Too Cool to be Forgotten; A Hardcore Review

This biographic by Alex Robinson about middle aged Andy Wicks, who will do anything to quit smoking. He seeks help through the guidance of his wife to see a hypnotherapist. His therapy session takes him back to his days when he took his first smoke; high school in 1985.
This story takes our protagonist through the week when he was set to smoke for the very first time. And all Andy can think about is not taking that very first drag. Although Andy does get to set about some plans he missed out on like asking cutie, Marie to a friend's house party. Andy had his mind set to right all the wrongs in his life.
The whole while Andy finds himself wondering if he is even going to go back to his life, or if he is doomed to relive his entire life again. Andy realizes how good things are in his life and how much he loves his wife and two kids.
This is a funny, quirky look at the way life happens and how the grass is always greener. Andy learns a life lesson he didn't even realize he was set to learn. And he is able to set something right and say goodbye to the life he once had and to someone in particular.
I highly recommend Too Cool to be Forgotten. It's a quick read, and a memorable one. Robinson writes 80's high school dialog as well as John Hughes. He knows typical teen angst like Aaron Spelling. And Too Cool is too much. My grade for this book is the amazing international three way dance from the Anarchy Rulz (1999) of Super Crazy (Mexico) v. Tajiri (Japan) v. Little Guido (Italy). These three combatants always put on great match. The attemted double submission of Tajiri by Crazy and Guido was spectacular. As was the Camel Clutch by Guido with Tajiri drop kicking both of his opponents right in the mush. This is truly one of the all time great three ways in ECW history. And measures up every time I rewatch the pay per view.

Box Office Poison; A Hardcore Review

Into it holds the idea that we should be fair and balanced and be "nice" and not be damning of a product or its creators. I say this. It would not be truth if I only reviewed things I liked or always in a favorable way. In fact the reviews where I have panned something have brought me the most kudos from readers. And quite simply, if you do not like things to be reviewed fairly and in an editorial manner... DON'T FUCKING READ MY REVIEWS! In fact if that's how you feel you should probably never read anything I write... EVAR!
I am going to remind everyone who reads these reviews that the grading system I use is this: instead of thumbs up or stars, I rate on hardcore moments in pro wrestling history. The more hardcore the event, match, promo or moment the more I liked the book, comic, movie or video game I am reviewing. The less hardcore the moment, the more I disliked it. An example would be anything related to Hulk Hogan would be highly NOT recommended. Onto the review...
Today I review Alex Robinson's Box Office Poison. The book itself is a tome. Starring the protagonist Sherman as he moves into a room in Steven and Jane's apartment. Sherman works at Mathew's Book Emporium and is an aspiring writer. Right off you know this is going to be an interesting story because of the room Sherman moves into. Trust me, it is pretty eclectic. Sherman is seconded by his buddy Ed, whom he met in college. Ed is an aspiring comic book artist, but works at his dad's hardware store.
At the new apartment party Sherman meets Dorothy, who is stuck in the bars of the fire escape outside of Sherman's window. There is an immediate attraction and Sherman asks her out on a date. There's one hitch. He never asked her what her name is. So, a la Seinfeld, he has to find a way to figure out her name. Cant' ask someone their name when you've already asked them out, can you?
Meanwhile Ed, who is in his mid twenties, and harking on his quest to lose his virginity is a troubled man. He goes to Zoom Comics to have a job interview, and is told he needs a little seasoning. The interviewer sends Ed to an older artist to become his assistant. Ed resents the idea but goes along with it none the less. I mean any dream you have is worth sacrificing yourself a little. His boss is a tiny man with a massive bite. He is Irving Flavor, and Ed's life will never be the same.
Steven and Jane, Sherman's new roommates are something else entirely. Steven is a history professor at the local university with a penchant for Theodore Roosevelt. Jane is a cartoonist who is working on a biographical cartoon.
The side stories in this book, which some people may feel are just filler are some of the best parts. The little punk raver girls who you eventually find out are runaways even have a past that Robinson shows us.
It is a tough tough world out there and Alex Robinson handles "slice of life" as well or better than some of the super huge names out there, like Terry Moore. There were points where I was reading for hours and didn't even know it, I was so drawn into the characters. Robinson also pays tribute to the men who came before him with Irving Flavor's story. It's done really well and would make Siegel, Shuster, Kirby, Finger and Robinson proud. The unsung heroes of this industry. At least until the 60's and 70's when Neal Adams helped get the Superman creative team onto the map. We're still waiting for DC to rightfully respect the efforts of Robinson, and Finger. And for Marvel to give just due to Kirby.
So in summation, if you enjoy slice of life stories, this one is for you. Box Office Poison and books like it are the reason I read comics. I mean there is something for everyone in this industry. BOP is no exception. It is done extremely well, and written with a lot of love and reverence for the characters. I give this book a series of moments in hardcore wrestling history including one that got ECW thrown off a lot of syndicated networks. The Raven/Dreamer/Beulah love triangle, which became the Beulah/Dreamer/Wanalaya love triangle and the first lesbian kiss on screen in wrestling history. Classic stuff from ECW way before Bischoff tried it with Hot Lesbian Action almost a decade later. Thing is ECW had always been counter culture and in your face. They were syndicated. There was no ratings war for them. It was all about telling compelling stories and having the best action in the ring. There was a lot of love in the locker room of ECW. These people fought and some even died for what they believed in and loved. That's what it's all about.

Tricked!; A HArdcore Review

Just finished reading Powergirl 8 and 9 and Kick-Ass 8. Finished the graphic novel, Tricked by Alex Robinson this past weekend too. Remarkable work. Robinson hits "slice of life" out of the park with everything of his that I have read. The fact that he included a character from Box Office Poison was a really nice touch. And the way he wove the tapestry of several individuals into a total mind fuck was some of the best story telling I have ever had the pleasure of reading and viewing, since it's a graphic novel. Robinson tells the story of a semi washed up pop rocker, his new personal assistant; Caprice the holdover from Box Office Poison; her two bosses; the counterfeiting sports memorabilia store employee and his double life; the estranged daughter who never knew her father; and the dejected nervous wreck who loses his job and then his mind.
Tricked! is a fascinatingly fast paced ride through the lives of what is one of the most interesting ensemble cast of characters this side of Wet Moon. The way Robinson draws you into the lives of people you must pass on the street is enthralling. Anybody wishing to write "slice of life" stories should take notes with Robinson's work on Tricked! It is easily one of the best indie graphic novels of this new millennium.
Rating Tricked! on my usual scale this time around gave me a great idea for a grade. After coming back from an 8 month layoff due to rupturing (legitimately) his left quadriceps muscle, Triple H received massive fanfare and a push to the WWE Unified World Title at Wrestlemania 18. The problem was, his wife Stephanie McMahon Helmsley wasn't getting enough attention. During a tantrum Stephanie demands the couple renew their wedding vows, which trust me is a whole other grade in and of itself. She reveals she is pregnant, and gets Triple H to agree to the spectacle. After viewing the sonogram an preparations in the coming weeks on Raw and Smackdown the couple get ready to renew their vows in full black tie regalia. Linda McMahon sends Triple H a video tape of the very same "doctor" who performed the sonogram doing a vacation infomercial. In typical Triple H anti-face fashion, he goes down to the wire of the ceremony until it's his turn to recite his prewritten vows. He rips into Stephanie for all of her conniving, deceitful, two faced actions as of late, only to be physically attacked by the near geriatric Vince McMahon. Triple H "Pedigrees" the father of the bride and tears the wedding set asunder, makes his way up the entrance ramp with Stephanie scorned. I stand by this grade even though you would have to see it to have full effect, rather than read my freaking dissertation of it.