End of the month again. I’ve spent a whole lot of that time reading things coming out of GlobalComix. When games weren’t taking up my time after a few long days.
Standouts In Reviews
All of my review posts this month are mostly about the usuals. But I did manage to revisit a couple series that I’ve grown to love. Gridley definitely gives me a reason to keep posting on Gutternaut proper.
David Pepose always likes to keep me in the loop of what he does. Always happy to. I haven’t found anything of his that I get tired of looking at. And one thing just might lead to more regular stuff from Mad Cave as a whole. I’m now in the loop of Nakama Press officially. And I might just get into Papercutz if able, but a big good boy will be good enough for me.
Plus I convinced myself to put in way more indie content than I usually do with Joe Hero.
As for everything Mad Cave prime this week, it’s sad to see a few things end. But there’s also a few new beginnings coming. Including but definitely not limited to an anthology series that feels like a modernized…wait would casuals know anything about EC material?
Also there’s Mark London’s Underworld on the way. But I put my caution about it behind a paywall.
Deadlines As Motivations
I guess I work better on my reading lists when I have a deadline. Or at least, picking the things that are worth reading and keeping the momentum going.
More DC titles are leaving GlobalComix. Bit of a shame considering there are some titles that will be sticking with me. The ones that I didn’t already read anyway. Tom Taylor’s Hellblazer, Blue Beetle Graduation Day, Ram V’s Swamp Thing, The Riddler Year One, New Milestone’s Static. A few were just fine like Swamp Thing Green Hell, Seven Soldiers: Frankenstein and the Creature Commandoes, Palmiotti’s Power Girl, Bendis’ Naomi, Justice League Unlimited’s Galactic Justice, and newer Blood Syndicate. Which kinda stinks considering some of these had just as good followups and some were cutoff releases just as they were getting good. Gail Simone’s Birds of Prey after getting through an awkward start for one.
But they were the exceptions because a lot more of these couldn’t keep the momentum going. Not for me at least. Some of them went in weird or contrived directions like Tom Taylor’s last parts with Jon Kent, G. Willow Wilson’s Poison Ivy, Cloonan’s Batgirls, and more. Then there are the changes in creative teams with Kurt Busiek leaving Trinity for different stories just not living up to that potential.
It’s why I had to find the parts of DMZ that could keep the ball rolling. Because the best stories are where the momentum is felt even if you didn’t personally experience it. Gotta give this title credit for going where few other stories go in the moral gray areas of layers of characterization. Some of these decisions just baffle me though.
I can get prioritizing your best performers. But-
Oh yeah, when was this stuff gonna happen anyway?
…
That’s behind another paywall.
Train Your Algorithms
One thing that definitely keeps me busy is how much easier it is to find comics that appeal to me thanks to GlobalComix’s algorithm to match comics to my reading preferences. It’s mostly worked and I’ve found some things that I genuinely like and how that applies to other stuff. One, I prefer simpler art that doesn’t overwhelm my sensory input. Whether that’s colorless pages that help put more effort into the presentation, or not wasting time and keeping the pace on track to focus on engagement. Including but definitely not limited to my other highlight on Gutternaut prime, Jetx.
And yes while that’s got color, that’s not the point. Point is, it wasn’t thrown together with paint-by-numbers steps to making comics. No meandering around trying to over explain or make every little detail something bigger than it really is.
I found myself enjoying comics with art that look kind of amateurish, but they always keep the pace. Like Snow Cat, Kyocha, and Lex and Rex. Even the ones with better art like a lot of Merryweathery comics and Art Force know how to keep the ball rolling with less. Especially with plots that don’t take themselves too seriously.
Of course, I’ll be disappointed when a story is more flash than substance and the characterizations are weak.
Some of the series that got a 100% match just weren’t for me.
Moral of that story, know what you like because a machine can only best guess half of the time. But always take time to try something new because that machine will reflect your preferences. And you will never be the same person when you use it again.
When you have so many choices, finding what appeals to you as you change is important. So having a tool like that can make a big difference. You might get lucky and find something that’s almost your perfect match.
Same can be said with Hoopla and other services. At least I don’t have to worry about a library service selling my data right? Right?
Use What Time You’ve Got
This month I’ve been getting into more games. Finally got around to playing the Warhammer 40K game Shootas, Blood, and Teef!
Waaahhhh!
Only for dis git to try and putz me on a Flash Git! Least he dint waste time and got da best dakka to krump every git in da way. After gettin’ on track dat iz. I meen come on a Beast Snagga? Youze eint riding a fast squig, youze just tozz ‘em. Personally Idze go wiff the rocket pack dat dis game…don’t even use to jump higher?! What kinda senze does dat make? It’s like the only way to get frough everfing da first time is as a Flashgit. Oh right, cuz a Bad Moon gotz to showoff! Just wish Ize could use wazza with boomsticks, and rocket jumping.
So yeah, that was my Ork-sona, Zogsmacks-
(Bang!)
Zogsmakz! Neck-brock-a?
Zogsmakz! Neckbraka! Zoggin’ ‘umie!
Neck-break-ah. Honestly, these past few months I’ve been indulging in 40k content to put me to sleep. Everything not related to the orks that is.
Cuz Orks iz best!
Plus when some of the comic writers you admire play this tabletop and help make some of the lore feasible, you’re gonna get sucked into a rabbit hole.
Youze watched dat Shoota Boy Flash Git’s channel and you knowz it!
And when some of the best people to explain this-
I’m bored!
Alright, point is the things that take up my time include dumb 40k fanfics based on tidbits.
Cuz anyfing sirtan putz gitz to sleep.
And I find more fun things to do like numerous amateur game developers still using the PS4 game dreams to make stuff. Or better yet, Transformers Devastation.
Youze just want dose tinboyz ta-
Okay I’m bored of this. I’m gonna leave a poll.
Teff Frowers Only!
Wait I don’t think-
Now git dem other gits in!
…Fine.