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James Kelly
James Kelly has been obsessed with comics and superheroes since he saw Batman: The Animated Series on TV. His father also got him hooked on Star Wars when he took him to the 1997 re-release of the magnificent Saga. Kelly graduated from Cal Poly with a degree in English Literature, and a concentration in Fiction Writing. He hopes to be able to one day produce his many comics and other writing projects to mass audiences.
MAGAZINE CONTENT BY JAMES KELLY (45 TOTAL)
The Death of Stalin Review
How can a movie about Josef Stalin’s death be funny? [more]
Jason Aaron & Steve Dillon’s PunisherMAX: Kingpin Becomes Walter White
Though many fans will rightfully clamor for Ennis’ Punisher, Aaron & Dillon’s 22-issue run on the Punisher is the greatest Punisher story ever told. Beginning with Wilson Fisk rising in the criminal world. [more]
Review of George R.R. Martin’s A Clash of Kings
In honor of George RR Martin’s 70th Birthday, here’s a review of the second book in Martin’s captivating series. [more]
Review of George R.R. Martin’s A Game of Thrones
Looking back on the epic debut novel of A Song of Ice and Fire. Before the Game of Thrones TV Show, there was George RR Martin’s fantasy novel. But is it a good book? [more]
Ridley Scott’s Alien: The Horror of the Unknown
In honor of “Alien Day” a look back on the sci-fi horror classic that introduced the world to the most iconic movie monster of the 20th Century. [more]
Alan Moore’s Marvelman, Part 2: Welcome to the Real World
What if Marvelman woke up in the real world? That was the simple and enticing high-concept that Alan Moore wished to explore when he began to write his graphic novel Marvelman. In the hands of a great writer something as simple as “Superman landing in the Soviet Union” can be developed into something profound and thought-provoking. On the surface, Moore’s premise can sound simple and a desire to bring more realism into the superhero genre. [more]
Alan Moore’s Marvelman, Part 1: From the Ashes of Obscurity…
Alan Moore brought new life to one of the most unoriginal superheroes. See how Alan Moore utilized Marvelman to explore and critique the Golden Age of Comics. [more]
Neil Gaiman Defines the Spawnverse: Writers Writing Spawn, Part 2
Neil Gaiman decided to write an issue of Spawn. This single issue created plot-threads, new characters and a legal battle that none could ever believe. [more]
The X-Men Series Re-Watch: X-Men
Does the first X-Men stand the test of time, or is it a film that is better remembered than revisited? [more]
Frank Miller’s Daredevil Saga, Part 2: Enter Elektra!
Frank Miller’s most iconic creation at Marvel Comics makes her debut; and will Daredevil save Bullseye, and should he? [more]
Superheroes: The American Mythology Part I
Beginning in 1938, two simple creators will develop an entire genre of entertainment that will change the world. The humble beginnings of superheroes as pure heroes to guide America through the Great Depression. [more]
My New York Comic Con Experience
I have never done a blog for Sequart, but I think everyone at this site would enjoy hearing some Con Experiences. So here’s my personal experience for New York Comic Con. Thursday: I am a… [more]
Danny Boyle’s Steve Jobs: A Respectful Portrait of a Flawed Man
This is Aaron Sorkin’s second film written about a bold innovator in the tech industry. This time around he is tackling the titanic figure Steve Jobs, a man who was complicated to say the least.… [more]
Alan Moore brings Satire and Subtext to Spawn: Writers Writing Spawn, Part 1
Believe it or not, Alan Moore wrote an issue of Spawn. In the midst of a crass and embarrassing era of comics, could Alan Moore steer Image Comics to substance? [more]
Cult Classics: Starship Troopers
“War makes fascists of us all.” That’s the line that best describes the attitude and approach Paul Verhoeven takes in his science-fiction masterpiece Starship Troopers. The film was neither a flop nor a success at… [more]
Tyler Durden Lives! : Fight Club 2 #1 Review
For a debut issue, novelist Chuck Palahniuk comes to the comic medium with such grace and talent one would think he is an old master returning to his craft. The best-selling novelist chose to continue… [more]
Mark Millar’s Ultimate X-Men Vol. 1: The Tomorrow People
Mark Millar’s take on the X-Men is one of the most polarizing comics of the last decade. How does the debut of his reboot of the X-Men hold? [more]
Thor is Not a God, He’s a Lunatic: Realism in Ultimate Marvel
As the Ultimate Marvel Universe is reaching it’s conclusion it is worth looking back at the magnificent alternate universe. So much of the Ultimate Marvel Universe has helped to define both the Marvel Cinematic Universe… [more]
I, Claudius: Queen of Heaven Review
After six hours of seeing Livia frame and poison many can she be viewed with sympathy in her last episode? How can Caligula top all the disgusting acts of Tiberius? All this and Patrick Stewart involved in BDSM. [more]
The Art of Miracleman: Olympus—Praising John Totleben
John Totleben’s artwork on Miracleman: Olympus is the single most influential art on superheroes since Neal Adams. It is also a rare case of art being “better” than Alan Moore’s writing. [more]
The Frank Miller & Alan Moore Adaptations
As we near the climax of comparing Miller and Moore it’s worth talking about the adaptations. Is there any good adaptation of Alan Moore’s work? Is there a bad adaptation of Miller’s work? [more]
Batman #1—The Ultimate Batman Comic
Batman’s co-creator Bill Finger crafted in 32 pages every single tone and approach to his character that would follow in 75 years. Batman #1 is the single greatest Batman comic ever produced. [more]
I, Claudius: Some Justice Review
The downward slope to madness begins in Rome. The last hope for Rome in the form of Germanicus is gone, but will he be avenged? Also, can little Gaius Caligula really be more evil than any character at the age of 8? [more]
Review of Sweeney Todd
A dark story about a misunderstood loner with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter starring as the leads. How can Sweeney Todd be greatly unique when compared to Tim Burton’s other films? [more]
X-Men Franchise: A Spoiled Opportunity? Part 2
The two films that birthed the popularity of modern superhero films were Spider-Man and X-Men[i]. The two films were massive successes and demonstrated that there was interest in superhero films. The two films also were… [more]
Frank Miller’s Daredevil Saga, Part 1: Introduction
Introduction Few writer/artists have been able to leave such an impact on a character that it has forever transformed comics after. Frank Miller was able to breathe life and vitality to characters that had been… [more]
The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies Review
As Billy Boyd solemnly sings at the credits, this is Peter Jackson’s long goodbye to Middle-Earth. It has been an incredible journey, and sadly this chapter is not the best endpoint for this series. To… [more]
X-Men Franchise: A Spoiled Opportunity? Part 1
Logan: This is what you guys wear? Scott: Well what would you prefer, yellow spandex? In acknowledgment to fan outrage of the change of costumes in the first X-Men film, the screenwriters included a line… [more]
The Interview Review
Despite all attempts by the North Korean government to suppress Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s film, The Interview is available to the general public. Not only that, but I was privileged enough to see the… [more]
I, Claudius: Poison is Queen Review
After 5 hours into the story of I, Claudius we have a critical death in the series. Few people in history have as vast an influence as Gaius Octavianus/Caesar Augustus. Augustus transformed the unstable Roman… [more]
“So Which Leg Do I Eat Logan?”: Ultimate Wolverine vs Hulk #3-4
The two year gap between Ultimate Wolverine vs Hulk #2 and #3 would become somewhat infamous in the comics community. Ultimate X-Men referenced what Wolverine did, but cleverly alluded to the storyline’s incompletion. Ultimates 3… [more]
The Super-Heroics of Miller and Moore Part 7: Legacy
Alan Moore and Frank Miller’s Impact on Comics Commercially The legacy and influence an artist has on all who follow him/her is always surprising. Some artists take a great work as an inspiration to try… [more]
Martin Scorsese’s American Gangster Trilogy
Martin Scorsese is perhaps the most admired living filmmaker in America. His works continually strive to reflect his unique vision and often appeal critically and commercially to audiences. Some of his works are also thematically… [more]
Hulk Rend Wolverine!!!: Ultimate Wolverine vs Hulk #1-2
Damon Lindelof is an unabashed nerd in Hollywood. Lindelof’s purported first conversation with JJ Abrams was mainly a discussion about Star Wars[i]. His enjoyment of comics lead him to recruit Paul Dini, Jeph Loeb and… [more]
I, Claudius: What Shall We Do About Claudius? Review
The series that has been so far filled with poisoning, drowning and an orgy does not let up in the scandalous story of the first Imperial Family of Rome. So many tidbits in the story… [more]
The Super-Heroics of Frank Miller and Alan Moore, Part 6
The Tragic Villains of Miller and Moore Moore and Miller’s approach to writing is always comparable and yet vastly different. Miller is hard-boiled crime writer and Moore delves deep into culture and vast concepts with… [more]
Kevin Smith & Joe Quesada’s Daredevil: The Comic that Saved Marvel
Joe Quesada is the savior of Marvel. Simply put, without Joe Quesada coming in the late ‘90s to create Marvel Knights, Marvel Comics would be a defunct company. While many editorial decisions made by Quesada… [more]
I, Claudius: Waiting in the Wings Review
After an extended length episode that introduced us to the Imperial Family, we are treated to Claudius appearing the main storyline as a character. But this time he is portrayed by Ashley Knight, who does… [more]
The Super-Heroics of Frank Miller and Alan Moore, Part 5
Optimism Ultimately, there are two types of stories: tragedies and comedies. There are no inherent requirements for tragedies or comedies. In the days of Shakespeare tragedies ended with death and comedies ended with weddings. But… [more]
I, Claudius: A Touch of Murder Review
In the early half of the Twentieth Century Robert Graves was translating Suetonius masterpiece The Twelve Caesars to English. As he was translating the life of Claudius, he felt that there was far more to… [more]
The Super-Heroics of Frank Miller and Alan Moore, Part 4
Late ‘90s to ‘00s Superhero Work In the middle of the 1990s Alan Moore did something that confounded everyone, he agreed to work with Rob Liefeld. Liefeld was a bold creator and entrepreneur and his… [more]
The Super-Heroics of Frank Miller and Alan Moore, Part 3
Early 90s Superhero work I have been alluding at various points the real-life history of my two subjects in my past articles, but context is vital in understanding the next period of superhero writing for… [more]
The Super-Heroics of Frank Miller and Alan Moore, Part 2
Prime-Era Superheroes After a falling out with British Comics publishers, Alan Moore began working with DC Comics writing the horror-book Swamp Thing. Most of Swamp Thing avoided utilization of most superheroes sans some supernatural characters.… [more]
Frank Miller’s RoboCop: A Retrospective Review
I have to give it a hand to the Avatar people for pushing for Frank Miller’s original RoboCop 2 script to be adapted onto the comics’ page. The story of RoboCop 2 is always fascinating,… [more]
The Super-Heroics of Frank Miller and Alan Moore, Part 1
Introduction— Frank Miller and Alan Moore defined modern comics. While they were not the first writers to bring darkness, contemporary political issues or realism to comics, they helped shape the modern comics industry. For better… [more]