Psychonauts #1
A Trip through the Multiverse
Created by Plaid Klaus
Mind Comics
Release Date: June 1, 2012
Cover Price: $1.99

Psychonauts like the many stoner comedies before it, is a comic deeply rooted in drug culture. Now, while that may seem impenetrable to those among us who don’t walk on the psychedelic wild side, creator Plaid Klaus tries his damnedest to make this comic as accessible as possible. And for the most part Klaus succeeds with a beautiful blend of mind-bending, witty writing and polished classic cartoon-style art.

What sets Psychonauts apart from your run-of-the-mill stoner story is simply Klaus’ ability to embrace the weirdest and most disorienting moments of a drug trip. Someone in the distance is telling us they can’t feel anything, then like a flash of lightning, we are talking with an all-seeing alien god. The alien god is talking about robots, or something; it doesn’t really matter because its over in a split second and we’re waking up in a field. What the hell just happened?

Dead Space 3
Xbox 360 | PS3 | PC | PC Download
Rating: M
Developer: Visceral Games
Publisher: Electronic Arts
Release Date: February 5, 2013

When Dead Space 3 came out, my first impressions were, for me, too bleak to comprehend. This was a franchise that held such a strong nostalgic imprint in my mind, that the idea that the latest entry could actually be just average was impossible. So I stopped playing, it was better to feign ignorance than actually confront the reality that the series was possibly losing steam.

But like so many Necromorphs, Dead Space 3 slithered and hacked its way into my subconscious where it hung like a grim effigy reminding me that I betrayed one of my most beloved series. So, when the opportunity to review this third installment came along, half to ease my guilt and half out of curiosity, I took it.

Tales of the Moonlight Cutter
Issues #1-4
Created by Dale W. Berry
Additional inks by Sebastian Castillo
Covers by Daerick Gross, John Giang, Cody Baker, and Dale Berry
Myriad Publications
Cover Price: Various

If you’ve been following the most recent relaunch of Katana penned by Ann Nocenti, then you’ve probably noticed the baffling cultural stereotypes. Nocenti writes Katana in a way that pays little to no respect to her main character’s Japanese cultural heritage. All of this is to say that in comics, cultural diversity is not always treated with total delicacy and most of the time just ignored for something a bit more European.

It’s because of this reason that Tales of the Moonlight Cutter is such a refreshing comic series. As far as action comics, Tales is pretty standard business — a mysterious warrior travels through 12th century China destroying violent spirits with a magic sword that can put vengeful ghosts to rest. It’s nothing groundbreaking, however, what does make this book shine is that way in which creator Dale Berry treats the culture surrounding ancient China.

The Mighty Skullkickers #1
Story by Jim Zub
Pencils by Edwin Huang
Inks by Edwin Huang and Kevin Raganit
Colors by Misty Coats and Mike Luckas
Color Flatting by Ludwig Olimba
Letters by Marshall Dillon
Covers by Edwin Huang and Jim Zub, Chris Stevens
Image Comics
Release Date: April 24, 2013
Cover Price: $3.50

The current Skullkickers story arc has been in many ways a commentary on mainstream comics. Although it may seem like I’m making a proverbial mountain out of a blood-soaked-talking-ape-heavy molehill, the team behind Skullkickers have done something that exposes the clearly visible cracks in the veneer that is modern comic publishing.

When DC’s New 52 announcement came down the pipes, most of us thought the same thing, “this is lame, they are just trying to sell more comics.” Then we bought all of them, and a solid portion were terrible. It’s these marketing gimmicks that Jim Zub and the Skullkicker’s team are lampooning with their current story arc. However, when writing commentary into any story, sometimes a plot and solid characters are sacrificed in the name of sticking it to the man. Luckily, the appropriately titled The Mighty Skullkickers #1 delivers a one-two punch of gorgeous art and wit-drenched writing.

Neon Alley
24/7 Streaming Anime Network
Available on Playstation 3, Xbox 360
Launch Date: October 2, 2012
Viz Media
Price: $6.99 Monthly Membership

They say it takes a month to really get to know someone (okay, no one really says that, I just needed to set up this review, okay?). After a month, with any luck, all the quirks and vices that drive us to love or hate someone have began to bubble to the surface. It’s from there that we decide whether to keep the relationship going or not.

Streaming anime network Neon Alley and I have been courting for the past month, and I have got to tell you: things are looking good.

Neon Alley works like no other streaming anime service out right now. Unlike Crunchyroll or Hulu, Neon Alley runs exactly like any cable network with a full slot of programmed shows airing with episode one. It’s a novel idea that harkens back to the days of Cartoon Network’s Toonami.

Okay, a television network that plays all anime, not that special, right? Wrong, dead wrong [says while pointing an accusatory finger].