#IReadsYou Review: INVINCIBLE RED SONJA #4

[Note on the cover art: As far as I could find out, the numbering is wrong and this is cover of "The Invincible Red Sonja #4.]

THE INVINCIBLE RED SONJA #4
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
ARTIST: Moritat
COLORS: Matt Carter
LETTERS: Dave Sharpe
EDITOR: Matt Idleson
COVER: Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Joseph Michael Linsner; Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts; Celina;
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2021)

Rated Teen+

Red Sonja is female high fantasy and sword and sorcery hero.  She first appeared in Conan the Barbarian #23 (cover dated February 1973) and was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith.  Red Sonja was loosely based on “Red Sonya of Rogatino,” a female character that appeared in the 1934 short story, “The Shadow of the Vulture,” written by Conan the Cimmerian's creator, Robert E. Howard.

In 2005, Dynamite Entertainment began publishing comic books featuring differing versions of the character.  One of those is The Invincible Red Sonja.  It is written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti; drawn by Moritat; colored by Matt Carter; and lettered by Dave Sharpe.  In this recently launched series, Red Sonja finds herself on a spectacular journey filled with pirates, mermaids, princesses, and political intrigue as the fate of two kingdoms hangs in the balance.

As The Invincible Red Sonja #4 opens, the She-Devil with a Sword watches as Bahira Yakootah, the Lord of Thieves, summons demons from molten lava in his mission to kill the King of Erkhara.  In her bid to stop him, however, Red Sonja, commits a fatal act that determine her fate.  Now, death descends on Erkhara, Erkhara destabilizes, and Sonja may find herself even worse off.

THE LOWDOWN:  Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department recently began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is The Invincible Red Sonja #4, which is the first issue of the series that I have read, but this is not my first experience with the character.  I have actually read various Red Sonja titles over my time as a comic book fan, including a few recently published by Dynamite.

Under a gorgeous cover drawn by Amanda Conner and colored by Paul Mounts, Conner and Palmiotti deliver a surprisingly rousing story.  Although it is but one part of a story arc, this fourth chapter is quite entertaining by itself.  This is one of the best Red Sonja comic books that I have ever read, and I am certainly enjoying this more than I do Conner and Palmiotti's Harley Quinn comic books.

Moritat's illustrations remind me of the art of the late Vaughn Bode.  Moritat's graphical storytelling is over the top in a way a Red Sonja or Conan the Barbarian comic book should be, and the characters' emotions also leap off the page.  Matt Carter's colors give the story some edge and also seem to quicken the pace of the story, along with Dave Sharpe's letters.

Honestly, I did not expect much from The Invincible Red Sonja #4, but now, I gotta have more.  It's like my sword and sorcery crack.  I'd do anything … for another issue.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Red Sonja comic books will want to read The Invincible Red Sonja.

A

★★★★ out of 4 stars

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


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DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 17, 2020

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MAR200521    BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #13    $3.99
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MAR200543    HAWKMAN #24    $3.99
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Review: PLASTIC MAN #1

PLASTIC MAN No. 1 (OF 6)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Gail Simone
ART: Adriana Melo
COLORS: Kelly Fitzpatrick
LETTERS: Simon Bowland
EDITOR: Kristy Quinn
COVER: Aaron Lopresti
VARIANT COVER: Amanda Conner with Dave Johnson
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2018)

Rated “T+” for “Teen Plus”

Plastic Man created by Jack Cole

Plastic Man is a DC Comics superhero, but the character was originally the property of now-defunct publisher, Quality Comics.  Plastic Man was created by cartoonist, Jack Cole, and first appeared in Quality's Police Comics #1 (cover dated: August 1941).  One of the first characters to incorporate humor in superhero comics storytelling, Plastic Man was a criminal named Patrick “Eel” O'Brian, a criminal who was part of a burglary ring.

During a heist, Eel was exposed to a chemical that entered his bloodstream and caused a radical physical change.  Eel's body now had all of the properties of rubber, and he could stretch, bounce, and mold his body into any shape.  Eel created a red, black, and yellow (later red and yellow) rubber costume and began capturing criminals as the superhero, Plastic Man.

Plastic Man and his origin are the subjects of a new six-issue comic book miniseries from DC Comics.  Plastic Man is written by Gail Simone; drawn by Adriana Melo; colored by Kelly Fitzpatrick; and lettered by Simon Bowland.

Plastic Man #1 opens with petty thug Eel O'Brian getting a beating from three fellow thugs:  Sammy “Suitcase” Mizzola (the ringleader), “Brutal” Benny Turlin, and “Dizzy” Darren Fitzroy.  Eel is angry that he did not get a cut of a recent burglary and that a security guard was killed, but something has changed since the burglary.  Eel is supposed to be dead, and coming back from the dead has angered Sammy.  What Sammy doesn't know is that Eel has come back really different.  He's Plastic Man!  But even Eel himself is in for a shock about what actually happened that night of the burglary.

Over its 80-plus years of existence, DC Comics, in its various incarnations, has gobbled up a number of characters that did not originate with it.  The publisher really has not done much with some of those characters, except make them lesser than the original incarnations.  Shazam/Captain Marvel is one of them.  Plastic Man is another.

I think Kyle Baker, who wrote and drew 20 issues of a Plastic Man (2004-2006) for DC, is one of the few comics creators that have captured the craziness and surrealism of Jack Cole's original Plastic Man comics. [Cole's Plastic Man comics are worth your efforts to find them in reprint or archival form.]  Gail Simone and Adriana Melo are not among them.

That's okay, really.  Plastic Man 2018 is an attempt to normalize an abnormal character so that it fits in with the uniformity of the “DC Universe.”  Simone drains Plastic Man of his inherent zaniness, and the art team of illustrator Adriana Melo and colorist Kelly Fitzpatrick bleeds the graphical wackiness and color right out of the character.  Even Simon Bowland's lettering comes across as mechanical, although it isn't.  This work is not bad; individually, the contributors deliver the inoffensively average.

The result is a professionally produced comic book that is the reading equivalent of a cauliflower and mayonnaise sandwich on white bread with the crust removed.  Flavorless Flav!

5 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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Review: THE JETSONS #1

THE JETSONS No. 1 (OF 6)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Jimmy Palmiotti
ART: Pier Brito
COLORS: Alex Sinclair
LETTERS: Dave Sharpe
COVER: Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts
VARIANT COVER: Dave Johnson
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2018)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“Meet the Jetsons”

“The Jetsons” was an animated situation comedy produced by Hanna-Barbera.  It originally aired during prime time from September 1962, to March 1963 for 24 episodes on ABC.  “The Jetsons” titular family was Hanna-Barbera's Space Age counterpart to “The Flintstones,” a TV series in which the family lives in a Stone Age-like world.  The Jetsons live in the futurist Orbit City, where the buildings hover far above the surface of Earth.

The family was George Jetson (the main character), a loving family man; Jane Jetson, George's wife, mother of their two children, and a homemaker; Judy Angela Jetson, their 16-year-old daughter and a high school student; Elroy Jetson, their highly-intelligent six and a half year old son.  The lead cast also included Rosie, the Jetsons' household robot, whom the family loves and will not replace although she is an outdated model.  Astro is the Jetsons' family dog and is Elroy's best buddy and one of George's best pals.

DC Comics has been reinventing and re-imagining classic Hanna-Barbera Saturday morning cartoons in new comic book series since early 2016, the best example being Scooby Apocalypse, which is “Scooby-Doo, Where Are You?” with a sci-fi, monster apocalyptic twist.  “The Jetsons” are re-imagined in the new six-issue miniseries, The Jetsons.  It is written by Jimmy Palmiotti; drawn by Pier Brito; colored by Alex Sinclair; and lettered by Dave Sharpe.

The Jetsons #1 opens in a post-apocalyptic world.  The family is still comprised of George Jetson; his boy, Elroy; daughter, Judy; and Jane, his wife.  And their home is still located in a city that floats above the surface, but in this alternate Jetsons scenario, the surface of the Earth is entirely water.  Jane is no longer a homemaker, she is a scientist and she has bad news about the fate of the planet for her fellow scientists at the International Space Station.  This scenario also presents Elroy as older, and he and his friend, Lake Cogswell, are about to start something big.

Although this version of “The Jetsons,” is set in a darker, apocalyptic world, writer Jimmy Palmiotti and artist Pier Brito present a bright and colorful future that is closer to the future scenarios presented in DC Comics titles in the 1960s and 1970s.  Alex Sinclair's colors accentuate this hopeful future of helpful technology that makes that aftermath of “extinction level events” and apocalypse quite livable.

The Jetsons is similar in tone to the settings of the happy 1950s to early 1960s family sitcoms that are now a staple of digital sub-channels like MeTV and AntennaTV.  Apparently, the nuclear family can survive decades (and centuries) of social change, societal upheaval, and the end-of-the-world.  In the end, the nuclear family rocks the casbah and the apocalypse.  And, if the first issue is any indication, those pesky brown people and darkies still barely register (although there are hints of things ominous beneath the waves and in the past).

Still, The Jetsons is an enjoyable read.  I have learned not to expect much from DC's Hanna-Barbera reboots/re-imaginations, and that makes it easier to separate the good, the bad, and the ugly and to also appreciate the really good.  So far, The Jetsons are good enough to earn a second look.

6 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica #1

HARLEY & IVY MEET BETTY & VERONICA No. 1 (OF 6)
DC COMICS – @DCComics @ArchieComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Paul Dini and Marc Andreyko
ART: Laura Braga
COLORS: Tony Avina and Arif Prianto
LETTERS: Deron Bennett
EDITOR: Kristy Quinn
COVER: Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts
VARIANT COVERS: Adam Hughes
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2017)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“Costume Drama” Part One

DC Comics villain, Harley Quinn, originated as a character on the animated television series, “Batman: The Animated Series” (FOX Network, 1992).  Created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm, Harley debuted in the episode “Joker’s Favor” (September 11, 1992), as a female sidekick of The Joker and his eventual accomplice.  Harley made her first comic book appearance in The Batman Adventures #12 (cover dated: September 1993), DC Comics’ comic book spin-off of the animated series.

Poison Ivy (whose real name is Pamela Lillian Isley) is a DC Comics supervillain and an adversary of Batman.  Created by Robert Kanigher and Sheldon Moldoff, Poison Ivy first appeared in Batman #181 (June 1966).  Beginning in “Batman The Animated Series,” Poison Ivy has been depicted as a close associate and girl pal of Harley Quinn's, probably beginning with the “Batman: The Animated Series” episode “Harley & Ivy” (1993).

Betty Cooper and Veronica Lodge are better known as Archie's Girls Betty and Veronica in the world of Archie Comics.  Betty first appeared in Pep Comics #22 (cover dated: December 1941) and Veronica first appeared in Pep Comics #26 (cover dated: April 1942).  The duo are depicted as “best friends and worst enemies” (the original frenemies?) mainly because Veronica, the spoiled daughter of a wealthy man, has been Betty's rival for Archie Andrews affections since she debuted 75 years ago.

DC Comics' Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy and Archie Comics' Betty and Veronica come together in the new six-issue crossover comic book, Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica.  This comic book series is written by Paul Dini and Marc Andreyko; drawn by Laura Braga; colored by Tony Aviña and Arif Prianta; and lettered by Deron Bennett.

Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica #1 opens with Hiram Lodge, businessman and industrialist (and Veronica's father), announcing his intention to turn the Riverdale wetlands reserve, Sweetwater Swamp, into a new development.  That development will include the free college, “Lodge University,” and the “shopping, dining, and entertainment destination, “Lodge's Sweetwater Centre.”

Meanwhile, in Gotham City, Poison Ivy isn't taking the announcement of Lodge's plans with any happiness, because she says that Sweetwater Swamp is a unique ecosystem that is home to rare species of plants.  With Harley Quinn in tow, Poison Ivy heads to Riverdale to stop Hiram Lodge.  What these villainous anti-heroines don't realize is that the trip will reveal two rivals who may be more than a match for them, Betty & Veronica.

I am a longtime Archie Comics fan, so I like Betty & Veronica, of course, with a preference for Betty Cooper.  I have mixed feelings, however, for Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy; I can take them or leave them, depending upon the work in which they appear.  And I can leave this comic book.

Yes, Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica is written by two accomplished writers; one of them is the co-creator of Harley and is an Emmy-winning television writer-producer, Paul Dini.  On the other hand, I have found much of Paul Dini's comic book output to be mediocre work, as this seems to be.  I will admit that this comic book has potential, but this first issue is average comic book product.

The art is mediocre, too; artist Laura Braga seems to be doing some kind of unfortunate copy of the style of comic book artist, Adam Hughes, the creative force behind the current Betty & Veronica comic book.  The coloring here represents the bad side of comic book coloring software; the coloring looks like smudged pastels, spoiled milkshakes, and faded candy-coated paint.

I know there is an audience for this, but for two such venerable characters (Betty & Veronica) and two such popular modern characters (Harley & Ivy), a better effort than Harley & Ivy Meet Betty & Veronica #1 should have been made.

4.5 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: THE KAMANDI CHALLENGE #3

THE KAMANDI CHALLENGE No. 3 (OF 12)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jimmy Palmiotti
ART: Amanda Conner
COLORS: Paul Mounts
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Ben Caldwell
VARIANT COVER: Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2017)

Rated “T” for Teen

Kamandi created by Jack Kirby

“Bug in Your Ear”

Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth was a comic book series created by Jack Kirby and published by DC Comics.  Running from 1972 to 1978, the series starred Kamandi, a teenaged boy in a post-apocalyptic future.  In this time, humans have been reduced back to savagery in a world ruled by intelligent, highly evolved animals.

Kamandi, The Last Boy on Earth #1 (cover dated: October 1972) opens some time after a huge event called “The Great Disaster,” which wiped out human civilization.  In “Earth A.D.” (After Disaster), many animals have become humanoid, bipedal, and sentient, and also possess the power of speech. These newly intelligent animal species have equipped themselves with weapons and technology salvaged from the ruins of human civilization and are constantly at war in a struggle for territory.

The world of Kamandi returns in the DC Comics miniseries, The Kamandi Challenge, bringing together 14 teams of writers and artists.  Each issue will end with an cliffhanger.  The next creative team will resolve that cliffhanger left behind by the previous creative team, before creating their own story and cliffhanger, which the next creative team after them will have to resolve... and so on.  The third issue of The Kamandi Challenge is written by Jimmy Palmiotti; drawn by Amanda Conner; colored by Paul Mounts; and lettered by Clem Robins.

The Kamandi Challenge #3 (“Bug in Your Ear”) opens after Kamandi escaped from Tiger City, but now, he is plunging to his death.  He is rescued by two “Savage Bats” and taken to the “God Watchers.”  Kamandi may start to regret being rescued because the God Watchers think that he is a messenger from their god.

“Bug in Your Ear” follows the cliffhanger that ended issue #2's “Nuclear War.”  The Kamandi Challenge #2 was a fun read, but I thought that it lacked the punch of either of the two stories published in The Kamandi Challenge #1.  The Kamandi Challenge #3 is different; it is both fun to read and it has punch.  It has the elements of a morality tale and is surprisingly thoughtful, and it acts like a series of cliffhangers, big and small.  Some cliffhangers are based on action and threats, but some of the cliffhangers are based on choices that Kamandi will make from a moral or philosophical point of view.

I have been a fan of many of the stories that Jimmy Palmiotti has written, so I am saying good things about his work here with some favoritism.  Artist Amanda Conner and colorist Paul Mounts are a dream team.  Her drawings are always filled with nice background and environmental details that offer something new upon second and third viewings.  Mounts rich colors are simply eye candy, as they shimmer and even pop off the page.

Jack Kirby had a seemingly boundless imagination, and it will be hard for the creative teams in this series to come close to Kirby's vision.  At least, The Kamandi Challenge #3 shows some inventiveness, and it is the kind of issue that will keep me reading this series.

A-

[Afterword by Neal Adams]

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Review: JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. SUICIDE SQUAD #1

JUSTICE LEAGUE VS. SUICIDE SQUAD No. 1 (OF 6)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Joshua Williamson
ART: Jason Fabok
COLORS: Alex Sinclair
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: Joshua Fabok with Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVERS: Amanda Conner with Laura Martin; Gary Frank with Brad Anderson
40pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2017)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

The Justice League is the greatest superhero team in the world (at least, in the DC Comics universe).  The Suicide Squad is the deadliest team of super-powered individuals on the planet.  Now, these two teams clash in DC Comics' event, crossover miniseries, Justice League vs. Suicide Squad.  Published weekly, this series is written by Joshua Williamson; drawn by Jason Fabok; colored by Alex Sinclair; and Rob Leigh.

Justice League vs. Suicide Squad #1 opens in Death Valley, California for some deadly doings at The Catacombs, the most top secret prison in the world.  But the main action is in the nation of Badhnisia.  That is where we find Deadshot, Captain Bommerang, El Diablo, Enchantress, Killer Croc, Killer Frost, and Harley Quinn.  They are Amanda Waller's “Task Force X,” also known as “Suicide Squad,” and they are there to stop a super-powered zealot from destroying the nation as part of some kind of vague, but ominous religious rite.

The execution of said mission draws the attention of the Justice League:  Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, Flash, and Green Lantern-Simon Baz and Green Lantern-Jessica Cruz.  They are ready to shut Task Force X down for good.  Let's get ready to rumble!  Wait!  Another bad-ass group wants to join the fun.

I could be cynical about Justice League vs. Suicide Squad, but to be honest, I wanted to read this as soon as I heard about it.  So how is Justice League vs. Suicide Squad#1.  It's good with some nice slow boiling and building of tension, but it only teases the climax.  This first issue suggests that the entire six-issue series won't be padded with extraneous scenes in order to get to six issues – at least it seems that way.

It's OK to like this even if you aren't the biggest superhero comic book fan or reader.  C'mon, you know you want it.  The Justice League and the Suicide Squad were bound to tangle; it's only natural.  Also, series artist Jason Fabok is proving that he can handle drawing and storytelling in big superhero comics with big characters and even bigger stories, and I like looking at his art.  Hey, gotta run.  I have a few more issues of this series to read.

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 6, 2017

DC COMICS

JUN170379    ALL STAR BATMAN HC VOL 02 ENDS OF THE EARTH (REBIRTH)    $22.99
JUN170378    ALL STAR BATMAN TP VOL 01 MY OWN WORST ENEMY (REBIRTH)    $16.99
JUN170416    ASTRO CITY #47    $3.99
JUL170418    BANE CONQUEST #5 (OF 12)    $3.99
JUL170338    BATMAN #30    $2.99
JUL170339    BATMAN #30 VAR ED    $2.99
FEB170344    BATMAN ANIMATED GCPD ROGUES GALLERY AF 5 PACK    $175.00
JUN170392    BATMAN YEAR ONE DELUXE ED HC    $34.99
JUL170408    BOMBSHELLS UNITED #1    $2.99
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JUL170348    CYBORG #16    $3.99
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JUL178216    DARK NIGHTS METAL #1 (OF 6) 2ND PTG    $4.99
JUL170411    DASTARDLY AND MUTTLEY #1 (OF 6)    $3.99
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MAR170453    DC BOMBSHELLS HARLEY QUINN DELUXE STATUE    $200.00
JUL170350    DEATHSTROKE #23    $3.99
JUL170351    DEATHSTROKE #23 VAR ED    $3.99
JUN170364    DOOM PATROL #8 (RES) (MR)    $3.99
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JUL170360    GREEN ARROW #30    $2.99
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JUL170364    GREEN LANTERNS #30    $2.99
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JUL170372    HARLEY QUINN #27    $2.99
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MAY170342    HARLEY QUINN BY KESEL & DODSON DLX ED HC VOL 01    $29.99
JUL170424    INJUSTICE 2 #9    $2.99
JUL170378    JUSTICE LEAGUE #28    $2.99
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JUL170448    SHADE THE CHANGING GIRL #12 (MR)    $3.99
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JUN170386    SUICIDE SQUAD TP VOL 03 BURNING DOWN THE HOUSE (REBIRTH)    $16.99
JUL170392    SUPERMAN #30    $2.99
JUL170393    SUPERMAN #30 VAR ED    $2.99
JUN170420    SWEET TOOTH BOOK 01 (MR)    $24.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 3, 2017

DC COMICS

NOV160355    ABSOLUTE PREACHER HC VOL 02 (MR)    $150.00
MAR170264    AQUAMAN #22    $2.99
MAR170265    AQUAMAN #22 VAR ED    $2.99
MAR170354    BANE CONQUEST #1 (OF 12)    $3.99
MAR170355    BANE CONQUEST #1 (OF 12) VAR ED    $3.99
NOV169205    BATMAN #22 (THE BUTTON)    $2.99
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MAR170280    CYBORG #12    $3.99
MAR170281    CYBORG #12 VAR ED    $3.99
MAR170376    DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #26    $3.99
MAR170282    DEATHSTROKE #18    $2.99
MAR170283    DEATHSTROKE #18 VAR ED    $2.99
APR160439    DESIGNER SERIES CONNER HOLIDAY HARLEY QUINN AF    $28.00
APR160441    DESIGNER SERIES CONNER SUPERHERO HARLEY QUINN AF    $28.00
FEB170308    DOCTOR FATE TP VOL 03 FATEFUL THREADS    $16.99
MAR170447    EVERAFTER FROM THE PAGES OF FABLES #9 (MR)    $3.99
FEB170333    EVERAFTER FROM THE PAGES OF FABLES TP VOL 01 PANDORA (MR)    $16.99
MAR170380    FALL AND RISE OF CAPTAIN ATOM #5 (OF 6)    $2.99
MAR170383    FLINTSTONES #11    $3.99
MAR170384    FLINTSTONES #11 VAR ED    $3.99
FEB170310    FLINTSTONES AND JETSONS TP VOL 01    $12.99
MAR170290    GREEN ARROW #22    $2.99
MAR170291    GREEN ARROW #22 VAR ED    $2.99
MAR170294    GREEN LANTERNS #22    $2.99
MAR170295    GREEN LANTERNS #22 VAR ED    $2.99
MAR170302    HARLEY QUINN #19    $2.99
MAR170303    HARLEY QUINN #19 VAR ED    $2.99
MAR170370    INJUSTICE 2 #1    $2.99
MAR170371    INJUSTICE 2 #1 VAR ED    $2.99
MAR170308    JUSTICE LEAGUE #20    $2.99
MAR170309    JUSTICE LEAGUE #20 VAR ED    $2.99
MAR170318    NIGHTWING #20    $2.99
MAR170319    NIGHTWING #20 VAR ED    $2.99
MAR170448    SAVAGE THINGS #3 (OF 8) (MR)    $3.99
MAR170330    SUPERMAN #22    $2.99
MAR170331    SUPERMAN #22 VAR ED    $2.99
FEB170297    SUPERWOMAN TP VOL 01 WHO KILLED SUPERWOMAN (REBIRTH)    $16.99
NOV160368    WONDER WOMAN MOVIE WONDER WOMAN ON HORSEBACK DLX STATUE    $350.00
FEB170298    WONDER WOMAN TP VOL 02 YEAR ONE (REBIRTH)    $16.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 5, 2017

DC COMICS

FEB170179    AQUAMAN #20    $2.99
FEB170180    AQUAMAN #20 VAR ED    $2.99
JAN170377    BATGIRL & THE BIRDS OF PREY TP VOL 01 WHO IS ORACLE (REBIRTH    $16.99
FEB170191    BATMAN #20    $2.99
FEB170192    BATMAN #20 VAR ED    $2.99
JAN170389    BATMAN SUPERMAN HC VOL 06 UNIVERSES FINEST    $29.99
JAN170388    BATMAN SUPERMAN TP VOL 05 TRUTH HURTS    $16.99
FEB170197    CYBORG #11    $3.99
FEB170198    CYBORG #11 VAR ED    $3.99
FEB170262    DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS #25    $4.99
SEP160381    DC DESIGNER SER STARFIRE BY AMANDA CONNER STATUE    $130.00
OCT160345    DC ICONS CYBORG DELUXE AF (RES)    $45.00
OCT160344    DC ICONS DEATHSTROKE AF (RES)    $28.00
OCT160341    DC ICONS STATIC MILESTONE ACTION FIGURE (RES)    $28.00
OCT160342    DC ICONS SWAMP THING AF (RES)    $28.00
OCT160343    DC ICONS WONDER WOMAN AF (RES)    $28.00
FEB170199    DEATHSTROKE #16    $2.99
FEB170200    DEATHSTROKE #16 VAR ED    $2.99
JAN170391    EARTH 2 SOCIETY TP VOL 03 A WHOLE NEW WORLD    $16.99
FEB170332    EVERAFTER FROM THE PAGES OF FABLES #8 (MR)    $3.99
FEB170263    FALL AND RISE OF CAPTAIN ATOM #4 (OF 6)    $2.99
FEB170266    FLINTSTONES #10    $3.99
FEB170267    FLINTSTONES #10 VAR ED    $3.99
FEB170207    GREEN ARROW #20    $2.99
FEB170208    GREEN ARROW #20 VAR ED    $2.99
JAN170378    GREEN ARROW TP VOL 02 ISLAND OF SCARS (REBIRTH)    $16.99
FEB170211    GREEN LANTERNS #20    $2.99
FEB170212    GREEN LANTERNS #20 VAR ED    $2.99
FEB170219    HARLEY QUINN #17    $2.99
FEB170220    HARLEY QUINN #17 VAR ED    $2.99
FEB170264    INJUSTICE GROUND ZERO #9    $2.99
FEB170229    JUSTICE LEAGUE #18    $2.99
FEB170230    JUSTICE LEAGUE #18 VAR ED    $2.99
FEB170225    NIGHTWING #18    $2.99
FEB170226    NIGHTWING #18 VAR ED    $2.99
FEB170331    SAVAGE THINGS #2 (OF 8) (MR)    $3.99
FEB170279    SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU #80    $2.99
FEB170290    SHADE THE CHANGING GIRL #7 (MR)    $3.99
FEB170291    SHADE THE CHANGING GIRL #7 VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
FEB170164    SUPERMAN #20    $2.99
FEB170165    SUPERMAN #20 VAR ED    $2.99
JAN170383    SUPERMAN TP VOL 02 TRIALS OF THE SUPER SON (REBIRTH)    $16.99

Review: ALL-STAR SECTION 8 #1

ALL STAR SECTION 8 #1 (OF 6)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Garth Ennis
ART: John McCrea
COLORS: John Kalisz
LETTERS: Pat Brosseau
COVER: Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts
VARIANT COVER: John McCrea with Hi-Fi
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (August 2015)

Rated “T+” for “Teen Plus”

“I Often Wonder What the Vinters Buy”

One of the miniseries to come out of DC Comics' “DCYou” initiative is All Star Section 8.  This series focuses on a band of misfits that is called the “greatest superheroes of all time,” at least by the leader.  Apparently, this group was last seen in DC's 1990s action-crime series, Hitman.   All Star Section 8 is written by Garth Ennis and drawn by John McCrea, the creative team behind Hitman.  John Kalisz colors and Pat Brosseau letters All Star Section 8.

Stephen Speck is a bon vivant and art critc at the beginning of All Star Section 8 #1 (“I Often Wonder What the Vinters Buy”).  But alcohol reveals the truth; Stephen is befuddled hero, Sixpack, leader of the all-star team known as “Section Eight.”  Speck is desperate to rebuild Section Eight in order to face a deadly threat. He gathers old friends:  Bueno Excellente, Baytor and the seemingly reborn Dogwelder, and adds new members:  The Grapplah, Guts, and Powertool.  Still, Sixpack needs an eighth member.  Along comes the Dark Knight.

I read Hitman for about two years back in the 1990s, and I don't remember Section Eight.  I can't say I am interested in getting to know them, now.  I like Garth Ennis, but I think Hitman is the only comic book by the Ennis-McCrea team that I actually liked.  Most of the time, their mix of explicit violence and gritty, gross, grunge does nothing for me.

I don't get Ennis-McCrea's brand of humor, although I did find the Batman bits here to be funny.  However, I like Ennis enough to try another issue of All Star Section 8.

C

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

Review: HARLEY QUINN AND POWER GIRL #1

HARLEY QUINN AND POWER GIRL #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was first published on Patreon.]

WRITERS: Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Justin Gray
ART: Stephane Roux
COLORS: Paul Mounts
LETTERS: John J. Hill
COVER: Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts
VARIANT COVERS: Stephane Roux
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2015)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Harley Quinn created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm; Power Girl created by Gerry Conway, Ric Estrada, and Wally Wood

“Extrastellar Exploitations”

Harley Quinn is a DC Comics character, specifically a villain.  However, Harley Quinn originated as a character on the animated television series, "Batman" (also known as Batman: The Animated Series; FOX Network, 1992).  Harley was created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm and made her first appearance in the episode “Joker’s Favor” (September 11, 1992), as a female sidekick of The Joker and his eventual accomplice.  Harley made her first comic book appearance in The Batman Adventures #12 (September 1993), DC Comics’ comic book spin-off of the animated series.

Power Girl (birth name Kara Zor-L) is a DC Comics female superhero.  She was created created by Gerry Conway, Ric Estrada, and Wally Wood and first appeared in All Star Comics #58 (January/February 1976).  Power Girl is a cousin of some sort of Superman.

Harley and Powergirl are now a duo in the new “DCYou” comic book series, Harley Quinn and Power Girl.  The series is written by the trio of Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Justin Gray, drawn by Stephane Roux, colored by Paul Mounts, and lettered by John J. Hill.

Harley Quinn and Power Girl #1 (“Extrastellar Exploitations”) opens in “La Galaxia del Sombrero” on “Hoard Moon.”  [See the 2014 Harley Quinn comic book, issues #11-13, apparently.]  Power Girl/Kara is suffering from amnesia, and Harley is telling jokes.  Both women discover that they can get answers about their predicament from Lord Vartox of Valeron, but he is being held prisoner by world-beater, Oreth Odeox, on the Lust Moon of Lustox.

Harley Quinn and Power Girl #1 has some beautiful art.  Stephane Roux is a talent, and the accomplished and famed colorist, Paul Mounts, makes this comic book one of the prettiest you can find on comic book store shelves.

Sadly, the comic book isn't much to read.  It is one of the stupidest things that I have read in awhile.  I can understand the writers' egos allowing them to believe that this is something for which they should accept a paycheck.  However, there should be a level of corporate shame that would have forced DC “Entertainment” to shelve this, but they didn't and have the gall to accept payment for this from customers.  Or... maybe Harley Quinn and Power Girl will turn out to be a good series.

C-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

Review: STARFIRE #1

STARFIRE #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITERS: Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
PENCILS: Emanuela Lupacchino
INKS: Ray McCarthy
COLORS: Hi-Fi
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
COVER: Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts
VARIANT COVERS: Emanuela Lupacchino with Hi-Fi
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (August 2015)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Starfire created by Marv Wolfman and George Perez

“Everything to Everyone”

Koriand'r, who is the female superhero known as Starfire, first appeared in DC Comics Presents #26 (cover date: October 1980), which contained the preview story that introduced The New Teen Titans.  Created by writer Marv Wolfman and George Pérez, Starfire is an alien warrior, was a member of the Teen Titans, and is the love interest of Dick Grayson/Robin.

As part of the “DCYou” publishing initiative, there is new comic book featuring the character, and it is entitled, Starfire.  The series is written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti, penciled by Emanuela Lupacchino, inked by Ray McCarthy, colored by Hi-Fi, and lettered by Tom Napolitano.

Starfire #1 (“Everything to Everyone”) opens in Key West, Florida.  Starfire is at the Key West Police Station where she is giving her origin story to Sheriff Stella Gomez.  Although she is busy preparing the locals for an approaching storm, Stella takes time to help Starfire find a place to live.  Hilarity ensues.  Meanwhile, darkness, both natural and otherwise, approaches.

This new Starfire comic book is interesting, but other than finding out about the unseen who or what that appears on the last panel of the last page, I am not sure that I will read another issue.  Starfire is not at all bad, and the art is pretty.  Starfire seems to be in keeping with DC Comics' apparent goal of making “DCYou” be about different types of books to attract new and/or different readers.

Starfire could almost be one of those new, updated Archie Comics titles.  Yep, Starfire now looks like a sex-ified Betty.  Still, I think that readers looking for “girl superheroes” will want to give this a try.

B

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

Review: FIGHT CLUB 2 #1

FIGHT CLUB 2 #1
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

WRITER: Chuck Palahniuk
ART: Cameron Stewart
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Nate Piekos of Blambot
COVER:  David Mack
VARIANT COVERS: Lee Bermejo; Amanda Connor; Steve Lieber; Cameron Stewart; and Chip Zdarsky; Joëlle Jones; Paul Pope; Tim Seeley
EDITOR: Scott Allie
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2015)

The Tranquility Gambit #1: “Keep The Home Fires Burning”

Written by Chuck Palahniuk, the novel, Fight Club, was first published in 1996.  It was subsequently adapted into a film of the same title by director, David Fincher, that starred Brad Pitt and Edward Norton in the lead roles.  Released in 1999, the film was not a big box office smash, but it has since gained cult status and continued popularity.

Fight Club the novel follows an unnamed male protagonist, who is struggling with insomnia and is unhappy with his workaday life as an office drone.  The turning point in his life is when he meets a mysterious man named Tyler Durden, who has established an underground fighting club, which becomes a kind of radical psychotherapy for disaffected males who are unsatisfied with the modern, industrial, consumerist world.

Last year, Dark Horse Comics and Chuck Palahniuk announced that Fight Club was getting a sequel, but that sequel would not be a novel.  It would be a comic book, and thus, we now have Fight Club 2, which is written by Chuck Palahniuk, drawn by Cameron Stewart, colored by Dave Stewart, and lettered by Nate Piekos, with cover art by David Mack.

Fight Club 2 #1 (“Keep The Home Fires Burning”) reintroduces the unnamed protagonist of Fight Club, who now calls himself “Sebastian.”  A decade ago, he had an army of men ready to take down the modern world.  Now, Sebastian is surrounded by assorted pills and medications.  His wife, Marla Singer, once his co-revolutionary, is deeply unsatisfied with the suburban, TV Land life they lead.  Even their son, “Junior,” is now more interesting than his dad.  Marla just wants to fuck Tyler Durden again, and she just may get that chance...

I think I saw Fight Club the movie before I read the novel.  Both are good.  The film is a bracing, exhilarating trip through the dissatisfaction of the kind of Gen-X males that, having generously supped on the tit of White privilege, suddenly found themselves overfed and bored.  The book is nuanced, probing, thoughtful, and provocative.  It demands that its reader engage it, and each reader takes from the novel what he can understand or absorb.

Fight Club 2 retains the voice of the novel, which might seem obvious considering that the originator of Fight Club is also the writer of the comic book.  However, popular culture is littered with the disappointing or uneven results of creators returning to a creations some considerable time after they first began working on them.  Some of you, dear readers, will immediately think of the original Star Wars films and compare them to the “prequel trilogy.”  In comics, a good example would be Frank Miller's Batman: The Dark Knight Strikes Again, which disappointed readers because it was so different from the original, Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.  So the voice is not always the same when it should obviously be the same.

Discounting the film, there was more to say about Fight Club, and although this is only the first issue, Fight Club 2 seems as if it will be both a worthy successor to the original and also a solid narrative in its own right.  Artist Cameron Stewart captures the banality and the fragility of Sebastian's current life, as well as its surreal and unreal nature.  David Mack's cover art for this first issue evokes the sense that Tyler Durden is both alluring and dangerous. This cover alone should earn him an Eisner Award nomination in the “cover artist” category.

So after one issue, I heartily recommend Fight Club 2 #1, at least, to anyone who has ever read Fight Club the novel and/or seen the film.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux (This review first appeared on Patreon.)


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

I Reads You Review: SECRET WARS #1

SECRET WARS #1 (OF 8)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Jonathan Hickman
ARTIST: Esad Ribic
COLORS: Ive Svorcina
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos
COVER: Alex Ross
VARIANT COVERS: Simone Bianchi with Simone Peruzzi; Jim Cheung with Justin Ponsor; John Tyler Christopher; Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts; Butch Guice with Andy Troy; Esad Ribic; Skottie Young; Chip Zdarsky
56pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (July 2015)

Part 1: “End Times”

Almost four years ago, DC Comics re-launched its comic books line, an event called “The New 52.”  That's over, already.  Marvel Comics did semi-relaunches, under the banner “All-New.”  Well, now Marvel is going all in this fall when every comic book restarts with a #1 issue, in addition to the apparent debut of some new titles.

DC Comics heralded “The New 52,” with a five-issue miniseries and publishing event entitled “Flashpoint.”  Marvel's event herald is “Secret Wars.”  Yes, indeed, everything old is remade again, and Marvel's notorious 1984 twelve-issue comic book miniseries, Marvel Super Heroes Secret Wars get a portion of its title re-purposed.  Worlds, universes, and even characters die in the eight-issue miniseries, Secret Wars, written by Jonathan Hickman, drawn by Esad Ribic, colored by Ive Svorcina, and lettered by Chris Eliopoulos, with painted covers by Alex Ross.

Secret Wars #1 (“End Times”) opens with Doctor Doom, Doctor Strange, and Molecule Man facing... “Beyond.”  The multiverse is dying, and there are only two universes left.  One is the universe of Earth-1610 (the Ultimate Universe), and the other is the universe of Earth-616 (the Marvel Universe).  One is invading the other; super-powered types will battle.  Super-powered types will die, and so will a universe... or two.

Reading Secret Wars #1 is only half as painful as reading Avengers & X-Men: Axis #1 was for me.  Secret Wars does have its moments in which I genuinely cared about the peril faced by the characters, at least some of them.  What I genuinely love about Secret Wars #1 is the beautiful art by Esad Ribic and Ive Svorcina.

I have always admired Ribic, even when he replaced my beloved Steve Rude on X-Men: Children of the Atom (way back in the 1990s).  Here, Ribic and Svorcina deliver some potent, striking images, and it is their storytelling that really makes this graphic narrative work, more so than Hickman's script.  Hickman puts a snide remark in Rocket Raccoon's mouth about those comic book from decades ago that had a one-dollar cover price.  Yeah, some did suck, but you usually got a complete story in a single issue.  Let's see current comics superstar Jonathan Hickman pull that off.

B+

[This book includes a preview of The Uncanny Inhumans #0” by Charles Soule, Steve McNiven, Jay Leisten, Justin Ponsor, and VC's Clayton Cowles.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux; support on Patreon.


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

DC Comics Announces New Books and New Focus for June 2015

DC Entertainment Announces New Books, New Creators, Broader Focus for the DC Universe

Iconic Super Heroes & Super-Villains Universe is Diversifying To Make Room for More Types of Storytelling, More Fans

June Slate of Titles Includes Long-Awaited Return to DCU of Bryan Hitch, Garth Ennis; Gene Luen Yang & Ming Doyle Join Team of Top Talent

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This summer, DC Entertainment launches a bold new direction for the DC Universe (DCU) that is even more inclusive and accessible to a wider group of readers as the publisher continues to evolve comic storytelling for its next generation of fans. Award-winning, critically acclaimed writers are headlining the June 2015 slate of DC Comics’ new periodicals and graphic novels, including Gene Luen Yang, Bryan Hitch, Garth Ennis, and Ming Doyle.

    “Whether you’ve been a DC fan your whole life, or whether you are new to comics – there will be a book for you beginning in June.”

Beginning June 3rd, the DC Comics line of comic books will consist of 24 brand-new series that will begin at issue number one, as well as 25 on-going, bestselling fan favorite series that will continue without a break in the issue numbering. The total number of periodicals in the DCU will be 49, with additional new titles debuting throughout the year.

“This heralds in a new era for the DC Universe which will allow us to publish something for everyone, be more expansive and modern in our approach and tell stories that better reflect the society around us,” said DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio. “Whether you’ve been a DC fan your whole life, or whether you are new to comics – there will be a book for you beginning in June.”

DC Comics will be keenly focused on going back-to-basics with its legendary characters, like BATMAN, SUPERMAN and WONDER WOMAN, while also reinventing key characters, such as BLACK CANARY, BIZARRO, CYBORG and STARFIRE, with a new contemporary tonality to ensure a diverse offering of titles. Top writers and artists, as well as emerging fresh voices, are on board to help create an expansive lineup of comics that appeals to a broad audience of fans.

Depicting some of these iconic characters in a more contemporary light include National Book Award finalist Gene Luen Yang who will join artist John Romita Jr. in the ongoing adventures of SUPERMAN. Comic superstar artist Bryan Hitch will write and draw new tales of the world’s greatest heroes in JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA. The pitch perfect team of Garth Ennis and John McCrea returns to DC Comics for a limited series called SECTION EIGHT featuring characters from their popular Hitman comic. VERTIGO creator Ming Doyle will be lending her talents to DC Comics, penning CONSTANTINE: THE HELLBLAZER along with newcomer artist Riley Rossmo.

“More than ever before, DC Comics fans are being exposed to our rich portfolio of characters through multiple sources, including an unprecedented number of highly successful TV shows, video games and upcoming major motion pictures,” said Co-Publisher Jim Lee. “We are looking to extend that experience within publishing to ensure there is a comic book for everyone. For example, fans of the ARROW television show may want more stories about BLACK CANARY. Now they can find modern, fresh takes on the character in the pages of her standalone series both in stores and digitally.”

Breakout star, Brenden Fletcher, co-writer behind the all new, highly successful BATGIRL book will also be writing the new BLACK CANARY series launching in June. Fan favorites Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti will be the creative team on new titles STARFIRE and HARLEY QUINN/POWER GIRL and will continue to helm the perennially bestselling HARLEY QUINN.

“Beyond character and creators, the June slate will showcase different styles and approaches to storytelling as we add offbeat, irreverently funny titles such as BIZARRO, BAT-MITE and PREZ,” said Lee. “Truly there will be something for everybody as we simultaneously celebrate our rich legacy while embracing new voices and concepts.”

A first look at upcoming storylines will be the focus of DC Entertainment’s Free Comic Book Day issue – DC COMICS: DIVERGENCE – available Saturday, May 2, featuring three 8-page previews for the June releases of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s BATMAN, as well as Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok’s launch of the Darkseid War within JUSTICE LEAGUE featuring the biggest villains in the DCU – Darkseid and the Anti-Monitor, and Gene Luen Yang's DC Comics debut with celebrated artist John Romita, Jr on SUPERMAN. More than half-a million free issues of the DC Entertainment sampler will be given away at comic book retailers globally.

“In this new era of storytelling, story will trump continuity as we continue to empower creators to tell the best stories in the industry,” said DiDio.

To learn more about the June DC Universe slate, visit www.dccomics.com.

About DC Entertainment:
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the world’s largest English-language publisher of comics.

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DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 16, 2014

DC COMICS

APR140254     BATMAN A CELEBRATION OF 75 YEARS HC     $39.99
MAY140227     BATMAN ETERNAL #15     $2.99
MAY140251     BATWOMAN #33     $2.99
APR140259     BIRDS OF PREY TP VOL 04 THE CRUELEST CUT (N52)     $16.99
MAR140252     DAMIAN SON OF BATMAN DELUXE ED HC (N52)     $24.99
APR140295     DJANGO UNCHAINED TP (MR)     $16.99
MAY140401     FABLES #142 (MR)     $2.99
MAY140263     GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS #33     $2.99
MAY140248     HARLEY QUINN INVADES COMIC CON INTL SAN DIEGO #1     $4.99
MAY140350     INFINITE CRISIS FIGHT FOR THE MULTIVERSE #1     $3.99
APR140255     JOKER A CELEBRATION OF 75 YEARS HC     $39.99
MAY140183     NEW 52 FUTURES END #11 (WEEKLY)     $2.99
MAY140256     RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #33     $2.99
MAY140160     ROBIN RISES OMEGA #1     $4.99
MAY140359     SCRIBBLENAUTS UNMASKED CRISIS OF IMAGINATION #7     $2.99
MAY140224     SUPERGIRL #33     $2.99
APR140273     SUPERGIRL TP VOL 04 OUT OF THE PAST (N52)     $14.99
MAR140263     TALES OF THE BATMAN JH WILLIAMS III HC     $49.99
MAY140164     TEEN TITANS #1     $2.99
APR140262     TEEN TITANS TP VOL 04 LIGHT AND DARK (N52)     $14.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

JAN140403     DC COMICS SUPER VILLAINS ARMORED LEX LUTHOR DLX AF     $49.95
DEC130369     SUPERMAN BLACK POOL CUE     $199.95
DEC130370     SUPERMAN ICONIC POOL CUE     $199.95

I Reads You Review: HARLEY QUINN #1

HARLEY QUINN #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITERS: Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
ART:  Chad Hardin
COLORS: Alex Sinclair
LETTERS: John J. Hill
COVER: Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts
VARIANT COVER: Adam Hughes
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (February 2014 – second printing)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Harley Quinn created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm

Harley Quinn is a DC Comics fictional character; she is specifically a super-villain in the DC Universe.  However, Harley Quinn was first introduced on the animated television series, Batman (also known as Batman: The Animated Series), which debuted in 1992 on the FOX Network.  Harley was created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm and made her first appearance in the episode “Joker’s Favor” (September 11, 1992), as a female sidekick of The Joker and his eventual accomplice.

Harley Quinn made her first comic book appearance in The Batman Adventures #12 (September 1993), DC Comics’ comic book spin-off of the animated series.  Harley received an origin story in the one-shot comic book, The Batman Adventures: Mad Love (cover dated: February 1994).  Produced by Dini and Timm, Mad Love revealed that Quinn had been Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel, M.D., an Arkham Asylum psychiatrist who falls for the Joker and becomes his accomplice and temporary sidekick.

I read Mad Love years ago.  I ignored the previous Harley Quinn comic book series, but decided to give a shot to the 2013 launch of a new Harley Quinn series, after find a second printing of the first issue.  Harley Quinn #1 (“Hot in the City”) has Harley starting over in Coney Island, Brooklyn.

According to Robert Coachman (of the law firm Coachman and Coachman), an anonymous benefactor has left Harley some real estate.  She has inherited a four-story building, complete with residential and business tenants.  This new life does come with complications.  Harley has expenses and someone is stalking her.

Harley Quinn #1 is good, not great.  I like the art by Chad Hardin (pencils and inks) and Alex Sinclair (colors).  Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti’s story is playful and engaging.  It’s also violent, partly in a Looney Tunes cartoon kind of way, although some characters are killed or grievously wounded.  I’m still debating as to whether I want to read more, but I’m intrigued.

B

Reviwed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

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I Reads You Review: HARLEY QUINN #0

HARLEY QUINN #0
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITERS: Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti
ART:  Amanda Conner, Becky Cloonan, Tony S. Daniel, Sandu Florea, Stephane Roux, Dan Panosian, Walter Simonson, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Bruce Timm, Charlie Adlard, Adam Hughes, Art Baltazar, Tradd Moore, Dave Johnson, Jeremy Roberts, Sam Keith, Darwyn Cooke, Chad Hardin
COLORS: Paul Mounts, Tomeu Morey, John Kalisz, Lovern Kindzierski, Alex Sinclair, Lee Loughridge, Dave Stewart, Alex Sollazzo
LETTERS: John J. Hill
COVER: Amanda Conner with Paul Mounts
VARIANT COVER: Stephane Roux
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (May 2014 – second printing)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

Harley Quinn created by Paul Dini and Bruce Timm

DC Comics began publishing a new Harley Quinn comic book series by writers Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti and artists Chad Hardin (pencils and inks) and Alex Sinclair (colors) at the turn of the year.  As a tie-in to the new series, DC published Harley Quinn #0, which was also written by Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti.

Harley Quinn #0 is essentially a stand-alone, anthology comic book.  This issue has a single narrative, which basically breaks the fourth wall, allowing Harley Quinn and Connor and Palmiotti to interact.  The two sides are arguing about the type of artists that should draw Quinn and her adventures.  The anthology part is that 17 artists draw at least one page of the 20 pages of story in Harley Quinn #0.  Amanda Conner draws the opening two pages, and Chad Hardin, the artist of the new ongoing Harley Quinn series, draws the three pages that end the story.  That leaves 15 pages for the 15 other artists.

I am a fan of many of the artists contributing to Harley Quinn #0, and some of them are familiar to me, but only in passing.  I grabbed a second printing of Harley Quinn #0 as soon as I read the names of the artists listed on the cover.  I was most looking forward to seeing art by Jim Lee and Bruce Timm, but was somewhat disappointed by their contributions.  The best page is by Walter Simonson – transposing his classic version of Manhunter onto Harley Quinn.

The biggest surprises for me were Stephane Roux, Dan Panosian, and Jeremy Roberts, and Tradd Moore’s page makes me want to see more of his work.  Of course, I am always happy to see anything by the genius named Darwyn Cooke.  I have one question for Harley: can we do this again?

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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"Batman #25" Wins November 2013

Batman Tops Comic Book Sales Charts for November

DC Entertainment Continues Successful 2013

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Super Heroes dominated the November comic book sales charts, with DC Entertainment taking four of the month’s top five spots. Landing at #1 and #2 respectively were BATMAN #25 — the continuation of bestselling writer Scott Snyder and superstar artist Greg Capullo’s reimagining of Batman’s early days — and HARLEY QUINN #0, the debut issue of a new comic book series featuring the bombastic Batman femme fatale from co-writers Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti. Also on the list were SUPERMAN UNCHAINED #4 — by Snyder with cinematic art by DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Jim Lee — and the villain-centric FOREVER EVIL #3 by megastar writer and DC Entertainment Chief Creative Officer Geoff Johns and popular artist David Finch, which took the #3 and #4 positions, respectively, according to Diamond Comic Distributors, the largest comic book distributor in the world.

The November numbers continued to cement 2013 as a success for DC Entertainment, a period that saw the company bring the world’s greatest Super Heroes to fans across the globe on all entertainment platforms and top the comic book sales charts eight of the last 12 months.

“We’ve had a banner year at DC Entertainment, where we experienced record-breaking sales, published compelling and captivating stories and continued to bring innovation to the comics industry featuring some of pop culture’s most beloved characters, including Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman,” said Diane Nelson, DC Entertainment President. “We also continued to bring the best and brightest creators into the fold to work on our beloved characters and re-energized the market with a wave of new concepts from our DC Comics and Vertigo imprints.”

The year was also punctuated by an unprecedented array of in-development TV shows - including The CW’s successful drama ARROW, the launch of the entertainment web-series DC ALL ACCESS – which brought fans behind the curtain into the world of DC Entertainment - and the historic return of The Sandman with THE SANDMAN: OVERTURE. And with the close of the year comes the end of a year-long celebration of the world’s first Super Hero, Superman, as the company spent 2013 celebrating the character’s historic 75th anniversary, which was capped off with the announcement of a new theatrical release that will see SUPERMAN and BATMAN together for the first time on the big screen – both of whom will be joined by WONDER WOMAN, making her motion picture debut.

Looking forward, 2014 is positioned to be equally remarkable, kicking off with a Hall of Fame-level collection of talent contributing to January’s DETECTIVE COMICS #27, which celebrates the first appearance of Batman. The issue boasts a jaw-dropping list of contributing talent, including Brad Meltzer and Bryan Hitch, Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy, the legendary Frank Miller and more. Batman will also take center-stage as the company returns to weekly comics with BATMAN ETERNAL, focusing on the Dark Knight and his stories, supporting cast of heroes and villains. A second weekly series, THE NEW 52: FUTURES END, will give readers a glimpse at a possible dystopian future for our heroes later this year.

On the book trade side, BATMAN Vol. 3, THE JOKER: Death of the Family, BATMAN: The Killing Joke, BATGIRL Vol. 3, GREEN LANTERN: The End, JUSTICE LEAGUE Vol. 3, BATMAN Vol. 2, EARTH 2: Vol. 2 and Vertigo’s THE SANDMAN OMNIBUS Vol. 2, appeared on The New York Times Hardcover Graphic Book Bestseller list while SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 Vol. 3, BATMAN Vol. 2, and WATCHMEN all landed on The New York Times Paperback Graphic Book Bestseller list.

DC Entertainment’s November sales and promotions leading into Black Friday and Cyber Monday met with great success, with Digital First titles like LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT, BATMAN BEYOND 2.0, ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN, BATMAN ’66 and SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 taking seven of the top 10 rankings for the month. New Digital First title THE VAMPIRE DIARIES also posted strong numbers for the month and entered the top 20. This rounds out a strong year for DCE’s critically acclaimed Digital First titles, lead by juggernaut INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US, which will return in January 2014.

Leading developer and publisher of digital entertainment, Telltale Games, in cooperation with DC Entertainment, launched “Faith” Episode 1 of the five episode game series, The Wolf Among Us, based on Bill Willingham's award-winning comic book series FABLES.

It’s that time of year when The Usual Gang of Idiots at MAD Magazine compile “The 20 Dumbest Things” issue. This year’s MAD 20 cover, stars Miley Cyrus and Alfred as her unfortunate twerkee! In addition to the former Hannah Montana, this year’s compendium of the year’s dumbest people, events and things features President Obama, Anthony Weiner, Alex Rodriguez, Paula Deen, and many, many more! It’s on sale everywhere December 17.

About DC Entertainment:
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world. DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched We Can Be Heroes—a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League super heroes—to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.