Kung Fu Panda

Kung Fu Panda #3 (of 4)

/ / Comics

kung-fu-panda-3-coverEven if it’s far too expensive for a comic aimed at younger readers, I’ve got to say I enjoyed the hell out of the latest issue of Kung Fu Panda. The main story finds Po and the Furious Five taking on the warriors known as the Five Elements (an ape, leopard, spider, crocodile, and pink flamingo) who have returned as foretold in legend.

We’re thrown right into the action as the Five Elements show up to claim their place as the rightful defenders of the valley. Although the first battle doesn’t go well for our heroes, they regroup and expose the con artist for what they are.

The back-up story by Deron Bennett gives us another tale of a great Kung Fu master: Master Rhino, Slayer of Ten Thousand Serpents. It’s not as good as the main tale but it still works well.

Once again the art is terrific and the detail on the various animals used and the intrinsic humor in their designs really helps sell how fun crazy and fun this series has become. Even given the cover price fans of the characters should try and track these issues down. Best of the week.

[Ape Entertainment, $3.95]

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Kung Fu Panda #2

/ / Comics

kung-fu-panda-2-coverWhen all the town’s mail is stolen by crows, Po sets out to investigate by hiding out in a mail cart. Once it too is stolen the Dragon Warrior finds himself on Mount Peglai where the city is at the mercy of a despot obsessed with turning the former peaceful village into a paradise for himself. His crows are stealing the mail in attempt of find the key to the city so he might close the gates and lock out the town’s citizens.

Of course, Po comes to the rescue and help the townsfolk take control of their home again. Like the first issue, it’s fun tale that includes much of the humor and action of the movies on which it’s based.

The (very short) back-up story involves a young apprentice who is Po’s biggest fan, and is even more annoying to him than Po was the Furious Five when he met. Neither the art nor writing is as strong here, but it’s a cute story kids might like.

Once again, the comic’s biggest issue is the the $4 cover price for a book specifically aimed at young readers. Way too expensive, but worth a look.

[Ape Entertainment, $3.95]

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Kung Fu Panda 2

/ / Movie Reviews
  • Title: Kung Fu Panda 2
  • IMDB: link

Three years ago DreamWorks Animation put out a little film called Kung Fu Panda about a Panda with a destiny to learn Kung Fu and save his village from a shadowy warrior. It turned out to be one of my favorite films of 2008. While it might not be as good as the original (a film which I love to no end), the sequel brings plenty of awesome back to the screen.

Kung Fu Panda 2 fills in Po’s (Jack Black) back story as an attack on his village will lead him on a quest to discover where he comes from. Also back for the sequel are Shifu (Dustin Hoffman) and the Furious Five: Tigress (Angelina Jolie), Mantis (Seth Rogen), Monkey (Jackie Chan), Crane (David Cross), and Viper (Lucy Liu).

The film also gives us a deadly new enemy in a deranged peacock (played with malevolent glee by Gary Oldman) who wants to rule all of China by the force of a new deadly weapon which could mean the end of Kung Fu. We also get a few new characters voiced by the likes of Jean-Claude Van Damme as a Kung Fu crocodile (admit it, that’s pretty awesome), and Michelle Yeoh as the Soothsayer who holds all the answers to both Po’s past and future.

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Kung Fu Panda #1

/ / Comics

kung-fu-panda-1-coverOkay, let’s get this out of the way first. I adored Kung Fu Panda. Those without my love the property might not enjoy this one as much as I did, but then again, if you didn’t like the movie why would you be willing to shell out $4 for the comic?

With the film’s sequel only a couple of week’s away from hitting theaters Ape Entertainment has released a new four-issue mini-series centered around the adventures of Po and the Furious Five. I’ve never read a comic put out by Ape, but this one is worth a look.

Issue #1 finds Po and the Furious Five accidently locked in an impenetrable prison. It takes all of their combined skill to escape, with a little funny thrown in. The issue also includes a so-so back-up story involving Master Croc and his legendary victory over 173 assassins.

I enjoyed the issue which seems geared more to children and young adults, but I do have a bone to pick with the publisher for the $4 price-tag which makes it at least a dollar (if not two) too expensive for its main audience. Worth a look.

[Ape Entertainment, $3.95]

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Top Movies of 2008

/ / Top Tens & Lists

 

best-of-2008

 

Yeah, I know most people whittle their lists down to 10, but (as teh ‘monkey often observes) I’m not exactly what you’d call “normal.” And this way you get three more extra-good flicks at no extra charge.

2008 was the year of the cape. Super-heroes and comic book films hit theaters like Twilight tweens at a Robert Pattinson appearance, and most of them turned out to be pretty good (forgetting that second-half of Hancock and all of Punisher: War Zone). As a self-admitted and unabashed comic book nerd I couldn’t help but pepper my list with a few of these along with some heroes not in tights, a vampire, a pair of documentaries, and one kick ass panda.

Honorable mentions – Before we begin let me mention a couple films I missed including In Bruges, The Reader, and The Fall (the last of which made our pal Eric’s list), and offer some appreciation to the lovable also-rans who didn’t quite make the cut. These include Traitor, Tropic Thunder, The Visitor, Bolt, and Wall-E (the last film to miss the cut).

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