Showing posts with label Eric Powell. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Eric Powell. Show all posts

Friday, June 11, 2021

#IReadsYou Review: THE SCUMBAG #4

THE SCUMBAG #4
IMAGE COMICS/Giant Generator

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Rick Remender
ART: Eric Powell
COLORS: Moreno Dinisio
LETTERS: Rus Wooton
DESIGN: Erika Schnatz
EDITOR: Will Dennis
COVER: Eric Powell
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Roland Boschi with Moreno Dinisio; Duncan Fegredo
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S.(January 2021)

Rated “M/ Mature”

“Snowblower Indemnity” Part 4


The Scumbag is a comic book series from writer Rick Remender.  Described as a “comedy espionage series” by publisher Image Comics, The Scumbag's tagline reads, “The fate of the world rests in the hands of the worst person on it!”  The series features a rotating crew of illustrators.  Artist Eric Powell; colorist Moreno Dinisio; and letterer Rus Wooton complete the current creative team.

The Scumbag introduces Ernie Ray Clementine.  He is a rundown, raggedy, filthy man.  He is a profane, illiterate, drug-addicted biker and ne'er-do-well with a fifth-grade education.  However, he meets Sister Mary and “Central Authority” and inadvertently absorbs the power-imbuing serum called “the Formula Maxima.”  Now, Ernie is the only thing standing between humanity and total Armageddon... because he has suddenly become the world's most powerful super-spy.

The Scumbag #4 opens in the sky in a flying car with Ernie Ray, Sister Mary, and “A.I. doll,” Pam.  They plan to infiltrate a party being thrown at the mansion of “The Prosoma,” leader of the reactionary cabal, Scorpionus.  However, “Mr. Prosoma” isn't clueless about his party being crashed, and he has an offer to make.

THE LOWDOWN:  I didn't have a lot to say about The Scumbag #1.  I had a little more to say about The Scumbag #2.  I said that with The Scumbag #3 the series had hit its stride.  The Scumbag #4 may offer some of Rick Remender's sharpest political, social, and racial commentary yet.

Remender distillates white privilege, the one percent, reactionary millionaires and billionaires, and the titans of industry, tech, and fossil fuels into one self-promoting asshole.  It is scary that there are people similar to Prosoma in the real world, but Remender has turned this type into a most excellent comic book villain.

Artist Eric Powell and colorist Moreno Dinisio have a field day with the orgy scenes; I'm still shocked.  And letterer Rus Wooton is quite good at lettering crazy talk, of which there is a lot.  We're approaching the end of the first story arc, so this is no time to stop reading The Scumbag.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Rick Remender, of mature comedy, and of reprobate-type anti-hero lead characters will want The Scumbag.

8 out of 10

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


https://twitter.com/Remender
http://www.giantgenerator.com/
https://twitter.com/lewislarosa
https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s). 


Thursday, May 13, 2021

#IReadsYou Review: THE SCUMBAG #3

THE SCUMBAG No. 3
IMAGE COMICS/Giant Generator

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Rick Remender
ART: Eric Powell
COLORS: Moreno Dinisio
LETTERS: Rus Wooton
DESIGN: Erika Schnatz
EDITOR: Will Dennis
COVER: Eric Powell
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Dave Guertin; Joelle Jones with Moreno Dinisio
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S.(December 2020)

Rated “M/ Mature”

“Snowblower Indemnity” Part 3


The Scumbag is a new comic book series from writer Rick Remender.  Described as a “comedy espionage series” by publisher Image Comics, The Scumbag's tagline reads, “The fate of the world rests in the hands of the worst person on it!”  The series features a rotating crew of illustrators.  Thus, artist Eric Powell; colorist Moreno Dinisio; and letterer Rus Wooton complete the current creative team.

The Scumbag introduces Ernie Ray Clementine.  He is a rundown, raggedy, filthy man.  He is a profane, illiterate, drug-addicted biker and ne'er-do-well with a fifth-grade education.  However, he meets Sister Mary and “Central Authority” and inadvertently absorbs the power-imbuing serum called “the Formula Maxima.”  Now, Ernie is the only thing standing between humanity and total Armageddon... because he has suddenly become the world's most powerful super-spy.

The Scumbag #3 opens on the roof the Sipkin Building.  There, “The Prosoma,” leader of reactionary cabal, Scorpionus, speechifies about his “Gold Bomb.”  When it detonates, this “alchemy bomb” will turn everyone in and around the Sipkin into solid gold – a bid to create enough gold to crash the world economy.  While super-agent, Sister Mary, fights Scorpionus' big white asshole, “The Ultra-Nationalist,” our hero, Ernie Ray, of course, struggles with golden temptation.

THE LOWDOWN:  I didn't have a lot to say about The Scumbag #1.  I had a little more to say about The Scumbag #2.  What I have to say about The Scumbag #3 is that the series has hit its stride; this third issue is the funniest issue, yet.

Eric Powell, creator, writer, and artist of The Goon comic books, is the artist for The Scumbag #3, but it makes no never mind – as the saying goes.  Don't get me wrong; Eric Powell is good at what he does.  Still, he does not distinguish himself from the series' previous two artists:  Lewis Larosa (#1) and Andrew Robinson (#2).  These artists have done good work, with Robinson and Powell managing to draw in a graphical style similar to Larosa's.

The star here is Rick Remender.  As I said before, I have enjoyed what few Rick Remender comic books I have read, and I have not read much.  However, his mix of political commentary and witty asides and his dialogue peppered with acerbic observations about our current social and cultural climate are … well, golden.  Plus, his super-spy/secret agent set pieces are as good as anything readers will find in one of the Kingsman movies.

Yeah, I could say that Remender is “killing it,” but I want to wait on that.  I will say that if the fourth issue is as good as or better than The Scumbag #3, then, no comic book readers looking for really “good comics” will be able to skip The Scumbag.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Rick Remender, of mature comedy, and of reprobate-type anti-hero lead characters will want The Scumbag.

8 out of 10

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


https://twitter.com/Remender
http://www.giantgenerator.com/
https://twitter.com/lewislarosa
https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/


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

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

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).


Sunday, January 24, 2021

#IReadsYou Review: KARNAK #1

KARNAK No. 1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Warren Ellis
ART: Gerardo Zaffino
COLORS: Dan Brown
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: David Aja
VARIANT COVERS:  Gerardo Zaffino; Jim Cheung with Justin Ponsor; Skottie Young; Eric Powell (Monster variant) Kaare Andrews (Hop Hop variant)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2015)

Rated T+

Karnak created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

“The Flaw in All Things” Part 1


Karnak is a Marvel Comics character that is part of the super-human race known as the Inhumans.  Karnak was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and debuted in Fantastic Four #45 (cover dated: December 1965), the same issue in which the Inhumans first appeared.

Unlike most Inhumans, Karnak was not exposed to the Terrigen Mists.  Because he did not undergo Terrigenesis, he did not develop additional powers like other Inhumans.  A martial artist, Karnak can find the weakness or the flaw in anything (people, ideas, objects, philosophies, structures, and systems).  Using his training and strength, Karnak exploits his talents and can turn a weakness into a weapon.

Marvel Comics is apparently expanding the profile of the Inhumans even more, and that includes launching Inhuman solo titles.  The first one is Karnak, which is written by Warren Ellis; drawn by Gerardo Zaffino; colored by Dan Brown; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.  [Of note:  due to unforeseen circumstances, the art team will change in future issues.]

Karnak #1 (“The Flaw in All Things” Part 1) finds Magister Karnak doing his thing at the Tower of Wisdom.  His thing is interrupted when S.H.I.E.L.D. and Agent Coulson come calling for his help and whisk him off to a S.H.I.E.L.D. base in the Arctic.

It seems that William and Sarah Roderick have lost their son, Adam.  He recently underwent Terrigenesis and afterwards, was abducted.  The culprit seems to be I.D.I.C. (International Data Integration and Control), an old splinter group of A.I.M. (Advanced Idea Mechanics), thought to be defunct. Now, Karnak, the baddest philosopher since I-don't-know-who, will find Adam and I.D.I.C.

Karnak is another intriguing series from the mind of Warren Ellis, one of most the imaginative and inventive writers of North American and British comic books.  When I first heard that there was going to be a Karnak comic book, I was all like “Puh-lease!”  However, once I learned that Ellis would be the writer, I was intrigued.

I read Ellis' Karnak as an amalgamation of a fixer, special operative, troubleshooter, and martial artist.  He is the Inhuman blunt instrument, called in when no one can get the job done.  I wonder if Karnak will be a pop comic, full of kick-ass and action swag, while offering up something new in terms of ideas, plots, and settings.

Surprisingly, I am as impressed with the art of Gerardo Zaffino and Dan Brown as I am with Ellis' story-script-concept.  Zaffino's compositions are representational in a moody and impressionistic way, but the art makes for kinetic storytelling – as if the narrative is always urging forward.  The colors are alluring; they are like candy, and I think Brown's hues were the elements that kept drawing me deeper into this first issue.

I heartily recommend Karnak.  Readers looking for the really different in the All-New, All-Different Marvel will want to buy this first issue, even if it means mail order or digital.

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.

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

 Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

 

Monday, December 16, 2019

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for December 18, 2019

BOOM! STUDIOS

OCT191399    ANGEL #8 CVR A MAIN PANOSIAN    $3.99
OCT191400    ANGEL #8 CVR B MORRIS VAR    $3.99
OCT191401    ANGEL #8 CVR C PREORDER BUONCRISTIANO    $3.99
JUN191288    ART & MANY MISTAKES ERIC POWELL HC    $49.99
AUG191383    BONE PARISH TP VOL 03    $14.99
OCT191409    FIREFLY #12 CVR A MAIN GARBETT    $3.99
OCT191410    FIREFLY #12 CVR B PREORDER QUINONES VAR    $3.99
OCT198402    FIREFLY #12 FOC YOUNG VAR    $3.99
OCT191413    FOLKLORDS #2 (OF 5) CVR A SMITH    $3.99
OCT198410    FOLKLORDS #2 (OF 5) FOC VAR    $3.99
OCT198409    HEARTBEAT #1 (OF 5) 2ND PTG (MR)    $3.99
OCT191415    HEARTBEAT #2 (OF 5) CVR A LLOVET (MR)    $3.99
OCT198403    HEARTBEAT #2 (OF 5) FOC GANUCHEAU VAR (MR)    $3.99
AUG191425    HEX VET ORIGINAL GN VOL 02 FLYING SURGERY    $9.99
OCT191419    JIM HENSON DARK CRYSTAL AGE RESISTANCE #4 CVR A FINDEN    $3.99
OCT191420    JIM HENSON DARK CRYSTAL AGE RESISTANCE #4 CVR B MATTHEWS    $3.99
OCT198404    JIM HENSON DARK CRYSTAL AGE RESISTANCE #4 FOC WYATT VAR    $3.99
AUG191414    JIM HENSON STORYTELLER SIRENS HC    $24.99
OCT191386    KLAUS LIFE & TIMES OF JOE CHRISTMAS #1    $7.99
OCT198406    KLAUS LIFE & TIMES OF JOE CHRISTMAS #1 FOC BENGAL VAR    $7.99
OCT191431    LUMBERJANES #69 CVR A LEYH    $3.99
OCT191432    LUMBERJANES #69 CVR B PREORDER YEE VAR    $3.99
OCT191390    MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #46 CVR A CAMPBELL    $3.99
OCT198407    MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #46 FOC MORA VAR    $3.99
OCT191392    MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #46 FOIL MONTES VAR    $4.99
OCT191414    ONCE & FUTURE #5 (OF 6)    $3.99
AUG191380    SNOOPY BEAGLE OF MARS ORIGINAL GN PEANUTS    $9.99


Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Review: THE GOON #1

THE GOON No. 1 (2019)
ALBATROSS FUNNYBOOKS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST: Eric Powell – @goonguy
COLORS: Rachael Cohen and Eric Powell
EDITOR: Tracy Marsh
COVER: Eric Powell
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Kevin Nowlan
24pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (March 13, 2019)

“A Ragged Return to Lonely Street”

The Goon is a comic book character created by comic book writer-artist, Eric Powell.  The Goon is visually similar to a “heavy” or muscular-type villain from an old-timey Hollywood film or television series.  To me, The Goon looks like a blend of Golden Age Hollywood leading man, actor Sterling Hayden, and Hollywood B-movie cult icon, Rondo Hatton.  The Goon's adventures take place in a supernatural world in which he battles ghosts, ghouls, mutants, and various other monsters, as well as assorted undead/zombie types

The Goon is currently celebrating his twentieth anniversary.  He has been the star of his own comic book series, The Goon, beginning in 1999, with most of his comic book run spent at Dark Horse Comics.  Powell recently relaunched The Goon series via his own comic book publishing company, Albatross Funnybooks (formerly Albatross Exploding Funny Books).  The new series is written, drawn, and lettered by Powell and colored by Rachael Cohen and Powell.

The Goon #1 (“A Ragged Return to Lonely Street”) finds The Goon and his pals, Franky and Rosco, returning to “the town with no name” after a time spent abroad serving with a mysterious organization (a tale for another publication).  The Goon expects the town to be changed, since he cleaned the place up of supernatural baddies before he left... but even the zombies are back.

Now, needing a place to stay, The Goon and Franky must deal with a shady character, Horace Sinckelits (“Realtor of the Damned”).  Plus, there is the issue of “Baby Galahad the East-Side Ghoul,” one of several unsavory types who have stepped in to fill the void The Goon left behind.

I am not a big fan of The Goon, but I enjoy reading it from time to time.  My eyes, however, are always hoping to take in more of Eric Powell's beautiful art and illustrations.  The Goon is truly an oddball creation.  I think of it this way:  if you took the tone and spirit of the horror comic books published by Marvel, DC Comics, and Warren Publications (to name a few) and blended them with the sensibilities of MAD Magazine; next, added a sprinkle of the more humorous episodes of Will Eisner's The Spirit; then, placed it in a Film-Noir big city setting, you would have The Goon.

The Goon also has more than one great character.  First, there is the title character, and secondly, there is the irascible Franky, whose dialogue sounds like a low-level criminal-hood type from a Hollywood gangster movie.  Powell makes Franky funny practically one-hundred percent of the time, and so, Franky makes The Goon twice as good.  Honestly, I really can't get enough of a character; I guess I'm a Franky fanboy slash homer.

Now, that I think about.  I liked The Goon #1 (2019) so much that I don't want to read it from time to time.  I want to read it every issue.

http://www.thegoon.com/albatross.html

8.5 out of 10

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


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

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Wednesday, October 17, 2018

Review: FANTASTIC FOUR #1 Fascimile Edition

FANTASTIC FOUR #1 FACSIMILE EDITION (2018)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Stan Lee
PENCILS: Jack Kirby
INKS: George Klein (?); Sol Brodsky (?)
COLORS: Stan Goldberg
LETTERS: Artie Simek
EDITOR: Mark D. Beazley (collection editor)
COVER: Jack Kirby and George Klein with Stan Goldberg (?)
MISC. ART: John Buscema and Joe Sinnott; John Byrne and Terry Austin; John Byrne; Alex Ross; John Byrne with Gregory Wright; Scott Eaton with Richard Isanove; Eric Powell; Clayton Crain; Marcelo DiChiara; Ed McGuinness and Dexter Vines; Michael Wm Kaluta; Leinil Francis Yu; Arthur Adams with Justin Ponsor; Humberto Ramos with Edgar Delgado; Jack Kirby and George Klein with Dean White
48pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2018)

Fantastic Four created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee

Afterword by Dan Slott

“The Fantastic Four!”

The Fantastic Four #1 (cover dated: November 1961) is the comic book that basically started what we know of today as Marvel Comics and the “Marvel Universe” of superheroes, comic books, stories, and fictional mythologies.  This comic book only credits two of the creative team, Fantastic Four creators, Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.  Lee wrote a two-page plot that Kirby drew, via pencil art, as a 25-page comic book story.  Lee, credited as the scriptwriter, wrote the exposition and dialogue for the 25 pages.  You can experience this history in Marvel Comics' recent release, Fantastic Four #1 Facsimile Edition.

Because comic books then did not provide contributor credits as they do today, there is some question as to the rest of the creative team of this first issue of The Fantastic Four (also known as “FF”).  George Klein and possibly Sol Brodsky provided inks over Kirby's pencils.  Stan Goldberg was the colorist, and Artie Simek was this comic book's letterer.

The Fantastic Four #1 (“The Fantastic Four!) opens in the FF's original home, Central City.  The ordinary citizens are in an uproar, as above them, someone has fired a flare gun that has unleashed a huge smoke cloud.  Like a silent beacon, the smoke is emblazoned with the words, “THE FANTASTIC FOUR!”  What does it all mean, the citizens of Central City wonder?

The one who fired the gun is Reed Richards a.k.a. “Mister Fantastic,” a scientific genius, who can stretch his body to incredible lengths and into endless shapes.  He is calling Susan “Sue” Storm a.k.a. “the Invisible Girl,” who can make herself invisible.  The call also goes out to Johnny Storm a.k.a. “the Human Torch,” Sue's younger brother, who can ignite his body with flames, generate more flames, and use the flames to give him the power of flight.  The final cast member is Ben Grimm a.k.a. “the Thing,” whose flesh has been turned stone-like, giving him tremendous superhuman strength, durability, and endurance.  Richards is the leader of this mysterious group, The Fantastic Four.  On the day of Reed's signal call, the team must save the planet from a strange underworld menace, and the world will never be the same.

The Fantastic Four, of course, is now simply known as Fantastic Four, a fantastic name either way one says it.  It is definitely one of the five most important individual issues of a comic book ever published, and there are several reasons why.  The modern language of superhero comic books and to a large extent, the graphical storytelling language of modern comic books is based on Jack Kirby's comic book storytelling, beginning with his illustrations and storytelling in Fantastic Four #1.

However, what I like about Fantastic Four #1 is its unabashed craziness.  Stan Lee does not pretend to be writing science fiction.  This landmark comic book is full of crazy, ridiculous, stupid, hair-brained, wild, weird, wonderful, wacky, surreal, and strange stuff, and sadly, in the intervening years, comic books have tried to become too smart.  It is as if comic books have been trying to make sense of the “wrongness” and “incorrectness” of Fantastic Four in the intervening decades since its release.  Comic books don't need to be literature to be taken seriously.  Comic book writers, artists, colorists, letterers, editors, publishers, etc. create storytelling that cannot be created in other mediums, and it is perfectly fine for the stories to be scientifically and practically non-nonsensical.

Fantastic Four #1 is like a B-movie or monster movie, but only in the most superficial ways.  The imagination and inventiveness unique to comic books is unique to comic books because comic books are not like other mediums.  A couple of times in the text pieces for Fantastic Four #1 Facsimile Edition, the word “crude” is used.  On the surface, the illustrations in this sixty-seven year-old comic book story may appear to be crude, but the graphics and the graphical storytelling are beautiful, almost beyond words.

The combination of imagination, the uniqueness of the comics medium, and the innate weirdness of comic books flowed (and still flows) through what Jack Kirby and Stan Lee created so long ago.  The Fantastic Four #1 is not quaint, charming, or crude; it was a new dawn, and it is still visionary.  I have been reading The Fantastic Four #1 in reprint form, on and off, for over 30 years, and I never stop being excited while reading it.  I really enjoyed Fantastic Four #1 Facsimile Edition.

[This comic book features previously published text pieces by Stan Lee, Tom DeFalco, and Walter Mosley.]


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



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Monday, March 5, 2018

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 7, 2018

DARK HORSE COMICS

NOV170024    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER OMNIBUS SEASON 8 TP VOL 02    $24.99
DEC160101    CHIMICHANGA HC SORROW OF WORLDS WORST FACE    $14.99
JAN180111    INCOGNEGRO RENAISSANCE #2 (MR)    $3.99
JAN180105    KOSHCHEI THE DEATHLESS #3 (OF 6)    $3.99
NOV170020    LOBSTER JOHNSON TP VOL 06 CHAIN FORGED IN LIFE    $19.99
OCT170113    PSYCHO PASS INSPECTOR SHINYA KOGAMI TP VOL 04    $11.99
JAN180106    RASPUTIN VOICE OF DRAGON #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
JAN180107    RASPUTIN VOICE OF DRAGON #5 (OF 5) KALUTA VAR    $3.99

Monday, December 4, 2017

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 6, 2017

DARK HORSE COMICS

JUL170197    BLOOD BLOCKADE BATTLEFRONT TP VOL 08    $12.99
NOV160074    CHIMICHANGA SORROW OF WORLDS WORST FACE #4 (OF 4)    $3.99
OCT170026    RASPUTIN VOICE OF DRAGON #2 (OF 5)    $3.99
OCT170027    RASPUTIN VOICE OF DRAGON #2 (OF 5) MANCHESS VAR    $3.99
OCT170057    USAGI YOJIMBO #164    $3.99

Sunday, September 13, 2015

Review: Will Eisner's THE SPIRIT #1

WILL EISNER'S THE SPIRIT VOL. 1 #1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT – @dynamitecomics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Matt Wagner
ART: Dan Schkade
COLORS: Brennan Wagner
LETTERS: A Larger World Studios
COVER: Eric Powell
VARIANT COVERS: Matt Wagner with Brennan Wagner; Alex Ross; John Cassaday; Francesco Francavilla; Dan Schkade; Matt Wagner; Dennis Calero; Jenny Frison; Stephen Mooney
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (July 2015)

Rated T+

The Spirit (a.k.a. Denny Colt) is the masked crime-fighting hero created by legendary cartoonist, the late Will Eisner.  The Spirit first appeared on June 2, 1940 as the main feature of what would come to be known as “The Spirit Section.”  This was a 16-page, tabloid-sized, newsprint comic book insert first distributed in the Sunday edition of Register and Tribune Syndicate newspapers.  “The Spirit Section” ended in 1952.  With only a few exceptions, Eisner did not produce new stories featuring The Spirit as a regular feature after 1952.

In the last two decades, Kitchen Sink, DC Comics, and IDW published comic book series featuring new Spirit stories created by other writers and artists.  Sometime in the last year, Dynamite Entertainment obtained the rights to produce new Spirit comic books.  July 2015 saw the debut of Will Eisner's The Spirit, written by Matt Wagner, drawn by Dan Schkade, colored by Brennan Wagner, and lettered by A Large World Studios, with covers by Eric Powell.

Will Eisner's The Spirit #1 opens some time in the 1940s, two years after the last sighting of The Spirit.  Central City Police Commissioner Eustace Dolan wonders about the fate of his loyal, crime-fighting friend, but he must focus on the city's politics, which are not necessarily playing in his favor.  Commissioner Dolan's daughter, Ellen Dolan, is busy with her role as a city councilman, and though she was romantically involved with The Spirit, she has moved on with her life.  She even has a new boyfriend, attorney Archibald “Archie” Shale.

The Spirit's former sidekick, Ebony White, is now part of “Strunk and White: Private Investigators.”  Ebony has grown bored of chasing people, and has decided that it is time to chase The Spirit.

There have been some good recent Spirit stories produced by creators other than Will Eisner; Alan Moore and Darwyn Cooke come to mind.  Even back in The Spirit's original run, the comic was produced by people other than Eisner.  I imagine that readers who are not familiar with Will Eisner won't know the difference between his Spirit and that of other creators, so I will partly review Will Eisner's The Spirit #1 in that context.

It is a decent comic book.  It has potential, but I wouldn't pay a cover price of $3.99 for it on a regular basis.  Series artist Dan Schkade draws so that his compositions try to capture the graphic style of a comic book from the 1940s.  However, his drawing, in terms of comic book art and storytelling, is raw, and the quality of his work says semi-pro webcomic.

Now, as a longtime fan of The Spirit, who has liked both Eisner and non-Eisner Spirit comics, I have to say that Will Eisner's The Spirit #1 simply does not live up to the best of either Eisner or non-Eisner Spirit.  The reality is that anyone who takes on The Spirit works in the shadow of Eisner, one of the greatest and most influential comic book artists and creators of all time.

So truthfully, Dynamite Entertainment needs to do better than Dan Schkade as the series artist.  Flashy cover artists cannot hide that this book does not even come close to living up to its pedigree.  [I must admit to loving Alex Ross' gorgeous “Subscription Cover” variant cover.]  I want this to be better, and I think writer Matt Wagner and artist Dan Schkade can do better.  They must.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

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Tuesday, July 21, 2015

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for July 22, 2015

IDW PUBLISHING

MAY150445     DUNGEONS & DRAGONS LEGEND OF DRIZZT TP VOL 02 EXILE     $19.99
MAY150351     EDWARD SCISSORHANDS #10 WHOLE AGAIN     $3.99
MAR150346     ERIC POWELLS THE GOON CHINATOWN ARTIST ED HC     PI
APR150419     FLY OUTBREAK #4     $3.99
MAY150444     GALAXY QUEST JOURNEY CONTINUES TP     $17.99
MAY150337     GI JOE (2014) FALL OF GI JOE TP VOL 02     $17.99
MAY150334     GI JOE A REAL AMERICAN HERO #216     $3.99
MAY150409     INFINITE LOOP #4     $3.99
MAY150407     INSUFFERABLE #3     $3.99
APR158518     JEM & THE HOLOGRAMS #1 PLUGGED IN ED 3RD PTG     $3.99
MAY150381     MICKEY MOUSE #2     $3.99
MAY150367     MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC #32     $3.99
MAY150424     OCTOBER FACTION TP VOL 01     $19.99
MAY150449     ROBERT HEINLEINS CITIZEN OF THE GALAXY TP     $17.99
MAY150355     STAR TREK ONGOING #47     $3.99
MAY150358     TMNT CASEY & APRIL #2     $3.99
MAY150320     TRANSFORMERS #43     $3.99
MAY150316     TRANSFORMERS ROBOTS IN DISGUISE ANIMATED #1     $3.99
MAY150375     UNCLE SCROOGE #4     $3.99
FEB150412     WALLY WOOD EC COMICS ARTISAN ED TP     $49.99
MAY150384     WALT DISNEY COMICS & STORIES #721     $3.99
MAY150386     WALT DISNEY COMICS & STORIES #721 BLANK SKETCH CVR     $3.99
MAY150415     WINTERWORLD FROZEN FLEET #3     $3.99

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

I Reads You Review: ARCHIE VS. PREDATOR #1

ARCHIE VS. PREDATOR #1
DARK HORSE COMICS in association with Archie Comics – @DarkHorseComics and @ArchieComics

WRITER: Alex de Campi
PENCILS: Fernando Ruiz
INKS: Rich Koslowski
COLORS: Jason Millet
LETTERS: John Workman
COVER:  Fernando Ruiz and Rich Koslowski with Jason Millet
VARIANT COVERS: Eric Powell; Francesco Francavilla
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (April 2015)

Eternal comic book teenager, Archie Andrews, was created in 1941 by Vic Bloom and Bob Montana and first appeared in Pep Comics #22 (cover date: December 1941).  The Predator is a movie monster that was created by the sibling screenwriting team of Jim and John Thomas in 1985 and that first appeared in the still-popular, 1987 science fiction film, Predator.

Now, Dark Horse Comics, in conjunction with Archie Comics, is pitting Archie Andrews and his friends against the Predator in the four-issue comic book miniseries, Archie vs. Predator.  The series is written by Alex de Campi, penciled by Fernando Ruiz, inked by Rich Koslowski, colored by Jason Millet, and lettered by one of the masters of comic book lettering, John Workman.

Archie vs. Predator #1 (“When You Wish Upon a Star”) opens with America's favorite teen, Archie, and his pals, including Betty, Veronica, Reggie, Jughead, and Moose, trying to decide where they can spend Spring Break.  They don't want to spend another Spring Break camping, tubing, or shopping at the outlet mall.  Of course, the wealthy Cheryl and her boyfriend, Jason, are rubbing it in that they will spend the vacation yachting in the Caribbean.

As luck (or fate) would have it, the gang does manage to travel to the lovely Los Perdidos Resort in Costa Rica.  However, instead of enjoying fun in the sun, Archie and the Gang allow old rivalries, jealousy, and violence to take over their Spring Break.  Meanwhile, something dangerous hides in the nearby jungle, watching and waiting.

It has been some time since I have enjoyed an Archie comic book as much as I enjoyed Archie vs. Predator #1.  For the most part, the Predator is a background player in this first issue.  What makes this such a good Archie comic book is that writer Alex de Campi encapsulates eight decades of rivalries, jealousies, and disputes into 22-pages.  The charm of Archie and company is not just that they are friends; it is also about their conflicts and schemes, although I must admit to being surprised at the physical intensity and emotional distress de Campi depicts in this story.

The art team of Fernando Ruiz, Rich Koslowski (an Archie Comics writer-artist), and Jason Millet capture the classic Archie look, which is based on the work of the late Dan DeCarlo, probably the most influential Archie Comics artist of all time.  Archie vs. Predator #1 looks like an Archie comic book and graphically, it reads like one.

I am waiting for the Predator's presence to explode in this story, probably next issue.  For now, I implore anyone who has ever liked an Archie comic book to try the first issue of Archie vs. Predator.

A

[This volume includes a one-age bonus story, “Sabrina Meets Hellboy” by Alex de Campi, Robert Hack, and Clem Robins.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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


Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 4, 2015

DARK HORSE COMICS

DEC140072     ANGEL AND FAITH SEASON 10 #11 MAIN CVR     $3.50
OCT140126     COMPLETE ELFQUEST TP VOL 02     $24.99
OCT140128     CONAN TP VOL 16 THE SONG OF BELIT     $19.99
SEP140127     GANTZ TP VOL 34 (MR)     $13.99
DEC140115     GHOST #12     $2.99
DEC140125     GHOST FLEET #4     $3.99
DEC140051     GOON ONCE UPON A HARD TIME #1     $3.50
DEC140055     HELLBOY AND THE BPRD #3 1952     $3.50
DEC140090     LADY KILLER #2     $3.50
JUL140149     MASS EFFECT 3D LASER-CUT MODEL ALLIANCE CRUISER     $9.99
JUL140147     MASS EFFECT 3D LASER-CUT MODEL NORMANDY SR2     $9.99
JUL140148     MASS EFFECT 3D LASER-CUT MODEL SX3     $9.99
JUL140150     MASS EFFECT 3D LASER-CUT MODEL TURIAN CRUISER     $9.99
DEC140054     RAT GOD #1     $3.99

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Dark Horse Galloping Towards 2014 Wizard World Portland Comic Con

Award-Winning Publisher Dark Horse Will Have Big Presence At Wizard World Portland Comic Con, January 24-26

The Premier Publisher Will Create Giveaways For Attendees, Host Booth And Programming Panels At Oregon Convention Center

PORTLAND, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dark Horse, bridging the gap between the best licensed and original comics work from the industry’s top talent, will make their debut at Wizard World Portland Comic Con, January 24-26 at the Oregon Convention Center. The Oregon-based Premier Publisher, which produces such notable titles as Tomb Raider, Mass Effect, Halo, Terminator, Serenity, Star Wars, Hellboy, and Conan, will be appearing at Portland Comic Con for the first time.

Located in nearby Milwaukie, Ore., Dark Horse will feature several of its top creators signing at its booth including Christos Gage (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Eric Powell (The Goon) and more! Dark Horse will host three panels throughout the show, with details to be announced shortly!

Additionally, fans will enjoy special exclusive items produced by Dark Horse and available for the first time at Wizard World Portland Comic Con! Visitors to the Dark Horse booth (#201) can check out new and classic offerings as well as giveaways throughout the event.

“Dark Horse is one of the premier publishers in the industry today,” said John Macaluso, Wizard World CEO. “What makes them unique is many of their properties, including Hellboy, have been seen on the big screen. And knowing that Hellboy's Ron Perlman is attending, and Dark Horse is located in Portland, there are so many synergies that make this work. It is exciting for the fans, vendors, and everyone involved.”

“After Wizard World's impressive first year in Portland, we knew Dark Horse would enthusiastically join the 2014 line up of exhibitors," said Dark Horse president and publisher, Mike Richardson. "We've got one of our biggest years yet coming in 2014, and what better place to kick it off than right here in our own backyard.”

Norman Reedus of “The Walking Dead,” “Star Trek's” “Captain Kirk” William Shatner, WWE® Superstar CM Punk® and Eisner Award Hall of Famer Stan Lee are among the top celebrities scheduled to attend Wizard World Portland Comic Con. The standout roster will also include Ron Perlman of Hellboy, Robert Englund (“Freddy Kruger” of A Nightmare on Elm Street), Bruce Campbell of Evil Dead, pop culture icons Billy Dee Williams (The Empire Strikes Back, Brian's Song) and Adam West (“Batman”) Nicholas Brendan (Buffy the Vampire Slayer) and many others.

It is the first of 16 events currently scheduled in the 2014 series produced by Wizard World, Inc. (OTCBB: WIZD) and will also feature a top-drawer collection of well-known artists and writers and a variety of activities, exhibitors and special attractions. Wizard World Portland Comic Con show hours are Friday, Jan. 24, 3-8 p.m.; Saturday, Jan. 25, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m., Sunday, Jan. 26, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

For more on the 2014 Wizard World Portland Comic Con, visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-portland.html.

About Dark Horse
Founded by Mike Richardson in 1986, behind the concept of establishing an ideal atmosphere for creative professionals, Dark Horse Comics (www.darkhorse.com) has grown to become the third-largest comics publisher in the United States and is acclaimed internationally for the quality and diversity of its line. By attracting the top talent in the field, Dark Horse Comics continues to change the shape of the industry and grow its brand throughout the world.

About Wizard World:
Wizard World (OTCBB: WIZD) produces Comic Cons and pop culture conventions across North America that celebrate graphic novels, comic books, movies, TV shows, gaming, technology, toys and social networking. The events often feature celebrities from movies and TV, artists and writers, and events such as premieres, gaming tournaments, panels, and costume contests.

The full event schedule can be found at www.wizardworld.com.

Wizard World 2014 Schedule

January 24-26 – Wizard World Portland Comic Con
February 7-9 – Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con
March 7-9 – Wizard World Sacramento Comic Con
March 28-30 – Wizard World Louisville Comic Con
April 4-6 – Wizard World St. Louis Comic Con
May 2-4 – Wizard World Minneapolis Comic Con
May 30-June 1 – Wizard World Atlanta Comic Con
June 19-22 – Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con
August 1-3 – Wizard World San Antonio Comic Con
August 21-24 – Wizard World Chicago Comic Con
September 12-14 – Wizard World Richmond Comic Con
September 26-28 – Wizard World Nashville Comic Con
October 2-4 – Wizard World Austin Comic Con
October 31-November 2 – Wizard World Ohio Comic Con
November 7-9 – Wizard World Tulsa Comic Con
November 21-23 – Wizard World Reno Comic Con


Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 25 2012

DARK HORSE COMICS

MAY120049 ANGEL & FAITH #12 STEVE MORRIS CVR $2.99
MAY120010 AXE COP PRESIDENT O/T WORLD #1 $3.50
MAY120055 BPRD HELL ON EARTH EXORCISM #2 $3.50
MAR120019 DRAGON AGE HC VOL 01 SILENT GROVE $14.99
MAY120057 GOON #40 $3.50
APR120053 GOON FISH CANNERS JERSEY LG $34.99
APR120052 GOON FISH CANNERS JERSEY MED $34.99
APR120054 GOON FISH CANNERS JERSEY XL $34.99
APR120055 GOON FISH CANNERS JERSEY XXL $36.99
MAR128224 HELLBOY TP 03 CHAINED COFFIN AND OTHERS $19.99
MAR128226 HELLBOY TP VOL 10 CROOKED MAN & OTHERS (NEW PTG) $19.99
MAR120036 KULL TP VOL 03 THE CAT & THE SKULL $15.99
MAY120024 MASS EFFECT HOMEWORLDS #3 PALUMBO CVR $3.50
MAY120026 RESIDENT ALIEN #3 $3.50
MAY120029 STAR WARS BLOOD TIES BOBA FETT IS DEAD #4 $3.50
MAR128225 STAR WARS CRIMSON EMPIRE II COUNCIL BLOOD TP (NEW PTG) $17.99
MAY120027 STAR WARS DARTH MAUL DEATH SENTENCE #1 $2.99

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for July 25 2012

PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS
JUN120004 PREVIEWS #287 AUG 2012 CUSTOMER ORDER FORM PI
JUN120001 PREVIEWS #287 AUGUST 2012 $4.50

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS
MAR121165 2000 AD #1782 $5.25

APR120781 AIRBOY DEADEYE #3 $3.50

MAY120841 ARCHIE #635 REG CVR $2.99

MAY120844 ARCHIE & FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #18 $3.99

MAY120843 ARCHIE CLASH OF THE NEW KIDS TP $11.99

APR121130 ARISA GN VOL 08 $10.99

MAY120848 B & V FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #227 $3.99

MAY120932 BART SIMPSON COMICS #73 $2.99

MAY121352 BLACK BUTLER TP VOL 10 $11.99

MAY120919 CRITTER (ONGOING) #2 $3.50

MAY120897 CROSSED BADLANDS #10 (MR) $3.99

MAY120900 CROSSED BADLANDS #10 RED CROSSED CVR (MR) $6.60

MAY120899 CROSSED BADLANDS #10 TORTURE CVR (MR) $3.99

MAY120898 CROSSED BADLANDS #10 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

MAY121217 DANCE CLASS HC VOL 02 ROMEO & JULIETS $10.99

JAN121008 DARK SHADOWS #6 $3.99

MAY121073 DEJAH THORIS & WHITE APES OF MARS #4 (MR) $3.99

MAY121354 DURARARA GN VOL 03 $11.99

APR121230 EVERYBODY LOVES TANK GIRL #1 (MR) $3.99

APR120929 EXILE PLANET O/T APES #4 $3.99

APR128253 EXTERMINATION #1 MAIN CVR (2ND PTG) $1.00

APR121223 FICTIONAUTS GN (MR) $12.99

MAY121222 GARFIELD & CO HC VOL 06 MOTHER GARFIELD $7.99

MAR120724 GEARHEARTS STEAMPUNK GLAMOR REVUE #3 $3.99

MAY121223 GERONIMO STILTON HC BOX SET VOL 4-6 $29.99

MAY121391 GFT BAD GIRLS #1 A CVR REYES (MR) $2.99

MAY121392 GFT BAD GIRLS #1 B CVR (MR) $2.99

APR121323 GFT JUNGLE BOOK #4 A CVR GRANDA (MR) $2.99

APR121324 GFT JUNGLE BOOK #4 B CVR GRANDA (MR) $2.99

APR121325 GFT JUNGLE BOOK #4 C CVR PATTERSON (MR) $2.99

MAY121387 GFT SWIMSUIT SPECIAL 2012 A CVR DEBALFO $5.99

MAY121388 GFT SWIMSUIT SPECIAL 2012 B CVR TYNDALL $5.99

MAY121377 GFT WONDERLAND ANNUAL 2012 A CVR SEJIC (MR) $5.99

MAY121378 GFT WONDERLAND ANNUAL 2012 B CVR CHEN (MR) $5.99

MAR120725 GOLD DIGGER PLATINUM TP VOL 04 $14.95

MAY121364 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #75 A CVR CAMPBELL (MR) $5.99

MAY121365 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #75 B CVR SPAY (MR) $5.99

MAY121366 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #75 C CVR MYCHAELS (MR) $5.99

MAY121367 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #75 D CVR SEJIC (MR) $5.99

MAY121181 HAMMER AND THE ANVIL GN $24.95

MAY120976 HELLRAISER #16 (MR) $3.99

MAY121355 HIGH SCHOOL OF DEAD GN VOL 07 (MR) $13.99

APR128386 HIGHER EARTH #2 (2ND PTG) $3.99

APR121336 IRRESISTIBLE #1 A CVR GARZA (MR) $3.99

APR121337 IRRESISTIBLE #1 B CVR CHEN (MR) $3.99

APR121030 KEVIN SMITH BIONIC MAN #11 $3.99

MAY121062 KEVIN SMITH BIONIC MAN TP VOL 01 SOME ASSEMBLY REQUIRED $29.99

APR128214 KIMI NI TODOKE GN VOL 14 FROM ME TO YOU $9.99

MAR120727 LAST ZOMBIE NEVERLAND #5 $3.99

APR120872 LEGEND OF OZ THE WICKED WEST #5 (MR) $3.50

MAR120962 LORD OF THE JUNGLE #6 (MR) $3.99

MAR121257 NAOKI URASAWA 20TH CENTURY BOYS GN VOL 21 $12.99

JAN120804 NAZI ZOMBIES #3 $3.99

JAN121079 NOWHERE MAN #4 $3.99

MAY121357 PANDORA HEARTS GN VOL 11 $11.99

NOV111035 PHOENIX WRIGHT GN VOL 05 $10.99

MAY120799 PINOCCHIO VAMPIRE SLAYER GN VOL 03 WOOD & BLOOD PT 1 $10.95

MAY120945 PLANET OF THE APES #16 $3.99

APR121055 RED SONJA WITCHBLADE #5 $3.99

MAY121157 RESISTANCE GN VOL 03 VICTORY $17.99

MAY121319 SAKURAN GN VOL 01 $16.95

MAY121350 SOUL EATER NOT TP VOL 01 $11.99

MAY120875 SOULFIRE GRACE #1 CVR A RYAN $3.99

MAY120876 SOULFIRE GRACE #1 CVR B QUALANO $3.99

MAY120873 SOULFIRE POWER #1 CVR A RYAN $3.99

MAY120874 SOULFIRE POWER #1 CVR B RANDOLPH $3.99

MAY120863 STAN LEES MIGHTY 7 #3 REG CVR $2.99

MAY120938 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #75 (MR) $2.95

MAY121358 TWILIGHT MANGA TP VOL 02 $14.99

JUN121298 UNDERWATER WELDER GN $19.95

MAR121214 VIC BOONE TP $14.99

APR120767 VICTORIAN SECRET GIRLS OF SUMMER #1 $3.99

MAY121360 WONDERLAND #1 A CVR CAMPBELL (MR) $2.99

MAY121361 WONDERLAND #1 B CVR HORN (MR) $2.99

MAY121362 WONDERLAND #1 C CVR BASALDUA (MR) $2.99

MAY121363 WONDERLAND #1 D CVR GARZA (MR) $2.99

APR121210 WORLDS OF PHAZER TP $19.99

MAGAZINE
MAY121420 ALTER EGO #111 $8.95
MAY121421 BACK ISSUE #58 $8.95
MAY121414 CLASSIC MARVEL FIG COLL MAG SPECIAL TERRAX $32.00
MAY121428 COMIC SHOP NEWS #1310 PI
DEC111285 DC SUPERHERO CHESS FIG COLL MAG #6 TWO FACE BLACK KNIGHT $16.00
MAR121321 DC SUPERHERO CHESS FIG COLL MAG #9 POISON IVY BLACK PAWN $16.00
MAY121488 LOCUS #618 $6.95
APR121401 RUE MORGUE MAGAZINE #124 $9.95
MAR121391 SFX #222 $10.99
MAY121484 SUPERNATURAL MAGAZINE #34 NEWSSTAND ED $6.99
MAY121485 SUPERNATURAL MAGAZINE #34 PX ED $6.99

BOOKS
AUG111223 APPLE SELECTION SC VOL 02 $39.99
MAY121359 BOOK GIRL & THE WAYFARERS LAMENTATION NOVEL $11.99
MAY121423 CEREBUS THE BARBARIAN MESSIAH SC $45.00
MAY121438 DC SUPER PETS YR TP BIGGEST LITTLE HERO $4.95
MAY121441 DC SUPER PETS YR TP CAT CRIME CLUB $4.95
MAY121439 DC SUPER PETS YR TP DEEP SEA DUEL $4.95
MAY121442 DC SUPER PETS YR TP FANTASTIC FLEXY FROG $4.95
MAY121440 DC SUPER PETS YR TP NIGHT OF SCAREDY CROWS $4.95
MAY121443 DC SUPER PETS YR TP SWAMP THING VS ZOMBIE PETS $4.95
APR121157 KOLCHAK NECRONOMICON HC $59.95
APR121065 MAOHDEN NOVEL VOL 01 (MR) $12.95
MAY121304 MARIE SEVERIN MIRTHFUL MISTRESS OF COMICS SC $24.95
MAY121432 MEANING OF SUPERHERO COMIC BOOKS SC $40.00
APR128215 METAL GEAR SOLID GUNS O/T PATRIOTS NOVEL $15.99
MAY121481 MICKEY SPILLANE ON SCREEN SC $45.00
APR121242 MODERN MASTERS SC VOL 28 ERIC POWELL $15.95
APR121395 ONCE CROWDED SKY NOVEL HC $26.00
MAY121434 SEXUAL IDEOLOGY IN THE WORKS OF ALAN MOORE SC $40.00
JAN121111 SIGNIFICANT OBJECTS SC $24.99
APR121952 WARHAMMER 40K BEST OF HAMMER AND BOLTER $15.00

Sunday, June 10, 2012

I Reads You Review: ROCKETEER ADVENTURES VOL. 2 #3

ROCKETEER ADVENTURES VOL. 2 #3
IDW PUBLISHING

WRITERS: David Lapham, Kyle Baker, Matt Wagner
ARTISTS: Chris Sprouse, Kyle Baker, Eric Canete
INKS: Karl Story
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire, Eric Canete and Cassandra Poulson
LETTERS: Shawn Lee, Kyle Baker
PIN-UP: Eric Powell with Dave Stewart
EDITOR: Scott Dunbier
COVERS: Darwyn Cooke (A, C), Dave Stevens (B)
28pp, Color, $3.50 U.S.

The Rocketeer is a comic book character created by artist and illustrator, Dave Stevens, who died in March of 2008. The Rocketeer is Cliff Secord, a stunt pilot who discovers a mysterious jet pack that allows him to fly, and his adventures are set mainly in Los Angeles in and after the year 1938.

The Rocketeer returned to comic books in 2011 in Rocketeer Adventures. Edited by Scott Dunbier and published by IDW Publishing, this four-issue, anthology comic book was a tribute to Stevens and featured Rocketeer short stories (about 8 pages in length) from some of the premiere creators in American comic books. The tributes continue in Rocketeer Adventures Vol. 2.

Rocketeer Adventures Vol. 2 #3 opens with “Coulda Been…,” a story by David Lapham with art by Chris Sprouse and Karl Story, that finds Cliff Second and his girlfriend, Betty Page, imagining what their lives could be like. In “Butch Saves Betty,” the brilliant cartoonist Kyle Baker introduces Cliff and company to a shadowy client. Then, writer Matt Wagner and artist Eric Canete take readers to the future for a “History Lesson.”

David Lapham is a popular comic book creator, but I wonder if people really appreciate what a good writer he is. I see him as a comic book scribe who can always put an imaginative twist on the character/ensemble drama. Read 30 Days of Night: 30 Days ‘Til Death; it could have been just another vampire comic book, but isn’t. His “Coulda Been…” shows why making comic book characters “grow up,” especially those grounded in fantasy, is a mistake. The reason is that when you make characters act like real-world adults that fundamentally changes those characters, sometimes to the point in which they become different from what they were originally. Another good thing about this story is that the artist is the talented and under-utilized Chris Sprouse.

There is nothing special about the other two stories, other than that Kyle Baker draws one of them. What is special is the pin-up by Eric Powell (with colors by Dave Stewart). I could stare at a Powell drawing for an hour and not consider that a waste of time.

B

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 31 2011

DARK HORSE COMICS

JUN110009 ANGEL & FAITH #1 STEVE MORRIS CVR $2.99

JAN118123 BPRD TP VOL 11 BLACK GODDESS $17.99

MAY110045 CHIMICHANGA HC $14.99

MAY110039 CREEPY PRESENTS BERNIE WRIGHTSON HC $19.99

APR110040 DRIFTERS VOL 01 (MR) $12.99

APR110039 EDEN TP VOL 13 ITS AN ENDLESS WORLD (MR) $12.99

MAY110040 EERIE ARCHIVES HC VOL 08 $49.99

JUN110019 GOON #35 $3.50

MAY110035 GOON TP VOL 03 HEAPS OF RUINATION 2ND ED $16.99

MAY110043 GREEN RIVER KILLER TRUE DETECTIVE STORY HC $24.99

JUN118153 HELLBOY THE FURY #3 (OF 3) (2ND PTG) $2.99

MAY110050 LAST DRAGON HC $29.99

MAY110038 LET ME IN VOL 01 CROSSROADS TP $14.99

MAY110048 LITTLE LULU PAL TUBBY VOL 04 ATOMIC VIOLIN & OTHER STORIES $15.99

APR118180 OCCULT FILES OF DOCTOR SPEKTOR ARCHIVES HC VOL 03 (PP #973) $49.99

MAY110021 STAR WARS ADV TP CHEWBACCA & SLAVERS O/T SHADOWLAND $7.99

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 10 2011

DARK HORSE COMICS

JUN110012 BALTIMORE CURSE BELLS #1 MIKE MIGNOLA CVR $3.50

APR110029 BILLY THE KID OLD TIMEY ODDITIES TP VOL 02 FIEND LONDON $15.99

APR110045 BORIS KARLOFF TALES OF MYSTERY ARCHIVES HC VOL 06 $49.99

JUN110017 BPRD HELL ON EARTH MONSTERS #2 (OF 2) $3.50

DEC100056 CHRONICLES OF CONAN TP VOL 21 BLOOD OF TITAN $17.99

JUN110031 DOLLHOUSE EPITAPHS #2 (OF 5) PHIL NOTO CVR $3.50

APR110046 FLASH GORDON COMIC BOOK ARCHIVES HC VOL 04 $49.99

APR110038 GANTZ TP VOL 18 (MR) $12.99

JUN110015 HELLBOY THE FURY #3 (OF 3) $2.99

FEB110022 MAGNUS ROBOT FIGHTER TP VOL 01 $15.99

APR110044 SPACE FAMILY ROBINSON ARCHIVES HC VOL 01 $49.99

JUN110025 STAR WARS INVASION REVELATIONS #2 (OF 5) $3.50

APR110011 STAR WARS LONG TIME AGO OMNIBUS TP VOL 04 $24.99

JUN110026 STAR WARS OLD REPUBLIC #3 (OF 5) LOST SUNS $3.50

Thursday, July 14, 2011

Comic-Con International Dark Horse Panel Friday, July 22

DARK HORSE PRESENTS: THE SDCC 2011 PANEL

THE ONLY PANEL YOU NEED TO SEE!

July 13, MILWAUKIE, OR—At 2 p.m., Friday, July 22, stop by room 25ABC for a powerhouse panel featuring the creative minds behind Dark Horse Presents!

As Dark Horse celebrates its twenty-fifth year of publishing, we are proud to reintroduce the title that started it all: the game-changing anthology Dark Horse Presents. Known for featuring the industry’s top talent and launching some of the most successful titles in comics history, Dark Horse Presents was, is, and will continue to be a highly fertile breeding ground for new characters, concepts, and more!

Join us for a look at what makes this book so important to the comics medium with Dark Horse publisher Mike Richardson, as well as a cast of top talent past and present, including . . .

Jim Steranko (Red Tide)

Eric Powell (The Goon)

Carla Speed McNeil (Finder)

Sanford Greene (Deadpool)

And more!

Attendees can expect a fun and interactive experience, as well as live drawing, Q&A teasers, and more! Also, panel attendees will receive a Dave Gibbons minicomic exclusive to San Diego Comic-Con!

Friday, July 22, at 2 p.m. Room 25ABC. Be there.


About Dark Horse Comics
Since 1986, Dark Horse Comics has proven to be a solid example of how integrity and innovation can help broaden a unique storytelling medium and establish a small, homegrown company as an industry giant. The company is known for the progressive and creator-friendly atmosphere it provides for writers and artists. In addition to publishing comics from top talent like Frank Miller, Mike Mignola, Neil Gaiman, Gerard Way, and comics legend Will Eisner, Dark Horse has developed such successful characters as the Mask, Timecop, and SpyBoy. Additionally, its highly successful line of comics and products based on popular properties includes Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Aliens, Conan, Emily the Strange, Tim Burton, Trigun, Serenity, and Domo. Today Dark Horse Comics is the largest independent comic-book publisher in the US and is recognized as one of the world’s leading publishers of licensed comics material.

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Leroy Douresseaux on THE GOON #34

THE GOON #34
DARK HORSE COMICS

CARTOONIST: Eric Powell
32pp, Color, $3.50

The fan-favorite comic book, The Goon, makes a welcomed return to comic book shop this week. Created by Eric Powell, The Goon follows the adventures of the title character, a kind of gangster/thug with a penchant for manhandling supernatural foes.

The Goon #34 begins with the Goon and his pal, Franky, putting a beat down a band of “sparkly vampires” (a swipe at the Twilight book series and film franchise). The bulk of the story has the children of the McGreg Home for Illegitimate, Wayward, and Possibly Homicidal Youth seeking out the Goon’s help in dealing with a monstrous new member of their brood. But to get the Goon’s help, they will have to get him in a condition that may take him out of condition for the big fight.

One doesn’t have to read more than a few pages to see why The Goon is so beloved by its fans and followers. This is only the second time I’ve read this comic book and I think it’s a delight. Except for its price point, The Goon, in particularly this 34th issue, is the perfect comic book, not only for new readers, but also for people already reading comic books. It’s a self-contained story, and a damn good read, with Powell’s gorgeous art – a cartoony style that captures the feel of pulp fiction horror and Saturday morning cartoons. The Goon represents that magical something about comic books that first captured our hearts and wedded us to this medium.

I think the Twilight snark is funny, but I doubt Twilight creator Stephenie Meyer and Summit Entertainment could give a crap, even if they knew about this. They’re laughing all the way to the bank.

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