Featuring terrible acting, cheesy soundtracks, horrible special effects, childlike editing and laughable film quality and camera work. They were almost underground; horse-traded between movie houses, and back alley art houses so the quality would deteriorate rapidly. Later Roger Corman would take major aspects of this genre and make tons of cult classics with just a fraction more in budgets, never losing the core of the genre. You may or may not be familiar with these movies; many have been remade in the last few years, Rollerball being one of them. Death Race 2000 is still my all time favorite. As you may or may not know, Grindhouse is actually two separate movies, Planet Terror- Directed by Robert Rodriguez and Death Proof- Directed by Quentin Tarantino, complete with fake movie previews and an intermission between the two. Here today I give you Grindhouse Double Feature, as always…enjoy.

Title- Planet Terror

Director-Robert Rodriguez

The Basics-

A good old fashioned zombie movie, and I mean old fashioned, nothing new in this telling. Featuring Bruce Willis as the general and Freddy Rodriguez as Wray or El Rey the quintessential bad boy with a secret past. Rose McGowan as the love interest and a whole cast of characters to fill space, wait till you meet the babysitter twins, oh the naughty things I would have done if they were my babysitters… I digress. The plot is as follows; Money hungry scientist sells top-secret bio agent to military renegades, gets double-crossed and said bio agent is released upon an unsuspecting town, creating a population of disfigured pustule filled flesh eating zombies. The bad boy with a secret past (El Rey) bands together with local sheriff (who does not trust bad boy) and survivors to fight their way to safety. Violence, sex, and mayhem ensue. Roll Credits.

The Art-

It's a f23king Zombie movie, a low budget inspired zombie movie. The art sucked, just like it was supposed to. So in that regard it was good.

The Verdict-

Useless thing to do #69. Watch the movie and you'll understand. I f23king hate zombie movies. This was no better. The campy ness of the 'missing reels', flickering screen and scratch marks on the film got real annoying after about 30seconds. I had fully expected a movie that was reminiscent of the old Roger Corman movies, not a movie exactly like the grindhouse movies of the 70's. I could rent one of them motherf23kers myself for a lot less money and a fast forward button. Project Terror made me want to go home and throw out my signed Sin City DVD!

Title- Death Proof

Director-Quentin Tarantino

The Basics-

Kurt Russell stars in this Roger Corman inspired (al' la Death Race 2000) movie about a man named Stuntman Mike and his car, he lovingly calls Death Proof. We meet Stuntman Mike about 20 minutes into the film, after we have been thoroughly bored with Jungle Julia, Butterfly and their annoying friends. After Stuntman Mikes introduction and subsequent meeting of Jungle Julia and crowd, we are introduced to Zoë and her crowd, I love Zoë, there is something about a Kiwi accent to get those juices flowing, throw in Rosario Dawson and Kim (a younger sexier version of Wanda Sykes) and you've got every boy's dream! There is some great muscle car action, almost no plot, and I mean no plot, amazing stunts and did I mention spectacular muscle cars? Full of action, cars and hot ass this is how a movie should be, if it's gonna be grindhouse style.

The Art-

It's done as an original grindhouse movie, so the style is very minimal; the focus is on the women and the cars, both of which look amazing.

The Verdict-

I actually zoned out 3 times in the first 10 minutes. Counting the moment I took to jot this note that would be 4. This portion of my useless night #69 was much more like a Roger Corman movie. Although 20 minutes in, still not a f23king thing has happened. The fake previews have been the best part of the movie, besides Kurt Russell's IcyHot driving jacket, gotta love product placement! The gratuitous ass shots don't hurt this one either. Quentin Tarantino's stamp is all over. Kurt's the best part of this movie, and Rose McGowan is paying back for her earlier performance. As Death Proof progresses I find myself smiling, and now laughing out loud! If it weren't for Death Proof (and especially Zoë) I would have asked for my money back.

Ultimate Verdict-

I say arrive late, right about intermission and watch Death Proof, not for the movie but for the cars and ladies.

Anthony Dominguez
www.anthonydominguez.com
myspace.com/anthonydominguez <TOP>