Saturday, August 28, 2010

The Adventures of Ook and Gluk

The title sounds like a cheesy blaxploitation sci-fi film.
Welcome to Random Fandom, where I review out of my mind about the things I find, and let me begin this review with “I love Captain Underpants!” The books by Dav Pilkey were popular with children because not only you have silly superhero scenarios and off-the-wall potty humor {before the days that potty humor was annoying}, these books literally make novels look like picture books, giving each page a picture as well as a passage of text, whether long or short.

His book series spun-off in 2002 when The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby, a graphic novel based on the comics inside each book, came out. It got controversy for being too filthy…poo filthy, not smut filthy, but it was an enjoyable read by any Captain Underpants fan.

Now, the first book after Dav’s hiatus, which came after he published the Preposterous Plight of the Purple Potty, was not a sequel to Super Diaper Baby, rather than a new graphic novel focusing on two cavemen who travel to the future and learn kung-fu. The idea seems a bit far-fetched, but is such a plot this stupid still be good? Let’s find out. This is The Adventures of Ook and Gluk: Kung-Fu Cavemen from the Future.

STORY: This comic book, created by George Beard and Harold Hutchins; the two main characters of the series, is about two caveboys named Ook and Gluk. They live in the town of Caveland, Ohio back in 5,001 B.C., always getting in trouble messing with Big Chief Goppernopper.

That changed for Big Chief one day when his great {repeat 20-to-22 times} grandson comes through the time portal from the future where they rely on cutting down trees for his company because the future is without plant life! He gives his grandson Ook and Gluk for slaves for his non-environmental strategy!

After their escape, they meet up with Master Wong, a martial arts instructor who lives in the future. He trains the boys how to use the art of Kung-Fu to stop the Goppernoppers’ reign of dystopia and bring Caveland back to peace.

The story is a bit one-dimensional, but what do you expect from a masterpiece by George and Harold? They’re not William Shakespeare and F. Scott Fitzgerald, their stories don’t have deep meaning, just good guy and bad guy battles and poo jokes for brief giggles from the absent-minded…and child-minded. In short, these two aren’t perfect, even if they are fictional.

ART:
The art is as expected for two fourth-grade boys, it’s very childlike. It’s crude, but manages to still be enjoyable. The speech balloons also have various misspellings, but that will be easy to ignore.

Just flip...
...and enjoy the cheese!
Also in this book, is the Flip-O-Rama! I believe this is some of the fans’ favorite part on the Captain Underpants books. These take place during the fight scenes or for added humor. You grab the page’s corner and begin flipping it as fast as you can until you can see it animate. It’s simple and you can do it at home too.

However, I got a review to do, but if you’re all really good, I’ll show you how to make your very own Flip-O-Rama animation.

In conclusion, the art isn’t too bad and either is the speech balloons for that matter. You just remember that kids took over Pilkey’s job…kids that apparently live inside him. Gross.

HUMOR:
And speaking of gross, almost all of the jokes in these books are pee, poop, or potty related. I mean, in the last graphic novel the boys did, the main antagonist in a piece of crap! Now, I see why this book got a lot of trouble.

Slamming the segway is always
a step up in my book.
This book, however, is different. It rarely uses the potty humor only to the billboards and their pet dinosaur Lily throwing up. This is a first for Captain Underpants. A book that’s based on anything else besides things that happen in your body.
And surprisingly, this book wasn’t one of George and Harold’s punishments. It’s their take that scientists don’t always get facts right and since they still have the Purple Potty time machine, they discovered things never before seen by intellect. Yes, because in the 23rd Century, a power-hungry moguel will get trees in the past since all plantlife is extinct.

At the end of the book, there is a language Pilkey made up to annoy parents everywhere. It’s called Cavemonics and it guarantees you will be speaking like a caveman in 8 easy steps! {Steps 5-to-8 are available online on Pilkey.com} It’s a cute idea for kids to how to talk like Neanderthals, but it’s just a little side step if you liked the book so much, you would want to live in it.

In conclusion, it’s humor kids can enjoy, but it’s a huge step up to Pilkey to downplay the potty humor. Maybe he did grow up with his fans.

FINAL VERDICT:
Ook and Gluk isn’t what I was expecting for Dav Pilkey’s return, but I can take it. This is just the beginning for the renaissance of Captain Underpants! The graphic novel was enjoyable to read, the script and humor was good at times, and the Flip-O-Rama remains cheesy and extra crispy in milk.

But more questions are at stake…Will Captain Underpants return? Will Super Diaper Baby ever get a sequel? And why, oh why, are you advertising an Ook and Gluk sequel?! We might be finding out about these questions because the fight for Truth, Justice, and all that is Pre-Shrunk and Cottony will continue to live from now to the future!

RATING:
* * * 1/2



Saturday, August 21, 2010

Look Around You: The Complete First Series

Welcome to Random Fandom, where I review out of my mind about the things I find. And welcome to a new segment of the show known as Random Two.

This segment of the show will focus on everything from Great Britain, such as BBC or foot football. I’ll admit that I’m in a British phase right now, but your love of this review might increase it. So, let’s get into the real reason it was created.

Just look around you. It’s basically what if Monty Python did their line of educational films and school board reactions were negative because the experiments and facts displayed are nonsense and false.

Running on BBC2 in the UK as well as Adult Swim in America for a short time, it was a parody of those movies you had to watch in class back in 1970s to 1980s. Movies that were educational, informative, and above all, tiresome. This ignores that and makes sure it wrecks your brain by watching all the content on this disc. So, have you found out what I’m looking for?

That’s right. I’m reviewing the first series that just came out of America on DVD recently, the loverly educational satire known as Look Around You.

This programme is discussed in Chapter 24.95 in your textbook
which accompanies this series.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Is it a feast of randomness or is it a trashbin of ergodicness? These experiments will prove to us how well this disk is. Let us find out right now.


EXPERIMENT ONE: SUBJECTS

An experiment was carried out to demonstrate the results when Look Around You is shown in a classroom. Specifically, a classroom in the school in the forests of Walpole, MA. Find that location on your maps now.

It was shown on a Tuesday afternoon on 13 o’clock, but for some reason, the small hand was on 1. It is a very stupid clock. The following modules that were shown are…

MATHS


WATER


GERMS


GHOSTS


SULPHUR


MUSIC


IRON


BRAIN

After the showing of each module in production order, the results were in and each of them worried about the existence of God, but that was another experiment. So, it was useless. The second part of the results was mixed, depending on how smart the student is. Here is a review from a girl student with the IQ of 145 named Susan Threman.

“It was highly ridiculous. Everybody knows sulphur can’t be attracted to magnets! And what the hell is Embenzalmine nitrotomine anyway? It’s definitely not whiskey!”

The more you know...
And I would say you are wrong, Susan. Whiskey is called that. Why, if you can go on uncyclopedia.wikia.com, you would find out that Embenzalmine nitrotomine is in fact whiskey. Also, you would find out it’s good with Rice Krispies and flows like spring water in the Scottish Highlands. Maybe those IQ test results are wrong, Susan.

Now, here is a review from a boy student who is a high school dropout, drank beer at the age of 2 months, and enjoys watching the Teletubbies constantly. He has no name, but we gave him one from the sound he made when we asked: “GEEuuuHH”

GEEuuuHH would also know he had ghosts
in his house one day. We don't know if it is true
or that he is crazy.
“Uh, I like sody pop. Ghosts are made of…dead people…s bodies. I hope…Little Mouse…will be OK.”

Then, I asked him for the result.

“It was…it was…it…zzzzzz…”

I decided to move along after that.

So, in conclusion, if you dumb, you will like Look Around You. If you are smart, you might question it. And if you as dumb as GEEuuuHH here, you shouldn’t be living anymore.

EXPERIMENT TWO: SUPPLEMENTS


An experiment was carried out to show a group of fans of the special features that came with the DVD itself.

First off, we got a bonus module entitled Calcium. It is much rougher than the previous modules on the disc. It’s what we called a Pilot, or Plain Idea Landed On Television. It is decent, but for those of you who watched the modules beforehand, it’s going to be a long one. About 21 minutes, you could use that time to make a dinner, watch football on the telly, or whack a person in a dark alleyway. It’s dark I know, but not if you do it to a neighbor you hate and imprison him in your house.

We look forward to Jack's new hits that you
will download as well.
Next is an extended musical video of Little Mouse, the song that was in the Music module on this DVD. It’s has grainy, entertaining, and full of nail polish as you can expect. If you want to get the MP3 of that song, illegally download it online. If the cops find out, well, don’t blame me, only thank heaven.
THAVEN.

Then, there is a test card for the DVD…it is very useless. Moving on.

And finally we got Ceefax. Ceefax is the internet of the 1970s, but to make sure BBC doesn’t replace them, they get pages of it instead. It’s scanned on the computer in order to make new text writings from the guys who brought you Look Around You. It’s amusing, but just go there for the music. Classical Guitar is going to rule the world someday.

In conclusion, a mixed set of extras. Not to disappoint fans of the show, but it’s best to remove the test card. It is very unappealing.

Oh, and the fans? They slept during the test card and missed the Ceefax. Again, very unappealing.

EXPERIMENT THREE: AMERICAN OPINIONS


Now, I like I said before. Look Around You was on the US channel known as Adult Swim, which wasn’t much of a channel to begin with since it was on the Cartoon Network at night. It had shows like Aqua Teen {it had food, not teenagers made of the water,} Robot Chicken {it had stop-motion, it only had a robot chicken in the opening,} and Venture Bros. {I would say how wrong the title is, but it’s too damn awesome.} It also had Family Guy and King of the Hill. It even has the British Office, which is like The Office, but without Steve Carrell.

The reason I bring it out is for the US-only-exclusive commentaries on this disc. In Britain, there were only
creator commentaries. It’s more educational than interesting.

These commentaries are from the USA fans of the show. Each twoster tackled two modules. Here are the guys who did it, Adult Swim’s Tim and Eric from their Awesome Show {Great Job, by the way,} the guys who did South Park, Trey Parker and Matt Stone, actor Nick Frost and director Simon Pegg for their works of Shaun of the Dead and Hot Fuzz, and Michael Cera and Jonah Hill, the guys who were in Superbad. We could not find pictures of them because you might have remembered their images.

They each talk about their opinions on the show and why it had a cult following of the States. It’s interesting, but it’s an excuse to have big names be in an underrated series, which is awesome.

All and all, the experiment was decent…the last two people were in Superbad, get with the frickin’ program!

QUIZ: HOW MUCH I LIKED IT


Now that you have learned about the contents of the Look Around You Complete First Series Digital Versatile Disc in America, it is time to make sure you all know how much I like it. So, I made a pop quiz for you all to guess wrong at. Now, let’s begin.

1. How did I like the modules?
A. Great
B. Good
C. Bad
D. My God, please throw it in the fire

If you guessed C, you don’t know me very well. The correct answer is B. Some are good, but some that are boring might have funny parts.

2. Were the special features good?
A. Yes
B. Maybe
C. No
D. Throw it in a dollar store

If you guessed B, well, you would be right. The test card is a bit of an off-putter. You're probably tired of me mentioning the test card. Well, to those who are, mind your own beeswax.

3. The commentaries? Is star quality important?
A. If you are big
B. If you are getting to be big
C. As long as people know you
D. I can’t believe you didn’t pick B, not say it’s the right answer or anything

If you guessed C, thank me for turning things around on this test. These guys you might have not heard of, but as long as you know them, you’ll listen to them.

Now for those of you who got them all wrong, welcome to the Dunce Corner. But, for those of you who got them all right, you win a free loaf of bread planted in the gardens of Italy with the finest of chefs watching it overnight. Expect your delivery of it never.

It’s not over yet, for the people who didn’t win or have a brain, get a bonus question, What are the correct answers short for?

The first one was B, the second was B, and the final turnabout was C.

What does that stand for?

STOP WRITING NOW


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
The correct answer is the Brainy Branch of Culture.


If you were expecting something else, you have become a fox…stupid.

This concludes my review of the hit Look Around You First Series. I’ll give a 4-star rating. Next time on Random Fandom, we look at the hit movie, Dentist on the Job. G’night.

RATING:
* * * *

Saturday, August 14, 2010

Comic Book Guy: The Comic Book #1

Welcome to Random Fandom, where I review out of my mind about the things I find. Today, we go out of the way for the premiere issue of Bongo Comics’ newest mini-series: Comic Book Guy: The Comic Book.

A cover based on the most recognizable first issue
for a team that everyone soon loved:
Simpsons Comics.
Bongo has been doing a little satire to comics and superheroing from yesteryear for many years now, from Radioactive Man to Simpsons Super Spectacular. The writers and artists show their love of comic book heroes by placing Bartman, Stretch Dude and Clobber Girl, or even Pieman in some of the strangest scenarios that only comics can think up.

And this one is no different. Debuting on July 2010 is the 5-part mini-series based on Springfield’s favorite fanboy, Comic Book Guy. Littered with pop culture references as well as a story that will leave you shocked {unless you read the solicitations} to discover what will happen to Springfield without their Comic Book Guy…and I just spoiled the ending.

But hey, it’s only issue 1 of a 5-part series, so there might be twists and turns as we would expect from other comics. So, is the first issue truly a collector’s item or is it the Worst Issue Ever? Let’s take a look at the comic.


STORY:

For those of you who don’t know who Comic Book Guy is, what is wrong with you? But since you asked, this was the Simpsons’ satire of geekdom. He’s in charge of a comic book shop in Springfield called Android’s Dungeon & Baseball Card Shop where almost everything you might find is here, such as Bleeding Gums Murphy’s hit album or even a mint copy of Amazing Spider-Man #1 {that is until some bald-headed buffoon ate the pages once he purchased it}. He is very harsh for those who take fandom to casualness and often bans some of its customers due to minor infractions.

If you were imagining what Shelbyville’s
Comic Book Guy is like, this might be it.
With that expoistion out of the way, the story starts off with CBG’s latest video have gotten some negative comments due to it being similar of another video done by the Graphic Novel Kid, who is a bizzare copy of the real deal. He decides to make himself known by entering Lardlad’s contest for a new spokesperson. However, the Graphic Novel Kid enters as well and eventually, beats him for the title, but the car he also won blew up once this pathetic imitator started the engine. Never put grease traps on top of your SUVs.
Worried that it would have been him at the seat to Death's steeple, CBG swears to live life to the fullest and begins so by buying everything at a movie prop auction, but karma has other plans for him as CBG throws Captain America’s shield, starting off a chain reaction that leaves him inside the rocket-fueled Superman’s rocket. Once the rocket started off, it crashed on the ceiling, blew up, and perished our once living cynical fanboy.
ART:

This is it! Extra-Large Shocker!
The art is as usual from other Simpsons comics. It looks a lot alike the TV series, capturing all the characters on the style that we always know of them. As well as the main story, there are 4 variant covers {including the one on the top} that parody other comic book titles, such as Fantastic Four, Death of Superman, and Crisis on Infinite Earths. I like the Crisis one better because it looks a lot more unique than the others. The Bongo Comics logo is on a blue banner with the proclamation that it’s a mini-series and Homer as well as some of Springfield Elementary bullies carrying CBG’s body while the other citizens of Springfield watch. I know it’s a satire, but at least it’s nice to nearly all the characters from the show on the cover, even if it’s in the background.
HUMOR:

“Yes, as I see it.”
As I mentioned before, the humor is full of pop culture jokes such as Star Wars, Ghostbusters, Terminator, and so on. I’ll give CBG some credit, some of his antics did make me laugh from the Magic 8 Ball Yoda to watching the 36-hour Manimal marathon after saying that he’ll live out everyday in his life. His viral video at the beginning was good too, parodying all the greatest deaths in a minute. Above all, it’s Simpsons if geeks wrote the script.
FINAL VERDICT:

Comic Book Guy the Comic Book did a good job, giving us a reason why we love the character in the first place {even if he won’t be appearing in the rest of the series in person.} It’s Simpsons Comics if Comic Book Guy got a lead story. I really didn’t like that some of the Simpsons characters could have a little more focus. The only characters we get to see other than CGB is Graphic Novel Kid, Bart, and Lisa. Above all, good artwork, good start to a story, and I’m looking forward how they’re going to bring him back in time of Season 22…oh, and Stan Lee is going to be in the next issue. If he wrote his part by himself, I wouldn’t be too surprised.

RATING:
* * * *
Tunc Vicis! {Latin for "Next Time!"}



Saturday, August 7, 2010

Gogo's Crazy Bones

Welcome to Random Fandom, where I review out of my mind about the things I find. Today, we discover the adorableness of Gogo’s Crazy Bones.

These guys look like Pocket Monsters if they were more messed up than normal!
Believe it or not, these little fellows are part of a collectible game to trump your opponent on how much rare your collectible is. OK, that’s not true, but they are used for many different games. Discovered as a game in Spain inspired by a game back in Ancient Greece that required sheep knuckles, Peter Gantner used this classic game, renamed it to Crazy Bones, and before you know it, they are flying off the shelves.

Now, this classic game is being revived because, hey, Pokemon might have eclipsed this fad, but that doesn’t mean we try again when the franchise is slowly dying. Kidding, that’s only my opinion, but Crazy Bones have been successful during the late 1990s. So-called rare Crazy Bones required people to buy every packet in the store until you can find one.

So, I was surprised to find out about the history of these Japanesque Pocket Monsters. I just accused that they’re just another failed attempt for kids to buy and then lose for the next day. AND I MEAN LOSE, these things are just as big as a penny! There’s even a warning not to use them in front of younger children on the packet because these things sure look like candy {cuts to emergency room and thousands of bucks spent}.

Now, about the package I found, each packet comes with three Gogos or Crazy Bones or whatever you can call them as well as three individual stickers featuring said Gogos or Crazy Bones. This is a big deal. Back then, we had a stick of hard-as-plastic gum inside out collectible stuff. Controversy like this is probably the reason these things were replaced by even cheaper things. New from every package of Crazy Bones, GLITTER in every packet! Why? We’re flat out BROKE! We can’t even make things in plastic anymore, so you’re getting the stickers instead of the real deal!

Inside the packet was three Crazy Bones. Fortunately, they don’t look like something that was ripped off a sheep. Instead, they look like aliens. Multicolored, unique, at-times-creepy aliens. I looked up on the website www.gogos-crazybones.com {because, hey, the package is telling me to learn more about these money-gainers} to find out who these three are, but don’t take my word from it, let them explain who they are.

Why am I not explaining their origins? Well, my anthropomorphic ray has gone haywire.


I blame the lack of a webcam.

Hello, I’m Danko. I am yellow. My picture speaks lies, all Crazy Bones have different colors! I am fast, agile, and well-behaved. I also like bowling and I’m cute and cuddly!

If you think my rhymes are bad,
you are offically unrad!


I am Pop! I love to sing and dance non-stop! Music is what I do best! I go online because outdoor sports are for pests! My talent is top rhythm! My rhyming skills are from my every whim! Also, I am blue, but I’m sure it’s news to you.


My father, the warrior.
 I am known as Tremi. I may look grumpy, but I’m all kind inside. I love battling people and I have a laughter mask to stall my foes. I am also green; the picture on the left is my father. He was a skilled warrior and fought in the war.

So, these three Crazy Bones have good personalities, but only one must stay. And I’m not talking about the ones on the stickers, they aren’t alive. Tell me which one will stay and I might see who wins by next issue.

Above all, Crazy Bones are fun. They are unique, they can used to up than 6 different games, and they are a reinvention of something the Greeks did. Not like myths or gods, this is what happens in the world of Zeus! The downside is that these pieces are small and can creep you out if you’re younger. These guys look like they want to get you! Bottom Line, these guys rock and I’m looking forward for my true Crazy Bone because I’m never ever going to collect those!

RATING:
* * *