Review: The Clay People: Colossus (One-shot)

April 28, 2022

By Dustin Cabeal

I had no idea that this comic was based on a song. I didn’t know there was a band called The Clay People either. I learned both things at the end of the comic and while it didn’t change anything for me, it may be information that another reader could use before deciding to purchase this one-shot from Top Cow.

I have read this story in different forms, with different lead characters dozens of times. There is something to this story that is searching for an interesting outlet, and I can see the broad appeal to using it. Afterall a clay golem that Jewish people can use for justice/revenge and stems back to World War II feels like a treasure trove of potential stories. Yet, they all pretty much end up like this one-shot.

Review: R is For Reptar (One-Shot)

April 4, 2018

By Sam King

The original Rugrats television show went off the air just over ten years ago. Although my family didn’t have cable while I was growing up, I had both Rugrats feature-length films on VHS (I’m really dating myself now, huh?). I really enjoyed Rugrats, enough to have two video games on two different consoles and played them regularly. What I’m saying is, I know what to expect from a Rugrats story. This comic half hits the mark for me, and I can’t say it glows with the same shine as the original cartoon did when it aired. There have been rumors of Nickelodeon planning to revive the show, but for now, at least, we can keep enjoying the comics.

Review: Swamp Thing Winter Special #1

February 7, 2018

By James Anders II

In my lifelong love of the comic book medium, Swamp Thing has been one of my favorites. Ever since I picked up an issue of Saga of the Swamp Thing in the early 80s, I have forever been transfixed on the character and the series through all of the ups and downs of the story. I’ve been there for the good (Alan Moore, Rick Veitch, Nancy A. Collins, Brian K. Vaughn, Scott Snyder, Charles Soule). I’ve been through the bad (Andy Diggle, Joshua Dysart). I’ve been through the “meh” (Grant Morrison, Mark Millar, pre-fallout). And I’ve been through the ugly (Doug Wheeler, God bless him). Through it all, I have seen in Swampy the story of a man, a monster, life, death, and rebirth. Like the changes of the seasons, the Swamp Thing character has had periods of great life and growth, decline, and regrowth. It has all been very fitting for a character whose very essence is that of nature.

Review: Harley Quinn Be Careful What You Wish For #1

January 10, 2018

By Kelly Gaines

What would the DC universe’s most chaotic anti-hero/ anti-villain do with unlimited wishes from a magical genie? In the case of Harley Quinn, the answer is to screw it up- big time. Harley Quinn Be Careful What You Wish For Special feels like a classic “What If…” story while remaining comfortably nestled in the continuity of Harley’s rebirth universe.

Review: Gung Ho

November 30, 2017

By Dustin Cabeal

This comic would be better served by a different cover. The interior art is far more pleasing than the somewhat realistic figure that you’ll instead be looking at for most of this review. As I said in this week’s podcast, I don’t like anthropomorphic ape stories. It’s a subgenre that I try to avoid because the vast majority of it is the same theme in a different setting. It’s just not particularly interesting to me and never will be.

Review: James Bond: Moneypenny #1

August 30, 2017

By Dustin Cabeal

When I saw that Dynamite was only giving Moneypenny one issue, I was instantly disappointed. I’m a fan of the new Moneypenny and so reading her back story intrigued me a lot, but a one-shot pretty much assured that it would be a big hit or a miss. It’s, unfortunately, a miss for me.

Review: The Belfry

February 22, 2017

By Chris Tresson

Hello there and welcome to my review of The Belfry, a one-shot comic which is being released by Image Comics this week. Belfry is written and drawn by Gabriel Hardman, a man whose work I’m not entirely a stranger to. I’d seen Gabriel talking about this on Twitter and thought it looked interesting so when I found out it was out this week, I decided I was going to review it for Comic Bastards. Here we go…

Larsen/Image Announce "Mighty Man" One-Shot

February 7, 2017

Image Comics is pleased to announce an all-new one-shot by comics legend Erik Larsen, Image Comics’ co-founder and co-partner and the creator of the long-running SAVAGE DRAGON series, and artist Nikos Koutsis team up for: MIGHTY MAN. The one-shot story will take flight this April.

Review: Divinity III: Aric, Son of the Revolution #1

January 18, 2017

By Dustin Cabeal

To start with I haven’t read any of Divinity III, in fact, I haven’t even read Divinity II. I saw all these one-shots that came across very Flashpoint inspired in which it was just a quick look at what the characters in the Valiant Universe would be doing in the “Stalinverse” and thought, well that could be fun. It should have been fun.

Review: Adventure Time 2016 Spooktacular

September 21, 2016

It’s that time of year again folks: the weather is getting cooler, the TV is playing football, and comics are issuing their Halloween specials. Adventure Time is one of those series, whether in TV or comic form, known for its ability to transcend age and cross-genre. Adventure Time Spooktacular isn’t the best of the series, nor does it try to reach as broad of an audience with its content, but it knows what it is and puts up a good showing by the writers and artists. All of the stories in this special revolve around Gunter, the penguin servant who is more than he appears. The issue stays true to the tone of most Adventure Time episodes and comics, mixing a variety of genres to great effect. While this issue isn’t one of the best examples of Adventure Time at it’s most creative, it is a solid representation of terror and humor. In every story, Gunter's temperament varies from mischievous to destructive as each author and artist take a unique shot at the character’s personality.

A few of the stand outs in this issue are “Wild Hunt” and “Soul Food,” written and illustrated by Christine Larsen and Meg Gandy respectively. I enjoyed both artists chosen styles; Larson gives Ooo a more fantasy bend and Gandy use of colors emphasize the surreal nature of Gunter and Hunson Abadeer, King of the Nightosphere. Justin Hook and Matt Smigiel also have a great story titled, “The Gunthering” where a twist ending gives Gunter humorous last word.

This isn’t a comic that is going to change the way you see comics. It isn’t the best example of what makes Adventure Time great. But it is a solid piece of writing and artwork for any Adventure Time fan.

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Adventure Time 2016 Spooktacular Writers: T. Zysk, Travis Betz, Christine Larsen, Nicole Mannino, Meg Gandy, Justin Hook Artist: T. Zysk, Ruth Turner, Christine Larsen, Nicole Mannino, Meg Gandy, Matt Smigiel Publisher: BOOM! Studios Price: $7.99 Format: One-Shot, Print/Digital

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