Welcome to a brand new edition of Parlay points, the comic books review blog to the ODPH Podcast!

For this entry, a new project coming out from Humanoids that brings the world of Muay Thai to the forefront. if you are unfamiliar, Muay Thai is a style of Martial Arts focused on striking an opponent. It is also known as “The Art Of Eight Limbs” due to its’ focus of eight areas of physical combat. Eight Limbs (OGN) by Stephanie Phillips, Giulia Lalli, Lee Loughridge, and AndWorld Design showcases the art along with the strength of family growing through fighting. Let’s take a closer look and see what’s happening here.

***Eight Limbs*** (OGN) by ***Stephanie Phillips***, ***Giulia Lalli***, ***Lee Loughridge**, and*** ***AndWorld Design*** ***(Credit: Humanoids - cover by*** DAN PANOSIAN)

The story begins with two teenage girls fighting outside of a school. With a crowd around, the teachers run in to stop it. They take a girl named Mari into the principal’s office. Readers quickly see this isn’t a random fight. Mari has had three in the past month. With her caseworker, Ellie, pleading her case, Mari is now expelled from school and looking for a foster home.

Meanwhile, class is in session with a trainer showing off elements of the martial art: Muay Thai. Her name is Joanna Carr. Carr is a former strawweight (115lbs) champion who is now enjoying the family life with her husband and young daughter. After the class leaves, Carr takes time to hit some pads. All the while, she’s remembering her glory days of fighting. Readers see how the fighting spirit never goes away in Carr. In the sparring session, she questions if she made the right decision to retire.

When the family returns home, Ellie is there to ask a big favor. With all other options expired, Ellie asks if Joanna would house Mari for a few days. Without a second thought, Joanna accepts. Her husband isn’t too pleased with the idea, but Joanna pleads her case. Ellie helped Joanna out over the years and she’s now paying it forward.

When Joanna tries introducing Mari to the world of Muay Thai, it seems to become a bonding experience. Readers see that things seem to be shifting in a positive direction. It becomes short lived when a miscommunication sends Mari into a dangerous path.

What reaction does Joanna have to Mari’s new direction? How can Joanna save her? Readers see Joanna fight not only for Mari’s safety but her own struggles with the past. The final act builds off the momentum of Carr’s spirit refusing to quit. Action is never a shortage in the latter half of this story. “Eight Limbs” will leave readers with a greater understanding of a fighter’s heart and what’s really worth fighting for in the end.

***Eight Limbs*** (OGN) by ***Stephanie Phillips***, ***Giulia Lalli***, ***Lee Loughridge**, and*** ***AndWorld Design*** ***(Credit: Humanoids)***

For anyone who doesn’t fully grasp why fighting is an emotional artform, this book will change your min. Phillips opens up with relating her own personal connection to the art. It is a very emotional insight to a fighter’s mind. This translates into the story very well. Does a fighter ever stop fighting? That is the overall theme of Carr’s story. When the last bell has rung, can she let go of the past? The parallels with Carr and Mari reflect each other to forge why Carr is so protective of Mari. Seeing herself relived thru her is an element that readers can see develop.

However, the biggest point of the story has to be the reason behind the fight. Phillips breaks down the complexity of the art and walks readers thru when it’s used. The “Behind The scenes” flashbacks of Carr’s fights drives home what readers can sense without stepping in the ring. As an avid MMA Fan, the dissection into the fighter elevates this story from being just another redemption tale. Events move briskly to get to the main event It doesn’t hamper the story and offers a solid build for the final confrontation. The ending plays into what Carr’s true motivations are and leaves readers with greater knowledge into the art.

Lalli and Loughridge create a lasting impression of Carr’s art within these pages. The breakdown of Carr’s initial teaching hits with a great seven panel page. Another key page is the full page breakdown of the Wai Kru by Carr. Both make the case for what is the reason behind the strike. The flashback sequences show off the highs and lows of the fight. The emotions pouring out of those panels are inescapable. Seeing Mari’s hesitation to Joanna’s welcoming nature balances out their overall beginnings. There is no shortage of great action panels as Mari and Joanna face their competition. They pay great respect into featuring what is involved in the combat exchanges. The art team closes the tale out with a lasting final image to explain the real reason on what is worth fighting for.

FINAL POINT: 8 OUT OF 10

The world of Muay Thai is brought center stage in a story that reminds readers what’s truly worth fighting for. With a 1-2 combo of excellent writing from Phillips and impressive visuals from Lalli, “eight Limbs” doesn’t need a judge’s decision for being declared a winner. Keep an eye out for it on New Comic Book Day.

Hit me up on ODPH social media and let me know what you thought of Eight Limbs. Thanks for reading.

Welcome to an all new edition of Parlay Points, the comic book blog to the ODPH Podcast. For this entry, we’re spotlighting a series that is in the midst of its’ latest campaign on Kickstarter…and what a name to this book! BIGFOOT KNOWS KARATE! #1 by Dan Price and Casey Allen for Caged Rhino Productions was a huge hit with a wildly creative tale. Issue #2 just began its kickstarter run on October and looks to wrap up on November 10th. There are a lot of great incentives to sign up for volume 2 but before checking that out, let’s take a trip back to issue #1 and give you an insight on what’s happening here, shall we?

BIGFOOT KNOWS KARATE - CHAPTER 2 KICKSTARTER IS LIVE UNTIL NOVEMBER 10TH, 2022!
Creative: Dan Price and Casey Allen
Credit: Caged Rhino Productions

*** POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING ***

The story opens in a secluded forest. It is peaceful and quiet but someone appears to be hunting a rabbit. The hunter is not whom it seems to be. Readers get to see Bigfoot debut in a dramatic entrance saving the rabbit from a wolf. Just when one would think danger is averted, human hunters try shooting the rabbit. When the bullet misses their target, those hunters quickly become the prey as Bigfoot steps up to handle them. The action is swift and brutal. One thing is for certain: This is not your average Bigfoot of legend!

After dealing with the hunters, Bigfoot goes into meditation to deal with the physical and mental fallout from that small skirmish. The challenge to find inner peace is a solid break form the build of the first act. However, as Bigfoot takes this journey to another place. Within this realm, Bigfoot is challenged to venture into a land that teeters between “real and unreal.”On this path, he comes in contact with a mysterious figure that passes along a warning. With little time to process, Bigfoot awakens back in the “real world.” Once returned, he sees he’s not alone as standing in front of him: A GIANT KUNG-FU ‘THULHU?!?!?! Armed with his swords and a strong will, Bigfoot jumps into battle against the towering foe.

The battle is everything you want and expect! No punches pulled. Nothing held back. It’s a wild fight that Bigfoot can’t win but refuses to quit on. Their battle heads into some fun directions. The end results will have readers on their toes as some curves are thrown into the path of the story. It caught me off guard for the right reasons. Once the “smoke” all cleared, readers will be locked in to see where the next chapter takes them. Very entertaining first issue!

This was a really fun read. From the title alone, readers know they’re in for something special here. Price and Allen have flipped the narrative on Bigfoot and took the character into some uncharted territory. The book’s intro is a prime example of the “bait and switch” technique that shows up frequently here (and that’s not a bad thing). Seeing him trying to tame the beast within was a notable theme of the story. Price is on double duty as a co-writer and artist here so he knows how to balance things out for connecting with the readers. The conflict of peace and fighting is one that should be expected to grow moving forward.

Take nothing away from the action panels throughout the issue. The fighting scenes with Bigfoot and Thulhu were intense and not afraid to get extremely brutal when needed. Nothing felt like it was for shock value. The story lets room for the creativity to shine. Bigfoot being clearly outmatched needs to find ways to take the giant down. It’s safe to say he makes some progress in that area. The ending will be a nice swerve to keep readers guessing. Obviously, the creative team isn’t playing their full hand issue one. They gave enough for you to get hooked into the story happening here to be back for more.

Final Point: If you’re looking for a fun and entertaining comic, Bigfoot Knows Karate IS your book. Price and Allen make the mythical figure into a complex layered figure who is not afraid to fight when the cause matters. The story is just beginning so get on board now and sign up for the Kickstarter today!

Hit me up on Twitter and let me know what you thought of Bigfoot Knows Karate #1. Thanks for reading!

EIGHT LIMBS (HUMANOIDS)

BIGFOOT KNOWS KARATE #1 (CAGED RHINO PRODUCTIONS)