Comic Review: Age of Reptiles Volume 1 by Ricardo Delgado

If you are a fan of dinosaurs then you owe it to yourself to check out Ricardo Delgado's Age Of Reptiles comic series. I read the omnibus Volume 1 (so far) which contains the first 3 works in one graphic novel along with sketches and essays from Ricardo Delgado.

Ricardo also includes essays about his artistic influences. These were interesting to me since I also enjoyed some of his influences such as Ray Harryhausen of The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad fame. This is the guy that made those great stop motion monster films. As well, Desai Arnaz who made King Kong, the 1933 version, who also taught Ray Harryhausen.

Ricardo's drawings are amazing in their ability to convey emotion and communication between the dinosaurs he depicts. A surprise, fear, love, a parental rebuke, and more emotions are all expressed with such clear distinction. Studying his style would go a long way to showing one how emotion can be conveyed with the correct eye formation, head turn, or mouth display.

I found myself tearing through the book quickly to take in the story, occasionally slowing to try to take in all the subtle details. Then coming back again to study in more detail the composition and character design.

There are no words in this world, since dinosaurs did not talk, but that means this is no less a thrilling set of stories. This is like watching a nature show. One does not need to explain that a croc is lying in wait and then pouncing on an unsuspecting soul. It is clear as day when you can see it with your eyes.

This might be a bit too graphic for younger kids that like dinosaurs. You'll have to judge for yourself.

If you like dinosaurs you'll enjoy this series.

Amazon: Age of Reptiles Omnibus Volume 1

Comic Review: Zita the Spacegirl

Image zitaspacegirl.com

Based on my previous comic review of Cowboys and Aliens I received feedback from @existopher on Twitter that his kids liked Zita the Spacegirl so I decided to check it out. Let's dive in.

Zita the Spacegirl is drawn and written by Ben Hatke. He is a comic artist and has a sketch blog called Art and Adventure.

I really love Ben's drawing and colouring style, especially for kids. The art is very approachable and the scary stuff not too dark and scary for a kid. Unlike some stuff I read, I would not be concerned to leave this comic out where the kids might pick it up.

What I really enjoyed about the first book in his series is the open and inclusive nature of the lead heroine, Zita. She approaches each person/alien she meets with an open attitude and looks for the good in them. This does not always workout for her but she quickly builds a team of friendly and helpful companions that help her on her quest to rescue her friend Joseph.

Check out this trailer of the comic:


This is a story about being lost, finding friends, saving the world, and sacrifice. A fun story for kids and adults alike with some nice themes throughout. There is suspense, bad guys (the normal dumb ones doing dumb things that kids like), adventure, and lots of funny aliens to enjoy.

I liked that the lead is a girl who is cast with strong instincts, technical savvy, and daring fit for a Captain Kirk adventure. You can see that Ben loves his (kids) girls in the writing as he crafts a story with such a strong female lead. There should be more stories like this that I can point friends to when they are looking for a strong, non-sexist female heroine for their kids to read in comics.

This is a comic I recommend if you have kids. My 8 year old read it on his own while my 5 year old and I read it together. They both enjoyed the story. Online I found recommendations of ages 7-13 for this book. So, follow that guidance and give it a read first (like I did) to see if you think your younger child can handle the story.

I look forward to reading the additional adventures of Zita the Spacegirl with my boys and will recommend it to friends with kids (either sex). Yes, I know some parents will balk at a comic for their girl, but this is a great comic with the type of female lead we need to see more of. And besides there's always Christmas/Birthday gifts when I can slip this in to introduce another kid to great comic adventures ;-)

Comic Review: Cowboys vs Aliens

I picked up Cowboys & Aliens from the library since I had enjoyed the movie. I took a quick look and noticed that it was not the same story as the one told in the movie. So, I had to take it home to read.

The comic explains some of the back story like where the lead character got his alien tech from. It has a better story I think and it a little funnier in regards to what his main alien weapon/tech is.

The comic was also not very graphically violent so I let my 8 year old read it as well. Yes, I am that Dad that reads the comics first and then let's his kids read them if they are ok (by my standards). This one got a thumbs up and he quickly devoured it.

On the subject of comics and kids, a comic I don't let him read is the Sonic the Hedgehog series. I find the stories in those a thin veil for some pretty series topics for kids.

I found Cowboys & Aliens to be a fun romp of stupid conquering aliens who underestimate the human spirit. From what should be ridiculous odds in the favour of the aliens we see human ingenuity outsmarting the invaders for a last minute win.

If you saw the movie and enjoyed it then this is not a retelling of the movie. It is an original story with some of the elements lifted for the movie but not a cut and paste meaning this comic is well worth your time if you want some more Cowboys & Aliens action.

Batman: Knightfall

I was reading The Verge Classics: Batman Knightfall BBC Radio Drama, and figured I would look into the original comic.  The series tells the story of Bane, his origin and battle with Batman.

I love origin stories of characters and to find out the original take on where Bane came from was an instant draw.  I am into the first volume of 3 and picked them up at the library.  Go go Library!

The volumes are not short so you probably only need to pick up one at a time.

Batman Knightfall, Vol 1, Knightfall

Batman Knightfall, Vol. 2, Knightquest

Batman Knightfall, Vol. 3, KnightsEnd

Read more about Batman: Knightfall at wikipedia.

The origin story of Bane is well worked out and is much stronger than in the Dark Knight Rises movie.  You get a better understanding of who Bane is and what made him.  In the movie I came out of it feeling he was a lackey for Talia al Ghul.  

In Batman Knightfall, Bane is his own man with a single determined goal, to destroy the Batman who embodies his personal childhood demons.

So, if you enjoyed The Dark Knight Rises and are a comic reader, then you owe it to yourself to check out this series.  If just to get another take on Bane.