Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for July 14, 2021

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

MAY211657    2000 AD REGENED TP VOL 02    $13.99
MAR218840    ALICE IN LEATHERLAND #1 CVR D 2ND PTG (MR)    $3.99
MAY211154    AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY MONSTERS VOL 2 #1 CVR A VOKES (MR) (C: 0-    $3.99
MAY211155    AMERICAN MYTHOLOGY MONSTERS VOL 2 #1 CVR B WOLFER (MR) (C: 0    $9.99
MAY211479    BABY SITTERS LITTLE SISTER GN VOL 04 KARENS KITTYCAT CLUB (C    $10.99
MAY211480    BABY SITTERS LITTLE SISTER HC GN VOL 04 KARENS KITTYCAT CLUB    $22.99
JUN201050    BATMAN THREE JOKERS #1 FABOK SGN (C: 0-1-2)    $39.00
APR219013    BECSTAR #1 2ND PTG    $3.99
MAY211102    BEYOND THE BREACH #1 CVR A COUCEIRO    $4.99
APR211697    BLUE BARRY & PANCAKES GN VOL 02 ESCAPE FROM BALLOONIA (C: 0-    $12.99
MAY211106    BUNNY MASK #2 CVR A    $4.99
APR218766    BUNNY MASK #2 CVR B 15 COPY MAKE MASK INCV    $4.99
OCT201284    CAPTAIN CANUCK SEASON 0    $19.99
DEC208575    CAPTAIN CANUCK TP VOL 04 SEASON 4 INVASION NEW PTG    $24.99
FEB211667    CARDCAPTOR SAKURA CLEAR CARD GN VOL 09 (C: 1-1-1)    $10.99
APR219488    CHERRY BLACKBIRD #1 (OF 5) 2ND PTG (MR)    $3.99
MAY211029    CIMMERIAN MAN-EATERS OF ZAMBOULA #1 CVR A YANNICK PAQUETTE (    $3.99
MAY211030    CIMMERIAN MAN-EATERS OF ZAMBOULA #1 CVR B MORITAT (MR)    $3.99
MAY211031    CIMMERIAN MAN-EATERS OF ZAMBOULA #1 CVR C GESS (MR)    $3.99
MAY211032    CIMMERIAN MAN-EATERS OF ZAMBOULA #1 CVR D ROBIN RECHT WRAPAR    $3.99
MAY211033    CIMMERIAN MAN-EATERS OF ZAMBOULA #1 CVR E FRITZ CASAS (MR)    $3.99
MAY211039    CIMMERIAN MAN-EATERS OF ZAMBOULA #1 CVR K BLANK SKETCH (MR)    $10.00
MAY211433    CLASH GN (C: 0-1-0)    $12.99
MAY211434    CLASH HC GN (C: 0-1-0)    $24.99
APR212235    D FRAG GN VOL 15 (C: 0-1-0)    $12.99
FEB211045    DEATH BY LIFE #3 (OF 8)    $3.99
AUG201320    DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH #1 CGC GRADED (C: 0-1-2)    $89.99
FEB219325    DESTINY NY #1 CVR F 2ND PTG    $3.99
MAY211868    DEVILS CANDY GN VOL 01 (MR) (C: 0-1-2)    $16.99
MAY211574    DIRE DAYS OF WILLOWWEEP MANOR GN (C: 0-1-0)    $14.99
MAY211575    DIRE DAYS OF WILLOWWEEP MANOR HC GN (C: 0-1-0)    $21.99
MAR211782    DISNEY MANGA STITCH & SAMURAI GN VOL 02    $10.99
MAY211553    DRAGON KINGDOM OF WRENLY GN VOL 04 GHOST ISLAND (C: 0-1-0)    $9.99
MAY211554    DRAGON KINGDOM OF WRENLY HC GN VOL 04 GHOST ISLAND (C: 0-1-0    $17.99
FEB211042    EXCITING COMICS #11    $3.99
MAY211879    FLY ME TO THE MOON GN VOL 06 (C: 0-1-2)    $9.99
MAY211988    GAL GOHAN GN VOL 08 (MR) (C: 0-1-1)    $12.99
MAY211488    GHOUL NEXT DOOR GN (C: 0-1-0)    $12.99
MAY211489    GHOUL NEXT DOOR HC GN (C: 0-1-0)    $21.99
JUL201159    GREEN LANTERN 80TH ANN GREEN BLANK HAESER SGN & RMRK (C: 0-1    $80.00
APR212061    GRIMM FAIRY TALES #50 CVR A VITORINO    $5.99
APR212062    GRIMM FAIRY TALES #50 CVR B WHITE    $5.99
APR212063    GRIMM FAIRY TALES #50 CVR C GARZA    $5.99
APR212064    GRIMM FAIRY TALES #50 CVR D COCCOLO    $5.99
APR212065    GRIMM FAIRY TALES #50 CVR E BURNS    $5.99
APR212066    GRIMM FAIRY TALES #50 CVR F BLANK SKETCH VAR    $10.00
MAY211487    GRUMPY UNICORN YA GN VOL 02 SAVES THE WORLD (C: 0-1-0)    $8.99
JUN211259    HATCHET UNSTOPPABLE HORROR #1 CVR D AM EXC VAR (MR)    $6.99
MAR211747    HEAVENS DESIGN TEAM GN VOL 05 (C: 0-1-1)    $12.99
APR212158    HERO OVERPOWERED BUT OVERLY CAUTIOUS GN VOL 03 (C: 0-1-2)    $13.00
MAY211991    HIDDEN DUNGEON ONLY I CAN ENTER GN VOL 03 (C: 0-1-1)    $12.99
MAY211993    INVINCIBLE SHOVEL GN VOL 01 (MR) (C: 0-1-1)    $12.99
MAY211722    JOHN CARPENTER STORM KIDS SACRED HEARTS TP    $23.99
MAY211594    JONNA AND THE UNPOSSIBLE MONSTERS #1 DRAWING BOARD ED    $14.99
APR211698    JUKEBOX GN (C: 0-1-0)    $14.99
APR211699    JUKEBOX HC GN (C: 0-1-0)    $21.99
FEB211396    LEV GLEASON PRESENTS #1    $9.99
MAR211407    LEV GLEASON PRESENTS #2    $9.99
MAY211551    LILLA THE ACCIDENTAL WITCH GN (C: 1-1-0)    $12.99
MAY211552    LILLA THE ACCIDENTAL WITCH HC GN (C: 1-1-0)    $24.99
MAY211152    LIVING CORPSE RELICS #1 ENCORE ED    $3.99
APR212238    MAGICAL GIRL SPECIAL OPS ASUKA GN VOL 11 (RES) (MR) (C: 0-1-    $12.99
APR212141    MAID I HIRED RECENTLY IS MYSTERIOUS GN VOL 01 (C: 0-1-2)    $13.00
APR211700    MAKER COMICS GN SURVIVE IN OUTDOORS (C: 0-1-0)    $12.99
APR211701    MAKER COMICS HC GN SURVIVE IN OUTDOORS (C: 0-1-0)    $19.99
MAY211996    MARS RED GN VOL 01 (C: 0-1-1)    $12.99
APR212085    MELODY OF IRON SC GN (MR)    $15.95
MAY211507    MISS BETTER LIVING THROUGH CRIME TP (MR)    $22.99
MAY211273    MOTHS #2    $3.99
APR211702    MY OWN WORLD GN (C: 0-1-0)    $12.99
APR211703    MY OWN WORLD HC GN (C: 0-1-0)    $19.99
APR211532    NANCY IN HELL TP (MR) (C: 0-1-2)    $16.99
MAY211497    NEVER NEVER #1 (OF 5)    $3.99
MAY211779    NINJAK #1 CVR A NAKAYAMA    $3.99
MAY211780    NINJAK #1 CVR B WIJNGAARD    $3.99
MAY211781    NINJAK #1 CVR C SCOTT    $3.99
MAY211680    NO GHOSTS IN HIROSHIMA #1 CVR A ZACH BRUNNER    $3.99
APR211704    NOTHING CAN POSSIBLY GO WRONG GN COLOR ED (C: 0-1-0)    $17.99
APR211705    NOTHING CAN POSSIBLY GO WRONG HC GN COLOR ED (C: 0-1-0)    $25.99
APR219017    NOTTINGHAM #1 (OF 5) 5TH PTG    $3.99
APR219016    NOTTINGHAM #2 (OF 5) 4TH PTG    $3.99
APR219015    NOTTINGHAM #3 (OF 5) 3RD PTG    $3.99
APR219014    NOTTINGHAM #4 (OF 5) 2ND PTG    $3.99
MAY211067    OCTAVIA BUTLER PARABLE OF THE SOWER GN (C: 0-1-0)    $16.99
APR212239    PETER GRILL & PHILOSOPHERS TIME GN VOL 05 (MR) (C: 0-1-1)    $13.99
MAY211555    PUP DETECTIVES GN VOL 04 GHOSTS GOBLINS & NINJAS (C: 0-1-0)    $9.99
MAY211556    PUP DETECTIVES HC GN VOL 04 GHOST GOBLINS & NINJAS (C: 0-1-0    $17.99
MAY211600    RICK AND MORTY PRESENTS HOTEL IMMORTAL #1 CVR B MURPHY (MR)    $4.99
MAY211829    ROBYN HOOD GOLDILOCKS ONE SHOT CVR A VITORINO    $5.99
MAY211830    ROBYN HOOD GOLDILOCKS ONE SHOT CVR B GOH    $5.99
MAY211831    ROBYN HOOD GOLDILOCKS ONE SHOT CVR C GARVEY    $5.99
APR211706    SCIENCE COMICS SPIDERS GN (C: 0-1-0)    $12.99
APR211707    SCIENCE COMICS SPIDERS HC GN (C: 0-1-0)    $19.99
MAY211607    SEEK YOU JOURNEY THROUGH AMERICAN LONELINESS GN (C: 1-1-0)    $30.00
APR212244    SORRY FOR MY FAMILIAR GN VOL 08 (C: 0-1-0)    $12.99
MAY212021    SOUL EATER PERFECT EDITION HC GN VOL 04 (RES) (C: 0-1-1)    $19.99
MAY211040    SPACE PIRATE CAPT HARLOCK #2 CVR A MIRKA ANDOLFO    $3.99
MAY211041    SPACE PIRATE CAPT HARLOCK #2 CVR B JUNGGEUN YOON    $3.99
MAY211042    SPACE PIRATE CAPT HARLOCK #2 CVR C ANDIE TONG    $3.99
MAY211043    SPACE PIRATE CAPT HARLOCK #2 CVR D JEROME ALQUIE    $3.99
MAY211044    SPACE PIRATE CAPT HARLOCK #2 CVR E PHILIPPE BRIONES    $3.99
MAY211288    SPARE PARTS ONE SHOT CVR A MASSAGGIA (MR)    $3.99
MAY211289    SPARE PARTS ONE SHOT CVR B RAVEN BANNER ENTERTAINMENT (MR)    $3.99
MAY211290    SPARE PARTS ONE SHOT CVR C RAVEN BANNER ENTERTAINMENT (MR)    $3.99
MAY211291    SPARE PARTS ONE SHOT CVR D CONNELLY (MR)    $3.99
MAY211292    SPARE PARTS ONE SHOT CVR E BRONDO (MR)    $3.99
MAY211878    SPLATOON SQUID KIDS COMEDY SHOW GN VOL 04 (C: 0-1-2)    $9.99
MAR210986    SUPERBABES STARRING FEMFORCE #7    $5.95
MAR211352    TAARNA (2020) #6 (OF 6)    $3.99
MAR211192    TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE KRAMPUS KHRONICLES TP DLX ED    $34.99
MAY211703    THEE COLLECTED CYANIDE MILKSHAKE (MR)    $19.95
APR212138    TO SAVE WORLD WAKE MORNING AFTER DEMI HUMAN GN VOL 03 (MR) (    $13.00
FEB211043    VALKYRIE SAVIORS #1 (OF 3)    $3.99
FEB211044    VALKYRIE SAVIORS #1 (OF 3) KAEL NGU VARIANT    $9.99
JAN211036    ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #80 CVR A MACCAGNI (MR)    $4.99
JAN211037    ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #80 CVR B MACCAGNI RISQUE (MR)    $4.99
JAN211038    ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #80 CVR C MASTAJWOOD (MR)    $4.99
JAN211039    ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #80 CVR D MASTAJWOOD RISQUE (MR)    $4.99
JAN211040    ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #80 CVR E MCCOMB (MR)    $4.99
JAN211041    ZOMBIE TRAMP ONGOING #80 CVR F MCCOMB RISQUE (MR)    $4.99

MAGAZINES

MAY211357    COMIC SHOP NEWS [90CT BUNDLE] #1769 (NET)    $PI
MAY211438    FANGORIA VOL 2 #12    $19.79
MAY211636    TOY-VENTURES MAGAZINE #4    $10.99

BOOKS

MAY211954    ARCHDEMONS DILEMMA HOW LOVE ELF BRIDE LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 11    $14.99
MAY212011    BERSERK OF GLUTTONY LIGHT NOVEL VOL 03 (C: 0-1-1)    $14.99
APR218001    CAPTAIN AMERICA FIRST 80 YEARS FOC VAR (C: 0-1-0)    $19.99
APR211981    CAPTAIN AMERICA FIRST 80 YEARS HC (C: 0-1-0)    $29.99
APR211979    CAPTAIN AMERICA FIRST 80 YEARS SC NEWSSTAND (C: 0-1-0)    $19.99
APR211980    CAPTAIN AMERICA FIRST 80 YEARS SC PX (C: 0-1-0)    $19.99
APR211938    CON QUEST NOVEL SC (C: 0-1-0)    $7.99
MAY211516    DISNEY MINI ART OF DISNEY VILLAINS HC (C: 0-1-0)    $11.99
MAY211577    FIRST DAY OF GROOT YR BOARD BOOK (C: 1-1-0)    $7.99
APR212249    GRIMGAR OF FANTASY & ASH LIGHT NOVEL (C: 0-1-0)    $13.99
MAY212012    HELLO WORLD LIGHT NOVEL SC (C: 0-1-1)    $14.99
APR212250    HIDDEN DUNGEON ONLY I CAN ENTER LIGHT NOVEL VOL 04 (C: 0-1-0    $13.99
MAY211955    HOW NOT TO SUMMON DEMON LORD LIGHT NOVEL SC (C: 0-1-0)    $14.99
MAY211956    INFINITE DENDROGRAM LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 13 (C: 0-1-0)    $14.99
MAY211638    MARVEL AVENGERS INFINITY WAR DIE CUT HC (C: 0-1-0)    $9.99
MAY211959    MY NEXT LIFE AS VILLAINESS ROUTES LEAD DOOM SC VOL 08 (C: 0-    $14.99
MAY211517    PIXAR MINIATURE ART COLLECTION HC (C: 0-1-0)    $11.99
MAY211957    SLAYERS LIGHT NOVEL COLL ED VOL 01 (C: 0-1-0)    $29.99
MAY211130    WILD ADV THE SPIDER SC NOVEL VOL 02 FURY IN STEEL (C: 0-1-0)    $24.95

DC Comics from Lunar Distributors for July 13, 2021

DC COMICS:

Action Comics 2021 Annual #1 (Cover A Scott Godlewski), $5.99
Action Comics 2021 Annual #1 (Cover B Valentine De Landro Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Batman And Scooby-Doo Mysteries #4 (Of 12), $2.99
Batman The Detective #4 (Of 6)(Cover A Andy Kubert), $3.99
Batman The Detective #4 (Of 6)(Cover B Andy Kubert Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batman Urban Legends #5 (Cover A David Finch), $7.99
Batman Urban Legends #5 (Cover B Tyler Kirkham), $7.99
Batman Urban Legends #5 (Cover C Mimi Yoon), $7.99
Challenge Of The Super Sons #4 (Of 7)(Cover A Simone Di Meo), $3.99
Challenge Of The Super Sons #4 (Of 7)(Cover B Nick Bradshaw Card Stock Variant), $4.99
DC Horror Presents The Conjuring The Lover #1 (Of 5)(Garry Brown 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
DC Poster Portfolio Joelle Jones TP, $24.99
DCeased Unkillables TP, $17.99
Detective Comics #1039 (Cover A Dan Mora), $4.99
Detective Comics #1039 (Cover B Lee Bermejo Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Flash 2021 Annual #1 (Cover A Brandon Peterson), $5.99
Flash 2021 Annual #1 (Cover B Brett Booth Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Future State Gotham #3 (Cover A Simone Di Meo), $3.99
Future State Gotham #3 (Cover B Rose Besch Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Future State Suicide Squad TP, $19.99
Green Lantern Season Two Volume 2 Ultrawar HC, $24.99
Infinite Frontier #2 (Of 6)(Cover A Mitch Gerads), $4.99
Infinite Frontier #2 (Of 6)(Cover B Bryan Hitch Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Infinite Frontier #2 (Of 6)(Cover C Puppeteer Lee Card Stock Variant), AR
Injustice Year Zero The Complete Collection HC, $24.99
Joker #5 (Cover A Guillem March), $5.99
Joker #5 (Cover B Kaare Andrews), $5.99
Joker #5 (Cover C Sean Phillips), $5.99
Joker #5 (Cover D Riccardo Federici), AR
Justice League Last Ride #3 (Of 7)(Cover A Darick Robertson), $3.99
Justice League Last Ride #3 (Of 7)(Cover B Riccardo Federici Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Nice House On The Lake #1 (Of 12)(Alvaro Martinez Bueno 2nd Printing Variant Cover), $3.99
Nice House On The Lake #1 (Of 12)(Werther Dell’Edera 2nd Printing Variant Cover), AR
Rorschach #10 (Of 12)(Cover A Jorge Fornes), $4.99
Rorschach #10 (Of 12)(Cover B Jenny Frison), $4.99
Suicide Squad Their Greatest Shots TP, $12.99
Wonder Woman #775 (Cover A Travis Moore), $4.99
Wonder Woman #775 (Cover B Becky Cloonan Card Stock Variant), $5.99

#IReadsYou Movie Review: BLACK WIDOW

Black Widow (2021)

Running time: 133 minutes
MPAA – PG-13 for intense sequences of violence/action, some language and thematic material
DIRECTOR: Cate Shortland
WRITERS:  Eric Pearson; from a story by Jac Schaeffer and Ned Benson (based upon the Marvel Comics character)
PRODUCER: Kevin Feige
CINEMATOGRAPHER: Gabriel Beristain
EDITOR: Leigh Folsom Boyd
COMPOSER: Lorne Balfe

SUPERHERO/DRAMA/ACTION

Starring:  Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel Weisz, Ray Winstone, Ever Anderson, Violet McGraw, O-T Fagbenie,  and William Hurt

Black Widow is a 2021 3D superhero film directed by Cate Shortland and produced by Marvel Studios and Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.  It is the 24th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) series.  The film is based on the Marvel Comics character, Natalia Alianovna “Natasha” Romanova/Black Widow, that was created by Stan Lee, Don Rico, and artist Don Heck and first appeared in the comic book, Tales of Suspense #52 (cover dated: April 1964).  Black Widow the film finds the title character on the run and forced to confront the conspiracies and people of her past.

Black Widow is largely set between the events depicted in the films, Captain America: Civil War (2016) and Avengers: Infinity Wars (2018).  The film, however, opens in 1995.  Young Natasha Romanoff (Ever Anderson) lives a quiet life in suburban Ohio with her younger sister, Yelena Belova (Violet McGraw), and their parents.  But Natasha and Yelena are not siblings, and their surrogate mother, Melina Vostokoff (Rachel Weisz), is really a Russian scientist/spy, and their father, Alexei Shostkov (David Harbour), is a spy and also the costumed superhero, “Red Guardian,” Russia's super-soldier version of Captain America.  When this “family's” mission suddenly ends, Natasha and Yelena are returned to Russia and sent to the “Red Room” for further training.

Twenty-one years later, in the year 2016, Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) is on fugitive, on the run from U.S. Secretary of State Thaddeus Ross (William Hurt).  Fate reunites her with an older Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), who until recently was still a “Widow,” an assassin working for the Red Room.  Now, both women, traumatized by their pasts, set out to find and kill Dreykov (Ray Winstone), the head of the Red Room and the mastermind behind the “Widow” program.  To do so, however, they must mend the broken relationships of their pasts, and Natasha must face the reality that her actions could not only alert her pursuers to her whereabouts, but could also lead to her destruction.

I wondered how Marvel Studios could hope to deliver a superhero movie that would satisfy their audiences in the wake of Avengers: Endgame, which was a special effects extravaganza, which changed the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), which was a record-setting box office hit, and which saw some beloved characters die, including the Black Widow.  Black Widow does offer big action sequences: a harrowing opening air plane escape, a battle royale in Budapest, a crazy prison escape, and that final showdown on a giant aerial base.  After waiting two years for a Marvel Studios film (because of the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown of movie theaters), the big action of Black Widow is big enough to sate my Marvel needs.

However, I must be honest, it is the action that really makes Black Widow for me.  The drama is good, and the interpersonal relationship conflict and drama are fitting for the story of a character like the Black Widow who past is so very dark and is filled with violence and pain.  The main cast of Black Widow:  Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel Weisz gives excellent performances in this tale of betrayal and of secrets of lies.  In a way, these performances only serve to make the drama all the more dark, edgy, and, at times, depressing.  So, that is why I must be honest.  I respected the character drama of Black Widow, which director Cate Shortland delivers in gritty detail.  But while watching the film, I was always anxious for the arrival of the next big, special effects-driven action sequence, and man, Black Widow did not disappoint!

Black Widow has a great adversary in “The Taskmaster,” but the reveal of that villain's identity is a bit of a letdown.  Ray Winstone, an actor I like, was just okay as Dreykov, a promising bad guy the script makes into a shallow character.  Still, the action scenes – I'm crazy about them.  They are both the reason that I am giving Black Widow a high grade and the reason I will watch Black Widow many more times when it starts airing on cable television in a little less than two years from now.

A

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


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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

#IReadsYou Review: SCOOBY-DOO, Where Are You? #109

SCOOBY-DOO, WHERE ARE YOU? (2010) No. 109
DC COMICS

STORY: Derek Fridolfs; Dan Abnett
PENCILS: Scott Jeralds; Anthony Williams
INKS: Scott Jeralds; Dan Davis
COLORS: Jeremy Lawson; Paul Becton
LETTERS: Saida Temofonte; Tom Orzechowski
EDITORS: Courtney Jordan; Joan Hilty (reprint)
COVER: Derek Fridolfs with Pamela Lovas
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (June 2021)

Ages 8+

“Escape Claws”

Welcome, dear readers, to my continuing journey through the Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? comic book series, which began publication in 2010.  I continue to renew my subscription so that I can continue to review this series for you, dear readers.

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #109 opens with “Escape Claws,” which is written by Derek Fridolfs and drawn by Scott Jeralds.  Mystery Inc.:  Scooby-Doo, Shaggy, Fred, Daphne, and Velma have been called to “Coolsville Escape Room.”  George Papalakis, the owner of an indoor competition game, “Escapades,” wants them to test the game (which is similar to “Laser Tag,” but without the shooting).  Apparently, a “chimera,” a mythological creature that is composed of a lion, a goat, and a snake, is haunting the place?  Can Mystery Inc, solve this case and escape the claws of the chimera.

The second story, “Petrified!,” is, as usual, a reprint story and is written by Dan Abnett and drawn by Anthony Williams and Dan Davis.  [This story was originally published as the back-up story in Scooby-Doo #70 (cover date: May 2003).]  The gang has been called to a town that is being plagued by a “basilisk.”  Originating from Europe, this mythological creature was a winged lizard that could turn people to stone when it stared at them.  However, Mystery Inc. knows that there is more to the townsfolk's stories than they are admitting.

The theme of this issue is mythological creatures, and while the concept for each story is interesting, the execution of each story is, to be quite honest, awful.  As usual, I like the quirky line work and delicate design and page layouts of artist Scott Jeralds.  He makes “Escape Claws” at least pleasant on the eyes.  Otherwise, Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #109 is a low point in this series.

So, I recommend Scooby-Doo, Where Are You? #109 strictly to readers who are collecting all issues of this series.  And until next time, Scooby-Dooby-Doo!

C
4 out of 10

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


https://www.dccomics.com/
https://twitter.com/DCComics
https://www.facebook.com/dccomics
https://www.youtube.com/user/DCEntertainmentTV
https://www.pinterest.com/dccomics/
https://www.periscope.tv/DCComics/1ZkKzezXwZdxv


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for syndication rights and fees.

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

#IReadsYou Movie Review: VENOM

Venom (2018)

Running time:  112 minutes
MPAA – PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and for language
DIRECTOR:  Ruben Fleischer
WRITERS:  Scott Rosenberg and Kelly Marcel; from a screen story by Jeff Pinkner and Scott Rosenberg (based on the Marvel Comics)
PRODUCERS:  Avi Arad, Amy Pascal, and Matt Tolmach
CINEMATOGRAPHER:  Matthew Libatique (D.o.P.)
EDITORS:  Alan Baumgarten and Maryann Brandon
COMPOSER:  Ludwig Göransson

SUPERHERO/FANTASY/ACTION

Starring:  Tom Hardy, Michelle Williams, Riz Ahmed, Scott Haze, Reid Scott, Jenny Slate, Melora Walters, Peggy Lu, Ron Cephas Jones, Stan Lee, and Woody Harrelson

Venom is a 2018 superhero fantasy-action film directed by Ruben Fleischer.  The film is based on the Marvel Comics super-villain/anti-hero characters, Eddie Brock/Venom, to which several comic book writers, artists, and editors contributed in the creation of, most especially artist Todd McFarlane and writer David Michelinie.  It is also the first film in the “Sony Pictures Universe of Marvel Characters” series.  In Venom the film, a troubled television reporter gains superpowers after bonding with an alien entity that is part of an invasion force.

As Venom opens, a space exploration probe belonging to the bio-engineering corporation, Life Foundation, discovers a comet covered in strange lifeforms.  The probe returns to Earth with four samples of these lifeforms, but one escapes.  Later, Life Foundation CEO, Carlton Drake (Riz Ahmed), has realized that these lifeforms are “symbiotes,” and that they cannot survive without human hosts.  However, soon after the symbiotes bond with humans, the humans' bodies start to reject the aliens.  Drake is obsessed with finding the perfect human hosts for these symbiotes, even if his experiments lead to the deaths of many humans.

Six months later, Eddie Brock (Tom Hardy) is a failed television reporter and former star of “The Brock Report.”  He previously had a run-in with Drake, but fate has given him the opportunity to infiltrate the Life Foundation.  That is how Eddie has an unfortunate encounter with a symbiote that calls itself “Venom.”  Eddie struggles to adapt to what he calls the “parasite” inside his body and is shocked to learn that there are millions more like Venom out in space.  But Eddie will need Venom's help to stay alive when Drake and Life Foundation discover his strange union and come after him to retrieve their property – the symbiote Venom.

Except for his early comic book appearances, I have never been a fan of Venom, but I am a fan of Venom the movie.  He is one of those characters whose potential reveals itself in the movement that television and film offers.  The visual-effects crew of Venom does excellent work in creating Venom as a fascinating and alluring CGI character; noisy, chaotic, obnoxious, inconsistent, and aggressive work for this character.  In fact, there are many inconsistencies in what is supposed to be the nature of human-symbiote relationship, especially in what are the rules of Eddie Brock and Venom's merger, but I found this movie to be too much fun for me to pay attention to logic.

Tom Hardy as Eddie Brock and Riz Ahmed as Carlton Drake make the most of two characters that are not that well developed, and the characters make a good adversarial pair.  Even acclaimed actress and multiple Oscar nominee, Michelle Williams, manages to make Eddie's ex, Anne Weying, seem like something more than an obligatory female character.  But still, the gold in Venom is the special effect that is Venom the character.  I like Venom enough to watch a sequel...

B+

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


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for July 7, 2021

BOOM! STUDIOS

MAY210998    BASILISK #2 CVR A SCHARF    $3.99
MAY210999    BASILISK #2 CVR B SIMMONDS    $3.99
MAY210986    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #27 CVR A FRANY    $3.99
MAY210987    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #27 CVR B GEORGIEV    $3.99
MAR210903    FIREFLY BLUE SUN RISING LTD ED HC    $19.99
APR219666    MAGIC THE GATHERING (MTG) #3 2ND PTG GUARA    $4.99
MAY210957    MAGIC THE GATHERING (MTG) #4 CVR A SCALERA    $4.99
MAY210958    MAGIC THE GATHERING (MTG) #4 CVR B HIDDEN PLANESWALKER VAR    $4.99
MAY210959    MAGIC THE GATHERING (MTG) #4 CVR C BLANK SKETCH CVR    $4.99
MAY210939    MAMO #1 (OF 5) CVR A MILLEDGE    $4.99
APR211202    POWER RANGERS #8 CVR C BLANK SKETCH CVR    $3.99
MAY210948    WWE NEW DAY POWER OF POSITIVITY #1 (OF 2) CVR A BAYLISS    $7.99
MAY210949    WWE NEW DAY POWER OF POSITIVITY #1 (OF 2) CVR B RAHZZAH    $7.99
MAY211018    WYND #8 CVR A DIALYNAS    $4.99
MAY211019    WYND #8 CVR B GONZALES    $4.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for July 7, 2021

DARK HORSE COMICS

MAR210307    BANDETTE HC VOL 04 SIX FINGER SECRET    $17.99
MAY210276    BEASTS OF BURDEN OCCUPIED TERRITORY #4 (OF 4) CVR A DEWEY    $3.99
MAY210277    BEASTS OF BURDEN OCCUPIED TERRITORY #4 (OF 4) CVR B DORKIN &    $3.99
FEB210247    CYBERPUNK 2077 YOUR VOICE TP    $19.99
FEB210269    HARROW COUNTY OMNIBUS TP VOL 02    $29.99
MAY210239    HELLBOY & BPRD SECRET OF CHESBRO HOUSE #1 (OF 2) CVR A MCMAN    $3.99
MAY210240    HELLBOY & BPRD SECRET OF CHESBRO HOUSE #1 (OF 2) CVR B STENB    $3.99
MAR210261    HELLBOY UNIVERSE ESSENTIALS HELLBOY TP    $14.99
APR210424    JENNY ZERO #3 (OF 4)    $3.99
MAY210225    MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE REVELATION #1 (OF 4) CVR A SEJIC    $3.99
MAY210226    MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE REVELATION #1 (OF 4) CVR B MIGNOLA &    $3.99
FEB210313    STEPHEN MCCRANIES SPACE BOY TP VOL 10    $10.99
MAR210300    STONE STAR TP VOL 01    $19.99
FEB210252    STRANGER THINGS & DUNGEONS & DRAGONS TP    $19.99
FEB210264    TRUE LIVES FABULOUS KILLJOYS NATIONAL ANTHEM TP    $24.99
MAY210274    WORST DUDES #2 (OF 5) (MR)    $3.99