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Guitar Phantasy Review

May 6, 2014, 3:30 pm
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Taking cues from great fantasy stories such as Lord of the Rings and Conan the Barbarian, Guitar Phantasy from Moonrise Comics does the unthinkable: it channels the spirit of these and other such fantasy epics and crams it into eleven tight pages. Yep, you heard me, in a humble eleven pages, writer Tim Bach and artist Carl Peterson weave a captivating tale of foul demons, fair maidens (in guitar form) and long haired teenagers. It reads like a hero's ballad, looks like a metal album cover come to life and feels like Conan the Barbarian and Scott Pilgrim had a rocking love child.

The story follows Kevin, your stereotypical teenage boy, on a quest to defeat an ancient demon and prove himself worthy to wield the guitar Excalibur. It's a simple plot but within it lies the essence of all fantasy stories: you have a hero, an epic task and the eternal struggle between good and evil. Carefully mixed in with these traditional fantasy elements is the universal adolescent male fantasy of learning guitar and inevitably becoming rock-star. I think it's safe to say every teenage boy worth his salt at least attempted to learn the mythic six stringed instrument, even if most of us only got as far as the opening notes to 'Smoke on the Water'. What lays under the surface of this deceptively simple tale is a world of fantastical indulgence that wants to do nothing less than fulfil that fantasy of becoming a bare chested, long haired, rock god.


Bringing it all to life is the eye popping art of Carl Peterson. Think chunky and expressive lines with a very rock and roll sensibility. Seriously some of these panels look like they've been taken straight from a metal record, well minus the pentagrams. Peterson's line work is made all the better by Robt Synder's bright but moody colours that add a sense of danger and drama. Visually the whole thing reminded me of Tim Schaffer's Brutal Legend, and I mean this in the best way possible.

Tim Bach's writing really is the glue that holds it all together, taking Peterson and Synder's images and crafting them into a flowing and melodic story. Although present in the stories opening pages, dialogue is soon abandoned in favour of lyrical narration. This really lets the images speak for themselves, uninhibited by cumbersome speech bubbles, whilst the narration gently pushes the story along. Like the lyrics and chords of a killer rock anthem, the narration and images of Guitar Phantasy become beautifully entangled, the sum being much greater then its parts.

I was pleasantly surprised by how much I got out of Guitar Phantasy. For a short read, as I mentioned before it's around eleven pages, it packs a lot of punch. It's the little book with big nostalgia value, big ambition and an even bigger demon-goat thing. Although the stunning art was what initially grabbed me, it was the melodic writing that kept me from putting the story down. Seriously if you have a spare buck I highly advise you throw it Moonrise Comics' way and pick up a PDF of Guitar Phantasy.

- Christof
Guitar Phantasy is available as a PDF from DriveThruComics, or from Indy Planet as a hard copy.  


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Brisbane and Sydney Oz Comic-Con tickets now on sale!

May 6, 2014, 5:47 pm
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 Oz. Comic-con is nearly here. It's a. Con in. Oz.... Ok, I just realised how hard it is to write in the voice that Shatner speaks. That said, SHATNER! Tickets are now on sale for the Sydney and Brisbane cons with plenty of talent to be seen.

The countdown is on – Australia’s biggest and best pop culture event is headed to Brisbane (September 6 and 7) and Sydney (September 13 and 14), and tickets have just gone on sale. For the first time ever, Oz Comic-con is bringing Queensland and New South Wales fans the epic celebration of everything making waves in the pop culture world. Now in its third year, Oz Comic-Con has already wrapped two incredible events in Perth (March 29 and 30) and Adelaide (April 5 and 6) as well as sold out events with Benedict Cumberbatch in Sydney (April 12 and 13) so far in 2014. The standard has been set, and anticipation couldn't be higher for Oz Comic-Con Brisbane and Sydney.

Headlining the Brisbane and Sydney shows will be sci-fi legend William Shatner, best known for his roles as Captain James T. Kirk in Star Trek and Denny Crane on Boston Legal. Joining him will be Jason Momoa (Khal Drogo from Game of Thrones), Booboo Stewart (The Twilight Saga, X-Men: Days of Future Past), and Chris Judge (Stargate SG:1), as well as a wide range of other talented TV and Film stars.

Also in the line-up for the event will be Bill Farmer, the voice of Goofy, and Rodger Bumpass, best known as the voice of Squidward Tentacles on Spongebob Squarepants. Oz Comic-Con Brisbane will also feature a large range of talented comic-book artists, including Nicola Scott (DC’s Earth 2 and Birds of Prey), Tristan Jones (IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and Ghostbusters), and David Yardin (Marvel’s X-Factor and Thunderbolt’s, DC’s Injustice: Gods Among Us).

To be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on September 6 and 7, and the Sydney Harbour Expo Centre on September 13 and 14, Oz Comic-Con will not only give fans the opportunity to rub shoulders with some of their favourite stars, it will also feature two days of celebrity panels, autograph and professional photograph opportunities, special screenings, industry master classes, portfolio reviews and a huge range of vendors selling exclusive merchandise.

Tickets to Oz Comic-Con Brisbane and Sydney are on sale now through Showclix and via the Oz Comic-Con website (www.oz.comiccon.com). Tickets purchased in advance through those portals will have a discounted price from those available at 
the door. Families are encouraged to attend with their little super heroes and to make it more affordable, Oz Comic-Con offers one free child’s ticket for each adult ticket pre-purchased online!

2014 also marks the first time that exclusive Oz Comic-Con merchandise is on sale. The merchandise, which includes hoodies, caps, t-shirts, and tote bags, is available as an option when pre-purchasing tickets, and can be collected at the show. 


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Bad Neighbours - Review

May 8, 2014, 4:31 am
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Bad Neighbours gives you the opportunity to sneak in some laughs before the louder Michael-Bay-esque nonsense-blockbuster films start stomping our way, yes Spider Man 2 i’m looking right at you! Over The past few years, it’s been fairly slim pickings on the comedic front, with arguably only five or six films leaving a lasting impression, namely Ted, Bridesmaids and 21 Jump Street. Now Bad Neighbours isn’t the second coming, but it’s an entertaining film which delivers more than it’s fair share of genuinely funny albeit juvenile moments. If you’re not offended by the odd vibrator, breast pump or venereal disease joke then this film could be right up your alley.

Mac and Kelly Radner (Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne) are new parents who have just bought their dream home and are slowly coming to terms with their newfound sense of responsibility. Their newly-built “grown up” world is turned upside down when a local fraternity moves in next door and decides to turn the joint into party central. After trying to reason with the frat president Teddy (Zac Efron), the two houses go to war, resulting in a series of practical jokes and revenge schemes. Despite all the shenanigans, the film takes a few moments to look at what exactly ‘growing up’ means, which shows a nice touch of self-awareness, given the target audience.

The film succeeds because of the cast. Although at first blush the idea of pairing of Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne caused me some concern, their chemistry won me over instantly. Thankfully, Rose Byrne’s character (through some very straightforward exposition) is allowed to keep her Aussie accent, resulting in a relaxed and natural performance. She proves yet again that she has plenty of comedic muscles to flex. Seth Rogen rolls out his usual schlubby-stoner schtick, but hey, it works for the guy.

The big surprise here was Zac Efron, who seems to be still finding his way in a post-teen-heartthrob kind of world. He’s got great comedic timing and even nails the more emotional scenes – all very promising for his career. The only problem (although the ladies would argue it’s no problem at all) is in the few of his performances I’ve seen of late he displays a penchant for going shirtless à la Mr McConaughey. Perfectly understandable for a man whose abs have their own abs, but I think he’s got more to offer.

Director Nicholas Stoller is slowly building a solid comedic filmography, with Forgetting Sarah Marshall, Get Him to the Greek and The Five Year Engagement under his built. Whilst I had my issues with the latter, he’s quickly becoming a director whose releases I’ll go catch. I wish there were more directors that i felt this way about. He’s the type of director who wisely allows the laughs to come from the writing and the performances, shooting the scenes very simply (almost as if it were a television sitcom), which works because it’s not like we are expecting grandiose cinematography in a raunchy comedy.

By no means is this a high-brow affair but then few college frat-house themed comedies really are. It deals in equal parts absurdity, vulgarity and witty-self aware banter, which I think justifies the price of admission. Don’t take it too seriously and you’ll have a ball.

Bad Neighbours moves into theatres this week. If you see the film, feel free to drop a line below or come over to our facebook page.

- Stu




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Belle - Review

May 8, 2014, 4:10 pm
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Belle tells the fascinating true story of Dido Belle (Gugu Mbatha-Raw) a mixed-race girl raised as an aristocratic in 18th century England. In a society which is heavily influenced by the economic riches of slave trading and its inherent racism, Dido’s story is incredible not only because she is raised in an aristocratic household, but that the house is that of her uncle, Lord Chief Justice, Lord Mansfield, (Tom Wilkinson) the most superior judge in all of England, who has power to influence views on slavery in his decisions in the Supreme Court. What follows is a story, most earnestly told, of Dido’s experiences growing up in English aristocracy and her striving to carve out a position of her own, in a society where position was everything. I just wish this amazing story could have been executed better.

The film establishes quickly that Dido originates from an impoverished home and after the death of her mother, she is plucked from these humble beginnings by her biological British Naval officer father, Sir Admiral John Lindsay (Matthew Goode). Herein lies my first disappointment. I’m rather fond of Matthew Goode and thought he was simply brilliant in the Australian film Burning Man and also gave solid performances in Stoker, A Single Man and The Watchmen...but here his Admiral Lindsay is soo earnestly good (no pun intended) and soo intensly benevolent, I became too aware of the "performance". I suppose his character is meant to echo in viewer’s mind as the first really decent person of Dido’s acquaintance, but it was a bit hard to watch. Sorry Matthew, better next time eh?

Once deposited in her uncle’s home, Dido joins a cast of English staple actors, including Tom Wilkinson (Michael Clayton, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind) as her uncle, the gentle Emily Watson (War Horse, Oranges and Sunshine) as his wife Lady Mansfield, and also Downton Abbey’s Penelope Wilton (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel) as Lord Mansfield’s sister Lady Mary Murray . Also in the household under Lord Mansfield’s charge is his great-niece , Elizabeth Murray played by Sarah Gadon, ( A Dangerous Method, Cosmopolis) who has come from difficult circumstances herself. The two form a sisterhood and in comfort and happiness reach their late teens together and are on the brink of being introduced into society.

The Mansfield household feels a little bit “Downton” with plumby British accents, Wilton essentially her Downton character, over-exposition and very clearly, deliberately over-enunciated lines. It’s a breath of fresh air when handsome, direct, intelligent yet poor, apprentice, John Davinier, (Sam Reid, Anonymous, The Railway Man) arrives. He is passionate about human rights particularly those of slaves and debates with Lord Mansfield over The Zong Affair case, where 130 slaves were deliberately drowned by the crew and the ships’ owners are seeking an insurance payout. Davinier conveys details of the case to the sheltered but maturing and intelligent, Dido and he and the case leave a lasting impression.

Gugu Mbatha-Raw’s Dido is lovely. She is passionate, charming, beautiful with intelligent sparkling eyes and easy to rally behind as a heroine. Her challenges are great and become even more complicated once she is granted a large inheritance, an interesting twist for a woman already in such a unique position. Now she is rich, seemingly able to do as she pleases yet still restricted by her mixed-race origins. She is a true unicorn in this society and no one has any solid answers. The world is largely seen through her eyes and the use of pictures and paintings, particularly those depicting slaves or black servants is clever and illuminating. This insidious racism and it’s commonality has given Dido a phobia of representation, an idea I found very compelling and the film’s inspiration is in part due to an actual painting depicting Elizabeth and Dido together. Dido’s first encounter with a black servant who shows her how to tame her long and curly black hair is sensitively played and a lovely moment in the film. We also form affection for Elizabeth because we see her through Dido’s eyes, even though Gadon’s English-rose Elizabeth is a bit too winning, keen and rather silly.

Tom Wilkinson provides the Lord Chief Justice with the presence one would assume the real man would have in life although there are times where even Wilkinson falls into a caricature of himself and his usual, although admirable, gravitas. It is in Wilkinson, Mbatha-Raw and Reid and their performances and characters that provide relief from the over-played aristocratic world, especially once an incredibly arch Miranda Richardson (Damage, Enchanted April) as Lady Ashford and her dubious sons arrive, played by an enigmatic James Norton (Rush, Cheerful Weather for the Wedding) and extremely villainous Tom Felton (Draco in the Harry Potter series). By this stage we are practically begging for Dido and Davinier to escape the aristocracy and seek the back of a pub, somewhere the scenery has not already been chewed.

I was moved by Belle and entranced by Dido's particular story against the backdrop of a truly ugly and prolific racism. I would like to see more of Gugu Mbatha-Raw and wouldn’t mind some more of Sam Reid too since he oozes charisma as Davinier. There are period films that have dealt with a similar period to Belle and likewise, have complicated historical plot lines involving court cases like Amazing Grace and Amistad, I just wish that Belle was made with a touch more sophistication and subtlety like these films.

Belle is in cinemas on the 8th May. If you see the film, please share your thoughts below.

- Emily





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Child of Light (Xbox 360) Review

May 12, 2014, 1:55 am
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Child of Light, the new title from Ubisoft, is a delightfully gorgeous pseudo-indie fairytale role playing game. Not something you'd expect from the team that brought you Far Cry 3.

The story is mixture of Sleeping Beauty and Alice in Wonderland but with a Studio Ghibli-esque take. You play as Aurora, a girl from 1895 Austria who succumbs to an ailment causing her to fall asleep. While those around her mourn, Aurora seemingly wakes up in the mythical world of Lemuria, a world which has had its sun, moon and stars stolen by the Black Queen.

Aurora is tasked with recovering the stolen celestial bodies, ultimately reuniting with her father. As with any RPG, Aurora is joined on this journey by a playable companion and several unlikely allies she meets on the way.

Made using the UbiArt Framework engine, previously used on Rayman Origins and Rayman Legends, Child of Light is full of amazingly beautiful hand-drawn 2D landscapes which make it feel like an interactive story book.

In regards to gameplay, Child of Light, feels like a mixture of equal parts 2D platformer, puzzler and JPRG. I found the combat system quite easy to get a hang of, but it also made mastering it quite satisfying as well. Landing a hit on an enemy can interrupt their move, so this means careful planning on when and which type of attack to use.

Your companion, Firefly, can also be of help in battle. You or a 2nd player can control him to heal allies, grab power ups or even slow down the refresh time of an enemy. As I mentioned, this game is part puzzler and you can use you Firefly to solve environmental puzzles outside of combat, such as lighting up dark areas and helping to gather hard to reach items.

After each successful battle, characters gain experience points which go towards levelling up a character. Once you reach a new level you can spend points in your characters skill trees, tailoring the character and experience to what you think is best.

Early into the game Aurora is given the power of flight. This helps with exploring various areas of the game, but is also amazingly beautiful to behold.

Personally I wasn’t a huge fan of the music in the game. It suited the theme of the story quite well - a depressing fairy tale - but I just didn’t feel excitement or reason to rise up because of it.

Child of Light is an amazingly beautiful game with throwbacks to JRPG’s and platform gaming of the past. It’s a treat to see something like this from one of the larger game studios. If this is an example of what's to come in the future of gaming, let me sign up for more now.

Child of Light is available now on PS3, PS4, XBox 360, Xbox One, PC and Wii U.

- Billy


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Campione! (DVD) Review

May 12, 2014, 3:20 pm
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Based on the light novel series of the same name by Jō Taketsuki, Campione! (the ! is supposed to be there), is a real mish-mash of genres and sub-genres, somewhat to the detriment of the cohesiveness of the entire series. 

"It’s a long fall from grace once you’ve reached the top.

Kusanagi Godo is to become the stuff of legends, when he slays the God of War in fierce combat. Now known as Campione, a God Slayer, Kusanagi is tasked with the job of defending his title and turf against other fierce individuals after the prestigious name.

But despite the constant mortal peril, there are some benefits to the job and it comes in the form of some devoted female followers and really how is a guy supposed to resist?" - Hanabee

There are some very cool and very epic battles in Campione!, so too is there some very funny/saucy/awkward harem scenes but the problem is that this series doesn't quite commit to either in its short 13 episode run. If only this were an action series with harem elements or a harem series with action elements instead or both but neither. That said, the harem and action elements in isolation are actually pretty damn cool, particularly the latter. While the harem elements are nothing new, the mythological action is above average.

The action itself is conducted on an epic scale, just as you'd expect from godly battles, and are all rather well animated. While animation studio Diomedea aren't particularly prolific, they've done a rather good job of creating a vibrant and believable backdrop and visually distinctive characters. While the characters are distinctive of one another, they're not particularly memorable and seem to meander in the realm of generic beauty ideals.

In its mythological setting, Campione! really shines and it hints at a depth of knowledge that not many series possess. The overlap between various different ancient cultures is brought up, through the introduction of gods and demigods such as Pandora, Perseus and Athena, but the series ultimately rushes from battle to battle and into the boudoir of one of Gudou's many willing suitors. The harem elements are unfortunately used as more than just a comedic, light-hearted beat and instead occupy a great deal of screen time. While it is at times a good distraction from heavy action, it tends to be a little too heavy handed.

The animation is of a good quality while the score is completely forgettable and the mythological elements are great while the harem elements are played out, leaving Campione! teetering precariously on the precipice of excellence. One other mini-quibble... what the hell is with anime series lately LITERALLY showing saliva swapping when characters kiss? Surely I can't be the only one that finds it gross! 

- Ryan
Campione! is available now on DVD and Blu Ray from Hanabee.

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Hinterkind Volume 1: The Waking World Review

May 14, 2014, 4:54 pm
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For those who like their fantasy alternative, there couldn't be a better time to be reading funny books. Series like Fables, The Unwritten, Rat Queens, and more recently Shutter all delight in mashing up the magical with the mundane. Minotaur taking public transport, a talking squirrel with a machine gun and magic rune-stones that double as mobile phones are all common sights in this emerging sub-genre. It is in this trend from which Hinterkind, a post apocalyptic fantasy tale written by Ian Edginton with art by Francesco Trifogli, is born.

After a mysterious disease known as the blight kills almost all of mankind, the forgotten races of myth and legend emerge from their hiding places to reclaim the world. Trolls, fauns, faeries, elves and a myriad of other fantastical races all reappear and are known collectively as the 'Hinterkind'. Understandably, these Hinterkind are pretty pissed off at us homosapiens for chasing them into the shadows in the first place with most being hell bent on humanity's extinction.

Large cities are now overgrown, looking more like the forests of fairy tales, if the forests of fairy tales had crumbling skyscrapers protruding from them. Humanity's surviving remnants live in small hidden communities within the larger ruined cities, hunting and farming to survive. These ingredients are by no means unique. The overgrown apocalyptic setting in particular resembled 'The Last of Us' and an apocalypse brought on by disease is certainly nothing new (once again this was also tackled in 'The Last of Us').

The story itself follows two teenage humans, Angus and Prosper, as they set out from their sheltered village in the middle of what was New York City, to see the world. There is some sub-plot about Angus wanting to find out why he has suddenly sprouted a giant mouse-like tail (yep you heard me) but it really just felt like a bizarre excuse to get our two heroes out into the world.

And this is where Hinterkind began to lose me. Beyond the premise, Hinterkind doesn't really have anything new to offer the avid fantasy reader. Prosper never really proved that she was anything more than a bow-toting Katniss rip-off and Angus failed to show any real personality. Although he does have a tail, which is kind of cool.

Which brings me to my second issue with Hinterkind, the art. Don't get me wrong Francesco Trifogli's art is great. It's sketchy, primal and gritty but it just felt wrong for the story that Edginton was trying to tell. The green post apocalyptic landscapes, ruined cities and mystical races call for an illustrator with a lush, delicate style. Trifolgli just isn't that kind of artist.

Hinterkind is by no means a bad book, it's got a solid creative team and a great premise, hell, all the ingredients for a great series are there but I never felt like Hinterkind was breaking new ground. It just covers old, well trodden ground with a fantasy overlay. Sure, a couple of years ago that may have been enough, but now, with a growing array of great alternative fantasy comicbooks on the shelves I can't in good conscience recommend this over something like Fables or Rat Queens. 

- Christof 
  
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Godzilla (2014) Review

May 16, 2014, 12:05 am
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Monsters don't get much bigger than Godzilla, both literally and figuratively. The anticipation surrounding the latest incarnation of the King of Monsters has been palpable; Godzilla + Kick Ass + Heisenberg = unbridled awesomeness. Unfortunately, Hollywood doesn't often subscribe to the science of math and Godzilla is case in point.

Granted, this film is leagues beyond what we were left with from 1998's train wreck of a film, but still didn't live up to my own lofty expectations. That said, I guess I have no one to blame but myself for that one. Glaring plot holes and lengthy exposition fuel what could have either been an all out, balls to the wall kaiju slugfest or a more subtle yet still ultimately terrifying creature flick like Gareth Edwards previous jaunt, Monsters.

Unfortunately, only Brian Cranston seems to deliver his A game. The great hunk'a'spunk, Aaron Taylor-Johnson certainly looked the part but never really seemed emotionally invested in his role, particularly considering the menace facing his wife, Elizabeth "the talented one" Olsen, and son. Juliette Binoche is desperately under-utilised, as is the surprisingly captivating David Strathairn. Ken Watanabe brings some Japan to the table, albeit as a rather reactionary specialist in kaiju. He never seems to know anything about them. 

The sound is absolutely amazing and is reason enough to go see this on the big screen. The iconic, guttural "SKREEEOOONK!" of big green had the hair on the back of my neck standing up. The noises coming from the M.U.T.O's (Massive Unidentified Terrestrial Organism), while reminiscent of the low, digital Decepticon-esque rumbles, still provide some fear inducing, seat shaking thrills. Alexandre Desplat's soundtrack is fierce, full of shrieking strings and bellowing brass. The use of Japanese woodwind came across as a tad cheesy but overall the soundtrack is fantastic at being both original and an appropriate homage to the Toho source material. 

Overall, this film is fun but ultimately dumb, but not quite Pacific Rim dumb. The plot isn't terribly rich which makes every characters penchant for exposition all the more frustrating but it's certainly not a deal breaker. It's a disaster movie wherein monsters are the volcano/earthquake/tsunami. Scientists may as well be entirely bypassed when Godzilla, the King of Monsters, is the saviour to all of the films woes. Any time that big, beautiful bad-boy was on the screen I couldn't help but feel that there should be more Godzilla in, well, Godzilla. Restraint in a monster flick is fine if handled well but if you're going to commit to monsters fighting in the final act, go all out. 

The action sequences are fantastic and like all good disaster movie, humans are entirely insignificant and powerless. Thrown around like rag dolls and stomped on like ants, Godzilla manages to highlight our complete inability to harness the unstoppable force of nature. Akin to post 1950's Godzilla films, we get a monster which is a hero, apathetic but a hero nonetheless. I for one welcome the return of our reptilian overlord and hope that he's back sooner rather than later.

- Ryan

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Princess Mononoke Review (Blu Ray)

May 19, 2014, 3:30 pm
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You'd be hard pressed to name a bad film from Studio Ghibli. Sure, some are better than others but I'd not dare say that they've ever made a bad film. So needless to say, the review ahead is all but guaranteed to be a positive one.

Films like My Neighbour Totoro and Ponyo are family favourites, light-hearted, beautiful and whimsical. They're the sort of films that most people think of when you mention Ghibli. Then there's Princess Mononoke. This film is incredibly emotive, powerful and proof that animation isn't just for kids. In fact, I'd go so far as to say that the age recommendation for this film, M15+ is probably about right considering some of the scenes and themes in this incredible piece of cinema. During a press junket in 1999 in Toronto, Miyazaki himself admitted that the film is not intended for young children due to its depiction of violence before professing, however, that children are surrounded by it stating, "violence is innate in humans".

First of all, we need to appreciate the fact that this film is 17 years old. This film was released in 1997 and since then, not too many films have achieved the same level of beauty in terms of aesthetics nor morality. Yet another Hayao Miyazaki film showcasing a strong female lead, Princess Mononoke is a tale of man versus wild. While this is a theme touched upon in Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind, Princess Mononoke really explores what happens when nature decides to fight back against mans complete disregard for the wonders and sanctity of nature. Sure, Pomo Poko was about a very similar theme but there are no cute tanuki with huge... intentions in this film.

The animation quality is fantastic and has barely aged at all. Even the 3D rendered imagery used to create the cursed right arm of Ashitaka has aged incredibly well. Even when displayed under the enhanced clarity of Blu Ray, Princess Mononoke looks fabulous. The environmental setting is luscious and yet naturally muted while scenes showcasing the mighty Forest Spirit are as vivid and mind-bending as a Satoshi Kon work. Whether it's a frantic scene of warriors on horseback or a serene shot of mountain-esque regions, this Blu Ray master is sharp, vibrant and completely devoid of any compression artefacts.

As always, the choice to watch the film subbed or dubbed rests with you but Studio Ghibli's English dub is as great as ever. While some voices seem to have been casted on celebrity as opposed to their ability to deliver a performance through voice alone *cough* Billy Bob Thornton *cough*, others are well realised and surprisingly emotive. In only a few short lines, both Gillian Anderson and Keith David shine while both Billy Cruddup and Claire Danes are equally heroic as the self-appointed protectors of the humans and forrest respectively. The Japanese cast too is fantastic and bring a subtlety to the film, particularly to the roles of Lady Eboshi (Yuko Tanaka) and Jiko-bo (Kaoru Kobayashi).

Longtime Ghibli collaborator, Joe Hisaishi returns to compose another beautiful and awe-inspiring score which is at times grandiose and at others delicate, particularly towards the end of the film which is juxtaposed against the weight of the material on screen. The whole score builds from whimsy to high-drama and finally, nothing. Like sitting in the eye of a storm, the score builds to a crescendo then delivers a deafening post-war silence before slowly building again. The final punctuation mark in this gorgeous score is the Princess Mononoke Theme Song sung by Yoshikazu Mela in the Japanese version and Sasha Lazard in the English version, followed by the extraordinarily stirring The Legend of Ashitaka.

Princess Mononoke is one of Studio Ghibli's finest. Beautifully animated and backed by a gorgeous score, it delves into the potential damage dealt by mans wants versus needs before highlighting the fact that amends can be made if atonement is what you truly seek. Or if all else fails, you could always just enjoy people getting their arms shot off by a guy with demon Popeye arms and a bow and arrow.

Don't forget to check out the special features which includes a look at the films release in America which even shows a very fresh-faced Neil Gaiman!

- Ryan
Princess Mononoke is now available on Blu Ray and DVD from Madman.


© 1997 Nibariki - GND
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Ask Madman - Volume 2!

May 21, 2014, 3:28 am
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Ask Madman is BACK and yet again we've got some awesome questions answered by the Madman crew. One question in particular is quite a doozey and I've gotta say, Madman handle it really well. 

Ask Madman answers the questions that you'd usually only get to ask at a convention and this volume is a cracker!

With questions on anime, manga, J-Pop and cinema, this volume has got something for everyone!

Got a question of your own? Make sure you head over to our Ask Madman form and submit your question for the next volume. 

You've got a little
something on your face...
Adam: When do you plan to release The Raid 2 on Blu-ray? Also, if possible can you please release a version with a slipcover which matches the JB Hi-Fi exclusive version of the first film? As a major fan of both (loved the second in cinemas) this one deserves a special release! Cheers!

Madman: We’ll be releasing it on August 6. There will be heaps of killer bonus content for both DVD & Blu-Ray. Not sure about a slip-case specifically, but we are working on a few ideas for exclusives.

I mustn't run away...
oops, wrong character
Grant: When is Evangelion 3.0 getting released?

Madman: We are currently working to get finalised English language materials delivered. As soon as we have confirmation of that, we will be able to set a date for the release. Rest assured, we are just as keen as you are to release this!

Ichigo: Instead of waiting for Funimation and those other companies, why don't you just dub series yourself?

Madman: It’s a great question. Never say never… but it would be a pretty huge time investment with little guarantee as to the quality of the dub. Most of the companies we work with have been doing this for years and always deliver a great result. Dubs can also come as a condition of the license, so it wouldn’t make sense for us to create another in that scenario. It also costs quite a lot of money to produce dubs, so it’s not likely something we could take on for our relatively small market.

Finally, we think our simulcast efforts and early release of subbed-only products have done a lot to satiate fans who might be keen to see these shows sooner.

Arashi are proud supporters
of the Napisan challenge
Cuong: Will you ever release Jpop or Jrock CDs and DVDs? It would be awesome to have somewhere local to buy KyaryPamyuPamyu, Hatsune Miku or Arashi albums.

Madman: While we all love Jpop and related categories here, honestly, it’s probably a bit niche for us to sell. We’ve tried anime CD soundtracks in the past and even they were pretty hard to shift (we still have a few in the warehouse, I’m sure!) But if we get the opportunity to promote local shows or relevant J-music cultural news to our fans, we’ll jump at the chance.

Animelting: Have you ever considered commissioning an Australian dub for an anime?

Madman: See response to ‘Ichigo’. Curious though, do you mean with Australian accents?? O_o

"AAAH! I STEPPED ON A LEGO!"
Adam: Dragon Ball Z: Battle Of Gods seems to be in a license limbo with the silence since the license announcement. When will there be a release and are theatrical runs being considered?

Madman: TBC, but we’re working to have this in the schedule as soon as possible. Bear in mind, the initial announcement was very early – the ink was pretty much still wet, and it was really just to promote the screenings at the 2013 Japan Film Festival.

Theatrical event screenings are definitely something we’re very keen to pursue once we lock in a release date. As soon as we have word on finalised English language materials we will be putting everything into gear and you will absolutely hear about it. For now, sit tight. It’s not really in that much of a limbo as you might think.

Sailor Moon on Blu Ray
may not be what you remember
Chibi Jennifer: Is there any interest in licensing Sailor Moon at all? If not, is there any particular reason? Thanks :)

Madman: There is HUGE interest in licensing Sailor Moon. But up until now, the license has been unattainable. I’m sure you’ve seen Viz’s recent announcement though, which we are very excited about… Although, as always, until we have officially licensed and announced something, we can’t really speculate. Cross your fingers and toes for us!

Diana: As a company, how do you feel about fansubs?

Madman: We can’t condone them, but do understand some of them come from a place of supportive intent. I.E. Fans wanting to share and educate. But they are still less than legal and hate to think some people out there are putting inferior products out there for sale.

We are also working extremely hard these days to provide anime to fans as fast as possible - sometimes at the same time as it airs/releases in Japan - legally, and for free (or a very small fee). Fansubs have traditionally been a way for people to access shows that they might not have otherwise been seen for months, let alone years, but with the advent of simulcast streaming services, it’s hard to see how they are really even necessary anymore?

Marutobi: What happened to Chuang Yi manga?

Madman: Unfortunately, the company is now defunct and appear to be in liquidation. We’re now working with Viz to supply their editions of titles previously handled by Chuang Yi, like Vampire Knight and Ouran High Host Club.
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The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (PS4) Review

May 22, 2014, 9:00 pm
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For quite a while there it was difficult to find a good quality video game based on a comic book, not to mention a film. So it comes as no surprise that The Amazing Spider-Man 2, a game based on a film which is based on a comic book, is rather lacklustre. Sure, swinging around the city is fun but it's been done, and done rather well, for many a Spider game.

Luckily for me, and for this game, I'm a Spidey fan. Spidey has been my absolute favourite since I was a wee chap. Whether it was his wise-cracking nature or everyman demeanour, there was just something that drew me to ol' webhead. So unless this game had absolutely no redeeming qualities, there's a good chance that I'd enjoy it.

Swinging around the city is fun, and is probably one of the best things about the game but even that has its issues. The camera has a tendency to bug out (pun intended), particularly when you transfer from web-slinging to wall-climbing. There's nothing particularly new about the web-slinging aspect of the game and while issues may be present, it's certainly not a deal breaker. The fight system too is treading old ground with a semi-free flowing dodge/attack platform which is somewhat like the Batman Arkham franchise although not as polished. Even the forced stealth missions feel somewhat Arkham-esque but never quite hit the mark and wind up being annoying instead of thrilling.

This certainly isn't a next-gen game but still presents an eye-pleasing quality, graphically speaking. The best looking element in the game is Spider-Man's various suits which longtime fans will probably get a real kick out of collecting. I won't spoil the fun of discovering which suits are available, but needless to say that there are some very good looking recent suits and equally impressive throwbacks to years past. On close inspection these suits may display a little bit of pixelation along lines in the suit but in the heat of battle it's not particularly noticeable. As you climb to the roof of the Daily Bugle or Oscorp Tower, it's great to drink in the view from atop and while the draw distance isn't fantastic, you can certainly make out a reasonable are of the map before leaping off to explore. The lighting is pretty convincing as well, particularly in low-light or at night time, however, in full sun New York looks rather lifeless, as though everything is made of cardboard.

As with previous Spidey games, the real thrill is in collecting various comic books, statues, discovering a rogues gallery of villains and as stated  before, costumes. For this reason, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 presents itself foremost as a game for fans of the franchise and not necessarily for everyone. While I really enjoy this aspect, being a lifelong web-head, it doesn't bring anything new to the table and pales in comparison to the likes of the Arkham franchise which is arguably the pinnacle of comic book related video games. 

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 isn't for everyone and brings nothing new to Spidey's arsenal but Spidey fans will definitely get a kick out of the completionist aspect and a number of pieces of dialogue which makes reference to canon from the Spidey books (such as Kraven referring to his wayward brother). The story has a tendency to be a slave to the games ultimate goal which seems to be the introduction of as many characters as possible. Again, as a fan, I didn't mind this aspect so much but it seriously hurt the underlying story which was, at times, barely there.

- Ryan
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Image-ine all the Reviews (21 May 14)

May 25, 2014, 4:00 pm
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Christof and Billy start an all-new column featuring some of the choice Image Comics released this past week. Check them out below and tell us what you think as well!

MPH #1
Written by Mark Millar
Art by Duncan Fegredo

Christof: Mark Millar hasn't been shy about his intentions to create what he has dubbed 'The Marvel Universe for the 21st century'. Which of course involves drug use, gangs, gratuitous violence and lots and lots swearing. That's what all the cool kids are into right? And Mark Millar is nothing if not one of the cool kids.

The latest in his line of 'Millar World' books is MPH a story about a couple of down-and-out kids from Detroit who stumble upon a pill that gives them super human speed for seven days. This first issue very much sets it all up. We meet Roscoe, a likable and ambitious drug dealer who wants to make his money and then go clean. Well that is until his supplier sets him up and he lands in jail. Queue magic pill.

Although MPH #1 is your very much your run of the mill introductory issue it's certainly piqued my interest and quite frankly, it's good to see Mark Millar back at his prime. Oh, and his habit of working with some of the best artists in the industry hasn't stopped either. Duncan Fegredo's art is emotive, expressive and perfect for the tone of the book.

I'm pretty sure I say this every time I review something by Millar but I'll say it again: If you like Mark Millar's past creator owned stuff you'll really dig this. However, if you’ve never enjoyed a Millar comic then MPH probably won't win you over. That said, I really dug it and eagerly await the next issue.

It's not awe-inspiring. It's not paradigm shifting. It's Mark mother-flipping Millar.

Saga #19
Written by Brian K. Vaughan
Art by Fiona Staples

Billy: This week we have the first chapter in a new story arc for Saga released with Issue #19.

Saga is an epic Space Opera/Fantasy series written by Brian K Vaughan and illustrated by Fiona Staples. It’s about two lovers from different worlds, Alana and Marko, whose people are at war with one another. The war has spread out to the rest of the galaxy with various races remaining neutral or choosing a side. Alana and Marko are on the run from both their races with their daughter Hazel (who also partially narrates the series) who was born in the 1st issue of the series.

Hazel’s use as a narrator for the entire series is a great tool at fleshing out the story. It also works really well on a comedic level, as well as a tease for things in the future.

The current story arc has the family living on the planet Gardenia after the events of the previous story arc. Alana is acting in the underground entertainment program call the Open Circuit, while Marko is a stay at home dad. Hazel is now a toddler, walking and talking in that oh so cute way that toddlers do.

Throughout each story arc we’ve seen the characters grow physically and emotionally as the plot moves forward and tackle a wide range of topics. This story arc is no exception as Vaughan lays the ground work for what looks to be a heavy dramatically excerpt in the next stage of this intergalactic families life. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I think I might need a box of tissues for this story arc.

Staples’ artwork continues, as always, to be amazing. Each panel is a breathtaking, with line work showing the emotion of each character, vibrant gorgeous colour work, and highly imaginative designs.

Issue #19 of Saga as always delivered some twists, while keeping me curious and anxious about what is to come with these characters I have watched grow up.

Invincible #111
Written by Robert Kirkman
Art by Ryan Ottley

Christof: Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley are the masters of long form story telling. 111 issues in and Invincible still feels fresh to me. I’ll admit after issue 100 things slowed down, possibly even lulled a bit. Nolan became King of the Viltrumites, Eve got pregnant, even Monster Girl and Robot got back together. Just as everything was coming up Milhouse issue 108 happened and completely changed the status quo.

Although this isn't the first time Invincible has gone, or claimed to be going, in a 'bold new direction', this latest issue certainly shakes things up and brings Robot's intention’s for world domination into the limelight. After seeing Invincible take on an array of muscle bound goons for the last couple of issues, including alternative versions of himself, I'm looking forward to what will hopefully be more of a battle-of-the-minds type affair between him and robot.

Invincible #111 is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination but it is a very solid issue. If you like your superhero comics verging on the side of soap opera then I highly recommend you pick this issue up (although some catching up may be required!).

As always head to your local comic store to grab a physical copy of these and the rest of the releases this week, or grab a digital copy from Comixology or the Image Comics' digital store.
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My Sweet Pepper Land - Review

May 26, 2014, 4:20 am
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I dedicate (some would argue waste) countless hours watching films in search of moments when the art form genuinely moves me. Scanning for films which surpass mere entertainment or even escapism, in hope of witnessing something which feels significant. My Sweet Pepper Land the latest film by Hiner Saleem sits comfortably in this category. I feel it’s only fair to warn you that this may very well descend quite rapidly into an all-out-love-fest, such was the experience I had watching it, so i’ll try to maintain some level of composure, but no promises …

The film is set in a post Saddam Hussein Kurdistan, which  is struggling to define itself despite newfound independence. Baran (Korkmaz Arslan) is a restless war hero, who in search of a new challenge, agrees to be the sheriff of an undesirable remote rural village. Enroute to his new posting he meets Govend (Golshifteh Farahani) the village school teacher, Govend is dedicated to her work, despite immense pressure from her family to return home and marry a man she doesn’t love. The village is controlled by the local warlord Azzi Aga (Tarik Akreyî) who blatantly trafficks an assortment of goodies into the neighbouring countries. The three end up on a collision course when Baran refuses to bow to Azzi’s wishes.

Essentially this feels like a reimagining of any American Cowboy/Western film of the 50s or 60s, however it’s grounded in the realities of modern day Kurdistan. This is the type of story the likes of John Wayne or Audie Murphy would have devoured; the lone law man coming in to liberate the town from the local riff raff, all the while saving the damsel in distress who’s tied to the railway tracks. While this film rests heavily on the Western genre tropes, it’s got a hell of lot more to say not only about Kurdistan but about womens rights, traditional values, familial duties and much much more. The Western genre influences are evident in subtle touches within the costuming, soundtrack and the terrain the film is set in.

The two leads are superb, their characters are established quite effectively thanks to montages giving us a taste of the pressures they are living under. Baran is a loveable rogue (very much a Kurdish Han Solo), his matter is trying to marry him off and we are treated to a lovely montage of her efforts. Korkmaz Arslan is instantly likeable, he has kind face yet you can tell he’s capable of surviving tough situations; basically everything you want from a sheriff. Govend is flanked by her army of brothers who want her to live a traditional lifestyle i.e. married with children. The film takes its time to establish the characters and show their motivations for running off to this god forsaken village, which is essential to the story and well executed.

This film feels important because the lead characters are each fighting battles which for me felt as though the director may have been commenting on several Middle Eastern countries. Baran represents the new emerging generation of Kurdistan rallying against the traditional attitudes of yesteryear, which results in obvious tension. He wants a justice system which is free of the corruption which is clearly crippling the village, a system free of external forces which in this case is represented by Azzi Aga. Govend represents the need for gender equality and the rights of women to be upheld. Promoting a world where women can chose any occupation they want and don’t just have to settle for what they are given. It’s film like these which may one day penetrate into cultures where women aren’t so fortunate and may go about effecting some kind of change.

This is a small yet beautiful film which i encourage everyone to see, it’s truly one of the most compelling films i’ve had the pleasure of watching for quite some time. I can’t imagine this will stay in cinemas for too long so make the effort to get out and see it. It’s another reason why 2014 is shaping up to be one of the greatest years in cinema for a long time. If you see the film and agree or disagree feel free to leave a comment below.

- Stu






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Psycho-Pass Collection 1 (Blu Ray) Review

May 26, 2014, 9:43 pm
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Back in the late 80's and early 90's when I first started really immersing myself in the world of anime,  one genre seemed to be the next big thing and all but promised to be the quintessential theme when people mentioned the word 'anime'. The genre in question is cyber-punk which, while it still seems to have left its mark and influenced films such as The Matrix (which in turn influenced a new generation of cinema), makes its way to the screen far less frequent than I anticipated as a teenager. Perhaps the reason for this is that we're quickly catching up to the technology that the cyber-punk genre makes seem so fantastical. One of the forerunners in the cyber-punk genre and the production company responsible for Ghost in the Shell, Production I.G, is back and with them comes the next big thing in the genre, Psycho Pass.

In somewhat of a cross between Ghost in the Shell and Minority Report, Psycho-Pass shows a humanity which has evolved its technological ability to a point where they can predict the likelihood of a person to commit crimes. A persons "Psycho-Pass" is a level of latent criminality inherent in all people. The Sibyl System is an algorithm within a computer system which detects a persons latent criminality and passes a edict on whether the person should be released, taken into custody or killed. Akane Tsunemori, the rookie on this team, seems to have a hard time relying on the system and it's often up to her sidekick Shinya Kogami, a criminal himself, to make the hard decisions.

This series does come across like a spiritual successor to Production I.G's Ghost in the Shell. While the creator of Ghost in the Shell, Shirow Masamune, obviously had nothing to do with this series, the two share many themes and a similar aesthetic. Psycho-Pass doesn't share the same focus on cybernetics however, robotics and an underlying high-level mystery make for a similar experience. This undercurrent of intrigue ties the entire series together, bringing seemingly individual and disparate stories together. Suffice it to say that after 11 episodes, I can't wait to get my hands more. Thankfully Madman have licensed the entire series. We can only hope that they'll also license the recently announced second season and feature film.

Of course, expectations are high when you're talking about a series from Production I.G and they impress to no end with Psycho-Pass. Throughout the 11 episodes of Collection 1, it exhibits feature film quality animation in both design and execution. For a completely original series, having not graced the pages of a light novel or manga, Psycho-Pass delivers some very original settings, characters and items. Sure, the motorbike/cargo crate doohickey isn't anywhere as cool as a tachikoma, but it's still pretty damn cool. Dotted around this futuristic 2113 city are drones that are used for everything from trash collection to security details as well as search and rescue.  It's the little things like that and the awesome design of the Police issue "Dominator", which resembles a bad-ass Law-Giver from Judge Dredd, that make this series so visually immersive.

While seemingly not as psychologically disturbing as writer Gen Urobuchi's previous work, Puella Magi Madoka Magica, Pyscho-Pass does raise many questions about the morality of technologically reliant law enforcement and psychological intrigue. A very tight script, rousing score, psychological intrigue and grade A animation make for one hell of a release and what's more, a brutal cliffhanger in episode 11!

- Ryan
Psycho-Pass Collection 1 is available on Blu Ray and DVD now from Madman. Madman have also released a special edition which includes the Psycho-Pass Complete Collection on either Blu Ray or DVD and the CD soundtrack. 

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Mad Madman Giveaway... madness

May 27, 2014, 5:30 pm
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Thanks to our pals at Madman we've got some awesome anime to give away. The titles on offer include the following:

The Cat Returns (Blu Ray)
Princess Mononoke (Blu Ray)
Psycho-Pass Collection 1 (1x DVD, 1x Blu Ray)
Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne Collection 2 (DVD)
Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic Collection 2 (DVD)

All you have to do is fill out the form below and you could win one of the titles listed above. 
Don't forget, you can get yourself a bonus entry just by following us on Twitter or liking us on Facebook!


Entries close 11:59pm on Sunday 8th June 2014. Your details will not be used in any way other than for the delivery of your prize. Geek of Oz and Madman do not take any responsibility for the loss, damage or delay of/to prizes sent to winners (blame Australia Post for that one). The judges decision is final and no correspondence will be entered upon. One entry per person, subsequent entries will be void. Incorrect answers will be void. Prizes are not redeemable for cash or any other kind of trading currency such as creds, latinum, sen, kan, zeni, double dollars or Ankh Morpork dollars. Geek Of Oz take no responsibility for head explosions caused by utter awesomeness. This competition is only open to Australian residents. Any questions or queries can be submitted through the comment section at the bottom of screen. Good luck!
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Madman Announces New, Free Streaming Service

May 28, 2014, 12:10 am
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Since 2009, Madman's "screening room" has been delivering free anime straight to your eyeballs. Now, 5 years and countless series later it has been replaced with great fanfare. Ladies and gentlemen, I introduce you to animelab.com!

As of 5pm today, animelab.com will begin streaming some if the biggest series known to anime while also simulcasting Date A Live II, Dai-Shogun, Riddle Story of Devil.

Not sold? Well you could watch the complete Attack on Titan, Space Dandy and Full Metal Alchemist Brotherhood series', completely free and with NO advertisements. Furthermore, animelab.com is tablet and smartphone friendly which means you can watch it on anything from the biggest to smallest screens.

Go sign up to the beta and enjoy all that animelab.com has to offer.

EDIT 7:26pm - After logging in and checking out a few of the titles for myself, I can already see that in spite of being in the beta phase, AnimeLab.com is incredibly polished! The visuals are crisp and almost have an Eva Unit 01 colour scheme to it. Navigation is easy with the top bar breaking all series into "Shows", "Simulcasts", "Genres", "My Queue" and also includes a search bar. The body displays recent and popular series which can be started with the click of a mouse.

Once logged in you can also add shows to a watch list and through the profile screen, can choose to have an alert sent to you when a new episode is available. One feature which is inherent to anime fandom, you can also choose whether your anime is shown subbed or dubbed when available, by default. Overall, a very polished product!
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A Million Ways to Die in the West - Review

May 28, 2014, 5:18 am
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Disclaimer: Due to technical reasons at my screening, we were unable to see the final thirty minutes of this film, but -- spoiler warning -- I still loved it!

After the indisputable success of his directorial debut, Ted, which raked in over $540 million worldwide, I’d imagine Seth MacFarlane had free reign to make anything he wanted. It came as a surprise, however, when it was announced that he’d be making a western; no one really expected that. A Million Way to Die in the West is an entertaining assortment of oddball characters getting themselves into all sorts of trouble on the frontier, all woven together with that cheeky infectious charm that Macfarlane is known for.

Set in Arizona in 1882, local sheep farmer Albert Stark (Seth Macfarlane) has just been dumped by his girlfriend Louise (Amanda Seyfried), after failing to take part in a duel. Albert’s life is forever changed when he meets the mysterious Anna (Charlize Theron), who helps him find his much-needed confidence. Turns out, of course, that it’s in fact Anna who needs Albert’s help, when her past catches up with her in the form of her husband, Clinch Leatherwood (Liam Neeson), the roughest, toughest gunslinger in the region.

The opening credits are comprised of a booming score reminiscent of The Magnificent Seven theme, accompanied by some stunning landscape cinematography, setting the scene rather effectively, and very much paying homage to the golden era of westerns. For what is essentially a fairly crass comedy, it would seem that no expense has been spared (John Hammond style) in creating this world in a highly credible fashion. The set scenes look fantastic and fully realised.

The performances are so much fun; Macfarlane and Theron have excellent chemistry on screen, which at times reminded me of Bob Hope and Jane Russell in Pale Face. On more than a few occasions, it seemed like Theron was really struggling not to laugh at some of Macfarlane’s more outrageous lines. Macfarlane really impressed me with the physicality of his performance; with plenty of pratfalls and horse related stunts, it kind of reminded me of a Donald O’Connor or a young Steve Martin. However, as good as the leads are, this film belongs to the supporting players, namely Giovanni Ribisi (Edward), Sarah Silverman (Ruth), Neil Patrick Harris (Foy) and Amanda Seyfried (Louise). It takes certain actors to pull off the absurdity that Macfarlane creates. Luckily he’s assembled a crack-commando team prepared to do the unspeakable in order to get a laugh, and for that, I salute him. Neil Patrick Harris and Giovanni Ribisi are the absolute standouts.

For lovers of Family Guy and Ted, the humour here is nothing new, in that it’s rapid fire commentary humour and exaggerated situations played out to within an inch of their comedic lives. I’m a huge fan of Macfarlane’s work to date and would suggest that he’s pushing the limits in terms of inappropriateness – but, hey, that’s what gets us in the door, right? There are several jokes which, quite frankly, I was surprised he had the guts to go with, so I’ll be keen to see what the general audience reaction is to some of this more challenging content. For me, this is funnier and far more daring than Ted. Without spoiling anything, there are some awesome cameos (one in particular which should give you a near fatal dose of nostalgia).

Although I may have been deprived of seeing the whole film, I can safely say that this is one hell of good time at the cinema and definitely worth getting out to see. A Million Way to Die in the West opens this Thursday in cinemas everywhere. If you see the film and agree or disagree with my thoughts, feel free to drop a line below.

- Stu

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Miracleman Book 1: A Dream of Flying Review

May 31, 2014, 6:12 pm
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The majority of superhero magnum opuses should be put into historical context. Chris Claremont and Frank Miller’s formative Wolverine miniseries in 1982 owes much of its success to coining tropes and ideas that hadn’t existed for the character before, but are defining hallmarks today. Similarly, the darker, brooding elements of Batman wouldn’t have found their contemporary voice without ground-breakers like 1987’s Year One and 1988’s The Killing Joke.

Take then, with appropriate context, how ground-breaking Miracleman was. Confronting most of the popular superhero storytelling tools – dual identities, gifting of powers, kid sidekicks – and brutally deconstructing the rosier, apple-cheeked paradigm of the Golden Age is something we’re fairly familiar with in a post-Watchmen world. In 1982, four years before a big blue god made a smiley-face on Mars, they had no clue what was about to hit them.

I don’t want to reveal too much about this digitally-remastered classic for those who’ve escaped spoilerage (and, if you have, congrats on covering your ears for three decades). In a nutshell, A Dream of Flying (re)introduces Mike Moran, a British journalist who has recurring nightmares of being a superhero. Turns out he’s actually unaware of his secret identity as MIRACLEMAN, a red-and-blue-clad crimefighter that mysteriously went missing for nineteen years during a battle in space with his two younger sidekicks.

That’s the skeleton of the first issue, mind. From there, A Dream of Flying interrogates questions of realism and dramatic impact that, in a genre scarcely years away from the redefinitions that would arrive in Watchmen and The Dark Knight Returns, hadn’t been asked before. 

Miracleman was actually repurposed by Alan Moore (credited in this new collection by the unsubtle pseudonym of ‘The Original Writer’), hailing from an old 1950s comic originally called Marvelman and written by Mick Anglo. Rather than completely disregarding the much older, consequence-free days the character had before falling under Moore’s pen, the 1950s material forms much of the dark, deconstructionist fodder Moore deftly uses to illustrate some horrifying implications not just for Miracleman, but for almost all superheroes birthed during the Golden Age.

It’s remarkable just how much of Miracleman has held up as a story with contemporary context. One could easily mistake it for being a series recently written – updated and gorgeous art by Alan Davis and Gary Leach aside – for the mature content, clever scripting and simultaneous acknowledgment and defiance of older comic book tropes. Both Mike Moran and Miracleman himself are distinct characters (though partly for dramatic reasons as well as good writing), with both the setting and plot intelligently constructed around them. 

For good or ill, the book is most definitely a British product. Cockney slang, Margaret Thatcher references and a shout-out to The Avengers (the spy show, not the superhero team) are the tip of the iceberg for the United Kingdom feel the book engenders. It’s actually refreshing reading a superhero classic that wasn’t penned with American characters, even though some of the bad guys speak with the kind of over-the-top loquaciousness that only British villains seem to be capable of expounding.

My only concern, marking the book down a couple pegs, is what’s after the main story. There are two one-shots, each dealing with another character called the Warpsmith. Only one of them – a portentous what-if future time-travel episode – actually features Miracleman. 

The second story shows the Warpsmith and his kin. This latter story is kind of like if Green Lantern was written by Grant Morrison and Alexander Jodorowsky whilst huffing paint and listening to Enigma; it’s interesting, and provides enough of a unique idea to form its own story, but it’s quite convoluted and very out of place given the preceding Miracleman-centric narrative. Your mileage may vary on that one.

Apart from that, the behind-the-scenes art materials at the end of the book are gorgeous, and a delight for collectors. Whilst not so much into the sketches and drafts of the artwork myself, I highly recommend checking out the cover gallery following them. Each cover is a visual joy to behold.

You absolutely owe it to yourself to check out A Dream of Flying, but I’d definitely keep that historical context in mind. It’s an experience which, for when it was made, is unlike anything else.

- Chris Comerford

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A Mech-Heads guide to Watching Transformers

June 1, 2014, 3:00 pm
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One of the most iconic and enduring cartoon franchises of the 1980s, Transformers and its accompanying universe is as vast as it is awesome but due to its immensity it can be difficult to know where to start. 

Sure, you could just start with Gen 1, Season 1 but where to from there? 

Unfortunately, not all Transformers series take place in the same universe or continuity so there's no hard and fast rule,  but we've consulted with the mech-heads at Madman and put together a handy dandy recommended viewing order for their Transformers releases and 100% Bay-free.


This is where it all began, way back in 1984. This was our first introduction to Optimus and the gang who found themselves stranded on "present day" Earth. Also introduced are the majority of main characters who still exist today including Soundwave, Starscream, Megatron and everyone's favourite dim-witted Dinobot, Grimlock.

Season 1 weighs in at a meagre 13 episodes long!



In an attempt to get syndicated on US television, and also riding on the overwhelming success of the first season, The Transformers was expanded to a 49 episode second season.

The second season introduced a whole swag of new characters but seemed to lose some of its storytelling focus and opted for episodic stories instead of multi-episode story arcs.



Featuring some awesome animation (for its time), Transformers: The Movie was set in THE FUTURE (2005) and introduced even more characters to the Transformers lineup. These characters managed to make a bit more impact than Beachcomber from season 2. The movie introduced just as many characters as it killed off, including Hot Rod, Ultra-Magnus, Galvatron and a cybertronian version of Galactus named Unicron. 

A product of its time, the movie features the voices of Eric Idle, Judd Nelson, Leonard Nimoy, Casey Kasem and Orson Welles as well as the brilliantly 80s power ballad "The Touch" by Stan Bush.

Transformers: The Movie is available on Blu Ray and DVD from Madman.


Season 3 follows on after the movie in both time and story. Becoming a lot more focused on sweeping story arcs, season 3 comes across as being a little more mature than previous seasons with a gritty aesthetic which at times comes across as being a little bleak.

Of course, more new characters are introduced including the city-sized Metroplex, while a fan-favourite character returns to the fold.



At this point the Japanese and American story lines split with season 4 being the American continuation while in Japan, Headmasters began. So at this point it's really up to the individual as to how you proceed.

Season 4 consists of only 3 episodes and completes Transformers in the West... for now.

Headmasters, on the other hand, continues where season 3 finished and introduces a whole new cast of characters while still retaining a few old favourites. 

Headmasters is available in the Transformers Japan Generation 1 Collection.

Also known as Super-God Masterforce, this series takes a slightly different tact and sees humans take on the Decepticons who, in an effort to take on the puny humans on their level, shrink to human size. What? Why not grow bigger and just step on us?

While it may seem like an odd statement, having humans play a larger role in a Transformers series works well and increases the stakes immeasurably.

Masterforce is available in the Transformers Japan Generation 1 Collection.


The final Generation 1 incarnation, Victory is very animo-ish in the way that it focuses much more on action. Instead of just turning into a machine, or robot, Transformers now change in a more grandiose fashion with special effects and heroic poses, much like series' like Voltron or Power Rangers. 

Victory is available in the Transformers Japan Generation 1 Collection.
One of the best Transformers series sounds like it should probably be the worst. With CGI animation which, while still passable, is showing its age, Beast Wars is one of the best story-focused Transformers series' available. 

Finding themselves stranded on a seemingly prehistoric planet, the conveniently named Maximals and Predacons use animal form instead of that of vehicles to avoid "stasis shock". Sure, it's a thinly veiled excuse for a new toy line but it worked.

Beast Wars follows the American timeline and ignores all of the events of Headmasters, Masterforce and Victory.

Beast Wars is available in the Beast Wars Complete Collection.


The first series in the awesome "Unicron trilogy" and an all-new continuity, Armada looks a lot less cartoony than the American generation 1 and really takes on an anime aesthetic. Each of the characters look far less utilitarian but more stylised. 

Many old favourites are back but not how you remember them and a whole swag of new characters arrive as well, particularly the power-enhancing Mini-Cons.



Part two in the "Unicron trilogy" and following on from the shocking finale of Armada, Energon brings a slightly different style to the table with CGI, cell-shaded robots. Energon follows a particularly heavy plot with an underlying story which promises to be an epic conclusion in the forthcoming series, Cybertron. 

Introducing a cast of new characters, and re-introducing some old faves, the mid-point of the Unicron trilogy is pure, unbridled Transformery gold!

Energon is available in Transformers Energon Collection 1 and Collection 2.


Following on from Energon, Cybertron is the final part in the "Unicron trilogy". Again utilising a blend of hand drawn animation and CGI rendering for vehicles.

With Cybertron under threat, all Cybertronians are relocated to Earth where they take the shape of vehicles and befriend a small group of humans who lead the bots to the Cyber Planet Keys, artefacts which will unlock the greatest secret in Transformers history.

Cybertron is available in Transformers Cybertron Collection 1 and Collection 2.


If Transformers Animated looks like something made by Cartoon Network, that's because it is! Another reboot of the franchise, this series again finds the Autobots stranded on Earth but this time they start off fighting random bad guys instead of Decepticons.

But never fear, the Decepticons turn up eventually and action ensues. While all Transformers series are kid friendly, this one is particularly so yet still manages to delight us big kids as well.



Ok, I may have said that this list would be completely Bay-free but this series kinda/sorta breaks that promise. Although Prime isn't strictly born of the Bay universe, the films writers Robert Orci and Alex Kurtzman return to the Transformers franchise as developers of Transformers Prime. This predominantly CGI animated series bears many a physical resemblance to the Michael Bay films but is actually from the same universe as the video games War for Cybertron and Fall of Cybertron. Although not strictly a part of previously established canon, the characters in Prime make quite a few comments regarding the events of previous series'.

The Season 1, Season 2 and (parts of) Season 3 of Transformers Prime are available on DVD and Blu Ray.

So, what are you waiting for? Now you know where to start with your Transformers binge. As you can see above, apart from the overlap of Gen 1 and Victory, and the semi-stand alone Unicron trilogy, you're pretty well free to watch any of the series in any order. For ease of reading, here's a recap of the optimum, or should I say Optimus, viewing order:

- The Transformers Generation 1 Season 1
- The Transformers Generation 1 Season 2
- Transformers The Movie
- The Transformers Generation 1 Season 3
- The Transformers Generation 1 Season 4 / Transformers Japan Generation 1 Headmasters
- Transformers Japan Generation 1 Masterforce
- Transformers Japan Generation 1 Victory 
- Transformers Beast Wars
- Transformers Armada (Unicron Trilogy)
- Transformers Energon (Unicron Trilogy)
- Transformers Cybertron (Unicron Trilogy)
- Transformers Animated
- Transformers Prime
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Watch Dogs (PS4) Review

June 3, 2014, 2:10 am
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Watch Dogs has arrived and to great fanfare. This has been one of the most anticipated games of the current (previously next) gen of consoles but to look at the release through such expectant glasses would certainly be a disservice.

You follow the exploits of Aiden Pearce, a super-duper hacker type guy, who seems to be the embodiment of the current anti-NSA movement and, in short, you use Pearce’s abilities as a hacker to avenge his loved ones who were killed by bad guys. It’s a revenge story, with smartphones. Along the way you’ll amass a whole swag of skills, weapons, vehicles and sidekicks to help you out.

For the most part, all of the characters in Watch Dogs have been seen before but the most lackluster of all would have to be Pearce himself. For a guy on a mission of revenge, he seems rather devoid of emotion and lacks the brutality that we’re used to seeing from the Punisher or Oldboy. Sure, the decision to kneecap a Police Officer or brain him is ultimately up to you, the cut scenes generally show a less violent protagonist (albeit with a very foul mouth). Other characters include the over-the-top, slightly-unstable, semi-badguy sidekick, a stubby version of Herbert the Pervert and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. That said, at least the smaller characters add some much needed personality to the mix. The voice acting is as great as you’d expect from an Ubisoft release, especially if you take the time to drop some eaves on random NPC’s. What is interesting is the way in which cyber-crime is handled. As opposed to pick pocketing or outright robbing victims, you simply hack their bank accounts in what is almost sold as a victimless crime. Furthermore, the Government is shown to be the overarching baddie in the story. I'm actually somewhat surprised that there's no unlockable Guy Fawkes mask and black suit. We are legion...

While not quite as pretty as the original build that was introduced at E3 in 2012, Watch Dogs does manage to deliver the goods with some good looking lighting and textures on PS4. The game looks best when all of the natural elements are against you with a dry bright midday looking washed out compared to a rainy midnight. The darkness also assists in making the AR profiler pop-ups stand out much more than usual. Character, vehicle and environmental renderings are all fantastic with a nice variety of chariots waiting to ferry you around the Windy City.

If there's one thing to be said about Watch Dogs, it's that it certainly gives you value for money. You’re looking at approximately 40 hours to complete the main storyline with the occasional side mission thrown in, or an estimated 100-120 hours for full completion. Side missions, while not a necessity, do assist in amassing XP, and in turn, skill points which will help you immensely in the main story. If unlocking skill points and abilities isn’t reward enough, by completing side missions you also unlock further skills and also cool vehicles, and weapons. These unlockables are not only a cool addition for completionists but also consist of top quality vehicles and incredibly powerful weapons.

Clara or Eve Beauregard? You be the judge!
The vehicle physics aren’t quite as polished as you may see in the GTA franchise, which is unfortunate since the majority of your time will be spent driving from point A to B. While the physics and handling of these vehicles isn’t particularly good, it’s not all that bad either, just passable. On a side note, don’t bother wasting too much of your hard earned/hacked money on vehicles. They’re everywhere and once you unlock a special vehicle hack, you can just walk up and take one at your leisure.  

The hacking is generally flawless, if a little simple. It’s odd that while playing the game I thought that hacking should be a more difficult task, however, I wouldn’t think twice about performing a magic spell with the click of a button in any other game. Thankfully though, the hacking is rather simple because when you’re in a car being chased down by some of Chicago’s finest you won’t have time to muck around. Camera angles can make it a little difficult to initiate a hack when speeding through an intersection but after a couple of high speed pursuits you quickly get the hang of it and pop ups help immensely. In fact, being able to initiate vehicular counter-measures from items around the world adds not only an extra element of difficulty but also and additional, and essential, tool to your arsenal, Many of the hacking scenarios utilise cameras to activate a line of sight hack. As such, these missions become mini-puzzle games which will force you to move obstacles and change cameras to get to the intended target. These disruptions to what would otherwise be non-stop action allow for your blood pressure to take a breather. 

I can just about judge Watch Dogs based upon its playability alone. Over the course of my play through I found myself wanting to build the abilities of my character and explore the world by indulging in side missions and sometimes just walking around, snooping in people’s business. It’s very easy to get side tracked in this game where, instead of progressing through the story, you’ll be wondering why Carl Wilson is so terrified of dolphins or how Camila Abuyen became a clown fetishist. This is testament to how immersive Watch Dogs can be and luckily so because the main story isn’t particularly original. With only glimpses of the well-trodden gameplay of Assassin’s Creed to be seen, Watch Dogs is an excellent first release in a brand new IP. I can only imagine how fantastic Watch Dogs 2 will be.

- Ryan

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