Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for March 30, 2022

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

AUG211847 AIR WAR STORIES #4 (RES) $9.99

NOV211078 ALMOST AMERICAN #5 $3.99

NOV211104 AM ARCHIVES THREE STOOGES DELL 1961 #6 CVR A CLASSIC PHOTO $3.99

NOV211105 AM ARCHIVES THREE STOOGES DELL 1961 #6 CVR B LTD ED 1/350 B& $9.99

JAN221900 ANCIENT MAGUS BRIDE FAERIE CASE FILES GN VOL 04 $12.99

JAN221085 ANIMAL CASTLE #4 CVR A DELEP WINTER ANIMALS (MR) $3.99

JAN221086 ANIMAL CASTLE #4 CVR B DELEP PRETEND SILVIO VAR (MR) $3.99

OCT211872 ASCENCIA #11 $3.99

DEC212070 ATTACK ON TITAN OMNIBUS TP VOL 03 VOL 7-9 (MR) $19.99

MAR210767 BETTIE PAGE HOLLYWOOD ADVENTURES MURDER ISLAND TP $19.99

AUG211453 BEYOND THE FARTHEST STAR #3 CVR A RANALDI $3.99

AUG211454 BEYOND THE FARTHEST STAR #3 CVR B LTD ED $9.99

DEC211275 BEYOND THE FARTHEST STAR CHRONICLES 50TH ANN #1 CVR A KRENKE $3.99

DEC211276 BEYOND THE FARTHEST STAR CHRONICLES 50TH ANN #1 CVR B CENTUR $29.99

JAN221650 BLOOD ON SUNSET #4 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99

AUG212140 BLOODSHOT BY TIM SEELEY DLX HC $49.99

DEC212071 BLUE PERIOD GN VOL 06 $12.99

JAN221856 BOOTY ROYALE NEVER GO DOWN WITHOUT FIGHT OMNIBUS GN VOL 03 ( $19.99

FEB221342 BOYS IN THE BASEMENT TP $12.99

JAN221619 BROKEN SOULS BALLAD #1 CVR A CEREGATTI $4.99

DEC211811 BY THE HORNS TP VOL 01 (MR) $19.99

DEC211842 CALL ME NATHAN GN (RES) (MR) $19.99

DEC211797 CARRIERS #4 CVR A ELIAS MARTINS & JORGE CORTES $3.95

DEC211798 CARRIERS #4 CVR B JASON KIMBLE $3.95

OCT211257 CAVEWOMAN HEADING HOME ONE SHOT CVR A MASSEY (MR) $3.99

OCT211260 CAVEWOMAN HEADING HOME ONE SHOT CVR D BUDD ROOT  (MR) ( $PI

OCT211261 CAVEWOMAN HEADING HOME ONE SHOT CVR E BUDD ROOT WRAPAROUND ( $PI

JAN221905 CHRONICLES OF ARISTOCRAT REBORN IN ANOTHER WORLD GN VOL 04 ( $12.99

JAN221096 CIH PRESENTS CEREBUS EMILY ONE SHOT $4.00

JAN221621 CITIES OF MAGICK #1 CVR A TEMPEST $4.99

JAN221907 COUNTRY WITHOUT HUMANS GN VOL 02 $12.99

JAN221811 CROSS DRESSING VILLAINESS CECILIA SYLVIE GN VOL 01 $13.00

FEB221665 DARBI GN $19.99

JAN221777 DARKSTALKERS MORRIGAN #1 CVR A PANZER $4.99

JAN221778 DARKSTALKERS MORRIGAN #1 CVR B STEINBACH $4.99

JAN221779 DARKSTALKERS MORRIGAN #1 CVR C BLANK SKETCH $5.99

OCT211427 DF AVENGERS #50 CGC GRADED $75.00

JAN221379 DF EDGE OF SPIDERVERSE #2 FACSIMILE CGC GRADED $79.99

NOV211487 DOSE #4 CVR A GEBBIA (MR) $4.99

NOV211488 DOSE #4 CVR B GEBBIA (MR) $4.99

JAN221911 DRAGON KNIGHTS BELOVED GN VOL 02 $12.99

JAN221155 EDGAR ALLAN POES SNIFTER OF DEATH #6 (OF 6) (MR) $4.99

JAN221915 EXO DRIVE REINCARNATION GAMES ALL JAPAN ISEKAI TOURNAMENT GN $12.99

JAN221879 FIRE FORCE GN VOL 26 $10.99

JAN221204 GOLD DIGGER TP GOLD BRICK VI REMINTED ED $49.99

JAN221757 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #58 CVR A VITORINO $3.99

JAN221758 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #58 CVR B DIAZ $3.99

JAN221759 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #58 CVR C GARVEY $3.99

JAN221760 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #58 CVR D TAO $3.99

JAN221859 GUNGURED X SISTERS GN VOL 01 (MR) $13.99

DEC211506 HAPPY HILL #2 (OF 5) (MR) $4.99

JAN221721 HARBINGER (2021) #6 CVR A RODRIGUEZ $3.99

JAN221722 HARBINGER (2021) #6 CVR B SAUVAGE $3.99

NOV211054 HATH NO FURY TP VOL 01 $14.99

JAN221541 HAWAII SEA TURTLE RESCUE GN $12.99

JAN221258 HEAD SET #1 IN THE BEGINNING $4.99

JAN221132 HEATHENS #5 $3.99

JAN221881 HERO LIFE OF SELF PROCLAIMED MEDIOCRE DEMON GN VOL 03 $12.99

JAN221922 I AM A CAT BARISTA GN VOL 02 (RES) $13.99

NOV211885 IF THE RPG WORLD HAD SOCIAL MEDIA GN VOL 02 $13.00

JAN221882 IM STANDING ON MILLION LIVES GN VOL 12 (MR) $10.99

JAN221649 IN HIS OWN IMAGE #2 (OF 3) (MR) $3.99

MAY211910 IS WRONG PICK UP GIRLS DUNGEON SWORD ORATORIA GN VOL 16 (MR) $13.00

JAN221224 ISLA TO ISLAND GN $12.99

JAN221225 ISLA TO ISLAND HC GN $21.99

JAN221659 JOHN CARPENTERS TALES OF SCIENCE FICTION CIVILIANS #2 (OF 3) $3.99

NOV211516 KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE MIDNIGHT SPECIAL TP $15.99

JAN221821 LET THIS GRIEVING SOUL RETIRE GN VOL 02 $13.00

OCT211174 LIVING CORPSE RELICS #6 ENCORE ED (MR) $3.99

JAN228413 LIVING CORPSE RELICS #6 ENCORE ED B&W RAW (MR) $9.99

JAN221884 LIVING ROOM MATSUNAGA SAN GN VOL 10 $12.99

JAN221928 MAGICAL GIRL SPECIAL OPS ASUKA GN VOL 13 (MR) $12.99

JAN221929 MARS RED GN VOL 02 (RES) $12.99

OCT211704 MERLIN & HECTOR #3 $3.95

FEB221341 MISSISSIPPI ZOMBIE VOL 03 $13.99

JAN221166 MONSTER MEN ISLE OF TERROR #1 (OF 3) CVR A MARTINEZ $3.99

JAN221167 MONSTER MEN ISLE OF TERROR #1 (OF 3) CVR B WOLFER $3.99

JAN221168 MONSTER MEN ISLE OF TERROR #1 (OF 3) CVR C LTD ED 300 COPY $9.99

FEB221186 MONSTER MEN ISLE OF TERROR #1 (OF 3) CVR D 100 COPY LTD ED $29.99

AUG212069 MOORCOCK ELRIC HC VOL 04 (OF 4) DREAMING CITY (MR) $19.99

AUG212070 MOORCOCK ELRIC HC VOL 04 (OF 4) DREAMING CITY PX MIGNOLA ED $19.99

DEC211512 MR COLOSTOMY (MR) $24.95

JAN221133 MY DATE WITH MONSTERS #5 $3.99

JAN221933 MY NEXT LIFE AS A VILLAINESS ON VERGE OF DOOM GN VOL 02 $12.99

DEC211953 MYTHS & LEGENDS QUARTERLY JACK & JILL CVR A BARRIONUEVO $8.99

DEC211954 MYTHS & LEGENDS QUARTERLY JACK & JILL CVR B VITORINO $8.99

DEC211955 MYTHS & LEGENDS QUARTERLY JACK & JILL CVR C DIPASCALE $8.99

JAN221646 NUMBER ONE (MR) $3.99

NOV211521 PACIFIC RIM ULT OMNIBUS GN $99.99

SEP211217 PELLUCIDAR ACROSS SAVAGE SEAS #3 CVR A PUGLIA $3.99

SEP211218 PELLUCIDAR ACROSS SAVAGE SEAS #3 CVR B CHARACTER DESIGN $9.99

NOV211870 PHANTOM TALES OF THE NIGHT GN VOL 08 $15.00

DEC211615 PINBALL GRAPHIC HISTORY OF THE SILVER BALL HC $24.99

DEC211939 POIKOS QUESTS & STUFF TP $9.99

JAN221505 QUINTARA STONE #1 CVR A LASHLEY & FERNANDEZ $4.99

JAN221506 QUINTARA STONE #1 CVR B MATT FLINT $4.99

JAN221507 QUINTARA STONE #1 CVR C WATSON & DALIGAULT $4.99

JAN221508 QUINTARA STONE #1 CVR D BILL MAUS $4.99

JAN221509 QUINTARA STONE #1 CVR E HELMER $4.99

JAN221510 QUINTARA STONE #1 CVR F STEVEN BUTLER $4.99

JAN221511 QUINTARA STONE #1 CVR G RAY GRIFFIN $4.99

JAN221512 QUINTARA STONE #1 CVR H BLANK SKETCH $9.99

JAN221513 QUINTARA STONE #1 CVR I LASHLEY VIRGIN FOIL $19.99

JAN221617 RAISE UP THE DEAD ZOMBIE COMICS ANTHOLOGY GN (MR) $17.99

JAN221630 RANGER STRANGER #2 $3.99

JAN221320 RAVEN HEX RETURN OF DARK WITCH (MR) $24.99

JAN221936 REINCARNATED AS A SWORD ANOTHER WISH GN VOL 02 $12.99

NOV212028 REINCARNATED AS VILLAINESS IN OTOME GAME GN VOL 02 $12.99

JAN221643 RISE OF DRACULA #4 (OF 6) (MR) $3.99

DEC219354 RISE OF DRACULA #4 (OF 6) CVR B RENZO (MR) $3.99

MAR210834 SACRED SIX TP VOL 01 NUMEROLOGY $19.99

JAN221472 SAVAGE CIRCUS #10 (OF 11) (MR) $2.99

JAN221553 SEASON OF THE BRUJA #1 $3.99

JAN221165 SEVENOAKS GN $24.95

JAN221939 SHEEPLY HORNED WITCH ROMI GN VOL 01 $12.99

JAN221652 SHELTER DIVISION #3 (OF 3) (MR) $3.99

JAN221257 SIR LADYBUG HC GN VOL 01 $12.99

DEC212082 SOMETHINGS WRONG WITH US GN VOL 07 (RES) $12.99

JAN221864 SUPER HXEROS GN VOL 06 (MR) $13.99

DEC211203 SWORDS OF CEREBUS IN HELL TP VOL 11 $19.95

DEC211474 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #132 DLX LITHO ED (MR) $19.99

JAN221822 TEASING MASTER TAKAGI SAN GN VOL 14 $13.00

JAN221175 TECHNOFREAK #4 (OF 3) CVR A CHARLES & NEWELL (MR) $3.99

JAN221176 TECHNOFREAK #4 (OF 3) CVR B CHARLES & NEWELL (MR) $3.99

JAN221531 THE LAST SESSION #4 CVR A PARASCANDOLO & MONTE $3.99

JAN221532 THE LAST SESSION #4 CVR B PARASCANDOLO & MONTE $3.99

SEP211221 THREE STOOGES APRIL FOOLS DAY READER PACK $19.99

SEP211204 TOM HOLLANDS FRIGHT NIGHT #1 CENTURY EDITION (MR) $29.99

NOV211890 UNCLE FROM ANOTHER WORLD GN VOL 04 $15.00

JAN221894 UQ HOLDER GN VOL 25 (MR) $10.99

JUN200866 VAMPBLADE TP VOL 12 CLIMAX ROYALE (MR) $14.99

NOV211171 WARLASH BIOBURDEN SGN ED ONE SHOT $14.99

NOV211172 WARLASH COLD METAL MAYHEM SGN ED ONE SHOT $14.99

AUG212307 WELCOME TO SUCCUBUS HIGH GN VOL 03 (MR) $13.99

JAN221259 WILDER #2 (OF 5) CVR A GIAMPA $3.99

SEP211219 WILLYS WONDERLAND #1 CENTURY EDITION (MR) $29.99

DEC211718 WORLD CLASS OGN $14.99

JAN221216 WORLD OF ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #118 $8.99

JAN221944 YAKUZA REINCARNATION GN VOL 01 $12.99

NOV211122 ZORRO NEW WORLD #3 CVR A RANALDI $3.99

NOV211123 ZORRO NEW WORLD #3 CVR B LTD ED 1/300 PHOTO $9.99

MAGAZINES

JAN221360 COMIC SHOP NEWS (90CT BUNDLE) #1806 $PI

JAN221362 COMIC SHOP NEWS SPRING PREVIEWS (90CT BUNDLE) #0 $PI

JAN221552 NON SPORT UPDATE VOL 33 #2 $5.99

JAN221581 TOY VENTURES MAGAZINE #1 $10.99

JAN221582 TOY VENTURES MAGAZINE #2 $10.99

JAN221583 TOY VENTURES MAGAZINE #3 $10.99

BOOKS

JAN221946 ARIFURETA FROM COMMONPLACE ZERO LIGHT NOVEL VOL 05 (RES) $14.99

JAN221369 BATMAN THE ULTIMATE GUIDE NEW ED HC $30.00

JAN221843 GREATEST DEMON LORD REBORN TYPICAL NOBODY NOVEL SC VOL 07 (C $15.00

JAN221948 HAUNTED BOOKSTORE GATEWAY PARALLEL UNIVERSE LN VOL 02 (RES) $14.99

JAN221949 HIDDEN DUNGEON ONLY I CAN ENTER SC NOVEL VOL 06 $13.99

JAN221832 JOSEE TIGER FISH LIGHT NOVEL HC $20.00

DEC211803 MY PARENTS WON`T STOP TALKING HC $18.99

JAN221817 OVERLORD COMPLETE ANIME ARTBOOK ART SC VOL 02 (MR) $40.00

JAN221958 SAINTS MAGIC POWER IS OMNIPOTENT LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 06 $14.99

JAN221584 STAR WARS THESE ARE DROIDS YOURE LOOKING SEARCH & FIND HC (C $10.99

JAN221959 STRANGE ADVENTURE OF BROKE MERCENARY NOVEL SC VOL 04 $14.99

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DC Comics from Lunar Distributors for March 29, 2022

DC COMICS:

Aquamen #2 (Cover A Travis Moore), $3.99

Aquamen #2 (Cover B Mico Suayan Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Aquamen #2 (Cover C Jim Lee), AR

Batman Beyond The White Knight #1 (Of 8)(Cover A Sean Murphy), $4.99

Batman Beyond The White Knight #1 (Of 8)(Cover B Sean Murphy), $4.99

Batman Faze Clan #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Tyler Kirkham), $3.99

Batman Faze Clan #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Jason Badower Connecting Variant 1 Batwoman), $3.99

Batman Faze Clan #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Jason Badower Connecting Variant 2 Nightwing), $3.99

Batman Faze Clan #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Jason Badower Connecting Variant 3 Batman), $3.99

Batman Faze Clan #1 (One Shot)(Cover E Jason Badower Connecting Variant 4 Robin), $3.99

Batman Faze Clan #1 (One Shot)(Cover F Tyler Kirkham Black & White Variant), AR

Batman One Dark Knight #2 (Of 3)(Cover A Jock), $6.99

Batman One Dark Knight #2 (Of 3)(Cover B Paul Pope), $6.99

Challenge Of The Super Sons TP, $16.99

DC Connect #23, AR

DC Poster Portfolio Jim Lee Volume 2 TP, $24.99

DC Vs Vampires #6 (Of 12)(Cover A Otto Schmidt), $3.99

DC Vs Vampires #6 (Of 12)(Cover B Francesco Mattina Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Sensational Wonder Woman Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Belen Ortega), $9.99

Sensational Wonder Woman Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Junggeun Yoon Variant), $9.99

Sensational Wonder Woman Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Maria Laura Sanapo International Women’s Day Variant), $9.99

Sensational Wonder Woman Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Emanuela Lupacchino), AR

Sensational Wonder Woman Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover E Cat Staggs), AR

Shadow War Alpha #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Jonboy Meyers), $5.99

Shadow War Alpha #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Viktor Bogdanovic Card Stock Variant), $6.99

Shadow War Alpha #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Dan Mora Card Stock Variant), AR

Swamp Thing #11 (Of 16)(Cover A Mike Perkins), $3.99

Swamp Thing #11 (Of 16)(Cover B Francesco Francavilla Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Swamp Thing #11 (Of 16)(Cover C Kyle Hotz Card Stock Variant), AR

War For Earth-3 #2 (Of 2)(Cover A Rafa Sandoval), $5.99

War For Earth-3 #2 (Of 2)(Cover B Gleb Melnikov Card Stock Variant), $6.99

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#IReadsYou Review: THE ULTIMATES #1

THE ULTIMATES #1

MARVEL

STORY: Mark Millar
PENCILS: Bryan Hitch
INKS: Andrew Currie
COLORS: Paul Mounts with Bongotone
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos
EDITOR: Ralph Macchio
EiC: Joe Quesada
COVER: Bryan Hitch
32pp, Color, $2.25 U.S., $3.50 CAN (March 2002)

 

The Ultimates created by Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch; Avengers created by Jack Kirby and Stan Lee

“Super Human”

The Ultimates was a superhero comic book series published by Marvel Comics as part of its “Ultimate Marvel” imprint.  The series ran for thirteen issues, cover date: March 2002 to April 2004.  Created by writer Mark Millar and artist Bryan Hitch, The Ultimates were both a modernization and re-imagining of Marvel's Avengers comic-book franchise.  Organized by the United States government, the “Ultimates” were an elite military task-force of super-humans and special agents.

The regular creative team of The Ultimates was comprised of writer Mark Millar; artists Bryan Hitch (pencils) and Andrew Currie (inks); colorists Paul Mounts and Bongotone; and letterer Chris Eliopoulos. The Ultimates' mission was to combat the growing threats – human and non-human – to the United States and also to the Earth in general.

The Ultimates #1 (“Super Human”) opens over the North Atlantic, 1945, where the 101st Airborne division streaks towards Iceland.  There, inside a seemingly impregnable fortress, the Nazis are building their “super weapon,” which could end the war in days.  Aboard one of the troop transports is America's own super weapon, the “super-soldier” known as “Captain America.”  With him is an entire division of American soldiers … and his friend, Bucky Barnes, a war photographer.  What neither Rogers nor Barnes realizes is that this mission is so dangerous that it might be his last.

THE LOWDOWN:  It has been two decades since I first read The Ultimates #1, and reading it again for the first time since then, I find it to be about eighty percent different from how I remember it.

Except for the last three pages, The Ultimates #1 is entirely about Captain America's final World War II mission.  So, I must admit that I find this first issue to be one of the best Captain American comic books that I have read in years – although it was published twenty years ago.

Millar's storytelling is slick, but brings the grit one would expect of a “real war story” type comic book.  It is dark and sad, mostly because Millar makes it clear that a lot of American servicemen are going to die on this mission.  Bryan Hitch's photo-realistic pencil art gets a smooth finishing from Andrew Currie's lush inks.  The colors are beautiful, but are a tad too dark for my tastes.  Luckily, Chris Eliopoulos' quirky lettering work stands out and helps to establish and reinforce Millar's moody tale.

Over the course of this series' thirteen issues, it is clear that Mark Millar made Steve Rogers/Captain America the centerpiece.  The Ultimates #1 isn't a prologue; it is the foundation of the series, and that is a good thing.  Millar's Captain America is the most human, the most heroic, and the most idealistic of the Ultimates.  He is the standard that his teammates cannot achieve, if for no other reason than that they are too broken to match Steve Rogers.  Captain America brings color to this dark re-interpretation of the Avengers.  He is the one holdover from the early Marvel Comics' sense of wonder and fantasy in this series that is dark and edgy, though not cynical.

The Ultimates #1 was the kind of first issue that encourages readers to come back for more, which they indeed did for this series.  I originally did come back for a few more issues, but, back then, I never finished The Ultimates.  I didn't even bother with its follow up, The Ultimates 2.  I rectified that this year and read the entire first series over a few days.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of the team of Mark Millar and Bryan Hitch will want to read The Ultimates.

A
9 out of 10

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


https://twitter.com/Marvel
https://www.marvel.com/
https://www.marvel.com/comics
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The text is copyright © 2022 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

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VIDEO: Warner Bros. Releases Deleted Batman/Joker Scene from "THE BATMAN"

Warner Bros. has released a deleted scene from THE BATMAN, in which Batman (Robert Pattinson) meets the Joker (Barry Keoghan) for a menacing conversation in Arkham.  The scene suggests that the two have an establish history.  The video is below:

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#IReadsYou Review: STARSLAYER #10: Grimjack Begins

STARSLAYER #10
FIRST COMICS

STORY: John Ostrander
PENCILS: Lenin Delsol
INKS: Mike Gustovich
COLORS: Janice Cohen
LETTERS: Janice Chiang
EDITOR: Mike Gold
COVER: Lenin Delsol and Mike Gustovich
32pp, Color, $1.00 U.S., $1.25 CAN (November 1983)

Starslayer created by Mike Grell

“Bounty”

Starslayer was a comic book series published by First Comics in the mid-1980s.  It began as a six-issue miniseries, Starslayer: The Log of the Jolly Roger, created by writer-artist, Mike Grell.  Starslayer focused on Torin Mac Quillon, a Celtic warrior from the time of the Roman Empire, who is pulled into the distant future by Tamara, a descendant of his wife after she remarried.  Torin joins the crew of the spaceship, “the Jolly Roger,” in their fight against the oppressive regime that is ruling the Earth.

Starslayer #10 (“Bounty”) opens on the planet, Corindubar, where Torin and Tamara hope to obtain a replacement for the cracked “infinity unit” in the Jolly Roger's warp drive.  They also find bounty hunters looking to claim the bounty on their heads, but unbeknownst to them, an immortal bounty hunter named Black Thom McKuen, is also stalking them.

Later, “The Rapter” continues to hunt the Jolly Roger.  Then, Torin and Tamara get stuck with a new crew mate, Crayne, owner of the recently destroyed space port, “Tao VII.”  And Crayne believes that Torin and Tamara owe him.

Meanwhile, the original owners of the Jolly Rogers, an old-Earth blood family, the D'Orsinis, want the ship back.  And the D'Orsini matriarch, The Comtessa Lavinia, alerts all family members in this quadrant – report any sightings of Jolly Roger.

THE LOWDOWN:  Reading the adventures of the Jolly Roger isn't really the reason I bought a copy of Starslayer #10, but I did enjoy the story and the art.  It is a frivolous and fun space opera; imagine Star Wars if it focused on Han Solo and Chewbacca's adventures as smugglers.  I might even go back to Starslayers's beginnings; I am really enjoying it.  I second what the former magazine, Comics Scene, said at the times, Starslayer is captivating.

I also discovered an interesting bit of information about one on this series' creative team.  Starslayer's lead artist at this point in its run, the British-born Lenin Delsol, is now an art educator, fine artist, and portrait painter.

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

GRIMJACK
Created by John Ostrander and Timothy Truman

“Mortal Gods”
STORY: John Ostrander
ART: Timothy Truman
COLORS: Janice Cohen
LETTERS: John Workman
EDITOR: Mike Gold

The backup feature in Starslayer #10 introduces the character Grimjack, who would go on to appear in Starslayer issues #10 to #17.  Grimjack would later receive his own title in the summer of 1984.

“Grimjack” is the street name of John Gaunt, a sword-for-hire who is also ex-paramilitary, war veteran, and former child gladiator.  Grimjack operates from Munden's Bar in the Pit, a slum area of Cynosure, a pan-dimensional city that connected all the dimensions (or multiverse) that existed in titles published by First Comics.

The introductory Grimjack story is the two-part “Mortal Gods.”  It is written by John Ostrander; drawn by Timothy Truman; colored by Janice Cohen; and lettered by John Workman.  In the story, the followers of the god of blood and war, “Zago,” have invaded the forest lands of the people called the “Kyrians.”  Zago plans to have the sands of his desert overrun the forest lands.  The Kyrians' high priestess, Elvana, seeks the help of their god, Manwyyes.

Elvana's spell and chanting somehow transports her to Cynosure, the city where the multiverse meets.  Cross a street and you might cross a dimension.  Someone points her to Grimjack as the man who can help her find her god, and what he shows her is utterly shocking.  Manwyyes is living as “Manny Weese” alias “Weevil,” a drunk, who also happens to be a friend of Grimjack's.  What's left is for Manny to reveal how he became a god and for Grimjack to kill Zago, a god.

THE LOWDOWN:  I have read very few Grimjack comic books, but I have been planning on getting into this character for decades.  I finally forced myself to start.  The first thing that strikes me about “Mortal Gods” is how beautiful Tim Truman's illustrations are.  The page design carries the reader's eyes across the pages, and the art has so many layers and such rich textures that I found myself drawn into the world of Cynosure.  The characters' expression are varied and feel authentic, especially Grimjack's.  This is the work of a young artist raring to go.

Janice Cohen rich colors make Truman's illustrations pop off the page and bring the world of Cynosure to life.  Readers familiar with Truman's work will recognize the artist's unique worm-inspired take on monsters and demons, and it all looks good under Cohen's colors.

Do I really have to say how wonderful the lettering by John Workman is?  No, I don't, because you already know that...

I do want to emphasize that Grimjack's debut is a 16-page story told over two issues, Starslayer issues #10-11.  This is the kind of serialized comic book story that will make some readers want to keep reading.  Combine Grimjack with the main Starslayer story, and the result is an off-beat, unique and delightful science fiction comic book … that I have waited too long to read.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Grimjack, Tim Truman, First Comics titles, and unique sci-fi comics will want Starslayer.

A
8 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2022 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 affiliate link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the affiliate link below AND buy something(s).

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for March 23, 2022

BOOM! STUDIOS

JAN220731 ALL NEW FIREFLY #2 CVR A FINDEN $4.99

JAN220732 ALL NEW FIREFLY #2 CVR B YOUNG $4.99

JAN220753 POWER RANGERS UNIVERSE #4 (OF 6) CVR A MORA $4.99

JAN220758 POWER RANGERS UNIVERSE #4 (OF 6) CVR F FOC REVEAL VAR $4.99

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Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 23, 2022

DARK HORSE COMICS

DEC210386 ART OF MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE REVELATION HC $49.99

JAN220385 BLACK HAMMER REBORN #10 (OF 12) CVR A YARSKY $3.99

JAN220386 BLACK HAMMER REBORN #10 (OF 12) CVR B MUTTI $3.99

NOV210284 BPRD HELL ON EARTH OMNIBUS TP VOL 04 $29.99

MAY210261 CHIVALRY HC $19.99

JAN220346 COUNT CROWLEY AMATEUR MIDNIGHT MONSTER HUNTER #1 (OF 4) $3.99

NOV210316 EC ARCHIVES TALES FROM CRYPT TP VOL 02 $19.99

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