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Writer: Chris Ryall / Artist: Ashley Wood / Image

Back when I was first getting into comics circa the early 2010s, one of the trades that caught my eye was a copy of Complete Zombies Vs Robots. There was no grand pretense, no elaborate arc. Just a simple, simple premise: ‘what if zombies fought robots?’ That was it and that’s all it ever needed to be: the undead and the machine locked in a hyper-violent conflict. It was a fun romp to experience because it knew exactly what it was. Now, whether you wanna call it rising from the grave like a zombie or rebooting after a long slumber like a robot, Zombies Vs Robots is back on the shelves with a fresh coat of chrome and viscera – ready to entertain.

Zombies Vs Robots Classics is kinda like a remix of the original comic, with some added material there for those who weren’t already embroiled in this series. It features a new intro that does a very quick summary of the events of the first run, before quickly returning to a new Ashley Wood cover and a familiar page. Admittedly, this page is $#%@ing awesome, so I’m here for more readers to experience it firsthand.

The first three chapters are a spruced-up version of the origin story (at least my feeble eyes seem to think, compared to the original printed version I dug up), but still holds up after a decade. Between the hilariously snarky dialogue from Chris Ryall and the pulpy illustrations from Ashley Wood, the intro is a welcome romp through memory lanes for the first three-quarters of the issue, before introducing some new bespoke content in the form of an equally campy outro.

If you’re familiar or otherwise vividly remember the first run, I don’t think you necessarily need to rush out and buy it. But if you’re like me and had fond memories of the original, or are completely indoctrinated, let this be a sign to add this to your pull. There’s no greater scope. It’s the story of how a bunch of zombies ended up fighting a bunch of robots, and it’s bemusing and fun to read.

I’m glad to see Chris Ryall and Ashley Wood resume full creative control over the IP and I’m excited to revisit the world and get some new tidbits of content along the way I hope you’ll join me in basking in the carnage.

9.3 “Existential Questions” out of 10

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National Poetry Month is celebrated every April and reminds us that poets have an essential role in our culture and that poetry matters. Launched in 1996, it has become the largest literary celebration in the world. It’s an opportunity to celebrate such an expressive art form.

Poetry helps us to appreciate the world, as well as bring attention Poetry helps us appreciate the world and brings attention to things that need more understanding or compassion. Typically, we think of poetry as boring or nerdy but, this month allows us to change our perspectives and look to poetry as a rhythmic art of expression.

The success of Black History Month in February and Women’s History Month in March led to the initiation of National Poetry Month in April by the Academy of Poets. The first-ever National Poetry Month was celebrated in 1996, but the history of poetry itself goes back thousands of years.

Poetry is a form of storytelling. It used to be a popular way to share stories about history through ballads. These ballads were used to announce the news to kingdoms. An ode, a lyrical poem, serves to glorify an event or person and was used to tell stories about victories.

Other genres of poetry came forth: epic, comic ,and tragic. These paved the way for poetry to expand throughout Europe. Modern poetry includes various forms and genres from different cultures and pasts.

I was introduced to poetry when I was eight years old, by my Nana. She wrote poetry and often recited it at church and in different groups she belonged to. Nana loved writing poetry and shared that with me. She would always buy me those black and white composition books and told me I could write about anything I wanted. I found such freedom in that, as I was a shy child. I also found it a challenging to see how I could make words rhyme.

The first poem I ever read and memorized was Maya Angelou’s, Phenomenal Woman. I was probably in seventh grade, and I remember reading it over and over again. It was the way it made me feel. Her words were confident and made me feel proud. It still gives me that feeling to this day.

Poetry has always been an outlet for me; a space where I can go to lay my burdens down on the page. I have the power to create worlds, inspire, persuade, and educate. It allows me to say things, in my own way, that people will feel and be changed by it.  

Phyllis Wheatley was the first Black author of a published book of poetry. Born in West Africa, she was sold into slavery as a child and taken to Boston, where she was bought by the Wheatley family.

If Lucy Terry Prince were living now, she would be known as a spoken word artist. She was born in Africa and then sold to Ebenezer Wells in Massachusetts. In 1746, Prince witnessed two white families attacked by Native Americans. The fight took place in an area of town known as “the Bars.” She wrote a poem entitled Bars Fight which, was considered the earliest recited poem by a Black American.

George Moses Horton made history by becoming the first Black American to publish poetry in the south. He was born on a plantation in Northampton County, North Carolina, and was always drawn to lyrics, and began composing and reciting poems for college students who paid him. He published his first collection of poetry, The Hope of Liberty, in 1829. His second collection of poetry, The Poetical Works of George M. Horton, was published in 1845.

These poets are important because they prepared a foundation for Langston Hughes, Paul Laurence Dunbar, Alice Dunbar Nelson, Francis Ellen Watkins Harper, and others to be able to share their voices. In turn, they have made it possible for modern-day poets to write, recite, and publish work.

In 1993, Maya Angelou became the second poet in history to read a poem (On the Pulse of Morning) at a presidential inauguration and the first Black woman to do so. Robert Frost was the first inaugural poet in 1961.

Poetry has become universal and mainstream. From the White House to big stages like America’s Got Talent where Brandon Leake, a spoken word poet from California, won season 15. Amanda Gorman recited Chorus of the Captains during Super Bowl LV. She said, “Poetry at the Super Bowl is a feat for art & our country, because it means we’re thinking imaginatively about human connection even when we feel siloed.”

I meet people all the time that tell me they aren’t into poetry – it’s difficult to understand and all sounds the same. I know that they just haven’t found the joy yet. Maybe hearing poetry, rather than reading it, will do it. I recommend watching Jasmine Mans and Rudy Francisco on YouTube. You’ll never be the same. Find book recommendations here and visit the Academy of American Poets to sign up for their poem-a-day.

As the great Audre Lorde said, “Poetry is not only a dream and vision; it is the skeleton architecture of our lives. It lays the foundations for a future of change, a bridge across our fears of what has never been before.”

Afronerd Radio can now be heard LIVE courtesy of Apple Music/Itunes

Let's jump, jump, jump to it, folks!  Welcome to the latest episode of Afronerd Radio's Grindhouse broadcast, airing this Sunday at 6 p.m. eastern on BTalk 100.  Listen to the verbal stylings of your "friendly neighborhood" AFROnerdist hosts as they tackle the following topics:  It appears that Marvel will be revisiting the notion that Marvel's Blade IP has a daughter with similar abilities.  Bloodline: Daughter of Blade will make her debut during May '22's Free Comic Book Day; The Slap Heard Around The World controversy continues with the announcement of Will Smith's ouster from The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences; the NY Post had a recent op-ed piece positing that perhaps Black Women should expand their dating/marrying options to include White men in the wake of SCOTUS confirmation hearings of Ketangi Brown Jackson; More on  Disney plus' Moon Knight streaming series; Morbius underwhelms but there are a proposed 11 films slated for release after this one;  comic legend, Eddie Murphy intends to portray another staple from the 70s (and beyond), music icon, George Clinton:

And lastly, S4 of HBO Max's Young Justice returns and identity politics are front and center, apparently:

One thing that Dburt is doing (finally) is investing in cryptocurrency, courtesy of Roundlyx. We would implore our followers to investigate, discern and then explore by using our referral code: afro-87A4BF

Call us LIVE at 508-645-0100. AFTER CLICKING ON THE HIGHLIGHTED LINK, GO DIRECTLY TO AFRONERD RADIO!!! 

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Also, Afronerd Radio's podcast format can be heard via BTalk 100 Pandora, Spotify, and,  IHeartRadio....more formats to follow!

Writer: Brian K. Vaughan / Artist: Fiona Staples / Image

Welcome back to the print media emotional damage marathon that is Saga. To briefly refresh your memory on the events of Saga #56, a rival drug running crew intercepted of favorite space fugitive family and however horrible we thought they were going to be, they ended up being even more horrible. Sir Robot IV’s father wanted vengeance and someone was a little too eager to reply. But before we get into any of those threads, Hazel opens Saga #57 with some much needed backstory and an emotional salve.

Hazel (via Brian K. Vaughan, I suppose) is a fantastic storyteller, and the anecdote that opens issues provides a very satisfying resolution to the cliffhanger threat that capped the last issue. Alana is reasonably pissed and terrified for her family. With a new job lined up, and more shenanigans, Saga #57 carries on by showcasing its wonderfully playful (and sometimes murderous) side cast and provides some brilliant meme panels. Vaughan’s interplay of dialog, narration, and exposition continues to be top-notch, and Staples’s art is still stellar. The dual narrative that has formed in the story’s back half continues to give plenty of enticing developments and there’s also more intrigue injected right at the end of the issue, you know just to make sure we don’t get too comfortable with any status quo for too long.

Saga‘s been one of the best comics on the shelves since its inception and the hiatus, in real life or time skip in-universe, has not changed a thing. You should be reading Saga so you can talk about Saga. It’s a showcase of artistry and penmanship that I’m thankful that I get to read and I’m already itching for next month.

10.0 “Asterisks” out of 10

Reading Saga? Find BNP’s other reviews of the series here.

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