Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 31, 2018

DARK HORSE COMICS

SEP170057    BRIGGS LAND TP VOL 02 LONE WOLVES    $19.99
NOV170012    HUNGRY GHOSTS #1 (OF 4)    $3.99
NOV170022    JOE GOLEM OCCULT DETECTIVE OUTER DARK #5 (OF 5) F & B PT 2    $3.99
JUL170185    MAGES OF MYSTRALIA TP    $10.99
SEP170068    MATT WAGNER GRENDEL TALES OMNIBUS TP VOL 02    $24.99
SEP170070    MICHAEL CHABON ESCAPIST AMAZING ADV TP    $24.99

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 31, 2018

IMAGE COMICS

NOV170728    BEAUTY #19 CVR A HAUN & FILARDI (MR)    $3.99
NOV170729    BEAUTY #19 CVR B RIVAS (MR)    $3.99
NOV170734    BONEHEAD #2    $3.99
OCT170573    ELEPHANTMEN #80 (MR)    $3.99
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OCT170743    EXTREMITY BIKE XL T/S    $25.00
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NOV170760    GOD COMPLEX #4 (MR)    $3.99
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NOV170763    HACK SLASH RESURRECTION #4 CVR B DEYN (MR)    $3.99
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OCT170748    INVINCIBLE LOGO XL T/S BLUE    $25.00
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OCT170651    KILL THE MINOTAUR TP (MR)    $19.99
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OCT170769    WALKING DEAD ALL OUT WAR XXL T/S    $25.00
NOV170855    WAYWARD TP VOL 05 TETHERED SOULS (MR)    $17.99

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for January 31, 2018

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

OCT171221    9/11 GN (MR)    $9.99
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NOV171148    ANIMOSITY #12 (MR)    $3.99
AUG171147    APOCALYPSE GIRL #2    $3.99
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MAGAZINES
DEC172088    CARTOONS MAGAZINE #13    $5.99
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BOOKS
NOV171882    ARIFURETA FROM COMMONPLACE LIGHT NOVEL VOL 01    $14.99
DEC171872    ARROW FATAL LEGACIES MMPB    $7.99
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Review - Pirate Penguin vs Ninja Chicken: Troublems with Frenemies

PIRATE PENGUIN VS NINJA CHICKEN BOOK 1
TOP SHELF PRODUCTIONS – @topshelfcomix

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST: Ray Friesen
EDITORS: Chris Staros and Brett Warnock
ISBN: 978-1-60309-071-1; hardcover (June 2011)
96pp, Color, $9.95 U.S.

Ages 7 to 13

Pirate Penguin vs. Ninja Chicken is a graphic novel series by cartoonist and webcomics creator, Ray Friesen.  Pirate Penguin vs. Ninja Chicken (Book 1): Troublems with Frenemies is an all-ages humor graphic novel that was the first in the series and was originally published five-and-a-half years ago.

The stars of the series are Pirate Penguin, a penguin who is a pirate (complete with a hook for a right hand, an eye patch, and a pirate hat), and Ninja Chicken, a chicken who is a ninja (complete with ninja pajamas costume).  They're roommates, bestest of friends and also the worstest of enemies.  Now, see them in action – in stories so small and epics so epic.

See them fight over smoothies.  Watch them scuffle over peer pressure.  Witness their friend Camoflaugey Chameleon cause chaos by impersonating one or the other.  Join arguments over stuff like ice cream or origami.  Then, in “The Biggest Giantest Epicest Pirate Penguin versus Ninja Chicken Story Evar!,” Pirate Penguin rockets off into space, and Ninja Chicken attends a ninja convention in Las Vegas, but can they really be apart for 11 chapters?

Top Shelf sent me a copy of Pirate Penguin vs. Ninja Chicken (Book 1): Troublems with Frenemies when it first came out – yes, that long ago.  I lost track of it, but recently found it again, which was fortuitous because the second graphic novel, Pirate Penguin vs. Ninja Chicken (Book 2): Escape from Skull-Fragment Island!, was recently published.

I didn't think that I would like this, but I did.  Of course, this is a kids' graphic novel, but there is a reason that it is described as “all-ages.”  Anyone who can read this, regardless of age, will like some or all of it.  The short comics, usually two pages in length, are little gag strips that play on the inherent silliness of traditional humor comic books.  A pun, a philosophical point turned on its pin head, an argument:  Ray Friesen is clever and imaginative in creating humor.

Despite their wacky names, Pirate Penguin and Ninja Chicken are actually good characters.  They are lovable, and the fact that they like each other in some way makes this work.  These two characters are bickering, gently contrarian characters, and their attitudes and personalities make them lovable.  There are also some good supporting characters, like useful third-wheel, Camoflaugey Chameleon, and a character whose profession makes it easier to expand the settings for stories, Astronaut Armadillo.

I think Pirate Penguin vs. Ninja Chicken (Book 1): Troublems with Frenemies is a little more than its cover suggests.  I won't describe this as great, but it is surprisingly cute, funny, and enjoyable, and like me, you may be surprised to find yourself liking it.

B+

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Review: HAWKEYE #1

HAWKEYE No. 1 (2017)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Kelly Thompson
ART: Leonardo Romero
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: VC's Joe Sabino
COVER: Julian Totino Tedesco
VARIANT COVERS: Marco Rudy; Marguerite Sauvage; Mike McKone with Chris Sotomayor; Leonardo Romero; David Aja
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (February 2017)

Rated “T+”

Hawkeye/Clint Barton is a Marvel Comics superhero.  The character was created by Stan Lee and artist Don Heck and first appeared as a villain in Tales of Suspense #57 (cover dated: September 1964).  He later became a superhero and joined the Avengers in The Avengers #16 (cover dated:  May 1965), becoming one of the most prominent members of the team.

The latest character to wear the Hawkeye moniker is Katherine “Kate” Bishop.  This female Hawkeye first appeared in Young Avengers #1 (cover dated:  April, 2005) and was created by writer Allan Heinberg and artist Jim Cheung.  Kate headlines the new comic book, Hawkeye, that is part of Marvel Comics' new publishing initiative/event, NOW!  This new series is written by Kelly Thompson; drawn by Leonardo Romero; colored by Jordie Bellaire; and lettered by Joe Sabino.

Hawkeye #1 finds Kate Bishop trying to set up a private investigation service in Venice Beach, California.  So far, however, “Hawkeye Investigations” is simply attracting people with a grudge against the original Hawkeye, Clint Barton.  Then, a college student named Mikka comes to Kate for help with an Internet bully...

I was reluctant to read this new Hawkeye comic book.  Honestly, I have never been that interested in the character.  However, I found myself really enjoying Hawkeye #1.  It is like a blend of writer Matt Fraction and artist David Aja's Hawkeye comic book that was launched in 2012 and also DC Comics' Batgirl under the guidance of the creative team of Cameron Stewart, Brenden Fletcher and Babs Tarr (which began in 2014).

Artist Leonardo Romero's compositions and colorist Jordie Bellaire's hues recall David Aja's Hawkeye art and storytelling.  Kelly Thompson's script captures Batgirl's vibe and storytelling style, focusing on the adventures of a young woman who moves into a diverse neighborhood.  Here, the young woman, in this case, Kate, finds offbeat superheroing in Venice Beach.

In comic books featuring female superheroes, I like offbeat and urban.  I'm sure after a few more issues, I'll be seriously recommending this series, if the later issues are like this fresh first issue.

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

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Review: AVENGERS No. 1.1

AVENGERS No. 1.1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Mark Waid
PENCILS: Barry Kitson
INKS: Mark Farmer
COLORS: Jordan Boyd
LETTERS: Ferran Delgado
COVER: Barry Kitson with Jordan Boyd
VARIANT COVERS: Alan Davis and Mark Farmer with Matt Yackey; Alex Maleev; John Tyler Christopher
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2017)

Rated “T+”

Avengers created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

The Avengers are a Marvel Comics team of superheroes.  The team made its debut in The Avengers #1 (cover dated:  September 1963) and were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby.  Known as “Earth's Mightiest Heroes,” the Avengers had an original line-up of Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Ant Man, and The Wasp.  Captain America, a 1940s character from Timely Comics (Marvel's precursor), joined the team in The Avengers #4 (cover dated:  March 1964).

With The Avengers #16 (cover dated:  May 1965), every member of the Avengers, except Captain America, quit the team.  Replacing them were three former villains:  Hawkeye, Quicksilver, and the Scarlet Witch.  Marvel Comics revisits those early years of the “new” Avengers in the new comic book series, Avengers 1.1.  It is written by Mark Waid; drawn by Barry Kitson (pencils) and Mark Farmer (inks); colored by Jordan Boyd; and lettered by Ferran Delgado.

Avengers #1.1 opens with “Avengers Assemble” as Thor, Iron Man, Giant-Man (formerly Ant-Man), and the Wasp take on the members of the Masters of Evil:  The Black Knight, The Enchantress, The Executioner, and The Mysterious Melter.  After that battle, the remaining original Avengers decide to quit the team.  Now, Captain America is left alone to deal with three new Avengers who have controversial pasts.  Now, an enemy is prepared to take advantage of this awkward moment in the history of “Earth's Mightest Heroes.”

I am a fan of Silver Age comic books, especially those published by Marvel and DC Comics.  However, I am not necessarily a fan of modern comic books that try to retell those stories in a faux-retro style.  [After all, Marvel and DC Comics often retell stories they originally published in the 1960s with a modern spin via remakes or re-imaginings.]

I am a fan of Avengers #1.1 for two reasons.  The first reason is writer Mark Waid, who always seems to have the Midas touch when writing comic books that retell stories from the 1960s or at least tries to recapture the spirit of those comic books.  I can't quite describe it, but Waid gets it right with this first issue.

The second reason is artist Barry Kitson.  His clean compositions recall the classic mid-century modern and “New York slick” aesthetic of classic 1960s Marvel Comics.  It helps that Kitson's inker for this issue is Mark Farmer, known for inking the pencil art of Alan Davis.  Davis' comic book art has a timeless quality that looks like it could belong in any comic book era, and here, Farmer makes Kitson's storytelling resemble Davis's.

I am excited about Avengers 1.1 (or Avengers .1)  As long as Mark Waid is writing and artists like Barry Kitson are drawing this Avengers title, I will read it, although I generally avoid Avengers comic book series...

A-

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

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Review: NIGHTHAWK #6

NIGHTHAWK No. 6 (2016)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: David F. Walker
ARTIST: Ramon Villalobos
COLORS: Tamra Bonvillain
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz with Chris Sotomayor
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2016)

Parental Advisory

Nighthawk is a Marvel Comics character.  While there have been several versions of the character, the first Nighthawk was Kyle Richmond, initially a supervillain and also a member of the Squadron Supreme.  Richmond, as the original Nighthawk, debuted in The Avengers #69 (cover dated:  October 1969) with two other members of the Squadron Supreme.

Marvel's 2015-debuting event/publishing initiative, “All-New, All-Different Marvel,” offered a new ongoing Nighthawk comic book.  This series focused on an African-American version of Kyle Richmond from Earth-31916, who also uses the identity of Raymond Kane.  Nighthawk was written by David F. Walker; drawn by Ramon Villalobos (except for issue #5); colored by Tamra Bonvillian; and lettered by Joe Caramagna.

The sales numbers on this Nighthawk series were apparently weak, and it was canceled after six issues, with the last issue being published about two months ago.  Nighthawk is set in Chicago, Illinois which is both roiled by racial strife and rotten with political corruption.  The city's streets, neighborhoods, and districts are Nighthawk's stomping grounds.  The first issue finds him stomping on the “True Patriots,” a White supremacist gang that deals in guns and meth production.  Nighthawk uses his physical and mental skills to destroy them, while his partner, Tilda Johnson, as usual, helps with the robotics and technology Nighthawk uses.

The series found Nighthawk trying to capture a serial killer called “The Revelator,” who is killing White people associated with the oppression of Black people in Chicago.  Nighthawk is also trying to discover the identity of the person who is using the True Patriots to flood Chicago with high-powered fire arms.  That would be powerful real estate mogul, Dan Hanrahan, who in turn uses Tom Dixon, a corrupt cop, as his go-between with the True Patriots.  However, Sherman Burrell, a good White cop, is trailing Dixon because he suspects that he is corrupt.

Nighthawk #6 finds Burrell fighting for his life after his final confrontation with Dixon.  Meanwhile, Nighthawk races to his final confrontation with The Revelator who believes that Nighthawk should be on his side.

I was truly stunned both by how much I liked Nighthawk #1 and by how high-quality it was.  I think that series writer David F. Walker is a fantastic emerging comic book talent.  I also think that if DC Comics were truly interested in African-American comic book writers, Walker would would be writing a few titles for them, even a Batman comic book.  [Walker recently had a short stint as writer of the Cyborg comic book for DC.]

To the end of Nighthawk, Walker does not disappoint.  He wraps up his six-issue Nighthawk series/arc with satisfying and tragic mayhem.  He also manages to make his readers realize how much potential this series had; if only it could have run for another six-issue arc.

As series artist, I liked Ramon Villalobos, whose work on Summer 2015's E is for Extinction (a Secret Wars title) wowed me.  He captured Walker's special mix of humor and the violence that made Nighthawk such an enthralling read.  In the end, I also learned to love the cover art by Denys Cowan and Bill Sienkiewicz (with colors by Chris Sotomayor), although I hated the first issue's cover

A

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.

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