Wednesday, September 28, 2022

#IReadsYou Review: PURGATORI Volume 2 #1

PURGATORI VOLUME 2 #1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Ray Fawkes
ART: Álvaro Sarraseca
COLORS: Salvatore Aiala
LETTERS: Tom Napolitano
EDITOR: Matt Idelson
COVER: Antonio Fuso
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Carlo Pagulayan and Jason Paz with Wil Quintana; Russell Fox with Robert Nugent; Daniel Maine; Alvaro Sarraseca; Nerdy Nereid (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (October 2021)

Rated Teen+

Purgatori created by Brian Pulido and Steven Hughes

“Witches Get Stitches” Part One


Purgatori is a horror comics character created by writer Brian Pulido and artist Steven Hughes and originally published by Chaos! Comics.  A crimson-skinned, winged vampire goddess, she first appeared in the comic book, Evil Ernie: Revenge #1 (cover dated: October 1994).  Chaos! Comics eventually went out of business, and in 2010, Purgatori became the intellectual property (IP) of Dynamite Entertainment.

Dynamite's first solo Purgatori comic book series is Purgatori Volume 2.  It is written by Ray Fawkes; drawn by Álvaro Sarraseca; colored by Salvatore Aiala; and lettered by Tom Napolitano.  Purgatori follows the title character as she deals with a plot against her.

Purgatori Volume 2 #1 opens after the events depicted in the Vampirella vs. Purgatori miniseries.  In Hunan Province, China, Purgatori resides at a monastery where she has enjoyed the fruits of abbots for centuries.  She needs this now, as she is suffering Lilith's (Vampirella) magic in the form of nasty mind worm that is eating her willpower.

However, in London, England, a coven of witches plots against Purgatori, and using magic, they have sent one of their own to set their trap for her.  Is Purgatori ready for the mayhem?

THE LOWDOWN:  Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department recently began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Purgatori Volume 2 #1, which is the first Purgatori comic book of any kind that I've read.

Writer Ray Fawkes offers the kind of intriguing first issue that will draw many readers back for more.  He teases just enough about the conspiracy against Purgatori and about the conspirators to make me want to find out at least a little more.

Artist Álvaro Sarraseca's clean drawing style and clear storytelling convey the attention grabbing elements in Fawkes' script.  Salvatore Aiala's colors have an eye-candy quality, and, as always, letterer Tom Napolitano delivers the kind of work that gives comic books a sense of sound.

I didn't expect much of Purgatori; after all, I have always ignored the character.  But after this first issue, who knows...

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Chaos Comics Purgatori will want to visit Purgatori Volume 2.

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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Tuesday, September 27, 2022

#IReadsYou Review: BETTIE PAGE and the Curse of the Banshee Volume 5 #3

BETTIE PAGE AND THE CURSE OF THE BANSHEE VOLUME 5 #3
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

[Read my review of the documentary "Bettie Page Reveals All" here.]

STORY: Stephen Mooney
ART: Jethro Morales
COLORS: Dinei Ribero
LETTERS: Taylor Esposito
EDITOR: Joseph Rybandt
COVER: Marat Mychaels
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Joseph Michael Linsner; Stephen Mooney
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (August 2021)

Rated Teen+

Bettie Page (1923–2008) was an American model who gained notoriety in the 1950s for her pin-up photos.  She is still referred to has the “Queen of Pinups,” and her shoulder-to-armpit-length jet-black hair with its trademark bangs and her blue eyes have inspired generations of artists, illustrators and comic book artists.

In the comic book, Starslayer #3 (Pacific Comics; cover dated: June 1982), the late comic book writer-artist, Dave Stevens (1955-2008), introduced a new character in the story that was the second appearance of his character, “The Rocketeer.”  Her name was “Betty,” and she was Cliff Secord/The Rocketeer's girlfriend, and she was based on Bettie Page.

The Rocketeer introduced new fans to Bettie Page via Betty, including myself.  Beginning in the mid-1990s, comic books featuring Bettie Page began to appear, and in 2017 Dynamite Entertainment made Bettie Page the star of her own comic book miniseries.  The latest is Bettie Page and the Curse of the Banshee.  It is written by Stephen Mooney; drawn by Jethro Morales; colored by Dinei Ribero; and lettered by Taylor Esposito.  In this series, Bettie, a freelance agent for the federal government and something of a monster hunter, and her partner, Lyssa McKnight, travel to rural Ireland to investigate a series of murders supposedly perpetrated by a mythical creature, a “banshee.”

Bettie Page and the Curse of the Banshee Volume 5 #3 opens in Ireland, 1954.  Bettie and Lyssa find themselves in the midst of a contingent of zombies.  After being separated from Lyssa, Bettie learns the true identity of the Banshee, but does not realize that that her realization comes with a curse!  Lyssa learns some things herself, but if she can't help Bettie, her partner will also become the undead!

THE LOWDOWN:  Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department recently began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Bettie Page and the Curse of the Banshee Volume 5 #3, which is the first issue of the title that I have read.  In fact, I have not previously read any of DE's Bettie Page comic books.

I like Bettie Page and the Curse of the Banshee Volume 5 #3, and I wish I had read the earlier issues.  Writer Stephen Mooney fills this chapter with action and with important background information, enough so that the reader does not feel cheated on content.  I like that Lyssa feels as much a lead as does Bettie, who is a bit of ditz.

Jethro Morales' art and graphical storytelling are more action-horror than dark fantasy-horror, and his illustrations jump out at the reader, whether it is back story or zombies clawing at our heroes.  Dinei Ribero's coloring accentuates Morales' art with an appropriate dark mood and atmosphere.  Taylor Esposito's lettering conveys the sense of desperation and doom that should permeate the third or penultimate chapter of this kind of comic book.

Even cover artist Marat Mychaels delivers the goods with his riff on Gil Elvgren's painting, “Girl on Polar Bear.”  I plan to be back for more of this delightfully surprising Bettie Page comic book.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Bettie Page comic books will want to try Bettie Page and the Curse of the Banshee Volume 5.

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


https://twitter.com/DynamiteComics
https://www.dynamite.com/htmlfiles/
https://www.facebook.com/DynamiteComics/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNOH4PEsl8dyZ2Tj7XUlY7w
https://www.linkedin.com/company/dynamite-entertainment


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

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

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).


Monday, September 26, 2022

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for September 28, 2022

BOOM! STUDIOS

JUL220285 BRIAR #1 (OF 4) CVR A GARCIA $4.99
JUL220286 BRIAR #1 (OF 4) CVR B PAQUETTE $4.99
JUL220287 BRIAR #1 (OF 4) CVR C ANDOLFO $4.99
JUL228439 BRIAR #1 (OF 4) CVR H FOC REVEAL VAR HANS $4.99
JUL220340 GRIM #5 CVR A FLAVIANO $3.99
JUL220341 GRIM #5 CVR B FOIL FLAVIANO $5.99
JUL220342 GRIM #5 CVR C FRISON $3.99
JUL228081 GRIM #5 CVR G FOC REVEAL VAR ANDRADE $3.99
MAY220310 HOLLOW OGN HC (C: 0-1-2) $24.99
MAY220311 HOLLOW OGN TP (C: 0-1-2) $19.99
JUN220382 HOUSE OF SLAUGHTER #9 CVR A ALBUQUERQUE $3.99
JUN220383 HOUSE OF SLAUGHTER #9 CVR B DELL EDERA $3.99
JUN220384 HOUSE OF SLAUGHTER #9 CVR C BODYBAG VAR KIEU $4.99
JUL220308 MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #100 CVR A MORA (C: 1-0-0) $9.99
JUL220309 MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #100 CVR B BERNARDO (C: 1-0-0) $9.99
JUL220310 MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #100 CVR C WRAP VAR MERCADO (C: $9.99
JUL220311 MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #100 CVR D BLANK SKETCH VAR (C: $9.99
JUL220312 MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #100 CVR E FOIL MONTES (C: 1-0- $11.99
JUL220330 SOMETHING IS KILLING CHILDREN SLAUGHTER PACK (BUNDLE) #4 $39.99
JUL220331 SOMETHING IS KILLING THE CHILDREN SCARLET BANDANA $19.99
JUL220320 VAMPIRE SLAYER (BUFFY) #6 CVR A ANINDITO $4.99
JUL220321 VAMPIRE SLAYER (BUFFY) #6 CVR B HANS $4.99

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Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 28, 2022

DARK HORSE COMICS

APR220351 GANTZ OMNIBUS TP VOL 10 (MR) (C: 1-1-2) $24.99
MAY220493 KINGS OF NOWHERE TP VOL 01 (C: 0-1-2) $19.99
JUL220425 ROADIE #1 (OF 4) $3.99
MAY220486 WIZARD KING NOVEL TRILOGY BOXED SET (C: 0-1-2) $38.97

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Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for September 28, 2022

DYNAMITE

JUL220617 007 #2 CVR I EDWARDS LTD VIRGIN (C: 0-1-2) $50.00
JUL220671 AOD VS REANIMATOR NECRONOMICON RISING #3 CVR I FLEECS LTD VI $50.00
JUL220672 AOD VS REANIMATOR NECRONOMICON RISING #3 CVR J SUYDAM LTD VI $50.00
JUL220652 BETTIE PAGE & BIGFOOT BANDITS PHOTO CVR SP ED (C: 0-1-2) $50.00
JAN220540 BETTIE PAGE CURSE BANSHEE TP (C: 0-1-2) $19.99
JUN220786 DRACULINA #6 CVR J TURNER LTD VIRGIN (C: 0-1-2) $50.00
JUN220787 DRACULINA #6 CVR K MARCH LTD VIRGIN (C: 0-1-2) $50.00
JUN220797 ELVIRA IN HORRORLAND #4 CVR J LTD ROYLE (C: 0-1-2) $50.00
JUL220693 IMMORTAL RED SONJA #6 CVR K LINSNER LTD VIRGIN (C: 0-1-2) $50.00
JUL220694 IMMORTAL RED SONJA #6 CVR L LEIRIX LTD VIRGIN (C: 0-1-2) $50.00
JAN220631 INVINCIBLE RED SONJA #10 CVR K CONNER LTD VIRGIN (C: 0-1-2) $50.00
JAN220632 INVINCIBLE RED SONJA #10 CVR L LINSNER LTD VIRGIN (C: 0-1-2) $50.00
JAN220633 INVINCIBLE RED SONJA #10 CVR M CELINA LTD VIRGIN (C: 0-1-2) $50.00
JUL220628 LADY HEL #2 CVR K PARRILLO LTD VIRGIN (C: 0-1-2) $50.00
JUL220629 LADY HEL #2 CVR L VIGONTE LTD VIRGIN (C: 0-1-2) $50.00
MAY220587 MADBALLS VS GARBAGE PAIL KIDS #1 CVR K ATLAS SGN (C: 0-1-2) $49.99
JUL220702 MADBALLS VS GARBAGE PAIL KIDS #3 CVR H SIMKO LTD VIRGIN (C: $50.00
JUL220576 NINJETTES #1 (OF 5) CVR N LEIRIX LTD VIRGIN $50.00
MAR220719 PANTHA #5 CVR A MATTEONI $3.99
MAR220720 PANTHA #5 CVR B ASEO $3.99
MAR220721 PANTHA #5 CVR C PIANTA $3.99
MAR220722 PANTHA #5 CVR D FORNES $3.99
MAR220723 PANTHA #5 CVR E BARRIONUEVO $3.99
APR220514 PURGATORI WITCHES GET STITCHES TP (C: 0-1-2) $19.99
JUL220722 SAMURAI SONJA #4 CVR K LEIRIX LTD VIRGIN (C: 0-1-2) $50.00
JUN220861 SHEENA QUEEN JUNGLE #9 CVR A PARRILLO $3.99
JUN220862 SHEENA QUEEN JUNGLE #9 CVR B SUYDAM $3.99
JUN220863 SHEENA QUEEN JUNGLE #9 CVR C LINSNER $3.99
JUN220864 SHEENA QUEEN JUNGLE #9 CVR D BESCH $3.99
JUN220865 SHEENA QUEEN JUNGLE #9 CVR E COSPLAY $3.99
JUL228509 SHEENA QUEEN JUNGLE #9 CVR N FOC PARRILLO ULTRAVIOLET $3.99
JUL220649 SIMONE & GEOVANI RED SONJA SP LINE ART CVR (C: 0-1-2) $50.00
JUL220561 VAMPIRELLA MINDWARP #1 (OF 5) CVR O LINSNER LTD VIRGIN (C: 0 $50.00
JUL220562 VAMPIRELLA MINDWARP #1 (OF 5) CVR P LEIRIX LTD VIRGIN (C: 0- $50.00
JUL220746 VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #5 CVR K PARRILLO LTD (C: 0-1-2) $50.00
JUL220747 VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #5 CVR L YOON LTD (C: 0-1-2) $50.00
JUL220630 VAMPIRELLA YEAR ONE #3 CVR A TURNER $3.99
JUL220631 VAMPIRELLA YEAR ONE #3 CVR B PARRILLO $3.99
JUL220632 VAMPIRELLA YEAR ONE #3 CVR C COHEN $3.99
JUL220633 VAMPIRELLA YEAR ONE #3 CVR D MARCH $3.99
JUL220634 VAMPIRELLA YEAR ONE #3 CVR E COSPLAY $3.99
JUL228498 VAMPIRELLA YEAR ONE #3 CVR M FOC TIMPANO ORIGINAL $3.99
JUL228499 VAMPIRELLA YEAR ONE #3 CVR N FOC GUNDUZ ORIGINAL $3.99
JUL228500 VAMPIRELLA YEAR ONE #3 CVR O FOC PARRILLO ULTRAVIOLET $3.99

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Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for September 28, 2022

IMAGE COMICS

JUN220078 BRIGADE #1 REMASTERED ED CVR A LIEFELD $3.99
JUN220079 BRIGADE #1 REMASTERED ED CVR B LIEFELD $3.99
JUN220080 BRIGADE #1 REMASTERED ED CVR C MYCHAELS $3.99
JUN220081 BRIGADE #1 REMASTERED ED CVR D BLANK SKETCH CVR $3.99
JUN220259 DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH #21 CVR A SIMMONDS (MR) $3.99
JUL220202 EIGHT BILLION GENIES #5 (OF 8) CVR A BROWNE (MR) $3.99
JUL220203 EIGHT BILLION GENIES #5 (OF 8) CVR B MOORE (MR) $3.99
JUL220062 FLAWED #1 (OF 6) CVR A PRENZY (MR) $3.99
JUL220063 FLAWED #1 (OF 6) CVR B PRENZY (MR) $3.99
JUL220212 I HATE THIS PLACE #5 CVR A TOPILIN & LOUGHRIDGE (MR) $3.99
JUL220213 I HATE THIS PLACE #5 CVR B EXPLICIT VAR (MR) $3.99
MAY220242 LAZARUS RISEN #7 (MR) $7.99
JUL220117 LITTLE MONSTERS TP VOL 01 (MR) $16.99
JUL220219 MAGIC ORDER 3 #3 (OF 6) CVR A CAVENAGO (MR) $3.99
JUL220220 MAGIC ORDER 3 #3 (OF 6) CVR B CAVENAGO B&W (MR) $3.99
JUL220221 MAGIC ORDER 3 #3 (OF 6) CVR C OLIVER (MR) $3.99
JUL220125 MIGHTY TP (MR) $24.99
JUN220037 OLD DOG #1 CVR A SHALVEY (MR) $3.99
JUN220038 OLD DOG #1 CVR B MARTIN (MR) $3.99
JUN220039 OLD DOG #1 CVR C BLANK SKETCH CVR (MR) $3.99
JUL220072 ONYX (ONE-SHOT) (MR) $9.99
JUL220242 SINS OF BLACK FLAMINGO #4 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99
JUN220317 SKYBOUND PRESENTS AFTERSCHOOL #3 (OF 4) (MR) $4.99
JUL220233 SPAWN SCORCHED #10 CVR A BARENDS $2.99
JUL220234 SPAWN SCORCHED #10 CVR B KEANE $2.99
MAY220272 STILLWATER BY ZDARSKY & PEREZ #15 (MR) $3.99
MAY220282 UNNATURAL BLUE BLOOD #3 (OF 10) CVR A ANDOLFO (MR) $3.99
MAY220283 UNNATURAL BLUE BLOOD #3 (OF 10) CVR B BIGARELLA (MR) $3.99

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IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for September 28, 2022

IDW PUBLISHING

JUL221594 ALEX TOTH BRAVO FOR ADVENTURE ARTIST ED HC 2ND PTG (C: 0-1-2 $125.00
JUN221632 BEST OF EC ARTISAN EDITION SC (C: 0-1-1) $39.99
JUL228001 DARK SPACES WILDFIRE #1 2ND PTG CVR A SHERMAN VAR $3.99
APR228003 GENIUS ISOLATED LIFE & ART OF ALEX TOTH SC (C: 0-1-1) $34.99
JUL221615 GI JOE REAL AMERICAN HERO HC RISE OF SERPENTOR (C: 0-1-1) $59.99
JUL221619 MY LITTLE PONY #5 CVR A PRICE (C: 1-0-0) $3.99
JUL221620 MY LITTLE PONY #5 CVR B JUSTASUTA (C: 1-0-0) $3.99
JUL221623 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #53 CVR A FONSECA (C: 1-0-0) $3.99
JUL221624 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #53 CVR B BULMER (C: 1-0-0) $3.99
JUN221663 TMNT ARMAGEDDON GAME #1 CVR A FEDERICI $5.99
JUN221664 TMNT ARMAGEDDON GAME #1 CVR B EASTMAN $5.99
JUL221642 TODD MCFARLANES SPIDER-MAN ARTIST ED HC (C: 0-1-2) $150.00
JUL221660 TRANSFORMERS IDW COLLECTION PHASE 3 HC VOL 03 (C: 0-1-1) $59.99
JUL221662 TRANSFORMERS SHATTERED GLASS II #2 CVR A KHANNA (C: 1-0-0) $3.99
JUL221663 TRANSFORMERS SHATTERED GLASS II #2 CVR B HEMU (C: 1-0-0) $3.99

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