Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 31, 2018

IMAGE COMICS

AUG180113    BLACK SCIENCE TP VOL 08 LATER THAN YOU THINK (MR)    $16.99
AUG180158    HIT-GIRL TP VOL 02 (MR)    $14.99
AUG180241    ICE CREAM MAN #8 CVR A MORAZZO & OHALLORAN (MR)    $3.99
AUG180242    ICE CREAM MAN #8 CVR B DEL REY (MR)    $3.99
AUG180164    MAESTROS TP VOL 01 (MR)    $16.99
AUG180252    MAN-EATERS #2    $3.99
AUG180253    MAN-EATERS #2 IRIDESCENT CVR    $4.99
JUL180265    MOONSHINE TP VOL 02 (MR)    $16.99
AUG180267    REALM #10 CVR A HAUN & FILARDI (MR)    $3.99
AUG180268    REALM #10 CVR B HETRICK (MR)    $3.99
AUG180269    REALM #10 CVR C SKETCH CVR (MR)    $3.99
AUG180285    SHANGHAI RED #5 (OF 5) CVR A HIXSON    $3.99
AUG180286    SHANGHAI RED #5 (OF 5) CVR B GORHAM    $3.99
JUL189077    SHANGHAI RED #5 (OF 5) CVR C VIRGIN    $3.99
AUG180298    WAYWARD #30 CVR A CUMMINGS & BONVILLAIN (MR)    $4.99
AUG180299    WAYWARD #30 CVR B IKEDA (MR)    $4.99
AUG180100    WYTCHES BAD EGG HALLOWEEN SPEC (ONE-SHOT) (MR)    $7.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributor for October 31, 2018

MARVEL COMICS

AUG188600    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #1 2ND PTG BROWN VAR    $4.99
AUG188601    AVENGERS #8 2ND PTG MARQUEZ VAR    $3.99
AUG180866    AVENGERS HALLOWEEN SPECIAL #1    $4.99
AUG180867    AVENGERS HALLOWEEN SPECIAL #1 ZAFFINO VAR    $4.99
AUG181101    AVENGERS UNDERCOVER TP COMPLETE COLLECTION    $24.99
AUG180998    BLACK PANTHER #5    $3.99
AUG180999    BLACK PANTHER #5 MAXX LIM MARVEL BATTLE LINES VAR    $3.99
AUG181004    DAREDEVIL #610    $3.99
AUG188593    EDGE OF SPIDER-GEDDON #3 (OF 4) 2ND PTG ZONJIC VAR    $3.99
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AUG188604    IMMORTAL HULK #6 2ND PTG GARBETT VAR    $3.99
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AUG180884    INFINITY WARS IRON HAMMER #2 (OF 2)    $3.99
AUG188606    INFINITY WARS SOLDIER SUPREME #1 (OF 2) 2ND PTG KUBERT VAR    $3.99
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AUG180958    TONY STARK IRON MAN #5 JONG-JU KIM MARVEL BATTLE LINES VAR    $3.99
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JUL181178    X-MEN GRAND DESIGN SECOND GENESIS TP    $29.99
AUG181096    X-MEN TP DEADLY GENESIS NEW PTG    $19.99

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

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

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AUG182438    HOMESTUCK HC VOL 03  ACT 4    $24.99
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BOOKS
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SEP182106    WALT DISNEYS NINE OLD MEN MASTERS OF ANIMATION HC    $50.00
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Review AO HARU RIDE Volume 1

AO HARU RIDE, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Io Sakisaka
TRANSLATION: Emi Louie-Nishikawa
LETTERS: Inori Fukuda Trant
EDITOR: Nancy Thislethwaite
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0265-7; paperback (October 2018); Rated “T” for “Teen”
184pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Ao Haru Ride (also known as Blue Spring Ride) is a shōjo manga series written and illustrated by Io Sakisaka.  The series was serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Margaret, from February 2011 to February 2015.  VIZ Media is publishing this manga in English as a series of graphic novels, entitled Ao Haru Ride, available in both print and digital editions.

Ao Haru Ride, Vol. 1 (“Unwritten” and Chapters 1 to 3) introduces Futaba Yoshioka, a middle school girl who cannot stand boys.  That is the case until she meets Kou Tanaka, and she is immediately smitten with him.  Kou moves away before Futuba can really express her feelings.  Now, she is in high school, and she sees a boy who looks like Kou.  But is he the same boy in which she fell in love?

Shojo readers will recognize the illustrative style of the Ao Haru Ride manga.  Creator Io Sakisaka also produced the manga, Strobe Edge, which VIZ Media also published in English as a series of graphic novels.

Ao Haru Ride Graphic Novel Volume 1 is a little different from Strobe Edge.  The main characters, Futuba and Kou, are introduced in a short story, entitled “Unwritten,” which, as a read, is as sweet and as comforting as a cup of warm cocoa.

The main story, which is set in high school and covers three chapters in this volume, is decidedly different.  It is a little edgy and is certainly tart, as Sakisaka deals with such themes and topics as friendship, yearning for the way things were, fake friends, and being true to oneself.  After really liking “Unwritten,” I found myself initially put off by the present day narrative.  It may take awhile for me to truly warm up to this, but I like that the characters are stubborn about being true even if its means being standoffish.  I am curious to read future volumes.

7.5 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.

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

Review: JUNI TAISEN: Zodiac War Volume 1

JUNI TAISEN: ZODIAC WAR, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Akira Akatsuki
ORIGINAL STORY: Nisiosin (novel)
CHARACTER DESIGNS: Hikaru Nakamura
TRANSLATION: Nathan A. Collins
LETTERS: Mark McMurray
EDITOR: Marlene First
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0250-3; paperback (October 2018); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
188pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Juni Taisen is a Japanese illustrated light novel written by Nisio Isin (or NisiOisiN) and illustrated by Hikaru Nakamura.  Published in 2015 by Shueisha, Juni Taisen (which translates to “12 Wars”) depicts a war fought by twelve deadly mercenaries, each one with a name and power that corresponds to an animal in the Chinese zodiac.

Akira Akatsuki, who has collaborated on manga with Nisioisin, produced a manga adaptation of Juni Taisen in 2017.  VIZ Media is publishing that manga as a four-volume graphic novel series, entitled Juni Taisen: Zodiac War.  It will be released on a quarterly schedule in both print and digital (including for the VIZ Manga App).

Juni Taisen: Zodiac War, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 4) opens in a city of half a million people, a city gone dark for a coming epic tournament.  Every 12 years, 12 fighters take the form of the Chinese zodiac animals and engage in a battle royale.  Using their strength and mysterious super-powers, these mercenaries fight to the death, and the sole survivor is granted the ultimate prize – any wish he or she wants.  This is the twelfth Zodiac War, and one of the combatants has been killed by a competitor before the tournament even begins!

[This volume includes a sketchbook section.]

VIZ Media sent me a review copy of the Juni Taisen: Zodiac War manga.  Prior to this manga, I was not familiar with any of the creators.  I am familiar with the term, “light novel,” a kind of Japanese version of the young adult novel, and I have read a few.  My experience with manga adapted from light novels has been good, an example being Library Wars, a VIZ Media published manga adapted from a light novel.

Juni Taisen: Zodiac War Graphic Novel Volume 1 features some absolutely gorgeous art.  It is heavily layered and textured with rich toning and lushly detailed inking.  The story seems a little weird at first, but that are so many shocking turns of events that the narrative is hard to ignore.  After the first shocker, I could not stop reading this first volume of Juni Taisen: Zodiac War.  I think readers who enjoy “battle royale” manga and also fight comics will want Juni Taisen: Zodiac War.  I cannot say that this will be an exceptional character drama, but the death and bloody mayhem look to make Juni Taisen a quite invigorating read.

7.5 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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Review: BATMAN: White Knight #1

BATMAN: WHITE KNIGHT No. 1 (OF 8)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY/ART: Sean Murphy
COLORS: Matt Hollingsworth
LETTERS: Todd Klein
COVER: Sean Murphy with Matt Hollingsworth
VARIANT COVER: Sean Murphy with Matt Hollingsworth
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2017)

Rated “T+” for “Teen Plus”

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

Sean Gordon Murphy is a respected comic book creator, writer-artist, and artist, thanks to projects like Punk Rock Jesus, The Wake (with writer Scott Snyder), and Joe the Barbarian (with writer Grant Morrison).  I like Murphy's stylish art, striking graphics, and dramatic graphical storytelling.

Late last year, DC Comics launched an eight-issue event miniseries, Batman: White Knight, written and drawn by Murphy, colored by Matt Hollingsworth, and lettered by the amazing Todd Klein.  White Knight finds The Joker determined to save Gotham City from Batman, whom he believes has gone too far in his fight against crime and has become dangerous.

Batman: White Knight #1 opens with Batman imprisoned and in chains.  Flash back to a year earlier, The Dark Knight is engaged in another hot pursuit of The Joker.  Things get out of hand.  Batman brutally assaults The Joker while Commissioner Jim Gordon and the Gotham City Police Department stand by and watch.  Then, The Joker is seemingly cured of his insanity and homicidal tendencies.  Enter Jack Napier, Gotham's “white knight” who will save Gotham from its “dark knight.”

I'm intrigued.  Batman: White Knight #1 is all over the place as a first issue.  I think that there is a lot to take in because Sean Murphy decides to put the entire premise and central plot right out there to the reader without being coy and dividing the introductions and inciting events over the first two issues.  I think Murphy can show how truly innovative or inventive he is as a comic book creator in what he presents and by how he executes it.  I guess I mean by how much of the narrative over these eight issues is or is not story padding.

I usually like Matt Hollingsworth's work as a colorist, but I find his work in Batman: White Knight#1 to be garish and also counterproductive to the story.  Todd Klein's lettering is good... as it always is... because he is amazing.

I have issues #2 through 7, and I am thinking about reading the rest of this series in one sitting.  But it may be too tempting to wait for the final issue.

7 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 and syndication rights and fees.

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BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for October 24, 2018

BOOM! STUDIOS

JUN181244    ABBOTT TP    $17.99
AUG181359    BACKSTAGERS HALLOWEEN INTERMISSION #1    $7.99
AUG181378    CODA #6 (OF 12) MAIN & MIX    $3.99
JUN181251    JIM HENSON DARK CRYSTAL SC BOX SET CREATION MYTHS    $29.99
AUG181392    JIM HENSON LABYRINTH CORONATION #8 (OF 12)    $3.99
AUG181393    JIM HENSON LABYRINTH CORONATION #8 (OF 12) SUBSCRIPTION TAKE    $3.99
AUG188541    MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #32 FOC MERCADO INCV    $3.99
AUG181367    MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #32 MAIN SG    $3.99
AUG181368    MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #32 SUBSCRIPTION GIBSON VAR SG    $3.99
AUG181401    OVER GARDEN WALL HOLLOW TOWN #2 MAIN    $3.99
AUG181402    OVER GARDEN WALL HOLLOW TOWN #2 SUB HALL VAR    $3.99
AUG181411    REGULAR SHOW 25 YEARS LATER #5 (OF 6)    $3.99
AUG181412    REGULAR SHOW 25 YEARS LATER #5 (OF 6) SUB CHEN VAR    $3.99
AUG181386    THRILLING ADVENTURE HOUR #4 (OF 4) CVR A CASE    $3.99
AUG181387    THRILLING ADVENTURE HOUR #4 (OF 4) SUBSCRIPTION BUSTOS VAR    $3.99
JUN181235    WWE THEN NOW FOREVER TP VOL 02    $16.99