Hum
Graphic Novel
Written By Scott Marcano and Tom Lenoci
Illustrated by Renzo Podesta
Diablo Productions
Cover price: $15.95; 250 pages, B&W w/ partial Color
March 2009

Throughout the history of humans, also apparent in our own everyday experience, the affluent have taken advantage of the downtrodden. Humans are also great adapters. We eventually, as a people, make the best of the situation we find ourselves in. We are also susceptible to the promise of ease and ecstasy. Well, off world and in the future people are no different.

Such is the story of Hum which is slowly, masterfully untwined over the first few chapters of the book. Earthling colonists travel through space and find what they believe to be a perfect new world. However, most of the population is debilitated by a natural element of the planet. The non-afflicted take this as a sign of their superiority and use the disadvantaged to do their bidding. This is a story all too familiar in our human history. It seems like a natural extension of our progeny. Just as it is that the afflicted rise to overcome their disabilities and begin to live life anew and begin…hum. But the masters won’t give up easily, using their own people with the vices of the time and planet, to fight their battles for them [...]

Hotwire; Requiem for the Dead
#3 of 4
Written, Illustrated and lettered by Steve Pugh
Created by Warren Ellis and Steve Pugh
Radical Publishing, Inc.
Cover price: $2.99; On-sale date: May 2009

“Blue-Lights have started to penetrate the suppressor fields into the cities and are possessing the living. The living are being turned into “Ghost-Bombs,” capable of enormous damage. When the dead threaten the living, you call the police and they have a department of One to take care of the problem. The Detective Exorcist, Alice Hotwire.”

This is the foreword on this Warren Ellis and Steve Pugh created miniseries. Newcomer Radical Publishing is producing this comic, based on a story by Warren Ellis, which, judging by the intense, strange, vivid world and equally traited characters, is not hard to believe. Steve Pugh is handling the rest of the series though, by writing, illustrating and even lettering this futuristic/technological ghost/zombie story [...]

American Gladiators Ultimate Workout
Starring Gina Carano, Monica Carlson, Michael O’Hearn, Tanoai Reed, Jennifer Widerstrom
Lionsgate Home Entertainment
Release Date: December 16, 2008

Are you ready to get your fit on with some of your favorites from the American Gladiators TV Show? Then get your oil and dumbbells ready because Jet, Titan, Wolf, Phoenix, Toa, and Crush are ready to pump … you up.

The American Gladiators Ultimate Workout DVD consists of 3 separate workouts for both men and women. I have confirmed this because my wife did each workout right alongside me and she really impressed the hell out of me! It also includes 3 short target zone sessions that each focus on a certain part of the body. Yes, they are the important ones… and each workout is performed by the Gladiators right on the set of the TV show!

In muscle Madness Strength 1, Titan, Phoenix, and Wolf each take turns pushing you with their own distinct style. The Gladiators have fun with you and each other in this muscle workout that winds up giving you some cardio as well. This is really a great combination of not only muscle building and cardio exercises, but there are calisthenics, stretching, and even yoga elements as well thanks to the lovely Phoenix. Most exercises employ dumbbells as the muscle resistance. This works out well because each person can customize their workout using the appropriate weight for their specific level and goals. My wife used 40% of the weight I used.

Muscle Makeover Strength 2 is similar but employs the talents of Toa, Crush, and Jet. They add new routines and exercises with their own spin on how to get in shape [...]

Samurai Elf
Written by Miguel Guerra, Suzy Dias
Art by Miguel Guerra
Samurai Elf, Vol. 1: Set Apart
Release date: November 1, 2006
Samurai Elf, Vol. 2: Bulls Eye
Release date: November 4, 2008
Iberian Press

Samurai Elf follows the adventures of the last elf on the planet Tyr. Ardan knows nothing about his past, but he suddenly becomes a very popular being. Problem is, not all of his “fans” have his best interest at heart. Thus begins Ardan’s tale of self-discovery and world adventure. Volume 1: Set Apart, keeps it simple by introducing the main influences in Ardan’s life, from a master Samurai Dwarf, who’s training Ardan really finds draining, to Keegan, a feisty, female samurai who takes a liking to Ardan and realizes her life has been too boring for too long, decides to share his quest for answers and destiny.

Along the way we also meet some of the Hordes horrific minions. Enhanced robotic humans who have allowed themselves to be transformed into hideous killing machines in order to do their “Fury’s” bidding. Namely, capture Ardan. But some of them are willing to risk “recycling” to gain vengeance on the last elf.

We also catch a glimpse of a seemingly dark power inside of Ardan himself. Is this why all of Tyr seems to be after him? [...]

Black Ghost Apple Factory from Top Shelf consists of seven short comic stories all written and drawn by Jeremy Tinder.

If Watchmen deconstructed the superhero, then Super F*ckers reconstructs them into drug-addicted, egotistical, power-hungry sex fiends.

In “Preamble”, the first of the 7-issue “Heroes and Villains” arc of Intrepid, we meet Joseph Paxton and Intrepid is the only way to describe him.

Hot alien sex, cool monsters, wild alien technology, huge, bloody war scenes, a progeny, and a world’s fight for survival is what you get in this series.

Tom loves Liz Lemon – Physically! Check out his review of the hit NBC sitcom.

There is one beautiful, sexy woman coming after you. That might be a good thing if it wasn’t the trained killer Cyblade, one of the most popular members of Top Cow’s original flagship series Cyberforce.

Madame Mirage is fun, and at the same time, gritty and hard-hitting with awesome artwork and a lot of potential.

Focusing on one of the most popular members of Top Cow’s original flagship series, Cyberforce, this issue is a great jumping-on point.

Zack Snyder’s war epic based on the graphic novel by Frank MIller is out on DVD in three separate editions, with tons of bonus features!

The innocent setup in this issue, which centers around Dani, Sara, and Celestine, leads directly to the tragic result of the Top Cow Universe-alternating First Born mini-series event.

There’s something big going on in the Top Cow universe. So big, in fact, that the Marvel universe had to get involved in one-shot issue Unholy Union.