#IReadsYou Review: The Adventures of NIKKI HARRIS the Cybermation Witch: Omnibus Vol. 2

THE ADVENTURES OF NIKKI HARRIS THE CYBERMATION WITCH OMNIBUS VOL. 2
CANDLE LIGHT PRESS/Warning Comics – @candlelightpres @attila71

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONIST: Carter Allen
ISBN:  978-0-9895371-2-4; paperback (May 13, 2019)
24pp, Color, $19.95 U.S.

Carter Allen:  prolific cartoonist, comic book artist, and graphic novelist, presents the second of two trade collections of his comic book series, The Adventures of Nikki Harris the Cybermation Witch.  Nikki Harris is a science fiction comic book character who made annual appearances in her own comic book series for a little over a decade.

The latest (but hopefully not last) Nikki Harris publication is The Adventures of Nikki Harris the Cybermation Witch Omnibus Vol. 2.  This full color paperback book reprints The Adventures of Nikki Harris the Cybermation Witch issues #6-12.  This includes seven stories, several pages of pin-up art, and a character profile.

These seven issues of The Adventures of Nikki Harris the Cybermation Witch find Nikki Harris facing a science fiction rogue’s gallery of diabolical adversaries:

Issue #6 (“Attack of the Hunter”) – Nikki returns to Earth, having just stopped Nautilie's machinations on the planet, Qua (Issue #5).  Now, a mysterious nemesis has sought the services of an assassin to kill Nikki.  Our heroine could use a break and a pick-me-up, but Tile the Hunter strikes hard at Nikki.  And for the first time, Nikki looks like she may not come out on top.

Issue #7 (“Nikki Harris and the Kaninium Mines of Util”) – The Broomstick, a slick space craft, soars into the depths of space.  Aboard this fast and nimble ship is Nikki, called to the mining planet of Util to solve a mystery.  The planet is the only source of the miracle mineral, Kaninium.

Issue #8 (“Fire”) – On the planet Infantino, Nikki awaits the arrival of Ambassador Royks to whom she will act as a bodyguard.  He is attending an important peace summit, and if the summit fails there will be war between many star systems.  The fate of the galaxy seems to be in Nikki's hands, and she must also deal with the pesky, Farrah Heit.

Issue #9 (“Ice”) – On the edge of our solar system is the planet (planetoid), Pluto.  The people of Pluto are up in arms against the government, and the frustration is boiling over, enough to scare the administration in Pluto City, the capitol of the planet.  Now, Governor Plequeq calls Nikki Harris for help, but the threat is bigger and older than our crazy-sexy-cool heroine realizes.

Issue #10 (“Save the Day”) – On Dogura Prime, Nikki Harris makes time to stop a bank robbery.  There is a new superhero team in town, “Justice C,” and its members think Nikki is more trouble than she is worth.  Captain Cyclops, Arma Oculta, Crimson Cload, Lectronik, Burbuja, and Tiger Titan believe they have everything in hand, and that Nikki should learn to play better with others.  The Green Stygma thinks they all suck.

Issue #11 (“In the Grip of Evil”) – Now, on Earth, Nikki is no more; she is now Siste Søster, and she is doing the damn evil thing.  The battle with Green Stygma forced Nikki to turn all bad girl, and Stygma's now her pal and partner.  But can Siste Søster prove to the evil cybermation witches that this ain't no sister act and that she is no longer Nikki Harris?  A sacrifice is needed, while in orbit above Earth, the real power plots.

Issue #12 (“Take the Long Way Home”) – Nikki learns that flying into the maw of the alien deity, Gar-Lahk, does not have the effect she desired.  Nikki, however, is nothing if not resourceful, but her new plan may mean the end of her.  Can Nikki's colleague, Berzing, convince Nikki not risk time and space in order to destroy Gar-Lahk?

I am happy about the recent publication of The Adventures of Nikki Harris the Cybermation Witch Omnibus Vol. 2.  The first reason is because I am a fan of Nikki Harris, and the second reason is that a trade collection, such as an omnibus, is a good way for you to become a Nikki Harris fan, dear readers.  Seriously, this is the best way to read the series, especially since many of the last issues are connected as an overall final story arc.  Besides in this one handy edition, this omnibus captures the graphical, visual, and storytelling elements that make Nikki Harris’ adventures a unique comic book reading experience.

The Adventures of Nikki Harris the Cybermation Witch Omnibus Volume 2 also contains the stories that really defined Nikki has a top sci-fi heroine for me.  From “Dale Arden” to “Princess Leia Organa,” Nikki Harris is in the tradition of the female heroes that have appeared in science fiction serials, film, and TV.  However, Nikki is also a modern superhero.  I find her to be like the rebooted Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers, but with a bit more of a sparkling sense of humor and wit.

The Adventures of Nikki Harris the Cybermation Witch Omnibus Vol. 2 also gives readers a chance to enjoy Carter Allen's sparkling sense of humor and wit.  His imaginative stories always seem fresh; too bad Nikki is over (or seems to be).  Allen's candy-colored art with its radiant colors are eye candy even when reading the graphical storytelling.  This second Nikki Harris omnibus can join the first so that readers can enjoy the evolution of new superhero and sci-fi heroine.

9.5 out of 10

www.candlelightpress.com
www.nikkithewitch.com

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


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: FARMHAND #10

FARMHAND No. 10
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Rob Guillory – @Rob_guillory
ART: Rob Guillory
COLORS: Taylor Wells
LETTERS: Kody Chamberlain
32pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S.(July 2019)

Rated “M/ Mature”

Farmhand created by Rob Guillory

Chapter 10: “In Vocation”

Farmhand is a dark fantasy comic book series from comic book creator, Rob Guillory.  Guillory is also known for his award-winning tenure on the long-running comic book, Chew (Image Comics), with writer John Layman.  Farmhand is written and illustrated by Guillory; colored by Taylor Wells; and lettered by Kody Chamberlain (who also designed the Farmhand logo).

Farmhand's central character is Ezekiel “Zeke” Jenkins, a husband, father, and graphic designer and illustrator.  He returns to his hometown of Freetown, Louisiana with his wife, Mae, and their children, Abigail and Riley.  The old family business was “Jenkins Family Farm.”  The new family business is “Jenkins Family Farmaceutical Institute,” operated by Zeke's father, Jedidiah Jenkins, and his sister, Andrea.  It grows plant-based human organs and tissue, and once upon a time, people, especially transplant recipients, saw this as a miracle.  But, now...

As Farmhand #10 (“In Vocation”) opens, the secrets of Mayor Monica Thorne continue their gradual emergence.  Meanwhile, Thorne has to keep playing the role of dutiful public servant, and Jedidiah Jenkins' carelessness has given her the cover she needs.  Recipients of Jenkins' miracle seed-transplants are in a state of crisis, and one of them nearly kills Jedidiah.  Andrea Jenkins finds herself recalling these unfortunate people to the Jenkins Institute to receive help for their new conditions.

And now, in need of job, Zeke is helping Andrew fix this mess as a paid “communications consultant.”  But a sudden recollection of his past has Zeke... seeing things from a green point of view.

In my previous reviews of this excellent comic book, I consistently connected Farmhand to the work of late television writer and producer, Rod Serling, and his legendary TV series, “The Twilight Zone.”  This second story arc, which began with issue #6 and ends with #10, also recalls the work of legendary modern horror novelist and short story writer, Stephen King.

Farmhand's sophomore arc does not suffer from the dreaded sophomore slump.  It slowly emerges like a cobra before a snake charmer and his “pungi.”  This arc takes its time, toying with the readers the way a cat bats around a mouse – before delivering the killing blow.  This is the way the first half of King's classic small town horror novel, 'Salem's Lot (1975), works.  The denizens of 'Salem's Lot play out their small town melodramas never aware that “The Master” is already in their midst, well into his elaborate meal.  In Farmhand, the players live on a meal of denial, until indigestion sets in.

With each issue, Guillory makes the world of Farmhand richer and darker.  Honestly, sometimes, I wondered how far he could take this series, but it seems as if he never runs out of seeds and ideas.  Every issue presents another “mean green mutha” of an idea or two or three.

The “green mutha” would not be so mean without Taylor Wells' glorious coloring.  Wells is the sunshine in this garden of unearthly delights, and an Eisner Award nomination is due Wells, not because the colors are pretty, which they are.  Farmhand would not be the same without Wells, who gives this apocalypse the color of life.

With letterer Kody Chamberlain delivering a photosynthesis-tic beat, Farmhand is complete.  So where is Rob Guillory taking readers?  If the first ten issues are any indication (and they are), the future is a trip into “pure imagination.”

[This comic book also includes the one-page comic, “Freetown Funnies” by Burt Durand.]

https://robguillory.com/
https://twitter.com/Rob_guillory
https://www.instagram.com/rob_guillory/

10 of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: ESCAPE JOURNEY Volume 3

ESCAPE JOURNEY, VOL. 3
SUBLIME MANGA/Libre Publishing – @SuBLimeManga

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

MANGAKA: Ogeretsu Tanaka
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
LETTERS: Mara Coman
EDITOR: Jennifer LeBlanc
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0647-1; paperback (June 2019); Rated “M” for “Mature”
170pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S. (6.99 digital), $17.99 CAN, £8.99 UK

Escape Journey is a yaoi manga from manga creator, Ogeretsu Tanaka.  Yaoi manga is a subset of boys' love (or BL) manga, which depicts amorous situations between male characters.  Yaoi manga usually features explicit depictions of sex between those males.  Escape Journey focuses on two former high school lovers forced back together when they attend the same university.

Naoto Hisami and Taichi Hase were high school lovers.  Naoto thought they were dating, but during a heated argument, Taichi tells Naoto, “You're nothing but a fuck buddy I blow off steam with sometimes.”  That leads Naoto to dump Taichi's ass.  A year later, Naoto is a student at S University, a liberal arts college.  Still angry about what Taichi said to him, Naoto is shocked to see him on campus.  The two soon find themselves forced together, again, with Taichi being an aggressive seme (top) to Naoto's submissive uke (bottom).

As Escape Journey, Vol. 3 (Chapters 13 to 15 to Final Chapter) opens, the rift that had opened between Naoto and Taichi closes.  Once again, they are back in each other's arms and having the best (and most graphic) make-up sex.  Now, determined to be together forever, they must face their family and friends and reveal that they are a couple, even as they prepare to graduate from college.

For Taichi that means dealing with his estranged mother, who abandoned Taichi and his father (and her husband) to make a new family.  How his mother handles what he has to tell her will determine if Taichi will ever have a relationship with her.  For Naota, he has to tell his parents and his three siblings, but how will they react to his “adult adoption” idea?

Meanwhile, Naoto's best-friend-forever, Mika Yuki, is furious that she cannot get in touch with him.  How will she react when she learns that Naoto has a boyfriend and he never told her?!

[This volume includes a bonus story, “Special Escape” and “Afterword.”]

Yaoi manga is not pornography, but it can feature explicit and even highly graphic depictions of two males engaged in sexual intercourse.  Explicit depictions of sexual intercourse may be inevitable in this genre, but yaoi mangaka delivers boys' love stories that are about drama, character, and romance.  In the best of the genre, the creators also take their characters' careers, professions, jobs, and/or social status seriously.

Escape Journey Graphic Novel Volume 3 is the final volume of the Escape Journey series, and it features as much explicit gay sex as the previous two volumes.  In fact, the “Special Escape” episode of Vol. 3 is essentially an extra dose of sexual intercourse for readers.

However, Escape Journey is more about the drama and the characters – their lives, personalities, hopes, and conflicts.  Creator Ogeretsu Tanaka went into as much detail in drama and character as she did in drawing hot, sweaty, and fluids-heavy sex.  By focusing so much on drama and character, Tanaka made the graphic sex scenes become beautifully composed sequences of intimacy and lovemaking.  By the end of the final chapter of Vol. 3, readers may not know what the future holds for this young couple, but we believe that they are truly, madly, deeply in love.

Dear readers, I cannot escape the fact that Escape Journey is one of the best yaoi manga and romance comics that I have ever read, and I will insist that it is a must-read for fans of boys' love manga.  Escape Journey Vol. 3 practically demands an encore series.

9 out of 10

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

For up-to-date news and release information, please visit the SuBLime website at SubBLimeManga.com, or follow SuBLime on Twitter at @SuBLimeManga, Facebook at facebook.com/SuBLimeManga, Tumblr at http://sublimemanga.tumblr.com/, and Instagram at @sublimemanga/.


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.


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#IReadsYou Review: UNCANNY X-MEN #1 (2019)

UNCANNY X-MEN #1 (2019) – Legacy #620
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Ed Brisson, Matthew Rosenberg, and Kelly Thompson
ART: Mahmud Asrar; Mirko Colak; Ibraim Roberson
PENCILS: Mark Bagley
INKS: Andrew Hennessy
COLORS: Rachelle Rosenberg
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Leinil Francis Yu with Edgar Delgado
EDITOR: Jordan White with Darren Shan
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: David Finch with Frank D'Armata; Jim Cheung with Justin Ponsor; Scott Williams with Ryan Kinnaird; Carlos Pacheco and Rafael Fonteriz with Edgar Delgado; Joe Quesada with Richard Isanove; Rob Liefeld with Romulo Fajardo, Jr.; Dave Cockrum with Jason; Dave Cockrum
72pp, Color, $7.99 U.S. (January 2019)

Rated T+

X-Men created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

“Disassembled” Part 1; “What Tomorrow Brings” Parts One – “A Bishop Story”; Part Two – “A Jean Grey Story”; Part Three – “An Armor & Angle Story”; Epilogue

There is no point in trying to count the number of times that Marvel Comics has relaunched, reinvigorated, or quasi-rebooted its X-Men comic book franchise since 2001's New X-Men.  This week we got the third(?) Uncanny X-Men relaunch.

Uncanny X-Men 2019 is written by the team of Ed Brisson, Matthew Rosenberg, and Kelly Thompson.  The artists and art teams will rotate, as the first nine issues of this new series will be published weekly.  The artists for this first issue are Mahmud Asrar (pencils-inks); Mirko Colak (pencils-inks); Ibraim Roberson (pencils-inks); and the team of Mark Bagley (pencils) and Andrew Hennessy (inks).  Rachelle Rosenberg colors and Joe Caramanga letters this first issue.

Uncanny X-Men #1 begins with the main story, “Disassembled” Part 1.  The story opens with Jean Grey having a dream about an invasion of multiple copies of Multiple Man, each one demanding the whereabouts of Kitty Pryde.  Meanwhile, Kitty is among the members of the X-Men who are suddenly disappearing.  Who is behind this mystery?  In a series of back-up stories, Bishop, Jean Grey & Storm, and Armor & Anole take on a foe capable of possessing people in the days leading up to the events depicted in the main story.

20th Century Fox's X-Men film franchise has had some spectacular successes and some failures since the franchise's first film, 2000's X-Men.  In that time, X-Men comic books have been mostly hit and miss.  There have been some interesting, even good series; All New X-Men, New X-Men, and X-Men: The Hidden Years come to mind.  However, the “golden age” of X-Men comic books was over by the mid-1980s, and the various owners of Marvel Comics have ruined the franchise by turning it into a cash cow that has vomited money.  A deluge of X-Men and X-Men-related ongoing series, miniseries, one-shots, specials, graphic novels, and reprint and archival publications in various formats, etc. were money makers.  The quality of these comic books varied wildly.  Some were good.  Some were mediocre.  Some were plain awful.

Personally, I think that without a radical rethinking of the X-Men concept, the best we can hope for is that maybe each new iteration of a flagship X-Men comic book, Uncanny X-Men or the recent X-Men: Blue and X-Men: Gold, can yield at least a year's worth of good comic books.  Gold and Blue barely did that.

I like that Uncanny X-Men 2019 will be weekly for its first nine issues.  I wish that Marvel and DC Comics published more weekly titles.  Rather than have a bunch of crappy Justice League titles, have one that is published weekly and features rotating casts and creative teams.  If Uncanny X-Men's writing team can maintain this first issue's sense of mystery and keep offering cliffhangers like the ones in this issue, then, this will be a fun run of nine issues.

So I have some hope, but, without going into spoilers, nothing in Uncanny X-Men #1 2019 suggests that this comic book will approach the first quarter-century of X-Men publications, which offered quite a few stories that went on to become classics.  But there is enough here to suggest that this could be a solid title.  I want to be surprised and delighted.

7 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douressaeux 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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#IReadsYou Review: BATMAN: Damned #3

BATMAN: DAMNED No. 3
DC COMICS/DC Black Label – @DCComics

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Brian Azzarello
ART: Lee Bermejo
COLORS: Lee Bermejo
LETTERS: Jared K. Fletcher
EDITOR: Mark Doyle
COVER: Lee Bermejo
VARIANT COVER: Jim Lee with Alex Sinclair
48pp, Color, $6.99 U.S. (August 2019)

Mature Readers

Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger

Batman: Damned is the three-issue comic book miniseries written by Brian Azzarello, drawn by Lee Bermejo, and lettered by Jared K. Fletcher that launched DC Comics' “DC Black Label” prestige imprint.  Published in an over-sized softcover format (8.5” x 10.875”), Batman: Damned #1 gained attention and created controversy when it was discovered that the art included a depiction of Bruce Wayne/Batman's penis.  There have been reports on various comic book news sites that the later issues of the series were delayed so that portions of the story could be redrawn to remove potentially controversial content.

Suddenly, what was supposed to be a “mature audience” imprint, DC Black Label, had to tone down its content and attitude.  Supposedly, some announced projects for the imprint were canceled or were being rewritten – to be toned down.  Sadly, Batman: Damned #2, which seemed like filler material, could have used the depiction of a good stiff penis (say, Deadman's) to liven up the proceedings.

The central focus of Batman: Damned is that The Joker is dead, and that maybe Batman is the one who killed him... But Batman cannot remember, and there may be some sinister and thus far unknown force that done the deed.  Are John Constantine and Deadman Batman's true allies in solving this mystery?  And why is Batman recalling such a horrifying version of his youth, especially concerning his late (and murdered) mother, Martha Wayne?

Batman: Damned #3 opens with Batman in a grave.  And Swamp Thing thinks Batman should not trust John Constantine.  Now, Batman must face his worst nightmares and the stunning truth about the death of The Joker.

I don't want to spoil Batman: Damned #3, although it has been out for about two weeks now.  I can say that the title is literal, and that it has a stunning ending.  I did suspect that Batman was an unreliable narrator, because he was dead, so...

I can also say that the art by Lee Bermejo's art is as beautiful ever.  In fact, in terms of story, Bermejo does his best work of the series in Batman: Damned #3 with this powerful graphical storytelling.  Jared K. Fletcher's lettering is simple, yet so evocative and powerful.  Brian Azzarello, after delivering empty, tattered Gothic trappings, gives us a powerful finale this is actual storytelling.

I think the problem with Batman: Damned is that Brian Azzarello had an idea for what is essentially a story that belongs in a Batman Annual or in one of those 48 or 64-page Batman “Elseworlds” comic books.  Anything more than 100 pages, which the total page count of Batman: Damned exceeds, is simply a story stretched too thin and is a consumer product that is not honestly released to consumers.

So, at least they got Batman: Damned #3 mostly right.  In fact, this last issue is good enough to warrant a sequel – of a certain page count, of course.

7.5 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2019 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 December 25 or 26, 2019

BOOM! STUDIOS

AUG191384    FAITHLESS TP (MR)    $17.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 25 or 26, 2019

DARK HORSE COMICS

OCT190333    FIGHT CLUB 3 #12 CVR A MACK (MR)    $3.99
OCT190334    FIGHT CLUB 3 #12 CVR B FEGREDO (MR)    $3.99
OCT190304    MASK I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE MASK #3 (OF 4) CVR A REYNOLD    $3.99
OCT190305    MASK I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE MASK #3 (OF 4) CVR B JOHNSON    $3.99