#IReadsYou Review: A TROPICAL FISH YEARNS FOR SNOW Volume 1

A TROPICAL FISH YEARNS FOR SNOW, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Makoto Hagino
TRANSLATION & ENGLISH ADAPTATION: John Werry
LETTERS: Eva Grandt
EDITOR: Pancha Diaz
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1043-0; paperback (November 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
172pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Nettaigyo wa Yuki ni Kogareru is a manga from Makoto Hagino.  It is currently being serialized in the Japanese magazine, Dengeki Maoh, where it began in June 2017.  VIZ Media is publishing an English language edition of the manga as a graphic novel series, entitled A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow.

A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 4) introduces high school student, Konatsu Amano.  When her father gets a job overseas, Konatsu has to leave Tokyo and the life she’s always known.  She relocates to a small seaside town to stay with her aunt.

The move also means starting at a new school surrounded by complete strangers, and that is a lot to handle for a girl who has trouble with change.  On her first trip to Nanahama High School, Konatsu arrives at the open house for the school's “Aquarium Club,”  There, she meets Koyuki Honami, an older girl who is the sole member of the Aquarium Club.  Konatsu has introverted tendencies that are hard for her to overcome, but she finds herself drawn to Koyuki.  Maybe, she has found something and someone worth coming out of her shell for?

[This volume includes an “Afterword.”]

The A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow manga seems to be the latest LGBTQ-themed manga from VIZ Media.  That it arrives shortly after the conclusion of VIZ's release of That Blue Sky Feeling, a manga about a teen boy who has a very close relationship with a gay teen boy, does not feel like a coincidence.

A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow Graphic Novel Volume 1 introduces two high school girls who are obviously drawn to one another.  They may even be smitten with one another.  Creator Makoto Hagino has an anime-inspired drawing style that features girls with big, emotive eyes, which conveys the narrative's highly emotional tone.

John Werry's translation and English adaptation is gentle and sweet, and the best thing about it is that it captures both the awkwardness of the girls and their desire to be connected with one another.  Eva Grandt's lettering presents sound effects as melodic tones that indicate important moments in the development of Konatsu and Koyuki's relationship.

There is something about A Tropical Fish Yearns for Snow that firmly holds my attention.  It is as if I have to follow whatever romance may or may not be happening.

7.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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I Reads You Juniors December 2019 - Update #78

by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a "I Reads You"

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From Newsarama:  U.S. Rep. John Lewis (George's 5th Congressional District), the star of Top Shelf Productions' graphic novel trilogy, "March" (based on Lewis' life), has announced that he was Stage IV pancreatic cancer.

From CBR:  Kohei Horikoshi already has plans for the end of his smash hit manga, "My Hero Academia."

DC CINEMA - From ScreenRant:  Actor Michael B. Jordan says that if he played Superman (which he is rumored to be), the character would be authentic to comic book history.

From WCCFTech:  Valiant Comics is partnering with Blowfish Studios for the latter to produce games based on Valiant's characters.

COMICS-TO-FILM - From Newsarama:   Sony Pictures has moved the release date for its "Bloodshot" film (based on the Valiant Comics titles) from Feb. 21, 2020 to March 13, 2020.  The film stars Vin Diesel in the title role.

DC CINEMA - From Collider:  Director Patty Jenkins said that "Wonder Woman: 1984" is complete done - six months before its release.

REVIEWS - From Patreon:  My review of "Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker."

From Newsarama:  Apparently, Jeff Kinney's comics slash illustrated books hybid series, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" sold 10 million copies in 2019.  It has sold 200 million copies since the first book made its hardcover debut in 2007.

FOX X-MEN MOVIES - From Newsarama:  The X-Men film, "The New Mutants," is one of the films Disney inherited when it bought 20th Century Fox.  It has had numerous release date changes, from both Fox and Disney.  The film's director, Josh Boone, hints that there will be a new trailer for the film in January 2020.

From TheHollywoodReporter:  IDW Publishing is partnering with Dark Horse Comics for the four-issue comic book mash-up miniseries, "Transformers vs. The Terminator."  The series is due in comic book stores March 2020.

MEMORIAM - From Newsarama:  Comic book artist, Gerry Alanguilan, has died at the age of 51.

From BleedingCool:  So Mark Millar's secret "Project X-mas" turned out to be "American Jesus," which is apparently a reworking of a Millar series once published by Dark Horse Comics.

DC CINEMA - From Newsarama: "Bird of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)" has received an R-rating from the American movie ratings board, the MPAA.

IMAGE COMICS CINEMA - From Newsarama:  Oscar-nominated director Lee Daniels will direct a film adaptation of Robert Kirkman and Marc Silvestri's "Stealth" for Universal Pictures.

From Newsarama:   Marvel's "Free Comic Book Day 2020" offering, an "X-Men" comic book, will reportedly lead to Marvel Comics' next mega crossover event.

From Newsarama:  The "Free Comic Book Day" Committee has announced the "Gold Titles" for "Free Comic Book Day 2020" (May 2, 2020).

DC CINEMA - From CinemaBlend:  Gal Gadot explains why Wonder Woman does not have a sword and shield in "Wonder Woman: 1984.

DC CINEMA - From GamesRadar:   Here are some stills from the upcoming film, "Bird of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)," with the ridiculous title.

From AcadianaAdvocate:  Baton Rouge, Louisiana newspaper, "The Advocate," offers this feature on Louisiana comic book artist, "Farmhand."

DC TV - From BleedingCool:  Are HBO DC Comics adaptations or announcements of future ones fueling the bookstore sales of certain DC Comics graphic novels and trade paperbacks.

From SoraNews:  A Japanese manga artist shows the difference between erotic manga for men vs. women in a simple side-by-side comparison.

From BleedingCool:  Writer Alan Brennert and artist Jerry Ordway to launch the "Marvel Snapshots" series.

DC TV - From Variety:  Showrunner Damon Lindelof and cast and crew talk about the smash hit HBO series, "Watchmen."

From Newsarama:  Barry Windsor-Smith's long-awaiting project, "Monsters," will debut as a 250-page-plus graphic novel in 2020.

DC CINEMA - From Variety:  "Shazam 2" gets a new release date, April 1, 2022.

From BleedingCool:  Long at odds, "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" creators Kevin Eastman and Peter Laird are reuniting to work on a new TMNT comic book.

MANGA CINEMA - From Newsarama:  The film version of the legendary manga, Akira, to be directed by Taika Waititi has been bumped from Warner Bros. film release schedule.

DC TV - From Deadline:  Actor Thomas Lennon, best known for the TV series, "Reno 911," will play classic Superman villain, Mr. Mxyzptlk, in the fifth season of The CW's "Supergirl."

From ClevelandMagazine:  Writer Mike Sangiacomo feels that the city of Cleveland, Ohio isn't embracing its comic book heritage, which includes being the birth of Superman.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From ComicBook:  Here is a look at the action figures for Marvel Studios' "Black Widow" movie.

From CBR:  The 10 best historical manga as ranked by CBR's John Witiw.

From Newsarama:  Here is a two page preview of the "Dylan Dog/Batman #0," the first issue of the crossover event between DC Comics and Italian publisher, Sergio Bonelli Editore (Dylan Dog).

From BleedingCool:  Hot gossip says the new Batman writer will be a Black man, Oscar-winner John Ridley, and that the new Batman will be Luke Fox, a young Black man.

From Newsarama:  Marvel Entertainment has moved to a new location... partially by President Trump's organization.

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DC CINEMA - From THR:   "Wonder Woman 1984" director Patty Jenkins says that she and "Wonder Woman" actress, Gal Gadot, already have a story for a third "Wonder Woman" film.  She said that the two of them are already considering a spinoff film focusing on the Amazons.
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DC TV - From Newsarama:  HBO's acclaimed "Watchmen" TV series has received two nominations at the Writers Guild Awards.

SONY MARVEL U - From Deadline:   Actor Stephen Graham, currently appearing in "The Irishman," has been cast in an unknown role in "Venom 2."

DC CINEMA - From THR:  Actor Peter Sarsgaard has been cast in Matt Reeves' "The Batman," possibly to play Harvey Dent (the Gotham City district attorney who would become the villain, Two-Face).

From Newsarama:  Oscar-winning filmmaker and "Mad Max" mastermind, George Miller, defends superhero films... in response to the criticism of superhero cinema from Martin Scorsese, among others.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics will publish "The James Jean Poster Portfolio" in August 2020, highlighting the art of the award-winning artist, James Jean.

From Newsarama:  Stout Club Entertainment – the powerhouse creative group composed of comic book creators Rafael Albuquerque, Eduardo Medeiros, Mateus Santolouco, and Rafael Scavone – announced a multi-book deal for four new comic book series to debut exclusively through the comiXology Originals program.

DC CINEMA - From TheNewYorker: "The Incendiary Aims of HBO’s 'Watchmen”'"

From WeGotThisCovered:  Crystal Dynamics, creator of "Tomb Raider," is producing a prequel comic book to "Marvel's Avengers."  It is due Summer 2020.

DC CINEMA - From WeGotThisCovered:  British actor Henry Cavill may still want to be the current "Superman" of the cinema, but "sources" say that Warner Bros. is eyeing actor American actor, David Corenset, best known for the Netflix series, "The Politician."

From RSN:  Acclaimed author, Margaret Atwood ("The Handmaid's Tale") extols the life lessons of the classic newspaper comic strip, "Little Lulu."

From BleedingCool:  Yoe Press will delve into the history of Black comic book artists in "Invisible Men: Black Artists of the Golden Age of Comics."

From CBR - Manga reading tips and tricks.

From BleedingCool:  Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips, and Jacob Phillips will launch the original graphic novel, "Pulp," in May 2020.

From XinhuaNet:  Chinese sci-fi comic strips to be published in France

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DECEMBER 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for December 2019
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Red 5 for Comics for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for December 2019
From BleedingCool:  Storm King Productions for December 2019
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for December 2019
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for December 2019

JANUARY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  January 2020 comics solicitations from 26 publishers
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  Amigo Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  Black Box for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for January 2020
From Newsarama:  HarperCollins for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Humanoids for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Red 5 Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Seven Seas Entertainment for January 2020
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Titans Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Vertical Comics solicitations for January 2020
From Newsarama:  Yen Press for January 2020

FEBRUARY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  01: First Second for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Albatross Funnybook for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Action Lab Entertainment for February 2020
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Black Mask Studios for February 2020
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for February 2020
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Books for February 2020
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Lion Forge for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Random House for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Rebellion for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Red 5 Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for February 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for February 2020
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for February 2020

MARCH 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  Action Lab Entertainment for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Ahoy Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Artists, Writer and Artisans for March 2020
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Fantagraphics Book for March 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for March 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for March 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for March 2020

MAY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS
From Newsarama:  A full-list of titles available for "Free Comic Book Day 2020" on May 2, 2020.


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Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 1, 2020

IMAGE COMICS

AUG199059    COPRA #4    $3.99
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NOV191493    WORLD OF ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #95    $7.99

MAGAZINES
SEP191936    2000 AD PACK NOVEMBER 2019    $24.00
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BOOKS
OCT192419    ARIFURETA FROM COMMONPLACE ZERO LIGHT NOVEL VOL 02    $14.99
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#IReadsYou Review: The Adventures of NIKKI HARRIS the Cybermation Witch: Omnibus Vol. 2

THE ADVENTURES OF NIKKI HARRIS THE CYBERMATION WITCH OMNIBUS VOL. 2
CANDLE LIGHT PRESS/Warning Comics – @candlelightpres @attila71

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST: Carter Allen
ISBN:  978-0-9895371-2-4; paperback (May 13, 2019)
24pp, Color, $19.95 U.S.

Carter Allen:  prolific cartoonist, comic book artist, and graphic novelist, presents the second of two trade collections of his comic book series, The Adventures of Nikki Harris the Cybermation Witch.  Nikki Harris is a science fiction comic book character who made annual appearances in her own comic book series for a little over a decade.

The latest (but hopefully not last) Nikki Harris publication is The Adventures of Nikki Harris the Cybermation Witch Omnibus Vol. 2.  This full color paperback book reprints The Adventures of Nikki Harris the Cybermation Witch issues #6-12.  This includes seven stories, several pages of pin-up art, and a character profile.

These seven issues of The Adventures of Nikki Harris the Cybermation Witch find Nikki Harris facing a science fiction rogue’s gallery of diabolical adversaries:

Issue #6 (“Attack of the Hunter”) – Nikki returns to Earth, having just stopped Nautilie's machinations on the planet, Qua (Issue #5).  Now, a mysterious nemesis has sought the services of an assassin to kill Nikki.  Our heroine could use a break and a pick-me-up, but Tile the Hunter strikes hard at Nikki.  And for the first time, Nikki looks like she may not come out on top.

Issue #7 (“Nikki Harris and the Kaninium Mines of Util”) – The Broomstick, a slick space craft, soars into the depths of space.  Aboard this fast and nimble ship is Nikki, called to the mining planet of Util to solve a mystery.  The planet is the only source of the miracle mineral, Kaninium.

Issue #8 (“Fire”) – On the planet Infantino, Nikki awaits the arrival of Ambassador Royks to whom she will act as a bodyguard.  He is attending an important peace summit, and if the summit fails there will be war between many star systems.  The fate of the galaxy seems to be in Nikki's hands, and she must also deal with the pesky, Farrah Heit.

Issue #9 (“Ice”) – On the edge of our solar system is the planet (planetoid), Pluto.  The people of Pluto are up in arms against the government, and the frustration is boiling over, enough to scare the administration in Pluto City, the capitol of the planet.  Now, Governor Plequeq calls Nikki Harris for help, but the threat is bigger and older than our crazy-sexy-cool heroine realizes.

Issue #10 (“Save the Day”) – On Dogura Prime, Nikki Harris makes time to stop a bank robbery.  There is a new superhero team in town, “Justice C,” and its members think Nikki is more trouble than she is worth.  Captain Cyclops, Arma Oculta, Crimson Cload, Lectronik, Burbuja, and Tiger Titan believe they have everything in hand, and that Nikki should learn to play better with others.  The Green Stygma thinks they all suck.

Issue #11 (“In the Grip of Evil”) – Now, on Earth, Nikki is no more; she is now Siste Søster, and she is doing the damn evil thing.  The battle with Green Stygma forced Nikki to turn all bad girl, and Stygma's now her pal and partner.  But can Siste Søster prove to the evil cybermation witches that this ain't no sister act and that she is no longer Nikki Harris?  A sacrifice is needed, while in orbit above Earth, the real power plots.

Issue #12 (“Take the Long Way Home”) – Nikki learns that flying into the maw of the alien deity, Gar-Lahk, does not have the effect she desired.  Nikki, however, is nothing if not resourceful, but her new plan may mean the end of her.  Can Nikki's colleague, Berzing, convince Nikki not risk time and space in order to destroy Gar-Lahk?

I am happy about the recent publication of The Adventures of Nikki Harris the Cybermation Witch Omnibus Vol. 2.  The first reason is because I am a fan of Nikki Harris, and the second reason is that a trade collection, such as an omnibus, is a good way for you to become a Nikki Harris fan, dear readers.  Seriously, this is the best way to read the series, especially since many of the last issues are connected as an overall final story arc.  Besides in this one handy edition, this omnibus captures the graphical, visual, and storytelling elements that make Nikki Harris’ adventures a unique comic book reading experience.

The Adventures of Nikki Harris the Cybermation Witch Omnibus Volume 2 also contains the stories that really defined Nikki has a top sci-fi heroine for me.  From “Dale Arden” to “Princess Leia Organa,” Nikki Harris is in the tradition of the female heroes that have appeared in science fiction serials, film, and TV.  However, Nikki is also a modern superhero.  I find her to be like the rebooted Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers, but with a bit more of a sparkling sense of humor and wit.

The Adventures of Nikki Harris the Cybermation Witch Omnibus Vol. 2 also gives readers a chance to enjoy Carter Allen's sparkling sense of humor and wit.  His imaginative stories always seem fresh; too bad Nikki is over (or seems to be).  Allen's candy-colored art with its radiant colors are eye candy even when reading the graphical storytelling.  This second Nikki Harris omnibus can join the first so that readers can enjoy the evolution of new superhero and sci-fi heroine.

9.5 out of 10

www.candlelightpress.com
www.nikkithewitch.com

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: FARMHAND #10

FARMHAND No. 10
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Rob Guillory – @Rob_guillory
ART: Rob Guillory
COLORS: Taylor Wells
LETTERS: Kody Chamberlain
32pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S.(July 2019)

Rated “M/ Mature”

Farmhand created by Rob Guillory

Chapter 10: “In Vocation”

Farmhand is a dark fantasy comic book series from comic book creator, Rob Guillory.  Guillory is also known for his award-winning tenure on the long-running comic book, Chew (Image Comics), with writer John Layman.  Farmhand is written and illustrated by Guillory; colored by Taylor Wells; and lettered by Kody Chamberlain (who also designed the Farmhand logo).

Farmhand's central character is Ezekiel “Zeke” Jenkins, a husband, father, and graphic designer and illustrator.  He returns to his hometown of Freetown, Louisiana with his wife, Mae, and their children, Abigail and Riley.  The old family business was “Jenkins Family Farm.”  The new family business is “Jenkins Family Farmaceutical Institute,” operated by Zeke's father, Jedidiah Jenkins, and his sister, Andrea.  It grows plant-based human organs and tissue, and once upon a time, people, especially transplant recipients, saw this as a miracle.  But, now...

As Farmhand #10 (“In Vocation”) opens, the secrets of Mayor Monica Thorne continue their gradual emergence.  Meanwhile, Thorne has to keep playing the role of dutiful public servant, and Jedidiah Jenkins' carelessness has given her the cover she needs.  Recipients of Jenkins' miracle seed-transplants are in a state of crisis, and one of them nearly kills Jedidiah.  Andrea Jenkins finds herself recalling these unfortunate people to the Jenkins Institute to receive help for their new conditions.

And now, in need of job, Zeke is helping Andrew fix this mess as a paid “communications consultant.”  But a sudden recollection of his past has Zeke... seeing things from a green point of view.

In my previous reviews of this excellent comic book, I consistently connected Farmhand to the work of late television writer and producer, Rod Serling, and his legendary TV series, “The Twilight Zone.”  This second story arc, which began with issue #6 and ends with #10, also recalls the work of legendary modern horror novelist and short story writer, Stephen King.

Farmhand's sophomore arc does not suffer from the dreaded sophomore slump.  It slowly emerges like a cobra before a snake charmer and his “pungi.”  This arc takes its time, toying with the readers the way a cat bats around a mouse – before delivering the killing blow.  This is the way the first half of King's classic small town horror novel, 'Salem's Lot (1975), works.  The denizens of 'Salem's Lot play out their small town melodramas never aware that “The Master” is already in their midst, well into his elaborate meal.  In Farmhand, the players live on a meal of denial, until indigestion sets in.

With each issue, Guillory makes the world of Farmhand richer and darker.  Honestly, sometimes, I wondered how far he could take this series, but it seems as if he never runs out of seeds and ideas.  Every issue presents another “mean green mutha” of an idea or two or three.

The “green mutha” would not be so mean without Taylor Wells' glorious coloring.  Wells is the sunshine in this garden of unearthly delights, and an Eisner Award nomination is due Wells, not because the colors are pretty, which they are.  Farmhand would not be the same without Wells, who gives this apocalypse the color of life.

With letterer Kody Chamberlain delivering a photosynthesis-tic beat, Farmhand is complete.  So where is Rob Guillory taking readers?  If the first ten issues are any indication (and they are), the future is a trip into “pure imagination.”

[This comic book also includes the one-page comic, “Freetown Funnies” by Burt Durand.]

https://robguillory.com/
https://twitter.com/Rob_guillory
https://www.instagram.com/rob_guillory/

10 of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: ESCAPE JOURNEY Volume 3

ESCAPE JOURNEY, VOL. 3
SUBLIME MANGA/Libre Publishing – @SuBLimeManga

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Ogeretsu Tanaka
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
LETTERS: Mara Coman
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0647-1; paperback (June 2019); Rated “M” for “Mature”
170pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S. (6.99 digital), $17.99 CAN, £8.99 UK

Escape Journey is a yaoi manga from manga creator, Ogeretsu Tanaka.  Yaoi manga is a subset of boys' love (or BL) manga, which depicts amorous situations between male characters.  Yaoi manga usually features explicit depictions of sex between those males.  Escape Journey focuses on two former high school lovers forced back together when they attend the same university.

Naoto Hisami and Taichi Hase were high school lovers.  Naoto thought they were dating, but during a heated argument, Taichi tells Naoto, “You're nothing but a fuck buddy I blow off steam with sometimes.”  That leads Naoto to dump Taichi's ass.  A year later, Naoto is a student at S University, a liberal arts college.  Still angry about what Taichi said to him, Naoto is shocked to see him on campus.  The two soon find themselves forced together, again, with Taichi being an aggressive seme (top) to Naoto's submissive uke (bottom).

As Escape Journey, Vol. 3 (Chapters 13 to 15 to Final Chapter) opens, the rift that had opened between Naoto and Taichi closes.  Once again, they are back in each other's arms and having the best (and most graphic) make-up sex.  Now, determined to be together forever, they must face their family and friends and reveal that they are a couple, even as they prepare to graduate from college.

For Taichi that means dealing with his estranged mother, who abandoned Taichi and his father (and her husband) to make a new family.  How his mother handles what he has to tell her will determine if Taichi will ever have a relationship with her.  For Naota, he has to tell his parents and his three siblings, but how will they react to his “adult adoption” idea?

Meanwhile, Naoto's best-friend-forever, Mika Yuki, is furious that she cannot get in touch with him.  How will she react when she learns that Naoto has a boyfriend and he never told her?!

[This volume includes a bonus story, “Special Escape” and “Afterword.”]

Yaoi manga is not pornography, but it can feature explicit and even highly graphic depictions of two males engaged in sexual intercourse.  Explicit depictions of sexual intercourse may be inevitable in this genre, but yaoi mangaka delivers boys' love stories that are about drama, character, and romance.  In the best of the genre, the creators also take their characters' careers, professions, jobs, and/or social status seriously.

Escape Journey Graphic Novel Volume 3 is the final volume of the Escape Journey series, and it features as much explicit gay sex as the previous two volumes.  In fact, the “Special Escape” episode of Vol. 3 is essentially an extra dose of sexual intercourse for readers.

However, Escape Journey is more about the drama and the characters – their lives, personalities, hopes, and conflicts.  Creator Ogeretsu Tanaka went into as much detail in drama and character as she did in drawing hot, sweaty, and fluids-heavy sex.  By focusing so much on drama and character, Tanaka made the graphic sex scenes become beautifully composed sequences of intimacy and lovemaking.  By the end of the final chapter of Vol. 3, readers may not know what the future holds for this young couple, but we believe that they are truly, madly, deeply in love.

Dear readers, I cannot escape the fact that Escape Journey is one of the best yaoi manga and romance comics that I have ever read, and I will insist that it is a must-read for fans of boys' love manga.  Escape Journey Vol. 3 practically demands an encore series.

9 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

For up-to-date news and release information, please visit the SuBLime website at SubBLimeManga.com, or follow SuBLime on Twitter at @SuBLimeManga, Facebook at facebook.com/SuBLimeManga, Tumblr at http://sublimemanga.tumblr.com/, and Instagram at @sublimemanga/.


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.


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#IReadsYou Review: UNCANNY X-MEN #1 (2019)

UNCANNY X-MEN #1 (2019) – Legacy #620
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Ed Brisson, Matthew Rosenberg, and Kelly Thompson
ART: Mahmud Asrar; Mirko Colak; Ibraim Roberson
PENCILS: Mark Bagley
INKS: Andrew Hennessy
COLORS: Rachelle Rosenberg
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Leinil Francis Yu with Edgar Delgado
EDITOR: Jordan White with Darren Shan
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: David Finch with Frank D'Armata; Jim Cheung with Justin Ponsor; Scott Williams with Ryan Kinnaird; Carlos Pacheco and Rafael Fonteriz with Edgar Delgado; Joe Quesada with Richard Isanove; Rob Liefeld with Romulo Fajardo, Jr.; Dave Cockrum with Jason; Dave Cockrum
72pp, Color, $7.99 U.S. (January 2019)

Rated T+

X-Men created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

“Disassembled” Part 1; “What Tomorrow Brings” Parts One – “A Bishop Story”; Part Two – “A Jean Grey Story”; Part Three – “An Armor & Angle Story”; Epilogue

There is no point in trying to count the number of times that Marvel Comics has relaunched, reinvigorated, or quasi-rebooted its X-Men comic book franchise since 2001's New X-Men.  This week we got the third(?) Uncanny X-Men relaunch.

Uncanny X-Men 2019 is written by the team of Ed Brisson, Matthew Rosenberg, and Kelly Thompson.  The artists and art teams will rotate, as the first nine issues of this new series will be published weekly.  The artists for this first issue are Mahmud Asrar (pencils-inks); Mirko Colak (pencils-inks); Ibraim Roberson (pencils-inks); and the team of Mark Bagley (pencils) and Andrew Hennessy (inks).  Rachelle Rosenberg colors and Joe Caramanga letters this first issue.

Uncanny X-Men #1 begins with the main story, “Disassembled” Part 1.  The story opens with Jean Grey having a dream about an invasion of multiple copies of Multiple Man, each one demanding the whereabouts of Kitty Pryde.  Meanwhile, Kitty is among the members of the X-Men who are suddenly disappearing.  Who is behind this mystery?  In a series of back-up stories, Bishop, Jean Grey & Storm, and Armor & Anole take on a foe capable of possessing people in the days leading up to the events depicted in the main story.

20th Century Fox's X-Men film franchise has had some spectacular successes and some failures since the franchise's first film, 2000's X-Men.  In that time, X-Men comic books have been mostly hit and miss.  There have been some interesting, even good series; All New X-Men, New X-Men, and X-Men: The Hidden Years come to mind.  However, the “golden age” of X-Men comic books was over by the mid-1980s, and the various owners of Marvel Comics have ruined the franchise by turning it into a cash cow that has vomited money.  A deluge of X-Men and X-Men-related ongoing series, miniseries, one-shots, specials, graphic novels, and reprint and archival publications in various formats, etc. were money makers.  The quality of these comic books varied wildly.  Some were good.  Some were mediocre.  Some were plain awful.

Personally, I think that without a radical rethinking of the X-Men concept, the best we can hope for is that maybe each new iteration of a flagship X-Men comic book, Uncanny X-Men or the recent X-Men: Blue and X-Men: Gold, can yield at least a year's worth of good comic books.  Gold and Blue barely did that.

I like that Uncanny X-Men 2019 will be weekly for its first nine issues.  I wish that Marvel and DC Comics published more weekly titles.  Rather than have a bunch of crappy Justice League titles, have one that is published weekly and features rotating casts and creative teams.  If Uncanny X-Men's writing team can maintain this first issue's sense of mystery and keep offering cliffhangers like the ones in this issue, then, this will be a fun run of nine issues.

So I have some hope, but, without going into spoilers, nothing in Uncanny X-Men #1 2019 suggests that this comic book will approach the first quarter-century of X-Men publications, which offered quite a few stories that went on to become classics.  But there is enough here to suggest that this could be a solid title.  I want to be surprised and delighted.

7 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douressaeux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and  syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: BATMAN: Damned #3

BATMAN: DAMNED No. 3
DC COMICS/DC Black Label – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Brian Azzarello
ART: Lee Bermejo
COLORS: Lee Bermejo
LETTERS: Jared K. Fletcher
EDITOR: Mark Doyle
COVER: Lee Bermejo
VARIANT COVER: Jim Lee with Alex Sinclair
48pp, Color, $6.99 U.S. (August 2019)

Mature Readers

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

Batman: Damned is the three-issue comic book miniseries written by Brian Azzarello, drawn by Lee Bermejo, and lettered by Jared K. Fletcher that launched DC Comics' “DC Black Label” prestige imprint.  Published in an over-sized softcover format (8.5” x 10.875”), Batman: Damned #1 gained attention and created controversy when it was discovered that the art included a depiction of Bruce Wayne/Batman's penis.  There have been reports on various comic book news sites that the later issues of the series were delayed so that portions of the story could be redrawn to remove potentially controversial content.

Suddenly, what was supposed to be a “mature audience” imprint, DC Black Label, had to tone down its content and attitude.  Supposedly, some announced projects for the imprint were canceled or were being rewritten – to be toned down.  Sadly, Batman: Damned #2, which seemed like filler material, could have used the depiction of a good stiff penis (say, Deadman's) to liven up the proceedings.

The central focus of Batman: Damned is that The Joker is dead, and that maybe Batman is the one who killed him... But Batman cannot remember, and there may be some sinister and thus far unknown force that done the deed.  Are John Constantine and Deadman Batman's true allies in solving this mystery?  And why is Batman recalling such a horrifying version of his youth, especially concerning his late (and murdered) mother, Martha Wayne?

Batman: Damned #3 opens with Batman in a grave.  And Swamp Thing thinks Batman should not trust John Constantine.  Now, Batman must face his worst nightmares and the stunning truth about the death of The Joker.

I don't want to spoil Batman: Damned #3, although it has been out for about two weeks now.  I can say that the title is literal, and that it has a stunning ending.  I did suspect that Batman was an unreliable narrator, because he was dead, so...

I can also say that the art by Lee Bermejo's art is as beautiful ever.  In fact, in terms of story, Bermejo does his best work of the series in Batman: Damned #3 with this powerful graphical storytelling.  Jared K. Fletcher's lettering is simple, yet so evocative and powerful.  Brian Azzarello, after delivering empty, tattered Gothic trappings, gives us a powerful finale this is actual storytelling.

I think the problem with Batman: Damned is that Brian Azzarello had an idea for what is essentially a story that belongs in a Batman Annual or in one of those 48 or 64-page Batman “Elseworlds” comic books.  Anything more than 100 pages, which the total page count of Batman: Damned exceeds, is simply a story stretched too thin and is a consumer product that is not honestly released to consumers.

So, at least they got Batman: Damned #3 mostly right.  In fact, this last issue is good enough to warrant a sequel – of a certain page count, of course.

7.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for December 25 or 26, 2019

BOOM! STUDIOS

AUG191384    FAITHLESS TP (MR)    $17.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 25 or 26, 2019

DARK HORSE COMICS

OCT190333    FIGHT CLUB 3 #12 CVR A MACK (MR)    $3.99
OCT190334    FIGHT CLUB 3 #12 CVR B FEGREDO (MR)    $3.99
OCT190304    MASK I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE MASK #3 (OF 4) CVR A REYNOLD    $3.99
OCT190305    MASK I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE MASK #3 (OF 4) CVR B JOHNSON    $3.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 25 or 26, 2019

DC COMICS

SEP190564    DIAL H FOR HERO TP VOL 01 ENTER THE HEROVERSE    $16.99
FEB190586    HOUSE OF SECRETS THE BRONZE AGE OMNIBUS HC VOL 02    $125.00
SEP190594    PROMETHEA THE DELUXE EDITION HC VOL 02    $39.99
SEP190597    SUPERGIRL TP VOL 02 SINS OF THE CIRCLE    $16.99

Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for December 25 or 26, 2019

DYNAMITE

SEP191062    BETTIE PAGE UNBOUND #8 CVR A ROYLE    $3.99
SEP191063    BETTIE PAGE UNBOUND #8 CVR B CHANTLER    $3.99
SEP191064    BETTIE PAGE UNBOUND #8 CVR C MARQUES    $3.99
SEP191065    BETTIE PAGE UNBOUND #8 CVR D QUALANO    $3.99
SEP191066    BETTIE PAGE UNBOUND #8 CVR E PHOTO    $3.99
OCT191289    RED SONJA VAMPIRELLA BETTY VERONICA #7 CVR A BRAGA    $3.99
OCT191290    RED SONJA VAMPIRELLA BETTY VERONICA #7 CVR B HACK    $3.99
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#IReadsYou Review: BUBBA HO-TEP and the Cosmic Bloodsuckers #5

BUBBA HO-TEP AND THE COSMIC BLOODSUCKERS No. 5
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Joshua Jabcuga (based on the novel by Joe R. Lansdale) – @jabcuga @joelansdale
ART: Horacio Domingues
COLORS: Ryan Hill
LETTERS: Tom B. Long
EDITOR: Chase Marotz
COVER: Baldemar Rivas
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Horacio Domingues with Ryan Hill; Baldemar Rivas
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2018 / in shops January 9, 2019)

Joe R. Lansdale's 2017 novel, Bubba Ho-Tep and the Cosmic Bloodsuckers, initially received some kind of limited release. The novel is a prequel to Lansdale's 1994 novella, “Bubba Ho-Tep,” which filmmaker Don Coscarelli (Phantasm) adapted into a beloved, comic horror film of the same name that was released in 2002.  The novel is receiving a wider release in February 2019.

In the meantime, dear readers, you can enjoy the comic book, Bubba Ho-Tep and the Cosmic Bloodsuckers.  This 2018 comic book adaptation is written Joshua Jabcuga; drawn by Tadd Galusha; colored by Ryan Hill; and lettered by Tom B. Long, with covers drawn by Baldemar Rivas.  The comic book follows a fictional version of legendary rock 'n' roll singer and performer, and American icon, Elvis Presley.  The King of Rock 'n' Roll works for a secret government organization (which might by named the “Hidden Agenda”).  Elvis' manager, “The Colonel” (based on the real-world Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker), is his handler, as Presley and a team of operatives fight supernatural enemies that threaten the world.

Bubba Ho-Tep and the Cosmic Bloodsuckers #5 is the final issue of the adaptation, and Horacio Domingues replaces Todd Galusha as artist for this final issue.  The issue opens at the safe house, an abandoned plantation manor, from where Elvis and his team have plotted to stop a blood-sucking threat against Earth from another dimension.  Contemplating the nature and process of social wasps and their nest building, Elvis discovers something about the nature of their enemy – something that can help Elvis and company defeat them.  But the end may be bigger than Elvis and his team can imagine.

Without spoiling this issue, I can say that the resolution offered in Bubba Ho-Tep and the Cosmic Bloodsuckers #5 may have been hinted at since the first or second issue.  I did think there was some oddity in the way the adversarial monsters acted, as if they never fully employed the power they seemed to have.

This final issue is also kind of melancholy.  It seems as if circumstances, duty, and fate conspire to strip away characters' dignity to the point that one must give up so much to have a little peace of mind and self-determination.  For the sake of continuity (more or less), this ending does explain, to an extent, the state in which we find Elvis in “Bubba Ho-Tep.”

The change in artist does not hurt the story in a major way.  Considering the end, Horacio Domingues seems to be an appropriate off-beat note, and Ryan Hill's garish colors keep things as funky and as surreal as he did in the earlier issues.  I hope to see this creative team again.  I hope Joe R. Lansdale transfers the moniker, Bubba Ho-Tep, to Elvis, making it a battle name for the King of Rock 'n' Roll in a new future of monster fighting.  I hope...

8 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN No. 1 / #802 (2018)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Nick Spencer
PENCILS: Ryan Ottley; Humberto Ramos
INKS: Cliff Rathburn; Victor Olazaba
COLORS: Marte Gracia; Edgar Delgado
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
EDITOR: Nick Lowe
COVER: Ryan Ottley with Laura Martin
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Shane Davis and Michelle Delecki with Morry Hollowell; John Romita, Sr. and Terry Austin with Jason Keith; Erik Larsen with Dean White (Remastered); Jim Cheung with Justin Ponser; Greg Land with Jason Keith
56pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (September 2018)

Rated  “T”

Spider-Man created by Steve Ditko and Stan Lee

“Back to Basics” Part One

Here we go.  Back in the summer, Marvel Comics published yet another The Amazing Spider-Man #1, but the publisher did not jettison its “Legacy” numbering.  So this new #1 comic book is also The Amazing Spider-Man #802.

It is a fresh start, of sorts, with a new creative team.  Nick Spencer is the new series writer.  The new art team is Ryan Ottley (pencils) and Cliff Rathburn (inks).  Laura Martin is on colors, and Joe Caramagna is on letters.

The Amazing Spider-Man #1 finds Peter Parker still trying to get his life back together in the wake of the crash and burn of his company, Parker Industries.  He shares an apartment with roommates, and he has reconnected with M.J. - Mary Jane Watson.  But something is wrong.  People are giving him the side eye, when they aren't being outright hostile and dismissive.  And he and the Avengers are in the middle of a massive alien invasion.  Is there a conspiracy against Peter Parker and Spider-Man?

I enjoyed Dan Slott's run on The Amazing Spider-Man.  Of course, I only experienced the second half of Slott's long tenure on the title, and I understand that some readers and fans were ready for Marvel to move on from him.

I don't know if readers are satisfied now, but I like this almost tripled-sized issue.  Without reverting Peter Parker to childhood, Spencer takes Peter Parker back to the days when he suffered the bane of a hero's existence – no good deed goes unpunished.  Indirectly and directly and by action and inaction, Parker and Spider-Man are causing trouble for the people for whom they care.  Obviously, there is a lot of dramatic tension and conflict.  Still, Spencer writes a light-hearted comic book with both wry humor and dark undertones.

Ryan Ottley, known for his long run on Robert Kirkman's Invincible (Image Comics), is the perfect Spider-Man comic book artist, for now.  He reminds me of Mark Bagley on Ultimate Spider-Man, and, at the time (late 2000), both that comic book and Bagley were much needed breaths of fresh air for the Spider-Man franchise.  Ottley recalls the past while being something different, essentially an indie superhero comic book artist taking on a venerable mainstream superhero franchise.  Ottley is back to basics without being retro.

Cliff Rathburn on inks accentuates the newness of Ottley's clean pencil art.  Laura Martin's colors seems out of place, too heavy for Ottley and Rathburn's illustrations.  There is nothing distinctive about Joe Caramagna's lettering.  At least, it seems that way to me.

Former Amazing Spider-Man series artist, Humberto Ramos, delivers a killer back-up story.  With his striking illustrative style, Ramos usually presents potent storytelling, and his tale enforces my belief that this Amazing relaunch could be something special... at least for awhile.

8 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.



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