Monday, September 5, 2011

US-1 #2



The continuation of a hard-hitting, realistic expose on the lives of truckers!



71 comments:

Mountain King said...

Believe it or not I think US 1 was the first episode I watched. Good grief.

Meanwhile, bondage fun time, with added hypnosis fetish. Urm Okay. All we need now is a cat fight… oh wait. Great, fetish ahoy!

Almost as silly as the first issue but there was a bit more too it. For a silly, one off, story that was relatively isolated it was alright. You don't need eighteen plus years of convoluted Marvel backstory to make sense of what's happening. Supernatural and technological overtones with the usual "win by outsmarting your opponents" theme. You're right that its not the absolute worse piece of trash you've ended up reviewing, but it's enjoyable camp.

It does annoy me when comics (and cartoons) talk down to kids but this just about gets it right. Good review

Thomas

KKDW said...

Well that was fun, I was wondering if you'd mention the Deadpool Team-Up appearance though I didn't though about the Infinity Gaultlet remake. Anyway, looking forward to future installments of U.S.1 popping up on the show.

On another note a small query. I'm planning on starting my own review series which I'll upload onto Blip. However in regards to the uploading details of videos I'm not sure about the 'coypright' options bit. I've already uploaded one video and with that I selected the 'all right's reserved' option, though I'm not really sure if that was the right one to go with. Which option do you choose when uploading?

Anonymous said...

Linkara, I really, really love the buildup to the Entity thing. You're doing a great job, and it seems like you start putting in more story again, building up to a big event, which I think is great. I hope that you continue putting in more story with every review, the suspense is killing me.

Your faithful student
Twolot Spurgle

Anonymous said...

HA! HA! Fleetwood Mac references.

Anonymous said...

You like Convoy? You must get mocked by Todd for liking that song since it's his number 2 worst song from 1976. Other than that, solid review. "it's more than a piece" I don't like the looks of that...

Anonymous said...

"It's more than a plane?" This one's particularly hard to catch...

Regarding the review, I hear ya about how much worse your targets have gotten. At least this one is fun.

Unknown said...

nice review man. loved it.

Michael Morrison said...

"I don't think he's going to be the great henchman you expected. Best line of the review."
"I just wished we had the Batman and Catwoman thing going on."


Funny Review. I'm glad you got back to US-1. This one wasn't as bad as the origin though.

For my blog I'm planning on reviewing as guest feature of US-1 in one of my favorite comic series Sensational She-Hulk.

JLH said...

"It's more than a piece", which ties in with the radio report reminding us "A piece of the world is missing".

As for US-1, the great Jason Aaron run on Ghost Rider a few years ago revived Highwayman as an especially creepy, more demonic creature. His whole run is good, but that one issue with Highwayman is especially fun.

Radar said...

"Ulysses Solomon Archer?" Get the feeling his parents wanted a girl? This comic just screams Hal Needham, doesn't it?

Falcovsleon20 said...

Yipee! You mentioned the Deadpool Team-Up issue! I can't help but act a little fanboyish around that. (Deadpool Team-Up was my favorite Deadpool related series and it pissed me off that Marvel canned it)

Yeah I'd recommend reading that. Not only is it funny but Deadpool teams up with a superhero trucker against a gang of gun toting raccoons. How can you hate that?

Joseph said...

I am very worried about next week.
I have said on multiple occasions that the Twilight Zone is my all time favorite television show. So I fear for how bad the comic might be.

Over all the video was great and the comic definently looks entertaining, though silly. Also thank you for inspiring me to read comics. I was finally able to track a copy of V for Vendetta, and plan to start reading it tommorow.


On a side note, I know you said that the on going series on your recommendation list is void cause of the reboot, but are their still comics from that section you would recommend. Cause one of my friends says I should still get Birds of Prey.

August M. said...

I don't care what Todd says, I like Convoy. Is it sad that I found this comic more enjoyable than Justice League #1? Hopefully this week we get better #1 issues this week(Seeing that one is from Gail Simone it's a given.).

Drunken Lemur said...

And people complained when Rocket Raccoon got a spot on the Ultimate Marvel vs Capcom 3 roster. They could have wound up with US-1 or the NFL Super Pro, though they'd probably have to call him just Super Pro now. Personally I'm thrilled that RR is making it into the game. I look forward to more of these insane Trucker comics some time down the line.

Anonymous said...

skadh c87VRY7ithn vjplmv 41962@

All the world is mine will take
As the champion's followers shiver and shake
Darkness falls and the Fourth Wall will break
As the lips of death you're kissing

skdjBASdua7ybyrqni rouyqum

Jarkes said...

Hey, I have a question: How far in advance do you write the scripts for your reviews, both the jokes about the comic and the plot developments?

Michael Morrison said...

Also if you haven't read She-Hulk before, you should check it out. It's sort of a gag series. But it features some forgotten z-list heroes and villians, like Howard The Duck and Stilt-Man(The lamest villian ever). But it also has features from forgotten characters old time characters like the Blonde Phantom. I usually don't like gag series, but I love She-Hulk. But it's extremely funny and most of the time has some pretty good action.

CoreDumpError said...

OMG that joke at the end made me totally break down in uproarious laughter. My sense of humor is very much non-sequitor, and "better, radioier, truckier" is comic GOLD to me.

Anonymous said...

Piece. "It's more than a piece". Whatever it is, it's getting stronger.

Jesse said...

Good to know we'll get more US 1, but will we get more Brute Force too?

Drunken Lemur said...

Linkara, did my comment just summon the Entity? He's way to close to it. Unless it's just a troll. Please keep your other-dimensional beastie out of my blog. I'll try and get my comic out to you soon. Just have to finish my letter.

Xel Unknown said...

Oh great.... Enity Anon... Now I'm getting flashbacks of BEN with the latest memo. We best get to crackin' that code!

Anonymous said...

Grate review. It’s nice to see a return of US1.

Regarding the story line-

i’m always watching
the lost beast has found a home
you’ve seen my bones before
i’ve already won the game
can you see me?
it’s more than a piece

What has the Entity/ Lost Beast got against capital letters?

I used to think that the Entity was the God that the girl in your gun died for. However I think the magic book was written by the girl and so I’m starting to think maybe you didn’t kill the girl’s anger and the Entity is actually the Dolorem. That would also fit with the line ‘you’ve seen my bones before.’ It’s like she is playing games e.g. hid and seek ‘can you see me?’ Whatever deadly game she is playing she thinks she’s won.

By the way are you going to make us pause the credits for every review, so we can read the massage, until this story line is finished?

DitkoGamer said...

How crazy! Your first US1 review is one of my favorites and this is just as good. U.S. is lame and cool at the same time.

Pure Americana taken to a wacky place!

Stoicheio said...

Oh dear. I'm getting more Slenderman flashbacks by the episode. And now we even have to send for the codebreakers? I swear, Linkara, you could run a pretty great ARG if you cared to. xD

Mario Di Giacomo said...

The space truck thing was actually from issue #12 of this series.

Marvunapp has a page on US-1/Ace.

http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix/archerus.htm

Anonymous said...

I swear I saw that "cavity fillings = radio dials" bit on an episode of Gilligan's Island. Guess that goes to prove your point about the goofy fun of US-1.

Hopefully we'll get to see more of US-1 soon. I must know who Midnight is, dangit!

Gyre said...

Shouldn't they have called the police sometime about the BRAWL? What are they going to tell the hospital tomorrow 'sure this man was hit over the head with a bottle and slammed repeatedly into a wall but we just assumed that his lack of response meant he'd sleep it off'?
And the owner is definitely violating a few laws, citizens are required to do the bare minimum of calling the police if they see a crime in progress. Then there's the fact that she's guilty of battery.

Linkara did touch on how the women exist just to elevate the male character, but switch the female characters and male ones and this would be a bit disturbing. It would be two male characters (one kissing an unwilling woman) and about to fight over it without respect to her feelings. Seriously, not all men like the idea that they should instantly except sexual invitations.

As for the transmissions, isn't this exactly the sort of thing that he SHOULD be reporting to the doctors? There's enough fear of about cell phones, who knows what could be happening inside his head? He could have malignant tumors the size of his fingers!

Lastly, on his brother that might work for meta-knowledge since pretty much everyone knows that if there isn't a body it means the character isn't (temporarily) dead. In the comic itself it doesn't make so much sense. If it's been this long and he hasn't shown up at a hospital or tried to contact you it would be safe to assume that he's dead.

And you've really got to check your video equipment, it keeps glitching near the end. You might need to replace it.

Bellarius said...

Heh, let's hope your faint praise isn't a sign of you turning soft on bad comics. Though in all seriousness i'll definitely agree this was pretty fun on the whole in it's overt 80s campness.

Xel Unknown said...

Clearly the Enity is posting in comments once we put the text seen in the glitch into a comment. This got all the tappin's of your standered Internet ARG.

I personally love them. I adds a nice tuch to the feel of the subplots.

Amelia Schultz said...

Well of course his truck goes into space. Why wouldn't it?

Anonymous said...

This reminded me. When I was in High School and driver's ed, we got this lame pamphlet with a comic about a ghost biker super hero who's only power, I guess, was to teach kids not to drive in the blind spot of big trucks (That's how he died I think). Crossover?

I want to see more of that comic where US-1 can go into space!

I have a Twilight Zone comic somewhere. Wonder if it's the same one.

FugueforFrog said...

You know if you wanted another song of the CB era, try looking up "The White Knight" by Cledus Maggard or "Teddy Bear" by Red Sovine. Or heck, even try to pull "Eastbound and Down" from "Smokey and the Bandit" by Jerry Reed. (the movie rocks but that's besides the point) Yeah I love "Convoy" too but there was a whole CB craze that could be used for songs in later US-1 reviews.

You know after rewatching the original US-1 episode and then seeing this one, I can see why he's more harmless "Brute Force" level fun than the crap we've had afterwards. Somehow a lot of the Bronze Age ad comics have fallen into "so bad it's good" levels and besides...I did like a lot of the silliness in this comic and the potential of Midnight as the villainess. Although...don't play around with your fillings, I think The Entity is screwing with you in there like the whole ending last week with the "Man punch".

Hawkx1 said...

Well going by the idea that the Entity is Missingno the "It's more than a piece" well isn't Missingno basically just pieces from multiple pokemon therefore he is more than just a piece. Though if it is Missingno I hope Linkara makes it more animated than just a stock picture moving around.

Jesse said...

It's good to see these reviews about comics that aren't all dark and serious and just plain bad for one reason or another. It's nice for a change.

As for the story line, I'd almost forgotten that there was one until that bit about the fillings picking up CB transmissions. Should be interesting to see where it goes.

Code_Blue said...

You know? I just thought of something; if Linkara stayed on the frequency where the entity was doing it's weird little humming thing there might have been achance for communication or some sort of interaction with it. Given the fact that this thing did take out Harvey and ninja-style dancer you'd figure any erie things would be something to be on the look out for. but then again the humming can be interpreted as white noise.

Anonymous said...

First off the "She wants to ride your 'Big Rig'!" line cracked me up. I never thought I would hear a line like that outside of a comic or work.

Also, at the start of the video you pointed out that Ulysses' truck ends up going to space at some point in the US1 series and some how it made me think of Mages XLR.

Who knows... Maybe Ulysses and Coop are related? Well, mabey if Ulysses' truck can also be a mech.

-M4A

Anonymous said...

dLLLLLLLLLLLDJNVIKARADA!!HELPHELPHELPNSD
ITWONTSTOPITWILLNEVERSTOPdfdasssssssssss;ghdasfjdskafefjkreifsdkl;fsdjklncfjncijcf

E. Wilson said...

"skadh c87VRY7ithn vjplmv 41962@

All the world is mine will take
As the champion's followers shiver and shake
Darkness falls and the Fourth Wall will break
As the lips of death you're kissing

skdjBASdua7ybyrqni rouyqum"

Perhaps the lines at the top and bottom of the message are a code? Can any more analytical readers here see any pattern?

Paul Kinter said...

I have paused the credits but I can never see the message. Does anyone know what they have said so far? Linkara, have you taken some readings with your tricorder per chance?

Grendle1853 said...

Great review dude, the CB jokes were awesome!

Alex Stritar said...

"Although...don't play around with your fillings, I think The Entity is screwing with you in there like the whole ending last week with the "Man punch". "

Mr Frog, you should know by now that warning him is useless. It's obvious that the entity has already gotten to him and effected his sence of reality. I mean, these messages within the glitches in the credits, the fact he doesn't see said messages when people show him screenshots, the fact that the entity's messages are now appearing in the coment section. Some serious Everyman Hybrid stuff is happening.

A piece of the world is indeed missing, and it seems that this is allowing it to remove more pieces. And some of those pecies seem to include Linkara's spporting cast. I now worry about Liz and 90's Kid. And maybe the other Channel Awesome guys may be in danger. WE may be in danger.

Linkara, fire your realestate agient. They did a poor job of getting you a new place that allows you NOT to have to worry about interdimentional evils.

Anonymous said...

damn, now the Entity's messing with our radio signals as well

PWBOT said...

Hilarious review and after all we see you review, with Ultimatum and Cry For Justice, this is really goofy stupid than "worst comic ever". I am curious which one of the ladies is Midnight though...

I also want to thank you for introducing me to Doctor Who. Thanks to your show, I learnt about this wonderful series and when I referenced it to my friend, he revealed that he was also a Doctor Who fan! When I told him that I didn't really have the chance to see Doctor Who yet, he loan me his first three series of the 2005 Doctor Who. So, I really have to thank you for starting the domino that got me into watching Doctor Who.

For comics, I wait to see if this DCnU got anything good weekly, Blue Beetle and Static Shock seems nice.

Jarkes said...

"dLLLLLLLLLLLDJNVIKARADA!!HELPHELPHELPNSD
ITWONTSTOPITWILLNEVERSTOPdfdasssssssssss;ghdasfjdska"

That can't be good...

RBYDark said...

I saw the radio thing once - in a Foxtrot comic. As such, I can never take it seriously. That said - yeah, I can see this as 'So Bad It's Good'. Curious now about this crossover with Deadpool.

Linkara, you REALLY gotta fix that credits glitch, it - ohey, it almost looks like words! I think...hang on... 'it's more than a piece' ...Oh crap.

Devar said...

Lovely to see the sillyness of US-1 continue in the second issue but then again back then comics were always like "Logic? Who needs logic when it comes to comics!" XD

Great work on this review as per usual Linkara and may you continue your great work though it always makes me flabbergasted seeing how you can do this weekly since it takes me ages to write the script, do voice lines, gather materials and edit so it really makes me appreciate how much hard work you put into it. So keep it up man =D

AikoujOi said...

"Anonymous said...

dLLLLLLLLLLLDJNVIKARADA!!HELPHELPHELPNSD
ITWONTSTOPITWILLNEVERSTOPdfdasssssssssss;ghdasfjdskafefjkreifsdkl;fsdjklncfjncijcf"


Ninja Style Dancer! NSD! Its Ninja Style Dancer! Oh man I cannot wait to see wait Linkara got planned on this storyline. I really like his storylines

Paul Kinter said...

I tried uploading these pics of photobucket, and my computer freaked out. Coincidence?

I patiently went through and took a screenshot of all 6 messages- the last 5 reviews and when Linkara punched reality at the end of the Kamandi Review. Here they are:

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp273/raphael2010/Screenshots/LinkaraCaptainAmericaReturnoftheAsthmaMonster17-40.jpg

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp273/raphael2010/Screenshots/LinkaraNBComics27-42.jpg


http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp273/raphael2010/Screenshots/LinkaraMightyMurderedPowerRingers29-01.jpg

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp273/raphael2010/Screenshots/LinkaraKamandiatEarthsEnd24-00.jpg

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp273/raphael2010/Screenshots/LinkaraKamandaatEarthEnd24-39.jpg

http://i419.photobucket.com/albums/pp273/raphael2010/Screenshots/LinkaraUS-1-219-54.jpg

Brian Shanahan said...

2 points I would like to make, 1) thought everyone in the US claimed Irishness, and 2) I wouldn't diss the headbutt too much, the people of Glasgow have developed the application of ones head to an opponent's body into a fine art, hence the "Glasgow Kiss", and I wouldn't stand up to a Glasweigan if I were you.

Yogurt said...

Good to see that US1 is still around. There's something endearing about the character, that I just cant put my finger on.

Freyaday said...

"I must prove I'm just as good as male truckers!"
FAIL.
EPIC. FAIL.
This is a massive case of Did Not Do The Research. Trucking companies prefer female truckers to male truckers, because they're softer on the equipment. The male truckers know this. She has nothing to prove. Also, what would she be proving anyway, that she can get there on time? That she can avoid getting in accidents? That line makes no sense.

Freyaday said...

Well. Looks like Fridge Logic strikes again. As it turns out, she did have to prove herself to the male drivers, who were jealous. Go figure.

Sabre said...

I agree with Grye
"Linkara did touch on how the women exist just to elevate the male character, but switch the female characters and male ones and this would be a bit disturbing. It would be two male characters (one kissing an unwilling woman) and about to fight over it without respect to her feelings. Seriously, not all men like the idea that they should instantly except sexual invitations."

I don't mind so much, but it's more a case of timing. I get this isn't a political/philosphical show, and it's for comedy, but it's just that he/you brought up feminism only seconds after the same scene.

As a general rule of thumb, before you comment on something feminist/sexist, picture the same scene roles reversed, with all men, with all women, and maybe with a transexual. In the example I know it's to make US look like a gentleman who all the women want, but had you not brought up feminism I wouldn't be making this comment. While I disagree with your feminist views, at least be consistant.

On a lighter note, I'm looking forward to the twilight zone. I'm a bit of a fan even though I've not seen of them yet.

Cole said...

Entity, we, the followers, are not afraid, we do not fear you. You may leave your comments but we will stand tall and proud. The followers do not shiver and shake. We will fight until there is no more and destroy those in our way. I'd suggest you stop your attempts to scare us, they aren't working.

FugueforFrog said...

@Alex Stritar: Yeah I know I can't warn him but I can't even just joke about it? I mean the Entity is screwing with everything really, really, really bad...and all I want to do is make a sly comment here or there about the whole thing.

August M. said...

Of course he can get the truck into space. We're talking of a guy who made a remote control fit on a coin. Plus, if Sam and Max are able to take their Desoto to the Moon, I think it's pretty easy to take any vehicle into space.

ChunkyJ said...

Hey great review there is an actual sequel song to Convoy its called Rubber Duck still by the same artist just figured I'd let you know for the next one.

E. Wilson said...

Hmmm...."You've seen my bones before", along with "I'm always watching" and "Can you see me?" seems to indicate that the Entity is hiding in plain sight. "It's more than a piece" may mean the Entity in concerned with, or may itself be, something that was or is currently fragmented. This kind of falls in line with, "The lost beast has found a home", which indicates that there's something in our reality which makes it different or appealing to the Entity.

I suspect the Entity is a sentient, malevolent idea, which is manifesting itself through the exchange and conflict of ideas on the show. We are always watching its "bones" because Linkara analyzes story structure and thematic concepts, which are building blocks of ideas. And the more he does so, and the more the audience thinks about what he says and responds (either literally or figuatively) on an intellectual level, the more the Entity can take root in those idea.

But Linkara is particularly vulnerable to this creature because he exists...well, atop the Fourth Wall. He bridges the gaps between fictional ideas and reality, and takes away "pieces" of them in the form of his arsenal. He also interacts frequently with characters from fictional universes. It's like the Fourth Wall is a gateway through an infinite multiverse where, statistically speaking, every idea must exist as reality at some point.

What better home for a parasitic thought like the Entity I'm describing?

It also totally explains why Lord Vyce was such a huge tool. An interdimensional army of fascist stormtroopers is actually the *perfect* way to halt the advance of a sentient idea, because once victorious, they'd stomp out independent thought and imagination. With a citizenry devoid of free will, the Entity wouldn't be able to gain a foothold into that part of the multiverse.

I guess what I'm saying is, my theory of the Entity places it like the hideous offspring of the Slender Man and the Weeping Angels. And like those two, just by talking about it, we may be helping it thrive.

Ming said...

Nice to see you doing another issue on US 1. Can't wait to see more reviews on this so bad it might as well be awesome comic.

PS: With those glitches appearing during the credits and those mysterious comments, I'm getting this feeling that the Entity will reveal itself around next week . . .

Jarkes said...

"Hmmm...."You've seen my bones before", along with "I'm always watching" and "Can you see me?" seems to indicate that the Entity is hiding in plain sight. "It's more than a piece" may mean the Entity in concerned with, or may itself be, something that was or is currently fragmented. This kind of falls in line with, "The lost beast has found a home", which indicates that there's something in our reality which makes it different or appealing to the Entity.

I suspect the Entity is a sentient, malevolent idea, which is manifesting itself through the exchange and conflict of ideas on the show. We are always watching its "bones" because Linkara analyzes story structure and thematic concepts, which are building blocks of ideas. And the more he does so, and the more the audience thinks about what he says and responds (either literally or figuatively) on an intellectual level, the more the Entity can take root in those idea.

But Linkara is particularly vulnerable to this creature because he exists...well, atop the Fourth Wall. He bridges the gaps between fictional ideas and reality, and takes away "pieces" of them in the form of his arsenal. He also interacts frequently with characters from fictional universes. It's like the Fourth Wall is a gateway through an infinite multiverse where, statistically speaking, every idea must exist as reality at some point.

What better home for a parasitic thought like the Entity I'm describing?

It also totally explains why Lord Vyce was such a huge tool. An interdimensional army of fascist stormtroopers is actually the *perfect* way to halt the advance of a sentient idea, because once victorious, they'd stomp out independent thought and imagination. With a citizenry devoid of free will, the Entity wouldn't be able to gain a foothold into that part of the multiverse.

I guess what I'm saying is, my theory of the Entity places it like the hideous offspring of the Slender Man and the Weeping Angels. And like those two, just by talking about it, we may be helping it thrive."

Wow... that's a much more sensible theory than "TEH ENTITY IZ MISSINGNO!!!!!111oneone111!!!"

Paul Kinter said...

@Jarkes: I swear I read that same argument ver batem on TVtropes. You weren't the troper per chance?

Anonymous said...

Hjegdrw\rsd17583658264irYwdnwo

The feeble mind cannot comprehend,
Your will shall break and bend,
A wound that will not heal or mend,
All you know is lost and missing.

dwiYkajnr52953720Hwsktiwheofor4h

Headshot Bunny said...

I really enjoyed the Deadpool Team-Up series. Along with US-1, it has Deadpool team up with a number of Marvel super heroes who have fallen into obscurity over the years as well as some current ones. Its worth a read if you get the opportunity.

Jarkes said...

@The Pun-isher:
No, I wasn't... anyway, that wasn't even my argument... I was quoting someone else who had made that argument on this page... Still, The Entity being Missingno IS a pretty popular theory...

BooRat said...

Wow how many comics of this franchise did they do? funny review as always! All these trucker jokes and no mention of Optimus Prime or Joy Ride!
I like that song too!

BooRat said...

RoboTrucker!

Damienx247 said...

I think its Decompose from the Inhumanoids. Its a partially rotting saurian giant with exposed skeletal parts. It lives on a island with an open path to to the center of the earth. His touch alone can turn humans into giant undead monstrosities. It fights alongside other giant monters from a time long for gotten.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDKyL6y7FZ8

Anonymous said...

I loved this review. (I didn't expect to because I think you are usually at your best when you hate what you are reviewing and this one you obviously liked.)

Anyway, since you suggested you might do some more US 1 comics in the future, and you appear to be too young to remember the 70s, I thought I'd make sure you were aware of these old Kern's bread commercials that inspired the song "Convoy."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9s-FY2ylUY

You may find some useful clips in these for future US 1 reviews.

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you used the Convoy song again. My dad used to sing it when I was little and I was convinced he had just made it up as he was wont to do, so when I heard it on your first review I had to call him up and finally admit that he hadn't. This was a fun review, and a great memory to top it off. Hope you had as much fun as it sounded liked you did making this one!

Anonymous said...

This is embarrassing... I was at a trivia night last Tuesday, and one of the songs in the music round was 'Convoy'. Despite reading the artist's name in the credits here, I still didn't remember (though I did know it wasn't Johnny Cash).

Oh, and then we had to list the 50 US states, and as a fan of Linkara and Weird Al, I was embarrassed that the only one we forgot was Minnesota. (Between 7 people at the table.)