May 2021

Review – Avengers Vs X-Men

2nd June 2021

Review – Avengers Vs X-Men Written by: Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction, Jason Aaron, Ed Brubaker, Jonathan Hickman Pencils by: John Romita Jr, Olivier Coipel, Adam Kubert Release Date: 2012 Introduction Avengers vs X-Men is the definition of an event book. It gives us an epic crossover and a superstar lineup both on the creative side as well as in the 616 storyline itself. Released in 2012, Avengers vs X-Men features some of the biggest artists and writers of the time tackling the biggest characters in the Marvel Universe dealing with one of the biggest ideas in comics- the Phoenix.  The Phoenix is coming and everyone has opinions about it, so begins Avengers vs X-Men. What better device to pivot our beloved heroes against each other than one of the most popular cosmic forces in the 616 universe! Avengers vs X-Men is a culmination of a half dozen events that had been happening in recent years. The biggest influence, being House of M and the actions Scarlet Witch took in that book. You needn’t read those other books to appreciate Avengers vs X-Men though. They do add extra context and appreciations but the writers do their best to fill us in on what happened.  Story The story is massive. It delivers on the name, Avengers vs X-Men, by giving you a plot that justifies their conflict as well as an abundance of fights that you expect from a book like this. They do a decent job at giving breathing room to a lot of characters, and even spreading out smaller moments for other characters. It’s very fun to watch new relationships get some play, like Hope and Spider-Man, or to see old dynamics come to a head like Xavier and Cyclops. There are legit great character beats hidden in this book, particularly with folks like Spider-Man, Cyclops, and Nova. Spider-Man has a scene that I won’t likely forget. The Phoenix is one of those things in comics that risks being played out. It’s used and referenced so much that it’s easy to almost cringe in fear when it’s brought up. They tow the line pretty well in using it in Avengers vs X-Men. At some point, after the Phoenix has chosen a host, they do start to lose the thread of why the X-Men are after Hope. There’s a scene where Cyclops is uber-powered and shows up demanding they hand over Hope that made me put down the book and try to remember why. It’s at this point that they’ve transformed the world for better and are only left chasing Avengers. It’s a big event comic though, so I let it go and kept enjoying the ride. I only need so much motivation to watch superheroes beat each other up.  Review – Avengers Vs X-Men continues below That said, the story does stretch a bit long. If it weren’t for what I imagine is a publisher’s mandate, I could see this as more of an 8-10 issue story. 12 issues left it feeling a little bloated. At points it felt like we were nearing the climax, only to have a couple more issues. However, the climax was a rare feat for a Marvel event. It didn’t feel rushed or wrapped up too cleanly. Satisfying compared to other events of the era, perhaps a result of the superstar lineup of writers. I couldn’t help but wonder if this story, contained to an X-title instead of a crossover event, might not have been a bit stronger though. It would have had less publisher influence, more focus on the mutant side of the story, and maybe a more organic fit in the history. I wouldn’t have minded a little less defined lines in who chose what sides too, like what we got in Civil War. Less about teams and more about ideology, especially through a 2021 lens, but I guess that would take away from the title of the book.  Art The book features gorgeous superhero art. Narrowing the selection down for this review got particularly difficult. There’s constantly action scenes packed full of characters or cool moments across multiple panels. It takes full advantage of the comic format as a visual medium, giving the reader page after page of fantastic art. They utilize the crossover nature of an event book like this to fill in the background with other characters or details that make the world feel real. Having multiple artists with different styles telling the story in chunks could have been distracting but ultimately it flows pretty smoothly and I enjoyed the changes in style. Review – Avengers Vs X-Men continues below Avengers vs X-Men delivers intimate, close up, character moments as well as the giant, action packed splash pages you expect in a bombastic crossover book. The Phoenix storyline itself lends itself to epic, colorful pages full of fire and screaming faces. We even get some new character designs, as a result of the aforementioned Phoenix and they’re mostly great. From covers to layouts to splashes, the art compliments the story and event pretty brilliantly. Overall The biggest disappointment with this book is the same with a lot of big hallmark events… it doesn’t mean anything. It has no consequences, it has no staying power. The status quo returns pretty quickly after. It’s not like Crisis where you felt it’s impact for 20 years. The book happens, it spikes sales, then after a few months they erase the effects. Heck, this very book exists to erase the effects of House of M. The Phoenix will come back or all of the improvements to the world by The Phoenix Five will be gone. Cyclops will be a normal part of the team again, despite murdering someone. That makes it hard to sink your teeth into. So if you want to enjoy this as a fun 12 episode arc of superhero fights, dive in! If you’re hoping for an impactful, important story of why two of the biggest teams in comics would

Review – Avengers Vs X-Men Read More »

Review – Spyro Reignited Remake

2nd June 2021

Review – Spyro Reignited Remake Developer: Toys for Bob Publisher: Activision Genre: Platform Director: Dan Neil Release Date: 13/11/18 Is Spyro, everyone’s favourite purple dragon, worth revisiting? Think back to the heady days of the Playstation One and the times when you found yourself staring in open delight at what was the very pinnacle of technology for the time. All these memories of angular lines, of horrendously low polygon count and of grainy visuals and audio meant nothing at the time. This was as good as it got. It seemed impossible to ever imagine that it could get better. Plenty of us have series from the era that we poured hours into and hold a special place in our hearts. Smashing boxes and spinning to win with Crash, swapping discs in FFVII and marvelling at how big a game could be or knocking on walls as Solid Snake – there will be an example for most of a *cough* certain age. Maybe the image of Spyro and his egg and gem collecting antics might be the one that triggers happy memories for a few. Chasing down these blue thieves? Sparx being oddly infuriating? How about searching an area over and over again for the elusive last few collectibles : – there is no denying that there was plenty to enjoy. With all three games in the series having being reworked and reimagined in a collection for modern consoles, is it worth your time and money to replay or will the rose-coloured glasses of nostalgia trick you into parting with your hard earned cash? Read on to find out. Overview What are you actually getting for your money here? You not only get the updated version of the original Spyro, you also get the sequel “Ripto’s Rage” and “Year of the Dragon”, the third instalment. When Reignited loads, the three games are displayed for each save file alongside progress in percentage completion so it’s easy to hop from one to another and keep an eye on how you’re getting on. Published by Activision and developed by Toys for Bob and Insomniac Games, what you can expect overall is a cleaner, more streamlined and modernised version of all three games suitable for the current era. While all the voice lines and animations have been re-done, the level layouts, the mechanics and the characters are all faithful to the spirit of the original and make for a pleasant trip down memory lane. Issues No game is perfect, but before we get to what makes this offering excellent, it’s only fair to point out a few of the problems that it has. While there is a lot to admire, some of the issues from the original series have carried over. Take the flying levels for example. Arguably one of the harder challenges in the game, some negative aspects of the original series have bled through. While the controls for Spyro on the ground around the levels feel tight and responsive, they are suddenly “heavy” in flight. In the part of the experience that most emphasises the 3D space that you are in, it is as though you have the least control. I did encounter one major problem on my playthrough. Issues can be subjective (people reporting “odd” animation styles), but this one was fairly annoying. Progressing gradually through the game with my partner, we loaded it up one day to find our progress rolled back significantly with no method of recovery available. This issue affected many and no real solution ever found. When I say substantial, I mean going from 100% completion in one game and ~50% in the second to 75% in the first only. Luckily, this only happened the once, but it was a little worrying to cover all that ground again, always concerned that the game would simply wipe the progress at some point without any warning. Positives That being said, there is a lot to admire here. Ironing out some of the more egregious glitches from the original series is a positive (although speedrunners have found new ones to replace them, as they do). These new graphics overall feel close enough to the original to seem familiar without being jarring and it is simply a faithful upgrade by people who clearly felt a lot of love for the series in general. The game audio has had a revamp too, and a notable one. The tracks sound excellent, having been cleaned up and brought to a modern standard. As with the original, former Police drummer Stewart Copeland (yes, really) was brought back on board to oversee composition and his work remains as iconic as ever. All voice lines have been re-recorded to a high standard and the gameplay is every bit as engaging as it ever was. Spyro has always scratched that completionist itch for a lot of players and this still holds up to this day. Seeing your progress tick up is every bit as enjoyable as ever and it keeps you coming back for more. The refined mechanics make even the levels that felt difficult in childhood enjoyable. No more flashbacks to endless loops of “Trouble with the Trolley” and nearly breaking your only controller trying to get all the flying objectives in a single run. All that was enjoyable is here and better. Conclusion Whether you’re just looking to relive some memories or if you’ve never played the series before, it is a great way to get into it whether for the first time in years or the first time ever. The intervening years have not cost Spyro any of his appeal. In fact, a lot of it has improved. Three games for a single purchase? The answer as to whether it is worth the price of admission is a resounding yes. [yasr_multiset setid=5] [yasr_visitor_multiset setid=5] If you enjoyed our review of Spyro Reignited Remake, you can check out our review for Retro Machina here. Buy tickets for BGCP Comic Con in and around Glasgow Scotland – BUY

Review – Spyro Reignited Remake Read More »

FANTASY CASTING: Live Action Bioshock

22nd June 2021

FANTASY CASTING: Live Action Bioshock With so many reboots, serial killer documentaries and adaptations in the film and TV world today, I sit here and wonder why there’s no live action adaptation of Bioshock. A glorious art deco world full of substance, suspense and philosophical conundrums.  While it is a pipe dream right now, cinema and TV have shown us that it is possible. Fans want to see it. Many creators WANT to make it. People NEED to experience it. And if it fails? Who cares, at least it’s not another reboot or serial killer documentary! Just as a heads up, if you’d like to listen to a more in depth discussion on this subject, our most recent episode of BGCP: Disassembled covers this very topic with myself, Ian and Dan! We can’t stress enough, this is NOT official, this is what we want to see from an adaptation. With that being said, here is our fantasy casting of a live action Bioshock.  STORY So, what is our story? The game itself? Too well known. A totally made up scenario within the setting? Too dangerous. No, instead I have opted for the under-appreciated and in some cases unheard of prequel novel, Bioshock: Rapture by John Shirley.  World War II has finally ended and the world sits in Atlasian contemplation of what comes next. One dreamer, Andrew Ryan, asks the question, is a man not entitled to the sweat of his own brow? With this and anyone worth their weight in gold, Ryan assures and procures his own future. His own Eden. His own Utopia. His own…Rapture; a shining city below the sea. A safe haven Atlantis for the idealist, artist and scientist, where no government, censorship or morals can stop you from being the best version of you. No gods or kings, only man. However, as Ryan will soon find out, give humanity an inch and they’ll take a mile. DIRECTOR & FORMAT For a story built on a lavish art deco utopia with a dark dystopian nightmare lurking in the depths, there are a bunch of directors you could choose to bring Rapture to life. One in particular already tried! Gore Verbinski (best known for Pirates of The Caribbean films) was lined up to direct a Bioshock film but unfortunately it never grew into a reality due to budgeting and an external concern for the subject matter. While we never got this film, Verbinski did in fact create the closest thing we have to a Bioshock film in 2016 with the underrated gem, A Cure For Wellness. Despite Verbinski’s noble efforts, I feel there are only two possible directors to undertake such a grand affair. The decision comes from a separate choice of whether to make this a feature length film or a systematic series.  For a feature length film, I elect the Big Daddy creature creator, Guillermo Del Toro. Who else could bring the Big Daddy to life but the dark fantasy fanatic himself? With the success of his art deco fantasy, The Shape of Water, I feel that Del Toro would feel right at home in Rapture. On the other hand, if we were to get a TV series focusing on corrupt character developments and Electro Bolt shock horror, why not the TV storyteller terror that is Ryan Murphy. Best known for his terrifyingly diverse and engaging work on American Horror Story, Murphy would be the ideal candidate to bring Andrew Ryan’s vision to television so to showcase a fascinatingly frightening world without boundaries or limits. Not to mention much of his go-to cast would be perfect for several roles. Calling it now, American Horror Story: Rapture.  FANTASY CAST Now for the fun part. With Rapture hosting only the best and brightest guests to live in an underwater world, who else but Rapture’s Best and Brightest to headline the film/show?  ANDREW RYAN Who else to start off the fantasy casting than the Marxist man-made man himself, Andrew Ryan. An immigrant with a dream of a better world built on charm, patience and hardwork. Really anyone with a pencil moustache could do the job but that’s not what Ryan would want. We need someone that proudly holds an enigmatic presence with the words, “I am Andrew Ryan.” In an ideal world, we’d have Vincent Price to step into the dapper shoes of Andrew Ryan but alas that dream is just that, a dream. There are a multitude of secondary candidates that each could bring their own vigour and stoicism to the role; Evan Peters or Benedict Cumberbatch for example. My top two picks however are Johnny Depp and Ewan McGregor. Depp is no stranger to playing misunderstood outsiders, especially in a lavish setting. As well as this, he is a naturally enigmatic and charming individual with a darkness befitting of a mad man with a good point.  Ewan McGregor is my wildcard for this. In contrast to Depp, McGregor is in waking life, an innocent and inviting gentleman; someone who you can trust and vice versa. With that being said, the twist of his gentle demeanour provides a perfect alibi for building a city of supreme freewill and moral corruption (this could also be flipped to Fontaine). BILL MCDONAGH Scarcely making an appearance in the main game, Bill is instead an important figure within the prequel novel Bioshock: Rapture. A cockney working Joe that believes in playing the cards he’s dealt and making the most of it with no time for outlandish thoughts or societal perceptions. Taken under the wing of the Ryan to become his right-hand handy man, his place in Rapture is paramount to its success…or it’s undoing.  For this role, Bill needs an actor who isn’t afraid to get rough and has a commanding authority, but they also have to look the part. My first choice was Scotland’s resident grizzled badass, Tommy Flanagan. I wouldn’t be against his proud and powerful Glaswegian twang replacing a cockney accent as both are befitting of the character.

FANTASY CASTING: Live Action Bioshock Read More »

BGCP Interviews Mark Abnett (Aroha Comics)

28th February 2026

BGCP Interviews Mark Abnett (Aroha Comics) This week Massimo sits down for a chat with Scottish based New Zealand Born comic creator Mark Abnett to talk about his Kickstarter for the latest issue of his series ‘This Land’. They discuss the book, Mark’s comic career so far, The story writing process and how Mark hopes to bring the Maori Culture to a broader audience with his work. Mark is the owner of Aroha Comics and the writer of “SCHISM” with Glaswegian Artist Chris Connelly and ‘This Land’ which you can purchase from here Follow Aroha Comics on Twitter to get all the latest updates about ‘This Land’ – @ArohaComics Follow Mark on Twitter @MarkAbnett Check out BGCP’s review of This Land #1 and #2 here Drop us a like if you enjoyed and sub to the channel for more upcoming interviews with awesome creators. Join us on Discord, Twitter, Instagram, etc – https://linktr.ee/BGCPComicCon SpotifyYouTubeGoogle Podcast Apple Podcasts Buy tickets for BGCP Comic Con in and around Glasgow Scotland – BUY TICKETS Check out all of our Comic, Movie, Television and Videogame Reviews HERE and our Podcasts/Interviews HERE If you want to be part of the BGCP community, Join us on Discord, Twitter, Instagram etc then click HERE www.bigglasgowcomicpage.com

BGCP Interviews Mark Abnett (Aroha Comics) Read More »

Review – Umbrella Academy Season 1&2

2nd June 2021

Review – Umbrella Academy Season 1&2 Directed by: Ellen Kuras, Stephen Surjik & Others Produced by: Gerard Way, Steve Blackman & Others Written by: Gerard Way, Steve Blackman & Others Starring: Elliot Page, Tom Hopper & Robert Sheehan Release Date: 2019 – 2020 A few years ago when I heard the guy from My Chemical Romance had written a graphic novel, it piqued my interest. However, after reading up on some reviews of the book, it came across as quite unoriginal and somewhat sounded like a rip-off of other properties like Watchmen and X-Men. There was also the fact that I found the obscure character designs and bizarre artwork slightly off-putting at a glance. I never got around to reading it after this as I was kind of put off by the accusations of unoriginality and the weird art. Then in late 2018, I read that there was a Netflix adaption of the comic being released and my curiosity was once again piqued. After reading some of the early glowing reviews from critics, I knew that I had found my next binge. This show is fantastic, which for the most part is owed to its well written and well acted characters. The members of the Umbrella Academy and their various odd relationships with one another, as well as the outsiders that interact with them throughout the show, make the character dynamics of this show as a whole pretty unique and exciting. The cast are all brilliant, with Robert Sheehan’s Klaus being the clear stand-out, – especially in the first season. He gets all of the best lines and nails the American accent that he speaks with in the show. The rest of the cast are also great, although I feel like David Castaneda deserves a special shout-out due to the how well he nails Diego’s brilliant character progression in the second season. It is cool to get an insight into the world that the show-runners have crafted, which is as odd as it is charming. It is similar to our own world, with a few pretty drastic changes that change the dynamic of the universe in a oddly interesting way. There were points while watching the show that I was reminded of other superhero stories like Watchmen and X-Men, but instead of Umbrella Academy blatantly ripping off these other stories, it instead takes some of the best parts from its respective influences and adapts them to suit the narrative that is unfolding. It comes off as more of a wink and a nod than just a lazy copy/paste job. I also feel like the amazing CGI work on Pogo the chimp, – who is highly intelligent and serves as the family’s butler in the first season, – deserves a shout-out. It is quite possibly the best CGI that I have ever seen in a TV show and is almost on the same level as the CGI on Caesar in the Planet Of The Apes movies. Overall, The Umbrella Academy is a stellar example of what happens when a show embraces its influences and presents them in a coherent way in collaboration with the original story that the show itself is telling. It is probably not the greatest superhero story ever filmed, but it is an extremely entertaining and satisfying ride that the show takes you on over its first 20 episodes and it is well worth your time. [yasr_multiset setid=2] [yasr_visitor_multiset setid=2] Speaking of X-Men, if you enjoyed Dan’s review of Umbrella Academy, you can check out what he thought of X-Men: Apocalypse here. Buy tickets for BGCP Comic Con in and around Glasgow Scotland – BUY TICKETS Check out all of our Comic, Movie, Television and Videogame Reviews HERE and our Podcasts/Interviews HERE If you want to be part of the BGCP community, Join us on Discord, Twitter, Instagram etc then click HERE

Review – Umbrella Academy Season 1&2 Read More »

Paul Amos Interview

BGCP Interview Paul Amos (Jupiter’s Legacy, Assassin’s Creed)

11th February 2026

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uw7S3CKpTPU&t=2129s More from BGCP   Did you enjoy this interview? Don’t forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel and leave a like to support the team. We are constantly bringing you new content, reviews, and interviews with the biggest names in geek culture. Join the Community: Want to discuss this interview with other fans? Join our Discord and follow us on socials. Get Tickets: Come see us in person! Buy tickets for the next BGCP Comic Con in Glasgow and across Scotland.

BGCP Interview Paul Amos (Jupiter’s Legacy, Assassin’s Creed) Read More »

Fraser Campbell Comic Writer

BGCP Interviews Fraser Campbell (Alex Automatic, Cabal Comics)

28th February 2026

BGCP Interview: Fraser Campbell and the Art of Indie Comics The Scottish independent comic book scene is currently in a golden age, and few writers have been as prolific or consistent as Fraser Campbell. In this episode of the BGCP podcast, we sit down with the writer behind the Cabal Comics label to discuss his gritty, surreal, and often mind-bending stories. Whether you are a fan of 70s spy thrillers, noir crime, or just want to know how to run a successful Kickstarter campaign, this interview is packed with insights. Who is Fraser Campbell? Fraser Campbell is a Glasgow-based writer who has carved out a unique niche in the UK comic scene. Known for his sharp dialogue and high-concept premises, he has successfully funded multiple projects through Kickstarter, building a loyal fanbase along the way. He is best known for collaborating with unique artists like James Corcoran and Iain Laurie to create books that defy easy categorization. His stories often blend grounded human drama with psychological horror and fractured realities. Spotlight on His Key Works If you are new to Fraser’s work, we discuss several of his major titles in this interview: The Edge Off: A “nightmare noir” that has been described as Jason Statham directed by David Lynch. It follows a gangster who has been dosed with a terrifying psychotropic drug, forcing him to battle both real-world enemies and his own melting reality to save his daughter. Sleeping Dogs: One of Fraser’s earlier breakout hits, this gritty crime thriller explores how far a father will go for revenge in a tower block controlled by a local crime lord. What We Discuss in This Episode In this extensive chat, we peel back the layers of the creative process: The Kickstarter Hustle: Fraser is a veteran of crowdfunding. We discuss the secrets to his success, how to build a community, and the realities of fulfilling orders for thousands of backers. Writing for Artists: Fraser works with artists who have very distinct styles. We talk about how he tailors his scripts to suit the psychedelic lines of Iain Laurie or the dynamic action of James Corcoran. The “Glasgow Style”: Is there a specific tone to Scottish comics? We discuss the grittiness, the dark humor, and the camaraderie of the local creator community. Watch or Listen Now You can tune into the full conversation below. If you are an aspiring creator, get your notebook ready—there is a lot of actionable advice here! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TxGrnAmdQIk&t=2853s Where to Buy Fraser Campbell’s Comics Support independent creators! You can buy physical and digital copies of Fraser’s books directly from his store. Cabal Comics Store: [Link to Cabal Comics Big Cartel] Follow Fraser on Twitter/X: @FraserC69 More from BGCP If you enjoyed this deep dive into indie comics, check out our other interviews with top industry talent: Alex Paknadel Interview John Layman Interview Paul Amos Interview

BGCP Interviews Fraser Campbell (Alex Automatic, Cabal Comics) Read More »

Review – Sniper Elite 4 (2017)

2nd June 2021

Review – Sniper Elite 4 Developer: Rebellion Developments Publisher: Rebellion Developments Genre: Stealth/Action Director: Colin Harvey Release Date: February 14th 2017 I decided to revisit Sniper Elite 4 for review; the fourth game in the third person WW2 shooter series and I had a blast doing so. This game expands on the groundwork laid by its predecessors. If you are just coming off of a story driven game and are just looking for something satisfying and fun, then this is perfect for you. The story and characters are paper thin and the voice acting is all over the place in terms of quality, but that’s not why you come to Sniper Elite, you come to watch a Nazi’s brains explode from the sheer impact of your well placed bullet. This is definitely the best game in the series in terms of it’s game-play systems. The control given to the player is clear and specific and if you miss a shot, you have no one to blame but yourself. The infamous X-ray cam makes a glorious return and it is even more detailed and brutal than in previous entries. No matter how many times you make a pair of Nazi testicles go pop from across a beautiful Italian town, it never gets old. The other great thing about this game is its various lush environments. There is an array of different maps that you work your way through during the game’s campaign and each is unique and well thought out enough to give you a challenge, but also make you feel like a total bad-ass when you land a near impossible shot in equal measure. Although the landscapes are nice to run around in and function well in terms of matching with the game’s game-play style, the quality of the graphics itself isn’t going to astonish anyone. Even for a game released around halfway through the PS4’s life-cycle, this looks at best, like a late generation PS3 game. Again though, it doesn’t really matter here, as I don’t know anyone who is buying Sniper Elite 4 for it’s graphical quality. Overall, there is a ton of fun to be had here. Don’t think too much about the story and just enjoy systematically working your way through each various map, popping Nazi skulls as you go. I am very glad that I got to revisit this modern classic, so much so that I played it enough to snag the Platinum Trophy. [yasr_multiset setid=5] [yasr_visitor_multiset setid=5] If you are a fan of the stealth-action genre and you enjoyed Dan’s review of Sniper Elite 4, check out what he thought of Hitman 1, 2 & 3 here. Or if you want to see more undead Nazis, read his review of Overlord here. Buy tickets for BGCP Comic Con in and around Glasgow Scotland – BUY TICKETS Check out all of our Comic, Movie, Television and Videogame Reviews HERE and our Podcasts/Interviews HERE If you want to be part of the BGCP community, Join us on Discord, Twitter, Instagram etc then click HERE www.bigglasgowcomicpage.com

Review – Sniper Elite 4 (2017) Read More »

Scroll to Top