DC COMICS:
Batman And The Outsiders #17 (Cover A Tyler Kirkham), $3.99
Batman And The Outsiders #17 (Cover B Sanford Greene), AR
Batman Three Jokers #1 (Of 3)(Jason Fabok Joker Shark 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $6.99
Batman Three Jokers #1 (Of 3)(Jason Fabok Joker Shark Black & White 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $6.99
Batman’s Grave #11 (Of 12)(Cover A Bryan Hitch), $3.99
Batman’s Grave #11 (Of 12)(Cover B Ashley Wood), AR
Dark Nights Death Metal #4 (Of 7)(Cover A Greg Capullo & Jonathan Glapion Card Stock Foil Embossed Variant), $4.99
Dark Nights Death Metal #4 (Of 7)(Cover B David Finch Darkseid Card Stock Variant), AR
Dark Nights Death Metal #4 (Of 7)(Cover C Alex Garner Superboy-Prime Card Stock Variant), AR
Dark Nights Death Metal #4 (Of 7)(Cover D Stanley Artgerm Lau Green Lantern John Stewart Card Stock Variant), AR
Dark Nights Death Metal #4 (Of 7)(Cover E Doug Mahnke), AR
Dark Nights Death Metal #4 (Of 7)(Cover F Greg Capullo & Jonathan Glapion Black & White Variant), AR
DC The Doomed And The Damned #1, $9.99
Detective Comics #1028 (Cover A Kenneth Rocafort), $3.99
Detective Comics #1028 (Cover B Lee Bermejo Card Stock Variant), AR
Dollhouse Family HC, $24.99
Doomsday Clock The Complete Collection HC, $39.99
Flash #763 (Cover A Bernard Chang), $3.99
Flash #763 (Cover B In-Hyuk Lee), AR
Green Lantern Season Two #8 (Of 12)(Cover A Liam Sharp), $3.99
Green Lantern Season Two #8 (Of 12)(Cover B Simone Bianchi), AR
Hawkman #28 (Cover A Mikel Janín), $3.99
Hawkman #28 (Cover B Sebastian Fiumara), AR
Justice League Odyssey #25 (Cover A Ladronn), $3.99
Justice League Odyssey #25 (Cover B Skan), AR
Rorschach #1 (Of 12)(Cover A Jorge Fornes), $4.99
Rorschach #1 (Of 12)(Cover B Jae Lee), AR
Rorschach #1 (Of 12)(Cover C Blank Variant), AR
Strange Adventures #6 (Of 12)(Cover A Mitch Gerads), $4.99
Strange Adventures #6 (Of 12)(Cover B Evan Doc Shaner), AR
Superman #26 (Cover A Ivan Reis & Joe Prado), $3.99
Superman #26 (Cover B Tony S. Daniel), AR
Swamp Thing Twin Branches TP, $16.99
Wonder Woman #764 (Cover A David Marquez), $3.99
Wonder Woman #764 (Cover B Joshua Middleton Card Stock Variant), AR
Wednesday, October 14, 2020
DC Comics from Lunar/UCS Distributors for October 13, 2020
Friday, October 9, 2020
#IReadsYou Review: BLUE FLAG Volume 2
BLUE FLAG, VOL. 2
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
MANGAKA: Kaito
TRANSLATION: Adrienne Beck
LETTERS: Annaliese Christman
EDITOR: Marlene First
ISBN: 978-1-9747-1302-8; paperback (June 2020); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
224pp, B&W, $12.99 US, $17.99 CAN, £9.99 UK
Ao no Flag is a high school romance manga written and drawn by Kaito. The manga was serialized on the online manga magazine, Shonen Jump+, from February 2017 to April 2020. VIZ Media is publishing Ao no Flag as a paperback graphic novel series, entitled Blue Flag, under its “VIZ Signature” imprint.
Blue Flag focuses on an unassuming high school student named Taichi Ichinose. It is his senior year at Aohama High School, and he finds himself in the same class as shy Futaba Kuze, of whom he has conflicted feelings. Taichi and Futaba begin to fall in love, but each has a same-sex best friend – Taichi's Toma Mita and Futaba's Masumi Itachi – who are in love with them.
As Blue Flag, Vol. 2 (Chapters 6 to 12) opens, it is time for Aohama High's school festival. Toma accepts the position of cheer squad captain on the condition that Taichi and Futaba participate. The problems are that Taichi does not want to participate, and that Futaba is deathly afraid of performing a cheer in front of the student body. Later, Masumi makes a series of surprising confessions to Taichi about her “boyfriend.” Plus, Toma, the captain of the school's baseball team, looks for success at the high school summer tournament
[This volume includes the bonus story, “After the Festival.”]
THE LOWDOWN: The Blue Flag manga is not any one thing. It is a mixture of genres and themes: romance, high school drama, coming-of-age, shonen, LGBTQ, and light comedy.
Blue Flag Graphic Novel Volume 2 is my first experience with the series. The series is so easy to read that readers do not have to read the first volume to understand the story. I would, however, recommend that due to the ending of Vol. 2 readers at least start the series with the second volume and not start with the third volume.
Kaito presents characters that are likable, even lovable, simply because the four leads have genuinely different personalities. That makes the desire, yearning, self-doubt, and internal and external conflict feel real because the characters are truly seeing things from their own different points of view. This is a high school romance that has dramatic heft. As usual, readers get a superb English translation from Adrienne Beck that makes every thing resonate with the reader. Also as usual, Annaliese Christman's lettering sets the tone for individual moments as well as for larger scenes.
I am utterly shocked by how much I like this second volume of Blue Flag. Honestly, I didn't expect much because of the title and Vol. 2's cover illustration. Neither hints at how powerful the story is.
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of coming-of-age stories and of LGBTQ-themed manga will want to read the “VIZ Signature” title Blue Flag.
10 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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Thursday, October 8, 2020
#IReadsYou Review: CHAOS CAMPUS: Extra Credit #9
APPROBATION COMICS
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
STORY: B. Alex Thompson – @ApproBAT
ART: Ricardo Mendez
COLORS: Alivon Ortiz
LETTERS: Krugos
EDITOR: B. Alex Thompson
COVER: Ricardo Mendez
BACK COVER: Ricardo Mendez
24pp, Color, $4.99 U.S./$1.99 digital-comic (2018; digital release date – October 24, 2018)
Rated: Teen 13+ / 15+ Only – comiXology rating
Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies created by B. Alex Thompson
“Connective Tissue”
Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies is a zombie apocalypse comic book series that mixes in elements of comedy, horror, and adventure. Chaos Chaos is set during a zombie invasion and follows the adventures of three members of the sorority, Epsilon Alpha Zeta Upsilon (EAZY): ass-kickin’ Jamie Lynn Schaeffer, brainy and magic-wielding Paige Helena Patton, and sexy Brittany Ann Miller.
Chaos Campus: Extra Credit is a “side series” to the main series. It offers readers something “extra,” and is also set in the continuity to the main series. Both series are the creation of B. Alex Thompson and are published by Thompson's company, Approbation Comics. Chaos Campus: Extra Credit is written by Thompson; drawn by Ricardo Mendez; colored by Alivon Oritz; and lettered by Krugos.
Chaos Campus: Extra Credit #9 finds the girls back on campus thanks to an inter-dimensional portal. Paige is using her considerable supernatural power in an attempt to bring zombies back to life. The girls are caught up in a bid to help a doctor, Ian, and his sister, Linz, rid themselves of an infection that has transformed them into something similar to vampires. The laboratory of Linz and Ian's father could hold help for them, but it is having some nuclear meltdown issues...
Chaos Campus: Extra Credit #9 is not one of B. Alex Thompson's better efforts, but it is still enjoyable. Why? As I have written before, Thompson has refined his sexy Chaos Campus trio into the kind of comic book characters that can attract a following. The story does not always have to be the best, because they are the best. Obviously, they have caught my interest.
I find myself becoming more attracted to the art by Ricardo Mendez the more I see it. His graphical storytelling is good, if not stylish, and I like his take on the Chaos Campus girls. Mendez's art benefits from the strong coloring by Alivon Ortiz. The colors are pretty and the effects and separations are spectacular; the reds really convey the sense of an impending nuclear disaster. Letterer Krugo, as usual, gets the most out of his sound effects when they convey the sounds of zombies, gunfire, and action-violence.
So, for those who can't get enough zombie-action from the main series, try Chaos Campus: Extra Credit #9. You, dear reader, can even get this “Extra Credit” from comiXology.
7 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
Buy Chaos Campus: Extra Credit #9 at comiXology.
www.ApprobationComics.com
www.AlexThompsonWriter.com
The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint or syndication rights and fees.
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
#IReadsYou Review: TWIN STAR EXORCISTS: Volume 16
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia
MANGAKA: Yoshiaki Sukeno
TRANSLATION: Tetsuichiro Miyaki
ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Bryant Turnage
LETTERS: Stephen Dutro
EDITOR: Annette Roman
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0776-8; paperback (September 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
200pp, B&W, $9.99 US, $12.99 CAN, £6.99 U.K.
Sōsei no Onmyōji is a shonen manga series written and illustrated by Yoshiaki Sukeno. The manga has been serialized in the Japanese manga magazine, Jump Square, since October 2013. VIZ Media is publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a series of paperback graphic novels, entitled Twin Star Exorcists. VIZ released the series first under its “Shonen Jump Advanced” imprint, and then, under its “Shonen Jump” imprint, beginning July 2015.
Twin Star Exorcists focuses on Rokuro Enmado. He did not want to be an exorcist, but he met a mysterious girl named Benio Adashino. This 14-year-old was serious about being an exorcist, and she wanted to fight the monstrous creatures called Kegare. Because their destinies are intertwined, Rokuro and Benio are called the “Twin Star Exorcists.” They are fated to marry... and to conceive the “Prophesied Child.”
As Twin Star Exorcists, Vol. 16 (Chapters 57 to 60) opens, the “Yuto Punitive Expedition” into Magano, the realm of the Kegare, has turned into a disaster. This was to be a minor mission, but the exorcists were met by four risk-level, “SS,” Basara (a Kegare that can speak and is more powerful). Two of the Twelve Guardians have been killed, but before passing on, they have passed on their spiritual guides. Meanwhile, what is Rokuro up to?
[This volume includes bonus drawings.]
THE LOWDOWN: As I've said in previous reviews, the Twin Star Exorcists manga is usually in a constant state of flux, as creator Yoshiaki Sukeno introduces new characters and new subplots at a steady rate. There are other times when the narrative goes still and focuses intensely on violence and combat, a state in which it currently... rests.
Twin Star Exorcists Graphic Novel Volume 16 focuses on the Yuto Punitive Expedition. Creator Yoshiaki Sukeno is using the story arc to introduce the next generation of the Twelve Guardians. The histories, origins, and back stories of these characters are poignant, and Sukeno has provided the material to make them exceptional characters for an exceptional manga.
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of action-fantasy, shonen manga will want to try the “Shonen Jump” manga, Twin Star Exorcists.
A
9 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
https://www.viz.com/
https://twitter.com/VIZMedia
https://www.instagram.com/vizmedia/
https://www.facebook.com/OfficialVIZMedia
https://www.snapchat.com/add/vizmedia
The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.
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Tuesday, October 6, 2020
#IReadsYou Review: LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1
LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #1 (2020)
DC COMICS – @DCComics
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
SCRIPT: Brian Michael Bendis
PENCILS: Ryan Sook
INKS: Ryan Sook and Wade von Grawbadger
COLORS: Jordie Bellaire
LETTERS: Dave Sharpe
EDITOR: Brian Cunningham
COVER: Ryan Sook
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Ryan Sook; Jim Cheung with Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2020)
Rated “T+” for “Teen Plus”
Legion of Super-Heroes created by writer Otto Binder and artist Al Plastino; Superboy created by Jerry Siegel
The Legion of Super-Heroes is a DC Comics superhero team created by writer Otto Binder and artist Al Plastino. First appearing in Adventure Comics #247 (cover dated: April 1958), the Legion is a group of super-powered beings living in the 30th and 31st centuries of the DC Comics Universe.
Initially, the Legion of Super-Heroes was portrayed as a group of time travelers and was closely associated with the original version of Superboy. [Created by Superman co-creator Jerry Siegel, the original Superboy was depicted as Superman/Clark Kent being a superhero when he was a teenager.] It was in Adventure Comics #247 that Superboy met three teenagers from the 30th century: Lightning Boy, Saturn Girl, and Cosmic Boy. They were members of a “super-hero club,” called the “Legion of Super-Heroes,” that had been formed with Superboy as its inspiration.
Lightning Boy, Saturn Girl, and Cosmic Boy had time traveled to the past to recruit Superboy as a member of their club. After a series of tests, Superboy was awarded membership and returned to his own time. Strangely, this adventure was intended as a one-off story focusing on Superboy, but the Legion of Super-Heroes proved so popular that the team returned for an encore in Adventure Comics #267 (December 1959), on their way to being a stable of the DC Comics.
The Legion's origin story has been rebooted a few times, and Superboy's part in the Legion's origin story has been omitted or altered. Legion of Super-Heroes comic book series have come and gone, but the popular team has returned in a new series, entitled Legion of Super-Heroes, of course. It is written by Brian Michael Bendis; drawn by Ryan Sook (pencils) and Wade von Grawbadger (inks); colored by Jordie Bellaire; and lettered by Dave Sharpe. The new series focuses on a Legion that has banded together to stop the galaxy from repeating its past mistakes.
Legion of Super-Heroes #1 finds Ultra Boy chasing a murderous group of aliens belonging to the race known as “the Horraz.” In these alien's possession is a canister that contains an ancient and powerful device, and they were apparently delivering it to “Mordru” the demon gangster. Luckily, Legionnaires Karate Kid, Wildfire, and Star Boy arrive to help Ultra Boy.
Meanwhile, the Legion of Super-Heroes has pulled Superboy/Jon Kent from the time stream with the intent of making him the newest Legionnaire. By doing this, however, the Legion may have done something terribly wrong.
I recently came across an interview of writer Brian Michael Bendis in which he said that he wanted to do upbeat stories set in the future. In this new Legion of Super-Heroes #1, Bendis has written his best first issue for DC Comics since his tenure began in 2018. It is indeed exciting and spiffy and full of bubbly Legionnaires, to say nothing of their awesome headquarters. I am not a devoted Legion of Super-Heroes fan, so I am happy with this first issue, although I don't know if it will satisfy the biggest Legion fans. I would like to see future issues really delve into the characters.
Ryan Sook's art recalls DC Comics' space age and early Silver Age comic book art. The storytelling is clear, and Wade von Grawbadger's inks give Sook's pencils weight and heft. Grawbadger's inks also make Sook's pencils look like the pencil art of Stuart Immonen, with whom Grawbadger has formed one of the best art teams of the last several years.
As usual Jordie Bellaire's colors are a delight. Here, she gives some of the pages candy-colored hints. Dave Sharpe's sharp lettering completes the futuristic vibe of the story. And Ryan Sook's cover art for this first issue will make it stand out on comic book shelves.
So, yeah, this is only the first issue, but I'm excited for a Legion of Super-Heroes comic book series in a way that I have not been in decades. I don't know if it will make me a devoted Legionnaire, but I really like the start for Legion of Super-Heroes 2020.
8 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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Monday, October 5, 2020
BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for October 7, 2020
BOOM! STUDIOS
JUN200802 BOLIVAR SC $14.99
AUG200991 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #18 CVR A MAIN $3.99
AUG200992 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #18 CVR B SAUVAGE VAR $3.99
AUG200993 BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #18 CVR C CAREY FIRE VAR $3.99
JUN200768 MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS RISE OF DRAKKON TP $29.99
JUN200806 OVER GARDEN WALL SISTERS OF CHARITY ORIGINAL GN $14.99
AUG200970 WE ONLY FIND THEM WHEN THEYRE DEAD #2 CVR A MAIN $3.99
AUG200971 WE ONLY FIND THEM WHEN THEYRE DEAD #2 CVR B INFANTE VAR $3.99
Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 7, 2020
DARK HORSE COMICS
AUG200428 ALIEN ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY #3 (OF 5) CVR A BALBI (RES) $3.99
AUG200429 ALIEN ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY #3 (OF 5) CVR B SIMONSON STEWART ( $3.99
AUG200420 BANG #4 (OF 5) CVR A TORRES (RES) $3.99
AUG200421 BANG #4 (OF 5) CVR B KINDT (RES) $3.99
JUN200341 BLADE OF IMMORTAL DLX ED HC VOL 01 (MR) $49.99
AUG200419 CYBERPUNK 2077 TRAUMA TEAM #2 (OF 4) (MR) $3.99
JUN200295 DADDY DAUGHTER DAY HC $17.99
AUG200377 NEIL GAIMAN NORSE MYTHOLOGY #1 CVR A RUSSELL (RES) $3.99
AUG200378 NEIL GAIMAN NORSE MYTHOLOGY #1 CVR B MACK (RES) $3.99
AUG200426 ORVILLE #2 LAUNCH DAY (PT 1 OF 2) $3.99
AUG200413 SPY ISLAND #2 (OF 4) CVR A MITERNIQUE (RES) $3.99
AUG200414 SPY ISLAND #2 (OF 4) CVR B MITERNIQUE (RES) $3.99
JUN200300 WORLD OF BLACK HAMMER LIBRARY ED HC VOL 01 (RES) $49.99