happy holidays, every damn one of them...
January 2012
Cover - 6 (The disdainful sneer is the best part. The rest is flat and pointless.)
Gallery - 6 (This looks good enough to enjoy if it was in HM magazine, but I don't think I'll go buy it.)
Dossier - 7 (Don't know Chris Rush, but the article was a good read.)
Animal'z - 7 (wow, Enki Bilal. Looks more like a sketchbook, but still shows a mysterious story. And it's "to be continued next issue", an actual serial?)
Wisher #2 - The Fabled Ones - 6 (It was ok, some of it looked good, and some of it was funny.)
Dreamz - 7 (I admire Llarena for the effort to find humanity, and the art is a step up for his stories.)
Metal Media - The Zodiac Button - 8 (I had interest having grown up in that time, and this story is told in such a personal perspective. And yes, "Ray, that's just weird")
The Tants - 7 (It's not great, but it helped me as I've thought about the current zombie cultural popularity. I think it's a processing of collective fear of "the other", those who are different from you and your tribe and are threatening just because. This fear is commonly exploited in our cultural and political lives. This story helped me see that "the other" can also be seen as similar to you, as well as different.)
Will o' the Wisp - 6 (The color and backgrounds and composition were really nice, the rest of the line art looked blunt and hurried on top of it in comparision. The story did show some real emotion.)
the Age - 6
Artist Studio - 7 (the guy's got some ability, and shows some range in the little bitty images on the last page.)
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
Saturday, November 26, 2011
November 2011
Cover - 7 (the style and subject don't thrill me, but Bisely's execution does)
Gallery - 6 (I appreciate the energy and presentation, I know I'm missing out not chasing the QRs, but I'm not as impressed by Mr. Bite's work as he is.)
Dossier - 6 (Nice use of views of old and new work. I've only looked at darkbrain a couple times, maybe I'll look again.)
Malevolence - 3 (I was sort of following where it was going, until it got there. Actual willful torture offends me.)
I, Dragon: the End of Genesis - 7 (Though I sometimes wished the art was less sketchy, Gimenez is still really good. The story was wordy, but I liked it.)
The Only God - 7 (nice shift in a story I've seen before, to a better (?) ending.)
Darwin's Defeat - 8 (The best story in the issue by far, well told with better art execution than I usually see Llarena get.)
Metal Media - 6 (I can see that Buscema's ability deserves praise, but this article is light.)
Artist Studio - 7 (I admire the artist's ability in several media, and I do like looking for detail in line drawing...)
back cover - 7
not a bad issue, some good stuff and there have been worse.
Gallery - 6 (I appreciate the energy and presentation, I know I'm missing out not chasing the QRs, but I'm not as impressed by Mr. Bite's work as he is.)
Dossier - 6 (Nice use of views of old and new work. I've only looked at darkbrain a couple times, maybe I'll look again.)
Malevolence - 3 (I was sort of following where it was going, until it got there. Actual willful torture offends me.)
I, Dragon: the End of Genesis - 7 (Though I sometimes wished the art was less sketchy, Gimenez is still really good. The story was wordy, but I liked it.)
The Only God - 7 (nice shift in a story I've seen before, to a better (?) ending.)
Darwin's Defeat - 8 (The best story in the issue by far, well told with better art execution than I usually see Llarena get.)
Metal Media - 6 (I can see that Buscema's ability deserves praise, but this article is light.)
Artist Studio - 7 (I admire the artist's ability in several media, and I do like looking for detail in line drawing...)
back cover - 7
not a bad issue, some good stuff and there have been worse.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Thanks Lostboy
Lostboy recently announced that he will no longer update his site beyond a few movie items and others:
heavymetalmagazinefanpage.com
Personally I am quite disappointed. Lostboy's site is a tremendous resource for HM fans, and his perspective has been affectionate but not blindly accepting. However, he doesn't owe me anything, and I respect his decisions.
I found his site when I was just getting back into HM, and I was searching for references to the Timothy Leary interview in the October 1983 issue. Back then it came right up and I was amazed at the depth of information he had compiled. (now it's back about 5 pages in search results)
I and other HM fans owe Lostboy a debt of gratitude for his efforts and the wealth of information his site offers. I can only wish him the best and hope he keeps in touch.
heavymetalmagazinefanpage.com
Personally I am quite disappointed. Lostboy's site is a tremendous resource for HM fans, and his perspective has been affectionate but not blindly accepting. However, he doesn't owe me anything, and I respect his decisions.
I found his site when I was just getting back into HM, and I was searching for references to the Timothy Leary interview in the October 1983 issue. Back then it came right up and I was amazed at the depth of information he had compiled. (now it's back about 5 pages in search results)
I and other HM fans owe Lostboy a debt of gratitude for his efforts and the wealth of information his site offers. I can only wish him the best and hope he keeps in touch.
Sunday, November 6, 2011
September 2011
Now that all those past reviews are up, guess it's time to get caught up with recent issues.
Cover - 7 (I like pink, and it's been a long time since a music reference was on the cover.)
New Dawn Fades - 6 (That all you got? Pretty nice action but not a lot more.)
Machina - 7 (Nothing new here, clunky translation, but it looks nice.)
Kunkka Pinups - 6 (some nice imagination with some uneven execution.)
Bounty Journal - 7 (well, if you're gonna have pointless mayhem, it might as well be fun)
In Your Youth's Summer - 7 (can't really see the art, but it looks cool and I liked the hand lettering)
Wraithdt Pinups - 5 (some nice detail on the armor, but not enough)
Dead Meat - 7 (I really like the use of different art and the composition, there's not much story though)
Hell-O-Kitty - 7 (Awww, isn't it cute how the flying superkittys destroy that giant robot?)
Yu Ming Pinups - 5 (only two?)
Rule My World - 7 (I like this kind of style, and it's done nicely. Not really a happy ending though, is it?)
Infinite - 7 ( cool, nice axe. she has backup?)
Turn Me On - 2 (dislike the idea, and not done all that well)
Eko Puteh Pinups - 5 (only three?)
Amplification - 7 (more manga-y than I usually care for, but some nice freakiness at the end. more musical weapons too. it's been a while since that's been a feature of HM)
Back Cover - 6 (nicely done, but silly)
Pretty nice issue I thought.
Cover - 7 (I like pink, and it's been a long time since a music reference was on the cover.)
New Dawn Fades - 6 (That all you got? Pretty nice action but not a lot more.)
Machina - 7 (Nothing new here, clunky translation, but it looks nice.)
Kunkka Pinups - 6 (some nice imagination with some uneven execution.)
Bounty Journal - 7 (well, if you're gonna have pointless mayhem, it might as well be fun)
In Your Youth's Summer - 7 (can't really see the art, but it looks cool and I liked the hand lettering)
Wraithdt Pinups - 5 (some nice detail on the armor, but not enough)
Dead Meat - 7 (I really like the use of different art and the composition, there's not much story though)
Hell-O-Kitty - 7 (Awww, isn't it cute how the flying superkittys destroy that giant robot?)
Yu Ming Pinups - 5 (only two?)
Rule My World - 7 (I like this kind of style, and it's done nicely. Not really a happy ending though, is it?)
Infinite - 7 ( cool, nice axe. she has backup?)
Turn Me On - 2 (dislike the idea, and not done all that well)
Eko Puteh Pinups - 5 (only three?)
Amplification - 7 (more manga-y than I usually care for, but some nice freakiness at the end. more musical weapons too. it's been a while since that's been a feature of HM)
Back Cover - 6 (nicely done, but silly)
Pretty nice issue I thought.
Saturday, October 22, 2011
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.
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.)
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.)
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.
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.
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
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
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