Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 13, 2014

IMAGE COMICS

JUN140540     BURN THE ORPHANAGE REIGN OF TERROR #4 CVR A GRACE (MR     $3.50
JUN140541     BURN THE ORPHANAGE REIGN OF TERROR #4 CVR B LUCE (MR)     $3.50
JUN140473     DEAD AT 17 BLASPHEMY THRONE #1     $3.50
JUN140546     DEATH VIGIL #2     $3.99
JUN140499     DISPLACED PERSONS OGN     $17.99
JUN130541     DREAM MERCHANT #4 (MR)     $3.50
JUN140479     GENIUS #2 (MR)     $3.99
JUN140551     GHOSTED #12 (MR)     $2.99
JUN140566     RED CITY #3     $2.99
MAY140724     RISE O/T MAGI #3 CVR A KESGIN     $3.50
MAY140725     RISE O/T MAGI #3 CVR B SEJIC     $3.50
MAY140728     SEX CRIMINALS #7 (MR)     $3.50
JUN140574     SHUTTER #5 (MR)     $3.50
JUN140576     SKULLKICKERS #30     $3.99
APR148208     STARLIGHT #5 CVR A EDWARDS (MR)     $2.99
APR148209     STARLIGHT #5 CVR B LIEFELD (MR)     $2.99
MAY140738     THIEF OF THIEVES #23 (MR)     $2.99
JUN140586     WALKING DEAD #130 (MR)     $2.99
DEC120593     WHERE IS JAKE ELLIS #4     $3.50
JUN148096     WICKED & DIVINE #2 2ND PTG (MR)     $3.50
MAY140750     WITCHBLADE #172 VALENTINES SPECIAL CVR     $9.99
MAY140751     ZERO #10 (MR)     $2.99

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for August 13, 2014

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

MAY141558     ABC WARRIORS VOLGAN WAR GN VOL 04 (MR)     $22.99
JUN141511     ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #23 REG WALSH     $3.99
JUN141512     ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #23 VALIANTCRAFT CVR     $3.99
MAY141010     ARCHIE FUNHOUSE DIGEST #7     $4.99
MAY148341     ARMOR HUNTERS #2 2ND PTG     $3.99
JUN141492     ARMOR HUNTERS #3 REG BRAITHWAITE (AH)     $3.99
JUN141493     ARMOR HUNTERS #3 VALIANTCRAFT CVR (AH)     $3.99
MAY140989     CAVEWOMAN FALLEN ONE SHOT CVR A DURHAM     $3.99
FEB141051     CLIVE BARKER NEXT TESTAMENT #12 (MR)     $3.99
JUN140878     CROSSED BADLANDS #59 (MR)     $3.99
JUN140881     CROSSED BADLANDS #59 FATAL FANTASY CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUN140880     CROSSED BADLANDS #59 TORTURE CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUN140879     CROSSED BADLANDS #59 WRAP CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUN141561     DEADMAN WONDERLAND GN VOL 04     $9.99
JUN141132     DEJAH THORIS & GREEN MEN OF MARS TP VOL 02 (MR)     $16.99
JUN141187     DF GUARDIANS O/T GALAXY #1 EXC CVR BONUS PKG     $14.99
MAY141530     DINOSAURS HC VOL 03 JURASSIC SMARTS     $10.99
JUN141125     DOODLE JUMP #3     $3.99
JUN141296     EL NINO OMNIBUS HC (MR)     $44.95
JUN140756     F1RST HERO #1 MAIN CVR     $3.99
JUN141307     FAIRY TAIL GN VOL 41     $10.99
JUN141615     GFT AGE OF DARKNESS TP VOL 02     $15.99
JUN141617     GFT HELSING TP     $15.99
JUN141585     GFT INFERNO RINGS OF HELL #1 A CVR JOHNSON (AOFD) (MR     $3.99
JUN141586     GFT INFERNO RINGS OF HELL #1 B CVR LAISO (AOFD) (MR)     $3.99
JUN141587     GFT INFERNO RINGS OF HELL #1 C CVR QUALANO (AOFD) (MR)     $3.99
JUN141599     GFT WONDERLAND #26 A CVR KROME (MR)     $3.99
JUN141600     GFT WONDERLAND #26 B CVR LEISTER (MR)     $3.99
JUN141601     GFT WONDERLAND #26 C CVR EHNOT (MR)     $3.99
JUN140858     GOD IS DEAD #18 (MR)     $3.99
JUN140859     GOD IS DEAD #18 CARNAGE WRAP CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUN140860     GOD IS DEAD #18 END OF DAYS CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUN140861     GOD IS DEAD #18 ICONIC CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUN140851     GOD IS DEAD BOOK OF ACTS OMEGA (MR)     $5.99
JUN140852     GOD IS DEAD BOOK OF ACTS OMEGA CARNAGE WRAP CVR (MR)     $5.99
JUN140854     GOD IS DEAD BOOK OF ACTS OMEGA END OF DAYS CVR (MR)     $5.99
JUN140853     GOD IS DEAD BOOK OF ACTS OMEGA ICONIC CVR (MR)     $5.99
MAR141073     HEART OF THE BEAST HC 20TH ANNV ED (MR)     $24.99
MAR141074     HEART OF THE BEAST HC 20TH ANNV SGN ED (MR)     $49.99
MAR141075     HEART OF THE BEAST HC 20TH ANNV SGN REMARK ED (MR)     $95.00
JUN140934     HEXED #1     $3.99
MAY148197     HUGH HOWEYS WOOL GN     $14.95
JUN141567     ITSUWARIBITO GN VOL 12     $9.99
MAY141580     JASON SHIGA DEMON #1     $4.95
MAY141404     JIM HC     $29.99
MAR140841     KEVIN KELLER #14 REG CVR     $2.99
MAY141365     KINGS WATCH TP VOL 01     $19.99
MAY141464     KODT BUNDLE OF TROUBLE TP VOL 45     $14.99
JUN141102     LADY ZORRO #2     $3.99
MAY141298     LEGENDERRY A STEAMPUNK ADV #6     $3.99
JUN141129     LEGENDS OF RED SONJA TP VOL 01     $19.99
MAY141545     LENA FINKLES MAGIC BARREL GN     $17.00
JUN141568     LOVELESS GN VOL 12     $9.99
JUN141544     MAGI GN VOL 07     $9.99
JUN141297     MEGALEX HC     $29.95
APR140798     MEN OF MYSTERY #93     $29.95
MAY140965     MIDNIGHT TIGER #1 MAIN CVR     $3.99
JUN141309     MONSTER SOUL GN VOL 02     $10.99
MAY141470     MY LITTLE MONSTER GN VOL 03     $10.99
JUN141310     NEGIMA GN VOL 28 KODANSHA ED NEW PTG (MR)     $10.99
JUN140774     NIGHT O/T LIVING VIDIOTS GN (MR)     $19.95
JUN141106     PATHFINDER CITY SECRETS #4 EXC SUBSCRIPTION CVR     $4.99
JUN141104     PATHFINDER CITY SECRETS #4 MAIN GENZOMAN     $4.99
JUN141107     PATHFINDER CITY SECRETS #4 ULTRA LTD CUMMINGS CVR     $19.99
MAR141082     PATHFINDER HC VOL 02 TOOTH & CLAW     $29.99
APR141254     PHANTOM COMP SUNDAYS HC VOL 02 1943-1945     $60.00
JUN141335     PRINCESS UGG #3     $3.99
MAY140956     RACHEL RISING #27     $3.99
MAR141089     RED SONJA #11 FRISON CVR     $3.99
MAR141090     RED SONJA #11 LUPACCHINO CVR     $3.99
APR141060     RED TEN TP VOL 01     $14.99
MAY141465     ROBOT CLOWN MOB GN (MR)     $9.99
SEP130869     RUN LIKE HELL GN (MR)     $14.99
JUN141385     SAN HANNIBAL #3     $2.99
JUN141160     SANITARIUM #2 (MR)     $3.99
FEB141355     SCOTT PILGRIM COLOR HC VOL 05     $24.99
MAR141264     SHEENA #3     $3.99
DEC130802     SKYWARD #8 MAIN COVERS     $2.99
JUN141362     SMURFS ANTHOLOGY HC VOL 03     $19.99
JAN141243     SNAKEPIT 10 YEAR ANNVERSARY ED GN (MR)     $14.95
MAY141035     SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #263 REG CVR     $2.99
JUN140769     SOUTHERN DOG #1 ROSSMO CVR (MR)     $3.99
JUN140930     SPONGEBOB COMICS #35     $2.99
JUN141049     THE DEVILERS #2     $2.99
APR141286     THE PEOPLE INSIDE HC     $24.99
JUN140951     THOMAS ALSOP #3     $3.99
JUN141317     TOWER CHRONICLES DREADSTALKER #1     $3.99
JUN141417     TWISTED DARK GN VOL 01     $9.99
JUN141496     UNITY #10 REG SUAYAN (AH)     $3.99
JUN141497     UNITY #10 VALIANTCRAFT CVR (AH)     $3.99
MAY148342     UNITY #8 2ND PTG     $3.99
JUN141397     US JUDGE DREDD COMP CASE FILES TP VOL 08     $19.99
MAY140969     VAMPLETS NIGHTMARE NURSERY HC BOOK 02     $15.99
APR141148     WARLORD OF MARS TP VOL 04 (MR)     $24.99
JUN141528     WOLFSMUND GN VOL 05     $12.95
MAY148343     X-O MANOWAR #26 2ND PTG     $3.99
MAY141483     ZOMBILLENIUM HC VOL 02 HUMAN RESOURCES     $14.99

MAGAZINES
MAY141891     BRICKJOURNAL #30     $8.95
JUN141697     COMIC SHOP NEWS #1417     PI
APR141643     DC SUPERHERO CHESS FIG COLL MAG #62 KILLER FROST BLACK PAWN     $16.00
MAY141844     DC SUPERHERO CHESS FIG COLL MAG #63 ZOD BLACK KNIGHT     $16.00
MAY141845     DC SUPERHERO CHESS FIG COLL MAG #64 BRAINIAC BLACK PAWN     $16.00
JUN141710     GIRLS AND CORPSES MAGAZINE SUMMER 2014 (MR)     $8.95
APR141669     HOBBY JAPAN JUL 2014     $16.60
JUN141693     JUXTAPOZ #164 SEP 2014     $5.99
APR141647     MARVEL CHESS FIG COLL MAG #12 LIZARD BLACK PAWN     $16.00
MAR141582     STAR TREK STARSHIPS FIG COLL MAG #21 USS ENTERPRISE E     $20.00
MAR141583     STAR TREK STARSHIPS FIG COLL MAG #22 KRENIM TEMPORAL WEAPON     $20.00
MAY141887     STAR WARS INSIDER #151 NEWSSTAND ED     $7.99
MAY141888     STAR WARS INSIDER #151 PX ED     $7.99
JUN141709     WALKING DEAD MAGAZINE #9 SDCC EXCLUSIVE COVER (MR)     $9.99

BOOKS
MAY141811     DC SUPER FRIENDS WORD ADV BOARD BOOK SUPERMAN     $6.99
MAY141812     DC SUPER FRIENDS WORD ADV BOARD BOOK WONDER WOMAN     $6.99
MAY141803     DC YR BOARD BOOK SM BATMAN SHAPES     $5.99
MAY141805     DC YR BOARD BOOK SM CATWOMAN COUNTING     $5.99
MAY141807     DC YR BOARD BOOK SM SUPERMAN COLORS     $5.99
MAY141809     DC YR BOARD BOOK SM WONDER WOMAN ABCS     $5.99
MAY141830     DOC SAVAGE DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 76 MINDLESS MONSTERS     $14.95
JUN141474     DON HECK A WORK OF ART HC     $39.95
JUN141661     FOUNDATIONS IN COMIC BOOK ART SCAD CREATIVE ESSENTIALS SC     $24.99
FEB140903     JOSEPH WIGHT ART BOOK TP VOL 01     $25.00
MAY141796     MARVEL COMICS COVER ART HC     $50.00
JUN141618     NEVER UNDERESTIMATE A HERMIT CRAB SC     $9.99
JUN141674     SHADOW DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 86 TREASURE TRAIL     $14.95
APR141582     SPIDER DOUBLE NOVEL #4 WINGS OF BLACK DEATH     $14.95
MAY142819     WARHAMMER 40K FALL OF MACHARIUS HC     $24.99
MAY142821     WARHAMMER 40K VENGEFUL SPIRIT TP     $20.00

Happy Marriage?! - Will I Be Tied Down to You?

I read Happy Marriage?!, Vol. 7

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

Comics Review: THE STRAIN #6

THE STRAIN #6
DARK HORSE COMICS – @DarkHorseComics

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

Part 6: “Dear Ones”

Some time ago, Dark Horse Comics made PDF copies of all 11 issues of its horror comic book series, The Strain, available to its media mailing list.  This was part of DHC’s promotional effort for the follow-up series, The Strain: The Fall.  Between those PDFs and hard copies, I was able to review all 11 issues of The Strain for the ComicBookBin.

I have previously posted my reviews of The Strain, issues #1 through 5, here on the “I Reads You” blog.  Over the course of the coming weeks, I will post the reviews of issues 6 to 11 on this blog in conjunction with the broadcast of “The Strain,” the television adaptation of the novel that is the source material for both the TV series and Dark Horse’s comic book.  The first episode aired on Sunday night, July 13, 2014 on cable channel, FX, with each new episode airing the following Sunday.

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

The Strain is an 11-issue comic book adaptation of The Strain, a 2009 vampire novel from filmmaker Guillermo del Toro and novelist Chuck Hogan.  The adaptation is scripted by David Lapham, drawn by Mike Huddleston, colored by Dan Jackson, and lettered by Clem Robins.

In the story, Dr. Ephraim “Eph” Goodweather of the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) heads the Canary Project, a rapid-response team that investigates biological threats.   With his second-in-command, Nora Martinez, Eph has found such a threat at J.F.K. International Airport in New York City.  There, a Boeing 777 went dead silent after landing, while inside, almost all the passengers and crew were dead.

As The Strain #6 opens, Eph and Dr. Martinez tentatively take Professor Abraham Setrakian’s claims seriously.  Someone is going to use the “v” word.  The scientists go to Setrakian’s antique shop, where they visit his basement and see the thing the old man keeps in a jar.

Next, Eph, Martinez, and Setrakian search for the “dear ones,” in a bid to track the path of the strange virus that could destroy life in New York City.  Meanwhile, Eldritch Palmer, CEO of the Stoneheart Group, tries to resolve some loose ends in the part he plays in the growing horror.

It has been two months since I last read the fifth issue of The Strain, and it is still good as I remember.  By now, this series is a back issue, with second trade due to arrive and the second series (entitled The Fall) preparing to launch.  New release or back issue, The Strain is a great read.

If The Strain does not become a perennial or backlist favorite, then, the comic book gods must be crazy.  Lapham and Huddleston’s efforts have earned readers’ notice.  Fans of horror comic books should get 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.

Manga Review: SPELL OF DESIRE Volume 1

SPELL OF DESIRE, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Tomu Ohmi
TRANSLATION: JN Productions
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Ysabet Reinhardt MacFarlane
LETTERS: Monalisa de Asis
ISBN: 978-1-4215-6775-4; paperback (August 2014); Rated “M” for “Mature”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Tomu Ohmi is a female mangaka who made her debut in 2000.  VIZ Media is currently publishing the English-language version of her series, Midnight Secretary.  The San Francisco-based publisher is also making her most recent series, Spell of Desire, available to North American readers.

Spell of Desire focuses on Kaoruko “Koko” Mochizuki owns and operates an herb shop in a small seaside town in Japan.  One day, a mysterious man dressed in black walks into the Moon Witch Herb Shop and introduces himself as Kaname Hibiki.  Kaname tells Kaoruko that she is actually a witch and that he has arrived to help her control the power that is awakening in her.

Spell of Desire, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 5) opens with the arrival of Kaname.  He is bringing shocking news about Koko and her mother and grandmother.  He says that he is a “Knight.”  He tells her about being the target of humans and demons alike.  And now her customers think that Kaoruko finally has a boyfriend.  Kaoruko wants to reject Kaname, but then, he steals a kiss…

It is worth comparing the Spell of Desire manga to Midnight Secretary, the previous manga produced by Spell of Desire creator, Tomu Ohmi.  Midnight Secretary is by turns sweet and silly and also dark and mysterious.  Its scenario is playful, which belies the danger inherent in some characters.

Spell of Desire seems like something I’ve read countless times before.  While Midnight Secretary manages to be different as vampire fiction, Spell of Desire scenario of the Knight-without-shining-armor rescuing the magical-novice-damsel seems a bit soft.  The best scenes are the ones featuring Kaname’s familiars, Dragon and Unicorn.  Like Midnight Secretary, I think Spell of Desire will start to differentiate itself in the second and third volumes.  Meanwhile, Spell of Desire Volume 1 has beautiful art, but the magic does not crackle.  Still, Fans of Tomu Ohmi may want to try Spell of Desire.

B-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Comics Review: THE AMATEURS

THE AMATEURS
FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS – @fantagraphics

CARTOONIST: Conor Stechschulte
EDITOR: Eric Reynolds
ISBN: 978-1-60699-734-5; paperback (June 2014)
64pp, B&W. $14.99 U.S.

Conor Stechschulte is a Baltimore-based comic book artist and a painter.  Fantagraphics Books recently published his graphic novella debut.  Entitled The Amateurs, it is the story of two amnesiac butchers who find their shop without meat and their heads with any memory of how to do their jobs.

The Amateurs opens with an entry from the diary of Anne M. Nemeth, a student at Lyre School for Girls.  On the morning of September 3rd of an unknown year, Anne and fellow student, Bethany, discover a severed human head that still seems to be talking.

The story then introduces (via flashback?) a pair of butchers named Jim and Winston.  They arrive for work at their butcher shop (of which Winston may be the owner) one morning only to discover that there is no meat in the shop.  Still more shocking, the two men also realize that they have completely forgotten how to do their jobs.  With the arrival of Martha and Shelly, two customers, Jim and Winston become fearful for their livelihood, too afraid to admit their dilemma.  This leads to a series of increasingly disastrous events.  The questions remains, what has caused their strange amnesia?

Somewhere between David Lynch and The Three Stooges lies the weird horror-comedy that is The Amateurs.  This graphic novel is inscrutable, surreal, and brilliant.  I could have read another 64 pages of it; I wanted to read another 64 pages.  It is a fascinating read, and I found myself reading a few pages at time and going back to re-read those pages.

Stechschulte may not be a draftsman as a comic book artist, but he is able to create evocative graphics separate from the words in balloons and caption boxes.  Those words, however, are also powerful and gripping, making the characters and situations intriguing and fascinating, even if both largely remain a mystery.  Bring words and pictures together, and the result is a robust story of mystery and dark humor.

There is a sad-sack, human quality in Stechschulte’s character art and in his cartooning of the human figure.  Jim and Winston’s nakedness, down to their mundane and feeble genitalia, makes them seem fragile.  That fragility is what keeps Jim and Winston’s dilemmas and struggles tangible and genuine.  That is what makes me care (still) about the two men’s fate long after reading The Amateurs.

The Amateurs could be a criticism of human nature, particularly of the disconnect between people.  I think this fantastic graphic novella reveals that there is a connection, but also that there is a lack of understanding in how to use that connection.  This leads to awkwardness and lots of flailing – hurting in lieu of uniting.  That’s amateurish.

The Amateurs by Conor Stechschulte is an ambition debut.  It is a small, black and white graphic novella with a story that is as explosive and as visceral as any superhero comics spectacular.  Its black comedy is funnier than many straight humor comics.  Readers looking for an ambitious alternative to the status quo will find it in The Amateurs.

A

www.fantagraphics.com

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

Review: FOOD WARS!, Shokugeki no Soma Volume 1

FOOD WARS!, Shokugeki no Soma VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

STORY: Yuto Tsukuda
ART: Shun Saeki
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
LETTERS: NRP Studios
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-4215-7254-3; paperback (March 2014); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
208pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma is a shonen culinary arts manga from writer Yuto Tsukuda and artist Shun Saeki.  The series focuses on Soma Yukihira, a 15-year-old boy forced to attend an elite culinary arts school.

Soma’s father, Joshiro Yukihira, runs a small family restaurant in the less savory end of town.  Soma aims to one day surpass his father’s culinary prowess, so the teen hones his skills day in and day out.  However, one day, his father suddenly decides to enroll Soma in a classy culinary school.  Soma does not believe he needs to go to culinary school, so can he really succeed in a place that prides itself on a 10 percent graduation rate?

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma, Vol. 1 (Endless Wilderness; Chapters 1 to 5) opens with Soma trying out some horrifying recipes on the customers at Yukihira Family Restaurant.  Soma’ father, Joshiro, challenges his talented son to a cooking duel, which he wins.  The son still has a lot to learn, but Soma believes that he is ready to take over the family business.

Before he leaves the country, however, Joshiro registers Soma at Totsuki Saryo Culinary Institute, the premiere culinary school in Japan.  First, Soma has to win his admission.  Standing in his way is Erina Nakiri, the beautiful, domineering heiress of the school, of which her grandfather, Senzaemon Nakiri, is the dean.  She immediately scares away all of the new student seeking entrance into the school… except Soma.  Can he convince her that he belongs there at all?!

[This story contains two bonus stories, the “special short,” Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma” and a side story, “Kurase’s Diary.”]

VIZ Media sent me a copy of the Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma Volume 1 for review.  The publisher first released Vol. 1 for its digital manga app (March 2014).  The print release is due this month (August 2014).

I didn’t think much Food Wars! after giving it a cursory glance, although I am a fan of “foodie manga” like Yakitate!! Japan and Oishinbo (as well as Toriko, which focuses on imaginary food stuffs and ingredients).  After reading Food Wars! Vol. 1, I love it!  I have another item for my full-course manga menu.

Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma mixes elements of samurai fiction, the culinary arts, and high school shonen comedy, and it certainly is funny.  In Soma, the series has a brash, but likeable young male lead.  His adversaries are culinary, cooking, and foodie snobs like Erina Nakiri and his fellow Totsuki Saryo students.  I don’t want to spoil much more, but Soma’s cooking talents do something both outrageous and funny to people who doubt him and then, taste his cooking.  Soma also has a mad scientist like tendency that gives the series another layer of humor.

The first volume of Food Wars! is a fantastic start to this series.  I hope the second volume proves that this start is not a fluke.  Fans of foodie manga and of shonen comedies aimed at older male teens will like Food Wars!: Shokugeki No Soma.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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