American Flagg! #2

American Flagg!
#2 (November 1983)
First Comics

Written by Howard Chaykin

Art by Howard Chaykin

The adventures of former TV star turned Plexus Ranger Reuben Flagg continue in the second issue of this ahead-of-its-time series. Imagine Judge Dredd and Robocop's social commentary but set in Chicago. This should (still could) be an A&E series. Fantastic stuff and available for dirt cheap prices. I found my copy in the quarter bin at Half Price Books. Get it now before the price shoots up. These things are over 30 years old.

1602: Witch Hunter Angela #2

1602: Witch Hunter Angela
#2 (September 2015)
Marvel

Written by Marguerite Bennett
Art by Stephanie Hans
Cover A (standard)

I've got mixed emotions about this one. On the one hand, I'm screaming to myself, "What is this confusing nonsense?" I don't have the first issue so I'm not really sure what's going on in this issue. There's a medieval version of the Guardians of the Galaxy (portrayed faithfully) but they stumble upon medieval Venom's wedding. Like I said: confusing nonsense.

Then again, the art in this issue is really cool. I've never heard of Stephanie Hans before but I'll be checking out more of her work. Ultimately, I don't feel burned by taking a chance on the latest 1602 spin-off. Of course, I found this copy in the quarter bin. I'd be upset if I had paid the $3.99 cover price for this thing. Worth checking out only if you can find it on the cheap.

American Flagg 1

American Flagg!
#1 (October 1983)
First Comics

Written by Howard Chaykin

Art by Howard Chaykin

first printing

Like all good things in life, this whole scenario can be traced back to Star Wars; specifically the 1997 original. Marvel did the comic book adaptation of the first film and Howard Chaykin was the artist on said Star Wars comic. Needless to say, like everything Star Wars related during the late 70s, the comic was a massive hit. Basking in the glow of his Star Wars success, Chaykin had the pick of the litter when it came to choosing his next project. Instead of taking a low-risk gig with one of the majors (DC and Marvel), Chaykin inked a deal with indie start-up First Comics to produce a creator-owned series where he had total creative control. The end result was the futuristic, forward-thinking, waaaay ahead of its time comic series American Flagg!

American Flagg is set in the sort of dystopic yet familiar near-future that has hosted a million epic sci-fi showdowns but this one has a serious HST-gonzo gear to grind. Imagine Dr. Thompson inhabiting Bladerunner's version of Future America populated with Fry's smart-ass co-workers from Futurama. Howard Chaykin does not get enough credit as a visionary artist. He should be considered a peer of Alan Moore and Frank Miller but his name hardly generates any internet buzz these days. It's a crying shame.

I acquired my copy of American Flagg #1 in a lot of comics pulled from the quarter bin at Half Price Books. Besides being monetarily undervalued, American Flagg has become an obscure and forgotten book from the Reagan era when, in reality, everything in that book is still relevant today.

Witchblade: Origins (TPB Vol. 1B)

Witchblade
Witchblade: Origins
Trade Paperback Vol. 1B
Top Cow/Image

Vital Stats:

Published in 2001 by Top Cow/Image

Written by David Wohl and Christina Z.

Art by Michael Turner (pencils) and D. Tron (inks)

Cover B (TV photo featuring Yancy Butler)

Witchblade: Origins collects the first eight issues of Top Cow's 1995 series about Sara Pezzini: an NYPD detective who bonds with an ancient artifact that gives her superpowers. This particular story arc is the basis for season one of TNT's Witchblade series, hence the photo cover. Witchblade: Origins has everything you want in a modern comic book. There's a cool story with snappy dialogue coupled with the jaw-dropping artwork of Michael Turner (R.I.P.). This series is a crucial part of the second wave of Image comic books that solidified the company's place in history.

I acquired this copy from Half Price Books for $2. It's still in print, so you can get a copy for cover price or less. I highly recommend that you do.

Xibalba - Madre Mia Gracias Por Las Dias

Who:  Xibalba

What:  Debut studio album from this SoCal deathcore destruction unit. Originally released by the band in 2010, then re-released on A389 Recordings in 2011, and re-re-released by Southern Lord in 2012.

When:  2010

Where:  Pomona, CA

Why:   Fuck the polished shit. This is deathcore done right.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Xibalba - Madre Mia Gracias Por Las Dias - Self-released/A389/Southern Lord

1.  Bright Sun -- *****
2.  Madre Mia -- *****
3.  Never Knell -- *****
4.  Fallen -- *****
5.  Time's Up -- *****
6.  We Deserve To Die -- *****
7.  Red -- *****


Radness Average:  5.000


Xibalba - Madre Mia Gracias Por Las Dias (zippyshare)
Xibalba - Madre Mia Gracias Por Las Dias (mega.nz)


Verdict:  For real. Xibalba are the best metalcore band in America right now. Watch out for the new record.

For fans of:  Harm's Way, Nails, Fury of Five, Rotting Out, Expire

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XTRMST - debut EP

Who:  XTRMST

What:  Debut EP of straightedge California hardcore featuring current AFI members; self-released by the band.

When:  April 2014

Where:  Various cities in Northern California

Why:  To make up for all that selling out AFI did in the last decade.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

XTRMST - debut EP - self-released

1.  Dirty Nails -- *****
2.  Conformist -- ****
3.  Exterminate -- ****
4.  The Breed -- ****


Radness Average:  4.250


XTRMST - debut EP (zippyshare)
XTRMST - debut EP (mega.nz)

Verdict:  For me, it was a nostalgia trip back to the early 2000s and happy memories of Indecision Records and Orange County hardcore. Your experience may differ.

For fans of:  AFI, Bleeding Through, Throwdown, Adamantium, Atreyu




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Abuse. - Abuse. (2013)

Who:  Abuse.

What:  First and only studio album from this short-lived grindcore/power violence band. Released on To Live A Lie Records.

When:  August 2013

Where:  Raleigh, NC

Why:  This is the most intense grind/violence that you'll hear this decade.

[The Radness Average (or star rating) is derived from assigning each song a number of stars based on a 1-5 scale, then adding the total number of stars, and then dividing that number of total stars by the number of songs on the record. A Radness Average of 4.0 or higher indicates a good or great record. A Radness Average of 2.0 or less indicates pure crap. Everything else is in the middle somewhere.]

Abuse. - Abuse. - To Live A Lie Records

1.  We're To Blame -- *****
2.  Adrenaline -- *****
3.  Bloodlust -- *****
4.  Cold Sweat -- *****
5.  Enforcer -- *****
6.  Spineless -- ****
7.  Cancerous Growth -- ****
8.  Same Shit, Different Death -- ***
9.  Life's Idiosyncrasy -- ****
10.  Disorientation -- *****
11.  Assembly Line -- *****
12.  Act of Defiance -- ****
13.  Quicksand -- *****
14.  Cause of Death -- *****
15.  Surrounded -- *****
16.  Dictation -- *****
17.  Stalemate -- ****


Radness Average:  4.588


Abuse. - Abuse. (zippyshare)
Abuse. - Abuse. (mega.nz)

Verdict:  Abuse. broke up shortly after the release of this album. They never got the chance to tour and develop. At least we're left with this reminder of what could have been.

For fans of:  Hatred Surge, Mammoth Grinder, Code Orange, Magrudergrind, Extortion





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