Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 30, 2014

MARVEL COMICS

MAY140811     100TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL #1 GOTG     $3.99
MAY148186     ALL NEW GHOST RIDER #3 2ND PTG MOORE VAR ANMN     $3.99
MAY140838     ALL NEW GHOST RIDER #5     $3.99
MAY148187     ALL NEW X-MEN #27 2ND PTG IMMONEN VAR     $3.99
MAY148188     ALL NEW X-MEN #28 2ND PTG IMMONEN VAR     $3.99
MAY140786     AVENGERS #33 SIN     $3.99
MAY140829     AVENGERS WORLD #10     $3.99
MAY140900     CYCLOPS #3     $3.99
MAY140892     DEADPOOL DRACULAS GAUNTLET #4     $3.99
MAY148175     FIGMENT #2 2ND PTG CHRISTOPHER VAR     $3.99
MAY140852     GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #17     $3.99
FEB140793     HAWKEYE #19     $3.99
MAY140948     HUMAN TORCH BY KESEL AND YOUNG COMP COLL TP     $34.99
MAY140858     IRON MAN SPECIAL #1     $4.99
MAY140851     IRON PATRIOT #5     $3.99
MAY148248     LEGENDARY STAR LORD #1 2ND PTG MCNIVEN VAR ANMN     $3.99
MAY140920     MARVELS GUARDIANS GALAXY ART OF MOVIE SLIPCASE HC     $49.99
MAY140935     MIGHTY AVENGERS TP VOL 02 FAMILY BONDING     $17.99
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MAY148249     ROCKET RACCOON #1 2ND PTG YOUNG VAR ANMN     $3.99
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MAY140899     X-MEN #17     $3.99
MAY140947     X-MEN MAGNETO TESTAMENT TP NEW PTG     $19.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for July 30, 2014

IDW PUBLISHING

MAY140475     CARTOON NETWORK SUPER SECRET CRISIS WAR #2     $3.99
MAY140476     CARTOON NETWORK SUPER SECRET CRISIS WAR #2 SUBSCRIPTION     $3.99
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MAY140514     GHOSTBUSTERS #18     $3.99
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MAY140559     INFESTATION OMNIBUS TP     $29.99
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MAR140467     ZOMBIES VS ROBOTS Z-BOYZ I/T ROBOT GRAVEYARD PROSE TP     $19.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 30, 2014

DARK HORSE COMICS

MAY140027     BALTIMORE WITCH OF HARJU #1     $3.50
MAY140060     CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT #13     $2.99
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MAY140087     STAR WARS REBEL HEIST #4 HUGHES MAIN CVR     $3.50
APR140023     VEIL #4 (MR)     $3.50

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 30, 2014

IMAGE COMICS

MAY140696     BLACK SCIENCE #7 (MR)     $3.50
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IMAGE COMICS/MCFARLANE TOYS

FEB140648     WWE MACHO MAN RANDY SAVAGE RESIN STATUE     PI

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for July 30, 2014

PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS
MAY140009     PREVIEWS BACKLIST CATALOG 2014     $1.50

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS
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MAGAZINES
APR141337     2000 AD PACK JUN 2014     PI
MAY141864     COMIC SHOP NEWS #1415     PI
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BOOKS
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MAY142818     WARHAMMER 40K BASTION WARS OMNIBUS SC     $17.50
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Phantom Thief Jeanne: Because I Want You to Love Me...

I read Phantom Thief Jeanne, Vol. 2

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin, which is seeking donations.  Follow me on Twitter.

Comic Book Review: THE STRAIN #4

THE STRAIN #4
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

STORY: Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan
SCRIPT: David Lapham
ART: Mike Huddleston
COLORS: Dan Jackson
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Mike Huddleston
28pp, Color, $3.50 U.S. (March 2012)

Part 4: “Conspiracy”

Early in 2013, Dark Horse Comics made PDF copies of all 11 issues of its horror comic book series, The Strain, available to comic book reviewers on its mailing list.  This offer was part of DHC’s promotional effort for a second maxi-series, The Strain: The Fall.  I took up that offer and reviewed all 11 issues of The Strain for the ComicBookBin.

I have previously posted my reviews of The Strain, issues #1 through 3 on my “I Reads You” blog.  Over the course of the coming weeks, I will post the reviews of issues 4 to 11 on this blog in conjunction with the broadcast of “The Strain,” the television adaptation of the original novel.  The first episode aired on Sunday night, July 13, 2014 on cable channel, FX, with each new episode airing the following Sunday.

Thus far, the first two issues The Strain comic book are better than the first two episodes of “The Strain” TV series.

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

The Strain is the 11-issue comic book adaptation of The Strain, a 2009 vampire novel from filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and novelist Chuck Hogan.  Hogan’s 2004 novel, Prince of Thieves, became the Ben Affleck film, The Town.  Published by Dark Horse Comics, The Strain comic book is scripted by David Lapham, drawn by Mike Huddleston, and colored by Dan Jackson.

The Strain follows Dr. Ephraim “Eph” Goodweather of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control).  Eph heads the Canary Project, a rapid-response team that investigates biological threats.   With his second-in-command, Nora Martinez, Eph has found just that kind a threat.  It begins at J.F.K. International Airport in New York City, where a Boeing 777 went dead silent after landing.

The Strain #4 opens at the Stoneheart Group Headquarters in Manhattan.  There, CEO Eldritch Palmer begins to orchestrate his part in the madness that has already begun.  Eph’s son, Zack, witnesses something frightening.  Exhausted, Eph struggles to discover the secrets of what looks like an epidemic, while Nora comforts him.

Gabe Bolivar, rock star and survivor of the Boeing flight, gets a visit from his manager, Rudy, a visit that leaves the visitor stunned.  The wife of Ansel Barbour, another survivor, seeks comfort in “The Lord’s Prayer.”  Eph and Nora have a completely unexpected encounter with the third survivor, Captain Redfern.

The Strain #3 was f’ing awesome, and so is #4.  Artist Mike Huddleston has complete control of this narrative’s pace.  He draws out the coming horror in a measured pace that tries one’s nerves.  Could I take the heat?  Then, Huddleston unleashes brief action scenes that hit the viewer like a mean action movie.  Every one page of action feels like three pages.  Many media properties would be well served by a Mike Huddleston as their comic book artist.

Fans of horror comic books must have The Strain.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2014 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.