Culture Shock
Alex Murray
The first work by Winnipeg author Van Rooy is a shady and twisted look at the Canadian justice system and the criminals who graduate from its netherworld. Monty Haaviko, an ex-con turned family man only wants to live peacefully in Winnipeg with his wife, son, dog and pet mouse. He stops at nothing to scheme, plot and otherwise scam his way clear again when confronted with a corrupt detective and the underworld.
A complete antithesis to many traditional Canadian works, this book is both dark and violent with a hilariously sly protagonist who sees everything through the eyes of a criminal. The realism and conflict in this book serve to provide a stark backdrop that most of us can recognize. After all, its only two hours away.
Brad Denbow
Based out of Montreal, Canadian rockers Priestess just emerged from the studio with their sophomore release, Prior to the Fire. Combining their signature blend of melodic metal and upbeat psychedelic grove, Priestess departs somewhat from their earlier (i.e. popish) sound, and have stepped up in both song writing and intensity in their second album
For those of you that are not familiar with the band, their single Lay Down from their first album (Hello Master) was featured on Guitar Hero III: Legends of rock – a status that they are quickly earning in the Canadian music scene. The album opens aggressively with Lady Killer, and trudges trough highlights such as The Firebird and Sideways Attack. All in all, a solid effort for a somewhat mainstream band.
Kris Myers
Tim Burton(Nightmare before Christmas, Corpse Bride) produces beautifully morbid movies that connect with the residual, slightly gothic side of my personality from my high school life. But even for a Tim Burton movie, the color and scenery was much more like the many video games today, full of deathly colors.
No rare color to bring it to life. It is hard to appreciate the fine detail in a world created. It had sweet, childlike characters hanging out in their own little Chernobyl(plus random bodies everywhere).
One particularly annoying thing however, is how fragile the characters lives seemed to be. It held a ‘live for the ones lost’ type of feel to it that I hate. Overall 9 was not terrible but just isn’t worth ever buying.
Kris Myers
Neil Gaiman’s Sandman
This comic is embedded in my memory as the most visually original and stunning comics that I have ever read. It explores the worlds of the endless, such as Destruction, Delirium, Desire, Death, Despair, Destiny, and Dream, each in very unique ways. It explores human lives, civilization, and how powerful dreams are to shaping everything that surrounds us. Each book explores various different and vivid worlds of people that seem to be twisted yet perfectly normal.
It has rightfully won award after award and is well worth its cost. Its story and art make it the most intriguing and re-readable piece of work that I own. I have even seen it fully captivate fantasy readers with no previous interest in the world of graphic novels.
