DC Comics from Lunar Distributors for December 28, 2021

DC COMICS:

Action Comics #1038 (Cover A Daniel Sampere),$4.99
Action Comics #1038 (Cover B Julian Totino Tedesco Card Stock Variant),$5.99
Aquaman Green Arrow Deep Target #3 (Of 7)(Cover A Marco Santucci),$3.99
Aquaman Green Arrow Deep Target #3 (Of 7)(Cover B Jonboy Meyers Card Stock Variant),$4.99
Aquaman The Becoming #4 (Of 6)(Cover A David Talaski),$3.99
Aquaman The Becoming #4 (Of 6)(Cover B Khary Randolph Card Stock Variant),$4.99
Batman Superman The Archive Of Worlds HC,$29.99
DC Connect #20,AR
DC Vs Vampires #3 (Of 12)(Cover A Otto Schmidt),$3.99
DC Vs Vampires #3 (Of 12)(Cover B Francesco Mattina Card Stock Variant),$4.99
Deathstroke Inc. #4 (Cover A Howard Porter),$3.99
Deathstroke Inc. #4 (Cover B Ivan Tao Card Stock Variant),$4.99
Detective Comics #1046 (Cover A Dan Mora),$4.99
Detective Comics #1046 (Cover B Lee Bermejo Card Stock Variant),$5.99
Detective Comics #1046 (Cover C Stephen Segovia Card Stock Variant),AR
Flash #777 (Cover A Brandon Peterson),$3.99
Flash #777 (Cover B Jorge Corona Card Stock Variant),$4.99
Green Arrow The Longbow Hunters Saga Omnibus Volume 2 HC,$150.00
Harley Quinn #10 (Cover A Riley Rossmo),$3.99
Harley Quinn #10 (Cover B Derrick Chew Card Stock Variant),$4.99
Harley Quinn #10 (Cover C Rachta Lin Card Stock Variant),AR
Human Target #3 (Of 12)(Cover A Greg Smallwood),$4.99
Human Target #3 (Of 12)(Cover B Stanley Artgerm Lau),$4.99
Justice League #70 (Cover A Yanick Paquette),$4.99
Justice League #70 (Cover B Alexander Lozano Card Stock Variant,$5.99
Robin #9 (Cover A Simone Di Meo),$3.99
Robin #9 (Cover B Francis Manapul Card Stock Variant),$4.99
Robin #9 (Cover C Crystal Kung Card Stock Variant),AR
Superman ’78 #5 (Of 6)(Cover A Francis Manapul),$3.99
Superman ’78 #5 (Of 6)(Cover B Jamal Campbell Card Stock Variant),$4.99
Superman Red And Blue HC,$39.99
Superman Son Of Kal-El #5 (2nd Printing Travis Moore Card Cover),$3.99
Swamp Thing Green Hell #1 (Of 3)(Cover A Doug Mahnke),$6.99
Swamp Thing Green Hell #1 (Of 3)(Cover B Christian Ward),$6.99
Swamp Thing Green Hell #1 (Of 3)(Cover C Francesco Francavilla),AR
Task Force Z #3 (Cover A Eddy Barrows & Eber Ferreira),$3.99
Task Force Z #3 (Cover B Rodolfo Migliari Card Stock Variant),$4.99
Task Force Z #3 (Cover C Pamela Hoogeboom Card Stock Variant),AR
Teen Titans Academy #10 (Cover A Rafa Sandoval),$3.99
Teen Titans Academy #10 (Cover B Fico Ossio Card Stock Variant),$4.99

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BETTY & VERONICA Jumbo Comics Double Digest #299

BETTY & VERONICA (JUMBO COMICS) DOUBLE DIGEST #299
ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Bill Golliher with Craig Boldman; Frank Doyle; George Gladir; Al Hartley; Sid Jacobson; Dick Malmgren; Mike Pellowski; Hal Smith; Dexter Taylor; Kathleen Webb
PENCILS: Bill Golliher with Dan DeCarlo; Holly G!; Al Hartley; Pat Kennedy; Dan Parent; Jeff Shultz; Dexter Taylor
INKS: Jim Amash with John Costanza; Jon D'Agostino; Jimmy DeCarlo; Hy Eisman; Mike Esposito; Alison Flood; Rick Koslowski; Rudy Lapick; Al Milgrom; Henry Scarpelli; Dexter Taylor
COLORS: Glenn Whitmore with Barry Grossman
LETTERS: Jack Morelli with Vince DeCarlo; Dexter Taylor; Bill Yoshida
COVER: Jeff Shultz with Rosario “Tito” Peña
192pp, Color, $7.99 U.S. (February 2022)

Rating: All-Ages

“Holiday Lights!”

Betty & Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest is part of “The Archie Digest Library” series.  Debuting in the spring of 1987, Betty & Veronica Double Digest is a mini-trade paperback-like series that features stories reprinted from across the publishing history of Archie Comics.  Sometimes, however, these digests open with an original story.

Betty & Veronica (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #299 opens with the original story, “Holiday Lights!”  It is written by Bill Golliher; drawn by Golliher (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by Jack Morelli.

As “Holiday Lights!” opens, Betty and Veronica are planning their big Christmas party, which will take place at Veronica's family home, the Lodge estate.  Veronica has planned for a “killer light display” across the entire estate, and she wants it to be the biggest light display in Riverdale.  The party guests begin to arrive:  Moose & Midge, Toni & Kevin, Jughead, Dilton, Archie, and more.  Can the guests, however, discover the true spirit of Christmas beyond the light display?

THE LOWDOWN:  “Holiday Lights” is only five pages long, but it is a delightful tale.  It's easy to digest moral is a perfect fit for Christmas and for the end of the year holidays.

Like the concurrently released, World of Archie Double Digest #115, Betty & Veronica Double Digest #299 offers other Christmas-themed and holiday-themed stories.  There is also a two-part, movie studio-set mystery tale, “Mystery at the Studio” by classic-style Archie Comics creative stalwarts, writer George Gladir and artists Stan Goldberg (pencils) and Rudy Lapick (inks).  This digest also has some Betty solo comics and some Veronica solo comics … for those who want to enjoy the girls apart.

I must warn you, dear readers.  I will always recommend classic-style Archie Comics titles.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic-style Archie Comics and of Christmas-themed comics will want Betty & Veronica Double Digest #299.

B+
7 out of 10

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


https://archiecomics.com/
https://twitter.com/archiecomics
https://www.instagram.com/archiecomics/
https://www.facebook.com/ArchieComicsOfficial?ref=tn_tnmn
https://www.youtube.com/user/ArchieComicsOfficial
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8914136-archie-comics


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: WORLD OF ARCHIE Jumbo Comics Double Digest #115

WORLD OF ARCHIE (JUMBO COMICS) DOUBLE DIGEST #115
ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS, INC.

STORY: Ron Robbins with Frank Doyle; Craig Boldman; Bill Golliher; George Gladir; Tim Kennedy; Al Hartley; Mike Pellowski; Rich Margopoulos; J. Torres; Dexter Taylor
PENCILS: Pat & Tim Kennedy with Dan DeCarlo; Harry Lucey; Rex Lindsey; Bob Bolling; Dan Parent; Stan Goldberg; Bob White; Tim Kennedy; Al Hartley; Fernando Ruiz; Samm Schwartz; Henry Scarpelli; Dexter Taylor
INKS: Jim Amash; Bob Smith; Jon D'Agostino; Mike Esposito; Bob White; Rod Ollerenshaw; Rick Koslowski; Rudy Lapick; Samm Schwartz; Dexter Taylor; Henry Scarpelli; Joe Sinnott
COLORS: Glenn Whitmore with Barry Grossman; Rod Ollerenshaw; Digikore Studios
LETTERS: Jack Morelli with Bill Yoshida; Vickie Williams; Samm Schwartz; Dexter Taylor
COVER: Bill Golliher and Jeff Shultz with Rosario “Tito” Peña and Jack Morelli
192pp, Color, $7.99 U.S. (February 2022)

Rating: All-Ages

“Santa Con Carne”

World of Archie (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest is part of “The Archie Digest Library” series.  Debuting in late 2010, World of Archie Double Digest is a mini-trade paperback like series that features stories reprinted from across the publishing history of Archie Comics.  Sometimes, however, these digests offer original stories.

World of Archie (Jumbo Comics) Double Digest #115 opens with an original story, “Santa Con Carne.”  It is written by Ron Robbins; drawn by Pat & Tim Kennedy (pencils) and Jim Amash (inks); colored by Glenn Whitmore; and lettered by Jack Morelli.

“Santa Con Carne” opens on Christmas Day.  Archie, Betty, Veronica, and Trevor are enjoying the “Christmas Day Santa Con” and are surprised to meet the real Kris Kringle.  It seems he has a problem.  Something important to jolly old St. Nick is missing, and the culprit may be someone familiar to Archie and his friends.

THE LOWDOWN:  “Santa Con Carne” is both a strange and delightful story, and I think of it that way because the second half of the story reminds me of Winsor McCay's acclaimed comic strip, Little Nemo in Slumberland.  The surreal elements in “Santa Con Carne” are also similar to the flights of fancy found in Aki Irie's magical manga, Ran and the Gray World.  This story is five pages long, and I wished it was longer because it has potential.

Meanwhile, the rest of World of Archie Double Digest #115 is comprised of other Christmas and Christmas-themed and holiday-themed comics.  There are also other winter-set tales, and it would not be Archie Comics without some high school set misadventures.

I should warn you, dear readers.  I will always recommend classic-style Archie Comics.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic-style Archie Comics and of Christmas-themed comic books will want World of Archie.

B+
7 out of 10

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


https://archiecomics.com/
https://twitter.com/archiecomics
https://www.instagram.com/archiecomics/
https://www.facebook.com/ArchieComicsOfficial?ref=tn_tnmn
https://www.youtube.com/user/ArchieComicsOfficial
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/8914136-archie-comics


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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#IReadsYou Review: POST AMERICANA #1

POST AMERICANA #1 (OF 7)
IMAGE COMICS

[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]

STORY: Steve Skroce
ARTIST: Steve Skroce
COLORS: Dave Stewart
LETTERS: Fonografiks
36pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2020)

Rated M / Mature

Post Americana is a new six-issue miniseries written and drawn by Steve Skroce.  Skroce may be best known for his work as a storyboard artist for the film-making siblings, The Wachowskis, especially on their Oscar-winning 1999 film, The Matrix.  Skroce's recent comic book work includes the 2015 miniseries, We Stand on Guard (co-created with writer Brian K. Vaughn), and the 2017-18 miniseries, Maestros, both published by Image Comics.  Colorist Dave Stewart and letterer Fonografiks completes Post Americana's creative team.

Post Americana #1 is set in a dystopian future.  The story opens inside “The Bubble,” an installation inside the Cheyenne mountains.  It is the most sophisticated super-bunker in the world, and it was built to ensure the survival of America's executive branch of government and its most important citizens, should the unthinkable happen.  The unthinkable – the end of the world as we know it – did happen.

When the world ended, however, the executive branch never got to use The Bubble.  It was taken over by the elite, also known as “the one percent.”  Eighty years later, one of their own has named himself the new President of the United States, and he plans to subjugate those who survived outside The Bubble in the American “Wasteland.”  He plans to use the bunker's resources to rebuild the country by turning the Wasteland into what he wants it to be.

The only thing standing in his way is Mike, a hapless rebel, and Carolyn, a deadly Wasteland girl, who is already hellbent on revenge.  But Carolyn and Mike will have to survive the Wasteland in order to save the Wasteland.

THE LOWDOWN:  First, I have to keep it on that real, boo (dear readers).  I have been partial to all Steve Skroce comic books ever since I saw first, the art he generated for The Matrix and secondly, read his four-issue story arc, “Blood Debt” (May 2000 to August 2000) that he produced for the original Wolverine ongoing comic book series (the one that began in 1988).  I was also a fan of his run as artist on the Gambit (1999) comic book series, and, at one point, I bought a few back issues of The Amazing Spider-Man that Skroce drew in 1996 and 1997.

I was a huge fan of We Stand on Guard and of Maestros.  Now, I am already a fan of Post Americana.  I will admit that it is not his best-drawn work, as the art for Post Americana seems less detailed than that of the ornate illustrations of Maestros.  It is as if Post Americana was drawn in haste, in a way that his previous Image Comics titles were not.  Still, the storytelling is strong, and as ever, Skroce can deliver wild action scenes and graphic depictions of gory, brutal murder and mayhem.  Plus, Dave Stewart's colors make the art seem to pop off the page, the way his colors did in Maestros.

So, I'm back in black – Skroce's black humor.  And, of course, I highly recommend what looks like it is going to be the wildest of comic book rides.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Steve Skroce's comics and of post-apocalyptic sci-fi will want Post Americana.

9 out of 10

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


https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/


The text is copyright © 2020 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

#IReadsYou Review: KILLADELPHIA #13

KILLADELPHIA #13
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

STORY: Rodney Barnes
ART: Jason Shawn Alexander
COLORS: Luis Nct
LETTERS: Marshall Dillon
EDITOR: Greg Tumbarello
COVER: Jason Shawn Alexander
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: David Mack
36pp, Colors, 3.99 U.S.(May 2021)

Rated “M/ Mature”

“Home is Where the Hatred Is” Part I: “Family First”

Killadelphia is an apocalyptic vampire and dark fantasy comic book series from writer Rodney Barnes and artist Jason Shawn Alexander and is published by Image Comics.  At the center of this series is a police officer caught in a lurid conspiracy in which vampires attempt to rule Philadelphia, “the City of Brotherly Love.”  Colorist Luis Nct and letterer Marshall Dillon complete Killadelphia's creative team.

Killadelphia focuses on James “Jim” Sangster, Jr., who comes home to Philly to deal with the final affairs of his recently murdered father, revered Philadelphia homicide detective, James Sangster, Sr.  Not dead, but undead, the father joins the son, the chief medical examiner (Jose Padilla), and a rebellious vampire to lead the battle that saves Philly from the vampires.  But that was just the first battle, and this is a war.

Killadelphia #13 (“Family First”) opens in Los Angeles, where another undead former President of the United States confesses his sins, announces his plans, and re-introduces his family.  Elsewhere, John Adams, our nation's second president finds that his wife, Abigail Adams, the vampire queen in control of legions, no longer needs him.  Philadelphia will fall at her feet.

Meanwhile, in the wake of the shocking events that closed the last issue, James, Sr. seeks help from Tevin Thompkins a.k.a. “See Saw,” but the young man is busy with his own revolution.  Will he help, or will the help come form an unexpected guest?

THE LOWDOWN:  Killadelphia begins its third story arc, “Home is Where the Hatred Is.”  After the pyrotechnics of the previous story arc, “Burn Baby Burn,” this new story line looks to focus on family – damned and otherwise.

It is not beyond my imagination to see a future where a few [Negroes] who provide quality entertainment could assimilate  …

Good one, Rodney!  Seriously, Killadelphia's scribe, Rodney Barnes, has managed to keep this series extra-fresh for over a year.  Dear readers, I have rarely had a chance to doubt this series, as Barnes' imagination presents vampire fiction that offers layers, subtext, and alternative views of much of the supernatural that defy the bonds and boundaries of vampire fiction.

The art team of illustrator Jason Shawn Alexander and colorist Luis Nct keep this series pumping the warm blood.  Alexander's daring and inventive compositions and Nct's hot coloring spurts hotter arterial fluids even when a vampire isn't biting.

Killadelphia #13 is a welcomed return.  One of the best horror comic books out today is back in black and red, and I highly recommend it.  I think you will like it.  I'd stake a vampire on it.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of vampire comic books and of exceptional dark fantasy will want Killadelphia.


Killadelphia #13 has a backup feature:
“Elysium Gardens” Part 6 “The Wake of the Wind”

Created by Rodney Barnes and Jason Shawn Alexander

Story: Rodney Barnes
Art: Chris Mitten
Design: Sherard Jackson
Letters: Marshall Dillon
Edits: Greg Tumbarello

The back-up feature, “Elysium Gardens,” opens in Philadelphia, May 1st, 1985.  Angela/Zubiya and her pack of werewolves have arrived, looking for someone.  They have found their prey, Stregherian witch, Tituba, among the Black liberation group, M.O.V.E.  And Tituba has a history, or rather, her story to tell.

As he does with Killadelphia, writer Rodney Barnes makes “Elysium Gardens” both allegorical and metaphorical in the way he uses the brutality, savagery, barbarism, greed, and sin of white supremacy, racism, white colonialism, and white settler violence in the character, setting, and plot of his stories.

It is as if the spirits of the ancestors are guiding Barnes' hands.  Just over a month ago, media reports revealed that the remains of a child of M.O.V.E. were being used in a Princeton-back online forensic anthropology course – reportedly without the permission of her relatives.  Is it a coincidence that Barnes has introduced the organization into this narrative now?  I think not; the ancestors move in mysterious ways.

The art by Chris Mitten is a nice change of pace.  Mitten captures the emotions and the spirit that resides within the characters' eyes.  His graphical storytelling is good for “Elysium Gardens.”

A+
10 out of 10

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


https://twitter.com/TheRodneyBarnes
https://twitter.com/jasonshawnalex
https://twitter.com/luisnct
https://twitter.com/MarshallDillon
https://twitter.com/ImageComics
https://imagecomics.com/
http://rodneybarnes.com/


The text is copyright © 2021 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.

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

Amazon wants me to inform you that the link below is a PAID AD, but I technically only get paid (eventually) if you click on the ad below AND buy something(s).

BOOM! Studios from Diamond Distributors for December 22, 2021

BOOM! STUDIOS

OCT210742 EAT THE RICH #5 (OF 5) CVR A TONG (MR) $3.99

OCT210743 EAT THE RICH #5 (OF 5) CVR B CAREY (MR) $3.99

JUL211066 FIREFLY BLUE SUN RISING DLX ED HC $75.00

OCT210721 HOUSE OF SLAUGHTER #3 CVR A SHEHAN $3.99

OCT210722 HOUSE OF SLAUGHTER #3 CVR B DELL EDERA $3.99

OCT210723 HOUSE OF SLAUGHTER #3 CVR C BLANK SKETCH VAR $3.99

OCT210738 MAW #4 (OF 5) CVR A KRISTANTINA (MR) $3.99

OCT210739 MAW #4 (OF 5) CVR B HOWELL (MR) $3.99

JUL211105 POWER RANGERS UNLTD EDGE OF DARKNESS TP $16.99

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Dark Horse Comics from Diamond Distributors for December 22, 2021

DARK HORSE COMICS

OCT210206 BLACK HAMMER REBORN #7 (OF 12) CVR A YARSKY $3.99

OCT210207 BLACK HAMMER REBORN #7 (OF 12) CVR B WARD & SHEEAN $3.99

JUN210361 CATS PURRFECT STRANGERS TP $14.99

JUN210352 EC ARCHIVES FRONTLINE COMBAT HC VOL 03 (MR) $39.99

JUN210305 ENIGMA DEFINITIVE ED HC (MR) $24.99

AUG210364 HALO INFINITE MASTER CHIEF GRAPPLESHOT PVC STATUE $69.99

JUL210391 HALO LEGACY COLLECTION TP $29.99

OCT210216 HELLBOY SILVER LANTERN CLUB #3 (OF 5) $3.99

JUL210341 HELLBOY UNIVERSE ESSENTIALS BPRD TP $14.99

OCT210212 JOY OPERATIONS #2 (OF 5) CVR A BYRNE $3.99

OCT210213 JOY OPERATIONS #2 (OF 5) CVR B OEMING $3.99

JUN210327 MAFIOSA TP $19.99

JUL210385 PLANTS VS ZOMBIES ZOMNIBUS HC VOL 01 $19.99

JUN210362 STEPHEN MCCRANIES SPACE BOY TP VOL 11 $10.99

JUL210312 STRANGER THINGS LIBRARY ED HC VOL 02 $39.99

OCT210226 STRANGER THINGS TOMB OF YBWEN #4 (OF 4) CVR A ASPINALL $3.99

OCT210227 STRANGER THINGS TOMB OF YBWEN #4 (OF 4) CVR B DI MEO $3.99

OCT210228 STRANGER THINGS TOMB OF YBWEN #4 (OF 4) CVR C GORHAM $3.99

OCT210229 STRANGER THINGS TOMB OF YBWEN #4 (OF 4) CVR D CHATER $3.99

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