Wednesday, April 25, 2018

I Reads You Review: SCOOBY-DOO, Where Are You? #91

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? No. 91
DC COMICS – @DCComics

STORY: Derek Fridolfs; Terence Griep
PENCILS: Randy Elliot; Fabio Laguna
INKS: Randy Elliot; Fabio Laguna
COLORS: Silvana Brys; Heroic Age
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte; John H. Hill
COVER: Derek Fridolfs with Pamela Lovas
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (May 2018)

Rated “E” for “Everyone”

We continue to peruse the renewal of my subscription to the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? comic book series.  I recently received the sixth issue of that renewed subscription.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #91 opens with “TranceSylvania” (written by Derek Fridolfs and drawn by Randy Elliot).  Mystery Inc.Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma are attending the annual fundraiser in support of the “Coolsville Guys and Gals Club.”  The opening act of the night's entertainment is the hypnotist, “The Amazing Amado,” but he is nothing compared to the kooky phantom that crashes the festivities.  He is “The Hypno-Haunt,” and he has just hypnotized Mystery Inc. into switched identities.

The second story is “Sumo A-Go-Go” (written by Teremce Griep and drawn by Fabio Laguna).  [This story was originally published in Scooby-Doo #148 (cover dated: November 2009).]  The gang is enjoying a sumo wrestling tournament when “The Tengu” appears, declaring that the tournament's opening ceremony is an insult.  Now, it is up to the gang to stop him.

First, I like artist Derek Fridolfs and colorist Pamela Lovas' cover for Scooby-Doo, Where Are You #91.  The story, however, is a trifle, and it would be better if it were longer.  That is the case with many of this series' stories – if they were only longer.  I do like “The Hypno-Haunt” that is haunting this story, if for no other reason than his character design.  A longer story could have had a lot of fun with the fact that this creep forced the members of Mystery Inc. to switch identities.

The second story has some nice details about the culture of sumo wrestling.  The villain, The Tengu, would make a nice super-villain, but this story is less than super.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #91 is one of this series' lesser issues, but it still makes me excited about the next issue (which just arrived in my mailbox).  As always, I recommend this title to Scooby-Doo fans.

B
6 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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Tuesday, April 24, 2018

Review: BLACK [AF]: America's Sweetheart

BLACK [AF]: AMERICA'S SWEETHEART
BLACKMASK STUDIO – @blackmaskstudio @BLACKsuprppowrs

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Kwanza Osajyefo – @kwanzer
DESIGNER: Tim Smith 3
ART: Jennifer Johnson
LETTERS: Dave Sharpe
COVER: Sho Murase
ISBN: 978-1-62875-191-8; paperback (Tuesday, February 13, 2018)
Diamond Distributors code: SEP171271 (in comic book shops Wednesday, January 31, 2018)
80pp, Color, $9.99 U.S.

T/Teen

Black [AF]: America's Sweetheart is a 2018, full-color, original graphic novel.  It is set in the world of Black (now known as Black [AF]), the 2016-2017 six-issue miniseries created by writer Kwanza Osajyefo and artist-designer Tim Smith 3.  In the world of Black, only Black people have super-powers.  Black [AF]: America's Sweetheart is written by Osajyefo; drawn and colored by Jennifer Johnson; and lettered by Dave Sharpe.

Black [AF]: America's Sweetheart introduces Eli Franklin, a 15-year-old African-American girl adopted into a white family that lives on a ranch in Helena, Montana.  When she is a small child, Eli discovers that she has abilities that other people, including other children, do not have.  After he discovers Eli's powers, her father, a high-ranking government and White House official, tries to keep Eli's power secret.

However, once Eli becomes a public figure, her father manages Eli as a superhero, named “Good Girl,” who does good things to help people.  Good Girl is effectively a public relations stunt to tamper the fear of white people.  White people are angry because only black people have super-powers, and, in their fear, believe that all black people have or will have powers.  Eli is happy to do her part to make people less fearful, but someone with a connection to Eli's mysterious past is determined to put an end to Eli's mission.  The story also features a guest appearance by “X” of the original Black miniseries.

In a world that fears and hates them, what if only black people had super-powers?  That is a bold and crazy premise; that is a bold and crazy and ballsy premise from a group of African-America comic book creators, especially when one considers that much of the American comic book marketplace caters to older white males.  The six-issue Black miniseries was refreshingly confrontational, and it was unapologetic in its political and social themes and commentary that came from an African-America and Black American perspective.

Black [AF]: America's Sweetheart is less confrontational, but absolutely does not shy away from the original comic's politics.  It is just a bit clever about the way those politics are presented.  It is beautifully drawn and colored in a clean style that is similar to the graphics used in kids' graphic novels.  However, the fear-of-a-black-planet theme resonates throughout this original graphic novel (OGN).  White people in America are still afraid of super-powered black people, but the focus of Black [AF]: America's Sweetheart is Eli Franklin's quest to find her place in a society that fears her.  The story is not as much about a search for identity, which is what her adversary wants – to make Eli understand who and what she really is or who and what she was meant to be.

Eli's quest is played out in a massive, battle of super-powers that takes up about half this OGN's story, but that battle allows Osajyefo space to play out messages and themes involving the oppression of African-Americans and Black people, in general, by a society that wants to simultaneously enslave them and to exploit their powers and abilities.  What he means is white people making black people chattel slaves again – using black slave labor for the white oppressor's gain.

So, on the surface, Black [AF]: America's Sweetheart is about a teenage Black superhero, the first black person to put on a costume and use her powers as if she were a comic book superhero.  It is a superhero graphic novel for teenagers.  Just beneath the surface, however, Black [AF]: America's Sweetheart returns to the themes and motifs of the Black miniseries.  It is like hiding medicine inside candy in order the trick the kid into taking the medicine he or she needs.  Bravo, Mr. Osajyefo and Ms. Johnson.  We are ready for a second spoonful of medicine.

9 out of 10

blacksuperpowers.com

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


The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Monday, April 23, 2018

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for April 25, 2018

BOOM! STUDIOS

FEB181225    ABBOTT #4 (OF 5)    $3.99
FEB188436    ADVENTURE TIME #75 FOC BROWN INCV    $4.99
FEB181241    ADVENTURE TIME #75 MAIN WRAPAROUND CVR    $4.99
FEB181243    ADVENTURE TIME #75 SUBSCRIPTION BAK VAR    $4.99
FEB181242    ADVENTURE TIME #75 VAR PARK CELEBRATION WRAPAROUND    $4.99
FEB181229    BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA OLD MAN JACK #8    $3.99
FEB181230    BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA OLD MAN JACK #8 SUBSCRIPTION ACT    $3.99
AUG171306    GARFIELD ORIGINAL GN VOL 03 THING IN FRIDGE    $9.99
DEC171247    GARFIELD ORIGINAL GN VOL 04 SEARCH FOR POOKY    $9.99
DEC171204    GIRL IN THE HIMALAYAS ORIGINAL GN    $16.99
DEC171208    GOLDIE VANCE TP VOL 04    $14.99
FEB181228    GRASS KINGS #14 MAIN & MIX    $3.99
DEC171239    HEAVY VINYL TP (FORMERLY HI-FI FIGHT CLUB)    $14.99
FEB188392    JIM HENSON LABYRINTH CORONATION #2 (OF 12) (2ND PTG)    $3.99
FEB181212    JIM HENSON LABYRINTH CORONATION #3 (OF 12)    $3.99
FEB181213    JIM HENSON LABYRINTH CORONATION #3 (OF 12) SUBSCRIPTION ISAA    $3.99
FEB181224    LUCAS STAND INNER DEMONS #3 (OF 4) (MR)    $3.99
FEB181239    LUMBERJANES #49    $3.99
FEB181240    LUMBERJANES #49 SUBSCRIPTION DOZERDRAWS VAR    $3.99
FEB188530    MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #25 (2ND PTG)    $4.99
FEB181195    MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS 2018 ANNUAL #1 SG    $7.99
DEC171223    MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS TP VOL 05    $16.99
FEB181219    RUGRATS #7    $3.99
FEB181220    RUGRATS #7 SUBSCRIPTION SEARLE VAR    $3.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 25, 2018

DARK HORSE COMICS

FEB180019    ALIENS DUST TO DUST #1 (OF 4) MAIN CVR (MR)    $3.99
FEB180020    ALIENS DUST TO DUST #1 (OF 4) VAR D ANDA CVR (MR)    $3.99
FEB180068    BTVS SEASON 11 GILES #3 MAIN CVR    $3.99
FEB180069    BTVS SEASON 11 GILES #3 VAR JOVELLANOS CVR    $3.99
FEB180076    HARROW COUNTY #30    $3.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 25, 2018

DC COMICS

SEP170442    ABSOLUTE PREACHER HC VOL 03 (MR)    $150.00
FEB180160    BATGIRL #22    $3.99
FEB180161    BATGIRL #22 VAR ED    $3.99
JAN180265    BATMAN AND THE SIGNAL #3 (OF 3)    $3.99
FEB180171    BATMAN BEYOND #19    $3.99
FEB180172    BATMAN BEYOND #19 VAR ED    $3.99
JAN180382    BATMAN TP VOL 05 RULES OF ENGAGEMENT REBIRTH    $16.99
JAN180360    BUG THE ADVENTURE OF FORAGER TP (MR)    $16.99
OCT170393    DC DESIGNER SERIES BATMAN BY MIKE MIGNOLA STATUE    $150.00
FEB180184    DEMON HELL IS EARTH #6 (OF 6)    $2.99
FEB180189    DETECTIVE COMICS #979    $2.99
FEB180190    DETECTIVE COMICS #979 VAR ED    $2.99
SEP170383    DOOM PATROL #11 (MR)    $3.99
SEP170384    DOOM PATROL #11 VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
FEB180193    FLASH #45    $2.99
FEB180194    FLASH #45 VAR ED    $2.99
JAN180385    FLASH REBIRTH DLX COLL HC BOOK 02    $34.99
FEB180203    HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #43    $2.99
FEB180204    HAL JORDAN AND THE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #43 VAR ED    $2.99
FEB180209    HELLBLAZER #21    $3.99
FEB180210    HELLBLAZER #21 VAR ED    $3.99
FEB180320    IMAGINARY FIENDS #6 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99
JAN180405    INJUSTICE 2 HC VOL 02    $24.99
JAN180404    INJUSTICE 2 TP VOL 01    $16.99
JAN180407    JSA THE GOLDEN AGE TP NEW ED    $19.99
FEB180219    JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #29    $2.99
FEB180220    JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #29 VAR ED    $2.99
FEB180159    MERA QUEEN OF ATLANTIS #3 (OF 6)    $3.99
FEB180260    MOTHER PANIC GOTHAM A D #2 (MR)    $3.99
FEB180321    MOTHERLANDS #4 (OF 6) (MR)    $3.99
FEB180322    MOTHERLANDS #4 (OF 6) VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
JAN180387    NIGHTWING TP VOL 05 RAPTORS REVENGE REBIRTH    $14.99
FEB180229    RAVEN DAUGHTER OF DARKNESS #4 (OF 12)    $3.99
FEB180272    SCOOBY DOO TEAM UP #37    $2.99
FEB180154    SILENCER #4    $2.99
JAN180416    SLEEPER TP BOOK 01 (MR)    $29.99
FEB180234    SUICIDE SQUAD #40    $2.99
FEB180235    SUICIDE SQUAD #40 VAR ED    $2.99
FEB180244    TEEN TITANS #19    $3.99
FEB180245    TEEN TITANS #19 VAR ED    $3.99
FEB180155    TERRIFICS #3    $2.99
FEB180252    TITANS ANNUAL #2    $4.99
FEB180248    TRINITY #22    $3.99
FEB180249    TRINITY #22 VAR ED    $3.99
FEB180255    WONDER WOMAN #45    $2.99
FEB180256    WONDER WOMAN #45 VAR ED    $2.99


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Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for April 25, 2018

D. E.

FEB181389    BSG VS BSG #4 (OF 6) CVR A LEBOWITZ    $3.99
FEB181390    BSG VS BSG #4 (OF 6) CVR B DESJARDINS    $3.99
FEB181391    BSG VS BSG #4 (OF 6) CVR C MICHAEL ADAMS BOOMER ACTION FIG    $3.99
FEB181392    BSG VS BSG #4 (OF 6) CVR D ROBERTO CASTRO BOOMER SPLIT    $3.99
FEB181365    JEEPERS CREEPERS #1 BLANK AUTHENTIX ED    $10.00
FEB181358    JEEPERS CREEPERS #1 CVR A JONES    $3.99
FEB181359    JEEPERS CREEPERS #1 CVR B BAAL    $3.99
FEB181360    JEEPERS CREEPERS #1 CVR C PHOTO    $3.99
FEB181426    KISS AOD #3 (OF 5) CVR A STRAHM    $3.99
FEB181427    KISS AOD #3 (OF 5) CVR B MONTES    $3.99
FEB181428    KISS AOD #3 (OF 5) CVR C HAESER    $3.99
FEB181434    PATHFINDER SPIRAL OF BONES #2 (OF 5) CVR A SANTUCCI    $4.99
FEB181435    PATHFINDER SPIRAL OF BONES #2 (OF 5) CVR B GALINDO    $4.99
FEB181436    PATHFINDER SPIRAL OF BONES #2 (OF 5) CVR C MANDRAKE    $4.99
FEB181437    PATHFINDER SPIRAL OF BONES #2 (OF 5) CVR D GALINDO B&W INCV    $PI
FEB181369    SHADOW BATMAN HC    $24.99
FEB181370    SHADOW BATMAN HC ORLANDO SGN ED    $69.99
FEB181459    SHEENA #8 CVR A SANAPO    $3.99
FEB181460    SHEENA #8 CVR B DUURSEMA    $3.99
FEB181461    SHEENA #8 CVR C LAGACE    $3.99
FEB181462    SHEENA #8 CVR D COSPLAY    $3.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for April 25, 2018

IDW PUBLISHING

FEB180469    ALACK SINNER AGE OF DISENCHANTMENT TP    $29.99
FEB180380    DUNGEONS & DRAGONS EVIL AT BALDURS GATE #1 CVR A DUNBAR    $3.99
FEB180381    DUNGEONS & DRAGONS EVIL AT BALDURS GATE #1 CVR B KOTZ    $3.99
FEB180476    J SCOTT CAMPBELL DANGER GIRL 20TH ANNIV    $9.99
FEB180347    SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #4 CVR A HESSE    $3.99
FEB180348    SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #4 CVR B STANLEY    $3.99