RKYV ONLINE # 38 by Randy Pare

Table of Contents RKYV # 38 {July 2010} RKYV ONLINE LOGO – David Marshall {current} r. j. paré {modified} Roy G. James {original} Virtual Cover # 38 - Art by Fehim Zećiri - Layout by David Marshall Interior Art - By r. j. paré, Bob Labute, Belinda Da Fonseca, James Santiago, Naomi Randolph, Fehim Zećiri

Editorial Column - “At the Outset: A Few Thoughts from the Editor” - By r. j. paré

Poetry - By Stephen Campbell, Frances Nichols Vargas, Wanda VanHoy Smith, r. j. paré

World View - “A Canadian Living in the USA” - By Tom Rossini

Pop Culture - “Comic Book Review” - By Brad Bellmore

Featured Artist Review - Fehim Zećiri - By r. j. paré Short Fiction - “Great Minds Think Alike” - By Darke Raven

by r. j. paré

- “Manga Maximus” - By Darke Raven - “Raised on Saturday Morning Cartoons” - By Pauline Paré

At the Outset A few thoughts from the editor… by r. j. paré

Nowhere to run, nowhere to hide, Nothing worth doing that I haven't tried. There ain't no living on planet-side, Come on with me, baby, on a rocket ride. Tom Smith

[Con] 1. vb. to direct the steering of a ship. 2. n. a quixotic gathering of genre fans.

Welcome one and all to RKYV # 38. Last month it was my pleasure to take this act on the road and meet some creators in person. [As well as hype the cooperative publishing studio, Speakeasy Primates, to which I belong.] RKYV-ers, Roy G. James, my darling wife Pauline and I attended the first Southern Michigan Arts & Creativity Conference [or SMACC for the acronym aficionados amongst us… try saying that fast, five times in a row.] It was an interesting weekend… we sold a few of our books, handed out & received a bunch of business cards and generally schmoozed our asses off, with assorted small press & genre fans, LOL.

<Pauline “I am not gonna look & gosh it’s chilly in here” Paré – along with her permanent babysitting gig [also known as a juvenile husband] & yer favourite goof-ball editor – r. j. “crazy eyes” paré.

A fun and foolish time was had by all. But every ship, even a ship of fools, as genre fans and our silly senses of humor tend to be, needs someone to rally us and lead our collective geek-dom. In other words - someone who can man-up and… con the Con! Now Michael Marcus and the Hamtramck Idea Men did a wonderful job of organizing the event and plenty of deserving kudos go to them… but for me the con truly came to life with the arrival of our pied piper of whimsy – the fabulous filk-er named Tom Smith. Now, up until Tom’s arrival the con had been rather quiet. A few folks wandered from booth to booth checking out the displays. Some of us took the time to network with other artists, writers and publishers. But the “room” was rather lacking in that spark, that giggly energy we geeks tend to exude when gathered together. Then a fellow exhibitor rushed up to me and declared: “Hurry up to the media room, Tom Smith is about to perform!” they cried. Now I was, admittedly, ‘out of the loop’ on this one. “That’s great!” I replied, “um… just who is Tom Smith?” “He’s a well known filk-er.” They replied in an oddly confused manner suggesting what sort of buffoon I must be for not knowing this information already.

“That’s amazing!” I said, “err… what’s a filk-er?” At which point they fled my presence in an exasperated fashion, as much a result of my deplorable lack of geek-cred on this issue as the fact the concert was starting and they did not plan on missing one minute of it. Now a brief explanation of the term “filk” was provided to me, at SMACC by some of the creators I met: “Filk, began as a typo. It seems at some point in the past a humorous folk musician was scheduled to perform at a convention. The program for the con had a typo and misspelled “folk” as “filk” and thus a genre was born. Filk performers write witty songs about genre-culture using popular melodies. Not unlike Weird Al [if yer looking for a point of reference] though Filk is predominantly an unplugged – acoustic style of parody music.” Anonymous, but informative, fellow geek. After Tom beamed us all up to starship fanta-prise things took on an entirely different tone. Folks were laughing, costumes were donned with pride and everyone seemed buoyed by the collective energy of the room. Even later, back at his own booth, Tom – guitar in hand – kept spirits wonderfully quirky with impromptu numbers from his considerable catalogue of aural gems. I highly recommend you check out his stuff – it is genuinely delightful. ^ Tom Smith – and I’m gonna do a casting call right here, right now – an RKYV first! Hollywood simply MUST tell this story. Funny, musical and genuine – a story with heart! Jack Black you just gotta play this man in a biopic!! http://www.tomsmithonline.com/

This issue of RKYV contains some delightful gems as well. Returning columnists Tom Rossini, Brad Bellmore, Darke Raven & Pauline Paré share their insights and opinions in their respective engaging and often whimsical voices. In addition, Darke Raven pens the short story “Great Minds Think Alike”, which I am sure we’ll enjoy. As well, contributing poets Stephen Campbell, Frances Nichols Vargas, Wanda VanHoy Smith & r. j. paré share some of their latest verse with RKYV and… Many thanks to the wonderful and talented artists [credited throughout] who have, once again, made it my distinct pleasure to do layouts this month. Until next time, I’m gonna crank up the filk and dance a merry jig! r. j. paré EIC RKYV ONLINE

Disclaimer: RKYV ONLINE is not liable for damages should you attempt said maneuver at home. Dance jigs, merry or otherwise at your own risk.

– by Bob Labute, “this one is all about my connections to crystal and how some take me out of body and some ground me.”

World View A Canadian, living in the USA by Tom Rossini

It’s the Most Wonderful Time Of the Year!!!! For those of you that have NO idea what the heck I am talking about maybe you need to click on this link and watch it before reading on… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwcYbo7pjto So this weekend I had the joy that many parents have when the first of August hits: The joy of shopping for back to school materials. Feeling excited that the children are going to head back to that wonderful institution called school. Although I was not in the store as shown in the video, it was never the less enjoyable. Pulling out the schools supply list and methodically stacking the items so nothing falls out of the cart. But while doing this, there was also a little sadness in the air that summer is coming to a close… Going swimming with the family in the back yard to slow roasting BBQ ribs on the grill, to sitting outside in the shade sipping on a cold beverage

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also that time of year where some kids may feel nervous or a little scared as the first day of school approaches because of all the new things: new teachers, new friends, and maybe even a new school. So what can we do as parents to lessen the stress placed on our children as the first day of school approaches? 1. Slow Down The relationship you have with your children has a powerful effect on them so donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t get worked up the first day of school. Make the last few weeks of the summer for them. Put those projects on hold and do things with your children. Take them fishing, or do something else fun with them. Plan a weekend away from home and spend time as a family. - by Bob Labute 2. Visit the School Even if your child is returning to the school, it still feels good to get reacquainted especially if they are in the younger grades. Many schools have a meet the teacher day and this is a perfect time for the child to not only see her classroom but also meet her teacher. It is also quite possible that she may even see where she is going to sit. Call the school before you go, to make sure it is ok to stop in and visit. This visit can also help calm the parents fears or concerns.

3. Don't Clean the Slate Fresh starts can be overdone. This may seem like a great time for change and while change is good, the timing of change requires some reflection. Too much too soon can make even the most cooperative child fight. Focus on the start of school, and revisit the other issues after your kids feel more settled like allowance changes, or chore assignments. 4. Provide Positive Feedback Tell your children that they'll be fine! Before school starts, encourage them to get back together with some old school friends such as play dates. Even better is fostering a continued growth through the summer with a few really close friends. Also, donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t ignore your kids fears, worries or concerns. Listen to them and don't minimize, dismiss, or try to talk them out of them. These are real to your child. 5. Set the Theme Shopping for supplies and clothes should be fun. Let them pick out their type of book covers, binders, duo tangs, etc. within reason. Sit down with your child and determine where time can be spent doing homework and studying. While your child may want to study in their room or on the couch, it may not be the best places while studying. Also remember that at any time your child is on the internet they need to be supervised and monitored for inappropriate website access. Wishing you all a wonderful summer and an even better fall, Tom

The Path â&#x20AC;&#x201C; by Bob Labute

Featured Artist Review Fehim Zećiri by r. j. paré

BIO: I was born in Labin, Croatia, on March 23th, 1973. I finished my education in Pula. I started drawing comics when I was six maybe, seven years old. Everything I know I learned myself. After school, when I was 18, I started to work and so didn’t really have time to draw – not serious drawing anyway. For the last seven or eight years I’ve started spending more time with my pencils – almost all day. Now I draw for three magazines and one daily newspaper, so I keep myself busy. So, that is it, nothing much just a dull living of a comic artist. I’d just like to add Croatia may be a small land but we have big names like Esad Ribic and Igor Kordej, I`m sure you know them. One day maybe I will be one of them.

r.j.p: Have you always known that you wanted to be or, rather, were an artist? FZ: Yes of course, that was always on my mind. r.j.p: Did you study or major in art while in school? FZ: No, everything I know – I learned myself.

Sequential page art sample, pencils – by Fehim Zećiri r.j.p: A good example of Fehim’s ability to layout an action sequence.

r.j.p: Who was your primary source of encouragement, as a child, in pursuing art? FZ: Well, my parents thought some secure job would be better, so none really, not any sort of encouragement, only hard head me. r.j.p: What is your favorite media to work with? FZ: I like the best pencil and ink, like to keep it simple.

Sequential page art sample, pencils – by Fehim Zećiri

r.j.p: What I particularly like about a page like this is Fehim’s attention to texture and detail, which makes the inker’s job that much easier [even if he inks it himself]. Unlike animation-style cel drawing in which the line art can be quite simplified as it is predominantly about colour and form – in comics we like our panels to be fully rendered illustrations – when possible.

Wolverine [© Marvel Comics] illustration – by Fehim Zećiri [pencil, ink & paint]

rjp: A dynamic piece rendered in oldschool brilliance. Yes boys and girls, it is still possible to create comic art without using Photoshop / Illustrator etc.

r.j.p: Do you use any special tools and techniques to create your art? FZ: Like I said I’m old fashion guy, nothing specially… r.j.p: What inspires you to create art? FZ: I am big fan of American comics. I like superheroes generally – in all stories – not just comics but movies and books too. My characters are all about doing big stuff.

r.j.p: How would you categorize your artistic style? FZ: I must say pure realism. r.j.p: Would you say that there is a "message" or "unifying theme" in your work? FZ: I wouldn’t go so deep. I’m just crazy about drawing; you can say it is an addiction in a way. r.j.p: Which famous artists / creators or styles have influenced you? Why? FZ: John Buscema – no greater guy than him. Also Frazzeta and these days a guy from Croatia, he is great drawing for Marvel, Esad Ribic.

Sequential page art sample, pencil & ink – by Fehim Zećiri

Sequential page art sample, pencil & ink â&#x20AC;&#x201C; by Fehim ZeÄ&#x2021;iri

r.j.p: Would you rather have an engaged & loyal but, ultimately, small Indie readership or work on the latest Spidey, Wolverine or X - book? [The old Art vs Commerce question.] FZ: Without thinking Spidey and company. Like I said, I am all about superheroes; they are my first and biggest love. r.j.p: With advancements in computer graphic tablet technology, some artists are now creating their work directly in the digital medium and releasing it in purely digital formats... are the days of paper & pulp doomed to the realm of fading memories? FZ: There are, everyday, fewer and fewer artists drawing the old-school way. But, in a way, paper and pencil â&#x20AC;&#x201C; that is real comic. Not that I have something against modern things.

r.j.p: What do you think of the term "starving artist"? FZ: Well, first we do the job because we like it. Of course you have to live from your work. It depends, maybe does the artist create only what he likes or also what pays good? Sometimes it is a question of principle. And how much work you can do, if you are a beginner you wouldn’t probably take big jobs, so of course you can’t get serious money. r.j.p: Do you feel more a sense of community with other artists or a sense of competition? FZ: Both, competition makes you work harder and practice more, but we are also friends and we talk about our work and maybe listen to some suggestions and critiques.

Old- school techniques - by Fehim Zećiri

r.j.p: How do you market yourself? FZ: I don’t do it really, I have something on Deviant art and social network r.j.p: Do you find it difficult to stay motivated / inspired? FZ: Never that is my life r.j.p: While traditional publishing and distribution has become a difficult goal to achieve for the modern Indie comic creator, what do you think of the impact that social networks and POD services have had as an alternate means of connecting you, your work and your audience? Character sketch sample, pencils – by Fehim Zećiri FZ: I met, through Facebook, a lot of people that helped me with my work and also many fans, so yes I’m pro. r.j.p: What other interests do you have, besides art? FZ: Movies, animation and sports r.j.p: What advice would you have for a young artist starting out today? FZ: Never give up.

r.j.p: Do you have any big plans, shows or Cons coming up? FZ: Yes, but I can’t talk about it yet. r.j.p: How would you like your art, and by extension yourself, to be remembered? FZ: I would like that some big names say "he was good artist," what I mean is – I hope that they appreciate my work. Below is the piece we chose for the cover art to this issue. It wasn’t a hard choice for, our Associate Editor, David Marshall. This captivating illustration of the “Heath Ledger, Joker” speaks volumes all on its own. I would like to thank Fehim for taking the time to participate in this month’s Featured Artist Review.

Joker [© DC Comics] illustration – by Fehim Zećiri [pencil, ink & paint]

Harley Davidson â&#x20AC;&#x201C; by Belinda Da Fonseca

Short Fiction Great Minds Think Alike By David Rasmussen

“Sorry, Nina, but what’s so great about that thinking again? I love you and all but I am not having sex with you in this tight confined space.” “Boring.” Lt. Nina Kotobuki sighed, eyes focused on her work before her within the tight confines of the Navigational Maintenance Line, turning to talk to First Officer Aoi Kobayakawa to get a new tool from her. “Please pass me the scanner again, I think I’m almost done.” “Here.” she sighed, passing the tool with a bit of a downer look. “You’re going to ask me again aren’t you.” “I know you love me so don’t you, so I don’t need to ask… right? (thanks)” “How many times do I have to tell you I was wrong to shove you away a year ago like I did, Nina.” Aoi sighed, shuffling her legs in the tight tube confines. “I love you. I just think that I don’t want to make out with you in a tight maintenance tube like this no matter how much I love you.” “I know…” Nina smiles, “And you love everything else about me too, right? That too?”

“Fishing for thinly veiled compliments from me are you, Nina? That so isn’t like you at all. What’s up?” Suddenly silence broke out. A silence that lingered for a minute, with only the sound of Nina’s work before her filling the void between the two. “Nothing’s up.” Nina finally said, “I was just thinking out loud about what El Capitan said last night in the mess hall over dinner.” “Thought so.” Aoi sighed, removing her dark lensed sight visor, rubbing her eyes with her free hand. “Well you did have to go and push Michi’s buttons like that, didn’t you Nina. What else did you expect from our fiery blue blood Winterian leader?” “I guess I was asking for it though, wasn’t I Aoi…” (holds hand out with scanner flat on her palm to Aoi) “…mender please, we’re almost done here.” (takes tool as she feels Aoi swap tools on her hand) “I do admit I can get kind of… spirited… sometimes. I admit it.” “Kind of spirited?” Aoi repeats, “Kind of spirited is sometimes an understatement once your firing away on all thrusters and going full speed ahead.” “So you say, but…” Nina turns towards Aoi, a look of concern crossing her face as she regards her. “Are you OK? Your eyes…” “I’m fine, Nina, really I am” she answered, the visor dangling from one hand as she spoke. “The light is dim enough so I can see normally in here.” “Cool to me. Let me just finish this up and we’re out of here.” And with that silence once again reigned in the small space, this time a few minutes passed before someone spoke again. “Are you disappointed

with me, Nina?” Aoi asked. “Of course not,” Nina whispered, her voice rising in volume a bit as she finished one link and moved to the next. “I cried myself to sleep for weeks after you left me, messed up like nobody’s business until I finally got over you… when I first saw you in the Medico Bay after we arrived on… it all came back to me again when I saw you.” “Especially the crying, I remember when you ran up to me… but…” Suddenly she paused, her hand gently rocking her visor back and forth as she thought her next words out carefully, “I came crawling back to you a broken thing. Light blind and humbled after my rape. A disappointment after leaving in such an arrogant fit like I did after I left you like this, an arrogant self assured SOB who…” The mending tool bounces off her chest with a pakt, stinging her slightly as she looks up staring into an angry eyed Nina, reflecting into the side of the tube and clattering to the tube “flooring” with a series of clanks at rolling rattles. “You are never a disappointment to me, Aoi, never.” Nina said with a sense of finality to her words, turning briefly to replace the panel again before focusing entirely on Aoi. “I could never be disappointed in you… in fact I felt shitty because I wasn’t there to protect you…” Her attention turned to her commlink, two fingers tap it as she sighs and says out loud “OK it’s done, try it now.” “Get out of the service tube first, Nina. Or do you want to fry?” Nina’s face grimaces, her teeth click once in her usual sign of disgust as she motions for Aoi to put her visor back on. “Yeah. Forgot about that.” “Well you heard Mina45, Aoi, let’s…”

Nina was upon her before she knew it, even in the tight confine Nina moved quickly and caught Aoi completely off guard. The kiss was a shock, Nina quickly closing the small distance between the two in seconds grabbing and kissing her strongly. Overwhelmed by the strength of the kiss Aoi slid down a bit in the curving tube under Nina’s embrace, surrendering to Nina’s will in the tight confines to the warmth of Nina’s forceful tenderness. Suddenly the kiss breaks off as Nina falls over onto her face, a laugh breaking the silence as she rolls onto her backside. “OK, OK, maybe we should get out of here before Mina…” Now it was Aoi’s turn to take control, falling on top of Nina kissing her back in turn, at first shocking her then feeling her lover return her affections in turn embracing her tightly. For long seconds they were locked in the kiss until, it’s intensity the only thing that was real for them in the moment until finally Aoi rolled over and gave Nina a chance to catch her breath. “What’s going on down there?” Mina45 called, “I still read you two in there. Sometime today please?” “We better go.” Aoi sighed, tapping her commlink to say “Going. Please hold.” Nina only nods, face blushed bright red as she looks up at the port exit. “You first, OK?” “Because you like staring at my butt don’t you, Nina.” “You’ll just have to find out won’t you.” Nina remarks slyly. As Nina crawls out, with Aoi’s help, she taps the close switch with a light swishing noise. “I’ll call it in.”

“Nina next time you do stuff like this please get a technician to help you. I am your superior officer, after all, we have a ton of technical officers to help with duties like this.” “Well don’t expect me to brighten your day ever again with that attitude…” (taps link) “…OK we’re out, do the maintenance check…” (taps off) “Well color me sad. I thought you were bored with survey duty so I thought I’d bring you something to shake up your drab daily routine…” Aoi kisses Nina again, briefly yet just as warmly as within the maintenance tube, “Thank you.” she whispers, smiling as she steps back again, adjusting her visor. “Once Mina45 is finished running the diagnostic test I think we’re done here.” “I’m done.” Mina’s voice sounded from the still open commlink on Nina’s chest, “All clear. Helm is up and running again. You two can go back to your room and make out now. Out.” “W-w-wait, Mi--” “Too late.” Nina said quickly, walking up to take Aoi by the arm, “You know what I’m thinking?” “Go back to our room, grab a bite to eat, then have sex?” “See?” Nina cheered, poking Aoi in the cheek with her index finger as she gracefully maneuvered her down the corridor to the nearest lift, “Great minds really do think alike.”

Fin

- by Naomi Randolph

Poetry Selected Poetry by Frances Nichols Vargas Nothing Left to Lose When you are left wondering how you ended up here Settling down on one knee Lifting your head to the sky to pray Begging for mercy on blind faith When all hope seems gone And your mind keeps wandering on You question Is there anything out there? When there is nothing left to lose At the end of the long day all that remains is your faith Looking up toward the heavens To begin your long day You pray When things seem dark And nothing works right You just keep working hard to find your way Stumbling in the terrain Only to begin all over again

Nothing left to lose Especially when your dreams Call you again and again Dusting yourself off Raising your head high Looking up towards the sky Taking a deep breath and letting out a long sigh With nothing left to lose You reach deep down inside Grab hold of your pride Acknowledge your life You have so much to gain And nothing left to lose Hold onto your faith Stand up tall Reach out for all the good things that wait

Wings â&#x20AC;&#x201C; by James Santiago

Selected Poetry

by Wanda VanHoy Smith Editor’s Note: Wanda VanHoy Smith is one of the Redondo Poets who read every Tuesday at Coffee Cartel. She has been published in several ‘zines and anthologies such as Poeticdiversity.

WALTZING WITH DOLPHIN A pod of boats power out of King Harbor toward the Island of the Blue Dolphin on a whale hunt beyond the breakers above the bottomless Redondo Channel. Our captain and cameras are focused on the Whale’s Highway but there is not a great gray in sight It seems the whales have all gone South. Our seaworthy Captain idles the engine on his boat Miss Power Plant II in the enchanted channel mid magical ripples. Suddenly a pod of dolphin surround the hull Dance two by two in an aquatic cotillion I hum a jazz waltz which the waltzers seem to hear.

Whale watchers gasp as a big white dolphin leaps toward the California blue skies. The rare Albino dolphin does a ballet before our surprised eyes. As we power swiftly back to dry land I hum Green Dolphin Street and know from now on I will follow the wake of the sea Captain. When my whales have all gone South I will go out and dance with dolphin.

- by Naomi Randolph

Selected Poetry by Stephen Campbell

Foundations of Sand When houses fall under weight Of explosive force, When God is forgotten in his own Holy Land,

When the land is united only In grief, When a nation is split over Issues of faith,

When Families are cruelly torn By a soldiers choice, When gunmen unite in Sectarian bands,

When that faith is laid to rest as A funeral wreath, Then you will see why it is fleeting, Any peace that is made.

windows of men’s souls – by r. j. paré

Poetic Perspectives by r. j. paré

Heart Asunder Our capacity to love is unparalleled in all of God’s creation. It is such a crying shame that we prefer to destroy, rather than embrace. What differs ‘tween each of us culture, class and creed - nothing more than artifice. Anger is our buoy of choice floating in turbid seas of senseless fear – loathing.

Violence in sanctified form assuages our conscience of culpability. Cry out! Oh, lost and forlorn wastrels of this earth, each heir to a paradise. The hate that burns, the weapons we choose to employ, outweigh our capacity …to love.

Heart Asunder – by r. j. paré

Man, in his natural habitat – by r. j. paré

Pop Culture Comic Book Review by Brad Bellmore Love and Capes

Thumb mostly up Love and Capes is a comic by and now being published by IDW. (There was a very intriguing note inside the back cover discussing this move.) The story and art are by Thom Zahler. This is a fun book, taking a look at the real life of superheroes. The story reminds a bit of The Incredibles, just aimed for an older audience. Issue number 13 was released as the free comic book day issue and marks the transition to IDW. The story takes place as Mark Spencer (aka The Crusader) and his wife Abbey are leaving from their honeymoon to return to everyday life. Abbey owns a bookstore and Mark is an accountant. They have piles of gifts yet to open and even more thank you notes to write. They also need to catch up on the gossip – who hooked up at their wedding. Often I bash cartoon-ier style art for adult themed comics. This time it works. The basic idea is that even though this is about real life, don’t take it too seriously. It’s a comedy after all.

The exaggerated features of the faces and bodies accentuate the humor of it all, as well as add a certain sexiness that spices up the story without it feeling creepy that a comic book character engendering lustful thoughts. The spice just isn’t that spicy. It’s a fun book with a fun look. I thoroughly enjoyed the story of this. I love the balancing of going out saving the universe and still filing the quarterly taxes; the need to do one’s duty and still have time to snuggle and watch TV. It’s real life, exaggerated. The charm of this story captured my imagination right away. And if you want to know who hooked up and what that means to Mark and Abbey, you’ll have to read the book. This one is worth checking out, especially if you are into comedy comics. This is a wonderful spoof with a lot of texture to it.

Neverland

Thumb partially up Zenescope released another title in the Grimm Fairy Tales line: Neverland. It is written by Joe Brusha and drawn by Jean-Paul Deshong. For those of you who are familiar with the Grimm Fairy Tale line, the cover art fits with what you would expect a sultry woman – scantly clad. (See my comments on this in the Love and Capes review). The story here takes a look at the story of Peter Pan and what happens in Neverland. The Grimm title applies. This tale is dark and twisted. I liked that. It took the origin tale of hook to a place I would never have imagined. That kind of surprise delights me. I very much like where this book is headed. The first issue only hints at what happened through a series of flashbacks, but the hints are clear enough where this is going. That is not to say that there is no suspense because you figure things out. There is a lot to learn as to how everything happened the way you suspect they do and the morbid curiosity to find that out rages in you by the time the story is done. The art is good. I’ve never picked up a Grimm Fairy Tale before because I’m always too embarrassed to have someone see me flipping through the pages of apparent soft porn. At least that’s what I’ve suspected the books to be based on their covers. And if I assume that… well what will the other patrons think. That said, I had very certain expectations on what I was about to see and the book delivered something different. Yes the women were sultry and no one was over dressed, but the story and the art didn’t hang completely on that. This is a gritty tale and the art has a bit of gritty feel. Not quite the film noire you get elsewhere, but certainly not as polished as other comics. That works here.

I’m a fool for a good story and this delivered. I can honestly put up with a lot if the story is good. This story is that good. Fortunately, I don’t have to put up with a lot of crap here. The book works on a whole. My only real beef with this book is that the last eight pages are a preview for another comic. That always cheeses me off. They gave me a full issue of the story I bought, so I wasn’t cheated. It’s just the idea that they spent the money to print the other pages, the least they could do is give me pages of the story I bought. If you can get past the cover art (or perhaps you will be drawn by it) the tale inside is worth reading. It is dark, so stay away if you aren’t into a dark tale. Otherwise, give this one a look.

Manga Maximus by Darke Raven

Ichigo Mashimaro (Strawberry Marshmallow) (Part 1) Ichigo Mashimaro, aka Strawberry Marshmallow. The series, Anime from Geneon, is a nice slice of cute (dysfunctional cute) which gives you a vibrant cast of characters, finely written glee and nicely animated with musical spunk and witty while being cute. It is a fine animation worth checking out. This, however, is the review of the manga of which, so far, I only have two volumes (I need to put the third volume on my to-buy list for the future). Consider the first volume a bit of a time capsule of sorts, if you will, because if you have already seen the anime then you might be surprised by how everyone looks at the start of this. How so? Well while the intro features the characters you know from the Anime, the first three chapters showcase the cast as they originally appeared, before they â&#x20AC;&#x153;evolvedâ&#x20AC;? into what was used in the Anime seriesâ&#x20AC;Ś except for Matsuri (who seemingly stayed the same from beginning to anime). Of the five girls one (Anna Coppola) does not appear until Strawberry Marshmallow Volume 2 while another (Matsuri) is the only one that looks the most like her final design in the Anime (mostly because her differences is not in her appearance as it is her personality in these early stories).

As for the rest? Major differences. The least different is Chika, who has a few differences (which is not entirely worked out even when Volume 1 ends). The most radical (on the opposite end of the scale) on the other hand is Miu (who looks like Chika’s twin sister for a few chapters before she bleaches her hair and starts to slowly resemble her final look), and Nobue (who starts off a complete blonde (or light colored hair) who doesn’t become the dark haired Nobue until Chapter 4 of this volume). But this isn’t the biggest change. The biggest is the age of Nobue. In the start of Episode 1 of the Anime, “Birthday”, she “jokes” that she’s 16... [Which, she is.] In the manga version Nobue is supposed to be 16 years old freshman in High School, but in the anime she’s a 20 year old Junior College student… what a change in age! Mostly, I think, this is because of her “habits”. After all, as she says in Chapter 5, a 16 year old girl shouldn’t be smoking… guess the people over at TBS agreed with that sentiment when this was becoming an Anime because she received an age adjustment until Nobue became a 20 year old chain smoking, beer guzzling character. As for the rest of it? By the end of the first manga volume mostly everyone resembles what they look like in the Anime, except for Chika (who doesn’t have her little ponytail thing on her head later seen in the anime), but that’s nitpicking since it’s there in Volume 2.

So what is it that I absolutely like about Ichigo Mashimaro? Everything. It combines nicely done humor with lovable characters and overall great series. It’s once again a series that aims to please, and manga wise it’s a solid read. Also watching how the series “evolved” in it’s early stories in the first volume was a treat, and yet abit odd too. After all if you watch the Anime first (which I did) you’ll be surprised to see how different some of the characters were at the start. How Matsuri seemed to be a whole different person at the start… and Nobue is barely recognizable… or how TBS seemingly requires 4 years added to Nobue’s age to justify her smoking addiction… and her drinking addiction… and other things. Overall this is solid is as solid does and solid is what Strawberry Marshmallow (Ichigo Mashimaro) is. So with that said I’m going to give this a nice solid five out of five. Enjoy. (And yes, once I get volume 3 of the manga I’ll return with an update review).

- by Bob Labute

Raised on Saturday Morning Cartoons by Pauline Paré

HEROIC BEGINNINGS With Heroes ended so abruptly and Smallville entering it’s 10th and final season, where…oh where… will we find heroes to entertain us. Fear not fair readers. The networks must have sensed a super void with their strange powers of market research and there are a few new offering coming to save us this coming season. The first is No Ordinary Family, which gave a sneak preview of the premiere episode at the recent San Diego Comic Con.

This new family/drama/comedy/superhero series will premiere September 28th and stars Michael Chiklis (Fantastic Four) and Julie Benz (Buffy, Angel, Dexter). The series features a family whose strange accident on a vacation in Brazil leads to the entire family developing powers. One review I read claimed that it was surprisingly good and the family deals with the unusual circumstances in a very real way. To me it kinda sounds like a combination of Fantastic Four and The Incredibles but after viewing the trailer: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbBplfoXBbY) I am actually interested in tuning in this September. That and I am a fan of Julie Benz, from her evil turn as Darla on Buffy and Angel to her more recent stint as Rita, the slightly damaged, soft-spoken, sexy girlfriend on Dexter. From the trailer, No Ordinary Family looks like it could be funny, sweet, well acted and well written. I am not holding out hope for the longevity of the series, however. This doesnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t feel like the kind of series that ABC would give a fighting chance. Nikita is getting a remake on CW. Not exactly a super hero but a super heroic spy so it should count! The story has been done in 2 movies and one series but the trailer presents a twist to the original plotline and the action in the trailer is great. The actress has a good resume as an action hero. Maggie Q has mostly done foreign movies and B movies but from the scenes in the trailer I am looking forward to watching her kick some ___! This new version has a mature Nikita finding out that she can never really leave and it appears that she will try to rescue the newest recruit (Lyndsy Fonseca from Kick Ass).

She then, proceeds to do a Jason Bourne on her old bosses. Yes, the plot is slightly contrived but then there is a severe shortage of woman kicking butt on television lately so I will be tuning in On September 9th. If you are interested in checking out the trailer, my favourite is this one: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZKGyuBggcQ NBC won’t be premiering The Cape until midseason but I decided to include it here because… the theme fits and I needed a longer article. So there! The Cape appears to be a patch-work quilt of many different other stories: Unbreakable, Batman, Spawn etc. The trailer I saw had a few good elements to it, namely the lead seems charismatic and Summer Glau will be in it. I hope to see a stronger trailer before it premieres in winter. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYfJSZZpia0 [To watch the preview trailer.]

Also, NBC is on my naughty list for canceling Heroes without a real wrap up or satisfying conclusion. They have a lot to make up for and I am not sure that The Cape will be the series that does it but(sigh) it looks just promising enough for me to give it a try. Here’s hoping that these shows don’t pass us by as fast a speeding bullet and that at least one will fill the void next year when Clark and company leave us.