The first thing I checked out this week was a book with no pictures. Blasphemy, you say.
This book written by Mr. Ray Bradbury was Titled “Fahrenheit 451.” I would recommend it to fans of “A Clockwork Orange”, or maybe “Brazil.” The story takes place in the future, about 50 years. Now that was 50 years ago, placing it right about current time. Society has given up on books and any independent thought is discouraged. The government is a twisted version of itself. The main topic of the story revolves around a Fireman who makes the mistake of reading one of the books he was meant to burn, and starting down the path of enlightenment. Society is brought crashing down in a terrible war, and all that is left, some wandering lost souls, and a group of intellectuals who have sworn to remember a book each to help society crawl back from the dark and remember the mistakes of the past.
Ray then goes on to hammer the point home, that he strongly disagrees with censorship, or painting over the past with newer, brighter, go fast stripes. Stating that he has been approached many times by groups petitioning him to amend old work, and he adamantly stands firm the he will not.
Up next on the list is a little number called “Venom” issue #1 from Marvel comics, Written by Rick Remender, pencils by Tony Moore. In this new series Flash Thompson has taken the mantle of Venom, wearing the symbiote while preforming covert ops for the U.S. Army. He can wear the Symbiote for up to 48 hours before it bonds with him. The mission he takes off for this time around involves capturing a scientist who has found a way to weaponize Antarctic vibranium. It just so happens that Jack ‘o’ Lantern is also on a similar mission. During the scuffle, Flash, offs the scientist rather than have him fall into the hands of the enemy, so that he has enough time to save a family. This does not sit well with his superiors, who let him know that they have their fingers on the fail safe, I. E. Watch out or we’ll blow you up. He is told to reign in his anger and ego, to keep from “Venoming out.”
Flash’s friends and family feel alienated from him and think that he is drinking again. This leaves Flash in a funk and wondering if it’s all worth it. And for some reason my spell check is telling me ’symbiote’ is spelled wrong, but if it is, Marvel spelled it wrong too.
Next, is a comic called “Conan: Road of Kings” #3, or the 78th in a series. Written by Roy Thomas, and penciled by Mike Hawthorne. This section of the series takes up with Conan on a chaperone mission, escorting the Princess of Ophir home. In true Conan fashion he tussles up the wenches, fights the prehistoric monster, and sets of to retrieve his kidnapped Princess. Personally, I love this series of Conan. This issue is right in the middle of what will be the 11th trade, and seems to me, to be, the first time that Conan tales have been retold in chronological order. If your a fan of Conan I highly suggest this series, go back, start with Vol. 0 and enjoy the ride.
Also this week I was able to check out “Elephantmen” #30. This was a very sexy issue. The art was fantastic, done by Medellin, and giving credit where it’s due, them there is some smokin’ ladies. In this issue we find that there has been discovered a way to “flip on” the Elephantmen. The man who figured this out tries to warn the Information Agency, but they would rather keep things the way they are. Sahara’s look-a-like almost has to sleep with Obadiah Horn, and Miki visits Hip Flask for a little booty call. I then did a little research on the math involved in this little tryst, and came up with some interesting results. It turns out that, True Fiction Fact:
Last but not least this week, I was able to check out “Freak Angels” Vol 5. Written by Warren Ellis, and art by Paul Duffield. Which is a collected edition of a web comic from Avatar Press. Now, it seems to me that things really took off in this volume. The Freak Angels figure out that they can upgrade their “packages”, and who doesn’t want that, by offing themselves. Several of the Angels have already upgraded, and they find themselves in a kind of “mexican standoff.” They also discover that their future selves are communicating with…well themselves while in trepidation and undergoing their upgrades. As always, I love the art for this series, the character development is first rate, and my overall enjoyment of the book has been reeled in even more.
