Weekly Update 5/7 - 5/13

If this hasn't bored you to death, then clearly you must want me to keep this going. You probably don't want to admit it, but the numbers prove it, so deal with it. I kid. obviously. Here's the weekly update.


Films 

The Devil's Backbone directed by Guillermo Del Toro

This week I decided to continue my viewing of Del Toro's Trilogia, and man, was I surprised. I have heard wonderful things about this film, but seeing it is a whole other experience, a horror film set against a Franco regime backdrop. The child's story is prevalent through this film, which I believe is the main theme that ties the Trilogia together. Federico Luppi is phenomenal in this movie, as he was in Cronos. If you haven't seen any of Del Toro's Spanish films, do yourself a favor, and change that.

Dazed and Confused directed by Richard Linklater

Decided to re-watch a classic, which is ironic seeing as my first viewing of this film was last year, Richard Linklater's coming of age film about the last day of school in Texas. I can watch this movie once a week and never get tired of it. Alright, alright, alright...

Guardians of the Galaxy directed by James Gunn

After watching GoTG Volume 2 last week, I decided to go back and see all of the little nuggets James Gunn dropped into the first film that are revealed in the second. Still ranks as my favorite Marvel film of all times, with the second one coming in at a close second. That soundtrack is life.


Comics

Single Issues Rundown:

Reborn #3 (Mark Millar) 3.5/5
Curse Words #3 (Charles Soule) 4.5/5

Pax Romana by Jonathan Hickman

Continuing one of my many creator read-troughs, I delved into Pax Romana, Hickman's follow-up to The Nightly News. I have to say, I enjoyed this one more, the whole layout was easier on the eyes. The art was more detailed and colorful which helped tremendously. I do wish he had continued the series beyond those four issues. That wild alternate take on history is a staple in his later works, so its nice to see where it came from.


Television


True Detective created by Nic Pizzolatto

Based on a recommendation from a friend, I checked out season one of True Detective. My lord, if this isn't one of the best shows HBO has produced, then I don't know what is. The directing is top notch, of course due to Cary Fukunaga, and the angles are just superb. Matthew Mcconaughey and Woody Harrelson are both phenomenal in their roles as the two lead detectives of the show. This may end up being my favorite thing I have seen on television this year. Go. Watch. It.

This Week's Pick-Ups:

Had some horror themed books come in this week.

Daredevil Omnibus Volume 2 (Ed Brubaker)

Queen and Country Volume 1 (Greg Rucka)

Father Gaetano's Puppet Catechism (Mike Mignola)
Baltimore: Or The Steadfast Tin Soldier and the Vampire
Baltimore Volume 1-7 HC
Joe Golem and the Drowning City Deluxe HC
Joe Golem Volume 1 HC
Grim Death and Bill the Electrocuted Criminal
BPRD Vampire TPB
Sledgehammer 44 TPB
Frankenstein Underground TPB

Carrie (Stephen King)
Salem's Lot


I've officially realized I cannot "words" anymore, so I will leave it at this. Hope you enjoyed this Weekly Update. As always, tune in next week to hear more of my ramblings about all things art!


“Sometimes you just got to bite the bullet and face the music, wait, what the hell am I even saying?”

T.F. clocking out

Weekly Update 4/30 - 5/6

I'm back this week with the Weekly Update, "can't stop, won't stop", its my new motto. Maybe that will actually apply to me, unlike most things I start. More on that another time.

Films 

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 directed by James Gunn

While I generally don't enjoy mainstream Hollywood blockbusters, Marvel movies are always something I can give a chance to. This movie was not what I was expecting, but it was exactly what I wanted it to be. Highly recommended!


Comics

Single Issues Rundown:

Wonder Woman #17-21 (Greg Rucka)
Moon Knight #13 (Jeff Lemire)
The Wildstorm #2-3 (Warren Ellis)
Black Magick #2-3 (Greg Rucka)
Reborn #2 (Mark Millar)
Curse Words #2 (Charles Soule)

Lake of Fire #3 (Nathan Fairbairn)

Unfortunately I read slower than a snail, so my single issues were all I was able to read this week, but hey, we all suck sometimes right? Maybe its just me, ahhhh.



Podcasts

Lore from Aaron Mahnke

I have been tuning in to Lore for the past year, and it is always at the top of my podcast playlist. Mahnke always chooses interesting topics to talk about, generally in the eerie realm. If you haven't checked it out, do it, it may be the best thing ever.

Vault of Lovecraft from Mike Bennett

Was feeling the Lovecraft bug this week, so I found this little gem. Mike Bennett is the creator of the Underwood and Flinch Saga, a popular audio book series. This podcast is just him narrating Lovecraft's works of fiction. Absolutely love this, give it a shot if you like Lovecraft.



This Week's Pick-Ups:

Had a few things come in this week.

Hellboy Library Edition 4-6 (Mike Mignola)

Hellboy in Mexico
BPRD 1946-1948 Hardcover

BPRD: Being Human

Rise of the Black Flame

Saga Deluxe Edition 2 (Brian K. Vaughn)





Well that's all I have folks, time to recharge my battery with some more comics and maybe a few films. Hope you enjoyed this Weekly Update. As always, tune in next week to hear more of my ramblings about all things art!


“Edgy quote about individuality”

T.F. over and out

Weekly Update 4/23 - 4/29

Hello all! Thought I would keep the ball rolling with another post this week. This past week has been filled with weird moments where I would want to watch a film. Then twenty minutes later I would stop and read some comics, then started playing a game to keep my attention. Yikes.

Films 

Cronos directed by Guillermo del Toro

This week I had the urge to crack open my Guillermo del Toro box set, the "Trilogia del Toro" as I've started calling it, which consists of del Toro's three Spanish films that all have similar themes of childhood and fantasy. His first film, Cronos, is a quasi-vampire film. However del Toro puts a unique spin on it, which impressed me. Overall it was a good horror-fantasy film that helped scratch that itch I was hoping it would. Definitely going to continue on with the next film in that collection, The Devil's Backbone, which is arguably tied with Pan's Labyrinth as his best film yet.

Gifted directed by Marc Webb

My girlfriend and I went to see Gifted this week. We had both seen trailers and decided to give it a shot. To summarize, Chris Evans plays an uncle, Frank, whose niece, Mary, is a math prodigy. All hell breaks lose when Mary goes to school and everyone finds out she is a genius. Was it great in a film making sense? No. Was the story compelling and possibly made me shed a tear or two? Absolutely. I won't spoil the movie, but I would recommend this if you are in the mood for a feel good movie.


Comics

Single Issues Rundown:

-Moon Knight #11-12 (Jeff Lemire)
-Royal City #1 (Jeff Lemire)
-Black Hammer # 7 (Jeff Lemire)
-Wonder Woman #16 (Greg Rucka)
-She Wolf #6-7 (Rich Tommaso)
-The Wildstorm #1 (Warren Ellis)
-God Country # 1-3 (Donny Cates)
-Redneck #1 (Donny Cates)
-Curse Words #1 (Charles Soule)

The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard

This week I finished the second deluxe volume of the popular zombie series The Walking Dead. Which collects issues 13-24 of this never ending series. I was not a huge fan of the first volume of the comic, I found it to be far too slow and the dialogue definitely seemed like Kirkman was still fumbling around with his writing to find that match. Fortunately the second volume really picks up, if you have seen the show, we are currently inside the prison, all of the relationships start to strain and all of the death one can stomach in a short amount of time is packed into this second twelve issues. I never thought I would say this, but I am actually looking forward to continuing on in this tale of survival horror.

Essex County by Jeff Lemire

Having started my Lemire read-though well over a month and a half ago, I decided it was time to head back in. Having read Lost Dogs and been utterly crushed emotionally by Jeff's raw storytelling and art to match, I was fearful for my fragile emotions when thinking about starting what is arguably his greatest work, Essex County. I read the first book in the series of three, Tales from the Farm, and I have to say, I was impressed, but not emotionally stirred like I was with the Lost Dogs. I am only a third of the way through the series, so maybe Jeff has some cards up his sleeve that he is going to paper-cut my feelings with later. I would highly recommend what I have read so far though!

The Nightly News by Jonathan Hickman

This week I decided to start my Hickman read-through, with or without his Marvel material (sigh...), and The Nightly News was an excellent first entry to him. A story about the media and a cult that wants to destroy it, Hickman defies the typical layout and design of a comic and uses his art design background to craft a beautifully intricate work of comic art. Overall I enjoyed this book, reminded me of The Black Monday Murders, Hickman's newest comic, with all of its tables and diagrams. Would recommend for sure!


Video Games

The Witcher 3 by CD Projekt RED

I've been slowly making my way through this massive behemoth of a game. The lore is rich and the world is filled with interesting characters, quests, and denizens. Hoping to beat this soon so I can plunge into my next game, Mafia 3. Overall these games are just biding my time as I painfully wait for Red Dead Redemption 2 and Death Stranding.


This Week's Pick-Ups:

Had a few cool things come in this week and last week.

Hellboy Library Editions Volumes 1 through 3 (Mike Mignola)
B.P.R.D. Omnibus Hardcovers Volumes 1 through 4
Hellboy: Into The Silent Sea OGN
Amazing Screw-On-Head Hardcover

The Complete Phonogram Hardcover (Kieron Gillen)

Red Wing TPB (Jonathan Hickman)
Red Mass for Mars TPB
Secret TPB

Head Lopper Volume 1 (Andrew Maclean)

Roughneck Hardcover (Jeff Lemire)

Dead Boy Detectives (Ed Brubaker)

Gravel: Never A Dull Day Hardcover (Warren Ellis)


Well that's that. Hope you enjoyed the first Weekly Update. As always, tune in next week to hear more of my ramblings about all things art!


“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind.”

T.F. signing off

Welcome

Hello! Thanks for checking out my blog! My name is Trevor, but from this point forward I will be going by my initials: T.F . I created this blog as a way to streamline my consumption of art into one spot.

I am a huge comic book fan, but not in the traditional sense, my tastes in comics are generally geared towards independent publishers, writers, artists, and cartoonists. Some of my favorites include Ed Brubaker, Jeff Lemire, Mike Mignola, and Kieron Gillen. In my opinion, there are comics that have transcended the medium and should be considered high art. I read comics because they are what I consider to be a happy medium of my two other favorite art forms: film and literature.

I have always been an avid reader, more so when I was younger, I do however still enjoy reading a good novel from time to time. Some of my favorite authors are H.P. Lovecraft, R.A. Lafferty, Thomas Pynchon, and Neil Gaiman. Books have always been my escape into worlds that I thought were only possible to get to in my imagination. Obviously, there are others with far more active and imaginative minds than my own.

My third hobby, which is also my most recently acquired, is film. I was one of those people who only watched big blockbuster movies for as long as I can remember. In the fall of 2016 I discovered that film is one of the most inventive and imaginative art forms ever created, thanks to companies like The Criterion Collection. It opened my mind to the wonders and experiences that can be crafted by an individual. Some of my favorite directors, keep in mind I have only recently started watching films, would be Terrence Malick, Joel and Ethan Coen, Richard Linklater, Paul Thomas Anderson, and Guillermo del Toro.

So, that's a little bit about me. Some of my other hobbies that I will more than likely dive into from time to time include music and video games. Pretty eclectic right?

Overall my goal for this blog is to express my love for all art mediums in a way that allows me to write for fun and write about things I enjoy. Each week I hope to bring a list of art I have consumed and give a brief review/summary of them. From time to time I will do an Artist Spotlight, featuring an artist of any medium that I feel might interest people. I'm hoping that as time goes on, I will get suggestions so I can continue to better myself and this blog as a whole, so give me a shout if anything comes to mind.

"Don't be afraid to be different, being different is what makes you unique"

T.F. signing off