Thursday, July 23, 2026

Original Graphic Novel, "THE WRATH OF KARAPACE," is Now Available at Amazon

Hi, It's Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You" (Patreon).  My first original graphic novel, THE WRATH OF KARAPACE: A BIG SPIRITS EPIC, which is published by Candle Light Press.  Co-created by Carter J. Allen, (Warning Comics), The Wrath of Karapace is now on sale at Amazon and Barnes and Noble online.  Also, have some milk and cookies while reading this wonderful graphic novel.

Other online shops that are selling "The Wrath of Karapace" include the following:

- AmazonUK;

Bookshop.org;

- ElmStreetBooks;

- the German book shop, OrrellFussli;

- Powells.com;

- Russell Books.com;

- SuperBookDeals.com;

Walmart online.

Of note, The Wrath of Karapace is also available on eBay from a few different sellers.

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"The Wrath of Karapace" also a "Google Books" listing.




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Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like these, BOOKS PAGE, GRAPHIC NOVELS, or MANGA PAGE and BUY something(s).


I Reads You Juniors: July 2026 - UPDATE #41

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like these, BOOKS PAGE, GRAPHIC NOVELS, or MANGA PAGE and BUY something(s).

TREATS - From AnotherCookie:  There is a new online cookie retailer. It is called "AnotherCookie?" and the cookies are delicious.

NEWS:

EN MEMORIAM - From CBR:  American comic book artist, Mitch Byrd, has died at the age of 63, Wednesday, July 22, 2026.  Born in Mississippi, Byrd broke into independent comics with his pencil art on the comic book series, "Cat and Mouse," which was written by Roland Mann and inked by fellow Mississippian artist, Steven Butler.  The 1992-launched DC Comics' series, "Guy Gardner," became "Guy Gardner: Warrior" with issue #17 (cover dated: February 1994).  Byrd began as the series' pencil artist and drew issues 17-25, 27-28, 30-31, #44 (the series' final issue), and the #0 issue.  Byrd had numerous credits with DC Comics, Marvel Comics, and various independent publishers.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From DeadlineDisney/Marvel Studios has dropped the first official trailer for "Avengers: Doomsday," which is due in theaters December 18, 2026.

MARVEL - From THR:  After nearly 90 years in New York, Marvel Comics is moving to Burbank, CA. One hundred employees have been asked to relocate by July 2027.  Also, veteran comics editor, Stephen Wacker, has been named Marvel’s new editor-in-chief.  He is replacing outgoing Marvel EiC, C.B. Cebulski, who has had the position since 2017.  Cebulski will still remain with Marvel.  He will be moving to Japan to spearhead the company’s push into manga and "Asia originals."

DC STUDIOS - From VarietyWarner Bros. has released the first footage from its upcoming film, "The Batman II," sequel to 2022's "The Batman."  However, the film's release date has been delayed again.  It has been moved from October 1, 2027 to February 28, 2028.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  Writer-artist Ngozi Ukazu is returning to Jack Kirby's "Fourth World" follow-up to her 2024 young adult graphic novel, "Barda."  Her new graphic novel is "Orion," is it now in bookstores and comic book shops.

DC STUDIOS - From TheWrap:  A number of pop culture news sites are reporting that actor Xolo Mariduena will return to play "Jaime Reyes/Blue Beetle" in director James Gunn's next Superman film, "Man of Tomorrow."  Mariduena played "Blue Beetle" in the film the 2023 DCEU film, "Blue Beetle."

From ComicBookMovieScartlett Johansson's role in "The Batman II" may be that of classic Batman villain, "Poison Ivy."  "The Batman II" is due October 1, 2027.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  Writer Jude Ellison S. Doyle talks about his new miniseries, "Clayface: Celebrity Dirt," which is drawn by Fran Galan and Patricio Delpeche.  "Clayface: Celebrity Dirt #1" is now available in print and digital.

DC STUDIOS - From ComicBookMovieDC Studios will not have a specific "Hall H" panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2026.

COMICS TO TV - From DeadlineStarz and Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson's G-Unit Film & Television will produce an television series based on "Bone Parish," a horror-crime comic book series by writer Cullen Bunn and artist Jonas ScharfBOOM! Studios, which published the comic book, will also serve as executive producers on the TV series,

BOOM STUDIOS - From ComicsBeatBOOM! Studios has acquired the comic book rights for the classic Nickelodeon cartoon series, "Invader Zim," that was created by Jhonen Vasquez.  BOOM will publish new comic books and reprint old ones.

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JUNE 2026 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Abrams for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  AMP Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Bad Idea Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Devil's Due Studios for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Drawn & Quarterly for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  HarperCollins for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal Magazines for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Hoffman International and Warrant Publishing for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Captain America" for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Massive Selects for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Midnight Factory for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion/2000 AD for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for June 2026
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for June 2026

JULY 2026 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Abrams for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  American Mythology for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  AMP Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Bad Idea for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Comics! The Magazine for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Cosmic Lion for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Absolute Batman #22" for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Superman" for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Devil's Due for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Drawn & Quarterly for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal Magazine for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Ignition Press for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics Todd McFarlane titles for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Iron Age Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Armageddon" for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Queen in Black" titles for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Massive for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Midnight Factory for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Part-Time Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Rae Media for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion/2000 AD for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Rekcah for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Red 5 Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Rocketship for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Ruptura Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Scholastic for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  SHP for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Storm King Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Udon Studios for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Warrant and Hoffman for July 2026
From BleedingCool:  Wise Acre Comics for July 2026

AUGUST 2026 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  American Mythology for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  AMP for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Asylum Press for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Bad Idea Comics for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dstlry for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Harper Alley for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Heavy Metal for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Ignition Press for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Invader Comics for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "Armageddon" titles for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "X-Men DNX" titles for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "Queen in Black" titles for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "What If" titles for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Massive for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Midnight Factory for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Reckah for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Rae Media for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  SHP Comics for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Titan Publishing for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Udon Entertainment for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Valiant Comics for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for August 2026
From BleedingCool:  Z2 for August 2026

SEPTEMBER 2026 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  AMP Comics for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  Antartic Press for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  Bad Idea for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  DC Comics "Wonder Woman Wonder War" titles for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Avengers Armageddon" titles for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Doctor Strange" related titles for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Queen in Black" titles for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' "X-Men DNX" titles for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion Comics for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  Rekcah Comics for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for September 2026
From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for September 2026

OCTOBER 2026 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for October 2026
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "DNX X-Men/Fantastic Four" titles for October 2026

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#IReadsYou Review: CONAN THE BARBARIAN #12

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #12 (2023)
TITAN COMICS/Heroic Signatures

STORY: Jim Zub
ART: Roberto de la Torre
COLORS: Diego Rodriguez
LETTERS: Richard Starkings and Tyler Smith of Comicraft
EDITOR: Chris Butera
COVER: Jeffrey Alan Love
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Stuart Sayger; Greg Broadmore; Jeffrey Alan Love
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2024)

Suggested for mature readers

“The Age Unconquered” Part IV: “Terror Undreamed Of!”

Conan the Cimmerian was born in the pulp fiction of Robert E. Howard (REH), first appearing in the magazine, Weird Tales (1932).  In 1970, Marvel Comics brought Conan to the world of comic books via the title, Conan the Barbarian. With only a few pauses, Conan comic books have been published for the better part of five decades.

Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures are the new producers of Conan comic books, and they launched a new Conan the Barbarian series in 2023.  The current story arc is written by Jim Zub; drawn by Roberto de la Torre; colored by Dean White and Diego Rodriguez; and lettered by Richard Starkings and Tyler Smith of Comicraft.  Entitled “The Age Unconquered,” this arc finds Conan's body and/or soul transported 80,000 years into the past

Conan the Barbarian #12 (“Terror Undreamed Of!”) opens with the horror of the Black Stone sarcophagus revealed.  Plunged tens of thousands of years in the past to the time known as the “Thurian Age,” Conan joined Kull of Atlantis (also known as “Kull the Conqueror”), Brule the Spear-slayer, and Kull's elite “Red Slayer” guards on Kull's journey to find the source of the darkness that threatens his kingdom.  Kull believed the source of the darkness to be in Atlantis, the land of his birth, but what they found first was the terrors of the abyss.

Now, Kull lies near death, and the specter of Atlantis' most hideous evil, the man who was known as “Kathulos” and is forever known as “Thulsa Doom,” emerges from his sarcophagus.  Jealous of the warrior-kings like Kull who emerged after his burial Thulsa Doom is determined to destroy Kull and once again conquer everything before him.  However, he must contend with a foe that is familiar to him, but one he did not expect to be present now.

THE LOWDOWN:  Titan Comics has been providing me with PDF copies of their publications for review for several years now.  Conan the Barbarian #12 is one of them.

I am so far behind in my reviews of Titan and Heroic Signatures' Conan the Barbarian comic book series that some of you, dear readers, already know what fate awaits Conan, Kull, and Brule.  However, I am enjoying my slow roll through the narrative wonders of writer Jim Zub.  Zub brings his third Titan Comics Conan the Barbarian story arc, “The Age Unconquered,” to a stunning close.  It is full of mystery, evil, stunning revelations, and a great duel, of course.

Artist Roberto de la Torre, with his haunted illustrations, offers storytelling that recalls the vintage wonders of weird fiction.  Roberto has made “The Age Unconquered” seem like a story out of a mysterious unknown “times past” with aesthetic elements and graphical styles that recall Frank Gazetteer, Al Williamson, and John Buscema.  It is not often that modern comics recall the hoary pulpy prose of Weird Tales, but Jim and Roberto pull that off.

Diego Rodriguez's colors enhance the Stygian and infernal wonders of this third chapter of the arc.  It is a dazzling display of comics coloring.  I love that Richard Starkings and Tyler Smith's lettering completes the classic comic book vibe because whenever I see Comicraft letting, I know that I am really experiencing the true spirit of comic books.

“The Age Unconquered” ends up being a nice change of pace for Conan the Barbarian.  I heartily recommend the third trade paperback volume of Titan's Conan, dear readers, because it collects this hugely enjoyable story.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Conan comic books absolutely must read Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures' Conan the Barbarian.

[This comic book includes the essay, “Conan, Cthulhu, and the Cosmic Horror of Robert E. Howard” the twelfth installment of Conan/Howard essays by Jeffrey Shanks.]

A
★★★★ out of 4 stars

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

"Conan the Barbarian #12" is collected in the trade paperback, "CONAN THE BARBARIAN: THE AGE UNCONQUERED VOL. 3," which is available at Amazon.

https://titan-comics.com/
https://twitter.com/ComicsTitan
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https://www.facebook.com/ComicsTitan


The text is copyright © 2025 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like these, BOOKS PAGE, GRAPHIC NOVELS, or MANGA PAGE and BUY something(s).


Wednesday, July 22, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: SAVAGE TALES #1

(GIANT-SIZED) SAVAGE TALES #1 (2026)
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: David Avallone
ART: Mariano Benitez Chapo; Pasqual Qualano; Sebastian Piriz
COLORS: Ome Remalante, Jr.
LETTERS: Jeff Eckleberry
COVER: Bjorn Barends
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Bjorn Barends
40pp, Color, $5.99 U.S. (April 2026)

Rated Teen+

Savage Tales is the title of an anthology comic book series that has been used by both Dynamite Entertainment and Marvel Comics (twice).  Dynamite recently brought its version back as a series of occasionally-published one-shots.

The 2026 edition of Savage Tales #1 has four short stories, all written by David Avallone, a master of the comics short story.  These stories feature Gullivar of Mars (“His War Chapter Four” drawn by Mariano Benitez Chapo); Red Sonja (“The Code” drawn by Pasqual Qualano); Allan Quatermain (“Allan Quatermain and the Invaders” drawn by Sebastian Piriz); and Vampirella (“The Old Country Trigger” drawn by Mariano Benitez Chapo).  All four stories are colored by Ome Remalante, Jr., and lettered by Jeff Eckleberry.

I will summarize and review each story individually.

THE LOWDOWN:  Since July 2021, the marketing department at Dynamite Entertainment has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is the 2026 edition of Savage Tales #1, which is one of several Savage Tales titles that I have reviewed.

Captain Gullivar of Mars: “His War: Chapter Four” by Avallone and Benitez-Chapo:

Captain Gullivar Jones is based on the character, Lt. Gulllivar Jones, that first appeared in the novel, Lieut. Gullivar Jones: His Vacation, which was written by Edwin Lester Arnold and was published in 1905.  Writer David Avallone has been reworking the character over the past few years.

“His War” finds Jones returned to Mars – 20 years after he left it to its fate – via his magic carpet, “Ditan Yunshu.  What he finds is a disaster, and his once “luminous princess” is now the embittered one-eyed Princess Heru.  Determined to fix all that went wrong because he left, Capt. Gullivar Jones must make a most amazing journey – one that may well become his final journey.

Avallone has a deft touch with vintage and classic characters, and because of author Edwin Lester Arnold's influence on the science fiction sub-genre, “planetary romance,” Gullivar Jones is both vintage and classic.  I thought “His War: Chapter Three” was Avallone's best work at that point in the serial, but for Chapter Four, I must use the phrase “blown away.”  I am honestly blown away by Chapter Four, which finds Avallone unleashing 16 pages of thrill, chills, and savage surprises.

Artist Benitez Chapo's storytelling is a two-fisted celebration of old-timey science fiction.  Chapo offers aggression, passion, and determination, and it all explodes off the pages thanks to Omi Remalante, Jr's raw coloring.  The experience of reading this reminds me of why I like comics because Avallone and Chapo left me feeling dazed.  I felt cross-eyes after reading this true adventure gem.

Red Sonja: “The Code” by Avallone and Qualano:

“The Code” opens in the city of “Bukhrosha” on the evening of the second day of the “Bukhroshan Revolution.”  A man referring to himself as a merchant hires Red Sonja to get him out of the city, which is in the throes of a murderous rampages against the nobility.  But there is more to this merchant's story, and it will test the She-Devil with a Sword's fidelity to “the code.”

David Avallone is good at Red Sonja – really damn good.  When I read his Sonja stories, I feel the experience of reading about a genuine female character with as much depth of character and emotion as she has skill with a blade.  Pasqual Qualano's beautiful art and storytelling is clever, brutal, and lethal without slathering on violence.  I enjoyed the hell out of reading “The Code.”

"Allan Quatermain and the Invaders” by Avallone and Piriz:

The story opens in June 1932 aboard the cargo vessel, the “SS Cyclops.”  There, Marlowe, a passenger, tells the ship's captain a tale of the legendary English big game hunter whose adventures occur in southern Africa.  Marlowe's tale is one told to him by a World War I German soldier whose military unit finds itself in conflict with that great hunter, Allan Quatermain, after they seek refuge in his South African estate.

“Allan Quatermain and the Invaders” is one of the best stories featuring the character that I have ever read.  Once again, Avallone proves that he is as deft with Victorian characters as he is with vintage American pulp characters.  Sebastian Piriz's art creates a ghost story so potent that I thought I was being dragged into the Germans' tragic fate.  What a powerful tale, y'all.  I'm horny for it.

Vampirella: “The Old Country Trigger” by Avallone and Benitez-Chapo:

“The Old Country Trigger” opens in New York City where NYPD Officer Ana Reyes seeks help from Vampirella.  The target is John Trigger a.k.a. “The Old Country Trigger,” and he's a vampire.  Officer Reyes wants Vampirella's help in destroying Trigger, but, of course, it is going to be just a tad bit more complicated than even Vampirella expects.

Avallone and Mariano Benitez-Chapo do the buddy-cop thing with “The Old Country Trigger,” and honestly, I'd like to see Vampirella and Ana Reyes team-up again.  Here, writer and artist are macabre dance partners in producing this delightful performance of dark fantasy storytelling.  In fact, I could see it in a longer form as a graphic novel.  They give this narrative, the characters, and the settings room to breath and to move and groove.  This is a gem of a short story.

If I had to reluctantly pick my favorite story in Savage Tales #1 (2026), it would indeed be a reluctant process.  As I don't have to, let's have fun with it, dear readers.  I'm going with “Allan Quatermain and the Invaders” as my favorite in this box of dazzling tales.  Still, I think you, dear readers, should buy a copy of this comic book and decide for yourself.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of anthology comic books who are looking for a collection full of great stories will want to read Savage Tales #1 (2026).

A+
10 out of 10

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


https://x.com/DynamiteComics
https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/
https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment


The text is copyright © 2026 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like these, BOOKS PAGE, GRAPHIC NOVELS, or MANGA PAGE and BUY something(s).

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Tuesday, July 21, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: BATMAN #1

BATMAN (2025) #1
DC COMICS

STORY: Matt Fraction
ART: Jorge Jimenez
COLORS: Tomeu Morey
LETTERS: Clayton Cowles
EDITOR: Rob Levin
COVER: Jorge Jimenez
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jim Lee and Scott Williams with Tomeu Morey; Marc Silvestri with Arif Prianto; J. Scott Campbell with Tanya Lehoux; Frank Quitely; Gabriele Dell'Otto; Julian Totino Tedesco; Stanley “Artgerm” Lau; Andy Kubert with Steve Firchow; David Aja; Jorge Jimenez; Jim Lee and Scott Williams
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S., (November 2025)

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

Rating: 13+

“Vast Colors in the Dark”

DC Comics recently relaunched its Batman flagship comic book series – the third time in 14 years.  It is written by Matt Fraction; drawn by Jorge Jimenez; colored by Tomeu Morey; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.  DC is pushing the series as the dawn of new era in Batman comic books.

Batman #1 (“Vast Colors in the Dark”) finds Batman at Arkham Towers in the wake of Killer Croc's latest escape.  Croc's physician, Dr. Zeller, urges patience on the part of Batman, but he has too much experience with Croc's acts of violence to buy into what the good doctor is saying.

Meanwhile, Vandal Savage, the new commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department, is making changes in the department – changes that may not be good for Batman.  Plus, there is a Robin in trouble.

THE LOWDOWN:  For years, I had a subscription to DC Comics' Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? ongoing comic book series.  It was quietly canceled within the last year, but I had 14 issues left in my subscription.  Midtown Comics in NYC, which manages DC Comics' subscriptions, gave me the option of choosing any new DC title I wanted to continue my subscription, so I chose Batman – just in time for this new era.

I am not going to dig deeply into this new Batman #1, which is only the fourth Batman #1 issue.  It follows Bill Finger, Bob Kane, and Jerry Robinson's Batman #1, cover dated Spring 1940; Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo's Batman #1, cover dated November 2011; and Tom King and David Finch's Batman #1 cover dated August 2016.

Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenez's Batman #1 reminds me of Snyder-Capullo's Batman #1 in that both are fresh starts and are different in terms of narrative and graphic aesthetic from their contemporary Batman titles.  Matt Fraction's script also gives this debut issue and its star, Batman, a jolt of energy that suggests both the very modern and the near future in terms of setting.  This is similar to what writer Grant Morrison brought to the first arc of his 2009-launched Batman & Robin series (which was collected in the Batman Reborn trade.  I imagine Fraction's biggest and most shocking twists and turns and re-imaginations will be revealed over the coming year, at least.

Thus, the real sense of newness comes from artist Jorge Jimenez and colorist Tomeu Morey.  Their vibrantly illustrated first issue is as the chapter title of this first issue suggests, “Vast Colors in the Dark.”  The team of Jimenez and Morey visually and aesthetically create a sense of amazing things to come in a fashion similar to what the team of Frank Miller, Klaus Janson, and Lynn Varley brought to Batman: The Dark Knight Returns Book One.

I'm not saying that the Fraction-Jimenez Batman #1 is Batman: DKR, but you never know.  I simply felt excitement as I read this first issue.  This first issue is promising or, at the very least, hints at great things to come for our eyes and for our imaginations.  I have a subscription so I will be back.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Batman comic books will want to read Batman 2025.

A

[This comic book includes a five-page preview of “DC KO” from writer Scott Snyder; artist Javi Fernandez; colorist Alejandro Sanchez; and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhadu.]

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

A Kindle edition of BATMAN #1 is available at Amazon. The trade and hardcover editions of the first story arc of this series are available for pre-order at Amazon.


https://www.dccomics.com/
https://twitter.com/DCComics
https://www.facebook.com/dccomics
https://www.youtube.com/user/DCEntertainmentTV
https://www.pinterest.com/dccomics/
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The text is copyright © 2025 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

---------------------

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like these, BOOKS PAGE, GRAPHIC NOVELS, or MANGA PAGE and BUY something(s).


Thursday, July 2, 2026

#IReadsYou Review: SPACE GHOST Volume 1 #6

SPACE GHOST VOL. 1 #6
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: David Pepose
ART: Jonathan Lau
COLORS: Andrew Dalhouse
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito
EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt
COVER: Francesco Mattina
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jae Lee with June Chung; Bjorn Barends; Anthony Marques and J. Bone
32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (October 2024)

Rated “Teen”

“Two Against Moltar!”

Space Ghost is a superhero character created by the American animation studio and production company, Hanna-Barbera Productions.  The character first appeared in the Saturday morning cartoon series, “Space Ghost,” which was originally broadcast on CBS from September 1966 to September 1967 for 20 episodes.

In his original incarnation, Space Ghost was a superhero whose base of operations was a small world known as “Ghost Planet.”  He fought super-villains in outer space with his teen sidekicks, Jan and Jace, and their monkey, Blip.  His main weapons were power bands he wore around his wrists and lower arms; the bands fired off multiple energy beam-based attacks, including heat, cold, and force, to name a few.  Space Ghost could also fly, survive in space, and turn invisible (his “Inviso Power”).  He also had a space ship known as “the Phantom Cruiser.”

Space Ghost sporadically appeared in various comic book publications over a fifty year period.  Dynamite Entertainment has just launched a new Space Ghost comic book as part of its licensing agreement with Warner Bros.  Entitled Space Ghost Volume 1, it is written by David Pepose; drawn by Jonathan Lau; colored by Andrew Dalhouse; and lettered by Taylor Esposito.  In the new series, twins Jan and Jace Keplar and their pet monkey, Blip, meet that legendary cosmic vigilante known as “the Space Ghost.”

Space Ghost Volume 1 #6 (“Two Against Moltar!”) opens in the wake of the events in Zorak's lair on Grax-3.  Jace feels mentally shattered by the tough choice he had to make in that battle with religious zealot.  Now, Space Ghost and Jan fight as a duo, while Jace has decided that he no longer wants to be in on the action and violence.

Meanwhile, Robo-Corp is working hard to keep the forces of the Galactic Federation busy and distracted.  To that end, Robo-Corp's CEO, Doctor Xander Ibal, has decided to assist their heaviest hitter, Moltar, in his quest for vengeance against Contra Industries.  That Moltar's attack on Contra can gain Ibal access  to “Lucidium crystals” is an unexpected bonus.  Will Space Ghost and Jan alone be enough to stop the fiery, molten insanity of Moltar?

THE LOWDOWN:  Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  Space Ghost Volume 1 #6 is the latest.

Writer David Pepose and artist Jonathan Lau are creating a true heir to Hanna-Barbera's original “Space Ghost” television series.  They have fashioned a kind of sci-fi, outer space, Film-Noir sensibility to add to the original production's moody and ominous atmosphere.  Pepose and Lau have brought freshness and newness to Space Ghost without resorting to a reboot.  There are no dark and gritty theatrics of the kind that have plagued modern comic books ever since Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and Watchmen made the industry's balls drop nearly four decades ago.

Space Ghost #6 is a special issue because the authors have seriously considered the trials and tribulations of a child soldier without turning Space Ghost into an episode of “Frontline.”  This issue brings some threads from the first story arc to a close, nicely, I must say.  As usual, Andrew Dalhouse's lovely colors add the perfect moody haunted tones, and letterer Taylor Esposito once again adds the fuel to make it all burn, baby, burn.

I'm having a blast reading Space Ghost Volume 1, dear readers.  I want this for you, too.  This Space Ghost is super, man.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Dynamite Entertainment's Warner Bros. comic book series will want to read Space Ghost Volume 1.

A

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

"SPACE GHOST #5" is reprinted in the collection, "SPACE GHOST, VOL 2 (2024): BEWARE THE COUNCIL OF DOOM," which is available from Amazon in paperback, hardback, and Kindle editions.

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