Bakunyuu Baka! - Anything else

Comic Reviews, by your Neighborhood Friendly Kiinan Yamasu. (7 replies)

Kiinan Yamasu — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 12:55:03 -0700

Hey everyone. Now, I realize that on this site, there's really nothing of a forum for fans of comics. No, I'm not talking about manga, even though they're the same thing. I'm talking about American comics, like Marvel Comics, DC, Image, that sort of thing. I intend to fix this, as I am a major comic book fan, though I don't own many due to the absence of a specialty comic store in my city.

But the comics I DO have, I am more than capable of reviewing. This will also include those comics that are manga-styled, such as In Odd We Trust, or the Scott Pilgrim series.

Speaking of, I think that's a good place to start.

Scott Pilgrim
Author: Bryan Lee O'Malley
Began Publication In: 2004
Genre: Action, Comedy, Romance

If you've been watching TV, odds are you've heard of the Scott Pilgrim series by now from the movie trailer for it. Scott Pilgrim is a 23 year old slacker that plays bass for a garage band named "Sex Bob-omb", lives with a cool gay roommate, and has no employment to speak of. On top of that, he's recently started going out with a 17-year old Chinese high school student. But then he sees a girl in his dreams, then meets her in real life, becoming obsessed with her. As it turns out, this girl is named Ramona Flowers, and she's new in town. Scott and Ramona quickly fall in love...

And then it gets crazy, when during a band gig, a boy named Matthew Patel crashes in, challenging Scott to fight. At this point, you realize that something is going to be VERY... different about this series. After the fight, Scott confronts Ramona, who says that if Scott and her are going to continue seeing each other, he'll have to defeat her seven evil exes in combat.

You read that right. Seven evil exes. And Scott has to defeat them all.

I have basically given you the synopsis for the first volume of the series. Now, even if this plot was the only interesting thing about the series, it'd be worth reading. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. The humor and romance are well paced and enjoyable, and the story never feels like it drags out. But the big reason that most people I know would love this comic... it's SWIMMING in musical and video game references.

I'm not kidding. Video game injokes are EVERYWHERE, and the entire comic seems to take place in a world that runs on River City Ransom Logic, right down to every defeated ex poofing out of existence and turning into a bunch of coins. ("Aww man, 2.10?! That's not even enough for the subway back home!") I'd suggest making a drinking game out of it by taking a shot of alcohol every time you spot a game joke you recognize, but it's likely that you'll be under the table before you finish the first half of any given volume.

As of this review, I have not read the last volume, Scott Pilgrim's Finest Hour, so I will likely give my short opinion of that volume when I read it. But as for the first five volumes, they are genuinely enjoyable and funny. Do remember, though, partway through the comic, the art style changes a little.

Speaking of, the art style is very simplistic, but at the same time... it's still some of the most expressive I've seen. As I've heard, it's a departure from Brian Lee O'Malley's other work, but it's a welcome change if that's the case, because for me, the simple art is part of the charm. And really, it's better than all the samey realistic artwork you see in most comics nowadays.

Overall, I'd have to give this comic a pretty high reccomendation. If not for the likable characters, the funny moments and the crazy plot, then for the simple virtue of having a crapton of gamer's references. This is a comic for the gamer in all of us, plain and simple.

Comic Alterations~ (1 reply)

Yuka Takeuchi Fan — Tue, 11 May 2010 00:34:51 -0700

As much as... certain comics annoy the hell out of me, I must read certain ones for a variety of reasons. And for drawing references, I've got to print some.

To prevent me from raging out when I look at said references, I have decided to share with you my secrets for turning my frown upside down. Yes, I am odd.

Feel free to post your own as this seems fun.

Let old acquaintance be forgot.... (2 replies)

Deathtronhammer — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 10:38:30 -0800

Happy New Year everyone! The end of 09 is quietly coming to a close, and with it a very strange and awkward decade. So, here's what I propose, we each give one highlight and one lowlight that these past ten years gave us.

Highlight: Wrote a book.

Lowlight: Got whooping cough.

System meltdown (8 replies)

R-9 — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:06:42 -0700

Well, my computer seems to have gotten a case of what could only be described as e-cholera, in that it shat out a good number of its essential system files overnight. While Das Eisenfaust is out of commission, I won't be able to progress on my regular stories, but I'm sure I'll come up with something new for you guys while I wait for it to be taken care of.

Passing stories around~ (7 replies)

Yuka Takeuchi Fan — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:49:10 -0700

As I'm sure you're all aware, I once wrote a story called "Moxy's Maneuvers" for a comic contest, which I won. As I'm not so sure you're all aware, one year later, I wrote a much worse story for the same contest, which I did not win for what I both then and now consider obvious reasons.

As there's no way anyone could possibly be aware, I don't think that contest is going on this year, and as such, I really want to get on to writing both "Blue Eyes: Parallel Worlds", and some more stories-for-money. Plus, even if the contest WERE going on, it's doubtful that I could beat the deadline anyway as a result of my moving in two weeks.

That being said, I had a general IDEA for a B.E. story about a woman whose stories begin to affect the world around her, but I really have no reason to write it compared to the other things, mostly because I don't get to show up Tohru Nishimaki or earn money with it.

Which you'll soon notice I gave to my buddy Deathtronhammer, whose stories I've always liked, to have some fun with. I will only provide him with the very basics and let him go from there, so I do hope that the results will soon be pleasing to your eyes and imaginations. Hell, he's done well so far, so I'm expecting some fun antics.

So keep an eye out.

Literary endeavors (6 replies)

Deathtronhammer — Tue, 17 Aug 2010 07:28:39 -0700

Gentlemen, I am reading what may be the greatest book (well pretty damn funny at least) of all time.

What is this tome you ask?

Why it's Pride And Prejudice...and Zombies.

Curious are you? Why here's the wiki article to explain everything: [en.wikipedia.org]

The first five pages had me in tears from laughing so hard...it only gets better.

favorite actors/actresses? (3 replies)

importgamer13 — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 13:38:59 -0700

Thought I'd start a conversation.It takes some amazing acting to bring our favorite characters to life on the big screen,so I thought I'd mention a few of my favorites.Feel free to share a few of your own!

1. Patrick Stewart- In my two favorite roles as Jean-Luc Picard and Professor Charles Xavier,he doesn't take crap from no one.He has a sense of humor,but can get very angry when someone steps out of line.Some of my favorite moments were found in the 'Next Generation' Star Trek movies.

2. Bill Murray- As Dr.Peter Venkman,his wit is scathing,and in Scrooged,his character Frank Cross is pretty cruel,untill he gets a little divine intervention. He also played a sinister mobster in Mad Dog and Glory.Somehow, he always knows just how to get a laugh,even as a bad guy.

3. Uma Thurman- In Pulp Fiction and Kill Bill,she was a bit more serious of a character,but in Batman and Robin and My Super Ex-Girlfriend,she showed a more comical side.Weather she's using a samurai sword to chop people down,or using plants to tie up Batman,she's played some interesting characters.

4. Kane Hodder- When you play someone like Jason Voorhees,it's hard to express emotion without speaking,but he did an amazing job.Kane played Jason in 4 Friday movies,and still has a big following to this day.Weather haunting Crystal Lake, painting Manhattan red,or destroying space marines,it's doubtful anyone will play Jason more times than Kane has.

5. Harrison Ford- Although he's played dramatic parts like in the movie Regarding Henry,my fondest memories of Harrison can be summed up in five words: Han Solo and Indiana Jones.Han is the smartass of the galaxy in Star Wars,and good with a blaster,too.Indy is the ladies man,but watch out for that whip.Having two iconic characters under his belt wasn't a stretch for him,he also played Jack Ryan in a few movies based on Tom Clancey's best-selling novels,like Clear and Present Danger.

Innocuous. (16 replies)

Yuka Takeuchi Fan — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 06:40:10 -0700

Who here thinks I could write "Blue Eyes" better than Tohru Nishimaki?

The King of Pop (14 replies)

yakumofuji — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 05:04:28 -0700

strange news today. first one of the old Charlie's Angels girls dies, and then comes this:

[news.yahoo.com]

the "King of Pop" is down.

oh, and North Korea made some threat about nuking the U.S.

Cowboy Bebop meets Hollywood (5 replies)

yakumofuji — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:11:19 -0700

Being an otaku I should be excited about the project, but I can't help but feel uneasy.

[www.animenewsnetwork.com]

Never forget what they did to Dragonball.

Sidenote: a Robotech film is also apparently being planned for. [www.animenewsnetwork.com]

Star Trek movie (3 replies)

yakumofuji — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 09:11:04 -0700

I watched it at the theatre not too long ago. Any of you guys also seen it? I thought it was fairly good, at least for a J.J. Abrams $200 mil. explosions-in-space fest, but I felt it could have been more authentic. I wish they had chosen the later series as the model for the movie, instead of the original. Any fellow trekkers residing here at the forum?

This forum... (2 replies)

Djoser — Sun, 24 May 2009 11:38:16 -0700

Well, it seems like this place isn't as busy as it could be...

get ready to laugh (1 reply)

Heirophant — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:22:54 -0700

recently i was surfing youtube and, i'm sure killing hundreds of thousands of brain cells in the process. then, just as i was about to log off i stumbled upon a comedian by the name of Jon Lajoie. i highly suggest everyone check out this guys stuff, he is hilarious. [www.jonlajoie.com]

MediaCoder... -3- (3 replies)

Yuka Takeuchi Fan — Tue, 05 May 2009 04:43:15 -0700

I think I have one problem solved, and I run into a BIGGER brick wall...

I hate the .mkv format with all my soul and wish its creators would die in a fire. The stupid fucking codec is impossible to work with and I can't find a single fucking program that will run the goddamn files frame-by-frame. Unfortunately, every fansub group in existence is turning to this codec like the human race turned to water for all its drinking needs, which has resulted in my not being able to work from fansubs anymore.

So I hear that MediaCoder will help me convert the files so that I may actually work with them. I download it.

I should, by this point, know that when a program offers you wide flexibility and a myriad of options for solving any problem you have, it is a mortal pain in the ASS for a person unfamiliar with the program to get it to do any given ONE thing correctly. Hence my current predicament.

Help me, in DETAILED fashion. How the fuck do I get this program to take an .mkv file and make it an .avi file or whatever; ANYTHING I can pic-rip from?

YTF's Bad April Fools Joke, 2009 (8 replies)

Yuka Takeuchi Fan — Sun, 05 Apr 2009 13:18:29 -0700

I'm considering giving up my website, writing, and drawing to concentrate on something else I've found I love.

Yes, the Yuka Takeuchi Fan is finally, finally... going to pursue his calling as a gangsta rapper.

I know I've kept this from everyone, but I've even got the titles of the tracks on my debut album. I just hope that everyone will understand... the call of a lyrical gangsta is one that cannot be ignored.

Tracks on my self-titled debut album:

1: "Fuck Tha Tsundere" (2:54)
2: "Today We Roll On The Hibino Bitch" (4:15)
3: "Crack Yo Skull Open With A Souvenir Pencil" (5:03)
4: "Who Cares I Can't Read Dis Porn" (4:02)
5: "Expand Yo Mind (It's In Yo Chest)" (3:22)
6: "Ban Yo Ass" FEATURING DJ Hayes (4:26)
7: "New Deal, Motha'fucka" With Samples By Tammany Hall (3:56)
8: "Yo Louise, I Gots Me A Bigger Whip" (2:34)
9: "Ride On Aaron Sorkin" (4:13)
10: "Tonight We Roll On The Hibino Bitch Again" (3:23)
11: "I Bet Yo Ass I Can Say 'Bitch' 500 Times In Five Minutes" (5:00)
12: "Why Y'all Flat Bitches Gots Ta Fuck Up My Shit?" (5:12)
13: "Bitch I Got A Cromi" (1:23)
14: "IP Ban Yo Ass" FEATURING DJ Hayes and Grand Master Kohr-Ah-Yeah (6:23)

It will be released in May.

Music, anybody? (5 replies)

Metalman — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:22:32 -0700

(If there's already a thread for this sort of topic, I apologize ahead of time.)

So what type of music do you guys listen to? I myself really like Rock/Metal/Alternative/Indie music, even though my taste in music is very diversified.

Also listing some artists would be great too.

Zombies!!! (2 replies)

importgamer13 — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 07:05:27 -0700

Was wondering if anyone else here plays this?

It's a board game called 'Zombies!!!' in which 2-6 players try to kill zombies.The first player who either escapes to the helipad or kills 25 zombies (or completes the book of the dead spell in zombies 4) wins.Part of the game also revolves around using the zombies to attack the other players.Since you're able to screw over your opponents this way,it is very much a competetive board game,but very fun.

So far I have...
Zombies!!! (Main game)
Zombies 2: Zombie Corps(e) (Military base expansion with super zombies)
Zombies 3: Mall Walkers (Shopping mall expansion)
Zombies 4: The End (Another main game,set in a forest,has zombie dogs)

Working World (1 reply)

DarkUltima — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 14:48:22 -0800

I enter the working Market on Monday. I'll be doing retail at a video game store called GameCrazy.

Friday the 13th (2009) (11 replies)

importgamer13 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 05:35:17 -0700

Saw the new movie on Friday with my wife,and it was pretty good.Alot more intense than the older movies.The new guy who plays Jason was great.

Her cup size is Super Bowl. (5 replies)

Deathtronhammer — Tue, 05 May 2009 04:47:39 -0700

Once a year this utterly American tradition continues on it's spirit, merit, and valor.

Where sweaty men throw a ball at each other and wrestle in skin tight pants.

Sick of that visual? Good! Now I can get to the point of this message.

If you could make your own sport (if it involves girls of certain endowments go for it) what would it be? And you can build upon pre-existing sports.

Now watch as no one responds to this topic because Deathtronhammer started it. Oh look, there goes even my online self esteem. WOOOOSH!

Really Short Tales of the Bizarre (1 reply)

Yuka Takeuchi Fan — Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:32:34 -0800

Ever had something unexplainable happen that seems like it just shouldn't be, but is? I've got one.

I'm typing and uploading this very post, from my desktop computer, during a town-wide power outage.

Any short yet strange stories YOU guys have to tell in this vein?

(And please don't kill the moment by stating the millions of ways the second paragraph is possible. Dude, POWER OUTAGE.)

Too hot for words (no replies)

DarkUltima — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 02:25:51 -0800

[www.youtube.com]

I got some good news. (1 reply)

Yuka Takeuchi Fan — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:23:07 -0800

I'll let the attached file speak for itself.

Christmas (2 replies)

DarkUltima — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 16:47:48 -0800

Merry Christmas everyone.

Dead Rising and the Yuka Takeuchi Fan's FAQ (no replies)

listmaker — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 18:50:19 -0800

Question about manga "disassembly" (4 replies)

Yuka Takeuchi Fan — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 01:16:40 -0800

I've always been curious as to how people scan manga for various sites.

I KNOW you have to get the pages out somehow, and I DEFINITELY know that tearing pages out is about as smart as hitting yourself in the batch with a hammer to relieve hernias.

So that means I'd have to CUT pages out. What do my fine bakunyuu bakas have to suggest?

Whatever could it be! (One of many answers inside!) (11 replies)

Yuka Takeuchi Fan — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 09:54:55 -0700

I have some goodies coming down the pipe, one of which I intend on making a present to you dudes.

I won't tell you what it is and I don't know when I'm gonna get it anyway. So hopefully you'll like it when I nab it.

howdy (3 replies)

importgamer13 — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 05:59:22 -0800

Hello!Sorry I've been gone so long...it's been a crazy few months.Well,here's what happened.

I mentioned in a few video game tpoic that I had a fiancee,and that we play some video games together.Well,we got married.I had moved in with her at her apartment,but then there was an unexpected twist.I have a part-time job and I also get social security disability.Well,because I'm married,social security is giving me alot less money now.As a result,we weren't able to stay in the apartment,so we moved back home here with my parents.Also,since my job doesn't have any positions with more hours available,I'm going to be job hunting for something with more hours and such.My wife has a few debts to pay off,so it may be about 3 years before we're able to get an apartment again.

As a result,I don't have time to do fan-fics anymore,but I will be able to chat on occasion in the video game topic.Thanks for your understanding,it has been a trying time,as you can imagine,but I'm getting through it the best I can.I hope everyone had a good thanksgiving!

Found Another Fun Timewaster - 100G (no replies)

Yuka Takeuchi Fan — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 10:58:05 -0800

Ever wanted to create your own X360 Achievements in concept only? Now is your chance.

Birthday (12 replies)

DarkUltima — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 14:09:03 -0800

My birthday is this Friday. I'll be turning 21.