Books – R.J.'s FAQs of LIFE

LESSON 37: OKAY TO BE OKAY

Countless comics and sources of media make ragtag teams.

[…]

PAYBACKS…don’t fit any category that I can tell.

SWEET!

Hey and Welcome to the next Lesson.

PAYBACKS

-by Donny Cates, Eliot Rahal, Geoff Shaw & Lauren Affe

Again, I owe a minor thank you to Professor Thorgi [#notsponsored] on YouTube for recommending this title. [Yes, that video IS years old, why do you ask?]

Okay, so I’m late to the party, I’ll be the first to admit, but, I’ve come to find that things that are cool in the moment age to be classics or forgotten and it’s no brainer with Cates behind the pen PAYBACKS easily falls in the former category.

Countless comics and sources of media make ragtag teams. Whether meant to be parodies, paragons of justice, unlikely to succeed or all of the above, there is no shortage of them. PAYBACKS…don’t fit any category that I can tell.

SWEET!

As of recent, Donny Cates has been KILLING IT at Marvel with Venom and Thor so this earlier title is something of a gem to see that his writing is just as sharp.

DARK HORSE COMICS – PAYBACKS (2015) – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

Basically, if you owe money, that’s where the PAYBACKS come in.

From clever flips on puns to the wittiest of banter to even the BEST of references [“Blade line”] there isn’t a moment of boredom when flipping through the pages.

The main champion of this would be Night Knight and his trusty steed Knight Mare who are summoned by the Knight Light. Like, I don’t know if Donny Cates is into rap, but that alone is worth a DON DEMARCO. Clearly a play on Batman and not a part of it is subtle.

ALL the better.

DC COMICS – BATMAN (2011) – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

What’s most striking is Rahal’s art reminds me of Greg Capullo’s art of Scott Snyder’s Batman run in New 52. It’s striking but original enough to stand out on his own and I became an instant fan because of it.

So, I read on and then I come across this page. We see Driver get out of his van and go to his trunk and we see, apparently, THE DOOR TO EL DORADO!

And all he has to say is:

As far as intros [first issue] go, PAYBACK goes and refuses to slow down. It’s not the most action packed, but it leaves enough intrigue from its writing to leave you wanting more. The team is great, the wit is on 11, and this team, while BEAMING with personality, isn’t anything special. No save the world, no do a mission and get your prison sentence shortened. They’re just debt collectors.

And there, students, is today’s lesson.

[LESSON]

Life can be…stressful nowadays to say the least. Many of us are laid off because of the virus and, personally speaking, it can be pretty depressing. If we’re not careful, negative, harmful thoughts can lead you down a dark road.

In my own experience, there’s a feeling of not being good enough for not having employment.

Pride gets in the way and I start thinking I’m either too good for simple employment or too embarrassed to try.

The thing is, thanks to Cates, not even SUPERHEROES are above minimal work.

We see Spider-Man, Superman and Flash have alter egos with day jobs that AREN’T billionaires who are well off and we think, yeah, it’s secondary to who they are because, well, they’re SUPERHEROES.

Their jobs may suck because they already have amazing lives with even cooler powers.

PAYBACKS puts our protagonists in the shoes of regular people to show that, yeah, being a superhero is SUPER normal and not everyone with powers seeks limelight and heroics.

My Hero Academia kind of touches on this as well, but PAYBACKS really drives it home.

So, in the end, I guess it’s okay to be just okay, nothing spectacular nothing grand, just okay.

Even if only for a moment, working a job that isn’t exactly where you want to be does not mean that it isn’t right for you [at least right now].

Take time for yourself.

Grow.

Learn a new trade.

Take a job you didn’t see yourself taking and, when the time is right, look life in the eyes, give it a middle finger and give it PAYBACK!

[PLEASE SUPPORT]

Comics here: https://bit.ly/3dHiv7z , https://bit.ly/2yrLkok , https://bit.ly/3bMTgz0 , https://bit.ly/2WZDTyU

Official twitter: @Doncates , @EliotRahal , @GeoffShaw12 , @laurenaffe , @DarkHorseComics

Instagram: @dcates , @eliotrahal , @geshaw , @lauren_affe , @darkhorsecomics

Well, that’s all for now. So, until comics get back to normal or Tobey Maguire cameos in the MCU, I’ll see you for the next lesson.

Until then, class dismissed!

LESSON 36: GOOD AS YOU ARE

You ever accidentally stumble upon greatness?

It’s as if Steven Universe and Dragon Ball had a love child.

Hey and Welcome to the next Lesson.

MONARCHS

-by Joshua Bullock

You ever accidentally stumble upon greatness? I did when I looked in the mirror, but more specifically, Bullock’s work on Monarchs is the stride in the indie scene I want to see more of.

Rather than a traditional comic I usually cover, Monarchs has more of a manga feel to it [save for panels still reading left to right].

From the very beginning you get a sense that it could be aimed at kids, but greatness doesn’t have a target audience.

What stood out immediately was the art direction.

It’s so lively and done simplistically with enough charm to make up for its lack of nit-picky details.

As someone who struggles countless hours to get a certain look I like with whatever I’m working on, it’s refreshing to see something that while may not the gaudiest of displays but carries on with its own style.

It’s as if Steven Universe and Dragon Ball had a love child.

You get an art style that’s reminiscent of the former with a story that’s almost an homage to the latter and neither are sacrificed in the process.

The story stars Ja’khari and wastes no time getting into the craziness.

This issue is like an entire tournament arc from Shonen Jump anime and while it may not have the same level of detail as some manga, it matches the same energy.

I won’t go into detail about the story because this is an entry that needs to be experienced and joyed rather than told about.

To add to it, the originality doesn’t just stop on the page – the entire SITE is something new.

While most sites and apps offer their comics individually for a small price, but on noircaesar.com it doesn’t off a title, it offers all of them.

Much like Netflix, Hulu and other stream sites, NC offers a monthly and yearly plan.

Marvel, also, has an app for their comics, but their price can’t beat $2.99/month. Their other price is $25/year!

With so many artists and creators today having their work pirated, there’s an argument that can be had over the prices of comics.

It quickly can go from “Ooh, that looks good!” to “How bad do I really want it?” However, with prices like these, I can’t see an easier way to support the indie scene.

[LESSON]

Monarchs doesn’t have any qualms with not having the tiniest of details and excelling at keeping its story lighthearted and entertaining.

Today, we can get so caught up in the trees, we can’t see the forest.

Bullock taught me that, even if I’m not as I may like to see myself, there’s nothing wrong with being right as I am.

[PLEASE SUPPORT]

You can find the official site: https://www.noircaesar.com

Comics here: https://www.noircaesar.com/comics-manga

Official twitter: @NoirCaesar

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noircaesarllc

YouTube: https://bit.ly/2VxKYpP

Well, that’s all for now. So, until Jurassic Park movies are good again or Overwatch crosses over with Fortnite, I’ll see you for the next lesson.

Until then, class dismissed!

LESSON 34: SHOOT YOUR SHOT

I’m not going to talk about what DC has done with him, but let’s just say I’m glad I have another archer to get attached to.

And thank God Chris Hill doesn’t disappoint.

THIS LESSON IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY: GODHOOD COMICS.

I’ve covered their works in the past and was thoroughly interested in what I saw. I was happy to purchase those issues and was recently approached and given a copy of Sharpshooter. I just want to say thank you for this, Godhood, and I hope this lesson is to your liking.

Hey and Welcome to the next Lesson.

SHARPSHOOTER

-by Tyler Martin, James Couch & art by Ar En

Bit of brief history about me, Roy Harper aka Speedy, Arsenal, or Red Arrow from DC Comics is my favorite comic character. Period. From his tragic story to rise to heroism, and with Brett Booth penning his most recent outings, I’ve been the biggest Arsenal fan as long as I can remember.

…until 2011. Yeah, unfortunately, DC hasn’t been treating dude right for the last…13 years, at least. I’m not going to talk about what DC has done with him, but let’s just say I’m glad I have another archer to get attached to.

And thank God Chris Hill doesn’t disappoint.

True to debut issues, it’s often used to establish the character with their origin and Sharpshooter offers an originality I can only truly harken back to Static Shock’s pilot.

We see our hero in current day already whoopin’ ass and only see their origin in flashbacks. This works because, in truth, there’s only so much one can do with the origin of an archer character.

Oliver Queen, shipwrecked. Roy Harper, drug addict. Hawkeye, abused carnie. I can go on, but it comes across like superheroes need tragedy to rise above.

Chris has his own darkness, no doubt, but, like Black Panther’s origin, we only see the necessary parts.

This is a personal touch I enjoy because how many times do we have to see someone be abused to get superpowers? Greatness doesn’t always come from great loss and choosing to highlight the better achievements of his life, rather than who or what he lost, grounds him in a better sense.

Everybody’s lost somebody, but that doesn’t make you a superhero, unfortunately.

He was great before and not even a bombing could stop him.

P.S. The name for a charity “Bouncin’ 4 Checks” makes me smile. BIG.

With how often media portrays the Black man in chains, behind bars, or dead – seeing one smile and succeed is WHAT WE NEED.

BUT that’s not to say this isn’t without its style because BOI!

It’s a BLIND ARCHER!

WE START OUT LIKE –

BUT THEN WE FOLLOW THROUGH WITH –

AND TOP IT OFF LIKE –

BOI!

It’s got a swag the belongs on the big screen with a charm ripped straight outta Blade and it’s stupid amazing. This, in large part, is due to the art never making a single panel boring.

Every panel has a sense of life, breath or action and not one feels out of place. It’s a style I sincerely hope I, and every reader alike, see more of in the future.

The place, I feel, it stands out the most for me is the introduction of his visor.

In panels, we get a sense of how he’s able to “see” using sonar much like Batman in the Arkham Games or in The Dark Knight or any other “radar” senses in games.

It’s like a new, yet retro blend between pen and photoshop – like something we’d see sprouting in the early 2000’s in the best way possible.

It does beg the question, though: if he has sonar, what’s his challenge?

The concept of a blind superhero isn’t new, but, even with fully-able bodied superhero, there’s often something holding them back they have to overcome.

For Daredevil, probably the most famous example, he has sensory overload. If too much happens at once, he can become overwhelmed and taken out.

With Chris, I’m not sure what he has to overcome no that his sight has been compensated for…but it is ALSO the first issue, which was probably the intention of Godhood to make us think.

Well done!

[LESSON]

Sharpshooter is a mixed bag. It’s got great art, stinging one-liners and a creative team I love to support. It…doesn’t have the most original idea, but its take – its spin – is what stands out that’s the point.

Whether you’re blogging, starting a new job or even reaching out to someone new, it can never hurt to shoot your shot. Our protagonist is blind and should very well miss every shot he takes, but he still laces up and fires arrow after arrow.

Like Chris, you don’t need the support of your family or even the best body to work with. What matters is that you take your shot and Sharpshooter does NOT miss.

[SUPPORT]

You can find the official sites: https://peepgamecomix.com/product-category/godhood-comics/ and issue 1 here: https://peepgamecomix.com/product/sharpshooter-1/

Official twitter: @godhoodcomics

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/godhoodcomics/

Instagram: @godhoodcomics

Well, that’s all for now. So, DC COMICS cares about Roy Harper again or fanart of Green Arrow and Sharpshot drops, I’ll see you for the next lesson.

Until then, class dismissed!

LESSON 33: LOVE THY ENEMY

Unfortunately, we never find out, but, in lieu of that, we get how Ben felt after, something that the film definitely could have used more of.

He’s hurt. Confused, even.

And with this newfound revelation at what he endured, what does Ben do?

Hey and Welcome to the next Lesson.

LESSON 33: LOVE THY ENEMY – RISE OF KYLO REN

Before I start this one, I want to apologize and give an update for y’all. I slowed down a bit towards the end of the year with holidays and kind of struggled to get back into a flow. There’s been a lack of content on my part and I just want to apologize for that. Going forward, with the holidays being over, things should go back to normal.

Thank you all for your patience so let’s back into it.

*NO SPOILERS FOR STAR WARS: RISE OF SKYWALKER*

STAR WARS: THE RISE OF KYLO REN (#1)

-by Charles Soule & art by Will Sliney & Guru-eFX

So, the Rise of Skywalker…happened and there are mixed feelings across the board. Whether positive, negative, somewhere in the middle, everyone seems to have an opinion on Star Wars. However, one thing typically has a positive consensus behind it –

Kylo Ren.

Kylo Ren served as the main antagonist (mostly) for the whole trilogy and was probably the most compelling thing to come out of these newer films and since it’s come to an end, it’s finally time to uncover the truth about the man before the fall.

The issue starts out just moments after Ben’s tragic event and, right off the bat, I’m on board with this.

For all its ideas and attempts, The Last Jedi did fall short in us sympathizing with Ben. Yeah, Luke [in his eyes] attempted to kill him in his sleep, but what travesties did we see Ben go through? What was so dark that Luke felt that compelled to act?

Unfortunately, we never find out, but, in lieu of that, we get how Ben felt after, something that the film definitely could have used more of.

He’s hurt. Confused, even.

And with this newfound revelation at what he endured, what does Ben do?

Nothing.

Better yet, he just wants to leave.

This…shocked me because Ren [at least in The Force Awakens] went around with his chest puffed out, stomping his feet and pretty muching forcing dominance in every scene. It’s even stated by Luke that he killed a handful of his students and went to the Dark Side, but HERE!?

Not a single trace of it.

I like this because, for all his faults, Ben is still human. He was part of this Jedi Order and probably made friends. Three other Jedi show up and out of the three, we have one who wants to genuinely talk to him, give him a chance to say his side and possibly cool things down.

Not one part of this seems like a sudden turn to the dark or straight up villainous.

Ben is a PERSON.

And he’s hurt.

He just wants to be alone.

But it’s not that easy; it never is.

Two of the other three find the scene and immediately draw their blades on him. What’s something to note is both Jedi don’t even believe Ben when he told them his truth, yet still felt compelled to draw their sabers.

If they didn’t believe him, why start a fight? Why not try and find out the truth?

This, sadly, paints a darker image of Ben as he is, once again, a victim. Luke went off of a vision and these two went off of his word – both times he hadn’t done anything, but still had attempts made on his life.

THAT is what we’re missing.

Rather than being told about his fall, we finally get to see it. Rather than simply having to go off of Luke’s word, we get to experience it, too.

Here’s Ben, young, abandoned and BETRAYED. It’d be natural for anyone in his position to be angry. And, make no mistake, he is angry. And what does he do with said anger?

He leaves.

That’s it. He said he was going to and he did. There was no nefarious backup plan, no attempts on anyone’s life, hell, there was hardly even an argument. He just simply left.

Even later, when it’s pretty much stated to the fact he could kill his former friends, he only damages their engines! He let’s them live so he can leave and not be followed…

THIS…shows such a compelling opposite to what Luke supposedly felt that it makes me pain for the kid and, like Ben, I learned something, too.

[LESSON]

The Last Jedi was the most orginal thing to come out of Star Wars since ’99, and while I can praise it for trying things out, it painted Ben to be more shallow and quick[er]-tempered. This lets the moments breathe and you finally get to understand Ben’s side without things being so sudden.

Life hands us all unconditional strife and in that, we tend to change and be not who we really are and in those moments, you can be alienated or judged for your reactions. Ben Solo is a tragedy and, like this shows, anything can happen to anyone.

It’s up to us to get to know them and make judgments ourselves.

[SUPPORT]

You can find the official sites: www.charlessoule.com/ & https://www.marvel.com/comics/series/29291/star_wars_the_rise_of_kylo_ren_2019_-_present & https://www.marvel.com/comics/creators/12999/will_sliney/

Official twitter: @CharlesSoule , @WillSliney ,

Instagram: @charlesdsoule , @will_sliney

Well, that’s all for now. So, until Qui Gon comes back or Anakin tells Ben to chill out, I’ll see you for the next lesson.

Until then, class dismissed!

LESSON 32: JOHN HENRY – A TALE OF IRON & MAGIC

Last time I looked at something from Mayke, I made a distinct comment about what I’d seen.
[…]
I’m here to say, today, that I was wrong.

Hey and Welcome to the next Lesson.

JOHN HENRY: A TALE OF IRON & MAGIC

-by Edward Williams & art by Miguel Angel Ruiz and Tim Wasney

Last time I looked at something from Mayke, I made a distinct comment about what I’d seen.

“throughout this entire issue there’s been a constancy of color: purple. […] You get various colors for our heroes, but always, negatively speaking, color is associated with the other side.”

[PREVIOUSLY]

I’m here to say, today, that I was wrong.

Well, okay, not wrong. I’m never wrong. I’m too dope for that, but more accurately close. Yeah, I’m going with that.

My first instance is here:

We see a phantom-like character appear and only see their silhouette. It’s a spectacular way to establish a character, proving, once again, Ruiz and Wasney are one hell of a combo. But, back to the panel, we see kids run away from this guy.

BOOM!

SEE!?? PURPLE = BAD!

But, then later we see it isn’t a villain, but our hero: John Henry.

Now, if you recall from my previous lesson, which you totally should because it’s dope and share it around to help my blog grow, Henry was one of the good ones. A godlike being that helped form that landscape which civilizations were born.

He actively fought against those in purple.

Why is he purple now? Did he fall? He’s scaring kids now; is he evil? Has our hero finally changed after years of pain?

Yes, but, like before, not exactly.

Close.

We see he’s greeted by Sil’at, an enchantress from the looks of it, and it doesn’t take long for tensions to rise.

Then, things go from John Henry to Henry the Giant REAL QUICK!

While I’m gearing up for a fest with long, emotional dialogue with bloody results, I…again was close.

They don’t. No fight. Not so much as a single punch is thrown.

But they do talk.

And THAT is where I was wrong.

And THAT, my FamiLee, is the lesson.

[LESSON]

John Henry and Mayke show us that there’s more than one way to end a war and more than one war to fight. Yes, we can say superheroes win the day by beating up the bad guys, but what about the ramifications of those actions? What good does throwing a punch do if you’re walking around with your darkest demons?

What good does cleaning up the world if the one you’re making is worse off?

Henry and Sil’at settle their differences with a cordial conversation and owning up to their mistakes. Henry [Cavill, ha!] could have thrown punches and cause more damage Man of Steel’s ending, but it wouldn’t change a thing.

This was the way. This was the lesson to learn.

I learned that even gods and legends, especially from Greek mythology, come from mortals. If the ones who make the gods are imperfect, so must be their creations.

To admit fault, there has to be fault to begin with.

We create our legends and art reflects our reality.

It’s okay to be wrong, it’s okay to be angry, but there’s a time and place for everything and it’s okay to admit fault, especially if it means you can move forward together because, at the end of it all, it doesn’t matter about “good” or “evil”, purple or non — it matters what you do with it.

Purple as I saw it was used for evil, but not here.

Not anymore.

John Henry will make a new road for us with more than just his tale of Iron & Magic.

[SUPPORT]

You can find the official sites: https://wearemayke.com & https://www.patreon.com/wearemayke and issue 1 here: https://wearemayke.com/volume-one/john-henry-a-tale-of-iron-and-magic/ Official twitter: @wearemayke , @itsedwilliams , Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearemayke/ , Instagram: @wearemayke

Well, that’s all for now. So, until Mayke crosses over with Beautiful Fruit’s canon or Eminem responds to Nick Canon, I’ll see you for the next lesson.

Until then, class dismissed!

LESSON 31: SPEEDSTAR

Is Ben gonna be cocky and brash like Sonic? Will he be methodical like Barry Allen or sweet and life loving (…) like Wally West?

Let’s see.

Hey and Welcome to the next Lesson.

SPEEDSTAR

-by Deandre Moffett & Alejandro Acosta, Francis Llamzon

Being a fan of comics, speedsters are actually at the top of totem pole for me. The Flash, both Barry and Wally (except not so much anymore because Rebirth did that boy dirty), Ultimate Quicksilver, Sonic the Hedgehog – the list goes on.

Whether they were born with it or had greatness thrust upon it, every speedster winds up having their own story that’s interesting to their respective character, so how does Speedstar standout?

Is Ben gonna be cocky and brash like Sonic? Will he be methodical like Barry Allen or sweet and life loving (AND NOT MASS MURDEROUS) like Wally West?

Let’s see.

The first thing I notice about this is the art direction. It’s simply and not too busy that makes reading it a nice combination rather than diminishing story for style when it comes to content.

Honestly, it reminds me a lot of Young Justice.

Like Young Justice, it’s friendly to a younger audience but isn’t afraid to tackle more adult/grayer areas and that’s what I like about this most. It’s honesty.

Later on, Ben gets his powers and tries to stop a robbery. Pretty cut and dry, but the conclusion couldn’t be far from it.

Minor spoilers, but when, as it’s his first outing, he there’s a robbery, he tries to take out the criminals and save the day.

He doesn’t.

And, you know what? This was a damn good choice. Not because it was the hero needing to overcome some great trial or tribulation, but because of the other side of the situation.

They’re not sad, they’re GRATEFUL.

No, Ben didn’t stop the robbery, but, more importantly, NOBODY GOT HURT. He didn’t need to see or do things the way a traditional hero would, but that was perfect. There was never a better situation for an up-and-coming hero to learn other than that.

[LESSON]

Speedstar is a great introduction to superhero comics. A newer approach with a safe, albeit refreshing take on an origin story. You’ll pick up beats from other tales, yes, but also are taken on a different path that is welcoming to all newcomers.

This is a story that is shooting to first place.

[SUPPORT]

You can find the official site: https://www.waypointcomics.com and issue 1 here: https://www.waypointcomics.com/store/speedstar-issue-1 & https://indyplanet.com/speedstar-1 , Official twitter: @Waypointcomics , @deandre_moffett , Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/waypointcomics/ , Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/waypointcomics/ , @waypointcomics

Well, that’s all for now. So, until Static and Icon star in Young Justice or Teen Titans comes back, I’ll see you for the next lesson.

Until then, class dismissed!

LESSON 30: HERO GENERATION

Guardian Prime lands and the people below are blurred and there’s a bit of motion blur as well to show his descent…

In other words, HA! DOPE!

Hey and Welcome to the next Lesson.

LESSON 30: HERO GENERATION – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

HERO GENERATION: EXTREME MEASURES

-by Ozo “Da Vinci” Ezeogu, Tobe “Max” Ezeogu, & Michael “Balox” Balogun

Now, this isn’t my first time learning from “Comic Republic” and what they have to offer. I went over their work before for Black Business Month ( https://bit.ly/2seejbV ) and they’ve been on my radar ever since.

I distinctly remember having nothing but positivity for the project. It gave me a sense of hope and even encouragement as I myself still strive for my own voice and I’m happy to say that this was no exception.

We start out by one of the more creative pages I’ve seen in a while with what looks to be a housefire. Now, the inner monologue gives an extra a voice, but what stands out to me is the choice in panel separation.

Rather than regular blocks like we’re used to, the falling debris serves to tell the story and keep the page layout as we’d expect from a comic. It’s a small, but welcome change to the norm that I’d expect nothing less from these guys.

It doesn’t take long for things to pick up speed as we’re introduced to our first hero, Max Speed.

The aura reminds me of Quicksilver from Days of Future Past and, like so, he’s one the best parts of it.

Shortly after the team, formally known as the Extremes, joins in and helps put out the fire, only to see a bigger problem on the horizon.

Wasting no time, we get to see just why it is that they’re a team.

Power Boy takes to the skies and battles the meteor shower outright while Nutech handles the problem as best he can from the ground using his magnetism, leaving Max Speed to evacuate the area.

They move in such syncopation, but still have hiccups in dialogue and overstating their abilities. They’re good, but not pros and, like the product, it shows me growth can come from it and it will get better.

Another thing I want to touch on, especially when comparing from the last project, is the art.

Now, the art is still consistently good and layered as you can tell, but I want to point out some of my favorite parts of the issue.

Guardian Prime lands and the people below are blurred and there’s a bit of motion blur as well to show his descent…

In other words, HA! DOPE!

Max Speed, again, has my attention most because I can see things that I used to do. The bulled effects, to further show his speed is something I used in Photoshop when I was getting my bearings years ago.

Seeing it here in an indie comic within a published continuity with their own following, site AND PHONE APP, it paints a picture BY EXAMPLE without the need of a speech bubble that, in time, maybe I can be up there, too.

LAST THING, THO!?

THEY FINISH THE QUIP!

[LESSON]

Once again, Comic Republic never ceases to amaze and I feel like the two things I’ve found are only the start of their works. At the end of their issue, they leave a paper trail for the next step/chapter of this story and it’s from another title.

They plan out stories while crossing over titles and show confidence in their work and light the way for other striving artists.

You don’t have to go to Extreme Measures to be the start of a new Generation.

[SUPPORT]

You can find the official site, and countless other stories: https://www.thecomicrepublic.com/readcomics.html ,

Official twitter: @comicrepublicng

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ComicRepublic

Instagram: instagram.com/comicrepublicmedia , @comicrepublicmedia #ComicRepublic

Well, that’s all for now. So, until Tobey Maguire joins the MCU or Anakin Solo comes back, I’ll see you for the next lesson.

Until then, class dismissed!

LESSON 29: LOVE UNIVERSITY

This song [Parallel Lines] is quite possibly one of the most TRAGIC love songs I’ve ever heard and something tells me it’ll play Lucy’s story perfectly…

Hey and Welcome to the next Lesson.

LOVE UNIVERSITY

-by Allison Chaney Whitmore, Carola Borellti & Agnese Pozza

As someone in his first real relationship, awkward family exchanges and all, (Happy 2 Years, baby), I gotta admit I’m out of my element when it comes to love. Things I learn media, mostly forced sessions of romance in film that is abusive half the time, are rarely as things should be. Also, Jim and Pam’s relationship from The Office got me thinking that could happen to me.

Too bad it did.

Point is, love has expectations, but it rarely is as you think it should be and that’s the best thing about Love University.

Whitmore gives us a side hug and walks us through meeting our protagonist, Lucy Barloc, but it doesn’t really feel like we’re “meeting her” because of the way she’s naturally conveyed.

She goes to a sensitive of sorts to see about her future and that look on her face says it all. We’ve all made it.

Now, normally, I don’t care for a lot of exposition said at the beginning of stories. It’s often that it comes off as an information dump and can be really disengaging, but Whitmore, without any external dialogue or thought boxes, shows why she’s an award-winning writer.

Lucy is alone.

She doesn’t talk to herself or overthink things and she’s meeting someone for the first time. She has to explain herself and what she reveals isn’t just all just surface level stuff, it gives perspective on not what she wants, but who she is.

With that one line, she goes from being a young girl just looking for love and possibly a prince charming to wanting to belong. That goes SO MUCH FURTHER than the superficial expectation of loving someone based on their external appearance.

You can go your whole life surrounded by friends, family and colleagues, everyone wanting you just the same, but a feeling of wanting to belong can always be there. That’s a self-discovering venture not many can say they’ve taken because, like Lucy, they’re looking to someone else to tell them where they belong.

Lucy wants love from someone else because she feels that’s where she will belong.

Lucy, at her core, wants to matter.

THAT is why this exposition matters.

But it doesn’t stop there.

Like whiplash, you don’t get the “be yourself” speech or “your prince charming is on his way”. You get a no. A straight up NO. There’s more there, but by then I was already hooked not only because of the story, but the implications of what that means.

“True love is forbidden”. It comes off harsh and surprising to say the least, but that’s why I wanna talk about it.

Love is Forbidden, but she never says what KIND of love is forbidden.

The Ancient Greeks define love as 8 different kinds:

Agape – Unconditional Love: Altruistic, selfless and often spiritually loving.
Eros – Romantic Love: Romantic, physical, passionate love
Philia – Affectionate Love: The kind of love you feel for your friends. Platonic.
Philautia – Self-Love: Healthy, self love.
Storage – Familiar Love: Like Philia, but more like parent-child love
Pragma – Enduring Love: Love that has grown and endured over time.
Ludus – Playful Love: Basically the “Honeymoon Phase” of every relationship
Mania – Obsessive Love: Star Wars fans

So…which is it? Is it all of it? Is it implied that all forms are “True Love” and thus all are forbidden or is one more “true” than the others and only it applies?

We later find out that “falling in love” is forbidden. So, is it the act of falling in love or is it love in general or, in this latest context, deep, enthusiasm?

My guess? No matter what the answer is we have to think differently on what it could be. Love has so many different interpretations and, to prove my point, we’re gonna have to look at Frozen.

Won’t lie, when I first saw this film, I was not expecting this. However, a sister can truly love their sister. The film was smart in always leaving out “kiss”, only mentioning it as an example of the act, not the requirement.

Since it’s “forbidden” to love at the school, they’re teaching them how to be fighters.

Love and War are synonymous and Cupid himself is known to carry a bow, even was lonely in mythology. Cupid is known for helping others fall in love…with a weapon.

Personally, I think she’s closer to that “Parallel Line” kind of love, that tragic kind.

Yeah, it’s country, but rock with me for a sec.

This song is quite possibly one of the most tragic love songs I’ve ever heard (I know, right?) and something tells me it’ll play Lucy’s story perfectly.

You said “I love you” to me
I don’t know what that means
So I froze in my feet
People use it too carelessly
And I couldn’t believe
That you would dive in so deep
And you said perfectly
Everything I’ve been feeling about you
It’s time to break the chains that held me back from you

See, this stanza/verse leads you to believe you have someone, a man in this case, that’s nervous and hasn’t been in love so he doesn’t have that connection but he’ll finally get there – a chance that Lucy, too, could have.

But you’d be wrong.

Take a little bit of my
Heart tonight
No, I literally don’t mind
Just please don’t misplace it
And take a little bit of my
Heart tonight
No, baby be mine now
Baby, be mine now
Maybe it’s time we put our hearts in a parallel line

This is where all my thoughts are proven.

He wants someone to be his, while he himself is only giving a PIECE of his heart. Of course he wouldn’t mind because he has most of it. If love fails, he’s lost nothing. It’s just a piece, but it’s masqueraded as some grand gesture. (no, seriously, the next verse starts with “I was never the type to put it all on the line”)

But the point I really want to make is in the last line –

PARALLEL LINES.

If love is truly the matter, why would parallel lines be the thing he chooses?

Parallel lines DON’T TOUCH.

Forever, they’re cursed to run the same course as the other, but never touching. The closest thing to love, but they’ll never really have it.

The best stories are the tragedies.

And that, I feel, is what Lucy may be starting her journey on.

But, hey, even Cupid walked away with a W in the end, see here:

https://greekgodsandgoddesses.net/gods/cupid/

Anyway, back to Love University, I gotta talk about he[art]. (#barz)

There are countless reasons to gush on various panels because not one is wasted and, even without text, you’re given a sense of person.

What I want to point out specifically is this particular shading.

Just by looking at the particular shading, you can tell the leaves above them are shattered and not completely blocking out the sun like they could have from window. They’re outside and those are leaves and I LOVE THAT.

[LESSON]

Love University applies interesting twists to tried and true concepts while laying the groundwork for further issues to come. As someone whose avenue isn’t romance, this is approachable to anyone who just wants a newer, cooler step into that realm with things that may be more than what they seem.

(seriously, they’re eating ambrosia. ISSHEAGODDESS!?)

Love U belongs in your reading list; you’re gonna learn to love it.

[SUPPORT]

You can find the official site, and first issue, : https://gumroad.com/evoluzionepublishing , Official twitters: @alli_whitmore , @CarolaBorelli , @JustinBirch , @Marcel_Dupree , & @EvoluzionPub Facebook: facebook.com/evoluzionepublishing , Instagram: instagram.com/evoluzionepublishing

Well, that’s all for now. So, until I find love using Brian McKnight’s steps or Chris Brown has me on a remix, I’ll see you for the next lesson.

Until then, class dismissed!

LESSON 28: MINE TO AVENGE [BOOK OF LAYLA #1]

Let me see what this is all abo—
[…]
EXCUSE ME!?
[…]
I’m thinking it’ll be a nice, new title to read, but I GET HIT WITH GENIUS ARTISTRY!

Hey and Welcome to the next Lesson.

MINE TO AVENGE: BOOK OF LAYLA #1

-by Robert Jeffrey II, Matteo Illuminati & Loris Ravina

This title is a bit different from my previous ones. Someone, @Marcel_Dupree on Twitter, came to me asking if I’d look at certain titles and this one was on the list, so, thanks, Marcel. I got you, bro. Let me see what this is all abo—

EXCUSE ME!?

Look, man, I know this is my first issue requested, but I’m about to not do this going forward. I’m thinking it’ll be a nice, new title to read, but I GET HIT WITH GENIUS ARTISTRY!

I can’t go any further without commenting on the art, specifically in this page/panels.

First off, the accuracy. The sun is setting and its angle paints the whole setting in a peachy, red color, but the tiniest bits of planned imperfections is what draws me in.

Here in the corners, you can see splotches of paint drops (or ink?), like it’s given a literal touch of “paint” to the scenery. It pops out more and given the vibe we’re given of the bottom panels, it’s like the creator itself didn’t have time for perfect colorings.

We see here, she’s [Leah] in a rush, looking back like something is chasing her and the paint/ink blotches added to the atmosphere.

SPEAKING OF ATMOSPHERE,

Look at the windows! Major props and kudos to the artist because not only will you see that spectacular showcasing of the angle on the walls, there’s TWO. Given that the residence is at an angle, the windows on the walls would ABSOLUTLEY give off that specific look.

Lastly, [my bad, there’s a lot to unpack here] we see Leah running and, if you notice, there’s less and less light on each panel, like she’s trying to escape the darkness.

Now, I’m of the subscription of thought that darkness in and of itself isn’t something to fear…but, nah, fam, if I saw THIS coming for me, I’d be bookin’ it, too.

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED – *addendum: even the border of the image gives a horrific change!

Now, if you think I’m giving away a lot of plot, out of fear of spoilers, I’m not.

This is only the first page.

Before I move on completely, I do want to point out one specific panel – without context, and a little play with lighting and colors, the artists give us this little nugget. As opposed to a man with a hat, at a certain angle, he becomes…

Y’all ain’t slick. That was dope and you know it!

The thing that got me was I didn’t know exactly how to approach this issue as I knew nothing about it and wanted to go in blind. What comes off as a supernatural, historical piece gets flipped on its head when we’re greeted to this:

So, it’s a futuristic setting? Okay. No problem, I can dig it.

I know I’ve gushed a LOT about the art, but the writing shouldn’t be underestimated, either.

In so many comics nowadays, we see dialogue that just doesn’t work or that it’s trying to emulate how they thing people of the story should sound.

We’re introduced to two other characters, Travis and Prya, two may-or-may-not-be siblings on this journey. Now, instead of constant “lil’ bro” and “sis” talk, because that’s how all siblings talk, I guess, we just get straight to it in something that’s relevant and natural.

Now, just given a subtle clue, I think they’re already trained fighters just by one specific shot.

Guess who ALSO has a glint like that in their eye? And if he was trained, so must she have been.

Anyway, they touchdown and are about to start the mission when Prya finds out his AI is named “Sade”.

Not one step missed and not beat skipped. The dialogue flows naturally and you don’t get too much of a sense of MCU humor where moments are setup just for one-line punchlines.

Then it kicks it up to high gear (without giving too much away) in an action set piece that’s… Bay Boys II’s intro mixed with Vanhelsing. Now, I’m just gonna point out on…or a couple, specific shots to prove a point.

Weapon of choice? Sword. Guess who ALSO uses a swor—lemme stop.

Can’t forget about Prya. She’s the one that…Set It Off.

I’ll stop.

I like this panel because it’s that brief moment right before everything shuts down. That look of surprise one gets right before death, before they can even register what happened. She’s impressive like that.

[LESSON]

Mine to Avenge is a title that I can’t wait to see what comes next.

It supplements great writing, an intriguing idea with supernatural and mystery elements with a pretty bow of futurism on top while not pandering to any kind of crowd by mentioning our characters’ race.

And, you know what? I like that.

No superhero needs to justify being White or their race, why should we?

I say that to say, like Mine to Avenge, it’s okay to be different and genuine. I can’t put Mine to Avenge in a genre “box”, of sorts. It’s got elements of horror, supernatural, mystery, sci-fi, and Black (another box for us to fit in, awesome…) all in one, but never sacrifices any one portion of it for another.

It’s okay to be you and like multiple things, so long as it’s genuine.

To support and read more of this work, you can find the official site, and first issue, : https://gumroad.com/evoluzionepublishing , Official twitters: @SYNCHRKJ , @Marcel_Dupree , @EvoluzionePub & @matt_llluminati , Facebook: facebook.com/evoluzionepublishing , Instagram: instagram.com/evoluzionepublishing

And, another big thank you to Marcel for pointing me in this direction. I’ll be happy to get the word out, brother.

Well, that’s all for now. So, until Ryan Drummond or Jaleel White come back as Sonic or people stop asking Chadwick Boseman to say “Wakanda Forever”, I’ll see you for the next lesson.

Until then, class dismissed!

LESSON 27: ROUTE 3

Quick question, have you ever seen the trailer to Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho”?

THAT’S WHAT ROUTE 3 REMINDS ME OF!

Hey and Welcome to the next Lesson.

LESSON 27: ROUTE 3 – ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

ROUTE 3 #1

-by Robert Jeffrey II & Sean Damien Hill

Quick question, have you ever seen the trailer to Alfred Hitchcock’s “Psycho”?

It’s quaint, slow and, in spite of its black-and-white times of filming, actually rather, mostly pleasant. Hitchcock doesn’t waste any time trying to scare the viewer; he’s probably the furthest thing from it. He’s calm, collected and well dressed. Everything is fine…

Until he speaks.

He talks about the film, but cuts himself off before giving too much away. Not about the murders, mind you, but about the context of them. The detail.

By leaving out key elements to scenes, your interest is piqued until you just have to see what he’s talking about.

THAT’S WHAT ROUTE 3 REMINDS ME OF!

It starts out calm, if not almost cliché opening of army men on their way to handle a hostile situation with someone with powers. With the way comic book films have dominated the box office in the past decade, it isn’t anything you haven’t seen before.

Don’t get me wrong, the art is great. You get a sense of energy forming around him, but you can’t place whether it’s fire or smoke, giving a newer layer of intrigue.

The kid doesn’t even speak, giving him a stoic vibe that shrouds him in further mystery.

It’s all fine, until this happens.

Wait, hold on.

There’s…another? Who is he?

Where did he come from? How did they not know about him?

But, up! Doesn’t stop there.

So, hold up, he can speak!? So, what is he saying!!? What is it!?

THEN – !

We cut to this. Just a kid. Chilling in the morning. Then you’re left wondering what happened? What was the other guy? What’s the power? What is going on?

And the story just keeps going, knowing GOOD AND WELL what it did.

And it goes on and on like this throughout the WHOLE issue. You get something you’re interested in and it maliciously continues on knowing it’s got your interest held hostage and not in a click-bait-y way, but you really want to keep reading to see where it will go.

At the risk of minor spoilers, you get one last nugget dropped and it’s this:

DUDE! WHO IS HE!?

WHERE DID HE COME FROM?

WHAT’S “STARTING”!?

And, then it ends. It ends knowing it placed enough nuggets that, if you’re paying attention, will fester and grow into a purchase of their next issue and, man…

It’s a damn clever plan!

Route 3 starts off in action and leaves you with wanting more. If you’re looking for a newer approach to comics, this will take you down the right route.

[LESSON]:

Even if you think you know where something is going, stick with it. You owe it to yourself to see things through to the end and, who knows? You may just learn something new.

If YOU would like to support and read more of this work, you can find the first issue on: https://peepgamecomix.com/product/route-3-1/ , official site: https://blacksci-fi.com , https://blacksci-fi.com/about-us/ , and learn more about the author himself: https://blacksci-fi.com/author/robert/ Official twitters: @SYNCHRKJ , @iamblackscifi , @EvoluzionPub , @133art , @TerminusComics

And, if you want to see his next venture: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1384244474/kamikaze-sci-fi-animated-short-and-comics-anthology

Support his work on kickstarter!

Well, that’s all for now. So, until someone explains the meaning of “ay” in “okay” to me or Sonic comes out with a good game, I’ll see you for the next lesson.

Until then, class dismissed!