Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 25 2012

IMAGE COMICS

FEB120493 ACTIVITY #5 $3.50
FEB120496 BLOODSTRIKE #27 $2.99
FEB120425 CHEW TP VOL 05 MAJOR LEAGUE CHEW (MR) $12.99
FEB120499 DARKNESS #102 (MR) $2.99
NOV110460 LIL DEPRESSED BOY #10 $2.99
JUN110552 NETHERWORLD #5 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99
FEB128198 REBEL BLOOD #1 (OF 4) VAR CVR 2ND PTG (MR) $3.50
FEB120517 REBEL BLOOD #2 (OF 4) (MR) $3.50

Comics and Magazines from Diamond Distributors for April 25 2012

PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS
MAR120005 PREVIEWS #284 MAY 2012 PI

COMICS
JAN121167 AIR GEAR GN VOL 23 (MR) $10.99

FEB120727 AIRBOY DEADEYE #1 (OF 5) $3.50

JAN121109 ANY SIMILARITIES TO PERSONS LIVING OR DEAD HC (MR) $19.99

FEB120749 ARCHIE #632 $2.99

FEB120750 ARCHIE & FRIENDS DOUBLE DIGEST #15 $3.99

FEB120985 ARMY OF DARKNESS ONGOING #3 $3.99

DEC111277 AVENGERS DK READERS SC AVENGERS ASSEMBLE $3.99

DEC111279 AVENGERS DK READERS SC WORLDS MIGHTIEST SUPER HERO TEAM $3.99

FEB120817 BART SIMPSON COMICS #70 $2.99

FEB121205 BLACK GOD TP VOL 16 $11.99

FEB121104 BONEYARD SET VOL 1-4 $49.99

JAN120792 CAVEWOMAN FEEDING GROUNDS #2 BUDD ROOT SP ED (MR) PI

FEB121109 CLASSICS ILLUS DLX HC VOL 08 OLIVER TWIST $24.99

FEB121108 CLASSICS ILLUS DLX SC VOL 08 OLIVER TWIST $19.99

MAR121157 CONNIE TP MENACE OF MO TUNG (RES) $14.95

MAR120807 CROSSED BADLANDS #1 AUXILIARY ED (MR) $3.99

MAR120808 CROSSED BADLANDS #2 AUXILIARY ED (MR) $3.99

FEB120787 CROSSED BADLANDS #4 (MR) $3.99

FEB120788 CROSSED BADLANDS #4 TORTURE CVR (MR) $3.99

FEB120789 CROSSED BADLANDS #4 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

NOV110993 CRUISIN W/ HOUND LIFE & TIMES TOOTE GN (RES) (MR) $19.99

DEC111106 DARK SHADOWS BEST OF ORIGINAL SERIES TP $49.99

JAN128233 DCD SUMMIT 2012 STAR WARS BLOOD TIES BOBA FETT DEAD PI

DEC110784 DREAM REAVERS TP $14.99

FEB120842 EXILE PLANET O/T APES #2 (OF 4) $3.99

FEB121101 FAIRY TALES OF OSCAR WILDE HC VOL 02 (O/A) $15.95

FEB121102 FAIRY TALES OF OSCAR WILDE HC VOL 03 (O/A) $15.95

MAR120806 FERALS #2 AUXILIARY ED (MR) $3.99

DEC111079 FOLLY CONSEQUENCES OF INDISCRETION GN (MR) $18.99

DEC111216 FOOTPRINTS GN (MR) $11.99

FEB120976 GAME OF THRONES #7 (MR) $3.99

DEC110966 GARTH ENNIS JENNIFER BLOOD #12 (MR) $3.99

FEB121212 GFT ALICE IN WONDERLAND #5 A CVR SEJIC (MR) $2.99

FEB121213 GFT ALICE IN WONDERLAND #5 B CVR CHEN (MR) $2.99

FEB121210 GFT JUNGLE BOOK #2 (OF 5) A CVR DEBALFO (MR) $2.99

FEB121211 GFT JUNGLE BOOK #2 (OF 5) B CVR GARZA (MR) $2.99

JAN121330 GFT MYTHS & LEGENDS #15 A CVR ATKINS (MR) $2.99

JAN121331 GFT MYTHS & LEGENDS #15 B CVR MYCHAELS (MR) $2.99

NOV110942 GREEN HORNET #24 $3.99

FEB121216 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #72 A CVR CAPPROTTI (MR) $2.99

FEB121217 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #72 B CVR QUALANO (MR) $2.99

FEB121219 GRIMM FAIRY TALES DIFFERENT SEASONS TP VOL 02 $17.99

FEB121170 GTO EARLY YEARS GN VOL 12 (OF 15) (MR) $12.95

FEB120833 HELLRAISER #13 (MR) $3.99

MAR121282 HIGH SCHOOL O/T DEAD COLOR OMNIBUS HC (O/A) (MR) $49.99

JAN120824 IM NOT A PLASTIC BAG HC $19.95

FEB121003 JERUSALEM CHRONICLES FROM THE HOLY CITY HC (MR) $24.95

FEB120757 JUGHEADS DOUBLE DIGEST #180 $3.99

NOV110874 KIRBY GENESIS #7 $3.99

MAR120908 LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #11 RELAX CVR (MR) $9.99

MAR120910 LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #12 RED HOT CVR (MR) $9.99

MAR120909 LADY DEATH (ONGOING) #13 AUXILIARY CVR (MR) $3.99

JAN120799 LAST ZOMBIE NEVERLAND #3 (OF 5) $3.99

FEB120947 MERCILESS RISE OF MING #1 $3.99

SEP100802 MICHAEL TURNER SOULFIRE DEFINITIVE ED TP VOL 01 $39.99

DEC110797 NAZI ZOMBIES #2 $3.99

FEB120911 NINJETTES #3 (MR) $3.99

MAY110809 PENGUINS OF MADAGASCAR TP VOL 01 $14.95

DEC111156 PLAY BALL HC $19.99

NOV110990 POPEYE HC VOL 06 ME LIL SWEE PEA $29.99

FEB121159 PTERODACTYL HUNTERS IN THE GILDED CITY (ONE SHOT) $9.95

FEB120847 RICH JOHNSTONS CAPTAIN AMERICAN IDOL #1 $3.99

FEB120851 RICH JOHNSTONS SCIENTHORLOGY #1 $3.99

FEB120735 RICHIE RICH GEMS #47 $3.99

FEB120874 ROGER LANGRIDGES SNARKED #7 $3.99

SEP110751 SECRET HISTORY BOOK 18 (MR) $5.95

OCT110804 SECRET HISTORY BOOK 19 (MR) $5.95

DEC110959 SINBAD THE LEGACY CAMPFIRE GN $12.99

DEC111153 SIXTH GUN TP VOL 03 $19.99

JAN121205 SMURFS BOX SET VOL 4-6 $17.99

FEB120760 SONIC SUPER SPECIAL MAGAZINE #3 $9.99

JAN120845 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG SELECT TP VOL 05 $11.99

FEB121111 SYBIL THE BACKPACK FAIRY HC VOL 02 AMANITE $11.99

JAN120995 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #73 DLX ED (MR) $19.99

JAN120996 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #73 PX 12TH ANN SGN PHOTO CVR $15.00

FEB121156 TITMOUSE HC VOL 02 (MR) $24.99

JAN121000 VAMPIRELLA RED ROOM #1 $3.99

JAN120986 WAR GODDESS #7 (MR) $3.99

JAN120987 WAR GODDESS #7 GORE CVR (MR) $3.99

JAN120988 WAR GODDESS #7 WRAP CVR (MR) $3.99

DEC110978 WARLORD OF MARS #17 (MR) $3.99

JAN120774 Z TIME GN (MR) $12.99

MAGAZINES
MAR121371 FANGORIA #313 $9.99
DEC111331 FREAKY MONSTERS MAGAZINE #9 $9.95
FEB121315 GIRASOL PULP DOUBLES THE SPIDER VOL 23 $14.95
FEB121234 JUXTAPOZ #136 MAY 2012 $5.99

20th Century Boys: Humanity in the Balance

I read Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys, Vol. 20

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has free comics).

Voltron Force: Meet the Cadets

I read Voltron Force, Vol. 1: Shelter from the Storm

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has FREE smart phone apps and comics).

I Reads You Review: KULL: THE CAT AND THE SKULL #4

KULL: THE CAT AND THE SKULL #4
DARK HORSE COMICS

WRITER: David Lapham
ART: Gabriel Guzman
COLORS: Garry Henderson
LETTERS: Richard Starkings & Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt
COVER: Jo Chen
28pp, Colors, $3.50 U.S.

Kull the Conqueror (also known as Kull of Atlantis) is a fictional character created by Robert E. Howard (who also created Conan the Barbarian). Marvel Comics published the first comic book adaptations of the character in 1971. Now, Dark Horse Comics has the license to published Kull comic books.

The publisher’s latest Kull comic book miniseries is Kull: The Cat and the Skull. This story is an adaptation of a Kull short story first published in 1967, “Delcardes’ Cat” (also known as “The Cat and the Skull”). The series revolves around Kull’s encounter with Delcardes, one of the most beautiful women in the Seven Kingdoms, and an even more interesting creature, Delcardes’ traveling companion, the cat named Saremes. Because it is rumored that Saremes is of the old race, Kull is anxious to hear her counsel, as he takes on a serpent cult that is rallying under a powerful and mysterious wizard.

As Kull: The Cat and the Skull #4 begins, Kull’s trusted ally, Brule, returns to the palace, as Queen Igraine lies stricken. Meanwhile, the great serpent carries Kull to the world beneath the Forbidden Lake, where he encounters an ancient people enraged at his trespass. However, it is here where Conan will learn more about the fortune-seeing cat. Also, the identity of his true enemy is revealed.

I did not read the first three issues of this miniseries. I had forgotten about its existence until Dark Horse Comics was nice enough to send me a box of comics and books for review, and Kull: The Cat and the Skull #4 was among the books. First, I must say that the art by Gabriel Guzman and Garry Henderson (colors) is quiet pretty. It has an old timey feel that recalls Burne Hogarth’s Tarzan comic strip and Alex Raymond’s work on Flash Gordon. Thus, Guzman and Henderson’s work looks as if it belongs to the era when the Robert Howard short story, upon which this comic book is based, was written. [“Delcardes’ Cat” was first published three decades after Howard’s death.]

As for the script for this issue, it offers what amounts to at least two issues worth of story, yet there is no tension and little sense of conflict. Writer David Lapham presents every confrontation here as a chance for conversation. Seriously, everyone talks, threatens, begs, or makes grand proclamations. It’s so odd… and a little boring, and that’s a shame. There are imaginative scenarios and scenes here and some interesting soap-operatic subplots, but it all sort of dribbles away to anticlimax.

C+

Tenjo Tenge: Masataka Rising

I read Tenjo Tenge, Vol. 6 (Full Contact Edition)

I posted a review at the Comic Book Bin (which has free comics).

Review: STAR WARS: DAWN OF THE JEDI – Force Storm #1

STAR WARS: DAWN OF THE JEDI – FORCE STORM #1 (OF 5)
DARK HORSE COMICS

["Star Wars Central" review page is here.] 

STORY: John Ostrander and Jan Duursema
SCRIPT: John Ostrander
PENCILS: Jan Duursema
INKS: Dan Parsons
COLORS: Wes Dzioba
LETTERS: Michael Heisler
COVER: Gonzalo Flores - variant (Jan Duursema – main cover)
36pp, Color, $3.50 U.S.

In the Star Wars Expanded Universe timeline, there is a period known as “Before the Republic.” This era occurs from 36,000 to 25,000 years before the Battle of Yavin, the climatic battle in the 1977 film, Star Wars, in which Luke Skywalker destroys the Death Star. Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi is a new series of comic book miniseries situated in the “Before the Republic” age.

The first miniseries is Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi – Force Storm. It takes place a few centuries before that time, 36,453 before the Battle of Yavin (also known by the acronym, BBY). The series takes readers back to the beginnings of the Jedi, then known as the Je’daii. On the planet Tython, in the center of the galaxy, these Je’daii (a word in the Bendu language that means “mystic center”) form an order of warrior monks that strives to maintain peace and to balance the mysterious power known as the Force.

In Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi – Force Storm #1, Je’daii Master Ketu recounts the birth of the order to two of his students. This includes the first great conflict in which the Je’daii must take an active role, The Despot War (a conflict that takes place 12-years before Ketu tells the story). Meanwhile, on the lush world of Tatooine, Predor Tul’Kar of the Infinite Empire culls Force sensitives with the help of his Force Hound, Xesh.

I was surprised when Dark Horse Comics sent me a copy of Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi – Force Storm #1. It must be obvious to them (and even some of you, dear readers) that I enjoy reading Star Wars comic books. I certainly enjoyed reading the Star Wars: Dawn of the Jedi – Force Storm comic book.

The first 11 pages of issue #1 recount the beginnings of what would become the Jedi Order (thus, the term, “Dawn” in the title). I expected a different story. To me, at least, it lacks grandeur, as if this was something Stan Lee and Steve Ditko cobbled together for Strange Tales back in the 1960s. The story that is set in the present (Infinite Empire) is more interesting, and the character, Xesh, seems like a budding star.

The art by Jan Duursema is good, looking as right for Star Wars as any other comic book art. The storytelling is good, though a bit calm for Star Wars, but the Ostrander-Duursema team is a good one for Star Wars comic books.

[This comic book also includes a 4-page preview of Conan the Barbarian #1 by Brian Wood, Becky Cloonan, Dave Stewart, and Richard Starkings & Comicraft, with cover art by Massimo Carnevale.]