#IReadsYou Review: OUTSIDERS VOLUME 1

OUTSIDERS VOL. 1

TITAN COMICS/Titan Manga

WRITER-ARTIST: Akira Kanou

TRANSLATION: Molly Rabbit

LETTERS: Bendidi Ayoub

DESIGN: Matt Bookman

EDITOR: Louis Yamani

ISBN: 978-1787745711; paperback (June 17, 2025)

176pp, B&W, $12.99 U.S., $16.99 CAN, £9.99 UK

Age: 12+

Outsiders is a manga created by writer-artist Akira Kanou.  It was originally published in France by French manga publisher, Ki-oon, in 2021.  Titan Manga, the British manga imprint of Titan Publishing, is publishing an English-language edition under the series title, Outsiders, beginning June 2025.

Outsiders, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 4, plus a “Prologue”) opens nearly two decades ago in West Germany near the French border where an important battle between “demihumans” comes to a close.  The threads of that incident carry over to present day Tokyo, Japan.

Meet 16-year-old Ema Asano, a high school student who is about to discover that her older sister, Yuko, is involved in something both dangerous and fantastic.  She discovers that her sister's boss, Tamaki Utsunomiya, CEO and chief designer of the interior design firm, Topos, is a 300-year-old vampire or “Aeternitas,” as they prefer to be called.  One of his employees, 33-year-old Taiga Wakaki, is a craftsman for Topos... and also a werewolf.

Now, Ema, who is a curious and brave girl, has found herself in a side of Tokyo that she did not know existed.  She has stepped into the city's shadows where she has started to uncover the secrets behind the ancient feud between Aeternitas and werewolf.  Full of energy and determination, Ema will navigate this dark fantasy world, a perilous path that will challenge her beliefs and reshape her destiny.  In the meantime, Ema has informed Tamaki and Taiga that she will keep them from killing each other, even if it might lead to her demise...

THE LOWDOWN:  Since October 2023, Titan Manga started providing me with print and PDF copies of their manga publications for review.  One of the latest is Outsiders Volume 1.

Outsiders Graphic Novel Volume 1 is deep inside my wheelhouse.  I am a huge fan the 2003 vampire vs. werewolf film, Underworld, and its sequels (although most of the sequels are inferior to the original film).  Whereas Underworld features a gun-wielding assassin, Outsiders' female protagonist, Ema Asano, is a plucky, determined girl right out of shojo manga.  So, Outsiders is probably closer to the much more popular vampire-werewolf film coupling that began with 2008's surprise hit film, Twilight, and that was adapted from Twilight, the 2005 novel that was the first of Stephenie Meyer's blockbuster series of novels.

As for Outsiders, readers can pour themselves into Ema and follow her into the world of the supernatural.  Like her, the readers will find themselves caught between the arrogant Tamaki and the sullen Taiga, whom I believe is the one of the two males leads to whom Ema is most attracted.  I find myself drawn to this dynamic, a kind of awkward love triangle that will both take us into a world that I love – the world of vampires and werewolves – and into the realm of young romance.

Akira Kanou's art is slightly more impressionistic than it is representational, but it is pitch perfect for depicting the world he is creating – a world beyond the natural where conflict and chaos reign in the shadows of Tokyo.  Kanou's storytelling moves along quickly, with flourishes of comedy and violence, centered around a heroine ready to do battle, to save lives, and to do right by everyone.  This first taste of Outsiders has me wanting to be on the inside of this dark fantasy manga.  After all, I believe that many readers will want to experience this eclectic take on the creatures of the night.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of vampire comics and of shojo manga will want to try Outsiders.

A-

★★★½ out of 4 stars

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

OUTSIDERS VOLUME 1 is available at Amazon.

SAMPLE PAGES FROM OUTSIDERS VOL. 1:

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https://titan-comics.com/

https://x.com/ComicsTitan

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

https://www.facebook.com/ComicsTitan

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

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

#IReadsYou Review: NEMESIS: ROGUES' GALLERY #3

NEMESIS: ROGUES' GALLERY #3 (OF 5)

DARK HORSE COMICS

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Valerio Giangiordano

COLORS: Lee Loughridge

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Daniel Chabon

EDITORIAL PRODUCTION: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Valerio Giangiordano with Lee Loughridge

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (October 2024)

Age range: 14+

Nemesis created by Mark Millar and Steve McNiven

Nemesis: Rogues' Gallery is a five-issue comic book miniseries from writer Mark Millar.  It is a sequel to the miniseries, Nemesis Reloaded (2023) and Big Game (2023).  Published by Dark Horse comics, the new series finds the super-killer, Nemesis, on a mission of revenge.  Rogues' Gallery is drawn by Valerio Giangiordano; colored by Lee Loughridge; and lettered by Clem Robins.

Nemesis: Rogues Gallery finds Nemesis on a mission to once again be the world's greatest super-villain. Now, out for revenge against everyone who wronged him, Nemesis must rebuild his empire and his fortune... this time with a sidekick, Pedro Hernandez, following him every step of the way.

Nemesis: Rogues Gallery #3 opens after Nemesis and Pedro enjoy a night of debauchery.  They steal weapons and tech in preparation for a big score at a charity auction being held by billionaire, Adrian Zigo.  However, Nemesis does not realize that the family of some of his victims have also come to possess super-tech technology.

THE LOWDOWN:  This is the second time that I have been on any kind of list that provides PDF copies of titles published by Dark Horse Comics.  I mark my return with Nemesis: Rogues' Gallery #3.

Mark Millar continues to deliver the ultimate modern super-villain comic book.  In this third issue, Millar offers lots of really dark, really black comedy.  He also throws a wrinkle into Nemesis pimp game with a new complication.

Artist Valerio Giangiordano has taken Nemesis: Rogues' Gallery down a different path, both visually and graphically in terms of story, from that of the franchise's earlier artists.  Valerio captures all the darkness, vileness, and evil in Nemesis and places him at the heart of some nasty, hard-hitting storytelling.  With this issue, he gives the narrative its deranged, edgy comedy vibe, proving this character is not one note.  Colorist Lee Loughridge, who knows how to deal with “the dark,” perfectly accentuates Valerio's storytelling with colors that suggest murder, both muted and glaring.  Letterer Clem Robins captures the deranged narcissism of the lead in this new series.

Nemesis: Rogues' Gallery promises to be a good time, which is has delivered, thus far.  It may also end up being the best evil Batman comic book in ages.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar's comic books and of Valerio Giangiordano's art will desire Nemesis: Rogues' Gallery.

A

★★★★ out of 4 stars

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

The NEMESIS: ROGUES' GALLERY trade paperback collection is available at Amazon.

https://www.mrmarkmillar.com/

https://twitter.com/mrmarkmillar

https://twitter.com/netflix

http://www.millarworld.tv/

https://www.darkhorse.com/

https://x.com/darkhorsecomics/

https://www.facebook.com/darkhorsecomics/

https://www.instagram.com/DarkHorseComics/

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

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

DC Comics from Lunar Distributors for July 23, 2025

DC COMICS:

Absolute Martian Manhunter #5 (Of 12)(Cover A Javier Rodriguez), $4.99

Absolute Martian Manhunter #5 (Of 12)(Cover B Francesco Francavilla Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Absolute Martian Manhunter #5 (Of 12)(Cover C Lee Garbett Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Absolute Martian Manhunter #5 (Of 12)(Cover D Riley Rossmo Card Stock Variant), AR

Absolute Martian Manhunter #5 (Of 12)(Cover E Dustin Nguyen Card Stock Variant), AR

Absolute Wonder Woman #10 (Cover A Hayden Sherman), $4.99

Absolute Wonder Woman #10 (Cover B Kris Anka Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Absolute Wonder Woman #10 (Cover C Mahmud Asrar Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Absolute Wonder Woman #10 (Cover D Tirso Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman #161 (Cover A Jim Lee & Scott Williams), $4.99

Batman #161 (Cover B Leinil Francis Yu Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Batman #161 (Cover C Gabriele Dell'Otto Connecting Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Batman #161 (Cover D Frank Cho Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Batman #161 (Cover E George Perez Legacy Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Batman #161 (Cover F Jim Lee & Scott Williams Foil Variant), $7.99

Batman #161 (Cover G Clay Mann Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman #161 (Cover H Steve Skroce Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman #161 (Cover I Jim Lee & Scott Williams Full Art Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman #161 (Cover J Jorge Jimenez Superman Movie Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Batman #161 Giant-Sized Special Edition (Cover A Jim Lee), $14.99

Batman #161 Giant-Sized Special Edition (Cover B Jim Lee Foil Variant), $19.99

DC Horror Presents Creature Commandos TP, $17.99

DC Vs. Vampires World War V #11 (Of 12)(Cover A Otto Schmidt), $4.99

DC Vs. Vampires World War V #11 (Of 12)(Cover B Ryan Brown Card Stock Variant), $5.99

DC Vs. Vampires World War V #11 (Of 12)(Cover C Homare Card Stock Variant), $5.99

DC x Sonic The Hedgehog #5 (Of 5)(Cover A Pablo M. Collar), $3.99

DC x Sonic The Hedgehog #5 (Of 5)(Cover B Lucas Meyer Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Flash Bad Moon Rising Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Daniel Bayliss), $5.99

Gotham City Sirens Unfit For Orbit #4 (Of 5)(Cover A Terry Dodson & Rachel Dodson), $3.99

Gotham City Sirens Unfit For Orbit #4 (Of 5)(Cover B Noobovich Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Gotham City Sirens Unfit For Orbit #4 (Of 5)(Cover C Guillem March Connecting Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Gotham City Sirens Unfit For Orbit #4 (Of 5)(Cover D Guillem March Connecting Kalanorian Foil Variant), $6.99

Gotham City Sirens Unfit For Orbit #4 (Of 5)(Cover E Helen Mask Card Stock Variant), AR

Green Arrow #26 (Cover A Taurin Clarke), $3.99

Green Arrow #26 (Cover B Lesley Leirix Li Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Green Lantern #25 (Cover A Xermanico Wraparound Variant), $4.99

Green Lantern #25 (Cover B Carlos Danda Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Green Lantern #25 (Cover C Salvador Larroca Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Green Lantern #25 (Cover D Davide Paratore Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Green Lantern #25 (Cover E Blank Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Green Lantern #25 (Cover F Stevan Subic Glow-In-The-Dark Foil Variant), $8.99

Green Lantern #25 (Cover G Chris Campana Card Stock Variant), AR

Justice League Unlimited #9 (Cover A Dan Mora)(We Are Yesterday), $3.99

Justice League Unlimited #9 (Cover B Felipe Massafera Card Stock Variant)(We Are Yesterday), $4.99

Justice League Unlimited #9 (Cover C Tiago Da Silva Card Stock Variant)(We Are Yesterday), $4.99

Justice League Unlimited #9 (Cover D Travis Moore Card Stock Variant)(We Are Yesterday), $4.99

Justice League Unlimited #9 (Cover E Derrick Chew Gotham City Sirens Card Stock Variant)(We Are Yesterday), $4.99

Justice League Unlimited #9 (Cover F Frank Quitely Superman Movie Card Stock Variant)(We Are Yesterday), $4.99

Justice League Unlimited #9 (Cover G Nimit Malavia Card Stock Variant)(We Are Yesterday), AR

Mr. Terrific Year One #3 (Of 6)(Cover A Khary Randolph), $3.99

Mr. Terrific Year One #3 (Of 6)(Cover B Rahzzah Card Stock Variant), $4.99

New History Of The DC Universe #2 (Of 4)(Cover A Chris Samnee), $5.99

New History Of The DC Universe #2 (Of 4)(Cover B Dan Mora Card Stock Variant), $6.99

New History Of The DC Universe #2 (Of 4)(Cover C Frank Cho Card Stock Variant), $6.99

New History Of The DC Universe #2 (Of 4)(Cover D Scott Koblish Legacy Card Stock Variant), $6.99

New History Of The DC Universe #2 (Of 4)(Cover E Ryan Sook Foil Variant), $9.99

New History Of The DC Universe #2 (Of 4)(Cover F Blank Card Stock Variant), $6.99

New History Of The DC Universe #2 (Of 4)(Cover G Walter Simonson Card Stock Variant), AR

Nightwing By Tom Taylor And Bruno Redondo Omnibus Volume 1 HC, $100.00

Superman #28 (Cover A Dan Mora), $4.99

Superman #28 (Cover B Nathan Szerdy Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Superman #28 (Cover C Guillem March Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Superman #28 (Cover D Tula Lotay Card Stock Variant), $5.99

Superman #28 (Cover E Salvador Larroca Card Stock Variant), AR

Superman #28 (Cover F Dan Mora Spot Foil Variant), $7.99

Superman The City Of Tomorrow Compendium TP, $59.99

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Image Comics Releases for July 23, 2025

IMAGE COMICS

Bloodletter #2 (Of 5)(Cover A Christian Rosado), $3.99

Bloodletter #2 (Of 5)(Cover B Raymond Gay), $3.99

Criminal Volume 8 My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies TP (New Printing), $13.99

Curse Of Sherlee Johnson #2 (Cover A Jonathan Glapion), $3.99

Curse Of Sherlee Johnson #2 (Cover B Dan Panosian), $3.99

Dark Honor #3 (Of 5)(Cover A Fico Ossio), $3.99

Dark Honor #3 (Of 5)(Cover B Fico Ossio Black & White Variant), AR

Department Of Truth #32 (Cover A Martin Simmonds), $3.99

Department Of Truth #32 (Cover B Letizia Cadonici), AR

Department Of Truth #32 (Cover C Trevor Henderson), AR

Exquisite Corpses #3 (Cover A Michael Walsh), $4.99

Exquisite Corpses #3 (Cover B Valentine De Landro), $4.99

Exquisite Corpses #3 (Cover C Michael Walsh Polybagged Variant), $6.99

Exquisite Corpses #3 (Cover D Stealth Variant), $4.99

Exquisite Corpses #3 (Cover E Ricardo Lopez Ortiz), AR

Exquisite Corpses #3 (Cover F Joshua Hixson), AR

Feral #15 (Cover A Tony Fleecs & Trish Forstner), $3.99

Feral #15 (Cover B Trish Forstner & Allen Passalaqua), $3.99

Feral #15 (Cover C Tony Fleecs & Trish Forstner Full Art Variant), AR

Geiger #16 (Cover A Gary Frank & Brad Anderson, $3.99

Geiger #16 (Cover B Eamon Winkle & Brad Anderson), $3.99

Geiger #16 (Cover C Kyle Hotz & Dan Brown), $3.99

Gunslinger Spawn #45 (Cover A Thaddeus Robeck), $3.99

Gunslinger Spawn #45 (Cover B Federico Sabbatini), $3.99

Hornsby And Halo #8 (Cover A Peter Snejbjerg & John Kalisz), $3.99

Hornsby And Halo #8 (Cover B Ryan Sook), $3.99

Hornsby And Halo #8 (Cover C Sean Von Gorman), $3.99

Ice Cream Man #44 (Cover A Martin Morazzo & Chris O’Halloran), $3.99

Ice Cream Man #44 (Cover B Declan Shalvey), $3.99

Image Scene #10 (October 2025), AR

Kaya #28 (Cover A Wes Craig), $3.99

Kaya #28 (Cover B Seraji), $3.99

Letter 44 Compendium TP, $49.99

Letter 44 Compendium Trade Paperback Bookplate, AR

Lost Fantasy #3 (Cover A Luca Casalanguida), $4.99

Lost Fantasy #3 (Cover B Alex Diotto), $4.99

Lost Fantasy #3 (Cover C Luca Casalanguida Black & White Variant), AR

Lost Fantasy #3 (Cover D Dalton James Rose), AR

Monstress #58 (Cover A Sana Takeda), $3.99

Monstress Volume 3 HC, $49.99

Patchwork Girl Of Oz Volume 1 TP, $12.99

Rat City #16 (Cover A Daniel Henriques), $3.99

Rat City #16 (Cover B Mirko Colak), $3.99

Rocketfellers #7 (Cover A Francis Manapul), $3.99

Rocketfellers #7 (Cover B Siya Oum), $3.99

Rocketfellers #7 (Cover C Marco Santucci), $3.99

Rocketfellers #7 (Cover D Ramon Bachs Fantastic Four Homage Variant), $3.99

Seasons #6 (Cover A Paul Azaceta), $3.99

Seasons #6 (Cover B Dani Strips & Chris Chuckry), AR

Sleep #3 (Of 8)(Cover A Zander Cannon), $3.99

Sleep #3 (Of 8)(Cover B John Bivens), $3.99

Voice Said Kill #1 (Of 4)(Cover A Vanesa Del Rey), $4.99

Voice Said Kill #1 (Of 4)(Cover B Christian Ward), AR

Voice Said Kill #1 (Of 4)(Cover C Tula Lotay), AR

Void Rivals #21 (Cover A Lorenzo De Felici), $3.99

Void Rivals #21 (Cover B Conor Hughes, $3.99

Void Rivals #21 (Cover C Martin Morazzo & Patricio Delpeche Connecting Variant), AR

Void Rivals #21 (Cover D Luigi Formisano), AR

Void Rivals #21 (Cover E Hayden Sherman), AR

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Marvel Comics Releases for July 23, 2025

MARVEL COMICS

Amazing Spider-Man #8 (Cover A John Romita Jr.), $4.99

Amazing Spider-Man #8 (Cover B Jeff Dekal Black Cat Variant), $4.99

Amazing Spider-Man #8 (Cover C Dan Panosian Retrovision Variant), $4.99

Amazing Spider-Man #8 (Cover D Gabriele Dell'Otto), $4.99

Amazing Spider-Man #8 (Cover E Humberto Ramos), AR

Amazing Spider-Man #8 (Cover F Gabriele Dell'Otto Full Art Variant), AR

Amazing Spider-Man The 8 Deaths Of Spider-Man TP, $34.99

Death Of The Silver Surfer #1 (Of 5)(2nd Printing Cover A Ron Lim), $4.99

Death Of The Silver Surfer #1 (Of 5)(2nd Printing Cover B Tradd Moore Full Art Variant), AR

Doom's Division #5 (Of 5)(Cover A Creees Lee), $3.99

Doom's Division #5 (Of 5)(Cover B Junggeun Yoon Team-Up Variant), $3.99

Doom's Division #5 (Of 5)(Cover C Creees Lee), $3.99

Emma Frost The White Queen #2 (Of 5)(Cover A David Nakayama), $3.99

Emma Frost The White Queen #2 (Of 5)(Cover B Jenny Frison), $3.99

Emma Frost The White Queen #2 (Of 5)(Cover C Jessica Fong), $3.99

Emma Frost The White Queen #2 (Of 5)(Cover D Jenny Frison Full Art Variant), AR

Emma Frost The White Queen #2 (Of 5)(Cover E Marguerite Sauvage), AR

Fantastic Four Fanfare #3 (Of 4)(Cover A Marco Checchetto), $5.99

Fantastic Four Fanfare #3 (Of 4)(Cover B Nicoletta Baldari 4-Part Connect Variant), $5.99

Fantastic Four Fanfare #3 (Of 4)(Cover C Jack Kirby Hidden Gem Variant), AR

Fantastic Four Presents Franklin Richards Son Of A Genius #1, $3.99

Giant-Size Dark Phoenix Saga #1 (2nd Printing Cover A Adam Kubert), $4.99

Gwenpool #3 (Of 5)(Cover A Chad Hardin), $3.99

Gwenpool #3 (Of 5)(Cover B Karen S. Darboe), $3.99

Iron Man #10 (Cover A Yasmine Putri), $3.99

Iron Man #10 (Cover B Annie Wu Retrovision Variant), $3.99

Iron Man #10 (Cover C Jim Mahfood), $3.99

Iron Man #10 (Cover D Alan Villanueva Marvel Television Variant), $3.99

Jeff The Land Shark #2 (Of 5)(Cover A Gurihiru), $3.99

Jeff The Land Shark #2 (Of 5)(Cover B Paco Medina Marvel Comics Presents Variant), $3.99

Jeff The Land Shark #2 (Of 5)(Cover C NetEase Games Marvel Rivals Variant), $3.99

Jeff The Land Shark #2 (Of 5)(Cover D Tokitokoro), $3.99

Jeff The Land Shark #2 (Of 5)(Cover E Rian Gonzales), $3.99

Jeff The Land Shark #2 (Of 5)(Cover F Aaron Kuder), AR

Jeff The Land Shark #2 (Of 5)(Cover G Gurihiru Full Art Variant), AR

Marvel Archive Edition Amazing Spider-Man The Black Costume Year One Gallery Edition HC (Cover A Charles Vess Hidden Gem Direct Market Variant), $125.00

Marvel Archive Edition Amazing Spider-Man The Black Costume Year One Gallery Edition HC (Cover B Ron Frenz Original Collection Book Market Variant), $125.00

Marvel Archive Edition Amazing Spider-Man The Black Costume Year One Gallery Edition HC (Cover C Ron Frenz Original First Issue Book Market Variant), $125.00

Marvel Masterworks The Incredible Hulk Volume 19 HC (Book Market Edition), $75.00

Marvel Masterworks The Incredible Hulk Volume 19 HC (Direct Market Variant Edition Volume 328), $75.00

Moon Knight Fist Of Khonshu #10 (Cover A Davide Paratore), $4.99

Moon Knight Fist Of Khonshu #10 (Cover B Paulo Siqueira Retrovision Variant), $4.99

Moon Knight Fist Of Khonshu #10 (Cover C Stephen Platt), $4.99

Moon Knight Fist Of Khonshu #10 (Cover D E.M Gist), AR

New Avengers #1 (2nd Printing Cover A Mark Bagley), $4.99

New Avengers #1 (2nd Printing Cover B Whilce Portacio), AR

Phoenix #13 (Cover A Lucas Werneck), $3.99

Phoenix #13 (Cover B Michael Cho Retrovision Variant), $3.99

Phoenix #13 (Cover C W. Scott Forbes), AR

Psylocke #9 (Cover A Mahmud A. Asrar), $3.99

Psylocke #9 (Cover B Benjamin Su Retrovision Variant), $3.99

Psylocke #9 (Cover C Maria Wolf), AR

Runaways #2 (Of 5)(Cover A Stephanie Hans)(One World Under Doom), $3.99

Runaways #2 (Of 5)(Cover B Yasmine Putri)(One World Under Doom), $3.99

Runaways #2 (Of 5)(Cover C Paco Medina)(One World Under Doom), $3.99

Spider-Girl #1 (2nd Printing Cover A Kaare Andrews), $4.99

Spider-Girl #1 (2nd Printing Cover B David Nakayama Full Art Variant), AR

Spider-Verse Vs. Venomverse #3 (Of 5)(Cover A Luciano Vecchio), $3.99

Spider-Verse Vs. Venomverse #3 (Of 5)(Cover B InHyuk Lee), $3.99

Spider-Verse Vs. Venomverse #3 (Of 5)(Cover C Jan Bazaldua), AR

Star Wars Doctor Aphra Chaos Agent #2 (Cover A Ejikure), $3.99

Star Wars Doctor Aphra Chaos Agent #2 (Cover B Annie Wu), $3.99

Star Wars Doctor Aphra Chaos Agent #2 (Cover C Marguerite Sauvage), $3.99

Star Wars Doctor Aphra Chaos Agent #2 (Cover D Rickie Yagawa), AR

Star Wars Modern Era Epic Collection Volume 2 Yoda's Secret War TP, $44.99

Storm #10 (Cover A Mateus Manhanini), $3.99

Storm #10 (Cover B Betsy Cola Retrovision Variant), $3.99

Storm #10 (Cover C Karen Darboe), AR

Uncanny X-Men #18 (Cover A David Marquez), $4.99

Uncanny X-Men #18 (Cover B Greg Land Rogue Variant), $4.99

Uncanny X-Men #18 (Cover C Greg Land Rogue Full Art Variant), AR

Uncanny X-Men #18 (Cover D Roge Antonio), AR

West Coast Avengers #9 (Cover A Josemaria Casanovas), $3.99

West Coast Avengers #9 (Cover B Scott Godlewski), $3.99

West Coast Avengers Volume 1 The Gospel Of Ultron TP, $17.99

Wolverine #11 (Cover A Martin Coccolo), $4.99

Wolverine #11 (Cover B Leonardo Romero Retrovision Variant), $4.99

Wolverine #11 (Cover C Alexander Lozano), AR

Wolverine Goes To Hell Omnibus HC (Cover A Jae Lee Book Market Variant)(New Printing), $125.00

Wolverine Goes To Hell Omnibus HC (Cover B Arthur Adams Direct Market Variant)(New Printing), $125.00

X-Factor By Peter David Omnibus Volume 4 HC (Cover A David Yardin Book Market Variant), $125.00

X-Factor By Peter David Omnibus Volume 4 HC (Cover B Todd Nauck Direct Market Variant), $125.00

X-Men #137 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover A John Byrne), $6.99

X-Men #137 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover B Taurin Clarke), AR

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Comics, Magazines and Books from Lunar and Diamond Distributors for July 23, 2025

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

MAY251073 ARCHIE MILESTONES JUMBO DIGEST #30 JUGHEADS SUMMER VACATION $9.99

MAY251071 BETTY & VERONICA JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #336 $9.99

MAY251464 HERO HIRO #1 CVR A MICHAEL ADAMS $5.99

MAY251465 HERO HIRO #1 CVR B HESTER PARKS CODY $5.99

MAY251466 HERO HIRO #1 CVR C OTIS FRAMPTON $5.99

MAY251468 HERO HIRO #1 CVR E BLANK SKETCH $9.99

MAY251469 HERO HIRO #1 CVR F HOLOFOIL FLIP HESTER ADAMS $29.99

MAY251470 HERO HIRO #1 CVR G METAL MICHAEL ADAMS $99.99

MAY251471 HOT VALLEY DAYS #2 (OF 3) CVR A MAIN COVER $5.99

DEC241658 KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #319 (C: 0-1-2) $15.99

FEB251762 KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE CRITICAL HITS TP (C: 0-1-2) $19.99

MAY251306 PLANETARY EXPANSION TP VOL 01 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) $29.99

MAY251286 RYSK #4 (OF 5) CVR A MANNIX FRANCISCO $4.99

MAY251282 TRIDENT OF AURELIA CORAZON #3 (OF 4) $4.99

ARCHIE COMICS PUBLICATIONS

Archie Milestones Jumbo Comics Digest #30 Jughead Summer Vacation, $9.99

BOOM! STUDIOS

Bronze Faces #4 (Of 6)(Cover A Shof), $4.99

Bronze Faces #4 (Of 6)(Cover B Chris Visions), $4.99

Bronze Faces #4 (Of 6)(Cover C Shof Full Art Variant), AR

Last Boy #4 (Of 5)(Cover A Dan Panosian), $4.99

Last Boy #4 (Of 5)(Cover B Angela Wu), $4.99

Last Boy #4 (Of 5)(Cover C Angela Wu Full Art Variant), AR

Last Boy #4 (Of 5)(Cover D Reiko Murakami Reveal Full Art Variant), AR

Last Boy #4 (Of 5)(Cover E Reiko Murakami Reveal Variant), AR

Last Boy #4 (Of 5)(Cover F Dan Panosian Full Art Variant), $4.99

Minor Arcana #9 (Cover A Lemire), $4.99

Minor Arcana #9 (Cover B Paulina Ganucheau), $4.99

Minor Arcana #9 (Cover C Tula Lotay BOOM 20th Anniversary Variant), $4.99

Minor Arcana #9 (Cover D Jeff Lemire Tarot Card The Wheel Of Fortune Full Art Variant), AR

Minor Arcana #9 (Cover E Tula Lotay BOOM 20th Anniversary Full Art Variant), AR

Minor Arcana #9 (Cover F Malachi Ward Full Art Variant), AR

Minor Arcana #9 (Cover G Paulina Ganucheau Full Art Variant), $4.99

DARK HORSE COMICS

Art Of Super7 HC, $49.99

Critical Role Vox Machina Origins I #2 (Of 6)(Cover A Olivia Samson), $4.99

Great British Bump-Off Kill Or Be Quilt #4 (Of 4)(Cover A Max Sarin), $4.99

Huck Big Bad World #3 (Cover A Rafael Albuquerque), $4.99

Huck Big Bad World #3 (Cover B Rafael Albuquerque Black & White Variant), $4.99

Living Hell TP, $19.99

Sacred Decay The Art Of Lauren Marx HC (2nd Edition), $44.99

TexArcanum #1 (Of 4)(Cover A Miguel Martos), $4.99

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#IReadsYou Review: DONALD DUCK: MAGIC AND MAYHEM (Graphic Novel)

DONALD DUCK: MAGIC AND MAYHEM

FANTAGRAPHICS/Disney

STORY: Alberto Savini

TRANSLATION: Daniele Mittica

DIALOGUE: Joe Torcivia

PENCILS: Vitale Mangiatordi; Mattia Surroz; Emilio Urbano; Libero Ermetti; Mario Ferracina

INKS: Tommaso Ronda; Mattia Surroz; Roberta Zanotta; Stefano Porcu; Mario Ferracina

COLORS: Francesca Vivaldi; Annalisa Ferrari; Francesca Dramis; Connie Daidone

LETTERS: Paul Baresh and Ben Horak with Arancia Studio

DESIGN: Justin Allan-Spencer; C. Hwang

EDITOR: David Gerstein

COVER: Libero Ermetti with Arancia Studio

MISC. ART: Francesco D'Ippolito with Arancia Studio; Mirka Andolfo; Marco Mazzarello with Valeria De Sanctis

ISBN: 979-8-8750-0045-4; hardback; 6.9" × 9.3" (February 2025)

116pp, Color, $19.99 U.S.

Donald Duck: Magic and Mayhem is a 2025 hardback graphic novel starring Walt Disney's classic character, Donald Duck.  This book was published in March by Fantagraphics under their line of “Disney Originals.”  I think that “Disney Originals” are collections of new and recent comics starring Disney characters, likely originating from Europe.  This line is different from Fantagraphics' other line, “Disney Masters,” which reprints Disney comic books produced by comic book writers and artists from North America and from around the world who are considered masters storytellers in the Disney comic book tradition.

2024 was the 90th anniversary of Donald Duck's first appearance, which occurred in the 1934 animated short film, The Wise Little Hen, which was part of Walt Disney's “Silly Symphonies” line of animated shorts.  1934 was also the debut of the black and white animated short film, Orphan's Benefit, which introduced Donald as the comic foil of Disney's headline character, Mickey Mouse.

In 2024. a quintet of European Disney modern comics masters (likely all Italian) produced a suite of Donald Duck stories to celebrate his anniversary.  The plots kicks off with Donald finding himself having a hard time, but fate downloads an unusual app onto his smartphone.  When activated, the app frees the “Smartphone XL-Genie,” and this genie tells Donald that he will grant him one wish (and only one wish) each day.  With the words “App-Racadabra!,” Donald can experience his fondest dreams and wackiest wishes.  Will Donald's own foibles and imperfections, however, turn these fondest dreams into one nightmare scenario after another?

The five stories included in Donald Duck: Magic and Mayhem are as follows:

Chapter 1: “App-Racadabra!”

Chapter 2: “The Price of Fame”

Chapter 3: “Keep Perfectly Calm!”

Chapter 4: “How Hard Can It Be?”

Chapter 5: “The Luckiest Duck in the World”

Donald Duck: Magic and Mayhem also stars Uncle Scrooge McDuck, Daisy Duck, Cousin Fethry Duck, and, of course, the nephews:  Huey, Dewey, and Louie.  [I have to add this note.  This graphic novel is my first encounter with “Fethry Duck,” a character that apparently debuted in 1964!]

THE LOWDOWN:  I have been reviewing various Disney comic books produced by American publisher, Dynamite Entertainment, most or all of which I assume are American originals.  I almost always get a lot of visits and even more hits on my blogs when I review Disney films and publications, which is also the case with the Dynamite titles.  I decided to see if I would have similar luck with a Fantagraphics Disney title.  After discovering the existence of Donald Duck: Magic and Mayhem, I used some Amazon gift card credit and purchased it.

Editor David Gerstein offers an excellent short “Foreword” to Donald Duck: Magic and Mayhem.  In it, he talks about the way Disney has portrayed and depicted Donald for the majority of his existence.  Donald wants to lead a normal life, but finds himself involved with adventure that often becomes misadventure.  He is beset by bad luck, but he also usually seeks the easy way out.  He assumes that he can do anything, which inevitably leads to more dramatic disasters.  And as everyone who has ever seen him in film, television, and/or comic books knows, Donald is – as Gerstein puts it – “recklessly feisty and 'wreck-lessly' cranky.”

In the opening story, “App-Racadabra,” Donald gets in trouble merely because he wants to test his pancake-making meddle against the vlogger, “Doug Delish.”  The problem is that Donald is trying to make his magical recipe and Doug's at the same time.  Disaster ensues, and that's where the Smartphone XL-Genie comes into the story.  Afterwards, Donald uses the genie to fix things that he broke or to make himself better.  I am not spoiling things by telling you, dear readers, that this all leads to Donald learning that he really just needs to be himself.  This happens in this graphic novel's final tale, “The Luckiest Duck in the World,” the only one of the five tales that actually pits Donald against Uncle Scrooge.

I feel that I've spoiled enough.  What I want to tell you is that is if you love Donald Duck and/or Donald Duck comic books, this book is a treat that your imagination will want to have.  It's also a steal at the cover price of $19.99.  The creative teams that produced these five tales are true practitioners of the art and magic of Disney comics.  I found myself engrossed in these stories, especially the final one, and the art and colors are superb and look and feel like they belong in classic Disney comics.

I envy the readers in Europe who get to see these comics first, but I am glad that Fantagraphics is brings these “Disney Originals” to North American readers.  Please, support high-quality American graphic novels, and buy this or any of Fantagraphics' other Disney publications.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Fantagraphics Disney books and of Disney comic books in general will want to read Donald Duck: Magic and Mayhem.

A

★★★★ out of 4 stars

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

DONALD DUCK: MAGIC AND MAYHEM is available at Amazon.

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

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