Wednesday, October 26, 2022

#IReadsYou Review: POST AMERICANA #7

POST AMERICANA #7 (OF 7)
IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Steve Skroce
ART: Steve Skroce
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Fonografiks
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2021)

Rated M / Mature

Post Americana is a seven-issue miniseries written and drawn by Steve Skroce and published by Image Comics.  Post Americana is set in a dystopian future and focuses on two rebels' attempts to save an area called the “Wasteland” from a rogue President of the United States.  Colorist Dave Stewart and letterer Fonografiks complete Post Americana's creative team.

Post Americana  has two settings.  The first is “The Bubble,” an installation inside the Cheyenne Mountains that is the most sophisticated super-bunker in the world.  Inside, Nathaniel Hawksworthe, the new President of the United States, plans to use the bunker's resources to build the “New America” by basically paving over the second setting, the “Wasteland.”  Determined to stop Hawksworthe are Michael “Mike” Lee, a hapless rebel, and Carolyn, a deadly Wasteland girl, who is already hellbent on revenge against the denizens of the Bubble.  But Carolyn and Mike will have to survive the Wasteland in order to save the Wasteland.

Post Americana #7 opens in the Bubble.  Marcy Okamoto has launched her plan to destroy humanity and to replace humans, using seven perfect “New People” embryos as the foundation.  At the same time, her droids are laying waste to the Bubble and killing its denizens.  So what is President of the United States Nathaniel Hawksworthe doing?  He and his mother are making their escape.

However, before anyone leaves, Carolyn has embraced her destiny and is ready to deliver some cold-bloodied justice.  Meanwhile, Eggbert Beauregard, one of the lost IP of Wonder Studios, is leading a revolt of the Bubble's enslaved.  So where are Mike and Mr. Floppibottoms, another lost IP?  It's Carolyn versus Marcy versus President Hawksworthe in a final showdown.

THE LOWDOWN:  Every time, I write a review of one of his comic books, I remind you, dear readers, that I am a huge fan of writer-artist Steve Skroce, going back over two decades.  I have also praised every issue of Post Americana.

Well, Post Americana #7 brings the series to an end, five months after the arrival of issue #6.  It was worth the wait, as this seventh issue is one of the series' best.  And there's a happy ending – happier than the end of Skroce's excellent comic book miniseries, We Stand on Guard.  Steve Skroce's lovely art; Dave Stewart's gorgeous coloring, and Fonografiks' standout lettering make for an excellent graphics and graphical storytelling package.

I highly recommend this entire series, which will be available in a Post Americana trade paperback this month (December 2021).  Now, I'll await Skroce's next comic book miniseries masterpiece.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Steve Skroce's comics and of post-apocalyptic sci-fi will want Post Americana.

A+
10 out of 10

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


https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/


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, October 25, 2022

#IReadsYou Review: MIRACLEMAN #1 (Eclipse Comics)

MIRACLEMAN #1
ECLIPSE COMICS

STORY: Alan Moore
PENCILS: Alan Davis; Garry Leach
INKS: Garry Leach
COLORS: Ron Courtney
LETTERS: Garry Leach; G. George
EDITORS: Dez Skinn and catherine yronwode
COVER: Alan Davis and Garry Leach
32pp, Color, .75¢ U.S., $1.00 CAN, 50p U.K. (August 1985)

Book One: Chapters 1 to 4

Marvelman created by Mick Anglo


Marvelman is a British superhero character created in 1954 by writer-artist Mick Anglo for British publisher, L. Miller & Son.  The character was originally created as a substitute for the American character, Captain Marvel (Fawcett Comics), in the U.K.  Marvelman comic books were published until 1963, but the character was revived in 1982 by writer Alan Moore, who offered a darker, post-modern take on the character.

In March 1982, Warrior, a British monthly, black-and-white anthology comics magazine, was launched by editor and publisher Dez Skinn, who also decided to revive Marvelman.  Warrior published the new and darker version of Marvelman, written by Alan Moore and initially illustrated by Garry Leach and later by Alan Davis, beginning in Warrior #1 (cover dated: March 1982).  In August 1985, Eclipse Comics began reprinting the Marvelman stories from Warrior (in color) in a comic book entitled, “Miracleman” (to avoid legal problems with Marvel Comics).

Miracleman #1 is comprised of four chapters.  The opening chapter, “Prologue: 1956 – The Invaders from the Future,” looks like a vintage, 1950s Mick Anglo Marvelman story.  Miracleman and his young compatriots, Young Miracleman and Kid Miracleman, take on an invasion from the future year of 1981.  The invaders, led by Kommandant Garrer and his “Atomic Storm Troopers,” want to conquer the world of yesterday.  Ultimately, the heroes defeat Garrer and his “Science Gestapo,” but perhaps, this adventure is merely

…A Dream of Flying.” is the next chapter.  It opens in Great Britain in 1982 and introduces Michael Moran, a 41-year-old freelance journalist, who has been having a bad time lately.  The strange dreams that have plagued him for years are worse, and he suffers from migraine headaches.  If only he could remember “the damn word” that is at the edge of his dreams/nightmares.

Moran travels to Larksmere for the opening of a nuclear power plant, and that is where it all changes.  Miracleman is back!  Mike Moran will have a great story to tell his wife of 16 years, Liz Sullivan, but will she believe it?  Can Mike believe it?  And does anyone else share that story?

THE LOWDOWN:  As some of you already know, Eclipse Comics' Miracleman #1-6 reprinted all the Marvelman content from Warrior magazine.  Then, Eclipse began publishing new Miracleman stories written by Alan Moore and drawn initially by artist Chuck Beckum and later by Rick Veitch and then John Totleben.  Moore wrote the series until issue #16; Neil Gaiman took over with issue #17.  Gaiman continued to write the series, but Miracleman ceased publication with issue #24 when Eclipse closed due to financial difficulties.

Marvel Comics obtained the rights to the character Marvelman and brought Eclipse Comics’ Miracleman series back into print.  Marvel reprinted each issue of Alan Moore's Miracleman as a special edition with “extras.”  Marvel did the same with the Eclipse issues of Neil Gaiman and artist Mark Buckingham's Miracleman, and recently began publishing Gaiman-Buckingham's long-awaited conclusion to their Miracleman arc.

When I read Marvel's Miracleman #1 (cover dated: March 2014), it was the first time in well over a quarter-century since I had read Eclipse's Miracleman #1.  It had been so many years (so so so many) that I didn't remember exactly what I thought about the Eclipse debut.  I know that I really liked it, but my memory is telling me (or lying to me) that I liked Eclipse's series even more as it progressed.  I enjoyed reading the Marvel first issue, but that time, I was not overly impressed with Alan Moore’s story, although I did like it.  I imagine that once upon a time, I was more in awe of Miracleman #1.  After all, it was like nothing I had read up to that point in 1985.

Recently (October 2022), I read the Eclipse Miracleman #1 again, and for whatever reason, I am suddenly impressed again.  I like Moore's measured pace, as he focuses on establishing Mike Moran's life and situation and also providing a glimpse into the relationship between Mike and his wife, Liz.  Moore is patient even in that last chapter, which ends with the explosive reveal of Kid Miracleman.  I think Moore was patient because he was building something entirely new.  His modernization of Marvelman for all practical purposes had no relation to the original 1950s-60s comic book.

I am always impressed by the fantastic art of the late Garry Leach (1954-2022).  His delicate line is meshed into lush brushwork on the inking.  Supple forms and advanced draftsmanship yield impressive compositions.  Did Leach know that he was only drawing a comic book?  Seriously, he put his heart and talent into this story, and the result is a moody, atmospheric story.  Each panel is packed with what feels like a surge of energy that wants to break the borders of the panels.

Maybe, something in me is put off by Marvel Comics' Miracleman, but that something seems to embrace Eclipse Comics' Miracleman.  I've obtained a few more issues of the Eclipse run, so I'll find out for sure.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Alan Moore, Garry Leach, Dez Skinn, Marvelman, Miracleman, and Eclipse Comics will want to read the Eclipse run of Miracleman.

A
★★★★+ out of 4 stars

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 syndication rights and fees.

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Monday, October 24, 2022

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for October 26, 2022

BOOM! STUDIOS

AUG220278 DAMN THEM ALL #1 (OF 6) CVR A ADLARD (MR) $3.99
AUG220279 DAMN THEM ALL #1 (OF 6) CVR B DANI (MR) $3.99
AUG220280 DAMN THEM ALL #1 (OF 6) CVR C FOIL ADLARD (MR) $5.99
AUG220281 DAMN THEM ALL #1 (OF 6) CVR D FOIL DANI (MR) $5.99
JUL229390 DAMN THEM ALL #1 (OF 6) CVR J FOC REVEAL VAR (MR) $3.99
AUG220287 DAMN THEM ALL #1 (OF 6) CVR L BG VAR LEE (MR) $3.99
JUN220411 GO GO POWER RANGERS DELUXE EDITION HC BOOK 01 (C: 1-1-2) $75.00
AUG220320 HOUSE OF SLAUGHTER #10 CVR A ALBUQUERQUE $3.99
AUG220321 HOUSE OF SLAUGHTER #10 CVR B DELL EDERA $3.99
AUG220322 HOUSE OF SLAUGHTER #10 CVR C BODYBAG VAR HARREN $4.99
JUL229205 MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #100 2ND PTG MORA (C: 1-0-0) $9.99
AUG220288 MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #101 CVR A MANHANINI (C: 1-0-0) $3.99
AUG220289 MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #101 CVR B TOMASELLI (C: 1-0-0) $3.99
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AUG220294 MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #101 CVR I BG VAR PENDERGAST (C $3.99
JUN220409 POWER RANGERS UNIVERSE HC (C: 1-1-2) $24.99
AUG220349 STUFF OF NIGHTMARES #2 (OF 4) CVR A FRANCAVILLA $4.99
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AUG220363 WE ONLY FIND THEM WHEN THEYRE DEAD #14 CVR A DI MEO $3.99
AUG220364 WE ONLY FIND THEM WHEN THEYRE DEAD #14 CVR B INFANTE $3.99

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Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 26, 2022

DARK HORSE COMICS

AUG220414 CRIMINAL MACABRE COUNT CROWLEY HALLOWEEN ONESHOT $3.99
AUG220396 DEAD MALL #1 (OF 4) $3.99
AUG220436 PEARL III #6 (OF 6) CVR A GAYDOS $3.99
AUG220437 PEARL III #6 (OF 6) CVR B ARAUJO $3.99
JUN220570 PSYCHO PASS INSPECTOR SHINYA KOGAMI TP VOL 05 (C: 0-1-2) $11.99
AUG220441 ROADIE #2 (OF 4) $3.99
MAY220440 WORLD OF BLACK HAMMER LIBRARY ED HC VOL 04 (C: 0-1-2) $49.99

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Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for October 26, 2022

DYNAMITE

AUG220622 007 #3 CVR I EDWARDS LTD VIRGIN (C: 0-1-2) $50.00
AUG220623 AOD VS REANIMATOR NECRONOMICON RISING #4 CVR A FLEECS $3.99
AUG220624 AOD VS REANIMATOR NECRONOMICON RISING #4 CVR B MITTEN $3.99
AUG220625 AOD VS REANIMATOR NECRONOMICON RISING #4 CVR C SUYDAM $3.99
AUG220626 AOD VS REANIMATOR NECRONOMICON RISING #4 CVR D SAYGER $3.99
JUL229783 AOD VS REANIMATOR NECRONOMICON RISING #4 CVR K FOC HAESER OR $3.99
AUG220665 SAMURAI SONJA #5 CVR A HENRY $3.99
AUG220666 SAMURAI SONJA #5 CVR B LEIRIX $3.99
AUG220667 SAMURAI SONJA #5 CVR C QUALANO $3.99
AUG220668 SAMURAI SONJA #5 CVR D LAVINA $3.99
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JUL229786 SAMURAI SONJA #5 CVR L FOC LEIRIX ULTRAVIOLET $3.99
AUG220584 VAMPIRELLA MINDWARP #2 (OF 5) CVR J LINSNER LTD VIRGIN (C: 0 $50.00
AUG220585 VAMPIRELLA MINDWARP #2 (OF 5) CVR K LEIRIX LTD VIRGIN (C: 0- $50.00

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IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for October 26, 2022

IDW PUBLISHING

AUG221538 GODZILLA BEST OF MOTHRA ONESHOT (C: 1-0-0) $6.99
JUL221622 RICK AND MORTY VS DUNGEONS & DRAGONS COMP ADV TP (C: 1-1-1) $29.99
AUG221545 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #54 CVR A YARDLEY (C: 1-0-0) $3.99
AUG221546 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG #54 CVR B SCHOENING (C: 1-0-0) $3.99
AUG221551 STAR TREK #1 CVR A ROSANAS $4.99
AUG221552 STAR TREK #1 CVR B SHALVEY $4.99
AUG221553 STAR TREK #1 CVR C AJA $4.99
AUG221554 STAR TREK #1 CVR D STOTT $4.99
MAY221573 STEVE CANYON HC VOL 12 (C: 0-1-1) $49.99
JUL221646 TMNT ARMAGEDDON GAME #2 CVR A FEDERICI $4.99
JUL221647 TMNT ARMAGEDDON GAME #2 CVR B CAMPBELL $4.99
JUL228554 TMNT ARMAGEDDON GAME #2 CVR C EASTMAN $4.99

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Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for October 26, 2022

IMAGE COMICS

AUG220167 20TH CENTURY MEN #3 (OF 6) CVR A MORIAN (MR) $3.99
AUG220168 20TH CENTURY MEN #3 (OF 6) CVR B BRUNNER (MR) $3.99
AUG220085 AMERICAN JESUS REVELATION #1 (OF 3) CVR A MUIR (MR) $3.99
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JUL229791 CREEPSHOW #1 (OF 5) 2ND PTG (MR) $3.99
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AUG220175 CREEPSHOW #2 (OF 5) CVR B FIUMARA (MR) $3.99
AUG228040 EIGHT BILLION GENIES #2 (OF 8) 4TH PTG $3.99
AUG228039 EIGHT BILLION GENIES #3 (OF 8) 4TH PTG $3.99
AUG228038 EIGHT BILLION GENIES #4 (OF 8) 3RD PTG $3.99
JUL220204 FIRE POWER BY KIRKMAN & SAMNEE #24 CVR A SAMNEE & WILSON $3.99
JUL220205 FIRE POWER BY KIRKMAN & SAMNEE #24 CVR B FINCH & MCCAIG $3.99
JUL220206 FIRE POWER BY KIRKMAN & SAMNEE #24 CVR C MANAPUL $3.99
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AUG220184 FLAWED #2 (OF 6) CVR A PRENZY (MR) $3.99
AUG220185 FLAWED #2 (OF 6) CVR B JONES (MR) $3.99
AUG220192 IMAGE 30TH ANNV ANTHOLOGY #7 (OF 12) (MR) $5.99
AUG220141 KILLADELPHIA TP VOL 04 END OF ALL (MR) $16.99
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AUG220203 MAGIC ORDER 3 #4 (OF 6) CVR A CAVENAGO (MR) $3.99
AUG220204 MAGIC ORDER 3 #4 (OF 6) CVR B CAVENAGO B&W (MR) $3.99
AUG220205 MAGIC ORDER 3 #4 (OF 6) CVR C TOCCHINI (MR) $3.99
SEP220200 RIGHTEOUS THIRST FOR VENGEANCE TP VOL 02 (MR) $16.99
AUG220217 ROGUES GALLERY #4 CVR A SHALVEY (MR) $3.99
AUG220218 ROGUES GALLERY #4 CVR B FRANCAVILLA (MR) $3.99
AUG220230 SINS OF BLACK FLAMINGO #5 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99
AUG220154 SPAWN ORIGINS TP VOL 23 $16.99
AUG220221 SPAWN SCORCHED #11 CVR A NACHLIK $2.99
AUG220222 SPAWN SCORCHED #11 CVR B KEANE $2.99
AUG220242 VANISH #2 CVR A STEGMAN (MR) $3.99
AUG220243 VANISH #2 CVR B JOHNSON (MR) $3.99
AUG220244 VANISH #2 CVR C BLANK SKETCH CVR (MR) $3.99

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