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Monday, September 20, 2021
Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 22, 2021
Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 22, 2021
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Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for September 22, 2021
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DC Comics from Lunar Distributors for September 21, 2021
Aquaman The Becoming #1 (Of 6) (Cover A David Talaski), $3.99
Aquaman The Becoming #1 (Of 6) (Cover B Khary Randolph Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Aquaman The Becoming #1 (Of 6) (Cover C Francis Manapul Card Stock Variant), AR
Batman #113 (Cover A Jorge Jimenez) (Fear State), $4.99
Batman #113 (Cover B Jorge Molina Card Stock Variant) (Fear State), $5.99
Batman #113 (Cover C Ben Oliver Card Stock Variant (Fear State), AR
Batman Li’l Gotham Calendar Daze TP, $9.99
Batman Secret Files Miracle Molly #1 (One Shot) (Cover A Little Thunder)(Fear State), $4.99
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Batman Secret Files Miracle Molly #1 (One Shot) (Cover C Little Thunder Card Stock Variant)(Fear State), AR
Batman The Adventures Continue Season Two #4 (Of 7) (Cover A Rob Guillory), $3.99
Batman The Adventures Continue Season Two #4 (Of 7) (Cover B Jordan Gibson Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batman The Detective #5 (Of 6) (Cover A Andy Kubert), $3.99
Batman The Detective #5 (Of 6) (Cover B Andy Kubert Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Birds Of Prey Fighters By Trade TP, $24.99
Catwoman #35 (Cover A Yanick Paquette) (Fear State), $3.99
Catwoman #35 (Cover B Jenny Frison Card Stock Variant) (Fear State), $4.99
Catwoman #35 (Cover C Kael Ngu Card Stock Variant) (Fear State), AR
DC Connect #17, AR
Flash #774 (Cover A Bryan Hitch), $3.99
Flash #774 (Cover B Jorge Corona Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Looney Tunes #262 (Cover A Derek Fridolfs), $2.99
Low Low Woods TP, $17.99
Nightwing #84 (Cover A Bruno Redondo) (Fear State), $3.99
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Nightwing #84 (Cover C Kael Ngu Card Stock Variant) (Fear State), AR
Shazam #3 (Of 4) (Cover A Clayton Henry), $3.99
Shazam #3 (Of 4) (Cover B Fico Ossio Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Suicide Squad King Shark #1 (Of 6) (Cover A Trevor Hairsine), $3.99
Suicide Squad King Shark #1 (Of 6) (Cover B Riccardo Federici Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Suicide Squad King Shark #1 (Of 6) (Cover C Scott Kolins Card Stock Variant), AR
Supergirl Woman Of Tomorrow #4 (Of 8) (Cover A Bilquis Evely), $4.99
Supergirl Woman Of Tomorrow #4 (Of 8) (Cover B Rose Besch), $4.99
Wonder Woman Agent Of Peace Volume 1 Global Guardian TP, $19.99
Friday, September 17, 2021
#IReadsYou Review: BATMAN: Dark Detective
DC COMICS – @DCComics
[This review was originally posted on Patreon]
STORY: Steve Englehart
PENCILS: Marshall Rogers
INKS: Terry Austin
COLORS: Chris Chuckry
LETTERS: John Workman
EDITORS: Anton Kawasaki (collection); Joey Cavalieri (original)
MISC ART: Marshall Rogers and Terry Austin
COVER: Marshall Rogers and Terry Austin
ISBN: 978-1-4012-0898-3; paperback (April 12, 2006)
144pp, Color, $14.99 U.S., $19.99 CAN
Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger
Batman: Dark Detective is a 2006 trade paperback collection of the 2005, six-issue miniseries, Batman: Dark Detective (cover dated: July 2005 to Late September 2005). The miniseries was written by Steve Englehart; drawn by the late Marshall Rogers (pencils) and Terry Austin (inks); colored by Chris Chuckry; and lettered by John Workman.
Steve Englehart is an American comic book writer known for his influential and prominent work during the 1970s. He had memorable runs writing The Avengers from #105 -#152 (1972 to 1976) and Doctor Strange (Vol. 2) #1 to 18 (except #3) for Marvel Comics. He also created such Marvel characters as “Shang-Chi, Master of Kung-Fu,” “Nomad,” “Star Lord,” and “Mantis.”
Marshall Rogers (1950 to 2007) was an American comic book artist known for his work for Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and Eclipse Comics. He produced memorable work, drawing and coloring writer Harlan Ellison's graphic novel, Demon with a Glass Hand (DC Comics, 1986). He also drew an early 1980s run on Doctor Strange and a late 1980s run on The Silver Surfer, both for Marvel.
Englehart and Rogers' most acclaimed and most influential work happened when they collaborated on a six-issue run of Batman stories in Detective Comics in the 1970s. From issue #471 to issue #476 (August 1977 to March-April 1978), Englehart and Rogers produced some of the most popular Batman stories of the 1970s and arguably of all time. Englehart and Rogers re-teamed on Batman for the miniseries, Batman: Dark Detective, a follow-up and spiritual sequel to their original work on Batman for Detective Comics.
Batman: Dark Detective is set in Gotham City, but the action takes place within and outside Gotham City limits. Batman has taken it upon himself to protect a hot new gubernatorial candidate, U.S. Senator Evan Gregory. Batman's alter ego, Bruce Wayne, is also a big fan of Sen. Gregory, even making large cash contributions to the senator's gubernatorial campaign.
While attending a fundraiser for Sen. Gregory, Bruce is shocked to encounter a former girlfriend, Silver St. Cloud, at the fundraiser. Once upon a time, Silver managed to discover that Bruce Wayne was Batman. Afraid of the life Batman led, Silver ran away, leaving Gotham City behind her. Now, she has returned, and she is Sen. Gregory's fiancée. However, old feelings begin to stir up between Bruce and Silver, but is she now willing to accept the life that Bruce leads as Batman?
Meanwhile, three prominent members of Batman's “rogues gallery” are raising hell in Gotham. First, the Scarecrow is releasing new types of his fear gas in order to reach into Batman and summon his deepest fears, thereby destroying him or making it easy for Scarecrow to destroy him.
The Joker, envious of the attention that Sen. Gregory's gubernatorial campaign has received, decides that he will also run for governor. And he has a memorable campaign slogan, “Vote for Me or I'll Kill You.” Envious of the Joker's campaign, Two-Face decides to kill the Joker and part of his plot involves the creation of a clone of himself. This clone, however, will have a face that is whole and that is not hideous and acid-damaged like the left side of Two-Face's mug.
For Batman, the question is must he choose between his quest for justice and his affections for Silver? Or can he balance and have both: the dangerous life of Batman the crime fighter and the domestic life of Bruce Wayne with Silver St. Cloud as his partner and lover?
One of the most interesting Batman love interests, Silver St. Cloud has not appeared in many Batman comic books. She is a good match for both Bruce Wayne and Batman in that she is fiercely independent, but also passionate in her love for Bruce/Batman. Their relationship is perfect for drama, probably because their's is so obviously a doomed love. I like that Englehart brought her back, because only he really knows how to use the character, as her co-creator (with artist Walter Simonson).
Two-Face and the Scarecrow are side players as villains in Dark Detective, but Englehart uses Scarecrow to force Batman to examine who he is, why he is the way he is, and why he does what he does. Basically, in Batman: Dark Detective, Englehart puts Bruce Wayne and Batman through mental distress in a process by which Wayne will find a way to be at peace with why he became Batman and why he continues to do what he does.
Englehart and Rogers' Joker is one of the most frightening comic book versions of the character in its history. Insane, matter-of-fact, and homicidal, their Joker is a force of nature, as relentless and as unpredictable as nature can be. I still believe that the Joker that Englehart and Rogers first presented in 1977 is the one that shaped how the character would be interpreted and presented in comic books in the four decades that followed.
Batman: Dark Detective finds Steve Englehart practically in top form as a comic book writer. However, as an artist, Marshall Rogers is not in peak form; he would die of an apparent heart attack a little less than two years after Batman: Dark Detective #6 was published. Rogers still delivers imaginative page and panel designs, but the quicksilver and mercurial clear line that defined his work during his peak years is gone. However, Terry Austin's detailed and precision inking occasionally brings out some of the classic Marshall Rogers style.
Steve Englehart now refers to his 1970s run on Detective Comics as “Dark Detective I,” the precursor to his 2005 miniseries, Batman: Dark Detective, which he now calls “Dark Detective II.” Englehart has also said that his early Batman stories not only influenced the 1989 Batman movie that was directed by Tim Burton, but that they were also the reason that film went into development. Englehart has also stated that director Christopher Nolan's 2008 film, The Dark Knight, incorporates several elements presented in Batman: Dark Detective.
I saw The Dark Knight when it was first released, but only just read Batman: Dark Detective. Yeah, the film has ideas that are similar to some found in this comic book. Batman: Dark Detective the trade paperback is a good way to read this story, and the story solidifies my belief that Englehart is one of the best and most influential Batman comic book writers of all time. I enjoyed Batman: Dark Detective enough to wish that we could get Batman: Dark Detective II (or III, as Englehart would call it.).
A
8 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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Wednesday, September 15, 2021
#IReadsYou Review: BATMAN: Strange Apparitions
BATMAN: STRANGE APPARITIONS
DC COMICS – @DCComics
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
STORY: Steve Englehart; Len Wein
PENCILS: Marshall Rogers; Walter Simonson
INKS: Terry Austin; Dick Giordano; Al Milgrom
COLORS: Marshall Rogers
LETTERS: Ben Oda; Milton Snapinn; John Workman
EDITORS: Dale Crain (collection); Julie Schwartz (original)
MISC: Marshall Rogers; Walter Simonson; Terry Austin; Al Milgrom; Jerry Serpe
COVER: Marshall Rogers and Terry Austin with Lee Loughridge
ISBN: 978-1-56389-500-5; paperback (January 2000)
180pp, Color, $12.95 U.S., $20.00 CAN (November 11, 1999)
Batman created by Bob Kane and Bill Finger
Introduction by Steve Englehart
Steve Englehart is an American comic book writer known for his influential and prominent work during the 1970s. He had memorable runs writing The Avengers from #105 -#152 (1972 to 1976) and Doctor Strange (Vol. 2) #1 to 18 (except #3). He created such comics characters as “Shang-Chi, Master of Kung-Fu,” “Nomad,” “Star Lord,” and “Mantis.”
Marshall Rogers (1950 to 2007) was an American comic book artist known for his work for Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and Eclipse Comics. He produced memorable work like Harlan Ellison's graphic novel, Demon with a Glass Hand (DC Comics, 1986); an early 1980s run on Doctor Strange and a late 1980s run on The Silver Surfer, both for Marvel.
In November 1999, DC Comics published the trade paperback, Batman: Strange Apparitions. It collected Englehart and Rogers' most acclaimed and most influential work, which was their collaboration on a six-issue run of Batman stories for Detective Comics in the 1970s. From issue #471 to issue #476 (August 1977 to March-April 1978), Englehart and Rogers produced some of the most popular Batman stories of all time, although they each produced two stories for Detective Comics with other collaborators.
Englehart wrote a Batman two-part story for Detective Comics #469 and #470, which were drawn by legendary comic book artist, Walter Simonson. Rogers drew a two-art Batman story for issues #478 and #479, which were written by the late great comic book writer, Len Wein. However, their work from #471 to #476 is what marks Englehart and Rogers as one of the greatest Batman creative teams of all time. Although their work covers no more than six issues and is comprised of about only 102 pages, they are six memorable issues and 102 glorious pages.
DC Comics first reprinted Detective Comics #469 to #476 and #478 to #479 in the five-issue comic book miniseries, Shadow of the Batman (December 1985 to April 1986). Shadow of the Batman #1 reprints the Englehart and Simonson issues, and Shadow of the Batman #5 reprints the Wein and Rogers stories. Shadow of the Batman #2 to #4 reprints the Englehart-Rogers run. Rogers also drew double-sided covers for each issue of Shadow of the Batman, and each issue also includes a comics short story drawn by Rogers that appeared in one of DC Comics' 1970s comic book anthology series. Batman: Strange Apparitions reprints Detective Comics #469 to #476 and #478 to #479, without the Rogers short stories.
Englehart and artist Walt Simonson open Strange Apparitions with a two-part story from Detective Comics #469 (“...By Death's Eerie Light!”) and #470 (“The Master Plan of Dr. Phosphorus”). The radioactive villain, “Dr. Phosphorus,” is attempting to hold Gotham City hostage, and Batman is having a difficult time with the villain. Phosphorus has the strength to go toe-to-toe with Batman, and his radioactive touch can burn through Batman's uniform and leave serious burn on the Dark Knight's body. Phosphorus is also part of a conspiracy that reaches into city hall. The ringleader of this conspiracy is Boss Rupert Thorne, city council chairman and crime boss. Englehart also introduces a memorable love interest for Bruce Wayne, Silver St. Cloud, a socialite and eventually, an event planner who comes to realize that Wayne is Batman.
That leads into the first two Steve Englehart-Marshall Rogers issues, Detective Comics #471 (“The Dead Yet Live) and #472 (“I Am the Batman”). As Bruce Wayne, Batman checks into Graytowers Clinic, where the renowned Dr. Todhunter has a reputation for helping wealthy and powerful men recover physically and mentally. Batman is hoping to recover from the grave wounds he sustained battling Dr. Phosphorus. However, Dr. Todhunter is in actuality an old Batman villain, Hugo Strange. Strange discovers that Bruce Wayne is Batman and incapacitates Wayne so that he can assume the identity of Batman. Another plot line involves Boss Thorne putting out a contract on Batman's life, which draws the attention of some colorful and familiar Batman enemies. In “I Am the Batman,” Robin returns to Gotham City to re-team with Batman.
Batman takes on The Penguin in Detective Comics #473 (“The Malay Penguin”) and the assassin “Deadshot” in issue #474 (The Deadshot Ricochet”). Early in the latter story, Robin ends his temporary reunion with Batman when he is summoned by the Teen Titans.
Englehart and Rogers most famous story in their run occurred in the two-part Detective Comics #475 (“The Laughing Fish”) and #476 (“Sign of the Joker”). This story features an unambiguously homicidal Joker, whose murderous actions are wholly illogical and consistently capricious. In this mini-story arc, The Joker uses a chemical to disfigure fish in the ocean, giving them a “rictus grin” (similar to his own ghastly grin). The Joker brazenly expects to be granted a federal trademark on these grinning fish. The local government bureaucrats try to explain to the Joker that they cannot help him even if they wanted. Obtaining such a claim on a natural resource (like the fish) is legally impossible. So The Joker starts killing these men in the most gruesome way, and Batman begins a desperate and seemingly failing battle to stop the Joker. Issue #476 is Englehart's final issue.
Marshall Rogers ends his tenure on Detective Comics with a two-part tale written by Len Wein. The story appears in Detective Comics #478 (“The Coming of... Clayface III!”) and #479 (“If a Man Be Made of Clay...!”) and introduces the third iteration of the classic Batman villain, Clayface.
During his short, but essential run on Detective Comics, Steve Englehart returns Batman to his pulp fiction roots, making him a relentless force for justice. Marshall Rogers draws Batman as brooding, fearsome, wraith-like, and (indeed) bat-like. Batman moves about the page in a way that recalls what may be the character's chief inspiration, the pulp hero and vigilante, Walter Gibson's The Shadow.
The Joker also experiences a return to his roots. Englehart and Rogers present an insane, matter-of-fact, and homicidal Joker, who has a creepy, unsettling grin dominating his face. This recalls the character originally presented by writer Bill Finger and artists Bob Kane and Jerry Robinson. As a visual reference for the way Rogers draws The Joker, readers need only take a look at three covers drawn by Jerry Robinson that feature The Joker: Detective Comics #69 (Nov. 1942) and #71 (Jan. 1943), and also Batman #37 (Oct.-Nov 1946).
Steve Englehart now refers to his 1970s run on Detective Comics as “Dark Detective I,” as precursor to his 2005 miniseries, Batman: Dark Detective, which he now calls “Dark Detective II.” I read these 1970s Englehart-Rogers Batman stories when I was a pre-teen, again in my late teens, and again in my early thirties, and now in my early 50s. I can say that, for the most part, these stories have aged well.
Englehart has also said that these stories not only influenced the 1989 Batman movie, but that they are also the reason that film went into development. I don't know if that is true or not, but I could believe it. These stories are special enough to influence other Batman storytellers, and in the trade paperback collection, Batman: Strange Apparitions, they prove that they won't fade away.
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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Tuesday, September 14, 2021
#IReadsYou Review: CHAOS CAMPUS #35
CHAOS CAMPUS: SORORITY GIRLS VS ZOMBIES #35
APPROBATION COMICS
STORY: B. Alex Thompson – @ApproBAT
ART: Ricardo Mendez
COLORS: Alivon Ortiz
LETTERS: Krugos
POST-SCRIPTING/POLISH: John P. Ward
EDITORS: B. Alex Thompson and John P. Ward
MISC. ART: Ricardo Mendez with Alivon Ortiz
COVER: Ricardo Mendez with Alivon Ortiz
24pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. print/$1.99 U.S. digital (2017; digital release date – October 24, 2018)
Rated: Teen 13+ / 15+ Only – comiXology rating
Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies created by B. Alex Thompson
“Higher Learning, Part 3 of 4”
Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies is the long-running zombie apocalypse comic book series from Approbation Comics. Mixing in elements of comedy, horror, adventure, and magic, it is the creation of B. Alex Thompson. The series 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 goddess-type Brittany Ann Miller.
The current story line is “Higher Learning.” It is written by Thompson; drawn by Ricardo Mendez; colored by Alivon Ortiz; and lettered by Krugos. In this story arc, Paige is reunited with her father, who also happens to be the villain, Tech Locke, and her “sister,” Tess Raven.
Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies #35 opens in the “Campus Survivors Compound.” Paige's mother, Morgan, wants the group to have a really good plan of action before they launch an attack on Tech Locke's compound to retrieve her daughter. Jamie and Brittany, newly recovered from her injuries, are raring to go. What they don't know is that Paige is willing to help her father and is all-in on his diabolical plans, which she doesn't see as diabolical.
Locke will assist his ally, Doctor Lucian Campbell, who wants to ascend as “Skull Drudgery's” vessel. In order to do that, he needs the “Ever-Ice,” and that can only be found on an alternate Earth – an “Ice Earth” that Tess visited a few years ago. But Tess will need Paige's magical powers, which are only getting stronger, to open a portal to that world.
Meanwhile, the other two EAZY sisters are in a pitched battle against Neo-Zombies outside Locke's compound. Now, they must follow Paige and Locke to the Ice Earth, but if they do, tragedy will also follow them.
THE LOWDOWN: After bringing “The Road to Salvation” story line to an end and delivering a series of standalone stories, writer B. Alex Thompson turns the focus of Chaos Campus' narrative eye to Paige Helena Patton. The fun thing of that, especially for regular readers of Chaos Campus, is that this story arc, “Higher Learning,” means a return of favorite characters that have been absent for several issues or even longer. Thompson brings family drama, tragedy, and real pain to Chaos Campus #35, and he also delivers some epic action.
Ricardo Mendez's art and graphical storytelling deftly mixes the magic and the reunions. As he did in the second issue, Mendez also conveys how important this story arc is both in terms of Paige's development and in her personal story and in terms of how the story affects the future of the series. In this thirty-fifth issue, Mendez also offers readers six cool double-page spreads that greatly heighten the sense of drama and action; they are like a kick of adrenaline to your imagination, dear readers.
Alivon Ortiz's dazzling colors and impressive color effects make “Higher Learning's” magic look … well, magical. Krugos' lettering continues the steady beat of this series, as he carries readers into an alternative world of high-powered action. I heartily recommend Chaos Campus #35, so go back and get issues #33 and #34, if you have to, as you prepare for the conclusion of “Higher Learning.”
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of zombies and of horror-comedies will want to try Chaos Campus: Sorority Girls vs. Zombies.
A
9 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
Buy Chaos Campus at comiXology or at https://www.comixology.com/Chaos-Campus-Sorority-Girls-vs-Zombies/comics-series/63703?ref=c2VhcmNoL2luZGV4L2Rlc2t0b3Avc2xpZGVyTGlzdC90b3BSZXN1bHRzU2xpZGVy
www.ApprobationComics.com
https://twitter.com/ApproBAT
www.AlexThompsonWriter.com
The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint or syndication rights and fees.
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