The Outcast! In two parts, part one

I finished up on the third volume of Outcast just in time to watch the first episode of the tv adap.
I thought I'd review the books BEFORE watching though.

Before I get started, I may have to admit something. I have not read The Walking Dead. I've watched most of it, but I haven't read a single issue. Which seems a bit ridiculous. I do know that Robert Kirkman, responsible for both TWD and Outcast is considered to be a great, but so far, I'm not feeling it.

Kyle Barnes is living a shitty little life in a shitty little town, where everyone thinks he's a shitty guy. Well, everyone except his foster sister. They think he's a shitty guy because they all think he beat the crap out of his wife and young daughter. Except he didn't. And they think that he beat and hospitalised his mother as a child because she was abusive. But she wasn't, and he didn't. Somehow Kyle is a magnet for demonic possession. Somehow all the people that he cares about become vulnerable to possession just because he's around. Coming home and discovering a demon inside his wife using her body to hurt their child is not even the worst thing that's happened. Figuring out that his daughter *spoiler* has inherited the same "ability" when his foster sister throws her policeman husband out of a second floor window is still not even the worst thing.  

The actual devil moving in next door? maybe. Him babysitting the niece? *shudder*

There is a grand conspiracy at work here. Every demon that Kyle and his Reverend partner  come across knows who he is, "the outcast". And they seem to have big big big plans for him. Plus, it seems that he can exorcise them completely just by using his touch, or his blood. And as long as he's got there quick enough, they'll be okay. If the demon has been there long term, however, they'll end up comatose like his mother.

It's a slow burner. Maybe too slow for some people. The story takes it's time, nothing happens quickly,  and no questioned have answers have yet. The small-town setting adds to the slow atmosphere. Also giving everything a claustrophobic feel. 

So far I waver between a 5-6/10. I can believe in it's potential, I'm just not sure if everyone will have the patience. Perhaps the tv show will offer a more visceral immediacy, and a few more chills.

I have to wait for the Mother to fall asleep, or something because it's too scary for her. Unfortunately, taking care of her is my job, so my scary show time is minimal. 

TV adaptations: upcoming AND arrived.

We can probably blame the MCU for Comic books being such hot property these days. Yay, MCU!

I'm so bored by Arrow, but I really like The Flash and I'm cool with Legends of Tomorrow. I liked Constantine, but I can understand why it doesn't have the mass appeal of lighter DC fare. I struggle a little with reading Classic Hellblazer because of how morally ambiguous it is, and how depressed it can make me feel. Even New 52 Constantine can be a little difficult to take. He's, well, he's an asshole. He is not a nice person, and the people around him are pretty sure to get hurt.

Supergirl is a favourite. I really enjoyed her "adorkable" demeanour, the way she wrestled with her power and what it could mean, and the part of her that was a normal, confused, 20-something who worried about her job, and men, and social expectations as well as the superhero stuff. I loved the relationship between the sisters, and I really, really, really, want a season 2.

Marvel is totally winning when it comes to their partnership with Netflix. Daredevil and Jessica Jones are both extraordinary pieces of filmmaking and storytelling. As adaptations, they take every part of the source material that works. As film, they have a visual power that is breathtaking. I'll rather them both  9-9.5/10, and I'm TOUGH. I'm really looking forward to Luke Cage (sweet Christmas!), and I'm all on board with Game of Thrones Finn Jones taking on Iron Fist.

Agents of Shield works WITH the MCU, and Agent Carter is one of my favourite television characters ever. She's brilliant, tough, and determined, and can I be her when I grow up?

When it come to the independent titles, there is a lot more scope to breathe and explore. Not being weighed down by decades of history and canon lets them have so much more freedom when it come to their adaption. 

iZombie, and Powers season 1 may require a seperate review, but I can honestly say that I enjoy the tv episodes just as much as the comic books.

Given their success, I am super excited for a couple of things. Vertigo's Preacher, the story of a man named Jesse Custer, running from his cultish upbringing, and finding himself possessing and  possessed by the all-offspring offspring of an angel and a demon, literally possessing the "word of God" is due in days. And I'm super excited.

Anything with the ghost of John Wayne, an Irish vampire named Cassidy, a character literally named Assface, and a mission to track down God and MAKE him live up to his responsibilities has my vote.

The other upcoming excitement is the adaption of Robert Kirkman's Outcast. You may know him from, oh, THE WALKING DEAD!!!!!!!

The fact that there is a whole series based on only two TPB's gives me hope, and some worry. It looks freaking amazing though.

Plus season 2 of Powers is coming, and they've reached the moment where the comic book series begins, "Who killed Retro Girl?" I waver between liking the tv Christian Walker, and missing the comic book one, but I do like what they've done with it so far. Okay, Playstation, bring it on.

(and yes, I am re-watching the whole thing in preparation)