Category Ryan Mogge

Sep 13 2016

Alters 1

Today, Ryan M. and Patrick are discussing Alters 1, originally released September 7, 2016. As always, this article contains SPOILERS.

Ryan M: Sometimes an idea just looks good on paper. The Bumble profile that charms followed by a chat that falls flat. The sandwich on the menu that has all your favorite ingredients and tastes like none of them. Ideas are important, but the execution needs to meet them. I find myself engaged intellectually with the ideas presented in Alters 1, but mostly unmoved emotionally thanks to a exposition-heavy set up. Continue reading →

Sep 12 2016

Weekly Round-Up: Comics Released 9/7/16

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Look, there are a lot of comics out there. Too many. We can never hope to have in-depth conversations about all of them. But, we sure can round up some of the more noteworthy titles we didn’t get around to from the week. Today, we discuss Barrier 2, Jughead 9, The Woods 25, Kill or Be Killed 2, and Star Wars: Poe Dameron 6. Also, come back on Tuesday for our discussion of Alters 1 and on Wednesday for our discussions of Glitterbomb 1 and Paper Girls 9! As always, this article contains SPOILERS.

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Sep 7 2016

Saga 37

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Today, Ryan M. and Ryan D. are discussing Saga 37, originally released August 31, 2016. As always, this article contains SPOILERS.

Ryan M: When something bad happens, my first instinct is to go back in my mind and try to find all of the places where I could have seen it coming. Did I miss a moment of insight, overlook a bit of non-verbal communication or flat out ignore glaring signs? Then, I start looking at all of my life under that same lens. There is a sense that if I can see the bad things coming, they will hurt less when they hit. After all of the shock and heartache that Saga has offered, I may be hypersensitive because I saw potential for future pain everywhere. Continue reading →

Sep 2 2016

Weekly Round-Up: Comics Released 8/31/16

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Look, there are a lot of comics out there. Too many. We can never hope to have in-depth conversations about all of them. But, we sure can round up some of the more noteworthy titles we didn’t get around to from the week. Today, we discuss East of West 29, Jem and the Holograms 18, Jupiter’s Legacy Volume 2 3, Lazarus 24, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Universe 1 — and come back for our discussions of Han Solo 3 on Tuesday and Saga 37 on Wednesday! As always, this article contains SPOILERS. Continue reading →

Aug 29 2016

Weekly Round-Up: Comics Released 8/24/16

roundup25Look, there are a lot of comics out there. Too many. We can never hope to have in-depth conversations about all of them. But, we sure can round up some of the more noteworthy titles we didn’t get around to from the week. Today, we discuss Star Wars 22, Godzilla Rages Across Time 1, Lake of Fire 1, Snotgirl 2, and Faith 2 — and come back on Tuesday for our discussion of Aloha, Hawaiian Dick 5 and Wednesday for our discussion of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 61! As always, SPOILERS after the cut. Continue reading →

Aug 24 2016

Backstagers 1

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Today, Patrick and Ryan M. are discussing Backstagers 1, originally released August 17, 2016. 

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Patrick: Earlier this month, The Atlantic published an article by Angelica Jade Bastién titled “Hollywood Has Ruined Method Acting”. Bastién’s article responds directly to the marketing hype surrounding Jared Leto’s performance as Joker in Suicide Squad, but the piece is quick to point out that physical hardship is too frequently tied to performances that the culture deems impressive. Leonardo DiCaprio won an Academy Award because he put himself through discomfort, pain and real danger in order to achieve his performance in The Revenant. Does that actually mean that his acting was any better? Bastién argues that DiCaprio’s workman-like suffering creates the illusion that he’s doing something more substantial — and pointedly, more masculine — than merely acting. The implication, of course, being that acting is a soft skill, too feminine to be respected without being amplified by eating a buffalo heart or loosing a bunch of weight or something. James Tynion IV and Rian Sygh’s Backstagers 1 sets up a similar paradigm, elevating one art form over another by projecting mythological hardship on top of it. For a series so in-tune with nuances in teenage homosexuality, its disappointing to see such a regressive view of gendered activities and behaviors. Continue reading →

Jul 26 2016

Betty & Veronica 1

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Today, Patrick and Ryan M. are discussing Betty & Veronica 1, originally released July 20th, 2016.

“Whoever wins, we lose.”

Tagline, Alien Vs. Predator

Patrick: There’s something comforting about the premise of a horror movie mash-up. Like, what the hell else would you expect when you put Freddie and Jason in the same room? They’re gonna try to kill each other, duh. Same deal with the Alien and the Predator. They fight and die and it’s awesome. Until, inevitably, it isn’t. At some point, the kids are going to team up with Jason or a Predator is going to befriend a scientist or something dumb like that. As long as the monsters are true to themselves, any “Versus” scenario can be a ton of fun. Adam Hughes’ Betty & Veronica is a “Versus” story in everything but name, so any assessment of the first issue comes down to the question: does he stay true to the fundamental nature of his monsters? Depends on what you think that nature is. Continue reading →

Jul 15 2016

Marvel Round-Up: Comics Released 7/13/16

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We try to stay up on what’s going on at Marvel, but we can’t always dig deep into every issue. The solution? Our weekly round-up of titles coming out of Marvel Comics. Today, we’re discussing Civil War II 3, Daredevil 9, Deadpool 15, Gwenpool 4, Old Man Logan 8, Power Man and Iron Fist 6, and Silk 10.

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