Yu-Gi-Oh 5Ds: Destiny's Last Draw!!

I read Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's, Vol. 7: Destiny's Last Draw!

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin, which is seeking donations.  Follow me on Twitter or at Grumble.

I Reads You Review: DEATHSTROKE #1

DEATHSTROKE #1 (2014)
DC COMICS – @DCComics

WRITER/PENCILS: Tony S. Daniel
INKS: Sandu Florea
COLORS: Tomeu Morey
LETTERS: Rob Leigh
COVER: Tony S. Daniel and Sandu Florea with Tomeu Morey
VARIANT COVERS: Andrea Sorrentino; Kevin O'Neill
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (December 2014)

Rated “T+” (Teen Plus)

Deathstroke created by Marv Wolfman and George Perez

Deathstroke is a DC Comics character that first appeared in New Teen Titans #2 (cover date December 1980).  Created by Marv Wolfman and George Perez, Deathstroke was originally introduced as a character named “The Terminator.”  He was Slade Wilson, a mercenary who was completing the terms of a contract undertaken by his son, Ravager, to kill or capture the Teen Titans.  The Terminator became Deathstroke the Terminator and eventually just Deathstroke, an assassin, mercenary, and anti-hero.

With the re-launch of DC Comics’ superhero line, known as “The New 52,” Deathstroke received his second ongoing series, which ran for 20 issues.  In October of last year (December 2014 cover date), DC Comics debuted a new Deathstroke ongoing series.  It is written and pencilled by Tony S. Daniel, inked by Sandu Florea, colored by Tomeu Morey, and lettered by Rob Leigh.

Deathstroke #1 (“Gods of War”) opens with Deathstroke heading to Russia to complete a contract kill.  He meets his Russian contact, Angelica, for sex before going on a killing spree of associates of his target, a man called “Possum.”  But it's all a set-up.

I thought that The Punisher by Garth Ennis was the comic book with the most extreme depictions of violence ever published by one of the big two comic book companies – that I read, at least.  Deathstroke's pretty art, from pencils to compositions and from design to colors, is a flashy and explosive celebration of graphic violence in graphical storytelling.  I am not offended; I want more.

I am glad that I found a second printing of Deathstroke #1.  It seems like something I want to read, and my mind seems to love the eye-candy ferocity of the story.

[This comic book includes a preview of the Vertigo comic book series, Suiciders, from writer-artist, Lee Bermejo.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux

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

Arata: The Legend - Stop and Smell the... Cause You Have No Choice

I read Arata: The Legend, Vol. 21

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin, which is seeking donations.  Follow me on Twitter or at Grumble.

Read Webcomic Grumble: Chapter One - Page 24

Title Page is here: http://www.comicbookbin.com/grumbletitlepage002.html

NOTE:  Last year, I printed some promotional copies of Grumble: Chapter One through a POD printer.  I will sign and number a copy of this "rare" comic book for $5 post paid, which you can purchase here or http://ireadsyou.blogspot.com/p/i-reads-shopping.html

Rin-ne: Tatami Feel Up on Me

I read RIN-NE, Vol. 17

I posted a review at the ComicBookBin, which is seeking donations.  Follow me on Twitter and at Grumble.

I Reads You Review: ARCHIE VS. PREDATOR #1

ARCHIE VS. PREDATOR #1
DARK HORSE COMICS in association with Archie Comics – @DarkHorseComics and @ArchieComics

WRITER: Alex de Campi
PENCILS: Fernando Ruiz
INKS: Rich Koslowski
COLORS: Jason Millet
LETTERS: John Workman
COVER:  Fernando Ruiz and Rich Koslowski with Jason Millet
VARIANT COVERS: Eric Powell; Francesco Francavilla
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (April 2015)

Eternal comic book teenager, Archie Andrews, was created in 1941 by Vic Bloom and Bob Montana and first appeared in Pep Comics #22 (cover date: December 1941).  The Predator is a movie monster that was created by the sibling screenwriting team of Jim and John Thomas in 1985 and that first appeared in the still-popular, 1987 science fiction film, Predator.

Now, Dark Horse Comics, in conjunction with Archie Comics, is pitting Archie Andrews and his friends against the Predator in the four-issue comic book miniseries, Archie vs. Predator.  The series is written by Alex de Campi, penciled by Fernando Ruiz, inked by Rich Koslowski, colored by Jason Millet, and lettered by one of the masters of comic book lettering, John Workman.

Archie vs. Predator #1 (“When You Wish Upon a Star”) opens with America's favorite teen, Archie, and his pals, including Betty, Veronica, Reggie, Jughead, and Moose, trying to decide where they can spend Spring Break.  They don't want to spend another Spring Break camping, tubing, or shopping at the outlet mall.  Of course, the wealthy Cheryl and her boyfriend, Jason, are rubbing it in that they will spend the vacation yachting in the Caribbean.

As luck (or fate) would have it, the gang does manage to travel to the lovely Los Perdidos Resort in Costa Rica.  However, instead of enjoying fun in the sun, Archie and the Gang allow old rivalries, jealousy, and violence to take over their Spring Break.  Meanwhile, something dangerous hides in the nearby jungle, watching and waiting.

It has been some time since I have enjoyed an Archie comic book as much as I enjoyed Archie vs. Predator #1.  For the most part, the Predator is a background player in this first issue.  What makes this such a good Archie comic book is that writer Alex de Campi encapsulates eight decades of rivalries, jealousies, and disputes into 22-pages.  The charm of Archie and company is not just that they are friends; it is also about their conflicts and schemes, although I must admit to being surprised at the physical intensity and emotional distress de Campi depicts in this story.

The art team of Fernando Ruiz, Rich Koslowski (an Archie Comics writer-artist), and Jason Millet capture the classic Archie look, which is based on the work of the late Dan DeCarlo, probably the most influential Archie Comics artist of all time.  Archie vs. Predator #1 looks like an Archie comic book and graphically, it reads like one.

I am waiting for the Predator's presence to explode in this story, probably next issue.  For now, I implore anyone who has ever liked an Archie comic book to try the first issue of Archie vs. Predator.

A

[This volume includes a one-age bonus story, “Sabrina Meets Hellboy” by Alex de Campi, Robert Hack, and Clem Robins.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux


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

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for April 15, 2015

DC COMICS

JAN150409     100 BULLETS TP BOOK 02 (MR)     $24.99
JAN150393     AMERICAN VAMPIRE SECOND CYCLE #7 (MR)     $2.99
JAN150400     ASTRO CITY DARK AGE TP VOL 01 BROTHERS & OTHER STRANGERS     $19.99
NOV140306     BATMAN ADVENTURES MAD LOVE DELUXE ED HC     $24.99
FEB150142     CONVERGENCE #2     $3.99
FEB150174     CONVERGENCE AQUAMAN #1     $3.99
FEB150176     CONVERGENCE BATMAN SHADOW OF THE BAT #1     $3.99
FEB150178     CONVERGENCE CATWOMAN #1     $3.99
FEB150180     CONVERGENCE GREEN ARROW #1     $3.99
FEB150182     CONVERGENCE GREEN LANTERN PARALLAX #1     $3.99
FEB150184     CONVERGENCE JUSTICE LEAGUE INTL #1     $3.99
FEB150186     CONVERGENCE SUICIDE SQUAD #1     $3.99
FEB150188     CONVERGENCE SUPERBOY #1     $3.99
FEB150190     CONVERGENCE SUPERGIRL MATRIX #1     $3.99
FEB150192     CONVERGENCE SUPERMAN MAN OF STEEL #1     $3.99
JAN150376     DEADSHOT BULLETPROOF TP     $14.99
DEC140378     EARTH 2 HC VOL 05 THE KRYPTONIAN (N52)     $24.99
JAN150378     EARTH 2 TP VOL 04 THE DARK AGE (N52)     $14.99
DEC140414     FILTH DELUXE EDITION HC (MR)     $29.99
AUG140391     FRANK MILLERS RONIN GALLERY ED HC     $195.00
FEB150245     INFINITE CRISIS FIGHT FOR THE MULTIVERSE #10     $3.99
JAN150374     INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR 2 TP VOL 01     $14.99
DEC140390     INJUSTICE GODS AMONG US YEAR TWO HC VOL 02     $22.99
FEB150284     KITCHEN #6 (MR)     $2.99
FEB150247     SENSATION COMICS FEATURING WONDER WOMAN #9     $3.99
NOV140315     SHAZAM A CELEBRATION OF 75 YEARS HC     $39.99
FEB150286     STRANGE SPORTS STORIES #2 (MR)     $4.99
FEB150271     TEEN TITANS GO #9     $2.99
JAN150410     TOP 10 TP     $24.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

OCT140411     ARROW TV ACTION FIGURE     $24.95
AUG140390     DC COLLECTIBLES ACTION FIGURE BASES (BAG OF 20)     $9.95
OCT140415     WONDER WOMAN ART OF WAR STATUE BY TONY DANIEL     $79.95