Support Leroy on Patreon.
Leroy's Amazon Comics and Graphic Novels Page:
COVID-19 AND COMICS:
From BleedingCool: DC Comics plans to forge ahead with releasing its publications both in print and digitally... by whatever means necessary... as comics market is halted by COVID-19.
From Newsarama: Dark Horse Comics says that starting April 1st it will not monthly comics books in digital form until they are widely available in print.
From BleedingCool: Marvel Comics has provided Diamond Comic Distributors with an extension concerning the money Diamond owes Marvel.
From Newsarama: Diamond Comic Distributors will cease distributing products beginning with the April 1st, 2020 release date and will resume at a later unknown date.
From Newsarama: IDW Publishing has announced that it will suspend publications of its titles slated to be released in the month of May 2020.
#######################
SONY MARVEL U - From Newsarama: Sony has pushed its Marvel film, "Morbius," from July 31, 2020 to March 19, 2021.
IN MEMORIAM - From CartoonBrew: The Mexican artist and cartoonist, Roman Arambula, has died at the age of 83, Wednesday, March 19, 2020. In the 1970s, he first began drawing Donald Duck comic books for Western Publishing and then, in 1975, Arambula began drawing the syndicated "Mickey Mouse" newspaper comic strip, which he would do until 1990. He also worked extensively in the animation industry.
COMICS TO FILM - From DigitalSpy: Actor David Harbour says that the 2019 "Hellboy" reboot film failed before filming on it began. Harbour played the title character in the film which was a box office bomb.
DC TV - From Newsarama: Ahead of the release of DC Universe/TheCW's "Stargirl," Geoff Johns, the creator and showrunner for the series, pens a personal letter.
IN MEMORIAM - From Variety: French illustrator and comics artist, Alberto Uderzo, has died at the age of 92, Tuesday, March 24, 2020. Uderzo and French comics writer-editor, Rene Goscinny, created the long-running French comics series, "Asterix."
DC CINEMA - From TheWrap: Warner Bros. executives are in preliminary discussions to make their big, tentpole summer movie release, "Wonder Woman 1984," a digital release in light of movie theater closures due to COVID-19.
Marvel - From Marvel: Marvel introduces the new "New Warriors."
ARCHIE - From THR: This June, the Archie Comics gang teams-up with Flash Gordon in "Archie Meets Flash Gordon."
DC TV - From Deadline: A production assistant on The CW's "Batwoman" was injured on-set and paralyzed.
DC CINEMA - From THR: Warner Bros. will make "Birds of Prey" and "Just Mercy" early digital home entertainment releases - August 24th, 2020.
From BleedingCool: Indie comics publisher and creator, Jason Reeves, talks about Black/African-American indie comics and more.
MARVEL - From Newsarama: Marvel Comics is rush-soliciting a "Black Widow" comic book in anticipation of Marvel Studios' "Black Widow" film is due May 1st.
CORONAVIRUS:
From Newsarama: Due to the coronavirus outbreak, Dynamite Entertainment joins Image Comics in making its March-shipping products that are distributed by Diamond Comic Distributors, full returnable on the part of comic book retailers.
From Newsarama: DC Comics employees are among the WarnerMedia employees asked to stay home due to coronavirus concerns.
From Newsarama: 2020 WonderCon in Los Angeles, which was scheduled for April 10th to 12th, has been postponed indefinitely.
From Newsarama: Warner Bros. Television has suspended production on The CW's "Riverdale" TV series due to coronavirus fears.
From BleedingCool: ACE Comic Con Northeast in Boston is delayed/cancelled due to coronavirus fears. The show was to take place this month and will try to move to October.
From Newsarama: Diamond Comic Distributors has cancelled its April 14th to 16th 2020 Retailer Summit.
From Newsarama: NYC's MoCCA Arts Festival, scheduled for April 4th and 5th, has been postponed.
############################
FOX MARVEL U - From THR: "The New Mutants" is one of three films that have had their release dates pushed back by Disney due to coronavirus fears.
BATMAN - From Newsarama: Here is a look at the "Batman" and "Batman-related" comic books due for June 2020.
SONY MARVEL U - From TheWrap: Robert Orci, one of the genius screenwriters behind "The Amazing Spider-Man 2" (2014), is writing a Spider-Man spin-off movie for Sony Pictures. Details about the project or character are being kept under wraps.
IN MEMORIAM - From Newsarama: "Golden Age" comic book artist Allen "Al" Bellman has died at the age of 95, Monday, March 9, 2020. Bellman was known for his work with Timely Comics (the forerunner of Marvel Comics) and drew stories featuring "The Human Torch" and the "Young Allies," among others. Bellman left comic books in the early 1950s, but he later became a regular on the comic book convention circuit.
From Newsarama: Here is a look at the "Superman" publications being solicited for sale in June 2020.
From THR: Mariko Tamaki will take over as writer of DC Comics' "Wonder Woman" ongoing series, beginning with Wonder Woman #759.
From Newsarama: Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok's long-awaited miniseries, "Batman: 3 Jokers," will finally arrive when the first issue hits stores June 17, 2020.
From ComicBook: Warren Ellis thanks fans for the success of the animated series, "Castlevania" (Netflix), for which he is a writer-producer.
From PA: Penn College is featuring an art exhibition of World War II era comic book covers, "Victory for a Dime: The Fighting Comic Books of the Second World War."
DC CINEMA - From THR: Ben Affleck, who until recently played Batman, says the 2017 film, "Justice League" was plagued with "one problem after another."
MANGA TO FILM - From GameSpot: A list of Easter eggs and manga references in the recent hit anime film, "My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising."
From SeattleTimes: The site celebrates the 30th anniversary of cartoonist Peter Bagge's seminal comic book series, "Hate," which was published by Fantagraphics Books.
From Newsarama: Valiant Entertainment offices preps for the release of the "Bloodshot" movie.
IN MEMORIAM - From Newsarama: Comic book artist Frank McLaughlin has died at the age of 84, Wednesday, March 4, 2020. Although he worked for Marvel, DC Comics, Archie Comics, and Valiant Comics, McLaughlin is best known for his work for Charlton Comics and for creating the Charlton character, "Judomaster."
BOOK NEWS - From Newsarama: Marvel/Asmodee's line of prose novels featuring Marvel Comics characters has announced four debut novels: "Domino: Strays," "Doctor Doom: The Harrowing of Doom," "Legends of Asgard: The Head of Mimir," and "Legends of Asgard: The Sword of Surtur."
From DCBlog: Writer Tom King talks about his new maxi-series, "Strange Adventures."
From Worth: Investor James Murdoch (son of Fox News' Rupert Murdoch) talks about his investment in the comic book start-up, AWA (Artists, Writers & Artisans).
From SoraNews24: Regard "scanlations," one manga artist says that she cannot afford to offer her work for free.
DC TV - From Newsarama: The "Stargirl" TV series will debut May 11th on the "DC Universe" streaming service and on May 12th on The CW.
THE BATMAN - From Deadline: Director Matt Reeves has posted images of "The Batmobile" with Robert Pattison as "Batman" standing next to it.
From Newsarama: Warren Ellis' planned reboot of WildStorm's "WildC.A.T.s" is not happening. It was to be the third entry in Ellis' reboot of the WildStorm Universe, which began with "The Wildstorm" (24 issues) and continued in "The Wildstorm: Michael Cray."
STAR WARS - From Movieweb: This article offers a few details on Marvel Comics' "Star Wars: The High Republic" comic book, which will be written by Cavan Scott, and will be part of the over "The High Republic" publishing campaign.
From Cleveland.com: This is a profile of comic book writer, Tony Isabella, who created the DC Comics' character, Black Lightning. Isabella is set to appear on the season finale of The CW's current "Black Lightning" TV series.
From ANN: Japanese publishers Shueisha and Shogakukan announced that they are posting back issues of some manga magazines digitally for free for a limited time, due to many schools, venues, and events in Japan temporarily closing due to concerns over the COVID-19 coronavirus illness.
FOX MARVEL U - From Newsarama: There is a new TV spot for the final film in 20th Century Fox's "X-Men" franchise, "The New Mutants," that finds the young mutants on lock-down.
From LATimes: Jaime Hernandez is among the finalists for the "40th Annual Los Angeles Times Book Prizes."
From CBR: The site has previews of every DC Comics' title arriving Wed., March 4th.
From Newsarama: Writer Ta-Nehisi Coates will end his four-year run as the writer of Marvel's ongoing "Black Panther" comic book series.
DC CINEMA - From Deadline: Director James Gunn celebrates the end of film for "The Suicide Squad" with a large group photo of the entire cast and crew. Gunn also talks about how filming came at a hard time in his life.
COMICS TO ANIMATION - From Crunchyroll: One of the "Crunchyroll Originals" is an animated series based on Warren Ellis and Paul Duffield's webcomic, "FreakAngels," which has been collected as a series of graphic novels. The link leads to a press release that includes a trailer introducing the eight new series.
From KyodoNews: "Paidon" is a manga plotted and designed by artificial intelligence (A.I.) that learned the artistic style of the late Osamu Tezuka, the creator of "Astro Boy." It is being published in Japan Thurs., Feb. 27th in the magazine, "Morning."
---------------------------------
MARCH 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama: March 2020 comics solicitations for 23 publishers
From Newsarama: :01 First Second for March 2020
From Newsarama: Action Lab Entertainment for March 2020
From Newsarama: AfterShock Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama: Ahoy Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama: Antarctic Press for March 2020
From Newsarama: Archie Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama: Artists, Writer and Artisans for March 2020
From BleedingCool: BOOM! Studios for March 2020
From Newsarama: Dark Horse Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama: DC Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama: Dynamite Entertainment for March 2020
From Newsarama: Fantagraphics Book for March 2020
From BleedingCool: IDW Publishing for March 2020
From Newsarama: Image Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama: Marvel Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama: Oni Press for March 2020
From Newsarama: Rebellion for March 2020
From Newsarama: Scout Comics for March 2020
From BleedingCool: Titan Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama: Valiant Entertainment for March 2020
From Newsarama: Vault Comics for March 2020
From Newsarama: VIZ Media for March 2020
APRIL 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool: Ablaze Media for April 2020
From BleedingCool: Ahoy Comics for April 2020
From BleedingCool: Amigo Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama: Antarctic Press for April 2020
From Newsarama: Archie Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama: Dark Horse Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama: DC Comics for April 2020
From BleedingCool: Devil's Due for April 2020
From BleedingCool: IDW Publishing for April 2020
From Newsarama: Image Comics for April 2020
From BleedingCool: Keenspot for April 2020
From Newsarama: Marvel Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama: Scout Comics for April 2020
From Newsarama: Valiant Entertainment for April 2020
MAY 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From Newsarama: A full-list of titles available for "Free Comic Book Day 2020" on May 2, 2020.
From BleedingCool: AfterShock Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool: Ahoy Comics for May 2020
From Newsarama: Antarctic Press for May 2020
From Newsarama: Archie Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool: Artists, Writers & Artisans for May 2020
From BleedingCool: Aspen for May 2020
From Newsarama: Behemoth Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool: Black Mask Studios for May 2020
From Newsarama: BOOM! Studios for May 2020
From Newsarama: Dark Horse Comics for May 2020
From Newsarama: DC Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool: Hero Complex for May 2020
From Newsarama: Hero Tomorrow for May 2020
From BleedingCool: IDW Publihsing for May 2020
From BleedingCool: Image Comics for May 2020
From Newsarama: Mad Cave Studios for May 2020
From Newsarama: Marvel Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool: Oni Press for May 2020
From BleedingCool: Red 5 Comics for May 2020
From Newsarama: Scout Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool: Source Point Press for May 2020
From BleedingCool: Storm King Productions for May 2020
From Newsarama: Titan Comics for May 2020
From Newsarama: Valiant Entertainment for May 2020
From Newsarama: Vault Comics for May 2020
From BleedingCool: VIZ Media for May 2020
JUNE 2020 COMICS SOLICITATIONS:
From BleedingCool: AfterShock Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama: Antarctic Press for June 2020
From Newsarama: Archie Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama: BOOM! Studios for June 2020
From BleedingCool: Dark Horse Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama: DC Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama: Dynamite Entertainment for June 2020
From BleedingCool: Hero Collector for June 2020
From Newsarama: IDW Publishing for June 2020
From BleedingCool: Image Comics for June 2020
From BleedingCool: Mad Cave for June 2020
From Newsarama: Marvel Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama: Oni Press for June 2020
From Newsarama: Scout Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama: Source Point Press for June 2020
From BleedingCool: Titan Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama: Vault Comics for June 2020
From Newsarama: Valiant Entertainment for June 2020
From BleedingCool: VIZ Media for June 2020
------------------
[“We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.”]
Monday, March 30, 2020
I Reads You Juniors March 2020 - Update #76
Labels:
Asmodee,
Book News,
Geoff Johns,
Jaime Hernandez,
Juniors,
memoriam,
Osamu Tezuka,
Peter Bagge,
Ta-Nehisi Coates,
Warren Ellis
Friday, March 27, 2020
#IReadsYou Review: DOWNFALL
DOWNFALL
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
MANGAKA: Inio Asano
TRANSLATION: Jocelyn Allen
LETTERS: Joanne Estep
EDITOR: Pancha Diaz
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0936-6; paperback (February 2020); Rated “M” for “Mature”
246pp, B&W, $14.99 U.S., $19.99 CAN, £9.99 U.K.
Reiraku is a manga created by Inio Asano, the author of such manga as Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction and Goodnight Punpun. Reiraku was published in the Japanese manga magazine, Big Comic Superior (Shogakukan), from March 10 to July 28, 2017. VIZ Media is publishing an English language edition of Reiraku as a single-volume graphic novel, entitled Downfall, released under the VIZ Signature imprint.
Downfall (Chapters 1 to 7 to Final Chapter) introduces Kaoru Fukuzawa, a successful manga artist. He recently finished his breakthrough series, “Goodbye Sunset,” and the fifteenth and final tankobon (graphic novel) collection of the series has just been released. Although Fukuzawa has ended his manga, he does not know how to start a new one.
All that matters in the manga industry, Fukuzawa believes, is selling copies. Sales of “Goodbye Sunset” collections had been slipping towards the end, and Fukuzawa believes that such cruel realities of the industry have destroyed his “pure love” for manga. Also, Fukuzawa's marriage to Nozomi Machida, a manga editor, seems to be failing, and she appears to be moving on from him to work with new manga artists. If Fukuzawa can figure out the formula for creating a new hit manga, will everything be okay? Can he fill the void inside himself? Or maybe Fukuzawa himself is the problem.
The Downfall manga, like some of Inio Asano's other manga, is about self-absorbed young men. They tend to be cruel to others in ways that they themselves might not recognize... if they bothered to care. Sex is defined only by these young men's needs, as seen by the number of young women with whom Fukuzawa's “engages” and by how he ultimately treats them.
The Downfall Graphic Novel is the portrait of the manga artist as a “monster,” in the context of his relationships with those closest to him personally and professionally. Downfall is not so much about watching a guy fall apart as it is about him fulfilling a prophecy; years prior, a “cat-eyed” woman already told him what he was and would be. I think Kaoru Fukuzawa's “downfall” had already begun by the time readers meet him in the present day of the story.
The English translation by Jocelyn Allen captures the essences and layers of Asano's earthy and blunt dialogue with its sense of realism. Asano's beautiful, textured art tells the story in a painfully human style, alternating between intimate and aloof. Allen's translation gets that the dialogue is what drives the story and is what defines the conflict between characters.
The lettering by Joanne Estep is both elegant and precise, and Estep seizes upon Fukuzawa's unrelenting self-absorption. Once again, Inio Asano has produced a powerful story of a calamitous personality, and the English edition is an engaging, absorbing read.
9 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
--------------------------
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
MANGAKA: Inio Asano
TRANSLATION: Jocelyn Allen
LETTERS: Joanne Estep
EDITOR: Pancha Diaz
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0936-6; paperback (February 2020); Rated “M” for “Mature”
246pp, B&W, $14.99 U.S., $19.99 CAN, £9.99 U.K.
Reiraku is a manga created by Inio Asano, the author of such manga as Dead Dead Demon's Dededede Destruction and Goodnight Punpun. Reiraku was published in the Japanese manga magazine, Big Comic Superior (Shogakukan), from March 10 to July 28, 2017. VIZ Media is publishing an English language edition of Reiraku as a single-volume graphic novel, entitled Downfall, released under the VIZ Signature imprint.
Downfall (Chapters 1 to 7 to Final Chapter) introduces Kaoru Fukuzawa, a successful manga artist. He recently finished his breakthrough series, “Goodbye Sunset,” and the fifteenth and final tankobon (graphic novel) collection of the series has just been released. Although Fukuzawa has ended his manga, he does not know how to start a new one.
All that matters in the manga industry, Fukuzawa believes, is selling copies. Sales of “Goodbye Sunset” collections had been slipping towards the end, and Fukuzawa believes that such cruel realities of the industry have destroyed his “pure love” for manga. Also, Fukuzawa's marriage to Nozomi Machida, a manga editor, seems to be failing, and she appears to be moving on from him to work with new manga artists. If Fukuzawa can figure out the formula for creating a new hit manga, will everything be okay? Can he fill the void inside himself? Or maybe Fukuzawa himself is the problem.
The Downfall manga, like some of Inio Asano's other manga, is about self-absorbed young men. They tend to be cruel to others in ways that they themselves might not recognize... if they bothered to care. Sex is defined only by these young men's needs, as seen by the number of young women with whom Fukuzawa's “engages” and by how he ultimately treats them.
The Downfall Graphic Novel is the portrait of the manga artist as a “monster,” in the context of his relationships with those closest to him personally and professionally. Downfall is not so much about watching a guy fall apart as it is about him fulfilling a prophecy; years prior, a “cat-eyed” woman already told him what he was and would be. I think Kaoru Fukuzawa's “downfall” had already begun by the time readers meet him in the present day of the story.
The English translation by Jocelyn Allen captures the essences and layers of Asano's earthy and blunt dialogue with its sense of realism. Asano's beautiful, textured art tells the story in a painfully human style, alternating between intimate and aloof. Allen's translation gets that the dialogue is what drives the story and is what defines the conflict between characters.
The lettering by Joanne Estep is both elegant and precise, and Estep seizes upon Fukuzawa's unrelenting self-absorption. Once again, Inio Asano has produced a powerful story of a calamitous personality, and the English edition is an engaging, absorbing read.
9 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
--------------------------
Labels:
Inio Asano,
Jocelyne Allen,
manga,
Review,
VIZ Media,
VIZ Signature
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
#IReadsYou Review: NEW MUTANTS #1
NEW MUTANTS No. 1 (2020)
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
STORY: Ed Brisson and Jonathan Hickman
ART: Rod Reis
COLORS: Rod Reis
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Jordan D. White
EiC: Akria Yoshida a.k.a. “C.B. Cebulski”
COVER: Rod Reis
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Nick Bradshaw with Morry Hollowell; Stanley “Artgerm” Lau; Mark Bagley and John Dell with Israel Silva; Tom Muller
44pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (January 2020)
Rated T+
The X-Men created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby; New Mutants created by Chris Claremont and Bob McLeod
“The Sextant”
The X-Men are a Marvel Comics superhero team and franchise created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Jack Kirby. The X-Men #1 (cover dated: September 1963) introduced readers to a professor and his students, all of whom had unique powers and abilities because they were “mutants.”
The New Mutants #1 (cover date: March 1983) was the launch of the first ongoing spin-off series of the X-Men. The New Mutants was a group of teenage mutants who were both students at Xavier's School for Gifted Children and superheroes-in-training. The original team of New Mutants first appeared in Marvel Graphic Novel #4: The New Mutants (cover date: December 1982).
This past summer (2019), writer Jonathan Hickman revamped, rebooted, and re-imagined the X-Men comic book franchise via a pair of six-issue comic book miniseries, House of X and Powers of X (pronounced “Powers of Ten”). October 2019 welcomed “Dawn of X,” the launch of six new X-Men titles. The new series were Excalibur, Fallen Angels, Marauders, X-Force, X-Men and the subject of this review, New Mutants.
New Mutants 2020 is written by Ed Brisson and Jonathan Hickman; drawn and colored by Rod Reis; and lettered by Travis Lanham. This relaunch of the New Mutants goes in a science fiction direction and features classic New Mutants and new characters on an adventure in the deep reaches of space.
As New Mutants #1 (“The Sextant”) opens, Professor X and Storm welcome Rahne Sinclair, the mutant codenamed “Wolfsbane,” back into the world... into their new world: Krakoa, the living island and mutant nation-state. Rahne is reunited with a mixture of familiar New Mutants teammates (Sunspot, Mirage, Karma, Magik, and Cypher) and some new friends (Chamber and Mondo) for a new kind of adventure.
One original family member is missing, Sam Guthrie a.k.a. “Cannonball,” who is with his family in the outer space territory of the Shi'ar Empire. Well, these New Mutants want their teammate back, so fortunately (or unfortunately) they are going to get a ride to somewhere near Shi'ar space aboard the space ship, “The Starjammer.” However, its crew of pirates, “The Starjammers,” especially their captain, Corsair, is an unsavory group. And a mission in space alongside the Starjammers is often bad news... the fact of which these young mutants seem oblivious.
What writers Ed Brisson and Jonathan Hickman offer in New Mutants #1 could develop into something quite entertaining. Still, much of this first issue made me say, “meh.”
On the other hand, the art and coloring by Rod Reis, which recalls the work of classic New Mutants artist, Bill Sienkiewicz, made me want to keep reading. It is beautiful enough to encourage me to come back for more... maybe.
I can say that the ending of New Mutants #1 is a good cliffhanger, so I raised my final grade from the grade (a “C”) that I was originally going to give this issue.
5.5 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
-------------------------
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
STORY: Ed Brisson and Jonathan Hickman
ART: Rod Reis
COLORS: Rod Reis
LETTERS: VC's Travis Lanham
EDITOR: Jordan D. White
EiC: Akria Yoshida a.k.a. “C.B. Cebulski”
COVER: Rod Reis
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Nick Bradshaw with Morry Hollowell; Stanley “Artgerm” Lau; Mark Bagley and John Dell with Israel Silva; Tom Muller
44pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (January 2020)
Rated T+
The X-Men created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby; New Mutants created by Chris Claremont and Bob McLeod
“The Sextant”
The X-Men are a Marvel Comics superhero team and franchise created by writer-editor Stan Lee and writer-artist Jack Kirby. The X-Men #1 (cover dated: September 1963) introduced readers to a professor and his students, all of whom had unique powers and abilities because they were “mutants.”
The New Mutants #1 (cover date: March 1983) was the launch of the first ongoing spin-off series of the X-Men. The New Mutants was a group of teenage mutants who were both students at Xavier's School for Gifted Children and superheroes-in-training. The original team of New Mutants first appeared in Marvel Graphic Novel #4: The New Mutants (cover date: December 1982).
This past summer (2019), writer Jonathan Hickman revamped, rebooted, and re-imagined the X-Men comic book franchise via a pair of six-issue comic book miniseries, House of X and Powers of X (pronounced “Powers of Ten”). October 2019 welcomed “Dawn of X,” the launch of six new X-Men titles. The new series were Excalibur, Fallen Angels, Marauders, X-Force, X-Men and the subject of this review, New Mutants.
New Mutants 2020 is written by Ed Brisson and Jonathan Hickman; drawn and colored by Rod Reis; and lettered by Travis Lanham. This relaunch of the New Mutants goes in a science fiction direction and features classic New Mutants and new characters on an adventure in the deep reaches of space.
As New Mutants #1 (“The Sextant”) opens, Professor X and Storm welcome Rahne Sinclair, the mutant codenamed “Wolfsbane,” back into the world... into their new world: Krakoa, the living island and mutant nation-state. Rahne is reunited with a mixture of familiar New Mutants teammates (Sunspot, Mirage, Karma, Magik, and Cypher) and some new friends (Chamber and Mondo) for a new kind of adventure.
One original family member is missing, Sam Guthrie a.k.a. “Cannonball,” who is with his family in the outer space territory of the Shi'ar Empire. Well, these New Mutants want their teammate back, so fortunately (or unfortunately) they are going to get a ride to somewhere near Shi'ar space aboard the space ship, “The Starjammer.” However, its crew of pirates, “The Starjammers,” especially their captain, Corsair, is an unsavory group. And a mission in space alongside the Starjammers is often bad news... the fact of which these young mutants seem oblivious.
What writers Ed Brisson and Jonathan Hickman offer in New Mutants #1 could develop into something quite entertaining. Still, much of this first issue made me say, “meh.”
On the other hand, the art and coloring by Rod Reis, which recalls the work of classic New Mutants artist, Bill Sienkiewicz, made me want to keep reading. It is beautiful enough to encourage me to come back for more... maybe.
I can say that the ending of New Mutants #1 is a good cliffhanger, so I raised my final grade from the grade (a “C”) that I was originally going to give this issue.
5.5 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
-------------------------
Labels:
John Dell,
Jonathan Hickman,
Mark Bagley,
Marvel,
Morry Hollowell,
Nick Bradshaw,
Review,
Rod Reis,
Stanley "Artgerm" Lau,
X-Men
Tuesday, March 24, 2020
#IReadsYou Review: THE WATER DRAGON'S BRIDE Volume 10
THE WATER DRAGON'S BRIDE, VOL. 10
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia
CARTOONIST: Rei Toma
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Abby Lehrke
LETTERS: Monaliza de Asis
EDITOR: Amy Yu
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0503-0; paperback (July 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK
The Water Dragon's Bride is a shojo romance and fantasy manga from writer-artist Rei Toma (creator of Dawn of the Arcana). It was serialized in the Japanese shojo manga magazine, Cheese!, from 2015 to 2019. VIZ Media published an English-language edition of the manga as an 11-volume graphic novel series from 2017 to 2019.
The Water Dragon's Bride focuses on Asahi. She is a modern-day girl who is pulled into a pond and is whisked away to a strange and mysterious new land. She meets a boy, Subaru, the son of a prominent family from a nearby village, but his mother immediately dislikes Asahi and plots to sacrifice her to the god of the Great Lake. The Water Dragon God wants Asahi to be his wife, and though she refuses, some locals still see her as a priestess.
As The Water Dragon's Bride, Vol. 10 (Chapters 37 to 40) opens, the Water Dragon God has transferred his powers to Asahi. Now, the “water priestess” is going to put an end to the god of darkness, Tokoyami's plot to cover the world in darkness. First, Asahi is going to have to change the heart of Kurose, a boy from her world, who is the god of darkness' pawn.
Then, Asahi is confronted with another problem. Why has the Water Dragon God fallen asleep? Can she save him?
[This volume includes the four-panels comics, “The Water Dragon God's Chill Zone” and bonus manga.]
THE LOWDOWN: The Water Dragon's Bride manga can sometimes suffer from a sense of the sameness. However, as the series approaches its conclusion, it recovers some of the edginess it showed in its earliest chapters.
The Water Dragon's Bride Graphic Novel Volume 10 is the penultimate volume of the series. Like the previous two volumes, it is out to offer surprises. Creator Rei Toma digs deep into Kurose's despair and also reveals more about the first moments in the human boy's relationship with the god of darkness (whom the boy named “Tokoyami”). Toma also confronts the status quo of the relationship between her star-crossed lovers, Asahi and the Water Dragon God.
So the series is headed for a substantial ending (hopefully) that will probably be consequential. I would be surprised if Toma gave us only easy answers as she resolves this relationship.
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Rei Toma will want to try the “Shojo Beat” title, The Water Dragon's Bride.
A
8 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
--------------------------
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia
CARTOONIST: Rei Toma
TRANSLATION/ENGLISH ADAPTATION: Abby Lehrke
LETTERS: Monaliza de Asis
EDITOR: Amy Yu
ISBN: 978-1-9747-0503-0; paperback (July 2019); Rated “T” for “Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK
The Water Dragon's Bride is a shojo romance and fantasy manga from writer-artist Rei Toma (creator of Dawn of the Arcana). It was serialized in the Japanese shojo manga magazine, Cheese!, from 2015 to 2019. VIZ Media published an English-language edition of the manga as an 11-volume graphic novel series from 2017 to 2019.
The Water Dragon's Bride focuses on Asahi. She is a modern-day girl who is pulled into a pond and is whisked away to a strange and mysterious new land. She meets a boy, Subaru, the son of a prominent family from a nearby village, but his mother immediately dislikes Asahi and plots to sacrifice her to the god of the Great Lake. The Water Dragon God wants Asahi to be his wife, and though she refuses, some locals still see her as a priestess.
As The Water Dragon's Bride, Vol. 10 (Chapters 37 to 40) opens, the Water Dragon God has transferred his powers to Asahi. Now, the “water priestess” is going to put an end to the god of darkness, Tokoyami's plot to cover the world in darkness. First, Asahi is going to have to change the heart of Kurose, a boy from her world, who is the god of darkness' pawn.
Then, Asahi is confronted with another problem. Why has the Water Dragon God fallen asleep? Can she save him?
[This volume includes the four-panels comics, “The Water Dragon God's Chill Zone” and bonus manga.]
THE LOWDOWN: The Water Dragon's Bride manga can sometimes suffer from a sense of the sameness. However, as the series approaches its conclusion, it recovers some of the edginess it showed in its earliest chapters.
The Water Dragon's Bride Graphic Novel Volume 10 is the penultimate volume of the series. Like the previous two volumes, it is out to offer surprises. Creator Rei Toma digs deep into Kurose's despair and also reveals more about the first moments in the human boy's relationship with the god of darkness (whom the boy named “Tokoyami”). Toma also confronts the status quo of the relationship between her star-crossed lovers, Asahi and the Water Dragon God.
So the series is headed for a substantial ending (hopefully) that will probably be consequential. I would be surprised if Toma gave us only easy answers as she resolves this relationship.
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Rei Toma will want to try the “Shojo Beat” title, The Water Dragon's Bride.
A
8 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
--------------------------
Labels:
Abby Lehrke,
manga,
Rei Toma,
Review,
shojo,
Shojo Beat,
VIZ Media
Monday, March 23, 2020
BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for March 25, 2020
BOOM! STUDIOS
JAN201331 ANGEL & SPIKE #10 CVR A MAIN PANOSIAN $3.99
JAN201332 ANGEL & SPIKE #10 CVR B MELKINOV $3.99
JAN201333 ANGEL & SPIKE #10 CVR C BUONCRISTIANO $3.99
JAN208725 ANGEL & SPIKE #10 FOC NOIR BARAHONA VAR $3.99
JAN201356 FOLKLORDS #5 (OF 5) $3.99
JAN208726 FOLKLORDS #5 (OF 5) FOC SMITH VAR $3.99
NOV191232 HEAVY VINYL TP VOL 02 Y2K-O $14.99
JAN201362 JIM HENSON DARK CRYSTAL AGE RESISTANCE #7 CVR A FINDEN $3.99
JAN201363 JIM HENSON DARK CRYSTAL AGE RESISTANCE #7 CVR B MATTHEWS $3.99
JAN208727 JIM HENSON DARK CRYSTAL AGE RESISTANCE #7 FOC NOLAN VAR $3.99
JAN201346 MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #49 CVR A CAMPBELL $3.99
JAN208728 MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #49 FOC MORA VAR $3.99
JAN201348 MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #49 FOIL MONTES VAR $4.99
JAN201324 ONCE & FUTURE #7 $3.99
JAN208729 ONCE & FUTURE #7 FOC FRISON VAR $3.99
DEC191235 ONCE & FUTURE TP VOL 01 $16.99
JAN201331 ANGEL & SPIKE #10 CVR A MAIN PANOSIAN $3.99
JAN201332 ANGEL & SPIKE #10 CVR B MELKINOV $3.99
JAN201333 ANGEL & SPIKE #10 CVR C BUONCRISTIANO $3.99
JAN208725 ANGEL & SPIKE #10 FOC NOIR BARAHONA VAR $3.99
JAN201356 FOLKLORDS #5 (OF 5) $3.99
JAN208726 FOLKLORDS #5 (OF 5) FOC SMITH VAR $3.99
NOV191232 HEAVY VINYL TP VOL 02 Y2K-O $14.99
JAN201362 JIM HENSON DARK CRYSTAL AGE RESISTANCE #7 CVR A FINDEN $3.99
JAN201363 JIM HENSON DARK CRYSTAL AGE RESISTANCE #7 CVR B MATTHEWS $3.99
JAN208727 JIM HENSON DARK CRYSTAL AGE RESISTANCE #7 FOC NOLAN VAR $3.99
JAN201346 MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #49 CVR A CAMPBELL $3.99
JAN208728 MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #49 FOC MORA VAR $3.99
JAN201348 MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS #49 FOIL MONTES VAR $4.99
JAN201324 ONCE & FUTURE #7 $3.99
JAN208729 ONCE & FUTURE #7 FOC FRISON VAR $3.99
DEC191235 ONCE & FUTURE TP VOL 01 $16.99
Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 25, 2020
DARK HORSE COMICS
NOV190284 ART OF DOOM ETERNAL HC $39.99
NOV190199 BLACK HAMMER JUSTICE LEAGUE HAMMER OF JUSTICE HC $29.99
NOV190288 COURAGEOUS PRINCESS TP VOL 02 UNREMEMBERED LANDS $14.99
JUL190415 DANGANRONPA 2 GOODBYE DESPAIR TP VOL 01 $12.99
JUN190368 DISNEY FROZEN (YA RETELLING) TP VOL 01 $12.99
JAN200323 HIDDEN SOCIETY #2 (OF 4) CVR A ALBUQUERQUE $3.99
JAN200324 HIDDEN SOCIETY #2 (OF 4) CVR B TOCCHINI $3.99
JAN200313 STRANGER THINGS INTO THE FIRE #3 (OF 4) CVR A KALACHEV $3.99
JAN200314 STRANGER THINGS INTO THE FIRE #3 (OF 4) CVR B GORHAM $3.99
JAN200315 STRANGER THINGS INTO THE FIRE #3 (OF 4) CVR C PEARSON $3.99
JAN200329 TOMORROW #2 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99
JAN200373 WITCHFINDER REIGN OF DARKNESS #5 (OF 5) $3.99
NOV190284 ART OF DOOM ETERNAL HC $39.99
NOV190199 BLACK HAMMER JUSTICE LEAGUE HAMMER OF JUSTICE HC $29.99
NOV190288 COURAGEOUS PRINCESS TP VOL 02 UNREMEMBERED LANDS $14.99
JUL190415 DANGANRONPA 2 GOODBYE DESPAIR TP VOL 01 $12.99
JUN190368 DISNEY FROZEN (YA RETELLING) TP VOL 01 $12.99
JAN200323 HIDDEN SOCIETY #2 (OF 4) CVR A ALBUQUERQUE $3.99
JAN200324 HIDDEN SOCIETY #2 (OF 4) CVR B TOCCHINI $3.99
JAN200313 STRANGER THINGS INTO THE FIRE #3 (OF 4) CVR A KALACHEV $3.99
JAN200314 STRANGER THINGS INTO THE FIRE #3 (OF 4) CVR B GORHAM $3.99
JAN200315 STRANGER THINGS INTO THE FIRE #3 (OF 4) CVR C PEARSON $3.99
JAN200329 TOMORROW #2 (OF 5) (MR) $3.99
JAN200373 WITCHFINDER REIGN OF DARKNESS #5 (OF 5) $3.99
Labels:
Art Book,
Book News,
Cecil Castellucci,
comics news,
Dark Horse,
Diamond Distributors,
Disney,
Justice League,
manga news
DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 25, 2020
DC COMICS
JAN200520 ACTION COMICS #1021 $3.99
JAN200521 ACTION COMICS #1021 L PARRILLO VAR ED $3.99
JAN200522 AMETHYST #2 (OF 6) $3.99
JAN200593 BASKETFUL OF HEADS #6 (OF 7) (MR) $3.99
JAN200594 BASKETFUL OF HEADS #6 (OF 7) LUCIO PARRILLO VAR ED (MR) $3.99
JAN200525 BATGIRL #45 $3.99
JAN200526 BATGIRL #45 TERRY & RACHEL DODSON VAR ED $3.99
JAN208776 BATMAN #90 2ND PTG $3.99
JAN200527 BATMAN BEYOND #42 $3.99
JAN200528 BATMAN BEYOND #42 FRANCIS MANAPUL VAR ED $3.99
DEC190560 BATMAN CREATURE OF THE NIGHT HC $29.99
JAN200529 BATMAN CURSE OF THE WHITE KNIGHT #8 (OF 8) $4.99
JAN200530 BATMAN CURSE OF THE WHITE KNIGHT #8 (OF 8) SEAN MURPHY VAR E $4.99
AUG190703 BATMAN ROGUES GALLERY MULTI PART STATUE THE PENGUIN $90.00
JAN200535 BATMAN SUPERMAN #8 $3.99
JAN200536 BATMAN SUPERMAN #8 CARD STOCK ANDY KUBERT VAR ED $4.99
JAN200604 BOOKS OF MAGIC #18 (MR) $3.99
FEB200003 DC PREVIEWS #24 APRIL 2020 EXTRAS $PI
JAN200539 DETECTIVE COMICS #1021 $3.99
JAN200540 DETECTIVE COMICS #1021 CARD STOCK LEE BERMEJO VAR ED $4.99
DEC190566 DMZ COMPENDIUM TP VOL 01 $59.99
JAN200621 DOLLAR COMICS JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 2011 $1.00
JAN200622 DOLLAR COMICS JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #1 2006 $1.00
DEC190567 DOOM PATROL THE SILVER AGE TP VOL 02 $39.99
DEC190569 EVENT LEVIATHAN HC $29.99
JAN200603 FAR SECTOR #5 (OF 12) (MR) $3.99
JAN208723 FAR SECTOR #5 (OF 12) WARREN LOUW VAR ED (MR) $3.99
JAN200543 FLASH #752 $3.99
JAN200544 FLASH #752 JUNGEON YOON VAR ED $3.99
JAN200614 FROM BEYOND THE UNKNOWN GIANT #1 $4.99
DEC190570 HARLEY QUINN TP VOL 04 THE FINAL TRIAL $19.99
JAN200607 JOHN CONSTANTINE HELLBLAZER #5 (MR) $3.99
JAN200553 JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #21 $3.99
JAN200554 JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #21 CLAYTON CRAIN VAR ED $3.99
DEC190575 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA THE NAIL COMPLETE COLL TP $29.99
OCT190678 JUSTICE LEAGUE ORIGIN DLX ED HC $49.99
JAN200608 LAST GOD #6 (MR) $4.99
JAN200561 LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #5 $3.99
JAN200562 LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #5 CARD STOCK ALEX GARNER VAR ED $4.99
JAN200570 RED HOOD OUTLAW #44 $3.99
JAN200571 RED HOOD OUTLAW #44 PHILIP TAN VAR ED $3.99
JAN200576 SUICIDE SQUAD #4 $3.99
JAN200577 SUICIDE SQUAD #4 JEREMY ROBERTS VAR ED $3.99
JAN200578 SUPERGIRL #40 $3.99
JAN200579 SUPERGIRL #40 CARD STOCK DERRICK CHEW VAR ED $4.99
DEC190584 TALES OF THE BATMAN BY MARV WOLFMAN HC VOL 01 $39.99
JAN200589 WONDER WOMAN #754 $3.99
JAN200590 WONDER WOMAN #754 CARD STOCK RAFAEL GRAMPA VAR ED $4.99
JAN200520 ACTION COMICS #1021 $3.99
JAN200521 ACTION COMICS #1021 L PARRILLO VAR ED $3.99
JAN200522 AMETHYST #2 (OF 6) $3.99
JAN200593 BASKETFUL OF HEADS #6 (OF 7) (MR) $3.99
JAN200594 BASKETFUL OF HEADS #6 (OF 7) LUCIO PARRILLO VAR ED (MR) $3.99
JAN200525 BATGIRL #45 $3.99
JAN200526 BATGIRL #45 TERRY & RACHEL DODSON VAR ED $3.99
JAN208776 BATMAN #90 2ND PTG $3.99
JAN200527 BATMAN BEYOND #42 $3.99
JAN200528 BATMAN BEYOND #42 FRANCIS MANAPUL VAR ED $3.99
DEC190560 BATMAN CREATURE OF THE NIGHT HC $29.99
JAN200529 BATMAN CURSE OF THE WHITE KNIGHT #8 (OF 8) $4.99
JAN200530 BATMAN CURSE OF THE WHITE KNIGHT #8 (OF 8) SEAN MURPHY VAR E $4.99
AUG190703 BATMAN ROGUES GALLERY MULTI PART STATUE THE PENGUIN $90.00
JAN200535 BATMAN SUPERMAN #8 $3.99
JAN200536 BATMAN SUPERMAN #8 CARD STOCK ANDY KUBERT VAR ED $4.99
JAN200604 BOOKS OF MAGIC #18 (MR) $3.99
FEB200003 DC PREVIEWS #24 APRIL 2020 EXTRAS $PI
JAN200539 DETECTIVE COMICS #1021 $3.99
JAN200540 DETECTIVE COMICS #1021 CARD STOCK LEE BERMEJO VAR ED $4.99
DEC190566 DMZ COMPENDIUM TP VOL 01 $59.99
JAN200621 DOLLAR COMICS JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 2011 $1.00
JAN200622 DOLLAR COMICS JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #1 2006 $1.00
DEC190567 DOOM PATROL THE SILVER AGE TP VOL 02 $39.99
DEC190569 EVENT LEVIATHAN HC $29.99
JAN200603 FAR SECTOR #5 (OF 12) (MR) $3.99
JAN208723 FAR SECTOR #5 (OF 12) WARREN LOUW VAR ED (MR) $3.99
JAN200543 FLASH #752 $3.99
JAN200544 FLASH #752 JUNGEON YOON VAR ED $3.99
JAN200614 FROM BEYOND THE UNKNOWN GIANT #1 $4.99
DEC190570 HARLEY QUINN TP VOL 04 THE FINAL TRIAL $19.99
JAN200607 JOHN CONSTANTINE HELLBLAZER #5 (MR) $3.99
JAN200553 JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #21 $3.99
JAN200554 JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #21 CLAYTON CRAIN VAR ED $3.99
DEC190575 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA THE NAIL COMPLETE COLL TP $29.99
OCT190678 JUSTICE LEAGUE ORIGIN DLX ED HC $49.99
JAN200608 LAST GOD #6 (MR) $4.99
JAN200561 LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #5 $3.99
JAN200562 LEGION OF SUPER HEROES #5 CARD STOCK ALEX GARNER VAR ED $4.99
JAN200570 RED HOOD OUTLAW #44 $3.99
JAN200571 RED HOOD OUTLAW #44 PHILIP TAN VAR ED $3.99
JAN200576 SUICIDE SQUAD #4 $3.99
JAN200577 SUICIDE SQUAD #4 JEREMY ROBERTS VAR ED $3.99
JAN200578 SUPERGIRL #40 $3.99
JAN200579 SUPERGIRL #40 CARD STOCK DERRICK CHEW VAR ED $4.99
DEC190584 TALES OF THE BATMAN BY MARV WOLFMAN HC VOL 01 $39.99
JAN200589 WONDER WOMAN #754 $3.99
JAN200590 WONDER WOMAN #754 CARD STOCK RAFAEL GRAMPA VAR ED $4.99
Labels:
Batman,
Brian Michael Bendis,
comics news,
DC Comics News,
DC Direct,
Diamond Distributors,
Hellblazer,
Justice League,
Legion of Super-Heroes,
Marv Wolfman,
Superman,
Wonder Woman
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)