Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 3, 2018

MARVEL COMICS

JUL188892    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #2 3RD PTG OTTLEY VAR    $3.99
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Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for October 3, 2018

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

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Review: THE KILLER INSIDE ME (Trade Paperback)

JIM THOMPSON'S THE KILLER INSIDE ME
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER: Devin Faraci
ART: Vic Malhotra
COLORS: Jason Millet
LETTERS: Christa Miesner
EDITORS: Denton J. Tipton; Justin Eisinger and Alonzo Simon
COVER: Vic Malhotra
MISC. ART: Robert Hack
ISBN: 978-1-63140-854-0; paperback (April 18, 2017)
120pp, Color, $19.99, $25.99 U.S.
Diamond Distributors code: AUG170528

Suggested for mature readers

Introduction by Stephen King

The Killer Inside Me is a 1952 crime novel written by American author Jim Thompson (1906 to 1977).  The Killer Inside Me is one of the best-regarded crime novels of the twentieth century, and has received praise from bestselling novelist, Stephen King (The Shining), and the acclaimed filmmaker, the late Stanley Kubrick (2001: A Space Odyssey).

In 2016 and 2017, IDW Publishing published a five-issue comic book adaptation of Thompson's novel, entitled Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me.  The adaptation is written by Devin Faraci, a film critic and podcaster.  It is drawn by Vic Malhotra; colored by Jason Millet; and lettered by Christa Miesner.  Robert Hack drew the cover illustrations for the variant cover editions of this comic book.

In April 2017, IDW published a trade paperback that collected all five issues of Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me.  At the back of this book, there is a 14-page section of illustrations and sketch material drawn by Malhotra and Hack.  IDW sent me a copy of the Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me trade paperback for review.

Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me is set in around the small town of Central City, Texas.  Lou Ford is a deputy for Sheriff Bob Maples.  Ford is something of a psychopath, and as the story advances, it is obvious that he is a full-on serial killer.  As Ford says, he has had a sickness inside him ever since he was a child.

Ford hatches a plan of blood revenge against the wealthy Chester Conway, the owner of Conway Construction, which seems to build everything in Central City.  Ford's murderous plot involves Chester's not-too-bright son, Elmer, and Joyce Lakeland, a prostitute that Elmer loves and with whom he hopes to elope.  Most people in Central City think Lou Ford is a little slow, but they don't know about the sickness inside him, a psychosis that is reemerging as the bodies pile up.

Over 20 years ago, I read my only Jim Thompson novel, The Grifters (1963), which I thought was brilliantly written.  Once upon a time, when they were still talking, Fantagraphics Books' Gary Groth interviewed the late Harlan Ellison, in which either Ellison or Groth said that sometimes a work of art or storytelling is perfect in its original form.  As much as I enjoyed director Stephen Frears and writer Donald E. Westlake's 1990 film adaptation of The Grifters, I thought the original, Thompson's novel, was perfect.

There is something lacking in Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me the comic book.  This comic book adaptation is flat and lacks the hard-boiled lyricism I found in The Grifters.  There are some good moments when this comic book can be furious and edgy, but quite a bit of the narrative smothers any embers that the plot kicks up.  The fifth issue of this adaptation is the only one that consistently, from the first page to the last, has that bad-ass burn of American “noir.”

Although this comic book is by no means a disaster, Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me could have been better.  I don't know what qualifies Devin Faraci to adapt a Jim Thompson novel to comics, especially after IDW published comic book adaptations of Richard Stark's (Donald E. Westlake) Parker crime novels, written and drawn by the late Darwyn Cooke, one of the best comic book creators of the last 20 years.  There is something about Faraci's adaptation that seems to accept that it is inherently an inferior work.

Even Vic Malhotra's illustrations and graphic storytelling often come across as flat, even listless, unable to convey the power of the original story.  Colorist Jason Millet's simmering hues do more to convey Jim Thompson's heat than any other contributor to this comic book.  Christa Miesner's lettering is not spectacular, but creates a nice rhythm for the story.

While I have mixed feelings about Jim Thompson's The Killer Inside Me the comic book, I can recommend this trade paperback to comic book readers who are always looking for comic books adapted from novels.

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 reprint syndication rights and fees.

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I Reads You Juniors September 2018 - Update #66

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Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:

From UndeadWalking:  "The Walking Dead" comic books are very profitable for Robert Kirkman.

From BleedingCool:  Comic book painter and cover artist Glenn Fabry talks about being diagnosed with lung cancer.

From BleedingCool:  "Diversity & Comics" guy, Richard Meyer (who hates diversity in comic books) is suing Mark Waid.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel to publish a giveaway volume with "Secrets of the X-Men," in conjunction with the "Uncanny X-Men" relaunch.

MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  The comic book artist Norm Breyfogle died at the age of 58, Monday, September 24, 2018.  He was best known his extensive relationship with Batman, drawing Batman comic books form 1987 to 1195.  He also drew the comic book "Whisper" (First Comics), written by Steven Grant, in the mid 1980s.

From THR:  BOOM! Studios has acquired the license to produce comic books and graphic novels based on Lev Grossman's novel, "The Magicians."

From FortressofSolitude:  There was a "Comic Con Africa" in South Africa.

From ComicBook:  Dark Horse announces a deluxe edition of "Beserk," the manga it has been publishing in English for over a decade.

From MangaTokyo:  Seven Seas Entertainment announces three more manga licenses for Summer 2019 release: "Creature Girls: A Field Journal in Another World," "My Next Life As a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!" and "Blank Canvas: My so-called Artist’s Journey."

From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics announces its plans for New York Comic Con 2018.

MEMORIAM - From AnimeMojo:  Manga creator Yasuyuki Kunimoto died September 20th, 2018.  He was known for such manga as "10 Billion Men" and "Junk Boy."

From Newsarama:  A list of films based on comic books and manga scheduled for release from 2018 to 2022, with an emphasis on Marvel and DC Comics movies.

From Newsarama:  As were await the release of DC Comics' "Heroes in Crisis," here, is a look back at "Identity Crisis."

From Newsarama:  DC Comics will reprint Walter Simonson's 2000s era "Orion" comic book series.

From Newsarama:  "Death of Daredevil" starts in October.  This will be writer Charles Soule's final story arc for the "Daredevil" ongoing comic book.

From BleedingCool:  Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips "Criminal" returns in January 2018.

From TheDailyBeast:  As her comic book, Man-Eaters, prepares to hit store shelves, Chelsea Cain rips into Marvel Comics and the comics industry.

From BleedingCool:  "Superman vs. Muhammad Ali is one of DC Comics' best-selling comics.  It was originally published in 1978.

From TCJ:  There is a defamation lawsuit roiling around the small press comics community.  Keep up with it at this link.

From BleedingCool:  "Jesusfreak" is a graphic novel from writer Joe Casey and artist Benjamin Marra that is due from Image Comics in 2019.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics will adapt the hit film, "Avengers: Infinity War" into a comic book.

From Marvel:  Erik Killmonger, the villain in Marvel Studios' "Black Panther" film, gets his own miniseries from Marvel Comics, starting in December 2018.

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet "Epilogue" in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet "Epilogue" in French.

From TheStarCalgary:  Calgary (Canada)-based millennial cartoonist, Eman Elkadri, uses her comics to combat racism.

From TheOuthousers:  Martian Manhunter gets a new solo comic book series from DC Comics.

From BleedingCool:  It's "Batman Day 2018."

From TechCrunch:  The new streaming service, "DC Universe Online" debuts tomorrow, Sat., Sept. 15th.

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #176 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #176 in French.

From ComicBookMovie:  The CW's "The Flash" television series starts off Season 5 with a new costume for the title character.

From AnimeMojo:  "The Promised Neverland" manga is coming to an end soon... in Japan.

From MyArkLaMiss:  There is a new comic book shop, "Villains Comics & Collectibles," in Monroe, Louisiana.

From BleedingCool:  Horror show U.S. President Trump will appear in Todd McFarlane's long-running comic book, "Spawn."

From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #176 in English.
From ComicBookBin:  New webcomic Johnny Bullet episode #176 in French.

From CBCBooks:  CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation) Books website talks to Georgia Webber about her graphic novel, "Dumb Living Without a Voice (Fantagraphics).

From DarkHorizons:  A live-action series based on "Swamp Thing" will be part of the "DC Universe" streaming package.  Apparently, the series will offer "graphic violence" and will emphasize the use of practical effects over computer-generated effects.

From QVoiceNews:  Prism Comics promotes queer comic visibility.

From CNET:  Skin or CGI? Alita: Battle Angel takes manga to photorealistic levels

From TheAVClub:  The Incredibles didn't need comic-book source material (or origin stories) to do superheroes right

From BleedingCool:  "Superior Spider-Man" is returning, and Doctor Octopus is returning as the series star, "the Superior Spider-Man."

From Newsarama:  Valiant outlines its plans for the 2019 Baltimore Comic-Con.

From BleedingCool:  Diamond Comics Distributors will hold its 2019 Retailer Summit in Las Vegas.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics abandons its pursuit of a "Monster Unleashed" trademark

From BleedingCool:  The streaming service, "DC Universe" has revealed its panels schedule for New York Comic Con 2018.

From BleedingCool:  One of the comic book's greatest writers, Roy Thomas, speaks on the passing of Marie Severin, Gary Friedrich, Steve Ditko, and Russ Heath.

From BleedingCool:  DC "Black Label" imprint will apparent offer up obscure characters and obscure corners of the DC Universe and not just focus on the big three: Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics to give Nightwing (Dick Grayson) a new direction.

From BleedingCool:  There will apparently be a Canadian version of the "DC Universe" streaming service.

From ANN:  Haruichi Furudate's volleyball manga, "Haikyu!!" will be adapted an a claymation short for an anime event.

From CBR:  Christina Merkler is the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund's new president.

From BleedingCool:  Bill Jemas and Axel Alonso are talent hunting for new comics publishing venture.

From BleedingCool:  Jock, Scott Snyder, Greg Capullo, Tom King, and Jason Fabok to be among the contributors to "Detective Comics #1000."

From TheAtlantic:  Remembering the woman, Marie Severin, who changed Marvel Comics.

From Newsarama:  Eminem teases a song for the "Venom" soundtrack.

From PasteMagazine:  An interview of Inio Asano, the creator of "Goodnight Punpun" and "Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction."

From SmallPressExpo:  The 2018 SPX Ignatz Award nominations have been announced.


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OCTOBER 2018 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for October 2018
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for October 2018
From BleedingCool:  Caliber Press for October 2018
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for October 2018
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for October 2018
From TheOuthousers:  Dynamite Entertainment for 2018
From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books for October 2018.
From Newsarama:  Image Comics for October 2018
From CBR:  Marvel Comics for October 2018.
From Newsarama:  Rebellion for October 2018
From Newsarama:  Scout Comics for October 2018
From Newsarama:  Valiant Entertaiment solicitations for October 2018.

NOVEMBER 2018 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  BOOM! Studios for November 2018
From Newsarama:  Dark Horse Comics for November 2018
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for November 2018
From Newsarama:  Dynamite Entertainment for November 2018
From TheOuthousers:  Fantagraphics Books for November 2018
From Newsarama:  IDW Publishing for November 2018
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for November 2018
From BleedingCool:  Lion Forge solicitations for November 2018
From Newsarama:  Marvel Comics solicitations for November 2018
From BleedingCool:  Rebellion 2000AD for November 2018
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for November 2018

DECEMBER 2018 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for December 2018
From Newsarama:  DC Comics for December 2018
From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for December 2018
From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for December 2018
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for December 2018

Review: MAGE BOOK THREE The Hero Denied #1

MAGE, BOOK THREE: THE HERO DENIED No. 1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER/ARTIST: Matt Wagner
COLORS: Brennan Wagner
LETTERS: Dave Lanphear
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2017)

Rated “T/ Teen Plus”

Chapter 01 “What's Past Is Prologue”

Written and drawn by Matt Wagner (Grendel), Mage is a fantasy comic book series with superhero elements.  The series will be comprised of three volumes, each running 15 issues.  The first was Mage: The Hero Discovered, which was published by defunct publisher, Comico the Comic Company, from 1984 to 1986.  The second was Mage: The Hero Defined, which was published from 1997 to 1999 by Image Comics.

Image Comics recently began publication of the third and final volume, Mage: The Hero Denied.  It is written and drawn by Matt Wagner; colored by Brennan Wagner; and lettered by Dave Lanphear.

The Hero Discovered introduced Kevin Matchstick, an alienated young man who meets a wizard called Mirth.  Kevin discovers that he has superhuman abilities and that a magic baseball bat wielded by a friend actually belongs to him.  That bat is Excalibur, and Kevin represents King Arthur.

The Hero Defined takes place several years later and finds Kevin fighting supernatural menaces in the company of other heroes.  Kevin discovers that he has misunderstood his mission and that he represents more than one mythical hero.  Kevin is also Gilgamesh, and he initially does not realize that his new mage/mentor is an old tramp named Wally Ut whom Kevin often chooses to dismiss as a crazy old annoyance.  Kevin also meets his future wife.

Mage, Book Three: The Hero Denied, #1 (“What's Past Is Prologue”) finds Kevin Matchstick living in suburban splendor with his wife Magda; son, Hugo; and preschool daughter, Miranda.  It has been years since his last adventure combating the forces of dark magic.  Now, some dark magic ruffians have found him and so has a powerful adversary.

It is good to have Mage back.  I find that The Hero Denied seems more like The Hero Discovered than it does as The Hero Defined – at least after one issue.  Everything about it, the shimmering, rich colors; the structure of the plot; the settings; and the villains:  all recall the spirit of the original series.  That's what I want; nothing against The Hero Defined, but the original Mage is still close to my heart.  It was one of the first independent comic books that I ever read.  It was also one of the first magical fantasy comic books I had ever seen.  In fact, the original seemed infused with magic.

So we are in the very early stages of The Hero Denied, but this feels right.  It is a call home to the foundation of Mage, so I'm calling Mage fans back to this series.  Since this is the first issue, I'll be a bit conservative with my grade.

8 out of 10

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.

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Review: FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS #1

FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS No. 1
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Jeff Parker
ARTISTS: Ariel Olivetti
COLORS: Ariel Olivetti
LETTERS: A Larger World Studios
COVER: Ariel Olivetti
VARIANT COVER: Steve Rude
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2017)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

“The Quest Reborn!”

“Space Ghost” was an American animated television series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions.  The series was created by animation conceptual artist, Alex Toth (who is also considered a legendary comic book artist) and was produced and directed by William Hanna and Joseph Barbera.  A half-hour show, “Space Ghost” first aired on CBS from September 10, 1966, to September 7, 1968.

“Space Ghost” starred a mysterious superhero named Space Ghost, who fought supervillains in outer space.  He was assisted by two teenaged sidekicks, a girl named Jan and a boy named Jace, and their monkey named “Blip.”  Space Ghost has made sporadic appearances in comic books.  He returned in a slightly rebooted version in DC Comics' comic book miniseries, “Future Quest” (2016), which brought together characters from Hanna-Barbera's science fiction superhero animated TV series of the 1960 and early 1970s.

Now, Space Ghost and company get a their own story in the new Future Quest Presents.  This Space Ghost adventure is written by Future Quest scribe, Jeff Parker; drawn and painted by Ariel Olivetti (who drew DC's 2005 Space Ghost six-issue miniseries); and lettered by A Larger World Studio.

Future Quest Presents #1 opens with Space Ghost dispatching a band of raiders.  Then, it moves to a school where we find Jan and Jace learning about a history in which they recently played a part.  History is emphasized, as Space Ghost is planning to revive the “Space Force,” of which he is the sole surviving member.  First, he will need to begin gathering a metal that was important to the Space Force.  That means a trip with Jan and Jack and Blip to Amzot, the planet of his friends, The Herculoids.  But also waiting is an old enemy.

Future Quest Presents #1 is by no means great or even particularly good, but I'll take it.  I have been a Space Ghost fan since I was a little kid, and there have never been enough Space Ghost comic books to suit me.  Yeah, I expect more from writer Jeff Parker than I got here, especially coming off the wonderful Hanna-Barber tribute that was Future Quest.  Hopefully, the series/story arc gets stronger.

I am a fan of artist Ariel Olivetti, and I did like his art in the one issue of the 2005 Space Ghost miniseries that I did read (issue #2).  Here, he is inconsistent, but I think Olivetti may deliver some really good art and graphical storytelling as he gains momentum.

I am rooting for this comic book, and I plan to read the entire run – whether it is ultimately good or middling.

6.5 out of 10

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


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

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Book Review: THE SEA QUEEN

THE SEA QUEEN
HARPERCOLLINS – @HarperCollins

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

AUTHOR: Linnea Hartsuyker
ISBN: 978-0-06-256373-6; hardcover (August 14, 2018)
464pp, B&W, $27.99 U.S., $34.99 CAN

The Sea Queen is a 2018 novel from author Linnea Hartsuyker.  It is the direct sequel to The Half-Drowned King.  The novel is set during Norway's “Viking Age,” specifically the time that marks the ascendancy of the first King of Norway, Harald Fairhair (called Harald Halfdansson in this novel).  The Half-Drowned King focuses on a brother and sister who both play pivotal roles in Harald's campaign to defeat his enemies and unite Norway under one king.

Ragnvald Eysteinsson was known as “Ragnvald the Half-drowned.”  Now, he is king of Sogn, the land his late father claimed, but he has been away from home fighting battles for King Harald.  That has allowed a usurper, Atli Kolbrandsson, to make a claim on Sogn, a move that is just one example of a political landscape that grows more treacherous.

Meanwhile, Ragnvald's sister, Svanhild, has found freedom and adventure as the wife of rebel explorer, Solvi Hunthiofsson.  Sailing the seas at her husband's side, Svanhild is known as “the Sea Queen,” because she is more capable at the helm of a ship than most men.  However, Solvi has desires and ambitions; he wants to recapture lands he claims as his own, but that is controlled by Harald or his allies.  Solvi returns to Norway, which leads to tragedy and drives a wedge between he and Svanhild.

A rebellion grows and unites Harald's enemies and also some he thought to be allies.  Ragnvald suspects that some nobles are not really loyal to Harald's dream of a unified Norway.  He sets a plan in motion to bring down enemies and traitors alike, but like his sister, he will make decisions that will cost him in the most personal ways.

I wrote in my review of The Half-Drowned King that my summary of the novel focused on Ragnvald, although his sister Svanhild played a major part in the novel.  Svanhild is the lead character in about a third of the first novel, but The Sea Queen is as much her story as it is her brother's or Harald's.

The Sea Queen is allegedly only author Linnea Hartsuyker's second novel.  I say allegedly because Hartsuyker either previously wrote under a pen name, or she is just simply a natural at this novel-writing game.  Hartsuyker not only provides a deeply intimate portrayal and depiction of Svanhild and Ragnvald, but she also bares the souls, the cores, and the naked ambitions of numerous characters in this novel.  Truthfully, many of them, including Solvi, Atli, and King Hakon (a frenemy), to name a few, could be the lead in this series.

Hartsuyker gives readers the details and local color in droves, as she mixes myth, legend, and history to transport her readers to a time in “pre-history” Norway of uncertain duels, fierce battles, sudden raids, and ancient blood feuds.  It is her wonderful cast of characters, however, that truly makes The Sea Queen a page-turning, electrifying read.  Linnea Hartsuyker is subtle in the way she pushes Svanhild to the front, but she is equally crafty in creating a book full of characters that you cannot stop thinking about even when the story moves from one to another.  I heartily and highly-recommend The Sea Queen to readers who just love a good book just filled with superb and engaging characters.

9 out of 10

www.linneahartsuyker.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 syndication rights and fees.

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