Tag Archives: mikhail sebastian

Review: Sorcerority #4

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Sorcerority #4

Finding your purpose in life is one of the greatest endeavors of the human spirit. The truth is, most people don’t find their calling and choose a safer path. Many are scared of failure and would rather bet on what is safe. The thing with that is the lack of fulfillment.

Your choices are as much about you as it is the direction you are headed. That is why if you find a way to satiate that desire, it will eat away at you. That is why no one should ever completely let go of what they love, as that passion is part of you. In the fourth chapter of Mikhail Sebastian and George Watson’s elaborate webcomic, Sorcerority, Melanie, finally understands her purpose.

We find Melanie as she watches her family home on fire, this is when she learns how to use her new discovery and untapped power time travel. As we find out what happened after her sister’s unexpected visitors came by and exactly who they are. As each sister faces off against the visitors separately, their abilities become naturally dominant over their interlopers.

Overall, a stupendous chapter that unpacks this world. The story by Mikhail Sebastian and George Watson is great. The art by Sebation is astounding. Altogether, an entry that truly spellbinds.

Story: Mikhail Sebastian and George Watson Art: Mikhail Sebastian
Story: 9.4 Art: 9.6 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Playboy #2

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Playboy

Jodie Foster is one of those actors whose body of work is so impressive and so varied, you cannot help but be constantly in awe. As she knows to navigate between genres and drill down to what drives a character. Her work behind the camera is just as impressive, imbuing characters with both vulnerability and strength and stories that actually say something. Her work in Silence Of  The Lambs has made her a pop culture icon.

Her work behind the camera in Money Monster is both socially relevant and shows the depth of her talent, as the way she envisions a scene, is so enlightening.   One of my favorite movies by her is Panic Room. The movie circled around a newly divorced woman and her diabetic daughter, who take refuge in their new house’s safe room, from a gang of robbers. In the second issue of Playboy, we find Leroy and Kitchen trapped in their own abode by a pair of hitmen.

We find Leroy telling Kitchen to hide in his panic room with their dog, fearing for his safety, as the two hitmen try their best to open the front door. As one of the assassins breaks through, Leroy finds out exactly who has put on him and why. As he finds out he has been sleeping with a married man’s wife, and the man doesn’t want Leroy to see the light of day By issue’s end, Leroy gets outmuscled but necessarily outgunned.

Overall, an exciting second issue that delivers wall to wall action. The story by Johnny O’Bryant and Corey Mikell is compelling. The art by Mikhail Sebastian is striking. Altogether, a great continuation of an entertaining story.

Story: Johnny O’Bryant and Corey Mikell Art: Mikhail Sebastian
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Sorcerority #3

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Sorcerority

There are turning points in a story where it goes form typical to intriguing. This narrative device in procedural stories becomes entrenched. There’s something new to be found in them but it does not mean there is nothing meaningful there. What usually speaks to most is the flaws the characters exhibit.

Take, for instance, Harry Potter, whose life is marred by bad family, family secrets, and awkwardness. All these elements make for a history that’s quite intriguing. This is what pulls most of us into these stories. In the third chapter of Mikhail Sebastian and George Watson’s elaborate webcomic, Sorcerority, Melanie, finds an old family relic which saves her life.

We are taken to the 1863 Civil War South Carolina, where a battle is raging on, and young Black soldier, finds a strange metal rod fall from the sky, as he holds it, he feels something powerful emanating from it. As he faces certain death, the rod empowers him to use it, unleashing an array of supernatural occurrences across the battlefield. Fast Forward to modern-day, and Melanie is trying to grasp what happened in Urban Magica while holding this powerful wand, and two strange men show up, wanting it back. By the issue’s end, Melanie’s family house is on fire, prompting to her ask why this thing is so important.

Overall, Sorcerority #3 is a thrilling chapter that opens the story to more questions. The story by Sebastian and Watson is powerful. The art is dazzling. Altogether, a story that only gets better every chapter.

Story: Mikhail Sebastian and George Watson Art: Mikhail Sebastian
Story: 9.4 Art: 9.6 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Playboy #1

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Playboy #1

Viggo Mortensen is one of those actors whose ability to blend into films is what makes him so magnetic. In each of his films, he brings both a strength and tenderness to the role. Like most pop culture fans, I initially found out about him in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. His portrayal of Aragorn in that film was of a reluctant hero, one that people can see in  Kit Harington’s portrayal of Jon Snow in Game Of Thrones.

It this exact archetype which he brings something so personal too, that this wasn’t the only film which he has done this. His most recent work in The Green Book which gave him such gravitas, you can’t help but admire. This can also be seen in History Of Violence, where the character’s true nature comes out in more than one instance. In the debut issue of Playboy, we find a protagonist much like the ones played by Mortensen, whose true nature only requires some gesturing

We meet Leroy Armstrong, a headstrong soldier, who is caught up in a firefight and is pinned down, being one of the only men left in his platoon, and because of his actions get kicked out of the Marines. Fast forward to the present day, where he live snow in a city called Vegas, as he enjoys civilian life, making a living as a Gigolo. He has a woman, a house, and even a roommate, his best friend, Kitchen and a dog, needless to say, his adjustment has been pretty smooth so far. By issue’s end, Leroy gets some unknown unwanted company, in the form of some men dressed in black suits and sunglasses, looking to take his head.

Overall, Playboy #1 is an interesting debut issue that introduces an intriguing protagonist. The story by Johnny O’Bryant and Corey Mikell is entertaining. The art by Mikhail Sebastian is gorgeous. Altogether, an excellent introduction to this world and these characters.

Story: Johnny O’Bryant and Corey Mikell Art: Mikhail Sebastian
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Sorcerority #2

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Sorcerority #2

There’s always that glimmer of light, that moment when you understand something someone has been telling you your whole life. We rarely get to put these things together the way we would like. This is especially true coming from our parents. There’s always a level of cynicism when it comes to advise from those closest to us.

That is why there’s regret when we realize they have been telling us the right things our whole lives. This becomes what is still surprising of adults, is that most cannot concede when they are. Instead, they really should appreciate that moment, because, for most, that is when it matters. In the second chapter of Mikhail Sebastian and George Watson’s webcomic, Sorcerority, Melanie finds outs what hides in the shadows of Excursia as family secrets come to the forefront.

We find Melanie and her friends, gathering supplies for a conjuring spell, which comes up fruitless, except a broken wand with a strange engraving. Their research leads them to Urban Magica, the metropolitan section of the Magic District, to seek out Black Market magic dealers, ones whose reputations would give most, a bit of apprehension. By issue’s end, Melanie, not everything goes as planned, but Melanie finds out that some things left unexplained are better demonstrated.

Overall, a great second issue, that looks to more than add a few tones of sepia but a whole paradigm shift. The story by Sebastian and Watson is exciting and intellectual. The art is stunning. Altogether, this team is looking to show the world there is more to magic than Harry Potter.

Story: Mikhail Sebastian and George Watson Art: Mikhail Sebastian
Story: 9.4 Art: 9.6 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Endigo Society #1

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Endigo Society #1

When you’re a kid, all you want to do is fit in. You want to enjoy life for all it is and all it can offer you. As older generations have called it, “smelling the flowers.”  This is what usually steadies most children, it offers them structure.

When children realize what makes them unique is just as important it can be life-altering. As adults, we harness that energy to stand out. Where children can find it intimidating. In the debut issue of Endigo Society, one young girl finds her unique abilities to be the keys to the rest of her life.

We meet Odyssey Na’Dika, a young 16-year-old living in Decam City,  and has a fairly normal existence at school with her friends, Fleur and Risan, outside of her abilities to hear and see supernatural aberrations. As some mysterious agency has caught wind of her presence and skills, leading them to send one of their best operatives to track Odyssey. We also meet Zarabi, her grandfather and Zabali, her little brother who runs a unique antiquities shop. By the issue’s end, the police are at their home, needing answers.

Overall, an intriguing debut issue that introduces a new of characters whose love for each other trumps everything. The story by Norwick Robinson is exciting. The art by Mikhail Sebastian is stunning. Altogether, a gripping story that is both relatable and moving.

Story: Norwick Robinson Art: Mikhail Sebastian
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Loa Chapter 1

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Throughout fiction, when it comes to demigods, there is no one more celebrated than Hercules. I remember watching the television show when it was on television, starring Kevin Sorbo. Throughout the show, he was saving humans from the wrath of gods and goddesses. The show for most watchers, including myself, gave us a dearth of knowledge about ancient Greek mythology.

As I became enamored with reading about mythology not only from that part of the world, but from where my parents were from, my exposure lead me to ask the obvious question. Why aren’t there any fictional books about Filipino and Black mythology? It wasn’t until recently writers noticed these gaps and sought to fill them with rich mythology from all parts of the world. In the genius Loa : Chapter 1, the creators sought to remix the mythology close to them and in doing so have created an exciting new story.

We meet Oz, a bouncer who wakes up from what seemingly is a fantastic dream, as we are introduced to his seemingly ordinary life, whom he shares with his girlfriend, Penny.  Everything changes one night, when a something ungodly destroys the club where he works at, and he is introduced to a world, he never knew before, the world of Loa. As Oz defeats the monster, he finds out that there is more to him than a mortal man, as his strength and speed are godsend. By chapter’s end, his girlfriend and friend see him through new eyes, while a stranger seems to hold all the answers.

Overall, it’s an excellent debut that introduces a brand-new hero and a world that most mortals have never seen. The story by Alika Ebomah and Andrew Harrell is action packed, dense, and smartly written. The art by Mikhail Sebastian and Hackronym is gorgeous and uses manga style art in the best way possible. Altogether, it’s an excellent comic that puts readers right in the middle of the action.

Story: Alika Ebomah and Andrew Harrell
Art: Mikhail Sebastian and Hackronym
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Giallo Gumbo #0

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Hip hop and anime, have flirted with each other for years, often leaving fans who loved both genres to wonder if there would ever be a creation that showed both. I remember when I first got into anime, the genre first mesmerized me with entries like Voltron and Robotech. I still felt out of touch, as I got older, my interest faded away, from that genre. My attention re-focused on hip hop, and the place where I found people who loved it just as much, and more than I did, was Japan.

By this time, the genre had invaded American shores, so when I found out Ghost in The Shell, Akira and Ranma ½, it had been a few years old, by the time I was stationed in Yokosuka. This is where I found the beauty of import CDs, where I picked up the import cd of Ice Cube’s Death Certificate, which had bonus tracks, that weren’t available on the American version. This is also where I found anime which spoke to me like Samurai Champloo which used breakbeats by the late great DJ Nujabes and Cowboy Bebop, which had a hip-hop attitude throughout. Years later, it is being not as hidden when shows like The Boondocks and Black Dynamite, had combined these two genres perfectly.

This is where Giallo Gumbo, brings the genre’s full on filtration in focus, as this story/collection, elevates these two in some ways which had not been seen until now. The book unfolds like a movie, with opening trailers and an introduction of each character. As the story goes, we get to see each character’s power in full effect, as we slowly find a certain character’s hidden powers by the end of the issue. As the art is the most alluring, there is a collection at least 20 pages long, at the end, that grabs you.

Overall, a fun book which grabs the reader with the art and keeps them with the interesting narrative. The story is funny, and if not for the fantastical elements, can be a page from real life. The art is amazing, as it deftly blends anime and realistic portrayals into beautiful sequential art. Altogether, a fun book that is worth everyone’s time, as it gives voice and perspective to a growing collective of artists in the South.

Story: Jahni Brooks Art: Nommo, Philip Johnson, Mikhail Sebastian, KC Bailey, Luis Figuerido, Chase Conley, Tovio Rogers
Story: 9 Art: 12 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy