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Reviews and commentary by Tony Isabella
"America's Most Beloved Comic-Book Writer & Columnist"
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TONY'S ONLINE TIPS
for Wednesday, May 28, 2008
The Amory Wars, Vol. 1: The Second Stage Turbine Blade by Claudio Sanchez with artists Gus Vasquez and Mike Miller [Image; $14.99] has a publishing history as complicated as its storyline. Sanchez is the frontman of the alternative/progressive rock band Coheed and Cambria. The band's concept albums are based on The Amory Wars and the comic's fantasy/science-fiction universe as created by Sanchez. Previously, the series was published by Evil Ink Comics, but it is currently being redone and re-released. This first trade paperback collects the first five issues of the Image series and includes an Amory Wars sketchbook.
There are things I like very much about this story, among them the setting of the tale. The "Heaven's Fence" universe connects dozens of planets in an energy field known as the Keywork. Some planets, like the one where our initial protagonists live, are much like our own world and others are more alien.
Coheed and Cambria Killgannon - the band was named for them - were created and infected with a virus capable of destroying the star transformers that hold the planets in the Keywork. They are told their children have inherited a mutated, unstoppable form of this virus and must be destroyed. What an awful task to give a parent! Weighing the lives of your lives against that of a entire universe. It makes for a dramatic start to the series.
There are things I don't like about The Amory Wars. There are too many factions - some good, some evil, some in between - involved in the unfolding events...and none are introduced in a sufficiently clear or concise manner. Some potentially interesting characters are removed from the story too quickly and the story removes itself from its initial Earth-like setting too quickly. Finally, the art and storytelling in this first volume never rises beyond adequate. That's not good in this tough marketplace.
The Amory Wars doesn't fare well in comparison to the many better and more compelling books being published by Image and other companies. It earns but one out of five Tonys.
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BLOGGY BITS
I'm writing shorter columns this week, but, for a change, it's by choice. In Monday's TOT, after I finished writing my Memorial Day comments, it seemed inappropriate to follow them with the usual reviews and other entertainments. In Tuesday's "Harlan Ellison's birthday" column, to be sure, a somewhat less solemn occasion, it still didn't feel right to change gears and keep writing after I'd said what I wanted to say about my pal. Which brings us to today and a note I got from Justin, the wondrous web-wizard who keeps us online through thick and thin.
Justin wrote that, unintentional or not, the shorter TOTs were well-timed. He and his beloved Suzi are having a "staycation," a stay-at-home vacation due to travel/fuel costs, and don't go back to work until Thursday.
In addition, Suzi's birthday is today. Shorter columns means Justin can spend more time with her...and who could possibly fault him for wanting to spend more time with such a charming, smart, and absolutely gorgeous gal?
Happy birthday, Suzi, and thanks for letting Justin sneak off long enough to post TOT every day.
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TONY POLLS
Every week, I post Tony Polls questions for your voting entertainment. The theme for this week, and also for the next two or three weeks, is The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror Films, which recently announced the nominations for its 34th Annual Saturn Awards to be presented on June 24.
This week, I'm asking you to choose your favorites in the six DVD categories. You can do so by going to:
www.worldfamouscomics.com/tony/poll
Thanks for spending a part of your day with me. I'll be back tomorrow with more stuff.
Tony Isabella
<< 05/27/2008 | 05/28/2008 | 05/29/2008 >>
Discuss this column with me at my Message Board. Also, read Heroes and Villains: Real and Imagined.
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THE "TONY" SCALE
ZERO: Burn your money before buying any comic receiving this rating. It doesn't *necessarily* mean there's absolutely nothing of value here - though it *could* - but whatever value it might possess shrinks into insignificance before its overall awfulness.
ONE: Buy something else. Maybe I found something which wasn't completely dreadful in the item, but not enough for me to recommend it when there are better comics available. I only want what's best for you, my children.
TWO: Basic judgment call. I found some value, but not enough to recommend it. My review should give you enough info to decide if you want to take a chance on it. Are you feeling lucky today, punk? Well, are you?
THREE: This denotes something I find perfectly respectable. There are better books out there, but I wouldn't regret buying this item. Based on my review, you should be able to determine if it's of interest to you. Let the Force guide you.
FOUR: I recommend anything earning this rating. Unless you don't like the genre, subject matter, or past work of the creators, I believe you'll enjoy this item. Isn't it uncanny how I can look right into your soul that way?
FIVE: Anything getting this rating is among the best comicdom has to offer. You should buy/read this, even if the genre/subject matter doesn't appeal to you. It's for your own good. Me, I live for comics and books this good...but not in a pathetic "Comic-Book Guy" sort of way.
Please send material you would like me to review to:
Tony's Online Tips
840 Damon Drive
Medina, OH 44256
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