IN DEFENSE OF JOHN ROMITA JR.

I know I shouldn't talk a lot about comics but I just need to address this issue. Overtime, there has been a lot of complaints regarding the artwork of one of the great comic artists John Romita Jr.
There has been a lot of talk about how ugly his art has become through the years. They said it's a bit chunky and blocky type. Though I may agree with some of these posts, I really think that there are some things that contributed to it.

I collected comics in the Speculator Boom of the 1990. At this particular period, comic art has been defined by Image Comics, a new company formed by former Marvel comics artists who wanted more creative freedom over their creations. The market then followed art trends from the likes of McFarlane, Lee, Liefeld and others. Soon, Campbell and Turner followed. These fantastic works ofart are what dominated the market at that time. If they don't draw the way they draw, then their art is considered sucky. John JR., who made numerous works at that time, was overshadowed by these hotshots that they never thought that he produced good comics. He worked on a Punisher comic, and had some runs on X-Men and Spider-Man. The first time I looked at his art, since being new to comic collecting, I also felt that it is also ugly. I shied away from comics that he is doing. However, As I matured in my taste of comic art, John JR. did one his best work to date: Daredevil: The Man Without Fear limited series with Frank Miller. His art here was top notch. From the struggles of a young Matt Murdock that lost his sight,to his training with Stick, to his first run-in with the Kingpin, John JR. delivered. Great facial expressions, fight scenes, and even a uniform used by Murdock, that was used in the NetFlix series, He gave strength to Miller's script. See, we were conditioned by the market to follow these so called "Hot" artists and that if they don't draw that way, then it's a fluke.

Another factor is that John Romita Jr. also works really fast. He never skips a monthly title and keeps up with the schedule. he does his best to render the pages clearly. This maybe one of his pitfalls though, as he maybe giving us more of a layout type of art, in which I agree with some critics of his art being lazy. He does not do full detailed pencils, and relies on inkers to do the art for him. Thisn however, cannot be faulted to him as the editor oversees everything before the final product rolls out. He still has the last say on this. The editors should have demanded John tighter pencils rather than let inkers work their magic. Klaus Janson, for my opinion did a really great job, but in issue 7 and 8 of the Punisher War Journal series, Mike Manley and some other inkers did the inking job. The result: a thing of beauty. Also, John did an amazing job on that series, specially issue 7. Other series or storylines that he did great art was the Incredible Hulk: Return of the Monster story arc. The silent issue is one of his bests, as he detailed how the Hulk transformed while inside a car, ripping the car to shreds.

This is John Romita Jr. in a nutshell. For me, he is one of the best artists in the industry. Sure, he has misses, but doesn't everyone have? They say he rendered Superman really bad, but didn't he have a run with Thor? If he is doing bad art, shy is he still working. I guess that the editors should encourage him to give more tigther pencils, and pay more attention to details. And yes, since he draws faster than others, he maybe also missing out on some important details. Let him be advised not to do quantity over quality.

But bad art: NO!!!

Brian Luciano

07/04/17

BTW Happy Independence Day USA!!!!                            

WHO AM I? (PERSONAL TESTIMONY)

Me(on the left) with my daughter and my wife 

Hi! If you're new to my blog welcome!!! Let me give you a brief introduction of myself. My name is Brian Luciano, 44 years old and working as an Online English Teacher. I live in a one bedroom apartment with my wife of 9 years (Mau) and our lovely daughter, Pia, (2 years old). I have been working this job for almost 9 years now. This is not my dream job however.

I have always wanted to be a writer. As a young boy, I grew up reading American comic books which somehow helped me develop my speaking and reading skills. I was always enamored with the stories of Spider-man, Superman,Batman, etc. I spent a lot on my massive comic book haul. For me, this was my escape to realms unknown. These stories formed into my mind, and one day I told myself I wanted to write my own stories. This was my dream job.

My comic book collection became on and off, until I wasn't that eager anymore. Possibly because the comic stories were not that as appealing as it was before. I now searched for new stories to pick up on. Television, movies, documentaries, magazines and other publications became my sources, which further sharpened my talents. But unlike when I was reading comics on a regular basis, the stories and ideas became very jumbled that I wasn't able to write anything. Not to mention an increase in workload and a new role of being a father, this simple faded away.

It was on the 26th of February 2016 that my life changed. I was raised Catholic until that day. Everyday, I taught that I was living a Christian life. Until that fateful year of 2015 when my family suffered economic hardships bought about by the transition of our life as parents. My wife had to quite her job to take care of our baby, leaving me the sole person working. We then moved out into a cheaper place to stay. It was an uphill struggle for us. I even have to do part time work in the office just to make ends meet. My mom and my in-laws helped us with my daughter's first birthday party, and I knew that everything was ok. It was December of 2015 that I noticed that there is something wrong in my life. There was this emptiness that I felt. That stems from the fact that I was living without Jesus Christ. I decided to follow him, but not immediately.

It took me 42 years of my life to find him. I studied the bible and little by little got to know him. But there was something missing. My wife has not yet accepted Jesus Christ as her savior, but she was ok with the idea of us not anymore attending Catholic Church masses. Yes, we stopped being Catholics around May of 2016. It took her until around June of that year to be converted. We finally looked for a church to have fellowship with.

We got into one of the mega churches here in the Philippines. At first, we thought that it was good until after just 3 Sundays we noticed that we were not growing in the faith in Christ. We decided to change churches. We instead went to our landlady's church. We also studied the bible by ourselves and have regular sharing topics with the bible.

So that's me in a nutshell. I will try to be more liberal in this page and talk more about topics that I want to talk about. It can be my interests or even topics that I discovered as I read. Anyway, thanks for supporting my blog.

BRIAN LUCIANO

JUNE 27,2017          

WONDER WOMAN: NOT REALLY SOMETHING TO WONDER ABOUT

The latest buzz on the movie right now is Wonder Woman. Yes, this is the first time that a movie starring a female superhero was a hit among moviegoers. Debuting in the movie Batman v Superman : Dawn of Justice, she fought alongside the main heroes. This movie is her first feature film, and it got more audiences than her previous one. She will also be starring in Justice League, DC's answer to the Avengers movie where different heroes band together to fight a common threat.

Now before people label me with names please know that this is my personal take on the issue of Wonder Woman. This is by no means bashing the character. This is somewhat an expose on issues involving the character of the movie and how it ties in to modern day issues of today. Again, I am already out of the comic book fandom. I couldn't care less what happens. If people reading this will just see me as a guy just bashing DC Comics because I like Marvel more, then I will also make an expose on a Marvel movie I watched. If you think that way, then STOP RIGHT HERE!!!

Now, the reasons why I don't find Wonder Woman Wonderful:

1, )  The choice for the actress-  Gal Gadot, according to most people is perfect for the role. Beautiful,sexy and strong, this former Miss Israel candidate served in the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces ) for some time. It makes the role fit her like a glove you would say. Wrong!!! Hollywood is mostly run by Jews. Do you think that there are more qualified actresses to play the lead role more than her? I think so, too. See, the Jews are practically running America. Her being in a lead role begs us the question that there will be a bigger agenda for Israel. Imagine, casting an Israeli for the main role, and you get more exposure for the country. Don't want to believe me? There are countries like Lebanon banning the movie because of Gal Gadot's service in the IDF and also Tunisia suspending the movie. See, there are some revelations that the Jews are the one that will bring about the New World Order. If you have been following what I have written here, then her starring in a main role means how the Devilish Hollywood will soon control the minds and hearts of people. This Israel is not the Israel of the bible. It is the Israel of the New World Order, and elite group of people that will bring about the rise of the Anti-Christ.

2.) The Feminist Movement-   with a woman being a lead character in a big blockbuster movie, feminists around the world have cheered that women can do what men can do, even better. There has been a push for this movement in the latter parts of our times, and women getting more and more active with politics and other affairs. They now become leaders of countries, pastors,successful people, all the while forgetting their most important role in society: Being a Mother. Yes, my dear friends, this is the main role that women were meant to do. They were never meant to have a high status in society. It does not however, remove the importance of being a mother and wife since she is meant to support her family. What the feminist movement is doing is making her forget about being a mother, thus without guidance the children grow without a guide in life. Also, Eve was tempted by the serpent first, which means that the woman sinned first. That is why the women is only to be subject to her husband, not the other way around. In the Bible, It was the evil Queen Jezebel that moved King Ahab and the nation of Israel to sin. She was so wicked that an evil spirit names after her inhabits most women today. I have my encounters with this Wicked Spirit that possessed my wife and tried to destroy my family.  Take heed and be careful, specially the women who does not want to listen to their husbands and who speaks in front of men when they are instructed only to be silent.

3.) The Queen of Heaven- still with me? Now the last part. Yes, the Queen of Heaven, that great idol being worshiped in Ephesus. In the bible, the Book of Acts, Chapter 19 make mention of Paul's journey in Ephesus, In which a certain man in Ephesus named Demetrius told that Paul has said unto them that there are no other Gods that are made with human hands. They also said that the temple of Diana should be destroyed, in which the people cheered " Great is Diana of the Ephesians". The creator of Wonder Woman also made reference to Diana, thus it is not a coincidence that her name is Diana Prince. See, this character is based upon a pagan Goddess worshiped a long time ago. Diana is one of the incarnations of the Queen of Heaven. Still need more proof? Look at her Tiara and see the symbol for yourself. Oh by the way, did I forget to mention that they practice human sacrifice? There.
The so called Queen of Heaven provokes god to anger, as she is an idol made by human hands, and have caused many people so turn away from Jesus Christ.
    
These are my reasons why I don't find Wonder Woman wonderful. Whether you agree with me or not is entirely up to you. Also, try and do your own digging as well. I have given my life to Jesus Christ, and he is the only person I have looked up to since. I pray that if you have gotten this far, to rebuke this false idol and get back with Our Lord Jesus Christ.

BRIAN LUCIANO

JUNE 20,2017

                       

THE BEST COMIC BOOK CREATOR (FOR ME)

Superman vs. The Fantastic Four commission art by John Byrne
courtesy of ByrneRobotics. Characters TM and Copyright DC Comics and Marvel Comics

Okay, most of you maybe thinking, why he is writing about comics again. Well, again small talks are topics that I want to talk and write about. I will write less of this in the future. But let me just get this off my chest. (my next comic related topic may not be so good for most of you....stay tuned).

I have been asked who is the best creator in comics. Names have began to float. There are creators that made really over the top stories and really some deep intense ones. There are creators that blew up worlds, or they are just crazy and over the top.

Some creators that we have in mind are Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Carmine Infantino (Silver Age) to Brian Bendis, Mark Millar, Geoff Johns (Modern Age). Honestly, for me there's Jim Lee, Alan Moore and Frank Miller. But none of them compares with the man I condsider the best: JOHN BYRNE.

Yup, him. Why him? I have read some of his works and I have a collection of it. Byrne does his best whether he is the writer/artist or simply the writer or penciller. His panels really breathe life into the character. His characters react as if they are real people. What is good about him is that they are not rendered dark and gritty like how some characters are. His masterpiece, The Dark Phoenix Saga,(which he co-plotted the story with longtime X-Men writer Chris Claremont), remains one of the best stories in all of comicdom. Of how Jean Grey attained godlike powers and the X-men tried to protect her, culminating in her bitter end. The epilogue also saw the leaving of one character and the debut of one character. He also handled the adventures of Marvel's First Family, the Fantastic Four. He breathed new life into Marvel's First Family, rebooting the entire series. My favorite story was issue 233 titled "Mission for a Dead Man",  a solo Human Torch story in which he investigates a dying man's request of a crime he didn't commit. Johnny Storm was able to solve the case, but the mother of that person said that he got what he deserved since she told Johnny that he is a hero while his son is not. And this is just his second issue!

He also moved to DC Comics, and is responsible for breathing new life in the Post Crisis version of Superman. He gave a breath of new life to the character, and in my opinion one of the best stories written for that character (The Last Superman Story being the best). Over in Dark Horse comics, John Byrne's Next Men is his mature work. It combined the world of superheroes with other issues that are relevant at that time. JBNM was released at the time when Image Comics dominated the market, in which there is a lack of solid storytelling but focused mainly on art. This series definitely stands out.

Byrne is a creator that can work as both writer and artist. He is also one of the artists in my period which has a lot of artistic credits, rivaled only by John Romita Jr. His volume of work, the consistency of his story and art makes him one of the very rare people that has changed the landscape of comics that we had.

So, that's my favorite comic book creator. Who's yours?

BRIAN LUCIANO

June 20,2017                

THE BREAD OF LIFE

Bread.........I love it!!!! Breakfast, lunch, snack, dinner.....anytime of the day I love it. With ham, jam and anything in between. Bread is my life. Literally.
See, I am not much of a rice person. I don't know why. But bread if different. Not to mention that it is one of the oldest food in the world. But how is it made?

It is said that it is made using a milling of some grains (wheat, barley, etc.) mixed with liquid (oil or water) and a leavening agent (for it to rise) the baked in a very hot stove or oven. The result is a crusty golden shell with a soft interior. It has been a staple food for many years, and in some countries it still is until today.

In the Philippines, bread is eaten every breakfast or snacks. It is not eaten as a main meal,as the staple here is rice. But me and my wife have found ways of making it part of our daily meals. We thank God for two things: for letting us buy an electric oven and for giving my wife knowledge of breadmaking.

It was a self study for her. Little by little she studied patiently on how to ferment the yeast, the measurements, the mixing of the dough, the first rising, the forming and the proofing before baking. Each one needs to be precise, and that's why we thank God for it. She was able to produce different kinds of bread, from bagels to dinner rolls, cinnamon rolls, Spanish bread, etc. She was also able to sell some it. For me, this is something that I always look forward to.

I don't want to go too religious here, but isn't the bible called the Bread of Life. Imagine if we call it the rice of life, or the corn of life? Yes, bread feeds, bread heals, bread makes us full and bread gives life. Thank you Lord Jesus Christ for being the Bread of Life, and for giving us our daily bread.

MAY JESUS BLESS YOU!!!

JUNE 5,2017

IDOLS OF THE HEART

We all grow up admiring someone or something. As a child, we admire our parents or our teachers. Growing up, we start to admire different media personality. Furthermore, sport teams and men and women  of high stature. But sometimes these admiration then turns into something else. It already becomes an obsession for us.

I am guilty of this. In my younger days I am a big fan of American comic books. I am amazed at the stories of heroes like Batman and Daredevil and other heroes. I spent most of my allowance collecting these things. As I earned my own money, my collection increased. And somehow this became an obsession for me. I got depressed when I was unemployed since I can't buy them. I quarreled with my brothers regarding this. In the end, most of them are just gathering dust. They are not read anymore by me.

Another one that I am guilty of is when I was in my old religion. If there is something wrong, I will pray unto saints(dead people anointed by the Pope of Rome) to act as intercession for my prayers. Not to mention the praying of the rosary to the Blessed Virgin Mary (THE QUEEN OF HEAVEN). These were the abominable practices of idolatry I have done, of course the usual bowing to the statues. I am happy that I am saved by Our Lord Jesus Christ from these things.

I also noticed that idolatry is very strong in my country. The two main media outfits here will produce show after show featuring good looking entertainers in different programs. They are literally being worshiped by the adoring masses who have no idea of who they are. As also a basketball crazy nation, professional basketball players rank on top with politicians as well. I then asked the question why is this so?

Aren't these people also the same as we are: flesh and blood? They breathe the same air we do, they sure eat the same food we do, then why worship them? When we think of idols, we always think of statues of stone and wood being bowed down by Catholics. This is not the case anymore. Let's go back to the beginning.

Let us remember that when the Israelites occupied the promised land the people of that land practiced idolatry. Thus it was necessary for Joshua and the Israelites to purge them all to rid the land of their abominable practices. When Joshua died, the people went and worshipped idols.

Some people are thinking that there is nothing wrong with it? Some might contend that if that were the case then don't have a picture of your family in your computer. That we are just admiring them. At first this maybe the case. but as we all know the media pumps them out thus through mind control these idols replace God in their hearts. They have that longing for them more than God. You know the ultimate idol created by the devil: YOURSELF.

Yes, the selfie generation. Post a selfie or a groupie, post in social media, the instant idol worship!!! Why does everything have to be about us. And don't tell me that this is harmless. Paul's second letter to Timothy states that:

For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 

      2 TIMOTHY 3:2-5 

If this is not happening now, I don't know what is. In closing, I pray thee my brothers and sisters to heed the call to go back to Our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us stop being idolaters or giving in to idols. Confess, believe, be baptized and study and read God's Holy Word. Also, try and gather with a group of believers. Let what we do today be not for any other reason but to serve his Holy name.

MAY JESUS BLESS YOU!!!

JUNE 5, 2017

CHRISTIANITY WATERED DOWN

Hi! It's me again. It's been a long time since I got back to my blog. There are a lot of things that I have on my mind thus I wasn't able to write a blog. OK, I just got distracted with a lot of things that I didn't have the time to write something. But I guess the fire just got back to me, thus this blog.

I haven't been a Christian for that long. I have been converted just last year after leaving the Roman Catholic religion. But despite this, I did my best to study the bible. I read it carefully, nourishing God's word. I was guided by the Holy Spirit in my journey to know,understand and love my Lord Jesus Christ. I was at last free from traditions of men that was with me when I was still in the old system. I also looked for a church that taught the bible, and I found one near the place where my family is renting. She is also our landlady.

At the beginning, the fire in me is lit. I attended the activities despite being busy. No sooner than that, on March 18 of this year me and my wife were baptized with water. I have always wanted this since I wanted to share what I have learned and thus save a lot of souls. In short, I have put my trust in man, not God.  

I am looking for a hellfire and brimstone teaching since I have observed and perceived that we are nearing the end times. I constantly and patiently wrote a blog about it on why we need to study the bible. Turns out, I have been waiting in vain. Though we tackle about the spoken word, there is no mention of the end times. Instead, the things of this world are more of the concern. How to save, thith e (which is a tradition of men), health, prosperity. Wait a minute!! Is this a prosperity gospel? I mean, what is the use of this if we are near the end.  

Also, our lead pastor is a woman, (also the associate pastor as well as almost all the workers in the church), a move that got me questioning since there is a specific bible verse regarding the conduct of women in the church. There's also a music ministry composed of youth from the province, who also doubles as co speakers when she is on a trip.  I thought that she told us " the church is our training ground and that we are bound to speak to other members in the future". How can we be trained if we never get the chance to speak up. What ever happened to that baptism?

Last Sunday was the straw that broke the camel's back. As our pastor was gone, our associate pastor took over. When she finished, I gave way to other speakers to speak before me. As I was about to speak, I noticed that most of the people were gone and that one of them ended the service. The fire I had in me was doused. I was furious and when I told our associate pastor if I can speak up next Sunday, she told me that it is up to them, (the youth music ministry).

This is the current state of the churches today. We can see how Satan has hijacked the churches by watering them down. The match that was lit and put into dried leaves can start a forest fire. But if you spray water in them, the fire dies down and does not consume the pile. Gone were the hellfire and brimstone teachers,

I am saying this because there is a need for us to to "go fourth and preach the gospel to the four corners of the world".  We are note mere bystanders, but as frontsmen. We should be well equipped with the tools and weapons needed for our spiritual growth. Our church is the one that will provide us that.  I am saddened that this is not the case.

However, I will prevail with the help of the Holy Spirit. I will do my best to seek his will, and to find  a church that will help in my spiritual growth. I am more than willing to learn. A lot may think that I am just overeager or I am doing this to prove that I am much better than others. However, this is not the case. I will find ways of how I will reach people and share the love of Jesus Christ to all people.

MAY JESUS BLESS YOU!!!