Tuesday, October 30, 2018

Review: THE DEMON: Hell is Earth #1

THE DEMON: HELL IS EARTH No. 1 (OF 6)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Andrew Constant
PENCILS: Brad Walker
INKS: Andrew Hennessy
COLORS: Chris Sotomayor
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
COVER: Brad Walker and Andrew Hennessy with Lee Loughridge
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (January 2018)

Rated “T” for “Teen”

The Demon created by Jack Kirby

“Hell is Earth” Part One

Etrigan the Demon is a DC Comics anti-hero/superhero.  The character was created by Jack Kirby and first appeared in The Demon #1 (cover dated: August 1972).  Etrigan is a demon from Hell, but he often finds himself allied to forces of good, for instance to Batman (when he was based in Gotham City).  Etrigan, also known as simply, “The Demon,” is bound to a human, Jason Blood, who recites an incantation when he wants to summon Etrigan to take his place.

Etrigan returns in a new six-issue miniseries, entitled The Demon: Hell is Earth.  It is written by Andrew Constant; drawn by Brad Walker (pencils) and Andrew Hennessy (inks) colored by Chris Sotomayor; and lettered by Tom Napolitano.

The Demon: Hell is Earth #1 finds Jason Blood living in a shack in Death Valley.  He has not freed Etrigan from inside himself “in a very long time.”  Troubling visions, however, are plaguing Blood, including a vision of Etrigan setting a child on fire.  Unbeknownst to Blood, that child is heading to Death Valley, and well as an old ally.  Meanwhile, a dark force launches its plans right at Etrigan.

I could be my cynical self, but I am shocked by how much I am liking The Demon: Hell is Earth #1.  Writer Andrew Constant offers a story that intrigues.  Often, these first issues, with their slow gathering of players and forces, do not interest me enough to keep reading past the first issue, but I am ready for the second issue of this series now!  Pencil artist Brad Walker offers a number of exciting pages, especially the powerful two-page reveal of Etrigan.  Inker Andrew Hennessy finishes Walker's pencils with sharp potent line work.

I think I am smitten with colorist Chris Sotomayor's riot of reds and oranges.  That makes the demonic and dark elements alight with hellish delight.  Tom Napolitano, an accomplished letterer, hits all the high notes or words, and his lettering here makes the dialogue snap and crackle.  The Demon: Hell is Earth #1 shows that comic books are a team effort and that a good team can turn a comic book that seems like just another thing into a thing worth reading.

7.5 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 blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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I Reads You Juniors October 2018 - Update #69

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From Newsarama:  Fox has reportedly hired Julius Avery, the director of "Overlord," to direct its long in development film based on the "Flash Gordon" comic strip.

From BleedingCool:  Juan Jose Ryp announces that he is leaving Valiant Comics.

From BleedingCool:  Former Marvel President Bill Jemas and former Marvel Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso are launching a new comic book/multimedia publisher, "Artists, Writers & Artisans Inc."  Grant Morrison and Garth Ennis are among the talent working on books for them.

From ANN:  Suu Morishita, creator of the "Shortcake Cake" manga, will launch a new manga, "Hoshokukei Heroine ni Ato 1-nen Inai ni Taberaremasu (I Will Be Eaten by a Predatory Heroine Within the Next Year)" on the Gangan Online website November 12.

From ANN:  Aya Shouoto, "Kiss of the Rose Princess" manga creator, also launching a new title at Gangan Online.  The title has not yet been released.

From Deadline:  Legendary to adapt Kohei Horikoshi's manga, "My Hero Academia" manga into film.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "Captain Marvel: Monica Rambeau" trade paperback will only be available in comic book stores - not at Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

From ComicBookBin:   Webcomic Johnny Bullet #1 in color
From ComicBookBin:   Webcomic Johnny Bullet #1 en couleur

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics' hip-hop variant covers from a few years ago to appear on actual hip-hop albums.

From Newsarama:  Kelly Thompson, one of three writers relaunching Marvel's "Uncanny X-Men," talks to Newsarama.

From ICv2:  Fantagraphics Books early 2019 releases include an art book of the late, great Wally Wood's erotic comics and art.

From ColumbusDispatch:  Event explored Jewish influence and input in American comic books.

From KyodoNews:  Cameroon-born manga artist deftly captures life growing up in Japan

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics is discontinuing its line of "Marvel Comics Digest."

From GeekTyrant:  RWBY will get a new manga in English releases of "Shonen Jump."

From BatesNews:  How Gabby Rivera is revolutionizing pop-lit’s depiction of the comic-book hero

From BleedingCool:  A Marv Wolfman-penned Superman story will see the light of day next year.

From ComicBook:  The first Pokemon manga has never been released outside of Japan because it depicts, among other things, full frontal nudity.

From IGN:  This article talks about Junji Ito's new "Frankenstein" collection.

From BleedingCool:  Retailers ordred 300,000 copies of "Return of Wolverine #1."

From 13thDimension:  In 2017, comic book writer/artist/designer/cover illustrator Alex Ross pitched a reboot of the Fantastic Four.  See his images from his proposal at "13th Dimension."

From BleedingCool:  Writer Chuck Wendig says he was fired from Marvel because of his politics.  He was in the middle of writing a "Star Wars" miniseries.

From ABCAustralia:  Aussie manga creator Queenie Chan tells her story.
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From DorkSide:  News from the Lucasfilm Publishing panel at NYCC 2018.

From AutoStraddle:  What were the gayest comic books from New York Comic Con 2018.

From Newsarama:  "The Walking Dead'" Robert Kirkman has signed a deal with Sony Television to form a new production company, Skybound Galactic, which will develop comic book projects for television, among them Top Cow's "The Darkness."

From BleedingCool:  Here is a one-page preview of "Batman: Damned #2."

From Polygon:  Bruce Wayne's penis is making DC Comics reassess future "Black Label" releases.

From ComicBook:  "The Walking Dead" creator Robert Kirkman quietly launches the animated series, "Super Dinosaur," in Canada.

From CriticalHit:  Big announcements from New York Comic Con 2018.

From CBR:  New manga and novel based on American anime series, "RWBY," coming in 2019.

From BleedingCool:  Todd McFarlane says that he is planning a trilogy of "Spawn" films.

MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:   It is just coming to light that Jim Novak, one of the most influential and accomplished comic book letterers and designers, died in April of this year.  He worked for both DC Comics and Marvel Comics.  He redesigned the "Star Wars" logo and also designed the logo for the film, "Creepshow."

From Webtoons:  Warren Ellis and Colleen Doran's new webcomic, "Finality," has debuted.

NEW YORK COMIC CON 2018:

From BleedingCool:  Todd McFarlane says that he will meet with a "Game of Thrones" cast member about creating a comic book series.

From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "Women of Marvel" panel at NYCC 2018 fielded a "talent and diversity" question.

From BleedingCool:  There was a #MeToo and #TimesUp panel at NYCC 2018.  Unionization of comic book creatores came up. [As a side note, here is an article about an attempt to form a comic book union, from ComicsAlliance.]

From THR:  NYCC 2018 attendees thrill to the film footage from director Neil Marshall's "Hellboy" reboot.

From BleedingCool:   Due August 20, 2019 is "White," a sequel to Kwanza Osajyefo, Tim Smith, Jamal Igle, and Khary Randolph's "Black" comic book miniseries.

From CBR:  Joss Whedon will oversee BOOM! Studios upcoming "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" comic books series.  Whedon will join writer Jordie Bellaire and artist Dan Mora to reboot the entire Buffy concept.

From Newsarama:  Marvel new "Invaders" comic book will launch in 2019.  It is set during World War II and will pit Captain America and Sub-Mariners against each other.

From Newsarama:  "Star Trek: The Q Conflict" will bring together four "Star Trek" franchises, the "Original Series," "'The Next Generations," "Deep Space Nine," and "Voyager."

From BleedingCool:  Todd McFarlane draws a Michael Myers "Halloween" poster for NYCC 2018.

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics rumored to announce "Wonder Comics."  This is an in-continuity teen comics imprint from Brian Michael Bendis.
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From Deadline:  Actor Matt Bomer will play "Negative Man" in DC Universe's streaming, live-action TV series based on the comic book, "Doom Patrol."

From YouTube:  The YouTube channel, "Cereal at Midnight," discusses IDW's current miniseries, "Bubba Ho-Tep and the Cosmic Bloodsuckers."

MEMORIAM - From EW:  Carlos Ezquerra, the artist who co-created seminal British comics character, Judge Dredd," has died at the age of 70.

From EW:  Chuck Palahniuk announces "Fight Club 3" comic book series with artist Cameron Stewart.  It would be the second sequel to his cult novel, "Fight Club," that was produced as a comic book, following the 10-issue "Fight Club 2," which was also drawn by Stewart.

From HeatVision:  Dynamite Entertainment announces another comic book starring "Elvira, Mistress of the Dark."  It is entitled "The Shape of Elvira," a reference to the Oscar-winning film, "The Shape of Water."

From CBR:  Neil Gaiman ("The Sandman") has signed a development deal with Amazon.

From DeejayDayton:  "Babblings About Comics" blog talks about New Titans Annual (1995).

From BleedingCool:  "Marvel Action" is the name of Marvel/IDW's line of all-ages comic books starring Marvel characters.

From BleedingCool:  Comic book creator and attorney, Rod Underhill, recently died.  There is a GoFundMe campaign to help his family.

From Variety:  The "Titans" TV series that streams of the "DC Universe" streaming service will stream to international customers on Netflix.

From Newsarama:  In DC Comics' "Action Comics #1005," writer Brian Michael Bendis brings back the classic version of Steve Ditko's Charlton character, "The Question."

From DailyCalifornian:  Why you should start reading "Saga."


OCTOBER 2018 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama:  AfterShock Comics for October 2018
From Newsarama:  Archie 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 TFW:  IDW Publishing from 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:  AfterShock Comics for November 2018
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:  BOOM! Studios for December 2018
From ComicList:  Dark Horse 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

JANUARY 2019 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool:  Action Lab for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Aspen Comics for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Black Mask for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for 2019
From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Papercutz for Jan. 2019
From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for Jan. 2019


Monday, October 29, 2018

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for October 31, 2018

BOOM! STUDIOS

AUG181377    BONE PARISH #4    $3.99
AUG188719    BONE PARISH #4 FOC CROOK INCV    $3.99
AUG181399    FENCE #11    $3.99
AUG181363    PLANET OF THE APES TIME OF MAN #1 MAIN    $7.99
AUG181364    PLANET OF THE APES TIME OF MAN #1 VIRGIN ALLRED VAR    $7.99
JUN181228    WWE UNDERTAKER ORIGINAL GN    $19.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 31, 2018

DARK HORSE COMICS

AUG180392    GOT MAGNET 4 PACK    $9.99
JUL180506    I AM A HERO OMNIBUS TP VOL 08    $19.99
AUG180364    STARCRAFT SCAVENGERS #4    $3.99
JUN180346    STEPHEN MCCRANIES SPACE BOY TP VOL 02    $10.99
AUG180318    STRANGER THINGS #2 CVR A BRICLOT    $3.99
AUG180319    STRANGER THINGS #2 CVR B RUTH    $3.99
AUG180320    STRANGER THINGS #2 CVR C MORRIS    $3.99
AUG180321    STRANGER THINGS #2 CVR D SATTERFIELD PHOTO VAR    $3.99
JUN180355    WITCHER LIBRARY EDITION HC    $49.99

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 31, 2018

DC COMICS

APR180291    AMERICAN VAMPIRE OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 (MR)    $99.99
APR180308    BATMAN BLACK & WHITE BATMAN STATUE BY GERARD WAY    $80.00
APR180307    BATMAN BLACK & WHITE THE JOKER STATUE BY GERARD WAY    $80.00
JUL180727    BATMAN HAUNTED KNIGHT TP NEW ED    $19.99
AUG180451    BATMAN SECRET FILES #1 FOIL    $4.99
JUL180732    BATMAN THE DARK PRINCE CHARMING HC    $34.99
APR180301    DC GALLERY JOKER 1:1 BUST BY RICK BAKER STANDARD ED    $1000.00
APR180300    DC GALLERY JOKER 1:1 BUST BY RICK BAKER ULTIMATE ED    $1500.00
JUL180742    DEATHBED TP (MR)    $16.99
AUG180487    DEATHSTROKE YOGI BEAR SPECIAL #1    $4.99
AUG180488    DEATHSTROKE YOGI BEAR SPECIAL #1 VAR ED    $4.99
JUL180747    DEMON HELL IS EARTH TP    $16.99
SEP180471    DOOM PATROL #12 (RES) (MR)    $3.99
SEP180472    DOOM PATROL #12 VAR ED (RES) (MR)    $3.99
AUG180489    GREEN LANTERN HUCKLEBERRY HOUND SPECIAL #1    $4.99
AUG180490    GREEN LANTERN HUCKLEBERRY HOUND SPECIAL #1 VAR ED    $4.99
AUG180462    HEROES IN CRISIS #2 (OF 9)    $3.99
AUG180463    HEROES IN CRISIS #2 (OF 9) VAR ED    $3.99
AUG180482    HEX WIVES #1 (MR)    $3.99
AUG180483    HEX WIVES #1 VAR ED (MR)    $3.99
AUG180541    INJUSTICE VS THE MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE #4 (OF 6)    $3.99
AUG180473    JL DARK & WONDER WOMAN THE WITCHING HOUR #1    $4.99
AUG180474    JL DARK & WONDER WOMAN THE WITCHING HOUR #1 VAR ED    $4.99
SEP180412    JUSTICE LEAGUE AQUAMAN DROWNED EARTH #1    $4.99
SEP180413    JUSTICE LEAGUE AQUAMAN DROWNED EARTH #1 VAR ED    $4.99
AUG180544    MAD MAGAZINE #4    $5.99
JUL180765    MAN OF STEEL BY BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS HC    $24.99
AUG180491    NIGHTWING MAGILLA GORILLA SPECIAL #1    $4.99
AUG180492    NIGHTWING MAGILLA GORILLA SPECIAL #1 VAR ED    $4.99
JUL180768    RED HOOD & THE OUTLAWS TP VOL 04 GOOD NIGHT GOTHAM    $19.99
JUL180791    SUPERGIRL TP VOL 04 PLAIN SIGHT REBIRTH    $16.99
AUG180493    SUPERMAN TOP CAT SPECIAL #1    $4.99
AUG180494    SUPERMAN TOP CAT SPECIAL #1 VAR ED    $4.99
AUG180576    TERRIFICS ANNUAL #1    $4.99
AUG180579    WILD STORM #18    $3.99
AUG180580    WILD STORM #18 VAR ED    $3.99

Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for October 31, 2018

D. E.

AUG181199    BARBARELLA #11 CVR A POWELL (MR)    $3.99
AUG181200    BARBARELLA #11 CVR B BROWNE (MR)    $3.99
AUG181201    BARBARELLA #11 CVR C STRAHM (MR)    $3.99
AUG181202    BARBARELLA #11 CVR D SILVA (MR)    $3.99
AUG181203    BARBARELLA #11 CVR E YARAR SUB VAR (MR)    $3.99
AUG181208    CHARLIES ANGELS #5 CVR A CIFUENTES    $3.99
AUG181209    CHARLIES ANGELS #5 CVR B EISMA    $3.99
AUG181197    FALLOUT TRADING CARD BOX    $95.76
MAR181491    LIBRARIANS TP VOL 01    $17.99
AUG181246    NANCY DREW #5 CVR A LOTAY    $3.99
AUG181247    NANCY DREW #5 CVR B LUPACCHINO    $3.99
AUG181248    NANCY DREW #5 CVR C ST ONGE    $3.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for October 31, 2018

IDW PUBLISHING

JUN180756    BATMAN ANIMATED SERIES GOTHAM UNDER SIEGE GAME    $49.99
AUG180761    BATMAN THE MAXX ARKHAM DREAMS #2 (OF 5) CVR A KIETH    $4.99
AUG180762    BATMAN THE MAXX ARKHAM DREAMS #2 (OF 5) CVR B KIETH    $4.99
APR180447    BILL SIENKIEWICZ MUTANTS & MOON KNIGHTS ARTIFACT ED HC    $125.00
AUG180797    SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #10 CVR A THOMAS    $3.99
AUG180798    SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #10 CVR B YARDLEY    $3.99
AUG180700    STAR WARS ADVENTURES #15 CVR A MAURICET    $3.99
AUG180701    STAR WARS ADVENTURES #15 CVR B FLOREAN    $3.99
AUG180693    STAR WARS TALES FROM VADERS CASTLE #5 (OF 5) CVR A FRANCAVIL    $3.99
AUG180694    STAR WARS TALES FROM VADERS CASTLE #5 (OF 5) CVR B WILSON II    $3.99
AUG180784    TANGLED HAIR RAISING ADVENTURES #2 (OF 3) CVR A PETROVICH (C    $3.99