Friday, January 19, 2018

Review: HELENA CRASH: Fueled by Coffee

HELENA CRASH: FUELED BY COFFEE
IDW PUBLISHING – @IDWPublishing

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Fabian Rangel, Jr.
ART: Warwick Johnson Cadwell
LETTERS: Ironbark
COVER: Warwick Johnson Cadwell
ISBN: 978-1-63140-726-0; paperback (November 2017)
112pp, Color, $15.99, $21.99 U.S. (December 19, 2017)
Diamond Distributors code: AUG170528

Helena Crash was a four-issue comic book miniseries published by IDW Publishing earlier this year.  The series was written by Fabian Rangel, Jr. and drawn by Warwick Johnson Cadwell.  The science fiction action series focused on a courier with an independent streak who must turn to her friends when she finds herself in the middle of a gang war.  IDW recently collected the Helena Crash miniseries in a full-color trade paperback collection entitled Helena Crash: Fueled by Coffee.

Helena Crash is set in a near-future scenario in which coffee is illegal.  Apparently, some kind of environmental crash made it exceedingly difficult to grow coffee beans, and obviously people went nuts when coffee became scarce.  In the world and time in which Helena Crash is set, coffee is a contraband item for which some are willing to spend large sums of money to obtain.  Even more surprising, in the world of Helena Crash, aliens from other planets live on Earth.

Helena was an orphan who did not know her parents, so she took the last name “Crash” to replace the surname that was lost to her.  A former race car driver, Helena is now a courier who tracks down and delivers hard-to-attain good, including coffee.  One of her customers, Rojo, the second most dangerous crime lord in the city, suddenly asks Helena to kill his rival, an alien crime lord called “The White Devil.”  Helena not only refuses Rojo's offer, but must also refuse a surprising counter offer.  Now, Helena is in the middle of a gang war and is also being hunted by an extremely dangerous street gang of roving scavengers.

I remember discovering the existence of Helena Crash while going over comic book shipping lists at the Diamond Distributors website.  I read a little about the first issue and promptly ignored it.  I could no longer ignore it when IDW Publishing sent me a review copy of the trade paperback, Helena Crash: Fueled by Coffee.

Helena Crash co-creator and writer, Fabian Rangel, Jr., has self-published his own comics (Extinct), and has had his work published by the small press (Engines of Doom from 215 Ink) and major publishers (Five Ghosts from Image Comics).  Artist and co-creator, Warwick Johnson Cadwell, has drawn many comic books, including Head Lopper, Tank Girl: Solid State Tank Girl, and Samurai Jack: Quantum Jack, to name a few.  Helena Crash reflects an indie comics, self-made aesthetic and is influenced by inventive offbeat science fiction like Samurai Jack, Tank Girl, and the Mad Max films, as well as by lucha libre and ronin pop culture.

And yes, my ignoring it was out of ignorance, because I love me some off-beat, near-future, dystopian, science fiction comic books (like Black Mask Studio's recent, The Dregs).  Helena Crash is not a “great work of comics,” but it is hugely entertaining, and Helena Crash, the scenario and the character, have the potential to become something great in comics – if it continues past this first story arc...

Cadwell's graphic style is like Ted McKeever meets Chuck Jones; it is fast-paced comics storytelling, in which just about every panel is, individually, a unique and visually striking still image.  Rangel presents a character that is not an action figure, but is instead a hero that is strong enough to overcome obstacles, but vulnerable enough so that readers will believe the danger to her is real and could be fatal.

When I finished reading Helena Crash: Fueled by Coffee, I asked myself if I would read more of this.  The answer is that I would.  I also asked myself if I would recommend this to readers of my reviews.  The answer is also yes.  Helena Crash and her comic book is more interesting than most of the Harley Quinn comics DC Comics is peddling to its customers.

A
8 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

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Thursday, January 18, 2018

Book Review: CHASING DOWN A DREAM

CHASING DOWN A DREAM
HARPERCOLLINS/William Morrow – @HarperCollins; @WmMorrowBks

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

AUTHOR: Beverly Jenkins – @authorMsBev
ISBN: 978-0-06-241265-2; paperback (July 4, 2017)
336pp, B&W, $14.99 U.S., $18.50 CAN

Chasing Down a Dream is a 2017 novel from bestselling author, Beverly Jenkins.  A William Morrow paperback original, this is the eighth novel in Jenkins' “Blessings” series (following 2016's Stepping to a New Day).  Set in the fictional small town of Henry Adams, Chasing Down a Dream welcomes two newcomer children, finds a prodigal son leaving town in a huff, a sudden family gathering, a death in two families, and a wedding.

In Henry Adams, Kansas, there is never a dull day, even if you are just passing through.  Ten-year-old Lucas Herman and his sister, 8-year-old Jasmine “Jaz” Herman, are passing through Henry Adams, on the way to their new home after the death of both their parents.  Tragedy strikes again, and single-grandmother, Gemma Dahl, finds Lucas and Jaz walking on the side of the road.  She takes them home and eventually hopes to be a foster parent to the orphaned children, taking care of them along with her grandson, Wyatt, the child of her daughter who died in Afghanistan while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.  However, the Kansas Department of Social Services may put an end to that dream, which will then put Lucas and Jaz into a dangerous situation.

Meanwhile, Tamar July, Henry Adams' town matriarch, is having strange dreams, filled with symbols and spirit totems related to her African and Native American ancestry.  Is someone in the family going to die?  Well, Tamar could just die when her despised cousin, Eula Nance, shows up needing a place to stay and bearing terrible news.

In the midst of that drama, college professor Jack James and his girlfriend, Rochelle “Rocky” Dancer, are planning their wedding, but even they have issues.  Rocky, co-owner of the local favorite restaurant, the Dog & Cow, clashes with her suddenly obstinate and secretive business partner.  Plus, an irritating relative of Jack's ex-wife shows up to cause trouble.

I had heard of author Beverly Jenkins, but never read her work until 2016.  That is when the marketing department of Jenkins' publisher, William Morrow, offered a copy of Jenkins' 2016 novel, Stepping to a New Day.  I immediately fell in love with the characters and with Henry Adams, the kind of small town that Norman Rockwell or Walt Disney could love.

This year, William Morrow marketing has been acting funny with me, not sending books I request and sending me books about which I have never heard.  I picked up a copy of Chasing Down a Dream from Amazon, and while I did not know if I would like more of Henry Adams, I did expect that at least some of the new novel to appeal to me.

Turns out, every word of it appealed to me.  Like Stepping to a New Day, Chasing Down a Dream, could be one of those holiday movies on Lifetime or Hallmark, but with much better writing and storytelling.  Because Jenkins is African-American and considering the kinds of stories told in the “Blessings” novels, her stories could be compared to the films of Tyler Perry.  The difference is that Jenkins' eschews favorite Perry tropes like crack addiction, incest, and female characters who were raped as teenagers.

The two main themes of Chasing Down a Dream are family and dreams, but both of those are braced on a foundation of love.  Love renews a family (Tamar and Eula), and love can build a family (Gemma and Jack and Rocky).  Love moves dreams into reality, both the metaphysical (Tamar's dream visions) and the professional (town owner's Bernadine Brown's dreams to grow the town and Gemma's dream to better herself professional and personally).

These themes of dreams, family, and love in all shades and types would wither on the story vine if not for Beverly Jenkins' strong character drama and development.  Henry Adams could be just a name on a book cover, but because Jenkins offers strong, characters whose hopes, dreams, and melodrama seem genuine, then Henry Adams stops being just a name on a book.  It becomes a place, the idealization of small town America – so much so that the reader might believe or hope that Henry Adams is real.  And with so many middle American small towns in crisis, it is good to have a Henry Adams.

Previously, I wrote, “It's a wonderful life in Henry Adams, which is kind of like Mayberry, but with Black people.”  The truth is that Beverly Jenkins' characters are just fine without the reader knowing the color of their skin.  They are likable in so many ways that I start to forget that I want to know what color their skin is.  Something I do want you to know:  Chasing Down a Dream is a wonderful book, and yeah, you should be chasing down your own copy, print or digital.

A
9 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Wednesday, January 17, 2018

Review: CAPTAIN AMERICA #695

CAPTAIN AMERICA No. 695
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Mark Waid
ART: Chris Samnee
COLORS: Matthew Wilson
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Chris Samnee with Matthew Wilson
VARIANT COVERS: Alex Ross (after John Romita, Jr. and Bob Layton); John Tyler Christopher with Ariel Olivetti; Adi Granov; Mike McKone with Rachelle Rosenberg; Jim Steranko
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (January 2018)

Rated “T+”

Captain America created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby

“Home of the Brave” Part 1

Captain America is a Marvel Comics superhero. He was created by Joe Simon and Jack Kirby and first appeared in Captain America Comics #1 (cover dated:  March 1941), which was published by Timely Comics, a predecessor of Marvel Comics.  Captain America Comics was canceled in 1949, but there was a revival of the series from 1953 to 1954.  Captain America fully returned to modern comic books in The Avengers #4 (cover dated: March 1964).

Marvel Comics is in the middle of its “Legacy” event, returning many titles to its original numbering after a decade of relaunching a number of titles with new #1 issues – three, four, and even five or more times.  The ongoing Captain America comic book series has a new creative team for the Legacy launch.  The team of writer Mark Waid and artist Chris Samnee, the creative duo behind Marvel's critically acclaimed Daredevil relaunch (2012) several years ago, brings Captain America into the “Legacy era.”  Matthew Wilson is the colorist, and Joe Caramagna is the letterer.

Captain America #695 begins with a brief recount of how Steve Rogers became the “super solider,” Captain America; his exploits on the battlefields of World War II, and how he disappeared.  Then, we learn how Captain America became a legend and an inspiration to the town of Burlington, Nebraska after stopping a group of neo-Nazi, white supremacist-types, something he may have to do again.

I have said that when Mark Waid is good, he is really good.  [On the other hand, when he is not good, he can be an exceedingly, irritatingly pedestrian comic book storyteller.]  I am a huge fan of Chris Samnee's classic, cartoonists drawing style.  In Captain America #695, Waid is in top form, and Samnee hits the heights of throwback, Silver Age comics style.

Waid's script creates a standalone story that epitomizes what seems to be the essence of Captain America's mission and message: the strong protect the weak.  We look out for each other against those who would do harm, and every man, woman, and child (of at least a certain age) can lend a helping hand, if they choose.

I love Captain America #695.  It is a standalone treat, the kind of single-issue comic book that we need in between long story arcs and of which we don't get often enough.  I really like Waid's story.  I wish more comic book art looked like Chris Samnee's art.  If I were a comic book publisher, my comic books would look like Captain America #695.  If you have time to read only one comic book today, read Captain America #695.

[This comic book includes an “Legacy” character summary written by Robbie Thompson; drawn by Valero Schiti; colored by Frank D'Armata; and lettered by VC's Joe Caramagna.]

A+
10 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2017 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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



Monday, January 15, 2018

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 11, 2018

DC COMICS

OCT170362    ANARKY THE COMPLETE COLLECTION TP    $19.99
NOV170223    AQUAMAN #32    $3.99
NOV170224    AQUAMAN #32 VAR ED    $3.99
NOV170233    BATMAN #39    $2.99
NOV170234    BATMAN #39 VAR ED    $2.99
JUL170500    BATMAN BLACK & WHITE STATUE BY JOHN ROMITA JR    $80.00
NOV170237    BATMAN TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II #3 (OF 6)    $3.99
NOV170238    BATMAN TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES II #3 (OF 6) VAR ED    $3.99
NOV178214    BATMAN WHITE KNIGHT #1 (OF 8) 4TH PTG    $3.99
NOV178215    BATMAN WHITE KNIGHT #2 (OF 8) 3RD PTG    $3.99
NOV178093    BATMAN WHITE KNIGHT #3 (OF 8) 2ND PTG    $3.99
NOV170241    BATWOMAN #11    $3.99
NOV170242    BATWOMAN #11 VAR ED    $3.99
NOV170245    BOMBSHELLS UNITED #10    $2.99
OCT170201    DAMAGE #1    $2.99
NOV178094    DARK NIGHTS METAL #1 (OF 6) 3RD PTG    $4.99
NOV178095    DARK NIGHTS METAL #2 (OF 6) 3RD PTG    $3.99
NOV178096    DARK NIGHTS METAL #3 (OF 6) 2ND PTG    $3.99
NOV170341    FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS #6    $3.99
NOV170342    FUTURE QUEST PRESENTS #6 VAR ED    $3.99
OCT170372    GREEN ARROW TP VOL 09 OLD TRICKS    $24.99
NOV170269    GREEN LANTERNS #39    $2.99
NOV170270    GREEN LANTERNS #39 VAR ED    $2.99
NOV170275    HARLEY QUINN #35    $2.99
NOV170276    HARLEY QUINN #35 VAR ED    $2.99
NOV170284    INJUSTICE 2 #18    $2.99
NOV170288    JUSTICE LEAGUE #37    $2.99
NOV170289    JUSTICE LEAGUE #37 VAR ED    $2.99
NOV170301    NIGHTWING #37    $2.99
NOV170302    NIGHTWING #37 VAR ED    $2.99
OCT170361    NIGHTWING TP VOL 04 BLOCKBUSTER (REBIRTH)    $16.99
OCT170376    SUPER POWERS BY JACK KIRBY TP    $39.99
NOV170308    SUPER SONS #12 SONS OF TOMORROW    $3.99
NOV170309    SUPER SONS #12 VAR ED    $3.99
NOV170306    SUPERMAN #39    $2.99
NOV170307    SUPERMAN #39 VAR ED    $2.99
NOV170324    TRINITY #17    $3.99
NOV170325    TRINITY #17 VAR ED    $3.99
NOV170330    WONDER WOMAN CONAN #5 (OF 6)    $3.99
NOV170331    WONDER WOMAN CONAN #5 (OF 6) VAR ED    $3.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 17, 2018

MARVEL COMICS

NOV171006    ALL NEW WOLVERINE #29 LEG    $3.99
NOV178120    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #792 2ND PTG ROSS VAR LEG    $3.99
NOV170955    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VENOM INC OMEGA #1 LEG    $4.99
NOV170980    AMERICA #11    $3.99
NOV170879    AVENGERS #676 LEG    $3.99
NOV170945    CHAMPIONS #16 LEG    $3.99
OCT171018    DEADPOOL CLASSIC TP VOL 21 DVX    $34.99
NOV171018    DEADPOOL VS OLD MAN LOGAN #4 (OF 5)    $3.99
NOV171019    DEADPOOL VS OLD MAN LOGAN #4 (OF 5) LIM VAR    $3.99
OCT178653    DOCTOR STRANGE #382 2ND PTG WALTA VAR LEG    $3.99
NOV170981    DOCTOR STRANGE #384 LEG    $3.99
NOV171009    GENERATION X #86 LEG    $3.99
NOV170946    MIGHTY THOR #703 LEG WW    $3.99
OCT170992    MIGHTY THOR PREM HC VOL 04 WAR THOR    $24.99
JUL171206    MMW SUB MARINER HC VOL 08    $75.00
JUL171207    MMW SUB MARINER HC VOL 08 DM VAR ED 255    $75.00
NOV170988    MONSTERS UNLEASHED #10 LEG    $3.99
NOV170961    PETER PARKER SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #299 LEG    $3.99
OCT171021    PUNISHER MAX TP COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL 07 (MR)    $39.99
NOV170985    SPIRITS OF VENGEANCE #4 (OF 5) LEG    $3.99
NOV171030    STAR WARS #42    $3.99
OCT170996    STAR WARS LEGENDS EPIC COLLECTION LEGACY TP VOL 02    $39.99
NOV171010    WEAPON X #13 LEG    $3.99
NOV170997    X-MEN GOLD #20 LEG    $3.99
OCT171017    X-MEN LEGION SHADOW KING RISING TP    $34.99

IDW Publishing from Diamond Distributors for January 17, 2018

IDW PUBLISHING

NOV170530    ASSASSINISTAS #2 CVR A HERNANDEZ (MR)    $3.99
NOV170531    ASSASSINISTAS #2 CVR B MCGEE (MR)    $3.99
AUG170508    DIABLO HOUSE #3 CVR A SANTIPEREZ    $3.99
AUG170509    DIABLO HOUSE #3 CVR B DICKINSON    $3.99
AUG170533    DIRK GENTLY EVERYTHING IS CONNECTED GAME    $29.99
OCT170530    FOUR WOMEN TP    $17.99
AUG170497    GENE COLAN TOMB OF DRACULA ARTIST ED HC    $125.00
SEP170598    JUNGLE JOUST GAME    $29.99
SEP170482    LIGHTS OF THE AMALOU TP    $39.99
DEC150527    MAXX MAXXIMIZED LTD ED HC VOL 02    $PI
NOV170502    OPTIMUS PRIME #15 CVR A ZAMA    $3.99
NOV170503    OPTIMUS PRIME #15 CVR B COLLER    $3.99
OCT170504    SKYLANDERS SPYRO & FRIENDS HC    $12.99
NOV170413    STAR WARS ADV FORCES OF DESTINY HERA CVR A    $3.99
NOV170414    STAR WARS ADV FORCES OF DESTINY HERA CVR B    $3.99
NOV170422    STAR WARS ADVENTURES #6 CVR A CHARM    $3.99
NOV170423    STAR WARS ADVENTURES #6 CVR B LEVINS    $3.99
OCT170524    TALES FROM THE AGE OF COBRA TP    $24.99
SEP170483    THREE ROOMS IN VALERIES HEAD TP    $19.99
NOV170511    TRANSFORMERS WINDBLADE LAST CITY TP    $24.99
NOV170568    WEIRD LOVE #22    $4.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for January 17, 2018

DARK HORSE COMICS

SEP170065    DEPT H HC VOL 03 DECOMPRESSED    $19.99
NOV170014    JENNY FINN #3 (OF 4)    $3.99
SEP170087    LEGEND OF KORRA TP VOL 02 TURF WARS PT 2    $10.99
SEP170093    MASS EFFECT DISCOVERY TP    $17.99
SEP170040    SHADOWS ON THE GRAVE HC    $19.99