Monday, February 18, 2019

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 20, 2019

IMAGE COMICS

DEC180132    BEAUTY TP VOL 05 (MR)    $16.99
DEC180224    BITTER ROOT #4 CVR A GREENE (MR)    $3.99
DEC180225    BITTER ROOT #4 CVR B MACK (MR)    $3.99
DEC180226    BITTER ROOT #4 CVR C NOWLAN (MR)    $3.99
DEC180227    BITTER ROOT #4 CVR D BUSTOS (MR)    $3.99
DEC180061    BULLY WARS TP VOL 01    $12.99
DEC180068    BURNOUTS TP (MR)    $16.99
DEC180157    DAYS OF HATE TP VOL 02 (MR)    $17.99
DEC188797    DIE #1 3RD PTG (MR)    $3.99
OCT180190    EAST OF WEST #41    $3.99
DEC180242    ERRAND BOYS #5 (OF 5)    $3.99
DEC180243    EVOLUTION #14 (MR)    $3.99
DEC180244    EXORSISTERS #5 CVR A LAGACE & PANTAZIS    $3.99
DEC180245    EXORSISTERS #5 CVR B MORITAT    $3.99
DEC180082    HIGH CRIMES TP (MR)    $19.99
DEC180262    MIDDLEWEST #4 (MR)    $3.99
DEC180263    MONSTRESS #20 (MR)    $3.99
DEC180270    OUTPOST ZERO #7    $3.99
NOV180184    SAVAGE DRAGON #242 (MR)    $3.99
AUG180283    SEVEN TO ETERNITY #13 CVR A OPENA & HOLLINGSWORTH    $3.99
AUG180284    SEVEN TO ETERNITY #13 CVR B EDWARDS    $3.99
DEC180050    SHARKEY BOUNTY HUNTER #1 (OF 6) CVR A BIANCHI (MR)    $3.99
DEC180051    SHARKEY BOUNTY HUNTER #1 (OF 6) CVR B SKETCH BIANCHI (MR)    $3.99
DEC180052    SHARKEY BOUNTY HUNTER #1 (OF 6) CVR C QUITELY (MR)    $3.99
DEC180053    SHARKEY BOUNTY HUNTER #1 (OF 6) CVR D SCALERA (MR)    $3.99
DEC180054    SHARKEY BOUNTY HUNTER #1 (OF 6) CVR E YILDIRIM (MR)    $3.99
DEC180055    SHARKEY BOUNTY HUNTER #1 (OF 6) CVR F BLANK VAR (MR)    $3.99
DEC180056    SHARKEY BOUNTY HUNTER #1 (OF 6) CVR G KERSCHL (MR)    $3.99

Marvel Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 20, 2019

MARVEL COMICS

DEC180888    AGE OF X-MAN AMAZING NIGHTCRAWLER #1 (OF 5)    $3.99
DEC180890    AGE OF X-MAN AMAZING NIGHTCRAWLER #1 (OF 5) INHYUK LEE CONNE    $3.99
NOV181033    AMAZING SPIDER-MAN BY NICK SPENCER TP VOL 02    $15.99
DEC180935    AVENGERS #15    $3.99
DEC180837    AVENGERS NO ROAD HOME #2 (OF 10)    $3.99
DEC180838    AVENGERS NO ROAD HOME #2 (OF 10) SUAYAN CONNECTING VAR    $3.99
DEC180986    BLACK ORDER #4 (OF 5)    $3.99
DEC180987    BLACK ORDER #4 (OF 5) CHRISTOPHER VAR    $3.99
NOV181043    BLACK PANTHER EPIC COLL TP REVENGE BLACK PANTHER    $39.99
DEC180978    BLACK WIDOW #2    $3.99
NOV181049    CABLE & X-FORCE TP ONSLAUGHT    $39.99
NOV181022    CAPTAIN AMERICA TP VOL 01 WINTER IN AMERICA    $17.99
DEC180854    DAZZLER #1 FACSIMILE EDITION    $3.99
NOV180967    DEADPOOL MPGN TP SECRET AGENT DEADPOOL    $14.99
DEC180967    DOCTOR STRANGE #11    $3.99
DEC180957    FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #3    $3.99
NOV181040    GHOST RIDER TP BOOK 01 WAR FOR HEAVEN    $34.99
DEC180852    GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #2    $3.99
DEC180908    HULKVERINES #1 (OF 3)    $4.99
DEC180910    HULKVERINES #1 (OF 3) KEOWN SKRULLS VAR    $4.99
DEC180864    LOVE ROMANCES #1    $3.99
DEC180866    LOVE ROMANCES #1 ANNIE WU SKRULLS VAR    $3.99
DEC180865    LOVE ROMANCES #1 DAUTERMAN YOUNG GUNS VAR    $3.99
DEC180937    MARVELS AVENGERS ENDGAME PRELUDE #3 (OF 3)    $3.99
DEC180959    MILES MORALES SPIDER-MAN #3    $3.99
NOV181027    OLD MAN HAWKEYE TP VOL 02 WHOLE WORLD BLIND    $17.99
DEC180877    OLD MAN QUILL #2 (OF 12)    $3.99
NOV181029    PUNISHER TP VOL 01 WORLD WAR FRANK    $15.99
NOV180950    RETURN OF WOLVERINE #5 (OF 5)    $4.99
NOV180952    RETURN OF WOLVERINE #5 (OF 5) KUBERT VAR    $4.99
DEC180975    SHURI #5    $3.99
DEC181012    STAR WARS SOLO ADAPTATION #5 (OF 7)    $3.99
DEC180927    TRUE BELIEVERS CAPTAIN MARVEL BINARY #1    $1.00
DEC180928    TRUE BELIEVERS CAPTAIN MARVEL EARTHS MIGHTIEST HERO #1    $1.00
DEC180926    TRUE BELIEVERS CAPTAIN MARVEL KREE SKRULL WAR #1    $1.00
DEC180906    UNCANNY X-MEN #12    $3.99
DEC180907    UNCANNY X-MEN #12 SUPERLOG CHARACTER VAR    $3.99
NOV181047    UNCANNY X-MEN BY GILLEN COMPLETE COLLECTION TP VOL 01    $39.99
DEC180991    UNSTOPPABLE WASP #5    $3.99
DEC180962    VENOM #11    $3.99
DEC180964    VENOM #11 JTC SKRULLS VAR    $3.99
NOV181030    WEST COAST AVENGERS TP VOL 01 BEST COAST    $17.99
DEC180867    WOLVERINE INFINITY WATCH #1 (OF 5)    $3.99
DEC180869    WOLVERINE INFINITY WATCH #1 (OF 5) JEE HYUNG LEE SKRULLS VAR    $3.99

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for February 20, 2019

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

DEC182293    ACCA 13 TERRITORY INSPECTION DEPT GN VOL 06    $15.00
NOV182244    ALICE & ZOROKU GN VOL 05    $12.99
DEC181765    APPALACHIAN APOCALYPSE #2    $3.99
DEC181616    ARCHIE AND ME JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #15    $6.99
NOV188449    ARCHIE MILESTONES DIGEST #1    $6.99
DEC181604    ARCHIE VARSITY ED HC VOL 01    $34.99
DEC182294    BARAKAMON GN VOL 17    $15.00
OCT181963    BEST OF STAR WARS INSIDER TP VOL 08 SAGA BEGINS    $24.99
DEC182076    BLOODBORNE #9 SONG OF CROWS CVR A STOKELY (MR)    $3.99
DEC182077    BLOODBORNE #9 SONG OF CROWS CVR B SHAVRIN (MR)    $3.99
DEC182078    BLOODBORNE #9 SONG OF CROWS CVR C CONCEPT ART (MR)    $3.99
DEC182091    BREAKNECK #3 (OF 4) CVR A RONALD (MR)    $3.99
DEC182092    BREAKNECK #3 (OF 4) CVR B GUGLIELMINI (MR)    $3.99
SEP182295    CAPTAIN HARLOCK CLASSIC COLLECTION GN VOL 03    $27.99
NOV181462    CASPERS GHOSTLAND #2 LTD ED RETRO ANIMATION CVR    $9.99
NOV181460    CASPERS GHOSTLAND #2 MAIN CVR    $3.99
NOV181461    CASPERS GHOSTLAND #2 MOUNT GHOSTMORE CVR    $3.99
DEC181942    CATALYST PRIME SUPERB #17    $3.99
DEC181551    CAVEWOMAN RAZORS RUN #1 (OF 1) CVR A MAGNUM (MR)    $3.99
DEC181552    CAVEWOMAN RAZORS RUN #1 (OF 1) CVR B MAGNUM LTD ED  (MR    $PI
DEC181555    CAVEWOMAN RAZORS RUN #1 (OF 1) CVR E PARSONS  (MR)    $PI
DEC181556    CAVEWOMAN RAZORS RUN #1 (OF 1) CVR F TAYLOR (Net) (MR)    $PI
DEC181557    CAVEWOMAN RAZORS RUN #1 (OF 1) CVR G MORENO  (MR)    $PI
DEC182384    CHI SWEET ADVENTURES GN VOL 03    $11.95
DEC182013    COMPLETE CABALLISTICS INC TP    $24.99
NOV182109    CONSPIRACY #3 (OF 5) DENVER AIRPORT CVR A COLAPIETRO    $4.99
NOV182110    CONSPIRACY #3 (OF 5) DENVER AIRPORT CVR B GOH    $4.99
MAY181646    DF AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #798 VENOM SGN DODSON    $39.99
SEP181734    DF BATMAN #50 B&W VIRGIN EXC JAE LEE SGN    $75.00
JUN181680    DF BATMAN #50 EXC JAE LEE SGN    $49.99
JUN181681    DF BATMAN #50 GOLD SERIES JAE LEE SGN    $89.99
JUL181800    DF BATMAN #50 JAE LEE SGN VIRGIN GOLD SIG    $193.90
AUG181882    DF BATMAN #50 LEE & CHUNG LTD PINK SGN    $39.99
DEC181825    DF DESPICABLE DEADPOOL #287 SGN RMRK HAESER    $89.99
OCT181643    DF FIREFLY #1 GOLD SIG SGN GREG PAK    $89.99
OCT181642    DF FIREFLY #1 SGN GREG PAK    $29.99
DEC181821    DF GREEN LANTERN #1 GREEN SIG SGN SHARP    $40.00
DEC181822    DF GREEN LANTERN #1 HAESER GREEN SKETCH RMRK    $89.99
AUG181876    DF MR & MRS X #1 DODSON SGN    $49.99
DEC181824    DF OLD LADY HARLEY #1 SGN RMRK HAESER    $89.99
DEC181823    DF SHAZAM #1 SGN RMRK HAESER    $89.99
AUG181885    DF SUICIDE SQUAD #1 DODSON LTD PINK SGN    $59.99
DEC182296    DIMENSION W GN VOL 13    $13.00
DEC182297    DURARARA RE DOLLARS ARC GN VOL 04 (MR)    $13.00
DEC182340    FIRE FORCE GN VOL 14    $10.99
DEC182299    FORBIDDEN SCROLLERY GN VOL 06    $13.00
OCT182055    FUTARIBEYA MANGA GN VOL 03 ROOM FOR TWO    $12.99
DEC182300    GABRIEL DROPOUT GN VOL 06    $13.00
DEC181766    GEORGE MCDONALDS LIGHT PRINCESS #1    $3.99
DEC182301    GIRLS LAST TOUR GN VOL 06    $15.00
DEC182279    GOLDEN KAMUY GN VOL 08 (MR)    $12.99
NOV182236    GRAND BLUE DREAMING GN VOL 04 (MR)    $12.99
DEC181494    GRUMBLE #4 CVR A MIKE NORTON    $3.99
DEC181495    GRUMBLE #4 CVR B LTD JIM MAHFOOD    $5.99
DEC182302    HAKUMEI & MIKOCHI GN VOL 04    $15.00
DEC182303    HATSU HARU GN VOL 05    $13.00
OCT181338    HOT LUNCH SPECIAL #5 (MR)    $3.99
DEC181917    INCAL OVERSIZED DLX LTD ED    $125.00
DEC182121    INCURSION #1 CVR A BRAITHWAITE    $3.99
DEC182122    INCURSION #1 CVR B DE LA TORRE    $3.99
DEC182123    INCURSION #1 CVR C B&W BRAITHWAITE    $3.99
DEC182124    INCURSION #1 CVR D BLANK    $3.99
DEC182125    INCURSION #1 CVR F #1-4 PREORDER BUNDLE ED    $3.99
DEC181938    INFINITY 8 HC VOL 03 GOSPEL ACCORDING TO EMMA    $19.99
DEC182304    IS WRONG PICK UP GIRLS DUNGEON FAMILIA LYU GN VOL 02 MANGA (    $13.00
DEC181605    JUGHEAD THE HUNGER #12 CVR A GORHAM (MR)    $3.99
DEC181606    JUGHEAD THE HUNGER #12 CVR B CALERO (MR)    $3.99
DEC181607    JUGHEAD THE HUNGER #12 CVR C GALVAN (MR)    $3.99
DEC182292    KAKEGURUI TWIN GN VOL 01 (MR)    $15.00
DEC181950    KNIGHTS OF THE GOLDEN SUN #4    $3.99
DEC182305    LAID BACK CAMP GN VOL 05    $13.00
DEC181964    LETTERS TO SURVIVORS GN    $15.95
OCT181827    LONG ROAD TO LIQUOR CITY GN (MR)    $19.99
NOV182251    MADE IN ABYSS GN VOL 05    $13.99
NOV182252    MISS KOBAYASHIS DRAGON MAID ELMA DIARY GN VOL 01    $12.99
DEC182281    MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM THUNDERBOLT GN VOL 10    $14.99
DEC182040    MONSTROUS #4 (OF 4)    $3.99
DEC182306    OVERLORD GN VOL 09 MANGA (MR)    $13.00
NOV182256    PANDORA IN THE CRIMSON SHELL GHOST URN GN VOL 11 (MR)    $12.99
DEC188062    PASSOVER HAGGADAH GRAPHIC NOVEL    $19.95
DEC182307    PRISON SCHOOL GN VOL 12 (MR)    $20.00
NOV181506    PUNCHLINE #4    $3.99
DEC182283    RAN & GRAY WORLD GN VOL 02    $14.99
NOV181659    RAVENING #3 (OF 4) COSTUME CHANGE NUDE (MR)    $16.99
DEC182290    RE ZERO SLIAW LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 09    $14.00
AUG181464    RELAY #4    $3.99
DEC182242    RWBY OFFICIAL MANGA ANTHOLOGY GN VOL 04    $12.99
DEC182308    SCHOOL LIVE GN VOL 10    $13.00
DEC182309    SHIBUYA GOLDFISH GN VOL 03 (MR)    $15.00
NOV182182    SHUT IN SHOUTAROU KOMINAMI TAKES ON THE WORLD GN VOL 01    $30.00
DEC182310    SILVER SPOON GN VOL 07    $15.00
NOV188814    SNAP FLASH HUSTLE #1 (OF 4) 2ND PTG PEARSON CVR (MR)    $3.99
DEC181439    STRONGHOLD #1    $3.99
DEC182311    SWORD ART ONLINE HOLLOW REALIZATION GN VOL 02    $13.00
DEC182312    TALES OF WEDDING RINGS GN VOL 05 (MR)    $15.00
DEC182313    THOUGH YOU MAY BURN TO ASH GN VOL 04 (MR)    $13.00
DEC182241    TOKYO GHOUL RE GN VOL 09    $12.99
DEC182314    TRINITY SEVEN 7 MAGICIANS GN 15.5 (MR)    $13.00
JAN192170    TRUTH IS FRAGMENTARY TRAVELOGUES & DIARIES GN (RES)    $19.99
DEC182253    URUSEI YATSURA GN VOL 01    $19.99
DEC182315    VAL X LOVE GN VOL 05 (MR)    $13.00
DEC182035    WULFBORNE #1    $3.99
DEC182137    X-O MANOWAR (2017) #24 CVR A ROCAFORT    $3.99
DEC182138    X-O MANOWAR (2017) #24 CVR B WILLIAMSON    $3.99
DEC182139    X-O MANOWAR (2017) #24 CVR C MANOMIVIBUL    $3.99
DEC188060    X-O MANOWAR (2017) #24 CVR E PRE-ORDER BUNDLE ED    $3.99
DEC182162    ZODIAC #1 CVR A VITORINO    $4.99
DEC182163    ZODIAC #1 CVR B SALAZAR    $4.99
DEC182164    ZODIAC #1 CVR C ANACLETO    $4.99
DEC182165    ZODIAC #1 CVR D DOONEY    $4.99
DEC182166    ZODIAC #1 CVR E COLAPIETRO    $4.99
DEC182167    ZODIAC #1 CVR F BLANK SKETCH    $10.00

MAGAZINES
DEC181789    COMIC SHOP NEWS [90CT BUNDLE] #1653    $PI
DEC181949    LOCUS #697    $7.50

BOOKS
SEP182058    ALITA BATTLE ANGEL ART & MAKING OF MOVIE HC    $45.00
SEP182061    ALITA BATTLE ANGEL DR IDOS JOURNAL SC    $24.95
SEP182060    ALITA BATTLE ANGEL OFFICIAL MOVIE HC NOVEL    $22.95
DEC182100    BATMAN COURT OF OWLS NOVEL    $24.95
NOV181927    CAPTAIN MARVEL REPLICA JOURNAL HC    $13.99
DEC182285    CERTAIN MAGICAL INDEX LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 18    $14.00
DEC182286    EMPTY BOX & ZEROTH MARIA LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 05    $14.00
DEC182287    IS WRONG PICK GIRLS DUNGEON SWORD ORATORIA NOVEL SC VOL 08 (    $14.00
DEC182101    KILLING JOKE NOVEL SC    $12.95
DEC181876    SECRET CODERS GN COMP BOXED SET    $65.94
DEC182291    SWORD ART ONLINE ALT GUN GALE LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 03    $14.00
DEC182284    WOOF WOOF STORY LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 01    $14.00
DEC182288    YOUTH ROMANTIC COMEDY WRONG EXPECTED NOVEL SC VOL 07    $14.00

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for February 19, 2019

BOOM! STUDIOS

DEC188260    (USE DEC189110) BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #1 (2ND PTG)    $3.99
DEC181375    AVANT-GUARDS #2 (OF 12) MAIN    $3.99
DEC181376    AVANT-GUARDS #2 (OF 12) PREORDER MCGEE VAR    $3.99
DEC181363    BONE PARISH #7 (OF 12)    $3.99
DEC188952    BONE PARISH #7 (OF 12) FOC REBELKA VAR    $3.99
DEC181337    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #2 CVR A MAIN TAYLOR    $3.99
DEC181338    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #2 CVR B WADA VAR    $3.99
DEC181339    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #2 CVR C LOWENTHAL VAR    $3.99
DEC188950    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #2 FOC SLAYER MERCADO INCV    $3.99
DEC188951    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #2 FOC VAMPIRE MERCADO INCV    $3.99
DEC181340    BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER #2 PREORDER INZANA VAR    $3.99
DEC188457    FIREFLY #4 FOC CASE VAR    $3.99
DEC181343    FIREFLY #4 MAIN    $3.99
DEC181344    FIREFLY #4 PREORDER QUINONES VAR    $3.99
DEC181370    JIM HENSON LABYRINTH CORONATION #11    $3.99
DEC181371    JIM HENSON LABYRINTH CORONATION #11 PREORDER GODBEY VAR    $3.99
DEC188953    MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #36 FOC MERCADO INCV    $3.99
DEC181354    MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #36 MAIN    $3.99
DEC181355    MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #36 PREORDER MURPHY VAR    $3.99
DEC181380    SMOOTH CRIMINALS #4 (OF 12)    $3.99
DEC188954    STEVEN UNIVERSE ONGOING #25 FOC BARTEL INCV    $4.99
DEC181387    STEVEN UNIVERSE ONGOING #25 MAIN PENA CVR    $4.99
DEC181388    STEVEN UNIVERSE ONGOING #25 PREORDER PERRONE VAR    $4.99
OCT181290    STEVEN UNIVERSE ONGOING TP VOL 04 JUST RIGHT    $14.99

Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for February 19, 2019

DARK HORSE COMICS

DEC180383    ALIENS RESISTANCE #2 CVR A LA TORRE    $3.99
DEC180384    ALIENS RESISTANCE #2 CVR B JONES    $3.99
OCT180363    BERSERK DELUXE EDITION HC VOL 01 (MR)    $49.99
DEC180396    BLACK HAMMER AGE OF DOOM #8 CVR A ORMSTON    $3.99
DEC180397    BLACK HAMMER AGE OF DOOM #8 CVR B SIENKIEWICZ    $3.99
OCT180277    BPRD VAMPIRE SECOND EDITION TP    $19.99
DEC180359    CRIMSON LOTUS #4 (OF 5)    $3.99
SEP180310    FATE ZERO TP VOL 08    $11.99
DEC180361    FIGHT CLUB 3 #2 CVR A MACK (MR)    $3.99
DEC180362    FIGHT CLUB 3 #2 CVR B STEWART (MR)    $3.99
DEC180363    FIGHT CLUB 3 #2 CVR C FRANCAVILLA (MR)    $3.99
DEC180357    HELLBOY AND BPRD 1956 #4 (OF 5)    $3.99
OCT180366    I AM A HERO OMNIBUS TP VOL 09    $19.99
OCT180335    STEPHEN MCCRANIES SPACE BOY TP VOL 03    $10.99
NOV180279    UMBRELLA ACADEMY 4 PACK MAGNET SET    $9.99
DEC180374    WYRD #2 CVR A FUSO    $3.99
DEC180375    WYRD #2 CVR B ALBUQUERQUE    $3.99

Thursday, February 14, 2019

Review: TRUE BELIEVERS: Conan the Barbarian #1

TRUE BELIEVERS: CONAN THE BARBARIAN No.1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Roy Thomas
PENCILS: Barry Smith
INKS: Dan Adkins
COLORS: Mimi Gold (not credited in comic book)
LETTERS: Sam Rosen
EDITOR: Stan Lee
COVER: Barry Smith and John Verpoorten with Sam Rosen
28pp, Color, $1.00 U.S. (March 2019)

Rated T

Conan the Barbarian based on the “Conan” character created by Robert E. Howard

“The Coming of Conan!”

Conan the Cimmerian is a fictional “sword and sorcery” hero created by Robert E. Howard (REH).  Conan first appeared in the pulp fiction magazine, Weird Tales (1932).  Conan lived in Howard's fictional “Hyborian Age” and was a mercenary, outlaw, pirate, thief, warrior, and eventually a king, but because of his tribal origins, some characters that encountered him thought of Conan as a barbarian.

In 1970, Marvel Comics brought Conan to the world of comic books with the series, Conan the Barbarian, originally written by Roy Thomas and drawn by Barry Smith – now known as Barry Windsor-Smith.  With a pause of only a few years, Conan comic books have been published for the better part of five decades.  Marvel Comics, which held the license to produce Conan comic books for three decades, regained the license last year (from Dark Horse Comics, which had the license for about 15 years).

Marvel recently published the first issue of a revival of Conan the Barbarian.  They are also publishing reprints of select Conan comic books from their original run with the character under the “True Believers” banner.  True Believers is a budget reprint program that began in 2015 and offers $1 reprints of individual Marvel issues that are considered fan-favorite, important, classic, or monumental.

True Believers: Conan the Barbarian #1 reprints the first Marvel Conan comic book, Conan the Barbarian #1 (cover dated: October 1970).  That issue's twenty-page story was written by Roy Thomas; drawn by Barry Smith (pencils) and Dan Adkins (inks); and lettered by Sam Rosen.  Although she is does not receive a credit in the comic book, Mimi Gold colored Smith and Adkins' art.

Conan the Barbarian #1 (“The Coming of Conan!”) is a story that apparently takes place early in Conan's adulthood.  He is a mercenary in service of the kingdom of Aesgaard and serve the Aesir in their war against the Vanir.  The story opens in Vanaheim, during a summer battle between the Aesir and the Vanir, where we find Conan battling the fierce Vanir warrior, Gondur.

Conan is proving to be a most accomplished warrior, although he insists that he only fights for the Aesir because they pay him the most gold.  However, Conan's prowess in battle has attracted the attention of a crazy shaman and a mysterious young woman.  Now, they want to capture Conan, and the secrets of the past, present, and future they will reveal to him will rock Conan's world.

Like many Conan comic book fans, I am an admirer of Barry Windsor-Smith's Conan comic book art, especially the art he produced during the second half of his twenty-two issue run on Conan the Barbarian.  Still, as far as figure-drawing goes, I prefer the lean, sinewy, Jack Kirby-esque Conan as drawn by Barry Smith, exemplified by the Conan that appears on the cover of Conan the Barbarian #1 and, of course, on the cover of True Believers: Conan the Barbarian #1.

“The Coming of Conan!” is good, although not great.  It is not Roy Thomas' best Conan comic book writing, and Thomas is by far the best Conan comic book writer ever.  Hell, Thomas is one of the best comic book writers of all time, and is certainly better than many of the comic book writers that pass for the current elite.  Here, Thomas offers a story in tune with the weird fiction of Conan's creator, Robert E. Howard, and it is full of theatrical, operatic dialogue and over-the-top, but colorful exposition.

I am glad that Conan is back with Marvel Comics, where I discovered the character, and I am glad for True Believers: Conan the Barbarian #1.  Hopefully, there will be more “budget” reprints of classic Marvel Conan comic books.  I love this reprint comic book, so that is why I am giving it a high grade.

8 out of 10

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


The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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Wednesday, February 13, 2019

Book Review: BRING ON THE BLESSINGS (Blessings #1)

BRING ON THE BLESSINGS (A Blessings Novel)
HARPERCOLLINS/William Morrow – @HarperCollins; @WmMorrowBks

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

AUTHOR: Beverly Jenkins – @authorMsBev
ISBN: 978-0-06-168840-9; paperback (January 27, 2009)
384pp, B&W, $13.99 U.S., $17.50 CAN

Bring on the Blessings is a 2009 novel from bestselling author, Beverly Jenkins.  It was the first novel in what became known as Jenkins' “Blessings” novel series.  Bring on the Blessings introduces the fictional small town of Henry Adams, Kansas, which is largely the setting of all the following “Blessings,” books, including the recent (as of this writing) ninth novel in the series, Second Time Sweeter (2018).  Henry Adams is a fictional town established by freed slaves after the Civil War.  [Henry Adams is based on a real town founded by freed slaves, Nicodemus, Kansas.]

Bring on the Blessings introduces Bernadine Edwards Brown.  Two days after her thirtieth wedding anniversary and a day before her fifty-second birthday, she walks into her husband, Leo's office and finds him having sex with his secretary on top his desk.  One divorce later, she ends up with a $275 million dollar settlement.  Having been raised in the church, Bernadine believes that when much is given, much is expected, so she asks God to send her a purpose.

That purpose turns out to be a town: Henry Adams, Kansas, one of the last surviving townships founded by freed slaves after the Civil War.  The town is failing and has put itself up for sale on the Internet, so Bernadine buys it.  To the town's mayor, Trent July, Bernadine Brown is a savior.  After he meets Bernadine, Trent is even impressed by her vision and strength, and especially the hope she wants to offer to the town and its few remaining residents.  Bernadine also wants to offer hope to a handful of foster kids in desperate need of a second chance, changing their lives and the lives of the people who will become their foster parents.

But not everyone is down with Bernadine Brown and her vision for a promising future.  There will be bumps along the road – for her, for the residents, both old and new, and for the children.  In Henry Adams, Kansas, there is never a dull day.

As I have written in previous reviews, I had heard of author Beverly Jenkins, but had never read her work.  Then, I received a review copy of her 2016 novel, Stepping to a New Day (the seventh “Blessings” novel).  I immediately fell in love with the characters and with the town of Henry Adams.  I went on to read Chasing Down a Dream (2017 – #8) and Second Time Sweeter (2018 – #9).

Over a few exchanged tweets, Jenkins suggested that I go back to the beginning and read the series in order.  I was able to squeeze in the first “Blessings” book, Bring on the Blessings.  It was worth setting aside time to read this book, which I really love, and it may be my favorite.  That is difficult for me to decide because I have thoroughly enjoyed all the “Blessings” books that I have thus far read, especially Second Time Sweeter, which has some dark and edgy moments, belying its title.

Jenkins is an excellent character writer, creating a cast that the reader wants to know intimately.  I am exciting about all of the characters, even the detestable Riley Curry, and I must say that even the ill-fated Morton Prell is worthy of his own story.  I think that people who like Jenkins' books can't wait to get back to the characters, which is the case with me, dear readers.

Bring on the Blessings isn't all cozy and comfort.  Jenkins depicts the suffering of abandoned and abused children in stark terms.  My late aunt and uncle were foster parents to numerous children, and one of the many things that Jenkins gets right is the horrid situations from which many children in foster care came.  Even when foster children are placed in better situations, a whim or act of fate can threaten whatever good fortune... or blessings they found.  Jenkins is known as a romance writer, but readers should not underestimate the sense of verisimilitude that permeates her novels when it comes to depicting real-world dilemmas.

Bring on the Blessings is one of the best novels that I have read this past decade.  If the books that come after this first novel also keep it real, I say bring on more “Blessings.”

10 out of 10

http://www.beverlyjenkins.net/web/

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


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