Archives

‘Child of Light’ paints an epic quest

In gaming, journeys begin with the single press of a button. Should a game fail to capture a player’s attention, their audience will not hesitate to stop the game and never return. This unfortunate turn of events essentially leaves untold numbers of characters trapped in suspended animation, never knowing the outcome of their quest. https://www.popoptiq.com/child-light-paints-epic-journey/

‘Aaru’s Awakening’ teleports platformers to new heights

Aaru’s Awakening takes our need for speed, crosses it with the fascination of teleportation, and ties it together with gorgeous graphics that lure us to our doom. Which is, of course, why this game is so incredible to play–if you’re up to the challenge, that is. https://www.popoptiq.com/aarus-awakening-teleports-platformers-new-heights/

Oddly Normal Vol. 1

Written and Illustrated by Otis Frampton

Published by Image Comics

Oddly Normal is your average eleven year old girl (well except for the half witch part) who struggles with your typical middle school bullies (aside from the vampire and his werewolf lackies that is) and her parents who are out of touch with reality (also completely erased from the universe?).

Okay, okay. So nothing about the situation Oddly finds herself in is normal per say, but it is very familiar. A young protagonist seen as an outcast by their peers. A magical catastrophe that sends our young protagonist on an epic journey. Mystery and mayhem around every corner. Oddly Normal is just that, oddly normal, and that’s why it’s so much fun to read. https://www.popoptiq.com/oddly-normal-book-1-charms-readers-average-story-vibrant-colors/

Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard #1
Written/drawn by David Petersen, Mark Buckingham, Skottie Young, Hannah Christenson
Published by BOOM!/Archaia

At the June Alley Inn, should you lack the funds to pay for your food, drink, or lodging you can open a tab. Should that tab remain unpaid, the Proprietor will propose a trade. A tale in exchange for a clean bill. But not just any tale will do. It must be an original story, and best tale you’ve ever told.

This is the premise for the four volume Mouse Guard: Legend of the Guard, and volume three does not disappoint. https://www.popoptiq.com/mouse-guard-legends-guard-vol-3-pairs-simple-stories-delightful-art/

Secret Identities #1

Story by Jay Faerber & Brian Jones

Art by Ilias Kyriazis

Colors by Charlie Kirchoff

Published by Image Comics

The idea of a mole infiltrating a superhero team is nothing new, but watching things unfold from the mole’s point of view is refreshing.

Secret Identities #1 introduces readers to an established team of heroes known as Front Line. The team is diverse, balanced, and flawed. For example, although Front Line claims they look after their own readers see how Diamond Jim is neglected after the loss of his legs. Flaws such as this provide a myriad of secrets for our young mole to dig up. https://www.popoptiq.com/secret-identities-1-highlights-flawed-heroes/

Thrilling Adventure Hour presents Sparks Nevada: Marshal on Mars #1
Written by Ben Acker & Ben Blacker
Illustrations & Cover by J.Bone
Color Art by Omi Remalante
Published by Image Comics

Shine your astro spurs and don your robot fists! Thrilling Adventure Hour is back in print for the first time in years, and their first issue features Sparks Nevada, Marshal on Mars.

Sparks Nevada, from Earth, is a space cadet born in the 31st century with an obsession for the Wild West. Thanks to his fascination with rope tricks and horses, Sparks eventually finds himself roundin’ up outlaws on a planet where the Old West has had a strong influence on the inhabitants of Mars. https://www.popoptiq.com/thrilling-adventure-hour-1-exhilarating-western-escapade-mars/

From 1985 to 1990, Nintendo basked in the spotlight. Video games were thriving thanks to the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES) and Nintendo controlled 90% of the video game industry in the United States. Of course this could not last forever.

Sega worked quietly behind the scenes to create a mascot that would knock Mario down from his place of glory and bring the Mushroom Kingdom to its knees. Several erhm…interesting ideas were proposed, but thankfully a blue hedgehog with a need for speed  and plenty of attitude won. Enter Sonic the Hedgehog, the fastest character in the realm. With Sega’s champion prepared for battle, a rival was born and players took sides. https://www.popoptiq.com/throwback-thursday-console-wars-begin/

The month, October. The year, 1985. The event, the release of the upgraded and re-branded Famicom system in the United States. A console gamers across the generations would come to know as the Nintendo Entertainment System, or NES for short. A console that ended the Dark Age of video games by systematically undoing the damage inflicted on the industry due to corporate meddling, and pushed gaming forward by leaps and bounds. https://www.popoptiq.com/throwback-thursday-nintendo-entertainment-system/

Galaxy Quest: The Journey Continues #1

Writer: Erik Burnham
Artist: Nacho Arranz
Colors: Esther Sanz
Letters: Gilberto Lazcano
Publisher: IDW

When last we saw Commander Taggert and his loyal crew, they were aboard the NSEA Protector once again after an eighteen year absence. Those of us who monitor the Galaxy Quest historical documents carefully have been waiting patiently to see what adventure awaits our heroes. Though it appears video transmissions have forever gone dark, Erik Burnham and his crew have documented Galaxy Quest in an alternate, but equally pleasing manner. https://www.popoptiq.com/galaxy-quest-the-journey-continues-1/

The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters
Directed by Seth Gordon
US, 2007

The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters is a documentary that follows Steve Wiebe’s attempt to break the Donkey Kong high score held by “Gamer of the Century” Billy Mitchell. Director Seth Gordon captures a classic underdog story on film that has you rooting for Steve the moment he takes on the Donkey Kong challenge, even though it means snatching the crown from Billy. More importantly, The King of Kong demonstrates the importance of good sportsmanship. https://www.popoptiq.com/king-of-kong-a-fitsful-of-quarters/

Stand Still, Stay Silent
Written and Illustrated by Minna Sundberg
Ongoing, 2013-present
Updates Monday-Friday

Stand Still, Stay Silent is the second webcomic written and illustrated by Minna Sundberg. Set 90 years into the future, this post-apocalyptic webcomic intertwines Nordic mythology, cats, magic, and trolls.

The prologue is a little slower to get through compared to A Redtail’s Dream because there is a lot more set up involved.However, once readers make it to chapter one, the story really takes off. So stick with the prologue, or skip it completely, but don’t pass up Stand Still, Stay Silent just yet. https://www.popoptiq.com/stand-still-stay-silent/

Paranatural
Written and Illstrated by Zachary Morrison
Ongoing, 2011-present
Updates Tuesday and Friday

Prepare to enter a world filled with paranormal mischief and supernatural mayhem in Paranatural as Maxwell Puckett, AKA Max-the new kid in town, joins the Activity Club at Mayview Middle School. That my friends, is where all the trouble begins. I mean aside from beating up the school bully by accident and making a mortal enemy a few pages prior. However, school bullies are nothing compared to the sticky situations spirits create for twelve-year-old Max. https://www.popoptiq.com/paranatural/