Press Release 6/28/18 Press Release 6/28/18

Mad Cave Studios Talent Search 2018

Press Release

Independent comic book publisher, Mad Cave Studios, is proud to announce our first ever nationwide talent search! We are looking for a maximum of 4 writers and 4 artists to work on 4 original and unannounced projects from the minds inside the Mad Cave. Each winner will be compensated on a “per page” basis and employment will be on a “work for hire basis”. This search is specifically for diverse, undiscovered talent with a unique voice that has never worked with or been distributed by a major publisher.

Smrithi S 6/27/18 Smrithi S 6/27/18

Review: Moteki Vol. #1

By Thea Srinivasan

The definition of the word “Moteki” is a period in which a person gains popularity. This popularity only comes once in a lifetime, and it only works when someone becomes popular with the opposite sex. While this phenomenon is not meant to be for everyone, I wonder how many people would actually use this period to attempt to change their relationship status. I suppose that is the plot to the following manga.

Robert Ramos 6/27/18 Robert Ramos 6/27/18

Review: Quantum and Woody #7

By Robert Ramos

After last month’s whatever, we’re back at it with another installment from the World’s Worst Superheroes. Did the duo survive after the 24 hours of not klanging? If they do, do they still have their powers? More importantly, do I give a shit about this story yet?

Dustin Cabeal 6/27/18 Dustin Cabeal 6/27/18

Review: Blackwood #2

By Dustin Cabeal

I’ve written about this many times in reviews, but there was one point in my review life that I feared first issues more than second issues. The first issue is the journey into the unknown. You can’t possibly know if you’ll like the book at all until you crack up the pages for the first time. This, of course, leads to finding a lot of comics that aren’t in your wheelhouse. A few years back though it was as if every creator figured out the formula for a successful first issue. It could have been something amazing, but instead what happened was mediocre to poor second issues that felt more like first issues. It was like someone pulled some zero issue bullshit and so one after the other, I read horrible second issues. Suddenly, first issues didn’t even phase me. I expected them to be good to great, but to this day I still live in fear of the second issue because they still rear their ugly heads and send me away from a series faster than you can count the number of first issues released by Marvel in the past year.

Garrett Hanneken 6/27/18 Garrett Hanneken 6/27/18

Review: The Man of Steel #5

By Garrett Hanneken

The Man of Steel has been showcasing an array of all-star artists and issue number five is no exception as artist Adam Hughes steps up to the plate. Unfortunately, this is not one of Hughes’ best work and it is not one of the best issues either.

Dustin Cabeal 6/27/18 Dustin Cabeal 6/27/18

Review: Modern Fantasy #1

By Dustin Cabeal

There are glimpses of brilliance in the first issue of Modern Fantasy, but just that. The first issue provides all the information that one needs from the story. We know the characters, we understand the plot, and ultimately, we can relate to the main character’s desire for more from her life. Will the story take a dark turn and make our main character regret her desire for adventure? It’s not likely. We’re probably getting ready for a good old fashion romp.

Sam King 6/27/18 Sam King 6/27/18

Review: Dodo

By Sam King

Dodo is an original graphic novel written by Brazilian cartoonist Felipe Nunes. It is a translated work published by BOOM! Studios/Kaboom! that was released in May of this year. It tells the story of a little girl named Laila whose parents are divorced. She finds a friend who helps her progress through a difficult time in her young life, showing that sometimes help can be found not through people, but by other means, including ourselves.

Cat Wyatt 6/27/18 Cat Wyatt 6/27/18

Review: Lucy Dreaming #4

By Cat Wyatt

Lucy Dreaming #4 is the second to last in the series, so naturally, there’s going to be a huge revelation in this one. So far we’ve seen Lucy delve into the dream world, as she slowly learns about this new world and ability set she has. We have yet to see a major antagonist, which means we’re likely going to meet one here.

Kelly Gaines 6/27/18 Kelly Gaines 6/27/18

Review: Mera Queen of Atlantis #5

By Kelly Gaines

Welcome to Game of Thrones: Atlantis. If you've needed some incestuous relationships and trial by combat to hold you over until GOT's final season, you're in luck. Mera's path to a throne she did not even originally want has gotten exponentially harder, and the new complications make a solid case for why royal lineages simply don't work. Mera: Queen of Atlantis has reached its fifth installment of the six-part series. For those of you that have been buckled into DC's resident fairy-tale, the approaching ending is bittersweet. It's been a dramatic and beautifully written ride, and on a personal level, I'm very excited to see how they wrap up this side narrative in the Aquaman mythos.

Cat Wyatt 6/27/18 Cat Wyatt 6/27/18

Review: Motherlands #6

By Cat Wyatt

Motherlands #6 is the final issue in this series by Vertigo, and it has been quite the emotional roller coaster. We’ve been following the life of Tab, which has had its painful moments. The last issues revelation has left us anxious to see what happens next, though that emotion is tinted with a hint of dread…

Kelly Gaines 6/27/18 Kelly Gaines 6/27/18

Review: Mother Panic Gotham A.D. #4

By Kelly Gaines

Violet is a contender- make no mistake about that. She's an heir to the Paige fortune, a rival to Gotham's dark underbelly, and the defending "costume" of Gotham. In this reality, Batman may be gone, but his fight is not forgotten. Whether she likes it or not, Violet Paige/ Mother Panic/ The White Witch is one of the only forces in Gotham actively fighting to heal the city's open wounds. The rescue mission to recover her mother from Arkham was a success that unfortunately cast light directly into Violet's operation. In her eyes, she's saved her mother from pain and exploitation. But to Gala and the rest of Gotham's criminal collective, Violet has stolen a priceless piece in their human gallery: The Oracle of Gotham.

Cat Wyatt 6/27/18 Cat Wyatt 6/27/18

Review: Lumberjanes #51

By Cat Wyatt

The Lumberjanes are back for issue #51, and things are about to get interesting. Who would have thought that we’d ever see a Lumberjanes plot where half the cabin spent the entire time indoors? Technically we could say they’ve all been indoors this whole time, but the rest are only barely keeping to that promise.

Cat Wyatt 6/27/18 Cat Wyatt 6/27/18

Review: Batgirl #24

By Cat Wyatt

After wrapping up the last plot, Batgirl #24 is off to another plot, this one being more of a one-shot plot. The cover and title do a great job of indicating who we’ll be up against this issue; Two-Faces Game of Chance Gets Ugly. Sort of gives you an idea, right?

Damien Becton 6/27/18 Damien Becton 6/27/18

Review: Her Infernal Descent #3

By Damien Becton

For the past two months, I’ve eagerly awaited for issues of Aftershock Comics’ Her Infernal Descent to drop. It’s unique, and one-of-a-kind premise along with truly endearing characters kept me wanting more. Although I am still on board with Aftershock’s unique title, issue number three left me with a puzzled look throughout most of the read. I’m not sure if I knew enough about art history to enjoy the book fully.

Sam King 6/27/18 Sam King 6/27/18

Review: Farlaine the Goblin Book 4

By Sam King

Farlaine the Goblin Book 4 continues the story of Farlaine, a goblin trying to find his own forest to care for where he can plant the tree he has been carrying for the previous three books. Farlaine is growing as a character now and continuing his journey across the Oddlands of Wug.

Damien Becton 6/27/18 Damien Becton 6/27/18

Review: Batman Prelude to the Wedding - Harley vs. Joker

By Damien Becton

With the wedding of Batman and Catwoman right around the corner, it was expected that we would be provided with a bunch of cash-grab comics that would take advantage of this monumental event. And, of course, the books have been met with a mixed reception from critics and fans alike. With all of these prelude books going around, the one that I was looking forward to most was Harley vs. Joker, and I think that it is safe to say that of all of the ones that have been released so far, this is probably the best.

Sam King 6/27/18 Sam King 6/27/18

Review: Hellicious #1

By Sam King

Hellicious #1 begins the story of Cherry, an adorable little girl who happens to be the granddaughter of the Devil. This comic tells the classic story of a kid just trying to make friends and maybe get a kind of pet, but puts a devilishly fun spin on it. This is the first issue in a five-part miniseries.

Robert Ramos 6/27/18 Robert Ramos 6/27/18

Review: Sonic the Hedgehog #6

By Robert Ramos

Growing up, I was always a Sega and Sonic the Hedgehog kid, never Nintendo and that loser plumber. Of course, with the downfall of Sega, which led to me having to branch out and go to Sony and blah blah. At any rate, it’s quite a feat that after 27 years (Happy Belated Birthday, by the way), Sonic is still a beloved franchise, and character, and nonetheless thriving. As a result, we’re given nuggets in the form of comics to indulge upon. Indulge I did.

Sam King 6/27/18 Sam King 6/27/18

Review: Dodge City #4

By Sam King

Dodge City #4 is the last issue in the current series published by Boom! Box. Some things wrap up rather nicely, while other threads are still left hanging. Other aspects that I wondered about were resolved in ways I found largely unsatisfying given how much time was spent mentioning them in past issues.

Hunter Patrick 6/27/18 Hunter Patrick 6/27/18

Review: Teen Titans Special #1

By Hunter T. Patrick

Well, this will be interesting. Held after No Justice, the world has changed. Life is not viewed as it was before this event. Robin was as affected by the events as much as those who stayed on Earth, such as Red Arrow and Kid Flash. Half of Rebirth’s Damian Wayne’s Teen Titans team has been separated. Raven and Beast Boy have been upgraded to being Titans whereas Starfire is now in Justice League Odyssey. Teen Titans now consists of Damian Wayne Robin, Red Arrow, and Kid Flash.