Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Review: ASSASSINISTAS #1

ASSASSINISTAS No. 1
IDW PUBLISHING/Black Crown – @IDWPublishing @blackcrownhq

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Tini Howard – @TiniHoward
ART: Gilbert Hernandez – @BetomessGilbert
COLORS: Rob Davis
LETTERS: Aditya Bidikar
COVER: Gilbert Hernandez
VARIANT COVERS: Sanford Greene (Cover B and Retailer Incentive)
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 20, 2017)
DIAMOND CODE: OCT170405

Dominic Price and the Semester Abroad – Part 1 of 6

Assassinistas is a new comic book from writer Tini Howard (The Skeptics; Power Rangers: Pink) and artist Gilbert Hernandez (Love and Rockets).  The series focuses on a gay college student, his mother who is a mercenary, and his boyfriend who joins them on a mission.

Assassinistas #1 introduces Octavia “Red October” Price, Charlotte “Scarlet” La Costa, and Rosalyn “Blood” Diamond.  Once upon a time, they were assassins who were like three badass action movie chicks.  Now, Octavia has a college-age son, Dominic Price, and she needs to pay his tuition.  A reunion with one of her former colleagues, however, messes up her plans.  Now, she needs Dominic to help her, but she does not know that his boyfriend, Taylor, wants in on the action-movie fun.

Anyone who has read enough of my reviews or have read them long enough knows that I am a huge fan of the long-running alternative comic book series, Love and Rockets, and that I frequently praise its  creators, brothers Gilbert and Jaime Hernandez, as if they were my own children.  So I have to be honest and let you know, dear readers, that I rarely dislike comics produced by the the brothers, also known as Los Bros.

Well, I was not that crazy about the four-issue miniseries, The Twilight Children (DC Comics/Vertigo), that Gilbert wrote and the late Darwyn Cooke drew .  I am more excited about Assassinistas after reading the first issue than I was about The Twilight Children after reading its first issue.  The Twilight Children seemed like the work of two great comic book creators whose separate visions do not quite meld into a singular artistic vision.

Assassinistas #1 seems like the work of a singular vision.  Hernandez has produced droll and bizarre takes on violent sub-genres (monster movies, crime fiction, lurid romances) that are unique, but that are also infectious reads.  Whereas Darwyn Cooke produced highly-polished comics that were neo-classical takes on venerable genres and styles, Tini Howard seems to have an off-beat sensibility, engaging storytelling genres in observance of modern dilemmas.  Gilbert also has an off-beat sensibility, and his approach to storytelling often feels timeless, regardless of genre.

That is close enough.  Howard and Hernandez seem like a perfect team, and Assassinistas, over its run, may prove that its first issue was indeed a hint of good things to come.

8 out of 10

https://www.patreon.com/tinihoward
http://gilbertbetohernandez.blogspot.com/

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


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

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I Reads You Juniors July 2018 - Update #73

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Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

OCTOBER 2018 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Caliber Press for October 2018
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for October 2018
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books for October 2018.
From CBR:  Marvel Comics for October 2018.

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From TheSun:  Britain's long-running and venerable children's comics magazines turned 80 years old, yesterday, Monday, July 30, 2018.

From ComicBookBin:   New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #171 in English.
From ComicBookBin:   New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #171 in French.

SDCC - From PublishersWeekly:  New Fans, New Books: Change Comes to San Diego Comic-Con 2018

From BleedingCool:   First Look at Alejandro Jodorowsky and José Ladrönn’s Sons of El Topo OGN

From THR:  DC Comics publishers Jim Lee and Dan DiDio talks about the company's strategy going forward.

From Farlaine:  Preorders open on Vol. 7, the final volume of the acclaimed fantasy comic book series, Farlaine the Goblin."

From BloodyDisgusting:  Tom Holland wrote and directed the original "Fright Night" film.  Now, he is returning to the world of that film with a new novel and possibly a comic book series.

From Polygon:  Comedian Jim Jefferies (of Comedy Central's "The Jim Jefferies Show") takes on comic book Klan troll, Richard C. Meyer.

SDCC - From THR:  Big Marvel and DC comic book reveals from Comic-Con you may have missed.

From BleedingCool:  The acclaimed science fiction comic book, "Saga," from Image Comics is going on hiatus after issue #54.

From BleedingCool:  The full DC Comics catalogue for October 2018.

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #170 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #170 in French.

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  "X-Men: Black" will be a weekly series of one-shots focusing on X-Men villains.  Chris Claremont will write the Magneto one-shot.

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #169 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #169 in French.

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  Comic-Con yields more details on IDW's upcoming line of young readers Marvel Comics superhero titles.

From BleedingCool:  John Byrne drops some gorgeous pencil art in his classic "X-Men" style.

From CBR:  Marvel Comics is reviving its "What If?" series.

SDCC - From CBR: Scott Snyder's big Friday Comic-Con announcement is a massive DC Comics crossover event for 2019, but no title was revealed.

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  Actor Isaiah Washington and actor-screenwriter Kevin Grevioux talk about their graphic novel, "Bison," at Comic-Con's "Black Panel."

SDCC - From THR:  The winners of the 2018 Will Esiner Awards
From ComicCon:  The 2018 Will Eisner Awards for Excellence in Comics
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SDCC - From CBR:  Venerable comics journalism, commentary, and interview magazines, The Comics Journal, is returning as a print magazines.

SDCC - From CBR:  DC Comics confirms the Geoff Johns/Jason Fabok/Brad Anderson "Three Jokers," which will be released on DC's "Black Label" imprint.

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  Top Cow Marc Silvestri has longed been rumored to working on a Batman comic book.  It has been officially announces as the six-issue miniseries, "Batman/The Joker: Deadly Duo."

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  Stargirl is the latest DC Comics character headed to a TV series on the streaming service, "DC Universe."

SDCC - From YahooEntertainment:  Grant Morrison to write new Hal Jordan Green Lantern comic book series, "The Green Lantern."

From Newsarama:  Subscription pre-orders for the streaming universe, "DC Universe," are now available.

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  Gail Simone is now the "chief architect" of comic book publisher's Lion Forge's "Catalyst Prime," its line of "diverse" superhero comic books.

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  DC Comics announces a bunch on new DC Ink and DC Zoom titles, including one written by Louise Simonson.

SDCC - From Fantagraphics:  Fantagraphics goes to San Diego Comic-Con 2018; here is their "Signing Schedule."

From Newsarama:  DC Comics is putting Jack Kirby's world of disaster ("Kamandi") into the DC Comics "Rebirth era" via a new comic book, "Electric Warriors" a six-issue miniseries written by Steve Orlando and drawn by Travel Forman.

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  Scott Snyder will announce his new DC Comics project on Friday at Comic-Con International 2018.

SDCC - From TheComicsReporter:  Twenty-Five Tips For Surviving + Thriving During Comic-Con 2018

SDCC - From MarketInsider:  Critical Entertainment LLC is a new comic book and graphic novel publisher debuts at San Diego Comic-Con International 2018.

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #168 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #168 in French.

From CBR:  Renowned science fiction author wrote a screenplay for what would eventually be the film "Alien 3"  It was not used; now Dark Horse is producing a comic book adaptation of it.

From BleedingCool:  Greg Pak and Marc Laming prep an ongoing "James Bond" comic book for Dyanmite Entertainment.

SDCC - From CosmicBookNews:   Marvel Comics' 2018 San Diego Comic-Con International schedule, panel, and autographs.

From CBR:  Comics book villains will show up in Season 2 of Freeform's TV series, "Cloak & Dagger," says executive producer Joe Pokaski.

From JapanTimes:  An article about the enduring appeal of the manga, "Akira."

From Newsarama:  The "Blade Runner" film universe is coming to comic books courtesy of Titan Publishing.

From BleedingCool:  Spider-Gwen will return as "Ghost Spider" in a new comic book.

From BleedingCool:  Artist Cary Nord will join G. Willow Wilson when she begins her tenure as writer of "Wonder Woman."

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics' "Black Label" imprint will debut with the oversized "Batman: Damned" from Brian Azzarello and Lee Bermejo.

From Newsarama:  R.L. Stine, the creator of "Goosebumps," is writing a series of original "supernatural middle grade" graphic novels to be published by BOOM! Studios under its Kaboom! imprint.

From JakartaPost:  Elderly emerging as star characters in new manga genre

From BleedingCool:  "Avengers Halloween Special" arrives in October 2018.

From BleedingCool:  Netflix release a poster for its adaptation of Archie Comics' "Chilling Adventures of Sabrina."

From TechDirt:  Police Union Upset Not All Books Paint Cops As Heroes, Calls For Removal Of Titles From School's Reading List

From AnimeNewsNetwork:  Viz Media Licenses JoJo's Bizarre Adventure: Diamond is Unbreakable Manga & Live-Action Film, Golden Wind Anime

SDCC - From BleedingCool:  Full Details of All 254 Friday Panels at San Diego Comic-Con 2018

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #167 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #167 in French.

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RIP - From Deadline:  Legendary comic book writer-artist Steve Ditko (The Amazing Spider-Man, Doctor Strange) died sometime in June, but the news just came to light today, Friday, July 6th, 2018.  The NYPD found his body on June 29th, 2018, and believe he had been dead a couple of days when they found his body.

RIP - from TCJ:  The Comics Journal offers an excellent (fantastic even) overview of the recently deceased Steve Ditko.
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RIP - From BleedingCool:  Andy Mangels remembers California animation industry veteran, Darrell McNeil, who died Wednesday, July 4th, 2018.  He became the young African-American in the animation business Hanna-Barbera hired him at the age of 18.

From ComicBook:  Veteran comics writer, artist, and publisher, Bob Layton, thinks that Marvel/Disney and DC Comics/Warner Bros. will eventually leave comic book publishing behind.

From TheSource:  Black Comic Books Matter: Sony Pictures Acquires Film Rights To Black Fantasy ‘Skyward’ Comic

From CBR:  A look back at the Ultraverse's "Video Comic Books."

From Gamespot:  Story details about the sequel to the popular "Fairy Tail" manga have been revealed.

From SiouxCityJournal:  Meredith, New Hampshire, will erect a bronze statue of a hometown boy, legendary Archie Comics artist, the late Bob Montana."

From TheBeat:  The Book, “DC Comics Before Superman.” looks at Wheeler-Nicholson’s Time as the Original Publisher

From TheVillageVoice:  Carol Cooper offers a fantastic obituary and overview of Harlan Ellison, the speculative fiction and television writer, who died June 28, 2018.  Ellison wrote several comic books scripts and penned numerous introductions and pieces for comic books and trade paperback collections.

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing to offer high-end exclusives at San Diego Comic-Con International 2018.

From ComicBook:  Marvel Comics announces it plans for San Diego Comic-Con International 2018.

From LRMOnline:  Boom! Studios has announced a new comic book series based on Joss Whedon's short-lived FOX TV series, "Firefly."

From WGNRadio:  In this audio clip, Nicole Hollander talks about her comic book, "We Ate Wonder Bread."

From BleedingCool:  Catwoman #1, debuting tomorrow, will lead DC Comics' switch from glossy to non-glossy paper.

From YouTube:  Jim Broadbent and Dix talks about their graphic novel, "Dull Margaret."

From ChicagoTribune:  A profile of Carol Tyler and discussion of her upcoming Beatles "diary," "Fab4 Mania."

From ComicBook:  Black actors portraying characters on TV that are "white" in the comic books talk about how they handled racists comic book fans online.

From SchooLibraryJournal:  This article reviews two volumes of Fantagraphics Books well-received "Disney Masters" series.

From ComicBook:  "Bleach" creator, Tite Kubo, reveals new manga, "Burn the Witch," which will reportedly be a one-shot.

From JapanToday:   Popular Japanese baseball manga series "Dokaben" ended its 46-year history with its last episode published in a weekly comic magazine released Thursday.


Monday, July 30, 2018

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for August 1, 2018

BOOM! STUDIOS

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MAR181273    WAR FOR PLANET OF THE APES TP    $14.99
MAY189490    WWE ATTITUDE ERA 2018 SPECIAL #1 FOC NAKAYAMA INCV    $7.99
JUN181229    WWE ATTITUDE ERA 2018 SPECIAL #1 MAIN    $7.99
MAR181290    WWE ONGOING TP VOL 03    $16.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 1, 2018

DARK HORSE COMICS

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APR180065    GIANTS TP    $17.99
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NOV170029    PAYBACKS TP    $24.99
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JUN180299    SEEDS #1 (MR)    $3.99
APR180064    SUIT GN    $12.99
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JUN180341    XERXES FALL OF HOUSE OF DARIUS #5 (OF 5) (MR)    $4.99
FEB180060    ZODIAC STARFORCE TP VOL 02 CRIES OF THE FIRE PRINCE (RES)    $17.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for August 1, 2018

DC COMICS

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JUN180478    DEATHSTROKE #34    $3.99
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MAY180592    SUPERMAN TP VOL 06 IMPERIUS LEX REBIRTH    $16.99
JUN180546    UNEXPECTED #3    $2.99

Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for August 8, 2018

D. E.

JUN181001    PROJECT SUPERPOWERS #1 CVR A MATTINA    $3.99
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JUN181022    ROBOTS VS PRINCESSES #1 CVR A CHAPUIS    $3.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for August 1, 2018

IDW PUBLISHING

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