As you can tell from Marooned, I have a soft spot for all-ages comics. I think it’s great to have something kids and parents can both enjoy together, and I think there needs to be more quality stuff made for kids. That’s why I was happy to find Smash by Chris and Kyle Bolton.

That’s a tall order to fill, but I do think the first 12 episodes deliver. I had a lot of fun reading it, and I’m looking forward to see what comes next. Do yourself a favor and head over and check it out. You’ll enjoy it no matter what your age.

Shane Acker’s 9

So after waiting years to see this – and then missing it in theatres – I finally got to see it this week. From all accounts I had read the movie missed its mark and didn’t deliver on the promise of the short. That bummed me out but I had to see it.

I think unfortunately that the critics are mostly correct. Visually, the movie is pretty amazing and the studio did wonderful work in creating environments that are pretty cool. The characters look really good. But slick effects can’t be all you have.

I’ve read reviews where it was said that you can’t find a character to care about, there’s no humor and no real story. I think that is mostly true to a point. The problem is you aren’t given enough information early on to care about the main character, 9. And when his first acquaintance goes missing early on in the film, it’s too soon to have created a bond so you’re not sure what to feel. And with a supposed bond between characters 2 and 5, again we aren’t given enough to allow ourselves to become attached to them.

Even the vocal performances seemed a bit off and could have been pushed – and these are some find actors in the cast. I can only blame the new director and the script for that.

What’s bothersome is that the film held lots of promise. I want to care about them and their plight, and the situation they are in seems to be awful, but it just falls a bit short. And to me, the ending was really disappointing. I wasn’t sure how to feel and it seemed somewhat abrupt. We’re not sure what to think about what happens next.

I’m going to watch it one more time, my kids want to see it too, but I doubt my opinion will change much and that’s a real bummer.

Elephantmen by Richard Starkings – Image Comics

I don’t read much of mainstream comics at all – in fact pretty much nothing. But I actually found this comic via ComicCraft’s comic book lettering book, in which Hip Flask – a main character in the series – is featured. ComicCraft makes super high quality fonts for comic books.

Anyway, it looked pretty cool, and of course, it’s sci-fi goodness.

“2259: THEY ARE THE SURVIVORS of genetic engineering experiments and indoctrination by Doctor Kazushi Nikken and MAPPO, a sinister organization which sought to create suprahuman weapons of mass destruction.”

“They” being all sorts of animals, especially elephants. They’ve now been integrated into this future society where humans and unhumans live together – but not necessarily in harmony.

“FREED AND REHABILITATED by the United Nations Intelligence Taskforce, the ‘Unhumans’ now live amongst men. Legitimized by the ‘Elephantmen’ act, they are nevertheless denied the right to bear arms and must survive on their wits alone.”

I got in a bit late, and the series is now up to 23 – but it’s not too late to get started. You will love this series. Well written and drawn by a stable of pretty amazing artists, including Moritat (Justin Norman) and Marian Churchland (who’s issues have created a real buzz). The series has gotten rave critical reviews as well.

I’ve got a handful of issues, but it’s easier (and cheaper) to just grab the collection to catch up. I’ve got one coming now and can’t wait to get into it. You can get an eyeful and learn all about the series at their excellent website, as well as read a preview of the series.

One of the cool things about the series is how pro it is – awesome art, lettering and layout and just really fun designs. You don’t want to miss this series. Here’s a couple of covers to whet your appetite.

Every once in awhile I try to take stock of my readership, who you are, how it’s growing, what I’m doing right and wrong, etc. Well it’s about that time again.

Let’s hear from the new readers!

I’d really like to hear from my newer readers this time. I consider a “new reader” is someone who began reading Marooned around the Fall of 2009 – say around September until now. If you fall into that category, I’ve got a few short questions below.

I really enjoy hearing from folks who have never commented before, so I’d love to hear from you folks.

What do you need to do to win?

All you need to do is add a comment with your answers to the short questions below. They can be simple answers, just make them truthful please.

What can you win?

By the end of next week, I will randomly select someone from this list and send them a package of original artwork which will include some Marooned art and one of the pages from my upcoming Rag the Viking minicomic.

Here’s the short questions:

1. How did you find out about Marooned? Please be as specific as possible as to HOW you got to the site.
2. What was your first impression when you got here?
3. What made you decide to become a fan – why did you keep reading?
4. Who is your favorite character?

That’s all, pretty simple right? Just leave your answers below as a comment to win! I promise you I will be stuffing the package with some pretty neat stuff. So make sure you join in on the fun. I’d also like to hear anything else you have to share

After a month or so of sneaking in drawings here and there, I’ve finally completed my first minicomic – Rag the Viking! Even though I did the drawing and produced the comic, It’s really a collaboration between myself and Steve Ogden. Steve had the basic idea, from which I wrote the full script. He also had the original Rag design, too. You can see Steve’s original character drawings and direction for me at the Wishtales Rag page.

The minicomic was made to have available at our SPACE table come April. But I will be making it available to those of you who would like a copy. The cost will be small, probably $2.00 (plus shipping – which should be cheap, it’s small and light.)

All that is left is for me to produce them. I have to make a few small tweaks to the final images, then have them run off and cut and staple them all together. Once they are ready, I’ll put them on the store page.

Rag the Viking is the story of a typical office man who has dreams beyond his typical daily experience.

The talented Mike Maihack has been teasing his new webcomic project for awhile now, and it finally went live on January 25th. You may have seen Mike’s fun Cow & Buffalo, a strip he previously put out and for which he apparently still has some plans.

But his new project is one I’ve been looking forward to called… Cleopatra in Spaaaaace! It’s sci-fi adventure goodness in all its glory, my friends. Mike is obviously an amazing artist – that is plain to see. So far the writing seems pulpy and fun. You’ve got Egyptian style in space, Cleopatra as the main character and her sidekick cat Khensu. But let’s let Mike give you the skinny:

“Zapped away as a teenager from her home era of 52 BC, Cleopatra VII found herself in the middle of a centuries’ long war in the far, far, really far, far future. Now she fights alongside P.Y.R.A.M.I.D. (Pharaoh Yasiro’s Research And Military Initiative of Defense), both human and alienkind’s only hope against the evil Xaius Octavian.”

Pretty fun stuff. There’s more, but I’ll let you discover that over at Mike’s site. I love Mike’s artistic style, it’s loose and full of energy. I only wish he would do more in color, but I for one know how much work that is and I’m sure his plate is pretty full. Here’s some graphic goodness to get you going, then head over and get caught up before you fall behind.

I finally finished the one-page bonus comic for I, ASIMOV. I’ve decided that I’m going to post it as a bonus comic tomorrow, because what the hey, I want you guys to see it. If you want to show your appreciation for the bonus strip (or for Marooned in general), there will be a donation button up shortly.