Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for December 10, 2014

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

JUL140819     AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE #7 REG FRANCAVILLA CVR     $3.99
OCT141712     AJIN GN VOL 02 DEMI-HUMAN     $12.95
OCT141335     ALICE COOPER #4     $3.99
OCT141763     ARATA THE LEGEND GN VOL 20     $9.99
SEP141007     ARCHIE FUNHOUSE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #11     $6.99
OCT141529     ATTACK ON TITAN BEFORE THE FALL GN VOL 03     $10.99
AUG141585     BAD MACHINERY GN VOL 03 CASE OF THE SIMPLE SOUL     $19.99
OCT141532     BATTLE ANGEL ALITA LAST ORDER OMNIBUS VOL 05     $19.99
OCT141172     BRAVEST WARRIORS #27 MAIN CVRS     $3.99
OCT141571     BRIDES OF HELHEIM #3 (MR)     $3.99
OCT141811     CHARMED SEASON 10 #3 A CVR SEIDMAN (MR)     $3.99
OCT141081     CROSSED BADLANDS #68 (MR)     $3.99
OCT141084     CROSSED BADLANDS #68 FATAL FANTASY CVR (MR)     $3.99
OCT141083     CROSSED BADLANDS #68 TORTURE CVR (MR)     $3.99
OCT141082     CROSSED BADLANDS #68 WRAP CVR (MR)     $3.99
OCT141762     DEADMAN WONDERLAND GN VOL 06 (MR)     $9.99
OCT141127     DEEP STATE #2     $3.99
JUL141204     DF AMAZING SPIDER MAN #1.5 ROSS SGN     PI
SEP141399     DF AXIS CARNAGE #1 SPEARS SGN     $29.99
AUG141463     DF DEADPOOL ART OF WAR #1 PETER DAVID SGN     PI
AUG141450     DF MARVEL 75TH ANNIV CELEBRATION #1 DEFALCO SGN     $69.99
SEP141039     DISENCHANTED TP VOL 02 (MR)     $19.99
SEP141496     DUNGEON EARLY YEARS GN VOL 01 NIGHT SHIRT NEW PTG     $14.99
SEP141495     DUNGEON TWILIGHT GN VOL 04     $14.99
SEP141142     EMPTY MAN #6     $3.99
OCT141120     ETERNAL #1     $3.99
OCT141333     EX CON #4 (MR)     $2.99
OCT141430     FAIRY TALES I JUST MADE UP HC     $18.95
AUG141351     FLASH GORDON #7     $3.99
AUG141352     FLASH GORDON #7 80TH ANNIVERSARY CASTRO CVR     $3.99
OCT141160     FRAGGLE ROCK JOURNEY EVERSPRING #3     $3.99
SEP141120     GEORGE PEREZ SIRENS #2 MAIN WRAPAROUND     $3.99
AUG141843     GFT AGE OF DARKNESS TP VOL 04 (MR)     $19.99
OCT141812     GFT GODDESS INC #5 A CVR PANTALENA (MR)     $3.99
OCT141813     GFT GODDESS INC #5 B CVR ERIC J (MR)     $3.99
OCT141814     GFT GODDESS INC #5 C CVR SPAY (MR)     $3.99
OCT141789     GFT GRIMM FAIRY TALES #105 A CVR KROME (AOFD) (MR)     $3.99
OCT141790     GFT GRIMM FAIRY TALES #105 B CVR QUALANO (AOFD) (MR)     $3.99
OCT141791     GFT GRIMM FAIRY TALES #105 C CVR DELARA (AOFD) (MR)     $3.99
OCT141065     GOD IS DEAD #25 (MR)     $5.99
OCT141066     GOD IS DEAD #25 CARNAGE WRAP CVR (MR)     $5.99
OCT141069     GOD IS DEAD #25 ENCHANTING CVR (MR)     $5.99
OCT141067     GOD IS DEAD #25 END OF DAYS CVR (MR)     $5.99
OCT141068     GOD IS DEAD #25 ICONIC CVR (MR)     $5.99
AUG141129     GODKILLER WALK AMONG US #3 (MR)     $3.99
OCT140952     HERALD LOVECRAFT AND TESLA #1 MAIN CVR     $3.99
OCT140954     HERO CATS #3     $3.99
OCT141137     HEXED #5     $3.99
SEP141119     HIT TP VOL 01 1955     $14.99
SEP141616     I AM ALICE BODY SWAP IN WONDERLAND GN VOL 02 (MR)     $13.99
SEP140960     ITTY BITTY BUNNIES COCK FIGHT MAIN CVR ONE SHOT (MR)     $3.99
OCT141357     JOHN CARTER WARLORD #2 CVR A BENES MAIN (MR)     $3.99
SEP141368     JUSTICE INC #4 RARE ROSS VIRGIN ED     $50.00
OCT141276     LADY DEMON #1 CVR A CHIN MAIN     $3.99
SEP141625     LITTLE NEMO IN SLUMBERLAND SO MANY SPLENDID SUNDAYS NEW PTG     $125.00
JUN140833     LOLA XOXO #5 DIRECT MARKET CVR A     $3.99
JUN140834     LOLA XOXO #5 DIRECT MARKET CVR B     $3.99
OCT141764     MAGI GN VOL 09     $9.99
OCT141374     MERCY THOMPSON #3     $3.99
OCT141163     MIDAS FLESH TP VOL 01     $14.99
OCT141502     PARALLEL MAN #3     $3.99
OCT141108     PENNY FOR YOUR SOUL TP VOL 02 FALSE PROPHET (MR)     $17.99
OCT140955     PLANET GIGANTIC #3     $3.99
OCT141575     PRINCESS UGG #6     $3.99
SEP141376     PURGATORI #3 RARE CHIN VIRGIN ART ED     $50.00
SEP140948     RACHEL RISING #30     $3.99
OCT141204     REGULAR SHOW #18     $3.99
OCT141148     ROBOCOP TP VOL 03 LAST STAND PT 2 (MR)     $14.99
SEP141023     SATANS 3 RING CIRCUS OF H$$$ TP (MR)     $19.95
SEP141276     SOLAR MAN OF ATOM #8 CVR A DOE MAIN     $3.99
SEP141017     SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #267 REG CVR     $3.99
SEP140963     SOUTHERN DOG #4 (MR)     $3.99
OCT141119     SPONGEBOB COMICS #39     $2.99
SEP141464     STONES OF POWER GN     $9.95
OCT141132     SUICIDE RISK #20     $3.99
OCT141164     TEEN DOG #4     $3.99
OCT141682     THE VALIANT #1 BLANK CVR     $3.99
OCT141678     THE VALIANT #1 CVR A RIVERA     $3.99
OCT141138     THOMAS ALSOP #7     $3.99
OCT141543     TOWER CHRONICLES DREADSTALKER #5     $3.99
OCT141131     WILDS END #4     $3.99
MAY141589     WINDSOR MCCAY COMPLETE LITTLE NEMO XL HC     $200.00
OCT141715     WITCHCRAFT WORKS GN VOL 02     $12.95
SEP140964     ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #5 MAIN CVR (MR)     $3.99

MAGAZINES
OCT141881     COMIC SHOP NEWS #1434     PI
APR141665     FANGORIA #338     $10.99
SEP141945     HORRORHOUND #50     $6.99
JUN141692     ILLUSTRATION MAGAZINE #46     $15.00

BOOKS
OCT141820     ART OF ZENESCOPE LTD DM ED SLIPCASE HC VOL 02     $99.99
OCT141843     BRIEF HISTORY OF WALT DISNEY     $13.95
OCT141850     CATS OF TANGLEWOOD FOREST SC     $8.00
JUL141657     DOCTOR WHO 12 DOCTORS 12 STORIES SC     $16.99
JUN148309     DOCTOR WHO 12 DOCTORS 12 STORIES SLIPCASE ED     $24.99
OCT141594     HERE HC     $35.00
SEP141879     INSIDER HISTORIES OF CARTOONING SC     $35.00
OCT141116     PANDEMONIUM BLVD LTD S/N HC (MR)     $49.99
SEP141868     ULT GT VINTAGE STAR WARS ACTION FIGURES 1977-85     $27.99
SEP141860     WALTER BAUMHOFER HC     $44.95
JUL141649     WORLD ACCORDING TO BATMAN HC     $24.95

Monday, December 8, 2014

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Review: Dungeons & Dragons LEGENDS OF BALDUR'S GATE #2

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS LEGENDS OF BALDUR'S GATE #2
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing @Wizards_DnD

WRITER: Jim Zub – @JimZub
ART:  Max Dunbar – @Max_Dunbar
COLORS: John-Paul Bove and Joana Lafuente
LETTERS: Neil Uyetake
COVER: Sarah Stone
VARIANT COVERS:  Max Dunbar with John-Paul Bove; Tyler Jacobson; Guido Kuip
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2014)

Tyranny of Dragons

The second issue of Dungeons & Dragons Legends of Baldur's Gate, the new Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) comic book from IDW Publishing, arrived a few weeks ago.  This comic book series is written by Jim Zub and drawn by Max Dunbar with colors by John-Paul Bove and Joana Lafuente and letters by Neil Uyetake.

Legends of Baldur's Gate #2 is set in the legendary Baldur's Gate (a city in the Forgotten Realms campaign setting of the D&D fantasy role-playing game).  In this “place of history and home to legends,” we meet a young female elf and wild mage named Delina.  On the run from stone gargoyles, Delina casts a spell to protect herself.  It goes wild and hits the statue of Minsc the Beloved Ranger and his hamster, Boo.  Soon, Delina is on the run with Minsc and Boo.

As Dungeons & Dragons Legends of Baldur's Gate #2 (“Part Two”) opens, Delina learns that the two thieves they just encountered are Krydle (a male) and Shandie (a female).  They agree to help Delina find her missing twin brother, Deniak.  However, powerful figures and dark conspirators are also looking for Delina and Minsc, as well as Deniak.

While the first issue was a kickoff issue and read as a simple introduction to the series, Dungeons & Dragons Legends of Baldur's Gate #2 settles into the heart of the story.  A central plot (the search for Deniak) solidifies, and the narrative comes together as writer Jim Zub adds to his colorful band of heroes.  I like Delina and company, and I think there will be good times with them.  It is obvious that Zub loves the D&D source material, always a good things when adapting a property as a comic book.

Artist Max Dunbar steps forward a little more.  His storytelling and compositions are stronger, as if he figured out that this comic book is his sometime while drawing this second issue.  Legends of Baldur's Gate #2 also offers four pages of conceptual art, designs, and sketches that Dunbar produced for this series, and it is some beautiful work.  Speaking of beauty, the colors by John-Paul Bove and Joana Lafuente positively shimmer on some pages.  Readers of D&D comic books as well as of sword-and-sorcery will want to take a trip to Dungeons & Dragons Legends of Baldur's Gate.

B+

www.IDWPublishing.com
DungeonsandDragons.com

Review by Leroy Douresseaux


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


Friday, December 5, 2014

Review: YUKARISM Volume 1


YUKARISM, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Chika Shiomi
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: John Werry
LETTERS: Rina Mapa
ISBN: 978-1-4215-7590-2; paperback (December 2014); Rated “T” for “Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

VIZ Media has recently released its latest series from mangaka Chika Shiomi.  Entitled Yukarism, this nostalgia-tinted historical romance follows an accomplished teenaged author who can slip into time and  assume his past life as a courtesan.

Yukari Kobayakawa is 17-years-old and attends high school.  He is also already an accomplished author who writes about historical Japan, specifically the Edo Period of the early 1800s.  Shockingly, Yukari has the ability to slip into his past life in the Edo period, when he was as a beautiful, renowned courtesan (Oiran) named Yumurasaki.

As Yukarism, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 4) opens, high school student Mahoro Tachibana gets a chance to meet fellow classmate, Yukari Kobayakawa.  She is a huge fan of his period novels.  Surprisingly, Yukari is sure he knows Mahoro, and she is also sure that she knows him.  They have a connection in the past, but Yukari wonders if their relationship was friendly or deadly.

I knew that I would like the Yukarism manga by Chika Shiomi.  I loved Shiomi's supernatural romance, Yurara, and I was a fan of her other supernatural shojo manga, Rasetsu.  Her work bewitches me.

I must admit that the contents of Yukarism Volume 1 strains credulity.  The chance of so many reincarnations in such close proximity to one another is too much to believe.  Still, if I accept the reincarnation conceit to begin with, I guess I have to accept all of Yukarism's other fantasy elements.  The elegant line work of Yukarism's art gives the story a captivating quality, and fans bewitched by Shiomi's other supernatural romances will want to try this.

B+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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



Thursday, December 4, 2014

Book Review: FLESH AND BLOOD

FLESH AND BLOOD
HARPERCOLLINS – @HarperCollins

AUTHOR: Patricia Cornwell – @1pcornw
ISBN: 978-0-06-232534-1; hardcover (November 11, 2014)
384pp, B&W, $28.99 U.S.

Flesh and Blood is a 2014 crime novel from bestselling author Patricia Cornwell.  It is the 22nd novel in Cornwell's Kay Scarpetta series, which began with Postmortem (1990).  In Flesh and Blood, Cornwell's beloved forensic sleuth tries to unravel the mystery of “Copperhead,” a serial sniper whose killings and motives seem to strike close to Scarpetta herself.

Flesh and Blood opens on June 12, 2014, and Dr. Kay Scarpetta is going to celebrate her birthday with a much-deserved vacation.  She is about to head to Miami with her husband, Benton Wesley, an FBI profiler and intelligence analyst.  However, as they prepare to leave, Kay spots seven pennies on a wall behind her Cambridge, Massachusetts home.  The coins are all dated in 1981 and are so shiny that they could have been newly minted.

Soon afterward, her phone rings and Detective Peter Marino of the Cambridge Police Department informs Scarpetta that there has been a homicide five minutes from her home.  High school music teacher and controversial public figure, Jamal Nari, was shot to death with uncanny precision, and no one heard or saw a thing.  Soon, Scarpetta finds herself chasing a serial sniper, who is eventually dubbed “Copperhead,” because of his use of copper bullets.  Copperhead leaves behind no incriminating evidence and who seems to be several steps ahead of Scarpetta at every turn.  As more people are killed and past murders are connected to this case, Scarpetta begins to realize that her techno-genius niece, Lucy Farinelli, may be the killer.

Although I have been aware of Patricia Cornwell for over a decade, Flesh and Blood is the first novel of hers that I have read – thanks to a review copy from HarperCollins.  I have to admit that I almost stopped reading the book after a few pages.  Cornwell has a peculiar syntax and odd writing style that, at first glance, seems to be the creation of someone who has a strange way of speaking English.  Once I picked up on the rhythm of the prose, however, I had a blast reading Flesh and Blood.

I now know why Cornwell makes regular appearances on bestseller lists.  She writes page-turning crime thrillers that I had to force myself to stop reading.  Every chapter, every single one, offers masterfully crafted whodunit suspense, and there are plot twists and surprises at least every three pages.

Cornwell also offers a large window into Kay Scarpetta's mind (and a smaller one into her soul), which offers a thoughtful approach to the crime scene investigation genre.  Cornwell fills this story with lots of forensic, police, and investigative jargon, settings, and science and technology.  Cornwell also depicts Scarpetta's thought process as something that works on so many different levels, which brings the readers both emotionally and intellectually into the story.  I also found myself emotionally and intellectually invested in Flesh and Blood.  I wanted to know whodunit, but even more, I wanted to know about the people doing it.  Yes, Flesh and Blood deserves to be called by that favorite phrase of book reviewers, because it is indeed a “great read.”

A-

www.patriciacornwell.com

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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