DC Comics from Lunar Distributors for May 2, 2023

DC COMICS:

Adventures Of Superman Jon Kent #3 (Of 6)(Cover A Clayton Henry), $3.99

Adventures Of Superman Jon Kent #3 (Of 6)(Cover B Zu Orzu Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Adventures Of Superman Jon Kent #3 (Of 6)(Cover C Afua Richardson Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Adventures Of Superman Jon Kent #3 (Of 6)(Cover D Travis Mercer Card Stock Variant), AR

Adventures Of Superman Jon Kent #3 (Of 6)(Cover E Clayton Henry Foil Variant), AR

Batman #135 (Cover A Jorge Jimenez)(#900), $6.99

Batman #135 (Cover B Joe Quesada Connecting Card Stock Variant)(#900), $7.99

Batman #135 (Cover C Joe Quesada Connecting Card Stock Variant)(#900), $7.99

Batman #135 (Cover D Gabriele Dell’Otto Card Stock Variant)(#900), $7.99

Batman #135 (Cover E Stanley Artgerm Lau Card Stock Variant)(#900), $7.99

Batman #135 (Cover F Kael Ngu Card Stock Variant)(#900), $7.99

Batman #135 (Cover G Neal Adams Card Stock Variant)(#900), $7.99

Batman #135 (Cover H Jim Cheung Special Foil Variant)(#900), $9.99

Batman #135 (Cover I Lee Bermejo Card Stock Variant)(#900), AR

Batman #135 (Cover J Stanley Artgerm Lau Foil Variant)(#900), AR

Batman #135 (Cover K Joe Quesada Black & White Card Stock Variant)(#900), AR

Batman #181 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover A Carmine Infantino & Murphy Anderson), $3.99

Batman #181 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover B Carmine Infantino & Murphy Anderson Special Foil Variant), $5.99

Batman #181 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover C Blank Variant), $4.99

Batman And The Joker The Deadly Duo #7 (Of 7)(Cover A Marc Silvestri), $5.99

Batman And The Joker The Deadly Duo #7 (Of 7)(Cover B Simon Bisley Batman & The Joker Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Batman And The Joker The Deadly Duo #7 (Of 7)(Cover C Simon Bisley The Joker & Batman Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Batman And The Joker The Deadly Duo #7 (Of 7)(Cover D Mike Mignola Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Batman And The Joker The Deadly Duo #7 (Of 7)(Cover E Jock Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Batman And The Joker The Deadly Duo #7 (Of 7)(Cover F Jonboy Meyers Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman And The Joker The Deadly Duo #7 (Of 7)(Cover G Marc Silvestri Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman And The Joker The Deadly Duo #7 (Of 7)(Cover H Ashley Wood Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman The Audio Adventures #6 (Of 7)(Cover A Dave Johnson), $3.99

Batman The Audio Adventures #6 (Of 7)(Cover B Michael Allred Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Catwoman Volume 2 Cat International TP (2022), $16.99

Flash #798 (Cover A Taurin Clarke), $3.99

Flash #798 (Cover B Mike Perkins & Mike Spicer Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Flash #798 (Cover C Ethan Young Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Flash #798 (Cover D Serg Acuna Card Stock Variant), AR

Flash #798 (Cover E Taurin Clarke Foil Variant), AR

Joker The Man Who Stopped Laughing #8 (Cover A Carmine Di Giandomenico), $5.99

Joker The Man Who Stopped Laughing #8 (Cover B Francesco Mattina), $5.99

Joker The Man Who Stopped Laughing #8 (Cover C Clay Mann), $5.99

Joker The Man Who Stopped Laughing #8 (Cover D Ivan Tao), AR

Justice League Volume 3 Leagues Of Chaos HC (2021), $24.99

Peacemaker Tries Hard #1 (Of 6)(Cover A Kris Anka), $4.99

Peacemaker Tries Hard #1 (Of 6)(Cover B Bjorn Barends), $4.99

Peacemaker Tries Hard #1 (Of 6)(Cover C Kris Anka Movie Poster Variant), $4.99

Peacemaker Tries Hard #1 (Of 6)(Cover D Eric Battle Foil-Embossed Variant), $9.99

Peacemaker Tries Hard #1 (Of 6)(Cover E Dan Hipp), AR

Peacemaker Tries Hard #1 (Of 6)(Cover F Simone Di Meo), AR

Poison Ivy #12 (Cover A Jessica Fong), $3.99

Poison Ivy #12 (Cover B Jenny Frison Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Poison Ivy #12 (Cover C Xermanico Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Poison Ivy #12 (Cover D Mateus Manhanini Card Stock Variant), AR

Poison Ivy #12 (Cover E Jenny Frison Foil Variant), AR

Sandman Mystery Theatre Compendium Volume 1 TP, $59.99

Shazam #1 (Cover A Dan Mora), $3.99

Shazam #1 (Cover B Chris Samnee Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Shazam #1 (Cover C John Timms Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Shazam #1 (Cover D Mike Deodato Jr. Spot Foil Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Shazam #1 (Cover E Evan Doc Shaner Card Stock Variant), AR

Shazam #1 (Cover F Ariel Colon Card Stock Variant), AR

Shazam #1 (Cover G Dan Mora Spot Gloss Pulp Variant), AR

Shazam The Monster Society Of Evil HC, $39.99

Superman Space Age HC, $29.99

Superman The 85th Anniversary Collection TP, $49.99

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I Reads You Juniors: April 2023 - Update #48

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

You can support Leroy via Paypal or on Patreon.

NEWS:

DC STUDIOS - From YouTube:  The Flash - Official Trailer #2. The film is due June 16th.

EN MEMORIAM - From TheDailyCartoonist:  American cartoonist Ted Richards has died at the age of 76, Friday, April 21, 2023.  Richards was best known for his work in Underground Comix.  He was a member of the "Air Pirates" collective, whose "Air Pirates Funnies" comic book got them sued by Walt Disney Productions.  Richards produced such titles as "Dopin' Dan," "E.Z. Wolf," and "The Forty Year Old Hippie." Richards would later move into computer software designing.

IDW - From ComicsBeat:  IDW Media Holdings, Inc., parent of IDW Publishing, has been delisted from the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), although I didn't know they were listed.  39 percent of the staff have been laid off, including the entire PR and marketing department and also publisher Nachie Marsham.

From BleedingCool:  IDW CEO Davidi Jonas says "today we hit reset," as the company undergoes layoffs.

IMAGE - From ScreenRant:  Todd McFarlane's "Spawn" will crash Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander's "Killadelphia," beginning with the next story arc that begins in Killadelphia #31.

DC ANIMATION - From Deadline:  Amazon's "Prime Video" Warner Bros. Batman animated series, including Bruce Timm, J.J. Abrams, and Matt Reeves' "Batman: Caped Crusader."

EN MEMORIAM - From TCJ:  Author Andrew Farago offers an obituary of comics historian, author, editor and curator, Maurice C. Horn, passed away on December 30, 2022, at the age of 91.  According to Farago, Horn wrote some of the first reference books about comics ever written and he was among the very first people to take comics seriously.  His books include "A History of the Comic Strip" (1968), written with Pierre Couperie, "The World History of Comics" (1976), and "Sex in the Comics" (1985), to name a few.

MILESTONE - From DimesDaggers:  Writer Andrew Farago looks back at the 30th anniversary of Milestone Comics in "How 'Hardware' Made Me WOKE."

SONY MARVEL U - From Variety:  At CinemaCon 2023, actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson introduced footage for Sony Pictures' Marvel Comic film, "Kraven the Hunter."  The footage, which featured some bloody images, was reportedly well-received.  The film, which will debut later this year, will also be rated "R."

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  Author Rachel Allan talks to "DC Blog" about her new original graphic novel, "Harley Quinn: Ravenous."

DC STUDIOS - From YouTube:  The studio has provided an "in-production teaser" and first-look at the upcoming series, "The Penguin," starring Colin Farrell.

MARVEL - From BleedingCool:  After his "Gambit" and "X-Treme X-Men" mini-series, Chris Claremont is already working on his next X-Men comic book.

SONY MARVEL U - From Deadline:  Actress Juno Temple (of Apple's "Ted Lasso" series) has landed the lead in Sony/Marvel's "Venom 3."

IDW - From BleedingCool:  Here is the checklist for IDW Publishing's "Star Trek" crossover event, "Day of Blood," which runs through Star Trek titles from July to Sept. 2023.

MARVEL COMICS - From Marvel:  Writer J.M. DeMatteis and artist Todd Nauck will return to X-Men villain Magneto's days as headmaster of The New Mutants in the four-issue miniseries, "Magneto."  The first issue is due Aug. 2nd.

MARVEL STUDIOS - From CBR:  Hot rumor says that Oscar-nominated actor Adam Driver is in final negotiations to play "Reed Richards/Mr. Fantastic" in Marvel Studios' planned "Fantastic Four" film.

From Newsarama:  According to "Deadpool" star, Ryan Reynolds, the "Wolverine" that Hugh Jackman will play in "Deadpool 3" is "something completely new."

DC COMICS TO SERIES - From GamesRadar:  Jim Mickle, the showrunner for Netflix's "Sweet Tooth," which is based on Jeff Lemire's comic book series, will have a more ambitious second season.

DC COMICS - From BleedingCool:  Here is a look at the new character designs for DC Comics' "Knight Terrors" event, which takes over the publishing line this July and August.

MANGA TO LIVE-ACTION - From CBR:  The site is reporting that Netflix held a private screening of its live-action adaptation of Eiichiro Oda's legendary shonen manga, "One Piece."  The preview apparently flopped with that test audience.

MARVEL - From Newsarama:  Canadian super-team, Alpha Flight, returns to Canada and into their own comic book series, "Alpha Flight," written by Ed Brisson and artist Scott Godlewski.  The first issue this "Fall of X" X-Men spinoff is due August 16th.

From Newsarama:  Another "Fall of X" spinoff from the "X-Men" is the miniseries, "Children of the Vault."

RETAIL - From TCJ:  Venerable and maybe even legendary comic book and collectibles retailer, Chuck Rozanski of "Mile High Comics," tells his side of the story to "The Comics Journal."

EN MEMORIAM - From Deadline:  "MAD Magazine" cartoonist Al Jaffee has died at the age of 102, Monday, April 10, 2023.  Jaffee was a Mad contributor for 65 years.  His career as a cartoonist, running from 1942 to 2020, holds the "Guinness World Record" for the longest.  Jaffee was high school classmate of future comic book and cartooning legends, Will Elder, Al Feldstein, Harvey Kurtzman, and John Severin, at the High School for Music & Arts in New York City.

EN MEMORIAM - From BleedingCool:  Science fiction and fantasy author, comic book writer, and tarot card expert, Rachel Pollack, has died at the age of 75, Friday, April 7, 2023.  Her novel, "Godmother Night," won the 1997 "World Fantasy Award for Best Novel."  In comic books, she is best known for her 1996-95 run on DC Comics' "Doom Patrol" series (issues #64-#87).  Her "78 Degrees of Wisdom" is reference for Tarot readers.

DC STUDIOS/TRAILERS - From YouTube:  Here is the first trailer for DC Studios' "Blue Beetle" film, which is due in theaters, August 18, 2023.

From DCBlog:  A list of the Easter eggs found in the "Blue Beetle" trailer.

DC STUDIOS - From THR:  "Joker: Folie a Deux" has wrapped up filming.  Director Todd Phillips shares new images of its stars, Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga.  The film is due Oct. 4th, 2024.

COMICS TO TV - From Deadline:  Sony Pictures Television is developing the Black Mask graphic novel, "Destiny, NY," by Pat Shand and Manuel Preitano, for television.

BOOM STUDIOS - From Variety:  Actress Amy Jo Johnson and her partner, Matt Hotson, will write a "Power Rangers" comic book that will debut next year.  Johnson played "Kimberly Hart," the original "Pink Power Ranger" in the 1993-95 original "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers" TV series and in two films.

COMICS TO ANIME - From Variety:  Netflix is producing an anime series version of the "Scott Pilgrim" graphic novels by Bryan Lee O'Malley.  Multiple cast members from 2010 live-action film, "Scott Pilgrim vs. The World" will be voice performers for the anime.

MANGA TO FILM - From GamesRadar:  Fangoria Studios is set to adapt some of manga master, Junji Ito's horror manga short stories into movies, including the vampire tale, "Bloodsucking Darkness."

AMAZON - From THR:  Former Marvel Comics editor-in-chief and Marvel Entertainment CCO, Joe Quesaada, has signed a first-look deal with Amazon.  He will develop established and new comic book properties for film and television.

DC COMICS - From DCBlog:  Acclaimed writer G. Willow Wilson talks about her "Poison Ivy" comic book series and about the new miniseries, "Lazarus Planet: Revenge of the Gods."

EN MEMORIAM - From CBR:  The American comic book writer, Steve Skeates, has died at the age of 80, Thursday, March 30, 2023.  Skeates was best known for co-creating the DC Comics characters, "Hawk and Dove" with the late artist, Steve Ditko.  Skeates also produced a noted run on "Aquaman" (1968-71) with artist Jim Aparo.

MARVEL - From CBR:  There will be a new ongoing comic books series starring Marvel Comics' ultimate vampire hunter, "Blade."  The new series is written by Bryan Edward Hill and drawn by Elena Casagrande and is due July 2023.

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MARCH 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  Asylum Press for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  Band of Bards for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  Blood Moon Comics LLC for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  BOOM Studios for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  CEX Publishing for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller Presents LLC for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  Opus Comics for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  Rebellion / 2000 AD for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  Sumerian Comics for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  Udon Entertainment for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  Vault Comics for March 2023

From BleedingCool:  Whatnot Publishing for March 2023

APRIL 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ablaze for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  AfterShock Comics for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  Antarctic Press for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  Archie Comics for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller Presents for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  IDW Publishing for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "Captain America: Cold War event solicitations for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  Marvel's "Sins of Sinister" solicitations and checklist for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  Opus Comics for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  Rebellion Publishing for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  Udon Entertainment LLC for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  VIZ Media for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  Whatnot Publishing for April 2023

From BleedingCool:  Yen Press for April 2023

MAY 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ablaze Publishing for May 2023

From BleedingCool:  Aardvark-Vanaheim for May 2023

From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for May 2023

From BleedingCool:  BOOM! Studios for May 2023

From BleedingCool:  CEX Publishing for May 2023

From BleedingCool:  Dark Horse Comics for May 2023

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for May 2023

From BleedingCool:  Dead Good Comics for May 2023

From BleedingCool:  Dynamite Entertainment for May 2023

From BleedingCool:  Fairsquare Comics for May 2023

From BleedingCool:  Fantagraphics Books for May 2023

From BleedingCool:  Frank Miller Presents for May 2023

From BleedingCool:  IDW for May 2023

From BleedingCool:  Image Comics for May 2023

From BleedingCool:  Keenspot Entertainment for May 2023

From BleedingCool:  Mad Cave Studios for May 2023

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for May 2023

From BleedingCool:  Opus Comics for May 2023

From BleedingCool:  Titan Comics for May 2023

From BleedingCool:  TOKYOPOP for May 2023

From BleedingCool:  Rebellion/2000 AD for May 2023

From BleedingCool:  Scout Comics for May 2023

From BleedingCool:  Sumerian Comics for May 2023

From BleedingCool:  Udon Entertainment Inc. for May 2023

From BleedingCool:  Valiant Entertainment for May 2023

JUNE 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ablaze Publishing for June 2023

From BleedingCool:  Ahoy Comics for June 2023

From BleedingCool:  AWA Studios for June 2023

From BleedingCool:  CEX Comics for June 2023

From BleedingCool:  DC Comics for June 2023

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for June 2023

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Captain America" for June 2023

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Star Wars" for June 2023

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for June 2023

From BleedingCool:  Source Point Press for June 2023

From BleedingCool:  Sumerian Comics for June 2023

From BleedingCool:  Uncivilized Books for June 2023

JULY 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Ablaze Publishing for July 2023

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics for July 2023

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Extreme Venomverse" for July 2023

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Summer of Symbiotes" for July 2023

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "X-Men" for July 2023

From BleedingCool:  Oni Press for July 2023

AUGUST 2023 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics X-Men's "Fall of X" for August 2023

From BleedingCool:  Marvel Comics "Summer of Symbiotes" for August 2023

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#IReadsYou Review: RED SONJA Black White Red #3

RED SONJA BLACK WHITE RED #3
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Gail Simone; Dearbhla Kelly; Jonathan Lau and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
ART: Walter Geovani; Soo Lee; Jonathan Lau
COLORS: Dearbhla Kelly
LETTERS: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
EDITOR: Nate Cosby
COVER: Lucio Parrillo
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Sean Izaakse; Jonathan Lau; Lucio Parrillo; Rachel Hollon (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2021)

Rated Teen+

Based on the characters and stories created by Roy Thomas, Barry Windsor-Smith, and Robert E. Howard

Conan the Barbarian #23 (cover dated: February 1973) saw the debut of a high fantasy, sword and sorcery heroine, Red Sonja.  Created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith, Red Sonja was loosely based on “Red Sonya of Rogatino,” a female character that appeared in the 1934 short story, “The Shadow of the Vulture,” written by Robert E. Howard (1906-1936), the creator of the character, Conan the Cimmerian.

Red Sonja remained a fixture in comic books from then until about 1986.  In 2005, Dynamite Entertainment began publishing comic books featuring differing versions of the character.  One of those is Red Sonja Black White and Red, an anthology comic book featuring stories from well known comic book writers and artists, with the art presented in black, white, and red.

Red Sonja Black White and Red #3 is comprised of three stories.  The first is “Dawn of a Crimson Day” by Gail Simone, Walter Geovani, Dearbhla Kelly, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.  Next is “Small Tales” by Dearbhla Kelly and Soo Lee with Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.  The final story is “Ssshhhhh!” by Jonathan Lau, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, and Dearbhla Kelly.  I'll review each story separately.

THE LOWDOWN:   Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department recently began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Red Sonja Black White and Red #3, which is the second issue of the title that I have read.

“Dawn of a Crimson Day” by Gail Simone, Walter Geovani, Dearbhla Kelly, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou:
Except for two panels near the end of the story, “Dawn of a Crimson Day” is a pantomime comic that offers up an origin story for Red Sonja.  Gail Simone's script is intense and angry, and I could feel some of it tapping at my heart.  The art by Walter Geovani surges and flows like a rushing stream, and Dearbhla's beautiful colors are fiery and lights this story so that even those far away can see it.

“Small Tales” by Dearbhla Kelly and Soo Lee with Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou:
“Small Tales” opens in Hyrkania where Red Sonja encounters a girl named Rua, who happens to be the She-Devil with a Sword's biggest fan.  Now, Red Sonja has to teach the girl how to be a hero.

“Small Tales” is a good story with a nice point about the life of hero.  Soo Lee's art expertly captures the runaway imagination of a fan about her champion.

“Ssshhhhh!” by Jonathan Lau, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, and Dearbhla Kelly:
This story finds Red Sonja attempting to claim a bounty by slaying a dragon, but things are not what they seem.  “Ssshhhhh!” is a confusing story with nice art, and while it is filled with visually striking moments, this mostly pantomime story does not interest me.

It is not hard for me to pick a favorite story of the three offered in Red Sonja Black White and Red #3.  The Gail Simone, Walter Geovani, Dearbhla Kelly, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou project called “Dawn of a Crimson Day” really stands out in this issue.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Red Sonja will want to try Red Sonja Black White and Red.

B+

★★★½ out of 4 stars

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).

#IReadsYou Review: KING SPAWN #4

KING SPAWN #4
IMAGE COMICS

STORY: Sean Lewis with Todd McFarlane
PENCILS: Javi Fernandez
COLORS: FCO Plascencia
LETTERS: Andworld Design
EDITOR: Thomas Healy
COVER:  Jason Shawn Alexander
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Javi Fernandez
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (November 2021)

Rated: “T/ Teen”

Spawn created by Todd McFarlane

Spawn is a superhero/antihero character that stars in the long-running comic book series, Spawn.  Created by writer-artist Todd McFarlane, Spawn first appeared in Spawn #1 (cover dated: May 1992).

Spawn was Albert Francis “Al” Simmons.  A career military man who becomes a highly capable assassin and dies a violent death.  He makes a deal with the devil, Malebolgia, in order to return to the living realm to see his wife one last time.  However, Al returns with almost no memories accept that his name is Al Simmons, and he learns that he is now a “Hellspawn” in service of Malebolgia.  Rebelling, Al Simmons, now “Spawn,” finds a new purpose in stopping evil.

Back in February (2021), Todd McFarlane announced his plans to build a larger, multi-character, interconnected, comic book universe based around his Spawn comic book – a “Spawn Universe.”  McFarlane also announced four new comic book titles coming out in 2021, with three of them continuing as regular monthly titles.  The first of the three titles, King Spawn, has arrived.

King Spawn is written by Sean Lewis with Todd McFarlane; drawn by Javi Fernandez; colored by FCO Plascencia; lettered by Andworld Design.  King Spawn finds Spawn battling one of his old adversaries, but it is someone only Spawn knows that exists.  And that someone want to make Spawn a king.

As King Spawn #4 opens, it's the showdown between Spawn and one of his oldest and vilest enemies, the child killer, Billy Kincaid.  But this mutha is supposed to be burning in Hell!  So why is he here?  And why is he so happy to face Spawn again … even if the outcome will be awful for him.

Meanwhile, Medieval Spawn and Jessica (She-Spawn) are globetrotting hunter-killers of terrorists.  So why are the locations of their fights so familiar?  Plus, there is a warning from Mother Nature.

THE LOWDOWN:  King Spawn continues its impressive debut as the most impressive Spawn spin-off comic book to date.  Sean Lewis presents Spawn in all his raging glory, unleashing ultra-violence, even when he knows that this is what his adversaries want.  This is the way Lewis builds a sense of mystery and of anticipation, so we know something good and crazy is coming.

Javi Fernandez's art and storytelling capture the craziness, dragging us along in Spawn's wake.  So vivid is Fernandez's storytelling that you, dear readers, might feel icky … or delighted … if a bordello of blood is your thing.  And if you don't get it, FCO Plascencia's colors present the violence in living color.

King Spawn is still ruling, so won't you consent to be ruled.  Seriously, this is a good … superhero comic book.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Spawn will want to read King Spawn.

[This comic book includes “Spawning Ground” Presents “The Breakdown,” takes a look at series artist Javi Fernandez's process, specifically focusing on how Fernandez produced the double-page spread (pp. 17-18) for this issue.]

A

★★★★+ out of 4 stars

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


https://twitter.com/Todd_McFarlane
https://mcfarlane.com/
https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/
https://www.instagram.com/imagecomics/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Image-Comics-Inc/178643148813259
https://www.twitch.tv/imagecomics
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHmaKLo0FXWIPx-3n6qs3vQ
https://www.linkedin.com/company/image-comics/


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).

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for April 26, 2023

BOOM! STUDIOS

JAN230355 BEHOLD BEHEMOTH #5 (OF 5) CVR A ROBLES $3.99

JAN230356 BEHOLD BEHEMOTH #5 (OF 5) CVR B LUCKERT $3.99

FEB230342 DUNE HOUSE HARKONNEN #4 (OF 12) CVR A SWANLAND (MR) $4.99

FEB230343 DUNE HOUSE HARKONNEN #4 (OF 12) CVR B MURAKAMI (MR) $4.99

FEB230346 DUNE HOUSE HARKONNEN #4 (OF 12) CVR E FOC REVEAL VAR (MR) $4.99

FEB230298 GRIM #10 CVR A FLAVIANO $3.99

FEB230299 GRIM #10 CVR B FLORENTINO $3.99

FEB230303 GRIM #10 CVR F FOC REVEAL VAR $3.99

FEB230304 GRIM #10 CVR G UNLOCKABLE VAR $3.99

FEB230305 NEIGHBORS #2 (OF 5) CVR A MERCADO (MR) $4.99

FEB230306 NEIGHBORS #2 (OF 5) CVR B HANS (MR) $4.99

FEB230297 SOMETHING IS KILLING CHILDREN SLAUGHTER PACK (BUNDLE) #5 $39.99

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Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 26, 2023

DARK HORSE COMICS

NOV220439 BLAB TP VOL 01 $19.99

FEB230379 BLUE BOOK #3 (OF 5) CVR A OEMING $4.99

FEB230380 BLUE BOOK #3 (OF 5) CVR B DANI $4.99

NOV220462 EC ARCHIVES TALES FROM CRYPT HC VOL 03 $49.99

JAN230447 STAR WARS HIGH REPUBLIC ADVS JEDI QUEST ONE-SHOT CVR A (RES) $5.99

JAN230448 STAR WARS HIGH REPUBLIC ADVS JEDI QUEST ONE-SHOT CVR B $5.99

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Dynamite Entertainment from Diamond Distributors for April 26, 2023

DYNAMITE

FEB230512 GARGOYLES #5 CVR A NAKAYAMA $3.99

FEB230513 GARGOYLES #5 CVR B CONNER $3.99

FEB230514 GARGOYLES #5 CVR C PARRILLO $3.99

FEB230515 GARGOYLES #5 CVR D LEIRIX $3.99

FEB230516 GARGOYLES #5 CVR E LEE $3.99

FEB230517 GARGOYLES #5 CVR F FLEECS & FORSTNER $3.99

FEB238439 GARGOYLES #5 CVR T FOC HAESER $3.99

FEB238440 GARGOYLES #5 CVR U FOC LAURICELLA $3.99

FEB230607 MADBALLS VS GARBAGE PAIL KIDS SLIME AGAIN #3 CVR I SIMKO LTD $50.00

FEB230625 VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #12 CVR A PARRILLO $3.99

FEB230626 VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #12 CVR B SEGOVIA $3.99

FEB230627 VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #12 CVR C YOON $3.99

FEB230628 VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #12 CVR D LAU $3.99

FEB230629 VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #12 CVR E COSPLAY $3.99

FEB238815 VAMPIRELLA STRIKES #12 CVR M FOC PARRILLO ULTRAVIOLET $3.99

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