I Reads You Juniors May 2020 - Update #93

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COVID-19 - From CDC:  The Centers for Disease Control has "COVID Data Tracker."

DIAMOND - From Newsarama:  This link reveals a list of comic books titles that publishers (including DC Comics) are going to release through Diamond Comic Distributors for May 20, 2020.

DIAMOND - From Newsarama:  (May 8th) - Diamond has made it official that May 20th is the first on-sale date of its resumed distribution of comic books

MARVEL - From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics has announced the shipping schedule for the following weeks:  May 27th; June 3rd, 10th, 17, and 24th; July 1st and 8th.

MARVEL - From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics has announced its shipping schedule for late July 2020 in the following weeks:  July 15th, 22nd, and 29th.

GEORGE FLOYD - From BleedingCool:  Comic book people respond to the protests related to the murder of George Floyd, an African-American man in Minneapolis.

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  DC Comics has cancelled 22 planned reprint comic books.

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  DC Comics has cancelled the prints editions of "RWBY #7" and "gen:LOCK #7," the final issues of two digital-first series.

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  "Lucifer #18" will be the final issue of the series as a monthly periodical.  Lucifer issues #19 to #24 will be released as a collected edition.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics will give comic book shops all the giveaways it planned to hand out at San Diego Comic-Con 2020, which has been cancelled.

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  Writer Ram V and artist Fernando Blanco will be the new creative team on DC Comics' "Catwoman" series, beginning with September's issue #25

DC TV - From Deadline:  Actor Tom Ellis will return to play Lucifer in the Netflix series, "Lucifer," after some difficult negotiations, which could pave the way for a sixth season.  Filming on the fifth season had been halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

NEWS - From Newsarama:  "Newsarama" has announced that it is moving to "GamesRadar," Mon., June 1st, which will likely mean a change of web addresses.

MARVEL TV - From Newsarama:  Apparently, the seventh and final season of "Marvel's Agents of SHIELD" will have some kind of contact with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

DC CINEMA - From Newsarama:  Director Zack Snyder reveals "Darkseid" for his upcoming "Director's cut" of "Justice League."

BRIT COMICS - From 2000AD:  The lastest "2000 AD Thrill-Cast Lockdown Tapes" podcast features Suyi Davies Okungbowa, Charlie Higson, Charlie Adlard.

Z2 COMICS - From BleedingCool:   Z2 Comics will publish "Gorillaz Almanac" in October 2020.  the hardback comic, done in the tradition of the British hardback annual, will feature the members of the Grammy-winning virtual (fictitious) musical act, "Gorillaz."

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  The DC Comics blog has updated the list of DC publications scheduled to arrive in stores May 19th amd May 26th, 2020.

POLITICAL CARTOONS - From Newsarama:  CBLDF Protests TRUMP Campaign-Ordered Takedown of Satirical Political Cartoon

DC CINEMA - From Newsarama:  Director David Ayers would like their to also be a director's cut of his super-awful film, "Suicide Squad."

MANGA - From ANN:  Yen Press announces four new titles for October 2020 - three manga and an art book tie-in to a video game.

COMIC BOOK SHOP - From DuncanBanner:  Kenny's Comics of Odessa Texas has a "Traveling Comic Books Store" that travels throughout Texas and Oklahoma.

FOX MARVEL U - From CinemaBlend:  There is a reason for New Mutants fans to be excited opening the movie, "The New Mutants," and it is Bill Sienkiewicz

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Does Walmart's "Batman Giant #5" offer a new origin for the Joker?

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  DC Comics has launched a new monthly solicitation catalog, "DC Connect."  It will be a digital-only publication, as a downloadable PDF.

SONY MARVEL U - From Deadline:  Marc Guggenheim is writing a script for Sony Pictures based on the Marvel Comics character, "Jackpot," a female character out of the Spider-Man line of comics.  Guggenheim has written comics featuring Jackpot for Marvel Comics.  Guggenheim is also working on another comic book project, "Prophet," based on the work by Rob Liefeld.

SONY MARVEL U - From Variety:  The word is out that Sony Pictures is developing some kind of female superhero or female superhero team movie based on characters from the world of Spider-Man.

DC TV - From Variety:  According to the article, actress Ruby Rose exited her lead role of "Kate Kane/Batwoman" in The CW's "Batwoman" because of the long hours her lead role required.

BRIT COMICS - From 2000AD:  Three legendary "2000AD" artists:  Brian Bolland, Dave Gibbons, and Mick McMahon, are together in one podcast interview.

DC CINEMA - From Newsarama:  Director Zack Snyder has announced that HBO Max, Warner Media's new streaming service, will stream his "cut" of the 2017 film, "Justice League" in 2021.  Snyder was the original director of the film, but, for personal reasons, left before the film was finished.  Director Joss Whedon finished the film, which has been panned by fans since its release back in late 2017.

COVID-19 - From THR:  The adult Halloween masks that resemble the one worn by "Bane" in "The Dark Knight Rises" (2012) are a hot seller due to COVID-19.

DC TV - From Variety:  Actress Ruby Rose has announced that she is departing from The CW television series, "Batwoman," ahead of the second season.  Rose played the lead role of "Kate Kane/Batwoman."

DC COMICS DIGITAL - From Newsarama:  DC Comics has announced a digital-first "DCeased" series, "DCeased: Hope at World's End."  The twice-monthly, 14-chapter limited serial is written by Tom Taylor and the first chapter is available to read across all platforms.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  According to the site, artist Marc Silvestri will only continue work on his long-delayed, long-promised comic book, "Batman/The Joker: Deadly Duo," when he gets paid the big money that Greg Capullo is allegedly being paid for upcoming DC mega-project, "Death Metal."

MARVEL - From Newsarama:  The classic "Incredible Hulk" creative team of Peter David and Dale Keown, will unite with artist German Peralta for a story featuring the Hulk character, Maestro."  The untitled comic book debuts in August.

DC TV - From TVWeb:  There is a poster and official synopsis for The CW's 2021 series, "Superman & Lois."

COMICS TO TV - From Newsarama:  Netflix has set July 31, 2020 as the debut of "The Umbrella Academy" Season 2.

DC CINEMA - From Newsarama:  The release date for the upcoming, "Wonder Woman 1984," could change again.

SUBMISSIONS - From BleedingCool:  Comics publisher, Second Sight, is now accepting submissions for new comic book series.

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  DC Comics' series, "The Terrifics," will see its final print issue with #27.  However, the series will conclude with three digital issues, concluding with "The Terrifics #30 released on Sept. 1st.

MARVEL - From Newsarama:  Writer Mark Waid and legendary comic book artist Neal Adams are producing a new "Fantastic Four" comic book.  "Fantastic Four: Antithesis" arrives in August, but the duration of the project is currently unknown.

MARVEL TV - From Variety:  "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D." has added actor Darren Barnet as a guest star to the Season 7 premiere.  It is currently unclear how many episodes in which Barnet will appear.

COMICS EDUCATION - From Newsarama:  Cartoonist Emma Kubert, the third generation in the Kubert comic book creating clan, will be teaching an online sketch class, via the Kubert schook, for kids beginning in June.

DC TV - From Newsarama:  The second season of "Doom Patrol" (from Warner Bros. Television) will debut on HBO Max and DC Universe on June 25th.

FOX MARVEL U - From Newsarama:  Disney has reportedly scheduled the long-delayed film, "The New Mutants," for an August 28th, 2020 release.

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DC TV - From Newsarama:  Robert Downey, Jr.'s TV adaptation of Jeff Lemire's comic book series, "Sweet Tooth," is moving from Hulu to Netflix.

From Newsarama:  Jeff Brolin and Will Forte are among the cast members of Netflix's "Sweet Tooth" TV adaptation.

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  Jeff Lemire has announced that he will revive his former Vertigo comic book series, "Sweet Tooth," which originally ran from 2009 to 2013.  No debut date for "Sweet Tooth: The Return."

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DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok's long-awaited three-issue miniseries, "The Three Jokers," is currently scheduled to debut August 25th.

COMICS TO FILM - From Newsarama:  Tim Story is negotiating to direct Kevin Hart's film, "Night Wolf," a superhero film.  Story directed Hart in several films, including the "Ride Along" and "Think Like a Man" film.  Story directed Fox's "Fantastic Four" films from 2005 and 2007.

DC TV - From DigitalSpy:  (May 12th) - The CW broadcast network will air the one existing season of DC Universe's cancelled series, "Swamp Thing."  [I have not been able to learn the air date as of this writing. - Leroy]

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  DC Comics has informed retailers that is approving Tuesday as the on-sale date of of all its comic book titles.  That includes products distributed by Diamond Comic Distributors, which has traditionally mandated a Wednesday release.

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  DC Comics is also getting rid of the six-day exclusivity window that comic book retailers has over the book trade market when it comes to trade paperback and hardback collections and graphic novels.

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  Scott Snyder talks "Dark Nights: Death Metal" and the changes to DC Comics' plans in the wake of for DC co-publisher Dan DiDio's "exit" from the company.

BOOM! - From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios will produce a 12-issue comic book based on the "Dune" prequel novel, "Dune: House Atreides," and will be written by the novel's authors, Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson.  The first issue is due Fall 2020.

MEMORIAM - From Newsarama:  DC Comics writer-editor Martin Pasko has died at the age of 65, Monday, May 11, 2020.  Pasko is best known for his long tenure writing Superman and Superman-related comic books.  He was also a longtime writer and story editor for live-action and animated television series and won a Daytime Emmy for his work on "Batman: The Animated Series."

COVID-19 - From CBB:  The ComicBookBin's Herve St. Louis offers some reflections on what COVID-19 is doing to comics.

AWARDS - From PulitzerPrizes:  The 2020 Pulitzer Prize Winners have been announced.

NETFLIX - From Newsarama:  Here is a first look at Charlize Theron as the immortal warrior, "Andromache," in Netflix adaptation of the comic book series, "The Old Guard."

COMICS TO FILM - From Newsarama:  Television and comic book writer, Marc Guggenheim, will reportedly write a film based on Rob Liefeld's "Prophet" comic book.

MARVEL COMICS - From Newsarama:  Marvel is making eight titles digital-only comics.  There are seven existing titles that are going digital only:  "Ghost-Spider," the limited series "Ant-Man," "Avengers of the Wastelands," "Ravencroft," "Star," "Marvel’s Spider-Man: The Black Cat Strikes," and "Hawkeye: Freefall," and and the new title, "2020: Ironheart."

COMICS TO FILM - From Deadline:   Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt are re-teaming to co-star and co-produce, "Ball and Chain," based on the Scott Lobdell Homage/Wildstorm four-issue limited series from 1999.

NETFLIX - From Newsarama:  Netflix has released images from its upcoming first season of "Cursed," which is adapted from the young adult novel of the same name by writer Thomas Wheeler and artist Frank Miller.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics shipping on Tuesday, May 5th and Tuesday May 12th.

COMICS - From Newsarama:   The site has confirmed that other comic book publishers have inquired with new comic book publisher, Lunar (owned by Discount Comic Book Service), about publishing their titles.

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  DC Comics shipping for May 19 and May 26, 2020.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics explains why Tuesday is the new on-sale date for their comics publications.

IN MEMORIAM - From CBR:  Longtime comic book inker, Juan Vlasco, died at the age of 51, Friday, April 24, 2020.  He had worked for both Marvel and DC Comics since the early 1990s, but he was best known for work for Marvel, especially on "Cable" and "Uncanny X-Men."

HISTORY - From CBR:  While cleaning out a closet, Todd McFarlane found a page of his original art that depicts the first appearance of the character, Venom.  From The Amazing Spider-Man #300, the page features the first full appearance of that character co-created by McFarlane and writer David Michelinie.

MARVEL - From Newsarama: (5/1) X-Men, Captain America, Fantastic Four, Wolverine, Spider-Woman, Gwen Stacy, Conan the Barbarian, and Star Wars that Marvel Comics will not be publishing over the next two months... and possible longer.

MARVEL - From Newsarama:  (5/1) Marvel Comics explains the reasons for its "measured" release schedule over the next two months.

DC DIGITAL - From Newsarama:  DC Comics announces its "Week 3" list of digital comics releases.

DIAMOND - From Newsarama:  Diamond Comic Distributors plans to release a "Previews" catalog with a revised comics shipping lists for May and June 2020.

MANGA - From ComicBook:  The "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" manga is set to end in Japan, with the last chapter scheduled to appear May 22nd in "Weekly Shonen Jump."  Koyoharu Gotouge is apparently keeping to his plan to create a tight four-year series.

DC COMICS - From Newsarama:  Classic "Green Lantern" comic book creative team, Ron Marz and Darryl Banks, reunited for new "Green Lantern" project.

DC CINEMA - From Newsarama:   Darren Criss, Zachary Quinto, and Alexandra Daddario will voice the lead characters in an all-new Superman film from Warner Bros. Animation, Superman: Man of Tomorrow.

DC COMIC-DIAMOND - From Newsarama:  DC Comics' exclusive distribution agreement with Diamond Comic Distributors seems to have ended almost 25 years to the day it began.

COMICS TO FILM - From Collider:  Rawson Thurber Marshall, the director of "Dodgeball: An Underdog Story," is in talks to direct a film adaptation of the "Mad Magazine" comic strip feature, "Spy vs. Spy."


APRIL 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze Media for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  Amigo Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  Devil's Due for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for April 2020
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for April 2020
From ComicsPit:  VIZ Media for April 2020

MAY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  A full-list of titles available for "Free Comic Book Day 2020" on May 2, 2020.
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Artists, Writers & Artisans for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Aspen for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Behemoth Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Black Mask Studios for May 2020
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for May 2020
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for May 2020 [REVISED]
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for May 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Complex for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Hero Tomorrow for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publihsing for May 2020
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for May 2020 [REVISED]
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Mad Cave Studios for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Storm King Productions for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Titan Comics for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for May 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for May 2020
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for May 2020

JUNE 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Archie Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for June 2020
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for June 2020 [REVISED]
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for June 2020 [REVISED]
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for June 2020
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for June 2020
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for June 2020 [REVISED]
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for June 2020 [REVISED]
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for June 2020 [REVISED]
From Newsarama:  Oni Press for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Source Point Press for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Vault Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertainment for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for June 2020
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for June 2020 [REVISED]

JULY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for July and August 2020
From Newsarama:  Behemoth Comics for July 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for July 2020
From BleedingCool:  Hero Collector for July 2020
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for July 2020
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for July 2020
From Newsarama:  VIZ Media for July 2020
From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for July 2020

AUGUST 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  Antarctic Press for July and August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  AWA for August 2020
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for August 2020
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for August 2020
From Seibertron:  IDW Publishing's "Transformers" solicitations for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for August 2020
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  PS Artbooks for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for August 2020
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for August 2020

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#IReadsYou Review: MY HERO ACADEMIA: Volume 18

MY HERO ACADEMIA, VOL. 18
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Kohei Horikoshi
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Caleb Cook
LETTERS: John Hunt
EDITORS: Mike Montesa; Jon Bae
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0437-8; paperback (April 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
184pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.

My Hero Academia is a Japanese superhero manga series written and illustrated by Kohei Horikoshi.  It has been serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump since July 2014.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of My Hero Academia as a series of graphic novels since 2015 under its “Shonen Jump” imprint.

The series is set in a world where, one day, people start manifesting superpowers called “Quirks.”  Some use their powers to commit crime, which creates the need for heroes.  If someone wants to be a superhero, he or she enrolls in the Hero Academy.  What would a person do, however, if he were one of the 20 percent born Quirkless?  Middle school student Izuku Midoriya has no chance of ever getting into the prestigious U.A. High School for budding heroes.  Then, Midoriya meets the greatest hero of them all, All Might, who gives him a chance to change his destiny…

As My Hero Academia, Vol. 18 (Chapters 158 to 167; entitled “Bright Future”) opens, the battle of the heroes against Chisaki Kai, a.k.a. “Overhaul, the leader of the secretive yakuza organization known as “Shie Hassaikai,” comes to a conclusion.  As Overhaul unleashes his terrible power, Midoriya is forced to push his power, “One for All,” to 100 percent.  No matter who wins, the League of Villains plots to capture samples of Overhaul's Quirk-killing drug.

Then, Katsuki Bakugo and Shoto Todoroki join Inasa Yoarashi and Seiji “Camie” Shishikura, two students from rival hero academy, Shiketsu High, for make-up licensing course training.  What will this quartet face in order to get closer to gaining their provisional hero licenses?  They will be shocked at the size of their challenge.

THE LOWDOWN:  The My Hero Academia manga is a Japanese superhero manga series that is quite similar to American comics in the way that it depicts superheroes and super-powers (called “Quirks” here, of course).  My Hero Academia is as powerful as the most powerful American superhero comic books.  And I am a huge fan.

My Hero Academia Graphic Novel Volume 18 is almost all battle manga, but not in the way that Vol. 17 was.  Like Vol. 16, Vol. 18 offers some character drama and some humor, and the battle, especially the fight that dominates the last four chapters of the volume, is a nice change of pace.  Vol. 17 was an ultimate superhero fight comic and also a shonen battle manga on steroids, and it washed over me like a tsunami, but Vol. 18 is a change of pace... for the most part.

Vol. 18 is a transitional volume, as most of the chapters that comprise it are about leading to what is the next big story arc.  Thus, Caleb Cook's translation and English adaptation are important in conveying the shifts in narration and the change of pace.  There is a good meeting of the minds between All Might and Endeavor (who is Shoto Todoroki's father), as Endeavor becomes the new #1 hero as All Might retires.  Cook captures the important moment in a way that is as intriguing as My Hero Academia's usual intrigue and conflict.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of superhero comics and of shonen battle manga will want to enroll at the “Shonen Jump” school, My Hero Academia.

A
8.5 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and  syndication rights and fees.



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#IReadsYou Review: SURFACING #3

SURFACING #3 (OF 3)
APPROBATION COMICS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: B. Alex Thompson – @ApproBAT
ART: Nenad Cviticanin
COLORS: Santtos
LETTERS: Krugos
EDITOR: John Ward and Denise Thompson
COVER/BACK COVER: Cesar Grego and Alivon Ortiz
32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. / $1.99 digital-comic (2018; digital release date – November 7, 2018)

Rated: “M” for Mature / 17+ Only (comiXology)

“A Promise of Home”

Surfacing is a three-issue comic book miniseries published by Approbation Comics.  Surfacing is a horror anthology, with each issue offering a different story based on a similar theme – a violent encounter with mermaid-like creatures (which are the subject of the four-issue miniseries, Surfacing: Depth Perceptions).  Surfacing is written by B. Alex Thompson; drawn by Nenad Cviticanin; colored by Santtos; and lettered by Krugos, with gorgeous cover art drawn by Cesar Grego and Alivon Ortiz.

Surfacing #3 (“A Promise of Home”) opens somewhere in the American West, sometime in the 1800s.  There and then, we meet Bennet Ramirez, Amos Parker, Kit Taylor, Zeke Breen, Elijah Hart, and Jasper Doolin.  They are a roving gang of armed stagecoach robbers.  After their latest... successful campaign they visit a small wild west town to cash in on their loot.

It seems that a traveling circus has also set up in that town, and Kit Taylor, considered a bit sanctimonious by some of his lot, visits the circus.  There, he discovers a wondrous and captivating creature, a being that will decide Kit's fate and that of his fellow thieves.

When I first prepared to read Surfacing #2, I did not know what to expect of it, especially after I had enjoyed Surfacing: Depth Perceptions so very much.  It turned out that I thoroughly enjoyed Surfacing #2, which was and is a truly exceptional single-issue comic book story.

Surfacing reminds me of dark fantasy anthology series like the classic  “The Twilight Zone” (1959 to 1964) and the 1980s “Tales from the Darkside.”  Both series feature stories set in the present, as well as in the past and the future.  Surfacing #3's “A Promise of Home” is set in the “Wild West” that is familiar to audiences via American “Western” films.

However, at its heart is a timeless tale of star-crossed lovers, in which the author somewhat downplays the fantasy and the horror fiction aspects of the story.  B. Alex Thompson, as he has done in some of his other anthology work (like his Amour series), depicts real human emotions and feelings in a fantastic setting and allows the humanity to dominate.

Artist Nenad Cviticanin delivers lovely art and excellent storytelling. Cviticanin's clean, “clear-line” style is evocative and focuses in on the most important aspects of the story.  He depicts the “American West” in a way that is recognizable to readers, but he saves his storytelling prowess for a truly powerful ending, with its love-at-first-sight angle.  The coloring by Santtos captures the strength of the story with subtlety and grace, and Krugos' lettering is gentle and effective.

Of course, I am crazy about the cover illustration by artists Cesar Grego and Alivon Ortiz, and I'd like to see more of their work.  Surfacing #3 makes me wish Thompson would produce more Surfacing, especially with this exceptional group of collaborators.

9 out of 10

Buy Surfacing #3 at comiXology.

www.ApprobationComics.com
www.AlexThompsonWriter.com

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


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: PLATINUM END: Volume 10

PLATINUM END, VOL. 10
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Tsugumi Ohba
ARTIST: Takeshi Obata
TRANSLATION: Stephen Paul
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
EDITOR: Alexis Kirsch
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1054-6; paperback (December 2019); Rated “M” for “Mature”
208pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Platinum End is a Japanese manga series written by Tsugumi Ohba and illustrated by Takeshi Obata.  It has been serialized in the manga magazine, Jump SQ, since November 2015.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a graphic novel series under its “Shonen Jump” imprint since late 2016.

Platinum End focuses on Mirai Kakehashi.  He attempts suicide by jumping from the roof of a building simply because he is tired of living.  Instead of dying, however, Mirai is saved by an angel named “Nasse.”  Through her, Mirai learns that 13 humans have been chosen as candidates to replace God, who plans to retire in 999 days.  Each candidate has a guardian angel, and Nasse is Mirai's, and the two have befriend another candidate/angel duo, Saki Hanakago and “Revel.”

As Platinum End, Vol. 10 (Chapters 32 to 36) opens, Kakehashi, Saki, and Minamikawa continue to search for other god candidates.  In a suburban house, they meet Shuji Nakaumi and Ogaro, the Angel of Darkness.  All Shuji wants to talk about, however, is committing suicide!  Plus, Minamikawa has a big announcement!

Meanwhile, police agent, Mr. Hoshi, and his subordinate, Ms. Yumiki, who are both secretly working with the god candidates, are at the center of a plan to gather all the remaining living candidates.  But no one knows who the sixth remaining candidate is.

THE LOWDOWN:  The Platinum End manga is another odd and alluring and oddly alluring manga from the mangaka super duo of writer Tsugumi Ohba and artist Takeshi Obata.  Their previous work includes the controversial Death Note and the illuminating industry insider manga, Bakuman。.

Platinum End Graphic Novel Volume 10, like Vol. 9, somewhat eschews the darkness and edginess of Vols. 7 and 8.  Ohba and Obata move the series away from the homicidal machinations of the murderous mastermind, Metropoliman.  They also offer a shocker when one of the angels reveals some information to the candidates that they need to know, but perhaps, should not know.  The creators also tease the sixth candidate, which is an example of why the more I read, the more I feel I have to keep reading

As usual, readers get another excellent translation by Stephen Paul that is filled with engaging dialogue that clearly conveys the new secrets revealed.  Also, the lettering by James Gaubatz deftly establishes conversational tone, and tone, as usual, turns out to be quite important here.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers looking for good comic books will want to read Ohba and Obata's latest “Shonen Jump” title, Platinum End.

A
9 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and  syndication rights and fees.



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#IReadsYou Review: GABRIEL DROPOUT: Volume 8

GABRIEL DROPOUT, VOL. 8
YEN PRESS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Ukami
TRANSLATION: Caleb D. Cook
LETTERS: Rochelle Gancio
ISBN: 978-1-9753-0847-6; paperback (April 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
130pp, B&W, $13.00 U.S., $17.00 CAN

Gabriel DropOut is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Ukami.  The series began serialization in ASCII Media Works' Dengeki Daioh G magazine in December 2013.  Yen Press is publishing an English-language edition of the manga in North America as a series of graphic novels under the title, Gabriel Dropout.

Gabriel Dropout focuses on Gabriel White Tenma, the top angel in her class.  She has descended from Heaven in order to attend high school and to guide humans to the correct path.  However, Gabriel has developed a video game addiction, slacks off, and hangs out with other angels and demons that have come to Earth.

As Gabriel Dropout, Vol. 8 (Chapters 58 to 63) opens, Gabriel learns that her worst nightmare is about to become a reality.  Her older sister, the powerful angel, Zeruel, is coming for a visit.  She is Angel Academy's most illustrious graduate ever.  Also known as “The Arm of God,” Zeruel is one of Heaven's mightiest weapons.  Zeruel has a brilliant mind, has looks beyond compare, is a force to be reckoned with... and she is coming to check up on her little sister, Gabriel.

Determined to hide that she is a slacker and video game addict, Gabriel has got a foolproof plan to deceive her older sister.  At least, Gabriel thinks she has a foolproof plan to deceive Zeruel...

[This volume includes bonus manga.]

The Gabriel Dropout manga is another new title to me.  My Yen Press rep included it in a batch of titles for review.

Gabriel Dropout Graphic Novel Volume 8 focuses mainly on the comic conflict between Gabriel and her older sister, Zeruel.  Ukami's art is a super-cute confection of super-deformed, chibi, and sparkles.  It could arouse feelings of “moe” in readers.  I found it pleasantly amusing, but it is not something that I would read on a regular basis.  As much as I like supernatural comedy manga, I think Gabriel Dropout is for a specific readership that likely does not include me.

But I think some readers' moe-dars are already onto it.

5 out of 10

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


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#IReadsYou Review: KORGI Book One: Sprouting Wings

KORGI (BOOK 1): SPROUTING WINGS
TOP SHELF PRODUCTIONS – @topshelfcomix

CARTOONIST: Christian Slade
ISBN:  978-1-891830-90-7; paperback with French flaps (May 2007)
88pp, B&W interiors; full-color, double-spread cover; $10.00 U.S.

Korgi (Book 1): Sprouting Wings is a 2007 original graphic novel from writer-artist Christian Slade.  A paperback original with black and white interior art, Sprouting Wings is the first in a series of five graphic novels featuring a young woman and her “Korgi” pup.  The Korgi series is a pantomime or wordless comic, in which the story is told without word balloons, sound effects, caption boxes, or any other kind of text.  The Korgi series is ostensibly a children’s and young readers series, but it is also an “all-ages” series that children, teenage, and adult readers can enjoy.

The fifth and final entry in the series, Korgi (Book 5): End of Seasons, is due for release some time in 2020 (as of this writing).  Christian Slade is a comic book creator and former animator for the Walt Disney Company, where he worked on the 2003 animated feature film, Brother Bear.

Korgi (Book 1): Sprouting Wings opens with an introduction from one of the book's characters, “Wart.”  He is a frog-like creature that wears what looks like one of the “sorting hats” from the Harry Potter book series.  Because Korgi's narrative is wordless, Wart's introduction provides readers with information on such things as the story's setting, environment, characters, creatures, and history.

The story opens in a faraway, pastoral land of woods, mountains, lakes, cliffs, and, of course, villages.  “Korgi Hollow” is a village that is the home of the land's last known “Korgis” (which seem like a breed of the dog type known as the “Welsh Corgi”).  Korgis live with their companions, the woodland people known as “Mollies” (humans).  According to Wart, the Korgis made the Mollies, who have little strength and very few smarts, a stronger and happier community.  Even standing on all four paws, some Korgis are as tall as the Mollies.

We meet a Korgi pup named “Sprout,” and his young female Mollie companion, “Ivy.”  While harvesting berries with the rest of the Mollies and Korgis, Sprout chases a flying insect.  When he does not return, Ivy goes looking for him.  After they reunite, Sprout and Ivy go on a great adventure and face many dangers.  The most dangerous is the monster who lives beyond Korgi Hollow, the gigantic “Gallump,” who wants to make a soup out of Sprout and Ivy.  Can the two escape Gallump and his minions and also keep them from finding the locations of Korgi Hollow?

THE LOWDOWN:  I first read Korgi (Book 1): Sprouting Wings thanks to a review “galley” copy I received from the book's publisher, Top Shelf, back in 2007.  I never got around to reading the books that followed in the series, but I meant to do so.  My 2007 review of Sprouting Wings turned out to be an enduring favorite with readers.

Christian Slade’s art recalls the pen and ink book illustration of the first half of the 20th century.  The art is drawn entirely in pencil art, with Slade using cross-hatching and line work to add exacting detail to the drawings of characters and settings.  Slade's art also has that gentle lamp-lit quality found in some of Walt Disney's animated features and short films.  I think this Disney-esque style is perfect for a children’s illustrated book or comic book.  I see Korgi (Book 1): Sprouting Wings being as much a picture book as it is a graphic novel.

Sprouting Wings' story has a tender hook – a young heroine and her pet playing in the safe magical woodland.  The thrills, drama, and conflict come from the danger lurking behind a tree, like “Creephog, the creature that is always spying on Sprout and Ivy.  The villains are dangerous enough and so imaginatively designed and illustrated as to interest a young reader.  In fact, the danger and thrills are considerably less intense than the content found in some of Walt Disney's most beloved and famous animated features.  Nothing in Korgi (Book 1): Sprouting Wings is as scary as the enormous black dragon into which Maleficent transforms in Sleeping Beauty (1959).

There is something about Korgi (Book 1): Sprouting Wings that I find attractive – something more than the prettiness of the art.  That something may be that Slade's illustrations make me think of J.R.R. Tolkien's beloved children's fantasy novel, The Hobbit (1937), which I have read more times than I can remember.  Heck, if you gotta remind a reader of something he loved as a child, there aren't too many better reminders than The Hobbit.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Comic book readers who enjoy all-ages comic books like Andy Runton's Owly series and also Jeff Smith’s Bone comic book and graphic novel series may also like Korgi (Book 1): Sprouting Wings.

A-
7.5 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.


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#IReadsYou Review: A CERTAIN MAGICAL INDEX Volume 21

A CERTAIN MAGICAL INDEX, VOL. 21
YEN PRESS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Chuya Kogino
ORIGINAL STORY: Kazuma Kamachi
CHARACTER DESIGNS: Kiyotaka Haimura
TRANSLATION: Andrew Prowse
LETTERS: Phil Christie
ISBN: 978-1-9753-3198-6; paperback (April 2020); Rated “T” for “Teen”
194pp, B&W, $13.00 U.S., $17.00 CAN

A Certain Magical Index is a Japanese light novel series written by Kazuma Kamachi and illustrated by Kiyotaka Haimura.  It has been published by ASCII Media Works (a brand company of Kadokawa Future Publishing) under their “Dengeki Bunko” imprint since April 2004.

A Certain Magical Index has been adapted into two manga series.  Chuya Kogino has adapted and illustrated the manga that is directly based on the novels.  Kogino's A Certain Magical Index began serialization in the May 2007 issue of Square Enix's Monthly Shonen Gangan.  Yen Press is publishing an English language adaptation of Kogino's manga as a graphic novel series, also entitled A Certain Magical Index.

A Certain Magical Index is set in a world where supernatural abilities exist.  Touma Kamijou is a high school student who has an unusual ability; his right hand is the “Imagine Breaker.”  It has the ability to negate any supernatural power, but it also negates Touma's own luck.  Touma lives in Academy City, a scientific marvel of the modern world where superhuman abilities are artificially cultivated and commonplace.  Touma meets an English nun named “Index,” or maybe she thinks she's a nun.  Touma's abilities and his relationship with Index prove dangerous to many entities that want to discover the secrets behind him, Index, and Academy City.

As A Certain Magical Index, Vol. 21 (Chapters 123 to 128) opens, protests against Academy City have broken out worldwide, and the never-ending tensions between the forces of magic and science escalate even further.  Who truly stands to benefit from the specter of conflict, and can anything be done to prevent the worst-case scenario?

Touma finds himself confronted by a mysterious old woman who turns out to be Monaka Oyafune, one of Academy City's board of directors.  She sends him on a mission to Avignon, France to discover who is really the mastermind behind the protests against Academy City.  Accompanied by his friend, Motoharu Tsuchimikado, and assisted by a young female magician, Itsuwa, Touma will find himself facing a most fierce enemy, Terra of the Left, a member of “God's Right Seat.”

I had never heard of the A Certain Magical Index manga, nor of the light novel series upon which it is based.  I had to learn about the series when my Yen Press media rep sent me a review copy of the manga.

A Certain Magical Index Graphic Novel Volume 21 is the one I received.  After some intense Internet research, including using Wikipedia and Google, I had some information on the series' publishing history, adaptations and mythopoeia.  I figured out enough to enjoy Vol. 21, and I can see how some readers would drawn into the complicated, complex, and multi-layered world of A Certain Magical Index, both light novels and manga.

I certainly enjoyed the art by Chuya Kogino, who both adapts the novels and draws the manga.  His multi-genre style is appropriate both for the action-fantasy elements of A Certain Magical Index and its comic moments.  I would read practically any manga Kogino illustrated.

The English translation by Andrew Prowse deftly conveys the large cast of characters and the multiple competing interests and conflicts.  I can say that Vol. 21 is good enough to make a new reader consider going back to the beginning of manga series, and giving it a try.

7 out of 10

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


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The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and  syndication rights and fees.


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#IReadsYou Review: WWE #1

WWE No. 1
BOOM! STUDIOS – @boomstudios

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Dennis Hopeless
ART: Serg Acuna
COLORS: Doug Garbark
LETTERS: Jim Campbell
EDITORS: Jasmine Amiri and Eric Harburn
COVER: Dan Mora
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jamal Campbell; Rob Guillory; Oliver Barrett; Adam Riches; Brent Schoonover; Scott Newman; Corbyn Kern; Daniel Warren Johnson; Mike Henderson; Fabio Valle; Nakia Mann; Audrey Mok; Jerry Gaylord
24pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S.(January 2017)

“Breaking of The Shield”

WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) is an American integrated media company and entertainment company known primarily as a professional wrestling league.  It is also a media and entertainment brand that includes licensed products like toys and clothing... and comic books.

As far as I can tell, the first WWE licensed comic books were first published a decade ago.  First, Titan Books of the United Kingdom published their wrestling comic book, WWE Heroes, with publication dates both in 2010 and 2011.  NBM Publishing, under its “Super Genius” imprint, published a comic book, WWE Superstars, with publication dates beginning in 2013 and possibly ending in 2016.

Beginning in 2016, BOOM! Studios published several “WWE” branded comic books, including an ongoing series, WWE, that ran for 25 issues from 2017 to 2019.  The main story in each issue of WWE was produced by the creative team of writer Dennis Hopeless; artist Serg Acuna; colorist Doug Garbark; and letterer Jim Campbell, as far as I can tell, for the duration of the series.

WWE #1 (“Breaking of The Shield”) opens with Seth Rollins, a member “The Shield,” one of the most dominant factions in WWE history, winning his latest match.  Seth, the ultimate opportunist, uses his victory to split with his partners in The Shield, Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose.  Seth apparently betrays his mates at the best of the legendary wrestler, “Triple H,” the self-styled “King of Kings” who is now the authority in control of WWE.

Now, Seth is eager to prove that he is ready to fight for the “WWE Championship,” but his ambition puts him on a collision course with his former brothers.  And just what are Triple H's plans for Seth Rollins... really?

I never thought I would say this, but I liked WWE #1.  I was a wrestling fan as a 'tween, but after that, I rarely watched any matches on television.  In the time since then, I have sometimes watched a few minutes of professional wrestling produced by the WWE (formerly the WWF) and a few other pro wrestling organizations.  I find myself mildly interested, but watching pro wrestling would mean cutting into time I give to other entertainment and pastimes.

WWE #1 interests me because writer Dennis Hopeless tells an intriguing tale in the worlds of professional sports and in the entertainment industry.  That is the story of an ambitious ladder-climber who will betray any and everyone for his shot at making it to the top.  Such blind ambition can get you what you want, but that sometimes comes at the cost of losing things, both exterior (friends, family, colleagues, etc.) and interior (self-respect, peace of mind, pride, etc.).  By telling such a story, Hopeless sets up the WWE's atmosphere both of intrigue and backstabbing and of hope and glory, which could make for an engaging comic book series.

Artist Serg Acuna captures the brawniness and vitality of the wrestlers and also the pro wrestlers' propensity to strike quickly at opponents and adversaries.  Acuna's compositions have energy and suggest a sense of movement, and that is well served by Doug Garbark's tone-perfect coloring.  Letterer Jim Campbell pounds out the story in lettering that smartly tends to hang at the edges of the panels.  This doubles the power of the story, which is told in muscular illustrations and in Hopeless' straightforward dialogue and exposition.

I am not saying that WWE #1 is great, but it is quite good.  The highest praise that I can give it is to say that I will seek out WWE back issues.

7.5 out of 10

[This comic book features the back-up story, “The New Day's Optimistic Odyssey” Part 2, written by Ross Thibodeaux; drawn by Rob Guillory; colored by Taylor Wells; and lettered by Jim Campbell.]

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


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.


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