I know this book has been out for a while, but I felt that I really did need to write something on it, given my love of the genre and its author. This book is of course Orc Stain written by James Stokoe, of Wonton Soup fame. Orc Stain is Stokoe’s first foray (to the best of my knowledge) into the world of a monthly series, Wonton Soup being released in larger format. The book deals with, well Orcs. They’ve become the major in the world that Stoke has created. They seem obsessed with “Gronches,” something one can only assume means orc genatiles. The centers around one orc particularly, a looter named One Eye. Seemingly taking a page out of King City, One Eye is a master of opening things, anything. Be it safe or stone, One Eye can crack it. And that’s all you really need to know in terms of plotting.

            Right when you open the book, you’ll notice the gorgeous art. Stokoe’s hyper detailed, over the top style fleshes out this fantasy landscape beautifully. His orcs, while reminiscent of the classic orc, have Stokoe’s distinct flair to them. And of course, it wouldn’t be a Stokoe book without some sort of odd contraption, and his awesome “Gurpa Safe” is exquisitely detailed and awesome. And for the first time, COLOR! Yes, it is true, the entire book is colored. While his style looks amazing in black and white, it is perfectly suited for the multi-tonal world of color. The reds, the purples, the greens; the color palette in this book absolutely amazing. They make the world pop, giving it a feeling a permanent violence and uncertainty.  

            Some people have given me some shit for how I first the about book (@stormantic and @jamessime), which was well deserved. To be honest, when I first finished this sucker, I was a little disappointed. I walked into it with certain expectations. I expected the off the wall, high concept story that was Wonton Soup. That’s not what Orc Stain is. Sure, there are some bits in there that are distinctly Stokoe, I wanted more of those insanely absurd, “sex-bear” moments. And in that regard, the book didn’t deliver. However, upon further reflection, I don’t think I gave the book a fair read. I was looking at it as a successor to Wonton Soup, when in reality, it’s a whole different beast. Not only is the format completely different, which completely changes the pacing, but the entire STORY is different. Orc Stain has a much more defined direction than Wonton Soup does/did. Stokoe has a clear idea about where he wants this to go. As much as I enjoy Wonton Soup, it is a series of vignettes, linked together by an amazing overarching story. Orc Stain, so far, seems like a pretty linear story. Albeit, we’re only one issue in and it’s hard to tell what’s really going to happen.

            I highly recommend this book. It’s what I look for in a comic: amazing art, fantastic story, crazy concepts and genuinely makes me laugh. The main thing that this book suffered from is how short it was. Perhaps suffered isn’t the write word, but rather I wasn’t used to Stokoe writing in the issue format. Once we’re a couple issues in, I can see this being one of my favorite series. I look forward to more orcy goodness!

Orc Stain is a comic book written, drawn and colored by James Stokoe and published by Image Comics. It retails for $2.99 (American) at your local comic book shop.



Hey all. Been awhile. Well too bad. Here’s a playlist I threw together and kind of liked. Originally started out as a love-themed Valentine’s Day playlist, but morphed. Sorry if there’re some song repeats with other lists. I likes the musics. Enjoy!

1. Digital Suicide by Heartsrevolution
2. We Run LA by Dr. Hollywood
3. Hummer by Foals
4. Music Is My Hot, Hot Sex by Cansei De Ser Sexy  
5. Daniel Johnston Was Stabbed In the Heart With the Moondagger By the King of Darkness and His Ghost Is Writing This Song As a Warning to All of Us by Deastro
6. Up All Night by French Horn Rebellion
7. Don’t Slow Down by Matt & Kim
8. Elmo’s Wish by Gil Mantera’s Party Dream
9. Nrrrd Grrrl by MC Chris
10. New In Town (Fred Falke Remix) by Little Boots
11. Kennedy by Ratatat
12. Wallflowers by MC Frontalot
13. Who’s That Girl by Robyn
14. Think I Wanna Die by Someone Still Loves You Boris Yeltsin

I have to say, that Deastro song has one of the best names ever.

Ohh. And here's an amazing print done by Jamie McKelvie. Too bad its sold out. Sad Face.



Ahhh. So the trip is coming to a conclusion. Bittersweet. It's been fun, but I look forward to getting back State-side. God knows it'll be more of a hassle, that whole "let's blow up a plane in Detroit" hulabaloo. I like that word. Hulabaloo. Probably not spelling it right.

Today I broke off on my own again. Left to my own devices, I'll do what I do regardless of where I am: eat and nerd out. First stop was a falafel house across the river, credited for the best falafel in Paris. It did not dissapoint. Probably the best 5 euro, or US equivalent, Ive spent in a long while. I will include a picture of it's awesomeness. Then, it was a trip to Album, a total comic/actio figure store. Right up my alley. I was able to pick up a good deal of last weeks books, only missing out on a few (Chew, off the top of my head). I continues to cruise around, looking at the various action figures and statues that I had only seen online before. I left Album, only to end up in a tabletop game store, focusing on figurines like Warhammer. However, they did carry Magic cards. French Magic cards. I bought a couple of packs, and will probably end up going back for some more.

I had to kill a bit more time. My grandma had gone for a walk and had the only key back into the apartment. I wandered onto thebil Saint Louise (spell check?), and just decides to cruise around. We had stayed in a hotel on the island before, and it's one main drag was quite familiar. I ended up at Berthillon (again, not sure on the spelling), a French ice creamery famous for it's frozen treats. Slightly suprising, don't really associate the French with ice cream, as much as you would, say, Italians. Nevertheless, it was quite good. I enjoyed a two flavored cone of peach and litchi. The litchi was amazing, but I don't know if I'd go back or seconds on the peach.

After consuming my frosty treat I stil had an hour or so to kill. I wandered into Shakespeare and Co. bookstore, an American bookseller run by and expat. Pretty famous I think. Found it a little too snug and crowded to really be able to look around. I headed out and found a bench next to a main drag. I plopped down and cracked open the newest issue of Guardians of the Galaxy. Man, they can't get a break. And poor Moondragon. Anyways, by then I felt ii had waited a sufficient amount of time, and walked back to the apartment. I saw my grandma on the way and we headed inside.

So that was my day. Just got back from an amazing dinner. Awesome roasted pork shoulder. Again, I'm posting this from my phone, so please forgive any mistakes. Gonna include a couple of pics from the day. Enjoy!

PS- I had to include the pics of myBerry. French froyo was too funny to pass up a pic. Woulda tried some, but they were closed

Merry Christmas everyone! I'm over across the pond in Paris. Sounds a lot cooler than it probably is. Christmas isn't that festive, due to the whole being away from home and what not. Example: I had a gyro today for lunch. It was tasty, but it ain't no Christmas goose. Not that I normally eat goose on Jesus' birthday, just sayin.

But yeah, it's been fun. Went out for a walk by myself earlier. It was quite delightful. Got food for one, and gotta cruise at my own pace while pumpin the jams. Took a couple of photos while I was walking. Excuse the quality, dang iPhone camera.

I "bwahahaha-ed" quite hard at the juice sign. The painting and the mod furniture store I just thought were amazingly cool. When I get my own bachelor pad, that's what decking it out with. Art and mod furniture. And old speakers.

Ohh a little note: first time publishing via my phone, so please excuse any mistakes, I'll go back and edit on the computron later.

So here it is. My dancefloor playlist. Hope you all like it. It might be a little ehh. It's all I could come up with off the top of my head. Enjoy!

1. Everywhere I go – Hollywood Undead
2. Listen to Your Body Tonight – Black Kids
3. I Wish – The Secret Handshake
4. Digital Love – Daft Punk
5. Orlando Bloom (RAC Remix) – Femme Generation
6. Beaches and Friends (Hey Champ Remix) – French Horn Rebellion
7. Let's Make Love and Listen to Death from Above – Cansei de Ser Sexy
8. Fix Up, Look Sharp – Dizzee Rascal
9. Hummer – Foals
10. Who’s That Girl – Robyn
11. Music – She
12.  Here (In Your Arms) [Club Mix] – Hellogoodbye
13. Pull Shapes – The Pipettes (RAC Remix where available)
14. Atlantis to Interzone – Klaxons
15. Beat Control – Tilly and the Wall
16. In For The Kill – La Roux
17. Kids – MGMT
18. Ice Cream – New Young Pony Club
19. Don’t Trust Me – 3OH!3
20. Sleepyhead – Passion Pit
21. Tokyo Drift – Teriyaki Boyz
22. One More Time – Daft Punk
23. I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas