Declaration of Fantastic:

*Goes without saying, this review may totally contain spoilers. Giving you a heads up.

So I will be doing a new comic book review, this will be a single issue review today.  The book I am looking at today is part of the current Marvel Now line, it's the 10th issue of the first family of heroes, the Fantastic Four. You know I got to say, the Fantastic Four doesn't get enough love or credit now in days. Having two terrible movies doesn't help either. But it needs to said, the Fantastic Four rock! A perfect comic mix of science fiction, humor and action. Serious when it needs to be, but always a great read that reminds me why I love reading comics in the first place. And while each one of the Fantastic Four can seem like a cookie cutter made character, there is so much more to each of them, especially Mr.Fantastic with all the secret plans and action that he has done with the Illuminati Avengers. But let's take a look at the book now, and I want to start off with displaying the awesome cover on this one, I mean if this isn't one of the best covers out there today, I am not sure what is. And oh yes, it is clobberin' time! 

The book starts off in Philedelphia 1776, as we see the deceleration of independence being written and discussed by Americas founding fathers, but of course we know one of them has got to be a Skrull, but why are they here and what piece of history are they trying to alter? Deep in space, we see that Mr.Fantastic, The Thing and Sue Storm are sick, the powers that made them are slowly taking them apart slowly. So far the family, the kids included have been searching different planets and galaxies for a cure, something Mr. Fantastic has tried to keep a secret. The kids don't take the news well, especially Valeria Richards. But if they only knew what there dad was doing in the pages of New Avengers. Reed then figures that what is happening to them seem to be a deliberate attack, but where and when is the question here. It's quickly discovered that someone is doing this somewhere in time, and that this someone are the crafty shape shifting foes of the Fantastic Four, the Skrulls. The team goes back in time and comfort there intergalactic foes and stop them before they alter anything in the course of human history. The Skrulls were attempting to keep slavery in the constitution, as a way to prepare mankind for there own slavery at the hands of the Skrulls. The issue ends with Reeds somehow mainplulating the Skrulls into shaping themselves into cows for eternity, or until turned into steak and burgers. But we also see the sickness taking a toll on The Thing, as he slowly is chipping away.

As a stand alone issue, this was a lot of fun to read. I love seeing the Fantastic Four going back in time and fighting to keep the time line and history of the world intact. There practically the only team of heroes who can do this, without screwing everything up completely, at least for the most part. Matt Fraction keeps the language appropriate to each time, keeps the dialogue going along during family fights or Reed explaining the infinite possibilities that are out there. And Mark Bagley does great work on drawing this issue out, especially with showing Sue Storms sickness taking place, being invisible in random spots and showing her insides, literally, you can see her brain and organs through the book. I did feel however the pacing was a bit off, especially in the last two pages, it felt everything was kind of cramped together in the last minute. I would have suggested less scenes of the founding fathers talking among themselves, if we wanted to read that we would look it up, but something had to be done to avoid this mess in the last two pages. A reduction on the amount of panels on some of the pages would have been nice as well, maybe even a two page spread when Sue and Thing were fighting against the Skrulls. That being said the issue is a lot of fun to read, and honestly it works as a pick up and read or as the continuation of the series all together. With both Fraction and Bagley at their best, Fantastic Four is a lot fun and great for all ages of comic book fans. Give it a go when you get a chance.

 So that's what I think of this crazy little adventure from the first family of heroes, I got a lot of books to read in the following days including a few independent books from fellow friends and crew mates. But hey, I am always open for suggestions on different books to read, so leave a comment below if you know a good book or two. And also, I updated my YouTube page today with a new video, so be sure to check it out below...

So there's another video update, and yeah be sure to check back every weekend, I am going to try and be on the ball about these. But let me know how I am doing as well, feedback is really important for me, so holla back. The more interaction I have, we can do things like contest and giveaways and all that good stuff, so tell your friends and what not. Anyways I need to get going, thanks again for reading and watching, keep chasing the storm. 

The Chilean in Storm

"You're Chilean?" 

If I had a 100 pesos for every time I heard that line. I get it though. I mean on a first look, I guess I don't really look Chilean. But I am not sure what nation I look like to be honest, but I know what I am and honestly that's all I need to know. I am a man of two nations and extremely proud of both, I am a Canadian and a Chilean. But today I am going to be going over my Chilean roots and why I am proud to be a ChileanStorm!

Both my mom and dad are from Chile and came to Canada in the late 70's due to the terrible state of affairs that Chile was in. After the military take over in 72, there was not much for the people in Chile, opportunity and success were to be found else where. Many and I mean many Chileans left the country in search of the perfect home to start a new life.  And my parents found home in Canada. From the very start though, I was raised as a Chilean from the language to the food and the little mannerism as well. Then I moved to Chile for a few years in my youth, I learned a lot more on the people and the land. I saw a country in the process of rebuilding all that was lost, especially after all that was taken. I am very proud of every single Chilean who endured and stayed strong to recreate the country that they knew, a strong and proud nation that rose from the ashes of a dictatorship. Even when I got back to Canada, I had great pride knowing that in my heart I was part Chilean. 

And I noticed that everyone who came to Canada from another country were proud of their roots and heritage,  and with good reasons as well. So I felt it was necessary to represent for my nation and my people as well. It wasn't until much later though in my life that I wanted to use the name ChileanStorm, my artist name if you will. I needed to make my name, the name I would be using for a few years to come, and I wanted a name that could describe me and everything that I am in that name. I wanted people to know of my roots, because I am proud of what Chileans represent; pride, strength and courage. To have a dream and work hard at it, that even through the darkest days...this fire burns always. Yeah that's a Killswitch song, but it applies and I can definitely relate to that feeling. And that any success and fame that would come my way, people will know it's Chilean. For my country and for my family. 

So after a beautiful and extremely delicious September 18th, it goes with out saying that I will always carry Chile in my heart, no matter where I go. So keep chasing this ChileanStorm and viva Chile siempre! 

Tripping Montreal

What a weekend, I don't know where exactly to start this blog off. I guess I personally would like to thank everyone who came to the Spent Pencils table at the Artist Alley at the Montreal Comic Con 2013, to everyone who came to get a print, a drawing or a commission, thank you very much for all the support you give us, we really appreciate it. Another personal thank you to everyone who came to my side of the table, you guys really loved the Avengers Time and Loki Lemongrab prints. I got a lot more of these kind of ideas coming in the near future, so stay tuned and see what will be coming next. And also by all means, feel free to drop a suggestion here or on Twitter, I want to hear more from all of you. I got a chance to meet a lot of new people this weekend, I want to give a special thanks to Vanessa, I was honored to draw your Drogo commission and I am totally stoked you got it signed by Jason Momoa. Truly honored, thank you so much. And I would also like to thank and give mad props to a lot of the amazing cosplayers out this weekend in Montreal, tons and tons of amazing looking costumes to be seen this weekend. But I have to give major props and high fives to these Cosplay pairs; the first one being the Science Bros, I have a huge crush for this pairing, and you guys really represented for Tony and Bruce. And also mad props to the Ariel and Prince Eric cosplayers, you brought The Little Mermaid to life and that means a lot to me, as that is my absolute favourite Disney movie of all time. And a big thanks to everyone who took part in the Alvaro and Paul Con Pictures, be sure to check back on the SP Facebook page for the updated pictures from Montreal.

We also got a chance to go out on Friday and Saturday night to take in the city, culture and food from Montreal. And I must say, it's quite a beautiful city, plenty of unique looking buildings with an night life atmosphere that fuels the city. On Friday night we also got to do a little dinner birthday celebration for Tea, plenty of food and an awesome cake dessert. Glad we could all celebrate with you lil bro. It was also great to finally try the world famous Schwartz sandwiches, and my God, you really do need to try these sandwiches! An understatement if I said this was the best sandwich I've ever had, this is the best sandwich in the world. Prove me wrong, but as it stands Schwartz is number one. A must go to stop for anyone visiting Montreal. And on Saturday night, me and Tea went to explore the night life and get lost in the city. It's a bit confusing at first, but it is definitely a site to see, from the lakeside to the old town, Montreal looks fantastic. But be very careful when crossing the streets, the drivers are pretty harsh to say the least. But all things considered, I was very impressed by Montreal.

  I also want to take this time a give a few shout outs to all my friends in the Artist Alley community, everyone keeps pumping out incredible work every time a new show rolls around and you definitely inspire me to keep working and working the days away. So a shout out to the talented Mike Rooth, Lamin Martin, Christopher Yao, Next Genesis Comics and everyone in the Artist Alley.  A big thanks to Nicole Chartrand for coming by the SP table and saying hi to Tea, it was really awesome of you to stop by and I was glad to share with you a Lemongrab Loki print. Thanks a lot and be sure to check out her web comic here, Fey Winds. Also a big thanks to the Two Best Friends Play guys, I love the shows on YouTube and it was super cool to get a chance to talk with you guys at the show, love the shows and if you haven't seen them, be sure to subscribe to the funniest video game channel on YouTube. And last but not least, a big thank you to the greatest family in the world, Spent Pencils! To Hugh, Marvin, Paul, Gerard, Arnold, Daniel, Oliver, Kevin, Maddsketch, Tea and Vince. There's no one I would rather spend my time with, and it's always on honored to work with the family. Thank you all.

I had an amazing time this weekend, and honestly I can't wait to come back. I am looking forward to the return, thanks again Montreal! 

 Keep chasing the storm.

The Best Two...

It's kind of cool how somethings work out in life. I always felt a little out of place growing up in schools or, well most social places. It's not that I couldn't talk to people or anything, that was always easy for me, meeting new people and making friends, not a problem, I am piratically a modern day hippie. Except you know, I shower and stuff. My thing was trying to find that one friend, that one person who really gets you. And I mean like seriously gets you, they understand the way you watch an anime series with the attention of a modern day peace rally speech or why you would decided to find every single issue with your favourite super villain in it. They get you. To most people you would be considered strange, odd, different, etc. But that's just the way you are, and they accept all of you for it. And sometimes you get lucky and find two amazing people who get it, and they happen to have back to birthdays. So this here is my tribute to them, Dave Edwards and Tea Medeiros! We may have been brought together by art, but it's all the crazy little things that made us really connect; Tea is practically my twin, it's actually kind of weird but with more sass and class. Dave is the kind of friend I wish I grew up with when I was a kid, he loves fighting games and anime and wrestling as much if not even more then I do. But the best part of having Dave and Tea in my life, is being able to work with them in Spent Pencils and grow together, learning and improving on different art techniques and watching one and other grow. We got a long road ahead of us for sure, but it's going to be one hell of a journey that we will share together. In the group of SP, I guess you could say we are the Young Spentvengers! 

We totally need to finish the rest of the team though...that would be awesome! 

But yeah, I wanted to wish the happiest and greatest birthday to both you guys! So much love for both of you, for being some of the best friends, hell best brothers that I guy like me could ask for. I can't wait to grow and evolve with you two and the rest of SP family. 

So if you have anyone special in your life, let them know. And love them with all your heart. Sounds mushy? Sure, but how many times will you find a friend like these. I am lucky enough to find these two.