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CD Giveaway - 33Miles, "One Life"
The country-pop sound established in their eponymous debut is a mainstay for this album as well, and even adds a little more southern flavor.

CD Giveaway - Phil Wickham, "Cannons"
With an opening shot that hits the sonic pinnacle, this collection of spiritual Brit pop/rock is heavily influenced by Keane, Travis, Coldplay, and U2.

CD Giveaway - Jars of Clay, "Closer" EP (+ Mini Poster)
This five-song EP serves as a preview of the band's new musical direction, free from the rigors of corporate Contemporary Christian Music.

DVD Giveaway: Kick-Ass
Get ready to have your ass kicked when this DVD of awesomeness releases to the home entertainment market.

Blu-ray Giveaway: Rambo - The Complete Collector's Set
Follow John Rambo's action-packed journey from Vietnam to Burma on this 4-disc set.

CD Giveaway - "Sunday in the Country: 12 Inspiring Hits From Today's Top Country Artists"
Themes of family and faith run deep in country music, and this collection gathers a dozen examples from currently popular artists.

CD Giveaway - Wavorly, "Conquering the Fear of Flight"
A churning, but consistently tuneful brew delivers lyrical images heavily colored by C.S. Lewis’ classic novel The Great Divorce.

CD Giveaway - Diamond Rio, "The Reason"
The long-time country band releases their first album of original Christian music.

 
ARTICLE
Comic Book Review: Terra Obscura v2 #2
by R.J. Carter
Published: September 11, 2004

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Story:

Creative Team:

Publisher:

Price:

Grade:

"S.M.A.S.H. of Two Worlds"

Alan Moore
Peter Hogan
Yanick Paquette
Karl Story

DC

$2.95 US
$4.50 CAN

C+

For more information: DC Comics link



Golden Age vss Modern Day! Cover by Paquette and Story. (Warning: reviews at The Trades contain plot spoilers.)

Alan Moore has aptly named this series, as things become "obscura" and "obscura" as the pages progress. Which, usually, in Moore terms, means you're in for the most pleasant kind of mind-screwing.

So why do I feel like I didn't even get kissed?

On the surface, there's a lot of Moorian subplots to work with: Tom Strange prepares to fly into outer space to intercept the errant Captain Future's twisted rocket that disappeared decades ago. Diana plans to leave for Invertica to meet up with her old boyfriend, Tim, former partner to the Black Terror (something Di's lesbian girlfriend, the Fighting Yank, isn't keen on.) And, oh yes, a routine meeting of S.M.A.S.H. is "smashed" up by the members of S.M.A.S.H. from 1940 who believe the modern day heroes are "Japanazi imposters."

Di greets her girlfriend after the S.M.A.S.H. versus S.M.A.S.H. battle.And, uhm... that's it. Really. Oh, there's a little bit more of time running oddly amok that doesn't seem to disturb anyone, and an attempt at a shocker ending intended to hook readers in to the next issue (which actually comes closest to some of the weird superhero wonder that Moore cranked out in his prime--yes, I uttered the words "in his prime.") But overall, the issue seems to be only a sequence of events, and that's it.

Full of sound and fury, signifying a loss of three dollars. Which is tragic because there's just so darned much potential to be tapped in these characters. The only real question is: is co-writer Peter Hogan dragging Moore down to mere reality, or is he (shudder) propping him up?

Support The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund.One thing that can't be knocked, though, is Yanick Paquette's artwork, neatly inked by Karl Story. It's the thing that makes Terra Obscura worth looking at.

Recommendation: Read a friend's copy.



In stores Wednesday, August 11, 2004.

Advance comics are provided courtesy of The Comic Book Store of Little Rock. Michael Tierney, proprietor, even has his own book out, Wild Stars. Check it out.