I posted a review at the ComicBookBin (which has free smart phone apps and comics).
Monday, November 25, 2013
Tegami Bachi: To the Little People
I read Tegami Bachi, Vol. 15
I posted a review at the ComicBookBin (which has free smart phone apps and comics).
I posted a review at the ComicBookBin (which has free smart phone apps and comics).
Sunday, November 24, 2013
I Reads You Review: IMAGE FIRSTS: The Walking Dead #1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics
STORY/LETTERS: Robert Kirkman
ART/COVER: Tony Moore
GRAY TONES: Tony Moore with Cliff Rathburn
28pp, B&W, $1.00 U.S. (December 2012)
Of course, dear comic book readers, you know that The Walking Dead is an ongoing comic book series published by Image Comics. Created by writer Robert Kirkman and artist Tony Moore, this black and white horror comic book chronicles the life and struggles of Rick Grimes and other survivors of a zombie apocalypse.
When The Walking Dead #1 (October 2003) debuted 10 years ago, I wonder if any readers or even the creators could imagine that it would become the multi-media hit it became. That includes a comic book series that has run 116 issues (as of this writing), multiple bestselling trade paperback and hardcover collections, a worldwide hit television series (on cable net AMC), videogames, novels, etc.
I remember coming across pre-release information about The Walking Dead #1 before its debut, but I never bought it, nor did I ever read the comic book. Image Comics has been reprinting #1 issues of the most popular titles it has published in a series called “Image Firsts.” During a recent visit to a comic book shop, I found Image Firsts: The Walking Dead #1. Well, here was my chance to finally read The Walking Dead.
The Walking Dead #1 introduces Rick Grimes, a police officer in Cynthiana, Kentucky. Grimes is shot in the line of duty during a standoff. Later, he awakens in a hospital, finding himself alone… but not really alone. After wandering around, he meets a Black man, Morgan Jones, and his young son, Duane. Morgan has some strange things to tell Rick. What’s up with those things walking around?
Although by no means a bad or poor quality comic book, The Walking Dead #1 does not seem like something that would start a phenomenon, at least by my reading. There is next to nothing in this first issue that would have made me come back for a second issue. After reading it, I’m only vaguely intrigued. I imagine, that back in 2003, if I had the cash or received free copies, I would have kept reading. If things were tight, however…
I like artist Tony Moore’s clean compositions, but, once again, I’m not overwhelmed with feelings of fanboy worship. On the other hand, I am strangely attracted to the gray tones on the art. Every time I have ever thumbed through Walking Dead comics, my eye has been drawn to the gray tones.
Now, I’ll search out some of the weekly reprints of The Walking Dead that came out a few years ago. At a $1 cover price, the Image Firsts are a bargain. The interior paper is white enamel, and not cheap newsprint destined to turn ugly brown in a few weeks (Hello, DC “Showcase” and Marvel “Essentials”). I think I’ll look for more Image Firsts.
B
Review by Leroy Douresseaux
The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.
Saturday, November 23, 2013
Friday, November 22, 2013
Richard Sala's "Violenzia" a Digital Exclusive Comic from comiXology
Fantagraphics Books Partners With ComiXology to Debut Violenzia
Fantagraphics Books’ First Digital Exclusive Comic
Fantagraphics Books, publisher of the world’s greatest cartoonists, partners with comiXology, the revolutionary cloud-based digital comics platform, to debut Fantagraphics’ first original, digital exclusive comic book: Violenzia. Written and illustrated by acclaimed creator Richard Sala (Delphine, Cat Burglar Black), Violenzia is an all-new, full-color, $5.99, 50-page one-shot exclusively available today across comiXology’s entire platform including iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire, Windows 8 and comiXology.com.
"Let there be no mercy or forgiveness for they have shown none." With these words, whispered into the wind, a mysterious young woman leaps into action with wild abandon, twin automatics blazing. Is she a brave and reckless heroine taking on a monstrous evil? Or is she a deranged angel of death? One thing is clear, whether she is dropping from a high window into a crowd of red-robed fanatical cultists, or facing down a horde of psychotic hillbillies, you don't want to get in Violenzia’s way.
"This is a new model for us," said Fantagraphics Associate Publisher Eric Reynolds. "Not a better model, but a different model. Richard Sala is one of our most beloved authors, and recently he has built up a considerable and new following online, via his Tumblr and other social media, so when he proposed Violenzia it seemed like the perfect opportunity to experiment with a digital-only release."
"We’re thrilled that Fantagraphics partnered with us to bring Richard Sala's beautiful and hilarious Violenzia to comiXology and our worldwide audience," said comiXology co-founder and CEO David Steinberger. "Readers and fans will also be treated to experiencing this amazing work in comiXology’s cinematic Guided View reading technology."
A fast moving, self-contained story, Violenzia is a blast of pulpy fun, told in scenes of audacious action and splashes of rich watercolors. With elements of golden age comics and old movies mixed with Sala's trademark humor and sense of the absurd, Violenzia is serious fun, a bloody enigma masked as eye candy, a puzzle box riddled with bullet holes.
Violenzia is the latest story by Sala featuring heroines (or anti-heroines) who are quirky, mysterious and unpredictable — such as Peculia (PECULIA , PECULIA AND THE GROON GROVE VAMPIRES), Judy Drood (MAD NIGHT, THE GRAVE ROBBER'S DAUGHTER), and K Westree (CAT BURGLAR BLACK), and features the same distinctive mixture of mystery, violence and humor as his books THE CHUCKLING WHATSIT, THE HIDDEN and DELPHINE.
Look for Violenzia out today on comiXology: http://www.comixology.com/Violenzia/digital-comic/50915?app=1
About Fantagraphics
Fantagraphics Books has been a leading proponent of comics as a legitimate form of art and literature since it began publishing the critical trade magazine The Comics Journal in 1976. By the early 1980s, Fantagraphics was at the forefront of the burgeoning movement to establish comics as a medium as eloquent and expressive as the more established popular arts of film, literature, poetry, et al. Fantagraphics quickly established a reputation as an advocacy publisher that specialized in seeking out and publishing the kind of innovative work that traditional comics corporations who dealt almost exclusively in super-heroes and fantasy either didn’t know existed or wouldn’t touch: serious, dramatic, historical, journalistic, political, and satirical work by a new generation of alternative cartoonists (including now-legends like Peter Bagge, Daniel Clowes, Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez, Joe Sacco and Jim Woodring) as well as many artists who gained prominence as part of the seminal underground comix movement of the '60s, such as R. Crumb and Kim Deitch. Fantagraphics has since gained an international reputation for its literate and audacious editorial standards in publishing the best cartooning from all eras and regions with exacting production values.
About comiXology
ComiXology has revolutionized the comic book and graphic novel industry by delivering a cloud-based digital comics platform that makes discovering, buying, and reading comics more fun than ever before. ComiXology’s Guided View™ reading technology transforms the comic book medium into an immersive and cinematic experience, helping comiXology become one of iTunes' top 10 grossing iPad apps in both 2011 and 2012. Offering the broadest library of comic book content from the top 75 publishers, and including independent creators as well, comiXology will not stop until everyone on the face of the planet has become a comic book fan. A privately held company, comiXology is based in New York City. For more information visit www.comixology.com.
Fantagraphics Books’ First Digital Exclusive Comic
Fantagraphics Books, publisher of the world’s greatest cartoonists, partners with comiXology, the revolutionary cloud-based digital comics platform, to debut Fantagraphics’ first original, digital exclusive comic book: Violenzia. Written and illustrated by acclaimed creator Richard Sala (Delphine, Cat Burglar Black), Violenzia is an all-new, full-color, $5.99, 50-page one-shot exclusively available today across comiXology’s entire platform including iPhone, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire, Windows 8 and comiXology.com.
"Let there be no mercy or forgiveness for they have shown none." With these words, whispered into the wind, a mysterious young woman leaps into action with wild abandon, twin automatics blazing. Is she a brave and reckless heroine taking on a monstrous evil? Or is she a deranged angel of death? One thing is clear, whether she is dropping from a high window into a crowd of red-robed fanatical cultists, or facing down a horde of psychotic hillbillies, you don't want to get in Violenzia’s way.
"This is a new model for us," said Fantagraphics Associate Publisher Eric Reynolds. "Not a better model, but a different model. Richard Sala is one of our most beloved authors, and recently he has built up a considerable and new following online, via his Tumblr and other social media, so when he proposed Violenzia it seemed like the perfect opportunity to experiment with a digital-only release."
"We’re thrilled that Fantagraphics partnered with us to bring Richard Sala's beautiful and hilarious Violenzia to comiXology and our worldwide audience," said comiXology co-founder and CEO David Steinberger. "Readers and fans will also be treated to experiencing this amazing work in comiXology’s cinematic Guided View reading technology."
A fast moving, self-contained story, Violenzia is a blast of pulpy fun, told in scenes of audacious action and splashes of rich watercolors. With elements of golden age comics and old movies mixed with Sala's trademark humor and sense of the absurd, Violenzia is serious fun, a bloody enigma masked as eye candy, a puzzle box riddled with bullet holes.
Violenzia is the latest story by Sala featuring heroines (or anti-heroines) who are quirky, mysterious and unpredictable — such as Peculia (PECULIA , PECULIA AND THE GROON GROVE VAMPIRES), Judy Drood (MAD NIGHT, THE GRAVE ROBBER'S DAUGHTER), and K Westree (CAT BURGLAR BLACK), and features the same distinctive mixture of mystery, violence and humor as his books THE CHUCKLING WHATSIT, THE HIDDEN and DELPHINE.
Look for Violenzia out today on comiXology: http://www.comixology.com/Violenzia/digital-comic/50915?app=1
About Fantagraphics
Fantagraphics Books has been a leading proponent of comics as a legitimate form of art and literature since it began publishing the critical trade magazine The Comics Journal in 1976. By the early 1980s, Fantagraphics was at the forefront of the burgeoning movement to establish comics as a medium as eloquent and expressive as the more established popular arts of film, literature, poetry, et al. Fantagraphics quickly established a reputation as an advocacy publisher that specialized in seeking out and publishing the kind of innovative work that traditional comics corporations who dealt almost exclusively in super-heroes and fantasy either didn’t know existed or wouldn’t touch: serious, dramatic, historical, journalistic, political, and satirical work by a new generation of alternative cartoonists (including now-legends like Peter Bagge, Daniel Clowes, Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez, Joe Sacco and Jim Woodring) as well as many artists who gained prominence as part of the seminal underground comix movement of the '60s, such as R. Crumb and Kim Deitch. Fantagraphics has since gained an international reputation for its literate and audacious editorial standards in publishing the best cartooning from all eras and regions with exacting production values.
About comiXology
ComiXology has revolutionized the comic book and graphic novel industry by delivering a cloud-based digital comics platform that makes discovering, buying, and reading comics more fun than ever before. ComiXology’s Guided View™ reading technology transforms the comic book medium into an immersive and cinematic experience, helping comiXology become one of iTunes' top 10 grossing iPad apps in both 2011 and 2012. Offering the broadest library of comic book content from the top 75 publishers, and including independent creators as well, comiXology will not stop until everyone on the face of the planet has become a comic book fan. A privately held company, comiXology is based in New York City. For more information visit www.comixology.com.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Yaoi Review: BLUE MORNING Volume 3
SUBLIME – @SuBLimeManga
CARTOONIST: Shoko Hidaka
TRANSLATION: Jocelyne Allen
LETTERS: NRP Studios
COVER: Shoko Hidaka with Shawn Carrico
ISBN: 978-1-4215-5554-6; paperback (November 2013) Rated “M” for “Mature”
226pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $14.99 CAN, £8.99 UK
Blue Morning, the yaoi manga graphic novel series from creator Shoko Hidaka, continues with the publication of a third volume. Blue Morning is the story of Akihito Kuze, the heir to a viscount-ship, and the man he loves, Tomoyuki Katsuragi, the very capable butler who has taken care of him for the better part of a decade.
After the death of his father, Akinao Kuze, 10-year-old Akihito moves into the Kuze mansion, as he prepares to inherit his late father’s viscount-ship. There, he meets the Kuze family butler, Tomoyuki Katsuragi, who is tasked with raising Akihito. By the time he is 17-years-old, Akihito finds himself relentlessly drawn to Katsuragi, but frustrated by the distance between them.
Blue Morning, Vol. 3 (Chapters 11 to 15) opens with surprising news for Katsuragi. The servants inform him that Akihito has now decided to handle Kuze family’s business interests himself. It is a big leap for the young man, but his other changes to the household constitution may prove to be too much for household members to accept.
Akihito is so firmly focused on his future that he considers marriage and begins to court 15-year-old Chikako, the daughter of Duke Sajo. Akihito asks the father of his friend, Soichiro Ishizaki, to act as a go-between in the marriage talks. The father, a merchant, is willing, but what he wants in return may be too much for Akihito to give.
The Blue Morning manga does occasionally earn its “yaoi” label by depicting sex between its male leads, but depicting sex seems to be the least of creator Shoko Hidaka’s concerns. This series is a character drama which seems to focus on three things: a star-crossed romance, family history, and intrigue among the nobility and upper crust of society.
As such, it is an excellent read, and Blue Morning Volume 3 may be the best volume yet. Hidaka always draws me in, slowly, with an easy pace, even in the scenes involving a shocking reveal. Before I know it, I have bought into the plot, conflicts, motivations, and characters. Maybe, Blue Morning is “Masterpiece Theatre” for the boys’ love set.
A
www.SuBLimeManga.com
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux
The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.
Wednesday, November 20, 2013
I Reads You Review: SCOOBY-DOO, Where Are You? #39
DC COMICS – @DCComics
STORY: Heather Nuhfer, John Rozum, Darryl Taylor Kravitz
PENCILS: Robert Pope
INKS: Scott McRae
COLORS: Heroic Age
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte, Mike Sellers, Sal Cipriano
COVER: Scott Neely
28pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (January 2014)
Rated “E” for Everyone
A few months ago, my sister, her husband, and their son (my nephew, of course) came for a visit. My nephew told us that his school was doing one of those fundraising campaigns schools always seem to be doing. Instead of candy bars or M&Ms, his school was selling magazine subscriptions, and my nephew had a catalog filled with what seemed like a few hundred magazine offerings, covering a wide range of topics.
To my surprise and delight, the subscription offerings included a few DC Comics titles. I’m not sure why, but I chose a subscription to DC’s current incarnation of a Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? comic book series.
Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #39 opens with the story, “Prize Pup.” A sold-out movie means the Mystery Inc. gang ends up at the Conewango Kennel Club Dog Show just in time to solve the mystery of the “Hound of the Conewango.” Now, Scooby-Doo might become a champion pooch or a victim!
Next, learn about such monsters of the “Plat-Eye,” the giant six-legged cow, and more in “Velma’s Monsters of the World.” In “Ah… Rival,” the gang is off to London, England for a chance to be “Teen Detectives of the Year.” The Sleuth Sisters Club is all that stands between our heroes and “the Golden Magnifying Glass Award,” and they mean to win by any means necessary.
The art by penciller Robert Pope and inker Scott McRae is excellent. When it comes to drawing Scooby-Doo and Mystery Inc. in comics form, this art team deserves to be called perfect. The coloring by Heroic Age is also quite good.
The stories are the problems in Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #39, but not because they are bad or of poor quality. Aside from “Velma’s Monsters of the World” (which is a gag story), “Prize Pup” and “Ah… Rival” need to be longer. They are actually good scenarios. In fact, they are good enough ideas that each could be adapted into a Scooby-Doo direct-to-DVD movie.
In the comic book, however, the two stories are just crammed into 10 pages or less, but they’re really made to be told as 20-page stories, at least. They’re good stories. They need to be – dare I say it – decompressed.
B-
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux
The text is copyright © 2013 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for syndication rights and fees.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for November 20 2013
DC COMICS
SEP130304 100 BULLETS BROTHER LONO #6 (MR) $2.99
SEP130250 ANIMAL MAN #25 $2.99
SEP130258 BATMAN 66 #5 $3.99
SEP130230 BATMAN AND TWO FACE #25 $2.99
SEP130257 BATMAN BEYOND UNIVERSE #4 $3.99
JUL130232 BATMAN DETECTIVE COMICS HC VOL 03 EMPEROR PENGUIN (N52) $24.99
AUG130290 BATMAN DETECTIVE COMICS TP VOL 02 SCARE TACTICS (N52) $16.99
SEP130238 BATWOMAN #25 $3.99
SEP130151 BIRDS OF PREY #25 (ZERO YEAR) $3.99
SEP130308 FABLES #135 (MR) $2.99
JUL130257 FAIREST IN ALL THE LAND HC (MR) $22.99
SEP130182 FOREVER EVIL ROGUES REBELLION #2 $2.99
SEP130244 GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS #25 $2.99
SEP130227 HARLEY QUINN #0 $2.99
SEP130266 HE MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE #8 $2.99
AUG138237 MAD PRESENTS SPY VS SPY FIGHT TO THE FINISH TP $9.99
SEP130163 RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #25 (ZERO YEAR) $3.99
SEP130295 SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP #1 $2.99
SEP130220 SUPERGIRL #25 $2.99
SEP130197 TRINITY OF SIN PANDORA #5 $2.99
SEP130288 VERTIGO ESSENTIALS FABLES #1 (MR) $1.00
AUG130347 WAKE #5 (MR) $3.99
SEP130198 WONDER WOMAN #25 $2.99
AUG130302 WORLDS FINEST TP VOL 02 HUNT AND BE HUNTED (N52) $14.99
DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES
MAY130281 BATMAN BLACK & WHITE BATMAN STATUE BY GREG CAPULLO $79.95
JUL130281 DC COMICS SUPER VILLAINS DEATHSTROKE AF $24.95
JUN130321 DC NEW 52 SUPER HEROES VS SUPER VILLAINS AF 7 PACK $99.95
JUN130312 JOKER PATINA MINI STATUE $94.95
SEP130304 100 BULLETS BROTHER LONO #6 (MR) $2.99
SEP130250 ANIMAL MAN #25 $2.99
SEP130258 BATMAN 66 #5 $3.99
SEP130230 BATMAN AND TWO FACE #25 $2.99
SEP130257 BATMAN BEYOND UNIVERSE #4 $3.99
JUL130232 BATMAN DETECTIVE COMICS HC VOL 03 EMPEROR PENGUIN (N52) $24.99
AUG130290 BATMAN DETECTIVE COMICS TP VOL 02 SCARE TACTICS (N52) $16.99
SEP130238 BATWOMAN #25 $3.99
SEP130151 BIRDS OF PREY #25 (ZERO YEAR) $3.99
SEP130308 FABLES #135 (MR) $2.99
JUL130257 FAIREST IN ALL THE LAND HC (MR) $22.99
SEP130182 FOREVER EVIL ROGUES REBELLION #2 $2.99
SEP130244 GREEN LANTERN NEW GUARDIANS #25 $2.99
SEP130227 HARLEY QUINN #0 $2.99
SEP130266 HE MAN AND THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE #8 $2.99
AUG138237 MAD PRESENTS SPY VS SPY FIGHT TO THE FINISH TP $9.99
SEP130163 RED HOOD AND THE OUTLAWS #25 (ZERO YEAR) $3.99
SEP130295 SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP #1 $2.99
SEP130220 SUPERGIRL #25 $2.99
SEP130197 TRINITY OF SIN PANDORA #5 $2.99
SEP130288 VERTIGO ESSENTIALS FABLES #1 (MR) $1.00
AUG130347 WAKE #5 (MR) $3.99
SEP130198 WONDER WOMAN #25 $2.99
AUG130302 WORLDS FINEST TP VOL 02 HUNT AND BE HUNTED (N52) $14.99
DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES
MAY130281 BATMAN BLACK & WHITE BATMAN STATUE BY GREG CAPULLO $79.95
JUL130281 DC COMICS SUPER VILLAINS DEATHSTROKE AF $24.95
JUN130321 DC NEW 52 SUPER HEROES VS SUPER VILLAINS AF 7 PACK $99.95
JUN130312 JOKER PATINA MINI STATUE $94.95
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