191 – Kill Six Billion Demons

Posted by Brant Gillihan-Eddy on July 12, 2017
Posted in: All Shows, View from the Gutters. Tagged: , , . 2 comments

This week on View from the Gutters our topic work is:

Kill Six Billion Demons – Vol. I

EVERYTHING by…. Tom Parkinson-Morgan

Brant says:

Lets play a game first read these two synopsis…

From Image:

In this collection of the first story arc of the popular webcomic Kill Six Billion Demons, sorority sister Allison Ruth must travel to Throne, the ancient city at the center of the multiverse, in an epic bid to save her boyfriend from the clutches of the seven evil kings that rule creation. Includes excerpts from in-universe religious texts, stories, and more.

From TVTropes:

God Is Dead. Far beyond Earth, The Multiverse is in chaos as criminals rule and callous kings maintain a fragile peace. One day, a mysterious and bloody figure appears to a barista named Allison Wanda Ruth, and bestows her with an Ancient Artifact known as the Key of Kings. In the process, Allison finds herself suddenly transported to the final resting place of the gods in the exact center of the multiverse, the red city of Throne. Allison must now travel through Throne and the 777,777 universes of creation to save her kidnapped boyfriend (even if he is a creep) and stop the plans of the stone angels, masked demons and mad god-kings that want her Key for themselves.

Brant says:

So remember when I said last time about East of West “Its a lot to take in…I honestly think this is the kind of book we are lucky to get in a world where comics has broken out as a medium the way that it has…. That said, its got a flavor that some may find off-putting…”?

YYeeeaaaaahhhhh. If the synopsis comparison hasn’t given it away this work is pretty darn intense. Joe found it VERY off-putting, I am weirdly mixed on it, especially since recording the episode and mulling it over more and Tobiah seem pretty much all in. Adam seems between me and Tobiah? Probably closer to Tobiah than me.

So this is a weird read… And I mean that in like a very dictionary way, it has an odd flavor that isn’t like anything else and that can be a great thing if it hits you right. This book has found some very solid fans much in the way (as we briefly discuss) things like Homestuck or even something grander like Star Wars has in that its found a fan base that’s become interested in not just the text but the mythology and relationships of the back matter and so on. Not every work gets that level of attention.  Join use next time as we swing back into superheroes for Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet.

Our hosts for this episode are Brant Gillihan-Eddy, Joe Preti, Adam Panshin and Tobiah Panshin.

In this episode Tobiah references The Land of Make Believe, by Jaro Hess.

Thank you to Addison Appleby, Kar Fedosh, Chris Bianculli, Shopping Mall Krampus, Jeb Korzilius, and Jeremy Ballard for sponsoring the show.

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190 — East of West

Posted by Tobiah on June 28, 2017
Posted in: All Shows, View from the Gutters. Tagged: , , , .

This week on View from the Gutters our topic work is:

East of West, Vol. 1-3

Story by…. Jonathan Hickman
Art by…. Nick Dragotta and Frank Martin

Brant says:

I don’t like the synopsis for this book’s volumes. They try to make pithy and light the weird and complicated work that Hickman is fully “on” in this book creating and pithy or simple or light is not where my mind goes. In the future of an alternate earth, one where an apocalyptic “word of god” has shaped the world and a constant reincarnation of the Four Horsemen sets up a cycle of demigod like actors, the various leaders of a re-imagined North American continent navigate the various religious, social, military and cultural conflicts that occur as various events unfold….as a Western?

Its a lot to take in. Joe and I are more on board than Toby but I think we do a good job of digging into these first three volumes. There is a lot to get into in the book and I doubt we put a light on all the dark corners this title has to offer. Take the time to read through this one a couple times if you can/if you enjoy it. I honestly think this is the kind of book we are lucky to get in a world where comics has broken out as a medium the way that it has. That said, its got a flavor that some may find offputting. Join us next time as we tackle Kill Six Billion Demons.

 

Our hosts for this episode are Brant Gillihan-Eddy, Joe Preti, and Tobiah Panshin.

Thank you to Addison Appleby, Kar Fedosh, Chris Bianculli, Shopping Mall Krampus, Jeb Korzilius, and Jeremy Ballard for sponsoring the show.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:10:59 — 39.9MB) | Embed

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189 — The Omega Men

Posted by Tobiah on June 14, 2017
Posted in: All Shows, View from the Gutters. Tagged: , , , , , .

This week on View from the Gutters our topic work is:

The Omega Men – The End is Here

Story by…. Tom King
Art by….Barnaby Bagenda, Ig Guara, Toby Cypress

From Amazon:

Kyle Rayner, the White Lantern, is dead. And the Omega Men killed him. On live TV. They’re a criminal gang, a terrorist organization, a fanatical cult.

And they’re the only hope for freedom this godforsaken sector of the universe has.

No matter what the citizens of the Vega System think they saw, the White Lantern lives…as the Omega Men’s prisoner. What they really want him to be is their latest recruit in their relentless war against the all-powerful Citadel and its tyrannical Viceroy.

As Kyle gets to know this motley crew of outlaws, he’ll question everything he knows about being a hero. In this strange system where the Green Lanterns are forbidden, will he break his oath and join their revolution? Or will he discover that the Omega Men are monsters in the end?

Brant says:

I’m sorta obsessed with this book because I am convinced I am both missing something and “getting” something from it. It was talked up quite a bit and it clearly has a strange taste. More political thriller than superhero story our group chews on the text quite a bit and I feel like we walk away from it sorta shell shocked (well maybe just me). The art throws us for a loop but I certainly enjoy the bulk of the books imagery. I’m sure there is some yelling in there somewhere. I have added some references to the end of this post because there are some interesting opinions about what the book “is” and “means”and I mention them in the post so want to follow through and acknowledge those other writers that helped me as I read the book.

Our hosts for this episode are Brant Gillihan-Eddy, Joe Preti, and Tobiah Panshin.

Thank you to Addison Appleby, Kar Fedosh, Chris Bianculli, Shopping Mall Krampus, Jeb Korzilius, and Jeremy Ballard for sponsoring the show.

References:

Evan Naricsse @ Io9  – 1,2,3

Benjamin Bailey @ the Nerdist

Jesse Scheeden @ IGN

Vaneta Rogers talks to Tom King about the book @ NEWSARAMA

Mat Elfring talks to Tom King about the book @ Comic Vine

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188 — The Star Wars

Posted by Brant Gillihan-Eddy on May 31, 2017
Posted in: All Shows, Comic Book Club, View from the Gutters. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

This week on View from the Gutters our topic work is:

The Star Wars

Story by…. JW Rinzler (George Lucas)
Art by…. Mike Mayhew, Rain Beredo, Nick Runge, Michael Heisler

Reprinted in Star Wars Epic Collection: Infinities (Star Wars Legends)

From Amazon:

Before Star Wars, there was The Star Wars! This is the softcover collection of the official adaptation of George Lucas’s rough-draft screenplay for what would become Star Wars, the film that changed motion pictures and the world. You’ll see familiar characters and places–but not all is the same in this long-ago and faraway galaxy. Still, strap yourself in for high adventure and lazersword duels, Jedi Knights, Princess Leia, Han Solo, and a battle to defeat the evil Empire! Collects issues #1-#8 The Star Wars.

Brant says:

Uhhh…..ummm…gosh. What a crazy book. Honestly I feel like this is one of the most insane things I have ever read but boy oh boy is it fun to talk about. Throw out everything you know and marvel at how different our world could have been…

Our hosts for this episode are Brant Gillihan-Eddy, Joe Preti, and Tobiah Panshin.

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187 – Immortal Iron Fist

Posted by Brant Gillihan-Eddy on May 17, 2017
Posted in: All Shows, Comic Book Club, View from the Gutters. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , .

This week on View from the Gutters our topic work is:

The Immortal Iron Fist #1-16

Story by…. Ed Brubaker & Matt Fraction,
Pencils by…. David Aja, Travel Foreman, Derek Fridolfs, Tom Palmer, Sai Buscema, Russ Heath, Leandro Fernandez, Khari Evans, Kano
Inks by…. David Aja, Derek Fridolfs, Tom Palmer, Kano, Victor Olazaba
Colors by…. Matt Hollingsworth, Dan Brown, June Chung, Jelena Kevic Djurdjevic
Letters by…. Dave Lanphear, Artmonkeys Studios

From Amazon:

Experience a brand-new kind of Iron Fist story, one steeped in legends and fables stretching back through the centuries! Orphaned as a child and raised in the lost city of K’un-Lun, Danny Rand returned to America as the mystical martial artist Iron Fist – but all his kung fu skills can’t help him find his place in the modern world. After learning that the legacy of the Iron Fist holds more secrets than he ever dreamed, Danny is invited to fight in a tournament against the Immortal Weapons. At stake is the life of his friend, the legacy of his father and mentor…and the future of K’un-Lun!

Brant says:

Wow! Nostalgia can be a buzzkill. We argue a bit over the logic of this pick and look at where we think Brubaker or Fraction were the stronger voice. I get cranky and thumbs down the book while everyone else tends to take the “but I still like it” tack. I grouse about how a mixture of artists really take away the consistency of tone for me, while special guest Patrick helps shine the light on the foundational elements that would one day build toward an award winning Hawkeye run for Fractio and Aja. We compare a bit to the recent Iron Fist Netflix series and I ask questions about the history of Danny Rand. Next time we take on The Star Wars!

Our hosts for this episode are Brant Gillihan-Eddy, Joe Preti, special guest Patrick Gilmore and Tobiah Panshin.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 1:10:14 — 42.2MB) | Embed

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186 – Mockingbird, Vol. 1

Posted by Brant Gillihan-Eddy on May 3, 2017
Posted in: All Shows, Comic Book Club, View from the Gutters. Tagged: , , , , , , .

This week on View from the Gutters our topic work is:

Mockingbird Vol 1.

Story by . . . . Chelsea Cain
Art by . . . . . . Kate Niemczyk, Rachelle Rosenberg, Sean Parsons, Ibrahim Moustafa,

From Amazon:

Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Bobbi Morse, the former Avenger known as Mockingbird, goes solo in her own incredible adventures! With a scientific mind and a lethal mastery of martial arts, she’s one of the most versatile, in-demand assets at Maria Hill’s disposal – that makes her ideal for investigating strange goings-on in S.H.I.E.L.D.’s own medical and recovery network. And when Lance Hunter’s undercover gig at the London Hellfire Club goes south, Mockingbird sets off, battle staves at the ready, to save him – and the Queen of England! From helping out a teen driven bonkers by her own new powers, to doing a little dog-sitting, Bobbi shows that she’s a woman of many talents as bestselling author Chelsea Cain and artist Kate Niemczyk make Mockingbird sing!

Brant says:

I brought this book because…I like it? Joe too. Toby is wrong, like ALWAYS…except all the times he isn’t. We return from the VOID to read comics and dish about things relating to this book, women in comics, the fatal flaws of comics and sales and, in general, EASE back on in to our shenanigans. Next time we check out The Immortal Iron Fist!

Our hosts for this episode are Brant Gillihan-Eddy, Joe Preti, and Tobiah Panshin. 

 

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Announcement: The Comeback

Posted by Tobiah on April 26, 2017
Posted in: All Shows, View from the Gutters.

First and foremost, let me just say to everyone out there who has stood by with baited breath: Thanks for waiting. It’s once again announcement time, and I’m going to be brief and to the point: View from the Gutters is coming back from our… let’s just call it our “winter intermission.”

We’ll be returning next week with episode 186, in which we discuss Mockingbird, by Chelsea Cain and Kate Niemczyk. Wednesday will be our new regular release day, so you can look forward to that episode dropping on May 3, with additional comic book club episodes every 2 weeks.

You can check out our website for a listing of upcoming episode topics.

We’re incredibly excited about the episodes we’ve got in the pipeline, and we hope that you’ll join us for those discussions. Until then, keep reading.

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