Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for November 18, 2020

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

JUN200838    21ST CENTURIONS #3    $5.95
SEP201139    A GIRL WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT #1 CVR A DEWEESE    $3.99
SEP201140    A GIRL WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT #1 CVR B WALTER LTD ED    $3.99
SEP201353    AGGRETSUKO MEET HER FRIENDS #1 CVR A DUBOIS    $3.99
SEP201354    AGGRETSUKO MEET HER FRIENDS #1 CVR B ANDERSON    $3.99
SEP201400    ANGELA DELLA MORTE VOL 2 #3    $3.95
AUG201831    ARAKAWA UNDER THE BRIDGE GN VOL 08    $12.95
SEP201410    ATLANTIS WASN`T BUILT FOR TOURISTS #3    $3.99
SEP201118    B & V BEST FRIENDS JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #286    $7.99
SEP201135    BAD MOTHER #4 (OF 5) (MR)    $3.99
SEP201702    BEASTARS GN VOL 09    $12.99
SEP201278    BIG SHE BANG HERSTORY OF UNIVERSE HC (RES)    $32.50
SEP201487    BLADE RUNNER 2019 #12 CVR A DAGNINO (MR)    $3.99
SEP201488    BLADE RUNNER 2019 #12 CVR B MEAD (MR)    $3.99
SEP201489    BLADE RUNNER 2019 #12 CVR C GUINALDO (MR)    $3.99
AUG201835    BLOOD ON TRACKS GN VOL 03 (MR)    $12.95
SEP201404    BOGART CREEK TP VOL 02    $14.99
AUG201915    BREASTS ARE MY FAVORITE THINGS IN WORLD GN VOL 02 (MR)    $13.00
AUG201913    BUNGO STRAY DOGS GN VOL 16    $13.00
SEP201625    CARDCAPTOR SAKURA CLEAR CARD GN VOL 08    $10.99
SEP201624    CARDCAPTOR SAKURA COLL ED HC VOL 06 (OF 9)    $29.99
AUG201065    CARMINE #2 CVR A SARRASECA (MR)    $3.99
AUG201066    CARMINE #2 CVR B DATTOLI (MR)    $3.99
APR201975    CATALYST PRIME SEVEN DAYS TP VOL 01    $19.99
DEC191411    CAVEWOMAN GREATEST HITS ONE SHOT CVR A MASSEY (MR)    $3.99
SEP201411    CHILDREN OF THE GRAVE #1    $3.99
SEP201167    CISCO KID JOSE LUIS SALINAS & REED TP VOL 05 1959-1961    $25.95
JUL201781    CITRUS PLUS GN VOL 02 (MR)    $13.99
SEP201377    CITY MONSTER GN    $18.00
SEP201231    COMPLETE NOIR MANCHETTE TARDI HC BOX SET STREETS PARIS (MR)    $59.99
AUG201970    D FRAG GN VOL 14 (RES)    $12.99
SEP208238    DARK INTERLUDE #1 15 COPY INCV WIJNGAARD (MR)    $3.99
SEP208239    DARK INTERLUDE #1 30 COPY INCV WIJNGAARD DLX FOIL (MR)    $3.99
SEP201542    DARK INTERLUDE #1 CVR A KRISTANTINA (MR)    $3.99
SEP201543    DARK INTERLUDE #1 CVR B DANIEL GOODEN (MR)    $3.99
SEP201544    DARK INTERLUDE #1 CVR C ISAACS (MR)    $3.99
AUG201971    DAYS OF LOVE AT SEAGULL VILLA GN VOL 01 (MR)    $12.99
SEP201030    DEAD DAY #5    $3.99
OCT201278    DESCENT INTO DREAD    $15.99
OCT201632    DESPERATE PLEASURES GN (MR)    $16.95
SEP201553    DEVILS RED BRIDE #2 CVR A BIVENS (MR)    $3.99
SEP201554    DEVILS RED BRIDE #2 CVR B GOODEN DANIEL (MR)    $3.99
OCT201371    DF BATMAN ADVENTURES CONTINUE #1 LOUW EXC    $39.99
OCT201372    DF GIANT SIZE XMEN #1 DX DERRICK CHEW EXC    $39.99
OCT201373    DF HARLEY QUINN #75 LOUW EXC    $39.99
OCT201374    DF VENOM #25 CRAIN EXC    $39.99
JUL201172    DISNEY MASTERS HC VOL 14 KINNEY HUBBARD DUCK FEARLESS LEADER    $29.99
SEP201470    DOCTOR WHO COMICS #1 CVR A MOMOKO    $3.99
SEP201471    DOCTOR WHO COMICS #1 CVR B PHOTO    $3.99
SEP201472    DOCTOR WHO COMICS #1 CVR C JONES    $3.99
SEP201473    DOCTOR WHO COMICS #1 CVR D ANDOLFO    $3.99
SEP201474    DOCTOR WHO COMICS #1 CVR E STOTT    $3.99
SEP201475    DOCTOR WHO COMICS #1 CVR F BLANK SKETCH    $3.99
SEP208682    DOCTOR WHO COMICS #1 CVR G MOMOKO FOC VIRGIN    $3.99
SEP201482    DOCTOR WHO TIME LORD VICTORIOUS TP VOL 01    $16.99
AUG201973    DUNGEON BUILDER LABYRINTH MODERN CITY GN VOL 03 (MR)    $12.99
SEP201237    EC COMICS FOUR HC SLIPCASE VOL 05    $99.99
SEP201040    EDGAR ALLAN POE`S SNIFTER OF BLOOD #2 (MR)    $4.99
SEP201549    ENGINEWARD #5 CVR A EISMA    $3.99
SEP201550    ENGINEWARD #5 CVR B HICKMAN    $3.99
AUG201455    FANTASTIC TALES OF NOTHING GN VOL 01    $12.99
AUG201456    FANTASTIC TALES OF NOTHING HC GN VOL 01    $22.99
JUL200956    FEMFORCE #190    $5.95
SEP201414    FRANK AT HOME ON THE FARM #1    $3.99
SEP201704    FULLMETAL ALCHEMIST FULLMETAL ED HC VOL 11    $19.99
AUG201850    FUTARIBEYA MANGA GN VOL 07 ROOM FOR TWO (RES)    $12.99
AUG201974    GAL GOHAN GN VOL 05 (MR)    $12.99
OCT192359    GAMBLING APOCALYPSE KAIJI GN VOL 02    $21.95
SEP208598    GHOST IN THE SHELL HUMAN ALGORITHM VOL 01    $12.99
JUL201788    GIGANT GN VOL 03 (MR)    $13.99
SEP201533    GINSENG ROOTS #7    $6.00
SEP201630    GO WITH CLOUDS NORTH BY NORTHWEST GN VOL 04 (RES)    $12.95
SEP201043    GOON BUNCH OF OLD CRAP TP VOL 03 (RES)    $29.99
AUG201798    GRANBLUE FANTASY GN VOL 07    $14.99
SEP201136    GRENDEL KY #3 (OF 4) (MR)    $3.99
SEP201046    GRUMBLE MEMPHIS & BEYOND THE INFINITE #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
SEP201336    GUNLAND GN VOL 02 TRIBE (MR)    $19.99
AUG201975    HARUKANA RECEIVE GN VOL 06 (RES) (MR)    $12.99
JUL209481    HEIST HOW TO STEAL A PLANET #8    $3.99
SEP201327    HELLFIGHTER QUIN TP    $14.99
SEP201707    HELLS PARADISE JIGOKURAKU GN VOL 05 (MR)    $12.99
JUL201790    HIGH RISE INVASION GN VOL 08 (COLLECTS VOL 15 & 16) (MR)    $19.99
SEP201328    HOLLYWOOD TRASH #2 (OF 5)    $3.99
SEP201232    I RENE TARDI PRISONER OF WAR IN STALAG IIB HC VOL 03    $29.99
AUG201917    IS WRONG PICK UP GIRLS DUNGEON SWORD ORATORIA GN VOL 13    $13.00
AUG201977    KAGEKI SHOUJO CURTAIN RISES OMNIBUS GN    $19.99
AUG201978    KING OF FIGHTERS NEW BEGINNING GN VOL 04    $12.99
SEP201401    LEGACY OF MANDRAKE THE MAGICIAN #2    $3.95
SEP201483    LIFE IS STRANGE PARTNERS IN TIME #2 CVR A LEONARDI (RES) (MR    $3.99
SEP201484    LIFE IS STRANGE PARTNERS IN TIME #2 CVR B GRALEY (RES) (MR)    $3.99
SEP201485    LIFE IS STRANGE PARTNERS IN TIME #2 CVR C TSHIRT (RES) (MR)    $3.99
SEP201486    LIFE IS STRANGE PARTNERS IN TIME #2 CVR D ZANFARDINO (RES) (    $3.99
AUG201819    LIVING ROOM MATSUNAGA SAN GN VOL 05    $12.99
AUG201980    MAGICAL GIRL SITE GN VOL 13 (MR)    $12.99
APR202340    MAISON IKKOKU COLLECTORS EDITION TP VOL 01    $24.99
SEP201306    MILO MANARA DEFINITIVE COLLECTION SC (MR)    $24.99
AUG201141    MONSTER MEN HEART OF WRATH #3 CVR A MARTINEZ    $3.99
AUG201142    MONSTER MEN HEART OF WRATH #3 CVR B PULP LTD ED    $9.99
AUG201982    MY SENPAI IS ANNOYING GN VOL 03    $14.99
SEP201546    NO ONES ROSE TP    $17.99
APR201554    OFFWORLD SCI FI DOUBLE FEATURE #5 (MR)    $3.99
AUG201918    OVERLORD UNDEAD KING OH GN VOL 05    $13.00
AUG201983    PENGUINDRUM GN VOL 03    $12.99
APR201712    PIROUETTE TP VOL 01 (RES) (MR)    $16.99
SEP201417    RECOUNT #1 CVR A NUNEZ    $3.99
AUG201824    SAIYUKI ORIGINAL SERIES RESURRECTED HC GN VOL 03    $22.99
JUL201807    SCARLET GN VOL 02 (MR)    $12.99
MAR202222    SERA & ROYAL STARS #9    $3.99
AUG201808    SEVEN DEADLY SINS GN VOL 40    $10.99
SEP201551    SHADOW SERVICE #4 CVR A HOWELL    $3.99
SEP201552    SHADOW SERVICE #4 CVR B ISAACS    $3.99
AUG201923    SHIBUYA GOLDFISH GN VOL 08    $15.00
MAR202126    SNOWPIERCER HC VOL 05    $19.99
AUG201988    SPECIES DOMAIN GN VOL 08 (RES)    $12.99
AUG201924    TEASING MASTER TAKAGI SAN GN VOL 10    $13.00
SEP201569    VAN HELSING 2020 ANNUAL CVR A VITORINO    $7.99
SEP201570    VAN HELSING 2020 ANNUAL CVR B TOLIBAO    $7.99
SEP201571    VAN HELSING 2020 ANNUAL CVR C MCDONALD    $7.99
SEP201025    WE LIVE #2 CVR A MIRANDA    $3.99
AUG201069    ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #75 CVR A MACCAGNI (MR)    $4.99
AUG201070    ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #75 CVR B MACCAGNI RISQUE (MR)    $4.99
AUG201071    ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #75 CVR C MASTAJWOOD (MR)    $4.99
AUG201072    ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #75 CVR D MASTAJWOOD RISQUE (MR)    $4.99
AUG201073    ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #75 CVR E DENNIS BUDD (MR)    $4.99
AUG201074    ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #75 CVR F DENNIS BUDD RISQUE (MR)    $4.99

MAGAZINES

SEP201178    COMIC SHOP NEWS [90CT BUNDLE] #1735    $PI
SEP201567    CREEPS #28 (MR)    $5.95
MAR202160    HOBBY JAPAN JUNE 2020    $20.00
APR208451    HOBBY JAPAN SEPTEMBER 2020    $20.00
JUN201174    HORRORHOUND PRESENTS SCIFI SPECIAL 2020    $5.00
AUG201434    ILLUSTRATION MAGAZINE #70    $15.00
JUN201405    MEGAMI AUGUST 2020    $20.00
APR208452    MEGAMI SEPTEMBER 2020    $20.00
APR208453    NEWTYPE SEPTEMBER 2020    $20.00

BOOKS

SEP201754    86 EIGHTY SIX LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 06    $14.00
AUG201990    ADACHI & SHIMAMURA LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 03    $13.99
AUG201954    ASTERISK WAR LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 14    $15.00
AUG201435    BOWIE ALLRED COLORING BOOK    $15.99
SEP201762    DIRTY WAY DESTROY GODDESS HEROES NOVEL SC VOL 05    $14.00
SEP201454    FINAL FANTASY VII POSTER BOOK    $24.99
SEP201758    HERO OVERPOWERED BUT OVERLY CAUTIOUS NOVEL SC VOL 05    $15.00
SEP201164    ILLUSTRATORS ANNUAL 2020    $40.00
SEP201299    JAMES BOND 50 GREATEST BOND CARS HC (RES)    $19.95
SEP201760    LOVE MOM & 2 HIT MULTI TARGET ATTACKS LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 07    $14.00
SEP201761    MAGICAL GIRL RAISING PROJECT LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 10    $15.00
JUL201426    MARVEL COMICS FIRST 80 YEARS HC    $29.99
JUL201414    MASTERPIECES OF FANTASY ART HC (RES)    $200.00
AUG201981    MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC PAPERCRAFT SC (RES)    $19.99
AUG201994    NEON GENESIS EVANGELION ANIMA LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 04    $14.99
AUG201995    SAINTS MAGIC POWER IS OMNIPOTENT LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 01    $13.99
AUG201997    SORCERER KING OF DESTRUCTION LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 01    $13.99
AUG201945    SWORD ART ONLINE ALT GUN GALE LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 07    $15.00
JUN200987    TIME TRAVELING WITH YOUR OCTOPUS HC    $29.95
SEP201757    WORLD STRONGEST REARGUARD LABYRINTH NOVICE NOVEL SC VOL 04 (    $15.00

 

DC Comics from Lunar/UCS Distributors for November 17, 2020

DC COMICS:

Aquaman #65 (Cover A Robson Rocha & Daniel Henriques), $3.99
Aquaman #65 (Cover B Joshua Middleton Team Variant), AR
Batman #103 (Cover A Jorge Jimenez), $3.99
Batman #103 (Cover B Francesco Mattina Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman #103 (Cover C Jorge Jimenez Bruce Wayne Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman By Tom King And Lee Weeks Deluxe Edition HC, $49.99
Batman The Road To No Man’s Land Omnibus HC, $125.00
Batman Three Jokers HC, $29.99
Blackest Night Brightest Day Box Set (12/17/20 per Lunar Distribution), $299.99
Catwoman #27 (Cover A Joelle Jones), $3.99
Catwoman #27 (Cover B Jenny Frison Card Stock Variant), AR
Dark Nights Death Metal #5 (Of 7)(Cover A Greg Capullo & Jonathan Glapion), $4.99
Dark Nights Death Metal #5 (Of 7)(Cover B David Finch Martian Manhunter Variant), AR
Dark Nights Death Metal #5 (Of 7)(Cover C Stanley Artgerm Lau Kull Variant), AR
Dark Nights Death Metal #5 (Of 7)(Cover D Kael Ngu Spectre Variant), AR
Dark Nights Death Metal #5 (Of 7)(Cover E Doug Mahnke), AR
Dark Nights Death Metal #5 (Of 7)(Cover F Greg Capullo & Jonathan Glapion Black & White Variant), AR
Dollar Comics The Sandman #23 (Cover A Dave McKean), $1.00
Flash Volume 13 Rogues’ Reign TP, $17.99
Flash Year One TP, $17.99
JLA By Grant Omnibus Omnibus HC, $150.00
Joker Harley Criminal Sanity #6 (Of 8)(Cover A Francesco Mattina), $5.99
Joker Harley Criminal Sanity #6 (Of 8)(Cover B Jason Badower), AR
Justice League #57 (Cover A Liam Sharp), $3.99
Justice League #57 (Cover B Philip Tan), AR
Looney Tunes #257 (Cover A Scott Gross), $2.99
Nightwing #76 (Cover A Travis Moore), $3.99
Nightwing #76 (Cover B Alan Quah), AR
Plunge HC, $24.99
Rorschach #2 (Of 12)(Cover A Jorge Fornes), $4.99
Rorschach #2 (Of 12)(Cover B Peach Momoko), AR
Super Sons Omnibus Expanded Edition HC (11/24/20 per UCS Comic Distributors), $99.99
Superman Action Comics Volume 3 Leviathan Hunt TP, $16.99
Teen Titans #47 (Cover A Bernard Chang), $3.99
Teen Titans #47 (Cover B Babs Tarr Team Variant), AR
Underworld Unleashed The 25th Anniversary Edition TP, $29.99

#IReadsYou Review: GEEK-GIRL #6

GEEK-GIRL, VOL. 2 #6
MARKOSIA ENTERPRISES, LTD. – @daSamJohnson

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Sam Johnson with Mark Darden
ART: Carlos Granda
COLORS: Chunlin Zhao
LETTERS: Paul McLaren
COVER ARTISTS: Jason Hehir with Chunlin Zhao; Claudio Due Avella with Chunlin Zhao
28pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (September 2020)

Rated T+ / 12+ only

Geek-Girl created by Sam Johnson

“Tights 'N' Capes” Part 1: “Change of Plan”

Geek-Girl is a comic book character created by Sam Johnson.  Geek-Girl debuted in the 2016 Geek-Girl miniseries and returned in a second miniseries, Geek-Girl Vol. 2, which became an ongoing series.  Geek-Girl Vol. 2 is written by Sam Johnson; drawn by Carlos Granda; colored by Chunlin Zhao; and lettered by Paul McLaren.

Geek-Girl focuses on Ruby Kaye, a sexy and popular college coed who inadvertently becomes a superhero.  Ruby dons a pair of super-tech eye glasses that gives her super-powers.  Ruby's BFF, Summer James, then talks her into trying to be a superhero, even providing her with a moniker.  Now, Ruby is Maine's newest superhero, “Geek-Girl.”

Geek-Girl Vol. 2 #6 (“Change of Plans”) finds Ruby, Summer, and Kerry a.k.a. “The Minger” enjoying time at the super-team headquarters provided for them by Johnny Carlyle, the former super-tech weapons dealer turned philanthropist.  Carlyle has founded the Kaye Foundation and is forming a brand new superhero team, of which Ruby as Geek-Girl will be the leader.  Ruby meets her teammate, Tyler a.k.a. “Super-Porter,” and then, plans a girl' night out with Summer and Kerry.

Meanwhile, one of Carlyle's “associates,” Digger Mensch, finds his loyalties being tested.  Plus, Ruby does not realize that she and her friends are being watched.

THE LOWDOWN:  Creator-writer Sam Johnson sent me a PDF review copy of Geek-Girl, Vol. 2 #5, as he has sent me PDF review copies of his other comic books over the past few years.  Johnson provides a synopsis on the inside front cover of each issue, so potential readers don't have to have read the previous issues to really enjoy the current one.

As I said in my review of the prior issue (Vol. 2 #5), just about any issue of Geek-Girl is a good jumping on point because Johnson's story and script are simply quite inviting.  Unlike so many Marvel and DC Comics titles, Geek-Girl is not stuffy and self-important and weighed down by decades of anal continuity.  Nor it is beset by frequent sales-boosting reboots... at least, not yet.

You know what, dear readers?  I'll just keep it simple.  Geek-Girl is fun to read, and Geek-Girl Vol. 2 #6 is a blast to read.

Also, the more this series' art team works together, the more polished its work becomes.  Artist Carlos Granda's clear-line drawing style has gone from being a little shaky on the line work to becoming sharper.  Chunlin Zhao's colors are so pretty that they make me think of candy, and Paul McLaren's clean lettering conveys this issue's easy pace and tantalizing foreshadowing.  So Geek-Girl-Vol. 2 #6 is a good read and is good looking!

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of indie superhero comic books will find an all-around winner in Geek-Girl.

9 out of 10

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


Geek-Girl #6 is Out Now and available in Regular, Digital and Variant editions at www.geekgirlcomics.com

https://twitter.com/daSamJohnson
https://twitter.com/Markosia
https://twitter.com/Markosia_News
https://markosia.com/


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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

#IReadsYou Review: HASS #3

HASS #3
APPROBATION COMICS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

WRITER/CREATOR: B. Alex Thompson – @ApproBAT
PENCILS: Edgard Machiavello
INKS: Victor Moya
COLORS: Alivon Ortiz
LETTERS: Krugos
MISC. ART: Cesar Grego
COVERS: Cesar Grego
32pp, Color, $9.99 U.S. (2019)

Hass is a racial drama and crime thriller comic book miniseries from Approbation Comics.  Hass is written and created by B. Alex Thompson.  The third issue is drawn by Edgard Machiavello (pencils) and Victor Moya (inks); colored by Alivón Ortiz; and lettered Krugos.

Hass is the story of Joshua “Josh” Jones, a freshman attending a college “deep in the heart of Texas.”  First day on campus, Josh falls in love with fellow student, Maggie Stewart, but he has to work hard to get Maggie to give him a chance at romance.  This relationship forces Josh to confront violence and racism... and a tattoo.  Before long, Josh is hanging out with Maggie's racist, drug-dealing cousin, Cole, and his gang of misfits: Rocky (or “Shamrock”), Vargas, Gavin, and Sharky.

Hass #3 opens a few months after the events depicted in the first two issues.  Josh is firmly ensconced with Cole's gang, which sees him participating in a little gay bashing.  Josh's Aunt Yvonne, Maggie, and his roommate, Asher, all try to direct Josh's activities in a more positive direction.  But when he experiences racism from the “Black side,” how will Josh react?  And will it pull him deeper into Cole's criminal and racist world.

THE LOWDOWN:  In my review of Hass #2, I noted that the copy on the back cover of the first two issues describes Hass as “William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet” meets American History X” (the 1998 film).  That is accurate... up to a point.  Hass is a powerful work of fiction that defies easy description

B. Alex Thompson, creator of the long-running indie, comedy-horror comic book series, Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies, has created a scenario that allows him to explore various themes emerging from racism, as well as the violence that racism inspires or to which it directly leads.  Thompson explores the consequences of violence and its aftermath, and he also depicts the myriad ways in which racism, prejudice, and bigotry reveal themselves.

Cover artist Cesar Grego once again delivers cover art that explodes in the readers' faces with bold and unapologetic images and ideas.  Pencil artist Edgard Machiavello is also bold and unapologetic in delivering graphical storytelling that takes Thompson's dangerous ideas and keeps them dangerous.  Inker Victor Moya embellishes, but does not tame Machiavello's pencils.  As usual, Alivón Ortiz's colors accentuate the story by giving the art the heat, and Krugos' lettering captures the subversiveness of this narrative by keeping an even pace that does not let the action move the story too quickly.

I have never read another comic book that has explored American racism and prejudice in such a unique and complex way as Hass does.  Hass is bold and different in ways that other comic books would not dare be.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Readers looking for bold comic book storytelling and for the very best in comic books will want Hass.

10 out of 10

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


https://twitter.com/ApproBAT
http://alexthompsonwriter.com/
https://www.comixology.com/Approbation-Comics/comics-publisher/7396-0
www.ApprobationComics.com

The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint or syndication rights and fees.

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

#IReadsYou Review: NOW #1

NOW #1
FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

CARTOONISTS: Gabrielle Bell; Sara Corbett; Antoine Cossé; Eleanor Davis; Kaela Graham; Sammy Harkham; Conxita Hererro; Malachi Ward and Matt Sheean; J.C. Menu; Rebecca Morgan; Tommi Parrish; Tobias Schalken; Dash Shaw; Noah Van Sciver; Daria Tessler; Nick Thorburn
DESIGN: Jacob Covey
EDITOR: Eric Reynolds
COVER: Rebecca Morgan
ISBN: 978-1-68396-052-2; paperback (September 2017)
128pp, Color, $9.99 U.S.

NOW is a comics anthology series launched in 2017 by alternative comics (alt-comix) and art comics publisher, Fantagraphics Books.  Over its four-plus decades of existence, Fantagraphics has published what is probably the most diverse collection of comic book anthologies in the history of North American comic books.  That line-up includes such titles as Anything Goes, Critters, Mome, Pictopia, and Zero Zero, to name a few.

NOW #1 proves that Fantagraphics has not lost a step with age when it comes to anthologies.  I wish that everyone could read the introduction to the first issue written by NOW's editor, Eric Reynolds, even those who have not read this first issue.  It seems as if everything Reynolds hopes NOW could achieve is in evidence in NOW #1.  Reynolds wants to showcase “...as broad a range of quality comic art as possible...”

NOW #1 does that, so let's take a look at each cartoonist's contribution.

THE LOWDOWN:  The illustration that acts as NOW #1's cover art is entitled “Plan B on Easter Morning,” and it is produced by Rebecca Morgan.  It is a stylish, colorful, full-color illustration that is surreal and kooky, and it reminds me of the work of Aline Kominsky-Crumb.

“Constitutional” by Sara Corbett:
This is a beautiful piece featuring an elderly woman and her wily cat that has vivid green eyes.  This one-page comic has a striking graphical style, dazzling colors, and eye-catching patterns drawn on characters and objects.  I could see “Constitutional” being a cover for The New Yorker.

“21 Positions/The Final Frontier” by Tobias Schalken:
This is a pantomime comic featuring two characters, one female and one male, each alone and each on the opposite side of the page.  They are imitating the ways in which people hold and touch one another.  I am impressed by the figure drawing, and every time I look at this story, I feel some raw emotions emanating from the page.

“Hurt or Fuck?” by Eleanor Davis:
This is a black and white comic, drawn apparently with a lead pencil.  I like its composition, but I don't know what to make of it.  I don't want to read too much into it... or read the wrong thing...

“Scorpio” by Dash Shaw:
The incomparable Dash Shaw (Cosplayers) offers this story of childbirth on Tuesday, November 8, 2016 (a.k.a. “The Day of the Clown”).  The intimacy and familiarity between the expecting couple feels genuine, and the story is warm and humorous.  I could read an entire graphic novel built around these characters.

“Dear Naked Guy In the Apartment Across from Mine Spread Eagle & Absent-mindedly Flicking his Penis While Watching TV,” by Gabrielle Bell:
This one-page comic is exactly what it says – a young woman sees her pudgy, naked neighbor lying in his bed and playing with himself every time she is in the kitchen of her (apparently) small apartment.  I read the neighbor as being aggressively passive-aggressive, but I'm not sure about the young woman (whom I'm assuming is the cartoonist).  Is she disgusted or distressed... “Dear Naked Guy...” is one of NOW #1's best entries.

“S.O.S. Suitcases” by J.C. Menu:
This 14-page, black and white, comic is a wild and woolly, surreal adventure tale that is alternative comics and neo-underground comix.  I think this story would be a perfect fit in a certain kind of comics anthologies:  from Zap Comix to Weirdo and from Zero Zero to... well, to NOW.

“Wall of Shame” by Noah Van Sciver:
This 15-page story is my NOW #1 favorite.  In an autobiographical slash slice-of-life comics story, Noah returns to his hometown of Denver, Colorado because the Denver Art Museum is holding an exhibition of his comics and illustrations.  Returning home, however, means a return to family... and a reunion with his younger brother, Jonah, a loud, shameless, womanizing, pussy-hound.

If I have encountered Van Sciver's work before, it could not have been much.  After reading “Wall of Shame,” I definitely want to read more it, especially anything like this story.  Once upon a time, I spent much of the 1990s reading the autobiographical, mock-auto-bio, and slice-of-life comics, comic books, and graphic novels produced by a number of alternative cartoonists and comic book creators, including Joe Matt, Seth, David Greenberger, and Julie Doucet, to name a few.

“Wall of Shame,” a very entertaining story, brings me back to those days.  That aside, this is a thoroughly engaging story of family ties, with Jonah as the kind of scene-stealing character that captures the imagination.  Noah leaves me wanting more.

“Untitled” by Tommi Parrish:
This lovely story is about two people talking about the struggles of understanding oneself when coming out as gay.  Reading this is like listening in on an intimate conversation, and at seven pages, this story is over much too soon.  After I read this, I could not stop thinking about the idea of “poisonous scripts,” which comes from the world of culture and pop culture and tells us what and how we should be, act, think, feel, live, etc.

“Pretend We're Orphans” by Kaela Graham:
This story has a delightful, picture book and fairy tale quality.  It works as a self-contained tale of imagination, but it would still be quite good as a piece from a larger work.”

“Songs in the Key of Grief” by Daria Tessler:
I feel like this is about Kurt Cobain.

“Here I Am” by Conxita Hererro:
This story is apparently based on an earlier work by cartoonist Gabrielle Bell, a contributor to Now #1.  I got nothing from it.

“Widening Horizon” by Malachi Ward (story/art) and Matt Sheean (story):
This is an intriguing science fiction comics short story.  I won't call it “alternative history,” because it reads like a classic science fiction short story that imagines a different past, present, and future.  Ward's beautiful clear-line drawing style perfectly captures the atmosphere of a story about spaceflight.

“Statue” by Antoine Cossé:
A stylish blend of landscape architecture, industrial design, Art Deco, and minimalism, “Statue” is a haunting tale that also manages to gleam with possibility.  I found that Cossé engaged my imagination with a story that challenged me to unravel its mysteries.  “Statue” is an example of a story that the reader can enjoy without having to know everything the cartoonist wants to convey.  I look forward to seeing more of this creator's work.

“I, Marlon” by Sammy Harkham:
The only reason that I know that the “Marlon” in “I, Marlon” is the legendary American actor, Marlon Brando, is because I recently read Michael J. Mann's massive biography of the actor, The Contender: The Story of Marlon Brando.  Shockingly, Harkham's one-age comic (apparently produced in 2016) summarizes some key themes in Mann's 700+ page book, which was published in late 2019 (and took me several months to read).

“Untitled” by Nick Thorburn:
This is a comic strip that runs at the top of the back cover.  I like Thorburn's drawing style.

So, the final verdict on NOW #1 is that it is one of the best first issues of a comics anthology that I have ever read.  If the issues that follow NOW #1 are half as good as it is, then, NOW is a must-read series for serious comic book readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic alternative-comics anthologies will want to discover NOW.

9 out of 10

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


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#IReadsYou Movie Review: BLOODSHOT

Bloodshot (2020)

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.  Please visit the "Comic Book Movies Review" page.]

Running time:  109 minutes; MPAA – PG-13 for intense sequences of violence, some suggestive material and language
DIRECTOR:  David S.F. Wilson
WRITERS: Jeff Wadlow and Eric Heisserer; from a story by Jeff Wadlow (based on the Valiant Comics character)
PRODUCERS:  Vin Diesel, Toby Jaffe, Neal H. Moritz, and Dinesh Shamdasani
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Jacques Jouffret (D.o.P.)
EDITOR:  Jim May
COMPOSER:  Steve Jablonsky

SUPERHERO/FANTASY/SCI-FI/ACTION

Starring:  Vin Diesel, Guy Pearce, Eiza González, Sam Heughan, Lamorne Morris, Alex Hernandez, Toby Kebbell, Talulah Riley, Siddharth Dhananjay, and Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson

Bloodshot is a 2020 superhero and science fiction film directed by David S.F. Wilson.  The film features the Valiant Comics' character, Bloodshot, that was created by Kevin VanHook, Don Perlin, and Bob Layton.  Blooshot focuses on a slain Marine brought back to life as a super-powered weapon.

Bloodshot introduces U.S. Marine Ray Garrison (Vin Diesel).  After leading a successful rescue operation in Mombasa, Ray and his wife, Gina (Talulah Riley), travel to a beachside town on Italy's Amalfi Coast for a holiday.  However, a notorious terrorist, Martin Axe (Toby Kebbell), kidnaps Ray and Gina and demands that Ray reveal the source of the information the Marines used for the Mombasa hostage operation.  Then, things turn ugly.

Ray awakens in a lab at the headquarters of RST (Rising Spirit Tech), a company that specializes in developing cybernetic enhancements for disabled United States' military personnel.  The company's CEO, Dr. Emil Harting (Guy Pearce), tells Ray that he is the first successful candidate that they have resurrected using a special “nanite technology.”  As he embarks on his first kill-mission, Ray does not realize that very little of what he believes is true.

While watching Bloodshot, I realized that Vin Diesel has starred in a lot of science fiction and fantasy films.  They are an odd lot of high concepts and box office misfires – for the most part.  Bloodshot is one of those films that had its release truncated by the closure of most movie theaters in North America by the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown.  I am not sure if Bloodshot would have been much of a box office hit if it had had a full release...

...But it is a surprisingly enjoyable movie.  The truth is that this is something I would enjoy watching on DVD (which is how I saw the film via DVD Netflix), but, because it is based on a comic book, there is a good chance that I would have made a trip to the movie theater to see it.  Now, that I have seen it, I want to recommend it to fans of movies based on comic books and also to Vin Diesel fans.  Bloodshot is not a “Fast & Furious” film, but its action is... fast and furious... coincidentally.

Bloodshot's revenge-fantasy-within-a-revenge-tale plot delivers a lot of good action sequences.  This narrative's themes, built around the ideas of freedom, choice, control, and reality actually resonate.  While watching this movie, I often found myself asking questions like, “How free am I really?” and “How much freedom of choice is actually of my choosing?”  Bloodshot is like a story by the late author, Philip K. Dick, in which the lead character faces the truth that the reality in which he thinks he lives... is not real... or at least, it is not in his control.

Bloodshot is not a mindless action movie, and it is certainly a stronger take on the story of a military-type discovering that his body or part of it has been stolen than the 2019 Will Smith vehicle, Gemini Man.  However, Bloodshot would be a much stronger film if Vin Diesel were a better actor.  Diesel's acting range mostly runs from smooth guy to menacing guy to enraged guy.  This film's script certainly gives him plenty of scenes when Diesel has to be angry or at least to seethe.  Whenever Diesel's Ray Garrison has to be thoughtful, the film quickly moves on.

As for the supporting characters, the film's writing also doesn't offer anything more than familiar character types.  Still, actor Lamorne Morris manages to make his character, the coding rebel-genius, Wilfred Wigans, excellent comic relief.  Both actor and character are worth seeing again.

So I can honestly say that director David S.F. Wilson delivers a film that is more (at least, a little more) than it seems on the surface.  Bloodshot does not have any of those awful dry moments that make me want to fall asleep when watching an alleged action movie (which happens a lot... the aforementioned Gemini Man).  It is pretty much a fast-moving, highly-entertaining thrill machine.  Bloodshot has an excellent last act featuring a eye-spinning epic battle in and around an elevator shaft, and remember: the writing is smart enough to take its themes and ideas seriously.  In fact, Bloodshot is good enough to warrant a sequel – even if the box office... reality might keep that from happening.

B

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


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#IReadsYou Review: BLACK CLOVER: Volume 18

BLACK CLOVER, VOL. 18
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

MANGAKA: Yuki Tabata
TRANSLATION: Taylor Engel, HC Language Solutions, Inc.
LETTERS: Annaliese Christman
EDITOR: Alexis Kirsch
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0741-6; paperback (November 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Black Clover is a Japanese manga series written and illustrated by Yuki Tabata.  It has been serialized in the manga magazine, Weekly Shonen Jump, since February 2015.  VIZ Media has been publishing an English-language edition of the manga as a paperback graphic novel series under its “Shonen Jump” imprint since 2016.

Black Clover focuses on a boy named Asta.  He and his friend, Yuno, are found abandoned in the village of Hage of the Clover Kingdom.  Both Asta and Yuno dream of one day being the “Wizard King,” the greatest mage in the land.  Asta has one big problem; he can't use magic.  When he is 15-years-old, Asta receives the rare “five-leaf-clover grimoire” (a book of magic), which gives him the power of anti-magic.  Can Asta become the Wizard King without being able to use magic?  Is he worthy of being in the “Magic Knights” squad, “the Black Bulls?”

As Black Clover, Vol. 18 (Chapters 161 to 172; entitled “The Black Bulls Charge”) opens, the disaster that struck the Magic Knights continues.  The souls of vengeful elves who claim to have been killed by humans have taken over the bodies of members of the Magic Knights.  Now, these elves are going to use their new bodies and enhanced powers to kill humans.  

Asta, Magna Swing, and Vanessa Enotcca battle their colleague, Luck Voltia, whose body is being controlled by an elf, in order to save a village to which Luck is laying waste.  Can the three of them stop a very powerful Luck without killing him?  And will the trio accept a new ally, a member of the “Eye of the Midnight Sun, who was only recently possessed?

Meanwhile, in the capital, Black Bulls captain, Yami Sukehiro, battles three transformed Magic Knights.  As more Knights recover from the possession, the most powerful elves gather in the capital and give their movement a name, as they prepare to wipe out humanity in the Clover Kingdom.

[This volume includes bonus material:  “The Blank Page Brigade;” an “Afterword;” sketches, and the illustrated poll: “The Results of the Second Mage General Election”.]

THE LOWDOWN:  The Black Clover manga, one of the best shonen battle manga available to English-speaking audiences, has become one of my favorite manga.  I have read eight volumes so far this year, and every time I read a new volume, it is like rediscovering how amazing this series is.

Black Clover Graphic Novel Volume 18 continues to push the narrative ever deeper into this shocking and edgy elves-possession story arc.  Yuki Tabata has fashioned a super-addictive story arc, probably the best thus far in this series.  Tabata has even managed to make the elves seem somewhat sympathetic and totally frickin' evil at the same time.  A concept – vengeful elf spirits – that could have been wonky has turned out to be a sign of this shonen action-fantasy's inventiveness and strength.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of the top Weekly Shonen Jump manga will definitely want to try the “Shonen Jump” series, Black Clover.

A+
10 out of 10

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


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