Action Figure Lex Luthors Mini Comic Reviews!

Now even though I could sit here for hours speaking of the marvelous world of scrap booking, I would rather speak of mini comics. For you philistines that don’t know what mini comics are, they are comics produced by local artists and writers. They are inexpensively made and usually feature the work of new creators. They are the experiments of the comic world. They are the beta test of real comics. And as a scientist I can not resist the power they hold. It is time for Lex Luthor’s Secret Mini Comic Pile!


First up we have NEON GIRL # 0.

Did you know It took me 40 minutes to figure out it was a zero issue?

Now most of you maybe insulting my intelligence but I will have you know I graduated top of my class from super villain university.

Anyway Neon Girl is about a super heroine called you guessed it Neon Girl who fights crime in New York City where all those other meddling heroes frequent. May I just ask why must all these heroes live in NYC?

Do they really need to be surrounded by so many Starbucks and over priced restaurants?

But I am digress, Neon Girl is actually a very good book. Illustrated and written by Denis Pacheco, the story follows Neon Girl defending the city against Ving Van Voom a giant demon monster who is destroying public property while her boyfriend watches on helplessly. On the one hand this book seems like it is a standard superhero brawl but there is so much more going on here. This book is really about the failing relationship between Neon Girl and her boyfriend.

It’s about two people and the trust or lack there-of-between them. Pacheco is ahead of the curve in discovering subtlety that escapes allot of new writers.

His illustrations show a lot of promise with Pacheco. Even though the action may be a bit awkward at times, he really has an excellent handle on expressions. Will Neon Girl learn to trust and be truly intimate in her relationship? Will her boyfriend learn to listen, not just to her but his instincts?


Only time will tell.

At a brisk 20 pages and a retail price of $2.50, this is a very good buy that will prove to be an enjoyable read by all.

Next, we have Rouge Soup & Bug #1-3.

You know the best thing about mini comics is that anything can happen, there is allot of experimentation going on. Granted, sometimes you get abstract, poorly drawn crap with gibberish dialogue.

However then books like Rouge Soup & Bug come along that are just filled with action packed fight scenes, bizarre characters, and silly, funny dialogue.

The story revolves around Kung-Fu Chicken Noodle Soup, a walking, living giant noodle can that is a martial arts master.

He fights against the evil Dr.Cube and his minions who are trying to (you guessed it) take over the world!


All the while trying to protect his ward, the ugliest baby ever to grace mini comics, Bug. There are ninjas, monsters, evil clown warriors, and the list just gets more bizarre with each issue. The book is based on the Studio Kaiju’s staple of characters (Studio Kaiju is a company that actually schedules and records live monster fighting events in the vein of Godzilla films.)

With the basic outline of “make this like Lone Wolf and Cub,” Jeremy Arambulo has spun gold. However let’s be honest, if not for the wonderful art of Arumbulo this book would just not work. Jeremy’s attention to detail and expression really separates this book from a lot of small press garbage. His line work is smooth and although at times some of his breakdowns can make the action scenes seem stiff; he is an illustrator to keep an eye on in the coming years.

Each book clocks in at 22 pages with a retail price of $3.00.

You really are missing out on a gem, if you don’t pick up Rouge Soup & Bug.

Now, to end my rein of terror, we come to Green Monk.

Brandon Dayton is so talented that you will find yourself looking for the label for a well known publisher while you read this book. Trust me on this you will not find it!

The Green Monk is a mini comic that is broken down to the size of a mini graphic novel.

Dayton uses every page as one panel, which allows you to really appreciate all the detail in his stunning artwork. Dayton’s art is so impressive that I could probably read a 200 page graphic novel about unicorns.

Not that I am a unicorn fan, because that would just be weird. But my point is that Dayton’s art is eye candy but also has a solid story to make this a well rounded comic.

The story revolves around a wandering monk who comes across a village being attacked by a giant ogre (is there any other kind?) who wields a mystical weapon.

This is Dayton’s first comic a fact that absolutely floors me simply because he doesn’t fall into the usual pitfalls most rookie comic creators find themselves in. He doesn’t go overboard with the dialogue, doesn’t cut corners with the artwork, or the typical clichés most creators use. Sometimes he just lets the art speak for itself and actually sets up subplots that only enhances the story instead of bogging it down in needless back story. If God forbid, Dayton did not continue Green Monk, can stand alone as a fine piece of work. If you enjoy the works of Jeff Smith or just the fantasy genre then Green Monk is for you.

However I honestly believe the book is accessible even if your not into elves and hobbits. Clocking in at a whopping 132 pages and a modest $4.99, this book is a quick and enjoyable read.

All these books are easily available to purchase on the sites of the creators.

But if you see any of these books at your indie friendly store, be sure to pick them up or suggest them to your retailer.

Now I bid you adieu as I am already late to watch tonight’s episode of “Vampire Diaries”.

Till next time this is action figure Lex Luthor saying “Curses!”