Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Image Comics from Diamond Distributors for March 25, 2015

IMAGE COMICS

JAN150669     AUTUMNLANDS TOOTH & CLAW #5 (MR)     $2.99
DEC148708     AUTUMNLANDS TOOTH & CLAW #5 CVR B SHALVEY (MR)     $2.99
NOV140582     BIG HARD SEX CRIMINALS HC (MR)     $39.99
JAN150674     CHEW #47 (MR)     $2.99
JAN150628     CRIMINAL TP VOL 03 THE DEAD AND THE DYING (MR)     $14.99
JUL140542     DREAM POLICE #6 (MR)     $2.99
JAN150677     DRIFTER #5 CVR A KLEIN (MR)     $3.50
JAN150678     DRIFTER #5 CVR B YOUNG (MR)     $3.50
JAN150683     EMPTY #2     $3.50
JAN150685     FUSE #11 (MR)     $3.50
JAN150689     GONERS #6     $2.99
JAN150691     INTERSECT #5 CVR A FAWKES (MR)     $3.50
JAN150692     INTERSECT #5 CVR B ROSSMO (MR)     $3.50
JAN150582     INVINCIBLE #118     $0.25
DEC140670     LOW TP VOL 01 THE DELIRIUM OF HOPE (MR)     $9.99
JAN150606     MICE TEMPLAR V NIGHTS END #1 CVR A OEMING     $3.99
JAN150607     MICE TEMPLAR V NIGHTS END #1 CVR B SANTOS & FREE     $3.99
AUG140662     MORNING GLORIES #44 (MR)     $3.50
JUL140503     MORNING GLORIES TP VOL 08     $12.99
DEC140688     ROCHE LIMIT TP VOL 01     $9.99
JAN158239     RUMBLE #3 2ND PTG (MR)     $3.50
JAN150703     RUMBLE #4 (MR)     $3.50
JAN150655     SEX TP VOL 03 BROKEN TOYS (MR)     $14.99
JAN150608     SKULLKICKERS #31     $3.50
JAN150716     THEYRE NOT LIKE US #4 (MR)     $2.99
JAN150715     THIEF OF THIEVES #27 (MR)     $2.99
JAN150615     WALKING DEAD #139 (MR)     $2.99
JAN150719     WAYWARD #6 CVR A CUMMINGS & BONVILLAIN (MR)     $3.50
JAN150720     WAYWARD #6 CVR B MIYAZAWA (MR)     $3.50
DEC148772     WAYWARD #6 CVR C EDWIN HUANG (MR)     $3.50
JAN150664     WAYWARD TP VOL 01 STRING THEORY (MR)     $9.99
JAN150721     WICKED & DIVINE #9 (MR)     $3.50
DEC148647     WICKED & DIVINE #9 CVR B SAUVAGE (MR)     $3.50
DEC140775     WYTCHES #5 (MR)     $2.99

Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for March 25, 2015

PREVIEWS PUBLICATIONS
FEB150004     PREVIEWS #319 APR 2015 CUSTOMER ORDER FORM     PI
FEB150001     PREVIEWS #319 APRIL 2015     $3.99

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

NOV141653     13 COINS #6 CVR A BISLEY WRAPAROUND (MR)     $5.99
NOV141654     13 COINS #6 CVR B BISLEY B&W WRAPAROUND SKETCH (MR)     $5.99
JAN151182     ABIGAIL AND THE SNOWMAN #4 (NOTE PRICE)     $4.99
JAN151739     ACCEL WORLD GN VOL 03     $13.00
JAN151187     ADVENTURE TIME #38     $3.99
DEC141562     AIR GEAR GN VOL 33     $10.99
DEC141652     ALICE I/T COUNTRY OF JOKER GN VOL 03 NIGHTMARE TRILOGY (MR)     $13.99
JAN151383     ALTERED STATES RED SONJA RARE TAN VIRGIN ED     $50.00
JAN151274     ALTERED STATES THE SHADOW ONE SHOT     $3.99
NOV141138     AMAZING WORLD GUMBALL TASKS MINI COMIC SDCC EXC     $29.99
JAN151740     ANGEL OF ELHAMBURG GN VOL 01     $18.00
JAN150998     ARCHIE FUNHOUSE COMICS DOUBLE DIGEST #13     $4.99
JAN151741     ARE YOU ALICE GN VOL 08     $13.00
JAN151095     BART SIMPSON COMICS #95     $2.99
JAN151001     BETTY & VERONICA COMICS DOUBLE DIGEST #232     $4.99
NOV148159     BIG HERO 6 MANGA GN VOL 01     $12.00
JAN150989     BLACK HOOD #2 REG FRANCAVILLA CVR (MR)     $3.99
JAN151742     BLOODY CROSS GN VOL 06 (MR)     $11.99
JAN151487     BOUNCER BLACK HEARTS HC (MR)     $24.95
JAN151535     BUNKER #10 (MR)     $3.99
NOV141038     CALIBAN #1 PLATINUM CGC NUMBERED ED (MR)     $119.99
NOV141293     CAPT VICTORY & GALACTIC RANGERS #6     $3.99
JAN151136     CLIVE BARKERS NIGHTBREED #11 (MR)     $3.99
JAN151072     CROSSED BADLANDS #74 (MR)     $3.99
JAN151075     CROSSED BADLANDS #74 FATAL FANTASY CVR (MR)     $3.99
JAN151074     CROSSED BADLANDS #74 TORTURE CVR (MR)     $3.99
JAN151073     CROSSED BADLANDS #74 WRAP CVR (MR)     $3.99
JAN151108     CURB STOMP #2     $3.99
JAN151124     DAWN OF PLANET OF APES #5     $3.99
JAN151128     DAWN OF PLANET OF APES CONTAGION ONE SHOT SDCC EXC     $4.99
JAN151743     DEMON FROM AFAR GN VOL 02     $18.00
JAN151744     DEVIL IS PART TIMER GN VOL 01     $13.00
JAN151409     DF STAR WARS #1 DF EXCL GREG LAND CVR     $10.00
DEC141471     DF STAR WARS #1 REMARK HAESER MAUL COLOR SKETCH     $149.99
JAN151745     DISAPPEARANCE OF NAGATO YUKI CHAN GN VOL 07     $13.00
DEC148668     DIVINITY #1 2ND PTG     $3.99
JAN151342     DJANGO ZORRO #5 CVR A LEE MAIN     $3.99
SEP141636     DOCTOR WHO 10TH HC VOL 01 REVOLUTIONS TERROR     $19.99
DEC141672     DOCTOR WHO 11TH #10 REG SHEDD     $3.99
DEC141673     DOCTOR WHO 11TH #10 SUBSCRIPTION PHOTO     $3.99
SEP141640     DOCTOR WHO 11TH HC VOL 01 AFTER LIFE     $19.99
DEC141357     EVIL ERNIE #5 CVR A SEELEY MAIN     $3.99
NOV140902     FRACTURE TP VOL 01 ALTERED EGOS     $11.95
JAN151094     FUTURE PROOF #4     $3.99
JAN151497     GENSHIKEN SECOND SEASON GN VOL 06     $10.99
JAN151757     GFT LITTLE MERMAID #2 A CVR BENES (MR)     $3.99
JAN151758     GFT LITTLE MERMAID #2 B CVR KROME (MR)     $3.99
JAN151759     GFT LITTLE MERMAID #2 C CVR PANTALENA (MR)     $3.99
JAN151760     GFT LITTLE MERMAID #2 D CVR SUPER RARE BENES     PI
DEC141827     GFT REALM WAR #8 A CVR WIMBERLY LEFT (AOFD) (MR)     $3.99
DEC141828     GFT REALM WAR #8 B CVR WIMBERLY RIGHT (AOFD) (MR)     $3.99
DEC141829     GFT REALM WAR #8 C CVR PANTALENA (AOFD) (MR)     $3.99
DEC141830     GFT REALM WAR #8 D CVR VALENTINES CUMMINGS (AOFD)     PI
JAN151061     GOD IS DEAD #31 (MR)     $3.99
JAN151063     GOD IS DEAD #31 CARNAGE WRAP CVR (MR)     $3.99
JAN151062     GOD IS DEAD #31 ENCHANTING CVR (MR)     $3.99
JAN151064     GOD IS DEAD #31 END OF DAYS CVR (MR)     $3.99
JAN151065     GOD IS DEAD #31 ICONIC CVR (MR)     $3.99
DEC140999     GOLDEN AGE GREATS SPOTLIGHT VOL 16     $29.95
JAN151746     HES MY ONLY VAMPIRE GN VOL 02     $13.00
JAN151099     HIT 1957 #1     $3.99
DEC141690     ICE CRITICAL MASS #4     $3.99
JAN151572     INSURRECTION LIBERTY TP     $22.99
JAN150917     JUST SO HAPPENS GN     $17.95
JAN150918     JUST SO HAPPENS HC GN     $24.95
JAN151747     KARNEVAL GN VOL 01     $20.00
DEC141344     KING JUNGLE JIM #2     $3.99
DEC141561     KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #218     $5.99
JAN151086     LADY MECHANIKA #5 MAIN CVRS (MR)     $4.99
JAN151390     LEGENDERRY VAMPIRELLA #2 DAVILA VIRGIN     $50.00
NOV141566     LETTER 44 TP VOL 02     $19.99
JAN151531     LIFE AFTER #8 (MR)     $3.99
JAN151749     LOVE AT FOURTEEN GN VOL 02     $15.00
JAN151150     MARCH OF THE CRABS HC VOL 01     $19.99
NOV141647     MASKED GN VOL 01 ANOMALIES (MR)     $14.99
JAN151005     MEGA MAN #47 REG CVR     $3.99
DEC141677     MONO #4     $3.99
NOV148085     MOORCOCK ELRIC HC VOL 01 RUBY THRONE 2ND PTG (MR)     $14.99
DEC141678     MOORCOCK ELRIC HC VOL 02 STORMBRINGER     $14.99
JAN151158     MUNCHKIN #3     $3.99
JAN151622     NEMO RIVER OF GHOSTS HC (MR)     $14.95
NOV141569     PART TIME PRINCESSES GN     $19.99
JAN151355     PETER CANNON THUNDERBOLT OMNIBUS TP     $29.99
JAN151750     PUELLA MAGI ORIKO MAGICA EXTRA STORY GN     $13.00
JAN151667     QUANTUM & WOODY MUST DIE #3 CVR A HAWTHORNE     $3.99
JUL141142     RED SONJA #15 FRISON CVR     $3.99
DEC148706     RED SONJA #15 MATT BROOKS CONTEST WINNER ED     $3.99
JAN151166     REGULAR SHOW MARCH MADNESS SPECIAL ONE SHOT     $4.99
JAN151174     REGULAR SHOW TP VOL 03     $14.99
JAN151522     RISE #1 COMICS AGAINST BULLYING     $4.99
NOV141588     ROY THOMAS PRESENTS BRIEFER FRANKENSTEIN HC 1952-53     $47.99
DEC141633     ROY THOMAS PRESENTS BRIEFER FRANKENSTEIN SLIPCASE 1952-53     $64.99
NOV141589     ROY THOMAS PRESENTS PLANET COMICS HC VOL 07 JULY 43 - MAR 44     $47.99
DEC141635     ROY THOMAS PRESENTS PLANET COMICS SLIPCASE ED VOL 07 JUL 43     $64.99
OCT141654     SALLY OF THE WASTELAND HC     $19.99
JAN151499     SANKAREA GN VOL 11     $10.99
JAN151550     SEPARATORS #4     $3.99
NOV141559     SIXTH GUN #47     $3.99
OCT141246     SOLITARY #2 (MR)     $3.99
JAN151013     SONIC UNIVERSE #74 REG CVR     $3.99
JAN151751     SOUL EATER TP VOL 25 (MR)     $13.00
JAN151029     SOULFIRE SOURCEBOOK #1 DIRECT MARKET CVR     $4.99
JAN151139     SUICIDE RISK #23     $3.99
JAN151752     SWORD ART ONLINE FAIRY DANCE GN VOL 03     $13.00
JAN151573     TALES OF THE TELGUUTH TRIBUTE TO STEVE MOORE TP     $29.99
JAN151232     TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #91 (MR)     $2.95
JAN151658     THE VALIANT #4 CVR A RIVERA (NEXT)     $3.99
JAN151506     TOWER CHRONICLES DREADSTALKER #8     $3.99
JAN151481     TRAGEDY SERIES TP SECRET LOBSTER CLAWS OTHER MISFORTUNES     $17.99
JAN151753     TRIAGE X GN VOL 09 (MR)     $14.00
NOV141363     TWILIGHT ZONE S&S #1 RARE VILANOVA VIRGIN ART     $50.00
JAN151371     TWILIGHT ZONE S&S #3 CVR A VILANOVA MAIN     $3.99
JAN151377     TWILIGHT ZONE TP VOL 03 THE WAY BACK     $15.99
JAN151501     UQ HOLDER GN VOL 04     $10.99
DEC141660     VAMPIRE CHEERLEADERS IN SPACE & TIME GN (MR)     $12.99
OCT141395     VAMPIRELLA ARCHIVES HC VOL 11     $49.99
DEC141680     WALLACE & GROMIT NEWSPAPER STRIPS HC VOL 03     $16.99
JAN151325     WARLORD OF MARS DEJAH THORIS TP VOL 07 (MR)     $19.99
JAN151093     WE CAN NEVER GO HOME #1 (MR)     $3.99
JAN151004     WORLD OF ARCHIE COMICS DOUBLE DIGEST #48     $4.99
NOV141656     WORLD WAR X HC VOL 01 HELIUS (MR)     $15.99

MAGAZINES
DEC141637     2000 AD PACK FEB 2015     $21.40
JAN151883     CINEFEX #141     $12.50
JAN151870     COMIC SHOP NEWS #1449     PI
JAN151875     HORRORHOUND #52     $6.99
SEP141925     MARVEL FACT FILES SPECIAL #5 DEADPOOL     $32.95
JAN151863     NON SPORT UPDATE VOL 26 #2     $5.99
NOV141889     SCI FI & FANTASY MODELLER VOL 36     $27.99
OCT141865     STAR TREK STARSHIPS FIG MAG #37 ANDORIAN CRUISER     $20.00
NOV141863     STAR TREK STARSHIPS FIG MAG #38 DELTA FLYER     $20.00
NOV141864     STAR TREK STARSHIPS FIG MAG #39 ROMULAN DRONE     $20.00

BOOKS
JAN151754     ACCEL WORLD NOVEL VOL 03 TWILIGHT MARAUDER     $13.00
FEB151797     FEVER PITCH SC VOL 01 HOT GIRLS OF ELIAS CHATZOUDIS (MR)     $14.95
FEB151798     FEVER PITCH SC VOL 02 MORE HOT GIRLS FROM ELIAS CHATZOUDIS (MR)     $14.95
JAN151755     KINGDOM HEARTS THE NOVEL SC     $16.00
JAN151822     MARVEL AGE OF AVENGERS STRETCHBOOK HC     $10.99
DEC141858     SKETCHBOOK AMORETTI (MR)     $30.00
DEC141859     SKETCHBOOK MIG (MR)     $30.00
JAN151756     SWORD ART ONLINE NOVEL PROGRESSIVE VOL 01     $14.00
JAN152626     WARHAMMER 40K NIGHTBRINGER SC     $14.00
OCT141854     WHISPERER DOUBLE NOVEL VOL 07 MURDER BROTHERHOOD & AFRAID TO     $14.95
JAN151841     WWE ULTIMATE SUPERSTAR GUIDE HC     $16.99

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Review: Hickman's Writing is Great in AVENGERS #39

AVENGERS #39
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Jonathan Hickman
ART: Mike Deodato
COLORS: Frank Martin
LETTERS: VC's Cory Petit
COVER: Alan Davis and Mark Farmer with Brad Anderson
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S.

“You Can't Win: Part 1”

This is how you kick off a new story arc.  Jonathan Hickman tells the story in a message from Reed Richards to Val Ventura.  Back in the day, we would have called this a letter, but I don't know, now.  Is this an email, a post on Facebook, a tweet, or Instagram?  This social media stuff is just moving so fast that I can't keep up.

Knowing Reed, he probably found a way to insert it into one of Val's genes and it will manifest itself after Val goes through puberty.  Reed is teaching Val how to make plans.  He is using the Illuminati's conflict with Captain America and S.H.I.E.L.D. to illustrate the lesson.  Hickman's use of the chess piece to let us know that these plans are strategies for winning a war, not landscaping.

Everything about this story is grandiose, or if you prefer, it goes hard.  Cap falls into Reed's trap when he knows it is a trap.  War Machine is stretching himself to limits that may kill him.  Captain Marvel is talking stuff about the Hulk.  The action is spectacular.  I am talking about “are you read to rumble?!” action.  Hickman entertains us on multiple levels.  This is one of those times that reading a comic book added something to my life.

Visceral as well as cerebral:  the scene with Captain Marvel and the Hulk shows us why you need to be able to do what you say you can do.  I won't tell the end of the story, but I will say that Reed teaches Cap and Val the lesson well.

Hickman is a master at telling team stories.  Reed was the focus of this story, but all of the characters have their individual moments.  I'll say this again:  the ending is awesome.  Hickman tells a great epic while giving us great insight into the character of Reed Richards.  If this is the set-up, then, the rest of this arc will be something at which to Marvel.  Yeah, I said that corny bull.  Hickman has given us stories worthy of comic's ultimate team.

The art is pleasing to the eyes.  The facial expressions of the characters helps to depict what is happening in the story.  I said that the story was grandiose, and the art follows in the same vein.  The art is big without giving you the feeling that it 's just taking up space.  The only criticism that I have is that the colors are too dark.  I like my Avengers bright.

I give Avengers #39 a rating of “Recommend it to a Friend,” #1 (of 5) – the top rating on the Al-O-Meter.  If you're a comic book fan you need to be reading this book.

Reviewed by Albert Avilla


The text is copyright © 2015 Albert Avilla. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

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Saturday, March 21, 2015

I Reads You Review: REQUIEM OF THE ROSE KING Volume 1

REQUIEM OF THE ROSE KING, VOL. 1
VIZ MEDIA – @VIZMedia

CARTOONIST: Aya Kanno
TRANSLATION: Jocelyne Allen
LETTERS: Sabrina Heep
ISBN: 978-1-4215-6778-5; paperback (March 2015); Rated “T+” for “Older Teen”
192pp, B&W, $9.99 U.S., $12.99 CAN, £6.99 UK

Requiem of the Rose King is a dark fantasy manga and is also the most recent work from mangaka Aya Kanno, the creator of such manga as Otomen and Soul Rescue.  Published in the Japanese shojo manga magazine, Princess, Requiem of the Rose King is loosely based on the work of William Shakespeare, particularly Henry IV (1591) and Richard III (1592).  VIZ Media has just started publishing the series in English.

Requiem of the Rose King, Vol. 1 (Chapters 1 to 4) opens in medieval England.  Henry is king; he belongs to the House of Lancaster, represented by a red rose.  Richard of the House of York (represented by a white rose) covets the throne, so he leads his forces into battle.  Thus, begins the “War of the Roses.”

Into Richard of York's house is born a third son, a sickly child that he names Richard after himself.  Richard feels a special connection with young Richard, but his wife, Cecily, who is also young Richard's mother, hates the child.  She proclaims to anyone who will listen that young Richard is a demon child who will lead to the death of her husband.  As the battle between Lancaster and York rages, Richard dreams of his family ascending to the throne, a throne that will one day be his.

The Requiem of the Rose King manga reminds me, believe it or not, of Rei Toma's manga, Dawn of the Arcana, in terms of story and of graphic narrative.  The difference is that in Requiem of the Rose King, Aya Kanno focuses on a lead character around whom swirls omens, portents, and dark motivations.

I find myself repulsed by young Richard, but not in the way a great villain makes being repulsed such a good thing.  Actually, I like Richard when he is contrasted with King Henry, who exudes light and the urge to be a genuine Christian.  Their time together is lyrical and poetic, and I wish the series were built around their relationship.  Requiem of the Rose King has much potential.  I want to see where this goes.  Fans of Aya Kanno will want to try Requiem of the Rose King.

A-

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.



Friday, March 20, 2015

I Reads You Review: S.H.I.E.L.D. #1

S.H.I.E.L.D #1
MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel

WRITER: Mark Waid
PENCILS: Carlos Pacheco
INKS: Mariano Taibo with Jason Pax
COLORS: Dono Almara
LETTERS: VC's Joe Caramagna
COVER: Julian Totino Tedesco
VARIANT COVERS: Mahmud Asrar with Dono Almara; John Tyler Christopher; Mike Deodato with Edgar Delgado; David Marquez with Laura Martin; Steve McNiven with Marte Gracia; Sara Pichelli with Dono Almara; Valerio Schiti with Laura Martin; Ryan Stegman with Rom Fajardo; Skottie Young
36pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (January 2015)

Rated “T+”

S.H.I.E.L.D created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby

“Perfect Bullets”

S.H.I.E.L.D. is a fictional espionage, law-enforcement, and counter-terrorism agency that appears in Marvel Comics titles.  The agency often deals with paranormal and super-human threats.  This agency was created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby and first appeared in Strange Tales #135 (cover dated: August 1965).  The acronym, S.H.I.E.L.D., originally stood for “Supreme Headquarters, International Espionage, Law-Enforcement Division,” but  changed in 1991 to “Strategic Hazard Intervention Espionage Logistics Directorate.”

S.H.I.E.L.D. plays a prominent role in the films and television series (live-action and animated) that are part of the “Marvel Cinematic Universe.”  Currently, the S.H.I.E.L.D. acronym stands for “Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division.”

S.H.I.E.L.D. is the star of an ABC television series, “Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”  On the last week of the 2014, Marvel Comics launched a new S.H.I.E.L.D. comic book series.  Mark Waid will write the series with the art provided by a rotating roster of popular comic book artists, beginning with the first issue's penciller, Carlos Pacheco.

S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 (“Perfect Bullets”) introduces Phil Coulson, the star of the ABC series.  This is his first day on the job as S.H.I.E.L.D. Special Ops Supreme Commander, and waiting for him is a full-on invasion of Earth.  It seems that the hordes of the “Norse World” (Thor's stomping grounds) have arrived on Earth to unleash some destruction.

Captain America, Iron Man, The Hulk, Black Knight, Blue Marvel, Hercules, Hyperion, Nova, Sunfire, Valkyrie, and The Vision have their hands full.  So it's up to Coulson to head to Sharzhad, a country beset by terrorists, and one of those terrorists may be the reason for the invasion.  Now, Coulson will need to align the “perfect bullets” to save the day.

I picked up a copy of S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 because I knew a friend of mine would like to read it.  After reading it, he didn't seem impressed.  I'm not, either.

S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 isn't a bad read.  It's just nothing special or even worthy of much notice.  I have said this in other reviews I've written:  when Mark Waid is good, he's really good, but when he is not, he is mediocre.  I won't call him mediocre on S.H.I.E.L.D. #1, but he is in the sub-par zone.

S.H.I.E.L.D. is up to the third issue, as of the last time I looked.  I might try another issue, especially as characters from the ABC series will appear in the comic book.

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for syndication rights and fees.

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Thursday, March 19, 2015