The Last Blood Fighter

 

Graphic Comic short from Drew Spence

Now fly forth, swift and sure and save our race!

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They fly the Last Blood Fighter and they are the only hope for a dying race. One ship, one serum, one saving sortie. Drew Spence writes a short item and places a pair of pilots in peril. Press on and press play – er click here to read it, no pressure.

Read all our graphic comics

 

Books vs Movies vs Comics

The Medium of Mediums – an illustrated story and captured frame!

JLA / Avengers vs Dark Phoenix – John Byrne

We first suppose that the story trumps all. But! – the visual is the lure that elicits interest. Books are marketed with an excerpt that shows the literary style and depicts a dramatic turn in the story. Movies are marketed with a trailer, containing short clips of action or drama meant to build curiosity behind the course of events that lead to these glimpsed moments. Comics are marketed with a bold depiction of a character(s) and a plot-teaser related to the action or drama of the story.

 

 

For most, a book still represents one of the purest forms of storytelling. It is the shortest distance between two points: the story being relayed by the author and the mind of the reader who absorbs the words and translates them with their own experiences and imagination. If the writer describes an attractive character entering the room, the reader will translate the loose description and couple it with ‘what would make that person attractive to them’. You are always guaranteed to be on the same (sorry for this) page as the author. A movie, beyond budgetary concerns, has to deal with casting. They need to not only consider the character the author has depicted, but also take into account-  who the readers have created in their minds. What actor can bring this character to life? Who is enough of a draw to bring in those unfamiliar with the story?

 

A comic walks the line between both worlds. It is an illustrated story. Nothing more, nothing less. We may simplify a comic into being Idealized (or stylized) people in dynamic poses, but we miss the critical consideration. A comic must be successful at both story and art to survive. Where the graphic novel represents a full story designed to be absorbed as a standalone ‘cinematic’ experience, the comic book is a serialized episode and a small slice of the larger story. You must entertain the reader and keep them curious. You must display the story and events in plain sight, but also engage the mind and allow the blank spaces (or panels) to be filled in with imagination. You can’t grab the hottest actor or actress available (both in popularity and charisma) and cross your fingers. You need to depict them and convince your readers again and again- with every panel.

Fantastic Four, Issue 248, Page 6 Penciler: John Byrne Inker: John Byrne

The story is the origin, which is why so many of our most beloved franchises started from text medium. A written account is a near-perfect medium for the sweeping saga. The nostalgia and heavy imprinting was aided by our own imagination. We remember both the story AND the experience of taking in the adventure. Comics get their re-releases, special editions and reboots. A classic book isn’t necessarily re-written by different authors, but several versions of the same story are common. In the same way different writers and illustrators may visit the same material (usually the origin story) and add their own voice and version to the mix.

 

Competition affects and challenges comic books in a unique way. Movies are scheduled to avoid box office competition and it’s rare that similar movies arrive close together. Books, with their extended shelf life, can survive weeks moving up and down the rankings, on different selling lists and charts. Even if a movie is a weak contribution to its genre, the timing can be beneficial as it gets a run as the current offering. With comic books, it’s more than likely that the best example of an idea is STILL being sold and that franchise also has a current comic book for sale. So yes, a comic book must compete with EVERY book in its lane. And for so many comic books, focused on such a narrow subject-matter, the competition for your attention (and dollar) is steep.

 

The idea that ‘anyone can film something’ is pushed back by the gatekeepers of the industry and the studio system (that’s the reason six different companies are listed at the start of films). The open door of ‘anyone can be a writer’ is usually closed with the challenge of writing a good book. A good comic book is one that excels at BOTH story and art, which is why comics provide so much material for books and movies. Maybe that’s because a comic is both – the depicted word and also a captured frame of motion. A measure of appreciation can be earned from understanding the challenges surrounding the creation and presentation of a comic book.

Force Six The Annihilators Episode 03

Episode 03 is Here. Enter Kojin and Fire Destiny.

03: Bullets and Blades

The fiery Fire mixes with the cogent Kojin as The Annihilators go pay a visit to Redder Coltrane and his corrupt crew of criminal cronies. It’s bullets and blades. It’s episode 03 of Force Six, The Annihilators. Drew Spence’s graphic comic continues with the adventures of the futuristic assassination squad.

The Dynamic Universe on Patreon

THE DYNAMIC UNIVERSE goes live on PATREON

Thank you for supporting The Dynamic Universe! We are a creative engine- turning out Graphic Comics, Music and Video. Help us generate new content by getting involved. We are Recording Artists Dynamics Plus, Domino Grey and Fallout Shelter. We are Mark of the Griffin. We are Dynamica Comics – serving you graphic comics and art. Our tastes swing from ambient to epic, from the symphonic to the synthetic. Thank you for joining us on this amazing ride. Together, we’ll bring the far future – closer, faster.

Get involved for behind the page access, exclusive and un-edited content, new music and art. Add your voice and help decide where we go next. It’s your universe. We’re just here to make it more Dynamic. Thank you for your support. It means everything.

https://www.patreon.com/TheDynamicUniverse

 

F.A.Q.    The Dynamic Universe on Patreon

 

Firstly, you are NOT buying a product. You are $upporting The Dynamic Universe and, in turn, getting FREE access to everything we create based on your level of support. You can increase, decrease or modify you $upport level at any time you wish.

 

1) WHY and HOW does the $upport per release vs monthly contribution work?

 

Since the amount of releases per month may change, we feel it is best to accept your pledge ONCE per month. If we do not release any material, you simply do not pay anything for that month. Also, for example, if you pick the $8.00 level of support and we release three projects, you will NOT be charged for each product. You would be charged your one-time contribution of the $8.00 for the ENTIRE month and receive your complete share of the Dynamic Universe content.

 

2) What do you create and release?

 

The Dynamic Universe is the combination of the AVXP music label (Dynamica Music) and Dynamica Comics. We are home to recording artist Dynamics Plus, electronic music producer Domino Grey and the instrumentalists Fallout Shelter. We produce graphic comics with the lead title being Force Six, The Annihilators. We have plans to branch into other mediums and properties. As we get a better idea and a reliable timeframe, all of our Patreon supporters will be updated.

 

3) Can I just give you something in one lump sum?

 

Sure! What I suggest is heading over to the Dynamica Music store and grabbing a few titles. (http://www.dynamicamusic.com/store.asp) Grab multiple copies of the same release if you feel the urge to show some super love this way.

 

4) You have quite a collection already. Can we get your old stuff?

 

Web series and videos like Mark of the Griffin are free to watch and the entire released musical catalogue is available on iTunes, Amazon, Beatport, CD Baby and everywhere digital music is sold. You can also buy it directly from the Dynamica Music store. Once you’re a Patreon supporter, drop us a line and we’ll talk about it. Speaking of which…

 

5) Do the Patreon $upporters have real influence?

 

Of course! This remains flexible. Join us on Patreon to give feedback and help build a better build. This is only 1.0

 

 

For Free Content, you should subscribe to the Dynamic Universe Blog, our youtube.com/DynamicaMusic channel and follow the various artists on the roster. Dynamics Plus, Domino Grey (@DominoGrey), Fallout Shelter, Mark of the Griffin(@MarkoftheGriffin) and The Dynamic Universe @DynamicaMusic.

 

 

 

$1.00 Tier

This is saying ‘Hey, I appreciate your work and want to drop in once a month and say hello.’ No amount of consideration is too small to overlook or take for granted. Thank you.

 

 

$5.00 tier

– early access news updates and releases

– Free download access of the Graphic Comics in PDF format.

– Free access to any musical releases (singles, EPs, albums)

 

$8.00 tier

– early access news updates and releases

– Free download access to an HD QUALITY version of the Graphic Comics PDF

– Free access to any musical releases (singles, EPs, albums) + Remixes

 

BONUS content may include

– unedited version of graphic comics (Mature Version)

– Alternate artwork

– Skype QA session invites

– Behind the panels exclusive looks

– Additional download access of satellite titles

– Prizes and gifts to be announced

– and more is on the way!

 

Thank you for $upporting The Dynamic Universe!

Any questions, drop a line ReachMe@TheDynamicUniverse.com

Movie Review: Edge of Tomorrow (2014)

What if it was Neo inside that Armored Personnel Unit?

The Matrix Revolutions meets Groundhog Day

Fighting Today’s war yesterday

Who and What? Tom Cruise plays a reluctant soldier, accidentally gifted with the ability to leap backwards in time. This allows him to fight against an alien invasion and repeat the most important battle over and over again until he gets it right.

Well, yeah, it’s a Tom Cruise movie so you know to expect a couple of things. One; he will be special, the greatest or the last and two; the movie will be about him and there won’t be many scenes without him in front of the camera. Thankfully, Tom Cruise still has his mojo maverick and shines in a movie whose premise affords us tons of action. Is it any good? Hells yeah.

The original story is based on a Japanese short story called All You Need Is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka. His property has the proper props and is propped with more profitable and palatable protagonists. Yes, this is the big screen western realization of his concept(s). And it’s a wonderful plot that allows us to witness the intense action of a futuristic war without any of that boring stuff like plot or character development. As movies and video games merge closer and closer together, it’s movies like this that blur the lines between CGI cut scenes and twitch-flicks. The movie does pause in a few places to add humor, wit and a bit of cleverness. A lot of it will be familiar, but fun and enjoyable.

The Angel needs you

Repeating Appearances

 

With so little time and focus to develop side characters, it’s important (Really, it’s the main reason) to cast deep into the actor pool and get characters that are familiar to you already. Emily Blunt plays Rita “The Angel of Versailles” or the Full Metal — eh, you’ll see in the movie. A friend asked “Is she hot?”, well no, she’s not playing for sexy (thank goodness), but has a character worthy of a starring role (no, we can’t show a woman saving the day in the cinema yet) and her story would make the perfect material for a video game. It’s Lara levels of lethal. Bill Paxton supports the war effort as Sergeant Farell -so imagine private Hudson from Aliens making it back home. It’s as if screenplay writers, Christopher McQuarrie and Jez Butterworth [I wonder if that’s a pseudonym] got the casting choices right from their sidebar notes.

The Angel of Versailles

Director Doug Liman: Bourne Identity, Ultimatum and Supremacy shoots an epic combat theater and war, but keeps the focus up close and personal. It’s the Normandy invasion from Saving Private Ryan, but toned down to video game levels of visual violence. The aliens are mostly depicted as blurry masses of tentacles and we are never given that science and biology class of alien anatomy to fully figure out what we are fighting. The whys behind the war isn’t really explored either. Has it ever been done satisfactorily in a movie yet? Anyhow, Edge of Tomorrow uses the sci-fi trope of a singular consciousness, hive-mind species. I like the swarming horde visual, but really, earthling soldiers pouring over a hill would look just as swarmy to any opposing force. It’s the cheap exit point of ‘kill the one and you kill them all’ that would allow one special man {guess who} to defeat an ENTIRE war machine by himself. That aside, Edge of Tomorrow is a great spectacle with enough Cruise special-ness to keep you engaged for the entire run. You’ll actually wish for more. I know I did. Here’s to Tom Cruise sticking with the sci-fi genre and giving us another one for the shelves. I’m not a movie critic, I’m just critiquing a movie. Check out my review of Oblivion and a run down the list of all the movies I’ve reviewed. Thanks for reading. What did you think?

Movie Review The Last Days On Mars (2013)

The Last Days On Mars

 

Mission to Mars with Monsters – and I liked it

 

“The Last Days” for the mission….and the crew!

        I honesty don’t feel like writing a review for The Last Days On Mars, but I’m compelled to do so because the reviews on Amazon.com are so negative. There’s the ego aspect – where it becomes a matter of why anyone would care what I say about this movie. And then there’s the aspect of sharing a movie and hoping someone else sees it and enjoys a small gem that they might have otherwise missed. That’s why we’re here. I have recently seen Captain America: The Winter Soldier and really enjoyed it, but you don’t need a review from me to go see it. Everyone is going to see it — anyone with a passing interest in the superhero resurgence will…go…see…it. The Last Days On Mars deserves a push.

 

Marred Mars Mission

The plot involves a crew sent to Mars in search of life. It’s literally their last day on Mars when a sensor lead leads a history-grabbing team member to make a last-ditch effort to secure his place in history by recording the find first. The site is compromised and his infection sets off the major arc of the movie. As every reviewer has documented; this is essentially a zombie movie that takes place on Mars. As I stated in my review of Apollo 18, the hostile environment adds a new dimension to the perils that this crew must overcome in order to return home. It’s a crew on the brink versus an infected zombie force- verse the dangers of planetary exploration – you know, lack of breathable atmosphere and stuffs.

 

Ruairi Robinson (who I am not familiar with) directs Liev Schreiber (Sabertooth in X-Men Origins Wolverine and Ray Donovan, the TV series) as astronaut Vincent Cambell – he alone holds this movie together with his acting abilities and as the most fleshed out character. Some of the others have that writer’s crutch of a character that behaves, in a way, out of line with their supposed job title. Prometheus (reviewed here) suffers the same fate as you ask “Would a [insert the thing you are supposedly trained to do] act this way?” So a few points are lost as you scream at the screen You Idiot! followed by Serves you right! I mean, it’s a common plot-device to portray characters – so that you are okay with their deaths. They almost deserve it for being so stupid and making such dumb decisions. Maybe that’s okay for the horny teens or the inquisitive homeowner who hears a bump in the night, but for astronauts to slip up- it’s a tough sell. I mean, it’s what you were sent there for, why you trippin?

 

Mars in Motion Emotion

Despite that, there are a few emotionally gripping scenes where all the parts fit together nicely. It’s the music, plus the mayhem captured in a moment that makes this movie worth the memory. The soundtrack is used to solid effect as the backdrop support rises to epic proportions along with the climactic confrontations. Although I enjoyed this movie, it does suffer from not going hard in any direction. It’s not really about Mars-zombies so if you want to see the shambling-mumbling-brains, you’ll be disappointed. If you want the hard science of space operations and a realistic depiction of Mars exploration, well yeah, you’ll fall short. Well, what’s the big idea then? I don’t think there is one. There isn’t any big reveal like the end of Mission To Mars. There isn’t a single morality-heavy speech made by a character that underlies the thing you’re supposed to be taking home after the credits roll. Yes, we went to Mars in search of life, found it and things didn’t quite work out as we expected. Be careful: you may find what you are looking for. That’s the moral of the story.

 

If you can enjoy a sci-fi tale with a simple presentation, give The Last Days On Mars a chance. If you must have extremes to be satisfied, then I suggest flicks that put the zombies on the poster. This one had astronauts and that scene was pretty meaningful. I’m not a movie critic, I just critique movies.

Move Review Love (2011) – 2001 and Moon meet The Fountain

Love, a movie review

-directed by William Eubank and starring Gunner Wright

After editing my personal tastes and preferences in Netflix, I was bombarded with a ton of movies I have never heard of. Love was one of them. The plot summary detailed a lone astronaut abandoned in a low-orbiting space station that loses contact with earth and loses it. The reviews suggested there was an interwoven story about time travel and the memories of past lives. It sounded interesting enough so I dove in.

 

Love is timeless and bonding

Moon (2009), Directed by Duncan Jones has a similar tone of isolation with a meaningful payoff at the end. We get the same stage here in Love as the living environment of a cold and sterile satellite-station magnifies the aloneness and loneliness. There is simply nothing to do but be alone. And that set up needs to hook you. You have to be pulled in by the hard sci-fi atmosphere and the calm and steady pacing because that’s mostly what you get here.
Director William Eubank seems to specialize in earthy urban dramas and pulled inspiration for Love [his first sci-fi foray] from a few spacey classics. It was as if he intended to improve Moon by saying something bigger in Love. It was if he wanted to recreate the vibe of Darren Aronofsky’s The Fountain (2006), but tell the story in a simpler way. And finally, Eubank must have loved the resolution of 2001: A Space Odyssey where Dave Bowman meets himself from the future.

 

In Love, we get interesting, we get profound, but we don’t get awe and epic. In the end, we find that Love is the most powerful bonding agent and it’s our memories of love that keep us rooted in time. Love is a good movie and worth watching, but I get a sense that the memory of this movie will also fade over time. There just wasn’t enough to differentiate it from all the pieces that inspired it.