Re: 2011 - Present issue' ratings 1-9

Summer 2011, War of the Worlds Special

Wow, two specials in a row with names related to the content, pretty easy in this case, but could this be a trend?

Cover 7 (more action-packed than a typical pinup, and well done too)

Gallery - 6 (rather spare, and not much new, but nice looking)

St. Petersburg - 7 (it only has one thing to tell, but it tells it pretty well, powerfully enough to be almost poetic)

Legacy - 6 (the art doesn't look so hot, but works well enough for the piece to tell almost the same story as St. Petersburg, almost as well)

Divine Wind - 6 (I quite liked the story and its telling, though the art is very effective there are some times it looks cheesy rather than stylish)

The Oath - 7 (his anime hair and Maria's anime eyes were pretty silly, but the rest of the art helps the story a great deal, it's pretty gripping and has some real depth)

The Patient - 6 (I thought this was pretty good overall, with an interesting perspective from the crazy point of view, art that did a good job but no more, but it it seemed I wanted more from it.

The Captain - 7 (the most interesting art in the bunch, in my view, and an ok story. The pasted-in text on the portrait and in the last panel really didn't fit in and detracted from the story, and Thunder Child II? I kind of get it, but where did that come from?)

So I accepted that this was a promo and enjoyed this issue just fine. A lot of effort seems to be going into this movie so I hope they actually pull it off, I might even go see it if it really makes it to a theater near me. The huge catalog and 29 pages of ads total didn't strike me as a lot, but looking back it's more than usual.

Re: 2009 - Present issue' ratings 1-9

Re: 2009 - Present issue' ratings 1-9

cover - 8 (It's more than just another pinup, and Royo is very good. The treatment of the HM logo is complementary. I wouldn't know it's related to the content if it hadn't been pointed out. I must be missing something, again.)

Dossier - 7 (More powerful blasts from the past.)

Gallery - 6 (Some good stuff here, wish there was more to it. The book sounds interesting.)

Khulan - 8 (I found the art and style quite appealing, and the black hair on the 6th page only added mystery. The story is well told, a time-worn subject made exciting.)

Arawn - 7 (The art is great though not consistently so, I like the story enough even with the uneven translation, but if I hadn't read the previous one in HM about a hundred years ago it would have been harder to enjoy.)

Records of the Human Arrival to Planets Aqua and Gris - 8 (The art is good, he seems to like portraits too. I like the story and its telling survives the translation barrier.)

Metal Media - 7 (Here we go. A review/article looking forward to complement Dossier's looking back. Nice idea and I hope it keeps up.)

Sleepless Night - 6 (Haven't seen Azpiri for a while, it's fun and I know some people really like him.)

Goliath-Outpost - 7 (Now there's some mayhem for ya. Pretty cool and I hope this bodes well for the movie and that it actually comes out someday.)

Artist Studio -6 (From forum poster to the mag's pages. A look at his website shows that this guy is pretty prolific and has been doing it for a while, which is more impressive to me than some of this work. That's ok, he's got more.)

back cover - 7 (Pretty nice, the paint texturing adds to it here and in the story.)

Re: 2011 - Present issue' ratings 1-9

well, late to the party again, but here goes:

May 2011

Cover - 4 (sorry, it's just not interesting to me. you like it? good. it's bright and eye-catching, I hope it sells.)

Dossier - 6 (I like Zippy and history, blasphemy can be funny)

Gallery - 6 (he's good, the style and subjects are ok)

Tarot Cards - 5

The Soul Devourer - 6 (it was most successful for me in setting the tone, of a vision quest type adventure, less so with the art and translation)

Tao Bang - 7 (I liked the art, some panels were really good. The storytelling was less inspiring, and it was so apparent this was part of a continuing story that it detracted from this part of it.)

Scavengers - 7 (the idea of a metal eating space monster is the coolest part)

Side Images - 5 (the light story is further inhibited by the flat art and the translation)

Saving Poor Elsy Shelby - 8 (I usually like Xalabarder's imagination, this one was less interesting, until the ending, which really enticed me with the descent to madness leading to the somewhat mind-blowing last panel.)

In the Blues - 8 (I thought this was good, but as I thought about it I saw that it was very well done, even though it didn't really excite me.)

Artist Studio - 5 (two pig masks in one issue?)

there were some interesting ads and things, but the inside back cover - HaHaHaHaHaHaHaHa - the joke's on me! something old with something new. I think this is the first Gates reference in the print magazine.)

Re: 2009 - Present issue' ratings 1-9

well, I figure I've waited long enough for Intone Flux, but I hope he decides to weigh in.

Spring 2011, Living Dead Special:

Heavens, I've lived long enough that a special's name actually relates to the contents! Hope I didn't spoil it for anyone.

Spaghetti Gunsmoke - 8 (I thought this was great. The usual Azurek mayhem and disdain for perspective that I enjoy, with funny writing and an almost thoughtful ending. Best I've seen from them.)

100 Souls: the City of the Damned - 7 (I thought this was very well done, with more originality in the story than I might expect from a zombie tale.)

Take Your Time - 7 (short and sweet, and, um, incisive)

Zombies: The Divine Comedy - 9.5 (man, I liked this. The art was nice with composition and detail I liked. The story was excellent and the telling fantastic, with a wide range from hilarious to gripping to poignant. This is the best story I've seen in HM for a long time.)

I'll admit I'm not a big zombie fan, but this issue had so much to offer that I really enjoyed. Also I thought the ads with full page graphics actually added to the content, and at least the old HM website ad was on the back of the order form. I hope it keeps up like this.

Re: 2011 - Present issue' ratings 1-9

nice to see Intone Flux with a rating, this was his idea anyway.

kanokano, thanks for your views, keep 'em coming

DP, why don't you write one, you know you want to

anyway, here's mine:

March 2011

Cover - 7 (well done but tame, 3 plastic guns?)

Dossier - 6 (i appreciate Mr. Ringgenberg's efforts to show comic art history by remembering artists who pass away, but i'd like to see more than that, in the limited space he has.)

Gallery - 7 (nice technique with some imagination)

Tarot Cards - 5 (is that Lynn Redgrave? (2-21-11) no it's not. i saw a Julie-Boris art book with a very similar painting, that says it's her mother-in-law)

Forms of Death - 5

Requiem - 8 (brings over-the-top to new heights, at least we got to see a bit more of him than usual)

Strain - 6 (interesting but simple)

Dreamfall - 6 (more simple but more interesting to me)

Riders - 7 (I like Azurek stuff for the wacky absurdity. it looks like they just read Fistful of Blood)

Awakening - 7 (even more obtuse than much of Llarena's other stuff. those transdimensional aliens are stirring things up again.)

Rpnzl Overdrive - 6 (looks nice, but isn't IM so last decade?)

Caveman - 6 (Caveman's greatest hits remix continues)

Artist Studio - 6 (nice looking but less imagination than i like. another straightjacket?)

back cover - 6

i may not act impressed but overall i think this is a solid issue. nice range of content and ads, of course i want even more. i am being mocked with the old website ad on the inside back cover.

also, i like the .pdf sample pages on the website. it gave me a chance to see some of it before i got to the store to buy the issue.

Re: 2011 - Present issue' ratings 1-9

January 2011

Cover - 7 (though it's just a pinup, i liked it. she's plenty cute, there's some enticing detail, though sometimes it's silly, and the lack of bosom makes it unique)

Dossier - 7 (hey, i'm old, i like old stuff, and i liked seeing the interview)

Gallery - 6

Tarot Cards - 5

Fiendy - 7 (piles of fun, and pretty funny too. i like the style and execution, but isn't her hand backwards in the last panel?)

The Holo-Marketeer - 7 (i like the format and the story is fun to read. kind of reminded me of an old HM story (80's?) with some guy who was "memory-hooding" his wife/gf before plunging his spacecraft into a sun to save humanity or earth or something)

Wisher - 7 (excitement and fantasy in a sort-of classic graphic novel style)

Good Business - 7 (too topical)

Cargo - 7 (it's a promo, but it's nice, and i'm looking forward to the movie. hope they tell Joe Pearson sorry for the spelling)

Stalking Arr - 7 (wow, Matt Howarth does a post apoc new world)

Artist Studio - 7 (nice range, i especially liked the winter spirit one)

back cover - ? (is having the ad for the old website ironic? retro? facetious?)

nice issue, more please

Re: FALL 2010

(to Intone Flux) is it so bad? that you'll review one you haven't even read?

you'll give me such a fright.

which is not what i got from Fall 2010 "Fright Special" but i enjoyed it anyway.

Claudia Red Opiun - 6.5 ( same idea but done a bit better. i might wish for more from less but at least it tries to do more with more. )

The Conspiracy - 7 ( that's funny. i wish i believed in such things but i just can't. )

The Revenge of Count Skarbeck - 8 ( i liked this more than the previous chapter in Summer 2005 Mystery Special (!?). There were scenes that were so well composed and executed that even i noticed. i liked the way the story was told. i like this in HM even though it's relatively light on fantasy. but 5 years between installments? )

the ads are fewer and perhaps a bit less nasty. hoping the mag finds the right ad mix, and maybe brings in something new.

Re: 2010 - Present issue' ratings 1-9

well, i guess i can stop waiting for Intone Flux's review ( broken link ). too bad, i like his opinions but i'll respect his decisions.

so here's mine, November 2010:

Cover - 7

Tarot Cards - 5

Gallery - 6

Dossier - 6 (i learned a bit about Superman, but i'm not too interested in statues.)

1969 - 4 (it was done ok, but why is it here?)

Biocosmosis- Savas - 7 (i liked it more than the previous one in March 2009, guess i got it more, and i liked the action)

Those Who Accept - 7.5 (i really like Llarena's writing, the art is good, but the writing makes me wish for more from it.)

The Goddess Who Lives Inside - 7 (i like this "series" for its imagination, this one's a bit uneven but it still has some good stuff.)

The Lovers of the Eiffel Tower -4 (ok, but why is it here? oh, i think i get it)

The Last Kiss - 6 (there we go, a bit more of the fantasy stuff with the sex here. wish the art was more polished.)

Artist Studio - 7 (i liked the robotty ones)

effin' free porn card - 0 (is this done by HM or is it the distribution?)

Re: 2010 - Present issue' ratings 1-9

September 2010:

Cover - 7 (not my cup of tea, but very well executed)

Dossier - 8 (a gracious retrospective that filled in some of the many gaps in my knowledge of Frazetta's work)

Gallery - 7 (yes, please, a bit more surrealism with my pinup)

Tarot Cards - 5 (but a bit more appealing to me than many)

The Sun Will Die Blind - 8 (imaginative art and writing that kept getting better, i thought it was ending at page 6, but it picked up speed instead. nice)

Fluorescent Black - 8.5 (for me this was the best installment, it seemed to come together and add the the whole. i like a bit of philosophical perspective with my fantasy, and the us against the man theme takes me back)

The Woodsman and the Dryads - 7 (i liked the art and the twist in the story, though it made me infer some things rather than show them to me. i did not find it through the forum search, but you can see the preview of this strip in cuervoscuro's other posts here.)

Joe in the Future - 6 (i enjoyed the story-with-illustrations format, and i liked the humor in the writing. sometimes i wish life was just about finding smokes. i thought the art could have used more development, to give me more to look at. i'm going to have to look up some of the other instances of this in previous issues, i know they're there but i don't remember them)

Off the Deep End - 6 (looks like it could be fun, but it just stopped)

Three Little Murders - 7.5 (i thought it was really well done. the combination of art styles and the writing appealed to me. the cheesehead was hilarious)

Colt the Outlander - 6 (glad it's continuing)

Artist Studio - 6 (a wide range of style and execution)

Back Cover - 5

Re: 2010 - Present issue' ratings 1-9

Summer 2010, where again it is clear that knowing the meaning of the names of specials is forbidden.

Cover - 7 (not very bright or eye-catching, but the composition and detail are appealing to me, and I liked the somewhat translucent logo)

Battery Acid - 6 (I liked the art here better than #1 in Spring 2009, color helps, but the "story" is even more pointless (though I did like the line "Indeed! "Why me?" On this, the most important question, we agree" ). I don't mind a serial but I hope they come more often than once a year.

Sinkha: Atmosphere and Planet of the Clouds - 7 (I enjoyed looking at this, and trying to follow it was ok. I'm afraid that the art technique that was groundbreaking in 1996 has only slightly improved, the detail and lush imagery are offset by rather stiff poses and composition. Still fun to see, and I wonder if this is really the end of the story.)