Dark Horse Comics from Dimaond Distributors for June 28, 2017

DARK HORSE COMICS

FEB170084    ART OF PREY HC    $39.99
APR170022    BANKSHOT #1    $3.99
FEB170068    BUFFY HIGH SCHOOL YEARS PARENTAL PARASITE TP    $10.99
MAR170029    CONAN THE SLAYER #10    $3.99
APR170096    ELFQUEST FINAL QUEST #20    $3.99
FEB170065    ELFQUEST FINAL QUEST TP VOL 03    $17.99
APR170074    JOE GOLEM OCCULT DETECTIVE OUTER DARK #2    $3.99
APR170092    MASS EFFECT DISCOVERY #2    $3.99
APR170093    MASS EFFECT DISCOVERY #2 NIEMCZYK VAR    $3.99
APR170015    REBELS THESE FREE & INDEPENDENT STATES #4    $3.99
FEB170071    USAGI YOJIMBO TP VOL 31 HELL SCREEN    $17.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 28, 2017

IMAGE COMICS

FEB170689    AD AFTER DEATH HC    $24.99
APR170737    ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN COMP COLL HC    $54.99
APR170760    BLACK MAGICK #6 CVR A SCOTT (MR)    $3.99
APR170761    BLACK MAGICK #6 CVR B SHARPE (MR)    $3.99
MAR178605    BLACK MAGICK #6 CVR C PRIDE MONTH VAR (MR)    $3.99
APR170766    CHEW SMORGASBORD ED HC VOL 03 (MR)    $100.00
APR170767    CHEW SMORGASBORD S&N LTD ED HC VOL 03 (MR)    $150.00
MAR170705    ELEPHANTMEN #77 (MR)    $3.99
APR170820    IMAGE PLUS #15 (WALKING DEAD HERES NEGAN PT 15)  (MR)    $1.99
APR170831    MAGDALENA VOL 4 #4    $3.99
APR178806    MAGDALENA VOL 4 #4 CVR B ROJO    $3.99
APR170837    OCTOPUS PIE TP VOL 05    $19.99
APR170844    PAKLIS #2 (MR)    $5.99
APR170851    POSTAL TP VOL 05 (MR)    $16.99
APR170856    REDNECK #3 (MR)    $3.99
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APR170858    RENATO JONES SEASON TWO #2 (OF 5) (MR)    $3.99
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NOV160643    SNOWFALL #9 (MR)    $3.99
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APR170700    SPAWN #275 25TH ANNIVERSARY CVR B B&W HABCHI    $2.99
APR170900    THROWAWAYS #9 (MR)    $3.99
APR170901    UNDERWINTER #4 CVR A (MR)    $3.99
FEB178527    UNDERWINTER #4 CVR B LENOX (MR)    $3.99
APR170903    WAYWARD #21 CVR A CUMMINGS & BONVILLAIN (MR)    $3.99
APR170904    WAYWARD #21 CVR B HABCHI (MR)    $3.99

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for June 28, 2017

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

APR171935    ALICE & ZOUROKU GN VOL 01    $12.99
APR171936    ANCIENT MAGUS BRIDE GN VOL 07    $12.99
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APR171448    JUNGLE FANTASY SURVIVORS #2 SWELTER VIXENS CVR (MR)    $7.99
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APR171304    KAGAGI HC    $24.95
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APR171886    LETTER 44 #34    $3.99
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APR171984    MILLENNIUM GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO #1 CVR B COKER (MR)    $5.99
APR171985    MILLENNIUM GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO #1 CVR C CHANG    $5.99
APR171986    MILLENNIUM GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO #1 CVR D BOOK VAR    $5.99
JAN172058    MOORCOCK LIB HC VOL 05 VANISHING TOWER    $29.99
FEB171821    MOTRO TP VOL 01    $9.99
APR171232    NAMWOLF #3    $3.99
APR171233    NAMWOLF #3 SPECIAL AARON CONLEY CVR    $5.99
MAR171948    NIGHTS DOMINION TP VOL 01 (MR)    $9.99
APR171783    NNEWTS GN VOL 03 BATTLE FOR AMPHIBOPOLIS    $10.99
APR171784    NNEWTS HC GN VOL 03 BATTLE FOR AMPHIBOPOLIS    $19.99
DEC161344    NO ANGEL #4 (MR)    $3.99
APR172192    NO GAME NO LIFE PLEASE GN VOL 01    $13.00
MAR172106    NORMAN TP FIRST SLASH    $19.99
APR171951    NURSE HITOMIS MONSTER INFIRMARY GN VOL 06 (MR)    $12.99
APR172193    OF THE RED LIGHT & AYAKASHI GN VOL 07    $13.00
APR171438    OVER GARDEN WALL ONGOING #15    $3.99
APR171439    OVER GARDEN WALL ONGOING #15 SUBSCRIPTION MADERNA VAR    $3.99
FEB171308    PAKNADEL AND TRAKHANOV TURNCOAT TP    $19.99
APR171646    PATHFINDER RUNESCARS #2 CVR A LAU    $4.99
APR171647    PATHFINDER RUNESCARS #2 CVR B QUALANO    $4.99
APR171648    PATHFINDER RUNESCARS #2 CVR C BORGES    $4.99
JAN172022    PEEPLAND TP (MR)    $19.99
MAR172149    PERSONA 3 GN VOL 05    $13.99
APR172194    PRISON SCHOOL GN VOL 07 (MR)    $20.00
APR171652    PROJECT SUPERPOWERS HERO KILLERS #2 CVR A WOODS    $3.99
APR171653    PROJECT SUPERPOWERS HERO KILLERS #2 CVR B BROWNE    $3.99
MAY171349    RAVEN CHRONICLES TP VOL 01 MYTHS & MONSTERS    $16.99
FEB171295    REGULAR SHOW ORIGINAL GN VOL 04 WRASSLESPLOSION    $14.99
MAR171254    REICH #8 (OF 12) (MR)    $4.00
APR171888    RICK & MORTY #27    $3.99
APR171229    ROUGH RIDERS RIDERS ON THE STORM #4    $3.99
APR172195    SCHOOL LIVE GN VOL 07    $13.00
APR171235    SCRIMSHAW #1 (MR)    $1.50
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APR178213    STAINED #1 (OF 5) 2ND PTG    $3.99
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APR171440    STEVEN UNIVERSE ONGOING #5    $3.99
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APR172101    STREET FIGHTER VS DARKSTALKERS #3 (OF 8) CVR B PORTER    $3.99
APR172196    STRIKE THE BLOOD GN VOL 07    $13.00
FEB171278    THE FOREVERS #4 (MR)    $3.99
FEB171950    THE MUMMY (HAMMER) TP VOL 01 PALIMPSEST    $19.99
MAR171256    TITAN #5 (MR)    $6.99
APR171789    TOBY GOES BANANAS YR GN #1    $9.99
APR171790    TOBY GOES BANANAS YR HC GN VOL 01    $19.99
APR172197    TODAY CERBERUS GN VOL 04    $13.00
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FEB171559    WONDER WOMAN 77 BIONIC WOMAN #5 (OF 6) CVR A STAGGS    $3.99
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APR171401    WWE #6 MAIN CVR    $3.99
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APR172140    X-O MANOWAR 2017 TP VOL 01 SOLDIER    $9.99
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MAGAZINES
APR172361    COMICS REVUE PRESENTS JUN 2017    $19.95
APR172369    DOCTOR WHO MAGAZINE SPECIAL #46 TOYS AND GAMES    $11.99
MAR171984    JUDGE DREDD MEGAZINE #384    $13.00
APR172050    MONSTER HIGH MAGAZINE #26    $4.99
APR172373    SCREAM MAGAZINE #42 (MR)    $8.99

BOOKS
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JAN172066    ALIENS BUG HUNT SC    $16.95
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MAR172339    DOCTOR WHO COMP HIST HC VOL 45 10TH DOCTOR STORIES    $18.99
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DEC161990    JAMES BOND CLASSIC COLLECTION TP VOL 02 GOLDFINGER 1960-1966    $39.95
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APR171957    OCCULTIC NINE LIGHT NOVEL VOL 01    $13.99
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APR172205    RE ZERO LIGHT NOVEL VOL 04 STARTING LIFE ANOTHER WORLD    $14.00
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APR173265    WARHAMMER 40K EYE OF TERRY PROSE NOVEL    $9.99
APR172191    YOUTH ROMANTIC COMEDY WRONG EXPECTED GN VOL 05    $13.00

Review: SEVEN TO ETERNITY #1

SEVEN TO ETERNITY No. 1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was first posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Rick Remender
ARTIST: Jerome Opena
COLORS: Matt Hollingsworth
LETTERS: Rus Wooton
COVER: Jerome Opena with Matt Hollingsworth
VARIANT COVER: Tony Moore
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (2016)

Rated M / Mature

Seven to Eternity created by Rick Remender and Jerome Opena

Seven to Eternity is a new fantasy comic book series created by writer Rick Remender and artist Jerome Opena.  Colorist Matt Hollingsworth and letterer Rus Wooton complete the creative team.  The series focuses on a dying knight from a disgraced house who must choose between a desperate bid for freedom or the gifts of an evil God.

Seven to Eternity #1 opens on the world of Zhal.  There, “the God of Whispers” rules with fear over an entire kingdom.  Also known as “the Mud King,” this dark tyrant will give you everything your heart desires – if you listen to what he has to say.  After an attack on his homestead, which leads to the death of a family member, disgraced knight Adam Osidis decides to fight back.  But first, he will do something he knows he should not, hear what the God of Whispers has to say.

First issues, even those by veteran and/or acclaimed creators, can be tricky, especially in the modern era when stories seem more decompressed than ever.  Writers are stingy with character revelations, often offering information as nothing more than a trickle.  Plots plod along, teasing with explosive sequences that don't necessarily speed the story.  Artists offer beautiful panoramas and vistas that are alluring, but also don't necessarily speed-the-plow of the narrative.

Seven to Eternity #1 is different.  Poetic and lyrical exposition and dialogue unites with beautiful art dressed in splendid covers, Seven to Eternity is straight-forward about the hero's dilemmas and the obstacles he faces.  Writer Rick Remender generously reveals his character's bravery as he simultaneously declares his shame.  By the end of the first issue, the reader knows the conflict and those in conflict (for the most part).  Readers are not left hanging.

Jerome Opena tells this story with an expressive sweep that also captures the intimate and gritty details.   His compositions and graphical storytelling make Seven to Eternity #1 a unique debut.  This comic book recalls Michael Moorcock fantasy and the science fiction and fantasy comics of the 1970s and 1980s that appeared in Heavy Metal and Epic magazines and others that were published by Pacific Comics and Star Reach.  However, Seven to Eternity also moves like a Western thriller that ambles to the sounds of Kentucky bluegrass notes.

There is a reason Seven to Eternity #1 is selling quickly.  Imaginative, inventive, and visually alluring, it promises to be like no other fantasy comic book we have seen in a long time.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Review: Dark Knight III: The Master Race #9

DARK KNIGHT III: THE MASTER RACE No. 9
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Frank Miller and Brian Azzarello
PENCILS: Andy Kubert
INKS:  Klaus Janson
COLORS: Brad Anderson
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Andy Kubert and Frank Miller with Brad Anderson; Frank Miller with Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVERS: Jim Lee and Scott Williams with Alex Sinclair; Greg Capullo; Klaus Janson with Alex Sinclair; Frank Quitely; Mikel Janin; Chip Kidd
40pp (plus 16-page insert), Color, $5.99 U.S. (July 2017)

Batman created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger

A nine-issue comic book publishing event, Dark Knight III: The Master Race (also known as DKIII) is the second sequel to Batman: The Dark Knight Returns (also known simply as The Dark Knight Returns or DKR).  DKR is the now-legendary 1986 four-issue comic book miniseries written by Frank Miller and drawn by Miller (pencils) and Klaus Janson (inks).  DKR focuses on a 50-year-old Bruce Wayne who comes out of retirement to resume fighting crime as Batman.

DKIII is written by Brian Azzarello and Frank Miller; drawn by Andy Kubert (pencils) and Klaus Janson (inks); colored by Brad Anderson; and lettered by Clem Robins.  In DKIII, Batman unites with Superman to stop a murderous group of people from Superman's home planet, Krypton, from taking over the Earth.  Meanwhile, Superman's daughter with Wonder Woman, Lara, has joined with the murderous Kryptonians, and Carrie Kelley, the former Robin, begins to evolve into the new Batgirl.

As Dark Knight III: The Master Race #9 opens, the “master race” of Kryptonians from the Bottled City of Kandor and their leader, Quar, prepare to make the Earth unlivable in order to punish humanity for not worshiping them.  Enter Green Lantern and the Atom.  Batman has a surprise for Quar and company, but Superman may have the biggest surprise of all.

If I remember correctly, when it announced that DKIII was being extended to nine issues, DC Comics said there was more story to tell (or something like that).  After reading DKIII #9, I don't know if this is so much “more story” as it is an extended action sequence, all of which could have been wrapped up in a double-sized DKIII #8.

After much criticism and complaining about DKIII (with only scattered praise), I had to admit that I thought that DKIII #8 was not only the best issue of the series, but was also a truly good comic book.  DKIII #7 and #8 moved the narrative forward more powerfully than a locomotive, and #9 is nice finale slash coda coming after those two issues.

I think that DKIII #9 also came into existence to prepare the way for more comics set in the world of Batman: The Dark Knight Returns.  Rumor has it that DC may have outlines all the way to an eighth miniseries, and I'll probably read them all.  For all the series' unevenness, DKIII #9 has some surprises, like The Atom's pivotal moment and the last page, with its graphic homage to an iconic graphic from DKR.  Plus, I can't resist the eight-page gallery of Adam Kubert and Klaus Janson's art in black and white.  So in the end, I'll recommend Dark Knight III: The Master Race #9.

Dark Knight Universe Presents: Action Comics #1 (Insert comic book)
STORY: Frank Miller and Brian Azzarello
PENCILS: Frank Miller
INKS: Klaus Janson
COLORS: Alex Sinclair
LETTERS: Clem Robins
COVER: Frank Miller and Klaus Janson with Alex Sinclair

I have not really enjoyed these mini-comics inserted into the center of each issue of DKIII, but I did like DKIII #7's“Strange Adventures” and #8's “Detective Comics.”  In “Action Comics #1,” Batman provides a narration as we look in on heroes like Aquaman, Green Lantern, Flash, Wonder Woman, and The Atom.  Also, Lara and Carrie Kelley/Batgirl take the next steps in their lives (with Carrie's evolution alluded to at the end of the main story).  “Action Comics #1” is also a nice coda slash prelude to the probable “DKIV” or “DK4.”

B+
7.5 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 21, 2017

DC COMICS

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Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for June 21, 2017

MARVEL COMICS

APR171062    ALL NEW GUARDIANS OF GALAXY #4    $3.99
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