Category: Books & Novels

THE CISCO KID VS. WYATT EARP # 1 (2008 MOONSTONE Books)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date November 8, 2020

Written by Len Kody & Chuck Dixon

Art by EricJ; Bernie Lee; & Dave Bryant

Cover Art by Kalman Andrasofszky

SUMMARY:

Published by Moonstone Books in 2008, this 32-page historical fiction one-shot is primarily set in late 1880 Arizona. The action starts almost immediately after “Curly” Bill Brocius has been arrested for Tombstone Marshal Fred White’s controversial death.

Inadvertently tipped off by famed dime novelist Ned Buntline, the fugitive Cisco Kid seeks out “Curly” Bill to finally settle a childhood injustice. Unfolding in segments, a childhood flashback reveals what dark connection the Cisco Kid’s broken family once had to sleazy thieves “Curly” Bill and Tyson Raines.

After abducting a captive “Curly” Bill from Deputy U.S. Marshal Earp’s posse, the Kid scares the notorious outlaw into rolling over on Raines. Pursuing the young desperado to the remote tent town called Daltry, a suspicious Earp wants answers. Gloriously dubbed the Robber’s Roost shootout by Buntline’s hype, a gunfight commences.

REVIEW:

It’s an impressive upgrade over Moonstone’s dismal 2005 black-and-white Wyatt Earp: Dodge City # 1. In addition to reader-friendly visuals (including much-appreciated color), the character visuals appear spot-on. For instance, a blonde Earp and his distinctive moustache are easy to recognize. It likely isn’t a coincidence that the cover image of Earp resembles a young Charles Bronson. The same applies to this story’s “Curly” Bill, who eerily resembles actor Powers Boothe playing him in 1993’s Tombstone film.

Despite playing fast and loose with historical details, the script coherently links Earp to the fictional Kid’s vendetta against his father’s old cronies. Reinforcing Earp as a cool-headed frontier icon, writer Len Kody does a credible job making his take on Earp at least plausible. Unlike the story’s other characters, Kody’s attention is mainly focused on devising ambiguous character depth for the vengeful Kid. This gamble pays off, as The Cisco Kid vs. Wyatt Earp is a dose of gritty entertainment for Old West fans.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

None.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

Comic Books & Graphic Novels Independent Publishers (Comic Books & Graphic Novels) Westerns

WYATT EARP: DODGE CITY # 1 (2005 MOONSTONE Books)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date November 8, 2020

Written by Chuck Dixon

Art by Enrique Villagran & Erik Enervold

Cover Art by Steve Lieber & Jeff Parker

SUMMARY:

Published by Moonstone Books in 2005, this 26-page, black-and-white tale is a fictionalized adventure depicting Wyatt Earp’s first meeting with John “Doc” Holliday in Dodge City, Kansas, circa late 1877. Loner lawman Earp arrives in Dodge City as the new city marshal, only to instantly find trouble.

Having jailed some of surly rancher Nick Hardesty’s thugs, Earp defiantly incurs the town bully’s wrath. At the gaming tables, Holliday also faces down Hardesty. A grateful saloon girl gets romantic with Earp. A drunken Hardesty resorts to murder and arson as his form of vengeance. Earp senses that he needs some reliable back-up.

Note: Among a few other profanities in this comic, Hardesty shouts the ‘n-word’ in one panel.

REVIEW:

Steve Lieber & Jeff Parker’s cover image is this comic’s sole asset. There are also a few interior panels that resemble actor Kurt Russell’s Earp from the 1993 film Tombstone. Beyond that, the disappointingly crude and muddled artwork wastes its black-and-white movie Western noir look, as too many characters resemble one another. While it’s isn’t particularly tough to decipher who’s who, it’s an unnecessary distraction.

As for the one-dimensional storyline, writer Chuck Dixon weakly phones in a clichéd script with few factual details (i.e. the presence of Dodge City citizens George Hoover and Larry Deger). Dixon has done far better work elsewhere, i.e. his Batman stories for DC Comics. For instance, using profanities might add credibility to the boozy Hardesty’s belligerence, but there isn’t any dramatic justification re: Hardesty’s ‘n-word.’ It’s a poor creative choice among many sub-par elements, rendering Wyatt Earp: Dodge City # 1 an utterly dismal read.

Note: Despite what Dixon’s story claims, the real Earp was (at least, on paper) Deger’s city deputy, rather than the other way around. According to historical accounts, Earp was never the official Dodge City marshal.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

There’s four pages and the back cover plugging various Moonstone properties.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 2 Stars

Note: A much better Moonstone project is 2008’s Cisco Kid vs. Wyatt Earp one-shot.

Books & Novels Comic Books & Graphic Novels Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction Marvel Comics MARVEL-Related

FANTASTIC FOUR: TO FREE ATLANTIS (by Nancy A. Collins & Illustrated by Paul Ryan)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date November 6, 2020

Written by Nancy A. Collins & Illustrated by Paul Ryan

SUMMARY:

This original 305-page paperback was published by Boulevard Books in 1995. Once an insidious royal coup imperils Atlantis, a poisoned Namor the Sub-Mariner is forced to seek help from his trusted allies: the Fantastic Four. Saving Namor from a synthetic virus, the team deduces that Doctor Doom has evidently orchestrated this attempted assassination. It’s up to Mr. Fantastic (Reed Richards), the Invisible Woman (Sue Storm-Richards), the Human Torch (Johnny Storm), and the Thing (Ben Grimm) to reach Atlantis in time to help Namor thwart Doom’s scheme to seize an ancient undersea weapon capable of devastating Earth.

REVIEW:

Author Nancy A. Collins’ continuity-faithful storyline is solid, as are her character depictions. For instance, the Thing’s indignance early on being mistaken by onlookers for the Hulk is a nice touch. Yet, with the exception of Ben Grimm and a regal Namor, the plot becomes bogged down in pure formula because the other characters aren’t compelling.

Johnny Storm’s exuberant antics and Sue’s old feelings re: Namor merely play out as one might expect, as do Mr. Fantastic’s scientific deductions. Though the Thing scores some fun underwater action in the climax, there isn’t anything new or some unexpected twists in To Free Atlantis to generate fresh interest. If this story had existed in graphic novel form, perhaps it would make for a more compelling read (at least, visually). Though artist Paul Ryan’s black-and-white chapter illustrations are an asset, they only stoke a casual reader’s imagination so much.

Fantastic Four fans will likely enjoy this adventure, but anyone else may find it too bland to finish.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES:

Depicting an imminent scene, each chapter leads off with a Ryan illustration. The author acknowledges that her storytelling is meant in the spirit of comic book legends Jack Kirby and Bill Everett. She also indicates what three source books that she sought background material re: Atlantis. Specifically, those works are Robert Graves’ Cladius the God; The Who’s Who of Ancient Greek and Roman Mythology; and Suetonius’ The Twelve Caesars. An excerpt from poet John Milton’s “A Mask Presented at Ludlow Castle [Comus]” leads off the story.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 5 Stars

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TEN LITTLE INDIANS (1959 NBC Television Movie)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 27, 2020

SUMMARY: Running Time: 52 Min. (Black & White)

Directed by Paul Bogart, this 1959 NBC mystery presents its own take on the stage play Agatha Christie adapted from her suspense novel, “And Then There Were None.” In part, due to a short running time, sections of the play and its dialogue have been altered.

Case in point: the novel’s youngest characters, Vera Claythorne and Anthony Marston (he’s renamed Frederick Marston here), are re-imagined as forty-somethings to accommodate this particular cast. Oddly enough, some ridiculous character-building scenes are also inserted into the script that Christie’s story never implied.

Transported by boat, six strangers arrive on a foggy Friday night at a manor home on secluded Indian Island off England’s Devon coast, seemingly for a weekend house party. They are greeted by their unseen host’s secretary, Vera Claythorne, and by amiable Philip Lombard — another guest who arrived early. Briefly entertaining themselves, the houseguests and a married servant couple are mortified by accusations of ghastly homicides from the ominous voice of their enigmatic host, ‘U.N. Owen.’

Adhering to the “Ten Little Indians” nursery rhyme decorating the mansion’s lounge, the ten captives are rapidly executed, one by one. Alliances are made, but can anyone escape this unseen predator’s wrath?

Note: This production scores some points, if only for keeping virtually intact the novel/play’s character names. An exception, of course, is substituting in ‘General Mackenzie’ for ‘General MacArthur,’ though changing Marston’s first name from ‘Anthony’ to ‘Frederick’ makes zero sense. Up until the recent BBC mini-series, none of the other filmed adaptations retained the character names exactly as Christie had devised them.

Vera Claythorne: Nina Foch Frederick Marston: Chandler Cowles

William Henry Blore: James Berwick Dr. Edward Armstrong: Romney Brent

Emily Brent: Victoria French Justice Lawrence Wargrave: Barry Jones

Thomas Rogers: George Turner General John Gordon Mackenzie Peter Bathurst

Ethel Rogers: Caroline Brenner Narrator / U.N. Owen’s Voice: Uncredited

Philip Lombard: Kenneth Haigh Boatman: Jeremiah Morris

REVIEW:

Unsurprisingly, this low-budget NBC effort is obscure for several reasons. It doesn’t help that its charming 1945 big-screen predecessor, “And Then There Were None,” which adapts the same Christie stage play, actually comes off as more contemporary by comparison. Populated by such a bland stock theater-style cast, only headliner Nina Foch makes a faint impression here … because of her character’s repetitive hysterics.

Crass efforts by NBC to spice up Christie’s play fail miserably. In one instance, a boorish Marston suggests to the younger Lombard that they play swinging singles ‘trading off’ on the two female guests. Indulging her condescending spinster persona, Emily Brent, meanwhile, disparages Vera Claythorne’s demure black dress as being somehow offensively provocative. Instead of adding some intended depth, such eye-rolling scenes only contribute to reducing Christie’s enigmatic cast of scoundrels to mere caricatures.

However, there’s a curious surprise early on. During the spooky U.N. Owen monologue, NBC stays mostly faithful to the novel. Why the era’s broadcast censors didn’t object to mention of such cold-blooded crimes is anyone’s guess. Conversely, despite its initial creepiness, this film’s ‘suspenseful’ climax is laughably awful by any generation’s standards.

Worsening this experience is the primitive cinematography, which looks more reminiscent of hazy 1940’s TV standards than any technological refinements available in 1959. Best left a historical curiosity, this “Ten Little Indians” is a sub-par TV experiment translating one of Christie’s darkest tales for mass viewing.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 3 Stars

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KURT RUSSELL AS TOMBSTONE’S ‘WYATT EARP’ (FUNKO STATUETTE)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 24, 2020

SUMMARY:

Released in early 2020, it’s a 3¾-inch hard plastic/vinyl homage to Kurt Russell’s Wyatt Earp from the 1993 film, Tombstone. Underneath a black wide-rim hat, this Wyatt sports a confident ‘what, me worried?’ smirk. Rather than flashing a trusty pistol, Wyatt’s pocket watch is prominently on display. Easily standing up for display options, this Funko statuette can also swivel his head a full 360-degrees.

Notes: Wyatt Earp is Funko # 851. Available separately in this Tombstone series are his brothers : Sam Elliott’s Virgil (Funko # 853) and Bill Paxton’s Morgan (Funko # 854). Val Kilmer’s ‘Doc’ Holliday is Funko # 852; ‘Doc’ has a pair of variants (# 855 and # 856). Wyatt’s fictional present-day descendant, Wynonna Earp, appears as Funko # 918.

REVIEW:

Including a spot-on paint job, Funko’s rendition of Kurt Russell-as-Wyatt Earp is a gem. Considering its fun potential as a desk/shelf decoration, this Funko Wyatt Earp makes a nifty gift for any Tombstone fan.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

Books & Novels Children's Books Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction HARRY POTTER-Related

HARRY POTTER AND THE PRISONER OF AZKABAN {BOOK 3} (ILLUSTRATED EDITION)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 22, 2020

Written by J.K. Rowling & Illustrated by Jim Kay

SUMMARY:

Released by Arthur Levine Books (a Scholastic imprint) for the U.S. in 2017, this 326-page deluxe hardcover reprints J.K. Rowling’s third Harry Potter novel (1999) as an illustrated storybook. Returning to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for their third year, thirteen-year-olds Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, and Hermione Granger find out that demented criminal Sirius Black has escaped from the formidable Azkaban prison. For the moment, all they know is that Black is threatening Harry’s safety, as this renegade wizard was once a trusted friend of Harry’s murdered parents. Further complications lead to Hagrid’s arrest and a time-traveling loop that Harry and his friends must navigate to avert a needless tragedy.

REVIEW:

Including Harry’s latest despair living with the Dursleys, Rowling’s third Harry Potter novel remains a dynamite read. Boasting high-caliber production values (including a sturdy binding and a very readable font), artist Jim Kay’s sumptuous paintings imagine Harry’s third magical caper in such a fresh way that the result doesn’t compete with the 2004 film adaptation. Instead, it makes a vivid enhancement. For Harry Potter fans of any age, this Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban is a treat to behold.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

An indigo ribbon is attached as a trusty bookmark. The inside back cover jacket provides biographical synopses on Rowling and Kay.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 10 Stars

Books & Novels Children's Books Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction HARRY POTTER-Related

HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS {BOOK 2} (ILLUSTRATED EDITION)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 22, 2020

Written by J.K. Rowling & Illustrated by Jim Kay

SUMMARY:

Released by Arthur Levine Books (a Scholastic imprint) for the U.S. in 2016, this 259-page deluxe hardcover reprints J.K. Rowling’s second Harry Potter novel (1998) as an illustrated storybook. Returning to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for their second year, twelve-year old Harry Potter and his two best friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley, embark on a new adventure. Revelations of a mysterious chamber lurking deep beneath Hogwarts has Harry, Ron, and Hermione discreetly conducting an investigation. Yet, unforeseen circumstances send Harry into a rematch against the wizarding world’s most feared evil (who shall not be named).

REVIEW:

Aside from the wincing opening pages re: the Dursleys’ indefensible neglect of their nephew, Rowling’s novel remains a sheer delight. Boasting high-caliber production values (including a sturdy binding and a very readable font), artist Jim Kay’s lush paintings visualize Harry’s second adventure in such a fresh way that the result doesn’t compete with the 2002 film adaptation. Instead, it’s a wonderful enhancement. For Harry Potter fans of any age, this Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets really is a treasure.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

An orange ribbon is attached as a trusty bookmark. The inside back cover jacket provides biographical synopses on Rowling and Kay.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 10 Stars

Books & Novels Children's Books Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction HARRY POTTER-Related

HARRY POTTER AND THE SORCERER’S STONE {BOOK 1} (ILLUSTRATED EDITION)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 22, 2020

Written by J.K. Rowling & Illustrated by Jim Kay

SUMMARY:

Released by Arthur Levine Books (a Scholastic imprint) for the U.S. in 2015, this 247-page deluxe hardcover reprints J.K. Rowling’s inaugural Harry Potter novel (1997) as an illustrated storybook. Entering Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for his first year, eleven-year old Harry Potter awkwardly makes the transition from a seemingly normal British orphan to an overnight magical legend. If he has any hope for surviving school, Harry is going to need the help of two trustworthy friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley. Only they (and quite possibly a few others) realize that Harry has been targeted for death by the wizarding world’s greatest evil (who shall not be named).

Note: The book’s (and film adaptation’s) British title is Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone.

REVIEW:

Aside from the difficult-to-stomach sequence re: the Dursleys’ shoddy treatment of Harry, Rowling’s novel proves again its reputation as a modern fantasy classic. Boasting high-caliber production values (including a sturdy binding and a very readable font), artist Jim Kay’s exquisite paintings visualize Harry’s first adventure in such a rewarding fashion that the result doesn’t compete with the 2001 film adaptation. Instead, it makes a wonderful enhancement. For Harry Potter fans of any age, this Harry Potter and The Sorcerer’s Stone really is a masterpiece.

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

A red ribbon is attached as a trusty bookmark. The inside back cover jacket provides biographical synopses on Rowling and Kay.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 10 Stars

Books & Novels Children's Books Fantasy, Horror, & Science Fiction HARRY POTTER-Related Movies & Television (Books)

HARRY POTTER: CINEMATIC GUIDE

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date October 22, 2020

Written by Scholastic Inc.

SUMMARY:

Released in 2016 in conjunction with Warner Bros. Entertainment, this 64-page hardcover highlight reel depicts Daniel Radcliffe’s Harry Potter throughout his eight movie appearances. Including descriptions of Harry‘s personality traits, his ‘biography’ is separated into five chapters: Film Beginnings (page 4); Life at Hogwarts (page 20); Family, Friends, and Foes (page 36); Beasts and Creatures (page 40); and Battling Voldemort (page 58). Alternating between mostly simplistic text and several memorable quotes from the film series, this guide is meant as a keepsake for Harry’s fan base, regardless of age. It also serves as a basic summary of the Harry Potter saga, including references to Harry’s late parents and Dumbledore’s noble Order of the Phoenix.

Note: Scholastic Inc. also released a similar Hermione Granger: Cinematic Guide hardcover in 2016.

REVIEW:

Describing itself as his “essential film companion,” this elegant book assembles an impressive collection of film stills that brings the world’s most famous boy magician to life. Even if this guide’s text is geared strictly for ten-and-under crowd, the book’s visuals alone proves a delight. In a fitting conclusion, Harry sums up his life’s philosophy: “Working hard is important, but there’s something that matters even more. Believing in yourself.”

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars