In Memoriam: "Rowdy" Roddy Piper

Today, my heart breaks with the passing of one of my all time favorite wrestlers and personalities, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper. From his classic matches and his amazing promos, he may have started as a villain but, you couldn't help but love him leading him to become a face as well as one of the most beloved wrestlers ever. Controversial, funny and larger than life, he is someone that will be hard to replace. He was someone I grew up on, cheering for and, hanging on to every word he said. His promos still name me laugh and smile. Now, as for why he's making an appearance on this blog, you may remember him in the John Carpenter classic They Live. That's right, that's my excuse and I don't care. One of the best movie lines ever came from that movie when he uttered "I came here to chew bubble gum and kick ass. And I'm all out of bubble gum!". So, always remember that when you think you have all the answers, he would change the questions. As well, never throw rocks at a man with a machine gun. He really was rowdy before rowdy was cool. R.I.P "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, you will be forever missed by all.

In Memoriam: Brock Winkless

I just read this and it is true. There is so much happening in front of the camera that sometimes we forget all the people you need behind the scenes to make the movie happen. Recently we lost the man who was Chucky's puppeteer for the first 3 movies as well as Seed as well as the puppeteer behind the Cryptkeeper for many episodes with the passing of Brock Winkless. Anyone who has seen the movies or the show knows just how good he was bringing them to life, making you forget that they were puppets. This is especially true for the childhood me that grew up on these movies and show. Along with the voice work the puppets became much more then puppets and instead become icons. With everything heading towards CGI it's easy to forget the skill needed to do such masterful work. May he rest in peace knowing that his work will stand the test of time.

Oxymoron: Vol. 1

So, I was reading Previews last month and stumbled across this omnibus and new series titled Oxymoron. As it goes, he's a villain who hates....oxymorons! SOLD! When I started reading it, he reminded me of the Joker in terms of his chaotic behavior as well as his unpredictability/predictability (there's even a quote that directly relates to the Joker that you will notice). The heroes Red and the Crimson Kid will remind you of a certain Dynamic Duo but, it's all good and all fun. The stories range from light hearted humor to laughs to grotesque and I wouldn't have it any other way. Different writers and different artists work to tell the stories in this book that both horror fans and Batman fans will find enjoyable. So, grab a copy and get caught up before the new series comes out. You'll laugh and, you'll agree that a good villain is hard to keep down...oh! The epilogue shows you how a good villain can live on when his work isn't done.

Puppet Master (#4)

No longer wishing to be made of just wood and bowing to the will of a master, Tulon and his puppets seek freedom from a woman of magic. Though the price is high, for thier freedom, they will pay it. This series has been amazing thus far and all fans should get on this asap!

Puppet Master (#3)

Out with the old, in with the original and in with the new! This new issue has many twists and turns as the original storyline comes to an end. Tulon and his puppets fight the will of this puppet master and his will to free themselves and do what they do oh so well to him. For fans of the movies,  there is much to love in these books of thier current adventures.

Gotham by Midnight (#7)

So the Specter has been released again as IA is looking to shut them down! Someone is gunning for them, building a case against them but, that has not been revealed here. So, until that's figured out,  when there's something in Gotham that not even Batman and his family can take care of, who will they call if they shut down this unit? I am over the moon DC is continuing the story as I can't wait to see where they take us next.

Frankenstein Underground (#5)

So this is the end of the story by Mike Mignola about Frankenstein's monster. Wow is all I can say as he takes from the dark and into the light with a truly fantastic ending. What a great series this was as it has had this fan of both smiling from ear to ear with each issue. Get on this story when the tpb is released if you missed out on the original run,  you'll thank me later

Nunslaughter/The Lurking Corpses - Nunslaughter/The Lurking Corpses

So, thanks to Youtube, I can review the new split by Nunslaughter and The Lurking Corpses! With side one, I am introduced to Nunslaughter with "Hordes of Gomorrah" who bring to mind some old school Death Metal. I may not have heard of them before but I feel the need to check out more of their stuff based on this one song. While, with side 2, Corpses unleash what I think is their heaviest track to date with "Creatures of the Blacken Moon" that is just insanely good! In the end, like the bat in the cover, this EP hits you quick and hard as both bands step up to the plate with the goods! What an awesome split album!

The Lurking Corpses - Workin' For the Devil

I guess I am a little late reviewing this album but, I just got my copy so, you know...now I can. This is the new album by the awesome Lurking Corpses! So, as some would know, working for the devil is actually hard work but, these guys seem to be having fun with it! Thrashing, bashing and slicing their way through the pit, cutting down all who stand in their way. Throw in one part King Diamond/Mercyful Fate, one part Misfits and one part awesomeness and you'll start to get an idea of what I am talking about here. It's just an awesome listen from beginning to end. There is not enough I can say about this offering that can do it justice unless you listen to it for yourself. Standouts thus far include "Workin' for the Devil". "The Leech and the Worm", "Tonight", "Blind Dead Arise", "She's Alone Again", "Lady Frankenstein", "You're Dead", "Love Fades Away", "No One Will", "Christina is Dead" and "The Legend of the Swamp Hag". So, in closing, get this before they get you! You've been warned!

Reanimator (#4)

So, this is the finale of the current Reanimator series as the war is at thier door and Herbert West's plan is finally realized in a story that is both great, adventurous and brilliant. The art was top notch all the way through as this is a great way to keep the character alive. I am sad that this is the end...or is it? If there is one thing we know I'd that Herbert West is never done his work or experiments so, my guess is, there will be more in the future.

Big Trouble in Little China (#13)

So Jack is back from a 30 year coma with a new writer and artist as well as a crash course of what happened while he was sleeping. The story is good but you feel like they are trying so hard with the 80s gang and the 80s collector. You can feel a slight drop off from where the original script ended and this new one begins. I understand the curiosity to see what happens now and expect plenty of laughs to ensue so I am not writing off the series just yet. Just hold on and listen to the words of ol' Jack Burton and all will be alright.

Constantine: The Hellblazer (#2)

So, Constantine comes fave to face with the ghost killer while loosing a dear friend at the end. With so much going on, John needs help and, the only place to find it is not in New York. This is much more along the lines of a classic Hellblazer story then the previous Constantine stories published by DC. Bloody good work mates.

Frankenstein Underground (#4)

If you were like me and thought this was a 4 part series, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised as there seems to be a final issue! In this story we learn the origin of Frankenstein's creation, some parts of the novel are brought to life by Mignola while setting up the final battle between the demon and the flame from Heaven. This has been a great story so far! 

The Goon: Once Upon a Hard Time (#3 of 4)

So, no humor as the war looks like it is coming to an end with a final battle. The town is cursed, the high priests want the Goon dead but thier man power was depleted while the Goon looks like he is a man who has reached his end. I am curious to see how it ends and if some of the humor of the original books comes out after this dark story. It is good, don't get me wrong, but I yern for the past I guess.

Gotham by Midnight (#6)

After a short break, they are back! This time they are battling ghosts, figuring out that weird flower, in trouble from the GCPD and mourning the loss of a friend. The artist may have changed but the story rocks just the same. They have taken the Gotham you know and are showing you the side that you don't see in a Batman based story. Check it out for fans of Batman and Hellblazer.

Puppet Master (#2)

So the puppets are on a killing spree and they have a new master in tow. This story is getting gory and entertaining by the moment while poking some fun at Horror cliches in both issues thus far. This is clearly meant for fans only and I am more than okay with it as it means more goodness for me and none for those non believers who think puppets can't possibly kill. But, I think we know better don't we.

Puppet Master (#1)

I am a little behind but, a quick trip to the comic book store and, I am getting caught up. So, Toulon's puppets are back at the hotel to kill! Yep! That's it so far and, of course, some teenagers are just happily walking in to the hotel. The art and story are good so far that makes this long time fan of the series smile from ear to ear...and I can't wait to read more!

Big Trouble in Little China (#12)

Lo Pan and Jack Burton battle over who's in charge of Hell while his friends try to bring him back. The ending is pretty good and it has me wondering where it will head next as it's such an ending from left feild really. Wasn't expecting it based on the interviews from the beginning and seeing that Carpenter is still the main writer makes me think this was all part of the original script. Guess we'll see how Jack responds to being in 2015.

In Memoriam: Irwin Keyes

From his first roles in The Warriors and The Jeffersons to his uncredited role in Friday the 13th all the way to his iconic role in House of a 1000 Corpses, Irwin Keyes is an actor that will be missed. An actor beloved by generations for his various roles and never doing the same thing twice. Hell, the man was originally considered to be Freddy Krueger in the original Nightmare on Elm Street. Imagine how different the film series would of been then. As a man with so many roles played, so many characters beloved by people and just a fan favorite, he will be missed.

In Memoriam: James Horner

If anyone tells you that soundtracks are not important then try watching a movie without the music. Pick any movie, I'll wait. You need the music to make the movie and, it is with sadness, that we remember Aliens and Something Wicked This Way Comes composer James Horner. If you look at the list of movies this man has scored, it is extraordinary and had me in a state of "Oh yea! I remember that one!" or "I loved that movie!". The music plays such an important role in these films that they set the mood. They give that suspense, they control and set up your fear. The music becomes iconic for a reason in any movie. In horror, the suspense is more pronounced and the music is probably that much more important in that it sets that mood that is much needed. I know this is late but, sit back and put on one of his many soundtracks. You will find yourself reliving the movies as the music plays.

Revival by Stephen King

This book is electrifying in its masterful storytelling by the master himself. Although this book may not appear to be a straight out thriller for the first two acts, it ties everything together with a third act that has King laying out all the horrors he can think of at the end. I love the double meaning of the title as it plays with the themes well and the electrifying ending that comes with it as you follow the life of Jamie and his one time minister Charlie Jacobs with intervals from childhood to becoming a young adult to Jamie in his 50s. One thing this novel also does well is working as a tale of caution that, sometimes, we should leave stuff beyond our power alone. Now that I think about it, it brings to mind Mary Shelly's Frankenstein in that cautionary way. This was a good read by Mr. King as he, again, shows us why he really is the king.