Review: THE SHADOW/BATMAN #1

THE SHADOW/BATMAN, VOL. 1, No. 1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT/DC Comics – @dynamitecomics @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Steve Orlando
ART: Giovanni Timpano
COLORS: Flavio Dispenza
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito
COVER: David Finch with June Chung
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Ethan Van Sciver with Jason Wright (B); Alex Ross (C); Dustin Nguyen (D); Brandon Peterson (E); Bill Sienkiewicz (F); Howard Porter with Hi-Fi (G); Giovanni Timpano with Flavio Dispenza; Howard Porter; Ethan Van Sciver; David Finch with June Chung; Alex Ross; David Finch; Giovanni Timpano; Robert Hack; Anthony Marques and J. Bone with Chris O'Halloran; Cory Smith with Tim Shinn; Cory Smith; Tyler Kirkham with Arif Prianto; Tyler Kirkham
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

Rated “Teen+”

The Shadow created by Walter Gibson; Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger

Shadow/Batman: Part One

The Shadow is a fictional character that began life as a mysterious radio narrator, debuting on July 31, 1930 as the host of the radio program, “Detective Story Hour.”  Street and Smith Publications, publishers of Detective Story Magazine, hired writer Walter B. Gibson to create a character concept that fit The Shadow's name and voice and to also write a story featuring him.  The first issue of The Shadow Magazine went on sale on April 1, 1931.

DC Comics superhero Batman is a worldwide icon.  He first appeared in Detective Comics #27 (cover dated: May 1939).  Batman and his civilian identity, Bruce Wayne, are among the first characters to be inspired by The Shadow and his civilian guise, Lamont Cranston.  The Shadow and Batman would meet for the first time in Batman #273 (cover dated: November 1973).  This year, DC Comics and Dynamite Entertainment, the current publisher with the license to produce comics based on The Shadow, brought the two characters together, first in the six-issue crossover comic book miniseries, Batman The Shadow, from DC Comics.

Now, it is Dynamite's turn and it is offering a second six-issue miniseries, The Shadow/Batman.  It is written by Steve Orlando; drawn by Giovanni Timpano; colored by Flavio Dispenz; and lettered by Taylor Esposito.

The Shadow/Batman: Volume 1 #1 opens with Professor Pyg in New York City causing chaos.  Batman has followed him to NYC to shut him down, but that upsets The Shadow, who believes that Batman should remain in Gotham City and leave the Big Apple to him.

However, these two dark avengers are about to discover that they are facing the “World's Greatest Evil,” and they may be no match for it.  Can the “World's Greatest Mystery” and the “World's Greatest Detective” (and the “world's most independent sidekick”) must put aside their differences and unravel the centuries' old conspiracy of the “Silent Seven.”

I did not read DC Comics' Batman The Shadow, so I wanted to make sure that I did not miss The Shadow/Batman.  I really like how writer Steve Orlando emphasizes dark moods, atmospheres, feelings, and emotions.  There is a deep sense of foreboding, and Orlando makes a convincing case that both The Shadow and Batman are not only vulnerable, but are also in danger of being destroyed.

Artist Giovanni Timpano's moody compositions and colorist Flavio Dispenz's gloomy colors recall the classic shadowy cool and noir sensibilities of The Shadow in his radio glory days.  The Shadow and Batman are in good artistic hands.

8.5 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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IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for October 31, 2018

IDW PUBLISHING

JUN180756    BATMAN ANIMATED SERIES GOTHAM UNDER SIEGE GAME    $49.99
AUG180761    BATMAN THE MAXX ARKHAM DREAMS #2 (OF 5) CVR A KIETH    $4.99
AUG180762    BATMAN THE MAXX ARKHAM DREAMS #2 (OF 5) CVR B KIETH    $4.99
APR180447    BILL SIENKIEWICZ MUTANTS & MOON KNIGHTS ARTIFACT ED HC    $125.00
AUG180797    SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #10 CVR A THOMAS    $3.99
AUG180798    SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #10 CVR B YARDLEY    $3.99
AUG180700    STAR WARS ADVENTURES #15 CVR A MAURICET    $3.99
AUG180701    STAR WARS ADVENTURES #15 CVR B FLOREAN    $3.99
AUG180693    STAR WARS TALES FROM VADERS CASTLE #5 (OF 5) CVR A FRANCAVIL    $3.99
AUG180694    STAR WARS TALES FROM VADERS CASTLE #5 (OF 5) CVR B WILSON II    $3.99
AUG180784    TANGLED HAIR RAISING ADVENTURES #2 (OF 3) CVR A PETROVICH (C    $3.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for October 24, 2018

IDW PUBLISHING

APR180447    BILL SIENKIEWICZ MUTANTS & MOON KNIGHTS ARTIFACT ED HC    $125.00
AUG180753    JUDGE DREDD TOXIC #1 CVR A BUCKINGHAM    $3.99
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AUG180691    STAR WARS TALES FROM VADERS CASTLE #4 (OF 5) CVR B HACK    $3.99
AUG180742    TMNT MACROSERIES #2 MICHELANGELO CVR A PETERSEN    $7.99
AUG180743    TMNT MACROSERIES #2 MICHELANGELO CVR B DIALYNAS    $7.99
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AUG180738    TMNT URBAN LEGENDS #6 CVR B FOSCO & LARSEN    $3.99
JUL180829    TRANSFORMERS BUMBLEBEE MOVIE PREQUEL TP FROM CYBERTRON LOVE    $14.99
AUG180776    UNCLE SCROOGE TP VOL 11 WHOM THE GODS WOULD DESTROY    $12.99

I Reads You Juniors August 2018 - Update #67

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From BleedingCool:  Axel Alonzo is apparently died to ex-Marvel Comics publisher, Bill Jemas's new comic book company.

MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool: Truly a comic book legend, comics creator Marie Severin has died at the age of 89.  She was known for her association with Marvel Comics, especially its bullpen, but she also worked for legendary EC Comics.  Severin was the younger sister of the late comic book artist, John Severin.

From SmallPressExpo:  The 2018 SPX Ignatz Award nominations have been announced.

From BleedingCool:  See preview art from "Uncanny X-Men #1 and #2."

From TheVerge:  All your "DC Universe" streaming service updates.

From Kotaku: Momoko Sakura, One Of Japan's Most Famous Manga Creators, Has Died

From BleedingCool:  An article about a screenplay that was reverse-engineered into a comic book.

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #175 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #175 in French.

From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics's CONAN THE BARBARIAN first creative team has been announced - writer Jason Aaron, artist Mahmud Asrar, and colorist Matthew Wilson.  Marvel's "Conan the Barbarian" will debut January 2019.

IN MEMORIAM - From Newsarama:  Beloved comic book artist, Russ Heath, died at the age of 91, Friday, August 24, 2018.  Heath worked for Marvel Comics and its predecessor, Timely Comics, where he got his first comics job in 1947.  Heath also drew for DC Comics and EC Comics.  He contributed to the "Playboy" strip, "Little Annie Fanny."  Legendary pop artist, Roy Lichtenstein, based two of his paintings on Heath's art.

From CBR:  Jeff Lemire and Bill Sienkiewicz lambast "Comicsgate" after some its followers attack Marsha Cooke, the widow of comics writer-artist, Darwyn Cooke, online.

From THR:  A comic book event, "The Best Defense," will reunite the original line-up of Marvel Comics' "The Defenders."

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics will publish a "prelude" comic book to next year's "Captain Marvel" movie, and the comic book will be canon to the Marvel Cinematic universe.

From BleedingCool:  Roy Thomas, who created the comic book Red Sonja, will tell her origin story in Dynamite Entertainment's miniseries, "Red Sonja: The Ballad of the Red Goddess."

From BleedingCool:  Marvel's website separating from Facebook and Google.

From BleedingCool:  Comic book writer and comic book historian, Gerard Jones, has been sentenced to six years in jail in California on child pornography charges.

From WeGotThisCovered:  Marvel Comics reveals X-Men superstar, Wolverine's new costume.

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #174 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #174 in French.

From CNET:  HBO has order a TV series "based" on Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons' much-abused graphic novel, "Watchmen."

From BBCNews:  100 Women: The artist redrawing "sexist" comic book covers.

From Kotaku:  The "Gintama" manga is reportedly ending after the next five chapters.

From ANN:  There is a new North American manga publisher, "Denpa."

From ComicBook:  "The Ghost in the Shell" manga box set nears an all-time low price.

From BleedingCool:  Popular writer Warren Ellis is making one "convention" appearance this  year, and he won't sign any books while there.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel to kill of "Old Man Logan" in 12-issue series, "Dead Man Logan."

From BleedingCool:  According to Joss Whedon, 20th Century Fox is ending Dark Horse Comics' license to produce "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" comic books.

From IdahoStatesman:  An article about comic book stores staying "relevant" via diversification of the products they sell.

From Polygon:  Dreaming big: How Neil Gaiman and a team of fantasy writers are expanding The Sandman Universe

From BleedingCool:  A Wichita Falls, Texas man has confessed to stealing $100,000 in comic books.

From Deadline:  "Prodigy" is the title of the second comic book franchise to be launched by Mark Millar since he joined Netflix.

From BleedingCool:  Most DC Comics titles will include a preview of the three-issue Batman/Hellblazer comic, "Batman: Damned," which will appear under the "Black Label" imprint (in ships September 19, 2018).

From Tumblr:  How Stan Sakai of "Usagi Jojimbo" builds a cover, from preliminary to finished cover.

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic JohnnyBullet episode #173 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic JohnnyBullet episode #173 in French.

From HarveyAwards:  The nominees for the "Harvey Awards 2018," honoring the best in comics published in America have been announced.

From ANN:  The "Harvey Awards" have announced a "Best Manga" category for the 2018 edition of its awards.

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From ANN:  Readers at the Anime News Network choose the best "boys' love" manga for beginners.

From Newsarama:  Joivan Wade ("The First Purge") will play Cyborg in DC Universe's "Doom Patrol" series.

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse to adapt more Neil Gaiman short stories into comics form.

From CBR:  Stan Lee, 95-year-old, will reportedly no longer participate in public autograph signings.

From CBR:  Maybe a reboot for Marvel Comics recent title, "Marvel 2-in-One."

From ANN:  SuBLime Manga, the Boys' Love manga imprint of VIZ Media, announces two new titles for both print and digital release, "Love in Limbo" and "Candy Color Paradox."

From BleedingCool:  This month, a number of Marvel Comics titles will have a four-page tribute to the late Steve Ditko.  The recently deceased comic book writer-artist is largely responsible for introducing a number of characters and graphical elements to Marvel, including co-creating Spider-Man and Doctor Stange.

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomics Johnny Bullet episode #172 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomics Johnny Bullet episode #172 in French.

From CBSNews:  July 31st, 2018 was the fiftieth anniversary of the July 31st, 1968 first appearance of Franklin, the first African-American/Black character to appear in Charles Schultz's "Peanuts" newspaper comics strip.

From Newsarama:  Here are the covers for the second month of Wal-Mart exclusive DC Comics titles (Superman, Batman, Justice League, and Teen Titans).

From Asahi:  In Japan, manga artist, Ken Akamatsu, and mid-sized publisher, Jitsugyo no Nihon Sha, Ltd., are initiating a project to make out-of-print and the hard-to-find books available so anyone can read them for free online.

From BostonGlobe:  Highlighting the unseen (African-American) artists behind comic books - Rob Stull.

From CBR:  Writer Scott Snyder has confirmed that he will work on the current "Justice League" comic book for at least 50 issues.

From BleedingCool:  In the upcoming "Absolute Authority Vol. 2," scenes and sequences that were edited in the original comic book releases will be restored - except for the President Bush stuff...

From Previews:  Netflix's adaptation of Archie Comics' "The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina" arrives on October 2018 - for the first of two 10-episode seaons.

From Star2:  Why isn’t Blade more popular, even after 45 years & a movie trilogy?

From AJC:  "The Atlanta Journal Constitution" offers a profile of comic book artist Afua Richardson, who recently won an Eisner Award.

From THR:  Marvel Comics announces new reprint collections of "Conan the Barbarian" comic books.  Marvel once again has the license to produce Conan comic books and will do so beginning in early 2019.

From ANN:  Akira Amano, creator of the "Reborn!" manga, is creating a one-shot hockey manga for the August 6th issue of "Weekly Shonen Jump."

From Asahi:  The small Japanese town of Hokuei enjoys being a tourist spot thanks to being the home town of manga creator, Gosho Aoyama, the creator of the "Detective Conan" manga, known in the U.S. as "Case Closed."

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics has announced that it will not publish the "Shazam Monster Society of Evil Deluxe Edition Hardcover," a reprint of a classic and significant run of Captain Marvel/Shazam comic books from the early 1940s.  There are apparently concerns over the racists depictions of Black and Asian people.

From THR: Writer Jeff Lemire on Moving From Image Comics' "Descender" to "Ascender."

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OCTOBER 2018 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for October 2018
From BleedingCool:  Caliber Press for October 2018
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for October 2018
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for October 2018
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books for October 2018.
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for October 2018
From CBR:  Marvel Comics for October 2018.
From Newsarama:  Rebellion for October 2018
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for October 2018
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertaiment solicitations for October 2018.

NOVEMBER 2018 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for November 2018
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for November 2018
From BleedingCool:  Lion Forge solicitations for November 2018
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion 2000AD for November 2018
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for November 2018

Review: AMERICAN GODS #2

AMERICAN GODS No. 2
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Neil Gaiman
SCRIPT: P. Craig Russell
LAYOUTS: P. Craig Russell
ART: Scott Hampton
COLORS: Scott Hampton
LETTERS: Rick Parker
COVER: Glenn Fabry with Adam Brown
VARIANT COVER: David Mack; Bill Sienkiewicz
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (April 2017)

American Gods, the award-winning, 2001 novel from author Neil Gaiman, is now being adapted into a comic book series, published by Dark Horse Comics.  The novel won several fantasy-literary awards and is currently the subject of a television adaptation by Starz Media.  This fantasy novel blends ancient and modern mythology with Americana to tell the tale a man caught in a war between the gods of the Old World and the new American gods.

The guiding hand behind the American Gods comic book is frequent Gaiman collaborator, P. Craig Russell.  Russell wrote the script adaptation of Gaiman's novel and provided the layouts for the art.  American Gods the comic book is drawn and colored by Scott Hampton and lettered by Rick Parker.

American Gods #2 finds the protagonist, Shadow Moon, in a predicament.  Shadow was recently paroled after serving three years of his six-year prison sentence.  As his day of release approached, Shadow was anxious, strongly believing that something bad was coming towards him.  He planned on returning to Eagle Point, Indiana and his wife, Laura, but he discovered that she had only recently been killed in a car crash.  What to do, now?

Now, Shadow is deciding if he should take a job offer from the mysterious Mr. Wednesday, and he is also about to meet the first of his potential employer's weird friends.  Bigger shocks are to come when Shadow learns more details about his wife's untimely death and also about the people who don't want him to take that job.

I am a big fan of American Gods, although I did not read it upon its original release in 2001.  I read the tenth anniversary edition which featured a longer text – the author's preferred edition.  I loved it, but “love” is not a strong enough word in this case.  American Gods: The Tenth Anniversary Edition is one of my favorite books, and I consider the reading that edition of American Gods to be life-changing event for me in terms of my life as a writer.

Dark Horse Comics, over their three decades-plus of publishing comic books adapted from other media, has produced countless high-quality “media-tie” comic book and adaptations.  Why stop now?  Well, I am not disappointed.

So far, I like P. Craig Russell and Scott Hampton's American Gods because it feels true to Neil Gaiman's storytelling and text.  Russell is patient and allows his script adaptation of Gaiman's expansive novel to breath, rather than forcing the pace to squeeze the narrative into a miniseries.  Hampton's naturalistic art captures the supernatural aura surrounding American Gods' narrative, while fashioning a world that is both natural and supernatural.

Once again, I implore you to set aside your four bucks for each issue.  We have in American Gods a comics adaptation of a novel that may end up being on the short list of great comic book adaptations of a prose novel.

A

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: NICK FURY #1

NICK FURY No. 1 (2017)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: James Robinson
PENCILS: ACO
INKS: Hugh Petrus
COLORS: Rachelle Rosenberg
LETTERS: Travis Lanham
COVER: ACO
VARIANT COVERS: John Tyler Christopher; Greg Land with Frank D'Armata; Mark Morales with Jason Keith; Bill Sienkiewicz
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (June 2017)

Rated “T+”

“The Sky High Caper”

Nick Fury (Colonel Nicholas Joseph "Nick" Fury) is a Marvel Comics character.  Created by writer/artist Jack Kirby and writer Stan Lee, Fury first appeared in Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #1 (cover dated:  May 1963), a World War II combat comic book series, in which Fury was depicted as a cigar-chomping, leader of an elite United States Army unit.

Marvel Comics introduced the modern Nick Fury in Fantastic Four #21 (cover dated:  December 1963), making him a CIA agent.  In Strange Tales #135 (cover dated:  August 1965), the character again transformed, this time from a spy into the leading agent of the fictional espionage agency, S.H.I.E.L.D.  In 2002, Nick Fury became a Black man that resembled actor Samuel L. Jackson in The Ultimates #1.  Jackson would portray Fury in the Marvel Studios movies based on Marvel Comics, and the Jackson-lookalike Fury would replace the original white Fury in the main Marvel Universe.

That Sam Jackson Fury is the star of the new comic book series, Nick Fury.  It is written by James Robinson; drawn by ACO (pencils) and Hugh Petrus (inks); colored by Rachelle Rosenberg; and lettered by Travis Lanham.

Nick Fury #1 (“The Sky High Caper”) opens with Nick Fury arriving in the French Riviera, where he must infiltrate the most secure parts of a imposing casino.  Fury's target is a hidden data-stash belonging to Auric Goodfellow, a Hydra moneyman.  Fury will likely be successful in getting what he wants, but Frankie Noble, Agent of Hydra plans on standing in his way.

I love the art in Nick Fury #1.  Drawn by the artist known as ACO, the art recalls the Pop-Art infused comic book art that legendary comic book artist Jim Steranko produced during his run of Nick Fury comics in the late 1960.  ACO's layout and design also recall Steve Rude's layout and design on his long-running comic book series, Nexus.  ACO's art for Nick Fury combined with Rachelle Rosenberg's pastel-lite coloring sure is pretty.

However, the storytelling is shallow when it isn't confusing and confusing when it isn't shallow.  As graphical storytelling, ACO's art is just too busy.  Yeah, it is eye-candy to look at, but is a busy mess as storytelling.  Honestly, if writer James Robinson had even attempted to tell a more complex story, there is no telling how crowded ACO would have made his art.

I think James Robinson offers in Nick Fury what Chris Samnee did in the first issue of his recent Black Widow comic book – an introductory issue that reads like a two-minute-egg version of an action sequence from a James Bond or Jason Bourne movie.

Honestly, I'll try the second issue of Nick Fury, although I never tried the second issue of Samnee's Black Widow.

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: ELEKTRA #1

ELEKTRA No. 1 (2017)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Matt Owens
ART: Juann Cabal
COLORS: Antonio Fabela and Marcio Menyz
LETTERS: VC's Cory Petit
COVER: Elizabeth Torque
VARIANT COVERS: Marco Checchetto; Pasqual Ferry with Chris Sotomayor; Bill Sienkiewicz; Skottie Young
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (April 2017)

Rated T+

Elektra created by Frank Miller

“Always Bet on Red: Part 1”

Elektra (full name Elektra Natchios) is a Marvel Comics character.  Created by Frank Miller, Elektra first appeared in Daredevil #168 (cover dated:  January 1981).  She is a highly trained assassin and anti-hero who wields a pair of bladed sai, which are her trademark weapons.

The best Elektra stories are those written by Miller, which culminated in the death of Elektra in Daredevil #181 (cover dated:  April 1982).  Miller resurrected his most famous original character-creation in Daredevil #190 (cover dated:  January 1983) and also used the character in the long-in-gestation original graphic novel, Elektra Lives Again, which was finally published in 1990.

Frank Miller has long claimed that Marvel Comics promised not to use the character without his permission.  Beginning in 1994, however, Elektra began to make appearances in comic books not written by Miller, including starring in her own miniseries and ongoing series.  The latest is the ongoing comic book, Elektra.  It is written Matt Owens; drawn by Juann Cabal, colored by Antonio Febela and Marcio Menyz; and lettered by Cory Petit.

Elektra #1 finds the titular assassin in Las Vegas, staying at the Midway Casino.  This casino and hotel is secretly a place of debauchery and violence, if you can pay for it.  Elektra is ready to shed some blood of her own, but even she does not know the secret at the heart of this evil.

The art – compositions by Juann Cabal and colors by Antonio Fabela and Marcio Menyz – is quite pretty.  Cabal's precision pencil work – with its Frank Quitely quality – turns out to be perfect, at least for Matt Owen's take on Elektra.  Speaking of Owens, well, I can't hate on him.  I am actually intrigued by this first issue.  I hope the second issue hasn't sold out already.  I want to give this another try.

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 or syndication rights and fees.

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Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 7, 2018

IMAGE COMICS

NOV170747    EAST OF WEST #36 CVR A DRAGOTTA    $3.99
DEC178858    EAST OF WEST #36 CVR B VIRGIN WRAPAROUND    $3.99
JAN180639    ELSEWHERE #5    $3.99
JAN180742    EXTREMITY #12 CVR A JOHNSON    $3.99
JAN180743    EXTREMITY #12 CVR B VIRGIN WRAPAROUND    $3.99
DEC170655    FIREBUG TP    $16.99
MAY170683    FIX #11 (MR)    $3.99
JAN180576    GIDEON FALLS #1 CVR A SORRENTINO (MR)    $3.99
JAN180577    GIDEON FALLS #1 CVR B LEMIRE (MR)    $3.99
JAN180578    GIDEON FALLS #1 CVR C JOCK (MR)    $3.99
DEC178844    GIDEON FALLS #1 VIRGIN CVR (MR)    $3.99
JAN180747    GRAVEDIGGERS UNION #5 (MR)    $3.99
JAN180754    I HATE FAIRYLAND #17 CVR A YOUNG (MR)    $3.99
JAN180756    I HATE FAIRYLAND #17 CVR C VIRGIN WRAPAROUND (MR)    $3.99
JAN180755    I HATE FAIRYLAND #17 F*CK (UNCENSORED) FAIRYLAND VAR (MR)    $3.99
JAN180587    OBLIVION SONG BY KIRKMAN & DE FELICI #1    $3.99
JAN180599    OBLIVION SONG BY KIRKMAN & DE FELICI #1 COLLECTORS ED    $200.00
JAN180614    PRISM STALKER #1    $2.99
JAN180821    SAVAGE DRAGON #232 (MR)    $3.99
JAN180822    SCALES & SCOUNDRELS #7    $3.99
NOV170843    SPREAD #25 CVR A STRAHM & SOBREIRO (MR)    $3.99
NOV170844    SPREAD #25 CVR B SOBREIRO (MR)    $3.99
DEC178859    VS #1 2ND PTG (MR)    $3.99
JAN180843    WALKING DEAD #177 CVR A ADLARD & STEWART (MR)    $3.99
DEC178075    WALKING DEAD #177 CVR B SIENKIEWICZ (MR)    $3.99
JAN180844    WALKING DEAD TP VOL 29    $16.99
JAN180652    WICKED & DIVINE #34 CVR A MCKELVIE & WILSON (MR)    $3.99
JAN180653    WICKED & DIVINE #34 CVR B JOHNSON & SPICER (MR)    $3.99
JAN180654    WICKED & DIVINE #34 CVR C VIRGIN WRAPAROUND (MR)    $3.99

Review: BULLSEYE #1

BULLSEYE No. 1 (2017)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITERS: Ed Brisson; Marv Wolfman
ART: Guillermo Sanna; Alec Morgan
COLORS: Miroslav Mrva; Frank Martin
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: Dave Johnson
VARIANT COVERS: Tim Bradstreet; Marco Checchetto; John Tyler Christopher; Bill Sienkiewicz; Chris Stevens; Skottie Young
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (April 2017)

Parental Advisory

“The Colombian Connection” Part 1

Bullseye is a Marvel Comics supervillain.  The character was created by writer Marv Wolfman and artist John Romita, Sr. and first appeared in Daredevil #131 (cover dated: March 1976).  Bullseye is an assassin and he is best known for his personal vendetta against the superhero Daredevil.  Bullseye does not have super-powers but he can turn almost any object into a lethal weapon.

Bullseye is the new comic book miniseries starring this popular villain.  It is written by Ed Brisson; drawn by Guillermo Sanna; colored by Miroslav Mrva; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.

Bullseye #1 opens to find the titular villain/anti-hero active again after being alive, dead, and imprisoned again and again.  Now, he is at the Houghton Residence in Long Island, New York fulfilling an assassination contract.  But, man!  Bullseye is hoping that his next assignment yields both a high body count and buckets of blood.  Desperate gangster Raph Losani may offer that, but a desperate widow just wants to count one body.

Recently, I reviewed the first issue of Kingpin, another comic book seemingly spun out of the world of Marvel Comics' Daredevil.  I was harsh in my review, but not because I thought the writer (Matthew Rosenberg) and the artist (Ben Torres) lacked talent (Rosenberg) or potential (Torres).  The problem is the fact that these two delivered substandard work and the fact that Marvel Comics would consider such unprofessional material worth publishing and charging readers $3.99 to read.

Bullseye #1 suffers from the same problem of a lack of professionalism.  The story and script that Ed Brisson offers is just lazy hackwork that mimics better storytelling.  The casual depiction of Bullseye's murderous rampages is not imaginative or smart, but it is unimaginative and stupid.  Frank Miller did not create Bullseye, but during his 1980s run on Daredevil, he certainly defined the character, making him the kind of dangerous and alluring villain that becomes timeless.  Here, Bullseye's violence seems as if Brisson took the clever violence of Mark Millar's comic books and turned that into filler material because Brisson could not think of anything else to do with it.

I think artist Guillerma Sanna has a lot of potential, but in Bullseye #1 he draws as if he should still be toiling in the world of micro press black and white comic books.  Everything here looks as if Sanna is simply mimicking (badly) other artists' (good) work; Chris Samnee and Eduardo Risso, come to mind.

There is a backup story by writer Marv Wolfman and artist Alec Morgan, “If I Tell You...” that takes some of the sour out of the main story.  It makes me wonder why Wolfman isn't writing this miniseries.  Is it because he is “too old” and “passè?”  I don't doubt that he would not write as bad a script as Ed Brisson wrote, even if he kept the overall plot.  I also like Alec Morgan's Eduardo Risso-like art.  Why isn't he drawing the main story!?

I am not recommending this, nor do I intend to read another issue.  But I might change my mind...

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


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

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

I Reads You Juniors February 2018 - Update #65

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet webcomic episode #154 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet webcomic esisode #154 in French.

From BleedingCool:  Wendy and Richard Pini talk about the final quest of "Elfquest."

From StarWars:  StarWars.com interviews writer Tom Veitch and cover artist Dave Dorman about the landmark Star Wars comic book miniseries, "Dark Empire" (Dark Horse Comics).

BLACK PANTHER - From CommercialAppeal:  Weathersbee: Memphis kids love the 'Black Panther' movie. Will they love the comic, too?

From CBR:  A trailer has debuted for the live-action film based on Tite Kubo's manga, "Bleach."

From SFGate:  The manga of Naoki Urasawa ("20th Century Boys," "Master Keaton") are on exhibit in Paris

From EWBlog:  Marvel's latest relaunch initiative/scam will send Black Panther into space.

From BleedingCool:  Writer David F. Walker and artist Chris Samnee are leaving Marvel Comics.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics is leaving the Diamond Previews Catalog and getting their own separate "DC Previews," which is similar to Marvel Comics' separate "Marvel Previews."

From BleedingCool:  Release dates for DCInk and DCZoom titles have been locked down, beginning with the October 2018 release of a new "DC Super Hero Girls" graphic novel.

From TheGuardian:  "Marvel comics' Fresh Start looks like a return to old cliches" by David Barnett

From SupermanHomepage:  DC Comics may be cancelling the titles, "Supergirl" and "Super Sons"

From CBR:  Marvel Comics Solicitations for May 2018

From BleedingCool:  Marvel offers "A Fresh Start."

From BleedingCool:  There are more DC Comics/Hanna-Barbera crossovers on the way, including one featuring Dynomutt and the Super-Sons.

From BleedingCool:  Dan DiDio confirms that venerable MAD Magazine will re-launch with a new #1 issue.

From BleedingCool:  [The great] Carlos Pacheco may draw an "Avengers" comic book that features Avengers from the 1970s.

From BleedingCool:  May 2018 solicitation for Devil's Due/1st Comics

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #154 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #154 in French.

From JapanToday:  Manga creators association says pirate sites could bring about collapse of Japanese culture

From BleedingCool:  Writer Rodney Barnes will unite with a still unknown superstar artist to produce a Lando Calrissian miniseries that ties into the film, "Solo: A Star Wars Story."

From CNN:  Keita Sagaki reproduces classic paintings using hundreds of tiny manga characters.

From ComicBook:  Dan Jurgens and the team of Peter J. Tomasi & Patrick Gleason say good-bye to their respective runs on Superman in one-shots that will be published this coming May.

From BleedingCool:  Chris Claremont will write a story for "X-Men: Wedding Special #1."

From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics to publish a new work from writer Garth Ennis and artist Goran Sudzuka, "A Walk Through Hell."

From ComicsReporter:  Talent Relations Department At DC Sends Out Social Media Guidelines - the text as sent to TCR.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics issues social media and press guidelines to comics creators.
From BleedingCool:  In the wake of DC's new social media and press guidelines to its comics creators, a reaction from some of the creators.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics Sending “Brian Michael Bendis is Coming” Promo Posters to Comic Stores

From BleedingCool:  Black Geeks and Black Girl Nerds Combine for Universal FanCon in Baltimore in April.

BLACK PANTHER - From BleedingCool:   Black Panther is topping Amazon's comics sales.

From PublishersWeekly:  Comics retailers hope to rebound in 2018.

From Complex:  DC Comics' "New Super-Man" becomes "New Super-Man and The JLC" (Justice League of China) with issue #20.

From TheAVClub:  A preview of "New Super-Man and The JLC #1"

From BleedingCool:  The Top 100 Most-Ordered Comics and Graphic Novels by Comic Stores in January 2018.

BLACK PANTHER - From Philly:  The African American Museum in Philadelphia has "Black Pulp," an exhibit of comic book art that shatters stereotypes about Black people, including some art from "Black Panther" comics.

From CBLDF:  There will be an exhibit of the original art that Nate Powell produced from the graphic novel trilogy, March (Top Shelf), which chronicles the life of Civil Rights legend, Congressman John Lewis.  Entitled "The Art of MARCH: A Civil Rights Masterpiece" will exhibit at the Museum of Illustration at the Society of Illustrators (New York City), February 28 – June 30, 2018.

From TheStage:  Naoko Urasawa has brought to stage in London his manga, Pluto.  Here is a review of it.

From BleedingCool:  450 people sign a letter asking for the New York Times Graphic Novel Bestseller List Back.

From TheVerge:  Joss Whedon's beloved sci-fi TV series, "Firefly," is coming back in a series of novels.

From NextShark:  Chinese pirates reportedly cost Japan billions of dollars per year in illegally translating manga.

From ComicBook:  One Punch manga artist, Yusuke Murata, is working on a manga based on the beloved film franchise, "Back to the Future."  He offers a preview illustrations from the manga.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel will bring Darkhawk back in a new miniseries related to "Infinity Countdown."

From THR:  Venerable British comics magazines, "2000 AD," announces an all-female creators issue for the summer, "2000 AD Sci-Fi Special."

From Quartz:  Japan is hunting illegal video game and manga translators.

From Forbes:  This is the feature article which announced Brian Michael Bendis' Superman plans, beginning with a six-issue miniseries and then Bendis' takeover of "Superman" and "Action Comics."

From Geek:  A look at the history of computer art in comics, starting with First Comics' "Shatter" by artist Mike Saenz and writer Peter B. Gillis.

From Newsarama:  Bill Sienkiewicz will be the variant cover artist on "The Walking Dead," apparently for 2018.

From PasteMagazine:  "Long Before He Reached the Big Screen, the Black Panther Ruled" by Michael Burgin.

From HypeBeast:  Yusuke Murata, the illustrator of the "One-Punch Man" manga will produce a "Back to the Future" manga.

From Heavy:  Did you know that there was a monthly online manga based on the movie "Cloverfield."

From GoFundMe:  Charlton Neo Comics needs help.

From CreatorsforCreators:  The 2018 submissions for a $30,000 grant are open.

From BleedingCool:  Artist Lee Weeks will join Tom King on the ongoing Batman comic book sometime after issue #45.

From NYTimes:  DC Comics joins forces with Young Adult authors.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics unveils details about its new young reader imprints, DC Zoom and DC Ink.

From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #153 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New Johnny Bullet episode #153 in French.

From PreviewsWorld:  BOOM! Studios has announced "Planet of the Apes: Visionaries."  This new original graphic novel that will adapt the first screenplay for the original "Planet of the Apes" film into comics.  Rod Serling, the creator of "The Twilight Zone," wrote the first draft of the "Planet of the Apes" screenplay, but his first draft was drastically altered by the time of filming.

From BleedingCool:  See the Black Panther and Wonder Woman parody T-shirts.

From ICv2:  Marvel Co comics will publish a six-issue comic book adaptation of "Star Wars: The Last Jedi," with issue #1 debuting May 2nd, 2018.

From Kotaku:  See the warehouse where unwanted manga is turned into toilet paper.

From BleedingCool:  Brian Michael Bendis is apparently taking over as writer of DC Comics titles, "Superman" and "Action Comics."

From BleedingCool:  Just draw, Ethan Van Sciver.

From BleedingCool:  Brian Michael Bendis' "Jinxworld" library of graphic novels and trade paperbacks is moving to Bendis' new home, DC Comics.

From NPR:  Four years ago, NPR had some of its favorite comics artists illustrate some of the poems of revered African-American poet, Langston Hughes.  Today, we look back at Afua Richardson's take on Hughes' poem, The Negro Speaks of Rivers."

From JapanToday:  As many as 4,000 homeless people may be finding shelter at 24-hour internet and manga cafes in Tokyo on any given weekday, according to the first survey on the issued by the Tokyo metropolitan government.

Review: KINGPIN #1

KINGPIN No. 1 (2017)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Matthew Rosenberg
ART: Ben Torres
COLORS: Jordan Boyd
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
COVER: Jeff Dekal
VARIANT COVERS: Marco Checchetto; Bill Sienkiewicz; Ben Torres; Julian Totino Tedesco; Skottie Young; John Tyler Christopher
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (April 2017)

Rated “T+”

Kingpin created by Stan Lee and John Romita, Sr.

“Born Against”

The Kingpin/Wilson Fisk is a Marvel Comics villain.  He was created by writer Stan Lee and artist John Romita and first appeared in The Amazing Spider-Man #50 (cover date: July 1967).

The Kingpin is portrayed as one of the most (if not the most) feared and powerful crime lords in Marvel Comics and as the “kingpin” of crime in New York City.  During his run on Daredevil in the early 1980s, writer-artist Frank Miller depicted the Kingpin as a master schemer and cold-blooded murderer who stayed beyond the reach of the law.  Personally, I think Miller is the creator that defined Kingpin more than anyone else.

Kingpin is the new comic book series that chronicles the new adventures of Wilson Fisk.  It is written by Matthew Rosenberg; drawn by Ben Torres; colored by Jordan Boyd; and lettered by Travis Lanham.

Kingpin #1 (“Born Against”) introduces Sarah Dewey, a down on her luck writer, reporter, and journalist.  She has staked some of her remaining credibility on chronicling what she hopes will be the rise of a promising boxer, Orlando Perez.  She gets a break when a powerful man asks her to write his tell-all memoir – warts and all.  However, Sarah does not think she is the right person to write the story of Wilson Fisk... even if he won't take “No” for an answer.

It would be lazy of me to say that Kingpin #1 is “awful” or “terrible.”  Instead, I can simply say that it does not seem like the work of professional comic book creators, although, considering how and why comic book professionals often get assignments, I guess that isn't saying much either.  Still, this is such lazy, uninspired, unimaginative writing on the part of Matthew Rosenberg.  If he had a “Eureka!” moment before he wrote this, I am sad for him.

Now, the art is actually terrible.  Ben Torres does not have the compositional chops to draw for Marvel Comics, and yes, I know.  Marvel's standards for comic book artists have been and still are inconsistent at best.  Right now, Torres is certainly ready for semi-pro-zine work (if such a thing still exists).  I can see him drawing for small press, black and white publishers or self-published webcomics, but he ain't ready for prime time.  Oh, he is has potential, but he has not reached it.

Marvel's overall publishing program treats the North American comic book market like a flood plain in need of a flood.  With so many comic books to publish and likely budgetary constraints, the need for low-page-rate artists means artists like Ben Torres – amateurs who are technically not amateurs because a Diamond Distributors premiere publisher is willing to give them paying assignments.

Yeah... I'm not coming back to this, no.

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 or syndication rights and fees.

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

Review: NIGHTHAWK #6

NIGHTHAWK No. 6 (2016)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: David F. Walker
ARTIST: Ramon Villalobos
COLORS: Tamra Bonvillain
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz with Chris Sotomayor
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2016)

Parental Advisory

Nighthawk is a Marvel Comics character.  While there have been several versions of the character, the first Nighthawk was Kyle Richmond, initially a supervillain and also a member of the Squadron Supreme.  Richmond, as the original Nighthawk, debuted in The Avengers #69 (cover dated:  October 1969) with two other members of the Squadron Supreme.

Marvel's 2015-debuting event/publishing initiative, “All-New, All-Different Marvel,” offered a new ongoing Nighthawk comic book.  This series focused on an African-American version of Kyle Richmond from Earth-31916, who also uses the identity of Raymond Kane.  Nighthawk was written by David F. Walker; drawn by Ramon Villalobos (except for issue #5); colored by Tamra Bonvillian; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

The sales numbers on this Nighthawk series were apparently weak, and it was canceled after six issues, with the last issue being published about two months ago.  Nighthawk is set in Chicago, Illinois which is both roiled by racial strife and rotten with political corruption.  The city's streets, neighborhoods, and districts are Nighthawk's stomping grounds.  The first issue finds him stomping on the “True Patriots,” a White supremacist gang that deals in guns and meth production.  Nighthawk uses his physical and mental skills to destroy them, while his partner, Tilda Johnson, as usual, helps with the robotics and technology Nighthawk uses.

The series found Nighthawk trying to capture a serial killer called “The Revelator,” who is killing White people associated with the oppression of Black people in Chicago.  Nighthawk is also trying to discover the identity of the person who is using the True Patriots to flood Chicago with high-powered fire arms.  That would be powerful real estate mogul, Dan Hanrahan, who in turn uses Tom Dixon, a corrupt cop, as his go-between with the True Patriots.  However, Sherman Burrell, a good White cop, is trailing Dixon because he suspects that he is corrupt.

Nighthawk #6 finds Burrell fighting for his life after his final confrontation with Dixon.  Meanwhile, Nighthawk races to his final confrontation with The Revelator who believes that Nighthawk should be on his side.

I was truly stunned both by how much I liked Nighthawk #1 and by how high-quality it was.  I think that series writer David F. Walker is a fantastic emerging comic book talent.  I also think that if DC Comics were truly interested in African-American comic book writers, Walker would would be writing a few titles for them, even a Batman comic book.  [Walker recently had a short stint as writer of the Cyborg comic book for DC.]

To the end of Nighthawk, Walker does not disappoint.  He wraps up his six-issue Nighthawk series/arc with satisfying and tragic mayhem.  He also manages to make his readers realize how much potential this series had; if only it could have run for another six-issue arc.

As series artist, I liked Ramon Villalobos, whose work on Summer 2015's E is for Extinction (a Secret Wars title) wowed me.  He captured Walker's special mix of humor and the violence that made Nighthawk such an enthralling read.  In the end, I also learned to love the cover art by Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz (with colors by Chris Sotomayor), although I hated the first issue's cover

A

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


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Review: THE WILD STORM: Michael Cray #1

THE WILD STORM: MICHAEL CRAY #1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Warren Ellis
WRITER: Bryan Hill
PENCILS: N. Steven Harris
INKS: Dexter Vines
COLORS: Steve Buccellato
LETTERS: Simon Bowland
COVER: Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz with Steve Buccellato
VARIANT COVER: Gene Ha
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2017)

Rated “T+”

Michael Cray created by Jim Lee and Brandon Choi

“Michael Cray – Chapter One”

Started by Jim Lee and Brandon Choi, WildStorm Productions was one of the founding studios of Image Comics.  The WildStorm Universe was the fictional shared universe of comic books published by WildStorm and debuted in WildC.A.T.s #1 (cover dated: August 1992).

Jim Lee sold WildStorm Productions and his intellectual properties to DC Comics in 1999, and eventually the WildStorm Universe was folded into the DC Universe (DCU) proper.  It can be argued that the most interesting and perhaps, most influential comic books to come out of the WildStorm Universe came after that sale.  Those books were written by Warren Ellis (StormWatch, The Authority and Planetary).  Ellis is currently relaunching the characters, concepts, story lines, etc. of the Wildstorm Universe in his comic book, The Wild Storm, with artist Jon Davis-Hunt.

The first solo spin off series in the relaunch of “The Wild Storm” is The Wild Storm: Michael Cray.  It is written by Bryan Hill with Warren Ellis contributing story.  The series is drawn by N. Steven Harris (pencils) and Dexter Vines (inks); colored by Steve Buccellato; and lettered by Simon Bowland.  Michael Cray also known as the professional assassin, Deathblow, first appeared in the comic book, Darker Image #1 (cover dated: March 1993).

Michael Cray seeks revenge against International Operations (I.O.) for the death sentence with which its has basically trapped him.  The Wild Storm: Michael Cray #1 finds Cray with an offer of help.  Christine Trelane will give him support, resources, medical aid, and a home, but she has targets that she want Cray to take out.  It starts with that sociopath Silicon Valley billionaire, Oliver Queen.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first issue of The Wild Storm: Michael Cray.  One reason is that in terms of story pacing and in graphical style, Michael Cray is like The Wild Storm comic book.  Writer Bryan Hill writes a script that allows the story to breathe, which in turns allows the reader to enjoy the surprises and shocks and the edginess the script delivers.  Just the Oliver Queen segments are quite enjoyable and enjoyably tart.

N. Steven Harris' compositions and the sharp inking Dexter Vines lays on them are similar to Jon Davis-Hunt's clean drawing style in The Wild Storm.  Harris and Vines deliver good storytelling while graphically tying their work to Ellis and Davis-Hunt's flagship title.  I like The Wild Storm: Michael Cray #1 and will be back for more.

A
8 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 or site for syndication rights and fees.

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DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 11, 2017

DC COMICS

APR170432    ABSOLUTE AUTHORITY HC VOL 01    $75.00
AUG170183    ACTION COMICS #989 (OZ EFFECT)    $2.99
AUG170182    ACTION COMICS #989 LENTICULAR ED  (OZ EFFECT)    $3.99
AUG170184    ACTION COMICS #989 VAR ED (OZ EFFECT)    $2.99
AUG170195    BATGIRL AND THE BIRDS OF PREY #15    $3.99
AUG170196    BATGIRL AND THE BIRDS OF PREY #15 VAR ED    $3.99
JUN170380    BATMAN FLASH THE BUTTON DELUXE ED HC (REBIRTH)    $19.99
JUN170381    BATMAN FLASH THE BUTTON DELUXE ED HC INTL ED (REBIRTH)    $19.99
AUG170286    BOMBSHELLS UNITED #3    $2.99
AUG178149    DARK NIGHTS METAL #2 (OF 6) 2ND PTG    $3.99
JUL170304    DARK NIGHTS METAL #3 (OF 6)    $3.99
JUL170305    DARK NIGHTS METAL #3 (OF 6) KUBERT VAR ED    $3.99
JUL170306    DARK NIGHTS METAL #3 (OF 6) LEE VAR ED    $3.99
JUL170307    DARK NIGHTS METAL #3 (OF 6) ROMITA VAR ED    $3.99
JUL170471    DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS TP VOL 05 DEATH OF ILLUSION    $16.99
AUG170365    DCTV THE FLASH 06 THE FLASH SEASON 3 AF    $28.00
JUN170400    DEATHSTROKE THE TERMINATOR TP VOL 03 NUCLEAR WINTER (RES)    $24.99
JUL170457    DEATHSTROKE TP VOL 03 TWILIGHT (REBIRTH)    $16.99
JUL170472    DEMON BY JACK KIRBY TP    $29.99
AUG170211    DETECTIVE COMICS #966    $2.99
AUG170212    DETECTIVE COMICS #966 VAR ED    $2.99
AUG170178    FLASH #32    $2.99
AUG170179    FLASH #32 VAR ED    $2.99
JUL170473    FLASH BY MARK WAID TP BOOK 03    $34.99
AUG170275    GOTHAM CITY GARAGE #1    $2.99
AUG170276    GOTHAM CITY GARAGE #1 VAR ED    $2.99
AUG170219    HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #30    $2.99
AUG170220    HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #30 VAR ED    $2.99
JUL170479    INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR FIVE TP VOL 03    $16.99
MAY170345    JUSTICE LEAGUE AN ADULT COLORING BOOK TP    $15.99
MAY170344    JUSTICE LEAGUE DARKSEID WAR SAGA OMNIBUS HC    $75.00
APR170428    JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL OMNIBUS HC VOL 01    $99.99
APR170462    JUSTICE LEAGUE MOVIE AQUAMAN STATUE    $150.00
AUG170233    JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #16    $2.99
AUG170234    JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #16 VAR ED    $2.99
AUG170293    MISTER MIRACLE #3 (OF 12) (MR)    $3.99
AUG170294    MISTER MIRACLE #3 (OF 12) VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
AUG170237    NEW SUPER MAN #16    $3.99
AUG170238    NEW SUPER MAN #16 VAR ED    $3.99
AUG170285    RAGMAN #1 (OF 6)    $2.99
AUG170243    RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #15    $3.99
AUG170244    RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #15 VAR ED    $3.99
AUG170305    SCOOBY APOCALYPSE #18    $3.99
AUG170306    SCOOBY APOCALYPSE #18 VAR ED    $3.99
AUG170314    SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU #86    $2.99
AUG170245    SUICIDE SQUAD #27    $2.99
AUG170246    SUICIDE SQUAD #27 VAR ED    $2.99
JUL170465    SUPER SONS TP VOL 01 WHEN I GROW UP (REBIRTH)    $12.99
AUG170249    SUPERGIRL #14    $3.99
AUG170250    SUPERGIRL #14 VAR ED    $3.99
JUN170359    SUPERMAN & MISERABLE ROTTEN NO FUN REALLY BAD DAY HC    $14.99
AUG170257    SUPERWOMAN #15    $3.99
AUG170258    SUPERWOMAN #15 VAR ED    $3.99
AUG170281    WILDSTORM MICHAEL CRAY #1    $3.99
AUG170282    WILDSTORM MICHAEL CRAY #1 VAR ED    $3.99
AUG170265    WONDER WOMAN #32    $2.99
AUG170266    WONDER WOMAN #32 VAR ED    $2.99

Review: CAVE CARSON HAS A CYBERNETIC EYE #1

CAVE CARSON HAS A CYBERNETIC EYE No. 1
DC COMICS/Young Animal – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Gerard Way and Jon Rivera
ART: Michael Avon Oeming
COLORS: Nick Filardi
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Michael Avon Oeming with Nick Filardi
VARIANT COVERS: Matthew Wagner with Brennan Wagner; Bill Sienkiewicz
40pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2016)

Mature Readers

Cave Carson created by France Herron and Bruno Premiani.

Part One: “Going Underground”

Calvin “Cave” Carson is a DC Comics science fiction character.  He first appeared in Brave and the Bold #31 (cover dated: September 1960) and was created by France Herron and Bruno Premiani.  A spelunker (someone who explores wild caves), Cave Carson and his team of fellow adventurers engaged in various adventures beneath the Earth.

Cave Carson is the latest decades-old DC Comics property to get a re-imagining makeover as part of the “Young Animal” imprint.  Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye is written by Gerard Way and Jon Rivera; drawn by Michael Avon Oeming; colored by Nick Filardi; and lettered by Clem Robins.

Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye #1 (“Going Underground”) opens with the funeral of Cave Carson's wife and partner, Eileen.  His relationship with his now-adult daughter, Chloe, is a little rocky, but his organization seems to be humming along.  However, Carson's cybernetic eye is acting up, and he is seeing strange things, some of which might be real.

This will be a short review.  I don't know if I will read Cave Carson Has a Cybernetic Eye past this debut issue.  It is not bad; I just don't find anything in particular that really grabs me.  I like Michael Avon Oeming's art, and my interest is piqued by the appearance of D-list DC Comics character that first appeared in the late 1980s.

I am, for the time being, wedded to Young Animal's Doom Patrol because I am a DP fan.  I am curious about Shade the Changing Girl because of its writer.  However, I might read the second issue of this third Young Animal title if I don't have to go out of my way to do so.

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


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

I Reads You Juniors June 2017 - Update #30

Support Leroy on Patreon.

Welcome to the I Reads You blog.  It's May 2017.  This post and its updates will offer news and blurb reviews.

From BleedingCool:  More information on "Marvel Legacy" and the "Generations" one-shots.

From GoFundMe:  Veteran comic book writer-artist and WWII veteran, Sam Glanzman, needs the help of his fans and admirers as he goes through hospice.

From BleedingCool:  At this year's San Diego Comic-Con International, IDW will use a multi-media display to showcase 1300 pages of Jack Kirby's artwork.  This year is the 100th anniversary of his birth (August 28, 1917).

From ComicBookBin:  Johnny Bullet Episode #123 in English.

From ComicBookBin:  Johnny Bullet Episode #123 in French.

From BleedingCool:  Fandemic Tour is a new brand of comic conventions created by John Macaluso, ex-CEO of Wizard World.

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BLURB REVIEW:

Generation X #1 (Marvel Comics – July 2017) by Christina Strain and Amilcar Pinna with Felipe Sobreiro

Why is Marvel Comics reviving the mid-1990s X-Men title, Generation X (1994 to 2001; 75 issues)?  Well, it's a title/trademark they own, and since they are in the middle of the latest X-Men reboot/revival (called “ResurrXion”), and they need new X-titles, why not?

This new series focuses on a “newer” generation of mutants, with Jubilee being the only original member to belong to this new iteration.  I read the original Generation X for a number of years, mainly because of Chris Bachalo's incredible detailed and textured art.  Current series artist Amilcar Pinna does nothing for me, and writer Christina Strain's script does not inspire me to keep reading.  I am not interested in the characters, and the name, term, or phrase, “Generation X,” simply does not have the power or draw it once did.


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From BleedingCool:  A look at the Marvel "Legacy" covers.

From SideshowToys:  See an older Jack Burton in the upcoming "Big Trouble in Little China" comic book series, "Old Man Jack."

From BleedingCool:  Longtime comic book artist, Rich Buckler, died of cancer in May of this year at the age of 68.  The Marvel Comics' shipping today, June 21st, will have feature a memorial page to him.

From CBB:  Deejay Dayton's "DC Comics History" looks at "Mademmoiselle Marie," from the "Star Spangled War Stories" comic book series.

From CBR:  Mark Millar and Dave Gibbons' "The Secret Service" comic book (which became the film, "Kingsman: The Secret Service") has a sequel, which will be written by Rob Williams and drawn by Simon Fraser.

From BleedingCool:  Enrico Marini is creating a Batman graphic novel, exclusively for French publisher, Dargaud.  The book will be published in two volumes - one this year and the second volume next year.

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment is publishing a comic book series that will offer the origins of the character "John Wick" from the popular film franchise.  Greg Pak is writing and Giovanni Valletta.

From CBB:  Johnny Bullet Episode #122 in English
From CBB:  Johnny Bullet Episode #122 in French.

From BusinessWire:  20th Century Fox Film buys a "significant minority stake" in indie comics publisher, BOOM! Studios, according to this press release.

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BLURB REVIEW:

Reborn #6 (Image Comics – June 2017) by Mark Millar and Greg Capullo with Jonathan Glapion

Mark Millar's latest comic book-as-Hollywood pitch, Reborn, ends with a sixth issue.  Meh.  It has it moments, some of them quite evocative, but Reborn seems like something in which the best is yet to come, or at least the actual story is yet to come.  Apparently, there are plans for several more volumes of Reborn.  I liked Greg Capullo's imaginative character and creature designs and sets; in fact, there are three pages of Capullo's concept sketches at the end of this issue.

Also, is it just me or does much of Reborn seem to be inspired by Ridley Scott's ambitious, but troubled fantasy film, Legend (1985)?

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From BleedingCool:  DC Comics may be publishing a series of comic books from horror novelists for Halloween.

From BleedingCool:   IDW Publishing is beginning is new Hasbro crossover event (G.I. Joe, Transformers, Micronauts, Rom, etc.) with "First Strike #0," a free comic book - in print and online.

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BLURB REVIEW:

Jean Grey #1 (Marvel Comics – July 2017) by Dennis Hopeless and Victor Ibanez with Jay David Ramos

I think that this is the first solo Jean Grey comic book title in the 50+ years of X-Men comic books.  Maybe, Marvel had to take its time to get it right, because this Jean Grey comic book is right.  Writer Dennis Hopeless makes Jean Grey's powers seem fun with an imaginative display of tossing villains and juggling objects.  I like Victor Ibanez's interior art, but not as much as I like that of series cover artist, David Yardin.  Still, there is something fresh and sparkling about Ibánez's art, which is enhanced by Jay David Ramos' shimmering colors.  I can't wait to read more, especially because of the teaser the last page offers.

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From CBR:  There might have been a Frank Miller/Bill Sienkiewicz Wonder Woman bondage comic book.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel will ship preview copies of "Legacy #1" to retailers in September.

From ICv2:  Hasbro is throwing its own convention, Hascon, on September 8-10, 2017.  Stan Lee will be a guest.

From TheBeat:  Marvel month-to-month sales chart March 2017 to April 2017.

From CBB:  Leroy reviews "Everyone's Getting Married Vol. 5."

From BleedingCool:  Jimmie Robinson ("Bomb Queen," "The Empty")  talks about not drawing for a year.

From CBB:  Johnny Bullet #120 in English.

From CBB:  Johnny Bullet #120 in French.

From WomenWriteAboutComics:  Yeah, why is Marvel Comics' "Generation X" back?

From BleedingCool:  See Spider-Man's Mary Jane Watson as several Avengers, courtesy of artist J. Scott Campbell.

From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books announces a new anthology, "Now," to be edited by Associate Publisher Eric Reynolds.

From BleedingCool:  There will be more from the world of Mark Millar's comic, "The Secret Service," which became the movie, "Kingsman: The Secret Service."

From BleedingCool:  In "Wildstorm: A Celebration Of 25 Years," fans will see the uncensored versions of Mark Millar and Frank Quitely's "The Authority" #13 to 14.

From ComicBookBin:  Today's lesson in "DC Comics History" is "The Wyoming Kid" (1960 to 1964) by Deejay Dayton.