Review: Cognition #3
There is something magical about legends that have their roots in truth and the effect still reverberates until today. Sometimes these legends are called curses because of their supernatural hold on the mortal world. The more famous non-harmful curses that are frequently brought up in popular culture are those revolved around sports. The most famous one is one that more than baseball fans will know, the Curse Of The Bambino.
For those unfamiliar, it was the so-called spell that prevented the Boston Red Sox from winning a World Series, as they had won one since Babe Ruth got traded, but of course, this was wiped when they won a few years ago. The one curse that has weighed on a city even longer, is the Curse Of Bobby Lane, which has held back the Detroit Lions from winning a Super Bowl, since he left and it is uncanny that the current starting quarterback, just so happened to graduate from the same high school as the aforementioned curse holder. No matter what people’s beliefs are in the supernatural, something is to be said of the reverence it holds by those affected by it. In the third issue of Cognition, B.O.S.S. agents are on the scene investigating rumblings about ancient legend terrorizing locals.
We meet a local bar patron who is looking for a service, one that can only be found in the backrooms of places like the one he enters, but soon finds a terror he has never seen before. While investigating the case, Cal and Sigma, run into a very shadowy character, a character who very much resembles the Evil Stepmother’s form in Snow White, who goes by the name., Gwindonodd. As they spend time with her, their intuition starts to tingle at different times, leading them to believe, something is quite not right, as their new acquaintance spins a tale of a young ruler, whose fatal love costs him everything. By issue’s end, our heroes have been slowly leading into a trap, one which they luckily escape with the help of their companions, Hattie and Shuck.
Overall, an uneasy dive into the wickedest beings on earth, as Cal and Sigma find more than their match, someone who can anticipate their every move. The story by Ken Reynolds is scary, well written and seething under an unnerving atmosphere. The art by Sam Bentley is intense and luminous in black and white. Altogether, a great issue that proves Reynolds and Bentley are masters of storytelling.
Story: Ken Reynolds Art: Sam Bentley
Story: 10 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.7 Recommendation: Buy
When it comes to mythical creatures, there is none creepier than those modeled after common animals. I remember the first time I watched Clash Of The Titans, and saw Cerberus at guard, those Ray Harryhausen special effects, still holds up though not believable, makes the viewer believe for a slight second, something magical may actually exist. As this creature prevent Harry Hamlin’s character from entering Hades, the way it looked as regular dog, but with three heads, is seared into my memories from when I was four years old.
When you read a book, most readers would like to be transported. This is where many first-person narratives often fail the reader as they spend a great deal of time introducing themselves, but not to their world. Same thing goes for most television shows and movies, as the setting is the fist thing you notice before a single line is uttered. The atmosphere that the creator brings their audience to, is what can make or break how well the book is received.
Who doesn’t love watching odd couples? They make any situation somewhat bearable or even enjoyable. The Guardian of the Galaxy movies thrives on the relationship of Rocket and Groot providing the emotional punch it needed in the first movie. The ones I enjoy are the ones who are constantly at odds with each other, even labeling each other as enemies. The classic one, that comes to mind is, Mad Magazine’s Spy Vs Spy.
At no time in recent history has popular culture and politics clashed in the ugliest ways. As America faces several conflicts in the coming years, just a few years ago, I can remember when many of this was just fodder for late night hosts, now much of it is a scary future. As part of the recent documentary about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “King in the Wilderness,” much of the documentary covered what happened in his last years. The years when no one cared for his message, when no one funded his demonstrations, and when much of the movement struggled in the shadows of its former self.
Many movies over the years have taken swipes at people in power, either in dramas or comedies. They are even more ridiculous, when they’re comedies, as they rarely pull no punches. Who can forget Jack Nicholson’s superb performance as President Jack Dale in Mars Attacks. Then there is Kevin James portrayal as both a relatable but strong president in Pixels.