Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 26, 2022

 MARVEL COMICS

NOV210834 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #87 $3.99

NOV210835 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #87 SMITH VAR $3.99

NOV210869 AVENGERS FOREVER #2 $3.99

NOV210870 AVENGERS FOREVER #2 DAUTERMAN VAR $3.99

AUG211115 BLACK PANTHER #3 $5.99

NOV210875 BLACK PANTHER #3 FRANK VAR $5.99

NOV210873 CAPTAIN AMERICA IRON MAN #3 (OF 5) $3.99

NOV210874 CAPTAIN AMERICA IRON MAN #3 (OF 5) TAN CLASSIC HOMAGE VAR $3.99

AUG211307 CONAN PEOPLE OF BLACK CIRCLE AND OTHER STORIES TP $39.99

OCT211007 DAREDEVIL EPIC COLLECTION TP GOING OUT WEST $44.99

SEP211062 DEADPOOL BLACK WHITE BLOOD TREASURY EDITION TP $29.99

NOV210907 DEATH OF DOCTOR STRANGE #5 (OF 5) $3.99

NOV210908 DEATH OF DOCTOR STRANGE #5 (OF 5) LOPEZ VAR $3.99

NOV210910 DEATH OF DOCTOR STRANGE #5 (OF 5) MOONEY CLASSIC HOMAGE VAR $3.99

NOV210806 DEVILS REIGN #3 (OF 6) $4.99

NOV210807 DEVILS REIGN #3 (OF 6) BAGLEY CONNECTING VAR $4.99

NOV210809 DEVILS REIGN #3 (OF 6) CHEUNG HEADSHOT SKETCH VAR $4.99

NOV210816 DEVILS REIGN WINTER SOLDIER #1 $4.99

NOV210817 DEVILS REIGN WINTER SOLDIER #1 OKAZAKI VAR $4.99

JUN210816 DOCTOR STRANGE OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 DM VAR NEW PTG $75.00

JUN210815 DOCTOR STRANGE OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 NEW PTG $75.00

JUN210817 DOCTOR STRANGE OMNIBUS HC VOL 02 NOWLAN CVR $100.00

NOV210919 IRON MAN #16 $3.99

NOV210920 IRON MAN #16 WOODS CLASSIC HOMAGE VAR $3.99

NOV210891 MARAUDERS ANNUAL #1 $4.99

NOV210892 MARAUDERS ANNUAL #1 LUPACCHINO VAR $4.99

MAY210710 MARVELS VOICES TP LEGACY $24.99

NOV210836 MARY JANE BLACK CAT BEYOND #1 $4.99

NOV210843 MARY JANE BLACK CAT BEYOND #1 JIMENEZ VAR $4.99

NOV210837 MARY JANE BLACK CAT BEYOND #1 MOMOKO VAR $4.99

NOV210838 MARY JANE BLACK CAT BEYOND #1 MOMOKO VIRGIN VAR $4.99

NOV210840 MARY JANE BLACK CAT BEYOND #1 RAMOS VAR $4.99

NOV210842 MARY JANE BLACK CAT BEYOND #1 VILLA VAR $4.99

JUN210811 MIGHTY THOR OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 COIPEL CVR NEW PTG $100.00

JUN210812 MIGHTY THOR OMNIBUS HC VOL 01 KIRBY DM VAR NEW PTG $100.00

OCT211035 STAR WARS HIGH REPUBLIC TRAIL SHADOWS #4 (OF 5) $3.99

OCT211036 STAR WARS HIGH REPUBLIC TRAIL SHADOWS #4 (OF 5) FERRY VAR $3.99

OCT211037 STAR WARS HIGH REPUBLIC TRAIL SHADOWS #4 (OF 5) WIJNGAARD VA $3.99

OCT210997 SYMBIOTE SPIDERMAN CROSSROADS TP $15.99

AUG211296 THE MARVELS TP VOL 01 WAR IN SIANCONG $17.99

NOV210931 THOR #21 $3.99

NOV210932 THOR #21 CHEUNG HEADSHOT SKETCH VAR $3.99

NOV210933 THOR #21 CREEES LEE CLASSIC HOMAGE VAR $3.99

OCT210998 WINTER GUARD TP OPERATION SNOWBLIND $17.99

NOV210783 X DEATHS OF WOLVERINE #1 $5.99

NOV210791 X DEATHS OF WOLVERINE #1 BAGLEY TRADING CARD VAR $5.99

NOV210790 X DEATHS OF WOLVERINE #1 CABAL STORMBREAKERS VAR $5.99

NOV210793 X DEATHS OF WOLVERINE #1 GARCIN VAR $5.99

NOV210787 X DEATHS OF WOLVERINE #1 HANS VAR $5.99

NOV210784 X DEATHS OF WOLVERINE #1 JURGENS VAR $5.99

NOV210788 X DEATHS OF WOLVERINE #1 KUBERT OMEGA WOLVERINE SPOILER VAR $5.99

NOV210786 X DEATHS OF WOLVERINE #1 PAREL VAR $5.99

NOV210888 X-MEN #7 $3.99

NOV210890 X-MEN #7 CHEUNG HEADSHOT SKETCH VAR $3.99

NOV210889 X-MEN #7 DAUTERMAN NEW LINEUP TRADING CARD VAR $3.99

JUN210779 X-MEN HELLFIRE GALA TP $17.99

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Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for January 26, 2022

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

AUG212256 ABANDONED EMPRESS GN VOL 01 (MR) $20.00

NOV211801 ALL GUTS NO GLORY #1 (OF 3) CVR A KROME $5.99

NOV211802 ALL GUTS NO GLORY #1 (OF 3) CVR B RIVEIRO $5.99

SEP211650 AQUICORN COVE GN $9.99

NOV211145 ARCHIE MILESTONES JUMBO DIGEST #13 BEST OF 60S $8.99

NOV211141 ARCHIE MODERN CLASSICS MAGIC TP $9.99

NOV211532 BALONEY & FRIENDS GN GOING UP $7.99

SEP211578 BLACK BEACON #5 (OF 6) $2.99

AUG212096 BLADE RUNNER 2029 TP VOL 02 ECHOES $17.99

NOV212035 CITY GN VOL 13 $12.95

DEC201105 COCAINE COAST GN (MR) $19.99

OCT211988 COCOON ENTWINED GN VOL 04 (MR) $15.00

OCT211772 COWBOY BEBOP #1 CVR A LAU $3.99

OCT211773 COWBOY BEBOP #1 CVR B PHOTO $3.99

OCT211774 COWBOY BEBOP #1 CVR C IANNICIELLO $3.99

OCT211775 COWBOY BEBOP #1 CVR D CHAN $3.99

OCT211776 COWBOY BEBOP #1 CVR E LI $3.99

OCT211777 COWBOY BEBOP #1 CVR F LAU B&W $3.99

OCT211778 COWBOY BEBOP #1 CVR G COLORED BLANK SKETCH $3.99

OCT218045 COWBOY BEBOP #1 FOC YOSHITANI VIRGIN $3.99

OCT211982 DARK HISTORY OF REINCARNATED VILLAINESS GN VOL 04 $13.00

OCT211345 DESTINY NY #9 $3.99

FEB211284 DF BATMAN #106 TYNION IV GOLD SGN $52.00

APR211652 DF BATMAN #108 TYNION IV SGN $49.99

SEP211517 DF CATWOMAN LONELY CITY #1 CHIANG SGN $39.99

AUG211743 DF HARLEY QUINN ANIMATED SERIES #1 CGC GRADED $69.00

AUG211731 DF INFERNO #1 MOMOKO VAR CGC GRADED $79.99

FEB211283 DF JOKER #1 BLANK TYNION SGN HAESER RMRK $89.99

FEB211280 DF JOKER #1 BROOKS TEAM VAR TYNION IV SGN $39.99

FEB211279 DF JOKER #1 CGC GRADED $89.99

MAR211268 DF JOKER #2 TYNION IV SGN $49.99

JUL211622 DF KING SPAWN #1 CGC GRADED $79.99

AUG211730 DF PHOENIX SONG ECHO #1 CGC GRADED $79.99

JUN211476 DF STAR WARS WAR BOUNTY HUNTERS JABBA HUTT #1 CGC GRADED $77.00

MAY211414 DF STAR WARS WAR OF BOUNTY HUNTERS #1 CGC GRADED $77.00

SEP212145 DOUBLE GN #1 $12.99

NOV211236 DUEL #1 (OF 10) $4.99

NOV212018 FOX & LITTLE TANUKI GN VOL 04 $12.99

NOV211974 GAL GOHAN GN VOL 10 (OF 10) (MR) $12.99

NOV211053 GHOUL AGENCY #1 $3.99

OCT212066 GIRL I WANT IS SO HANDSOME COMP MANGA COLL TP $19.99

NOV211815 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #56 CVR A CHEN $3.99

NOV211816 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #56 CVR B VITORINO $3.99

NOV211817 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #56 CVR C GARVEY $3.99

NOV211818 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #56 CVR D MATOS $3.99

NOV211975 HAPPY KANAKOS KILLER LIFE GN VOL 03 $14.99

NOV211765 HARBINGER (2021) #4 CVR A RODRIGUEZ $3.99

NOV211766 HARBINGER (2021) #4 CVR B IANNICELLO $3.99

NOV211976 HARUKANA RECEIVE GN VOL 09 (MR) $12.99

NOV211037 HE WHO FIGHTS WITH MONSTERS #5 CVR A DELLEDERA (MR) $3.99

NOV211038 HE WHO FIGHTS WITH MONSTERS #5 CVR B SIMEONE (MR) $3.99

NOV211039 HE WHO FIGHTS WITH MONSTERS #5 CVR C NIETO (MR) $3.99

NOV211040 HE WHO FIGHTS WITH MONSTERS #5 CVR D MOY R (MR) $3.99

OCT211999 HIGH SCHOOL PRODIGIES HAVE IT EASY ANOTHER WORLD GN VOL 11 ( $13.00

OCT211981 I CANNOT REACH YOU GN VOL 03 $13.00

OCT212030 IF I COULD REACH YOU GN VOL 06 (RES) (MR) $12.99

NOV211432 ILLUSTRATING SPAIN IN THE US HC $24.99

OCT211986 IM THE HERO BUT THE DEMON LORDS ALSO ME GN VOL 03 (MR) $13.00

OCT211985 KAIJU GIRL CARAMELISE GN VOL 05 $13.00

NOV211951 KISS ME AT STROKE OF MIDNIGHT GN VOL 12 (RES) $12.99

OCT212031 KNIGHT OF ICE GN VOL 08 $12.99

NOV211312 LADY DEATH CATACLYSMIC MAJESTY #1 (OF 2) CVR A  KHAMUNAKI (M $4.99

NOV211313 LADY DEATH CATACLYSMIC MAJESTY #1 (OF 2) CVR B ORTIZ PEARLS $4.99

NOV211314 LADY DEATH CATACLYSMIC MAJESTY #1 (OF 2) CVR C SPAY FOIL ED $25.00

NOV211315 LADY DEATH CATACLYSMIC MAJESTY #1 (OF 2) CVR D CHATZOUDIS NA $40.00

NOV211317 LADY DEATH EXTINCTION EXPRESS #1 PREMIERE ED (MR) $20.00

JUN211406 LOONEY TUNES WORDLESS GN HIGH RISE HIJINKS $5.95

AUG212359 MAGAIMONO SUPER MAGIC ACTION ENTERTAINMENT GN VOL 01 $12.99

OCT211977 MAID I HIRED RECENTLY IS MYSTERIOUS GN VOL 02 (MR) $13.00

OCT212112 MAN AND HIS CAT GN VOL 05 $12.99

NOV211828 MANGA CLASSICS MODERN HAMLET MODERN ENGLISH ED $19.99

NOV211477 MILO MANARAS THE GOLDEN ASS (MR) $24.99

NOV211986 MISS KOBAYASHIS DRAGON MAID KANNA DAILY LIFE GN VOL 09 $12.99

JUL211191 MONSTERMIND HC DEALING WITH ANXIETY & SELF-DOUBT $19.99

OCT211560 MONTAGUE TWINS GN VOL 02 DEVILS MUSIC $17.99

NOV211191 MOTHS TP COMP SERIES $9.99

NOV211843 MY HERO ACADEMIA TEAM-UP MISSIONS GN VOL 02 $9.99

NOV211057 NEW MEN #1 (OF 4) CVR A AKANDE (MR) $3.99

NOV211058 NEW MEN #1 (OF 4) CVR B AKANDE (MR) $3.99

JUL211327 PATRIOTIKA TP VOL 01 $9.99

SEP211649 PETROGRAD TP (MR) $25.99

DEC201630 PS ARTBOOKS CLASSIC ADVENTURE COMICS SOFTEE VOL 01 $24.99

SEP211736 RED X-MAS TP $19.99

OCT212037 SAINT YOUNG MEN HC GN VOL 07 (RES) (MR) $23.99

OCT211522 SAVAGE CIRCUS #8 (OF 10) (MR) $2.99

JUL211329 SCIENCE IS MAGIC TP $12.99

NOV211955 SEVEN DEADLY SINS FOUR KNIGHTS OF APOCALYPSE GN $10.99

AUG211413 SEVEN SWORDS #5 $3.99

MAY211753 SHADES OF MAGIC STEEL PRINCE BOX SET $49.99

NOV211478 SPACE BASTARDS SPECIAL DELIVERY (MR) $7.99

OCT211976 SPY CLASSROOM GN VOL 01 $13.00

OCT211523 SWAMP GOD #3 (OF 6) (RES) (MR) $2.99

OCT211991 SWORD ART ONLINE ALTERNATIVE GUN GALE GN VOL 04 $13.00

AUG212369 TALE OF THE OUTCASTS GN VOL 03 $12.99

NOV211997 TAMAMO CHANS A FOX GN VOL 04 $12.99

NOV211189 TELEPATHS #5 (OF 6) $3.99

NOV211957 THOSE NOT SO SWEET BOYS GN VOL 05 $10.99

NOV211958 TO YOUR ETERNITY GN VOL 16 $12.99

NOV212000 TRAPPED IN DATING SIM WORLD OTOME GAMES GN VOL 03 $12.99

NOV211809 VAN HELSING RETURN OF LEAGUE OF MONSTERS #2 CVR A KROME $5.99

NOV211810 VAN HELSING RETURN OF LEAGUE OF MONSTERS #2 CVR B VITORINO $5.99

NOV211811 VAN HELSING RETURN OF LEAGUE OF MONSTERS #2 CVR C ANACLETO $5.99

MAY211062 VIRTUAL HERO GN $17.99

NOV211960 WAVE LISTEN TO ME GN VOL 08 (MR) $12.99

NOV212001 WONDERCAT KYUU-CHAN GN VOL 04 $14.99

OCT211998 WORLD STRONGEST REARGUARD LABYRINTH NOVICE GN VOL 04 $13.00

JUL211328 WORLD WAR 3 TP $12.99

OCT212000 YOUTH ROMANTIC COMEDY WRONG EXPECTED GN VOL 17 $13.00

OCT211995 YOWAMUSHI PEDAL GN VOL 19 $24.00

NOV211963 YUZU PET VET GN VOL 07 (RES) $10.99

MAGAZINES

OCT191824 007 MAGAZINE SPECIAL ON HER MAJESTY SECRET SERVICE 50TH ANN $31.99

DEC211769 CARTOONS MAGAZINE #37 $6.99

NOV211322 COMIC SHOP NEWS (90CT BUNDLE) #1797 $PI

NOV211408 FANGORIA VOL 2 #14 $19.79

OCT218700 G FAN #134 $8.95

NOV211676 GOOD BOY MAGAZINE #2 $9.99

AUG212109 HOBBY JAPAN NOVEMBER 2021 $20.00

BOOKS

NOV211563 5 MINUTE MARVEL STORIES HC $14.99

NOV211533 BORDERS GN $12.99

AUG211640 FORGING WORLDS STORIES BEHIND ART OF BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT $50.00

NOV211446 GARFIELD CAT SHOW LITTLE GOLDEN BOOK $5.99

NOV211340 IN EVERY GENERATION HC NOVEL $18.99

SEP212143 JOJOS BIZARRE ADVENTURE MANGAS REFINED ODDBALL HC $39.95

NOV212005 KUMA KUMA KUMA BEAR NOVEL SC VOL 08 (RES) $13.99

NOV211052 MARVEL UNTOLD NOVEL SC REIGN OF THE DEVOURER $16.95

SEP211995 SPY CLASSROOM LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 02 NO GURETE (MR) $15.00

MAR211614 STAR WARS GALAXYS GREATEST HEROES HC $24.99

JUL211794 THESE FISTS BREAK BRICKS HOW KUNG FU MOVIES SWEPT AMERICA (C $39.95

NOV211564 WORLD OF READING SPIDEY SAVES THE DAY AMAZING FRIENDS $7.99

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DC Comics from Lunar Distributors for January 25, 2022

DC COMICS:

Action Comics #1039 (Cover A Daniel Sampere), $4.99
Action Comics #1039 (Cover B Julian Totino Tedesco Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Action Comics #1039 (Cover C Riccardo Federici Card Stock Variant), AR
All-Star Superman The Deluxe Edition HC, $34.99
Aquaman Green Arrow Deep Target #4 (Of 7)(Cover A Marco Santucci), $3.99
Aquaman Green Arrow Deep Target #4 (Of 7)(Cover B Kael Ngu Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Batman Catwoman Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover A John Paul Leon), $9.99
Batman Catwoman Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Lee Weeks), $9.99
Batman Catwoman Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Bill Sienkiewicz), AR
Crisis On Multiple Earths Volume 2 Crisis Crossed TP, $39.99
DC Connect #21, AR
DC Vs Vampires #4 (Of 12)(Cover A Otto Schmidt), $3.99
DC Vs Vampires #4 (Of 12)(Cover B Francesco Mattina Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Deathstroke Inc. #5 (Cover A Howard Porter), $3.99
Deathstroke Inc. #5 (Cover B Ivan Tao Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Deathstroke Inc. #5 (Cover C Lucio Parrillo Peacemaker Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Deathstroke Inc. #5 (Cover D Nathan Szerdy Card Stock Variant), AR
Detective Comics #1050 (Cover A Irvin Rodriguez), $5.99
Detective Comics #1050 (Cover B Lee Bermejo Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Detective Comics #1050 (Cover C Jorge Molina Connecting Legacy Thomas Martha Bruce Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Detective Comics #1050 (Cover D Jorge Molina Connecting Legacy Alfred Gordon Young Bruce Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Detective Comics #1050 (Cover E Jorge Molina Connecting Legacy Batman Robin Batgirl Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Detective Comics #1050 (Cover F Jorge Molina Connecting Legacy Joker Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Detective Comics #1050 (Cover G Jay Fabok Team Card Stock Variant), AR
Detective Comics #1050 (Cover H Jorge Fornes Card Stock Variant), AR
Flash #778 (Cover A Brandon Peterson), $3.99
Flash #778 (Cover B Jorge Corona Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Flash By Geoff Johns Omnibus Volume 3 HC, $99.99
Gen 13 Starting Over The Deluxe Edition HC, $49.99
Harley Quinn #11 (Cover A Riley Rossmo), $3.99
Harley Quinn #11 (Cover B Derrick Chew Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Harley Quinn #11 (Cover C Dima Ivanov Peacemaker Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Harley Quinn #11 (Cover D Acky Bright Card Stock Variant), AR
Human Target #4 (Of 12)(Cover A Greg Smallwood), $4.99
Human Target #4 (Of 12)(Cover B Dave Johnson), $4.99
Justice League #71 (Cover A Yanick Paquette & Nathan Fairbairn), $4.99
Justice League #71 (Cover B Alexander Lozano Card Stock Variant), $5.99
Mister Miracle The Great Escape GN, $16.99
Peacemaker Disturbing The Peace #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Juan Ferreyra), $5.99
Peacemaker Disturbing The Peace #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Garry Brown), $5.99
Peacemaker Disturbing The Peace #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Ryan Brown), AR
Peacemaker Disturbing The Peace #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Amanda Conner), AR
Robin #10 (Cover A Simone Di Meo), $3.99
Robin #10 (Cover B Francis Manapul Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Robin #10 (Cover C Nikola Cizmesija Card Stock Variant), AR
Static Season One #5 (Of 6)(Cover A Khary Randolph), $3.99
Static Season One #5 (Of 6)(Cover B Nikolas Draper-Ivey Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Superman ’78 #6 (Of 6)(Cover A Mikel Janin), $3.99
Superman ’78 #6 (Of 6)(Cover B Rafa Sandoval Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Superman And Robin Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Viktor Bogdanovic), $5.99
Superman And Robin Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Jorge Jimenez Card Stock Variant), $6.99
Superman And Robin Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Rafa Sarmento Card Stock Variant), AR
Task Force Z #4 (Cover A Eddy Barrows & Eber Ferreira), $3.99
Task Force Z #4 (Cover B Riley Rossmo Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Task Force Z #4 (Cover C Dan Mora Peacemaker Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Task Force Z #4 (Cover D Dan Schoening Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Teen Titans Academy #11 (Cover A Rafa Sandoval), $3.99
Teen Titans Academy #11 (Cover B Fico Ossio Card Stock Variant), $4.99
Teen Titans Go DC Super Hero Girls Exchange Students TP, $9.99
Wonder Girl #7 (Cover A Matteo Scalera), $3.99
Wonder Girl #7 (Cover B Julian Totino Tedesco Card Stock Variant), $4.99

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#IReadsYou Review: GREY: Chapter 6

GREY. CHAPTER 6
THE GREY ROOM

STORY: Kris Hornett
ART: Ardee Arollado
EDITOR: Lisa Taylor
COVER: Annie Chrome
36pp, B&W, $10.00 U.S. (print), $5.99 U.S. (September 2021)

Age Rating: 15+ Only

Chapter 6: The H Word

Grey is an independent comic book series from writer Kris Hornett and artist Ardee Arollado.  Published by The Grey Room, Grey is a hybrid, a combination of an American comic book format and Japanese manga.  Grey is similar to what was once called “OEL manga” or “original English language” manga.  These were American graphic novels in which the storytelling borrowed or mimicked the aesthetics and sensibilities of Japanese manga (comics).

Grey is set in the realm of Ketiyama (apparently an archipelago) and takes place some time after an event known as “the Sonoma Incident.”  This outbreak of the lethal “Moon Virus” on Nacirema, one of Ketiyama's islands, led to chaos, destruction, and division.  As a sign of good faith and as a last attempt to restore order, the ruling Board of Officials allowed the people to elect a team of highly trained tactical agents, known as “the Bureau,” to serve and protect them.  Within the Bureau is an elite unit known as “Nimbus.”  The members of this team of five agents are sworn to maintain moral balance and to enforce the law.  These agents are also able to manipulate their “prana” (“life energy”).

The agents of Nimbus are Samara Asuhara, Kouken Masimuto, Shuyin Hagamuri, Manu Yagyu, and Kale Schaefer.  Belisia Asuhara, Samara's sister, is their handler and the creator of Nimbus.

Grey Chapter 6 opens as Samara, Kouken, and Shuyin enter “the Sea of Trees” in their search for the kidnapped Asuka Yagyu.  This place is the subject of numerous urban legends, including tales of people committing suicide after the trees force them to relive their biggest regrets.

Once she is separated from Kouken and Shuyin, Samara finds the sea takes a toll on her.  She begins to relive her life before Nimbus.  Samara recalls her time with a friend and with the friend's brother who becomes her lover.  And Samara also realizes why she isn't a “hero,” so how will this affect the current rescue mission?

THE LOWDOWN:  The Grey Room has released the first trade paperback collection of Grey, entitled Grey: Volume 1.  This TPB reprints Grey Chapters 1 to 5, as well as, Chapter 3.5: Astrid and Chapter 4.5: The Right Thing, both “special release chapters.”  I think this collection is the best way to read the series up to that point, as it will reinforce to readers how conceptually well-developed Grey is.

Meanwhile, Grey. Chapter 6 is available to readers.  As I have previously written, when readers start from the beginning, they discover that the world in which Grey is set has a complex history.  Readers get to watch the authors build a world in front of them and also to experience some other elements of the series, such as its engaging mysteries and sense of discovery.

In addition to the complex nature of the narrative, Grey also offers strong characters – lead and supporting – as can be seen in Grey Chapter 6.  While ostensibly about a rescue, Chapter 6 is a deeply intimate portrait of the character, Samara Asuhara.  Writer Kris Hornett does this by examining Samara's actions in the past, which are quite shocking and illuminating.  I give Hornett credit for his willingness to give his characters an edginess, a merger of the light and the dark which creates a … gray area to be explored.

Hornett does not treat his characters as if they were delicate pastries with multiple layers of tastiness.  Grey characters are crunchy with complex flavors and who knows what the aftertaste will be.  Grey is not a world of plush figures.  If the characters had to be toys, they would have sharp edges and come with warning labels on the packaging.

In Grey Chapter 6, Ardee Arollado's art, which becomes more polished with each chapter, captures the surreal nature of the flashback as well as its melodrama of deadly machinations.  His page design, with its large panels and expressive faces, conveys power to the reader, giving Chapter 6 a hypnotic quality.

So, once again I heartily recommend Grey to you, dear readers.  With a first trade paperback and the newly released Grey Chapter 6, this is a good time to come on in.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of manga-inspired comic books and of good science fiction comic books will want to read Grey.

A

8 out of 10

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


Digital issues of Grey can be found at comiXology: https://www.comixology.com/Grey/comics-publisher/20880-0.  Readers can also purchase all issues of the series and the new first trade collection, Grey: Volume 1 at https://thegreyroom.org/.

https://thegreyroom.org/
https://www.instagram.com/thegreyroom_/
Kris Hornett: https://twitter.com/Hornett_
Lisa Taylor: https://twitter.com/Persuasion513
https://www.instagram.com/kero.beroz/?hl=en


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

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#IReadsYou Review: NOCTERRA #3

NOCTERRA #3
IMAGE COMICS/Best Jacket Press

STORY: Scott Snyder
ART: Tony S. Daniel
COLORS: Tomeu Morey
LETTERS: Andworld Design
EDITOR: Will Dennis
COVER: Tony S. Daniel with Tomeu Morey
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Szymon Kudranski
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (May 2021)

Rated “M/ Mature”

“Full Throttle Dark” Part Three

Nocterra is a recently launched comic book series from writer Scott Snyder and artist Tony S. Daniel.  Published by Image Comics, Nocterra is set on an Earth that has been experiencing an everlasting night, the “Big PM,” since the sky went dark and the world was plunged into an everlasting night over a decade.  Colorist Tomeu Morey and letterer Andworld Design complete the series' creative team.

Nocterra introduces Valentina “Val” Riggs – call sign “Sundog.”  She was in the fifth grade the day the “Big PM” occurred.  Any living organism left unlit in the dark for more than 10 hours starts undergoing a biological transformation and changes into a monstrous version of itself, becoming something called a “Shade.”  This is happening to her brother, Emory “Em” Riggs.

Thirteen years later (“13 PM”), Val drives a big rig hauler, a heavily-illuminated 18-wheeler known as the “Sundog Convoy.”  A skilled “ferryman” Val transports people and goods along deadly unlit roads between the few remaining human outposts, and now she has her most dangerous haul – a mysterious man and his granddaughter.

Nocterra #3 opens in Val's memories, as she recalls the time when people changed … when her parents became something else.  In the present, the notorious “Blacktop Bill” and his band of highwaymen (of a sort) are hounding the Sundog Convoy.  He wanted Val to surrender her passengers, Dr. Augustus McCray and his granddaughter, Bailey.  Now, he is out for all their blood, and to escape him, someone inside the big rig will have to make a sacrifice.

Meanwhile, black gums, gnarled bones, and haunting yellow eyes are the signs of someone transforming into a human shade.  Someone is showing at least one sign.

THE LOWDOWN:  As I said in my review of Nocterra #2, I enjoy Scott Snyder's creator-owned series more than I enjoy his recent work for DC Comics.  I also wrote that I am usually happy to read a comic book drawn by Tony S. Daniel, going back to his early days writing and drawing creator-owned titles at Image, such as The Tenth.

Well, I am having a blast reading Nocterra.  It reads like an old-fashioned pulp serial with its haunting settings, crazy monsters, bad-ass villains, questionable supporting characters, and one against-all-odds female hero.  In Nocterra #3, Val proves that she can drive the fury road as furiously as Furiosa.

Nocterra #3, like the previous issue, makes me confident that this series is one worth following.  If you are budgeting, dear readers, drop something else to make sure you enter the world of Nocterra every chance you get.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Scott Snyder and Tony S. Daniel will want to sample Nocterra.

A

9 out of 10

[This comic book includes a seven-page preview of the original graphic novel, “Kane & Able,” by Shaky Kane and Krent Able.]

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


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#IReadsYou: Review: THE SILVER COIN #3

THE SILVER COIN #3 (OF 5)
IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Ed Brisson
ART: Michael Walsh
COLORS: Michael Walsh and Toni Marie Griffin
LETTERS: Michael Walsh
EDITOR: Chris Hampton
COVER: Michael Walsh
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Anand Radhakrishnan
28pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S. (Jun 2021)

Rated “M/ Mature”

The Silver Coin is created by Michael Walsh, Ed Brisson, Jeff Lemire, Kelly Thompson, and Chip Zdarsky

“Death Rattle”

The Silver Coin is a horror comic book anthology and miniseries published by Image Comics.  It is the creation of artist Michael Walsh and writers Ed Brisson, Jeff Lemire, Kelly Thompson, and Chip Zdarsky.  Each issue of this five-issue miniseries tells a tale of terror that is set in a supernatural world in which the mysterious “Silver Coin” changes the lives of those who take possession of it.  The third issue is written by Ed Brisson; drawn and lettered by Michael Walsh; and colored by Walsh and Toni Marie Griffin.

The Silver Coin #3 (entitled “Death Rattle”) opens in 1986.  Lisa, Bobby, and Vic broke into the home of a retired fireman.  Now, their little home invasion has gone bad, and Lisa has found a mysterious coin that tells her it will help them outrun the law. But it's leading them down a path much darker.

THE LOWDOWN:  As I wrote in my reviews of the first two issues of The Silver Coin, I am a big fan of horror comic book anthologies.  That includes everything from the classic EC Comics titles to later titles like DC Comics' Ghosts and House of Mystery, Kitchen Sink Press's Death Rattle, and Approbation Comics' Amour, to name a few.

“Death Rattle,” the offering in The Silver Coin #3, moves away from ghost and slasher killer stories of previous issues.  In this story, Ed Brisson offers a vignette really, one that is like an especially dark take on an episode of “The Twilight Zone.”  I like “Death Rattle,” but as with the previous story, “Girls of Summer,” it is a shallow scare, a bit of horror fiction fluff to give the reader a momentary chill in the blood.

Once again, Michael Walsh's art and graphical storytelling is what really delivers unsettling moments of this tale.  In the end, “Death Rattle” relies on the the creator of the art and graphics to make this short, short story work.  I'll keep reading this series because of what Walsh can deliver.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic horror comic book anthologies will want to spend The Silver Coin.

B+
7 out of 10

[This comic book has a five-page preview of Vinyl by Doug Wagner and Daniel Hillyard.]

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


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

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#IReadsYou Review: HEY KIDS! COMICS! Volume 2: Prophets & Loss #1

HEY KIDS! COMICS! VOL. 2: PROPHETS & LOSS #1 (OF 6)
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

WRITER/ARTIST: Howard Chaykin
COLORS: Gustavo Yen
LETTERS: Ken Bruzenak
EDITOR: Thomas K
COVER: Howard Chaykin with Gustavo Yen
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2021)

Rated “M / Mature”

Hey Kids! Comics! Vol. 2: Prophets and & Loss is a new six-issue comic book miniseries from writer-artist, Howard Chaykin.  Published by Image Comics, it is a sequel to Chaykin's 2018 five-issue miniseries, Hey Kids! Comics!, which was described as depicting “nearly a century of turbulence and and drama in the American comic book industry” and also telling “the stories of the men and women that created it (with names changed, of course).”  Chaykin returns to his history of comics, and the creative team on this new series includes colorist Gustavo Yen and letterer Ken Bruzenak, a longtime Chaykin collaborator.

Hey Kids! Comics! Vol. 2: Prophets and & Loss #1 opens in 1970.  Here, Tommy has a fateful encounter with the comic book collection of his pal Ronnie's older brother, Ira, who is currently stationed in Vietnam (along with his father).  The story moves back to 1951, an important year in American comic books.  Comic book sales have dipped because the enlisted men market of World War II has faded, and the children of these formerly enlisted men are more interested in television than in comic books.

Meanwhile, in the offices of Graham Woods Publications (GW Publications), owner Paul Gertz is about to risk everything on a new line of comics books, if he can keep his two editors, Arnold Grossberg and Dick Altman, from each other's throat.  However, copycats and a self-serving trio could take GW and comics down for the count.

THE LOWDOWN:  Hey Kids! Comics! #1 is told in scenes that take place in five different years (1945, 1955, 1965, 1967, and 2001).  Hey Kids! Comics! Vol. 2: Prophets and & Loss #1 opens in 1971, but focuses on the events of 1951 and on events connected to that year.

Like the first issue of original, Prophets and & Loss #1 offers a story that involves several characters, multiple employers, and lots of job changes.  In the first series, the shifts in time are jarring, as Chaykin introduces characters, plots, and settings without really focusing in on developing characters.  Thus, the first issue of the original series seems to be more about introductions than it is about examining the nitty gritty details of character, storytelling, and drama.

The shifts in Prophets and & Loss #1 are not about time, but do take the readers to different comic book publishing offices and studios.  These shifts are not as jarring as the ones in the original series, especially if you, dear readers, are somewhat familiar with American comic book history.  The places in Hey Kids! Comics! Vol. 2: Prophets and & Loss #1 are obvious stand-ins for EC Comics and National Periodicals (DC Comics).  This time, Chaykin is all about examining the nitty gritty details of character, storytelling, and drama

Several EC Comics creators, from Harvey Kurtzman and Al Feldstein to Wally Wood and William Gaines, make appearances under the guise of new characters.  Even Joe Simon and Jack Kirby make a cameo.  And my beloved trio of Ray Clarke, Benita Heindel, and Ted Whitman from the first series are also in Hey Kids! Comics! Vol. 2: Prophets and & Loss #1.

Hey Kids! Comics! #1 starts slow, although it tells an engrossing story.  Hey Kids! Comics! Vol. 2: Prophets and & Loss #1 is also engrossing, but does not have a slow start; it seems a lot more intense.  To me, after reading Hey Kids! Comics! Vol. 2: Prophets and & Loss #1, it feels like Chaykin has planted an improvised explosive device somewhere inside this series.  It makes me eager to read more.

I heartily recommend that readers get the trade paperback collection of the first issue, and then, enjoy Hey Kids! Comics! Vol. 2: Prophets and & Loss.  I already am, and I can't wait for more.  The Hey Kids! Comics! series is among Howard Chaykin's best work, and, though I revere American Flagg!, this sly and shameless history of American comic books might be his best work.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Howard Chyakin will want to read Hey Kids! Comics! Vol. 2: Prophets and Loss.

A
8 out of 10

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


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

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Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).