Bleach: Out of Bloom

I read Bleach, Vol. 57

I posted a review at ComicBookBin.

Review: B.P.R.D.: Vampire #4

B.P.R.D.: VAMPIRE #4 (OF 5)
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

STORY: Mike Mignola, Gabriel Bá, Fábio Moon
ART: Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Fábio Moon
EDITOR: Scott Allie
28pp, Color, $3.50 U.S. (June 2013)

We have now reached the penultimate issue of B.P.R.D.: Vampire from Mike Mignola and Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon. The B.P.R.D., of course, is the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense, which protects America and the rest of the world from the occult, the paranormal, and the supernatural. The new comic book miniseries, B.P.R.D.: Vampire, is a direct sequel to B.P.R.D.: 1948 and is separate from the main B.P.R.D. comic book series.

The five-issue miniseries is written Mike Mignola and Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon and drawn by Bá and Moon. It is set in 1948 and follows Agent Simon Anders and his quest for revenge against a clan of vampires and its Gorgon-eyed queen, Hecate. After consulting “witch maps,” Anders travels to Cesky Krumlov, Czechoslovakia. There, he and his guide, Hana Novarov, find Krumlov Castle, where Anders meets the conniving vampire sisters, Katharina and Annaliese.

B.P.R.D.: Vampire #4 opens after Agent Anders’ battle with Lord Wilhelm. His time in Krumlov Castle has changed him, however. Now, he faces a small army of witches, and they want to kill him. Meanwhile, Hana calls B.P.R.D. Headquarters.

Now, that B.P.R.D.: Vampire has reached its penultimate issue, it becomes obvious why press material for the series refers to Agent Simon Anders as “doomed.” The confrontation between Anders and his “guests” and a gathering of witches is worth the price of admission.

Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon have not run out of ideas; their art for this series is as visually arresting as ever. The striking colors by Dave Stewart remind that B.P.R.D.: Vampire is a graphical narrative. The pictures tell a story that is as impressionistic and psychological as it is literal. You have to read the art and graphics to get the full impact of this story. I’m ready for the finale.

A

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

Review JIU JIU Volume 5

JIU JIU, VOL. 5
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Touya Tobina
TRANSLATION: Tetsuichiro Miyaki
ENGLISH ADAPTATION/EDITOR: Annette Roman
LETTERS: James Gaubatz
ISBN: 978-1-4215-5378-8; paperback (July 2013); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Jiu Jiu Volume 5 is the final volume of the shojo manga from creator Touya Tobina. Essentially a supernatural, dark fantasy with elements of both horror and teen romance, Jiu Jiu focuses on Takamichi Hachioji, a teen girl who was born into a family that pursues and kills demons.

The Hachioji Clan is the largest clan of Dark Hunters. “Dark Hunters” are people who hunt and slay the demons that lurk in the shadows. After the death of her twin brother, Takayuki, Takamichi receives from her family a pair of half-animal/half-human wolf-pups, named Snow and Night. She must train them to be her “Jiu Jiu,” a Dark Hunter’s familiar and hunting partner. The question is not only can she train them, but because they can transform into humans, can she also keep them on the leash?

As Jiu Jiu, Vol. 5 (Chapters 20 to 23/Final) opens, Kankuro moves forward with his plan to be the new head of the Hunters – by force. That means he must first commit a shocking murder and then, continue to agitate against the use of Jiu Jiu. Kankuro is helped by the actions of Snow and Night, especially of Snow

Meanwhile, questions continue to arise as to the true fate of Takayuki Hachioji, Takamichi’s brother. It also seems as if Takamichi will marry her current fiancé, Seijuro Shiratori. Now, all the intrigue comes to a head, but how will it leave Takamichi and her “dogs,” Snow and Night?

The Jiu Jiu manga proved to be a dark and edgy series, filled with characters that played at rivalries filled with bitterness and jealousy. It also had a weird romantic side, one that teased of a love between a woman and characters that were human, but could also be described as beasts, creatures, and demons.

I am disappointed to see it end, as the concept is one that could have run longer. The final chapters are melancholy, and the ending is bittersweet for reasons, which if revealed, would be irritating spoilers. However, I must repeat that Jiu Jiu should be read because it is dark and a bit nasty (in terms of the innuendo and violence). Jiu Jiu isn’t safe; it has bite, and sometimes, that is a good thing for a shojo manga to have.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

DC Comics Releases More Details on "The Sandman's" Return

DC Entertainment’s Vertigo Reveals Details Surrounding Neil Gaiman’s Highly Anticipated Return to THE SANDMAN

Bestselling author will revisit groundbreaking comic book series in October with new story

BURBANK, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--This October, author Neil Gaiman returns to the realm of the Endless for an eagerly anticipated tale that will bring readers back to one of the most critically-acclaimed comic book series ever. THE SANDMAN: OVERTURE will unite Gaiman with visionary artist J.H. Williams III and reveal a previously untold story in THE SANDMAN mythos. The announcement was made today by Shelly Bond, Executive Editor of Vertigo, an imprint of DC Entertainment.

One of the most popular, groundbreaking, bestselling and award-winning comic books of the last twenty-five years, Gaiman’s THE SANDMAN stands tall as one of the few graphic novel series ever to be on the The New York Times Best Seller list and lauded by critics the world over for its transformative storytelling in the comic book industry.

On October 30th, Gaiman returns to his beloved universe for the first time in more than 10 years since ending the series. The story will explore Morpheus’ world before he was captured, which is bound to captivate the hearts and imaginations of the most loyal fans and new readers alike. Brought to life by renowned artist J.H. Williams III (BATWOMAN, PROMETHEA), THE SANDMAN: OVERTURE #1 will be an oversized issue and will showcase his talent with a spectacular interior gatefold.

“This is the one story that we never got to tell,” Gaiman told The New York Times today. “In SANDMAN #1 Morpheus is captured somehow. Later on in the series, you learn he was returning from somewhere far, far away - but we never got to the story of what he was doing and what had happened. This is our chance to tell that story, and J.H. Williams III is drawing it. It’s the most beautiful thing in the world.”

"Neil Gaiman returning to the lush, evocative world he created with Sandman is a literary event," said Diane Nelson, DC Entertainment President. "We're honored to have Neil back for a story only he and J.H. can tell. It's a testament to the lasting power of Vertigo, Sandman and Neil's amazing creativity. "

THE SANDMAN: OVERTURE will be published bi-monthly with issue #1 arriving on October 30th, 2013. Each issue of THE SANDMAN: OVERTURE will feature stunning covers by Williams and original series cover artist Dave McKean and will be published on the same day digitally.

Also bi-monthly and alternating with the main OVERTURE series, Vertigo will publish THE SANDMAN: OVERTURE Special Edition. These deluxe issues will include original scripts by Gaiman, additional concept art and sketches by Williams, Q&As with the creative team and more, starting in November.

More details about the series – including artwork - will be revealed at this year’s Comic-Con International: San Diego 2013. Gaiman, Williams and McKean are special guests of the convention, during which Vertigo will host a 25th Anniversary all-star panel featuring Gaiman, Williams and artists Dave McKean and Sam Kieth. Gaiman will also be spotlighted at his own standalone panel. Additionally, the cover of the Comic-Con International: San Diego 2013 Souvenir Book features all-new Sandman art by Dave McKean, which will also be featured on an official convention T-Shirt.


ABOUT THE SANDMAN:
With more than 7 million copies sold in nine different languages, Gaiman’s multi-volume magnum opus THE SANDMAN features literature’s Endless family—Death, Desire, Despair, Delirium, Destruction, Destiny and Dream. The critically acclaimed Vertigo fantasy series transformed the landscape of comics, helping usher in an era of more compelling and sophisticated storytelling. Combining mythology and literature in an epic story, it is one of the most popular, groundbreaking, bestselling and award-winning comic books of the last twenty-five years. It has garnered nineteen Eisner and six Harvey Awards and is the only comic book to win the World Fantasy Award.

ABOUT NEIL GAIMAN:
Neil Gaiman is the New York Times best-selling author of this summer’s The Ocean at the End of the Lane, as well as the Newbery Medal-winning The Graveyard Book and Coraline, the basis for the eponymous hit movie. His other books include Anansi Boys, Neverwhere, American Gods and Stardust (winner of the American Library Association’s Alex Award as one of 2000’s top novels for young adults) and the short story collections M Is for Magic and Smoke and Mirrors. He is also the author of The Wolves in the Walls and The Day I Traded My Dad for Two Goldfish, both written for children. Among his many awards are the Eisner, the Hugo, the Nebula, the World Fantasy and the Bram Stoker. Originally from England, he now lives in the United States.

ABOUT J. H. WILLIAMS III:
Williams is the co-writer as well as the co-artist of the GLAAD Award-Nominated title BATWOMAN for DC Comics-The New 52 and the artist on PROMETHEA, DESOLATION JONES and other titles. His many accolades include two Eisner awards for his spectacular, visionary artwork as well as a pair of Harveys for his work on BATWOMAN and PROMETHEA.

ABOUT DC ENTERTAINMENT:
DC Entertainment, home to iconic brands DC Comics (Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, The Flash), Vertigo (Sandman, Fables) and MAD, is the creative division charged with strategically integrating its content across Warner Bros. Entertainment and Time Warner. DC Entertainment works in concert with many key Warner Bros. divisions to unleash its stories and characters across all media, including but not limited to film, television, consumer products, home entertainment and interactive games. Publishing thousands of comic books, graphic novels and magazines each year, DC Entertainment is the largest English-language publisher of comics in the world. In January 2012, DC Entertainment, in collaboration with Warner Bros. and Time Warner divisions, launched We Can Be Heroes—a giving campaign featuring the iconic Justice League super heroes—to raise awareness and funds to fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa.

Review: SATELLITE SAM #1

SATELLITE SAM #1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

WRITER: Matt Fraction
ARTIST: Howard Chaykin
LETTERS: Ken Bruzenak
COVER: Howard Chaykin with Jesus Aburtov
32pp, Color, $3.50 U.S. (July 2013)

Part 1: “The Big Fade Out”

Howard Chaykin was one of the signature comic book creators of the 1980s. He is practically a legend for his highly-influential science fiction series, American Flagg! (one of the greatest comic books of all time). Chaykin also produced two visually-striking, but controversial revamps for DC Comics, The Shadow and Blackhawk.

Now, Chaykin joins prolific Marvel Comics scribe Matt Fraction (Hawkeye, Iron Man) for Satellite Sam, a new comic book series published by Image Comics. Written by Fraction and drawn by Chaykin, Satellite Sam is an ongoing black and white series and murder mystery set in the 1950s during the Golden Age of Television.

Satellite Sam #1 opens in New York City, 1951, specifically the building that is home to upstart television network, LeMonde. Inside, cast and crew are in the middle of a live broadcast of the late-afternoon, kiddie sci-fi program, “Satellite Sam.” However, the star of the show, Carlyle White, is a no-show.

Meanwhile, LeMonde’s head honcho, Doc Ginsberg, is trying to gather investors for a nationwide expansion. Carlyle’s son, Michael, is about to take a big step in his television career, but then, daddy is found dead in a filthy flophouse. Now, Michael White has to stay sober long enough to clean up the mess his father left behind and to solve the mystery surrounding his death.

Some months ago, I received a press release from Image Comics announcing the arrival of Satellite Sam. I have to admit that I am interested in any project that involves Howard Chaykin, especially when he’s drawing it. I don’t really care about Matt Fraction, one way or the other. Still, I was excited to receive a PDF copy of Satellite Sam #1 from Image.

The following is a two-paragraph selection from Image’s press release announcing this series:

"It's a detective story, a history of television, and a record of addiction, sex, and depravity during a time when the antiseptic shine off Ozzie and Harriet obscure what was really happening in the world,” said writer Fraction. "And these are just a few of the many joys that come from telling a story about television while it was being invented as a mass medium in New York City.”

The creative team researched television's early days in preparation for the series, getting a feel for the era and for the people who lived real lives while inventing an idealized — and fictionalized — image of families and relationships.

What is discussed in those two paragraphs, I didn’t really get from reading Satellite Sam #1, which is not to say that the first issue is low quality. This first issue is really a prologue, but it promises some intriguing hints at what lies ahead.

What this first issue offers in full is a chance to see Howard Chaykin the artist and storyteller at work. He is one of the most imaginative page designers ever to work in American comics. His sense of graphic design impresses. His skill at art direction and set building (as content within his art) rarely produce comic book art that is not a wonder to behold.

Honestly, Satellite Sam is not Chaykin’s best work, but it is still quite good. In coming issues, we will see if Fraction’s ambitions deliver an ambitious story or yet another tired-ass tale about the darkness behind idealized, shiny White America.

B

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 3 2013

DC COMICS

MAY130139 ACTION COMICS #22 $3.99

MAY130141 ACTION COMICS #22 COMBO PACK $4.99

MAY130210 AME COMI GIRLS #5 $3.99

APR130157 BATMAN INCORPORATED #12 $2.99

APR130160 BATMAN INCORPORATED #12 COMBO PACK $3.99

MAY130173 BATWING #22 $2.99

MAY130163 DETECTIVE COMICS #22 $3.99

MAY130165 DETECTIVE COMICS #22 COMBO PACK $4.99

MAY130197 DIAL H #14 $2.99

MAY130125 EARTH 2 #14 $2.99

MAY130256 FAIREST #17 (MR) $2.99

MAY130114 GREEN ARROW #22 $2.99

MAY130177 GREEN LANTERN #22 $2.99

MAY130179 GREEN LANTERN #22 COMBO PACK $3.99

MAR130267 GREEN LANTERN CORPS HC VOL 02 ALPHA WAR (N52) $24.99

APR130218 GREEN LANTERN CORPS TP VOL 01 FEARSOME (N52) $14.99

MAY130212 LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT #10 $3.99

MAY130194 MOVEMENT #3 $2.99

MAY130242 SCOOBY DOO WHERE ARE YOU #35 $2.99

MAY130199 STORMWATCH #22 $2.99

MAY130200 SWAMP THING #22 $2.99

APR130224 TEAM 7 TP VOL 01 FIGHT FIRE WITH FIRE (N52) $16.99

APR130125 TRINITY OF SIN PANDORA #1 $2.99

MAY130113 TRINITY OF SIN THE PHANTOM STRANGER #10 $2.99

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APR130278 DC THE NEW 52 MARTIAN MANHUNTER AF $24.95

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 3 2013

MARVEL COMICS

MAY130606 AVENGERS #15 INF $3.99

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MAY130662 DAREDEVIL DARK NIGHTS #2 $2.99

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APR130731 DARK AVENGERS TP MASTERS OF EVIL $14.99

MAY130682 DEADPOOL KILLS DEADPOOL #1 $2.99

MAY130671 DEXTER #1 (RES) $3.99

MAY130600 EMERALD CITY OF OZ #1 $3.99

MAY130599 GUARDIANS OF GALAXY TOMORROWS AVENGERS #1 $4.99

MAY130651 IRON MAN #12 NOW $3.99

JAN130754 MARVEL NOW OMNIBUS HC $99.99

MAY130675 MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS EARTHS HEROES #16 $2.99

APR130719 NEW AVENGERS PREM HC VOL 01 EVERYTHING DIES NOW $24.99

MAY130654 RED SHE-HULK #67 NOW $2.99

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MAY130647 VENOM #37 $2.99

APR130733 VENOM TP ENEMY WITHIN $24.99

MAY130595 WHAT IF AVX #1 $3.99

FEB130610 WOLVERINE BY MARK MILLAR OMNIBUS HC $75.00

APR130730 X-FACTOR TP VOL 20 HELL ON EARTH WAR $15.99

MAY130700 X-MEN LEGACY #13 NOW $2.99