The Walking Dead comic: Where to start?

Cpt Obvious: Well, you should start with the first issue!
Robert: True!
But there are different editions of the Walking Dead comics. So if your unsure as where to start your collection, here is a short list of options:

Walking Dead Book 1:
This one collects the first 12 issues in a 204 page hardback or paperback book. The hardcover goes for 22 Eur. Probably the most obvious choice if your new to the series.


Walking Dead Compendium v 1:
The big one! A collection of the 48 first issues.
You'll get 1088 pages of zombie horror, bound in paperback.
Could be too large and heavy for some readers. I spotted this one at 40 Eur.

Walking Dead Omnibus v1.
Collects the first 24 issues in a 506 hardback.
Comes in a slip-case. I own this one myself, it's quite heavy and large. Goes for 65 Eur.

Walking Dead Volum 1: Days Gone Bye
Collects the 6 first issues in a 144 pages paperback.
Didn't find a price for this one, but i bet it's pretty cheap.



So hopefully, this will give you a few pointers on getting started with your own awesome Walking Dead collection.
The prices could vary a bit depending on which store you buy from, so check out different sites before you buy. That could save you some money.

I own the Omnibus, and i have to admit that I'm not too happy with it. It looks good, with a nice design and a cool looking slipcase. But it's pretty heavy and cumbersome to read. Could be used as a blunt weapon, i guess that's a plus if you think the zombie apocalypse is upon us...

So, I'm gonna continue my collection with the 12 issue books instead. It will cost me more in the long run, but i prefer the more relaxing read a lighter book provides. Lazy i know.

An awesome web comic

This one is pretty old by now, and some of you readers might know of it.
It's one of the funniest comics i'v ever read.

Gone With The Blastwave is written and drawn by the finnish artist Kimmo Lemetti

Press the link below and enjoy:
Gone with The Blastwave

If you know any other brilliant web comics you would like me to mention, send me a mail or comment below.

Mezco Earthworm Jim action figure review

This one is quite the oddity. An action figure of Earthworm Jim is definitely a bold addition to the Mezco line. This figure saw the light of day in 2012, 18 years after the release of the Earthworm Jim game, and it's sequel which came out in 1995.
I remember the game pretty vividly, i used to play it for hours. I loved the first game, and i loved the sequel. In fact, getting this figure makes me want to play them once again. (And i will when i'm done with this review)

Earthworm Jim is the protagonist of the game with the same name. Released in 1994 to highly positive feedback, it soon became a hit, and already one year after, Earthworm Jim 2 saw the light of day and also received praise from reviewers.
Some people might have heard of Earthworm Jims creator Doug TenNapel, who also was the main man behind the brilliant game "The Neverhood".

So what made me use my hard earned money on this figure? Well, it's a little piece of gaming history innit? And being a nostalgic, a fan of the Earthworm Jim franchise and it's creators, it just made sense you know. Some people will get it, some won't.

This will be my third review of a Mezco product. That is 100% random. When i buy stuff online, i look for whatever strikes my fancy. Be it Neca, Mezco, Sideshow, Hot Toys, McFarlane..it doesn't matter. As long as the product looks cool.

So on to the review! (Again, a new camera is on my to do list. I'll have to make do with my HTC a while longer.)

Mezco's Earthworm Jim 

Packaging:
Mezco delivers once again. The box looks cool, it's easy to open, and it's easy to get the figure out without risking any damage.
The artwork is great, and it's a shame that it gets ruined by removing the plastic cover. Also nice to see that they used the original Earthworm Jim fonts.
The back contains a picture of the figure, and a small Earthworm Jim biography.

Sculpt:
Another hammer hits the nail. It's pretty close to perfect. You get what you pay for and more. Mezco also included a separate "Worm version". This one is fully bendable, and a fun addition for the fans.
The figures feels sturdy, joints are tight and it's easy to display, it doesn't fall down easily.

Paint:
Earthworm Jim isn't a highly detailed figure in terms of paint. He is cartoony and without any heavy shading or small details. Mezco chose to sahde the figure using a blue hue. That put me off a bit at first. I though they messed up and bled blue paint from the suspenders over on the white. But i got used to it, and now i kinda like it. Using black would probably be to heavy, so...Clean an proper job by Mezco

Articulation:
They really cut down on the articulation on this figure. No articulation at all on the legs. Two points on the arms, one at the elbow, one at the shoulder. You can turn the hips and the head 360 degrees.
It could be that Mezco decided that this is supposed to be more of a exhibit piece in one set pose. Or they just wanted to cut on expenses.. No one shall ever know!

Conclusion:
As i said, this one is an odd piece, and probably not for everyone. It's not my favourite Mezco figure, but it's still a pretty funny one.
I suppose if you loved the games, and Doug TenNapel's designs, this is a figure for you. It's fairly cheap so you can't argue on value.

I'll put it in the shelf with my game collection. Ready to become a conversation piece on how much better everything was back in the nineties.

Northlanders - The Plague Widow review

Lots of people watches "Vikings" on the History Channel these days. It's pretty bad in terms of historical accuracy, but who cares? I mean, if people wanted accurate history they would read books by proper historians and archaeologists right? Right.
With this little trend going on, i think it's a good time to introduce people to the Northlanders comics.

Northlanders was created and written by Brian Wood, the guy behind the great series called DMZ. Published by Vertigo, and now collected in a series of books.
Wood teamed up with some really capable artists, just like he did with DMZ. Some people might recognise names like Ryan Kelly, Davide Gianfelice, Dean Ormston and Leandro Fernandez. 

So far, each book has it's own story arc, not tied up to each other, so you could start with book three if you feel like it. At least this counts for the books I've read, four so far. (#5 should arrive in the mail any day now)

I'll start with reviewing the fourth book, called "The Plague Widow". Remember, this one is not tied up to the previous books in any way, so this review won't spoil any story elements for people who feel like starting with the first book.

Northlanders - The Plague Widow
Writer: Brian Wood
Artist: Leandro Fernandez
Publisher: Vertigo
Format: Paperback 190 pages.

The story takes us back to A.D 1020, to a settlement somewhere in Russia. The writer doesn't tell exactly where in Russia, except that the village is settled in close proximity to the Volga river.
Our main protagonist and narrator of the story is the widow Gerda. Her husband dead of a plague that threatens the entire settlement, Gerda becomes witness to a community in decline.

The theme of the story is the will of men to survive. What manner of gruesome choices are we willing to take?
In the face of a hard winter, cut off from the supplies, the Volga only offers death. Ships, filled with corpses and plague ridden raiders silently float by. The forest are home to crazed starving wolves. But the biggest problem is yet to be revealed.
What about the sick people in the village? To stop the sickness from spreading, should they be cast out to face certain death in the woods? These are people you know, the kid your son plays with in the square, a mother with a newborn child. What steps are one willing to take to ensure the well being of the many?
These are questions the leadership of the village debates in their great hall. The priest, with knowledge of sickness. The Captain, bloodthirsty and without mercy. The Chieftain, unsure in his decision, drawn between his Priest and his Captain.
But choices must be made. More and more people are getting sick, and supplies are running out too fast.What is the most dangerous threat, the Plague or Man?

Brian Wood describes these dilemmas and horrors in a terrific way. The seemingly cursed village, the feeling of claustrophobia and hopelessness really struck you in the heart. In a society so similar to ours but yet so alien you can't but wonder how we ourselves would react in face of similar hardships.

Adding to this feeling of despair, Leandro Fernandez draws with a mean pen. You can almost feel the cold of the freezing and lost villager walking barefoot through the snowy woods. The desperation in the face of the villagers who can but watch their fellow citizens turning on each other.

This is the best addition to the Northlanders series so far.
The themes of compassion towards your own people, individualism versus collectivism and will to power are all issues we are faced with even today. It draws you in and makes you think, what would you do?
And i truly felt the pain of Gerda and her community.

Rating:
10 out of 10