A science fiction blog featuring science fiction book reviews and with frequent ramblings on fantasy, computers and the web.
The folks at the Sarcastic Voyage comedy podcast have put together a series of brief puppet shows featuring genre faves Neil Gaiman and Alan Moore.
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REVIEW SUMMARY: Tarzan + Doc Savage + Tintin = 100% pure fun for all ages
MY RATING: 
BRIEF SYNOPSIS: Born on a hidden island and raised to be the perfect physical and intellectual specimen by his father. Tom Strong has spent the better part of a century defending the people of Millennium City from all manner of threats. Along with his family–which in addition to his ageless wife and daughter includes a talking gorilla and a pneumatic robot–Tom battles high-tech Aztecs from another dimension, Nazi Amazons, a primordial slime-monster from before the dawn of history, his mad scientist nemesis, and many more, while traveling to other times, other worlds, and other planes of existence.
MY REVIEW:
PROS: When making Tom Strong, Alan Moore and Chris Sprouse were two talents working at the height of their abilities, producing the comics that all of us wish we could have read when we were kids. And that’s not even taking into account the all-star lineup of guest artists.
CONS: Tom Strong may not be the most sophisticated comic Alan Moore has ever written, and may lack the gravity of his more critically acclaimed work, but it is without a doubt the most fun of any of his books.
BOTTOM LINE: Highly recommended for anyone who doesn’t hate goodness.
REVIEW SUMMARY: Lovely images and faithful panel translations, but with no emotional significance, or grounding.
BRIEF SYNOPSIS: The film is set in an alternate 1985, in which Nixon has remained in office far longer than two terms, the Doomsday clock is ticking ever closer to the fatal midnight mark…and super-heroes have been existing in the world for some time now. The story begins with the murder of one of them, The Comedian. The mystery of who hunts the Watchmen begins to be explored by Rorschach.
MY REVIEW:
PROS: Gorgeous imagery, with scenes from the comic copied exactly. Also, a soundtrack that you can’t help but notice as it turns up throughout the film. Some of the most amazing opening credits out there.
CONS: Almost everything else. The acting is extremely dodgy at times. There is no emotion or context or explanation for what’s happening.
BOTTOM LINE: Since one has to read the comic to really get anything of interest out of the film, the film is little more than some brought-to-life panels. Interesting to look at, but it doesn’t have a leg to stand on.
