Image Comics from Lunar Distributors for April 9, 2025

IMAGE COMICS:

Assorted Crisis Events #1 (2nd Printing Cover A Ilya Bratuhkin), $4.99

G.I. Joe #3 (2nd Printing Cover A Jason Howard G.I. Joe Variant), $3.99

G.I. Joe #3 (2nd Printing Cover B Jason Howard Cobra Variant), $3.99

G.I. Joe #4 (2nd Printing Cover A Jason Howard G.I. Joe Variant), $3.99

G.I. Joe #4 (2nd Printing Cover B Jason Howard Cobra Variant), $3.99

G.I. Joe A Real American Hero Jinx #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Dani & Brad Simpson), $3.99

G.I. Joe A Real American Hero Jinx #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Jorge Fornes Variant), $3.99

G.I. Joe A Real American Hero Jinx #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Dani Black & White Variant), AR

G.I. Joe A Real American Hero Jinx #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Jorges Fornes Foil Letter Variant), AR

Geiger #13 (Cover A Gary Frank & Brad Anderson), $3.99

Geiger #13 (Cover B Joe Prado & Wes Dzioba), $3.99

Geiger #13 (Cover C Sean Von Gorman), $3.99

Golden Rage Mother Knows Best #1 (Of 5)(Cover A Lauren Knight), $3.99

Golden Rage Mother Knows Best #1 (Of 5)(Cover B Tula Lotay), $3.99

Lady Mechanika Volume 6 HC, $29.99

Lore Remastered TP, $24.99

Moon Is Following Us #8 (Of 10)(Cover A Riley Rossmo), $3.99

Moon Is Following Us #8 (Of 10)(Cover B Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer), $3.99

Phantom Road #11 (Cover A Gabriel Hernandez Walta), $3.99

Phantom Road #11 (Cover B Teddy Kristiansen), $3.99

Spawn #363 (Cover A Bjorn Barends), $2.99

Spawn #363 (Cover B Von Randal), $2.99

Spawn #363 (Cover C Edward Delandre), $2.99

Spawn Godslayer TP, $16.99

Transformers #16 (2nd Printing Cover A Jason Howard Decepticon Variant, $3.99

Transformers #16 (2nd Printing Cover B Jason Howard Autobot Variant, $3.99

Transformers #17 (2nd Printing Cover A Jason Howard Decepticon Variant, $3.99

Transformers #17 (2nd Printing Cover B Jason Howard Autobot Variant, $3.99

Transformers #19 (Cover A Daniel Warren Johnson & Mike Spicer), $3.99

Transformers #19 (Cover B Jorge Corona & Mike Spicer), $3.99

Transformers #19 (Cover C David Nakayama Connecting Variant), AR

Transformers #19 (Cover D Steve Beach), AR

Transformers #19 (Cover E Frederic Pham Chuong), AR

Transformers #19 (Cover F Ludo Lullabi Foil Variant), AR

Transformers #19 (Cover G Blank Variant), $3.99

Violator TP, $9.9

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Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 9, 2025

MARVEL COMICS

FEB250888 ALIEN PARADISO #5 (OF 5) $3.99

FEB250889 ALIEN PARADISO #5 (OF 5) GONZO VAR $3.99

JAN251007 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 $5.99

NOV247037 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 100 COPY INCV GREG LAND VIR VAR $5.99

JAN251017 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 200 COPY INVC LEE BERMEJO VIR VAR $5.99

JAN251009 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 25 COPY INCV DAVID MARQUEZ VAR $5.99

JAN251010 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 50 COPY INCV GIL KANE HIDDEN GEM VAR $5.99

JAN251014 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 50 COPY INCV MALAVIA BLACK CAT VIR $5.99

JAN251008 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 BLANK CVR VAR $5.99

JAN257197 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 CAFU HELLGATE FIRST APPEARANCE VAR $5.99

NOV247036 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 GREG LAND VAR $5.99

JAN251016 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 LEE BERMEJO VAR $5.99

JAN251012 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 MARK CHIARELLO FOIL VAR (Net) $PI

JAN251013 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 NIMIT MALAVIA BLACK CAT VAR $5.99

JAN250996 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 POSTER $8.99

JAN251015 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 RYAN STEGMAN VAR $5.99

JAN251011 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 SIMONE DI MEO VAR $5.99

DEC240878 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN EPIC COLLECT TP VOL 18 VENOM (NEW PTG) $49.99

DEC240871 ANNIHILATION 2099 TP $17.99

AUG240933 AVENGERS FOREVER BY JASON AARON HC $100.00

AUG240934 AVENGERS FOREVER BY JASON AARON HC DM VAR $100.00

FEB250884 DAREDEVIL #20 $4.99

FEB250885 DAREDEVIL #20 CHRIS GIARRUSSO CONNECTING SKETCH VAR C $4.99

FEB250887 DAREDEVIL #20 PHILIP TAN VAR $4.99

JAN257826 DAREDEVIL #20 RYAN MEINERDING MARVEL TELEVISION VAR $4.99

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DEC240881 DEADPOOL KILLS THE MARVEL UNIVERSE AGAIN TP (NEW PTG) $15.99

JAN250997 DEADPOOL KILLS THE MARVEL UNIVERSE ONE LAST TIME #1 POSTER $8.99

FEB250813 DOCTOR STRANGE OF ASGARD #2 (OF 5) $3.99

FEB250816 DOCTOR STRANGE OF ASGARD #2 (OF 5) GIARRUSSO CONNECT VAR D $3.99

FEB250814 DOCTOR STRANGE OF ASGARD #2 (OF 5) GODTAIL VAR $3.99

FEB250879 INCREDIBLE HULK #24 $3.99

FEB250880 INCREDIBLE HULK #24 BENGUS MARVEL VS CAPCOM VAR $3.99

FEB250883 INCREDIBLE HULK #24 DOALY VAR $3.99

FEB250881 INCREDIBLE HULK #24 GIARRUSSO MARVEL UNIVERSE CONNECT VAR E $3.99

FEB250734 LAURA KINNEY WOLVERINE #5 $3.99

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FEB250737 LAURA KINNEY WOLVERINE #5 EJ SU VAR $3.99

DEC240886 MARVEL GRAPHIC COMIC BOX AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (BUNDLES OF 5) $60.00

DEC240887 MARVEL GRAPHIC COMIC BOX MARVEL RIVALS (BUNDLES OF 5) $60.00

JAN250998 MARVEL RIVALS #1 POSTER $8.99

AUG240931 OFF HANDBOOK MARVEL UNV MASTER ED OMNI HC VOL 02 HEROES VAR $100.00

AUG240932 OFF HANDBOOK MARVEL UNV MASTER ED OMNI HC VOL 02 X-MEN DM VA $100.00

FEB250717 PHOENIX #10 $3.99

FEB250718 PHOENIX #10 STEPHANIE HANS FORESHADOW VAR $3.99

JAN250999 PREDATOR VS SPIDER-MAN #1 POSTER $8.99

FEB250728 PSYLOCKE #6 FANYANG PSYLOCKE VAR $3.99

DEC240874 ROM EPIC COLLECT THE ORIGINAL MARVEL YEARS TP VOL 01 $49.99

FEB250825 SPIDER-GWEN THE GHOST-SPIDER #12 $3.99

FEB250826 SPIDER-GWEN THE GHOST-SPIDER #12 KASIA NIE VAR $3.99

JAN251018 STAR WARS 1977 #1 FACSIMILE ED 25 COPY INCV ORDWAY VAR NEW $4.99

JAN251019 STAR WARS 1977 #1 FACSIMILE ED FOIL VAR NEW PTG (NET) $PI

NOV247040 STAR WARS 1977 #1 FACSIMILE ED NEW PTG $4.99

FEB250898 STAR WARS JEDI KNIGHTS #2 $3.99

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FEB250903 STAR WARS JEDI KNIGHTS #2 25 COPY INCV PAGULAYAN VAR $3.99

FEB250899 STAR WARS JEDI KNIGHTS #2 DAN JURGENS CLASSIC HOMAGE VAR $3.99

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FEB250901 STAR WARS JEDI KNIGHTS #2 TAURIN CLARKE LIGHTSABER VAR $3.99

FEB250719 STORM #7 $3.99

FEB250720 STORM #7 GERALD PAREL VAR $3.99

FEB250721 STORM #7 MARGUERITE SAUVAGE STORM VAR $3.99

FEB250784 ULTIMATES #11 $4.99

FEB250787 ULTIMATES #11 ARIO ANINDITO VAR $4.99

FEB250785 ULTIMATES #11 INHYUK LEE ULTIMATE SPECIAL VAR $4.99

FEB250698 UNCANNY X-MEN #13 $4.99

FEB250701 UNCANNY X-MEN #13 BENGUS MARVEL VS CAPCOM VAR $4.99

FEB250702 UNCANNY X-MEN #13 DAVID MACK VAR $4.99

FEB250703 UNCANNY X-MEN #13 GIARRUSSO MARVEL UNIVERSE CONNECT VAR N $4.99

FEB250699 UNCANNY X-MEN #13 LUCIANO VECCHIO DEATHDREAM VAR $4.99

DEC240863 UNCANNY X-MEN BY GAIL SIMONE TP VOL 01 RED WAVE $19.99

DEC240868 VENOM WAR WOLVERINE DEADPOOL TP $24.99

DEC240866 X-FACTOR BY MARK RUSSELL TP VOL 01 PLEASE LIKE AND SHARE $17.99

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Comics, Magazines and Books from Lunar and Diamond Distributors for April 9, 2025

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

JAN252176 100 GHOST STORIES THAT LEAD TO MY DEATH GN VOL 02 (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

FEB251434 27 RUN CRASH #3 (OF 3) CVR A BROWN & MARTIN $4.99

FEB251842 ADVENTURE TIME (2025) #1 CVR A NICK WINN $4.99

FEB251843 ADVENTURE TIME (2025) #1 CVR B NAKAYAMA $4.99

FEB251844 ADVENTURE TIME (2025) #1 CVR C TRUNG LE NGUYEN $4.99

FEB251845 ADVENTURE TIME (2025) #1 CVR D TILLIE WALDEN $4.99

FEB251846 ADVENTURE TIME (2025) #1 CVR E BLANK SKETCH $4.99

FEB251847 ADVENTURE TIME (2025) #1 CVR F FINN BLUE SKETCH $4.99

FEB251848 ADVENTURE TIME (2025) #1 CVR G NAKAYAMA GOLD FOIL $7.99

FEB251849 ADVENTURE TIME (2025) #1 CVR H TRUNG LE NGUYEN SILVER FOIL $7.99

FEB251090 ARCHIE SHOWCASE JUMBO DIGEST #23 SPRING SPECIAL $9.99

DEC240999 BEHEMOTH #3 $3.99

JAN251332 BIG BOOK OF REX LIBRIS TP (C: 0-1-1) $44.95

OCT231420 BLOODY PARTS #1 CVR D AGENT 79 PREMIERE (MR) $9.99

FEB252121 BLUE LOCK EPISODE NAGI GN VOL 03 (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

DEC241474 BREAKING INTO COMICS NO MORE RULES (ONE SHOT) $9.99

JAN251733 BRISTLEMOUTH A COVE HORROR TP (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $16.99

FEB251325 CAPTAIN ACTION VS AL CAPONE VAMPIRE #1 CVR A BROTHERS FRAIM $6.99

FEB251326 CAPTAIN ACTION VS AL CAPONE VAMPIRE #1 CVR B BROTHERS FRAIM $6.99

JAN252180 CASE FILES OF JEWELER RICHARD GN VOL 06 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

DEC241116 CAULDRON OF HORROR #7 $6.95

DEC241471 CORVUS #6 (OF 6) (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $4.99

FEB241851 DAYS WITH MY STEPSISTER GN VOL 01 (C: 0-1-2) $13.00

JAN257298 DUNE HOUSE ATREIDES TP VOL 03 (C: 0-1-2) $19.99

JAN251408 EXCITING COMICS #51 (C: 0-1-1) $4.99

FEB252126 FALL IN LOVE YOU FALSE ANGELS GN VOL 02 (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

SEP242227 FINAL FIGHT #4 (OF 4) CVR A WELDON $4.99

SEP242228 FINAL FIGHT #4 (OF 4) CVR B JOE NG $4.99

FEB252255 GIVING DISGRACED NOBLE LADY CRASH COURSE GN VOL 08 (RES) (MR $12.95

FEB252221 GOD SLAYING DEMON KING GN VOL 01 (C: 0-1-1) $12.99

JAN251176 GREAT BRITISH BUMP OFF KILL OR BE QUILT #1 CVR A SARIN $4.99

JAN251177 GREAT BRITISH BUMP OFF KILL OR BE QUILT #1 CVR B TREIMAN $4.99

MAY241277 HATCHET MIDNIGHT MURDERS CVR E 1/100 CENTURY EDITION $29.99

FEB251304 HEAVEN OFFICIALS BLESSING HC VOL 02 (OF 6) (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $22.99

FEB251305 HEAVEN OFFICIALS BLESSING HC VOL 03 (OF 6) (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $22.99

JAN252195 HOW NOT TO SUMMON DEMON LORD GN VOL 21 (MR) (C: 0-1-1) $13.99

FEB251532 HUDA F WANTS TO KNOW GN (C: 0-1-2) $17.99

FEB252240 INCONVENIENT LIFE OF AN AROUSING PRIESTESS GN VOL 02 (MR) (C $13.99

JAN251180 JUMPSCARE #2 $3.99

JAN250405 LENORE THE TIME WAR #3 CVR A DIRGE (MR) $4.99

JAN250406 LENORE THE TIME WAR #3 CVR B WALLIS (MR) $4.99

JAN257775 LENORE THE TIME WAR #3 CVR C FOC DIRGE VIRGIN (MR) $4.99

JAN252202 LEVEL 1 DEMON LORD AND ONE ROOM HERO GN VOL 08 (C: 0-1-1) $13.99

DEC241757 LIGHTS DLX ED HC (C: 0-1-2) $24.99

DEC241758 MAE THE DEFINITIVE ED TP (C: 0-1-2) $29.99

FEB252222 MAN AND HIS CAT GN VOL 13 (C: 0-1-2) $14.99

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FEB252225 MY ISEKAI LIFE GN VOL 18 (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

JAN252215 NO LOVE ZONE GN VOL 03 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $21.99

MAY241279 NOT SO SPOOKY GHOSTS READER PACK (3 ISSUES) $11.99

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JAN251755 PAPA DUKE #2 CVR A TODD SKULL NAOMI GRIFFIN (MR) $5.99

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JAN251758 PAPA DUKE #2 CVR D SKULL/ GRIFFIN HOLOFOIL VIRGIN (MR) $19.99

JAN251759 PAPA DUKE #2 CVR E SKULL/ GRIFFIN METAL (MR) $99.99

JAN251925 PASS ME BY GN VOL 03 (OF 5) LILY (MR) (C: 0-1-0) $24.99

DEC241049 PATRA TP (C: 0-1-2) $19.99

JAN251596 RED RANGE #1 (OF 4) (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $4.99

FEB252014 REMEMBER US TO LIFE GRAPHIC MEMOIR HC (C: 0-1-2) $40.00

JAN251765 RENEGADE GIRLS QUEER TALE ROMANCE & RABLE ROUSING GN (C: 0-1 $18.99

JAN251342 RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD #3 CVR A SPEARS PAINTED $4.99

JAN251343 RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD #3 CVR B MAITLAND PAINTED $4.99

JAN251344 RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD #3 CVR C MARTINEZ $4.99

JAN251345 RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD #3 CVR D ARCARI $4.99

JAN251346 RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD #3 CVR E B&W MARTINEZ LTD ED $9.99

JAN251347 RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD #3 CVR F AM EXCLUSIVE HASSON $9.99

JAN258010 RETURN OF THE LIVING DEAD #3 CVR G SPARACIO ZOMBIE GIRL FOC $9.99

JAN251683 ROBOT TOD #2 $4.99

SEP241745 ROMEO VS JULIET KILL SHAKESPEARE ADV GN (C: 0-1-1) $17.99

MAR241302 SATURDAY MORNING CARTOONS READER PACK (5 ISSUES) $19.99

MAY241278 SCI FI HEROES READER PACK (6 ISSUES) $21.99

JAN252248 SEDUCED BY DEMON KING SENSUAL REBIRTH GN VOL 01 (MR) (C: 0-1 $15.99

FEB252137 SHIKIMORIS NOT JUST A CUTIE GN VOL 20 (C: 0-1-2) $12.99

JAN251993 SIB SQUAD GN VOL 01 (C: 0-1-1) $7.99

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DEC241091 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES NIGHTWATCHER #7 CVR A PE $3.99

DEC241092 TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES NIGHTWATCHER #7 CVR B BA $3.99

JAN251660 TEX RELENTLESS HC SIGNATURE ED (C: 0-1-1) $29.99

JAN251597 THE LEFT HAND PATH 2ND PTG (RES) (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $4.99

JAN251259 TMNT ONGOING (IDW) COLL HC VOL 17 $59.99

JAN252227 TOMO CHAN IS A GIRL OMNIBUS GN VOL 03 (MR) (C: 0-1-1) $24.99

JAN251406 TOMORROW GIRL #11 (C: 0-1-1) $4.99

JAN251206 VATICAN CITY #1 CVR A BERG (MR) $5.99

JAN251207 VATICAN CITY #1 CVR B BERG B&W (MR) $5.99

JAN251208 VATICAN CITY #1 CVR C MCCREA (MR) $5.99

FEB252261 VIRAL HIT GN VOL 01 (C: 0-1-2) $19.99

FEB251228 WELL TP (MR) $29.99

JAN252140 WORLDS END HAREM FANTASIA GN VOL 14 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $13.99

FEB251530 YFU #1 (OF 4) (C: 0-1-2) $4.99

FEB252262 YOUR THRONE GN VOL 02 (C: 0-1-2) $18.99

MAGAZINES

DEC241457 COMIC SHOP NEWS (100CT BUNDLE) #1964 (NET) $18.99

OCT248405 OTAKU USA MAGAZINE #10 SUMMER 2025 (C: 0-1-2) $7.99

BOOKS

FEB251533 LEGO STAR WARS CHARACTER ENCYCLOPEDIA SC (C: 0-1-2) $21.99

JAN252226 TOKYO REVENGERS SERIES GUIDE REMEMBER YOU SC (C: 0-1-2) $19.99

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS:

Disney Masters Volume 26 Walt Disney's Donald Duck Tales Of Andold Wild Duck HC (per Lunar Distribution), $34.99

Honoria A Fortuitous Friendship HC (per Lunar Distribution), $39.99

Precious Rubbish HC (per Lunar Distribution), $29.99

Skin HC (per Lunar Distribution), $34.99

Squeak Chatter Bark An Eco-Mystery GN (per Lunar Distribution), $24.99

VIZ MEDIA:

Akane Banashi Graphic Novel Volume 11 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $11.99

Beyblade X Graphic Novel Volume 2 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $11.99

Case Closed Volume 94 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $11.99

Demon Slayer The Official Coloring Book Volume 3 SC (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $14.99

Destroy All Humans They Can't Be Regenerated A Magic The Gathering Manga Volume 3 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $14.99

Disney Twisted Wonderland Manga Savanclaw Volume 1 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $14.99

Firefly Wedding Volume 2 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $11.99

I Wanna Do Bad Things With You Volume 5 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $11.99

I'm The Grim Reaper Graphic Novel Volume 03 (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $18.99

Kaiju No. 8 B-Side Volume 1 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $11.99

My Neighbor Totoro The Official Cookbook HC (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $17.00

Pokemon Sword And Shield Volume 12 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $5.99

Splatoon 3 Splatlands Volume 4 GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $11.99

Star Wars The High Republic Edge Of Balance Premonition GN (not verified by Diamond Distribution), $14.99

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#IReadsYou Review: CONAN THE BARBARIAN #6

CONAN THE BARBARIAN #6 (2023)

TITAN COMICS/Heroic Signatures

STORY: Jim Zub

ART: Doug Braithwaite

COLORS: Diego Rodriguez

LETTERS: Richard Starkings of Comicraft

EDITOR: Matt Murray

COVER: Mike Deodato

VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Patch Zircher; Dan Panosian; Joey Spiiotto

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2024)

Suggested for mature readers

“Thrice Marked for Death!” Part II: “The Cursed”

Conan the Cimmerian was born in the pulp fiction of Robert E. Howard (REH), first appearing in the magazine, Weird Tales (1932).  In 1970, Marvel Comics brought Conan to the world of comic books via the title, Conan the Barbarian. With only a few pauses, Conan comic books have been published for the better part of five decades.

Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures are the new producers of Conan comic books, and they launched a new Conan the Barbarian series in 2023.  The current story arc is written by Jim Zub; drawn by Doug Braithwaite; colored by Diego Rodriguez; and lettered by Richard Starkings.  Entitled “Thrice Marked for Death!,” the arc finds Conan taking up with a thieves guild known as “The Gloryhounds,” and the target of their latest act of larceny is a fine-cut, dark stone that only Conan realizes is dangerous.

Conan the Barbarian #6 (“The Cursed”) opens with what happens when Conan is ignored.  One of the Gloryhounds has touched their quarry, the dark stone known as “Tarim's Touch,” which only Conan realizes is a shard of the dreaded “Black Stone.”  Now, malevolent specters have emerged from the stone, and they are ready to possess some unwary human flesh.  The thieves will have to use all their skills to escape these dark spirits, but only Conan's savage swordsmanship can save them from the guards of the Temple of Bel.

Also, Conan ruminates on the loss of Belit, captain of the Trigress and Queen of the Black Coast.  Haunted by memories of his greatest love, Conan may not realize that the heist of Tarim's Touch may have caused him to plunge ever deeper into chaos.

THE LOWDOWN:  Titan Comics has been providing me with PDF copies of their publications for review for several years now.  Conan the Barbarian #6 is a recent arrival.

Halfway through this new Conan the Barbarian story arc and writer Jim Zub is still throwing down like he's been throwing down.  His first Conan the Barbarian story arc was a brawny jewel true to the tradition of the weird fiction that spawned Conan over nine decades ago.  This second arc, “Thrice Marked for Death!,” is downright murderous and is unremittingly dark.  And I like it.  I like that Conan is also vulnerable and lost in a kind of grief that is as unrelenting aggressive as he is.

Doug Braithwaite, the artist for this story arc, recalls all the shadowy textures and muscular storytelling that the late great artist, John Buscema, brought to all his Conan comic books.  Braithwaite made the first chapter of this arc, “The Heist,” dark, creepy, dirty, and nasty.  For “The Cursed,” Braithwaite goes full action movie with daring escapes and a kinetic sense that thrums between the panels.  Diego Rodriguez's colors make the action pop all the more.

Once again, Richard Starking's letters give this Conan the Barbarian comic book an audio track so that the reader might imagine to hear the clash of swords.  So, dear readers, you must give this comic book a try.  Every page is a pure Conan joy to read.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Conan comic books will want to try Titan Comics and Heroic Signatures' Conan the Barbarian.

[This comic book includes the essay, “Robert E. Howard and His Ages Undreamed Of” Part Six, by Jeffrey Shanks.]

A

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

The trade paperback that collects this issue, CONAN THE BARBARIAN: THRICE MARKED FOR DEATH VOL. 2, is available at Amazon.

https://titan-comics.com/

https://twitter.com/ComicsTitan

https://www.instagram.com/titancomics/

https://www.facebook.com/ComicsTitan

The text is copyright © 2024 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like these, BOOKS PAGE, GRAPHIC NOVELS, or MANGA PAGE and BUY something(s).

#IReadsYou Review: LORD OF THE JUNGLE Volume 3 #5

LORD OF THE JUNGLE VOLUME 3 #5

DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Dan Jurgens

ART: Benito Gallego

COLORS: Francesco Segala with Agnes Pozza

LETTERS: Carlos M. Mangual

EDITOR: Matt Idelson

COVER: Philip Tan

32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (May 2023)

Rated Teen+

“Law of the Jungle”

Tarzan is one of the most famous fictional characters in the world.  Tarzan was an orphan and the archetypal “feral child,” and in this instance, he was raised in the African jungle by great apes.  Tarzan was born a noble, John Clayton, Lord Greystoke, but he rejected civilization and lived in the wilds of Africa as a heroic adventurer.  Tarzan was created by Edgar Rice Burroughs and first appeared in the novel, Tarzan of the Apes, which began serialization in All-Story Magazines in 1912, before it was published in book form in 1914.  Tarzan would go onto to be a multimedia star, appearing in films, on television, and in comic books.

The latest Tarzan comic book is Dynamite Entertainment's Lord of the Jungle Volume 3. It is written by Dan Jurgens; drawn by Benito Gallego; colored by Francesco Segala; and lettered by Carlos M. Mangual.  Tarzan's friend, an African local named Bouanga, recounts an event that occurs in the early years of Tarzan's adventures.  Now, the Lord of the Jungle has returned to right a past wrong no matter what manner of beast or obstacle stands in his way.

Lord of the Jungle Volume 3 #5 (“Law of the Jungle”) opens in Africa, in the 1959.  Tarzan's old friend, Bouanga, is being interrogated by local police.  Where is Tarzan, they demand of Bouanga?  Meanwhile, Tarzan has traveled to “ the Valley of Mists,” where he means to keep his promise to return the “Diamonds of the Triad,” the jewels that were once treasures from the Valley of Mists.

Bouanga tells the story of how Carson, a white hunter from England, first encountered Tarzan decades earlier.  He also tells of the mission Tarzan undertook to save Bouanga's life – a mission to steal “the Treasures of the Mists.”  What happened when Tarzan attempted to steal the diamonds?  How went his meeting with the valley's inhabitants, the Tiakklan tribe, and Dzianni, their chief?

THE LOWDOWN:  Since July 2021, Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department has been providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Lord of the Jungle Volume 3 #5, which is only the fifth issue of a solo Dynamite Tarzan comic book that I have read.

Writer Dan Jurgens continues this old-fashioned jungle adventure that spans two eras of Tarzan's life.  A gripping action-thriller, it enthralls and engages on every page.  I like that Jurgens captures both the human and the wild-man-warrior in Tarzan and that he shows the vulnerability of both sides.  Tarzan knows loyalty and apparently, has compassion, although that shouldn't surprise me.

Artist Benito Gallego's storytelling remains consistently good, and it is some of the most beautifully drawn comic book art being published today.  It is a good thing that Gallego's drawing style resembles that of the late comic book legend, Joe Kubert.  Kubert had a four-year stint (1972-76) as writer-artist and later as writer-only of DC Comics' Tarzan comic book series, considered by some to be among his best work.

Colorist Francesco Segala's lovely colors capture the varied moods of this story's settings, both in time and locale, and gives this tale a sense that it is from a bygone era.  Letterer Carlos M. Mangual brings a sense of high drama and with his stylish, emotive fonts

Lord of the Jungle Volume 3 #5, like previous issues, strongly delivers on the potential the first issue promised.  I rarely read Tarzan comic books, but I will read this series' entire run.  I highly recommend it to you, dear readers.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Tarzan comic books will want to read Lord of the Jungle Volume 3.

A

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

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The text is copyright © 2023 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: DREAMOVER Original Graphic Novel

DREAMOVER

IDW PUBLISHING/Top Shelf Productions

CARTOONIST: Dani Diaz

EDITOR: Leigh Walton

EiC: Chris Staros

ISBN: 978-1-60309-546-4; paperback with French flaps | 6" x 8.5" (January 14, 2025)

Diamond Code: NOV241133 (January 15, 2025)

312pp, Color, $19.99 U.S.; $26.99 CAN

Age: 13 to 17

Grades: 8 to 12

Dreamover is a 2025 original graphic novel created by Dani Diaz.  Published by Top Shelf Productions, this full-color, paperback book is Diaz's debut work.  Dreamover follows two best friends, adolescents who are becoming more than friends when a sleepover becomes a “dreamover.”

Dreamover opens in the pre-smartphone 2000s.  It introduces two characters who have been friends since the third grade.  Amber is a headstrong girl and goofball with a temper, while Nico Davis is shy and self-conscious boy.  Amber has had a crush on Nico for a long time, and she can't hide her feelings any longer.  Amber and Nico are also close with a few other friends.  There is Drew, who seems to be on the verge of coming out, and also Stella and Grace, who are already, seemingly a couple.

The friends have just finished eighth-grade, and that milestone is being marked by an eighth-grade beach trip.  There, Amber confesses her love to Nico and discovers that the feeling is mutual.  This begins a glorious and blissful summer of first love.

However, when the school year comes around again.  Amber, Nico, and their friends have entered high school, specifically Barrington High with its 2000 students.  Amber and Nico cling to each other through bullies, homework, early mornings, and other stressful situations.  As they maintain their closeness, however, Amber and Nico begin to alienate and neglect Drew and Stella and Grace.

Amber wishes she and Nico could get away.  One night, Amber gets her wish after the two fall asleep playing video games.  Soon, a sleepover turns into a dreamover, but it isn't as perfect and as magical as it sounds...

THE LOWDOWN:  I have been on the mailing list of Top Shelf Productions editor-in-chief, Chris Staros, for over two decades.  Back in January, I received one of his emails that announce new publications.  When I saw the write up and promo art for Dreamover, it was like being struck by magical lightning.  I knew I had to read it, and my Amazon gift card balance made that a possibility.

Comics are not so much a “sequential art” as they are a graphics-based art that yields graphical storytelling.  In Dreamover, author and creator Dani Diaz through her work here testifies to the fact that not only illustrations, but also colors and lettering are art when it comes to comic book storytelling.  They are a narrative grouping that makes storytelling more than about mere words.

Dreamover is a story told through pictures and graphics.  The narrative is not about the intellect, but is about emotions, impressions, and visuals.  We have to feel as much as we read.  That's how we understand Amber and Nico:  the tumult and exhilaration which defines both their relationship with one another and with their friends and also the surreal journey through dreams and dreamscapes that ultimately challenges each individual's expectations.  Diaz touches upon magical realism, coming-of-age drama, and slice-of-life melodrama, but most of all she grapples with the reality of how a small and intimate relationship between two children involves big and complicated emotions.

In time, as more people discover Dreamover, Dani Diaz may discover the back-handed joy of “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.”  The visual and graphic splendor of this story and how the author uses it to depict the vagaries of young love has some similarities to the colorful wonderland comics narratives of the past.  That includes the work of Windsor McKay, Moebius, Chester Brown, Trina Robbins, and Jim Woodring, to name a few.  As these artists had disciples, so I believe that Diaz will, also.  I have to believe that Dreamover will have descendants, so to speak.  That is because Dreamover is magical and inescapable, and I wish this graphic novel didn't have an ending.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of young adult original graphic novels and of Top Shelf's YA graphic novels will want to read Dreamover.

A+

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

You can buy DREAMOVER directly from Top Shelf Productions or you can buy it from Amazon, in which case I collect a bounty on that sale. 

https://x.com/topshelfcomix

https://www.topshelfcomix.com/

https://www.topshelfcomix.com/catalog/dreamover/1116

https://x.com/IDWPublishing

https://idwpublishing.com/

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The text is copyright © 2025 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Amazon wants me to inform/remind you that any affiliate links found on this page are PAID ADS, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on affiliate links like these, BOOKS PAGE, GRAPHIC NOVELS, or MANGA PAGE and BUY something(s).

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for April 2, 2025

BOOM! STUDIOS

DEC240101 (USE JAN257295) JOYRIDE COMPLETE COLLECTION TP (C: 0-1-2) $19.99

DEC240122 (USE JAN257298) DUNE HOUSE ATREIDES TP VOL 03 (C: 0-1-2) $19.99

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