Library Wars: The Author of a Terrorist Attack?

I read Library Wars: Love & War, Vol. 13

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

I Reads You Review: CHRONONAUTS #1

CHRONONAUTS #1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

WRITER: Mark Millar – @mrmarkmillar
ARTIST: Sean Gordon Murphy – @Sean_G_Murphy
COLORS: Matt Hollingsworth
LETTERS: Chris Eliopoulos
COVER: Sean Gordon Murphy with Matt Hollingsworth
VARIANT COVERS: Matteo Scalera with Matt Hollingsworth; Declan Shalvey with Jordie Bellaire; Dan Panosian; Fiona Staples; Ryan Ottley with Kelsey Shannon; Fabio Moon; Chris Weston
28pp, Color, $3.50 U.S. (March 2015)

Rated M / Mature

Chrononauts is a new comic book series created by writer Mark Millar (Kick-Ass, The Secret Service) and artist Sean Gordon Murphy (Punk Rock Jesus).  The series focuses on the world's first time travelers and the problems they encounter.

Chrononauts #1 introduces Corbin Quinn.  He is the star scientist in NASA's Temporal-Observation Program.  After testing several “temporal vehicle” prototypes, Quinn and his partner, Dr. Danny Reilly, are ready for their first manned-mission through time with the help of their “chrono-suits.”  Something goes wrong; some always goes wrong, and it is usually not so easy to fix.

Like much of Mark Millar's creator-owned comics outside of Marvel Comics, Chrononauts is the usual, glossy, high-concept piece featuring people who know a lot, but don't realize how much they don't know.  Chrononauts lacks the gall of Kick-Ass and the gleeful maliciousness of Nemesis; plus, it seems like a shiny makeover of the late Michael Crichton's1999 novel Timeline that was adapted into a 2003 film of the same title.

I suspect Millar will offer more surprises in the second issue, so I will give it a try (if I can find a second issue).  Sean Murphy is a good comics storyteller, but nothing he does here really piques my interest.  Murphy is the series co-creator, but virtually any veteran comic book artist could have drawn Chrononauts.  Maybe, Murphy will also surprise in the second issue.

http://www.millarworld.tv/

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux on Patreon.


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

Assassination Classroom: Time for a Transfer Student

I read Assassination Classroom, Vol. 3

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

Read Webcomic Grumble: Chapter Two - Page 5

Grumble Chapter Two, Page 5 is here:  http://www.comicbookbin.com/grumbletwopage005.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

Toriko: Hidden Strength!!

I read Toriko, Vol. 27

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

I Reads You Review: NO MERCY #1

NO MERCY #1
IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics

WRITER: Alex de Campi – @alexdecampi
ARTIST: Carla Speed McNeil – @CSpeedMcNeil
COLORS: Jenn Manley Lee – @jemale
28pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (April 2015)

Rated T+ / Teen Plus

No Mercy is a new comic book series from writer Alex de Campi and artist Carla Speed McNeil (Finder).  The series focuses on a group of stranded American teenagers who must navigate the hostile landscape of a foreign country if they are to survive.

In No Mercy #1, it all begins with an arrival at an airport in the Latin American country of Mataguey.  A group of incoming freshmen at Princeton have traveled to the country to build schools in a Central American village.  Princeton Summer Service is a trip before college that allows some of the students to get to know other freshmen, while doing something good.  Then tragedy strikes, and because help is unlikely to come, these privileged students will have to help themselves.

The one thing that immediately stands out about No Mercy is Carla Speed McNeil's art.  When I first met her in college – ages ago, I thought she had a bright future in front of her.  That has come to pass, as she has even won an Eisner for her work on Finder, a long-running comic book and sometimes webcomic that I heartily recommend.  She always seems to find a way to draw each character as a unique individual creation – not just in appearance, but also in visible personality.  This gives her work an earthy and inviting quality.

In No Mercy, McNeil's art is combined with the gorgeous coloring of Jenn Manley Lee, with whom I am unfamiliar.  Lee's striking hues and McNeil's compositions remind me of the color comics of the late and legendary Moebius.  Since I loved me some Moebius, I want more of this McNeil-Lee joint.

It is obvious from the beginning that Alex de Campi is composing a merciless story in which merciless people and a pitiless environment will torment a band of clueless kids.  The biggest difficulty that many of this young adults have faced is probably typical family drama and conflict.  Now, they are in a country where the obligation to observe their privilege does not exist.  Personally, I'd like to see this story work through the eyes of one particular character.  While I do have my favorite, there are some others that have the potential to carry the readers through this land of No Mercy.

Granted that I am partial to McNeil, I think this is a comic book worth following.

[This comic book contains a preview of “Mythic #1 by Phil Hester and John McCrea.]

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux on Patreon.


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

DC Comics from Diamond Distributors for May 20, 2015

DC COMICS

JAN150366     BATMAN DETECTIVE COMICS HC VOL 06 ICARUS (N52)     $24.99
FEB150249     BATMAN DETECTIVE COMICS TP VOL 05 GOTHTOPIA (N52)     $16.99
MAR150163     CONVERGENCE #7     $3.99
MAR150211     CONVERGENCE ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #2     $3.99
MAR150213     CONVERGENCE BATMAN & THE OUTSIDERS #2     $3.99
MAR150215     CONVERGENCE FLASH #2     $3.99
MAR150217     CONVERGENCE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #2     $3.99
MAR150219     CONVERGENCE HAWKMAN #2     $3.99
MAR150221     CONVERGENCE JUSTICE LEAGUE AMERICA #2     $3.99
MAR150223     CONVERGENCE NEW TEEN TITANS #2     $3.99
MAR150225     CONVERGENCE SUPERBOY & THE LEGION #2     $3.99
MAR150227     CONVERGENCE SWAMP THING #2     $3.99
MAR150229     CONVERGENCE WONDER WOMAN #2     $3.99
FEB150282     EX MACHINA TP BOOK 05 (MR)     $19.99
JAN150402     FBP FEDERAL BUREAU OF PHYSICS TP VOL 03 STANDING (MR)     $14.99
MAR150261     INFINITE CRISIS FIGHT FOR THE MULTIVERSE #11     $3.99
FEB150260     JLA TP VOL 07     $24.99
MAR150310     KITCHEN #7 (MR)     $2.99
MAR150293     MAD MAX FURY ROAD NUX & IMMORTAL JOE #1 (MR)     $4.99
MAR150263     SENSATION COMICS FEATURING WONDER WOMAN #10     $3.99
FEB150288     UNWRITTEN TP VOL 11 (MR)     $16.99

DC COMICS/DC COLLECTIBLES

NOV140347     DC COMICS SUPERMAN & BATMAN BOOKENDS     $299.95