Fish and Cherries Productions

So in the past few weeks, I talked about the technicals of this year’s Comic Con and tips from workshops and experienced writers. Well, this is where my excitement really lies: talking about all the new books, shows, movies, games… in short, all the hype. Yeah, I know I shouldn’t get overly excited about this because these future products could be utter garbage, but seriously, new ideas excite me and I love discovering more of the world through popular culture. So without further ado, here’s some of the stuff I saw or new things I got. This is my quickfire Comic Con review catalogue that I give to you.

Warhammer 40,000 comic (preview)

Yes, despite loving shows about pastel-colored horses, superheroes that bring hope, and rock people exploring what it means to love, I’m also really into the grimdark of the 41st millenium. So imagine my excitement when I discovered that Games Workshop was taking its flagship brand into the comic medium. The story follows an up and coming Space Marine recruit in the chapter known as the Dark Angels, which has a terrible secret in danger of being unearthed. That’s really all I can explain because the backstory of this universe is so complex and intricate that it would take me a whole article to bring you up to speed. Regardless, I got some great insight into the company and their mindset. Issue 0 comes out in the October edition of White Dwarf (Games Workshop’s magazine) and the first issue hits shelves in November, so if you’re a fan or an interested party, be on the lookout.

The Alien/Katherine “Kitty” Katt Series (bought)

This series has apparently been going on six years and is already thirteen books deep, but I hadn’t heard of it until now. That changed when I bumped into the writer, Gini Koch, who totally sold me. The saga follows an average everyday woman named Katherine who gets caught up in an alien organization to hunt vicious aliens secretly invading Earth. The story then spirals through loads of action, danger, and romance. I have the first two books and I’m… kind of enjoying the first. Some of the dialogue is offputting, but there’s thirteen books, so she has to be doing something right. At the moment, I put it down to read Star Wars: Bloodlines, but I’ll return to it eventually.

Alexander Outland: Space Pirate (bought)

Another book written by Mrs. Koch, which she described as Han Solo meets Pirates of the Caribbean. I haven’t gotten to read it yet, but with a description like that, I’m sold. This lady seems to crank out a lot of books. Why has nobody mentioned her to me before?

The Gravity Falls books (bought)

When I heard that there were three books based on one of the best animated series in recent years, my mind went into spasms. I’ve finally gotten all of them and they do not disappoint. They are Journal #3 (a book that the show centered around), Dipper and Mabel’s Guide of Fun (a fun activity book with codes and games, probably aiming a little younger than I am), and Dipper and Mabel and the Curse of the Time Pirates’ Treasure! A “Select Your Own Choose-venture!” (a great send-up to the old Choose Your Own Adventure books from when I was young) The journal and the choose-venture are must haves for any fan, while the other is harmless fun.

Emerald City (preview)

This was getting hyped all over the place at Comic Con, spinning itself as a gritty reinterpretation of The Wizard of Oz. I saw the trailer and I waaaaaaaaaaaaaas not impressed. It feels like they’re trying to capture some of the Game of Thrones lightning by focusing on political intrigue, but took out a lot of the teeth that made Thrones engaging to make it more palatable for primetime. On another note, can we stop with giving timeless classics the “dark and gritty deconstruction” treatment? It’s getting really old. So yeah, I’m giving this one a skip.

Midnight, TX (preview)

This show, on the other hand, gave me a good jolt of excitement. Based on books written by Charlaine Harris, who wrote The Southern Vampire Mysteries that were adapted into True Blood, the preview tells of a guy who can see and battle ghosts and spirits…

…there, I got that out of the way. Anyway, his dead grandmother tells him to take a break from the world and go to a town in Texas called Midnight… where every citizen is a supernatural being. I saw a vampire, some kind of ancient spirit, and what was either an angel or a birdman in the trailer and I’m sure there’s a lot more I missed. I’ll definitely be checking this one out.

Injustice 2 (preview)

This is cheating a bit, since the sequel to the DC Comics fighting game was announced way before Comic Con. But there was a Comic Con announcement of two new fighters: Wonder Woman, who is kind of a given… and one of my favorite superheroes, Jaime Reyes, the Blue Beetle! Seeing his preview flipped the party switch because I believe more people need to know about this guy. From the looks of things, he will be done justice in Injustice. Also, if you haven’t already, read his solo series from before the New 52. It’s pure gold.

The Good Place (preview)

Kristen Bell stars in a quirky comedy series where she dies and goes to… well, “the good place” where she is to live out the rest of eternity. The only problem is that she wasn’t supposed to be there; she got into paradise through a clerical error because someone sharing her name was a practical saint, while Bell’s character was a scumbag in life. From the one preview I saw, it looks pretty fun and plays around with the idea that not all who do good things are good at heart. I’m certainly willing to give it a shot. Lord knows Kristen Bell needs a break, so fingers crossed.

Casefile: Arkham (bought)

Add this to the list of things I bought but haven’t read yet. But I did give the first few pages a look and I’d just like to say I’m interested. This black and white comic based in the world created by H.P. Lovecraft has a real sense of atmosphere to it and has a style that fits right in with the feel of Cthulhu. So yeah, on the backburner for now, but I’m itching to read.

The Life After (bought)

This comic, however, I finished in two nights. Well, the first volume, anyway. The story about an amnesiac traipsing around the afterlife with the spirit of Ernest Hemingway is brought to us by writer Joshua Hale Fialkov, who has quite a few titles under his belt. I’d be interested in checking out the rest of the series, even though it’s not the most lighthearted book. There’s also a few jabs at organized religion, which may turn some people off. Still, I think it’s well-written and worth a read. And while we’re on the subject of Mr. Fialkov…

Jeff Steinberg: Champion of Earth (bought)

From what I’ve skimmed, this one is a lot more lighthearted and comedic, carrying a Scott Pilgrim vibe. In this story, aliens come to Earth and choose a champion through an arbitrary process, the spinner landing on the loser that is the titular Jeff. This isn’t a collection of issues, but rather one larger comic issue separated into chapters. This is another one I can’t wait to read and it looks like it’ll be a breeze.

The Wonderbolts Academy Handbook (bought)

From the same author as The Elements of Harmony and The Journal of the Two Sisters, we have this look into the ranks of the elite flying force from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic. I don’t know that this one delves into too much lore, or at least not much that fans already know. It does, however, act as a guidebook for discipline and morality, teaching etiquette and social graces like a tutor would, even coming with one of those graphs that shows what facial expression connects to what mood. I can see this being really useful for a lot of kids, especially those on the autism spectrum, so I say it was worth the purchase.

Also, I got the new pony book Lyra and Bon Bon and the Mares from S.M.I.L.E., but as I haven’t read it or most of the other pony books yet, it wouldn’t be fair to judge.

Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Spirit of Justice (preview)

Oh man, do I love the Ace Attorney games and this one is shaping up to be a good one. The demo I played was only part of the first trial, but it showcased the new features this game brings to the table and some great animation. The new mode this time around is seeing the last moments of the murder victim through their eyes, reading what their other four senses picked up, and trying to see where the contradiction is. These games really do just keep getting better and finding new ways to challenge the players. This game comes out in less than a month for digital download on the 3DS and I could not be more impatient.

Here’s hoping that all of these things live up to the hype and for another great Comic Con next year!